Aug 30, 2009

Open House at Rhythm & Motion ~ Sunday, September 13th


click on image to enlarge

Junction Run Club for beginners ~ Learn to Run, Make New Friends, Get Fit!


The brand new Junction Run Club (it's FREE!) was recently created in order to utilise and keep clean the Junction City Square Platform, bring together those of us who are interested in getting and staying fit and promoting the Junction as a safe neighbourhood for running!

We meet three days per week at 6:30 pm sharp, please join us and RSVP for future practice runs here: http://junctionrunclub.ning.com/

Aug 27, 2009

Another Junction-based blog, great read!


A crafty vegan's Guide to the Junction
text by Vania:
Since I've done some posts about other cities, I thought it was about time I did one about my own neighbourhood, especially because I haven't (and won't be anytime soon) gone anywhere as of late. When we moved here 1 1/2 years ago, we didn't realize just how lucky we were to move into this neighbourhood. West of most of the city core of Toronto, and in its own little pocket, the Junction has both some amazing history as well as current specialness. It is still a mix of what has remained and things that are new and slowly gentrifying the area. A good mix I think, especially as a new parent - wow have my needs changed!

Aug 25, 2009

High Park ave & Dundas St W new street lights ribbon cutting ceremony!


image and story credit- Junctioneer
text: Junctioneer
Having a ribbon cutting ceremony will give the community a chance to let the city staff, local councillor, planning department, and the police department all know we want the Junction to stay a high priority and let them know we appreciate there efforts.
The ceremony will receive official City of Toronto ribbon for this event.
Would you like to participate? Full story HERE

New Junction Parents Message Board/Calendar

FREE Junction Parents message board, calendar, events, groups... no fees of any kind, ever! Introduce yourself, post your own events/toy swaps/clothing swaps/play dates/advertise your own business for free, create your own groups, possibilities are endless.

MESSAGE BOARD & CALENDAR

Still looking for parent-sellers, bring your own table and lots of things to sell, no fees!


click on image to enlarge!

If you would like to be a parent-seller, please email me at Junctionmom2momsale@gmail.com

Aug 22, 2009

Try a free Strength Training class, bring your kids or not!


Free Trial class schedule:

Monday, August 24th @ 9:30 am
Tuesday, August 25th @9:30 am
Wednesday, August 26th @9:30 am

30 class session – 9:30 am! Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays -Sept 14th to Nov 20th $180

Outdoor Strength Training (maximum 7 participants, Quebec ave and Glenlake)- 1 hour class with 15 min play time afterwards! The 1 hour class covers all muscle groups, intensive workout using two 5 lb dumbbells, wooden chairs and mats, I provide all equipment except for dumbbells. We have a gate that locks, plenty of running around space and all kinds of toys, your kids will enjoy their playdate while moms work-up a good sweat :)
Each program includes before and after weigh-ins, measurements, and personal online meal log, you’ll love seeing real results on paper, as well as your body!
Please email sveltemamas@gmail.com to sign-up and try a FREE class!

Ceramic Workshop at Earthstones Ceramics (a 4-week program for children 7+)

Beginning Wednesday, September 23rd
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
4 week-program - $150 including all material plus PST and GST.
Participate in only one method for $40 including all material plus PST & GST.
Special rate - Bring a friend and receive $10 off your fee!

These workshops are designed to introduce you to the many ways that clay can be used and manipulated. You will learn the techniques to create functional and beautiful pieces all by hand. Workshops will be taught primarily by Robert MacDonald, Fine Art graduate from OCAD, ceramic artist to the ROM, Gardiner Museum and was named Bet New Artist at the One-of-a-Kind Show and Sale. Class sizes are small to allow for individual attention.

Intro to hand building - You learn how to model clay to produce a sculpture or vessel by using basic shapes and attaching them together. You can create just about anything!

Intro to slab building - Slab building refers to a technique of rolling thin pads of clay and then cutting out a pattern to create a more angular or sharp-edged piece. Good for a more modern look. Square sushi or rectangular serving plates are simple yet impressive projects.

Coil pots - Coil pots are probably one of the oldest and simplest ways to create unique ceramics in a short time. You can build a vase or a bowl which can be glazed and used for many years.

Press moulds - Using an existing mold, you can press small pieces of clay into a mold until it is covered, and when removing the clay it reveals a solid piece, ready for painting.


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

Upcoming Workshops for kids at the Wise Daughters Craft Market

Children's Art Classes
Join artist Kathie Young for small group classes in painting, drawing and felting. Tuesdays starting September 22, 4:00 - 5:00, ages 6 - 8
5:15 - 6:15 ages 9 - 12
$100 for 4 week series, includes all materials.

Parent/Child Crafty Saturdays
Oct 3 - 31, 10:00 - 12:00
Instructor: Anna Redish
Come and be creative with your child. Stamping, sewing, beading and much more. Learn to be crafty and take home art you'll treasure forever. Ages 4 - 10. $150 per child for 5 sessions, $100 for 2nd or more children in same family, parents free. Includes all supplies.

Boys' Craft Club
Oct 3 - 31, 1:00 - 3:00
Instructor: Anna RedishPainting, sewing, bead-making and more cool crafts just for guys. Deconstructive art - wrecking encouraged. It may be "Wise Daughters" but Anna knows what boys like: Transformers, Star Wars, cars, trucks... and no girls allowed. $150 for 5 sessions, includes all supplies.

Stupid Sock Creatures for Kids
Sat, Nov 21, 1:00 - 5:00Workshop Leader: Anna RedishTake sock monkeys to the next level with these cute and wacky creatures, full of personality. Learn sewing skills that will enable you to hand sew anything you want, forever.Ages 10+ (perfect for tweens & teens)$60, includes all supplies.

Felted Ornaments
Sun, Nov 22, 1:00 - 3:00
Workshop Leader: Wendo van EssenLearn to make a jolly snowman, penguin and Santa.$35 includes supplies for all 3 ornaments

3079B Dundas St. West
Toronto, ON, M6P 1Z9
Email: wisedaughters@sympatico.ca
Phone:416-761-1555

Aug 21, 2009

Two great causes I'd like to mention here


Dundas Marketing and Printing, a Junction-based business is currently collecting used but in good condition footwear to send to Haiti, if you would like to donate, please drop the sneakers/shoer/sandals (both kids' and adults) off at 2932 Dundas St W (across the road from the Beet organic market). 416-875-5916
Playground Confidential- a Junction-based blog is hosting a raffle to raise money for breast cancer research at the Princess Margaret Hospital. Rebecca will be walking 60 km during The Weekend to End Breast Cancer, September 12 -13, and has only three weeks to raise $2000.Check out all the prises you could win by buying raffle tickets and helping to end breast cancer!

Vegan skin care with edge, a Junction-based business!


Please check out this fabulous Junction-based on-line business with natural, sustainable and eco-friendly products (created right here, in the 'hood!) with fair trade certified ingredients!

Aug 18, 2009

Fall Outerwear sale at Snug as a Bug!




Snug as a Bug
3022 Dundas St W (by High Park Ave)
More details here: www.snugasabug.com
416-534-6881

Thanks Voja!

I'm currently working hard on organizing the first annual Junction Parents rummage sale and have been trying to figure out which local print shop to use for the flyers, my budget is on the lower side but I knew that the amount I have will cover most of the advertising.

Martin Scott, who owns Forever Interiors suggested that I go over to the local print shop (the one across the road from The Beet Organic Cafe) and ask his buddy "VJ" who is sure to give me a great price if I mentioned that Martin sent me personally :) Let me tell you, Voja not only gave my, by then very impatient and overheated 4 year-old a funny ceramic duck right off his desk "to keep forever", he also donated 50!!! huge and very colourful 11"x 17" sized flyers (designed by Paul Reynolds) which you will see all over the area in a couple of days!!
I didn't expect so much kindness and generosity, thank you so much Voja Jurisic, my daughter thinks you're Santa and Martin Scott for awesome recommendation :)

Thanks to the donation, I can now afford to print many more flyers than I originally planned and post them in more surrounding neighbourhoods including downtown, hoping that parents from all over Toronto will travel to Junction and shop here!

Dundas Marketing & Printing
2932 dundas St W
www.dundasmarketing.ca

Tomorrow at 10am at the Gingerbread House Family Cafe

New Junction MOM to MOM Sale flyer!


click on the image to enlarge!
The flyer was designed by Paul Reynolds from www.totallyspun.com , thanks again Paul for donating your time!

Aug 17, 2009

Junction Arts Festival'09 site up now, check it out for the latest news and upcoming events!




The Kidzone is a safe and fun environment set in an enclosed area of the festival where the kids can run free to explore and play. Located at Pacific and Dundas West the zone will be transformed with our traditional hands-on activities, family entertainment and workshops plus a large sports complex, jumping castle and the ultimate in slides; The Cliff-hanger.
Low priced affordable Day passes and single ride tickets will be available.
Day pass $10
Tickets .50

Canadian Red Cross Babysitting Course - Thursday August 20th, 9am-4pm


image credit-castanet
Swansea Town Hall
95 Lavinia Avenue
416-392-1954

Cost $40 (includes; manual & wallet card) Learn everything you need to know to be a great babysitter; including first aid knowledge, emergency handling, safety tips, diapering, skills for caring, rights and responsibilities, resume writing and much more!!! (Must be 11 yrs old and up!) Please bring a teddy bear or doll, peanut free lunch, pen and paper.

Aug 16, 2009

Thanks Junk Mamas and Cyclops Theatre for such a fabulous event at Vine Parkette!









The beautiful and fabulous Junk Mammas, Cyclops Theatre and volunteers have put on an amazing community event today at Vine Parkette! There was a free theatre production for kids, face painting, BBQ, art workshop, the wading pool was open and the turnout was about 100 people, it was great seeing everyone enjoy themselves and get to know each-other. We need many more events like this one, thanks Junk Mammas for organizing!

Aug 15, 2009

Crazy Warehouse Sale at Diaper-Eez - Tuesday August 18th, 8am-6pm


Crazy Warehouse Sale at Diaper-Eez. Doors open at 8am, 40% off reg priced merchandise only. Hourly specials, see in-store for details.


2309 Bloor St W (Between Runnymede and Jane)

Tomorrow! Sunday, August 16th 4pm at Vine Parkette!


Junk Mommas Proudly Present:

LIVE! IN PERSON! FREE!

Join your community for Clay and Paper Theatres’ latest outdoor puppet show Cyclops, plus an afternoon of face painting, bicycle decorating and more! Great for all ages!-Vine Park (N. of Dundas, E. of Quebec)at 4pm on August 16, 2009-Psst! Bring your Loonies for a post-show BBQ, and your bikes for some good old fashioned bike decorating!
Click HERE for more info on Cyclops

Aug 12, 2009

Cartooning for people who don't think they can draw - Sunday October 4, 2009 1pm-4pm


The above is one of my fav cartoons for obvious reasons! Check out Cathy's site for more laughs :)
Create a funny cartoon or family portrait with Cathy Thorne as she guides you through the very same process she uses to create Everyday People cartoons, which have been featured in publications such as The Toronto Star, Johnson & Johnson’s babycenter, and More Magazine.
Sunday October 4, 2009 1pm-4pm Cost $50

Wise Daughters Craft Market
3079 Dundas St. West
416-761-1555

Toronto West End Web – Raising An Online Community, Wednesday August 19th from 10am-12pm


http://totallyspun.com/ Text by Paul Reynolds
For the last two months, Junction-based design and marketing company Totally Spun has hosted networking events in the neighbourhood. In June a general meet-up of web savvy and web curious residents alike was held at Crema Coffee Co., and in July a meet-up of local artists interested in online organizing happened at Wise Daughters Craft Market.
WHAT: West End Web: Junction Parents
WHEN: Wednesday, August 19th 10am – noon
WHERE: Gingerbread House Family Cafe (2790 Dundas Street West at Indian Grove)
This month’s meet-up is geared toward the established online community of parents and family in the Junction. Breaking the tradition of evening meetings, this 10am-noon meet-up will give local parents and their kids – who aren’t always available after the dinner hour – an opportunity to come out to a family friendly environment and talk about online organizing, web and social media.
Co-organizer of this month’s event Irina (yours truly!) from The Junction Parents Blog will share some of the successful efforts the established online parent community has used in the past to get it where it is today, leading to an open discussion of ideas for carrying forward that momentum. Totally Spun owner Paul Reynolds will be on hand to advise on specific technologies and services and to facilitate the event.
Parents and their kids from around the Junction and surrounding neighbourhoods are welcome, as well as non-parents interested in organizing families on our corner of the net or anyone wanting to learn from this community’s successes so-far.
Totally Spun is a Junction-based business specializing in web design, development, online promotion and social media. Totally spun is the host of the monthly West End Web events. http://totallyspun.com/
Gingerbread House Cafe is a new restaurant in the neighbourhood providing a family-friendly atmosphere and home style cooking. They graciously donated the use of their space for this month’s event. http://gingerbreadcafe.ca

Aug 11, 2009

Apple Plus Tutoring Grand Opening Party! Friday August 14th, 4-7pm


Apple Plus Tutoring
14A Jane Street (by Bloor St W)
416 769-4799
http://www.appleplustutoring.com/

Come celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Apple Plus Tutoring. Everyone welcome.

Summer Reading Club Puppet Show at the Runnymede Public Library! Wednesday, August 12th, 2-3pm


image credit-r_lerman on Flickr
Runnymede Public Library
2178 Bloor St. W.
416-393-7600

Help our special detectives solve the mystery in 'The Three Bear Detectives' puppet show. For all ages, take the elevator upstairs, fully accessible. Drop-in!

Family Time At Jane/Dundas Public Library! Wednesday August 12th, 10-10:45am


image credit-Yelp
Jane/Dundas Public Library
620 Jane St
416-394-1014
Drop-in for stories, songs, rhymes and crafts for children with parents and caregivers at the library's meeting room downstairs, registration not required.

Aug 8, 2009

Black Daffodil online clothing store is opening it's doors in the Junction!



image credit-Junctioneer
Black Daffodil
3097 Dundas Street West
Opening their doors September 1st!
If you're curious about their online store, please click HERE

Dundas/Keele Early Years Centre SEPTEMBER programs calendar


Click HERE for September calendar!
Registration is done over the phone only and begins at 1:30 pm, no voicemails or e-mails please.

Just a reminder that Parent-Child Mother Goose and Sensory Exploration are a one time attendance program for families, this will allow other families to participate. Also remember that our End of the Summer Potluck will take place on Thursday August 27th, you can register by following this link: http://sites.google.com/a/themorgancollective.com/oeyc-potluck/
or by calling the Centre.

Parkdale High-Park Ontario Early Years Centre
Child Development Institute
416-762-3700 X 23

Call for Volunteers for the Junction Arts Festival

The following is a message from the Junction Arts Festival:

The theme of the 2009 Junction Arts Festival is ‘Weaving Mosaics’ and we are looking for a creative and dedicated team of volunteers to helpbring together all the magical elements of this year’s event into oneseamless art extravaganza. Each volunteer brings a special gift to weave into the fabric of the festival and be sure your piece will be seen and heard by all that come to experience the excitement and magic of the street.
It is our aim to make these experiences as enjoyable, memorable, and fulfilling as possible, and we cannot do this without the help of our brilliant volunteers. We are also looking for charismatic members to lead and usher our exciting “green team” as part of this year’s Green Village at the festival.
Join us as we answer the call and endeavor to make this agreener and more environmentally friendly festival than any we’ve had before.

Coveted Festival Weaver positions available:

•Reception and Opening Night Gala Hosts!
•Kid zone Handlers!
•GalleryGuides!
•Green Team!
•Know-it-all Info Staff and Access Gatekeepers!
•Technical Support (Roadies)!

Skill Requirements:

-Enjoys creating excitement and fun for self and others
-Would like tosmile, laugh and play all day
-Mosaic weaving experience not required,will train
-Dynamic and dedicated
-Passionate about Art and Culture
-Available for at least a five hour shift (hopefully more!) between Sept 9-13
-Be at one of our happening orientation sessions: To be announced(tentative Thursday August 27th, or Monday August 31st at 7pm)

Register by email at volunteer@junctionartsfest.comor phone us at416-767-5036 and let us know if you would like to be involved in this great community event. If you have services or expertise that fit outside of our listed needs please contact us.

Additional Information: www.junctionartsfest.com

We invite you to come and be part of this visually stimulating ,environmentally friendly, street festival. This year’s festivities start September 9th with an opening night gala, Channel Zero movie night on the Thursday, Live music starting Friday night featuring Toronto’s own green band, Mr. Something-Something, headlined by Justin Rutledge with The Beauties and Jason Collett on Saturday, and full street closure featuring our sensational street performers on Saturdayand Sunday September 12th to the 13th.

Brian Globus Volunteer Committee Chair Junction Forum for Art and Culture

Aug 5, 2009

Free Trial Strength Training fitness classes for moms, bring your kids!


Free trial classes dates:
Monday, August 17th
Tuesday, August 18th
Wednesday, August 19th
Thursday, August 20th
Friday, August 21st
Please email Sveltemamas@gmail.com to reserve a spot!
More info on our September programs here: http://sveltemamas.wordpress.com/

Aug 3, 2009

"BPA-FREE" Baby Bottles.. are still toxic

OTTAWA -- Health Canada scientists have found bisphenol A leaching into liquid in plastic baby bottles marketed to parents as being free of the toxic chemical.
The study says "traces" of the toxin were found in "BPA-free" bottles while internal correspondence between a department official and the lead scientist went further, characterizing the amounts in two brands as "high readings."

Full article HERE

Free Community Event at Vine Park! Sunday, August 16th at 4:00 pm



Junk Mommas Proudly Present:
O O O O
LIVE! IN PERSON! FREE!
Join your community for Clay and Paper Theatres’ latest outdoor puppet show Cyclops, plus an afternoon of face painting, bicycle decorating and more! Great for all ages!

-Vine Park (N. of Dundas, E. of Quebec)
at 4pm on August 16, 2009

-
Psst! Bring your Loonies for a post-show BBQ, and your bikes for some good old fashioned bike decorating!
Click HERE for more info on Cyclops