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#DEdreams: tomorrow! Ultimate @ Stephenson

TOMORROW!

Remember to come out THIS SATURDAY, April 12 to our community party, Danforth East Dreams! Stop by 12-4 pm to 1811 Danforth Ave. for a few minutes on your way to the park or stay for the whole afternoon.  FREE drinks & treats from Melanie’s Bistro, Moberly Natural Foods & Beau’s! FREE bike tune-ups from 32 Spokes! FREE kids’ activities from Mrs. Darling’s Imaginarium for Boys & Girls! FREE repairs next door from 11-3 pm at the Repair Cafe! We also have amazing door prizes from LEN, Rebel Therapy Yoga, Air Zound bike horns and Ankh Yoga!

We’ll have lots of cool ways to share your ideas for improving the hood. So start dreaming and tweet your ideas now using #DEdreams and we’ll use your tweets tomorrow.

Special thanks to the owners of 1811 Danforth, Haig and David, for the use of their space for the day.
 

Ultimate Frisbee Returns to Stephenson Park

If this gorgeous weather has inspired you to get outside, why not try ultimate at a local park? REC Athletics’ Spring 2014 Ultimate Frisbee League begins May 7, 2014 at Stephenson Park. It’s co-ed, fun and you can register now as an individual or a team at www.recathletics.com.

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Let’s Party! Save the date: April 12

It’s been a long winter. Power outages, Polar Vortex, snow, the return of the Polar Vortex, and even more snow. If there was ever a Spring to celebrate, this is it. So save the date for Saturday, April 12, 12-4 pm, 1811 Danforth, because we’re inviting you to kick off your Sorrels and get together with your neighbours to party.

We’re calling it Danforth East Dreams. We were so inspired by #DreamPopup survey response, we decided to up our game and go even bigger. What do you want to see next for DE? A co-work space? Community gardens? Ping pong in the park? And we know dreams are a good place to start because the Farmer’s Market, Arts Fair, Pumkin Parade, Pop-up Shops, Adopt- a-Tree and Yard Sale (or a community association) all began as someone’s big idea.

Come out and tell us. Or show us. Because this isn’t a meeting: it’s a party. We’re going to have all kinds of fun, interactive ways to share your ideas. Put your house and ideas up on the giant map of the hood, Neighbourland (apologies to Candy Chang); pin your dreams to our clothesline; get interviewed by roving kid-reporters; build your dream with the crafty Mrs. Darling (of Mrs. Darling’s Imaginarium for Boys & Girls fame); get your bike tuned up for spring by the folks from 32 Spokes; or just come and hang out and be inspired.

Besides all the free activities, we’ve also got free snacks and drinks to fuel your creative energy–popcorn courtesy of Moberly Natural Foods; java and treats from Melanie’s Bistro; beer from family-run, DIY-ers Beau’s.

But that’s not all.

Right next door, at 1803 Danforth, from 11-3 pm, Toronto’s Repair Cafe is partnering with the Tool Library and offering you free repairs of your broken stuff! The volunteer-run organization is committed to giving people the confidence to fix your things instead of making them landfill fodder. They’ll have fixers available for computers and other electronics, small appliances and furniture, and clothing and more. Our current pop-up shop, Veritus Pictures, will also be open for business– take a stroll through his gallery and find out about his fabulous workshops.

So start dreaming about the hood and tweet your ideas with #DEdreams to get us started.

Special thanks to the owners of 1803 & 1811 Danforth, Haig and David, for the use of their space for the day.
Window1811Danforth

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Watch the Mail, Watch This Space & See You TONIGHT!

Watch Your Mailbox…

As hinted at previously here, we’ve been working away like Santa’s elves on a new Shop Local project and the results are in! Watch your mailbox today for a holiday coupon booklet including deals and featured items from 50 local businesses.

There are tons of great savings from your favourite stores and maybe even a few shops you haven’t discovered yet. For example, did you know that tucked away beside The Wool Mill (who are offering a coupon for 10% off) we have an amazing courier company, A-Way Courier, that provides meaningful employment for people with direct experience with the mental health system? Try them out with a coupon for a free delivery. Or did you know we have a brand new spot for yoga, Ankh Yoga studio, at the corner of Moberly and Danforth? Try a class for $10 with your coupon booklet.

If you don’t receive your copy in the mail, you can print it off here. Please bring your booklet with you when you do your holiday shopping to redeem all the deals. Only 1 coupon per customer, per store.

HUGE thank yous to volunteers Niamh Hill for managing the project and to graphic designers Heather Corbin and Queenie Best for making the booklet look gorgeous.

Watch This Space: Our Newest Pop-up Shop

All the Pop-up Shops are also featured in the coupon booklet (click here for current shop details), including our newest one, jewelry store Zilberschmuck. Located in Yummy Stuff’s old space at 1938 Danforth, Zilberschmuck will be opening this Friday, November 22 (or possibly earlier). The store carries contemporary, Canadian-made jewelry like the beautiful necklace pictured below.

Photo: Beautiful jewellery by Canadian artists including this lovely piece by Dianne Karg Baron.
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Help a Local Biz; Show Some East York Pride

For those who haven’t met him yet, here’s Allister, owner of Fa.Real Custom Tees, and all-around awesome guy.

Allister Thomas
Allister Thomas, Fa.Real Custom Tees

Fa.Real started out as one of DECA’s Pop-up Shops last winter and proprietors Allister and Tracey loved our ‘hood so much they moved their family above their store at 1900 Danforth Ave and set out to become a permanent addition to Danforth East. We here at DECA have used Fa.Real’s services for many amazing gifts (just read Catherine Porter’s post about the best baby present ever) and we’ve valued Allister and Tracey’s friendship.

Unfortunately, operating a shop without the backing of the Pop-up Shop program has been a financial challenge and Fa.Real is set to pack it in at the end of the month.

EXCEPT…

They aren’t ready to throw in the towel just yet. As a final effort to keep the store, Allister has created a line of East York T-shirts (designs are at the end of this post) and he’s hoping you’ll love them as much as you love our neighbourhood.

Here’s the pitch, in Allister’s own words:

First, I would like to thank all of you for coming into our shop and giving me the pleasure to express my creativity on your shirts. I also would like to say that it has been a real delight to meet the people in this community; you all have been outstanding to myself and my family and make us all feel great being here.

A customer one time asked me, “How long are you guys gonna be here?” and I simply replied, “We’re here as long as you guys keep us here.” And that’s the main reason I’m writing this. We are in a position where our stay at 1900 Danforth is limited to OCTOBER 31st, 2013.

We started printing t-shirts from our basement apartment back in 2011 in our dining room. In January we heard DECA was looking for small businesses like us that were looking to try out being in a store front for a month. My wife and I jumped at the opportunity immediately and out of 70 applicants, we were in the top 3 chosen. Since May 1st, we have been operating the business without the help of the Pop-up Shop Project.

We were so committed, we even moved our family above the store when an apartment became available, and it’s been an amazing experience ever since. We’ve been increasingly busy ever since we opened up, but we have not gotten ourselves in a position where we make enough to cover all our expenses without falling short.

So I had to think, think, think, like Winnie the Pooh. Then it hit me: I wanted to provide something that I’m very proud of and something you guys have pride in as well. So I created a line of EAST YORK t-shirts to big-up the area we call home.

And for each person who purchases EAST YORK t-shirts (if my store gets to stay), I will be offering a special lifetime membership for a 20% discount on all custom t-shirt orders here at Fa.real Custom Tees. (And don’t forget that a custom t-shirt makes a great, inexpensive personal gift for family and friends at Christmas time.)

A lot of you guys already come by here often to get shirts made for yourself or for friends and family. Sometimes, you guys just stop through to say what up and to share on some jokes or have good conversation and catch some positive vibes which is something I really enjoy as well. Help us stay here by supporting our small mom and pop t-shirt shop, and we will support our new home in East York.

Allister Thomas

Fa.Real East York Collection
Fa.Real East York Collect

Contact info:

Fa.real Custom Tees
1-888-502-1112
647-718-3339 (local)

1900 Danforth Ave.

email at info@fareal.com

 

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Small Biz Forum, October Pop-up Updates & Help Needed!

Calling all graphic designers!

We’re putting together a fabulous brochure for the holidays (top secret, but watch your mail in November), and we need a little extra help. If you’re an experienced designer and available to volunteer your serivices in the next 2 weeks, please send us an email: renew(at)danfortheastcommunityassociation.com

Pop-up shops news

We’re happy to report that most of the pop-up shops we launched this summer are still around, going strong and heading into their 5th month in the Danforth East community! Check out our website for the shop locations, hours and details.

Here’s the latest:

Yummy Stuff

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and the fantastic bakers at Yummy Stuff have been busy creating a mouth-watering menu. The flyer will be posted at the shop too so you can place your orders in person, by phone or email, info(at)yummystuff.ca. Apple Ginger Torte, anyone?

E-Closet

Tons of new fall fashions have hit the floor, and all are priced at the amazingly wallet-friendly deals E-Closet specializes in. Natasha has also changed her hours to match the season and is now open Monday-Saturday 11-6.

In This Closet-Thrift For Her

Our favourite bright pink store has also changed up their hours for the season and are now open Monday-Friday 10-8 and Saturday 11-7. Colleen and Christina have also put all jackets and blazers on special this week–all are 20% off!

Cheap Thrills

We’re thrilled that Eyob and Jonathan are extending their pop-up shop for the month of October. They bring in new products every week, so you really do need to pop by to visit again if you’ve only been once. They’ve also done a little reorganization of the store, starting with an awesome new window display.

Krystle Lee

Krystle is back to doing her signature private appointments only, but be sure to follow her on her social media to find out about her seasonal sales and all other Krystle news.

Plus, stay tuned for even more pop-up shops. We’ve been working hard to bring you more stores for local shopping options this holiday season. We’re still accepting applications from potential tenants until Tuesday, Oct. 8!

Succeeding as a Small Business forum

Back by popular demand,  the Toronto Danforth Federal Liberal Riding Association is holding another forum for all interested small businesses on Oct. 15, 2013 at the Estonian House (958 Broadview Ave.), 7-9 pm.

Katherine Roos Manager, Small Business, Economic Development and Culture, City of Toronto, will be speaking and local business owners from LEN and Lazy Daisy Cafe are among the breakout session leaders.

If you run a small business or are interested in starting one, you’ll definitely want to check out this event.

2013 Small Business Forum - Poster - Final

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Event Invite: Community Building with Jim Diers

We are very excited to invite you to an evening discussion on neighbourhood revitalization and community building next Tuesday.

We are so lucky to have a real guru on this topic, Jim Diers, agree to come speak to us next week.  Jim is the author of Neighbor Power and former Director of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods, where he implemented some very innovative programs and supported thousands of neighbourhood self-help projects.

A while back, DECA’s own Catherine Porter interviewed Jim for her column in the Toronto Star, highlighting Jim’s innovative thinking. You can also get a sneak peak of what Jim is all about by checking out this YouTube video.

Much of what we love about Danforth East – the revitalized East Lynn Park, the Farmer’s Market, the Pop-up shops and more – have been the result of great community engagement.  Let’s keep the momentum going!  Come out to Monarch Park Collegiate on Tuesday September 17, at 7:30 and be inspired!

Be sure to RSVP here since spots are filling up quickly.

We hope to see you there!

Jim-Diers-Poster