Photo/ANICE WONG

What was once a paved area is now home to Marcello Febbo's award-winning garden and it was open June 24 as part of the Open Gardens Toronto program where gardens are open for public viewing to raise money for the Canadian Women's Foundation.

Photo/ADRIEN VECZAN

Team Drama Queen Kate, left, Carolina, Lucy, Laura, Melissa and Karolina participate in the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life at E.T. Seton Park June 20.

Photo/BRENT LEWIN

Greek soccer fans react in disappointment after watching their team surrender a goal to Russia during the first round of the European Championships. The game was televised at the local Fox and Fiddle June 14. Russia the game 1-0.

Photo/GRAHAM PAINE

The post-position draw for Sunday's 149th running of the Queen's Plate was held June 19 at Woodbine Race Track. Here, Don Cherry poses with the winning trophy as trainers of three of the early favorites hold their horses race placards.

Photo/BRENT LEWIN

Gabriel Ghiglione builds a scarecrow at the Strawberries and Asparagus Festival at Cedarvale Park June 14. The festival is a community celebration of all things green and promotes local and organic food and local sustainable business.

Photo/STUART THURSBY

Lucille and Sylvia enjoy an ice cream along College St. as part of the recent Taste of Little Italy festival.

Photo/MIKE POCHWAT

Bianca DiSomma runs through the inflatable obstacle course during the West Rouge Junior Public School Fun Fair held May 31.

Photo/MIKE POCHWAT

Gavin Hicks demonstrates his skills during the Wakeboard Urban Rail Jam at Boardsports May 31. The competition was held to benefit the Hospital for Sick Children and organizers were hoping to raise over $10,000.

Photo/JILL KITCHENER

Abrar Khatri, 10, reaches the top of the rock climbing wall for the very first time during Wilkinson Public School's Fun Fair May 31.

Photo/NANCY PAIVA

Ezra Perlman, left, and Anna Sudac provide some accompaniment on guitar from the musical, 'Building', in a recent rehearsal at the Gladstone Hotel. The production was mounted by the Christie Ossington Neighborhood Centre's Nook children's program.

BRIEFS

Reality TV show winner returns home to play at Lee's Palace

Lukas Rossi, the winner of the national reality television show Rock Star, will be returning home to Toronto to perform at Lee's Palace with his new band Stars Down on Wednesday, July 9.

The former Chaminade College student fronted the mega-band Rock Star Supernova, consisting of former members of Metallica, Guns N' Roses and Motley Crue.

After recording one album and completing a whirlwind tour with Rock Star Supernova, Rossi formed Stars Down with childhood friend Jon Jamieson who he played with in his first band Cleavage.

That band experienced early success winning a local band competition in Weston held at the Frontlines Community Centre, and later at the North by Northeast Festival in downtown Toronto eight years ago.

For more information on the upcoming show, call 416-598-0720.

- Clark Kim

Man dies, woman hospitalized after ingesting ecstasy

Toronto police has issued a public safety alert about the dangers of ecstasy and a product that is being promoted as a natural alternative to the illicit drug.

'Pure Rush' or Natural Ecstasy is a stimulant that can be bought at some stores selling drug paraphernalia and similar products.

On Monday, June 30, a 55-year-old man was at The Guvernment nightclub, 132 Queens Quay E., when it is believed he ingested the product. A short time later he collapsed, was taken to hospital and pronounced dead.

A 27-year-old woman, who attended that same club on Tuesday, July 1, also allegedly ingested ecstasy, collapsed and is currently listed in critical condition in hospital.

Anyone with information should call 416-808-5100 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or www.222tips.com.

NORTH YORK: Upcoming blood donor clinics

Canadian Blood Services will hold clinics in North York throughout July.

Clinics will be held July 9 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, E-Wing, 2075 Bayview Ave., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; July 10 at the Government of Canada building, 4900 Yonge St., from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; July 14 and 15 at York University, Ross Building. 4700 Keele St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; July 16 at North American Centre, 5700 Yonge St., from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; July 16 and 17 at York University, Ross Building, 4700 Keele St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; July 17 at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, 3401 Dufferin St., from 2 to 7:30 p.m.; July 28 at St. Gabriel's Parish, 670 Sheppard Ave., from 2:30 to 7 p.m.; and July 31 at the Ministry of Transportation, 1201 Wilson Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and at Atria II, 2235 Sheppard Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To book an appointment, call 1-888-236-6283.

Police apprehend alleged 'subway pusher'

Grgo Kutlesa, of no fixed address, has been charged with aggravated assault in connection with an alleged assault at a downtown subway station.

On May 21, Kutlesa, 42, reportedly pushed a 44-year-old man onto the tracks at the College Subway Station. The victim managed to get off the tracks and climbed back onto the platform unharmed.

The incident happened at about 6:05 a.m.

He was last seen fleeing the scene near Yonge and College streets.

Kutlesa was apprehended on Tuesday, June 24 when a dispute arose when he refused to pay for his fare at the Islington subway station.

Upon arriving at the scene, Toronto Police and special TTC constables ascertained that he was the same individual wanted for the aggravated assault.

Etobicoke man perishes saving kayakers

OPP have identified the 45-year-old Etobicoke man missing on Lake Huron since Saturday afternoon as Dave Doyle.

The South Bruce OPP said the man's body was located Sunday on the beach a short distance north of MacCaskill Road in Kincardine, about 220 kilometres northwest of Toronto.

According to police, around 5 p.m. Saturday, two men entered the lake to help three kayaking teens who appeared to be in distress. After making it to the kayakers and assisting them toward shore, one of the men "dropped out of sight." A subsequent water and shoreline search was undertaken that day, and resumed Sunday.

Anyone with information that can assist police is asked to South Bruce OPP at 519-396-3341, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

  

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