Posted on

The Market This Week

Is there anything more sublime that hanging out at the park on a perfect summer evening, playing with the kids, talking to your neighbours and being not too hot, not too cold and not bothered by mosquitos?  That was my evening tonight and I wish I could have bottled it up to save for a miserable day in February.

Looking forward to a similar night tomorrow at the East Lynn Farmers’ Market.  The market runs until the end of October, but the bounty is already beginning to arrive.

This week at the Kid’s Korner :

At 3:30 p.m., an extra special craft; local potter and teacher, Karen Franzen, will be helping paint decorative tiles. Afterward, she will take them back to her deluxe studio and fire them in the kiln so they can be picked up at the market Aug. 25th. Face painting as  always at 4:30 p.m.

Next week is one of our favourite events, Peach Fest! 

August 25: peaches, painting, live music with special guest INCREDIBRENT at 4:30 p.m. MOVIE NIGHT in the park follows at 8:30 with Megamind, brought to you by Councillor McMahon.

(There will not be crafts on August 25th. Craft again September 8th.)

2011 Edible Container Garden Photo Show and Contest

Remember way back in the spring when Melissa kicked off our DECA Learns season with a container gardening workshop?  If you have a container garden worth talking about you may want to submit a photo to the Edible Gardens Photo Show and Contest This online photo show will showcase small space gardens to inspire local gardeners to get creative with their growing. Photos can be submitted until September 30th. All submissions will be judged by a panel of celebrity gardeners and will be eligible to win great garden prizes.

Posted on

TEGH Building Gets Green Light & Cash

I (Natasha) was very excited to join the staff of East General and the local elected officials to hear this long-awaited announcement from the Minister of Health this afternoon. DECA has been working with CEO, Rob Devitt, and his staff for several months about how this will affect our community and no doubt, those conversations have just begun.  See the hospital’s news release, below.

MAJOR REDEVELOPMENT TO PROCEED

Toronto East General Hospital redevelopment plans approved by Province

Toronto – The Government of Ontario has just announced its support of
Toronto East General Hospital’s redevelopment project.  The Minister of
Health and Long Term Care announced today that the project is
part of the Provincial Hospital Capital Plan and is scheduled to begin
construction in 2015/16.  This announcement will bring to reality a new
state-of-the-art healthcare facility for the people of east Toronto.

The redeveloped hospital will be the largest building project in the
hospital’s history.  It will replace some of the oldest and most
dysfunctional spaces; areas that were originally designed to provide
care in the 1920-40’s era.  The project will see approximately 380,000
of square feet of space constructed including a new eight-storey
building on the corner of Sammon and Coxwell Avenues which will house
inpatient services and outpatient clinics.  A new main entrance will be
created with a larger patient drop off area and two levels of
underground parking.  The project will also be developed with
sustainability in mind incorporating increases in green roofs, green
spaces and more efficient utilities.

“This is a very exciting day for the staff, physicians and volunteers of
TEGH, their hard work and dedication towards this project has paid off.
To the patients we serve, this announcement means that you will receive
care in a state-of-the-art facility that’s more accessible, meets
today’s infection control standards, and provides better space for
patient programs” said Rob Devitt, President & CEO.  “It will ensure
that TEGH continues for the next generation its proud tradition as an
award winning hospital for patient care and for the teaching of future
health professionals.”

The new building will have approximately 250 inpatient beds, including
medicine, surgery and mental health beds.  The first two floors will be
dedicated to out-patients, including the dialysis and oncology clinics.
A two-level underground parking garage will also be excavated, creating
easier access to the building and improve traffic flow in the
neighbourhood.

Posted on

DECA Learns – Canning Workshop

We still have a few spots remaining for the Peaches and Plums Canning Workshop on Wed. Aug. 17th at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Mennonite church, just east of Woodbine on the north side. The tomatoes canning workshop is now full but we have one more workshop in Oct. that has some space. Wed. Oct. 5th we will be hosting a cranberry, pumpkin, Thanksgiving theme canning workshop at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Mennonite church.

The cost of the workshops is $10 each, if you are interested please email Melanie at melaniej.thompson@yahoo.ca

 P.S. – We need volunteers for the market to sit at our DECA table and generally be helpful.  If you have a two hours on a Thursday and can help out, please please let Shelley know at shelleydarling(at)yahoo.ca.

Posted on

Crossroads Festival & Drug Raid Updates


Presented by:  Crossroads of the Danforth BIA – Family Fun Day

August 13, 2011 –  11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Oakridge Park, 3669 Danforth Avenue
Danforth Avenue and Danforth Road

Admission FREE for all activities.

Bouncing Castles, Inflatable Giant Slide and Velcro Wall.  Face Painting and Air Brush Tatoos also free. Activities and Demonstrations for all ages.  Great food vendors and ice cream truck on site.

Update

Read the comments on yesterday’s note about the Toronto Police raid on a few Danforth businesses for more information.

We’re told this was the result of a long-time investigation into drug dealers working out of some of these establishments.  Toronto Police – 54 Division – is asking residents to continue calling in with information and complaints about businesses on the Danforth and asks us to be patient as these projects take time to execute effectively.  They say police are listening to our calls and asks us to keep them coming.

Division 54 – 416-808-5400 – North of the Danforth

Division 55 – 416-808-5500 – South of the Danforth

Posted on

Not So Happy Days at Happy Day’s

Strolling home from the market, I happened upon half-a-dozen-or-so-people handcuffed and lying on the sidewalk in front of Happy Day’s [sic] Restaurant & Bar (approx 1802 Danforth).  The Toronto Police TAVIS unit was onsite as were a large number of police in full gear.

If TAVIS is working in our neighbourhood, we’d love to hear more about what’s happening.

 

 

Posted on

At The Market

O.k. so I’m a little behind on the market updates.  Even volunteer bloggers need to take a holiday now and then :-)

The last few weeks at the market have been fantastic.  This picture is from Yoga For Kids day.  Thanks to Susan for sharing!

Unfortunately corn fest day happened to fall on the hottest day in the history of the world so there wasn’t quite as big a crowd as usual, but those that came enjoyed great music and great food.

As for this week?  Well gosh darn it, there will be eggs.  Fresh from the farm eggs.  Delicious ‘oh yeah THIS is what eggs are supposed to taste like’ eggs.  I Do so like fresh eggs and ham.  I like them like them, Sam I Am.

And for the kids?  Crafts with Melissa @ 3:30 p.m.  – Potato Stamped T-Shirts. 

Up-cycle a t shirt from home and design your own t shirt. There will be many different stamps and patterns to create. You can leave your creation to dry while you shop the market. We will have a few extra shirts available to purchase if you forget and would still like to participate. Donations are graciously accepted to help cover the supplies.

 Also – Toronto Library at 4:30 for story time.

 And – the ever-popular face painting at 4:30 too.