Members of the Fiji Association of Ontario are in good spirits for Christmas and were leaving food and other items at a number of area food pantries, including some items at a Women’s shelter.

 

 

The community is invited to Franklin Horner’s Christmas Market  for exciting, shopping fun.

Customers in a New Toronto salon couldn’t believe it as they ran for their lives.

They were awaiting treatment in an area salon when a weapon-waving woman bolted in and started to make threats against patrons.

Toronto Police 22 Division officers said it was around 4 p.m. on November 16 when a woman ran into a salon in the Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Twelfth Street area brandishing a weapon.

“The woman chased everyone out of a salon,” according to a police Twitter feed. “She is vandalizing the premise. Armed with a weapon. Making threats.”

Witnesses say a number of customers in the salon couldn’t believe their eyes as they bolted to the door.

Police were called to subdue the woman, who had threatened to harm others and caused some damage to the salon.

“She is believed to be in crisis,” officers said. “We will get this woman the support she needs.”

Officers managed to communicate with the woman until she calmed down.

“Officers have resolved this situation safely,” according to the Twitter feed. “No one is injured. Officers will clear the area shortly.”

The woman was taken to an area hospital to receive help. No charges have been laid.

Thank goodness these officers on Monday managed to use good, solid judgement in their actions or we as a community could be facing at a tragic outcome today.

Well-known New Toronto bar owners Darlene Simpson and Cindy Sabetti say they have been on a ‘rollercoaster ride’ running Dakota Sports Bar & Grill during these challenging times.

They, like many restaurants, dining rooms and bars in the area, barely survived the first 28-days without indoor dining, and still have about three weeks to go in a second 28-day prohibition of indoor service that was issued November 10 by the province to battle COVID-19.

“It has been a real tough rollercoaster ride,” Simpson says. “All our savings have been used up and this will make or break us.”

The business partners had purchased tents which were installed in their parking lot, but is now destroyed due to the storm. The tent had space for heaters, a number of socially distanced chairs, tables and area for her staff.

The now unused space was shared with neighbour Halibut House Fish and Chips, at 2814 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

“We have a 10-year lease and were operating for 18-months when the pandemic struck,” she recalls. “We have lost some customers but we do still have many people who support us.”

They also thrive on take-out orders and had to create more lunch and dinner specials for customers to choose from.

“We are down to our last resort now,” Sabetti agrees. “We have done all that we can and everything is riding on this.”

Down the street David Cole, owner of the Maple Leaf House Grill & Lounge, at 2749 Lake Shore Blvd. W., appears to be untouched by the storm. He has erected a large heated tarpaulin shed in his huge patio that is equipped with chairs and a large television.

“We have a large banquet hall that we cannot use due to COVID,” Cole says. “Our business has gone down about 50% due to the pandemic.”

His restaurant uses disposable dishes, glasses and other items that they can throw out to fight the virus.

“I have been here for 13-years and we have to do what we can to survive,” Cole vows. “This not only affects us, but the entire restaurant industry.”

Public Health officials say the second 28-day phase of a lack of indoor dining will end in early December. The restrictions applies to most gyms, indoor group fitness and exercise classes.

About 100 socially-distancing residents showed up in New Toronto for sombre Remembrance Day ceremonies in front of the former Eight Street Cenotaph.

The Cenotaph was a fixture for annual Remembrance Day events for more than 30-years in front of the former Royal Canadian Legion Branch 101, at 150 Eighth Street.

It was recently moved to a highly visible location in Col. Samuel Smith Park, on Lake Shore Blvd. W., just east of Kipling Ave.

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 643 performed the service to remember those who lost their lives in battle and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Residents attending the hour-long service were wearing masks and spread apart in the spacious park due to COVID-19, which led to the cancellation of many Remembrance Day services across the country.

People were encouraged to stay at home and watch the service virtually. This was one of the few services available to physically attend this year.

It was respectful and sombre as those gathered recited Flanders Fields; watched quietly as wreaths were laid at the foot of the Cenotaph and a benediction said for those who gave their lives and their families.

“It was a beautiful service,” admits Brian Tye, who was there to pay respect to his dad, a former military man. “It has been a while since I have seen something like this. It was fantastic.”

Donna Sampson, president of Branch 643, was pleased with the service.

“We didn’t advertise. People just came out to pay their respects,” Sampson says.

Many in the community welcome the new site for the iconic Cenotaph, which was a gift from the community when positioned outside the former Branch 101 almost 40-years ago.

Chris Korwin-Kuczynski was there to lay a wreath on behalf of the Lake Shore Village Business Improvement Area (BIA), which he chairs.

“Plans are already being made for a sunrise service next year right here,” he says.

Councillor Mark Grimes said landscaping will be done to beautify the site and a paved walkway is being added.

Others want lights added and a bench by the sidewalk turned to face the Cenotaph.

It was encouraging for many to see at least three classes of students from area schools being brought to the Cenotaph by their teachers to pay their respect and learn a history lesson.

 

 

Community and corporate citizens dug deep to help make a Toronto Police Cram A Cruiser food and toy drive a sizzling success.

More than 600 gift cards, 390 cash donations and in excess of $2,400 worth of food were collected by officers of 22 Division in a Cram A Cruiser campaign, which on November 8 were donated to  St. Margaret’s Anglican Church, on Sixth Street.

“We are very pleased with the response from the community,” says Const. Jas Mrahar, of the Community Response Unit. “Members of the community were there in numbers to help.”

The goods were collected on November 7 with the Cram A Cruiser vehicle parked in a Loblaws grocery parking lot, at 300 The East Mall.

Mrahar said Loblaws contributed hundreds of gift cards that are redeemable at it stores and almost 400 cash donations were received from shoppers.

Customers at the store handed over hundreds of bags filled with goodies that will go to help the needy and those at-risk in the community.

It took three officers about 15-minutes to unload the items from the police vehicle to the church.

Rev. Jacqueline Daley said some of the food items will be used for St. Margaret’s Sunday Soup program, in which residents can visit the church and obtain a free, hot take-out soup.

“We appreciate the help and donations from Toronto Police,” Daley said. “The shelves of our food bank will be filled again.”

Police say members of the public can still make donations of toys and food to the stationhouse, at 3699 Bloor St. W., when open.

Officers will continue their campaign at the same Loblaws on December 5 and on December 13 they will be collecting food and toys in the Markland Woods area.

The annual police Cram A Cruiser event has been taking place for more than 20 years by Toronto Police and other forces to help our needy at this time of the year.

St. Margaret’s Anglican Church has been serving the Mimico, New Toronto area for more than 110-years.

 

Preparations are underway to install the former Eighth Street Cenotaph that sat outside Royal Canadian Legion Branch 3 for more than 30-years in time for Remembrance Day next Wednesday.

The granite monument was recently moved to Colonel Samuel Smith Park, in the Lake Shore Blvd. and Kipling Ave. area.

Crews have been working long hours to install the monument that is shielded by sheets of wood near Lake Shore Blvd. W.

Hundreds of people are expected on November 11 to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and 100-years of marking Remembrance Day with a public ceremony.

Councillor Mark Grimes says he has been working with City Staff to “ensure that flag poles will be installed alongside the Cenotaph in time for Remembrance Day.”

“Remembrance Week is a time when Torontonians can reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and honour all Canadians who have fought and continue to fight for peace,” said Mayor John Tory, as he proclaimed November 5 to 11 Remembrance Week.

He said this year commemorations will be held virtually in keeping with public health advice against in-person gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City of Toronto encourages the public to observe this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations virtually at home or at work.

“The City will ensure appropriate respect and honour is paid by placing wreaths at the City’s cenotaphs on behalf of various organizations,” Tory said.

Many activities are planned for Remembrance Day including: the Toronto sign and the City Hall Towers will be lit in red on November 11, virtual ceremonies will be available by broadcast media and the City’s YouTube channel all week, all Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) vehicles will stop for two minutes on November 11 at 11 a.m. and “Lest We Forget” window cards will be placed in TTC vehicles.

There will also be commemorative posts on the City’s official Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts during the week, the public can show support for veterans and commemorate Remembrance Day by using the City’s Poppies Facebook.

The Toronto Archives’ 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War web exhibit shares the history of Canada’s participation in the Second World War through historical images from the time: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/whats-online/web-exhibits/first-second-world-wars/75th-anniversary-of-the-end-of-the-second-world-war/

The World Wars section of the Toronto Archives’ Black History in Toronto page provides information about Black Canadians’ participation in World Wars:   https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/using-the-archives/research-by-topic/black-history-in-toronto/

In addition, artifacts from Fort York National Historic Site, Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings and an 1813 battlefield, can be seen online through the Toronto History Museums Artifact Collection. Search “Remembrance Day” on the web page to view commemorative items, including Remembrance Day programs, proclamations and photos, and military medals and uniforms. https://toronto.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll?logon&application=COLLECTIONS&language=144&file=%5BCOT_OPAC%5Dhome.html