North York Really Really Free Market

The North York Really Really Free Market at The Driftwood Community Center on January 30th Photo Credits: Tahoy James

Vietnamese New Year Celebrations

The TET Lunar New Years Celebrations kicking off on January 16th 2016, sponsored and organized by our local Vietnamese Association in Downsview.  

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/

Paris Climate Conference a big deal for Downsview

The terrorist attacks in Paris a couple months back were tragic and a stark in contrast to the Climate Change Conference that occurred in the same City, not long after. Paris is a long way of, but the Conference will have big effects on us all. I am writing this before the start of the Conference and the internet and the media are abuzz with expectations. Where other efforts have failed to get agreements, here success seems possible.Climate change is real and its consequences are felt worldwide, even in Downsview. We are luckier than other places, but not all of us. If you ever wondered why we get more basement flooding cases now than 20 years ago, then part of the reason is because we get more rain and more “big rain days” now than ever before. The aging infrastructure does not help, but the reason why the issue reoccurs is the higher big rainfall numbers. In other places higher rainfalls and raising sea levels are drowning out people from their homes. In other places instead of higher rainfall there is draught.What conference means to us in Downsview is hard to know just yet. The goal of the conference is to have a binding agreement on climate for all the countries in the world that will prevent temperatures from raising above 2 C of pre-industrial levels. Basically, they mean to set up rules on green gas pollution that will prevent global warming from getting to the point of no return.Canada is doing some of that already. Alberta (oil producing Alberta!) has just announced major environmental changes to reduce carbon emissions and is leading the pack. Even Conservative led Saskatchewan announced that they are moving towards 50% renewable energy production by 2030.To the average person it may mean that over the next year some things will not be the same. Electric cars may be more affordable. Fixing your house to make it energy efficient will be cheaper. More neighbours will have solar panels. More of our food will be produced closer to home. Similar to the introduction of recycling, people may not like it at first, but we will wonder how we did things before once it happens.I will leave the readers with a little local inspiration. We can all make a difference or at least try. Some Blacksmith Public School students noted two years ago that Tim Horton’s cups are not recyclable (none of them are, they have a waxy covering that makes them garbage, the thing that prevents you from being burned). They then put on a video that our local Councillor played at City Hall in order to push a motion to move towards recycling the cups. The motion won, but the City is still trying to figure this out. Check out the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlO5sd4_BG0

With a smile the Toronto Latino community says NO! to gender violence

On November 25, people around the world commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Violence against women is a complex cultural issue that can be examined from different angles. To be changed it needs the compromise of all social sectors to end it. This year the Latino community proposed to remember this day in a different way; with the proposal to examine violence against women in the form of songs, music and art from a variety of languages, cultures and artists.The event’s purpose was to examine art and culture and interpret what the lyrics in songs were really saying or what art was really expressing. The exercise unveiled what those apparently sweet songs or art pieces really mean to say, and how these words or art were the expression of violent men with aggressive intentions toward women. And in the process, discovering a hidden violent message in artistic expression, included looking for empathy for the aggressor and blaming the victims. Gender violence is not only physical, and it can take many other forms to devalue women, to instil fear, to limit their autonomy, to isolate them in the family and in the social wider context –as per example inequity at work. These different forms of violence have negative consequences on women’s physical and mental health, and have a negative impact on their children, who are witness of the violence against their mothers These are not issues usually examined in a fun and interactive manner, but this was the proposal of Latin@s en Toronto, (with the support of the Counsil of Spanish Heritage, Colectivo 65 and Ashtor). Using the tools given by music, sense of humour and poetry, the audience and organizers lost the fear of looking for new meanings in words and songs. The meeting was at 1265 St. Clair Ave. West (Evoke Gallery). The participants only needed to bring a good sense of humour and be willing to smile.

Hundreds of people lined up for the famous annual Turkey Giveaway at Downsview Park

Thanksgiving is the time of year when we reflect on our blessings and show gratitude for the little things. It is a great time to get together with friends and family to share food, drinks and laughs. For the ninth year in a row the Downsview Park Merchant’s Market gave away hundreds of frozen turkeys, bags of potatoes, cranberry sauce and/or pasta at their annual event on the thanksgiving long weekend. This event gives families, who normally wouldn’t be able to afford a big turkey dinner, the chance to enjoy this holiday stress free. It builds the community and ensures the inclusion of all during this time of year. The Merchant Market fully funds and oversees all costs associated with the giveaway and vendors from the Farmer’s Market donate hundreds of pounds of potatoes. Thousands of visitors stopped by the market on Sunday, October 11 to participate in the successful event. MPP Judy Sgro and Liberal candidate Michael Levitt participated in the lineups. There was fantastic entertainment by Naomi that sang while people waiting in line for their turkey. “It was truly wonderful to see so many smiles on so many faces as residents picked up their turkeys. We love the opportunity to give back to the community every year.”For more information on this event contact: bobborielly@gmail.com or dpmarket@msn.com.By: Maria Solis

Dufferin Finch BIA well on its way to new prosperity

The Keele Street and Finch Avenue West intersection is fast being transformed to a vibrant, exciting hub of economic and urban activity. We know about the new, to-be-opened-in-2017 Finch West Subway Station, as well and the upcoming Finch West LRT, to start construction in 2017 with completion in 2021. This intersection is a main gateway to the Finch Dufferin Business Improvement Area (BIA). The ground-breaking on September 17, 2015 of the attractive, 8-storey 165,000 sq. ft. professional and medical centre, the University Heights Professional and Medical Centre, at 35 Tangiers Road at the south-east corner with Finch Avenue West demonstrates that the Dufferin Finch BIA is well on the way to revitalization and new prosperity. It shows how private investors are betting on Finch Avenue. It is worth noting that 35 Tangiers Road will be a nice place to work, get medical and other help, or shop (there will be retail on the ground floor). The building will have the latest in environmental sustainability and efficiencies (including a green roof). Its 89 units will have an AAA office space designation with a 250 spaces underground garage. This is a change to the type of development that we have seen in the area, and perhaps the first of many new things to come. The fact that Keele and Finch is destined to be an exciting mixed use, urban hub should not be surprising though. The public transit improvements are complemented by Canada’s 3rd largest post-secondary institution at York University to the north and Canada’s first completely digital Humber River Regional Hospital to the South. There is also the massive changes that will be made to the Downsview Park once that takes final shape. The 2,500 businesses and 32,000 workers of Dufferin Finch BIA district will be affected by these changes and so will the neighbouring communities. It is an exciting opportunity to build a better community.By: Joe Pantalone

Voice Your Opinion on our City’s Budget

Townhall Meeting at Yorkwoods Library (1785 Finch Avenue West)By Anthony Perruzza If you have an opinion on what Toronto’s priorities should be, now is your time to voice it.City Council will be meeting on March 10th and 11th to debate Toronto’s 2015 Capital and Operating Budget. The City Budget is the financial blueprint that funds City activities including community centre programming, paving roads, fixing sewers, and much more.I am inviting residents to take an active role in shaping Toronto’s budget by attending a town-hallmeeting I will be hosting on Tuesday, February 24 at 7 pm, at York Woods Library Theatre, 1785 Finch Avenue West.Toronto Financial Planning staff will be present to describe the Mayor’s budget, listen to your views, and help answer your questions. We will also have plenty of City information on different and exciting local projects, including the subway extension through our community.Your opinion matters and you can make a difference.  In 2011, programs and facilities in our very own community were at risk of closure based on the direction of the budget.  At the town-hallI hosted in 2011, a packed audience joined the fight to help me stop this from happening.You can find a link to a summary of Toronto’s 2015 Budget on my website www.anthonyperruzza.com It is important that I hear from you directly so if you cannot make it on February 24, make sure to send me an e-mail at: councillor_perruzza@toronto.ca or call me at: 416-338-5335, and let me know what you think the City’s priorities should be.