Area residents and merchants are breathing a sigh of relief as a number of anti-pandemic policies are being lifted this week.

Starting on Thursday February 17 anti-COVID-19 capacity limits are being lifted in area bars, restaurants, gyms, cinemas, casinos, bingo halls, meeting spaces or convention centres and some other venues, according to the Ontario government.

“This is great news and a sign of just how far we’ve come together in our fight against the virus,” Premier Doug Ford said in a news conference at Queen’s Park. “While we aren’t out of the woods just yet we are moving in the right direction.”

The move is being applauded by many South Etobicoke struggling business owners who have been losing revenue and calling for an end of the limits.

The owner of a New Toronto clock store said she can now make plans and work to regain her customers who have been staying at home shopping online for goods, including fast food.

Ford said on February 14 at Queen’s Park that all social gathering limits will be increased to 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors. There will be a 50 people allowed at organized public events, with no limit outdoors.

He is also increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in high-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, bathhouses and sex clubs.

Also being lifted is capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. The limits are removed if the business use proof of vaccination or if the event is outdoors.

“Starting on March 1 Ontario intends to take additional steps to ease public health measures if public health and health system indicators continue to improve,” the Premier said. “This includes lifting capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings.”

He said Ontario will also lift proof of vaccination requirements for all settings at this time. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination.

Ford said masking requirements will remain in place until early March, when a decision will be made on if their use will continue.

“To manage COVID-19 over the long-term, public health units can deploy local and regional responses based on local context and conditions,” he said.

The province said limits in other indoor public settings, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, retail and shopping malls, will be maintained at, or increased to, the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance.

Due to a steady decline in COVID-19 related hospitalizations and ICU admissions, on February 10 the government began a gradual and cautious resumption of non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures across the province.

Ontario is also expanding access to free rapid tests, with 5.5 million rapid tests to be distributed each week for eight weeks through pharmacies, grocery stores, and community partners in vulnerable communities.

 

Feels like a summer of fun in the sun!

All of Toronto’s many popular street parties and large outdoor events are returning this summer after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

Here at home, organizers are planning the Fifth Annual Grill Cheese Challenge for June 11, which will include two stages and featuring live bands.

Chris Korwin Kuczynski, of the Lake Shore Village Business Improvement Association (BIA),  said there will be many booths set up from Second Street to Islington Avenue, which will be packed with delicious food. There will also be a beer tent.

He said organizers will take their anti COVID-19 guidance from public health officials.

“The event has been on hiatus for two years due to COVID-19,” Korwin-Kuczynski said. “It will be a great event as always and it will be a lot of fun for the family.”

The Challenge attracted as many as 30,000 area residents before it was cancelled by the pandemic two years ago.

Organizers of the Toronto St. Patrick Day Parade is also going full steam ahead for their annual downtown parade that will take place  on March 20.

The organizers said many people have been vaccinated and most events have been given the green light by the Ontario government and City of Toronto.

This year, the parade will begin at Bloor Street West and St. George Street, heading east to Yonge Street, south to the Queen Street and then past a review stand at Nathan Phillips Square.

Also returning is The Toronto Caribbean Carnival, also formerly known as Caribana, which will celebrate its 55th anniversary with a series of events leading up to the final weekend of July 28 to August 1 and the annual Grand Parade.

This year marks the festival’s Emerald Anniversary and revellers are celebrating freedom, diversity and inclusion that makes up the carnival arts, according to organizers.

Pride Toronto is planning a month-long series of events for June, with the highlight being Pride Weekend from June 24 to 26, which will include the Trans March, the Dyke March and the Pride parade.

The TD Toronto Jazz Festival will celebrate its 35th anniversary from June 24 to July 3 with new stages at the Victoria College Quad at the University of Toronto and an installation at Yorkville’s Cumberland Park.

Luminato, the arts festival featuring local and international talent, is expected to announce its events anywhere from June 9 to 19.

Doors Open Toronto, which offers walking tours of more than 150 properties of architectural, historic and cultural significance, will run the weekend of May 28 and 29.

Car buffs can head to the roaring Honda Indy at Exhibition Place on the weekend of July 15 to 17.

The Beaches International Jazz Festival, which held its first event in 1989, will offer performances from July 2 to 24.

Krino’s Taste of Danforth, which is always packed and popular, expects to return for the weekend of August 6 and 7.

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), one of Toronto’s oldest and most celebrated summer events, will run from August 19 to September 5.

 

Students at an Etobicoke school learned about racism first hand just as they were celebrating Black History Month.

It was a Black student who discovered one set of racism graffiti that was found in three separate washrooms on the first and second floors of the Etobicoke School of the Arts, on Royal York Road.

Police have been called in and have launched an investigation.

Toronto District School Board (TDSB) officials said the offensive graffiti was found on February 8 and only made public now.

School principal Grant Fawthrop described the incidents as ‘upsetting and unacceptable’ in an interview.

Fawthrop said the graffiti was found during rehearsal for a Black History Month assembly this month. More of the disturbing language was found the following morning in another bathroom.

“We take issues like this, which make any member of our community feel unsafe or unwelcome, very seriously,” Fawthrop wrote in a letter that was sent to parents. “Acts of anti-Black racism and all forms of discrimination will not be tolerated.”

He said the school has begun an investigation and is taking “immediate steps” to address the issue.

They are also consulting with TDSB equity advisors and other staff for new ways to address anti-Black racism, as well as to increase student and staff knowledge of anti-Black racism.

“We are incredibly upset this happened,” Fawthrop told the media. “Please know our school holds the values of social justice, equity, and inclusiveness near and dear to our hearts and will continue to do so every day.”

The racist graffiti comes just days after two North York students “depicted” swastikas and performed a Nazi salute in front of classmates.

This is the third time this week that TDSB schools made headlines relating to racism and discrimination.

Counselling and support has been made available to students, staff and family members.

“We take issues like this, which make any member of our community feel unsafe or unwelcome, very serious,” Fawthrop said. “Acts of anti-Black racism and all forms of discrimination will not be tolerated.”

A former Principal of the school was transferred in 2018 following an online petition by more than 1,200 students after admitting ‘to racial profiling after they compiled a list of all students of colour at the school and passed the list to teachers in order to track “achievement gaps.”

 

Residents seeking COVID-19 vaccines and rapid antigen test kits can now get them free and without fuss at Pharmasave in New Toronto.

Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available at Lakeshore Village Pharmacy, at 2835 Lake Shore Blvd.  W., near Fourth Street.

Owner Christopher Mikhail said no appointments are required for the vaccines.

Mikhail said residents can also pick up a free box of rapid antigen tests, which has five tests. One box of tests is available per family.

“People only have to show up,” he said. “No appointments necessary.”

The pharmacy can be reached by phone at 416-251-6999. You can also visit them at www.pharmasave.com.

The rapid antigen tests are also available at all Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, Sobeys, Walmart, Costco and other stores that carry medicinal products.

ALSO:

Some Other Events:

 

A police officer suffered minor injuries after being hit by an alleged hit and run driver in a bid to escape arrest in north Etobicoke.

Two unmarked police vehicles were also struck by a second driver as he tried to flee on foot.

Peel Regional Police said the incident took place on February 4 around 8:20 a.m., when a 49-year-old woman from Mississauga had her vehicle stolen from her driveway near Trelawny Circle and Forest Park Drive.

A short time later, according to officers, the vehicle was located in the area of Netherly Drive and Burtonwood Crescent, in Rexdale.

“The driver attempted to flee striking two unmarked police vehicles and then attempted to flee on foot,” Peel police said in a release.

Police said a second vehicle, that they believe was involved in the incident, hit an officer in Etobicoke as the driver tried to flee. The officer suffered minor injuries.

Gursimranpreet Singh, 22, is charged with possession of stolen property and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

He is before the courts.

A second man, who accused of striking the officer, is on the run.

Investigators are encouraging the driver to consult with a lawyer and turn themselves in to police.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to this incident or anyone who may have dash camera footage or any information on the suspect or suspect vehicle to call Peel’s 11 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau at  (905) 453–2121, ext. 1133.

Toronto Police are searching for the owners of a vicious dog that attacked a Corgi pup and its owner, biting her in the face so hard that it loosened a tooth.

Shawna Smith, 25, an Emergency Room nurse at the Hospital for Sick Children, was treated for dental and facial injuries in hospital and released.

Her year-old Corgi, named Yoda, also suffered bites to its body and is recuperating.

“Yoda had to be taken for emergency care,” Smith says. “He suffered lacerations to his back leg and other parts of his body.”

The four-year nurse required dental work after being bitten by the pit-bull like animal. The bite loosened one of her front tooth and may require an implant.

“I suffered a bite to my face and it was quite painful,” she recalls. “The dog had his mouth over my nose and face. The bite loosened one of my teeth.”

Smith, who grew up in New Toronto, claims the five-minute ordeal “seemed like it lasted forever.” It left her horrified and may have been worst if her boyfriend, Nick, wasn’t there.

“He kept screaming and kicking the dog but it wouldn’t stop,” Smith says.  “I am traumatized by this and it has left me scared.”

The incident occurred after midnight on February 8 after the couple took Yoda for a walk after Smith completed a night shift at the world-famous hospital.

They pair were on the lakefront pathway near Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Windermere Rd. area.

She said the couple, who fled, were walking two ‘athletic’ dogs when one that was not leashed saw Yoda and charged the smaller animal.

“This dog kept biting Yoda that we had to pick him up,” she recalls. “The dog kept jumping up and nipping at my face. My thick winter jacket is all ripped.”

They tried to obtain contact information from couple with the attack dog but the man blurted ‘I am sorry” and the pair took off. Nick managed to obtain a short and video.

“That dog could have easily killed someone,” Smith warns. “It was an unprovoked attack from a very aggressive dog that should not exposed to people.”

A complaint was filed to Toronto Police who took a report and are searching for the dog owners.

New Toronto resident Christina Murie, who two months ago had two bunnies, Ruby and Leo, killed by another pitbull like dog, said the owner received a ‘slap on the wrist’ from authorities. An office cleaner was also bitten three times in the incident.

She said charges have to be laid.

 

 

A Russian threat of war in Ukraine has led to waves of hate across the seas to now here in Etobicoke.

A North Queen Street bakery, owned by a former Member of Parliament, has been vandalized by what is described as pro-Russian graffiti.

The graffiti on the front wall of Future Bakery was discovered on February 8 around 5:45 a.m. as delivery trucks started arriving.

The bakery’s mural and a #StandWithUkraine banner on display were defaced with derogatory comments, according to police.

Former Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj, the president of Future Bakery, told reporters he believes the vandalism was meant to intimidate the local Ukrainian community.

“This isn’t just graffiti, nor is it just an act of vandalism,” Wrzesnewskyi said. “This is an attempt to intimidate people. It is a hate crime.”

That Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) said they are outraged by the incident.

“The Ukrainian Canadian community is appalled by the hate crime that targeted a Ukrainian-owned business in Toronto,” they said.

A large banner was hung on the outside of the bakery, stating “#StandWithUkraine.”

Phrases in black paint were written on the banner and the wall, including “F— Ukrian (sic) and Canada,” “#Losers,” and “Russia is power,” as well as the word “Russia” in both Russian and English.

Words were also covered on the banner, to create “#Putin.”

“We live in the best country in the world, a free and democratic country,” Wrzesnewskyi said. “I’m blessed to be here as the child and grandchild of refugees from World War II.”

He said his “family knows the consequences of war. It’s time to stand with Ukraine and stop Putin.”

Russia has recently placed more than 130,000 troops along the Ukrainian border.

Wrzesnewskyj, a Liberal, represented the federal riding of Etobicoke Centre in the House of Commons. He held the riding from 2004 to 2011 and again from 2015 to 2019.

He was actively involved in the Canadian delegation to the contested Ukrainian election of 2004, Orange Revolution, and has often spoken to Canadian media on its behalf.

 

The brutal blizzard we dug out from last month seems to have brought out the best in most people in our community.

The blast of snow crippled highways, dozens of TTC buses, streetcars and paralyzed much of the city. There were people stranded in vehicles on highways for 12 hours and more.

The thick, heavy snow was so high that seniors couldn’t leave their homes, much less shovel their sidewalk or drive- ways.

People couldn’t drive to work, much less wait for hours for a
TTC vehicle, or in-demand expensive Uber.

There were many people in our community helping each other by brushing snow off their neighbours’ vehicles or helping to shovel the white stuff. Many people were pushing motorists they didn’t know who were stuck in snowbanks.

There were neighbours making runs to the store to obtain food or prescriptions for seniors in need of help, or suffering with mobility issues. The blast of snow only made things worst in a time with so many people suffering from the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The terrible weather forced the cancellations of a number of City-run vaccination clinics and services.

Still, we persevered and mustered to overcome the blizzard and to fight another day. Members of the community in these times are always hardy, helpful and gave up their time to help those weak or in failing health.

It was nice to see folks helping out their neighbours and area residents. We were all affected by the many inches of deep white snow.

Even Premier Doug Ford, (above) an Etobicoke resident, took time out from Legislative duties to help motorists dig their vehicles out. Ford, with shovel in hand, helped to dig out a few surprised and thankful motorists who were stuck on the streets of Etobicoke.

During a terrible power outage and rain storm a couple years ago, the Premier was for hours directing traffic at the intersection of the busy
Dixon Road and Islington Avenue after a traffic light failed. Now, who said Ford wasn’t a man of the people.

Many of our seniors are left house-bound, fearing to venture outside since they may slip, fall and injure themselves. We live in a tight community where most people know each other, or someone related.

People actually came out to help others, or check up on each other, moreso due to COVID-19 and its Omicron variant.

The community has lost hundreds of men, women, fathers and mothers due to the pandemic. There are some whom we know but there are so many who passed, with few ever knowing or being there to remember them.

And given the challenges we are facing these days. The least we can do is care and help others if we can. After all, it is snow, which will likely melt tomorrow. But a friend, family or human being will never come back.

Tom Godfrey is Publisher of The South Etobicoke News, who lives in the
community. He was a reporter at the Toronto Sun for many years before
deciding to use his skills to work in community journalism.

Catch a feeling, not a cold this February

This February we are feeling cozy, loved, comforted, expressive, rested and feeling nourished. Not only is the Chinese New Year on February 1, but the Eastern world celebrations of the Year of the Tiger continue on, well into mid-February, and culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 15. That weekend, we are invited to celebrate love on February 14, as the western world’s official Valentine’s Day. That is not the feeling I’m talking about.

Though this season is still cold and we are in mid-winter, you’re probably getting itchy feet and itchy fingers like me. Well, more like an itchy green thumb, in my case. I’m sure you want to start a garden or get on with new projects, now that the cold has been dragging on for a while. That is the feeling I am talking about. That feeling of ideas taking root and growing. Notice this feeling, enjoy it and begin to explore it. Feel the natural urge to begin growing this year.

This month: I urge you to catch a feeling, instead of a cold. How do we do this? Stay warm and stay connected!

We do this by allowing ourselves to pay attention and notice the feeling first and foremost. The itch to begin a project is there: A natural emergence from hibernation. Look for it and catch that feeling, in your hands. How do you catch this feeling? You may think, in this month of ‘love’, with Valentine’s Day, with all the romantic notions our society has lavished onto February, I mean feeling in love.

Let us move beyond romantic love and the superficial ways of showing and experiencing feelings through chocolate, wine, wining and dining. Don’t get me wrong. Wining and dining is delicious, tasty and wonderful. Of course, it is. But, imagine that you allow yourself to get in touch with some exquisite feelings of feeling comfortable with your favourite fuzzy blanket and catching ‘feeling in love with life’ feelings that way. Or imagine yourself the luxury of viewing a series of documentaries on Blue Zone living. How does that allow you to feel? Are your senses heightened?

Let us delve further into feeling. A deeper appreciation of how our body feels, with our mind translating our every sensation, can begin like this. Humour me in this following exercise: Your Sense of Touch – A touch of comfort and wisdom. An exercise.

First, sit comfortably.

Then, take your hands and slowly match up each finger and the thumb of one hand with the other. One at a time. Do this in front of you, watching your hands as you slowly complete this and feel each finger pad from the left hand, gently pressing against the right hand.

Close your eyes. Press gently and expand the fingers, move them closer together and stretch them apart. What do you notice? How do your hands feel? Cold, clammy? Warm? Hot? Dry? Do you need to moisturize more? Yes, you do. Admit it. Has the winter cold dried out your hands?

I invite you to welcome this information into your world. Now, take each hand and feel the fabric of your pants, blanket or sofa. Feel the surface slowly. What do you notice?

Monika Meulman is the Founder & Owner of  The Healing Muse Apothecary, 2859 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-347-5449. Inspired Living @healingmuse, www.healingmuse.com

 

It’s the new year. Time to make wishes for better times. If you disagree with my ideas – send me yours. Let’s have a debate. Here’s a hodge podge of my thoughts.

I wish that those militant anti-vaxxers demanding “It’s my Body, My Choice” contribute time and money to help the women seeking Freedom of Choice for their bodies.

They could also offer to off-set the cost to heart, cancer and other patients having to go to the back of the line to provide space for the more serious consequences to those unvaccinated catching Covid.
I wish the “Right to Life” people identify their support for those who want to abolish the “Death Penalty”.

As well, they can campaign for increased funding for child care. If the
state commands the women to bear the child for the child’s protection rather than a moral punishment for the woman then hasn’t the state an obligation to share in the child’s support.

I wish that those politicians who demand fixed jail terms as a show of toughness, also tell the public how much it will cost them in taxes to build the extra jails, care for the prisoners, finance the Court Systems, manage increased caseloads; pay for more Crown Attorneys, Judges and
Police Officers that will result from the new law.

They should also produce the data to illustrate its effectiveness compared to other resolutions (I am not talking about violent crime here). They ought to tell the voter from where the money will come – education, health, social assistance or more taxes I wish we dealt with drug-use (not illegal sales) like Portugal. They consider it a medical issue rather than criminal. They use health regulations to promote treatment.

We can also define housing for street folk as a health problem. Remember it was the government that closed the psychiatric facilities and promised to provide supervised homes in the public domain (A good
thought) for some of them.

Where are these supervised homes and the help for opioid
self-medication. If we re-frame the problems as a health and safety issue; rather than criminal, we might start finding solutions. Saskatchewan found the cost of building reasonable facilities were covered by the savings from policing, medical care and crime reduction when the savings were considered over several years, as compared to the one-time capital cost of a building.

I wish we stopped complaining about taxes and higher costs going to fair pay for teachers, public servants, medical staff, and those serving the public. We need more help and respect for them. They have saved our lives and sanity during COVID-19. Can you imagine being a teacher with 30 children to control and teach, half by video through a tiny lens and the other half in person, simultaneously. It requires different techniques.

Ask, any nurse how they feel treating the onslaught of unvaccinated patients while having to triage the cancer, heart and other people needing help. Ask any mother of two who has been at home with children during COVID how they have remained sane.

I wish politicians stop name calling, attacking the person, spinning the truth and answer question directly.  It’s our duty to tell them to follow their Mom’s advice, ”Treat people with dignity, Name-calling isn’t nice.” I know it’s difficult to discipline them when we watch parents at rallies screaming like idiots and threatening violence.

Remember your parent training classes that you teach more by role modeling than telling. When was the last time you swore at some
guy who cut you off with the kids in the back seat.

I wish that we remembered a democracy can only survive with compromise and transparency. Its rule by majority while respecting the minority. One side cannot have it all otherwise you have revolution. Remember that in the next election.

Lastly, I wish more of us looked at newcomers not with fear but understanding, with an effort to include them. I remember several years ago while walking through Sherway Gardens Mall.

I saw this family, a father, mother, three girls and two boys dressed Mid-East style speaking Farsi (Iranian or Persian) watching The World Hockey playoffs was on a store TV.  They were jumping, yelling, shouting something I didn’t understand except I remember the distinct words,
“Go Canada”. Canada had just scored a ‘go-ahead’ goal.

They came, like my dad, not to change the country but to change their lives. They add to our mosaic.

Judge Lloyd Budzinski retired after 28 years and was a former Crown
Attorney, Defence Counsel and Ontario’s Assistant Deputy Minister of
Criminal Law. He was Chief Prosecutor in the trial of ex-RCMP officer Patrick Michael Kelly, found guilty of murder for throwing his wife from a 17th floor balcony in March 1981. He can be reached at lbudzinski@talkjustice.info