The South Etobicoke News

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

Minute Muffler longest serving auto shop in area with 35 years

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Peter Laski is the owner of Minute Muffler & Brake, which has been serving the community for 35 years.

Electrical engineer Peter Laski opened his shop in New Toronto in 1985 and his is now the longest-serving auto mechanic shop having served the community for 35-years.

Laski has seen changes in technology over the decades that helped to revolutionize vehicles and make them more efficient, cleaner and complex to repair.

“I have taken hundreds of different courses over the years to keep up,” he says. “Many cars now are controlled by computers.”

His Minute Muffler & Brake Shop has been located for more than three decades at 3090 Lake Shore Blvd. W., near Fourteenth Street.

He remembers the simpler pre-virus days when the community was busy from manufacturing activity taking place at the former Goodyear Tire plant, Anaconda Steel, Campbell Soup and others now gone.

“We were busy back in those days,” Laski recalls. “All those people were our customers and they all had cars.”

He says there was a lot of work back then and housing and other items were affordable.

Many businesses suffered after the plants closed. He is glad that he stuck it out and says the area is on a rebound.

“Right now the area is improving,” he says. “We have more construction taking place and more people moving in.”

His busy shop is thriving with regular customers who keep returning because of the good and affordable service he provides in repairing their vehicles.

It has been a long and satisfying journey for Laski, a father of one, who was sponsored to Canada from Poland by a Mississauga church in 1982.

He pretty well arrived with the clothes on his back, his trade as an engineer and willingness to work long and hard.

His busy Minute Muffler & Brake shop, provides top service and can be reached at 416-251-2203 or minuteautoservices.com

 

Merchants call on BIA to stop those stealing from Christmas trees

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Security footage made available to the Lake Shore Village BIA shows woman allegedly stealing Christmas tree decorations.

Some merchants along the Lake Shore Village BIA have complained of the thefts of decorations from the Christmas trees outside their businesses.

One business owner arrived at work on December 11 to find the expensive decorations that were put up by another person, in a nearby business, were stolen.

The owner provided BIA officials with a photo of the suspected thief from her security camera.

“This is the reason why I choose not to partake in decorating the tree,” the area resident said. “Last year my costly decorations were stolen as well.”

BIA Chair Chris Korwin-Kuczynski says there has been some complaints of thefts and appropriate action will be taken against those videotaped stealing from the Christmas trees.

The BIA only last week awarded first, second and third prizes for businesses who decorated the top three Christmas trees.

The top tree went to Hearing Life Canada, second place tree won by MiBody Health and Fitness and third place went to C.U.E.S. Children’s Urban Enrichment Studio. They won beautiful trophies for their businesses.

If you see or know someone who is stealing Christmas decorations you are urged to send an email with the information to the BIA at lakeshorebia@gmail.com.

 

FOOD ALERT – Finger-lickin’ Florida style BBQ and Caribbean cuisine in Long Branch

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CHEF ‘MOM’ FARAH with some tasty BROS BBQ 2 jerk chicken on rose pasta. Photo by Tom Godfrey.

Chef Falak Farah is the manager and chef of BROS BBQ 2, one of Long Branch’s newest restaurant that prides itself on its Florida Style and Caribbean cuisine.

Farah highly recommends her jerk chicken on rose pasta as one of their top dishes that people seem to love.

Foodies are catching on to their curry and stew chicken, oxtail, ackee and salt fish, fried and steam fish.

She says her small pickup and takeout restaurant at 3371 Lake Shore Blvd. W., is well-known for its ‘exclusive’ home-made Hennessey smoked BBQ sauce. There is also a Smokey southern hot BBQ sauce with a hint of habanero and a medium with a hint of southern spices.

“People lover our Henny sauce that we make ourselves,” says Farah. “We are the Lake Shore’s first Southern BBQ place featuring Hennessey sauce.”

She only uses fresh ingredients and all meals are made to order.

“Everything is cooked to order and people love the way we cook our salmon and shrimp,” Farah insists. “They also love our jerk chicken for all the love that goes into it.”

It has been a natural journey for Farah to learn Caribbean cooking. She was born in Jordan and found the joy of Caribbean cooking after marrying a Jamaican husband in Canada. She has cooked in a number of places before PRO BBQ, which opened a few months ago.

“We go to Jamaica every year and I learn more things,” Farah says. “People like the food because more of them are coming back.”

She is among the businesses allowed to remain open these days because there’s no dining in.

“I have many Jamaican friends and love the food,” Farah vows. “You have to try our jerk chicken poutine. You will come back.”

Also highly recommended is the rose pasta, with salmon or shrimp, which is extra: jerk or lemon pepper salmon with rice and peas. Or you can order a large rack of Texas beef ribs for $27.

BROS BBQ 2 is located at 3371 Lake Shore Blvd. W., near Twenty Sixth Street. You can place your order by calling 416-252-2270. Free delivery for orders of more than $30.

 

 

Former Argonaut player now with TTC volunteers to collect toys and food

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FORMER ARGOS Obed Cotoute (left) and Toronto Police Sgt.  Lhawang Jongdong, of the Community Response Unit. Photo by Tom Godfrey.

Former Toronto Argonauts wide receiver Obed Cetoute was one of many volunteers helping Toronto Police, the TTC and Toys R Us Stuff the Bus with toys for the needy.

Cetoute, 37, played for the Argos from 2007 to 2009 before he was traded to the Saskatchewan Rough Riders.

“I look forward to giving back to the community,” Cetoute says during a December 13 toy drive. “It is something that we always did when I was with the Argos.”

The footballer lives in The Queensway and Kipling Ave. area and has been working for the last six years as a bus driver with the TTC.

He was a driver of the Stuff the Bus that was filled with toys, food and other items in hours.

“I love Etobicoke,” Cetoute vows. “This is a nice area and I have been living here for seven years.”

He loves the people who have welcomed him into the community.

The Montreal-born player was drafted in the fourth round with the 31st pick in the 2006 Canadian Football League (CFL) Draft by the Argonauts and signed with the team in May 2007.

Cetoute was a quick wide receiver, who played under CFL star turned coach Pinball Clemons, for two years.

“I totally enjoyed playing with Pinball when he was coach,” he insists. “He was a great guy.”

At one point Cetoute was sent to a football camp in South Carolina for three weeks to train with high-performance players to help elevate his training and game.

He was traded to the Roughriders in June 2010 for Offensive Lineman Jonathan St. Pierre. He was released by the team in August 2011.

The athlete had missed most of the 2009 season due to injury.

The six-foot-two, 213-pounder played in 24 games and tallied 31 receptions for 461 yards and three touchdowns for the Argos.

The athlete played college football at Central Michigan and before that at Vanier College for the Cheetahs.

He was part of a Toronto Argos Stop the Violence Huddle Up Program in which he spoke about bullying to elementary schools and high schools throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

Cetoute was also part of the team’s mentorship program for young people.

Police, TTC and Toys R Us Stuff the Bus with toys and food for those in need

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It was a brisk day that was made warm by all the toys, food and other items donated in a Toronto Police, TTC and Toys R Us “Stuff the Bus” drive to help the needy in our community.

Officers of 22 Division teamed up with the TTC, Toys R Us, 22 Division Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) on December 13 to fill a bus that was parked across from the Sherway Garden Mall with stuffed toys, games, some food and other items.

The bus was packed in hours with toys from generous members of the community during the daylong event, which saw a constant stream of residents brave the cold bearing gifts.

Police and donors were wearing masks and practicing social distance for the COVID-19 free event.

“People in the community were very generous with their time and donations,” says Sgt.  Lhawang Jongdong, of the Division’s Community Response Unit. “We did very well with donations considering the challenges we face.”

Jongdong says the items will sit for two days to avoid a possible spread of COVID-19 before it is distributed to social agencies and the needy in the area.

TTC driver Jessica Caramanico, who has been organizing the drive for years, is encouraged by the generosity of the community.

“All the toys will be going to deserving kids in the community,” she says. “They will be handed out at the local hospitals, social agencies and other places.”

Const. Julie-Anne Walker says the drive brings the community, police and the TTC together to help children during this time of the year.

“This is a great cause that help others in our community,” Walker says. “It is good for police as well.”

CPLC member Michael Georgopoulis says there were eight pellets of food items donated to the Daily Bread Food Bank and clothing and other items for the Salvation Army.

“Many of our supporters like the TD Bank were there to help us,” Georgopoulis says. “Our donors really came through.”

The annual toy drive by Toronto Police and the TTC has been taking place for a number of years and has helped hundreds of families. Police say anyone with new, unopened toys to donate can drop them off outside of 22 Division, at 3699 Bloor St. W.

 

 

Local mystery writer leaving for fans signed copies of her books

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MYSTERY WRITER Elizabeth J. Duncan is leaving signed copies of her books in a small free mailbox outside her home. Courtesy Photo.

A leading Canadian mystery writer is leaving signed copies of her popular who-done-its for book lovers in the Mimico area.

Elizabeth J. Duncan has left a copy of her first book in the Penny Brannigan mystery series in a small free library in front of her Second Street home, in the Lake Shore Blvd. W. area.

Duncan says if the book is picked up by December 18 she will leave a signed copy of another book in the series for mystery-loving fans.

“I’ll leave a copy of a Brush with Death, the second book in the series,” she wrote in a post on social media.

The long-time area resident is a two-time winner of the Blood Words Award for Canada’s best light mystery.

“I hope someone in our community will enjoy this book, which is set in North Wales,” she says.

She has written nine volumes in the Penny Brannigan Mystery series. The latest The Marmalade Murders, is also set in North Wales which is celebrated for its small-town charm and picturesque settings.

Duncan has a loyal following who love her books worldwide.

“I just reserved a copy,” wrote Susanna Smith.

Caroline Godin says “I read the whole series and they’re lovely.”

Ruth Snowden says she has put the book on hold in the library and is “looking forward to a good read by a local author.”

“I loved this series,” wrote Brenda Siddall. “If you haven’t read it you are due for a treat and when you start you can’t stop.”

Duncan is also a winner of the Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition for The Cold Light of Mourning. She was shortlisted for the Agatha and Arthur Ellis Awards.

Her books can be ordered online.

 

Annual police, TTC Stuff the Bus drive helps others in our community

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Help cheer up others in the community during these challenging times.

Toronto police 22 Division and partners are hosting a Stuff the Bus holiday toy drive at the Sherway Gardens Toy R Us, 690 Evans Ave., on Sunday, December 13.

You can help brighten the Christmas of a child in need by helping to stuff a bus full of toys outside the Toys R Us location at Sherway Gardens in Etobicoke.

The annual and much-anticipated Stuff the Bus event is taking place between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

The event is put on by Toronto police’s 22 Division, the 22 Division Community Police Liaison Committee, the TTC’s Queensway Division and Toys R Us.

The charity has been helping to uplift and serve the community for more almost 20-years.

The Stuff the Bus event was established in 2003, as a police and TTC initiative to raise gifts of new unwrapped toys, electronics, personal hygiene, new clothing and monetary donations benefitting the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness among others.

An earlier drive by 22 Division officers helped to raise much-needed food and toys that went to help St. Margaret’s Church, on Sixth Street, in its work in helping the needy.

 

 

Police warn to lock your doors at home as thieves prey in the early darkness

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POLICE ARE warning to lock all your doors at home to prevent thefts as it gets darker earlier.

Toronto Police are warning homeowners to lock their doors to avert thieves as darkness falls earlier these days.

Police say they have seen an increase of residential break and enters in some parts of the city as crooks make the rounds to homes taking advantage of unlocked doors.

Officers say some of the thefts took place in 13 Division and 53 Division while the occupants were home. The targeted dwellings are in the Lawrence Ave. W. and Bathurst St. area.

Police warn that the thefts can take place anywhere in the city, where doors maybe inadvertently be left open and as it gets dark about 4:30 p.m.

In most of the cases the occupants were not unaware they were being robbed and only realized in the morning, police say.

No one was hurt in any of the incidents but property stolen included purses, wallets and clothing, police allege.

Residents are asked to remain vigilant and make sure their doors are locked at all times. It is also encouraged to leave some lights on, or have them come on automatically, in your home to deter crooks.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com.

Charges laid in the cycling death of retired teacher at Royal York and Judson

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GHOST BIKE being laid where cyclist was hit and killed by cement truck. Charges now laid.

Toronto Police have charged an Oshawa dump truck driver in connection with the death of a retired school teacher who was riding his bicycle in the Royal York Rd., and Judson St. area.

The 48-year-old man, who has not been identified, was charged by Traffic Services on December 10 with not making a safety turn and careless driving causing death under the Highway Traffic Act.

The incident occurred on November 20 around 4:43 p.m. involving a cyclist and a green cement truck at the busy Mimico intersection.

John Offutt, 59, a recently retired teacher, received high praise for his work in the classroom by former students on social media.

“He was a teacher who quit his real estate job to help kids succeed in a low income neighbourhood,” former student A. Hafeez wrote on social media. “It is truly amazing that someone would do that.”

Hafeez says Offutt was a good man who loved his students and wanted them to succeed.

Police allege Offutt was travelling southbound on Royal York Rd., when the cement truck made a right turn from southbound Royal York Rd. to westbound Judson St.

“The cement truck made contact with the cyclist,” investigators wrote in a press release. “The cyclist succumbed to his injuries at the scene.”

Officers said following their investigation and consultation with the Prosecutor’s Office, it was determined that charges should be laid.

The driver is slated to appear at Old City Hall Court on April 29, 2021, in Room C.

Offutt’s death has angered area residents and members of the Judson Street community, who have been complaining to the City for years that ML Ready Mix is an uncooperative neighbour.

Residents have been complaining about the dust, noise and pollution from a steady stream of cement trucks that daily frequent the ML Ready Mix yard, on Judson St.

“The tragic loss of life was made all the worse by the certain knowledge that it was entirely preventable,” a citizens advocacy group wrote after placing a ghost bicycle at the scene of his death.

Mimico area residents are being urged to sign an online petition to request the concrete plant be developed into green space.

Some 36 staffers at Mississauga’s Trillium Health partners test positive for COVID-19

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Some 36 staff at Mississauga Trillium Health partners, with three sites, are in self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. Courtesy photo.

South Etobicoke residents are being warned to stay away from Mississauga’s Trillium Health Partners Network after 36 staff at three of its sites are in self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.

Many area residents are urged to attend Toronto hospitals for treatment rather than making a quick trip for now to hospitals in the Mississauga area. Many area residents attend Mississauga hospitals to avoid driving downtown for medical help.

The network in a statement said the three dozen affected employees have been off from work since December 8 after they tested positive for the virus.

The cases are linked to both hospital and community transmission, officials said.

“All contact tracing has been conducted and infection prevention and control measures are in place to ensure our hospital remains a safe place to receive care,” the network stated.

Officials said four units at Credit Valley Hospital and Mississauga Hospital are dealing with an outbreak.

Trillium Health Partners (THP) has two sites in Mississauga, including Credit Valley Hospital and Mississauga Hospital. Its third site, Queensway Health Centre, is across from Sherway Gardens.

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said she is concerned about the situation in the hospitals as it is not getting any better.

“Trillium Health Partners is currently well above capacity and is dealing with 88 COVID patients, 20 patients in the ICU and a great number of patients awaiting their results,” Crombie said.

She noted that patients are being transferred to other hospitals and some elective surgeries are in danger of being cancelled.

“I’ve been told that the next three to six weeks will be extremely challenging for our hospitals as they continue to deal with the surge of COVID patients,” Crombie noted.

Peel region is under the province’s lockdown zone and has been for the past 17 days. No indoor gatherings are permitted unless people are members of the same household, with some exceptions, including support for seniors living alone.

Peel region last week reported an average of 459 daily cases, with Mississauga averaging 152 daily cases.

Dr. Lawrence Loh, Peel Region’s medical officer of health, said cases continue to rise and still heading in the wrong direction.

“We are not yet seeing a plateau or a decrease,” Loh said. “And if we remember how the first wave in the spring worked, we don’t start going down right away.”

Although a vaccine has been approved in Canada, the doctor said residents must stay the course with wearing masks, hand washing and physical distancing to curb the spread of COVID-19.