History + Community
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Which Ancient Greek Philosopher Are You?
The Danforth is home to Toronto’s Greektown, which in some way is causally connected to Ancient Greece. I know that’s a stretch, but just go with it. Take this quiz to see which Ancient Greek Philosopher you are, and maybe learn a thing or two about the discipline, and yourself in the process. Please select the answer that fits your worldview the closest. If unsure, select the answer that makes the most sense to you. Take the quiz multiple times to see if you get a different philosopher!
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What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger: My Experience Living with Cockroaches
The first time I ever saw a cockroach was when I moved into my first apartment. I was a bright-eyed hopeful, ecstatic that I had found a place so close to U of T’s campus with plenty of space, two balconies and huge windows that let in the light. Up until that point I had only seen roaches in movies, and while the building manager did technically warn us there had been roach problems in the past, they strongly emphasized it was no longer a concern. And I, being a naïve new renter, believed them. On move-in day my roommate and I were greeted with a pretty messy apartment, cat…
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Three Ways to Treat Women Like Human Beings Instead of Stylish Furniture
Happy International Women’s Day! As an attractive, intelligent reader of On the Danforth, we know that you probably don’t identify as a full-time misogynist—nor should you, considering the pay—and that you might want to know how to support the women in your life today. Don’t panic: we came up with three ways to be a better ally, all of which you can practice year-round, as well, because equality shouldn’t be temporary. Let Women Speak If you are a woman, which is about fifty per cent likely, you may have struggled to voice or to continue voicing your opinions in a group of men. This is actually a thing: several scholars,…
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Let’s Go You Reds!
Boots on cobblestone march to the beat of three drums. A chorus of supporters stomp toward the field of battle where the local team—Toronto FC—await their destiny. A new season begins, last year’s finals loss long forgotten. The supporters chant and clap in unison as they march. All for one, their collective energy is electric. Drumrolls set hearts ablaze while eager hands wave flags and flares in the air. The sea of red is united. The walk from Liberty Village is endless, but it will only take ninety minutes to decide their fate. Match information: The 2020 Home Opener is against New York City FC on Saturday, March 7 at…
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Happy 186th Birthday, Toronto!
March 6, 2020 marks Toronto’s 186th birthday when the town of York became the city we now know and love! Starting out with a humble population of 9,000, Toronto has now grown to become the fourth largest city in North America which includes other regions like Etobicoke, North York, York, East York, and Scarborough. As one of North America’s most multicultural hubs, with representations of many different cultures and neighbourhoods, Toronto is a unique place to live, work, and play. From the construction of the CN Tower in 1976 to the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal renovation of the Royal Ontario Museum in 2007, Toronto has seen a lot of development over…
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StreetARToronto You’ve Changed: A Guide to Toronto’s Evolving Street Art Scene
Whether you’re on the hunt for that perfect Instagram backdrop, searching for creative inspiration, or just want to appreciate some incredible public artwork, Toronto is the place for you. But in a city that’s become internationally renowned for its thriving urban art scene and thousands of dynamic murals, where should you start?
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Danforth Homeowners: Capitalize on Your Property with a Laneway Home
In August 2018, Toronto City Council approved the construction of laneway homes throughout the 310 kilometers of identified laneway space. Since then, fewer than 100 properties have been built or are currently in the permit process. The City has approved all laneways in the old city of Toronto and East York (defined by the Danforth and Beaches neighbourhoods) as available for construction. This means 47,133 current lots could have laneway homes built on their property. These properties encompass much of the lower city, with roughly 21 kilometers spanning the distance from Old Mill to Main Street Station. While close to two-thirds of the designated laneways are west of Yonge Street,…
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Fighting with Strangers
When I first moved to Toronto, I didn’t know anyone. I had left behind a town I’d lived in for seven years in an effort to change my career path. In addition to leaving my job behind, though, I also left my friends…and our twice-monthly Dungeons & Dragons sessions. Our little band of nerds changed over the years, with people coming and going as their lives dictated, but our love of fantasy, bad jokes and epic stories had us all eager for the next session. None of us had grown up playing tabletop games. Like so many of our generation of players, we owed our new-found passtime (and dice-collecting addictions)…
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Interviews with People Living On the Danforth
Traditionally, the Danforth is considered to be a primarily Greek community, with its countless Greek restaurants, Greek street signs, and annual “Taste of the Danforth” food festival serving as indicators of the neighbourhood’s rich cultural ties. But what are the causes and effects of the Danforth’s evolutionary transformation away from its formerly exclusive Greek identity? Although this is a long, unfinished process, the Danforth is very different than it was just a few years ago due to the newer demographic of residents and visitors influencing the area. The following interviews with Danforth locals demonstrate the differences and similarities between newer and long-term residents to help personify one of Toronto’s most…
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Take our quiz to find your perfect bookstore
Toronto is home to some of the best collections of literature in the world, and with a growing number of independent bookstores charming our favourite neighbourhoods–it can be difficult to decide where to shop for your next good read. What better way to make this difficult decision than by taking a personality quiz and surrendering all responsibility to your friends at On the Danforth Magazine!