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CCRA News

Excerpts from the “Community Animator

Posted Feb. 2010

Beer Tasting with Mirella Amato

Saturday March 27th - Doors open 7:30 p.m.

West Rouge Community Center

270 Rouge Hills Drive

“Taking the time to really taste the beer in front of you can open the door to a whole different level of enjoyment.  Beers are usually crafted for drinkability, yet they often have complexity of flavour that is available to the drinker who is willing to stop and savour.”

Mierella Amato

Since 2006, Mirella Amato has devoted herself full-time to the study of beer and enjoys organizing and guiding beer-tasting sessions, and collaborates with a number of companies that provide her the opportunity to share her knowledge and enthusiasm for beer.

In 2007, she joined the Canadian Amateur Brewers Association (CABA) and began working towards certification as a beer judge. She has judged in a number of competitions, including the Ontario Brewing Awards and the Canadian International Beer Championship, as well as homebrew competitions in Canada and abroad.  With help from CABA, she also organized a Beer Judge Certification Exam study group in order to increase the pool of certified beer judges in the Toronto area.

Mirella’s background is French-Canadian and Italian and visits Montréal many times a year to keep up with their local brewing scene.  She reports her findings in TAPS, as well as in the Great Lakes Brewing News.  Mirella has spent time in Italy where the craft beer industry is really blooming.

In a relaxed atmosphere, Mierella will take you through the tasting of Ontario Micro beers and guide you on the appreciation of the flavours in every beer you drink.

After the formal taste testing, which starts at 8:00 p.m., enjoy the music of our DJ, and some great food provided by ‘Sisters’.

A cash bar with wine and beers will also be available.

Tickets are $40.00 per person

Tables of 8 can be reserved.

For tickets and further information contact Heather Lemieux at: heatherlemieux@royallepage.ca or 416-284-4751

Upcoming Municipal Elections

The next municipal election is on Monday, October 25, 2010.  Centennial Scarborough residents or landowners will be voting for one mayor, one city councillor representing Ward 44 – Scarborough East, and one Public or Catholic school board trustee. If you are a non-resident owner or tenant of land assessed as commercial or industrial you cannot vote for a school board trustee.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who can vote?

You can vote in the City of Toronto municipal election if you are:

If you live in Toronto and own or rent more than one property in the City, you must vote where you live. You may only vote once in Toronto's municipal election regardless of how many properties you own or rent within the City.

How do I make sure I am on the voters’ list?

The voters' list is compiled by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) through their records and revised with your assistance. Being on the voters' list ensures that you will receive important election messaging like the voter information card, which tells you where and when to vote, and will also speed up your time spent at the voting location.

To find out if you are currently in MPAC's database, update or change your information and to have your name added to this database, please:

·    Contact MPAC before June 1, 2010, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. –  5 p.m. by phone at 1-866-296-6722

·     or visit MPAC’s website at www.mpac.ca; or

·    Download the Municipal Enumeration / Occupant Information Form available at:

http://www.toronto.ca/elections/voters/voter-info.htm) and send it back to MPAC before June 1, 2010 through any one of these methods:

When will I find where, when and how to vote?

Voter information cards will be delivered in early October. They will be sent to every person who appears on the voters’ list. The card tells voters when and where they can cast their ballots on Election Day and at the weekend advance vote.

How do I work for the election?

A team of more than 10,000 people will be needed to fill a variety of election positions. This is a great opportunity to serve your community, gain new skills and earn extra money. Hiring will begin in April 2010, so check the City of Toronto’s election website in Spring for information on how to apply.

How do I find out how to run for office or find out who is running in our area?

To find out who is running for mayor, Ward 44 city councillor, Ward 22 Public school trustee, Ward 8 Catholic school trustee, and French Public or Catholic school trustee, visit http://app.toronto.ca/vote2010/index.jsp. Nominations close September 10, 2010.

For more information:

City of Toronto Elections http://www.toronto.ca/elections

http://www.toronto.ca/civic-engagement/learning

General election information:

Telephone: 416-338-1111

For TTYl: 416-338-0889

E-mail: elections@toronto.ca

Candidate information:

Telephone: 416-395-0025

E-mail: candidateinfo@toronto.ca

TOP 5 WAYS

TO MAKE YOUR HOME ENERGY EFFICIENT

#1     Get an Energy Audit

They range in price from $300-$350 and the government reimburses you $150. 

An Auditor spends a couple of hours going through your house and typically does a Door Blower test which tests for air leakage.  The Auditor will then give you a written report a few weeks later which includes:

·    an overall score out of 100 for your home’s energy efficiency

·    suggestions to improve your home energy efficiency

·    a list of available grants for the recommended upgrades

Note:  You must have the audit done prior to doing any work in order for you to receive the grants.

#2     Caulking & Weatherstripping

Seal up any air leaks around doors and windows. 

Some people even stick insulation in their mail slots for the winter and simply stick a basket outside for their mail.

#3     Insulation

Putting more insulation into your exterior walls and attic not only adds huge comfort value by reducing the drafts but also saves your money and decreases your greenhouse gas emissions.  There are many interesting forms of insulation on the market these days including cellulose (shredded paper treated with Borax to make it fire-resistant, mould- resistant, and rodent resistant) and shredded blue jeans (made into soft, fluffy squares)!

 #4    Furnace

Mid efficiency furnaces (or lower) should be replaced with high efficiency models.  The same applies to all of your appliances minus your dryer (the only efficiency option here is a clothesline!).  If you use an air conditioner, sign up for Toronto Hydro’s Peaksaver program which allows them to adjust the energy use a couple of degrees during peak times to prevent black outs. 

#5     Conservation

Create a culture of conservation in your home to dramatically reduce your energy use:

·    Instead of turning up your thermostat, throw on a sweater

·    Lower it when you are sleeping and when you leave the house

·    Getting a programmable thermostat will save you time

·    Ceiling fans are a great alternative to air conditioning

·    Switch incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent ones

·    Turn off lights when you leave a room

·    Beware of Energy Vampires which use energy when equipment is turned off but still plugged in (TV’s, computers, chargers, microwaves, modems, etc.)  Unplug these items or plug them into power bars and turn them off when you are finished (or get programmable power bars)

·    Use a clothesline

·    Get rid of your 2^nd fridge

·    Turn down your water heater

Your wallet and the planet will thank you!

Katie Fullerton & Mary-Margaret McMahon

kfuller@toronto.ca & mmcmaho2@toronto.ca

Animators for:

www.livegreentoronto.ca