The successful Cirque du Soleil touring show KOOZA doesn’t open under the Big Top for months but the bad-mouthing and finger-pointing about traffic congestion has already begun.

Most residents in the Humber Bay Shores area are not pleased that the popular KOOZA show is being set in a Big Top tent in the former Christie cookie lands at 2150 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

“I am very concerned that this major event is being staged in a residential community without a traffic plan,” said long-time resident Chris Korwin Kuzynski. “Residents were never notified or consulted of this production and it was shoved down our throat.”

Area residents are touchy about parking and traffic congestion issues in the area. They are wondering where the hundreds of fans and service vehicles would park for the large show, which will run from April 7 to May 18.

KOOZA is described as a return to Cirque du Soleil’s roots, and ticket holders are told to be prepared for an authentic circus show experience, complete with clowns and jaw-dropping acrobatic feats.

According to The Toronto Star, KOOZA is one of Cirque du Soleil’s most successful shows that broke attendance records when it returned to Montreal.

KOOZA “combines acrobatic performance and the art of clowning, while exploring fear, identity, recognition, and power,” according to the description.

“The Innocent’s journey brings him into contact with comic characters from an electrifying world full of surprises, thrills, audacity and total involvement.”

The highlights of the show include hoops manipulation, double highwire, the Skeleton Dance, and the famous Wheel of Death, an “enormous spinning contraption” that always has the audience on the edge of their seats.

“No one was told of this show and there were no public consultations about this large show coming into the community,” Korwin Kuczynski said. “What are we as a community getting from this.”

Residents claim the show details were agreed upon long before a new councillor was voted into office.

Tickets start at $77 each and available to the general public on December 12th.

 

The Toronto Police Service will be getting a new police chief on Monday, December 19.

The force at 11 a.m. will host a Change of Command ceremony for Chief Designate of the Toronto Police Service, Myron Demkiw, M.O.M.

The ceremony will take place in the Grand Foyer of Toronto Police Headquarters, at 40 College Street.

The ceremony will include the swearing-in of Chief Designate Demkiw, including administration of the Oath of Office and the Oath of Secrecy, and remarks from the Chief and special guests.

Chief James Ramer will be piped out of the building in a special ceremony, in honour of his extraordinary career and leadership.

New Chief Demkiw will answer media questions in the Toronto Police Media Gallery at 2:00 p.m.

Due to space limitations, the building will not be open to the public on December 19. For those interested, the ceremony will be livestreamed on the  TPS You Tube channel.

Only accredited media will have access to designated media areas due to space limitations. News organizations may provide a list of media any time up to 8:00 a.m. on Monday.

Headquarters will be open to media beginning at 8:00 a.m. via the Grenville Street entrance.

Global News is providing camera coverage of the Change of Command ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. This will be a pool feed for other broadcast media.

The news conference will take place in the Media Gallery and will be broadcast on Dome Productions and live-streamed on You Tube.

Toronto Police Headquarters will be shut to the public and will reopen on December 20.

Grenville Street between Bay Street and Yonge Street will be closed to all but local traffic (which includes TPS members).

Photo and words by Bob Hodge.

Here are some beautiful shots of Mayor John Tory conducting at a much appreciative Christmas concert by the Etobicoke Community Concert Band at Etobicoke Collegiate Institute on December 16.

He was great!, accord to those present.

Tory agreed to get up and conduct the first song of the night. And the crowd went wild.

The band and the audience loved his rhythm.

There appeared to be a couple of hundred  music lovers present who loved the Mayor’s performance.

The band performed a lot of Christmas favorites and had Tamara Jem (Miss Universe Canada 2021 and owner of PHNX Cosmetics) read “Twas The Night Before Christmas”

The bands next shows are March 31^st and May 26^th.

The fine folks at Alterna Savings in New Toronto are also proud winners at this time of the year.

Officials of Alterna Savings, at 3001 Lake Shore Blvd. W., are proud to be awarded the top mural in the City of Toronto for their rendition of frontline workers.

The work was chosen as a top mural city-wide by judges due to its subject matter and non-stop work of our frontline workers in the pandemic.

The popular, and large mural, graces the western wall of the financial firm.

Here members of the Lakeshore Village BIA make a presentation of a well-deserved plaque to Alterna Savings staff in front of the mural.

 

The Lakeshore Christmas Parade was one of the best this year.

So were the Christmas trees. The first prize of the best-dressed Christmas tree as awarded by the Lakeshore Village BIA included first prize (in photo) went to Valentina’s Boutique.

Second prize for best dressed Christmas tree went to Woodgreen Community Services, whose staffers were delighted.

And third prize went to Maple Leaf Grill House and Banquet Hall. Their creation was stolen but was viewed before.

Congratulations to all the winners.

Mimico senior Rod Flynn was in tears after being presented with a fairly new motorized scooter purchased from funds raised by concerned members of the community.
More than $600 was raised for a scooter in a Go Fund Me campaign to help the ailing senior, who has lived in the community for 58 years.
“I never expected something like this from anyone,” Flynn sobbed. “I needed help and I want to thank all the people in the community who helped me.”
There were kind residents who sent cheques to The South Etobicoke News to help Rod get his ride.

The scooter, which was inspected and is in good shape, was put up for sale by a widow in the area. It belonged to her late husband.
A presentation was made last month at the Lucky Dice Restaurant in New Toronto and Flynn was given tips on how to operate the device.
The campaign was organized by Laura Doberstein and Charles Smith, who helped select the scooter.
“Rod has been diagnosed with an ailment which makes it very hard to breathe,” Doberstein said. “He cannot afford a scooter and it is life changing for him to have one as he could get around.”
Smith said Flynn, 77, “is a lovely, decent man who is known by many in the community.”
Flynn, who has lived in Mimico and New Toronto for almost 60 years, suffers from a chronic lung disease, which makes it hard to breathe and he requires a walker. He has to make frequent stops to breathe and frequently misses his bus and trips can take a long time.
The transplanted Newfoundlander said he visited a social worker at a local hospital to seek help.
“She called back to say she couldn’t help me get a scooter. The hospital didn’t have that program anymore.”
“I am a senior citizen and I cannot get help in my own country,” he vowed. “I cannot go shopping or get around and all I want is a better life.”
Area residents describe Flynn as a “polite, responsible and honourable” senior who helps others in the community.
Any funds left over from the campaign will go to St. Margaret New Toronto church, according to organizers.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRE operating from St. Margaret’s Church on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meals, snacks, washrooms, showers, and laundry available for folks who are unhoused.

DECEMBER 2 – 9 VIRTUAL HEALING ART WORKSHOPS with Natalie Very B. ‘Let’s create light within the Darkness of Winter’ Friday December 2 and 9 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. online. To register call 416-252-6471 ext. 308 or e-mail jasmind@lampchc.org Bring your art supplies and a beverage.

DECEMBER 10 ETOBICOKE CENTENNIAL CHOIR performs a holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. at Humber Valley United Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd. The Cantabile Children’s Choir of Young Voices Toronto will join ECC for the whimsical Brother Heinrich’s Christmas by John Rutter. Vocal soloists are Érika Wood, soprano; Mélissa Danis, mezzo-soprano; Lauren Halasz, alto; Ryan Downey, tenor and David Finneran, baritone. Tickets $30 available at website www.etobicokecentennialchoir.ca ; by e-transfer to treasurer@etobicokecentennialchoir.ca or call 416-779-2258. Admission is free for children 12 and under.

DECEMBER 10 TOY DRIVE ALDERWOOD Cares Christmas Toy Drive from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 44 Delma Drive. Please donate a new unwrapped toy to help bring a smile to an Etobicoke child.

DECEMBER 16 ENJOY A LITTLE BIT OF CHRISTMAS with the Queensmen Male Chorus at 7 p.m. at Richview United Church, at 149 Wellesworth Drive. Pay what you can at the door to help support the band. For more information phone 647-894-3619 or 416-697-9679 or visit www.queensmen.net

NOVEMBER 26 St. MARGARET NEW TORONTO is hosting a Christmas Market-Bazaar fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, at the church at 156 Sixth Street. After 115 years St. Margaret still provides a welcoming and accessible space in the community by offering free meals, personal care support, showers and laundry to those in need. The church is seeking donations as raffle items, gift cards, food or beverages for the event. Contact Rev. Jacqueline Daley at 416-259-2659.

NOVEMBER 28 COMMUNITY DINNER takeout from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Margaret New Toronto, at 156 Sixth Street. All is welcome. Contact Rev. Jacqueline Daley at 416-259-2659.

ADULT DROP IN PROGRAM MOVED – If you are hungry and in need of food LAMP’s Adult Drop-In program has moved to St. Margaret’s Anglican Church 156 Sixth Street. Meals are take away and dine-in from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Services Available: Meals (take away and dine-in), access to laundry and showers, referral and case management, harm reduction supplies, hygiene kits, period bags and pet food.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT at St. Margaret New Toronto, at 156 Sixth Street, is Maggie’s Family Friday, where families with school-aged children can enjoy a free meal, programming, free laundry services, groceries and care packages or donations from the community. Contact Rev. Jacqueline Daley at 416-259-2659.

THE STONEGATE CHC GOOD FOOD BOX in which a $22 donation buys a local family in need a large Good Food Box brimming with fresh fruits and veggies as a gift. Call Stonegate Community Health Centre at 416-231-7070 ext, 229 or visit their website at www.stonegatechc.org.
IMPROVE YOUR READING, WRITING AND Computer skills by using an iPad? Adult Learning at LAMP Community Health Centre is offering free small group, in-person learning Tuesday afternoons at 185 Fifth Street. Participants must be Ontario residents, 19-years of age and up, speak English and have a valid SIN number. Please email anitad@lampchc.org or call: 416-252-9701 EXT. 242 or 243 for details.

EVERY THURSDAY FROM 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. the Cooper Mills-Gooch Community Food Bank provides fresh groceries and essential food items every Thursday in the Jane St. and Dundas St. W. area. Contact 416-358-0031 for more information.

AFFORDABLE FOOD EVERY THURSDAY from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Good Food Market at Stonegate Community Health Centre, Second Floor, 10 Neighbourhood Lane. Affordable produce. Bring your own bag. For more information call 416-231-7070 ext. 307.

THREE THURSDAYS IN DECEMBER FREE chair yoga session in person or online for three weeks..
Learn how to stretch and strengthen your muscles, back and core area Dec. 1, 8 and 15 at 11 am. Meet our Yoga Coach Briar Boake who has been specializing in Chair Yoga for over 10 years. She has a background in music theatre, dance and performing and brings a creative approach to her classes. To register contact jasmind@lampchc.org or call 416 252 6471 ext. 308.

DECEMBER 4 and 18 St. MARGARET NEW TORONTO will be having their Hope with Wheels Lunch from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in partnership with Haven on the Queensway. To register contact jasmind@lampchc.org or call 416 252 6471 ext. 308.

DECEMBER 24 IS THE 3OTH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS WITH FRENDS St. Margaret New Toronto takeout meal takes place from 12 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reservations are required. Call 416-259-2659 to reserve now.

 

Police are warning busy merchants to be on the lookout for counterfeit $100 bills as shopping activity picks up for the Christmas holidays.

An investigation, dubbed Project OCedarwood, by the RCMP has led to warrants being issued for the arrests of three people for a list of counterfeit money charges, including the seizure of a number of the fake bills

The probe began in June 2022 when police obtained information from Home Depot that its Loss Prevention Department had identified a group who were purchasing goods at various retailers with suspected counterfeit money and then returned the products at other locations to obtain full refunds.

“The accused purchased store merchandise with counterfeit bills,” the RCMP said in a release. “The accused would return the merchandise at a separate retail location to obtain a full refund on the initial purchase.”

The RCMP allege the counterfeit bills were circulated at a number of large box store retailers in the Toronto area, along the Highway 401 corridor between Belleville and London, and North to Barrie and South to Hamilton.

“Although the counterfeit $100 bills were quite sophisticated in an attempt to replicate current bank note security features, these counterfeit bills can be distinguished from a genuine due to various print defects,” police said.

Manuel Parreira, a Bank of Canada Regional Director, said the financial loss from a counterfeit note can be significant for individuals and businesses alike.

“The number of counterfeits in circulation in Canada remains low with bank note security features continuing to demonstrate they are reliable, quick and easy to use,” Parreira said. “Knowing the security features on a bank note allows you to detect a counterfeit at a glance and protect yourself from fraud.”

Warrants have been issued for Raj Kirubananthan, 31, of Markham, Jessica Mitchell, 38, of Belleville, and Bleu Lawrence, 28, of Burlington. They are sought by police for five counts each relating to uttering and possession of counterfeit money.

If you have any information in relation to counterfeit money, suspect that you are in possession of counterfeit money, or believe someone has attempted to pass along counterfeit money to you, please contact your local police, the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time.

 

 

Alderwood Cares Christmas Toy Drive

Christmas Bazaar at St. Margaret New Toronto

 

Salvation Army Mini Miracles