“THE HEIGHTS” Iconic Public Art Sculpture Installation in DUKE Heights BIA at the Keele Street / Finch Avenue West Median

BY: BIA Duke hEights

The Keele/Finch gateway into DUKE Heights Business Improvement Area (BIA) will feature a new grand art sculpture known as “The Heights”, designed and installed by Artist Brandon Vickerd. This public artwork was initiated and partially funded by the BIA in cooperation with the City of Toronto, which is inheriting the art piece. Special acknowledgment to Toronto City Councillors James Pasternak, Ward 6 – York Centre, and Anthony Perruzza, Ward 7 – Humber River - Black Creek, for their extraordinary efforts and support of the project. Moreover, the cooperation and assistance of Metrolinx and Mosaic Transit  Group have been remarkable.

Date of Installation: Starting Monday, April 17 with completion on Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Location: On the centre median located on Finch Avenue West just east of Keele Street (Note - due to the ongoing LRT construction there will be no public access to the installation site) 

“The Heights” will stand approximately 41 feet high. With its multi-faceted open design and architectural abstractions, “The Heights”, fabricated in Corten steel, portrays a partial representation of the Elia Public  School, which once stood on the northeast corner of Keele Street and Finch Avenue West (from 1873 to  1956) and was later demolished to make way for future development. Representing the journey, a transition through time, and drawing its inspiration from the history of the one-room schoolhouse, the innovative architectural design tells the story of the transformation of the Keele and Finch neighbourhood - from its semi-rural past to an industrial hub and future expanding urban centre. The dynamics of the design are intended to derive a variety of aesthetic expressions and provoke the thoughts and imaginations of the viewers about connecting people, their sense of place, and their adaptability to change. 

“This sculpture is about the relationship between time and memory. It reflects on the role of history in providing a guiding light that illuminates a path forward into the uncertain future”- Brandon Vickerd, the  Artist. 

Dr. Lew Pliamm, Chair of the DUKE Heights BIA is proud of this contribution to Toronto’s art environment.  “We have created a visually compelling landmark with a strong vertical presence that complements the dynamic intersection at Keele St. and Finch Ave W. The Heights will become a symbolic icon and gateway  into our BIA.” 

Those travelling through this intersection will see the artwork being installed but please drive (or walk by) with safety in mind. 

For All Media/ Public Inquiries: 

• Lew Pliamm, Chair, DUKE Heights BIA 

Phone: 416-904-8717; Email: lew@dukeheights.ca 

• Brandon Vickerd 

Email: bvickerd@hotmail.com; Website: brandonvickerd.com 

The DUKE Heights BIA, created in 2014, is one of the 85 BIAs in the City of Toronto, the second largest BIA  in the GTA as surface area, representing 2,500 businesses that employ over 32,000 employees. The DUKE  Heights BIA represents the geographical area between Keele Street to Dufferin Street, and Sheppard  Avenue to Steeles Avenue. The DUKE Heights BIA mandate is to improve the area through beautification,  capital improvements, branding, and streetscape development; provide support, and security, advocate on behalf of the interests of the BIA business community and promote the area as a business,  employment, tourist, and shopping area. For more information about DUKE Heights BIA, please visit  dukeheights.ca. 

Brandon Vickers is an award-winning sculptor with extensive experience working on complex,  interdisciplinary public art projects. His practice is invested in creating works of public art that generate a  sense of wonder and awe in audiences. Also, a Professor of Visual Arts at York University, who works with notions of History and Community, he is captivated by the complex relationships humans have with their environment. Through “The Heights”, he explores this dichotomy by creating a “constructed history”  where the audience can reflect on the physical, social, and economic changes in one of Toronto's most rapidly evolving areas. 

The Jeremiah Project Survey by Pastor Bill Sunberg spotlights community unity

BY:Pastor Bill Sunberg

In Maya Angelou’s famous poem, “Human Family,” she talks about the diverse world we live in. It is an inspiring work that ends with these words:

I note the obvious differences

between each sort and type,

but we are more alike, my friends,

than we are unalike.

We are more alike, my friends,

than we are unalike.

The Jeremiah Project is an anonymous survey based initiative that seeks to identify some of these ways we are more alike than unalike. Instead of spotlighting the things that divide us (race, culture, language, gender, sexual orientation, religious orientation), The Jeremiah Project puts the spotlight on the things that unite us (from major things like hopes and dreams or family to minor things like what keeps us awake at night, how we process important conversations, like our favourite ice cream).

You can help. You can join this important new conversation. You are invited to scan this QR code and take 20 minutes to fill out The Jeremiah Project Survey. Your voice is important. Your input is valuable. Your voice will make a difference.

We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike

Let’s find out how.

Donated books will help support local literacy programs!

BY: Yorkgate mall

Toronto, March 20th, 2023 – Yorkgate Mall held its 1st Annual Community Book Drive in support of literacy programs in the community.

Visitors to Yorkgate Mall were asked to help donate a new or gently-used children’s & youth books at the Community Book Drive during March Break (March 13 – 17).  Donations were dropped off at the events table, located by Tim Hortons.

“We are overwhelmed with the support from the community, our retailers and corporate sponsors,” says Chris Couch, Marketing Associate at Yorkgate Mall.  “Our shoppers have a history of generously getting behind our community programs.  With an overwhelming number of books donated, we will help many needy individuals and families in our community as possible”.

For the Book Collection, people were being asked to clean out their basements, garages, and children’s rooms to pass on & share the gift of literacy.

Yorkgate Mall, located at Jane and Finch in Toronto, Ontario, offers over 60 stores and services under one roof including No Frills, LCBO, IDA Drug Mart and Toronto Public Library.

For further information, please contact:

Chris Couch, Marketing Associate

Yorkgate Mall

647-466-4933

ccouch@smartcentres.com

Joy of sleepless nights

I love my child.  But honestly, what I would love more than anything right now is something even close to a good night’s sleep.

Far too often, my nightly state of bliss, those precious and magical few hours where I can close my eyes and maybe, if I’m lucky, fall asleep, abruptly come to an end when I hear something loud and whiny.

To no one’s surprise, it was my son, crying. Oh Joy! It was 2:30 a.m., and I think: “I have to deal with this now. Goodbye sleep, hello crying child.”

I rushed over to his room, and a mixture of exhaustion and panic set in. “Maybe something is wrong, maybe he is hurt,” I thought. I picked him up and started asking him what was wrong. Obviously, my one year-old son couldn’t answer me yet, but I tried anyways. 

When situations like this occur, my go-to solution is food - always food. I mean, if he is eating he can’t cry, right?! I was still completely exhausted, but I decided to take him into the kitchen and get him some food. 

In the meantime, my son’s cries have now woken up my husband and I worried that because we live in an apartment, he may have woken up the neighbours as well - so I move even faster to take him to the kitchen. 

My husband held him while I struggled to find something, anything, to feed him. Of course, my son wanted ME to hold him and as his crying got louder, I got more nervous. 

I frantically rummaged through my refrigerator and I found two simple items, a yogurt and a mini muffin and I quickly presented them to him as a gift from me to him. He looked at them, then me, then again at the food and finally decided on the mini muffin. 

“Thank goodness,” I said to my husband, and we both breathed a sigh of relief. 

As my son rested on my shoulder finishing his muffin, his satisfied expression let us know that he was in the comfortable in the presence of his mommy and daddy. Even in the midst of exhaustion and worrying that I didn’t have enough strength to carry him, my toddler wrapped his arms as tight around me as he could, tucked his head under my chin and peacefully rested it on my chest. 

Through these actions, he showed us that he knows we are always there to provide him comfort.

After that, we lay on the couch together, my son was on my chest, my husband was in the bedroom, already fast asleep, and soon enough, so were we. 

We did it! Or should I say, I did it! Another “I love you mommy and daddy” moment. 

These are the kinds of moments I think all parents need, just knowing that your kiddo loves and appreciates you makes it worth all of the (mostly) sleepless nights.  

I must say that, despite all of this, I truly feel blessed to have a little one and to hear the words “momma… and dada…” come out of his mouth.

Humans of Downsview: Rabia Khokhar - educator, student, librarian, and writer

Rabia Khokhar is a Long Term Occasional Elementary Teacher in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. My dad is always reminding people of when I was 4 years old and how I would come home from Kindergarten and play ‘teacher’ with my family members and stuffed toys.”

Rabia is proud to have helped create a library that resonates with the students.

She was born in Pakistan and immigrated to the Downsview area with her family when she was 6. Growing up Rabia spent many hours at the Downsview Public Library. She reflects, “it is such a vibrant and happening place! It has helped solidified my belief in the importance of public libraries for all members of a community. I remember in high school I volunteered for the Leading to Reading Program and wrote for the Scribbles newspaper for teens. I fondly remember hours of sitting, reading books and chatting with friends. Even to this day, every time I visit this library it feels like home.”

This love for libraries and community has turned into a lifelong passion for Rabia. As an educator and librarian, she is very proud to have a library that is the heart of her school’s community.

She explains, “[w]hen designing our library our goals were to have a social justice and equity lens and this meant we wanted to pay attention to the books, physical environment and learning opportunities for our students. We were very lucky to have funding to buy 200 new books for our students which showed diverse people and lived experiences. Our students were so excited to read and see these new books on display! We also wanted to have differentiated learning spaces for our students like a: technology zone, whole group, small group and independent spaces. We wanted our students to be part of creating their learning space, so we got them to help us make the signs and art in our library.”

The support from her Principal allowed for Rabia's success in implementing their library program.

Rabia attributes part of the success in her library to the support she received from her Principal, “I think our library program was successful because of the support from my Principal who really supported all ideas and was excited about them. It is so important to have a vision of the library that aligns with the administrator’s because that really helps to move things forward.” 

When she is not working as a librarian and educator, Rabia is pursuing a Master’s in Education at York University. She expresses that this is one of her biggest accomplishments, as it complements the work she does during the day.

Some books that Rabia helped bring to the school.

“I know that a Master’s classroom is a very privileged space, but I think the real accomplishment will be if I am able to take this new learning and language of ‘access’ and ‘translate’ it to those around me whether that’s family, friends and my students.” She is inspired and guided by a quote from Rebecca John and aspires to live as such: 

"What did I know about oppression if I read about it in a classroom? Why was what I saw as a ‘revolutionary education’ distancing me from my family? I realized that there was no point in knowing the language of social justice if I couldn't communicate with it to those closest to me"

Rabia paired her master’s education and work to write an article recently published by the Canadian School Libraries Journal. The article outlines Rabia’s school’s journey in designing a Library Learning Commons through an equity lens and what it can look like in one school community. It also discusses the important role of mentors for new teachers like her.

As if Librarian, Educator, and Master’s Student was not enough,  Rabia is also working on writing a small picture book. She explains: “As a visible Muslim woman a lot of students ask me ‘Ms.Khokhar what’s that on your head?’ so in some ways I am hoping the book addresses this question in a child friendly way.”

When she looks at the future, she would love to have a permanent teaching position as a teacher-librarian and become an equity coach or consultant. 

Read her article about equity and diverse representation here:  https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/designing-an-llc-through-an-equity-lens-and-ensuring-diverse-representation/ 

Local community advocate works to be next Miss Africa Canada

Leeann Tanaah is a 24 year-old young woman who has grown up in the Jane and Finch community her whole life. During the week she is a youth worker at Promoting Education and Community Health (PEACH) working with young boys and creating safe spaces and on the weekends Leeann has spent her time training to be the next Miss Africa Canada.“I always wanted to do a pageant and I told myself 2018 is going to be the time I do many of the things I want to do with my life.” Leeann explained that the pageant means “really bossing up and having tenacity.”With the help of her coaches, Ama Deidra, Ms. Folu, Zeeba Enebeli, and Fatou alongside the owner of the Miss Africa Canada competition, Mr. Ibrahim Adekale, Leeann has been able to connect with her competitors as both competition and friends as they navigate what Miss Africa Canada pageant means and win the title.  “To me, Miss Africa Canada means being a woman who is not ashamed of being a woman and all that it comes with. It means being tenacious.”Leeann explained that tenacity is a word she lives by and has created the concept of “Tanaahcity” - a combination of her last name and the word "city" to inspire her and remind her of her own strength.“Tanaahcity, or tenacity, inspires me. Tanaah City is a metaphor – it’s a city set on a hill. It’s about being able to see things clearly and to have better discernment in your life,” Leeann explains. This metaphor of the city on the hill – which is also a passage from the Bible – has helped Leeann be tenacious in the face of self-doubt and doubt from others. Leeann describes that sometimes it’s difficult to be a woman – often left navigating being “too this” or “too that.” Training for Miss Africa Canada has built the confidence she needs to make decisions that center her and encourages Leeann to pursue goals she before would have shied away from. “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels” is a Maya Angelou quote that happens to be one of Leeann’s favourites. The competition requires discipline and commitment - from fine tuning one’s walk, to honing your talent, to continuing your participation despite self-doubt and criticism. Leeann notes that the Miss Africa Canada competition has helped her build the confidence she needs to take control of her life and her future. The competition reinforces Leeann’s tenacity.“I’m done with counting myself out – I am not counting myself out. Over the years people have – ever since I was younger, people have been counting me out. But nope. This year I am counting myself in.”

“Our First 7 Years in Canada” An Interview with Hong Nguyen

Our family came to Jane and Finch in 1993. There were four of us, my husband and I, and our daughter and son. My husband and daughter arrived as refugees in 1989.  My husband worked at Panasonic and he sponsored me and our son in 1991.  After two months of searching for a job, I started work at W. M. Shoe Manufacturing Ltd. in Etobicoke. In Vietnam, my background was in accounting so I had never before worked in a factory.  After the shoe factory closed down in 1993, I was out of work.  My husband was laid off too, so we applied to live in government housing.  We moved from Etobicoke to an apartment on Dune Grassway in Downsview in 1993,. I remember that our son borrowed books from a bookmobile that parked on Firgrove every Wednesday.Both my husband and I found work here and there, but there was a language barrier. I wanted to take a Computerized Accounting Program offered by MicroSkills, but I had to improve my English. I took LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) classes, where I learned about Toronto and the pioneers who lived over one hundred years ago.  Our teachers took us to Black Creek Pioneer Village, I think that any newcomer should visit it!  During that time I was also pregnant with my third child (a son). I took the TTC from Downsview to Davenport every day up until my baby was due.  My teachers were worried when the weather was bad.When I was ready to apply to the Accounting Program, I was also about to give birth. My case worker told me I had a hard choice to make. I could stay at home and take care of three kids, or start the program one month after giving birth. Because this was my best chance to go back to school, after my son was born, I started the Accounting Program in May 1994. The next years were tough. My husband and daughter took turns babysitting when I was at school. After finishing in 1995, I volunteered at North York Community House, helping newcomers and translating flyers about local events.Finally, in 1995 I got a job in data entry at Watts Distribution Ltd., and I stayed there for more than 11 years. I learned new things on the job, and was promoted to Database Administrator. Working at Watts improved my English. I learned from the customer service reps, and later from talking with customers. My husband learned CNC technology and worked at Eagletronic.  In 1998, seven years  after our family arrived in Canada, we bought a house near Driftwood and have lived there ever since.Our neighbourhood has changed a lot over time. My husband and I used to travel downtown to buy rice and Asian food. Today, there are supermarkets in the area like Kien Hung Supermarket, and great Vietnamese restaurants. You can  go to church in Vietnamese at St. Jane Frances Church. My neighbours come from Africa, Europe, and Asia, and we always greet each other with a smile. My son still enjoys playing Ping-Pong at the Driftwood Community Centre. When I look back on our first years in Canada, I feel grateful that there were programs to support my family. My children have had many opportunities: our daughter is an MBA and our son became an Engineer.  Thank you Canada!  Actually, we are selling our house this year. I am moving with my children to Vaughan after more than 20 years in this house. If it were only up to me, I would stay in Downsview*This interview was conducted in Vietnamese and translated in to English by Michael Vu. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Amazing Love

William Ashley started his career as a graphic designer. When he switched to a career in the fine arts, it was a natural step. For many years, he worked with oil paint and much of his early work was wildlife drawings. He was also always interested in photography. William switched from oil to acrylic, believing that acrylic allowed for more versatility in his work. For a while, he found himself painting portraits. His reputation preceded him and commissions started coming. At one point, he was asked to paint a portrait of Mayor Mel Lastman. The Mayor was overwhelmed with the portrait, crying when he saw it for the first time.William has been working on an inspirational piece for the Jane-Finch community. William and his partner and Marketing Manager, Evadney, are long time residents and advocates in the community. For more than 18 years, William and Evadney ran a food-bank in Jane-Finch. They have also mentored many students and continue to advocate for the people of Jane-Finch. The piece that William has recently been working on will go on display at the Jane Finch Mall where community members can visit and receive inspiration from the positive message embedded in the work. The piece will incorporate some of the great minds that have come from the community, highlighting the accomplishments of the people of the Jane-Finch, including those of famous artists and professionals. In 2004, William found faith and started featuring Christian scripture into his work. Some of his works can be customized by clients with some even having their photos incorporated in the designs. His work can also be very high tech as he uses the latest digital technology to get the designs just right. On September 28, 2018, William and Evadney will be launching a new brand and are holding an exhibit at the De Runa Banquet Hall in Toronto. Currently, they have a gallery in the Jane-Finch community which is open by appointment. For more details, you can visit www.AmazingLove.ca.