Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Toronto

Where (in Toronto) can I find a warm winter hat suitable for myself: a big-headed person?

cranberrymonger — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:24:15 -0800

Where (in Toronto) can I find a warm winter hat suitable for myself: a big-headed person? Please tell me where in Toronto I can find a warm hat that will fit me. Bonus points if it fully covers my ears.

To give you an idea of the size of my head: I can force normal (e.g. from Roots) hats on but they are tight and pull my eyebrows up, making me look perpetually surprised. While good for a chuckle, it does nothing to keep me warm.

I would love to know specific stores and locations where I can shop. I am female but "unisex" styles are fine.

I am very concerned about size/warmth, medium-level concerned about fashion and low-level concern about price.

Should I trust Canada Post?

mellifluous — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:10:40 -0800

I need to get a letter from Toronto, Ontario to Berkeley, California by January 6. I sent it by regular air-mail yesterday afternoon. Is it going to get there on time or should I pay approximately $40 for guaranteed next business day delivery? Canada Post's website estimates the letter will get there in 4-6 business days, which is enough, but I'm a) unsure how reliable Canada Post generally is and b) the clerk at the post office warned me that things can be slower this time of year. She refused to give me any details about this, like whether "slower" means "give it another day or two" or "give it a week or two." The former is ok, but the latter is not.

I'm not going to starve or miss rent if I pay the $40, but that is a sizable chunk of money for me, and I don't want to spend it if I don't have to.

What say you, Metafilter?

Toronto electronics disposal?

LukeyBoy — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 06:40:08 -0800

Where can I dispose of broken tech and appliances in Toronto? I've got a bunch of old, dead computer parts, a busted laptop, a dead vacuum, and well the list goes on. I've been hoarding them since I can't just toss them in the garbage obviously. We're paying a disposal tax now on all electronics purchases and I thought that disposal centers went along with that but I can't seem to find them. Anyone know the best way to dispose of this stuff? Thanks.

Where can I bulk buy ethernet cable in Toronto?

tracert — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:14:13 -0800

TorontoFilter: where can I bulk buy a bunch of premade cat5e and cat6 ethernet cables downtown? I am moving a business unit to a new office on Friday, but my shipment from my regular supplier was delayed and now I am pretty screwed. Does anyone know a place in the downtown area where I could go and bulk buy about a hundred or so ethernet cables of varying lengths for a reasonable price? I'm close to Active Surplus, but I don't think they will have the quantities (or selection) that I need.

have glass, will travel, but preferably within east-end toronto

crawfo — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:50:23 -0800

where to get a piece of glass cut in toronto? i have a piece of glass i need cut (it's this piece here: http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/fuo/1489577888.html) -- we need it trimmed down to fit our current diy table project.

any suggestions of places in toronto (preferably east-end) where i could take it to get cuts made to downsize it?

i find a lot of places where i can buy custom cut glass, but not where i show up glass-in-hand, requesting cuts!

thanks :)

"But the wind goes right through you/It's no place for the old"

rmm — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:58:12 -0800

Christmas dinner in Toronto - need some crazy recommendations for something out of the ordinary. Hometown girl who now lives out of T.O. (sadly) - returning home for the holidays. I'm looking for any ideas for places for Christmas dinner itself - something out of the ordinary than just 'the family sits down to turkey'. I've looked at the previous threads, but need to find something a bit more recent.

This year we'll be without one key family member - my mum - and I'm desperate to do something different that just 'sit around the table and reminisce'. It will be too painful for that. What are some of the more fun activities (which may or may not involve actual eating) that are open on Christmas evening and aren't already sold out? I'm open to any suggestions - if it wasn't hokey and geared towards kids I'd even consider Medieval Times (god forbid) or dinner theatre - that's how desperate I'm thinking. I'm looking through the eye and NOW online, but am hoping desperately that some locals have ideas of what they've done that has made Christmas a little out of the ordinary, and also what's out there that looks fun. Short of jumping out of an airplane we're open to ideas. We're a small party of maybe 6, tops, if that helps. Again, it doesn't have to be based around Christmas dinner/food activity... I'm looking for out of the ordinary activities to keep us distracted. Preference given to the GTA, although I'm open to places outside of it (Niagara Falls to Hamilton to surrounding areas).

Thanks Mefis!

Any difference for renting a car in Toronto if you are a foreigner or a local?

khregs — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:26:16 -0800

Car rental advice please! I have a group of relatives coming from overseas to visit me in southern Ontario for the holidays. We need to rent a minivan to cart everyone around. What is the best approach - for me to book the rental under my name, for them to book the rental under their name, or is there be no advantage either way? Bonus notes ... driving duties will be shared between me (canadian) and my brother-in-law (brazilian). I will be meeting them all at Pearson Airport where we will pick up the vehicle and then BIL will likely drive it from there. BIL has an international driver's license.

Trikes are for two-year-olds

Felicity Rilke — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:37:40 -0800

Where can I buy a wooden balance bike in Toronto? I want to buy a wooden balance bike for my three-year-old brother (something like this, though not necessarily this brand) and I don't want to order online. Can anyone recommend a shop in Toronto that carries balance bikes for toddlers?

Should we stay or should we go to The Great White North?

salsamander — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:30:26 -0800

Are my skills employable in Canada? My wife is considering a Ph.D. program in Toronto, and I don't know if my experience as a paralegal and journalist would allow me to find employment. Help! My wife is considering getting her doctorate at several schools. She's applied to several here in the US (where we're citizens) and is being encouraged to apply at a specific, and very attractive and exciting program, at the University of Toronto. We're worried that I won't be able to find employment in Canada to pay our bills! Owing to the current state of the economy, I've been laid off from my last two jobs and haven't found work in months. I've worked as a paralegal in various capacities (litigation, Federal court matters, collection, quasi-regulatory financial) and also have a background with web-based journalism. I can assemble and fix computers, so I've considered taking some sort of certification test.

I know Toronto will be expensive, and the stipend my wife would receive probably wouldn't cover our expenses. Should we play it safe and stay in the US? Or is it worth the risk to accept any offer from Toronto and hope I can find a job?

Bus bent my bike; am I stuck with the damage?

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:18:18 -0800

Locked my bike to a post, and a bus sideswiped my bike. Am I stuck with the damage? I stupidly locked my bike to a garbage can near a bus stop. A bus driver trying to squeeze past a left-turning car clipped my bike and pretzeled my wheel.

The damage is probably about $300 (unless the frame is bent in which case it's $1500). I don't have insurance. I do have photos of the scene of the collision, and two witnesses. I've made a report to the Toronto Transit Commission, and in three weeks I'll know what their claims department thinks of it.

Has anyone else tried to claim property damage from a Canadian transit system? What should I expect? If their claims department says no, what should I do?

Any not-legal-advice would be much appreciated

I can has printing?

Beardman — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:53:28 -0800

Out of toner and out of cash. What's the cheapest way to get my laser printer (Lexmark E232) printing again? This is in Toronto. I'm hoping to avoid the financial hit of a new cartridge. Ideally, I would just take the empty cartridge into some joint on College St. and they'd slap some new toner in it, but does anybody do that? Google is only turning up references to do-it-yourself ink refill kits, and online stores where you can buy new ones (which are cheaper than Staples, but still not ideal). Thanks!

What Would OFFICER Gladys Kravitz Do About the Bad Neighbour?

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:13:11 -0800

Please help me to find, and to understand Toronto's Construction and Parking By-Laws, and then how to have them enforced and upheld strictly, quickly, and legally in order to protect our rights, our property and our peace of mind. I have been to the city's website, and have downloaded Chapter 363 Building Construction and Demolition and am trying to understand how to apply the information in it. I've Googled, and have written to the City Planner and our local Councillor's office for information and advice - but know from experience that their responses take days if not weeks and I see that we will sometimes need to immediately effect change. Jokingly mentioning to the construction workers "Please kind to your neighbours!" isn't working. I need to take Gladys Kravitzing to the next level. I need help, for example, on where to find information for things like IF it's allowed for a construction vehicle or employee's personal vehicle to take up space on a permit parking street, and if it's not, how to have it ticketed as a deterrent or removed - within a reasonable time frame, not over days and without me having to approach the construction site and plead for relief with my kid and dog and bags of groceries and grumpy mood in tow. How do I best get someone to come and measure decibels, if there's a violation? I understand inspection of the foundations of nearby properties is supposed to be done within a specific distance before construction starts - but it hasn't been done. And when they violate the No Construction on Sunday By-Law, what is the best way to get someone on top of that, pronto? And how can I be sure that inspections are taking place at the right stages (For example, the lot's probably supposed to have proper construction fencing right now, but doesn't yet)? Who's the boss of these things, and how can I brown-nose better to get results? If you're a builder or developer, and can tell me how to make this work better, please do tell!

I'm actually asking as point person for a bunch of us. This developer met with the neighbours on our street over the course of six months to get us to agree not to object at the OMB for zoning changes on two developments a few doors away from each other. With the Councillor involved, and City Planning as well, we all made some compromises and prepared, grudgingly, for the developments. Over the past two years, as the economy changed, and he had trouble with his finances and other projects and hold-ups with his site plans and permits, the lots stagnated. They went into disrepair, there was criminal activity on his properties, we made several complaints first directly to him, then filed Community Complaint Reports with the police, and complained to MLS . He did such things as dig giant holes to get the next stages of his funding by "breaking ground", then left them to sit over the summer, filling with water and becoming mosquito pits. We called Public Health in on that, but by the time that was to be resolved, he'd got his permits in place and planned to start building, so it was let go. But nothing was ever really done, ever, though all this, to deter him from being a jerk or encourage him to be a better neighbour or to satisfy us, because by the time the police would get there the deal would be over; or MLS would send an inspector, and he'd come in under the wire and do a quick and "good enough" clean up after weeks of dumping or other problems like overgrown foliage sheltering the drug transactions. Now he's cancelled the larger of the developments and has returned the deposits, the one that was to be the "gateway" for the smaller one that I personally am stuck next to - which was not what we all agreed to and nobody's happy, but it's too late. The City Planner tells us that he filed the applications separately, that the lots were never linked together as far as permits and site plans are concerned, despite the fact that that's what we considered while we negotiated - so we're S.O.o.L. We now know not to trust him. He will not respond directly to us any more. I have a friend who bought a unit in the one that's being built next door, which is the only speck of light in this whole dark disaster - and he has given me some inside information that's been helpful. It's a residential street with only ten houses on it - but suddenly we are getting a fifteen unit apartment building right next door, thanks to the City's mandate for density and a stupid Industrial zoning that can be changed to a Live/Work designation, but not strictly Residential.

I am asking for my neighbours as well as my own family: How can we help to make sure that from here on in, he toes every line, dots every i and crosses every t and cannot make our lives any more difficult now that we're wise to him -- and use what rights and protections and means we have to enforce them? Sharing experiences on what worked for you and your nightmare neighbourhood developer would be comforting, and perhaps helpful. Sharing tips as a construction boss on how to encourage law-abiding and courteous, neighbourly behaviour would be great too.

I'd love to be the kind of person who buys the crew a coffee gift card and chats over the fence about the weather and then drops a "You know, starting at 6:47 when the by-law says 7 is not something we're going to overlook too often, so...couldya knock it off?" - but after a week of this, with every time I have to twitch my curtains, I'm more in the mood to put a By-Law officer on speed-dial.

Throwaway email: me.GladysKravitz@trash2009.com

Looking for a housekeeper in Toronto

loquax — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:57:20 -0800

I'm looking for recommendations for a housekeeper/cleaner/maid in Toronto. Having only heard horror stories from most people (including several posts on here from a few years ago) I was hoping that someone out there would have a decent recommendation for someone that could clean a moderate-sized condo in downtown Toronto on a monthly/bimonthly basis.

Price is not really an issue as much as reliability and generally hassle-freeness. Someone having at least some of their own supplies would be amazing.

I'd rather go with someone independent, but most recommendations have been to bite the bullet and go with molly maid. Anyone think differently?

Thanks.

Toronto personal trainer

pcameron — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:40:03 -0800

TorontoFilter: Help! I've been signed on by a modelling agency! I need to find a decent personal trainer and nutritionist in the Toronto area. Does anyone have any recommendations? I got scouted in an elevator, and two weeks later they signed me on, so this has taken me by surprise. They want me to spend two months getting in better shape, then come back. I need a personal trainer who can set me up with a decent exercise program, and a nutritionist to help me with my diet. I can only afford to see both one time right now to set up an exercise and diet plan for the next two months. My current career as a courier leaves me with not a whole lot of disposable income. I live in the Ossington/Queen area, but can travel across the city for the right person.

Does anyone have a Toronto bank that they love?

scrute — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:15:02 -0800

My bank has quit the banking business leaving me high and dry -what is your favourite non-TD or BMO banking option in Toronto? I have been a big fan of Citizen's Bank of Canada (not the same as the US bank of the same name) for years, but they have gone out of business. While they have sold mortgages and secured credit to TD, they are leaving those of us with unsecured lines of credit on our own (TD's choice I believe).

I need to replace my unsecured line of credit ($10k) and open a new account. I don't have much in the way of assets but have a stable, reasonable salary and a good credit rating. I also have a relative who is happy to co-sign on a line of credit, but most banks now refuse this practice and I do not want a traditional loan.

I am happy to consider credit unions or similar alternatives. I have had horrible experiences with Bank of Montreal and TD in the past and have no interest in banking with either of those institutions.

So, where can I get my line of credit with a reasonable interest rate and a good chequing account? Bonus points for affordable wire transfers and programs for New Canadians (my husband lives overseas (wire transfers) but will be moving here once we manage to sort out his visa (New Canadian programs)).

A Saturday afternoon in the TDot

dnesan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:02:22 -0800

Can you tell me something great to do this Saturday afternoon (Nov. 7th) in central/downtown Toronto? My friend is getting married, and we're having a pseudo (co-ed) bachelorette party for her. We already have the evening mapped out, but need something to do before dinner. Stripperobics (and that sort of bachelorette faire) aren't exactly our/her style.

We're all GTA residents (or close enough to it), and we're having both lunch and dinner in the downtown core. We'd like to find something to do between hunger pangs (say around 3pm-7pm), something that's fun and memorable despite the fact that we already spend a lot of time in the city. There must be some little known gem that I don't know of.

I'm considering the ROM, but think it might be too staid. The bride loves the distillery district, if that helps define her at all. I want to find something that feels special for her, she has broad tastes and interests over all.

We're all late 20's men and women, money shouldn't be the prime concern but none of us are millionaires. We'll have cars to travel in if needed.

Can you help us do something great?

Need cable tv in Toronto (Bell and Rogers need not apply).

jmmpangaea — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:27:06 -0800

Torontofilter: Can anyone recommend a good cable tv provider that is not Bell or Rogers? I've finally had it with Rogers and Bell. Their customer service is appalling. I did a metafilter search on internet providers and found a good company, now I need to find someone that can handle cable tv.
HD, is not necessary, but would be a bonus if they provide it.

What happens when you report an illegal rooming house in Toronto?

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:52:05 -0800

What is the likely result of reporting an illegal rooming house in Toronto? e.g. How often do they end up getting cleaned up, repaired, and properly licensed vs. shut down (whether by the inspectors or by an owner who doesn't want to bother fixing it up)?

I need a nerd

hayvac — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:46:42 -0800

Can anyone recommend a tech-startup-friendly accountant in Toronto? I could have sworn that I'd seen this question asked here before, but I can't find it.

I'm launching a tech business in the next six months and I need an accountant on board to advise me and help me get my books in order.

Any recommendations?

Best way to plan a timely day trip from Rochester to Toronto?

agentmunroe — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:48:39 -0800

TorontoFilter: I have a ticket to go to this event on Friday, at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. I live in Rochester, NY. What are my options for getting there on time? My original thought was to just drive there and drive back same-day. I'd leave Rochester at about 5AM; Google Maps estimates a 2hr40m drive, and the past few times I've been through Canadian customs it was only a few minutes through. I'm a reasonably capable driver, I have a Garmin with Canadian maps and I enjoy road trips, so this is my natural inclination.

I'm wondering, however, if customs is going to be far worse at "commute-time" (since anyone trying to get to Toronto by 9am will be crossing around the same time), if the traffic is likely to be bad in Toronto (while I've been to Canada a few times recently I haven't been to Toronto in ages), and if my previous plan is a little fool-hardy. If the traffic is going to be gnarly and it's easy/on-time to use public transit or a train, I'd rather just do that then stress over traffic/lanes/turns/parking/etc. Looking at Google Maps, I'm noticing the theatre is only one or two blocks away from both a subway stop and Union station... so I'm wondering if one of these would be advantageous.

Normally I'd totally be up to spending the night in a hotel, but at the moment I'm in-between client checks, and a hotel close to the event is more then I'd like to swing right now - for that reason I'm really looking towards an in-and-out day trip. I suppose a hotel on the outskirts of Toronto or somewhere in-between Toronto and Niagra Falls would be an option too, but I'm not sure where a good place to check would be, so suggestions there would be good.

So, any thoughts? I notice there's a morning train that runs from Niagra Falls to Toronto, which seems reasonable if the train is actually on-time. I assume I could also park somewhere outside the city and take the subway, but I'm not sure how much time that would save. Or am I too worried about Toronto traffic and I'll be fine just driving in?

Pre-wedding shave in Toronto

dismitree — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:36:27 -0800

Pre-wedding shave in Toronto: Where should I go this Saturday for a straight blade shave? Downtown preferred but I do have a car. Also, not to sound snarky, but would prefer recommendations based on personal experience vs. places that just look the part. (i.e. Old school barbers are cool, Shakey-handed old school barbers not so much.)

A "good" Catholic church in Toronto

feelinggood — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:08:17 -0800

Does anyone know a vibrant Roman Catholic parish in the Greater Toronto Area? I know, "vibrant" begs a lot of questions. Important ingredients, pretty much in this order: good coherent preaching; good people skills on the part of the clergy; a good choir, singing some pieces without the congregation; social awareness in preaching the gospel; friendly, educated parishioners; maybe a good organ.

Preferably in (in this order): Richmond Hill, or York region, or north Toronto, or anywhere in Toronto, or anywhere else in the GTA.

Failing a Roman Catholic church that meets these requirements, a good Anglican parish would be more than acceptable.

HalloweenTO

Apollo's Favorite Mistake — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:03:00 -0800

What are your favorite Halloween events for adults in Toronto? We'll be located downtown and it would be preferable if the event includes more than just buying beer.

I've been to the street party on Church. It seemed a crowded with nothing to do but wander aimlessly.

Please help make my Halloween memorable! I know there's a swanky costume party that combines martinis and bobbing for apples somewhere in this city!

Where can I buy sound protecting earmuffs for infants in Toronto?

modernnomad — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:06:16 -0800

Where can I buy children's ear muffs (for sound protection, not warmth) in Toronto? A concert-going friend is soon to have a baby, and I would like purchase him and is wife (also a frequent concert-goer) some sound protection for their child (newborn or infant size) similar to these. Looking for a physical shop in Toronto where they can be purchased.

Non-Disneyfied apple picking options in GTA?

setanor — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:54:58 -0800

Are there any non-Disneyfied apple picking options around GTA? Hi! So, when I was in Maine, we had a few apple orchards that we loved going to in the fall that were really out of the way and had some great heirloom varieties and not many kids running around screaming and places to sit on the grass and nice smells.

Now, I'm sure there are places to go like this around Toronto, but most of the links I've found have all these "amusements" or special parking for tour buses or a giant store with all sorts of other stuff not even tangentially-related to picking fresh fruit from an orchard.

Give me your rustic, quiet and delightful. Ideally within a 150km round-trip of Toronto, as we'll have a Zipcar for the day and don't want to pay too much extra, but being right near the city isn't really a priority - we want to get our money's worth for our car, anyhow.