Sneakerheads are Everywhere, you just have to look for them

My father, he has 50 pairs of different coloured Chucks, so is he not part of our sneaker culture?” asks Dion Walcott, co-founder of Toronto Loves Kicks (TLK). He is referring to the widely known adaptation of North American sneaker culture, where shoes baring the names of Lebron James and Michael Jordan reign supreme.

The concept of what sneaker culture means specifically in Toronto varies because the term ‘culture’ is “such a loose term,” according to Walcott. What can’t be denied though is shoe stores now flood downtown Toronto. The brightly lit Dundas Square is home to the galvanizing House of Hoops, which was formerly only found in the U.S. A mere few blocks away in the unsuspecting corridors of Yorkville are high-end and specialty boutiques like Capsule.

It hasn’t been all growth though. Nike Toronto, located in Yorkville, closed its doors in 2013, a shocking demise for one of the only flagship stores in Toronto. The influence of these boutiques has led to speculation that stores like Capsule and former hotspot North Trooper were part of the reason Nike’s flagship store in Yorkville closed. Nike was unable to comment about the store closure….

Full story and gallery here

Top 5 Free Agents for the Toronto Raptors to target in 2016

The 2015-16 season hasn’t even started, yet there is a huge focus on next summer, which is when OKC Thunder superstar Kevin Durant will be eligible to sign with any team he sees fit. One of those teams has been rumoured to be the Toronto Raptors. From showing up at a Drake concert, to taking in a Blue Jays game, Durant seems very fond of The Six. But, this doesn’t mean we will be favoured next summer.

For now, here are five free agents who should be on the Raptors’ radar going into next summer’s free agency.

To view slideshow, click here

No money, mo problems

As most students know, Humber North has provides great student services, and cater to large amounts of stress its students pile up. In particular, with great help from the Linx lounge and bar.

Now, faculty has made it a bit harder to enjoy the luxury of a place to unwind, have a beer, and play some pool. At a place that only accepts cash for alcohol, the school has removed the closest atm machine from the proximity of Linx.

“It’s really annoying. Not having one in the lounge is annoying enough. People always take my spot when i get up and go get money, and now, no atm. I hate it,” says frustrated second year Message Therapy student Jocelyn Qwong.

At this point there has yet to be an official release from the HSF or the school itself, but students and bar patrons alike are hoping for some kind of resolution.

“It hasn’t effected business so far, but i know there’s a lot of angry customers, and me personally feel bad telling them i have no idea why they can’t get money from around the corner anymore,” says part time tender at the Linx bar, Tyler White.

The good news is that according to some flyers floating around the school, Linx will be working with HSF to help fund-raise money for debit/credit card machines.

“It definitely would make things easier when there are tabs to be paid, and people won’t even have to get up and leave to get more money. It’s easier on us too, less math,” jokes White.

For more information on the current situation with the Linx lounge and the atm machine movement, please visit the HSF office or website .

 

MetroLinx Construction Rules GTA

 

This map illustrates current on-going projects for Metrolinx in the GTA area. Each one of these projects represent a construction zone, and congest everyday traffic in Toronto. Alternate routes are shown in areas where there are travelling closures.

Click on these links for more information about sources,road closures and updates.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/03/21/metrolinx_begins_its_big_eastern_dig_on_the_eglinton_crosstown_lrt_get_ready_for_traffic.html

http://urbantoronto.ca/database/projects/allen-road-eglinton-west-crosstown-station

http://www.joshcolle.ca/index.php/ward-15/community-updates/149-crosstown-consturction-updates

http://www.metrolinx.com/en/projectsandprograms/transitexpansionprojects/toronto_lrt.aspx

Word On the Street

Word on the Street is a festival of literature abroad that happens in the heart of Toronto every September. On Sunday.21.14 at the core of Queens Park Circle, authors, and fans of reading alike were all in attendance- despite the weather ranging from pools of rain to a heat warning throughout the day.

As a student of literature, i was present for the purpose of absorbing information, and finding some interesting “streeters.” Among the heat exhausted fans of literacy, Premiere of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne, and Toronto mayoral candidate Olivia Chow made appearances to do some reading aloud for the youth, and of course some self endorsement

 

Meeting with the premiere

Meeting with the premiere

After attending readings by Ian Weir and Russell Wangersky, both excellent literary fictionalists, i almost found myself chilled, despite the 28 degree weather outside. A progressive day was capped off with a read aloud poetry battle- i didn’t last long to say the least.