The Queensmen male chorus wants the community to know that their members have been entertaining Etobicoke residents for 68 years and have sung for generations of fans.

The male singing group began life as The Chorus in 1949 and became The Queensmen in 1953 “in recognition of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11,” says group member Einer Voldner.

“We continue as a strong organization and meet weekly from September through May,” Voldner says. “Before Covid we performed  six or more times annually, including joining five other male choruses at “Ontario Sings” every May.”’

The group, due to the pandemic, meet regularly on Zoom and has produced four virtual videos which can be seen on their website www.Queensmen.net.

The singers will be returning to the stage in their first post-pandemic concert at Parkland On the Glen Retirement Home in Mississauga on December 18.

They will be singing while wearing a special type of mask.

The group sings popular light songs or music ‘you like to hear.’ If you are missing musical camaraderie, you are asked to contact Einar at 905-876-1477 or einar.voldner@gmail.com

 

Irate Mimico Village residents have taken to social media to blast a plan to build a 10-storey mixed use condo directly across from San Remo Bakery that will lead to the removal of eight homes.

A zoning by-law amendment application has been filed by Tonlu Properties to redevelop 351 through 365 Royal York Road, which residents say is already congested with traffic and will get worst as hundreds of new condo-buyers move in.

Planner Bousfields is seeking rezoning for increased height and density for the construction of a 10-storey, mid-rise, mixed-use building, combining eight properties; now detached single storey houses in Mimico Village.

The proposal calls for 282 dwelling units, consisting of 6 studios, 52 one-bedrooms, 126 one-bedroom-plus-dens, 43 two-bedrooms, 28 two-bedroom-plus-dens, and 27 three-bedroom units.

The building is “U-shaped” as it wraps around a courtyard facing east in the centre-back of the building. The ground floor is set back five metres from the front property line and the building include terracing on the west, north, and south faces, according to documents filed.

The Mimico Village area has been designated for mixed use in the City’s Official Plan. With Mimico GO station a short walk away, multiple high-rise residential building developments as high as 37 storeys have been approved for the area, or in the process of seeking approval.

This “will intensity this under-utilized area in Etobicoke,” according to planners.

The proposal includes 288 bicycle parking spaces and 206 parking spots in an underground garage.

It did not take long before social media lit up with complaints from local residents.

“It’s going to be a disaster, it’s already chaotic trying to drive around that area can you only imagine condos going in sad, sad, sad,” Adriana Cofone wrote.

Long-time resident Hope Farrugia said the developer has expressed interest in building nine condos in the area ranging from 12 to 39 stories.

“This has pushed us out,” she complained. “As much as we love this neighborhood, we won’t be here much longer.”

“This is a drop in the bucket,” cited Shauna Currie. “That whole area has close to 3,600 units coming to it. The location on Royal York is awful.”

“The 10-year plan is to move out of city,” wrote Alyssa Dickey. “Won’t be anything left but condos and traffic. The local schools are old crowded and no way can accommodate hundreds of new students when all these go station condos are occupied.”

The proposal is being considered by Etobicoke York Community Council and will then go to a City Council vote.

Christina Murie is wishing for a better Christmas as she grieves the loss of her two beloved bunnies that were killed in a brutal death by a raging pit bull.

Murie, a local business woman, has gone out and purchased from a local breeder Sugar and Spice to replace Leo and Ruby, which were bitten to death this month by a pit bull that was allowed entry in the Birmingham Business Centre, at 80 Birmingham Street, where the bunnies lived.

The rabbits, which were adopted from the Toronto Animal Services, were chased by the large dog and bitten to death in minutes.

Leo and Ruby were buried in a service last week under a magnolia tree by a local pastor.

“I hope these two new bunnies, Sugar and Spice, will help cheer everyone up for Christmas,” Murie says.

“I am still heartbroken and I cry every time I pass by their area. There are clients in this building who misses them.”

She noted that local children often came over to play with the rabbits.

“The new ones are indoor rabbits,” Murie explains. “They are pampered rabbits in that they have never been outside.”

They will be loved and petted by area children in their home, which will  now be a dog-free zone.

The bunnies have a beautiful indoor space and are also placed outside during the day.

An investigation is underway into the deaths of Leo and Ruby.

 

Santa has a daytime gig.

This Santa was spotted in Alderwood selling popcorn, nuts and cotton candy from his trusted bike.

Turns out Santa Nick has been earning pocket money pedalling his bike in the Alderwood area for the past two years selling snacks as a side shuffle.

Nick was, and still operates, an ice cream truck in the neighbourhood selling icy treats to residents on those hot summer days.

“I drove the ice cream truck around here for 30 years,” he says proudly. “Had to quit that because of COVID.”

The ice cream business just melted during the pandemic, as many other businesses, leaving many people laid off.

He went to the garage and got out his well-ridden steed to modify into a vehicle that would bring joy to many in the community.

“All the people in Alderwood know me,” Nick says proudly. “I sell them ice cream and now I sell them popcorn, cotton candy and hot nuts.”

Area residents flock around his bike-cart to purchase snacks and wish him continuing best of health.

“I know all the dogs and little kids. I watched them grow up,” he boasts. “Some still come back and by stuff from me.”

Nick is a product of the community and started out life as an aspiring journalist, which fell flat.

“I work for myself and don’t like working for other people,” he notes. “I am an enterprising man.”

I bought a bag of popcorn, he sees an oncoming sale and rushes away.

 

Members of the community are invited for a merry Sing Along with Santa Claus and the Salvation Army on December 3 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in front of Job Start at 2930 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

And you are invited to join Santa on December 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a Story and Skate at the Powerhouse Skating Trail at Colonel Samuel Smith Park. Come check out some of Santa’s favourite floats.

 

It took a while but finally the Six Points Interchange Reconfiguration is complete.

Mayor John Tory, Deputy Mayor Stephen Holyday, former Blue Jays broadcaster Jerry Howarth and other officials celebrated the opening of the roadway on November 26.

Joining them were representatives from the Mississaugas of the Credit.

“This marks a significant milestone in the continuing evolution of Etobicoke Centre as a vital mixed-use, transit-oriented community,” Tory said.

Three names were unveiled of the city’s newest streets that will link the community.

They include Adobigok Pathway. Adobigok means ‘where the alders grow,” in Ojibwe. Biindagen Trail; Biindagen means “enter, come in or welcome,” in Anishinaabemowin or Ojibwe.

The third street is Jerry Howarth Drive: Howarth was a voice of the Toronto Blue Jays for 36 years and was one of the first sports broadcasters to refuse to use team names that were offensive to Indigenous peoples.

The new roadway provides safe and easier options for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

With roadway construction complete, space has been made available to provide new parks and generous boulevards, as well as housing, services for existing and new residents, and employment within the area, Tory said..

The construction of a new Etobicoke Civic Centre, at the intersection of Dundas Street West and Kipling Avenue, is expected to begin in February 2023. It will include municipal offices, a City-operated community recreation centre, a public library, a child care centre, a civic square, a multipurpose Council.

As part of the first phase of the Housing Now Initiative, two sites have been identified in Etobicoke Centre for new mixed-income housing, including new affordable rental units.

“The completion of the Six Points Interchange Reconfiguration is a significant milestone for our community,” Holyday said. “I look forward to the continued revitalization of this neighbourhood, which will help improve the quality of life for current and future residents.”

A new condo community is being planned for some of the land at the massive Cineplex Cinemas Queensway site near Islington Ave.

Verge Condos plans to build two towers, one 17 storeys another 10 storeys, with a total of 545 units, at 1001 The Queensway, on the northern section of the Cineplex property. The estimated completion date is set for Spring 2025.

A Scotia bank, bar and Montana restaurant, will be closed if not shut already, to make room for Verge Condos, as the development by RioCan Living is called.

Verge Condos will have over 12,000 square feet of indoor amenities and over 12,500 square feet of outdoor amenities including a fitness facility, content studio, outdoor terrace with games area, kid’s play area, outdoor dining and lounge seating, according to the company.

The units will start selling at more than $500,000 each and one free parking is included, according to a Verge website.

Verge in its advertisement states Etobicoke “is ranked one of the safest and most desirable neighbourhood in Toronto.”

“Verge is a vibrant neighbourhood full of local restaurants, cafés, parks, and entertainment options,” according to the site. “On the verge of excitement and relaxation, connections and conveniences, you can live well here, any way you choose.“

“With a systematic, modular design, clean lines, and modern sensibility, both buildings converge into a beautiful public realm with an art directed landscape that opens into a welcoming pedestrian square,” according to Raza Mehdi, of Turner Fleischer Architects.

Verge said there’s “transit at your door and an expansive range of indoor and outdoor lifestyle amenities, including a party room, cocktail lounge, co-working space with soundproof workstations, content studio, fitness and yoga.”

The complex will also feature outdoor grilling areas, life-sized chess and shuffle boards and an outdoor lounge fitted with a fire pit. Also included will be a putting green and landscaping on the 11th floor, while the ground floor will feature a collection of lounge seating, and indoor co-working spaces including meeting rooms, personal booths, and communal tables.

The kitchens boast a six-piece appliance package including a stainless steel refrigerator, an integrated electric cooktop and wall oven, an integrated dishwasher, a microwave with trim kit, and a ventilated hood fan.

Verge is promoting the public transit options, top-of-the-line Sherway Gardens shopping experience, easy access to highways, surrounded by shopping, dining and entertainment.

 

There will be no Santa Claus parade this year in New Toronto with all the laughing kids and colourful floats.

Instead parents and families are invited to join Santa on December 11 for a story and skate.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Colonel Samuel Smith Park Powerhouse Skating Trail for ‘story time and a visit’ with Santa.

Those on hand can also take a close up look at some of Santa’s favourite floats.

“Due to the shortened timeline we will not be able to mount the full parade we all know and love,” according to the Etobicoke Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade in a posting on social media. “Santa’s
looking forward to bringing all his friends and floats back next year with his full parade.”

 

South Etobicoke at one time was one of the more affordable places in the City of Toronto for people to find affordable housing.

Today, like most of the city, there is little affordable housing accessible to low income families, seniors, students or anyone searching.

Housing is a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive communities. Each year, National Housing Day is held on November 22. It’s a day to recognize the important work done by housing partners across Canada to improve access to housing for everyone in Canada.

In our community, a number of agencies have banded together to call for action. Groups like LAMP Community Health Centre, the Lakeshore Affordable Housing Advocacy and Action Group (LAHAAG) and  Humber Research Study on Affordable Housing (SEHA) have launched a campaign for action to addresses the ‘affordable housing crisis in South Etobicoke.’

Group members warn that investment companies are purchasing properties which are renovated and have their rent increased to displace renters.

“Using ‘rennovictions’ they get tenants to move and then jack up the rents unaffordable to the previous tenants and others on income supports,” according to a statement by the groups.

“This combined with gentrification of the area and skyrocketing house and apartment prices in the GTA has made renting unaffordable for many who have lived here all their lives,” the advocates say. “The crisis is that there is nothing for low income people to move into and we need to change that.”

They are calling on the three levels of government to build or convert buildings into affordable housing and ‘we need to give renters who are struggling to pay skyrocketing rents housing allowances to stay where they are. “

“We need more of the housing allowances-subsidies and higher ones for cities like Toronto where rents are much higher than in smaller towns,” the activists said.

Cards were sent to local politicians asking them to collaborate and work together to get results.

“We are calling for some kindness and positive advocacy to raise awareness about the need for action now around affordable housing in South Etobicoke,” they said.

For more information contact Jasmind@lampchc.org or at 416 252 6471 ext 308.