Cabbagetown youth street festival
Join the Block Party - Saturday from noon to 5 pm at Prospect and Parliament. It’s a celebration of youth talent and a great neighbourhood. UforChange (517 Parliament) is hosting a stage at Prospect Street. Twenty acts will compete in a special competition judged by Zack Werner and Sharon Lee Williams. (Noon to 5 pm) The Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) will organize a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Winchester School (Rose and Prospect - 9 am to 5 pm). Up to 30 teams will play for the #1 spot. The BIA, Gourmet Burger and Pizza Pizza are helping to organize the event.

More gardens
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.

Do you drink beer?
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 http://www.stoutirishpub.ca/ Cheers!

Herkimer diamonds
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 http://www.thelabouroflove.ca/

Caroline supports Amnesty
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, http://www.carolinesdininglounge.com/

Barracuda has new Mexican glassware
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

More reactions to Mark’s tasting dinner
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 http://bit.ly/les6J8

Father’s Day on Sunday
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. http://kendallandco.ca/fyi/2011/06/16/for-fathers-day/ And, as many of us have noticed, the store has moved. To celebrate their new location at Winchester and Parliament, they’re offering all of their indoor and outdoor rugs on sale at 20% off, including in-stock and special orders. Kendall & Co, 541 Parliament.

More for Father’s Day
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.

Pop-up stores at The Cobourg
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.

Congratulations Heather & Maggie
The Flying Beaver (488 Parliament) has just been featured in the Toronto Star’s “Buzz on bars”. It’s a great review: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/1009267--buzz-on-bars-the-flying-beaver-pubaret

Cabbagetown South tree walk
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: http://www.cabbagetownsouth.ca/ (and then go to Events).

Touching up the mural
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.

Lookin’ good
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!