Activities galore!

Fall is that magical time of year when the leaves change, the days darken, and we all have to think about what kinds of activities we are going to undertake for the year. (If you are like me, you were frantically trying to sign up your kids for swimming lessons this morning at 7am!) Here are a few options in the neighbourhood…

East End Music Project
(non-profit music program for kids on Tuesdays)

Miranda from the East End Music Project sent this note along:

I run the East End Music Project (I do this out of LOVE as a volunteer), which is a very cool social purpose music school in the East End.

The project is taught by professional musicians and educators with instruction at a very high level. The social purpose part of it is that all the class fees are geared to income. Our focus is on collaboration and working together in the classes. It is a fabulous opportunity. I have a couple of spots available because I’ve hired more teachers to increase our capacity. We would love to have your families join us.

If you’ve ever thought about music lessons, this is a great way to get involved in a social purpose enterprise, support local musicians, and participate in something really special. Your kids will also get a stellar music experience. All classes are subsidized. No restrictions on who can apply! Check out www.eemp.ca to see what classes still have availability. Thanks!

Are you ready to sing?

Some locals, Sarah and Damaris, are starting a new choir and would like YOU to join! Registration form is here and some additional details are below.

Pegasus Studios

SO many classes, so little time. What can we say about Pegasus? It’s music, dance, art, choir, yoga – stuff for kids, adults, kids and adults together – if you don’t know about this neighbourhood institution, you should. www.pegasusstudios.com

Fitness

We have been so lucky to have so many new fitness-related businesses open up in this neighbourhood (coinciding nicely with the bakeries, ice cream shop and restaurants!). Here are some of them:

Fly Girl Fitness

Bomb Fitness

Ankh Yoga

Legacy Indoor Cycling

Counterbalance Studio Pilates

Career Fit Mom

Dragonz Martial Arts (adult and kid classes available)

Bell’s Martial Arts (adult and kid classes available)

Monarch Park Stadium (adult and kid classes/activities, running track)

One more thing….

Our next DECA Board meeting will be next Monday, September 21 starting at 7:30pm. If you’d like to join us, drop us a line here and we can let you know where we’re meeting. Last time we enjoyed an hour at the beginning to meet & greet, but this time we will get right to it a 7:30pm because we have a lot to cover. All are welcome!

May 28, 2014

Upcoming events and news

A few events and other news to tell you all about! Read on for more:

CareerFit Mom 5-Year Anniversary Fundraiser – May 30

A note from owner, Beth:

Wow, time sure does fly when you’re having fun! I reinvented my career when my twins were 2.5 years old. It was challenging to transition from stay-at-home mum to mom-preneur. Now my girls are 7.5 years old and very much used to my discussions about career development and seeing me practice my fitness moves in our kitchen!

It is such an honour to work with so many amazing women in our community. I am grateful to all my past and present instructors, partners, mentors and clients! Thank you for your support. I’m looking forward to many more years of facilitating your fitness, health and professional goals while connecting you to a broader network of powerful women.

Please join me in my celebrations at an upcoming Workout and Sweaty Social for Charity!

Date: Friday, May 30th, 2014

Time: 7:45 p.m. Boot Camp + 8:45 p.m. Sweaty Social

Location: oaks ‘n acorns – 1856 Danforth Ave.A

Donation: $10 to support The Neighbourhood Centre, a local charity that serves families in our community

Pre-Registration Required: www.oaksnacorns.com/book (under Happening Soon)

Meet at oaks ‘n acorns to participate in the (outdoor) Boot Camp at 7:45 pm and stay for the Sweaty Social in the studio afterwards. Or, just come for the post-workout party! There will be refreshments, prizes, networking and maybe a little bit of dancing (!) Pre-registration is required and feel free to come with friends. Women only please.

Hirut Hoot – May 30, 9:00 p.m. $5

A night of comedy at Hirut Fine Ethiopian Cuisine, 2050 Danforth Ave, featuring: Boyd Banks, Sam Burns, Todd Graham, Troy Kulchyski, Jim McAleese, Marcel St. Pierre, Mark Walker, George Westerholm

Hosted by: Kevin MacDonald

Woodbine-Gerrard Underpass Garden – Volunteers needed May 31 and June 1

Our neighbours to the south in the Beach Hill Association have teamed up with the Greening Ward 32 folks and the City to plant a garden just south of the tracks. Since this is where our two residents’ associations meet, it would be great if some DECA green thumbs were also able to join in on this great project. Here are the details:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Saturday’s focus (May 31) is digging and planting shrubs, trees & small plants. Sunday (June 1) will involve planting perennials and spreading mulch. It runs from 9:30 – 4:00 pm but you can spend as little or as much time as possible: it’s a big space so whatever contribution you can make is appreciated.
Please: wear safe shoes, bring water, sunscreen, a hat and any relevant tools you have (they’ll have extras). A light lunch will be available but refreshments can be purchased close by on Gerrard as well.
For more info, please contact Eleanor Nielsen at eleanor.nielsen@sympatico.ca

BOMB Fitness Health and Fitness Day – May 31

One of our missions when we first opened in 2012 was to always bring you the most modern and effective ways to train in a group atmosphere and in a one-on-one session. There’s been a gradual shift in the way training is done since then, and this health & fitness day will be the kick-start to a change in the way we run our training at The BOMB.

We’re also tired of the dated fitness garbage that is still being promoted, like static stretching before training is good for you, that people can just jump into a training program without being assessed. We’re tired of the notion that women shouldn’t lift weights and that you have to starve yourself to lose fat. We’re tired of the consensus that you have to look like a rake in order to be considered “healthy” and that a treat for your kid has to be a trip to a fast food restaurant.

On Saturday, May 31st 2014 we’ll host 5 hands-on seminars and talks to let you know the truth about leading a healthy, active lifestyle.

From getting your mind in the game, to preparing yourself to train correctly, to educating you and your family on how to exercise and eat right… it’ll be a fun, informative day and to top it all off even lunch is provided and an awesome sponsored goodie bag!

For details and to register, visit: http://www.bombfitness.ca/health–fitness-day.html

Sugar-Me-Up 10% Off – Until June 30

Get 10% off all services from now until June 30. Get yourself ready for summer at Sugar Me Up…Professional Body Sugaring & Esthetics, 1792-B Danforth Ave.
www.sugarmeupbodysugaring.com

February 18, 2014

Dear February…(events)

Dear February…

Despite being only 28 days, you feel really long. You come in on the heels of 31 days of January, and the deck is stacked against you from the start. On the 14th, you try to get us feeling all lovey-dovey, but we’re not convinced. Once the chocolate boxes are empty, we get that new long weekend, and then the Tuesday after hits and we remember that a Monday off in February just means we now have to cram five days of work into a four-day workweek. Sigh. February, I’m going to just say it: you suck.

Thankfully, there are only ten more days of you. And here are some awesome March events to help us all get in the mood for SPRING!!

BOMB Fundraiser Show – March 1, 2014

Beginning at 7:00pm, with children’s activities until 10:00pm all to raise money for local charity Children’s Peace Theatre!

Colour Creative Family Art Workshops – March 1, 2014

And April 13 and May 4! Visit www.colourcreative.ca for more info.

March Break Soccer Camp @ Monarch Park Stadium

Visit www.canadafirstacademy.com for more information or to register.

Cracking the Teenage Code

Well, this isn’t a March event, and it’s just outside of the DECA zone, but this is an important chance to talk about something important for parents of teenagers or almost teenagers.

February 20, 2014 @ 7:00pm at Danforth CTI, 800 Greenwood Ave.

October 2, 2013

Upcoming events – focus group, fitness party and free classes!

Looking for your chance to tell the City what you think about their plan for traffic congestion?

Looking for a new place close by to work out (where they also have child care!)?

Looking for a fitness or dance class (adult or child) but want to try one first before committing?

All of the above? Keep reading! We’ve got you covered.

Event: Feeling Congested? – Tomorrow, October 3, 2013

A note from Councillor Janet Davis’ office:

The City of Toronto Planning Division is currently undertaking consultations related to an update of the transportation policies within the Official Plan. Updating these policies will help the City to deal with congestion on streets, sidewalks, and transit. This consultation process has been branded Feeling Congested? You can visit www.feelingcongested.ca for more information.

As an important stakeholder in Ward 31 Beaches-East York, we would like to invite you to participate in a focus group session to learn about and discuss some of the changes that Toronto City staff are proposing. The event is part of a series of focus groups that are happening in wards across the city.

The session will focus on two things: the concept of developing a transportation network, and a proposed new structure for making decisions around prioritising transportation projects within that network. This structure uses a set of eight criteria that are each broken down into a series of indicators.

You will learn how the criteria have evolved over the course of the Feeling Congested? process, and see how they can be applied differently in order to achieve a variety of outcomes.

In addition, you will be given the opportunity to review and comment on the indicators (or measures) associated with each criterion, and ask questions of staff or Councillor Davis.

Space at this event is limited, so click here to sign up today!

East York Civic Centre (Committee Rm A)
850 Coxwell Avenue
Thursday, October 3, 2013 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

BOMB Fitness Opening

Sunday, October 6th
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
NEW LOCATION:
1502 Danforth Avenue (between Monarch Park & Coxwell Avenue)

Free classes, prizes, huge membership discounts, a nutrition stall and a kids area (where the kids can be while parents work out!)

Further details and class timetable can be found at http://www.bombfitness.ca/events.html

Pegasus Studio – Free dance, art and fitness classes next week

www.pegasusstudios.com

Don’t forget about the Home Safety Audit tomorrow after the Farmers’ Market – details in yesterday’s post.

January 7, 2013

Local fitness!

Have you dusted off your running shoes and managed to make it back to the gym yet? Did you feel like you already got a workout just digging your yoga mat out of the basement? (We have no idea what THAT is like!)

So, it’s been a week since you made that resolution to be more active in 2013 – and to help you along, your friends at decadiaries just wanted to remind you that there are a number of local options for you and your whole family to get moving.

First, you can check out our post from the summer with info about getting fit in this neighbourhood. Second, we’ve posted info about even more local places to get moving so keep reading! If your favourite local fitness spot isn’t listed in either post, please tell us about it in the comments!

Pegasus Studios (361 Glebeholme Blvd)

Check out the Pegasus website for their full list classes and program options for kids, teens and adults, including dance, yoga, pilates and Zumba. They even have a brand new ballet program for wee ones (see poster below) and we hear that it includes a big recital at the end that is sure to be painfully adorable!

Open House at Bomb Wellness (1338 Danforth Ave.)

How convenient. Bomb Wellness is hosting an Open House this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday from noon until 3:00 p.m. There are free classes both days, a Fit Kids class & activities, prize draws, snacks, Red Rocket Coffee, special discounts etc. Congratulations Bomb on your one year Anniversary! (And thank you Bomb, for understanding that some of us need coffee with our exercise.)

Monarch Park Stadium (1 Hanson St., behind Monarch Park School)

Check out their website, www.monarchparkstadium.com, to see what they’ve got on (pick-up soccer, track passes, triathlon training) and then click through to all of the leagues offering team sports at this brand new state-of-the-art stadium right in our own backyard!

Tidal CrossFit (1510 Danforth Ave.)

And for the truly daring and committed:

Tidal CrossFit has plenty of options to help you burn the surplus calories that you took in the entire month of December, including a Foundations BootCamp for those new to the CrossFit movements. http://www.tidalcrossfit.com/

___

P.S. Thanks for liking us so much!! DECA’s Facebook page just reached 500 “likes”! We like you too. ♥