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Free things!

This just in from Sweet Serendipity Bake Shop:

Come on in and warm up with a free small coffee or hot chocolate when you purchase a cookie from March 18 to 27!  We have lots of choices including Chocolate Chip Walnut, Peanut Butter, Oatmeal Cranberry and Double Chocolate Chip.



1335 Danforth Avenue   416 837 3254

HOURS: 

Monday & Tuesday – Closed

Wednesday to Friday 10 AM – 6 PM

Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM

Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM


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Free crafts at Silly Goose Kids this week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10-noon. 





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Free screening!  Filmmaker / Visual Humourist Cameron Tingley presents his series of short live-action films LIFE AS WE KNOW IT at the S. Walter Stewart Public Library, 170 Memorial Park Ave., Tuesday, March 24th 2015 from 6:30 – 8:00 PM. 




More info on the screening:


Modern society …. we’re all part of it. 

But how often do we step back from the hubbub of daily life to look at it with fresh eyes?

 

With the theatrical troupe The Flying Spot Players, Cameron has produced a collection of short films that offer a humorous yet thought-provoking look at our modern world and the times we live in.

 

“Modern life in the developed world is moving at a dizzying pace”, says the filmmaker. “We are losing sight of the relationship between our individual actions and the general condition of our culture and our environment. These little movies are meant to put a face on those relationships to help bring the underlying connections and patterns to the fore.”

 

Pollution, advertising, popular culture, electronic communication, consumerism, and social etiquette are some of the topics that are examined in the various films.

 

The program of shorts is interspersed with personal commentary by Cameron about what motivated him to make each movie and how he approaches each subject.

 

For further information please contact Cameron at 416-469-3033  or CTLA@sympatico.ca    Also Facebook:  Flying Spot Players​





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Shop your neighbourhood!

We put a call out on social media and asked local businesses to send us blurbs for a holiday shopping post. Also included are businesses that support DECA throughout the year, and a link to our Arts Fair exhibitors.

In no particular order, here are some amazing local options for your holiday (and year-round) shopping needs. There are options for all ages in all price points – you can find someone for everyone on your list in our neighbourhood.

This is not a full list of all that Danforth East has to offer; for that you need to take a stroll sometime and to see for yourself.

Festival of Lights Sponsors

Sugarmoon – hair removal and skin care salon, 1509 Danforth

Ages & Stages – children’s consignment store, 1552 Danforth

Art Cave – art classes for all ages, 155 Lamb

Dragonz Martial Artz Centre – 1998 Danforth

Kids Fun Town – indoor playground and party centre, 2040 Danforth

Merrily Merrily – children’s consignment store and DECA pop up shop until Dec 15, 1948 Danforth

Oaks & Acorns – Activity Studio for Parents & Tots 0-6 years, 1856 Danforth

Pegasus Studio – dance and arts studio for all ages, 361 Glebeholme Blvd

Silly Goose Kids – NOW Magazine’s 2014 Reader’s Choice award for best toy store! 2054 Danforth

Melanie’s Bistro – Get 10% off gift certificates on Nov 28 & 29, 1870 Danforth  DEAL

Celena’s Bakery – baked goods, lunch, and custom cakes, 2036 Danforth
Danforth Sandwich – eat in, take out or delivery, open late, 2116 Danforth

Ciraco Custom Framers (1946 Danforth) DEAL

We are having our annual 15% Off Xmas Sale on all custom framing, including custom mirrors and custom chalkboards. Come and visit us to see our in-store specials!

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Ciraco Custom Framers was established in 1979.
We maintain the highest standards in customer service and craftsmanship. Our integrity has kept our retail and corporate clients returning for custom framing services for over 35 years.

Presentation is Everything
Visit us at www.ciracoframers.com
ciraco@bellnet.ca
416-421-2036

Jujumama Designs (online – Danforth East Arts Fair exhibitor)

Jujumama Designs design specializes in hand-painted, customized growth charts. They make an excellent gift for children of all ages. We work with families to incorporate the child’s name, style, favorite colors or favorite animals.
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**For a full list of 2014 Arts Fair exhibitors, click here**


Face-to-Face Games (2077a Danforth @ Woodbine) DEAL

Face to Face Games Toronto is here to add even more fun to your celebrations! The holidays are fast approaching and what better way to spend the snowy days than with family and friends gathered around a new tabletop game? From November 29th until Dec 31st satisfy your gaming desires with 10% off on all board game purchases made in store.
Happy Holidays Christmas Edition

Moberly Naturals (2044 Danforth)

We are a natural foods grocery store located at 2044 Danforth Ave. in Toronto. Specializing in organic and conventional cooking, baking, and snacking needs, Moberly Natural Foods is your one-stop shop for health! 
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For monthly specials (many of which would make great gifts/stocking stuffers) click here

Origin Wellness, Registered Massage Therapy (2017 Danforth)

Take a break from the cold weather and all the stress of the holidays: visit Origin Wellness for a massage!
Origin Wellness — located at 2017 Danforth, behind Ankh Yoga– has been open for 6 months now! If you haven’t met Erin and Yvonne yet, this is a great time to treat yourself to some therapy and relaxation right in your own neighbourhood. Evenings and weekends get booked up quickly at this time of year, so give us a call or book online soon!
origin-wellness-tree

Bomb Fitness (1502 Danforth) – DEAL for DECAdiaries readers

Happy Holidays! We have an exclusive offer for DECAdiaries readers – a 4 class FREE trial pass for:

  • All new members AND
  • Past members who have not made an appearance at the studio in 2014

Click on the following link, enter the password “shopthehood” and complete the sign-up process.

www.bombfitness.ca/deca.html

Hurry, offer closes December 15th and you have until January 15th to begin your first step towards lifting your own darn suitcase!

Website

www.bombfitness.ca

Len: Democratic Purveyors of Fine Art & Beautiful Things (698 Coxwell – a few doors north of Danforth)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for shopping local!
We will be open late (until 9pm) on Nov. 29 for the Festival of Lights – and Shop the Neighbourhood…PLUS you can come and see LEN at the Distillery District Christmas Market starting this Friday through December 21!!!

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https://www.facebook.com/Len4All
http://len4all.com

(Pssst – have you heard that Len received Now Magazine Reader’s Choice for Best Design Store? Since this was one of DECA’s first pop-up shops, we are so proud! Congratulations, Len!)

Fa•real Custom Tees (1900 Danforth) 

This great custom t-shirt shop is a DECA pop-up shop success story!
FCT Christmas Flyer
(416) 696-Tees (8337)

Wag on the Danforth (1918 Danforth)

Welcome to Wag on the Danforth, a family-run business that carries a wide variety of all natural foods for dogs, cats, small animals and birds. Because we are a small store, we are willing and able to run that extra mile to find ~ or special order ~ the product that’s right for your pet companion.

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(Another NOW Magazine Reader’s Poll WINNER, for best pet store!)

www.wagonthedanforth.com

https://www.facebook.com/wag.danforth

Canine Social Company (1872 Danforth)

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The Pillow Shoppe (1434 Danforth)

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www.thepillowshoppe.ca

Royal Beef (1968 Danforth)

store-front

We opened Royal Beef over 25 years ago with the vision of bringing quality meats at reasonable prices to neighbourhood families.  Never losing sight of our that vision, we have expanded the store to include cheeses, gourmet groceries and deli items.

Priding ourselves on the craft of butchery, we source the best of naturally-raised, hormone-free meats from close to home.  Featuring Mennonite-raised chicken, Berkshire pork, in-house made deli meats free of nitrates and more.  Just this year, we discovered a great angus beef from Prince Edward Island raised naturally without hormones.  We think it is the best Canadian beef yet!

The rest of the world has a lot to offer as well.  I love importing cheeses from Italy, olive oils from Spain and Portugal, and the best olives from Greece.  Just a sampling of what you will find in our gourmet grocery section.

Always striving to bring you the best, we believe great meals start with great ingredients.   If it’s not good enough for our table, it’s not good enough for yours.

www.royalbeef.ca

Artisans at Work (2071 Danforth)

Local artists and artisan market right at Danforth and Woodbine.
http://www.artisans-at-work.com/

Sugar Me Up (1792b Danforth) DEAL

Join us for our Christmas Specials to get a Facial and Dermalogica Products for 10% OFF.
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Danforth East Renew Updates Galore

Revitalization Updates

There’s a ton of great info packed into this guest post from the Danforth renewal dynamic duo, Tina & Gay.  Read on for all the exciting changes the team has been working on to improve the ‘hood.

Whether you shop local, work local, eat local or pitch in to lend a hand on renewal projects, you’re supporting the revitalization of our commercial strip. We all get stoked when new businesses open and DECA and WoodGreen are excited to continue renewal efforts on the Danforth! There’s lots going on and we’re grateful for funding support from the Metcalf Foundation as we head into year 2.

WGAnnualRep
Pop-up successes looking fabulous in WoodGreen’s annual report.

Change like this happens through the incredible work and dedication of local volunteers. Thank you!

Danforth Mosaic BIA’s AGM: this TUESDAY

The Danforth Mosaic BIA is the longest BIA in the city. It extends from Westlake to Jones. The BIA aims to stimulate business and improve economic vitality. Local business and property owners volunteer their time and can be elected to the BIA Board of Management. Their Annual General Meeting (AGM) takes place on Tues. Oct. 28th at 7:00 p.m. at 695 Coxwell Ave., on the 6th floor of Tobias House. All business and property owners within the BIA have a vote. For more information email danforthmosaicbia@gmail.com

BIA is Working to Re-brand Shopping on the Danforth

There’s a new BIA marketing committee, and in September local businesses and residents were invited to contribute their vision of the area.

Over 30 people came together during three sessions to participate in a range of activities designed to help define the area. Participants shared their thoughts, used pictures, and tested their artistic skills to envision what the Danforth could be. This was the first step to generate input for the BIA’s new marketing plan to put the area on the map! Keep your eyes peeled in the coming months!

BIA Marketing consult
A BIA marketing consultation session.

DECA’s Business Revitalization Team Strikes Again

In August, DECA’s Business Revitalization Team (BRT) created a splash on the Danforth with another storefront makeover! Helen’s variety store (1781 Danforth Avenue) was transformed from the old shabby, faded blue façade to a clean, bright new look featuring yellow and white stripes.

How does something like this happen?! Needless to say, it’s a lot of work. It takes the passion of a team lead (Pat Young) and the talent of many volunteers to design, research, consult, promote and then implement this brand new look! Why Helen’s Variety? Watch this one minute video to find out.

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BEFORE: Helen’s Variety’s awesome make-over team.
makeover2
AFTER: owner Tom poses with the new & improved Helen’s.

Turning Ideas into Reality:
Reimagining the Laneways

Did you know renovations are planned for Coxwell station? So why not look at ways to improve the adjacent laneways? That thinking led to a DECA/WoodGreen sponsored consultation, during Art of the Danforth last May, facilitated by

architect Michelle Senayah. City Councillor Janet Davis pitched in, connecting DECA/WoodGreen to the TTC and Green P Parking Authority. Over 20 people attended the consultation held adjacent to the laneways, on TKOS’ patio.Fast forward to September and we are delighted to report that everyone’s dreams and ideas to improve the laneways are closer to becoming a reality! Things like murals, better lighting, signage and wayfinding, and more attractive fencing, were on the table at a meeting convened by Councillor Janet Davis. Representatives from the TTC, Transportation Service, the Public Realm at the City, Green P Parking Authority, DECA, WoodGreen and East End Arts are working together to find ways to move forward. Teamwork takes time and there are no guarantees; still it’s awesome to know that improvements are coming. We’ll keep you posted!
Coxwell-laneway-consult
The Reimagining Coxwell station laneway session.
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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.