Photo/ANICE WONG

Wilfredo 'Papito' Wilson and Caitlin Renneson have been spending many hours at the Argonaut Rowing Club training for the 2008 Paralympics happening later this month. The pair will be competing in the 1000-m mixed double race in Beijing.

Photo/ANICE WONG

Friends Cole Allendy and Christian Mendoza-Boyd were out at Dufferin Grove Park Aug. 20 for Pizza Day. The kids made their lunches by rolling dough, spreading sauce and sprinkling cheese on their own creations.

Photo/ANICE WONG

Rachel Crowe snaps a shot of Christina Lui as she is about to stomach a few live crickets, one of the challenges of the CityChase race which tests teams in a variety of physical, mental and adventurous challenges. This event was held at the Local...

Photo/NICOLA BETTS

Artists Joe Osei Bonsu (left) and Mark Williams strike their superhero poses at the launch of Super Heroes Unite at DLM Studios Aug. 21 in Bloor West.

Photo/ANICE WONG

Amy Fennell of Mountsberg Conservation Area holds up two-year-old Teddy, a barred owl, who got a lot of attention during Art In The Park Family Picnic Day in High Park, Aug. 17.

Photo/ANICE WONG

Seven-year-old Scott Teixeira was a big hit with the crowd during the Samba on Dundas Festival, on Aug. 17, as he showed them all how well he can dance.

Photo/ANICE WONG

Paul Liliani skates past DJ Jube in front of the local skateboard shop on Roncesvalles Avenue during the Junction's customer appreciation day celebration on Aug. 16.

Photo/ANICE WONG

It's been a long day for Brenna Shields of the Bloor Court Braves seen here taking a rest during one of their games recently.

Photo/ANICE WONG

It was a weekend of friends, family and beloved street hockey for Aaron Dzieciol, Kieran Dament and Jacob Dzieciol on Sunday. The trio took advantage of the clear skies and traffic-less street to practice their hockey skills.

Photo/ANICE WONG

Kennel Cafe volunteer Anne Joldersma keeps four-year-old Frida and two-month-old Frankie company at the weekend Adopt-a-thon.

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.

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.

TOP STORIES

Jane Street transit plan draws mixed reaction

Hammering out design details for the Jane Street Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, such as whether...

Education ministry under fire over hotel bills

Newly released provincial spending reports showed the Ontario Ministry of Education spent $3.5...

Park planned for unused space

Excavation started Monday, Aug. 25 on a project spearheaded by the Dundas West Business Improvement...

PROVINCE: Legal advice now a click away

The Ontario government has made it easier for residents to gain access to necessary information on...

Roots artist helps pen Junction Arts Festival theme song

Local roots artist Samantha Martin can take credit for adapting a poem by historian Neil Ross and...
  

more