Whether you’re into fixing parks, fixing a TTC station or fixing your downhill wardrobe, Danforth East has something for you next week.
East Lynn Farmers’ Market: Want to contribute?
Can you believe it? There is less than two months to to before the opening of the East Lynn Park Farmers’ Market! While the first day of the market will be June 6th, we will hold the official Grand Opening Celebration on June 13th. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details.
But… what we can tell you is to expect to have all the face painting fun and crafting with Mrs. Darling like in previous years. Plus exciting plans are coming together that include a fresh approach to the festivals and more prepared food so you can grab dinner and do your shopping at the same time!
If you’re looking to get involved this year, here are a few ways you can help out:
- Musicians: I think we can all agree that having live music each week significantly adds to the community vibe that exists at our market. We’re looking for talented musicians who like help create that atmosphere by entertaining market-goers with their musical talents. There is a modest stipend ($25) available and musicians are encouraged to open their cases for donations.
- Cooks: Did you know that someone from our neighbourhood cooks a full dinner meal for the farmers each week? Pretty cool, eh? We have yet to hear of another community doing this for their farmers. If you have culinary skills to share, we’d love to have you. There is a $20 stipend available to help defray the cost.
- DECA Table Volunteers: Can’t play music? Can’t cook? Want to help but are short on time? No problem! Can you sit in a chair and smile? We’re looking for volunteers to sit at the DECA info table for one of two shifts per Thursday? (There is also some set-up or take-down involved) Help answer questions about DECA and the market. Don’t worry, we’ll give you all the answers!
If you have other ideas on becoming involved please don’t hesitate to connect with us by emailing Shelley . We’d love to hear from you! Or perhaps you are or know a local business that would like to sponsor an event? We’d really love to hear from you!
Support our schools!
April is literacy month! (Note to self, spell-check this post before publishing it.)
Earl Haig Public School is having a used book sale on April 20, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. They are also seeking book donations – read the poster for all the details!
And while we’re talking about Earls…Earl Beatty Public School has a date for their Fun Fair – so mark your calendars – May 25th!!
This year, the 9th annual Earl Beatty Public School Fun Fair will be held on May 25th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is a partnership between the school, the Earl Beatty Community Centre and Beatty Buddies. It is a day of family fun including a ball hockey tournament, inflatable games, face painting, kids raffles, a barbeque and a bake sale. It is our hope that we will build on the success of last year and raise even more funds to help bring much-needed resources into our children’s classrooms and playground. We hope to see you at this fun-filled day!
Get out your calendars – something for everyone in April
In the coming weeks, the DECA bloggers (Sheri and Shelley) will be telling you more about ourselves, and about the rest of the DECA Board members. For Shelley and I, you will learn that we are busy working moms, with five kids under the age of 4 between us, and you will understand why there are times when there are no blog posts for a bit, and then a really, really, long one with all sorts of events listed. So while we strive for logical themes, clever segues and pictures in our posts, this one is just going to be a whack of info and dates. Hopefully there is something that will make you flag this for follow up. (Or maybe you get regular REM sleep and have that thing known as “memory”, but I digress.)
In chronological order:
Friday, April 5, 2013 @ 1:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Artisans-at-Work “First Friday”
Location: 2071 Danforth Avenue @ Woodbine
- One of many, many amazing events going on at Artisans-at-Work, the newest community hub in our neighbourhood.
For more info on all of the interesting classes, events, workshops and learning opportunities on offer at Artisans, visit their events page here.
Monday, April 8, 2013 @ 7:00 p.m.
Danforth Mosaic BIA monthly meeting
Location: Toronto Model Photography, 1840 Danforth Avenue @ Glebemount
- Come one, come all! Hear what the BIA is working on and have a say – remember, they are partially funded by your tax dollars! (BIAs are funded by levies paid by the local businesses, and by the City)
Saturday, April 14, 2013 @ 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Free Art Exhibit, “Colour of My Soul”, by local artist Renata Dusk
Location: Leeman Nautical Home Decor and Giftware, 1202 Woodbine Avenue @ Mortimer
- It’s finally warm out, so take a walk up Woodbine and visit this amazing new store to see some beautiful art!
Leemen is a new store a 1202 Woodbine Avenue – the only store in Toronto selling Nautical Home Decor and Giftware, as well as a wide range of unique gifts for your Cottage and Home. On April 14, 2013, we are hosting an Art Show featuring the work of local artist, Renata Dusk. Her Show is called “Colour of My Soul”, and it will run from 12:00 to 6:00 pm. The Artist’s medium is Acrylic and her web site can be found here.
Sunday, April 21, 2013 @ 1:00-4:30 p.m.
Family Art Workshop “I Do Believe in Fairies” at Colour Creative, $40/family
Check their Facebook page for more info, or email here
Monday – Thursday, April 22-25 @ 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Business Basics Bootcamp, Free business classes offered by Enterprise Toronto
Free Admission, but space is limited – see below for registration info
Location: East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Avenue @ Mortimer
- Thanks to Councillor Fragedakis, Ward 29, for arranging these helpful sessions in our neck of the woods!
- Click here for the website – registration required!
Sunday, April 28, 2013 @ 1:00-4:30 p.m.
Family Art Workshop “Beyond Brushes” at Colour Creative, $40/family
Check their Facebook page for more info, or email here
Speaking of Facebook, have you “liked” us yet? If not, click here. We’re on Twitter too @DECAdiaries (of course)!
Stephenson Park Update and Colour Creative!
Stephenson Park Meeting – Tuesday April 2, 2013
Colour Creative
An exciting new option for parents looking to broaden their kids’ horizons! Colour Creative is owned and operated by local artist (and mother of two) Andria Keen, who has worked in many mediums and has participated in several gallery shows – mainly for her sculptures. Andria tells us that she is honoured to have the opportunity to share her knowledge and love of various art forms with others and in doing so, to explore with them the joy, wonder and pride that they experience when they tap into their creativity through the wonderful outlet of art. More from Andria:
Colour Creative started as an idea for an art-based after-school care program, has grown into a budding art school for children ages 4 to 13, located in a cozy home environment just off Danforth near Coxwell.
Colour Creative offers a range of children’s courses throughout the year. The Spring 2013 calendar offers six courses including sculpture, drawing, art history/journaling and Arts Mart featuring a collage of mediums for the younger ones. A key theme throughout all the courses is strengthening foundational skills and paying attention to light and shade.
Also popular is the Art Passport, available to any age, which offers five one-hour private sessions for $80.00 (on Saturdays and Sundays).
In addition, this year will be Colour Creative’s first summer, and plans are currently in the works for an Artful July, so stay tuned!
For more information on how you can illuminate your child’s creative spark, click here for the Colour Creative Facebook Page, call (647-764-5336), or click here to email for more information. You can also pick up a Colour Creative activity postcard available at many of the awesome shops along the Danforth.
Friday Fun!
THIS FRIDAY, March 29, 2013
Silly Goose Kids (2054 Danforth Avenue) – Open on Good Friday with lots of fun activities!
NEXT FRIDAY (April 5, 2013)
Artisans At Work (2071 Danforth Avenue – a few stores west of Pizza Pizza at Woodbine) hosts a “First Friday” event on the first Friday of each month. The details are so exciting and there is so much going on that you need to read their newsletter so that you don’t miss anything! The highlights are art, opera, crepes and a liquor licence! Click here for the details.
And just to give you a sneak preview, look how beautiful the space is (photo cred to Artisans at Work):
For even more info, our friend the East End Pioneer did a write-up on Artisans at Work, which you can read here.
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PARADE ALERT!! Don’t forget that the Toronto Beaches Lions Easter Parade is this Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. along Queen Street E. It starts in front of the Fox Theatre and travels west to Woodbine. We are told that this is the largest Easter parade in North America!