Electric car enthusiasts do it themselves

By Andrew Serba
With soaring gas prices, a slumping economy and environmental concerns at the front of people’s minds, many commuters cannot wait for a major auto manufacturer to produce an electric car.
Others have just gone ahead and built their own.
Paul Olsen, the owner of Ontario Battery Services, has converted a number of gas-powered cars to [...]

City pilots ‘cautious approach’ to buying food locally

By Andrew Serba
Next week the city of Toronto will have a chance to become a leader in Ontario when it comes to using local food, even if its lead is a matter of baby steps.
Toronto’s government management committee yesterday recommended that a local food procurement policy be sent to city council for a vote.
Jamie Kirkpatrick, [...]

Controversial play should foster dialogue, Jewish Congress says

By Andrew Serba
In 2003, American activist Rachel Corrie died protesting the demolition of a Palestinian house on the Gaza Strip. In 2006, a play based on her diaries premiered in London, England. Niki Landau, the artistic director of Theatre Panik, wants Torontonians to experience the play.
“It was put on three times in London and it [...]

Tax clinics offer valuable outreach

By Andrew Serba
This year thousands of people across Toronto will turn to free tax clinics to file their taxes and ensure they get the services and benefits they are entitled to.
Nancy Garrow, a retired paralegal who will volunteer at the St. Christopher House tax clinic for her fifth consecutive year, said that for people with [...]

Residential sprinklers save lives, Toronto firefighters say

By Andrew Serba

Toronto firefighters often face greater danger in some residential fires than their Vancouver counterparts.

The difference is that fire sprinklers now protect close to 40 per cent of all Vancouver’s residences, according to Les Sziklai, a deputy chief with the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. Vancouver bylaws have required sprinklers in all new residential [...]

Holocaust survivor speaks of visas and a hero

By Andrew Serba
It was snowing that May 2, 62 years ago. His German captors roused Lithuanian-born Solly Ganor from his prison barracks. They forced the prisoners on a death march from the Dachau concentration camp. Arriving at a clearing in the woods, the prisoners were made to lie down. The snow blanketed them as they [...]