GRAFFITI TRANSFORMATION PROJECT VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2, FALL, 2008 also home to the neighbourhood. t’s a bird, it’s a 1738A I rose, no wait O’Connor Community There were approxi- Center, one of the few mately eight youth Unit #1 it’s the Graffiti Trans- , On M1R 1R4 formation Project in social gathering spots employed through this in the Victoria village project and a number Phone: 416 750 9600 Parma Court! The area. This past sum- of hard working volun- Fax: 416 750 9606 Parma Court commu- mer members of the teers who put their

Inside this issue:

Interview with local artist 2

Victoria Village 3 Community Day Graffiti Transformation 4 Project

Reflection s from Fozi 5 Ahmed Chinese Moon day 5

Senior’s Corner 6

The main mural located at a central gathering point in Parma Court Business Profile 7 O’Connor community time and effort to nity is a small tight knit Health & Horoscopes 8 took part in the Graffiti community in the transformation project Continued on page 4…. O’Connor area. It is which is the planned and organized removal of unwanted graffiti in the neighbourhood; replacing it with a mu- ral to beautify and change the perception of certain areas of the Page 2 ANC Victoria Village Community Newsletter LESTER CADALSO: AN ARTIST IN THE HEART OF VICTORIA VILLAGE ester Cadalso is a sional artist “should workshops where he L Cuban painter that know to how to do the could teach new artists emigrated to work with and without of all ages. three years ago, with his inspiration”. When asked about wife Ari- Growing up, Lester Victoria Village, Lester ane and used to watch mov- enthusiastically declares his ies about Canada that it is a nice, safe, daughter and one day his residential neighbor- Mina. dream of living here, hood and a good place He to raise children. Les- Map of Victoria Village started ter’s message for par- ANC Victoria Village Staff : his art ents and teachers today Luanne Rayvals -Manager career when he is “to allow children to Sehr Athar was eight years develop arts and music Philippa Brown old. He finished capabilities.” It is impor- Diana Katgara Community Animators : high school with tant, he insists, “ to per- Lien Do, Bryan Peart, a major in art in mit children to experi- Nabegha Ali, Faten Elrassi Trinidad, Cuba, ence art and culture as Parveen Khoja, Martha also known as an alternative to T.V. Burbano, Manjuri Bardalai , and Kaladevi Karunananthan “the town of Lester stands beside a painting that and video games.” Les- artists”. combines two of his favourite themes; ter added that people The main childhood and mythology have to be aware that “Publicity of events theme of his anybody can be an artist work is the human fig- came true. He enjoys life if they want and have and public meetings ure set against various in Canada. Lester says the discipline. For more is the number one ob- settings such as land- that he does not feel like info on this local artist stacle for people scapes. He also paints an immigrant, rather, he visit: wanting to partici- mythological and reli- feels that he belongs to www.lestercadalso.com pate in local decision- gious subjects. His fa- Canada. making” vourite theme is child- Regarding his artistic  Martha Burbano hood. When asked career, it still has a long & Francia Arias, So come and get in- about inspiration he way to go. He would like Victoria Village volved! Join us at events, maintains that a profes- to open a gallery with residents meetings, or join one of our groups. Help us circu- ANC– Victoria Village Highlight of Events TO CONTRIBUTE TO late this and get the word Summer— Fall 2008 OUR NEWSLETTER, out to your neighbours. To please contact us, via be added to our email list, ● July 3rd– Seniors Advocacy Forum phone, e-mail, or drop us a line at ● July 19th—Victoria Village Community Day drop by the office at: vvanc@workingwomen cc.org ● August 23rd– O’Connor Funfair & Graffiti Launch 1738A Victoria Park ● September 15th— Chinese Moon Day celebration Ave., Unit #1, Phone: 416 750 9600 ● September 16 & 18th—Quick Start Info Sessions Email: vvnewsletter Promote ● October 3rd– Eid Celebration @workingwomencc. your local ● October 11th– Victoria Village Thanksgiving Walk org business In this paper Page 3 ANC Victoria Village Community Newsletter VICTORIA VILLAGE COMMUNITY DAY

was a “Laughing Yoga” session lead by Ananth the Guru, who demon- strated yoga and breathing exercises, and taught us how to de-stress by laughing aloud together.

Community Members watched as Guru Ananth Last but not the least, demonstrated the benefits of Laughing Yoga there was plenty of Story Telling food to eat. Everyone uly 19th, 2008 was with games such as was given free hotdogs J indeed a day to re- bubbles and fishing, and watermelon. Drinks member as I enjoyed all sack race, swings and were also available at the activities organized football. Other activities a reasonable cost. The by the residents and such as portrait Arabic-speaking and Victoria Village ANC sketching, face paint- the Spanish-speaking staff. The day started ing, henna designs and groups sold tasty deli- off with people of all cacies. ages from the commu- The garage sale had nity getting to know quite a few good one another and ex- items for sale and all changing ideas to im- the proceeds, includ- prove the neighbour- ing the raffled gift bas- BBQ Hot dogs!

hood. kets, were donated to- Village ANC team, resi- The numerous tents of course, story-telling wards worthy causes in dents and volunteers provided a shelter, es- also kept the children the community. A very who made it possible. pecially during the short happy. nice and clean portable Keep up the good work. bursts of rain which Adults also kept busy toilet was available for helped cool down the by informing them- public use.  Aurento D’Souza, hot, hot park. Children selves of business op- All in all it was a Victoria Village were entertained by Kai portunities, and ex- really enjoyable day, Resident Sky the bubbly clown changing recipes. There thanks to the Victoria Page 4 ANC Victoria Village Community Newsletter GRAFFITI TRANSFORMATION PROJECT CONTINUED….

Above: the mural faces make the murals the voted on the images, The mural is a sight to Victoria Park Avenue, near wonderful pieces of art and symbols that should be seen and is praised the O’Connor Community that they are today. be depicted in the main by community mem- Centre The youth learned bers, stakeholders and about the artistic use of visitors. It gives the com- spray paint, thanks to munity a great sense of the lead artist, Michael ownership. It has been a Reyes, who passed this knowledge on to volun- “It gives the community a sense teers and children. of ownership.” The images and de-

sign of the main mural mural. As such, the mu- hit with the youth are the result of a rigor- ral includes children who’ve made the ulti- Article 19 of the ous community engage- playing, images of com- mate claim to owning it Declaration of munity members who by making it their profile Human Rights: have passed, and Article picture on various inter- ● Everyone has 19 of the Universal Dec- net social networking the right to laration of Human sites. freedom of Rights!  Bryan Peart, expression O’ Connor resident The Parma Court Mural is part of Amnesty Inter- national’s Project Urban Safety is paramount when Canvas– a mural series celebrating the 60th anni- using spray paints versary of the Declaration of Human Rights. For ment process wherein more information visit: community members www.projectubrancanvas gave their input and .com

The Graffiti Transformation Project in Victoria Village was a partnership between Working Women Community Centre, The City of Toronto, Involve Youth, Toronto Parks and Rec., and Toronto Community Housing Corp. Page 5 ANC Victoria Village Community Newsletter Reflections from Fozi Ahmed– Up & Coming Artist, youth lead assistant on the Graffiti Transformation Project Q: Who is the inspiration for your y time being a for me. Thanks to the this is an amazing gift. M part of the Graf- lead artist, Michael I also got the opportu- art work? fiti Transformation Pro- Reyes, I was able to get nity to work on a few A: The artwork of ject was an interesting the hang of it. To be other skills that would Vincent Van Gogh experience. This wasn’t able to learn how to be beneficial to me in really inspires me. any ordinary job to me; control spray paint to the future. I helped co- His artwork is it was a hobby that I make beautiful images ordinate the project in absolutely beautiful. love and one that I got and make a living with Parma Court by doing paid to do. In this outreach and job I almost al- engagement ways got to use around the one of my fa- neighbourhood vourite skills, to find out what which is painting. the residents I had to hone in would like to this I got to work on my on my skills as a see in the mural, networking, and leader- painter by learn- where the mural ship skills, which are ing how to spray should be very important in to- Inspired by Van Gogh’s work, Fozi used his paint; which was located, and day’s work. newly honed spray-painting skills to an exhilarating emulate Van Gogh’s Starry Starry Night in what Parma and challeng- the mural facing Victoria Park Court means to  Fozi Ahmed, ing experience them. By doing O’Connor resident CHINESE MOON DAY CELEBRATION n the evening of delighted to work hard At the end of the night, O Sunday, Septem- and plan the dinner, and children and adults alike ber 15, ANC hosted a were happy with what potluck dinner celebra- they achieved. After a tion to commemorate filling meal, all guests the Chinese Moon Day had moon cake: a tasty Festival. With over treat that is eaten every thirty guests, and deli- year on Chinese Moon cious food, the event Day. Traditionally, moon Lining up for tasty treats! was a great success. cake is always served Many members of the with green tea. Some of were able to celebrate Chinese community who the children played pi- Moon Day by lighting up live in Victoria Village ano and violin, and per- their Chinese lanterns came to the event, shar- formed Tae Kwan Do to outside. The beautiful ing food, conversation, entertain the guests. light was a wonderful and happiness for this Then, many women way to end a great Chinese tradition. ANC sang some traditional event. Happy Moon Day. Animators Lien, Chinese songs together.  Lien Do, Victoria Parveen, and Kala were Village resident Children enjoy lanterns Page 6 ANC Victoria Village Community Newsletter SENIORS CORNER: Toronto Seniors Forum would say that duce stress and solve After lunch New Cir- I from a youth per- problems. One of the cles Community Ser- spective, the Toronto main issues seniors vices gave the seniors The Toronto Seniors' Seniors Forum (TSF) were facing was mobil- Forum is a group that an opportunity to look was a real success. ity. Many said that the works to engage Toronto hip with new or refur- There were at least 50- bus services available seniors in the workings of bished clothing. New local government. 80 seniors at the TSF for people with mobil- Circles takes in old meeting. Some seniors ity issues were not al- With staff support from the clothes which they re- presented a play high- ways reliable. A group City of Toronto, the Forum pair and provide to lighting how seniors had a great idea; create is working to ensure that seniors free of charge. the City of Toronto meets could Senior Trans bus service its commitment to Overall I would say that for seniors that are not providing equitable the whole day was a

able to get out on their services to all seniors total success. living in or visiting Toronto. advocate for them- own. This would give  Brennan Amo- selves. Then people them the chance to get To contact the TSF: fah, O’Connor started brainstorming together for group out- [email protected] resident ways in which to re- ings. Phone: 416-392-8630 Interview with Victorine Chau :What is life like Q as a senior? Top 10 Green Tips for Victoria Village A:You have to do eve- 1) Use plastic con- rything yourself and it tainers is hard to find help. 2) Use Handker- chiefs, not Kleenex Q:What do you like 3) 3 B's: bike, blade, about living in or bus Victoria Village? Nellany & Brennan sit with Vicky in an interview 4) Turn off your lights A: It is very convenient Q:What is the coolest A: I am happy to be 5) Walk! for me. Easy to get thing about being a living at 80 healthy and 6) Use reusable wa- around and all the re- senior? god has blessed me to ter bottles sources are very close. live this long I have 7 7) Hold onto your A:Old age is a very children, 19 grandchil- garbage until you Q: How would you de- good thing. I’ve got to dren and 9 great grand- find a trash can scribe Victoria Vil- see a lot of things in my children. 8) Reuse paper lage? life time. 9) Do not buy more  Brennan & food than you need A: Nice community Q:Why are you so Nellany, ANC 10) Use cloth bags

happy at 80? interns Page 7 ANC Victoria Village Community Newsletter VICTORIA VILLAGE EID CELEBRATION عيد سعيد It was a very beautiful meeting that we attended at the Victoria VillagePublic Library كهمتيه بسيطتيه ونكىهما مؤثزة في حياتىا on October 3rd, 2008.The Muslim community خصىصاً بعذ أوتهاء شهز انخيز وانبزكت of Victoria Village shared enjoyments for the رمضان. األحساس بها ووحه محاطيه باالهم occasion of Eid Al-Fitr. We discussed with ANC واألحباب في بالدوا انجميهت فيه مذاق وروعت members and settlement staff, certain تختهف جذرياًعه بالد انمهجز initiatives that will help the progress of Victoria محاونت بسيطت مىي كمسهمت Village families.The kids also enjoyed محبت نجانيتها وبمساعذة this occasion with the games that they played and the songs they sang. ANC VVألحياء هذا األحساس ونى بشكم We all enjoyed the delicious بسيط بأقامت أحتفال نهعيذ lunch .Thank you Working Women فأرجى أن تكىوىا قذ أستمتعتىا staff and friends. We wish to see you وعذراً ألي تقصيز again at such happy and joyful وابغت .meetings - Rula Shubbar, Victoria Village resident DIVISORIA– Your One Stop Filipino Shop he Filipino store ing savory taste of Fili- know the smell of home T had been operat- pino cooking. style cooking will bring ing in the Victoria Park Being a one stop Fili- their customers to the area for almost 10 years pino Shop, the owners shop and who else will now but had been re- concoct the variety of named Divisoria upon meals offered by the Popular Dishes at acquisition by two own- Divisoria store if not for Jennelle. ers, Jennelle and Lani. It is her passion for Of the 2 owners, cus- cooking that kept Divi- Filipino Spring Rolls tomers are more famil- soria’s kitchen busy; a on the internet, clients iar with Lani Magueflor passion that has been come for Filipino prod- who had committed her passed on to the staff. ucts as far away as King- ● Pansit– rice noodles time and entrepreneu- With the going-abouts in ston, . Being mixed with vegeta- rial skills in managing bles and/or pork or the neighborhood, Divi- located on Victoria Part the stores’ operation chicken soria continues to at- is a perk as it is so close and really focused on tract new, loyal and to Toronto’s major high- improving not only the ● “Turon” - banana regular customers; their ways. sales but more impor- fritters. Ingredients secret: consistent ser- include plantain,  1740 Victoria Park Ave. tantly building relation- ripe jackfruit, and vice, passion for cooking  (416) 615– 0893 ship with Filipinos, Lati- brown sugar and building a friendly  [email protected] nos and others who had wrapped in spring atmosphere.  www.foodpages.ca/ uncovered the welcom- roll wrapper. As Divisoria advertises filipinofood Page 8 ANC Victoria Village Community Newsletter Your Health—Hypertension 101 Horoscopes great time to community Hypertension is a disease Aries Libra affecting a number of us in Vic- take it to the sports team with You have a lot of next step; use Playing music, Capricorn! toria Village. Hypertension, talent to share, cloth or paper painting or writ- also known as high blood pres- this winter get bags instead of ing are great Capricorn sure, is a condition that affects involved in a plastic. ways to channel Make sure you're neighborhood your imaginative getting as much the force of blood that flows project. Cancer energy, or get pleasure out of through our blood vessels, Talking to your outside and go your exercise disturbing the regu- neighbours on a for a nice long routine as you lar pattern of blood day to day basis walk. The input possibly can. flow to the heart. helps build a may really inspire How about start- strong sense of you! ing up a commu- This disturbance community. nity sports team can cause devas- Scorpio like indoor soc- tating effects such Leo Sometimes the cer? You'll feel a lot best way to han- as: a stroke, heart better if your dle difficulties is Aquarius attack, kidney fail- body is in mo- to go with the You are an inspi- ure, heart failure, severe head- Taurus tion. Beat the flow, so if things ration to those aches, and vision problems. Winter is always chill and make are topsy-turvy, around you. There are two types of hy- a good time to sure you set roll with them, There’s nothing some time aside and it they’re better to combat pertension. Primary hyperten- get to know your neighbours. for a nice walk in upside down, the cold weather sion blood pressure ranges Look out for the crisp winter look at the from like warm spir- from 140-159/90-99. Secon- community meet- air. a whole new per- its. spective. dary hypertension has a blood ings and events at Virgo Pisces pressure of 160 and above. your local library. This winter it's Sagittarius Use your high People living with this dis- Gemini time to really Your unique per- energy to bring ease can find symptom relief You’ve been do- explore some of spective makes people together by: cutting out smoking, losing ing such a fantas- your creative you a natural and chase away impulses. leader. Maybe the winter blahs. weight, physical activity, con- tic job with the recycling. It’s a you can initiate a suming less alcohol, consum- ing less sodium, eating foods Important Telephone Numbers: high in certain nutrients. Pre- scribed medication is one of ● Emergency, Fire services: 911 the most common treatments ● Police 33 Division (North of Eglin- Do you have an idea for for this disease. ton): 416-808-3300 community project? Some foods have been ● Police 54 Division (South of Eglin- proven to lower blood pres- ton): 416-808-5400 $100,000 will be available sure, such as: garlic, ● Office of Denzil Minnan-Wong, your for resident-led community local City Councilor: 416-397-9256 apricots, projects in Victoria ● pumpkin, Victoria Village Public Library: Village!!! 416-395-5950 potatoes, ● Garbage & Recycling (Solid Waste To find out more, contact broccoli, Management): 416-338-2010 ANC at 416-750-9600 cheese, and milk. Are you a newcomer to Canada? Looking for settlement services? Want to  Nadia Harris, Victoria join an immigrant women’s information circle? Village Resident Contact Shahla Zendegani, a settlement worker in the Victoria Village area at 647-878-2824 or email [email protected]