The upcoming municipal election poses a great challenge in our area and around the City. The Provincial government changed the number of council seats from 47 to 25 only midway through the election. The courts stated that this infringes on our Charter of Rights and Freedoms but the province threatened the use of a notwithstanding clause to overrule this decision and the Court of Appeal granted a stay to the 25 ward model. So it looks like our area will have two sitting Councillors face off for the seat. For me, it is a simple choice. There is such deep contrast between the hard work and compassion of Anthony Perruzza and the divisiveness and malice of Giorgio Mammoliti. I have seen first-hand the work Anthony has done for others in the area and I have so much respect for what he does in our community. When I was an undergraduate student I called my Councillor's office not knowing much about Anthony Perruzza and said I wanted to volunteer. I did not how deeply that call would affect future years of my life. I joined a group of committed activists working in his office and all I had to do to enter the halls of power at City Hall was demonstrate that I wanted to make a positive change in my community. As a young person, having attended local schools, I wanted to give back to my community. It was Anthony Perruzza who provided me with the space and the support to run a mentoring program at CW Jefferys that helped dozens of students that year. The same way he helped me do something positive I saw him quietly working with countless groups, organizations and individuals to help build our neighbourhood. This is a diverse community where over a hundred languages are spoken and where 9 in 10 people are either not born in Canada or their parents were immigrants, me included. I have seen the work Anthony has done with many communities to build our neighbourhood a piece at a time, one park at a time, one street at a time. There is the reason why Anthony Perruzza is one of the most popular City of Toronto Councillors, with 71% of the vote in the last election and why with every election his popularity has increased. There are literally thousands of young people out there that have been affected directly by his work. From park clean ups with hundreds of participants from our schools, to holiday toy giveaways, to bicycles given to youth every year, to scholarships at York University, to having him attend almost all graduations in the area every year, I have seen him do things that other Councillors simply do not do.This area is my home. I want representation that is compassionate and truly rooted in community. Now as I complete my graduate studies at OISE, I understand the meaning of moving beyond the politics of representation when working for change. Our leaders need to be bold, hold true to their values and represent their community with care. Anthony Perruzza has proven himself time and time again. For me, the choice is clear. For a progressive, inclusive community I know whom I will be supporting. *Print versions of this article may be different.
Connecting communities and creating opportunities: the potential of the Finch W LRT
The Finch West light rail transit (LRT) project will move thousands of people in Northwest Toronto by the time it is completed in 2023. The project will create 600 jobs during the construction period. Although it brings with it many benefits, the Finch W LRT can be problematic.The contract signed between Metrolinx and Mosaic Transit Group, the private group who won the bid to build the Finch W line, specifies that maintenance of the LRT will be outsourced. This means the Finch W LRT maintenance jobs may not be unionized nor well-paying. The TTC should both operate and maintain the Finch W LRT as well as all other new transit projects so that good jobs with fair wages and worker protections stay in our community. Over 20% of workers in the GTA are suffering from precarious employment. When we create good-paying, unionized job opportunities for local residents they will spend their salaries within their communities at local businesses and pay more taxes to fund city services. It is a virtuous circle. Infrastructure projects like the Finch W LRT are a great opportunity for the government to tackle precarious work. Public sector jobs in transit maintenance and operations on new infrastructure cannot address all of the employment issues in our city but it is a step in the right direction. This is an exciting time for transit riders. In 2017 we saw the much anticipated Spadina-University line extension to Vaughan open. In 2021 the Eglinton Cross Town LRT will open and by 2023 the Finch West LRT should be fully constructed. Once built, these new lines will make life more convenient for thousands of TTC riders. But these initiatives need to benefit workers as well.More proposals like the Finch W are gaining popularity and the next five years will be crucial for our cities. Will we invest in the transit projects that riders need while also creating permanent economic opportunities in our communities? On October 22nd there will be a municipal election. We need to be vigilant and insist our elected officials make this a priority. The time to vote for transit and good jobs is fast approaching. Look up your candidate and let them know you want them to invest in transit and well-paying, unionized public sector maintenance jobs. Marco Covi is the Chair of TTCriders, Toronto’s largest transit rider advocacy non-profit organization.
Spend more time together - it's what the doctor ordered
Human connection seems to be on everyone’s minds these days, while we love the independence our devices give us without really realizing it, many of us are craving more time together. The rise of the individual has meant great improvements to individual rights and freedoms yet coupled with the rise of technology, it’s become easy to underestimate the value of community. We think we can go it alone at almost every turn and modern health care has shifted to accommodate these sentiments. Black Creek Community Health Centre (BCCHC) knows that coming together in community can not only mean prevention, it can also be the cure. They say it up front and often, their vision statement reads: “We envision a healthy, resilient and empowered community where people are connected and support each other”. Cheryl Prescod, Executive Director of the BCCHC says: “Our mandate is to address individual health needs as well as community needs, we know that if individuals in a community are healthy as a result the community will be healthy”. The Black Creek Family and Health Centre does more than simply acknowledge that community and individual health are intertwined – they live it. This year they held their Annual General Meeting at Black Creek Community Farm with who they partner. They offer a whole roster of programming that includes everything from fitness classes for the whole family to community gardening. The centre has lots of individual care on offer. Everyone should have a General Practitioner, someone who knows the individual, their history and available supports. The centre can add additional support through some of the unique accessible community programs; programs like dietary instruction and a community kitchen to take that instruction from theory to practice. The holistic approach to treatment means your whole self and your whole family will be taken care of. The communal approach to healthcare means that people look after each other. People feel less isolated and more connected to the people around them. It’s this connection that keeps the community coming back to Black Creek Community Health Centre. For more information visit them today at one of 2 locations in Downsview, The Yorkgate Mall at Jane and Finch and Sheridan Mall at Jane and Wilson.
Lessons Learned from My Jane-Finch Years
El Salvador is a small country in Central America. When a civil war broke out in the 1980s, teachers like my parents became a target for the repressive government. After getting death threats, we decided it was best for our family to leave. We moved to Mexico, thinking the war would soon be over. We had no idea it would last 12 years. After six years in Mexico, we immigrated to Canada, settling in the Jane-Finch neighbourhood. I still remember the landscape of the neighbourhood in the 90s. There was a large number of immigrants from Latin America, visible in the malls, churches, doctors' offices and at school. James Cardinal McGuigan was my high school and the Jane Finch Mall was the cool place to hangout with friends. The youth employment services office at Yorkgate Mall launched me into my first summer job as a recreation assistant for a seniors program at Northwood Community Centre. York University became my alma mater as I obtained a BA and an MA in Political Science. The community was vibrant and full of hope as many new immigrants made it their home. On Sundays, we attended St. Jane Frances for service in Spanish where we thanked God for allowing us to leave the horrors of the war behind and start a new life in Canada. In 1997, our family moved to Woodbridge. We missed our old neighbourhood. My old cat could not get used to his new home and ran away. I drove back to the neighbourhood many times to look for him but he was never found. I still imagine him cruising around the block, refusing to become a suburban feline. For years, I returned to the neighbourhood to shop at Zellers and Marisel's Bakery and get my haircut at Josanthony's, until they closed. When I visit the neighbourhood now, I am very happy to see the changes but also the things that have stayed the same. The malls bustling with people from so many diverse backgrounds, the flea markets, the community centres offering great programs... Sure, growing up in Jane-Finch had its challenges. We lived close to a drug house and police presence was a regular occurrence. At times, whole SWAT teams were deployed on our block. There were gangs and shootings. But we had a strong sense of community and we were always resilient in the face of adversity. Within the corridors of what some referred to as "the concrete jungle" lived the hope of many people of all ages and backgrounds trying to improve their lives and their community; there were recreational programs for youth, neighbourhood associations putting together Caribana floats, seniors groups, free family skating days with hot chocolate and many other great initiatives. I learned much from my Jane-Finch years. Through determination, we can overcome any barrier, whether it be linguistic, economic or cultural. The strength that a community can have when it works together is limitless, regardless of circumstances. Positive change is always possible. These experiences served me well as I became a lawyer. When faced with difficult cases or a fierce opposing counsel, it is my Jane-Finch resilience and strength that help me succeed.
Spring Cleaning? Donate your Gently-Used Clothing and Small Appliances to Just-A-Second Shop!
Not-for-profit organizations are often undervalued and as a result underfunded, but they are so important! Why, you ask? Because their work is very significant to the community or group of people they serve. Instead of maximizing profits, which means maximizing revenues while minimizing costs, they are more concerned with ensuring the revenue is greater than costs. The focus is instead on the people and not the profits. People who dedicate their lives to helping others need to be recognized and celebrated.One example of a non-profit in the Dowsview area is: The Jewish Family and Child Services run thrift shop called Just-A-Second Shop. They are opened six days a week and offers new and gently used clothing and small household items at very reasonable prices. All proceeds are used to focus on sending children in the community to Jewish day and overnight camps -among other things. The shop is staffed by a team of dedicated volunteers and employees who are happy to help.If you are planning some spring cleaning and have gently-used clothing and/or small household items in good condition, Just-A-Second Shop would be happy to take them off your hands. By donating you are helping people in need in the community. If you have questions about donating you can call 416.638.7800 x 6999. You can also drop off the items you’d like to donate at any of the bright yellow drop-off boxes located at the store and the following locations: Sherman Campus, 4600 Bathurst Street; Beth Tzedec Synagogue, 1700 Bathurst Street (NE side of the parking lot), Beth Tikvah Synagogue, 3080 Bayview Avenue; and, Associated Hebrew School, 300 Atkinson Avenue, Thornhill.For more information: Call, 416 633 9898 or visit 4117 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M3H 3P4Hours: Monday to Wednesday - 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Thursday - 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Friday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed Saturdays and Jewish Holidays.
Magnotta Brewery:Featuring Peaches En Regalia and Dungeons and Flagons ESB
This new feature column, Community Brews, aims to celebrate the small breweries in our community, sharing not only the tasting notes of their latest feature beer, but also telling their story and describing their history in our local area. In this edition, we introduce Magnotta Brewery. Gabe and Rossana Magnotta founded its Winery business in 1990, producing 100% Ontario vintages from grapes grown at 180 acres of family-owned and operated vineyards. The story of this winery business, which is now the third largest in Ontario, is familiar to many local consumers. A lesser-known part of its history began in 1996 with the formation of Magnotta Brewery, which a location in the heart of North York at Yonge and Finch.It introduced traditionally brewed craft lagers and ales that would win awards at national and international competitions including Brewery of the Year. More recently, rotating experimental brews have been added to the classic lineup, expanding the repertoire of available tastes for beer lovers. These specialty brews were created by staff members who work at the brewery and are interested in honing their skills as an apprentice under the watchful eye of the head brewer.Barbara Ziola is a seasoned veteran of the Canada brewing industry who takes her role as head brewer seriously when it comes to safety, sanitation, and quality yet always has a smile and time to take a curious person on a tour of the brewery, teaching as she goes. “I love what I do,” she told me as she described how a large tank known as a “sparge” extracts the sweet sugary liquid, known as “wort” from the crushed barley and hot water mixture known as “mash”. Later in the process hops are added to impart flavour and then yeast is used to ferment the sugars into alcohol. While I was learning about brewing, I also learned about Magnotta’s community involvement.The brewery hires people of all ages and backgrounds whether they have a formal education or not, including people with disabilities. I saw many smiling faces going about their tasks, chatting casually with one another as they filled a box with the latest brews. I was not surprised to learn the company was recognized as one of Canada’s 50 best managed for over 10 consecutive years.Its annual Art on the Bottle competition and scholarship, which was won by 4th year arts student Kelly Baskin this past year, promotes the work of art students by featuring it on the bottle of a new release. It is also a strong supporter of medical research through its G. Magnotta Foundation that works closely with local medical institutions including the Humber River Hospital.A family business with deep community ties is a good fit for the growing craft beer culture in our city, but only sets the stage for the brews themselves to shine. Originally only available at the Vaughn head office, all of the classic beers can now be ordered and picked up at any Magnotta location, including in North York.Reviews:After my tour, I had the pleasure of sampling one of the exclusive new brews that make the trek up to Vaughn a worthwhile treat: Peaches En Regalia. Made in the traditional Belgian wheat beer style, this honey-coloured ale has a sour nose, smooth body, and a crisp finish that lingers pleasantly with hints of Ontario peaches sourced from P.G. Enns Farms. Its 4.8% alcohol and low bitterness make it a great complement to a light meal of chicken and pasta.Next, I sampled Dungeons and Flagons ESB, the creation of employee and amateur brewer Dean. “I wanted to create something with a bit more bitterness and boldness than our classic beers,” he explained as he walked me through his creative process. With some experimentation and healthy competition between employees, he succeeded in melding the tradition of English extra special bitter ales with Ontario hops to create a lighter, honey bodied brew with a crisp bitter finish. At 5.5% alcohol and around 20 International Bitterness Units (IBUs), the hops and malt are well-balanced. Enjoy it beside a roaring fire with steak-frites and let your imagination soar!
Community Spotlight: Against All Odds (part 1)
Samuel Boakye was on a downward trajectory in his middle and early high school years. Today, he attends the University of Toronto and runs a non-profit program that exposes marginalized youth to experiences in the field of construction.Samuel moved into local community housing at age 10, his mother struggling to raise three children after her husband had left her some years ago."At my old school, I was a popular, energetic and playful kid." says Samuel, "When I moved, it was like I dropped rank and had to ascend again. There were many terms like 'teacher's pet' that would deter you from taking a positive role and become a target of bullying."Samuel reflected on his feelings of isolation and being bullied when he first arrived. His priority in school was his social status and he reached the top of that food chain as a tough kid with little interest in his studies.The transition to high school meant starting from the bottom once more. Samuel had few thoughts of the future and his focus was on fun and the respect of his peers. It was a time of frequent fights, trips to the principal's office and school suspensions.Samuel speaks of his mother's feelings about him during those years, "I think she had accepted I would never be the smart kid at school. At best, she hoped I would make it through school and find any job I could." By grade 10, Samuel's mother came to believe that her son's only chance of redemption might lie elsewhere; she made the hard decision to send her son to live with his father in Ghana.At the time, Samuel was extremely resentful of her plan to send him to his father. He plotted mischief he would unleash upon his arrival but when he faced his father once more in the flesh, all his plans melted away. "The moment I saw him again it was back to the drill sergeant and cadet." says Samuel with a grin.Samuel's father was a successful businessman back in Ghana, managing and owning over a dozen pharmacies. His father demanded discipline of his son but had no time to administer it so he sent Samuel to a boarding school where he would live on campus and under strict rules and supervision. At this new school, Samuel observed something that was incredibly surprising: some of the coolest and toughest kids also were the most academically involved. This was in stark contrast to the youth culture he was used to, which he described as idolizing mediocrity and apathy towards studies.Despite this realization, Samuel continued feeling resentment and disinterest in his studies. Half a year passed and Samuel's grades continued to be poor, so his exasperated father took him out of school and sent him to live with his two uncles. It was during this time with his uncles that two defining moments happened in Samuel's life, setting him on a path of reflection and ultimately redemption...to be continued next month
Breaking Barriers through Art in Toronto
Ojo Agi is a Toronto based Nigerian-Canadian artist. Her artwork seeks to explore races or identities that are often ignored in contemporary art. In 2012, Ojo worked with Alex Folzi on an exclusive t-shirt collection. In 2015, Ojo Agi's art was featured in a pop-up gallery in Ottawa, Ontario.HA: Tell me about yourself. Can you explain your transition from a Tumblr account to a personal website?OA : My name is Ojo Agi and I'm a visual artist currently based in Toronto. I've always loved making art and about six years ago I started posting my artwork online. I received a lot of positive feedback, which encouraged me to continue making art, but the downside of social media platforms is that you lose control of the context once you post online. People were reposting my work and it was rarely credited back to me. Two years ago I made my own site, which has helped to contain my work and act as an online portfolio.HA: What is the message that you try to convey through your pictures?OA : Growing up, I rarely--if ever--saw people like me represented positively in the media I consumed. So writing stories and drawing pictures has been my way of making up for it. At the core of it (message), is representation, but simply representing women like me in non-stereotypical ways has also been an act of resistance against white supremacist, patriarchal standards.HA : Where do you gather inspiration for your art work? Are there any artists who have influenced your work?OA: I take in inspiration from so many sources--photographs, fabrics, people on the street, other artists. Some of my favourites are Dessie Jackson, Stella Blu and Daniel Segrove but I have many, many more.HA: When "marketing" your work to people what techniques have worked and what has not ?OA: I'm still trying to figure that out! But I can say that exposure for exposure's sake is not beneficial. I have to learn to market myself to the right audiences and be selective with how I choose to show (and, therefore, brand) my work. This means saying no to some opportunities and working to create my own if I can't find what I'm looking for. For example, I hosted a pop-up gallery in May 2015 which had a great turnout and helped showcase my art locally. It also set the tone for how I want my work to be shared with the public and gave people an idea of the standard I'm looking for.HA: Have you faced any criticism or misconceptions concerning your work? How have you tried to alleviate such circumstances in which you felt that you were misunderstood?OA: Once someone commented on my Instagram photo that I only drew racially ambiguous people. It was absurd since I was in the middle of posting my "Daughters of Diaspora" collection which was based specifically on reference photos of African models (my Nigerian friend included).I thought a lot of it was chalked up to the commenter's ignorance about what looks "black" or "African" enough. The conversation went back and forth but ultimately I can say this: if there is something you feel is missing in art or media, then create it! One person can't (and shouldn't) represent everyone. So if there's a gap, look for ways you can fill it.
Silhouettes
***Special Winter Story***I’m repeating it in my head. Saying it over, and over again, and loudly, so that maybe I’ll start to believe it, to live it. The lights around me are twinkling, glittering, hopelessly trying to make this grim day shine. The songs are playing on a loop, both in my head and on the radio.“Tis the season to be jolly,”Teeth chattering and wheezy, I stomp my frozen feet trying to bring back some feeling, any feeling.In the distance there are children hurrying home, away from the flint-grey skies, with ears on fire and icy-blue because they refused to wear a hat. My boots crunch over the dead leaves as I saunter home, wind howling and nipping at my frosted skin. The first signs of winter grew boldly. My eyes gaze over my surroundings; the cold winds have peeled away every last leaf that clung desperately onto the branches of the giant tree just a few hours ago. Appearing barren and succumbing to its mighty will, fall surrendered, cowering in the past.My clothes feel damp and my eyes heavy.“Fa la la la la, la la la la,”High above me the dark clouds hang, commanding winter to come forward. There is no horizon, just grey. Defeated, I reach my home grievously trying to leave this day behind me just as the icy layers begin to lower down. I dare not look back upon a world so stark and bereft of colour.When it settled, the empty skies fell silent and a gentle hush from the wind cloaked the land, still strong enough to steal your breath. I stare into the fire I have made, watching the fleeting flames as they crackle and pop back at me before hissing to life again. I emerge from my den, intrigued as to what my frigid world, so grey and dark, has become.Opening the door, the cool air hit me. While the snow flakes dance and shimmer around me, I stare across the snowcapped trees and catch a glimpse of what’s to come. I step forward, leaving behind the empty shell of who I once was. Before me the path glistens, taking on a multitude of colours the way crystals often do, yet ice and snow on broken concrete is all it is. All this beauty over everything dead, but colours appear brighter against the pure white blanket.Finally looking up, I see the snow delicately falling, feather-like, gently kissing my cheeks before melting. Flushed with relief, cheeks burning from the cold, I feel lighter. Fresh sheets of snow cover everything; untouched, untainted, unharmed. Snow has a grace and elegance so pure, soothing to the hard edges of the cold world.The milky moon hung in the sky as only an ornament could. The frosty air swirls around me making my bare hands tingle, while silhouettes of winter branches cascade over the ground. I realize I’m just standing there, letting the world move around me. Everything can seem so desolate at times, but winter is a wonderland.
If you like coffee, sandwiches and homemade dessert, Cafe by Kwin is the place to be!
Café by Kwin first opened in July 2015. This friendly neighbourhood café was created by J. Kwin and is a family business involving both parents and their three children as well as an aunt. The children work after school or on weekends and enjoy working while balancing their school and social schedules.The family works well together and they share bonding moments too. Working with family is, according to them, “a real pleasure.” The business schedule can be adapted to each individuals schedule making it easy to manage.Cafe by Kwin’s priority is to stick to good quality, healthy and fresh product at affordable prices –and they are great at making you feel comfortable. They provide great customer relationships and delicious food –can’t go wrong!It all started because J. Kwin is a coffee lover and a cooking devotee, so he came up with the idea of a cafe where he could work with his family. He did a lot of research and invented his own recipes to make good, healthy, fresh and homemade food. He also decorated and designed the café’s layout. The room is spacious which provides different areas that fit several groups of people and they even have outdoor seating!Their menu includes a variety of sandwiches, coffees, salads, cheesecakes (from The Cheesecake Factory), Belgium waffles, ice cream, and much more. Tu Anh Nguyen (J. Kwin’s wife) is fond of drinks, so J. Kwin also created a variety of drink recipes. I personally recommend the strawberry banana smoothie, which is very fruity and refreshing.Café by Kwin is a great place to meet with friends, to study or have a meeting. They provide a great atmosphere and friendly, respectful service along with good quality food. It is located at 1 De Boers Drive, 400 meters from the Downsview subway station.So, do not hesitate anymore, and come enjoy a delicious coffee with a slice of homemade cheesecake sooner than later!For more information visit: www.cafebykwin.comEmail: mail@cafebykwin.comPhone: 647-352-5558Facebook: Cafe by KwinInstagram: @cafebykwin