#DEdreams in Pictures

A huge, big thank you to everyone for coming out and making last week’s Danforth East Dreams event such a fun and successful day!

Over 400 (!) of you joined us to share what you love about the ‘hood and your dreams about how we can make it even better. There were tons of great ideas, including:

  • starting a community garden (Attention those of you who loved this idea: good news is coming soon!)
  • a neighbourhood wide golf tournament in which everyone sets up a hole on their lawn
  • bringing back monarch butterflies to Monarch Park
  • bike lanes on Danforth
  • converting the TTC buildings at Coxwell (South side of Danforth) into a public space with a park, stores and housing
  • rabbits (the young lady didn’t elaborate on her vision, but rabbits are indeed pretty cool all on their own)

We even spied an idea that looked an awful lot like a marriage proposal (possibly a DECA first?). We’ll continue collecting all the ideas and share the full results in the next few weeks. Until then, have a look at the fantastic pictures taken by Bruce, Tina and Casey. See if you spot your idea or recognize someone you know posing with their dream.

Once again, many thanks to Melanie’s Bistro, Moberly Natural Foods, Beau’s, LEN, Rebel Therapy Yoga, Air Zound bike horns, Ankh Yoga, 32 Spokes, Mrs. Darling’s Imaginarium for Girls & Boys, Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon for the use of her popcorn machine, the Toronto Repair Cafe and the owners of 1811 Danforth, Haig and David.

#DEdreams: tomorrow! Ultimate @ Stephenson

TOMORROW!

Remember to come out THIS SATURDAY, April 12 to our community party, Danforth East Dreams! Stop by 12-4 pm to 1811 Danforth Ave. for a few minutes on your way to the park or stay for the whole afternoon.  FREE drinks & treats from Melanie’s Bistro, Moberly Natural Foods & Beau’s! FREE bike tune-ups from 32 Spokes! FREE kids’ activities from Mrs. Darling’s Imaginarium for Boys & Girls! FREE repairs next door from 11-3 pm at the Repair Cafe! We also have amazing door prizes from LEN, Rebel Therapy Yoga, Air Zound bike horns and Ankh Yoga!

We’ll have lots of cool ways to share your ideas for improving the hood. So start dreaming and tweet your ideas now using #DEdreams and we’ll use your tweets tomorrow.

Special thanks to the owners of 1811 Danforth, Haig and David, for the use of their space for the day.
 

Ultimate Frisbee Returns to Stephenson Park

If this gorgeous weather has inspired you to get outside, why not try ultimate at a local park? REC Athletics’ Spring 2014 Ultimate Frisbee League begins May 7, 2014 at Stephenson Park. It’s co-ed, fun and you can register now as an individual or a team at www.recathletics.com.

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Let’s Party! Save the date: April 12

It’s been a long winter. Power outages, Polar Vortex, snow, the return of the Polar Vortex, and even more snow. If there was ever a Spring to celebrate, this is it. So save the date for Saturday, April 12, 12-4 pm, 1811 Danforth, because we’re inviting you to kick off your Sorrels and get together with your neighbours to party.

We’re calling it Danforth East Dreams. We were so inspired by #DreamPopup survey response, we decided to up our game and go even bigger. What do you want to see next for DE? A co-work space? Community gardens? Ping pong in the park? And we know dreams are a good place to start because the Farmer’s Market, Arts Fair, Pumkin Parade, Pop-up Shops, Adopt- a-Tree and Yard Sale (or a community association) all began as someone’s big idea.

Come out and tell us. Or show us. Because this isn’t a meeting: it’s a party. We’re going to have all kinds of fun, interactive ways to share your ideas. Put your house and ideas up on the giant map of the hood, Neighbourland (apologies to Candy Chang); pin your dreams to our clothesline; get interviewed by roving kid-reporters; build your dream with the crafty Mrs. Darling (of Mrs. Darling’s Imaginarium for Boys & Girls fame); get your bike tuned up for spring by the folks from 32 Spokes; or just come and hang out and be inspired.

Besides all the free activities, we’ve also got free snacks and drinks to fuel your creative energy–popcorn courtesy of Moberly Natural Foods; java and treats from Melanie’s Bistro; beer from family-run, DIY-ers Beau’s.

But that’s not all.

Right next door, at 1803 Danforth, from 11-3 pm, Toronto’s Repair Cafe is partnering with the Tool Library and offering you free repairs of your broken stuff! The volunteer-run organization is committed to giving people the confidence to fix your things instead of making them landfill fodder. They’ll have fixers available for computers and other electronics, small appliances and furniture, and clothing and more. Our current pop-up shop, Veritus Pictures, will also be open for business– take a stroll through his gallery and find out about his fabulous workshops.

So start dreaming about the hood and tweet your ideas with #DEdreams to get us started.

Special thanks to the owners of 1803 & 1811 Danforth, Haig and David, for the use of their space for the day.
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Farmers’ Market: An Apple a Day!

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The apples are starting to come out!  Be sure to pick up a basket this week.  They’re perfect for lunches!

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Did you see the orange cones at East Lynn Park this week?  The path is being widened!  The new concrete path will be 8 feet! I think we can all agree that with the amount of people, strollers and dogs at events like the farmers market, Danforth East Arts Fair and Pumpkin Walk that a new and wider path will be welcomed by everyone. A big thank you to the City Staff and Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon for getting this much needed improvement done for our park.

Crafts with Mrs. Darling

Mrs. Darling (aka Melissa Peretti)  will be back at the market this week with another creative craft at 4:30 p.m.  If you’re already worried about where your little one’s creative and imagination outlet during the off season, you should look into her children’s arts and crafts classes being offered at Artisans at Work this fall.  Check the Mrs. Darling  website for all the details.

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Back to School Health Tips from ND Nana

Naturopathic Doctor Nana Jokura of Accept Wellness will be offering free tongue and pulse diagnosis and discussing ideas for back to school health. She will also be offering pay-what-you-can acupuncture (3:00-7:00 pm).

PlayFit with Beth from Career Fit Mom

Beth  will run a drop in PlayFit class starting at 4:30 p.m.  This is similar to the class she’ll be doing at oaks ‘n acorns starting next Saturday in case you wanted a free preview.  Here’s a description of the activity.

PlayFit for Parents & Tots is all about getting Fit and having Fun together by using GAMES & PLAY. Your tot’s will have a blast playing games, and hiding under the parachute – having no idea that all this fun is being generated by the lifts and squats of parents burning calories!  This class is designed to be a truly fun exercise program for you and your child, as well as improving your child’s developmental skills while expending some of that excess energy.

Beth will also be handing out FREE athletic gear from a well known retailer so please drop by for free sports bra and/or athletic shorts.

The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3-7 p.m. between June 6 – October 17 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave. Stay up to date by visiting the new East Lynn Market Facebook page.

This week at the Market

August?  Really?  How did that happen?  Don’t despair – we have many weeks left of this gorgeous weather and this week’s lineup at the East Lynn Farmers’ Market will ensure that your Thursday will be spent in the park with all of your neighbours, soaking up every last ray of sunshine that the day has to offer.

Don’t forget that in addition to the beautiful fruit and veggies, there is prepared food on hand at the market (and ice cream!), so come to buy and plan to stay!

If you are bringing your furry babies – and this is the perfect week to bring them – please ensure that they stay on leash!

What’s on this week:

  • Mrs. Darling will be crafting with the kids and this week will be making wooden spoon bugs! (see photo below) 4:30-5:30 p.m.
  • Ontario Association of Vet Techs will be on hand chatting about dog safety
  • Canine Social Company (new local business) are offering $5 puppy manicures (nail clippings) to raise money for the Walk to End Canine Cancer
  • Merill Dog Park Association – come learn about this great neighbourhood doggie group
  • Enjoy the music of Guy Smagghe

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The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3-7 p.m. between June 6 – October 17 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave. Stay up to date by visiting the new East Lynn Market Facebook page.