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All posts by Philip Alves

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Sample Toronto’s B-list attractions

The CN Tower, the AGO, the ROM, Casa Loma — been there, done that, right? Toronto boasts a respectable list of first-rate attractions, but after a certain number of visits, the A-list loses its lustre and you might want to try something new. Herewith, what

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Chip trucks ahoy: Which One?

Our iron-stomached correspondent decides which wagon serves the best hot chips on the cold block. The strip of Queen Street West adjacent to Nathan Phillips Square appears unwelcoming at first – a dull, grey concrete expanse that lies in the shadows of City Hall to

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Hear Ye, Hear Ye: Concerts In ’07

A new year means new possibilities, new discoveries or maybe rediscovering some old favourites. With that in mind, here’s a list of concerts coming to Toronto and surrounding areas through the end of May. Take a read, check off the ones that raise an eyebrow

Bridging the Atlantic

While on vacation in Trás-os-Montes, Portugal a few years ago, Manuel Fernandes, his wife Ana and some of her family were enjoying a Douro-region wine with their conversation. With land-owners and grape growers in Ana’s family, talk often turned to wine. This time was no different.

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Free-Jack City

Smiley Guy Studios has set Odd Job Jack free through a novel copyright licence. Philip Alves tracks Jack. Jack Ryder is a 20-something university graduate with a sociology degree. In debt and without any solid prospects for steady employment, he returns to Odd Jobs Unlimited

Open For Business

…And famous for it. Toronto’s full of celebrity retail types trying to sell you something, and you’re buying. Philip Alves does some celebrity shopping. Bryan Welsh lives in Stouffville, Ont., and works in Mississagua for QTG Canada Inc. across from Square One Shopping Centre. His

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Just the FACTs

The music video business has been churning out quality product for years. Philip Alves looks at how VideoFACT helps Toronto artists. On Sept. 18, Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre hosted the first-ever Polaris Music Prize ceremony to honour the best Canadian album, as voted by music

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Doin’ It Their Way

Toronto is a good place to be if you’re an indie artist or band. Philip Alves takes a closer look. On April 6, 2003, the Corel Centre near Ottawa hosted the Juno Awards. Broken Social Scene (BSS) won Alternative Album of the Year for its

Vaughan looks forward to a youthful four years

Adam Vaughan, a former television journalist more accustomed to shining light into the darkest corners of City Hall, found the spotlight fixed squarely on him on election night. Vaughan won the Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina council seat vacated by Olivia Chow, who left to run successfully for the New Democratic Party in the 2006 federal election. He beat former Chow aid Helen Kennedy, his closest competitor, by 2,500 votes.

Porter Airlines’ “whisper” planes takeoff from the island airport

An island resident and community activist doesn’t like the sound of Porter Airlines’ flight plans for Toronto’s Island airport. And now that Porter Airlines Inc. has begun its controversial service out of Toronto City Centre Airport (TCCA), Marc Brien of CommunityAir (Airport Impact Review) says the accompanying increase in noise levels will negatively affect nearby residents.