Meet-ups for Moms

For anyone looking for a way to meet other moms in the city, I highly recommend the New and Expecting Toronto City Moms Meetup Group -- you can find them at http://newparents.meetup.com/265/.

Here's their description:
A forum for new and expecting Toronto moms to exchange information, recommendations and chat about being a new mom in the heart of the city. With lots of events in various locations, our group hopes to provide a bit of fun and support to Toronto moms and moms-to-be to make the transition to motherhood a bit more enjoyable.

They get together throughout the week, so join the group and join in the fun!

GO GREEN: Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market

Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers' Market
Thursdays from 3pm to 7pm, year round

Located at the rink house at Dufferin Grove park, on Dufferin south of Bloor (across from Dufferin Mall)
Street Address: 875 Dufferin

For information, call 416-392-0913 or visit the Friends of Dufferin Grove web site.

SHOP! Top Banana Clearance Sale Ends July 29th

Top Banana toy store pioneer Nancy Green has recently retired from the toy business. Mastermind Toys will be taking over the Top Banana space, opening on August 1st.

Visit Top Banana to take advantage of their clearance sale - everything is 50% off until the sale ends on Sunday Juy 29th.

Top Banana
639 Mt. Pleasant Road
416-440-0111

EVENT: Brick Works Farmers' Market every Saturday

Every Saturday: Brick Works Farmers' Market
8am to 2pm, May to October

Local Produce | Baked Goods | Native Plant Sales | Crafts | Entertainment | Workshops

FREE shuttle from Broadview Station on the 1/2 hour.

For more info, call 416-596-1495

Local Swimming Spots

Baby, it's hot outside! With the hot weather here, these local pools, wading pools and splash pads will help you and your wee ones beat the heat:

Local Pools:

North Toronto Memorial CC
200 Eglinton Ave. W, 416-392-6591
Parent and Tot swim: Tuesdays & Thursdays 10-11:15am

North Toronto Memorial CC Outdoor Pool
200 Eglinton Ave. W, 416-392-6591
Leisure swim: Daily 12-5:30pm

Leaside Park Outdoor Pool
5 Leaside Drive, 416-396-2846
Leisure swim: Daily 12-3:45pm, 5-7:45pm

Splash Pads - Open June 2 - Sept 16 2007

• Pottery Park Splash Pad, Merton west of Cleveland
• Sherwood Park, north of Eglinton between Mount Pleasant and Bayview
  

Wading Pools - Open June 28 - September 2 2007

• Davisville Park Wading Pool, Mt Pleasant & Davisville
• Moorevale Park Wading Pool, Moore & Kingsmere
• Oriole Park, south of Chaplin, east of Oriole Pkwy
  

For a complete and up-to-date listing of pools in the Toronto area, check out the City of Toronto's Parks and Recreation web site at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/recreation_facilities/swimming/index.htm.

EVENT: Annual Rites of Spring Celebration at Riverdale Farm

EVENT: Annual Rites of Spring Celebration
Saturday May 5, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm

Young lambs, heritage breed sheep, sheep shearing, fleece skirting-washing-carding, knitting-spinning-weaving-quilting hands-on activities, tapestry loom, wool dyeing and felting demonstrations, quilters craft, Garden Club plant sale outdoor wood-fired oven treats.

Presented in partnership with the Toronto Guild of Spinners & Weavers

EVENT: Easter Weekend Fun, 2007

Even though the weather isn't cooperating, there's still lots of great fun to be had with the kids this weekend. Here are a few events I've discovered:

Downey's Farm 6th Annual Easterfest
Friday, April 6th to Sunday, April 8th
10am - 5pm

Toronto Zoo Annual Easter "Egg" Stravaganza
Friday April 6th to Monday April 9th
9:30am to 3:30pm

Toronto Beaches Lions Club Easter Parade
Sunday, April 8th
2-4pm

Easter Traditions at Colbourne Lodge
Easter Weekend

Sign up for Spring Baby Time and Toddler Time at Mt. Pleasant Library

Storytimes are presented to groups of children to encourage a lifelong love of reading through favourite stories, songs and rhymes. Caregivers must remain in the children's area during storytime.

Babytime
(0-18 months)
Bouncing and tickling rhymes, songs and stories for babies with caregivers.
2 Sessions to choose from:
Thursdays, 2-2:30pm, April 12 to May 17
Fridays, 10:15-11:45am, April 13 to May 18

Toddler Time
(19-35 months)
Stories, songs and rhymes for children and their caregivers.
Fridays, 11:15-11:45am

Registration by Ballot, in person or by telephone, begins March 20 until March 31st. If you child gets a spot, the library will call you.

To register or get more information, call the library at 416-393-7737.