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.

Photo/NICK PERRY

Rob Christian, right, and Quincy Bullen of The Quintessential Boys perform during the recent media launch of the Beaches International Jazz Festival at the Balmy Beach Club. The festival takes place July 18-27.

Photo/JOANNA LAVOIE

Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman flicks on the switch to mark the recent official opening of the Portlands Energy Centre.

Mirror photo/DAN PEARCE

Ward 32 Councillor Sandra Bussin (Beaches East York) at the recent groundbreaking of the Ashbridges Bay Skateboard Park.

Photo/BRENT LEWIN

Play it Again Sports' Matthew Worchelak, right, slices through Tullet Nukes' defenders during championship day at the Toronto Beaches Lacrosse Club in Kew Gardens on Saturday.

Mirror photo/ALESSANRO GAROFALO

Mark Birstein, left, Dale Kowcenuk, and Catherine Beckingham are a few of the several opponents to a proposed Smart Centre openning up in Leslieville. Dora Keogh Pub hosted a recent fundraiser event to help cover the legal costs of the group.

Photo/ALESSANRO GAROFALO

Wayne Reeves and Julia Madden demonstrate one of the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry, and Recreation's new beach accessible wheelchairs at Ashbridge's Bay.

Mirror photo/MIKE POCHWAT

Jay Preston, centre, bumps the ball the ball over the net in Ashbridges Bay Park, during recent Mix It Up fundraising beach volleyball tournament action to benefit the Princess Margaret Hospital.

BRIEFS

Lower Don Lands forum, July 23

Residents are invited to learn more and share their ideas about the Lower Don Lands Wednesday, July 23 at the project's first public forum.

The meeting is at the St. Lawrence Hall's Great Hall, 157 King St. E.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with an open house. A presentation and facilitated discussion will run from 7 to 9 p.m.

This initial meeting is designed to educate the public on the precinct planning and environmental assessment for the Lower Don Lands.

Visit www.waterfrontoronto.ca for more information or e-mail dconlon@waterfrontoronto.com

Fundraiser Saturday for Jacksoul frontman

One of the city's most well-known promoters is putting on a special fundraiser for Jacksoul frontman Haydain Neale.

On Saturday, July 19, Hotstepper Productions featuring DJs Mike Tull, Paul E. Lopes and special guest Jason Palma, will host a special edition of their Bump n' Hustle party at Ultra Supper Club's patio, 314 Queen St. W.

The fundraising event is set to run from 1 to 5 p.m. A $10 donation is suggested at the door.

In the event of rain, the party will be pushed back to Saturday, July 26.

Last August, the June-award winning rhythm and blues singer was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident in Scarborough while riding his scooter.

Neale, who resides in the Beach with his wife and teenage daughter, suffered head injuries and was in a coma for several weeks following the crash.

He is now on a slow and steady road to recovery.

An official trust fund has been set up in Neale's name.

Visit www.hotstepper.com or www.jacksoul.com for more information or to donate online.

Kingston Road biz community has new name

The Kingston Road business community, which runs from Beech to Victoria Park avenues, now has a name: Kingston Road Village.

The winning entry was unveiled on June 26. Erika Lloyd won a new bicycle for her new community name.

The contest was a featured part of the sixth annual Kingston Road Spring Festival June 7.

Volunteers wanted for Buskerfest

Welcome to Buskerfest!

The ninth annual celebration in the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood is looking for volunteers who will welcome people to the festival and ask for a donation for Epilepsy Toronto.

Volunteer shifts are available from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the course of the festival, which runs from Aug. 21 to 24.

Buskerfest is expected to raise about $200,000 for Epilepsy Toronto.

For details, visit www.torontobuskerfest.com/content/volunteer.htm, e-mail volunteers@torontobuskerfest.com or call Adam Bailey at 416-964-9095.

TCDSB high school teachers accept contract

Toronto's Catholic secondary school teachers voted recently to accept a tentative four-year agreement that would see a three per cent increase in their salary each year of the term.

Union president Kathleen Gardiner said the members voted 95 per cent in support of the agreement, which has "considerable improvements in benefits, long sought after."

Teachers and senior management have also agreed to improved consultation processes on local issues, she added.

"Provincial discussions between the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association and the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association, earlier this year, were of considerable assistance in this round of bargaining," Gardiner said in a release.

The agreement is subject to approval by the Ministry of Education's appointed supervisor of the Toronto Catholic District School Board.

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