Bloorcourt Fair Features The Children's Storefront

Formerly housed on our doorstep, The Children’s Storefront lost its home in a tragic fire.

But, happily, it now has a new home on Bloor St. West near Shaw St. That area of town is called Bloorcourt and this Saturday is the Bloorcourt Arts & Crafts Street Festival.

Below is the lineup for The Children's Storefront, but there will be lots of other stuff going on, too, from 11 am to 10 pm.

"We will be running our area from 11am - 4pm, between Montrose & Carling along Bloor Street West.

Visit our main stage at Shaw & Bloor and enjoy some great performers!!

11:30am-12:30pm
The Brothers Leung
"Meet local Toronto creators, The Brothers Leung, for a reading of their new picture book: The Pirate Girl's Treasure - An Origami
Adventure.
This will be followed by an interactive origami workshop.
Hands-on fun for the whole family!"


1:30pm-2pm
Singer / Songwriter, Abigail Lapell
"Drawing from a deep well of folk, indie and traditional influences, Abigail Lapell has made music her whole life. The Toronto singer has won over audiences of all musical stripes with her contagious melodies, evocative lyrics and heart-stopping voice—a combination that draws comparisons to early Cat Power, Sandy Denny or a stormier Nathalie Merchant."
https://www.facebook.com/AbigailLapell
http://music.cbc.ca/#/artists/Abigail-Lapell

2:30pm-3pm
Singer / Songwriter, Howard Buckstein
Howard writes and records music for kids and adults. His albums have aired on the CBC and college radio across Canada and the US. Rich Terfry of CBC Radio introduced his music by saying "He searches for words at the bottom of wells". Howard's album for kids, Disgustifying, is available at itunes.

Leo Lingas – Charactures & Illustrations
http://www.leoillustrator.com/

There will also be a Fire Truck, Face Painting, Food & Bake Sale, Rummage Sale, Crafts, Games & Much More!"

The Children's Storefront Is Reopening Monday

After a long and dedicated rebuilding effort, The Children's Storefront reopens Monday in its new home at 826 Bloor St. West. Here's the scoop:
“Dear people who have supported the Children's Storefront Rebuilding effort,
It is with the greatest pleasure that we invite you to come through our doors again starting this coming Monday, February 7 at 9 AM at our new digs: 826 Bloor Street West.
The space is ready for kids to play and grown-ups to take a breath and find a moment of sanity in their lives.
We will have our first Sunday brunch the following Sunday, February 13 from 11-2 and look forward to seeing you all there as well.
All the best and many thanks!
Ruth”
Cause for celebration!
Cheers,
Vanessa

Have Some Time This Thursday?

Faithful readers of Ring Around The City will know about The Children's Storefront and its recent sad history. But rebuilding efforts are underway, which is the happy part of the story.

Volunteers are crucial to the rebuilding efforts. Extra hands are needed all the time, but specifically this Thursday, Oct. 7th to bring in sheets of drywall and bags of cement at the storefront's new home at 826 Bloor St. West.

They also are looking for sketches for a couple of murals.

If you can help, please drop them an email.

Cheers,

Vanessa

Get an Osteopathic Treatment AND Help The Children's Storefront

I've mentioned that local resident David Slater is helping The Children's Storefront to rebuild by offering a special children’s day for osteopathic assessment and treatment on the last Monday of every month. All proceeds go to the Storefront's rebuilding efforts.

Annex Osteopathy is near our neighbourhood at 677 Dupont St.

I'm just mentioning it again now because June 28th looms, so you might want to book your appointment.

Cheers,

Vanessa

Children's Storefront Garage Sale May 15th

By now, faithful readers of this Blog will know the story of The Children's Storefront. There is a garage sale this Saturday to benefit this lovely place, which has nurtured many parents and children.

Here's the scoop:

"Children’s Storefront Yard Sale – Saturday, May 15 at 11 AM in front of St. Alban’s

The sale will be held in front of St. Alban’s Boys and Girls Club at 843 Palmerston Avenue.

Bring your gently used items to donate to our community fundraiser at 9 AM. Please do not bring items if it is raining (check the website by 8 AM on May 15 for for updates). Note that we will be unable to accept any donations prior to the day the yard sale is held. A rain date (if applicable) will be announced later.

For the sake of the environment, please bring your own shopping bags.

We look forward to seeing you there!"
Cheers,
Vanessa

The Children's Storefront Has A New Home!

The Children's Storefront, a local gathering place for children and caregivers, lost its home to fire last fall. It was a sad moment, especially because a woman died in the fire.

Since then, the storefront has been operating out of St. Alban's while a search for a new home was conducted.

Well, it's time to rejoice because The Children's Storefront is due to rise again at 826 Bloor Street West at the northeast corner of Shaw and Bloor.

It's not going to rise, of course, without the help of many, many volunteers. Here's part of a Facebook message that I received. (You can join the group here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=178303039160.)

"We want to thank everyone for all of the support that you have provided since our fire October 31. We are still here and able to plan a future because of the tremendous support of our community.
... We need help with all areas of construction – from sweeping, meal preparation, drywall, painting and building on- and off-site. We welcome skilled volunteers and eager volunteers to make our new home a reality.
We are scheduled to take possession of the building on the 7th of May and we hope to start work soon after. There is a process of permit applications and other tasks that will need to happen before the actual building can begin, but we are getting close!!!
I am asking everyone to take a moment and think of some areas that you are able to help with, the time you are able to commit and the things you are most interest in helping us do. If you have friends or family members that might be interested, please include them too!
Suzanne Landriault is our volunteer coordinator and is waiting to hear from all of you. I know that many of you have already given so much but we still need your help.
We need you to help rebuild The Children’s Storefront back into the wonderful home that it was for our community.
If you need any additional information or have any questions please feel free to contact me.
With much Appreciation
Sincerely
Roona Maloney"

Local Osteopathy Treatments Will Benefit The Children's Storefront

Greetings on this lovely Spring day! This rolled into my inbox and I thought that I would share it with you. David is a Seaton Village resident and Annex Osteopathy is near our neighbourhood (677 Dupont St.)

Cheers,

Vanessa

"Spring Greetings from Annex Osteopathy

David Slater offers a special children’s day for osteopathic assessment and treatment on the last Monday of each month for children aged newborn to 12 years old. An excellent opportunity to access Osteopathy; a sophisticated, informed and gentle form of manual therapy for well-being, alignment, and the treatment of symptoms pertaining to injuries or infection occurring at the time of birth and beyond.

The upcoming Children's Day is April 26th 2010.

As of January 2010, Kids Day will be an ongoing fundraiser for the Children’s Storefront Rebuilding Foundation. As 100% of the proceeds from Kids Day will be donated to the Children’s Storefront, payment for treatment can be made directly to their charitable foundation and a tax receipt can be provided for donations over $20.

The service provided is valued at $75 per treatment, however, a pay-as-you-can honour policy is in place so that it is left up to whomever books the appointment to make the contribution directly to the Children’s Storefront at www.childrensstorefront.com.
Please state your donation is on behalf of Annex Osteopathy Kids Day. Booking a spot for the day will remain on a first-come first-served basis.

For inquiries or to book:

Contact David directly at david@annexosteopathy.com"

March 30th Sexy Mamas Seminar To Benefit The Children's Storefront

Good grey morning, dear Blog readers! I am recuperating from being blown away last night by the Banff Mountain Film Festival.
My favourite film was about this young, audacious chap:
http://www.climbing.com/news/hotflashes/honnold_solos_moonlight_buttress/

But I digress... I post today to tell you about an invite. Here are the details from the horse's mouth:

"This coming Tuesday, Good For Her's Carlyle Janssen is conducting a workshop to benefit the Children's Storefront!

Tuesday March 30: 7-9:30 pm
Sexy Mamas: Finding Time, Desire and Energy for Sex
Yes, we want it! Come share strategies for better celebrating our sexy mama selves. We will discuss embracing a new body and its responses, finding time, desire, energy (and privacy!) for sex. We will also learn skills on increasing our sexual pleasure, boosting our sex drive and rekindling the passion we once may have enjoyed. We deserve it! Women only.
Special fundraising event for the Children's Storefront: workshop also includes wine, cheese and truffles.
Location: Good For Her: 175 Harbord St (east of Bathurst, south side), 416-588-0900
Pre-registration recommended by phone, in person or online."
Enjoy!
Vanessa

Totsapalooza Tomorrow To Benefit Children's Storefront Rebuilding Efforts

Good morning!
I've Blogged before about Totsapalooza, which will benefit the rebuilding efforts of The Children's Storefront.
But I thought a reminder was in order because it takes place tomorrow. Tickets are reasonably priced and the Revival, where the fun takes place, is within stroller distance.
Fabulous way to spend a grey, February day.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Totsapalooza To Benefit Children's Storefront Rebuilding Efforts

The good people behind the Children's Storefront have been quiet of late and I haven't posted about the post-fire rebuilding efforts in awhile.

However, two upcoming events offer new and delightful ways to support efforts to keep the beloved child-parent drop-in centre going. On Monday, January 25th, area resident David Slater of Annex Osteopathy is holding Kid's Osteopathy Day and payments for treatments are being donated to the Children's Storefront.
The second event, Totsapalooza, takes place Feb. 21st at The Revival, 783 College St. at Shaw. A childrens' event that promises an "amazing lineup of leading indie rockers, children’s authors and inventive crafts to celebrate how the DIY ethos defies gravity."
All proceeds also will benefit the Children's Storefront.
Enjoy!
Vanessa