Thursday, March 26
ESL CAFE FOR those wanting to improve their English language skills will be offered Thursday evenings, 7:30 to 9 p.m., starting today, at Grace Church, 25 Channel Nine Ct., north of Hwy. 401, off McCowan. Free. Call 416-293-0373.
SCARBOROUGH ASSOCIATION OF Seniors (SAS) will present its position on legalizing rooming houses to the Scarborough Community Council at approximately 10:15 a.m. at the Scarborough Civic Centre council chamber, 150 Borough Dr., near McCowan and Ellesmere roads. All concerned individuals and groups welcome.
CONGRESS OF BLACK Women of Canada, Scarborough Chapter, monthly meeting at Holy Spirit Catholic School, 3530 Sheppard Ave. E., 7 p.m. The group meets the fourth Thursday of every month. Call 416-274-2748.
THE AJAX-PICKERING AND Scarborough clubs of the Canadian Federation of University Women are holding an International Women's Day event at Sister's Restaurant, 4 Old Kingston Rd., east of Morningside, with guest speaker Ingrid Heinrichs Pauls of Ten Thousand Villages Canada. Dinner, cash bar, door prizes and an opportunity to learn about women and international fair trade. Cocktails at 6 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $32 with proceeds going to the CFUW Charitable Trust Fund. Reserve by calling Caroline Honsberger at 905-509-1931 or by e-mail to chonsberger@rogers.com.
MALVERN COMMUNITY COALITION general members meeting, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Malvern Community Recreation Centre, 30 Sewells Rd. RSVP to coordinator@malverncc.org or 416-321-1549, ext. 233.
Friday, March 27
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION Branch 617 Dambusters holds a country music jam session at 8 p.m. at 937 Warden Ave., north of Eglinton. Everyone welcome; takes place every Friday evening. Call 416-755-2559.
ST. JOHN'S UNITED Church hosts a dinner theatre at 6:30 p.m. today and Saturday as well as April 3 and 4, featuring the one-act play Dear Millie, and a chicken dinner. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling Reta at 416-444-0188. St. John's United Church is at 2 Nobert Rd., near Victoria Park and Sheppard avenues.
SCARBOROUGH CHORAL SOCIETY'S Onstage Productions presents George and Ira Gershwin's musical Crazy For You at Bayview Glenn Upper School Theatre, 85 Moatfield Dr., York Mills and Don Mills, today, Saturday, April 3 and 4 at 8 p.m. and tomorrow, April 3 and 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults/seniors and $10 for students under 16. For cash or cheque ticket orders call 416-293-3981; for Visa/Mastercard orders call 905-717-5808.
THE SIXTH TORONTO Scout Group hosts a Community Euchre Tourney at Variety Village, 3701 Danforth Ave., starting at 7:15 p.m. Admission is $6.
Saturday, March 28
SPRING CRAFT SALE at St. Dunstan of Canterbury Church 56 Lawson Rd., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mini bazaar, white elephant table, baking, tea room. Call 416-283-1844.
SCARBOROUGH ROTARY SPRINGFEST at St. Peter and Paul's Banquet Hall on Milner Avenue starting at 6 p.m., featuring a four-course dinner, live entertainment, dancing and silent auction. Tickets are $40. Call Norm Rhora at 416-724-3344.
SHANDONG ASSOCIATION OF Ontario Confucious Society of Canada hosts its annual spring party together with celebrations of Women's Day and seniors birthdays, 6 to 11 p.m. at Scarborough Grand Seafood Restaurant, 23 Glen Watford Dr., Unit 9. Chinese banquet as well as singing, karaoke, folk dancing, lucky draws. Tickets $22, call Susan Kuk at 416-754-0736 or Mrs. Chang at 416-293-7197.
DORSET PARK COMMUNITY Connections Neighbourhood Association invites residents to get together to discuss issues and start community projects, 9:30 to 11 a.m. at St. Giles Church, 37 Kecala Rd. Children activities, as well as light refreshments and snacks will be provided. Call Laura Harper, community engagement worker, Action for Neighbourhood Change, at 416-332-0997 or drop by 880 Ellesmere Rd., Suite N204.
CENTENNIAL COMMUNITY AND Recreation Association celebrates 60 years of community service, 7:30 p.m. at West Rouge Community Centre, 270 Rouge Hills Dr. Complimentary cocktail, ballroom dancing demonstrations by championship dancers, dancing instructions, live music with the Brian Rose Little Band, evening buffet, cash bar. Tickets are $30. Contact Heather Lemieux at 416-282-4751, 416-282-0125 or by e-mail to HeatherLemieux@RoyalLePage.ca.
FILING YOUR TAX Return seminar at St. Paul's L'Amoreaux Centre will introduce the benefits of filing tax returns online, with speaker Frey Pow of W3com.com, 9:15 to 11:15 a.m.. for the Cantonese seminar, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for the English seminar. The centre is at 3333 Finch Ave. E. at Warden Avenue. Call 416-493-3333 to reserve a seat.
INCOME TAX CLINIC at Albert Campbell Library, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 496 Birchmount Rd. Call 416-396-8890. Clinic also offers April 4 and 18.
CONGRESS OF BLACK Women of Canada, Scarborough Chapter presents a free community forum, Health Issues Affecting Black Women, at Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr., Committee Room 1, 10:30 a.m. Call 416-274-2748 or 416-299-3837.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO at Scarborough presents a benefit production of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues, proceeds to benefit the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre, Springtide Resources and V-Day Spotlight Campaign, The Women and Girls of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. General admission $30, VIP tickets $35. E-mail vdayutsc@gmail.com or call 416-602-4934 to reserve tickets. Visit www.vdayutsc.weebly.com for details.
Sunday, March 29
ROUGE VALLEY CONSERVATION Centre nature walk guided by an experienced hike leader, open to everyone. Begins at 1:30 p.m. and lasts about two hours; meet at Glen Rouge Eagle Vista, 7 Twyn Rivers Dr. at Sheppard Avenue. Dress for the weather. Call 416-282-8265.
Monday, March 30
SPRING FASHION SHOW sponsored by CFUW Scarborough (Canadian Federation of University Women) to support the Scarborough Women's Centre, 7:30 p.m. at St. Dunstan of Canterbury Anglican Church, 56 Lawson Rd., with fashions by Felicia's Collection Boutique. Tickets are $20. Call Ann at 416-261-675
FREE COMPUTER CLASSES for the beginners, registrations starts for an eight-week course hosted by PEACE Services at Oxford College, 670 Progress Ave. Session starts April 5. Space is limited, call 416-410-1414. Volunteers are needed to help elderly/senior students during the computer class.
FREE ENGLISH CLASSES for permanent residents at Aldebrain LINC Centre, 2155 Lawrence Ave. E. Program runs 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily, Levels 1 to 7. Childcare and transportation assistance available. Call 416-750-2070.
Tuesday, March 31
CALLING ALL SENIORS in Scarborough East: luncheons held at Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 258, 45 Lawson Road on the last Tuesday of each month from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost is $2.50 per person. Next luncheon to be held on March 31, 2009. Contact Irene at 416-281-2992 for further details.
Wednesday, April 1
GEM AND MINERAL Club of Scarborough meets at Knox United Church Meeting Hall, 2569 Midland Ave., at 8 p.m. Public lecture on the geology of Egypt: how rocks and minerals contributed to the uniqueness and greatest of Egyptian civilizations, with Dr. Steve Watts, earth science department at Trent University. All welcome.
Announcements
SCARBOROUGH ARTS COUNCIL annual juried art exhibition: We need art, but what does art need? Artists working in all media explore the theme of Art Needs; at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, 5183 Sheppard Ave. E. at Progress. Exhibition continues until April 2. Call 416-698-7322.
YOGA AND BELLY dancing classes for seniors, Mondays, 10 a.m. to noon until March 30, and Fridays, 1 to 3 p.m. until April 3, free, through Arising Women, a group that helps women through workshops, programs and services; at The Storefront, 4040 Lawrence Ave. E. near Kingston Road. Call 416-281-6662.
LET'S TALK WORKSHOPS for girls aged 15 to 18, Tuesdays, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Arising Women, a group that helps women through workshops, programs and services; 4125 Lawrence Ave. E., near Kingston Road, Suite 101. Call 416-281-6662.
LEGAL KNOWLEDGE WORKSHOPS every Thursday, 10 a.m. to noon, until May 28, free, at Arising Women, a group that helps women through workshops, programs and services; 4125 Lawrence Ave. E., near Kingston Road, Suite 101. Call 416-281-6662.
FREE SEWING CLASSES every Monday, 1 to 3 p.m. at Warden Woods Community Centre 74 Firvalley Ct. near Warden and St. Clair avenues. A volunteer assistant sewing instructor is also needed. Call 416-694-1138, ext. 160.
ARTHRITIS SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM for people living with arthritis starts April 8 and runs Wednesdays to May 13, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Providence Healthcare, the Scotiabank Learning Centre, Room B156, 3256 St. Clair Ave. E., run by the Arthritis Society. Cost is $35 or $50 per couple sharing a book. Call 416-979-7228, ext. 363 to register.
WEST SCARBOROUGH SENIORS Club (55 plus) offers aquafit, recreation swim, yoga, fitness, cards, computers and more; $30 from March to September at 313 Pharmacy Rd. Call 416-755-9215, ext. 237.
ULSTER ACCORDION BAND in co-operation with Branch 11 of the Royal Canadian Legion is presenting a benefit concert on April 19 at 2 p.m., dedicated to Canadian servicemen and women and in memory of those who gave their lives in defence of freedom. All proceeds will be donated to The Sapper Mike McTeague Wounded Warriors' Fund (www.woundedwarriors.ca). The variety concert will take place at Winston Churchill Collegiate, 2239 Lawrence Ave. E. Tickets are $20. Call 416-725-1354 or 416-251-2911 for details and tickets.
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE (West Hill Community Services) offers programs for children, newborn to six years, and their parent/caregiver, as well as a resource lending library. Drop in to 4110 Lawrence Ave. E. or call 416-847-4150 for details.
VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERS sought by East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club, must commit about four hours a month to the organization, attend monthly meetings and participate in one additional committee. Submit resumes and letters of interest to the Nominating Committee, East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club, 100 Galloway Rd., Scarborough, ON, M1E 1W7; fax to 416-281-0458; e-mail info@esbgc.org.
HOPE IN BLOOM Tulip Campaign: Parkinson Society Central and Northern Ontario sells tulips to raise funds and awareness for people living with Parkinson's disease. Volunteer drivers and sellers will be selling tulips throughout Toronto from April 7 to 25. If you are interested in helping out for a three-hour shift, call Louise at 416-227-1200, ext. 3304 or e-mail louise.leblanc@parkinson.ca.
THE DISTRESS CENTRES team provides emotional support, crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to those in need of essential life-sustaining emotional support. Comprehensive training is provided. Call the Distress Centre in Scarborough at 416-439-0744 or visit www.torontodistresscentre.com.
LADIES FIVE PIN Bowling League requires two bowlers at Parkway Bowl to play Thursdays at 1 p.m. Call Dorothy Seeds at 416-438-5281.
MISSION OF SUCCESS Learning Centre is a registered charity that provides free remedial tutoring services to students from low-income families who cannot afford to pay for private tutors. For children in grades 1 to 12 in math, science, English and French, after regular school hours at William G. Davis Junior Public School, 128 East Ave., near Port Union and Lawrence area, Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Visit www.geocities.com/success_learning/ or call 416-282-1749.
CATHOLIC CROSSCULTURE SERVICES has opened Settlement Integration Place to serve newcomers with their settlement needs at Markington Plaza, 3227 Eglinton Ave. E., Unit 135. Call 416-266-7200.
VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA area counsellor John Lingerfelter visits the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 258 at 45 Lawson Rd. in Highland Creek on the second Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. If you are a veteran or a spouse of a veteran or know of one who may require assistance, come out so that any concerns or questions may be discussed confidentially. You do not have to be a Legion member to obtain assistance. Contact John Bow, Branch 258 Service Officer, at 416-439-6085.
SCARBOROUGH BLUFFS MUSIC, a not-for-profit organization based at Scarborough Bluffs United Church, 3739 Kingston Rd., near Scarborough Golf Club Road, offers piano, guitar and rhythm skills lessons for children in grades 1 to 6, $2 to $7 per class, 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Call 416-266-8352.
FREE LINC ENGLISH classes offered to landed immigrants and convention refugees 18 years and older, through the CICS LINC Centre; full-time, part-time, day and evening and weekend classes from basic to Level 5. TTC tokens and childcare provided. All clients must be assessed. To register, call 416-299-8118, ext. 0 or drop by 4002 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 501, at Kennedy Road.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS (Level 1) and introduction to Internet and browsers (Level 2A) are offered to help encourage seniors to learn basic computer skills, at St. Paul's L'Amoreaux Centre, 3333 Finch Ave., $25 for members and/or residents, $35 for non-members. Register at St. Paul's customer service desk at 416-493-3333. For details, call Shirley Cheng, recreation department, at ext. 288.
Volunteers
YWCA TORONTO IS seeking 200 enthusiastic volunteers for its signature 29th Annual YWCA Women of Distinction Awards on Wednesday, May 13 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. More than 1,500 business and community leaders will celebrate seven inspirational women who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls in Toronto and around the world. For details and a registration form please visit www.womenofdistinction.ca. Call the volunteer co-ordinator at 416-961-8101, ext. 332 or sansari@ywcatoronto.org.
THE ALS SOCIETY of Ontario is looking for support volunteers to contribute to the emotional, psychosocial and spiritual well-being of clients and their caregivers. This support can be done a couple of hours per week from home at your own convenience once training is completed. Contact Louise, co-ordinator of volunteers, at 416-227-2252 or louise@alsont.ca.
EAST SCARBOROUGH STOREFRONT requires income tax volunteers to prepare basic tax returns for low-income individuals. Minimum age 19, Revenue Canada training is provided and required. Placement runs until the end of May. Contact Dip Habib at 416-208-7897 or diph@thestorefront.org.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR Leisureworld Scarborough, 130 Midland Ave. Great opportunity for retirees and for students to gain required volunteer hours before the school year ends, and develop retail, time and job management skills. Call 416-264-2301, ext. 209.
BENDALE ACRES SEEKS mural artists to paint murals of garden/bistro scenes, flower boxes or an original design. Also, piano/organ players are needed to play hymns and other spiritual music for the ecumenical worship service on Sundays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Gift shop volunteers are sought to help with merchandise sales, selection, pricing and setting up displays, Monday to Thursday, 1 to 3 p.m. shifts. Minimum age is 14. Contact Sheri Cotton at 416-397-7058 or scotton@toronto.ca. Bendale Acres is at 2920 Lawrence Ave., between Brimley and McCowan roads.
PROVIDENCE HEALTHCARE SEEKS reception/clerical volunteers for filing, faxing, photocopying plus answering the phone and greeting visitors. Computer skills in Microsoft program are required. Gift shop volunteers are also needed. Various weekday/weekend shifts for both positions. Contact Volunteer Services at 416-285-3749 or vol@providence.on.ca.
MISSION OF SUCCESS Learning Centre seeks student tutors to provide remedial tutoring services free of charge to students. The primary users would be low-income families who cannot afford to pay for private tutors for the children. Subjects taught: math, science, English and French. Classes are held after regular school hours at William G. Davis Junior Public School, 128 East Ave., Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Call 416-282-1749 or visit www.geocities.com/success_learning.
WARDEN WOODS COMMUNITY Centre seeks volunteers in its kitchen and for its Meals on Wheels program. Call 416-694-1138, ext. 153.
RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS who own hearing aids, ages 65 to 85, are needed for a study to assess programs for adults who have hearing loss. Call The Canadian Hearing Society at 416-928-2546.
Ongoing
THE SCARBOROUGH SENIOR Men's Slo-Pitch League is recruiting new players 55 years and over. The league plays at L'Amoreaux Sports Centre, 300 Silver Springs Blvd., opposite Scarborough Grace Hospital near Birchmount and Finch, every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. Call Joe at 416-439-6475 or Ray at 416-492-5195. Visit www.seniorslo-pitchtoronto.com for details.
ST. PAUL'S L'AMOREAUX Centre's spring registration for adults 55 and older. A 12-month membership is $18 a year and a lifetime membership is $150. The centre is at 3333 Finch Ave. E. at Warden, and offers computer classes, arts and crafts, education, fitness, games, music programs, leisure activities, trips and special events. Call 416-493-3333 or visit website www.splc.ca.
THE YWCA GIRLS Centre at Kingston and McCowan roads offers a free program for girls aged eight to 11 where they can talk about healthy friendships, gain independence, make new friends and have fun. The STEPS program is every Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. and includes dinner and snacks. To register, call Ashley at 416-266-1232, ext. 31.
CONVERSATION CIRCLES OFFERED every Wednesday, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., by YWCA Jump for girls aged 13 to 24 who are permanent residents or convention refugees wanting to improve their English. Homework tutoring available; TTC fare and refreshments provided. At 3090 Kingston Rd., at McCowan Road, Suite 205. To register, call 416-266-0303.
FREE ENGLISH CLASSES for permanent residents at Aldebrain LINC Centre, 2155 Lawrence Ave. E. Program runs 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily, Levels 1 to 7. Childcare and transportation assistance available. Call 416-750-2070.
TIME FOR WEE ONES parenting and play group is a free drop in with play time, parenting discussion and learning group, Thursdays at Rosewood Church of the Nazarene, 657 Milner Ave., for children from infant to five years. Call Pastor Shireen Spencer at 416-298-9932 to register.
EMOTIONS ANONYMOUS, A 12-step self-help group to assist people living with unsolved problems, meets every Wednesday at Burrows Hall, 1081 Progress Ave., at 7 p.m. Everyone welcome. Call Muriel at 905-723-2035.
SCARBOROUGH AMATEUR RADIO Club is interested in passing on the ham radio hobby to anyone who would like to learn about emergency radio communication. The non-profit group offers a course on radio operating practices, regulations and electronics theory to prepare for the Industry Canada examination, weekly on Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. at Don Montgomery Community Recreation Centre (formerly Mid Scarborough Community Centre), 2467 Eglinton Ave. E. Course material will be available for purchase upon registration. Visit online at www.ve3we.org or e-mail membership@ve3we.org.
AFTER SCHOOL HOMEWORK program is offered until June by the Centre for Information and Community Services (CICS) for students in grades 4 to 9 from low-income, new immigrant families to help them overcome their language and social barriers, and to provide academic support. Two locations: Woodside Square LINC Centre, 1571 Sandhurst Circle, Unit 202, Finch Avenue and McCowan Road, Wednesdays, 4 to 5:45 p.m.; CICS Immigrant Resource Centre 2330 Midland Ave., near Sheppard Avenue, Tuesday to Thursday, 4 to 6 p.m. To register, call Vienna Chan at 416-292-7510, ext. 130 for Woodside Square or Willa Tam at 416-292-7510, ext. 156 for CICS Immigrant Resource Centre.
FREE PARENTING PROGRAMS, YWCA Family Support Centre, 3090 Kingston Rd. Learn about parenting styles, child development, practical discipline, communication strategies, ways to build your child's self-esteem and much more. To register, call 416-266-1232.
MOMS AND TOTS early years programs, twice a week, St. Joseph's Church, 200 Morrish Rd., for infants to five years of age. Call Barbara at 416-283-4116.
PERINATAL BEREAVEMENT SERVICES Ontario hosts a support group the first and third Thursday of the month in the Port Union and Lawrence Avenue East area. Call 905-472-1807 to register.
SCARBOROUGH INVESTMENT CLUB meets the third Tuesday of every month to learn, discuss and invest in the stock market, $25 per month, YMCA, 230 Town Centre Ct., 6:30 p.m. Call 416-759-1219.
THE PROBUS CLUB of Scarborough Tuesday seeks new members. This social club for retirees meets the third Tuesday of each month, 10 a.m. to noon. For details and location, call Pat Ison at 416-751-8436.
ARISING WOMEN'S PLACE and the Trillium Foundation offer a weekly exercise program of yoga and belly-dancing for women and young girls, The East Scarborough Storefront, 4040 Lawrence Ave. E., Fridays 1 to 3 p.m. Call 416-281-6662 to register or visit www.arisingwomenplace.org.
SWING DANCE LESSONS, Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., $35 for five lessons, first lesson free. Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 614, 100 Salome Dr. Call 416-447-9774.
JAFFRAY ALLIANCE CHURCH, 9950 Sheppard Ave. E., offers free remedial tutoring lessons for all school subjects to anyone in the community from grades 1 through 12. Also free music lessons. Classes run on the first and third Sunday of every month from 1 to 2:15 p.m. To sign up, visit www.tjcac.org/english/community or call 416-282-2063.
FREE EXERCISE CLASSES for women, 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Thursday at Warden Woods Community Centre, 74 Firvalley Ct., near Warden and St. Clair avenues. Call 416-694-1138, ext. 160 or 124.
STRENGTH TO WALK In Freedom Together, SWIFT, is a free self-help group for those with marital problems, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks and anger management. The group meets Monday evenings at Kennedy Nursing Lodge, 1400 Kennedy Rd., 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Open to all age groups and walks of life. Call 905-707-5691.
MOM AND BABY program, YWCA Family Support Centre, 3090 Kingston Rd., for moms with babies, newborn to 12 months old. Sing songs, play games, make and take home toys, discuss how babies grow and learn and share information with other moms. To register, call 416-266-1232, ext. 22.
DRUG PROBLEM? Narcotics Anonymous can help. Call 416-236-8956 or visit www.torontona.org.
SENIOR EUCHRE, 55 plus, Thursdays, 12:30 to 3:15 p.m., Birkdale Community Centre, 1299 Ellesmere Rd. Call 416-396-4069.
THE ROTARY CLUB of Scarborough meets Tuesdays at The Scarboro Golf Club, 321 Scarborough Golf Club Rd., 12:30 p.m. for lunch, fellowship and speakers. Contact Michael Cooksey at 416-266-3287 or visit www.rotary.org.
YOUTH AND FAMILY counselling program, Malvern Family Resource Centre. Call 416-284-4654, ext. 28.
FREE LEGAL CLINIC, Malvern Family Resource Centre, 1321 Neilson Rd. Every second Tuesday. Appointments are private and confidential. Call 416-281-1376.
GOLDEN YEARS GROUP for visually impaired or blind, first Wednesday of the month, 1 to 3 p.m., Birkdale Community Centre, 1299 Ellesmere Rd. Call Ellen at 416-438-2403.
AL-ANON HOSTS daily and nightly support meetings for relatives and friends of alcoholics. Call 416-410-3809 for meeting location closest to your community.
It's Happening runs Wednesdays in The Scarborough Mirror and covers Thursday until the following Wednesday. Items from local, non-profit organizations should be submitted two weeks prior to the event. Please include all necessary information, including the exact address, street name and number and nearest intersection. Submissions cannot be taken over the phone, but can be e-mailed to sccalendar@insidetoronto.com or fax to 416-493-6190.