The South Etobicoke News

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

Police warn of fake roofers and other tradespeople at this time of the year

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POLICE are warning of fake tradespeople who are defrauding homeowners.

BEWARE of who you hire to do work on your home.

 

Police are warning seniors and others to beware of men going around to homes claiming to be roofers or other trades people, when they may be there to steal from you.

The warning comes with the arrest by Halton Regional Police Service on April 9 of a man sought for multiple fraud charges dating back to 2017.

Police said the suspect had signed contracts, which stem from 2017 to 2019, with victims through Halton, Hamilton, Peel and other parts of Ontario for snow removal services, roofing services and cottage rentals.

The force’s Risk Mitigation Team located the suspect and he was arrested with the assistance of the Ottawa Police Service.

Police allege the contracts were signed under various company names.

Christopher McSwain, 40, of Gatineau, Quebec, is before the courts facing 12 counts of fraud under $5,000.

If you believe you have been the victim of a fraud offence please contact 22 Division at 416-808-2200.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Police are warning residents that if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

 

 

Violinist Raha Javanfar fronts for Toronto blues band Bad Luck Woman

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CLASSICALLY trained violinist Raha Javanfar is the front woman for blues band Bad Luck Woman. Courtesy photo.

Classically-trained violinist Raha Javanfar like most area musicians has been hit hard by a loss of musical gigs due to a spread of COVID-19.

Javanfar, a bassist and front woman for the Maple Blues Award nominee blues band, Bad Luck Woman and Her Misfortunes, is now teaching students online how to play the violin, piano and music theory.

The busy pre-pandemic four-piece band was silenced as the virus spread across the world and public health officials ordered people to stay away from crowds.

“The pandemic so far has been a roller coaster for me. I spent the first several weeks feeling quite depressed and uninspired,” she recalls. “I felt a deep resistance to this thing which was quickly being dubbed ‘the new normal.”

She, with partner Fraser Melvin, are busy these days writing tunes and performing virtually.

The Iranian-born entertainer held virtual classes last month with students at a Lakeshore Arts event, which was a big success.

“Campers will build their own homemade percussion instrument, learn various rhythms, and experiment with different sounds to create their own grooves and melodies,” says a poster promoting the event.

Javanfar is thankful she is working in her field and attributes her career to a ‘rich fabric of numerous projects in various fields.’

She regularly plays fiddle in the Western swing band, The Double Cuts, and has performed with notable artists as Stars, Protest the Hero, Peter Katz, Tom Wilson and Daniel Romano.

The violinist is also known around town for other musical projects including; Voodoo Raha & Speedy Wax and Zuze, as well as frequent performance in the Concert Series at Soulpepper Theatre Company’s Riverboat, 27 Club, 88 Keys and Promised Land.

She is one of six co-creators of Now You See Her, a play by Quote Unquote Collective, produced by Nightwood Theatre, in which she performed the role of Daria. It was nominated for Best New Play at the 2019 Dora Mavor Moore Awards.

She has toured with Toronto Baroque orchestra, Tafelmusik, for over a decade as projections designer of concerts such as House of Dreams, Circle of Creation, and Tale of Two Cities, which has performed at Disney Hall in Los Angeles, the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and venues in Mexico, Australia, Japan and Malaysia.

She and Mellville are proud of their own brand of hot sauce, that is made to her recipe. Bottles of their home-made Bad Luck Woman sauce and her music are available for sale at www.rahajavanfar.com

 

 

Iconic Theatre Etobicoke faces last curtain call due to virus

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The curtain may be falling for the last time on Theatre Etobicoke after 64-years of thrilling audiences in South Etobicoke.

Theatre Etobicoke President Paul Louie admitted the long-running theatre has been hit hard by COVID-19.

“We rely solely on ticket sales and production sponsorships for our revenue generation,” Louie wrote on social media. “We have suffered devastating financial losses.”

He is not sure when the beloved theatre will return to normal operations, as they were unable to deliver any stage productions this summer.

“We are gravely concerned that without your support we will be forced to close permanently,” he said. “Our reserve funds that we worked so hard over the years to grow are depleting quickly.”

Louie said an emergency fundraising campaign is underway so the theatre ‘can remain financially solvent.’

He warned that without support from sponsors, donations and ticket sales, their reserve fund will only last so long.

“We are very proud to have been able to serve our community and operate as successfully as we have for the past 64 years,” Louie wrote. “We don’t want this pandemic to mark the final curtain call for Theatre Etobicoke.”

They hope to raise $25,000, or about one-year of their fixed costs. At least $5,000 of this will be committed from an emergency reserve fund.

“We plan to be around in 2026/2027 to celebrate our 70-year anniversary of offering quality, live community theatre,” Louie vowed.  The group’s last play was Death By Design in 2019.

Cheques can be sent by mail and made payable to: Theatre Etobicoke, 25 Whitlam Ave, Etobicoke, ON, M8V 2K1.

For more information, or to make a donation or e-transfer, patrons can visit www.theatre-etobicoke.com

Neighbourhood Barber Shop trims price for cuts for veterans & servicemen

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A New Toronto barber shop is offering $11 haircuts to all military servicemen and Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Andy Dinner, of Your Neighbourhood Barber Shop, at 2858 Lake Shore Blvd. W., says the $11 cuts will run until Remembrance Day on November 11.

“This one is personal,” Dinner wrote on social media. “My brother Tom is a Major in the Canadian military.”

Tom has served in the military for 18-years and took part in two tours of duty overseas, Dinner says.

“As a thank you to military members, we are doing $11 haircuts for current and veteran military servicemen,” he wrote.

Dinner says half of all tips that he earns during that time will go to @soldieroncanada, a charity he believes in.

The shop made a name for itself by offering $5 off cuts to clients providing they show a receipt that they shopped at a locally-owned restaurant or bar.

 

Local musician Roger Zuraw strikes a chord for the Veterans

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As we remember our veterans, local musician Roger Zuraw is reminding the community about an award-winning song he has written called “Remembrance Day (From the Lakeshore).”

Zuraw says he wrote the tune in a contest featuring Lakeshore artists some years ago.

“About 20,000 contestants from all over the world submitted their songs to this competition and my tune came out with an Honourable Mention credit,” he recalls.

He was inspired by a photograph of Vimy Ridge Parkette, at 2456 Lake Shore Blvd. W., and visited the parkette to obtain a ‘personal contact and feel of this spot.’

Zuraw says his song is about a “World War II Veteran from this area who contributed in the freeing of Holland from the Nazis, coming back to Canada with his English war-bride, raising a family and eventually becoming a president of Legion 101.”

This song appears on Roger Zuraw’s CD called “Remembering The Lakeshore,” which you can listen and download for a small fee from Amazon Music and Apple Music.

The musicians on the song includes; Dougal Bichan on the bagpipes, Alex Radeff on electric guitar, bass and keyboards and Zuraw on acoustic guitar and vocals.

Zuraw has been playing gigs in area bars for more than 20-years and claims to have played in every live music tavern in Mimico, New Toronto and Long Branch back in the day.

Humber Bay Shores residents worry after Firkin on Bay temporarily shuts due to virus

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Some Humber Bay Shores residents are concerned and in isolation after visiting the popular Firkin on the Bay pub which has temporarily closed after a server tested positive for COVID-19.

A deep clean of the 68 Marine parade Drive location is underway and the company says employees will self-isolate and be tested before returning back to work.

The employee last worked at the pub on September 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Firkin warned on its website.

The pub is not sure when it will reopen but in a letter to customers say they are taking necessary steps to ensure that they can reopen when it’s “absolutely safe to do so.”

Management at the pub say they contacted Toronto Public Health and shared contract tracing details.

“During these challenging times, we are prioritizing the health and safety of our guests and staff,” the pub told customers. “In full transparency, we are sharing the sad news with you that one of our team members has tested positive for COVID-19.”

The company say they are conducting a detailed deep clean of the pub.

“When we reopen, we plan to employ staff from other Firkin Pubs until we are certain that our On The Bay team members are able to safely work and safely look after our guests,” they said.

The busy pub is frequented my many residents who live in the condo towers at Humber Bay Shores  in the Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Park Lawn Rd. area.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding during these difficult times and hope that you will join us in wishing our team member a speedy and full recovery,” customers were told.

In other COVID news, a member of Premier Doug Ford’s staff has tested positive for the virus.

In a statement on Thursday, the premier’s office said a junior member of Ford’s tour team has tested positive.

“The Premier did not have any close contact or prolonged exposure with this staff member,” the statement read.

The premier’s office also said Ford will “monitor for symptoms and take appropriate next steps if necessary.”

Mimico Square is alive with the sounds of music and dance

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By BOB SUMMERS

Mimico Square is alive with drawings, music and dance.

Artists used spray chalk to lay down a giant dance map, including a large cat and then the dancers took over.

It is part of the Toronto Arts in the Parks @dancetogetherfestival event at Mimico Square, located in Amos Waites Park, 2445 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

It started with an organized dance event September 13 and then turned into a “participate as you want” event with dancers invited to use the dance map to do whatever dances they would like into the first days of October.

It would have been a larger event if it hadn’t been for COVID restrictions.

The Dance Together Festival is co-produced by Toronto-based dance artists Kate Nankervis and Katya Kuznetsova. The outdoor neighbourhood event is made possible through the Toronto Arts Council Animating Toronto Parks grant and is part of the Arts in the Parks programming.

Local dance artists will lead dance workshops in diverse styles, including Swing, Salsa, Kizomba, Contemporary, Street Dance, and more.

The festival is free and open to all levels, ages and abilities.

Dance Together Project is all about fun and accessible partner dance lessons for beginners. Far from strictly ballroom, the genres include anything from Slow Dance 101 to Salsa, as well as Wedding Dance instruction and composition, tailored to the song(s) of your choice.

You can share your dance or pose on Instagram to be entered in a draw for prizes in dance and art classes, art prints and more. Check out the prizes on @dancetogetherfestival Instagram.

All classes and events are beginner-friendly.

The event wraps up October 4 but the map will stay until rain washes it away. Those who want to dance are urged to dress comfortably for moving.

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

 

 

Shoot-out by rivals in New Toronto afterhours club party clash

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More than 80 bullets were flying in New Toronto as you slept.

It was a wild-west shootout as one man was injured and more than a dozen vehicles laced with gunfire in a feud by rival parties attending an afterhours club.

At least 80 bullet casings were found when the smoke had settled down in the early morning of September 8 on Eighth St., near Morrison St.

Police and politicians believe the gunfire erupted around 4:30 a.m. at the scene of a new after-hours club that recently opened up near Lakeshore Blvd., and Ninth St.

Officers say a ‘gender reveal’ party, which was well advertised on social media, was taking place at the club.

Councillor Mark Grimes says he is working with police and City officials to have the club shut down and for more officers to begin patrolling the area.

Residents say the club became rowdy after midnight when dozens of cars, and club patrons, usually lined the laneway.

One man was shot in the leg, and will recover, and another was provided life-saving emergency medical aid while passed out on a couple’s front lawn.

Police said the brazen occupants of two cars in the area were shooting at each other, and then were seen fleeing the area at a high rate of speed before police arrived.

Lakeshore Blvd. W.  between Seventh and Ninth Sts. was shut for traffic and the TTC for hours as police searched for forensic clues, which included cars laced with bullet holes which smashed the windows, sides and even one with a flat tire.

Witnesses say one suspect was shooting what appeared to be a ‘machine pistol’ which peppered rounds everywhere as bar patrons, partygoers and witnesses scrambled for cover. Others with weapons at the party were shooting back at the gunman.

A gas meter was struck by one of the bullets and Enbridge had to attend to shut the gas off, police said.

Police say this is among the most shells collected recently from a Toronto crime scene.

Area residents say the gunplay demonstrates that a City plan to open a shelter nearby will only make things worst, with more people coming into the community.

This has been the third shooting, and a stabbing, in the area in the past month.

Police are going through video of the area and say mugshots of the suspects will be released soon.

 

 

Police seeking suspect in two hate crime attacks in New Toronto

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Toronto Police have released a blurred photo of a crazed suspect sought for two racially-motivated attacks in New Toronto in which a victim’s turban was torn off his head.

Police say the suspect targeted two South Asian men on August 25 and 31 who were going about their business.

In the first attack, police said the suspect approached a 21-year-old man in the Lake Shore Blvd. W. and First Street area.

“Without warning the man began striking the victim repeatedly and then tore off his turban,” police said in a press release.  “The suspect fled on foot eastbound on Lake Shore Boulevard W.”

In the second incident, officers say the suspect approached a 23-year-old man in the Dwight Ave. and Birmingham St. area and “began striking him on his head.”

The assailant then took off north on Dwight Ave.

Members of the force’s Hate Crime Unit are probing the attacks and believe the same suspect is responsible for the assaults.

“Police are actively investigation these incidents as hate-motivate assaults,” according to the release.  “Officers from the Hate Crime Unit will continue to work with divisional officers to establish the full circumstances.”

Mayor John Tory said hate-motivated assaults are completely unacceptable in our city.

“I want to assure members of our South Asian community that we stand with them against this violence,” he assured.

The suspect is described as white, 20 to 25-years-old, 5-foot-8 and about 180-pounds. In the first attack he was wearing a dark hoodie, bright orange hat and dark pants with white shoes. In the second incident, he was wearing a grey hoodie, with grey sweat pants and a black baseball cap.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-1100 or CrimeStoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS or online at www.222tips.com