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2nd Annual DECA Young Leader Scholarship

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There are a lot of kids in our neighborhood with huge potential. Some of them are already volunteering their time to make our neighborhood a better place. They might be volunteering as coaches, running park clean ups, organizing a school conference, spending time helping out at our local food bank…

DECA wants to help one of them this upcoming school year through our second annual DECA Young Leaders Scholarship, which is part of the “Investing in our Diversity Scholarship Program” created by Scadding Court Community Centre in 2001. The scholarship is for $2000 to help a graduating student with the costs of their upcoming postsecondary schooling.

“Through this scholarship we want to recognize, encourage and support young leaders in our community,” says Elizabeth Dove, spokesperson for DECA Connects, the working group that aims to increase the neighbourhood’s sense of community by addressing local social issues.

To qualify for the 2nd Annual DECA Young Leader Scholarship, the student must: be 25 or younger; live or go to high school inside the DECA catchment (Monarch Park to Main St., Lumsden/Mortimer to the train tracks); be graduating this year and have a plan to continue education; identify a financial need; and have a strong record of activism or engagement.

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The application deadline is March 24. Details can be found at www.scaddingcourt.org/deca_young_leaders_scholarship

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Last year’s local winner, former Danforth Collegiate student Chantelle Johnson, pictured above, used the funds to start her studies at Humber College in Fashion Business Management.

DECA Connects plans to raise money for the scholarship with a second annual June community ping-pong tournament. So get out your rackets and start practising!

 

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Danforth Avenue Planning Study – Community Meeting #2 Feb 23, 7pm

Mark your calendars! The second public meeting for the city’s Danforth Avenue Planning Study happens Thursday, February 23rd, 7 p.m. at the Danforth Mennonite Church (north side of Danforth, a block east of Woodbine). DECA’s Visioning Committee, which has for the past three years been advocating and preparing for this study — with help from planners, architects, academics and a community members from many walks of life – urges that you attend this public consultation.

The Avenue Study (Phase 1 from Victoria Park to Coxwell avenues) presents a once-in-50-years opportunity for getting the east end’s main commercial street back on track toward being a lively, safe, vibrant and economically healthy destination.

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Many of you will have received this notice in the mail. The purpose of this second community meeting is to introduce the Danforth Avenue Planning Study – Area Profile Report, review and obtain feedback on a draft vision statement and work done to date, and provide an update on key deliverables and study timelines.

DECA’s Visioning Committee developed these five priorities heading into the Danforth Study. What are your future hopes and dreams for the Danforth over the next 50 years? These two photographs show Danforth Ave. looking east from East Lynn Park in 1960 (over 50 years ago), compared to today.

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Valentine’s Day shopping

Whether you love it, hate it or don’t care about it, Valentine’s Day is coming up on Tuesday. If buying gifts for someone else isn’t on your to-do list, consider this post as ideas for showing a little love to yourself! 

As you can imagine, February isn’t the greatest month for retail. So as you contemplate the pros and cons of Valentine’s Day, consider that it’s a chance to give a little boost to our awesome local businesses. 

Some thoughts and links below:

Off Danforth

Len: Democratic Purveyors of Fine Art & Beautiful Things 
A few doors north of Danforth on Coxwell, this award-winning shop has something for everyone. Witty cards, beautiful art and jewelry, soaps and candles, Toronto-themed artisan gifts, Canadiana, and so much more. Len was one of our first pop-up shops so we love telling you about them again and again. 

Follow their fb page for specific gift ideas and if you are a procrastinator, visit them on Monday until 6pm and they’ll have treats! They also put together this post with lots of ideas.

Old’s Cool General Store – 250 Westlake @ Lumden

Lots of awesomeness at Old’s Cool too but this line of cards is pretty awesome. (You can guess what the Coxwell card might say)

Gotamago – 1231 Woodbine @ Mortimer/Lumsden

Have you been yet? This newish shop is an emerging local gem with lots of handmade things to buy! Their fb page featured this card the other day, for the bearded fellow in your life. 

On Danforth 

There are too many options to go into a lot of detail, but a few have specifically posted for Valentine’s Day so here they are. 

Press coffee books vinyl 2442 Danforth (across from Sobey’s)

If you live east of Woodbine, you have likely spent hours at Press, sipping on a tea or latte and perusing the vast selection of new and used vinyl and used books. Add in a delicious scone to snack on and an eclectic gift selection, and you get the full Press experience. Worth following their fb page even if just for the witty sign boards!

Here are some of their latest gifts on offer (pro tip: you can also by their delicious coffee by the pound)


Moberley Natural Foods, 2044 Danforth

We don’t need to tell you what to buy because they’ve written a blog post to walk you through their best options! 

http://www.moberlynaturalfoods.com/2017/02/10/valentines-day-gift-ideas-2017


Nooks (multiple locations)

Unless you live under a rock, you know about the Nooks. There are three around East Lynn Park and their Instagram feed is so full of beautiful and delicious looking things, you won’t believe it. Check them out!  @thenookstoronto @nicenookslife @nooksgeneralstore. 

Today they are having a Valentine’s Day market!




Silly Goose Kids, 2054 Danforth 

Because this store is so awesome. And they wrap things for you! If there’s a kid on your list, come here but there are lots so great adult gifts too. 


VII Design & Gifts, 1434 Danforth 

Formerly the Pillow Shoppe, VII has a great selection of pillows, decor and gifts. Look at their beautiful window! Make sure to like their fb page. 

Broad Lingerie, 1763 Danforth

We are so lucky to have this specialty store in our neighbourhood that caters to “busty” women. Every woman deserves a bra that fits – and there are other things for sale that might help with the Valentine’s Day celebrating. 


http://broadlingerie.com/home/


Merrily, merrily, 1854 Danforth 

Another options for kids stuff, new and used as well as maternity clothes and some handmade gifts.  Also, they are having a grand reopening event today (Saturday) so check that out if you can. The expanded store looks beautiful! And we love telling you that they are another pop-up success!

Other shops

Handwork Dept, 1898 Danforth 

Artisans at Work, 2071 Danforth

Face to Face Games, 2077 Danforth 

Nail House, 2171 Danforth 


Flower Shops
NaNa Florist, 2454 Danforth (east of Woodbine)

http://www.nanaflorist.com/

Percy Waters Florists, 1360 Danforth 
https://percywatersflorist.com


Restaurants/Cafes
Pretty much all the places along the Danforth will do giftcards so if you don’t want to deal with the crowds this week, buy your special someone a date for another day!
We’ve done lots of local shopping posts in the past so feel free to look through them if this doesn’t do it for you….

https://deca.to/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/13/keep-it-local-for-valentines-day/

https://deca.to/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/06/mothers-day-weve-got-you-covered

https://deca.to/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/28/shop-your-neighbourhood/

https://deca.to/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/28/shop-your-neighbourhood/ 

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Skating parties

This weekend there are two local skating parties and since we’re on the topic, Janet Davis’ annual party is coming up in a few weeks. Here are all the details – see you on the rinks!

Friends of Monarch Park Skating Party

Sunday, February 12, 3-5pm

Free skating and hot chocolate at the Monarch Park rink, along with a large dose of community awesomeness. Kudos to the Friends of Monarch Park on organizing this wonderful annual event. 

Official event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1740369282940420

Fairmount Park Winterfest

Saturday, February 11, 2-5pm 

Fairmount Park is on Gerrard so slightly outside our boundaries but this amazing community event needed mentioning!



Stephenson Park

The Friends of Stephenson Park have been busy flooding their rink and are hoping to have it ready for a skating party on Family Day – tbd. If you can help with this rink, please email us here and we will connect you to Peter, the master flooder. You can also join the Friends of Stephenson Park Facebook page to keep in the loop of volunteer opportunities and all kinds of fun stuff!


Councillor Janet Davis’ 14th Annual Skating Party

March 5, 11:30-1:30 @ East York Memorial Arena

Mark your calendars – this annual skate party is always a lot of fun.