Everyone wonders what to do with old computers, printers, monitors, phones and other electronic stuff. We vaguely know that they’ve still got life in them and we don’t want to waste the equipment. The Ontario Electronic Stewardship is an industry-funded, non-profit group who have developed a system for recycling electronics. On behalf of OES, Sean Magee spoke to almost fifty people at a BIA luncheon on Thursday, outlining their ideas. You can learn more about them at http://www.recycleyourelectronics.ca/In the near future, we’ll be hosting a collection event in Cabbagetown and we also hope to set up a permanent depot for future drop-offs.
Thanks also to Erin at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) for helping us organize a very lively event and a great lunch. Thanks to Fraser Douglas at SNAP for the fine photo.
Vintage chairs at Eclectisaurus
Leslie at Eclectisaurus (249 Gerrard) has a handsome set of six Mid-Century Modern bent plywood chairs, Scandinavian in origin. The wood is finished in a dark espresso that reveals the grain of the wood. The legs are chromed metal and they are quite comfortable. The chairs are 32" high x 17 3/4" wide x 18" deep, and are in very good pre-owned condition. They’re available as a set of 2, 4 or 6 only - $125 each. Click here to see more pictures: www.eclectisaurus.com/vintage_furnishings_10.htmlMore about the Jarvis Collegiate pool
A few weeks ago, we told you about the programs at the Jarvis Collegiate swimming pool. They’re organized by Community Matters, a community group active in St James Town. Justin Skinner has written an extensive story about their work in Inside Toronto. Click here to read it: http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/1295902--st-james-residents-are-fully-immersed-in-swimming-lessonsA reminder about online catalogues
Every week, we list three local businesses who maintain online catalogues: Cosimo’s No Frills (449 Parliament), Royal Home Hardware (485 Parliament) and Shopper’s Drug Mart (467 Parliament). Many people enjoy looking at them before they go shopping. They like to see what’s on special or what’s being promoted.
Now we’re adding a fourth catalogue from Pet Valu (240 Carlton) .
Just click on the pictures in the right-hand column.
Sara Graham restaurant choices
Inside Toronto did a quick story about food-writer Sara Graham’s favourite Toronto restaurants. Three of ours made the list: F’Amelia (12 Amelia), Omi (241 Carlton) and Young Thailand (446 Parliament). 
Congratulations everyone. http://www.insidetoronto.com/community/life/article/1300518--food-and-the-city-food-of-the-world-found-in-torontoFour at the Winch Quebec
Toronto Dance Theatre (80 Winchester) presents the world premiere of works by Montreal-based choreographers Estelle Clareton, Lina Cruz, Deborah Dunn and Jean-Sébastien Lourdais. February 23-25 & 29 and March 1-3 at 8pm and February 26 at 2 pm. Special $20 tickets for Cabbagetown residents! (Quote the "Cabbagetown Rate" when you book tickets.) Click here to see videos and for more information: http://www.tdt.org/4AWQ/index.html. 416-967-1365 or in person at the box office.Lush & Plush
The Garden of Eden is blooming at Kendall & Co (541 Parliament, Unit C). This handmade Roxborough rug is inspired by nature's lush and exotic. Like a Creemore rug, this Roxborough is a stunning work of art for your floor and your wall. Just one of the gorgeous new patterns that Kendall now has available. Plush New Zealand wool. Click here for more information - http://kendallandco.ca/fyi/retail/newest-rug-collection/Mini Mart has moved
Congratulations to Cabbagetown Mini Mart. They’ve just opened the doors to their new store location at 450 Parliament. It’s a bright clean spot just south of the House on Parliament. They’re continuing with their successful fresh flower sales and they’ve added a line of quick sandwiches and snacks. Drop by and check it out.Report on Riverdale Farm
Justin Skinner at Inside Toronto has written regularly about our local efforts to keep the Riverdale Farm alive. This week’s editions of The Mirror and Inside Toronto offer his report about the group’s mid-February community meeting at http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/1299958--residents-brainstorm-ways-to-keep-riverdale-farm-openOpen House at Sprucecourt School
The Don Vale Cabbagetown Residents Association is co-hosting an open house at Sprucecourt Public School (70 Spruce St) for parents of children born 2008 or after. There will be a speaker from the Toronto District School Board talking about full day Kindergarten. Parents will have a chance to tour the classrooms and meet the Principal. Thursday March 1, 3:15 to 4 pm. For more information, email Lindsay at mailto:info@cabbagetowner.comDisplays for sale
Andrea at Fair Trade Jewellery Company (523 Parliament) has listed several display items for sale on Kijiji. There’s a silver tea light holder, a marble plate set and a wooden pedestal listed now with more items to come. Click on http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-PostersOtherAds-W0QQUserIdZ71397071 to see them in detail.Our Tees are still getting around
Last year, we watched Ken fulfill a lifelong dream to cycle his way around the outer circumference of France. It was a 3500 km epic bike ride and he wore his Cabbagetown Tee all the way. This year, he’s in India and his Tee shirt is there again, proudly, with him.
As we know, the Farm’s future has been cast into doubt and it was spared this year by the willingness of active volunteers to look at ways to support it and make it financially independent. The Farm’s volunteers need your advice. Join the community in a public meeting to talk about ways to help. Wednesday February 15, 6:30 pm, Cabbagetown Youth Centre (behind the Parliament Street Beer Store, 2 Lancaster) 
Susan Dineen has become the liaison between the Cabbagetown South Association and the BIA. It’ll be her job to figure out what we’re doing! Susan has been an effective advocate and organizer for community events for several years. We’re looking forward to her work with us.
This week, Labour of Love (242 Carlton) is featured in the Life-Design section of The Grid. Here’s a quick link to the news item. The story includes great photos of the eclectic mix of delightful trinkets available at this lovely store.
If you’re having a party, a meeting or some other private function, contact Anesti and Mike at (416) 323-0051 or through their website at 
The lower room off the downstairs patio at Weenen’s landmark building (211 Carlton) is available for rent. It’s a comfortable, impressive space with built-in shelves, air conditioning, gas fireplace, carpeting and bright window light. The entrance is in a lovely courtyard garden area. 300 square feet, $1000/month (including utilities). For more information, please contact Diana Menzies from Royal Lepage at 416-424-4900 and 
The “Olio show” continues at the gallery this week. It’s a fun, hodge podge collection of the works that are in inventory. Drop by and browse through the collection. Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm. 555 Parliament.
Join this award winning repertory company. Experience performance and technique training. Students gain advanced access to post secondary programs, secondary school credits, performance and touring experience. Auditions happen on February 26 with call-backs on February 27 and March 30. The audition fee is $30. For more information, click on 
New works by Estelle Clareton, Lina Cruz, Deborah Dunn and Jean-Sebastien Lourdais. February 23-25 and 29, March 1-3, 8 pm. On February 26, 2 pm. $20 to $26. Toronto Dance Theatre, 80 Winchester. Box office: 416-967-1365, 
That’s the theme at the Me to We Store (223 Carlton) this year. When you purchase a gift from the Artisan Collection, you’ll be sharing with your loved one and sharing with the Maasai artisans who creates your gift, adding to the income of the women who beaded the work.
Red roses are always a great choice as an expression of your love on Valentine's Day. Simmons (540 Parliament) buys only the best roses from Ecuador - they have excellent longevity and they’re available in lots of colours. Please order well ahead of the 14th to ensure availability (orders requiring delivery must be placed before the 14th). Open 7 days/week before Valentines. This weekend hours: Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday noon to 4 pm. Monday Feb 13th and Tuesday Feb 14th - open until 7 pm. (416) 920-6580.
Fair Trade Jewellery (523 Parliament) is featuring earrings this year. They have them in three styles – white pearls, balck pearls and diamond. The diamond studs are classics, made from European white gold and Canadian diamonds. These are gifts that can’t go wrong. 
Celebrate the Queen of your heart. Give her these beautiful Diamond Jubilee notebook sets. Honour her natural beauty like these nested fine porcelain bowls embossed with hand-painted blossoms, made by Cabbagetown potter Viola Michalska. Spark some romance with this gold branch tealight holder centrepiece. For more gift suggestions, click on 
This is a great Valentine’s gift – whether it’s for your sweetie or yourself. Rose at Jordano’s Skin Care (252 Gerrard) will help you beat the winter blues with her facials and free LED photo-rejuvenation of dermis epidermis. You’ll reduce your wrinkles, pore sizes and saggy jaw line. It’s a wonderful way to become relaxed, rejuvenated and better looking.
Valentine’s Day is coming and it’s time to get yourself looking gorgeous! Join Labour Of Love (242 Carlton) this Saturday February 11, 11 am to 4 pm, to meet Melanie Cruickshank, owner of DaLish Cosmetics. Melanie will be offering complimentary make-up applications and lip touch-ups, giving winter skin care tips and demonstrating her all-natural, Canadian-made products. And while you’re there, you can enter to win a “For My Valentine” lip gloss kit, valued at $48 with any purchase over $100.
Mark is well-known for his high quality meats and fish. Now, you can also add lots of zing to your meal with some of his new lines. He’s now got Sarafino olives, spreads, sundried tomatoes, mixed mushrooms. His blends of Bird Friendly coffee feature beans from locations that respect the winter habitat of migratory birds. On valentines, come by for chocolate dipped strawberries.
Cake and cookies are the theme this year at Absolute. Heart shaped cookies filled with raspberry. Heart shaped truffle cakes. The cookies will be baked fresh on Saturday. Warning – once you’re in the bakery, you won’t escape without a sweet.
This is a great place to shop for delicious extra touches that make a dessert special. They have chocolates from Chocolate Clare, cookies and macaroons in Valentine colours. For a full listing of their many menus, check the Daniel et Daniel website at 
Carol at Lennie’s (489 Parliament) has tons of chocolate. It’s fair trade, organic and of course, healthy. (We all know that it’s healthy again to eat chocolate.) White chocolate, dark chocolate, flavoured chocolates. You may not expect it, but one taste of the Maca chocolate and you’ll know what libido really is. And Carol will tell you all about it when you drop in.
Patty has lined up a very attractive list of sweets for your Valentines Day party. She’s got chocolate candy by Chocolate Clare, boxes of hearts and lollipops, Baci boxes, red velvet boxes, Dufflet’s cupcakes, and homemade sugar and gingerbread heart cookies. Next week, she’s holding her customer appreciation week with a new feature offered up daily – breakfast sandwiches, prepared salads, lunch specials, ham, brownies and coffee beans. 473 Parliament
Erin and her staff have planned a night for singles to relax and have real fun meeting other singles. Here’s how it works: if you’re a single, straight gal, you must bring a single, straight guy (and vice versa) and if you’re a single, gay gal, you must bring a single, gay guy (again, vice versa). Get it? This keeps all the numbers even for a great party. Champagne is $5, Devil’s Pale Ale is $5 and classic martinis are $10. Games and prizes. Saturday, February 11, 8 pm to close. Tickets are $20. 
Crab cakes, Roquefort pear salad or tapenade brushcetta will start your three-course dinner at the FB (488 Parliament.) Cruise along to a Rowe Farms NY striploin, pasta carbonara, red snapper or mushroom and blue cheese risotto. For dessert, there’s a white chocolate brownie or a NY cheesecake. All of this for only $34.99.
On Tuesday evening, Cranberries (601 Parliament) hosts another of their scrumptious three-course dinners. Start off with cream of oven roasted beets and rosewater soup or arugula salad. For a main course, choose grilled swordfish, chicken roulade or grilled beef tenderloin. Finish up with raspberry cheesecake. Prix fixe for $39.99.
Once again, Peartree (507 Parliament) has a wide selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts for you for their Valentines three-course prix fixe. Start with a salad or your choice of two soups, then enjoy steak and lobster, roasted rack of lamb, seafood fettuccini, Atlantic salmon, Bombay butter chicken or stuffed angolati. For dessert, there’s cakes and pie. All for only $20.99 to $25.99.
This year, Merryberry (559 Parliament) are celebrating couples – each course will have one ingredient featured two ways. For the appetizers, the ingredient will be shrimp. Coconut milk will be used for the main course. Pomegranate is the dessert ingredient. The whole meal will have an exotic, tropical feel. It’s a prix fixe at $25/each. 
On Valentines, the kitchen at the House on Parliament (454 Parliament) will be creating extra special specials. The menu includes harlequin soup, smoked duck breast salad, grilled shrimp, beef tenderloin with foie gras, seared sea scallops, rack of lamb and tarte au chocolat café with cognac crème fouette. You can also select a three course prix fixe with a champagne cocktail at $45. Now that’s romantic.
Your blog will return in two weeks. Next week, the call of the wild wins out! See you soon…
Alice’s opened in a familiar spot at 554 Parliament a few weeks ago. At the moment, she’s got bar service with an emphasis on Ontario microbrews. Her front room has a cozy fireplace and two big screen TVs. The upstairs space is ideal for private parties. There’s karaoke on Thursdays and on weekends and a special menu is coming soon.
At The Ben Wicks, they’re showing the pre-game and the game on two large screens. There’ll be chili, nachos, ribs and wings and surprise giveaway prizes at half-time. 
Heather loves the Big Game. She’s promising that beer will be served, spilled and cried in – from 5 pm.
Erin’s pre-game Tailgate Party starts 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. 
Beer specials, a game pool and chicken wings, chili and sliders, all starting at 5 pm. 
On Sunday, Kiki is celebrating her fortieth anniversary on Parliament Street on Sunday from 2 to 5 pm. Save the date and drop by Hair Lift (503B Parliament) for a glass of wine a nibblies. (Oops department – last week, we listed the wrong date, so please make sure to come on Sunday!)
Red roses are always your first choice as an expression of your love on Valentine's Day so don't forget your Sweetie. Simmons buys only the best roses from Ecuador - they have excellent longevity and they’re available in lots of colours. Please order well ahead of the 14th to ensure availability (orders requiring delivery must be placed before the 14th). Open 7 days/week before Valentines. Weekend hours: Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday noon to 4 pm. Monday Feb 13th and Tuesday Feb 14th - open until 7 pm. (416) 920-6580. 540 Parliament.
It’s time to make yourself gorgeous! Join Regina at Labour Of Love (242 Carlton) from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday February 11th to meet Melanie Cruickshank, owner of DaLish Cosmetics. Melanie will be offering complimentary make-up applications and lip touch-ups, giving winter skin care tips and demonstrating her all-natural, Canadian-made products. Enter to win a “For My Valentine” lip gloss kit, valued at $48 with any purchase over one hundred dollars. For more information click here: 
Kendall & Co has gifts your Valentine will treasure. Cabbagetown's Bitty Bijou Jewelry is handmade with love using lava rock, agate, quartz, smokey topaz, freshwater pearls, amethyst, labradorite, wood and leather. Splurge on your sweetheart with our zebra wood-veneer deco jewelry box – it comes with three felt-lined drawers and a fold-up mirror. Gift wrap your present with our beautiful paper and cards. See more suggestions at 
Ameena Chaudhry has opened her new art gallery at 438 Parliament. It’s a bright, attractive room that’s ideally suited to her showings. Her gallery will feature art from southeast Asia, a special focus that’s long overdue in Toronto. She’s been very impressed with her Cabbagetown setting and she’s looking forward to a successful time here. Her current show, Of The Sky & Heart by Bajrang Suthar, runs to March 4.
Mark at MJG Gallery is exhibiting "Olio Pt. 1" for the month of February. "Olio" features a 'hodgepodge' of artwork by numerous artists carried in MJG's inventory. The pictures range in price from $55-$4800. 555 Parliament.
This week, Harold supervised the arrival of a shipment from Singapore. He says that lots of interesting aquarium plants and goldfish are now in stock. “There’re lots of nice betta fish here”. On Tuesday, they’re getting another shipment – rare fish from Peru including a freshwater barracuda. Drop in and check out their fascinating selection of salt water and fresh water fish for small aquariums. 
Cyril has sent us advance info about MerryBerry’s Valentine’s plans. This year, they’re celebrating couples – each course will have one ingredient featured two ways. For the appetizers, the ingredient will be shrimp. Coconut milk will be used for the main course. Pomegranate is the dessert ingredient. The whole meal will have an exotic, tropical feel. It’s a prix fixe at $25/each. 
Epicure has lots of supplies for your Superbowl party. Over the weekend, Summerfresh dips are on sale – buy one and get a second one free. Samosas are also on sale: buy three and get another one free. French brie and La Sauvagine are on special. On Monday morning from 7:30 to 11:30 am, enjoy a breakfast sandwich and get a second one at half-price. 473 Parliament.
Number 9 uses this method of instruction because it’s an excellent way to learn the art of audio recording engineering. All modular course are instructed ” Hands-On ” ” One-on-One ” and ” In-Studio”. We enroll a maximum of 5 students at any one time and each student gets an experience during the most convenient times and days to fit their schedules ( Internships can be included, certain restrictions apply). Call us to arrange a tour and an interview at (416) 988-0989. We are confident that the Number 9 Recording School will be one of the best educational experiences you’ve ever had.