Archive for January 27, 2011

| January 27, 2011
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5 Family-friendly Dining Ideas on the Danforth

Photo by Zoriana Zwarycz

Looking for a restaurant that will amuse your family but won’t abuse your wallet? Here are some ideas on where to dine on the Danforth with your family.

Magic Oven - 798 Danforth Ave.

Want something healthy and fun? Get the best of both worlds at Magic Oven. The diverse menu includes pizza, pasta and sandwiches to please the kids, with organic ingredients and additive-free selections that will be sure to please all health-conscious adults. As an added bonus, kids eat free from 5 to 9 p.m. on Munchkin Mondays.

Magic Oven on the Danforth

The Friendly Greek - 568 Danforth Ave.

As the name suggests, The Friendly Greek is friendly on your hungry stomach and wallet. The menu features a range of Greek favourites including souvlaki and gyros, but also includes burgers, wraps and steak choices. The Friendly Greek also has a special kid’s menu for family members under age 12, with souvlaki, burger and spaghetti dishes.

The Friendly Greek on the Danforth

 

Lick’s - 654 Danforth Ave.

When thinking about classic, tasty burgers, Lick’s comes to mind. The menu features traditional favourites ranging from burgers to hot dogs, sloppy joes and chili dogs. The atmosphere is bright, casual and fun. They offer special Kid’s Meals, which include fries, a drink, and a surprise gift. They also offer a special Family Value Meal, which is perfect for your cravings and budget.

Lick's on the Danforth

 

Brass Taps - 495 Danforth Ave.

If it’s not the huge selection of pizza and pasta that brings you in, it’s the daily specials. Brass Taps features daily half-priced specials such as wings (Mondays), pizza (Wednesdays), and nachos (Saturdays).  Additional deals for the rest of the week include pasta on Tuesdays, wraps on Thursdays, fish and chips on Fridays, and brunch on Sundays.

Brass Taps on the Danforth

 

Gabby’s - 729 Danforth Avenue

For casual dining while catching a game, Gabby’s is your best bet. The kid’s menu features favourites such as macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers, grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken wings, all served with Oreo cookies and a small drink. On Tuesdays, every item on the kid’s menu is only $3.99.

Gabby's on the Danforth

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
| January 27, 2011
2 comments

TTC Cutbacks Ahead

Photo by Jaime MyslikMichelle Roberts clutches her bag tightly to her chest as the crowd surges forward and she is nearly knocked off her feet. She is surrounded by a sea of faces and an overwhelming mixture of anxiety, anger, and aggravation. She braces herself, and is shoved forward once more.

As the final warning sounds she squeezes into a tiny gap between the crowded bodies. The doors close heavily behind her, sealing Michelle and fifty strangers into the sweaty, cramped space.

This is rush hour on a Toronto subway platform.

Crowded Commute

Michelle, like many other commuters, relies on public transit to get her to and from her job each day. But that doesn’t mean she has to like it.

“It’s especially ridiculous when you live on the Bloor-Danforth subway line and you have to transfer at Yonge to go south in the morning,” Michelle complains, noting that Danforth residents who commute downtown are disadvantaged because they must try to squeeze into cars that are already full of commuters who live further north. When you add the difficult weather conditions that TTC drivers face at this time of year, you get a season full of long, stressful commutes.

Transit Trivia

Having moved onto the Danforth just one month ago, Michelle cites access to public transportation as one of the deciding factors during her hunt for a job and an apartment. Indeed, the TTC is an essential service for many Torontonians; in 2009 alone the TTC accommodated 471 million transit riders. Based on this figure, an environmental report released in November 2010 estimates that without the TTC, traffic would increase 60 per cent on city roads and Torontonians would burn approximately 140 million more litres of gas a year.

But the TTC is at a turning point.

Budget Cuts

Former mayor David Miller was a strong advocate of the Transit City Plan, an initiative to expand the TTC with light rail transit — streetcars. However, new mayor Rob Ford voted against this plan when it came before city council in 2007, and he won 2010′s mayoral race with a campaign that supported expanding subways. His plan would extend the Bloor-Danforth line from Kennedy station to the Scarborough Town Centre. His proposed 2011 operating budget rejected a 10-cent increase in TTC fares, but now 48 “low ridership” bus routes —  including 8 Broadview and 62 Mortimer — may be facing cuts to off-peak service hours.

Public meetings have been held this past week to allow customers to voice their opinions on the service cutbacks. The TTC is hoping that these resources can be shifted to busier routes during peak hours, relieving some congestion in the downtown core.

Coping Strategies

What’s becoming clear in all this confusion is that it may be some time before TTC users see any positive changes. Yet solutions for transit problems are needed now, which is why some people are coming up with their own strategies for beating the crowds.

Sue St. Denis, a web developer at a small Toronto marketing firm, takes the 81 Thorncliffe bus east from Pape station every morning. When Sue first started her job she worked the usual 9-5, but when she discovered that a small adjustment to her work hours would allow her to miss the majority of the rush hour chaos, she negotiated a schedule shift with her boss.

“I’m a bit claustrophobic, so having some breathing space is nice,” says Sue. “Leaving half an hour later gives me much better travelling conditions.” She also recommends carefully positioning yourself on the platform so the doors open right in front of you, and picking out empty seats before the train stops so that you can plan the quickest route to them. She laughs, but, as she says, “it works.”

Find out if your bus route is affected by the proposed cutbacks at http://www3.ttc.ca/Public_Meetings/Public_Meeting_on_Route_Changes/index.jsp

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , , ,
| January 27, 2011
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4 Toxic Chemicals To Avoid In Your Toiletries

A report published in October 2010 by the David Suzuki foundation states that U.S. researchers identified 10,500 industrial chemicals used as cosmetic ingredients—including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxics, endocrine disruptors, and more. These toxic ingredients can be absorbed through our skin, and come into direct contact with sensitive tissues, organs, and glands.

In 2004, Canada’s Cosmetic Regulations were updated to legally require manufacturers to list all ingredients on retail packages. This law took effect in 2006.

However, despite these new regulations, Canadian manufacturers were able to find loopholes. For example, they are not required to disclose fragrance ingredients and instead they write parfum.

Also, personal care products regulated as “drugs” on the basis of therapeutic claims (e.g., tartarfighting toothpaste, bacteria-killing cleansers, and face cream with sun protection) are exempt from cosmetic labeling laws and are not required to list their ingredients.

According to the Suzuki foundation, almost 80 per cent of personal care products contain at least one toxic or harmful substance. Suzuki identifies 12 common, toxic substances found in our cosmetics— called the “dirty dozen”- that you should avoid. Below are the top four most harmful:

1. Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as “CI” followed by five digits

P-phenylenediamine is used in some hair dyes; other colours are used in a variety of cosmetics. Potential to cause cancer and may be contaminated with heavy metals toxic to the brain.

2. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, quarternium-15 and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate

Used in a variety of cosmetics. Slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which causes cancer.

3. Paraben, methylparaben, butylparaben and propylparaben

Used in a variety of cosmetics as preservatives. Suspected endocrine disruptors and may interfere with male reproductive functions.

4. Parfum

Any mixture of fragrance ingredients used in a variety of cosmetics. Some fragrance ingredients can trigger allergies and asthma. Some linked to cancer and neurotoxicity. Some are harmful to fish and other wildlife.

Audrey Duann is the health and beauty manager at the Big Carrot, and has been working in the natural cosmetics industry for eight years. She says that “many people look for a miracle product that will erase all of their problems immediately. However, natural products require a collective approach to work best.”

For example, she says that applying a heavy cream can  help dry skin to a degree, but using cream in conjunction with drinking enough water, eating your veggies, and avoiding smoking can actually resolve a dry-skin condition forever.

“On the surface, some synthetic products may claim to offer a miracle cure, but when you factor in the enormous toxic burden on your body, and the fact that a synthetic product can only go so far when up against not-so-healthy lifestyle choices, the perceived quick fix isn’t worth it.”

Audrey’s Picks

Body Lotion

100% Pure has a fantastic line of hand creams that are really unique – they use actual fruit and berry ingredients in their formulas. They smell really yummy and are great to keep in your purse for dry-hand emergencies.

Anti-Aging Product

Kosmea Eighth Natural Wonder serum is very effective at reducing fine lines and refreshing the skin’s appearance. It’s packed with antioxidants and moisturizers such as rosehip seed oil, green tea and hibiscus extracts.

For Babies

Weleda makes an amazing Calendula diaper rash cream that has a high concentration of zinc oxide and calendula extract. These two ingredients dry up diaper rash and reduce inflammation. *This cream is also great for eczema sufferers and provides relief to itchy inflamed skin.

For Children

Cleanwell hand sanitizer is great for grimy hands and is safe for children to carry to school and use on their own because it is alcohol and triclosan free. It has a nice thyme scent and a bottle that lasts forever.

For Men

More and more men are realizing that there’s nothing un-manly about using a face cream and taking care of your skin. Green Beaver makes a green tea face cream that is non- greasy and has no fragrance. I love selling this one to the boys.

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
| January 27, 2011
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Behind the Scenes of On The Danforth Magazine

(Flickr photo by bravenewtraveler)

Our magazine team has been hard at work putting together the spring and summer issues of On The Danforth Magazine. Check out some behind the scenes footage of a recent photo shoot for the summer issue.

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| January 26, 2011
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Thumbs Down for the Green Hornet

A disclaimer before you read this review: I have not read The Green Hornet comic books nor do I know anything about the franchise, I was just looking for a good movie.  Having worked at a Rogers Video store for six years, I think calling myself an avid movie lover would be an understatement. I went to see The Green Hornet at Carlton Cinema on a Tuesday, which means I only paid $5 for my ticket. That was one of the only redeeming aspects of the experience.
I found myself actually wincing at the cheesy writing; it seemed like even the actors knew they were delivering horrible lines. Which is why I was surprised to see that it was written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg – the same duo to bring us Superbad (a super good movie).

The Green Hornet did contain some redeeming chuckles and an interesting performance by Christoph Waltz (last year’s Oscar winner for best supporting actor in Inglorious Basterds). The direction is not even worth discussing and the score did not keep me awake.

In short, Rogen and Goldberg should stick to comedy, and it doesn’t matter how many pounds you lose for a role if nobody likes the movie.

Final verdict: 4.5/10

Points were lost for awful writing, lack of plot, and the malodorous man sitting in the row behind me.

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , ,
| January 24, 2011
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Tempting Displays

Shop fruit displayThe Danforth is cast as a lively and friendly neighbourhood, with its Greek influences and eclectic variety of shops and gift boutiques found along the neighbourhood’s main street.

Restaurants utilize the sidewalk spaces with appealing outdoor patios, and quite often the shops do as well, providing tables filled with vibrant produce for sale.  But just how safe are these abundant displays on the street? What are shop owners risking by putting so much of their stock within easy reach of the passing public?

Sidewalk Samplers

Munir Ahadi is an employee at the Fresh Express Fine Foods store situated kitty-corner to Pape Subway Station. They sell a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, and, in addition to a well-stocked store, they have several tables outside offering produce. The store is open twenty-four hours a day, and Ahadi explains that in addition to cameras, there is a security guard that patrols the shop to keep an eye on things, but that mostly the food is just kept wrapped up under tarps at night.

According to statistics from the Toronto Police Service, there were seven instances of commercial break and enter or robbery in a one-month period from September 2010 to October 2010, within a one-kilometre radius of where the Fresh Express Fine Foods shop is located. As these are only the number of reported thefts in the area and it is rather hard to tell if a lime or two has gone missing, it’s no wonder that Ahadi and his employer hope for the best by wrapping up their outdoor produce.

The fruit isn’t their biggest target, however, and Ahadi laughs before explaining what their unlikely most stolen item is. “Cheese. We have a huge problem with people stealing cheese and taking it to the bar for when they have a beer.” The selections of cheese are in the middle of the store, surrounded by bright lights and a video camera. “Our boss chased a cheese thief down, once,” comments Fahir, a colleague of Ahadi. “Chased him all the way to the bar.”

The shopkeepers laugh over this, and it’s obvious that cheese theft is something they have faced quite a few times in their jobs. Ahadi is quick to point out that he would never personally chase a thief down, as it is too risky to go after someone without knowing how dangerous they can be.  But are people in the Danforth neighbourhood particularly dangerous, or simply light-fingered?

Five-Finger Discount

Just to the west of Fresh Express Fine Foods is a used bookstore at Danforth and Carlaw called Re: Reading. Christopher Sheedy, the owner, describes how he learned the hard way what to put out on his sidewalk display, after he lost 15 DVDs to a thief. “I had them out in cases, and they actually went through the cases, stole the DVDs, and left the cases there.  So now I put out anything that I’m ready to give away, so if it goes walking, I’m not out that much in profit.”

Sheedy’s bookstore is very popular with students from Centennial College, and though books are not a staple for living (according to most), even they have been the target of thieves.  He, like Ahadi, is also very quick to assert that if faced with a thief, the only thing he’d do is report it. Sheedy is wary of the number of unpredictable criminals today, and has read plenty of accounts in the papers where a simple theft over a five-dollar item has escalated into a stabbing or worse.

His shop hasn’t attracted that type of violence, and he hopes things stay that way. “Let the police come for them. They’ve the training.”

Oddly, neither Sheedy nor Fahir and Ahadi note any particular time of year that is worse for thefts than another.  Even with the outdoor displays and the influx of tourists to the area during the summer – most particularly to the Taste of the Danforth festival – business seems to be a steady stream of profitability with a few occurrences of theft.

Being closer to the less affluent east side of Pape, and being in the food merchant business, Fresh Express Fine Foods sees more instances of homeless individuals passing through their stores, which are a marked issue for them. Re: Reading doesn’t get as many, though both shopkeepers agree that they don’t have a typical shoplifter profile.

Regardless of the small thefts they face, both Re: Reading and Fresh Express Fine Foods continue to liven up the Danforth with their outdoor displays.

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
| January 20, 2011
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Word on the Danforth

The Danforth area showcases a unique array of independent bookstores. However, with e-books becoming increasingly popular, how can independent bookstores survive, especially with larger chains such as Chapters and Indigo Books cashing in on the e-reader trend?

As the old saying goes, “They don’t make them like they used to.” In the publishing industry, this saying definitely carries weight. Publishers are making books and magazines digital, in smaller, more portable formats so readers can travel with upwards of 150 books on one e-reader.

But there’s something that digital copies just can’t replace, like the smell of a book, or the feel of the paper. So with portable e-readers slowly replacing paper copies of books and larger bookstore chains expanding throughout the city, how is it that independent bookstores, like the ones on Danforth Avenue, are able to survive?

Type Books

Independent bookstores operate different from the larger chains. They don’t have the same buying power as the larger chains, which sometimes leave them in a position to make difficult decisions, such as choosing one location over another. Type Books’ Danforth location closed last year.

As Joanne Saul, co-owner of Type Books, explains, “it was more about opportunities with other locations to expand.” Despite its closure, Saul still notices the continuing support from the communities the other two Type Books stores are located in.

Circus Books

Used bookstores also have to compete with e-readers replacing physical copies of books. Ron Duffy of Circus Books and Music is not as concerned about print publishing dying overnight. “People who grew up with books will want books,” he says. There will always be customers who would rather have the physical book over the e-book; just the same way some music lovers would rather have the vinyl records instead of the MP3s. The quality of the sound is different, richer in its physical form. Customers like to walk into a store and browse, flipping through books and getting to hold the products in their hands.

In comparison to the larger chains, Duffy notes that his store mostly deals with trade paperbacks to give his store a contemporary theme, not hardcovers or mass market paperbacks. He picks books and authors that “have a better life span” by focusing on literature and the humanities.

As Andrew Gray -who also works at Circus Books and Music- notes, you won’t find mysteries, thriller, crime, or romance novels on their shelves. Instead, Circus Books and Music looks for whole bodies of an author’s work, not just an author’s latest novel that you would find at the larger chains. To deal with the issue of limited shelf space, Duffy keeps a duplicate library in the back for copies, which allows for more titles to be displayed in the store.

Re:Reading Books

Christopher Sheedy, owner of Re:Reading, another used books bookstore, also notices a constant love of books in his customers. Re:Reading’s busiest times of the year are Christmas and, in the summer, during the Taste of the Danforth festival.  What attracts customers to Re:Reading is the appeal at finding rare books at low prices. Sheedy says that customers like to give rare or first editions as gifts for birthdays and holidays. With the back catalogue of mass market paperbacks in his store, there is something for everyone, including CDs and DVDs.

Stores like Re:Reading that sell used books have the advantage of selling books for less. Customers are able to spend the same amount of money on several books that they would spend on one or two books at the larger chains. As for competition, Sheedy believes that the best place to open a bookstore is next to another bookstore. In doing so it offers variety to customers, allowing customers to choose the store that best suits their preferences.

Regardless of how popular e-books become, the independent bookstores in the Danforth area are confident that there will always been a need and a want for hardcovers and paperbacks alike, with customers returning for more of their favourites.

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , ,
| January 20, 2011
2 comments

6 Tips To Eat Healthier In The New Year

Are you regretting the holiday binge? It’s not too late to start making nutritious eating choices to make 2011 a healthy year.

During the winter holidays it’s easy to let your eating habits slide. Homemade treats and starchy side dishes can be instant pick-me-ups, and are especially tempting when it’s cold outside.

If you’ve taken the opportunity to indulge in festive food items, don’t let it stress you out. Nutritionist Carrie Regan of Mademoiselle Fitness offers some advice on how to start making healthy choices today.

Don’t skip meals

In fact, have more of them.

“To keep your blood-sugar stable you need to be eating every two to three hours. If you let your blood-sugar fall, then what you do eventually eat will be broken down into sugar and stored as fat. The more frequently you eat, the more your body can turn the food into energy instead of storing it as fat.”

Don’t miss out on breakfast, because it will give you the energy boost your body needs to function properly for the rest of the day. Regan suggests that a healthy eating plan should consist of “five to six small meals a day, each containing vegetables and lean protein. Cheese, yogurt, and non-oily nuts (such as almonds and walnuts) are great sources of protein for snacks.”

Steer clear of sweet snacks that are “light” or “fat free”

When the fat content is reduced, something must be substituted to make these products taste better – and the replacement is usually a lot of sugar or artificial sweetener. “When it comes to weight loss, looking at the sugar content is just as important as looking at the calorie content. You’re only supposed to have 40 grams of sugar a day.”

Drink water

“Drink eight glasses a day to flush out your toxins and keep everything working properly. This also helps with weight loss: sometimes your body will be dehydrated and you’ll think you’re hungry when you’re actually just thirsty.”

Work on portion control when eating out at a restaurant

Regan explains that “portion sizes in restaurants are way bigger than they need to be.”

Also, selecting whole wheat pasta or brown rice, tomato-based instead of cream-based sauces, and ordering a burger without the bun, are all things you can do to eat healthier when dining out.

Try to choose a grilled chicken- or fish-based dish with veggies or greens, and avoid anything fried. Ask for the salad dressing on the side, and opt for oil and vinegar-based dressings instead of those made with dairy. Keep in mind that an ideal portion of meat at a meal is three ounces, or roughly the size of a deck of cards.

Eat as many vegetables as you want

While the tips above might seem a bit restrictive, the good news, notes Regan, is that “veggies fill you up faster.” This is useful information to keep in mind the next time you’re faced with unhealthy or greasy entrée choices, whether it’s at a friend’s dinner party or at a restaurant. “Reduce your portion of the unhealthy dish and try to fill up on the salad.”

Add flax seeds and fish oil pills to your diet

Regan explains that “flax seeds are a good source of fibre, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. You can use them in your baking – they have a nutty texture – or you can sprinkle ground flax seeds on your cereal, yogurt, or oatmeal. Fish oil pills are great for supplementing omega-3 and -6, and for lowering cholesterol and blood triglycerides. They may also help with appetite suppression, and are good for supporting a healthy weight.”

Remember that nutritious food does not have to be void of flavour! There are a wide variety of tasty, health-conscious recipes available for free online. Try not to think of what you aren’t having –focus on the health benefits of the food you eat instead.

Work these suggestions into your daily routine, and eat guilt-free all year!

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , , ,
| January 20, 2011
14 comments

4 Low-Calorie Mocktails To Serve As Post Holiday Treats

Low-Calorie Mocktails are fun, delicious cocktails made without alcohol, best consumed when surrounded by friends celebrating a healthy new lifestyle.

At your next get-together, try these four fun recipes, no designated driver needed!

With all these recipes make sure you look at the labels.  Orange juice is better than orange cocktail (the cocktail usually means it is mixed with other juices and LOTS of sugar), same goes for cranberry juice. And, of course, diet pop has fewer calories than regular pop.

Shirley Temple

A classic and a personal favourite from my childhood.

Mix ½ glass of orange juice with a splash of grenadine (pomegranate syrup). Fill the rest of the glass with diet ginger ale. Top with a cherry and a slice of orange.

Sangria Sans Alcohol

Normally made with both red AND white wine, this sangria can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and can give you your daily dose of fruit!

Begin with 2 oranges, a lime, a lemon, a green apple, a handful of strawberries, and any other fruit you love.  Chop all fruit into bite size pieces and throw it in a large pitcher. Add 3 cups of cranberry juice (remember juice not cocktail), 2 cups of unsweetened iced tea, a squeeze of lime juice and ice. Chill and serve in wine glasses.

Peach Mock-lini

An alcohol-free Bellini served in a champagne flute for a touch of class.

Find yourself some peach purée (or make it yourself). Fill the flute ¼ of the way with purée and top with sparkling cranberry juice or if you can’t find that, diet ginger ale will do.

Sunshine in a Glass

A taste of summer in the dead of winter.

In a large pitcher mix pineapple juice with 2 cans of frozen orange juice. Add the juice of 2 lemons and 6 cups of diet lemon-lime soda. Slice some oranges and lemons for added flavour and style. Serve cold and in large quantities and taste the sun.

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
| January 20, 2011
7 comments

A Taste of Ethiopia

Photo by Julia van der SluisAsk anyone familiar with the Danforth strip what food to try if you are in the neighbourhood and the typical response would be a gyro, followed with baklava for dessert and a frappe to wash it all down.

However, Greek fare is not your only option if you are dining in what’s known as Toronto’s Greektown. Farther east, new Ethiopian businesses are moving onto the Danforth, offering more exotic flavours than their Western counterparts and fighting to have their voices heard in the community by campaigning to call the area Little Ethiopia.

As it stands, the area of the Danforth from Greenwood Avenue to Woodbine Avenue offers little to attract people other than locals to the neighbourhood. The street has been plagued with drab, empty storefronts for quite some time. In the past few years, Ethiopian restaurants and businesses have popped up amongst these deserted stores, bringing some life back to the area.

A movement of business owners and supporters are working to bring change to the area by naming it Little Ethiopia, hoping that it will revamp the strip as well as give Toronto’s Ethiopian residents a visible place in the city.

One major advocate of establishing a Little Ethiopia is Samuel Getachew, recent candidate for City Councillor in Ward 43 in Scarborough. Ethiopian-born Getachew is one of the more vocal supporters of Little Ethiopia. He believes that the designation of Greenwood Avenue to Woodbine Avenue would only benefit the area and its residents.

“It is almost like the experience between an owner of a house and a tenant. When you own the area, you bring change to it. You can even go ahead and compare it to all the rich people, who pay millions and attach their names to government and university buildings. They always invest money and resources for its well being,” says Getachew.

Getachew further explains how Ethiopian businesses would improve the area. “It is about having citizens take ownership of the area. When people see themselves and their history attached to an idea, they tend to invest their money and energy to make it more attractive.”

In addition to the obvious visual improvements to the area, a Little Ethiopia would draw tourists and give the area a sense of community that is visible in the Greek residents west of Greenwood Avenue on the Danforth.

A major part of the Greektown community is the annual Tastes of the Danforth Festival that takes place in the summer. According to a research poll by Decima it is the favourite Greater Toronto Area festival among almost 1000 of its respondents and attracts over one million people to the Danforth strip between Chester and Jones Avenue to sample the best Greek food Toronto has to offer. The inclusion of a Little Ethiopia on the Danforth and in the festival would dramatically change the menu and enhance the atmosphere that residents and visitors have come to love about both the neighbourhood and the festival.

Although some residents are supportive and encouraging of attaching a name to the Danforth strip between Greenwood and Woodbine, not all feedback that Samuel Getachew and other advocates for Little Ethiopia have received has been positive.

“For the most part, the idea has not been received well by the residents only because the Danforth Business Improvement Area is campaigning against it. They think that there aren’t many Ethiopians living in the area even though this is Canada, a country that respects minority rights as much as that of majority,” Getachew states.

The vision for Samuel Getachew’s Little Ethiopia will not be easily attained, but the challenge doesn’t deter Getachew and his supporters from trying because they value the importance of living in a multicultural city.

“Canada is an amazing place and so is our great city, Toronto. Little Ethiopia would confirm to our newest Ethiopian immigrants that their experience matters to their city and that they would not be mere tourists if the designation were to become a reality.”

Category: Past Issues | Tags: , , ,
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