Lake Shore West Garden Tour learn more March 18.
Free clothing exchange at Adam Beck Jr. School.
Mimico Residents Association Meeting on March 27.
Spring Arts Market on March 29.
Etobicoke Quilters’ Show and Sale March 28 and 29.
One man suffered non-life threatening injuries after being shot in a Humber Bay Shores condo.
Gunfire broke out at a Humber Bay Shores condo as tenants relaxed for the night.
A man in his 40s was shot on March 6 at 58 Marine Parade Drive, near Lake Shore Blvd. W.
The shooting occurred around 10:40 p.m. with most people inside their units.
The man was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
No suspect information is currently available.
Officers also responded to a separate shooting earlier near The East Mall and The Queensway.
No one is reported to have been shot in a tow truck shooting near Sherway Mall.
The tow truck wars has moved to South Etobicoke where a third shooting took place in a span of two days.
Police are investigating after shots were fired in front of a tow yard on March 5 just before 10 p.m. in the area of The West Mall and The Queensway, near Sherway Mall Gardents.
It was the third tow truck-related shooting in just over 24-hours. Most of the incidents have occurred in the Scarborough area.
No injuries were reported but police said they found “evidence of gunfire” at the scene.
Police said a suspect fled the scene in a vehicle. No suspect or vehicle description has been released.
A tow truck destroyed in another incident in Toronto last year.
Two other tow truck-related shootings were reported in Toronto late March 4.
At around 10:20 p.m., two people were shot at a tow yard near Weston Road and St. Clair Avenue West.
A man in his 50s suffered life-threatening injuries, while the other victim – a man in his 20s – was seriously injured, but is expected to survive.
About an hour later, a tow truck driver, also identified as a man in his 20s, was shot while sitting in a car wash bay at a gas station in Scarborough.
He was transported to hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said there have been five firearm discharges and eight shootings linked to the tow truck industry this year.
South Eatonville residents are opposed to a proposed 49 storey condo being built in their residential neighbourhood.
A local group has launched a campaign to ban a 49 storey tower from their residential area near the Kipling Subway.
Residents of the South Eatonville Residents Association (SERA) in a Community Alert said they are against the high-rise proposed for 5208 Dundas Street W., at Acorn Avenue, which is now the site of a sushi restaurant.
A zoning by-law amendment application has been made for the development and it is before the hearings process. A virtual hearing in regards to the project will occur on March 13.
The condo site is now a sushi restaurant at Dundas Street W., and Acorn Avenue, which is becoming a row of condos.
“We have serious concerns with the increased traffic, shading, lack of amenities, and the precedent for a corridor of tall towers along the north side of Dundas right to East Mall,” according to SERA.
They said the tower if built will overshadow the single-family homes that have been in the area for decades.
“This is not about opposing development for needed housing; it’s about saying no to 49 storey towers that do not fit next to homes,” the group said. “We need to stand up and oppose developments that do not make sense in South Eatonville for future quality of life for all residents.”
The application states the tower will contain 541 residential units, with 71% planned as one-bedroom suites. The design’s massing features a 3-storey podium fronting Dundas Street West and Acorn Avenue.
The 41 storey high-rise is planned to be constructed on the site occupied by the now closed Dundas Street Grill.
Plans include four elevators, plus a fifth elevator connecting the underground garage to the lobby.
The building would sit above three levels of underground parking, offering 39 parking spots for residents and 8 for visitors. Bicycle parking entails 502 long-term and 108 short-term spaces.
Just a block away a 41-storey tower is also in the works at 5238 Dundas Street W., site of the former Dundas Street Grill.
There are more than a dozen major complexes with towers ranging up to 50 storeys proposed for the Dundas West near the Kipling Subway mobility hub.
Store #2313 on The East Mall is among the dozens shut due to declining sales.
So far only one Etobicoke beer store has been shut down among the 28 closed in Ontario due to reduced sales.
The Beer Store on February 28 shut eight more of its stores in Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough, Newmarket and Ottawa among the dozens shut across Ontario since last June.
Store #2313 at 10 The East Mall Cres., across from Cloverdale Mall, is among the ones that has been shut. The store had been there for decades and had a dedicated following.
There are still about 400 Beer Stores locations across Ontario that will remain in business.
There are more than 400 Beer Stores and 677 LCBO stores in Ontario.
In addition, there are 677 LCBO stores across the province.
John Nock, President of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Local 12R24, said the closures are due to more competition for beer sales from grocery stores, convenience stores and other retailers.
Variety store owners said the sale of beer has been good for business as it brings in new customers, who purchase other goods.
“This is definitely a direct cause of the beer market being opened up,” Nock said. It’s “all due to Ford allowing alcohol to be sold in convenience and most grocery stores.”
The Beer Stores are facing tough competition from variety stores and other retailers.
The Beer Store is required to keep 300 stores open until the end of this year.
They are looking at introducing other goods to recoup losses, which can include the sale of non-beer items as lottery tickets.
There are almost 4,200 convenience stores across Ontario that are licensed to sell beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages.
The Beer Store is owned by Molson-Coors, Labatt, and Sleeman, which are all multi-national corporations. The Beer Store is a joint venture chain of retail outlets in Ontario.
The popular family-owned bar known for its wings has shut its doors after 27 years.
A long-established Long Branch family bar that has been a mainstay in the community for almost three decades has served its last plate of great wings and beer.
The owners of Sloppy Joe’s, at 3527 Lake Shore Blvd. W., told regulars on social media the bar was shut down permanently on March 3.
“We wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to you all,” Larry and Pete wrote on their website. “Our father opened this business in April of 1971, driven by the dream of creating a neighbourhood gathering place that felt like home.”
They said Sloppy Joe’s over the years became a cornerstone of the community, hosting events and other activities. The bar was a neighbourhood favourite known for their great wings.
Sloppy Joe’s owners Larry and Pete say they will miss their regular customers who have been frequenting the bar for years.
“We have always strived to honour his vision, pouring our hearts and souls into continuing what he started,” they wrote. “It has been an absolute honour and the privilege of a lifetime to follow in his footsteps.”
Two generations of the family operated the bar for 54 years and “we have been truly blessed to watch this place become a sincere reflection of the love and support of the community.”
The bar has been known as Sloppy Joe’s for 27 years.
“While we are saddened to close this chapter, we are also excited about the opportunities that lie ahead,” Larry and Pete said. “This is not goodbye forever, as we will make it a priority to visit our many valued customers and friends.”
A Fox & John’s Pub and Restaurant is expected to be replacing the popular Sloppy Joe’s.
Many former patrons of Sloppy Joe’s took to social media to express their loss to members pf the staff and regulars.
“I really loved this place, I am from outside of town but would come in to meet friends for the best wings in town and a beer,” Kthor Nielsen wrote.
Christina Wakeham said the wings at Sloppy Joe’s were great.
“I’ll never have another wing as good,” she said.
Another regular called the bar a ‘Lakeshore monument.”
A new Fox and John’s Pub and Restaurant will be opening at the location
Officer of an RCMP Cyber Crime Unit target a potential online scammer.
Toronto Police say they are receiving 45 calls daily to investigate possible fraud-related offences and there is no shortage of work as March is Fraud Prevention Month.
Fraud Squad Detectives said they received almost 17,000 fraud-related reports in 2024 and investigated almost $370 million in scam losses.
Police and other law enforcement authorities have launched a national campaign to raise awareness so people can safeguard themselves from online scammers.
The investigators said the five top reported frauds in Toronto last year based on dollar value includes: online investment scams with $71 million in losses; account takeovers with $36 million; romance confidence scams in which victims suffered $34.5 million in scam losses.
The Romance Scam is one of the top online scams taking advantage of mostly female victims.
Cryptocurrency scams resulted in $33 million in losses and identity theft was fifth with $16.5 million in losses to a range of victims.
“Fraud targets all of us and fighting and preventing fraud is a collective effort,” said Detective Dave Coffey. “While Toronto Police receives an average of 45 fraud reports per day, we know this represents only a fraction of what’s really happening as it is estimated that only five to 10 per cent of frauds are reported for various reasons.”
He said the goal of the campaign is to promote the “3R’s; to encourage residents to recognize, reject, and report fraud.”
Anti-fraud officers said these scams often begin as romance scams, where fraudsters initiate contact through text or email, building a relationship with the victim over time.
“Once trust is established, they introduce a lucrative investment opportunity, convincing victims to transfer funds,” police warned.
Chris Lynam, of the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, said fraud is often illusive and hard to spot.
“The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is committed to supporting its policing partners in exposing fraud, empowering Canadians with knowledge, and protecting Canada’s economic integrity,” he said.
Lynam said this month people are encouraged to recognize the signs of fraud, reject suspicious requests, and report to help prevent others from becoming victims
Josephine Palumbo, Deputy Commissioner of the Deceptive Marketing Practices Directorate said: “As scammers get smarter, Canadians and businesses need to stay informed and join the fight against fraud.”
“By recognizing the warning signs of fraud and reporting it to the authorities, we can help protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities,” she said.
Pemako Kitchen owner Tsering Tachi with a plate of his popular chow mein. Staff photo.
A new Tibetan restaurant in Mimico is attracting some attention.
Pemako Kitchen, at 2416 Lake Shore Blvd. W., just west of Superior Avenue, has been open for about a year and features tasty traditional Tibetan dishes along with meals sprinkled with Indian and Chinese influences.
Owner and chef Tsering Tashi named the cosy restaurant after a region in Tibet where his parents grew up. The remote hilly region is one of the four in southeastern Tibet, where the Brahmaputra River descends into India.
Chef Tashi dreams came true after meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama in India. Courtesy photo.
Tashi’s trek to Canada is an immigrant success story. He was one of 1,000 displaced refugees from Tibet sponsored by the Canadian government in 2013 to resettle in Ottawa and Toronto as a part of a federal program that allowed them to become permanent residents.
He is active in the Tibetan community and is proud of a photo of him meeting the Dalai Lama in India. His restaurant has pictures of the Dalai Lama, posters and photos that remind patrons of home.
He was resettled in Mimico by officials on arrival here and has worked his way up to finally open his restaurant, which has been a dream since childhood.
“Our food is not just about satisfying your hunger, but about nourishing your body and soul,” Tashi said. “We use only the freshest and healthiest ingredients to create dishes that are not only delicious but also good for you.”
The food at Pemako Kitchen is affordable, tasty and good as it made with fresh ingredients.
The dishes were tasty, fresh and cooked on the spot with love and care.
“We believe that healthy food can be tasty too,” he said. “You can taste the goodness in our food.”
Pemako Kitchen is among about 10 Tibetan restaurants that has emerged in the west-end in recent years as people are enjoying the unique tasteful and healthy dishes. Most residents are familiar with Mo Mos but there are other dishes.
The cozy restaurant is filled with Tibetan photos and momentos.
The menu includes the popular chow mein meat and vegetable dishes, assorted noodle dishes, a range of Mo Mos, delicious soups, Thali and Bhutanese cuisine. The filling dishes range from $10 to $15.
Tashi said he wants to help make Tibetan food more popular with Toronto food lovers. This City is known worldwide for its diverse restaurants and foods from all over the globe.
“I always wanted to open a restaurant,” he said. “I like food and to watch people enjoying our Tibetan food.”
There are more than 10,000 Tibetans in Canada, with most living in the Toronto area. Most have resettled in the Parkdale area with many living in South Etobicoke.
Incoming Liberal MPP Lee Fairclough plans to take her health care experience to Queen’s Park.
Etobicoke Lakeshore residents switched their votes from Conservatives on February 27 and elected Liberal Lee Fairclough who defeated Christine Hogarth in a stunner.
Former MPP Hogarth, who has held the riding for almost seven years, was defeated by about 4,000 votes by health care worker Fairclough.
Hogarth was one of a few Conservatives to lose their seats in an election in which Premier Doug Ford was swept back to office for a third term by a huge majority. The NDP is now the Opposition Party with 27 seats and Liberals 14.
Former Conservative MPP Christine Hogarth has held the Etobicoke Lakeshore riding for almost seven years.
Hogarth was elected to represent Etobicoke Lakeshore in 2018 and was a parliamentary assistant or member of a number of committees.
“Thank you Etobicoke Lakeshore for putting your trust in me,’ Fairclough said after her win. “I will work tirelessly to address the issues important to you.”
She plans to bring accountability and a strong voice to Queen’s Park to make progress on healthcare, education and housing issues.
“I also look forward to working with constituents and community partners to fine solutions on local issues.”
First time NDP candidate Rozhen Asrani obtained about 4,000 votes in her first attempt at seeking political office.
It will be an uphill battle at Queen’s Park as Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie lost her own seat.
Fairclough has over 25 years of leadership in healthcare. She has dedicated her career to improving the lives of people in that she started out as a radiation therapist at Princess Margaret Hospital.
She was at one time the President of St. Mary’s General Hospital, where she guided her team through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, working with public health, local businesses, and community leaders to protect vulnerable populations.
Premier Doug Ford was re-elected for a third term in office with a majority of votes.
Fairclough was also a former competitive athlete and member of Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team at the 1998 World Cup, has a master’s degree in health policy and is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto.
NDP candidate Rozhen Asrani received almost 4,000 votes in what was her first attempt to hold political office.
Asrani was a former president of the Mimico Residents Association and community advocate.
She holds a degree in Economics from the University of Toronto, and has worked for nine years in healthcare technology and innovation. She is now a Senior Product Manager in Digital Health.
Calling all gardeners to learn about the Lake Shore West Garden tour at the Long Branch Library, 3500 Lake Shore Blvd. W. on March 18th from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the meeting room. The tour takes place on June 21. Sign up by April 21.