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What To Get For Your Favourite Community Blogger?

It can be difficult.  What is the right gift for the woman who sends you news you can use in your own neighbourhood?  A woman who toils away in front of her computer night after night just so you can be the first to know what’s happening and where?  Wink wink.

Tak Bui decided to send me this fabulous electronic christmas card.  And I thought I would share it with you….gracious gal that I am.

Of course, you can never go wrong with jewellery.  Fine Silver Girl is hosting another open house from 3 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at 48 Woodington this Saturday.  Fine Silver Girl, aka Heather, also offers various classes including a adult and child classes.  Check out her calendar.

You may also want to check out Karen Franzen and friends.  They’re selling artwork, jewellery, quilts, functional ceramics and tiles, home-baked cookies at 3 Wembley Drive, 2 blocks east of Coxwell and upper Gerrard St.  Karen will also be offering 7 week pottery classes and tile painting workshops in her studio beginning in January.

(Note for people buying presents for women – especially men who aren’t always that adept at choosing the pefect gift – a pottery class is a really really good present.) Why?  Because not only do many of us ladies harbour secret fantasies about making pottery, it is also a little bit of that glorious ‘me time’ that we so crave but have trouble carving out for ourselves.  Take it from me and put this one in the stocking.

Speaking of pottery, on January 1st, 2011, LucScultpure will celebrate four years at its location at 663 Greenwood.  Luc is committed to this community and to the arts, locally and beyond and if you’ve never wandered into the building just steps north of the Danforth on Greenwood, now is the perfect time.  There are arts items for sale from $2 – $200 available until Jan. 2nd.  Gift certificates (for pottery classes and other things) are available.  But Luc also throws some pretty cool parties there.  From Jam sessions (Friday, Dec. 17th $5) to the ‘Lost Soul Party’ on New Year’s Eve ($10!).  It’s a warm, welcoming environment to wander into.

Other local gifts that might tempt you? I’ve just bought a lovely gift bag of delectable foodie goodies at Royal Beef.  I’d like to keep it for myself, but I won’t.  Also, Cozy Cafe has the most delightful meringue cream chocolate ‘trees’ and I will certainly be giving those as a gift in the near future.  If you have other ideas, post them here.

Carmelina Condominiums

Perhaps you feel that any of the things I’ve mentioned just aren’t significant enough to fully convey to your favourite blogger how much you appreciate her?  You would like to get her something really special…something big?  Maybe a condo would be what you’re looking for?  The big hole at Danforth and  Coxwell now boasts a big blue fence and a big sign advertising Carmelina Condominiums.  But really, you shouldn’t have.

Danforth Mosaic Business Improvement Association

On December 8th, the BIA held its Annual General Meeting and elected it’s new board members.  They are ‘nominees’ until approved by community council in January.

Aurelio Acquaviva
Maria Acquaviva
Tanveer Arif
Peter Dekoulos
Jordan Ison
Banchi Kindie
Mehmet Korkmaz
Carmelo Lorefice
Enza Lorefice
Litsa Kostouros
Jason Manos
Pat Silver
Victor Singh
Nick Sissakis
Yared Tibebu
Asres Yirga

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The Best Eats In The East

Farmers’ Market

Stephen Caissie Photo

At the market this week, only the best in local fruits, vegetables, breads, cheeses, meats, pies, muffins and nice people.  And face painting.

Danforth East Arts Fair

The fabulous Danforth East Arts Fair is a few short weeks away and we could really use just a teensy weensy little bit of help.  We could use some people to help exhibitors to load and unload on Saturday Sep 18th from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and on Sunday Sep 19th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  We could also use some help on litter patrol and changing garbage bags during the show.  (I know it’s not sexy, but art isn’t always glamorous – and it’s oh oh oh so important.)

BIA Dining Fest

The Danforth Mosaic Business Improvement Association is launching its first annual three-week food festival called Mosaic does… Dine around the Danforth. September 10th-30th over 65 restaurants will participate in this street event by featuring entertainment and significant discounts including prix fixe menus. Savour the best of Moroccan, Ethiopian, Greek, Italian, Hakka, Mexican, Thai and Tunisian cuisine, along with Sushi Bars, traditional diners and much more from around the world at excellent prices!

Local jazz bars and some restaurants and clubs will be offering a variety of live entertainment.  Cafes and restaurants will be showcasing family entertainment for all ages. The Dine Around the Mosaic Barbershop Quartet will be awarding random diners with gifts such as complimentary meals and Mosaic Bucks, which diners can redeem at participating Mosaic stores!

The Mosaic does… Dine around the Danforth stretches from Jones Avenue to Westlake (two blocks east of Woodbine) along Danforth Avenue.

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This Week In Your ‘Hood

Tonight – Check out Juno-nominated, Sundar Viswanathan, a jazz woodwind player and singer at Jazz In The Park.  Presented by the Danforth Mosaic BIA, you’ll find music from 6 – 9 every Wednesday at the Coxwell Parkette at Coxwell and Danforth.

Tomorrow – The East Lynn Farmers’ Market was featured in the Toronto Star earlier this week as part of it’s round up of great farmers’ markets.

I also want to offer a big mid-season thank-you to our volunteer chefs.  Each week volunteers chop, slice, saute and simmer some amazing meals for our far-flung farmers.  It’s no small task to cook dinner for all these folks, but they so appreciate a home-cooked meal since they’re driving through the lunch and dinner hours to come to our market.  Thank you!  This is a huge part of what makes our market a special place to be.

This week at 4:30 – come check out Sports Day with Jack of Sports.  Bring your running shoes and join the Jack of Sports team with all kinds of sporting activities!

DECA Learns – Canning

Mark your calendars, the next canning workshop is August 18th for the delectable delights of plums and pears.  Tomatoes, salsa and pickles are September 14th.  7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Danforth Mennonite Church (2174 Danforth).  $5 donation suggested.  No experience required.  RSVP to Mary-Margaret McMahon at 416-693-9276 or spargy@rogers.com or at the DECA tent at the market.

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Who Brings You The Funnest People In Town?

This week at the East Lynn Farmers’ Market, our 4:30 fun includes Trevor Rogers, the coolest unicycler you’ve never met.  Trevor learned to ride a unicycle in St. John’s Newfoundland after he saw someone riding off-road in the York Regional Forest.  Amazed, he tried it and discovered an incredible passion.  Trevor says the focus and physical stamina required for uber-unicycling sends him into a state of bliss.  What can he do on a unicycle? Get around the city, wrestle, throw knives and snowballs, sword fight, knit, spin fire, play a flute, race streetcars, juggle and rollerblade while unicycling and juggling.

Trevor lives at Pape and Cosburn and is a handyman/house painter.  He also teaches people, by donation, to rollerblade, unicycle, juggle and many other things that help create fitness and mind and body spirit.  But the most important thing that you should know about Trevor Rogers is that he absolutely loves coconut cream pie.

Not Far From The Tree

We’ve talked about this group before in these pages, but t’is the season to mention it again suggests Kim from the East York Rotary Club. Not Far From The Tree will pick your fruit tree and divide the bounty between you the tree owner, the volunteer pickers and community groups who can make use of the fruit.  It’s genius.  This year they’re also tapping city maple trees for syrup.  Double genius.

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Hot Enough For Ya?

Photo courtesy of Zoe Theysmeyer

The Market This Week

Last Thursday market-goers listened to stories by storyteller Dan Yashinsky.  This week we’re continuing the theme with a visit from Christine Hiller, the children’s librarian at the Danforth/Coxwell library.  Christine was at the market twice last  year with stories and song and we’re excited to have her back for more.  Look for her by the face-painting tent this Thursday at 4:30 p.m. (The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3 – 7 p.m. at East Lynn Park, south of Danforth, west of Woodbine)

Market Bucks

Don’t forget to fill out your ballot to win ‘Market Bucks’ at the DECA table.  Each week we draw for $20 in Market Bucks to be used at the market from our wonderful partners at Farmers Markets Ontario.

PS – The East Lynn Park Farmers’ Market is on facebook, here.

Jazz In The Park

The Danforth Mosaic BIA hosts a weekly jazz performance every Wednesday from 6 – 9 p.m. (rain or shine).  This week it is Autorickshaw, an “Indo- jazz-funk fusion ensemble.  The band is nominated for a Juno award for  world music album of the year.  Bring your blanket or lawn chair to the Coxwell Parkette on the south side of the Danforth, just west of Coxwell.

Family Health Centre Update

As you may know the former funeral home at Aldridge and Danforth is being turned into a medical centre that will house the South East Toronto Family Health Team. This group of family doctors, residents and health care professionals will see about 12,000 patients.  They expect to open in Spring 2011 and doctors there will be accepting new patients.

Some of the fencing is already up.  The demolition will start inside the building disconnecting and removing the more delicate connections.  Then they’ll bring in an excavator to tear down the building.  Then they’ll shore up the building next door and dig a big hole.  Then, they build.  They’re hoping to be moving along with construction by the end of the summer.

Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program

If you (or someone you know) is aged 11-18, they are invited to join a special summer session of the Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program.  This free program will help participants overcome a fear of public speaking and help them become an effective speaker and leader.  This is an eight-week session starting Saturday, July 17th from noon – 2 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion at 9 Dawes Road (near Danforth).  For more information contact Helen Pearce at branch11rcl@rogers.com or 416-699-1353.

How are the raspberries?   Should I be getting ready to make raspberry jam?

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Does Little Ethiopia Belong On The Danforth?

In case you missed this column by Samuel Getachew in today’s Toronto Sun…

Does Little Ethiopia Belong On The Danforth?

I don’t usually like big mega cities, like New York. However Toronto is an exception.

Toronto, a city I admire, has always been full of characters, or much like the way former prime minister Joe Clark envisioned Canada in his successful 1979 election — a community of communities.

The Greektown on Danforth, Chinatown around Dundas West and Spadina Avenue, Korea town on Bloor in the Annex are some of the areas that attract thousands of tourists on a yearly basis.

On top of all of these, festivals such as Caribana, Taste of the Danforth, the Toronto Film Festival and Luminato helps us attract lots of people and resources to the city. Greektown alone claims to have more than 1 million visitors yearly.

These areas help us showcase the rich diversity of our city, not just in words but in deeds.

That is why a few friends and myself are asking the City of Toronto to name a section of Danforth Ave. around Greenwood Ave. as Little Ethiopia.

The history of Ethiopian Canadians, especially in the Toronto Danforth area, is new.

Ethiopians are one of the many groups of new immigrants to have fled successive broken governments and settled in Toronto. But what makes Canada different than most countries is we can be passionate citizens without losing sight of our heritage.

Earlier this year, a few of us met with the Toronto Danforth Mosaic BIA for about 30 minutes about our idea for Little Ethiopia. We spoke about our hope and dream for our city. They spoke of a multicultural mosaic they wanted to create in the area, one that is not a ghettoized neighbourhood, and rejected the idea.

Along the Danforth from around Greenwood to Monarch Park, there are about 16 Ethiopian Canadian businesses and their contribution is very visible. We are owners and tenants of the many buildings found in the area.

However, we lack visibility in our area BIAs, activities and at City Hall.

Governments can do much to help connect us to the area and have us take ownership of the areas we frequent. To clean it more, make it lovely like Greektown, and above all take ownership of it.

To have us believe in our BIA’s enough for us to join its boards and volunteer at the different activities in the community. The idea of Little Ethiopia is of celebration and not of ghettoization.

Greektown, Chinatown and the many areas named after a certain country or countries are not ghettos but a celebration of global citizenship.

As a Torontonian and as a black person, I get my hair cut in the heart of Greektown, buy the best and the cheapest Italian beef in Chinatown and go for the best coffee in Little Italy at College and Clinton.

Almost always the people I see are diverse in their representation from every country on the planet.

That is the wish for our aspiring Little Ethiopia on Danforth project — that of many cultures and a recognition of the Ethiopian Canadian experience.

We are not tourists to Canada but citizens of an awesome country.

I believe Little Ethiopia can be a start.

We are a very small group pushing forward this idea with the hope of thousands.

Our effort is no longer an Ethiopian story but that of a Canadian: Passion, youthful vigour and hard work — the hallmark of what makes me a proud Canadian.

— Getachew is a member of the Ethiopian community in Toronto and is running for council in Scarborough