This is the season when we think about making donations to agencies working in the arts, teaching kids, helping people who are sick or homeless. There are amazing people doing this work in our communities. For your convenience, we're drawing up a list so you can see who they are and what they're doing.
To see the list, click here and also click on the poinsettia image in the right hand column. Check back regularly - we'll add more names in the next week or two.
Riverdale Farm news
Changes are being made by the City of Toronto to the
Advisory Council at the Farm. For over
25 years, the Riverdale Farm Advisory Council has given feedback and direction
to the professional staff from the Parks Department. They’ve worked closely with staff but they’re
an independent body.
In November, the City dissolved this arrangement,
following on recommendations from the Riverdale Farm Coalition. A new group will be formed to look into
fundraising projects to finance the Farm’s $500,000 annual budget.
We remember the Advisory Council’s leadership last year
when they launched the campaign to “Save the Farm” with their bright yellow
lawn signs . Their work over the years
has ranged from renovations to the health and welfare of the animals. They’ve spent thousands of volunteer hours cleaning
up the property, planting and tending the gardens. They ran the annual Pancake Breakfast during
the Festival.
The final Chair of the Council was Dan Eldridge. Over the years, the Council’s membership has
run from 12 to 16 people.
All of them deserve our heartfelt thanks.
Dental bus in St James Town
Every two weeks on Mondays, a bus from Toronto Public
Health visits St James Town to provide dental care. It’s an important service for local
residents. Children under the age of 18,
senior citizens and adults needing emergency care are all eligible for treatment.
Toronto Public Health works with community partners with the bus – Community Matters
and Community Corner are the St James Town partner. Appointments are needed and
can be arranged through Amina Chaudhary at Community Matters, (647) 765-7672.
CYC Appreciation Night
The Cabbagetown Youth Centre has a lot to celebrate. Their new renovations are complete and the
changes are remarkable. So they`re
hosting an evening to show off and to thank their supporters. John McFadyen, a very strong supporter and
leader, will be recognized. The people who contributed to Blair`s Run and to
the Scotiabank Marathon will be acknowledged. The CYC`s Performing Arts Kids
will perform. There`ll be tours of the new
facilities and refreshments. Thursday
December 6, 7 pm. Please RSVP to (416) 960-1032 or rsvp@cabbagetownyouth.ca
Cabbagetown South Christmas Party
The residents’ group is sponsoring its Christmas party on
Wednesday, December 12 from 7 to 9 pm at the Ontario Restaurant (south side of
Dundas between Ontario and Milan). It’s
a chance to meet your neighbours, share some cheer and celebrate Cabbagetown
South. Advance ticket sales continue to
Sunday December 2 - $15 each. After
that, tickets are $20. Learn more and
buy your tickets at the Cabbagetown South website.
Christmas flower show at Allan Gardens
The conservatory in Allan Gardens (Carlton &
Sherbourne) is transformed from Sunday December 2 until mid-January. There are hundreds of different floral decorations
including over thirty varieties of poinsettia and seasonal topiary
masterpieces. It’s the highlight of the
year.
Sunday December 2 is the grand opening featuring horse
and wagon rides, carolers, hot cider and a visit from Santa.
Theatre reminders – starting now
Several shows are mentioned along the left column in our
Review. On Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday
at 2 pm, THE BESETTING OF REENA VIRK is staged at the Aki Studio Theatre. This weekend marks the opening of IMPULSE
from the School of Toronto Dance Theatre.
IGNORANCE by the Old Trout Puppet Theatre starts in the Downstairs
Theatre at Berkeley St Theatre. Charles
Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL begins at Soulpepper in the Distillery. And on Thursday December 6, THE LIME TREE
BOWER begins Upstairs at the Berkeley Street Theatre. For those who have missed it so far, this
weekend is your last chance to see THE DROWNING GIRLS in the Alumnae Theatre.
Restaurant news
Free food
The Flying Beaver (488 Parliament) has a special offer
for next Sunday – buy one Beaver Brunch and get your second one free! 11 am to 3 pm. Heather and Maggie have a new chef and a new
menu – they’re very proud of their updated efforts. (More about that next week.)
You must say “Doug sent me”. No fooling.
That’s the secret code. Repeat
after me, “Doug sent me.” When those
words slip from your lip, you’ll be good for the two-for-one special. “Doug sent me.”
Merryberry’s December theme
In addition to his regular menu, Cyril is offering a festive
Victorian theme for December at Merryberry (559 Parliament). One hundred years ago, a hodgepodge of immigrants
lived in our neighbourhood – British, French, Irish and Macedonians – and his
menu pays homage to them. For your
appetizers, there are two choices - spiced butternut squash soup or a traditional
cabbage-bacon-potato dish. For main courses, there’s tourtiere with maple
glazed carrots, asparagus and apple chutney or duck with berries or baked bean casserole
with spicy Macedonian sausages. Two dessert choices: plum pudding with brandy sauce or Irish
whiskey with gingerbread. Prix fixe
dinner with two options: two courses for $25 or all three courses for $30. Starting on Wednesday and running through
December. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, 11 am to 3:30 pm and Wednesday to
Saturday, 11 am to 9 pm.
Thai to Go
If you’re thinking of holiday entertaining choices, Chef
Prasai can help. He’ll work with you to
prepare a special menu. You can book the
full dining room if you want to host your event here or, of course, your food
can easily be delivered. Call
(416-515-8424) or drop by (452 Gerrard) and tell him or Dale about your plans. You can see the regular menu at their
website.
House on Parliament
Drop by during the twelve days of Christmas to see what’s
being offered in the HOP’s (454 Parliament) advent calendar. It starts on Saturday, December 1.
Shopping news
Eclectisaurus
This week’s feature is a dramatic set of three art glass
bowls designed by Italian architect
Carlo Scarpa and produced in Murano in Italy in the 1930s. You’ll see more at Eclectisaurius’ website. Wednesday to Friday, 3 to 8 pm, Saturday noon
to 7 pm and Sunday noon to 6 pm. 249 Gerrard.
Mail Bonding at Kendall
& Co
Greeting card box sets, gift tags and gift wrapping paper abound at
Kendall & Co (227 Carlton), along with other fine stationery goods. Extended shop hours: Monday to Friday 10 am
to 6 pm, Saturday 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday noon to 4 pm. For more info, click
here.
Trauma-sensitive Yoga
Trauma-sensitive Yoga
Information session with special guest Dr. Jane Salter and trauma-sensitive
Yoga teacher Joanna Morrison, Saturday December 8th, 5:30 to 6:30 pm. A short presentation about the basics of
trauma-sensitive yoga followed by an open discussion. Light refreshments
will be served.
Sundara Yoga Studio welcomes Joanna Morrison who will be teaching Yin Yoga on Saturdays from 11:15 am to 12:30 pm. She will also be leading the trauma-sensitive Yoga program starting in January 2013. Please go to www.sundarayoga.net for more information and course dates.
Sundara Yoga Studio welcomes Joanna Morrison who will be teaching Yin Yoga on Saturdays from 11:15 am to 12:30 pm. She will also be leading the trauma-sensitive Yoga program starting in January 2013. Please go to www.sundarayoga.net for more information and course dates.
Busy weekend at Pet Valu
Santa comes back to Cabbagetown this weekend (and again
on December 15) to Pet Valu (240 Carlton).
He’ll be here from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday for photo opportunities. He knows how to calm your pets and bring out
their best - a really charming photo for only $10.
Marilyn Wilputte is also back on Saturday for her monthly
nail clipping clinic. She’s a favourite
for pet owners. 10 am to 4 pm, $10.
Jet Fuel Bike Team
On Saturday from 8:30 pm, Jet Fuel is launching the season
for the 2013 Cycling Team. You’ll enjoy
this chance to meet the team members and other racing celebrities and to see
the team’s latest equipment. For more info, check the Jet Fuel website.
Distillery’s 3rd annual Lowe’s Christmas
Market
From Friday November 30 to Monday December 16. This is the Distillery’s celebration of the
romance and magic of a traditional Christmas.
Hundreds of unique, local, handcrafted products are showcased. There are musicians, carollers, children’s
choirs and stage performances. Santa
puts in an appearance. Along with the
great shopping, there are specialty beers, mulled wine, sweets and the Distillery’s
fine restaurants. Monday to Friday, noon to 9 pm. Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 9 pm.