Just in case you missed this post earlier….
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
As a health care worker and veteran of many old Toronto hospitals which have been added to pell mell I say tear down everything and start fresh. Who can forget my windowless, airless office with a constant winter temperature of 62 degrees and no remedy as space heaters violate hospital policy? Or the Bond wing at St Michael’s with no a/c? TEGH is a jewel in our community but we need the best for both the patients and the staff who work there. I’m sure the lobby has sentimental value to someone but really does it need to be kept? Infection control practices have changed dramatically and we know the 4 or 6 bed room is a great way to spread infections. A brand new build with private and semi private rooms, lots of sinks, and storage and temperature and air quality controls can only bolster the work TEGH can do.
Further to Robin’s comment, I still don’t understand why we can’t just gut the interior of the original wings, and start fresh that way. Why tear down the entire structure? The building that fronts onto Coxwell is beautiful; one of the very few architectural gems in the entire Danforth East neighbourhood. Even if you don’t care about architecture, and are OK with having a bland replacement for it, the fact remains that demolishing a perfectly sound structure is wasteful. It’s time to stop tearing down our past and start showing some respect for our heritage. Gut the interior, bring it up to modern standards, and leave the exterior as-is. If they can do these things in Europe (where a 60 year old building would still be considered “new”), there’s no reason we can’t do it here. In fact, just look at the Distillery District to see how spaces can be modernized and put to alternate uses while maintaining the architecteral integrity of the building structure. I’m looking forward to the community meeting on March 2.
The ‘Friends of Felstead Park’ are interested in speaking with the newly formed DECA Parks Committee.
We are on a mission to turn Felstead Park back into a safe, beautiful and GREEN area for the entire community to enjoy for years to come.
PLEASE CONTACT US AT:
friendsoffelsteadpark@bell.net
FRIENDS OF FELSTEAD PARK FACEBOOK GROUP:
http://www.facebook.com/group.phpgid=115310291819273&v=wall
YOU CAN ALSO READ MORE ABOUT OUR PARK AT OPENFILE.CA:
http://toronto.openfile.ca/toronto/file/2010/08/friends-felstead-community-trying-save-park