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Shady Characters In The Light Of Day

So one of our DECA executive members, intrepid leader of our parks team (and soon-to-be-created Monarch Park action group!) and walking encyclopaedia of Danforth East history, Steve Wickens, was pulled over by the cops this week while riding his bike.

Apparently Steve doesn’t look like such an upstanding local citizen.  Perhaps he needs a hair cut?  In any case, he looked shady to Toronto’s finest.  Always a good sport and an inquisitive journalist, Steve shrugged it off, but got the scoop.

Apparently there have been a lot of daytime break-ins in the neighbourhood lately so police are being extra vigilant.  They checked Steve’s ID and knapsack before sending him on his way.

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Helping Children Of Bastedo Fire Victims

From Jody…

I just wanted to send out a note to all the people in this great neighbourhood. I am sure by now you have heard about the devastating fire that occured on August 12th on Bastedo Avenue that took the lives of Melodie George and Adam Smoke.

Melodie was a new friend of mine; her youngest daughter was a classmate of my son’s I had to look into the eyes of that little girl Friday and tell her that I am sorry for the loss of her Mom and Step-Dad.

I know this probably is not the best place to do this, but I don’t know how else to get the word out en masse. There has been a trust fund set up for the four children who were left behind and I am sure there are residents of this neighbourhood who would like to help out this family after such a tragic loss. It certainly won’t bring back the parents but hopefully it will secure some opportunities for the future.
The below link has all the info as well as a paypal DONATE button.
Thank you.

http://rememberingmelodieandadam.com/

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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

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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.

 

 

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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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The Big Hole & The Big Court Case

Below is the story on the court case about the Big Hole from today’s Toronto Sun….  And in case you missed it, here is yesterday’s story about how three jurors were excused for researching the story on the internet.

Businessman torched his store: Crown
 SAM PAZZANO, TORONTO SUN

Businessman John Magno masterminded a plot to burn his Woodbine Building Supplies store on Christmas Day 2001 to solve his financial problems, a Superior Court jury heard Tuesday.

In his opening to the jury, Crown attorney Derek Ishak alleged that Magno,  fraud artist Sam Paskalis and Adrian Roks ochestrated a arson that would enable Magno to collect a $3 million insurance claim and help him build condos on his 2055 Danforth Ave. site.  The plot backfired when the gas fumes prematurely ignited. It resulted in a devastating blaze that killed Tony Jarcevic, 22, and left Paskalis clinging to life in a medically-induced coma. He is now permanently disfigured, said Ishak.  The inferno required 170 firefighters and 40 fire trucks and prompted the evacuation of more than 50 families.

Magno, 51, has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, arson and second-degree murder charges.  Ishak and co-counsel Anna Tenhouse alleged that Magno and his brothers bought the Woodbine Building Supplies (WBS) building and land in 1998.  Financial problems dogged the Magnos, court heard.

WBS owed its parent company more than $500,000 and a former employee $40,000. In September 2001, Magno decided to demolish WBS and build condos. Inventory was hauled to the Magnos’ warehouse at 111 Sunrise Ave. and prior to Christmas, the bulk of that inventory had already been moved.  The mounting financial pressures forced Magno to concoct a plan to torch his property, alleged Ishak.  In July 2001, Magno had befriended Sam Paskalis, a fraud artist, whom Magno had bailed out of jail.

Magno, Paskalis and his close friend Adrian Roks created a plan to burn down WSB so that Magno could collect a $3 million insurance policy, alleged Ishak.  Paskalis and Roks recruited some friends to execute the arson scheme. They picked Christmas Eve since the store closed early that day, court heard.  Magno was the last to leave the store with Paskalis behind to send the plot into motion, said Ishak.  In the early evening, the remaining conspirators hauled away leftover merchandise as their reward for their participation.  Both the sprinkler and alarm systems were disabled. A half hour after midnight, the fire was lit but it roared uncontrollably. Tony Jarcevic — who had taken courses in fire protection — was killed.  The trial continues Wednesday.

Small Business Workshops

Elizabeth Verway is offering a business training series of workshops for small business owners.  Elizabeth has been mentoring small business owners in this community for 14 years through the Office Mentors.  There are four workshops in the series:

  •  Business Communications (June 6)
  •  Cash Flow & Money Matters (June 13)
  • Networking and Sales Strategies (June 20)
  • Planning for Business Growth (June 27)

Workshops will take place near Coxwell and Danforth.  The full series is $100 to community members and free to BIA members.  Call Elizabeth Verwey to register 416-463-1713

The Danforth East Arts Fair

The Danforth East Arts Fair will be held at East Lynn Park on September 17 and 18, 2011. The application deadline is June 15th.  If that’s your bag, baby, you might want to think about being an exhibitor at the Beach Studio Tour in October.  If you would like to open your home to visitors or just want to know more, contact info@beachstudiotour.ca or 416- 691-5195