Small Arms Inspection Building 1352 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga.  Register Fee $25

 

A man is under arrest after police alleged he
threw two Molotov cocktail devices into a
Mimico bar that gutted it after he was refused
service.
The August 2 blaze left Colin’s Dugout, at Royal
York Road and Newcastle Street, all black and
scorched from intense fire and smoke damage and
luckily no one was injured. The residences on the
above floor also suffered heavy smoke damage.
“A man threw a liquor bottle containing a
flammable liquid into the building,” police said in
a release. “The man was then observed lighting a
second liquor bottle on fire and throwing it into the
building.”

Fire fighters said the main floor of the
restaurant/bar was fully engulfed when they
arrived close to 5 p.m. and it took more than 40
minutes to bring the blaze under control.
Police officers in white hazmat suits could be seen
after the fire scouring the inside of the bar in
search for clues.
The main floor was totally gutted while the rest of the
two-storey building suffered smoke damage. No injuries
were reported, police said.
There are reports that the suspect was a bar regular who
became involved with staff in a dispute before the blaze
occurred.
Kazimierz Babina, 65, of Toronto, was arrested and
charged with possess incendiary material for arson,
assault with a weapon, arsondisregard for human life,
mischief endangering life and uttering threats,
He attended court on August 3 at the Toronto
Regional Bail Centre.
Anyone with information is asked to
contact police at 416-808- 2200 or Crime Stoppers
anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

By Craig Christie

Baseball can take you anywhere in the world and no one knows this better
than Etobicoke native Connor Panas (above).                                                                                                              Over the years he has played in the U.S., Canada, and even Australia. This
summer he is playing independent baseball in the American Association in Nebraska                                 for the Lincoln Saltdogs with one goal in mind: getting back to
the big leagues with a major league affiliate team.
“I’ve been enjoying Lincoln. It has great restaurants and a nice downtown
core,” said Panas. “The American Association is an experienced league
with a lot of players who have AA, AAA and major league experience. It’s very
competitive.”

Panas was drafted in the 9th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015 and rose through
the ranks playing with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio and Danny
Jansen.
“I’m happy for them being there and I think I have the talent to be there as well. People have
different journeys.”
The season in Lincoln has been a grind with the Saltdogs playing 100 games in cities such as
Chicago, Milwaukee, Fargo and Winnipeg, the lone Canadian team in the league. Long bus rides
are common at the lower levels of baseball and Panas cannot stress enough how important it is to stay mentally focused to play every day.

From the moment he saw Connor in spring training, Saltdogs manager Brett Jodie was
impressed with his game. “I love the way he plays; he is pretty good at all the facets of the
game. He plays a good right field, has a good, strong arm. (He) can hit for power, average and
drive in runs. He’s a total player who plays the game the right way.”
“As long as you play at a high level you have a chance to be picked up and he definitely has the skill and
athletic ability to do it.”
The left-handed-hitting outfielder was selected to play in the American Association’s All-Star game and
competed in the Home Run Derby where he finished second. At mid-season, he was hitting .323 with 9
home runs and although the numbers and his production are not where he would like them to be he
hopes he has done enough to be noticed.
“I have turned some heads with what I was doing for the majority of the season. That is ideally the goal. I still think I have a lot left in me. I don’t see 30 as being
old because I see guys in this league who are 36, 37. If not affiliated ball I would love to play overseas;
Mexico would be a pretty cool opportunity.”
Photo by Tyler Hurst

The Saltdogs are headed to the playoffs but when that is
over it won’t be the end of Connor’s season. He plans to play in a showcase event in
Dubai for Baseball United, a league co-owned by former major leaguers, Nick Swisher,
Adrian Beltre and Felix Hernandez. “It is an opportunity to promote the game of baseball by
bringing in players like myself. That’s the beauty of
baseball. It has allowed me to play for Team Canada, travel, and experience different parts of the
world.”
During the summer he continues to grow the game at the grassroots level by offering private coaching
to the next generation of players or through his camp, Train Like a Pro. “I get professional players
from around the GTA and run a huge clinic for kids. (Jordan) Romano has been out every time so I
look forward to doing things like that.”
Although he is not ready to hang up his glove yet, Panas does have a backup plan. He is
a supply teacher with the Toronto District School Board working at schools such as
Etobicoke Collegiate and Silverthorn.
“Once I do retire from baseball I do see myself in a full-time teaching role.”

SEPTEMBER 7, 14, 21 & 28 LEARNING AND
GROWING Together for Black Children and
Families from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for newborn to those
six years of age at Stonegate CHC,10
Neighbourhood Lane, Unit 201. Contact
early.years@stonegatechc.org
SEPTEMBER 8 MEMORY SCREENING register
for our free memory screening service at LAMP
CHC, presented by the Toronto Memory Program
Fund for Education. To register call 416-252-6471
ext. 308 and ask for Jasmin.
SEPTEMBER 9 ETIENNE BRULE rededication of
the South Humber Monument at 2 p.m. of formerly
what’s called the Brule Monument, in South
Humber Park. Attendees include Chief R. Stacey
Laforme, officials of the Mississaugas of the Credit
First Nation, La Société d’histoire de Toronto, the
Etobicoke Historical Society and Ward 3 Councillor
Amber Morley.
SEPTEMBER 9 FRANKLIN HORNER
EXTRAVAGANZA, at 432 Horner Ave., from 11
a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a bouncy castle, beer
-wine garden, BBQ, live bands, donut eating
contests, stage games, vendors and silent auction.
Also face painting, games, ice cream truck and
much more. Phone 416-252-6822 or
franklinhorner.inquiries@gmail.com
SEPTEMBER 11, 18 & 25 SUNNYLEA DROP IN
from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for kids up to six years
of age at 851 Royal York Road.
SEPTEMBER 5, 12, 19 & 26 TAKE LEARNING
OUTDOORS program for parents and caregivers
with children up to six years of age from 10 a.m. to
12 p.m. at Bell Manor Park, 1 Bayside Lane,
Etobicoke. Rain or shine meet in the park. For more
info contact early.years@stonegatechc.org.
FROM SEPTEMBER 8 SUNNYLEA DROP IN
families with children up to six years of age for fun
and interactive songs, crafts on Mondays and
Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Royal York
United Church, 851 Royal York Rd. For more
information contact early.years@stonegatechc.org
SEPTEMBER 11 AND 25 BELL MANOR DROP IN
Stonegate CHC Family programs with children up to
six years of age for an afternoon drop-in at Bell
Manor Park from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 1 Bayside
Lane, Etobicoke. For more information contact
early.years@stonegatechc.org
SEPTEMBER 11 TO 25 WEN-DO WOMEN’S
COMMUNITY SAFETY at 6 p.m. Join us for an
empowering women’s self-defence & community
safety workshop hosted by LAMP. Register by
emailing jasmind@lampchc.org or phone 416-252-
6471 ext. 308
SEPTEMBER 12 DO YOU WANT YOUR CATS and
dogs to be spayed or neutered at a low cost? Make
an appointment and register your pet for the next
visit of the SNYP Truck to LAMP. The SNYP truck
will be at LAMP’s parking lot from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You must register in advance
at 416 – 338 – 6281 or
email spayneuter@toronto.ca.

SEPTEMBER 12 FREE PIZZA at a Project Youth Energy                                                                                   back to school pizza party at Richview Public Library,                                                                                              1806 Islington Avenue, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., for young people                                                                   aged 15 to 25 who are  struggling post-pandemic and could use                                                                              help getting back or track with their education or finding a job.                                                                           Learn more at www.youthprojectenergy.ca                                                                                                                  or  call Leslie McMillan at 416-892-1183.

SEPTEMBER 13 LAND TRUST WORKING
GROUP at 6 p.m. online on Zoom as we continue
work on establishing a land trust to develop
affordable housing in South Etobicoke. For more
information, e-mail brig@lampchc.org
SEPTEMBER 13 FIREHOOD SUMMIT FOR
GIRLS aged 9 to 19 as the Jean Augustine Centre
and the Firehood bring you the Firehood Summit for
Girls, a day of workshops, stories, strategies, tools,
and mentorship to help girls . It runs from 10 a.m. to
9 p.m. Contact 416-253-9797 or e-mail at
info@jeanaugustinecentre.ca.                                                                                                             SEPTEMBER 14, 21 & 28 SUNNYLEA BABY
CLUB from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for newborn 12
months of age and their parents or caregivers at
851 Royal York Road. Please contact
early.years@stonegatechc.org
SEPTEMBER 15 HEARING SCREENING register
for our free adult hearing screenings through the
Canadian Hearing Services at LAMP CHC. To
register call 416-252-6471 ext. 308 and ask for
Jasmin.

   SEPTEMBER 21 COMMUNITY BBQ to celebrate the                                                                                30th Anniversary of Rotary Peace Park at 25 Eleventh Street                                                                        from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The three Etobicoke Rotary Clubs,                                                                                  Etobicoke Rotary, Rotary Club of Toronto West and our newest Rotary Club,                                               Rotary Club of Toronto Tibetan will bring food and drinks to share                                                                    with each other and the community. For more information contact Lynda.Ryder@silicates.com

   SEPTEMBER 21 LAMP 26th ANNUAL GENERAL
MEETING at 7 p.m. at Humber College G Building.
For more information call 416 252 6471.
SEPTEMBER 27 GLUTEN-FREE COOKING
WITH MAKI at 10 a.m. LAMP is hosting a free
Gluten-Free Cooking Workshop! Learn how to
make some healthy, easy, gluten-free dishes,
ingredient substitutions, and how to avoid hidden
sources of gluten led by our community dietitian
Maki. Space is limited. To register
email crystaln@lampchc.org or phone 416-252-
6471 ext. 308.
CHAIR YOGA ON TUESDAYS in September at 1
p.m. in person or online with Meaux for a gentle
workout to strengthen muscles and improve
balance. Stretch and enjoy some music and
movement. For more information
contact jasmind@lampchc.org or call 416-252-6471
ext. 308.
EVERY WEDNESDAY IN SEPTEMBER LINE
DANCING from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. as we turn our
community room into a dance hall! A wonderful
opportunity to learn new moves in a friendly,
supportive setting. Register by emailing
jasmind@lampchc.org or phone 416-252-6471 ext.
308.
OCTOBER 16 BETTER SLEEP WORKSHOP from
6 p.m.-to-7:30 p.m., in person and online. Do you
have trouble sleeping? Wellness Coach Mary Craig
will share tips and ideas on improving your sleep.
Register by emailing jasmind@lampchc.org or
phone 416-252-6471 ext. 308.
THE ST. MARGARET NEW TORONTO
ANGLICAN church is seeking a part-time music
director, to plan and select music for Sunday
services, for the liturgical seasons and special
services. You will play at funerals and weddings on
a fee-for-service basis. The successful candidate
must be a strong soloist, familiar with all genres of
Christian music. The position requires up to 10
hours per week; $25 per hour. You must be able to
start ASAP. This is a 1-year contract. The candidate
must pass a a police check and be eligible to work
in Canada. E-mail some of your musical work or
resume to priestmargaretnewtoronto@toronto.anglican.ca

IF YOU LIKE SINGING WE ARE REACHING OUT for all males who would like to sing.                   The Queensmen Male Chorus is an inclusive and culturally embracing group and hope                             that male singers, especially those among our First Nations and recent immigrants,                           would like to meet us. As part of our expansion, we invite all lovers of music to join                                    us at any rehearsal on Tuesday nights 7 p.m. at Richview United Church,                                                           149 Wellesworth Drive in Etobicoke. We are not an auditioned chorus.                                                                For information, please call Einar 416-702-8020 or email age268@gmail.com

OCTOBER 20 THE LADIES OF THE HARMONY SINGERS will join                                                        The Queensmen Male Chorus for a concert and sing-along at                                                                     Graceview Presbyterian Church, 588 Renforth Drive in Etobicoke                                                                    at 7 p.m. It will be a relaxed evening. Admission is by voluntary donation.                                                          For information call Einar 416-702-8020 or email age268@gmail.com

 

By Patti Pokorchak

A rally outside outside 230 Lake Promenade was held on August 28 to
update tenants on the status of the threatened demoviction of 548 units,
uprooting over 1,000 long-term tenants over the next 10-12 years.
The eviction will effect residents of 220, 230, 240 Lake Promenade and
21, 31 Park Boulevard.
Geoff from the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Association shared his
extensive experience with demoviction negotiations so that the Lake Promenade
community knows what they can ask for.
This included comprehensive moving packages, rent gap payments and even input
into the final building design has been won by other tenants that set a precedent.
Residents of the five buildings were able to talk to representatives from Ward 3
Councillor Amber Morley’s office who were there to lend their support and make
notes of issues raised, as well as the Lakeshore Affordable Housing Advocacy &
Action Group (LAHAAG), who distributed a flyer on how they can help.
Upcoming dates to note are September 6 at LAMP CHC, at 185 Fifth Street, for a
LAHAAG-sponsored banner-making party in support of International Tenants’ Day.
And on October 2 there is a rally being organized by NoDemovicition.ca at City
Hall at 5 p.m. It is tenant-driven organized to protest the hundred plus demovictions
happening in Toronto at this time.
Morley’s staff shared a date of September 27 for the first tenants-only meeting, to be
held locally and with city staff to discuss the compensation packages that they are
being proposed. If you want to be kept informed e-mail pattipokorchak@gmail.com
to be put on the Lake Promenade Tenants Association mailing list.

A long-awaited Park Lawn Lake Shore Transportation
Master Plan shows that there will be ongoing road and
other construction work in the Humber Bay Shores area
for years to come.
The City said The Master Plan (TMP) examined a range
of transportation infrastructure improvements to help address
existing and future challenges in the study area, bounded by
The Queensway, Lake Ontario, Legion Road and Ellis
Avenue.

The TMP was coordinated with the proposed Christie‘s
development at 2150 Lake Shore Blvd West, a new Park
Lawn GO Station, TTC loop and other area initiatives.
The plan will provide a connected, multi-modal
transportation network for all users; offer three new
street connections that improve connectivity and help
overcome the Gardiner Expressway/rail corridor
physical barriers.
It will provide excellent walking and cycling
connectivity, support the long-term build out of the
Christie’s site and other area developments, improve
community access to higher-order transit and streetcar
priority and reduce potential for neighbourhood traffic
impacts from the Gardiner Expressway.
Continued growth in the area requires new and improved
transportation infrastructure that accommodates people
of all ages and complement a transit hub consisting of
the new streetcar loop, according to the TMP.
The study shows that streets will be two to four lanes
wide, with wider sidewalks, more cycle tracks, trees and
have grade separation under the rail line.
It notes that Legion Road will be extended, along with
Park Lawn Road, which will have curbside space for the
parking and loading of GO and TTC buses. It will also
have modifications for curb lanes to enter and exit the
Gardiner Expressway.
Lake Shore West Blvd. will have a dedicated transit
right-of-way from Humber Loop to Legion Road and
will be widened to three or four lanes of traffic over the
Mimico Creek. It will also have more
cycle tracks, wider, sidewalks and more trees.
An eastwest street will feature two to four traffic lanes, wider
sidewalks, uni-directional cycle tracks, tree plantings
and new grade separation under the rail line
Legion Road Extension will have two traffic lanes, unidirectional cycle tracks,                                sidewalks, tree plantings, and a
new single portal grade separation under the rail line, as
identified in a previous assessment.
Park Lawn Road will have two traffic lanes, wider
sidewalks, curbside space for parking or loading buses
and access to the Gardiner ramps. It will also have two
dedicated left turn lanes to Lake Shore Blvd. W.
Two new northsouth streets will be added to access the
Lake Shore and ramps to the Gardiner Expressway corridor, according
to the plan.

The Six Points area is undergoing a major wave of revitalization
with much construction and condo building now underway.
Soon a new Etobicoke City Hall will be constructed there, along
with a gym, library and city affordable housing will
join the Islington City Centre neighborhood.
The latest developer to tap into the area is EllisDon
Developments, which has proposed a massive multitower complex planned                                                  for 56-60 Fieldway Road, called
Arcadia District Condos, which runs south of Bloor
Street W., between Kipling and Islington Aves.
The mixed-use condo proposal will contain three four
towers ranging from 12, 23, 34 and 42 storeys with over
1,300 units combined. Sales will begin in October for the
units.
“Etobicoke’s strategic location on the western edge of Toronto
provides easy access to the city’s downtown core and major
employment centers,” the company said, adding it is close to Highway
27, Gardiner Expressway, subways, GO Transit and Pearson
Airport.
It is walking distance to the Islington Subway and amenities include a
4,000 square-foot gym, a 4,500 square-foot working space, spa, a
children’s play room, infinite pool and hot tub, 26,000 square-foot park,
bicycle storage space for every unit and underground parking.
There will be a day-care centre for 70 kids and 14,000
square-feet of retail space for shopping.
“Etobicoke offers a rich tapestry of cultures,
communities, and amenities from picturesque waterfront
areas to bustling urban neighbourhoods,” EllisDon said
in a press release. “Residents enjoy a diverse range of
parks, recreational facilities, dining options, shopping
centers and entertainment venues.”
The first building, a 34 storey tower, is expected to be
ready for occupancy by late 2027 or early 2028.
EllisDon is not new to the area and is already building a 36
storey tower, 459-unit condo and townhouse complex at
Thirty Six Zorra, just south of The Queensway,
between Kipling and Islington Aves.
EllisDon Developments is an industry leader in construction services
worldwide. With over 70 years of experience, more than 4,000 employees and
$5 billion worth of construction volume annually. It is a major
player across a wide range of projects.

When Detective Tom Comeau (above) is not fighting crime, he’s
scaling the world’s tallest mountains to raise money for charity.
The 51 Division Toronto Police Service detective recently
travelled to Nepal where he climbed Mount Lobuche
East Peak, with an elevation of 6,119 metres. It is
located about 150 kms east of Nepal’s capital city of
Kathmandu and lies near the foot of the Khumbu
Glacier, near a Mount Everest Base Camp.
Despite bad weather, Comeau became the first Toronto
Police officer to climb Mount Lobuche, (below) one of the
world’s tallest mountains.

“That went really well,” the detective told police
spokesman Ron Fanfair. “It was a seven-day trek into
the mountain and then me and my group of four
summited in one push.”
The group left from about 5,400 metres from their camp
and got there about five hours later.
Because of snow and high winds in the Himalayas,
Comeau was unable to climb the Ama Dablam peak.
Now, with Mount Lobuche under his belt and Mount
Ama Dablam at 6,813m, Comeau has a new goal of
scaling Dablam.
The officer made the climb to raise funds to support
mental health.

Comeau raised $12,000 for Toronto Beyond the Blue, a
charitable organization that strengthens and supports
police service members, both uniform and civilian as
well as their families.
He started another Go Fund Me campaign with the aim
of raising another $5,000 for Toronto Beyond the Blue
when he attempts to climb Chimborazo (6,262 metres)
and Aconcagua (6,960) in Ecuador next January.
“Raising money for Toronto Beyond the Blue to help
them continue their conversation about the importance
of good mental health is a natural fit and I enjoy doing it,” he said.
“I think everyone has ‘mountains’ in their lives
that need summiting,” Comeau told Beach Metro
Community News. “For some of my colleagues,
their mountains are working through their
post-traumatic stress associated with the work we do serving the
community. It can be crippling.”
He was congratulated for his fundraising efforts by
colleagues on social media.
“Congrats on the climb and raising money and
awareness on the importance of mental health,” wrote
Gail Gonsalves.
“Well done JT Comeau we are all proud of you!!!!,”
said Sean Sportun.
And “Congrats on your journey,” wrote Pat Quigley.
You can donate to Toronto Beyond the Blue at their
website www.torontobeyondtheblue.com/donate or to
Comeau’s climb at www.gofundme.com/f/torontobeyond-the-blue.
Files by Ron Fanfair and Beach Metro Community News.

A well-established 50-year-old ‘Class A’ bingo charity is
setting up its tables in the community.
A proposal has been submitted to the City to relocate
Delta Bingo & Gaming from St. Clair Avenue East to
360 Evans Avenue, near Kipling Avenue, according to
documents filed.
“Our new location will provide a fresh new facility
increased accessibility and exposure for potential new
customers,” Delta Bingo CEO Shawn Fisher wrote to
city officials. “Our business will be able to provide a
facility for the 67 local charities and not-for-profit
organizations to continue their fundraising.”

Fisher said the new 44,000 square-foot
former McCarthy Uniform location (bottom photo) on Evan’s Avenue is
already zoned for use as a bingo hall.
Fisher told officials that Delta Bingo Inc. has been operating
charitable bingo facilities in Ontario for more than 50years, and was located on
St. Clair Avenue for more than 25. The company has
61 full time and part time employees and will add
more in their new space.
“The City of Toronto receives up to $600,000 annually
in fees,” the City was told. “This new location with
improved exposure will draw in new customers to
the bingo as well as the surrounding businesses.”

Prior to the pandemic, the Delta Bingo St. Clair
Sponsor’s Association, distributed more than
$3,000,000 annually in proceeds to its member organizations.
“These proceeds are then used by the charitable
members to help them fulfil their mandates by providing
needed programs and services within the municipality of
Toronto,” according to Delta Bingo.
Delta iGaming Inc. last May launched Delta Bingo
Online, currently the only iGaming website
in Ontario’s regulated market and which features slot
themes and a commitment to local charities.
Officials said Delta Bingo Online is the only active,
licensed iBingo provider in the province. Fans can now
enjoy their favourite game online against other real-time
players for guaranteed prizes.

 

Its final.

The popular go-kart track, batting cages and beach volleyball courts at
Centennial Park are being closed in two months.
The attractions were told they have to be out by November 30 as the city begins to
implement its 2021 master plan for the park, which was recently updated.
According to the plan, the changes will happen in phases and will see the city’s
second largest park equipped with new large playground, cricket pitches, pickle ball
courts, a new water play area, stadium bubble, skate trail and skate area, new
baseball and soccer hubs and multi-use sport courts.
Some 20,000 people have signed a petition to stop the changes which will affect
about 65 people who work at the facilities.