Family Day in the neighbourhood

Does this sound familiar?

The February long weekend has kind of snuck up on you, and something about calling it “Family Day” is making you feel like you need to make Monday something really special. But it’s February, and you’re tired, and you really just want to eat discounted Valentine’s Day chocolate that you are going to buy tomorrow on your lunch hour.

If you see yourself in this sad tale, then it’s DECAdiaries to the rescue.

Here is a list of neighbourhood Family Day activities!

Silly Goose Kids – 2054 Danforth Avenue (as if you don’t know where it is by now!)

Family Day

Monarch Park Stadium – 1 Hanson Street (behind Monarch Park School – in the dome!)

Pack some snacks and head over on foot if you can, since parking is very limited. Run those kids around and ensure a pleasant rest-of-the-day for the whole family!

164451_343171282469367_1203893837_n

Bomb Wellness – 1338 Danforth Avenue

A word from the owners:
We’re really excited about our family day line-up this year. We have classes running from 9:00 – noon for adults and children 10+ as well as playtime and Fit Kids for little people.
It’s just $10 to drop in, or $20 for the whole family. Unlimited members: this is totally free for you, and your family can participate for an additional $10.
In the afternoon, we’ll welcome David Dantes who will be teaching a 2 hour Self-Defense workshop. You won’t be learning any crazy knife-disarming drills, but you will learn realistic techniques to keep you safe, regardless of your size or strength. This course is suitable for men and women, as well as children over 10.
We’ll be airing a movie (free) downstairs if you’d like to bring your smaller children along while you participate in this course. The cost is $30 and $10 for additional members of the same family. ($25 for members, $20 for unlimited members)
Here’s the schedule:

Family Day Poster

www.bombwellness.com/events.html

Ethiopian Culture & Cuisine Night

If you’ve ever wondered about Ethiopian cuisine and culture now is your chance to try it out.  DECA Board Member Susan Bates has organized a special night at Rendez Vous Restaurant & Cafe at 1408 Danforth.  Here’s a note from Susan with more details:

Ethiopian restaurants have moved into our ‘hood the past few years, uniquely contrasting our older cultural additions to the Danforth, such as Italian and Greek restaurants.  I knew absolutely nothing about Ethiopia and wondered why they were interested in opening their restaurants along the Danny.  I met Banchi through my volunteer role as DECA-BIA liaison and attending the BIA Mosiac meetings, where she is a board member.  Banchi is a warm and delightful lady and I visited her restaurant, Rendez vous, at 1408 Danforth near Monarch Park.  I sampled one of her platters, called Tibs and it was ABSOLUTELY DELISH!!!  I learned a few things too.  Ethiopian bread, Injera, is gluten-free that Ethiopians eat artfully with their hands and that their dining culture is traditionally followed by an intimate and aromatic coffee ceremony.
Tara and I, (remember us from the pub crawl?) will be leading a Ethiopian Culture and Cuisine night hosted by Banchi at the Rendez Vous on Thursday February 21st starting at 6:30 pm.  
Banchi will educate us about Ethiopia, cook delicious Ethiopian food platters, present a coffee ceremony and has booked an engaging traditional dance duo, described as somewhat like the belly dancers of the Middle East. This evening is specially priced for our group at $35.00 per person.
If interested, please contact Susan.
P.S. We’re planning another pub crawl in the Spring, stay tuned.

Valentine’s Day Dilemmas Solved by Pop-Ups

Yes, there are a good number of florists in our neighbourhood that will no doubt be busy tomorrow.  But you know what would be a really cool gift for that special someone?  A customized hoodie professing your love.  A bright pink leather wristlet and fake eyelashes. Or how about a couples personal training session or home meal delivery service?  Check out the notices below to see what else you can find last minute at the DECA pop-ups.

Also, don’t forget that YOU can get involved in the DECA Pop-Up project. We’d love for you to join us next  Thursday, February 21st at 8 p.m. Email us for more details.

Fa Real Designz N Prints | 1898 Danforth Avenue
Tuesday-Saturday 12-8
Couples Special – Buy one, get the second half price! FaReal now has kids’ sizes and ONESIES for customizing! Let everyone know how much you love your hood with a few “I heart Danforth East” onesies! Or perhaps make that surprise announcement to family with a “I’m going to be a big Sister/Brother” tee.

Krystle Lee | 1801 Danforth Avenue
Monday 12-6 | Tuesday 10-6 | Wednesday Closed | Thursday 10-6 | Friday & Saturday 11-7 | Sunday  Private Appointments
Krystle Lee is teaming up with Amy Beth of Makeup in the City, a leading hair and makeup company, for Valentine’s Day. Special offer: Lavish your Lashes for “V” day. A 5 min consult and lash application with false lashes – the first 10 people getting their lashes for free, $5 afterwards.   Full Valentines makeup makeover available by private appointment.  With celebrated artists specializing in makeup, hair design, airbrush makeup, permanent lash extensions and hair extensions. Owner and artist Amy Beth has had her work featured on the pages of Elle Canada, Vogue Italia, and Chloe magazine. Amy’s  celebrity clientele also includes Lady Antebellum, Drake, and Chloe Moretz. From Runway to Red Carpet anyone can be flawless and fierce.

Repetitions Fitness | 1803 Danforth Avenue
Monday 10-7 | Tuesday 12-4 | Wednesday 10-7 | Thursday 10-4 | Friday 10-7 | Saturday 9-5 | Sunday 10-3
Nadia offers gift certificates for all services and is doing a 10% discount on gift certificates for Valentine’s Day (Wed & Thurs purchases). Why not try a couples’ sessions or a private training session for your Valentine? Nadia also offers meal planning and prepared food home delivery tailored to you. Sample menus are on her website with some pictures featured below. Consultations for fitness or meal planning are complimentary.

 
Delicious and health meal from Repetitions Fitness
Delicious and health meal from Repetitions Fitness
Delicious and health meal from Repetitions Fitness - Quinoa & Cauliflower
Delicious and health meal from Repetitions Fitness – Quinoa & Cauliflower

 For more information about these pop-up stores, the DECA Pop-Up Shop project and DECA, please visit our website.

Three Things for you this Week

DECA Board Meeting – Tuesday

Come one, come all! The hottest event in town Tuesday, February 12 (aka today!) is the DECA Board Meeting. Okay, maybe not the hottest event but I don’t get out much so I’m really looking forward to it. There will be updates on the pop-up shops, East Lynn Farmers Market, DECA Arts Fair and so much more. If you’re interested please send us an email.

Makin’ a Racket at the Rocket – Friday

This Friday, February 15, there will be another edition of the Spoken Word Celebration at the Red Rocket Coffee House via Open Minds. This open mic night for poets, storytellers and authors will also feature author Eufemia Fantetti and playwright Sandra Cardinal. Show start at 7:00 p.m.

More Fitness Options at Monarch Park

There seems to be no shortage of options one has to stay fit in this neighbourhood. And now Monarch Park Stadium has expanded their offerings to include boot camps with kettle bells. And if that wasn’t enough, they are also offering ‘spin & run’ classes. Because there is nothing I want to do more after a spin class than go for a run. Really. But apparently the first class you try is free so you might as well try it out and let us know if you can walk the next day.

firstspintitle

Pop-Up People

First thing’s first. Have you checked out the pop-ups yet? February is a short month so if you don’t get out there now and show your support with your feet and your wallet, the month will be over and you will feel badly. So get on out there and visit your local pop-ups.

Second. These pop-ups are awesome, but they take work. And we’re getting a little bit tired. We need some help. Big bits of help and little bits of help. If you’re interested in finding out how you can help in a big way or a small way, we’d love for you to mark Thursday, February 21st at 8 p.m. on your calendar. We’re meeting to talk about next steps and what jobs need to be done to get us there.

If you are interested, send me a note by clicking here

Thanks. Really.

February Pop-UPs

Repetitions Fitness | 1803 Danforth Avenue

Krystle Lee | 1801 Danforth Avenue

Fa Real Designz N Prints | 1898 Danforth Avenue

Skating this weekend

If you have not already heard, tomorrow (Sunday) is Councillor Janet Davis’ 10th Annual Skating Party

Sunday, February 10th
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
East York Memorial Arena
888 Cosburn Avenue

Cookies, face painting, crafts and of course skating.

Kids under 6 need to wear a helmet.

Speaking of skating, if you are around East Lynn Park this weekend and can help to shovel off the rink, our sources tell us that a bit of elbow grease is needed to get the rink back to skatability.

This just in: “skatability” is now a word.