The South Etobicoke News

Serving Humber * Mimico * Lakeshore Village * Long Branch * Alderwood

Toronto Police find missing Long Branch teenager – now back home

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POLICE AND AREA RESIDENTS are trying to locate Cassandra Morrissey, 14, who was last seen in Long Branch. Courtesy photos.

Toronto Police have located a Long Branch girl who was missing for many hours.

Cassandra Morrissey, 14,  who has now been located, was last seen on Monday, December 21, around 9 p.m., police said in a release.

Her friends and family members have taken to social media in hopes that someone would recognize Cassandra and call police.

Police said she was last seen in the Twenty Sixth Street and Lake Shore Blvd. W. area.

Police wrote that Cassandra has been located and is safe.

Cassandra is described as 5-foot-three, with medium build and short wavy brown hair.

She was last seen wearing blue jeans and a black puffy jacket.

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).

 

 

Free Christmas trees on Tuesday at LAMP due to donations from companies

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FREE CHRISTMAS TREES at LAMP on Tuesday December 23.

Looking for a free Christmas tree.

LAMP Community Health Centre is giving away free Christmas Trees thanks to a generous donation from the The Old Sod Pub and Two Men and a Truck.

If you need a tree (White Spruce) and don’t have one yet, and this would be a big help because of limited funds.

“What a lovely offer from these two community minded businesses,” LAMP officials said.

The trees are being given away at LAMP, at 185 Fifth Street, on Monday, December 21 and Tuesday, December 22.

There are are number of trees and some can be delivered to your home.

The Old Sod Pub, on Bloor St. W., was robbed of about $7,000 in Christmas tree earnings earlier this month by a man who smashed a glass door. A subsequent Go Fund Me campaign raised more than $10,000 from the community to help the bar with its expenses. That story was posted on this site earlier.

It is a great gesture that the owner of The Old Sod would donate the rest of his trees to the community.

Contact jasmind@lampchc.org or call 416-252-6471. One tree per family.

 

Step back in time at the iconic Valhalla Inn with wild deer and mermaids

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The Valhalla Inn featured mermaids who swam and entertained guests. There was also a herd of deer. Courtesy photos.

By DAVE KOSONIC

The historic Valhalla Inn was a South Etobicoke hub of activity from its grand opening in 1963 to the nostalgic closing party attended by hundreds of regulars in 2009 after 46 years in business.

The popular Inn, which featured wild deer and mermaid, was once described as “the most eccentric airport hotel,” and was located near The East Mall and Bloor St. W. It was also dubbed “a city hotel in a country setting,” as the hotel would sell itself.

Many patrons remember sitting in the Mermaid Lounge and peeking through the portholes into the nearby pool at the modern-day mermaids, who were staff in mermaid costumes. Others recall sitting in a dining room while watching wild deer frisking around in an enclosed courtyard.

Developer Edmund Peachy was inspired by Scandinavian architecture and culture during his travels to Europe and deviated from the standard motor inns of the early 1960s.

Peachey realized that the Valhalla Inn would be ideally located to provide easy access to Toronto International Airport and downtown Toronto for business people staying there. It was a success for many years.

The Nordic Dining Lounge had three peaked roofs that were inspired by the Viking longhouses of past centuries. The exterior featured weathered cedar planks, brown brick and rough cut stone.

Inside the Nordic and Scandinavian influence was enhanced by wood, brick and stone highlighted by bronze and copper. The outside Valhalla Inn signs were in honor of the mythical resting place for Viking warriors who died in battle. There was also a large covering over the front entrance that extended to the free parking lot that protected customers from the weather.

The original Valhalla Inn structure was square-shaped with two tiers of rooms around three sides with the exception of the front of the inn. During later years a multi-floor tower was re-constructed to increase the number of guest rooms and conference facilities.

After the Valhalla Inn closed in 2009 and was subsequently demolished the property was taken over by other developers. Part of the deal required that some remnants of the original Valhalla Inn should be retained in the new structure. The most recent property owners are Michael and George Kalmar who also own the Old Mill in Toronto.

Now several condos tower over the site along with various other residences but the memories and spirit of the original Valhalla Inn likely remain in the minds of thousands from both near and far.

Those memories may include the many parties, events and a bartender who mixed drinks there for 40-years before retiring.

A local heritage group has promised to preserve key elements of the building, including the carved dragon ship’s prow bar in the dining lounge, the massive handles of the front door, and key pieces of signage, including those from the entrance to the basement Mermaid Bar.

 

Men on the lam after a woman was stabbed near The West Mall

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POLICE ARE SEARCHING for two men who took off after a woman was stabbed. File photo.

Two men are on the run from police who are hot in pursuit in connection with the stabbing of a woman at The West Mall and Rathburn Rd.

Witnesses said there was an argument between the woman and the suspects when she was stabbed.

Police said a woman was rushed to hospital after being stabbed around 10:15 p.m. on December 20.

The woman was found with stab wounds and was transported to a trauma centre with serious, non-life threatening wounds, police said.

Two males were last seen bolting from the scene to a local park area.

No arrests have been made in the case and the victim is recuperating in hospital.

“I heard the screams of this happening, went to balcony to check out but was too dark,’ a tenant of a nearby building tweeted. “Police showed up soon after.”

“I hope they can catch these two people,” another man responded.

COVID-19 lockdown and lacklustre sales coming to all of Ontario this Christmas

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Premier Doug Ford speaks at Queens Park about COVID-19 restrictions.

More tough times are coming to small businesses in the community.

Reports are swirling that Premier Doug Ford is poised to impose on December 21 a province-wide lockdown to fight COVID-19 starting on Thursday, which is Christmas Eve.

Most small businesses say they are hurting and another round of lockdowns will take its toll on some local companies and services.

As part of the plans, elementary-age school children would not return to classes as scheduled after the holidays but would spend the first week of school in the new year at home doing virtual learning and then return on Jan. 11.

In-class learning in high schools would remain closed for the entire 28-day period, though virtual learning would occur.

This comes as the province logs more than 2,000 new cases of the virus for the sixth consecutive day.

Ontario reported 2,316 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, marking the sixth day that the figure has been above 2,000. Twenty-five additional deaths were also reported.

Ford, who was in an emergency meeting December 20, is expected to announce a public health package on Monday.

Lockdown orders in Toronto and Peel Region that were set to expire this week are being extended until January 4, the government said on Friday.

Restrictions that currently exist on some big-box retailers in the hardest-hit areas in the Greater Toronto Area are expected to be extended to the rest of the province.

In areas currently under lockdown, essential big-box retailers are subject to 50 per cent capacity limits and customers must be spaced out by two metres in lineups.

Salons, hair dressers, spas, massage parlours and others are also closed.  The Ontario government has announced that Hamilton will also go into a lockdown on Monday.

Under the grey-lockdown level of the province’s coronavirus response framework, restrictions include a ban on indoor social gatherings with anyone outside of your household, the closure of non-essential retail businesses and most fitness facilities, and limiting restaurants and bars to take-out service only.

 

Hunt for historic 263-year-old concert violin missing from the TTC

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POLICE ARE searching for a rare 263-year-old Lorenzo-Carcassi 1757 Concert Violin that went missing from the Subway on Friday. Photos by Toronto Police.

Has anyone seen this rare 263-year-old classical concert violin?

Somewhere out there is a frantic 18th Century violin owner who is trying desperately to back track their footsteps to be reunited with their beloved and costly instrument.

Toronto Police from 13 Division is hot on the case to find the antiquated instrument, which appears to be in impeccable shape considering when it was made.

Police say the violin went missing on December 18 on the TTC subway around 6:30 p.m.

The instrument went missing while the owner was travelling westbound to St. George station, making a final transfer to Line 1 towards St. Clair West station, police said.

Detectives said the violin was first noticed missing after the owner had left St. Clair station.

The owner has previously transferred from the TTC subway system Line 1 from College Street station northbound to the Bloor-Yonge station.

According to the Police, the violin is still missing and has not been turned in to the TTC’s lost and found.

The lost Lorenzo-Carcassi 1757 Concert Violin is in a hard and bright red BAM case, according to police photos.

“This is something we’ll be working hard to solve and we’ll be reviewing video in the subway,” Const. Edward Parks said. “We are seeking the public’s assistance in helping resolve this.”

The violin was made in 1757 by the Florentine 18th-century violin maker Lorenzo Carcassi and his brother Tomaso.

A recent auction for a similar Lorenzo Carcassi violin from April 2012 at Christie’s was $18,750. The Tarisio instrument auction house recorded the highest price on auction was set at $62,500 in October  2008.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com.

 

 

 

 

South Etobicoke crash and roll over leaves three men injured, two seriously

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POLICE AND EMERGENCY workers rescue three men injured early Sunday in crash at Islington and Dundas St. W. Photos courtesy CP24.

Two men are fighting for their lives and a third severely injured after a car crashed into a cement barrier and hit a pole early Sunday morning.

Police said the vehicle rolled over and the men had to be extricated by fire and emergency officials around 3 a.m. on Sunday in the Islington Ave. and Dundas St. W. area.

Two of men suffered life-threatening injuries and were rushed to a trauma centre for treatment. A third suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Traffic officers said the vehicle was travelling north on Islington Ave. at what appears to be a high rate of speed, when the driver lost control, hit a cement barrier and then a pole flipping the vehicle to its side.

Dundas St. W. was closed for a period of time in both directions from Montgomery to Riverbank Dr.

The names of the men have not been released.

Police are investigating to determine if alcohol or drugs played a factor in the crash.

 

FOOD ALERT – Alderwood vegan eatery getting good reviews and sales from community foodies

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SERGIO AND CRISTINA (in small image on cover page) outside their Allin Mikuna healthy eating store at 244 Brown’s Line, in Alderwood. Photo by Tom Godfrey.

Sergio Morales and his wife, Cristina, (left) have been operating Allin Mikuna, an Alderwood store where they do things right and food is more than just a meal.

The family business make some of the healthiest products, and cater to vegan, vegetarian, keto, gluten-free diets. All their products are nut free.

Morales and his staff are known for their great soups, either ready to go in a litre-sized jars, or in dry form, that is quick. Just add cold water, heat and enjoy.

“All our ingredients are fresh,” insists Morales. “There are no preservatives or anything artificial, just fresh ingredients.”

They do a thriving pickup and takeout business and some of their top meals ordered includes: All in a Bowl salad, spinach cheese empanada, mushroom empanada: vegan version made out of pulled pork; the Mexican on a bun; bean burger on homemade burger; king mushroom kiche and yellow split pea curry soup: with sweet potato and pumpkin.

“Our mission is to make healthy meals delicious and accessible to all,” Morales says. “Our soups in a jar are the perfect gift and panty item, our powder mixes are an easy way to get your nutrition.”

The family moved to Canada about 17 years ago from Chile and resettled in the Alderwood area, not far from their store.

Their line of food was developed by Cristina, who usually gave cooked items to family and friends for Christmas, a practice that grew.

They wanted to bring a part of their culture with them to Canada and chose the name Allin Mikuna, which means ‘bon appetit’ in Quechua, a language spoken by indigenous people in Chile.

“Our soups are vegan and have plenty of protein of their own but they can be modified to please the meat eaters in the family,” he says, adding that they visit many farmers’ markets in the summer.

Morales has assembled a popular ‘Care Package’ that features three soups, three seasoning mixes, two Amin Miski granola sweetened with only pure date paste and other goodies.

Proper social distancing is enforced and curbside pick-up available from December 21 to 24 during store hours.

Free deliveries to take place December 22 and December 23 to anywhere south of Highway 401, west of Park Lawn Rd., and east of Dixie Rd.

Allin Mikuna is located at 244 Brown’s Line. You can reach them by phone at 416-551-5169 or visit them or place orders at www.sales@allinmikuna.com

 

 

 

Area charities the big winners in South Etobicoke Community Group online auction  

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LAMP CHC, along with Women’s Habitat, Haven on The Queensway, Jean Augustine Centre, Lakeshore Arts and Etobicoke Humane Society received some funding from the online auction Courtesy photo.

Many thanks for a job well done goes out to community realtor Graham Rowlands, whose South Etobicoke Community Facebook page, raised $22,355 for our local charities.

“I would love to be able to tag everyone who helped to make this possible,” Rowlands acknowledged. “Thank you to everyone who donated a prize, bid on auctions, made a donation to a charity or liked or shared the posts.”

He said $3,075 of the proceeds will go to LAMP Community Health Centre, $6,055 to Women’s Habitat, $2,650 to Lakeshore Arts, $3,430 to Haven on The Queensway, $3,285 for the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment and $3,860 to the Etobicoke Humane Society.

“Thank you to all the auction winners and bidders because without you no money would be raised for these great causes,” said Rowland, a sales rep for ReMax Professional Inc.

The fundraiser saw many small companies in the area donating goods or services which were auctioned online to raise funds.

Huge shout outs go to Kitchen On Sixth for donating many pies that were auctioned off, he said.

“This really was a community effort and shows just how we are able to do such amazing things when we all work together,” Rowlands said.

He is urging residents to: “get to know these organizations who do so much good in our community, look into getting involved and if you can support the businesses that helped make this all possible.”

“Thanks to Graham and his team for pressing though with a safe event,” Susan Carbone wrote online. “This event was not only to raise funds but also to raise awareness in our community.”

She said every organization has been working twice as hard with very little volunteers and staff through this pandemic to support the community.

James Taylor thanked Graham for taking on the project to ‘help our neighbours grow together in the face of uncertainty to help our local charities.’

Platinum sponsors included: Kris Made This, Tannis A. Waugh, Barrister and Solicitor, Food for Now & Financial Health Management Group, in addition to an anonymous matching partner.

Thank you also goes to The Stop, Mimico Plumbing, Mimico Creek Dental, Office146, Wallace Legal, Gina Kim Paralegal, Reverse Karma, DJ Dynamic (Tim Ellis), NB Life, Great Lakes Brewery, Lakeshore Village Chiropractic, For Friends, Elevate Literacy, Studio Kokoro, Training By Tania, Neatly Organized, Sanctuary Within Healing, Mooring Eats, Your Neighbourhood Barber, Funny Bones Games Lounge & Cafe, Jacqueline Terloar (artist), Pasquale Bros, Salon Allure Spa, Small Biz Sales Coach, Goodie Baskets, Bubbles and Squeak, Umana Health, Toronto Family Fitness, 3 For 1 Glasses, Only The Strong, Locomotion Music, Capter Two Photography, Crock-a-Doodle, Code Ninjas, Scholars Etobicoke, Jiji Visha Coaching, Carin and Sharin, Maria Sabanal, Black Collar Barber, Japan Reiki Studio and Homing.ca for all donating prizes for the auctions!