Monday, July 13, 2009

Back This Summer: That big white landmark behind Walmart


Can you rewrite the above in the active voice in the above banner for a very visible fixture in the Agincourt (Kennedy-Sheppard) neighbourhood?

What about the following--can you rewrite passives as actives, and vice versa? Also, can you pick out the infinitives and gerunds, and explain how they're used?

We want to encourage you to come for an hour that could change your life!
Enthusiastic singing, interesting seminars, and a very special welcome are
waiting for you this summer any night you are able to come. All are very
welcome, including children and teens - the whole family can come. There is a
children's meeting each night in a special tent, as well as the regular sessions
for adults.

Check out the rest of the website at here.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Theme for next week: Online Shopping

https://cameraexchange.ie/shop/images/Sandisk-Ultra-II-SD-Card-16GB.jpg

Try this challenge: which online stores offer the best deals on an SD Card with a capacity of--
  1. 4GB
  2. 8 GB
  3. 16GB
Check out Futureshop.ca, Bestbuy.ca, Factorydirect.ca, Tigerdirect.ca, Ledshoppe.com, Ebay.ca, Staples.ca, Google Shopping, etc.

Remember to figure in taxes and shipping. Submit your answers under Comment (below).

Where's the CPR? Aren't they supposed to keep pumping till the ambulance arrives?

This is one horribly sad sight of an accident scene. If you're uncomfortable with accident scenes and bodies, do not watch the video:

I think the police and people did a brilliant job of reporting the accident and focusing on the culprit driver, but was there a chance the woman might've recovered if she got CPR rather than getting tossed into the back of a pickup, head banging hard on the tailgate?
Scary.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Today's MicroSkills Inter-Centre Field Trip to North York Centre


Starting out at North York Subway Station are: Joseph, Stephania, Cindy, Janice, Yulia, Jade, and Garry (l - r: in italics are participants from LINC Level 4, MicroSkills Language Program at 250 Consumers Rd; the rest are from LINC Level 5, Centre of Excellence for Women and Newcomers at 200 Consumers Rd).


Having toured North York Central Library, where Yulia introduced the ESL sections and listening studios, we proceeded to North York Civic Centre, which was closed due to the labour disruption.


Participants had the opportunity to see the picket line up close and interview various strikers.


Among the leaflets distributed were: Why we are on strike and The facts on sick days.


Here's the list of questions drawn up by the Level 4 class yesterday. I wonder how many were asked of the strikers.


Yulia then leads us over to Canterbury Place Park for a picnic.


Fed and watered, we head back to Mel Lastman Square.


A quick peek into Douglas Snow Aquatic Centre, which was also closed due to the strike, and a last look at the strikers. I was outvoted from a detour to York Cemetery; apparently, not everyone thought it was a lively or child-appropriate point of interest for a field trip.


Final stop: the Farmer's Market at Mel Lastman Square--I finally got my Thai food (the $7 combo: pad thai, 1 stick of satay, a patch of cashew nut chicken) from the a la Cart there.



Hmm, let's just say I'd have enjoyed it better if I'd never been to Southeast Asia. But you'll have to interview the others who went for their opinions on the fare or read their blogs.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Field Trip to North York Civic Centre--Thursday, July 9th

WELCOME TO TEACHER YULIA AND OUR LEVEL 5 SCHOOLMATES!

It would be an interesting time to visit NYCC this Thursday--what with the forecast break in the clouds, the ongoing labour disruption (a.k.a. garbage strike), and hardy entrepreneurs soldiering on. We will depart from the ticket counter of North York Centre Subway Station at 10 a.m.; so please make arrangements to get there on time.

View Larger Map
North York Civic Centre represents the community and cultural hub of North York. Although access to NYCC and Douglas Snow Aquatic Centre may be limited or completely cut off due to the strike, we might have the chance to interview striking workers there--a good listening/speaking exercise! Those interested in the Toronto District School Board or North York Central Library (any events there on July 9th?) may wish to take the opportunity to pay a visit to either place. York Cemetery, perhaps not the most conventional of LINC field trip destinations, is also right around the corner, offering a peaceful venue for historical or idyllic interests (or both: a good place to find a shady spot and sketch a WWII tank, for instance).

According to the City's labour dispute site, the farmers market will go on every Thursday, albeit without garbage support from the city. Can you find where the following pictures came from?

By lunch time, we may want to grab a bench in Mel Lastman Square (who was Mel Lastman?) and catch a bite. There's a Loblaw supermarket and Wendy's fast food nearby, as well as lots of restaurants lining both sides of Yonge Street. But who's interested in Nancy Senawong's Toronto a la Cart "menu board boasting satay, mango salad, chicken cashew, pad Thai and rice"?
20090624Cart02.jpg
20090624Cart04.jpg

Make sure you save your TTC transfers and have your walking shoes, snacks, and sunscreen lotion for the field trip. And don't forget your cameras!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Music Review Requested

Hey Everybody,

A friend of mine would like a review of her singing and her music.


There are 3 songs linked there, and you can click on the links below for the lyrics:


  1. In Slumber

  2. Breakdown

  3. Wake Up, Seattle

Please post your reviews under Comments, below. Thanks so much!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Canada Day Quiz: Where do most of our immigrants come from?

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/original/Chihiro_Canada_Day.jpg
19. In 2007, the nation sending Canada the highest percentage of our 236,760 immigrants that year was:
a.
Jamaica
b. Great Britain
c. People's Republic of China
d. India

And the answer is ... c. the PRC!

Now you know the answer to one of 75 questions.

Take the Toronto Star's Canada Day Quiz and check your answers here.

Feel free to log your score under Comments, below.