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T’is The Season – Danforth Gems

I know you are trying to pretend that it’s not Christmas yet.  And you’re right.  But it’s not too early to be thinking about shopping.  This year, why not shop local?  As you do, let us know about it (if you can do it without spilling the beans).  Post your favourite local gift ideas right here on the blog.  Share your brilliant ideas with the rest of us who are scrambling to figure out what to get our parents, in-laws, neighbours, teachers, co-workers, kids, nieces, nephews, partners, sisters, brothers, dogs, cats, gerbils and ourselves of course.

(Note: If you always get DECA Diaries by e-mail, you might not know that if you click on the headline – in this case ‘T’is The Season’ you will arrive at the DECA Diaries Blog.  Once you’re there, you too can post things that other people can then read.  It’s like a big old electronic bulletin board where we can swap tips.  Or if that’s too complicated, just send your tips to me and I’ll post them.)

Where to begin?  Danforth Gem – Ciraco Custom Framers

You might want to start by getting them something they will really treasure.  I notice there is a new photography studio at Danforth and Glebemount called Model Photography. Then you could walk yourself over to Ciraco and get a custom frame.

Ciraco is offering 15% off all custom framing and all it’s 3D art until Dec. 23rd.  (If the only 3D art you’ve seen was in 1993, you should walk in and check it out.  It’s very cool).

Owner, Fernand Ciraco (as well as being involved in the Danforth East Arts Fair) has been doing custom framing for 30 years.  The first 18 years were primarily corporate clients, but 12 years ago he opened a retail shop.  Ciraco has become a respected player in the commercial business preparing work for a Saudi palace and new home builders such as Mattamy, Remington, Wycliffe and Daniels.

Fernand continues to be innovative and creative with framing ideas.  A while back he started producing 3D renderings of homes and logos for builders and developers and has now taken that and developed it into a fine art that can be appreciated at home.  They’ve been recognized at a number of shows including the One Of A Kind show, Cottage Life and Home shows.  This 3D art is on display at the shop.

All work is done on the premises and they are there to help with suggestions or advice on how to frame  art, photography, mirrors, baby booties, doggie collars or whatever your beloved will cherish.  Gift certificates are available.

Ciraco Custom Frames’, 1946 Danforth across from East Lynn Park, 416-421-2036

H: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 10-5, Closed Sundays.  Book by appointment for private consultation.

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Don’t Say Goodbye, Just Say So Long

You might have heard that DECA’s very own Mary-Margaret McMahon has left the DECA executive table.  Perhaps the salary she received as DECA’s resident eco-guru, local food nut, tree tender and all around eager beaver volunteer just wasn’t enough ($0).  She’s off to City Hall, and no doubt we’ll still be seeing her plenty, but she’s officially ‘left the DECA building’ and she wanted to send along a little note to all of you.

How great it is to have had the opportunity to help transform a neighbourhood with a dynamite grassroots group!
How wonderful it is to have so many people believing in you and supporting you!
How lucky I am to live with all of you in our quaint and cozy neighbourhood!
THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
I am very excited about working together to continue making our pocket, our ward, and our city the best they can be!
Sincerely,
Mary-Margaret
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Cocktail Party, Wine And Cheese, La-Tee-Da

DECA Community Cocktail Party

Thanks to everyone who came out on Monday to another great party.  Thank you ever so much to our fabulous hosts, Melanie Ferreira and staff of Melanie’s Bistro, for wonderful food and drink.  14 people were elected to the 2011 DECA executive board.  There was a change for the time being to make the vice-chair position into a co-chair position and I’m delighted to have Sheri Hebdon as my new co-chair.  There was a lot of fierce campaigning leading up to the vote…accusations of dirty politics and vote-rigging, but when the dust settled, here’s how it all netted out:

Co-chairs – Sheri Hebdon, Natasha Granatstein (that’s me)

Secretary – Alison McMurray

Treasurer – Lorraine Cheng

Members -At-Large – Angela Matich, Catherine Porter, Mary Cowan, Peter Schmiedchen, Sarah Kiriluk, Rachel Jolicoeur, Steve Wickens, Shelley Darling, Anita Schretlen, and Melissa Peretti.

Thank you so much to Brian Spratley, David Gardner, Colleen Clarke and Mary-Margaret McMahon who are leaving the board this year.

The board won’t meet again until 2011 and you certainly don’t have to be a board member to come to the meetings.  I usually post the note here to let people know when the meetings are happening.  You’re welcome to come and we’d love to have you.

Woodbine Avenue Gallery

This gallery is at 1175 Woodbine, just north of Sammon.  It is featuring and selling paintings by Peter Crighton, Friedbert Renbaum and nancy Joy Wilson.  The wine and cheese opening is tonight (Thursday, Nov. 18th) from 6 – 10 p.m. and the show continues all weekend 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Now, wouldn’t that brighten up your rainy Thursday evening?  You could stop in for some wine, cheese and art, then you could cross the street to Nutralicious Kitchen and get a fabulous prepared meal for dinner, then you could go home and feel smug about how lucky you are to live in such a cool neighbourhood.

Parking On Your Driveway

Driveway parking came up in both of the debates DECA held before the municipal election.  That made me think you might be interested in this story from yesterday’s Toronto Star.

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Toronto East General And You

Photo: danforthlife.ca

 

The Toronto East General Hospital is big.  Over the years it has expanded by way of new buildings and additions.  Some of those buildings don’t quite line up – so in some cases you have to go down to up or go east to go west.  And it’s old.  And you know how old buildings can be.  The heating and cooling and plumbing and electrical can get a bit tricky – to say the least.

The good news is there is a grand plan afoot to completely redevelop the hospital.  The bad news is it will take a few years to get shovels in the ground and a few more years before the new building is up and the old building is down.  However during the entire process the hospital will continue to provide 100% of its services.

A community hospital like TEGH isn’t particularly sexy like say, a world-renowned children’s hospital.  It doesn’t evoke the kind of philanthropy that you might find at a downtown cancer centre.  But babies are born there.  Grandparents spend their last days there.  Hearts are fixed.  So are broken bones and broken minds.  And it’s ours.

TEGH would like your input about what the new hospital will be.  What will the green space look like?  Is there room for beauty and art?  What colour should the walls be?  How should the waiting rooms be designed?

The TEGH CEO and Director of Pharmacy and Emergency, as well as the project architect met with the DECA executive committee last month to introduce us to the plan. It’s ambitious and is trying to take into account the community in which it is set.  Now they would like you to come and hear more about the plan and provide your two cents.

Monday, November 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at the Toronto East General Hospital (Coxwell and Mortimer) in the E2 Lecture Theatre.  www.tegh.on.ca

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Let Us Eat Cake!

Pat Chartier is the Kermit T. Frog of DECA Diaries.  She’s out on the street getting the scoop on what’s coming and what’s going on the Danforth.  Here’s her latest post from the field:

There’s a neat new business coming to the Danforth, immediately west of Celena’s Bakery near Woodbine and Danforth:  Madame Gateaux Patisserie!  OMG ANOTHER bakery, you’re thinking. But no. The owner, Noel Yim, is a trained pastry chef, and she is going to offer cake baking and decorating classes, and also sell baking utensils/cookware. Fred and I peeked in and the place looks great. She hopes to open next Saturday or early the following week. Her sign should be going up a.s.a.p.

Cake decorating is hugely popular these days–look at all the TV  reality shows with that focus–so Madame Gateaux could potentially draw customers from outside our immediate area, and that would be good for all our wonderful neighbourhood retailers. I know I certainly would love to take a decorating class or two. Here’s wishing her well!

Butter Tart Boys

Check out their sweeeeet jazz sound this Friday night at True Brew Cafe.  This is a great event for families because it happens from 7 – 9:30 p.m. and there are yummy treats!  True Brew is at 2116 Danforth, just east of Woodbine.

Little Footprint Toys

This local web business sells ‘planet friendly fun and gear’ including toys and games for all ages.  Owner, Barbara, is holding three ‘pop up’ sales this holiday season at the Cool East Market (1390 Danforth Ave near Greenwood Stn).  The sales are Nov. 19-21, Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 17-18.  Each weekend will include a special promotion so check out the website (here) to learn more.