SPRING 2017 Vol.2 Issue 1
C O M P L I M E N TA RY
Richard
MACE
his art, his passion, his city
NIQUE to #HamOnt Ghalib Qasim a new home
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Editor - Publisher
Daniel Hymas c2hmag@icloud.com
Creative Direction and Design Eric Gill
contents
Spring 2017 Vol.2 No.1
5 a note
Moving forward... step-by-step
Cover Art
Richard Mace
A PERFECT CIRCLE
Printed by
Impressive Printing impressiveprinting.ca
8
One Team, One Dream
Distributed by
Stephanie Amanda Waller & you.
Contributors
Dave Hanley, Ghalib Ahmad Qasim, Tej Jordan Sandhu & the Lower City Runners
FEATURE
We are very social with our media and would love a follow from you.
ART AND THE CITY You have likely seen his art, let us introduce you to the artist.
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@c2hmag
@DanielAHyams
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INTERVIEW
JOHANNA HENDERSON An unedited conversation.
#C2HMag
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A NEW HOME
19
RUN TO SEE IT
22
From Dubai to Hamilton, Ghalib Ahmad Qasim shares his journey.
Meet new people and explore the city with Lower City Runners.
Spring 2017 ¡ C2HMag |3
YOUR
COMMUNITY YOUR
HOSPITAL SUPPORT YOUR
Just like you, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation calls this city “home.� We raise funds and manage donor gifts that enable the teams at Hamilton Health Sciences to provide outstanding clinical care. The government does not fund equipment for hospitals, so we rely on the community to help ensure that our patients receive the best care possible. Hamilton Health Sciences serves a population of 2.3 million throughout south-central Ontario with specialized health care services, many of which cannot be found anywhere else in the region.
Your support helps us build healthy communities. Learn more and give today at hamiltonhealth.ca/donate 905-522-3863
hamiltonhealth.ca/facebook @hamhealth
Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation PO Box 739 LCD 1, Hamilton, ON L8N 3M8 T: 905-522-3863 | F: 905-577-8025 www.hamiltonhealth.ca Charitable Reg. No: 131159543 RR0001
Moving forward, step-by-step When I launched the first edition of C2HMag in September 2016, I was hesitant to commit to a follow up. Not because I did not believe in myself or the concept, but because I wanted to wait patiently for the feedback and responses, if any, from the community of this creation. After 6 months of planning, the magazine had to take a life of its own. In my professional life, I’ve always had the attitude of letting the work speak for itself. If C2HMag were to be a failure, then it would be not for the will of not trying. If it were to be a success, then the task for me would be to take the concept and the product to the next level. I hope with this edition, the sequel, I have achieved this. The spring edition of C2HMag is the first of two that are due to be released this year. In the months leading to this release, I researched and conducted various focus groups and discussions with readers of the premiere edition to gain the feedback and knowledge to move C2HMag forward. This is an expanded issue, growing in page numbers, content and size. As with the evolution of anything, it takes more than one person to propel an idea to reality, and I wish to thank New Motto Integrated Media for contributing your time and talents to this project. Working with like-minded individuals such as Eric Gill and Kyle Kuchmey has enabled me to collaborate with people who are not only passionate about C2HMag, but about Hamilton as a city and as a community. My team has expanded to other’s who have played a role, but also to Stephanie Waller, who has taken over of the distribution of the copies across the city, and beyond. Thanks #TeamC2HMag. This magazine is about people and ideas Coming To Hamilton, and I hope you join me in agreeing that the contributors in this edition play a major role in shaping who we are, as a community, and where we are going. I am beyond grateful to everyone who has played a role in content sharing. This is a volunteer-driven magazine, so the time and dedication to writing and art creating fills me with gratitude. My special thanks to the supporters of this magazine who not only have advertised, but have shown your support for welcoming and assisting newcomers to Hamilton. This magazine was born out of being given the opportunity to host and produce my own TV show on Cable 14 Hamilton. As a volunteer ‘Community Producer’ with Cable 14, I wish to thank all of the team for continuing to support me, supporting my show, ‘Coming To Hamilton’, and all of the guests and concepts the show has introduced. It has been said before, but it’s worth saying again. Hamilton has a long history of welcoming newcomers, and it continues to do so today. Whilst we, as a community, have shown our strength in welcoming those who are new to both the city and to Canada, we must continue to show our unity and share our passion for the city, because it is the people who make our city great. Whether you are born and raised here, or arrived very recently, we all are part of the fabric that makes up the City of Hamilton. We all want the city to thrive, and I believe that collaboratively, we can progress.
Spring 2017 · C2HMag |5
Discover. Possible.
Take classes online or in person. Business & Management Communications & Design Health & Social Services
Marilyn Mekhail, Accountant From Egypt & Kuwait Works full-time + busy family life Graduate, McMaster CCE Fast-track Accounting Diploma
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nique restaurant: a
perfect circle
8|C2HMag ¡ Spring 2017
Who better to find out about the latest Toronto-trained ‘Restaurant-preneurs” than the King of Pop-Up Dining, Mr. Dave Hanley!? Under the best of circumstances, opening a restaurant can be a risky venture. From the initial capital investment to fluctuating dining trends, a restaurant venture demands steely conviction, a passion for what you do and, if you’re fortunate, a team that shares an unshakeable belief that your restaurant will succeed. For the team behind new Hamilton hotspot Nique restaurant – Chef Harrison Hennick, Gabrielle Gwyn-Neumann and Ryan Tracey – their success in Hamilton was a perfect storm of the right characteristics, a super-human work ethic and a collaborative philosophy of “One Team, One Dream” that would see their restaurant thrive well beyond their opening day. Seeing the guest line-ups well outside the door at their bustling Vine Street restaurant, a visitor might reach the conclusion that their concept was an easy sell for investors but, at his proposal meeting for investors, Chef Harrison Hennick was more than a little nervous. Although the vision that he and Gabrielle had for their eatery was sound, securing dollars for a venture into the hospitality industry is rarely a sure thing. “I’d arranged to have Nique pens and notepads made to justify the amount I was asking for”. In attendance at the proposal was Ryan Tracey. Tracey, who was looking to open a place in Hamilton and had been introduced through a mutual friend to the rising culinary star. Hennick was, by contrast, concerned that the project was “too big” for his investment contribution. Upon seeing the presentation and vision, not only was Tracey ‘sold’, he became an active partner in their operations as ‘the third piece of the
“ Hamilton’s exploding and supportive hospitality community was a perfect fit.”
puzzle’- front of house operations (Hennick is accountable for the kitchen; Gwyn-Neuman for bar program). Tracey says “I didn’t know what I was getting in to so I decided to just enjoy it.” Hennick expands “Everyone has their area of expertise and, together, we’re like a perfect circle when it closes. There is a synergy between the three of us that supports our service, drinks, cuisine and overall experience.” Hennick adds with a laugh “We even have our own weird trio handshake.” All three partners were more than ready to leave Toronto where their capabilities were widely celebrated but the cost of operating an eatery to their high standards were prohibitive. Hamilton’s exploding and supportive hospitality community was
Spring 2017 · C2HMag |9
a perfect fit. After their location was secured (a virtual ‘blank slate’ at James Street North and Vine), the work and planning began. Opening a restaurant, even for industry veterans like the trio at Nique, is not for the faint of heart. Says Hennick “Without the balance between our respective roles and personalities, we would have imploded. It looked like our project could go sideways at least once a day and I would say ‘Let’s all move to Thailland instead’ but we never lost faith that we’d pull through and accomplish this. We did what we said we were going to do.” When their restaurant opened, the people of Hamilton validated their beliefs through patronage, glowing reviews and warm words of encouragement. Recalls Hennick “We believed that anything was possible and the people in Hamilton responded. I think that where there is genuine passion and love, the people can feel that you love what you do and really care about their experience.” Fast forward to present day, and Nique is one of the city’s most popular destinations and the values that guided them through a successful opening serve them well in day-to-day operations. Gwyn-Neuman describes the key to their partnership “We’re all very passionate about what we do and we give everything that we have in to our work. We all strive for success and we all have very high standards.” Nique Restaurant is situated on James Street North & Vine Street. www.niquerestaurant.ca 10|C2HMag · Spring 2017
Photos graciously provided by Lisa Vuyk. lisavuykphotography@gmail.com @lisavuykphoto Dave Hanley is the founder of Pop Up Hamilton, a unique way to dine in our city by food created by leading chefs in incredible surroundings. Dave is a leading writer about food in Hamilton, and C2HMag is proud he contributed his time to our magazine. Twitter @popuphamilton for latest news and events.
welcome to your new home
and your new community
Happy
150th
Canada! With over 20 years experience, I am proud to provide excellent client focused service in helping you buy or sell your home in Hamilton, and beyond. As a member of numerous community groups, and an advocate for equality and fairness, it is my honour to welcome newcomers to Hamilton and be, not only your sales representative, but your guide to this fascinating city. As a guest on Cable 14’s TV show, ‘Coming To Hamilton’, I came to Canada as a young child and can empathize with the experiences of relocating and settling.
Lucio
BARCAROLI lbarcaroli@icloud.com
905 648 0088
sales representative
HAM ILTON
through the eyes
t s i t r A of Hailing from England, Richard Mace has changed the face of Hamilton using an artist vision and creative determination. It’s likely you’ve seen his art. Allow us to introduce you to the artist. 12|C2HMag · Spring 2017
What brought you to Hamilton? I was living in Australia and met and married a Canadian, who was from Hamilton. Once we had children, she wanted to return to Hamilton and near family. But once I arrived in Hamilton, it really seemed like a good place to settle, a place with so much potential and a good place to raise my kids. Good schools, lots of green space and lots of things to do. When did you first start becoming an artist and why? I’ve always been artistically inclined, I have a few different pieces of artwork that I made when I was a child and looking at them now, I can see that they’re actually pretty good. I believe that all children are artists, but they don’t always have the support and encouragement of parents or teachers and so they stop creating. They think they can’t do it or aren’t good enough, so they stop. I was lucky enough to have supportive parents who let me create and supported my artistic inklings. After I studied at Art College in England, I started moving around - Australia, Canada, etc., and as life got in the way, my art was sort of put on the back burner. I was always creating things at home, doing art and crafts with my kids - painting, paper mâché, stop motion movies, that kind of thing. Some private stuff for friends and people who know I painted. But no public work. When did you start creating art in Hamilton? The last few years, even ten years, for
Hamilton, have been so booming, and a lot of that is really what rekindled my passion for creating. There was so much art, so many creative people and so much going on. The opportunity really presented itself, opportunity knocked I guess. And so I really made some time for myself and my art and started going out there and seeing where the opportunities lay. I had visited England and New York City, Washington, Pittsburgh and the street art scene in those places is quite vibrant, and I saw a lot of similarities between some of these places and Hamilton. I saw what we could do in Hamilton, and I’ve always felt that pop art and street art is so accessible for everyone, so it’s very much what spoke to me at the time. ‘This Ain’t Hollywood’ on James North has a really awesome art space, and they were instrumental in me kick starting things. I had a few shows there and they were well received and successful and it made me feel like I could really make a go with my art. Once I started a few projects, things really just took on a life of their own and I’ve been so lucky to have some really amazing opportunities to paint some amazing spaces in Hamilton so far! And I hope there are lots more opportunities to come!
Roy Lichtenstein, James Rosenquist, Banksy, Shepherd Fairy. It’s very much my aesthetic. Just big, bold colours and striking images. It’s just always been my thing. I also have always been interested in the old illustration advertising from the 40s and 50s. They were pumping out so much stuff on a regular basis - magazine ads and newspaper ads- and they were so beautiful, but so temporary and causal. It’s incredible the amount of work they did for something like an ad for toothpaste! Hamilton is an amazing place for inspiration, it has such a rich history and all the industry that was here gives me so much to go on. Studebaker, Stelco, Firestone, all of their imagery, sign age etc, is so beautiful and is so important to what Hamilton was. It’s easy to draw from. I just think it’s so important to celebrate our past and embrace the present and future. Maybe I’m just a nostalgic guy, but it’s what I’m always drawn to when I travel, the old and the used and maybe even the forgotten and cast aside. And I draw on that a lot in my art. You’re going to see lots of things that people have forgotten about, I really want to evoke that pleasant nostalgia in people. Less of the hustle and bustle of the present, a feeling of a simpler time I guess. An idealized past. To borrow from a gentleman who is doing good things in the city, Hamilton is home. It always has been, and we’ve always been telling people how great it is. And it’s exciting to see other people, people who don’t live here, finally realize that.
Who and what influences your art and why? I’ve always been interested and influenced by the pop and street artists- Andy Warhol, Spring 2017 · C2HMag |13
Where to find Richard’s work in the city: Ottawa Street, public street art. Gage Park, public street art. Connolly Condo project, James south. CoMotion, King Street East Nique Restaurant, James North and Vine. The James North General Store, James Street North Mezcal and Uno Mas, James Street South. The Hearty Hooligan, Main and Locke The building formerly known as Slainte, east side, Catherine Street. www.streetarthamilton.com
@streetarthamilton
@StreetArtHamilton
14|C2HMag ¡ Spring 2017
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Straight to the Point
16|C2HMag · Spring 2017
Born in Toronto, Johanna Henderson moved to London, England to pursue a career in teaching. Upon returning to Canada 2 years ago, she saw the need to develop special needs educational programs to young adults with disabilities. Daniel Hyams sat down with Johanna to ask her,
Why Come To Hamilton? JH: Mitcham, right?
it always changes.
DH: I was working in… erm…
DH: That’s right.
JH: Was it Mitcham?
JH: That would be it
DH: It was Mitcham in South London and you were living in…
DH: So, what was it called?
JH: It is going to be 9 years this summer.
JH: Raynes Park..
Later in the conversation
DH: 9 years this summer.
DH: Raynes Park.
JH: We gotta so something when we hit 10 years.
JH: And then Tooting.
DH: I do want to talk about your work, because I got to know you in Britain as an educator, and as a special needs educator, as a teacher and I want to talk about that, but you originate from Toronto, this is correct?
Daniel Hyams: OK, so this thing is on. Miss Johanna Henderson Johanna Henderson: (Laughs) Great start! DH: Well, this is an interesting experience because I’ve known you for… How many years have we known each other?
DH: We should do something, we should, it’s amazing because, um, you are the only person, er, here in Hamilton, who knows me, erm, of my life pre-Canada. Because we met, just before, er, well, we met here in Canada, and then we actually got to know each other in London. JH: That’s right, yeah, I knew you and I knew one person from high school. DH: The most hilarious thing is when you messaged me when you arrived in London, and this would have been 2008, I got a message from you, and you were telling me where you were living and it turned out that I was working, erm..
“...it’s becoming a very desirable place to be, the city is transforming as we speak...”
DH: And the first place I took you, if I recall correctly, is to the bar Footlights in Wimbledon. JH: Was it still Footlights at the time or did you just tell me it was Footlights, or had it changed to a restaurant, you kept telling me that’s what London does to you,
JH: Right. In the T-Dot. DH: And you went into teacher’s college, here in Ontario. So when and where did you go? JH: I started my Bachelor of History degree in 2001, I went to Trent University in Peterborough, and at that time, I was taking the education program that was provided through Queen’s in Kingston, and because I was taking two degrees simultaneously, it took me a bit longer, so I finished by degree and got my Bachelor in Education in 2007.
Spring 2017 · C2HMag |17
DH: In that program, was there any focus on working with special needs children and providing special needs education? JH: It was, from what I can remember, very brief. Very vague. [as a teacher] you should be aware that there were special needs [students] in the classroom. Later in the conversation DH: We come to the program called Step-By-Step Learning. JH: Yes. DH: And, you decided that Hamilton could be a good city to look into developing this idea, so what was it about Hamilton that made you think, this could be an area that I could develop this particular program? JH: I think, Hamilton is having such a renaissance, I guess if that’s the right term right now, it really changing, it’s becoming a very desirable place to be, the city is transforming as we speak, and, so that was part of it… 18|C2HMag · Spring 2017
DH: And the program? JH: I mostly work with young adults in their homes and whatever work we need to do and I incorporate life skills wherever possible because that was something that wasn’t really done in London [England] and I felt it could be really good for the children, so with one client, we do the grocery shopping, we go to Tim Hortons, so that they can develop their speech, and as well as that, we’re promoting independence.
For more information about the program, go to fermatainc.ca/step-by-step-learning To contact Johanna; Johanna@fermatainc.ca
Later in the conversation JH: [Special needs] is a population that wasn’t covered at the time [during university education]… But the push for inclusion and accessibility in society, and with the aging population, and a greater awareness of people with special needs it’s going to become more prevalent, and the more we can support them to be independent, to be part of the community, the better everyone’s lives will be.
Want to listen to the their whole conversation? You can! Check out the audio on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/c2hmag
Interviewer - Daniel Hyams World traveler, editor, wanderer, lover of Hamilton and promoter of the same.
Making
HAMILTON MY NEW HOME
Ghalib Ahmad Qasim I had been living in Dubai for some time and enjoying a rewarding career. After graduating with a bachelor’s in Business Administration, I was working as a sales and marketing professional in the booming construction industry in Dubai. Since Dubai is a multi-cultural city, I had friends from all over the world. It was a great opportunity to learn about different cultures, and I knew that I wanted to explore Europe and the US. I immediately fell in love with North America, and after visiting Canada I decided that was where I wanted to move—“the land of opportunities.” I was at a point in my current career where there was the potential for growth and advancement, and I realized that starting over in a new country would pose a huge challenge. However, I also knew that I am a risk-taker who believes in creating opportunities for myself. So I decided to give it a go.
One way I reached out was by volunteering with young professional groups and non-profits. I encountered many people who warmly welcomed me into their spheres. Hamilton has embraced me as much as I’ve tried to embrace it. My outgoing personality probably helped some too! Today, I have a strong network of friends and colleagues across the city just two years after moving to Canada. A few months ago, The Hamilton Spectator reached out to interview me for its young professionals series, which was a real honour and made me feel like I had been accepted into my new community. All of that said, finding quality, permanent employment wasn’t easy. I fervently worked on my job search and gradually exhausted all my resources. Initially, I faced the barrier of not being able to provide Canadian-based references, which was shocking considering the fact that I was new and had never worked in Canada. However, with time I overcame this obstacle by volunteering, which provided Canadian references. The job market is very competitive, and being a newcomer adds an extra hurdle. But eventually I found a job in my field. All the hard work finally paid off and I look forward to achieving my future career goals.
“Right away Hamilton felt like a perfect fit.”
People sometimes ask me why I chose Hamilton out of all the cities that I could have made my new home. The answer is simple. After living in the hustle and bustle of a city like Dubai, I wanted to settle in a place that not only had professional opportunities, but also a strong community and, most importantly, diversity. Right away Hamilton felt like a perfect fit.
When I handed in my resignation in Dubai, my colleagues and friends were bewildered. They were not convinced that this was a good move. But I’ve always been fortunate to have the support of my family, especially from both of my older brothers. This gave me confidence and, despite all the criticism I heard, I was determined to not waver on my decision. My transition from Dubai to Canada has been a combination of peaks and valleys. But being an optimistic person, I have never let any temporary setback deter me from reaching a goal. As a newcomer, I wanted to go out, meet and connect with people in order to integrate into my new community. I did not want to stay at home and segregate myself within a small newcomer community; I wanted to learn how things worked in Canada. 20|C2HMag · Spring 2017
If there is an end to my journey of moving to Hamilton so far, it was probably when I was invited to be interviewed by Daniel Hyams on Cable 14 TV for his show, “Coming to Hamilton.” It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. Daniel is an amazing anchor, and even though I was nervous to be on television, he made me so comfortable that I ended up really enjoying the experience. After the episode aired, several people have approached me to say that they had seen me on television and congratulated me on my success. This feeling is inexplicable and makes me feel even more at home in Hamilton!
Cover photo graciously provided by Shelly Wonch. @shellywonch
@GhalibQasim
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Running with the
night
Are you new to the city? Want to get involved and meet like-minded people, whilst keeping fit and healthy? Or looking to meet some new people? Lower City Runners (LCR) is an inclusive community of runners exploring Hamilton’s downtown and businesses through running. Lower City Runners celebrates the improvement of its members and the city with weekly runs starting at Hamilton City Hall and finishing at one of the city’s great bars, restaurants or coffee shops. Since it’s inception on September 13, 2016, LCR has visited various local businesses following their weekly runs including Jack & Lois, The Brain, Democracy, Big Tobacco Kitchen, Café Augusta, Finch On Locke, Baltimore House, and more! While LCR’s founders (Tej Sandhu, Cole Czuchnicki, Drew Korzeniowski & Genesa Fiorito) have a diverse background when it comes to running, their shared passion for building community is their motivation. 22|C2HMag · Spring 2017
For newcomers and born-and-raised Hamiltonians alike, LCR offers the opportunity to meet likeminded people who are passionate about supporting the businesses that make the city great. While finishing a run with a pint may seem like a foreign concept to many, the idea is simple: running is more enjoyable when it is social and what better way to build community than to raise a pint to the city you’ve just ran in and the people you’ve explored it with? For more info, check out their @LowerCityRunner Facebook.com/groups/LowerCityRunners
@LowerCityRunners
Special thanks for Corey Martin for contributing the photos. Instagram: cjmartin.photo
Spring 2017 ¡ C2HMag |23