Mao Correa, a local Downsview artist, has really proven that art has no limits. After transforming his 700 foot flat into an art gallery. Every wall and surface from every room on both the interior as well as the exterior of the house is covered with pieces of art. The gallery is open to the public and showcases his spectacular pieces along with other works from other up and coming artists.Mao, is a recognized plastic artist, photographer, and graphic designer who was born in Bogota, Columbia. After receiving much recognition for his work in Columbia and Central America, Mao brought his unique style to Canada. Toronto is now where Mao calls home.Mao uses art to illustrate his internal journey as a new immigrant in Canada. He does this by, creating pictorial pieces made entirely from recycled materials. Mao states “Mirroring my own experience, and re-signifying my esthetics through the view of diversity, I’m now not only breaking down pre-existing materials, reinterpreting and offering them a new form with a new purpose, but also reintegrating my soul to a new country”Visiting Mao’s Art Gallery truly is like watching the story of his life narrated by the pieces on every wall and surface of his home, with every piece offering new insight to his experiences in Canada. The gallery is the only newcomer artist-led gallery in Downsview area, and attracts a wide diversity of artists in the community.Mao has been an active leader in the art community. In 2015 Mao was the recipient for the RBC Arts Access Fund and the 2015 Finalist, for the Neilson Park Creative Centres 23 annual Juried Exhibition in Toronto. Mao is an advocate for for other immigrant artists struggling to showcase their art work here in Canada. The Gallery hosts art work from other artists in order to promote their work. The gallery also provides art classes for those who are interested. Mao has truly gone above and beyond for his community and is Downsview Advocate’s ‘Community Spotlight Leader’ of the month.Mao’s art and listings for upcoming shows can be viewed on his website at www.maocorrea.com
Repair Cafe in Downsview
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On Saturday, June 18th, there was a steady stream of people who came to the Driftwood Community Centre for the Repair Cafe. Over 60 people got their items fixed for free!
   Photo credits: Heather Ramsay
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The Repair Cafe is coming to Downsview
What is a Repair Cafe? A Repair Cafe is an event where people with experience in repairing things, or ‘fixers’, help people repair their broken items, for free. They gain this experience either as a hobby or from their work (e.g. as a bike mechanic).Repair Cafe fixers work on anything that needs repairs, such as books whose bindings have fallen apart, socks with holes, non-working toasters, laptops that won’t start, cracked vases, and other formerly working items.Started in Amsterdam in 2009, the Repair Cafe movement quickly spread all over the Netherlands and to more than 20 countries. The Repair Cafe Toronto was founded by a small group of volunteer fixers and have helped thousands of people with their broken items. Their goal is not to fix things for people but to teach them how to fix things for themselves.In our existing culture, we are encouraged to throw away our broken things, even things which require only minor repairs. In fact, many things are designed to break down easily and are even designed to be difficult for regular people to repair. Apple, for example, has designed their brand of popular phones such that they can only be opened with specially made tools which no one who isn’t an Apple technician would have. Many people with a damaged Apple phone are often told that the repairs would cost almost as much as a new phone so why don’t they just get a newer model? Or perhaps a $10 skirt from H&M develops a small hole – easily repaired by someone with the knowledge and tools, but since it’s so cheap anyway the owner decides to throw it away and just buy a new one.Corporations have encouraged the growth of this throwaway culture because it leads to greater profits for them. Many people have either forgotten that they can repair things themselves or they have forgotten how. Many older people still have the knowledge to fix things, knowledge that younger generations have lost. The Repair Cafe movement is trying to change that. Fixers take peoples’ broken items and try to fix them. However, the point is not just to fix things for people but to teach them how to fix it themselves. Fixers will take people through the repairs that they are doing so that the owners can learn how to do it. Not every item can be fixed but many can still be diverted from the landfill.The Repair Cafe Toronto is in a different neighbourhood each month; on June 18th, it will be at the Driftwood Community Centre (4401 Jane St) from 12 to 4 pm. People are encouraged to come early as it can become busy. There will be free, donated refreshments available so attendees can wait, chat with their neighbours and fixers, and find out how fun it is to repair things.
Apartment Fire in Downsview: a local family’s story
Nadia and her two young children were victims of a fire that erupted on her balcony caused by a cigarette cast from a tenant above.The fire did not enter the apartment but all contents within the unit were coated with a carcinogenic black soot. What made matters worse was that she had never purchased tenant insurance.Toronto Fire later invited the family to a local Fire Hall and provided them a cheque of one thousand dollars and various household items, clothing and toys to help them in the rebuilding process.Damien Walsh, Vice-President of the Toronto Firefighters Association was on hand and spoke of this program which helps families in need, “When we think there’s going to be a need or there’s kids involved, it’s especially tough for our guys. The fire’s out and they’re rolling up the hoses and getting ready to drive away and there’s a family standing there looking at their home and they can’t get back in. That’s why many years ago we started helping out families where we can. It’s just part of what fire fighters have always done, we’re part of the community and our help in community doesn’t stop when the fire’s out.”Nadia contrasted the compassion of Toronto Fire and other first responders, with the way her landlord handled the situation. Without a place to stay, the only accommodation her landlord offered was a different unit at a higher rent, but when she said she could not afford it, her family was immediately served a letter terminating the lease.By signing the letter, her family would receive their last month's rent deposit (paid when they first moved in), and it would also free them of their obligation to pay the March rent. The letter would also relieve both landlord and tenant of further liability to one another.The family hesitated to sign the document, but as the days quickly passed and they required a deposit to secure a new rental unit, they eventually signed.Later insight from a lawyer at a local legal aid clinic revealed that the landlord did no favour to their tenant in this case.As part of the lease, a landlord is required to provide their tenant a habitable unit. The landlord should have offered alternate accommodation (such as a hotel) while the family was still under lease. In Nadia's case, Red Cross helped pay the costs for their temporary lodging.Since the tenants were not responsible for the fire, they were within their rights to seek compensation for their lost belongings at the Landlord and Tenant Board. This door was closed when they signed the letter.Despite the fire, Nadia remained positive, "It's good to know that there were people and organizations out there to help when we were in need." She also urged tenants in the community to consider insuring their belongings as she never imagined she’d be a victim of an accident like this.If you need information on your rights as a tenant and the responsibilities of your landlord call the Tenant Hotline at: 416-921-9494.For free legal aid (available to those in financial need) visit Jane Finch Community Legal Services located at 1315 Finch Avenue West or call 416-398-0677.
March North York Really Really Free Market
Photo Credit: Tahoy James
YUM farmers market @ York University
Students and staff came to check out the YUM farmer's market outside the Scott Library at York University on Thursday March 31st
Ward 8 Environment Days
ICC International Women's Day Seminar
To celebrate International Women's Day the Iranian Canadian Congress' Cultural Committee and the Iranian Women's Association of Ontario, led a discussion about Iranian Women in Cinema. The discussion was held on March 6th at the North York Public Library and featured Dr. Khatereh Sheibani a professor from York University.
PEACH 25th Anniversary Celebration
On Thursday February 25th at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club PEACH (Promoting Education and Community Health) celebrated their 25th anniversary in the Jane and Finch community. We have some pictures of the event below for you in case you missed the festivities!Photo Credits: Atieno Miguna 
Community Outdoor Skate
Here are some of the pictures from Councillor Pasternak's Free Community Outdoor Skate on January 31st on the outdoor rink at Irving Chapling Park. Photo Credits: Tahoy James