Toronto Arts Foundation 2011 Awards
The Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (509 Parliament) has won the prestigious 2011 TAF Arts for Youth award. Their Community Residencies have engaged over 160,000 students and teachers with main stage dance performances aimed expressly at young people. Their appearance at the Princess of Wales Theatre for the Creative Trust Gala, their Asian tours, two appearances at Dancers for Life and five invitations to the Canada Dance Festival were also noted. Actor Graham Abbey made the award to Artistic Director Deborah Lundmark

Bragging rights for the HOP
And while we’re discussing awards and compliments. The House on Parliament (454 Parliament) has been listed as one of Canada’s top ten pubs (and the only one in Toronto) by Crave Online. You can read the article here: http://www.craveonline.com/lifestyle/articles/176176-top-10-canadian-pubs The HOP is also on Facebook and you can find lots of current info and photos on their page.

Saturday is the last day
Melissa Nepton’s Cloth­ing Trunk Show finishes its appearance at Labour of Love (242 Carlton) on Saturday. Don’t miss out – Regina reports that the show has been a big success. Drop in on Sat­ur­day because after that, you’ll have to go all the way to Montreal to enjoy it again. For more information, www.thelabouroflove.ca

Coming on Sunday - Cabbagetown tree tour
The Don Vale Cabbagetown Residents have teamed up with LEAF to offer a tree tour of our historic neighbourhood. You’ll see the gentle giants that add so much comfort to our lives. Register in advance at www.yourleaf.org or just join the tour at Carlton and Parliament. $5 donation (or free for members of DVCRA.) Sunday, October 23, 11 am to 12:30 pm.

This weekend at Epicure
Patty tells us that her Montreal roast beef is finally back in stock. As always, it’s good and it’s preservative free. To welcome the beef back, she’s offering it on special for the coming week. For dessert, she has lots of brownies and squares, so she’s got them on special for the weekend. Buy one and get another at half price. The Epicure Shop (473 Parliament)

MJG Gallery
Mark is featuring a special painting every week and the first one is his own “A Chair is…”. Along with his own work, he’s got paintings by Marjolyn van der Hart, Laura Culic, Bev Jenkins and several other artists. He also has lots of original, one-of-a-kind works that cost less than $150. Drop in and browse. For artists, he’s continuing his Figure Life Drawing classes. He supplies the model, easels, chairs and refreshments and guests bring their own paper and drawing media. Space is limited (only eight people) so please RSVP. Thursdays, 7 to 10 pm, $35. 555 Parliament.

Pteros Tactics at Toronto Dance Theatre
Choreography by Christopher House and ten TDT dancers. Performances on October 28 and 29 at 8 pm, on October 30 at 2 pm and on November 2 and 3 at 8 pm. Tickets are $20 to $26. Buy your tickets online at http://www.tdt.org/buy/order.htm or at (416) 967-1365 X 28. 80 Winchester.

Not one, but two parties at Stout
Erin has a long weekend planned for Hallowe’en. On Saturday afternoon October 29, she’s inviting kids of all ages to drop by for a special party. There’ll be loot bags and prizes for the best costumes and the funniest costumes plus a colouring contest and lots of games. Noon to 2 pm.
Then on Saturday night from 8 pm, there’ll be a grown-up party with costume prizes, iron stein contest, trivia contests and games. Craft beers will include $5 Devils Pale Ale, Pumpkin Ale and Golden Horseshoe. Tickets are $10 and the proceeds go to the Toronto SPCA.
Stout Irish Pub, 221 Carlton

Hallowe’en at The Ben Wicks
Robert has announced his plans for a Hallowe’en Party on Friday October 28 with live music by Anything Goes. It starts at 8 pm, there’ll be prizes for the best costume, good food and good drinks. Save the date. No cover charge. www.benwicks.com 423 Parliament.

RBC’s Small Business Seminar
The RBC branch at 480 Dundas has joined our BIA as an associate member. Jasmina, the manager, is organizing a seminar and networking opportunity for business people in our community. Paul de Francesca, the featured speaker, will discuss opportunities to purchase property and also the steps that he took to become a self-employed person. Wednesday October 26, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, Daniels Presentation Centre at 500 Dundas E. Please RSVP to jasmina.zdravkovic@rbc.com

New business hours
Johnny G (478 Parliament) has announced their winter hours. You can enjoy their brunches and specials from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, Monday to Friday and from 8:30 am to 5 pm on weekends.
Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton) have extended their hours at the Food Shop to 7 pm on Thursdays and Fridays. Bad news for people trying to diet! Great news for the rest of us.

Kendall & Co
Kendall & Co (541 Parliament at Winchester) have two featured products this week. Their unique grinder is made from naturally fallen branches and can handle peppers, sea salt, spices and coffee beans. You can select yours from three different types of wood. Ceramic grinders provide high quality and good control. They also have selected 2’ by 3’ hand hooked rugs at 25% discounts. Their interior design studio is open from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm.

Book launch at the Ben Wicks
Cabbagetown author Robert Hawke has written about his fight against cancer. His book, Kicking Cancer’s Ass, is for anyone going through this struggle and he’s having a launch party at the Ben Wicks (424 Parliament) on Saturday, November 5 at 8 pm. He’s posted a short and charming youtube video about his book at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3onCPC5dAWc

Save this date
The Centre for Education & Training (599 Parliament) is hosting a networking breakfast with Francois-Olivier Grisel from small business marketing at Google as the guest speaker. Topics include local consumer behaviour, effective online marketing, attracting clients to your website and increasing your customer base. The Centre will also introduce its services during the breakfast. No cover charge. Thursday, November 10, 8 to 10 am. Please RSVP to skaur@tcet.com

Sweet Creamery has closed
Emilio from Sweet Creamery dropped by the BIA office this week. He’s sorry that his efforts didn’t work at the ice cream store but he’s also grateful for the friendships and fun that he enjoyed during his stay there. He’s asked us to say hello to his friends and customers in Cabbagetown. He’s now the chef at 416 Community Support for Women.