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Farewell to Cozy Cafe

We are so sad to tell you that Cozy Cafe at 2075 Danforth Ave will be closing their doors this weekend. Our sources tell us that tomorrow (Saturday) will be their last day of operation. Evidently, they were unable to renew their lease.

Many of you will recall that DECA and the rest of the community rallied to save Cozy a while back, when they were struggling to keep up with the bills. (click here to read about those efforts)

If you want the best egg and cheese sandwich ever, stop in for brunch tomorrow – and don’t forget to leave room for a cinnamon bun!

To Vera and Slavica, we thank you for always greeting your customers with a smile, a story, and so much kindness. We will miss your beautiful baked goods, and your home-cooked meals; but most of all we will miss you!

Follow DECAdiaries on our new twitter account – @DECAdiaries

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Holiday happenings & other news

The holidays are upon us, and some events are taking place in our neighbourhood that you might want to mark on your calendars.

DECA’s First Annual East Lynn Park Tree Lighting! 
Thursday, December 13 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, come on out to meet your neighbours and have a cup of hot chocolate together this Thursday – it’s for a good cause, and it will be lots of fun!

EastLynnPark tree lighting 2012

And a big thank you to all the volunteers who braved the rain this weekend to hang the lights in preparation for Thursday’s event.  Check out the photos!

Gingerbread House Building at Cozy Cafe & Bakery (Woodbine & Danforth) December 15 (5-7 p.m.) & 16 (3-5 p.m.) for $25

cozy

Call Cozy at (647) 349-5251 to reserve your spot, and then next Sunday enjoy your clean kitchen after you and/or your kids have iced the floors and furniture at Cozy!

An artful walk?

Remember in the fall when DECA helped to facilitate the painting of some local Bell boxes?  Have you ever wondered, ‘where are those boxes?’  As winter clamps down, if you are like me you probably need an excuse to get off the couch and venture out, so why not take a little walking tour of the murals? Here is a map to show you where the boxes are, and photos to give you a sneak peek of the beauty that awaits you on your journey.

Bell box murals Danforth 2012Stay tuned for information on next weekend’s pop-up events, and details about some late-night shopping specials at some of our favourite local shops!

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Open Minds, Bond-alicious fundraiser, and Cozy Sundays

Introducing: Open Minds Toronto

Open Minds Toronto is a new group in the area, which is dedicated to “opening up spaces for community members to meet, play and learn together.”  While they build toward their longer-term goal of  opening a learning hub on the Danforth, they have partnered with some local businesses to ‘animate’ our community.  They have two exciting events in the coming weeks, and don’t forget to RSVP in order to reserve your seat.
‘Itch and Stitch
Friday, November 16, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. 
Patisserie La Cigogne (Danforth and Monarch Park)
Cost: Pay What You Can
Bring your mending, sketching, knitting, embroidery, whatever…and join in for conversation on topical issues, while sipping and nibbling on the fine offerings of Patisserie La Cigogne, at the corner of Danforth and Monarch Park.  Joanne at La Cigogne has agreed to stay open an hour later than usual to accommodate the group. Click here to reserve a seat.
 
Making a Racket at the Rocket 
Thursday, November 22, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. 
@ Red Rocket (1364 Danforth)
Cost: Pay What You Can

This will be a Spoken Word evening of readings, poetry and storytelling.  Poets, authors, storytellers and songwriters are welcome to register to present. There will be a featured author: Terri Favro, author of The Proxy Bride (and local Danforth resident).  Everyone is welcome to come out to the Red Rocket, 1364 Danforth (between Greenwood and Coxwell) as audience as well.  The Red Rocket is licensed to serve alcohol, and also has a nice selection of coffees and teas and nibbles. If you’re coming (either to present or to listen) definitely email them by clicking here so they can reserve a seat for you – they expect this to be popular!

All proceeds are to help develop the potential of Open Minds. If you want to know more, have ideas, or want to get involved, or want to keep updated about more events, visit their website: http://www.openmindstoronto.ca.
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East End Children’s Centre Fundraiser
November 17th, starting at 7:30p.m 
Mark your calendars for this exciting 007-themed fundraiser in support of East End Children’s Centre (includes the drop-ins at Kimbourne and Terry Fox) next Saturday, November 17.

BONDalicious…. From East York With Love

Please join us in celebrating 50 years of James Bond at our

21st Annual Fundraising Gala supporting East End Children’s Centre

A one-of-a-kind event that is guaranteed to leave you

Shaken, Not Stirred!

Saturday, November 17th at 7:30 pm

  •  7:30 pm  Champagne Reception
  • 8 pm  Enjoy delectable treats and creative cocktails as you peruse the Silent Auction tables and give our wheel a spin to win marvelous prizes!
  • 10 pm  Fabulous Live Auction in support of East End Children’s Centre

Guests are encouraged (but not at all required) to don their sparkles & sequins, dress as their favourite Bond Girl, Bond Villain or as 007 himself!

Please remember this is an adult-only event (babes-in-arms welcome)

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Cozy Sundays are Back!
Cozy Cafe, 2075 Danforth Ave, will be open on Sundays again beginning tomorrow.  The fabulous owners have finished their season at out-of-town Farmers’ Markets on the weekends, they are ready to serve up a scrumptious brunch, plus your favourite loaves, croissants and cinnamon buns, all weekend long!
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The House That Gingerbread Built

There are two fabulous ways to create your very own gingerbread house in the ‘hood.

Madame Gateaux

Register for a baking lesson with Madame Gateaux to learn how to mix the dough, bake the gingerbread, cut and assemble the house and decorate with chocolate and candies. The class is Sunday, November 27th, 2-5 p.m. $85. To register, contact noely36hk@madamegateauxbaking.ca or 647-352-0763. Madame Gateaux is at 2034 Danforth, just west of Woodbine.

Cozy Cafe & Bakery

If all that mixing of dough and and baking of slabs seems like a little too much bother for you, then don’t hesitate to reserve your spot at the Cozy Cafe Gingerbread House Party!

They will supply everything including home-baked gingerbread.  They’ll do the prep. They’ll clean up the mess. All you have to do is have fun.  Sunday, December 4th, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. $25/house including gingerbread, candies, icing and board. 2075 Danforth at Woodbine.   Reserve your spot at cozygingerbread@gmail.com

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Harvest Delight

Join DECA this Thursday from 3-7 p.m. at East Lynn Park for our Harvest Delight Festival.  We are pleased to offer pumpkin treats courtesy of Cozy Cafe, music from the Wolfgang Bros, pumpkin decorating and our special guest, Chef Lynn Crawford.

Lynn was the executive chef of the Four Seasons Hotel in NYC, celebrity chef from the Food Network’s Restaurant Makeover and Pitchin’ In and most recently, owner of the Leslieville restaurant, Ruby Watch Co. Lynn will be serving food and wine and suggesting wine pairings.

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Reminder – Party Today!

Please join DECA’s Business Revitalization Team and the sisters of Cozy Cafe and Bakery today (Saturday!) from 4-7 p.m. as we celebrate the grand re-opening of the cafe.

The heart-warming stories of generosity that have arisen from this project will renew your faith in humanity.  It’s chicken soup for the east Toronto soul.  Maybe it’s the paint fumes (I’ve been over there painting all evening), but I think that the delicious food will fill your belly and the warmth and kindness will fill your soul.

Yup.  Time for bed.  And no, I haven’t been drinking.

Can’t wait to see you there – on the south-west corner of Danforth and Woodbine beside Pizza Pizza.

Natasha