The South Etobicoke News

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

Humber College getting new Cultural Hub, residences and arts venues

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Humber College is probably the largest landholder in the Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Kipling Ave. area.

Now work is underway at the college’s Lakeshore Campus to construct two student residences, two performing arts venues and other learning spaces on the historic grounds.

Construction has begun on a new Humber Cultural Hub, which will be completed in 2024. It is designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects and being built by Ellis Don. It is one of a number of expansion and renovation projects that the college is undertaking.

The student residences will be eight and nine storeys tall, and will add rooms for up to 300 students. It will add 124,000 square feet of new living space, according to the plans.

The residences will rise up out of a two-storey podium that will have a new cafeteria and a new gym.

The Hub will also have two music and performing arts venues, one with 600 seats and another that can hold 150 people.

The venues can act as a potential destination for arts programs and even festivals in west Toronto, college officials say.

The Hub will be home to studios for recording, 3D animation, multimedia production, computer labs and an Indigenous classroom.

When it’s done, the project will connect to an existing library and a student residence..

College officials say the Hub will spark exciting possibilities for students, local cultural and creative industries and the community.

It will provide access to talent development, entrepreneurial supports and applied research, according to college information. It will also benefit culturally underserved local communities, build new appreciation and opportunities for the creative arts, attract new jobs and industries to the area and enrich the local economy.

Humber says his facility will enhance the training and career-readiness of students while allowing the college to solve business challenges for industry in the creative and performing arts.

“The Humber Cultural Hub will be a nexus for immersive, interdisciplinary performances, unique audience engagement and future focused pedagogical delivery that will enhance the Humber experience for students, faculty, alumni, industry and the community,” says Guillermo Acosta, a Senior Dean, of Faculty of Media and Creative Arts.

 

Body worn cameras being rolled out to 23 Division officers in Rexdale

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Toronto Police officers in north Etobicoke are among the first to get their long-awaited body-worn cameras.

The first two camera-equipped officers were out on the street Monday in the Rexdale area as part of 23 Division. It’s the start of a year-long rollout for the gear.

Cameras will arrive in south Etobicoke for 22 and 11 Divisions beginning around October. A full rollout to all frontline officers is expected over the next year.

Toronto Police say officers will ” turn on the body-worn camera prior to arriving at a call for service; when they start investigating an individual; or when they are asking a person questions for the purpose of collecting their information. “

A police officer will turn off the body-worn camera when the call for service or investigation is complete or when the officer determines that continuous recording is no longer serving its intended purpose.

Officers will face penalties for shutting their cameras off on calls.

It should be fairly obvious if an officer’s camera is recording. Police say there are “lights and notices indicating it has been activated. Officers are trained to give notice as soon as reasonably possible that a body worn camera is in operation.

The force plans to buy 2,350 body-worn cameras at a cost of $34.1 million.

The cameras are among a Toronto Police list of items to ensure equality on the force.

 

Drive Thru Ribfest taking place at Humber College South campus

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There’s nothing tastier than a piece of  barbeque rib in the summertime.

The community is being invited to a Ribfest Drive Thru barbeque taking place at Humber College South Campus on August 29 and 30.

The event starts at 11 a.m. and runs until 8 p.m. at the Lakeshore campus, at 3199 Lake Shore Blvd. W., at Kipling Ave.

The Ribfest is presented by Humber College, Rotary Etobicoke and features award-winning ‘ribbers as Billy Bones BBQ, Uncle Sam’s BBQ Stand, Oklahoma Pistol Pete’s and Alabama’s Finest Camp 31.

“With Toronto beginning to reopen, come out and experience a classic summer favourite at our newly designed Ribfest drive-thru,” according to the event organizers. “Enjoy mouth-watering ribs all from the comfort of your vehicle!”

Organizers say Toronto Ribfest is a not-for-profit event that’s been taking place for 18 years.

They say more than 100,000 supporters attend yearly and donations raised go to helping those in need in the community.

So far, more than $3 million has been raised for Etobicoke local hospitals, community centers, schools, shelters, food banks and charities.

 

Cherished ‘welcome teams’ hockey banner gone missing

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Enough is enough.

Not only are the Toronto Maple Leafs out of the Stanley Cup playoffs, but now it seems a hockey-crazed fan may have skated off with a ‘welcome teams’ cherished banner.

A large customized white hockey banner being used to welcome NHL players to Toronto for the playoffs has gone missing and the owners want it back.

The two large plastic banners were installed earlier this month in New Toronto to welcome arriving NHL players, who are here as part of an anti-virus hockey playoffs bubble. There is another bubble in Edmonton.

The banners contain images of U.S. and Canadian flags and welcomed the NHL Eastern Conference contenders.

Organizers said the teams will practice at the Ford Centre of Excellence, at 400 Kipling Ave.

Chris Korwyn-Kuczynski, of the Lake Shore Village Business Improvement Area, says one of the banners, worth more than $200 each, was locked on a fence at a club at Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Sixth St., when it went missing.

“We knew this might happen and we locked it in,” he says. “The banner I think is in somebody’s bedroom now.”

The items were used by the BIA for promotions to drum up area businesses while some of the hockey playoffs were taking place here.

Anyone who has the hockey banner is asked to leave it in the patio of Maple Leaf House Grill and Lounge, at 2749 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

Iconic Lancaster bomber may one day fly over Toronto again

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By DAVE KOSONIC

The Lancaster bomber that was prominently displayed near the waterfront of Toronto’s Coronation Park for 34-years may once again take to the skies after a meticulous restoration is completed in B.C.

The “Lanc” as it was dubbed by flyers, was a heavy bomber and a popular draw for adults and school children from 1965 to 1999, when it was displayed near the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition.

The roar of its four powerful engines may even be heard againif it makes some tribute flights over Toronto in the future. But whether it will fly again remains up in the air.

Known as ‘Bomber FM104’, it was one of 430 Avro Lancasters assembled at the Malton Victory Aircraft factory during the Second World War. After being flown to England in 1945 the aircraft was not used for missions because it arrived near the end of the war.

Later the FM104 returned to Canada and was utilized by the Royal Canadian Air Force for maritime patrols and search-and-rescue missions until being retired in 1964.

After decades of uncertainity, the ‘Lanc’ has found a home at a not-for-profit British Columbia Aviation Museum, where it has been since 2018.

Only 17 Avro Lancaster bombers in complete form remain in the world. Eight of these are in Canada making this aircraft a piece of Canadian aviation history.

The continuing restoration of this aircraft to airworthy flying condition could take another decade at an estimated cost of $10 million, according to those involved with this project.

Upon the completion, this Lancaster will join the only other two others still flying today, including one in Hamilton and another in England.

Bruce Horne, a member of the B.C. museum, says the hope is to get the aircraft back in the skies again.

Some of the restoration funding is being supported by the government and private donations. The technical aspects of the project are being handled by skilled volunteers who are in the process of inspecting the aircraft’s 55,000 components and parts. Any missing pieces will be re-created to the exact specifications.

The FM104 was housed at the Canadian Space and Air Museum in Downsview Park until that facility closed. It was stored in a hangar at the Edenvale Aerodrome, near Barrie, at a cost of $25,000 a year because Toronto had no storage space available.

Despite some valiant efforts to keep the Lancaster here Toronto City Council decided to donate the  iconic jet to the museum providing that the facility covered the $80,000 shipping costs.

According to official Bomber Command statistics a total of 7,377 Lancasters were built at various locations during the Second World War and nearly 4,000 of them were shot down or lost in battle.

The bomber featured a long, unobstructed bomb bay which meant it could take the largest bombs and was one of the most heavily-used of the Second World War night bombers.

Art painting and sale to support Humber Bay Park

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There will be another Community Sidewalk Painting and Art sale tomorrow in support of Friends of Humber Bay Park.

The painting and sale will take place on August 22, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Studio Connect, 62 Marine Parade Drive, in Unit 5.

Artist Soudabeh Majidi invites you to add strokes to the painting.

Majidi, a graduate of Ontario College of Art and Design, has been painting and instructing Art for a decade. Soudabeh started to paint Neemo, the family dog who had been changing several homes and eventually became a loved family member in her household.

The Friends of Humber are also hosting their 2020 photo contest of images taken in the park. Photos must be from Humber Bay Park and adjacent areas.

Photographers have until September 15 to get registered and download their shots to fohbp.ca, and access the Photo Contest 2020 tab.

Romaine and Dallas saying goodbye to the NTB and dear friends

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A mom-and-son business team are saying goodbye after 12-years of operating a billiards hall in New Toronto.

Dallas Dyer, and his mom, Romaine Andronyk, have been operating the popular NTB New Toronto Billiards, at 2878 Lake Shore Blvd. W., which has been the scene of many good times since 2008.

The saddened couple in a posting on social media say it has been great and they are moving on.

“It’s been 12 wonderful years since we opened our doors,” they wrote. “We have made great memories along the way … but for us, it’s time to move on to other things.”

The duo say they will shut their doors forever on August 29.

“This will be the end of our era,” they told their customers. “We want to thank everyone that has supported us over the years.”

They thanked landlord Gord Faulkner, the former owner of Faulkner Appliances, calling him ‘a stand-up guy for years of mutual respect.”

The pool hall was described as “Etobicoke’s Best Kept Secret,” in that they served ‘a wide range of drink selections plus a special every night to keep our costs affordable and your nights fun.’

The hideaway lounged offered cocktails, brews and pub eats, plus pool tables, darts and regular live music.

“We are a home away from home for a lot of people,” they say. “Memories are made, celebrations are had and friendships are created once you come into NTB.’

The hall hosted or sponsored some of the best pool and dart players and teams like the Canadian Poolplayers’ Association League.

Long-time pool player R. Anthony Rock says the closing will bring tears to his eye.

“I have photo albums on Facebook of the time spent at NTB Lounge from the beginning and over the years,” Rock recalls. “Their closing will bring a tear to the eye, but the fondest memories will bring the broadest smiles.”

Top pool player Tom Polsinelli says the high-quality pool tables are level and the temperature in the venue was always cool enough to keep balls rolling properly.

The hall has also been a venue for darts tournaments, musical jams and variety shows for the LGBT community. Even Toronto Marlies hockey players have been spotted playing ping pong here.

Tempers fly at community meeting studying the Midtown shelters

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As New Toronto residents prepare for a public meeting with City officials about a potential homeless shelter, another community fighting shelters say it has been a terrible experience.

Members of the Midtown area held a virtual meeting on August 19 in regards to three temporary shelters in their area that are the subject of protests and angst.

Residents told the meeting they are being vilified or called anti-homeless for not wanting the shelters in their area. Some suggest crime in the area has increased.

Councillor Mike Colle, who represents Ward 8, Eglinton-Lawrence, says residents were not notified.

“This has been a total screw-up, a total lack of communication of informing people,” Colle told the CBC.

Colle said the City failed to consult the community before it opened the shelters and even his office was not consulted.

“People are afraid to walk on Yonge Street. They’ve been broken into,” he told the meeting. “There are physical threats.”

He said the Uptown Yonge BIA has had to hire private security to protect shopkeepers and their staff when they go to work. He said he has had to rely on the private security for information.

Residents in the New Toronto area still in the dark about when public consultation will take place for the homeless shelter planned at Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Eighth St., the site of an empty office building and BiWay store.

City Council is slated to make a determination on the shelter on September 30.

News of the shelter has split residents of New Toronto into those who want the shelter and the home and business owners who do not.

In Midtown, the City has leased three properties, the Roehampton hotel and two adjacent buildings on Broadway Ave. for use as shelters. A site at 55/65 Broadway Ave. is closing at the end of this month, but the city has a two-year lease for the Roehampton.

 

Body-worn cameras to be rolled out in north Etobicoke in weeks

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In about two weeks frontline Toronto Police officers in north Etobicoke will be issued body-worn cameras to record their interactions with residents.

The Toronto Police Services Board at its meeting on August 18 voted to move ahead with the camera technology, which will be rolled out at the end August at a cost of more than $30 million.

“Body-worn cameras will be used to create trust and legitimacy between officers and the public as we continue to modernize policing services,” said Interim Chief James Ramer. “This technology provides an independent, bias-free account of our interactions.”

By this fall, some 2,350 cameras will be in use across the city. All officers will be trained on the use of the camera and the associated governance, which include minimum penalties for non-compliance.

The force has worked with the Information & Privacy Commissioner, the Ministry of the Attorney General, the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the Special Investigations Unit, and the Office of the Independent Police Review Director, to develop a program that considers privacy, security, and disclosure responsibilities.
The cameras will be used when an officer arrives at a call for service, begins an investigation, or when asking a person questions for the purposes of collecting information.

The Board also approved a comprehensive policing reform package to address systemic racism and improve trust with communities.

The force plans to develop an alternative community safety response for new and existing models of community safety response, including mobile mental health and addictions crisis intervention.

They plan to expand the Mobile Crisis Intervention Program with existing community-based crisis services, including peer support, to meet current demands for mental health-related service calls, in an aim to provide services 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

The Chief is to make permanent an Anti-Racism Training component of the annual re-training and In-Service Training Program and create a stand-alone course that contributes to the delivery of fair and unbiased police services to Toronto’s diverse communities.

The Board’s Anti-Racism Advisory Panel and the Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Panel, will become permanent with expanded mandates that will bring the voices of community and expert organizations together in providing advice to the Board.

The Board also approved recommendations regarding the selection process for the new Chief of Police, mechanisms to make disciplinary proceedings under the Police Services Act more transparent and accessible and  increased collaboration with the City’s Anti-Black Racism Unit.

Great Lakes Brewery pale ale to help raise funds for young girls

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A local craft brewery has joined forces to help raise funds to empower young girls.

Great Lakes Brewery (GLB) today launched a new brew, Empowered, a 4.6% New England style Pale Ale, to help raise funds for the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment (J.A.C.), on Portland St.

“The COVID pandemic dealt a devastating blow to community businesses, associations and charitable groups, of all shapes and stripes, and now is the time to support one another,” says Peter Bulut, the Owner and President of Great Lakes Brewery.

“It brings me great pleasure to share the details of our latest community-conscious beer – Empowered – with my dear friend, Jean Augustine and her terrific Centre.”

He says $1 from each can purchased will be donated to J.A.C., who are committed to ‘building the self-esteem and self-worth of young women and girls by positively influencing their outlook on life, broadening their horizon and helping them to empower themselves through programs, camps, workshops and events.’

“Jean has done so much for the South Etobicoke community, for so many years, helping improve the lives of Etobicans through programs and policy, all done through respect and kindness,” notes Bulut, adding when he found out the Centre was impacted “we immediately wanted to help out.”

Emma Asiedu-Akrofi, Executive Director of J.A.C., says “proceeds from the sale of Empowered will go towards ensuring we can continue to provide programs and services that foster the healthy development of girls and young women.”

Empowered will be available for a limited time at the GLB online shop for free local home delivery, or curbside pickup.  The 473-ml cans retails for $3 each, 8 packs for $24, 24 case for $60.

Empowered Pale Ale is a complex beer that is brewed for a great cause. It has aromas of tropical fruits as pineapple, mango, grapefruit, peach, and pear, with a touch of floral notes.

GLB is located at 30 Queen Elizabeth Blvd. They can be reached by email at info@greatlakesbeer.com or visit www.greatlakesbeer.com or phone 416-255-4510.

MP Augustine is the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons. She was elected in the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore in 1993 and sat in Parliament until 2006. During this time, she served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Minister of State & Deputy Speaker.