In case you are wondering.

Friday January 5 is “National Bird Day” and Urban Nature Stores is giving 10% of their sales of bird seed to Ontario Wildlife Rescue Centers (OWRC). They are the first retailer in Ontario to offer such a sponsorship.

Urban Nature Stores are supporting Wildlife Rescue Centers in Ontario with the Seeds of Kindness campaign. The OWRC take in injured and orphaned wild animals, rehabilitate and release them back into the wilds.

Most Centers are run by volunteers and do not receive support from government. They are completely dependent on the public for support.

“Urban Nature Store is proud to support the Seeds of Kindness program to support OWRC,” said company founder Paul Oliver. “The work being done by wildlife rescues organizations is meaningful and lifesaving to birds and wildlife in need of recovery and support.”

Urban Nature Store is a haven for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers, where birdwatching dreams take flight.

The company is proudly Canadian and has eight retail stores, stretching from St. Catharines to Kingston and through the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

 

“The Seeds of Kindness program is our way of saying thank you to the hundreds of volunteers that work tirelessly every day to help injured birds and wildlife,” Oliver said. “In addition to donating the proceeds of bird seed sales on Bird Day, Urban Nature Store will be working to increase the awareness of the work being done by the OWRC.”

The OWRC works with over 50 Wildlife Rescue Centers (Wildlife Rehabbers) across the province.

Ontario Wildlife Rescue connects the public with wildlife rescue centers (www.ontariowildliferescue.ca). OWRC also help find resources (food, medical supplies and veterinarians) for Wildlife Centers across Ontario.

They proudly serve their Canadian customers nationwide through their online store, www.UrbanNatureStore.ca

Oliver can be reached at 416 987-5826 or e-mail paul@urbannaturestore.ca. The OWR can be reached at 416 436-9892 or sandy@ontariowildliferescue.ca.

It was a shock of a lifetime.

An Ontario Food Terminal worker named Troy was sorting through produce as usual, when he was suddenly surprised by a slithering silhouette of orange and brown among some green tomatillos he had just unboxed, according to the Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC).

Was that… a snake? Troy wondered.

To be exact, it was a Northern cat-eyed snake which had hitched a ride all the way from Mexico, according to TWC staff. The fangs of these snakes are located at the back of the jaw and the bites are considered to be of low toxicity.

“Troy, concerned for the displaced and no doubt distressed reptile, immediately called our Wildlife Hotline for help,” Centre officials said. “The caring employee gently placed the snake into a box, and brought him safely to TWC.”

The Veterinary Team confirmed the snake was in good health but a long way from home.

“Our team is currently working on a plan to return this accidental traveller back to his native environment,” according to the TWC.

“Until then, he’ll need continued care – including a temperature and humidity controlled enclosure, fresh substrate, heat lamps, protein-packed food and more – to keep him healthy until his journey home,” they said.

The TWC said it is not too late to give a donation to help provide the snake, and many more still being admitted, with all they need to keep them healthy this season.

Nearly 6,000 wild animals have already been admitted needing care this year, with more sick and injured patients – from injured snowy owls to sick foxes – arriving each day.

Working to save the lives of wild animals takes a lot of resources, and it couldn’t happen without the support of compassionate animal lovers.

They thank animal lovers for adding wildlife to their gift list this holiday season.

You can purchase a gift for a wild patient yourself. Visit their website at https://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/giveagift/

The centre said you can donate in honour of an animal-loving person in your life, and you will receive a personalized e-Card of your choice with a photo of a patient who was cared for at TWC.

The TWC is a charitable wildlife rescue organization providing medical treatment and rehabilitative care to sick, injured and orphaned wild animals found by members of the public.

Since opening in 1993, over 270 different species have been admitted for care. With help from our volunteers and donors, Toronto Wildlife Centre has grown into Canada’s largest and busiest wildlife centre, and a leader in the field of wildlife rehabilitation.

The Toronto South Detention Centre is leading the pack for assaults in South Etobicoke, records show.

There were five assaults at the maximum security facility, on Horner Avenue, in one week alone from November 23 to 29, police records show.

There were 30 assaults in total across the South Etobicoke area during that time.

There were also 30 auto thefts during that same period, 12 break and entries, 18 theft from motor vehicles, two sexual violations and one shooting in South Etobicoke, police records show.

Officers are routinely called to handle complaints at the sprawling detention centre, which is a provincial institution for those serving two years less a day, in addition to those awaiting court proceedings.

Things are so rough in there, that it is dubbed as Guantanamo South, the $1-billion Hellhole, and the Plea Factory, because so many inmates plead guilty just to get out of the place.

Segregation. Isolation. Overcrowding. No showers. No fresh air. No family visits. No lawyer meetings. Seething anger that can be taken out on anybody, according to the Toronto Star’s Rosie DiManno.

Prisoners are having their custodial sentences cut due to time given as credit in recognition of the jail’s intolerable conditions, writes DiManno.

In March 2019, about 200 employees refused to work at the Centre after an incident in which correctional officers were allegedly assaulted by several inmates.

Warren (Smokey) Thomas, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents staff at the jail, said the job action, mainly by officers, stems from an alleged “attack.”

Union officials said that a group of inmates staged what looked like a fight inside a cell that led to a showdown.

When officers went to investigate, the inmates turned on them. Two officers were punched in the head and had garbage cans thrown at them. They suffered concussion-like symptoms and facial scratches, the officials said.

He said the officers retreated but were chased to their work station, where they called for help. Assistance did arrive but not from the Toronto police. The two officers went to hospital and went home the next day.

Police have charged with aggravated assault guards and inmates at different times at the Centre, which holds some of the worst criminals in Canada, who until recently included sexual predator fashion designer Peter Nygard.

The facility consists of a maximum-security building that can house up to 1,650 remanded accused awaiting trial, and a medium-security building, the Toronto Intermittent Centre, that can house up to 320 inmates serving weekend or other intermittent sentences.

It is built on the site of the former Mimico Correctional Centre, which closed in 2011 and whose origins dated back to 1887. The Centre officially opened on January 2014, replacing the Toronto Jail, the Toronto West Detention Centre, and the demolished Mimico Correctional Centre.

Family members and friends are mourning the sudden death of well-known Ronald John Bowie, born and bred native of Etobicoke.

Bowie, who was born in Alderwood, passed away at his home. He was 68.

He worked for about 40-years as a custodian at Lakeshore Collegiate Institute before retiring, when he volunteered as a bartender at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 101.

Long-time friend Dan Irwin said Bowie loved his family and was well-known in the community.

Irwin said Bowie was supposed to be leaving this month on his annual holiday in Puerto Vallarta , Mexico. He already had a beachside condo and air flights booked.

“I went down with him on a few of his trips there,” he recalled. “He has been going to Puerto Vallarta every winter for many years.”

Bowie was the most social person you could meet, according to his obituary.

“He was always happy, positive, warm, kind and easily made friends everywhere he went,” his friends said. “He loved his community, having been born and raised in Alderwood, and worked for his entire career at Lakeshore Collegiate Institute.”

He loved the Toronto Maple Leafs and enjoyed Blue Jays baseball.

Bowie was always there for his children and coached their teams as ‘he was a real family man.’

“He was the kind of person that would give you the shirt off his back,” his obituary state. “All those who knew him will remember his often repetitive Dad jokes.”

Bowie was a loving life partner to Dianne, a caring father to Meagan (Thomas), John (Kate) and Carly (Kyle) and a wonderful Papa to Thomas, June, Finley and Owen.

He will be greatly missed by Dianne’s children, Danielle (Rob), Mark (Nicola), and Chris (Deb), along with her seven grandchildren who affectionately called him Gramps.

Bowie will be missed by his siblings Cath (Don), Carolyn (Larry), Janet (Wayne) and Paul (Kelly). He will be fondly remembered by his nieces, nephews, extended family members and his many friends. He is predeceased by his parents John and Eileen.

There will be a Celebration of his Life on January 5, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Legion’s Branch 101, at 3850 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

In lieu of flowers his family asks that donations are made to Legion 101 in his memory.

As South Etobicoke residents call for a fireworks display in our area, the City says you can check theirs out if you are looking for something to do on New Year’s Eve?

The City of  Toronto says it has planned the biggest fireworks show in Canada to ring in 2024.

At 12 a.m. on Jan. 1, a free 10-minute fireworks show will be visible from anywhere with a view of Toronto’s inner harbour.

The high-altitude display will also be livestreamed online, with a live show beginning at 10 p.m., available on the City of Toronto Culture YouTube page.

Pop-up performances will also be taking place at different locations along the waterfront, including at Sherbourne Common, Toronto Music Garden, and Exhibition Common at Harbourfront Centre, the City said.

The celebration begins at 10 p.m. with DJs Sofia Fly and Cozmic Cat, followed by the countdown co-hosted by world-renowned drag entertainer Tynomi Banks and award winning performer and producer Sedina Fiati at 11:30 p.m.

Pop-up participatory dance performances led by the Dance Together Festival are available leading up to the fireworks at these locations along Toronto’s downtown waterfront:

The City encouraged residents and visitors to use public transit on New Year’s Eve, with the TTC and GO Transit offering free service from 7 p.m. on Sunday until 8 a.m. on Monday.

There are some road closures planned for Sunday.

Queens Quay West eastbound will be closed from 10 p.m. on Sunday until 1 a.m. Monday.

Bay Street will also be closed from Lake Shore Boulevard West to Queens Quay West from 10 p.m. Sunday until 1 a.m. Monday.

The City said there are designated viewing areas for the show, including the following:

• Sherbourne Common, 61 Dockside Drive
• Toronto Music Garden, 476 Queens Quay West
• Harbour Square Park, 25 Queens Quay West
• Sugar Beach Park, 11 Dockside Drive
• Little Norway Park, 659 Queens Quay West
• HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay West
• Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West

Some area residents have been calling for a similar fireworks show in the South Etobicoke lakefront claiming it will bring in revenue to area businesses, attract visitors to our area and boost the morale of residents.

 

Toronto Police are searching for a suspect who was involved in a brazen smash-and-grab incident at a popular computer store in New Toronto.

The suspect took a heavy brick or rock and smashed a large pane of glass at the 2867 Lake Shore Blvd. W. store around 7:30 a.m. on December 29, according to witnesses and the store’s owner.

It was the fourth known smash-and-grab incidents in the last three weeks to plague businesses in Long Branch and New Toronto.

At least three Long Branch businesses, including a Korean restaurant, nearby variety store and Holy Cannoli Toronto dessert shop were robbed after their glass doors or large panes of glass were smashed by thieves who entered the premises and stole goods.

It is not known if the robberies are related but there has been no arrests.

Ali, the owner of Tech Zone, in New Toronto, said the thieves went inside his store after smashing the glass and stole more than $1,000 worth of computer goods.

He said a large sheet of plywood had to be placed to protect his store until a glass installer can find time to fix the damages.

“I expect the glass itself will cost about $6,000,” Ali said. “It is a large piece of glass and I had to put down $1,000 up front for my insurance.”

He said he will be losing money for the next few days during this busy shopping season until the glass is fixed.

“This is the second time this has happened,” he complained. “I don’t know what is going on here in this community with all the crime.”

Ali is calling for security cameras to be installed in busy areas so police can see what happens and obtain descriptions of the thieves.

Tech Zone sells or repairs a variety of cell phone, computer accessories as headphones, phone cases, Bluetooth speakers and other high-tech gadgets.

The store has been there for a number of years and is well-known since they regularly receive customers  from Markham, Vaughan, Brampton, Mississauga, Hamilton and surrounding areas.

Chris Korwin-Kuczynski, Chair of the Lakeshore Village BIA, said such brazen smash-and-grabs are rare and he will be asking police for more patrols of the neighbourhood.

“I will be talking to the police superintendent,” he said. “We would like to have something done about all these crimes.”

Korwin-Kuczynski said the spraying of graffiti on the walls and surfaces of community businesses is one of the major concerns in the community.

 

 

Well-known and long-time South Etobicoke musician Roger Zuraw is taking to the stage at the Dark Horse Pub on January 7.

Zuraw, who plays the guitar, is better known for his rocking tunes that portray everyday life in the Lake Shore and South Etobicoke area.

“I have been living down here since the 1960s and my music expresses life on Lake Shore,” he says.

Zuraw has released a number of CDs and has performed with many musical stars over the years, when there were many venues that played live music in the area.

You can find him and his band Pops & Pals, with saxophonist Wayne Neon and Brian Morgan, at the Dark Horse Pub, 2401 Bloor Street W., just east of Jane Street, on January 7 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Many of his songs are available on social media and he can be reached at rogerzurawsong@yahoo.ca

The Toronto Speed Skating Club would like to welcome the community to their upcoming regional meet being held at the Ford Performance Centre, at 400 Kipling Avenue, in Rink 1 on December 30th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This meet will feature newer skaters to the sport from across the GTA who are just embarking on their competitive journey.

Who knows where this will take them in the years to come, but this is where future Olympic athletes start their journey.

They have been part of the community for the last 15 years at Ford Performance Centre (formerly known as Mastercard Centre) and are a volunteer-run organization that provides professional speed skating instruction to all levels of skaters from ages 6 to 65.

Short track speed skating is known for its high speed energy events at the Olympics and is Canada’s most successful Olympic sport – winter or summer.   

 

A man is sought by police for allegedly writing hate-motivated graffiti on the windows of several stores in The West Mall and The Queensway area.

Officers of the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit said the incident occurred on December 21 around 7:10 p.m.

“The man wrote hate-motivated graffiti on the windows of several stores and then fled the area,” police said in a news release.

The suspect is described as having a medium build, wearing a black hooded puffer jacket, black jeans, white shoes, black/orange gloves and ski goggles.

Police have released an image of the suspect obtained from security cameras.

When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation could be led by a Divisional investigator with the support of the Hate Crime Unit (HCU), or in some cases, will be investigated exclusively by the HCU, according to police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said earlier this month that between January 1 and December 17 there were 338 reported hate crimes, an increase of 41 per cent compared to the same period in 2022, when 239 were reported.

The statistics includes 147 anti-Semitic hate crimes reported, versus 81 reported during the same period in 2022; and 37 anti-Muslim/Palestinian/Arab hate crimes reported, versus 14 reported during the same period in 2022.

Demkiw said between October 7 and December 17 there were 98 hate crime occurrences reported compared to 48 in 2022 during the same time period. This includes 56 anti-Semitic hate crimes reported, versus 18 during the same period last year; 20 anti-Muslim/Palestinian/Arab hate crimes reported, versus 2 during the same period last year.

There has also been 11 reported hate crimes targeting the LGBTQ2S+ communities during this period, versus eight during the same period last year.

Among all of the hate crimes reported between October 7 and December 17, some 53 per cent have been anti-Semitic.

Since October 7, the HCU has made 43 arrests and laid 96 charges related to hate crime occurrences. Of the 96 charges laid, 29 per cent have been mischief related and 17 per cent have been assault related.