fourONEsixSTYLE

Happy Earth Day 2008!

2008-04-22T10:44:00.003-04:00

MEC's green roof among others
Originally uploaded by 416style

Everyone should be doing their part today to lessen the strain on our environment. Here's one trend I hope to see take off in Toronto - Green Roofs. This photo of mine was taken on the green roof of MEC - Mountain Equipment Coop and was used in Bruce Mau's MASSIVE CHANGE exhibit held in Chicago in 2006.

Some of the environmental benefits of green roofs in an urban setting include:
-reducing stormwater runoff that affects water for drinking and swimming, as well as habitat in local rivers and lakes
-reducing energy consumption by as much as 50%
-reducing the urban heat island effect by lowering the City's temperature and therefore a reduction in cooling costs
-beautifies the City
-creates more natural green spaces in urban areas
-provides more habitat area for wildlife including migratory birds

Hot Docs Heats Up in Toronto

2008-04-20T18:51:00.008-04:00

The Hot Docs festival kicked off in Toronto last Thursday with a moving documentary, Air India 182, bringing to life the stories of families touched by the worst act of terror Canadians have ever encountered as a nation.

After this opening weekend the festival buzz is heating up, giving high honours to Football Undercover, a film profiling a Muslim women’s soccer team, as well as Carny, a colourful doc that explores the strong and unusual bonds of one girl on the road.

Cuban Song could be given a miss I’m told. The documentary follows in the tracks of other Cuban docs that show how life and music mesh in Havana, however it lacks the depth and tone set by its cinematic predecessors. Tiger Spirit failed to engage audiences in the story of divided Koreans reuniting for the first time in decades, while Club Native hit home showing the difficult side of life for Mohawk Indians uniting with partners off their reserve. (Thanks for the tips & reviews John, Lana & Diego).

I’ve got my festival pass – 10 films for $90 – but have been caught up preparing for a BBC micro-session on how to approach research for forensics documentaries. I’ll be presenting a Cold Blood case study Wednesday at 2:30PM. Those with an industry pass are welcome to swing by and see what you can learn about the field of archive and visual research from our experienced panel.

Is Comfort Zone Down for the Count?

2008-03-23T20:17:00.008-04:00

Toronto party-goers buzzed last weekend with news that the city's longest standing after-hours, Comfort Zone, had been raided by 200 police who'd made 33 arrests, mostly involving illegal narcotics - $30,000 worth. People unlucky enough to be inside the club last weekend were quickly thrown on the ground and handcuffed with plastic teathers. Some admitted (on blogTO) that officers would step on the backs of their necks if they were caught squirming to get comfortable. It seemed like a brutal situation. Police, who called the operation white rabbit, were implored to take action after the recent death of a young man who'd been partying at the Comfort Zone, made his way home to Hamilton, and was found dead from a drug overdose.

The club certainly has its detractors and I haven't been in many years. Back when I was 18 and 19 the after-hours was called Buzz and I was happy to go dance the night away while ignoring all the sketchy people around me. I have a little sister now close to that age, and she could've easily been looking for a place to party with friends when police busted the joint. Out of towners and first timers who were there last weekend certainly learned their lesson.

The big questions was, is CZ going to remain open? It's been a part of the Toronto scene for over 10 years now, with relatively little trouble, except for a sullied reputation. It appears Comfort Zone did open back up, and police were back this morning arresting two kids for peddling drugs. That's some big cahones those boys have.

Will this second series of take-downs be enough for CZ to consider an exit from clubland, or will the spate of arrests convince
the club-owner to emerge from the dark-side to find a new crowd of squeeky-clean clubkids?

Photo from: PatrickKErby

Rochdale College Remembered

2008-03-19T12:28:00.002-04:00

Birds And Forgotten Universities
Originally uploaded by Michael Chrisman

Most Torontonians in their forties and up remember the social experiment that was Rochdale College, they might even have a good story to tell, but to those too young or new to the city it's just another concrete monolith. The eighteen-story-high brutalist structure at St. George and Bloor is the subject of Ron Mann's documentary, Dream Tower, and is also the result of a group of idealistic students in the late sixties who hoped to challenge reigning educational models.

They believed that students should have more control over curriculum, design and teach their own courses, as well as run the administration. Young people rallied behind the idea and its popularity grew, but space became a concern. There had been no central location for the school, so the feds gave them seed money - 5 million dollars - for the construction of a building for the college which would include a residence. The Rochdale dream was becoming a reality.

The design by architects Tampold and Wells was unique, accommodating for communal living and areas that were known as ashrams, each unit of which was independent and responsible for its own welfare. The free college accepted many kinds of people into the fray from hippies and homeless to drug-dealers and draft-dodgers, however the lack of regulation and direction resulted in chaos. Rochdale's student body soon couldn't reach consensus on anything, like what to do about their open door policy, and the school quickly became a haven for biker gangs, dealers and their clientele. Cops' visits then became so frequent some students would welcome them with freshly baked cakes.

Seven years later, in 1975, the Rochdale dream lost steam. Political pressure led to the school's closure. Police carried the last of the students out and welded the doors shut. Today a monument called the Unknown Student rests outside the building, now named the Senator David A. Croll Apartments. Not all of Rochdale's creativity went up in smoke however, the Rochdale movement helped propel the creative minds behind Toronto cultural institutions Coach House Press, House of Anansi Press and Theatre Passe Muraille.

Fashion Week's Full Line-up for Fall 2008

2008-03-19T11:49:00.003-04:00

I love seeing how Toronto Fashion Week evolves each season, now just underway at Nathan Philips Square. Just looking through the schedule of events one can see the list of contributors is growing and morphing from a few fan favourites - Denis Gagnon, Andy The-Anh, Pink Tartan and Greta Constatine - to a sophisticated roster of Canadian talent. I'll miss Izzy Camilleri this year but am excited by some fresh scene-stylers. Keep your eyes peeled for designs by Nadya Toto, Mellinda-Mae Harlingten and Tatsuaki. Newcomers Evan Biddell and Carlie Wong of Project Runway will have a chance to impress next week, while Russian designer Max Chernitsov brings some international flare to Toronto.

image by Toronto Street.

Toronto Fashion Week to Hit the Street

2008-03-06T13:37:00.004-05:00

Taking a page from NYC's Fashion Week, celebrated in midtown's Bryant Park, Toronto's week of runway shows is also back in a prime pedestrian intersection, Nathan Philips Square. I've been around for the Liberty Grand shows and Muzik too but this venue excites me a bit more. Likely it's because the best fashion I see in Toronto is on the streets, where style is most exposed. It's also where, rubbing shoulders with strangers all day long, fashion plays the biggest part in your identity, you can play it up or play it down, be anyone you feel, swathed in a sweet cloak of anonymity.

L’Oreal Fashion Week begins showing fall collections 2008 on March 17th.

fourONEsix foto: Robo Lomo

2008-03-06T11:29:00.005-05:00

Robo Lomo
Originally uploaded by scienceduck

Over two years ago I started "curating" a flickr photo pool called fourONEsixSTYLE, so i could have a gallery of thumbnails for readers to explore on this site - you can see it to your left. At the time there were only one or two photo groups that showed Toronto some love. Now that flickr's grown so have the groups, but I'm still very proud of this one and all 328 Toronto enthusiasts documentating Toronto the good, as well as Toronto the bad. Here's one photograph from recent submissions that grabbed my attention. It might not be unique to Toronto but to me it's encouraging; even in the strangest of places, on top of a garbage can, in a back alley, you can still find something worth photographing if you've got a sense of adventure, imagination and in this case a bit of nostalgia too.

Ron Jeremy Wants You To Read

2008-03-05T16:06:00.006-05:00

The post I wrote for blogTO last March, now with video!

Ron Jeremy, who may very well be The Hardest (Working) Man in Showbiz, swung by The Gladstone last week to stimulate us with stories from his recent autobiography. From the moment he mounted the stage the adult film icon was on a roll, dropping a few of the 1900 porn titles he's starred in: Halloweenie, Weapons of Ass Destruction (Ouch!), Fantastic Foreskin and Throbin Hood.

But interviewer Sasha Von Bon Bon was quick to cut him off, trying to take control of the stage right from the start. While Bon Bon carries a certain weight around town - writing the sex column for Eye Magazine and performing in burlesque shows - her petulance was an annoyance throughout the talk. Like in her column, Sasha seemed to have a need to voice her disdain for certain parts of sex culture. It really surprised me that a woman with the clout she has would use it this way, revealing her less than healthy attitude, in this case towards marriage (everyone cheats don't they?), sex for/with seniors (Jeremy talked of one film where he had sex with an 87 year-old woman) and industry beauty standards (it's easy to knock fake boobs when you're sporting doubleDs). It was the wrong match for a man like Jeremy, who makes no apologies for what he does, but also having really seen and done it all is realistic about sex in all its variations and life in general.

While Ms. Bon Bon bounced between the conflicted personas of attention-hungry schoolgirl and jaded lover, Jeremy, the consummate pro, spewed anecdotes from his life in porn and we lapped up every dirty bit.

Oh-eight update: Check back soon for my review of the book and I'll fill you in on all the salacious details of my own encounter with the porn legend.

RIP Jeff Healey

2008-03-04T12:19:00.006-05:00

Sadly, on Sunday night, Canadian musician Jeff Healey passed away at St. Joseph's hospital in the westend of Toronto. The cancer that had caused his blindness at the age of one had spread throughout his body and could no longer be controlled by doctors.

Healey had had a successful career, rising up the international music charts and winning a Grammy award for the ballad Angel Eyes. He was to become a famous figure in Toronto's jazz and rock music scene, lending his name to a couple popular music venues.

I met him once, outside Healey's on Bathurst. I'd been having a drink at The Paddock next door with a friend, and we'd made our way out for a cigarette on the patio. Out of the blue a smooth voice sidled up to us and said "Hello Ladies! Care to join me for a drink?" We were charmed by the tall blond man we both knew to be Jeff Healey so we found ourselves taking his arm to follow him downstairs for a drink. We had a few laughs and then watched him perform. He was a classy and talented man, with an obvious love for what he did. Rest in Peace Mr. Healey.

Doc Soup Screens Autism: The Musical

2008-03-02T20:26:00.004-05:00

Though the causes of autism cannot be definitively pinpointed, it has become apparent that cases of autism have increased dramatically since the 1980's. It wasn't until a couple of summer's ago that I'd met someone with this brain development condition. At first he seemed odd, sociable, but unable to make eye contact. Then, his fixations with unusual things like highway rumble strips and recording everything from voices to generator noises, made him more curious to me and my friends who interacted with him. Now, what defines him most is his fascination with the play Evil Dead: The Musical. He'll ask everyone he meets whether they've seen it and what they think of it. He's gone so far as to get some of the cast members' t-shirts, covered in fake blood, and wear them out to parties. No doubt dressing up for Halloween is his favorite time of year.

Since I really know very little about people with Autism, I'm hoping that this week's Doc Soup screening "Autism: The Musical" will shed some light on the associated personality traits, not only the repetitive and extremely intelligent aspects of the neurological encumbrance we've come to know from Rain Man, but also how a focus on creative expression can help those with Autism. It's fascinating, when you know that most of us only use 5% of our brain's capacity, that there may be a key there in understanding this different wiring that might help us all evolve a little further.

Screenings are at 6:30 and 9:15 this Wednesday the 5th. Tickets are currently available online for the later show. You'll have to take your chances to get into the early one.

Preloved Perseveres!

2008-02-26T13:28:00.006-05:00

Less than a week after a tenacious fire tore through Queen West, Preloved is back in business. As of tomorrow a temporary store will open at 24 Ryerson Ave, in the basement suite, to showcase the spring styles that fortunately survived the blaze. Opening hours are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12-6pm.

Recently I visited the (now destroyed) store on Queen to take some pictures and ended up walking away with a reconstructed tie-up blazer in a beautiful forest green. The price tag was high - about $150 - but I knew I was going to have a one of a kind piece in my wardrobe. One of a kind style is what Preloved does best.

Queen Street Fire Photos

2008-02-20T12:32:00.010-05:00

Queen St Fire
Originally uploaded by taxing

Flickr might be the top place to dig up photos of the six-alarm scorcher that tore though several historic Queen West buildings this morning.

The photo here by taxing is one of the best I've found from the early morning. If you're filled with intrigue too check some other flickites' sites like JL 1967, Johnny Mad or xarq.

Word is that firefighters have now gained control of the inferno though smoke continues to spread for several blocks. I can still taste it despite being over four blocks away. Riders beware - subways have been experiencing issues with lack of air circulation as well.

Six-Alarm Fire Still Burning on Queen West

2008-02-20T08:47:00.014-05:00

A fire that broke out this morning at 5AM continues to burn on Queen Street West at Portland between Spadina and Bathurst. All residents were evacuated and no one was injured but damage to this historic stretch has spead to at least 15 businesses including Duke's Cycle, Preloved, Suspect Video, a headshop called Jupiter and Pizzaiolo. It is so bad these buildings can not likely be salvaged. Firefighters, who are still working hard to contain the blaze, revealled that there is some explosive material within one of the buildings but will not comment on what that material might be. Surrounding streets are closed to traffic.

Photo by aardvark.

Update: More photos available through fourONEsixSTYLE.

A Night at Caren's with Gondry

2008-02-07T23:17:00.001-05:00

gondry
Originally uploaded by 416style

I messed up previously laid plans when I was offered preview passes to Mos Def and Jack Black's new flick Be Kind Rewind. The clincher was the Q&A with director Michel Gondry. Gondry's well-known in film for directing The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind but it's his unique style directing music videos for the White Stripes and Bjork that gets my attention. Bad news is I got to the screening (right on time) and all the seats were filled (yeah, apparently there's a disclaimer you're supposed to read) so my friends and I had to change course. We headed to Caren's Wine Bar across the street (158 Cumberland) since I'd heard they had some swish mac and cheese and a tasty fondue too.

We sunk into our seats upstairs and I noticed that Richard Crouse, the easily recognizable host of Rogers Television's Reel to Real, was seated near to us. Hmmm...I wonder who he's dining with in Yorkville. Sure enough it's Michel Gondry, having a glass of red before ducking into the theatre to begin a round of questioning.

I wanted to give him my two cents too, tell him that my photo of him is used in his wikipedia profile, but best we could do was "So you couldn't get into the movie either?" He seemed rushed and faked a laugh, but he seemed to be doing that a dinner with his guests too. Solemn and reserved; not at all what I'd expect. Shouldn't you be a people person as an accomplished director? Maybe not. This is the guy, after all, that developed what's now called "the bullet technique", made famous by The Matrix. Oh well, I guess he's a technical guy. I can appreciate that.

We missed our chance with him and we missed the Q&A, instead we sat at Caren's waiting forever for food and drinks to have overly formal staff bring us overly mediocre food. (And, hey, shouldn't you have a decent selection of wines if you want to call yourself a wine bar?)

Besides good company the night was a bust - but hey, I did get another movie pass, to try and get into the movie another time.

Busted - 1 hour dry cleaning in Toronto

2007-12-31T14:27:00.001-05:00

1 hour dry cleaning
Originally uploaded by pbo31

It's the day of New Year's in Toronto and I've been out of town with my boyfriend for several days. All he wants is his shirt drycleaned for tonight but it's 2 in the afternoon. Together we've called every dry cleaners in Bloor West, the Junction and Roncesvalles Village and no one can offer us the 1-hr service even if that's part of their company name. Nothing pops up online for 1-hour service downtown either. It's one of those times it makes me ownder what kind of city this is? Aren't there business people out there who recognize a need for this service especially on a day like today? They could've easily charged my BF $20 and he would've gladly paid it. Me, I'm just sad Toronto can't get its act together.

Mark McKay Says Kill the Car

2007-12-06T23:04:00.000-05:00

Friend Mark McKay was asked to make one of his ranty vids on the subject of cars in the GTA for MTV Canada. The facts on the dangers of driving aren't new but it's worth a look to see Mark's take on the subject and his great cutting style. (I love watching him poke out from behind interviewees like Cam Woolley). First time I watched it I felt like the big bad driver that I am. Now, a couple weeks after a stupid license suspension, I can say I'm a weathered TTC rider and poo-poo all the drivers out there too!

Celebrity Stalker

2007-11-21T18:00:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I don't really stalk the stars but I am privy to some insider info because of my connections to film and TV people and I thought, in the spirit of Gawker, I'd give you the dish on celebs running about the 416. I know you Toronto kids like your celebrity gossip too. So here's the latest...

Miss Drew Barrymore's been spotted regularly sucking back bevies at Ossington hideaway Sweaty Betty's. She's in town filming the HBO MOW version of documentary classic Grey Gardens. Friends caught lovely Jude Law at a Leafs game, and I spotted model, coach and Canada's Next Top Model judge Stacy McKenzie (pictured above) riffling through the racks at a GSUS sindustries sample sale this afternoon (runs until Friday at 6PM).

Shades of High Park

2007-11-21T11:50:00.001-05:00

shades of high park
Originally uploaded by 416style

Lately I've been spending a fair bit of time along the banks of Grenadier Pond in High Park taking video and snapping photos. Sunset by the pond is stunning. Milky mauve shades stretch across the water and dim as yellow leaves gather at the glowing shore. This latest favourite still photo I've captured reveals a fishing platform jutting out over the pond, a little slice of paradise among the giant trees that burst with autumn colour.

Finding Union at the Station

2007-11-15T11:36:00.000-05:00

It's always brought a pang of jealousy when I visit other cities who have managed to create transportation hubs that compell us to stay and soak up the energy of people on the move. Osaka, New York, Kyoto and Copenhagen all enjoy train stations that serve not only as destinations for travellers but also those who live in the city and just want to feel the buzz. Union Station in Toronto has never excited me. There is no decades old Oyster bar to entice me to its lower levels like Grand Central or soaring sky yard to explore as in Kyoto's Central Station, but at least now there is a vision. Mayor Miller wants to give Union Station a well-overdue facelift. I certainly hope this doesn't just culminate in some updated retail spaces, reminiscent of the bland shops in our underground shopping mall, just to generate more city revenue. Whatever changes are made should dazzle tourists and Torontonians alike. Open up the space. Lift those weary travellers out of their tunnel vision. Sweep away the dingy and haphazard and make its history shine once more. Most of of all I'd love to see the city revive some of the grandeur of the station's origins on Front Street when it was the Grand Trunk Railway.

Spook in the City - High Park & More

2007-10-31T17:07:00.000-04:00

Happy Hallowe'en Toronto!

Six scary episodes of Spook in the City are online at blogTO including the latest, the hauntings of Colborne Lodge and Grenadier Pond in High Park.

Have a taste for more chilling ghost stories? Follow John and I as we take you to the scene of several high-profle hauntings in some of Toronto's most historic places.

Prepare to be spooked!

The Distillery District

The Royal York's Haunted Stairwell

The Royal York's Haunted Hallway

The Royal York's Crystal Ballroom

February Gets A Long Weekend

2007-10-12T11:16:00.000-04:00

Premier Dalton McGuinty, feeling fresh from his latest victory, took to the podium to announce a new long weekend for Ontarians. Beginning this February, on the third Monday of the month, we'll all be celebrating Family Day. I've been hoping for another day off to hit the hills when the snow starts piling up. Great idea. This also puts Ontario on par with B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Territories, giving us 9 days a year off from work and more time for leisure.

Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show Starts Today

2007-10-11T11:04:00.000-04:00

If you're one of those people who, all winter long, talk of nothing but the crappy weather there might be something you can do to turn that frown upside down: snowboarding. All summer long while everyone talks about how beautiful it is I'm secretly wishing snow would fall, and keep falling.

Finally the wait is almost up. This weekend's Toronto Ski, Snowboard and Travel Show marks the unofficial start to the season. From today at 3PM through to Sunday at the Automotive Building, Exhibition Place, you can find all the snowgear you'll ever need and plan any winter getaways too. Gear is usually last year's stock and priced to fly. It's not just boards and bindings, great deals can be found on sporty winter jackets and "underwear" too.

All that's left to consider is where to board when the flakes start falling. Mount St. Louis Moonstone offers great beginner "discovery" packages which include a lesson, rentals and lift all for under $55, but if you're serious about the white stuff Blue Mountain's selling a 5x7 - all nights and weekdays lift pass - for $164 until October 22nd. Last year I waited too long and had to pay double - still worth every penny. This time, I'll pick up my pass at the snowboard show. They'll take my picture and I'll be done with it - no hour long lines when I'm busting to get on the hill.

Admission to the show is $15.

A Greener Cause

2007-10-09T23:15:00.000-04:00

This is what I love about politics. There's a whole lot of talk about what's right and wrong but when it comes down to it it's really all about action.

Last election I did my research to see how much (or how little) the political parties in my riding, Parkdale - High Park, were doing to support the environment. It was on everyone's agenda and they were all purporting to support it. The release I wrote last election, A Greener Campaign will show you just how well the other parties act on their promises, however this little video will show you that too, in only 9 seconds.

Despite promises from the Liberal, the NDP or even the Conservatives, only the Ontario Green Party have spent the time to plan and deliver an agenda that will put the environment on the right track while being sure that your tax dollars are not spent frivoulously (read NDP) by your future government. Besides that you've got to love a leader like Frank de Jong who blasts by Howard Hampton's idling tour bus while on his bicycle.

PS. Election day is Wednesday, October 10th. Get out and vote!

Wakestock Style

2007-10-08T16:06:00.002-04:00

While I'm not quite close to having enough pictures or fashion knowledge to publish something like The Sartorialist blog, I did snap some shots of people in Toronto this summer that I thought took their style the extra step and thought I'd share them with you here.

This guy was working the yellow, right up to his canary-coloured Blue Jay's baseball cap. Fortunately sports teams are modernizing their gear.

Because I'm more about sporty style than high-fashion I totally dug this girl's seventies throwback sporty mix. Pat Benetar would be proud. Notice she's also busting the gold chain.

My J.Crew catalog shot. Hot boy in board shots. 'Nuff said.

Simple, cute and sexy summer style. Athletic to boot.

Read more about Wakestock Weekend in Toronto.

BlogTV Runs Out of Gas

2007-09-20T16:01:00.001-04:00

It wasn't long ago blogTV.ca (no relation) announced its TV portal of the future by cruising the city in obnoxious Hummers screaming out for attention, and 'viewers'. Initially business was good for the social networking slash video site, owned and operated by Alliance Atlantis. However, since the launch in March, traffic had dropped steadily and sales never really got off the ground. Today, a memo explaining this and declaring that the end is in sight was circulated to employees in the interactive department. There's no future for these kids. Playback speculates several execs may go down with the ship too.

I can't say I'm upset about this. My first experience with the site was one of disgust. I'd attended Ron Jeremy's book launch at The Gladstone and suffered some audio issues with my camera. I needed some video fast. Since I knew the crew from blogTV had been there I scoped their site for some video of the event. The first I came across was a pre-Jeremy interview with two lovely ladies in the back of the blogTV limo, er, Hummer. The backseat sleazeball from the site kept zooming in on the girl's boobs then began asking them to take their tops off for the camera. It didn't seem like these girls had expected the 'interview' to take this direction. They politely declined, and then it just got gross. The 'interviewer' was fixated on getting his money shot and wouldn't take no for an answer. He kept repeating his proposal. They held firm, surely hoping Jeremy would soon arrive and break-up the routine. It was uncomfortable for me, so I can only imagine how these ladies felt. Next time I saw the blogTV Hummer parked on College Street I made a point of telling them how horrible I thought they were and never visited their site again. Adios sleazeballs.

According to the memo the site will cease operating on the 28th. As of yet no plans are in place to maintain or move user-generated content. Read what people think about the demise of blogTV on blogTO.