If you have ever bought food at York University, you likely didn’t spare much thought for the person serving you. We tend not to think much of the people serving us but they think a lot about us. At York, they even think of their customers as their kids, making sure that they serve good food and provide a good service. Customer service isn’t easy, with many hours on your feet to serve an often fickle public -it’s a job that can be made even worse with bad management. The situation at York illustrates this perfectly.Food service workers at the university are not directly employed by York and are not covered by any existing labour agreements with York employees. Instead, York has contracted out the operation of most cafes and restaurants on campus to Aramark, a company notorious for not paying employees for the hours they’ve worked and for firing food service employees for speaking out about unsanitary working conditions. It’s hardly surprising that many of these workers privately admit that they would never eat at an Aramark operated shop because of the number of health code violations they’ve seen on the job.The circumstances at York are hardly different, but at least they are members of a union. In addition to the health code violations, many employees who’ve worked there for over ten years are still not considered full time and are not even eligible for benefits. Unite Here, the union covering the workers, has also documented instances of Aramark managers using racist names for their employees, many of whom come from Caribbean countries. In at least one instance, a manager kicked an employee hard enough to leave a bruise on her shin. This employee was later suspended for being too loud – the fact that she is part of the union bargaining committee makes this management decision highly suspicious.The situation has deteriorated to the point that a strike vote taken in December passed unanimously – there were no members who voted against the measure. Real Food Real Jobs, a campus organization of students, faculty, and community members who work to aid the workers, has held information sessions so everyone on campus knows what’s at stake and what to expect.Not all shops on campus are operated by Aramark; sympathizers can visit the Real Food Real Jobs website or Facebook page to see which shops to avoid during the strike. Winter is a difficult time for a strike so let’s all show our support.
California Sandwiches: A delicious gem in Downsview
Tucked away in an industrial mall at the north-west corner of Sheppard Ave. W. and Chesswood Drive is California Sandwiches where they make the best hot Italian veal sandwiches on this side of mama’s kitchen.It’s a family business that reaches back into the history of Toronto and the heart of little Italy. In 1969 Christina and Giuseppe Papa opened a small grocery store at 244 Claremont Avenue between College St. and Dundas St. -a block away from where I grew up on Clinton Street. It was a typical mid-block grocery store that served the local neighbourhood.Their timing couldn’t have been worse. The area’s first supermarket, the Power Store, had just opened on Bloor Street and as more people bought cars and refrigerators their shopping patterns changed. The local mid-block grocery was dead. With seven kids to feed they had to do something to survive. The answer came out of Signora Papa’s kitchen. It was hot juicy Italian veal sandwich with a ‘to die for’ Sunday sauce that nobody could resist.They began making the sandwiches at the rear of the store. In the early days, Gina Severino, one of the five daughters (who now operates a California Sandwich shop in Woodbridge) remembers her brother hustling orders for sandwiches in pool rooms and at construction sites which she helped delivered on her bicycle.As the fame of the sandwiches spread, deliveries expanded with orders from as far away as the downtown area. California Sandwiches became a favorite of many Bay Street law firms. Toronto Council often ordered them when the meetings extended through the dinner break.In 1993, two of the sisters, Mary and Yolanda open a second California Sandwich shop here in Downsview which has been dishing out sandwiches: veal, chicken, steak, smothered in mama’s sauce, onions cheese and mushrooms, since that time.Before she died, their mother made them promise that the business would never be franchised. There are now 12 California Sandwich shops each one owned by a different member of the family. Everyone has their own unique décor but what they all have in common is the family recipe and a devotion to quality.So how is a California sandwich different from any other sandwich? Everything is made to order, fresh and from scratch. It doesn’t sit there waiting for you like a burger in a fast food chain: Each sandwich is made to your specs. You can order your sandwiches hot (spicy), medium, or sweet with a side of olives, rush it to your table and wash it down with a bottle of pop or an ice cold beer. Enjoy!
Restaurant Review: The Mandarin -1027 Finch Ave. West
Welcome to Mandarin! This restaurant chain is always very busy due to its delectable and vast panoply of foods it offers. I have patronized Mandarin well over seventy times during the past thirty years. It never disappoints. This particular location I have been to maybe twenty five times.Be forewarned: before going to any Mandarin, you must make a reservation. The effervescent hostess who answers the phone usually gives you an alpha-numeric reservation code. Not sure why it has to be alpha-numeric but I guess it’s a system that works for them.As soon as you walk into Mandarin they have a large waiting area resplendent with TV monitors and a fish pond. Some of the gold fish appeared to have been overfed because they are impressively huge!When you are led to your seats you bypass the cornucopia of foods on display for your buffet dinner. That being said, you can order a la carte but most patrons usually opt for the buffet. If you choose the latter, you certainly won’t go wrong.The magic of Mandarin is the food. It will keep you coming back again and again. I believe it’s probably the most successful restaurant chain in the GTA.The servers are always attentive. Be sure to not drink too much water, ergo, you will have more room for all that delicious food. If you love crab legs, please note: it is only served during the dinner hours, not at lunch. That might give you a more strategic approach to your reservation.Now for all that fabulous food: they have two stations of hot food; one cold salad bar augmented with their sweet and sour and won ton soups; one roast beef station; one station for sushi; and finally a long station for scrumptious desserts. The desserts are fit for a king!Here are some of the cuisine you might expect to dine on: shanghai noodles; sweet and sour chicken; chicken balls; beef with beans; vegetarian fried rice; assorted vegetables; onion rings; kung pao chicken (very spicy!); steamed broccoli; French fries; crispy fried chicken; and servings of pork plus more offerings. They are all mouth-wateringly good!Each meal is preceded with hot towels. As you can see Mandarin adheres to cleanliness. To top off every meal you’re always presented with sagacious and delicious fortune cookies. Always a great treat.So go with a date, a group of friends, or your entire extended family. Mandarin is always a winner in any epicurean’s book. You won’t regret it!For more information visit: www.mandarinrestaurant.com or call 416-736-6000 (Dufferin and Finch location)
The Economics of Flushing your Toilet
Water is free. It falls from the sky. So why is the water bill so high? When you think about it, we have a pretty amazing system. You flush your toilet, it flows down to Lake Ontario where it is cleaned at a disposal plant before it is dumped into the lake. They then suck it up from the lake, purify it, pump it up to your home where you open your tap and drink it. The price of the water is determined by how much it costs to clean it, deliver it and take the waste away.The Toronto water system, through most of its history, operated at a loss. Downtown homes didn’t even have water meters. You paid a flat rate for water based on the number of taps in your home. In 2005 the city made a conscious policy decision to restructure the water payment system so that the cost of water would rise until it reached the point where it actually covered the costs of cleaning, delivering it and removing all waste. Right now in the Keele St. and Finch Ave. neighbourhoods the sewer system is being rebuilt. It’s the water rate that is paying for this upgrade.The 2005 decision included a policy of annual increases in the water rates. Between 2005 and 2016 the price of water rose from $1.35 per cubic meter to $3.45 per cubic meter, an increase of 255%. The expectation was that as the price rose and water became more expensive people would start to take measures to conserve it. Apart from wanting to cover the real cost of supplying water, the city’s secondary objective was to get you to use less water. Toronto council has increased the price of water by an average of 9% a year each year since 2005. If they had done that with your property taxes or TTC fares there would be a revolution to rival the Boston Tea Party.The standard toilet most people have in their homes uses seven gallons (US liquid gallons) or (26.5 litres) of water to flush. In 2005 it cost you three and a half cents to flush that toilet. Today that cost has grown to nine cents a flush. If the average household size is three people and each flushes the toilet three times a day, the actual cost of water to flush the toilet in your house is $296 a year; up from $115.00 in 2005.Modern low flow toilets use a fraction of the water. The new standard six litre toilets use four times less water than the toilet most people sit on. The water bill for flushing this toilet is $ 69. That’s a savings of $227 a year. If you buy one of the new three litre ultra-low flow models your savings increases to $261 a year.The cost of a new low flow toilet ranges from $112 to $568 with the average around $270. If you can install it yourself, all the better. If not, allow around $200 for installation charges.That means that your new toilet will pay for itself in about two years.Get off the pot, go to your local hardware store, pick out a low flow toilet and stop flushing your money down the drain!
Winter proofing your home: You could cut your energy bills by 30% for free!
Winter is here with its blustery cold winds that keep the furnace running at all hours, consuming energy. As prices for electricity and natural gas continue to rise, home owners and tenants are always on the lookout for opportunities to reduce their monthly bill. In collaboration with the Ontario government, local electricity and gas companies have partnered with non-profit company GreenSaver to help reduce energy consumption, in some cases by up to 30%! Best of all, the programs are free for qualifying households.There are two main programs: Home Winter Proofing, in collaboration with Enbridge, which focuses on improving the heat-retention of dwellings; and, Home Assistance, in collaboration with Toronto Hydro, which focuses on reducing electricity and water consumption. Both programs aim to assist low-income households, who qualify, based on the number of people living in the household and a corresponding income threshold. For example, a family of 4 people qualifies for the Home Assistance program if it has an annual income less than $43,500 and qualifies for the Home Winter Proofing program if it has annual income less than $61,000. Households that receive one or more allowances or benefits from the Ontario government, including disability, allowance for seniors, guaranteed income supplement, and several other support programs also qualify for both programs.Qualifying households will receive a scheduled visit from a home energy expert who will identify opportunities to upgrade the residence to reduce energy consumption. Upgrades may include insulation in walls, ceilings, and roofs; weather stripping and draft-proofing for doors and windows; programmable thermostats; new high-efficiency refrigerators, freezers, or dehumidifiers; low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators; and energy-saving light bulbs.There’s no catch! The upgrades identified by the assessment are all provided for free and warrantied against defects. The best part is that each upgrade contributes to reducing electricity or natural gas consumption, especially during the winter months when warm air escapes through small leaks and through walls and ceilings with poor insulation.To see if your household qualifies, visit www.greensaver.org/consumer/ or call 1-888-855-3106 to speak with a home energy saving expert and to apply for the programs. If you don’t qualify for the free programs, don’t worry, GreenSaver also offers cost-efficient energy conservation upgrades for your home on a non-profit basis. Visit www.greensavercontracting.ca to request a quote.Chances are that you’ll save money in the long run by investing in improving the efficiency of your home today. By working together to save energy, not only are we reducing our monthly utility bills but we’re also reducing our impact on the environment, a worthy goal that our whole community shares.
Tolls are Not the Way to Build a City
The City’s Mayor recently proposed to put up tolls on the Gardiner and the DVP in order to raise money for transit and roads. Many people support this idea as the environmentally responsible thing to do and just as many more think that out of town drivers need to pay their fair share too.This line of thinking, however, has many problems. For starters, this new levy is going to hurt working people that have no travel options the most. If you work downtown, but have no other mode of transportation and cannot afford to live downtown, this will be very unfair to you. Most people cannot afford to live in the core of the City any more. If that is where you work or study you are not driving there by choice. Nobody drives downtown without a reason during rush hour nowadays, the commute is awful. Let us not forget that the drive in the 401 is awful, because Hwy 407 costs money to use. If we force cars and the people that drive them off our highways for environmental reasons, but Lakeshore Blvd and Avenue Road become rush hour parking lots, will that reduce the carbon foot print of the City? Where is the study that shows that the effects seen in other places will work here? What options are being built for commuters and when will these be available for them?Many of us do not have an easy transit route downtown and a car isn’t an option for many, but is instead the only means of getting to the place where you make a living. Tolls may, in theory, provide some resolution for the transportation needs of suburban commuters, but do not solve their real life transportation problems for the next 10 plus years. The poorer you are as a regular commuter, the worse tolls will make your situation, because tolls are after all a flat tax that hits the working people relatively harder.Tolls are not used normally to pay for major infrastructure projects as it is being proposed in Toronto, but instead for operational maintenance. Tolls are normally used to repave roads and other operational costs and City’s alone do not build major infrastructure project in North America. The City is short of money, because the Province has structured it that way and it lacks the power to make a better choice, but it is still a poor choice. We must remember that the Gardiner and the DVP are Provincial highways, but the government is making the City maintain them. There is no natural disaster we are dealing with, but rather, we are dealing with the downloading that has been happening for decades now.Furthermore, to think that tolls would allow Toronto to build new subways lines, more LRT’s or more highways is not thinking outside the box. It’s defying reality. You would never be able to raise enough money from this type of taxation tool. Tolls will be bad for the health of the City in the long run because they accentuate poverty.Most of us do not like user fees instinctively. Not too long ago in the Advocate, Howard Moscoe wrote an article about hospital parking fees and we had a good response from our readers about that article (http://www.downsviewadvocate.ca/2016/01/enough-with-hospital-parking-fees/). There is no difference between parking fees in a hospital, the fee you pay nowadays for your passport renewal, fees to use libraries or public parks or any number of other fees that are new and that keep on adding to the cost of living for working people.The truth is, neither property taxes nor tolls will build a City. In order to build a City we need the Province and Canada to come to the table with plans and the funds to build and maintain our infrastructure. Hundreds of millions of dollars that were available to the City of Toronto and other cities yearly throughout Ontario in the past are no longer there. They came from Provincial coffers through income tax, a much more progressive taxation method. We must change the existing conditions of Toronto and other cities to truly fix our transit problems. The services we all share and use collectively, like roads, libraries and hospitals need to be funded properly, but tolls will not solve our current problems.
At-risk youth in Jane and Finch face an unhappy Christmas
What started in the 90s as an organization that tackled alcohol and drug abuse expanded to tackle other problems using a community-based approach. However, it soon became obvious that poverty was a major contributing factor to a major problem in the community.Officially, PEACH (Promoting Education and Community Health) developed an anti-poverty mandate and worked to promote community economic development. This was still not enough, as there were existing systemic barriers that promoted poverty in the Jane and Finch neighbourhood. Lack of access to mental and physical health resources were thus identified as symptoms and causes of poverty. In addition, youths who were suspended from school or dropped out were at high risk of engaging in crime, drug and alcohol abuse, and had very little opportunity for economic advancement.A more holistic approach to addressing poverty was needed and PEACH adapted in order to better serve its community. Community problems require a strong community to address them and PEACH implemented programs like Rhyme N Reason, a music studio to help youths and residents express themselves through music; the Digital Innovation Hub, the only place in the Jane and Finch area that offers free programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to youth; and the Moms Group, a group for mothers to network, share experiences, and attend programs for health and self-sustainability.To help at-risk youth, the School Away From School (SAS) program was created to help youth who either dropped out or were suspended a chance to earn the credits they needed to graduate. Youth are referred through the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board and receive help from PEACH’s teachers and child and youth workers to give them the life skills to aid them into transitioning back into the regular education system. They attend classes at PEACH and receive a healthy nutritious meal cooked at the on-site kitchen by the school’s chef. The classes are not just meant to earn them credits but also to educate them on things like how to manage a monthly budget or how to prepare healthy meals.The SAS program has been funded by sponsors such as the Rogers Youth Fund, the Youth Challenge Fund, and an assortment of family foundations through the Toronto Foundation. However, PEACH received word that funders like Rogers were withdrawing their money, leaving the organization with a significant funding shortfall.PEACH has $70 000 of monthly operating costs and if they are not able to meet it they will be forced to close SAS by December 23rd and other programs in the new year. PEACH staff have been furiously applying for funding and have even started a GoFundMe campaign to raise this money. If they are unsuccessful, at-risk youth in Jane and Finch face a very unhappy Christmas.For more information visit: http://peachyouth.org/
Digital Photo Lab: Offering Honest Service in Downsview
By: Giovanna Loureiro and Rhiannon Moller-TrotterShopping local is important for business owners and residents in the community. It grows our local economy and provides good, honest stores that are close to home and convenient to shop at.In 1993, a few blocks away from Jane and Finch, Arunan Vijay opened Mr. Digital Photo Lab. The business is located at 1997 Finch Avenue West and is expanding its physical structure. Vijay mentioned that at the beginning of December he “will offer even better service to customers.”Devotedly passionate about photography, Vijay understands that times have changed. People take pictures but they don’t print them as much. We forget how valuable printed photography is.With a smile and pride in what he has accomplished, Vijay shares a few stories which he will never forget. He remembers a high school teacher that first came in just to take a passport photo. The teacher came back, but this time he brought his family along so that they could take a family portrait. They were so satisfied with the wonderful service, that Mr. Digital Photo Lab was hired to take pictures at the first birthday party of their newborn child. This same family comes all the way from Brandford, Ontario every time they need any photo service.Observing Vijay’s incomparable customer service for even a few minutes assures you how he’s established such strong relationships between him and the loyal customers that come in. Vijay is so confident in his work that he says kids “never cry when they are at Digital Photo Lab.” He calls his customers by name and even prints 35 mm film stock –which is a hard service to find!He remembers every photo vividly. He presented a picture of a young girl and reveals that she is now all grown up. Since taking that photo, Vijay has photographed her wedding and did a photoshoot of her first child. He is so proud to capture important moments and memories for people of all generations.“You can’t find photo studio stores that easily anymore”, says Vijay. Due to this difficulty, he believes that this would explain why people want to get all of their photo services done at the same place. After 23 years of service, Vijay still aims to offer an even better service to his customers on a daily basis.With promotions coming after November, Vijay always gives his customers a gift: if you take four passport pictures at Digital Photo Lab don’t hesitate to ask for a 5x7 portrait, FREE!From printing on glass and metal, to portraits and one-hour passport photos, Vijay is always willing to put a smile on his customers’ faces.Say cheeee-ese!For more information contact Mr. Digital Photo Lab today!Website: http://digitalphotolab.ca/Facebook: Digital Photo LabAddress: 1997 Finch A W, North York, M3N2V3Phone: 416 746 0006
Restaurant Review: Mr Greek in Downsview
Mr. Greek at 1000 Finch Ave. West, Phone: 416-661-2300Opa! That seemed like the only fitting way to commence this review of a genuinely fine restaurant. I’ve dined there on several occasions such as birthdays and also for lunch. It has never disappointed.The wait staff are mature and respectful. There is parking out front (after paying you can ask for it to be validated by the concierge). The washroom facilities are always kept very neat, tidy, and clean. The décor is typical of Greece which gives the restaurant some excellent ambience.Most of the staff are up on current events so it’s wonderful to exchange a few convivial words before your meal and beverage orders are taken. The restaurant is very spacious and has an event space which can be used for wedding receptions or baby showers (for those with deep pockets), of other private affairs.Since I usually attend with a large contingent, we like to do some food exploration. For appetizers we order long platters of hummus, spanakopita, and Greek Kalamari. All the upturned corners of mouths and the licking of lips are positive proof that the appetizers all have a great desired effect.If you are counting your calories you can opt for authentic Greek salads, with feta cheese, black or green olives, all dressed down with Greek or Italian dressing. Um, um, good.When it comes to visiting an authentic Greek resto, souvlaki is a go to option. Take your pick: you have succulent chicken, delicious pork, or tasty lamb. To augment your protein, you have the choice of one: their famous salads, rice, or vegetables. I would suggest go the salad and rice! But, that’s just me.A dinner date at Mr. Greek typically won’t break the bank. It’s great for business lunches, to catch up with an old friend, meet up with a sibling, to while away the hours with your lover or spouse, or to capture the great nightlife Toronto is already famous for with great food and libations.Major credit cards are accepted and if you need to split the bill using debit or credit, no problem! For the sports enthusiast there are a few flat screen monitors located near the bar so you don’t miss the latest replay.It’s not exactly like being in Greece but it’s the closest you will get without having to pay the expensive airfare and enduring the long flight!
York University Farmers’ Market Offers Student’s a Yummy Alternative
Every Thursday from September - April, York University Food Services and Regenesis York holds a weekly farmers' market called the York University Market (YUM!). The goal of YUM! is not only to provide a healthy food option on campus, but also to reflect the cultural diversity of the students who attend York University.In the midst of fast food and cafeteria food options, the market provides a change of scenery and an alternative option. It is a space that expresses community, passion and dedication to sustainability, and place for great conversation on food matters.The vendors offer fresh produce, baked goods, and hot foods that come from local and sustainable sources. There are also vendors selling arts & crafts, some of them being York students from the Arts, Media, Performance and Design program.A farmers’ market at York University works with the university’s ongoing mission to becoming a more sustainable campus. It provides students the opportunity to engage and participate in local food matters, and understand their options when it comes to ethical purchases.This market was created by Regenesis York in 2013. Regenesis York is a grassroots environmental and social justice organization. Its mission is to empower students as initiators of change in addressing today’s social and environmental concerns. Regencies York creates and manages initiatives such as YUM! to provide services to the university community as well as providing quality leadership experience for students.YUM! is held every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. excluding holidays and reading week/co-curricular days. It is located in the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building on the south side of campus.For more information, or to be a potential vendor at the market, contact them at yumarket@regenes.isYork Food Services: http://foodservices.info.yorku.ca/Twitter and Instagram: @yorkufoodRegenesis York: www.regenes.isTwitter: @RegenesisYorkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/yorkumarket/?fref=ts