NORTH YORK: Recalled deli meat processed at North York plant
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a health hazard alert amid a national recall of...
Photo/JONATHAN TAILLEFER
Charlotte Copas, 10 walks through the reflecting pool in Mel Lastman Square, which offered some cool comfort during the Eco Savvy Festival Aug. 16.
Photo/JONATHAN TAILLEFER
Rhea Dhar, 9, shows off a calender she helped design and draw pictures for at the Eco Savvy Festival in Mel Lastman Square Aug. 16.
Photo/JONATHAN TAILLEFER
Mohamad Ahmad grills up some corn during the Eco Savvy Festival at Mel Lastman Square Aug. 16.
Photo/JONATHAN TAILLEFER
Jonathan Sun attempts a shot in his match against Robert Azevedo during 2008 Canadian Cue Sports Championship play at Shooters Snooker and Sports Club Aug. 15.
Photo/JOHN RIDDELL
Toronto Fire Services Chief William Stewart addresses the casket of district chief Bob Leek during services held at the Prayer Palace Aug. 15. Firefighters came from across the country to pay tribute to their fallen comrade.
Photo/NICK PERRY
Pallbearers carry the coffin of District Chief Bob Leek during Friday's funeral service for the firefighter who died in the line of duty at the scene of the Sunrise Propane explosion in North York Aug. 10.
Photo/WILLIAM MEIJER
Residents from the area surrounding the site of the Sunrise Propane explosion and fire shout out questions to panelists during the public meeting held Thursday night at St. Norbert's Church.
Photo/NICK PERRY
A firefighter puts on a gas mask while attending to a blaze in an apartment on Wilson Avenue near Garratt Boulevard Aug. 12.
BRIEFS
Pair of Catholic schools near blast site being assessed
Two local Catholic schools near the site of the propane blast last weekend are being assessed by an engineering firm for any major damages sustained to the school facilities.
There was “substantial” damage to Madonna Catholic Secondary School on Dubray Avenue, but engineers will be reporting back to the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) on Friday with more conclusive results on whether there has been any structural damages.
An information meeting has been tentatively scheduled for parents of Madonna Catholic Secondary School for Monday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. at St. Norbert Church Hall.
A discussion on accommodation plans for students is to take place in the event that the school won’t be open by the start of the school year. Updates will be posted on the TCDSB website at www.tcdsb.org.
No structural damage or broken windows were reported at St. Norbert Catholic School on Maniza Road. Two rooms will require some repair with the ceiling grid sagging, but it’s anticipated the school will open next week.
A second information meeting will be held at the St. Norbert Church Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. for the St. Norbert community. Senior staff, consultants, public health officials, board chair Catherine LeBlanc-Miller and local school trustee Mary Cicogna are scheduled to be in attendance at both meetings.
Air quality tests performed at both schools have been good with further testing to be done throughout the week as a precautionary measure.
Explosion meeting for disabled concerns
A meeting to address the concerns of seniors and the disabled in the event of a future disaster like last week’s Downsview explosion will be held Thursday night.JP Pampena, the owner of JP Pampena Public Relations Inc., is a community relations representative for disabled residents. He also lives near the blast site.
As a blind man with a severely disabled daughter, Pampena learned the hard way how vulnerable the disabled are in an emergency when Sunrise Propane on Murray Road exploded just before 4 a.m. on Aug. 10.
Last week, he helped organize a community meeting to discuss neighbours’ concerns following the blast.
Now, he is turning his attention to the specific needs of the disabled and elderly.
Issues such as establishing a community registry of vulnerable residents will be discussed at the meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Ancaster Community Centre, 41 Ancaster Rd. northwest of Dufferin Street and Wilson Avenue. All members of the community are welcome.
Meanwhile, Pampena is also working with the city to try to establish an emergency relief fund, but details are not yet available.
Memorial parade cancelled due to propane blast damages
A parade and remembrance service held annually at the Canadian Jewish War Veterans Cenotaph in Mount Sinai Cemetery has been cancelled due to the damages sustained from the propane explosion Aug. 10.The surviving veterans of the General Wingate Branch 256 of the Royal Canadian Legion had organized the memorial service this year for Aug. 24 to honour the fallen soldiers from the Second World War with their names written on the cenotaph.
But the explosion at Sunrise Propane caused some significant damage to the cemetery at 986 Wilson Ave., prompting the cancellation of the annual event.
The memorial service will be held again next year.
'Awesome' golf tournament celebrates 25th year
When you have the word "awesome" in your name and you're celebrating your silver anniversary, it goes without saying that you're going to throw a special party.Humber River Regional Hospital Foundation is hosting its 25th annual Awesome Golf Tournament Sept. 8 with an exclusive golfing experience for 120 guests.
The sold out event takes place at the National Golf Course of Canada in Woodbridge, the nation's No. 1 rated golf course. It is also ranked Canada's most difficult course.
The day's highlights will include valet parking, equipment testing and driving range instructions with a golf pro, and a long list of live and silent auction items.
For more information, visit www.awesomegolf.ca.
Toronto marathon set for Sept. 28
More than 13,000 runners will hit Toronto's streets for the 2008 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Sunday, Sept 28.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.
