By IAN ROBERTSON

The beloved founder of the iconic San Remo Bakery is being brought back to life in a beautiful mural that shows his love for South Etobicoke, native Italy and baked treats.

Work has begun on a massive art mural of bakery founder Natale Bozzo on the south side, on Simpson Ave., of the famous bakery with Royal York Road in the background.

The images include the ancient Coliseum in Rome, a modern building there, SkyDome and the arch bridge over Humber River, plus people and with Bozzo on the right holding a large tray of doughnuts, one of his favourites.

Bozzo loved both his homeland Italy, and Canada, the country that took him and his family in.

Art team leader Christiano De Araujo pays attention to the minute details. On this day he is using a portable machine to spray paint onto wall as an assistant works with a brush.

De Araujo is aware that his masterpiece will be viewed by many area residents and San Remo fans, who loved Bozzo. There are still daily lineups by residents as they wait to get inside the bakery.

The patriarch of the family-run bakery died from COVID-19 complications last February following a six week battle with the virus.

Born in 1945, Bozzo immigrated to Canada from Italy at the age of 15.

He started working in Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood at Sicilia Bakery on College Street before opening SanRemo Bakery with his brothers in Etobicoke in 1969.

“He was larger than life and we will miss him dearly and will work very hard to keep his memory alive and to honour him,” the family mourned on Facebook.

Within just an hour of being posted, the statement had already garnered some 800 comments of condolences.

He was mourned by thousands of Etobicoke residents, and politicians of all stripes, who loved his treats.

The mural is expected to be completed in a couple weeks.

 

 

 

 

Area motorists are being warned of a new automated traffic camera system being installed on a slow strip of Royal York Road, near Norseman Street.

Signs have been installed in the area warning both north and southbound motorists of the upcoming traffic camera installations, which is close to two schools.

The area was a popular spot for Toronto Police radar cops due to the many lead-footed motorists who were ticketed for speeding in a school zone.

The city’s red light camera program, which initially started as a pilot project in 1998, entered into a new five-year plan in 2017. The city now employs more than 70 of the cameras in school and other zones.

The city on its website state that Automated Enforcement is a tool that uses technology to alter driver behaviour by enforcing the applicable traffic law.

“Automated Enforcement is used to reduce the prevalence of excessive speeding and the running of red lights to improve roadway safety for all road users, especially our most vulnerable,” according to city officials.

More than 53,000 tickets have been issued to drivers caught speeding by Toronto’s newly installed speed cameras during the first round of enforcement, according to police.

The city generates millions of dollars in revenues from the issuing of tickets. Some cameras generate more than 30,000 tickets monthly.

The fines that accompany the tickets are steeper in proportion to the speed. They start at $5 per kph over the speed limit, with the fine reaching up to $12 per KPH between 30 and 49 kph over.

The top-earning speed cameras in Etobicoke includes one at Renforth Drive, near Lafferty Street, in Etobicoke Centre, that issued the most tickets with more than 5,400.

The camera at Trehorne Drive, near Duffield Road, was second with 1,677, according to city figures, while another at Horner Avenue, near Orianna Drive, was third with 1,358 tickets.

Other camera locations in this area includes Lake Shore Blvd. W., near Twentieth Street, Algoma Street, east of Royal York Road;  La Rose Avenue, east of Griggsden Avenue; The East Mall, south of Capri Road and two locations in Etobicoke North.

 

 

 

Residents in the Alderwood area are being warned not to be suckered by fake Canada Census scammers out to get your personal information or money.

Most households across the country have already received a letter in the mail in regards to completion of their 2021 census questionnaire online as required by law. The deadline was May 11 but data collection still continues.

Bright yellow ‘Notice of Visit’ cards are left in the mail boxes or residents who have not complied with census requirements.

The cards warn residents that is a legal obligation to complete the questionnaire and Statistic Canada officials will return until the census is completed.

Scammers follow the large yellow cards and approach the homeowners by claiming to be Statistics Canada officials. They try to extort payments from residents, mostly immigrants or new Canadians, for having a late or uncompleted census questionnaire.

The homeowners are also conned into sharing their personal information, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

“Do not get tricked into making payments or sharing personal information,” the BBB warned last May. “It could be a goldmine for fraudsters if they connect with a census taker who is unaware of the signs of a scam.”

Individuals are at risk of identity theft if they unknowingly share information with the wrong person or on an unofficial website, said the BBB’s Karla Laird.

In one case on August 6 in Alderwood, a homeowner was given ‘the finger’ by a fake census worker who was asked for her government of Canada identification card and couldn’t produce it. The woman, according to the homeowner, was not wearing a uniform or badge, refused to give her name or employee number and gave the resident ‘a finger’ as she took off.

A complaint was filed and Census officials said they are investigating.

The BBB said those who have not filled out the census questionnaires can expect a warning letter, phone call, home visit or an email.

“Census staff will not contact you by text message, on instant messaging aps like WhatsApp or direct messages on social media,” the bureau said in its warning.

They said census workers will share their name, employee number and reason for calling.

“Statistics Canada will send someone to your home as a laser resort,” according to their website. “Staff will not be entering your homes, but will be wearing personal protective equipment and branded clothing so you can readily identify them.”

“Threats of arrest and payment demands are clear signs of a scam,” according to the BBB. “Statistics Canada and Census staff will never threaten you with jail time or demand that you make immediate payment using credit cards, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or any other payment method to complete the questionnaire.”

They said anyone who refuses to complete a census questionnaire can be fined up to $500 by a court, but Census staff do not have the authority to issue this penalty.

Failure to complete the census will not impact your tax file or other benefits, Laird said.  People should not respond to emails or any other communications that say otherwise.

The census will collect information like your name, address, age, sex at birth, gender, marital status, military experience and languages spoken. It will never ask for your banking, credit card information or Social Insurance Number (SIN)”

If you are having issues you can phone Statistics Canada at 1-877-949-9492 (toll-free).

A Mississauga man who is well-known for his charity work has been with sexual assault in connection with an incident on a boat at Port Credit Harbour.

Peel Regional Police said the suspect is associated to a local community charity, which they refuse to identify.

On Sunday, June 13, two female victims met the accused at his boat which was docked near the Port Credit Harbour, according to detectives.

Police said at that time the victims were allegedly sexually assaulted by the accused.

Paul Bailey 51, was arrested on August 3 and charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of forcible confinement.

Bailey will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton October 25 to answer to the charges.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims and encourage them to contact the Special Victims Unit. Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to contact investigators at the Special Victims Unit at 905-453-2121, extension 3460. Anonymous information may also be submitted by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), or by visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca.

 

 

 

Caring folks in Etobicoke are raising funds on Go Fund Me to help a nine-year-old Jamaican girl obtain badly-needed emergency surgery.

More than $1,770 has been raised in a campaign to help Shania Vidal, who organizers claim, is in need of an urgent tonsillectomy operation. They are hoping to raise $10,000.

“Her condition is worsening each day which is impacting her breathing, sleeping education and everyday routines,” said fund organizer Joyce Valentine, who is from Etobicoke.

Valentine is the founder of Caring Hearts and Giving Hands, which helps children and families living in Jamaica facing hardship and difficulty.

She learned of Vidal’s condition from a teacher at Middleton Primary School, in St. Thomas, in rural Jamaica.

“Your help in anyway would give her a chance of living a normal young girls life, free from the challenges and difficulties associated with this illness,” Valentine wrote on social media
Her group plans to help Shania receive proper care so she can return to school and play with her friends.

“Our hope is to provide this operation for Shania so she can begin her new school year with the ability to hear, swallow and breathe and enjoy a life that a nine year old deserves,” Valentine said.

Doctors say patients who’ve had their tonsils and adenoids removed in childhood are at significantly increased long-term risk of respiratory, allergic and infectious diseases.

Caring Hearts Helping Hands is a faith-based organization that provides support and assistance to people in the hopes of developing a sound, economic, and social foundation. With 25 employees and counting, the group obtain necessities needed for unfortunate families through education, employment, gifts, and other charitable means deem fit for the organization.

Each year they help hundreds of families by providing proper nutrition, housing, and education for a better future.

Donations to help Shania can be made on gofundme.com

Toronto Police are warning subway users of an alleged pervert who is riding the rails near the Runnymede Station.

Police said they received a radio call on July 28 around 7:45 a.m. for an indecent act on the westbound TTC Subway train while it was near the Runnymede Station.

“It is reported that a man was observed sitting on the subway train, while looking at the victim, the man exposed himself,” 11 Division officers said.

Police alleged a second incident took place on July 12, about 5:30 p.m. on another subway car in the Lawrence West Subway Station area.

“A man was observed sitting on the subway train, while looking at the victim, the man exposed himself,” police alleged. “Investigators believe the same man is involved in both incidents.”

Investigators are also concerned there may be more victims and are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying this man.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1100, 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). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play.

 

 

 

 

 

Some Parkdale residents were stunned after being woken up by a knocking on their windows only to find a man performing an indecent act before them, police warn.

Officers from 11 Division said the indecent acts were reported on July 24 and August 2 in the Wabash Avenue and Sorauren Avenue area of Parkdale during the overnight hours.

Police have released security camera images of a suspect.

“It is reported that a man was knocking on windows in the area and then performing an indecent act,” police said in a release.

Several incidents have been reported, but police are concerned there may be other unreported incidents.
The suspect is described as being in his 30-40s, medium build, dirty blonde shoulder- length hair, wearing prescription glasses and a beard, seen on occasions wearing a leather jacket, light coloured shirt and may be riding a bicycle.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1100, 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). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play.
For more visit TPSnews.ca.

 

The Canadian Olympic team is flying high in Tokyo and everyone wants to see them when they return home.

Some 120 cars, with people, will pay $15 each for a drive- by view of the athletes at Cadillac Fairview’s Sherway Gardens on August 12.

Many people are hoping to see members of the swimming team who has gained a high profile after Penny Oleksiak became Canada’s most decorated Olympian of all time.

The 21-year-old from Toronto won her seventh Olympic medal, earning bronze with teammates Kylie Masse, Maggie Mac Neil and Sydney Pickrem in the women’s 4×100 metre medley on Sunday.

Fourteen year old Summer McIntosh, of Etobicoke, also did her all time best and shows that she is someone we will be seeing more of in the future.

The ticketed and YouTube Live August 12 celebration takes place at Sherway from 7 to 10 p.m., and  will feature several Canadian Olympians, including Cadillac Fairview sponsored athletes Melissa Humana-Paredes and Sarah Pavan, who represented Team Canada in beach volleyball.

Musical guests Elijah Woods, known for their Top 10-charting hit, “Lights,” and Jessia, known for her hit, “I’m Not Pretty” will perform at the mall at 25 The West Mall in the northeast parking lot at the corner of The Queensway and Sherway Gardens Road.

“The homecoming event is our way to rally our enthusiastic community and fans to show our collective pride and support of their resilience and determination during a difficult year,” said Andy Traynor, general manager of Sherway Gardens.

Jacquie Ryan, of the Canadian Olympic Committee, said the homecoming is a welcome opportunity for fans to cheer on Canada’s Olympians, something they couldn’t do at Tokyo 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“Our athletes have accomplished extraordinary things in Tokyo already this summer and we know Canadians want to celebrate them upon their return,” Ryan said in a statement.

Tickets are limited to 120 vehicles. Tickets are $15 and required for each vehicle. Tickets are available online at eventbrite.ca starting on Tuesday, Aug. 3.

 

 

 

It will be 66 years this year since Long Branch won the cherished Junior Minto Cup Championship.

And only a few lacrosse players are alive today who played with the 1955 Long Branch Monarchs when they brought home the Minto Cup and all the glory it would bring.

The cup, which was donated by Governor-General Lord Minto in 1901, represents the best Canadian junior lacrosse team. The Mann Cup is for senior teams.

Back then there was great rivalry nationwide for the Minto Cup. In Etobicoke the Mimico Mountaineers were Junior Minto champions in 1938 and 1951.

The Monarchs was coached by Albert Archibald Dixon, who in 1938 was a star defenceman for the Mimico Mounties and helped them to win the Minto Cup.

Dixon was able to bring a Junior Championship to Long Branch In 1955. He was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1996.

Former politician Morley Kells is one of the surviving Monarch players who helped capture the Minto Cup.  In 1961 he retired as an active player and began to coach the Long Branch Junior team.

“We were the only team to win in Long Branch,” Kells said recently. “I remember that I was a rookie that year when we won.”

The team was part of the Long Branch Lacrosse Association and they played at the now-gone Long Branch Bowl, a former 1,500 seat outdoor arena next where a No Frills stands at Brown’s Line and Lake Shore Blvd. W.

“The teams had a good following,” Kells recall. “The sport was big in some of the smaller areas.”

Kells, who previously worked for Hockey Night in Canada, on this day was joined by fellow politician and former Etobicoke Mayor Doug Holiday. The men have been playing lacrosse together for years.

Kells, who has been advocating for lacrosse for 50 years, tried twice to bring a professional lacrosse league to Canada and the U.S. One league was shortlived and the games were shown on TV.

Today there is The National Lacrosse League, in which hockey great Wayne Gretzky is a co-owner of a Las Vegas team. NBA coach Steve Nash is also involved in a team. Their season with 18 games starts in December. The league has operated since 1987 and now has 15 teams.