The South Etobicoke News

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

Money matters and generating wealth with Rattan

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Hello readers: This month I am covering budgets. So what is a budget: It is the amount of money one has for a specific service or a product. Let us take this to a larger scale in order to create a financial security for a household and/or a business. A good budget is a must.

A budget may be a top down budget or a bottom up budget. A top down budget means one knows the anticipated income and anticipated expenses. With a bottom up budget one knows the expenses and anticipated income is un- known. Generally speaking most budgets take the top down approach.

For a good budget to be effective in meeting the goals of a household one has to know the spending history and going forward one builds on that for the future. A good budget going forward will alert the household if a spending is out of control in a specific area and to take any corrective action. This implies that one has to keep track of your income and expenses and compare them to the budget.

It is not a easy task but once one gets in the rhythm it helps in bringing financial stability to the household.

Generally speaking a budget is by month for a year. What should be in the budget is one’s ability to go down to the lowest level of expenses you want to track.

Here is a list of expense items that should be included in no order; bank charges, entertainment, insurance, internet, rent or mortgage payment, house repair and maintenance, groceries, personal grooming, travel, utilities like heating, electricity and water, property  taxes, auto expenses-insurance, repairs and maintenance, gasoline, car loan or lease, license and tolls. One of the expenses that may be overlooked are licence renewal or passport.

Last, but not the least, contingencies for anything unforeseen as medical and bills should be included. One can and should also incorporate savings into the process. With the passage of time and tracking, if one is over the budget on expenses, you could focus on reducing controllable expenses and if the expenses are lower than budget, treat yourself and the family or put the monies towards savings or mortgage.

A day to day example of a budget is that one has allocated, let’s say $10 per day to cover coffee etc. and you did not spend it. You could put into the kitty or accumulate it for an upcoming event.I encourage the readers to take this ex ercise to know where you are coming from and where you are going.

Rattan Gandhi is owner of Quick Refund Tax, 133 Sixth St. His opin-

ions stems from 15 years of experience. If you have questions, he can

be reached at 905-616-5253 or rattangandhi@gmail.com.

 

Keeping busy with things to do in our community

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Here are some of the many things happening right here.

BOOST YOUR WELLNESS at 2 p.m. on Zoom as  LAMP is offering another free virtual wellness workshop to  help you during COVID. It in-cludes breath work, strengthening exercises, meditations and encouragement. Wellness specialist Mary Craig has been working in the mental health field for more than 20 years and is a certified instructor in Yoga and Qigong. Call or email Jasmin Dooh to register jasmind@lampchc.org or 416-252-6471

COACH CORIN IS BACK on Zoom every Wednesday at 3 p.m. with a series of virtual workshops on October 7, 14, 21 & 28. Facilitator Corin De Sousa is a graduate of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program and the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program from the Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute (TAPMI) at Women’s College. Call or email Jasmin Dooh to register jasmind@lampchc.org or call 416-252-6471.

EMERGENCY FOOD TAKE OUT meals continue to be offered Monday through Saturday from 9:30 am to 11:30 a.m. through LAMP’s adult drop-in program. Group programs are closed. Phone 416-252-6471. Located at 185 Fifth Street.

GOOD FOOD MARKET OPEN EVERY WEDNESDAY from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Lakeshore Village Park. Get fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable prices. The Gardens Lakeshore is hosting several workshops. Contact christianaz@lampchc.org

JEAN AUGUSTINE CENTRE FOOD TO TABLE PROJECT for young women in the area experiencing food insecurity due to COVID. You can qualify for a monthly $50 gift card. Registration opens the first Monday of the month and you will be notified of pick up date. Program runs until December. Email them at info@jeanaugustinecentre.ca or visit at jeanaugustinecentre.ca

HAVEN ON THE QUEENSWAY HAS SHUT MOST of its programs and services due to COVID but will continue to serve its food bank users by appointment and pick up at their 1533 The Queensway office. Call 416-640-2005 to make arrangements to access the Haven food bank.

MOST PROGRAMS AT STOREFRONT HUMBER, at 2445 Lake Shore Blvd. W., are cancelled with only essential services, like personal care, support or respite provided. Contact them at 416- 259-4207 or visit sfh@storefronthumber.ca

OCT. 7 COVID FOOD DRIVES Wednesday only from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., being held for “Youth Without Shelter” and “North York Harvest Food Bank.” Please drop off basic foods at Montgomery’s Inn or deliver to Dave Crack. Call 416-550-5145,  by Oct 6. Details at RotaryTorontoWest.ca

OCT 7, 14, 21, and 28 BOTTLE DRIVES on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., being held to support our many local charity projects. Please drop off Beer Store or LCBO bottles or cans and deliver to Montgomery’s Inn or Dave Crack. Contact 416-550- 5145 by Oct 27. Details at RotaryTorontoWest.ca

OCT. 26 ETOBICOKE CAMERA CLUB AWARD Salon Winners for Photographers Choice competition will be awarded with presentations and Nature category critique. New guests welcome. See what we’re about and enjoy some fabulous photo entertainment. Free admission to this virtual session; to register email info@etobicokecameraclub.org.

FREE BOOKS AT CHRIST CHURCH St. James food pantry on the second Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., or the last two Wednesdays of the month from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Parents can pick up a book and get tips on how to encourage a love of reading at the church at 194 Park Lawn Rd., near The Queensway.

OCT. 31 HALLOWEEN CORNER sponsored by the Lakeshore Village BIA at the corner of Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Sixth Street from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Lots of treats. Treat bags will be pre-packed by volunteers to hand off to children as they walk by due to COVID-19. Kids must be wearing face masks or other protective gear.

Police and Rotarians team up to fight hunger in the community

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Thanks to Toronto Police and Rotary Etobicoke volunteers at-risk families will have more to eat during these challenging times.

More than 160 bags stuffed with food, in addition to some cash donations, were collected in a drive on October 4 from generous community members.

The food will go to the Daily Bread Food Bank for use for Thanksgiving dinners for the needy this weekend, organizers say.

The Rotary Club Toronto West and 22 Division officers have been working side by side for years to take a difference in the community.

“We are service and community-focused that we understand the people we serve, communities and members,” according to organizers. We “show an active commitment to improving the wellbeing of our community members over the long term.”

Police thanked the community for their generosity in helping others.

 

Popular annual Pie Auction cancelled due to the virus

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It was one of our favourite events and now it is gone.

The annual Pie Auction put on by Lakeshore Arts has been cancelled due to COVID-19.

The contest for pie-lovers and those with a sweet tooth has been a crusty mainstay in the Mimico area for the past six years, organizers say.

Instead, organizers will be featuring items from local bakeries and restaurants that have support and helped to make the Pie Auction fundraiser such a huge success.

“Your baking skills and continued support have meant that we can continue to offer various youth programs throughout the year,” the organizers posted on social media.

The Pie Auction was to begin on October 9.

During the event, residents made a bid on a delicious dessert pie or a savoury pie, which were created by residents, art lovers, and “celebrity” chefs in the Etobicoke-Lakeshore community.

Proceeds from the auctioned pies went to the many community arts programs delivered to more than 10,000 people yearly, according to Lakeshore Arts.

Calypso History Month in Toronto being streamed for fans

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This is for our residents from the Caribbean who are looking for some heat.

This month is Calypso History Month in Toronto and you don’t have to leave your home to play mas. A virtual Calypso symposium is taking place on October 17, at 3 p.m., online at www.famaaly.net

Join moderator Prof. Lennox Borrel,  organizer George Maharaj and special guest Michael Lashley for livestreaming fun. Fans of Trinidadian Calypso music are urged to log in to hear Rhoma Spencer talk about “Calypso as Drama and Theatricality.”

Don’t miss Christopher Pinheiro presentation of  “The Mighty Spoiler’s Return,” Lindy Burgess with  “Old Lady Walk a Mile, “ a musical tribute to icon Lord Kitchener.

Local legend King Cosmos will tell you all about Calypso in Canada from 1947 and Roger Gibbs has some exciting facts about vintage calypso in Barbados from the 1930’s.

“Reserve the date, get your popcorn, mauby, Carib, accra, doubles, corn soup etc. and spend the afternoon with some of the calypso experts in Toronto,” according to organizers.

 

Police arrest women with booster bags accused of stealing batteries

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They are brave and are hooked on stealing.

Two young women have been arrested by police and booster bags, used for stealing were seized, after $2,500 worth of batteries were allegedly stolen from a South Etobicoke store.

Police say the women were arrested at a local hardware store “with a high-end bag.”

“These bags are known as booster bags which are insulated and lined with custom hand-rolled tin foil inside,” officers from 22 Division said on October 1 in a Tweet.

The foil is said to avert detection of the stolen goods from anti-theft devices inside the stores. They say the bags, which are used by organized theft rings, expand as more stolen goods are placed inside.

Police say a sharp eye security officer detected the thieves and called police. The women were arrested and charged accordingly, according to police.

Officers have not revealed the names of the women.

Police called the thefts ‘sophisticated and organized’ and that it costs Canadian retailers about $4.67 billion yearly.

It results in Canadian consumers paying 20 per cent more for goods as a result of retail theft, according to a social media campaign last year.

In Toronto last year, a joint investigation by loss-prevention officers and Toronto Police resulted in three arrests in connection with an elaborate and organized shoplifting ring targeting mall stores.

Nearly $390,000 in clothing had been stolen and $90,000 in personal items, including shampoo and hand cream, for a grand total of nearly $500,000.

The stolen goods were allegedly being sold from a semi-detached home North York, detectives say.

Much of the ‘hot’ goods are also sold at pop-up events, warehouse sales, flea markets and low-income malls in neighbourhoods where people do not ask many questions if the price is low, police say.

Stolen goods may also show up mixed among legitimate goods at convenience stores and discount stores owned by unscrupulous vendors.

Police say harsher penalties are required since retail theft is viewed as a low-risk, high-reward crime. The penalties are minimal.

Even people who offend multiple times are only held in jail for a couple of days before they are released. He says criminals know they won’t face serious jail time for stealing from a retailer, so they stick to it.

 

Police trying to return six prized war medals to rightful owner

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Members  of South Etobicoke’s  large veteran community are being asked to keep an eye out for six stolen war medals.

Police are trying the find the owner of the rare World War II medals that were recovered during a drug investigation.

Officers say members of 51 Division Major Crime Unit were conducting a drug probe last September 22 in downtown Toronto when they located the medals “that did not belong to the person they were investigating.”

Police say the medals were found near a large quantity of crystal met and other drugs in the Church and Wellesley Streets area.

Hard-working detectives would like to return the medals back to their owner.

The medals are described as a 1939-1945 Star, Burma Campaign Star, Italy Campaign Star, 1939-1945 Voluntary Service Medal and 1939-1945 War Medal (Merchant Marines).

“These medals represent a significant contribution for voluntary service during the Second World War, on three continents spanning the entirety of the war from 1939 to 1945,” said Det. Const. Paul Walker.

“Having myself served on two NATO deployments with the British Forces, the sacrifice given to earn these medals is not lost on me,” he reflects. “I hope to return these medals, as their loss is almost certainly devastating for the person who earned them.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5100, 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).

Support your favourite football team and raise funds for charity

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Cover up while you represent your favorite team with this popular Toronto Argonauts face covering.

Football fan Tom Wolfer, who operates a Humber Valley Village Argos blog and leads an Argos Grey Cup fan-based campaign, said proceeds from the sale of the licensed face coverings through Real Sports Apparel will be donated to Second Harvest Canada.

“Humber Valley Village supports the Toronto Argonauts and Canadian Football League in 2020 and beyond,” Wolfer says by email. “ Huddle…Break…Set…Hut!”

Second Harvest is the largest food rescue organization in Canada and a global leader in food recovery.

“Working across the supply chain – from farm to retail – they capture surplus food before it ends up in landfill and has a negative environmental impact,” he says.

The fashionable face covering is not a medical device and is not intended to be personal protective equipment nor used by healthcare professionals in a healthcare, clinical environment or setting, Wolfer writes.

They have elastic closures and are made of 88% polyester, 12% Spandex and 100% cotton.

“Due to the hygienic nature of this product all masks are non-refundable and non-exchangeable,” according to the product.

You can purchase a three-pack of the Toronto Argos youth cloth face covering for $34.99.

A whole range of Argos products are available and can be purchased at https://shop.realsports.ca/pages/toronto-argonauts

Grimes a no show at meeting with community leaders on planned shelter

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City officials expect to close the sale of 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W., for use as a 95-bed municipal shelter by mid to late December if all goes well.

“Assuming there is not request for extension of due diligence it will be closing in mid to late December,” Loretta Ramadin, a Project Director of the City’’s Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) told members of  the community. The “last back out date is early November.”

Ramadin was talking to members of the Board of the Lakeshore Village BIA, staff of Councillor’s Mark Grimes office, SSHA and Barnes Management Group, the community engagement facilitator, in a virtual meeting on September 28 in an update of the proposed shelter, to be located at Lake Shore Blvd., and Eighth Street.

BIA officials are upset that Councillor Grimes did not show up for the much-anticipated meeting on the proposed shelter that has sparked a major controversy in his riding. Grimes has been silent on the issue.

When asked by BIA Chair Chris Korwin Kuczynski why Grimes was not in attendance.

Grimes’ assistant Kim Edgar said “this is the first of many meetings that will be held,” according to minutes of the meeting that was made available to the South Etobicoke News.

When queried about the more than $13 million the City is paying for the property, Ramadin said “the City has appraisals completed for the fair market value based on assembled, combined developmental costs.”

She said a former condo project was cancelled “due to the height of the proposed building.”
Edgar said the property owner decided to appeal to Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) because the City had not reported back in a timely manner.

“Owner approached the city and the opportunity presented itself to the city,” Ramadin noted.

She said the City selects a shelter location based on ‘building characteristics, proximity to TTC, property being available and other services in the area.”

“Homelessness exists everywhere in Toronto, including Etobicoke,” she said.

The group heard restrictions were lifted so there are no distance issues between the proposed shelter and nearby Women’s Habitat, which they say is a provincial organization, not a shelter.

Carolyn Doyle, of SSHA Community Engagement, urged the community to think of this as ‘providing a spotlight on the area programming needs of the area.’

It is “improving the area, and a new customer base of 95 beds,” Doyle said. This is ‘an example of a positive integration.’

She recalled that a City representative talked to area businesses to see how they were affected after a men’s shelter was opened in the Junction Place.

The business owners reported they did not notice a change in theft, noticed more men in the area, more mental health issues and ‘wrap around services needed.’

She said a community liaison committee will be formed with stakeholders if the proposed shelter goes through.

Engagement Facilitators will be in the area in the next month seeking input, sending out surveys and meeting with the community.

The matter goes before City council on October 5. There is expected to be a report to council by the end of October and any decision to back out is delegated to City staff.

Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade may fall victim with others to COVID

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The long-awaited 30th annual Etobicoke Santa Claus Parade has become one of dozens of events being cancelled or going virtual this year due to COVID-19.

Dozens of iconic events like the 115th Toronto Santa Claus Parade, Beaches Santa Claus Parade, North Etobicoke Santa Claus Parade, Toronto Christmas Market and even New Years’s Eve on Nathan Phillips Square were cancelled this year.

A scaled- back Halloween Corner sponsored by the Lakeshore Village BIA takes place at Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Sixth Street on October 31 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free treats!

Organizers of the Etobicoke Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade hope to have a virtual or other form of the event, where Santa may still make an appearance. Details are pending.

‘ It is with heavy hearts we announce that as per regulation and recommendation, there will be no physical parade this year,” organizers of the popular Etobicoke Lakeshore event said on social media. “… we reiterate that we will not be soliciting sponsorship this year, given the impossible year small businesses have faced.”

They say plans are being worked on so the thousands of children and parents who yearly line Lake Shore Blvd. W., in New Toronto and Long Branch can still see the jolly old man.

“We may be physically distant, but we can stay close with creativity, imagination, a little magic, and some help from our dedicated committee volunteers,” they wrote.

The parade attracts dozens of Christmas-related floats from area businesses and has been organized by an army of volunteers for the past three decades.

More than three dozen popular events that occur around in Toronto at this time of the year have been denied permits by the City due to the pandemic, which has surged in recent weeks.

Among the other events cancelled includes: Nuit Blanche, which will be altered or online, CIBC Run for the Cure (altered or online), cancelled outright are Ride to Defeat Diabetes for JDRF, 10th Annual Smoke Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship, Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Just for Laughs Toronto Street Festival, Halloween on Church and Festival of Lights.

The Cavalcade of Lights is also cancelled, Christmas in the Square with the Salvation Army is pending; so is KitzFest, Beaches Lions Christmas Tree Sale, Fairbank Village-Light Up the Holidays, 30th Annual Kensington Market Winter Solstice, Bloor Yorkville Holiday Magic, Riverside Halloween Fest, Heddington Halloween, Hanley Halloween 2020, Korean Week is cancelled, so is Himalayan Mela and the Canadian and Chinese Traditional Art Show.

Other high-profile summer events as Pride Toronto, Caribana, the CNE, Taste of the Danforth, the Honda Indy, Beaches International Jazz Festival and others were cancelled due to the virus.