By Sabrina Soosaimuthu

Local artist Eileen Menzel’s family commemorates her years as an artist through a retrospective exhibition held at Neilson Park Creative Centre (NPCC).

The retrospective exhibition is a timeline of Menzel’s artwork spanning her career.

The exhibition began in early January and will continue until January 27.

The pieces were selected by her husband George Menzel and her daughter Ursula Menzel.

Menzel said he picked 20 pieces that highlight the beauty of his wife’s work and the pieces that have won prizes.

“It essentially took us a day to go through most of the paintings,” he said.

Notable pieces from the exhibition are the Emblem, which was her first painting that got her into Durham University in England, and Broken Windows, which was the last artwork she created before her dementia progressed.

On January 14 a reception was held at NPCC, with over 20 attendees to honour Menzel’s legacy.

Menzel was a member of the Ontario Society of Artists, the Etobicoke Art Group (EAG) and was an art teacher and the head of the art department at Humberside Collegiate Institute.

Through her contributions, Menzel left a notable impression in the Etobicoke art community, according to Helen McCusker, EAG Publicity Chair.

She said it has been three years since Menzel left her position as Exhibitions Chair and they have yet to fill the position.

“Everybody’s afraid to fill her shoes, she was a highly respected member,” she said.

Menzel said his wife loved art, it was her life, anywhere she went she had her sketchbook with her and would sketch the people and places she saw.

He said even after she retired, she spent most of her days at the NPCC.

“I’d look into her studio, and she was gone, there would be a note saying she would be back. This was like her full-time occupation, she loved it,” he said.

There are dozens of residents sleeping outdoors or in cars in our community in this bitter cold.

Those out in the cold can get some temporary help to stay warm at an area church.

St. Margaret New Toronto church provides an adult drop-in service to help those without a place to go for some hours during the wintry days.

The church, at 156 Sixth Street, is open for drop-in service on Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There is also a Sunday program in which they provide lunches for those in need.

There are access to bathrooms, showers and you can do your laundry.

Drop-ins vary and provide a range of services that may include food, healthcare, showers, laundry, information and referrals, and social and recreational activities to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

“The Adult Drop-in offers a safe, welcoming space for homeless and street-involved individuals and socially isolated adults,” according to the church.

“Take-out meals are also available as an option. If you have your own container for take-out meals, please bring it with you,” according to their website.

 

There are some 27 drop-ins or warming centres available in the City of Toronto. Nearly all are filled.

St. Margaret church is the only one in South Etobicoke. It can be reached at 416-252-5471 ext. 280.

LAMP Community Health Centre, at 185 Fifth Street, was open as a warming centre for some hours on January 20.

Available for women over 18-years-old is Elisa House, operated by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Toronto Central Council, at 60 Newcastle Street, near Evans Avenue and Royal York Road.

It provides emergency shelter and long term housing but space is tight since they only have a capacity of 38 people. They can be reached at 416-259-2528.

Toronto Police officers and partners have handed out 3,500 winter survival kits to help those cold and in need.

Officers from 13 Division on January 20 took part in the 25^th Annual Engage and Change Project Winter Survival in which kits were handed out to more than 200 social service agencies, outreach providers and homeless shelters.

The program helps those who are less fortunate endure the hardships of winter by providing necessities as sleeping bags, toque, scarf, winter gloves and personal and health care items that often makes a difference between life and death.

“Since its inception in 1999, Project Winter Survival has placed more than 50,000 survival kits into the hands of people in Toronto and the surrounding areas who are experiencing homelessness,” police said in a release.

Staff Sgt. John Stockfish said he and his officers were “very humbled” to help out and deliver the goods.

“Just getting those basic necessities out, we see the demand, we see the effects on the street,” Stockfish said previously. “The harsh elements make it even that much more challenging for people who don’t have homes.”

Former Toronto Police Officer Scott Mills is still rocked by the loss several months ago of a good friend Real Leclair.

Mills remembered the native of Montreal he befriended years ago. Better known online as Homeless Joe, Leclair has lived in three homes in recent years. He died in South Etobicoke.

It is estimated that roughly 10,500 plus of the homeless population across the GTA are sleeping outdoors, in shelters, in emergency respite centres, and health and correction facilities every night.

“Ongoing challenges facing this high-risk group mean that increased numbers in need of warmth and shelter are left to fend off the elements as best they can,” the group said.

Exhausted shelter and outreach facilities are facing an overwhelming increase in the demand for humanitarian relief exacerbated by an increase in violence in Toronto shelters attributed to city cutbacks, the opioid crisis, overcrowding and a shortage of mental health supports.

“What started out as an immediate response to help those in need survive the conditions of winter on the streets of the GTA 25 years ago, has become a milestone of misery,” according to Engage and Change.

“The appeal for kits is staggering,” said Jody Steinhauer, President of The Bargains Group and Project Winter Survival founder. “The growing plight of our city’s homeless goes from critical to deadly during the volatile winter season.”

Some of the companies involved includes: Apex Global Logistics, Fortigo Freight Service, Scotiabank, RBC, CIBC, KPMG LLP, Perimeter Development Corporation, Optimus SBR and The Bargains Group.

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.engageandchange.org

Generous South Etobicoke residents are rallying to help a hungry man without food and another who will soon be sleeping in a car with his dog in the bitter cold.

“I’m struggling to feed myself I don’t have any food if anyone has extra food or maybe even a gift card to buy food I would appreciate the help,” the man wrote on a South Etobicoke website.

“I’ve had really bad luck finding work as well if anyone know anyone that is looking for employees cash or on the books that would be even better,” the man said.

And within minutes residents were there to help.

“What is your address?” asked Ahmed Rusho. “I can drop some things to your place.”

Monica Logtenberg asked the foodless person to reach out to her by messenger.

“I am so sorry this has happened to you. Sounds terrible,” she wrote. “It’s difficult out there.”

Dayna Mainprize recommended she get in touch with Food for Now, a volunteer-run program that helps the needy with food.

“It’s a program that offers food for those in need in South Etobicoke,” Mainprize replied. “Perhaps you could make your way to one of their postings Monday and Friday.”

Lisa LeBlanc told the man that the Salvation Army also gives out food to the needy.

“Check with the community centre in your area,” she responded. “They should be able to help you out with any programs near you.”

The man with the dog wrote that he will be living in his car next month and required a way to keep the vehicle warm rather than running the engine all the time.

“Is there a company that can install solar panels on the roof?” he asked on social media. “I would need to power a small space heater, possibly a heated blanket, and my laptop, as well as charge my devices.”

“If there’s a different, possibly better, way to keep the vehicle heated (some type of insulation?), please feel free to suggest it!” he wrote.

Aileen Campos suggested he use a portable, external power bank, which may be available at Home Depot.

“You’d have to charge it at like a mall or something but that way you could plug in a portable heater and keep warm at least,” the Good Samaritan replied.

Ulikah Buckhan suggested a weighted blanket.

It is not known what the man and his dog will do but many good-natured residents are out there willing to help them stay warm.

 

The Ontario government is fighting crime in Etobicoke-Lakeshore by investing $3 million in proceeds of crime money into street gang and other prevention initiatives.

The funds, forfeited to the province as proceeds of crime following criminal prosecutions, will be used to support community safety projects by the Toronto Police Service (TPS).

The money will help TPS, Victim Services Toronto and the Toronto District School Board, develop and deliver an annual School Safety Symposium for Grade 7, 8 and 9 students.

The symposium will help reduce youth involvement in gangs and street violence. It will also increase awareness about human trafficking, intimate partner violence, online dangers as sexting and bullying, hate incidents and crimes affecting school-age youth.

“Our government is committed to its priority of keeping communities safe,” said Christine Hogarth, the MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore. “This funding will help Toronto Police work with local partners to combat street violence and crimes affecting youth.”

She said redirecting proceeds from crime to fund meaningful initiatives will help create safer neighbourhoods.

Ontario since 2018 has invested more than $16 million in crime prevention initiatives across the province through the Proceeds of Crime Front-Line Policing (POC-FLP) Grant program.

“We’re using every tool including cash and proceeds seized from criminals to prevent crime and protect our communities,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “These funds are being reinvested into communities to help support victims, educate youth and increase awareness about crimes such as gang violence and hate.”

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said communities need to feel safe to thrive.

“This reinvestment of proceeds of crime into crime prevention initiatives is a welcome decision,”
Demkiw said. It helps in “raising awareness and reduce incidents of violence and crimes affecting school-age youth.”

Ontario is investing more than $1.7 million to help stop hate-motivated crimes across the province.

The province is also fighting auto theft by investing $51 million over three years to help police identify and dismantle organized crime networks and put thieves behind bars. This includes $18 million to support new and enhanced crime-fighting measures.

Ontario is already investing $112 million to help police track and monitor repeat and violent offenders who are released on bail. This includes $24 million to help establish bail compliance or warrant apprehension teams and support technology for bail compliance monitoring system.

Members of the community are invited to a Long Branch GO Station Open House to get the latest information on the long-awaited project.

Metrolinx’s GO Expansion program will be providing updates on the every 15-minute service on the Lakeshore West Line, in addition to an upgraded and accessible Long Branch Station.

The Open House is taking place on February 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Toronto Public Library, Long Branch, at 3500 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

Metrolinx said its GO Expansion program is delivering more GO service across the network, including trains ‘every 15 minutes or better’ on the Lakeshore West Line.

“Metrolinx is upgrading the Long Branch station to enable more frequent and accessible service,” company officials said. “This includes accessibility and amenity upgrades to serve you better.”

The upgraded station will include; new accessible east and west tunnel with elevator and stair connection to platform level, new east entrance building with barrier-free washrooms and a waiting area and new west entrance building with elevator and stair connection to a new west tunnel.

Metrolinx is upgrading the rail network and stations to enable more frequent and fully accessible service. This includes accessibility and amenity upgrades to Long Branch GO Station to serve commuters better and get them where they need to go.

There will be revision to the parking lot, including a passenger pick-up and drop-off area, bike lanes, pedestrians and bike shelters.

A new security bicycle storage room is also being added along with upgrades to communication, mechanical and electrical systems.

Also added is improved access from Edgeware Drive, including improvements to the existing staircase from Edgeware to the north platform that will have canopy coverage.

There will also be rehabilitation of existing platforms including snow melt systems, heated shelters, elevators, stairs, accessibility platforms and integrated platform canopies.

In addition there will be provisions for two-way, all-day rail service, enabling works for electrification, including grounding and bonding, integration of future Overhead
Contact Systems (OCS) foundations with canopies and platform architecture.

The Lakeshore West line delivers two-way, all-day service seven days a week, from Union Station to Aldershot GO Station, and hourly service to West Harbour GO Station.

It delivers rush-hour service from Hamilton to Toronto in the morning and back again in the afternoon.

“We know this line can do even more,” Metrolinx officials said. “We know it can be faster, with more trips all day long.”

An upgraded Lakeshore West GO Expansion line will provide commuters a seamless transit journey that will take them from home to every corner of the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Connections to local transit like the Burlington Transit, Oakville Transit, MiWay, and the TTC mean travellers will provide all kinds of access.

The transport company said weekly trips on the GO network have increased from about 3,500 weekly trips in 2019 to nearly 10,000, meaning even more residents are using the transit system.

If you have any questions about this project, please contact us the Toronto West Community Engagement team at TorontoWest@metrolinx.com or call us at 416-202-6911.

A 17-year-old has been arrested by police and charged with having a gun and seven other offences in a two-day crime spree.

The young offender, who cannot be identified, was sought for a May 5 at 11:42 p.m. carjacking with a gun in the Islington Avenue and Jutland Road area.

Toronto Police said the victim was sitting in his car when he was approached on the driver’s side by two suspects, one who had a handgun and the other who sprayed him with pepper spray.

The culprits took control of the victim’s vehicle and fled the scene.

Three days later, on May 8 at 12:40 p.m. the suspect was alleged to be involved in an armed store robbery in the Kingston Road and Midland Avenue area.

Police alleged four suspects entered a retail business, where one pulled out a firearm and aimed it at employees.

The suspects made demands for the victims to open the cash register, before taking cash, clothing and other items and fleeing the store.

On January 16, officers of a Provincial Car Jacking Task Force (PCJTF), with the assistance of the Emergency Task Force and the 22 Division Major Crime Unit executed three search warrants in relation to the investigation, and some evidence were seized.

That same day the 17-year-old, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with eight counts of weapons, wearing a disguise, forcible confinement, property obtained by crime and robbery related offences.

The youth appeared at Ontario Court of Justice on January 17.

The PCJTF was formed to target the rising incidents of violence related to auto crimes across the GTA.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7350, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

A warning is being issued to park users to stay away from the edge of waterways while enjoying the outdoors or walking their dogs at this time of the year.

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) said with temperatures dropping ice and snow will begin to accumulate in watersheds.

“Currently, there is a thin layer of snow on the ground and little to no ice coverage in rivers and watersheds,” the TRCA warned. “Ground conditions are frozen and unable to absorb water from rainfall or snowmelt.”

As rivers and water bodies become ice-covered, rainfall and snowmelt can weaken ice cover, making it unstable and unsafe, according to the TRCA.

“Frequent freeze-thaw cycles and sudden warm-ups can also create hazardous conditions, including ice jams and increased river flows from melting ice and snow,” the authority said.

They provided these safety tips for park users to keep away from riverbanks and all water bodies even if the surface is covered with ice.

Do not attempt to drive or walk on iced-covered water bodies and always obey safety signage, the group urged.

Avoid recreational activities in or around water, especially near ice jams or ice-covered water bodies, unless at an officially designated municipal facility.

Stay away from stormwater ponds since they were not built for ice skating.  Road salt, snowmelt, and temperature shifts mean that stormwater ponds have more cracks and thinner ice than naturally occurring water bodies.

Snow and ice combined with steep slopes beside ponds also make it more difficult to safely walk near ponds without slipping and falling.

Beware of thin ice that may develop around dams. Dam operators often lower water levels in reservoirs during winter and spring.

Seek help in case of emergencies: Rescuing another person or a pet from ice is dangerous. If you see anyone who has fallen through the ice, call 911 for help immediately.

Winter activities at TRCA conservation parks and lands and, or your local parks are safer due to increased public presence. Residents looking for skating locations should seek information from their local municipality.

As the region’s first line of defence against natural hazards, TRCA maintains vital infrastructure and provides programs and services that promote public health and safety, protecting people and property.

TRCA’s jurisdiction includes nine watersheds and their Lake Ontario shorelines, spanning six upper-tier and fifteen lower-tier municipalities and representing almost five million people, approximately 10% of Canada’s population.

For more information visit trca.ca/winter-safety and trca.ca/Safetyarounddams.

St. John Ambulance officials warn that if you are driving or taking trips in this frigid wintry weather an emergency can strike at a moment’s notice and you should be prepared.

The group has circulated a list of items that you need, or should carry in your car, to help if an emergency occurs.

Founded in 1877, they said you have at least two litres of bottled water per person per day in an emergency kit, which should be outfitted with supplies for 72 hours.

You should take enough canned or perishable foods to last three days and take some cooking supplies as kitchenware, cookware and a small stove or BBQ.

Motorists also need a flashlight, candles or waterproof matches, a portable battery powered radio with extra batteries.

For shelter, make sure you have a tent or tarp along with a sleeping bag. Also take extra clothing, sturdy boots or shoes, rain jacket and warm blankets.

Don’t forget for hygiene take some toilet paper, garbage bags, hand sanitizer or soap, feminine hygiene products, a toothbrush and toothpaste.

The St. John Ambulance advise you to take some tools like a can opener, Swiss army knife, hammer and duct tape. Also bring along a fully stocked First Aid kit.

Your kit should also include personal items like your identification, medical records, extra medication and toys to keep the children entertained.

Lastly walk with cash, in case electronic payment is not available. Don’t forget extra containers of gasoline in case of heavy traffic or terrible road conditions.

St John Ambulance is the name of a number of affiliated organisations in different countries which teach and provide first aid and emergency medical services, and are primarily staffed by some 500,000 volunteers.