Hello All, Santa & Mrs. Claus are taking a break from the Parade until it's time to deliver gifts, but the elves are busy in their workshop! In the spirit of the holiday season, please help the elves by donating new unwrapped toys, non-perishable food/pet items, or by making a monetary donation (see QR codes on the poster)
Please drop off at 513 Jones Ave, 44 Earl Grey Rd. 34 Hunter St. Starting November 25 - December 18, or at our Pocket Pop-Up Holiday Market Saturday, December 14, from 11-3pm. at Eastview Community Centre.
In support of Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre & Toronto Humane Society.
Together we can continue to support our community especially during this holiday season. Special thanks to Donna Lee, Naomi Szeben, Ava Morgan, Eastview Community Centre.
Pumpkin Parade
The annual Pumpkin Parade is back for another exciting night of jack-o-lantern joy and the spirit of the spook! Each year after the sun sets on November 1, kids converge in Phin Park to see The Pocket’s Jack-o-Lanterns shine one last time. It’s a fun way for neighbours to celebrate an end to Halloween together and a simple way for communities to dispose of their pumpkins, with the support of the City of Toronto and our local councilor.
Come on out and celebrate with your neighbours. The PCA will be handing out hot chocolate, snacks and blaring some tunes!
Falling for Foliage
This event is presented by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and will be a fun family-friendly community event celebrating the magic of fall!!
Participate in a guided nature walk of the Pocket's green spaces and get creative with fall crafts.
You will need to register for this event to help the TRCA plan. Register now at: trca.ca/fall-foliage
The Pocket Change Project 2024 Eco Fun Fair
The Pocket Change Project presents the fifth edition of our Eco Fun Fair! Check out all the details at:
Jeff Otto - Celebration of Life
Very sad news to share. Jeff Otto, our beloved friend and neighbour - known by many in the hood as the 'Pocket Mayor'" as died. His obituary and details of his celebration of life are posted below - his family hopes you can join in.
*FYI* we are exploring ways to honour and remember Jeff within the Pocket in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates
Suddenly as a result of a heart attack while participating in the PWA Friends for Life bike ride from Toronto to Montreal, a 600 km fundraising ride he looked forward to every year.
Jeff was predeceased by his mother Patricia Otto & his partner Ron Birdsall. Devasted by his loss are his father Don, sister Susan Currie (Scott), nephews Brett & Bradley, great nephew Damian, and his partner in life Dean Miller. He also leaves behind aunts, uncles, cousins, his most cherished chosen family of friends, as well as his celebrity status pup Maisie.
Jeffrey was born in Edmonton Alberta, moving to Ontario as a toddler. He did his schooling in Clarkson, followed by taking Radio & Television Broadcasting at Ryerson, as well as cabinet making. His passion was people. First working in the hospitality industry, then dabbling in acting before finding his calling with Toronto Fire Services. Jeff recently retired from his career as a firefighter with Toronto Fire Station 322 having what he proclaimed was “the best job ever!” He was the pulse of the community he lived in called The Pocket, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for his endless volunteering within this community. He was also affectionately dubbed “the Mayor of The Pocket”. Among Jeff’s joys were wine, brunch, vintage tv’s, family, forging friendships, enhancing and involvement in the neighbourhood, the theatre, movies, travelling, his dogs, and Amazon Prime. He and Dean just built a lovely welcoming home together, already the scene of many great gatherings.
Jeff will forever be remembered as a kind, giving soul with an infectious smile.
Our love and thanks to all of our family and friends for the outpouring of support this last week, as well as our eternal gratitude to all those involved in the attempts to save his life.
A celebration of Jeff’s life is planned for Sunday August 25, 2024 at Country Heritage Park, in the Gambrel Barn; 8560 Tremaine Rd, Milton L9T 2X3 from 1pm-4pm with the reading of the eulogy at 1:30 pm sharp. For parking, guests should use the north entrance and then walk through the red admission building. For those who have mobility issues, you can drop them off at the barn doors using the south entrance and pick them up at the end of the event.
Donations in Jeff’s memory can be made to his bike rally fundraising efforts on line at www.tinyurl.com/jeffsride2024
To visit his tribute wall go to: Aftercare.org
Pocket Pride Celebration
Unleash your creativity and bring a smile to your friends and neighbours. Decorate your front space or apartment window with a colourful display to celebrate Pocket Pride. Hang a colourful flag, cover your sidewalk in chalk art, create a lawn or porch display. The sky’s the limit.
Rainbow Face Painting starting at 3:00 pm at 36 Seymour by the amazing Amanda!
Parade will start at 4:30 and make its way through the neighbourhood. The parade route is below and we'll post it on Facebook and will also post a few paper copies around the ‘hood' with more details.
Rainbow facepainting
Come get a RAINBOW painted on your face before the pride parade. Our amazing neighbour Amanda at 36 Seymour will be painting rainbows. Come get your pride on!!!
Annual General Meeting - 2024
You’re invited to the Pocket Community Association Annual General Meeting (AGM) NOW ON: Wednesday June 12th, 2024, 6:30-8:00 pm in Phin Park. Registration starts at 6:00 pm. We had to postpone from our original date of June 5 due to rain and thunderstorms.
Pocket residents with an active PCA membership for the 2024 calendar year are eligible to vote. All neighbours and friends of The Pocket are welcome to attend. Arrive early to register or join/renew your membership on-site!
Bring your own seating (folding chairs, blankets, etc)
Pocket Street Sale 2024
Dust off your treasures and trinkets to set up shop in this annual street sale organized by local residents.
PCA Executive Nomination Deadline
It's that time of year again - nomination and election time for the Pocket Community Association (PCA) Executive Committee! We're reaching out to ask for volunteers who are passionate about keeping our amazing and much sought after community thriving.
As an Executive Committee member, you'll play a crucial role in shaping the future of our community with your help and support. If you're interested in getting involved, please click the link below and provide the requested information. We'll follow up with you to review the nomination and election or volunteer process and answer any questions you may have.