The South Etobicoke News

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

Getting through the tough times together

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By: Adrianne Szabo-Payne

It’s no question that pretty much every single person in the world is feeling the effects of COVID-19.
Whether you’re at home in self-isolation, or still required to go to work to provide essential products
and services for the rest of us, we have to take this time to pay extra attention to our health.
So beyond washing your hands every five-minutes and wiping every surface you touch with a disinfectant, how can you keep your immune system strong?
Firstly, we have to look at our immune system from all sides; physical, mental and spiritual. When we
look at ourselves as a whole, we’ll have a much better chance at keeping ourselves healthy.
Here’s a holistic approach to helping boost your immune system as we navigate through these times.
Feed your physical body with good food and exercise. It is easy to give up on the healthy regime during
times like this, but don’t fall prey to apathy and fast food.
Since getting to the grocery might not be as easy as you’re used to, when do you go, make good choices
by picking fresh leafy greens, colourful fruits and vegetables and lots of protein rich foods. If you’re
trying to eat less meat, remember to soak your beans and legumes and wash them through often to get
rid of most of the lectins which can cause digestive upset.
You can soak your beans and legumes for several days, so long as you wash them through every few hours. Use the internet to find recipes and how-to videos. Among my favourite is Tasty, showing step-by-step recipes.
Set an intention to exercise for at least 20-minutes daily. Go for a walk or bike ride through your
neighbourhood. These are all social distancing approved activities, and fresh air is vital for good health.
If walking or biking isn’t your thing, the internet is loaded with free exercise videos to choose from.
Try something new every week. It’s good for the body and the brain. And don’t forget to stretch!
Supplementing can help those who need a little extra help. Probiotics, Vitamin C, D and good fats will
help reduce inflammation and boost your immune system’s ability to fight off viruses and bacteria.
For your mental and spiritual health, set daily goals to keep you feeling productive. Include things like
calling a friend who might live alone and talk about COVID-free news; learn a new skill, the internet is a
wealthy resource; take 5-10 minutes to laugh out loud daily, funny animal videos are great. If you find
something great that helps you, remember to share it with a friend.
These might be unsettling times, but the silver lining is we are in control of how we react to it all. Be a
champion of positive energy. We will get through this together.

Adrianne Szabo-Payne is owner of Monkey Tree Fitness & Wellness, 800 Islington Ave. Phone 416-233-3400 or visit monkeytreewellness.com

New date for Parklawn Transportation meeting

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A long-awaited community meeting to give input into the massive Park Lawn Lake Shore Transportation Master Plan (TMP) was called off last month due to the COVID-19 virus.
The meeting, which was slated for March 24 at Trident Banquet Hall, on Evans Ave., was the second being held to examine the multi-year TMP process to evaluate options to improve the area’s transportation network.
A proposed Park Lawn GO station slated for the Parklawn Rd. and Lake Shore Blvd. W. area is in the early planning stage. An initial business case was completed in February 2018, showing the location has positive benefits.
City planners say service at Mimico station will continue to improve as the GO Expansion Program is delivered to provide all-day two-way service every 15 minutes, or better, along the Lakeshore West Corridor.
The plan includes dedicated transit priority lanes for Park Lawn Rd. and Lake Shore Blvd. W., which will have integrated TTC streetcar and bus service with the GO Station to create a new transit hub.
A widening of the bridge at Mimico Creek to handle more traffic is also proposed, including improved pedestrian and cycling facilities.
The plan will also add two new roads to help traffic flow in the area, include a new connection from Brookers Lane to the Lake Shore Blvd. eastbound off-ramp.
The Park Lawn Road and Lake Shore Boulevard West area has grown significantly over the past 20 years. During this time, the area’s transportation network has remained relatively unchanged. Limited options to connect to destinations has resulted in increased traffic congestion. With additional growth anticipated in the future, transportation improvements are needed to support better travel options for walking, cycling, taking transit and driving.
The TMP provides the first step in a multi-year process to evaluate options to improve the area’s transportation network, including: better access to street, transit and active transportation networks,
additional safe and convenient transportation connections across major physical barriers, planning for future investment in public transit, pedestrian and cycling networks and high-quality streetscape design.
The study area where potential improvements are being considered is bound by Ellis Ave. to the east, Legion Rd. to the west, The Queensway to the north and Lake Ontario to the south.
No date has been set for another meeting. For more information visit toronto.ca/parklawnlakeshore

Fly your flag in support of COVID-19 heroes

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Members of the community are being encouraged to proudly display their Canadian flags to show their support for frontline emergency, police and healthcare workers fighting to save lives in the war against COVID-19.
Area residents are urged by some other residents and community leaders to adorn their windows or outside of their homes with our glorious flag to show their appreciation for the frontline workers who show up work every day under challenging conditions.
Children at home from school can make their own Canadian flags rather than going outside to purchase one and risk exposure to the deadly virus.
Appreciative people the world over are taking to their balconies to clap, sing or make noise to honour the many doctors, nurses and hospital staff toiling to stem the tides of the pandemic to keep others safe.

Some Humber Bay Shores Park trees to be cut

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Some residents of Humber Bay Shores Park have taken to social media in a bid to save 200 trees which they claim are slated to be cut down near the amphitheatre and butterfly garden area.
Outraged members of the community are circulating an online petition and demanding Councillor Mark Grimes and other city officials halt the removal of the estimated 200 trees from the park.
Some people on social media say the deforestation of the waterfront park can lead to a loss of habitat of animals and plant species, increased greenhouse gases, less water in the atmosphere, soil erosion, flooding, increasing traffic and sound pollution.
”I am firmly against killing these trees and also against spending taxpayer money to do so,” one angry resident wrote.
Grimes in a letter says ‘the state of the Humber Bay Shores Park amphitheatre area has been a concern for a number of years now.’
He did not “order the removal’ of the trees but asked City staff to come up with some options to clean up the overgrown area, an initiative supported by the Humber Bay Shoes Condo Association.
“The plan for this space has always been to have it manicured and maintained, however due to budgetary restrictions, this have not been achieved,” Grimes wrote, adding a lack of maintenance has left the site overgrown with invasive species.
He says City staff have identified about 113 trees which require pruning to elevate lower hanging limbs and clear the pathways.
“We are told by Forestry staff that any tree marked for removal are generally smaller invasive species, or trees that are no longer viable to be maintained,” according to Grimes. The letter states ”over 75% of the trees recommended for removal are under 5-cm in diameter, with the rest being under 10-cm and under 15-cm.”
“The current condition of the site has led to the area being used for illegal activity as the coverage area in the area hides these activities from public view,” he says.
Humber Bay Park East covers 19-hectares, or 47 acres, while Humber Bay Park West extends on 120 hectares, or about 300 acres. The park, which was opened in June 1984, has a 27% tree canopy growth.
Residents on social media say they haven’t given up their fight to save the trees.

Dino’s offering free pizza to frontline COVID workers

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By WAYNE GIBSON

With a long history of being on The Queensway, Dino’s has expanded to a couple of new locations, one on Dundas Street West, the other on Kipling Avenue.
The popular Dino is well known for both delivering great tasting pizza, done in a wood burning oven—he was one of the first in Toronto—and his extensive charitable work on behalf of the homeless.
The colourful pizza maker is donating free pies to all frontline emergency personnel involved in the fight against COVID-19.
With his new Kipling location in a space formerly occupied by Via Napoli, he is now able to deliver the same great ‘wood-oven’ pizza he’s famous for, but with expanded ‘gourmet’ offerings and also full LLBO-service.
The new space offers an expanded dining experience that wasn’t allowed for given his space limitations at the original Queensway location.
Ever the edgy marketer, Dino has even named a few pizzas after Toronto personalities: Amy Pataki, Gill Deacon, and famously, Mayor John Tory (which was also a great way to entice Mr. Tory to attend the opening of his new Kipling location last month!).
But Dino’s is most about great tasting wood-oven pizza, along with an assortment of ‘pide’ offerings—‘pide’ being a pizza-like Turkish dish. Available for pasta lovers are a couple of penne offerings and a rigatoni; three traditional salads are also on the menu.
Make it a full lunch or dinner dining experience at Dino’s on Dundas: a choice of 31 different pizzas, or a pasta dish, along with wine or beer in a very pleasant dining room.
The colourful pizza maker donates many pies in a list of charities that he is involved in. He plans to travel across Canada giving away pizza to celebrate the role immigrants play in this country.
Dino’s Pizza locations includes 871 Kipling Ave., 820 The Queensway and 4923 Dundas St. W. Phone 416-259-0050.

What’s open, closed and safe things to do

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SHOW YOUR CANADIAN FLAGS TO SUPPORT health, emergency personnel and other front-line workers fighting to save lives in the war against COVID-19. Area residents are urged by some community leaders to adorn their windows or outside of their homes with our glorious flag. Kids at home from school can make their own Canadian flags rather than going outside to purchase one and risk exposure to the virus.
MOST ELDERLY PROGRAMS AT STOREFRONT HUMBER, 2445 Lake Shore Blvd. W., are cancelled with only essential services, like personal care, support, respite and maintenance coordination provided. All dining, foot clinic, adult day programs and elderly programs cancelled until April 20. For more info call 416-259-4207 or visit sfh@storefronthumber.ca
COVID-19 CHECK UP CENTRES get screened for COVID-19. An Assessment Centre is open at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in the Sunnyside building, 1st floor (entrance available on Sunnyside Ave.) There is also a centre at the Mississauga Hospital 15 Bronte College Court. If you have a dry cough, a temperature, feeling sick, tired or out of breath call your doctor for instructions and do not show up at the emergency ward of your hospital.
EVERY FRIDAY MORNING the Long Branch Baptist Church, at 3381 Lake Shore Blvd. W., offers a free clothing outlet from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. for those in need of clothing for themselves or their families. You can also donate gently used clothes that others can use. Contact 416-251-1525. May be cancelled.
APRIL 19 FOR 16th ANNUAL COLONEL SAM SMITH PARK CLEAN-UP from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and join Watershed Champion Alan Roy, for the annual litter cleanup to help get rid of plastic bags, bottles, cans and other refuse along the trail. Event goes rain or shine and dress appropriately. Contact 416-661-6600 ext, 5575. Subject to cancellation due to COVID-19.
APRIL 26 SPRING LITTER CLEANUP AT MARIE CURTIS PARK for all ages takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Marie Curtis Park, 2 Forty Second Street. Join the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority and Friends of Marie Curtis Park for a nature hike and cleanup. Meet in the large parking lot near the lake on the west side of the creek. Subject to cancellation due to COVID-19. MARCH 28 ONTARIO POPS ORCHESTRA CONCERT nixed and rest of season cancelled due to the COVID19 situation. Programs will be incorporated in the upcoming season. Visit ontariopops.com for further information or queries.
APRIL 30 HISTORY WALKING TOUR OF COL. SAM SMITH PARK, at 29 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive, traces the history of the traditional lands of the Ojibwe Anishinabe, which was home of the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital before it became the Humber College Lakeshore Campus. Tour runs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Subject to cancellation due to COVID-19.
MAY 5 LANDSCAPING FOR BIRDS FROM6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Small Arms Inspection Building, 1352 Lake Shore Rd. E.,with expert Melissa Creasey to discover the most common and unique birds in your area. Learn how to attract them to your yard and how to keep them safe. For more information call 647-646-9695. Subject to cancellation due to COVID-19.
MAY 9 SPRING LITTER CLEANUP AT HUMBER BAY PARK from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Humber Bay Park, 2225 Lake Shore Blvd. W., with Friends of Humber Bay Park and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to clean up plastic bags, bottles and other items from the trail and shoreline. Goes rain or shine and dress appropriately. Subject to cancellation due to COVID-19.
MAY 23 SPRING BIRD FESTIVAL at Colonel Samuel Smith Park at Kipling Ave. and Lake Shore Blvd. W. Register to receive free trees to plant on private property. All is welcome to come out and enjoy the outdoors.
HAVEN ON THE QUEENSWAY HAS SHUT MOST of its programs and services due to COVID-19 but will continue to serve its food bank users by appointment and pick-up at their 1533 The Queensway office. Call 416-640-2005 to make arrangements to access the Haven food bank, First Care or other services still open.
LAMP COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE LAKESHORE SITE open for essential services from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Single point of entry, screening protocol in place, routine and nonessential services booked at least 14-days prior. Telephone support as needed such as prescription renewals. Take away meals provided Monday to Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and on Saturdays. Harm reduction supplies available. Tax clinic suspended. information, newcomer services by phone. For more info call 416-252-6471 ext. 280 or 281 or visit www.lampchc.org. FRANKLIN HORNER COMMUNITY CENTRE is cancelled until further notice due to COVIO-19. Will reassess, like many other City agencies in April.

Tips on staying safe from COVID-19

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Here are some Toronto Public Health tips for staying safe from COVID 19
– Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
– Avoid close contact with people who are ill
– Stay home when you are ill
-Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the garbage and wash your hands
– If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm
– Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
– If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, call Toronto Public Health
at 416-338-7600 and self-isolate.

COVID-19 aid for our ailing seniors

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South Etobicoke has one of the largest population of seniors in the City of Toronto and officials say some of them may require our help as we fend off COVID-19.
Residents are being asked to check up on their elderly neighbours and see if there is anything that they can do to assist them such as picking up groceries or items from the drug store.
‘Every trip that they don’t have to take helps to reduce their risk of getting sick,” according to Toronto Public Health officials.
They are reminding residents to only purchase what is needed and not to overbuy since it takes away from what is available for the most vulnerable in the community.
Pharmacist Soroush Nejati, of Lakeside Pharmasave Pharmacy, says many residents are suffering from loneliness and are encouraged to check up on friends, family, and other loved ones by phone or online platforms.
Some community agencies, like Storefront Humber, offer support to seniors including Meals on Wheels, friendly visiting, transportation to appointments, personal support, and adult day programs. Seniors and caregivers should check with the agencies to find out about service delivery.
Help is available at Toronto Seniors Helpline at 416-217-2077 or 1-877-621-2077, for support and referral to services.
For Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) home care call 310-2222 (no area code required) to find out about services in the area.
Or the Seniors Safety Line (Elder Abuse Ontario) is at 1-866-299-1011.

Etobicoke’s Raeven chase her volleyball dreams

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By CRAIG CHRISTIE

Etobicoke native Raeven Chase is making a name for herself in Michigan.
The numbers from Chase’s freshman season playing volleyball at Eastern Michigan University
(EMU) jump off the page: 147.5 points, 108 kills and 69 blocks. On top of that the graduate of Michael Power/St. Joseph High School was voted to the Mid-American Conference (MAC)
All-Freshman team.
But there is one award she is most proud of. “I made the Academic team and I’m on
the Dean’s List so that’s exciting,” Chase says.
Chase arrived at EMU in 2018 but sat out the first year. Although she wasn’t initially happy with the
decision it allowed her to practice and learn from her coaches and more experienced teammates.
“I got into the recruiting process super late and didn’t sign with EMU until late April (2018),” Chase says. At the time there was only one other school in the running for her talent but she attended a showcase tournament and after received about 13 scholarship offers, primarily from Division 2 or 3 schools.
EMU head volleyball coach Darcy Dorton first saw Chase on a YouTube video. “My first impression from the video was, ‘Wow, this kid has some serious potential’,” Dorton recalls. “Raeven has a lot of physical strengths: she is very tall (6’3”), surprisingly quick … light on her feet and has a very good vertical leap.”
With several key seniors graduating this year, Chase is being counted on to take a leadership role on the team.
“Off the court I feel I can be a better teammate by providing positive feedback and communicating with my teammates,” she says.
Dorton believes that having a young team will be an opportunity for Raeven since her teammates and the coaching staff will expect her to play a bigger role next year.
Chase will be heading to Vancouver to attend the Canadian women’s NextGen selection camp this summer. The tryout is for athletes who aspire to qualify for the 2024 Olympics.
“Raeven is a promising young athlete who has the size to compete internationally,” says Shannon Winzer, Head Coach, NextGen National Team. “We hope to further evaluate her against the top talent from across the country.”
The science major is looking at physiotherapy as an option because she wants to work with athletes. Her coach however thinks she may have to put that on hold for a while.

Local sports at a COVID-19 standstill

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As COVID-19 continue to spread, organized amateur sports in South Etobicoke have come to a stand-still. This includes the outright cancellation of practices, games, tournaments and other sporting events which sadly means the end of the remainder of the season for some.
Here’s a look at how the virus is affecting amateur sports in our area.
Baseball executives are monitoring Public Health and Baseball Ontario’s websites. The outdoor season is scheduled to begin early May and that remains unchanged. Pre-season training and other team events are cancelled until April 5 when organizations will reassess the situation.
All Etobicoke Basketball Association programming is cancelled or postponed until further notice.
The Toronto and Peel CPA (Canadian Poolplayers Association) has postponed league play and cancelled tournaments. Cricket Canada has suspended all practices and events until further notice. And, Etobicoke Gymnastics Club has delayed their Spring session to April 5.
All Hockey Canada sanctioned activities including games, practices, playoffs, try-outs for next season, camps and team activities (includes team parties and banquets) are cancelled. The Ford Performance Centre is closed until April 6.
Mimico Lacrosse Club has paused until April 5 all sanctioned in-person lacrosse activities, including try-outs, training sessions, scrimmages, practices and games.
Martial arts clubs are closed until April 5. Toronto Nomads Rugby has suspended all activities until April 10. The Ontario Soccer Association has cancelled all activities until further notice.
The Lakeshore Swim Club has cancelled all competitive program swim practices and dryland practices until April 5 and no swim meets will be held before April 20, including the Marilyn Bell Swim Classic that was to take place at the Etobicoke Olympian.