Christina Murie is wishing for a better Christmas as she grieves the loss of her two beloved bunnies that were killed in a brutal death by a raging pit bull.

Murie, a local business woman, has gone out and purchased from a local breeder Sugar and Spice to replace Leo and Ruby, which were bitten to death this month by a pit bull that was allowed entry in the Birmingham Business Centre, at 80 Birmingham Street, where the bunnies lived.

The rabbits, which were adopted from the Toronto Animal Services, were chased by the large dog and bitten to death in minutes.

Leo and Ruby were buried in a service last week under a magnolia tree by a local pastor.

“I hope these two new bunnies, Sugar and Spice, will help cheer everyone up for Christmas,” Murie says.

“I am still heartbroken and I cry every time I pass by their area. There are clients in this building who misses them.”

She noted that local children often came over to play with the rabbits.

“The new ones are indoor rabbits,” Murie explains. “They are pampered rabbits in that they have never been outside.”

They will be loved and petted by area children in their home, which will  now be a dog-free zone.

The bunnies have a beautiful indoor space and are also placed outside during the day.

An investigation is underway into the deaths of Leo and Ruby.

 

Santa has a daytime gig.

This Santa was spotted in Alderwood selling popcorn, nuts and cotton candy from his trusted bike.

Turns out Santa Nick has been earning pocket money pedalling his bike in the Alderwood area for the past two years selling snacks as a side shuffle.

Nick was, and still operates, an ice cream truck in the neighbourhood selling icy treats to residents on those hot summer days.

“I drove the ice cream truck around here for 30 years,” he says proudly. “Had to quit that because of COVID.”

The ice cream business just melted during the pandemic, as many other businesses, leaving many people laid off.

He went to the garage and got out his well-ridden steed to modify into a vehicle that would bring joy to many in the community.

“All the people in Alderwood know me,” Nick says proudly. “I sell them ice cream and now I sell them popcorn, cotton candy and hot nuts.”

Area residents flock around his bike-cart to purchase snacks and wish him continuing best of health.

“I know all the dogs and little kids. I watched them grow up,” he boasts. “Some still come back and by stuff from me.”

Nick is a product of the community and started out life as an aspiring journalist, which fell flat.

“I work for myself and don’t like working for other people,” he notes. “I am an enterprising man.”

I bought a bag of popcorn, he sees an oncoming sale and rushes away.

 

Members of the community are invited for a merry Sing Along with Santa Claus and the Salvation Army on December 3 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in front of Job Start at 2930 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

And you are invited to join Santa on December 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a Story and Skate at the Powerhouse Skating Trail at Colonel Samuel Smith Park. Come check out some of Santa’s favourite floats.

 

It took a while but finally the Six Points Interchange Reconfiguration is complete.

Mayor John Tory, Deputy Mayor Stephen Holyday, former Blue Jays broadcaster Jerry Howarth and other officials celebrated the opening of the roadway on November 26.

Joining them were representatives from the Mississaugas of the Credit.

“This marks a significant milestone in the continuing evolution of Etobicoke Centre as a vital mixed-use, transit-oriented community,” Tory said.

Three names were unveiled of the city’s newest streets that will link the community.

They include Adobigok Pathway. Adobigok means ‘where the alders grow,” in Ojibwe. Biindagen Trail; Biindagen means “enter, come in or welcome,” in Anishinaabemowin or Ojibwe.

The third street is Jerry Howarth Drive: Howarth was a voice of the Toronto Blue Jays for 36 years and was one of the first sports broadcasters to refuse to use team names that were offensive to Indigenous peoples.

The new roadway provides safe and easier options for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

With roadway construction complete, space has been made available to provide new parks and generous boulevards, as well as housing, services for existing and new residents, and employment within the area, Tory said..

The construction of a new Etobicoke Civic Centre, at the intersection of Dundas Street West and Kipling Avenue, is expected to begin in February 2023. It will include municipal offices, a City-operated community recreation centre, a public library, a child care centre, a civic square, a multipurpose Council.

As part of the first phase of the Housing Now Initiative, two sites have been identified in Etobicoke Centre for new mixed-income housing, including new affordable rental units.

“The completion of the Six Points Interchange Reconfiguration is a significant milestone for our community,” Holyday said. “I look forward to the continued revitalization of this neighbourhood, which will help improve the quality of life for current and future residents.”

A new condo community is being planned for some of the land at the massive Cineplex Cinemas Queensway site near Islington Ave.

Verge Condos plans to build two towers, one 17 storeys another 10 storeys, with a total of 545 units, at 1001 The Queensway, on the northern section of the Cineplex property. The estimated completion date is set for Spring 2025.

A Scotia bank, bar and Montana restaurant, will be closed if not shut already, to make room for Verge Condos, as the development by RioCan Living is called.

Verge Condos will have over 12,000 square feet of indoor amenities and over 12,500 square feet of outdoor amenities including a fitness facility, content studio, outdoor terrace with games area, kid’s play area, outdoor dining and lounge seating, according to the company.

The units will start selling at more than $500,000 each and one free parking is included, according to a Verge website.

Verge in its advertisement states Etobicoke “is ranked one of the safest and most desirable neighbourhood in Toronto.”

“Verge is a vibrant neighbourhood full of local restaurants, cafés, parks, and entertainment options,” according to the site. “On the verge of excitement and relaxation, connections and conveniences, you can live well here, any way you choose.“

“With a systematic, modular design, clean lines, and modern sensibility, both buildings converge into a beautiful public realm with an art directed landscape that opens into a welcoming pedestrian square,” according to Raza Mehdi, of Turner Fleischer Architects.

Verge said there’s “transit at your door and an expansive range of indoor and outdoor lifestyle amenities, including a party room, cocktail lounge, co-working space with soundproof workstations, content studio, fitness and yoga.”

The complex will also feature outdoor grilling areas, life-sized chess and shuffle boards and an outdoor lounge fitted with a fire pit. Also included will be a putting green and landscaping on the 11th floor, while the ground floor will feature a collection of lounge seating, and indoor co-working spaces including meeting rooms, personal booths, and communal tables.

The kitchens boast a six-piece appliance package including a stainless steel refrigerator, an integrated electric cooktop and wall oven, an integrated dishwasher, a microwave with trim kit, and a ventilated hood fan.

Verge is promoting the public transit options, top-of-the-line Sherway Gardens shopping experience, easy access to highways, surrounded by shopping, dining and entertainment.

 

There will be no Santa Claus parade this year in New Toronto with all the laughing kids and colourful floats.

Instead parents and families are invited to join Santa on December 11 for a story and skate.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Colonel Samuel Smith Park Powerhouse Skating Trail for ‘story time and a visit’ with Santa.

Those on hand can also take a close up look at some of Santa’s favourite floats.

“Due to the shortened timeline we will not be able to mount the full parade we all know and love,” according to the Etobicoke Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade in a posting on social media. “Santa’s
looking forward to bringing all his friends and floats back next year with his full parade.”

 

South Etobicoke at one time was one of the more affordable places in the City of Toronto for people to find affordable housing.

Today, like most of the city, there is little affordable housing accessible to low income families, seniors, students or anyone searching.

Housing is a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive communities. Each year, National Housing Day is held on November 22. It’s a day to recognize the important work done by housing partners across Canada to improve access to housing for everyone in Canada.

In our community, a number of agencies have banded together to call for action. Groups like LAMP Community Health Centre, the Lakeshore Affordable Housing Advocacy and Action Group (LAHAAG) and  Humber Research Study on Affordable Housing (SEHA) have launched a campaign for action to addresses the ‘affordable housing crisis in South Etobicoke.’

Group members warn that investment companies are purchasing properties which are renovated and have their rent increased to displace renters.

“Using ‘rennovictions’ they get tenants to move and then jack up the rents unaffordable to the previous tenants and others on income supports,” according to a statement by the groups.

“This combined with gentrification of the area and skyrocketing house and apartment prices in the GTA has made renting unaffordable for many who have lived here all their lives,” the advocates say. “The crisis is that there is nothing for low income people to move into and we need to change that.”

They are calling on the three levels of government to build or convert buildings into affordable housing and ‘we need to give renters who are struggling to pay skyrocketing rents housing allowances to stay where they are. “

“We need more of the housing allowances-subsidies and higher ones for cities like Toronto where rents are much higher than in smaller towns,” the activists said.

Cards were sent to local politicians asking them to collaborate and work together to get results.

“We are calling for some kindness and positive advocacy to raise awareness about the need for action now around affordable housing in South Etobicoke,” they said.

For more information contact Jasmind@lampchc.org or at 416 252 6471 ext 308.

Food lovers now have a taste of fabulous cuisine from Bahamas, or the ‘Island nation,’ without taking a three-hour flight to Nassau.

Two enterprising sisters have opened Da JunkAnuu Shak, at 2878 Lake Shore Blvd. W., which caters to the many Bahamians and Caribbean ex-pats longing for a little bit of home.

Terrell Finley and her younger sister, Jamonique Leathen, arrived here years ago from the Bahamas as students to study at Cape Breton University, in Nova Scotia.

They moved to Toronto and were longing for back home food and culture.

“We aspire to give our customers that tropical vibe of paradise when entering our doors and to create an amazing atmosphere for all to enjoy,” Finley says. “Our aim is to entice you with a diverse atmosphere of relaxation, entertainment and socializing.’

The sisters are working to make Da JunkAnuu Shak “a leading establishment that provides a Tropical cultural experience for every customer.”

Their dishes include many favourites from back home like crack or lobster fritters, crack chicken, salmon, peas and rice, baked macaroni and an assortment of exotic drinks, like the ‘Miami Vice daiquiri.’

“When we came to Toronto we found there was no place for us to celebrate our food, music and culture,” says Finley. “We realized that we had to start our own place for authentic food and drinks.”’

She notes that customers have been driving from Windsor and across the Toronto area to visit their Lakeshore Village eatery and lounge to enjoy the Caribbean vibes.

“There are a lot of Bahamians out there and they are crazy for the food,” she says. “They have been coming from Scarborough, Niagara Falls and other areas.”

Leathen says they were searching for about a year to find a suitable spot for their restaurant. She said it was not a smooth or easy ride to get here.

“People want fresh and natural food that is authentic,” she adds. “I think people come here for the genuine Bahamian food.”

They are in the process of completing a lounge, which will feature lively music, two billiard tables and coconut palms so people can have a truly tropical experience.

“This community has been good to us,” Leathen agreed. “Word has gotten around fast and people are coming in for the experience.”

Local barber Andy Dinner says the lobster and fritters are second to none and some of the best that he’s tasted.

“The food is great,” Dinner tells a customer. “I am from the East Coast and have tasted a lot of lobster but this has got to be one of the best that I have had.”

The restaurant has been getting good reviews and area residents seem to like the food.

Da JunkAnuu Shak can be reached at 416- 251-5721 or by email at admin@dajunkanuushak.com

You can visit them online at www.dajunkanuushak.com They are closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Some South Etobicoke residents have banded together to provide 10,000 meals this year to those who are homeless and in dire need in our community.

Project Good Karma was founded in January 2021 and have so far provided about 7,000 meals to feed the hungry in Toronto shelters, St. Felix Centre, Horizons 4 Youth and Etobicoke’s Youth Without Shelter.

“We are a grassroots volunteer run group and many of the meals are funded by ourselves or through donations from family and friends,” says Richard Ramsuchit, who with girlfriend, Dayna, founded the non-profit charity, which was supposed to run for a year and has been extended due to the demands for food.

“Project Good Karma is looking to help decrease the scarcity around food in this city,” Ramsuchit says. “The pandemic has dramatically increased the levels of food insecurity among our community members and have impacted the donations normally received by shelters.”

He said many shelters had to stop volunteer programs that would normally have people come in and help cook meals for clients at shelters.

“With our program we are hoping that we can help decrease this anxiety around food that shelters may experience by even a little,” he says.

Due to COVID-19, the amount of people relying on meal programs and services has increased due to job losses caused by the pandemic, according to Ramsuchit.

Group members say there seems to be more people homeless and in need of food in South Etobicoke than ever before. They plan to continue feeding the hungryr as long as there is a need.

“Many more people are now relying on meals provided by shelters to help them,” he explains.

They are seeking volunteers who can cook, or sponsor a meal. The group is also working with restaurants to obtain meals.

They have created a Go Fund Me page for those who want to donate to a worthy cause this Christmas.

So far more than $6,000 have been donated to help the group purchase food and other badly needed items.

According to City statistics from 850 to 2,000 youth are homeless on any given night in Toronto. Many more are experiencing hidden homelessness. Some 3,300 to 10,000 youth experience homelessness over the course of a year in Toronto, or about one in a 100 youth.

The statistics show that 20% of the Canadian homelessness population are youth between the ages of 13 and 24.

You can donate by going to their Go Fund Me page on social media.