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CCRA News

Posted June 2010

TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY UPCOMING PROGRAMS

The Toronto Public Library is hosting many exciting events this summer.

To Kill a Mockingbird 50th Anniversary Tribute

With Canadian filmmaker Clement Virgo, Grammy and Juno award-winning singer-songwriter and author Dan Hill and Toronto District School Board Trustee Josh Matlow.

Thursday, July 8   7pm-8:30pm, Toronto Reference Library

David Mitchell with Randy Boyagoda

The author of Cloud Atlas and Black Swan Green discusses his newest book.

Wednesday July 14, 7pm-8:30pm, Toronto Reference Library

Carl Hiaasen with Linwood Barclay

The author the London Observer calls "America's finest satirical novelist", Carl Hiaasen, talks about his latest thriller, Star Island.

Thursday, July 29, 7pm-8:30pm, Toronto Reference Library

Posted May 2010

IT’S MUNICIPAL ELECTION TIME!

TORONTO VOTES!

The next municipal election is on Monday, October 25, 2010. Centennial Scarborough residents will be voting for one mayor, one city councillor representing Ward 44 – Scarborough East, and one of: a public school trustee representing Ward 22, a Catholic school trustee representing Ward 8, or a French Public or French Catholic school trustee.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who can vote?

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

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

The voters' list is compiled by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).

To add or update your information in MPAC's database, by June 1, do one of as follows:

• Contact MPAC before June 1, 2010 by phone at 1-866-296-MPAC (6722); or

• Visit MPAC’s website at www.mpac.ca; or

• Download the Municipal Enumeration / Occupant Information Form (at http://www.toronto.ca/elections/voters/voter-info.htm) and send it to MPAC by:

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

Voter information cards will be delivered in early October. The card tells voters when and where they can cast their ballots on Election Day and at the weekend advance vote.

For more information:

Visit the City of Toronto Elections website at http://www.toronto.ca/elections

To find out who is running: http://app.toronto.ca/vote2010/index.jsp

Toronto Elections Contact info: Telephone: 416-338-1111   E-mail: elections@toronto.ca

Posted Apr. 2010

Toronto Public Library to build it’s 100^th Branch

On February 17, a public meeting was held by Toronto Public Library at Scarborough Civic Centre to unveil plans for a new neighbourhood library branch (12,000-15,000 sq. ft.). The new branch, to be called Scarborough Centre, will be built on City-owned vacant land on the south end of the Civic Centre and is scheduled for completion in 2014.

Efforts will be made to make the library as easily accessible and visible as possible.

Toronto Public Library has awarded the design of the new library to Phillip H. Carter, Architect in joint venture with Levitt Goodman Architects Ltd.  The library will feature:

  A collection of 50,000 items for all ages.

  Bookable meeting rooms and quiet study space

  Designated zones for adults, teens and children

  Comfortable reading lounges, public art display, outdoor reading areas, and a café  

  Free access to high-speed wireless internet

  Express check-out and check-in

Scarborough Rapid Transit (SRT) extension

On March 11, an open house was held at the Chinese Cultural Centre.

Plans were unveiled for the SRT conversion and expansion. The existing vehicles on the SRT are reaching the end of their life expectancy. The existing SRT will be modified to accommodate new LRT vehicles, the same vehicles used on other Transit City LRT lines. The proposed SRT extension will provide rapid transit to northeast Scarborough, including a direct connection to the Sheppard East LRT. The first project phase will extend the SRT to McCowan Station to just east of Markham and Sheppard, via an exclusive right-of-way. Phase two, which has yet to receive guaranteed funding, will extend the line to the Malvern Town Centre.

Kennedy Station will be redeveloped to accommodate the new LRT vehicles and to significantly improve the connection between the subway and the SRT. The station will accommodate three lines: SRT, Eglinton Crosstown LRT (which will go to the airport) and Scarborough Malvern LRT. The Malvern LRT, which will perhaps most benefit our community as it will service Kingston Rd., Morningside Ave. and the University of Toronto Scarborough, has yet to be dedicated funding and has no firm project deadline.

Following the open house, there will be an opportunity for the community to submit comments and questions in advance of a formal Transit Project Assessment. The CCRA expects to submit a comment sheet on the proposed expansion, expressing support for the overall project and particularly stressing the importance of the Malvern LRT line.

For more information and to view the presentation made at the open house, visit: http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/scarborough_rapid_transit/index.htm

Excerpts from the “Community Animator

Posted Feb. 2010

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