Photo/ANICE WONG

What was once a paved area is now home to Marcello Febbo's award-winning garden and it was open June 24 as part of the Open Gardens Toronto program where gardens are open for public viewing to raise money for the Canadian Women's Foundation.

Photo/ADRIEN VECZAN

Team Drama Queen Kate, left, Carolina, Lucy, Laura, Melissa and Karolina participate in the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life at E.T. Seton Park June 20.

Photo/BRENT LEWIN

Greek soccer fans react in disappointment after watching their team surrender a goal to Russia during the first round of the European Championships. The game was televised at the local Fox and Fiddle June 14. Russia the game 1-0.

Photo/GRAHAM PAINE

The post-position draw for Sunday's 149th running of the Queen's Plate was held June 19 at Woodbine Race Track. Here, Don Cherry poses with the winning trophy as trainers of three of the early favorites hold their horses race placards.

Photo/BRENT LEWIN

Gabriel Ghiglione builds a scarecrow at the Strawberries and Asparagus Festival at Cedarvale Park June 14. The festival is a community celebration of all things green and promotes local and organic food and local sustainable business.

Photo/STUART THURSBY

Lucille and Sylvia enjoy an ice cream along College St. as part of the recent Taste of Little Italy festival.

Photo/MIKE POCHWAT

Bianca DiSomma runs through the inflatable obstacle course during the West Rouge Junior Public School Fun Fair held May 31.

Photo/MIKE POCHWAT

Gavin Hicks demonstrates his skills during the Wakeboard Urban Rail Jam at Boardsports May 31. The competition was held to benefit the Hospital for Sick Children and organizers were hoping to raise over $10,000.

Photo/JILL KITCHENER

Abrar Khatri, 10, reaches the top of the rock climbing wall for the very first time during Wilkinson Public School's Fun Fair May 31.

Photo/NANCY PAIVA

Ezra Perlman, left, and Anna Sudac provide some accompaniment on guitar from the musical, 'Building', in a recent rehearsal at the Gladstone Hotel. The production was mounted by the Christie Ossington Neighborhood Centre's Nook children's program.

BRIEFS

Toronto Hydro seeks 'load shift' customer

The Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (Toronto Hydro) has introduced a new pilot program designed to encourage customers with smart meters to "load shift" and help manage their electricity use.

The program is available to Toronto Hydro customers who are enrolled in the Peaksaver Program, and who are participating in the Toronto Hydro Smart Meter Time-Of-Use pilot project.

Participants will receive $10 a month for a total credit of $30 on their fall 2008 electricity bill. The pilot provides Toronto Hydro with valuable information on how to assist homeowners with load shifting and conservation. Power shifting should complement other power-saving activities, such as running appliances during evenings, which can help lower the demand on hot summer afternoons. For more information, visit www.torontopowershift.com

Green Party nominating candidate in Don Valley West

The Don Valley West Federal Green Party Association will hold its candidate nomination meeting Friday, July 4.

The meeting will be held at 1 Donlea Dr. in the Bayview and Eglinton avenues area at 7 p.m.

Liberal John Godfrey, the former riding MP, announced last November he was resigning from politics. He vacated his post July 1.

Former Green Party of Canada leader Jim Harris will attend the nomination meeting.

Creative centre hosts juried art exhibition

Neilson Park Creative Centre Galleries hosts the sixteenth Annual Juried Art Exhibition from July 14 to Aug. 10.

More than 50 artists will compete for one of five prizes. Jurors Barbara Fostka, of Etobicoke, and Kathleen Hatcher will judge paintings, drawings, prints, mixed media art, photography, fibre art, calligraphic art, and sculpture.

Everyone is invited to attend the opening reception and awards ceremony on July 14 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free. The centre is wheelchair accessible. For more information call 416-622-5294.

Reality TV show winner returns home to play at Lee's Palace

Lukas Rossi, the winner of the national reality television show Rock Star, will be returning home to Toronto to perform at Lee's Palace with his new band Stars Down on Wednesday, July 9.

The former Chaminade College student fronted the mega-band Rock Star Supernova, consisting of former members of Metallica, Guns N' Roses and Motley Crue.

After recording one album and completing a whirlwind tour with Rock Star Supernova, Rossi formed Stars Down with childhood friend Jon Jamieson who he played with in his first band Cleavage.

That band experienced early success winning a local band competition in Weston held at the Frontlines Community Centre, and later at the North by Northeast Festival in downtown Toronto eight years ago.

For more information on the upcoming show, call 416-598-0720.

- Clark Kim

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.

  

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