Summer vacation is winding down and the pools will close this weekend but this time of year is when our farmers are just getting warmed up!

Come to the Market this week to pick up what you need for all of those healthy snacks and meals you’re planning for this upcoming school year (before granola bar season starts in late April) – whether you have kids or not.

And while you’re at the market, why not find out more about what’s going on at the southeast corner of Coxwell and Danforth, aka the Danforth Garage? See below for details.

At the market this week, Savage Falcon Energy Crystals returns to our Community Booth, where you can learn more about crystals and maybe receive a free mini-treatment from Angela.

We also have

Windswept Orchard Cider

Winnie Lady of the Dulcimer providing the music

Kids face painting (by small donation) with our incredible volunteer face painter.

Also, the Project Team for the Danforth Garage Master Planning Study will be hosting a pop-up consultation to raise awareness, share information, answer questions, and collect feedback related to the Master Planning Study. These pop-up consultations have been scheduled in response to community feedback requesting more opportunities to provide input with the broader community. The pop-up consultations will be accompanied by an extended online feedback period at www.danforthgarage.com (closing September 6th). The feedback collected at the pop-up consultations and via the online form will be documented as part of the Phase 1 Community Consultation Report for the the Study.

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*Volunteers needed*

Did you know that every week, someone volunteers to feed our farmers? If you have it in your heart/schedule to throw together a simple meal for 10ish farmers, please sign up! Click here to sign up now for a Sept/Oct slot! People make things like sandwiches, soup, chilli, pasta, salad – no need to overcomplicate and our farmers are always so grateful since many leave us at 7pm and then have to drive long distances home. You can also use the link above (here it is again) to sign up for the DECA table where you can greet, direct, chat, and help with set up or take-down if you’re able.

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This is the week for the wading pool so make sure you get your littles in there for one last hurrah!

The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3-7:00 p.m. between June 7 – October 11 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave. Stay up to date by visiting the East Lynn Market Facebook page or by following us on Twitter. If you’d like to volunteer as a cook or a DECA Booth helper please connect! 

Hey neighbours! We’re pretty excited about this event this Sunday. It goes across the whole city (click here to see for yourself) but if can’t join in for the whole thing, you can still join us in East Lynn Park after 4pm for live music, storytelling and bike decorating. Bring the kids, the dog, your parents, your neighbours, your neighbours’ dog – all are welcome!

For more info about the whole amazing event visit: http://thereadingline.ca/viaduct/

…or check out the fb event: https://www.facebook.com/events/226456058000023/?ti=icl

Each weeks bring something different to the market depending on what is in season in the region. And this week is no different. Fresh Ontario garlic will be available. I’m sure there are many ways to prepare it paired with something from Flat Rock Cellars, who are joining as our market winery this week. Let us know what ends up on your plate!

Kids can celebrate the arts this week marbling with Fresh Paint (4:15-6:15 pm) and watching Shakespeare from the Guerilla Ruffians (4:00 and 4:45 pm).

Find out more about:

• Stop by the DECA Tent to sign a card for one of the victim’s of the Danforth shooting, nursing student Danielle “Dani” Kane.
• Construction has started at the Michael Garron Hospital.  Stop by the community booth to learn more about the project, timelines and speak with a few Emergency Room nurses for tips on staying healthy.
• Wheels on Danforth will be back this week with more information on their upcoming street festival and car show.
• Learn more about the Tree for Me program that matches Toronto residents with free native tress to plant on private land.

The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3-7:00 p.m. between June 7 – October 11 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave. Stay up to date by visiting the East Lynn Market Facebook page or by following us on Twitter. If you’d like to volunteer as a cook or a DECA Booth helper please connect! 

Midway through the summer and the market is as happening as ever!

Come by this week for corn (fresh or– deep-fried in an amazing collaboration between Sun-Ray and Godelie farms!), cheese, all the greens, Creekside wine, and so much more.

For the kids, we have storytime at 4:30! Join storytellers Debbie and Sally for some songs and rhymes for babies, children and parents – fun for everyone! Thanks to Silly Goose Kids  Check Debbie’s facebook page for information about her fall session of Baby Goose, her song and rhyme program for parents and babies.

After storytime, Pegasus Studio will be joining us in the park with some fun dance classes at 5pm

Stop by the Wheels on Danforth tent to find out more about their upcoming festival. Enjoy music from folk musician Joachim Comay-Newman. And you’re always welcome to visit us in the DECA tent for a chat about current events and initiatives, like city council changes, Tree For Me, the Reading Line’s Book Ride, Arts Fair, The Danforth Garage.

The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3-7:00 p.m. between June 7 – October 11 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave. Stay up to date by visiting the East Lynn Market Facebook page or by following us on Twitter. If you’d like to volunteer as a cook or a DECA Booth helper please connect! 

Posted on behalf of the DECA Board. This post is the second in a series regarding the province’s proposed changes to Toronto City Council. This post explains why Toronto has 47 city councillors as well as the process the City undertook to review ward boundaries.

A summary

In 2013, Toronto City Council initiated a review of the Ward boundaries to address the changing city and address voter parity for everyone across Toronto.

Why –   City Council voted to review the Ward boundaries because the city was rapidly growing in some areas while remaining the same in others. To achieve effective representation in all Wards in Toronto changes to these discrepancies were necessary. In 2014 the ward populations ranged from 45,440 to 94,600 people.

The current 44 Ward boundaries were established in 2000. At this time the City had a population of about 2.5 million people. In 2016 the population had grown by about 400,000 people to 2.9 million and was forecast to continue to increase to 3.2 million by the year 2030. This process would incorporate projections in growth for the city to 2030.

When –  In 2013 Toronto City Council initiated a review of the ward boundaries to be completed by October 2016. The new Ward boundaries would be available for the 2018 municipal elections.

Process – City Council voted to engage an independent consultant to provide the Ward Boundary review, assessment and development. Council drew up a Terms of Reference for this process. The guidelines set out by the Supreme Court of Canada for governments to follow when drawing out electoral boundaries formed the framework. The principal of “effective representation” for all was the goal in this endeavour. This process included civic engagement and two phases of consultations with, among others, the public and stakeholders.

Results –  The option for Ward boundaries showing minimal change with an increase of number of wards from 44 to 47 was the preferred option. The average population per Ward would be 61,000 people. This would mean effective representation was possible and that Councillors have the capacity to represent their constituents effectively.

Key findings by the surveys and consultations held during the Ward Boundary Review found that a majority favoured up to 60,000 people per ward. Only a small minority favoured large wards (38 wards) when those wards were provided with additional resources and this was the last option selected in the public survey.

As a result of this process, Toronto now has a Ward Boundary Map which reflects the time and efforts of many of its citizens, councillors and the tax payer’s money and which would provide representative democracy across the City for the years ahead.

The above summary is based on information found on the following link:

https://www.toronto.ca/city- government/accountability- operations-customer-service/ city-administration/city- managers-office/key- intiatives/toronto-new-ward- boundaries/additional- information-about-the-toronto- ward-boundary-review-2014- 2016/