Dear market friends,

From market manager Anne Freeman:

"A full house again this week! This might be Ted Thorpe's last trip to the market until the spring growing season is well underway. You may want to stock up on some of his excellent carrots before it's too late. They are still very sweet and crisp, and Ted can tell you how to keep them that way until you eat them. Another tip: if you haven't tried some of the tender local salad mix of baby brassicas that Greenfields has been bringing, it's almost as effective an escape from winter as a good novel. Of course, if you have other inclinations, there's also the remarkable chocolate over at Birds and Beans' table...."

From Colette Murphy of Earthly Paradise:

"This is the last week that I'll be here with my full contingent of body care products. (you can always call me though to bring some special item to market for you 416.504.1653 or email earthlyparadise@ca.inter.net ) Next week I'll come with my Urban Harvest seeds and garden amendments. Hopeful, isn't it, to be thinking about planting once again?"

See you at the market!

P.s.There will be good farmers' market food (Stonehenge Farms lamb and olive braise, Plan B Organics vegan curry, among other things) at the rink this weekend from Friday evening at 6 p.m., all weekend as long as it lasts.

Friday evening at 6, Georgie Donais will be the special supper guest at the rink house, to talk about her idea of building a cob structure near the playground. This was prompted by a message from Public Health -- get proper sinks for food preparation by the wading pool this coming summer or stop doing the park food cart. Georgie has some wonderful ideas/ plans for a community-built cob or staw-bale structure suitable for food preparation and many other uses. If you want to have dinner to talk about this with Georgie at the rink, please call to reserve a spot at the table (there's plenty of food but limited table space): 416 392-0913.

A show-and-tell link from Georgie: cascadiacob

Saturday evening from 5 to 9: annual bike couriers' ice race (with more good farmers' market food) www.dufferinpark.ca/sports

Notice from Pamela of Slowfood Ontario -- A slowfood-like dinner in Toronto on Feb.23: www.savourflavour.com: events, Slow Food.

February newsletter, special thanks to Joe Adelaars: www.dufferinpark/newsletter