Spread the Feeling!

Kraft has partnered with the Daily Bread Food Bank for an event on July 24^th at Ontario Place. The Kraft Peanut Butter Bears ‘Smoothie’ and ‘Crunchy’ will be on site sharing free hugs to everyone who visits. For every hug that ‘Smoothie’ and ‘Crunchy’ receive, Kraft will donate one 500g jar of peanut butter to the Daily Bread Food Bank in an effort to help relieve hunger within the city.

Anyone who can’t make it out in person, can still support the cause by visiting http://www.spreadthefeeling.ca/ to send a virtual hug. Kraft hopes to generate enough hugs to donate up to 20,000 500g jars of Kraft Peanut Butter to Daily Bread Food Bank. To date, Kraft has donated 28,218 jars of Kraft Peanut Butter and hope to donate up to 20,000 more on July 24^th. So come out and spread the feeling!

A Reminder: Jumpin' In The Junction!

We haven't had a chance to check this out because we've been out of town. I've heard rave reviews about it! If you missed the last three weeks’ events, be sure to drop by for the last week of Jumpin in the Junction.

What is Jumpin in the Junction? It is a great little festival that will go on four Saturdays in a row from Saturday June 26th to Saturday July 17th. It’s being held at the Junction Train Platform at Dundas St. West and Pacific Ave. There will be free balloons and clowns and face painting and stuff for kids to jump on. It starts at 11:00 a.m. and runs till 3:00 p.m. Multi instrumentalist and Juno award nominee Peter Cliché plays up tempo folk and Celtic tunes on July 17th. A really fun feature each week is the “Sunflower Seed Spitting Contest”. Five spits for a nickel, a prize for each contestant and every one gets an official certificate to take home and frame. And of course there’s the best lemonade in the City at twenty five cents a glass. Even more, one of the Junction BIA members, Jocelyn Short of Jocelyn’s Burgers has stepped up and donated a wheel barrow full of water melons so we’re selling that too at fifty cents a slice. The only thing better than the lemonade, water melon and music will be all the smiles and laughter. So come to the Junction and “Let’s Get Jumpin”!

Stay Cool!

Photo: Toronto4Kids.com

It's now day 5 of this oppressive heatwave and I'm on a mission to find new and interesting ways to keep cool. Staying in the air-conditioned house all day with three kids is a surefire way to drive anyone mad! And keeping the kids from running amok at the local mall is a work-out that I don't care to have.

We've spent two days this week at the Vine Park wading pool. It is fabulous! Lots of shade, a great playground and sandbox, a large field for any of those running around types and a surprising breeze coming across the tracks. We also love the wading pool at Lithuania Park, High Park and Baird Park which are all within walking distance. But we're looking for something new so I thought I'd post of a list of local (and somewhat local) splash pads and wading pools in the West Toronto/Etobicoke area. Follow the link posted after each section to see a map. For up-to-date information about splash pads, wading pools and outdoor pools, including hours of operation, visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks or call the pool hotline at 416-338-POOL (7665).

Other places we might go:
Metro Toronto Zoo has a great splash pad. Worth the drive even just to cool off for a few hours!
Ontario Place has a great waterpark (and kids may have received a free admission coupon during the last week of school)
Centreville Amusement Park on Toronto Island. The ferry ride is half the fun!

See you at one of these cool places!

Splash Pads:
Amesbury Park Splash Pad
Braid Park Splash Pad
Balmoral Park Splash Pad
Bell Manor Park Splash Pad
Beresford Park Splash Pad
Chelsea Park Splash Pad
Coronation Park Splash Pad
Fairfield Park Splash Pad
Flemington Park 2A Splash Pad
Flemington Park 63A Splash Pad
Gracedale Park Splash Pad
Heathrow Park Splash Pad
High Park North Splash Pad
Highfield Park Splash Pad
Kingsview Park Splash Pad
Lanyard Park Splash Pad
Rexdale Park Splash Pad
Rotary Park Splash Pad
Smythe Park Splash Pad
Weston Lions Park Splash Pad
Courtesy of: http://kidsenergyburner.com/swimming/splash-pads-toronto-ontario

Wading Pools:
Beresford Park Wading Pool
Birch Park Wading Pool
Budapest Wading Pool
Centennial Park Wading Pool
Donald Russell Memorial Park Wading Pool
Earlscourt Park Wading Pool
Fairhaven Park Wading Pool
Geary Park Wading Pool
General Mercer Wading Pool
Glen Park Wading Pool
High Park Wading Pool
Lithuania Park Wading Pool
Loretto College Wading Pool
Marie Curtis Park Wading Pool
Mimico Memorial Park Wading Pool
Pelham Park Wading Pool
Primrose Park Wading Pool
Prince of Wales Park Wading Pool
Ravina Gardens Wading Pool
Rennie Park Wading Pool
Rexlington Park Wading Pool
Runnymede Park Wading Pool
Sir Casmir Gzowski Wading Pool
Summerlea Park Wading Pool
Sunnydale Park Wading Pool
Sunnylea Park Wading Pool
Vine Ave Park Wading Pool
Wadsworth Park Wading Pool
Courtesy of: http://kidsenergyburner.com/swimming/wading-pools-toronto-ontario

Outdoor Pools:
Amesbury Pool
Amos Waites Pool
Domenico DiLuca Pool
Eringate Pool
Fairhaven Pool
Flagstaff Pool
Gihon Spring Pool
Giovanni Caboto Pool
Gord and Irene Risk Pool
High Park Pool
Lambton-Kingsway Pool
Ourland Pool
Park Lawn Pool
Pine Point Pool
Richmond Gardens Pool
Rotary Pool
Smithfield Pool
Smythe Pool
Sunnyside-Gus Ryder Pool
Wedgewood Pool
West Deane Pool
West Mall Pool
Westgrove Pool
Westmount Pool
Weston Lions Pool
Courtesy of: http://kidsenergyburner.com/swimming/public-swimming-pools-toronto-ontario

Baird Park Dog Off-Leash Area? Have Your Say!

Love Baird Park? A dog's off-leash area is being proposed in the open area west of the playground where many children and adults play soccer, etc.

Have your say at the Public Information Meeting!!

City of Toronto representatives are hosting a public information update meeting to:

• Review the proposed area
• Receive comments/input from the public
• Discuss next steps

Everyone is welcome to attend!

Date: Tuesday, July 13

Time: 7-9 p.m.

Location: Annette Community Recreation Centre- Gymnasium, 333 Annette Street

For further information, contact:

Aydin Sarrafzadeh, Program Standards & Development Officer

416-392-0582 or asarraf@toronto.ca

Jumpin in the Junction!

A series of great fun, family events at the

Junction Train Platform, Dundas St. West & Pacific Ave.

Sat June 26th 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Sat July 3 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Sat July 10 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Sat July 17th 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

What is Jumpin in the Junction? It is a great little festival that will go on four Saturdays in a row from Saturday June 26th to Saturday July 17th. It’s being held at the Junction Train Platform at Dundas St. West and Pacific Ave. There will be free balloons and clowns and face painting and stuff for kids to jump on. It starts at 11:00 a.m. and runs till 3:00 p.m.

Wendell Ferguson, the seven time ”Best Guitar Player in Canada” will team up with Suzzie Vinnik, “2008 female blues singer of the year”, to perform on the 26th. Different great acts will be on stage each week. The great blues harmonica player Danny B performs on July 3rd and Juno award nominee Peter Cliché plays on July 17th.

A really fun feature each week is the “Sunflower Seed Spitting Contest”. Five spits for a nickel, a prize for each contestant and every one gets an official certificate to take home and frame. And of course there’s the best lemonade in the City at twenty five cents a glass. Even more, one of the Junction BIA members, Jocelyn Short of Jocelyn’s Burgers has stepped up and donated a wheel barrow full of water melons so we’re selling that too at fifty cents a slice.

The only thing better than the lemonade, water melon and music will be all the smiles and laughter. So come to the Junction and “Let’s Get Jumpin” !

Totstock

Looking for something to do with the kids on Sunday, June 27th?

On Sunday, June 27th, from 2-5pm, Sorauren Park will come alive with song, dance, stories and more.

Brought to you by the totsquad (and lots of volunteer moms and dads), totstock is a vibrant, noisy, whimsical celebration of family and community.

There will be live music, children’s games and activities, story-telling & puppet shows, great food & a rollicking good time all in support of the Wabash Building Society in particular & the common good in general.

Please consider bringing:

• Your child's bike or trike for the bicycle parade
• A sunhat and a reusable bottle or mug
• A pocketful of toonies (this is a fundraiser after all

For more information, go to http://www.littlepaper.com/totstock.

Rattle Cry: Save The Children. Every One.

On the eve of the G8 and G20 summits, I came across this inspiring campaign by Save The Children Canada called "Save The Children. Every One." As a parent, I feel that it is our duty to advocate for children everywhere who cannot speak for themselves. They need a voice to tell governments that the time to help is now.

Here are the highlights of the campaign with a link to their Facebook application that lets parents rank issues they face on a daily basis that are of importance to them:

The EVERY ONE campaign is Save the Children's largest global campaign to date. Every year, 8.8 million children die before they reach their fifth birthday, most from preventable causes. Save the Children's campaign aims to reduce this number by 2/3 by 2015.

The campaign is all about getting the Canadian government to uphold the promises they made of reducing infant mortality by 2/3 during the Millennial Development Goal summit in 2000.

This is an issue that is of importance for millions of Canadians so Save The Children make their appeal with that in mind. Also, with the G8 Summit fast approaching they are hoping to get a concrete commitment, and in order to do this they need Canada's support.

As part of the campaign they have a fun Facebook application called Rattle Cry that lets parents rank issues they face on a daily basis that are of importance to them. You can view the application here: http://www.facebook.com/everyonecanada

For more information and to see what you can do to help, please visit their website at:

http://www.everyonecanada.ca/

Community Meeting re: Development on Bloor Street

City Councillor Bill Saundercook is coordinating an informal meeting for residents to speak directly to The Daniels Corporation. The Daniels Corporation has reached an agreement with the owners to redevelop the following lands:

1844-1856 Bloor Street West
35-37 Pacific Avenue
6-14 Oakmount Road

This community meeting is being held prior to the Daniels Corporation filing any redevelopment application. The meeting will be held on June 14th at 7:30 p.m. at the Grenadier Restaurant.

Talking to kids about the BP Oil Spill

Image- Win McNamee/Getty Images

Pictures and stories of one of the worst man-made disasters in history are everywhere. Are your children asking questions? Have you talked to them about it? Personally, I find the issue is so big and so devastating to me that I can't bear the thought of explaining it to my little ones. But I know that talking about it is the right thing to do and would strengthen their concern in the environment. I just don't know how to where to begin.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. And so would the Globe and Mail who is working on an article for the Life section about parents talking to their kids about it. If you are interested a brief phone interview with their reporter, please contact me directly at junctionparents@gmail.com.

Butt out! Smoking banned in City Parks

image- City of Toronto

A great move on behalf of the City of Toronto!! Under an amendment to the Municipal Bylaw, Chapter 608, smoking is now banned from Toronto Playgrounds, wading pools, splash pads, park zoos or farms. Smoking is not allowed within a 9 metre or 29.5 foot radius of play areas including:

• The surrounding edge of any playground safety surface or playground equipment.
• The surrounding edge of wading pool basins or safety surfaces of splash pads.

According to the City of Toronto website, the health and well-being of children in our public spaces is a priority for the City. The plan to prohibit smoking in Toronto Parks will ensure that children have healthy environments in which to play. Children are also influenced by the behaviour of others and we should work together to provide them with healthy role models.

It will be nice to get a breath of fresh air at parks with our kids this summer. Thanks, Toronto!

Starbucks is coming to the Junction...unless we can do something to stop it?

image-Junctioneer

Apparently this is old news, many local businesses have known about Starbucks moving into our neighbourhood for a while... The old Handyman Shop that's been renovated for the past few months is going to be a new Starbucks location, directly across the street from Crema!!!! The Junction already has so many wonderful coffee places, we don't need a Starbucks!





The Junctioneer post

TODAY! "Life Insurance Basics" FREE seminar @ Earthstones Art & Play Centre

10 am to 11 am (please come a few min early to park your stroller and get rid of all the winter clothes :)

Find out what the pros and cons of Term vs. Universal Life policies. Find out what the tax implications are and how you can benefit by planning your financial strategy in advance. How much insurance should you have? Should you have insurance in addition to your work coverage? What are the pros and cons of mortgage insurance vs. other types of insurance products? What are the benefits of having a Critical Illness policy? What if you don’t get sick? Can you get your money back? These and other issues will be covered in this session.


Please feel free to stay and play after the session ends (really great play area!), our unlimited play group fee is $5 per family, great deal!

Earthstones Workshop & Play Centre
3082 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON M6P 1Z8
(416) 769-6318

Pre and Post Natal Yoga @ Green Lavender!

NEW! Pre-natal Yoga with Paluna Santamaria
Tuesday Evenings: April 6th – May 11th
6:30 – 7:30pm
$120 6 Week session
(Please register by April 2nd)

For expectant mothers, the pre-natal classes are an opportunity to prepare your mind and body for the changes and challenges of pregnancy and labour. Connect with other expecting mothers as you are taken through safe and gentle yoga postures and breathing techniques that will not only keep you in shape while pregnant but will help you release tension and reduce anxiety.
Classes are designed to not only open, but strengthen your body, letting you meet the ever, changing challenges and transformations of your body during pregnancy. Appropriate modifications provided for each trimester.

Benefits of Pre-natal Yoga during your pregnancy:

Promotes and improves strength, flexibility and endurance – which will prove to be helpful during the physical demands of labour and childbirth
Helps to reduce joint inflammation and swelling. As an expectant mother, you may experience water retention and poor circulation. The pre-natal class will provide yoga poses which are effective at preventing or reducing the swelling which occurs in hands, ankles and feet.
Helps to alleviate back pain. Yoga helps to maintain proper posture by bringing awareness to proper body alignment and placement.

You will leave the class feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and completely rested during this very important time in your life.

NEW! Mom n' Baby/Post-natal Yoga with Lisa Antozsek

Every Monday – 1:00 – 2:00 pm
March 22nd – April 26th 2010
Cost $120 for 6 Week Session
(please register by March 17th)

Post Natal Yoga is a fun, energetic class that helps you de-stress and enjoy some time with your new bundle of joy! Perfect way to connect with your baby while moving deeper into your Yoga practice. The class focuses primarily on rebuilding deep abdominal muscles and the muscles of the pelvic floor. Emphases will be put on stretching out tight shoulders, backs and legs.

Come with your baby, or just you! Newborns to pre-crawlers are welcome. No yoga experience necessary.

Green Lavender
2842 Dundas St West (Just East of Keele on the North side)

Phone #: 416 792 2447
info@greenlavender.ca This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.greenlavender.ca

80's Babies Dance Classes, new session, new Junction Location!

Tuesdays from March 2 to April 13 @ Fit2Dance, 406 Pacific Ave (by Dundas St W)

80s Babies is a super-fun dance/exercise class for moms and babies. It's a chance for moms to get their groove-on-up and for babies to get-on-down together! We do a warm-up, a strengthening warm-up, WE GROOVE! to simple/demonstrated choreography, then it's a gentle cool-down- all to 80s tunes that are guaranteed to give you goosebumps! -

www.80sbabies.ca

laura@80sbabies.ca

"Little Bird Fly" program calendar for MARCH!

Please click on image to enlarge :)

Junction Parents members are kindly offered a 10% sales discount every Wednesday!

RESP’s Made Easy FREE Seminar @ Earthstones Art & Play Centre

MONDAY, MARCH 1st!

10 am to 11 am (please come a few min early to get your child acclimated before the seminar.

Find out all the in’s and out’s of RESP’s. What are all the government rules? How much grant are you really eligible for? What happens if one of your children doesn’t pursue post secondary education? How much should you save? What are the pros and cons of group RESP’s vs. individual plans? Which educational institutions are covered? Can my child study abroad? All these and more will be answered in this short, but informative session.

Earthstones Art & Play Centre has a great play area and refreshments!

3082 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON M6P 1Z8
(416) 769-6318

Stay and play after the session with your kids for as long as you like, our group rate (Junction Parents members) is only $5 per family!!! It is free to become a member :)

RSVP HERE

Children's Theatre @ Wise Daughters this Saturday! 1-2 pm

Theatre for Kids...
Bonanza Bolero Felt Cabaret

Wise Daughters Craft Market

3079B Dundas St. W.
Sat, Feb 27, 1:00 - 2:00
Ages 2 1/2 - 7.
Admission by donation.
For more info, call 416-887-5691 or email bonanzabolero@gmail.com

FREE origami workshop for kids @ Espresso Mi Vida!

Sunday, February 28th, 9-10 am!

Espresso Mi Vida

392 Pacific Ave. (by Dundas St W)

M6P 2R1

Parents, come out and enjoy your morning coffee, while your kids participate in the staff-run origami session!

"Little Bird Fly" February Calendar!

Will definitely be on time next month! :)

Children's Theatre in the Junction! Tomorrow @ Rebas Cafe!

Rebas Café @ 10 am on Wednesday, Feb. 17

Wise Daughters @ 1pm on Saturday, Feb. 27

More dates and Junction-based venues coming soon!

Fee: donations, whatever you can give :)

It's the interactive show for children of the preschool age (2,5 to about 7 years old). This one-man show is called "About a Birthday Cake". It's a 45-50 min musical with Boris "Bolero" Roginsky telling an original story, singing original songs, dancing etc., while putting out the play characters on felt boards and narrating along the way.

During the performance children are encouraged to participate while spelling, counting, applying problem-solving skills, swaying to the music, singing, answering questions..

Check out their beautiful flyer HERE

Midwives going to Haiti need baby blankets, clothes, cloth diapers ASAP!

If you would like to donate, please email junctionparents@yahoo.com for (Clendenan ave) address where you can drop off the items by 4:00 pm THURSDAY!

Paint and Play on Family Day!

Valentine's Day Babysitting at Earthstones Art & Play Centre!

Looking for a couple of hours alone time with your significant other to celebrate Valentine's Day?

Drop your kids (walking-12 years) off at Earthstones for 2 hours of supervised play time including a bite to eat. They'll be entertained and monitored by local child care providers Dawn & Paco, who own and operate a home child care service in the Junction.

Sunday, February 14
12 - 2 p.m. or 5 - 7 p.m.
$20
Space is limited to 12 children
Register today by e-mail at earthstonesceramics@sympatico.ca

Home-based Childcare by local stay-at-home moms!

Some of you may know that I began a list of local child-care providers (stay-at-home moms) who are home-based (home-care), it's been a year and this blog has helped many to find temporary or permanent childcare options. I update it from time to time and recently received a few new postings! If you are a mom who is looking to open her home to another child on a temporary or full-time basis, please email me at Junctionparents@yahoo.com with info :)

Disclaimer:

This is not an agency, you are as a parent responsible to check references, CPR certificate, ask important to you questions, use your gut feelings...etc..

http://childathome.blogspot.com

Awesome temporary childcare options for the parents in the Junction!

Please click on each image to enlarge!

More upcoming local programs!

Please click on images to enlarge

Murder, Mystery and Intrigue... a singles' Valentine's Event @ Espresso Mi Vida!

Please click on image to enlarge!

This SATURDAY! 11am-6pm

Wise Daughters Craft Market

3079B Dundas St. W.

416-761-1555

http://www.wisedaughters.com/

Free baked treats, performances by “Keith Jolie and the Wise Daughters” and other musical guests, and prize draws all day for great Wise Daughters’ loot!

Wise Daughters Craft Market is one of our sponsors, they pay for our message board fees, offer very creative workshops (even free sit and stitch nights), regularly fundraise and donate to the Redwood women's shelter, participate in the Junction Residents Association...etc.. there are a million more amazing things I can list, this is the kind of local business that I'm more than proud to support!

2'nd Annual Junction Parents Community Market will be on Saturday, May 15th!

Junction City Square

2958 Dundas St W (by Pacific Ave)

10 am - 3 pm

Junction Parents Community Market is a huge community sale where you can buy gently used baby and kids' items directly from 25 sellers (parents) and 20 Junction-based small businesses with or without a store-front. Get great deals on second-hand baby clothing, kids'/maternity clothing, toys, games, furniture, gear, arts, lessons..etc..

The space is kindly made available by the Junction Forum for Art and Culture second year in a row!

If you are a parent with kids/pregnancy-related items to sell and you are interested in reserving a spot, please email yesjunction@yahoo.com

Indoor Playground Playdate @ Earthstone's newly renovated play space!

Wednesday, February 3rd 9:30 am PLAY AS LONG AS YOU LIKE!

$5 per Family

Maximum 13 kids, so when you RSVP, please add how many kids (guests) you are bringing.

Beautiful play space with play kitchen, 2-level play house with "backyard" (so cute!), play stage, art area too (you can choose a ceramic piece to paint if you like), snacks are welcome too.

The owner Raisa is opening this play space just for Junction Parents Group, if you are not a member yet, you are welcome to join, there are NO MEMBER FEES

Earthstones Ceramics
3082 Dundas St. W (by Quebec ave)
416-769-6318
http://www.earthstonesceramics.webs.com/

Cool new photographer

Please click on the images to enlarge

This post is about my friend and yes, it's a shameless plug for a friend, but I really want to share her eye!

Jowita is a creative photographer with a unique way of capturing her subjects, her photos are real and don't have that ordinary "studio" feel, she is also a very funny and cool mom of a really big (her words not mine) baby boy :)

jowitabydlowska@gmail.com

brand new blog

TOMORROW! Post-reno reopening party at "Earthstones Ceramics- Art & Play Centre!"

Saturday, Jan 23, 12:00 - 6:00 pm

Check out their new indoor playground area and ceramic painting studio!! Free Play!

3082 Dundas St. W. (at Quebec Ave.), between Runnymede Ave. and Keele St., on the north side

(416) 769-6318

http://www.freewebs.com/earthstonesceramics

Latest Recall Information on Baby & Children's Items

GRACO/ELFE Strollers - January 20, 2010 - Concerns regarding fingertip amputation and/or cuts when opening or closing the canopy. For more information on this recall, please visit this consumer product safety page at Health Canada.

SAFETY 1ST/DOREL Drop Side Cribs - January 19, 2010 - Concerns regarding the possibility of babies/children getting entrapped in the crib. For more information on this recall, please visit this consumer product safety page at Health Canada.

BAMBOOBINO Toddler Hooded Kimono Robe - January 18, 2010 - Concerns regarding this product not meeting the Canadian Laws on flammability requirements. For more information on this recall, visit this consumer product safety page at Health Canada.

CARAMIA Drop Side Cribs - January 15, 2010 - Concerns regarding the possibility of babies/children getting entrapped in the crib. For more information on this recall, please visit this consumer product safety page at Health Canada.

VARIOUS CHILDREN'S PYJAMA SETS - January 14, 2010 - Concerns regarding this product not meeting the Canadian Laws on flammability requirements. For more information on this recall, visit this consumer product safety page at Health Canada.

LITTLE MISS MATCHED Sleepwear - January 13, 2010 - Concerns regarding this product not meeting the Canadian Laws on flammability requirements. For more information on this recall, visit this consumer product safety page at Health Canada

Info credit and more recalls: http://infomommy.com/Recalls.html

"Communication Skills for Parents" parenting course @ Annette Public Library

The course is on Communication Skills for Parents. It is based on the work by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg called Non-violent Communication (NVC), also known as Compassionate Communication.

Annette Street Public Library
145 Annette Street
M6P 1P3

February 16 - March 9 (four consecutive Tuesdays)
6:30 pm- 8:30 pm
Early registration $100/person
20%Off if attending with spouse/partner

To register or more info:
647-991-3405
susan@parentfromtheheart.ca
http://www.parentfromtheheart.ca/

Haiti Earthquake Relief in the Junction

Photo: Reuters/Eduardo Munoz

I have seen a few Doctors Without Borders jars at some local businesses, like No Frills, The Troubadour...etc.. I think they were provided by the Junction BIA, please donate something, anything.

Full-day Kindergarten in the Junction Area.. only two schools!

King George Junior and James Culnan Catholic will be offering full-day kindergarten in September 2010, I was really hoping that more Junction area schools would be able to participate, but two is better than none!

James Culnan Separate School

Catholic

605 Willard Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M6S 3S1

(416) 393-5325

King George Junior Public School
25 Rexford Rd, Toronto, Ontario, M6S 2M2

(416) 394-3060

Check out Rebecca's take on Full Day Kindergarten, a fellow Junction blogger.

Children's theatre coming to the Junction!!!!

Rebas Café @ 10 am on Wednesday, Feb. 17

Wise Daughters @ 1pm on Saturday, Feb. 27

More dates and Junction-based venues coming soon!

Fee: donations, whatever you can give :)

It's the interactive show for children of the preschool age (2,5 to about 7 years old). This one-man show is called "About a Birthday Cake". It's a 45-50 min musical with Boris "Bolero" Roginsky telling an original story, singing original songs, dancing etc., while putting out the play characters on felt boards and narrating along the way.

During the performance children are encouraged to participate while spelling, counting, applying problem-solving skills, swaying to the music, singing, answering questions..

Check out their beautiful flyer HERE

Press release: Junction Arts Festival 2010 Call To Artists!

The Junction Arts Festival is now accepting creative proposals for the 2010 Junction Arts Festival. The Festival runs from September 8 to 12, 2010 with a two-day street closure of Dundas Street West, September 11 and 12.

The festival is currently accepting proposals only from performance-based artists and art installation works of any combination, including but not limited to, Indoor and Outdoor Installation Artists, Street Dance and Theatre groups as well as any multi-arts ideas that we may be able to support. Our emphasis in 2010 will be for large scale outdoor work but we are accepting all proposals. Fees will be determined on a per-artist-basis.

Additional calls for Visual Artists, Poets and Musicians will be forthcoming in the next few months.

Approximately 200,000 people attend the festival each year, experiencing interactive works that both engage and enthrall.

Proposals should include the following:

- Artist or group contact info - Bio and history - Example of past work

- Video and/or photo examples of proposed work. If proposing a new work, please include a description, plus technical requirements

If proposing a new work please be as specific as your present process allows at this time. Also inform us if you are applying for any creative funding from other sources. If applications for government funding precede any agreement between artist and festival, then a letter of intent may be issued on our part.

The Junction Arts Festival has been running its present programming since 2007, but the festival’s history dates back to 1991, with the street closure since 2000. ‘Where the Arts meet the Street’ is the basis for this ever-growing multi-arts Festival that includes visual art, galleries, installation art, main stage music, dance, theatre, performance art, travelling minstrels and anything in between and beyond.

Toronto, National and International applications accepted. - All inquiries should be directed to Festival Director, Michael Menegon via email atjunctionartsfest@bellnet.ca

Application packages should be sent to:

Junction Arts Festival

3047 Dundas Street West

Toronto, M6P 1Z3

"My Greatest Photo - Be a cover-model for one day!"

Privé Hair Gallery, Junction Mode and Frans Altena Photography are offering you a chance to be a cover-model for one day. This two-hour pampering experience includes professional hair-styling and make-up, dressing, followed by a studio photoshoot. You’re welcomed with a beautiful cocktail or a glass of champagne paired with some nice hors-d'oeuvres. A fun way to add some glamour to your life... and to have the photos to remember it! The session will yield between 2 and 5 beautiful digital photos (full size, post-processed, unmarked) on a secure online gallery for you to download.

This package is an ideal gift for a mother, father, daughter, girlfriend, boyfriend or as a Valentine’s Day gift for the special one in your life.

All this for just $199!

The session can be scheduled on Sunday, January 31^st between 12pm and 8pm. Limited slots are available, so book quickly!

Photos will be available for you to download on Wednesday February 3 so you have enough time to get a print ready on time for Valentine’s Day.

A checklist for the session:

• Please come with your hair freshly washed!
• Bring two or three sets of clothes, for example classy, sexy, cocktail-dress or black-tie.
• Session is payable by cash or cheque at the day of the event.

Call for more information, or to book your cover-model session:

Frans Altena Photography

(647) 262-8015 (9am-9pm)

www.fransaltena.com

The Dundas & Keele Early Years Centre location FEBRUARY calendar

Submitted by Christian

Click HERE to access the FEBRUARY calendar!

2918 Dundas St W (by Keele St)
M6P 1Y8
416-762-3700

Wise Daughters' Craft Market First Anniversary Celebration!

Saturday January 30th, 11am-6pm

Wise Daughters Craft Market

3079B Dundas St. W.

416-761-1555

http://www.wisedaughters.com

It's already been a year since Wise Daughters Craft Market opened its doors, feels like they have been part of the Junction for a life time!

Free baked treats, performances by “Keith Jolie and the Wise Daughters” and other musical guests, and prize draws all day for great Wise Daughters’ loot!

Parenting and Family Literacy Centre @ Indian Road Crescent Public School

No pre-registration needed.
Free for families, snacks provided

285 Indian Road Crescent
Toronto ON
M6P 2G8

416-393-8129

Families with children, aged birth to 6 years of age, are invited to participate in a safe, nurturing, stimulating program where children play and learn and parents can connect with each other.

The centre provides opportunities for:
-Parents and children to become familiar with the school and establish positive home-school connections

-Paricipation in a family literacy program that helps children develop and build essential literacy and numeracy skills

-Families receive information about community resources
-Parents to discuss parenting concerns
-Families to borrow books from our multi lingual lending library

Monday 9:00-1:30 pm
Tuesday 9:00-1:30 pm
Wednesday 9:00-12:00 and 12:30-4:00 pm
Thursday 9:00-1:30 pm
Friday Closed

Knitting 101 at the Jane & Dundas Public Library-Monday January 18th, 6:30-8:30pm

Learn to knit!

Start a cozy warm scarf.

Registration required

Jane & Dundas Public Library

620 Jane Street
Toronto, ON M6S 4A6
(416) 394-1014

Local High School student available for volunteering!

Hi im 16 years old, grade 11 student, looking to complete my 40 hours of community service
preferably during march break weekends and evenings

positions im looking for
-secretary
-tutor
-senior citizen helper
-children helper
etc...

I have experience with kids *worked at a daycamp

- speak portuguese english and french (can teach)
-I'm approachable
-Grade A student
- flexible with timing
-open to anything

Free Meditation Class @ Green Lavender! Jan 29th, 6:15-7:30 pm

Free introduction to a Meditation course!

Meet David and Anita (Meditation Teachers), experience a guided meditation and have an opportunity to ask any questions you might have. This is an intro to our 6 week long meditation course. All are welcome, no previous meditation experience necessary. For more information please visit www.greenlavender.ca

Green Lavender

2842 Dundas St West (Just East of Keele on the North side) 416 792 2447 info@greenlavender.ca

"Earthstones - Ceramic Art & Play Center" Grand Reopening Party!

Saturday January 23, 12:00 - 5:00 pm

Check out their new indoor playground area and ceramic painting studio!! Free face-painting, balloons, crafts and snacks for the kids!!

3082 Dundas St. W. (at Quebec Ave.), in the heart of the Junction, between Runnymede Ave. and Keele St., on the north side (416) 769-6318

Junction Residents Association Meeting, Thursday, Jan.14th 7-9 pm

The Junction Residents’ Association Meeting
January 14, 2010 from 7pm to 9pm
West Toronto Baptist Church, 3049 Dundas Street West

The Junction Residents’ Association will hold its bimonthly membership meeting at 7 pm at the West Toronto Baptist Church, 3049 Dundas Street West. Please join us and start the New Year by meeting new neighbors and helping to shape our Junction. Refreshments are served, and there will be discussion of recent events in the community. More info and RSVP HERE

About The Junction Residents Association

West Toronto area community group, dedicated to connecting residents and representing their views.

133 members 23 discussions

106 Events 8 blog posts

New programs at Little Bird Fly!

Little Bird Fly
647-348-3443

2955 Dundas St West (by Pacific ave)

Thursday mornings, starting January 14th, 2010,

CircleSing! with JennieLea

9:30-10:30 am - MuSings Babies (ages 3months-1 year)

10:30-11:30 am - SongBlossoms BopSkipHop Toddlers (1-2.5 years)

Call JennieLea to register at (416) 603-2335 or email bookjennielea@circlesing.com

She offers the option to enrol for 4 weeks, 8 weeks, or 12 weeks.

4 weeks - reduced to $60 from $75

8 weeks - reduced to $125 from $140

12 weeks - reduced to $165 from $180

Siblings are half price!

Registration extended to January 14th! For your convenience, you can now register at

Little Bird Fly!

For more information about JennieLea and her CircleSing programs, please visit her website at www.circlesing.com

Wednesday mornings beginning February 3rd, 2010

Junction Dave will be running a drop-in program for toddlers/preschoolers ages 3-4 from 10:30-11:30. The program will be pay-what-you-can, and will feature a variety of activities, including music, animal education, magic and more! David has many years of experience running programs for both children and adults, with several years of experience working in daycares and various community agencies around the city! Welcome Dave!

WeeHands with Katrina will be coming by sometime at the end of January (date to be announced) to do an Introduction to Signing with your Baby. This will be a no-cost workshop led by Katrina, who currently teaches baby and toddler signing classes in High Park and Etobicoke.

For more information about WeeHands and Katrina, please visit http://www.weehands.com/weehands_with_katrina.htm