August 2013 – Page 2 – Danforth East Community Association

August 15, 2013

Quick Safety Notice: Assault

Here is a safety notice that came out on Tuesday from Toronto Police Service about an assault that took place near Merrill Bridge Road Park.

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of an assault with a weapon investigation. It is reported that:

– on Monday, August 12, 2013, at approximately 1:45 p.m., a woman was walking on a pathway in Merrill Bridge Road Park.

– a man approached her from behind, grabbed her, brandished a weapon and threatened her

– after a struggle, the woman was able to break free to call police

– the man fled in an unknown direction

The man is described as black, mid 20s, 5’8″, with a very slim build. He has a distinct flatness to the upper bridge of his nose, and yellow stained, slightly crooked teeth. He was wearing a white, loose fitting T-shirt with a large, light-coloured logo.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7474, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

August 14, 2013

Farmers’ Market: Beautiful Images, School Grown & Inconceivable!

Another submission to the photo contest! Just beautiful! Thanks for submitting Stephen. To see more photo’s from Stephen Caissie, check out the full album on Facebook.

Did you know that some of the produce for sale at the market are grown by Toronto high school students? School Grown is run out of Toronto non-profit organization, Food Share. Their goal is to increase food literacy in youth by hiring high school students to run urban market gardens. Students learn in a classroom throughout the year, then get practical experience during the summer managing the garden, selling at markets and delivering to restaurants. The proceeds from sales are reinvesting into ongoing food literacy projects throughout the city. Be sure to quiz the students on exactly which genus and species the pepper your buying belongs to.

Red rocket, tiburon poblano, islander bell & sweet carmens

This week we have guests from the David Suzuki Foundation and Toronto Water attending. We also lined up a sunny 23 C day for you, your friends and family to enjoy a stroll through the market or to stay for a picnic.

On August 22nd we’ll be having our annual Movie Under the Stars night. Want a hint at what the movie is? It’s Princess Bride! OK, I suck at giving hints. (We also told you last week, but someone else wrote that post.) The movie won’t start until the sun goes down around at 8:45 pm, but we’re looking for a handful for volunteers to help make popcorn from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm. If you or someone you know is interested, send me an email. It’s simply inconceivable to watch a movie in the park without popcorn!

The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3-7 p.m. between June 6 – October 17 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave. Stay up to date by visiting the new East Lynn Market Facebook page.

August 12, 2013

A more well-rounded you?

Arts, films, frisbee and food! Read on for the details…

East End Arts Consultations

As you may know, our area’s new Local Arts Service Organization, East End Arts, was launched on June 25. Now they are holding community consultations to discuss priorities for programs and services, and the remaining dates are:

Wednesday August 14, 6:30-8:00 pm
Community Centre 55, 97 Main Street
Register at http://eastendartscc2.eventbrite.ca

Saturday August 17, 1-2:30 pm
Cosburn United Church, 1108 Greenwood Avenue
Register at http://eastendartscc3.eventbrite.ca

Please consider attending one of these opportunities to share you ideas for expanding arts opportunities in our neighbourhood. If you cannot attend in person, you can complete the online survey at: http://eastendarts.ca/survey

More information is available at http://eastendarts.ca

Inaugural Local Photo and Film Festival – Call for Submissions

Ultimate Frisbee @ Stephenson Park

REC Athletics will be continuing their co-ed recreational Ultimate Frisbee league into the fall, beginning September 4, 2013. They will again be operating out of Stephenson Park September 4-25 2013, then moving the games to Cherry Beach October 9-30. For further details, and registrations please visit www.recathletics.com.

**Early Bird Pricing in effect until August 25th**

Local Buzz about Local Pub

If you would prefer a more literal approach to becoming more well-rounded, check out Friday’s Toronto Star review of the Wren, and then go there immediately!

One last thing…

Happy 1st Anniversary to Sauce on Danforth www.sauceondanforth.com – as if they weren’t awesome enough, did you know they’ve opened a back patio??

August 9, 2013

August pop-up news

Pop-ups are continuing and big thanks to some of our awesome local businesses for participating in our ‘passport’ promotion!!

Since this is the first pop-up post in a while that the amazing Amanda O. hasn’t written herself, I’m happy to take the opportunity to thank Amanda for her hours of volunteer work on this project. She is unstoppable! It was with such joy and enthusiasm that we unanimously voted Amanda onto the DECA Board this summer to fill a vacancy from earlier in the year.

New Pop-up Shop Hours

All five of our fantastic pop-up shops have decided to stay in the ‘hood for the month of August (yay!), but they’ve made some adjustments to their store hours.

The biggest change will be that Krystle Lee will now be open for private appointments only. As more than one DECA member knows, having Krystle’s one-on-one attention is not only fun, but a great time saver. Need a back-to-work wardrobe? Do yourself a favour and call Krystle. (Here is the account of my awesome shopping experience with Krystle from February!!)

Cheap Thrills is scaling back a bit and will be closed Wednesdays and Sundays. The updated hours are all up on our website.

Always Wanted to be a Secret Shopper?

We have too! So we put together a questionnaire and some instructions on how to be a Mystery Shopper during the month of August at our pop-up shops. Then, because we want feedback on the stores, but we also like an excuse to have a fun Danforth East night out, we’re ending off with a get-together with your fellow Mystery Shopper neighbours on September 10.

Here are the basics, or check out the website for the details:

Here’s what you do:
1. Download the Mystery Shopper form or check out the online survey (works on mobile devices too!)
2. Quickly review the questions before heading out (try not to look at them while you are in the store)
3. Your feedback will help improve the efforts to encourage local shopping in the neighbourhood
4. Join us for an evening social Tuesday September 10 (mark your calendars now) and reveal yourself to all the other local mystery shoppers in the neighbourhood

Pssst! You can Mystery Shop at more than one pop-up shop location, just submit a separate form for each one please!

Passport Winners

We drew the 5 lucky winners of the Pop-up Passport prizes. Congratulations Catherine W., Irit K., Alison M., Marika V. & Emily R. Some awesome prizes await you. Thanks to everyone who entered and thanks again to our amazing local retailers who participated:

Better Bulk – Cake Town Cafe – Circus Coffee House – Danforth Sandwich – Madame Gateaux – Manzer Hair Studio – Silly Goose Kids

Check out all the loot!

Just for fun, here is the list and info on our pop-ups:

Krystle Lee | 1517 Danforth Avenue
Open in August By Private Appointment Only

PERSONAL SHOPPER * STYLIST * PRIVATE SALES * WARDROBE – Krystle Lee’s designer pop-ups offer a curated selection of new and gently used high end clothing & accessories. Krystle has been a personal shopper and image consultant for 6 years and has accumulated a roster of career centric female clients. Lee assists women with finding stunning stand out pieces that compliment and enhance ones individual style.

In This Closet | 1765 Danforth Avenue
Monday 11-7 |Tuesday-Thursday 11-8 | Friday 11-9 | Saturday 12-8

In This Closet offers the best of thrift pricing with a boutique experience for quality and unique fashions for women sizes 0-20. Modern and classic quality clothing to take you from the office to a night on the town and everywhere in between…

E-closet | 1801 Danforth Avenue
Monday-Saturday 12-7 | Sunday 12-5

Our mission is to deliver top quality trendy fashion at affordable prices, for women of all shapes and sizes. Now both online and in person!

Cheap Thrills | 1811 Danforth Avenue
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 12-5 | Closed Wed. & Sun

We sell all kinds of new samples and seconds name brand items for the whole family. New items arriving weekly, so check in regularly for bargains!

Yummy Stuff | 1938 Danforth Avenue
Tuesday-Friday 11-7 | Saturday 10-5

Yummy Stuff is a bakery specializing in all things yummy; cupcakes, pies, tarts, cookies, squares and custom cakes. Voted best red velvet cupcakes in the city!

August 8, 2013

Events and volunteer opportunities!

We are doing our best to keep up with the neighbourhood, but with jobs, kids, vacations and a relentless summer cold, we’ve been a bit behind! Here are a couple of events and volunteer opportunities to note!

First off, our dear friend, Board member, pop-up queen and all-around volunteer extraordinaire Catherine Porter is leaving us for a year abroad. Here is her own column about her latest adventure to Senegal – we’ll miss you Cath!

Events:

Wheels on the Danforth – Saturday, August 10

It might not be on our section of Danforth, but there is a pretty fun-sounding event going on east of us that you should know about: Wheels on the Danforth. Car show, kids zone, entertainment, craft fair, beer garden – all to raise money for the community! Check out their website for more info: http://www.wheelsonthedanforth.ca

Movie Under the Stars @ East Lynn – August 22

We’ll remind you again, but mark you calendars with this year’s date for Movie Under the Stars at East Lynn Park. On August 22, come for the market and stay for the Princess Bride. Bring your blankets, snacks and six-fingered friends for this family classic.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Monarch Park Adopt-a-Tree

In addition to DECA’s own adopt-a-tree program, (click here for our blog post about that) the Friends of Monarch Park have a program in Monarch Park and are looking for more volunteers. Please visit http://friendsofmonarchpark.com/adopt-a-tree/ for more information.

Canada Day at Stan Wadlow

Did you attend this year’s festivities? Were you waiting around for hours for the rides to get going? Did you think the rides were a bit rough around the edges? DId the roller coaster operator keep your kids waiting while he walked around under the ride tightening all of the hitches with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth? There were lots of great things about the event, but there’s definitely room for improvement – I mean, Canada’s birthday deserves nothing but the best!

A casual chat about it in passing with Janet Davis revealed that the organizing committee needs people on it. If you are able to volunteer to add your 2 cents to the decisions that are made about East York Canada Day 2014, please email Councillor Davis by clicking here. CIty money goes into this event, so it’s in all of our interest to make sure that it’s spent on top quality fun for our whole community!!

DECA

Since I’m writing about volunteer opportunities, I would be remiss if I didn’t put in a plug for DECA. While people may think that we’re a well-oiled machine of neighbourhood do-gooding, (ha!) we are actually just regular neighbourhood volunteers, and we’re always looking for more help. Do you have a great idea for our ‘hood? Let us know! Email us here with your thoughts and we’ll figure out the next steps.

Follow us on Twitter @DECAdiaries – why not?