Cobourg versus HOP
The Olympics offer nice hockey but that isn’t the only game in town. Last Monday morning, the folks from The Cobourg (supplemented by talent imported from The Ben Wicks) took on the House on Parliament at the outdoor rink in Regent Park. The battle for the Cabbagetown Cup ended in a draw – one game apiece. So far, no reports about cigars and beer on the ice.

More good news about Regent Park
Photo by Kevin Van Paasen, Globe & Mail
This week’s flurry of announcements about Regent Park centred on the opening of a new Royal Bank in the development at Dundas and Parliament. The Globe & Mail ran a good story on the branch and its micro-loans policies. You can read it here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/bank-hopes-small-loans-will-yield-big-results/article1487640/

Stonegrill’s prix fixe
After a successful turn in Winterlicious, Stonegrill (51B Winchester) has announced a special prix fixe menu that will run throughout March. It’ll be offered every day from 5 to 7 pm, $35 per person. Appetizers include garden or arugula salad or soup. Then choose your entrée – Atlantic salmon, organic beef striploin or linguini primavera. For dessert, try either gran brulee or chocolate cake.

Wintery ice cream
Emilio is also really pleased with his peanut butter and chocolate mousse tart.
It’s tough to own an ice cream store in the Winter. Emilio at Sweet Creamery has tackled that problem with his cakes, tarts and other baking miracles and he’s now mixing his specialties together. Try his new gelatos with cakes mixed in. There’s tiramisu with almond cake and also raspberry, passion fruit and maraschino cake gelato. With the arrival of warm weather this weekend, he’ll put his table outside again – one of our favourite street spots for watching people stroll past.

Congratulations to Eclectosaurus
Eclectosaurus (249 Gerrard E) has been given a couple of lovely compliments lately. Our neighbours in Cabbagetown South declared it “the gem of Gerrard Street East” and Design Lines magazine listed it as one of their nine recommendations for “cool hunting in Cabbagetown”. Leslie has prepared a really amazing web site at http://www.eclectisaurus.com/

Marilyn is back at Pet Valu
Marilyn from Pawdicure is back for her regular monthly appearance at Pet Valu (240 Carlton) on Saturday March 6. Bring your cats and dogs from 11 am to 4 pm for a manicure and clipping. $10.

Buns at Epicure Shop
Patty shows off her hot cross buns to Sam but Chris, in the background, doesn’t want any part of this clowning around.
Hot cross buns are fresh every day at Epicure (473 Parliament). Patty also wants to tempt you with her brownies, date squares and butter bars – get one and buy a second at half-price. As always, yummy.

Free food at Cabbagetown Organics
This Saturday, Cabbagetown Organics (499 Parliament) are again hosting samplings and demonstrations on featured products. This week, they’re featuring organic chocolate milk and organic cheeses. Drop by for your own tasting from 10:30 am onward.

Fun stuff at Sharon’s
Sharon (503 Parliament) has a special batch of fun purses and bags for you – poodle bags, shoe bags, elephant bags, tea pot bags and more. She’s also offering her winter wares at phenomenal sale prices – 20 to 40% off. While you’re there, check out her ladies spring jackets and blazers.

BBQ specials from St Jamestown
Mark wants to remind you that the great weather this weekend is an invitation to fire up your bbq and get started on your warm weather grilling. He’s got steaks, salmon, chops, hamburgers and lots more. My personal favourites are pork chops marinated in his jerk sauce. 516 Parliament.

Riverdale Park update
A working committee has been formed to look at possible improvements at Riverdale Park West. City officials are on hand to advise the committee and to take action as decisions are reached. At this time, it’s very early in the process and the committee members want to hear from all interested people. They’ve been issuing newsletters that are distributed electronically and they’ve now prepared a second survey to ask all of us for guidance on the important issues. To get your copy of the survey, click here: http://cabbagetowntest.blogspot.com/
You just can’t hire decent help any more…
The Riverdale Park Newsletter and Survey mentioned above are available in a PDF document. Unfortunately, the fine folks here at Cabbagetown News who prepare our blog don’t know how to transfer a PDF onto our blog template. If you want your own original copy, send us an email and we’ll immediate get one to you: doug@oldcabbagetown.com

New garden containers at Barracuda
Back in the workshop, Graham is trying to hide and Gerry is busy talking!
Graham and Gerry have been very busy importing new products and preparing them for your Spring garden preparations. This beautiful store is a favourite place for many Cabbagetown shoppers. The new 2010 containers, vases and furniture are being rolled out now. 527 Parliament.

More on lanes
At the BIA, we’re regularly being asked about the new names for the area’s lanes. We’d love to take the credit but in fact, the hard work was coordinated by Pam McConnell and carried out by people like the Cabbagetown Preservation Association. Pam has sent out her Newsletter and she’s given a good description of the work involved and the meaning behind each lane’s naming. Here’s the link to her article: http://pammcconnell.ca/2010/02/16/laneway-names-celebrate-cabbagetown

Our Tee shirt makes the big time
Julie visited Toronto last Fall and picked up a Tee shirt from us. She promised to give us a dramatic Chicago photo and she has indeed kept her word. Thanks Julie – this is really a fun shot.