The South Etobicoke News

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

Former Reeve Ozzie Waffle was Etobicoke’s top salesman

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Former Etobicoke Reeve H. O. (Ozzie) Waffle was an Royal Canadian Air Force veteran, car salesman and top booster of our community in a time of expansion.

Waffle, the owner of Islington Ford dealership at Dundas St. W. and Islington Ave. for more than 40-years, was a Reeve for the township of Etobicoke from 1957 to 1962, when things were booming.

He is timely today since during his two terms Etobicoke was busy catering to a post-war population explosion that led to the township offices being  moved to a new civic centre at 399 The West Mall, which served us well for more than 50-years.

The Etobicoke centre is being moved again to the former Westwood Theatre site at Six Points. The new location will be closer to transit and is slated to include a recreation centre, library, child care centre, public square and improved office space.

Waffle loved flight and served as chair of the Metro Civil Defence Organization and Queensway Hospital. It was under his tenure in 1958 that a young Queen Elizabeth visited Etobicoke to be met by thousands of her adoring subjects.

He is described ‘as a self-appointed leader of his community,’ for helping others during Hurricane Hazel in October 1954, when he organized a shortwave radio communications centre during the flooding to help others obtain clothing, food supplies and fuel.

“He helped to provide emergency heating for the children’s hospital and as one of Etobicoke’s leading auto dealers, got a truck convoy system working,” according to news at the time.

Waffle made a name for himself in 1958 by voting for a monorail system, rather than a subway, which was approved by Metro Council. Then Toronto Mayor Nathan Phillips was pushing for a subway which council approved 16 to 8.

Waffle, and partner, George Ledingham, started Islington Ford in 1946 after returning from military service after WW11. The dealership was merged with others in 1985 to create Thorncrest Sherway Inc.

He passed away in March 1980 and a tribute was paid to him in the Ontario Legislature for his love for Etobicoke.

“He was a great salesman for Etobicoke,” MPP John Palmer MacBeth said in the House. “He put Etobicoke on the map in the days of its expansion.”

MacBeth said: ”I guess there wasn’t a conference around Canada he didn’t attend and make well known where he was from. He was a builder in Etobicoke, a man of optimism.”

He said Waffle suffered from a debilitating disease that kept him handicapped for the last 10 years of his life, and yet continued to contribute to the welfare of the community.

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

 

These Spice Girls are creating a hot name for themselves

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They are often called the Spice Girls.

Local entrepreneurs Shelly Ann McLeod and friend Amber Jackson Joseph are busy working on building their brand of peppers, spices and body care products.

McLeod started Kams Seasoning and Hot Sauce from her Sixth St. apartment kitchen two years ago and sales have been spicy hot since.

Her line of Caribbean-style seasonings and hot sauce are fruit flavoured and inspired from her mom’s recipe back in her native Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti.

“I have customers who regularly come back for my seasonings and hot sauce,” McLeod says.

The flavourful sauces come in a range of fresh fruits; which includes papaya, cherry berry, pineapple and mango. It sells for less than $10 a bottle.

She says sales of her goods have been encouraging and already she is involved in other enterprises.

McLeod with Joseph operate Shhhhh Design and Body Bar, which sells a line of organic soaps, shampoos, bath soaks, body oils and other bath products.

“All our products are natural or organic,” Joseph vows. “We have some new products that we are still testing on our friends.”

Both women are dancers who perform for the Collective of Black Artists (COBA).

For more information or to buy their products contact McLeod at 416-738-9295.

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.

 

Council votes against defunding police budget, approves reforms

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Etobicoke councillor Mark Grimes was among the 16 politicians who voted against the 10% defunding of the Toronto Police Service $1.2 billion budget that was to go to community services.

Council on Monday voted 16 to eight against touching the police budget and opted for a series of reforms including the creation of a non-police response team for dealing with mental health calls and for all officers to have body-worn cameras by the start of next year.

The response team can be a life-saver and what has been sought by countless victims: including the family and friends of Ejaz Choudry, who have been protesting his death for almost a week.

Choudry, 62, who suffered from schizophrenia, was shot and killed by Peel Regional Police. The family say they had called police for a health check and did not expect Choudry to be killed  by police.

Mayor John Tory said his proposed changes, introduced last week, will reduce systemic racism within the force. He said cutting the service by an “arbitrary” number was misguided.

“It is not the right way to go about getting real change, effective change, fair change, good change,” the mayor said. “I don’t want us to be focused on a number; I want us to be focused on making change that needs to be made.”

Councillors Josh Matlow and Krystin Wong-Tam had called for a 10 per cent cut of the police budget, arguing the $150 million could be put to better use by investing in community programs.

Council heard that such a cut would mean the loss of about 1,000 officers and could take years to implement because of collective bargaining agreements with the police union.

Police say there are currently eight mobile crisis intervention teams, which include a police officer and a nurse trained in dealing with those have mental health emergencies.

Police Chief Mark Saunders say the teams do not operate 24-hours per day and are not the primary responders. They are dispatched once patrol officers have arrived and evaluated the situation.

Mental health calls make up about 30,000 of the nearly one million calls police respond to every year, or about 82 calls a day.

A motion to defund Toronto Police by 10% is being debated

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The residents of South Etobicoke love their cops.

And in the next two days, the future of policing in Toronto is being debated to try and make things more equitable for all.

Toronto City Council are debating virtually on some hard issues today and tomorrow, starting at 9:30 a.m.  The meeting will be streamed online.

At issues are Councillors Josh Matlow and Kristyn Wong-Tam who have put forward a motion earlier this month calling for a 10 per cent cut of the police budget.

They argue the money could be put to better use by investing in community programs.

City staff said a 10 per cent cut would amount to about $150 million. The police budget is more than $1.2 billion yearly.

Mayor John Tory has also revealed his own plan to reform the force, but it does not include a budget cut.

Tory’s proposal includes several initiatives intended to eliminate systemic racism in policing and would stop police from responding to mental health calls that do not involve weapons or violence.

Demands for changes stem from the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, who fell from her balcony after police responded to a call at her home. Police in Peel Region are also facing scrutiny after the death of Ejaz Choudry, who was fatally shot by officers while experiencing a mental health crisis.

Mental health calls make up about 30,000 of the nearly one million calls police respond to every year.

Mike McCormack, president of the Toronto Police Association, said a cut of 10 per cent would result in hundreds of jobs being lost. He estimates the positions of at least 500 police officers would be cut if the motion passed.

To be continued.

Get your masks at Legion Branch 101 drive-thru on Canada Day

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Volunteers of the cash-strapped Royal Canadian Legion Branch 101 are busy making face masks to help save lives and raise funds for their programs.

Branch 101, at 3850 Lake Shore Blvd. W., near Brown’s Line, has released a great selection of styles and colours of cotton masks which are for sale on their website. The masks cost $10 each.

The masks will be available to the public at a drive-thru in the parking lot of the Legion Hall on Canada Day, which is July 1, from 12 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Local president Jeff Ankenmann says 101, like most Branches, have lost all their revenue this year from hall rentals and events which were cancelled due to the COVID-19.

Most of the Legion branches are shut and programs cancelled.

“We had to do something to raise funds and get back on our feet,” Ankenmann says. “We had volunteers sewing from their homes to make all the masks.”

He says tables will be set up in the parking lot with the masks and supporters can drive-thru and get theirs.

“These are well-made, safe cotton masks,” Ankenmann says. “They are available in various colours and sizes that are made to order.”

Residents welcome farmers’ market back next week

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Humber Bay Park residents are delighted that their farmers’ market is finally being reopened on July 4.

Organizers have drawn a list of rules and say that face covering will be required to attend the market.

They say no pets will be allowed in the market, neither will there be eating, drinking or sampling allowed.

“Capacity is limited, so please shop quickly so others can enjoy,” the organizers posted on Facebook.

They said physical distancing protocols will be followed and there will be a single entrance, exit and one-way traffic

The market will run every Saturday until mid-October, at Humber Bay Park West, and is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Customers are asked to use debit or credit cards when possible.

Many people in the area welcome the market after months housebound due to COVID-19. Some other residents were complaining on social media that they could not take their pets with them to the market.

 

 

 

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.