Quick announcements & advance notice…
The Forsythia Festival is here and it’s a sure sign that Spring has reached us. Sunday, May 4. Riverdale Park (Sumach & Winchester) and Wellesley Park (east end of Wellesley.) Face painting and twizzlers at 10 am at Riverdale. 10:30 am – parade from Riverdale to Wellesley. Festival in Wellesley following the parade.
Art Exhibition at The Residence in Riverdale Farm. Saturday May 4 and Sunday May 5, 10 am to 4 pm. This promises to be a real treat. The people who are jurists for Art & Crafts in the Park (the annual show held during the Festival) are presenting their own works. It’s a celebration of the show’s twentieth anniversary. These are the artists whose dedication and good judgment guarantees a high-quality event each year.Momentum 2008 is our chance to see tomorrow’s dancers today. Performances take place at the Winchester Dance Theatre (80 Winchester) over two weekends: May 1 to 3 and May 8 to 10, at 8 pm. A gala performance and fundraiser happens on Friday, May 7. $15 ($12 for students, seniors, CADA). You can contact the box office at 416-967-6887 and info@schooloftdt.org
Our members speak out…
On Wednesday, the BIA held a general meeting for our members to vote on the proposed retail power centre development in Leslieville. After an informative discussion, they voted unanimously against the development and in favour of plans by the City of Toronto to fight it at the OMB.
Paul Dineen, chair of the BIA, explained our role over the past decade fighting these centres. In summary, he believes that our retail area is the heart of our Cabbagetown neighbourhood and this heart is facing incredible threats from such massive competitors.
Mike Major from the City of Toronto reported on the City’s stand. This fight is a watershed. If the power centers win at the OMB, then low-value jobs and suburban style plazas will spring up in the city’s centre. If the City wins, then this will open the door for higher value workplaces such as film and software companies and our retail areas will continue as neighbourhood services filled with individual entrepreneurs.
Rosalinda Javier from the Filipino Centre urged everyone to look at smaller towns across Ontario and the USA where big box stores have hollowed out the community. Denis Ho from Star Nails worried that more centres like this would follow in nearby areas and Mike Major confirmed that other proposals are now waiting in the wings. Winston Lau gave a quick update on Leslieville activities and referred everyone to their website (http://www.easttorontocommunity.org/)
The new Wing Machine restaurant hosted the meeting. It gave us a chance to introduce their wings and pizza (both recommended) to the crowd and to show off their impressive renovations. Many thanks for the fine hospitality.Sharon promises to snap you into spring…
With her fabulous new raffia hats and bags, handmade in Madagascar at a woman’s co-op. They come in wide and medium brim, bucket and cloche. You can select hot summer colours or subdued pastels. They can be conveniently folded for travel and the matching bags finish the touch to glam up any outfit. (503 Parliament, 416-963-9426)Nora’s Salon and Spa
Just opened at 538 Parliament. This is a tidy, bright room in an interesting part of Cabbagetown. Nora is offering a 15% discount to everyone who visits her salon for the first time. Of course, we welcome her and wish her all the best in her new location.Next to Simmons Flowers and near Prudential Properties Plus, this building is part of a charming row that reflects styles from two separate eras. The property owner, Nick Tharrenos, bought the building some time ago and has undertaken an extensive renovation in Nora’s space and the apartments upstairs. It’s worth a look as you pass by the next time.
Toronto Languages Plus
Cabbagetown’s largest English-language school, TLP is located at 386 Ontario just south of the corner at Gerrard. Since 2006, over 500 students from twenty countries have passed through its doors. This year, enrolment will increase even further and is expected to double within the month. These lucky young people are all being introduced to Toronto and Canada through the eyes of Cabbagetown – wow! Cabbagetown residents can host students during their stay here. Check out the website at http://www.torontolanguagesplus.com/ and look for the section entitled "Families required." We can also take advantage of a special language training offer: TLP will give a 10% discount on any English language course to Cabbagetowners who quote this article. (416-925-7117 ext 234 and info@torontolanguagesplus.com )JavaVille
Sorry – no news yet.
Sorry – no news yet.
Flowers are back
Saturday, April 23 – 9 am to 2 pm
The proposal to build a retail power centre at Leslie and Eastern Avenue has been opposed by the City of Toronto. The developer, SmartCentres, has appealed the City’s decision to the OMB. Local residents and business groups are supporting the City’s stand in the OMB hearing.
Soup (6031/2 Parliament, just below Wellesley) is holding a pre-Mother’s Day, beginning-of-spring sale. Their goodies certainly qualify as “great stuff” – handcrafted jewelry, silk screened clothing, preserved and pressed flowers in glass, and amazing specialty greeting cards from Branch Out. 10 am to 4 pm. 
The rush is on at Cycle Solutions, getting bikes ready for everyone for the spring season. You can avoid the line-ups by making an appointment (444 Parliament, 416-972-6948). A small refundable deposit will reserve your desired time slot with next-day delivery back to you. Spring tune-ups are now available at $45.
Enbridge is installing new gas mains along Parliament from Winchester south to Shuter. Their work is happening in two stages. First, they’re digging a trench along the street, putting in a new pipe and then temporarily filling it. In the second stage, individual buildings will be connected to the big pipe and the road and sidewalk will be given a more permanent repair. This work is scheduled for April with an early May completion date.
A beautiful office in a very friendly building is available on June 1. Ideal (but not necessary) for someone in A/V or digital media. Call George or Neale at Number 9 Audio Group (416-348-8718, 222 Gerrard St E).
Some of our most creative people work together at Soup Inc. So when they hold a big “one-day sale”, it’s guaranteed that there’ll be lots of beautiful gifts that you can scoop up for Mother’s Day (and for yourself.) Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, April 12th.
They’ve moved – from their small takeout location near Carlton to a spiffy new spot at Parliament and Spruce. Our neighbourhood gets a lot of benefits from their relocation. They’ve cleaned up a site that was previously riddled with disruptive drunks and drug dealers plus they’ve turned a shabby corner into an inviting new eatery.
JAM has been making a lot of Cabbagetown diners very happy since their opening last Fall. They’ve now added a “Street Car Special” to their regular calendar.
First of all, a grateful nod to Bill McDiarmid (238 Gerrard St E) who was a generous donor to the Cabbagetown Festival last year. Bill has a real sense of community service. McDiarmid & Associates provide tax service, financial accounting and statements, business plan development and a variety of other important financial services. You can learn more at www.cdnaccountancy.com and (416) 962-7540.