Popular longtime Etobicoke fire Captain Geoff Hoar has
retired after almost 32 years of fighting fires and tending
disasters.
Hoar spent almost 15 years at Etobicoke Fire Department
before serving the Town of Caledon Fire and Emergency Services, where he was past president of the Caledon Professional Fire Fighters’ Association.
“While a great career, it has not always been an easy career,” he said. “Were it not for the support of my family, I don’t know that I would have made it this far.”

He plans to “enjoy many, many years of the pension that I have worked so long for.”
Hoar during his distinguished career served as a fire fighter, Acting Captain, Captain and Certified Company Officer.
He was at one time an instructor at Seneca College where he taught a pre-service fire program.
“Lots of memories of the amazing people I have worked beside,” Hoar wrote on social media. “It is time to transfer to “R”(retirement) shift.”
He will miss his colleagues and called his last day on the job ‘bittersweet.’
“Once I walked through that door though the job is who I am I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” Hoar recalled. I love “never
knowing what is coming next.”

The veteran fireman has fought hundreds of blazes and tended as many emergencies and disasters during his more than three decades
in the service.
He said today’s fire fighters face “increasingly complex standards and training requirements on the one hand juxtaposed by the need to generate ‘value’ to the community on the other.”
“We can’t do everything with less than it took us to do some things,” the fireman said.
Word of the popular fire fighter retiring sparked a lot of feedback from colleagues on social media.
“Enjoy your well-deserved retirement,” wrote Cheri Mollison. “A new adventure begins for you.”
“Congratulations Geoff, I wish you many happy years of retirement,” said Bruce Bottum.
Rick Stella wrote “retirement is nice Geoff. Pleasure working with you.”
“Welcome to crew five,” joked Bruce Zimmerman

The Jamaican-style jerk chicken was spicy and the ox tail with rice and peas quite tasty.
Foods from all over the world were on the plate at the fourth annual
Relish the Foodie Event featuring 16 highly-visible food trucks in the
parking lot of Cloverdale Mall on September 16 and 17.
Hundreds of food lovers attended the two-day event to enjoy a smorgasbord of dishes; live music, artisanal market vendors selling their wares; to picnic on the grass or enjoy food-themed
workshops and activities.

The parking lot was filled with many residents who wanted to test their
taste buds and try the different international foods available.
“I really enjoyed myself, I really liked the variety of food truck choices,” said Alderwood resident Tracey Phillips. “There was something there for
everyone. I had the jerk chicken with rice and peas and coleslaw. I loved it.”
I had the oxtail and rice and peas, which was pricey at $20, but was quite good. The meat was well cooked, so was the rice and peas.
Trucks with names like the Jerk Brothers were busy serving foods
featuring hot Caribbean cuisine. There was Liko’s Hawaiian Barbecue featuring grilled mahi mahi, bbq chicken or beef short ribs.

There was also Los Vietnamita Taqueria that served a Vietnamese-Mexican fusion like bao sliders or banh mi tacos. Also doing brisk sales
was The Arepa Republic with ‘the best Venezuelan flavours that will surprise you bite by bite.’
“The event was nice what I really liked about was that it was accessible for wheelchair,” said first timer, Suzie. “It was very difficult to choose from all the different food trucks and I had a good time.”
Also doing well was the Tropical South truck that offered Cuban sandwiches and frita burgers.
The Alijandro’s Kitchen truck featured a Mediterranean-Mexican fusion as Taboon tacos and fawaffles. Beaver Tails with its flat doughnuts
was busy. So was Communal Eats with Canadian and Caribbean cuisine as rum cake waffle, Trinidad-style BBQ fried chicken and tasty roti shark taco.

Nearby was the Delight Bite truck with burritos, tacos,
quesadillas and poutine.
Not to forget vendors selling their wares like honey, hot pepper sauce, cotton candy, popsicles, soup mixes,
‘Toronto’s best fresh cannoli,’ gourmet candy nuts and
even Turkish coffee and baklava among others.

The foodie event has grown over the years. It attracted
more than 7,600 food lovers last year and more than
20,000 since 2018.

Things are flying at Toronto Police’s 22 Division.
A new innovative aviation program is headed by two police officers of
22 Division to teach kids about aviation and the passion for flying.

The unique program is the first of its kind by Toronto Police Service and is
gathering a lot of interest.
Consts. Jermaine Watt and Dave Evans, of the Division’s Community Officer Team, have begun a Take Flight Not Fight program that teaches youths between 10 to 16-years-old the basics on aerospace, aviation an
how to fly an aircraft.
‘It is the first of its kind within the Toronto Police Service,” Watt said. “It provides the youth participants with an opportunity to learn how to fly an airplane.”

The officers, with the sponsorship of ProAction Cops & Kids, developed the
program.

Watt is a licensed pilot and has flown planes for about 16 years while working as a cop. Evans was a former mechanical engineer.
“We have combined our skills and passion to teach these youths using Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) all about aviation,” he said.
The program runs from March to the end of August and the kids seem to love it. The teens are all interested in aviation and are recruited from local schools, through their teachers or principals.
“Some of the kids didn’t want to go home after a class because they were so interested,” Watt said. “Two of them want to be pilots and another a
mechanical engineer.”

The program has caught on and there is now interest from other police
forces who want to start a similar program. They have also formed
partnerships with Brampton Flying Club, Pearson International Airport
and other forces.

He said there are many jobs available in the aviation industry ranging
from pilots, flight attendants, navigation planners, aerospace
engineers and mechanics.
The sponsor ProAction Cops & Kids work to establish a positive
relationship between cops and kids to strengthen our community today and for the future.

The group helps to create an environment of mutual understanding and respect. Connections between police and kids are made with a view to
increasing community safety while supporting young people to reach their
full potential.
ProAction has been able to engage over 420,000 youth, 19,800 officers
and deliver 2,200 programs, that are funded solely due to the generosity of
individuals, corporations and family foundations.

If you are a student interested in the aviation field you can
get in touch with Watt by e-mail at jermaine.watt@torontopolice.on.ca
Students have to be aged from 10 to 16 and live in the 22
Division area.

The Rotary Etobicoke Peace Park in New Toronto was filled with
friends and supporters as they marked its 30th anniversary of serving
the community.
The 25 Eleventh Street Park was dedicated to the community on
September 21, 1993. Some 300 Rotarians and
members of the community last September 21 celebrated with the event with a large community BBQ attended by three Rotary clubs who brought
food and drinks to share with others.
“I was fortunate 30 years ago, along with then Mayor Bruce Sinclair, to dedicate this area as Rotary Park,” said Lynda Ryder, the Rotary Etobicoke president. “I was the Etobicoke club president then, first woman in Canada, and am now doing a repeat as president 30 years later.”

Ryder said “our aim this year is partnerships and to that end, we are
inviting our three Etobicoke clubs to celebrate together with our
community.”
The Etobicoke Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Toronto West and our newest the Rotary Club of Toronto Tibetan gathered for this
anniversary, she said.
The 2.8 hectare park features a lit ball diamond, two tennis courts, a splash pad, and a children’s playground. There is also a Rotary Peace Park Outdoor Pool, Toronto Lawn Bowling Club, bowling green and
pickle ball court.

The Etobicoke Rotary Club has a long history in the community. It was formed in 1930 at the beginning of the Depression. It was a time of massive unemployment and one of the first club projects was to help
unemployed people by providing more than 2,000 parcels of food and milk.

“The main thoughts and efforts were directed towards helping the children in need,” according to the Rotary website.
The Town of New Toronto made parkland available which the Rotary Club equipped with playground equipment. The property was named Rotary Park with picnics frequently provided for underprivileged children.

One of the picnics entertained 1,500 children. The club provided disabled
children with boots, braces, wheelchairs, and other equipment with funds raised by an annual “Theatre Nights and Draws”.
The Rotary Club of Etobicoke includes professionals and
volunteers who give their time and energy to make a positive difference
in the lives of thousands.

Toronto Police are,getting $120,000,from the province
to beef up its video surveillance program to better
protect the city against gun and,gang violence.

The funding can be used to replace outdated equipment,
expand or enhance current technology and install new
or additional CCTV surveillance cameras in areas where
gun and gang violence, illegal drug activity and human
trafficking are prevalent.
“Community safety is our highest priority as a
government,” said MPP Christine Hogarth. “It is
essential that police forces across the GTA have access
to cutting edge technology to keep our streets safe and
crack down on carjackings.”

“Today’s funding will ensure that those who protect us
have the most advanced equipment available for the
job,” said Hogarth, the Parliamentary Assistant to the
Solicitor General, a member of the Standing Committee
on Justice Policy and Standing Committee on Procedure
and House Affairs.
She said the force is one of 24 police services receiving
funds, with more than $2.8 million being allocated
through an Ontario Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
Grant Program.

The grant enables the OPP, First Nations police, and
municipal police services to install or upgrade CCTV
cameras in locations where criminal activity is known to
happen. The presence of cameras is a deterrent to
perpetrators and aids police in criminal investigations.
It is one of many initiatives under the Guns, Gangs, and
Violence Reduction Strategy to help police, prosecutors
and partners fight organized crime across Ontario.
“CCTV surveillance systems are an important part of
local police work to detect, prevent, and deter criminal
activity,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “The
systems also enhance police to investigate crimes.”

Public discussions have begun for feedback into a massive multi-tower development project that will change the face of Mimico by adding thousands of new residents.
Two community open houses were held on September 26 at Mimico Coronation Park Clubhouse, in which developer Dimante Development outlined plans to build four towers on a site at 21 through 31 Windsor
Street, 18 Buckingham Street, 93 Portland Street and 60 Newcastle Street.

Dimante hopes to replace the existing lowrise light industrial and commercial buildings with a transit-oriented mixed-use development. The buildings proposed includes two towers rising to 32 and 48 storeys, with an eight-storey podium. Also planned is a 12-storey and seven-storey buildings.

The developer has submitted applications for Official Plan and

Zoning Bylaw Amendments for the site, which is within walking distance of Mimico GO station. Residents have mixed feelings about the traffic, high density and many people the condos will bring to Mimico.
A separate project at 35 and 17 storeys is proposed for 522 Royal York Road at Queen Elizabeth Blvd. “The development will be good and
bad for the community in that there will be more high density,” said Dan
Irwin, a community activist. “It will change the face of the community and
add some vitality.”

The tallest Portland Street area tower will have 978 apartment units and contain Elisa House’s new transitional shelter, which houses 40 women and is proposed to contain 100 single-bedrooms. It is run by the Society of St Vincent de Paul, and has served the area since 2001, offering emergency housing for women.
Also proposed is a park and underground parking.

OCTOBER 2 TO DECEMBER 11 DANCE AND SWEAT join Anny for a fun high-energy cardio workout with Latin-inspired music and dance from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at Stonegate CHC, Trillium Room. Registration opens September 18 and you can call 416-231-7070 ext. 307 or e-mail
health.promotion@stonegatechc.org.
OCTOBER 3 TO DECEMBER 19 FREE MARTIAL ARTS for children 6 to 12 years old every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Available for intermediate and advance class. Instructor will test skill level. For more information call 416-231-7070 ext. 307 or email health.promotion@stonegatechc.org.
OCTOBER 5 and 6 is the 11th ANNUAL LATIN FESTIVAL celebrating the culture of Latin America at the Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Drive,
Mississauga. On October 5 there will be Latin American Folk Dance Groups featuring Afro-Cuban diva Marta Elena, Panamanian musician Juan de Sedas and Indigenous Ecuadorian band, Imbayacuna, one of Canada’s most popular bands.
On October 6 there will be arts and crafts workshops and more bands. Visit www.latinfestival.ca for more information.
OCTOBER 11 AND 18 LINE DANCING from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.at LAMP CHC in the community room which will be turned into a dance hall. A great opportunity to learn new moves in a friendly, supportive setting.
Register by emailing jasmind@lampchc.org or phone 416-252-6471 ext. 308.
OCTOBER 11 AFFORDABLE HOUSING at LAMP CHC at 6 p.m. as The South Etobicoke Land Trust is holding working groups and a
community meeting online and in person. The purpose is to acquire land to develop and protect affordable housing. Working groups include:
property acquisition and development, organizational development, fundraising, finance and business planning, monitoring and evaluations.
For more contact brig@lampchc.org
UNTIL OCTOBER 12 INDIGENOUS ART EXHIBIT takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Small Arms Inspection Building,1352 Lakeshore Rd East, Mississauga. See the Art Mashkiki Indigenous Art Exhibit. Meet the artists and hear their stories. Speakers includes Chief Stacey Laforme. Contact 905-615-3200 ext. 8446 or e-mail small.arms@mississauga.ca.
UNTIL OCTOBER 13 HOUSING RIGHTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE applications are being accepted by the City of Toronto for members of the public to sit on the new committee. Residents can apply at www.toronto.ca/ShapeYourCity. The application period will remain open until October 13 and the candidates are expected to be considered by City
Council in December.
OCTOBER 16 BETTER SLEEP WORKSHOP FREE from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in person and online with wellness coach Mary Craig, who will facilitate three workshops to help you understand the nature of
sleep and how to cultivate a mindset to invite rest and relaxation into your daily routine. You will practice relaxation exercises and design your own
sleep wellness toolbox. To register email jasmind@lampchc.org or phone 416-252-6471 ext. 308.
OCTOBER 17 BASKETBALL SKILLS DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM at Lanor Junior Middle School, 450 Lanor Avenue, for children 8 to 11 years old. Learn from coaches on how to take your child’s skills to the
next level.
OCTOBER 19 WILL BE A DISCUSSION of the book Proof by Dick Francis from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Stonegate CHC, 10 Neigbourhood Lane, 2nd
Floor. Borrow your copy of the book at Humber Bay Library. The book is available as an e-book or eaudiobook on the library’s website. Contact
Stonegate CHC to register at 416-231-7070 ext. 307 or email health.promotion@stonegatechc.org
OCTOBER 22 MEMORIAL SERVICE to pay tribute to forgotten World War 1 Vets and Indigenous people at the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital cemetery, 231 Evans Avenue, at 10 a.m. There will be a march, Indigenous leaders and others there.
OCTOBER 27 THE ONTARIO POPS ORCHESTRA under music director Maestro Carlos Bastidas open the Heritage and Diversity Concert
Season with the Hispanic / Latin American Heritage Month Gala Concert at 8 p.m. at the Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front Street West. Tickets $30. For more information e-mail www.ontariopops.com.
UNTIL DECEMBER 2 FINANCIAL LITERACY by Zoom every Saturday at 10 a.m. until December 2 for a series dedicated to Reclaiming Your Credit Power, with Tefari Bailey, CEO and co-founder of Hutsy Financial and Shaquille Hall, Investor and Mortgage Agent. Contact the Black Business and Professional Association by e-mail at marketing@bbpa.org or phone 416-504-4097.
EVERY WEDNESDAY SENIORS SPANISH SOCIAL GROUP with speakers, for motivational discussions, cooking demos and arts and crafts meet at Stonegate CHC, 10 Neighbourhood Lane, Unit 201, at 10 a.m. For
more contact 416-236-7070 ext. 239 or e-mail sonia.demartinez@stonegatechc.org.
EVERY THURSDAY BI-WEEKLY STONEGATE CHC join ESS Support Services for a shuttle bus to take seniors and those with a disability, or mobility issues for grocery shopping at No Frills, at The Queensway and Royal York Road. The bus will pick you up and drop you off. Call 416-231-7070 ext. 239 to register or visit www.stonegatechc.org.
OCTOBER 31 HALLOWEEN CORNER at the Gazebo, at Eighth Street and Lake Shore Blvd. W., from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be Halloween treats. Sponsored by the Lakeshore Village Business Improvement
Association. For more call 647-459-8727 or email lakeshorebia@gmail.co.
OCTOBER SAMBA-INSPIRED DRUMMING – No musical experience necessary. This free group invites you to learn to drum together, make music, create connections and express creativity. Contact jasmind@lampchc.org or 416 252 6471 ext. 308. Space is limited.
MINDFUL MEDITATION WEDNESDAYS at 3 p.m. at LAMP CHC. You can start anytime. The class aims at helping you to develop strategies to build your coping skills and resilience. Sessions will include: simple techniques to focus on breathing and muscle relaxation. For more contact
jasmind@lampchc.org or 416-252-6471 ext. 308

The late and beloved founder of SaNRemo bakery Natale Bozzo will live on forever.

A laneway behind the popular 374 Royal York Road bakery has been renamed Natale Bozzo Lane, which extends from Simpson to Hay Avenues.

There was an outpouring of love and support for the Bozzo family after the patriarch passed away from COVID-19 at the age of 75 in February 2021. Hundreds of mourners left messages on social media to console grieving family members after his death.

A long-time customer gathered signatures and petitioned the city to have the lane renamed, said Bozzo’s son, Rob.

“We are thankful and very appreciative that they did this,” Rob said. “The sign will be here long after the family has moved on.”

There is also a beautiful large mural dedicated to Bozzo on the exterior of the south wall of the eatery.

Bozzo was a hard worker who came to Canada at the age of 15 from Italy and began working at a bakery in Little Italy.

He opened SaNRemo Bakery in 1969 with his three of his six brothers, becoming not only an “incredible baker” but a friend to many in the community, his family said.

Bozzo would become the sole owner of the bakery in the 1990s with his three sons.

Even after retirement, the family said Bozzo would often “help out around the bakery as it was his passion.”

“He was an incredible baker, and most hardworking man we know. He was resilient and resourceful. He was kind and a friend to all,” the family said in a social media post.

The baker left behind his wife of 49 years, Nicoletta, along with his sons and five grandchildren.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford called Bozzo a “true local champion who followed his passions.”

“A family-owned business, the SaNRemo Bakery and Café has been a staple in Etobicoke for many years. God bless the Bozzo family,” Ford wrote.

The bakery is popular with area workers and there are lengthy lineups during lunch and dinner hours as regulars purchase their favourite Italian fare.

“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,” his family said.

The bakery was well-known for its Italian-inspired dishes and over-the-top desserts. He once said the secret of baking was to put a pinch of love into everything.

“He was kind and a friend to all. He loved to go to Florida, he loved to fish and garden, he loved food and he loved his family,” according to family members.

 By Corporal Dominic Sobotka

The Toronto Scottish Regiment, a Primary Reserve Regiment in Etobicoke, will undertake a demanding ruck march on October 1 along the Lakefront Promenade trail.

Military members may be seen wearing Canadian Pattern (CADPAT) Camouflage with rucksacks along the Lakefront Promenade trail between Captain B.S. Hutcheson V.C. Armoury and the CN Tower.

Members of the public are encouraged to say hello to their soldiers. For more information on The Toronto Scottish Regiment, please visit https://www.torscotr.com

The Regiment will march 13.2km with 35lbs rucksacks from their armoury in Etobicoke to the CN Tower at 9:00 a.m. along Lakefront Promenade, concluding at the base of the CN Tower at about 12:00 p.m.

The Toronto Scottish Regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces based in Toronto.

The Regiment was first formed in 1915 as the 75th (Mississauga) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, and was later reorganized several times before being officially designated as The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Own).

The Regiment has a long and distinguished history, having served in both World War I and World War II.

On 26 October 2015 the Afghanistan battle honour was presented to the Regiment and added to the Regimental Colour by Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. The Regiment contributed an aggregate of more than 20% of its authorized strength to the various Task Forces which served in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2014.

Construction of a new Islington Station began in the Spring and when completed it will include a new bus terminal, elevators, more accessible platforms with four 40-storey towers on the property for housing.

Once finished in 2026 the station at Bloor Street W. and Islington Ave. will have two new elevators to connect customers between the passenger pick up/drop off area, concourse level and subway platform.

The replacement terminal will connect with Islington’s current subway station concourse level and the platform below via a new underground connection lined with retail, and also containing back-of house service rooms.

There will also be improved signage and wayfinding and an accessible bus terminal, which will accommodate five bus bays including one designated as a Wheel-Trans stop.

The rebuild is part of the TTC’s Easier Access Program which is making subway stations accessible by 2025. Some 56 stations are now accessible and 14 are under construction.

The proposed Islington Station Redevelopment will be a one storey transit station located at 1226 Islington Avenue, at the northwest corner of Bloor Street West and Islington Avenue.

Homes will also be built on part of the sprawling property next to the station.

“With Islington’s vast space for buses unused, CreateTO has identified this land as an area for redevelopment, including for significant net-new affordable housing units,” according to plans.

Shuttle buses will be deployed during closure, and access to buses will not be disrupted. The 534 total parking spots will be permanently reduced to 316 spots during the construction.

To facilitate the redevelopment, Islington station’s existing bus terminal, south entrance, and north entrance/passenger pick-up and drop-off areas will be demolished.

The City of Toronto’s Housing Now initiative, an ambitious plan to bring thousands of new affordable housing units adjacent to rapid transit across the city, has been charging full steam ahead since it was announced in 2019, with 17 sites across Toronto earmarked for development.

The city is planning to add the most density to what is referred to as the Bloor-Islington site, with four towers rising as high as 40 storeys. Split into two phases of two towers each, the towers will be mixed-use, with over 5,000 square metres of non-residential space on the lower two floors.

The towers are aligned along the south portion of the Bloor-Islington site fronting onto Bloor Street, while the northern portion will be retained for transit uses with the new bus terminal.

The site is located on a triangular plot of land directly adjacent from Islington subway station. It is bounded by Bloor Street W. to the south, Islington Avenue to the east, and the rail corridor to the north.

The development will be located on 4.9 acres of land currently occupied by surface parking and the Islington bus terminal. Current plans include roughly 1,250 units of housing to be built on the site.