It's Happening in East York and Riverdale

Saturday, March 27

EARTH HOUR CANDLELIGHT Meditations, St. Cuthbert's Anglican Church, 1399 Bayview Ave., 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Call 416-485-0329 or visit www.stcuthbertsleaside.com

THE TORONTO HOOKING Craft Branch meets on the fourth Saturday of each month at Don Mills United Church, 123 O'Connor Dr., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 416-463-3542 or 416-422-1024.

Sunday, March 28

THE TORONTO ASSOCIATION for Meditative Inquiry hosts weekly meditation, group dialogue and talks about awareness and inquiry. Meetings are Sundays from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. at Kimbourne Park United Church, 200 Wolverleigh Blvd. Email torontomeditativeinquiry@gmail.com or visit www.torontomeditativeinquiry.com

THE COMMUNITY OF St. Barnabas hosts Lenten Study: Mission Impossible? Light lunch and discussions begin after the 10:30 a.m. service. Everyone is welcome. St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 361 Danforth Ave. Call 416-463-1344 or visit www.stbarnabas-toronto.com

Tuesday, March 30

RIVERDALE HISTORICAL SOCIETY and the Riverdale Public Library present WoodGreen - Changing the face of Riverdale for over 70 Years, by Brian Smith, president and CEO of WoodGreen, and Suzanne Duncan, WoodGreen's historian, with photos, archival records and personal stories about how Roy McCleary transformed a bleak industrial district into the WoodGreen of today. Takes place at Riverdale Public Library, 370 Broadview Ave., 6 p.m. Free to members, $5 for non-members; $10 annual memberships available at the event. Visit www.riverdalehistoricalsociety.com

Wednesday, April 7

AUTHOR READING: DEIRDRE Kelly reads from her novel "Paris Times Eight" at the S. Walter Stewart Library, 170 Memorial Park Ave., 7 p.m. Free, all are welcome. Call 416-396-3975.

Friday, April 9

THE SOUTH RIVERDALE Community Health Centre seeks people to run for its board of directors. To stand for election to the board you must live or work within the boundaries: east of the Don River, west of Coxwell Avenue, and south of Mortimer Avenue to the lake, or be a user of the centre's services. Commitment is about six hours per month of board/committee meetings. Deadline for applications is April 9. The meetings are held in English. Call Ruth at 416-461-3577, ext 223.

Announcements

THE CHARLES DICKENS Society, Toronto branch, seeks new members. The group meets monthly for readings and holds a Christmas tea and luncheon to celebrate the author's birthday. Contact group president Terry Sleightholm at tsleightgolm@sympatico.ca or 416-208-7905.

FREE INCOME TAX service offered at Community Care East York's Senior Centre for retired older adults or adults with disabilities with simple, personal returns, Thursday afternoons from noon to 4 p.m. until April 29. The clinic is at 1108 Greenwood Ave. at Cosburn Avenue. Donations are appreciated. To book an appointment, call 416-467-1166.

THE EAST YORK Baseball Association registration is underway for the 2010 baseball season. Visit www.eastyorkbaseball.com

EAST YORK DINER'S Club meets several days a week at a different location for lunch and socializing. The price varies with each restaurant, typically under $8. Transportation is available if needed. Lunches are open to seniors living in the East York area. Reservations are required. For a complete list of locations, dates and times contact Midge Sandiland at 416-424-3322.

HAVING A BABY, Becoming a Parent prenatal program offered by Toronto Public Health. Free prenatal classes. Must be six-months pregnant. It's a series of four evening sessions from 7 to 9 p.m. at community locations across the city. Partners are welcome. Call 416-338-7600 to register.

Volunteers

EAST YORK LEARNING Experiences seeks volunteers during the day and evening to help adult learners build their reading, writing and basic math skills. Time requirement about two hours a week. Training provided. Call 416-425-2666.

THE APHASIA INSTITUTE seeks volunteers who are patient, compassionate and enthusiastic during weekday hours to assist with both group-based and one-on-one conversation for adults with aphasia. Aphasia is an acquired disorder caused by stroke or injury to the brain and affects one's ability to communicate. Volunteers are provided with specialized training. Contact Shannon at 416-226-3636, ext. 26 if interested. One-year commitment is required.

URGENT NEED FOR volunteers to assist with the Out of the Cold Program at the St. John the Compassionate Mission, 155 Broadview Ave. Call 416-466-1357 and ask for Jeannie or Monique. Donations gratefully accepted.

COMMUNITY CARE-EAST YORK is looking for seniors to share crafts and hobbies with Grade 5 students in local schools for a seven-week session one afternoon a week starting in the spring. Call 416-422-2026, ext. 239 and ask to speak to the intergenerational program co-ordinator.

VHA HOME HEALTHCARE parent relief program seeks volunteers to visit families with children 0 to 6 years of age in their homes. Call 416-489-2500, ext. 4327 or email rwirt@vha.ca

DAY OR EVENING volunteers needed: if you live in east Toronto and have two hours a week to help another adult build their reading, writing or basic math skills, call East York Learning Experience, 266 Donlands Ave., at 416-425-2666. Training provided.

THE ALS SOCIETY of Ontario is looking for support volunteers to contribute to the emotional, psychosocial and spiritual and well-being of clients and their caregivers. This support can be done a couple of hours per week from home at your own convenience once training is completed. Contact Louise at 416 227-2252 or louise@alsont.ca

COMMUNITY CARE EAST York needs volunteers to visit seniors in their homes or escort them to appointments. Knowledge of Farsi, Cantonese, Turkish, Greek, Gujurati, Italian or Hungarian an asset. Call 416-422-2026, ext. 216.

CHESTER VILLAGE HOME for the Aged is looking for friendly volunteers to help in the Village Cafe and visit with seniors. Call Andrea Macina at 416-466-2173, ext. 229.

ST. GEORGE'S LITERACY Centre is looking for volunteers to help adults with reading, writing and math. One-to-one or in a classroom setting. Call Adela at 416-393-0364.

BETTER LIVING HEALTH and Community Services needs volunteer drivers to deliver meals to seniors. Mileage reimbursed. Two hours a week. Call 416-447-7244, ext. 724.

TRUE DAVIDSON MEALS on Wheels is in need of volunteers. Open Sunday through Friday for delivery. Two-hour commitment between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to deliver meals to seniors and disabled adults. Drivers and helpers needed. No car is required for helpers. Call 416-752-9667.

CARING CANINE DOCTOR Dogs seek volunteers to bring their friendly dogs to visit patients, children with special needs and seniors. Visit www.caringcanine.ca/volunteer.html

MEALS ON WHEELS volunteer drivers needed, one hour each week, 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, WoodGreen Community Services. Call 416-469-5211, ext. 1146 or 1109 or email volunteer@woodgreen.org.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO visit seniors, Community Care East York. Call 416-422-2026, ext. 216.

Ongoing

EASTWARD BOWLING LEAGUE and Social Club invites men and women to join Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at O'Connor Bowl, 1401 O'Connor Dr. at Yardley Ave. The season runs to May with 32 weeks of regular play and two weeks of playoffs for trophies and prize money. The club has competitive fun and several social events through the year. Membership fee is $10 with weekly dues of $12. A weekly Lucky Strike jackpot is funded by the league. Call Kitty Sword at 416-759-8319.

LEASIDE GARDEN SOCIETY invites gardeners to its monthly meetings on the second Thursday of every month at the Leaside Library, 165 McRae Dr., 7:30 p.m. Visitors welcome.

GREEN MINDED FOLK, pub with us: the Toronto-Danforth constituency associations for both the Green Party of Canada and of Ontario jointly hold a pub night at Gabby's, 729 Danforth Ave., near Pape on the last Tuesday of every month. All welcome. Visit danforthgreens.ca

FREE DROP-IN skating for older adults on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at East York Memorial Arena at 888 Cosburn Ave. Join the group for a coffee social at Stan Wadlow Clubhouse following the skating. Call 416-396-2842.

LEARN TO MEDITATE at Meditation Mondays, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at the Ralph Thornton Centre, 765 Queen St. E., 3rd floor. Profoundly grounding and balancing, half-hour walking and sitting meditation using movement, mantra and body awareness. By donation. Call Marlene Kennedy 416-406-0054 or visit online at www.YourBodyTellsTheTruth.ca

SCRAPBOOKING CLUB AT Don Mills United Church, 126 O'Connor Dr. Organize your pictures while making friends every Thursday afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. All welcome. Call 416-425-4951.

DROP-IN BRIDGE CLUB, Trace Manes Centennial Building, 110 Rumsey Rd., 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, refreshments. Call Kay at 416-481-2982.

KIWANIS CLUB OF East York meets every first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at York Reception Centre, 1100 Millwood Rd. Call 416-423-3000.

SENIORS EUCHRE DAY, East York Seniors Club, Cedarvale Branch, Stan Wadlow Clubhouse, 373 Cedarvale Ave., Wednesdays beginning at 1 p.m.

EAST YORK SENIORS Club hosts a trip to Casino Rama the last Monday of the month. Pick up is at East York Arena, 888 Cosburn Ave., at 8:45 a.m. Return around 5 p.m. The fee is $3. For more information, call 416-755-8127.

MINI COMPUTER SESSIONS, Riverdale Library, 370 Broadview Ave. Learn how to use a mouse, search the Internet, register for free email and more. Classes also available in Cantonese and Mandarin. Call 416-393-7720 for dates and times.

DROP-IN BRIDGE, euchre, Stan Wadlow Clubhouse, 373 Cedarvale Ave., Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. Call 416-396-2842.

DROP-IN FITNESS classes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave., 9 a.m., mats and hand weights provided, $5 per class to cover rental of space and instructor fee.

THE NORTH LEASIDE Women's group meets Tuesday mornings, Northlea United Church, 125 Brentcliffe Rd., 9:30 to 11 a.m., babysitting provided for newborn to kindergarten.

SATURDAY NIGHT EUCHRE for seniors, 6:30 p.m., East York Community Centre, 1081 Pape Ave. Also, bid euchre on Thursdays at 1 p.m. Call Winnie at 416-423-4910.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP, Community Care East York, 840 Coxwell Ave. Call Brenda or Philomena at 416-422-2026.

EAST TORONTO LADIES five-pin bowling league, Thursdays, 1 p.m., O'Connor Bowl, 1401 O'Connor Dr. Call Marguerite at 416-751-7599.

SUPPORT OFFERED FOR friends and families of people with Down syndrome. Call 416-291-1052.

CENTRAL CONNECTION ART group meets Mondays at Withrow Park's clubhouse, Danforth and Logan avenues. Pay-as-you-go. Visit www.centralconnection.ca.

ALL ADDICTIONS ANONYMOUS for people who have any type of compulsive behaviour. Visit www.alladdictionsanonymous.com or call 416-468-8603.

NEWCOMER OUTREACH PROGRAM by Toronto Police helps new immigrants learn about the role police play in Canadian society and services provided by police. Call 416-808-7070 or visit www.torontopolice.on.ca and click the newcomer outreach link.

TORONTO-DANFORTH ONTARIO Early Years Centres for parents and caregivers of children newborn to six years old, 1102 Broadview Ave., north of Mortimer Avenue with five satellite sites. Visit www.ontarioearlyyears.ca or call 416-425-3636.

NAR-ANON FAMILY weekly group meetings for people affected by someone's drug use. Visit www.naranonontario.com or call the helpline at 416-239-0096.

COMMUNITY COMPUTER CAFE offers free Internet service, faxing and photocopying services and computer courseware training, 2444 Danforth Ave., Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 416-686-7375.

SUPPORT GROUP FOR stroke survivors hosted by Stroke Recovery Network. Call 1-888-540-6666 for location.

HOME SECURITY AUDIT by officers of 55 Division available. Call Const. Rob McDonald, crime prevention officer, at 416-808-5579.

LA LECHE LEAGUE Canada, Riverdale chapter, 7 p.m., meets every third Wednesday, 715B Danforth Ave. Call Diane at 416-463-4502.

REGISTER FOR SEPARATED Anonymous, which meets Tuesdays. Call 416-283-3305.

It's Happening runs Fridays in The Mirror and covers Saturday to Saturday. Items from local, non-profit organizations should be submitted two weeks prior to the event. Please include all necessary information, especially the full address of where the event is taking place and a contact number. Submissions cannot be taken over the phone and there are no guarantees of publication. E-mail submissions to eycalendar@insidetoronto.com