Dear readers,

Is it “how’s spring treating you” or “how’re you treating spring”? You see, for us at GTA This Month, either way we are enjoying every bit of it and living it to the fullest. Weather is improving in T.O. and with the beautiful weather finally arriving, Torontonians are eager to get back into the sun either lazing around the beachfront or just sitting at the patio catching up with friends.

This May, as we stick with our motto “We aspire to inspire”, we bring you the story of our “Young Achiever”, whose ultimate goal is to give back to the community. Shannon Wong, age 12, is a high achiever and a dedicated environmentalist. She recognizes the fact that she’s privileged compared to other children in the world, and she appreciates that. She is a great supporter of “Free the Children” – an organization that focuses its efforts on ‘children helping children through education.’ Its primary goals are to free children from poverty and exploitation, and free young people from the notion that they are powerless to bring about positive change in the world. We are certain that regardless of your age and social status, Shannon’s story will inspire you to give back to the community.

Still on giving back to the community, we go green in support of the 2008 Green Toronto Festival. Join GTA This Month as we stroll the Yonge & Dundas area to see the exhibits of green products and services, and have a taste of some lip smacking locally grown food. There will be live bands and special guest speakers all in a car-free environment.  This program aims to promote practical energy usage and is designed to raise public awareness on environmental issues, something that should actually start from our own humble abode. This is the key to build a better environment and make the world a better place.

This issue also brings fresh and cleaner communities. Check our “Rendezvous” page and get inspired as we joined T.O.’s campaign for the 20-minute makeover and have a glimpse of spring-cleaning season by the Torontonians. This simple gesture of giving back to the community is a great way of preserving the beauty of Mother Nature, so she doesn’t wreak havoc to the future generations. 

Our “Behaviour Police” is also back this month. Although much evidence exists where our under-cover behaviour police lays the character of the person bare wherein tempers could flare, no one has been arrested. Just remember, dear readers that “Character is what you are when you are alone”. 

Our “Beyond GTA” features a very interesting travel destination-Dubai. Read on and be envious as we travel to another diverse and multi-cultural society. Dubai is situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates and lies directly within the Arabian Desert. Although, it is an Islamic country, Dubai is known for its nightlife. Clubs and bars are found mostly in hotels due to the liquor laws. Did you know that the New York Times listed Dubai as its travel choice for partying in 2008?

Indeed, there are so many happenings in T.O. this May. We have Mother’s day celebration and Victoria Day to name a few. To celebrate them all will be very exhausting. However, to further your knowledge about them and why we celebrate them is a different story.  So, GTA This month will leave you now to read on and bear in mind that, “every private citizen has a public responsibility”.  Let’s make T.O., a nest of comforts!

Criss Papa-Nañola
Editor