At 11:26 pm on Thursday March 21, Nisan Nirmalendran was murdered in the front vestibule at 55 Bleecker Street. An elderly woman entered the vestibule and was trapped there while the shooting happened. Luckily, she escaped without injury. The police also want to talk to another man who was with Mr Nirmalendran earlier in the evening. Finally, witnesses report that 3 or 4 people fled the scene and they described two vehicles that drove away.
All of this, including portions of the surveillance videos, can be seen at the police website. If you recognize anything about the incident or the shooter, please call the police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477)
Nisan is the second son in his family to be murdered. Our sympathies go out to his bereaved mother and father during this horrible time for them.
Holy Week at St Peter’s
St Peter’s Anglican Church (190 Carlton) is holding a series of services and events to mark the Easter Season. There’s a communion service on Maundy Thursday (March 28, 7 pm). On Good Friday (March 29), the service starts at 10:30 am. The week concludes with the Easter Sunday service with baptisms (March 31 at 10:30 am). This is a good opportunity for those who haven’t yet met her to be introduced to Jeanette Lewis, St Peter’s new priest.
Forsythia Festival King, Queen and Marshall
Don’t forget to nominate a friend, a neighbour or a family member for these roles at the Forsythia Festival. Pick someone whose contributions to our neighbourhood should be honoured. Send your nomination together with a brief note telling why you like this person to shannongrimm@hotmail.com by April 19.
MUSIC – SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY!
Stompin` Tom Tribute
On Friday night at 9 pm, an impressive selection of musicians pays tribute to Canadian icon Stompin` Tom Connors at the Dominion on Queen (500 Queen E at Sumach). Duncan Fremlin and Bob McNiven (both from Whiskey Jack) toured with Stompin`Tom and they`re in the line-up.
Whiskey Jack returns to the Eton House (710 Danforth) on April 6 from 4 to 7 pm. Kids are welcome. Then on April 10, the group is part of another Stompin` Tom tribute, this time at the Horseshoe (370 Queen W). Finally, on April 14, they`re at the Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen W) from 4 to 7 pm.
Roots music
The Cameron House (408 Queen W) together with the Regent Park School of Music is hosting the ``Deeply Rooted`` series. The third event happens on Saturday March 30 at 8:30 pm and features The Rattlesnake Choir and Samantha Martin. No cover charge but donations are welcome and all proceeds go to the School.
Fundraiser
Support the Regent Park School of Music and enjoy a cabaret evening at “Cabaret Concert with Cadence”, a fundraiser being held at First Unitarian Church (175 St Clair Ave W) on Saturday April 6. Cadence is a Toronto-based a cappala jazz quartet who’ve received worldwide rave reviews. Light refreshments, cash bar. Tickets are $40, available online (Visa only).
Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir
On Friday April 12, the Choir is singing at Metropolitan United Church (56 Queen St E) at a benefit to support the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club (101 Spruce at Sackville). The choir has a website where you can listen to excerpts from their songs. http://welshchoir.ca/things-to-do/listen-to-us-sing-2/ They’re good singers and their music alone would be a reason to attend. The Club’s facility has been beautifully renovated and now it provides ongoing support to over 1100 local kids. You can see their website here. Tickets are only $25. If you can’t go, please consider buying a ticket and then donating it to someone who otherwise couldn’t afford it.
Toronto Pop-up Orchestra
This new chamber music orchestra is launching itself with an afternoon concert at 598 Yonge, Third Floor, on Sunday April 14 at 2 pm. Cabbagetown musician Nonna Aroutiounian is a member – she’s a familiar face at Peartree where she regularly works on Saturday evenings and during Sunday brunch. The concert is a fundraiser (tickets are $10) and will feature pieces by Spanish and Latin American composers, including an original work by Patrick Arteaga. You can buy tickets at the door or contact nonna.arout@gmail.com
Reaching Out Through Music
Reaching Out Through Music provides musical and social opportunities for kids in St James Town. Founded in 2007, the group gives instruction to 75 children ages 6 to 14 in voice, piano, violin, recorder and guitar. The Children`s Choir has performed in homeless shelters, seniors’ homes and community events. In 2012, the choir sang with the Bell’Arte Singers and the Riverdale Collegiate chamber orchestra.
ROTM needs your support to do all of this. On Saturday April 20, you can hear New Choir, Meredith Shaw and Scott Pietrangelo perform with the Children`s Choir. There’ll also be a special appearance by the De La Salle Oakland Crusaders Brass Ensemble. It’s a fundraiser. Tickets are $20 (patrons $100 with an $80 tax receipt). The silent auction starts at 6 pm and the benefit concert at 7:30 pm at St Simon the Apostle Church, 525 Bloor (between Sherbourne and Parliament). Buy your ticket at the door or contact (416) 923-8714, ext 205, or jamierotm@hotmail.com
PET NEWS
Catbusters this weekend
Catbusters returns to Pet
Valu (240 Carlton) on Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. If you’ve been yearning for a neat little cat
to keep your house interesting, drop by and take a look at these guys. Catbusters locates suitable new homes for
strays and abandoned cats. When you get a cat from this agency, it’s had a wide
range of medical treatments and it’s been spayed or neutered. Catbusters works regularly with Pet Valu stores
across Toronto – check out its website.
Menagerie Pet Shop
Menagerie (549 Parliament)
has a great sale underway,
clearing out winter gear including Canada Pooch jackets and Muttluk boots, both
at 20% off. Until the end of April (and
this is the muddy season!), enjoy a nice do-it-yourself doggie bath at only $10
per dog. This weekend, the shop is closed on Friday and Sunday. Normal hours resume next week – Monday to
Friday from 10:30 am to 7 pm, Saturday 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday noon to 5
pm.
Cabbagetown Pet Clinic
The clinic’s spring email newsletter is now available, telling us about seasonal prevention measures for our pets. It’s a good read with an easily understood explanation of the way heartworm develops in dogs. There’s also a timely reminder that fleas start to wake up in the warm weather. If you’d like to be on the email list, contact the clinic at info@cabbagetownpetclinic.com. You can see the clinic’s website here. 239 Gerrard E
RESTAURANT NEWS
Thanks to Robert at the Ben Wicks
This newsletter is embarked on a slow but relentless campaign to earn a living. To date, the realtors listed here each week, along with Kendall & Co and Sinate Creations, have proven to be very generous. Restaurant and pub owners are now being asked to consider a weekly advertisement. Robert at the Ben Wicks (424 Parliament) is the first one to agree and he`s certainly set a fine example. Thanks Robert!
Lamb shanks at Cranberries` Easter Dinner
Once again, Cranberries (601 Parliament) has a special three-course dinner ready for Easter Sunday from 5 to 11 pm. For starters, you can choose between carmelized butternut squash soup and organic green salad with goat cheese and walnuts. There are two entrees – roast turkey with cranberry sauce or baked lamb shanks with port wine au jus - both served with mashed potato and seasonal veggies. Dessert is a sticky toffee pudding. All of this for $25.99. There are people who have asked for advance notice whenever Siva bakes his lamb shanks, so be prepared for a full house on Sunday.
Another delicious report
Samsara (587 Parliament) is a small restaurant that delivers a big punch at very reasonable prices. The owner, Selva, offers a lunch ($7.99) and a dinner ($9.99) buffet. There`s also a limited selection of individually prepared dishes like Kothu Roti ($5.99), butter chicken ($7.99) chilli chicken, shrimp or fish ($6.99), Masala Dosa ($5.99), Idly ($4.99) and Kothu String Hopper ($5.99), plus appetizers and sweets. At lunch, the choices on the buffet include tandoori chicken, butter chicken, goat or chicken curry, eggplant, dal, potato marsala, saag paneer, aloo gobi, cabbage and rice. Naan is prepared for each person individually. Each item was fresh and hot. It`s a nice clean spot and Selva is attentive and helpful. Catering and takeout available, no alcohol.
BUSINESS NEWS
Richard Silver has moved
Richard is a very prominent and active member of our community. His name appears regularly as a supporter on community projects. He`s now, for example, one of the leading contributors to the 2013 Forsythia Festival. He`s made a big move to Sotheby`s International Realty where he`ll be a sales representative. In his letters to his clients, he cites Sotheby`s powerful reach on the internet and its extensive local, national and international sales network. You can continue to enjoy his views, his rants and his listings on his website.
BNI visitors day
On Wednesday morning, 25 people hauled themselves out of bed and into a 7 am meeting that proved to be a warm and interesting introduction to BNI`s Cabbagetown chapter. Merryberry Café (559 Parliament) laid out a delicious breakfast. Out-going president Kathy Van Zeyl chaired the meeting which included an impressive exchange of new business opportunities among the members. These referrals are at the heart of the BNI program and they happen when a member refers a client to another member. Cabbagetown members are aiming at $500,000 in referrals between themselves in 2013 and they`re on target for the first quarter. Membership in the group is limited to one person in each business category. Any business person interested in this worthwhile organization can look at the BNI website, check out the list of categories and then sign up.
Change at Kendall
Kendall & Co (227 Carlton) is now renovating its showroom and phase one is finished. There`s a new, expanded rug gallery highlighting the latest New Zealand wool rugs. They come in sizes from 2` by 3` to 10` by 14` and there are 8` runners and round sizes in stock as well. You can see these rugs on Kendall`s website but as Kevin says, you can`t feel them online so drop in and touch them for yourself.
You can also talk to a designer about Kendall`s residential design services and exclusive furnishings.
Radiant lotus qigong for women
At Sundara Yoga (492 Parliament), Karusia Wroblewski is leading this special event. Qigong is the Chinese version of yoga. Karusia`s course runs from April 20 to May 4, from 3 to 5 pm. There`ll be a free information session on Saturday April 6 from 3 to 4 pm. There`s also a description on Sundara`s website.
Sundara has a new schedule available now for Spring on the website.
Sumach Designs
Pete Lovering has an active graphic and online design service. You`ll see his work regularly in the Parliament Street News which he publishes. He`s also done website designs for local groups like the Cabbagetown BIA. His focus is primarily on design and marketing materials for small businesses. For print needs, he`ll design logos, business cards, marketing materials, banners and signs and trade shows. His online designs cover websites, Wordpress, seo, Google advertising and social media. Contact Pete at Sumach Designs.
Happy times
When
you see snow drops, you know that Spring is on its way. There are lots of other
undeniable signs. Our backyard feeder now attracts birds in
pairs and several of us are watching Wellesley Park to see if the Cooper`s
hawks return for another year. And
suddenly - within a few days – everyone stops being grumpy and starts to cheer the weather during
our morning walks with our dogs.
CLUBS & PUBS
EVENTS
THURSDAY MARCH 28 TO SUNDAY APRIL 7
Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088
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 MARCH 28
Flying Beaver7:30 pm, “Vexed” – tight harmonies and lots of laughter with Julie Michels, Sophia Perlman & Terra Hazelton , $15 advance, $20 door
Paintbox Bistro
8:30 pm, Miles Jones, the third in the Paintbox indie series.
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm, Phill Hood, “The Human Jukebox”
FRIDAY MARCH 29
Dominion on Queen
9 pm, Tribute to Stompin’ Tom Connors, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Shane Harvey, $10/advance, $15/door.
9 pm, singing, storytelling and gossip with Sharron Matthews, $20/advance, $25/door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm, Soul City Groovement with BTH Band
SATURDAY MARCH 30
Dominion on Queen4 to 7:30 pm, Ronnie Hayward, pwyc
9 pm, country rock with Glendale One, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm,”I’m still here and so is my hair”, Marla Lukofsky’s personal journey with cancer. $15/advance, $20/door
9 pm, Carla Collins is back with more comedy, $20/advance, $25/door
Paintbox Bistro
8 pm, Comedy with Kate Davis
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm, Kilowatt, AJ birthday party
SUNDAY MARCH 31
Alice’s Place4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly Brunch with the Cosmotones
Flying Beaver
11 am to 3 pm, Psychic Brunch, $29
8 pm, Chris Tsujiuchi, “Songs in the key of gay major”, $10/advance, $15 door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm, Beau’s open mic with Porter
MONDAY APRIL 1
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm, Industry Night
TUESDAY APRIL 2
Dominion on Queen
8:30 pm – Hot Club of Corktown Django Jam, pwyc
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
Midnight, epic film night
WEDNESDAY APRIL 3
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
8 pm, Corktown Ukelele Jam, $5
Flying Beaver
7 pm, “Liar Liar Pants on Fire” hosted by Paul Bellini
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia
10 pm, Win Prov hosted by Tracy Rowland & Dwayne Mailman, $5
THURSDAY APRIL 4
Dominion on Queen
7 pm, The Wee Folks Club, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Match Fever & the Dating Games with Maggie Cassella, $10 advance, $15 door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9:30 pm, Jeff Barnes & Noah Zacharin
FRIDAY APRIL 5
Dominion on Queen
9 pm, Havana To Toronto Live afro-cuban, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Paula Wolfson “All strung up” with Kirk Elliott, $15/advance, $20/door.
9 pm, Amy Lewis & Jen Calder “Strings attached” acoustical music with James Mulvale, Trish MacAulay & Jordan Alexander, $5/ advance and door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
8 pm, The Seagull in Four Movements
10 pm, Solar Messiah 13
SATURDAY APRIL 6
Dominion on Queen4 to 7:30 pm, Ronnie Hayward, pwyc
East end comedy revue with Host Dave Martin & Mike Wilmot, Darren Frost, Jen Grant, Hunter Grant, Julien Dionne, Steph Tolve & Cal Post with pianist Suga Jam.
Flying Beaver
7 pm, “this much I know”, opinionated nonsense with Marilla Wex, $10/advance, $15/door
9 pm,Donna Greenberg sophisticated, sassy & spicy songs with Jordan Klapman & Kobi Hass, $15/advance, $20/door
SUNDAY APRIL 7
Alice’s Place4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly Brunch with the Cosmotones
7 pm, Landen Veira Quartet jazz and blues, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Danish Anwar hosts Martha Chaves “Full Spectrum Comedy” with guests Paul Bellini & Robert
Keller. Funds go to Native
Women’s Resource Centre, $15 door
Winchester Kitchen
& Bar10 pm, Beau’s Open Mic with Porter