Editorial a Recent Column in the Toronto Star Lamented How
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VOLUME 3 FREE November 2003 Editorial A recent column in the Toronto Star lamented how communities come apart. It spoke of the anger and frustration of teenagers in the new suburbs that circle our city. Their lives reflect the bleak landscape – hanging out at the mall marks the triumph of commerce over community. Here in the Pocket we count our blessings. Perhaps what we value most is the peace and quiet that comes from the fact that traffic cannot pass through our little community because of the railway tracks and subway yards. This makes it a safe place for children to play. We are also a diverse and tolerant community, not a pocket of poverty or wealth, nor a ghetto dominated by one group or another. As Steven Page of The Barenaked Ladies notes about Riverdale generally, “This community is a very special one: we hold social justice and progressiveness close to our hearts.” Our recent Neighbourhood Party offered us all the chances to celebrate why we love The Pocket. It was great to see our local firefighters, police and politicians, but the focus was on the children and their games. It was also gratifying to see so many seniors enjoying tea in the middle of the street. But it takes work to maintain a happy home and a healthy community. We owe a debt of appreciation to the many leaders over the years that have helped develop the system of public transit that so many of us depend on. (Ironically, our community is peaceful and quiet because we live next to a subway yard and railway tracks!) Political decisions to protect our environment and provide affordable housing, healthcare and education have improved our quality of life in the Pocket. Continues on page 2 Editorial Second annual car free party in the Pocket was a huge success (continued for page 1 ) There is still work to be by Susan McMurray done -- as you will see October 6, 2003 in our own story about teenagers here in the When Queen Victoria St. resident Ginny Barron read in The Pocket about the party Pocket. planned for September 20th, she phoned party organizers to volunteer. She helped with set-up and then prepared for children’s activities, and later returned to play from The upcoming the Bach Suites for Unaccompanied Viola. municipal election offers some critical “I liked the Pocket when I moved in,” said Ginny, “and the neighbourhood party made choices. For example, me feel more connected. I wanted to meet the person who painted her house on Jones do we favour expanding yellow and green – Betsy’s house – and there she was...” the Island Airport to allow more flights, or It was a day of exposure to a wonderful mix of talents – among them are Ginny, who are we more concerned teaches music and plays occasionally in the symphony; Betsy Slye, who organized a about the impact of lively scavenger hunt and then ran the afternoon’s high tea; Dennis Pilon, our master noise on local of ceremonies and guitarist who lives in the other brightly painted house on Jones; and communities? the troupe of young girls led by Nicole Wallace who sang and danced their hearts out. It was also a day of real neighbourliness. People pitched in and helped out with tasks We need a chance to big and small – staffing welcome tables, supervising kid’s activities, flipping hot dogs talk about such issues and hamburgers, entertaining the crowd, setting dinner tables and cleaning up. that affect our community. While we By evening, between four and five hundred people had played games, performed, encourage you to use the eaten hot dogs and candy floss, petted animals (and who could forget the rather odd pages of this paper, it’s feathered dog that won some of the dog contests?), climbed in and out of the firetruck, also nice to meet face- rode their decorated bicycles in the parade, or simply sat and enjoyed good company to-face. Let’s have a and conversation. Long-time resident Aldine Beaumont, among the most senior of “neighbourhood kitchen those who attended, spent some time with older and younger folk reminiscing about party” to beat the growing up at 28 Condor Avenue. Nicole and Sean McSweeney came with their three January blues, where we kids and enjoyed “another successful car free day.” can enjoy a potluck Some welcome innovations this year included the afternoon’s high tea and bingo, both dinner, local musicians of which were intended to give single adults a chance to meet one another but which and local were also enjoyed by the younger people in the crowd. Teenagers appreciated the representatives. How fooz-ball game, another new addition. about lending a hand to make it happen? Last year’s party provided some of the inspiration for our Pocket newsletter. This year’s car free event has inspired a mid-winter “kitchen party”. Organizers will be The Pocket looking for more of that neighbourly spirit and volunteer commitment as plans get firmed up. Join the organizers at a planning meeting on Wednesday, November 12, [email protected] 2003, 7:30 pm, at 34 Condor Ave. (for more info, call or e-mail David at 416-406- 1684 or [email protected] What it takes to produce MIRACLE ON THE DANFORTH The Pocket By Glenna Kennedy Maxwell Nathan King Ashford may very well be the first baby to be born By:Barb Shaw, Publisher above a pub in modern Ontario history. By the time The Pocket reaches At 11:47 PM on July 25, patrons at the Hargrave Pub on Danforth Avenue your doorstep, twenty people were enjoying their late night libation and dinner, while in the apartment home have worked for two months as just upstairs, a 7 pound, eight ounce son was born to Kris Brown and Emmett volunteers to make this Ashford with the help of midwives and family members. neighbourhood magic happen. From story meetings to The stress of going to hospital was something that Kris, Maxwell’s mother, interviews, editing circles and and Emmett, his father, did not want to contemplate, so they decided to go to a art department meetings, this is midwife and found Queen East Midwives on the Internet. “You feel so much a big process and it costs more empowered with a midwife,” she says. “I was the one in control. When money. you go to a hospital to give birth they almost treat it like a sickness and a midwife treats it as a very positive and natural experience, which puts you in We have had some inquiries charge. They give you the information to make your own decisions. But you about how things run here at must be very strong physically.” The Pocket and in really simple terms, the production of a five The profession of Midwifery has been regulated in Ontario and funded by the page, double sided newsletter Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for 10 years. Ontario was the first costs around $400. One member province in Canada to provide this legislation and it is now also provided in of the collective covered the British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec. International midwives’ conferences cost of the first issue and the are now held all over the world. second issue was paid for with ad revenue. The ads start at $25 The role of the Midwife is not just that of nurturing and providing the and go up from there. necessary care to ensure a healthy birth. Some months before birth, midwives teach their patients all the aspects required to put themselves in charge of the We spend time at each of our birth, rather than letting a clinic or hospital be in full control, although it is meetings trying to figure out required that the patient must have a low-risk pregnancy. how to keep money coming in During the morning of the day of Maxwell’s birth, Kris was very happily to print our paper so we’re making banana bread above the pub while she was going into labour. Later asking you, our readers, to that night, two midwives and Emmett’s mother (who is 81, with Maxwell please consider running an ad or being her very first grandchild) and sister showed up to help with the birth. making a financial contribution Emmett’s comments were simply, “I was scared”. to The Pocket. Every little bit helps. No sound was heard down below despite Kris’s cries, “help me”, but she endured the incredible pain. With everyone’s help the birth was a success. For information on making a contribution to The Pocket, The landlord, Chris Wood, is extremely proud to be part of this history. The please contact me at regular patrons of the Hargrave Pub still often discuss the past and how all 416.406.3752 or email babies were born at home. Some think Maxwell’s name should have [email protected] for “Hargrave” in it. No matter, his first drink will be on “the house” more information. If you’d like to place an ad, please contact Greg Barsoski at 416.402.4283. FRESH FROM THE FARM Hormone-free and Drug-free Meats th On November 10 From Amish and Mennonite Farmers Celebrating 7 years of service with: Elect Rick Telfer As School Trustee for Toronto District School Board · Commitment. Track record. Credibility. A NEW LOCATION: 350 Donlands · Years of experience as a community activist, educator, and provincial representat A NEW SCHEDULE: Open EVERY of the Canadian Federation of Students. Friday & Saturday · Endorsed by: PAULA FLETCHER, current Trustee for our ward, MARILYN CHURLEY, MPP for Toronto-Danforth, CAMPAIGN FOR PUBLIC, EDUCATION TORONTO For more information / To order: AND YORK REGION LABOUR COUNCIL.