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DECA Learns DECA Eats

My five-year-old son should be employed by Foodland Ontario.  “Mummy, I like Ontario food the best.”  “Mummy Ontario strawberries are my favourite.  Let’s always eat food from Ontario o.k. Mummy?”

DECA Learns – Canning Workshops

If you’re like him, you’ll want to bottle up that sweet local flavour and eat it all year long.  And DECA is here to help you do just that.  Our canning workshops are up and running again this year so mark your calendars.  Register early (melaniej.thompson(at)yahoo.ca) because the workshops sometimes fill up.  The workshops start at 7 p.m. and run about 90 minutes.

Wednesday, June 29th – Strawberries

Tuesday, July 26th – Plums

Wednesday, August 17th – Peaches & Pears

Wednesday, September 14th – Tomatoes & Salsa

Wednesday, October 5th – Cranberries, Thanksgiving, Gift giving for the holidays

Workshops will take place in the basement of the Mennonite Church (north side of Danforth, just east of Woodbine).  Cost is $10/session to cover our costs.  Again, space is limited so register in advance if you can and please please let Melanie know if you can’t make it because she’ll keep a waiting list.

DECA Learns – Foraging For Salad Greens

Did you know there is free, delicious, nutritious leaves can be harvested from the plant lamb’s quarters?  Did you know that lamb’s quarters grow wild right here in our neighbourhood?  For tasty greens to supplement your salad or soup, take a local foraging trip with Susan and Melanie.  On this half-hour walk and pick, you will learn to identify lamb’s quarters, harvest it and get tips on how to use it.

Thursday, June 23rd at 7 p.m. – Meet at the DECA table at the East Lynn Farmers’ Market

For more information, call 416-686-9676

East Lynn Farmers’ Market

Localfoody.net is a website about…yes local food.  They recently wrote about our market.  The writer loved it, but was concerned there weren’t enough shoppers to keep the market viable.  Let’s make sure we put our money where our mouth is and support the farmers’ market that we’ve come to love.

Are you on Twitter?  Follow the East Lynn Market at @eastlynnmarket

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Short and Long


O.k. I’ve got a long list of items and an awareness of short attention spans so I’m going to try to make these as short and sweet as a melty mint.

The final deadline to apply to be a vendor in the hugely popular and incredibly cool Danforth East Arts Fair is June 15th so act now to avoid disappointment!

Speaking of art and how freakin’ cool we are…The Art of the Danforth crew is well into organizing for spring 2012 and they need some volunteers…some now and some next May.  Right now Cindy needs a couple people to do 2-4 hours of internet research and/or 2-4 hours of walking the street to introduce ourselves to new stores.  In May 2012, they’re wondering if there are any adventurous souls/families who live close to Danforth who would offer up their front yards for art installations.  They would love to be able to offer curators a private residence as a potential installation site – dunno if they’d use it, but it potentially could be interesting.  If you are interested in either or both or none of those things, but want to talk to Cindy, contact her at info(at)eastdanforthcreative

Tomorrow is DECA’s Container Gardening Workshop from 2-4 p.m.  Don’t miss it. Don’t forget.  And don’t give me some lame excuse about your in-laws dropping over unexpectedly.  We’re also planning another full season of DECA Learns from canning to bicycles with some gardening thrown in for good measure. More on that in a future post.

Beatty Buddies daycare is a delightful little place in the basement of Earl Beatty Public School north of Danforth, east of Coxwell.  Earl Beatty is slated for full day kindergarten in 2012 and that is just one of the reasons why the daycare has formed a strategic planning committee.  The first thing it’s doing is a survey of you – the community.  So whether your kids are in university or in utero, please take a few moments to fill out the short survey.

Yes, the photo above is of a new place on the Danforth, east of Woodbine.

Yes, Target has announced one of its first Toronto stores will open at Shoppers World at Danforth and Victoria Park.

Yes, Goodlife is once again offering free memberships to teenagers for the summer.

Notes from the Community Police Liaison Committee

  • You can register your bike for free with 55 Division so in case it gets stolen, you could possibly, maybe, have a chance at, perhaps getting it back?
  • Bugaboo baby strollers are magnets for thieves and are being stolen all the time.  Lock them up.
  • Graffiti cleaners are heading out June 15 and 16 to remove graffiti in alleys, garages, mailboxes etc.  Contact Community Centre 55 at 416-691-1113 to suggest your unwanted graffiti location and they’ll try to send over a clean team
Rock On
Because your kids are lovin’ the rock and roll, you need to mark Wednesday, June 29th on your calendar and make your way to St. Brigid’s school yard for the Last Day Music Festival.  This year, featuring the pop sensation that is sweeping the pre-teen scene (seriously) Done With Dolls.  Also Chasing Sam, Colour Connection, Sugar Rush, Checkmate Sergei, Running From Jane, Marissa Dattoli and not just another cliche.  What are you going to do on the last day of school that’s cooler than that.  More details coming soon.
Thanks for sticking with me for the whole post.  Last but not least, DECA’s terrific Parks Team has scoured the neighbourhood for all things recreational and not so recreational and has come back with an amenities list that will amaze you.  The schools, the churches, the swimming pools, the services, the classes.  It’s fabulous.  Behind every one of those links was someone who walked the streets, make the notes, found the links and posted it.  Thanks to the Parks Team for a great piece of work.  Enjoy.
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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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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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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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Green Is The New Black

Community Clean Up Days

T’is the season for community clean ups.  Me and my brood will be at Earl Beatty.  Where will you be?  (A tidbit from me to you: for my son’s last birthday I bought a few long-handled grabbers at Dollarama that would be ideal for picking up litter if you’d rather not bend up and down endlessly.  The young children found them a little difficult to squeeze -though very appealing- but an older child or adult wouldn’t have any trouble.)

You can usually bring your own gloves (though there are usually some available too).  Bags are supplied.  And – in my experience there are usually some treats for your labour.

Saturday, April 24th

Earl Beatty and surrounding streets- 10 a.m. @ the school (Sponsored by the eco-team, the Earl Beatty Community Centre and the school.)

Danforth Avenue – 10 a.m. @ the Coxwell Parkette at Danforth and Coxwell (Sponosred by the Danforth Mosaic BIA)

Taylor Creek – 11 a.m. @ end of Rexleigh Dr.(sponsored by the Taylor Creek Green Group)

Stan Wadlow Skate Park – 1 p.m. @ skate park (sponsored by Team East York Skateboarders)

Keystone Keeners – The neighbours living on Keystone Ave. are hosting their annual Rally in the Alley to clean up the alley and generally have an excuse for a party.  Guess what?  You could do that too.

Ecoartvan

Every Saturday in April and May the Ecoartvan will be visiting libraries all over town to offer a free hands-on art and environment education program.  The van will be at the S. Walter Steward Library on Saturday, April 24th from 1 – 4 p.m. (170 Memorial Park Ave. – just north of East York Civic Centre).

Topham 10

The Topham Park EcoTeam is trying to get solar panels installed on 10 homes in Ward 31 (north of Danforth).  With a LiveGreen Toronto grant of $50,000, they can offer about $4,500/home to help reduce the costs.  So far they only have two homes and are looking for eight more.  Contact Neil Rankin to learn more at tophampark@ourpower.ca

DECA Bikes!

Who knew there were so many avid cyclists in the neighoburhood?   Saturday, March 27th was our first ever DECA Bikes Tune-Up workshop. Cyclists learned the tricks of the trade for tuning up their bikes, met with other cyclists, and were treated to bicycle shaped cookies and juice all for the low fee of paying what you can.

We knew it was going to be a great day when there was a queue at 11 am!  THANKS to all our dynamite DECA Bikes members for helping out.

Next Tune Up workshop is Saturday, May 1st 11 am – 4 pm. Contact Jamie Thiers jamiethiers@gmail.com for more information or to join DECA BIKES.

Reskilling – Soap Making

The Reskilling workshops DECA & ETCAG (East Toronto Climate Action Group) have been offering since last July have been going gangbusters!

We had to run four soap making classes to meet the demand of keen, sudsy soap makers.  Thanks to the fabulous Amanda Montgomery (Simply by Amanda) and her protégé Jazzy Joanna for all their knowledge.  Look for their products at Better Bulk.

Stay tuned for a beeswax candle making class and a bread making class.