Area residents are being warned of more noise from landing aircraft as Pearson Airport shuts down next month its second busiest runway for a full repair.

The noise may seem louder as residents reopen their windows to enjoy the springtime air.

Flyers are being sent to community members warning of the temporary closure of Runway 06L-24R.

“You will notice increased aircraft noise depending on which runway we’re using,” according to information from the Toronto Pearson 2022 Runway Rehabilitation Project. “We are working to deliver a project that minimizes impacts.”

The rehabilitation of the three-km east-west runway will begin in April and run until the late fall. It is Pearson’s second busiest handling many long-haul flights.

“Like all major infrastructure, airport runways need regular maintenance to keep them safe,” Pearson officials told residents.

Airport officials said the wok will contribute millions of dollars to the local economy, create meaningful jobs, create sustainable construction practices and position Pearson for a strong anti-virus recovery.

“We have reduced airline slots and adjusted schedules for the duration of the project to mitigate operational and community impacts,” the Greater Toronto Airports Authority said.

The megaproject is one of the largest rehabilitation projects in Pearson’s history.  The runway was built in the 1960s and when completed it will ensure a safe operation of the airport for passengers and employees.

Airport officials said the runway needs to be fully rehabilitated due to the wearing down of its concrete sub-structure because of weather conditions, use and time. This project will extend the life of the runway by 30 years.

The noise of heavy jets using Pearson Airport has always been a source of complaints from South Etobicoke residents who live under the flight path.

The airport runway project can be reached by phone at 416-247-7682 or email at community.engagement@gtaa.com

 

It is a nice day and families are out walking in the community enjoying the sunshine with very few still wearing facemasks, a leftover from the virus.

Long-time friends Linah and Azita, with their children, are returning home from church when they pause outside the Childrens Urban Enrichment Studio (CUES), at 2986 Lake Shore Blvd. W., to take some photos.

The friends say they don’t miss the facemasks and are glad to see them, along with other COVID-19 precautions gone.

“I will still carry my masks but only wear it in crowded situations,” says Linah. “I will wear it on the TTC, the subway or places with a lot of people.”

Linah was born in Zimbabwe, and Azita in St. Vincent, in the Caribbean. They met after moving to New Toronto about 10 years ago.

“I love it here in Etobicoke,” she says. “This is a family oriented place and it is very safe.”

Azita is pleased to remove her mask, which she say will always be close by.

“We are glad that the Lakeshore Grill Cheese Challenge is back this year and we can take the kids,” she says. “This year I plan to go to as many events as possible after going through the virus for the last two years.”

The families will be attending the Challenge on June 11. The children are looking forward to the two stages with live performers and lots of food.

“We are living life this year and are enjoying ourselves,” Azita vows. “It finally looks like the virus is gone and Canada is open for business.”

The well-worn heart artwork outside the Studio was previously used by the City of Toronto in a promotional campaign. It is lovely at night when it is lit.

Registration is underway for a CUES Summer Camp Program that is designed to foster independence and curiosity. The unique experiences of children in the various settings throughout their interactive 4,000 square feet studio, allow and encourage children to be interested in something different or something new.

You can call or text them at 647-781-6091.

 

Security cameras and other safety precautions are being installed at a Mississauga mosque after a man was arrested for spraying bear spray at stunned worshippers.

A 24-year-old man is behind bars after being arrested by Peel Regional Police in what is believed to be a hate-motivated crime.

Police said on March 19 at about 7:00 a.m. officers attended the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre, near McAdam Road and Matheson Boulevard, to investigate an assault.

“It is alleged that a man walked into the mosque and discharged bear spray towards the members of the Mosque while brandishing a hatchet,” according to a release from police. “The members of the mosque quickly subdued the man until police arrived.”

Several worshippers received minor injuries as a result of the bear spray, police said.

“Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our community and we are taking this matter extremely seriously,” said Superintendent Rob Higgs. “We will continue to work closely with our community partners as our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Divisional Mobilization Officers continue to engage with faith leaders and community members.”

Mohammad Moiz Omar, of Mississauga, is charged with assault with a weapon, administering noxious substance with intent to endanger life or cause bodily harm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, utter threat to cause death or bodily harm, carrying concealed weapon and mischief to religious property

He was slated to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to call 12 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau at (905) 453–2121, ext. 1233.  Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.

 

It has been almost two weeks since Aveda Polsinelli, 13, was reported missing.

And Toronto Police is requesting the public’s assistance in locating the teen.

Polsinelli was last seen on March 5 in the Royal York Road and Evans Avenue area.

She is described as 5’1″, with a slim build, brown and blonde hair, and brown eyes.

There is no clothing description available and police and family members are concerned for her safety.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook.  Tips and sightings can also be reported online to Canada’s missing children resource centre Missing Kids, which is operated by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.

It’s a return to our post virus lifestyle.

As of Monday, most people will be tossing out those bothersome face masks.

Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said this week that face coverings will no longer be compulsory in most settings as of March 21.

It has been almost two years of wearing the garment in all indoor public spaces across the province.

At first the facewear were sold on the black market for $10 and more for an imported flimsy mask. Common sense prevailed and the prices dropped.

Though residents will soon be permitted entry to bars, restaurants, cafes, retail stores, gyms, schools and other such places bare-faced, there are still some areas where masking will be required.

Some business owners can still request a mask be worn in their premises.

Most bars and pubs in the community were packed to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

There were live entertainment to mark the day at most South Etobicoke venues. People were jovial, very social and few people were wearing masks.

It was nice to see some of the venues packed to capacity after two years of barely surviving.

“It is nice to see people again,” said one server. “It is like the old times again.”

The Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins on March 20 at 12 noon at the corner of St. George and Bloor St West (near St. George subway station) and heads east on Bloor Street,  turns south on Yonge Street and finally turns west on Queen Street, finishing at the parade reviewing stand at Nathan Phillips Square.

 

The City is installing Free Ukraine steet signs in front of the Russian consulate general in downtown Toronto, which is now called ‘Free Ukraine Square.’

The area in front of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation, at 60 St. Clair Avenue, has been declared ‘Free Ukraine Square’ by the City of Toronto.

The initiative was approved by City council on March 8 to name the area ‘Free Ukraine Square.’

The Consulate General is located just east of Yonge Street on the fifth floor.

The move was spearheaded by Councillor Josh Matlow, in whose riding the consulate is located, along with Mayor John Tory and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

“Canada’s Ukrainian community is such an important thread in our country’s multicultural mosaic,” Matlow said. “I am proud to stand with them in solidarity against Russian aggression and in support of Ukraine’s right to sovereignty, freedom, peace and security.”
He said the area of St. Clair Avenue between Yonge and Avoca will be known as “Free Ukraine Square.”

There will be an unveiling of the square with Mayor Tory, Matlow and members of the Ukrainian community on March 20.

“Toronto stands in solidarity with Ukraine. Moving forward, St. Clair Ave. (between Yonge and Avoca- in front of the Russian Consulate) will now be known as “Free Ukraine Square,” Matlow said on social media.

Similar renaming plans have been occurring in other cities around the world following the Russian invasion of Ukraine almost a month ago. There have been regular protest rallies at the site since the war began.

“The Ukrainian Canadian Congress fully supports your initiative to rename the stretch of St. Clair Ave. E between Ferndale and Avoca Ave to “Free Ukraine Square,” wrote Peter Schturyn, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

“It is through many such initiatives that we can put pressure on Russia and its regime to stop the senseless killing of innocents in Ukraine.”

Matlow said “Free Ukraine” street signs are also being installed around the Russian consulate.

“We are working with city staff now to add these signs as soon as possible as another important gesture of solidarity with the people of Ukraine,” Tory said.

The Ukrainian flag is also flying at Toronto city hall.

A 16-year-old boy is under arrest and Toronto Police are searching for three others in connection with the robberies of two pharmacies.

Members of the Toronto Police Hold Up Squad said on March 3 officers responded to two pharmacies that were robbed in the Burnhamthorpe Road and Renforth Drive area.

Police said in each incident four males arrived at the store in a stolen car and approached the employees.
“They took physical control of the employees and made demands for narcotics and cash,” police said in a release. “They took a quantity of narcotics and cash.”
The suspects fled the store in the stolen car and drove to a second pharmacy.

“At the second robbery, they attempted to flee in the stolen car but were unable to drive away from the scene so they all fled the area on foot,” according to police.

The accused was located by police and arrested. He cannot be identified because he is a young offender.

He was charged with eight counts related to robbery, having a disguise and possession of property obtained by crime.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7350, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).

 

A Toronto man has been charged in connection with two sexual assaults in the High Park area.

The suspect was arrested on March 14 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the High Park subway station, in the Bloor Street West and Quebec Avenue area, according to police.

Police allege the accused was walking in the area when he sexually assaulted two women.

Jahmore Walker-White, 29, of Toronto, is charged with two counts of sexual assault.

He was slated for an appearance at Old City Hall court on March 15.

 

On any given day more than 60 Mimico residents can show up at a local church for free piping hot soup and no one is ever turned away.

Thanks to the efforts of area residents Iris Schweiger and Emma Latham, volunteers of the Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church, at 2379 Lakeshore Blvd. W., that residents can have a free steaming bowl of soup, which is part of a church Bowls and Blessings program.

Area residents can also leave food that can be accessed by the needy in a community pantry, which contains some the essentials.

Those in need can also obtain nice warm jackets and other accessories to help them stay warm.

“There were people coming for the soup who were wearing no coats in the winter-time,” says Schweiger. “Our pantry door is always open so people can leave or take non-perishable foods.”

One person had earlier left some stuffed toys for children, she notes.

The pantry, clothing and soup servings take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday starting at 12 noon until the soup is gone.

Latham says many people in the Mimico area look forward to the soup and conversations.

“A lot of people stop by to see us,” she explains. “Many just want to talk to someone.”

The church will be holding an online fundraising Bazaar from April 27 to May 6, when items can be purchased online. The items can be picked up on May 8.

You can take a look at the items for sale here: https://pin.it/5KZeVPc

 

 

There was a time when vinyl LP records were king and streaming had to do with a river.

There were several record stores in the community and Keith Pope, the owner of one of the last remaining, Village Vinyl Emporium and Cafe, at 2925 Lake Shore Blvd. W., remember those heady days when top bands were presented with beautifully framed records to recognize their sales of large quantities of records.

The framed discs of superstars Lionel Richie, who had sold 100,000 records; a signed Jann Arden and Michael Crawford still glitter on a shelf. The items bring back a lot of history and nostalgia.

“I had an Elvis but that went fast,” Pope says. “These framed records were highly regarded by artists and in the industry at one time.”

“These are a piece of history and nostalgia. They meant a lot back in the day,” he says.

The plaques once belonged to Toronto music philanthropist Kroum Pindoff, who with wife, Eva, founded Music World in 1970. The company in its prime had 110 outlets nationwide and employed 1,000 staffers to sell their records.

Kroum started Pindoff Record Sales in 1960 by selling records on consignment to a variety of stores in Toronto. It was a hit and a decade later they founded Music World, which was popular with young people.

Music World Limited was eventually sold, the buyer suffered the same fate as many record stores and was eventually liquidated. The outlets closed in February 2008.

Pindoff was a war child who was born in Greece, but raised in Bulgaria. Eva was born in Germany. They vowed when they arrived in Canada in 1955 as immigrants to make enough money to help innocent victims of war. That they did and more.

In 1998 the Toronto Star carried a front page story about the couple giving $5 million to the Canadian Red Cross to help land mine survivors rebuild their lives.

“I have been in war, seen what it can do,’’ the then 82-year-old said then.

“The destruction caused by landmines to innocent people trying to struggle from one day to the next is shocking and heartbreaking,’’ he told the newspaper.

The couple, who were married for 50 years, gave millions of dollars to the Red Cross to help landmine victims, drought and famine victims in Africa and Asia. They contributed more than 20,000 food parcels to seniors in Bulgaria following the implosion of the Eastern Bloc in 1991.

While amassing a fortune selling records, it is estimated they donated more than $20 million to the Red Cross and War Child Canada to help young victims of war.

They also built a home for 100 children in Gasinci, Croatia.

After the 2004 earthquake and tsunami in South Asia, the Pindoffs’ gave $5 million toward Canadian Red Cross relief and recovery efforts. It was the largest ever personal contribution to a Canadian Red Cross disaster appeal at the time.