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Toronto Raptors Fan Wins Season Tickets with Incredible Half-Court Shot

Toronto Raptors fan Liam Rodrigues wins 2025-2026 season tickets after sinking a half-court shot at Scotiabank Arena—creating a heartwarming moment shared with his mom at her first game.

Author

code harman
April 11, 2025

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🍁Hey, Torontonians!

Hope you’re enjoying spring season with sun and rain in the city! we’re here to keep you in the loop with everything happening in the 6ix.

Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the poll at the end of this email—we love hearing from you! 😊

In today's edition:

  • Quick Bites: Power restored after afternoon outage in downtown Toronto, say utility providers.

  • City Services & Transit

  • Restaurant of the Week: Aloette Bay

  • Ontario government open to discussions with City of Toronto over removal of bike lanes

  • These city-owned townhouses have been sitting empty since 2008. That’s finally about to change

  • Toronto Raptors Rookie Logs Triple-Double

  • Community Digest: Toronto Raptors fan won season tickets

  • Upcoming Events

— Harman
Toronto Local Loop

Quick Bites

  1. Festival featuring hundreds of exotic cars taking over a Toronto street this spring.

  2. $5 million contemporary home has unmatched views of the Toronto skyline.

  3. Toronto's El Mocambo Is Up for Sale Again.

  4. 10,000 unvaccinated students suspended by Toronto Public Health.

  5. Most Canadians say they expect to feel U.S. tariffs, want Canada to fight back: poll.

  6. Toronto’s municipal golf courses open up for the season.

  7. Toronto to see some sun this weekend after snowy Friday morning.

  8. Ontario measles case count tops 800, 155 new infections since last week.

  9. Power restored after afternoon outage in downtown Toronto, say utility providers.

🛍️ Shopping & Essentials

  • CF Toronto Eaton Centre – Open daily (Mon-Sat 10 AM–9 PM, Sun 11 AM–7 PM). No special hours for this week

  • Yorkdale Shopping Centre – Regular hours apply this week (Mon-Sat 10 AM–9 PM, Sun 11 AM–7 PM). Yorkdale is featuring new store openings and exclusive deals for spring.

🚌 City Services & Transit

  • Line 2

    • There will be no subway service between Jane and Ossington stations, starting 11 p.m., nightly Monday, April 14 to Thursday, April 17, due to planned track work. Shuttle buses will operate.

    • This weekend, there will be no subway service between Jane and Ossington stations due to planned track work. Shuttle buses will operate.

    • There will be no subway service between Jane and Ossington stations, starting 11 p.m., nightly Monday, April 7 to Friday, April 11, due to planned track work. Shuttle buses will operate.

  • TTC 47 - Detour northbound via Eglinton Ave W, Ronald Ave and Castlefield Ave due to construction.

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Restaurant of the Week: Aloette Bay

Some places just feel like home the moment you walk in. Aloette Bay is one of them. Whether it’s the polished penny tiles, the Aloette Burger, or the casually chic ambiance, this spot has been a Toronto favourite for years—and for good reason.

Atmosphere and Location

Atmosphere and Location of Aloette Bay

Aloette Bay offers a unique blend of modern sophistication and warm hospitality, creating an atmosphere that feels both refined and approachable. The restaurant is situated on the fourth floor of CIBC Square's Table Fare + Social in Toronto's South Core, directly across from the Scotiabank Arena and just steps from Union Station. This strategic location allows it to cater to both the fast-paced lifestyle of the Financial District and the vibrant energy of the surrounding area.

The interior design is bright and modern, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light, making the space feel welcoming and inviting[3]. The ambiance is akin to fine dining yet retains the accessibility of a neighbourhood bistro, making it perfect for a variety of occasions, from business lunches to pre-game dinners or date nights. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a more leisurely dining experience, Aloette Bay's atmosphere ensures that you feel at home while enjoying the best of Toronto's culinary scene.

🍴 What to Try

  • Must-try dish: Aloette Burger, served on a house potato bun with Beaufort cheese and paired with triple-cooked fries.

    Don’t miss: The signature Lemon Meringue Pie—a towering dessert that’s as delicious as it is iconic.

Reviews

“Came here for an early dinner before a Leafs game, conveniently located across Scotiabank area with an indoor path/bridge to get to the game.

We got steak tartare and wedge salad to start, then lamb and scallops for main. The wedge salad!!! Wow, everything from the dressing to all the crispy bits and the crisp lettuce was phenomenal. Scallops were perfectly cooked and the beurre blanc was velvety. Only the lamb dish didn’t wow me, the meat was tender and not dry but a tough under seasoned. Tried a few cocktail they were all delicious, the gin shooter with oyster was fun and loved how iced cold it was served. We didn’t have room for dessert but had to tried the infamous carrot cake, it was a hefty slice and the cream cheese icing was perfect.”

— Google Reviewer

Came here on a Monday night for a romantic dinner, and every item we had was better than the last. The quantities were perfect, the dishes were fairly priced, and everything was done just right. The stand out items were the octopus carpaccio, the side dish of crispy squash, and the melt-in-your-mouth scallop. The beef tartare and burger were also excellent, but had the misfortune of being next to the other dishes. The service was also excellent, and the servers knew everything you could wish to know about. I highly recommend getting a larger table for all the dishes you will be ordering!

— Google Reviewer

📍 Location
81 Bay Street, Toronto
Price: $$$ ($30-40 per person)
Phone: (416) 315-7275
Website: aloetterestaurant.com

Check them out and let us know what you think!

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NEWS

CITY
Ontario government open to discussions with City of Toronto over removal of bike lanes

Discussions are underway between the Ontario government and the City of Toronto concerning the potential removal of some bike lanes on main roads like Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue. This follows the passage of Bill 212 in Fall 2024, which mandated provincial approval for new bike lanes removing traffic lanes and allowed for the removal of some existing ones. Premier Doug Ford and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stated the primary aim of potential removals is to alleviate traffic congestion by reinstating traffic lanes.

However, recent discussions suggest a possible compromise where car lanes could be added back while still protecting cyclists with bike lanes. The Ministry of Transportation is open to collaborating with the city on solutions where both can exist, provided Toronto funds its portion. While the province emphasizes restoring traffic flow, the city advocates for retaining well-used bike lanes that do not cause problems.

There is opposition to the removals from some residents and businesses, particularly along stretches of Bloor and Yonge Streets, with some businesses even suing the city. Conversely, the Bloor-Annex BIA has condemned the potential removal, citing the success of bike lanes in their area. Cycle Toronto is challenging the removals in court, claiming a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. While a temporary injunction was rejected, construction to remove the lanes might not begin until 2026.

These city-owned townhouses have been sitting empty since 2008. That’s finally about to change

The city-owned affordable housing complex at 50 Torbolton Dr. was shuttered in 2008 due to repeated flooding. After years of being vacant and overgrown, the site is now undergoing renovations to become the Toronto Community Housing Corp.'s (TCHC) first environmentally conscious Passive House. The project, expected to be completed by 2026, will rehabilitate the existing 17 three-bedroom units by addressing the flooding issues, including removing the basements and making the building airtight with improved insulation. This will result in lower utility bills for future tenants selected from Toronto's subsidized housing wait-list. The long delay in redeveloping the site was attributed to various factors, including the flood plain location and project setbacks.

Source: Thestar

SPORTS
Toronto Raptors Rookie Logs Triple-Double

Apr 4, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Jonathan Mogbo (2) passes the ball against the Detroit Pistons in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images / Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Toronto Raptors rookie Jonathan Mogbo, who recorded a triple-double in a decisive victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Beyond this specific game, the piece reflects on the unexpectedly strong performance of the 2024 NBA Draft class as a whole, which had faced considerable skepticism prior to the season.

Mogbo as an example of the valuable, contributing players emerging from this draft, emphasizing his versatile skill set as a defensive asset, playmaker, and rebounder, suggesting that the Raptors' faith in this draft class has been validated.

Source: Si: NBA Draft

Community Digest
This Toronto Raptors fan won season tickets thanks to a very lucky half-court shot

Summary: the story of Liam Rodrigues, a Toronto Raptors fan who won season tickets for the 2025-2026 season is so wholesome for the community.

His incredible prize was secured by successfully sinking a half-court shot during the team's final home game at Scotiabank Arena. Rodrigues' initial luck in winning the opportunity to take the shot and his surprised reaction when the ball went in, also highlighting the joy he shared with his mother who was attending her first Raptors game. Ultimately, Liam serves as a feel-good story, emphasizing a fan's extraordinary luck and the excitement surrounding such a memorable event.

Upcoming Events

Here are some highlights for the week ahead. For a full list of events, stay tuned for future editions!

🎭 Theatre & Arts

🎵 Music & Comedy

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Sports

Meme: To make you laugh

Your feedback matters

Reply to this email with your choice!

Let us know what you think of this week’s edition, and don’t forget to share it with your friends and family. We’ll see you next week!

Cheers,
Harman
Toronto Local Loop

P.S.

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