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Do you love a park?

Do you love a park in your neighbourhood? Have you formed a “Friends of” group, or are you thinking about doing that? Do you want to know how others have revitalized their parks? Come and talk about our parks!

Note: this event is intended for Ward 32 parks/parkettes. That said, we can all learn from each other so if you love a park in another Ward, go anyway and make some great park-loving connections!

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Danforth Avenue – then & now

Danforth then…

Before there were subways, there were streetcars.  And before there were streetcars there were horses and buggies.  BlogTO recently put out this post with some very cool pictures of what Danforth Avenue has looked like through the years.

Danforth & East Lynn (1960)

Danforth now… 

And the Danforth continues to change today.  We’re excited to a few see new businesses moving into the area:

  • Dulux Paints (2031 Danforth), a Canadian company, will be opening it’s 7th location in our neighbourhood on January 2nd.  Besides boasting premium quality paint and terrific customer service, Dulux is known for their involvement in the Let’s Colour movement which helps neighbourhoods turn grey spaces into more lively, colourful places.   Hummm…..
  • Oaks ‘N Acorns (1856 Danforth) According to their Facebook page, Oaks ‘N Acorn is “a new Activity Studio and Stay ‘n Play Café providing a welcoming and creative hub where parents and children can participate together or individually in a diverse range of classes and workshops…” (Opening date is TBD)
  • The Pillow Shoppe (1434 Danforth) has recently opened with a vast selection of decorative pillows.  Everything from sage to army green and olive to hunter green.  (They have other colours too, but you know us, we love green.) Official grand opening weekend festivities on December 8 & 9!  They even have a selection of giftware.
  • Metropolitan College (2017 Danforth, 3rd floor) offers all sorts of English language programs and seem to have already brought a boost in foot traffic to the surrounding shops.

Another change this year was the additional of decorative lights along the Danforth –  thanks to the Danforth Mosaic BIA‘s Streetscape Committee for the shooting stars west of Westlake, and to the Danforth Village BIA for the holiday wreaths adorning street lamps east from Westlake.  We think they’re a lovely, twinkling addition to the neighbourhood.

And in other Danforth retail news, a big congratulations to Wag on the Danforth being named one of Toronto’s best pet stores from BlogTO.

Dulux Paints (2031 Danforth)
The Pillow Shoppe (1434 Danforth)
Oaks ‘N Acorns (1856 Danforth)
Lighting installed by the Mosaic BIA

 

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Movie stars in our ‘hood, Silly toy drive, and 2012 wrap-up

Hollywood has come to us

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is our pleasure to inform you that our neighbourhood is part of the set of the latest Robocop instalment.  Are you jumping up and down with excitement?  Yeah, we thought so.  You’re welcome.

Fake stores constitute part of the set of latest Robocop movie

Silly Goose Partners with Woodgreen Community Services

Our friends at Silly Goose Kids are up to their usual awesomeness.  In addition to wrapping gifts for $1 donations to Woodgreen, they are also helping with Woodgreen’s annual toy drive.  See below for the details:

And last but not least, a few words from DECA’s fearless leader (Anita, our Chair) as we prepare to bring 2012 to a close:

DECA is a fairly unique residents association, in that we came together because we wanted to build something, not fight it. Five years ago, we banded together to help make our neighbourhood more vibrant, walkable, safe and fun.  We’ve come a long way since that initial meeting and this past year was our busiest ever.
The list of our projects for 2012 is impressive:
  • a weekly Farmer’s Market,
  • the bigger-than-ever Danforth East Arts Fair,
  • a hugely successful Harvest Moon Festival,
  • the third annual DECA Pumpkin Parade,
  • first-ever Kids Gear Sale,
  • the painting of neighbourhood Bell utility boxes,
  • new pop-up shop initiative along the Danforth (now called Renew East Danforth),
  • a new historical mural at Main and Stephenson,
  • beautification of the Stephenson Park area,
  • the forming of a new DECA Trees group,
  • first-ever DECA pub crawl,
  • expanding of the ever-popular DECA Diaries blog to a team approach
…and so much more! We like to think DECA is having an impact. And to continue, we need your help. How, you’re wondering? I was hoping you would ask!
Membership
An annual membership to DECA is just $10 per household. This $10 gives us a small budget for our projects, but more importantly, it gives us credibility and clout when dealing with city hall and other groups. And, let’s face it, with all the neighbourhood events and projects it gives you access to, $10 is a steal!

Please, if you live in our borders and you haven’t renewed or paid for your DECA membership yet, please take a minute now to do so by signing up here: http://danfortheastcommunityassociation.com/membership

Volunteers
All of DECA’s accomplishments have been due to the dedication of some AMAZING volunteers.  Thank you to everyone who pitched in to lend a hand this year!  Needless to say, our neighbourhood is so much better because of it.
We need more of you though!  We’re a relatively small group of volunteers for the number of project we have going.  So if you can spare even just a couple of hours a month, we need your help!  Send us a note to see how you can pitch in, by clicking here.  If these projects doesn’t grab you, but you have an idea for another one, please speak to us!  All of our projects started off as just a small idea in someone’s head…
Before I sign off …
It needs to be said that most of our biggest volunteers sit on the DECA Board.  I want to personally thank the members of this past year’s team, every one of whom has committed countless hours to improving our little pocket.  I am perpetually in awe of your energy and drive to make things happen.
Looking ahead, I am excited to work with the 2013 Board and other volunteers, and to see what successes the coming year will bring to our community.
-Anita
 
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DECA’s 2013 Board and a new Constitution

A note by Sheri, on behalf of the Board

DECA Board – who’s coming, who’s going

Many of you joined us at Relish last Monday to celebrate this year’s many accomplishments, to elect our new Board, and to pass a motion on a new governance document known as DECA’s “Constitution”. Here are the highlights of that night, for those of you who missed it:

2013 Board, including three brand new members:

Anita Schretlen – Chair
Alison McMurray – Secretary
Lorraine Cheng – Treasurer
Paul Haines – Membership Manager
Catherine Porter
Natasha Granatstein
Melissa Peretti
Shelley Darling
Sheri Hebdon
Stephen Wickens
Tak Bui
Susan Bates
Anne Howatt (new)
Darcy Fedorchuk (new)
Jane Davis-Munro (new)
It was with mixed emotions that we bid farewell to the following departing Board members, who have decided to take their energies on to other projects:
  • Sarah Kiriliuk was DECA’s PR person for the last few years, who also forged DECA’s relationship with the Danforth Mosiac BIA. We will miss her honesty and twittering! (She may still twitter, or tweet, or whatever you call it, and we may still call on her for a press release now and again, whether she realizes that or not!)
  • Mary Cowan has been known to say that she “helps out with the Arts Fair”, but truth be told, Mary started the Arts Fair and has successfully run it for the past four years. The best way to describe Mary’s monumental contribution to this beloved event is to say that when they divided Mary’s work among the amazing team of Arts Fair volunteers, it took six people to fill the void left by her absence. We are so grateful that she has generously agreed to consult as needed.
  • Angela Matich stepped off the Board part way through last year, but her savvy advice has helped to establish our DECA ‘brand’. She continues to help with the Business Revitalization Team, and she runs the DECA website.
  • Tara Shelton was appointed mid-year to replace Angela, and made her mark in that short time. As a committed volunteer on the Renew East Danforth team, also gave existing businesses a boost when she co-organized the first ever DECA pub crawl.

Thank you all so much, and remember that Board meetings are open to all members so we’ll hope to see you whenever you are able to come!

We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the many, many years that Natasha Granatstein acted as Chair of DECA, and the keeper of our main communique, decadiaries. Natasha stepped down as Co-Chair part way through last year, and retired her master-blogger hat over the summer. We are so glad that she is able to focus her efforts on the projects most near and dear to her, and you will be too when you are shopping in December at one of the multiple pop-up shops that Natasha has been instrumental in setting up.
Last but not least, thank you to Anita. Anita got a little bit more than she bargained for last year when she went from Co-Chair to Chair in the flash of an eye, but she has risen to the occasion exquisitely. DECA is very lucky to have this lady at the helm!
New Constitution
On November 12, the DECA membership approved a new governing document titled “Constitution”. This document is meant to replace the previous documents, which were titled “Charter” and “Bylaws”. The rationale for the change was to improve clarity and transparency, and for ease of reference. Our original documents were drawn up before anyone knew what DECA was really going to be. Now we know who we are, and we think we will benefit from a governing document that reflects this!In order to make sure that DECA members have a chance to review the Constitution before it comes into effect, we’re posting it for a review period of 21 days, as per the rules of our current “Charter”. Here is where you will find all of the documents for review: http://danfortheastcommunityassociation.com/aboutus/

If you are a DECA member and have any concerns about the new Constitution, please provide them in writing to this email address by no later than December 14, 2012.

(By the way, to be a DECA member you need to be up to date with your fees. Did you pay your $10 this year? If not, you can pay online on our website through this link: http://danfortheastcommunityassociation.com/membership/)
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Santa Explores the East End & Police Matters

Santa Explores the East End

There will be loads of holiday fun this weekend. Earl Beatty (55 Woodington Ave) is hosting a Holiday in the ‘Hood event with a craft sale, bake sale and pictures with the man himself, Santa. Fun starts on Friday at 3:30 until 8:00 p.m. and runs on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

And the very next day Santa will be at the 6th Annual Centre 55 Santa Clause parade. Parade starts at 1:00 p.m. and runs along Kingston Road. Check out the website for more details.

Police Matters

According to recent Division 55 stats, major crime is down in our division. Yeah! Police are being vigilant with jaywalkers and unsafe pedestrians so be careful when crossing the street. This is also the time of year when spot-checks will be ramping up so be sure to arrange transportation from those holiday parties accordingly.

Toronto Police Service is also looking for individuals to participate in upcoming focus group. Check out the flyer below for the particulars.

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fall food wine & beer, park consultation, and cabaret night!

“A Fall Food Wine & Beer Fundraiser” – Tomorrow! (Monday)

Monday, November 19, 2012, 7:00-11:00 p.m.
Toronto Honda, 2300 Danforth Ave
(416) 819-8764

On Monday, November 19th at 7:00 pm, join your friends at Toronto Honda for a “Fall Food, Wine & Beer Fundraiser” featuring Melanie and Arul from Melanie’s Bistro on the Danforth.

Arul, an award-winning and locally celebrated chef, will demonstrate one of his sumptuous recipes: Braised Veal Shanks and Homemade Mashed Potatoes.

You’ll enjoy recipe samples plus handcrafted, refreshing beer from Mill St. Brewery plus superb and elegant wines from Cave Springs and Treasury Estates Winery.

Doors open at 6:30 pm. We look forward to seeing you for an evening of community, food and festivity!

**All ticket sales ($10.00 each) will be donated to Toronto East General Hospital and matched by Toronto Honda.**

Stephenson Park Consultation this Wednesday!

An Invitation from Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon for a consultation this Wednesday, November 21, 2012:

Cabaret Night this Friday!

Our friends at Woodbine Heights Baptist Church are hosting a fun-filled Cabaret Night this Friday, November 23, 2012 – see poster below for details:

This Cabaret Night is raising funds for Woodbine Height’s Mission Project which focuses on peacemaking processes in the Philippines. You can read about the project here.

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Watch this space in the next couple of days for an AGM re-cap, complete with the announcement of our 2013 DECA Board!