The Scarborough Mirror

The kits have been banned in Canada since 1973 because of safety concerns that children may inhale vapours from the solvents used to blow the balloons.

They consist of a solvent in a tube with one or more plastic straws for dipping into the tube and blowing balloons or bubbles.

In extreme cases, children could experience symptoms of central nervous system depression or dysfunction, which may include euphoria, hallucinations, dizziness and poor coordination of movements.

In the long run, they could experience more serious symptoms such as muscular twitching, unconsciousness and even coma.

Health Canada inspectors removed more than 1,500 kits from the CNE fairgrounds on Aug. 20. The toys were confiscated from three booths inside the fair's international pavilion area. They are identified as Products of the Philippines.

An unknown quantity of the prohibited toys may have been sold from Aug. 15 to 20.

No injuries have been reported to Health Canada in regards to the recently sold kits.

Anyone with concerns can e-mail cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca or call 1-866-662-0666.

Toronto has a split personality on graffiti: while city bylaw enforcers try to wipe it out, the city's culture department sees it as a valuable cultural expression.

CANspace organizers say their free festival, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds on Malvern's public library at 30 Sewells Road, "aims to dispel some of the negatives associated with graffiti art and expose the Malvern community to the enriching and refreshing aspects of the art form."

A dozen artists will be demonstrating their skills on canvasses for later display in buildings in Malvern and elsewhere in Toronto, while other youth will be giving spoken word and musical performances.

The third annual event follows Urban Arts Workshops for youth of 13 to 16 learning graffiti and mural art as a possible path to careers. More on this can be found through a CANspace link at www.muralroutes.com.

Known as the man with the flying fingers and magic bow, Woods has been performing to crowds across North America and abroad in Holland.

Woods is the holder of all major Canadian fiddling titles including: Canadian Open Fiddle Champion, Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Champion and Canadian Fiddle Entertainer of the Year.

The show takes place at the church located at 4130 Lawrence Ave. E., on Saturday, Sept. 20 beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets for adults are $20, and $10 for children under the age of 12.

To purchase advance tickets call Kay at 416-284-1381 or Fran at 416-284-5615.

"A school should be a place where a kid can go and feel at home," Det. Larry Straver, co-ordinator of Toronto Crime Stoppers, said in a news release. "We want students to realize we understand what they're going through, that we've been there and show them that there are options available to them that can help make their school environment a safer place for everyone."

There are three ways to send anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers: by talking (call 416-222-TIPS), by typing (online at www.222tips.com) and by texting (text TIP312 and your message to CRIMES (274637).

Malibu Investments Inc. proposes to build 1,370 condo units in eight buildings ranging from seven to 38 storeys and to expand the mall at Warden and Finch avenues from 320,000 to 427,000 square feet.

City of Toronto planners will host a community consultation on an area study that includes the mall next Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. at L'Amoreaux Collegiate Institute, 2501 Bridletowne Circle.

The developer, meanwhile, has announced an information centre at the mall will open for four hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays until Oct. 2 to "be helpful in providing information and answering questions," on the proposal.

A community group, Stand Up Bridletowne (www.standupbridletowne.org), is trying to rally residents against the plan, hoping Malibu will modify it.

"We think development would be good for the area, but this is obviously not the right development plan," Patricia Sinclair, who is on the group's executive, said this week.