SHAREABLE Tip #22 - The "Toonie Test" for Your Tires!

Forget fancy gauges! In Canada, we have the perfect tire tool right in our pockets. Whether you're driving a hybrid, a sedan, or a heavy-duty truck, this trick works for ANY vehicle on the road.

A Toonie and a little bit of tread—the classic Canadian safety check!
Illustration by SCG NIAGARA

The 10-Second Toonie Test

Take a Toonie and slip it into your tire’s tread groove with the polar bear's paws facing down. While some people look for the letters, checking the rings as shown in the image above is the only way to be 100% accurate every single time.

💡 Fun Fact: Why we use the "Rings," not the "Letters"

The Royal Canadian Mint updated the Toonie’s design in 2012 to include high-tech security features like holographic maple leaves. Because of this, the word "CANADA" was moved to a completely different spot on the outer silver ring.

By following the "rings" instead of the letters, your measurement stays 100% accurate whether you’re using a classic 1996 Toonie or the brand-new King Charles III version!

Understanding the Results:

• Plenty of Life: The tread reaches past the silver and into the gold center (covering the bear's paws).
• Halfway There: The tread stops exactly at the seam where the silver meets the gold.
• Time to Shop: The tread only covers the silver ring area. The entire gold center is completely visible above the rubber.
• Danger Zone: The tread is so low you can see the physical outside edge of the coin resting in the groove.

Video: Jump straight to the Toonie Test (1:03 mark)

3 More "Pro Tips" for Niagara Drivers

1. The Sidewall Inspection: Look for fine cracks on the sidewall (the side of your tire) to check for dry rot. Old rubber can become brittle and dangerous, even if the tread looks deep.

2. Check Your "Pressure Sticker": Open your driver's door and look for the yellow and white sticker. Proper inflation saves you money at the pump!

3. The Edge Test: If your tread is deep in the middle but bald on the edges, your car is likely out of alignment from hitting too many Garden City potholes.

Niagara Note: If your Toonie shows you're in the "Danger Zone," check your sidewall for your size (look for an "R" number like R18 or R20) and call a local mobile pro to handle the swap right in your driveway.

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Sources: CAA Canada | The Toronto Star | Young Drivers of Canada

The Historical Curve of St. Paul Street

Modern-day St. Paul Street in downtown St. Catharines.
By Municipal Affairs and Housing - CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Driving through downtown St. Catharines offers a much different perspective than the straight, rigid grids found in most other Ontario cities. St. Paul Street remains a rare exception, following a winding path that has shaped the city's identity for generations.

The Winding Heritage of St. Paul Street

This central artery wasn't originally designed by urban planners; it was inherited from an ancient path. Long before the Welland Canal, this route followed the natural ridge of the Niagara Escarpment, allowing travelers to stay on high ground and avoid the marshy lowlands of the region.

Downtown Heritage & Conservation District - City of St. Catharines

An aerial perspective of the downtown curves.
By Cityofstcatharines - CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Preserving the Local Landscape

The winding nature of the street is a central part of the St. Catharines Heritage Conservation District. By following the natural landscape instead of a ruler, the early settlers created a downtown with a character that feels unique in North America.

For more fascinating facts and deep-dives into local history, visit SofistiKateIt.com.

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Sources: St. Catharines Downtown Association | St. Catharines Museum Blog

VIDEO: Canadian shoppers ditching made-in-USA goods as tariff threat looms

With the looming threat of American tariffs on Canadian goods, some shoppers are swearing off U.S.-made products. CTV's Kimberley Johnson reports.

St. Catharines - Not so Ratty After All

We don't know why, but for some reason, we thought St. Catharines was one of the rattiest cities in Ontario.

Perhaps it stemmed back from an old 2016 article we read about a former GM property on Ontario Street in St. Catharines that was infested with rats ... and then later, our own experience with them outside an old townhouse we used to live in.

So needless to say, we were quite surprised when Orkin came out with their Top 25 'Rattiest' Cities in Ontario and discovered St. Catharines barely made the list. Yay for St. Catharines!

Image: Orkin

According to their website, Orkin ranked the cities by the number of rodents (rat & mice) treatments the company performed from August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021. The ranking included both residential and commercial treatments.

Source(s): Orkin

'SMART CART'. Coming to a Store Near You... (VIDEOS)

Isn't there an app for that? ;)

If you haven't heard by now, Canadian grocery chain, Sobeys, is creating something that is said to be the first of its kind in Canada. It's called the Smart Cart and no, it is not a substitution for workers of the human kind. At least, so it has been said. I'll believe it when I see it. I'm still trying to avoid self-check outs just for that sole purpose.

In the meantime, check out (get it?) more in the video below...

And if all that isn't good enough for your lazy ass for you, perhaps a Drive-thru supermarket is more up your 'aisle'. ...

Still ain't cuttin' it? Then this autonomous supermarket on wheels should do the trick...