Since my last newsletter on Toronto, here’s what new and caught my attention in the city with the CN tower (and Skydome):

Politics/getting around: the battle of the Bike Lanes continues on. After an Ontario court struck down the premier’s plan to rip up the bike lanes, he’s stormed off and took it up with the Supreme Court. I am a supporter of the bike lanes, but even if I was not, I don’t think this is the best use of the government’s time or other resources. Let’s see in 6 months if this battle has subsided.

In transit news, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT which was supposed to be open in September? Yeah, that’s not happening. despite the TTC taking control of it the LRT from Metrolinx. At this point I’m just going to assume it’s never going to occur. And even when it does happen, my neighborhood is due for more turmoil. Sigh. More on that here.

a quick aside: for automobile drivers who wondered how they can they get a temporary parking pass, wonder no more! Instead click here for details from the City.

Speaking of the City, the mayor is talking about scaling back on some of the costs associated with hosting the World Cup. Despite all her efforts, the city is still in a bind financially, according to this. That said, she a resourceful politician. I’m confident she can manage.

Real estate: the last time I noted that one of my favorite places, Hot Docs, was up for sale. I was worried this could be the end of it. As it turns out, Hot Docs sells its cinema for $6.25M, but will continue leasing it. Whew. That’s good. Hey, go check out their web site and see a show or two when you can.

Apparently rents are dropping all over Ontario, including Toronto. Good news for tenants, not so good for landlords. Maybe some affordable places will be built out here in proposed extension at College Park, assuming it gets built. Am I a fan of that new design? Let’s just say I wish College Park was being built out the way it was initially envisioned, as I wrote and showed, here.

Food: if you are in Kensington Market, apparently there is a great new sandwich shop there called Made-Rite. Always good to see great sandwich places opening up to go along with strong line up we already have in place, like La Salumeria, Hot Pork, Ariete E Toro and Bahn Mi Boys, to name just a few.

Ariete E To is also one of the best new restaurants in Toronto, according to Toronto Life. Others on that list I can vouch for: Martine’s, Maven and General Public. I’m sure the others are worth a visit too.

Sadly one of the mainstay of Annex dining,  By The Way Cafe, is set to close after 40 years. I’ve started going there when it first opened and I lived in the area. That stretch of Bloor won’t be the same without it.  (More on its closing, here.)

Finally: with the passing away of Giorgio Armani, many a story was published on his life, including this one with a Toronto angle. When I lived in the Annex I would go to Hazelton Lanes often. I never did skate on their lovely rink (shown in the article), though I wish I did.

Do you remember that Toronto once had 326 different moose statues decorated in wildly different ways? Here’s a look back at the art project, 25 years later.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I appreciate it! I leave you with a date night photo from the restaurant Sorrel, overlooking one of my favorite buildings in the city.