Blog – Page 85 – Danforth East Community Association

May 25, 2015

This Fri & Sat: EEMP fundraiser, Hirut Hoot, McGregor Fun Fair

Get your sleep now because come Friday, there is non-stop fun going on in Danforth East…

FRIDAY: Local not-for-profit East End Music Project’s TOTALLY AWESOME AND SO MUCH FUN fundraiser is happening at the Jam Factory. Raise money for non-profit music education for East End kids while getting your groove on and listening to fantastic tunes.

Also – registration is now open for EEMP’s September 2015 classes at Secord Public School. Subsidized classes in piano, ukulele, guitar, percussion, and choir offered on a sliding scale based on income. Click here to register.

Also on Friday, it’s Hirut Hoot! Before you head to the EEMP fundraiser, get a few laughs in, courtesy of comedians: Tim Blair, Cleve Jones, Gilson Lubin, Matt O’Brien, Arthur Simeon, Lee-Anne Stewart and Winston Spear. Hosted by Kevin MacDonald.

Where: Hirut Fine Ethiopian Cuisine, 2050 Danforth Avenue (at Woodbine), 416 551 7560

When: Friday May 29, 2015 9pm

Cost: $5

email: hiruthoot@gmail.com

SATURDAY: Employ the old “hair of the dog” cure for your fun hangover, and head over to RH McGregor’s (555 Mortimer Ave., south-east corner of Cowell and Mortimer) annual Fun Fair, 11am-2pm.

Featuring fun games, robotic demonstrations, photo-booths, BBQ, lemonade stands and much more.

All proceeds go towards supporting school activities such as field trips, guest speakers, Scientist in the School and safety workshops. Funds raised provide the staff with the opportunity to plan programs that will enrich and enhance the curriculum that is delivered to the students.

p.s. HAVE FUN!!

May 22, 2015

Let’s give a little love to Gerrard’s on Sat – please share

Remember when we crowned Gerrard Pizza & Spaghetti (1528 Danforth) as our DECA Gem on May 14?

We have all likely heard by now that last Saturday, just two days later, a terrible crime occurred at Danforth and Coxwell. What you may not know is that this was right next door to Gerrard’s, and during that ordeal, Gerrard’s front window was smashed. Vito and his family are now out-of-pocket to pay the high deductible to get it fixed.

So, friends and neighbours, let’s do what we do best and show Gerrard’s some love.

DECA and Gerrard’s are happy to announce that SATURDAY, MAY 23 FROM 1-5PM, COME TO GERRARD’S FOR A SLICE (Veg or Pepperoni) + a PINT OF CRAFT BEER FOR $10! This neighbourhood special will help Gerrard’s recover some (or all!) of their costs, and we all get to drink beer and eat pizza in the afternoon. Win-win!

*Update* – if beer ain’t your thing, a slice and a pop can be yours for $3.50

The special will end at 5pm but don’t let that stop you from heading over there for dinner on Saturday!

May 20, 2015

Preview of the 2015 Farmers’ Market

The East Lynn Park Farmers’ Market will be back for an 8th amazing year starting June 4th! We have some new farmers and vendors joining us this year and some returning favourites. The list of participants has been updated on the DECA website, but we have two new wineries and a few food vendors added to the roster, including a pizza vendor and a cookie maker!

Farmers Market 2015

The market will run for 20 weeks, from June 4 to October 15 with five larger events planned:

Grand Opening Celebration – June 11
Jammy Jazzfest – July 16
Movie in the Park – August 20
Applemania – September 17
Harvest Moon – October 8

Of course, each week will still be loaded with fun – facepainters, music, children’s games, storytimes and more! As well, local practitioners will be back each week to inspire you on living your best life at the market’s Wellness Booth. There will be everything from yoga, pilates and 3D movement to parenting and career coaching experts.

But, we still need more help! There’s different ways to get involved depending on your interests. The easiest way for many is to simply come and sit at the DECA booth for a few hours. Others get involved by cooking meals for the farmers. We could use some help designing posters for our events and we’re also looking for an eager high school student looking for 3-4 volunteer hours each week. Send us a note at events(at)danfortheastcommunityassociation.com to find out more.

May 19, 2015

What’s happening for the rest of May…

Did you catch any of the DECAction last week? (I just made up that word – could you tell?) We Imagined the Danforth on Monday and had a DECAgem filled few weeks leading to the crowning of Gerrard Pizza last Thursday. Not to mention all sorts of planning for the Farmers’ Market (beginning June 4) #DanforthEast Garage Sale (June 13) and on and on…

This Thursday from 7:30-9:30pm, we are having our monthly Board meeting. Do you want to come? If so, drop a line here for details. We love it when people join us and it’s a great way to get to know us a little better.

Here are a few other events…

Rain Garden Workshop, Thursday May 21 7:00pm

We wrote about this last week but wanted to make sure that you all saw this very cool event where you can learn to plant a garden to protect your home against flooding. Awesome, right? Click here to read our earlier post on this, and to register (it’s free)

Earl Beatty Public School Fun Fair, Saturday May 23, 10am-3pm

Saturday May 23, 10am-3pm
Earl Beatty PS: 55 Woodington Avenue (just north-east of Danforth and Coxwell)
FEATURING: games, a special play area for young children, bouncy castle and slides, great food, ice cream, bake sale, face painting, and new this year the Amazing Beatty Race! Presented by EBSAC in partnership with Beatty Buddies. Revenue generated by EBSAC is going towards support of the Scientist in the School program.

Twitter: @EBFunFair
Facebook: Earl Beatty Fun Fair
http://www.insidetoronto.com/events/5573320–earl-beatty-public-school-fun-fair/

History Talk at Danforth/Coxwell Library: Five Things You Don’t Know About Terry Fox, Wed, May 27

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

You know he is a national hero but what did he add to the national conversation? Jenny Ellison explores how Canadians were inspired by Terry Fox in ways you might not expect.

History Matters takes a slightly idiosyncratic look at sports history to mark the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games in Toronto. Presented in collaboration with ActiveHistory.ca

For more information, click here.

May 18, 2015

The Battle of the Gems…

For those unfortunates of you, who couldn’t make it to last Thursday’s “Battle of the Gems,” here is a recap of the night, in photos.

The judges started the night at Gerrard Pizza, where the Greco family emerged from the kitchen and greeted them, with pizza of course! — The judges started the night at Gerrard Spaghetti and Pizza, where the Greco family emerged from the kitchen and greeted them, with pizza of course!

The judges were then chauffeured to the next “gem” in our Gem-Mobiles — thanks Annette!

Mary was busy behind the counter at Vincenzo’s when we arrived. She and her mom Sam had put together a huge spread of food for the judges in the store.

Mary explained how her father Vincenzo had opened the store 51 years ago, after arriving from Italy with nothing. She and her mother Sam have been struggling to keep the store running since his death last fall.

Action shot of judges and DECAgems team walking next door, to Sunny's Auto Clinic. — Action shot of judges and DECAgems team walking next door, to Sunny’s Auto Clinic.

Sunny has plans for a mural and some new paint. He started off alone three years ago, but has managed to hire two staff. He pretty much is the most lovable human on the Danforth. We all decided to take our cars to him immediately.

The judges walked upstairs and into Face to Face Games to be confronted by 60-odd 20-year-olds playing a game called Magic. This is a typical Thursday night at Face To Face, owner Kelly explained. He and his wife met while studying early childhood education. He dropped out early from the course to open this games stores, because he decided he was more interested in prevention than therapy. Most of the clientele come from across town though — so he hopes DECA could spread the word about their after-school programs and summer camps for kids!

Tibebe welcomed us all to his restaurant, Hirut, for the party.

Jenn and three young teenage boys told the crowd and judges why they loved Face to Face Games and why it should win. “It has changed my life,” one of the boys said.

The judges each made their selection. In the end, the tally was 3-1-1-1 for…..

Thank you to the creative, hard-working and fun group of volunteers who pulled off this wonderful event. Thank you also to the judges who gave us their valuable time. And thank you to all of you who voted, came to the party and continue to support local business.

The makeover, led by another great team of DECA volunteers, will take place in June.

May 13, 2015

Garage Sale Posters & St. Brigid’s Fun Fair

#DanforthEast Garage Sale Reminder & Posters

Just a quick reminder that the #DanforthEast Garage Sale is set for June 13th, rain or shine. All the sign up information can be found on the DECA website, including how to be sure your address is included on the map.

We have posters ready to help advertise the event. If you can help to put some up this weekend, please contact us at deca.yard.sale@gmail.com.

St. Brigid’s Fun Fair – Friday, May 22

Swing by the St. Brigid’s Fun Fair next Friday for food and fun! You should probably spend some time prepping your gardens this long weekend as there will be vegetables to plant, native perennials species and colourful annuals available at the flower sale.