Three New Year’s Resolutions for Better Health + Toronto Mayor’s New Year’s Levee Jan.1, 2013

Mayor Ford invites Toronto residents to welcome in the New Year

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2 – 4 p.m.

Rotunda, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and City Councillors are inviting residents to join them at the Mayor’s New Year’s Levee that will be held at City Hall on Tuesday, January 1, 2013:

  • This traditional levee marks the start of the New Year
  • It gives residents an opportunity to exchange greetings with the Mayor and City Councillors

Toronto’s two ski and snowboard centres set to open December 31, 2012

  • Both centres are located near public transit and have affordable lift, equipment and instruction rates and great hours
  • Both sites feature ski and snowboard schools, snowboard and downhill ski rentals, helmet rentals, snowmaking equipment, night skiing and a snack bar
  • Centennial Park Ski and Snowboard Centre

    • 256 Centennial Park Rd., 416-394-8754

    • For the opening on Monday, this location will have one run open, serviced by a carpet lift

    • Centennial Park centre’s holiday hours:

      • December 31 and January 1: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
      • January 2 to 4: 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

    • Regular hours of operation (in effect starting January 5):

      • Monday: Noon to 9:30 p.m.
      • Tuesday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
      • Saturday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
      • Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre

    • 4169 Bathurst St., 416-395-7931

    • This location is serviced by a chair lift and a rope tow

    • The building has a fireplace

    • Earl Bales centre’s holiday hours:

      • December 31: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
      • January 1 to 4: 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

    • Regular hours of operation (in effect starting January 5):

      • Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
      • Saturday: 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
      • Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • The use of helmets is mandatory at City of Toronto ski and snowboard facilities for participants of all ages in the following groups:
    • school board programs and group participants
    • instructional program participants
    • freestyle and ski race program participants and instructional staff
    • on-hill supervisors
    • ski patrol members

Also, it’s time for you to consider your New Year’s resolutions for 2013.

Toronto Public Health is offering Canadians support for the following three New Year’s resolutions

  1. To quit smoking

  2. To exercise

  3. “To get back on track with healthier eating, after all the holiday indulging”

This video presents “Connect to quit with Smokers’ Helpline”:

  • Learn about Smokers’ Helpline FREE phone, online and text services from real Quit Coaches

“To quit smoking:

  • Talk to a nurse at 416-338-7974 to get started

  • Please click here for tips on how to get started

  • Operated by the Canadian Cancer Society, Smokers’ Helpline has the following proven, FREE and personalized tools to help you quit successfully:

    • Online Quit Program
      • Smokers’ Helpline Online (SHO) can offer tips, tools and support

        • This interactive online service is FREE and 24/7

        • Bilingual services

        • Interpreter services are also available in Ontario

      • Supportive community

      • Online tools

      • Self-directed quit program

    • FREE Help by Phone: 1 877 513-5333

      • Bilingual services

      • Speak to a Quit Coach:

        • FREE and confidential
        • One-to-one support
        • Hours:

          • Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. EST
          • Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST
          • Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST
          • (Be sure to check your time zone)

      • Build a Quit Plan

      • 1-to-1 guidance

    • TXT Messaging: available to Ontario residents
      • Interactive support

        • Text key words for additional help when you need it the most

      • Scheduled messages

        • Receive support on the go with text messages customized to your quit date

      • Cope with cravings

  • Smokers’ Helpline serves six provinces and one territory in Canada, including: PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Yukon

    • For quitline services in other provinces, visit www.cancer.ca/quitlines

    • Funding varies by province/territory, so services may also vary

  • TPH is offering 1,000 FREE Quit Kits which include sugarless gum, a stress ball, a toothbrush and other tools to help you through your cravings

    • They are offering a FREE Quit Kit to the first 1,000 people to contact Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 or **e-mail publichealth@toronto.ca

    • **To receive a FREE Quit Kit by mail, please e-mail publichealth@toronto.ca with your: Name, Address, City and Postal Code

      • The personal information in this e-mail is collected under the authority of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, 1990, s. 9
      • The information will be used for administration of the Quit Kit promotion and will not be shared outside of the program
      • Questions about this collection can be directed to Shannon Carney, Health Promotion Consultant, 850 Coxwell Avenue, Lower Level, Toronto, ON M4C 5R1. Telephone: 416-397-4883

This video presents “Exercise can help reduce your risk for heart disease, cancer and stroke (Health Q 013)”:

  • Inactivity is one risk factor for heart disease, cancer and stroke
  • Heather Haines – Kinesiologist – The Credit Valley Hospital (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) – offers guidelines and basics

To exercise

This video presents “Healthy Eating”:

  • Get Active is a video that promotes healthy eating

“To get back on track with healthier eating, after all the holiday indulging”

  • Start by cutting down on portion sizes

  • Read labels for calorie counts and for fat and sodium content

  • Toronto Public Health provides a number of nutrition programs and resources to promote healthy eating according to Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide

  • Toronto residents and visitors can also ask restaurant staff for the nutritional information diners need to make healthier meal choices, or can check for the information online when they order take-out or make a reservation

  • TPH’s registered dieticians can answer nutrition questions to help individuals meet their healthy eating goals”

  • Please click here for more info on healthier eating

City of Toronto Contact Info

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311

Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311)

TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca

If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.

Always call 911 for emergencies.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

NEWS RELEASE

December 28, 2012

Toronto Public Health can help with your health goals for 2013

Toronto residents are considering their New Year’s resolutions for 2013 and improving health is sure to be the focus of many resolutions. Toronto Public Health (TPH) can help individuals achieve their health goals.

“If your New Year’s resolution is to be healthier, Toronto Public Health is here to support you throughout the year,” said Catherine Clarke, Manager of Healthy Living. “Even small changes can result in big improvements. No matter what your health goal – whether it’s quitting smoking, adding walking to your daily routine or making healthier food choices – TPH can help you.”

Want to quit smoking? Talk to a nurse at 416-338-7974 to get started. TPH is offering 1,000 free quit kits, which include sugarless gum, a stress ball, a toothbrush and other tools to help you through your cravings.
http://www.toronto.ca/health/smokefree/quittingsmoking/

If exercise is your goal, start by walking more. You can count your steps with the aid of a pedometer lending program presented through Toronto’s public libraries. Walk on local trails and in parks, walk inside a mall, or join a walking tour to explore the city and its neighbourhoods. http://www.toronto.ca/health/walkintohealth/

After all the holiday indulging, the start of the new year is a great time to get back on track with healthier eating. Start by cutting down on portion sizes. Read labels for calorie counts and for fat and sodium content.

Toronto residents and visitors can also ask restaurant staff for the nutritional information diners need to make healthier meal choices, or can check for the information online when they order take-out or make a reservation. TPH’s registered dieticians can answer nutrition questions to help individuals meet their healthy eating goals.
http://www.toronto.ca/health/nutrition/

More information about these and other health-related matters is available at 416-338-7600 and http://www.toronto.ca/health.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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