Councillor Del Grande's letter to constituents

Dear Neighbour,

I have thought long and hard as to how to express this but there is no other way than to say that, for a number of reasons, I will not be seeking your vote for re-election as City Councillor in this coming Municipal Election on October 27th. I will be stepping aside.

I have always found that living in my Community has allowed me to know and understand our unique needs. Please become a more informed electorate and study very carefully, the candidates that come forward to represent us.

It has been my pleasure getting to know you and to be of service to you over the last 11 years as your City Councillor. Thank you for affording my staff and me this privilege.

Best Regards,
Mike Del Grande

Press coverage:
Toronto Sun
Globe and Mail
Scarborough Mirror
Toronto Star

Whats On at the AGO?

From our friends at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO):

** Whats On at the AGO? **

Exhibitions:

* The Great Upheaval: Modern Masterpieces from the Guggenheim Collection November 30, 2013 to March 2, 2014. _Features paintings from the collection of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum by such masters as Paul Cezanne, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, Piet Mondrian and Pablo Picasso. http://www.ago.net/the-great-upheaval-modern-masterpieces-from-the-guggenheim-collection/

* Francis Bacon and Henry Moore: Terror and Beauty April 5 - July 20. This exhibit brings two giants of 20th Century British art together in a major exhibition of sculpture and paintings, featuring over 60 works by the two highly influential artists as well as a number of photographs and drawings dating from the Second World War. http://www.ago.net/francis-bacon-and-henry-moore

Accessible AGO:
* Free general admission to the AGO every Wednesday evening after 6:00pm.
* Secondary level students visit the AGO for free after 3pm every day.
* Check out the AGOs access programs with community partners:  http://www.ago.net/community-access-initiatives

Schools and teachers:
* A new season of school group visits has begun! Programs serve kindergarten through to Grade 12 - http://www.ago.net/schools
* Teachers can sign up to visit the AGO for free! Learn more about out Teachers Access Program - http://www.ago.net/tap

Families:
* AGO Family Sundays start on October 27 and will continue every week until May, with activities and artmaking for all ages http://www.ago.net/family-events
* Explore the AGOs galleries with Time Tremors AGO, a treasure hunt mobile app geared toward families with children aged 7-12 http://www.ago.net/time-tremors-treasure-hunt

Online:
* Visit http://artmatters.ca/ to enjoy videos, podcasts, blogs and twitter interviews.

Contact us!

Please contact us at AGO_Community@ago.net share your thoughts or arrange a visit to the AGO.

The Ice Storm of 2013-14

The extreme winter storm this year, which was large in size and magnitude, was unprecedented.  Many people were unprepared.  Much of our Ward was extremely fortunate because our Hydro source is underground.  There were areas that remained without power for multiple days.

Here are some of my suggestions for disaster preparedness.

 

Before:

Listen to the news reports
Fill your car gas tank
Have cash on hand
Buy supplies like water, canned goods etc
Keep a hand can opener
Have a crank or battery operated radio
Have a dozen bottled candles
Have matches/lighters etc
Have sleeping blankets/extra blankets
 

During:

Fill up both your bath tub/pots etc with water – you may need to flush toilets with buckets of water
Keep extra batteries on hand
Have a wired telephone connection as a lifeline.  Bell phones use their own power
I believe in backup generators but your house must be wired for it
Make extra ice before the storm
Invest in a power pack
In cold weather, drain your pipes.  Turn off the water supply and open the taps
Turn off all electrical appliances, especially if you leave your premise.  It also helps with power surges (I would turn off the breakers but leave a breaker on for lights only)
Keep some Styrofoam coolers on hand for fridge items
 

After:

Inspect the perimeter of the house if applicable
Turn on the breakers one by one slowly
Turn on the main water valve. 
Close all water taps after the air is discharged from the taps
Inspect fridge food.  When in doubt throw it out.

Job postings from SLYE

 

• The Toronto Transit Commission offers summer student positions during the summer months from approximately May 5, 2014 to August 30, 2014. Click here for more information
• SSIP needs Community Animators! Apply to this position before Feb 17, 2014! Click here for more information
• Join the CHOICE Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship Program now! Click here for more information
• The Youth Drug Prevention Program is hiring! Click here for more information
• TD Bank Youth Outreach Coordinator Position is available. Click here for more information!
• TDSB’s Summer Student Employment Program: click here for more information!
• Youthlink Newcomer Drop-In Program: click here for more information!
• Hiring a Business Analyst, Java Developer, and a Community Service Worker/Program Coordinator: Click here for more information!

Toronto residents are advised that coyote sightings are normal at this time of year

From the City of Toronto's Communication Division:

News Release
February 4, 2014
Toronto residents are advised that coyote sightings are normal at this time of year

The City of Toronto says residents who live near ravines, forests and large parks in Toronto can expect to experience more coyote sightings during winter months than at other times of the year.

Coyotes have become a natural part of the urban landscape in Toronto. They can thrive in urban areas because of the abundance of food available to them.

Residents can expect to see coyotes more often in winter for the following reasons:
- It is easier to spot coyotes in parks and ravines in the winter because they are not hidden by foliage.
- Coyotes are wary by nature and are more comfortable roaming in residential neighbourhoods when fewer people are outside.
- The months of January and February are mating season for coyotes, which means coyotes are more active during this time, making them more visible.

Coyotes may approach pets that are not supervised, especially cats and small dogs. It is always a good idea to keep your dog on a leash and your cat closely supervised while they are outside. It is very unlikely that a coyote will be attracted to a child, but close supervision of children is always important.

Residents are advised to follow these steps to minimize negative encounters with coyotes:
Avoid feeding coyotes or other wild animals. Feeding wild animals is detrimental to the animals themselves and can create problems for the neighbourhood.
Avoid feeding domestic pets outdoors.
Ensure that all household garbage is inaccessible to animals.
Place garbage at the curb on the morning of the scheduled pickup rather than the night before.
Consider using green bins instead of composters for food waste.
Always supervise pets keep dogs on a leash and keep cats indoors or supervised when outside.
Remove dense brush and weeds around property to minimize hiding spots for coyotes.
If you encounter a coyote, wave your arms aggressively, make loud noises and throw objects in its direction to scare it away. These actions teach coyotes to be afraid of humans and will help to minimize conflicts with coyotes. If those kinds of actions do not scare aware a coyote, slowly back away from the coyote avoid turning your back or running away. When you have an opportunity later, report the encounter to the City by calling 311.

For more information or to report a coyote sighting, residents can visit the web page at http://www.toronto.ca/coyote or call 311.