Friday in the 6ix: Rain Today, Big Night Ahead

Morning, T.O. It's a grey one out there, 10 degrees with light rain falling, so the umbrella goes in the bag before you leave the house. UV is low at 2.0, so no sunscreen fight today, but the sky isn't going to do you any favours. Sunset comes at 5:02 PM, which means you've got about ten hours of daylight to work with, and once the dark rolls in early this time of year, you'll want your evening plans settled before the streetlights come on.

If you're driving or taking transit, a few routes have detours to keep in mind. Ellesmere Road at Birchmount is closed, so if you're heading out east, give yourself some extra time or go around it. The 16 McCowan is detouring southbound via Lawrence Avenue East, Valparaiso Avenue and Hollyhedge Drive because of construction, and the 72 Pape is rerouting along Lakeshore Boulevard East, Leslie Street and Queen Street East. The 501 Queen is also on a detour through Shaw Street, King Street West and Spadina Avenue because of police activity. If you ride the Queen car, leave a little earlier than usual and expect the slowdown.

A few local stories are worth knowing this morning. Ontario is proposing a ban on modifying lithium-ion batteries, and that's landing as Toronto's battery fires have hit a record, so if you've got e-bikes or scooters, it's a good moment to check what's charging in your home. Over in Downsview, the long-term care COVID-19 deaths have now been certified as a class action. And the city has unveiled a bronze statue of WWI flying ace William Barker on Yonge Street, a good reason to take a detour on your walk and look up.

For eats, OpenTable's 2026 Top 100 put 45 Ontario restaurants on its Canada list, one more than last year, so there's no shortage of places to try. Sahni, the Vikram Vij restaurant, is coming to the Union Hotel in the Financial District, which is worth watching if you work downtown. If you're a fan of the Leafs' Nazem Kadri, his $91 Wagyu sandwich goes on sale at ANIML on Nov. 10, so mark that one down if you're curious. And if you want something cozy on a rainy evening, the Dirty Laundry on Queen West is turning into a Dirttty Little Xmas pop-up this November.

Tonight, the live music scene is loud. Boston Manor plays the Mod Club at 6:30 PM, Mico with Will Linley hits the Danforth Music Hall at 7:00, Justin Nozuka is at the Opera House at 7:00, and Streetheart with Harlequin is up at Pickering Casino Resort, also at 7:00. All of those are indoor, so the rain won't touch your plans. If you'd rather go for something more refined, the National Ballet of Canada is on in town, and it's a good pick for a Friday with someone special.

Earlier in the day, the TMU Bold take on the University of Toronto in a school day men's hockey game at the Mattamy Athletic Centre at 11:15 AM, and Casa Loma's general admission opens at 9:30 AM if you want to get out and see the castle before the weekend crowds arrive.

Have a good one, and stay dry. See you out there.