Homebuyers, the market says get in while you can

Plus, the story behind Stacy Clarke’s high-profile suspension from the Toronto Police Service [The Star] First Up [By Ashley Okwuosa] By Ashley Okwuosa Good morning. How well do you know the markets — the supermarkets, that is? [Take a quiz to test your knowledge of grocery store history](. Here’s the latest. MUST READS Toronto Police Service POLICE MISCONDUCT [A trail-blazing cop is accused of helping the next generation cheat. But is there more to the story?]( In February 2021, Stacy Clarke became the first Black, female superintendent in the Toronto Police force. Months later, Clarke was accused of sharing confidential information with several junior officers seeking promotions, reports Betsy Powell. The accusations have rocked the force, and Clarke is looking at a possible demotion or even dismissal. [Some wonder, were her actions a misguided attempt to address systemic issues within the police service]( Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press REAL ESTATE [Toronto’s “chaotic” housing market offers a small window of opportunity]( Is it too soon to call it a buyer’s market? Some realtors in the GTA are expecting home values to drop by another eight to 10 per cent, which would favour homebuyers, reports Tess Kalinowski. But with a limited housing supply, desirable properties in the "right" neighbourhoods are still attracting multiple offers, making things tricky. [Here’s how you can take advantage of Toronto’s unpredictable market](. R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star Toronto [Toronto is pricey to live in, so why is everything in ruins?]( Things are falling apart, not there at all, or administered thoughtlessly, writes Edward Keenan. In the first of the Star’s new series about the countless everyday ways Toronto is failing its citizens — and what we can do about it — Edward looks at overflowing garbage, broken transit, decrepit ferries, and the ways the city’s services touch our lives directly. [Read more about how Toronto falls short and the eternal question, “can’t we do better?]( AFP via Getty Images IRAN [Watching the unrest in Iran as an Iranian-Canadian]( As someone far away, spreading awareness is my only power, writes Tine Christensen, a Canadian of Iranian and European descent. In a powerful essay, Tine is urging people to use their platforms to continue talking about Masha Amini’s death, writing, “the more we speak up, the more those in power are likely to pay attention and come together to create change.” [Read Tine's entire essay and learn more about what you can do to help the Iranian people](. AFP via Getty Images THE VIEW FROM TAIWAN [Here’s how the Taiwanese are preparing to face China]( Even though Taiwan and mainland China split during a civil war in 1949, Beijing claims the island nation as its territory and has not ruled out using military force to take it. This threat is an undercurrent of Joanna Chiu’s visit to Taiwan, where civilians are engaging in crisis training programs and building international connections to ensure their survival in the eventuality of a confrontation with Beijing. [Read more about the existential threat the Taiwanese live under and how they’re preparing to fight back](. UP CLOSE Richard Lautens/Toronto Star At Repair Café Toronto, volunteers work to restore broken household items to working condition. In over nine years, the small, travelling group has repaired close to 10,000 things at events across the city, writes Celeste Percy-Beauregard. [Read more about how the organization is changing the way we reuse everyday items](. Eat THIS Alexa Fernando Looking for the best tacos in town? In celebration of National Taco Day on October 4, Briony Smith talks to married chefs Julio Guajardo and Kate Chomyshyn of Mexican restaurant Fonda Balam about their [five favourite taquerias in Toronto]( Thanks for reading. You can reach the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_147651), and I’ll will see you back here Monday. [The Star]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [Become a Star Subscriber]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](