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Tool Library after school programs for young makers

Thanks to guest blogger Michelle Mismash of the Toronto Tool Library for this post.

Hello Danforth East Community!
Michelle here to give you an exciting update on the youth programs at Toronto Tool Library’s Danforth location. In April I wrapped up my time at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. You can now call me Master! This summer, we have been working hard to make our youth programs the best that they can be. We have a new name – TTL Kids! – a delightful new logo, a great slogan, and even a super cool mascot! Now we’re about to launch our fall after-school programs. All part of a day’s work as your Youth Programs Coordinator.

imageAt the heart of the maker movement is the idea that all students are creators. Instead of memorizing and regurgitating facts, Young Makers are encouraged to use their skills and what they know to solve problems while designing and building their own projects. We believe in embracing failure as part of the making process, and allowing Young Makers to take risks on the way to creating something great. Making promotes a growth mindset, enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and acts as a powerful force for inclusion. TTL Kids! is committed to ensuring that all Makers in the making have access to mentors, creative spaces, community, and tools.

While the TTL’s makerspace has a community unto itself, being part the Danforth East Community is very important to us. This summer, I might have met some of you while facilitating activities at the East Lynn Park Farmers’ Market. I loved working with your Young Makers to create D.I.Y. spin-art, build marshmallow catapults, fashion buttons, and craft little brush-bots. In the coming weeks, TTL Kids! will be bringing more engaging activities to the market. Look for our tutorials on making spectroscopes, balloon hovercrafts, and pocket LED flashlights! A big thank you to DECA for making space for us, and a great big thank you to all of you for supporting our efforts with youth programs so far!

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Why not continue to inspire your Young Makers with a creative, hands-on after school program this fall? To celebrate the beginning of a new school year, we’re offering an early bird discount of 10% off the Youth Program of your choice. Use the code BACKTOSCHOOL10 at checkout before September 15th. Full descriptions of each program are available HERE.

It’s been a blast of a summer, and we can’t wait to meet our new and returning Young Makers this fall!

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In the market for some fun?

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Last week’s market was peachy! Our farmers had lots of Ontario-grown peaches on hand, not to mention blueberries and corn on the cob. Produce that screams “summer!”

Here’s what you can look forward to this week:

 

Shakespeare in the ruff

The Guerrilla Ruffian Squad will perform two improvised, ten-minute Shakespeare plays, as well as lead two half hour workshops simultaneously from 4-4:30 p.m. Swordplay for people aged 11+ and singing for all ages.

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Get rejuvenated

Find out how you can enhance your health and bring out your natural beauty with Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture. Naturopathic Doctor Nana Jokura from Accept Wellness will be offering complimentary mini consults and Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis from 4-6 p.m.

Nana Jokura
Nana Jokura

You spin me right round

TTL Kids! will be teaching kids how to do spin art on DIY machines.

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 Summer sips

Prince Edward County’s Karlo Estates – the world’s first Vegan Certified winery – and St. Catharines’ 13th Street Winery will be on hand to share the fruits of their labour. Drop by for a tasting or to pick up a bottle or few.

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The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3-7:00 p.m. between June 2 – October 13 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave. Stay up to date by visiting the East Lynn Market Facebook page or by following us on Twitter.

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The Market this week: The fences are finally down!

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We’ve all been eagerly awaiting it—the construction is done in our park! The fences came down this week and in their place are beautiful new benches and an accessible walkway into the children’s playground. Just in time, too, for a highlight week at the Market. So grab your picnic blanket, stretch out, grab your weekly fare from our farmers and say hi to a neighbour or two. There’s lots of fun happening this week you won’t want to miss out on!

For all ages:

Jazz lovers—attending this week’s Market is a must! Once again, East Lynn will take part in the Beaches International Jazz Festival’s Farmer’s Market Series. A seasonal favourite, this is your chance to enjoy locally grown talent in the park—for free and without the crowds the Beach draws! The Toronto All Star Big Band is performing again this year. You can catch them from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Take a step back in time and enjoy timeless big-band favourites like Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, The Fabulous Dorseys, Glenn Miller, and many more! Learn more about this wonderful troupe of musicians at torontoallstarbigband.com.

For the kids:

School’s out, but reading’s always in! This week, the Toronto Public Library will be offering pop-up stories and crafts to littles, starting at 4:30 p.m. Once they’re done, you can turn ‘em loose in the splash pad.

The Toronto Tool Library’s youth program, TTL Kids, will be at the market too, with a sweet activity—assembling marshmallow catapults. We can see all the dads trying to catch marshmallow bombs with their mouths already. All young inventors invited to participate in this free, fun learning-based activity!

For the adults:

Carrie Lynn and Mary of Counterbalance Studio Pilates will be at the market this week from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., offering an interactive demonstration of 3-D Workout. This gentle exercise system can effectively help you improve your balance and functional fitness through the use of whole-body movements. Your shoulders and hips will thank you! Learn more about Carrie and Mary’s awesome studio at counterbalancestudiopilates.com.

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The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3-7:00 p.m. between June 2 – October 13 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave. Stay up to date by visiting the East Lynn Market Facebook page or by following us on Twitter.

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Pop-up Shop Alert! The Handwork Department

Meet Our Newest Pop-up Shop: The Handwork Department

The Handwork Dept | 1801 Danforth Avenue | Tues. to Fri. Noon – 7pm, Sat. 11am – 6pm

Have you noticed a fun new window at 1801 Danforth? DECA’s newest pop-up shop, The Handwork Department, opened quietly a few weeks ago and we are overdue in sharing the news. The Handwork Department is Maggie Krawczyk’s pop-up shop and she has completely transformed the drab empty space and filled it with an eclectic mix of vintage and artisan goods.  There is something for everyone, from the vintage furniture, ephemera, 35mm cameras, toys and housewares to Maggie’s own handmade jewelry and art, works by other artists, kitchen items and more.

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Maggie is a self-taught jewelry artist who started out as a full time machine operator in the commercial book bindery trade. While working in the factory, she discovered her love of origami and creating fun items for people to enjoy.  After selling her first few pairs of origami earrings to coworkers, she began to formulate a plan to leave factory work and follow her passion. She is the maker of a few different lines of jewelry including amazing tiny origami creations that she transforms into jewelry called Neogami, and jewlery which is made using text cut from vintage adult novels called XXXLittWear. She is also as an avid photographer of local abandoned buildings, and she’s excited to bring all her creations under one roof, including her experience working in vintage shops. She’s been stockpiling items in her garage in anticipation of opening her own store, and she’s even been spotted toting old ladders on the subway for her new shop, much to the entertainment of fellow riders.

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Maggie has named her store The Handwork Department as a homage to her early years spent as a factory worker in the commercial book bindery trade, before discovering her talent for jewelry design and ability to run a home based business. She is looking forward to working with other non-classically trained artists and crafters, to help them sell their products.

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Between the imminent opening of Kops Records two doors down, the ever-popular Tool Library and now The Handwork Department, that little stretch of the Danforth is getting livelier and livelier. Please stop by! Not only might you find a great little gift for someone you know, or a fun little treasure to add to your own personal collection, but you will also be supporting DECA’s efforts to revitalize the commercial strip.

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Halloween fun for adults, kids, and doggies

So much local Halloween fun coming up!

Danforth East Costume Swap on 18Blocks

18Blocks.com is an online community bulletin board recently started by a couple of locals. To kick off the Danforth East page, there’s a virtual costume swap happening now! Have a gently used costume to spare? Looking for a new one? Join in! The site is easy to use and looks like a fun and useful way to connect with your neighbours. We’ve already added a notice for our Nov. 1 Pumpkin Parade. Check out 18Blocks here and start swapping!

Howl-o-Ween at Merrill Park, October 25, 1:00-3:00pm

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The Merrill Park Dog Association Annual Howl-o-ween event is this Saturday!

This year they have amazing prizes provided by local businesses including The Borough, Melanie’s Bistro, Wag on the Danforth, The Canine Social Company and Carter’s Ice Cream.
The weather is supposed to be sunny and 15 degrees or higher. It should make for a lovely day!

Halloween Swap Costume Build at the Tool Library, October 26, 10:00am-4:00pm

BOO! The Tool Library is having a COSTUME SWAP & mask making festivities on October 26th from 10am-4pm at 1803 Danforth Ave! Check out all the details and sign up here.

 

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Art Cave Halloween Spooktacular, October 31

Don’t forget to drop by ArtCave this Halloween (155 Lamb Avenue, near Danforth & Coxwell) for treats, tricks, crafts and a spooky photo booth! The best costume wins a voucher for a free class! Hope to see you there!

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Anything we missed? Let us know on our Facebook page or via Twitter @DECAdiaries