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.

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.

 

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.

Officials warn about dangers of leaving pets locked in vehicles in the heat

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It is a yearly warning that seems to go unheeded.

Toronto Police, vets and firefighters are warning residents not to leave their pets, or even children, in locked vehicles during this heatwave even if the windows are slightly opened.

The warnings are being repeated after an area woman locked her dog in an SUV in a parking lot, which took firefighters some time to rescue.

The firefighters spent a fair bit of time rescuing the animal when they could be doing other duties, an official noted.

“Under no circumstance should you take your pet in your car if you think you might have to leave it in there, even if only for five minutes, warns veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford.

Shopping trips are one of the most common scenarios where this occurs, he says.

The best thing an owner can do on a hot day is to leave their pet at home, “in a cool spot with lots of water,” the vets advise.

Police say if you must take your pet with you in the car, make sure someone is always with them.

“One of the best ways to cool them off is to soak their fur, so you can take a bottle of water and literally soak (them) — especially their ears and their feet,” an officer said.

Exercising in warm weather can cause a pet to overheat so be aware of and watch for signs of heatstroke, says the Toronto Humane Society, adding the symptoms for dogs can be excessive panting, fatigue, glazed eyes or a dazed expression and vomiting.

“An immediate response to if your animal is overheating would include removing them from the heat and placing them in a cooler area,” the THS suggested.

They say when it comes to dogs, pay extra attention to younger, older and heavier pets, dog breeds who have short noses and any pets with health issues.

Ontario is the first jurisdiction in Canada to have a full animal welfare enforcement system. The Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act came into effect in January 2020 and allows police to enter motor vehicles to help pets in distress.

If you see an animal in a hot car and are concerned the animal’s life is in immediate danger, dial 911. Members of the public should not attempt to enter a vehicle in these situations.

 

 

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)

 

 

Work to begin on Bell Box Murals and Eighth St. Skatepark

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Sure to beautify our community.

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.

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

The Murals Project is a partnership between Councillor Mark Grimes, City of Toronto, Lakeshore Arts, and Community Matters Toronto.

Work is also ongoing on the Eighth St. Skatepark Murals Project to enhance the facility through murals by local artists.

The project began in the summer 2017 with a mural created by Lakeshore Art’s ARTiculate: Youth Leadership In the Arts program, led by artist Moises Frank (Luvsumone). Additionally, the bowl was painted by Moises and artist Javid that year.

In 2018, the project gained momentum through community fundraising and support from Grimes and StreetARToronto. Through consultation with the local community and representative from the Toronto Skateboarding Committee, the project created five new murals across the park by artists Fatspatrol, Peru, Chris Perez, Nick Sweetman, and Moises Frank.

This summer four new murals are being added to the skatepark and upkeep will be made to an existing mural.

This year’s project will focus on providing mentorship in the field of mural art; the project will provide opportunity for artist assistants and one mural art project coordinator to be mentored, in an effort to build up the mural art talent in the city.
Painting at the skatepark is scheduled to run September 8 to 22, with an opening celebration tentatively scheduled for September 26th.

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.

 

Keeping busy with things to do in our community

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GOOD FOOD MARKET OPEN
EVERY WEDNESDAY from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Lakeshore Village Park. Get fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable prices. The Gardens Lakeshore is hosting several work- shops Harvesting 101, August 10-14 Food Sustainability. Contact christianaz@lampchc.org

COACH CORIN IS BACK AT LAMP with workshops on
Wednesdays August 5, 12 ,19 and 26 at 3 pm. Coach Corin De Sousa is a graduate of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program and the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program from the Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute at
Women’s College. This series will focus on mindfulness meditation on ZOOM. Call or email Jasmin Dooh to register jasmind@lampchc.org 416 252 6471

AUGUST 6 – GENTLE GIANTS: A BIKE TOUR OF GIANT
TREES in Long Branch from 8 a.m. To 10 a.m. Meet at Long Branch Park, 245 Lake Promenade, and learn how trees grow and their benefits to the community. If you live in Long Branch
and want to get the trees on your property inventoried email
Trees40@LBNA.ca

AUGUST 9 – JAMAICA INDEPENDENCE DAY
VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the St. Margarets’ Church and Black Lives Matter Canada. Tickets $20 at smnt.ca Speakers Olympian and Head Coach Tamara Tatham, of U of T basketball and Rev. Michael Blair, Executive Minister, United Church of Canada. Visit
stmargaretsnewtoronto@ gmail.com or contact 416-259-2659.

TENANTS RIGHTS WORKSHOPS and eviction
prevention August 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. on ZOOM. The Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation will be reviewing their latest housing rights resource, Eviction Prevention and Navigating the Landlord and Tenant Board for Community Workers. For more contact LAMP.

THE LAKESHORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ADVOCACY ACTION group continues to meet.
Contact jasmind@lampchc.org.

THE ETOBICOKE PRAISE CENTRE YOUTH OUTREACH is seeking performers for its online Showcase to be
broadcasted August 14 at 6 p.m. Please send in your audition video by Au- gust 8. Send to 416-252-2463 or by email at
epc_cogop@outlook.com

LAMP COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE deadline for their Awards of Merit nominations is August 21. Also Emergency Food take out meals offered Monday through Saturday from
9:30 am to 11:30 am through LAMP’s adult drop-in program. Their food relief voucher program continues

HAVEN ON THE QUEENSWAY HAS SHUT MOST of its programs and services due to COVID 19 but will continue to serve
its food bank users by appointment and pick-up at their 1533 The Queensway office. Call 416-640-2005 to make arrangements to access the Haven food bank.

MOST PROGRAMS AT STOREFRONT HUMBER,at
2445 Lake Shore Blvd. W., are cancelled with only essential services, like personal care, support or respite provided. For more call them at 416-259-4207 or visit sfh@storefronthumber.ca

MOVIE NIGHTS AT SHERWAY GARDENS runs every weekend until August 15 as a parking lot at Sherway
transforms into an outdoor movie theatre if you’re looking for a fun family or a date night. Tickets are first come first served at $10 a car. Come see movies for all ages. For
more info and to buy tickets https://www.cfshops.com/