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Last Farmers’ Market and Candidate Meet and Greet

Thursday, October 11 – last East Lynn Farmers’ Market of 2018!

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The last market of 2018 is happening on Thursday and it is one that you do not want to miss. Stock up on all the beautiful food still available in October!
We have a special guest vendor this week, Dunbar Organic Farms.  In addition to their organic vegetables, they will have their free-range organic chickens (frozen) for sale.
In the Community Wellness Tent, Savage Falcon Energy Crystals will be offering a crystal grid display and energy clearing body work.
The farmers and vendors make the market possible, but it is our volunteers who make our market special. Thank you!
And thanks to all of you who come to the market and support our farmers. We do our best, and are always happy for new ideas and new people continue to help us make weekly magic happen for our wonderful community from June-October!
Get in touch if you want to be more involved for next year – there’s lots of cool ways to contribute.
DECA has arranged a candidate meet and greet at this week’s market, from 3:00-6:00pm. This will be a chance for market-goers to chat up City Councillor candidates (Ward 19) and TDSB Trustee candidates (Ward 16). We don’t know who exactly is coming or not so you’ll have to just come and see!
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Our Ward 19 Councillor Candidate Q&A blog series is now completed and we are grateful to the 10 Candidates who responded to these six questions from the DECA Board:
1. What makes you the best person to represent the Danforth East area?
2. What do you think is the most pressing issue for this area, and what is your plan to address it?
3. Who do you support for mayor, and why?
4. DECA took the position that changing the ward boundaries during the election was undemocratic. What do you think about that?
5. We expect that our area will see a lot of development in the next four years. What do you think about that?
6. How will you contribute to a more diverse and representative Council?
Here is what they said (click on each name to go to the candidate’s answers):
Advanced voting began today and continues through this Sunday at Beaches Rec Centre (6 Williamson Road), Secord Community Centre (91 Barrington), or at City Hall (100 Queen St W) from 10am-7pm. Otherwise, election day is October 22!

The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3-7:00 p.m. between June 7 – October 11 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave. Stay up to date by visiting the East Lynn Market Facebook page or by following us on Twitter. If you’d like to volunteer as a cookor a DECA Booth helper please connect! 

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Market this week…and election news

Market This Week

This Thursday is the penultimate East Lynn Park Farmers’ Market so you won’t want to miss it. (Doesn’t penultimate sound so much better than second-last?) Come and stock up on all of your favourite fresh, locally grown/made food and support the amazing farmers that make our market possible.

Community Tent 

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We’re happy to welcome Riverdale Hub/Riverdale Immigrant Women’s Centre, with information about their Women in the Garden program. It is a year-round program that aims to improve the physical and social well-being of newcomer women in the neighborhood though gardening workshops and yoga.  https://www.riverdalehub.ca/

Kids

The crew of volunteer facepainters will be there, ready to make all your kids’ dreams come true.

Wine

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Tawes Winery will be sampling and selling everything you need for Thanksgiving dinner/weekend with your family. (Read whatever meaning into that you need to, friends)

DECA Tent

Last summer, Tak Bui, a Toronto artist and longtime friend of DECA, set out to travel to Newfoundland. These pen & ink drawings are the result of his road trip to the Rock, where he often stopped to draw the beautiful landscape and its inhabitants. Please drop by the DECA tent to view some of these original works.

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A complete show of these drawings will be displayed at “The Newfoundlander” 472 Danforth Road (at Birchmount) for one day only from 1:00-5:00pm on December 16th. For more info email Tak here or visit his website.

Election News

You may have heard that there’s an election happening. Next week on October 11 at the last market of the year, DECA has invited the City Councillor candidates for Ward 19 (east of Coxwell) to come to the market for a meet-and-greet. We’ve also invited the English School Board Trustee candidates for Ward 16 (this ward).

As you buy the last of the market goods for the season, you can chat up the candidates about your burning municipal issues. Or just tell them you think they’re awesome for putting themselves out there (which they are).

A few days after the last market, DECA has organized a Ward 16 Trustee candidates meeting on October 15 at 7:30pm (one week from Monday). Mark your calendars! If you have a question you want to pose, send it by email.

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The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3-7:00 p.m. between June 7 – October 11 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave. Stay up to date by visiting the East Lynn Market Facebook page or by following us on Twitter. If you’d like to volunteer as a cook or a DECA Booth helper please connect! 

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Arts Fair this weekend! #decaf18

#DECAF18 says THANK YOU!

Danforth East Community Arts Fair is this weekend, September 15-16, in East Lynn Park!

As we look forward to the excitement of #DECAF18, join us in thanking the amazing people who make it happen. First up, our wonderful community sponsors!

 Juliette Fergus of Trust Realty Group is back again this year! She regularly partners with local artists to fill empty walls in her listings with vibrant artwork that is also for sale, bringing art to local families and bringing opportunities to artists. “It’s a match made in heaven,” says Juliette!

  Your favourite local mortgage agent Lisa Okun of Mortgage Alliance Performance Group is a long-time community member and fair attendee, who you’ll often find teaming up with other neighborhood businesses like Fresh Paint Studio + Café to bring you local workshops on home decorating and organizing.

desktopfpSpeaking of Fresh Paint Studio + Café, this local fixture is made up of a team of friendly, professional artists and art lovers whom we are proud to thank for their continued sponsorship of DECAF for yet another year!

Also back again to support our arts fair this year is DeSerres — a family-owned art and craft supply business with the motto: “Because life is a canvas.” Indeed!! Come to #DECAF18 to fill your canvas with dazzle and delight! Visit DeSerres at 1556 Danforth Ave (at Coxwell).

We are excited to welcome the support this year of Member of Parliament for Beaches-East York Nathaniel (Nate) Erskine-Smith. Nate was raised in Beaches-East York, lives and works in this community, and we are so happy he is joining us in making this year’s Danforth East Community Arts Fair a success.

And a HUGE shout out to the tireless work of our volunteers! THANK YOU!! There are still a few volunteer slots left so click here to sign up if you want to spend time in a beautiful atmosphere with awesome people surrounded by art while giving back to your community – you’re one click away.

To help you plan your DECAF visit, here is the schedule of kids events, music performances, and demonstrations. We can’t wait to see everyone out there supporting our incredible artists on Saturday and Sunday! Follow us on social media before and during the fair on Facebook and Instagram.

 

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The trees are coming! The trees are coming!

Thanks to DECA’s amazing Tree for Me team for this post!

In an effort to increase tree cover in our neighbourhood, DECA is partnering with Tree for Me to give out free trees to Toronto residents. Together we are hosting two events on September 27th and 29th at East Lynn Park! To get your free tree, simply head over to treeforme.ca and register for one of the DECA events. Each household is eligible to receive up to two free trees per season. Pick up the trees at the event and learn how to plant and take care of them. The trees will be a mini size and easy to carry home.

Please register by September 24 to reserve your tree. Walk-ups will also be welcome at the event for whatever tree is available.

Why plant more trees?

There are many great reasons for planting more trees but chief among them are the environmental benefits. By taking in carbon dioxide and turning it into oxygen, trees help to remove harmful fossil fuel emissions from our atmosphere. Below ground, tree roots prevent soil erosion by keeping the soil from being washed away. Tree roots also absorb and retain water and boost the water-holding capacity of the surround soil, which can help reduce flooding, especially in urban environments.

DECAxTreeForMe event posterLess well known are the public health benefits of trees. A 2014 study found that in one year alone, trees prevented 850 human deaths and 670,000 cases of acute respiratory symptoms in the US. The researchers attributed this to the 17 tonnes of air pollution that trees removed from the air by trapping dust, pollen and other pollutants. Other studies have shown that just looking at trees can help people lower their heart rates, reduce stress and even recover faster from surgery.

With all of these environmental and public health benefits, why aren’t we planting more trees? That’s where Tree for Me comes in. Tree for Me is a community-based partnership to help Toronto residents get free trees for their front and backyards. As part of the Every Tree Counts campaign sponsored by the City of Toronto and Toronto Parks and Tree Foundation, Tree for Me aims to boost the city’s tree cover to 40%

How it works

Step 1: Register for your free trees at www.treeforme.ca. Take a look online to choose your trees. They’ll be in mini size and easy to pick up.

Step 2: Come to the one of our events for your free trees and tree care workshop.

When: Thursday, September 27 from 3 pm – 7 pm
                                       and
Saturday, September 29 from 10 am – 12 pm (workshop and tree pickup)

Where: It all happens at East Lynn Park, our workshop and tree pickup location!

For those with mobility issues, the City can come to your home on October 25th or 27th and plant your tree for you. If you live in a condo or cannot plant a tree in your backyard, we recommend the Serviceberry tree – they’re great on balconies or in planters. If the tree gets too big, you can always donate it back to the program!

Tip: Before you register, take Tree for Me’s short quiz to determine which tree you is right for you. The quiz will ask you a series of questions about where the tree will be planted (soil quality, amount of sunlight, etc…) and your goals for planting the tree (conserve energy, privacy, etc…). These questions will help match you with the best tree to suit your home’s environment and needs. All the trees provided through Tree for Me are native species to the area.

If you have questions about the event, please email info@deca.to or visit us at the Farmer’s Market on Thursdays. A tree for you, benefits for all!

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Brain games, bike tune-ups and so much more at the market!

We are excited to have four local organizations at the market this week.

  • Fresh Paint Studio will be in the Kids’ Tent with a spin art activity and pet rock painting from 4:30pm-6:15pm.Fresh Paint Studio + Cafe is a creative community space focused on nurturing creative ideas and sparking artistic imagination in both kids and adults. You can find them on Instagram and Twitter: FreshpaintstudioTO and on Facebook. 
  • East End Family Wellness will be in our Community Wellness tent. Recently opening their doors at 1250 Woodbine Ave, this clinic offers chiropractic, massage therapy and naturopathic care. From newborns to grandparents, they will provide you with knowledge, resources, and a variety of services that allow your family to grow and thrive.  Stop by their tent to check out a few of the fun exercises they’ve brought to help with brain development for kids and the young at heart!  Also be sure to fill out a ballot for their gift basket giveaway!Find them at on Facebook or on their website. 
  • The Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation, a multi-faith spiritual congregation will be in attendance as well. They are online at NUUC.ca
  • Ward 32 Spokes will be on hand from 3-6:30 to do light tune-ups on your bike.
And finally, here is some inspiration for your market dinner care of market organizer Rebecca: Salad strawberries from Godelie, arugula from Schoolgrown, spinach and ricotta crepes, fresh bread with fennel hummus and a rose from 13th Street.
Market meal inspiration.
Send us your market meal via Facebook or leave a comment below and we’ll share in one of our upcoming blogs.
The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3-7:00 p.m. between June 7 – October 11 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave. Stay up to date by visiting the East Lynn Market Facebook page or by following us on Twitter.
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Market this Week – celebrate Pride!

DECA Pride is happy to be hosting the 3rd annual DECA PRIDE @ The Market on June 21st from 3-7pm.

As always, the East Lynn Farmers’ Market is all about supporting the farmers. This week we are layering on a Pride celebration in honour of our thriving east end LGBTQ+ community and all of the wonderful allies who also live here. Pride isn’t just a downtown thing – join us as we bring Pride to the east end!

Over the course of the afternoon, we’ll have the amazing facepainters, pride-themed arts and crafts with Silly Goose Kids and Create Art Studio and we’re happy to welcome back the Coe Hill Girls, who will perform from about 5-6pm.

The winery on hand will be Chateau des Charmes, and some of the farmers and vendors may even have some pride-themed specials just for us!

Facebook event is here in case you want to invite others.

This event is sponsored by Steve’s Quality Meats and Deli (1938 Danforth). Steve’s approached DECA Pride last year asking how they can support us, and this is their second year sponsoring our market event! Steve’s is right across the street from East Lynn Park, so be sure go by any day for amazing cuts of meat, deli meat, cheeses, prepared food and hot food to go! You will not be sorry that you did.

If you are looking to take it to the next level, stop into Silly Goose on your way over and grab some of their Pride gear – kids clothes, buttons, and other treasures. Or buy some of the other high quality toys, crafts, baby goods and other fun stuff!

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Create Art Studio is a newish Danforth East business located just eat of Coxwell and they have classes for kids, youth, and adults as well as PA Day and summer camps and after-school programs. Oh, and they do birthday parties and wine nights too! Thanks to Jen and the Create team for helping us celebrate Pride!

Last but not least, thanks to corbin creative for designing the poster – another amazing local business.

DECA Pride was started by DECA to bring together the east end LGBTQ+ community and create spaces and events right here in the east end where we live. Allies are always welcome. For more information or to join the DECA Pride email list, visit DECA.to/Pride or send us an email.

HAPPY PRIDE!! 

More Farmers’ Market Info

We still need DECA Booth volunteers for the Market season, which means you sit at the DECA table and help out as needed, mostly with chatting with people. At our market, we cook for our farmers thanks to our team of volunteer cooks.  Dinners can been as simple or as elaborate as you wish – no matter what they are always appreciated. Click on the links above to learn more or click here to send our market volunteers an email. 

The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3-7:00 p.m. between June 7 – October 11 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave. Stay up to date by visiting the East Lynn Market Facebook page or by following us on Twitter.