Looking for something to do on Valentine’s Day?

We have a lot of great options for celebrating Valentine’s Day right in our own neighbourhood!  We have delicious restaurants, floral shops with beautiful arrangements, bakeries with tasty treats, and more!

Here are a few additional options if you’re looking to try something new this year…

fresh-paint

Fresh Paint + Fresh Beer

Join us for a guided painting class and beer tasting presented by Muskoka Brewery. Each guest will receive step-by-step instruction to complete the featured image of the evening.

February 14th
6:45-8:45 p.m.
Cost: $45

Reserve Tickets at www.freshpaintstudio.ca

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DECA Pride event

Our LGBTQ+ group, DECA Pride, is having their next social event this Sunday from 3:30-5:30pm Light snacks are on us and Time Capsule (2183 Danforth) graciously waived their gaming fees for our group. These events are well attended by adults and families – the place is big enough for all and Time Capsule is fully licenced. 

Hope to see you there! 

(Official FB invite here)


Oh, and if you’re interested in being added to the email list and/or helping out with some upcoming fundraising efforts to support a group of LGBTQ newcomers/refugees, contact DECA Pride here

Once again, thanks to Angela Wagner of Umlaut Design for designing the beautiful poster. 

Events this Week!

Comedy Night at Hirut Hoot!

Looking for a great night out with friends? This line up will keep you laughing…

Terry Clement
JJ Liberman
George Westerholm
Kyle Lucey
Kevin MacDonald
Simon Rakoff
Darryl Purvis
Parker and Seville

Hosted by Carolyn Bennett

Hirut Fine Ethiopian Cuisine
2050 Danforth Avenue (Woodbine)
Friday, January 27, 2017
9pm
Cost: $5

Email: hiruthoot@gmail.com

Thank you for supporting Canadian comedy!

 

Jazz Vespers

Enjoy the unique and eclectic style of the Kevin Cato Trio!

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Kevin has shared the stage with artists including: Mary J Blige, Men Without Hats and Guido Basso. His work has aired on Jazz FM, CIUT, and CBC Radio. Kevin is a local graduate – earning his honour degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University.

Come out and enjoy a free performance!

Saturday, January 28th
4:30 – 5:15 p.m.
Hope United Church @ Main and Danforth
2550 Danforth Ave

For more information, please call 416-691-9682, or visit HopeUnited.ca

 

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Come and Join us at Pegasus Dance Studios

Friends, Fun, Dance, Music and Stories

A free monthly program for toddlers and preschoolers with a caregiver
the last Tuesday of each month

         1:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Followed by coffee and play time -1:30-2:00
   

    Phone or email to reserve your spot; January 31, February 28, March 28
pegasusstudios@rogers.com 361 Glebehome Blvd/ 416-469-2799

 

the-nooks

(Here’s a live link to email the organizers to register for this workshop)

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(Here’s a live link to email the organizers to register for this workshop)

DECA Board meeting – this Tuesday

The DECA Board is meeting on Tuesday, January 24 from 7:30-9:30pm at Gerrard’s Pizza, 1528 Danforth in their private room in the basement. If you’d like to know more about what we do, who we are and/or how you can get involved, please join us for the meeting. 

If you want to know more about us but the thought of coming to a meeting fills you with dread, a few Board members will be there from 7-7:30pm to meet and greet with anyone who wants to come out! 

If you can, please drop us a line to let us know you’ll be coming by clicking here

Resolve to join DECA!

A quick note from DECA Chair, Sheri Hebdon

A few weeks ago at our AGM, I was honoured to be elected Chair of DECA for the third year. Our Board this year is an exciting mix of experienced and new Board members – the perfect circumstances for good ideas and the expertise to implement. In case you missed it, joining me on the 2016/17 Board is Audrey Kvedaras (Vice Chair), Anita Schretlen (Treasurer), Alison McMurray (Secretary), Loreen Barbour, Nicole Bergot-Browning, Amanda Olson, Melissa Peretti, Jennifer Scott, Gay Stephenson, Peter Woodcock. 

This year is our 10th year – our “DECAde”, if you will. One area we want to focus on during this milestone year is increasing our paid membership base. While thousands of you follow what we do and show up for our events, a much smaller number of you support us financially. None of our events or social media spaces are limited to members-only, but we do depend on membership fees to be able to do much of what we do.

If you want DECA to keep putting on events like the East Lynn Farmers’ Market, the Danforth East Arts Fair, the Pumpkin Parade, Festival of Lights and the Danforth East Yard Sale, then sign up for your $10/household Annual membership by clicking here. (Yes, it’s just $10!)

If you don’t have time to volunteer but you want to feel like you’re doing something,  throw money at that problem! Sign up for a $10/household membership by clicking here

Of course, if you do want to be more involved, send us an email to start the conversation. 

Members must live within our borders (Main St north to Lumsden/Mortimer, west to Monarch Park, south to the train tracks) but if you live outside of the catchment, you can still make a donation to us as a “friend” of DECA. We are a non-profit but not a registered charity so we do not issue tax receipts.

You can also keep up on our events and other local news  by following DECA on social media:
Facebook /DanforthEastCommunityAssociation

Twitter – @decadiaries

On behalf of the DECA Board, I wish you all the best for 2017!

-Sheri  

2016/17 DECA Board, Photo credit: Catherine Porter

Swap, shop, stories and more- upcoming events!

We’ve shared many of these on our Facebook page, but since not all of you are on Facebook and because Facebook doesn’t always show you everything we post, here are some upcoming events to take note of.

Alternative Gift Shop – Sat & Sun

No money needed. Swap items one-for-one. I can’t even tell you how cool and inspiring this event is. DECA is proud to be part of this innovative community event and huge thanks to the Tool Library for putting it together.

Alternative Gift Shop details below taken from the Tool Library website:

It’s the most wonderful SWAP of the year – Toronto’s largest Alternative Gift Shop is back for its fourth season! Why buy gifts when you can swap for them instead? The Gift Shop will take place at The Shore Leave, 1775 Danforth Ave over two days:

December 10th: launch party and swap from 4:30pm onwards

December 11th: swap from 10am-3pm.

How does it work? Bring your gently used, previously loved items to the Gift Shop and exchange them for new items to use as gifts for friends and family. Only bring items you deem worthy of being a gift. Items may be dropped off prior to the event during opening hours at their 1803 Danforth Ave Location.

Some examples of items that can be brought:

***

– children’s toys, clothing and accessories

– housewares

– books

– electronics

– jewelry

– musical instruments

– kitchenware

– clothing

– handmade items

– services (such as a gift certificate to a service you or someone else offers)

– etc

***

Last year, 3,000 swaps occurred in our space. We’re hoping to break that record this year!

(Can we pause here to remember just how lucky we are to have the Tool Library in our neighbourhood??! Membership there makes a great gift!)

Old’s Cool Warehouse Holiday Market – Sat & Sun

The blue garage door will open again this weekend at the corner of Westlake and Lumsden to bring you a holiday market with over 20 local vendors.

Saturday and Sunday December 10th & 11th: 11am – 4pm

Jazz Vesper at Hope United – Saturday 

Hope United Church’s monthly jazz series is happening Saturday from 4:30-5:30pm

Come to enjoy  B2 Trio -Brian Stevens-piano, Bill MacLean- vocals and Michael LaLonde- bass with special guests Karen Henderson – Cello & Brian Johnston – Drums . They will present music from their latest recording “Twelve Songs for Christmas”.

Cost is free will offering (pay what you can). For more info and events check out http://hopeunited.ca


Story Time at Silly Goose Kids – Sunday

If you have small people on your life, bring them to this lovely annual event and you will be glad that you did. In this age of apps and screens, Sally’s storytelling is truly a gift!

Call ahead to register for this free event.


Silly Goose is also working with Boost again in support of children impacted by abuse. Donate $20 in someone’s name (say, a teacher) a Silly Goose will donate a $50 gift to a child in need. You can also donate through their gift-wrapping service.



The Danny Loves the Holidays, Danforth Mosaic BIA Late-Night Shopping – Tuesday


From their Facebook invite:

What is The Danny Loves The Holidays? It is a celebration of shopping local this holiday season! Join your friends and neighbours for outdoor festivities and late night shopping along The Danny on Tuesday, December 13, from 5pm – 10pm.

Buskers will be all along Danforth from Jones Ave to Westlake Ave, and our participating member businesses will be open from 5-10pm that evening to help you shop local this holiday season
Bring your children to check out the amazing window displays our merchants have put together, and stop by Santa’s Pop-Up Workshop at 1432 Danforth Ave Unit 1 for photos with Santa!

We are having a window display contest amongst our BIA members. Check into our webpage after the late night shopping event to vote for your favourite for a chance to win $250 in Danny Dollars to spend at local businesses!

Celtic Christmas – Sunday

Support healthcare for homeless and street-involved people by coming to this annual event!