JavaVille Report
For the past several weeks, the owner of 493 Parliament and his architect have been meeting people from Cabbagetown to hammer out an acceptable final design for the exterior of this building. They’ve met the Board from the BIA, members of the Don Vale Cabbagetown Residents Association, the Heritage District advisory committee, Board members from the CPA and several local architects. Local neighbours have also attended these meetings. Pam McConnell and her staff have been to each session.
At the same time, the owner’s request for variances on density and parking has been sent to the City’s Committee of Adjustment. City planners have come to these community meetings to assess the progress toward some degree of community approval.
What’s the result?
1) Go to this link to see cardboard models of the building in its actual site: Neighbourhood events.
2) Drawings and plans will be available for viewing at the BIA office, 237 Carlton Street.
3) The Committee of Adjustment will hear the owner’s request on Wednesday, February 4 at 10 am. You can get details about the address and about making a presentation from Sean McIntyre (Pam McConnell’s office) at 416-392-0207.
4) A second set of approvals must also happen: with the site plan. If you have comments or you want to support or oppose the design, ask Sean McIntyre about the procedure for this.
Up Until Now at the Toronto Dance Theatre.
Postmodern choreographer Deborah Hay was part of New York’s seminal Judson Dance Theatre. Her new work, Up Until Now, is being staged at TDT because of her friendship with Christopher House, TDT’s artistic director. Toronto Life says “a new work by the American is of great importance.” January 29 to February 7, 8 pm, 80 Winchester St. For ticket information, call (416) 967-1365.
Early Valentine’s Report
We’re putting together a list of special events for this special evening. Cabbagetown will, as usual, be abuzz with love. Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year which means that our restaurants are planning special menus. You’ll also be able to sleep off the excesses on Sunday morning. Watch this space next week for the listings and watch your mailbox for our brochure.
Book Launch at Big Mamma’s Boy
Saturday, January 31 from 5 to 7 pm. Lulu Taylor appears at Big Mamma’s Boy to promote her new book, Stop The Mama’s Boys. 554 Parliament.
The Epicure Shop
Saturday’s special is Kicking Horse Coffee at $12.99, a savings of $2 a pound. On Saturday as well, there’s a tasting of Epicure’s own homemade pasta sauce – for a quick easy dinner, just add pasta, a baguette, some salad and you’re ready. The Quebec cheeses are still available (7 year raw milk cheddar, Riopelle and La Sauvigne) along with Quebec farm pates. 473 Parliament.
St Jamestown Steak & Chops – Norma’s Edible Flowers and Herbs
Mark Michelin reports that this new linen of goodies is attracting lots of attention. The ingredients for these condiments, jellies and dressings are grown in Norma’s own garden in Orono. Mark has also just introduced organic whole chickens to add to his line of organic salmon. 516 Parliament
VIP Treatment at Del Ray Cleaners
Del Ray Cleaners (586 Parliament) have just brought in a 24-hour drop box service at their front door. You can put your clothes into a special bag, deposit it into the locked box at any time and retrieve it within two days. They give you two bags and the access code when you join. Members are also entitled to a 25% discount on all cleaning in February. A one-time fee of $25 covers admin costs for your membership.
Phyllis Kwan also let me know that February is their customer appreciation time and they’re extending a 10% discount to all customers.
It’s no wonder that people keep coming here even when they move away. People from the Annex, Ajax and Milton still rely on their good service.
For the past several weeks, the owner of 493 Parliament and his architect have been meeting people from Cabbagetown to hammer out an acceptable final design for the exterior of this building. They’ve met the Board from the BIA, members of the Don Vale Cabbagetown Residents Association, the Heritage District advisory committee, Board members from the CPA and several local architects. Local neighbours have also attended these meetings. Pam McConnell and her staff have been to each session.
At the same time, the owner’s request for variances on density and parking has been sent to the City’s Committee of Adjustment. City planners have come to these community meetings to assess the progress toward some degree of community approval.
What’s the result?
1) Go to this link to see cardboard models of the building in its actual site: Neighbourhood events.
2) Drawings and plans will be available for viewing at the BIA office, 237 Carlton Street.
3) The Committee of Adjustment will hear the owner’s request on Wednesday, February 4 at 10 am. You can get details about the address and about making a presentation from Sean McIntyre (Pam McConnell’s office) at 416-392-0207.
4) A second set of approvals must also happen: with the site plan. If you have comments or you want to support or oppose the design, ask Sean McIntyre about the procedure for this.
Up Until Now at the Toronto Dance Theatre.
Postmodern choreographer Deborah Hay was part of New York’s seminal Judson Dance Theatre. Her new work, Up Until Now, is being staged at TDT because of her friendship with Christopher House, TDT’s artistic director. Toronto Life says “a new work by the American is of great importance.” January 29 to February 7, 8 pm, 80 Winchester St. For ticket information, call (416) 967-1365.Early Valentine’s Report
We’re putting together a list of special events for this special evening. Cabbagetown will, as usual, be abuzz with love. Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year which means that our restaurants are planning special menus. You’ll also be able to sleep off the excesses on Sunday morning. Watch this space next week for the listings and watch your mailbox for our brochure.
Book Launch at Big Mamma’s BoySaturday, January 31 from 5 to 7 pm. Lulu Taylor appears at Big Mamma’s Boy to promote her new book, Stop The Mama’s Boys. 554 Parliament.
The Epicure Shop
Saturday’s special is Kicking Horse Coffee at $12.99, a savings of $2 a pound. On Saturday as well, there’s a tasting of Epicure’s own homemade pasta sauce – for a quick easy dinner, just add pasta, a baguette, some salad and you’re ready. The Quebec cheeses are still available (7 year raw milk cheddar, Riopelle and La Sauvigne) along with Quebec farm pates. 473 Parliament.St Jamestown Steak & Chops – Norma’s Edible Flowers and Herbs
Mark Michelin reports that this new linen of goodies is attracting lots of attention. The ingredients for these condiments, jellies and dressings are grown in Norma’s own garden in Orono. Mark has also just introduced organic whole chickens to add to his line of organic salmon. 516 ParliamentVIP Treatment at Del Ray Cleaners
Del Ray Cleaners (586 Parliament) have just brought in a 24-hour drop box service at their front door. You can put your clothes into a special bag, deposit it into the locked box at any time and retrieve it within two days. They give you two bags and the access code when you join. Members are also entitled to a 25% discount on all cleaning in February. A one-time fee of $25 covers admin costs for your membership.Phyllis Kwan also let me know that February is their customer appreciation time and they’re extending a 10% discount to all customers.
It’s no wonder that people keep coming here even when they move away. People from the Annex, Ajax and Milton still rely on their good service.
Kidist Paulos Asrat is an associate member of the BIA and a freelance website designer with a background in graphic design, photography and new media certification from Ryerson. She’s built a number of different websites for non-profit groups, individuals and businesses.
Gordon Daniels Gallery has opened at 460 Parliament (on the upper level above the House on Parliament) and the first show is scheduled for January 30 to February 15.
Patty Junior reports that she’s developed a good relationship with a supplier who provides very high quality Quebec farmhouse cheeses. So she’s offering a seven-year old raw milk Quebec cheddar on special. Also from Quebec, she has a new line of pates that she says are really lovely: wild boar, duck with pistachio and peppercorn pates. This will all go well with her spinach dip (still on sale), buy one and get one free.
Provence Delices (12 Amelia) is another new associate member of the BIA. Elie Benchitrit has just joined and we’re listing his menus and special events on one of our Cabbagetown Eats newsletters.
Is your dog tap dancing across the floor? Pet Valu (240 Carlton) has a monthly nail clipping service to solve your problems. Marilyn Wilputte from Diggity Dog Walking visits on the first Saturday of each month. Saturday, February 7 from 11 am to 4 pm is her next stop. $10.
At Menagerie Pet Shop (549 Parliament), the do-it-yourself dog wash is half-price until March 1. There’s also a range of Wellness pet foods, cat scratch equipment and other goodies on sale at great discounts. You can also visit here just to say hello to a fish or a parrot. Browsers welcome.
“Implementing Ayurvedic Lifestyle” is Renaissance Yoga’s signature introductory course in Ayurvedic theory and practice. The first session starts on Thursday January 22 and runs for twelve weeks from 9 to 11:30 am. It’s also available remotely in mp3 form, with full lecture notes and email support.
For the coming week of January 24 to 29, Stonegrill on Winchester is celebrating the Chinese New Year with a special menu. The $40 prix fixe dinner has been specially prepared by chef Erin Martin for the celebrations.
Starbucks has taken the keys from the building owner and is starting to build its new store on the first floor at Aberdeen and Parliament. Estimates are that the first coffees will flow in mid-March.
JAMCafe (195 Carlton) is launching its 2009 wine tasting series with a special evening highlighting Edward Sellers’ Rhone-style wines. Chef Av Atikian has prepared a five-course menu to match with the wines. Since only forty tickets will be sold, reservations are important. Please call (416) 921-1255. $85 per person (not including tax and gratuities.) For all the details on food and wines, click here: 
