The South Etobicoke News

Serving Humber * Mimico * Lakeshore Village * Long Branch * Alderwood

Sombre Remembrance Day service at Sam Smith to pay respect to the fallen

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About 100 socially-distancing residents showed up in New Toronto for sombre Remembrance Day ceremonies in front of the former Eight Street Cenotaph.

The Cenotaph was a fixture for annual Remembrance Day events for more than 30-years in front of the former Royal Canadian Legion Branch 101, at 150 Eighth Street.

It was recently moved to a highly visible location in Col. Samuel Smith Park, on Lake Shore Blvd. W., just east of Kipling Ave.

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 643 performed the service to remember those who lost their lives in battle and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Residents attending the hour-long service were wearing masks and spread apart in the spacious park due to COVID-19, which led to the cancellation of many Remembrance Day services across the country.

People were encouraged to stay at home and watch the service virtually. This was one of the few services available to physically attend this year.

It was respectful and sombre as those gathered recited Flanders Fields; watched quietly as wreaths were laid at the foot of the Cenotaph and a benediction said for those who gave their lives and their families.

“It was a beautiful service,” admits Brian Tye, who was there to pay respect to his dad, a former military man. “It has been a while since I have seen something like this. It was fantastic.”

Donna Sampson, president of Branch 643, was pleased with the service.

“We didn’t advertise. People just came out to pay their respects,” Sampson says.

Many in the community welcome the new site for the iconic Cenotaph, which was a gift from the community when positioned outside the former Branch 101 almost 40-years ago.

Chris Korwin-Kuczynski was there to lay a wreath on behalf of the Lake Shore Village Business Improvement Area (BIA), which he chairs.

“Plans are already being made for a sunrise service next year right here,” he says.

Councillor Mark Grimes said landscaping will be done to beautify the site and a paved walkway is being added.

Others want lights added and a bench by the sidewalk turned to face the Cenotaph.

It was encouraging for many to see at least three classes of students from area schools being brought to the Cenotaph by their teachers to pay their respect and learn a history lesson.

 

 

Toronto Police launches Veterans Support Program during Remembrance Week

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Toronto Police is launching a Police-Military Veterans Wellness Program as part of the Service’s long and proud history of supporting the Canadian Armed Forces.

The program aims to have every police officer equipped with the resources necessary to connect veterans to Veterans Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion and the Operational Stress Injury Social Support Programs.

It also aims to leverage the experience of veterans within the Service and have veteran-specific training provided to officers to assist them in de-escalating situations involving a veteran in crisis.

The program was created by Consts. Aaron Dale and Jeremy Burns, both who have Canadian military experience.

“It has been an honour to work on such an important passion project within Toronto Police and I hope that this program will improve the quality of life for veterans across Canada,” said Dale.
Burns vow they will continue “to work tirelessly to ensure that every veteran remembers that nobody fights alone.”

“The importance of this program cannot be overvalued,” he said. “The sacrifices that veterans make for their country continues long after they return home from war.”

Dale has served with the Canadian Special Operations Regiment as a Special Forces Operator and Burns with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Both members have lots of overseas experiences, which have assisted them in bringing more awareness to this much-needed issue.

By providing frontline police officers with information that allows them to better identify veterans who may be in need of assistance, the Service will connect these men and women to the resources and support they deserve.
The OPP adopted the program and it was launched on November 9 as Operation: Leave the Streets Behind.

Batter Up! Big league baseball played in TO for more than 100 years

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Members of the Toronto Maple Leafs pro baseball team, with whom icon Babe Ruth hit his first homer.

By DAVE KOSONIC

Pro-baseball fans in our city often think of the Toronto Blue Jay,  but big league ball actually began here 106-years ago with a team called the Toronto Maple Leafs at Hanlan’s Point Stadium.

There on September 5 th , 1914 the legendary Babe Ruth nailed his first homer out of the park as a professional while playing for the Providence Grays against the Toronto Maple Leafs ball club.

In 1968 Maple Leaf Stadium was constructed close to South Etobicoke near Bathurst and Fleet Sts. This former Toronto landmark endured for 42 years until 1968 when it was demolished. It was designed to seat about 23,500 fans but  only about 800 fans attended the final game there on September 4th, 1967.

The men behind Maple Leaf Stadium and the Toronto Maple Leafs growth were team owner Lol Solman, and stadium developer and owner Jack Kent Cooke. Designed by Chapman, Oxley and Bishop, the construction cost was $300,000 but Cooke had to dig deep for $750,000 to complete the project.

The first game at Maple Leaf Stadium was played on April 26, 1926. The Leafs took their opponents the Reading Keystones to the cleaners and claimed victory. Until 1934 all games were played during daytime but night lights flooded the field beginning in 1934 enabling ball games after dark. As a result fan volume increased significantly.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were sold to Cooke in 1951 by Solman so that Cooke ran the whole show that included both the team and the stadium. During the early 1960s Cooke lobbied the Toronto City Council to pay for a new stadium to attract a major league team to Toronto. Council rejected Cook’s proposal.

One of the most dynamic Maple Leaf sluggers was Toronto’s Rocky Nelson, who was a left-handed first baseman who had a very unique batting stance. When opposing team pitchers were facing him while on the mound they knew he had their number to nail a homerun.

Local kids including myself knew exactly where Rocky lived near Burnhamthorpe Rd., and Laurel Ave., in Etobicoke. When we knocked at his door if he was home he was always very kind and genuine with us. Rocky would patiently stand on his front porch and talk baseball with us including providing batting tips. He played one season with Toronto Maple Leafs in 1958 but his career included stints with other teams.

Owner Cooke decided to bail out of playing ball and sold the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1964. The team was sold again in 1967 and their new home was in Louisville, Kentucky.

Maple Leaf Stadium became run down and worn out and it was designated a safety hazard by building inspectors. Demolition of the stadium was completed during 1968 and the property is now occupied by other facilities.

Thus ended professional baseball in Toronto until our beloved Toronto Blue Jays came to town in 1976. The Jays played their first home game at Exhibition Stadium against the Chicago White Sox in 1977 during a snow storm on April 7 th .

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Residents help police with hundreds of gift cards, donations, food to help the needy

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Consts. Jermaine Watt and Jas Mrahar show some of the many gift cards donated by Loblaws for the needy. Photo by Tom Godfrey.

Community and corporate citizens dug deep to help make a Toronto Police Cram A Cruiser food and toy drive a sizzling success.

More than 600 gift cards, 390 cash donations and in excess of $2,400 worth of food were collected by officers of 22 Division in a Cram A Cruiser campaign, which on November 8 were donated to  St. Margaret’s Anglican Church, on Sixth Street.

“We are very pleased with the response from the community,” says Const. Jas Mrahar, of the Community Response Unit. “Members of the community were there in numbers to help.”

The goods were collected on November 7 with the Cram A Cruiser vehicle parked in a Loblaws grocery parking lot, at 300 The East Mall.

Mrahar said Loblaws contributed hundreds of gift cards that are redeemable at it stores and almost 400 cash donations were received from shoppers.

Customers at the store handed over hundreds of bags filled with goodies that will go to help the needy and those at-risk in the community.

It took three officers about 15-minutes to unload the items from the police vehicle to the church.

Rev. Jacqueline Daley said some of the food items will be used for St. Margaret’s Sunday Soup program, in which residents can visit the church and obtain a free, hot take-out soup.

“We appreciate the help and donations from Toronto Police,” Daley said. “The shelves of our food bank will be filled again.”

Police say members of the public can still make donations of toys and food to the stationhouse, at 3699 Bloor St. W., when open.

Officers will continue their campaign at the same Loblaws on December 5 and on December 13 they will be collecting food and toys in the Markland Woods area.

The annual police Cram A Cruiser event has been taking place for more than 20 years by Toronto Police and other forces to help our needy at this time of the year.

St. Margaret’s Anglican Church has been serving the Mimico, New Toronto area for more than 110-years.

 

Neighbourhood Barber Shop trims price for cuts for veterans & servicemen

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A New Toronto barber shop is offering $11 haircuts to all military servicemen and Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Andy Dinner, of Your Neighbourhood Barber Shop, at 2858 Lake Shore Blvd. W., says the $11 cuts will run until Remembrance Day on November 11.

“This one is personal,” Dinner wrote on social media. “My brother Tom is a Major in the Canadian military.”

Tom has served in the military for 18-years and took part in two tours of duty overseas, Dinner says.

“As a thank you to military members, we are doing $11 haircuts for current and veteran military servicemen,” he wrote.

Dinner says half of all tips that he earns during that time will go to @soldieroncanada, a charity he believes in.

The shop made a name for itself by offering $5 off cuts to clients providing they show a receipt that they shopped at a locally-owned restaurant or bar.

 

Newly-moved Cenotaph being readied for Remembrance Day celebrations

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Preparations are underway to install the former Eighth Street Cenotaph that sat outside Royal Canadian Legion Branch 3 for more than 30-years in time for Remembrance Day next Wednesday.

The granite monument was recently moved to Colonel Samuel Smith Park, in the Lake Shore Blvd. and Kipling Ave. area.

Crews have been working long hours to install the monument that is shielded by sheets of wood near Lake Shore Blvd. W.

Hundreds of people are expected on November 11 to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and 100-years of marking Remembrance Day with a public ceremony.

Councillor Mark Grimes says he has been working with City Staff to “ensure that flag poles will be installed alongside the Cenotaph in time for Remembrance Day.”

“Remembrance Week is a time when Torontonians can reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and honour all Canadians who have fought and continue to fight for peace,” said Mayor John Tory, as he proclaimed November 5 to 11 Remembrance Week.

He said this year commemorations will be held virtually in keeping with public health advice against in-person gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City of Toronto encourages the public to observe this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations virtually at home or at work.

“The City will ensure appropriate respect and honour is paid by placing wreaths at the City’s cenotaphs on behalf of various organizations,” Tory said.

Many activities are planned for Remembrance Day including: the Toronto sign and the City Hall Towers will be lit in red on November 11, virtual ceremonies will be available by broadcast media and the City’s YouTube channel all week, all Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) vehicles will stop for two minutes on November 11 at 11 a.m. and “Lest We Forget” window cards will be placed in TTC vehicles.

There will also be commemorative posts on the City’s official Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts during the week, the public can show support for veterans and commemorate Remembrance Day by using the City’s Poppies Facebook.

The Toronto Archives’ 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War web exhibit shares the history of Canada’s participation in the Second World War through historical images from the time: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/whats-online/web-exhibits/first-second-world-wars/75th-anniversary-of-the-end-of-the-second-world-war/

The World Wars section of the Toronto Archives’ Black History in Toronto page provides information about Black Canadians’ participation in World Wars:   https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/using-the-archives/research-by-topic/black-history-in-toronto/

In addition, artifacts from Fort York National Historic Site, Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings and an 1813 battlefield, can be seen online through the Toronto History Museums Artifact Collection. Search “Remembrance Day” on the web page to view commemorative items, including Remembrance Day programs, proclamations and photos, and military medals and uniforms. https://toronto.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll?logon&application=COLLECTIONS&language=144&file=%5BCOT_OPAC%5Dhome.html 

 

 

 

 

Police food and toys goes to St. Margaret’s Church to help those in need

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22 Division police toy and food drive to help the needy.

Toronto Police officers from 22 Division are collecting toys and food in their annual Cram A Cruiser drive to help needy children and their families.

Officers on November 7 were parked outside a Loblaws grocery store, at 300 The East Mall, with a vehicle that within hours was almost filled with goodies for many at-risk children.

Helpful shoppers arrived with bags of items that were placed in a police van.

“You have to help the kids at this time of the year,” one woman said as she gave a bag of items to Const. Jas Mrahar.

The gifts were delivered on November 8 to St. Margaret’s Church, on Sixth Street, which has many community outreach programs.

Mrahar said toys and non-perishable food can also be dropped off at 22 Division when open. He said officers will be back for another toy and food drive on December 13 in the Markland Woods area.

Mrahar noted there is always a need for children toys, food, clothing and other accessories.

The toys and food collection drive has been taking place annually by different police Divisions and forces for about 20-years.

The much-appreciated items are distributed to those in need in our community in time for Christmas.

St. Margaret’s Church has been serving the New Toronto, Mimico and Long Branch area for more than 114-years. The church was established in 1906.

Hundreds of area residents flock to LAMP for free flu shots

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About 500 happy community residents were able to obtain flu shots at LAMP Community Health Centre despite a shortage of the cold-fighting medication.

The front lawn of LAMP’s Fifth Street property on November 7 was converted into an outdoor medical clinic with tents staffed by dozens of volunteers, who included student nurses from Humber College, qualified nurses and Dr. Noor Amin.

Dr Amin said St. Joseph’s Health Centre, where he works on a  COVID-19 Assessment Team, is one of the few places in the community where residents can be tested for COVID-19 that is free and does not require an appointment.

His was the supervising doctor at the LAMP outdoor clinic, ensuring that all procedures went well.

“People are very appreciative to get the flu shots,” Dr. Amin observed. “People were extremely happy and the line-up of people stretched around the block at intervals.”

LAMP Executive Director Keddone Dias said by late noon most of their 500 flu shots were gone.

“We are pleased to open our clinic to better serve the community,” Dias said. “People were very pleased to get their shots here.”

Area residents kept streaming to the clinic for the shots during the nice sunny day.

“They are in and out of here in five minutes,” said one volunteer. “It has been non-stop for some periods.”

LAMP had at one point briefly cancelled the event, due to a shortage of the shots.

There was another outdoor vaccination site at 7 Junction Rd., at Riverside Cardiology and Diagnostic Imaging, in the Junction area.

Some larger pharmacies, like Rexall, has had to briefly suspend their inoculation program due to a lack of medication.

Rexall said it was making efforts to secure more flu vaccine doses “promptly” and promised to update its customers via email and online when flu shots became available again.

Health Minster Christine Elliott said that before the pandemic began the Ontario government had been planning a massive flu shot campaign and in preparation for that ordered 5.1 million doses — 700,000 more than 2019. When the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, Ontario ordered an additional 350,000 doses with help from the federal government

Police collecting food and toys today to help the needy

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A Toronto Police Cram A Cruiser event is raising toys and food to help the needy.

Members of 22 Division police are inviting you to help Cram A Cruiser with food and toys that will go to the less fortunate in our community.

Officers from the Division will be out today November 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Loblaws, at 380 The East Mall, in Etobicoke.

Residents are being invited to bring a toy or food and help fill a police cruiser with goodies.

The annual police drive help collect food and toys that are distributed to those in need at this time of the year.

Traffic speeding cameras being moved with two now in Mimico

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Mimico motorists be aware!

The City of Toronto is rotating its array of traffic speeding cameras and two are now installed on Mimico streets to catch lead-footed speeders.

The penny-pinching cameras were moved from other locations and are now operating on Mimico Ave., just west of Station Rd., and Stanley Ave., near Elizabeth St., according to the City’s website.

The 50 Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) systems are being rotated to other locations this month. They were installed last July and so far almost 10,000 speeding tickets, and in excess of 9,700 fines, have been mailed to Toronto drivers.

If you haven’t seen the signage for the new speed cameras, they are coming.

The City said once the systems begin enforcing, the appropriate signs will be posted.

The systems are installed on local, collector and arterial roads in Community Safety Zones near schools. There are two systems per ward to ensure an even distribution.

The ASE systems are mobile and are rotated every three to six months in each ward, according to the City.

“This provides an opportunity to address a greater number of areas with safety concerns and provide a wider-ranging deterrent effect,” according to the site.

“Coming soon” warning signs will be posted 90 days before ticketing begins at any new ASE location and warning letters will not be issued.

The locations are selected through a data-driven approach that considers speed and collision data.

The ASE uses a camera and a speed measurement device to detect and capture images of vehicles travelling in excess of the posted speed limit. It is designed to work in tandem with other methods and strategies, including engineering measures, education initiatives and traditional police enforcement.

The images are reviewed by Provincial Offence Officers and then tickets are issued to the owner of the vehicle regardless of who was driving. Upon conviction, the only penalty is a fine – no demerit points will be issued nor will the registered owners driving record be impacted.

Since the devices began ticketing last July, the number of  tickets issued each month has decreased. In the first month, from July 6 to Aug. 5, some 22,301 tickets were mailed with 2,239 repeat offenders. In the second month, from Aug. 6 to Sept. 5, the city says 15,175 tickets were mailed out with 1,198 repeat offenders. In the third month, 9,719 fines were issued, with 604 repeat offenders.