By Richard MartinsThe Black Creek Community Farm opened its gates to the community for a fun filled day for the whole family.The purpose of the family farm day, held May 24 was to educate the community on the value of growing healthy, sustainable food.Lead by Everdale a farm-based charity, the farm was open to all local Jane-Finch residents to learn about the farm.“The farm is here to offer organic produce as a healthier alternative to fast foods, and to educate locals on the farming process,” said Leticia Boahen, the farm's community coordinator.Education was an important theme as enthusiastic staff members Aabir Doy and Alex Redfield helped participants to interact with the land responsibly by tending to the crops.Children and adults were encouraged to plant seeds, plough the soil and to ask any questions they may have had about the gardening process.Teaching residents gardening skills was an important task to fulfil by staff, a mission which Sheri Alcordo, a teacher Driftwood public school said she agreed with.“The farm imparts children with knowledge on health, stewardship skills, forming relationships and being inclusive," Alcordo said.Afterwards, local participants were provided with a tour of the farm.The farm's mission is to grow healthy, affordable produce right in the neighbourhood. The Black Creek Community Farm grows everything from tomatoes, long beans, chick peas and lentils, to South Asian and Caribbean crops like okra, callaloo and bok choy. Local residents will also get a 30 per cent discount on all vegetables grown at the farm.Locals who visited the farm were exuberant to participate in the gardening process and found the farm to be a positive experience. Sharon Braganza, a local participant, found the farm to be a joyous event.She said, “Black Creek Farm will benefit the children primarily, due to education on eating healthy, teaching kids there is more than technology and how to be hands on with nature,” said Sharon Braganza, a Jane-Finch resident.Anan Lololi the executive director of Afri-Can FoodBasket, one of the events' sponsors said the Black Creek Community Farm provides a great service to the community.“Urban farms are a benefit to the community as a large quantity of produce are available in their local area, which the whole city can be proud of," Lololi said.Staff of the farm, located at 4929 Jane St., encourage community members to visit from Monday to Saturday and to attend the Harvest Festival on June 26.For more information visit the farm's website at www.everdale.org/blackcreek, or call 416-393-6381.
New buses should leave less people stranded
By Jessica PointonLocal residents are all too familiar with the long line-ups of commuters anticipating the arrival of the next 36 Finch West bus.It can sometimes become a challenge to remain calm after lengthy wait-times.Buses often pass by designated stops because they are at their full carrying capacity long-before they reach the station, leaving many passengers stranded.Whether you're a parent with a stroller on route during the afternoon rush or a student lugging home a hefty backpack, all commuters deserve the assurance of having some basic breathing room without having to stumble over other passengers.To address this issue, the Finch West bus route is the next in line to receive the Toronto Transit Commission's (TTC) new 60-foot, low-floor “bendy” buses. The buses should arrive along the 36 route some time in November or December.The buses, which run on clean diesel fuel, are a substantial upgrade from the previous 40-foot buses, with room for 48 seated passengers and 19 standing, these articulated buses hold up to 45 per cent more people.This increased threshold is good for both TTC riders and motorists, as there will be fewer buses to clog traffic along Finch Ave. W. There will also be fewer bus operators, meaning the TTC's resources can be better spent in other areas.The TTC has purchased 153 new buses so far at a cost of $143.7 million.The first few buses were released along the 7 Bathurst route in late December, and the next were released along the 29 Dufferin bus route in January. Finch West will receive the new buses some time this year.Local resident, Kyle Harrison, said he looks forward to the new buses along Finch West.“They are definitely a step in the right direction. We are a sprawling metropolis with a transit system reliant on considerably defunct technology.” Harrison said. “These buses are a welcome transfusion that will keep the lifeblood of our community running.”Though hybrid buses are more environmentally friendly in parts of the city plagued by gridlock, clean-diesel buses are consistently less likely to face battery-related issues and are substantially cheaper.These articulated buses have three sets of doors, which enable commuters to have an easy exit.Overall, this is yet another transit improvement for Downsview residents, along with the addition to the Yonge-University Spadina subway extension, which is set to open some time in 2016.
Hydro bills keep going up while service keeps going down
By Tom Rakocevic At the beginning of this month, Ontarians had to endure yet another increase to our hydro bill.Hydro wasn't our only bill to go up. According to the Sunshine List, Tom Mitchell, the President and CEO of Ontario Power Generation made $1.71 Million in 2013, making him the highest paid public sector employee in the province. A $10,000 increase from what Mitchell earned in 2013.This doesn't even mention the $1 Billion Ontario taxpayers paid by selling excess electricity to other states and provinces for significantly less than what it cost to produce it. This translates to roughly $220 a year out of each of our pockets. Nor does it mention the Liberal government's $1.1 Billion gas plant fiasco where they cancelled an unpopular power plant in order to get re-elected, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill.Currently, an average Ontario family pays approximately $125 a month for electricity. According to Kathleen Wynne's “long-term energy plan,” we can expect a 42 per cent increase in our hydro bills over the next five years. Under this plan, it is projected that Ontario families will pay an average of $178 a month on our hydro bills. Residents living in homes with electric furnaces and/or baseboard heating already face incredibly high bills and the situation will only get worse. Some individuals have seen bills approaching $1,000 in the coldest months.This will put a major squeeze on many Ontario families, including those living here in Downsview. Under the Liberal government, our hydro bills have increased by almost 50 per cent and show no signs of slowing down.Despite the price increase, hydro service has not increased, it has actually decreased.Recently, Ontario Ombudsman André Marin, has launched “a systemic investigation into complaints about serious problems with billing and customer service at Hydro One.”Some of the most common complaints have been that customers have only received estimated hydro bills, or none at all, only to later be served with large cumulative bills that don't give people a reasonable amount of time to pay them.This hurts the most vulnerable people in our society, and bogs them down with interest payments that are extremely difficult to keep up with, and places them under threat of having their hydro cut off.All of this would be bad enough even if people were able to contact to get a proper explanation. However, many of the complaints that Marin has received about Hydro One has been about the government corporation's lack of customer service.“In the past few years, we have seen more and more complaints from Hydro One users about bills that seem to have no bearing in reality – and about the lack of answers they get when they ask why,” Marin said in a Feb. 4 press release.According to Marin, he was “alarmed” when his office tried to contact Hydro One regarding this matter, they too got “stonewalled,” and that this experience reflected the concerns he been hearing from regular Ontarians who wrote in their complaints.How did the Liberal government respond to this colossal mismanagement of our provincial hydro utility? By giving raises to the hydro executives who were in charge of this, paid for by us, the taxpayers.There have been serious problem at our public hydro utility for years. Not only is it one that the provincial Liberal government has failed to do anything about, the problem has gotten significantly worse under their watch.
Strengthening communities through the power of music
By Andrea Mera On any given weekday at 4:00p.m., the hallways of Yorkwoods Public School are filled with the sounds of violins, cellos, drums, and passionate voices.Playing to potential, Sistema Toronto's social development program brings these hallways to life by providing free instruments and music lessons to a group of students from grades one to five.In 1975, José Antonio Abreu, an economist and musician founded El Sistema in Venezuela to combat widespread poverty related issues that affect youth.“The huge spiritual world that music produces in itself overcomes material poverty,” said Abreu, in El Sistema's motto. “From the minute a child is taught how to play an instrument, he or she is no longer poor.” David Visentin, Executive and Artistic Director for El Sistema Toronto, explains that he always wanted his art to serve the community, and after being invited to Venezuela to observe first-hand what El Sistema was, became inspired by witnessing the joy children experience though belonging to a community of musicians."There is always need in every community, and young people need to feel part of the community," Visentin said.In 2011 Visentin, an orchestral musician who has played the violin at thousands of concerts throughout his career began working to bring El Sistema to Toronto with Robert Eisenberg, who continues to be a huge supporter of the program.El Sistema Toronto began operating in Parkdale for students between grades one through four, and quickly developed to reach students from grade one to grade eight. In a short period of time the organization has expanded to serve the Downsview community, and has created a mutually supportive network between the two groups operating in Toronto.Matias de Doviitis, an Executive Assistant to Councillor Anthony Perruzza worked with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), the City of Toronto, and Sistema Toronto to help bring the program to the neighbourhood."I fell in love with the program right away, because it gives a lot more to the kids than just music, it builds community, and all the skills that we need to be successful in life; like hard work, and the ability to work with others," de Doviitis said.The intensity of the program helps the children build endurance as they spend about 400 hours practicing their instruments during the school year, after school they are provided a snack and begin working right away for two hours.The program also helps build confidence, because the children perform regularly in front of crowds.Visentin explained, the program is built on three philosophical legs that emphasize the importance of teamwork and community building.“We are a team, we always do our best, and we help each other." Visentin said. "We want to see happy children that are excited, creative, and engaged."Early in the school year students attended a demonstration which allowed them to select the instrument they preferred, and then created their own paper- mâché instruments.Andres Tucci Clarke, the Co-ordinator, Orchestra Conductor and Cello Teacher for Sistema at Yorkwoods Public School, said this served as a team building exercise, and taught the students how to care for their instruments. Upon completion of this exercise, the children receive an instrument, generously donated by Yamaha Music Canada.According to Tucci Clarke, the positive impact the program has had on the students is clearly visible."I've noticed a lot of change as far as respect goes, respect for instructors and for each other," he said.The students are also taught to look out for each other. Team work and mentorship are encouraged, and it is apparent that the children are all respectful of the fact that they each learn at different levels."Children love to teach, they are proud of the things they learn,” Visentin said “Their passion for wanting to share [what they know] is encouraged."He added that students can transfer the skills they learn with Sistema to school, and life, which will positively impact their communities.El Sistema is dedicated to expanding the program at Yorkwoods Public School and throughout the GTA, providing hundreds of children the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument.Sistema Toronto will be playing at the "Vital Toronto Awards Ceremony" on June 18, 2014, and at Yorkwoods Public School on June 23 at 5:00 pm.
Pipeline changes approved with little consultation could put us at risk
By Yasmin ParodiThe Hydro Corridor, north of Finch Avenue, is a strip of grass bordering the entire City of Toronto. Recognizable by its hydro towers and power lines above ground, the corridor also pumps natural gas, electricity, and oil through the City.Beneath the grass lays the controversial Enbridge oil pipeline also known as 'Line 9. Changes to Line 9 which now were approved on Mar. 6 now include the ability to transport heavy crude, or bitumen from Alberta's tar sands.The tar sands (also called oil sands by the industry) are a large deposit of unconventional oil in the form of sand, which needs mass amounts of land, water and chemical to be refined. An estimated 82 per cent of water is drawn from the Athabasca River, which runs along many first nations communities in Northern Alberta whose lives are severely being impacted by the extraction."Canada faces a crisis when it comes to the situation of indigenous peoples," said James Anaya, the UN's special rapporteur on the right of aboriginal peoples after his visit to Canada.Transportation of this heavy crude, also known as “super hot sandpaper” by activists, provides a serious risk of creating a leak in the 37 year-old pipeline, which could have catastrophic consequences on our natural environment.Enbridge says this description of the consistency of the oil is inaccurate and reiterated that they will add drag reducing agent (DRA) to line 9 in order to avoid corrosion or friction in the line.The precedence for such a disaster was set four years ago with a pipeline the same size and make of line 9.In July 2010, Enbridge oil pipeline 6B burst causing more than 3.3 Million litres of bitumen to flow into Michigan's Kalamazoo river causing the worst inland oil spill in American history. In addition to the severe environmental damage the leak caused, it also cost Enbridge more than $1 Billion to cover the cost of the oil spill.The social, health and economic impacts of environmental disasters can not be overlooked.Stretches of the Kalamazoo River have also been closed for more than two years following and it caused severe damage to the wildlife and the ecosystem of the area.“If a leak, the size of the one that happened in Kalamazoo that leaked for 17 hours before it was stopped happened in Toronto, it would be devastating,” said Councillor Anthony Perruzza who voted in support of a motion by councillor Mike Layton at the Apr. 1 Toronto city council meeting urging the province to conduct a comprehensive and independent environmental assessment of the area surrounding line 9.The pipeline crosses the Credit, Humber and Don rivers, which lead to Lake Ontario, where our drinking water comes from. It also passes close to the G Ross Lord Reservoir, at Dufferin St., and Finch Ave. W., which contains the run off from flood waters. Any leak could put our water supply at risk of contamination.There are some fears that because the pipeline is nearly 40 years old and was not designed to carry this type of heavy crude it may be susceptible to a leak.Despite this very real risk, the National Energy Board, a federal regulation group, presided over a rushed approval process with very little public participation or consultation.There were tight qualifications for those "directly affected" who were able to comment on the proposal, which prompted the Directly Affected campaign arguing everyone is affected by an inter-provincial pipeline and therefore should be invited to participate in the process.What has scientists, activists and engineer in uproar is not just that this project is bad for the climate and the environment.(an issue which was not allowed to be on the issues discussed at the meeting). They are outraged by the Conservative governments purposeful changing of laws in order to pave the way for unchallenged fossil fuel development projects, like the tar sands.Bill C38 in 2013 removed environmental protection. Of particular concern, is that the changes mean Line 9 ( apart from being nearly 40 years old) is exempt from an environmental assessment.Federally, the government Is not taking responsibility and the Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne has not stepped up. Leaving it up to the company. This is of particular concern because of what happened in Kalamazoo.Currently, line 9 carries light crude from other counties and flows in a westbound direction. What this project has approved is the shipment of Canadian diluted bitumen eastbound through our city to refineries where it will be processed into petroleum products.It approved an increase in the amount of oil being shipped per day as well as changes to a tariff in order to ship heavy crude oil which was not permitted prior.Support for oil projects are commonly connected to the idea of job creation and economic growth, and for good reason. Families have mouths to feed, and Canadians need to go about their daily lives, but the government should be leading the country forward to a variety of renewable energy opportunities and sustainable transportation systems which are good for the planet, the economy and our health.Citizens should encourage and support politicians who are prepared to do the work needed to protect us.Of course, cutting our oil use cold turkey is nearly impossible, it is a valuable resource that is being used up faster than the planet can handle. It is not an end, but a beginning.Being conscious of and acting on our use of dirty energy is not just a moral imperative, I think it's our only option.Based on the latest report of the International Panel on Climate Change, which encouraged world leaders to act immediately, which encouraged world leaders to act immediately to reduce carbon emissions, Stephen Harper's plan to expand tar sands extractions by five times, is not logically or morally responsible.It's in our best interest to not let the government put the interest of big business ahead of the safety and well-being of Canadians -- industry and government alike.We all deserve, and need better.
Downsview filmmaker wins prestigious award
by David RosSue Chun has just been named one of the YWCA's 2014 women of distinction, but you might not be able to tell this based on her humble demeanour.The 25-year-old filmmaker insists that while she is thrilled to be honoured in such a way, she was taken aback by it.“To be honest, actually, I was really surprised and even now it's kind of conflicting in a way because I'm not sure that I deserve this at this time in my life especially,” Chun said. “I myself am growing as well and just seeing the other women that are receiving the award doing things at such great capacityI know I have a lot to grow still, but it does encourage me to do more and to do better.”It's this very passion and humility which led Chun to tell the positive stories, particularly of new Canadians in the Jane and Finch neighbourhood. Which she says is often only portrayed in a negative light.Chun started off by volunteering to help produce videos for jane-finch.com while she was in high school and it just took off from there.“I started off by just following the main team around and taking demo shots,” she said. “As I veered into my involvement with the web site, I started developing my own productions.”Chun said the moment that truly inspired her to continue on as a filmmaker was when she made a short documentary on Robert Sargent, who helped many of the Vietnamese “boat people” who fled during the Vietnam War to settle in Toronto.“It just really inspired me because during that time, there was a lot of racism going on and not too many people were keen on helping out a new community of people,” she said. “It was inspiring to see that not only was he a white man, but he decided to take on the responsibility to help out these people on his own and through his help, this different generation of the families that he has helped have gone on to do greater things.”Some of Chun's short films can be seen at jane-finch.com, she also said she has another project called newcomers, which is coming soon and will feature some more of her films.Chun will receive her 2014 YWCA Women of Distinction award on May 22 at the Carlu, 444 Yonge St.
Community consultation held to discuss Jane Finch transit problems
By David RosThe Jane-Finch community is home to more than 80,000 people yet, it has some of the least adequate transit services for a community of its size.The purpose of a recent meeting held at the York Woods Community Library Theatre was get community consultation on how this problem can be fixed.TTC chair Maria Augimeri, who was present at the meeting, said that under the Transit City program, which has now been scrapped, there would have been an 11km Light-Rail Transit (LRT) route along Finch Ave., W, which would have significantly improved transit service in the area.According to Mitch Stambler, a TTC planner, the 35 Jane bus and the 36 Finch-West bus are the 2nd and 3rd busiest bus routes in the city.The buses along both routes are often overcrowded, leaving many people to wait for multiple buses to arrive because there is no room for them to board. This can be particularly problematic during rush hour when both streets are filled with heavy traffic congestion.Although, the extension to the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line will provide service to the community when it is projected to open some time in late 2016, it will do very little to ease the transit problems along those routes as most community members will still have to reach the new stations by bus.According to Augimeri, a push to create more subways, which are significantly more expensive to build, has “distracted” from the fact that the province has already agreed to provide funding for LRT routes along Jane St., and Finch Ave., W.Jamie Robinson, Metrolinx's director of community relations and communication for TTC projects, agrees saying that if the LRT routes are built, they will be 60 per faster than the current bus routes. LRT vehicles can hold significantly more people than buses and because they operate within their own dedicated lanes, they can provide quick and efficient service even during rush hour.Work has already begun on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT line which is scheduled to begin operation in 2017 and as of now, it is unclear what will happen to the other LRT routes that were approved as part of the Transit City plan.These issues are unlikely to be resolved until after the the municipal election on Oct. 27.
Growing a better community one tree at a time
By Matias de DoviitisOur public parks are ours to take care of. We as community members are the owners of them, and if we want to preserve them to be used for future generations, then it is up to us to maintain them.This was the lesson learned by more than 500 local elementary school students on Tuesday May 6 when they participated in a park clean up and planted new trees at Remberto Navia Sports Field, located between York Gate Blvd., and Norfinch Dr.The event, organized by Councillor Anthony Perruzza's office, gives students an opportunity to get out of the classroom and into the sunshine for a day of hands on learning. The students were able to learn the value of keeping our parks clean as well as the vital role that trees play in our ecosystem, helping to purify the air we breathe.Children often learn better by getting their hands dirty and experiencing the world around them. It's one thing to hear about the impact of litter and pollution on our environment, but it's another thing to see it right in front of our very eyes and perhaps more importantly, to do something to make it better.Programs like this one help to build confidence because it shows students that they can make a difference.Not only did the students enjoy themselves, but they also provided a valuable service to our community. This event is also important because it encourages students to take action in order to reduce their carbon footprint. It also teaches them to take pride in their community and that their actions matter. The little things they can do such as planting a tree will leave a lasting positive impact for years to come.This program teaches students social responsibility that they will carry with them for years to come and judging by the looks on many of their faces, this experience is something they will not soon forget.It's for this reason that I am proud to have taken part in this event over the years, and have always been inspired by watching how excited the students are to participate and to share in the joy of learning.It is crucial that programs like this continue in order teach these students who represent our future to create a better society for every one of us.
Healthy Food Grown for Jane-Finch by Jane-Finch
By Yasmin ParodiThe produce we buy at the grocery store may be marketed as “fresh,” but it can never compare to the socially, and environmentally beneficial veggies that can be found near Jane St., and Steeles Ave., W.The Black Creek Community Farm (BCCF) is the first full-scale urban organic vegetable farm in the neighbourhood. The farm sits on 7 acres of conservation land at Pioneer Village between Jane and Finch and York University.The farm is a place for the community to come together and learn together.The project is good for the land, and the people too.That means healthy, accessible food, grown close to home for people of all income levels.You can buy the organic produce from the farm at the Food Markets, or buy a share in the Summer Harvest and even work in exchange for your share of goods. Remember to inquire early as this is a popular option.Healthy food shouldn’t just be for those who can afford to pay for it. That’s why FoodShare, Afri-Can Food Basket, and Fresh City Farms have teamed up with Everdale to bring farm fresh food closer to you.Support the local farmers who take care of the land that takes care of you and stop by the Driftwood Good Food Market from July to October at the Driftwood Community Centre (4401 Jane St., Wednesdays 3:00 p.m. - 7:00p.m.If would like to become a Harvest Share Member, you can join the Summer Harvest Food Share - Jane/Finch by paying at the beginning of the season. You can pick up your share every Tuesday from June 3rd - October 28th at the farm located at 4929 Jane St. (just south of Jane and Steeles). Don't forget to register online at www.everdale.org.This “urban farm”is a place of learning and training where youth can reconnect with the story of their food and it will serve as an example to other cities. The BCCF is re-defining urban agriculture, and this is just the beginning.Come visit the farm on Family Farm Day this summer. Details to come in the following Downsview Advocate issues.Follow the Black Creek Community Farm on Facebook for photos, training opportunities, workshops, events and more.This farm is supported and guided by a number of other key organizations:York University’s Faculty of Environmental Studies, Ryerson University’s Centre for Studies in Food Security, and the World Crops Project. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has made the land available and is supporting the development of the project. everdale.org/blackcreekbccfharvestshare@everdale.org416-393-6381
Good Grades Begin With a Healthy Meal
By Matias de DovitiisKids need to eat properly to get the most out of school and a little food goes a long way.It’s simple, but in many schools in Downsview, one small healthy meal is improving the education of many of our students.It is a well documented fact that learning is harder on an empty stomach. For a number of reasons, it's hard for some kids it’s to get a good meal on a regular basis before they leave for school.Sometimes moms or dads are too busy working to make a proper breakfast.Other times, teenagers, being teenagers run out the door before eating the food they have. In some situations, adults in the house are just not able to put together a proper meal for their children."Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” said Zubeda Nanji, Executive Director for the Breakfast Club, “But our program is much more than just a meal. It builds community, it brings the students together, it gives parents the peace of mind to know that their children are in a safe, structured environment."That is where the Breakfast Club and programs like it come in and fill in the gap.Very recently, I was able to work with the administrators at Shoreham Public School and the Breakfast Club to start a program there.The program provides more than just a warm meal for the kids that need it. It also provides warm place and a little structure in the morning. It’s a good place to start your day. I know that when I was going to school eating properly was part of having a good day.Most of our schools already have a snack program. This is good too. It provides the protein and energy boost students need to get through the day with the batteries fully charged. There is lots of science to back up the need for these types of programs.Academic success was thought of before as something that was almost genetic. You were born smart or you weren’t. We know better now. The stress that hunger can create for a young growing mind over time can greatly reduce academic achievement. You need to be well to learn well.Wellness means having a good mind. You can’t have a good mind on an empty stomach. You can’t have a good mind when you are sad or going through stress. Think of how hard it would be to fill out a crossword puzzle with a jumbo jet flying over your head constantly for hours. It maybe easy at first, but would get progressively harder as the hours rolled by.That’s the type of pressure that a growing student faces when they are inhibited by stress over the academic year. Maybe a few students can do well under that scenario, but only due to great natural talent. Most kids need a more stable learning environment.I’m glad this program is here. I’m hoping it stays and I’m hoping more programs like it are started. Our kids could use it. We would have better schools and many students in Downsview would have a better future.