​Nominations are now being accepted for the third annual Recognizing Arts Vaughan Excellence (R.A.V.E.) Awards. Developed by the City of Vaughan, these awards recognize the contributions of individuals, businesses and organizations that have enhanced the visual, performing and literary arts in Vaughan.

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council recently presented a cheque totalling more than $143,000 to the Vaughan Health Care Foundation. The donated funds were raised from the 2010 Mayor's Annual Golf Classic. The cheque was accepted on behalf of the foundation by Board Chairman Sam Ciccolini and President and CEO Robert Baker. ​

​The City of Vaughan’s 2011 Spring & Summer Recreation Guide will be delivered to Vaughan homes January 28 to February 1. Included are complimentary fitness, swim and sport passes that can be found in the Your Community section of the guide.

​Strong residential and commercial construction activity resulted in Vaughan issuing $1.406 billion in building permits for 2010.

​The City of Vaughan is supporting relief efforts in the City of Haifa, Israel following a major wildfire in the Carmel Forest. Council has approved a donation of $10,000 to the Haifa Foundation Emergency Appeal through The Canadian Committee for the Haifa Foundation, a registered Canadian charity.

​Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council today donated toys collected for the CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish 2010 program.

“I want to thank everyone in the community who donated a toy to help bring a smile to a child’s face this holiday season,” said Mayor Bevilacqua. “At this special time of the year it is heartening to see our community come together to assist families across the GTA. We live in a wonderful City where generosity and compassion are demonstrated throughout the year and I am proud of the support we have all shown for this important initiative.”

​Vaughan Council has voted not to take a pay raise. The City’s non-union staff will have their pay levels adjusted to be consistent with the rate increases provided to union employees earlier this year. Council, however, has decided to freeze their own salaries even though the City’s Pay Line Policy provides for economic adjustments for elected officials that reflect adjustments provided to management employees.

​Vaughan Council today announced its first annual toy drive in support of the CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish 2010 program. Mayor Honourable Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council invite local schools, residents and businesses to take part in the drive by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy at any one of the designated locations across the City.

​In celebration of the Jewish holiday Chanukah, the Mayor and Members of Council joined residents, guests and City staff yesterday to mark the occasion with the lighting of the menorah.

Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day holiday celebrated each year to commemorate the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BCE.