NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS
 
Thanks Robert
Robert McEnirney has sold The Ben Wicks (424 Parliament).  Over the past 29 years, he’s built the Wicks into a Cabbagetown fixture.  He made it into a pub - not a dining room or a greasy spoon or a sports bar – it’s a place where people can enjoy meeting each other. 
He hosted a crazy, loveable Christmas sing-a-long.  He was the launching pad for the Cabbagetown Festival pub crawl.  After each Festival parade, the Sandhill bagpipe band reassembled on the Wicks’ steps to serenade patio patrons.  Groups of local teachers, volunteers and staff from Free the Children, World Cup soccer fans, the Library Club, Morris Dancers and a big bunch of regulars – it didn’t matter who you were, you were welcome at the Wicks.
Robert’s contributions went far beyond his business.  He served for a decade as the treasurer of the Cabbagetown BIA and supervised that organization’s big projects while generating its very healthy financial strength.
Thanks Robert and best wishes for your next efforts.
 
More news about the Wicks
Photo: Eric Morse
If you want to enjoy several years of Wicks’ photos, go to Eric Morse’s new site and flick through his remarkable images. You’ll probably see yourself and lots of other people whom you know. Click here. 
The pub will close after Sunday July 14.  The new owners plan to make some decorative changes and develop their ideas and they’ll reopen in a couple of weeks.  More about their plans next week.
 
The Kraft Celebration Tour
Every year, the Tour donates $250,000 to deserving community projects across Canada. There are ten winners for $25,000 each.  Each project has been nominated, judged and then entered into a final contest against one other community.  The project that gets the most votes wins $25,000.  St James Town’s Community Matters has been nominated for its plans to refurbish the tennis court area and restore its value for the community. They’re up against an impressive project from Wilmot Ontario and voting for this pair happens from noon on Thursday July 18 to noon on Friday July 19.  Cast your vote here.

 
Riverdale Farm fundraiser
The Farm’s Midsummer Mixer happens next Thursday July 18 in the Farm from 5:30 to 9:30 pm.  The goal is to raise $25,000 to be used enhancing visitor experiences at the Farm. There’ll be good food, entertainment and activities for the whole family.  Rain or shine.  Tickets are available online here at $30 for adults, $5 for kids ages 3 to 18 and free for children under 3.  Riverdale Farm, Winchester and Sumach.
 
CNH at the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon
Good news!  Hec Clouthier has agreed to join the team for Central Neighbourhood House in the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon next October.  There’s plenty of room for more runners in the CNH group for the marathon, the half-marathon and the 5K runs.  You just have to pay your registration fee and then handle whatever fundraising you can manage on behalf of CNH.  Call Philip Unrau at CNH today to get the details (416-925-4363). 
 
CPA walking tour
The Cabbagetown Preservation Association’s first tour of the season will travel through the south end of Don Vale between Carlton and Gerrard.  You’ll see the place where Toronto General Hospital used to be located, plus the mansions on Carlton, the Spruce Street Co-op and Riverdale Park.  Sunday July 20, 1:30 pm.  Meet at Parliament and Winchester
 
New at Soulpepper
Two new plays have been launched at Soulpepper in the Young Centre (The Distillery, 50 Tank House Lane).  Entertaining Mr Sloane by Joe Orton runs to August 17 and Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations to August 17.  At the end of next week, Tony Kushner’s Angels in America Part One Millenium Approaches & Part 2 Perestroika will be on stage from July 19. 
 
The storm’s impact
During Monday’s storm, James MacDonald got his camera and recorded the flooding along the Don River below Cabbagetown.  Here are some of his remarkable photos

The flooding covered the bike path.  You can see its depth by the water levels up the sign post.

Riverdale Park became Lake Riverdale for the second time this season.

Looking north from the pedestrian bridge, he captured the force of the river.

Thanks James.

RESTAURANT NEWS
 
Paintbox Bistro
Photo: Toronto Life
Paintbox Bistro (555 Dundas E) regularly organizes and supports community events that enrich life in the new Regent Park area.  Their latest project in partnership with Jazz.FM is Junior Jazz Jam, a series of six jazz appreciation events for families and children.  The first one happens on Saturday July 20 from 10 to 11 am in the Bistro with the award-winning Free Play Duo, Dylan Bell and Suba Sankaran.  Click here to see their short video. It’s a free event and it happens during the Bistro’s brunch so your family can enjoy a relaxed, fun environment.
Paintbox was the topic of a Global News feature earlier this week that describes its social mandate and its impact on the community.  Click here to view it. 
 
Eat, drink and save at Merryberry
Cyril has unveiled his summer menu.  His selections include many new seasonal salads, picnic basket combos and awesome burgers.  If you visit between Saturday July 13 and Friday July 19 and you tell your server that you “heard about it here” on the Cabbagetown Neighbourhood Review, you’ll save 5% on any of the new menu items.  Merryberry Café + Bistro, 559 Parliament.
 
Congrats Under The Table
Last week, we did an introduction to Under the Table (588 Parliament).  It’s already earned complimentary reviews from two customers on Yelp, a reader-driven blog about Toronto restaurants. Marina says that the food is delicious and the atmosphere is cozy and friendly.  Bern recommends the oxtails.  The Jerk Chicken is also really good – spicy and tender – according to the food department at the Cabbagetown Neighbourhood Review. And the ackee and saltfish is here and yummy.
 
SHOPPING NEWS
 
Sundara Yoga
Come to Sundara Yoga Studio (492 Parliament) to learn how to meditate.  Sessions are led by David Gluck, Thursdays from 7 to 8:15 pm.  These Deep Dive Sessions will teach you the art of self-study.  No prior meditation experience is necessary.
 
At Eclectisaurus
A vintage Atomic stove top espresso and cappuccino coffee maker is a sculpture that makes coffee. This Italian Atomic espresso maker was designed in the 1940's by Giordano Robbiati. Long considered a design classic and a heavy coffee cult item. The machine comes with the original printed instructions. For more details, visit Eclectisaurus’ website. 249 Gerrard E.
 
CLUBS & PUBS EVENTS
 
THURSDAY JULY 11 TO SUNDAY JULY 21
 
Contact info
Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088
Ben Wicks, 424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, www.benwickspub.com
Cafune, 194A Carlton Street,  (647)748-7884, Facebook and http://cafune.ca/
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 JULY 11
 
Cafune
6:30 pm, Henry Matulis with Bill Prouten (sax).
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Gymbaret - Toronto Newsgirls fundraising event for Savoy Howe, pwyc
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
8 pm, James Allan Magic – magic, mind reading, illusion and comedy
10 pm, DVS Swing Dance Sessions
 
FRIDAY JULY 12
 
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Cyrus from Trailer Park Boys “Who needs grade 10? I’m a publik speecher”, $10/advance & $15/door
9 pm, singer-songwriter and pianist Peter Donato ,  $10/advance & $15/door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
8 pm, James Allan Magic – magic, mind reading, illusion and comedy
10 pm, Don Campbell
 
SATURDAY JULY 13
 
Dominion on Queen
4 to 7:30 pm, Ronnie Hayward
9 pm, Rocket Rached and the Fat City 8, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Shawn Higgins presents Ginger Nation, pwyc
9 pm, Belle’s Boudoir Live Burlesque followed by Belle’s Booty Bounce dance party, $15/advance & $20/door
Paintbox Bistro
8 pm, Don Thompson & Reg Schwager, three course dinner and performance $45, performance only $20
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
8 pm, James Allan Magic – magic, mind reading, illusion and comedy
 
SUNDAY JULY 14
 
Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly Brunch with the Cosmotones
Matinees tba, The Fox Brothers and Tin Eddies
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Kristen Pottle presents Live a Little, a fundraiser in support of Hailey’s Dreams, $10/advance & $15/door
Stout Irish Pub
5:30 pm, Strategy Board Games
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm, Beau’s presents Open Mic with Porter
 
MONDAY JULY 15
 
Dominion on Queen
7 pm, Uke 101
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm Win-Prov
10 pm,  Industry Night
 
TUESDAY JULY 16
 
Dominion on Queen
8:30 to 11:30 pm, Hot Club of Corktown Django Jam, pwyc
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm, Epic movie Tuesday
 
WEDNESDAY JULY 17
 
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
8 pm, Corktown Ukelele Jam
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Tim Boyle’s trio with Artie Roth & Jordan Klapman, $15/advance & $20/door.
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia
10 pm, Karaoke at the Winch with Jason Rolland
 
THURSDAY JULY 18
 
Cafune
6:30 pm, Henry Matulis (guitar) and Reg Schwager (guitar) -  Brazilian jazz
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, BlueVenus, pwyc.
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
Burlesque night
 
FRIDAY JULY 19
 
Dominion on Queen
9 pm, jazz with Steve Cole,  $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Gavin Crawford comedy, “Sh*tting Rainbows”, $15/advance & $20/door.
9 pm, Ryan G Hinds “Comedy, coffee talk & cabaret”, $10/advance & $15/door.
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
Donna Gardner cabaret
 
SATURDAY JULY 20
 
Dominion on Queen
4:30 to 7:30 pm, Ronnie Hayward matinee, pwyc
9 pm, The Don River Blues Band, $7
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Shane Harvey’s tribute to Stevie Wonder, $10/advance & $15/door
9 pm, “Amber’s Dragon” with Amber Brown (vocals), Jeff Burke (bassoon) and Pat Kelly,
$10/advance & $15/door
Paintbox Bistro
10 to 11 am, jazz for children, “Junior Jazz Jam” with Jazz.FM and Free Play Duo
 
SUNDAY JULY 21
 
Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Toronto’s only rockabilly brunch with the Cosmotones, no cover
Flying Beaver
7 pm, “Hypnotixx”, Brandon’s slightly naughty hypnosis comedy show, $10/advance & $15/door.
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm, Beau’s presents Open Mic with Porter