The South Etobicoke News

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

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.

 

Toronto is celebrating Virtual Canada Day 2020 with still lots to do

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Toronto’s going virtual for Canada’s 153rd birthday next Wednesday, January 1, with music, comedy, dance and online fireworks.

Enjoy special morning, afternoon and evening livestream shows featuring Kardinal Offishall, Gordon Lightfoot, Jully Black, Haviah Mighty, Choir!Choir!Choir!, The Next Generation Leahy and more.

Participate in virtual Canada Day programs from home and download interactive and all-age Celebration Kits. Plus nominate a frontline worker for recognition.

There will be celebrations being held in cities across the nation as we party and celebrate our 153rd birthday, which is always one of the better public holidays of the year.
Canada Day 2020 livestreams will be available on July 1 beginning at 9 a.m.​

The virtual show is presented by City of Toronto – Your Local Government and made possible in part by Canadian Heritage. There will be lots of music, online activities and more importantly its kid friendly so the entire family can tune in.

Schedule · Wednesday, July 1, 2020

9:00 AM

Canadian Pancake Breakfast

1:00 PM

Culture Jam

7:00 PM

Ready for Prime Time

It is not known what this year’s Canada Day activities will look like due to COVID-19. Every year previously Toronto kicked off Canada Day in a big way at Mel Lastman Square in an event that attracted more than 30,000 spectators of all ages, primarily families featuring live Canadian music, interactive games and entertainment, and a spectacular fireworks display. 

 MORE EVENTS ARE UPCOMING AS WE GET IT.

 

We love Oscar Peterson now Montreal wants him back

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We love Oscar Peterson and New Toronto has already claimed him.

Peterson lived in the community in the 1960s and 70s’ and his portrait is among six Lakeshore Legends heroes whose mural grace a wall at Sixth Street.

Peterson, who was born in 1925 and has composed more than 400 pieces, lived at one time at Amadeo Garden Court Complex in two apartments overlooking Lake Ontario, according to local historians and residents.

Now, his hometown of Montreal, want to name a subway station after him.

An online petition is circulating to change the name of the Lionel-Groulx Metro Station to the Oscar Peterson station, to honor that city’s celebrated jazz legend.

More than 2,500 signatures have been obtained in a petition to try and place the musician’s name on a Little Burgundy station.

“I believe our city should honour his incredible accomplishments by renaming Lionel Groulx Metro Station as Oscar Peterson Metro Station,” the petition states. “He is considered one of the greatest jazz pianists of our time with a career that lasted more than 60-years.”

Peterson is an eight-time Grammy Award winner who is a virtuoso in the international jazz community. He was born and raised in the City of Montréal, where he grew up and learned his craft in Little Burgundy, where he loved.

Peterson died in December 2007 as an international star and one of the great jazz pianists and composers of the genre.

Duke Ellington called the Montreal-born virtuoso the “Maharaja of the keyboard.”

Lionel Groulx died in 1967 and was a Catholic priest, historian and Quebec nationalist.

The word-renowned pianist worked with top musicians as Ray Brown, Ella Fitzgerald and many others. His song “Hymn To Freedom” rose to become one of the top crusade songs of the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr.
He loved York University and served as the university’s fifth chancellor and was involved in the York music program.
Peterson was recognized by the City of Mississauga in 2003 when a street was named for him and he was presented with a Civic Award of Merit. He had postage stamp unveiled in his honour, along with his name on plaques and numerous schools. He was also inducted to the Order of Canada in 1972.

The mural, by Toronto artist Chris Irvine, pays tribute to fellow Lakeshore Legends: NHL star Dave Bolland, marathoner Jerome Drayton, skater Petra Burka, swimmer Lou Gamble and others who contributed to the rich cultural fabric of our community.

The petition is available at change.org

More cannabis retail stores to open in the area

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Coming soon near you.

At least seven cannabis retail stores may soon be setting up shop in south Etobicoke if all goes well at City Hall.

The applications are under public notice and some of the proposals are listed on an Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) website.
There is an application pending to open a store at 4 Mimico Ave., called Lakeview Cannabis, which is being reviewed by the AGCO.

Another is slated to go at 5160 Dundas St. W., near Kipling Ave., and is undergoing the scrutiny process as well.

The deadline for both stores is June 30 for the public to object or lodge complaints.

There are also proposals to open three other cannabis stores in Ward 2 that was adopted with amendments on June 17 by Etobicoke York Community Council.

The proposals will be voted on by City Council on June 29.

A motion by Councillor Stephen Holyday call for retail pot stores at 418 The Westway, near Martingrove Rd., at 1735 Kipling Ave., near Dixon Rd., and 3112A Bloor St. W., near Brentwood Rd.

“There are new cannabis retail locations proposed in ever ward of the district,” the motion states.

Holyday says two other stores are in the works and will be located in the Six Points Plaza area.

He has been contacted by numerous residents who have raised concerns.

“There are concerns about the poor suitability of the locations, and the increased risk of access to cannabis by minors,” Holyday warns. “Some locations are very close to more than one school, and they are located at or near strip plazas and parks which are frequented by youth.”

The provincial regulations require “a separation distance of 150 metres between the retailer and a school, and many find this too permissive given the context.”

Complaints against stores can still be filed with the AGCO.

 

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Finding love on the dance floor of the famed Palais Royale

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As recalled by their loving son Dave Kosonic.

My parents Edward and Winnifred were among the countless military romances which blossomed at the legendary Palais Royale ballroom particularly during WW11.

My father met my mom at the iconic live music club in 1944 while he was on leave as a crew member stationed on the Royal Canadian Navy warship HMCS Buckingham that operated out of Halifax.

The Palais Royale, which still stands at 1601 Lake Shore Blvd W., is best remembered as a dance hall that featured high-profile entertainers from the Big Band era including Duke Ellington, Count Basie and the Dorsey Brothers. Even Canada’s King of Swing Bert Niosi graced the stage.

My mom Winnifred McConkey was born in 1922 in the small town of Priceville, just west of Flesherton. After completing high school she moved to Toronto and worked as a mail sorter for Canada Post.

My father Edward Kosonic was born in 1924 in La Vallee, in western Ontario near the Manitoba border. Dad joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1942. He underwent intensive training for one-year in New Brunswick where he became an expert on the use of a new anti-German submarine locating radar called Asdic.

He was the radar supervisor on his ship and was on call 24 hours a day in the event his ship or other ships in in his convoy detected nearby German U-boats. He used the Asdic radar to pinpoint the location and depth of enemy U-boats.

The convoy of Navy warships that included the Buckingham attacked many German submarines and was credited for the destruction of a number of deadly U-boats.

While on R&R my dad came to Toronto and decided to check out the Palais Royale. Dad looked dapper when he arrived in his official off-duty Navy uniform. A short time later, he spotted a pretty young girl, Winnifred, at a table with some other ladies.

Dad got his nerve up to ask her for a dance. She accepted and they danced the evening away. You can say the rest is history.

Mom left her job at Canada Post and accompanied dad to Halifax, where she lived in a tiny flat while waiting for dad to return when the war ended in 1945. Dad was honourably discharged from the Navy and the happy young couple moved to Toronto, got married and in time established a very successful home electronics business in the Six Points area of Etobicoke.

They both lived long lives with my mom passing away in 2006 at 84, and dad in 2011 at 85.

To this day, whenever I drive by the Palais Royale, I think about my mom and dad and say: “ That is where it all began.”

 

 

Plaque marks Long Branch as a popular summer resort

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A plaque celebrating Long Branch as a popular summer resort has been placed at Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Thirty-First Street to help mark our history.

‘These days people head north to what is now cottage country, but in the late 1800’s Long Branch was the choice summer destination for many,” organizers say.

The plaque commemorates how the ‘Long Branch Summer Resort’ became the Village of Long Branch. Many Toronto residents were attracted to the resort, which was 45-minutes by steamship from Yonge St., and featured a fountain, hotel, carousel, games, picnic grounds, dance pavilion waterslide and pier.

The resort was a must-visit and by 1888 ships as the White Star and Greyhound were bringing 50,000 visitors to the Long Branch community.

“The resort quickly became synonymous with all that a summer resort should be,” according to promotional materials.

The success of the resort attracted the electric railway system here in 1895. And, in 1930 the community was incorporated as the Village of Long Branch.

“Many changes have taken place to Long Branch over the years, but today’s residents maintain a strong sense of community,” the plaque says.

Long Branch is the home of the lovely lakefront Marie Curtis Park and was among the places hit hard by Hurricane Hazel in October 1954 which killed more than 80 people in Canada.

The plaque was made in partnership with the City of Toronto, the Long Branch BIA, Long Branch Neighbourhood Association and local historian Ray Cole.

Peter was well-known and loved at the Canadiana in Mimico

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Community residents are mourning the death of Peter Michael Thompson, a long-time and well-known  area resident and former employee at the now-defunct Canadiana Restaurant.

Peter passed away peacefully on June 8 after a short and courageous battle with cancer. He was 66.

“He is known and loved by so many including Stephen and his Great Dane, Odin,” according to his obituary. “Peter has been referred to as the Major of Port Credit and was awarded the Best Bartender of the Year for his work at the Canadiana.”

He was a caring brother to Marnie (Steve) Carol (John) and Paul (Susan). He was a loving uncle to Melanie (Jojo) Robin (Dennis) Andrew, Natalie and Gavin. He was also a great uncle to Jackson, Jacob, Myles and Jonah.

“Although our hearts are heavy, we will continue to carry his memory and celebrate his life at the appropriate time in the future,” his family said. “In the meantime raise a beer in his honour.”

His friends from Toronto Police 22 Division remember Peter as a fixture in the community for more than 40-years, who will be missed by many people, including cops.

“Peter was a passionate community member and served our community well in his own way,” officers said in a post on social media. “He made us laugh, served and kept us on toe at the Canadiana when we were hungry, thirsty and drenched in frustration after a long shift.”

“Thank you for your Service. With sympathy,” the officers wrote.

Peter was a long-time employee and a favourite at the Canadiana Restaurant, at 2454 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

Donations in Peter’s Memory may be made to Trillium Health Partners Foundation or the charity of your choice.

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.
 

Residents help to get a gun off our streets

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Another weapon removed from our streets.

Residents in the Brown’s Line and Evans Ave. area are being credited for helping police to remove a deadly weapon off our streets.

Police say the .40 calibre Smith & Wesson handgun and an extended magazine was left behind by an absent-minded suspect who was shopping at an area store on June 1 just after 3:38 p.m. in broad daylight.

The man left the store, according to a police release, and forgot his bag containing the weapon, which was found by shoppers in the store who immediately called police.

It didn’t take a major investigation because a short time later the accused returned to the store to retrieve his bag containing the Smith & Wesson, but was quickly taken into custody by waiting cops.

A man identified as Nigel Lopez, 21, of Toronto, faces 14 criminal charges, including possession of a loaded restricted firearm weapons dangerous, mischief, escape lawful custody and three counts of possession of a restricted weapon knowing no authority.

He appeared in court at 2201 Finch Avenue West on June 2.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 416-808-2200.

 

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.