A beauty queen with a heart of gold.

An Etobicoke contestant of this year’s Miss World Canada beauty pageant has taken to Go Fund Me to raise funds for kids in Make a Wish Foundation on behalf of Miss World Canada.

Simran Sohal has raised almost $1,000 in an online fundraiser to help the foundation, which helps fulfill the wishes of children with a critical illness between the ages of 2 to 18 years old.

“Together we can change the lives of children with critical illness by granting them their wishes and giving them strength to fight their illnesses,” Sohal wrote in a post. “Let’s bring a smile to their faces and make a difference in their lives.”

She is a National Delegate for Miss World Canada 2021, to select a beauty queen to represent Canada at the 70th Miss World Final on December 16, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

 

“Please support me and join me in raising funds for making children’s wishes come true,” Sohal appealed. “Regardless of the amount, every donation creates a life changing impact.”

She was also crowned Miss GTA World 2021 earlier this year.

The area resident is a hard worker and a graduate of a Bachelor of Arts Specialized Honours in Theatre from York University.

“I feel blessed for this life-changing opportunity as it would pave the way for turning my dreams into reality,” she said.

The Miss World Canada contest has been held annually in different incarnations since 1957 to select Canada’s representative to the Miss World contest. The contest was not held last year due to COVID-19.

The pageant is held each summer in Toronto. This year it was integrated as part of the Miss World Canada 2020 selection process, in which some 44 candidates faced off.

Jaime Yvonne VandenBerg, of Alberta, won the title of Miss World Canada 2021 on October 3 in Vaughan. She held the title of Miss International Canada 2020 and Miss Earth Canada 2018.

The current Miss World is Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica who was crowned in 2019. There was no contest in 2020 due to the pandemic.

 

 

BY DAVE KOSONIC

The community of Markland Woods has a lot to be thankful for.

Developer Marc Cavotti had a vision in 1958 to create a unique residential area in Etobicoke that was to be carved out of 400 acres of land that was owned by the Silverthorn family since 1809.

Now more than 60 years later this community named Markland Woods, or sometimes just Markland, continues to thrive and hundreds of the original Silverthorn forest trees are preserved and protected.

Cavotti overcame one development hurdle in a positive and productive manner in 1965. His land near Etobicoke Creek by the present- day Bloor Street was deemed a floodplain not safe for homes so he created the Markland Wood Golf Club as an alternative.

Markland is not a typical subdivision with many identical homes, instead most residences are unique in style because so many different builders were involved in home construction there.

And how prices have soared. My late father Edward purchased our Markland family home in 1962 on Toledo Road for $28,000 from two independent builders.

We maintained ownership on the home until about eight years ago when my father’s estate was settled.

Markland has a very strong sense of community spirit with residents working together for the better of all. Much of this can be attributed to the Markland

Homeowners Association formed in 1962. One of the association’s biggest battles involved the low-flying airliners travelling over Markland while approaching Pearson Airport by using the south-north runway.

They won that battle in two ways. A parallel south-north runway was built with an aircraft approach to the west of Markland. Secondly these two runways are only used when absolutely necessary for example due to wind conditions.

Markland is formed around the four- kilometer Markland Drive and divided down the middle by Mill Road.

Numerous well-known people lived in Markland Wood including the late Ron Lawless who resided on Thicket Road. He was the President and CEO of Canadian National Railways for many years.

The late Thomas Bolton who was at one time the President of the Dominion Stores grocery chain lived on Markland Drive.

And keeping the forest tradition alive many Markland roadways relate to trees, for instance, The Green Pines, Mountain Ash Court and Maple Gates Crescent.

By the way here is how the name Markland came to be. It refers to Mark Cavotti’s land or Markland.

 

 

Some Long Branch autumn lovers are taking part in a car rally to watch the beautiful turning of colours of the leaves across the region. Others are cleaning up our prized lakefront, others praying for their loved ones lost due to COVID-19.

There are many things to do this fall as the weather is still warm. Here are some events that may tickle your fancy, if you do not want to remain inside.

 

 

A number of South Etobicoke agencies have come together to celebrate the lives of loved ones lost due to COVID-19 in our community.

“We have navigated quite a year, one that has robbed us of many things but most dearly our loved ones,” according to Rev. Jacqueline Daley, of St. Margaret, New Toronto, on Sixth Street.

“We are coming together to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have passed away in our families, at our workplaces and other circles,” she said.

The community is invited to a gathering and remembrance installation to honour those who have passed. It will take place on October 23, at St. Margaret, New Toronto, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Daley said attendees will receive a ribbon to write the person’s name to add to the installation.

Should organizers not be able to hold the gathering in person due to weather or health restrictions, a virtual celebration will be held on the same day and time.

If you have any questions, would like to RSVP and have your loved one’s name your loved one’s name read please send their name to operations@lakeshorearts.ca

Rev. Daley can be reached at  647-766-7794 or priest-stmargaretnewtoronto@toronto.anglican.ca

A woman waiting for a bus in New Toronto was sexually assaulted by a man who took off, officers from 22 Division say.

Toronto Police said the incident occurred on September 29, around 11:30 p.m., in the area of Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Kipling Ave.

“A man approached a 23-year-woman from behind while she was waiting to board a bus,” police allege. “The man sexually assaulted the woman.”

The suspect is described as being about 25 years old, 5-foot 8-inches, medium build with red facial hair. He was wearing a grey Champion brand hoodie, salt and pepper Roots sweatpants and red shoes.

It is believed the woman was a Humber College student who was on her way home.

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. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play.
Police said sexual assault is any form of unwanted sexual contact. It includes, but is not limited to, kissing, grabbing, oral sex and penetration.

 

Many parents are left worried and concerned over the closure of Silverthorn Collegiate Institute due to an outbreak of COVID-19.

The almost 900 students of the 291 Mill Road School, in central Etobicoke, were moved to remote learning, according to Toronto Public Health officials.

All in-person classes and activities were dismissed on October 12.

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) said the closure will allow public health officials additional time to investigate the cases. There is no idea on how long the closure would last.

“We’re working closely with Toronto Public Health and helping in any way we can,” TDSB spokesperson Ryan Bird said.

The outbreak was declared and a decision to close the school was made after an investigation last weekend showed potential exposures to students across multiple grades.

There have been 21 active school outbreaks and 30 active investigations in 122 school settings as of October 8.

This is its first whole-school dismissal of the academic year.

Parents said they are concerned their children may contract the virus and school and health officials are encouraging students to get their vaccination shots.

Free vaccination shots are available at a Mobile Immunization Clinic on October 18 at Lakeshore Collegiate Institute, at 350 Kipling Avenue, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The school is more than 50 years old and is named after a prominent Etobicoke family.

 

 

Niagara Regional Police are searching for a vandal who smashed a bust of an iconic former slave who snuck dozens of Blacks into Canada to escape slavery through the Underground Railroad.

The bust of Harriet Tubman was pushed off a pedestal to the ground and broke into pieces last weekend at a St. Catharines church where she once worshipped.

Police believe the incident occurred around 9 p.m. on October 10 when a man in the courtyard of British Methodist Episcopal Church, on Geneva Street, shoved the heavy statue. The incident was caught on the church security cameras.

“I’m heartbroken,” said Rochelle Bush, historian and trustee at the Salem Chapel BME Church told the St. Catharines Standard.

“We were trying to maintain the grounds, trying to have something to commemorate Harriet Tubman and now it’s no more. It’s gone. We have to replace it. I’m just shocked that anyone would do it.”

The stone bust of the famed Underground Railroad ‘conductor’ was unveiled at the church in September 2010 and was the focal point of a meditation garden.

The bust was sculpted and donated by artist Frank Rekrut, who spent months creating a likeness using a black and white photo. Other donors contributed to the work’s installation, benches and a pedestal.

Tubman was born in 1822  in Dorchester Country, Maryland and lived to be 91.

She is described as a U.S. abolitionist and political activist, who escaped slavery and made some 13 trips across the border at night to illegally sneak about  70 slaves into Canada, where they became free people.

She used a network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. During the American Civil War, she served as an armed scout and spy for the Union Army. In her later years, Tubman was an activist in the movement for women’s suffrage.

As a slave, Tubman was beaten and whipped by her various masters as a child. Early in life, she suffered a traumatic head wound when an irate boss threw a heavy metal weight intending to hit another slave, but hit her instead. It caused her severe injuries which she suffered for life.

These experiences, combined with her Methodist upbringing, led her to become devoutly religious.

Tubman is today idolized in the Black and wider communities for saving the lives of dozens of slaves by sneaking them to Canada by following the moon and stars in the middle of the night.

 

 

The Lakeshore Village Better Business Improvement Area (BIA) is set to lose another of its directors.

Members of Etobicoke York Community Council on October 12 will consider a motion for the removal of long-time director and vice-chair Peter Kearns, who owns Kearns Financial Inc.

Kearns, who has been on the executive for some time, is expected to be formally removed by the community council, whose members claim they have the authority to do so, according to documents filed to council and posted on its website.

Documents filed state that a report has been submitted asking council to remove ‘one director who has resigned from the Lakeshore Village BIA Boards of Management.’

The community council is delegated authority to appoint and remove directors from the boards of Businesses Improvement Areas (BIAs) that fall within its geographic boundaries, according to the documents.

The BIA’s treasurer, Rattan Gandhi, also resigned from his long-time position several months ago.

In another development, barber Andy Dinner, the owner of Your Neighbourhood Barbershop, has told the South Etobicoke News that he will be running for president of the BIA in the upcoming election.

Dinner said he has been in touch with other area business owners who are demanding changes.

The BIA chair is held by Chris Korwin Kuczynski, a former Toronto councilor.

The next virtual BIA meeting is slated for October 13.

Anyone can attend a BIA meeting, both members and non-members. To speak or give presentations, you need to be invited or pre-arrange the meeting with the Chair Person. Only board members may vote at regular meetings.

 

A former golf course clubhouse, two banks, an iconic fire hall and railway transformer station are among historic properties nominated from Etobicoke to hopefully be included in the Toronto Historic Register.

The historic locations will be considered by Etobicoke York Community Council on October 12. It will then be considered by City Council on November 9, subject to the actions of the Etobicoke York Community Council.

City Council will look at seven properties from the Etobicoke York nomination backlog for inclusion In the City of Toronto’s Heritage Register, according to documents filed to community council.

The properties include: 15A Grierson Road, the Pine Point Golf and Country Club Clubhouse, that was built in 1936. The clubhouse was burned down in 1938 and rebuilt.

 

The Mimico Masonic Temple, Connaught Hall, at 23 Superior Avenue 

Included are The Bank of Montreal, Mimico Branch, at 2448 Lake Shore Blvd. W., which was built in 1924. The Mimico Masonic Temple, Connaught Hall, at 23 Superior Avenue, which was constructed in 1917. The ancient and iconic Toronto Suburban Railway Transformer Station, at 153 Weston Road, that was constructed in 1894, some 127 years ago.

The Bank of Montreal, Mimico Branch, at 2448 Lake Shore Blvd. W

It is nice to see the New Toronto Fire Hall on the list, at 130 Eighth Street, which was built in 1930, and will be 100-years old in nine years. There is also a Canadian Bank of Commerce, Weston Branch, at 1940 Weston Road, which was built in 1919.

And the Roy Oliver House, at 30 Government Road, which was built more than 150-years-ago, in 1870.

Toronto Suburban Railway Transformer Station, at 153 Weston Road

In 2019, Council approved the implementation of the Toronto Heritage Survey, to modernize the day-to-day work of City Planning. The survey program is using emerging international best practices to efficiently and effectively identify heritage resources throughout the City while providing timely research and data for heritage conservation districts and other area planning studies.

A major outcome of the survey will be greater clarity for City Planning, communities and property owners about the location and value of heritage resources in Toronto.

Survey staff have prioritized the review of outstanding nominations.  Staff are undertaking this work geographically by Community Council area beginning with 28 nominations within Etobicoke York. This process included consultation with the Etobicoke York Community Preservation Panel, various divisions for City-owned property and nominator.

All of the recommended listed properties meet one or more of the provincial criteria for determining cultural heritage value or interest for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act, which the City applies when assessing properties for inclusion on the City’s Heritage Register.

Properties on the Heritage Register will be conserved and maintained in accordance with the Official Plan heritage policies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tired of being ripped off by a tow truck stranded beside the highway.

The OPP have heard the complaints and are cracking down on shady tow truck drivers to ‘enhance public safety and help mitigate the increase in criminality in Ontario’s towing industry.’

The police force in a new program said Tow & Storage Service Operators (TSSO) will have to submit and pass an annual application process to provide tow and storage services for the OPP.

“It also introduces a list of requirements TSSOs must meet before they can provide tow and storage services for police-requested legislated tow,” according to an OPP statement.

The tows apply to those which police have legislated authority to conduct  vehicle impoundment for impaired driving, stunt driving or evidence. The program also applies to tows requested by OPP officers on behalf of members of the public who need a tow.

“Applicants will need to provide information relating to ownership, registration, license, vehicle, equipment, insurance and other details in the application,” according to the OPP.  “A signed release that authorizes the OPP to conduct a criminal history background check will also be required.”

Applications must be returned to the local OPP detachment by November 1.

The OPP will assess the applications and provide notice to the TSSOs and towing associations where applicable. Successful applicants will remain on the OPP Tow List for one year and are subject to suspension and removal from the list in certain circumstances.

The Ministry of Transportation will be implementing a Tow Zone Pilot on defined sections of 400 series highways within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area to help support the development of standards, practices and regulations for the towing and storage sector.

The OPP encourages all tow companies, operators and drivers to educate themselves about the rules and regulations that guide Ontario’s towing cycle.

Each tow request will be documented and each officer can only use a company once per shift.

In the past months there have been officers charged for receiving payments, receiving kickbacks and one for obtaining sexual services for consideration. The cases are before the courts.

The move comes amid a push to rid Ontario’s tow truck industry of criminality that has seen shootings, arsons, assaults and even a homicide, said OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt.

“We’ve seen a lot of turf war battles between competing tow truck companies. Those put the community and the public at risk,” Schmidt told CTV News.

The application package, new list of mandatory TSSO equipment, guidelines for providing towing services to the OPP and other information are available at www.opp.ca.