A word of caution…

To anyone who’s addicted to coffee bean gambling – Patty’s running Epicure’s annual bean weighing contest again. From now to February 3, you can buy a bag of beans, weigh it and win a second one free! All you have to do is fill your original bag to exactly one pound (454 grams). Many have won in years past (including your humble blog writer). The adrenalin rush is incredible. If you don’t know where her store is located, look for the Casino Rama buses parked outside. She also has homemade gluten-free cookies back in stock. They’re also addictive. 473 Parliament.

Happy birthdays are happening …

Monday, January 30 – Stout Irish Pub
On Monday, January 30th Erin and the staff at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) are celebrating Stout’s first birthday. The party happens from 5 to 8 pm. Admission is free. There’ll be tastings of Auchentoshen and Bowmore single malt Scotch whiskey and Jameson Irish whiskey and lots of lovely food from Chef Amanda. Please leave the car at home. Please RSVP at 647-344-7676 or email at erin@stoutirioshpub.ca - there’ll be a very full house. http://www.stoutirishpub.ca/

Sunday, February 5 - Hair Lift
Kiki will be celebrating her 40th anniversary on Parliament Street from 2 to 5 pm on Sunday, February 5th. Save the date and drop in to Hair Lift (503B Parliament) for a bite of wine and cheese. While you’re there, ask about her new service with hair extensions.

Congratulations Leslie
In Toronto Magazine has just published a glowing review of Eclectisaurus, Leslie Zysman’s store at 249 Gerrard. They’ve described it as a “small but perfectly curated selection of art and objets with just the right amount of eccentricity”. It’s a good story about a lovely store. Check it out here: http://www.intorontomag.com/index.php/living-a-design/shopping/item/228-eclectisaurus

Number 9 welcomes Michael Ignatieff
George says “It was a pleasure to welcome the Honourable Michael Ignatieff in our recording studio recently. Mr. Ignatieff was working on a voice recording for a video presentation to the Liberal Party of Canada. Quite an intellectual and very personable man. A great supporter of music, the arts and education. Currently he’s a highly respected professor at Toronto’s U of T. Number 9 Audio Group is honoured to have had him in our studios.” http://www.number9.ca/michael-ignatieff-at-number-9/ 222 Gerrard

Early warning about the Super Bowl
We already know that Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton), The Ben Wicks (424 Parliament) and the Winchester Kitchen & Bar (51A Winchester) have big screen TV’s and they’re holding Super Bowl parties. The game starts at 6:30 pm next Sunday February 5.

Stout has a pre-game Tailgate Party at 4 pm with ball park franks, chili cheese fries and sloppy joes – all washed down with pints and jugs of Creemore or Trailhead Lager. http://www.stoutirishpub.ca/

At The Ben Wicks, they’re showing the pre-game and the game on two large screens. There’ll be chili and wings and surprise giveaway prizes at half-time. http://www.benwickspub.com/

The Winchester Kitchen & Bar has beer specials, a game pool and the menu includes chicken wings, chili and sliders, all starting at 5 pm. http://www.winchesterkitchen.com/

Kendall & Co
Over the past weeks, Kendall & Co (541 Parliament St on Winchester) have introduced their new window draperies and their custom furniture program to make our homes warm and cozy. For a punch of colour and personal style, their custom monogram pillow is a fantastic accent to any space. Locally made in an array of colours and patterns. Down filled for extra softness to relax after a long day at work. Makes a delightful gift. http://www.kendallandco.ca/

Valentine cards at Labour of Love
Ever since she opened her doors, Regina has turned Labour of Love (242 Carlton) into Cabbagetown’s headquarters for seasonal greeting cards. She’s at it again – she has a selec­tion of fab­u­lously quirky Valentine’s Day cards for you. You’ll have no trouble finding one that says exactly what you want to say whether it be raunchy, roman­tic, or both. http://www.thelabouroflove.ca/

MJG Gallery
The Landscapes show continues until the end of January at MJG Gallery (555 Parliament). Mark is featuring forty works by various artists grouped around the landscape theme. This week, he’s highlighting Bev Jenkins’ painting “Red Bridge”, oil on canvass, 40” by 30”. The show runs Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm.

Music at The Underdown Pub
The Underdown (255 Gerrard at Berkeley) has a truly remarkable music schedule. They present a different group daily along with regular features like Open Mic with Porter at 9:30 pm on Sundays and Smart Ass Trivia at 8 pm on Wednesdays. You can keep up with this by checking their website at http://underdownpub.com/music On Friday January 27, it’s Kevin Myles Wilson from 10 pm. On Saturday it’s Eejay with One King at 9:30 pm. On Tuesday Eric Underdown and Noah Jones are on at 9 pm. On Wednesday, the Dave and Levi Trio appear at 10 pm, and next Thursday, it’s Jeff Barnes and Noah Zacharin at 9 pm.

The Flying Beaver
Maggie and Heather are also very busy with their highly successful pubaret programs. On Wednesday, they’re hosting a free poker tournament sponsored by the Toronto Poker League (no cover, win prizes.) The Star TV Reunion Party is at 7 pm on Thursday followed by Momo’s weekly karaoke at 9 pm. The Psychic brunch happens on Sunday morning at 11 am.
This week’s special appearances include the Karen Williams comedy benefit for “The Healing Place” on Friday at 7 pm ($20 advance/$25 at the door) followed by Sheri’s Party at 9 pm. On Saturday, Jim and Rosemary Galloway with Reg Schwager present an evening of incredible jazz at 7:30 pm ($15 advance/$20 door) and they’re followed by the Slinky Dance Party at 9 pm. On Sunday, the McComedy Show with Shannon McDonough and Michael McLean is at 7:30 pm ($10/advance/$15 door).
Dinner is available before, during and after the shows. Reservations are appreciated - 647.347.6567. You find all the details at http://www.pubaret.com/

The Winchester Kitchen and Bar
Anesti at the Winchester Kitchen & Bar (51A Winchester) also has regular entertainment. Reviews by our friends in Cabbagetown are always very positive. On Saturday from 10 pm, it’s the Soul Motivators – an eight piece group offering R&B, soul and funk. Check their Facebook page and hear several tracks: http://www.facebook.com/soulmotivators?sk=app_2405167945 Next Friday, the Creekside Strays appear at 10 pm

Swimming at Jarvis CI
Community Matters Toronto is a group of St. James Town neighbours who are contributing to a strong neighbourhood culture by building relationships, linking people to others with common interests and fostering exchanges of knowledge and skills. Recently they spearheaded a successful effort to save the swimming pool at Jarvis Collegiate. For more info about Community Matters Toronto, click on http://www.communitymatterstoronto.org/
They’re offering swimming lessons throughout the next ten weeks in the Jarvis pool. Children’s lessons happen on Thursdays from 5 to 7 pm and Saturdays from 1 –2 pm, women-only swim on Thursday from 7 to 9 pm and a family swim on Saturdays from 2 - 4 pm. They use first class instructors and the kids learn competitive swimming and leadership skills. For more information, call (416) 944-9697.

A two-year dream comes true
The Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club (Sumach and Spruce) officially reopened on Thursday after a two-year renovation program. We’ll get photos and a story for you for next week. An early report from CTV is available at the link below. http://toronto.ctv.ca/?video=608265