Chairman’s Awards
Every year, business people from the Cabbagetown BIA get together for a party. We tell each other how terrific we are. Our 2010 edition was held last Wednesday at The Stonegrill (51B Winchester) and over 100 people attended.
It’s a beautiful room and a perfect size for our event. Mukul and his staff did a marvelous job for us. The food was wonderful and all the service was very well organized.

But before we get to that, here are some important reminders:

Music on Parliament Street
This week, we’re hosting Donna Green & the Moo’d Swings (country favourites) at Winchester and Parliament and Snooky Tynes (bebop) at Spruce Street. Saturday afternoon from noon to 4 pm.

Soup’s sale happens on Saturday
From 10 am to 5 pm, you’ll be able to enjoy the arts and crafts sale at Soup (6031/2 Parliament). There’ll be handcrafted greeting cards, preserved flowers, rare and unique seeds and plants, prints, jewellery and lots more. Soup is located just south of Wellesley, beside Cranberries.

Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces
Organized by the CPA, this annual self-guided tour of eleven Cabbagetown gardens is one of our Springtime highlights. Marjorie Harris will be the Gardening guru – she’ll be signing copies of her new book in one of the gardens on the tour. Tickets are $10 at Mi Casa, Fairway Garden Centre and Kendall & Co before Sunday and $15 on Sunday. And there’s a bonus – ticket holders will get special discounts and gifts at Barracuda Home & Garden Accessories (527 Parliament), Ben Wicks Pub (424 Parliament), Kendall & Co (438 Parliament), Mi Casa (238 Carlton), Starbucks (483 Parliament) and Stonegrill (51B Winchester). The Tour takes place on Sunday June 6, 10 am to 3 pm.

Designer Dare and Double Take’s 10th anniversary
Saturday is the day. The party happens at 306 Gerrard from 12 to 4 pm. Drop by for family fun and lots of bargains.

New tarts at Epicure
Patty has Dufflet’s fresh strawberry tarts (only $1.50 each). We can report that the sample we ate was absolutely delicious, especially with a little side order of Reunion Island Coffee. (As you can understand, these tasting samples are a real occupational hazard – our little bodies are starting to round out and fill in at an alarming rate.) She also has Dutch Beemster Vlaskis back in stock and on special – come in over the weekend for a sample. The Epicure Shop, 473 Parliament.

Centre Shift happens this weekend
Presented by the Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre, the performance happens on Friday June 4 and Saturday June 5 at 8 pm and on Sunday June 6 at 2 pm. For details, click here: http://www.ccdt.org/. Tickets are $18 and $28. Winchester Dance Theatre, 80 Winchester.

Mi Casa has placemat art
Alex and his friends at Mi Casa are collaborating with independent artists to bring you handmade, silk-screened silicone mats. They won’t crease or rip and they’re easily washed. They feature creative, playful designs. Save some trees – just use them and wipe clean. 238 Carlton.

Cooking with Elie
Two more classes are scheduled for June and then Elie takes a summer break. This Monday June 7, he’s working on appetizers: Du Puy lentil salad, roasted beets, frisee salad, raspberry vinegar dressing, and olive oil and citrus dressings. His classes feature demonstrations, hands-on practice and an enjoyable meal as a finale. Provence Delices, 12 Amelia, (416) 924-9901.

Fresh and local at Big Mamma’s Boy
Michael Guenther at Big Mamma’s Boy has always supported local farmers and their fresh produce. He now builds his Tuesday menus around his farmers’ weekly visits and his own shopping at the Riverdale Farmers’ Market.

Stolpman Winery at JAMcafe
There are still a few seats left for Saturday’s tasting. Stolpman is a California based winery offering organic, Rhone-style wines. Av Atikian has planned a special menu to highlight the best qualities in each serving. The winemaker will be present to answer your questions. For a full description, click here: http://www.jamcabbagetown.blogspot.com/ Saturday, June 5, 6:30 pm, $45. For reservations, call (416) 921-1255. 195 Carlton.

Now, more about our Awards evening

This year, nine awards were given out.

Mitch Cohen from The Daniels Corporation (left) and Mitzi Hunter from Toronto Community Housing (right) each accepted an award for their companies’ role in successfully launching the new Regent Park.

Michael Haddad (centre) was given his award for the extensive renovation of his beautiful building at 548 Parliament.

When Ryan Taylor from Fair Trade Jewellery Company (523 Parliament) accepted his award for his outstanding interior renovation of his store, he brought along his brand new daughter Etsuko and told the room to thunderous applause that she was his finest creation.

Kendall Williams (centre) from Kendall & Co (438 Parliament) was recognized for his efforts to bring people into Cabbagetown.

Merion Clement (left) was given an award for the beautiful window displays that are so regularly mounted at Simmons Flowers (540 Parliament).

Barbara Campbell represented The Bargain Shop (429 Parliament), chosen because of the high quality of their customer service.

Tom and Emilio were given their award for launching The Sweet Creamery (521 Parliament) and they were also warmly congratulated for their recent marriage.

Four people came from the Cabbagetown Preservation Association and the Tour of Homes: Helen Coltrinari (not pictured here - past chair of the CPA), Kendall Williams (left - 2008 Tour chair), Bruce Prouty (second from right - 2009 Tour chair) and David Pretlove (right - new CPA chair). Their award recognizes their hard work and success as volunteers.

Two past BIA Chairs, Merion Clements and David Weenen.
David was thanked for his longstanding and effective service to our BIA and to the Cabbagetown community.

Congratulations everyone.

Gerry takes our Tee to Greece
Gerry spent a delightful few days in the Greek Islands with the sea in the background, the scenic village all around him and a bottle of wine ready for every meal. This took its toll – but our Tee shirt helped him remain cool and stylish throughout.