The South Etobicoke News

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

Artist Moises Frank paints murals of Blacks in Graffiti Ally

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Long Branch Neighbourhood Association mural lead Moises Frank has been busy drawing Black figures in Toronto’s Graffiti Ally during recent protests for racial equality.
Frank, whose art graces the Eight Street Skatepark, is well-known in the area and has done other work to beautify spaces in Long Branch and the community.
He and Jessey Pacho, co-organized the “graffiti jam,” as their way to speak out against the oppression they are seeing.
They put out a call and about 40 artists from the Toronto area and Montreal converged in Graffiti Ally, near Spadina Ave. and Queen Street W. to pay tribute to George Floyd and other Black figures through their art.
Joining the other murals in the ally are illustrations of Martin Luther King, Jr., Floyd, whose death led to global protests after he was killed by a Minneapolis cop on May 25; and Breonna Taylor, 26, who was killed by Kentucky police in her home last March.
The alley is a tourist hotspot since its buildings have been gradually covered over the years with bright-coloured sketches and paintings.
Moises has recently worked for the NBA Allstar game, Converse Canada and last year drew a fantastic departing mural of former Toronto Raptor Kawhi Leonard after the team won the championship.
 

All star slugger Joey Votto loved growing up in Mimico

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One of Etobicoke’s top baseball star Joey Votto says he wept after watching a video of George Floyd’s murder by a police officer and then considering his life of white privilege.

Votto, 36, who was raised in Mimico, says he has many Black friends who are professional baseball players, whom he talked too, without listening to their plight.

He had just finished reading “A Long Walk to Freedom,” the autobiography of Nelson Mandela, about his 27-year prison sentence for fighting racism in South Africa.

In a column for the Cincinnati Enquirer on June 7, the athlete wrote at first he refused to watch the video of Floyd’s murder when asked by a Black teammate.

“I wept,” Votto wrote after watching the video the next day. “I texted my friend back and apologized.”

The 2010 National League MVP and member of the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame talked about his Etobicoke upbringing and his views on race.

“I was raised in Mimico,” the first baseman wrote. “It is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.”

He was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in 2002 and at the age of 18 began his career, traveling around the U.S. on buses, growing up in clubhouses that were predominantly divided between whites and Latinos.

“Most of our minor league teams had a few African American players,” Votto reflects. “And perhaps because of where I was raised, I found myself most comfortable with the group of Americans who weren’t white.”

“For five years, I shared hotel rooms with my African-American teammates,” he wrote. “We shared pizzas, played video games, and listened to music together. We developed friendships. I look back on these years as some of the best of my life.”

The athlete saw “glimpses of racism that should have opened my eyes to the realities of being a Black man in America.”

“My teammates, my friends, the ones that I shared great times with, faced prejudices that I never did and when they shared their experiences … I did not hear them,” he noted.

His privilege kept him from understanding the ‘why’ behind Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the national anthem.

“That privilege allowed me to ignore my black teammates’ grievances about their experiences with law enforcement, being profiled, and discriminated against,” he grieved. “And that privilege has made me complicit in the death of George Floyd, as well as the many other injustices that Blacks experience in the U.S. and my native Canada … No longer will I be silent.”

Votto made his Major League debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007 and is a six-time National League All-Star. He is one of the top players in major league baseball.

 

 

Working hard to clean up the litter in our community

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Its warm weather time which means more litter to clean up in our community.

Teams of residents have been working hard to do their part in cleaning up cigarette butts, pieces of plastic, including tons of coffee cups and other litter which is an eyesore for many.

New Toronto realtor Trish Buchanan and neighbour Carol Cormier are finishing up a 30-day litter clean up challenge targeting lakefront parks and green spaces.

They regularly take plastic bags and would spend up to two hours several times weekly picking up litter at Samuel Smith Park, Cliff Lumsdon Park, Prince of Wales Park and sometimes Marie Curtis Park.

“We have spent weeks working on Sam Smith Park because it is the largest,” says Buchanan. “Prince of Wales on Second Street is the worst because it is constant due to the parking lot.”

She says they also pick up bags of litter from other areas, which are usually cleaned by the City but that service has been reduced due to COVID-19.

“People still toss out their garbage in this day and age,” she explains. “This practice has to stop.”

Buchanan says everyone is welcome to join, all they need is some plastic bags, gloves and find an area which requires cleaning.

“We usually take out six or eight bags of litter every time we come here,” she says. “I spend a lot of time climbing over the rocks pulling out the garbage stuck inside.”

Cormier says the activity keeps them both in shape and spending quality time outside.

Residents of Humber Bay Shores have also been meeting every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. to clean up their area, which includes the tracks and trails. They usually meet near the Eden Trattoria restaurant.

They will be there on June 7 if you want to join them to clean up the area. Volunteers are required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chief takes to his knee in anti-racism demo

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Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders took to his knee and joined anti-racism protestors marching for equality and in support of George Floyd, who was killed by U.S. police.

Saunders, and a few officers, took part in a march on June 5 in downtown Toronto. Another march decrying racism will take place on June 6.

“My Command and I met protesters today and we took a knee,” the Chief said on Twitter. “We see you and we are listening.”

Toronto’s first Black police Chief told protestors we are living through a historic period.

“We are in a moment of time that will change the course of history,” Saunders said. “Not only our history as the Toronto Police Service or law enforcement but as a society in Canada and North America.’

Many in our community have taken to social media to express support for U.S. protestors who have been demonstrating, and clashing with police, for almost two weeks since Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis cop.

Local artist Amanda Cotton shared online a beautiful sketch she composed of Floyd, which was shared by many residents.

“This was sketched last Friday with a very heavy heart and many tears shed as a tribute to him and all others suffering through this time,” Cotton explained. “I was humbled and heartbroken by the tragic death the world got to witness.”

Adrianna Tansek says the sketch paid a “nice tribute” to Floyd.

“.. there is no other time than now that the human race need to come together and unite as one,” she Tweeted.

Resident Elena Fiorenza says the artwork can be sold to help raise money for a GoFundMe page set up to help his daughter.

Many other sites and pages have popped up on social media in support of the Floyd family.

Some area residents have even taken to compiling a list of Black-owned businesses to patronize in light of the systemic racism, which they say, are faced by some.

FOOD Review: Some Top Tasty Take-out food places in the community

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South Etobicoke is blessed with a number of very good Indian restaurants and this cuisine tends to lend itself to takeout, as it travels and reheats well without any loss of flavour or texture.
Here are some Top Tasty Community Favourite Take-outs which won’t disappoint as reviewed by Wayne Gibson, of the South Etobicoke News.

From the Mediterranean Shore of Syria to
Mimico, Mooring Eats, 2481 Lake Shore Blvd. W. 416-253-7171,  has rapidly made a name for itself with its superb Middle
Eastern dishes. Try their homemade Baba Ghanoush as an appetizer and their Shish Tawook Plate with two sides and a main.  Good take out service, delicious food and a hit on social media. Many residents love the food, which they describe as honest without cutting corners. Its no wonder why they have gained a loyal following.
Serving the Mimico Community for many years, Kothur,2356 Lake Shore Blvd., W., 416-253-5047,  has
earned a reputation for serving quality Indian dishes at
reasonable prices. Try their Shrimp Biryani–shrimp in a tasty
basmati rice matrix with subtle spicing—or their Dal Makani—
dark lentils perfectly spiced. Open for both lunch and dinner.
Further West, in the heart of Alderwood, is Feast of Dilli, 378 Brown’s Line, 647-348-4567, serving reasonably priced Indian dishes. For a milder dish, try their butter chicken and for those liking the heat, the lamb
vindaloo is highly recommended. Again, Cheetah Beer can
be taken out from this Brown’s Line favourite.
Check Merlot, 2994 Bloor St., W., 416-236-0081, for Classic French bistro-style cuisine; for a different dish, try their confit of duck with your choice of wine, followed by a chocolate mousse dessert. Well-liked and has a loyal following. Open now for takeout and delivery.
Black Angus, 3250 Bloor St. W., 416-233-7406, has been serving the community fine steaks for 50 years, now with plenty more menu options. Takeout oràcurbside delivery, or if you wish to wait for full opening, buy
some gift cards now to be ready to enjoy a full dining room
experience later. Half-price wine.
Souvlaki Hut Greek Taverna, 3080 Bloor St. W. 416-
233-2090, Classic Greek cuisine that is well-prepared with quality
ingredients: chicken souvlaki, either in a pita or as a main
course, is excellent. Another Greek favourite, Moussaka, also
makes for a tasty takeout dinner and a vegetarian option is also
available. Tasty take-outs that won’t fail.

Woeful history of Mimico’s largest waterfront mansion

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If some of the rooms in a mansion on Lake Shore Blvd. W. could talk, we would probably be amazed by some of the tales they could tell.

The Consulate of the Republic of Poland for 44-years has occupied what is described as the ‘largest home built on the Mimico waterfront’ that sits behind a tall ornate iron fence that stops at Number 2603.

The limestone ‘English Tudor style’ home was designed by leading architect John Wilson Siddall and originally had 21 rooms including six marble bathrooms, four fireplaces, a panelled library, two solariums and formal gardens extending to the lake.

It has been the scene of many events in Polish history including the Solidarity movement and many elections in Warsaw.

The home was built in 1927 by Lawrence J. McGuinness, the well-known booze baron and distiller, who started a wholesale liquor business in Toronto in 1905.

McGuinness, according to local historian Michael Harrison, made his money as a ’bootlegger and rum runner’ who exported liquor into the U.S. during Prohibition from a home next door, at 2619 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

“McGuinness was well-known in Toronto and was a personal friend of Ontario Premier Mitch Hepburn,” wrote Harrison. “In 1938, he built a distillery and bottling plant in Mimico.”

He wrote that at the height of Prohibition, McGuinness and his partner Harry Hatch, controlled all traffic in liquor along the west-end of Lake Ontario.

They became wealthy and McGuinness used some his profits to purchase property and build the huge mansion, now Consulate, at 2603 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

McGuinness passed away in 1951, and the liquor company was taken over by his son Larry Jr., who ran the business until it was sold to Standard Brands in the 1970s, then Corby’s in 1987 before being shut.

Larry Jr., made a name for himself by competing on the Canadian Olympic equestrian team in the 1952 and 1956 Games. In 1973 he sold the distillery operation later sold the mansion to the Polish Government in 1976.

A year later he declared bankruptcy after a series of bad investments and moved to Florida to live with his family.

With files by Michael Harrison

Port Credit BIA launches Support the Port fundraiser

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The Port Credit BIA with partners have launched a community gift card initiative in support of local businesses and the Compass Food Bank.

Residents are being encouraged to purchase a Support The Port electronic gift card, and the BIA with community partners Brightwater, Edenshaw Developments and Port Credit Community Foundation will match the funds with a donation to the food bank.

The gift cards can be redeemed at any participating business and so far $20,000 have been contributed to the initiative.

“The sad reality is many businesses will not make it through this crisis,” says Jake Pedler, Chair of the PCBIA. “The Port Credit Business community is very resilient, passionate and united so with the support of our community and sponsor this initiative will greatly assist in the recovery and boost morale.”

The Compass Food Bank and Outreach Centre is located in Port Credit and serves South Mississauga with a safe and welcoming place for families in need.

To purchase a Support the Port gift card, visit supporttheport.ca.

Brightwater is a modern waterfront village coming soon to Port Credit offering unmatched lifestyle amenities, elevated design, urban conveniences, and boundless opportunities to connect.

Edenshaw Developments Ltd. is a champion of great living, better businesses and happy, healthy communities that always put people first.

The Port Credit Community Foundation is a non-profit  organization created for the people of Port Credit. It is dedicated to fund a combination of hard investments, charitable endeavours, event support and other community initiatives. To learn more visit portcreditcommunityfoundation.org.

Virtual graduations, classes trending to the future

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This seems to be a year of virtual graduations and events for students across the city.

Alderwood resident Kendal Christie graduated virtually on May 26 from Branksome Hall and a great time was had by her parents, who were glad the family were at home safe.

Kendal says she is delighted to graduate with top marks and will be attending McMaster University in Hamilton this fall to study Life Sciences. The program will take place virtually until students are allowed again to gather in public.

The virtual graduations, classes, conferences and meetings have become popular, and a big business with the spread of COVID-19.

Grads today for very little can host a live event or broadcast their graduation to students, educations or their families online.

Organizers of the virtual live events say they encourage connection, give attendees a way to watch speeches, see the awarding of awards, diplomas and can celebrate together and this way they all remain safe and healthy.

 

COVID-19 takes the life of local historian

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A local historian who wrote about the Villages of Etobicoke has lost this battle with the dreaded COVID-19 virus.

Paul Joseph O’Connor passed away on April 25. He was 66.

He was married to Maija Asaris for 34-years and will also be greatly missed by his mother, Mary, siblings Susan, Kevin (Lisa) and nieces and nephews.

Friends remember him as a friendly and caring person.

“Paul loved his Irish heritage, a spirited Irish get together, travel and family history,” according to his family. “Throughout his life, Paul shared a passion for history.”

He gladly supported Heritage Toronto, the Etobicoke Historical Society, Alderwood Historical Society and once contributed a chapter to the Villages of Etobicoke.

His family are expressing their thanks to the staff of Trillium Hospital who cared for Paul in his fight with the virus.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations can be made in Paul’s memory to St. Ambrose Catholic Church or the Trillium Health Partners Foundation.

Hollywood North hit movies filmed on the Lakeshore Grounds

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Movie blockbusters like Police Academy and it sequels, Suicide Squad, Urban Legend, Strange Brew and many others were filmed at the historic Lakeshore Grounds over the years.

There was a time when some local residents managed to get work as extras on movie shoots that occurred regularly on the 130-acre grounds of the former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital, which is now used by Humber College.

Other movies like Equus, with the late Richard Burton, Phobia and Higher Education were also filmed at the former hospital, in addition to countless TV shows and commercials over time.

Members of the Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre (LGIC) says the grounds has served as a popular filming location for movies, television shows, and commercials since 1977.

They used to conduct free tours of the underground network of tunnel that runs under the grounds or talk to groups about the history of the place or locations of where certain movies were filmed.

“Learn about the history of the former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital as we explore the patient-built underground tunnels and 19th-century cottages,” according to information from LGIC.

“The tour presents an overview of the Hospital’s history, acknowledges the varied experiences of patients and staff across different decades,” says the information. “The tour concludes with an optional entry into one of the un-renovated attics above the cottages.”

The LGIC is part of Humber College that is dedicated to harmony and knowledge around themes of education, mental health, Aboriginal history, environmental sustainability and civic engagement.

The former Mimico Asylum was built in 1888 and officially opened on January 1889.

The facility was closed as a hospital in 1979 with the last 280 patients being transferred to other sites. At its height in 1950, the hospital housed 1,391 patients. It was deemed a historic property in 1988.