Final Farmers’ Market and Other Goings On

First off – a giant thank you to Mary Margaret McMahon and Alison McMurray for their hundreds of volunteer hours at the East Lynn Farmers’ Market this season.  Without them – this incredible community event would simply disappear.  A grande size thank you to Rebecca Green and Alisha Austin for their amazing face painting and general labour at the market week after week after week.  Thanks to Catherine Porter for organizing the unique ‘feed the farmers’ program.  Thanks to all of you incredible chefs who sliced, diced, simmered and baked for our farmers this year.  It is an important part of what makes our market one of the farmer favourites.  And thanks to Diana Gonzalez our market day manager for helping to pull it all together.

We would be remiss if we didn’t heartily thank our partners at Farmers’ Markets Ontario for helping us bring the farmers to our fair park.  Most of all – thanks to you for coming out once again to support the farmers, support the market, support your community and support the Danforth businesses.

If you’d like to be involved in the farmers’ market next year, whether it’s on the payroll helping out at the barricades, volunteering at the market or at some of the special events, or cooking a meal for the farmers, please send me a note and we’ll be in touch.

If you’re already longing for the farmers’ market I have some darn good news for you.

• Kind Organics is delivering salad mixes to the Plank Road Market.  kindorganics@gmail.com
• Belanger Organic Farm will be delivering veggies and meat to the Big Carrot, but you are welcome to place an order directly with Josh Belanger and he’ll meet you there.  He’ll also deliver orders over $100 directly to your door.  Why not get together with a few neighbours and make a full order for the holidays?  pcbelanger08@gmail.com or 705-835-3031
• Bee Universe and Monkton Bakery can be found at the Wychwood Barns farmers’ market
• Sovereign Tomato Farms can be found, as always, at the North St. Lawrence Market every Saturday

Don’t forget the DECA Cocktail Party – Monday, November 23rd at 7 p.m.  We are delighted to be guests at the fabulous Melanie’s Bistro.  Come enjoy a well-priced glass of wine and some delicious appetizers with your neighbours.

Local Air Quality Study and Liaison Committee

The Medical Officer of Health and the City of Toronto’s Environmental Services Department have been working on a multi-year air quality study of the air in the Beaches-Riverdale communities.  This is a result of monitoring the impacts of the Ashbridges Bay sewage sludge incinerator.  A lot of work has been done on the air quality in these neighbourhoods (and beyond) and the City would like to establish a residents liaison committee as a sounding board to look at the information and provide feedback before the City begins larger scale public meetings on the issue next year.  DECA has been invited to join this residents’ committee.  If you are a member of DECA (or would like to become one) and are interested in sitting on this committee and feeding back information to us, please let me know and I can provide you with the details. natasha.granatstein@gmail.com

Beaches Santa Clause Parade – Would you like to wear a pea or a carrot costume and walk in the Beaches Santa Clause Parade to promote DECA and the Farmers’ Market?  Or do you have another great idea for the parade to promote the Farmers’ Market?  We’ve been invited to join the parade.  If you want to be involved, let me know.  natasha.granatstein@gmail.com

Check out the East York Rotary Auction.  I understand there is excellent goods to be had for amazing prices.  And hey – they’re doing good for the community so everybody wins!

Community Police Liaison Committee – A few notes from the 55 Division CPLC meeting in October.

• Remove GPS devices from your vehicle as they attract thieves
• Protect your ATM card carefully when keying in your password.  Thieves tape your transaction with mini cameras and then withdraw money daily until your account is empty
• 911 will be available in 22 languages soon
• When you suspect a problem – call the police.  They may not always come, but it goes on record and the more calls the more action will be taken.  The squeaky wheel definitely gets police attention

Green Movies

Green Cafe presents: The Power of Community – How Cuba Survived Peak Oil.  This film will be shown at the Cafe Florentin at 2010 Queen St. (across from Kew Gardens) on Wed. Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m.  It will be followed by a discussion on creating change in our own neighbourhood.  The event is free but pre-registration is encouraged at mrowley@toronto.ca or 647-208-1810.

If you like that, you’ll love this…Earth 2100 – another film about peak oil will be shown at 2480 Gerrard St. E. on Saturday Nov. 14th at 7 p.m. or Sunday, Nov. 22nd at 1 p.m.  Contact Mary Margaret McMahon at spargy@rogers.com for more info.

Important! Art of the Danforth Needs Your Help

If you live in Danforth East (East York), Art of the Danforth needs your help!

The Toronto Arts Council declined our grant to create art pieces for the community-generated portion of the event.  These pieces were intended to be developed with community members under the guidance of professional artists. They declined because they didn’t think anyone from Danforth East would participate in the community workshops. Help me prove them wrong!

On Wednesday (Nov 4^th), I will be appeal their decision.
You can help prove our community’s case for funding by letting us know if you:

a) support the project

b) intend to participate in an Art of the Danforth workshop

c) intend to submit your own artistic project to the event

lease e-mail Cindy ASAP at info@artsimperative.ca detailing the way you would like to participate.
Also, if you know anyone who lives in the east Danforth area who might enjoy attending our workshops, meeting people, swapping stories and making some cool art pieces, please forward them this information. Thank you for your help!

The following community workshops will be open to the public.  In them, we’ll be sharing ideas and stories about this neighbourhood and thinking of fun ways we could improve it with art!

Photography night– Calling all shutterbugs!
Monday  Nov 9th, 6:30 – 8 pm

General Participation

Spooky Pumpkin Fest

BOO-HOO!

Tomorrow is the last day of the 2009 East Lynn Farmers’ Market.  As well as stocking up on your fresh, local produce, be sure to bring the kids to the spooky pumpkin fest.

• Ghost Stories in the SPOOKY tent
• Fearful and friendly face painting by Artistic Alisha and Rambunctious Rebecca
• Old fashioned races with Jason and Bowen (Potato Sacks, 3 legged races and egg & spoon)
• Pumpkin delivery by Sam I Am Green Eggs & Ham

Stop by the DECA tent for one final cup of hot apple cider.

Thank you so so much to all of you for your incredible support, for cooking for the farmers and for coming out week after week to make this community event another roaring success!

For winter market shopping check out Birchcliffe’s indoor market store, Brickworks, Wychwood Barns, Dufferin Grove and St. Lawrence Market.

DECA Party and Much MUCH More

So much to talk about, so little time in front of my computer.  Yup, instead of sending out DECA diaries I’ve been enjoying the fall weather with my brood, but that means my list has grown the length of my arm.  So stick with me here folks, we’ll get through this together.

1. First – mark your calendars for Monday, November 23rd.  That’s our first annual DECA cocktail party. I know you can’t bring yourself to attend another meeting, but can you convince yourself to come on out for a glass of very well-priced wine and some delicious treats (on us) from Melanie’s Bistro?  I thought so.  Watch this space for more information, but for now, doors will open at 7 p.m. at Melanie’s and I expect to see you there.

2. What do you care about more: buildings or parks? On Monday, November 2nd you have your choice of community meetings.  The first is about the Big Hole at Danforth and Woodbine.  The meeting to tell us all more about the development plans for 2055 Danforth and the meeting will take place at the Danforth Mennonite Church  (2174 Danforth) at 7 p.m.

The second is an opportunity to share your ideas and learn more about the fabulous Taylor Creek Park with city officials and Councillor, Janet Davis.  It’s at the Stan Wadlow Clubhouse at 373 Cedarvale Ave. at 7 p.m.  For more information call the Councillor’s office at 416-392-4035 or www.janetdavis.ca.

3. Garlic.  Have you decided against the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine?  Well then you should definitely invest in some garlic to ward off those evil germs.  It’s, apparently, been a bad year for Ontario garlic.  East York and East Lynn Farmers’ Markets are both sold out.  We are placing bulk orders from Loon Song Garden in Little Current (Manitoulin Island).  We’re ordering one order a month for the next few months.  $10 per pound.  There are 18-19 heads per pound.  Contact Mary Margaret to place your order at spargy@rogers.com or 416-693-9276.

4. The Woodbine Heights Baptist Church is hosting it’s Roast Beef Dinner and Fall Fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 14th at 6 p.m. Enjoy a meal by a professional chef and then stay on for the silent auction.  They’ve got everything from baked goods to babysitting…computer help to dinner parties.  Tickets are $20.  Children 12 and under are free.  For more info call 416-467-8987.

4. Post Office Petition? Looks like we’re not the only community losing it’s post office.  The Star’s Joe Fiorito writes about how the community in the Junction saved its local post office one signature at a time.

5. Oaks in Oakcrest. Thank you very much to DECA’s own Mary Margaret McMahon and her insatiable appetite for trees.  She harassed, pestered, cajoled, pleaded, begged and whined to Toronto Parks for two and a half years and finally there are three red oak trees in Oakcrest Park.  These are only the latest trees Mary Margaret has convinced the city to plant in our neighbourhood.  She also worked with Target Park, LEAF and the East Toronto Climate Action Group to plant a native species garden on Strathmore Ave. beside the Woodbine subway station.  Below are the before and after pictures.

Before

After

Danforth Gem – Wag on the danforth

We haven’t forgotten about the all-important Danforth Gems – our favourite places along the Danforth.  The places that help make this a terrific neighbourhood to live in.  Thanks to our fabulous East Lynn Farmers’ Market Manager, Diana for this latest installment.  If you have a place that you love – send me your story (and ideally a picture) at natasha.granatstein@gmail.com.

Ruth Heathcote and her husband Robert Riley opened Wag on the Danforth in August 2008 with a view to offer good nutritian and healthy options for the pet lovers in our community.  As residents for the past 18 years they saw an opportunity to realise thier dream of running their own business while encouraging more retail activity on our stretch of Danforth Avenue.
Wag on the Danforth offers a wide variety of all natural foods for dogs, cats, small animals and birds as well as carefully chosen toys and accessories and a ‘Wash Your Own’ Dog tub!  Directly across from East Lynn Park and two doors down from Seb’s Cappuccino it couldn’t be a better location to walk by, get a coffee and pick up your pet food.

Wag on the Danforth
1918 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M4C 1J4
(647) 349-8263
wagonthedanforth@rogers.com

Post Office

It seems this neighbourhood is all fired up about the imminent closure of the postal outlet at Coxwell and Danforth.  One of our number contacted MP Jack Layton’s office and received the response below from his constituency assistant.  She’s encouraging calls to Canada Post directly and to two other MPs.

*****************************

Thank you so much for contacting our office about the closure of the post office at Coxwell and Danforth. We recognize that this closure will negatively impact our community, and would like to assist in any way that we can.  I have been in touch (email and telephone) with the officer appointed to Members of Parliament in the Greater Toronto Area for Canada Post with a number of questions about this issue. I am expecting a response by tomorrow.

I know that members of the community are asking what they can do.  I encourage you all to call Canada Post directly and express your concerns at: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm local time

General Information 1-866-607-6301 (refer to 021369 – the identification number of this particular outlet)

I also Strongly encourage you to email and Call both the Honourable John Baird and the Honourable Rob Merrifield.

Mr. Baird is the Minister responsible for Canada Post and Mr. Merrifield is the Minister of State appointed to assist Mr. Baird in the carrying out of his responsibilities relating to Crown Corporations, including Canada Post.

Mr. Baird - bairdj@parl.gc.ca - 613-996-0984

Mr. Merrifield – merrir@parl.gc.ca - 613-992-6653

Please bcc this office on any email sent.   Please keep up the good work. Spread these contacts to anyone who might be interested in helping out.  I will be in touch when I receive a response from Canada Post and will let you know what our next steps will be.

Tammy Sale - Constituency Assistant - Jack Layton, MP, Toronto-Danforth – 416-405-8914

The big hole and the big Market

2055/2057 Danforth Ave – (a.k.a – The Big Hole) Public Meeting

Monday, November 2, 2009

7 – 9 p.m. Danforth Mennonite Church @ 2174 Danforth Ave. – Lower Level

Councillor Sandra Bussin will host a public meeting to discuss the development application for the former Woodbine Building Supplies site.  An overview of the proposed development and will be provided.  This is an opportunity to begin the community consultation process before the formal planning process, which will begin with a submission of a preliminary planning staff report to the Toronto/East York Community Council in November.

A representative of the developer will give an overview of the design and substance of the proposal.  As well, local city planner, Tine Major (1major@toronto.ca) will be there to comment and answer questions.

For more information, contact Sandra Bussin’s office at 416-392-1376 or councillor_bussin@toronto.ca

The Market This Week

Only two more weeks of the market left.  Only two more weeks to stock your pantry and your freezer full of fresh, delicious, Ontario yum yums.

Have you tired Tara’s homemade whole wheat pasta?  You really should.  Load up on apples, pears, potatoes, honey, bison, greens and a cornucopia of other harvest bounty.  Then swing by Kind Organics for a power-packed Wheatgrass Shot to invigorate yourself.  Too much for you?  Stop by the DECA tent for a steaming cup of Lincoln Lines apple cider (.50).

Don’t forget our very own student – Sam – will deliver your pumpkin directly to your door all in the name of his high school community service hours.

Prostitutes and Post Offices

Post Office Politics

The postal outlet at Coxwell and Danforth is set to close on Oct. 28th.  Apparently there is problem with the outlet’s outdated computer system.  If this causes you grief, you may want to contact local MPs Jack Layton and Maria Minna.

Prostitution Sweep – Broadview to Victoria Park (Toronto Star)

A total of 70 men are facing charges after a prostitution sweep last weekend in the Danforth area.  The investigation was conducted over a three-night period between Broadview and Victoria Park Aves., and used plainclothes officers to target men seeking street prostitutes in the area.  The men are all charged with communicating for the purpose of prostitution.  According to Const. Wendy Drummond, two of the men arrested each solicited two officers on the same night.  ”They solicited, were arrested and charged, and then solicited again to an undercover officer,” she said.

The sweep was conducted after a number of complaints from the community about an increase of prostitution along Danforth, Drummond said.  ”It’s a safety concern. We have people discarding used condoms along the street, which poses great health risks,” she said.  One of the men arrested was also charged for possession of a controlled substance.  The men are facing a total of 73 charges, and will appear in court between Nov. 24 and 27.

Artsy Neighbourhood?

Did you know?

• This neighbourhood has a disproportionately high percentage of artists.
• The average concentration of artists in a community is 0.8 % in Ontario and 1.6 % in Toronto.
• In postal codes M4C and M4J artists represent 1.9% and 2.9% of the population, respectively (according to 2006 census data).

We’re an artsy neighbourhood, and yet where are the galleries and the hip artistic vibe?  Well, we started with the Danforth East Arts Fair and now there is the Art of the Danforth.  Art of the Danforth will be a public art walk which will display art projects developed by community groups as well as local and international artists.  It’s planned for the last two weeks in April, 2010 on the Danforth between (at minimum) Greenwood and Woodbine.  In the six months leading up to the April event, there will be community brainstorming and creative workshops.

Art of the Danforth will:

• foster community engagement and bring people together
• improve the aesthetic appearance on the Danforth
• increase pedestrian traffic on the Danforth
• explore the possibilities of joining art, space, place and neighbourhoo

Submissions are now being accepted (deadline is January 5, 2010).

Want to know more?  Check out the website or be like me and drop in on the next planning meeting this Tuesday, October 20th from 6-8 p.m.  at LucSculpture at 800 Greenwood – steps north of Danforth.  All are welcome.

And while you’re in the mood for art…

Check out the Walkabout exhibit by Julie Glick from October 22 – November 15 at Red Sable.  The opening reception is October 24th from 1-4 p.m.  Have you been to Red Sable?  It’s a fabulous store with an incredible collection of items from paintings to photographs, from jewelry to hats.  It’s delightful and it’s open Thurs – Sun in the afternoons.

Only Three Market Days Left

Throw on your cozy fall jacket and head out to East Lynn Park Farmers’ Market for the last three weeks of the season.

We’ll WARM you up with some HOT APPLE CIDER (50 cents) from Peter at Lincoln Lines Orchards!

Time to stock up on your fresh, Ontario produce so you can still taste the delectable difference all winter long!  Corn can be boiled, sliced off cob, and then frozen in a plastic bag for the winter.  Root vegetables can keep for a long time in a cool, dry, dark place.  Load up on Ontario garlic since it is almost impossible to find in a grocery store!  Get your apples and turn them into sauce, pies, cakes, or just chomp on them daily.

FREE LOCAL PUMPKIN DELIVERY – by local high school students gaining their community service hours.