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Early Arts Fair Deadline This Friday

DECA is inviting artisans to participate in the second annual Danforth East Arts Fair, to be held September, 18 & 19, 2010.  This outdoor arts and crafts fair is held in East Lynn Park, a bustling community hub on Toronto’s Danforth Ave. between Coxwell and Woodbine.  Apply by Friday, April 30th to take advantage of our reduced fee early applications.

The show provides artists with a unique opportunity to showcase and sell their work.  Our vibrant community is filled with new families, established homeowners and creative folks who are eager to support local artists.

To apply, download the application here.

Applications are reviewed and selected by a jury.  We expect approximately 50 exhibitors this year.  Applications will be accepted until June 15, 2010.  We have eliminated the application fee.

Questions?  Visit www.deca-arts.ca or e-mail deca.arts@gmail.com.

Spread the word!

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Business Revitalization Teams In Action

Oh you think we’re just a 10 trick pony?  No no my friend.  The energizer bunnies here at DECA can’t stop.  It’s a bit of an addiction.  Once you see a little bit of change, you get a little rush and then you’re jonesing for more.  You want to stop.  But you can’t.

The Business Revitalization guys and gals have so much amazing talent, they split up and are doing two Danforth shops this season: Thai Basil Kitchen (2326 Danforth) and Danforth Carpet.   The plans have been made, but we’re looking for some help with labour next Saturday morning (May 1st).  You need only commit one small solitary hour and your help will make a huge difference.

The goal of our Business Revitalization Team is to make the streetscape more appealing – one store at a time.  It’s all part of our master conspiracy plan to make this a more vibrant, safe and walkable community.  With just one hour – you can be part of it!  If you can help – let me know!

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A Treasure Hunt For The Unexpected

I walked the Danforth from Greenwood to Woodbine (actually from Bay and Wellesley to Woodbine, but that’s another story) and had a chance to see some of the art on display for the Art of the Danforth.  Throughout the planning for this event – organizer, Cindy Rozeboom, has been talking about the joy of seeing art in unexpected places (like a computer store or a children’s consignment store).  I must say, while I went along with it, I didn’t really understand why that would be so terrific.  Until today.

It’s like discovering a hidden treasure.  You walk by a store you’ve never paid any attention to and see something amazing.  You walk into a shop you’ve barely noticed and find something that moves you.  It’s like living in a neighbourhood that has just about everything you could ever need, as long as you know where to look for it.

I encourage you to pick up the map at LucSculpture (663 Greenwood) or download it here and walk the walk.  And, check out the full schedule of events to take part in the events that are happening this weekend and next.

(Oh and the DECA Family Make A Joyful Noise Parade will go ahead rain or shine at 11 a.m. on Sunday at East Lynn Park.)  As long as the weather’s decent our fabulous farmers’ market face painters will be there at 10 a.m. along with some Cozy Cafe treats!)

Saturday, April 24th

10am – 1 PM: Danforth Mosaic BIA Community clean up: wherever you are, get outside and clean up the neighbourhood!

Noon – 5 pm @ Red Sable, 1765 Danforth – create a painting to contribute to the Home & Habitat display (onsite activity)

1-2 pm @ Coxwell Parkette – Volunteer BBQ and unfurling of The Pillow Project by Laura Brown

1 pm: 1783 Danforth – BOXZART by SOL EXPRESS L’Arche Toronto (dance)

Sunday, April 25th

11 am @ East Lynn Park – DECA Family Make A Joyful Noise Parade

12 noon – 3 pm @ Coxwell Parkette – Portraits in the Park by Stephen Caissie

12 noon – 5 pm @ Red Sable, 1765 Danforth – create a painting to contribute to the Home & Habitat display (onsite activity)

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Art Walk Opens This Weekend!

Art Walk April 23 – May 2, 2010

Along Danforth between Greenwood & Woodbine

Listings now available

Now online at www.artofthedanforth.com you’ll find the list of participating artists and where you can find their work, plus a downloadable brochure you can print at home.  Printed brochures will be available on the street Friday April 23 – you can pick them up at LucSculpture Studio & Schools (663 Greenwood), participating stores or at our information tent in the Coxwell Parkette, Sunday the 25, May 1 & 2, noon – 5.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WHEN

April 23 – May 2: Art in Stores & Street installations.  Community planter decorating – you can decorate one too!

Saturday April 24:

10am – 1 PM:  Community Clean Up: get outside and clean up the neighbourhood!

Noon – 5 pm @ Red Sable, 1765 Danforth – create a painting to contribute to the Home & Habitat display (activity)

1-2 pm @ Coxwell Parkette  – Volunteer BBQ  and unfurling of The Pillow Project by Laura Brown

1pm:  1783 Danforth – BOXZART by SOL EXPRESS L’Arche Toronto (dance)

Sunday April 25:

11 am @ East Lynn Park – DECA Make A Joyful Noise Parade

12     noon – 3 pm @ Coxwell Parkette – Portraits in the Park by Stephen Caissie

12  noon – 5 pm @ Red Sable, 1765 Danforth – create a painting to contribute to the Home & Habitat display (activity)

Saturday May 1:

10 am – 6 pm @ East Lynn Park – The longest free-standing sculpture in the world, with Jerry Silverberg

(family-friendly interactive activity)  & Mark Sepic’s Junkestra

12 noon, Coxwell Public Library   – Ghosts of the Danforth (Charlotte Mundy & Patrick Power)

1 & 3 pm, Coxwell Public Library  –   The Box Company (David Carbert & Simon Madore)

12 noon – 5 pm @ 1275 Danforth:  Graffiti art demonstration by Yannick Bihan – 1275 Danforth

12 – 6 pm:  Studio Tours:

Anthony Jim @ 177 Wolverleigh Blvd (Historical Buildings in Pencil)

Mark Sepic @ 159 Chisholm Avenue  (Backyard Junkestra)

1 – 4 pm:    IFA by Gomo George (roaming)

2 pm  – Dance demonstrations by the SPACE , 1324 Danforth

3 pm @ 10 Feet Tall, 1381 Danforth –  Feeling Good by SOL EXPRESS L’Arche Toronto (dance) 3:30 pm  @ Cafe Tangiers, 1385 Danforth – Tales from 1001 Arabian Nights – Family storytelling in traditional dress

by Youssef Bouiahadj and Ismail Fatty

Sunday May 2:

12 noon – 6 pm:  The Junkestra at East Lynn Park

12 noon – 5pm @ Coxwell Public Library   (alternating)

The Box Company (David Carbert & Simon Madore)

Ghosts of the Danforth (Charlotte Mundy & Patrick Power)

12 noon & 2 pm:  Live painting performance by Annie Si-Wing Tung @ 1275 Danforth

12 – 5pm:  Studio Tours

Heather Bell Denison @ 48 Woodington Ave (Silverworks)

Anthony Jim @ 177 Wolverleigh Blvd

Mark Sepic @ 159 Chisholm Avenue

1-4 pm:     IFA by Gomo George (roaming)

1 pm – Graffiti art demonstration by Yannick Bihan,  1275 Danforth

2 pm  – Dance demonstrations by the SPACE, 1324 Danforth

6-9 pm: closing night party for artists & friends, LucSculpture Studio 663 Greenwood

For the most up-to-date schedules and display list, please visit our website:  www.artofthedanforth.com

STILL NEED A FEW GOOD PEOPLE….

To volunteer with installation and providing on-site volunteer assistance during the 10 days.  If you have some spare time – especially in the next three days during the daytime, drop us a line and let us know.  We can put you to work lifting & hammering stuff or walking the street connecting with the people in the walk.

See you on the Danforth!

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Cozy Bakery and Cafe

Oh the joy of being on maternity leave while our neighbourhood finally gets the cafes and bakeries we so richly deserve.

There’s fabulous True Brew soups and sandwiches.  There’s Celena’s Bakery where I understand the croissants are made in heaven.  There’s the all-organic fair trade folks at Guru Coffee.  And now, there is the Cozy Bakery and Cafe. (O.k. the sign on the southwest corner of Danforth and Woodbine still says Coffee Coffee but the new sign is coming!)

If you haven’t been in to the Cozy Bakery – you really should.  Every morning the sisters Vera and Savicia, who used to own a cafe in Niagara on the Lake, are making fresh breads (treat your family to french toast using that egg bread and I promise you it will be a good day), cinnamon buns and pastries.  Then there is the home-made soup (soon to be jarred and waiting for you to take home for dinner) and lasagnas (they make their own pasta).  Much of it is organic.  Much of it is vegetarian.  All of it is 100% natural – no short cuts.  They also do ‘savoury pastries’ which I have yet to try but am very intrigued about.

The owners are delightful and the space is plenty big enough for strollers etc.  Drop by the DECA Make A Joyful Noise Parade this Sunday to taste some of their wares!

By the way – the owners are having some difficulty with parking.  They’re using street parking, feeding the meter and moving the car.  If you have a parking spot that you can spare (even some of the time) at the north end of Moberly or somewhere in that area, contact Mary-Margaret McMahon at spargy@rogers.com.  There could be some delicious treats in it for you!

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Green Is The New Black

Community Clean Up Days

T’is the season for community clean ups.  Me and my brood will be at Earl Beatty.  Where will you be?  (A tidbit from me to you: for my son’s last birthday I bought a few long-handled grabbers at Dollarama that would be ideal for picking up litter if you’d rather not bend up and down endlessly.  The young children found them a little difficult to squeeze -though very appealing- but an older child or adult wouldn’t have any trouble.)

You can usually bring your own gloves (though there are usually some available too).  Bags are supplied.  And – in my experience there are usually some treats for your labour.

Saturday, April 24th

Earl Beatty and surrounding streets- 10 a.m. @ the school (Sponsored by the eco-team, the Earl Beatty Community Centre and the school.)

Danforth Avenue – 10 a.m. @ the Coxwell Parkette at Danforth and Coxwell (Sponosred by the Danforth Mosaic BIA)

Taylor Creek – 11 a.m. @ end of Rexleigh Dr.(sponsored by the Taylor Creek Green Group)

Stan Wadlow Skate Park – 1 p.m. @ skate park (sponsored by Team East York Skateboarders)

Keystone Keeners – The neighbours living on Keystone Ave. are hosting their annual Rally in the Alley to clean up the alley and generally have an excuse for a party.  Guess what?  You could do that too.

Ecoartvan

Every Saturday in April and May the Ecoartvan will be visiting libraries all over town to offer a free hands-on art and environment education program.  The van will be at the S. Walter Steward Library on Saturday, April 24th from 1 – 4 p.m. (170 Memorial Park Ave. – just north of East York Civic Centre).

Topham 10

The Topham Park EcoTeam is trying to get solar panels installed on 10 homes in Ward 31 (north of Danforth).  With a LiveGreen Toronto grant of $50,000, they can offer about $4,500/home to help reduce the costs.  So far they only have two homes and are looking for eight more.  Contact Neil Rankin to learn more at tophampark@ourpower.ca

DECA Bikes!

Who knew there were so many avid cyclists in the neighoburhood?   Saturday, March 27th was our first ever DECA Bikes Tune-Up workshop. Cyclists learned the tricks of the trade for tuning up their bikes, met with other cyclists, and were treated to bicycle shaped cookies and juice all for the low fee of paying what you can.

We knew it was going to be a great day when there was a queue at 11 am!  THANKS to all our dynamite DECA Bikes members for helping out.

Next Tune Up workshop is Saturday, May 1st 11 am – 4 pm. Contact Jamie Thiers jamiethiers@gmail.com for more information or to join DECA BIKES.

Reskilling – Soap Making

The Reskilling workshops DECA & ETCAG (East Toronto Climate Action Group) have been offering since last July have been going gangbusters!

We had to run four soap making classes to meet the demand of keen, sudsy soap makers.  Thanks to the fabulous Amanda Montgomery (Simply by Amanda) and her protégé Jazzy Joanna for all their knowledge.  Look for their products at Better Bulk.

Stay tuned for a beeswax candle making class and a bread making class.