Welcome Kelly

Kelly is a Ryerson student who’s just finished her 3rd year in Arts & Contemporary Studies. She’s joining us at the BIA to work on our Cabbagetown Festival and to help with a list of special events throughout the summer. Two of her bigger projects involve planning for the Festival parade and for the display areas for Cabbagetown artists. If you want to join either of these events during the Festival, contact Kelly at cabbagetownbia@gmail.com

We’re on Facebook
You’ll notice the icon on the right hand side of this page. Please click on it and join our group. You’ll get updates regularly as the Festival program is confirmed. Find out who’s singing on the street corners, where your favourite cold beer can be found, who’s selling special handcrafted jewellery and when our big events are happening. (In case you’re wondering, Kelly set this up – not Doug.)

Caroline’s medium pizza
Every year, Caroline Murphy joins the People With Aids bike rally between Toronto and Montreal. To help with the PWA fundraising, she’s offering a medium Caroline’s Classic Pizza throughout May – all the proceeds from its sale go to PWA. http://www.carolinesdininglounge.com/ (416) 927-1593. 554 Parliament

The 2011 Art Salons Tour
It happens this weekend – on Saturday from 6:30 to 11 pm. It’s a tour of four gorgeous homes where you’ll meet new neighbours, see intriguing art and nibble on scrumptious goodies. At the last stop, you’ll enjoy jazz piano by Mary Ann Hawkes. $50/each - proceeds from the ticket sales support three local residents’ groups. You can get more information and buy your tickets online with Paypal at http://www.cabbagetownsouth.ca/ and at Kendall & Co, 438 Parliament.

Another welcome bit of news…
Merryberry Café (559 Parliament) has just been issued a liquor license. Cyril is serving sangria as his opening specialty throughout this weekend. Other adult refreshments will be added next week. He plans to keep light and tasty beverages like mimosa and sangria on his menu - perfect for the warm weather.

Me To We Yoga
On Tuesday May 17 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, a one-hour yoga session is open at the Me To We Store (223 Carlton). Lots of space, a small crowd and plenty of one-on-one work with the instructor. $10.

Cheese and chips at The Epicure Shop
This weekend, Patty has two favourite cheeses from Fifth Town in Prince Edward County – Cape Vessy, a cow’s milk hard cheese and Lighthall Tomme, a prize winning goat cheese with washed organic rind. She also has falafel chips made from chick peas, a perfect match with humus. And, conveniently, her humus dips are on sale at $1.19/100 g as well.


Barracuda is full of beautiful pots
It’s Spring and Gerry’s store is chock full of beautiful outdoor pots, containers and accessories. Drop by to see how many different sizes, shapes and colours are available. He always puts samples in front of his store door and this year, he’s had them filled with lovely plant displays by Sheridan Nursery. http://www.barracuda.ca/ 527 Parliament.

Introducing Carey and Marjan

They’re working at Fair Trade Jewellery Co (523 Parliament). FTJCo is open now for regular retail hours – from 11am to 6 pm from Wednesday to Sunday. Carey will be helping with the design work that’s involved with custom-made jewellery (that’s FTJCo’s specialty). Marjan reminds me that the store is still focused on fair trade and recycled precious metals and gems. Private appointments are still available. http://www.ftjco.com/

Stout’s new patio
On Thursday, Erin held her official grand launch and she combined it with the official opening of her new patio. It promises to be one of Cabbagetown’s lovely hidden corners (where all kinds of stuff can happen quietly, or otherwise.) She’s also opened her first cask beer – at this report, we don’t know whether there’s any left but it’s worth a trip to find out. Her regular events are all lined up – Sunday’s ceili and prime rib dinner, the weekend brunch, Pub Stumpers on Tuesday night and Wednesday night with Zack Werner. http://www.stoutirishpub.ca/ 221 Carlton

Kendall’s “Promote Our Local” event
On Sunday May 22 from 1 to 3 pm, Kendall & Co are hosting their first “Promote Our Local” event. It’s an exhibition of works by local potters Gerri Orwin and Winnie Wong. The artists will present their works, talk about their art and share their experiences with you. For more info: http://kendallandco.ca/fyi/play-with-clay/ There are two sessions and there’s no charge. Space is limited, so please RSVP and indicate whether you want 1 pm or 3 pm: shop@kendallandco.ca 438 Parliament, across from Spruce.

Kendall also has Spring cleaning supplies
Sacred Lotus is a locally made, 100% organic line of cleaning products. They do the tough jobs – getting rid of the filth without leaving toxic residues. Available in several aromatic scents – sweet basil lemon, lemongrass pink grapefruit, lavender neroli and rosemary eucalyptus. They’re all available at special 20% introductory prices. Kendall & Co, 438 Parliament across from Spruce.

The Paris/Toronto Project at TDT
There’s a big mix of exciting dance events happening at the Toronto Dance Theatre (80 Winchester). French choreographers Alban Richard and Emmanuelle Vo-Dinh are featured in eight performances: May 19 to 21 (8 pm), May 22 (2 pm), and May 25 to 28 (8 pm). Tickets are $26 regular, $20 for students, seniors and CADA. To purchase online, click here: http://tdt.org/buy/order.htm or call (416) 967-1365.
On Monday May 16, Phillip Szporer will host a discussion on Dancing Perspectives in France with Alban Richard and Emmanuelle Vo-Dinh. It’s a free event. 7 pm, 80 Winchester.

Caroline’s Dance & Dining Package
Caroline’s Dining Room & Lounge (554 Parliament) is offering a Dance & Dining special throughout the Paris/Toronto Project. It’s a three-course dinner plus tickets for the performance at Toronto Dance Theatre. $52.95/each. (416) 927-1593

Cuffed by Labour of Love
Regina wants her male customers to know that they’re appreciated. She has a new line of men’s jewellery from Montreal like these beautiful handcrafted sterling silver cufflinks. And, of course, she has lots of Father’s day cards in stock.. Go to http://www.thelabouroflove.ca/ to see more. 242 Carlton.

Congrat’s to the Prospect Street gardeners
You may remember that people living along Prospect and Rose have built a new garden right at the corner of Parliament and Prospect, next to the Butter Chicken Factory. Last Fall, Margaret and Chris sold daffodil bulbs to their neighbours on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society. Their garden is now full of yellow blossoms, the results of a lot of hard work. They have big plans for this corner and we can expect more beautiful plants throughout the summer.

The 2011 Garden Tour
Tickets are now on sale. This is a very popular early Spring event and we recommend that you get your tickets as early as possible – they do sell out. The Tour happens on Sunday June 5 (10 am to 3 pm). $15. For more information and to buy your tickets with Paypal, visit http://www.cabbagetownpa.ca/ You can pick up tickets in person at Mi Casa (238 Carlton), Kendall & Co (438 Parliament), Fairway Market (538 Parliament) and the BIA office (237 Carlton).

L’homme de Chouville
We’ve reported before about Ken’s personal Tour de France. He’s completed his journey – biking 3000 km since early March in a circular route around France. He discovered that cows stop and watch him as he rockets past them. People in cafes, on the roadside and in their cars have cheered him along and given him their help when he needed it. He stayed in hotels that are fleabags and others that are gems. He saw Canadian war monuments, beautiful small villages, inspiring city centers and even a restaurant called House on Parliament. He lost weight – and then started to gain it back when his son joined him and insisted on a proper meal. He has regularly called this his personal dream and he’s amazed that he’s achieved it. We give a lot of the credit for his success to his Tee shirt.