Thanks Kelsey
Kelsey Butler has just finished her summer work at the Cabbagetown BIA. She did an outstanding job for us organizing the Festival. She focused on our “people” projects – the parade, the program, the vendors and the street patios. These are difficult and detailed problems and she managed them with considerable skill. She has a friendly enthusiasm that makes other people happy to work with her. As many people have already noted, our 2010 Festival was a great success and much of the credit for our success belongs to Kelsey. Our thanks and best wishes to her as she heads into her final year at Ryerson.

A great Festival
We had a marvelous time – from Parliament Street to Riverdale Park and to all the garage sales in between. More about all of that next week.

Gifts to Cabbagetown from the TD Bank
The official opening for our new TD Canada Trust (493 Parliament) happened on Friday September 10 with a pleasant event inside the bank. Senior staff from TD Bank joined people from our local branch and community groups. They distributed gifts to the Cabbagetown BIA, the Cabbagetown Youth Centre, Green Thumbs Growing Kids and the Heritage committee. Their generosity has made it possible for the Cabbagetown Festival to embark on aggressive advertising and fundraising campaigns and we indeed appreciate their help.

Tour of Homes
On Sunday, hundreds of people will descend on Cabbagetown to visit seven unique homes in our neighbourhood. A grand Victorian mansion, a formal Edwardian and an acclaimed modern interior are just three of the treasures that you’ll see. The Tour is always a satisfying experience. It draws visitors from all across the GTA for an afternoon of relaxed sightseeing.

Special Tour offers
Ten Parliament Street businesses are extending special offers to Tour visitors. Bring your tickets and get a discount or a free gift. The Ben Wicks (424 Parliament), Stonegrill (51B Winchester), Peartree (507 Parliament), Rashna’a (307 Wellesley), and Big Mamma’s Boy (554 Parliament) – all have Tour discounts and special treats available for you on brunch and dinner. Mi Casa (238 Carlton) and Kendall (438 Parliament) have special discounts on their fine furniture and home décor. Tim Hortons (Parliament & Winchester) and Starbucks (483 Parliament) have complimentary drinks and donuts. And Sweet Creamery has a 10% discount on scoops and dishes of their ice creams and gelatos.

Congratulations to Fair Trade Jewelry
The Sun Media chain ran an extensive article about FTJCo (523 Parliament) in its papers in mid-August. The story appeared right across Canada. Ryan Taylor has devoted his business to the principles of fair trade mining and environmental sensitivity. He offers his customers detailed information about the source of the precious metals and gems that adorn his creations. He provides assurances that the people and the landscape that contribute to his jewelry are treated with respect. For the full story, click here: http://www.torontosun.com/life/2010/08/16/15039181.html

Epicure has a coffee weekend
It’s back – Patty’s wild and wooly weigh-your-coffee event. If you pour yourself exactly one pound of coffee beans, you’ll get a second pound free. People with heavy duty gambling addictions are advised to stay away. This is also the last week for Epicure’s Reunion Island special – only $10/pound (save $3). Snow Goat Brie is also on sale at $3.49 for 150 grams, a saving of $3. The Epicure Shop, 473 Parliament.

Mi Casa has a sale
This is an event worth checking out. The beautiful furniture and decorations at Mi Casa are now on sale and being offered at discounts up to 70% off. Alex tells us that these bargains include new designs. The sale runs from Saturday September 18 to Sunday September 25. Mi Casa also has special incentives for people who have purchased tickets for the Tour of Homes. 238 Carlton.

Fields of Gold campaign
Margaret and Chris are making great headway with their fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society. You will recall that they want to plant 2000 daffodils in the Parliament and Prospect area. Every gift made to the cancer society’s campaign earns their team additional bulbs. To date, they’ve raised over $2000 and their target of $3500 now seems within reach. If you’d like to donate and also help with this beautiful garden effort, please click here: http://convio.cancer.ca/site/TR?px=3705316&fr_id=7410&pg=personal

Rugs at Kendall & Co
Kendall & Co (438 Parliament) has a new collection of plush, 100% wool rugs from New Zealand and they’ve dedicated them to Cabbagetown. Each one is named for one of our streets. The rugs are fair trade certified. They range from 2X3’ to 10X14’ in round, rectangular and runner shapes. Prices start at $89 each. Come and find your style, colour, size and street. Kendall & Co will host a Welcome Refreshment Station on Winchester during Sunday’s Tour of Homes.

Fall goodies at Foxy
Michelle at Foxy Boutique (251 Gerrard) is now releasing her new line of Fall coats, hats, woolens, scarves and leather goods. She has her best boot collection ever. Her 50% sale continues with selected items from her summer lines.

Get wired
Daryl Hobbs has created a free wireless network on Parliament north of Carlton. To help with the costs, he’s looking for businesses and groups willing to advertise on his web site. You can see his network on your wireless device by connecting to “FreeWirelessNeighbourhoodNetwork” and then clicking on “Continue to the internet.”

World Jazz for Haiti
For several months, George Rondina and the staff at Number 9 Audio have been producing a jazz album as their contribution to Haitian relief programs. World Jazz for Haiti will launch on Sunday evening, September 26 at Hugh’s Room (2261 Dundas). The party will feature John McDermott, Laila Biali, Mike Janzen, Jane Bunnett and many other artists who appear on the album. $22.50 in advance, $25 at the door and all proceeds go to the Canadian Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund.

Gerry Gold makes great pickles and he’s just returned from The Burning Man
This guy is busy. He attended the Burning Man event in the Nevada desert in early September, returned to Toronto in time for the Festival and took care of the management of his fine Barracuda store (527 Parliament). In the meantime, he made dill pickles – and his pickles are so good that someone in my house says she’d marry any man who can perk up a burger like that! It’s no surprise that he proudly displayed his Cabbagetown Tee while cavorting in Nevada.