THE YEAR IN PICTURES: The City
Under the light at her dining room table Sherry Anne Albi brings a baby to life. Through fifteen coats of paint, blood vessels and texture added to a vinyl baby head to give it an ultra realistic look. A matte finish is applied to complete the illusion. The married, mother of four mostly grown kids always liked crafts and dolls once sold one of her works on eBay for $4,000. (Toronto Star/Steve Russell)
Just pause and look up. The contrasting architecture of Toronto's Old City Hall — built in the 1860's — is seen opposite 20th century skyscrapers, Cadillac Fairview Tower, Simpson Tower and Thomson Building on a sunny July afternoon at the intersection of Queen and Bay Sts. (Adrien Veczan/Toronto Star)
At the end of the service, Hindus at the Hindu Sabha Temple make offerings and take the aura from the light of the Artee by placing their hands over the light and then bringing their hands to their faces, almost bathing in it. The Artee — lit from wicks soaked in ghee, or purified butter — is offered to images of the deities by a priest. The Artee is thought to acquire the power or aura of the deity. The ceremony is performed several times a day in Temples. (Toronto Star/Steve Russell)
Since childhood, the men and women of Squared Circle Wrestling school have dreamed of achieving what few will manage to accomplish: To make a living as a professional wrestler. Three times a week, they gather at a small, dimly lit gym in the north end of the city. They spend time learning the skills that, when mastered, look effortless. But the same move done wrong can leave you with more than a bruised ego. When asked "why wrestle?" the answer is unanimous. They love it. They've been fans for as long as they can remember and always will be. Even if some have to keep day jobs. (Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star)
Renata Caballero, 4, forms part of the landscape as she hops among the rock sculptures near the mouth of the Humber River. The sculptures have become commonplace at several spots along Toronto's waterfront. Some people believe the sculptures have their origins in Inukshuks, cairns made by North American Arctic peoples that served as markers. (Tara Walton/Toronto Star)
Track sensation and three time gold medalist Usain Bolt draws a crowd while in Toronto for a track meet. People young and old were star struck by the world's fastest man, as seen here by the faces behind the fence at Varsity Stadium. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star)
Pigeons take refuge beneath an overhang at the Toronto Reference Library at Yonge St. and Asquith Ave., just north of Bloor St. (Toronto Star/Steve Russell)
On most weekends, the youth of the city descend upon Polson Pier for an evening of revelry in front of live bands. On this night, Streetlight Manifesto attracted the cities punk fans to brave the elements. (Lucas Oleniuk-Toronto Star)
A girl skates on a home-made rink near the foot of Cherry St., behind the old Canary Restaurant. (Lucas Oleniuk-Toronto Star)
EMS crews pass out water during the MuchMusic Video Awards on Queen St. at John St., where huge crowds of young music lovers had gathered in the stifling heat. (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star)
As members of the Emergency Task Force searched the New Broadview Hotel — better known as Jilly's — for a knife wielding suspect, police keep an eye on the building from outside as a streetcar with an add for Henry's Camera Store rides by. (Toronto Star/Steve Russell)
Farrier Chuck Barkworth uses some large pincers to trim the hoof on a young horse named Scarface at the Pine Valley Training Centre in Maple. Barkworth, a farrier for 20 years who now works at the Training Centre and Ajax Downs, also has worked as an exercise rider. (Toronto Star/Steve Russell)
"This building is a baby" says Pat Habkirk after cleaning a column of windows on the 3-storey Union Station. The height of the building isn't nearly as dizzying as some of the 300 foot buildings that Habkirk cleans from his chair. For anything above 300 feet, window cleaners have to work off a stage. "I'm not afraid of heights, I'm afraid of Poverty, I can't sing or dance," Habkirk confesses. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star)
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