On Wednesday, enjoy dinner and an evening with Sonia Day, the Toronto Star’s gardening columnist. It’s a project that’s being sponsored by the Aberdeen Ave Residents and Cabbagetown South Residents. Dinner starts at 6 pm and Sonia talks at 7:30 pm. At The Ben Wicks (424 Parliament). $45 for dinner and the talk. For more details, reservations and tickets, go to the Cabbagetown South web site: http://www.cabbagetownsouth.ca/Default.aspx?pageId=307879&eventId=129906&EventViewMode=EventDetailsCarlton & Parliament
Layer by layer, progress on the new building at Carlton and Parliament is unfolding before us. This week, the plastic tarps came off the exterior and we can see the new brickwork and windows. Before long, the TD Bank will take possession of the first floor and start their own interior finishings. We’re expecting a Spring opening.Johnny G’s Fan Club
Johnny G’s (478 Parliament) is a Cabbagetown favourite. Just drop by any Saturday or Sunday for brunch and see how many others are there too, enjoying a great breakfast. Last Tuesday, they collected a welcome blast of very friendly publicity from Erin Criger at City TV: http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/life/health/article/72335--lunch-tuesday-johnny-g-s The Epicure Shop
Save $3 this week on Epicure’s new cinnamon raison Raincoast Crisps – they’re regularly $6.99 and Patty has them on sale at $3.99. Try pairing them up with cream cheese (on special as well at $1.89/100 g). And just a quick reminder that Epicure has Cendrillion back in stock – “the world’s best cheese.” 473 Parliament.
Plum 226
The new restaurant at 226 Carlton, Plum 226, has launched a strong music and comedy program. On the third Thursday of each month, they’re hosting A Cabbagetown Comedy Showcase featuring some of Toronto’s best professional stand-up comics. We’ll keep you informed as these dates approach each month. On Fridays and Saturdays weekly, there’s music in their downstairs room, Lounge 226. This week, enjoy veteran jazz drummer Norman Marshall Villeneuve from 8 to 11 pm and tomorrow night, it's open mic with Jeff Cottrill from 9 pm. Next week on Saturday April 3, flamenco guitarist Ruben Diaz will appear – no cover charges.
Winter ends at The Deal Zone
Alex is holding a winter clearance sale – gloves, toques and even men’s thermal underwear are all yours at 20% off. Since their prices are already amazingly low, this is a great sale. (480 Parliament)
It’s been a year 
Hyojean (left) at Starbucks before its opening a year ago.
Congratulations to Hyojean and her staff at Starbucks (492 Parliament) for a successful year in Cabbagetown. They celebrated their first anniversary last week. Be sure to visit on Tuesday morning from 6 to 10:30 am when Starbucks are offering a free pastry when you buy one of their coffees.
Starbucks today - after all the work has been finished.
Congratulations as well to John for his amazing presence in our community. From martiniboys to blogto to NOW Magazine, whenever other outside commentators want to list Cabbagetown’s landmarks, Jet Fuel (519 Parliament) is at the top of their lists. Check it out here: http://jetfuelcoffee.com/St Patrick’s Day is (in theory) our festival day
Cabbagetown was founded by 19th Century Irish immigrants whose front yard gardens gave rise to our name. It’s appropriate that scores of people gathered on March 17 for a solemn observance of this great occasion.
At The Ben Wicks (424 Parliament), serious music lovers gathered to hear The Fractured Rovers. 
At Big Mamma’s Boy (554 Parliament), hats were the evening's theme.
Patricia and Daryl are visiting Guatemala and they waved our flag at the very edge of the crater at Pacaya Volcano. The picture is blurred by sulphuric fumes in the air. Within moments, our intrepid friends had to flee because of the lava’s heat.Lookin' Good
We're reviving an old habit, one that we shouldn't have neglected. Here's this week's edition - Frank and John are two Cabbagetown guys who look good just by showing up.
