As noted in the January 30/14 issue of the Scarborough Mirror, our local Mister Transmission shop  ( 4900 Sheppard Avenue East, between McCowan and Markham Roads ) was the site of a ceremony at  which one of their customers won the Company’s national contest.

Ray Sanchez and Gus Katsavos, who manage and operate this Mister Transmission facility, were pleased to congratulate and provide long-time customer Arthur Whitty with his valuable prize – a free overhaul and repair of his vehicle’s transmission.

Team Canada forward Natalie Spooner receives her gold medal after Team Canada defeated USA in the finals of the 2014 Olympic Games.

Shreppard East Village BIA is an association whose members are all the businesses and offices on or near Sheppard Avenue East – between Midland Avenue and Markham Road, in Toronto’s east end.

Staff at Hogan Chevrolet supporting Natalie Spooner and her teammates onCanada's Women's Olympic Hockey team.

Natalie was the guest of honour at a community event for young hockey players and fans that took place at Hogan Chevrolet in the fall.

As is evident in this photo, "Go Canada" is the theme of the day at Hogan's.

Among annual events in the Sheppard East Village neighbourhood that always generate strong interest are the Chinese New Year celebrations at the Oriental Centre (northeast corner of Brimley and Sheppard Avenues).  This year, a full day of entertainment and cultural demonstrations were presented - on both Saturday February 1 and Sunday February 2.  Large crowds of shoppers and neighbourhood residents came out to see these joyful performances, in spite of some harsh winter weather that weekend.

The `Share Sheppard` website, social media and other promotional materials (new banners, new brochures, new window stickers) were recognized when the Toronto Association of BIAs presented Sheppard East Village BIA with their 2013 award for outstanding marketing campaign, for mid-level budget expenditures.

Sheppard East Village Chair, Al Wakeel, and Executive Director, Ernie McCullough, addressed the TABIA banquet, when they accepted this award on behalf of all members of our Business Improvement Area.

The annual Christmas Food Drive at Hogan Chevrolet Buick GMC was another success – thanks to the efforts of their staff and generous donations from both customers and staff members.

As a result of these efforts, some 1,605 pounds of food, as well as a $100 donation, were provided to the Food Bank. The total donation, from the Hogan campaigns in 2013, was 2,946 pounds of food and $100 cash

The ice storm on December 21 and 22 caused extensive damage throughout our area – primarily in the residential neighbourhoods near our BIA.  Some nearby residents were without power for up to 10 days and the numbers of tree branches that came down was extensive.

SEV BIA very much appreciates the efforts of Toronto Hydro and other City officials, who worked so hard throughout the Christmas and New Year`s season, to restore power and ensure that roads and sidewalks in the nearby neighbourhoods could be used safely.

We were pleased to learn that Agincourt Collegiate`s combined Christmas concert attracted over 900 people in early December, to hear the School`s award-winning choirs, bands and orchestras perform.

Sir Alexander Mackenzie Senior School presented its Christmas concert in the ACI auditorium the following week, where a large crowd enjoyed the efforts of the bands, orchestra, choirs and dance ensembles from this neighbourhood senior school.