What’s really in the air?

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Good afternoon and Happy Summer — the city braces for a heat wave, says goodbye to a 100-year-old elm, and gets ready to demolish its oldest suburban plaza.

Meanwhile: fake cabs are stealing your PIN, a massive wine fest is coming to Fort York, the city launches a rush hour crackdown, and a new study reveals something about our air quality.

Let’s get into it!

THE DIGEST

🛍️ Goodbye Plaza: Toronto’s first suburban shopping plaza at Bathurst & Lawrence is set for demolition after 70 years. In its place? A massive seven-tower mixed-use community with nearly 2,700 homes, retail, a daycare, and a new public park.

☀️ Heat Wave Incoming: The city is bracing for a scorching stretch of weather, with humidex values making it feel hotter than 40°C from Sunday through Tuesday. Thunderstorms may offer brief relief, but prepare for sweltering days.

🪾 Farewell To A Giant: One of Toronto’s oldest elm trees — a towering 40-metre landmark in Seaton Village — is dying after over a century of growth. U of T researchers are racing to preserve its legacy by collecting seeds to regrow its genetic line across the city.

🚦 Rush Hour Crackdown: Toronto has launched a two-week enforcement blitz targeting no-stopping zones during weekday rush hour. Drivers caught blocking traffic face $190 fines and possible towing as part of the city's effort to reduce congestion.

🍷 Sip The Nation: A massive new wine festival is landing at Fort York on July 12, featuring over 25 Canadian wineries, unlimited tastings, and local food vendors. Tickets start at $35 until June 21.

🚓 Carjacking Chase: A high-speed chase involving a stolen BMW and Rolls-Royce shut down parts of the Gardiner. One suspect jumped from the elevated expressway near Spadina, sustaining injuries.

📍 Bus To Ontario’s 'Most Beautiful Village': Hop on a Parkbus from downtown Toronto to Elora — a postcard-perfect village filled with cozy cafés, indie shops, and limestone streets. The trip stops at the scenic Elora Gorge with optional tubing adventures.

💨 What’s In The Air?: A new study found winter pollution levels - including microplastics, tire dust, and metals - were higher than expected. Some neighbourhoods had concentrations 40x the city average.

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

🚨 Tow Truck Turf War: Peel police dismantled a violent organized crime ring tied to Brampton and Mississauga towing companies. The group used threats, arson, and staged collisions to extort victims.

🏗️ Sixplex Controversy: City council has endorsed a plan to allow 5- and 6-unit homes in low-rise neighbourhoods. Supporters say it’ll bring housing for families and seniors, while critics fear it will erode neighbourhood character. The final vote heads to council.

🚊 East Harbour Transit Hub Breaks Ground: Construction is underway on Toronto’s East Harbour Transit Hub, which will become the city’s second busiest station after Union. The hub will connect the Ontario Line with GO’s Lakeshore East and Stouffville lines, serving 100,000 riders daily.

🚕 Fake Taxi Scheme: Police arrested 11 suspects in a taxi scam that defrauded hundreds of people of more than $500,000. The suspects swapped customers’ debit cards during fake cab rides and stole their PINs. Be cautious - legit taxi drivers won’t ask for your PIN or take your card out of sight.

TORONTO THEN AND NOW:
The Royal Insurance Company Building

The Royal Insurance Company Building, erected in 1861 at Yonge and Wellington, stood as a Romanesque landmark of Toronto’s early financial district. It featured finely detailed stonework and housed both the company’s branch and legal offices above. Its presence marked Toronto’s mid-19th-century shift toward elegant, European-inspired architecture, as documented in Octavius Thompson’s Toronto in the Camera. Sadly, like many of its peers, the building was demolished in 1960—erased in favour of stark Modernist structures that redefined the city’s skyline.

THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

Nature in Brilliant Colour - Experience nature like never before at Nature in Brilliant Colour, a stunning ROM exhibition that takes you on a sensory journey through the rainbow—featuring over 200 specimens, immersive projections, and soundscapes that reveal the powerful meaning of colour in the natural world.
Tuesday to Sunday until August 17 | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: ROM

Editor’s Pick! Toronto Waterfront Festival - Set sail at the Toronto Waterfront Festival as the Tall Ships return to Sugar Beach for a spectacular weekend of onboard tours, sailing adventures on the Empire Sandy, live entertainment, local food, and family-friendly nautical fun.
June 28 & 29 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Sugar Beach Park

Spirits of the Distillery District Ghost Tour - Uncover the eerie past of one of Toronto’s most historic neighborhoods on the Spirits of the Distillery District Ghost Tour, a lantern-lit evening walk through cobblestone streets and shadowy alleyways filled with chilling tales of tragedy, hauntings, and paranormal encounters.
Daily | 8:00 PM – 9:15 PM until August 31
Location: Inside the front gates of the Distillery District

North York Farmers' Market - Celebrate 31 seasons of fresh flavours and community spirit at the North York Farmers’ Market, held every Thursday at Mel Lastman Square with a vibrant mix of farm-fresh produce, artisanal goods, and delicious grab-and-go eats.
Every Thursday until October 9 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Mel Lastman Square

Spring Into Spice Cultural Food and Wine Festival 2025 - Savor global flavors and bold pairings at the Spring Into Spice Cultural Food and Wine Festival 2025, a lively outdoor celebration at Steam Whistle Brewing featuring 45+ vendors, international cuisines, curated wine tastings, and DJ-powered vibes.
June 28 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Steam Whistle Brewing, 255 Bremner Blvd

Jays vs. Yankees - June 30 - July 3 (schedule)
Jays vs. Angels - July 4 - 6 (schedule)

RECOS: Things you will love
 
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🐈 Pets: Pet Owners Call This “Actual Magic”
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

18 Facts About Toronto: Even Torontonians Don’t Know!

Here is the link: Click here to watch

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Miss you Ethel. RIP.