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Wednesday Update

This week at the market…

In addition to the tasty delights of farm fresh meat, produce and honey (as if that weren’t enough)…

  • Sell out sale – we’re selling off the last of the Klean Kanteens from $5 – $10 and the Simply in Season cookbook $15.
  • Soap-making by Simply By Amanda – local artisan and soap-maker.

Tree Trauma

Speaking of East Lynn Park, you may have noticed that a couple of trees in the park were damaged this winter.  Two Ash trees were vandalized and burned  by people who set the sledding-safety haystacks on fire.  One of those trees is going to be removed and the other will be pruned.  It’s too bad to lose a big beautiful tree in our local park and serves as a reminder that we should all be vigilant about calling the police when we see people in the park doing naughty things.

Tree Tour

Speaking of trees, 13 folks joined in on the LEAF tree tour last week – taking notes and photos and learning more about the trees in our neighbourhood.  A few of them signed up to join DECA Woods – the team of DECA members who are working with U of T to survey our neighbourhood tree canopy and determine how best to keep it strong and healthy.  Want to know more?  Contact Mary-Margaret at spargy@rogers.com

DECA Bikes

Along with some of our DECA Bikers, Gledhill Public School is organizing a bike rally for its students on June 16th and 17th.  Students will take part in a ‘fun-packed’ morning of bike safety and maneuvering exercises as well as signalling, stopping, turning and other safe-biking skills.  Why am I telling you this?  Because if you would like to arrange such a bike rally at your school, DECA Bikes would like to help.

Contact Jamie at jamiethiers@gmail.com, Mary-Margaret at spargy@rogers.com or talk to them at the DECA Bikes booth at the East Lynn Farmers’ Market.  Don’t forget to bring your bike to the market for tune-up help and any matter of biking advice. (Oh and Mary-Margaret wants you to know that you can now get CAA service for your bike.)

DECA Bikes works with a few other east-end bike groups to advocate for biking and tonight (June 9th) that group of East End Cyclists is meeting at the East York Civic Centre at 7 p.m.   Want to know more or get involved?  Go forth to East York Civic Centre and prosper.

Earl Haig Family Resource Centre – Best Ever Garage Sale

This Saturday (June 12th) you’ll want to make your way to the GEHA (Greater Earl Haig Area) for the garage sales supporting the Family Resource Centre at Earl Haig School.

The centre is a drop-in for all families with young children and is a great place for parents and caregivers to go with young children to sing, do activities, visit with other adults and play.  Families on neighbouring streets are raising money to keep the centre open for another year.

The garage sales on Currie, Earl Haig Ave and Hillingdon will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be followed by a kids’ bike parade at noon.  For more, contact Natlie at nhc@sfu.ca

Sports For Kids

First – I notice that Goodlife Fitness is offering free summer memberships for teens 14-17 for July and August during the day.  There is a Goodlife at Coxwell and Gerrard.  There is bike parking inside the club and a bus stop outside the front doors.

Second – If you miss out on the registration (tomorrow) for the City of Toronto summer programs, there is always Jack of Sports – now offering swim and summer camp programs at Monarch Park indoor pool.

Last Day Music Fest

Save the date – Friday, June 25th is the Last Day Music Festival.  This, rock and roll show will take place in the St. Brigid’s school yard (Glebeholme and Woodmount) from 7 – 10 p.m.  And get this?  The bands are seriously good bands – all made up of kids.  Want to see some great music performed by some young people with talent?  The whole thing will be hosted by 102 The Edge’s – Darrin.  Funds raised will go to support outreach projects at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church.

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First Farmers’ Market – This Thursday

Thurday, June 3rd is DECA’s first Farmers’ Market at East Lynn Park.  Be there for the 4:30 fest (pilates in the park) and the cafe, sponsored by Guru Coffee.  Our fabulous face painters will be there turning run-of-the-mill children into fantastic fairies and super heros.  Also – DECA Bikes will be there to help you tune up your bike and get it road-ready for the season.

Oh – and guess what?  The cheese lady is back!  Ruth Klassen is back at the market.  Now you’re excited, right?

P.S.  –I notice Celena’s bakery and True Brew Cafe are both open on Sundays

P.P.S. – Nancy Greene  is offering free reiki as she completes the final stage of her certification from the Canadian Reiki Association.  If you would like to know more contact here at ngreene11@sympatico.ca>

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Not To Brag But….

Since the only thing I do for DECA’s farmers’ market at East Lynn Park is to write about it and eat my way through it, I feel absolutely no need to be modest about it.  Thank you to Renata for pointing us to the fact that Toronto Life has put out it’s list of the best farmers markets in the city (the top eight) and guess which little community market appeared on it?   Yes, we made the list!

Why?  Because we have an incredible group of women who put in tons of volunteer hours to arrange the special events, work with the farmers, paint faces, set up tents, get permits, make caramel apples, organize buskers etc etc etc.  And because we have fabulous volunteers who cook for the farmers (a unique and much-loved piece of east Toronto hospitality) and pitch in whenever we need them.  And because a LOT of people come and shop there and hang out with their neighbours.  And because we have a terrific community vibe that the farmers thrive on and that makes going to the market an ongoing, community building event that helps people get to better know their neighbours and make our neighbourhood safer and more vibrant and at the same time supports local business by significantly increasing foot traffic on the Danforth.  Umm.  I think that’s all.

The market starts next Thursday (June 3rd).  This year, every day at 4:30 there will be a family-friendly activity.  And if you’re looking to sit down and just soak up the atmosphere, check out the new farmers’ market cafe.  Of course, we’ll still have all our special events – from the spring strawberry social right to the fall harvest pumpkin festival.

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Poking Around For A New Book?

Book Swap

Summer’s coming… and it’s time to stock up on some fresh summer reading.  If you have books that you are finished with and you want to trade them for some new ones, come to the neighbourhood Book Swap happening on Saturday, May 8 from 11-1 at True Brew cafe (2116 Danforth – on the north side, just east of Woodbine).

We’d love to see books of all kinds — picture books your kids have outgrown, vampire fiction your teenagers might be willing to part with, thoughtful treatises on living the green life, cookbooks, comic books, book club rejects… anything in good shape and ready to be shared.  Grab a coffee, chat with your neighbours, and tread a little more lightly while you’re at it.  Any leftovers will be donated to school libraries or charity.

(P.S. I noticed True Brew is hosting a free coffee day on May 12th – you’re welcome.)

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party To Save The Peace Theatre


You’re invited to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in support of the Peace Theatre – an organization committed to transforming the lives of at-risk children and youth in Toronto.  On this, the theater’s 10th anniversary, the Peace Theatre is in danger of closing its doors – for good.  Over the past ten years the Peace Theatre has helped thousands of at-risk youth and it needs our support to help it continue.

On May 12, 2010, join musicians Joe Sealy and Paul Novotny, Monsoon and others while sipping some Mad Hatter spiked tea and yummy bites at Revival on College St.  The goals is to raise $40,000.  Learn more at www.childrenpeacetheatre.org or 416-752-1550.

Business Revitalization Team

Thank you so so much to the wonderful volunteers who came to help out with the Business Revitalization Team last weekend.  Giving up a few hours of a precious Saturday is much appreciated!  Our next project is Thai Basil Kitchen (near the Honda on the north side).

If you have a recommendation for a business that you love, but could use some help from our amazing Business Revitalization Team – let Angela know at amatich@aim.com

Melanie’s Bistro

You know Melanie Ferreira is good friend of DECA.  She and her husband were profiled in the Toronto Star this weekend. Check it out.

55 Division Community Picnic

Mark your calendars for May 26th (4-8 p.m.) for the police community picnic at Woodbine Park (Lakeshore and Woodbine).  DECA will be there promoting the East Lynn Farmers’ Market so stop by and say hello.

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Farmers’ Market Opens June 3rd

Help Wanted

We’re looking for help for the Farmers’ Market, both paid and unpaid, but all very much appreciated.

First – we’re looking for a fabulous Market Manager. The Market Manager needs to be at the East Lynn market from 1:30 – 7:30 on Thursdays and the pay is $125/day.  The manager generally works with the farmers and ensures the whole thing runs smoothly.  If you would like more information, contact Diana Gonzalez at dianardo.gonzalez@gmail.com.  (P.S. Diana’s also looking for Market Managers for the markets at Sick Kids (Tuesdays 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.) and Liberty Village (Sundays 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)

We also need a few strong guys and gals to help out with barricades (carrying them in and out of the shed and then standing near them and allowing the local cars on to East and West Lynn Ave.)  We’ve got a few students, but we need some help in June and September to help until around 3:30.  There would be some payment for this.

Second – Our Market is pretty darn terrific. Not to toot our own horn, but everybody says so.  Still, we could use a few extra hands to help out.   Think about it: you get to hang out with cool farmers and fun farmers’ market folk; you get to be outside enjoying the oh-so-short summer; you get to run into all your neighbours; and you get to contribute to an amazing community event that is helping to make this a ‘sought after’ neighbourhood.  How can you get involved?  Glad you asked.

DECA Booth Hosts When needed: 1-2 people each week for two shifts (2:30-5:00 and/or 5:00-7:30)What to do: Greet market attendees, provide directions, answer questions about DECA, sell DECA memberships, set up/take  down of small tent and table,  help farmers if needed, help coordinate and serve farmer’s meals.

Farmer Feeders When needed: 1-2 people each week – What to do: Create and deliver fantastic meals to serve our ~30 devoted farmers.   You can use farmers produce but need to scoop it 1 week prior.

Photographers When needed: one person each week at whatever time they are available, particularly around the 4:30 p.m. What to do: People to capture the moments and memories of the farmers market, with your own digital camera.

Public Relations When needed: various times through out the summer. What to do: Champion public relations activity for the Farmers Market, including creating and distributing regular press releases to local papers.

Face Painting When needed: 1-2 people each week for two shifts (2:30-5:00 and/or 5:00-7:30) What to do: Use your talent and artisan eye to paint children’s faces who visit the Farmers Market.  Paint supplies provided.

Market Entertainment When needed: one session each week at 4:30. What to do: People and/or business with some talent in putting on a free demonstration or entertainment session for the Farmers Market crowd, particularly the children.  For example, family-focused yoga session or children’s book reading.

Flyer Distributors When needed: various times through out the summer. What to do: distribute 100-200 flyers to local business and residences to promote the Farmer’s Market.

Contact Shelley at shelleydarling@yahoo.ca or 647-232-8139.

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Bus Barns and Canada Post

First – Thanks to Leo for pointing us to this story from the Toronto Star about the possibility of a transit museum/interpretive centre at the TTC barns at Coxwell and Danforth.

Second – MP, Jack Layton’s office is holding a community meeting to discuss local Canada Post services this Sunday (Feb 21st) from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Woodgreen Community Centre at 1491 Danforth (Classrooms 1 &2).  Representatives from Canada Post will be on hand to hear from residents.