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Not Quite Last Minute Gifts

Give the gift of local food, strong community and general neighbourliness by making your way to Caketown Cafe and picking up some East Lynn Farmers’ Market Bucks. It’s the perfect gift for neighbours or nannies or foodies or as a most well-received  hostess gift.  Caketown Cafe is just west of Woodbine on the south side of Danforth (beside the big hole).

If you’re worried about where all this holiday eating is getting you, you might want to check out CareerFitmom.   This is a local business serving mostly moms and babies but also provides women’s-only fitness.  The next session starts January 10th, but if you register before Dec. 27th, it’s only $85 for six weeks.  Classes are at Cosburn and Woodbine.

CareerFitmom is owned by Beth Yarzab and Beth is teaching a fitness instructor certification course between Christmas and New Year’s.  Teaching fitness is a great, flexible job so if you are interested in knowing more, contact Beth at beth(at)careerfitmom.ca

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What To Get For Your Favourite Community Blogger?

It can be difficult.  What is the right gift for the woman who sends you news you can use in your own neighbourhood?  A woman who toils away in front of her computer night after night just so you can be the first to know what’s happening and where?  Wink wink.

Tak Bui decided to send me this fabulous electronic christmas card.  And I thought I would share it with you….gracious gal that I am.

Of course, you can never go wrong with jewellery.  Fine Silver Girl is hosting another open house from 3 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at 48 Woodington this Saturday.  Fine Silver Girl, aka Heather, also offers various classes including a adult and child classes.  Check out her calendar.

You may also want to check out Karen Franzen and friends.  They’re selling artwork, jewellery, quilts, functional ceramics and tiles, home-baked cookies at 3 Wembley Drive, 2 blocks east of Coxwell and upper Gerrard St.  Karen will also be offering 7 week pottery classes and tile painting workshops in her studio beginning in January.

(Note for people buying presents for women – especially men who aren’t always that adept at choosing the pefect gift – a pottery class is a really really good present.) Why?  Because not only do many of us ladies harbour secret fantasies about making pottery, it is also a little bit of that glorious ‘me time’ that we so crave but have trouble carving out for ourselves.  Take it from me and put this one in the stocking.

Speaking of pottery, on January 1st, 2011, LucScultpure will celebrate four years at its location at 663 Greenwood.  Luc is committed to this community and to the arts, locally and beyond and if you’ve never wandered into the building just steps north of the Danforth on Greenwood, now is the perfect time.  There are arts items for sale from $2 – $200 available until Jan. 2nd.  Gift certificates (for pottery classes and other things) are available.  But Luc also throws some pretty cool parties there.  From Jam sessions (Friday, Dec. 17th $5) to the ‘Lost Soul Party’ on New Year’s Eve ($10!).  It’s a warm, welcoming environment to wander into.

Other local gifts that might tempt you? I’ve just bought a lovely gift bag of delectable foodie goodies at Royal Beef.  I’d like to keep it for myself, but I won’t.  Also, Cozy Cafe has the most delightful meringue cream chocolate ‘trees’ and I will certainly be giving those as a gift in the near future.  If you have other ideas, post them here.

Carmelina Condominiums

Perhaps you feel that any of the things I’ve mentioned just aren’t significant enough to fully convey to your favourite blogger how much you appreciate her?  You would like to get her something really special…something big?  Maybe a condo would be what you’re looking for?  The big hole at Danforth and  Coxwell now boasts a big blue fence and a big sign advertising Carmelina Condominiums.  But really, you shouldn’t have.

Danforth Mosaic Business Improvement Association

On December 8th, the BIA held its Annual General Meeting and elected it’s new board members.  They are ‘nominees’ until approved by community council in January.

Aurelio Acquaviva
Maria Acquaviva
Tanveer Arif
Peter Dekoulos
Jordan Ison
Banchi Kindie
Mehmet Korkmaz
Carmelo Lorefice
Enza Lorefice
Litsa Kostouros
Jason Manos
Pat Silver
Victor Singh
Nick Sissakis
Yared Tibebu
Asres Yirga

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Do Not Be Alarmed

Dozens of Toronto Police and local students are out on the Danforth today to ‘Light The Night’ by giving out energy efficient light bulbs to local businesses and helping install them along the Danforth.  Nobody likes to do things they shouldn’t be doing under the spotlight so Toronto Police are encouraging businesses and residents to keep a light on a night to prevent crime and promote safer streets.

There are a whole lot of police officers out there today so if you’re going to rob a bank, don’t rob one on the Danforth today.

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Unique Gifts Galore

What to get the person (young or less young) who has everything?

For those who are less young, you might want to make your way to the Gledhill school auction on Thursday, Dec. 9th from 7 – 10 p.m.  (Live auction at 7:30 p.m.)  This is a 19 yrs+ event.  Admission is $2 or non-perishable food item.  Gledhill school is behind the Honda dealership at Danforth and Gledhill Ave.  A few of the items on the block include:

  • Raptors Tickets (Dec. 22nd vs. Detroit Pistons)  Two seats in a mid-court private box including food and drink.  Valued close to $600.
  • Maple Leafs tickets
  • Scores of beautiful hand-made jewellery from local artists such as Fine Silver Girl, Marmalade Designs and Circa1890.com
  • ‘Reporter For A Day’ – spend the day shadowing Toronto Star reporter/columnist, Catherine Porter and learn her tricks of the trade
  • 12 Days of Christmas baking – get twelve dozen unique homemade baked treats delivered to your door in time for the holidays
  • More than 200 other items up for a fraction of their retail value.
  • ‘Reporter

For those who are more young…there is the Little Footprint Toys ‘pop-up’ sale this weekend. A photographer, Kim Reain, will be on hand on Saturday between 11 and 4 to take pictures of your adorable children – copies of which will be available to purchase from her website after the sale.

Share Share Share

We’re all about sharing the love here at the diaries and some good local shoppers have posted a few great ideas about local gift-giving. Here are a few of the offerings:

  • “I often buy a selection of gourmet cooking oils, vinegars and seasonings at Royal Beef for cooks on my list, and to use as hostess gifts. It’s also a good gift idea for “Secret Santa” gift-giving at the office. For cat/dog lovers, definitely Wag on the Danforth”. – Pat
  • Playmobil toys from John’s Hobbies for my daughter and nephew. Beautiful seasonal floral arrangements from Darling Flowers for my mother-in-law. Wool for projects (or cute and reasonable handmade items if there’s not time for projects) from The Wool Mill. Gift certificate to Value Village for the serious thrifters in my life. Basket of delicious selection of dried fruits and nuts from Better Bulk for the group gift (daycare, office staff, etc.) – Rebecca

True Brew Open Mic Night

This Friday starting at 7 p.m. make your way to True Brew Cafe, just east of Woodbine, for open mic night.  Bring an instrument and get down with your funky self! Both players and listeners welcome…no experience necessary for either.  All ages welcome.

Nutralicious Thursdays

Nutralicious Kitchen serves up healthy meals-to-go from Woodbine and Mortimer/Lumsden.  Owner/chef/personal trainer, Tony Landry is offering a new series of specials including the Thursday Night Special.  Buy one hot table entree and the second one is half price! Its a great deal and the second meal will keep for the next day or two.