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All posts by Philip Alves

Teens start toy drive

It began with a desire to do something special for Christmas this year, a drive of some sort for the benefit of a worthy recipient. From there, Sabrina Bruno and Michael Tamburini, good friends and Father Bressani CHS schoolmates, organized and launched their Sick Kids Christmas Toy Drive.

Rep ticked about leaks

Regional Councillor Joyce Frustaglio is fuming at the “smear campaign” directed at her and delivered in nondescript brown envelopes. Vaughan Today received a second anonymous package this week on the heels of one sent to media outlets last month. Both contained documents alleging wrongdoing in the awarding and payment of contracts to companies connected to Steve Frustaglio, the regional councillor’s son.

Cheques spur investigation

The latest city hall skirmish has sparked an investigation into the source of an apparent leak. Vaughan Today and other media outlets recently received an anonymous package containing photocopied city cheques totalling $35,478.20 signed by Regional Councillor Joyce Frustaglio to SLF General Contracting and Vitriflex Surfaces Inc.

Show set to bolster trade jobs

A high schooler searching out life’s possibilities? A professional considering a career switch? A new immigrant looking to share in the Canadian Dream? No matter who you are, a visit to Vellore Village Community Centre Nov. 22 might change your life for the better.

Peter flies in

Peter Pan simply won’t grow up. He doesn’t want to. Why would he when his life — an endless childhood on the island of Neverland full of flying and mischief and pirates and fairies — is so much fun? He does sometimes make special trips out of Neverland to share his magic with kids of all ages: This month, Peter, Wendy, Captain Hook, the Lost Boys and the Indians have made Vaughan their home away from home.

Law set for review

It’s routine, predictable and even mundane, but “thank God” it’s happening, Regional Councillor Joyce Frustaglio says. The province has begun its standard review of the Municipal Elections Act – the law that governs how candidates can raise and spend money – two years ahead of Ontarians’ next trip to the polls.

Farmer plows on in Woodbridge

Paul Ekstein is one of a dwindling breed in Vaughan. At 74 years young, the farmer and cattleman still grows his crops and raises his Holsteins, even as the urban jungle sprouts up around his Woodbridge farm at a blazing pace.

Cabinet an honour for rookie MP

Once a foreign affairs correspondent covering the Americas for NBC News, rookie Thornhill MP Peter Kent is on familiar turf in his new cabinet post. Prime Minister Stephen Harper welcomed his new minister of state of foreign affairs for the Americas, along with the rest of his cabinet, last Thursday at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

New playground promises fun

Youthful fun knows no bounds at the city’s newest playground. Located in Civic Park next to Vaughan’s city hall, the accessible facility, which features junior and senior play apparatus and a safety surface, officially opened recently.

Play explores war fallout and fears

It’s 1940 and the war in Europe continues to escalate. Fearing sabotage and treason on Canadian soil, the federal government begins detaining some of its own people based on nothing more than suspicion. Paradise by the River – The Story of Petawawa is the tale of one Italian-Canadian Montrealer caught in that hysteria.