Our Reporter In Haiti

Many of you know that DECA’s vice-chair, Catherine Porter, is a columnist at the Toronto Star.  Last week she returned from Haiti where she spent twelve hours a day talking to those who are left behind after the earthquake.  She wrote about some of those stories for the paper, but there are only so many column inches and many stories were left untold.

Catherine has agreed to share some of her experiences on the ground in Haiti with the rest of us.  I spent some time with her this weekend and  believe me, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to hear her talk about what is happening there right now and what it’s like to cover this story.

When: Wednesday, February 10, 8 p.m.

Where: Danforth Mennonite Church – 2174 Danforth Ave.

Admission: Free (Donations welcome to the Team Canada Healing Hands)

RSVP: Mary Margaret McMahon – spargy@rogers.com

DECA Is Having a Sale

Fun eh?  Klean Kanteens are priced to move! Contact Mary Margaret at spargy@rogers.com to get yours.

$18

$15

$25

$17

$19

Family Day – Councillor, Sandra Bussin is hosting a free family skate from 1 – 4 p.m. on Monday, February 15th at Ted Reeve Arena (Main and Gerrard).

By the way – if you haven’t been to the Grinder cafe at Main and Gerrard – well gosh, you should go check it out.  Formerly, Mercury Coffee Bar, this cafe serves up delicious hot drinks including artistically designed lattes, hot chocolates and hot lemon, ginger tea (just the thing when you’re not feeling quite perfect).  There are also  yummy treats like muffins, cookies and the like.   And, they’re nice people to boot.

Art of the Danforth invites interested volunteers to our upcoming Strategy Update & Task Deployment sessions  (in other words, they’re going to tell you about the current plans and volunteer opportunities and then try to recruit you into doing something):

Thursday Feb 11 & Thursday Feb 25 at LucSculpture Studio & Schools, 663 Greenwood, 6:30 – 9:00. (If you can only come for part of this time, that is fine!) Come for the people!  Come for the fun!  Stay to hear about:

• The 40+ artists and 40+ local businesses who will be presenting art of many types between April 23 & May 2   (don’t you want to know who’s participating… and who’s not?)
• The life-sized silhouettes that will be lurking along the art walk, in street planters, fences and more
• Guerilla art possibilities…you need to attend to learn more about that one!
• Workshops times and places where you can contribute:
  • Stories about some of the iconic buildings / sites in our area such as the Crossroads or the Allenby (Roxy) theatre
  • Photos of the neighbourhood to be compiled into large photo mosaics
  • Stories, photos or drawings about YOU
  
  
  Contact Cindy for more info at info@artofthedanforth.com

The Peace Theatre at Dawes Road is looking for a new general manager.  E-mail me if you want more info.

Big Hole Summary

It was lively.  And there was a range of opinions – to say the least – which is going to make writing this particular entry a bit tricky but I’m going to put on my old reporter’s hat and try to represent it best I can.

The first thing to know is that this was not part of the formal consultation process. I understand that there are two tentative dates for future meetings.  The first is Feb. 17th for the immediate neighbours including the developer, Councillor Bussin and a representative from the City.  The second (once again tentative) date is March 3rd for a formal public consultation meeting with the same folks.  Watch your physical mailbox if you are an immediate neighbour or this space for information about those meetings.

Thank you to Councillors Bussin and Davis for coming out, the fifty or so people who braved the snowy night and to Kimbourne Park United Church for hosting.

The current status of the project, according to Councillor Bussin, is that the City’s planning department is encouraged by the sophisticated design of the building that takes into consideration Toronto’s Official Plan for increasing density along main thoroughfares and transit lines, is stepped down on the Danforth as it backs into the residential part of the property and a developer who seems willing to accommodate local requests for things like types of fencing and green space.  The only way to lower the tower would be to extend the building further back into the more residential part of the property, says Bussin, because if you lose too many units in the building it quickly becomes not worth the cost of developing it.  (The current application is for 141 condo units, 107 one bedroom and 34 two bedroom.)

Some of the immediate neighbours said they disliked the idea of twelve stories primarily because it wouldn’t fit in with other buildings on the street, and they definitely would not want the building to come back any further into the neighbourhood. In addition, there was a lot of discussion about what the impact would be on parking around the building as parking can already be a challenge on the side streets.  Parking for condos is worked out by a formula and in this case the building proposes 120 parking spaces, including 14 visitor spaces.  There was also some discussion about how much shadow the building would cast.  (A shadow study is being done, apparently.)

On the other hand, there was plenty of support for the building and the height.  Many thought the building was aesthetically pleasing, close to transit, adding density that is much-needed to support our struggling commercial strip and a good option for single people and seniors who may want to stay in the neighbourhood but have few options.  One person even suggested that the view from many of the units is going to be spectacular and that this building could be a real catalyst for the kind of Danforth that we are all hoping for.

Putting aside the issue of height and looking at the first ten feet of the building there were a number of interesting suggestions including:

• building the main floor retail with tall, fourteen foot ceilings and big windows so they would appeal to a higher-end tenant
• parking for customers of the main floor retail
• a green, eco-friendly building that meets the City’s Green Standards with plenty of native trees and vegetation at the front, back and top of the building, bike friendly and possibly a bioswale.
• a well-designed, well-maintained building that is welcoming and adds beauty to the street.

We also talked a little bit about Section 37 community benefit funding, which developers sometimes provide for projects that will benefit the community, essentially in exchange for increasing the zoning density.

Read here for more comments from others who attended.

Did Someone Say Pastries?

You’ve been waiting for it…Celena’s Bakery is set to open this Saturday.  If you, like me, have been peering inside the window for the last few months, you’ve seen a great deal of construction going on inside.  This new bakery and cafe is at 2036 Danforth, just west of Woodbine on the north side (where Ciraco’s framing shop used to be).  The website says they will be serving hand-made pastries, breads, cookies, cakes, loaves, sweet and savoury pies, soups, preserves and, of course, coffee.  I note the website also asks that we bear with them as they refine their hours, amounts, service and menu.  Can’t wait to drop in!

Free Checkup For Moms-To-Be

Have you heard that old line that women lose a tooth for each baby they carry?  As if being pregnant wasn’t hard enough, you also need to remember to take extra special care of your teeth.  On Saturday, February 13th, Impressions, The Dental Hygiene Spa is offering oral assessments, education and advice to pregnant women free of charge.  It’s part of Gift From The Heart – a day for dental hygienists across Ontario to educate people about how oral health affects overall health – free of charge.

Oh – and Impressions is an absolutely lovely place.  Georgia and Natalie and delightful and we are fortunate to have this unique spa-like dental hygiene office right here in our neighbourhood.  Here is a link to the Danforth Gem that I wrote about Impressions back in 2008.

P.S. I’m going to post a summary of last night’s big hole meeting soon.

Big Hole Meeting – Tuesday

DECA is devoting its January meeting to discuss the development at Woodbine and Danforth (formerly the Home Hardware lumber yard).

Where:  Kimbourne Park United Church – 200 Wolverleigh Blvd. (Two blocks north of Danforth, just east of Coxwell).  Parking immediately around the church is limited  and if you’re parking on the street, check the parking signs carefully as the parking rules are unusual – and strictly enforced. Please enter through the side door – not through the children’s centre entrance.

When 7:30 p.m.

This is a link to the Rezoning Application Preliminary Report, which provides some background on the development.

Thanks to Kimbourne Park United Church for their very kind hospitality.

Missing Boy – Danforth and Woodbine

Missing boy, Christopher Mack, 17

55 Division 416-808-5500

The Toronto Police Service is requesting the public’s assistance locating a missing boy.  Christopher Mack, 17, was last seen on Sunday, January 31, 2010, at 6:50 p.m., in the Danforth Avenue/Woodbine Avenue area.
He is described as Aboriginal, olive complexion, 6′, 200 lbs., with a medium build and short, black hair. He was clean-shaven, has crooked lower-front teeth and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, a grey hoodie with ‘CANADA’ on the front, beige khaki pants, black Adidas running shoes and was carrying a black knapsack.
When in a crowd or group, he may refrain from speaking or try to hide his face from people. Police are concerned for his safety.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).

Also – please remember the DECA meeting about the development at Danforth and Woodbine (aka The Big Hole) will be Tuesday, Feb. 2nd at 7:30 at the Kimbourne United Church at 200 Wolverleigh Blvd.  (two blocks north of Danforth, just east of Coxwell)

NEW LOCATION – Big Hole Meeting

The DECA meeting about the development at Danforth and Woodbine has moved!  It will now be held at the Kimbourne Park United Church (two blocks north of Danforth and half a block east on Wolverleigh Blvd, off Coxwell Ave.)

When: Tuesday, February 2nd at 7:30

Location: 200 Wolverleigh Blvd.  Enter through the west side door – walk up the driveway.  Please don’t enter through the children’s centre.

Thank you sooooo much to Kimbourne Park for riding to our rescue and kindly offering this space.

Beat The Winter Blah Blah Blahs

Career Fit Mom is a local business run by  Beth Yarzab.  Her approach is two-pronged: get your body fit and help you figure out what you want to do when you grow up.  Beth says that women often find themselves at a crossroads when they have children career-wise and they’re thinking about a job change or life change, but they’re not sure where to begin.  You can either use the fitness classes, use the career counseling or use both.  Or, you can take a walk.  In this case, Beth is organizing a winter wellness walk.

February 10th, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Meet at Better Bulk – 2035 Danforth Ave. (Just West of Woodbine)

$20 + gst  Register by emailing beth@careerfitmom.ca

Moms are welcome to bring babies in strollers/carriers for 20 minute Power Walk, followed by a warm up at Better Bulk & nutrition discussion with Christina Clark, Holistic Nutritionist.   Walk component of event will be rescheduled in inclement weather

Monarch Park Pool

The pool in Monarch Park Collegiate is available for rentals.  There is a $21 registration fee + $50/hr + lifeguard fees and insurance.  If you’re interested and would like more details contact Sharon Gomes at monarchparkaquatics@gmail.com.

City of Toronto Budget

If you’re interested in the City’s budget process, you may want to check out Social Planning Toronto’s Budget 101 workshop on Wednesday, February 3rd.

Transition Towns

This global movement is looking at creating sustainable communities.  At the meeting on Monday, Feb. 1st (7:30-8:45) you’ll hear about a Toronto initiative and re-skilling.  It’s at 97 Main Street at Community Centre 55 (south-east of Main and Gerrard).  It’s free, but you need to RSVP to Mary Margaret McMahon at spargy@rogers.com

Don’t Forget – the DECA meeting to discuss the Big Hole is Tuesday, Feb. 2nd at 7:30 at Kimbourne Park United Church (200 Wolverleigh Blvd)

Big Hole Meeting

DECA is using it’s January meeting to discuss the development at Danforth and Woodbine, which we affectionately like to call The Big Hole.

Where? Kimbourne Park United Church – 200 Wolverleigh Blvd.

When? Tuesday, February 2nd at 7:30 p.m.

Refreshments will not be served so you may want to spike your own coffee and bring it along in your travel mug.

Short and Sweet

Save the date – February 2nd – The DECA Big Hole Meeting

We are still trying to confirm a location, but we hope to have another community discussion about the development at Danforth and Woodbine on the evening of  Tuesday Feb. 2nd.

Reminder – the first ‘re-skilling’ workshop is happening on Monday, January 25th at the Danforth Mennonite Church (2174 Danforth).  Learn more about medicinal herbs with Linda Rose of Black River Gate House.

The Art of the Danforth wants your pictures of the East End.  Check out the cool pictures that are already there!