Local kid book news

Two things to tell you about related to children’s books! 

Barbara Reid book reading today! (Nov 12)

As part of their annual Neighbourhood Toy Store Day celebration, Silly Goose Kids will host story time and book signing with famed children’s author, Barbara Reid today, starting at 10:30am. Lots of other activities happening all day long so check out the poster below. You can save the tax all day on books and everything else!



Children’s Book Drive, Nov 19-26

Locally owned and operated children’s book subscription service, Butterfly Books (click link for more info) is organizing a book drive for the children’s book bank, beginning next weeeknd. We’re letting you know about it now so that you can get an early start clearing out your kids’ gently used books.  Several local drop-off locations will be available – see poster for details. 


Pumpkin Parades!

On November 1st, beautiful jack-o-lanterns will light up parks around the neighbourhood thanks to many volunteers who put them together. (And in some cases with help from City Councillors – thanks to Councillor McMahon for her support of ours.)

DECA’s Pumpkin Parade will be at East Lynn Park again, but we’ve also included a few others below so that you can take your pumpkin to the closest magical event. 

Happy Halloween and see you on November 1st starting at 6:30pm (Note that in most cases, it’s helpful if you bring your own candle)

East Lynn Park (DECA’s!) 

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Gledhill Park


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Dentonia Park


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Felstead Park


Another busy Saturday in Danforth East

DECA’s north border is Mortimer/Lumsden and this Saturday things are really happening from end to end!

Old’s Cool Big Reveal, Saturday 9-12


Looks like some big changes are coming to Westlake & Lumsden. A plan for a building overhaul and the opening of a new cafe to be revealed beginning at 9am. (The big reveal of the plan for the rebuild will be at 11am) 

Free coffee all day plus snacks and other surprises. 250 Westlake. 

Check out the Facebook event for more info. 
Gotamago Grand Opening, Saturday 12-5


At the corner of Woodbine & Mortimer (ok fine, technically it’s Lumsden) is the green building that has housed a number of failed take out ventures but has been transformed into an artists studio and shop! Check out the full story including before & after pics owners Lichia & Christopher posted in a recent blog post

What an exciting addition to the neighbourhood!

Gotamago’ official opening is Saturday from 12-5pm, 1231 Woodbine. For more details check their Facebook event


Official East York Civic Centre Grounds -Ribbon Cutting, Saturday 2-4pm



Heading back down to the Danforth…

Fall Jazz Vespers @ Hope United, Saturday 4:30-5:15pm

Andy Slade Trio

These monthly jazz concerts at Hope United Church, located at 2550 Danforth on the north/west corner at Main, are a lovely way to pass an afternoon. The cost is a free will offering, or pay what you can. 

This weekend! 

So it finally feels like fall but don’t start your hibernation yet. Lots happening this weekend! 

Danforth East Short Film Festival – Saturday from 8-10pm, $10 

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here or at the door! 2183 Danforth @ Time Capsule Board Game Café. 


DECA is a proud sponsor of the festival. 

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Just Say “Boo!”, Sunday from 3-5pm, free

CareVillage is a newly formed not-for profit that aims to provide East-End Toronto parents with immediate solutions and long-term resources with the goal of building a self-sustaining network, a modern village. 

This Sunday, October 23rd, from 3-5pm at Kaza Family Centre, 1386 Danforth Avenue, they are hosting a family Halloween Event!

– games and activities for kids with fun prizes!

– any opportunity to get a professional photo of your little one in Halloween costume!

– and opportunity to meet local families and build your community!

CareVillage will also be accepting *new and unopened* toiletry and non-perishable food items, as well as hats, mitts, and scarves, that will be distributed to East-End families for their upcoming holiday food and toy drive.  Click here for more info.  

DECA is a proud sponsor of this event too!

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DECA Pride October Mingle, Sunday from 3:30-5:30pm, free

Join DECA Pride at at Time Capsule, 2183 Danforth for a social event for east-end LGBTQ+ people, and any allies who also want to come. Come on your own, with a date, with friends or with your family and enjoy free game-playing, and light snacks courtesy of DECA. 


To be added to DECA Pride’s email list, click here and request to join. This is a DECA-led initiative. 

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Halloween Swap, Sunday from 11am-4pm 

Bring any halloween related costume or accessory and receive swapping tickets for each item (10 tickets max). Items are worth between 1 and 3 tickets each, depending on size and condition.

The Sharing Depot is located at 1803 Danforth Ave and they promise to be haunting the place from 11am-4pm – bring your spooky items down and swap with your neighbours for new spooky items!


For more info about the swap click here. Learn more about the Sharing Depot here!

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DECA Board Meeting, Monday from 7:30-9:30pm

Drop us a line at info@deca.to if you’d like to come!

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 Save the date!

Our Annual General Meeting will be on November 21 from 6-9pm. Stay tuned for details. 

Today in the ‘hood!

A few things happening today that you might like to know about.

One Year of Press (9-5 Sat & 11-5 Sun, 2442 Danforth)

Hard to believe that it’s only been a year that we’ve had this neighbourhood gem filling all of our caffeine, snack, book, DVD and vinyl needs at 2442 Danforth, between Woodbine & Main. Pop by this weekend to show them some love. In return, you can take advantage of all of these specials:

– 25% off all books and records (new and used)

– $2 Pumpkin Spice lattes

-6 double passes to Festival of Authors giveaway

-balloons and treats for the kiddies


Carseat Recycling at Silly Goose Kids (10am-4pm, 2054 Danforth)

The folks from Get Reel will be back with their car seat recycling program. There is a fee for the service $10 for car seats and $5 for boosters.




Learn to Play Pokémon at Face to Face Games (2-4pm, 2077a Danforth, above the Pizza Pizza)

PokeParents is your chance to learn how to play Pokemon with the family. This event is free – check out their FB event listing for more details.




Are you going to the dance tonight? (7:30pm-1am, 201 Monarch Park Ave)

Some locals have organized an old fashioned dinner/dance tonight with live music and cash bar with $5 drink specials. Grab your date and/or group of friends and get your $30 tickets online www.bubblyaffairs.com, or at Sauce, 1376 Danforth. Check out the poster for the details. 

Danforth East Short Film Festival – Oct 22 8-10pm

Last week DECA was proud to join other sponsors in support of this great event! Here is a guest post from Nicole Bergot-Browning, festival founder & organizer. 

The Danforth East Short Film Festival on October 22 from 8-10pm at Time Capsule Cafe (2183 Danforth) is an evening of shorts that looks at the theme of transformation, to reflect the changing neighbourhood of East Danforth. I’ve had over 500 submissions from around the world. I am currently screening them, before I send the final entries to a jury made up of Dan Riskin from Daily Planet (and east Danforther), Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon and local film distributor Robin Smith. 

The final films will be screened at the big event on October 22nd from 8-10pm. The films come from all corners of the globe, as well as Toronto, and animation, comedy, drama and documentary will be represented. 
To buy tickets ($10 each) click here

For more information, visit: www.danfortheastshortfilmfestival.com

Read on for a short Q&A between DECA blogger Sheri and festival organizer Nicole

Festival organizer Nicole Bergot-Browning

What made you want to launch a film festival in this neighbourhood? 

I live in this neighbourhood – moved here two years ago with my husband and daughter – little did I know we had chosen an amazing place to set down roots and raise a family. For the first time in my life I felt invested in a neighbourhood and the community that I live in, and I wanted to somehow be a part of it. I like short films – I work in television and have worked on short films – they are awesome nuggets of drama and humour and creativity in a bite sized package, but where the heck do you watch them? My friend Gina Dineen has successfully run a short film festival in Cabbagetown for 25 years and I thought maybe I could do that, and that could be a way that I contribute to East Danforth. 
There used to be three theatres in our neighbourhood, but sadly they’re all gone. I’m also really interested in how the neighbourhood is changing and I wanted to somehow include that, and so the theme of all the shorts is related to transformation.  

Who is your target audience for this event?

Film lovers! Anyone who can appreciate two hours of jam packed entertainment from animation, comedy, drama, to documentary from around the world. I have had over 500 submissions (and counting) and I found films that will make you laugh, make you cry, make you think… most of all entertain you.