Rink Side Campfire and Toronto East General

Rink side campfire

At DECA’s first meeting of 2011, we decided to form a parks committee.  One of the things this committee is going to do is develop an inventory of parks and recreation (and cultural) items in our neighbourhood.  We hope that this will be both a resource to the community and that it will give us a better sense of what facilities are available in our community in comparison with others.

This led into a discussion about the possibilities of a campfire at East Lynn and at Monarch Park.  We know they do campfire events at Dufferin Grove and at Greenwood Park alongside the skating rinks so we have some folks who are exploring these opportunities around here.  One thing we’re doing is talking with the Friends of Greenwood (FROG) about their campfire events.  And lo and behold they sent us an invitation to their next party!  And by us, I mean YOU.

Rink Side Campfire, Sunday February 20  – 11-12:30

Marshmallows, hot chocolate  – bring your own mug.

Lost Ring

Jon Isaak has been a good friend to DECA – particularly the Farmers’ Market – as a skilled graphic artist and volunteer.  He lost a ring on Sunday, Feb. 6th either in East Lynn Park or Merrill Bridge Road Park.  It’s inscribed 2007/9/15.  If you’ve found it let me know and I’ll connect you with Jon.

TEGH

There is an official public community meeting about the plan to renovate Toronto East General coming up.  As I have discussed here before, the plan is to build on the current parking lot on Sammon Ave. and take down the building that fronts on to Coxwell.  The DECA executive was invited to tour the hospital and see why exactly the hospital needs a serious overhaul.  Personally, I truly couldn’t believe the state of some of the parts of that hospital.  I’m going to post another blog about this in the next few days, but mark your calendars and please plan to attend the meeting on March 2nd – and not just if you don’t like the plan.  If you’re in favour of a renovated hospital, the City and city councillors needs to hear that too.  I don’t have the time and place, but when I do, I will let you know.

Mosaic Storytelling Festival

The Open Door East End Arts Collective and St. David’s Anglican Church celebrate the diversity and creativity of our rich East End neighbourhood – and our world – through six afternoons of storytelling with tellers and tales from all across the globe. Occurring every two weeks from Jan. 23 to Apr. 17 at 3 pm in St. David’s parish hall at 49 Donlands Ave, right across from Donlands subway station.  Admission PWYC (pay what you can), suggested minimum $5 per person.

For more information call 416-469-2878.

Sunday, February 20 at 3:00 pm – Black History Month – Leeya Solomon and Sandra Whiting tell stories from Africa and the Caribbean


Toronto East General And You

Photo: danforthlife.ca

 

The Toronto East General Hospital is big.  Over the years it has expanded by way of new buildings and additions.  Some of those buildings don’t quite line up – so in some cases you have to go down to up or go east to go west.  And it’s old.  And you know how old buildings can be.  The heating and cooling and plumbing and electrical can get a bit tricky – to say the least.

The good news is there is a grand plan afoot to completely redevelop the hospital.  The bad news is it will take a few years to get shovels in the ground and a few more years before the new building is up and the old building is down.  However during the entire process the hospital will continue to provide 100% of its services.

A community hospital like TEGH isn’t particularly sexy like say, a world-renowned children’s hospital.  It doesn’t evoke the kind of philanthropy that you might find at a downtown cancer centre.  But babies are born there.  Grandparents spend their last days there.  Hearts are fixed.  So are broken bones and broken minds.  And it’s ours.

TEGH would like your input about what the new hospital will be.  What will the green space look like?  Is there room for beauty and art?  What colour should the walls be?  How should the waiting rooms be designed?

The TEGH CEO and Director of Pharmacy and Emergency, as well as the project architect met with the DECA executive committee last month to introduce us to the plan. It’s ambitious and is trying to take into account the community in which it is set.  Now they would like you to come and hear more about the plan and provide your two cents.

Monday, November 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at the Toronto East General Hospital (Coxwell and Mortimer) in the E2 Lecture Theatre.  www.tegh.on.ca