Save the Date for the 2015 Danforth East Community Arts Fair!
It’s that time of year again…the Early Bird application is now open for the Danforth East Community Arts Fair! That’s right, we’ve got a new name (and hashtag, #DEACAF15), a snazzy new online application form and a new date. Due to popular demand, DECAF will now be held the third weekend of September (Sept. 19-20, 2015).
Click here for the online application. And be sure to follow our dedicated Facebook page for all the DECAF goods.
Here’s a handy image you can print out for your fridge to save the date AND remind you that spring and flowers will be back someday (hopefully very) soon.
DECA board member Jodi Shanoff before her favorite “hidden gem” on the Danforth — Brand Name Shoes & Clearance at 2000 Danforth Ave.
My name and age is…
Jodi Shanoff and I am barely in my 40’s. (I’m just getting comfortable with the concept.)
One thing people don’t know about me is…
My husband used to pitch in the minor leagues for the Jays. Despite the now-decades that have passed since that experience, I still find it effective to use sports metaphors when trying to convince him of something.
I moved to Danforth East because…
It was the only affordable place for a newly-wed couple to buy a home in Toronto 9 years ago. I grew up in the west end (St. Clair & Dufferin) and had spent very little time in the East, but quickly fell in love with our strip of the Danforth when I needed somewhere to walk babies.
I was dying to join the DECA board because…
My family’s recent decision to renovate our current home rather than move to a new neighbourhood crystallized for me the need to put roots down in my community. I’m going to be here for a while, so I might as well help to make it a great place. My professional life has also nudged me into the field of public participation, and grassroots groups like DECA are vital to ensuring meaningful public engagement.
The thing I love most about the neighborhood is…
I can walk from my home to get anything I need — groceries, kids’ shoes, a cheeseburger, a good bourbon cocktail… and I always feel welcomed by each of the stores and purveyors.
My biggest local pet peeve is…
The vacant “Crossroads Tavern” that’s been empty and decrepit since we moved into the neighbourhood.
My neighborhood secret is…
Paul’s Spaghetti for mother’s day. It is one of the finest east end family establishments EVER, up on Cosburn, east of Greenwood. (Sorry, it’s not in DECA territory.) I defy you to find a finer grilled calamari. I think about it all year round. Now that I’m in my 40’s, I can’t eat pasta like I used to.
The place I go to on the Danforth that you’ve likely never frequented is….
The discount shoe store just west of Woodbine. I never leave there empty handed.
My dream plan for this year as a DECA board member is….
To leverage the group to mobilize a few more episodes of public engagement with residents. DECA is a credible local group and has a lot to offer in terms of bringing neighbours together to form views and positions on some of the important municipal issues facing our part of the Danforth. Recent visioning exercises and charettes are evidence that when DECA puts out the call for residents to come together to talk and plan, people listen.
Daisy Ojeda, owner of Asiri’s Treasures (remember her and her beautiful knitwear from last winter’s pop-up shop?) and Jessica D’Silva , owner of Avani Creations have joined forces to bring us a collective of hand-made artisan products including organic cotton dresses and alpaca wool sweaters from Peru and vintage style leather bags, and paper journals, handmade locally. They also carry products such as unique hand painted ceramic knobs for vintage furniture, and printed table cloths and napkins.
Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 7pm
Sunday 10am – 5pm
Monday – closed
Stop by and say hello! Doors open Wednesday March 3rd at 10 am. Watch our Facebook page and Twitter for photos of the storefront.
There’s tons of fun lined up for March for the young people in your life!
For the arts and crafters…
Pegasus Studios is hosting a papier mache workshop Sat., March 7 & Sat. March 14, for ages 9-14. All ability levels welcome. Click here to register online.
Still looking for an amazing March Break activity?
Local soccer club, Canada First Academy, is hosting a March Break Soccer Camp at the Monarch Park stadium.
Dates: Monday March 16 to Friday March 20Times: Full day: 9am to 4pm or 1/2 day: 9am to 12pm or 1pm to 4pm
Rates: Full week: $325, Daily: $75, 1/2 Day: $45 (all + HST)
Ages: 6 to 14 (training groups according to development stage)
Daily activities include:
Ball control, passing, shooting, cross and finish, dribbling, 1v1, combination play, possession play, small sided soccer games, running technique, agility, mobility, stability, individual ball work and of course fun and excitement…
Location: Toronto’s most modern facility: Monarch Park Stadium, 1 Parkmount Rd.
All program parts include small sided games and are based on Talent Development Training Guideline of the German Soccer Association DFB and Canadian Soccer Association CSA.
The TPL also has some great stuff coming up for your tweens & teens at Walter Stewart:
Get UR Game On: Lunch Time Gaming
Monday: March 9, April 13
11:45am-12:30pm
Bring your game face and challenge your friends to X-box, Wii or a board game. Ages: 11-18.
Get Inspired: Felt Phone Case
Friday March 20, 3:30pm-5:00pm
Learn how to create and decorate a phone case out of felt. Supplies provided.
Ages: 11-18. Call to register.
Walter Stewart Library, 170 Memorial Park Ave., Toronto, ON M4J 2K5
416 396-3975
Don’t miss these events hosted by the Danforth/Coxwell library this week:
Beloved Canadian writer Wayson Choy is coming to the Danforth/Coxwell library this Wednesday night! The event is from 6:30-8 pm and FREE.
For anyone interested in starting a business, be sure to check out Tuesday evening’s orientation session for the 8 week Business Inc. program at the Danforth/Coxwell library. Click here to register.
