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Perfect Summer Afternoons

The forecast for this evening is lovely – a great night to head out to the market!  All summer long, I’ve been taking my two little boys to the market, buying some fruit and cheese, taking part in the 4:30 fun activities, playing in the wading pool and chatting with friends and neighbours along the way.  It’s been week after week of wonderful afternoons in the neighbourhood.  I’m not alone, I’ve heard other stories of perfect summer afternoons at the market too.  Do you have one you’d like to share?  Post it here on the blog or send it to me and I’ll post it.

This week promises to be no different.  See you there. – Natasha

Break-Ins

In decidedly less pleasant news, several cars on Drayton Ave. were broken into last night.  The thieves went through glove compartments and storage spaces looking for valuables.  Items were strewn all over the cars this morning.  Apparently the cars were locked.  Just a reminder to lock your vehicles and don’t leave any valuables in them.  Also – be sure to report these kinds of incidents to the police. They likely won’t do anything, but all of these reports get filed and the more incidents that get reported, the more police are dedicated to a particular area.  If you don’t feel like calling them, send an e-mail here for north of the Danforth and here for south of the Danforth.

Second Exit At Coxwell

I was wondering why the TTC was putting in second exits all along this stretch except Coxwell station.  The TTC tells me that it has identified 14 high priority stations for emergency second exits and Coxwell is not one of them.  On the other hand, the TTC does have a plan to install elevators at all stations, however Coxwell is not slated to get an elevator until 2013.

Donations!

Thank you to all of you who have offered to donate to help paint the pool at East Lynn Park.  I was surprised by the number of you who want to help.  This neighbourhood is awesome.  Anyway, we’re working on the best way to accept donations.  We can’t paint over the graffiti in the pool until the season is over because it takes at least three days to cure.

Green Hair Care (Not Just For People With Green Hair)

Paola Girotti of Sugar Moon wants you to know that they are now carrying a eco-hair-care line called Onesta. She’s also offering a free gift with your full-body brazillian.  ‘Nuf said.

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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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Sweet Summer Stuff

DECA Learns – Canning Cherries and Peaches

DECA’s next Bernadin canning workshop is tomorrow – July 21st with the delightful master of all things preserve – Emerie!  This week, peaches and cherries.  The workshop is at 7:30 p.m. at the Danforth Mennonite Church at 2174 Danforth.  RSVP to Mary-Margaret McMahon at spargy@rogers.com or 416-693-9276.  Suggested donation $5.00.

East Lynn Farmers’ Market

Oh we’re in the thick of it now.  My fridge overflows with local produce.  The bounty is rich and the atmosphere at the market is absolute delight.  At least that’s how it looks from the vantage point of my little boys…peaches, cheese curds, face painting, wading pool.  Does it get any better than that?

This week at 4:30 – unicycle tricks that will wow you.

Big Hole Update

Thanks to DECA member (and volunteer) Jon Isaak for sending along this update on the condodevelopment at Danforth and Woodbine from Tine Major at the City of Toronto Planning Office:

The rezoning application is almost ready to be reported on and the final report recommending approval may go forward to the August Toronto and East York Community Council meeting.

If you would like to know more or comment on this, contact Councillor Sandra Bussin at councillor_bussin@toronto.ca or and/or her executive assistant, David McCully at dmccull@toronto.ca.

Toronto Police Services and You

Whenever we speak with the community policing officers at 55 Division (south of the Danforth) and 54 Division (north of the Danforth) they always tell us the same thing: if you see something untoward, call us.  Even if they don’t come that time, it gets filed and the more calls they get, the more likely they will be to pay attention to this particular area.  If you’re like me, however, you might not always call because you don’t want to deal with the hassle or you don’t have the time.  When DECA met with other residents’ associations in the east end last month, we learned that you can also e-mail these sorts of non-urgent complaints.  Genius.

For 54 Division (north) – use this form or call 416-808-5400

For 55 Division (south) – use this form or call 416-808-5500

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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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The Arts Today

Gledhill Public School’s grade 6 class created this mural on the back of the Honda building.  Not only does the ‘graduating’ class get to leave some permanent memories but it spruces up the view for the community and the kids at the playground and deters further tagging.

True  Brew

This Friday (July 9th) stop in to True Brew Cafe at 2116 Danforth for live jazz.  Ed Kopala from the Twelfth Fret and his trio will be playing.  Susan will be giving out samples of the new cold coffee blender drinks.  Kids are welcome.  There’s no cover charge, but you can donate to the musicians if you’re so inclined.  They’re also thinking of having open mic night for those musicians who want to play a song or two.

Lost Your Keys At The Farmers’ Market?   We’re holding them hostage, but will entertain ransom offers.