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Gr8 Projects Aw8

Business Revitalization Team – True Brew

Ask anyone who has been part of one of our Business Revitalization Team all-in days, it’s fun and it’s a great feeling to be part of real change on the Danforth. The latest project of the BRT is True Brew – the cafe just east of Woodbine on the north side of Danforth.  The big day is this Sunday and we need to get volunteers to help paint the ceiling!!  All we need is a few hours of your time from 10 a.m. – noon. True Brew will secure the supplies and provide drinks and snacks for the volunteers.  Send a note to catherine_porter@rogers.com if you can help out.

The Rail Garden

How cool is this?  These folks are working on a community garden along the railway line.

The goal of the Rail Garden is to serve the neighbourhood surrounding Monarch Park (Danforth/Gerrard Greenwood/Coxwell) by reclaiming unused public land and returning it to full use by the community. The Rail Garden will have garden plots that neighbours can tend individually, in families, or in small groups. If you want to support them or learn more or both, they’re having a fundraising community dinner at the Riverdale Hub this Saturday night. (As an aside, the Riverdale Hub is a very cool initiative that I haven’t told you about because it’s outside our zone, but trust me, and take a look at the website.)

Kidzone After School Program Presents…Puss In Boots Movie Night

Friday, March 23rd at 7 p.m – 8:35 p.m. at the Salvation Army on Cedarvale Ave. (behind Gledhill school).

$3 per adult, $2 per child (2-12 yrs.), Children under 2 are free. Refreshments Bar (popcorn, drinks, chocolate bars, etc.)

Origami For Pirates
If your child is the type who attends book launches and hob nobs with the Literati, then they will definitely want to attend the Origami For Pirates event at Silly Goose Kids . There will be stories at 2 and 3 p.m., activities and chance to meet the authors – The Brothers Leung. It’s all happening from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 25th.
 Project Picasso 

Toronto Police Division 55 is launching an anti-graffiti project  to target graffiti in our neighbourhood. They need YOU to report graffiti zones to Officer Stephen McGran (stephen.mcgran(at)torontopolice.on.ca) and Colleen Clarke (csc(at)colleenclarke.com). They will send out a team to paint over the graffiti.   The police will approach the store owner, if it is a retail outlet, get their written permission and cover it up.

 Lock It Or Lose It

Division 55 has revitalized a program called “Lock It or Lose It.”  Break and enters of either home or car are on the rise in 55 Division.  The message is clear: put your valuables out of sight. Take your GPS out of your car at night, don’t leave CD’s in plain view in your vehicle and lock your car doors.

In your home, lock your house whether you are working in the yard, at home or going on an errand, and certainly double check your doors before going to bed. Also, take your wallet, cell phone, purse and laptop upstairs with you at bedtime. Minimally don’t leave any of these items in sight from any window or glass doors.

If your house is under renovation, check in on it often as contractors order supplies, they’re left unguarded over night and then stolen.

When you are walking or driving around your neighborhood take note of goings on around you. Don’t take coming and going activities for granted. Report anything or anyone you see that appears out of the norm on your street. Watch for people checking house and car doors, jumping fences or hangers around. If you’re unsure, call it in, 416-808-5500 south of the Danforth, or 416-808-5400 if north of the Danforth.

Turn on your porch lights. Motion or light detectors on decks, driveways and verandas deter thieves.

55 Division Town Hall

Toronto Police Service’s 55 Division in partnership with its Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) will be hosting a series of Town Hall meetings in 2012.  The focus of these meetings is to enhance communication and develop stronger partnerships between our community members and the police.  The Toronto Police Service believes the goal of a successful CPLC is to ensure that effective policing and joint crime prevention programming is delivered throughout our many neighbourhoods.  Members of 55 Division need to hear, first hand, the policing concerns of our residents and respond accordingly to improve the quality of life within our division.

55 Division is comprised of four policing zones.  Each meeting will be dedicated to a zone and intend to address issues and concerns particular to that area.

The first meeting will be specific to 55 Division – Zone 4 and will be held on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at Community Centre 55 at 7:00 p.m.  Residents and community members of 55 Division – Zone 4 are invited  to attend this meeting.  Zone 4 is south of Danforth to the lake, Woodbine Avenue to the west, and Victoria Park Avenue to the east.

The meeting will include a brief overview of the policing issues and initiatives within 55 Division, and will focus discussions on the designated zone. There will be an opportunity for a question and answer period, and community members are encouraged to interact with members of the division and members of the CPLC.


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Short and Long


O.k. I’ve got a long list of items and an awareness of short attention spans so I’m going to try to make these as short and sweet as a melty mint.

The final deadline to apply to be a vendor in the hugely popular and incredibly cool Danforth East Arts Fair is June 15th so act now to avoid disappointment!

Speaking of art and how freakin’ cool we are…The Art of the Danforth crew is well into organizing for spring 2012 and they need some volunteers…some now and some next May.  Right now Cindy needs a couple people to do 2-4 hours of internet research and/or 2-4 hours of walking the street to introduce ourselves to new stores.  In May 2012, they’re wondering if there are any adventurous souls/families who live close to Danforth who would offer up their front yards for art installations.  They would love to be able to offer curators a private residence as a potential installation site – dunno if they’d use it, but it potentially could be interesting.  If you are interested in either or both or none of those things, but want to talk to Cindy, contact her at info(at)eastdanforthcreative

Tomorrow is DECA’s Container Gardening Workshop from 2-4 p.m.  Don’t miss it. Don’t forget.  And don’t give me some lame excuse about your in-laws dropping over unexpectedly.  We’re also planning another full season of DECA Learns from canning to bicycles with some gardening thrown in for good measure. More on that in a future post.

Beatty Buddies daycare is a delightful little place in the basement of Earl Beatty Public School north of Danforth, east of Coxwell.  Earl Beatty is slated for full day kindergarten in 2012 and that is just one of the reasons why the daycare has formed a strategic planning committee.  The first thing it’s doing is a survey of you – the community.  So whether your kids are in university or in utero, please take a few moments to fill out the short survey.

Yes, the photo above is of a new place on the Danforth, east of Woodbine.

Yes, Target has announced one of its first Toronto stores will open at Shoppers World at Danforth and Victoria Park.

Yes, Goodlife is once again offering free memberships to teenagers for the summer.

Notes from the Community Police Liaison Committee

  • You can register your bike for free with 55 Division so in case it gets stolen, you could possibly, maybe, have a chance at, perhaps getting it back?
  • Bugaboo baby strollers are magnets for thieves and are being stolen all the time.  Lock them up.
  • Graffiti cleaners are heading out June 15 and 16 to remove graffiti in alleys, garages, mailboxes etc.  Contact Community Centre 55 at 416-691-1113 to suggest your unwanted graffiti location and they’ll try to send over a clean team
Rock On
Because your kids are lovin’ the rock and roll, you need to mark Wednesday, June 29th on your calendar and make your way to St. Brigid’s school yard for the Last Day Music Festival.  This year, featuring the pop sensation that is sweeping the pre-teen scene (seriously) Done With Dolls.  Also Chasing Sam, Colour Connection, Sugar Rush, Checkmate Sergei, Running From Jane, Marissa Dattoli and not just another cliche.  What are you going to do on the last day of school that’s cooler than that.  More details coming soon.
Thanks for sticking with me for the whole post.  Last but not least, DECA’s terrific Parks Team has scoured the neighbourhood for all things recreational and not so recreational and has come back with an amenities list that will amaze you.  The schools, the churches, the swimming pools, the services, the classes.  It’s fabulous.  Behind every one of those links was someone who walked the streets, make the notes, found the links and posted it.  Thanks to the Parks Team for a great piece of work.  Enjoy.
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“If you think it’s going to rain, it will.” – Clint Eastwood

Police BBQ – Wednesday, May 25th 

I try to keep this blog uber local because if you don’t draw the line somewhere, where do you draw the line? (Puzzle on that for a moment why don’t you.) However, I make an exception for the 55 Division police and community BBQ because it’s so darn fun.  There are bouncy fire trucks and other kids rides and slides, bingo, raffles, prizes, music and other cool police/emergency vehicles.  The event is May 25th at New Woodbine Park (Kingston Rd. & Queen) from 4 – 8 p.m.  And guess what?  It goes on rain or shine!

Steve Wickens: Local Celebrity

DECA’s very own Stephen Wickens was featured, not once, but twice in last week’s edition of the East York Mirror.  In addition to leading a Jane’s Walk through ‘the other Danforth’ he was also interviewed as the intrepid leader of our DECA Parks team.  You can read that story here, but you need to flip to page 10.

Parks & Rec Survey


While we’re on the topic of DECA Parks and the inventory that group is doing of recreation facilities, let me point you to the Parks & Rec survey that is asking you what you think about your local Parks & Rec programs, services and facilities.

Toronto Service Review

If you still feel you have more to say, then say it to another bunch of folks at City Hall through this Toronto Service Review.  And you thought nobody cared what you think, tsk, tsk.  This survey is looking for feedback on what services the city provides and how those services can best be delivered.  Pass the gravy.

School Fairs

T’is the season for school fun fairs.  I mentioned last time that the Earl Beatty Fun Fair includes a ball hockey tournament.  This is a very fun, much-anticipated event for the ball hockey set.  But this year there is also a division for the preschool/K ball hockey players in your life.  For more information about putting together a team, contact chorton@toronto.ca or pick up your registration form in the community centre office.

Earl Haig 7th Annual Community Festival

On June 2nd, 2011 Earl Haig Public School students, staff and community will celebrate the annual Community Festival.   Entrance is FREE and includes participation in exciting “retro” games such as the ever-popular three-legged race, and live entertainment.  Other events include a BBQ, an arcade and many crafts.  A craft wristband can be purchased for $5.00 per child or $10.00 per family.  A new event this year is a “purse” table where gently-used, stylish  purses can be purchased.

The Community Festival is a loved event for students, staff, parents and the local community.  It will run from approximately 3:30 p.m. on the 2nd of June until 7 p.m. rain or shine.

15 Earl Haig Avenue, south of the Danforth and on the east side of Coxwell Avenue.  All are welcome. Funds raised by the event will contribute to student resources and on-going school improvement.

Cedar Garden Benches

If you have signed up for our DECA Learns Container Gardening Workshop (and if not, why not?) then you are going to have a beautiful garden.  You’ll want to sit in it.  If you want to sit, you’ll need a bench.  Hayden is an east-end university student who makes cedar benches for the garden. The benches are 48”X15”X17”, very sturdy and beautiful in their simplicity. Each one is handcrafted to perfection and left untreated so that it will weather naturally. The total cost, including free local delivery, is $140. Consider ordering one for Father’s Day or just treating yourself.

Call 416-466-9785 or email:  hangelof@ryerson.ca

Last But Not Least

On Wednesday, May 25th, friends of Erika Marquis are hosting a live music and silent auction to help Erika fight sclerosing cholangitis, a degenerative liver disease.  Before she got sick, Erika was an ESL teacher at the Danforth LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada).  Erika taught many new Canadians and her enthusiasm and spirit made her a loved teacher.  Erika was immediately put on the transplant list when she was diagnosed, but she still waits and she has become very sick.  As she can’t work, she’s struggling financially and that’s why her friends are organizing this event at Ten Feet Tall (1381 Danforth – East of Greenwood) on Wednesday, May 25th from 7 – 10 p.m.

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So Much To Say

Apologies dear reader, I’ve been neglecting you.  Always something else that needed to be done.  No matter, there is lots to tell you about today.  I’m going to give you the news in this post and then send out another post in the next few days with a bunch of Danforth Gems to tell you about.  Don’t let the length of this post discourage you.  If you need to take a break and go make a cup of tea in the middle, do so, but make sure to come back and read all the way to the end.  Trust me, you won’t want to miss the last section.

Danforth East Arts Fair – September 17/18

Coming soon to a park near you: the third annual Danforth East Arts Fair. On Sept. 17 and 18, East Lynn Park will transform into an outdoor gallery where artisans from near and far will display and sell their wares.  The first application deadline for artists’ applications is April 30, so get cracking. Download your application at www.deca-arts.caThis volunteer-run, juried arts fair sprang out of an idea that a resident put forward at one of our meetings back in 2007. You see what happens? Action, people. It’s amazing what a few committed, created citizens can do.

You may remember the iron ukuleles from last fall’s arts fair. Or the skull rings. Or the gorgeous oil paintings. Or the beautiful harp music wafting through the park as people wandered down the path. Maybe you enjoyed a slice of pizza under the sun as you watched all the activity.

If you’re interested in helping out this year, drop the arts fair folks a line at deca.arts@gmail.com. And put Sept. 17 and 18 on your calendar now. Whether you’re helping out or enjoying the show, you wouldn’t want to miss it.

DECA’s Business Revitalization Team and Cozy Cafe and Bakery

Stephen Caissie photo

By guest DECA diarist, Catherine Porter

The Cozy Cafe’s anniversary party/ community celebration was a huge success — both for the lovely sisters Vera and SzaSza, and for those of us lucky enough to drop in, eat and dance.   At one point, I looked up at my two kids dancing in front of my neighbour, musician extraordinaire, Chris Bennett, and I thought: damn, we are lucky to live here.

The sisters figure about 300 people came to their party, given the jugs of coffee they went through. It was so crammed when I arrived, I could barely make it through the door. There was great food, of course, great music, and as promised, at the end of the party, the sisters and the Ontario Folk Dancing Association led some Serbian and Jewish folk dances around the store.

I have written a couple columns about the Cozy Cafe, and the generosity showered upon it by our east end hood. (Not to plug them, but in case you want to read the background here they are:  http://tinyurl.com/3ca2ced, and http://tinyurl.com/4sltfet. Okay, that was plugging them….)

It’s quite a story, really — that a stranger would offer to renovate your store for free, that a strange flooring company across town would offer to give you the flooring for free, that a customer with a furniture company would throw in two $600 tables for free, that a designer would sketch out a brochure and a photographer snap the photos of it, and that locals would drop off cheques, only because we all love this place and want it to thrive and keep serving us food and laughter.  This type of stuff doesn’t happen much.

So, for the record, a few people need to be thanked:

*Chris Bennett and Lucas Stagg from Twelfth Fret played at the party, which was wonderful.

* Local east ender Alex Zamayoa  and Mi Casa Furniture for the tables

* DECA member Steve Caissie for the photos

* Thomas Giannousopoulos for the brochure design

* the DECA Business Revitalization Team for weeks of work on the store, from the frosted window, to painting, changing the store layout and lining up artists to show their work there.

For those of you who don’t know about us, the Business Revitalization Team has now helped transform six stores along the Danforth, starting a couple years ago with Plank Road Market. Our tagline is: “If one smashed window can bring a whole neighbourhood down, what can one smashing window do?” By improving the look of a few stores along the strip, we hope to draw new stores to the area and fill the Danforth in.

The Cozy Cafe was our latest business. If you have another business in mind, which is a gem in the rough, let us know! Email me at catherine_porter@rogers.com

Our team consists of stagers, designers, business branders, real estate agents and schleppers like me who are sick of waiting for a change to come to the Danforth, and want to do something about it. Our rules are simple: it has to be a store with the right stuff but the wrong look. It has to be a store we want to see prosper in the hood. (So, no questionable massage parlours.) The owners have to be people we want to spend our free time with — nice. We supply the expertise and some of the leg work, the owner supplies the basic supplies.

Empty Storefronts

At our last DECA meeting (minutes to come soon), we talked a lot about empty storefronts.  We all hate them.  What can be done about them?  We’re thinking we’d like to try and find out.  Why are they empty is the first question.  Taxes, disinterest in maintaining the commercial space when the residential is rented, absentee landlords are a few of our thoughts.  Then we’ll try to figure out what might be done about it.  This article  from Open File is great place to start thinking about it.  Be sure to read the comments too.  If that inspires you to want to get involved in this little project, send me a note – natasha.granatstein(at)gmail.com

Dealicious – Today’s Menu – $25 for $50 worth of food – until midnight tonight (Thursday)!

First – check out the latest local dealicious.ca deal from a store called Today’s Menu.  Located at Woodbine and Gerrard, it offers deliciously prepared meals cooked by chefs on location, with the unbeatable convenience of either delivery OR shopping at. Meals are made fresh daily and quick/flash frozen to lock in flavour: all you have to do is heat and serve.

East Lynn Farmers’ Market

Are you a musician interested in busking at various Farmers’ Markets across the city this summer?  We’re looking to fill 4 spots per week (Sunday 10-2pm, Tuesday 9-2pm, and Thursday 9-2pm and 3-7pm)  If you’re interested, please contact Diana at diana.mymarket@gmail.com

Community Clean Ups This Saturday

Make sure you get yourself to one of the many community clean ups that are happening in our neighbourhood this Saturday.

  • Earl Beatty School 10 am – noon with the Earl Beatty Community Centre, school and eco team
  • Danforth Avenue 11 am – noon – Clean eastward with the Danforth Mosaic BIA – meet at the corner of Coxwell and Danforth
  • On your street.  In your nearest park.  Wherever you see a public spot that could use a little TLC.

All Candidates Meeting – Wed April 20, 2011 

The good people at the Beach United Church and Neighbourhood Link are hosting an all candidates meeting for the federal candidates in Beaches East York on Wednesday, April 20, 2011.  140 Wineva (north of Queen) from 7-9 p.m.  They’re even offering light refreshments – how fancy.

Were you the victim of a break and enter?

In the last few months there has been a rash of break and enters in Division 55 from the Beaches up to Danforth Ave. Police have arrested a couple and allege that they are a husband and wife who integrated themselves into their neighborhood in a normal, friendly manner then set out to rob their neighbours.  Much of what they allegedly store is now available to be claimed. If you or anyone you know has been a victim of a robbery in the last few months call the police at 416-808-5500 to describe your stolen items and then you can set up an appointment to view the goods and hopefully reclaim what was stolen.

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Do Not Be Alarmed

Dozens of Toronto Police and local students are out on the Danforth today to ‘Light The Night’ by giving out energy efficient light bulbs to local businesses and helping install them along the Danforth.  Nobody likes to do things they shouldn’t be doing under the spotlight so Toronto Police are encouraging businesses and residents to keep a light on a night to prevent crime and promote safer streets.

There are a whole lot of police officers out there today so if you’re going to rob a bank, don’t rob one on the Danforth today.

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Toronto Police And You

The Toronto Police would once again like residents to know that they very much want to hear from members of the public about crimes in the neighbourhood (even very minor ones) or any mischief.  Every call is recorded and included in local crime data.  That helps police determine where to put resources.  Please report any untoward activity to:

54 Division – North of Danforth – 416-808-5400 or 55 Division – South of Danforth 416-808-5500

If you would like to be more informed about what’s happening in our neighbourhood, sign up for TPSlinks.  Through your landline or cellular phone, TPSlinks will send informative messages ranging from city events to safety notification and emergency incidents.  Visit the Toronto Police website to learn more and sign up.

In 55 Division, there has been an overall decrease in crime.  However, there was a rash of car thefts (especially Dodge Caravans and Honda Civics) over the summer.  Car thefts are down 5%.  A suspect was arrested who had 60 car charges to his name so police feel this is an important development.  Graffiti occurrences are down 60% and robberies were also down.  There were several bank robberies over the last 18 months – all by the same criminal -who has now been arrested.

Also – a neighbour sent me a note about a fundraising scam.  Three boys arrived at the door claiming to be fundraising for a school basketball trip to New York.  The skeptical homeowner called the school where the boys claimed to be from and it turns out there is no such fundraising campaign or trip.  Be wary.