The South Etobicoke News

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

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!

 

Police warn to be careful when checking mail due to threatening letters

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POLICE AND EMERGENCY services outside Lake Promenade home where suspicious package arrived in mailbox. Courtesy CTV News.

Police have fanned out their investigation to other jurisdictions after more extortion letters that first popped up in South Etobicoke mailboxes have shown up in Burlington.

The letters, along with a plastic bag containing a white powder, were delivered to a number of expensive homes in the Lake Promenade area, near Col. Samuel Smith Park.

One resident said “there had been a number of suspicious packages delivered to homes in the area recently.”

Officers of 22 Division were at some of the homes last night and are back today to take photos for evidence and talk to homeowners who received the letters.

Residents said the envelopes were formally addressed to them and were delivered by Canada Post.

Detectives said the small bag did not contain fentanyl, but powdered sugar, when tested by police.

The letters included threats to life and demanded that recipients send funds or harm would come to them or their families. Some fear through fentanyl poisoning.

Police said the letter directs the homeowner to deposit an unspecified amount of Bitcoin in exchange for their family’s safety.

Officers are warning the public to be vigilant when opening their mail boxes especially at this time of the year when people receive Christmas cards from friends and family.

“If you receive the letter and substance, try not to handle it as much as possible,” police stressed in a release. “Place the envelope outside, preferably in a covered area, and cover it with an upside down garbage can or something similar to protect it.”

You are urged to contact police immediately. It appears the letters were all delivered in the morning hours of December 18.

Area residents reported a lot of police activity in the community that day as emergency vehicles rushed to the homes of panicked residents as the letters were found.

Residents are being warned this is an extortion scheme and they should not sent money or respond to the letter.

Halton Regional Police said some residents in Burlington also received  letters from the unknown sender. The force is investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-2200, 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).

Small businesses brace for a second hit as COVID-19 lockdown to continue

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MIMICO STORE OWNER Chirag Patel says he has had to lay off staff and cut hours to survive due to slow sales from the virus. Photo by Tom Godfrey.

Just when we thought our lockdown was being lifted.

Small family-owned and micro businesses in the community are bracing for a second hit as the COVID-19 lockdown now in place in Toronto and Peel Region will be extended for more days of hardship and suffering by some.

A similar lockdown will also start in Hamilton on Monday to avert a spread of the pandemic.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the extended lockdown in Toronto and Peel Region will continue. It was set to expire on December 21.

The government said the lockdown in Toronto will be re-assessed on January 4.

“In the areas that are locked down right now that are expiring on Monday, I can tell you they won’t be expiring,” he told reporters at Queen’s Park on December 18. “We are going to continue on with the lockdowns within those regions and will have additional information on Monday for the balance of the province.”

Most non-essential businesses are forced to close when an area goes into lockdown.

Merchants in Alderwood, Long Branch, New Toronto and Mimico say they have been hit hard and are struggling to survive.

Many bars and restaurants are down to the last of their savings or living on credit as they try to survive on pick-up and take out only orders.

Also closed for most of the money-earning Christmas and New Year’s Day festive season are salons, spas, barber shops, hairdressers, massage and many other clubs.

Upset Mimico store owner Chirag Patel, of A-1 Discount, at 2412 Lake Shore Blvd. W., says he has had to lay off staff and reduce hours of others at his store to survive.

“Business has gone right down,” Patel laments. “It is Christmas and usually we have to bring in more staff to help with the customers. There are usually line ups, but there are none this year.”

He says this is the worst that he has experienced in his more than 20-years of operating the family-owned business.

Patel has tacked up a sign on the outside of his store to show city leaders the struggles that he and other small businesses are facing to survive.

The news of more lockdowns comes a day after Ontario recorded the most cases of COVID-19 in a single day, with more than 2,400 infections logged and hospitalizations for the disease continue to climb.

There are now 877 patients in hospital with COVID-19, with 261 patients being treated in intensive care. This sparked a call from the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) for “immediate action” to curb the spread of infection.

Further restrictions by Ford to deal with the virus are slated for Monday

 

Grimes under fire from social media & residents for tweet about V-P Harris

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      SOME OF THE TWEETS that got Councillor Grimes in hot             water from social media and community residents.

Where is Councillor Mark Grimes these days?

Many community residents and almost 400 social media fans are searching for the politician for an apology or explanation due to a tweet he allegedly wrote last week.

An online petition with dozens of names is also circulating calling for the long-time Toronto City councillor to immediately resign.

The Ward 3 politician is in hot water for allegedly tweeting U.S. Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris on December 12 telling her to “Stop Talking!!”

Hundreds of Twitter users have left mostly-unfavourable comments for the politician in what they say is an insult against a woman.

Another person was told to “go to bed and don’t forget to brush your sheep.”

The first tweet was in reply to one from the V-P Elect about the Biden-Harris administration’s intent to rejoin the Paris Agreement on climate.

Harris’ tweet read: “the Biden-Harris administration will rejoin the Paris Agreement and once again be global leaders in the fight against the climate crisis.”

At first many constituents thought Grimes’ account had been hacked, as he has remained silent on the tweets.

Grimes has refused to comment.  Mayor John Tory, when asked about the incident, said he ‘is not accountable for what politicians do on social media.’

It not take long before Twitter and social media blew up.

A majority of the 400 tweets blasted Grimes, describing him as a ‘woman hater,’ ‘privileged’ and that ‘he feels accomplished women don’t have a voice.’

“This behaviour is nothing new for him,” says Cher Gavel Gingras. “Here’s hoping his reign of embarrassment ends soon.”

“I thought our politicians were more civil than that,” says Mike La June. ”I’m very disappointed to see this kind of behaviour from our councillor.”

“Kamala Harris is V-P Elect of the U.S. and former Senator and California A-G, honestly, he (Grimes) is the one who should know to stay in his lane and keep his mouth shut,” notes Rajesh Kutty.

Abbey Dee insists that Grimes is out of his league.

“Your opinion and not the point,” Dee warns. “This is about showing respect to others which he obviously has difficulty with.”

“I hope everyone remembers this when the next election comes round,” Adrian Mizzi reminds residents.

A number of residents wrote that they have filed complaints against Grimes to an Ombudsman and city officials.

“This is embarrassing to us as a country,” says Christine Boeck Wallace. “His comments are disgusting, rude.”

Grimes, and his staff, have refused to respond to emails.

 

 

 

Family and friends remember Phillip Barker as a kind and generous man

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PHILLIP WAS well-known for his sale of delicious fruit cakes to raise funds for his many projects. Courtesy photo.

Long-time treasurer and co-founder of the Long Branch BIA, Phillip Barker, is remembered as a kind and generous man who was passionate about his community.

A virtual tribute organized by Jay Llave was held on December 16 as about 40 of Barker’s friends, family and business acquaintances celebrated his life, and his many accomplishments, namely in helping to equip two schools for poor students in the Philippines.

The well-known owner of Lakeshore Accounting, at 3421 Lake Shore Blvd. W., passed away on May 6. He was 74.

“He helped many people over the years,” recalled his daughter, Katy. “I was fortunate to have him and to see all that he accomplished in his life is amazing.”

She said her father “touched and helped to change the lives of many over the years.”

“Phillip was a man of integrity,” Carl Porritt, of Royal LePage Porritt Real Estate, told the group. “We will miss him.”

His wife, Liz Porritt, pointed out that she and Phillip were co-founders of the Long Branch Business Improvement Association (BIA), and he served as treasurer for 33 years.

“He was very passionate about the Lake Shore,” Liz noted. “He was very passionate about keeping angled parking at a time when the city wanted straight parking spots.”

Virginia Lyons, who knew Phillip since Grade 4, described him as a “great guy who was a very funny human being and was very proud of the community.”

Long-time friend Leslie Nurse recalled that Phillip helped him land one of his first jobs working alongside him as a ‘fountain boy’ for the then Chicken Picken restaurant chain decades ago.

“It was in the 60s and we would make the sodas, sundaes and cut the pies for the customers,” Nurse said. “We had a lot of fun and he was quite a guy.”

Barker was born and raised in Mimico, where, he attended Mimico High School and then Humber College to study accounting.

He was a founder and director of the Lakeshore Charitable Foundation, which sponsored two schools in the Philippines. He visited that country about a dozen times and was responsible of collecting and shipping dozens of containers filled with books, clothes, food, computers, printers and other gear to help the children.

The foundation had sponsored the Rizal Public National High School and BayBay Central School for more than 12-years. He was in the process of travelling there for an awards celebration before COVID-19 halted the trip.

He is missed by hundreds of children at the schools and the families there who loved him.

Phillip is survived by brother, Bill, four nieces and daughter, Katy; described as the love of his life.

Police seize near Park Lawn Rd. a single-day record of 65 guns and $18 million in drugs

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SOME OF THE weapons seized by police after a search at a Park Lawn and Berry Rds. apartment. Photos by Toronto Police.

 

A quiet low-rise apartment just north of the Ontario Food Terminal is the scene of the largest single-day drugs and firearms seizure for Toronto Police.

The area near Park Lawn and Berry Rds., is quiet and favoured in South Etobicoke by parents for bringing up their young families and putting them through school.

But, an apartment on 70 Cloverhill Rd., has been the scene of much police activity recently as officers found an arsenal of illegal weapons and a record amount of drugs.

“This is typically a very quiet and residential neighbourhood that is primarily made up of detached homes, low-rise apartment buildings, parks, playgrounds, and elementary schools,” Insp. Tim Crone told a news conference on November 16.

A search warrant was executed at the property on November 17.

During the search, Crone said, police found 181 kilos of drugs with an estimated street value of $18,240,000, firearms, which were in plain sight of the officers, as well as ammunitions and firearm magazines.

In total, police seized 106 kilos of cocaine, 61 kilos of crystal methamphetamine, 5 kilos of fentanyl and 9 kilos of MDMA.

Also seized were 65 firearms, including 57 handguns and eight long-barreled and semi-automatic guns, more than 15,000 rounds of ammunition, and several high-capacity and extended ammunition magazines, according to police.

“We allege that these guns were destined for the street gang use and as such, presented a significant threat to public safety to all of our communities,” Supt. Domenic Sinopoli said.

An investigation began earlier this year when officers from 22 Division became aware of drug trafficking activity in the area.

Police are in the process of tracing the firearms. So far, 37 of the seized handguns have been traced to the U.S. and two were traced to Canada. Five of the long guns are from Canada.

The officers said the cache and drug stash is the biggest single-day seizure in the service’s history and noted the suspect has no record of drugs or firearms.

Police said the charges stem from the November search warrant.

One man, who was the registered tenant of the unit, has been charged.

Daniel Dubajic, 45, faces 78 weapons and drug-related charges and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 7.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact officers at 416-808-2200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

 

Surplus Centre is longest serving business in New Toronto with 68 years

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THE FAMILY OF Dave Shankman has owned The New Toronto Surplus Centre for 68-years.

Surplus dealer Dave Shankman has pretty well seen most military insignia items in the last 68-years his family has been operating The New Toronto Surplus Centre Ltd.

The centre, at 2938 Lake Shore Blvd. W., at the corner of Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Islington Ave., is viewed by some as iconic, or historic, since it is in the middle of New Toronto.

It is the building on which a RCMP, with a horse, is painted in a popular mural with a large Canadian flag.

Shankman says the business was started by his father, after he returned home from WW11.

“My father served in the Korean War,” Shankman says proudly in honour of his dad. “He founded and ran the business until about 2010.”

The business is now said to be the oldest in New Toronto and it features roof and building architecture of an earlier era in Toronto.

“We are still busy in this line of work,” he says. “The weather is getting colder and people are coming in for winter gear.”

They carry a large range of military style winter shoes, jackets, gloves and other gear to keep you warm.

The interior of the store is from the 1950s and 60s with gear, clothing and other items everywhere, including military insignia like crests or badges, which are still popular in some circles.

There are hats, caps, vests, shoes and countless items hunters or anglers may require.

Shankman is proud that many films and TV productions have been shot in his store over the years, including Police Academy and Kung Fu; which are the ones he recall.

He loves the community and the people who have supported his family for the almost seven decades in business in the center of New Toronto.

The New Toronto Surplus Centre Ltd., can be reached at 416-251-3821.

 

Go Fund Me raises funds to replace $7,000 stolen from The Old Sod Restaurant

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MORE THAN $13,000 has been raised by Go Fund Me supporters to help The Old Sod stay alive.

More than $13,000 has been raised by supporters of The Old Sod Restaurant to help restore fate in humanity  after the popular bar was robbed of $7,000 earned from the sales of Christmas trees.

The local Bloor St. W. and Royal York Rd., pub was robbed on December 14 in what appears to be a ‘cash and grab’ incident that was captured by the bar’s security cameras.

The video shows a man, wearing a hoodie and mask, smashing the glass door with what appears to be a large rock. He then walks inside the bar and is seen calmly walking out with what looks like a drawer of the register that contains cash.

The pub had been hit hard, along with others in the area, by the COVID-19 lockdowns, and was earning extra income to stay afloat from tree sales, which has been brisk as residents made purchases to support their local pub.

“It was a smash and grab,” restaurant owner Ty Owens told reporters. “They broke our front windows, smashed our point-of-sale machines and stole one cash till and an empty cash till. That was our Christmas campaign cash. “

He said the brazen thief stole about $7,000.

Owens heard glass in the front door shattering and rushed downstairs around 1:15 a.m., only to have missed the thief by seconds.

“I had just missed them,” he said. “The Christmas trees are locked up in front of the door that leads into my residence, so if it wasn’t for those trees, I would have bumped directly into the criminal.”

He believes the crook bolted east on Bloor St. W., and may have had a getaway driver.

Owens is wondering if his pub was targeted because a Christmas tree campaign that was highly publicized on social media and by people in the community.

The bar has released security footage of the incident in hopes that someone from the public can identify the burglar.

Officers at nearby 22 Division said a report has been filed and the theft is being investigated.

Supporters of the pub’s Go Fund Me campaign have donated more than the $12,000, which the bar was expecting to raise to help with their loss.

“As a member of Old Fort York vintage motorcycle club we have spent many monthly social get togethers at The Sod and hope to spend many more,” wrote Robert Stevenson on a Go Fund Me post as he made a donation.

Carol and Moe Wicklander said the Old Sod has been trying to stay open in recent times.

‘Sorry to hear about your break-in,” they wrote. “You have been working so hard to keep afloat, hope this will help.”

Donations are still being accepted on Go Fund Me.

Spread of COVID-19 a fear and concern for correctional officers

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LINE UP OUTSIDE the Toronto South Detention Centre, where there are at least 25 COVID-19 cases.

Correctional officers say they are concerned over the spread of COVID-19 in area jails.

Officers working at the Toronto South Detention Center say they worry about their health after 25 cases of COVID-19 were reported at the massive jail.

They are now taking all precautions available at work to avert a spread of the virus.

The Ministry of Solicitor General has confirmed that more than two dozen inmates at the Horner Ave. detention centre have tested positive for the virus.

There were seven cases at the maximum security jail the previous day.

“Those inmates are under droplet precautions and isolated from the rest of the inmate population while they receive appropriate medical care,” Ministry officials said in a statement.

They are working with Toronto Public Health to support contact tracing.

Meanwhile, it is reported that three inmates at the Toronto East Detention Centre have contracted the virus.

The ministry said it made operational changes across all provincial correctional facilities in the past few months.

Three inmates at the Toronto East Detention Centre have also contracted the virus. It is not known how many staff are affected by the pandemic.