Residents of the Mabelle Avenue community are being credited for banding together to help feed and look after their vulnerable neighbours as COVID-19 rages on.

Food security had become a critical issue for residents of the Central Etobicoke area, according to MABELLEarts, an award-winning community arts organization that works closely with residents.

MABELLEarts created a MABELLE Pantry last July, which began as a COVID-19 emergency response grocery delivery service to help 10 vulnerable households on Mabelle Avenue.

The Pantry has grown to serve almost 400 households on Mabelle Avenue, which is a high-density block of apartments in the Islington and Dundas Sts. W. area, where there is limited access to fresh food and nearby supermarkets.

MABELLEarts prior to COVID-19 worked with more than 100 professional artists and 4,000 community members of all ages and backgrounds to create performances, workshops and events that unlock the creative potential of neglected public spaces.

The virus forced them to use their artistic connections to obtain food to help feed those in need in their community.

“Our first step was to listen to the most vulnerable members of the community and learn what they were struggling with,” said Leah Houston, artistic director of MABELLEarts. “We didn’t have a strategy for what would happen in the phone calls.”

The group conducted a wellness check at the start of the pandemic and found residents were in need of food since the local food bank had shut down due to the virus.

Local residents facing food insecurity are able to access free groceries and fresh local produce at the MABELLE Pantry. They are welcomed by friendly and responsible Safety Monitors who ensure the pantry experience stays COVID-safe while offering a stress-free experience to participants.

“The evolution of the Mabelle Pantry is a testament to Mabelle Avenue’s resilience during COVID-19,’ according to MABELLEarts information. “Connections forged through artistic collaboration empowered our community to mobilize.”

The Mabelle Avenue community is home to more than 4,000 residents, many who are low-income, who live in a less-than-a-kilometre block of high density apartment buildings.

Pantry volunteers now make three deliveries weekly to about 80 households in their area. They have made more than 3,000 food deliveries so far.

They are receiving support from Toronto Community Housing, Foodshare Toronto, Haven on the Queensway, The Storefront Humber, Daily Bread Food Bank and other agencies.

MABELLE Pantry was launched to provide residents a safe market-style food access experience.

 

Dr. Rita Cox was a popular, long-time head librarian of Parkdale Public Library who tried to encourage young people to read a book or stay in school.

Friends and colleagues of the former head librarian will be remembering her work and the many aspiring young Black students she guided to success in a virtual tribute on February 21.

The event is part of the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA) 40^th Anniversary celebrations.

Cox, who was born in Trinidad, joined the Toronto public library as a children’s librarian in 1960 and, in 1972, became the head of the Parkdale branch. It was an amazing feat for a Black woman then as she launched literacy programs and initiatives that promoted multiculturalism in Toronto.

Cox pioneered the ‘Black Heritage and West Indian Resource Collection’ at her Queen St. W., branch. Readers loved her books and the collection was renamed the ‘Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection,’ which contains more than 16,000 books, DVDs, CDs, newspapers and magazines, with a focus on the Black and Caribbean experience in Canada.

She would stage Black History Month celebrations at the branch yearly.

Always encouraging young people to learn, she retired from the library in 1995. Soon after she was appointed a citizenship court judge by the government of Canada.

Cox established “Cumbayah,” a successful festival of Black heritage and storytelling. She was a renowned storyteller who entertained audiences across North America, in Europe, Brazil and the Caribbean. She even authored a children’s book entitled “How Trouble Made the Monkey Eat Pepper.”

Cox ensured the Toronto public library’s storytelling legacy by training a new generation of storytellers, many of whom are current library staff.

She has won numerous awards, including the 1996 Canadian Library Association Public Service Award and the Black Achievement Award. In 1997, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her outstanding work in storytelling and literacy and was the recipient of Honourary Degrees from York and Wilfrid Laurier universities.

Cox has even had a city park named after her. The Rita Cox Park is on Machells Ave, just north of Lamport Stadium.

The virtual tribute will take place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will feature former CityTV weatherman Harold ‘Hurricane’ Hossein, Dr. Paul Keens Douglas, former MP Jean Augustine, six time Calypso Monarch winner Macomere Fifi, Wendy Jones, Entertainer Itah Sadu and Dr. Michael Ashley.

For more information contact Panman Pat at 416-358-8621 or visit facebook@calypsoca4u

 

The Ontario government is investing up to $2.6 million over two years to help communities fight hate-motivated crime.

The funds are made available through a Safer and Vital Communities (SVC) grant, which provides funds to community-based, not-for-profit organizations, First Nations Chiefs and Band Councils to address local risks to safety and well-being in the community.

Christine Hogarth, the MPP for Etobicoke Lakeshore, said the funding will help 26 community-based, not-for-profit organizations and First Nations Chiefs and Band Councils, in collaboration with their police partners.

The groups will implement local projects that tackle discrimination, foster greater inclusiveness and address the increase of police-reported hate crime, according to Hogarth.

Grant recipient The Neighbourhood Organization, will receive $110,000 to work with Toronto Police to develop community specific responses to hate motivated crime and related issues.

The Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre will receive $104,200 to work with police to deliver a two-part Indigenous Safer and Vital community project.

And the Kiever Synagogue Security Upgrade will obtain $63,000 to upgrade their security systems and Security Access and Public Announcement Systems Upgrades will receive $110,000 to update their systems.

“Our government has zero tolerance for hate and racism in any form,” says Hogarth, the Parliamentary Assistant for Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “We continue to be focused on advancing community-based solutions to ensure Ontarians can overcome these real-life barriers.”

She said the initiatives are important to protect people from ‘being victimized because of their race or religious beliefs.’

Hogarth said the grant  will complement Ontario’s new $1.6 million Anti- Racism and Anti-Hate Grant, which is being designed with community groups to create solutions based on lived experiences and local needs.

In 2017, police-reported criminal incidents in Canada motivated by hate jumped by 47 per cent over 2016, according to Statistics Canada. The largest provincial increase occurred in Ontario at 67 per cent.

 

 

An Etobicoke man is behind bars after the RCMP smashed a ring that used Canada Post to move and sell cocaine across Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador.

A probe dubbed Project Barnacle has been underway since January 18, when the RCMP in Newfoundland executed search warrants against five homes in Etobicoke, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Cpl. Jolene Garland said in a release.

One man was arrested and three kilograms of cocaine were seized at the Etobicoke home, the Mounties said.

In St. John’s a man and woman were arrested and a kilogram of cocaine was seized by police, along with some cash and electronic devices.

Cpl. Jolene Garland said the investigation “has significantly disrupted a highly organized group of individuals involved in inter-provincial drug trafficking and money laundering.”

Garland said police on February 11 served another five search warrants to residences, including homes in Etobicoke and Mississauga.

“With drugs come violence and other criminal activities that are a threat to our communities,” said Inspector Stefan Thoms, Officer in Charge of RCMP Newfoundland Federal Serious and Organized Crime.

“Project Barnacle reflects our priority to combat this threat through the disruption of the organized crime groups responsible for the distribution of illegal drugs into this province,” Thoms said.

He said the force will continue to work to stop criminals and lay charges wherever appropriate.

The RCMP in Ontario arrested two men and a woman in Project Barnacle, who were charged with drug related crimes.

They also seized from the Etobicoke home about $10,000 in cash, a vehicle, financial documents, electronic devices and other items of the drug trade.

Police in Newfoundland and Labrador seized a stolen Glock handgun, five long guns, semi-automatic rifle, 10,000 rounds of ammunition, 12 pounds of MDMA (ecstasy), one of the largest such seizures in the province, $250,000 in cash, nine vehicles: including a five-ton truck, pick ups and ATVS, two credit card readers, high-end jewellery and financial documents.

 

Many South Etobicoke parents have to change their plans after learning that March Break for students and teachers has been pushed back a month.

The week-long break, which was originally scheduled for March 15 to 19, will now take place on the week of April 12 to 16 due to the virus.

This “is postponing March Break, not cancelling it,” Education Minister Stephen Lecce said at Queen’s Park on February 18. It is ‘an important way that schools can help to limit of community transmission” of COVID-19, Lecce said.

Lecce added that the decision was based on the advice of medical experts, with the understanding that “congregation is a key driver of the spread of COVID-19.”

“This postponement also limits any further disruption to students as they could return to in-person learning during a time that has been challenging,” he told reporters.

“The decision to postpone March Break has not been an easy one, but necessary to keep Ontario families safe from this variant,” Lecce said.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams said when kids and teachers do go on March Break in April, they should still remain within their region and avoid travelling.

Government officials said the decision to defer March Break was “all the more important” as the province sees an emergence of new COVID-19 variants of concern.

Williams said students and teachers should stay at home as much as possible and continue following the direction of public health officials during their break.

Mimico has sadly lost its top baker, Natale Bozzo, whose sweet treats are loved by generations of food lovers, who travel from across the city to Royal York Road to get their fill.

The loving Bozzo family patriarch is father of three sons and was married to Nicoletta for 49 years.

His mourning family said he passed away on February 18 after a devastating six-week battle with COVID-19. He was 75.

“He fought very hard, he was in good health prior to this,” his family shared in a statement on social media. “We learned of his failing health through very difficult phone calls from the hospital and thankfully we were able to say goodbye.”

Natale was a hard worker who came to Canada from Italy at the age of 15. He began working at a bakery in Little Italy and opened SanRemo Bakery and Café Inc., at 374 Royal York Road in 1969, with his brothers Santo, Gilda, Giuseppe, Josephine, Peter and Giancarlo.

He became sole owner of the popular bakery in the 1990s with his sons, Rob, Nick and Eddie.

“He eventually retired but he would still come to help out around the bakery as it was his passion,” family members recalled.

They describe him as an ‘incredible baker, who was hardworking, resilient and resourceful.’

“He was kind and a friend to all. He loved to go to Florida, he loved to fish and garden, he loved food, and he loved his family,” they said.

The family said Natale’s secret to baking was to put a ‘pinch of love into everything, and we’ll be missing that pinch in ways we can’t describe.’

“We thank you all for your support and wishes during this time,” they told area residents.

The bakery, which has been open for more than 50 years, is an institution in South Etobicoke and people pre-COVID-19 drove from across the city to get their fill of Italian sandwiches, cakes, pasta, coffee and mostly to meet their friends.

The small dining room they once had was always filled with area residents or those working nearby enjoying a break.

There are many comments being left on social media by residents expressing their love and support for the Bozzo family.

“This is devastating,” wrote Christine Ashley.

“My deepest condolences,” said Deuces Royal.

Funeral plans are being finalized.

It has been a long journey from Thailand to Long Branch for Suriya Chitchulanon, the owner of Ranu Thai Cuisine, a local favourite for ‘back-home taste’ at affordable prices.

Highly rated on social media, the small takeout at 3308 Lake Shore Blvd. W., is a busy restaurant that is a favourite of college students due to its prices and honest food.

“People love our food for the freshness,” Chitchulanon says. “We are known for the quality of our ingredients. For us it is the quality of the food not the quantity.”

The restaurant has been in operation since 2013 and has many loyal customers who faithfully return. “They like our food and they come back for more,” he says. “We offer a contemporary flavour to reflect the preferences of our Long Branch, Lake Shore, and Etobicoke patrons.”

He started the business after arriving in Canada from the U.S., where he lived for a number of years after leaving his home in Thailand.

Their classic meals include; pad Thai, curries, fried rice and the ‘house specialties which you might today buy on the streets of Bangkok.’

“We have many years of experience in Thai cooking environment,” Chitchulanon says. “We want to give people the best dining experience.”

He swears customers love his style of pad Thai and return for more. We tried the red curry and pad Thai and it was excellent.

“Once people taste our dishes, they always come back,” he insists. “Our ingredients are fresh as what they have back at home.”

One of their most popular dishes is Pineapple Red Curry, which is a classic Thai red curry, simmered in coconut milk, fresh basil, pineapple chunks, bell peppers and broccoli. Served with jasmine rice.

They are active on social media, where it seems the positive reviews are endless.

“Will have to order again sooon. Yummmmmy!” wrote Sarah Giles.

” I wish we were in the hood for lunch,” said Becca Gordon.

“Wowo. Good food,” wrote Phuc Trinh.

Ranu Thai Cuisine can be reached by phone at 416-255-3830 or you can order online at www.ranuthai.ca.

 

 

February 15 was National Flag of Canada Day.

The day is celebrated wildly from coast-to-coast.

In New Toronto some area residents braved the cold to remove and install a huge new Canadian flag at a pole at Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Eighth Street, near Fire Station 435.

The event this year was low-keyed to prevent a large group of people from attending in contravention of COVID-19 guidelines, organizers say.

Chris Korwin-Kuczynski, of the Lakeshore Village BIA, began a campaign years ago for the Canadian flag to be honoured. The campaign snowballed.

“The greatest symbol we have as a country is our Canadian flag,” he says. “It is one of our most important days that we celebrate.”

Area resident Matt Lozinski says he was proud to be helping to install the new flag.

“I am a Canadian citizen and I am proud of our flag,” Lozinski smiles.

There were a number of passerbys who stopped by to say hello, ‘ Happy Flag Day’ or take photos.

The Canadian flag was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill on February 15, 1965. On that same day in 1996, National Flag of Canada Day was declared.

“Our national flag is a symbol that unites all Canadian and reflects the common values we hold so dear, equality, diversity and inclusion, according to the federal government’s website.