The East York-Riverdale Mirror

The goal of this year's marathon is to raise $1 million for more than 60 small Toronto charities including Invest in Kids, the Assaulted Women's Helpline and Fort York Food Bank.

The marathon (42 kilometres), which also offers a half marathon (21 kilometres) and five-kilometre run has become one of the premier sporting events in Toronto and across North America, according to organizers.

"This race is Toronto's race and there is truly a way for everyone in our city to participate," said Alan Brookes, race director, in a press release.

This year there are three ways for Torontonians to get involved. People who aren't running can participate by pledging a runner or by coming out to cheer along the race route or at one of Scotia Toronto Waterfront's 10 official Neighbourhood Cheering and Entertainment Centres from the Humber to the Beaches.

This year's marathon starts and finishes at Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W. beginning at 7:30 a.m. Visit www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com for the full race route.

Thirteen Originals, an exhibit featuring rare Haitian works of art from the collection of the late Haitian ambassador to Canada, Emmanuel Ambroise, is on display at Studio 203.

The exhibit features works by St. Pierre Toussaint, Roi David Annisey, Luce Tournier and Lafortune Felix, but it's dominated by two single paintings: Erzuli In Red, by Robert St. Brice, and Erzuli In Blue, by Tiga (Jean Claude Garoute).

Tiga is one of the best known Haitian masters; he is recognized as the last of the great surrealist painters. He died in 2006. St. Brice did not begin painting until he was more than 50 years old. He died in 1973.

Studio 203 is located at 28 Industrial St., near Laird Drive, south of Eglinton Avenue.

Pictures from the exhibition and further details about the painters are available on www.thestudio203.com.

The Salvation Army Thrift Stores is in desperate need of men's clothing and are appealing to the public for help.

The organization, the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services, says this is the lowest donation of men's clothing they've seen in a very long time.

"I cannot remember a time in well over a decade where we have ever seen such a dramatic reduction of donations of men's clothing," Arlene Boden, executive director for Central and Southwestern Ontario recycling operations, said in a press release.

To drop off donations, visit www.tstores.ca to find the closest store near you.

Student safety remains a top priority for both the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), so the Student Transportation Services Departments for both boards are providing the Back to School Safely campaign for students and their parents.

As summer winds down and the beginning of the new school year looms, mall displays are being set up throughout the city to remind parents and children of basic safety rules both on and off school buses.

Children and their families are invited to see the Bus Safety Show presented by Buster the talking school bus and to hear Elmer the Safety Elephant share tips on crossing roads safely. The Toronto Police and Safety Patrollers will also be on hand, and visitors will receive loot bags with literature for parents and their children. Staff from both boards will be available to answer any questions about school bus transportation.

The displays are scheduled for:

- Saturday, Aug. 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Albion Mall, 1530 Albion Rd., Etobicoke

- Saturday, Aug. 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cedarbrae Mall, 3495 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough

- Saturday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Yorkgate Mall, 1 Yorkgate Blvd., North York

- Thursday, Aug. 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at East York Town Centre, 45 Overlea Blvd., Don Mills

- Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Centrepoint Mall, 6464 Yonge St., North York

Police said a man riding a white bicycle came up to a child playing in a ravine near Eastdale and Lumsden avenues at about 6:30 p.m.

"The suspect exposed himself and took photos of the child," police said in a news release.

The man gave some money to the child before leaving the scene.

The suspect is described as white, about five-feet 10-inches tall with short dark hair and a slim build.

Anyone with information is asked to call 54 Division at 416-808-5400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).