The South Etobicoke News

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

Romaine and Dallas saying goodbye to the NTB and dear friends

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A mom-and-son business team are saying goodbye after 12-years of operating a billiards hall in New Toronto.

Dallas Dyer, and his mom, Romaine Andronyk, have been operating the popular NTB New Toronto Billiards, at 2878 Lake Shore Blvd. W., which has been the scene of many good times since 2008.

The saddened couple in a posting on social media say it has been great and they are moving on.

“It’s been 12 wonderful years since we opened our doors,” they wrote. “We have made great memories along the way … but for us, it’s time to move on to other things.”

The duo say they will shut their doors forever on August 29.

“This will be the end of our era,” they told their customers. “We want to thank everyone that has supported us over the years.”

They thanked landlord Gord Faulkner, the former owner of Faulkner Appliances, calling him ‘a stand-up guy for years of mutual respect.”

The pool hall was described as “Etobicoke’s Best Kept Secret,” in that they served ‘a wide range of drink selections plus a special every night to keep our costs affordable and your nights fun.’

The hideaway lounged offered cocktails, brews and pub eats, plus pool tables, darts and regular live music.

“We are a home away from home for a lot of people,” they say. “Memories are made, celebrations are had and friendships are created once you come into NTB.’

The hall hosted or sponsored some of the best pool and dart players and teams like the Canadian Poolplayers’ Association League.

Long-time pool player R. Anthony Rock says the closing will bring tears to his eye.

“I have photo albums on Facebook of the time spent at NTB Lounge from the beginning and over the years,” Rock recalls. “Their closing will bring a tear to the eye, but the fondest memories will bring the broadest smiles.”

Top pool player Tom Polsinelli says the high-quality pool tables are level and the temperature in the venue was always cool enough to keep balls rolling properly.

The hall has also been a venue for darts tournaments, musical jams and variety shows for the LGBT community. Even Toronto Marlies hockey players have been spotted playing ping pong here.

Great Lakes Brewery pale ale to help raise funds for young girls

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A local craft brewery has joined forces to help raise funds to empower young girls.

Great Lakes Brewery (GLB) today launched a new brew, Empowered, a 4.6% New England style Pale Ale, to help raise funds for the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment (J.A.C.), on Portland St.

“The COVID pandemic dealt a devastating blow to community businesses, associations and charitable groups, of all shapes and stripes, and now is the time to support one another,” says Peter Bulut, the Owner and President of Great Lakes Brewery.

“It brings me great pleasure to share the details of our latest community-conscious beer – Empowered – with my dear friend, Jean Augustine and her terrific Centre.”

He says $1 from each can purchased will be donated to J.A.C., who are committed to ‘building the self-esteem and self-worth of young women and girls by positively influencing their outlook on life, broadening their horizon and helping them to empower themselves through programs, camps, workshops and events.’

“Jean has done so much for the South Etobicoke community, for so many years, helping improve the lives of Etobicans through programs and policy, all done through respect and kindness,” notes Bulut, adding when he found out the Centre was impacted “we immediately wanted to help out.”

Emma Asiedu-Akrofi, Executive Director of J.A.C., says “proceeds from the sale of Empowered will go towards ensuring we can continue to provide programs and services that foster the healthy development of girls and young women.”

Empowered will be available for a limited time at the GLB online shop for free local home delivery, or curbside pickup.  The 473-ml cans retails for $3 each, 8 packs for $24, 24 case for $60.

Empowered Pale Ale is a complex beer that is brewed for a great cause. It has aromas of tropical fruits as pineapple, mango, grapefruit, peach, and pear, with a touch of floral notes.

GLB is located at 30 Queen Elizabeth Blvd. They can be reached by email at info@greatlakesbeer.com or visit www.greatlakesbeer.com or phone 416-255-4510.

MP Augustine is the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons. She was elected in the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore in 1993 and sat in Parliament until 2006. During this time, she served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Minister of State & Deputy Speaker.

 

The rise and fall of Goodyear Tire after 70-years in New Toronto

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Some of us will never forget.

It was 30-years ago this month when many of us gathered somberly to watch as the iconic Goodyear Tire and Rubber Plant smokestack came crashing to the ground after 73-years as part of the New Toronto skyline.

Dozens of residents and onlookers of all ages ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ as the solid brick structure fell to the ground with a thud within seconds of explosives being lit at its base.

The Goodyear plant was built in 1917 on a 23-acre site north side of Lake Shore Blvd., between Ninth and Fourteenth Sts. Lakeshore Village, a number of condos, apartment buildings and townhouses now mark the spot.

New Toronto Council at the time lured Goodyear to the site by promising an unlimited water supply.

The plant for many years made tires for cars, trucks, logging, farm vehicles and industrial uses.

By 1927, the U.S.-based company was manufacturing 50% of all the auto tires in Canada. For more than 60-years the firm was a leader in the tire industry.

It all changed in the 1980s after Goodyear ran into financial difficulty as part of a threatened hostile takeover. Its U.S. executives as a result decided to close the New Toronto site because it ‘had the lowest productivity level of all their plants.’

The local community and hundreds of workers were devastated when the plant closed on May 31, 1987 and was subsequently demolished.

Goodyear in its prime had three shifts and 1,300 employees, which increased to 2,800 during the Second World War.

The company was a good corporate citizen and had its own cafeteria, bowling alleys, police force, internal newspaper and baseball team. Some 47 Goodyear employees were killed in World War II and the company donated a camp to the Boy Scouts in their memory.

Many New Toronto residents still have fond memories of the plant, which had its own musical band.

“My grandfather worked on the Goodyear Police force for over 20-years until he retired in the early 1960s,” wrote Kate Latham on social media.

“My grandfather Richard Thompson drove a team of horses during the excavation and site preparation for the plant,” recalls Wendy Gibson. “My father Raymond Thompson worked at the plant after his return from WWII until about 1970 in the shipping department.”

Barb Johnson MacDonald says her dad worked at the plant for 16-years until 1965.

“He was a shipper-receiver and he said it was hard work, but he enjoyed his job there,” she wrote. “He used to smell like rubber when he came home from work.”

 

 

Lucky’s promises the best poutine and fried chicken in the city

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Restauranteur Marcus Soumh is thankful that Lucky’s Chicken N’ Waffles ended up in New Toronto after being refused a lease in a more expensive part of the community.

“It worked out better for us,” Soumh says. “The people are great and we get a lot more walk-in traffic here.”

The clean and newly-renovated restaurant advertises the ‘best poutine and fried chicken in the city.’

“We sell the best Halal buttermilk fried chicken in Toronto,” Soumh promises. “Come ready to eat you won’t be disappointed.”

And their style of licking chicken is catching on as there are often many chicken-lovers waiting outside the 2977 LakeShore Blvd. W. store as their orders are cooked.

The chicken is tasty and good, so is the poutine, which I tried, and must say is thick and cheesy with tasty curds, which they say comes from Quebec.

They have a number of poutines available including the Yardbird poutine, Classic poutine, veggie poutine. And their Chicken and Waffles, for $19, comes with three buttermilk fried chicken drums on a waffle with Lucky’s maple sauce and maple syrup.

The eatery had a soft opening on August 1 and Soumh says so far it has been very encouraging for him and his staff. It did take them a long time to find the location they wanted.

“I have travelled a lot and eaten from a number of chicken waffle places,” he explains. “I know that people liked it so I though why not.”

Originally from Montreal, he says area residents have warmed up to his style of poulet.

“The community has been great and the people awesome,” Soumh says. “Most of the people are very supportive and want to try our food.”

Even other restaurants nearby like Kitchen on the Sixth have tweeted about the tastiness of Lucky’s chicken wings and other dishes.

“The food is great and I have told other people to eat there,” says local resident Nima. “I hope that they do well and I will be coming back.”

Another resident Cinderalla posted online that the food was delicious and the service was outstanding.

“It is a great addition to the neighbourhood,” she wrote. “Their prices seem very reasonable, the food really great taste and excellent customer service.”

 

Musician Zuraw has performed in every bar on the Lakeshore

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Long-time area musician Roger Zuraw, whose claim to fame is that he has performed at every bar on the Lakeshore, has released two new discs for his loyal fans.

The popular guitarist, who is known for ‘his pleasant songs about the virtues of Toronto multiculturalism,’ is hoping residents will like his latest CDs ‘Long ago Lakeshore Ramble,” and another of Polish hits, for those who are familiar with his tunes.

Zuraw has been performing in area bars, taverns and other venues for years. Music lovers say beneath his innocuous exterior lurks the ‘raw, passionate heart of a man who’s seen life from both sides, as his songs, such as “Homeless Man” reveals.

He is known for his breakout hits Mimico Jail, Headboard Boogie and I gotta hunch.

“There used to be many more live music venues in the neighbourhood,” he worries. “There was always work in the bars once the people liked you and the band.”

He says much of the work for musicians began drying up before COVID-19, which totally killed the business.

Zuraw also has a line of ‘You’ve gotta love the Shore’ t-shirts for sale.

He has written more than 60 songs over the years, which he sells online, at shows or in the community.

“At one time there were many more musicians like me in the area,” Zuraw frets of past days, when the nightlife in the area was flourishing. “It is hard now to earn a living in this game.”

His discs and t-shirts are about $25 each and you can reach him by email at rogerzurawsong@yahoo.ca.

He will meet you in the community with the items.

 

Artist selected for memorial sculpture to honour escaped slave Glover

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Award-winning artist and educator Quentin VerCetty has been selected to design a memorial sculpture of escaped U.S. slave Joshua Glover, who fell in love and was adopted by Etobicoke residents.

VerCetty, who is from Rexdale, was introduced by Mayor John Tory following a selection process at Montgomery’s Inn on August 13.

“His (Glover’s) story, both here and in the United States, helped to propel the abolitionist movement,” Tory said.

Glover escaped slavery in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1852, and eventually ended up in Racine, Wisconsin. In 1854, he was recaptured and taken to a Milwaukee jail. Thousands of residents protested at the jail, releasing Glover.

Through the Underground Railroad, he made his way to a boat that brought him to Ontario. He eventually settled in the Lambton Mills area of Etobicoke working for Thomas Montgomery, the owner of Montgomery’s Inn.

VerCetty said he is pleased to be selected for the meaningful and high-profile project.

“I was once told that a successful art piece is an art piece that contains a bit of the artist’s soul in it,” he said.

“People thought I made that story up and it was interesting because they always asked me, ‘Where’s the proof? Where are these stories in our history books?”

His bust shows the top half of Glover’s body with a cyborg-like right arm with shackles and on Glover’s left side he can be seen wearing a suit and holding books close to his chest.

VerCetty is a multidisciplinary visual storyteller and arts educator who is currently working on his Masters degree in Art Education at Concordia University with a focus on teaching Afrofuturism in underserved communities.

His art has been featured in numerous media outlets and publications in Japan, Haiti, Peru, Ghana, Australia, United Arab Emirate and France.

“Most of my work is done off research. Either my life or something I was exposed to and wanted to learn more about,” said Vercetty.  “It’s not about making money; it’s about making connections through this opportunity.”

Glover’s was selected for recognition by the Etobicoke Historical Society. His bust will be displayed in park named after him in the Dundas St. W., and Royal York Rd. area.

 

 

 

 

City to honour former slave Joshua Glover who fell in love with Etobicoke

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Escaped U.S. slave Joshua Glover loved Etobicoke and 166-years-later the City of Toronto is moving closer to honouring him.

Mayor John Tory will be hosting a press conference at Montgomery’s Inn on August 13 at 10:30 a.m. to announce the winner of a public art competition.

​The City of Toronto’s Arts and Culture Services, working with the Etobicoke Historical Society, had invited proposals for the creation of a public heritage memorial to be dedicated to Glover. The process was slowed down due to the COVID-19.

Glover escaped slavery in 1852, and made his way from St. Louis, Missouri into Canada assisted by the Underground Railroad. In 1854 he found work and shelter in the community of Etobicoke. His story was important to the abolitionist movement, and in general to Canada as well.

Fittingly, the project is to be located in the new Joshua Glover Park in Etobicoke in the Lambton Mills area where Glover settled after arriving in Canada.

Naming the small park after Glover was decided by participants of a 2015 survey organized by the City’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division in consultation with the local Councillor out of three possible names that were shortlisted.

For much of his life Glover lived in a small house in Lambton Mills, owned by Thomas Montgomery the proprietor of Montgomery’s Inn where Glover found employment.

He married twice, both times to Irish women, which marked two of the earliest inter-racial marriages in Etobicoke. Glover died in a seniors’ home in Newmarket at the age of 74, after having been embraced by the community of Etobicoke during his life here.

Glover’s story resonates with the citizens of Racine and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In Milwaukee at the intersection of Glover Ave. and Booth St., there is a large plaque that recounts the dramatic “Rescue of Joshua Glover.”

After escaping St. Louis, Glover was recaptured and incarcerated in a jail in Milwaukee. Led by local newspaper owner and anti-slavery activist Sherman Booth, some 5,000 people stormed the jail, set Glover free and facilitated his journey through safe houses along the Underground Railroad to freedom in Canada.

The public outcry surrounding the Glover case and the legal prosecution of Booth after the rescue advanced the cause of the abolition of slavery in the U.S.

Glover’s story has been kept alive in newspaper articles, books, a play, an opera and a one man show which had its debut at the Montgomery’s Inn.

 

More marijuana stores setting up shop in the community

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The Ontario government seems to be handing out licences for cannabis stores like candy.

At least 12 marijuana retail or accessory stores will be opening up soon in Etobicoke, with at least nine of them setting up shop in the Lakeshore community.

A comprehensive list of upcoming marijuana stores is published by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) on their website.

AGCO said they issue about 20 cannabis Retail Store Applications monthly from the hundreds of applications that they receive. They applications are dealt with in the order that they are received.

The organization states that cannabis stores are “in progress” of opening at 3409 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Ameri at 3683 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Green Grow Cannabis at 3755 Lakeshore Blvd. W., and Lakeview Cannabis at 4 Mimico Ave.

More stores in various stages of opening include: McCannabis at 5485 Dundas St. W., and 3812 Bloor St. W., Em Jay’s at 5160 Dundas St. W., Tokyo Smoke at 164 Evans Ave., and Etobicoke Cannabis at 1172 The Queensway,

Area councillor Stephen Holyday in a June letter to the AGCO expressed concerns that some of the stores may be too close to schools or parks and they should keep that in mind when they issue permits.

Holyday wrote that he has been contacted by numerous residents who have raised concerns about the poor suitability of the locations and the increased risk of access to cannabis by minors.

“Some locations are very close to more than one school and they are located at or near strip plazas and parks which are frequented by youth,” he noted. “The provincial regulations require a distance of 150 metres between the retailer and a school and many find this too permissive given the context.”

Holyday says AGCO is the regulator and approval authority for the retailers and there is limited opportunity for the public and elected municipal officials to intervene in these decisions.

There are already four marijuana accessory stores in business along Lake Shore Blvd. W., and in Alderwood.

Plans underway to update Cloverdale Mall to 21st century standards

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The dated Cloverdale Mall which our parents loved is being updated, modernized and being brought up to the 21st century.

B.C. developer QuadReal Property Group, who also own the Campbell’s Soup property in New Toronto, has released details of a ‘multi-building, mixed-use development’ to take the place of the largely one-storey shopping centre near Highway 427 and Bloor St. W.

The developer on August 6 released its plan for the mall and the 12-hectare site as it applies to the City of Toronto for an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and Zoning Bylaw Amendments (ZBA).

QuadReal plans a “mixed-use, multi-tower, complete community to blossom around a new retail high street.” A large section of the property has remained vacant since Target left Canada.

The company dedicated space in the mall ‘Cloverdale Common,’ for community activities and public information about the proposal. They have also had three open houses over a 16-month period for residents to offer input into the massive project.

Cloverdale’s footprint at 250 the East Mall will be upgraded to a number of condo towers offering a whopping 334,000 square metres of living space between 4,050 units, with ample green space interspersed in between them, along with a food market building, community centre and more.

The residential structures range from between 24 and 48 storeys, and will feature a new “retail main street” that will have storefronts and cafes at ground level. There will be six-storey podiums that help form a street wall along a new retail-lined road running through the property.

This ‘retail main street’ and proposed ‘Cloverdale Square’ will serve as a new retail heart of the community. A food-oriented market building features outdoor patios and terraces, with a multi-purpose arts and culture-focused community hub positioned on the upper level.

The centre of the site will be the glazed glass-covered Cloverdale Square, which will increase the retail space of the project to 26,000 square metres and offer even more residences in low-and mid-rise buildings.

The developer says a minimum of 40 percent of the units would be designated as family-sized layouts.

There will be about 10 residential towers, which will decrease in height from south to north and west to east, with the tallest buildings acting as a buffer from the Highway 427 corridor.

A separate rezoning application has been submitted by QuadReal for a triangular site east of the mall at 2 East Mall Crescent, in which they are seeking to demolish a gas station and Beer Store, which will be replaced by a 27-storey residential tower and a six-storey mid-rise atop a connected base building. The 450-unit development will include 200 m² of retail space.

The amenities of the site will be connected by a series of roadways and pedestrian or cyclist paths, and there will be multiple levels of both underground and above-ground parking, a neighbourhood park, rooftop greenery and court yards.

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.