A Grand Thanks – Danforth East Arts Fair

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It goes without saying that the third annual Danforth East Arts Fair was a hit. Even Mother Nature cooperated by holding off on the rain so 50 artisans, musicians and food vendors could take over East Lynn Park for a wonderful community event.

It also goes without saying that these events don’t just come together by themselves. A core group of volunteers worked for nine months to bring it all together — and many, many more helped out in the days leading up to and during the fair. Thank-yous are in order. And so, without further adieu, we say thank you to the following amazing people:

For the past three years Mary Vallis has led this amazing initiative from concept to creation. She’s endured every headache and she deserves much of the glory.  But she most certainly did not do it alone.  A core group of people have been planning this event for a year including: Melanie Ramsay, Julie Glick, Fernand Ciraco, Heather Bell Denison and Honey Dacanay.

Postering: Mike Riley

Web support: Lesley Westheuser

Stunning graphic design (posters and ads): Marie Rampino and Andrea Crofts

Weekend volunteers: The aforementioned, along with Sheri Hebdon, Cindy Rozeboom, Paul the New Guy, Catherine Porter, Jessica Schmiedchen,  Lorraine Cheng, Anita Schretien, Eric Denison, Alison McMurray and more.

Countless more people also helped out — some of whom asked to remain anonymous, and others who we have likely inadvertently forgotten. Even so, we thank you too, and ask for apologies if we’ve made an oversight.

Next up, our sponsors: A huge thanks goes out to our media sponsor, Toronto Community News, as well as  De Serres, Toronto Hydro, Starbucks and the new Danforth toy store Silly Goose Kids, who provided free arts and crafts activities for children during the fair.

Most importantly, we’d like to thank each and every person who turned out to support the arts. You’re the reason there is an arts fair — you asked for  it, so we created it. Stay tuned for an even bigger and better show next September.

**Update** Park People Park Talk – Thursday 6 p.m.

This meeting has now been moved to Cozy Cafe on the southwest corner of Danforth and Woodbine.  6 p.m. Everyone welcome.

Park People is a group of people (naturally) interested in, and working to improve and advocate on behalf of parks in Toronto. DECA is hosting the next Park Talk, which is open to people across the city.

The next six months will be the most critical time facing our parks since amalgamation and Park People is looking to develop a strategy for defending and improving our parks.The discussion will focus on how we can respond to  major changes facing our parks in the next six months:

  • potential budget cuts
  • a new city parks plan, and
  • new contract discussions for unionized city park staff.

We will be meeting on the hill in the park. In case of foul weather, we will meet instead just around the corner at the Cozy Café, 2075 Danforth. Everyone is invited.

To Market To Market To Buy A Fat Fig

The weather may be cooler, but the bounty is hearty at the East Lynn Farmers’ Market these days. Join us this week to fill your freezer with fresh, local produce.  Join us next week to fill your belly with the creations of Celebrity Chef and local restauranteur, Lynn Crawford (Restaurant Makeover, Pitchin’ In and Ruby Watch Co.) Did I mention there will be wine from Inniskillin?

This week’s craft  – jersey knit bracelets

Our own creative crafter, Melissa, told everyone at the shopping bag and scarf craft earlier this season that she would figure out what to do with the remnants of the tee shirt craft. Well, true to her word, she’s come up with a fabulous little number -friendship jersey knit bracelets! We are up-cycling with old tee shirts again this week.  Once you learn how to make these, you can make an arm full in no time. Trade them with your friends and make different thicknesses to wear together. Bring your tee shirt remnants, or a new old tee to make into these fab bracelets.

It all gets started at 4:30. Hope to see you there!

DECA’s East Lynn Harvest Festival – October 6th

Celebrity Chef, Lynn Crawford, from the Food Network and Ruby Watch Co. will be at the East Lynn Farmers’ Market on Thursday, October 6th to prepare some delicious food and suggest wine pairings from her line with Inniskillin. As if that weren’t enough, we are delighted to offer pumpkin treats from Cozy Cafe, music by Wolfgang Bros., pumpkin decorating and giveaways!

Honestly, isn’t this event alone worth the measly $10 that we ask for your yearly DECA membership? To say nothing of the:

  • (ahem) fantastic DECA Diaries
  • the Business Revitalization Team that is improving the Danforth one store at a time
  • the parks committee working to improve our public spaces
  • the community cocktail party (more on that coming soon)
  • the pumpkin parade (Nov. 1st)
  • the incredible Danforth East Arts Fair
  • DECA Learns,
  • and so much more.

DECA’s Beaches East York Meet and Greet

Join DECA this Thursday at the East Lynn Farmers’ Market for our Beaches East York Candidates Meet and Greet.  Come out to visit your local provincial candidates.  Share an apple, share a chat.

If that’s not enough for you, check out these other Beaches East York debates…

Thursday, Sept 22

Neighbourhood Link Candidates Meeting, co-hosted with Beach United Church

140 Wineva Ave, 7 p.m. (focus on seniors issues)

Tuesday, Sept 27

Rogers Cable 10, 9-10 p.m.

Thursday, Sept 29

Beaches Metro/Centre 55 All Candidates Meeting, St John’s Norway Church

470 Woodbine Ave, 7:30 p.m.

Planning For THE Plan And Other Fun Things To Do This Week

Wednesday, September 21st

The City of Toronto is beginning a review of its official plan that will focus on how and where Toronto will grow.  Stage 1 of public consultations are this fall and include an open house at the East York Civic Centre on Wednesday September 21 between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.  You can drop in at any point to see displays and share insights with city staff.  A presentation and facilitated discussion will occur at 4 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m.

You can visit toronto.ca/opreview to watch videos, take a short survey, submit comments, sign-up for e-dates and learn more about consultation events.

Thursday, September 22nd

Woodgreen Community Services is having its 2011 annual general meeting and keynote address.

Reception 5:30 p.m. followed by meeting at 6:30 p.m. and keynote speaker, Camille Orridge, CEO Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network at 7 p.m. Riverdale Collegiate, 1094 Gerrard St. E.

Now – September 30th 

The Danforth Mosaic Business Improvement Association is hosting ‘Dine Around The Danforth’. Participating restaurants from Jones to Westlake are offering specials and live entertainment until the end of September. Visit the site for information on what special specials are being offered up.

Oct 1st

Drop in and have coffee and a chat with City Councillor, Mary-Margaret McMahon (south of the Danforth, east of Coxwell) from 9 – 11 a.m. at Cozy Cafe (2075 Danforth at Woodbine).