Make your sweetie happy
Valentine’s Day is always full of events in our neighbourhood.  Stores have special sales.  Clubs offer dancing and special entertainers.  Restaurants add extra flair to their menus.

Find out more:
For details about Valentine’s Day menus, click here.
For Open House listings, click here.
For a list of unique home based businesses, click here.
For this week's entertainment, go to the bottom of this page.

 
VALENTINE EVENTS
 
Corktown Chamber Orchestra
The orchestra presents a Valentine’s Day concert  ”Let the Music Play”, an ode to love and love lost.  It’s a diverse program by the orchestra’s member ensembles and features Dan McLean Jr.   8 pm, February 14, Little Trinity Anglican Church (425 King east of Parliament).  Children free, others $10.
 
Valentine’s Recital
The Regent Park School of Music is hosting its annual recital at the Aki Theatre in the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E) on February 14 from 5 to 6:30 pm. Bring your family and enjoy this free event.  If it’s your first visit to the Daniels Spectrum, add a little extra time for a walk-about to see this marvellous new facility. 

VALENTINE STORE SPECIALS

COURTYARD HAIR  (440 Parliament, 416-964-1050). 
Devah has a special treat for you and a friend.  Throughout February, each new customer can bring another and enjoy a free cut, colour or hilite. She’s been offering her styling for men and women in Cabbagetown for over twenty five years.  She’s open on Fridays and Saturdays.
 
FTCo (523 Parliament)

Fair Trade Jewellery has the ultimate gifts for romantic fools – wedding rings, engagement rings and fine jewellery.
 
KENDALL & Co (227 Carlton).
Stretch your Valentine’s gift twice as far.  Kendall has a sale (up to 50% off) on perfume, organic soaps, fashion totes, fine stationery, photo frames, vases, scented candles and votive holders.  Some conditions apply.  Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm.
 
LABOUR OF LOVE (242 Carlton).
Our best source for a funny, sentimental or salacious card and for the perfect personal gift to go with it. 
 
ST JAMESTOWN STEAK & CHOPS (516 Parliament)

Mark has chocolate dipped strawberries.  And great steaks, fish, and fresh veggies. 
 
SINATE CREATIONS (480 Parliament).
For the next week, Sharon and Ilias  have a 20 to 25% off Valentine’s week sale on selected items throughout the store.  Their website shows the range of very attractive, handmade clothing and accessories that they’re offering. 
 
SUNDARA YOGA (492 Parliament)
Treat someone you love to the gift of Yoga.  Restorative yoga workshop with Thai massage for your sweetheart, Sunday February 17 from 5 to 7 pm.  Easy-to-purchase gift cards are available online.
 
VALENTINE RESTAURANT SPECIALS
You can see all the menu details - click here



CRANBERRIES (601 Parliament) http://www.cranberriesrestaurant.ca
Three course dinner, $37.99.  Two seatings:  5:30 pm & 8:00 pm. Entrées include osso bucco, oven baked chicken breast and milk poached halibut.

F’AMELIA (12 Amelia) http://www.famelia.com
The regular menu is available along with three Valentine's Day specials: braised osso bucco, butter-poached lobster and black Molise truffle & wild mushroom tagliatelle.
 
FLYING BEAVER (488 Parliament) www.pubaret.com
The cabaret has a Valentine’s fundraiser for TICOT at 7:30 pm. The Imperial Court of Toronto presents Madame’s tenth annual Love Fest.  Suggested donation $10.
For dinner, the Valentine’s Day menu is a three-course dinner special for $34.99 featuring stuffed chicken, organic marinated ribeye steak, fresh red snapper, seafood linguini in alfredo sauce with mussels, shrimp & calamari and fettucine primavera with fresh vegetables.
 
HOUSE ON PARLIAMENT (454 Parliament), Facebook
Michael McGaraughty is bringing his Tarot cards for an evening’s readings.  Learn your love predictions with the help of his new deck of cards.  Menu details are still being decided.  Check out the HOP’s Facebook page for more info.
 
JAMcafe (195 Carlton) (416) 921-1255, http://www.jamcafe.net/
Menu details are still being decided.  For more info, check JAM’s website.
 
MERRYBERRY CAFÉ & BISTRO (559 Parliament) http://www.merryberry.ca/
Love Bites and Unusual Pairings.  Tapas or "love bites" in twelve different small dishes, combining ingredients that you seldom hear together in the same sentence. Prices vary from $4 to $8.  Wash them all down with a strawberry jalapeno martini
 
PAINTBOX BISTRO  (555 Dundas E) www.paintboxbistro.ca
Four days of Valentine’s excitement.  Couples Night happens on Thursday February 14 from 7:30 pm.  Jazz Night on Friday headlines the Elizabeth Shepherd Trio (three-course meal and show - $40.  Show only - $15.)  On Saturday, Dirty Bingo starts at 9 pm.  And on Saturday and Sunday mornings, Valentine’s Brunch is open from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm.
 
PEARTREE (507 Parliament)  www.peartreerestaurant.ca
Valentine’s three-course dinner menu. (Prices vary with the entrees.) AAA 8 oz grilled New York steak & sautéed garlic shrimp ($28), Peartree’s seafood platter with black tiger shrimps, scallops and mussels ($28), slow roasted fillet of halibut ($28), Bombay butter chicken ($25) and sweet potato stuffed angolati pasta ($24)
 
STOUT IRISH PUB (221 Carlton) www.stoutirishpub.ca
Stout’s Valentine’s menu is available from Thursday February 14 to Wednesday February 20. Deep fried brie ($10.99), salmon & angel hair pasta ($17.99) and bacon wrapped filet mignon ($24.95)
 
WINCHESTER KITCHEN & BAR (51A Winchester) www.winchesterkitchen.com
Valentine’s Day, 10 pm.  The Don Valley Singcats bring the Winch back to its glory days with big band sounds and dance floor swing.  Guest DJs between the band sets. Special romantic menu – details to be announced.
 
NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS
 
Cabbagetown Short Film & Video Festival
Gina Dineen organizes the annual film festival that takes place during the Cabbagetown Festival.  This is always a sold-out event and for good reasons.  The films are great and the event itself is always charming.
Gina has just posted the application information for film makers who want to submit their work for the 2013 screening.  Click here for the Call for Entries.
 
Members wanted
The Cabbagetown South Residents Association has launched its 2013 membership drive.  It’s time to renew your membership and to join if you haven’t already.  The group serves the area from Parliament and Carlton west to Sherbourne and south to Shuter.  Anyone who renews or brings in a new member will be entered into the lucky draw for a special prize pack. The winner will be announced at the next Association meeting on March 6, 7 pm, Ontario Restaurant (383 Dundas).  Membership is highly rewarding – the Association deals with tough issues, holds lots of family-friendly social events and keeps residents well informed with good communications.
 
Artists wanted
Community Matters has responded to the Bell Boxes Project.  They’ve identified eight rusty Bell boxes in St James Town and Cabbagetown to decorate with local community artwork.  The project is part of a citywide facelift.  It’s a wonderful opportunity to improve our neighbourhood and to showcase our local talent.  For more information, please contact Neudis Abreu at info@smartdevelopment.ca
 
Info about artists’ grants
The Toronto Arts Council provides grants for artists across the city.  Peter Kingstone from the agency will visit Community Matters to explain the grants and the application process.  The Workshop happens on Tuesday February 19 at 6:30 pm at Community Matters, 260 Wellesley St E, Apartment  102 (entry code 8605).  For more information, call Neudis Abreu at (416) 944-9697 or email info@smartdevelopment.ca.  Don’t wait, space is limited.
 
Museum survey
The Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum wants to know your views about its future growth.  There’s a survey that’s been posted to collect residents’ opinions and your feedback will be welcomed.  It expires at the end of February, so please complete it as soon as possible.  To add your ideas on the survey, click here.
 
Tiffany needs your support
Tiffany Smith is going to Sri Lanka for three weeks as part of a Habitat for Humanity project.  To defray her costs, she and Steve MacDougall (who’s going with her on the trip) are having a fundraising party at the Winchester Kitchen & Bar (51A Winchester) on Sunday February 24 starting at 5 pm.  It promises to be a great night.  There’ll be good food and lots of drinks.  Go Freddy Go and the Dead Apostles are both playing along with DJ Mike Reid.  Raffles and silent auctions will raise the funds for the trip throughout the night as well as plenty of opportunity for donations.  Dr Steve Goren and Weenen General Contracting have already organized gifts to help her while she’s away.  If you want to help as well, just contact House on Parliament (454 Parliament, 416-925-4074).
 
RESTAURANT NEWS
 
Pho Indochine
A while ago, we started an in-depth research project into the menus and ambiance in our new small cafes. 
Pho Indochine (568 Parliament) was our target this week.  Two of us ate lunch there – no alcohol.  We started with a pot of tea and then moved on to spring rolls and chicken pho, and a combo lunch #2 (mango salad and char grilled ginger and lemongrass chicken).  These are big servings.  The dishes are only mildly spiced and there’s a bottle of spicy hot sauce on the table if needed.  Food was very fresh.  The service was quick and friendly.  The room itself is nicely done in a dark wood panelling with a group of private booth spaces at the rear and open tables near the window. 
After tip and tax, our lunch bill was $28.  This café is recommended for repeat visits.
Pho Indochine has just circulated a flyer to the neighbourhood with a menu and a $5 coupon that’s good to March 31.
 
House on Parliament patio
Last Monday, plans for the new roof patio at House on Parliament (454 Parliament) were rolled out for public inspection.  Although the City of Toronto has officially approved this expansion, the HOP wants to keep neighbours informed and to be open to suggestions as the project is completed.  Monica Kuhn is the architect.  She’s designed fencing that will keep the noise to a minimum for surrounding homes.  There won’t be any entertainment or piped-in music on the patio and it will only be open for dining until 11 pm.  Anyone who wants to view the site or to discuss the plans should drop in to the HOP for a briefing (and a brew).
 
SHOPPING NEWS
 
Pinstripe Nutrition
Sandy Badgley is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and her clinic is located at 214 Carlton Street.  In her practice, she makes your health a priority.  She’ll guide you through manageable changes. Her goals include supporting your body nutritionally throughout health issues, maximizing your weight-loss efforts, managing your stress naturally, increasing your energy levels and sleep quality and improving your digestion and natural detoxification processes. Check out her website for more information.

Church Street Winery
Gunnar has closed his business at 420 Parliament.  He’s selling his fixtures and equipment to clear out his space.  The sale continues until the end of February.  Our best wishes to him and to Monika for all their future plans.






CLUBS & PUBS EVENTS

Contact info
Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088  Facebook
Ben Wicks, 424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, www.benwickspub.com
Dominion on Queen, 500 Queen St E, (416) 368-6893, www.dominiononqueen.com  
Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St, (647) 347-6567, www.pubaret.com
Paint Box Bistro, 555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555, www.paintboxbistro.ca
Stout Irish Pub, 221 Carlton St, (647) 344-7676, www.stoutirishpub.ca  
Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester St, (416) 323-0051, www.winchesterkitchen.com  

If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, we’ve listed the prices. Otherwise, the event is free.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 7
Dominion on Queen 7 pm, Wee Folks Club, $10
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, comedy Take My Advice with Allyson June Smith, $10 advance/ $15 door.
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
8 pm, Actors! Canadian Actors Up Close & Personal

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 8
Dominion on Queen
9 pm, Feed Your Head #5 with Must Stash Hat, lightsweetcrude, Sam Klass & Toadhouse, $8
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Liz Tansey with Ted Quinlan “soulful rockin’ blues”, $15 advance/$20 door
9 pm, Dudettes (Ryan Kelly & Dale Miller) musical comedy review, $20 advance/$25 door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
8 pm, Actors! Canadian Actors Up Close & Personal
10 pm, Emergency!

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 9
Dominion on Queen
4 to 7:30 pm, Ronnie Hayward & his trio – hillbilly beatnik music
8:30 pm, Toronto’s East End Comedy Review with Host Dave Martin, on piano Suga Jam and Dave Hemstad, Ward Anderson, Casey Corbin, Dylan Gott, Paul Irving, Amanda Brooke, Josh Infald & Amanda Day.  $20/each, $60 for four.
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Maggie Cassella & Heidi Mole comedy, $15 advance/$20 door
9 pm, Big Girl & Friends with Christopher Wilson & Robert Graham, $10 door.
Paint Box Bistro
9:30 pm, SHE SAID WHAT, all female comedy, no cover
Winchester Kitchen & Bar 8 pm, Actors! Canadian Actors Up Close & Personal
10 pm, Blues & Troubles

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 10
Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly brunch  with the rockin’ sounds of the Cosmotones featuring Alistair Christl
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Love Fool, a radical re-reading of Midsummer Night’s Dream, $10 advance/ $15 door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
6 to 10 pm, WILDsound benefit, Radio WILD
10 pm, Beau’s Open Mic with Porter

MONDAY FEBRUARY 11
Dominion on Queen
7 pm, Uke 101 with the Corktown Ukelele Society
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm,  Industry Night
 
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 12
Dominion on Queen
8:30 pm, Hot Club of Corktown Django Jam, pay what you can.
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
Midnight – Epic Movies

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 13
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
8 pm, Corktown Ukelele Jam, $5
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Gavin Crawford’s Bits & Pieces, $15 advance/ $20 door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia
10 pm – Courtney Wells & Scott Barager

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 14
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Valentine’s Day Ticot Fundraiser, Madame’s 10th Annual Love Fest, $10 suggested donation
Paint Box Bistro
7:30 pm, Valentine’s couples night
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
8 pm, Three Desis & a Diva
10 pm, Valentine’s special Don Valley Singcats big band & dance sessions

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 15
Dominion on Queen
8 pm, Big City Big Band (jazz) and Jazz FM Safari, $5
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Ryan G Hinds Comedy Cabaret & Coffes Talk with Catherine Hernandez, Man Chyna & Fay Slift, $10 advance/ $15 door
9 pm, Amy Lewis & Jen Calder host All Strung Up, an evening of singers & performers, $5 door
Paint Box Bistro
Elizabeth Shepherd Trio, dinner & show $40, show only $15
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
8 pm, Three Desis & a Diva

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16
Dominion on Queen
4 to 7:30 pm, Ronnie Hayward & his trio – hillbilly beatnik music
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Paul Bellini hosts Working It, pro comics try out new stuff
9 pm, music by Janet Whiteway & Elena Harte,  $15 advance/$20 door
Paint Box Bistro
9 pm, Dirty Bingo
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
8 pm, Three Desis & a Diva
 
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly brunch  with the rockin’ sounds of the Cosmotones featuring Alistair Christl
Flying Beaver
5 pm, Hosted by Kapow Howe, Toronto Newsgirls dinner & speed meeting
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
8 pm, Three Desis & a Diva
9 pm, Beau’s Open Mic with Porter