#9007 - Dec 1990

Digital Archiving Completed by the Ethnography Lab, A University of Toronto Anthropology Initiative 

and Produced in Collaboration with David Perlman/Wholenote Media Inc between July-December 2015. 

nsington Market 

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~ 

Ot\ltt' 

Ta.m ,bor 

MAP 

& 

GUIDE 

See pages 8&9 

The Slam, not the Slammer: BFGs Steve Johnson at the Record Peddler court-costs benefit 

Colin [!uffer reports, page 15 · 

Flash Fire 

Fuels Fear 

by Colin Puffer 

A sudden fire in the doorway 

of a Kensington Avenue restaurant 

at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday 

November 21 has left many in 

photo: DavldPerlman the COnlmUnity WOndering three 

·A glass door kicked in, gasoline things. 

. pouretLbut it could h;avebeen First, people are wondering 

much much worse . 

who would set a fire on the 

photo: Krash 

ground floor of a building which 

has up to twenty people, including 

children, living in it. Second, 

what could their reasons be? 

Third, if it's happened once, 

what's to say it won't keep happening? 

See ARSON, SAYS FIRE 

MARSHAL page 2 

and much much more 

Regularly: 

Ne~s, news .........•..............•••.......... 2,3 

Market Matters, Mutterings 

Kensington Environment~I ••••••••••••••••• 4,S 

Talking Drum 

Editorial, Opinion, Letters •••••••••••••••••• 6,7 

Map and Direciory •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 8, 9 

Market Gourmet •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1 0 

Learning With You 

Arcade, Oasis ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ; ••• 11-14 

Dates to Watc·h ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 11 

Entertainment and Sports ••••••••••••••••••• 1 5 

Drum Hum, (community ads) •••••••••••••• 16 

Also, pageS 

GARBAGE 

CRUNCH 

Ill 

Also, page 1 0-11 

HOLY 

MACKEREL! 

(Fish for Christmas) 

Also, page 12-13 

ARCADE 

& OASIS 

two youth views 

Also, page 14 

What Bob 

the Waiter's 

Waiting For 

K.F. Editorial 

DRUM, FOR 

INSTANCE, 

FROM THE 

START 

Ken sington Market Drum, 70A Kensin ton Ave., Canada, M 5T 2K l (416) 599-DRUM



2 

Arson Says Fire Marshal 

from page 1 

At approximately 5:30a.m. 

on Wednesday Eric Layman, 

a self-described night-owl, 

heard the sound of breaking 

glass, which was followed 

seconds later by smoke rising 

from the Le Uyen Restaurant 

(56 Kensington Ave.) 

located on the ground floor. 

Eric immediately called the 

fire department to report the 

fire. 

Evacuation 

The residents of the apartment 

block started knocking 

on each other's doors and 

within minutes the building 

was almost completely evacuated. 

With Number 8 

Pumping Station only 2 

blocks away on Bellevue 

Ave. no more than five minutes 

elapsed between the call 

and the arrival of the fire 

department. The fire was 

rapidly brought-under control. 

The blaze took place in the 

entryway of the restaurant. 

Damage was confined to the 

glass door, the awning above 

the entrance, plastic light fixtures 

and scorching on the 

walls and stairs leading down 

to the restaurant. 

It took Inspector R.L. 

Schnurr, from the Office of 

the Fire Marshal, only minutes 

to determine that the 

fire had been intentionally 

set. His verdict: someone 

had kicked in the glass door, 

poured gasoline inside and 

out and set it alight with an 

open flame. This leads us 

back to the qu~stion of who 

would light such a potentially 

murderous blaze. 

Rumours abound. Perhaps 

the best indication of the 

nature of these rumours is 

that the investigation will be 

handled by 14 Division 

Asian Crime Unit. 

What Investigation? 

Repeated phone-calls to 

14 Division have yielded 

only the information that it 

is likely the Asian Unit will 

deal with the crime. But no 

one seems to know just who, 

if anyone, is assigned to the 

case. Officer Hua, where are 

you? Even the suggestion by 

the Drum that there are persons 

in the Market with 

information that the police 

might find valuable has 

elicited no response from 14 

Division. Certainly, confirmation 

by the police that an 

investigation was proceeding 

would assure nervous Market 

residents that the inci- 

NEWS 

dent was not just being filed 

as an Asian Crime and left to 

the Asian community to sort 

out. · 

And More Questions 

Tho~gh most of the Drum 

staff has never attended journalism 

school (tht:: eat's out 

of the bag) there is a ,general 

awareness that a report 

Doctor's. Hospital 

Wo01en's Detox Riles So01e 

Drum StaH 

Is there a double standard 

about the treatment of alcoholism? 

In men it is seen as 

something that society has a 

responsiblity to treat and 

mitigate. Amo·ng women it 

seems it's something for 

which family doctors, 

churches and husbands are 

expected to provide remedies. 

Womens de-tox centres 

arc scarce-of the 118 

beds in the city, only 8 arc 

for women- and underfunded. 

Women's de-tox centres 

run into community opposition 

when they are proposed. 

This appears to be what's 

happening with Doctors 

Hospital's proposed 17 bed 

de-tox centre at 892 Dundas 

St. W. The second of 2 public 

meetings attracted 400 

people, many opposed. And 

Drum has seen multi-lingual 

letters, also opposing the 

project, distributed as far 

afield as Harbord and Major 

Streets. 

Part of the problem that 

projects like-this run into is a 

perception that the place will 

increase the number of 

drunks and rubbies in the 

area. In fact, most of the 

people using this facility 

would be there for 2 nights 

with a maximum of 3. 

The proposed place is a 

shelter for people in distress 

awaiting referral or other 

support services. It's not a 

place of incarceration. People 

arrive voluntarily or 

escorted by police. Nobody 

c~n be forced to stay, so people 

are not taken there 

unless they want help. 

Because de-tox centres are 

seen as something. that is 

usually placed in downscale 

neighbourhoods, they in fact 

have that effect on the neighbourhood. 

When institutions 

like Doctors Hospital go far 

afield to locate a de-tox centre, 

residents near by wonder 

why it was not placed in the 

hospital's backyard: Harbord 

and Brunswick for instance. 

Is the implication that there 

is no alcoholism in the 

Lower Annex? Or that 

places of treatment should 

be near the sources of temptation? 

Beacusc the centre is to be 

located so far from Doctors 

Hospital there have been 

suggestions that they are 

avoiding putting a downscale 

facility in an upscale neighbourhood. 

A hospital 

spokes-person denies this, 

explaining that no suitable 

site closer to the hospital 

could be found. This is partly 

because city by-laws prevent 

crisis facilities being within 

250 metres of each other. 

As institutions decentralize 

they put all kinds of services 

out into the community. 

Some of these services are 

perceived as positive, some 

as negative. Should the Hospital 

take steps to contradict 

the impression that upscale 

neighbourhoods don't get 

controversial facilities. 

climate of suspicion and is a 

perfect breeding ground for 

rumour. Perhaps the worst 

result of dark hints about 

gangs and organized crime is 

that people are afraid to 

come forward with informa 

tion. Someone must surely 

know more and care about a 

crime that endangered so 

should answer the questions 

who, when, why and where. 

It is therefore disconcerting 

to have to write an article 

where so many fundamental 

questions remain unanswered. 

Those that are 

answered only lead to more 

questions. This is not a good 

state of affairs. It creates a 

The Kensington Market Drum, December 1990 

photo: SN Bianca 

(!h rlf) many lives. ~ 

JlWJL City of Toronto 

City property owners and occupants .... 

Be Nice. Clear Your Ice. 

Please 'remember that it's your responsibility to 

remove snow or ice from public sidewalks in front of, 

or beside your property, within 12 hours after any fall 

of snow, freezing rain or hail, and to keep them clear. 

If the snow or ice is not cleared from the entire 

surface of sidewalks abutting your property, the City 

will remove the snow or ice ancf charge the cost of 

removal to the property owner's realty taxes. 

If you are a senior citizen or have a physical disability, 

you may be eligible for the City's free snow-clearing 

service. For application information, please call the 

Oepartment'of Public Works and the Environment at 

392-7768. 

TOO users please call 392-0678. 

Nicholas Vardin. P. Eng., 

City Engineer and Commissioner, 

Department of Public Works and the Environment 

Legal Wrongs and Fringe Benefits 

Local Record Company Aquitted 

by Colin Puffer 

. In the last Drum we 

reported the impending trial 

on November 5 in Ottawa of 

Fringe Product Inc. and the 

Record Peddler On 

November 8 a 12 person jury 

aquitted the two companies 

on charges of distributing 

and possession for the purpose 

of distributing obscene 

material. The material in 

question was two albums, 

"Here Today, Guano 

Tomorrow" and "Feed Us A 

Fetus America", by Victoria's 

DayGlo Abortions. The 

crown has 30 days in which 

to appeal the decision but 

Fringe owner Ben Hoffman 

doesn't think this is likely. 

Though the result was 

praised by the Canadian 

Civil Liberties Association 

and the Canadian Recording 

Industry Association, no one 

is claiming final victory. 

Most involved in the trial 

believe that the nebulousness 

of Canadian obscenity 

laws make future prosecutions 

likely. 

Inverted Process 

Hoffman himself expressed 

relief that 2 years of 

court app·earances were 

finally over but had reservations 

about the whole legal 

process. He felt the trial did 

nothing to clarify obscenity 

laws. He went on to explain 

that in most criminal cases 

the crime is well defined and 

it is the jury's duty to determine 

whether or not the 

defendant committed the 

crime. In the Fringe obscenity 

trial the process was 

reversed. There was no 

denying that Fringe had pas- · 

sessed the albums and it was 

the jury's job to decide 

whether or not that possession 

was a crime. And 

though Hoffman hopes that 

the court descision will make 

. police think twice about laying 

charges, there is still 

nothing to prevent the cop 

on the beat from pressing 

charges that may result in a 

very expensive court case - 

for a "crime" that may not 

be a crime. 

The Cost 

If Fringe had pleaded 

guilty when initially charged 

they most likely would have 

escaped with a fine of $500- 

1000. Because the company 

decided to fight the prosecution 

they have ended up with 

court costs approaching 

$100,000. Fringe received 

virtually no support from 

major record labels but 

musicians in Vancouver and 

Toronto banded together for 

a series of fund-raisers that 

will help defray legal costs. 

(see Performance, page 15). 

In the end Hoffman says 

he's pleased with the results 

and glad it's all over but with 

the enormous financial drain 

and time involved he doubts 

he has the resources or energy 

to do it again.




DEEP SIX 

FOR DEEP QUONG? 

Or j~t the name of the game 

by David Perlman They objected to the size of 

the project. 

The proposed seventy unit Reports are that at the last 

nonprofit housing develop- Deep Quong board meeting 

ment at 25 Cecil Street has a plan was put forward for a 

just completed a full circle building with fewer bachelor 

tour of the City's-planning units and a higher percentage 

procedures and is now back of 2 and 3 bedroom apart- _ 

to square one-namely that ments. This allows for fewer 

the city's planning advisory required parking spaces, 

committee must call a public which in turn means no need 

meeting, at which the people for expensive undergro·und 

proposing the project must parking. This brings the cost 

present a new plan. 

within provincial guidelines. 

As reported in the last So, if indeed the neigh- 

Drum, the proposed housing bourhood's objection to the 

passed a stormy land-use project was size, this should 

committee meeting on Octo- help get the project through. 

ber 30. But the full Council But the original group of 

then turned it down, voting workers for whom the proinstead 

to call for a new ject was designed will not so 

meeting and a revised plan. - easily find spaces in this 

At issue here is, most cru- · redesigned building. 

cially the size of the building. The date for a new public 

Deputant after deputant rose meeting will likely be 

at the land use meeting to announced early in the new 

say they were riot opposed to year, with a return visit to 

the nature of the develope the land-use committee as its 

ment (assisted housing with a dubious reward. 

large number of apartments 

for single, shift workers in The writer is a member of 

the Spadina watershed). the Deep Quong Board. 

Killing With 

Merry Cheer 

Over-indulgence fatal for pet says vet 

nr. Jack Gewarter 

Amidst the hustle and 

bustle of holiday preparations 

it is easy to overlook 

our animal friends who all 

too often become Christmas 

casualties. 

While most people have 

.. the best intentions when giving 

pets as gifts, the responsibility 

involved in looking 

after ·a new puppy or kitten 

properly is too great to suddenly 

thrust upon anyone as 

a Yuletide surprise. Each 

year, many humane shelters 

become overloaded with 

animals destined for 

euthanasia for that very reason. 

, If you already own a pet, 

try not to overindulge it in 

Christmas cheer. Frequently 

animals end up in emergency 

clinics choking or vomiting 

with inflamed bowels, 

twisted stomachs, impactions 

and perforations due 

to an overdose of Christmas 

turkey or bones. The attraction 

tinsel has for cats often 

leads to intestinal trauma as 

well, so keep it high on the 

tree and out of ki\ty's reach 

- likewise the lights and electrical 

cables that suddenly 

become irresistably chewable. 

Other hazards for pets at 

this time of year include 

road salt burns between the 

pads of their paws and frostbite. 

These can . be controlled 

by wiping off pads 

with a damp towel at the 

door and monitoring duration 

of exposure to the elements. 

Outdoor pets should 

always be provide with a dry 

shelter, insulated from wind, 

sleet and snow. 

Coats tend to get dry, 

itchy and flakcy in the winter 

due to central heating. A 

humidifier is a good idea for 

both human and animal 

skin, and a few drops of vegetable 

oil mixed with the 

food each day also helps. 

Animals can enjoy the 

holiday season as much as 

we do, as long as we remember 

that they depend on us 

for proper care and common 

sense. 

Bloorcourt 

Veterinary 

Clinic 

Consultation By Appointment Monday to Saturday 

Health Care, Surgery and Acupuncture 

1079 Bloor Street West 

I 6) 537-9677 

Dr. Jack 

NEWS 

••••••••••••••••••••••• 

DISTANT DRUM 

Coming in January 

Carwash 

by Derek Rogers 

... While the other workers screamed in horror and frantically raced for the cutoff 

switch, Bob calmly looked through the viewing window. He put his ear to the 

glass·and could distinctly hear "Singing in the rain, Just singing ... " 

What's the FUS 

Jack Gewarter will report on Feline Urinary Syndrome, its causes and symptoms 

and ways you can help your cat avoid this problem. 

The Return of Open Stage · 

There's been so much music in the Market area that we decided to cover stories 

other than Open Stage this month. Next month Open Stage is back. Look for 

a report on the nuts at Grossman's Tavern. 

"Kensinaton Drum Artide, Backaround and Inaccuracies" 

This is the title of a document prepared' by Julia Goldstein, director of Cecil 

Centre. Here's an excerpt: "The article itself contains many errors and distortions. 

There are errors of fact, judgement, and some basic misunderstandings 

about how a community agency functions. The intent of the article is, quite simply, 

to discredit my work as Director, and to discredit the Board." 

Market Gourmet Gets Cookina Aaain · 

After a brief maternity leave, Peigi T."willbe back with something savoury to 

stimulate jaded holiday season palates. 

Railway Lands and LRT _ 

An open letter to the Minister of the Environment 

" ... so, following this principle, the minister should give priority (and offer a 

streamlined environmental assessment process) to transit projects based on legislative 

and educational solutions, not those dependent on high priced technology. 

And the minister should intervene to prevent urban planning that encourages 

long distance commuting ... " 

And in February 

El fuego Iatino 

Drum Entertainment gets cosmopolitan with a look at The Don Quixote's flamenco 

dancing show. 

~-----************************************:--------~ 

C 

""DT "'"'~ T,. .~ c'TTJ::"r.T.r ur""'r' 

_ ti .:~;.l~ l .../ .0~ : rl.J. _..L 1\ .._ 10 L 

Children'; Safety 

0 Don't leave children alone for a minute or you 

invite accidents at Christmas time. __./ 

0 Plug-in electric toys should be labelled by the 

Canadian Standards Association ( CSA ). 

0 Don't buy combustible toys or ones that use 

flammable liquids. 

Your Tr~e 

0 Don't buy a tree with shedding needles. 

0 Cut off 2 inches diagonally from the trunk. 

Keer the tree in water in a non-tip stand away 

from exits and sources of heat. 

0 Plastic trees should have a fire-retardant labeL 

Lighting Safety 

0 Lighting sets must be labelled by the Canadian 

Standards Association (CSA). Replace \ vorn 

sets. 

0 Don't overload outlets. Protect wires from 

injury. 

0 Don't hang lights on a metallic tree. 

* 

0 Outdoors, use special outdoor lighting. ~ 

0 Unplug the lighting before you go to bed or leave 

the house. 

Christmas Parties and Smoking 

0 Use flame-retardant or non-combustible 

decorations and costumes. 

0 Don't smoke near the tree or decorations. 

0 Have large ashtrays, and store matches above the 

reach of children. 

0 Check for cigarette butts in upholstered furniture 

before you go to bed. ' 

~ · { 

* "¥ 

* ':, 

* -" 

* , 

* 

HAVE A 

fi·RE~ SAFE 

HOliDAY 

LEARN NOT 1D BURN! 

FIRE! PHONE 911 

1DRONTO FIRE DEPARTMENT 

3



4 

TALKING DRUM 

••••••••••••••••••••• 

MARKET.· 

MUTTERINGS 

- Drum Staff 

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The Kensington Market Drum, December 1990 MARKET MATTERS 5 

Garbage Crunch III 

At a waste reduction action group 

meeting December 11 - it was 

decided that a 3-member delegation 

will meet Amer and Vardin January 

7 at 10 am. Phone Robert Rex (928- 

1726) for detailed informa_tion. 

""" 0%; /_ 

' 

- ~ '- _.,,, '•"" 

1\ltr·q. 

... ~/ 

Drum 

Bulletin 

PUBLIC WORKS Commissioner Nick Vardin 

rejected Councillor Amer's request for one extra 

weekly garbage pick-up for the Market's produce 

merchants. But his department will immediately 

institute nightly pick-ups for the 18 restaurants in 

the area not presently so served (only 3 are). And 

they will reintroduce, immediately, their collection 

of corrugated cardboard. 

Details of these arrangements will be discussed in 

a joint meeting between the commissioner, councillor 

Amer and a delegation from the Kensington 

waste reduction action group. The group's response 

is to call a meeting to discuss strategies for meeting 

with the commissioner, on Tuesday December 11 

at 7:30pm at St. Stephen's. (Contact Robert Rex, 

928-1726, evenings, for more information). Anyone 

interested in seeing the commissioner's report 

should come to the meeting, as also anyone who 

wants to be part of the City Hall delegation. 

••••••••••••••••••••••• 

KENSINGTON 

ENVIRONMENTAL 

,( 

City of Toronto Information and Communication- 

Services Division, Department of the City Clerk 

Gift-Giving- It's Your Choice 

Durable Items Instead of Disposable Ones: 

• cloth napkins and serviettes 

• rechargeable batteries and charger 

• refillable safety razors 

• refillable cigarette lighters 

(only for the smoker, if you know one) 

• plants instead of cut flowers 

• a shaving brush and soap bar 

· • reusable cloth coffeemaker filters 

• a fountain pen 

• quality toys and clothes 

• picnic hamper with reusable dishes and cutlery 

Environmental Gifts: 

• a certificate for adoption of a whale, 

• a peregrine falcon, a tree 

• a book on environmental matters 

• a donation to an environmental group 

• a balcqny or back yard compostcr 

• an artificial tree, wreath or other decoration 

• a bicycle 

• a cloth shopping bag 

• a yogurt maker 

• recycled paper stationery 

Experiences and Personal Services: 

• a personal gift certificate for baby sitting, · 

• lawn cutting, snowclearing, or a home-cooked meal 

• a certificate for a restaurant meal, theatre, concert, sight 

seeing trip, hot air balloon ride, sports exent, etc. 

Homemade Items: 

• fruitcake, cookies, sauces, breads, etc. 

• decorations made from styrofoam, cloth remnants, 

• old jars, egg cartons, cans, plastic jugs, etc. 

• hand-knit sweaters, quilts, etc. 

• handcrafted wooden bowls, trays, ·bird-feeders, etc. 

Commissioner of Public Works, Nick Vardin, recently communicated with Liz 

Amer's office and offered Kensington retailers "material recovery" (which basically 

means corrugated cardboard) 5 nights of the week. The following are excerpts from 

Vardin's letter to Liz Amer. 

November 21, 1990 

To: City Services Committee 

Subject Refuse Pick-up in the Kensington Market Area 

Origin: City Services Committee Meeting of March 3, 1989 

(c39csc90897:445) 

Recommendations: 

1. That material recovery ·and garbage collection services be 

extended to the Kensington Market Area retail stores and restaurants 

as described in this report; and 

2.That full garbage coll~ction services not be extended to commercial 

properties at this time: 

Background: 

Your committee at its meeting of March 3, 1989, in considering a 

communication (Feb. 14, 1989 from Administrator of the Kensington 

Area Task Force, together with my report of January 1989 to the 

Task Force respecting the above, requested me to report on the 

cost of providing garbage pick-up six nights a week in the Kensington 

Market Area. 

(Comments: Here Mr. Vardin gives details of the services his 

department presently provides for Residences. Commercial Propertie.s 

and Restaurants. What folcws are excerpts from the rest of 

the letter.) 

I can extend material reco~ery to retail stores and restaurants 

and garbage collection up to 5 nights-a-week to all restaurants 

in the Kensington Market Area using existing labour and equipment. 

I will commence these services in January. 1991. 

By-law No. 20298 governing the collection of waste in the City 

of Toronto allows £or only two pick-ups per week from commercial 

properties up to a maximum or 0. 34 cubic metres per pick-up. In 

order for the City of Toronto to increase the current level of 

services to commercial properties (the By-law) will have ·to be 

ammE!Dded. 

If By-law No. 20298 is amended to extend the current collection 

frequency and quantity of collection in the Kensington Market 

Area, I am certain that all commercial properties in the City of 

Toronto that presently receive private pick-up will shift to 

municipal pick-up. 

The provision of complete garbage services to commercial properties 

cannot be limited to one area of the City. such as the Kensington 

Market Area. Complete garbage services to all commercial 

properties will have significant financial implications. 

,1'.E"ISt"IGTQA/6ARBABE ACTION StJ/itf£Yf1£Stff. TS 

QUESTION No. 1 

PERCENT SURVEYED WHO SUPPORT TUESDAY-THURSDAY-SATURDAY COLLECTION 77% 

'-- 

PERCENT SURVEYED WHO SUPPORT 3 DAY/WEEK COLLECTION OTHER -THAN ABOVE 40% 

PERCENT SURVEYED WHO SUPPORT GREATER THAN 3 DAYS PER WEEK COLLECTION 7,.5% 

QUESTION No's 2 THROUGH 4 

BREAKDOWN OF GARBAGE PER WEEK (IN .ft'XI"Nn> AN.O .PE.RCEN7} 

CARDBOARD 

MEAT AND FISH 

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES 

QUESTION No 5 

I 

2,985 # 

6,824 # 

559 # 

29% 

66% 

5% 

PERCENT SURVEYED USING PAIVA TE CONTRACTORS FOR COLLECTION -- 

OF THOSE USING PRIVATE CONTRACTORS, 

PERCENT USING THEM FOR 100 % OF COLLECTION 

PERCENT USING THEM FOR 50-100% OF COLLECTION 

QUESTION No 6 

33% 

67% 

' IDEAS FOR ACTION TO REDUCEWASTE IN THE MARKET AREA 

( 

22.6% 

PERCENT SUf!VEYED WHO ARE WILLING TO SEPAR~TE AND RECYCLE -- 58% 1 

I 

OTHER GOOD IDEAS MENTIONED -- SECONDARY MFG. COMMERCIAL BLUE CONTAINERS



6 

TALKiNG 

- ·RvM 

. ...... 

~ 

We've said a lot of no's 

over the past year: 

'no to 

TTC/METRO's stubborn 

pursuit of a Spadina 

LRT (an expensive engineering 

~olution to a legal, 

social and educational prob- 

_lem): 

-no to the City trying to 

.operate Cecil Community 

Centre as an office building 

for social service agencies; 

-no to the erdsion of 

affordable rental living in 

the downtown; 

-no to Peterson thinking 

he could give the provinc~'s 

voters less notice than a 

landlord must to evict a 

tenant; 

-no to a renewed Area Task 

Force until the present one 

has run its course; 

-no to hero-type, cloakand~dagger 

drug policing in 

Kensington; 

-no to no St. Andrew rose 

garden; 

-no to more public works 

that don't work for the local 

public; 

-no to the Olympics; 

-no to the GST. 

So, this time, a small bunch 

of yeses instead: 

-yes to Bob the Waiter's 

Christmas wish list; (p.~) 

-yes to the prospect of 

a food terminal for terminal 

food;(p.4) 

-yes to the suggestion. 

that GST stands for General 

Strike Tomorrow; 

-yes to noisy peace; 

-yes to saying no when it 

counts; 

-and, oh yes, to our readers, 

thanks. 

Drum is a publication of Kensington Market Drum, 

70A Kensington Avenue, Toronto M5T 2Kl . 

Drum is published monthly. 

Phone or fax (416) 599-DRUM 

for information on deadlines. 

Drum is distributed free door to door 

between Queen and College, Bever~ and Euclid; 

from College north to Harbord between Spadina 

and Bathurn. And it is available at the commer· 

cia I outlets listed in the map guide, as well as at 

selected outlets across Metro. For schools and 

study groups, up to 100 copies of Drum are 

available, free of charge if you collect. 

Drum is available by subscription, outside 

our door to door distribution area. The cost is 

S 18 a year. Back issues are available. 

Items in Drum credited to individuak ore in 

the copyright of those individuals. Points of 

view in such items ore those of the writer, not 

necessarily Drum's. 

TALKING DRUM The Kensington Market Drum, December 1990 

~' 

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••••••••••••••••••••• 

LAST TIME 

WE REPORTED 

• that the Royal Bank at 

College and Spadina had 

changed it's window ledges 

to stop stree people from 

sleeping there 

• that the Doctors Hospital 

Multicultural Commu· 

nity Health Campus, Clinical 

and Community Services 

Centre is now open: 

Reports are that it's supposed 

to inc! ude a few 

thousand feet for community 

use. Details? 

• that Scadding Court 

Community Centre had 

held its annual general 

meeting and Cecil Centre 

was seeking a constitution: 

Maybe Keith Spicer will 

take on the Cecil challenge 

once he's settled Canada 

• that the BFGs would 

J 

play a benefit for Fringe 

Product, a local company 

charged for distributing 

"obscene materia]" - 2 

albums by Dayglo Abortions: 

See Legal Wrongs 

and Fringe Benefits, pg. 2 

• that eight were elected to 

the downtown community 

health board: more about 

that in Peter Holt's letter 

on page 7 

that Deep Quong Homes 

on Cecil St, a planned 70 

unit subsidised housing 

complex, had cleared some 

hurdles but the race was 

not over: not by a long 

shot. see page 3 

• that you could read the 

Cecil director's side of 

things in the December 

Drum: (We'd received a 

Drum Monthly 

Our next 5 publication dates are; 

• Jan 12 

• Feb 1 

• March 1 

• Apri14 . 

•May_7 

For information regarding deadlines please call 

Drum at 599-DRUM. If you are inquiring about 

deadlines for the Jan. edition, you should call soon. 

document written by the 

centre's director about the 

Drum.) You'll have to wait 

. for January's magazine. 

(See Distant Drum, page 

3, for a pre-turkey taste) 

• that it was time at last for 

tenant rights and we would 

have a clip-out version of a 

"tenant survey" in the 

December DRUM:why is 

this one so hard? More on 

Kensington landlords in 

the New Year 

• that, in January, we'd 

publish an open letter to 

the Minister of the Environment 

of Ontario, a 

challenge to the province 

regarding the Railway 

Lands and Spadina LRT: 

sec Distant Drum for a 

preview 

• that there's a tangled 

parking tale unravelling on 

Augusta: More Market 

Mutterings, Page 4 

• that the St. Stephen's 

Community House fund- 

. raiser was to be a Kensing· 

ton Celebration: According 

to sources who coul4 

afford the event.... 

• that City councillor 

Amer had written to City 

Public Works Commis· 

sioner Vardin, supporting 

a request from Market residents, 

merchants, and 

environmentalists for an 

extra weekly garbage pickup: 

Now Vardin's written 

back saying yes and no. 

See Garbage Crunch III 

on page 5 

• that the Downtown Coalition 

for Social Justice 

was going to show people 

how Tory legislative and 

governmental misdeeds 

arise from conservative/ 

corporate agenda: but if 

Drum doesn't register for 

the GST we'll lose our corporate 

advertising 

• that 5,000 people gath· 

ered in downtown T.O. for 

a rally for peace and the 

environment and that advice 

issued by the Health 

department to parents of 

children who contract 

hand, foot and mouth disease 

(coxsackie virus), i.e 

use disposable diapers, is 

short-sighted, ecologically: 

And we wish people would 

start referring to them as 

non-disposable, which is 

what they are 

• that many students and 

employers are realizing the 

benefits of Cooperative 

Education, which allows a 

student to gain life and 

working experience while 

earning school credits: why 

shouldn't you be able to 

earn a school credit making 

Drum, for example? 

• that the column Open 

Stage would look at Grossman's 

Tavern this month: 

Grossman's hasn't moved 

and it'll be even better 

next month



The Kensington Market Drum, December 1990 MARKET MATTERS 7 

••••••••••••••••••••••••• 

Letters to DRUM 

Letters 

may be posted or hand delivered to Kensington Market 

Drum, Letters. 70A Kensington Avenue, Toronto Ontaro M5T 

2Kl. Or you can fax your letters (but you have to phone ahead 

to 599-DRUM). Letters will be published in full where space 

permits. Letters edited for length will be noted. 

1 •. 

OHIP Needs Rehab 

Dear Drum: 

Re: Hi, I'm Kate and I'm 

an alcoholic: PLEASE!! 

Being an alcoholic, (unfortunately 

still active) it made 

me reflect on my first bout 

with rehabilitation, and there 

were many. Waking up in my 

busted old flat, tire oil 

stained Volkswagon Bug in a 

Janeway in · the Sherbourne 

Carlton area, which I called 

home, with Clothes so tattered 

and dirty, you could 

read the 12 Steps through the 

scat of my jeans. I realized I 

needed help, so with the help 

of my old friend, then the 

director of Seaton house 

men's hostel, I was directed 

to the St. Michaels Hospital 

detox centre on Adelaide St. 

Upon my arrival the door 

was opened and in one 

glance nothing else had to be 

said. I was directed to the· 

Salvation Army Harbour 

Light centre on Jarvis St. 

With toast and jam for breakfast, 

and no name stew for 

lunch, my recovery began. 

Having to work eight hours a 

day in the Thrift shop at 

Queen and Sherbourne as 

part of my recovery and to 

pay my room and board I 

had the damnest time acquiring 

a tan working in the basement, 

sorting out bags of 

mothball stenched clothing, 

though I did become much 

thinner from eating the fine 

cuisine the Centre provided. 

My strongest memory of the 

twelve days I stayed there 

was how impeccably dressed 

the Soldiers of the Salvation 

Army were. 

Recovery #2: 

Waking up on a urine 

stained mattress with the 

sounds and sights toO disgusting 

to relate, I realized that -I 

was back in detox. The rollercoaster 

ride began again. 

With the help of a man called 

Grafton who I called on 

many times through the 

years, I was told there was an 

opening at the Quinton 

Warner house in London, 

Ont. With no funds for transportation, 

and having to be 

there that day, I was in a real 

dilemma. There was about 

seven inches of snow on the 

ground, and a mild blizzard 

was occuring, being it was the 

middle of February. With the 

help of my fellow drunks, 

each of whom chipped in and 

got me bus fare, (T.T.C.), I 

Councillor Counsels 

The Editor 

You referred in your October 

issue to my resignation as 

chair of the Kensington Market 

Area Task Force. I 

believe tha_t my resignation 

was appropriate and further 

that it docs not limit my ability 

to represent my constituents 

in the market area 

at City Council. 

I believe that the Task 

Force as constituted was not 

a workable way to acheive 

community objectives. Some 

have suggested that 

K.M.A.T.F. should become a 

standing committee of City 

Council. l don't think this is 

either possible or practical. 

First, given the number of 

distinct neighbourhoods in 

Toronto it would be difficult 

to have a standing committee 

for one and not for all. Secondly, 

the City Clerk has 

advised that a standing committee 

would not be possible 

under the City's procedure 

by-law. 

I have recommended 

establishing a new community 

organization with representation 

from all groups in 

the market. The committee 

could meet at one of the 

local commun~ty centre~ and 

elect a chair or co-chairs 

from among the representatives. 

My office staff and City 

staff could assist with the 

development of this organization 

in a supportive role. 

I have developed a good 

system in my office for providing 

representation to all 

residents of Ward 5. I am 

prepared to work hard for 

my consituents. Because of 

our work with market residents 

and business people, 

several things have been 

accomplished or are pending: 

* City Council supported 

funding for the Drug-free 

Arcade on Augusta; 

* Council supported the 

women's anti-violence rally; 

* My office has sqpported 

the community's anti-drug 

campaign; 

* We supported the Kensington 

Karnival; 

* New planning strategies, 

if acceptable to Council and 

the community, will enhance 

the residential nature of the 

market through a variety of 

strategies as requested by 

residents; 

* At my request, Council 

will soon be considering a 

new strategy to solve the 

conflict over canopies. Prosecutions 

have been temporarily 

stayed while this is 

considered; 

* I have asked the Commissioner 

of Public Works to 

report on an additional 

weekly garbage pick-up in 

Kensington and am in strong 

support of the community's 

garbage reduction effort. 

All residents of the market 

are invited to call my office 

with their specific concerns 

and suggestions. I now have 

a new Chinese speaking constituency 

worker, Constance 

Yau. 

We look forward to hear- 

. ing from you. 

Yours truly 

LizAmer 

Councillor - Ward 5 

grabbed a blanket from my 

bed and headed for the 401 

west. Nine rides and eight 

hours later I arrived in London. 

The address I had to go to 

was twelve blocks from 

where I was dropped off. 

After phoning to find out 

where my Lincoln Limo was, 

and then t_old that there 

wasn't one I asked the 

address. After being told the 

address the phone call was 

abruptly finished by the person 

at the centre. I then proceeded 

to trudge through the 

cold and snow with recovery 

hopefully in my future, and 

all my worldly possessions 

tucked safely in my shirt 

pocket. 

The Bottom Line: 

With over fifty live-in 

recovery programs in Ontario 

alone, I'm appalled the 

Ontario Government, in 

these hard times I might add, 

would have the nerve to 

spend $40,000.00 of hard 

working Ontarians taxes to 

send someone to the United 

States for recovery. We have 

just as good if not better 

recovery programs here in 

Ontario for as little as $100.00 

per day. 

The only problem with the 

local programs is that there 

are no limos, no Gucci directors, 

and heaven forbid, no 

suntans in October. Kate 

McNeil- Good Luck! - 

Ontario- GET REAL!!!!! 

Sincerely Yours, 

Randy Duncan. 

Kensington 

No More 

Dear Madam or Sir, 

Concerned merchants 

write that drivers who park 

illegally are sometimes 

charged $20 for the crime. 

They say that "it does not 

make for good busjness". 

Reducing car use is good for 

my business, good for the 

environment, and good for 

public health. My family and 

I have stopped shopping at 

Kensington- as much as we 

like the produce and the 

prices- because there's no 

place to push or park a bike. 

Sometimes cars and trucks 

even block the sidewalk. 

Kensington is not a people 

place; it's no place for pedestrians/bicyclists, 

and it's no 

longer a place for my money. 

Yours Truly 

Helen Hansen 

November 12 

I was elected to the Board of 

Directors of Metro Tenants 

Legal Services. Received lOth 

eviction .notice. 'They have now 

used every box on the form. It 

certainly feels like harasment. 

Yesterday, I agreed to, be part 

of a group of women who are 

planning to purchase a piece of 

land and 'build shelters so we 

can spend the next 10 years 

waiting for ihe earth's last gasp. 

We are part of a growing group 

who believe that unless human 

beings immediately 'act to stop 

the destruction of our home it 

will be destroyed. I must admit 

that I am the optimal optimist 

who believes all thing.

·- ----·--- I 



8 The Kensington Market Drum, December 1990 . 

Drum's Kensington ] 

Three hunclrecl stores • 

Street by Street: the people who 

Body & Soul Restaurants Grocery Bakery Veg & Fruit Entertai 

l•a$iG•I 

Samko Coin Laundry 

150 Augusta, 595-5277 

Clean and Friendly, 7 

days a week. Dry OeaningToo! 

Melo's Food Centre 

151 Augusta, 596-8344 

Portuguese Style 

Sausages 

Import and Export 

Lusitania Grocery 

152 Augusta Avenue 

593-9745 

Portuguese Grocery 

Store 

The Boat 

158 Augusta, 593-9218 

International Cuisine 

Specializing in Portuguese 

Food 

CAAMUnited 

Hardware 

160 Augusta & 564 Dundas 

598-8195 or 596-8098 

Two L.ocations! 

Barr.aca das Frutas!Roszler 

Fruits 

186 Augusta, 593-9709 

Fruit and Vegetables 

House of Spice Importers 

190 Augusta, 594-8724 

or 182 Baldwin, 593-9804 

Spice, Coffee, Fruits, 

Nuts 

Vanipha 

193 Augusta, 340-0491 

Fine Lao Thai Cuisine 

Restaurant, catering, 

take-out 

Park Royal 

199-201 Augusta, 593- 

9314 

Furniture and Appliances 

Everything for the Home 

Caza National 

200 & 224 Augusta 

596-6417 

Clothes For The Whole 

Family 

Shoney's . 

Recycled Clothing 

206 Augusta, 979-



The Market Drum, December 1990 9 

arket Visitors Guide 

not all under one roof 

ve helped pay the bills for Drum 

ent House & Garden Fish & Meat Furniture Appliances & More 

ca a: 

iDiCJ·:·I · I 

S TR~EET :_ ~ 

I 

I 

~~~lm unily 

Centre 

CECILST 

STREET .~ .-------....., 

Drop.ln 

College ~ 

BALDWIN STREET 

w 

:; 

z 

~ 

CJ 

z 

iii 

i5 

:.:: 

I IQI I 

EST~ 

Kensington Fruit Market 

34 St Andrew, 593-9530 

Fruits, vegetables, aloes 

too!! 

Freshness, a family busines.o; 

Exile 

34b St Andrew Street 

596-0827 

As 

1•«·••1 

Usual The Unusual 

Bhae Mounfain Consulting 

College, #208, 235- 

College, 928-2936 

IDzt:chuan, Mandarin and 

dishes- Toronto's 

Fully licensed. 

D'ARCY 

G 

D 

Massimo's 

302 College, 967-0527 

Sit down, Pick-up, and 

Delivery 

Pizza and Pasta Heaven 

Flying Monkey Natur..d 

Foods 

314 College, 968-1515 

Open 7 days a weekfrom 

bulk food to crystals 

Lazerline Desktop Publishing 

& Design Inc. 

317 College Street 

924-8726 Fax 924-3826 

College Books 

321 College, 975-0849 

A new bookstore serving 

university and community 

Nick's Grill 

339 College, 921 9745 

Good food, Cheap beer 

Central Guaranty Trust 

343 College, 961-8247 

Mon closed. Tues 

Thurs 10-5, Fri 10-7, Sat 

12-3. 

Jenina's Unisex Hair 

368 College, 966-0830 

Portuguese & Spanish 

spoken, Christmas Special 

prices for December. 

Quality Bakery 

370 112 College, 922-2595 

Taste the difference 

Quality makes. Bagel 

special $1.50/dz. Open 

Sundays. 

Great Horse Natural 

Foods 'n Things 

378 College, 964-1805 

Organic meats, tofu, natural 

cosmetics, et~tera 

Front Row Video Centre 

400 College Street, 927- 

1702 

Open 

Come see 

Sneaky Dee's 

431 College, 368-5090 

Global Survival Tuesdays 

Great Music, Good 

Cause 

Mars Food 

432 College St 

921-6332 • "'if'\ 

Out Of This World 

Spadina Ganlen Restaurant 

116 Dundas West, 977- 

3413/4 

Szechuan-Hunan & 

Peking Cuisine 

Fully licensed, LLBO 

Spadina Retail Post Outlet 

~~ .ifl0"- hi] 

576-578 Dundas, 593- 

8885 

Full service retail postal 

outlet. 

r' .Lrr':l 

S . c lj;(lli11 

un Kmg leaners "")_,d; 

576-578 Dundas, 593- 

8885 

Quality Dry Oeaning, 

Repairs and Alterations 

- Fast! 

~ 

I•1~U4•1 

Sun One Hour Photo 

Lab 

·310 Spadina, 591-9307 

One hr. processing, cameras, 

accessories, passport 

photos 

Switzers Deli Restaurant 

324 Spadina, 596-6900 

Catering, deli delivery 

Order by fax 596-7044 

Liquor Control Board of 

Ontario 

337 Spadina, 597-0145 

Fine wine, spirits and 

beer from around the 

world. 

Leaderwave 

Trading Co. Ltd. 

369 Spadina, 340-1727 

Century21, 

First Realty Inc. 

377 Spadina, 340-8900 

Tonny Louie, broker 

Grossman's Tavern 

379 Spadina, 977-7000 

Neighbourhood Bar. 

Nightly Entertainment 

Spadina Cafe 

401 Spadina, 340-6383 

A Pleasant Change. A 

Little of the Continent in 

Chinatown 

Spadina Ganlen Restau· 

rant 

416 Spadina Ave., 598- 

2734 

S1echuan-Hunan & 

Peking Cuisine 

Fully licensed, LLBO 

EIMocambo 

464 Spadina Ave. 324-9667 

Music & good times, 

local & international, 

everynight. 

Silver Dollar 

484 Spadina, 915-8832 

Music most evenings. 

Reggae, jazz, rock and 

blues. 

u.-aw~nt.stm! 

DRUM, FOR 

INSTANCE, 

FROM THE 

T 

I 

I 

I 

1ll City of Toronto 

H%! r 

H ; ..:- -f.. .Jf , /.' .;;. 

'""-.. 1 t ... -;+,. t Jl.... ~ ~ ·-·. 

Jt~:_i-1) _it~ i ~ .!; ~ ~·1 1t it i: 

} , . ..... "' ~- ...., ~ ~ ~ >.t- of. / .;t. ' 

Jli'} rl.. i;.J, "'- _..'0 ~".1 .-;t i5L' "J •!.J ~-i. -a. ~ (1. ~!:J ~ 1..-. 

H Jl. --t ;~ ~Lt.. -4->7:. -,:: .t H_ 40) --t :;.- ·1- ~-1 ~ -t i. 

1:!_ h -t 1;~ ~ nj_ Iii .:., :t9 t 5'i; a_ t-1~ ~ ~ i: j_ ;.. 

~ j ;" ~t-.!:. ~ -H. "t. 

....It- ("" !._ R .!:. ~ 'f ~ J.. :tl 4' :f fi_ k"t If nk_ k 

~·J " ~ h·Pi . ~ ~ ~hl-l" •tl ~~ -~> · ~ 1. ·i :+"v t. -st ~- e 

~j_ td~



10 MARKET MARKET The Kensington Market Drum, December 1990 

MARKEfGOURMH Santa Cod is 

Peigi T Rockwell/ 

[This feature will return next issue, as usual] coming ... to Town 

Recipe for a ioyous start 

to the festive season; 

a healthy baby girl, Alethea Rose Rockwell, born 

Saturday December 1st at 3:30 in the afternoon, 

weighing 7 lbs 3 oz. 

Love and best wishes from everyone at DRUM! 

by Masha Buell 

Who travels all around the 

world- 

On Christmas Eve for 

example- 

And vanishes without a trace? 

(Be sure to get a sample!) 

Santa Cod lives in cold 

northern waters off the coast 

of Canada and Norway. And 

what a traveller! Wellknown 

to_ people all around 

the world - from Europe to 

the Americas, the Caribbean 

and Africa. Salt cod is 

generally available all year 

,round in Kensington Market. 

Carlos Estrela and the festive St. Johns' cod, Kensington Markel 

Fish Co. 

John Pacheco and Ha Huynh, Saigon Fish Market. 

Saint Who? 

At this festive time of year 

there is particular demand 

for enormous Sao Gioviai 

or St. Johns' cod. Shaped llke 

a kite, these thick white 

salted fish are the basis of 

traditional Portuguese 

Christmas Eve feasting. 

Carlos Estrela at the 

Kensington Market Fish 

Company and John Pacheco 

at the Saigon Ffsh Market 

suggested that the St. Johns' 

Cod has to be soakd in fresh 

water for at least 12 hours, 

changing the water at least 3 

or 4 times. But just as e~ry 

turkey eating family has its 

own secret recipe for stuffing 

DRUM discovered that there 

are as many ways to dress up 

Santa Cod as there are 

families to welcome him. 

Here are two recipes 

that sounded terrific. Let us 

know what you, think! 

Afsoak the fish overnight, 

and change the water several 

times. Put the soaked fish 

into a pot of fresh water and 

boil it with some vegetables - 

potatoes, collard greens or 

broccoli, olive oil, vinegar, 

and add some chick peas or 

black-eyes peas (pre-cooked) 

towards the end. 

B/soak the fish overnight, 

and change the water several 

times. Cut it up into pieces. 

On a large oven-proof tray, 

put a layer of olive oil, sliced 

onions, sliced tomatoes and 

green pepyers. Put the fish 

on top, spread out. Then 

cover the fish with more olive 

oil, onions, tom a toes, peppers 

and Portuguese pimento 

sauce (it comes in a jar and is 

generally available in the 

Market). Add a squirt of 

fresh lemon juice over it all, 

surround the whole thing 

with a garland of raw 

potatoes, and bake it in the 

oven for about half an hour 

at 350 degrees. 

Santa Cod, hanging around Kensington until Christmas .... 

The Festive Fish 

John and Carlos 

both described family 

gatherings: "The family gets 

together and there's a big 

buffet presented. From the 

middle of the day the eating 

begins and just continues. By 

midnight people open 

presents ... " said Carlos. The 

feast includes salt cod, trays 

of shrimp and huge crabs, as 

~ Cidade de Toronto 

well as dried fruits and nuts, 

pastries, and lots of homemade 

wine or brandy. . 

John (formerly of Martin's 

Fish Market on Kensington 

Ave.) says that children in 

the Azores eat all kinds of 

fish and seafood at 

Christmas, as well as the 

sweet things. And if they 

want presents they stay up 

until midnight - or wait until 

morning! 

Aten~ao, proprietarios e inquilinos ... 

Ajam com Zelo. Limpem o Gelo! 

Quero lembrar-vos que a limpeza da neve ou gelo dos 

passeios em frente ou ao lado da vossa propriedade, 

e da vossa responsabilidade. A limpeza devera 

efectuar-se dentro das 12 horas ap6s a queda do 

nevao, chuva gelada ou granizo. 

Caso a neve ou gelo nao sejam removidos da 

totalidade dos passeios contiguos a vossa 

propriedade, o municipio procedera a sua limpeza 

e lanc;:ara as despesas a ela inerentes na Contribuic;:ao 

Predial do proprietario. 

As pessoas com mais de 65 anos ou ffsicamEmte 

impossibilitadas, podem vir a beneficiar do servic;:o 

de limpeza gratuito que o municipio oferece. Para 

informac;:oes sobre a forma de solicitar este servic;:o, 

contactar com o Departamento de Obras Publicas e 

Ambiente, atraves do 392-7768. 

Nicholas Vardin, Eng. P. 

Engenheiro Civil e 

Comissario de Obras Publicas e Ambiente




•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 

LEARNING WITH YOU 

KENSINGTON COMMON 

•••••••••••••••••••••••••• 

DATES TO WATCH 

11 

Learning With You is Drum's cooperative learning section. Make Drum 

aware of a concern or interest you want others to share or understand. We in 

return will take time and make space available for you to communicate your 

interests and concerns. You arc invited to offer your ideas - writing, drawing, 

thoughts, question'S, suggestions for joint projects. Send them to the Arcade at 

293 Augusta or to Oasis Alternative School care of Scadding Court, the two 

groups participating in this month's Learning With You, or of course to us at 

Drum (70A Kensington Ave, Tontonto, MST 2Kl; 599-DRUM). 

C t-\ R Jsr-~\~S 

~- 

~!\m Sii D 

~~ :r~ TP, ~)~~, 

( 

_L .\ \- ' . u' 

I \ \ ~ b [: ~ 1::



... 

~ 

12 LEARNING WITH YOU The Kensington Market Drum, December 1990 

Material on this page supplied by workers & members of St. Stephen's Drug-Free Arcade 

Ai'ds · 

Workshop 

by Susan Lem 

In our community and 

schools we don't have 

enough education about aids 

and relating to people with 

aids. For example, false 

information is spreading 

throughout our community 

and our schools, such as aids 

· being as contagious as warts 

and that simply is not true. I 

became aware of the lack of 

education in our community 

and our schools when I 

heard the ludicrous rumours 

about aids. 

Kim, Kate and Allan (the 

people from the Arcade) 

invited two people from the 

P.W.A., People with Aids, 

Jim and David. 

Jim talked about how he 

kept it a secret about having 

aids for about 3 112 years 

because he didn't know anyone 

with aids and he was 

very confused, but then he 

built up his confidence when 

he went to a drop in center 

for aids and they helped him 

a lot. 

So if you are a person with 

aids or you arc confused you 

can go to the drop in center 

for aids. Jim is a volunteer 

worker at the P.W.A. Jim's 

family was very supportive . 

and still is. David had somewhat 

of the same situation 

but his family wasn't very 

supportive. Jim and David 

talked about information 

. that helped me understand 

more abouf aids. Our community 

and our schools need 

more education about topics 

such as aids. People like Jim 

and David can go to any 

school to talk about aids if 

they are invited so if you arc 

interested you could contact 

The PW A Foundation of 

Toronto, 925-7112. 

TALKIN' 

ABOUT A.I.D.S. 

Review by Emmy Pantin - 13 yrs 

Talkin' about A.I.D.S. 

starts out with a funny rap 

song during the opening 

credits. It's a great song. 

Very hip, very 90's. The 

video consists of skits and 

cartoons, and (of course) 

people talking about 

A.J.D.S. 

The video was very hip, 

very today, even funny in 

some parts. But it lacked 

something. I think they 

should have emphasized 

some of the funnier stuff like 

the cartoon, "the A.I.D.S. 

nerd". They should have 

looked at different aspects of 

A.I.D.S. I think they tried to 

do that, but they ended up 

with different people saying 

the same thing. Don't get me 

wrong, I'm not trying to say 

the whole thing should have 

been a bundle of laughs. 

There were some excellent 

serious parts. They had a few 

people talk about what living 

with A.I.D.S. is like. That 

was interesting too. 

The video was great and I 

recommend it, but don't see 

it if you are looking to suddenly 

understand A.I.D.S. 

~} \ 

t~ 

&f-M#II'f



The Kensington Market Drum, December 1990 L E A R N I N ·G W I T H . Y 0 U 13 

What is Oasis? 

by Shaila Lakin 

· We arc an alternative high 

school that provides a comfortable 

and supportive 

atmosphere for our student 

body, which allows us to 

communicate with each 

other on 'both a group and 

one to one basis. This program 

was designed for people 

between the ages of fourteen 

to twenty, who either 

want to leave or have left 

school. Others come here 

because we work individually. 

The credits arc worked on 

at our own level, what's comfortable 

for the student. We 

can work on general or 

advanced credits ranging 

from grades nine to twelve. 

We have group classes 

twice a week. Topics include 

health, law, sexuality, consumer 

affairs and how to 

deal with everyday problems. 

We go on field trips a11 over 

- Ontario to learn more about 

our province. This has 

proved to be very successful 

for the students with learning 

more about ourselves. We 

also offer gym and art as 

../ 

OASIS Trips 

by Angie Benitez 

extra credits for those who 

are interested. 

Although we have a 

relaxed independent setting, 

attendance is mandatory. 

This is taken care of by a 

contract between you and 

one of our teachers. This lets 

you know what is to be done 

and how we11 you can accomplish 

your work. 

We also have a work/study 

program as well, which 

allows us to go to school and 

work and earn a co-op credit 

for our job experience. This 

option puts the students at 

ease knowing we have the 

choice of what we want and 

need for ourselves. 

We have a strcetworker on 

hand full time for those who 

are finding difficulties at 

school or home or just want 

to talk. Allhough we're still 

just a small school we're 

growing with an outreach 

program at Alexandra Park 

Community Center. Hopefu11y 

one day we wi11 expand 

to a bigger school to help 

more people organize their 

lives and get back onto the 

right track: 

School trips are an important 

part of the Oasis program. 

Each month we go on 

a trip somewhere outside of 

Metro. Since the school year 

started we've been to three 

field trips. 

The first one was to the Six 

Nations Indian Reserve in 

Brantford. We saw the reservation 

and the Chief's Council 

office. A man on the Band 

Council explained land 

claims and Indian reserve 

routines. 

At Niagara Falls we saw 

the Weiland Canal on the 

way to the Falls on a beautiful 

fall day. Everyone's been 

to Niagara Falls but for most 

of us this was the first time in 

the S~enic Caves right under 

the Falls and the Spanish 

Aero Car over the Niagara~ 

Gorge. 

The recent trip was to the 

Darlington Nuclear Power 

Plant and the GM plant in 

Oshawa. 

Many of the students do go 

to these field trips. We enjoy 

it since it's a whole day 

event. Next trip on the agenda 

is the Ontario Science 

Centre in December and skiing 

in January. It should be 

very interesting. 

Description of the Oasis 

Physical Education Program 

by Manny Frizado 

The physical education 

program here at Oasis is just 

like at a normal school. Only 

I think better. You ask me 

why? Well ~ think about it. 

Young teenagers in big high 

schools don' t really like 

lflt. c 1-il C. Kt iV I HAI , 

) fAII.1 J;: O fuE. j Ok E. I. 

I 

going to gym. E ve ry gym 

teacher in a big high school 

has a program for his students 

that consists of a 2 

week program of what the 

teacher wants to see his students 

do, and there's alot of 

boring sports teens don't like 

see PHYSED, top of pg 14 

I 

1 I I 

, 

~ 

0fi 

;/ 

y 

p 

Q 1111/l 

OASIS .• ~ 

IOn the trip to Niagara Falls, Herman spotted this 

motel. We had to stop. 

This is what your car looks like before it's finished. 

Oasis Questionnaire 

an Interview with an Oasis Student 

by John Sebastiao 

Q: What do you think of 

the Oasis program? 

A: The Oasis program is 

excellent, because students 

can work on any subject at 

their own pace. 

Q: Do you think you will 

be_nefit from the program? 

A: In a way yes a nd no 

because it is in a community 

center and not a real school 

setting. 

Q: Since your enrollment 

at Oasis has ·your school 

work been better or worse? 

A: Well I would say it has 

b een better beca use it is 

independent work and a 

change of setting. 

Q: How would you 

describe the academic studies 

at Oasis? 

A: Well, I find them challenging 

and about the same 

as any other academic school. 

Q: How long do you plan 

to stay at Oasis? 

Writer's Block 

byC.K.B. 

It's like an impenetrable 

dilrkness 

resisting all light, 

Or a warrior beating his fists in 

a futile fight, 

Or maybe it's a young man in 

love 

yet always rejected, 

A man of success yet with 

absolutely no future projected. 

This is the feeling of man's effort 

to express his plight, 

Yet sometimes he just writes and 

writes and writes ... 

photo by N cil! 

photo by Gibral 

A: Long enough to go back 

to a regular school setting. 

Q: What do you think of 

the teaching staff at Oasis? 

A: I find them understanding 

and considerate to each 

student's needs. 

GM: 

The Plant 

by Gibral Beck 

& Vanessa Marshall 

The students of Oasis had 

a chance to visit the GM of 

Canada plant which is located 

in Oshawa Ontario. 

When we arrived we boarded 

a tram and went in to the 

plant to view a short video 

about assembly. 

After the video we again 

boarded the tram and were 

on our way to a two-hour 

tour. We were taken through 

two assembly plants 

(Chevrolet and Buick) and 

they were huge. 

The GM plant was first 

opened in 1954 and has 

made a variety of cars from 

GM motor division, except 

Cadillac. 

Some of the GM cars are 

brought in from the U.S.A. 

and in return some of the 

cars are shipped into the 

States. There are many different 

types of jobs to be 

done in making a car. In the 

stamping plant, doors, hoods 

and the body of the cars are 

made. Sent along to the 

body plant, they are assembled, 

(the plant has special 

robotic arms that do most of 

the spot welding) then made 

ready to be dipped into 

primer for painting to 

improve rust resistance. 

After the cars are painted 

they are sent to the team 

line where the workers 

install the wind shields; front 

grills, instrument panels, 

seats, other fittings and trim. 

After they are provided with 

tires, oil, gas, and water. 

Then they come off the 

assembly line where wheel 

alignment and exhaust emission 

tests are conducted. We 

see GM, top ofpagel4 

r qz)ea/Jlqz)~ 

, 

by Doris Zwierzynski & Vanessa Marshall 

Dear Doris, 

I'm a sixteen year old female. I just broke-up from a three 

year relationship with someone I still love. I want to move on, 

but I'm finding it really hard. I like someone right now, but I 

don't know how to approach him. It's been so long since I've 

had to play the dating scene , and I'm scared I'll look stupid. 

How do I get over my ex., and make my mystery man want me? 

Signed, Nervous and Confused. 

Dear Nervous and Confused, 

Don't worry about it too much. Be flirtatious, let him know 

that you like him, but don't lead him on, because you aren't 

ready. Just try to love your ex., as a friend, and when that happens 

you should be ready for your mystery man. 

Doris. 

Dear Doris, 

Recently I met a girl who I'd like to get to know. The problem 

is, I don't know how to approach her. Please help me. 

Signed, Truly Confused . 

Dear Truly confused, 

I'll give you a couple of pointe rs, but you have to get the 

courage to go and tell her face to face what you really think of 

her. Here's a couple of pointers to get your courage up. Write 

her a letter, she doesn't exactly have to know that it's from you, 

but give her a little clue. Talk to her quite a bit, don't be too 

shy. 

Doris. 

If you'd like io send a letter to me, I'd love it. Mail problems 

to : Eear Doris 

'' 

C/0 Oasis A lt. School ;>" 

707 Dundas St W Rm #3 

~Omnto M5W 2W6 

~ 

'



14 COMMUNITY & ARTS - The Market Drum, December 1990 

Mut.ant Christmas · 

Hits the Wrong Spot 

-Bob the Waiter 

I know of several small 

families living here in the 

Market. Like a lot of families 

these days there is only one 

parent. More often than not 

this lone parent is a woman. 

Sometimes "Dad" may be 

shacked up with his new girlfriend, 

maybe he's a hardworking 

guy that shares 

everything he can wiili his 

"ex" or maybe he was last 

seen headed west. Anyway 

you cut it, the functioning 

postwar Brady Bunch-style 

nuClear family is becoming 

rarer and there arc lots of 

desperate women out there 

duelling daily with Messrs 

landlord; bill collector, and 

Wilson. 

Three against one isn't fair 

and it isn't fun. And· then, 

ladies and kids, there's 

Christmas. 

The ancient Celtic festival 

of light and the arbitrarily 

fixed celebration of the birth 

of Christ have been bound 

and buggered by several generations 

of Mr Eatons and 

Mr Ad Executive until there 

isn't muc~ joy (except for the 

financially solvent) or good 

will left. 

Christmas should be a time 

of joy and love for all. 

Instead, the advertising-driven 

high expectations of our 

own culture disenfranchise 

more people than Christmas 

can incorporate. 

What makes me bleed is to 

think that there are brave 

intelligent women out there 

who think that they have 

somehow failed because they 

can't scrape together the 

wherewithal to buy their kids 

the new "Gold Edition" batman 

doll, or "Ninja Turtle 

Sewer Hockey Set" that 

some TV jerk-claims is their 

child's birthright. 

Maybe around the middle 

of November we should all 

lock up our TVs in the closet. 

Perhaps the lowering of 

expectations and consumer 

demand would be enough of 

a Doc Martin to the head of 

the advertising industry to 

change things a bit. 

Maybe then there would 

be a little less pressure, a little 

less disappointment. Ho! 

Ho! Ho! let me pinch myself. 

Oh yeah. I guess I'm dreaming. 

How can you protect 

yourself and your kids from 

the modern myth-making 

power of television unless 

you sit there with one finger 

on the mute button? I guess 

you can't. 

So instead Santa I want 

skates for Julie, a paint set 

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 

for Vincent and a respectable 

yearly guaranteed 

income for all women. (Now 

I'm really dreaming.) 

I already know what I 

want for Christmas. I want to 

hear the sound of my Mother's 

voice, I want the bee's 

wax candle my room mate is 

going to make on our little 

kitchen stove, I want a bottle 

of beer wrapped up in an old 

spraypainted page of the 

Drum and I want a kiss from 

all the women and children I 

know. 

I also know I don't want 

an LRT line cutting my 

neighbourhood in two so 

more people can get down to 

Eatons faster, I don't want 

any of my friends and neighbours 

sitting home alone on 

Christmas day with a bottle 

or needle thinking of all the 

people they've ever hurt. 

And I don't want Mr. Wilson's 

7% solution. 

So Merry Christmas Kensington 

Market, try to wrap 

the people you love in love 

and forget the big ticket 

items. 

Oh yes. And a special 

Merry Christmas to the little 

man at CISIS whose job it is 

to clip "subversive" articles 

from community newspapers. 

I hope Santa brings you a 

real job . 

Churches in 

the Drum Area 

. • St. Mary Magdalene, 

136 Ulster 

• St. Stephen in the Fields, 

103 Bellevue 

• St. Matthias, 

45 Bellwoods 

• St. Alban The Martyr, 

100Howland 

• St. Thoma'!' Anglican, 

383 Huron 

. • First Baptist, 

101 Huron 

• First Church of 

Christ Scientist, 

196 St. George 

• Holy Word Church, 

206McCaul , 

• Portuguese Evangelical, 

132 Nassau 

• St. Patrick, 

141 McCaul 

• St. Stanislaus, 

12 Denison 

• St. Cyril and Methodius, 

115 Robinson 

• Harbour Light, 

723 Queen W. 

• Scott Mission, 

502 Spadina 

• Bathurst St. United, 

736 Bathurst 

• Bloor St. United, 

300 Bloor St. W. 

• College St. United, 

452 College 

• Trinity-St. Paul United, 

427 Bloor W. 

• St. Georges Lutheran, Julian 

410 College Calendar Churches 

• Christ Universal Centre, • Russian Orthodox 

517 College 

Holy Trinity, 

• Overcomers Church, 23 Henry 

506 College 

• St. Mary's Dormition 

• Assemblies of the First Born, Ukrainian Catholic, 

257 Euclid 

276 Bathurst 

• First Ula-.linian Pentacostal, 

557 Bathurst 

• Chinese Presbyterian 

(English Service), 

177 Beverly 

• Knox Presbyterian, 

630 Spadina 

]!>

The Kensington Market Drum, December 1990 ENTERTAINMENT/SPORTS 15 

A Revelation in the Market 

SCORES AT A G LAN.CE 

by Michelle Morrow 

The many faces of Revelation 

are probably familiar to 

you; whether you live in 

Kensington Market or just 

pass through on weekends to 

shop. 

November 5th and 6th 

were busy days for Toronto's 

'cream of the crop' reggae 

band - Revelation, who 

were in the Market to film 

their video "Lost Without 

Your Love", from the 

upcoming album 'One 

Nation'. 

· Now, with a grant from 

VideoFact in conjunction 

with Much Music, and funding 

from private sources, 

Revelation's first video, 

directed by Jim Banks of 

Reel Impressions, is complete. 

DAYl: 

Set up for filming began 

early in the morning at the 

famed El Mocambo Club. 

Several sets were constructed 

there, including the 

restaurant, bedroom, and 

night club scenes. Props were 

placed, camera tracks were 

laid, smoke was wafted, 

directions were given. Stars 

and extras took their places 

and sprung into action after 

each call for "action!" 

Evening rolled in, along 

with the numerous extras 

who had signed up to take 

part in the crowd shots, and 

several Toronto reggae 

artists such as Special Ice, 

Chester Miller, Devon "Mr. 

Metro" Martin, Bruce 

Robinson of the Sattalites, 

and radio DJs Dave Long 

(CHRY); David Kingston 

(CKLN), and Sheila Napper 

(CIUT). 

The stage at the El Mo was 

.soon the centre of activity as 

Revelation came together. 

Filming for the evening 

wrapped up around 11 pm. 

Steven Cogdell tells me "It 

was great to see such fantastic 

local support". Nigel 

Murray added more than his 

drumming; he contributed 

the fashions seen in the 

video from his store 'Dancing 

Days' at 17 Kensington 

. Ave. · 

DAY2: 

After location shooting at 

Allan Gardens, the band and 

the crew returned to Kensington. 

The melancholy saxophone 

solo by Richard 

v 

• NIMKIIS PRODUCTIONS • 

Invitation 

You are cordially in\·ited tv attmd an ART EXHIBITION by 

"NANABUSHZHO & FRIENDS" 

December 17·20. 1990 10:00 a.m. - 8:00p.m. 

Nim.ikiis Gallery - 139 Seaton Street. Toronto 

Worils feawred by: I ~ 

Richard Bedwash D?ug Fox Daria Fisher-Qdjig \ _. 

Stephen Snake !c~n GibsOn Ken Syrene ., 

Eliiabeth Burning Lo:"!'la Dennis Brian Wright·McLeod A 

Simon Paul Dene Ray !ohn Cook ~ 

I 

Opening night reception- December 17th 6 p.m.-10 pm. ! # 

Meet the artists and listen to story-teller. 

Lenore Keeshtg·Tobias as she tells you about the 

TRICKSTER/NANABUSHZHQ. Lenore is also a writer. 

cultural activist and a founding member of "THE 

COMMITIEE 10 RE·ESfABLISH THE TRICKSfER" 

For more information call: Vema Friday 369{)804 

Top Row: Bernie Pitters, Whitey Don, Steven Cogdell, 

Friendly Man, Freddy Phinn. Bottom Row: Garry Lowe, 

Howard Moore, Rosco Christie, Richard Howse, Nigel Murray 

Howse was filmed with 

Dancing Days as a backdrop, 

and the final scenes 

were shot on Dundas St. W. 

Friendly Man leans casually 

on a wall, as Steven searches 

for his lost love, played by 

university student Hilary 

-Syme, who says she had "a 

lot of fun" during the shoot. 

Fun, faith, hard work, and 

perseverance: Revelation 

follows this recipe for success. 

Revelation Productions 

and Publishings would like 

to thank the following for 

their invaluable support: 

VideoFact, Much Music, 

Reel Impressions, Cherry 

Beach Sound, The El 

Mocambo, Dancing Days, 

The Kensington Drum, 

Charmalee Knox, Chris Tadman, 

Dawn Murray, Jeremy 

Waring, Joe Bingham, 

Michelle Morrow, Donna 

Middlemiss, John Cogdell, 

Agnes Cseke, Josephine 

Patrick, Willard at Mag Fax, 

Stacey and the T.O. Massive. 

Revealing'facts 

Band resume: 

Revelation formed in June 1989; first reggae band to 

have their own Root in Caribana (1990); received A 

Canadian Reggae Music Awards nominations (1989); p 

Cosby nomination (1990); international airplay and 

sales of the 1989 cassette 'Crucial Thing' and the 

Friendly Man 7" single 'Jah The Earth's Rightful Ruler' in 

Canada, U.S. Jamaica, and Euro~. 

Band members - Steven Cogdell (vocals, guitar), 

Friendly Man (vocals, guitar), Whitey Don (vocals, g_uitar), 

Nigel Murray (arums), Garry Lowe (bass), Fred~ 

-Phinn (keyboards), Bernie Pitters (keyboards), and the 

Radical Horns: Richard Howse (saxophone), Rosco 

Christie (trombone), and Howard 'The Reverend' Moore 

(trumpet). Special appearances by Lisette Cogdell and 

Dianna Wyndham (backing vocals), and Chris Tadman 

(percussion). 

Catch the video 'Lost without Your Love' to be 

released some time soon on Much Music, also the new 

Revelation album 'One Nation'. The Kensington Drum · 

will he the first to know - so read it here first! 

z 

.... 

0 



16 COMMUNITY & ARTS The Kensington Market Drum, December 1990 

Performance 

cont. from pg 15 

.where the anger is aimed: 

against mind control, repression 

and rip-offs. Then again, 

maybe Thor who took part in 

the demolition had been 

watching the Leafs play 

Philadelphia. 

The Floor Show 

Bill was impressed by the 

slam dancing. He said it 

reminded him of a friendly 

rugby game -where you 

receive a bone-crunching 

tackle, jump up and pat the 

tackler on the bum, exclaim 

"well done" and get ready to 

· be thrown on your face again. 

Karen concurred that it was 

the most gentlemanly (sexist 

adjective, eh?) sport. And all 

in all, discounting the guy 

with the Charles Manson 

eyes, all the participants 

seemed to thoroughly enjoy 

getting whacked about. 

Kate McNeD 

The performance given by 

Kate McNeil at the Last 

Temptation on November 25 

was slightly more laid back 

than the B.F.G. show. 

Accompanied by Norm Amadio 

on keyboard Kate sang an 

eclectic mixture of jazz standards, 

original compositions 

and even some show tunes. 

How about "Just to be on the 

street where you live" or Cole 

Porter's "Love For Sale" as 

smile inducers? 

A Surpme Guest 

·McNeil was joined for her 

last set by some guy named 

Don Thompson who shows a 

lot of promise as a sax player. 

His breathy horn helped 

shape a fuller, smoother 

sound. There were some 

occasionally too jagged edges 

during the show (you want 

slick you go to the Bermuda 

Onion), but jazz is by definition 

improvisational and the 

odd missed note or forgotten 

word only heightens the sense 

of fun and musical risk-taking._ 

Kates Place 

Beggining January the back 

room at the Last Temptation 

will be called Kate's Place on 

Sunday afternoons and will 

set fingers snapping between 

5 and lOpm. Oh yeah, Bill 

loved the show. 

·Much Musk 

With the Last Temptation 

back on-line, the Free Times 

reopened, the Silver Dollar 

again booking interesting acts 

and rumours of future happenings 

at Scadding Court, 

not ·to mention a proposed 

Drum Benefit Concert (inter- 

. ested musicians phone 599- 

4317), the Market music 

scene is as robust and diverse 

as ever. 

I DRUM HUM * COMMUNITY ADS I 

00 For Rent and Sale 

•!• BIG, BRIGHT ROOM IN 

A SHARED HOUSE Nassau St 

2nd Fir. 2 Lg windows, view of 

street. Share bathroom and 

kitchen with 2; $330 plus. Avail. 

July 1, 599-2358, 599-6815 

•!• 1970 GTO Convertible; 455 

4 spd. blk on blk $5000 as is. Call 

599-DRUM, ask for box 1. 

•!• BEETLE COLLECTION; 

VWs-1974, 1973, 1969, 1967 

convertible. All as is. One package. 

Best otTer. Caii599-DRUM, 

ask for Box 2. 

•!• TOSHIBA MICROWAVE 

FOR SALE Late model, well 

maintained, exceUent condition. 

$60.00 Phone 979-7254. 

•!• APARTMENT-SIZED 

INGLIS DRYER AND STAND: 

almost new, still under warranty. 

463-6270 or 593-6891. Ask for 

Trevor. 

•!• WANTED: ads for apartment 

and rental houses. phone 

599-DRUM. 

•!• The Industrial Workers of 

the World are looking for people 

in Kensington interested in working 

ina market campaign against 

Environmental Action Tuesdays 

The Drum occasionally 

suffers space constraints. 

Such was the case last month 

with an article about a series 

of concerts at Sneeky Dees 

sponsored by the Toronto 

Disarmament Network. We 

regret not being able to alert 

our readers about some fine 

music and also missing the 

opportunity of informing 

them of some-free passes 

provided by the TON. 

Tuesday evenings in 

November offered a mixed 

bag of musical styles with 

four bands appearing each 

night. The best sets of the 

series were played by the 

Angels of Montenegro, 

League of Nations and the 

Matriphiles. Make an effort 

to catch these bands next 

chance you get. 

02 Child Care 

•!• YOUNG MOM with 2 yr 

old will babysit part/fulltiine in 

my home (fenced yard). Rea

#9007 - Dec 1990

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