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The Nosh News

Read All About It

I became a ‘facebook friend’ of the True Brew Cafe (2116 Danforth)  and it’s really torture because every day I get an update of what’s in the oven and it always sounds delicious.  This was the latest one…

Carrot cake with cream cheese icing! Pecan cinnamon buns! Oatmeal chocolate chip bars! Vegetarian French Canadian Pea Soup today (contains no French Canadians). Grilled classic tuna salad sandwich or Grilled hummus, tomato and spinach sandwich.

I’m also a ‘friend’ of Relish Bar and Grill.  They don’t provide the daily dose of temptation, but they do provide updates about what’s happening.

Celena’s Bakery Grand Opening

Celena’s Bakery will be hosting the ‘official’ grand opening next weekend (March 13/14).  It’s at 2036 Danforth and it’s fabulous.  There will be lots of free samples to try so if you haven’t been, you  might want to drop by.  If you have been, you might want to drop by!

Carter’s Ice Cream …

…is back as of Easter Weekend (Good Friday is March 30th).  You know what that means?  Spring!

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M Cubed and Sam

If you read this blog regularly, you know at least a little bit about Mary Margaret McMahon. She’s a tireless advocate for our neighbourhood and our planet.  And today she’s on the front page of the Toronto Star. Speaking of the Star; Joe Fiorito wrote this little piece about the demise of the post office at Coxwell and Danforth this week.

Danforth Gem – Sam’s Hairstyling

Diana, one of our Farmers’ Market team sent along this recommendation for local kid hair cuts.

“There are actually 3 “Sam’s” between Monarch Park and Woodbine, but the one I go to is located beside Quattro Regazze.  Sam is a Sicilian barber, and he even has a little seat for kids to get their haircut.  My son’s haircuts are amazing.  Sam is fast (under 10 mins), precise, and has enough skill to do the job without using the scary buzzer.  My advice is to not go on a Saturday morning as the place is hopping with locals waiting to get a trim.  Daddy gets his do done there too–it’s usuaslly a dad and son morning out followeded by spaghetti at Quattro Regazze.”

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Big Hole Meeting Tonight

Reminder: tonight is the official community consultation meeting regarding the development at Danforth and Woodbine.  Attending the meeting will be: Councillor Bussin, representatives for the developer and City of Toronto Planner, Tine Major, lmajor@toronto.ca.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 – 7 – 9 p.m.

Terry Fox Community Centre, 2 Gledhill Ave.

For more information, contact Councillor Sandra Bussin’s office at 416-392-1376 or councillor_bussin@toronto.ca

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Below is the letter that DECA sent to Councillor Bussin regarding this development as a result of DECA’s community meeting and discussions on the blog.

Councillor Bussin,

Thank you for participating in the Danforth East Community Association’s meeting regarding the proposed re-zoning of the site at Woodbine and Danforth.

Residents in this community are intensely interested in developments along the Danforth.  In fact, DECA has taken the unusual step of forming a Business Revitalization Team that provides professional consultation and expertise to help local businesses with everything from graphic and store design to marketing and retailing guidance.  In the case of this development, residents are particularly interested in seeing a viable, beautiful, dynamic building because since the horrific fire in 2001, this address has been a blight on our neighbourhood.

There is no doubt; a building of this size is out of character with the existing streetscape.  As such, DECA respectfully requests that the interests of the wider community be given serious consideration and that DECA be consulted on an ongoing basis throughout the process.

The taller the building the greater the impact on our neighbourhood; notwithstanding any discord there may be about the height of the building, there are a number of areas where the community is wholly in agreement:

  • A quality retail space with high ceilings and extensive windows to attract high end tenants
  • An increased parking ratio especially regarding visitor parking and ensuring new parking for retail shops
  • Building to the City of Toronto’s Green Standards and consultation with DECA’s Green Committee regarding native trees, bicycle parking, a green roof and sustainable energy practices
  • The ability for local artists to use the retail space at no cost until leasing is complete
  • Attention to façade detail in the podium to ensure consistency with the existing three and four floor commercial strip
  • A unique top to the building, perhaps using LED lighting on the Danforth side
  • Consultation with DECA regarding Section 37 funding projects

We look forward to working with your office, the City planning department and the developer on this project.

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Art Walk – April 23rd – May 2nd

The Art of the Danforth is happening and it’s going to be awesome.  There was such an amazing turnout at the last meeting/update that they ran out of chairs.  There will be more than 50 unique displays and performances.  You can see a summary of the art walk activities here and get your first look at the participating artists. There are  a number of fun community workshops happening in March, plus a handful of (still fun, but involving a bit of work) volunteer positions.  If you are interested in any of this or want to know more contact Cindy at info@artofthedanforth.com

Also – DECA is planning an event for Saturday, April 23rd to help kick off this amazing event.  It involves using building your own instruments, having a parade and eating delicious apples and drinking hot apple cider.  Do you want to help organize it?  Contact me – Natasha – natasha.granatstein@gmail.com

Art of the Danforth Volunteer Opportunities

# people

Needed

 Title hours does what qualifications
5 to 20 Photographers as few or as many as you wish Take photos of neighborhood to be assembled into photo mosaics.  Create something big with others – professional photographers will work with you with tips & suggestions! First meeting Mar 4!  Click here for details. interest in photography, a digital camera nice but we may be able to provide disposables for those without
6-20 families Family Art Participants – all invited, especially parents/caregivers with their children One 2 hour workshop. Drawing and painting colorful human silhouettes and cloth flags.

First meeting Mar 6!  Click here for all workshop dates.

Enjoys art.  Young children must be attended by responsible adult.  Available at workshop times listed on website:
4 to 10 Contributors to “Danforth East Stories & People” min participation 2 hour workshop Finding materials (photos, newspaper articles, writing, other pieces) that recollect stories from iconic buildings such the Roxy / Allanby Theatre, Linnsmore and Crossroads Taverns.  Assisting artist in assembling these items into a display Click here for a list of workshop dates. Knowledge, experience or interest in this neighborhood, willingness to share, artistic spirit a plus
2 to 5 Coroplast silhouette creators 2-6 hours Working with designers to create 2 dimensional life-size figures, cutting shapes out of corrugated plastic, mounting and/or installation Click here for a list of workshop dates. A steady hand to cut with blades or a jigsaw.    For those interested in assisting with the conceptualization, training in art and computer graphics is required
1 to 2 Materials Purchaser Intermittent trips Picking up materials to be used in workshops. Willingness & availability
1 to 3 Flag Seamstress 2-8 hours (not really sure!) hemming strips of cloth for flag display Sewing machine & ability to use it!  Thread and material provided.
No limit Brochure Distributor as few or as many as you wish Dropping off brochures in stores & residences in area, early – mid April some time to kill, ability to walk comfortably
2 to 6 Display Installation/ Dismantling 2-6 hours

April 22, 23, May 2

 Helping artists install and dismantle displays Physical strength, technical / mechanical aptitude
1 Someone with a van or truck Intermittent times in March & April Picking up & delivering (with help!) materials Use of a truck or van capable of holding lumber or 4 x 8 sheets of coroplast
24 Event hosts At least 2 – 3 hour shifts, Assorted times 10 am – 7 pm, April 23 – May 2 Manning hospitality stations along walk route, answering questions Friendly, interest in community, access to a cell phone very handy

As well, Henry Wong has joined the Art of the Danforth team and will be helping out as Event Coordinator from now until May.  You can reach him at henry@artofthedanforth.com

From Cindy: Thank you to everyone who has helped out so far. It continues to be an inspiring experience meeting so many talented, committed and interesting people who live in this neighbourhood (good-looking too…is that slathering it on too thick?  I can’t help it I love you guys!).  Really, it’s worth coming out to the meetings, if only to meet some of the fantastic people who care about this ‘hood.
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Guru Coffee and Eco-Friendly Laundromat

These folks sent me a note this week to tell us about their new double venture – organic and fair trade coffee (Guru Coffee) and The Eco Laundry Room.  Both are at 2741 Danforth in the corner plaza near Canadian Tire.  Guru is offering freshly roasted coffee, tea, espresso, cappuccino, lattes, hot chocolate etc. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.  You can contact them at orders@gurucoffee.com or 416-917-7419.

While your there, you could do your laundry!  Using solar energy and “top-of-the-line Energy Star washers and dryers, you are in and out within the hour.”  Parking is free.  Wireless internet is available as is a TV and a kids play area.  It’s open 365 days a year (because whose kidding who – laundry never takes a vacation).  It’s open 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.  Last wash at 9 p.m.  Contact them at theecolaundryroom@gmail.com or 705-874-9311.