Photo/NICK PERRY
Rob Christian, right, and Quincy Bullen of The Quintessential Boys perform during the recent media launch of the Beaches International Jazz Festival at the Balmy Beach Club. The festival takes place July 18-27.
Photo/JOANNA LAVOIE
Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman flicks on the switch to mark the recent official opening of the Portlands Energy Centre.
Mirror photo/DAN PEARCE
Ward 32 Councillor Sandra Bussin (Beaches East York) at the recent groundbreaking of the Ashbridges Bay Skateboard Park.
Photo/BRENT LEWIN
Play it Again Sports' Matthew Worchelak, right, slices through Tullet Nukes' defenders during championship day at the Toronto Beaches Lacrosse Club in Kew Gardens on Saturday.
Mirror photo/ALESSANRO GAROFALO
Mark Birstein, left, Dale Kowcenuk, and Catherine Beckingham are a few of the several opponents to a proposed Smart Centre openning up in Leslieville. Dora Keogh Pub hosted a recent fundraiser event to help cover the legal costs of the group.
Photo/ALESSANRO GAROFALO
Wayne Reeves and Julia Madden demonstrate one of the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry, and Recreation's new beach accessible wheelchairs at Ashbridge's Bay.
Mirror photo/MIKE POCHWAT
Jay Preston, centre, bumps the ball the ball over the net in Ashbridges Bay Park, during recent Mix It Up fundraising beach volleyball tournament action to benefit the Princess Margaret Hospital.
Mirror photo/MIKE POCHWAT
Nicky Kalimeris, 5, tries out a police motorcycle during the Toronto police 55 Division Community Fair and Barbecue held in New Woodbine Park Wednesday to celebrate Police Week.
BRIEFS
Man dies, woman hospitalized after ingesting ecstasy
Toronto police has issued a public safety alert about the dangers of ecstasy and a product that is being promoted as a natural alternative to the illicit drug.'Pure Rush' or Natural Ecstasy is a stimulant that can be bought at some stores selling drug paraphernalia and similar products.
On Monday, June 30, a 55-year-old man was at The Guvernment nightclub, 132 Queens Quay E., when it is believed he ingested the product. A short time later he collapsed, was taken to hospital and pronounced dead.
A 27-year-old woman, who attended that same club on Tuesday, July 1, also allegedly ingested ecstasy, collapsed and is currently listed in critical condition in hospital.
Anyone with information should call 416-808-5100 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or www.222tips.com.
TCDSB high school teachers accept contract
Toronto's Catholic Secondary School teachers voted recently to accept a tentative four-year agreement that would see a three per cent increase in their salary each year of the term.Union President Kathleen Gardiner said the members voted 95 per cent in support of the agreement, which has "considerable improvements in benefits, long sought after."
Teachers and senior management have also agreed to improved consultation processes on local issues, she added.
"Provincial discussions between the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association and the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association, earlier this year, were of considerable assistance in this round of bargaining," Gardiner said.
The agreement is subject to approval by the Ministry of Education's appointed supervisor of the Toronto Catholic District School Board.
School crossing guards wanted
The Toronto Police Service is accepting applications for one of its most important positions: school crossing guards.Crossing guards are responsible for helping school-aged children up to Grade 6 safely cross the road. They may also assist older children, adults, the elderly, the disabled or any other person to safely cross.
Applicants are required to pass a vision test and must provide a Certificate of Fitness from their family doctor confirming that they are physically fit to carry out the job's important duties.
They must not have been convicted of a criminal offence for which a pardon has not been granted. A proof of pardon must be provided, if that is the case. Applicants must also provide proof that the RCMP has sealed their records, if a conditional or absolute discharge was obtained.
A security check will be conducted.
The pay rate for crossing guards is $10.36/hour with a 12 per cent travelling allowance and 4 per cent vacation pay.
Contact the police division closest to your home address for additional information.
Notice of TCDSB public meetings
The Toronto Catholic District School Board invites the community to participate in public meetings regarding Education Development Charges this summer.The first meeting, focusing on policy review, will take place on July 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the boardroom at the Catholic Education Centre, 80 Sheppard Ave. E. That meeting will be immediately followed at 7 p.m. by a meeting regarding the Successor Bylaw (the continued imposition of Education Development Charges as set out in Section 257.63 of the Education Act). A third meeting will be held on Aug. 14 beginning at 7 p.m. to consider the adoption of the EDC bylaw in the City of Toronto.
Public presentations can be made at any of these meetings, and written submissions will also be accepted one week prior to each of the meetings.
The Policy Review document, setting out the board's policies for the current education development charge by-law, and the Education Development Charge Background Study, setting out the board's education development charge proposal, will be available on or after July 9 at the board's administrative offices, 80 Sheppard Ave. E. in the Planning Department on the third floor, during regular office hours.
To make a verbal presentation to the Board or submit a presentation in writing, please contact recording secretary Lalita Fernandes via fax at 416-229-5353 or by phone at 416-222-8282 ext. 2293.
For more information, please contact Peter Kole at 416-222-8282 ext. 2273, Joseph Ruscitti at 416-222-8282 ext. 2281 or John Volek at 416-222-8282 ext. 2084.
Dial A Story adds new language to its program
The Toronto library has added a new language to its popular Dial a Story program.Children can now listen to a bedtime story in Gujarati as well as English, French, Italian, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, Tamil and Cantonese. Stories in Urdu are planned for later this year.
The Dial A Story program (416-395-5400) sees almost 900 children 12 and under listen to stories each day. Last year, more than 316,000 calls were answered.
Stories rotate daily and the program often features special guests as readers including Mayor David Miller, Blue Jays players and dancers from the National Ballet of Canada.
