Posted on

Have I Got a Great Story For You

Canada Day at the East Lynn Farmers’ Market pictures courtesy of Melissa Peretti

This Week At The Market – Storyteller, Dan Yashinsky – 4:30 p.m.

Dan Yashinsky has been telling stories since 1977 in Canada and around the world.  In 1999 he received the first Jane Jacobs Prize for his work with storytelling in the community.  Dan created a curriculum program called The Telling Bee, produced a Toronto-wide story creation project called Future Folklore and conceived a project encouraging children to tell their own stories.  He is the author of Suddenly They Heard Footsteps – Storytelling for the Twenty-First Century.  DECA Vice-Chair, Catherine Porter, says “He is really really cool.  Like Robert Munsch cool.  People should bring their kids to hear him.”

St. Brigid’s Trees Need Your Help!

You may know that the St.Brigid’s Catholic School Eco-Club planted a whack of trees last year to improve their school yard and the earth.  This summer they’re looking for  people to help with the watering of those trees.  They need at least ten more people (especially in August) to meet on Tuesdays and Friday mornings at 8 (or 7) a.m. and spend about twenty minutes watering the trees.  If you can help, please contact the eco team at janglen@rogers.com.

Posted on

The Good, The Sad And The Delicious

Woodbine Station Upgrade

Reminder – There is an open house tonight about the second exit being built (in 2011) at Woodbine Station.  The open house is at Coxwell Public Library from 5:30 to 8.  Thanks to Stephen, Leo and Mary for pointing us to the controversy about similar upgrades at Donlands and Greenwood and there has been some media coverage.

Red Sable

It pains me to write that Red Sable is closing.  The final exhibition will feature artists: Kendra Gadzala, Simone Creed, Silvia Cocolo, Nadra Chapman and others.  There will be 10-25% of everything in the store from July 2 – 31.  Red Sable is open Thursday and Friday 11-6 and Saturday 12-5.  It’s at 1765 Danforth Ave on the south side east of Woodmount.

Dragonz Martial Arts

Many people have wandered by the new home of Dragonz Martial Arts lately and wondered what’s up?  (Sir) Marvin Prashad has been working hard on the new location at 1998 Danforth on the north side between Woodmount and Woodbine.  He took a dirty old variety store and turned it into a gleaming gem.  Prashad has classes six days-a-week for ages four to 104.  He is renowned for his excellent rapport with kids and his intense (read bootcamp) classes for adults.  Try one month free!  He also does birthday parties and has a day camp this summer.  Contact him at vizionentertainment@live.com or 647-401-8780

Sunday, July 25th is the grand opening and he is having his annual BBQ in East Lynn Park with games and a Chinese dragon performance.  All are welcome.

Farmers’ Market

Here’s a little bit of information about me: I am not the most domestic of gals.  I can get dinner on the table and even some cookies but I’m no Martha Stewart.  However, inspired by the good people at Canadian Living, I made strawberry jam last week.  And you can too – no boiling jars, no sweating your cans off in the kitchen.  I made this ‘low-sugar’ no-cook strawberry freezer jam.  It was terribly easy.  I feel like a superstar.  My son thinks I’m amazing because it tastes like absolute heaven on a piece of toast or on top of waffles.  And it’s a (delicious) step toward eating local all year long.  So, head on over to Thursday’s market, pick yourself up two containers of strawberries and feel like a domestic god.

Posted on

Getting Around The Neighbourhood

Making paper at the East Lynn Farmers' Market

Yes there is a farmers’ market this Thursday (Canada Day).  It’s the Strawberry Social special event.  There will be delectable strawberry treats courtesy of  Celena’s Bakery (thank you Celena’s!)  You can do the East York Canada Day Parade in the morning and then make your way to the market in the afternoon. Can’t think of a better way to celebrate your country and your community.

Woodbine Subway Station

In 2011, the TTC is making the Woodbine subway station more accessible by building a second exit and putting in two elevators.  You are invited to attend an open house information session to see the design and learn more about the project and the construction.  The open house is at the Coxwell Public Library  (at Danforth) on Tuesday, June 29th from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

If you can’t make it to the open house, you can contact the TTC at Woodbine.Station@ttc.ca or 416-393-4001

the 3/50 project

Thanks to Mary-Margaret McMahon for pointing us to this (American) website about ‘saving the brick and mortar our nation is built on.’  It asks the question, ‘what three independently-owned businesses would you miss if they disappeared?’  It encourages you to shop local with some very interesting statistics.

Posted on

This Week At The Market

Market Bucks

What is the absolutely perfect teacher’s gift – one that they will surely appreciate and one that gives twice?  East Lynn Farmers’ Market Bucks are available at the DECA tent.  Get yours this week!

Papermaking

This week at 4:30 p.m. at the East Lynn Market, join Jenny Marston for paper-making.  Kids will learn how paper is made and will get to make their own paper designs.  Look for Jenny in the face-painting tent.

Posted on

Hello Summer

Merrill Bridge Road Park is now officially an off-leash dog park.  It took the group of dog-owners there two years to get the park redesigned.  Now there is somewhere close to East Lynn Park where people can take their dogs and not bother the kids.  Molson, above, is delighted.

Strawberry Canning

We started these ‘re-skilling’ sessions last year to take advantage of the local produce at our door step.  They were so successful we’re bringing them back this year.  First up?  Strawberries.  Learn how to bottle up that sweet taste of early summer and enjoy it all year long with Emerie from Bernadin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23rd at the Danforth Mennonite Church at 2174 Danforth Ave. A donation of $5 is suggested.  RSVP to Mary-Margaret McMahon at spargy@rogers.com or at the DECA tent at the East Lynn Market.

Last Day Music Festival

Done With Dolls

Come celebrate the last day of school with some cool music, pizza and pop.  This Friday is the Last Day Music Festival at St. Brigid’s school yard.  This is a serious rock and roll show featuring the under 20 set.  It’s from 7 – 9:30 p.m. and a suggested donation of $5 gets you a slice of pizza and a drink.  If you take your kids, they just might think you’re cool.

Mosaic Does Jazz

The Danforth Mosaic BIA will once again be bringing some of Canada’s top jazz ensembles to the Coxwell Parkette every Wednesday from 6 – 9 p.m.  It starts July 7th with the Russ Little Trio.

Community Rise Up Basketball Tournament and BBQ

Speaking of the parkette this Saturday the Coxwell Parkette will be transformed into a basketball court.  There will be a live DJ and other performances as well as raffles and giveaways.  There will be adults and kids’ teams (though the deadline to enter a team has passed).  Fore more info, call 647-688-1627 or 647-444-7685.

Kiwanis Outdoor Pool

The re-opening of the pool at Stan Wadlow park is this Saturday beginning at noon.  There will be a leisure swim, family activities and a ribbon-cutting.  The pool has a new heating and filtration system, a new splash pad, accessibility enhancements and renovated change rooms including a family change room.  It’s at 373 Cedarvale.

Posted on

Farmers’ Market This Week and Next

This week’s market was simply delightful.  Thanks to Vera and Slavcia from the Cozy Cafe and Bakery (Woodbine and Danforth) for providing complementary, delicious hot cinnamon buns and marscapone cheese blintzes.  If you haven’t yet been to the bakery and cafe at 2075 Danforth, you really should drop in.  You will not be disappointed.

Next Week

Beginning next week, you can buy organic sausage on a bun.  Back by popular demand, Simply by Amanda soap-maker.  Also the 32 Spokes Cyclist Parade and  pilates in the park!

We still need volunteers to help set up and take down the tents at the market.  If you can offer half an hour either before or after the market, we could really really use some extra hands.  Let Shelley know at shelleydarling@yahoo.ca