The South Etobicoke News

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

TTC lays off 1,200 workers due to COVID-19 fears

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TTC workers first began complaining of suspected COVID-19 cases at their Queensway Division, where eight staffers had gotten sick.

Today the transit company said in a release they were laying off 1,200  employees over the coming weeks in response to a dramatic decline in ridership due to the virus and a loss of $90 million in monthly revenue.

Earlier in the day the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), which represents TTC workers, had called on Toronto Public Health (TPH) to conduct COVID-19 tests on employees at the Evans and Kipling Aves. Division, where it said four workers have contracted the virus and four others had symptoms.

“Our concerns are that this is an outbreak in this garage,” ATU Canada President John Di Nino says.

Earlier this month, some 33 bus drivers walked off the job refusing to work at Queensway, demanding more personal protective equipment (PPE) to shield them from the novel coronavirus.

“We do not want to lose a member in the line of duty or any of the public who could be potentially affected by COVID-19,” Di Nino vows.

TTC officials say  1,000 transit operators and 200 non-unionized employees will be affected by the temporary lay offs.

The TTC plans to introduce a salary freeze for non-unionized employees, reduce the use of overtime across the organization, forgo seasonal hires and “delay all non-essential capital projects.”

Joe of Mimicombo roller rink will be sadly missed

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The popular owner of a Mimico roller skating rink who brought James Brown, The Byrds, Ronnie Hawkins, David Clayton Thomas and dozens of early bands to the community has passed.

Joseph ‘Joe’ Bobechki, long-time owner of The Mimicombo, died peacefully on April 18, at Rideaucrest Home, in Kingston, according to his obituary.

Joe was married to wife, Frances, for 54-years and father of daughter, Tanya. He was grandfather of Madeleine, Samantha and Emily. He has brothers Don, Walter and William.

Family members say A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, when COVID-19 has passed.
Joe and his brother, Wally, are best remembered for taking over The Mimicombo in 1958. It was a popular club and roller skating rink that operated at Lake Shore Blvd., and Mimico Ave., for about 25-years.

Young people and adults from Mimico and across the city flocked to the hall to skate, bowl and listen to up-and-coming bands. There was a banquet area for weddings and the venue was a social meeting place for residents.

The brothers are credited for bringing many top-named artists and bands to The Mimicombo. James Brown performed here in November 1965, so did The Ardels, Bobby Kris & The Imperials, Bill Hailey and the Comets, Frank Motley and the Hitchhikers, The Motley Crew, Richie Knight and the Mid-Knights and many others.

It is said that on the evening that James Brown was to play at The Mimicombo, there was a blackout in Mimico and the surrounding areas. When Wally went to pay Brown (even though it looked like the concert was cancelled). James Brown said “No Wally. You are a good man and this is not your fault and he handed the money back to Wally. As soon as the money changed hands again…the lights came on!  The concert was a go.

In May 1966 the club was converted to roller skating and attracted young people from far and wide.

The skaters and dancers would never know that the bowling alley doubled as a homeless shelter at night, with Joe and Wally opening their doors to the unfortunate. Many of the less fortunate took advantage of the family’s generosity to get back on their feet again.

 

Search for missing parrot named Cash

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Area residents are scouring the parks and vicinity trying to help a Mimico bird lover find her pet parrot which has been missing for more than a month.

The name of the male bird is Cash and he is described as a Connur cinnamon parrot. He was last seen  about March 20, according to a post on pawboost.com, a site that helps reunite lost pets with their owners.

“The bird is green, yellow, orange with short hair and no medical issues,” according to Cash’s owner. “It was last seen in the Evans Ave. and Royal York Rd. area.”

The saddened owner believes Cash is out there scared and hiding.

“Please do not chase, call or whistle as this may cause them to run in fear and into danger,” according to a Lost Bird in Toronto poster.

A number of area residents have been searching for Cash and posting the results of their search on a website.

For more info email Cash’s owner at Mshelena123@gmail.com

Girl Guides cookie sales on hold due to COVID-19

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What do you do with hundreds of Girl Guides cookies you cannot sell.

Alderwood student Maria Tobin has given away to neighbours some of her tasty Guild Guides of Canada cookies as girls in the 110-year-old organization have been stopped from selling them due to COVID-19

Maria left the boxes with a nice note in the mailboxes of appreciative  residents in the Brown’s Line and Horner Ave. area.

“I hope you are well and staying safe and healthy in this time,” she wrote. “Please accept this complimentary box of Girl Guides cookies in the spirit of neighbourly solidarity.”

Maria’s says “my family is fortunate to be healthy, safe and together and for this we are grateful.”

Her 10th Guides leader Liz Canrinus has more than 60 boxes of the popular cookies stored in her garage as she awaits for the situation to improve, in regards to staying at home, social distancing and hand washing.

“We don’t know what this means for our future funding as the cookie sales are the major source of fundraising for the group,” wonders Maria’s mom, Sonja.

Jill Zelmanovits, Girl Guides of Canada Chief Executive Officer, says the safety of the girls and adult members are a number one priority

“We do not expect to generate the same revenue from membership fees or cookies in the near term,” Zelmanovits wrote on their website. “This has very serious implications which have forced us to make critical decisions to reduce expenses to ensure our long-term sustainability.”

She says 3.7 million boxes of ‘classic’ cookies were shipped out just before the deadly COVID-19 and physical distancing measures largely brought the country to a halt.

Selling cookies is one of the largest yearly fundraisers for Girl Guides and once bakers are reimbursed for their product, profits are then kept by local units to plan events and help keep registration costs down.

The Girl Guides of Canada was formed in 1910, with the cookies being sold since 1927. The funds are used for activities like hiking and camping. Some of the cookies will be sold at Farm Boy, Shoppes of Alderwood plaza, with proceeds going to 92nd Sparks, 64B Brownies and 10th Guides. You can place an order by email to liz.canrinus@sympatico.ca

Centre that helps young girls shut due to COVID

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A popular centre to educate and empower young girls has shut its doors after falling victim to COVID-19.

The Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment, which was founded by former Etobicoke-Lakeshore MP Jean Augustine, has been a source of inspiration for many area teens.

Emma Asiedu-Akrofi, the Executive Director of the Centre, thanked the community for their support over the years.

“As a result of the impact of COVID-19, we have unfortunately lost our primary source of funding,” Asiedu-Akrofi told residents in an email on April 17. “Programs are being suspended immediately as we make necessary adjustments.’

She apologized for the inconvenience the closure will have on families and thanked them for their understanding.

The centre, according to its website, is dedicated to empowering girls and young women between the ages of 7 to 17-years-old by offering programs on arts, life skills, academic success and leadership. The Centre also supports the community by offering programs, workshops and events for women and families.

The popular centre offered teens in demand programs as public speaking, resume building, tutor training, and courses in the sciences and technological advancements.

Augustine, a former teacher and high school principal, was the first African-Canadian woman elected to the House of Commons. She was elected in the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore in 1993 and sat in Parliament until 2006. She served as the Fairness Commissioner for the Government of Ontario advocating for Canadians with foreign credentials from 2007 to 2015.

She made history by introducing a motion in Parliament that allowed for the placement of the Famous Five statue on Parliament Hill which recognized Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Henrietta Muir Edwards and Louise McKinney who were at one time banned from being appointed to the Senate due to their sex.

Augustine is also well-known for another motion in Parliament that created Black History Month in Canada. She has received honorary Doctor of Law degrees from six universities and has been recognized by having the Jean Augustine Girls’ Leadership Academy, Jean Augustine Secondary School and the Jean Augustine Chair in Education at York University.

 

Residents make noise, fly flags for healthcare workers

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Wave your flag or make noise to show your support for our frontline healthcare workers.

Members of the community are being urged to proudly display their Canadian flags on their porches or windows of their homes to show their support for emergency workers; who include police, ambulance, fire, doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers battling COVID-19.

“By showing our Canadian flags we are staying inside and standing in solidarity with frontline workers,” says Chris Korwin-Kuczynski, Chair of the Lakeshore Village BIA. “We are encouraging children to stay inside and make their own Canadian flags.”

He says emergency personnel are working long and stressful hours as they battle COVID-19.

BIA member Mike Lotakow says he will be taking out his flag to support the workers.

“It is a sign of respect,” Lotakow says. “We have to let them know that we appreciate all their hard work.”

Community residents are also self-distancing to make noise.

Shawn Griffiths, organizer of a noise-making event called ‘Shake the Shores,’ says the noise takes place at 7:30 p.m. every Saturday during the quarantine on the balconies of Humber Bay Shores, to recognize the work of brave health workers.

There is also ‘Lets Make Some Noise,’ which also takes place at 7:30 p.m. nightly on the porches and balconies of Long Branch to recognize the workers.

“We encourage you to step out for a few minutes, bang a pot, cheer or sing a song to thank our front line COVID-19 workers,” says Bill Zufelt, of the Long Branch Neighbourhood Association.

Congratulations for our hard-working volunteers

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Let’s hear it for the hard-working volunteers.

National Volunteer Week runs from April 19 to 25 and the community applauds the efforts of Rita Ng, who took it upon herself and the challenges of COVID-19 to raise funds and food for the Daily Bread Food Bank, an agency near to her heart.

“My mom relied on food banks to feed my brother and me,” recalls Rita. “I am grateful to be in a position where I can give back to vulnerable families in my community.”

In short time, she set up an online fundraiser through the Daily Bread’s website and reached out to her family and friends for donations.

Rita worked hard and managed to raise $5,000 and 500-pounds of food during her first week of helping the food bank.

“It is incredible what you can achieve when you unite together to accomplish a goal,”’ she says. “I also learned that it is okay to be vulnerable.”

Rita says she once relied on food banks herself and was fortunate now to have a home and food on the table. She thought about those who would be hit hardest by COVID-19 and knew she had to do something.

National Volunteer Week recognizes the work of Rita and thousands of volunteers from coast to coast who contribute long hours to help others in these trying times.

“Volunteers from all over the city have stepped up to support our work and ensure that those in need can continue to access food during this critical time,” the Daily Bread says in a release.

Daily Bread officials have made changes to their food-sorting and packing processes due to social distancing guidelines and have reduced the number of volunteers who can be in the warehouse.

“One thing has remained the same: the love and care our volunteers bring every single time, and for that, we are so grateful,” they wrote.

Visit dailybread.ca to donate money or food.

Police show support for our COVID-19 heroes

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They are our heroes in these times of COVID-19.
Dozens of appreciative Toronto police officers from 11 and 22 Divisions showed up during a break to show their support for the nurses, doctors and healthcare officials working long hours to battle COVID-19 at St. Joseph’s Health Centre Toronto.
Many frail patients looked out from the hospital at a cavalry of flashing emergency lights from the police vehicles. Many of the officers burst out into applause and cheered the hard-working health workers.
The gesture sparked a warm feeling for the medical workers that their work is appreciated by the community, whose residents are thankful for their sacrifice.
A video of the show of support has been posted on Facebook for members of the community.
The kind gesture had many residents talking online.
“This was such a nice gesture, it made my friends and I cry,” wrote Elma Selimotic. “Thank you.”
“Very nice,” said Jen Maharaj Singh, who saw the video while on the bus.
“Thank you so much,” Setka K. wrote. “Happy Easter to all.”
The west-end officers work closely with St. Joseph’s Health Care officials, moreso during the COVID-19 pandemic.
St. Joseph’s has a long and proud tradition of serving the diverse and growing needs of the city’s west end for nearly a century. The hospital was founded in 1921 by the Sisters of St. Joseph to care for those in need.
Today, the Catholic hospital and community teaching health centre is affiliated with the University of Toronto and serves a community of nearly 500,000 people. See more local stories in South Etobicoke News at torontonewswire.com

Getting through the tough times together

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By: Adrianne Szabo-Payne

It’s no question that pretty much every single person in the world is feeling the effects of COVID-19.
Whether you’re at home in self-isolation, or still required to go to work to provide essential products
and services for the rest of us, we have to take this time to pay extra attention to our health.
So beyond washing your hands every five-minutes and wiping every surface you touch with a disinfectant, how can you keep your immune system strong?
Firstly, we have to look at our immune system from all sides; physical, mental and spiritual. When we
look at ourselves as a whole, we’ll have a much better chance at keeping ourselves healthy.
Here’s a holistic approach to helping boost your immune system as we navigate through these times.
Feed your physical body with good food and exercise. It is easy to give up on the healthy regime during
times like this, but don’t fall prey to apathy and fast food.
Since getting to the grocery might not be as easy as you’re used to, when do you go, make good choices
by picking fresh leafy greens, colourful fruits and vegetables and lots of protein rich foods. If you’re
trying to eat less meat, remember to soak your beans and legumes and wash them through often to get
rid of most of the lectins which can cause digestive upset.
You can soak your beans and legumes for several days, so long as you wash them through every few hours. Use the internet to find recipes and how-to videos. Among my favourite is Tasty, showing step-by-step recipes.
Set an intention to exercise for at least 20-minutes daily. Go for a walk or bike ride through your
neighbourhood. These are all social distancing approved activities, and fresh air is vital for good health.
If walking or biking isn’t your thing, the internet is loaded with free exercise videos to choose from.
Try something new every week. It’s good for the body and the brain. And don’t forget to stretch!
Supplementing can help those who need a little extra help. Probiotics, Vitamin C, D and good fats will
help reduce inflammation and boost your immune system’s ability to fight off viruses and bacteria.
For your mental and spiritual health, set daily goals to keep you feeling productive. Include things like
calling a friend who might live alone and talk about COVID-free news; learn a new skill, the internet is a
wealthy resource; take 5-10 minutes to laugh out loud daily, funny animal videos are great. If you find
something great that helps you, remember to share it with a friend.
These might be unsettling times, but the silver lining is we are in control of how we react to it all. Be a
champion of positive energy. We will get through this together.

Adrianne Szabo-Payne is owner of Monkey Tree Fitness & Wellness, 800 Islington Ave. Phone 416-233-3400 or visit monkeytreewellness.com

New date for Parklawn Transportation meeting

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A long-awaited community meeting to give input into the massive Park Lawn Lake Shore Transportation Master Plan (TMP) was called off last month due to the COVID-19 virus.
The meeting, which was slated for March 24 at Trident Banquet Hall, on Evans Ave., was the second being held to examine the multi-year TMP process to evaluate options to improve the area’s transportation network.
A proposed Park Lawn GO station slated for the Parklawn Rd. and Lake Shore Blvd. W. area is in the early planning stage. An initial business case was completed in February 2018, showing the location has positive benefits.
City planners say service at Mimico station will continue to improve as the GO Expansion Program is delivered to provide all-day two-way service every 15 minutes, or better, along the Lakeshore West Corridor.
The plan includes dedicated transit priority lanes for Park Lawn Rd. and Lake Shore Blvd. W., which will have integrated TTC streetcar and bus service with the GO Station to create a new transit hub.
A widening of the bridge at Mimico Creek to handle more traffic is also proposed, including improved pedestrian and cycling facilities.
The plan will also add two new roads to help traffic flow in the area, include a new connection from Brookers Lane to the Lake Shore Blvd. eastbound off-ramp.
The Park Lawn Road and Lake Shore Boulevard West area has grown significantly over the past 20 years. During this time, the area’s transportation network has remained relatively unchanged. Limited options to connect to destinations has resulted in increased traffic congestion. With additional growth anticipated in the future, transportation improvements are needed to support better travel options for walking, cycling, taking transit and driving.
The TMP provides the first step in a multi-year process to evaluate options to improve the area’s transportation network, including: better access to street, transit and active transportation networks,
additional safe and convenient transportation connections across major physical barriers, planning for future investment in public transit, pedestrian and cycling networks and high-quality streetscape design.
The study area where potential improvements are being considered is bound by Ellis Ave. to the east, Legion Rd. to the west, The Queensway to the north and Lake Ontario to the south.
No date has been set for another meeting. For more information visit toronto.ca/parklawnlakeshore