Many Mimico residents vow they have had enough of living with a giant gaping hole and unrepaired train station in the middle of their community for 10 more years.

A meeting on the stalled development is set for September 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mimico Centennial Library, at 47 Station Road, and also offered online by visiting the Mimico Residents Association (MRA) website.

The event is being put on by the MRA, in partnership with the South Etobicoke Community Land Trust (SECLT) and Community Benefits Association of South Etobicoke.

The town hall will discuss the twice-suspended “Grand Central Mimico” development and options for helping move the project forward in a community-oriented direction.

The MRA in a social media posting said the Grand Central Mimico development has entered receivership for the second time leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the community.

The group said ‘conversations with the receivership company and others indicate that current market conditions make it extremely unlikely that a third developer will pick up the project in the near future.’

“Despite an ongoing housing crisis – it is not considered sufficiently profitable to build housing directly atop a major transit line,” the MRA said. “We don’t understand it either.”

They said the town hall will explore ideas for resolving the issue without waiting for yet another developer or the government to get involved.

South Etobicoke is one of the busiest sites in the City for birdwatchers as an estimated one million birds will fly over the area as migratory season begins.

The City has launched a campaign to turn off your lights to reduce migratory bird deaths.

The “Lights Out Toronto” is a public awareness campaign to reduce bird deaths at this time by encouraging residents and businesses to turn off unnecessary lights.

In Toronto, the spring bird migration occurs between mid-March and the beginning of June. In fall, migration occurs from mid-August to the beginning of November.

The campaign said during migration season, millions of birds travel through our city.

“The Toronto area serves as an important rest stop for migrating birds, many of whom fly thousands of kilometers between their overwintering sites and their summer breeding grounds,” according to the campaign.

The information said most birds migrate at night, guiding themselves with natural cues from the moon and stars. Night-migrating birds are drawn by city lights into urban areas where they often fatally collide with building windows that they cannot see.

Many of North America’s migratory bird species are facing significant population decline. Habitat loss, pesticide use, hunting by cats, climate change and collision with buildings are endangering the survival of countless migratory birds.

Turning off lights is an easy way for businesses and residents to make Toronto a safer place for migratory birds.

Birds are also essential to a healthy environment: they consume billions of insects daily (including mosquitoes), pollinate plants and disperse seeds. They contribute to our economy since birdwatching is a very popular leisure activity.

The campaign warned if a bird has collided with a window to place it inside a cardboard box or unwaxed paper bag with tissue to git the bird a perching spot; handle the bird as little as possible and do not give food or water.

You are advised to contact the Toronto Wildlife Centre.

It has been more than six weeks since two women were killed in Alderwood and a brutal killer is still at large.

Toronto Police have exhausted most of their leads in apprehending Joseph Ayala, 33, who is sought for two counts of second degree murder.

“The suspect just disappeared in thin air,” as one detective described the manhunt.

The police dragnet and media attention began just before 1 p.m. on August 28 in the Sheldon and Silvercrest Avenues when the lifeless bodies of an 82-year-old grandmother and 60-year-old sister were found in a home.

Officers had the home sealed off with police tape for several days as forensic evidence were collected from the scene.

For days there were dozens of neighbours and onlookers on the street observing the police activity.

Still police checks of neighbourhood parks, lakefront areas, ditches, ravines, backyard sheds and other structures proved to be futile.

The suspect has not been spotted anywhere, not even on security cameras, with his identity now well known.

Some residents have taken to locking their doors and leaving lights on at nights to stay safe.

Ayala is well known in the area and is described as a white male, 5-foot-11, with a shaved head.

Police said he is known to wear a cowboy boots, hat, a cowboy style jacket with tassels on the sleeve and black cowboy boots.

He was often seen by many in his cowboy gear walking on Brown’s Line. Many have seen him panhandling outside No Frills on Lake Shore Blvd. W.

No funeral details have been released.

If you see him call 22 Division at 416-808-2200.

New hi-tech smart garbage cans are now being rolled out on our streets.

The City is working on a plan to install electronic sensors on street garbage containers so workers can detect their fullness, where the bins are located or if near capacity.

This way collection of the garbage and staff can be scheduled and studies show the system saves on the cost of manpower and fuel.
A pilot project is now underway to test the smart sensor device on 250 litter bins across the City.

“The objectives of this pilot are to provide data, provide timely service, and optimize routes,” according to a City report.

The City said more staff will be hired to inspect litter bins, gather data and report overflowing and maintenance issues for a period of six months.

The new hires will be used to ‘define trends and recommendations for optimal collection frequency for each litter bin in Toronto.’

The City’s litter operations operate 20 hours a day, seven days a week. There are more than 50,000 collections of bins weekly and more than 99.9 per cent of them are done proactively. Most street litter bins are collected at night for safety and efficiency.

U.S. studies show the smart bin can relay to staff when and where to pick up cans, optimizing their routes based on demand. This is critical as government cuts funding and ask staff to do more with less, and with labor in short supply.

The smart bins alert sanitation teams to overflowing cans, but it also lets them keep tabs on trash receptacles. Location-tracking shows whether a can has been moved or stolen, allowing for reclamation or replacement of the missing bin.

Earlier this year new better-functioning easier-to-use bins were rolled out in Toronto to help improve the litter-ridding experience.

A Montreal teen who couldn’t drive a stolen Lamborghini and crashed the expensive sports car into other vehicles was finally arrested by sharp Toronto Police detectives.

Police allege the suspect was part of ring of auto thieves who approached vehicle owners in parking lots or in driveways and demanded their keys.

The victims would either be sprayed with pepper spray or physical force used to obtain their car keys, police said.

“When unable to quickly get victims to turn over their keys, the suspects fled to their vehicle,” officers of the force’s Hold Up Squad said in a release.

“In one instance, they were able to get into the victim’s Lamborghini, but after smashing into several parked cars, abandoned it and fled,” according to police.

Some of the 800-hp super-quick Lamborghinis can sell for about $3 million each.

That incident occurred in November last year and police were able to identify the suspect and issue a warrant for his arrest. He was picked up in Montreal and returned to Toronto for trial.

He appeared for a bail hearing on September 5 and was refused.

Jamar Jacque Frame, 19, of Montreal, was charged with robbery with an offensive weapon, five counts of robbery, three counts of administer noxious substance and two counts of mischief.

 

City officials are looking at purchasing a new dental van to treat residents in at-risk communities.

The new hi-tech dental-clinic van will cost about $460,000 and be funded by Toronto residents if approved.

The matter was to be considered at a Board of Health meeting on September 9.

Toronto Public Health offers a mobile dental program that includes two mobile dental vans and a mobile dental bus to support hard to reach populations.

“The mobile dental bus has been in operation since 2012, and the interior and exterior of the bus has significantly declined over the past year,” according to a report by health officials.

They suggested the current bus be auctioned off in a sale that could generate about $50,000 to return to the provincial Ministry of Health. A new one can be ordered, if approved by council.

The existing City dental bus is outfitted with all the equipment and materials that can be found in a brick-and-mortar clinic with the ability to travel to community organizations.

The bus can serve those in shelters, food banks, long-term care services, and other social services. The bus brought mobile dental treatment to approximately 800 patients annually.

The two mobile dental vans provide oral health screening and dental care for about 3,000 seniors in City-operated long-term care homes.

“These vans have been successful at delivering high-quality, client-centred care to seniors across the city,” according to a city report.

Staff said the smaller vans are much easier to operate and manoeuvre throughout the city, and do not require special permits or driver’s license to operate.

City staff said there are 26 dental clinics operated by Toronto Public Health where eligible children, adults aged 18 to 64, seniors aged 65 and older can access free dental care.

The mobile program provided more than 61,600 dental appointments in community-based clinics

Mimico Residents Association, in partnership with the South Etobicoke Community Land Trust (SECLT) and the Community Benefits Association of South Etobicoke (CBASE), is pleased to invite you to a community town hall to discuss the twice-suspended “Grand Central Mimico” development and options for helping move the project forward in a community-oriented direction.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟔:𝟑𝟎 𝐭𝐨 𝟖 𝐩𝐦, 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐨 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 (𝟒𝟕 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐲𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭. To RSVP (whether online or in person), click here: https://mimicoresidents.us5.list-manage.com/track/click…

Grand Central Mimico – intended as a transit oriented community to revitalize the Mimico GO station as well as build much needed housing units directly next to the station – has entered receivership for the second time. This means the developers have run out of funding and cannot complete the project, leaving our community with a gaping hole in the ground for going on ten years.

In addition, our conversations with the receivership company and others indicate that current market conditions make it extremely unlikely that a third developer will pick up the project in the near future. Somehow – despite an ongoing housing crisis – it is not considered sufficiently profitable to build housing directly atop a major transit line. No, we don’t understand it either.

𝑾𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒈𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔.

We are holding this town hall as an introductory conversation with you and the rest of the South Etobicoke community who are impacted by this, to collectively explore ideas for resolving the issue without waiting for yet another developer or the government.

We will send an event agenda to RSVP’d individuals in advance of the event, and we will send a survey to those who are unable to attend but still want to share their thoughts.

The sixth Annual Voice Within event by The Gatehouse takes place next month.

The event is inspiring and dedicated to raising awareness and support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, according to The Gatehouse.

The gala will be held in the Artifacts Room of the Liberty Grand Toronto on October 3 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The host will be CTV’s Michelle Dube and the guest speaker is Supt. Lisa Crooker of Toronto Police Services.

Healing the Voice Within is not just an art gala; it’s a powerful celebration of resilience and hope. Featuring live auctions, the evening will showcase artwork that reflects the profound journey of healing and empowerment.

Your participation supports The Gatehouse’s mission to provide a safe, supportive community for survivors through peer support, counseling, and expressive arts therapy programs.

Buy your tickets today at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/6th-annual-healing-the-voice-within-tickets-827339674237?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1

 

 

Many in the community are mourning the loss of Garnell Lorrain Henry the long-time owner of a popular Caribbean food restaurant in New Toronto.

Garnell was a loving mother, sister, cousin, grandmother, and friend. She passed away on August 11 at the age of 55.

She was a source of boundless love and warmth to all who knew her. Her kind heart and vibrant spirit touched many lives, and her memory will be cherished by her family and friends.

Her legacy of affection and kindness will forever live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate to be part of her life.
Garnell worked hard at her restaurant to make it a success. Her delicious curry goat and rice and peas dishes will be missed by many in the community.

A service was held to pay tribute her life on August 30 at New Haven Funeral Centre, in Mississauga.

“She was a great lady and she will be missed,” wrote Orchid Henry. “She fed our boys for over 20 years. We hold her ox tail and rice and peas as a standard of excellence for all others.”

“My heart is broken in pieces,” said Tiney Beckles. “You fought to the end and I admire how strong you were and I am proud of you.”

She is expected to be buried in Jamaica, her lovely homeland.

SEPTEMBER 4 TO OCTOBER 5 QUANTUM OF BEAUTY at
Assembly Hall, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive.
Open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This exhibition is by The Westway Artists Group. A
reception will take place on September 5 at 6 p.m.
For more phone 416- 338-7255 or visit
www.toronto.ca
SEPTEMBER 7 FAMILY EXTRAVAGANZA at Franklin
Horner Community Centre, 423 Horner Avenue,
from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Once again Royal LePage
Porritt Real Estate is sponsoring a bouncy castle.
Fun activities for all.
SEPTEMBER 11 IS LAST DATE to get your order in for
the Tree for Free giveaway. Pre-register and order
from 12 different trees for pick up on September 14
from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m at Colonel Sam Smith
Park, at Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Kipling Avenue.
Unclaimed trees will be given away for walk-ups at
1245 p.m. For more information visit www.lbna.ca
SEPTEMBER 12 TO OCTOBER 31 2SLGBTQ+ family
planning on Thursdays at 6 p.m. at LAMP CHC,
185 Fifth Street, facilitated by Dr. Rachel Epstein,
will explore practical, emotional, social, and legal
issues when thinking about becoming a parent,
pregnancy, adoption, co-parenting and surrogacy,
parenting with a partner, with one or more coparents, or as a solo parent. To register email
WillR@lampchc.org
SEPTEMBER 12 MIMICO GO STATION TOWN HALL
meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Zoom and at
the Mimico Station Library, 47 Station Road, to
discuss the twice-suspended “Grand Central
Mimico” development and options for moving the
project forward. Event by Mimico Residents
Association and the South Etobicoke Community
Land Trust.
SEPTEMBER 13 EATONVILLE CARE CENTRE’S all day
Community Day event in the courtyard as vendors
and local businesses connect with residents to
showcase their services to the community at 420
The East Mall or call 416-621-8000.
SEPTEMBER 14 TREE FOR FREE get your order in and
pick up from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Col. Samuel
Smith Park, at Kipling Ave. and Lake Shore Blvd.
W. A number of native trees available including
Ontario’s official tree the White Pine. For more info
email trees40@lbna.ca.
SEPTEMBER 14 ETOBICOKE MASTER GARDENERS
Annual Fall Plant Sale from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
at 6 Kingsway Crescent. Free advice clinic, native
plants, herbs and more. For more visit
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
SEPTEMBER 15 ETOBICOKE TERRY FOX RUN for cancer
research at West Deane Park from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Lots of fun for all ages with live music, face
painting, a bouncy castle, BBQ and more. For more
email s.sprenger@rogers.com
SEPTEMBER 19 MEET THE MAYOR at LAMP CHC’s 47th
Annual General Meeting at the Assembly Hall, at
Humber College, at 6:30 p.m. There will be a
keynote speech by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow at
7:30 p.m. For more e-mail anthonya@lampchc.org
or call 416-252-6471 ext. 246.
SEPTEMBER 22 SIXTH ANNUAL LONG BRANCH TREE
FESTIVAL sponsored by the Long Branch
Neighbourhood Association and City from 12 a.m.
to 4 p.m. at Marie Curtis Park for fun, bring your
family and have learn about trees. There will be
vendors, food booths, live music and historical
walks. For more visit www.lbna.ca
SEPTEMBER 25 BBQ FOR welcome back affordable
housing movement at LAMP CHC, 185 Fifth Street.
For more e-mail anthonya@lampchc.org or call
416-252-6471 ext. 246.
30 PLUS WOMEN’S PILATES on Tuesdays and Fridays
at 10 a.m. at LAMP CHC, 185 Fifth Street, childminding can be provided. If you seek more info email FatimaA@lampchc.org
HEART HEALTHY COOKING on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. at
LAMP CHC, 185 Fifth Street. Learn easy and
affordable methods of cooking heart-healthy food.
For more information e-mail FatimaA@lampchc.org
SENIORS GENTLE EXERCISE on Tuesdays 10 a.m. to
11 a.m. at Stonegate CHC, Trillium Room, 10
Neighbourhood Lane, Unit 201, with a registered
kinesiologist who will lead the group with exercises
to increase strength, balance and flexibility. To
register call 416-243-0127
SENIORS SOCIAL GAME GROUP for adults 55 and
older last Friday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2
p.m. at Stonegate CHC, 10 Neighbourhood Lane,
Unitg 201, to play euchre, dominos, Uno, bridge
and more. Light lunch served. To register call 416-
231-7070 ext. 307 or e-mail
health.promotion@stonegatechc.org.
FREE DRUMMING WORKSHOPS on Fridays at 2 p.m.
and then free Latin Dancing at 4 p.m. at LAMP
CHC, 185 Fifth Street. No partner or experience
required for any of the activities. For more e-mail
NikiM@lampchc.org or call 416-252-6471 ext. 246.
THE GOOD FOOD MARKET every Thursday from 12
p.m. to 3 p.m. at Stonegate CHC, 10
Neighbourhood Lane, second floor, for affordable
produce. Bring your own bags and cash or debit
accepted. For more call 416-231-7070 ext. 307.
TORONTO POLICE 22 DIVISION officers are collecting
gently used bicycles that can be given to local kids
without one. Bikes in good condition can be taken
to the Division at 3699 Bloor St. W. or contact
Community Officer Anthony Alexander at 416-808-
2200.
OCTOBER 5 MABELLEpark public launch set for Oct. 5
at 2 p.m., with Nuit Blanche programming expected
in the evening. The Dundas Street W.and Islington
Avenue area park has undergone a unique
revitalization project. MABELLEarts said it’s the first
park in the country designed by and for a lowincome community. ABELLEarts is located at 5005
Dundas Street West. Contact 416 239 4900.
SEPTEMBER 7 & OCTOBER 5 HIGH PARK ACCESS FOR
ALL rally meet at the Bloor gate at 11 a.m. and bring
signs. High Park has been closed to vehicles on
weekends and statutory holidays and plans are