Does Little Ethiopia Belong On The Danforth?

In case you missed this column by Samuel Getachew in today’s Toronto Sun…

Does Little Ethiopia Belong On The Danforth?

I don’t usually like big mega cities, like New York. However Toronto is an exception.

Toronto, a city I admire, has always been full of characters, or much like the way former prime minister Joe Clark envisioned Canada in his successful 1979 election — a community of communities.

The Greektown on Danforth, Chinatown around Dundas West and Spadina Avenue, Korea town on Bloor in the Annex are some of the areas that attract thousands of tourists on a yearly basis.

On top of all of these, festivals such as Caribana, Taste of the Danforth, the Toronto Film Festival and Luminato helps us attract lots of people and resources to the city. Greektown alone claims to have more than 1 million visitors yearly.

These areas help us showcase the rich diversity of our city, not just in words but in deeds.

That is why a few friends and myself are asking the City of Toronto to name a section of Danforth Ave. around Greenwood Ave. as Little Ethiopia.

The history of Ethiopian Canadians, especially in the Toronto Danforth area, is new.

Ethiopians are one of the many groups of new immigrants to have fled successive broken governments and settled in Toronto. But what makes Canada different than most countries is we can be passionate citizens without losing sight of our heritage.

Earlier this year, a few of us met with the Toronto Danforth Mosaic BIA for about 30 minutes about our idea for Little Ethiopia. We spoke about our hope and dream for our city. They spoke of a multicultural mosaic they wanted to create in the area, one that is not a ghettoized neighbourhood, and rejected the idea.

Along the Danforth from around Greenwood to Monarch Park, there are about 16 Ethiopian Canadian businesses and their contribution is very visible. We are owners and tenants of the many buildings found in the area.

However, we lack visibility in our area BIAs, activities and at City Hall.

Governments can do much to help connect us to the area and have us take ownership of the areas we frequent. To clean it more, make it lovely like Greektown, and above all take ownership of it.

To have us believe in our BIA’s enough for us to join its boards and volunteer at the different activities in the community. The idea of Little Ethiopia is of celebration and not of ghettoization.

Greektown, Chinatown and the many areas named after a certain country or countries are not ghettos but a celebration of global citizenship.

As a Torontonian and as a black person, I get my hair cut in the heart of Greektown, buy the best and the cheapest Italian beef in Chinatown and go for the best coffee in Little Italy at College and Clinton.

Almost always the people I see are diverse in their representation from every country on the planet.

That is the wish for our aspiring Little Ethiopia on Danforth project — that of many cultures and a recognition of the Ethiopian Canadian experience.

We are not tourists to Canada but citizens of an awesome country.

I believe Little Ethiopia can be a start.

We are a very small group pushing forward this idea with the hope of thousands.

Our effort is no longer an Ethiopian story but that of a Canadian: Passion, youthful vigour and hard work — the hallmark of what makes me a proud Canadian.

— Getachew is a member of the Ethiopian community in Toronto and is running for council in Scarborough

PS

Oops.  I forgot to mention that the East Lynn Park wading pool opens Wednesday, June 30th.  If you would like to make a magical donation of funds to cover the cost of buying paint to paint over the graffiti – let me know!

The Good, The Sad And The Delicious

Woodbine Station Upgrade

Reminder – There is an open house tonight about the second exit being built (in 2011) at Woodbine Station.  The open house is at Coxwell Public Library from 5:30 to 8.  Thanks to Stephen, Leo and Mary for pointing us to the controversy about similar upgrades at Donlands and Greenwood and there has been some media coverage.

Red Sable

It pains me to write that Red Sable is closing.  The final exhibition will feature artists: Kendra Gadzala, Simone Creed, Silvia Cocolo, Nadra Chapman and others.  There will be 10-25% of everything in the store from July 2 – 31.  Red Sable is open Thursday and Friday 11-6 and Saturday 12-5.  It’s at 1765 Danforth Ave on the south side east of Woodmount.

Dragonz Martial Arts

Many people have wandered by the new home of Dragonz Martial Arts lately and wondered what’s up?  (Sir) Marvin Prashad has been working hard on the new location at 1998 Danforth on the north side between Woodmount and Woodbine.  He took a dirty old variety store and turned it into a gleaming gem.  Prashad has classes six days-a-week for ages four to 104.  He is renowned for his excellent rapport with kids and his intense (read bootcamp) classes for adults.  Try one month free!  He also does birthday parties and has a day camp this summer.  Contact him at vizionentertainment@live.com or 647-401-8780

Sunday, July 25th is the grand opening and he is having his annual BBQ in East Lynn Park with games and a Chinese dragon performance.  All are welcome.

Farmers’ Market

Here’s a little bit of information about me: I am not the most domestic of gals.  I can get dinner on the table and even some cookies but I’m no Martha Stewart.  However, inspired by the good people at Canadian Living, I made strawberry jam last week.  And you can too – no boiling jars, no sweating your cans off in the kitchen.  I made this ‘low-sugar’ no-cook strawberry freezer jam.  It was terribly easy.  I feel like a superstar.  My son thinks I’m amazing because it tastes like absolute heaven on a piece of toast or on top of waffles.  And it’s a (delicious) step toward eating local all year long.  So, head on over to Thursday’s market, pick yourself up two containers of strawberries and feel like a domestic god.

Getting Around The Neighbourhood

Making paper at the East Lynn Farmers' Market

Yes there is a farmers’ market this Thursday (Canada Day).  It’s the Strawberry Social special event.  There will be delectable strawberry treats courtesy of  Celena’s Bakery (thank you Celena’s!)  You can do the East York Canada Day Parade in the morning and then make your way to the market in the afternoon. Can’t think of a better way to celebrate your country and your community.

Woodbine Subway Station

In 2011, the TTC is making the Woodbine subway station more accessible by building a second exit and putting in two elevators.  You are invited to attend an open house information session to see the design and learn more about the project and the construction.  The open house is at the Coxwell Public Library  (at Danforth) on Tuesday, June 29th from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

If you can’t make it to the open house, you can contact the TTC at Woodbine.Station@ttc.ca or 416-393-4001

the 3/50 project

Thanks to Mary-Margaret McMahon for pointing us to this (American) website about ‘saving the brick and mortar our nation is built on.’  It asks the question, ‘what three independently-owned businesses would you miss if they disappeared?’  It encourages you to shop local with some very interesting statistics.

This Week At The Market

Market Bucks

What is the absolutely perfect teacher’s gift – one that they will surely appreciate and one that gives twice?  East Lynn Farmers’ Market Bucks are available at the DECA tent.  Get yours this week!

Papermaking

This week at 4:30 p.m. at the East Lynn Market, join Jenny Marston for paper-making.  Kids will learn how paper is made and will get to make their own paper designs.  Look for Jenny in the face-painting tent.

Hello Summer

Merrill Bridge Road Park is now officially an off-leash dog park.  It took the group of dog-owners there two years to get the park redesigned.  Now there is somewhere close to East Lynn Park where people can take their dogs and not bother the kids.  Molson, above, is delighted.

Strawberry Canning

We started these ‘re-skilling’ sessions last year to take advantage of the local produce at our door step.  They were so successful we’re bringing them back this year.  First up?  Strawberries.  Learn how to bottle up that sweet taste of early summer and enjoy it all year long with Emerie from Bernadin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23rd at the Danforth Mennonite Church at 2174 Danforth Ave. A donation of $5 is suggested.  RSVP to Mary-Margaret McMahon at spargy@rogers.com or at the DECA tent at the East Lynn Market.

Last Day Music Festival

Done With Dolls

Come celebrate the last day of school with some cool music, pizza and pop.  This Friday is the Last Day Music Festival at St. Brigid’s school yard.  This is a serious rock and roll show featuring the under 20 set.  It’s from 7 – 9:30 p.m. and a suggested donation of $5 gets you a slice of pizza and a drink.  If you take your kids, they just might think you’re cool.

Mosaic Does Jazz

The Danforth Mosaic BIA will once again be bringing some of Canada’s top jazz ensembles to the Coxwell Parkette every Wednesday from 6 – 9 p.m.  It starts July 7th with the Russ Little Trio.

Community Rise Up Basketball Tournament and BBQ

Speaking of the parkette this Saturday the Coxwell Parkette will be transformed into a basketball court.  There will be a live DJ and other performances as well as raffles and giveaways.  There will be adults and kids’ teams (though the deadline to enter a team has passed).  Fore more info, call 647-688-1627 or 647-444-7685.

Kiwanis Outdoor Pool

The re-opening of the pool at Stan Wadlow park is this Saturday beginning at noon.  There will be a leisure swim, family activities and a ribbon-cutting.  The pool has a new heating and filtration system, a new splash pad, accessibility enhancements and renovated change rooms including a family change room.  It’s at 373 Cedarvale.