The South Etobicoke News

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

Keeping busy with things to do in our community

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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 work- shops Harvesting 101, August 10-14 Food Sustainability. Contact christianaz@lampchc.org

COACH CORIN IS BACK AT LAMP with workshops on
Wednesdays August 5, 12 ,19 and 26 at 3 pm. Coach Corin De Sousa is a graduate of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program and the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program from the Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute at
Women’s College. This series will focus on mindfulness meditation on ZOOM. Call or email Jasmin Dooh to register jasmind@lampchc.org 416 252 6471

AUGUST 6 – GENTLE GIANTS: A BIKE TOUR OF GIANT
TREES in Long Branch from 8 a.m. To 10 a.m. Meet at Long Branch Park, 245 Lake Promenade, and learn how trees grow and their benefits to the community. If you live in Long Branch
and want to get the trees on your property inventoried email
Trees40@LBNA.ca

AUGUST 9 – JAMAICA INDEPENDENCE DAY
VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the St. Margarets’ Church and Black Lives Matter Canada. Tickets $20 at smnt.ca Speakers Olympian and Head Coach Tamara Tatham, of U of T basketball and Rev. Michael Blair, Executive Minister, United Church of Canada. Visit
stmargaretsnewtoronto@ gmail.com or contact 416-259-2659.

TENANTS RIGHTS WORKSHOPS and eviction
prevention August 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. on ZOOM. The Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation will be reviewing their latest housing rights resource, Eviction Prevention and Navigating the Landlord and Tenant Board for Community Workers. For more contact LAMP.

THE LAKESHORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ADVOCACY ACTION group continues to meet.
Contact jasmind@lampchc.org.

THE ETOBICOKE PRAISE CENTRE YOUTH OUTREACH is seeking performers for its online Showcase to be
broadcasted August 14 at 6 p.m. Please send in your audition video by Au- gust 8. Send to 416-252-2463 or by email at
epc_cogop@outlook.com

LAMP COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE deadline for their Awards of Merit nominations is August 21. Also Emergency Food take out meals offered Monday through Saturday from
9:30 am to 11:30 am through LAMP’s adult drop-in program. Their food relief voucher program continues

HAVEN ON THE QUEENSWAY HAS SHUT MOST of its programs and services due to COVID 19 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. For more call them at 416-259-4207 or visit sfh@storefronthumber.ca

MOVIE NIGHTS AT SHERWAY GARDENS runs every weekend until August 15 as a parking lot at Sherway
transforms into an outdoor movie theatre if you’re looking for a fun family or a date night. Tickets are first come first served at $10 a car. Come see movies for all ages. For
more info and to buy tickets https://www.cfshops.com/

Some top patios and meeting spots in our community

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Darlene Simpson is doing a lot better these days.
The owner of Dakota’s Sports Bar & Grill, at 2814 Lake Shore Blvd. W., is applauding Stage 3 and the return of inside dining.
But on this hot day customers want the sun and she is welcoming them to her large roadside patio she shares with Halibut House Fish and Chips, which is part of the City’s CafeTO program, which is credited with helping
many area companies stay afloat.
More people were ducking under the tents for a cold
drink to escape from today’s heat.
“It has been a long time since we have had this many
people in here,” Simpson says. “The outdoor patio has
made a tremendous difference for us.”
At hers, and all the outdoor patios along Lake Shore Blvd. W., people are ordering meals and glad to be outside again with their friends.
At The Big Guy’s Little Coffee Shop, at 2861 Lake Shore Blvd. W., the patio has helped the ‘Big Guy’ stay in business as the outdoor area always has customers.

Ruben Pires, of Delicia Bakery and Pastry, at 2864 Lake
Shore Blvd. W., is bustling as his side patio is always filled
with coffee and snack lovers.“We had seen about 33 bakeries and loved this area right away,” recalls Pires. “We loved the people and the sense of community that exists in the area.”
In Long Branch residents love T.J. O’Shea’s Irish Snug, at
3481 Lake Shore Blvd. W., which boasts a large back patio
and a loyal following due to the good food and vibes.
Also rocking is Southside Johnny’s Bar & Grill, at 3653
Lake Shore Blvd. W., which features a great side patio that is
popular with locals.
Just west at the Pulcinella Ristorante and Wine Bar, at
3687 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Staff say their business has
picked up in Stage 3 and with the opening of inside dining and their street patio that seems to be always packed.

Many local residents love Sloppy Joe’s Bar & Grill, at 3527 Lake Shore Blvd. W., which has developed quite a loyal following who love the chicken wings and other pub eats. The
bar which has its popular outdoor patio in front of the building, has installed another that runs along its side on Thirty Third St.

Another area favourite is Timothy’s Pub, at 344 Brown’s Line, which is known for its live music and loyal Alderwood following, who love the food and atmosphere.

Emancipation Day celebrated here and across the world

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People took to the streets of Toronto and around the world to commemorate Emancipation Day and raise awareness about anti-Black racism in government institutions.

Emancipation Day is held every year on August 1 to mark the abolition of slavery across the British Empire and its colonies.

It is a solemn day for many to take time and reflect.

Demonstrators were calling for action to end systemic anti-Black racism in key systems including child welfare, policing, the justice system, healthcare, education, arts and culture.

“The bonds and chains are no longer holding us, however, we are still bridled by the fact of racism that exists in the institutions and the systems. We have to break those,” Yvette Blackburn with the Global Jamaican Diaspora Council said.

The demonstration started in front of the Children’s Aids Society of Toronto and made stops at Toronto Police Headquarters, Old City Hall, the Ministry of Education and Mount Sinai Hospital before ending at Queen’s Park.

The march was organized by Not Another Black Life with other organizations, including the Toronto Prisoner’s Rights Project, Palestinian Youth Movement, Keep Your Rent Toronto and Climate Justice Toronto.

Emancipation Day commemorates the Abolition of Slavery Act, which became law on August 1, 1834. This act freed more than 800,000 people of African descent throughout the British Empire.

Only slaves below the age of six were freed. Enslaved people older than six years of age were re-designated as “apprentices” and required to work, 40 hours per week without pay, as part of compensation payment to their former owners. Full emancipation was finally achieved at midnight on 31 July, 1838.

The first Emancipation Day Parade was held in 1932 in Windsor and would come to be known as the ‘Greatest Freedom Show on Earth.’ The parade and festival boasted famous guests like Martin Luther King Jr., Mary McLeod Bethune, Stevie Wonder, Benjamin Mays, Fred Shuttlesworth, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, and Eleanor Roosevelt.

It ended in 1968 following fears of the Detroit Riot in 1967 when city councillors denied permits to stage the celebration.

 

Humane Society seeks cat lovers to help with their adoptions

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The Etobicoke Humane Society is seeking your help after 150 cats were rescued from a home in one of worst cases of hoarding.

Toronto Cat Rescue said it recovered the cats from inside a filthy Toronto home on July 17 and many had significant health issues, including upper respiratory infections and ear mites.

The group a day before found another 50 cats in another hoarding situation in North Bay, Ont.

“These cats are in desperate need of the kind of care that we are best at, and that our foster homes excel at,” the organization said. “Time is of the essence to get these sweeties into our loving foster homes.”

The organization said it will take months of medical and dental care to get the cats back to good health. All cats will have to undergo vaccinations, antibiotics for infections, as well as being spayed and neutered.

The group noted that it takes many hands to respond to these kinds of situations and thanked foster homes in Kitchener-Waterloo for coming forward and taking the first 50 cats.

Hoarding cats is illegal in Toronto. Only six cats are allowed in a single household under City of Toronto bylaws.

Members of the EHS say they are caring for about 15 of the cats being placed for adoption.

“EHS is able to help with approximately 15 or so cats,” the Society says on its website. “This is in the midst of dealing with another hoarding which is an ongoing situation.”

They say fosters and donations are badly-needed to nurse the cats back to health.

Volunteers say their number one item in demand is clumping litter, which they have little of since the shelter has been closed.

All items being donated can be left in the yellow bins outside the shelter, at 67 Six Point Rd.

They are urging others to spay and neuter their pets since it takes one unneutered male and unspayed female to create a situation like this.

Donations to help the cats can be made to https://etobicokehumanesociety.com/donate/

Coalition pushes for defunding of Toronto Police

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The push for Toronto Police to be defunded is underway

City residents have their last chance to weigh in on virtual public consultations about police reform today.

This takes place as protesters plan to take to the streets demanding that the force be defunded.

The Toronto Police Services Board’s fourth and final town hall on “police accountability, reform and community safety priorities” is expected to take most of the day.

Late last month, city council voted against a cut to the force’s budget, but proposed a series of changes to policing including anti-racism measures and the implementation of body cameras.

But a group organizing the protest, called No Pride in Policing Coalition, says that doesn’t go nearly far enough.

The coalition sent demands to the police board some of which include: no body cameras; no to expanding the police budget; defunding the budget by 50%; demilitarizing the police; removing cops in schools; decriminalize poverty, drugs, HIV and sex work; and dismantling Special Constables and TTC Fare inspectors.

The NPPC is a group of queer and trans people formed in 2018 to support all the demands that Black Lives Matter Toronto raised at the 2016 Pride Toronto parade. They support BLM TO in their demand for a 50% cut to the Toronto Police Services budget.

 

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.

 

What’s taking place in South Etobicoke this Canada Day!

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It seems very little live entertainment will be taking place this Canada Day on Wednesday, July 1 to mark our 153 birthday.

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

The fireworks can also be streamed at www.cntower.ca where you will see the beautiful lights burst across the sky. The fireworks will be accompanied with a playlist featuring music by a diverse group of Canadian artists simulcast on CHUM FM, 104.5.

Most residents can tune in and look up, and all Canadians can watch the live stream from home and sing along to a celebration in light and sound.

The Six will be going virtual with a star-studded program on Canada Day 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.

Spread out over three segments throughout the day, the Culture Jam portion in the afternoon will include jam sessions from different Toronto artists and highlight neighbourhoods across the city.

Tune into a morning livestream from 9 to 10 a.m. with hosts Devo Brown and Jessica Holmes, featuring socially distanced breakfast by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Executive Chef

Enjoy a special 40th anniversary rendition of O’Canada, family-friendly performances by Jully Black, The Next Generation Leahy, Classic Roots and Kim Mitchell, and learn dance moves from Keep Rockin’ You.

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

Downloadable Celebration Kits are also available for free and include Canada-themed crafts, games, recipes, outdoor activities and more.

Due to the pandemic, city-hosted events have been cancelled and large-scale gatherings are prohibited.

Mayor John Tory is encouraging residents to decorate their porches, front doors, balconies or windows for this year’s Canada Day.

If outdoor is more your style, you are urged to take a lakefront cycle or walks along Humber Bay Parks, Col. Samuel Smith or enjoy the water at Marie Curtis Park.

 

Police issue Public Safety Alert due to COVID scams

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COVID-19 has become one of the top scams being used by thieves today to steal money from seniors and others.

Toronto Police have issued a Public Safety Alert to warn area residents of a rise in recent weeks involving online scams associated to the pandemic.

Detectives say conmen are sending text messages seeking banking information for non-existent ‘fines for leaving the house too many times in a day.’

Officers are warning of various telephone or door-to-door scams including offers to shop for, and deliver, groceries for senior and others as these often include a request for credit card information.

The crooks are also demanding by text banking information for the alleged processing of government payments for Canada Emergency Response Benefits or Canada Revenue Agency.

There are demands for immediate payment with a threat of cancelled services like Internet streaming sites.

Police say beware of e-mails with fraudulent links on topics “Delivery details” for those most likely to be using delivery services or “Special offers” for COVID-19-related products or services.

Fraud cops are warning of sites offering “sale of COVID-19-related products and services, such as testing kits, cleaning products or remedies.”

People should also beware of sites with ‘Notices of Information,’ or from ‘health officials,’ requesting information.

Police are reminding residents to take precautions to protect themselves while online.

They warn online users not to click on random links, never provide personal or banking information, do not install unknown applications, use two-factor authentication for online payments, strong passwords, back up your work regularly and work offline when possible and use software to protect yourself from malware or viruses.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of any fraud can contact police at 416-808-2222, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com.