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Resolve to join DECA!

A quick note from DECA Chair, Sheri Hebdon

A few weeks ago at our AGM, I was honoured to be elected Chair of DECA for the third year. Our Board this year is an exciting mix of experienced and new Board members – the perfect circumstances for good ideas and the expertise to implement. In case you missed it, joining me on the 2016/17 Board is Audrey Kvedaras (Vice Chair), Anita Schretlen (Treasurer), Alison McMurray (Secretary), Loreen Barbour, Nicole Bergot-Browning, Amanda Olson, Melissa Peretti, Jennifer Scott, Gay Stephenson, Peter Woodcock. 

This year is our 10th year – our “DECAde”, if you will. One area we want to focus on during this milestone year is increasing our paid membership base. While thousands of you follow what we do and show up for our events, a much smaller number of you support us financially. None of our events or social media spaces are limited to members-only, but we do depend on membership fees to be able to do much of what we do.

If you want DECA to keep putting on events like the East Lynn Farmers’ Market, the Danforth East Arts Fair, the Pumpkin Parade, Festival of Lights and the Danforth East Yard Sale, then sign up for your $10/household Annual membership by clicking here. (Yes, it’s just $10!)

If you don’t have time to volunteer but you want to feel like you’re doing something,  throw money at that problem! Sign up for a $10/household membership by clicking here. 

Of course, if you do want to be more involved, send us an email to start the conversation. 

Members must live within our borders (Main St north to Lumsden/Mortimer, west to Monarch Park, south to the train tracks) but if you live outside of the catchment, you can still make a donation to us as a “friend” of DECA. We are a non-profit but not a registered charity so we do not issue tax receipts.

You can also keep up on our events and other local news  by following DECA on social media:
Facebook /DanforthEastCommunityAssociation

Twitter – @decadiaries

On behalf of the DECA Board, I wish you all the best for 2017!

-Sheri  

2016/17 DECA Board, Photo credit: Catherine Porter
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Swap, shop, stories and more- upcoming events!

We’ve shared many of these on our Facebook page, but since not all of you are on Facebook and because Facebook doesn’t always show you everything we post, here are some upcoming events to take note of.

Alternative Gift Shop – Sat & Sun

No money needed. Swap items one-for-one. I can’t even tell you how cool and inspiring this event is. DECA is proud to be part of this innovative community event and huge thanks to the Tool Library for putting it together.

Alternative Gift Shop details below taken from the Tool Library website:

It’s the most wonderful SWAP of the year – Toronto’s largest Alternative Gift Shop is back for its fourth season! Why buy gifts when you can swap for them instead? The Gift Shop will take place at The Shore Leave, 1775 Danforth Ave over two days:

December 10th: launch party and swap from 4:30pm onwards

December 11th: swap from 10am-3pm.

How does it work? Bring your gently used, previously loved items to the Gift Shop and exchange them for new items to use as gifts for friends and family. Only bring items you deem worthy of being a gift. Items may be dropped off prior to the event during opening hours at their 1803 Danforth Ave Location.

Some examples of items that can be brought:

***

– children’s toys, clothing and accessories

– housewares

– books

– electronics

– jewelry

– musical instruments

– kitchenware

– clothing

– handmade items

– services (such as a gift certificate to a service you or someone else offers)

– etc

***

Last year, 3,000 swaps occurred in our space. We’re hoping to break that record this year!

(Can we pause here to remember just how lucky we are to have the Tool Library in our neighbourhood??! Membership there makes a great gift!)

Old’s Cool Warehouse Holiday Market – Sat & Sun

The blue garage door will open again this weekend at the corner of Westlake and Lumsden to bring you a holiday market with over 20 local vendors.

Saturday and Sunday December 10th & 11th: 11am – 4pm

Jazz Vesper at Hope United – Saturday 

Hope United Church’s monthly jazz series is happening Saturday from 4:30-5:30pm

Come to enjoy  B2 Trio -Brian Stevens-piano, Bill MacLean- vocals and Michael LaLonde- bass with special guests Karen Henderson – Cello & Brian Johnston – Drums . They will present music from their latest recording “Twelve Songs for Christmas”.

Cost is free will offering (pay what you can). For more info and events check out http://hopeunited.ca


Story Time at Silly Goose Kids – Sunday

If you have small people on your life, bring them to this lovely annual event and you will be glad that you did. In this age of apps and screens, Sally’s storytelling is truly a gift!

Call ahead to register for this free event.


Silly Goose is also working with Boost again in support of children impacted by abuse. Donate $20 in someone’s name (say, a teacher) a Silly Goose will donate a $50 gift to a child in need. You can also donate through their gift-wrapping service.



The Danny Loves the Holidays, Danforth Mosaic BIA Late-Night Shopping – Tuesday


From their Facebook invite:

What is The Danny Loves The Holidays? It is a celebration of shopping local this holiday season! Join your friends and neighbours for outdoor festivities and late night shopping along The Danny on Tuesday, December 13, from 5pm – 10pm.

Buskers will be all along Danforth from Jones Ave to Westlake Ave, and our participating member businesses will be open from 5-10pm that evening to help you shop local this holiday season. 
Bring your children to check out the amazing window displays our merchants have put together, and stop by Santa’s Pop-Up Workshop at 1432 Danforth Ave Unit 1 for photos with Santa!

We are having a window display contest amongst our BIA members. Check into our webpage after the late night shopping event to vote for your favourite for a chance to win $250 in Danny Dollars to spend at local businesses!

Celtic Christmas – Sunday

Support healthcare for homeless and street-involved people by coming to this annual event!

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Holidays are coming…

Last weekend we had a wonderful celebration in East Lynn Park to kick off the holiday season here in the east end. There is a LOT going on around here in the next couple of weeks. We can’t possibly blog about it all, so here are some of the highlights. 

Nooks – Sign Making Workshop
With the opening of the gorgeous Nooks General Store at 2005 Danforth has come the beautiful community room in back. There are regular workshops like this Sign Making session happening on Sunday, so keep tabs on Instagram or Facebook so that you don’t miss the perfect workshop for you. 

Speaking of the Nooks – join them tonight for a late-night shopping event. 



Stephenson Park (re)Lighting & Fundraiser


Join Friends of Stephenson Park for a bonfire and celebration of their tree lights on Sunday, Dec 4 from 3-6pm. They are also selling yummy cookies to raise funds for their seniors’ home gift drive.

Upcoming:

Swap Shop – December 10-11


Swap till you drop! Dec. 10 & 11. The swapping begins Dec. 10 @ 4:30pm, with a free launch party at The Shore Leave. Everyone welcome! Then on Saturday Dec. 11 the swapping continues 10am – 3pm. Wondering how this amazing gift exchange works? Just bring 1-10 items that are new or lightly used and exchange them for the same number of goods from others in the community. Help us spread the word! We love partnering with the Toronto Tool Library to offer this incredible event. 

Danforth BIA Late-Night Shopping, December 13

Still a couple of weeks away, but mark your calendars – late-night shopping event is coming on December 13! 

Here’s the Facebook invite with the details!