Thursday 9 August 2007

Late-breaking News
Tim Hortons has just made a very generous donation to the Cabbagetown Festival (September 8 and 9). Their donation will enable us to beef up our entertainment and to highlight the Tim Hortons stage at Winchester and Parliament.
Saturday’s lineup now starts with Juno-Award winning children’s entertainer, Jack Grunsky who will perform from 11 am to noon. In the afternoon, look for Sady T and David Dunlap, two favourites whose music has been popular at last year’s Festival and at Music on Parliament Street.
Sunday’s program will centre around Danny Marks, one of Cabbagetown’s best known performers and broadcasters. He’ll be joined by community groups and bands from Cabbagetown.

Cabbagetown on the Internet
Click on this link to see more -- www.cabbagetowners.ca
Peter Reynolds, a 31-year resident of Cabbagetown and a retired CBC producer, has launched his Cabbagetown web site. We’re pleased to tell you that he’s included a slide show on the BIA, another on the Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre and a video about the Don Vale Cabbagetown Residents Association. Future plans include the annual Festival and its related events.
Check it out.

Open House at the GMI Wellness Centre
Greater Minds International and their affiliated group, GMI Wellness Centre, have just opened their doors at 250A Carlton Street (just beside the Daniel et Daniel food shop and upstairs above The Healthy Whey.)
You’re invited to their Open House on Tuesday, August 14 from 10 am to 9 pm. This is your chance to try their new Vibroslim Pro machine. Trim your body. Add energy to your life. Learn about their programs and services. (And, we can say confidently, meet some really charming people who are running this new enterprise.) Refreshments will be served from 4 to 7 pm.
Don’t miss it.

Peaches at The Town Grill
On Wednesday August 15, Ontario Peaches will be presented during the first of several themed evenings at the renowned Town Grill (243 Carlton Street). The tasting menu offers six courses for $65 and $85 with matching wines. When Colin Gallacher’s kitchen creates these evenings, we all perk up.
For reservations, call (416) 963-9433 or email chefcolin@sympatico.ca

A Quick Warning
If you're a thief and you want to stay unbruised and out of jail, don't try anything at the Shoppers Drug Mart. While we were writing today's Newsletter, we were startled to see a great big guy buried underneath a pile of others in the middle of Carlton Street traffic. It seems that this ambitious fellow had decided to scoop a handful of cash out of the Shopper's till to finance his summertime schemes. Instead of basking in the sun with a pina colada, he's now lounging in the back of a 51 Division police car, all thanks to four determined Shopper's staff members. And we were also very amazed by the calm professional behaviour of the 51 Division police who made sure that everything was done carefully and firmly.

Cabbagetown Tour of Homes
The early details about the 2007 Tour of Homes are now being released. This year’s Tour will feature the Lamb House and five other gracious homes. It’ll take place on Saturday September 15 and Sunday September 16, from 1 to 5 pm each day. Tickets include refreshments at the new Stonegrill on Winchester (51B Winchester St) and the Laurentian Room (51A Winchester Street).
Tickets are $30 each and you can buy them at the BIA office (237 Carlton Street), at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament Street), at Sheridan Nurseries (2827 Yonge Street, 784 Sheppard Ave East and 1774 Ellesmere Road), at the Gift Shop at Riverdale Farm (201 Winchester Street) and at Ticketmaster.
For more information and photos, go to http://www.cabbagetowntour.org/
Mark your calendars now – this is one of our favourite neighbourhood events.

Jazz at The Cobourg
John Alcorn, Reg Schwager and Neil Swainson are back again at The Cobourg (533 Parliament Street). By all reports, their music has pulled in a packed house each week and they’re continuing with it again this Sunday. 9 pm. No cover charge.
Beautiful music.

Sunday Brunch at the Stonegrill on Winchester
Still more music. This time, it’s jazz legend Archie Alleyne and his trio (noon to 3 pm).

Friday 3 August 2007

Norm Betts gives us another great photo

Our thanks to Norm whose pictures have improved this Newsletter regularly in the past. This time, he shows us the glittery side of Cabbagetown that's often overlooked. Here's jazz at The Cobourg - a setting that's as smooth as the music itself.

New Associate Members
Our campaign to attract Associate members to our BIA is now well underway. Here’s a reminder – if you operate a business or service in Cabbagetown, you can join for a $50 annual fee and get access to the BIA’s services. These include networking with other BIA members, a website listing and mentions on our Newsletter for your special projects.

Thanks to a new Associate member
Kidist Design is our first new Associate member. The company’s founder, Kidist Paulos Asrat, specializes in graphic design, digital media and website services. She’s prepared a quick summary of how the internet can help businesses to take advantage of the Cabbagetown Festival –

“Your Website is the gateway to the world!
The Cabbagetown Festival is coming up!
Many people have now become so internet-savvy, that they plan their activities around information they find online.
Websites are a sure way to provide that information.

  • Restaurants and retailers who have websites attract more customers.
  • It’s easier to get customer feedback online
  • Advertising and promoting your business is easier with image-rich and well-written websites.

Now is the time to attract those many visitors coming for the Cabbagetown Festival by putting your business website online or by upgrading your old one to meet the needs of the changing world.
Kidist Designs is a modern, community-based website design company that will put your business on the internet map!
Please ask about our free article “How to make the most of your website” by emailing us at:
info@kidistdesigns.com
Get ready for the Festival!”

Thanks Kidist. We agree that the internet is the road to greater customer traffic and a better awareness of your business.

Festival Website
You can see the weekend Festival program in detail on our BIA website, http://www.oldcabbagetown.com/
To make your visit interesting, we’ve added a few features. So just go to the Home Page, click on the balloon and you’ll be there. Scroll through the program details until you find one that interests you and click on that link. There are details available on the Wine Route, Pub Night, Film Festival and Saturday and Sunday programs on Parliament Street.

Cabbagetown Wine Route, Wednesday, September 5
This was an outstanding Festival event in its first year and it’s back again in full swing. Details are now available.
Seven fine Cabbagetown restaurants are taking part – Jam CafĂ©, Piccolo and Town Grill (all on Carlton Street) plus The Left Door at Ben Wicks, The Cobourg, Stonegrill on Winchester and The Laurentian Room (on Parliament Street).
They’re featuring rare and hard-to-get wines from Australia. With winery names like Swings & Roundabouts, Kiss Chasey, Lilly Pilly, Six Foot Six and Shingleback – you know that you’re dealing with Aussies. And these amazing names are attached to equally amazing bottles of wine.
The restaurants are preparing tasting menus that highlight the skills of their kitchens and marry beautifully with the strengths of the wines.
Tasting happen between 7 and 11 pm on Wednesday, September 5. Tickets are priced at $40 per tasting (including all charges for tips and taxes).
Make your reservation now – Old Cabbagetown BIA, (416) 921-0857 and doug@oldcabbagetown.com
For more information, go to http://www.oldcabbagetown.com/ and click on the balloon. Look for the link to the Wine Route and click on it for details about events, wines and locations.

Weekend Events at the Stonegrill
We continue to hear great reviews for the food and entertainment at the Stonegrill on Winchester (51B Winchester Street).
For the long weekend in August, they’re offering Mae Cromwell on Friday night (10 pm to 1 am) with Motown, funk and disco. Sunday brunch features jazz legend Archie Alleyne and his trio (noon to 3 pm).

Jazz at the Cobourg
John Alcorn continues his summer run at The Cobourg. He’s joined by Reg Schwager and Artie Ross. 9 pm on Sunday. No cover. Beautiful music.