The South Etobicoke News

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

Some upcoming toy and food drives in which you can help others this season

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There will be a food drive taking place on December 5 at Royal LePage Porritt Real Estate, at 3385 Lake Shore Blvd. W., at 28th Street, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Members of the Long Branch BIA are expected to be there to take part in the contactless drive-through food drive to help the Daily Bread Food Bank.
And on December 13 officers of 22 Division will be staging their annual “Stuff the Bus,” toy drive with colleagues at the TTC-Queensway Division.
The toy bus will be parked outside ToysRus, at 690 Evans Ave., across from Sherway Garden Mall on Sunday, December 13, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
COVID-19 protocols will be in place.
If you have toys to donate, but cannot make it, police are encouraging you to drop them off outside of 22 Division, at 3699 Bloor St. W.

Free things to do and staying busy in our community

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DEC. 3 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
MEETING in regards to a proposal to build a 13-
storey hotel at 2157 Lake Shore Blvd. W., With
165 suites. Virtual meeting from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30
p.m. For more information and view visit
toronto.ca
DEC. 5 BRANDING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT by
Women Empowered STEAM Workshop from 12
p.m. to 1:30 p.m. learn from professionals in the
industry via ZOOM with Nadia Headley, 2114
Consultant, and Tiff Lee, of Heart Strong. For
more contact the Jean Augustine Centre at 416-
253-9797 or visit www.jeanaugustinecentre.ca
DEC. 7 ETOBICOKE CAMERA CLUB PRESENTS Rob
Stimpson as he presents Creating Images That

Tell a Story from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $10 for non-
members through eventbrite.ca, purchase tickets

from the ECC Facebook
page: https://www.facebook.com/etobcc. For a
full schedule or to join the club go
to http://etobicokecameraclub.org.
DEC. 8 LAMP WELLNESS WORKSHOPS at 2 p.m.
Mindfulness Meditation and Wellness.Holiday
Wellness Environmental Sustainability
specializing in contemplative studies and
humane living. To register please contact Jasmin
Dooh at jasmind@lampchc.org or 416-252 -6471
ext. 308.
LAMP EMERGENCY FOOD TAKE OUT meals
continues to be offered Monday through
Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m..
DEC. 9 IS FINAL DAY FOR THE ETOBICOKE SCHOOL
OF THE ARTS application deadline. The school is
only open to students with an M postal code and
audition will take place in virtual format. January
15 is Virtual Audition Day. For further information
contact Vice-principal Peter Farquharson at 416-
394-2001 or peter.farquharson@tdsb.on.ca Visit
the school website to apply and obtain answers
to your questions at www.esainfo.ca/admissions
FREE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELLING FOR infants,
children, youth and families by phone or video,

no fees or appointments. Qualified counsellors
available Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Contact 1-866-585-6486.
ETOBICOKE SERVICES FOR SENIORS (ESS) grocery
delivery program. Step 1 register and place
order. Step 2 ESS will pick up grocery and
deliver to your door. It will cost the price of your
groceries and a $3.50 delivery fee. Call 416-243-
0127 ext. 555.
KIWANIS KINGSWAY HUMBER COVID RELIEF FUND to
help charities in Etobicoke and residents who
are in urgent need for funding. Our COVID
Relief Fund is set up to help those
organizations. Visit https://bit.ly/3du5fSU or
www.kingswaykiwanishumber.com
FREE SOUP ON SUNDAY TAKES PLACE EVERY
SUNDAY between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at St.
Margaret’s Anglican Church, at 156 Sixth Street.
Free piping hot soup packed in individual
Styrofoam containers ready for take-out and go
when you show up.
DEC. 11 TORONTO POLICE 22 DIVISION AND THE
GRILLE have joined forces to raise toys or funds
to help those in need. Drop off an unwrapped toy
at The Grille restaurant, at 1596 The
Queensway. It all goes to help those in need at
Haven on The Queensway.
DEC. 12 GREAT LAKES BREWERY IS URGING
customers to fight hunger and stop by the
brewery, located at 30 Queen Elizabeth Blvd.,
with non-perishable food items between 11 a.m.
and 4 p.m. Staff will gather donations from the
parking lot and sort food into bins to be delivered
to Daily Bread food bank.
DEC. 13 TORONTO POLICE 22 Division officers will
be collecting toys and non-perishable food for
area charities that will help the needy. Officers
will be in the Markland Woods area trying to fill a
police vehicle with donated goodies as part of
annual Christmas campaign.
EVERY TUESDAY UNTIL DECEMBER 15 AT LAMP
HANDLE WITH CARE from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. group

Zoom interactive program to help parents and
caregivers promote the mental health of the
children in their lives. To register email Madison
at MBanks&the519.org or
handlewithcarecanada.org
WARM CLOTHING DRIVE IN SUPPORT of Haven on
The Queensway in need of gently used warm
clothing for men, women and children. New
socks and underwear for men and women,
personal hygiene items and clean, gently used
winter footwear. Items can be dropped off at
Haven every Monday to Thursday between 9
a.m. and 4 p.m. at 1533 The Queensway. If you
cannot get there contact Councillor Mark
Grimes office at 416-397-9273 for pickup.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP AT THE SALVATION
ARMY, on Thirtieth Street, at this time of the year.
More than 800 area families this year will receive
Christmas assistance. Please consider donating.
Foodbank available. Contact Jennifer at 416-
251-8372 ext. 101.
STONEGATE CHC IS SEEKING donations of $22
each for The Good Food Box that contains fresh
fruits and vegetables that are given to local
families in need during COVID-19. For info or
donate contact Stonegate at 416-231-7070 ext.
229 or give online at www.stonegatechc.org.
Located at 10 Neighbourhood Lane, Unit 201.
LAMP IS SUPPORTING LAMP clients with food, new
clothing, toys and essential care items.
Donations can be made online at
www.lampchc.org to provide food vouchers and
gift certificates for those in need this holiday
season. Choose a program you would like to
support https://lampchc.org/get-involved/donate/
Covid-19 Food and Emergency Relief.
LAMP CLIENTS ARE ELIGIBLE to receive fresh fruit
and vegetables due to a donation from the
Ontario Produce Association. Some turkeys and
ham also available from donation by Feed
Canada. Contact Jasmin Dooh at 4-6-252-6471
ext. 30 or by email jasmind@lampchc.org

SIU investigating after man shot by police in Long Branch

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SIU investigating man shot by police in Long Branch. Photo courtesy CP24.

A local man is recuperating in hospital after being shot by police during an interaction in Long Branch.

Police said they were responding to reports of a man wielding a hatchet or an axe shortly after 5 p.m. on December 3, on Lake Shore Blvd. W., near Twenty Fourth St., close to a 7-Eleven store.

The man was located by police and shots were fired.

It is not known at this time why the officer, or officers, discharged their firearm.

“It is believed that an officer discharged their firearm,” according to a police tweet.

The man, who has not been identified, was transported to a nearby hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has been called to investigate since police were involved. They are called for cases involving police in a death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.

Traffic in the area has been affected with Lake shore Blvd. W., being shut between Twenty First Street and Twenty Six Street.

 

 

Letter from the City to New Toronto residents for halting plans for shelter

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From: Justin Lewis,  Director,
Infrastructure Planning & Development Shelter,
Support & Housing Administration,
City of Toronto.
Hello New Toronto community members,
We would like to provide you with an update on the property we were pursuing at 2950+2970 Lake Shore Blvd West.
After a comprehensive due diligence process, the City of Toronto will no longer be acquiring the property.
The decision not to proceed with the acquisition is a reflection of information gained during the City’s diligence review of the site, including building condition assessments and environmental assessments.
It was determined that the City would not be able to proceed with the renovation and activation of the site within the Council approved budget and project timeline required for the acquisition.
The early engagement work done during this due diligence stage revealed a passionate community with diverse perspectives and a commitment to building a strong resilient neighbourhood.
The reports resulting from the early engagement activities will be published shortly and will be available on the 2950+2970 Lake Shore Blvd West web page (www.toronto.ca/ShelterExpansionSites).
The work we begun together will provide a strong framework for siting any future housing and homelessness services in your area.
And while SSHA’s involvement is wrapping up at the site, the community has had many important conversations, revealing an opportunity to continue to work together to collaborate in order to strengthen your neighbourhood.
Please note that the early community engagement had no bearing on the decision to not move forward on the site.
Finally, we want to extend our gratitude to the team of City of Toronto staff and third-party consultants who worked rigorously to identify the 2950+2970 Lake Shore Blvd. West location, conduct due diligence and support a robust early engagement plan for the site.
Ensuring that there are shelter and supportive housing services available to people in communities across Toronto remains a priority for SSHA and the City as a whole.
While this project will no longer be going forward, the City will continue to actively work with Councillor Grimes to search for appropriate shelter sites across the City. We hope that this was just the beginning of our conversations and look forward to working together with the New Toronto community again in the future.
If you have further questions or concerns related to this project, please contact clc.2950.70lakeshoreblvdwest@gmail.com.
If you have questions or concerns about something in your community, it may be useful to note the following contacts: 311 3-1-1 | 416-338-0889 (TTY)
Report concerns about: • Homeless individuals who need support • Excessive noise • Excessive litter • Hazardous materials in parks – 2 – Central Intake 416-397-5637 • Telephone support to individuals seeking access to emergency shelter. Police Non-Emergency 416-808-2222 | 416-467-0493 (TTY) • Report crimes where no person is in immediate danger (i.e. theft, vandalism, fraud). 9-1-1 • In an emergency, always call 911 (fires, crimes in progress, medical emergencies requiring an ambulance).
 Sincerely,
Justin Lewis,  Director,
Infrastructure Planning & Development Shelter,
Support & Housing Administration,
City of Toronto.

City stop plans for a shelter at 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

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THAT’s IT. The City says they are not following through with a controversial shelter at 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W. The community is quite happy. 

Some community residents are breathing a sigh of relief as city officials say they’re not going forward with a plan to establish a controversial shelter at 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

Justin Lewis,  Director, Infrastructure Planning & Development Shelter, Support & Housing Administration, in a letter to New Toronto residents wrote “the City will no longer be acquiring the property.”

“The decision not to proceed with the acquisition is a reflection of information gained during the City’s diligence review of the site, including building condition assessments and environmental assessments,” Lewis wrote.

“It was determined that the City would not be able to proceed with the renovation and activation of the site within the Council approved budget and project timeline required for the acquisition,” he said.

“The early engagement work done during this due diligence stage revealed a passionate community with diverse perspectives and a commitment to building a strong resilient neighbourhood,” Lewis told residents in a letter on December 1.

“This is great news for the community,” says Chris Korwin Kuczynski, Chair of the Lake Shore Village BIA. “We are very happy with this news.”

Korwin Kuczynski said members of the community who had mixed thoughts of the shelter would be delighted.

News of an upcoming shelter had split the community with many residents concerned on how it would impact their property values and crime in the area.

Many members were against a 100-bed shelter, in an area which they claim already has its share of social concerns.

Lewis said the early community engagement had no bearing on the decision not to move forward on the site.

“While this project will no longer be going forward, the City will continue to actively work with Councillor Mark Grimes to search for appropriate shelter across the city,” the letter said.

If you have further questions or concerns related to this project, please contact clc.2950.70lakeshoreblvdwest@gmail.com.

The reports resulting from the early engagement activities will be published shortly and will be available on the 2950+2970 Lake Shore Blvd West web page (www.toronto.ca/ShelterExpansionSites).

 

Elderly woman dies in fire at Mimico seniors home

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FATAL FIRE ON Cavell Ave., in Mimico, that killed elderly woman at senior’s home. CITY TV photo.

Residents of a seniors home are mourning the loss of an elderly tenant who was killed in a stubborn apartment fire at their building.

Fire crews were called to Griggs Manor at 100 Cavell Ave., just before 11:30 a.m. on November 30, says Toronto fire officials.

District Chief Stephan Powell said a fire broke out in the seventh floor of the seven-storey building, which is a senior’s home near Cavell Ave., and Royal York Rd.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Fire Chief Matthew Pegg said on social media the fire department, police, and Fire Marshal’s office are working to determine what happened.

Crews responding to the scene were warned of reports of flames near the top of the building.

“I extend sincere condolences to family, friends and all those impacted by this morning’s fatal fire on Cavell Avenue,” Pegg said.

Police said they had reports that an elderly woman in the building was trapped due to flames. She was later pulled from the unit after firefighters or police breached the door to get her.

Police said an officer suffered a minor injury while trying to get to the woman.

Manny Garcia, of the Ontario Fire Marshal office said they are investigating reports that the woman had trouble getting out of the building.

“I understand that the individual may not have been able to find their way out. That’s obviously going to be a focus of our investigation,” he said.

They will also examining fire safety devices, smoke alarms, smoke detection devices to see if they played a role.

All residents of the building were evacuated.

Humber Bay residents rallying to help man living in a red sailboat

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HUMBER BAY RESIDENTS have raised more than $4,000 on Go Fund Me to help Tate who is living in a red sailboat in Humber Bay with dogs. Courtesy photo.

It will be a good Christmas for a man living in a little red sailboat in Humber Bay.

More than #4,000 has been raised in a Go Fund Me by Humber Bay Shores residents to help a man, identified as Tate, who has several dogs living with him in a small sailboat.

Area residents have been monitoring the man as it gets cold to ensure he is fine.

Residents who have spoken to Tate says he lives in the sailboat rather than staying in homeless shelters.

“He was able to save up enough money to buy this inexpensive boat to live on with his doggies rather than going in and out of shelters,” writes Melanie M., who is organizing the fundraiser.
“We are hoping to raise funds for him to get the boat winterized and at a safe place to dock for him and the doggies.”

Area residents say the man spends most of his time in the Lakeshore Blvd. W., and Windermere Blvd. area.

Donors are trying to find the man a place to store his boat for the winter, but most places are filled.

“Tate wakes up with a smile on his face knowing there’s enough good in this world for him to keep him going every single day” writes Melanie, who says he has had a hard life.

Some residents from Humber Bay Shores have been buying Tate and his dogs food and supplies.

“For as long as he can remember he has only eaten one meal a day,” Melanie writes on social media. “He is quite happy being able to have an extra snack at night.”

Tate plans to use some of the funds donated to help others at Christmas who are living on the streets.

“He usually has to stand at the corner to make that money, but this year he feels a weight off his shoulders,” she says. “He doesn’t have to be out there begging.”

She says since the news broke she has received e-transfers totaling more than $835 and people are leaving items at her condo.

“As well as supplies, food and essential items which are being dropped off at the concierge desk at my building,” she says.

She says Tate is ”truly filled with joy by the generosity and gestures of kindness everybody in this neighbourhood is showing him.”

Some of the funds will be used to purchase materials and items as gas for his boat and food for his dogs.

Donations can be made at Go Fund Me.

Cyclist school teacher mourned after being killed by cement truck in Mimico

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GHOST CYCLE left in memory of retired schoolteacher John Offutt at spot where he was hit by a cement truck. Courtesy photo.

Area resident John Offutt loved to cycle and it was cycling that took his life.

The recently retired school teacher was on his out for a cycle on November 20 when he was involved in an accident in the Judson Steet and Royal York Rd. area with a cement truck, in which he lost his life.

A ghost bike to remember his death has been installed.

Former student A Hafeez says Offutt was his kindergarten teacher at Thorncliffe Park Public School.
“He was a teacher who quit his real estate job to help kids succeed in a low income neighbourhood,” 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.

His death has angered 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.

Police said Offutt, 59, was cycling southbound on Royal York Rd. when the truck driver, going southbound as well, made a right turn on Judson St. and hit the cyclist.

“The tragic loss of life was made all the worse by the certain knowledge that it was entirely preventable,” a citizens advocacy group wrote.

Members said City Council spent $5 million to buy the Ready Mix property in July 2018, with the goal of moving the operations to the Port Lands. The company under an agreement had a year to move to its new site on Commissioners Street.

Mimico area residents are being urged to sign an online petition, which has several hundred names, to request the concrete plant be developed into green space.

“Green space and parkland is urgently needed in the neighbourhood,” the petition states. “Please help push development of the property to provide a beautiful place to enjoy with family and friends.”

The relocation of the plant presents a strategic opportunity to further consolidate concrete batching operations in the Port Lands, while at the same time reducing land use conflicts currently experienced by the residents of the Judson Street community, the group noted.

The petition will be circulated to Mayor John Tory, Councillor Mark Grimes and other City officials.

 

Reeve Butler had vision for building Victory Homes in Alderwood and Queensway areas

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REEVE BUTLER TOOK ON a huge task to ensure there were enough ‘Victory Homes’ for veterans returning home. File photo.

Former Etobicoke reeve and funeral home owner Frank A.C. Butler is best remembered for building hundreds of homes for veterans returning from the war during his three-years in office.

Little is known about Butler, who is the former owner of Butler Funeral Home, which is now Turner and Porter Butler Chapel.

He was elected the 29th reeve of Etobicoke and served one-term from 1943 to 1946 in a time when elections changed from annually to every second year.

He is credited with expanding the Etobicoke Township Hall in 1946, with additions to the front and rear of the building. The hall still stands today in the Burnhamthorpe Rd. and Dundas St. W. area.

Butler is known foremost for his work in housing veterans returning home from the Second World War.

Under his tenure military housing, then known in government advertising as ‘Victory Homes,’ or ‘Stawberry Box’ homes, were built by the hundreds in Alderwood and The Queensway and Royal York Rd., areas.

More than 200 homes were built in the Queensway park area for workers and veterans. They were favoured since they were quick to build, had simple plans that were repeated nationwide.

Hundreds of the dwellings were built in 1943 in the Alderwood area for workers at the Canadian military Small Arms Company, in what is now Marie Curtis Park.

The homes were prefabricated and shipped to the sites to be constructed. This resulted in very homogenous and uniform developments that sprung up in almost every major city during the war and post war periods.

The houses were often one and a half stories tall with gabled roofs and clapboard siding. The streets of these instant neighborhoods were often given names that recalled their place in the time following the war, such as Victory or Churchill.

The typical style was either a detached bungalow or a two-storey semi-detached. Depending on the locale, the facade may have been plain wood or brick, with entrances at the front and sides.

Some 46,000 of the homes were constructed nationwide under the Veterans’ Land Act of 1942, which was initiated by the Canadian Government to provide housing for veterans returning home and their families.

The main objective was to get people working, by giving them land to farm in order to provide for themselves. The homes were very small to allow for a large portion of the property to remain open for potential farming.

Local advisory committees were recruited ‘to advise on potential or proposed sites, to help negotiations for property acquisitions and in a call for tenders.”

There was an assembly line of construction workers, with each team performing one job, then moving on to the next home. With on-the-spot prefabrication, each home took about 36 hours to raise. The wiring, plumbing, and interior finishing were completed, including more insulation. A fuel box for heating stoves was attached to the house exterior, to hold perhaps wood or coal.

The compact homes were rented for $22 to $30 monthly, affordable for workers and war-weary veterans. Thanks to historian Denise Harris.