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Do Not Be Alarmed

Dozens of Toronto Police and local students are out on the Danforth today to ‘Light The Night’ by giving out energy efficient light bulbs to local businesses and helping install them along the Danforth.  Nobody likes to do things they shouldn’t be doing under the spotlight so Toronto Police are encouraging businesses and residents to keep a light on a night to prevent crime and promote safer streets.

There are a whole lot of police officers out there today so if you’re going to rob a bank, don’t rob one on the Danforth today.

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Unique Gifts Galore

What to get the person (young or less young) who has everything?

For those who are less young, you might want to make your way to the Gledhill school auction on Thursday, Dec. 9th from 7 – 10 p.m.  (Live auction at 7:30 p.m.)  This is a 19 yrs+ event.  Admission is $2 or non-perishable food item.  Gledhill school is behind the Honda dealership at Danforth and Gledhill Ave.  A few of the items on the block include:

  • Raptors Tickets (Dec. 22nd vs. Detroit Pistons)  Two seats in a mid-court private box including food and drink.  Valued close to $600.
  • Maple Leafs tickets
  • Scores of beautiful hand-made jewellery from local artists such as Fine Silver Girl, Marmalade Designs and Circa1890.com
  • ‘Reporter For A Day’ – spend the day shadowing Toronto Star reporter/columnist, Catherine Porter and learn her tricks of the trade
  • 12 Days of Christmas baking – get twelve dozen unique homemade baked treats delivered to your door in time for the holidays
  • More than 200 other items up for a fraction of their retail value.
  • ‘Reporter

For those who are more young…there is the Little Footprint Toys ‘pop-up’ sale this weekend. A photographer, Kim Reain, will be on hand on Saturday between 11 and 4 to take pictures of your adorable children – copies of which will be available to purchase from her website after the sale.

Share Share Share

We’re all about sharing the love here at the diaries and some good local shoppers have posted a few great ideas about local gift-giving. Here are a few of the offerings:

  • “I often buy a selection of gourmet cooking oils, vinegars and seasonings at Royal Beef for cooks on my list, and to use as hostess gifts. It’s also a good gift idea for “Secret Santa” gift-giving at the office. For cat/dog lovers, definitely Wag on the Danforth”. – Pat
  • Playmobil toys from John’s Hobbies for my daughter and nephew. Beautiful seasonal floral arrangements from Darling Flowers for my mother-in-law. Wool for projects (or cute and reasonable handmade items if there’s not time for projects) from The Wool Mill. Gift certificate to Value Village for the serious thrifters in my life. Basket of delicious selection of dried fruits and nuts from Better Bulk for the group gift (daycare, office staff, etc.) – Rebecca

True Brew Open Mic Night

This Friday starting at 7 p.m. make your way to True Brew Cafe, just east of Woodbine, for open mic night.  Bring an instrument and get down with your funky self! Both players and listeners welcome…no experience necessary for either.  All ages welcome.

Nutralicious Thursdays

Nutralicious Kitchen serves up healthy meals-to-go from Woodbine and Mortimer/Lumsden.  Owner/chef/personal trainer, Tony Landry is offering a new series of specials including the Thursday Night Special.  Buy one hot table entree and the second one is half price! Its a great deal and the second meal will keep for the next day or two.

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Arts And More Arts

Shop Local

T’is the season for shopping locally and there are any number of ways to do it as you will see below.  Don’t forget to share your local shopping tips with the rest of us and check out what others have already posted – here.

Madame Gateaux – is a new shop at 2034 Danforth, just west of Woodbine. Owner, Noel Yim, is a George Brown -trained pastry chef who has worked at the Windsor Arms Hotel and as Head Pastry Chef at Humber college.  The shop sells a large selection of baking utensils and ingredients and is offering a range of classes for both hobbyists and professionals.  There are a number of Christmas-themed classes coming up including gingerbread houses and cookies, yule logs, sticky toffee, fruit cake and tarts and cookies.

Cozy Cafe and Bakery – on the southwest corner of Danforth and Woodbine , is starting extended holiday hours as of Monday, November 29th.  Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Sat-Sun 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Don’t forget their homemade frozen food section!

Fine Silver Girl


Heather Bell Denison (a.k.a Fine Silver Girl) was one of the volunteers on the organizing committee and also one of the vendors at the Danforth East Arts Fair.  She’s hosting a studio show and sale on Saturday, Dec. 11th from 3 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. at her studio at 48 Woodington Ave (near Coxwell and Danforth). She also offers a number of classes.  Information about all of this and more is on her website at www.finesilvergirl.com

Tyke Threads

Tykethreads.com is a local online shop for hip boys clothes.  But, owner, Grace Sanchez MacCall is hosting a ‘pop-up’ store sale Dec. 10-12th at 1390 Danforth (east of Greenwood) from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.  Cash only.

Art Needed!

Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon would like some children’s seasonal artwork for holiday (electronic) cards and to hang in the office.  If you have a kid in your house who can help, send your approx. 5″x7″  drawings to 100 Queen St. W. M5H 2N2 by Dec. 15th.

Music Festival

From the brains and the brawn who brought you the Art of the Danforth, there is another project afoot – an Ethiopian/African music festival in 2011.  Working with some of the business owners along the Danforth, Cindy Rozeboom and her band of merry art-makers are planning on musical community workshops leading up to a day- and night-long bridge-building event.  If you are interested in helping with the organization of this project, contact Cindy at info(at)artsimperative.ca

 

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Hydro Rates and Police Tips

Hydro Rates

MPP Michael Prue will be hosting a public meeting tomorrow night (Thursday, Nov. 25th, 7-9 p.m.) to talk about rising hydro rates.  The meeting will happen at 2174 Danforth Ave. at the Danforth Mennonite Church – just east of Woodbine.  For more information contact 416-690-1032 or www.michaelprue.com

Safety Tips From Toronto Police – 55 Division

1. Due to a high number of street robberies, mostly cell phones, in and around local high schools lately, police visibility has been greatly increased. Try and avoid going for a walk around the schools during school hours.
2. Drivers rushing and speeding through cross walks has caused concern with residents and police.  Police coverage is being beefed up at cross walks to encourage drivers to sloooowwww dowwwwn.
3. If you notice anyone texting while driving, write down their license plate number and phone it into the police, 416-808-5500 or 808-5400. These people are still the biggest menace on the roads and they will be ticketed at their front doors if they are reported.
4. Skateboards, like bikes are a vehicle and not allowed on a sidewalk. Skateboarders are to follow the rules of the road. A vehicle and pedestrian blitz one week in November resulted in 571 charges in one week.
5. The RIDE program will be accelerated in the next month though it does exist all year long.
Security Tips
  • Park in well lit areas with pedestrian traffic. Lock your car.
  • Hide valuables in a secure location, out of view of passersby. Even a bag going to Goodwill  is alluring as the contents are unknown to the thief.
  • Do not leave change in the console or within view.
  • Completely close your car windows.
  • Install a safety alarm in your vehicle.
  • Never leave your keys in the vehicle unattended.
  • Have signage located on the car that warns of any deterrents likes alarms.
  • Lock vehicles even if in a locked garage.
  • Keep registration and insurance on your person, not in the car.
  • Have someone shovel your sidewalks when away. You have 24 hours after a snowfall to shovel your walks. Assist the elderly and disabled if they don’t have help.
Crime Prevention Tips
With the change in weather  it is important to remind ourselves and our neighbors of a few crime prevention tips:
  • Lock doors and windows – including garage and sheds.
  • Give your house a lived in look.
  • Don’t put your Christmas presents under the tree that are visible from a front window, especially if visible from the street.
  • Make a home inventory checklist for things of value.

 

 

 

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T’is The Season – Danforth Gems

I know you are trying to pretend that it’s not Christmas yet.  And you’re right.  But it’s not too early to be thinking about shopping.  This year, why not shop local?  As you do, let us know about it (if you can do it without spilling the beans).  Post your favourite local gift ideas right here on the blog.  Share your brilliant ideas with the rest of us who are scrambling to figure out what to get our parents, in-laws, neighbours, teachers, co-workers, kids, nieces, nephews, partners, sisters, brothers, dogs, cats, gerbils and ourselves of course.

(Note: If you always get DECA Diaries by e-mail, you might not know that if you click on the headline – in this case ‘T’is The Season’ you will arrive at the DECA Diaries Blog.  Once you’re there, you too can post things that other people can then read.  It’s like a big old electronic bulletin board where we can swap tips.  Or if that’s too complicated, just send your tips to me and I’ll post them.)

Where to begin?  Danforth Gem – Ciraco Custom Framers

You might want to start by getting them something they will really treasure.  I notice there is a new photography studio at Danforth and Glebemount called Model Photography. Then you could walk yourself over to Ciraco and get a custom frame.

Ciraco is offering 15% off all custom framing and all it’s 3D art until Dec. 23rd.  (If the only 3D art you’ve seen was in 1993, you should walk in and check it out.  It’s very cool).

Owner, Fernand Ciraco (as well as being involved in the Danforth East Arts Fair) has been doing custom framing for 30 years.  The first 18 years were primarily corporate clients, but 12 years ago he opened a retail shop.  Ciraco has become a respected player in the commercial business preparing work for a Saudi palace and new home builders such as Mattamy, Remington, Wycliffe and Daniels.

Fernand continues to be innovative and creative with framing ideas.  A while back he started producing 3D renderings of homes and logos for builders and developers and has now taken that and developed it into a fine art that can be appreciated at home.  They’ve been recognized at a number of shows including the One Of A Kind show, Cottage Life and Home shows.  This 3D art is on display at the shop.

All work is done on the premises and they are there to help with suggestions or advice on how to frame  art, photography, mirrors, baby booties, doggie collars or whatever your beloved will cherish.  Gift certificates are available.

Ciraco Custom Frames’, 1946 Danforth across from East Lynn Park, 416-421-2036

H: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 10-5, Closed Sundays.  Book by appointment for private consultation.

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Don’t Say Goodbye, Just Say So Long

You might have heard that DECA’s very own Mary-Margaret McMahon has left the DECA executive table.  Perhaps the salary she received as DECA’s resident eco-guru, local food nut, tree tender and all around eager beaver volunteer just wasn’t enough ($0).  She’s off to City Hall, and no doubt we’ll still be seeing her plenty, but she’s officially ‘left the DECA building’ and she wanted to send along a little note to all of you.

How great it is to have had the opportunity to help transform a neighbourhood with a dynamite grassroots group!
How wonderful it is to have so many people believing in you and supporting you!
How lucky I am to live with all of you in our quaint and cozy neighbourhood!
THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
I am very excited about working together to continue making our pocket, our ward, and our city the best they can be!
Sincerely,
Mary-Margaret