Weekend of Crafts!

Get a jump on that Christmas list with some one-of-a-kind and unique gift at one of these activities:

Holiday in the Hood

Earl Beatty School will be pulling out all the stops this weekend with their annual Holiday in the Hood celebration. The fun and festivities start tomorrow (Friday) at 3pm and continue on Saturday (9am-4pm).  Check out the poster for all the details.

2014 HitH Poster

TEGH Volunteers Craft Sale

The dedicated volunteers of Toronto East General Hospital are holding their Festive Craft sale tomorrow (Friday) at the hospital. Sale includes items knitted by volunteers throughout the year, including scarves, mitts, baby sweaters, afghans, teddy bears and more.  Sale starts at 9am until 3pm and is held in the Mortimer Lobby.  Proceeds from sales are donated back to the hospital in support of patient care.

School’s (Almost) Out for Summer!

In a matter of weeks the school bells will ring one last time for the 2012-13 school year. But before then, the schools invite families and neighbours to join them in some good old fashion fun. Check out this listing of fairs and events at some of our local schools.

Earl Beatty Fun Fair – May 25th

Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl Beatty! This year, the 9th annual Earl Beatty Public School Fun Fair will be held on May 25th from 10 am to 3 pm The event is a partnership between the school, the Earl Beatty Community Centre, and Beatty Buddies Daycare. It is a day of family fun including a ball hockey tournament, inflatable games, face painting, kids raffles, a ­­barbeque, and a bake sale. It is our hope that we will build on the success of last year and raise even more funds to help bring much needed resources into our children’s classrooms and playground. Earl Beatty is located at 55 Woodington Avenue.

Old School Community Festival at Earl Haig – May 30th

Jump! Jump! Rejoice! They’re takin’ it back to the old school! Earl Haig is hosting their community festival on May 30th from 3:30-7 pm. Glitter tattoos. Food. Crafts. Music. Lot’s of old school fun. The school is located at 15 Earl Haig Avenue, just south east of Danforth & Coxwell.

Family Fest at Gledhill – May 31st

Come together, right now, over at Gledhill Junior P.S. The Gledhill School and Community Association will be holding their annual Family Fun Fest on Friday May 31st from 3:30 to 6:30 pm in the schoolyard. On the docket this year are bouncy castles, pony rides, a petting zoo, carnival games, crafts, face painting, books and music! Gledhill is located at 2 Gledhill Ave, just north of the Danforth.

Fun Fair at St. Brigid’s – May 31st

We’ll have Fun! Fun! Fun! St. Brigid’s Catholic Elementary School is hosting their annual Fun Day celebration on Friday, May 31st from 5pm – 8pm! There will be loads of games, a bouncy castle and giant slide, popcorn, ice cream, raffles, and food trucks too. They hope you can support them and have some fun as well! St. Brigid is located at 50 Woodmount Ave., very close to Woodbine and Danforth Avenues.

Fun Fair at Secord P.S. – June 8th

Come on baby, learn about fire! Secord Public School will be having our Fun Fair on June 8th, from 11am to 4pm. There will be the customary bouncy castle, but also games, cotton candy and an appearance by a fire truck. Secord P.S. is located at 101 Barrington Ave.

Last Day Music Festival at St. Brigid’s – June 27th

Hey Kids, Rock and Roll, Rock On! St. Brigid’s School 7th Annual Last Day Music Festival will be held on Thursday June 27th in the school yard. Doors open at 6pm. This year will feature 9 amazing rock bands. Admission is $5 for adults, kids under 11 $2. All money is being donated to different causes and charities. Rain date Friday, June 28. Rock on!

Ear Haig

gledhill Secord

earl haig

Bonus points if you get all the musical references in this post.

Santa Explores the East End & Police Matters

Santa Explores the East End

There will be loads of holiday fun this weekend. Earl Beatty (55 Woodington Ave) is hosting a Holiday in the ‘Hood event with a craft sale, bake sale and pictures with the man himself, Santa. Fun starts on Friday at 3:30 until 8:00 p.m. and runs on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

And the very next day Santa will be at the 6th Annual Centre 55 Santa Clause parade. Parade starts at 1:00 p.m. and runs along Kingston Road. Check out the website for more details.

Police Matters

According to recent Division 55 stats, major crime is down in our division. Yeah! Police are being vigilant with jaywalkers and unsafe pedestrians so be careful when crossing the street. This is also the time of year when spot-checks will be ramping up so be sure to arrange transportation from those holiday parties accordingly.

Toronto Police Service is also looking for individuals to participate in upcoming focus group. Check out the flyer below for the particulars.

What You Need To Know TODAY

Opportunities to be an engaged community citizen AND shop locally for fabulousness. All the info you need to be a well-rounded individual!

Sugar Moon Salon is hosting an open house tonight (Thursday, Dec 8th) with sweets and cocktails along with great prizes and one-night-only discounts on gift certificates and many other products throughout the shop. 1509 Danforth 7-10 p.m.

Earl Beatty – Community members fighting the closure the Earl Beatty Community Centre will be at Nathan Phillips Square tomorrow morning (Friday)  at 11 a.m. to let City Hall know how much it means to them. All kids and adults are welcome to bring their sticks for the big ball hockey game or show up in your karate gear or ballet tights. If you can’t make it down, you can write to the Mayor and let him know how you feel. To read more about what others are saying (and there are lots of people saying lots of things, check out the website, here.)

The Earl Beatty Ball Ban has turned into a playground reconfiguration project. If you’re interested in learning more, the school’s superintendent will be at the parent council meeting tonight (Thursday) at 6 p.m. to discuss it further.

Thanks to Diana for this bit of news…

St. Brigid Parish along with St Brigid Catholic School, TCDSB and Special Olympics Ontario will be holding a program for kids with intellectual disabilities on Monday nights from 7 p.m. -8:30 p.m.  Childrens from 4-12 years old with intellectual disabilities are invited to participate. This program is open to all members of the community (not just those who attend the church). Monday nights  7:30 – 8:30.  12 week session $50  All fees used to purchase materials). Registration happens at the school on the night of the program. Please enter via doors beside the NORTH parking lot.

Karen Franzen and Friends 12th Annual Holiday Show

Another opportunity to shop and support local (like down-the-street local) artists. This collection of artists will feature hand-made chocolates, quilts and felted ornaments, ceramics, traditional German cookies, jewellery and baskets and weaving. Refreshments and admission is free. Friday – 6-9 p.m. Saturday/Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 3 Wembley Drive, Coxwell and Upper Gerrard.

Earl Beatty Community Centre Slated To Close

Consider this my declaration of bias. I live near Earl Beatty Community Centre and use it frequently with my two boys. I’m against its closure and am working with a group of parents to make as much noise as possible to save it.  (P.S. the logo below was designed by 13-year old  Gareth who is on the team to help save the community centre.)
The Earl Beatty Community Centre will be closed outside of school hours if the City of Toronto’s proposed 2012 budget passes. That means no more ball hockey, ballet, karate, kindergym, crafty kids, babysitting courses, T-Ball, yoga, Zumba and more.
This community centre, just north and east of Coxwell runs six days a week and is an important neighbourhood play spot in an area with very little recreation space. Most of the programs are full and have waiting lists. Closing a gymnasium in a city desperate for recreation spaces makes no sense at all. The pool is not slated for closure – yet.Let City Hall know this budget cut is not acceptable. Here’s how to get involved:
  • Come to the PLAY DAY at CITY HALL. This Friday, Dec. 9, Earl Beatty Community Centre is taking over Nathan Phillips Square at 11 a.m. Wear your Earl Beatty shirt, bring your stick, ballet shoes or yoga mat and join us as we take the fight to City Hall!
  • Send a note, letter or video on what the Earl Beatty Community Centre means to you. We’ll share it online and in person. E-mail us at saveearlbeatty@gmail.com
  • Watch for more details, join the Facebook page and follow us on Twitter at: saveearlbeatty.tumblr.com (click follow at the top right corner to follow along)
  • Tell your neighbours!

Danforth East Spooooooky Season

The Earl Beatty Community Centre is well into the fall programs and the first big community event is coming up – up four flights of stairs to a haunted house.

FOUR FLIGHTS TO HORROR!

 Friday October 28th, 2011 – 6 – 9 p.m.  Earl Beatty Community Centre Gymnasium, 455 Glebeholme Boulevard, 416-392-0752

ADMISSION: $2.00 (14 & under) $3.00 (15 & up) and a non-perishable food item for the Daily Bread Food Bank. Recommended for ages eight and up, children under nine must be accompanied by and adult. Proceeds to support the advisory council programs.

Howl-O-Ween

Whether you have a dog or not, you are spookily invited to join the Merrill Park Dog Association for the Howl-O-Ween Dog Carnival on Sunday, October 30th, 2-4 p.m. There will be ghoulish games, freaky fun, frightening food and the crowning of Count Barkula.  If you want to join the pot luck, bring along some snacks or drinks. Costumes are not required, but they are most certainly encouraged. Merrill Bridge Road Park is at the bottom of East Lynne Avenue, west of Aldergrove .