August 17th, 2009
Summer vacation is almost over. Take the kids for a night swim! The City of Toronto will extend the hours of several pools. These locations will be open until 11:45 pm:
Monarch Park — south of Danforth Avenue, west of Coxwell Avenue
Regent Park — South of Gerrard Street, east of Sackville Street
Alex Duff — Bloor Street West, west of Christie Street
Alexandra Park — Bathurst Street at Dundas Street West
Giovanni Caboto — 1369 St. Clair Avenue West
Sunnyside Gus Ryder — Lakeshore Boulevard at Parkside Drive
Smithfield — 175 Mount Olive Drive
McGregor Park — 2231 Lawrence Avenue East.
Cummer Community Centre (indoor) — 6000 Leslie Street
Tags: fun, late, splash, swimming pools, water
Posted in Announcements
August 14th, 2009
Since the City of Toronto garbage strike ended, there have been a lot of fruit flies…everywhere!
I have heard there are traps you can buy or you can put out some cash for professional services. But I was shown a cheap & easy way to catch fruit flies way before the garbage strike…
1. Put some Apple Cidar Vinegar in a dish, bowl, container, etc.
(most of us have some in our cupboards; it’s very inexpensive)
2. Cover it with siran wrap (taughtly)
3. Poke several small holes in the siran wrap (e.g. use a fork)
4. Lastly, put your trap any place where you have seen fruit flies
(your kitchen, bathroom, living room, etc.)
The aroma of the apple cidar vinegar attracts the fruit flies through the small holes. Once they fly into your trap, they can’t fly out!
In one week I got rid of all my fruit flies, with one trap in the kitchen & one in the bathroom. I will be honest & say the only down side is that the aroma of the vinegar can be strong if the room is not cool. But you can put your trap on a high shelf or cupboard, etc, where you don’t have to see it…this does work!
Tags: apple cidar vinegar, fruit flies, garbage, infestation
Posted in General Information, Helpful Tips
August 11th, 2009
Many people who go on vacation or travel for work/study do not consider visiting their doctor to make sure they will have maximum health protection while travelling.
The Toronto General Hospital is one of a few travel clinics in the country offering health advice & services for travellers. Their services include everything from pre-travel advice to individual assessment of health risks to providing vaccinations & medical and health education. The clinic also provides post-travel medical consultation & treatment. *It is important to note that not all vaccinations will be covered by your employer benefits and/or OHIP.
You can contact the:
Tropical Diseases Unit
Toronto General Hospital
200 Elizbeth Street
North Building (formerly Norman Urquhart)
13th Floor
Toronto ON M5G 2C4
Phone: (416) 340-4800 ext. 3675
Or Contact:
Travel Clinic
124 Edward Street
Toronto ON M5G 1E2
Phone: (416) 730-5700
Tags: clinic, health, hospital, protection, sick, travel, vaccination
Posted in General Information
August 10th, 2009
It’s that time again for back to school shopping (if you haven’t started already). There are many places that have ’sales’ for school supplies, but so far Walmart appears to be the least expensive. Whether you’re shopping for a child or a college student, they seem to have many items that you can put to good use.
Here are two links that might be helpful to you:
Back to School
Back to Campus
Tags: back to school, campus, child, college, dorms, sale, school, shopping, supplies, walmart
Posted in General Information, Helpful Tips
August 4th, 2009
Now that the Toronto City strike is over, pools are set to open soon… as soon as this week.
Did you know there are questions you should be asking the staff at your local rec centre about their pool maintenance? And there are steps you should be taking before allowing your children to get into the pool.
I came across this article on how to avoid germs at the pool. Have a read!
Tags: bacteria, children, germs, kids, municipal, pools, splashing, swimming, testing
Posted in Announcements, Helpful Tips
July 24th, 2009
The City of Toronto plans to reimburse residents who paid for parks and recreation programs before the strike started in June.
“Refunds will be given for fees paid for city-run day camps, swimming and leadership programs which were scheduled to take place between June 22 and July 17.”
The issuing of refunds has already begun and will continue until the end of July. People who paid by credit card will be credited, and people who paid using debit card or cash will receive a cheque in the mail. If you haven’t received a credit or cheque by the end of July, you will need to contact the City once the strike is over.
*Update: As summer camps have been scheduled to re-open August 10th, you should have received a cheque (s) or debit on your credit card. If you have not, you should contact the City of Toronto customer service line.
Tags: camps, parks & recreation, programs, refunds, reimbursement
Posted in Announcements
July 16th, 2009
Three locations have been closed for dumping garbage. They include: Earlscourt Park near Lansdowne and Davenport Avenues, Ted Reeve Arena near Main and Gerrard Streets, and Wishing Well Park on Pharmacy Avenue.
Three new sites have been opened as of Thursday, July 16th. Please see here for new dumping site info.
Tags: city, closed, dumping sites, new, strike, toronto
Posted in Announcements
July 16th, 2009
Approximately 230 children have contracted the H1N1 Influenza virus at 3 different summer camps in the Muskoka-Simcoe region.
Out of 1,200 children from all 3 camps, 18% became ill with fever, cough and sore throat. All the cases have been considered mild with no need for hospitalization. The names of the camps have not been released due to confidentiality policies. The camps remain open for business as they state measures have been taken to prevent spreading of the illness.
Parents are encouraged to screen their children for flu symptoms before sending them to camp. However, as the summer camping season is already under way, parents should also monitor their children when they return from camp for these symptoms as well.
Tags: camping, children, cough, fever, H1N1, hospitalization, ill, influenza virus, mild, muskoka-simcoe, sore throat
Posted in Announcements, General Information, Safety
July 14th, 2009
Enjoy Sunday, August 9th at Canada’s Wonderland with family & friends. Participate in the Spelling Bee at the International Showplace…There will be a buffet picnic lunch & rides and attractions in the park until 10:00pm!
Event begins at 9:30 am – International Showplace, Canada’s Wonderland
1st Place: $1000 2nd Place: $500 3rd Place: $250
For more information click here: Spelling Bee of Canada – Wonderland
Web: www.spellingbeeofcanada.ca
Tags: Buffet, Canada's Wonderland, picnic, prizes, spelling bee
Posted in Events
July 14th, 2009
Dr. Cherilyn Sterling-Case is hosting a walk-a-thon with all proceeds going towards the Peel Memorial Hospital Redevelopment Fund on August 23rd.
Everyone can register at: info@sterlingdentistry.ca
For more walk-a-thon info click here: Sterling Walk A Thon 2009
Web: www.sterlingdentistry.ca
Tags: cherilyn sterling-case, dentistry, fund, hospital, peel memorial, proceeds, walk-a-thon
Posted in Events
