A leader is a person who recognizes the needs of their community, and motivates, inspires and empowers a group of people to unite in order to make changes in a community. A leader does this, by advocating on behalf of those who are without a voice, and also by giving the people of their community the opportunity to actively participate and influence decisions that affect them.
Amanda Coombs, is our community spotlight leader of the month. She is a Tenant Rep, who advocates on behalf of the people who live at 4400 Jane St. Amanda was elected tenant rep after only 6 months of residency. Since she was elected, Amanda has gone above and beyond to be the voice of her community. Shortly after being elected, Amanda acquired funding and opened the once closed gym in her building, and began teaching fitness and healthy living classes. She also began assisting residents with obtaining employment by posting jobs on the buildings community bulletin board.
Amanda made it her responsibility to advocate and protect the basic rights of the people living in her building by assisting the residents in her building who are facing eviction in writing letters of appeal on their behalf. Amanda has also started an organization called Peoples Pantry, which focuses on providing fresh produce and educating people about healthier lifestyle choices. The residents of 4400 Jane St. know that when it really counts Amanda will come through for them.
Noticing the barriers between getting a good quality education and having access to employment opportunities, Amanda, started her own non-profit called “Back 2 Basickz.” Back 2 Basickz is a not for profit organization that helps youth get their GED, while also assisting them in securing employment in their field of interest. Amanda has done all of this by actively applying for grants and canvasing for donations and she does it all on a voluntary basis.
She also volunteers at the local soup kitchen, facilitating community workshops and assisting in children’s programs.Amanda cites her son as an inspiration for the work she does in her community and her work reflects her commitment to ensuring that every child is given an equal opportunity to be successful. When Amanda’s term as tenant rep concludes, she plans to run for MP.
We acknowledge Amanda for all of her contributions to our community and we wish her luck in all her future pursuits.
Celebrate our Earth with a free tree from the City of Toronto
Planet earth is where we live, work and play. Earth Day, on April 22, 2016, is when we say " THANK YOU" to Mother Earth and as in all special occasions, let us give meaning to our gratitude by requesting a FREE tree from the City of Toronto!
There are 34 different kinds of trees to choose from and they can be ordered for planting (by City of Toronto) on your front yard by calling 311, or online at toronto.ca/311.
Trees are amazingly good for us for a number of reasons:1) Trees get rid of bad pollution (by producing good oxygen, trees are in fact, the City's lungs -which keep our kids, our seniors and every one of us able to breathe healthy air.
2) Trees increase the property value of a home by 15% (that is why wealthy communities like Rosedale and Forest Hill have lots of trees).
3) Trees provide habitat for birds and other small animals.
4) Trees provide shade, which is not only pleasant on hot days but also helps individuals avoid skin cancer (a growing problem, especially in our older years).
These trees are planted on the portion of your property that is owned by the city (mostly front lawns). You may be asking yourself: why does the City of Toronto provide and plant a FREE tree on your property? Because the city knows all the healthy benefits of trees and wants to help increase the area under a tree cover from about 27% of the city's geographic area to 40%.
Help yourself, your family and our community in the Downsview area by ordering one of the 34 different types of trees to Celebrate Earth Day!!
The Power of Parents
Many times parents are convinced that they are sending children to school to “get” an education.The reality is that children are learning wherever they go and whomever they are with, therefore all things (whether good or bad) contribute to their education.
Today social media is a huge influence on children and has even been shown to impact how children write and speak. Shifting our views helps to develop critical thinking and adds to our creative options and improves our problem solving skills in social environments, like school.
A simple action, such as taking the time to communicate with our kids about their school day, can positively improve their (and subsequently your) communication skills. These things may sound insignificant but can have a huge long-term effect.
Another extremely powerful way to play a positive role in your our kids’ lives is by becoming actively involved with the school they attend. Many parents do not realize just how important it is to take the time to be in the school and get to know the principal, the teacher and their teaching philosophy.
Teachers are essential figures that can help your child develop critical enquiry skills and foster a sense of confidence. However, they are also people who appreciate knowing and learning about the background of the child they are teaching on a daily basis. Parents are the first teachers of their child and it is important to continue to have an active part in your child’s learning by partnering with the teacher to support what the child is learning and extend that learning outside of school.
Even if homework can be difficult for parents to understand, simply asking the child if they have homework and encouraging them to do their homework in a quiet place and for a decent amount of time is really effective. Then checking the homework to make sure it is completed and done neatly will help a child see that their parents are invested in what they do. The child will begin to develop a routine of doing homework because they expect their parents to check it on a regular basis.
Parents need to recognize the power they have to help their child be successful and how important parents are to the school they have chosen to help educate their children. If parents work together and have their voice heard, by joining the parent council, attending parent-teacher interviews and parent conferences, schools can only get better. Parents are the gateway to ensuring a better education for their child by being an integral part of the school’s culture.
GET INVOLVED!
Nutritional alternatives for low-income households
Low-income families in the Downsview community have been overwhelmed with the rising costs of fresh fruits and vegetables, and the prices are only expected to get increase.
According to the University of Guelph’s Food Institute, the average Canadian family spent an additional $325, per month, on food in 2015. The prices of food are expected to rise another four per cent, which means families will likely spend an extra $345 on their groceries in 2016.
Since the majority of fresh fruits and vegetables in Canada are imported, the prices are vulnerable to Canada’s devaluing dollar. But there is a solution for low-income households insists Dr. Carol Greenwood, Senior Scientist at Baycrest Health Sciences and Professor of Natural Sciences at the University of Toronto.“People need to feel more comfortable consuming frozen and canned fruits and vegetables because they are actually healthy. They may not have the same taste or texture, but we should move over to these alternatives in the midst of the rising food prices.”
Dr. Greenwood explains that fresh and frozen produce are very close in the amount of nutrients they contain as they both experience loss through processing. Our frozen fruits and vegetables are picked when they are peaked and optimal then frozen and processed right away. Our fresh fruits and vegetables are picked under ripe to be transported and distributed amongst Canadian grocery stores. Both methods experience a loss of nutrients.
When picking out canned food, Dr. Greenwood states, “Do not buy canned fruits with added sugar or canned vegetables with added salt. Make sure you read the labels and go for sugar and sodium free.”She also suggests that we “go back to our roots” when Canadians did not have as many food options in the winter months they consumed storage crops like cabbage, carrots, brussel sprouts and potatoes –which are all reasonably priced year-round.
“We [seniors] need to go back to our youth and use the recipes our moms used to feed us,” she said.Low-income earners, specifically seniors, should not skimp away from consuming all the necessary proteins and nutrients that they need to continue living a healthy life. Dr. Greenwood advocates moving away from expensive meats and poultries and instead getting protein from eggs, beans and lentils –all high-quality items that are inexpensive.“Since this year is the [United Nations] Year of the Pulses [a movement to consume legumes as a primary source of protein] we should really consider incorporating more beans and lentils in our meals instead of meat,” suggested Greenwood.
To keep a budget and still have nutritional meals, Dr. Greenwood emphasizes that families shop the sales, eat foods that are in season, eat locally grown food and reduce our food waste [Canadians throw out more than $1,000 worth of food that goes bad or stale, per year.]
Although the cost of food and living has risen substantially there are many budget-friendly alternatives, like frozen and canned foods, that will keep families and seniors healthy and thriving.
Physician assisted death is coming to Ontario –are we ready?
On February 6, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that physicians could assist people in ending their lives.The government was given one year to change the law so that it would conform to the ruling. The prior Conservative government avoided the issue, and the new government asked for an extension. The Court has given it until June 6, 2016.
Presumably the new law will clarify who, in addition to doctors, is allowed to assist patients’ wishes for a hastened death. However, Health Care is the responsibility of the Provincial Government, and Queen’s Park has to regulate the delivery of this service to Ontarians.
Even without the distraction of an election campaign, our province has provided limited leadership. It has relied on the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) to draft a policy for its members, which although detailed, does not follow some important expert recommendations and may lead to delays in access for some patients.The Ontario College of Pharmacists has prepared a preliminary document for its members but it is not sufficient to guide practice. The College of Nurses website simply reminds its members that assisted death is illegal and asks them to watch for changes in legislation.
Similarly, the province has been silent on how institutions will respond to a request for assisted death, leaving each hospital, nursing home and other facilities to expend considerable resources to formulate such policies in parallel. And it does not appear that they have made much progress.
In Downsview, a search of “Assisted Death” on the Humber River Hospital website leads to a page entitled “What You Need to Know About Palliative Care”, which was “ Last Revised: October 2011”. There is no mention of assisted death nor that of the process patients must follow.
This makes sense, because assisted death has very little to do with Palliative Care. The latter is a compassionate approach to providing comfort and support to patients diagnosed with an incurable illness, helping them to maximize quality of life.
To underscore this point, the largest group of doctors that provide home palliative care in Toronto has no physicians who work in Downsview and who are prepared to offer assisted death for their patients. Fortunately, the organization has been preparing for a change in the law since before the Supreme Court even heard the case.
“Assisted death is not a part of what I can do as a physician, and it certainly is not a part of Palliative Care”, said one of these doctors on condition of anonymity. However, he added that “we respect the court decision and we respect the rights of our patients.”
His organization will ensure that all of his patients will have access to a referral in the event that they choose assisted death, using a reporting system.
The right to assisted death is no longer up for debate. The Province could ensure facilitated access for all Ontarians by instituting mandatory reporting, a central referral process, and providing direction to its professionals and institutions.
Does the government have the will to show leadership on this issue?Let us know what you think!
Two year anniversary letter to our readers
Embarking on 2 years of providing community news, the Downsview Advocate team is glad for all of the lessons learned thanks to the local community. Starting out with a circulation of 10 000 and now at a circulation of 25 000, we are committed to being the Voice of Downsview with coverage for and by local members of the community. Growing up in Downsview myself, it was important that we established a local newspaper that reached communities and folks who have not received local news information before. Through our circulation, we not only reach out to single family houses, but also to residents in condos, apartments and townhouses - which make up a vast amount of our community. We have shared local issues from high auto insurance rates, pipelines and hospital parking to community events, local initiatives and people's personal and touching stories. Our team has grown and thanks to your feedback and encouragement, we are continuing to grow, now with two versions of the paper in Bathurst Manor and University Heights-Black Creek. Thank you to all of our local businesses and their support in keeping this project going. And most importantly the Downsview Advocate team would like to thank you, the reader. The paper would not have grown had it not been for your feedback, letters to the editor, photo submissions and insight. We look forward to bringing you more local news!
New realities, New vision
The employment area that makes up the newly named DUKE Heights BIA will require a new way of doing business.The strength of the employment area are many. The new subway stations at Sheppard Ave. and Chesswood Ave. and at Keele St. and Finch Ave., the new Finch LRT which will see construction start in 2017, the proximity to York University and Seneca College, the opening of Canada’s first fully digital hospital down the street at Keele St. and Wilson Ave., the revitalization of Dowsnview Park and a number of private projects recently are all bringing new jobs to the area.The unveiling of our reimagined community brand of DUKE Heights on December 7th at the Champagne Centre near Alness St. and Finch Ave. saw the culmination of several years of work. Local businesses, along with City officials have been trying, for some time, to put together a new type of BIA. The night had several presentations, including keynote speaker, Toronto’s Chief Planner, Jennifer Keesmat, the General Manager for Economic Development, Michael Williams, City of Toronto Councillor Anthony Perruzza and IBI Group. Importantly, they are drawing out new ways of defining the inner suburbs, employment lands and city planning.The City of Toronto’s Economic Development Department has partnered with the DUKE Heights BIA to create a new study, which IBI Group is carrying out, in order to create this new framework. I have experienced the honour of being on Toronto’s City Council for 30 years and there are a number of suggestions that the BIA and the City need to undertake to facilitate and expedite growth in this area:1. Approve and implement tax exemption programs to upgrade older and outdated industrial buildings. This will incentivize the transformation of older, no longer competitive industrial building into more efficient structures. Such incentives, for example, could take the form of spurs to raise the roofs in old buildings. Current day manufacturing requires roofs much higher than what we had 50 years ago.2. Establish better links between educational institutions such as York University and Seneca College and local businesses. Not only would it benefit students with possible placement and job opportunities, but it can help businesses find new technologies and help to incubate new businesses.3. Work closely with utilities to ensure fast, reliable services that are a basic requirement of successful businesses. Too often, the existing network of roads, electricity, water and internet are underfunded and it leads to shortages and poor service. We need to do better in the 21st Century.4. Last, but not least, we need planning initiatives that establish urban life hubs where people want to work and live. The young, creative professionals of the new economy demand this in places near where they work. That is why office employment is growing in Downtown Toronto. One such has been recognized by the City at the intersection of Keele St. and Finch Ave., which now allows for mixed used developments.We need to grow this corridor to fasten the process of growth.To learn more about the BIA and its plan on strengthening the community visit:http://dufferinfinchbia.ca/index.html
Growing up in the Downsview in the late 50s early 60s
I lived on Regent Road in Downsview from 1954 when I was born until I moved away from home in 1973. Regent Road was south of the de Havilland Aircraft company facility and north of Wilson Avenue -- between Dufferin Street and the railway tracks. I wanted to write about some of the experiences and landmarks that were memorable to a kid growing up in that time and place.Our house on Regent was just up the road from Murray Street. Between Murray Street and the tracks were lumber yards and I would jump their fence late at night and gather up a big bag of sawdust to use in my hamster cage. This was before Teskey's set up their operation. We could bicycle up to de Havilland and ride around the parking lots. There was lots to look at, the big hangars sometimes with Beaver or Caribou planes on the tarmac, the memorial monument and a few plaques. There was one road into the plant area with a sign saying “Do not enter” that I always enjoyed entering. They had an airplane part junkyard at the end where they stored old containers for aircraft engines and such things.Behind Regent was Wilson Avenue and its shops and apartments. At Murray Street and Wilson was Avon Printing where they printed business cards using hand-placed lead type. A friend of mine lived in the apartment upstairs. Going east from there was an empty lot, the house of Mr. Lewis the lawyer, another lot, and then a small plaza. In the plaza was a fish and chips shop where they wrapped the food in old newspapers and then sold you a grape crush to go along with it. Beside it was a shop selling cigarettes, candies, pop, Archie comics, and some dry goods. I used to collect discarded cigar bands just outside. The plaza also had a small grocery store, a hairdresser, and a barber shop with the red and white barber pole. Behind the plaza was a long rickety wooden shed where they kept old pieces of pipe and other useless stuff that as an exploring kid you found so fascinating. Then there was undeveloped field with a large billboard with a heavy wooden structure we used to climb on. That led to the plaza this side of Garrett Street with its delicious Maestro Pizza and another cigarette store. Past Garret along Wilson was the Dominion store, the dentist (what was his name – he had a cord-driven drill and this big black x-ray machine), the doctor (Dr. Fine?), the Toronto Dominion Bank at Lady York, the rifle store, the vacuum cleaner store, …At the southwest corner of Wilson and Dufferin was the Diplomat Tavern. A friend of my father used to frequent there. Across the road, on the northwest corner, was an early McDonalds with its golden arches and its millions and millions served. We loved their fries and milkshakes and wouldn’t think much about healthy food until much later. Further up Wilson was the Mr. Donut with its W-shaped roof and the donut-making machine out front where the customers could watch the donuts popping out of the dough-bin and then float down a curved channel of heated oil. Past that was of Bathurst street.with its curious store-fronts of Jewish bookstores, prayer halls, bakeries, and grocery storesFor some photos from this period, see my early Downsview web site at http://www.michaeld.ca/downsview/
The beauty within Downsview’s history
Winding side streets are lined with sturdy brick bungalows, built during the suburban expansion after WWII. Major intersections anchor the plazas; the parking lots, strip malls and cavernous super markets that emerged as the fated corollary of suburbia. But there are also the concrete towers that rose from the ground to accommodate Canadian newcomers from around the world. And then there are cranes and sleek glass condominiums; the monuments of our present moment.But on Keele St., across from the imposing real-estate sales centre in Downsview Park, there is a red brick home with arched windows and sweeping gables. The “George Jackson House” represents another chapter in the history of Downsview.In 1827, newlywed Irish immigrants William and Jane Jackson purchased 200 acres of land for a £1 an acre. Immediately after their honeymoon, William and Jane packed their wooden carriage with tools, food and lumber. An oxen pulled them along a network of dirt trails that were woefully unsuited for their mode of travel. They got stuck in a ravine, just north of modern day Keele and Lawrence, and the newlyweds spent a restless night under the stars. The next morning a team of local farmers helped William and Jane complete their journey, launching them into their new lives.The land we now call Dowsnview was once a patchwork of enormous farms. The landscape was delineated not by concrete, glass and asphalt, but instead by potato, wheat and corn. The Jacksons’ diligently farmed their land. Despite setbacks – on one trek along the treacherous dirt trails, William toppled a wagon full of hay three times – the family prospered. For many years, William served as a Justice of the Peace and public school trustee.Near the end of the 19th century, William’s son George Jackson and his wife Sarah inherited the land, and they built the redbrick home with the sweeping gables. They parlayed the family fortunes and, like his father, George took up public service as both a school trustee and township Councillor.These are the biographical footnotes that invariably echo through time, but artifacts left behind by the Jackson family afford us a much more intimate glimpse into their lives. What is more, they leave us with impressions of family members who otherwise would have been lost in the fog of time.The daughters of the family, Alice and Bessie, kept a great deal of their school work. One essay, written during WW1, perhaps while they attended Weston High School, argues in favor of women’s’ right to vote. A passage reads “Woman’s property and person are protected by a man’s hand – but why is it necessary when she is able and willing to take her own share in the burden?” The essay continues, “[woman’s entitlement to vote] needs no further comment than the bravery, perseverance, enthusiasm and spirit shown in the present war”.The Jacksons’ lost control of the home in the 1960’s. It became a nursing home and then later an office building. In the 2000’s the flames of re-development threatened to engulf the red brick home, but in 2012 the structure was saved by a historic property designation. Today it still serves as office space, but the history of the Jackson family adorns the walls on the ground floor.Reading into this chapter of our community history raises more questions than answers. What was life like as a 19th century farmer in Downsview? What other chapters of our community history are missing, and how can we recover them? What will remain of our way of life in 120 years? There are no definitive answers to these questions, but one thing is certain. History is a lot like Downsview; the only certainty is change.
This is called weeding with a wrench
Poetry:
This is called weeding with a wrench.
Bored between conflict here and diamond there,
I dug myself out of the trench;
This is my uprising, like the poor man’s revolt;
Against the hunger and these crooks, squeezing me in my right turns like bolts;
But I should slow down; Take a seat and relax my crown;
It seems-stress can sew fear and loathing;
Clothing for those who oppose;
I’ve been holding back, anger and tears that made my eyes glow;
In the dark I sat, with things on my mind like a hat;
I write it down to cure my frown;
One line at a time like a needle pulling thread;
Scribble scrabble;
Then the ink settles and they marvel;
Our trendy society, do you follow her singular thoughts that she breeds;
Swear to abide by them before I could proceed;
From truths to absolutes she had me crammed;
Sweet Plasma Jam!
I over flowed, grim to the brim;
So I write to take off some, like a trim;
On all five corners of my head;
Quietly hairs fall, and I don’t wait to drop my weight;
Not at all;
Spit it all out I say, it is bad what we ate;
Was it not my body’s need of bread, I would never bother with her dread;
Otherwise I would just be; and my words free;
Out on the sea, there; where no one censors or gets taxed;
But I am in on civilized land, where the majority is walked on like sand;
Careless steps repeated by only a few;
By morning dew and things look new;
This is my chance;
I’m open for a change to be;
Strange at first, the look of things in range;
Rover rolls over clover;
The envious greens;
All eyes on me, and mine on your money;
Rhymes in my sight are bright, all the time, not only when it is sunny;
Weeding through life’s humors, which are not always funny.