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Getting Fit And Other Cool Stuff

I’ve been meaning to write about Alisha Austin Fitness for – oh about six months now.  I’ve been procrastinating about it.  You  ever do that?  Procrastinate?  Perhaps you procrastinate about getting fit?  If you’ve been coming up with 101 reasons for not going to the gym or going for a jog or doing whatever DVD you have in your basement, you should get to know Alisha.  You might already know her.  If your kid has ever had their face magically transformed with face paint at the East Lynn Market, you’ve probably met the wonderful, talented, totally down-to-earth, Alisha Austin.

Aside from being a fabulous DECA volunteer, Alisha is also a personal trainer – but she’s no uber-pumped, intimidating iron-woman.  She’s a mom who knows what an unused gym membership looks like.  She’s not all judgmental about it.  But she can get your butt into gear.  If you’ve ever thought about a private personal trainer – you won’t find a better price than this.  And nothing will get you started like a few private sessions.  If that’s not your thing, there are other boot camp options to choose from.  The least you can do is check out the website.

Anyway – I stopped procrastinating and you can too.

Yoga

If that’s not your thing, you might try a little yoga with another DECA member,  Amanda, on Monday evenings or Friday mornings (before work) in a home-based studio on King Edward (one block east of Woodbine.)  For more contact her at simplybyamanda77@gmail.com

Honest Earl’s Bargain Basement Sale

This sale at Earl Beatty School (55 Woodington Ave – one block east of Coxwell, two blocks north of Danforth) offers gently used clothing for children and infants.  There is outerwear, sportswear and everydaywear.  The sale supports the schools eco team.  There will also be a 50/50 draw and delectable baked goods along with coffee and tea. Saturday, April 17th – 9 – 1 p.m.

Bike Sauce Fundrasier

I told you about Bike Sauce a few weeks ago.  Now they’re having a grand opening and fundraiser to get the wheels rolling.  Bike Sauce will officially open on April 17th at 717 Queen Street East (at Broadview) and they’re having a fundraiser on April 9th at Blue Moon at 725 Queen St. East.  Check out the website for more info.

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April 23rd – May 2nd – Art of the Danforth

Art Walk April 23 – May 2, 2010 along Danforth between Greenwood & Woodbine

Mark your calendars for the DECA Family ‘Make A Joyful Noise’ Parade on Sunday, April 25th at 11 a.m. in East Lynn Park!  Get your costumes and musical instruments ready to rock the park.

With less than a month between now and the launch of Art of the Danforth,  there are still have a couple creative opportunities:

1. Where history meets collage – Cut ‘n paste party April 4th

2. Photo mosaic submissions due April 4th

3. Seeking creative ideas for decorating planter boxes

HISTORICAL COLLAGE: One of our displays will be a collage of historical material (photos & stories) from the neighborhood.    Do you have an old photo, a good story, even a favorite quote from the past you’d care to share?    Please send it to us before April 4th so we can include it in the collage.  We also need volunteers to come cut and paste with us on April 4, 10-noon (LucSculpture Studio & Schools, 663 Greenwood). 

PHOTO MOSAICS: The deadline to get your photos in for inclusion in our series of photo mosaics is April 4th.    You’ll find all the details about the photo criteria and how to submit at:   http://www.artofthedanforth.com/2010/02/photographers-needed-for-photo-mosaic-project/

DECORATE A PLANTER BOX: Here’s the challenge: come up with a decorative idea for one of the planter boxes along Danforth that keeps to the following restrictions:

·         Decorations cannot be tied to or harm the tree in the planter in any way

·         Stakes in the dirt are not allowed (with the possible exception of very minimal staking along the side of the cement, furthest from the tree itself)

·         Displays cannot extend beyond the physical borders of the planter boxes or be taller than 3 feet.

·         Displays MAY circumvent the tree in order to discourage theft/ vandalism

·         Artwork must be made of material that is durable for a minimum of 10 days.  Recycled and recyclable material is preferred

·         In keeping with the event theme, the artwork ideally engages viewers and encourages them to reflect upon life along this part of the Danforth

At this point, we’re not asking that you actually create this decoration, though if you want to actually do so, we’d love to have your help.  Right now we’re just looking for fun, creative ideas.  If you have an idea, talk to us!

And finally… a reminder for artists and artisans: the Danforth East Arts Fair (September, 2011) has its early deadline on April 30.  Now new and improved, with no application fee.  You’ll find the application and other details atwww.deca-arts.ca.

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Green Shoots of Spring

So I went away for a week or so and now I have a long list of things to tell you about.  No time for a preamble…

1. Carter’s Ice Cream store opened today and apparently opening day was extremely well attended.  A beautiful day helped I’m sure, but it’s easy to come up with good reasons to go for ice cream – especially when they’re so darn nice.

2. Country in the City is a garden accessories store that is set to open at 1769 Danforth (on the south side, west of McDonalds near Red Sable).

3. Reeves Florist and Nursery of Woodbride is opening April 15th (thanks Jen for letting me know).  This new GTA location is on the Danforth in the old Budget space near Greenwood.

4. Coffee Coffee is a new place getting ready to open in early April on the southwest corner of Danforth and Woodbine.  My intel is that the owner used to sell her wares at farmers’ markets outside of the city and has now moved into Toronto.

5. The former ‘Wind Jammers’ store across from Value Village will soon be a Rogers dealer.

P.S.  The Beaches Easter Parade is this Sunday at 2 p.m. from Munro to Woodbine.  A couple of Harlem Globetrotters will be the parade marshals and will be dilly dallying throughout the route.