East End Pioneer

You can have your cake....

2010-12-15T13:14:00.000-08:00

Just in case no-one has noticed, Pioneer would like to highlight that the corner of Woodbine and Danforth is slowly becoming the baked goods epicentre of Danforth East.

When did this transition begin? Well, True Brew Cafe and its delectable soups, muffins and comfort food was the first to break culinary ground (I know...relish was there first, but we're talking baking not tapas). Then the addition of Celena's Bakery last year brought fresh bread back to the neighbourhood at long last, and Cozy Cafe's baklava cannot be ignore.

The new kid on the block is a place called Caketown, which opened a few months ago in the space next to Better Bulk (just west of Woodbine). Pioneer finally had the chance to check it out last week, and we must say, it was love at first sight. The merry holiday window display and cozy atmosphere drew us right in, out of the cold, for a hot coffee and a buttery shortbread cookie. Relaxing with a newspaper on their comfy couches was almost too tempting - we could have stayed there all day!

A bonus for all you gourmands: a selection of homemade jams and jellies are on sale, including a red pepper jelly that we know will go great with some goat cheese and crackers.

And.....If you are in the mood for cupcakes, the Caketown cupcakes are the cream of the crop and much better than that other cupcake shop that shall remain nameless. A recent delivery of some of these gems to Pioneer headquarters confirmed that it really is difficult to limit yourself to only one of Caketown's holiday themed confections!

Gledhill School Silent Auction

2010-12-08T09:26:00.000-08:00

Tis the season for giving to great causes, and what could be a better cause than helping out a local school!

Gledhill PS is hosting a silent auction tomorrow night (Thursday Dec 9th) from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Proceeds go to extracurricular programs for the kids.

There is an amazing list of things to bid on such as Raptors and Leafs tickets, Fine Silver Girl jewelry, the chance to shadow a Toronto Star journalist for a day (Oh!! me, me!!) plus about 200 more fun and fabulous items.

It's a $2 entry fee or a canned good for the food bank.

Side note: Because this is a licensed event, it's limited to those over 19.

Holiday Pop-Up Shop

2010-11-26T08:33:00.000-08:00

Christmas shopping season has officially begun and pop-up shops are all the rage this year. Danforth East is officially on-trend, with this weekend's upcoming TykeThreads.com pop-up shop, which Pioneer knows will be all the rage with new moms in the neighbourhood.

The sale runs this weekend and has everything from jerseys to Morgan and Milo trainers, your little man will look dashing while dashing through the snow! The location is at 1390 Danforth, which is the north-west corner of Danforth and Monarch Park.

The sale is cash only.

November 27-29, 10am-7pm
Where: 1390 Danforth Ave.
More info: 416-937-7191

Free Fitness!

2010-11-05T10:16:00.000-07:00

Nothing gets people excited like something that is free, and so all you east-enders better get excited about this deal:

Pegasus Studios, the best dance/fitness studio in our neighbourhood, is offering some free introductory classes next week for their "Free Fitness Week".

Check out the schedule and registration details here:
http://www.pegasusdance.com/

All lit up

2010-11-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

If you didn't happen to see East Lynn Park at dusk this past Monday evening, you missed a highlight of the year: the DECA Pumpkin Parade.

Hundreds of pumpkins lined the walkway and the swimming pool, their beautiful and sometimes gruesome faces lit up with flickering candlelight. It was really breathtaking to see - and this was combined with the energy of hundreds of community members strolling along and checking out the artwork of their neighbours. It was a great evening to be on Danforth East!

In case you missed it, here are some images courtesy of Natasha Granatstein and DECA:

Delish Dish

2010-11-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since Pioneer has been able to post a restaurant review - even though eating (and eating 'out') could be considered one of our "hobbies".

It was girls night this past weekend, and since staying in the 'hood' is always preferred, we found ourselves at relish bar and grill on Danforth. While Pioneer missed the actual dinner portion of the evening, the leading ladies I was with declared the tapas to be 'totally delish'. With perfect timing, my arrival on the scene coincided with the next bottle of wine being opened and the cheese plate being ordered.

The restaurant itself has a comfortable, cozy atmosphere - so cozy, that our neighboring table was slightly amused as Pioneer sporadically yelled out the CFL scores. The staff was also quick and friendly, considering that it was a Friday and every table was occupied.

The highlight of the evening was perhaps the finest martini that we have ever tasted on Danforth - and even beyond. While we've since forgotten the name, the pomegranate and prosecco concoction was to die for.

So next time it's ladies night (or date night!), look no further than Woodbine and Danforth for some mouth-watering tapas, savoury cheese and only a short walk home!

A butcher, a baker....

2010-10-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

While well on it's way to being a modern neighbourhood, Danforth East still has those original hallmarks of what makes a great community: a butcher for fresh meat, a baker for fresh bread and although we do not have a candlemaker, we do have an honest-to-goodness cobbler.

Located at the north-east corner of Monarch Park and Danforth, you may recognize this non-descript shoe repair shop as the window with all the old shoes piled up in it (right next to Sam's barber shop). It's musty and small, and a throwback to an early era on Danforth, but well worth checking it out.

The other day, Pioneer dropped off a pair of high-heeled boots that were potentially broken beyond repair. We could have hugged the gentleman behind the counter, who gave us a positive shoe diagnoses: our precious footwear had a broken shank and for $20 he would replace it and give the boots new rubber soles as well.

Although it took a week to get them back, when I did have them in hand, they were fixed to perfection with no sign of any tampering. Pioneer gives this one a big thumbs up for local footwear repair and for deals you don't have to leave the neighbourhood for!

Halloween Parade Of Lights

2010-10-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

Firstly, congratulations to new Danforth East councillors Mary Margaret McMahon (Ward32) and Mary Fragedakis (Ward 29). Encumbents Janet Davis (Ward 31) and Paula Fletcher (Ward 30) both remain on council to continue their good work. Both of the latter have worked hard to shape the new Danforth East, and it will be exciting to see what this group of four passionate women will be able to do for our 'hood in the upcoming term.

And this just in from DECA:

It’s the day after Halloween and the costumes have been put away, the makeup has been stashed, now what do you do with your beautiful, hand-carved jack-o-lantern? Don’t throw it away. Bring it to East Lynn Park and join the Danforth East Community Association for the first annual Pumpkin Parade on November 1st at 6:30 p.m.

At dusk, the park will be lined with beautiful candle-lit pumpkins for everyone to enjoy.

DECA is asking participants to bring their own candles with them. DECA volunteers will be on hand to assist in lighting the pumpkins.

Participants will be able to leave their pumpkins at East Lynn Park to be collected by the City of Toronto.

Hot Debate

2010-10-20T06:16:00.000-07:00

Last night was a hot night in the east end. Wards 30 and 32 held an all-candidates debate, both of which were packed with east-enders prepped to ask only the most contentious questions. East End Pioneer can't possibly stay non-partisan in this race, so rather than give a blow by blow, I will direct all of you to twitter, where you can read the live-tweeting that happened throughout both debates by some of our passionate local residents.

For Ward 32, you can check out:

@porterthereport (www.twitter.com/porterthereport)
@robedits
@mytowncrier (www.twitter.com/mytowncrier)

For Ward 30, you can check out:

@Diane_Dyson

Enjoy!

Sarah

The Comeback Post

2010-10-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

East End Pioneer was on an extended summer vacation for the past few months, but there is just so much going on in the neighbourhood, that we couldn't resist some new posts.

First and foremost, election day is coming up and the neighbourhood is buzzing. Danforth East covers four wards: 29, 30, 31 and 32. Check out www.insidetorontovotes.ca for more info on which ward you are in. For those in Ward 32, one of the most contested wards in the city, there is an all candidates debate tomorrow night (Tuesday, October 19) at Kimbourne Park United Church at 7 p.m. Incumbent councillor Bussin will defend her reigning title, on a variety of issues.

Secondly, over on Deca Diaries, another Danforth Gem has been uncovered. Please click here to read the great review of new Emerald Restaurant at Danforth and Woodbine, which apparently has "the best" chicken tikka masala this side of Gerrard.

Happy Monday everyone!

Farmers' Market here at last

2010-06-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

Well, tonight's the night. Finally. It's here at last. After month's of waiting, today at 4:30 the East Lynn Park Farmers' Market is open for the Summer 2010 season!

What's in season now? According to www.eattheseasons.com, we can look forward to fresh and local arugula, asparagus, radishes, zucchini, followed in the weeks to come by cherries, plums and strawberries!

Lots of great things happening at the market this year - including the return of the cheese lady Ruth Klassen.Who doesn't love cheese??

See you there tonight and don't forget your reusable shopping bags!

Happy Birthday to Legacy Indoor Cycling

2010-06-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

When I first saw the sign that a spinning studio was opening at Coxwell and Danforth, that song "Looks like we made it" started playing in my head. Why? Because a good sign of a passionate and healthy community is a fitness facility.

I wasn't sure if Legacy Indoor Cycling, at 1506 Danforth, was going to last, but due to the perseverance of it's owner Andy Drakopolous, it has just celebrated its first birthday.

I had the honour of attending the VIP celebration at Legacy on Saturday night, and had a tete-a-tete with Andy who instead of talking about himself, beamed about his students.

"Through our tri-annual weight loss challenges, Legacy attendees lost over 500 lbs. in the past year, which is so great," he said. "I've seen a transformation on the Danforth and it's inspiring. Everyone works really hard and I'm so proud of them."

Andy lives on the "other Danforth" but that's okay, because he's helping OUR Danforth be a vibrant, walkable and safe community. Happy Birthday Legacy and here's to another year of success!

Hot Times, Summer in The City

2010-05-26T06:33:00.000-07:00

Not all of us are lucky enough to have a private Muskoka getaway to escape to when the mercury soars, so if you are stuck soaking up the rays "turtle-pool"-side rather than dock-side, this Saturday is jam-packed with happenings on Danforth East.

Doors Open Toronto runs this Saturday and Sunday, and the best news for this Pioneer is that the Greenwood and Danforth TTC train yard will be open to the public on Saturday afternoon. This is exciting, because as most people know, kids love trains, so there really is no better way to enjoy a Saturday morning than brunch at Sarah's or Ten Feet Tall (take that, cottage country!!) followed by a backstage pass to a "subterranean locomotion" repair shop. For history buffs, I have it on good authority (okay, from Joe Cooper at the Mirror) that the very same site was a quarry that served as a labour camp for German POW's during WW2. Danforth East is like an onion: peel back the layers and you never know what you'll find!

Also on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. is the annual Earl Beatty Fun Fair which offers fun and games for kids, a marketplace and silent auction for parents and general fun and mayhem all around! See flyer below.

And don't forget: many homes on Danforth East will be holding a Yard Sale for the Cure (all proceeds go to Breast Cancer research), so get out on your bike early for all the best deals! Hint: good stuff to be found on Milverton, just west of Monarch Park!

How does your garden grow?

2010-05-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

When it comes to having a green thumb, yours truly has two thumbs. Sort of like how I've never been able to bake a cake, I've also never really been able to keep plants alive. However, now that I've got a little piece of land to call my own, I think that it's time to start getting into the gardening groove.

Although this past Saturday morning was drizzly and grey, I decided to head on over to the new Reeves Garden Centre at 999 Danforth Ave (at Donlands) to pick up some shrubs and easy-to-keep-alive plants.

Perusing the aisles of flowers, I was a little overwhelmed by the great selection, but a friendly pink-shirted gardening ambassador was only too eager to assist a bumbling newbie gardener. She took the time to explain to me how to plant shrubs and what grows best in shade (luckily, Hydrangea is my favourite flower!).

Although parking and getting the plants to the car was dicey (scurrying across Danforth with potted plants is not easy on a Saturday morning), it seemed that there was no shortage of "helpers" at the front entrance to assist with loading and unloading. As an added bonus, my new Reeves' "client card" gives me cash points every time I purchase something, which means that if I kill my plants, it won't hurt the wallet quite so much!

The 'meat' of it all

2010-05-21T15:58:00.000-07:00

It's Friday night and DH and I have spent the last few days working on rebuilding our front porch, since the old one was starting to rot and was just plain old ugly. This means that I've neglected all other wifely duties such as grocery shopping and cooking. There is a celebratory mood in the air, however, and not just on our driveway!

The excitement is palpable all over the city that a) it's the Friday of a long weekend and b) it's "shorts" weather finally - we can at long-last throw off the shackles of winter!!

That means that it's officially BBQ weather, which solves the dilemma of what to cook for dinner. However, I am now going to have to share my secret with you, one that I've been holding on to since I moved into the neighbourhood: Jerry's Supermarket at Monarch Park and Danforth sells enormous $1.99 marinated beef and chicken shishkabobs that are better than any meat skewer item that I've ever bought elsewhere.

Throw in a loaf of bread from North Pole bakery and some [local] asparagus, and DH and I can eat like kings for under $10.

So if you see the strange site of two adults having a picnic dinner tonight on their driveway and staring lovingly at their new porch, that will be us!

Danforth East debut on the small screen

2010-05-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

Cool news of the day:
Did anyone catch CBS filming at the Bus Terminal restaurant yesterday afternoon?
I missed it, but I bet we'll all be keeping an eye out for the 'Flashpoint' episode to air on CTV, which will be featuring our lovely breakfast joint in one of their crime scene investigations!

Fish Tales:
On another note, thank you to all the readers who suggested Happy Sushi.
They are amazing! Although the salad was downright soggy, the rolls were huge and delicious. Fresh tuna was the special of the day, and it was excellent. DH was over-the-moon, which is all I can ask for.

Treat of the week:

I swung by the new bakery at Woodbine and Danforth last week, the one with the old sign saying "Coffee, Coffee". I don't know how to express my delight, but let me just say that the powdered shortbread cookie I bought for junior pioneer and myself to share (yes, I let my kid have cookies before dinner, ha!) was the best I've EVER had in my life. Melt in your mouth sweetness, moist and soft, with the perfect amount of powered sugar as icing. My vote for treat of the week!

The baklava in the photo below was also divine: not too much chocolate, and not too sweet....perfect!

Bike Lane Survey

2010-05-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

The debate heats up, city wide, over bike lanes. Here's a recent heartbreaking Toronto Star item:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/808941--cyclists-crushed-by-councillor-s-mis-vote?bn=1

Just a reminder to cast your vote on the East End Pioneer poll, for or against bike lanes along Danforth East!

To Bike or Not To Bike?

2010-05-10T07:21:00.000-07:00

The City of Toronto's suggestion that they are putting bike lanes across Danforth East has become a complicated issue for many of our community stakeholders. We are a strong cycling community and if you've ever walked the Danforth between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. you will be witness to the legions of people who use Danforth Ave. as a main artery for commuting by bike. However, by limiting parking on a major thoroughfare, the BIA feels that the city could essentially be cutting off access to small businesses along the strip.

What do you think? Should Danforth East have bike lanes? Choose yes or no in the poll on the right hand side of the page.

Bombay Calling

2010-05-03T06:31:00.000-07:00

The other night I had an opportunity to go out for dinner sans junior pioneer. It was an exciting prospect, the world was our oyster. In a city the size of Toronto, we could have gone anywhere we wanted without having to worry about whether the resto was accessorized with high chairs. However, in typical Pioneer fashion, DH had a craving for Indian so we ended up staying local (no matter how hard I try to get away I always find amazing options close to home).

I always forget how close we are to Little India. It really is a stone's throw from Danforth East and there are some really great dining spots to choose from. My neighbours favour Siddartha (vegetarian) but we decided to hit up the Famous, a spot we often order take out from. We were a little dissappointed in the selection at the buffet, but the food was edible and we were hungry. I'll probably try something else next time, like the new The Five Spices - featuring Hakka cuisine (Indian Chinese dishes). Check out the review at sweetspot.ca here.

Happy 1st Birthday East End Pioneer!

2010-04-28T18:59:00.000-07:00

One year ago, I posted the very first item on East End Pioneer. When I devised this blog, I thought that I would be lucky if my family and a handful of friends subscribed, but to my great surprise, lots of people like to read about the "other Danforth".

THANK YOU, dear readers! You inspire me to be a better writer and to actually write about things that are relevant to our neighbourhood.

Another thing that I wanted to mention is that by writing this blog, I discovered that Danforth East does truly rock. I know that may not be the most literary of descriptions, but it's true. From vibrant restaurants to new business owners taking a leap of faith on our strip to a wide network of creative dreamers and visionaries, there is a golden energy that exists between Greenwood and Westlake. We are all part of the vanguard in a new era on Danforth East, an era that promises a future of community building and prosperity, whether that be material or spiritual. And aren't we lucky!

My lofty goals for year two include more photos, more gossip and more interviews with interesting people, including some candidates for city councillor and two guys who make musical instruments from cigar boxes.

Stay tuned for more fun and adventure with East End Pioneer and Happy Trails!!

My One & Only

2010-04-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

Much to my dismay, my usual Saturday morning destination Three's Company Two has changed their hours. Since we're up early with junior pioneer, on weekends we sweeten the sting of no sleep-in's by heading out somewhere for bagels and coffee. This weekend, we discovered that they won't open now on Saturday's until 9 a.m.

Unfortunately, it was only 7:45. With junior pioneer screaming "muffin, muffin" over and over again, we needed to find somewhere to eat and find it fast. A friend had mentioned the One cafe over at Donlands (adjacent to The Only) as a great place for coffee and we decided to check it out.

Bingo! They were open and there was a plethora of comfy seating options, including shabby chic armchairs and a retro couch that the little one clambered all over. Check mark on the delicious muffins and check mark on the fast, friendly service. It's a little outside of the Danforth East zone, but definitely worth the trip. At some point, I'll have to actually sit down for brunch at the Only, since it comes highly recommended!

A Fresh Face

2010-04-26T06:45:00.000-07:00

I was invited to help out at the Danforth Mosaic BIA Spring Cleanup on Saturday and I'm so glad that I said yes. The event was such a success and it was so great to see our community out on the streets, cleaning up our neighbourhood. This wasn't the only cleanup - all along the strip, from Broadview to Danforth Village, people were out picking up trash, painting and cleaning up graffiti. What a sight for sore eyes!

I also had the chance to meet Jennifer Wood, a candidate in the running for Ward 29 councillor (taking over from Case Ootes). She had a team of young constituents tagging along with brooms as they "party hopped" along Danforth from one cleanup to the next. I hope this means that she's committed to a clean and walkable community on this end of the Ward....

The event at Coxwell parkette ended with free hotdogs and juice - cooked up by our boys in blue who were also out helping clean-up the hood. All in all, I'd say there were probably about 30 bags of garbage collected from one or two blocks east and west of Coxwell. A small step towards giving the 'hood a fresh face for spring!

What is this place?

2010-04-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, there was a bus station on the north east corner of Coxwell and Danforth, a department store at Woodbine and a Danforth Ave. streetcar. Once upon a time, our neighbourhood was genteel, and stylish women glided down the wide boulevards of Danforth East doing shopping and running errands. How life has changed here.

Art of the Danforth, a week long public art walk between Greenwood and Woodbine, re-images parts of our fading facade with an art installation displaying pieces from both Toronto artists and the collective conscious of community members exploring who we are, where we came from and what our community looks like now.

Organizer Cindy Rozeboom says: "This is going to be a great way to celebrate our neighbourhood and help build community pride" and I agree.

The art walk kicks off this Friday. Check out www.artofthedanforth.com for more info.

If you've got little ones, head over to East Lynn park on Sunday for the DECA Make A Joyful Noise Family Parade at 11:00 a.m. (also part of Art of the Danforth). Check out DECA Diaries for more info.

For a nice read, here is a story the Mirror wrote on the event:
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/802203--creativity-set-to-bloom-along-the-danforth

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Wood-n't It Be Nice....

2010-04-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

Pioneer readers may recall from previous musings that my life on Danforth East should be subtitled "This Old House". A common refrain from many of you I'm sure, who have embraced the challenge of a century old home. While it drives DH a little crazy, yours truly loves to find weekend projects so in the spirit of spring, this past weekend Pioneer tackled some hefty power tools.

Our backyard had a makeover last summer - ok, it was more like reconstructive surgery - but the rear fence/trellis structure was essentially just a decaying causeway for wayward raccoons, so down it came.

In the process of building the most beautiful trellis in the world - yes, I can now use "nailing strip" and "mitre saw" in the same sentence - I discovered a local gem!

Home Depot is great for many things, but if you're looking for customer service, Danforth Lumber on Dawes is a great alternative if you want that "local hardware" store feel. DH likes their bulk bin section - if you're in the mood for steel that is. Buying nails in bulk is kind of retro cool. And before I had even really finished scooping, the guy behind the counter had already calculated the cost on a half pound of 3" nails.

Essentially, instead of perusing long aisles of lumber put on display by marketing geniuses, you put your order in at the counter, then head out to the yard and the guys get it for you. They'll even put it in your car for you!

Now, if only I could buy shoes this way.....

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Takeout Tribulations

2010-04-09T06:51:00.000-07:00

A lot of my posts on this site have to do with food, which is funny because I don't eat out very often (house poor, anyone??), although I still cling to the experience as a last vestige of being a D.I.N.K. - when I could squander a C-note on dinner and drinks without a care in the world.

However, whether I do venture out or order in, I always hope for the best, even if it's local delivery. Which brings me to today's point:

I'm now at desperation levels. Where can a girl get great SUSHI this side of Greenwood? I've been ordering from Aji Sai at Jones, but last night DH noted that the size of the rolls keep getting smaller and smaller every time we order. The quality of the fish is excellent, but the serving is a fraction of what my personal fave (Sushi Inn) serves.

And it took over an hour to get our food.

Our monthly sushi takeout ritual needs a Danforth East injection! Anyone have any suggestions?

Irasshaimase!

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How does your garden grow?

2010-04-07T06:42:00.000-07:00

While many are bemoaning the loss of Small World Cafe at Danforth and Woodmount, there is still reason to dawdle on said block, if only to check out Country In The City - the new gardening and outdoor store that opened last week at 1769 Danforth Ave.

The balmy weather has me planning a front yard facelift, so I stopped by to check it out on Monday.

While I wasn't totally partial to the wood carvings, or the bohemouth lawn furnishings straight from Lord of the Rings, I was happy to see a great selection of seeds for both flowers and veggies. Had I ever wanted to start a garden (ha! I couldn't even keep bamboo alive!), the store stocks everything I might need to be a healthy horticulturalist.

What did catch my eye was the cutest, on trend, wire mesh animal sculptures that are definitely meant for indoors, not out. At 19.99, a great find for a bookshelf or mantle!

Speaking of great bargains: don't forget Earl Beatty's Bargain Basement Sale coming up on April 17th from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check it out here: http://earlbeatty.blogspot.com/.

Wheels On Fire

2010-03-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

While some of my erstwhile single and beautiful pals were out on a sunny patio drinking beer yesterday, the sudden change in climate had me dreaming about riding my bike. One small problem though: somewhere in between my junior 1 bedroom apartment, subsequent rental spaces and their storage units, and now my current home, I have lost my bike helmet. There is a rubbermaid container out there somewhere with my name on it, containing my ice skates, barely used rollerblades, a tennis racket and my bike helmet

Lucky for us Danforth East-ers, we have Cyclepath at 1520 Danforth to call our own - one of the best cycling stores in Toronto. They've moved to a spiffy new location a few doors east of their original digs and when I stopped by yesterday evening to check it out, I was blown away. Aside from the gorgeous floor to ceiling picture windows at the front, the big wide aisles and easy stroller access at the door made it a breeze to shop.

I picked up a simple, black Specialized helmet for $49.99, fitted to my head by a super-friendly saleswoman who smiled and talked baby with the junior pioneer.

Total time in the store was approximately 10 minutes and then back out into the sunshine.

Now, if only I could find my bike.....

Calling my Bluff

2010-03-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

This past weekend wasn't exactly the picture perfect weekend for getting outside and enjoying the neighbourhood, however, there came a point on Sunday afternoon when DH and I were struggling to amuse the junior pioneer and realized we needed to get out of the house.

Once ensconced in the car, we decided to head east and explore the land beyond Danforth. Admittedly, I've lived in the city for 14 years and have hardly been beyond Victoria Park, other than shopping trips to the big box stores at Warden Woods or Shoppers World.

This means I have never seen the Bluffs, so we headed off on a little adventure. Using our handy dandy GPS system and a brief query to Wikipedia from the iPhone, within 15 minutes we had ended up on a winding road leading down to the water and Bluffer's Park.

What unfolded was a breathtaking vista. If you've never seen the Bluffs and live in East York, it is worth the short trip. It was a gray and windy day, but the towering cliffs looked majestic and ethereal. With the gray waves roaring onto the breakwater, I somehow felt removed from Toronto. We could have been in Dover on the southern shores of England.

I was shocked to see that there was a group of people in the water with surf boards, a sight that I didn't think I would ever be privy to in March in Toronto.

I could see that there are lots of walking trails along the water, and had I been in sensible footwear and wearing a hat, we might have continued on. However, now that I've discovered this great spot, I'm looking forward to going back when the mercury is a little higher!

March Break Mania

2010-03-11T18:14:00.000-08:00

March Break Mania has begun:

If you have kids over the age of 2 (which is almost half of this neighbourhood, I am sure!), you are probably familiar with Max & Ruby, the deliciously cute Beatrix Potter-ish bunny siblings of TreehouseTV fame.

If you have kids over the age of 2, who are as crazy about Max & Ruby as you are, then you won't want to miss this weekends Max & Ruby extravaganza at the Music Hall over on the "other Danforth" as DH and I have started calling it.

One of our local Danforth East businesses, Sphere Entertainment, is the brains behind the event. Here's the link to more info: http://www.danforthmosaicbia.com/blog/?p=2994.

Shamrocks and Leprechauns

2010-03-10T17:00:00.000-08:00

It's only fitting that the name of the band playing this weekend in the 'hood for Patty's Day is called the "Shenanigans", a favourite word of my half-Irish Catholic mother who basically applied it to anyone or anything conducting any form of mischief. If one was to want to get into some mischief, Patty's Day is the day that revelers can get away with perhaps acting a bit raucous, all in honour of the man who led the snakes from the Emerald Isle.

If you can find a sitter for the kids and have a chance to get out on Saturday night, I would highly recommend grabbing a pint at Taps & Tales and then heading over to LucSculpture on Greenwood for some foot-stompin' Celtic music.

Last St. Pat's day, I hit up the Seanachai (pronounced Shawn-ah-key) - a "real" Irish pub further west of Greenwood - for an afternoon cider (I was on mat leave, and yes, they let babies into the bar). It was a nice laid back vibe. I asked the lone, acoustic guitarist to play my favourite but rarely heard Irish folk song "The Orange and the Green" and surprisingly, he had the sheet music and knew the words. A+!

I'll leave you with something funny I heard this week: Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan says "You know you've been drinking the Irish beer Harp when your night starts out in fine form.....and then you suddenly come to, and you're standing over your cousin with a shovel."

The big spring reveal

2010-03-07T20:34:00.000-08:00

Oh what a glorious weekend! If you're anything like me, you were stuck inside a suburban shopping mall with artificial heating only glimpsing the breathtaking sunlight through the occasional pedestrian entrances.....
Just kidding! What a nightmare.

This was the weekend to be living in the city and enjoying it's ripeness.The pooch, junior pioneer, DH and I headed off for a long walk to the Broadview post office to pick up a package and we noticed that the streets were alive. We happened along Baltic Avenue (sounds like its straight from the Monopoly board!) where the entire street was playing a game of shinny. Parents, kids (girls AND boys I might add) flooded the street with their voracious appetite for spring weather. No coats, no boots and certainly no hats. Junior pioneer was mesmerized by the game, a sure sign that next winter, we will be lacing up skates at the Monarch Park rink for some free skate time.

It reminded me about community and how lucky we are to have one. There's no place like home, especially here on Danforth East.

The nice warm weather also reminded me that Earth Hour is approaching on March 27th. I'll write more about that later, but I wanted to point out that the green/eco Store Do-Bamboo (or dobamboo.com) at Danforth and Coxwell has some really great eco t-shirts made of bamboo. As I was walking by, I noticed a funny one in the window: it said "Don't Be Fuelish"!

The Little Neighbourhood That Could

2010-03-03T11:21:00.000-08:00

It's such an amazing feeling to open the Toronto Star and see a news item about your neighborhood that is inspiring, rather than depressing.

Joe Fiorito has continued his interest in our lack of a post office on Danforth East and wrote a great item in today's paper about the community meeting this past Sunday:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/774175--fiorito-canada-post-upgrade-is-a-community-downer#article

What I really love, is that someone from the neighbourhood was smart enough to bring in the Postal Service Charter to the meeting. That seemed to really make Canada Post officials squirm, as Joe notes. We have the right to convenient postal services, and it says so in their official mandate. So what gives? Has no-one at the mother ship noticed the big gaping inconvenient hole in this pretty massive, urban community?

I'm hoping that the meeting and this article will be able to maintain our community momentum so we can fight for the right to have our own postal services. To start with, please send me a note if you'd like to be added to the list of people who get email blasts about this issue from Jack Layton's office, so that we are all in the loop!

Ice Dreams

2010-02-19T12:08:00.000-08:00

If you missed the multitude of neighbourhood skating parties last weekend, like I did, never fear!

Although a little far from Danforth East, Riverdale Park (550 Broadview) will be hosting Councillor Paula Fletcher's skating party this Sunday afternoon from 2 - 4 p.m.

Throw on your skates and relive your own version of Patrick Chan's Olympic performance!

The Ice Dreams Synchronized Skating Team will be on hand to provide some frosty entertainment, along with circus performers and other special guests.

Did I mention FREE hot chocolate and hot dogs?

.

Going Postal - Part 2

2010-02-16T19:33:00.000-08:00

Some of you may remember that a few months ago, Danforth East lost its last Post Office. That may sound dramatic, but it's actually true. The closest full-service postal outlet is now at Woodbine and O'Connor or (if you're so inclined) at Chester and Danforth.

Unfortunately, Jack Layton's office wasn't fully aware of this situation until it was too late and even with some heavy-handed lobbying, the post office closed.

However, they are hoping to find a solution to this very serious problem (yes, even in this fast-paced world of email and Blackberry, people on Danforth East still need to mail packages and letters to loved ones...). They have planned a community meeting for this weekend, and I would like to urge everyone to attend. I usually try to be unbiased here at Pioneer, but we need to protect our Dandforth East assets. A post office is part of making a vibrant and safe community.

Here are the event details:
Date: Sunday February 21st, 2010
Time: 2:00-4:00pm
Location: WoodGreen Community Centre, 1491 Danforth Ave., Classrooms 1&2
(Coxwell & Danforth)

See you there!

.

Some bread for my baby-o!

2010-02-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

It was a frosty cold morning this past Saturday, but nothing was stopping myself and the junior Pioneer from heading out to the premiere event of the winter season: the opening day of Celena's Bakery (2036 Danforth). When I first heard the rumour that a new bakery was set to open its doors on Danforth, I couldn't have been happier. The old Italian bakery a block west had closed two years earlier, leaving only Plank Road Market and North Pole Bakery left to supply the blossoming neighbourhood population of fresh bread addicts (thanks Atkins diet for reminding all of us how good carbs are!). Celena's timely opening will once again bring fresh bread, cookies and other baked goods to the Danforth.

Here's how it went down: I opened the door to the bakery and noticed that it was cozily packed and that I knew approximately half the people in the room. Check mark for "neighbourhood gathering spot". The heady smell of fresh baked bread washed over me and oh, what a wonderful feeling. The sun was shining through the windows, rolling over the warm yellow walls and enhancing the happiness radiating from the room. There is just something about baking that makes people happy.

A wall display of bread baskets held a selection of fresh baked loaves, still warm from the oven. A brief perusal uncovered rosemary loaves, sourdough rounds and french bread. I greedily grabbed two, but realized that they were literally going to be sold out of bread in only minutes so I will save one for next visit. An espresso machine was puffing away behind the counter which means this will be a great place for a cookie and a coffee, post lunch. I also overheard that there will be pies, oh my!

Goodbye taste-less and day old grocery store bread, hello delicious artisanal treats. I can't wait to get to know you better!

The Big Hole: Community Meeting

2010-02-01T12:56:00.000-08:00

If you've ever wanted to be involved in the community, now is your chance:

There will be a community meeting, hosted by DECA (Danforth East Community Association), tomorrow night (Feb. 2nd) at Kimbourne Park United Church to talk about the development of the Big Hole at 2055 Danforth (just west of Woodbine).

The meeting starts at 7:30 and I would suggest bringing your own spiked coffee......

It's all in the details....

2010-01-22T09:20:00.000-08:00

In my haste yesterday, I neglected to mention the more important details about the Medicinal Herbs course on Monday. Here they are:

Where: Danforth Mennonite Church, 2174 Danforth Avenue

Time: 7:30 - 9:00

Price: $5

How to attend: RSVP to Mary-Margaret McMahon, spargy@rogers.com

Enjoy!

.

Dr. Linda, Medicine Woman

2010-01-21T06:01:00.000-08:00

My spice cupboard is usually filled with a menage of various dried herbs and spices, purchased from whatever grocery store I'm at when shopping for recipes. While I love the idea of fresh herbs, I don't always have the chance to stock up on them which is terrible because fresh herbs are great for other things than just recipes. Our generation has forgotten that herbs can also be used for healing simple ailments. Instead of turning to the medicine cabinet next time I have a tummy ache or headache, I'd love to be able to pick something fresh from my garden (weather permitting) and know how to use it as a healing herb.

Thanks to our local Reskilling classes, organized and created by one of my local heroes Mary-Margaret McMahon, I too could learn to be a medicine woman. The upcoming three hour workshop on Medicinal Herbs running this Monday, January 25th will be run by Linda Rose of Black River Gate House and will teach attendees how to identify and plant useful healing herbs in your garden.

When Spring rolls around, here I come, Dr. Sarah Medicine Woman (so fitting in my role as an East End Pioneer!).

Tin Roof...not rusted!

2010-01-20T10:19:00.000-08:00

It was the week of family grooming:

We took in our little pupster to get his mid-winter trim at Barkingham Palace. When DH got home from work that day, he realized that he was now the shaggier of the two.

During the summer, he had tried Hair Sensations for a cut, but it did not turn out that well. Our amazing neighbour, who for now I will call JM, suggested a place that he and his own 4 year old have been going for a few years called Tin Roof Hair Grooming Centre. I personally didn't think the place was even open, as I'd passed by at least a hundred times and rarely ever seen anyone inside. But JM swears by them. So DH made the requisite appointment.

For $25, he got what is probably the nicest trim he's had in a long time. Compared to the 40 bills he usually pays at Yonge and Eligible, I think this is a way better deal: save on gas, save on the cut and learn something about the 'hood. Josephine is a chatty Kathy and knows everything about the neighbourhood. He says that he had a really enjoyable conversation about how Danforth has changed over the years.

I was feeling a little "shaggy" myself, so I popped into Sugar Moon on Danforth and had my eyebrows sugared. If you haven't been to this spa for some pampering, I definitely recommend it. Sugaring is much easier on the skin than waxing and for $17, I was in and out in about 15 minutes. Speedy service with a smile!

Small World After All

2010-01-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

I was going to write a review of a new cafe today, but I wanted to address an issue that the whole community seems to be talking about.

I recently found out that Small World Cafe is closing (sob!). I spent so many happy hours there drinking coffee and eating Dufflet pastries that it was a serious blow to my heart. The East York Mirror had run an article a few months ago about the owners trying to sell the biz on Craigslist, but I never followed up to see what the result of it was.

I logged on to chowhound to see what the rumour mill is saying and according to intel from JamieK, there will be an Ethiopian restaurant opening. I haven't confirmed this yet, but I was actually stunned when I read it. I love Ethiopian food, but how many restos can this neighbourhood float? Most of the current restaurants closer to Greenwood are pretty much empty around dinner hour, other than Blue Nile which gets the nightclub crowd.

There's also another rumour that Starbucks was poking around. Perhaps that's what the strip needs, but I would be saddened to see this as I love our other small community coffee shops like Three's Company Too, True Brew and Seb's.

As of yet, there isn't a single legitimate coffee shop or bakery for people to hang out at after 6:00 (other than Seb's if you're so inclined). I was hoping that someone from the neighbourhood would buy Small World and keep it afloat, tweaking the business model to include better customer service and extended hours, but as Debbie Gibson once said, this will have to stay "only in my dreams".....

All-day daycare gone to the birds

2010-01-13T06:02:00.000-08:00

I literally couldn't believe my eyes. I almost choked on a baby carrot while perusing the map of the "proposed school site list for full-day kindergarten". Where there should have been lots of little location flags around the area of Danforth and Danforth East on the virtual map, there was a gaping hole of nothing. When the program roles out in a few years, there will literally be no all-day daycares in Wards 15 or 16.

Let me put this in perspective: On my side of the block there are 8 houses. Four of these residences (all in a row, I might add) have children under 2. This is just my side of the street on my tiny block. In a neighbourhood where you can't move a step without stumbling over a Mountain Buggy or a Bugaboo, I thought it was completely shocking to see such short-sightedness on behalf of our fearless leaders.

I called up Ward 16 Trustee Sheila Cary-Meagher, as she is the rep for my little pioneer's future school Earl Beatty. I was pleased to find out that she is also infuriated by Mr. McGuinty's dim-witted minions and their choice of schools. However, she did explain something that softened my heart a little bit.

First, to qualify, your school can't already have a daycare in it. Sigh. Both Beatty and MacGregor already have stellar daycares installed within.

Secondly, the all-day care program was not necessarily created to help out middle class (or upper middle-class) folks like me. It was created to assist people who are less fortunate than me, who can't afford daycare for more than one child because both parents work in low-paying jobs or don't work at all. Free daycare may be that one thing that will help that family climb out of poverty. The program was also created to provide a better, if not equal, opportunity for learning for kids in places like Crescent Town or St. Jamestown, which are a little rough around the edges. Kids who need that additional support network more than my little one, who will probably have the luxury of two parents home in the evening to help with homework.

My final thought is that, yes, it will be tough when the time comes to get the junior pioneer from kindergarten to another child care space in the middle of the day (because God knows, I probably won't get into Beatty Buddies as the waiting list is three years long) but when the time comes, I most likely will be able to find the means to pay for it. So, here's to hoping that although I won't benefit from this program, someone who really needs it will!

Your chance to speak

2010-01-12T06:24:00.000-08:00

The Danforth East Community Association is hoping to have a "community speaks" event in February to discuss issues that are affecting the Danforth East community. I thought I'd help them out and throw up a poll to see if this is something people would like to attend. Over on the right hand side of the site, you'll see a very simple yes/no poll. Please answer and let myself and DECA know what you think!

Reading Rainbow

2010-01-11T08:49:00.000-08:00

Now that our holiday spend-stravaganza is over, DH and I are on a mission to have low-cost but high-fun weekends with our little one. Two weekends ago, we managed to get away with spending only $6 by sticking to the neighbourhood and ignoring the lure of all the holiday sales (do I REALLY need another set of wine glasses that they are practically giving away at Benix??).

This past weekend was another success, thanks in part to a neighbourhood destination where everything is free: the library! S. Walter Stewart library is just around the corner from us and I had almost forgotten how cool it is. Did you all know that it's one of the only round libraries in Canada? And when it opened, it was one of only four round libraries in all of the world. Pretty amazing. This photo below was taken in its early days (thanks to Patricia Eastman, Library Services Manager for going above and beyond and scanning this photo for me!). You can see how different the facade looks, in comparison to the renovated appearance today.

When you have a little one interested in books, the kids area is to die for. Lots of room for a eighteen-month old to run around in. Interactive, permanent puzzles installed into the floor and walls provide plenty of free stimulation. The rocket ship puppet-show play module is a smash hit. I came upon a 2 year old named George serving dinner to his "girlfriend" and her puppets. The little pioneer was amused for hours.

DH will kill me for admitting this, but he hadn't been into a library for years and literally was transfixed by a plumbing book that he found on the shelf. He settled down with a diet coke and his book in the reading area and didn't surface for about an hour.

Free fun for all! What a great way to stay local and spend quality time with the family.

Photo courtesy of Flickr: TPLFans - S. Walter Stewart branch, East York, 2009.

Vintage Score

2010-01-07T07:05:00.000-08:00

As I noted in an earlier post, I'm back into home decor mode in an effort to liven up my empty walls. A good friend of mine who lives over at Pape and Cosburn writes a really great blog on thrifting called The Grunge Queen and she has inspired me to be really creative in my decor efforts without spending a ton of money. I like to shop local when I can so on that note, I decided to make a trip to our neighbourhood Value Village at Danforth and Woodbine to scrounge for some treasures. I've made two visits over the past few weeks and I totally scored.

On my first visit I found three pieces of silver plate tableware for a total of $25. They were black with tarnish, but I walked over to the new Home Hardware (a few doors down east of VV) and bought some silver polish. When I got home, I spent about half an hour polishing them and I was thrilled with the results! I put the tray and dish on my dresser as a perfume and jewelry tray and the "bucket" became a flower vase on my built-in shelves in the living room. The before and after pics are below (sans flowers!):

From East End Pioneer

On my second trip to VV on New Years Eve, I was looking for some champagne flutes and was only hoping to find a few mismatched items for my NYE shindig. I scored a full set of 6 copper plated flutes from Pier 1, new with labels on. I paid a bit more than I should have ($5 each) even though I tried to talk down the price with the woman on the cash. They are gorgeous and a nice functional decor addition to my china cabinet.

My next local decor stop: Ciraco Frames to frame some nice prints. Stay tuned!

New Year, New You

2010-01-05T11:44:00.000-08:00

Some call it the Molson muscle, I call it the "holiday eggnog muscle". It's that gut that you get at the end of December from eating and drinking too much sugary-holiday-goodness. At the beginning of last week, I decided that I was not going to wait for January 1 to get started on a new fitness regime. In my mind, why wait? The faster I can get back into my pants, the better.

I already belong to McFitness (GoodLife) which is great for Saturday morning classes and their vast array of cardio implements, but I wanted to toss things up a bit. I hate riding my bike and thus, I hate spinning but it's one of the best indoor cardio workouts you can get, so I decided the best course of action (*obviously*) would be to sign up for a spin class.

I headed down to Legacy Indoor Cycling at 1506 Danforth to try a class last Wednesday and I actually enjoyed it. Andy, the owner, was attentive and helped to set me up with a padded seat cushion (I know, cheating!!) and adjusted my bike for me. He and the instructor both urged me to go at my own pace and in the end, I was thankful, as I made it through the class without too much pain.

When I went back for the Saturday morning class, it was a lot harder than Wednesday's. My hair was dripping and I thought my legs were on fire, but today I am already feeling the difference. I signed up for their 3-month weight loss challenge, just for fun, so now I'm accountable to someone which is great motivation. I can see it now "Danforth's Biggest Loser".....

Granola: X-rated

2010-01-04T12:55:00.000-08:00

We're getting a little racy today on Pioneer.

Our nearest "female friendly adult store" Red Tent Sisters, over at Jones and Danforth, were creating some headlines back in December. They are advocating for environmentally friendly "toys" and have appealed to our nation's leaders to regulate the industry. Here is a link to the story.

Design Find

2009-12-31T07:53:00.000-08:00

As a new year and some new adventures in my life begin, I've started to once again turn my focus to sprucing up my quaint old east end house with some funky cool decor. I'm sure that most of you, dear readers, have walked a simliar path: getting to this point has been a labour of love as we've poured money into structural functions, insulation, electrical, doors/windows and things that you can't see. So in between that and having a baby, the house has remained for the most part, a hodge podge of random furniture and very little in the way of decor.

However, my inspiration has been rekindled anew!

On this note, I stumbled across an amazing find last night that I wanted to share.

A Toronto design company called Walloper has created these amazing Wall Stickers based on the TTC subway stops. Here is a link to the images of Danforth line:

http://walloper.com/toronto-transit/Danforth-Subway-Stations

These are great for people who are non-committal. They are literally removable stickers that can be peeled off the wall whenever you want. And they come in whatever colour and size you desire to fit your decor.

I loved the Coxwell and Greenwood ones, so I am thinking about ordering one for my living room wall. DH will hate it, but considering we have no budget for art, this is a great temporary solution!

Eating Local

2009-12-30T13:25:00.000-08:00

It's the 30th, and my thoughts have drifted towards tomorrow night when another decade will close and a new one begin. I personally like to spend the first seconds of the new year in my pajamas. I don't know about everyone else, but gone are the days when I shivered in the cold in a mini-skirt and 3-inch stilettos looking for a cab at 4am.

I'll be hitting up Royal Beef for some nice steaks and some delicious cheese and olives for my dinner guests tomorrow night and when 2010 comes around I'll be happily cheering it on from my couch on Danforth East.

For those of you who are on the fence (don't want to stay in but don't want to go out) why not consider eating local and making it home for the stroke of midnight. I made some calls to save you the trouble:

Melanie's - an a la carte menu starting at 6:00, with some special NYE entrees. Book now as Melanie herself said that the spots were filling up for the night. Kitchen closes at 11:00. (416) 422-1870

Relish - same as above, pretty much.

Ten Feet Tall - a $55 set menu with some tasty tasty menu items (you can find it here). Two seatings. Call for reservations: 416-778-7333. And it goes without saying that the music will be fantastic, as Karon's masterful selection of entertainment always is.

Happy New Year everyone, no matter where you end up. What matters is that you're with the people you love (or atleast like!!)!

Here's to a great 2010 on Danforth East!

Northern Lights

2009-12-29T11:45:00.001-08:00

I'm betting some of you are wondering what happened to my holiday lights contest. I did get a few entries (thank you all who submitted!), but I realized that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and so in the holiday spirit, I have decided to refrain from pointing out holiday houses-of-horrors. Besides, it's quite hard to get a good photo in the dark, don't you think?

In lieu of that, here is my favourite line from my favourite Christmas movie which does in fact have the most heinous lighting display ever:

"What are you looking at?"
"Oh, the silent majesty of a winter's morn... the clean, cool chill of the holiday air... an a**hole in his bathrobe, emptying a chemical toilet into my sewer... "
(National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation)

Festival of Lights

2009-12-17T20:09:00.000-08:00

DH was playing editorial assistant today and came up with some suggestions for stories for me. His funniest idea is something I loved.

As I'm sure everyone knows, we have some pretty gorgeous and pretty heinous Xmas lights in the area. For instance, take a drive north on Greenwood between Mortimer and O'Connor and you'll see what I mean!

DH would like everyone to send in pictures of their favourite, least-favourite, loudest, ugliest, brightest, craziest and/or funniest Xmas lights from anywhere in Danforth East. I will post them and we can vote on which we like or loath the most (if there are enough entries). If you're game, you can email us at thedaily *at* eastendpioneer *dot* ca.

Winning entry gets a $10 gift card to a local coffee shop of your choice (True Brew, Three's Company Too, Last Drop, Seb's or Small World)!

Pet Project

2009-12-17T10:49:00.000-08:00

Having a needy toddler and an equally as needy husband, I am occasionally a bit of a negligent mother to my "fur baby", an adventurous and rebellious shih-poo named Rascal who sleeps at my feet (okay, correction, on top of my feet) every night and who stole my heart the minute I met him.
Since it's the holidays, I have opted to spoil him rotten in lieu of missed play-dates at the park this past year, so my next stop on the "holiday shopping tour" will be Wag on the Danforth (1918 Danforth Ave), the best and pretty much only pet store on Danforth East.

I recently noticed that they carry super cute Hotdogs name tags, so I'll be picking one up for the little guy, customized with a skull and cross bones to match his fierce attitude.

They've also got an excellent selection of Wellness treats, which are the pooch's favourite snack (mmmm....liver and peanut butter....delectable!) and some really cute toys. What wins me over every time is the customer service and that's why I go back. The owners Ruth and Rob are dedicated to helping people and their pets and going the extra distance with a smile to boot, something you are not going to experience at Pet Smart. Oh, that, AND a wash your own dog station!

Now, if only they would start carrying rabbit food......

.

Jams and Jellies, Oh My!

2009-12-15T06:59:00.000-08:00

You never know what you're going to discover in this neighbourhood, and I've always stood by my idea that there are tons of hidden gems on Danforth East. It happened to me again the other night when I was grabbing take-out at Gerrard Spaghetti on Danforth.

A recent convert to the homestyle food at this Italian boite, I was waiting to pick up my order when I noticed a small display of homemade preserves and olive-oils to the side. My first thought was that I've hit the jackpot. Who wouldn't want to take home a taste of real Italian? My second is that this would be a great hostess gift - the homemade touch without all the "homemade" work. I selected a few for myself, but made sure to leave some goodies behind for my readers.

Bon appetit!

.

For What It's Worth

2009-12-14T06:37:00.000-08:00

Last week, while researching the Roxy theatre redevelopment, I had the good luck to cross paths with one of the architects who revealed that he was moving into the Danforth East neighbourhood in the new year (and incidentally right around the corner from me).

As we were chatting, he asked me whether I knew what year the houses on Danforth East were constructed in. I do happen to know the details about my own house (approx. 1918) but I can only generalize about other areas and streets. That got me thinking. I'm a land surveyor's daughter, so I know how to find the Registry Office and do a title search, but most people wouldn't have a clue about finding this information.

Ironically, the same day, I jumped over to the Toronto Archives website and lo and behold, their front page featured a link to a new section called A Guide on How To Research Your House with a picture of a building on Coxwell circa 1912.

It's a great source for someone interested in getting background on their property. Most of the research has to be done at the archives, but they are very helpful and open on weekends.

I know all about my house, now I just want to know why Springdale used to be called Poulton Street. Can anyone answer this for me?

Fine Things

2009-12-11T06:24:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite local jewelry designers, Fine Silver Girl a.k.a Heather Bell Denison, is having a holiday open house and sale tomorrow. I wanted to pass this on to my readers, because she honestly makes the coolest pieces that I always get compliments on.

The open house is at 48 Woodington Avenue on Tuesday, December 15th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. & 4 p.m. -10 p.m.

A night at the Roxy

2009-12-10T07:52:00.000-08:00

As a hyper-local blogger, I get asked almost daily from readers and friends in the neighbourhood about whether I know anything about what's happening on the SE corner of Greenwood and Danforth. Up until now, I'll admit, I've been lazy about doing any sleuthing on that issue, but last night all the info I could want was handed to me on a platter at city councillor Paula Fletcher's open house.

As most readers already know, the site will house an Esso gas station combined with an On The Run convenience store and a Tim Horton's. It will be open around April or May of this coming year. The great news is that I saw the site plan and elevations which revealed that the site's architectural firm is literally restoring the original Roxy theatre facade to it's original Art Deco glory. Grandiose double doors will be fronting onto the street for pedestrian traffic, with lots of bike parking to boot and a side entrance will accomodate gas station customers.

An Imperial Oil rep was on hand last night to answer my questions and he brought up a really great point: Tim Horton's will only have limited seating which will prevent any "loitering" by shady characters. He also noted that their research has shown criminal activity often moves away from areas where there are well lit gas stations. This is great for us, as that block seems to see a lot more police activity than the next couple of blocks.

The general consensus around the room seemed to be that this development was a good thing. I think that there is still the issue of car traffic increasing in the immediate vicinity, and I wouldn't say that Timmie's brings any cache to the neighbourhood, but it's a step towards revitalization which most will agree Danforth East needs.

And as a final note, the Roxy, which was once called the Allenby, is apparently known as one of the biggest influences of the Toronto punk rock scene - who knew! Here is an illustrated history.

Photo courtesy of BlogTO.

Saturday Shenanigans

2009-12-03T06:15:00.000-08:00

There are two things going on in the 'hood this Saturday that I am excited to take part in. It will be a jam-packed day for me, DH and the little one.

At 9 a.m. we are hitting up Breakfast with Santa, the annual Girl Guides of Canada event at Harmony Hall (Vic Park/Dawes) that raises money for the troops to do fun things like camping and canoeing. It's $10 for anyone over 2...so that means you're toddlers get free breakfast, woohoo! Pancakes, sausage, O.J, door prizes and did I mention Santa??? To reserve your tickets, please e-mail crsimmons@sympatico.ca.

Next up: Kimbourne United Church is having their annual Christmas Goodies Sale and Children's Show on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Plop your kids down at 11:00 for a festive musical performance running until 11:30, while you peruse the delicious baked goods and *preserves* which are perfect hostess gifts for the holidays (these are going to go FAST, so get there early!).

After the concert, for a mere $5/each, you and the kidlets can have lunch in the tea room. When they're suitably stuffed (and sticky), a visit to Santa's lap will make the day complete (also $5 for a photo).

Window Shopping

2009-12-02T09:53:00.000-08:00

Holiday retail window decor is a beacon of holiday happiness, bringing forth feelings of joy and consumption. However, the Bay is not the only store decorating their windows for the festive season. Our own neighbourhood storefront windows are getting their own "make-up" for the holidays thanks to the Danforth Mosaic BIA.

This past Sunday they launched their annual Mosaic Does Windows, a festive holiday window decorating contest amongst Danforth retailers between Donlands and Westlake. Citizens of the Danforth East Republic can stroll along our fine boulevards, enjoy our fabulously warm weather and check out the beautiful window art work that our local businesses have created.

While you're there, you might as well shop local and pick up some holiday gifts, decor, food to feed your third cousin twice-removed who is staying over for the holidays etc.

When you get home, you can log on to the Danforth Mosaic BIA website and vote for your favourite window and be entered to win prizes. It's a win-win situation, pardon the pun!

Eastenders

2009-12-01T07:44:00.000-08:00

One thing that I absolutely love about Danforth East is the abundance of interesting people that I meet through various community events and committees. That has inspired me to dream of eventually starting a regular feature on East End Pioneer called Eastenders, focusing on the people who make this place great.

Today I'm highlighting one woman in particular who is a dynamo of ideas and business-savvy: Tanya Geisler is a DE resident and founder of Board of Your Life. She made it into today's Globe and Mail discussing her new life coaching program Coach Buffet. Check it out!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/work/speed-interviewing-on-your-marks-get-set-hire/article1383248/

Holly Berry Fair

2009-11-27T09:24:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder, in case people didn't see it in the Mirror:

St. Luke's Anglican is having its Holly Berry Fair tomorrow (Saturday) - a holiday sale packed with baked goodies, a tea room, silent auction, crafts, books, jewelry and other fun stuff. It's at 904 Coxwell at Cosburn. The hours are 9:30 to 2:30.

Happy holiday shopping!

Pie in the Sky

2009-11-26T10:32:00.000-08:00

I love food and food loves me. However, I have a shameful secret. I order Pizza Pizza delivery. It is something I've been doing on auto-pilot for years. Never mind that Magic Oven is literally a stone's throw away or that the best pizza ever is at Danforth Pizza House (according to Yelp.ca anyway).

I usually order takeout about once every three weeks, and it's usually pizza or Thai and occasionally Indian from Gourmets on Gerrard. I recently decided to break free of the corporate pizza trance and try some local joints.

I started with Casa Di Giorgio because it's close. DH and I ordered an x-large with pepperoni, green olives and mushrooms. When it arrived, we were shocked because it was ENORMOUS. Enough for a huge family meal. Regardless, it was delicious. Nice thin crust and a perfect amount of cheese. Definitely a tad bit too salty, but that could be because of the pepperoni.

Yesterday I ordered from Free Topping pizza at Coxwell and O'Connor. The medium veg pizza was a perfect size for me for lunch and leftovers for DH's dinner. A little more doughy than the Casa Di Giorgio pizza, but not greasy at all, which is so important. They are a small chain though, so I shouldn't really compare.

A friend has recommended Amato at O'Connor and St. Clair and Columbo's of course! That will be my next "taste test".

Any suggestions?

Mousecapades

2009-11-24T06:16:00.000-08:00

We have a mouse (or plural: mice) in our house. We know because we hear the little critters ripping apart the space between our basement and our kitchen. I've also seen Felix the Field Mouse sitting on my counter about to bear down on a fresh pizza sitting on the stove. If he could have, he would have given me "stink eye" for interrupting his feast.

I have the feeling that lots of my East York readers can empathize. It seems to be very common in our 'hood.

This is literally driving DH insane and thus, we have tried every conceivable over-the-counter remedy to catch our family of Mousketeers.

We recently discovered that we have a veritable pro in our midst. The people at Aetna Pest Control, located at 1828 Danforth, are recognized city-wide for their pest-fightin' skills. We shelled out a couple of hundred and one of their mouse experts came and laid down the law with some toxic mouse-nip.

I've just heard some nibbling behind my desk though, so I'm not sure that this plan is working. Any suggestions anyone??

Little Treasures

2009-11-19T22:30:00.000-08:00

The holidays are seriously almost here. Next Thursday is American Thanksgiving, and you know what that means.....it's time to do some cross-border shopping! (*gasp*) Just kidding. Not only is that really bad for your carbon footprint, but it's a very long drive. Why spend all that time in your car when you can shop here on Danforth East?

In honour of Festivus, this Saturday (Nov. 21) our favourite east end eco-childrens retailer Kai Kids is pairing up with another very cool east end online business called Little Footprints Toys. They're calling it the Eco Family Holiday sale and its between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at their secret lair: 1390 Danforth Avenue.

It's a match made in heaven! As you know, Kai Kids specializes in earth-friendly clothing and accessories - perfect gifts for expectant or new mothers on your list - but we all know what the little ones really want for Christmas: toys. Little Footprints is an online "green" toy store dedicated to fun and games for kids of all ages.

The best news: your kids will NOT be running wild in the store while you shop. Amanda Pedro of Music Pups will be on hand from 10:30 to 2:30 every hour on the half hour for musical fun!

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Sugar, sugar...

2009-11-19T08:32:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the Sugar Moon open house and I'm excited.

They are offering a free $200 gift card, if you buy any denomination of products or services worth $200. This may sound astronomical, but imagine how much free pampering this is. Plus, they have Dermalogica products and face mapping which I just found out is a very cool way to fine-tune a healthy skin regime.

My neighbour says that Sugar Moon is the best skin care place in East York and will go nowhere else for a pedicure or facial. I haven't ever made an appointment, but I have a $10 off coupon hanging on the fridge that I picked up at Jazz in The Park over the summer which I have been meaning to use.

The open house goes from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. They are offering free food and drinks for visitors so it's worth stopping by, if only for that!

DECA Cocktail Party and 3rd anniversary

2009-11-18T06:43:00.000-08:00

Happy Third Anniversary to the Danforth East Community Association!
To celebrate their birthday, DECA has some exciting news: they are moving their boundary west to Monarch Park (from Coxwell), which is exciting for all of the west-of-Coxwell dwellers.

I write a lot about DECA on this blog, and the reason is because DECA does great things for our neighbourhood. Aside from running the farmers' market, business facelift initiative plus many other programs, they get people out walking and talking about Danforth East. Thanks to their call to action this past week, the Toronto Star has been flooded with letters in response to their article about the decline of the Danforth. We love our neighbourhood and DECA is a great example of a community group that started around someone's dining room table, but has grown to be a driving force behind urban change.

Props goes out to Natasha Granatstein (chair), Catherine Porter (vice-chair), the Smeech (treasurer), my dear Mary-Margaret, the fiery Alison McMurry - lady warrior of East Lynn park and all of the other people who have contributed to its success.

You will ALL get to meet these people live and in person next Monday evening at the 1st Annual DECA Cocktail Party (and AGM). Everyone is invited to come and nibble some finger foods at Melanie's Bistro and meet the crew. The part-ay starts at 7:00. Melanie's is located at 1870 Danforth Ave, between Coxwell and Woodbine.

It's In You To Give

2009-11-15T18:10:00.000-08:00

I was walking home along Danforth last night when I noticed a Canadian Blood Services sign pointing towards Toronto East General Hospital. I wouldn't normally post about this, but I was a little curious about the whole system of blood donation. Doing a little bit of research, I discovered that by the numbers, only 3.7% of eligible Canadians actually donate blood but 52% of the entire country actually needs blood for themselves or their family members.

I'm not sure how often they set up a mobile clinic at East General, but I thought it was worth noting for people who would actually like to donate.

The clinic runs from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17. The Canadian Blood Services website says appointments preferred, but I think the sign said it was a walk-in.

Update: The Hole/2055 Danforth

2009-11-13T10:18:00.000-08:00

A lot of people have approached me, asking me if I know anything about The Hole and the community meeting that was organized on Nov. 2 to discuss the issues around the property's development. I wasn't able to attend, however, our good friends over at the Danforth East Community Association are plugged in (as usual) and have posted a really great meeting recap and overview of the proposed development over on DECA Diaries.

Takes the Cake

2009-11-12T12:55:00.000-08:00

I'm having my first book club meeting tomorrow night, as I finally have a comfortable living room for people to sit in and more importantly, a place to send my daughter overnight.

I was hoping to pick-up some cute little cupcakes for everyone since there seems to be a serious love-on for cupcakes in this city right now. While I'm sure that everyone will be shouting "go to Sweet Indulgences" at Coxwell and O'Connor, I wanted to try CreARTive Cakes on Danforth. They've been open since the Spring and I love their window display, so I was hoping to try and get a taste of what they have on offer.

I've previously gone there twice, only to find the doors locked and closed in the middle of the day, so this time I thought I would be smart and call first.

My call was answered, but when questioned about whether they have cupcakes on hand, the answer was no. I could have sworn that they have cupcakes in the window but maybe I'm wrong.

So, three strikes....you know the story.

I think I'll just have to settle on Sweet Bliss down on Queen. They make DIVINE but pricey cupcakes and other baked goods. Sweet Indulgences is going to have to wait!

Never Forget the Fallen

2009-11-11T08:36:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in awhile - life's curve balls just keep on coming. However, I wanted to take some time out today to quietly reflect on Remembrance Day and what it means to me both as a Canadian and as a Torontonian.

The annual East York Remembrance Day ceremony was at the Civic Centre on Coxwell which is just around the corner, so I shut off my blackberry and headed over for a moment of silence.

The crowd that had gathered was admirable and touching. The young and the old, the uniformed and the civilians, the politicians and other community members gathered around the central monument in a moment of silence marked by the cadence of a single horn and the haunting melody of a bagpipe.

As four vintage Royal Canadian Air Force planes flew overhead, I choked up, suddenly hearing their roar for the first time in the context of war. 64 years ago, Toronto's soldiers began returning from foreign shores and many of them were sent to live on the complacent streets of East York, settling into the area's newly built post-war bungalows. For those men and women, the sound of bombers overhead didn't always signify a pleasant aerial display, but a real and horrifying threat. While children smile and point to the sky, a whole generation will remember the sounds of modern warfare and reflect on emotions that most Canadians will probably never have to face.

We're the lucky ones and it's important to remember that today and always.

Christmas Craft-y

2009-11-05T07:51:00.000-08:00

I was reminded by a colleague just yesterday that Christmas is only a mere 7 weeks away, in a tone that was so urgent I almost rushed to the mall, believing that this would definitely not be enough time to get all my Christmas shopping done. Reality check: I remembered that I hardly ever start shopping until December which has always given me plenty of time.

Now that Halloween is over, the plethora of neighbourhood Christmas bake sales and craft sales will begin. Although a bit farther afield than Danforth East, this Saturday St. Barnabas Anglican Church at 361 Danforth is holding it's annual Christmas Bazaar from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Jams, jellies, baked goods, crafts, books and other gift items will be on sale.

You could take a nice leisurely walk along Danforth or, if you're taking transit, the closest stop is Chester.

Happy Bazaar-ing!

Flu shots and Crime Alerts

2009-10-29T08:13:00.000-07:00

I must do my duty today, as a neighbourhood communicator, and pass on information about a couple of public services.

For those considering getting the H1N1 vaccine, the East York Civic Centre (850 Coxwell Ave) is holding a vaccination clinic TODAY for priority groups only, which includes:

- pregnant women; children 6months to 5 years; people under 65 with chronic conditions; people who live with infants under 6 months old; immunocompromised people; and healthcare workers.

The hours are 12 - 7pm. H1N1 vaccine clinics for the general public will begin November 2nd. Check toronto.ca/health for clinic updates.

As well, after yesterday's post, one of my valued readers Berta sent me a note about the Toronto Police community alerts service. What I didn't know, but am really glad to have found out, is that you can sign up for neighbourhood alerts which will be sent right to your inbox with accurate information about recent community altercations or incidents. You can sign up here: www.torontopolice.on.ca.

What Berta also revealed is that yesterday's community alert was about the Sammon and Woodmount robbery. It was not by gunpoint, as my source had originally told me, but at sword point. Apparently we are living in Narnia.....

It's also the last day for the East Lynn Park Farmers' Market. It was a great season. Looking forward to next spring already!

(image courtesy of the National Institute for Health)

Robbery: Sammon & Woodmount

2009-10-28T07:01:00.000-07:00

A neighbourhood source emailed me yesterday with the news that the convenience store at Sammon and Woodmount got held up at gun point on Monday night. This is pretty scary news for everyone, particularly the home owners in the immediate vicinity.

The idea of a neighbourhood watch group was brought up and I think this is a great idea. However, in lieu of that, I think there are things that everyone can do on their own. The first is: get to know your neighbours. Talk to the old man down the street, or the old lady who lives by herself or anyone on your block really. This brings a heightened awareness of what is normal and what is not.

However, if you do see sketchy behaviour at your neighbour's house while they are on vacation, don't do anything on your own. Call 911 or call 416.808.5500 (or 5400) - the desks at 54 and 55 Division.

The crime rate is actually going down on Danforth East, thanks to the diligent work of the men in blue and to the people who live here that report suspicious activity to the police on a daily basis. The recent prostitution bust is a good sign that law enforcement is paying attention to our 'hood and realizing that we want to change it for the better!

Urban Planning

2009-10-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back I blogged about the property we affectionately call "The Hole" being re-zoned for a 14-story building. A public meeting has been called by Councillor Bussin's office to discuss said plans with the community before any ground-breaking happens.

Here are all the details:

Monday, November 2, 2009
7 – 9 p.m. Danforth Mennonite Church @ 2174 Danforth Ave. – Lower Level

An overview of the proposed development will be provided. A representative of the developer will be there to give some notes on the preliminary plan. Tine Major who is the city planner assigned to the file (and local Danforth East-er to boot!) will be there to comment and answer questions.

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

The joint was jumpin'

2009-10-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

On Friday night, my girls and I had a chance to raise the roof for our tri-monthly get together without our husbands. Our watering hole of choice is Taps & Tales, a really nice comfy pub on Danforth just west of Linsmore (or Linnsmore, depending on where you live, but more on that another day). There was only a handful of us this time, so rather than book the private lounge space at the back, we squeezed into their 6 person booth which was just the right size. What I love about the booths here is that they are not only comfortable, but you have the ability to adjust the lighting to your own desired brightness, right at the table. Ambiance - check!

Taps & Tales has a great microbrew menu and an average wine list, with some definite highlights such as the Dan Ackroyd Chardonnay which I have been meaning to try for months. One of my gal pals always gets the apricot beer which literally arrived at the table seconds after she pulled off her coat and sat down. This brings me to another reason I love Taps: our waitress Jasmine. For a year now, we've been haunting this place and gotten to know "Jazzy" as I call her. She's fun and friendly and once she even had a drink with us (it was late and we were rowdy). She remembers our names and my friend Jenn's choice of beer. It's like my own personal Cheers on Danforth.

Regardless, what I wanted to point out today is that this joint was jumpin' and it was so very nice to see that. The bar stools were packed, the booths were packed and the place was humming. It looked like the kitchen was super busy, but even then, our delectable nachos and Mediterranean dips plate were brought out with speedy service.

This place never disappoints. We all had such a great night. I know I will be back for more!

Call to Action

2009-10-16T08:07:00.001-07:00

The two sweet ladies behind the counter at the Coxwell and Danforth postal outlet are always ready with a huge smile when DH and I come in to mail our weekly multitude of packages. With a home based business and relatives all over the world, we tread a beaten path to this Canada Post counter which is the only one within a huge radius that we can walk to.

This morning DH made his usual stop to mail a package before work and was stunned to find out that after 20 years in business, the outlet is closing its doors. The reason why is even more upsetting. Canada Post is insisting that they pay $12,000 to upgrade their computers, which they obviously cannot afford as small business owners. This is forcing them to shut down, essentially also shutting our community out of an essential services.

Aside from the inconvenience factor of having to drive to Woodbine and O'Connor, which is the next nearest CP location, this will have a serious impact on neighbourhood revitalization and quality of life within Danforth East, particularly for seniors who have been visiting this branch since 1989.

I don't want to get up on a soapbox, but the facts are the facts. When a community has essential services within walking distance, it stays vibrant, increases safety and walkability and contributes to quality of life for its residents.

Over the past five to ten years, Danforth East has undergone a quiet revolution of urban renewal. We have a new-ish BIA, a residents association (DECA), two farmers' markets, school improvements, a brand new library (S. Walter Stewart), a multitude of new businesses that have moved to the neighbourhood and hundreds of young families that use this post office on a regular basis. By creating another vacant store front, we're taking two steps backwards, rather than moving forward.

Let's show some community spirit. If you want to save this post office, please call Jack Layton's office (416-405-8914) and Maria Minna's office (416-467-0860) and show your concern. These are the types of things that our MPs are here for.

Green is the new Black

2009-10-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

Just a little bit west of Monarch Park on Danforth, you may have noticed that there is a shop window that often displays a selection of Japanese socks and sandals. It occasionally mixes things up with a fresh exhibit of eco-friendly kids clothing and accessories. I've often wondered what this is all about, so I'm very happy to share a new secret discovery: this is Kai Kids and they're a great, family run business (who actually live in the neighbourhood) which specializes in ethically-made, eco-friendly gear for families.

Although they're not usually open to the public, this Saturday, October 17, they're doing what the Brits call a pop-up shop and what I call a trunk show. They'll be opening up 1390 Danforth from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. for some planet-friendly and non-toxic 'green' shopping.

Products are mainly for kids from birth to 4, pregnant women and nursing moms and includes skincare products, toys, clothes, bedding etc.

Design star Barbara Nyke, who specializes in eco-friendly design, will be holding a free information session on designing healthy rooms for kids.

There's A Chill In The Air....

2009-10-09T06:12:00.000-07:00

There's a chill in the air and in our household, DH's thoughts usually start turning to pre-winter lawn maintenance and a long list of "indoor" projects to keep him busy through the cold months. When we moved into our house a few years ago, we inherited a whole slew of gardening implements including a VERY rusty rake circa the 70's and some clippers that don't actually clip, so as I look out the window and see the leaves falling I know its time to bite the bullet and at the least, buy a new rake.

For now, I'll have to make the drive to Canadian Tire, but soon enough I'll be able to actually walk to a neighbourhood hardware store when Home Hardware opens up at the corner of Woodbine and Danforth. The space, which was once a dollar store, is being renovated as we speak and should open up this year.

A multitude of calls and emails to the Home Hardware community relations office has resulted in no actual response from them about when that will be, thus the reason this post is so very tardy, but here's hoping it will be before winter!

Pie In The Sky

2009-10-06T11:24:00.001-07:00

As the weather gets cooler, I can't help but notice that Hallowe'en candy is already starting to creep onto the shelves and costume racks are fully stocked. If that's not enough to get you into the mood, Pumpkinfest is here again. The 2nd annual community event is happening this Thursday, October 8th at East Lynn Park from 3:30 - 7:30 in conjunction with the weekly farmers' market.

All the typical festivities will be in full swing: pumpkin decorating for the kids, music, face painting, bouncy castles and fresh food from the farmers. The highlight of this year's party is the Pie Making Contest - the prize is worth $600 in services from local businesses which is nothing to sneeze at. All you have to do to win is to enter the contest here, make a pie and show up on Thursday for our judges to decide if you are indeed the Queen of Pies.

If you can't bake (like me...), don't worry! Grab a coffee and come and listen to the Sons of Beaches while grabbing your groceries for the week. See you there!

Caller ID

2009-10-01T07:31:00.000-07:00

Oy! Once again, our city councillor Sandra Bussin is in the news ........:
http://cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091001/091001_bussin/20091001/?hub=CP24Home

###

Update: Thanks to Twitter, I found out that Kris Reyes from City News has found the recording on youtube...its here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xtbmvhBaQs

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The Elusive Rice Ball

2009-09-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

When I say "rice balls", I'm sure that for some of you readers out there it summons the image of Onigiri, the delicious Japanese rice and seaweed snack (which is also, incidentally, the definition that comes up if you wikipedia the phrase 'rice balls'). However, if you live on Danforth East or are familiar with Italian fast food, you know that the version of rice balls that I'm eluding to is that of the crispy, deep fried, artery clogging cheese ball type. If you live on Danforth East, you also know that these delicacies are basically similiar to an elusive unicorn - a creature of myth and legend.

A few weeks ago, I was ironically sitting next to two readers of East End Pioneer at a friends wedding, and the rice ball topic came up. They confirmed what I had been told by many: that North Pole Bakery, at Greenwood and Danforth, makes the best ones. The problem is, I have now made four trips to this semi-hidden mom and pop shop and still have not been able to get myself one tiny rice ball. They have been either closed for a long, long summer holiday or I've arrived too late in the day.

I came close the other day - it was 11:30 a.m. and I could see through the window that there were seven of them glinting in the sunlight. I clumsily pulled my huge jogging stroller into the store, only to see the woman behind the counter putting ALL of them in a takeout container. I point, and gape, in frustration - she just shrugs and says "prego, someone called and put them aside". Tears almost came to my eyes. So close, yet so far away.

An older Italian gentleman takes pity on me and once outside on the sidewalk gives me some "fatherly" advice. Go to Columbos, he says. They make 400 of them a week and you're sure to get one. "But these are the best," I sputter. "I know," he shrugs, and waves a retreat.

Moral of the story - you're guaranteed a rice ball at Columbos (1794 Danforth), but if you want "the best" you might as well get up at the crack of dawn and stand in line, because that might be the best strategy!

Coffee Time (again)...

2009-09-23T09:05:00.001-07:00

Coffee is one of my little luxuries - I could make it at home, but I'd much rather head out and savour an Americano from one of our neighbourhood joints. I'm a regular at Last Drop and Three's Company Too where all the gals behind the counter know what I want.

I was headed out to a meeting just east of Woodbine today so I decided to grab a java enroute. While everyone knows that Seb's (1928 Danforth) makes the finest cappuccino around for only $2.25, I had never tried True Brew, the small coffee shop on the north side of Danforth just east of Woodbine, so off I went.

Although the decor was cozy and they have free wireless (yippee!) I was shocked to find out that my measly double shot Americano was $3.39, the most expensive in the area. I almost asked if they meant $2.39, but decided against it. Even Starbucks only charges around $2.50, so I don't quite understand this phenomenon. While regular coffee is priced competitively and they have sandwiches that also seem reasonable, their espresso based drinks are astronomically priced.

So, while the free wireless and the pungent and wholesome aroma of corn chowder simmering on the back burner were reasons to stay for lunch, I wouldn't go back for a coffee. I'll let you decide!

Zoned Out

2009-09-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

My other fave Danforth East blog DECA Diaries tipped me off last week that a sign has gone up at the vacant lot at 2055 Danforth (just west of Woodbine) indicating an application to amend the zoning by-law has been submitted. This site has had a fiery history so as a person unfamiliar with building codes and by-laws, I had questions. What does this mean and how will it affect us? I know that lots of people are eager to see this developed rather than sit empty, so I did some investigatin'.

After a bit of sleuthing, I tracked down Emily in the City Planners office. She said that the sign pretty much speaks for itself - formerly zoned only for commercial use, the developers have asked that this be rezoned as a mixed-use site including residential units, parking and retail. There has been a site plan submitted, but it is not for public viewing as of yet, as it is still making the rounds of the Planning office. The good news is that the city planner assigned to this case, Tine Major, is an east-ender. This is important because she will better empathize with east-end sentiments on redevelopment.

There has been lots of controversy over the years about 2055 Danforth, so Emily explained that there will be a preliminary report made to the city counciller (Sandra Bussin) who will then call a community meeting. I'll keep everyone posted when I hear more. In the meantime, I'd be interested in what people think should go into this space. Leave your comments below!

Book Sale

2009-09-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

If you aren't going to make it to the first annual Danforth East Arts Fair, the least you can do is to stop off at St. Luke's Church at 904 Coxwell (at Cosburn) on Saturday.

They are having a giant book sale this Saturday, (Sept 19) from 9 until 2 p.m. They will be selling all types of books both new and used: collectibles, fiction, non fiction, mysteries, cooking, gardening, childrens, biographies, autobiographies, science fiction, travel and more. They've also indicated that they will have a selection of records, dvds, videos and some art prints.

I will personally be sleuthing out old paperback Agatha Christie's to add to my expanding collection, and you can never have enough kids books, right? Looks like this weekend will be all about shopping!

Calling all East York Shopaholics

2009-09-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

A park is a park, but also a market, a playground, a community hub, a space where anything can happen - and this weekend, at long last, the first annual Danforth East Arts Fair is happening at East Lynn Park. Some 35+ artisans will be popping up tables and tents to sell their wares on the grassy slopes of our favourite neighbourhood hangout.

It has been a long year of planning to get this off the ground - DECA has been working hard to organize the permits and artisans and applications etc.

I got a sneak peak at some of the treasures that will be for sale and let me tell you, DH better hide his credit card because mama's got some spendin' to do! I have my eye on local artisan Fine Silver Girl's brilliant jewellry and Avani's totes and purses made from recycled burlap coffee bean sacks.

The Arts Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. A ribbon cutting with local VIPs happens at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. And for the moms with young kids out there: there will be porta-potties......

You Are What You Eat

2009-09-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

They say you are what you eat, so after my post last week about the Toronto Star article and Ethiopian food, I realized that my husband and I aren't practicing what I have been preaching - in fact DH had eaten Ethiopian food a grand total of zero times - so when we had the chance to paint the town red this past Friday, it was time for the initiation. We decided to check out Lalibela, the new Ethiopian restaurant around Monarch Park that I posted about a few weeks ago (it was under construction then, but is now officially open).

Back then, my sneak peak of the restaurant held the promise of it being a cozy, stylish place to eat and they definitely did not disappoint. The space is a far cry from where it was as Tiny Thai Kitchen. They've updated the seating to comfortable and very spacious family sized banquettes and closed off the ugly, open concept kitchen area along with the requisite fresh paint and murals of what I surmise is Ethiopian scenery.

Once settled in with drinks, we decided to order the Lalibela Special for $24...... a food critic I am not, so to put it in plain language everyone can understand, it was a vast smorgasbord of deliciousness. The injera was perfect and the flavours were so intense that I have fallen in love with the place. The plate consisted of lamb, chicken and beef, along with some small salads of lentils and beets. A perfect cross-section of east African cuisine.

Usually when DH and I go out for dinner, there is never enough food in the world to satisfy his ravenous appetite, so it was shocking that we couldn't actually finish everything. Good food, cheap prices and a mediocre but long wine list, make this place my new favourite haunt - sorry Taps & Tales, the love affair could only last so long!

Word on the Street

2009-09-10T12:15:00.000-07:00

Back in the spring, a bunch of folks signed up for the annual neighbourhood Jane's Walk - a historical tour of our 'hood led by reporter Joe Cooper and meandering along the Danforth between Greenwood and Coxwell, an area otherwise known as Upper Midway. All four of that weekend's walks were merrily packed with interested Danforth Easters and their kids and strollers.

Due to popular demand, Joe Cooper is back with another walk this Saturday. The two-hour tour, ”The Midway Meander,” will run THIS Sunday Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. starting at Greenwood Subway Station (front doors). But to keep the crowd manageable, they are asking interested folk to RSVP. Please email Catherine at "catherine_porter at rogers dot com" if you want to be added to the list, and put “The Midway Meander” in the subject line.

Oh the times, they are a changin'

2009-09-09T06:14:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I mentioned that the National Post had written an article about how the area of Danforth between Greenwood and Coxwell is cleaning up thanks to a huge influx of Ethiopian immigrants. Now we have not only one, but TWO feature articles about said block: Toronto Star wrote a great piece yesterday about the birth of a new Little Ethiopia in our neck of the woods.
What I liked about the piece, was the sidebar explaining how to eat Ethiopian - it's a cheat sheet for the next time you bring your Great Aunt Sadie down for a night out on the strip!

Where in the World?

2009-09-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

I opened up BlogTO.com today, only to find a familiar sight staring me in the face.

Only East Yorkers will know where this photo was taken:

http://bit.ly/8C5u8

Photo courtesy of Tsar Kasim from the BlogTO flickr pool.

Idolization

2009-09-08T05:55:00.000-07:00

Before I get started:

As a few people pointed out, I didn't clarify on Friday where exactly Toronto Honda is.....sorry!
The dealership is on Danforth, just east of Woodbine.

This week is a busy week for Danforth Easters. Not only do we have a neighbourhood historical walk coming up on the weekend (more on that later in the week), but we have the first inaugural edition of East Lynn Idol happening this Thursday evening during the Farmers' Market. If you were ever moved by the story of Paul Potts and his against-all-odds winning of Britain's Got Talent and thought that perhaps if given the chance you could win Canada's Got Talent, now is your chance. If you can sing, dance, juggle, throw basketballs through hoops of fire, do tricks with your hamster or whatever, the neighbourhood wants to see you! You can sign up at the DECA table at the market - weather permitting!

Best Deal Ever

2009-09-04T08:21:00.000-07:00

My husband drives a 9 year old Honda Accord that is in relatively good condition solely because he is diligent about his oil changes and maintenance. This week, the odometer flagged us that it was time for another oil change so instead of heading to his backstreet mechanic in Markham, DH decided to give someone local a try (yay, he's finally getting into the spirit!).

He decided that the obvious choice would be to give Toronto Honda a chance. About half an hour in, I get an excited phone call: Because he is a first time customer, the oil change was FREE. Totally free, which is just about as close to heaven for the husband as he can get.

I emailed the owner Jordan Ison who clarified that this is true. First time customers to Toronto Honda who drive a Honda or Acura vehicle, will get a free oil change. With inclimate weather quickly approaching (I know, I know - don't remind us!), this is a great excuse to do your maintenance now before it's too late. Who can say no to a great deal like this?

Retail Detail

2009-09-02T09:23:00.000-07:00

Inspired by my amazing street sale purchase (a full set of wicker lawn furniture for $75), I started thinking about other bargains that may abound on Danforth. Although it's not know to be the greatest shopping destination, there is much to discover outside of the world of perishable goods.

Here are two bargains I found, while walking the strip:

The dollar store beside TD Bank just east of Shoppers has the cutest Go Green shopping bags (pictured) for only $1.99. Way nicer looking than the PC shopping bags but much cheaper than other "designer" sacks from trendy shops in Greektown.

And for home decor style mavens: Don't let the name fool you. If you look below the eye-level window display at the nondescript store called Bonfanti Jewellry (1896 Danforth), you will see they have a gorgeous set of Royal Doulton china at 80% off (pictured). $211 for a 23 piece set is a ridiculous bargain. Mix this up with some colourful modern or vintage platters and serving bowls on a display shelf and you'll have a stunning vignette people will ogle over. I personally picked up a Bunnykins bowl and plate set for a very reasonable price.

Shop the Block

2009-08-28T07:37:00.001-07:00

I just saw a sign for the Monarch Park Street Sale happening this weekend. I'm SO excited. The sale takes place on Monarch Park between Sammon and Mortimer from 8 - noon. This could be a veritable treasure trove of kids toys and household goods, things I am in need of stocking up on. Sadly, I missed the south-of-Danforth version of this sale at the beginning of this summer.

For tips on buying thrifty garage sale items, check out another east-ender blog: The Grunge Queen.

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Farmers' Market Tonight

2009-08-27T07:43:00.000-07:00

Just a short post today to remind everyone that the Thursday night farmers' market at East Lynn Park is still going strong. In season are corn, zucchini, peaches and plums straight from the field to your table! Opens at 3pm.

And I know that I have written a ton of movie/film related posts in the past week, but I promise this is the last one: the outdoor movie that was supposed to happen at the market last week was rained out during the big storm, so it will be happening tonight at 8pm. If you bring your own bowl, it's half price on popcorn!

Seeing Stars

2009-08-26T06:18:00.000-07:00

As the city plunges headlong into the insanity of the film-festival-that-shall-not-be-named, I can guarantee that Danforth East will remain mostly untouched by the general madness of the September event - a safe haven from the paparazzi if you will. However, don't forget that there ARE over a hundred films running during the event so everyone must brush up on their cinema studies.

Hollywood Canteen can help you. I ventured into the Danforth East shop over the weekend to see what I could find. Originally I had gone in looking for movie posters for my rec room, but ended up perusing the thousands and thousands of movie books crammed onto shelves up to the ceiling. It is a veritable treasure trove for anyone even remotely interested in film.The first bio published on Heath Ledger is for sale, as is almost every single book written about Gone With The Wind, including an illustrated history which I picked up for $20.

You may have seen the Hurt Books rack out front. Keep in mind, you have to bypass the stamp collectors who are now taking up real-estate at the front of the store to get to the good stuff at the back, so don't be discouraged. They also do rentals which is great - no more driving down to the Film Buff in the Beach!

Thai One On

2009-08-23T17:53:00.000-07:00

There is not quite the profusion of Thai restaurants on Danforth East as you might find in other areas of Toronto, however, we do have some gems. Thai on Danforth has the fastest delivery around and a great lunch special to boot. Jean's Vegetarian is literally award winning and those living east of Woodbine sing the praises of Basil Thai Kitchen and their aromatic dishes.

As I was moseying down Danforth near Linsmore this past weekend, I was astonished to see a new Thai restaurant taking shape at 1266 Danforth right next to Jean's. The sign says the name will be Red Chilli Thai Restaurant - what I'm sure will be a welcome additon to the block. With a profusion of new restaurants opening on this stretch and noticeable improvements on behalf of existing businesses (anyone notice Sidewalk Cafe getting a facelift?!), looks like Danforth East is slowly regaining some of its former glory.

I peaked in the window of Red Chilli as the windows were uncovered and saw that it's still being pulled together, but holds the promise of being a warm and inviting place. Wicker tables and chairs and cozy decor can only go so far however. The food will have to withstand the test of local residents well versed in Thai cuisine!

Speaking of movies....

2009-08-19T07:02:00.000-07:00

I have 2 double passes to give away for a film tonight at AMC Yonge & Dundas. The first two people to post a comment, each win a double pass.

The film is called The Boys. It's a Disney documentary about the two legendary brothers who pretty much wrote every single Disney score we know (Mary Poppins, Jungle Book, Aristocats etc.). The doc goes behind the scenes of the Hollywood magic factory and documents the bittersweet story - they worked together for years creating beautiful music but behind closed doors they were two brothers who didn't get along. It's a really great film (I got to see a sneak preview a few weeks ago!). I think anyone out there who likes music will love it!

Here's a link to the trailer.

And yes, that's the set of Mary Poppins in the photo......

Silver Moon, Silver Screen

2009-08-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

There's something to be said for watching a movie outdoors, camping under the stars on a blanket with your favourite snacks. I hate to flog the "recessionista" term again, but a lot of venues around the city have hosted free outdoor movie nights this summer (Dundas Square, the Drake Hotel drive-in etc), which I think is a response to the so called "tightening of the economic belt" we've all been feeling.

As usual, the Danforth East Community Association is right on target with their community events. This Thursday they are holding their own free outdoor screening at East Lynn park, immediately following the Farmers' Market.

Snuggle with your honey (or your kids) and settle down for a screening of Madagascar 2 at 8:00 pm. If you bring your own bowl or cup, freshly popped popcorn is half price.

With temperatures in the heavenly zone, it promises to be a wonderful night for some movie magic!

Get Canned for Winter

2009-08-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

This photo reminded me that there was once a time on Danforth East when women and men were genteel and did things like drink tea in the afternoon, prune rosebushes and eat dinner together as a family (sans television). Life was simpler, and a jar of peaches in the winter would have been a delicacy the whole family would savour. In our fast paced world of iPhone gizmos, instant access to goods and take-out food 24/7, we buy jars of Del Monte fruit in air-conditioned supermarkets - even in the middle of summer.

Although some of these things are cool, the simple art of canning fruit and vegetables has been lost. But fear not, the East Toronto Climate Action Group is hosting a canning workshop right in the 'hood, on Monday night at the Danforth Mennonite Church at 2174 Danforth Avenue at 7:30 p.m. The fruit of choice: Peaches, Pears and Blueberries.

SO.....head on over to the East Lynn Farmers' Market tonight and get some of the freshest peaches you can (they're perfectly in season today!) and sign up for this workshop on Monday. You can RSVP to Mary-Margaret McMahon at 416-693-9276 spargy@rogers.com.

You will thank me in January!!

P.S. The photo is of Monarch Park, June 1921. Courtesy of the Toronto Archives.

Ward 32 In the News

2009-08-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would share: I came across this news item on Friday (Danforth East Councillor wins legal support from city http://ow.ly/jnjq), announcing that Toronto council has voted to help our local city councillor Sandra Bussin finance a libel suite against a local publication called Ward 32 News.

Here is the link to the Ward 32 News website, but it doesn't look like a legitimate news source, as you will see......

Million dollar smile

2009-08-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, a revolution took place. Not the type of revolution that would usually come to mind. This revolution involves teeth.....clean teeth. Someone, somewhere dreamed of a world where dental hygiene and dentists don't have to be BFF's.

The love child of this so-called divorce is Impressions The Dental Hygiene Spa on Danforth - the very first dental hygiene spa in Toronto (and perhaps Canada).

The reason I'm waxing poetic about dental treatments is because they have just celebrated their first anniversary. Pretty exceptional for a new business on Danforth. Apparently, they've been packed since day one. For me, the draw was the complimentary spa treatments I got while I was getting a cleaning - the paraffin wax hand treatment was divine.

There are some great deals to be had as part of their 1 year celebration, in particular a FULL tube of toothpaste if you book an examination in August or September.

Corn Is As High, As An Elephants Eye

2009-08-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

I got the inside scoop on something that I felt I should let everyone know about: there will be delicious sweet corn tonight, fresh from the farm, at the East Lynn farmers' market.

Since I've had such a hard time finding corn at our big mega-markets, this is music to my ears.

The corn is picked by the smiley Gary & Harry of Godelie Farms in Otterville at 6 am (too early for me to go corn pickin' so thank goodness they're up!) and it's on your table for dinner. Doesn’t get any fresher than that!