Toronto in review for the week ending August 24, 2012
Welcome to the 'Toronto in review' podcast for August 24, a roundup of interesting events and news out of City Hall.
On Tuesday, the City announced the full program for Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2012 taking place Saturday, September 29 from 7:03 p.m. until sunrise. This year's line-up includes 158 art projects created by more than 500 local, national and international artists. The streets of Toronto will come alive with public art, for one night only. Since 2006, Nuit Blanche has featured more than 700 official art installations, created by nearly 3,000 artists and has generated more than $100 million in economic impact for Toronto. More information is available at scotiabanknuitblanche.ca
Also on Tuesday, Toronto Animal Services announced that during its recent World Cat Day two-for-one cat adoption campaign, the number of cats that found homes was 57% higher than during the same period in 2011. The campaign was to help reduce the number of kittens and cats in Toronto shelters. All cats adopted from Toronto Animal Services are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, vet checked and microchipped. There are still a number of cats and dogs, as well as rabbits, guinea pigs and birds available for adoption. For more information contact toronto.ca/animalservices or 416-338-7297.
On August 30, as part of Emergency Medical Services day at the CNE, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Dispatchers will host a community wellness clinic on the CNE grounds. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., paramedics will provide blood pressure checks and demonstrate first aid including CPR and how to use an Automatic External Defibrillator. Emergency medical vehicles will also be on display and available for tours. For all 18 days of the CNE, Toronto EMS paramedics are on-site providing emergency medical care to visitors.
Meetings coming up at City Hall next week (August 27 - 31):
- There are no meetings on Monday or Tuesday.
- The Bid Committee will meet on Wednesday.
- There are no meetings on Thursday or Friday.
Weekend road closures
Two special events this weekend will involve road closures.
BuskerFest will involve a series of closures in the St. Lawrence Market area. The following closures are in effect until Sunday, August 26 at 11:59 p.m.:
- Front Street from Yonge Street to Jarvis Street
- Church Street from The Esplanade to Front Street
- Scott Street from north of Scott Lane to the midway point between Wellington Street and Front Street
- Market Street from Front Street to The Esplanade
- Church Street from north of Front Street to Colborne Street
Wellington Street from Church Street to Leader Lane will be closed from Friday at 6 p.m. to Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
For the Bio-K+ Bum Run 5K Toronto, a series of closures will take place in the area bounded by Bay Street in the east, College Street in the south, Spadina in the west and Bloor Street in the north on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Those who need to drive in the general vicinity of special events should allow extra time to get to and from their destination. A more complete list of events and road work is available at toronto.ca/torontostreets
And finally, on Monday, the City together with the Toronto Public Library will announce the five finalists for the 2012 Toronto Book Awards. Established by Toronto City Council in 1974, the Toronto Book Awards honour authors of books of literary or artistic merit that are evocative of Toronto. This year marks the 38th anniversary of the Toronto Book Awards. The annual awards offer $15,000 in prize money. The winner of the 2012 Toronto Book Awards will be announced on Thursday, October 11 at the Toronto Reference Library.
Thanks for listening to 'Toronto in review'.