Page 129 – Danforth East Community Association

June 24, 2013

East End Tool Library Launch Party – Wednesday!

Join the Toronto Tool Library this Wednesday to celebrate their new Danforth East location!

We are thrilled to let you know that the Toronto Tool Library signed a lease at 1803 Danforth Avenue, just east of Coxwell! (Yet another former DECA pop-up shop – we’re on a roll!)

To celebrate, please join them for their East End Launch Party at Sarah’s Cafe & Bar (1426 Danforth Avenue) this Wednesday, June 26th from 7:30-10 p.m.

Light refreshments will be served, and all ages are welcome. Hope to see you there!

A Message From the Tool Library Team:

In addition to hundreds of tools to sign out at the Library, our on-site Makerspace will provide members with 24/7 access to 3D printers, band-saws, table saws, a laser cutter and CNC Router (to name a few). The 1900 square foot facility at 1803 Danforth Avenue will also feature workshops and after-school programming for youth (ages 8 and up) and adults of all ages.

To ensure the project is a success we need your help! We have lots of space to renovate and equipment to purchase so please consider becoming a Founding Member for just $500 each! We will also be offering less expensive supporter packages as well, click here for more details.

Founding Members receive the following perks:

• Permanent name recognition on our Founder’s Wall

• 6-month membership toMakerspace ($450 value)

• iFixit Toolkit to tear down all your electronics

• One year membership to the Toronto Tool Library

• One free workshop registration

• Toronto Tool Library t-shirt and button

• 2 tickets to our Grand Opening Party this fall

• 2 tickets to an IRBE event, past speakers include authors Charles Eisenstein and Bernard Lietaer

• Website Recognition, Facebook and Twitter callout

For questions about the East Side Tool Library and Makerspace or our launch party please contact Ryan Dymentat ryan@irbe.org.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Toronto Tool Library team

For information about the DECA pop-up shops, please visit our website: www.danfortheastcommunityassociation.com or click here.

June 21, 2013

Friday fun around the corner

Fun things to do on the next few Fridays

We know that you like fun just as much as we do. So, here are some local ideas to change up your next two Fridays.

Open Minds Makin’ a Racket at the Rocket

Today! Friday, June 21, 2013 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

And next Friday, start your long weekend off with some good old fashioned belly laughs…

Hirut Hoot Comedy Presents: Canada Daze

Hirut Restaurant, 2050 Danforth Ave (@ Woodbine)
Friday, June 28, 2013
9:00 p.m., $5

All are welcome for a comedy kick-off to the Canada Day weekend! Comedy, music and videos.

Featuring an all-star lineup:

Rhiannon Archer
James Browne
Judy Croon
Rose Giles
Cleve Jones
Martha O’Neil
Host: Winston Spear

And for something completely different, just over the Main Street bridge you will find an official Pride event next Friday at Ted Reeve Arena. These three words will change your life, or at least your Friday: Lesbian Roller Derby.

The 5th Annual Clam Slam

According to the Pride Toronto website, “this is one sporting event you won’t want to miss this year!”

Friday, June 28, 2013
Ted Reeve Arena, 175 Main Street

Game 1 @ 6:30 p.m., Game 2 @ 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12 in advance or $18 at door
Kids 9 years old and under are free with an adult ticket purchase

Tickets available online at www.torontorollerderby.com or in person at Cardinal Skate Co., Rotate This, Sonic Boom, Soundscapes, Purple Pearl, and True North Climbing.

Check out www.torontorollerderby.com for info

June 20, 2013

Pop-ups: Deals, Pics and a Prom Princess

Introducing: Pop-up Shop Deal of the Week!

Starting this Thursday, June 20, we’ll be posting a fantastic new deal from one of our five new pop-up shops every week. Each week we’ll feature a different shop and a different deal, so be sure to check the blog, our Facebook page or our Twitter feed every Thursday.

The inaugural Pop-up Shop Deal of the Week is from Natasha at E-Closet:

Get 20% OFF our Accessories! Starts Friday, June 21st & ends Thursday, June 27th. (Regular priced items only. Not valid with other offers.)

E-closet | 1801 Danforth Avenue
Monday-Saturday 11-6 | Sunday 12-5

Pop-up Prom Princess

Tina Novotny shares this great story about one of our pop-ups, In This Closet, doing good in the ‘hood:

Colleen McDonald and Christina Di Stasio just opened their pop-up shop fashion boutique, In This Closet: Thrift for Her, at 1765 Danforth Avenue in mid-June, and already they’ve found a wonderful way to give back to the community.

Co-owner Christina Di Stasio approached a neighbour who is a guidance counsellor at Notre Dame High School, an all-girls Catholic secondary school in Toronto founded by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame, and asked whether there was a student who wouldn’t be able to buy a stand-out formal dress to wear to her prom.

“My neighbour was really excited and took our proposal to the head of guidance, who found our prom princess for us, Ramorna Antoine,” said Di Stasio. “Ramorna will come to the store for a final fitting of her dress at 11:00 on Thursday (the 20^th) and a terrific stylist, Bernadette Lewis, is volunteering her time to do hair and make-up.”

“We had such a warm welcome to the neighbourhood and are so thrilled to be part of this great opportunity with the pop-up shops, we wanted to share our good fortune with others,” said McDonald. “Connecting with an area high school and being able to make a dream come true just seemed the perfect way for our store to pay it forward.”

Way to pay it forward, In This Closet!

Launch Fun

Finally, a big thanks to everyone who came out last weekend to shop and celebrate the opening of the new pop-up shops. Yummy Stuff’s cupcakes went like, well, faster than hotcakes, the various bands’ music added a great vibe, Dominic and Stephen led a crowd of 20 through the history of the ‘hood and pop-up shops, and artists Chris and Tak made the sidewalks a little more colourful for the day.

Special thanks to local lighting and audio experts Show Pro for providing our music equipment, and to the Danforth Mosaic BIA for lending out theirs too.

Here are a few pics for those who missed the fun.

June13LaunchChalkArtTak — Artist Tak making the sidewalk outside Yummy Stuff as colourful as the new store.

Dominic and Stephen discuss Danforth East's history on their walking tour. — Dominic and Stephen discuss Danforth East’s history on the walking tour.

Kevin & Bruce of popular band God Made ME Funky entertain shoppers.

Shoppers finding bargains at Cheap Thrills.

DECA’s latest round of pop-up shops will be open for up to 6 months on the Danforth. Get all the SHOP DETAILS here. Please support our community’s efforts to revitalize our commercial strip by taking some time to visit and support these exciting pop-up enterprises.

June 18, 2013

Farmers’ Market Awesomeness

If you made it to the market last week, then there is no need to tell you how awesome it was. If not, here’s a few pics of what you missed. Thanks to everyone who helped make the Grand Opening Celebration so much fun!

There is no shortage of fun this week either. In celebration of their upcoming collaboration, Beth from CareerFit mom and Winnie from Oaks & Acorns will be teaming up to celebrate with some PlayFit! (CareerFit Mom fitness classes, career workshops and more will be offered at oaks n’ acorns starting in September). Drop by to see them with your little ones for fitness games and drills… they’ll have obstacle courses, agility/coordination challenges and role playing activities. This sounds like the perfect way to have them burn off some extra energy before bedtime.

There will also be a representative from Sure-Close Food Containers with information about kitchen container systems for food scraps.

*New* Market Facebook Page

To stay up to date on all the latest and greatest market news, be sure to ‘like’ the new East Lynn Market Facebook page.

The East Lynn Farmer’s Market runs every Thursday from 3-7 p.m. between June 6 – October 17 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave.

June 17, 2013

Safety Update & Tree Workshop

Safety Update

DECA volunteers Diana Gibbs and Laurie Smith met up with Rob McDonald from Division 55 last week at CakeTown for a chat about neighbourhood safety. Here are their tips on keeping our vibrant community safe and welcoming over the summer:

“Active, busy neighbourhoods are the safest.” That’s the message from Rob McDonald, Crime Prevention Officer at Division 55 and good news for DECA – a beehive of activity over the summer. “DECA is a great example of promoting safety by building community and has made a huge difference along their stretch of the Danforth.”

DECA is served by Division 55 south of the Danforth and Division 54 north of the Danforth. Overall, our area has relatively few incidents but Rob stressed that residents should be sure to report any concerns or minor issues, such as car break-ins or noise complaints, by calling Central Alternative Responseat 416-808-2222. Depending on the situation, they may send out a patrol car. But more important, these calls are tracked and reviewed weekly by the Division to look for patterns or areas for special focus. “The community sets the standard and gives us valuable information; it’s not a crime if we don’t know about it.” he said.

This month, Division 55 officers are visiting all our local parks to “set the tone” for the summer and discourage late night private partying. Rob also offered a few security tips for residents such as:

keep your front door and windows locked if you are gardening or entertaining in the backyard

ensure your car is locked and there is nothing of value (even small change) in sight

lock up your strollers and bikes

driveways and lanes should be brightly lit; avoid dim (mood) lighting on front porches

Want to know more about crime prevention in our community? Check out the Facebook pages for Division 54 and Division 55 and you can also follow Rob on Twitter @tpsofficerrob. Ingrid Hannah is the Crime Prevention Officer for Division 54 and can be reached at (416) 808-5429.

Have a safe and happy summer!

P.C. Rob McDonald, Crime Prevention Officer, Division 55

Trees, Trees, Trees! Ward 31 Tree Workshop

Join City of Toronto Forestry staff, LEAF (Local Enhancement for the Appreciation of Forests) local tree advocates at a Tree Workshop for Ward 31 residents.

Thursday June 20, 2013 at 7:00 PM

Danforth Mennonite Church
2174 Danforth Avenue

At the workshop, residents will have an opportunity to learn about green initiatives by the city, local groups and organizations to improve our environment. The evening will include presentations on how to preserve and expand the tree canopy in Ward 31. This will be a great opportunity to connect with other neighbours and plan local activities to green our neighbourhood.

Ward 31 Tree Worshop and Seminar Poster June 20 2013

June 16, 2013

Cruisin’ the Danforth Pubcrawl

This could be a fun and deliciously thirst quenching night. Check out the Cruisin’ The Danforth Multi-Brewery Pubcrawl as a part of Ontario Craft Beer Week. So many local places to try some local brew.