Watch this beautiful video by Amnesty International on how Ralph Thornton Centre created our Urban Canvass Mural at Queen and Jones on Article 25 of the Declaration of Human Rights.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Monday, November 17, 2008
2008 Mural Art Project
My name is Suritah Teresa Wignall and I was hired by the Ralph Thornton Centre to be the Mural Project Coordinator for the summer of 2008. My background includes working with women and youth as an arts facilitator and youth worker for over 6 years in various diverse communities.I had the opportunity to work with 7 amazing and talented youth who dedicated their time and energy in creating 2 beautiful murals and restoring one mural that had been tagged over the year before.
Our first mural was done on 887 Queen St East, on the side of the pharmacy building owned by Steven Wolk, a very enthusiastic individual, who happens to be an artist himself. Steven and the youth agreed that the mural would represent the Riverdale community, a community that encompasses families, retail stores, music, dancing and a variety of different cultures and backgrounds. So, for the month of July 2008, the mural artists and I worked on our first mural at the pharmacy. Next to the pharmacy is the Red Door Family Shelter, so I decided that it would be a good idea to have the mothers and youth from the shelter come and help us with our mural. Since the little ones were too small to paint the mural, I purchased a fairly large mural and some acrylic paints to have fun with. Overall we had a great time working together and Steve was very pleased with his mural.
Our second mural was for Amnesty International in
celebration of their 60th anniversary. Amnesty International had chosen The Ralph Thornton Centre to participate in their urban canvas project. We asked to do article 25 from the universal declaration of human rights, which stated:(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, and housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
This mural project provided us with many challenges only to result in a beautiful outcome. The mural artists worked really hard day and some nights to complete this mural. Amnesty International came out to film and photograph the artists. For the film I was interviewed as well as a couple of the artists. Both photographs and film will be featured on the Amnesty website as well as You Tube. Be sure to check out Urban Project Amnesty International on You Tube December 10th, 2008 for full interviews.
To view the Amnesty International mural and the teams progress, please log unto the following link below,
http://www.aito.ca/urbancanvas/mural_25.html
http://www.aito.ca/urbancanvas/gallery_25.html
Overall the artists and I had a great summer together, besides all the great work that we did, fixing up old murals and creating two new beautiful murals. The youth had the opportunity to go on a gallery viewing, take their first life drawing class, take art workshops provided by the coordinator and attend artist network events. It was a very informative and exciting summer that we all will never forget.
I would like to thank the RTC staff for all their support, in helping us get through some tough times.
All the best and see you next summer.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
FOOD FOR TALK – What Canadians can do about the global food crisis
40% of food made in North America is wasted each year! Food prices are rising! Our food is processed with cancer causing chemicals! Millions of trees are being cut down to make room for agricultural fields!
These are some of the statements that began the “Food for Talk” dialogue in which I participated on Tuesday about Canada’s role in the international food crisis sponsored by Canada’s World (www.igloo.org/canadasworld.foodfortal).
As the Environmental Animator at the Ralph Thornton Centre, I have worked to share information about the environment with community members who use this space. So far, I have focused largely on environmental issues that have become increasingly common like the “reduce, reuse, recycle” model, waste reduction, and easy ways to save energy.
I have not yet addressed the relationship of food to our environment but it is, without a doubt, a key element of health, and the way food is managed has major implications for the environment in which we all live.
This week, two hundred Ontario residents from various backgrounds met to discuss areas for potential change within the local and global food systems. Inspired by speakers like Debbie Field, the Executive Director of FoodShare, Dr. Gerald Caplan, author of the “Betrayal of Africa”, Dr. David Sparling, an internationally recognized authority on issues related to food-policy and agricultural food supply chains, John Knechtel, Director of Alphabet City, and Phillip Haid, the Chair of Canada’s World Communications Committee, we covered lots of big topics in a day!
My table of 8 included
1) a representative from the South African consulate,
2) & 3) two American ex-pats from Engineers Without Borders,
4) myself as Environmental Animator at the RTC and a student of Naturopathic Medicine,
5) a Masters student writing a thesis on the feminization of Jamaican agricultural workers in North America,
6) a teacher from Toronto working in rural Nova Scotia,
7) a full-time mom and volunteer with Certified Organic Growers (www.cog.ca), and
8) our table facilitator who works for Campus Co-op providing housing for university students.
We identified major problems in the food system on all levels from the agricultural system, to the distribution, right up to the consumer. Monocultures are unsustainable, deplete the earth of nutrients making the soil less productive, put enormous financial and emotional stress on farmers, and fill the pockets of large multinational corporations. Dr. Gerald Caplan shared the following statistics to illustrate one of the problems with the distribution system: 5 companies in the world control 90% of the global grain supply, and 4 companies control 80% of US beef. That means less than 10 companies in the world, essentially regulate quality for, set prices for, benefit financially from, and ultimately determine most of what we have available to eat.
After discussing the endless issues surrounding local food supply, global food supply, and how to bridge the two, we came together to propose a list of things we could walk-away with to make sure the discussion continued: The following is the list of actions resulting from our day of talking. I invite you to choose a couple to try for yourself.
All two hundred of us said we will. . .
1) Integrate the issue of food security and continue the discussion around food into what I am already going.
2) Connect with a farmer, shop at a local market and learn the name of who farmed my food, or get a CSA share. (www.csafarms.ca)
3) Stop eating genetically modified foods and revitalize the market for natural produce. Unless otherwise indicated, Canadian crops of corn, soy, canola, and cotton, are most likely genetically modified.
4) Share good food with the people I love because it feels good.
5) Continue to research existing changes in food systems on the global level and learn from other countries.
6) Write to my MP and local elected officials and ask them “What are you doing about what Canadians are eating?” and demand a National Comprehensive Food Policy that guarantees every Canadian has access to affordable and nutritious food grown with sustainable methods.
7) Read “The Betrayal of Africa” written by Dr. Gerald Caplan to better understand the global effects of our current food distribution system
8) Research “permaculture” – a potential alternative to our current food management system
9) Demand my right to know what is in food and how it produced by understanding labels and certifications like “fair-trade”, “organic” (http://www.cog.ca/stds_regs.htm#labels), and “Local Food Plus” (www.localfoodplus.ca)
10) I will send ripples of change around myself and I will celebrate my successes, no matter how small.
If you like to eat, and want to make sure good food remains available in Canada for your children, grandchildren, and generations to come, please think about trying one of the things on the list above. Then tell us about it and join the dialogue, we’d love to hear from you!
These are some of the statements that began the “Food for Talk” dialogue in which I participated on Tuesday about Canada’s role in the international food crisis sponsored by Canada’s World (www.igloo.org/canadasworld.foodfortal).
As the Environmental Animator at the Ralph Thornton Centre, I have worked to share information about the environment with community members who use this space. So far, I have focused largely on environmental issues that have become increasingly common like the “reduce, reuse, recycle” model, waste reduction, and easy ways to save energy.
I have not yet addressed the relationship of food to our environment but it is, without a doubt, a key element of health, and the way food is managed has major implications for the environment in which we all live.
This week, two hundred Ontario residents from various backgrounds met to discuss areas for potential change within the local and global food systems. Inspired by speakers like Debbie Field, the Executive Director of FoodShare, Dr. Gerald Caplan, author of the “Betrayal of Africa”, Dr. David Sparling, an internationally recognized authority on issues related to food-policy and agricultural food supply chains, John Knechtel, Director of Alphabet City, and Phillip Haid, the Chair of Canada’s World Communications Committee, we covered lots of big topics in a day!
My table of 8 included
1) a representative from the South African consulate,
2) & 3) two American ex-pats from Engineers Without Borders,
4) myself as Environmental Animator at the RTC and a student of Naturopathic Medicine,
5) a Masters student writing a thesis on the feminization of Jamaican agricultural workers in North America,
6) a teacher from Toronto working in rural Nova Scotia,
7) a full-time mom and volunteer with Certified Organic Growers (www.cog.ca), and
8) our table facilitator who works for Campus Co-op providing housing for university students.
We identified major problems in the food system on all levels from the agricultural system, to the distribution, right up to the consumer. Monocultures are unsustainable, deplete the earth of nutrients making the soil less productive, put enormous financial and emotional stress on farmers, and fill the pockets of large multinational corporations. Dr. Gerald Caplan shared the following statistics to illustrate one of the problems with the distribution system: 5 companies in the world control 90% of the global grain supply, and 4 companies control 80% of US beef. That means less than 10 companies in the world, essentially regulate quality for, set prices for, benefit financially from, and ultimately determine most of what we have available to eat.
After discussing the endless issues surrounding local food supply, global food supply, and how to bridge the two, we came together to propose a list of things we could walk-away with to make sure the discussion continued: The following is the list of actions resulting from our day of talking. I invite you to choose a couple to try for yourself.
All two hundred of us said we will. . .
1) Integrate the issue of food security and continue the discussion around food into what I am already going.
2) Connect with a farmer, shop at a local market and learn the name of who farmed my food, or get a CSA share. (www.csafarms.ca)
3) Stop eating genetically modified foods and revitalize the market for natural produce. Unless otherwise indicated, Canadian crops of corn, soy, canola, and cotton, are most likely genetically modified.
4) Share good food with the people I love because it feels good.
5) Continue to research existing changes in food systems on the global level and learn from other countries.
6) Write to my MP and local elected officials and ask them “What are you doing about what Canadians are eating?” and demand a National Comprehensive Food Policy that guarantees every Canadian has access to affordable and nutritious food grown with sustainable methods.
7) Read “The Betrayal of Africa” written by Dr. Gerald Caplan to better understand the global effects of our current food distribution system
8) Research “permaculture” – a potential alternative to our current food management system
9) Demand my right to know what is in food and how it produced by understanding labels and certifications like “fair-trade”, “organic” (http://www.cog.ca/stds_regs.htm#labels), and “Local Food Plus” (www.localfoodplus.ca)
10) I will send ripples of change around myself and I will celebrate my successes, no matter how small.
If you like to eat, and want to make sure good food remains available in Canada for your children, grandchildren, and generations to come, please think about trying one of the things on the list above. Then tell us about it and join the dialogue, we’d love to hear from you!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Video featuring Community opinion on the Smart Centre
Please click on http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=IwJ6K9Xi_tY to see what some of your neighbors and local business persons have to say about the impact of a Big Box Behemoth in the heart of our neighborhood.
Share the video with your neighbors, colleagues, facebook friends and like-minded citizens and please consider making a donation to the East Toronto Community Coalition so we can continue the campaign to keep our community clean, prosperous and vibrant. Visit
http://easttorontocommunity.org/ to learn more and click on the 'donate' button to make a secure online contribution. Every penny counts!
Share the video with your neighbors, colleagues, facebook friends and like-minded citizens and please consider making a donation to the East Toronto Community Coalition so we can continue the campaign to keep our community clean, prosperous and vibrant. Visit
http://easttorontocommunit
Friday, June 13, 2008
CONGRATS on another GREAT AGM ...and...GETTING PRESS!!!
On Tuesday June 10th we had our AGM with great success!!! It was wonderful to see everyone who came out and an especially large privledge for us all to meet the family and friends behind Ralph Thornton, the man and activist that he was. We all enjoyed and learnt from the shared experieces.
Thank you to all of you who helped organize and run the event, it could not have been as good without your efforts.
We have also received some media coverage about the centre and are please to share it.
Please click on the link below and read the article!
http://www.thestar.com/article/441723
CONGRATS TO ALL!!!!
Thank you to all of you who helped organize and run the event, it could not have been as good without your efforts.
We have also received some media coverage about the centre and are please to share it.
Please click on the link below and read the article!
http://www.thestar.com/article/441723
CONGRATS TO ALL!!!!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Tribute to Newell's Cafe
For twenty-two years, 784 Queen Street was home to Newell’s Café. As of the first of May, Newell’s has been closed and the Riverside neighbourhood has been feeling the loss.
Frank and Eddie Newell served more than good food at a reasonable price. It was a gathering place where people of all ages and backgrounds could meet for coffee, a pitcher of beer, or Frankie’s meat loaf. Depending on the time of day, you knew who would be there, almost setting your watch by the arrivals.
There was the breakfast club, dedicated caffeine hounds who were there before the doors even opened. Men waiting for calls about day jobs, women having that first coffee, and Frankie serving up breakfasts as fast as he could, making his movements behind the counter almost like a ballet. The residents of Jilly’s and the old Edwin, before its closure, were regulars. Customers on scooters were a fixture, usually at the first table at the front, and helped in and out of the store if necessary.
Later in the day, there was lunch, with specials like pork chops or the wonderful meat loaf, sandwiches, endless orders of fries. Western omelets with cheese were no problem.
Eddie did the second shift, which was more the drinking crowd. The juke box had a good selection of classic country and western, and the crowd often sang along.
The brothers often fed people on tick till cheques came in. They helped in ways that formal agencies never could. Eddie had been fighting a leg problem for over a year at the time of the closing, but Frank kept the restaurant open with a little, not much, extra help. Later openings and earlier closings made this possible.
Holidays were special at Newell’s. Frankie made turkey dinners and people who would have been alone had a family atmosphere for Thanksgiving and Christmas. A turkey dinner with all the fixings could be had for six bucks, along with company and laughter. Superbowls, Grey Cups, Stanley Cup playoffs were all holiday events on Newell’s calendar.
There was an atmosphere of helping at Newell’s. If someone needed a government form filled out and there was a literacy problem, someone else would give their time and effort to help get it done, and check u to see if there had been a response. Advice, good and bad, personal and financial, was freely dispensed from one customer to another. We weren’t just in the same boat, we were in the same restaurant.
News and Newell’s were synonymous. Looking for someone? Try Newell’s. Looking for an apartment, a job, a used car? One of the customers would have a lead.
People might get a little rowdy and a little stupid. Forbearance and forgiveness were both available. Friendships were forged, alliances built. And if any of the pollsters really wanted to know what people thought, no one was shy about giving their opinion, from far right to far left.
Frankie and Eddie are still around the neighbourhood, but neither think that they are going back into the food business.
It wasn’t the forced laugh track of a bar like television’s Cheers, nor was it the Boulevard of Broken Dreams. It was comfort food, community, and acceptance. The customers may have dispersed to other restaurants and bars at both ends of the Riverside strip. But there is a hole in the heart of the ‘hood. The way to our hearts wasn’t just through our stomachs.
Frank and Eddie Newell served more than good food at a reasonable price. It was a gathering place where people of all ages and backgrounds could meet for coffee, a pitcher of beer, or Frankie’s meat loaf. Depending on the time of day, you knew who would be there, almost setting your watch by the arrivals.
There was the breakfast club, dedicated caffeine hounds who were there before the doors even opened. Men waiting for calls about day jobs, women having that first coffee, and Frankie serving up breakfasts as fast as he could, making his movements behind the counter almost like a ballet. The residents of Jilly’s and the old Edwin, before its closure, were regulars. Customers on scooters were a fixture, usually at the first table at the front, and helped in and out of the store if necessary.
Later in the day, there was lunch, with specials like pork chops or the wonderful meat loaf, sandwiches, endless orders of fries. Western omelets with cheese were no problem.
Eddie did the second shift, which was more the drinking crowd. The juke box had a good selection of classic country and western, and the crowd often sang along.
The brothers often fed people on tick till cheques came in. They helped in ways that formal agencies never could. Eddie had been fighting a leg problem for over a year at the time of the closing, but Frank kept the restaurant open with a little, not much, extra help. Later openings and earlier closings made this possible.
Holidays were special at Newell’s. Frankie made turkey dinners and people who would have been alone had a family atmosphere for Thanksgiving and Christmas. A turkey dinner with all the fixings could be had for six bucks, along with company and laughter. Superbowls, Grey Cups, Stanley Cup playoffs were all holiday events on Newell’s calendar.
There was an atmosphere of helping at Newell’s. If someone needed a government form filled out and there was a literacy problem, someone else would give their time and effort to help get it done, and check u to see if there had been a response. Advice, good and bad, personal and financial, was freely dispensed from one customer to another. We weren’t just in the same boat, we were in the same restaurant.
News and Newell’s were synonymous. Looking for someone? Try Newell’s. Looking for an apartment, a job, a used car? One of the customers would have a lead.
People might get a little rowdy and a little stupid. Forbearance and forgiveness were both available. Friendships were forged, alliances built. And if any of the pollsters really wanted to know what people thought, no one was shy about giving their opinion, from far right to far left.
Frankie and Eddie are still around the neighbourhood, but neither think that they are going back into the food business.
It wasn’t the forced laugh track of a bar like television’s Cheers, nor was it the Boulevard of Broken Dreams. It was comfort food, community, and acceptance. The customers may have dispersed to other restaurants and bars at both ends of the Riverside strip. But there is a hole in the heart of the ‘hood. The way to our hearts wasn’t just through our stomachs.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Information Links for the OMB Case on Eastern Ave.
For notices on community campaigns and other related news go to the East Toronto Community Coalition web site at and get on their mailing list
http://easttorontocommunity.org/index.html
For impacts on cycling go to http://biketoronto.ca/topic/show/654.htm
Three related News items.
1. Recent Press Coverage and
2. Community involvement at the OMB
3. a talk: Activity friendly neighbourhoods
1. Recent Press Coverage
Most recently the Toronto Star had the following Op Ed piece sent by Tim Kirkwood, volunteer with East Toronto Community Coalition (ETCC)
Is retail best for Leslieville?
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/433822
Please read the Op-Ed piece from the Toronto Star. The paper invited both sides of the issue to present arguments on the subject of employment in the retail sector and specifically as it applies to the SmartCentres' proposed development on
economic health of the community and the city. Use the email link below.
And a response . . .
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/435132
2. Community involvement at the OMB
The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) has designated a day and an evening for members of the general public to address the Board regarding the proposed SmartCentres application in Leslieville.
The public day and evening will both take place at the OMB’s offices,
The time will be divided as follows:
Thursday, June 12 – Afternoon Session – 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Monday, June 16 – Evening Session – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
THE BOARD HAS INDICATED IT IS WILLING TO HEAR FROM ANYONE, EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY INDICATED YOU WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. However, if the person is an East Toronto Community Coalition (ETCC) member please ask them to contact Eric Gillespie, legal counsel for the ETCC at ekg@cunningham-gillespie.com before taking any further steps.
THE BOARD HAS ALSO ASKED PEOPLE TO PRE-REGISTER. THIS INCLUDES ANYONE WHO IS ALREADY LISTED AS A PARTICIPANT.
To pre-register please contact Leesa Kwong via email at Leesa.Kwong@ontario.ca.
People who wish to register should be advised that they will be giving evidence. As a result, before speaking they will be asked to swear an oath or affirm their testimony. Each speaker should be clear and concise about what their views are. Their evidence should be based on their own direct experience and knowledge and not on speculation. Their evidence should not repeat the comments of others, if a speaker agrees with a point made by a previous speaker that is all they need to say. Once they finish each speaker may be asked questions by any of the lawyers participating in the hearing and/or by the Chair.
If any more information is required please contact us at the numbers/email address below.
Thanks.
Eric K. Gillespie, LL.B.
Cunningham & Gillespie LLP
Barristers & Solicitors
10 King Street East, Suite 600
Tel.: (416) 703-6362
Fax: (416) 703-9111
Email: ekg@cunningham-gillespie.com
3. A talk: Activity friendly neighbourhoods, June 16, 2008, 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
How healthy is your neighbourhood?
- Can you walk to shops and buy healthy food?
- Is the TTC service frequent and accessible where you live?
- Are there biking paths and parks in your area?
- Do you feel safe when you walk around?
A recent study seems to indicate a connection between activity friendly neighbourhoods (walking, biking and transit) and the prevalence of diabetes. If you like maps this is for you! They have some great thematic maps showing walkability, physical design features, car ownership, modal split, etc. (some, not all are on line). http://www.torontohealthprofiles.ca/thematicMaps.php More great health rationale for bike, walk, transit.
When: June 16, 2008, 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
Where: St. Luke’s Anglican Church,
Contact: Tory Bowman: 416-461-9043 x343, tbowman@srchc.com.
Anne-Marie Tynan: 416-864-6060 x2522, tynanma@smh.toronto.on.ca.
Please RSVP by June 12th.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
