The South Etobicoke News

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

Police tips on keeping your property safe when not at home

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Toronto Police have issued some crime tips for area residents to reinforce their property to avert thefts or break-ins when they are not at home.

“Burglars will typically avoid a house that is difficult to gain entry,” police warn. “After assessing your risk, you should have a good idea what you need to do to increase security at your home’”

Police from 11 Division say residents may want include additional exterior lighting, consider updating their locks, optimizing their alarm system or video monitoring and reinforce entry points.

More people these days are also using online security devices from which they can view their home and possessions on their smart phone.

“You may want to remove overgrown bush or other structures to allow proper sight lines,” residents are told.

Officers say ensure someone can pick up your old newspapers, mail or flyers from your mailbox if you are away.

Other signs that you are away, which can lure thieves, includes an overgrown lawn or the porch lights left on all day.

If you have to go away, they advise that you place a hold on your mail delivery, install timed lights for inside and out, ask a neighbour or family member to check on your property and schedule a time for the landscaper to come.

The non-emergency number for Toronto police is 416-808-2222 or you can file an online report at www.torontopolice.on.ca

The rise and fall of Goodyear Tire after 70-years in New Toronto

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Some of us will never forget.

It was 30-years ago this month when many of us gathered somberly to watch as the iconic Goodyear Tire and Rubber Plant smokestack came crashing to the ground after 73-years as part of the New Toronto skyline.

Dozens of residents and onlookers of all ages ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ as the solid brick structure fell to the ground with a thud within seconds of explosives being lit at its base.

The Goodyear plant was built in 1917 on a 23-acre site north side of Lake Shore Blvd., between Ninth and Fourteenth Sts. Lakeshore Village, a number of condos, apartment buildings and townhouses now mark the spot.

New Toronto Council at the time lured Goodyear to the site by promising an unlimited water supply.

The plant for many years made tires for cars, trucks, logging, farm vehicles and industrial uses.

By 1927, the U.S.-based company was manufacturing 50% of all the auto tires in Canada. For more than 60-years the firm was a leader in the tire industry.

It all changed in the 1980s after Goodyear ran into financial difficulty as part of a threatened hostile takeover. Its U.S. executives as a result decided to close the New Toronto site because it ‘had the lowest productivity level of all their plants.’

The local community and hundreds of workers were devastated when the plant closed on May 31, 1987 and was subsequently demolished.

Goodyear in its prime had three shifts and 1,300 employees, which increased to 2,800 during the Second World War.

The company was a good corporate citizen and had its own cafeteria, bowling alleys, police force, internal newspaper and baseball team. Some 47 Goodyear employees were killed in World War II and the company donated a camp to the Boy Scouts in their memory.

Many New Toronto residents still have fond memories of the plant, which had its own musical band.

“My grandfather worked on the Goodyear Police force for over 20-years until he retired in the early 1960s,” wrote Kate Latham on social media.

“My grandfather Richard Thompson drove a team of horses during the excavation and site preparation for the plant,” recalls Wendy Gibson. “My father Raymond Thompson worked at the plant after his return from WWII until about 1970 in the shipping department.”

Barb Johnson MacDonald says her dad worked at the plant for 16-years until 1965.

“He was a shipper-receiver and he said it was hard work, but he enjoyed his job there,” she wrote. “He used to smell like rubber when he came home from work.”

 

 

Food for Table program for young girls experiencing food insecurity

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Young girls and women aged from 7 to 17-years-old who are at risk and experiencing food insecurity due to COVID-19 are eligible for a monthly $50 gift card from the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment.

The Centre is operating a Food to Table Project in which recipients, must be women and girls living in South Etobicoke whose “household is experiencing food insecurity” due to the pandemic.

Registration open on the first Monday of the month and runs until December.

Girls are required to call or email the Centre and they will be notified of the pickup date or special delivery date of a gift card, officials say.

The programs at the Centre focus on the arts, life skills, academic success and leadership.

The Centre can be reached by email at info@jeanaugustinecentre.ca or visit them at jeanaugustinecentre.ca

Augustine was one of the first Black female MPs in Canada. She was elected in 1993 to represent the riding of Etobicoke Lakeshore.

 

Lucky’s promises the best poutine and fried chicken in the city

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Restauranteur Marcus Soumh is thankful that Lucky’s Chicken N’ Waffles ended up in New Toronto after being refused a lease in a more expensive part of the community.

“It worked out better for us,” Soumh says. “The people are great and we get a lot more walk-in traffic here.”

The clean and newly-renovated restaurant advertises the ‘best poutine and fried chicken in the city.’

“We sell the best Halal buttermilk fried chicken in Toronto,” Soumh promises. “Come ready to eat you won’t be disappointed.”

And their style of licking chicken is catching on as there are often many chicken-lovers waiting outside the 2977 LakeShore Blvd. W. store as their orders are cooked.

The chicken is tasty and good, so is the poutine, which I tried, and must say is thick and cheesy with tasty curds, which they say comes from Quebec.

They have a number of poutines available including the Yardbird poutine, Classic poutine, veggie poutine. And their Chicken and Waffles, for $19, comes with three buttermilk fried chicken drums on a waffle with Lucky’s maple sauce and maple syrup.

The eatery had a soft opening on August 1 and Soumh says so far it has been very encouraging for him and his staff. It did take them a long time to find the location they wanted.

“I have travelled a lot and eaten from a number of chicken waffle places,” he explains. “I know that people liked it so I though why not.”

Originally from Montreal, he says area residents have warmed up to his style of poulet.

“The community has been great and the people awesome,” Soumh says. “Most of the people are very supportive and want to try our food.”

Even other restaurants nearby like Kitchen on the Sixth have tweeted about the tastiness of Lucky’s chicken wings and other dishes.

“The food is great and I have told other people to eat there,” says local resident Nima. “I hope that they do well and I will be coming back.”

Another resident Cinderalla posted online that the food was delicious and the service was outstanding.

“It is a great addition to the neighbourhood,” she wrote. “Their prices seem very reasonable, the food really great taste and excellent customer service.”

 

Musician Zuraw has performed in every bar on the Lakeshore

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Long-time area musician Roger Zuraw, whose claim to fame is that he has performed at every bar on the Lakeshore, has released two new discs for his loyal fans.

The popular guitarist, who is known for ‘his pleasant songs about the virtues of Toronto multiculturalism,’ is hoping residents will like his latest CDs ‘Long ago Lakeshore Ramble,” and another of Polish hits, for those who are familiar with his tunes.

Zuraw has been performing in area bars, taverns and other venues for years. Music lovers say beneath his innocuous exterior lurks the ‘raw, passionate heart of a man who’s seen life from both sides, as his songs, such as “Homeless Man” reveals.

He is known for his breakout hits Mimico Jail, Headboard Boogie and I gotta hunch.

“There used to be many more live music venues in the neighbourhood,” he worries. “There was always work in the bars once the people liked you and the band.”

He says much of the work for musicians began drying up before COVID-19, which totally killed the business.

Zuraw also has a line of ‘You’ve gotta love the Shore’ t-shirts for sale.

He has written more than 60 songs over the years, which he sells online, at shows or in the community.

“At one time there were many more musicians like me in the area,” Zuraw frets of past days, when the nightlife in the area was flourishing. “It is hard now to earn a living in this game.”

His discs and t-shirts are about $25 each and you can reach him by email at rogerzurawsong@yahoo.ca.

He will meet you in the community with the items.

 

Mimico group rallying against the Campbell’s Soup land development

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Many Mimico residents are now finding out and are hopping mad at the redevelopment of the historic Campbell’s Soup lands.

Residents are rallying against the redevelopment of the huge property claiming it will drastically increase noise, dust, truck traffic, affect their lifestyle and place area-residents and cyclists at risk.

A campaign has been launched by a group called Residents Before Developers, who are circulating online Mimico Development Alert notices, which are being sent to area politicians.

So far more than 400 of the letters have been signed by area residents to voice their concerns.

The plan “calls for the site to house three warehouses with 86 loading bays, comprising a ‘last mile distribution centre, which is essentially a hub from which large retailers fulfill online orders, operating 24-hours-daily, seven days a week,” the group warns.

They say the massive proposal is only subject to approval by City of Toronto planning staff.

“No public consultations will be held prior to a decision being made, despite significant public impact,” their letter states, adding that City councillors can request to “bump up” review of the project to Toronto City Council.

The redevelopment calls for four driveways accessing the site, including a new entrance on Dwight Ave., at Symons St.

Also proposed are 285 parking spaces and the widening of Dwight Ave., without consideration that Second Street School and LAMP are adjacent.

“Increased traffic poses significant increased risks for pedestrians and cyclists,” they noted. “Heavy trucks arriving and departing and idling all day and night also presents an air-quality concern.”

They claim the developer’s “transportation impact study” assumes there will be minimal impact on the community but their study was conducted last February when pedestrian and bicycle traffic was naturally low.

The matter is before City Council and the alert can be accessed at https://act.newmode.net/

The Campbell’s plant, on Birmingham St., operated from 1931 to 2018 and was at one time the area’s largest employer and vegetable purchaser.

Anguish and worry over proposed shelter in New Toronto

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Anxious New Toronto residents were monitoring a large downtown protest on Saturday against two temporary downtown shelters that residents want out of their area.

The demonstrations on August 15 in the affluent Midtown area come as tempers in New Toronto have heightened due to a proposed homeless shelter at 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W., at Eighth St.

Two websites have popped up for area residents to vote yes or no to the proposed 95-bed shelter. The issue has touched many and as of August 17 there were about 600 votes for the shelter and about 500 against.

Members of the community are awaiting the date for public consultations, which was promised by the City, and will be virtual or by conference call.

The matter will then be determined by Toronto City Council virtually at a meeting on September 30.

Residents against the shelter says the New Toronto area already houses 14 social service programs that will negatively impact community safety, due to the close proximity to eight schools and daycare centres.

Those for the shelter say it is better than having “tent cities” for the homeless in Etobicoke and want it supported by the City and social service agencies.

“Caring citizens of Etobicoke want shelters, instead of tents, for the health, wellness, and safety of both the homeless who need shelter, and the residents of the area,” they say.

“The proposed shelter would be a safe way to help individuals stay off the street, and work towards stability, sustainability and a hopeful future,” the petition states.

The vocal demonstrators on Saturday started protesting near Northern Secondary School at Mount Pleasant Rd. and Broadway Ave.

At issues are a temporary housing program recently opened at the Roehampton Hotel and there is an interim housing site located at 55/65 Broadway Ave., which is set to close at the end of the month.

Some residents are concerned about what they claim has been an increase in crime in the Yonge and Eglinton area since the shelters were created in late April, to provide more locations for clients to socially distance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They also express fear since a City employee was stabbed at the Broadway site last week.

The City said it has added 33 new security cameras, enhanced 24/7 mobile patrols and four security guards at the Roehampton site.

Monika’s journey from street sign to top healer and gardener

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New Toronto’s Monika Meulman says a sign on a telephone pole 25-years ago changed her life forever.

She studied hard and passed the Reflexology course and today is one of the community’s top healer and gardener.

The owner of The Healing Muse Apothecary, at 2861 LakeShore Blvd. W., is skilled in the arts of aromatherapy, body reading, feng shui, intuitive healing, reflexology and reiki.

“All our products are plant based,” Meulman says of her store. “People know us in the community and we have our regular cutomers.”
Today she is catering to a young family who are purchasing Himalayan bath salts, which is mined in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and is said to reduce fatigue, stress, pain and increase feelings of contentment and emotional health.

Her cozy store is filled with shelves containing bottles of different natural creams and lotions known for their healing properties. She also sell products from local growers or vendors.

“Our naturopathic medicines are good for the mind and body,” she says. “It’s all plant based and more people are using them.”

She is also chair of the Lakeshore Environmental Garden Society (LEGS), which promotes food security and educate the public on permaculture, organic and urban safe food growing practices.

“We strive to support, connect and create spaces that support vulnerable communities and anyone that wants and needs access to healthy, fresh and affordable food,” Meulman says.

She says the group build community strength by offering free plants and nature, facilitate wildlife restoration through wild garden practices and education and park clean-ups.

They bring programs and wildlife gardens to schools in our community and meet with youth, seniors, and local community groups to develop a strong South Etobicoke web of programs, workshops, and information.

LEGS is hosting a contest that anyone can enter the first week of October.

They are asking people growing things indoors and outdoors to submit up to three photos of their most interesting fruit, vegetable or plant. A panel will then judge to see who wins a prize of a Sweet Olenka’s Chocolate package. The top 50 photos will be posted online for a people’s choice award.

They have a food forest garden at the Daily Bread Food Bank, at 191 New Toronto St.

Visit them at www.legsetobicoke.ca

GoFundMe account created to help pay for funeral of child hit by car

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The community is rallying to help pay for the funeral services of a young child whose grieving family are newcomers to Canada.

More than $22,000 has been raised by area residents to help bury three-year-old Ryan Bhattrai, who was killed on August 11 after being hit by a vehicle while crossing a busy street with his family.

A GoFundMe account was created to help cover the burial of Ryan, who was crossing the street just after 11 a.m. with his sister and dad on The East Mall, just north of Burnhamthorpe Rd.

Both the father, 37, and his seven-year-old sister, were hospitalized but are expected to recover.

A woman in her 80s, who was driving the car that hit the family, was also hospitalized.

A family friend said in the GoFundMe post that the family had only been in Canada for four years. It is believed they moved here from India.

“We are seeking assistance on behalf of this unfortunate family who just started life four years ago in Canada with no high expectation but a happy family life and was not prepared for this tragedy,” wrote organizer Sarad Ghimire.

“The most unfortunate father who lost his son was holding his hand at the time and is still in a traumatic condition,” she said. “His mother is not able to convince herself that she no longer has her baby and did not get a chance to say goodbye to her lovely son and is in the same traumatic condition as a father.”

She said Ryan always had “a smiling face and had just learnt how to speak and walk. His little feet have not travelled any long distance and has now come to a full stop.”

“It was so heartbreaking … I was shocked knowing the baby and the family is from our fraternity,” wrote donors Punya Sagar and Monika Marahatta. “May your budding soul rest in heaven, have a good rest with all angels around buddy. Good bye Ryan!”

“Rest in peace lovely shining star; our whole family’s thought and prays goes to the bereaved family,” grieved Jaya Ram Simkhada. “Stay strong, we all are with you.”

No charges have been laid in the incident.

Toronto police are asking anyone with video footage of this collision or anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-1900 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or www.222tips.com.

Donations can be made by searching for Ryan’s name at https://www.gofundme.com/

Online petition created for those opposing shelter in New Toronto

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More than 200 New Toronto residents have signed an online petition opposing a plan by City Council to open a homeless shelter in a prime business area.

The petition was created by the New Toronto Ratepayers Association whose members oppose the location of a massive shelter at 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W., at Eighth St.

“New Toronto is already supporting more than its fair share of social services,” the petition states. “We recognize the need for more shelters in our City to assist vulnerable residents and also recognize that COVID-19 has increased that need.”

The Association noted that New Toronto already houses 14 social service programs in a 3.2 square kilometre area and the proposed shelter will require even “more social services to be layered into our community.”

They warned the proposed shelter will negatively impact New Toronto community safety since it is in close proximity of shelter to eight schools and daycare centres.

“The proposed location will negatively impact Lake Shore Boulevard West revitalization and our businesses who have made New Toronto their ‘home,” the Association says.

“We are not against the need for shelter, we oppose the proposed shelter location in our community,” the group warned.

City Council has deferred the matter until community consultations can occur, which should be soon. The matter returns to Council on September 30, for a possible vote.

The issue is also a concern for the Lakeshore village BIA, whose members are also pushing for the shelter to be relocated elsewhere.

“This battle with the City is not over,” says Lakeshore Village BIA chair Chris Korwin Kuczynski. “Many people have mixed feelings about a shelter in the community.”

Residents point out that one City worker was stabbed two weeks ago in an incident at a downtown shelter.

The City says some of the 95-bed shelter will be equipped for those suspected of having COVID-19.

Council has allocated the funds to bring up to standards the former office building and BiWay store sites.

If the plan is approved, they will begin conversion work next year and begin accepting patients by 2022.

The petition can be accessed at change.org.