South Etobicoke charity Global Medic was among the first to offer help to hard-hit Jamaica by providing water purifying kits and emergency medical supplies. [Read more…]
Muralist Allison G. in front of her large mural at Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Fourth Street. Staff photos.
Local muralist Allison G. has been working on an almost block-long mural on the side of a Shoppers Drug Mart on Fourth Street.
It has taken about three weeks for the Long Branch artist sometimes working through the elements to finish the project that was sponsored by the Lakeshore Village BIA.
“This is the largest work that I have done,” Allison said during a break on a sunny day. “People seem to like the work as they walk by.”
The huge work took about 1,000 cans of paint to create.
She estimates it took about 1,000 cans of paint to create the huge work or art, that runs from Lake Shore Blvd. W., north to a laneway.
The wall before was previously covered with graffiti and other innuendo.
The massive artwork seems to depict the lake, with a bike path and cyclist and a lot of nature.
The Sobeys Kipling at 125 The Queensway will be closing for good October 24.
The shelves of a beloved Sobeys grocery store at the Kipling and Queensway Mall are empty as the store will be permanently shut on October 24.
About 60 of the employees, many who have been there for a long time, will be transferred to other stores, be laid off or retire.
Large signs announcing the closure are posted on the huge windows of the store. Inside nearly all the goods on the shelves are gone. The floors are gleaming.
Most of the shelves in Sobeys Kipling are cleaned out and the floors are sparkling clean.
The Sobeys has been a fixture at 1255 The Queensway for decades, and was hugely popular for its large parking lot.
An application is being heard by City Council to demolish and replace the mall with 13 towers up to 65 storeys tall, along with over a hectare of new public parkland and a potential elementary school.
The 7.4 hectare site will also include a large circular ramp that will link The Queensway to the Gardiner Expressway if approved.
A second community Sobeys store is slated for closure at 125 The Queensway plaza, near Park Lawn Road, where seven condos are proposed ranging up to 50 storeys high. The proposal is going through the hearings process.
Two long-standing Sobeys will be gone and new Sobeys-Longo finished construction in a few years.
Sobeys is planning to build a huge new Sobeys and Longo’s grocery stores and shopping centre with other stores at 1061 The Queensway, just east of Islington Ave. Sobeys own a major stake in Longo’s and the stores will be massive and side by side.
The Sobeys Longo store will take years to construct as it too has to be approved by City Council.
Sobeys has said the moves are “part of our strategic plan to enhance our offerings and better serve our customers.”
Sobeys is a proudly Canadian business, which was formed in 1907 as a small meat delivery business in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, and has grown to more than 1,600 stores across the country.
The company is one of the largest grocery chains in Canada, which through its franchise affiliates employ more than 128,000 people.
Heroes of the Great War by Mark Carmichael.
Canadian military historian Mark Carmichael will be speaking about his new book days after Remembrance Day on November 11 at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 101.
Carmichael will talk about his book Heroes of the Great War, Untold Stories of the Men of the 116th Battalion at 2:30 p.m. on November 16 at the 3850 Lake Shore Blvd. W. branch.
The author, who has historical ties to Local 101, is expected to read from the book, which is a collection of 25 biographies of soldiers from the Great War.
“While they are predominantly from the 116th Battalion, a fighting unit in the 3rd Canadian Division, they represent the average soldier who volunteered to fight for his King and Empire,” according to promotional material.
Canadian military author Mark Carmichael will be at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 101.
Each bio covers a different battle, from Courcelette to Vimy Ridge or Passchendaele to Amiens, according to a review.
Some of the stories detail the relentless battles against PTSD and others take you to their times at rest, evenings of joyous laughter spent with the Dumbells.
“These are stories of our ancestors, the men of the selfless generation, who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today,” according to a review. “It brings the names carved in granite back to life and outs them in the palms of your hands.”
Carmichael is a military history blogger and member of the Central Ontario Branch of the Western Front Association.
The book is available on Amazon and other stores online.
Police seized 1,800 bottles of high-end perfumes and colognes that were stolen from luxury stores and resold.
Justice is sweet.
Toronto Police have cracked a group whose members stole high-end perfumes and colognes from area stores for resale online and in flea markets.
Police have arrested one man and are searching for another who allegedly operated a fragrance theft racket that stole high-end perfumes from luxury stores in Sherway Mall and others.
Police issued a warrant on October 13 to search a Milton home during which 1,880 bottles of high-end perfumes and colognes were seized that was worth about $319,000.
Officers of 22 Division’s Major Crime Unit began an investigation involving multiple thefts reported by various luxury retail establishments across the city.
In most cases the stolen bottles of different fragrance were sold at flea markets or online.
Police said the wanted man is in his 20’s, about six feet tall, about 180 pounds, with a thin build and a goatee. The suspect is known to wear Adidas Yeezy 700 sneakers.
This is one of the few security camera shots taken of the perfume bandit.
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Issam Ahmad, 23, of Milton, was arrested and charged with: trafficking of property or thing obtained by crime exceeding $ 5,000, possess proceeds of property or thing obtained by crime exceeding $5,000 and possess proceeds of property or thing obtained by crime for trafficking exceeding $5,000.
He is slated to appear at an Ontario Court of Justice on December 1.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
Abby, 7 (left) pushed by her mom, with some of the many toys she managed to grab at Toys “R” Us in three minutes.
A local child with a rare heart condition has received a dream-come-true shopping spree in her favourite store – Toys “R” Us.
Abby, at the age of 7, has shown remarkable resilience in her young life. She was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and a rare genetic condition called Menke-Hennekam Syndrome, from which she has already undergone three open-heart surgeries.
She remains full of life despite ongoing health challenges such as frequent respiratory infections and the need to see a liver specialist.
Abby is a bundle of joy and love, with all her toys, despite three open-heart surgeries.
During the Dash, she snagged over 65 toys! Some of these toys included a scooter, Barbie Dreamhouse, a toy piano, and a Care Bear. True to her generous spirit, plans to share some of her new toys with other children in hospital, said Kristina Hopp , of the Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada
Toys“R”Us Canada, in partnership with Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada, granted the spirited and energetic child a lifetime: a three-minute shopping spree at their local store.
Abby was able to fill carts with as many toys as possible in just three minutes. The Dash is designed to provide seriously ill children with joyful memories away from hospitals, treatments, and medical worries.
Since 1998, the dedication of Toys“R”Us employees and the generosity of customers have raised over $30 million, helping Starlight Canada deliver vital programs nationwide from Comfort Kits with essentials for hospital stay, Treasure Chests with small rewards after procedures to hospital grants that fund urgently needed playrooms, equipment, and activities.
A photo of a Toronto firefighter putting out a blaze on his firetruck has gone viral as online. Photo by Doug Ramey.
A photo of a Toronto Fire truck on fire as it was responding to an emergency call has gone viral on social media.
The photo shows a brave fireman with an extinguisher trying to put out a hot blaze in the underside of the lifted cab of the firetruck in downtown Toronto.
The cab is popped open and smoke fills the inside and rear of the fiery fire truck. No one was reported injured in the blaze.
The photo of the blazing truck went viral on social media with more than a 100 comments from readers. Most people poked fun at the irony of the situation.
Readers said the engulfed Pumper 442, a Spartan ERV Metro Star, entered service in 2017 and had responded to more than 3,000 fire calls in eight years. The vehicle has travelled just more than 6,000 miles, according to records, which listed it for sale.
Pumper 442, like this one, is a Spartan ERV Metro Star, entered service in 2017 and has responded to more than 3,000 calls.
The Spartan ERV is supposed to be one of the safer fire trucks on the road.
It is described as a “94-inch wide cab that is configured with an extensive range of premium systems and components. Easily accommodate your crew, equipment and storage needs with numerous cab-style and roof-line options.”
“Must’ve been at a Leafs playoff game!, commented Geoff Empey of the smoking truck.
Andrew Siwey couldn’t believe his sight. “Wow a real ‘fire’ truck!” he chimed.
“Gives new meaning to “being in the hot seat,” noted Trevor Robinson Cards.
No one was reported injured in the blaze that had readers talking about the irony of the situation.
Alan Saulsbury said it was a lubricant failure.
“Turbo lube failure. Very common on all trucks,” he wrote.
“Sad. Not funny,” piped in Matej Kelava..
Anton Pienaar believes a hose with oil came loose.
“Probably an oil hose that came lose and spilled oil on the hot engine happened to one of our fire trucks,” he said.
Matt Bullock called the situation embarrassing.
“That’s embarrassing,” he wrote. “Oh well at least they had extinguishers handy and didn’t need to call the fire brigade.”
Bill Kiechle warned it could have been an intense electric vehicle battery fire.
“Just be thankful it’s a diesel fire engine. If it was lithium, you’d never put it out,” he noted.
Police are probing a second shooting in New Toronto at Lakeshore Village Park.
Toronto Police are probing a second round of shootings in a month in New Toronto. Police were called around 5:12 p.m. on October 13 to probe the most recent reports of shots being fired, this time at Lakeshore Village Park.
Officers found evidence of shots being fired but there was no one found with gunshot wounds.
A male suspect about 5-foot-6 wearing a mask and black clothing is being sought.
On October 4, a suspect was arrested for firing a gun at another man in connection with a September 21 scuffle at Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Islington Avenue.
One man has been arrested in the first shooting that occurred last month.
Officers allege a verbal argument occurred between the men, when one was shoved to the ground and a weapon discharged.
The suspect was in possession of a loaded .38 calibre revolver handgun and a quantity of ammunition.
Riley Larman, 28, of Toronto, was charged with assault, discharge a Restricted Firearm and six other gun related offences, including careless storage of a firearm.
The suspect was allegedly witnessed committing an indecent act in restaurant.
Officers of 22 Division have charged a man for committing an indecent act in a local restaurant.
Police said they responded to a call on October 12 for an alleged indecent exposure in the Dundas Street W., and Royal York Road area.
Police in a release alleged the suspect entered the establishment on October to pick up a food order.
A victim witnessed the suspect commit an indecent act inside the restaurant and called police.
Seyedabdollah Darvishiamrei, 58, of Toronto, has been arrested and charged with indecent act. He was slated to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on October 13.
Investigators believe there may be more victims.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com
Martingrove Baseball booster Jim Horton
One of Etobicoke’s top amateur baseball booster may soon have his field of dreams.
The name of late baseball lover Jim Horton, who passed away last February at the age of 76, may soon grace the North West Baseball Diamond at Martingrove Gardens Park, at 31 Lavington Road.
Ward 2 Councillor Stephen Holyday in a motion to be considered by City Council on October 21 proposed the field be named the ‘Jim Horton Baseball Diamond,’ for his dedication to the sport.
Horton, who was dubbed “Mr. Everything,” started coaching the sport in 1987 and was a life member of Martingrove Baseball.
He received the prestigious Etobicoke Baseball’s Lifetime of Excellence Volunteer Award for his ‘outstanding dedication to the sport of baseball in the city.’
Etobicoke baseball lovers are calling for the Jim Horton Baseball Diamond.
“Jim’s contributions went far beyond coaching,” Holyday said. “He served as executive member of the Martingrove Baseball for more than 35 consecutive years.”
He said Horton held nearly every executive role, including president, vice-president, equipment manager, umpire-in-chief and treasurer.
Hoyday said the avid basketballer was instrumental in getting the City , with an Optimist Club donation, construct the Centennial Park baseball diamond, which is ‘still a jewel of ballparks in the west end.’
More than 325 people signed a petition showing their strong and positive community support for the park being named after Horton. Letters and testimonials of support were sent by members of the baseball community.
Players of one of Martingrove Baseball pee wee team.
“Considering Jim Horton’s contribution to our community, and with the support of his family, it is appropriate that the City recognize his impact by naming the north west baseball diamond in Martingrove Gardens in his honour,” Holyday wrote.
He said Norton was dedicated to supporting children and youth, as well as fostering community health and well-being through the sport.
Martingrove Baseball was founded in 1958 and is an all-volunteer, community-based organization featuring all levels of co-ed baseball and girls’ softball from ages 4 – 28.