Photo/DAN PEARCE

Alex Chan looks at Olympic diver Alexandre Despatie's silver medal during an autograph session at McDonald's Restaurant on Woodward Avenue Aug. 26.

Photo/NICK PERRY

Dave Kutner throws the ball during the championship game of the Toronto Dodgeball beach tournament at Polson Pier, Aug. 23. Kutner and his team, 2 Pros and Friends, won the championship defeating the Pennies a Glass team.

Photo/NICK PERRY

Runners take off Aug. 23 at the start of the Sunnybrook Underwear Affair, a 10-km run to raise money for cancers 'below the waste' such as colorectal, cervical, prostate and testicular.

Mirror photo/DAN PEARCE

Doug Bergmann prepares to make a splash during the 2008 National Cannonball Championships held recently at Donald D. Summerville Pool. Bergmann went on to win the championship.

Photo/DAN PEARCE

Liz Maloney dives for the ball while teammate Kara Zakrzewski looks on during quarter-final Not So Pro Sports Beaches Volleyball tour action Aug. 17 at Ashbridges Bay. Teammates Dana Cooke and Kirsten Manley-Casimiro went on to the finals.

Photo/NICK PERRY

Kirsty Goodearle dives for the ball as she competes in the recent Ontario Beach Volleyball Championships at Ashbridges Bay.

Mirror photo/NICK PERRY

Lauren Niele lifts Alen Groome out of the pool during the recent 23rd annual Toronto Lifeguard Competition at Donald D. Summerville Pool. About 50 competitors took part in a variety of events including water rescue, first aid and other lifeguard...

Photo/NICK PERRY

Joe Triff of Halifax pulls a fire hose to his target during the recent Toronto Firefighter Combat Challenge at Woodbine Beach during the relay team event. The challenge pitted teams from across the country.

Mirror photo/NICK PERRY

Darren Foote, right, tips the ball over the net during the recent 14th annual Heatwave beach volleyball tournament in support of the Hospital for Sick Children.

Photo/DAN PEARCE

Scott Ellis and his wife Lindsay work on their creation during the recent second annual Beach Sandcastle Contest in Ashbridges Bay Park.

BRIEFS

New bike-friendly routes available on the TTC

The TTC is now offering even more bike-friendly routes.

The following routes are running bike-rack-equipped buses:

35 Jane; 36 Finch West; 41 Keele; 46 Martin Grove; 60 Steeles West; 79 Scarlett Rd; 84 Sheppard West; 99 Arrow Rd; 101 Parc Downsview Park; 106 York University; 108 Downsview; 120 Calvington; 130 Middlefield; 131 Nugget; 132 Milner; 191 Hwy. 27 Rocket; 308 Finch East; 309 Finch West; 313 Jane.

The TTC now has 43 bike-friendly bus routes. The entire bus fleet will be equipped with bicycle racks by 2010.

For details about this service, call 416-393-INFO (4636). Visit http://www3.ttc.ca/Riding_the_TTC/Bicycles.jsp to view the TTC bike rack instructional video. Visit www.ttc.ca for details abou the TTC.

CRIME: Authorities bust GTA drug network

Toronto Police have arrested and charged nine people following a six-week investigation of street-level drug dealing within the city's downtown core.

During their investigation, 51 Division's street crime unit executed several search warrants at downtown homes seizing a quantity of marijuana valued at $50,000. They also seized $3000 worth of ecstasy and a firearm.

This investigation led to the identification of some of the city's alleged top marijuana cultivators and distributors.

On Aug. 13, law enforcement officials also executed a series of search warrants at warehouses and homes in Toronto, Georgetown and Brampton.

During their searches, police seized $600,000 worth of marijuana, $16,500 relating to the proceeds of drugs, a firearm, ammunition and a Taser.

Police allege this network involved the dismantling of stolen automobiles within a North York warehouse, which resulted in the seizure of two stolen vehicles and automobile parts.

George Vlachos, 37, of Georgetown and Gary Calisto, 37, of Brampton, are alleged to be the network's main drug suppliers.

Vlachos and Calisto face a total of 14 charges, which are primarily related to the production and possession of drugs.

The names of the seven other arrested individuals are being withheld as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to call 416-808-5100 or contact Crimes Stoppers anonymously at www.222tips.com or 416-222-TIPS (8477).

Toy ride set for Sept. 7

Canada's oldest, continually held charity event hits Nathan Phillips Square Sept. 7.

The 30th annual Toronto Emergency Services and Salvation Army's Red, White and Blue Knights Toy Ride goes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Queen Street West and Bay Street.

The event kicks off with opening remarks by Toronto police deputy Chief Tony Warr at 10 a.m. at the Summer Stage and is followed by a day of activities including live bands, a fashion show, interactive emergency services displays, awards, draws and door prizes and a special performance by the Toronto Police Winged Wheels Precision Motorcycle Team.

Central to the festivities will be a police escorted motorcycle ride.

Admission is a new, unwrapped toy, which will be donated to The Salvation Army to help the city's underprivileged kids. Donations of money and food will also be accepted and donated to The Salvation Army. Visit www.redwiteandblueknights.com for details.

Staples hosts its back-to-school supply drive

Help all kids have a great back-to-school experience.

For the third year, Staples Business Depot is hosting its Back-to-School Supply Drive at each of its locations in the city. The office supply store is teaming up with local community service organizations such as the Kiwanis Club and the Children's Aid Society to ensure every child will be able to afford the needed supplies for a successful school year.

People are encouraged to donate school supplies or money at Staples locations until Sept. 7. Money will be mainly used to purchase more expensive items including calculators, knapsacks and binders.

Bins will be set up in front of the Staples locations so customers can easily donate items such as pens, pencils and notebooks.

Community grants up for grabs to 'vital' leaders

Toronto's vital people can get some help improving their skills.

Each year, the Toronto Community Foundation's Vital People Grant provides up to $5,000 to community leaders in Toronto who are working or volunteering at not-for-profit organizations.

The grants are awarded to support continued formal training or informal development opportunities that enhance the leadership abilities of people who work at Toronto's non-profit community groups. The grants are available to those just taking on new leadership challenges as well as those with many years of experience.

"We are very proud of our Vital People Grant," said Rahul Bhardwaj, president and CEO of the Toronto Community Foundation. "It allows us to help some of Toronto's remarkable community leaders have an extraordinary impact in our city through continued education."

Deadline for applying is Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. Visit www.tcf.ca for details.

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