Canada Day…and we’re issuing our Newsletter a little bit early. Tomorrow’s a holiday, Will and Kate are in-country, the Pride celebrations are getting hot – so we’re sending out our news and then disappearing to enjoy the fun.
The new Tees are here
Felicia is our first customer. She bought her new Tee to take home to Winnipeg as a souvenir of her year-long stay here in Cabbagetown. Her new Tee will remind her of the homes and gracious streets that she sees while jogging through our neighbourhood. Our thanks, Felicia, and best wishes for your trip home.Brenda’s back
Brenda in 2008. Everyone will remember Brenda. She was our official first model for our classic Cabbage Tee back in 2008. She visited our office and we got a snapshot that we used everywhere after that. She’s graciously agreed to be our 2011 model to kick off our new campaign and she’s shown here with Kelly who works in the BIA office.Order your Tee now
Brenda and Kelly show off our new design. Be ready for the summer. Whether you’re going to a cottage, staying home or dropping in to the opera and ballet, you’ll want your own special Tee. They’re available easily at doug@oldcabbagetown.com, at (416) 921-0857 and at the BIA Office (237 Carlton). They’re available in small, medium, large, XL and 2XL in either dark chocolate or lime green. $15Tees on Facebook
Click on the Facebook logo on the right and join our group. We’re having a draw – you can win. Be the first in your Facebook group to strut about with an elite Cabbagetown Tee. The draw happens on Monday July 11. Join now – don’t miss this rare opportunity.
Congrat’s to Toni and Elaine
A few weeks ago, they were unable to join us for our Chairman’s Awards evening at the Winchester Kitchen & Bar (51B Winchester). When the plaques were printed and ready, we visited Mylk Uncookies for a personal presentation. They received their award for the improvement that their shop has made to the Gerrard Street retail area. If you’d like more info, read this nice review from blogTO: http://www.blogto.com/cafes/mylk-uncookies-toronto And drop in and try the lucuma macaroon, one of their best selling goodies.Thanks to Drea
Regina wants us to give a big thanks to Drea Scotland. Labour of Love (242 Carlton) received a Chairman’s Award a couple of weeks ago for its fine window presentations. Regina credits Drea for her designs. She handled the last two windows for Labour of Love and Regina says “We couldn’t do it without you!”Kendall & Co are showing Pride
Cabbagetown artist Gerri Orwin is back at Kendall & Co after her successful presentation earlier in the Spring. Several of her works from her Raku Collection are displayed in the front window on Winchester. To learn more about her, click on: http://kendallandco.ca/fyi/play-with-clay/ 541 Parliament on the NE corner at WinchesterCanada Day at Epicure
Patty’s getting enthused about the weekend. When she came into our office, she couldn’t resist a fetching pose with the flag. She has great supplies for both Pride and Canada Day celebrations. Her Summerfresh Dips have just arrived and she’s offering a two-for-one sale: buy one and get one free. Phipps cupcakes are also back by popular demand. They’ve been voted the “Best in the City!” 473 ParliamentMe To We
Emily at Me to We (223 Carlton) has again joined forces with Epicure Shop (473 Parliament) to offer half-off fair trade coffee on Tuesday July 5. Any size, all day, half-off. It’s a joint effort to promote better choices for a better world. And while you’re out and about, drop in to the Me To We store where they’re highlighting eco-friendly, sweatshop free responsible clothing.Summer reminders
Patio season is in full swing. Ben Wicks, Grasshopper, JAMcafe, Margaritas, Peartree and Provence Delices are well-established Cabbagetown favourites. We’ve all spent a few hours outdoors in each one, enjoying friends and cool drinks. They’re joined now by Carolines, Flying Beaver, House on Parliament, Merryberry and Stout Irish Pub who are all bringing new twists to our summer habits.
We got a great comment from John and Sarah about their experience this week at the Winchester Kitchen & Bar (51A Winchester) “The food was amazing with great taste and preparation…another fabulous eating place in the ‘hood.”Summerlicious starts on Friday July 8 and runs to Sunday July 24. Two of our restaurants are taking part in Toronto’s summer food fest.
Provence Delices (12 Amelia, 416-924-9901) and 
Stonegrill (51B Winchester, 416-967-6565). Call now for your reservations.
Daniel et Daniel (244 Carlton) will close the Food Shop for the entire weekend, July1 to 4, for renovations.
Two Cabbagetown locations have attracted good reviews in NOW Magazine for their preparations for Pride weekend. Under the heading Pride Bars, Heather and Maggie get top listing for The Flying Beaver (488 Parliament). Caroline’s (554 Parliament) earns a good review under Pride Patios. 
Toronto’s annual summertime food fest starts up on July 8 and runs to July 24. Two Cabbagetown favourites are participating – Provence Delices (12 Amelia, 416-924-9901) and Stonegrill (51B Winchester, 416-967-6565). Menus for Provence Delices will be available soon. You can see Stonegrill’s menu at 
Labour of Love (242 Carlton) is having a sale to help you get ready for the big 144th birthday party. 10% off all Canadian-made inventory for this weekend only. This includes jewelry, mugs, magnets and housewares and lots more.
Last week, jazz sensations Sophie Berkal-Sarbit and Bill King recorded a few songs at Number 9 Audio and they’ve shared their beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. Click on the link to listen: 
Kevin at Kendall & Co emphasizes that their rugs never (that’s never) go on sale. Except now. This is the last week to save 20% on all of their indoor and outdoor rugs. These are beautifully handmade, fair trade rugs that will work perfectly in your home, your cottage and your gardens. You can see many of their fine choices at 
Yummy grilled chicken breast – marinated in Patty’s secret sauce. She won’t give us even the smallest hint about the recipe. If you want to know, you’ve gotta buy some and taste it. It’s a great way to escape cooking when the summer heat is turned on. And she’s just received her latest shipment of Buffalo Mozzarella from Italy. Serve it with her special balsamic vinegar ($3.49/500 ml). The Epicure Shop, 473 Parliament.
The Cabbagetown South Residents Association is conducting a “Safety First” neighbourhood walk. Officers from 51 Division will talk about ways to improve safety and to stop crime with homes, cars, garages and persons. It happens on Wednesday June 29 at 7 pm and it starts at 182 Seaton Street. Click here and then click on Events: 
Our new planter boxes at Carlton and Parliament have just been filled with vines and other colourful annuals. We’re making the final touches to the small boulevard at this corner. Within a few days, two freestanding, decorative light poles and a bike rack will be added on the Carlton Street side. This area collects plenty of sunlight and these gardens are expected to become lush and soft green places as the summer advances.
It’s Ontario Craft Beer week. Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) is celebrating the amazing beers that our local brewers are creating with a special event every night. There’ll be beers that have been jointly brewed, beer trivias, beer quizzes and even a special event on “Women, beer and chocolate”. Find all the details at 
Regina at Labour of Love (242 Carlton) has a real eye for beautiful objects. Her feature this week are these sterling silver vine-shaped rings mounted with naturally faceted Herkimer diamonds. They’re designed by Joanna Szkiela and there are more of her lovely works in the store now. Check it all out at 
By now, it’s clear that Caroline Murphy is always ready to make a contribution to her community. Throughout June, you can contribute to Amnesty International when you buy a medium sized pizza. She calls it the “Taste for Justice” pizza. Her patio is open. Carolines Dining Room and Lounge, 554 Parliament, 
Six different glass styles (glasses for your martinis, wine, highballs, margaritas, shots and water) and carafes in eight different colours. These are now part of their summer stock so drop by and pick out a style for yourself. 527 Parliament
Last week, we reported that Mark at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) hosted a special dinner in his Deli to taste the difference between dry-aged and wet-aged roast beef. The writer of the food blog, Food with Legs, was one of his guests and he’s written a good report on the evening at 
Here’s a gift that makes his glass of wine taste even better. It’s engineered to aerate the wine perfectly in the time it takes to pour it. This nifty aerator is available in a deluxe and a boxed version. Check out Kendall’s other barware as well. 
Patty at Epicure Shop (473 Parliament) suggest that you get a nice bulk salad for his barbeque. Buy one and get any Summerfresh dip for half price.
On Friday (from 7 pm to 1 am) and Saturday (from 11 am to 3 pm), vintage treasures come to The Cobourg (533 Parliament). It’s a collaborative effort with The Factory Collective and it features summer dresses, jumpers, florals, sheers and lots more. On Friday, DJs Ian and Jessica are on the decks. On Saturday, there’s savoury treats and champagne at brunch – tickets are $10.
The Flying Beaver (488 Parliament) has just been featured in the Toronto Star’s “Buzz on bars”. It’s a great review: 
We’ve all become much more conscious of the tree canopy and it’s great value for our community. Many of our trees are now older and may be nearing the end of their lives. Our neighbours in the Cabbagetown South Association have organized a walk on Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30 pm to show off the area’s trees and to visit some of the beautiful gardens. Jessica, from LEAF, will be the tour guide and will talk about ways to protect and nurture them. The walk starts at 182 Seaton and concludes with a glass of wine and ice cream. Tickets are $5. To buy a ticket and to get more information, click here: 
Our colourful mural on Corner Discount (491 Parliament) at Carlton and Parliament has become a Cabbagetown landmark. It’s been on the wall since 2005 and since it’s first appearance, it’s been regularly featured on photography sites across the internet. Just this week, its artist, Ryan Dineen, has been back to repair it and touch up some of its faded colours. It’s good to go for another five years. By the way, a couple of prominent Cabbagetown personalities (our lips are sealed!) always deny that they’re the models for its romantic image.
It was a perfect afternoon on Friday to lounge in the sun along Parliament Street. Mandi (Cabbagetown Barber Shop) and Goran (Menagerie Pet Shop) took the occasion to discuss world issues and neighbourhood events!
It happens next weekend, Saturday June 18 from noon to 5pm along Prospect Street west of Parliament and in the Winchester School yard.
Last Sunday, Mark at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) hosted an unusual and very pleasant beef tasting. The challenge was to rate dry aged and wet aged prime roast beef. So, of course, he threw a big dinner complete with olive oil sampling, smoked salmon prepared in his own kitchen, wines from Niagara and Prince Edward County and a lovely cheesecake dessert. He invited about a dozen self-confessed “foodies” who blog about their experiences. 
Here’s what one of them, Stella, had to say (these are her photos-thanks): 
Cyril and Nimmi at Merryberry (559 Parliament) keep expanding. Now they’re offering dinner. On Tuesday and Wednesday, they’re open to 8 pm, on Thursday Friday and Saturday to 9:30 pm and on Sunday to 5 pm. Their patio is open at the back, their liquor license is in place, they have great weekend brunches and they’re serving dinners. They’ve been very careful about their progress since they opened, making sure that they have each step under control before advancing to the next one. That’s why they’ve kept such good quality in their food and service. 
Niagara Gold and Comfort Cream have just arrived back in stock from Niagara’s Upper Canada Cheese. They’re both proud products from happy cows. Patty also has her latest shipment of Buffalo Mozzarella. For the summer season, she’s offering her own grilled vegetables and fresh fruit salad. 473 Parliament
Regina at Labour of Love (242 Carlton) has a nice line of gift items – last week we told you about her movie stars cufflinks. She has more. And she’s brought in a fresh line of Father’s Day cards as well. Check it all out at 
This is an exciting new cooperative program between the Cabbagetown Youth Centre, Free the Children and the Parliament Street Library. Volunteers from Free the Children are mentoring kids (in the grades 1 to 4 age range) who can benefit from a regular reading program. Each child gets a dedicated mentor. The Library is providing the space. The first event was held last Thursday night and it’ll continue every Thursday (5:30 to 6:30 pm) until August 18. To register a child, contact June Charles at 
Abraham Diles is the owner of the lovely renovated spaces at 550 and 552 Parliament, across from the gas station. He’s got tenants for some of the space and still has a ground floor location and upstairs offices available. If you’re interested in these spots, you can contact him at (416) 704-2625.
They’re in 541 Parliament which is actually on Winchester across from the Tim Hortons. It’s great to have them in this space – it’s a natural for them and good for the neighbourhood to have it filled so beautifully. To celebrate, they’re offering a 20% discount on all their indoor and outdoor rugs. These are handmade and fair trade. For lots more information, visit 
A few weeks ago, we told you that Number 9 Recording Studio (222 Gerrard) had purchased a new piano. They’ve sent us a link to a great video by David Myers playing on it for his new album Genesis on Piano. Click hear to see and listen, 
Outstanding new building – George Foulidis for the TD Bank building at Carlton and Parliament
Significant major renovations – Tania and Beau for House on Parliament, 454 Parliament
Street beautification – the Prospect Street Garden Team (Dave Johnston represented them) for the new garden at Prospect and Parliament
Outstanding new restaurant – Cyril and Nimmi for Merryberry Café & Bistro, Parliament
Exciting new business – Erin for Stout Irish Pub, 221 Carlton
Excellent customer service – Levanna for Menagerie Pet Shop, 549 Parliament
Best window arrangements – Regina for Labour of Love, 242 Carlton
Attracting people to Cabbagetown – Megan (on behalf of Heather and Maggie) for The Flying Beaver Pubaret, 488 Parliament