The spotlights are shining bright. Unfinished wooden structures are waiting to be transformed into a well-designed stage set of a high-end hotel living room. A crew shows up after work to put in another long night’s effort into the rehearsal. Welcome to community theatre.
When Jahe left Toronto for Memphis, she had to leave her brother Budi and mother Puppe behind. As most orangutans never develop any telephone or driving skills, Jahe hasn’t been able to see them in almost two years.
Over 40 years ago, Robert Service Senior Public School opened its doors. Jack Rilley has been teaching there since the very first day.
After three hours the Air Transat flight landed in Cancun, Mexico. As he listened to the welcome announcements, Ian Pallister couldn’t contain his excitement. He was finally there. “Oh, I enjoyed it there so much….
It’s Monday night and Mary-Margaret McMahon is busy greeting guests. Some she knows by name, the rest receive warm introductions as they filter in. While everyone settles down she offers coffee and cookies. Despite having all the appearances of an intimate gathering, this is no party.
Music seems to spill onto the serene Church Street as the women of Eastside Harmony warm up their voices inside the St. Francis Centre. It’s Thursday evening practice and the Pickering-based group has only been practising in the centre for a few months.
Louie Papathanasakis, 53, has been the principal at Agincourt Collegiate Institute for five years, and oversees 1,500 students and close to 100 teaching staff.
Papathanasakis was recently named one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals for 2012, but ask him about the award and he would rather talk about the students.
TDSB trustee Cathy Dandy said that although the all-day kindergarten program is a “real win” for some parents, others might find it disruptive.
According to Maurice Jordan, the chances of finding a decent pair of youthful jeans in a homeless shelter are pretty slim. Most of the clothes that people donate to shelters are worn and dated. “It is not stuff that younger people want to wear,” Jordan says.
“I think this is a very simple but vital alternative solution to a problem,” said TCDSB trustee Peter Jakovcic.