Pet owners, take note!

It’s a dog’s life in Danforth East…

The Canine Social Company – New Store!

This weekend marks the grand opening for The Canine Social Company, our neighbourhood’s newest business located at 1872 Danforth Avenue.

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday

Check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CanineSocialCompany

Some highlights:

  • Complimentary Canine Social Company bandana
  • From 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday there will be $5 nail trims with 100% of the proceeds benefitting TEAM Dog Rescue
  • Other surprise treats in store!

Fun Fact: This was one of the empty storefronts that DECA fixed up for one our pop-up shops and look, it’s now RENTED!!  

Wag on the Danforth – One of our favourites!

At 1918 Danforth Avenue (across from East Lynn Park), our friends at Wag have all of your pet needs taken care of.  Whether you have a dog, cat, bird or other small animal, at this lovely, family-run business you will get advice, friendly service and personal service that is unbeatable.

Best of all, your stinky dog problem can be solved here for the low price of $10, which includes a bath, shampoo and towel.  See the poster below for more details, and visit their website and facebook page for more info about them.

Also, home delivery for pet food???  That’s GENIUS!

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Merrill Park Dog Association Annual Meeting – 7-8:30 p.m. June 3rd

See poster for more specifics, and visit their website for even more details: http://merrilldogpark.wordpress.com/

MPDA May 13th Poster

1 more week until the #DanforthEast Yard Sale

We are eight days away from the first ever #DanforthEast Yard Sale. Modeled after the Great Glebe Garage Sale in Ottawa we are hoping for a critical mass of participants to bring out the more shoppers and to make everyone’s sale more successful. Currently we have nearly 60 participating households, 4 street sales and a rummage sale!

The #DanforthEast Yard Sale will take place rain or shine on Saturday, June 1st from 8am until 2pm. If you would like to register your sale, please contact us by email to let us know your address. We’ll also coordinate a donation pick up process with the Diabetes Association at the end of the day.

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East End Tool Library – Please read and share

Tool Library and Maker Space coming to Danforth East!

Did you hear about the tool library that started in Parkdale a few months ago?  Did you think it was amazing? Did you think “why don’t we have that here in the east end?” If so, here is some exciting news:  the people who started it in the west end are bringing it to Danforth East!  Please read the note below from Executive Director, Ryan Dyment so you can see how you can be a part of making this happen for our neighbourhood:

Tool library Mar 23

Dear Danforth East,

My name is Ryan Dyment and I am one of the co-founders of the Toronto Tool Library, now open in Parkdale. After a hugely successful grand opening of Toronto’s first Tool Library in March of this year, I am excited to announce the upcoming launch of our second location in the Danforth area – only this time with more tools and more options for the DIY crowd.

A Tool Library is very similar to a public library, however instead of only offering books to borrow, we offer a wide range of hand and power tools, gardening equipment and just about everything you need to renovate or beautify your home and neighborhood at a small fraction of the cost of purchasing or renting these tools yourself.  People like the idea because it’s simple and just makes sense. After all, most people generally need a tool for just a short period so owning tools is expensive, increases clutter and is wasteful.

For just a $50 annual fee, the Toronto Tool Library in Parkdale now offers over 700 tools including power generators, hammer drills and router tables, most of which were donated directly by the community. Generous grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, The Home Depot Canada Foundation and corporate sponsors including the Salvation Army, Canadian Tire and Wurth Canada also helped stock our inventory. The project has garnered substantial press coverage including the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, CBC, City TV and more.

For the East Side Tool Library, we are thinking even bigger. This time the project will also include 3D printers and a laser cutter as well as tools that are more difficult to transport such as a Band Saw and CNC Router for members to use on site.  Workshops will be offered for members to learn how to use the tools and be part of the growing network of ‘Maker Spaces’ around the world.

For this exciting initiative to happen we do need your help. We are in the final stages of securing our location at Danforth and Coxwell and we will be renovating the space, building our furniture and stocking the shelves with a starting inventory for our grand opening this fall. If you would like to see this project happen please help us by doing one of the following:

  1. Become a Founding Member: Founding Members will gain private access to in-house tools including 3D printers, a CNC Router, a laser cutter and more. Members must commit to monthly fees of $75 for 6 months along with a modest initiation fee. Tool Library membership is included. (Please note, Tool Library memberships alone are just $50 per year). Contact me to learn more.
  2. Donate your tools: Help us stock the shelves for our East Side Library! If you have any lightly-used tools that are gathering dust at home, please let us know and we can pick them up and make them available to the whole community.
  3. Volunteer: As we are building a DIY community, we want to renovate our new location ourselves. If you’d like to help with our renovations during July and August please contact us by clicking here.
  4. Spread the Word! For this project to be a success people need to know about it.  Please tell your friends and neighbours and let’s help build the sharing economy on the Danforth!

Many thanks,

Ryan Dyment

Executive Director
Institute for a Resource-Based Economy

To email Ryan with questions or comments, click here

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Danforth Development Updates

Well, that wasn’t a very exciting title for this post, but here you are reading it so now you are validating my lack of creativity.  The truth is that development along the Danforth is a topic that we all want to know about.  Thanks to our most excellent City Councillors in Wards 31 and 32, we have lots of great info to share!

2362-2388 Danforth Avenue (formerly Status Auto, north side @ Westlake Avenue)

Since we have all had a chance to recover from the shock of losing our trusted mechanics at Status Automotive (they sold and closed up shop a few weeks ago), it’s time to start asking – what will become of the empty auto shop now?  It appears that it will be used as a car wash!  Thanks to Ward 31 Councillor, Janet Davis for this update and for organizing a community meeting about it:

The City Planning Department has received an application to construct an 8 bay car wash at 2362-2388 Danforth Avenue, on the north side of Danforth Avenue, west of Westlake Avenue. A car wash is permitted on this site, and no amendments to the official plan or zoning by-law are required. A site plan application and minor variances will be required.

While no community consultation is required, I have asked the applicant to meet with the community to provide neighbours the opportunity to ask questions and share their views. The Community meeting details are as follows:

Proposed Car Wash at 2362-2388 Danforth Community Meeting
Wednesday May 22, 2013 @ 7:00 PM
Danforth Mennonite Church, 2174 Danforth Avenue

Representatives for the developer will provide an overview of the design and substance of the proposed development. City Planning staff will be present to comment and answer questions.

2359 Danforth Avenue (Morris Auction building, south side just west of Sobeys)

We mentioned that this site had been bought by developers and Ward 32 Councillor, Mary-Margaret McMahon hosted a community meeting with them last week.  Did you go?  Well, about 40 people showed up and were able to chat about concerns related to noise, shadows, building height, parking etc.  Generally, people were quite happy to hear that the site is being developed.  The derelict, burned out lot will not be missed by those of us who live in this neck of the ‘hood.

Last week’s meeting was not part of the formal application process, but an attempt for the developers to proactively consult with neighbours and get input as early as possible in the process.  DECA is not taking a position one way or another on this development at this stage, but as we’ve said before, we really appreciate the transparency and goodwill.  Many thanks to Councillor McMahon for facilitating the conversation between the builders and neighbours.  We are so glad to start this process off on such a good note.

The application will be submitted in the coming weeks, and then it will go through the wheels of City bureaucracy for a while.  We are told that the mandatory community consultation will likely take place sometime in September.  Stay tuned!

School’s (Almost) Out for Summer!

In a matter of weeks the school bells will ring one last time for the 2012-13 school year. But before then, the schools invite families and neighbours to join them in some good old fashion fun. Check out this listing of fairs and events at some of our local schools.

Earl Beatty Fun Fair – May 25th

Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl Beatty! This year, the 9th annual Earl Beatty Public School Fun Fair will be held on May 25th from 10 am to 3 pm The event is a partnership between the school, the Earl Beatty Community Centre, and Beatty Buddies Daycare. It is a day of family fun including a ball hockey tournament, inflatable games, face painting, kids raffles, a ­­barbeque, and a bake sale. It is our hope that we will build on the success of last year and raise even more funds to help bring much needed resources into our children’s classrooms and playground. Earl Beatty is located at 55 Woodington Avenue.

Old School Community Festival at Earl Haig – May 30th

Jump! Jump! Rejoice! They’re takin’ it back to the old school! Earl Haig is hosting their community festival on May 30th from 3:30-7 pm. Glitter tattoos. Food. Crafts. Music. Lot’s of old school fun. The school is located at 15 Earl Haig Avenue, just south east of Danforth & Coxwell.

Family Fest at Gledhill – May 31st

Come together, right now, over at Gledhill Junior P.S. The Gledhill School and Community Association will be holding their annual Family Fun Fest on Friday May 31st from 3:30 to 6:30 pm in the schoolyard. On the docket this year are bouncy castles, pony rides, a petting zoo, carnival games, crafts, face painting, books and music! Gledhill is located at 2 Gledhill Ave, just north of the Danforth.

Fun Fair at St. Brigid’s – May 31st

We’ll have Fun! Fun! Fun! St. Brigid’s Catholic Elementary School is hosting their annual Fun Day celebration on Friday, May 31st from 5pm – 8pm! There will be loads of games, a bouncy castle and giant slide, popcorn, ice cream, raffles, and food trucks too. They hope you can support them and have some fun as well! St. Brigid is located at 50 Woodmount Ave., very close to Woodbine and Danforth Avenues.

Fun Fair at Secord P.S. – June 8th

Come on baby, learn about fire! Secord Public School will be having our Fun Fair on June 8th, from 11am to 4pm. There will be the customary bouncy castle, but also games, cotton candy and an appearance by a fire truck. Secord P.S. is located at 101 Barrington Ave.

Last Day Music Festival at St. Brigid’s – June 27th

Hey Kids, Rock and Roll, Rock On! St. Brigid’s School 7th Annual Last Day Music Festival will be held on Thursday June 27th in the school yard. Doors open at 6pm. This year will feature 9 amazing rock bands. Admission is $5 for adults, kids under 11 $2. All money is being donated to different causes and charities. Rain date Friday, June 28. Rock on!

Ear Haig

gledhill Secord

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Bonus points if you get all the musical references in this post.

Don’t procrastinate!

Hailstorms on Mother’s Day?  Snow in mid-May? Frost warnings right after everyone planted their flowers? (Score 1 for the procrastinators!) If this retro weather has got you down, here is some neighbourhood news to pick you up.

Let’s get down to business.  First off, thanks to Som Seif for the great talk about getting started on investing – those of us who put learning ahead of hockey last night are sure glad we did.  We left feeling empowered and ready to take charge of our financial futures, which is not too shabby for a Monday!  Thanks also to Lazy Daisy’s Cafe for hosting us.

Since I’m procrastinating doing a family budget, let’s catch you up on some of the events and news from the neighbourhood…

Community Environment Days – May 16 and June 1

  • Councillor McMahon’s – May 16 @ Ted Reeve Arena from 4:00 -8:00 p.m., 175 Main St. (enter off Ted Reeve Dr., north of Gerrard St.)
  • Councillor Davis’ – June 1 @ East York Memorial Arena Parking Lot, 888 Cosburn Avenue from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

From Councillor McMahon:

Join Councillor McMahon and the City of Toronto for Ward 32’s Enviro Day & Festival!  After dropping off your items for recycling and donation, stop by one of the tables for information on various environmental initiatives.  Stay to have a BBQ’d hot dog/veggie dog and listen to live music, and of course, don’t forget your compost!

Read here for more information about Community Environment Days.

From Councillor Davis:

The weather is finally getting warmer and it is time for our annual Environment Day.  This year, Environment Day in Ward 31 will be held on Saturday June 1, 2013, at the East York Memorial Arena Parking Lot, at 888 Cosburn Avenue.  And once again, it is rain or shine!

  • Pick up a new Backyard Composter, Green Bin, Kitchen Container or Free Compost.
  • Drop off unused Computer Equipment, Cellphones, TV’s, radios, VCRs, paint, batteries, medication, propane tanks, or fluorescent bulbs.
  • Donate school art supplies such as buttons, keys, stamps, cork, cd’s, books, jewelry, fabric or cameras
  • Donate supplies for reuse including sporting goods, textbooks, glasses, hearing aids, dishes, ornaments, kitchen utensils, clothes, linens and even food.

Come learn chat with local community and environment groups. Enjoy children’s crafts and entertainment. Help keep our communities clean and green.

DECA’s Danforth East Arts Fair Application Deadline

The Danforth East Arts Fair(one of DECA’s hallmark events!) is only a few months away and the application deadline is coming up on May 31, 2013. Get your applications in!  Visit the website at: www.deca-arts.ca for more information.

Tree Care 101 (June 1, 2013)

Thanks to our friends and neighbours at the Beach Hill Neighbourhood Association for co-organizing this wonderful event with DECA’s tree group!

Learn to care for your trees, including how to mulch!  Saturday, June 1, 2013 from 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m., Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Wright Room, 79 Hiawatha Road (three short blocks west of Coxwell Ave., south of Gerrard Ave. E.).

Delivered by your LEAF tree expert

  • Learn to care for your trees, the basics: mulching & watering
  • Presentation and opportunity for supervised hands-on practice with a tree!

Held in conjunction with:

Film Screening @ Coxwell Library (June 5, 2013)

We assume that this is free.  We’ll let you know if we’re wrong about that.

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Colour Creative Summer Camps

“Like” them on Facebook for all the info!

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Did you know that you can call 311 to get an extra green bin for free, or to change the size of your garbage and recycling bins?  The smaller your garbage bin, the less you pay on your bill!