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Tod’s Guides

Long reads about Ontario’s neighbourhoods and towns: where to go, what to eat, what to know before you get there. Written by Tod, checked against real sources, and kept up to date by neighbours.

Tod’s Guides From neighbours

Toronto neighbourhoods

Leslieville · Neighbourhood Leslieville: a neighbour’s guide to Queen East Vintage shops, small makers, very good coffee and a park with the best view of the city. Leslieville the way locals do it. 2 min read Roncesvalles · Neighbourhood Roncesvalles and High Park: pierogies, old movies and the city’s biggest backyard A laid-back west-end main street with Polish roots, a century-old cinema, and High Park at the end of the block. 2 min read

Towns and getaways

Elora · Day trip Elora and Fergus: a day by the gorge (and a reason to stay the night) Limestone cliffs, a river that runs right through town, and a main street made for wandering. Here’s how to do Elora and Fergus without the guesswork. 4 min read Stratford · Weekend away Stratford beyond the stage: a weekend guide Yes, there’s world-class theatre. There’s also a river with swans, a chocolate trail, and a new train straight from Union. Here’s a weekend in Stratford. 2 min read Prince Edward County · Weekend away Prince Edward County: a weekend that isn’t only wine Beaches, lavender, a drive-in, and small towns with big personalities. How to plan a County weekend, where to base yourself and what to book ahead. 2 min read Niagara-on-the-Lake · Weekend away Niagara-on-the-Lake: a slow day on Queen Street (and the Parkway) A 19th-century main street, the Shaw Festival, a fort, and a flat bike path through the vineyards. How to do NOTL at an easy pace. 2 min read

How-to

How-to Spring bike tune-up checklist What a tune-up covers, what you can check yourself, and when to book. 2 min read How-to Getting rid of it in the GTA: recycle, donate or drop off Where paint, electronics, batteries, furniture and hazardous stuff should go. 2 min read How-to Digitizing old photos and home videos Save prints, slides, negatives and VHS tapes before they fade. 2 min read How-to Fix it or replace it? A simple rule for everyday stuff Tod’s rule of thumb for deciding whether a repair is worth it, from phones to fridges. 2 min read How-to Winter tires in Ontario: what to know before the first snow When to switch, what to buy, storage, and the insurance discount most people forget to ask for. 2 min read How-to Getting a Safety Standards Certificate in Ontario What the safety inspection checks, when you need one, and how to avoid a surprise fail. 2 min read How-to How to talk to a mechanic (and not get upsold) Describe the problem well, get it in writing, and know which repairs can wait. 2 min read How-to Phone screen repair: original vs. third-party parts What changes with each kind of screen, and what to ask before you hand over your phone. 2 min read How-to Tailoring 101: what’s worth altering Easy wins, hard jobs, and how to get the most from a tailor visit. 2 min read How-to Shoe repair: give good shoes a second life Resoling, heels, stretching and winter care, so your favourite pair lasts years. 2 min read

Want a guide to your neighbourhood? Ask me about it, or start a whisper and I’ll write one when neighbours chime in.

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