DECA Learns: Reskilling workshops are back!

Many thanks to Volunteer Extraordinaire Melanie for putting all of this together!

ReSkilling Workshops

In the not so distant past, skills like canning fresh food, mending torn clothes and repairing broken items, instead of replacing them, was basic knowledge. Fast-forward to 2014 and these may be less important to you than figuring out what that green button on your DSLR camera really does, but hey, we could use a refresher in that as well.

To this end, DECA is organizing a series of ReSkilling workshops, where the goal is to re-equip people with some of these hands-on skills.

ReSkilling workshops are informal lessons taught by our community members, for our community, so let us know what you would like a refresher in and lets meet locally to brush up. And the best part is, classes will be largely free, or by small donation!

What skills do you have to share? What would you like to learn? Please contact us with any ideas for workshops that you could give, your friend could give, or that you’d like us to find someone to give! Some ideas we’re working on include: canning/preserving, learn how to use your DSLR camera, bicycle maintenance, composting/gardening, and sewing 101.

Canning Classes – Sign up!

Join your neighbors and Bernardin chef Emerie Brine for a three-part canning series this summer. All classes held at Danforth Mennonite Church (2174 Danforth Ave, just east of Woodbine) Load up at the farmers’ market and learn how to preserve the season’s bounty for months to come. Each class will teach you the fundamentals of canning and preserving, provide a live demonstration with one or more recipes and even offer yummy samples at the end of class. Sign up HERE.

June is Strawberry month and Emerie’s recipe for Balsamic Strawberry Jam is a favorite in my house, but Emery has many ideas to help you enjoy your summer berries for the months to come. Workshop scheduled for June 17 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

August is Peaches and while halved Ginger Bourbon Peaches are a delight just out of the jar, there are many ways to preserve your peaches.  Workshop scheduled for August 12 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

September is Tomatoes and Pickles. All that you need to get through fall/winter! Workshop scheduled for September 16 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

DECA is offering this series as a part of our ReSkilling Workshops and you can sign up for one or all of the classes HERE.

For this particular series there is a suggested donation of $10 per class to cover the cost of the space we are renting.

For more information, email deca.reskilling@gmail.com.

Investing 101 Reminder, Community Space & A Note from LEN

Investing 101

A reminder that the DECA Learns Investing 101 event will be held at Lazy Daisy’s Cafe on Monday at 7:30pm.  Hope to see you there ready to make millions ;)

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Community Space at Artisans at Work

The crew at Artisan at Work are looking to expand!  And in order to do some renovations to their space to make a 1000 square foot community space they are looking to crowdsource funding. If you’d like to contribute to this unique community hub, check out their fundraising page.

A note from LEN:

Christal and I are super-excited to deliver East Danforth’s second-most anticipated spring resurrection – LEN!

Thanks to DECA, most of our neighbours already know that we’ve returned, this time for good. We have a sweet little location at 698 Coxwell Ave, right at the corner of Coxwell and Danforth (thanks again to DECA and an our amazing client, Mary, both of whom connected us to the space!).

So, all East Danforth residents and visitors need fret (or travel outside DECA boundaries) no longer in order to make your home beautiful, woo a special someone or even start a meaningful art collection.

To celebrate and say thanks to everyone for their AMAZING support, we’re preparing a nice little day-long launch celebration for May 11th. This Saturday. 11am-6pm. There’ll be treats and bubbly beverages.

We also made sure we stocked the shop full of especially beautiful things for Mother’s Day. Our prices are more democratic than ever with original Fine Art from established Canadian artists starting at $50, luxurious bath products from Quebec for $11, unbelievably cute organic soy wax candles at $6, Janet Stein sterling silver and semi-precious stone jewelry that’s rare, refined and on-trend for under $100 and spectacular handmade wood cutting boards and other kitchen items starting at $50.

Can’t wait to see our favourite clients and meet new friends this Saturday! To keep up to date on the latest LENvents make sure to visit www.len4all.com, follow LEN on Twitter (@Len4All) and like us on Facebook (facebook.com/Len4All). Even better, visit us in person, 5 days a week during regular business hours or book a private appointment by email (len@len4all.com).

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DECA Learns – Canning Workshop

We still have a few spots remaining for the Peaches and Plums Canning Workshop on Wed. Aug. 17th at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Mennonite church, just east of Woodbine on the north side. The tomatoes canning workshop is now full but we have one more workshop in Oct. that has some space. Wed. Oct. 5th we will be hosting a cranberry, pumpkin, Thanksgiving theme canning workshop at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Mennonite church.

The cost of the workshops is $10 each, if you are interested please email Melanie at melaniej.thompson@yahoo.ca

 P.S. – We need volunteers for the market to sit at our DECA table and generally be helpful.  If you have a two hours on a Thursday and can help out, please please let Shelley know at shelleydarling(at)yahoo.ca.

DECA Learns Container Gardening Workshop

Container Gardening Workshop. Saturday May 28th., 2-4pm


Spring has finally sprung! Emphasis on finally. What’s that they say?  May showers bring June flowers?

Next Saturday, join instructor and DECA executive member, Melissa Peretti at Kimbourne United Church (200 Wolverleigh near Coxwell and Danforth) for our latest DECA Learns workshop.

This container gardening workshop is meant for people in the city who want to grow food plants and have little or no access to soil or ground. The information is basic enough for beginners and hopefully informative enough for a more experienced city farmer.

If you want to till your own soil and taste the fruits, leaves and flowers of your labour, then join us!

The benefits of home container gardening include access to your own local, economical, fresh food, cleaner air through living plants, food for pollinators, educational for children …. the list goes on.

Topics will include:

  • Identifying your resources and site assessment
  • Introduction to garden planning
  • Establishing a container garden
  • Selecting containers, soil and plants
  • Seeding
  • Organic fertilizers and natural pest sprays, and
  • Maintenance.

Sign up soon. Space is limited to 20 participants. A $5 donation to DECA will be appreciated for future community projects.

email decagardens@gmail.com