First Market at East Lynn Park – This Thursday!

Farmers’ market starts this week!

It’s time to welcome back our favourite crop of farmers!  The East Lynn Farmers’ Market opens this Thursday, June 6th.  That’s the “when”, now we will answer the what, who, how, and why…

What’s on this week at the Market?

At the Kids’ Korner this week, we’ll have the face-painters starting at 4:00 p.m..  Our friends from Silly Goose Kids will be at the park from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and we hear that they might have some storytelling and other fun planned!  New this year will be the BINGO Scavenger Hunt were kids get to learn about what veggies are in season each week for a chance to win $5.00 in ‘market bucks’. Visit the folks at the Kids’ Korner for more details (they’re the ones under the red tent).

Who puts on this market?

DECA works with MyMarket to put on the market each week.  DECA looks after events, volunteers and some of the marketing while MyMarket takes care of the farmers.  MyMarket certifies that the farmers at our market sell only what they produce.   Their mission is to build community through connecting real farmers to the urban marketplace, which we think is ideal!

How can you get involved?

First and foremost, come to the market and buy food from our farmers!!

Some volunteer opportunities are still available so if you want to know more, here is our post about volunteering from April.

We’re also looking for some photos of the market.  Each week we’ll profile the pictures you submit on this Blog and our Facebook page.  Toward end of the season we’ll have an online contest were people can vote for the photo that best captures the essence of the market.  Prizes to be announced later in the season!  Email submissions by clicking here. (If you are sending photos of people, please make sure you have their permission, particularly kids!)

Why is the Grand Opening next week?

We need a week to get up and running before we roll out the red carpet to really kick off the season.  Stay tuned for more details on the Grand Opening Celebration taking place next week (June 13, 2013).

The East Lynn Farmer’s Market runs every Thursday from 3-7 p.m. between June 6 – October 17 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave.

#DanforthEast Yard Sale Round-Up

#DanforthEast Yard Sale – Thank you

A giant THANK YOU  to all of you who took part in the #DanforthEast Yard Sale. Even with the iffy weather in the morning, we had a tremendous response with 112 participants and some great foot traffic all around the neighbourhood. We hope you were able to get rid of some junk, or find some treasures, and meet some neighbours.

If you took any photos of the day please send them to us. We would like to use them for the DECA Facebook page and/or website.

We have created a survey to find out how you felt the sale went and suggestions for next year. There are four quick questions that will take just a minute to complete.

Your perfect Saturday in the ‘hood

So many options for an awesome Saturday, all of which give you a chance to engage with your neighbours.  Here is the recap:

1. Danforth East Garage Sale, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. rain or shine, all over our neighbourhood

Did you hear Matt Galloway give us a shout out this morning on Metro Morning about our simultaneous yard sales taking place tomorrow?  Our sale is THAT COOL!  (Like, CBC-cool)  Over 100 households, a bunch of street sales, a rummage sale, and probably even more than what shows on our map.  Here is our post on it from yesterday in case you missed the map.

If you are hosting a garage sale, or even if you are not, please note that you can take all of your leftover stuff to Councillor Janet Davis’ environment day, and your used goods will be donated to people in need in our city.  That is awesome, right.  And it’s a nice segue to my next point.

2. Councillor Janet Davis’ Environment Day, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., East York Memorial Arena 888 Cosburn Avenue @ Woodbine

In addition to the stuff you know about Environment Day, did you know that you can bring lots of stuff to be donated to people who need it??  Here is the list from the City website:

Items donated to local schools for reuse

  • Art supplies (e.g. pencils, markers, crayons, etc.)
  • Buttons, keys, and collectors’ coins and stamps
  • Clipboards, corks and cork boards
  • CDs and cases
  • Children’s books
  • Costume jewelry including broken/old watches and clocks with hands
  • Dress-up clothing (e.g. costumes, prom dresses, uniforms, etc.)
  • Fabric pieces, yarn
  • 35 mm cameras and equipment

Items donated for reuse (please keep separate from others)

  • Sporting goods(e.g., skates, hockey equipment, bikes, rackets, etc.)
  • Books (excluding school/university curriculum books)
  • Medical equipment in good condition (e.g. eyeglasses, walking aids, hearing aids, etc.)
  • Small household items (e.g., dishes, ornaments, kitchen utensils, artistic drawings, games, etc.)
  • Textiles in good condition (e.g. clothing, linens, etc.)
  • Non-perishable foods will be donated to a food bank

Here is the recent invite from Councillor Davis.

Bring all the stuff you’ve stored in the basement or garage all winter. Don’t forget the batteries, paint cans, electronic equipment, re-usable goods and clothes. Replace your bins, pick up important information, and learn more about what you can do to be green. Find out about Toronto Water and TRCA projects in our neighbourhood.

Bring your friends and enjoy a BBQ, local musicians, seed planting, plant sale, face painting and crafts for kids. Thanks to our community partners EY Community Garden, EY Garden Club, Toronto Parks and Recreation, EY Skating Club and others for their contributions.

We will also be joined by terrific local groups like Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests (LEAF), and Women’s Healthy Environments Network (WHEN), and the Stan Wadlow Off-Leash Dog Park Association.

New this year, we have free on-site bulk paper shredding. Bring your confidential documents for a safe means of disposal.

For a full list of items you can dispose of visit:
http://www.toronto.ca/environment_days/activities.htm

As always, there will be free compost created from leaves picked up last fall. City staff will be on hand to help residents load up free compost. Be sure to bring your shovels and buckets.

Make sure you stop by my table to discuss your local concerns, share ideas or just say hello! And don’t forget to enter our draw.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact my office. Thanks. See you Saturday.

-Janet

So when you get your compost, what will you do with it?  Maybe plant a tree?  But how will you know how to take care of it?

3. Tree Care 101, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., 79 Hiawatha Road (near Coxwell and Gerrard)

Now that you’ve bought stuff at the yard sales that you will re-use, you have donated your stuff, safely disposed of your household waste, and obtained free compost, you need to go learn how to take care of our wonderful trees!! (A logical next step, no?  You can also go to this workshop before environment day.  I know, the world is your oyster.)

What exactly is this workshop all about?  How can I say it any better than our poster can?  Here it is again!

tree care 101 poster final version

Happy Weekend everyone!!

Map of 100+ Local Yard Sales This Saturday

If you’re looking to plan your strategy for this Saturday’s #DanforthEast Yard Sale, click on the map below where you’ll see the locations of over 100 houses that have signed up, including 4 street sales and 1 rummage sale.  The sales take place rain or shine from 8 am until 2 pm.

DECA YardSale Map

If you’re on twitter, share the deals you have at your sale or find while you’re out shopping using the #DanforthEast hashtag.  

Tree Care 101 – Saturday June 1

Who is speaking for the trees in your neighbourhood?

YOU ARE!

Come learn everything you need to know to be a bona fide tree-hugger, this Saturday, June 1, 2013 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. @ 79 Hiawatha Road, near Coxwell and Gerrard.

tree care 101 poster final version

New pre-natal yoga in the ‘hood

Baby on the Way?

Silly Goose Kids (2054 Danforth Avenue @ Woodbine ) is hosting two 4-class sessions of pre-natal yoga, beginning very soon.

Sundays from 9:15-10:30 a.m. (see poster below)
Tuesdays from 6:15-7:30p.m.  (JUST ADDED!)

The deadline for registration is this Friday May 31, 2013. Email the store here to ask questions or to secure your spot.

No previous yoga experience is required!
SGK yoga
P.S. May 31st is also the last day for Danforth East Arts Fair applications.  Visit www.deca-arts.ca for more info!