The South Etobicoke News

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

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.

 

Health Canada recalls a hand sanitizer sold in the area

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Residents are being warned of a bad batch of hand sanitizers.

Health Canada have recalled a brand of hand sanitizers that was sold online in the community.

Blake Shaver, of Bread&Butter Designs, says “it has come to my attention that Visibly Clean Hand Sanitizer, manufactured by Brands International, which I sold to some of you through my website was recalled by Health Canada.”

“I have emailed everyone who purchased this product from me but I wanted to make sure that everyone knew about the manufacturer’s recall,” according to a posting.

He wrote that Brands International is responsible to exchange all lots of Visibly Clean remaining in the marketplace. They are offering an exchange for their 8-ounce Germs Be Gone with a pump top.

“If you still have Visibly Clean product and you didn’t receive my email please message me directly for instructions,” Shaver says.

For more info visit breadandbutterdesigns.com

 

 

 

Bicycle Safety Campaign is underway to protect us all

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More people than ever it seems are peddling their way around town these days.

Toronto Parking Enforcement Officer Erin Urquhart is reminding cyclists and motorists of a Traffic Services Bicycle Safety Campaign which runs from July 13 to July 19 and focuses on community engagement, education and enforcement.

Police say a record amount of cyclists are out on the streets due to COVID-19, which led to Toronto’s ActiveTO’, which aims to safely get residents out of their homes and into the outdoors. There have also been lineups at bike shops in the community.

Throughout this week, police will be conducting traffic enforcement activities and connecting with people about issues that lead to cyclists and other vulnerable road users being killed or injured on city streets.

Last year some 64 people were killed on Toronto’s roads. Of these, 47, or 73%, were vulnerable road users, including one cyclist.  Traffic enforcement activities will focus of the “Big 4” driver behaviours that cause injuries to vulnerable road users – speeding, driving aggressively, driving distracted and driving impaired.

Cyclists are also being warned of ways to avoid “dooring incidents” that happen on our busy roads, as well as promoting the Toronto Police Bicycle Registry and other ways to prevent bicycle theft.

 

For now most of our sports are on hold in the community

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By REJEAN CANTLON

South Etobicoke gyms await Stage 3.

On July 13th the province announced that 18 of 32 regions within Ontario will enter Stage 3 to reopen which is slated to start on Friday, July 17th. Although South Etobicoke is not included in the group of 18, looking forward, some local sports minded citizens are anxious for what lies ahead for our local athletes.

According to provincial authorities, amateur and recreational sports could resume so long as they “do not allow prolonged or deliberate physical contact” between players.

So what does this exactly mean?

It means that contact sports like wrestling and judo are out, for now. South Etobicoke will remain in Stage 2 until it is safe to move on. Once we are in Stage 3, other sports with some form of contact like hockey, lacrosse or football maybe allowed as long as these sports can be modified to maintain physical distancing and as little contact as possible is made. The provincial directive goes on to say that recreational facilities in Stage 3 regions including, bowling alleys, gyms, play-ground equipment, and pool halls can open for business, as long as physical distancing (2 meters apart) is in place.

As South Etobicoke awaits the green light to move to Stage 3, government officials are clear to point out that despite much of the province opening up, it does not mean that life is back to normal. Officials state that restarting activities in stages will ensure we keep everyone safe, healthy and moving in a responsible way.

 

Indigenous artists sought to perform at summer camp

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If you are an Indigenous artist, this may be an opportunity for you.

Lakeshore Arts is seeking to engage and hire two Indigenous artists for a week-long virtual At Home Summer Camp.

Artists are responsible for facilitating activities of their choosing and all interactions with campers will be virtual to uphold social distancing rules, according to Lakeshore Arts.

Responsibilities will include preparation work leading up to the camp, as well as hosting virtual workshops with youth over online video conferencing applications (Zoom) throughout the week of the camp.

The goal of Lakeshore Arts is to bring Indigenous arts and culture into the camper’s summer experience. If you are interested contact communityprograms@lakeshorearts.ca

 

No injuries as unattended cement truck crashes into pie store

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It is not a good day for workers arriving at the New Zealand meat pie company at 107 Shorncliffe Rd., near North Queen.

It was just after 7 a.m. this morning when there was a huge boom as an unattended cement truck crashed into the pie company causing “significant damage,” according to police.

Police say no one was in the truck at the time of the collision. It is unknown if charges will be laid in the incident.

There were no injuries.

The crash caused extensive damage to the front of the building and the company’s website warn they will be closed until further notice.

Detectives from 22 Division are probing the incident and how the truck, without a driver, managed to smash into the popular pie store, which has been there for a number of years and has a devoted following.
The truck somehow ended up in the roadway, where it was blocking traffic in the area.

The area was shut to traffic as an investigation was being conducted and debris swept up. It is unclear as to the damages of the building and truck.

 

Tempers flare for electric vehicle parking spot at Sherway Mall

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This is what some residents may call a first-world entitlement issue.

Social media is up in arms after video of a female motorist driving a non-electric car goes viral after she refuses to move her vehicle for a driver seeking legitimate electric vehicle parking at Sherway Mall.

Mall security officers had to be called to break up a fracas as the woman kept arguing and refused to move from the spot which was clearly marked for electric vehicles only.

The June 11 incident was captured on video and posted online where it has garnered hundreds of shares.

“She feels she is privileged to blatantly park there and defend her right to park there,” says Shelley Robinson. “The spots are designated for those with special need who need electric cars, or are handicapped or expectant mothers.”

Marjan Akhi says the spot is always taken for other cars that are non-electric and it is “’very disappointing.”

“They should get a ticket for that,” Akhi warns.

“This is very selfish behaviour all around,” writes Rita Dufresne.

“Unless it’s abuse or harm, a revenge or shaming video just drags you down to her level,” warns Atreyi Mukherji.

Paula Torres says humanity is going down the drain.

“This reminds me when stupid people park in spaces for disabled people because they think the regulations don’t apply to them,” she says.

James Porter says it is private property and if the woman does not like the parking she can shop elsewhere.
“All she cares about is herself,” says Cathy Nagy. “All she had to do was go drive around to find another spot.”

“The world is already going through so much and these ignorant people just have to make it worse for others,” says Michelle Verano Zorrilla.

 

 

Three suspects sought for South Etobicoke gunplay

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Just as we thought the gunplay had subsided due to COVID-19, the bullets are flying again.

Police are busy investigating six shootings in Toronto on Friday and Saturday including one right here at Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Islington Ave.

Detectives are searching for as many as three suspects in connection with the 11 p.m. Saturday shooting in south Etobicoke in which two victims were found suffering from serious gunshot wounds.

Paramedics say one man has been taken to a trauma centre in life-threatening condition while a second man has serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The three suspects are described as a white male wearing a black hoodie, a second male wearing a dark grey hoodie and a third male wearing a black hoodie. All three were seen fleeing the original scene of the shooting in a black coloured four-door sedan.

Police said the shooting is believed to have taken place on Garnett Janes Road before the two drove themselves to where they were found by police and paramedics.

Police in a news conference say five people were also injured after another shooting around 10:20 p.m. Friday in the Jane St. and Woolner Ave. area. One person was left in critical condition in that gunfire.

Police say a small grey or silver sedan came to Woolner Ave., just before the shots were fired.

There has been no arrests.

If you have information call police at 416-808-2200.

 

Some Black-owned restaurants in the area that you will love

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Members of the community have been asking for some Black-owned restaurants in our community so they can support them in these trying times.

South Etobicoke is rich with dozens of African, West Indian, Hakka and other restaurants whose chefs take pride in their food, skills and facilities.

Here are a few Black-owned eateries that are good and have been tried and tested.

MANGOES RESTAURANT, 2491 Lake Shore Blvd. W.,  416-253-1920

Co-owner Shoan Baker’s passion for cooking led to her starting Mangoes in Mimico four-years ago.

“It took some time but we are getting the support of the community and they love our food,” Baker says of her daily hot meals of curry goat, stew and jerk chicken and oxtail with recipes from her native Jamaica.

I like the stew chicken, but all the food is fresh, tasty and steaming hot.

GOLDEN COOK CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT – 2955 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-259-3003.

Owner Garnell says she’s been at the same Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Islington Ave. corner for about 20-years and was one of the first Caribbean style restaurant in the area. “People keep coming back for our good food,” she says.

The restaurant carries ‘real Jamaican’ ackee and saltfish, curry goat, stew, jerk and curry chicken, oxtail and other dishes. The curry goat is a fave here since you can taste the assortment of flavours and well-cooked meals. At Golden Cook you  can get a good serving, that is well-worth it.

CARIBBEAN QUEEN ROTI HUT, 2957 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-503-3419

Owner Eva has been making and selling her delicious rotis for almost 20-years at the same location. She has many regular customers who love her well-cooked and fresh rotis filled with curry goat, stew chicken or tasty beef. Add a little pepper, with a soft or alcoholic drink as the venue is licenced.

The rotis, which are made by Eva, are great and most cost under $10. Its all take-out at this time.

MICHAEL’s WEST INDIAN FLAVOUR, 3067 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 647-343-3611.

Yes, there is a Michael and his flavourful jerk chicken seems to be a favourite at this small take-out restaurant. You can expect to find a lineup here at lunchtime as area workers, in buses, trucks or taxis pull in for some of his delicious takeout.

“People know that they are getting good, honest, home-made food here,” Michael boasts. “We take pride in all the food we cook.’

The Lake Shore Blvd., and Eleventh Street eatery carries nice-tasting jerk chicken, curry goat, curry or stew chicken and tasty oxtail. It is worth checking out if the line-up is not too long.

TRINI GARDENS RESTAURANT, 3266 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-252-0794

Hard-working owner Elsie takes pride in her restaurant and her customers, many who have been returning for 20-plus years. The licenced establishment is known for its good food, whether it may be the standard fare of curry goat, stew, jerk or pepper chicken. It also carries some great soups and chow mein.

Trini Gardens has many fine reviews and people dub it a “little gem in the west end,” with many returning customers.

DUCKY’s ROTI, 3296 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-252-5858

This iconic roti shop has been around for quite a while and is known for its consistent, top-quality food. Ducky and his staff work hard to make fresh roti that can be filled with curry goat, shrimp, stew or jerk chicken, fish, beef and home-made currants roll.

The shop has been closed for COVID-19 has a dining area. It is worth a try when it reopens. Ducky is a long-time ‘Roti man,’ and his rotis are fresh and consistent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight Street Skatepark survey and new murals this summer

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The Eight Street Skatepark is a home for many young people during the summer.

A short survey is being circulated online by Eight Street Skatepark to collect community feedback for new murals being added this summer to the park.

Top muralists like Moises Frank (Luvsumone), Fatspatrol, Peru, Chris Perez and Nick Sweetman have their art proudly displayed in the Skatepark. Some of the art has faded from the weather and has to be redone.

Artists as Frank, Perez and Sweetman are in high-demand in Toronto and elsewhere. Many were recently involved in a Black Lives Matter Graffiti Alley that took place during the marches for equality last month.

“We plant to create four new murals to the skatepark this summer and provide maintenance to an already existing mural,” Skatepark officials said on Facebook. “This year’s project will focus on providing mentorship in the field of mural art.”

The project will provide an opportunity for artist assistants and a mural art project coordinator to be mentored, in an effort to build up the mural art talent in Toronto.

“Our goal is to collect community feedback so that the new murals being added to the Skatepark this summer reflect the community needs and ideas,” they said. “We have to ensure they are enjoyed.”

Located at Eight Street Park, at the corner of Eight St. and Birmingham St., the concrete community skatepark has a mix of flow and street, with a tough 5’ peanut-shaped bowl. This skatepark includes various sized quarterpipes, banks, stairs, rails, hedges and granite capped hubbas.

For further information contact skateparkmurals@gmail.com