Get out your calendars – something for everyone in April

In the coming weeks, the DECA bloggers (Sheri and Shelley) will be telling you more about ourselves, and about the rest of the DECA Board members.  For Shelley and I, you will learn that we are busy working moms, with five kids under the age of 4 between us, and you will understand why there are times when there are no blog posts for a bit, and then a really, really, long one with all sorts of events listed.  So while we strive for logical themes, clever segues and pictures in our posts, this one is just going to be a whack of info and dates.  Hopefully there is something that will make you flag this for follow up. (Or maybe you get regular REM sleep and have that thing known as “memory”, but I digress.)

In chronological order:

Friday, April 5, 2013 @ 1:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Artisans-at-Work “First Friday”
Location: 2071 Danforth Avenue @ Woodbine 

  • One of many, many amazing events going on at Artisans-at-Work, the newest community hub in our neighbourhood.

For more info on all of the interesting classes, events, workshops and learning opportunities on offer at Artisans, visit their events page here.

Monday, April 8, 2013 @ 7:00 p.m.
Danforth Mosaic BIA monthly meeting
Location: Toronto Model Photography, 1840 Danforth Avenue @ Glebemount

  • Come one, come all!  Hear what the BIA is working on and have a say – remember, they are partially funded by your tax dollars! (BIAs are funded by levies paid by the local businesses, and by the City)

Saturday, April 14, 2013 @ 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Free Art Exhibit, “Colour of My Soul”, by local artist Renata Dusk
Location: Leeman Nautical Home Decor and Giftware, 1202 Woodbine Avenue @ Mortimer

  • It’s finally warm out, so take a walk up Woodbine and visit this amazing new store to see some beautiful art!
Leemen  is a new store a 1202 Woodbine Avenue – the only store in Toronto selling Nautical Home Decor and Giftware, as well as a wide range of unique gifts for your Cottage and Home.  On April 14, 2013, we are hosting an Art Show featuring the work of local artist, Renata Dusk. Her Show is called “Colour of My Soul”, and it will run from 12:00 to 6:00 pm. The Artist’s medium is Acrylic and her web site can be found here.

Sunday, April 21, 2013 @ 1:00-4:30 p.m.
Family Art Workshop “I Do Believe in Fairies” at Colour Creative, $40/family
Check their Facebook page for more info, or email here

Monday – Thursday, April 22-25 @ 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Business Basics Bootcamp, Free business classes offered by Enterprise Toronto
Free Admission, but space is limited – see below for registration info
Location: East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Avenue @ Mortimer

  • Thanks to Councillor Fragedakis, Ward 29, for arranging these helpful sessions in our neck of the woods!
  • Click here for the website – registration required!

Sunday, April 28, 2013 @ 1:00-4:30 p.m.
Family Art Workshop “Beyond Brushes” at Colour Creative, $40/family
Check their Facebook page for more info, or email here

Speaking of Facebook, have you “liked” us yet?  If not, click here. We’re on Twitter too @DECAdiaries (of course)!

Stephenson Park Update and Colour Creative!

Stephenson Park Meeting – Tuesday April 2, 2013

stephensonparkmeeting-poster

Colour Creative

An exciting new option for parents looking to broaden their kids’ horizons!  Colour Creative is owned and operated by local artist (and mother of two) Andria Keen, who has worked in many mediums and has participated in several gallery shows – mainly for her sculptures.  Andria tells us that she is honoured to have the opportunity to share her knowledge and love of various art forms with others and in doing so, to explore with them the joy, wonder and pride that they experience when they tap into their creativity through the wonderful outlet of art.  More from Andria:

Colour Creative started as an idea for an art-based after-school care program, has grown into a budding art school for children ages 4 to 13, located in a cozy home environment just off Danforth near Coxwell.

Colour Creative offers a range of children’s courses throughout the year.  The Spring 2013 calendar offers six courses including sculpture, drawing, art history/journaling and Arts Mart featuring a collage of mediums for the younger ones.  A key theme throughout all the courses is strengthening foundational skills and paying attention to light and shade.

Also popular is the Art Passport, available to any age, which offers five one-hour private sessions for $80.00 (on Saturdays and Sundays).

In addition, this year will be Colour Creative’s first summer, and plans are currently in the works for an Artful July, so stay tuned!

For more information on how you can illuminate your child’s creative spark, click here for the Colour Creative Facebook Page, call (647-764-5336), or click here to email for more information.  You can also pick up a Colour Creative activity postcard available at many of the awesome shops along the Danforth.

 

Friday Fun!

THIS FRIDAY, March 29, 2013

Silly Goose Kids (2054 Danforth Avenue) – Open on Good Friday with lots of fun activities!

SGK Good Friday

NEXT FRIDAY (April 5, 2013)

Artisans At Work (2071 Danforth Avenue –  a few stores west of Pizza Pizza at Woodbine) hosts a “First Friday” event on the first Friday of each month.  The details are so exciting and there is so much going on that you need to read their newsletter so that you don’t miss anything!  The highlights are art, opera, crepes and a liquor licence!  Click here for the details.

And just to give you a sneak preview, look how beautiful the space is (photo cred to Artisans at Work):

glenda1

For even more info, our friend the East End Pioneer did a write-up on Artisans at Work, which you can read here.

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PARADE ALERT!!  Don’t forget that the Toronto Beaches Lions Easter Parade is this Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. along Queen Street E.  It starts in front of the Fox Theatre and travels west to Woodbine.  We are told that this is the largest Easter parade in North America!

Free Tax Seminar – Tomorrow!

This just in….
FREE Seminars @ Liberty Tax
1775 Danforth Avenue
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
289-407-1009
Wednesday March 27 2013  
Are you lost when doing your taxes?
Tax Seminar for Individual Taxes

This seminar will help you better understand your deductions, new tax information, and how to prepare for the tax season

Wednesday, April 10 2013
Seminar for Small Businesses
Free tax seminar on small business, self employment, and rental property

Out with the old, in with the new!

Out with the old…

Oaks n Acorns is hosting a “mom to mom” sale (and we’re pretty sure that no dad would be turned away), and no doubt, the tables will go fast. Details below, or check out their website: http://www.oaksnacorns.com/ DECA organized a sale like this last year, but we have no plans to do another one so if your basement looks like a baby store, seize this chance!

Mom 2 Mom sale poster

In with the new…

Two new businesses east of Danforth

Taste of Dominican – 2231 Danforth – not open yet, but the sign is up and it is promising to be a “fine Dominican restaurant”. It also says dine-in and take out – we’ll keep you posted!

Great Wood – 2208 Danforth – A cool-looking new shop that is selling creations made out of recycled/reclaimed wood. Located right beside where the new KIA dealership is going in. Has anyone been inside? I have peeked through the window and it looks like a gallery full of beautiful wooden items! http://www.grrrreatwood.com/

New-ish news…

Okay, it’s not new in the strict sense of the meaning, but after a long, cold winter, I think we can all agree that this is a new reason to get excited: Carter’s Ice Cream is re-opening this Friday, March 29 at noon!! There will be face painting and fun to be had by all. http://www.cartersicecream.com/

And speaking of new…did you hear that Target is opening on the Danforth (@ Victoria Park in the Shoppers World plaza) this Thursday, March 28? Okay fine, you probably knew. But isn’t it still so exciting?

Reminder: Tomorrow night there is a big pop-up meeting for anyone interested in helping us shape this exciting project. In case you missed our recent post about it, click here for details!

Follow @DECADiaries on Twitter for all the latest news!

Pop-Up Shop Big Ideas Night & More

Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.

Joel A. Barker

Big Ideas Night

DECA’s pop-up shops started with a vision to change the Danforth. You acted. You scrubbed. You scraped. You painted. You walked in the door. And you shopped. Each of these are small, but vital acts that support the future of our community and of walking neighbourhoods in Toronto and around the world. People who change the world don’t do it grand sweeping gestures. Well, I suppose you might if you were Warren Buffet or Bill Gates. But those guys just give money to people who scrape, scrub and and walk in the door. In these acts you are creating a community that is more vibrant, walkable and safe. Now we’re asking, once again, for a little bit more. We need your ideas.

You are cordially invited to join us for the DECA Pop-Up Shops Big Ideas Night. We want you and we need your big ideas. Pop-up shops have already been responsible for the renting of two spaces on the Danforth and we’re looking forward to a few more pop-up tenants opening up permanent shops this spring. If you like the pop-ups and the activity they are creating, we’d like you to help us think about the future of pop-ups and where to go from here.

Wednesday, March 27 7-9 p.m. This meeting will be fun and interactive. We promise!

Register here

One Last Hurrah for the Current Pop-Up Shops: Krystle Lee & Fa Real

Fa Real Designz N Prints | 1898 Danforth Avenue
Tuesday-Saturday 12-8
Fa Real brand clothing is all on sale for $10. Plus, if you want your name put on a hockey jersey you can get it done for between $15-30.

Krystle Lee | 1801 Danforth Avenue
This weekend only she will be offering everyone and additional 30% discount (on select merchandise) off the already super low prices, best to go out with a bang!

If you haven’t had the chance to shop or you left that special something behind, now is your chance.

You can catch her this Saturday and Sunday between 1-5pm

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