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Books & Bikes at the Market this week

BOOKS!

Two amazing local children’s book authors will be at the East Lynn Farmer’s Market this week (Thursday, July 5) showcasing their work.

The first is Tak Bui (also a DECA Board Member!). We’ve discussed Tak’s book, Spot the Difference, here before. It’s an amazing collection of bright search-and-find illustrations that challenge readers to compare pictures and find the difference. Each illustration is a rich mixture of compare-it images, wordplay (there’s a school of fish, complete with blackboard) and hilarious scenes that invite storytelling – an unlikely group of animals form a wild street corner jazz band – to keep young readers intrigued. With great expectations of all kinds, this book will keep children amused for hours on end. In his spare time, Tak’s been donating his talents around the neighbourhood, including creating murals and community gardens around Main and Stephenson, painting whales in the wading pool in Stephenson Park, and designing posters for DECA activities.

The second book is Robin Green‘s The Day After Yesterday.

When three sixth graders discover strange marbles in a weedy yard near their school, they get more than they bargained for. The marbles grant them visions of a lost century and a farmhouse where a teenage girl has just died. When one of the friends goes missing, the others decide the marbles are for more than visions. They have a friend to rescue, and not one but many lives depend on them.

At about 4:30 p.m. a representative from the Toronto Public Library will be on hand for story time in the park.

BIKES!

If you have yet to dust off your spokes for the summer or perhaps have rode so much that you’re in need of a tune-up, bring your bike to the market this week. The friendly riders from 32 Spokes will be there providing bike tune-ups.

Reminder: Don’t forget your picnic blanket and bathing suits! It should be a hot one on Thursday and the wading pool is open for business.

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

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DECA Trees

DECA is re-establishing its urban forestry group – DECA Trees.  A few tree-minded folks have come together to put some energy into making our trees healthy and vibrant. The first of the tree posts is below.  If you would like to get involved or know more about this group, contact Anne at ratherbeinagarden@gmail.com

Did you know that trees grow at night?

And to make that happen you have to water your local trees, especially the young ones (and maybe the poor dying tree down the block too).

Young Trees

Trees didn’t grow up wanting to be jammed into a barren hard packed narrow boulevard in the city  with dogs peeing on them- but here they are. You can’t correct the where- but you can help them survive and grow. Young trees need to be watered 2-3 times a week.

The finger test:  Stick your newly manicured nail a few inches into the ground near the tree. If it doesn’t feel damp – it needs water. You can also do a visual check and to see if  the leaves are wilting. If they are, the tree is in distress and should be watered a.s.a.p.

How Much? 

For a small tree- about 8-10 litres (about 2 gallons )  2-3 times a week. How hard is that?  It’s a great kid summer project and it’s very rewarding. The first year the tree is madly trying to establish a root system. Next year stand back and watch that tree grow ! (keep watering though).

Because of the narrow hard packed boulevard into which so many trees are planted the water will likely roll into the street, and not soak into the ground . You’ll have to use a drip method.  A hose left on a drip will give you enough water in about 20-60  minutes to adequately water the tree. Ideally water at the drip line. (The drip line is the area under the outer edge of the tree branches. There are tiny roots here that take up water for the tree as it drips off the leaves.)  Trunks don’t need water and wetting them can cause fungus growth and rot.

There – you’re done!  2-3 times a week.  Encourage your neighbour to do the same. And water other street trees that are being neglected. Here’s the bonus…carrying watering cans is great way to tone the triceps!

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Happy Canada Day DECA

Dear DECA Diaries,

My name is Natasha Granatstein. Many of us know each other personally, many of us know each other through these blog posts. I wanted to let you know about some changes around the DECA table. Don’t worry we’re not going anywhere. In fact, I think DECA is stronger, more active and engaged than its ever been. We’ve done some terrific things in these last six years…from the farmers’ market to the Business Revitalization Team. From the Danforth East Arts Fair to pumpkin parades and community cocktail parties.  We’ve done safety walks and movie nights. We’ve hosted political debates and debates about the ‘big hole.’  And, oh goodness, a whole lot of other stuff.

In that time, I’ve sent out hundreds of blog posts carrying the momentous, the mundane and everything in between.

Six years ago, I would scrape together any old scrap of local news I could find and send it out. Now, we have to be stringent about keeping the information seriously local and there’s more information, news and e-mail than one mere mortal can manage. What a fantastic neighbourhood this is!  So, to try and ensure that DECA Diaries is as timely and useful as possible we are expanding the DECA Diaries team. Sheri, Sarah, Shelley and Tara will be keeping you informed of all the local news that’s fit to print. I’ll pop in from time to time with a post or two as well.  Of course, as was always the case, you are welcome to contribute.  If you have a great local shop that you’d like to write about or something local happening that you want to share, drop us a line.  From here on in, please use decadiaries@gmail.com.

One more thing, when we weren’t looking, DECA became an entity with a modicum of credibility. Over the years, our little table has attracted some amazingly smart, interesting, creative and fun volunteers. Getting to know these people has been an absolute joy. It’s also why I’m very proud to tell you that I’ve stepped down as the chair of the Danforth East Community Association. Why proud? Because the incredible people who are joining DECA and volunteering to help have made it possible for me to take more of a backseat role. I’m staying on the executive committee, but letting some people with more energy and creativity sit in the driver’s seat. Anita has been the co-chair since November and will stay on as the Chair. She’s awesome and so is the rest of the bunch.  And lately, we never stop hearing from people who want to contribute to their community through DECA.

Thanks everybody, see you around.

Natasha

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East Lynn Wading Pool Opens Early

East Lynn park wading pool will be open from 3-7pm tomorrow, just in time for the heat wave!

The wading pool isn’t normally open before Canada Day, but Counsellor Mary-Margaret McMahon and Parks and Rec got together and made it happen.

Also, if you were planning on doing kids yoga, it’s postponed until later in the summer.

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Celebrate Local Strawberries… Irish Style!

Ever witnessed a live ceili? This Thursday is your chance!  The Strawberry Festival is on at East Lynn Mark Farmers’ Market with live ceili caller, Maureen O’Leary, and musicians livening up the park starting at 4:00 p.m.  If you’re unsure what a ceili is, my Irish friend tells me it’s a social gathering of music and dance.  There will be delicious strawberry treats and other activities including:

  • 3:00 p.m. Booty Camp Activity
  • 4:30 p.m. Crafts with Mrs. Darling at the Kid’s Kourner are upcycled plastic pop bottle flower hair barrettes and pop bottle badges of honour.
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Arts Fair Deadline June 30

Have you submitted your application for our Danforth East Arts Fair yet? Now going into its fourth year, it’s our annual arts extravaganza in East Lynn Park. It’s a truly magical weekend. On Sept. 15 & 16, up to 60 artists will set up tents to sell their amazing wares, while local musicians play softly in the background and the smell of fresh food floats on the breeze.

The fair has attracted artists all the way from Montreal and Windsor in the past, but at least half of the artists are traditionally local. The tents have been known feature intricate drawings of our stretch of the Danforth; children’s clothes lovingly sewn in home studios mere blocks from the park; and a photographer who will capture your portrait on a piece of tin and give it to you right there, reviving a historic art form. This year’s fair will also feature children’s crafts and  cash awards for artists.

Getting involved is as simple as filling out an application, available for download right here. Burn a few pictures of your art onto a CD, write a paragraph about why you’re awesome and get it to us by June 30. Questions? Email deca.arts@gmail.com