The South Etobicoke News

Serving Humber * Mimico * Lakeshore Village * Long Branch * Alderwood

Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade may fall victim with others to COVID

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The long-awaited 30th annual Etobicoke Santa Claus Parade has become one of dozens of events being cancelled or going virtual this year due to COVID-19.

Dozens of iconic events like the 115th Toronto Santa Claus Parade, Beaches Santa Claus Parade, North Etobicoke Santa Claus Parade, Toronto Christmas Market and even New Years’s Eve on Nathan Phillips Square were cancelled this year.

A scaled- back Halloween Corner sponsored by the Lakeshore Village BIA takes place at Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Sixth Street on October 31 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free treats!

Organizers of the Etobicoke Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade hope to have a virtual or other form of the event, where Santa may still make an appearance. Details are pending.

‘ It is with heavy hearts we announce that as per regulation and recommendation, there will be no physical parade this year,” organizers of the popular Etobicoke Lakeshore event said on social media. “… we reiterate that we will not be soliciting sponsorship this year, given the impossible year small businesses have faced.”

They say plans are being worked on so the thousands of children and parents who yearly line Lake Shore Blvd. W., in New Toronto and Long Branch can still see the jolly old man.

“We may be physically distant, but we can stay close with creativity, imagination, a little magic, and some help from our dedicated committee volunteers,” they wrote.

The parade attracts dozens of Christmas-related floats from area businesses and has been organized by an army of volunteers for the past three decades.

More than three dozen popular events that occur around in Toronto at this time of the year have been denied permits by the City due to the pandemic, which has surged in recent weeks.

Among the other events cancelled includes: Nuit Blanche, which will be altered or online, CIBC Run for the Cure (altered or online), cancelled outright are Ride to Defeat Diabetes for JDRF, 10th Annual Smoke Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship, Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Just for Laughs Toronto Street Festival, Halloween on Church and Festival of Lights.

The Cavalcade of Lights is also cancelled, Christmas in the Square with the Salvation Army is pending; so is KitzFest, Beaches Lions Christmas Tree Sale, Fairbank Village-Light Up the Holidays, 30th Annual Kensington Market Winter Solstice, Bloor Yorkville Holiday Magic, Riverside Halloween Fest, Heddington Halloween, Hanley Halloween 2020, Korean Week is cancelled, so is Himalayan Mela and the Canadian and Chinese Traditional Art Show.

Other high-profile summer events as Pride Toronto, Caribana, the CNE, Taste of the Danforth, the Honda Indy, Beaches International Jazz Festival and others were cancelled due to the virus.

Budding New Toronto comic Dinner is barber with a heart

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New Toronto’s newest stylist Andy Dinner says he is a ’barber with a heart.’

The owner of Your Neighbourhood Barbershop, at 2858 Lakeshore Blvd. W., recently purchased $50 in coupons from his neighbour, Big Guy’s Little Coffee Shop, to give free coffees to his customers.

A part-time stand-up comic, he is also working with LAMP and St. Margarets’ Church, on Sixth Street, to provide free trims for those in need or seeking jobs.

“That’s just the type of guy I am,” Dinner says. “I am from around here. I like the people and they support me.”

He is an affable stylist, who makes customers feel welcomed and at home in his shop. The bright and friendly salon has been opened for just over a month and customers, or friends, are checking it out.

“Awesome addition to New Toronto,” says area resident, Jay Schramek. “Had a trim today. Fantastic service and outstanding cut.”

He also provides a $10 discount for seniors and there are further savings for those seeking cuts who suffer from Down Syndrome and autism, he says.

“There are a lot of seniors in need of support in the community,” Dinner notes.  “I want to make people look good and feel good about themselves.”

As he says: “I am a bald barber and want to make people appreciate their hair.”

When not styling, Dinner (yes, his real name) is busy cracking jokes.

He recently appeared and received good reviews at a comedy show featured at Kitchen On Sixth Restaurant, which is always busy.

“He is funny,” one attendee said. “His jokes about growing up were pretty good.”

Dinner is involved in different charities or projects in the community that some call him a “barber with a heart.”

Your Neighbourhood Barbershop can be reached at 416-919-7463 or by email at info@yourneighbourhoodbarbershop.com

 

 

Emerging artist Naz making beautiful art in Long Branch, Alderwood

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Emerging artist and illustrator  Nazli ‘Naz’ Nahidi loves painting contemporary works including Bell Box Murals and cutting-edge street art.

Nahidi  on Monday will be joining more than a dozen visual artists to paint her second Bell Box Mural in south Etobicoke. She painted her first last year.

“Her work is emotionally charged and in part echoes the visceral effects of emotions as well as personifies feelings,” her website says. “She explores themes of connection, disassociation, closeness, fear and being.”

The 2020 Etobicoke Lakeshore Bell Box Murals begin on August 10 and runs until August 23 during which visual artists will paint 16 boxes in the Long Branch and Alderwood areas.

Since 2009 artists from the Murals Project have painted over 350 murals on Bell Canada outdoor utility boxes in 36 communities throughout Toronto, Southern Ontario and Quebec.

The Iranian-born artist has painted two large outdoor murals in Don Mills and assisted on the maintenance of the Mural Routes Connections mural on Don Mills Rd.

She also last year painted a digital for the Fringe Festival’s temporary patio, Postscript.

For the next two weeks Naz will be painting a box at 1 Thirty Second Street, and she welcomes visitors.

Check out more of her work at https://www.naznahidi.com/ and Instagram: @nznhidi

The Bell Box Murals are a partnership between Ward 3 councillor Mark Grimes, City of Toronto, Lakeshore Arts, and Community Matters Toronto.

Other Bell Box Mural artists include: Marley Allen-Ash, Heidi Berton, Talie Shalmon, GETSO, Jieun June Kim, Gosia Komorski, Daniela Rocha, Laura Smith, Camila Wong, Katika Marczell, Linh Thai, Andre Kan, Yasaman Mehrsa, Andrea Rodriguez and Melika Saeeda.

 

Popular drive-in movies at Sherway Mall almost sold out

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See you at the movies!
CF Sherway Gardens Mall is hosting a popular outdoor drive-in-movie experience on Thursdays and Sundays at one of their converted parking lots.

The shows began on July 29 and will run for three weeks. It features a double bill at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and tickets are $10 per car. Tickets are strictly on a first-come, first-served basis with all proceeds being donated to charity.

Many of the older pre-released fun movies are already sold out.

Sherway officials say this is a great way to spend “a fun family night or a date night to remember.”

The mall has partnered with the City of Toronto on their Drive-InTO initiative, which is focused on bringing temporary drive-in entertainment experiences to the City this summer.

On the third weekend, in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada, Sherway will be hosting a special night showcasing  Canadian content including the feature film, True North: Inside the Rise of Toronto Basketball (E); Mighty Jerome (E), which chronicles the rise, fall and redemption of Harry Jerome, Canada’s most record-setting track and field star; and the profoundly moving film, nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up (E) that tells the powerful story of the death of a young Cree man named Colten Boushie and his family’s fight for justice.

Some of the upcoming movies include:

Saturday, August 8 at 6:00pm – The Wild Life (PG)

[SOLD OUT] Saturday, August 8 at 9:00pm – Long Shot (14A)

Thursday, August 13 at 6:00pm – True North (E) – in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada

Thursday, August 13 at 9:00pm – nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up (E) – in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada

Friday, August 14 at 6:00pm – Mighty Jerome (E) – in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada

Friday, August 14 at 9:00pm – True North (E) – in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada

[SOLD OUT] Saturday, August 15 at 6:00pm – The Wild Life (PG)

[SOLD OUT] Saturday, August 15 at 9:00pm – Long Shot (14A)

 

 

Man taken to hospital in morning crash on Horner Ave.

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A man was rushed to hospital this morning after a collision between a car and a motorcycle near Horner and Alderbrae Aves., in South Etobicoke.

Toronto Police Traffic officers say a man suffered a serious injuries in the crash involving a car and motorbike on August 7, around 7 a.m.

“Drivers and pedestrians please move over and allow emergency vehicles to pass,” police said on Twitter afterwards.

Police say the man is expected to survive. The motorist was unhurt.

Some roads were closed in the area as police conducted their investigation.

 

Art advocate Ashley Watson now head of Lakeshore Arts

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A champion and advocate for the arts in South Etobicoke has returned as the new Executive Director for Lakeshore Arts.

Ashley Watson, who previously worked for Lakeshore Arts (LSA), began her new role on July 30.

“It’s great to be coming back to Lakeshore Arts and build on the amazing work done by Susan Nagy (previous Executive Director)” Ashley said. “I look forward to collaborating with our staff, board members and the Etobicoke community to continue to grow Lakeshore Art’s inclusive arts programming.”

She is known as an accomplished arts leader, who is well-respected in the arts community.

“Community arts are special since the development and presentation of art is done in collaboration with the community,” Ashley said. “Art is a powerful tool for expression, learning and connecting with each other.”

She is “uniquely qualified to lead the team that delivers LSA community-focused arts programs,” according to a news release. The former teacher is credited for growing LSA from “a local Mimico-focused organization to one working to deliver arts programming to underserved communities across Etobicoke.”

Lakeshore Arts President Marijana Cuvalo says Ashley has a “wealth of experience in championing the arts and advocating for the needs of the South Etobicoke community.”

Cuvalo says the LSA is entering a new chapter “one still extremely committed to driving cultural, social and artistic growth and building inclusive, healthy communities.”

Ashley previously worked a Development and Partnerships Manager and Operations Manager with LSA.

She has served as a founding curator of Humber Galleries where she established multiple gallery spaces and a collection of contemporary Canadian artwork. She holds a Master of Arts degree specializing in Art, Museum and Gallery Studies from University of Leicester, U.K.

Ashley has previously taught at University of Toronto, Humber College and University of Guelph.

 

The Westwood Theatre showed first-run flicks for 50-plus years

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By DAVE KOSONIC

The long-gone Westwood Theatre went down like the Titanic, the last movie shown at the storied south Etobicoke movie house.

Development was expected to be completed this Spring on the 13.8-acre site that is soon to be home of a new Etobicoke Civic Centre, public square, recreation centre, library, office space and child care facility.

Many moviegoers like to recall the good old days when they could enjoy first-run movies at the Westwood while munching on candy floss, hot dogs and popcorn.

The Westwood was located at the southeast corner of Six Points, or spaghetti junction, where Bloor and Dundas Sts. and Kipling Ave. met.  This location was highly accessible, there was plenty of free parking and theatre seated about 1,000 fans.

The popular cinema opened in February 1952 and the featured flicks as Laughter in Paradise and You Never Can Tell. Dudley Dumont was the first manager whose success included screening good movies at discount prices so that the seats were always filled. By 1996 it cost $3 to see the thriller Mars Attacks.

The Westwood opened with one screen. In 1968 an addition was built on the east side of the building that included a second screen.  In 1980 the large original screen was divided in half creating three theatres.  Movie buffs were overjoyed with more and more movies to view.

The Saturday afternoon matinees were packed with school kids who were dropped off at the front door of the show.  Many of these youngsters were more interested in the snack bar rather than the movies being screened.  Groups of young guys would often sit in the back rows and get noisy.  The ushers, who wore dapper tailored uniforms, would shine their flashlights on the youths and order them to sit still.

Sadly, for countless Westwood fans the theatre was closed in 1998, and ironically the last movie shown was Titanic.  The facility was shut because some politicians at the time thought that the theatre land could be better used for other purposes.  But that vision is taking a long time.

Before the Etobicoke landmark was demolished in 2013, it served as a shelter for homeless cats and In 2003 was used for the filming of the movie Resident Evil.

Some Westwood lovers wanted the old and bold Westwood sign saved and displayed to mark the theatre’s more than 50-years of operation, but that did not occur.

 

 

Banners welcome NHL Stars to the City & South Etobicoke

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Let our national sport begin!

Two large banners and dozens of smaller posters welcoming NHL Eastern Conference players, including our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs, were placed on businesses in New Toronto.

Area residents are hoping the NHL stars will see the banners and posters from their ‘Toronto bubble’ as they travel by team bus along Lake Shore Blvd. W. for a skate at the Ford Centre for Performance, on Kipling Ave.

“We want the players to know that they are welcome as they drive by,” says Chris Korwin Kuczynski, Chair of the Board of the Lakeshore Village BIA. “We want them to have a good time and some good games in Toronto.”

One of the banner was placed outside the Maple Leaf House Grill & Lounge, at First St., where there was a well-attended media conference.

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have announced return-to-play protocols, which features Toronto and Edmonton acting as hub cities for players to better fight COVID-19.

Most of the Eastern Conference players are expected to arrive in Toronto on Sunday, July 26.

Some are expected to practice at the Ford Centre, which is used by the Leafs.

Many spots where fans can usually see their favourite players have been shut or are non-accessible due to the pandemic.

“We want to welcome all the players on behalf of the Lake Shore Village BIA,” Korwin Kuczynski says. “We want them to have an excellent season.”

The teams will be isolated and confined to ‘a bubble’ to avert the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The NHL playoffs this year is slated to begin on July 30 after a week of training camp.

The league consists of 31 teams, 24 of which are based in the U.S. and seven in Canada.

 

 

Community wishes new dad Usain Bolt a new and happy life

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Happy Daddy Usain.

Members of the Jamaican community are wishing a happy fatherhood to former Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt, whom they say is one of their hero and favourite athlete.

The proud sprinter was all smiles on July 8 as he showed off his daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt to the world.

Bolt and his girlfriend Kasi Bennett, a model, are parents to Baby Olympia, who was born in May.

“Now we have started a new chapter together with our daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt I look forward to what the future will bring for us but be reassured that I will be the ROCK for this family,” the famous athlete wrote to Kasi on her birthday. “I Love you and happy 21th birthday.”

The couple have been dating for several years. Bolt has said he wanted to father three children.

The eight-time Olympic gold medalist is widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time. He is the only sprinter to win the Olympic 100-metre and Olympic 200-metre titles at three consecutive Olympics.

 

 

Etobicoke Community Concert Band silenced by COVID

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Some members of the Etobicoke Community Concert Band got together on Canada Day to celebrate the country’s birthday but may have to wait a while yet to celebrate their own. Helen, John and Dave (left to right) gathered at Applewood Shaver House to perform a version of O’ Canada on the steps.

It may be a while yet before the band is able to do a full show because of COVID 19. The COVID restrictions affect rehearsals as well as performances.

The popular and well-known band had to cancel shows in March and May as well as its summer concert in the park series.

The next scheduled show is October 30 when the band hopes to celebrate its 25th anniversary but that show may also have to be cancelled if there are still COVID restrictions in effect.

You can get updated information on the band at https://www.eccb.ca/