Wow, what a week.

Coming events --

Saturday and Sunday. The Tour of Homes happens throughout Cabbagetown. Get last minute tickets at 237 Carlton Street from noon to 2 pm each day. $30/each.

Monday night. All Candidates Meeting. Meet the major candidates in the provincial election and hear them debate. Sprucecourt School, Spruce Street (between Sackville and Sumach), 7 pm, free event.

Reflections on the Festival

We enjoyed a terrific weekend. From Wednesday’s Wine Tasting to “last call” in the pubs on Sunday, our neighbourhood was hopping, the weather was fantastic, the patios were full of life and the music was marvelous.
It’s always dangerous to pick one favourite moment – but I can’t resist.
My most moving experience of the weekend involved Frances, our “change please” lady. She was operating outside Jet Fuel on Saturday afternoon when Vicente Carbonel began to play his pan flute nearby. She stood up, walked right in front of him and listened to him, completely captured. The music seemed to carry her out of herself. For the past two years, I’ve watched her squatting on the sidewalk, often with her lunch spread out in front of her on the pavement, begging desperately for money for her next drug hit. On Saturday, Vicente’s flute took her away from that life and briefly gave her some dignity and real pleasure.



Another great time happened on Sunday afternoon when Danny Marks performed and shared the stage with other Cabbagetown artists. John Jay from Cobourg caught Danny’s impromptu ballad about Parliament Street on video. It’s posted here.
Enough said – it was a wonderful celebration of our neighbourhood and our friends.


Salvation Army Comes To Parliament Street

The proposed move by the Salvation Army into a Parliament Street site has caused a massive uproar among residents and business people along the street. Everyone is objecting to this prospect.
What are the facts? The Salvation Army already has a small mission located in a laneway at Wellesley and Parliament, serving TCHC tenants. They need more space and want a chance to set up a church. They emphasize that their new location will continue their current low-keyed work with added opportunities for worship services. They’ve rented the storefront at the old Flamingo Restaurant site near Spruce Street. The BIA, Councillor Pam McConnell, and the three residents’ associations have all objected. Everyone of us knows that they help a lot of people and we support their work. But, as Councillor Pam McConnell says, “It’s the right service in the wrong spot.”
Paul Dineen, the BIA Chairman, gathered community representatives at the BIA office for over an hour and a half on Thursday to talk about these feelings with staff from the Salvation Army. We made it clear that our objections will increase, not subside.
At this time, everyone has agreed to look for another, more suitable spot in Cabbagetown. We understand the Salvation Army’s needs and we’re seeking a place that can properly house them in harmony with the neighbourhood.
In the meantime, speak up about the Flamingo site. Tell the Salvation Army that it really isn’t the place to go. This pressure has really helped us to convince the Salvation Army to look for a different location. There are a lot of hurdles to cross and we need to hear from you.
You can call the BIA at (416) 921-0857 or email us at doug@oldcabbagetown.com. You can also contact Pam McConnell at City Hall at (416) 392-7916. You can contact the Salvation Army at ronald.farr@sympatico.ca .
To those who have already spoken up – thanks. To everyone else – please tell us your views.

Jazz at the Piccolo, at Stonegrill and at Cobourg

So, let me trumpet the news …

The Piccolo (226 Carlton St) now features Whitney Smith on Fridays at 9:30 pm. They’re offering his music in their downstairs room, the Anabella Lounge. Say hello to Angelo while you’re there. Great guy.

The Stonegrill on Winchester (51B Winchester St) still has its jazz at brunch on Sunday. I went there a couple of weeks ago - it’s amazing. Archie Alleyne is featured from noon to 3 pm..

And, of course, the Cobourg (533 Parliament St). Beautiful music in an intimate setting. Their jazz series has packed the place all summer long. On Sunday, Perry White will return along with Reg Schwager and Neil Swainson. From 9 pm, no cover charge.

Welcome new businesses

JAM Café (195 Carlton Street) is here. Chef Av Atikian opened his doors officially on August 21. He’s kept the two great outdoor patios and renovated inside to make this a very comfortable restaurant. The menu offers appetizers at $7, salads at $4, main courses at $14 and desserts at $5. My own personal research has revealed that the French fries are priceless! Try them for yourself. (416) 921-1255

If you need to perk up your appearance before dashing off to JAM, drop in on Renee Marshall. She’s called her new hair styling shop Salon Bijou (211 Carlton St) because it’s a real gem, located inside a beautiful little courtyard. (416) 657-4365.


There’s lots more, but I’m outta here.

Late-breaking News
Tim Hortons has just made a very generous donation to the Cabbagetown Festival (September 8 and 9). Their donation will enable us to beef up our entertainment and to highlight the Tim Hortons stage at Winchester and Parliament.
Saturday’s lineup now starts with Juno-Award winning children’s entertainer, Jack Grunsky who will perform from 11 am to noon. In the afternoon, look for Sady T and David Dunlap, two favourites whose music has been popular at last year’s Festival and at Music on Parliament Street.
Sunday’s program will centre around Danny Marks, one of Cabbagetown’s best known performers and broadcasters. He’ll be joined by community groups and bands from Cabbagetown.

Cabbagetown on the Internet
Click on this link to see more -- www.cabbagetowners.ca
Peter Reynolds, a 31-year resident of Cabbagetown and a retired CBC producer, has launched his Cabbagetown web site. We’re pleased to tell you that he’s included a slide show on the BIA, another on the Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre and a video about the Don Vale Cabbagetown Residents Association. Future plans include the annual Festival and its related events.
Check it out.

Open House at the GMI Wellness Centre
Greater Minds International and their affiliated group, GMI Wellness Centre, have just opened their doors at 250A Carlton Street (just beside the Daniel et Daniel food shop and upstairs above The Healthy Whey.)
You’re invited to their Open House on Tuesday, August 14 from 10 am to 9 pm. This is your chance to try their new Vibroslim Pro machine. Trim your body. Add energy to your life. Learn about their programs and services. (And, we can say confidently, meet some really charming people who are running this new enterprise.) Refreshments will be served from 4 to 7 pm.
Don’t miss it.

Peaches at The Town Grill
On Wednesday August 15, Ontario Peaches will be presented during the first of several themed evenings at the renowned Town Grill (243 Carlton Street). The tasting menu offers six courses for $65 and $85 with matching wines. When Colin Gallacher’s kitchen creates these evenings, we all perk up.
For reservations, call (416) 963-9433 or email chefcolin@sympatico.ca

A Quick Warning
If you're a thief and you want to stay unbruised and out of jail, don't try anything at the Shoppers Drug Mart. While we were writing today's Newsletter, we were startled to see a great big guy buried underneath a pile of others in the middle of Carlton Street traffic. It seems that this ambitious fellow had decided to scoop a handful of cash out of the Shopper's till to finance his summertime schemes. Instead of basking in the sun with a pina colada, he's now lounging in the back of a 51 Division police car, all thanks to four determined Shopper's staff members. And we were also very amazed by the calm professional behaviour of the 51 Division police who made sure that everything was done carefully and firmly.

Cabbagetown Tour of Homes
The early details about the 2007 Tour of Homes are now being released. This year’s Tour will feature the Lamb House and five other gracious homes. It’ll take place on Saturday September 15 and Sunday September 16, from 1 to 5 pm each day. Tickets include refreshments at the new Stonegrill on Winchester (51B Winchester St) and the Laurentian Room (51A Winchester Street).
Tickets are $30 each and you can buy them at the BIA office (237 Carlton Street), at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament Street), at Sheridan Nurseries (2827 Yonge Street, 784 Sheppard Ave East and 1774 Ellesmere Road), at the Gift Shop at Riverdale Farm (201 Winchester Street) and at Ticketmaster.
For more information and photos, go to http://www.cabbagetowntour.org/
Mark your calendars now – this is one of our favourite neighbourhood events.

Jazz at The Cobourg
John Alcorn, Reg Schwager and Neil Swainson are back again at The Cobourg (533 Parliament Street). By all reports, their music has pulled in a packed house each week and they’re continuing with it again this Sunday. 9 pm. No cover charge.
Beautiful music.

Sunday Brunch at the Stonegrill on Winchester
Still more music. This time, it’s jazz legend Archie Alleyne and his trio (noon to 3 pm).

Norm Betts gives us another great photo

Our thanks to Norm whose pictures have improved this Newsletter regularly in the past. This time, he shows us the glittery side of Cabbagetown that's often overlooked. Here's jazz at The Cobourg - a setting that's as smooth as the music itself.

New Associate Members
Our campaign to attract Associate members to our BIA is now well underway. Here’s a reminder – if you operate a business or service in Cabbagetown, you can join for a $50 annual fee and get access to the BIA’s services. These include networking with other BIA members, a website listing and mentions on our Newsletter for your special projects.

Thanks to a new Associate member
Kidist Design is our first new Associate member. The company’s founder, Kidist Paulos Asrat, specializes in graphic design, digital media and website services. She’s prepared a quick summary of how the internet can help businesses to take advantage of the Cabbagetown Festival –

“Your Website is the gateway to the world!
The Cabbagetown Festival is coming up!
Many people have now become so internet-savvy, that they plan their activities around information they find online.
Websites are a sure way to provide that information.

• Restaurants and retailers who have websites attract more customers.
• It’s easier to get customer feedback online
• Advertising and promoting your business is easier with image-rich and well-written websites.

Now is the time to attract those many visitors coming for the Cabbagetown Festival by putting your business website online or by upgrading your old one to meet the needs of the changing world.
Kidist Designs is a modern, community-based website design company that will put your business on the internet map!
Please ask about our free article “How to make the most of your website” by emailing us at:
info@kidistdesigns.com
Get ready for the Festival!”

Thanks Kidist. We agree that the internet is the road to greater customer traffic and a better awareness of your business.

Festival Website
You can see the weekend Festival program in detail on our BIA website, http://www.oldcabbagetown.com/
To make your visit interesting, we’ve added a few features. So just go to the Home Page, click on the balloon and you’ll be there. Scroll through the program details until you find one that interests you and click on that link. There are details available on the Wine Route, Pub Night, Film Festival and Saturday and Sunday programs on Parliament Street.

Cabbagetown Wine Route, Wednesday, September 5
This was an outstanding Festival event in its first year and it’s back again in full swing. Details are now available.
Seven fine Cabbagetown restaurants are taking part – Jam Café, Piccolo and Town Grill (all on Carlton Street) plus The Left Door at Ben Wicks, The Cobourg, Stonegrill on Winchester and The Laurentian Room (on Parliament Street).
They’re featuring rare and hard-to-get wines from Australia. With winery names like Swings & Roundabouts, Kiss Chasey, Lilly Pilly, Six Foot Six and Shingleback – you know that you’re dealing with Aussies. And these amazing names are attached to equally amazing bottles of wine.
The restaurants are preparing tasting menus that highlight the skills of their kitchens and marry beautifully with the strengths of the wines.
Tasting happen between 7 and 11 pm on Wednesday, September 5. Tickets are priced at $40 per tasting (including all charges for tips and taxes).
Make your reservation now – Old Cabbagetown BIA, (416) 921-0857 and doug@oldcabbagetown.com
For more information, go to http://www.oldcabbagetown.com/ and click on the balloon. Look for the link to the Wine Route and click on it for details about events, wines and locations.

Weekend Events at the Stonegrill
We continue to hear great reviews for the food and entertainment at the Stonegrill on Winchester (51B Winchester Street).
For the long weekend in August, they’re offering Mae Cromwell on Friday night (10 pm to 1 am) with Motown, funk and disco. Sunday brunch features jazz legend Archie Alleyne and his trio (noon to 3 pm).

Jazz at the Cobourg
John Alcorn continues his summer run at The Cobourg. He’s joined by Reg Schwager and Artie Ross. 9 pm on Sunday. No cover. Beautiful music.

Thanks, Kevin
Once again, we have a generous sponsor for our Cabbagetown Festival Parade.
Kevin White is a broker with Royal LePage Urban Realty. His gift of $200 is welcome indeed. In fact, as he says, the Festival has special meaning in his family. He and Ruth met during the pub crawl. They live on Aberdeen where he’s owned his home since 1998 and they’re members of the Aberdeen Avenue Residents Association. Their house has been featured on the annual Tour of Homes.
Many thanks, Kevin, for a great gift from a committed Cabbagetowner!


September 5 to September 9. Mark your calendars for the Cabbagetown Festival.
For details and more information: www.oldcabbagetown.com.
Click on the balloon and follow the links to your favourite Festival events.


Festival warm-ups

Three big events happen right after Labour Day to warm up your Festival week.
Wednesday, September 5, 7:00 to 11:30 PM – The second annual Cabbagetown Wine Route. Seven great restaurants will feature rare and hard-to-get Australian wines. Tickets are now available. Don’t miss out.
Thursday, September 6 – The Cabbagetown Pub Night. Ten pubs are each hosting amazing events to turn this into a memorable evening.
Friday, September 7, 7 pm - the return of the Cabbagetown Short Film & Video Festival (at Winchester Dance Theatre, 80 Winchester St) followed by serious filmography analyses at The Cobourg Wine Bar (533 Parliament Street).

The 2007 Festival Program – Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9

It’s planned, prepared and well underway. Here are a few highlights:

The whole day starts at Blair’s Run. It’s a mini-marathon for the whole family. Starting at 8:30 am with a coffee and muffin, ranging through 3 kilometers on the grueling streets of Cabbagetown’s central district, and ending up at croissant heaven (Daniel et Daniel), this is a race for four-year-olds and eight-four-year-olds. Don’t miss it.

Saturday’s Cabbagetown People’s Parade (10 to 11:30 am) launches the weekend. We’re assembling at Parliament and Wellesley and marching straight down the street to Gerrard.
Bring your baby. Wear your superman outfit. Be a real cabbagehead. Nobody’ll tell. Experienced observers will expect the instant replay that has always marked past parades – a quick trip up the street and then a second march down. Not this year. It’s a one-way adventure so the times are a lot more important!

Carlton Street Home Show. All day long on Saturday, twenty local businesses are showcasing the services that they can offer to Cabbagetown homeowners. There are furniture and decorating stores, renovators and handymen, home and real estate services and lots more. Plans are even underway to bring an antique appraiser to help you decide whether to keep that priceless but doubtful armoir.

The Parliament Street Party. Saturday is full of music: Go Freddy Go at the House of Parliament, Jim Heineman at Big Mamma’s Boy and Chapter Eleven, Mae Cromwell at the Stonegrill on Winchester, the Mellotones at No Frill’s, South Asian singers and dancers at the International Stage, Errol Fisher at Angel Queen and Pear Tree, the YSM Street Party at Gerrard. Plus David Dunlap, Sady T and lots more.

Blood, sweat and tears. If physical exertion is your first love, then check out the CYC Martial Arts show at 2 pm, the Gien San Karate Demo at 2 pm and the Cabbagetown Boxing Club’s annual Boxing Show at 3 pm on Saturday. You can also see just how tough serious players can be at the Cabbagetown Table Tennis Tournament throughout Saturday afternoon.

Great food and drinks. More than fifteen pubs and restaurants will offer food and drinks in comfortable patios all along Parliament Street. From Ben Wicks’ traditional pig roast to Piccolo’s munchies and on to Timothy’s Tikka and the barbeques at the north end, you’ll find food from every corner of the world.

The Big Opening on Sunday is a mile-long brunch: at PearTree, the HOP, Ben Wicks, Shirleys, Johnny Gs, Cranberries, Big Mamma’s Boy, Brass Taps and many more.

Danny Marks will highlight Sunday afternoon’s celeberation of Cabbagetown’s community musicians. With another heaping spoonful of good food on colourful street patios, Sunday turns into a fine time to sit back, relax, and remember the excesses of the night before.

All of this plus the world’s best garage sales, Art & Crafts in Riverdale Park, a barn dance, walking tours of beautiful neighbourhoods and a Fairy Godmother’s Assistant. Is it any wonder that people think we’re nuts? And fun!

More good news about the Festival Parade...
Two of our BIA members have just made generous donations to the Parade fund. Both are real estate companies.
HomeLife/Realty One (501 Parliament Street) and Prudential Properties Plus (552 Parliament Street) have each made large donations to the 2007 Cabbagetown Festival. We’ve earmarked $50 from each of them for the Parade.
Pledges to the Parade fund now stand at $1220.00. We’re close to heaven but not quite there yet. Just another $750 will put us over the top. So please, dig deep!


And while we’re talking about the Festival Parade …
It looks as if the baby walk is going to be a great hit. Every mom and dad (in fact, every baby) should be talking it up now!
What’s the idea? Bring your baby to the Parade and strut your stuff. Walk along Parliament Street in the Festival Parade and show off the great job you’ve done.
If you bring your baby, we’ll bring the bands and the cheering crowds to welcome you.
Save this date: Saturday morning, September 8, 10:00 am. Details will follow soon.

Associate Members of the BIA
In the June meeting, the Board of Management approved the idea of Associate Memberships in the BIA.
If you’re a business person working from home in Cabbagetown, we’d love to have you as a member. The cost is minimal - $50 a year. If you join now, your membership lasts until December 31, 2008.
The benefits are big. Our whole emphasis is on networking. Join us and get a listing on our web site. If you have a special event or announcement, you can use this Newsletter to tell the world. Twice a year, we’ll invite you to our informal occasions to meet other BIA members (at our annual Chairman’s Award evening and at our Annual General Meeting.) One Associate Member will be elected at the AGM to sit on our Board and to speak on behalf of the group. Plus you can call on our office for help with your projects and special promotions.
Here’s the fine print on two important questions.
Why Associate Membership? Because a full member has to be a business or property owner located within our boundaries and also has to be someone who pays property tax to the City of Toronto at commercial rates. This is carefully defined by the City of Toronto.
Can anyone join? Sorry – no. We aren’t a social group or a residents’ association. We’re a business group looking for other business people in our area.
For more information, call Doug Fisher at (416) 921-0857 or email doug@oldcabbagetown.com.


Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces
The first annual garden tour sponsored by the Cabbagetown Preservation Association takes place this weekend, Sunday, July 8. It starts at 11 am and continues to 4 pm. Tickets are $10.
This is a wonderful idea. This neighbourhood is full of enthusiastic gardeners who’ve produced lovely landscapes.
If you need a ticket, you can visit Mi Casa at 238 Carlton Street on Saturday. On Sunday, during the tour, walk along Carlton Street east of Parliament and look for a balloon outside a garden.

Green living styles at The Union
On Saturday July 7, from 4 to 9 pm, The Union (242 Carlton Street) hosts a Live Earth party to promote environmental living and bring awareness to the climate change crisis.

Hot music for summer evenings…
Angel Queen Pub & Restaurant (488 Parliament Street) has introduced karaoke nights with DJ Dante. Every Thursday and Sunday. And while you’re there, check out their wings and beer specials.
The Stonegrill on Winchester (51B Winchester Street) still has its Sunday jazz brunches featuring Archie Alleyne from 10:30 am to 3 pm. Scrumptious food and beautiful music.
The Cobourg (533 Parliament Street) continues its marvelous Sunday night jazz series with John Alcorn. Sundays at 9 pm, no cover charge.

And the art world heats up for the summer…
The Cabbagetown Community Art Centre (454 Parliament Street) has two new summer programs gearing up.
For adults, Art Makes You is a six-week course running on Monday nights from 7 to 8:30 pm. At $90 (plus $15 for materials), it’s a bargain.
For kids ages 3 to 6, it’s Vegetable Soup, a fun program of painting and creative art. Held every Wednesday morning from 10 to 11:30 am, the program runs for six weeks and costs only $80.
For information about these programs, contact kdinwoodie@hotmail.com or the Arts Centre at 416-925-7222.

Another round of Thank-you’s to the Green Party
Our efforts to raise money for our Cabbagetown Festival Parade have really been supported by the Green Party. This time around, it’s Mike McLean who has responded so generously with a gift of $100.
Mike is seeking election to the Ontario Legislature in the coming Fall campaign. He’ll be representing the Green Party of Ontario. A graphic designer, he moved to Toronto in 2005 from his native British Columbia and he’s quickly made his mark here.
We can see why. He saw a good cause and he supported us. Watch for Mike in the Cabbagetown Parade on September 8 and be sure to thank him for his help.


Babies wanted …
Take your baby for a stroll in our Parade. If you’re stopped on the sidewalk on Parliament Street and asked if your baby is a Cabbagetowner, don’t be surprised – we’re recruiting kids, moms and dads for the Festival Parade on September 8. What could be more festive than hundreds of babies all massed together in the middle of the street? Just ask Zoe – who’s out getting dinner at Daniel et Daniel.


Great reviews for St Jamestown Steak & Chops
City Bites magazine (Summer 2007) has just completed a survey of the best rib-eye steaks from Toronto’s leading local butchers. Our own St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament Street) has earned high praise:
“St Jamestown Steak & Chops
FLAVOUR & BEAUTY
(His) southern Ontario beef is wet and dry-aged for 60-80 days, resulting in a yielding texture our tasters loved. Very nice trim butchering (looks like a big filet mignon) and mild-medium beefy flavour.”
Congratulations to Mark Michelin and his staff for another success.


Vinyl lovers have a new Cabbagetown Home
The Record Shoppe (458 Parliament Street – on the upper balcony above the House on Parliament) has just opened its door. This trendy retro store is focused on vintage vinyl records. They also sell CDs featuring local bands and Cabbagetown musicians. Guitar strings, instruments and music supplies round out their offerings. Amanda Lorberg manages the store.


Music on Parliament Street
Saturday, June 22 is the last day for our annual Spring musical presentation. This week, Jim Heineman brings jazz to Winchester and Parliament. Michael Kaplan, a regular favourite at Grasshopper Bar, is playing his brand of country music at Carlton and Parliament.
Last week, Sady T of Sax & the City played Forties and Fifties swing and Caribbean songs at Winchester Street. Dan McDonald brought Nova Scotia fiddle tunes to Spruce and Parliament. Both were warmly received.
Our artists are also busking and Cabbagetown shoppers have rewarded them for their talents. This is very highly appreciated and, on behalf of the artists and the BIA, we want to thank everyone who tossed in a few coins or bought a CD to take home.


There’s jazz everywhere at Winchester Street
A reminder that The Cobourg (533 Parliament Street) continues to present amazing jazz musicians every Sunday evening. This week, it's John Alcorn (vocals) with Reg Schwager and Dave Young on Sunday at 9:00 pm

The Stonegrill on Winchester (51B Winchester Street) has introduced a Sunday Brunch Jazz Series with jazz legend Archie Alleyne. Brunch itself is a knockout – eggs benedict with trout and artichokes, homemade buttermilk scones and a host of other irresistible goodies. Every Sunday, noon to 3 pm.