Jet Fuel has a bit of a reputation. I've worked in Cabbagetown, right around the corner from the coffee shop, for almost three years now. I've known people that have left the local cafe just about in tears. When I went in before the holidays for our scheduled interview, I was told that Ami wasn't in. When I inquired a little further as to when she would be in, I was brushed off, coldly. The shop isn't for everyone, but the regulars, especially cyclists, absolutely adore Jet Fuel - and for good reason. It's a calm atmosphere with some damn good coffee. When I was able to catch up with Ami the following week, we had the following conversation in the back of Cabbagetown's Jet Fuel.

Michael Cubero is one of the nicest guys you'll meet. The guy is patient, calm, considerate and unabashedly nice. He also cares about his trade and the people he serves on a daily basis. It's a great equation in making an adept barista, by any standards. It also doesn't hurt that he grew up in Costa Rica, surrounded by coffee. Grabbing a couple makeshift seats in the back room at Manic, surrounded by miscellaneous bins and whatnot, we chatted about Costa Rica, caring customers, Delaware Ave. and Motown. Obviously.

When I walk into Jimmy's Coffee on an unseasonably warm December morning it's rammed inside. There's a warm buzz to the place. I ask for Lachlan. The barista behind the counter says he's out front, somewhere. As I start to walk to the door, the barista asks me to also take Lachlan's single Americano for him, as it's now ready. Sure, why not? I walk out the front door as Lachlan turns the corner from the alleyway beside Jimmy's. I call his name not knowing if it's him or not and he glances back with a wry smile. "Yeah?" he responds with a slight Australian lilt. "You the writer?" We proceed to take a seat out front of the King West coffee spot so I can get to know him a little better.

The National played the Air Canada Centre last night. Yeah, the hockey arena where the Leafs like to disappoint their rabid fans. But last night it was transformed into "theatre-mode," which is no Massey Hall, but, to be fair, it bloody well worked.

With the ACC cut into a third of its size via a giant-ass black drape behind the stage, the sound amplified, but it's still a cavernous space. The show opened with the giant screen projecting the band hanging out and warming up in the green room. It then followed them as they made their way to the stage, the crowd hooting with anticipation.

Damien Zielinski is a pretty stand-up guy. He has a way of putting you at ease with a soft, slow nod. He nods when you walk in the door. He nods when he's listening. He nods when he agrees with something you say. And as co-owner of Capital Espresso, that friendly joint in Parkdale that opened just a year ago in the old Vice office (they were formerly at Blondie's), Damien damn well loves his espresso. The guy has been serving up spro (that's their slang name for espresso) for 13 years, nearly half his life. And albeit Damien is pretty extroverted and not all that secretive, we wanted to get to know him a little better. The following is the result.

With Canzine happening on Sunday, one of Toronto's nascent zine's launched its latest issue. In a park. With bands playing acoustic sets. Around a campfire.

It's called Static Zine, a self-described "Toronto arts and lifestyle zine," and it is mixing things up a bit. Last night, for instance, around the firepit in Dufferin Grove sitting on giant logs, had bands like The Wilderness of Manitoba, Parks & Rec, The Fires Of (bands, of course, all appropriately titled for the evening) serenade about 60 or so zinephiles. It was endearing, oddly soothing as a number of non-protesting individuals took up another Toronto park to celebrate arts and culture. And a campfire avec s'mores in downtown Toronto is just badass. The milieu was only interrupted when a car passed along Dufferin pumping bass-heavy rap, which is understandable.