The South Etobicoke News

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

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/

Some top patios and meeting spots in our community

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Darlene Simpson is doing a lot better these days.
The owner of Dakota’s Sports Bar & Grill, at 2814 Lake Shore Blvd. W., is applauding Stage 3 and the return of inside dining.
But on this hot day customers want the sun and she is welcoming them to her large roadside patio she shares with Halibut House Fish and Chips, which is part of the City’s CafeTO program, which is credited with helping
many area companies stay afloat.
More people were ducking under the tents for a cold
drink to escape from today’s heat.
“It has been a long time since we have had this many
people in here,” Simpson says. “The outdoor patio has
made a tremendous difference for us.”
At hers, and all the outdoor patios along Lake Shore Blvd. W., people are ordering meals and glad to be outside again with their friends.
At The Big Guy’s Little Coffee Shop, at 2861 Lake Shore Blvd. W., the patio has helped the ‘Big Guy’ stay in business as the outdoor area always has customers.

Ruben Pires, of Delicia Bakery and Pastry, at 2864 Lake
Shore Blvd. W., is bustling as his side patio is always filled
with coffee and snack lovers.“We had seen about 33 bakeries and loved this area right away,” recalls Pires. “We loved the people and the sense of community that exists in the area.”
In Long Branch residents love T.J. O’Shea’s Irish Snug, at
3481 Lake Shore Blvd. W., which boasts a large back patio
and a loyal following due to the good food and vibes.
Also rocking is Southside Johnny’s Bar & Grill, at 3653
Lake Shore Blvd. W., which features a great side patio that is
popular with locals.
Just west at the Pulcinella Ristorante and Wine Bar, at
3687 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Staff say their business has
picked up in Stage 3 and with the opening of inside dining and their street patio that seems to be always packed.

Many local residents love Sloppy Joe’s Bar & Grill, at 3527 Lake Shore Blvd. W., which has developed quite a loyal following who love the chicken wings and other pub eats. The
bar which has its popular outdoor patio in front of the building, has installed another that runs along its side on Thirty Third St.

Another area favourite is Timothy’s Pub, at 344 Brown’s Line, which is known for its live music and loyal Alderwood following, who love the food and atmosphere.

How safe are your kids schools when open in September

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The Ontario government has released its plan for the safe reopening of schools.

A news release sent out by MPP Christine Hogarth on July 30 said schools for in-class instruction will begin in September and students from Grades 4 – 12 will be required to wear masks.

Education officials say Kindergarten to Grade 8 will reopen with in-class instruction five days a week. Secondary schools with lower risk will reopen with a normal daily schedule, five days a week, while most secondary schools will start the year in an adapted model of part-time attendance with class cohorts of up to 15 students alternating between attending in-person and online.

Details on the safe restart of the school year were released by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, and Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health.

They said parents will continue to have the option to enroll their children in ‘remote delivery, which respects their fundamental role in making the final determination of whether they feel safe with their children returning to school.’

The government said they will be spending $300 million in targeted public health protocols to keep staff safe when they return to school.

Some $60 million will be spent to procure medical and cloth masks for students and staff; $30 million for teacher staffing to support supervision in keeping classes small; $50 million to hire up to 500 additional and school-focused nurses in public health units to provide rapid-response to schools and boards.

About $75 million will be spent to hire 500 additional custodians and purchase cleaning supplies; $23 million for testing: $40 million to clean buses; $10 million for health and safety training for occasional teachers: $10 million for support special needs students and $10 million to support student mental health.

Some $15 million in technology funding to support the procurement of over 35,000 devices for Ontario’s students to support their synchronous learning in-school and beyond.

“We are seeing that overall instances of COVID-19 are declining in Ontario,” said Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “We believe that with the appropriate measures and strategies in place to handle potential outbreaks and prevent spread, schools are expected to be a safe place for Ontario’s students and staff who attend.”

Officials said there are protocols in place for school officials to deal with the positive cases of COVID-19 among students, parents, teachers or staff.

About two million students attend public schools in Ontario.

Five top Lakeshore community students selected for scholarships

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Five up-and-coming top south Etobicoke students have been awarded scholarships to continue their studies next semester.

The students were selected as 2020 Penny Bethke Scholarship recipients, which is part of the of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto (CHFT) Diversity Scholarship Program that was founded in 2004. Some 30 students are selected for scholarships providing they live in CHFT member co-ops.

Congratulations to the five high-achieving students from the Lakeshore community.

Madhumitha Ramamurthy, (in photo) of Mimico Co-operative Homes, volunteered at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in the summers and at Lakeshore Lodge on weekends. At the hospital, she welcomed and directed visitors. At Lakeshore Lodge, she planned and assisted in recreation activities in arts and music for the residents. She is starting a second year of a life sciences program at the University of Toronto this fall.

Alia Omar-Bujak is graduating from Richview Collegiate Institute. She is a First Aider with MedVents Canada and a youth leader and mentor at her church, who has helped with a teen drop-in night. She plans to attend the University of Toronto to study paramedicine.

Raquelle Johnson is graduating from Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts, where helped with fundraisers and events at the school’s Antilleans Culture Club. She was a Healthy Schools representative at Wexford, promoting good nutrition. She will be starting a forensic science program at the University of Toronto.

Makeda Kafele-Green is graduating this year from Oakwood Collegiate Institute. She has been active at Oakwood as an Ambassador. As a member of Afro-Can, she started the Black Youth Book Club, aiming to break stereotypes about black students and literacy. She will attend Wilfrid Laurier University to study Community Music.

Taylor Seichter is graduating this year from Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute, where she has been involved in a range of social justice activities. She has provided 400-hours of service over two years to Rosalie Hall, an agency that assists young parents and children. She will enter Centennial College this fall to study child and youth care.

The scholarships are for students who are graduating from high school, or are currently enrolled in a post-secondary program or are returning to school after a break to complete an undergraduate program. It has awarded over 380 scholarships equalling more than $2 million to students in nine areas of Canada.

The scholarships are $5,000 distributed over four years.

Alterna Savings, in partnership CHFT, has awarded five Penny Bethke Scholarships to young community leaders who help strengthen cooperatives and their communities.

Live music Saturday at a Twenty Seventh Street Jam

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Enjoy live music by the lake.

Members of the community are invited to a Twenty Seventh Street Jam taking place July 25 and featuring some top area musicians.

The physically distanced jam will take place on Saturday between 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the foot of Twenty Seventh Street, near the lake, according to a posting on social media.

Hosted by musicians Ed Ho and Christopher Plock, the band will feature Eric St-Laurent on guitar, Mark Dunn on bass and vocals, Joe Cullen on drums, Peter BonGiovanni on percussion and Plock on sax and vocals.

The band will be accepting donations for MasksForMeals.org, in support of community food banks.

MasksforMeals is a local initiative inspired by friends in the Mississauga and Oakville area who were moved to help during COVID 19.  Three women began sewing masks for friends and families after Dr. Theresa Tam suggested they may help limit the spread of infection.  At the same time, they were struck by the growing need for food banks as people lost their jobs and food supply diminished.

Rather than charging for the masks, they asked for a donation to local food banks.  Word soon spread through social media and the goal is to expand the effort across Mississauga and Oakville.

Music lovers are urged to bring a chair, face mask and respect physical distancing rules.

Residents band together to save Van Dusen bridge

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A petition with more than 400 names is being circulated online by some residents to Save the Van Dusen Pedestrian Bridge.

Irate residents of the Norseman Heights, Sunnylea, Kingsway and Thompson Orchard areas say they regularly use the popular pedestrian bridge that crosses Mimico Creek at Van Dusen, which has been closed indefinitely.

“This bridge is always very, very busy with pedestrians and cyclists at all times of the year,” the residents say in a petition to Mayor John Tory and Councillor Mark Grimes. “This bridge connects our community and gives an alternative to walking or biking along busy Bloor Road bridge or Royal York bridge.”

Residents say there has been no communication from the City or Grimes. They were told by a local parent group that the bridge ‘has been condemned and maybe closed for a year or two.’
“We have heard nothing from the city nor has any signage been erected,” they claim.

They say the bridge should be a part of ActiveTO, which was developed as part of the pandemic response.

The residents are seeking that the City notify the community about the repair and when it will be completed, for the repair to be expedited and proper maintenance to ensure the bridge remains in order.

The closure also impacts cyclists, pedestrians and families during this time of social distancing, and increase walks by children to their local schools.

An official at Grimes’ office says the Councillor had a call scheduled with the staff responsible for the bridge closure, during which he will request measures be taken to inform the community about the bridge.

“We have been in constant contact with staff since the closure and, like the community, have been eagerly awaiting details,” Grimes office said.

“This bridge is a main artery for our neighborhood,” Michelle wrote on social media. “There is no indication or information as to why the bridge was closed and two years is an insane time to get this done.”

Diana says ‘the bridge has been a main focal point of getting to the shops at Royal York Rd. and Bloor St. W.’

The petition is accessible on you.leadnow.ca

 

Pizza maker with a heart of dough that he shares with youth

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A Long Branch pizza maker is receiving high praise on social media for his treatment of local school kids with little or no money.

Adriano, of Adriano’s Pizza, at 3329 Lake Shore Blvd. W., is known to hand out bottles of cold water, or maybe a few slices, to area kids in distress walking by.

“It’s all about the little things we do in life,” Adriano says. “You treat the kids good now and you will have a friend for life.”

He regularly donates his tasty pies to a range of charities, which has been slow lately due to COVID-19.

Adriano has presented to at-risk children expensive running shoes or items of clothing given to him by others.

“One time I saw one kid and his shoes had holes and his feet was wet,” he recalls. “I had a nice shoe here at the store and I gave it to him. He still comes back.”

Area resident Jenn Samson says a “gaggle of teens were walking by” when they were called into Adriano’s shop and left a few minutes later with candies in their hands and giggles on their faces.

“That man is the best guy ever!” one kid said, with the other agreeing.

“Teens aren’t always the most top-paying customers,” Samson says in an online post. “A lot of restaurants accept the business, but find teens loud and annoying.”

She recalls a restaurant in Mimico that treated kids fondly in the 1980s and they still talk about the place lovingly to this day.

“It makes a huge impact on them in a world that rolls their eyes on this stage of life,” she says.

It’s nostalgic to see a business owner not only take pride in their business, but looking out for our kids and being there for them to even just put a smile on their faces, she wrote.

“Bunch of teens laughing and chatting and eating lollipops,” Samson notes. “It was a sight to see.”

“Absolutely best pizza and reasonably price,” Helena Walker-Macinnis wrote about Adriano’s Pizza on social media. “This lakeshore pizza is delicious.”

The social media posting obtained more than 68 comments from area residents who have declared their love for Adriano’s Pizza.

Adriano gets a ‘like’ for sharing his care and respect with our younger citizens in these trying times.