This is the blog of the Danforth East Community Association (DECA). We’re a group of residents living between Monarch Park and Main, Mortimer/Lumsden to the railway tracks in east Toronto. We love this neighbourhood and we are working together to make it even better.
DECA Board Founding Chair, Natasha Granatstein, started this blog and built it into everyone’s favourite neighbourhood news source! After many years, Natasha decided to pass on the reigns, and DECA Board Members Sheri Hebdon and Shelley Darling now keep it going. We strive to make sure that the blog continues to be “news you can use”, as Natasha intended, and we welcome ideas and event info for anything taking place inside the DECA borders.
We hope that you enjoy hearing about our great neighbourhood as much as we enjoy telling you about it.
Hello,
My name is Irene and I am a health Professional running fitness classes of Pilates, Yoga and Bootcamps in the neighbourhood at Woodbine and Cosburn. I will be expanding my schedule and running more of these classes to promote Health and Well being. I also do private training and Exercise Rehabilitation. How can I post my classes and services? Please let me know. Thank you!
Thanks very much for writing about our store that opened on July 2. We are happy to be part of the community & have received fantastic feedback already.
Regards, John
Do Bamboo
698 Coxwell Ave
we love your blog. good job.
i was wondering if anyone in the neighbourhood could recommend a good mason/bricklayer company or know of a
good reliable plumber.
my husband and i are doing renovations and we would love a great referral from someone in the hood.
thanks
Great Mason….not cheap but worth the quality of work!
Original House Masonry…Tony 416 878-1709
You won’t be disappointed.
We are a plumbing company who’d love to help out with your reno! We live on Monarch Park Ave. and have been in the plumbing business for 20 years. Call Greg at 416-990-8880.
i can recommend both call me at 416 571 5679 I have a small reno company and we have trades people that work for us
Hi Natasha,
Regarding the tree plantings at St. Brigid school: At the Blooming Contest Awards on Sept. 9 a rep from a group called greenhere gave a presentation and talked about trees they had planted on St. Brigids.
They usually work in the west end but also try to green many of the old Catholic School Board properties which are all asphalt.
http://www.greenhere.ca/GREENHERE/Welcome_to_GREENHERE_.html
Love our neighborhood! Lots for everyone to get involved in.
Small community feel in a big city.
I am the owner of a successful home-based Esthetics and Medical Esthetics Studio offering many services to all our
WONDERFUL neighborhood Ladies…
I must say I can’t believe how close net our big community is.
Thanks to all for supporting the small business owners and giving us a chance to serve the community.
Daniela
416 827-2458
Hi
I found this link on the Globe & Mail site today. It talks about a 2009 event in our ‘hood. Thought you might be able to give them an update.
http://toneighbourhoods.ca/toronto-east/danforth-village/shopping/
Hello:
I am writing to invite you to a free concert featuring “The Suite Serenade Singers” and “The Treblemakers” on Tuesday, June 1st, beginning at 1:15 p.m. The concert will take place at Calvary Church (Missionary Hall), which is located at 746 Pape Avenue. (For more information, please contact me at (416) 460-7954.)
“The Suite Serenade Singers” and “The Treblemakers” are community singing groups geared to “zoomers” (i.e., people ages 45 +). The groups sing a wide variety of repertoire, and anyone who loves music and loves to sing is welcome to register for classes. The groups were formed this past year, and we are trying to get the word out to “zoomers” in the neighbourhood that we are here and accepting new members!
Thank you again for all of your hard work in supporting local businesses and keeping people in the community informed and involved.
Best wishes for continued success in your work.
Sincerely,
Penelope Dale
Voice Teacher and Royal Conservatory of Music Vocal Examiner
I have decided to post this to the DECA blog because we need to let everyone in the area know that we have a problem. And the problem is the Car Wash at Danforth and Aldridge.
Unfortunately, none of the community here knew they were going to open a horribly noisy car wash. No one was informed and when they opened, the neighbours in this area couldn’t believe this happened.
The noise makes it impossible to use our backyards. In the evening and weekends, the laneway at the back is blocked with cars waiting to use the car wash. The exhaust from idling cars is a health hazard. The noise from the pressure washer and blow dryer is continual. We have tried to talk to the owners. Last year they said they would work with the community and have done nothing.
If anyone is in the area, please feel free to drop by and spend 5 minutes listening and then you can leave and be thankful you don’t live in the area.
We have formed a committee to try to get back our sanity. The WAPEC (West Lynn-Aldridge Peace and Enjoyment Committee) will be trying to meet with our City Counsillor and anyone else that we need to.
If anyone has any comments on this, please let me know.
Most people are not aware of the idling bylaw. A suggestion is to put up a no idling sign in the lane way, one similar to the one the kids made at Gledhill school. Another suggestion is to hand out no idling flyers or even work with the owner of the car wash to put up a sign in the car wash. As for the noise, there are industrial/occupational hygiene companies that do noise studies. The study can then be used to see if it complies with the city’s noise control bylaw. Good luck.
[...] of the cars idling in the back lane waiting to use the car wash. Linda has posted about it here on the blog and the residents there looking for any advice people may have about how to proceed. [...]
Hi
There are idling bylaws, perhaps you can contact the city and have a bylaw officer monitor the situation…not sure if they can act on private property…but it’s worth a try.
The city has an Idling Control Bylaw – no more than 3 minutes in any given 60 minutes.
Clearly a violation!
http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/onstreet/idling.htm
- may be this contravention could be discussed when you meet with your councillor!
Heya Linda,
I understand the frustration. You know I’m the top house on the west side of Aldridge, and for us it’s the blocked laneway we used to use every day to take my young kids to the park…not anymore.
I’m not sure it’s a legal issue for a business to allow access to their site through a public laneway.
You’ve also had the noise meters in there, and that was a bust.
I think the best approach is to head out there on an especially busy day and record up and down the line the idling cars.
Show:
-Idling longer than 3 minutes
-pedestrians/cyclists/carts etc. not able to pass
-lengthy blockage of the laneway
-ideally out onto Aldridge
That footage can be used as your evidence when in front of the Ms. Bussin or whomever you meet. In that way it becomes less of a ‘it’s noisy and annoying’ (which I’m absolutely sympathetic about..but they may not be) and more of a ‘They’re breaking city bylaws and it must stop’. I’ve found that officials want to help if they have reason, and we need to point out that it’s not just an inconvenience, but a true violation.
Hope that helps,
David.
Thanks Alexis…it is a violation, but it’s getting the officers here when the violation happens. We’ve tried!
Our question is how they were able to open a business like that on a laneway that backs homes, especially right at the access way to 7 backyards. Someone at City Hall dropped the ball and now we’re stuck with trying to get back some of our peace!
Thanks for the comment!
David, great idea! I like that. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Linda
Does anyone know if the car wash company is a member of the Danforth Mosaic BIA? – they may have a sympathetic ear and some moral suasion to exert?
Hello Friends,
My name is Samuel Getachew and I would be pleased if I could have a meeting with your association in the very near future.
Samuel
Any chance you could mention that True Brew Cafe is having live jazz tomorrow night (Friday July 9) from 7-9ish? Ed Kopala from local store The Twelfth Fret and his trio will be playing some jazz. I’ll be giving out sample of cold coffee drinks. And kids are welcome of course. No cover charge – just asking for donations for the musicians. And we’re thinking of having an Open Mike Night soon, for those musicians who just want to play a song or two.
Thanks, Natasha!
looking for the address of those free concerts Wed nites…I heard good reviews about them….thanx…
The parkette is at Coxwell and Danforth.
Anyone have thoughts on the proposed replacement of the East Lynn Wading Pool w/a splash pad?
Its in the benefits package for the new condo on the Big Hole site, 100k, for that park, and Stephenson as well.
Hi Kevin,
I wasn’t aware of the replacement of the East Lynn wading pool. I know that there is some money that the developers have to put aside for community beautification and DECA has brought this up at the community meetings about the big hole, stating that they want to be kept in the loop about that.
I was part of the East Lynn Park Revitalization committee that oversaw the installation of the new playground, 30 new trees, etc. and we did at that time discuss the pool. It was decided by the community to paint the pool and make it more inviting but not to replace it. There are a few issues with a splash pad, not the least of which is cost. At the time I was quoted by parks at over 100K to make the wading pool into a splash pad. That seems excessive, but consider, a bench is $3500.
A splash pad is automatic, it goes on at 7am and goes off at 7pm and the noise this creates in the early morning was a concern to residents. Also, come by any day of the week and you’ll see that the majority of kids using the pool are under 5. A splash pad appeals to older kids and older, rougher kind of play. With so few wading pools left, the community felt it was nice to have a low key place where little ones could paddle their feet.
Now, there are plans that we could never afford to implement for the park, including a proper path to the playground to ensure it’s accessibility. More benches….
A neighbour contacted a year or two ago about Stephenson park – it is desperately in need of a makeover.
Let me know if I can help.
Alison McMurray
Deca member and Farmers’ market gal
Hi Natasha,
Great blogging! We have recently opened The Eco Laundry Room Cafe.
Featuring: Lazio Sodas, Bavarian Eis Kaffee, Organic Chicken Paninis, a “Live” Organic Salad and of course organic fair trade coffee.
Open M-F 6am to 7pm, Sat 8-6, Sun 12-6.
647-341-0973
Cheers,
Paul
Hi Natasha:
Thanks again for all of the great work you’re doing to help us connect as neighbours. I read deca diaries on a regular basis, and have been tempted to frequent many of the businesses in the area because of the positive comments I’ve read about them.
I’m writing today to tell you about a singing group for “zoomers”(i.e., people age 45+) I am starting. It will be held at the Salvation Army Citadel, located at 107 Cedarvale Avenue — just steps away from Woodbine subway station. The classes will be on Tuesday evenings, beginning September 7th, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., and are reasonably priced. Anyone who loves singing is welcome to attend, and prior musical/singing experience isn’t necessary — just bring your enthusiasm and positive energy!
I would really appreciate any help you could give in spreading the word about the class, as I love teaching singing groups and would like to have a sizable enough turnout to go ahead with it.
With best wishes to you and to all of the deca readers,
Penelope Dale
Hi Natasha,
My name is Noel and I believe we met before my store “Madame Gateaux” open.
I am currently provided classes for December, generally for Christmas baking. By the end of this month, the regular baking classes schedules will be up. In addition, I will open classes for groups.
I am wondering if you can help to promote my business in the neighborhood.
Regards,
Noel
An announcement that may be of interest to your readers, thanks Natasha.
Dear friends and customers of
True Brew Café,
For personal and family reasons we’ve decided to chart a new course for 2011 and on February 15th the True Brew Café will have a new owner: Silvia Marga. We’re happy to say that that Silvia will continue to sell the kind of treats and especially the same great coffee that you’ve come to love. We’ll miss seeing you on a daily basis but Susan will be at the café until the end of the month to help the new owner settle in.
Thank you so much for your support and friendship over the past two years. You’ve been wonderful and we’ll always cherish the happy memories you’ve given us. We’re very proud to have established a spot that many of you have chosen for your daily coffee and treat — that is the biggest compliment of all.
We hope to stay in touch with the community — perhaps you’ll see us at a DECA event — and for those of you interested in staying in touch with us after February 15th, we can be reached on Susan’s personal blog at http://screamforicequeen.blogspot.com
All the best,
Susan, Frank and Colin Clarke
I put this question on the True Brew post, but maybe it’s better here:
—–
My wife tells me there are big “sold” signs on the southwest corner of Woodbine and Danforth (where the Royal Bank was).
Anyone know what’s going in there? We’ve heard a Starbucks rumour. It does look like their kind of building.
Hi,
Not sure where to ‘post’ this question… I’m not a blogger usually.
My 15 yr old son is looking for part time work after school/week ends in the neighbourhood (we’re at Woodbine/Danforth). Is there anyone/where connected to Deca Diaries where one can ask/post such a request?
Hello DECA,
I have been a “lurker” for a while now but I thought that I would finally make a post as my business at Danforth and Coxwell is finally open.
My name is Drew Nesbitt and I am a Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture and a Nutritional Consultant specializing in natural fertility enhancement for both men and women. I look forward to being a trusted source of health information in the DECA area.
Check out my website for more information or if you would like to contact me. http://www.drewnesbitt.ca
Looking forward to more DECA updates.
Drew Nesbitt BA, TCMP, Ac, ROHP
1533 Danforth Ave.
Hi everyone,
Does anybody know when the East Lynn street sale/party is happening this summer? We lost our flyer in the mail
Thanks so much !!!
Jess
My wife, Laura, mentioned your community site and we decided to stop by. As parents at St Brigid Catholic School, we enjoy being part of the virtual and online discussions on various site like this.
If you are a parent here and havent joined our private facebook group, just visit us at:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_241120344381
Great info on school related events, discounts and lots of great stuff. As a local business owner myself, I feel its only right to support others who invest and pay taxes in this great part of East York.
Liako from Red Rocket here.
I just want to say excited we are to join the Danforth East community.
It’s been very bittersweet for us…while we are really sad to leave Leslieville (we will return one day) the prospect and potential of Danforth has us going.
The support from both our old and cherished customers and the denizens of our new digs as been awesome!
Can’t wait to open our doors in the ‘hood and make some new friends!
Hi all,
Love Deca Diaries – thanks Natasha – I was wondering if any of our neighbours could recommend good enviromentally-sound landscapers as we are looking to design our backyard….
thanks in advance,
Dina
Hi Dina…I can highly recommend Real and Barbara Eguchi. One of their biggest considerations when designing is the environment. They also participated in Art on the Danforth a couple of years ago with the big wooden animals and murals that lined Danforth.
Real Eguchi OALA,CSLA
Principal
Eguchi Associates Landscape Architects
39 Ferris Road
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M4B 1G2
T 416-759-7529
F 416-759-5078
real@bREAL.ca
http://www.bREAL.ca
We’re gearing up to swimming weather! As a mom of two kids (ages 9 and 15) who spent a lot of time at Monarch Park pool last summer, I was disheartened that our local pool was in such a sad state of disrepair for the entire summer. Does anyone know if the slide and the diving board will be functional for the opening of the swim season 2012? Fingers crossed….
Hi all,
I just wanted to let everyone in the area know about a new social group for vegetarians, vegans, and those veg-curious! Next event’s Jul 4th at the Thai Grill in the Beaches.
—————————————
East End Vegetarians
This group is for vegetarians, vegans and the veg-curious living in the Beach, Upper Beach, and Leslieville area of Toronto, wanting to meet and network with likeminded people in the area. They meet at restaurants in the area and the group may plan for other outings/events in the future as well.
Email eastend@veg.ca to get added to their mailing list and find out about their next event!
—————————————
For people in the area: Monarch Park Community Aquatics has an adult lane swim at Monarch Park Collegiate on Wednesday nights from 8-9pm, the cost is $2.
We live on Roseheath near Danforth. Does anyone know a plumber?
many thanks
Sandra SImpson
Hi Sandra,
We use Roto rooter for any issues we have. They also offer a plumbing inspection of the whole home which is recommended for all of my East York clients at UniqueToronto.com in areas with older infrastructure. What only my ViP clients know is that two recent homes I inspected on Sammon & Woodbine Ave in Sept 2012 both failed the sewer trap video inspection condition I add to all my home purchase agreements. You don’t want to know what they found in those pipes. Better to know vs not know.
Thanks so much ! I have been given another name as well so will follow up both.
I appreciate your quick reply.
Sandra Simpson
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.