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Welcome to the 'Toronto in review' podcast, a weekly roundup of interesting events and news out of City Hall.

On Wednesday, Mayor Rob Ford and Ward 17 Councillor Caesar Palacio officially launched 311 Toronto's new mobile apps. The mobile apps capture location information and allow a picture to be included as part of the reporting process. The apps can be used to report incidents of graffiti vandalism.

The City also has a new program aimed at countering graffiti vandalism: "Street Art" is a program to support and promote traditional graffiti artwork, murals and stencil graffiti - the legal and acceptable form of street art. This is differentiated from "tagging" which is generally characterized by unwelcome writing and with the act of vandalism.

Last Friday, the City, in partnership with Green Living Enterprises, presented the 2012 Green Toronto Awards. The awards were presented at the Green Living Show. Categories included: Community Projects, Energy Conservation, Green Business, Environmental Awareness, Leadership, Youth Leadership, Green Design, Water Efficiency and a Local Food Award.

There are just over two weeks left to nominate a fellow Torontonian for a City of Toronto Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards. If you know someone who is improving opportunities to participate in the social cultural economic, recreational and political life of Toronto, consider nominating them. The five categories are: Aboriginal Affairs, Access, LGBT Issues, Women's Issues and Race Relations.

Saturday, April 21 is Mayor Ford's Community Clean-up Day. This is an opportunity to get together with family and neighbours to help clean winter's leftovers from around your neighbourhood.

Meetings coming up at City Hall next week - the week of Standing Committees of City Council:

• the Economic Development Committee meets at City Hall on Monday
• the Community Development and Recreation Committee meets at City Hall on Tuedsay
• the Government Management Committee meets at City Hall on Wednesday
• the Licensing and Standards Committee meets at City Hall on Thursday, and
• the Budget Committee will meet at City Hall on Friday

For those of you who might be interested, Sunday, April 22 is Earth Day, an opportunity to highlight environmental issues around the world. Look for events in your area of the city, and consider doing something 'green'.

Sunday is also the day for the Toronto Yonge Street 10k. The run forms up on Yonge Street between Lawrence Avenue and Erskine Avenue, which will be closed from 6 to 11 a.m.

Expect rolling street closures between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the following locations:

• Yonge Street, from Erskine Street all the way down to Richmond Street.
• Richmond Street from Yonge Street across to Peter Street.
• Peter Street/Blue Jays Way between Richmond Street and Front Street.
• Westbound Front Street between Blue Jays Way and Bathurst Street.
• Bathurst Street from Front Street to Lake Shore Boulevard.
• Fleet Street from Strachan Avenue to Fort York Boulevard.

Two full road closures related to the run will be in effect between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday on the following streets:

• Fort York Boulevard between Bathurst Street and Lake Shore Boulevard.
• Strachan Avenue from Fleet Street to Lake Shore Boulevard.

There are just over one hundred days to go before Toronto hosts the 2012 Ontario Summer Games. The games will take place across Toronto and the surrounding regions over four days, starting August 16. From archery to triathlon to lacrosse, 2,500 young athletes will compete. If you are interested in volunteering for the games, go to their website, 2012ontariosummergames.ca.

Finally, there is still time for residents and business owners to provide input into the City's public consultation on holiday shopping hours in Toronto. The current regulations in effect in the City of Toronto were adopted in 2006 as a temporary measure. City Council is now seeking to develop a long term policy.

Thanks for listening to 'Toronto in review'.

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