The South Etobicoke News

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

New plan to convert Campbell Soup site for other use

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Campbell Soup has been in our community for almost 90-years and plans are being made to reconvert the old soup plant to last another century.

Officials of QuadReal Property Group, of Vancouver, B.C., on July 4 filed a Site Plan Approval Application to Community Planning Section of the Etobicoke York Community Council for the redevelopment of the former Campbell Soup site at 60 Birmingham Ave.

The plant was a major soup producer and employed hundreds or area residents when constructed in 1931. It brought crops from many area farmers and hired generations of families.

The site was purchased by QuadReal in 2018, who has been busy designing new plans.

The 18.8 acre property is designated Core Employment Area, which permits a range of manufacturing, warehousing and other office type uses.

The company is planning to install three large warehouses that will provide manufacturing and office space, which can be rented out to entrepreneurs or small companies who want to be close to Toronto.

QuadReal intends to extend the ‘employment legacy and redevelop the property into a leading Class ‘A’ last-mile urban distribution and logistics facility’,’ the proposal says.

The company says a “rapid densification of Toronto has put stress on supply chains seeking to meet increasing urban demand from traditional suburban and rural distribution hubs.”

It said evolving consumer expectations in terms of “just-in-time” delivery and e-commerce has fueled tenant requirements to locate closer to their urban consumer bases, reducing total transportation costs and minimizing variability of delivery times.

The plan is calling for three massive single storey warehouse buildings, two of which are connected by 36,954-square-metres of floor area along with the retention of portions of the existing 1931 and 1944 building facades along Birmingham St.

“The development has been designed with strong urban design principles to ensure contextually responsive integration with the surrounding community,” the plan says.

The architect says the proposed development has been designed with strong urban design principles to ensure contextually responsive integration with the surrounding community, particularly to the sensitive residential uses to the east and south of the site.

QuadReal is a global real estate investment, operating and development company. QuadReal manages the real estate and mortgage programs of British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI), one of Canada’s largest asset managers with a $153.4 billion portfolio.

QuadReal manages a $37.6 billion portfolio spanning 23 cities in 17 countries

No hearing dates has been set at this time. The plan has to be voted on by City Council.

Community wishes new dad Usain Bolt a new and happy life

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Happy Daddy Usain.

Members of the Jamaican community are wishing a happy fatherhood to former Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt, whom they say is one of their hero and favourite athlete.

The proud sprinter was all smiles on July 8 as he showed off his daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt to the world.

Bolt and his girlfriend Kasi Bennett, a model, are parents to Baby Olympia, who was born in May.

“Now we have started a new chapter together with our daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt I look forward to what the future will bring for us but be reassured that I will be the ROCK for this family,” the famous athlete wrote to Kasi on her birthday. “I Love you and happy 21th birthday.”

The couple have been dating for several years. Bolt has said he wanted to father three children.

The eight-time Olympic gold medalist is widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time. He is the only sprinter to win the Olympic 100-metre and Olympic 200-metre titles at three consecutive Olympics.

 

 

Here’s some good news right in the ‘hood

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Area resident Moma Monica is today thanking her many mask buyers.

She took it upon herself on the outset of COVID-19 to launch a campaign to study and make her own line of face masks, which she then sold to friends, family and others to raise $1,170 which has been donated to the Black Health Alliance.

“I would like to thank everyone who bought a mask from me,” Monica told her supporters online.

The good news was applauded and shared by many on social media.

“Awesome thank you for your donation to a great cause,” Lystra Lewis-Bowles wrote.

“Thank you for doing this incredible fundraiser and letting us take part,” says Lisa Cunningham Davis. “Also, the masks are so comfortable!”

Penny Kyysalak O’Hare notes that the campaign benefits two causes.

It “provides masks to protect us and also to mental health resources which is very much needed,” she says. “Kudos.”

The Black Health Alliance is a community-led registered charity working to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada.

The movement continues to build innovative solutions to improve Black health and well-being, and mobilize people and financial resources to create lasting change in the lives of Black children, families and communities.

 

Etobicoke Community Concert Band silenced by COVID

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Some members of the Etobicoke Community Concert Band got together on Canada Day to celebrate the country’s birthday but may have to wait a while yet to celebrate their own. Helen, John and Dave (left to right) gathered at Applewood Shaver House to perform a version of O’ Canada on the steps.

It may be a while yet before the band is able to do a full show because of COVID 19. The COVID restrictions affect rehearsals as well as performances.

The popular and well-known band had to cancel shows in March and May as well as its summer concert in the park series.

The next scheduled show is October 30 when the band hopes to celebrate its 25th anniversary but that show may also have to be cancelled if there are still COVID restrictions in effect.

You can get updated information on the band at https://www.eccb.ca/

 

Detectives on the trail of possible buck-naked jogger

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Police have stepped up a search for a man who is allegedly exposing himself in areas of south Etobicoke.

Toronto Police 22 Division officers say between June 27 and July 2, between 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., they responded to four radio calls for acts of indecent exposure.

It is not known if the suspect exposed himself in front of others and took off.

Police in a July 3 release said the south Etobicoke incidents occurred on Bloor St. W., and Dundas St. W., west of Royal York Rd., and in the area of Runnymede Rd. and Kennedy Ave.

The suspect is described as white, about 50 to 60-years old, tall, slim build, with short grey hair. He was last seen wearing a blue-black shorts or blue jeans.

Toronto Police launched a similar manhunt one year ago to find a man who tried to talk with women on three separate occasions while jogging naked from the waist down in the Yonge and Eglinton Ave. and Mount Pleasant Rd. and Moore Ave. areas.

Detectives in June 2019 circulated photos of the bottom naked jogger, (attached) who witnesses say was carrying a blue backpack and spoke with an accent.

It is not known if that pervert was ever arrested by police.

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, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play.

Oscar Peterson’s ex-wife Sandy who had roots here passes away

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Sandra Cynthia Andrews Peterson, the former wife of acclaimed musician Oscar Peterson, has passed after an accidental fall down a flight of stairs.

Sandy, who had strong links to south Etobicoke, was 83.

Born in Kirkland Lake, she was a graduate of Etobicoke Collegiate and Toronto General Hospital School of Nursing, according to her obituary, which states she passed away on June 27.

Sandy worked at Toronto General as an Operating Room (OR) nurse during the beginning of open heart surgeries. She became Head OR nurse there and at Grace Hospital in Toronto.

“Soon thereafter, she met, fell in love with and married jazz pianist, Oscar Peterson, and she travelled most of the world with him from the 60’s and first part of the 1970’s,” according to the family.

It was during that time that Sandy and soon-to-be eight-time Grammy Awards winner Oscar lived at Amadeo Garden Court in Mimico for a number of years, where they spent a lot of time at the local stores and at Marie Curtis and area parks.

A mural of Oscar is now in the Lake Shore Village Wall of Legends with others who helped to transform the area.

The couple divorced in 1974 and she began working in the customer service department of Sears Canada.
Sandy later married James Andrews and moved to Nashville for 12 years before returning to Canada, to requalify as a registered nurse before joining Collingwood General and Marine Hospital from which she retired on her 80th birthday.
A busy person, she was an avid golfer and bridge player and was very involved with Probus, the Cinema Club and book clubs, as she was a voracious reader and a lover of all music, especially jazz. She was a philanthropist, a wonderful cook and fabulous baker.

“Always there to help any and all of her friends and family she was an extremely generous woman loved by all,” according to her obituary. “She had incredible presence in any situation with a smile and infectious laugh that could be heard everywhere.”
The family wish to thank the medical staff at both Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and Sunnybrook Hospital Critical Care Unit for the extraordinary care given to Sandy. Collingwood Hospital, in particular, went above and beyond in both the care and kindness given to Sandy and that shown to the family.

 

New Toronto was mecca for Canadian wallpaper industry

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Local historians agree that Menzies’ Wallpaper Factory was one of the earlier companies to set up shop in New Toronto. Some say when Menzies moved in their plant was lit by oil lanterns.

The company made fine wallpaper products that was popular with women who wanted the decorative designs to grace their walls.

The Menzies’ company was purchased in 1903 by Reg. N. Boxer, dubbed the ‘Master Makers of Wallpapers,’ which became well-known for their ‘Maixmur,’ later ‘Resistolite’ brand of wall coverings.

Reg. N. Boxer and three other companies in 1927 formed the Canadian Wallpaper Manufacturing Ltd., (CWM), which had four plants that exported the south Etobicoke made products around the world.

The company was located at the so-called ‘Boxer Building,’ at 222 Islington Ave., which has been deemed a historical building. The McDonald Stamping Works Building, which is part of the Boxer Building complex, is deemed one of the oldest surviving industrial buildings in New Toronto.

The plant was one of the largest wallpaper factories in Canada which operated from 1903 to about 1963, as the industry blossomed with different brands and products being introduced.

The company’s colour department became the Dominion Colour Corporation in 1946, which supplied inks to many industries that were booming at the time. Dominion Colour is still in operation today at the same location producing inks.

“From original art to final printing, it is human skill and ability that make Canadian wallpapers so widely famous,” the company said in its marketing materials.

For decades wallpaper manufacturing was one of the more important industry in the area, employing hundreds of residents in the printing, designing and producing an assortment of wall coverings.

For 60-years CWM operated in New Toronto and was part of the community. The company had a whopping payroll of more than $2 million yearly and used then ultra-modern machinery to produce some of the ‘highest quality wallpaper in the world.’

The Boxer name remained in use until about 1959, while CWM continued until 1978 when, as Sunworthy, the company relocated to Brampton.

 

Health and Wellness with fitness expert Adrianne Szabo-Payne

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Allow your body to start from scratch.

What is it about Spring or Fall cleaning that gets you excited? Do you feel uplifted, lighter, freer?

Now consider how cleansing your body periodically would make you feel. I’m not talking about the obvious showering, brushing your teeth, etc. I’m talking about a nutritional cleanse to help move out toxins and provide the body with a good reset. Unless you engage in daily self-care and eat a super clean diet, overtime your body will retaliate and show signs of early aging, chronic illness, or disease.

The environmental, physical and psychological stress and toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis take a toll on our organs and systems. Periodic cleansing can lead to clearer thinking, elimination of allergies, better energy levels and sleep quality, and releases stubborn fat.

A number of cleanse programs exist on the market today. The key is to find what resonates with you and works with your lifestyle.

You can start with the basics – removal of processed foods, refined sugars, artificial foods, caffeine, etc.

Anything that is deprived of nutrients should be eliminated. From there you can take a number of different paths. There are kits you can pick up at your local health food store that can support your major organs through the cleanse, but these aren’t specifically necessary.

Most cleanses incorporate an element of fasting and tend to be comprised of juiced fruits, vegetables, roots and herbs, so they are nutrient dense and loaded with vitamins and minerals.

Depending on the cleanse you select, be mindful of the number of calories you are taking in. Most cleanses can be low in protein and fat, leaving you feeling hungry, craving sweets, and low on energy.

You may also experience headaches and spontaneous 24-hour colds if your body is detoxing too quickly.

Therefore, it is important to drink lots of cleansing fluids like water, lemon juice, and herbal teas. You can also consider adding a spoonful of chia to your cleanse drink to help boost fibre for better elimination, and provide protein and fat for energy.

Whichever path you choose, make sure to consult your family physician or a nutritionist if you are already living with compromised health.

Completing a cleanse 1-2 times a year is a good idea. Cleansing and supporting your organs and systems makes it easier to fight infection, handle stress, and can help prevent more serious issues down the road.

If you would like more information on nutritional cleanse programs, or would like to join our cleansing community, feel free to drop us an email at info@monkeytreewellness.com.

Happy cleansing.

Also connect with Adrianne on Facebook at @monkeytreefitness or #monkeytreefitnesswellness on Instagram or visit her site at www.monkeytreewellness.com

 

Residents ecstatic by opening of new pot store

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Another cannabis accessory store has joined the fray to better serve consumers in South Etobicoke.

Many New Toronto residents are jubilant that Aim High Canada, is opening up at 2781 Lake Shore Blvd. W., at Second Street.

Aim High conducted a soft-launch on July 1 that was advertised on social media.

“We design and sell our own Smoke Arsenal  Brand,” says company director Kazim Nathani. “We look forward to working closely with the community.”

The store is lined with all kinds of specially-designed glass pipes, bongs and other smoking and marijuana accessories.

“They’re a licensed shop,” says area resident Mike Langevin. “Kinda a shame that the head shop that was in that location for 20 years before them couldn’t get a license.”

The store was previously called Petite Amsterdam, which served the area’s marijuana lifestyle community for two decades until recently closed.

There are three accredited stores in South Etobicoke selling marijuana-related products. They include the Cannabis Superstore, at 2775 Lake Shore Blvd. W., which has been there for several years and specializes in growing the plant.

Cloud Heads, at 3341 Lake Shore Blvd. W., specializes in hemp products. And The Emerald Isle, at 374 Brown’s Line, specializes in bongs and other smoking devices.

More stores are undergoing screening by Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario officials and includes applications by 4 Mimico Ave., 5160 Dundas St. W., near Kipling Ave., 418 The Westway, near Martingrove Rd., at 1735 Kipling Ave., near Dixon Rd., and 3112A Bloor St. W., near Brentwood Rd.

E-mail your resume to aimhighmeds@yahoo.com

 

Party and hang your flags up high on Canada Day

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Fly your flags high and be proud!

Merchants in the Lakeshore Village BIA are urging residents and others get out and display their Canadian flags tomorrow to honour our front-line emergency workers who show their true colours every day in battling COVID-19.

The BIA’s campaign calls on residents to shop locally and express thanks to the many area front-line workers by putting up Canadian flags or a drawing of a flag on their home or store windows.

“Say thank you to our front-line workers by putting up a Canadian flag or drawing of our flag,” says Kris Korwin-Kuczynski, Chair of the Lakeshore Village BIA. “Let’s show our heroes some love and respect.”

The BIA is also lobbying to have a public holiday declared in honour of the Canadian flag. February 15 was declared the National Flag of Canada Day in 1965.

This year most in-person events were cancelled due to the virus.

The CN Tower will be celebrating Canada Day with a 15-minute light show beginning at 10 p.m.

The fireworks will be streamed at www.cntower.ca and accompanied with a playlist featuring music by a diverse group of Canadian artists simulcast on CHUM FM, 104.5.

There is also a virtual all-star program in which residents will see over 50 artists perform, including Haviah Mighty, Gordon Lightfoot, Jully Black, Kardinal Offishall, Choir! Choir! Choir!, Ali Hassan, Cris Derksen, The Next Generation Leahy and more.

An emphasis on Toronto culture is part of the event, with some performances happening both live and pre-recorded from venues around the city like the newly renovated El Mocombo.

Canada Day 2020 livestreams will be available on July 1 beginning at 9 a.m.​ on YouTube.

Don’t forget your downloadable Celebration Kits are also available for free and include Canada-themed crafts, games, recipes, outdoor activities and more.