Toronto breaks 1967 record (not Leafs)

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Good afternoon - We finally broke a 1967 record… but it’s not winning a cup. Meanwhile, the city’s plotting a gondola to the Islands, tearing down century-old bridges, and fighting off a tree-killing beetle — all while a Toronto celebrity drops $1M on the Leafs.

Let’s get to it!

P.S. LAST DAY for Doors Open Toronto!

THE DIGEST

🥶 Coldest May Since 1967: Toronto is experiencing an unusually chilly May — a cold snap not seen this late in the month since 1967. Residents hoping for patio weather will have to wait, as this rare spring chill keeps temperatures well below seasonal norms.

🚠 City Eyes Island Gondola: Toronto is exploring options to improve access to the Toronto Islands, including a gondola, pedestrian bridge, or tunnel. The city aims to enhance connectivity while considering logistical challenges and community concerns.

🧱 Toronto Demolishing Old Bridges: Toronto has entered the demolition phase of several aging downtown bridges, including the century-old Eastern Avenue Bridge and others near the Don Valley. Construction will carry on until 2027.

🚔 Cloned Plates, $1.5K Bill: A Toronto man was shocked to learn his licence plate had been duplicated and used in crimes — including racking up over $1,500 in Highway 407 tolls. After police confirmed the fraud, he was told to replace his plates, only to be hit with the massive bill while trying to do so.

💸 Drake Loses $1M on Leafs: Toronto rapper Drake lost a $1 million bet on the Maple Leafs' Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers. After the 6–1 defeat, he jokingly blamed the "Bieber curse," referencing Justin Bieber's attendance at the game. The incident has reignited discussions about the so-called "Drake Curse" in sports.

🏡 Get Out Of The City: Just an hour from Toronto, Port Hope has been ranked one of Canada’s best places to live. With its beautifully preserved 19th-century main street, sandy beaches, and small-town charm - it’s a perfect year-round escape.

🌳 Toronto Battles Tree-Killing Beetle: Toronto is fighting back against the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect that has already killed over 800,000 city trees. The city will inject over 5,300 ash trees with insecticide, turning them into traps to stop the beetle’s deadly spread.

🍶 Canada’s Biggest Sake Fest Returns
Kampai Toronto, the country’s largest sake festival, hits Wychwood Barns on June 12 with over 200 sakes from 50+ global breweries.

🍺 More Beer Store Closures Coming: Another nine Beer Store locations across Ontario — including Toronto — will shut down on July 20, bringing the total closures since May 2024 to 53. The union blames the province’s alcohol retail reforms, warning of reduced price stability and fewer places to return empties.

TORONTO THEN AND NOW:
Custom House

The Yonge Street Arcade, opened in 1884, was Toronto’s first indoor shopping mall, inspired by grand European gallerias like Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It featured a soaring glass roof, 267-foot-long galleria, and over 50 unique retail spaces aimed at supporting small merchants. At the time, it was a revolutionary concept in local retail, offering natural light, steam heating, and even hydraulic elevators—decades ahead of its time. Sadly, after years of decline and fire damage, the Arcade was demolished in 1955, replaced by a parking lot and later an office tower.

THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

LAST DAY! Doors Open Toronto - Unlock Toronto’s hidden gems during Doors Open Toronto, a once-a-year weekend where over 150 of the city’s most fascinating buildings—spanning history, culture, architecture, and the arts—welcome you inside. May 25, | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (unless otherwise noted per location)
Location: Across Toronto (click link above)

UofT Ghost Tour - Uncover the haunted secrets of the University of Toronto on Campus Secrets and Spectres, a spine-tingling ghost tour through gothic halls and shadowy paths where eerie encounters and paranormal stories come to life.
May 27 | 8:00 PM – 9:15 PM
Location: University of Toronto (downtown campus)

North York Farmers’ Market - Celebrate 31 seasons of local flavour at the North York Farmers' Market, where beloved farm and artisanal vendors return to Mel Lastman Square every Thursday with fresh produce, tasty grab-and-go meals, and community spirit. May 22 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Mel Lastman Square,

From Stage to Field: The History of Public Entertainment at Exhibition Place - Explore 150 years of Toronto’s entertainment history on the From Stage to Field walking tour at Exhibition Place, highlighting its iconic venues, green spaces, and rich legacy—from the Bandshell to major sports and cultural events. May 25 | 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM & 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Start Location: Dufferin Gate, 14 Dufferin St, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3

Fashion Art Toronto’s Spring/Summer 2025 Fashion Week - Step into the cutting edge of style at Fashion Art Toronto’s Spring/Summer 2025 Fashion Week, a four-day celebration of bold runway shows, immersive art, sustainable fashion, local shopping, and live entertainment—all set against the city’s waterfront backdrop.
May 29 | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: T3 Bayside, 251 Queens Quay E

Harbourfront Farmers’ Market - upport Ontario farmers and feast on the freshest local flavours at the Harbourfront Farmers Market, where seasonal produce, sustainable seafood, baked goods, and artisanal treats take centre stage every Saturday by the lake.
May 31 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: The Commons at Harbourfront Centre

Toronto Blue Jays Host The A’s - May 29 - June 1 (see schedule/tickets)

RECOS: Things you will love
 
🧑‍🍳 Baking: Texas-Sized Muffins? Yes Please
📠 Tech: Why Are People Putting These on Everything?
⚾️ Jays: Leafs Are Out, Jays Are In
🐶 Dogs: Why Are Dog Owners Raving About These?
🐈 Cats: A Fountain So Pretty, You’ll Want One Too

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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Forgotten Art Deco Palace in Toronto.

Here is the link: Click here to watch

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