The Bulletin is Downtown Toronto's Best Read Community Newspaper

Volume IX No. VIII

Thursday, September 9, 2010

News Index


	Top Stories
	Local News
	Frank Touby
	City Politics
	Arts & Life
	Port Authority and Airport
	G20 Before and After
	Editorial
	Bruce Bell
	Columns & Views
	Letters to the Editor
	Inspiration & Motivation
	Downtown Seen
	Local Business
	Restaurant Reviews
	Local Sports

Calendar

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Letter to the Editor

Arts & Life

Cabbagetown celebrates festival Sept. 10 to 12

The annual festival celebrating Old Cabbagetown, ites residents, businesses, and attractions will be held from Sept. 10 to 12 throughout the heritage district.Events will include stage entertainment and the grand parade, pubs and patio entertainers, and street vendors. Also, a juried show and sale w... Full Story

Seniors’ acting studio hosts information night Sept. 10

Act II Studio is hosting an information day on Sept. 10 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Ryerson’s Heaslip House at 297 Victoria St., Room CED 303. Act II is a creative drama centre and theatre program for those over 50 who want to explore self-expression through drama, develop theatre skills and become i... Full Story

Bulletin writer to teach Greek at local university

Bulletin reporter Michael Schwartz also teaches Modern Greek. Starting on 21st September he is teaching a 20-hour, eight-week course at Toronto University's School of Continuing Studies. No knowledge of Greek is needed - Michael will take you through the alphabet, basic conversation, ordering food a... Full Story

Local TIFF feature director isn’t ready to commit to venue

Director and Queen West resident Ed Gass-Donnelly says movie releases are like relationships. At some point it is time to move on.Donnelly, who is 33-years-old, will have his second film premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this year. The movie, titled Small Town Murder Songs, may be ... Full Story

Friends play historic rivals

Three alumni from the School of Toronto Dance Theatre (TDT) are about to unleash a circus of revenge and one-upmanship in the grand tradition when Cabbagetown resident Sharon B. Moore’s The Great Farini Project takes to the stage this month.The “harrowing dance” revolves around two 19th century high... Full Story

Local collections to be shown at Cabbagetown museum

This month, the Cabbagetown Regent Park museum (CRPM) will be showcasing the breadth and versatility of its collection in a variety of local displays.Located in Riverdale Farm at The Residence (201 Winchester), the CRPM actively involves visitors of all ages with the rich and diverse history of Cabb... Full Story

Laughing in the face of the G20

In her brief seven-year comedy career, Inessa Frantowski, now with Second City Toronto Stage, has won a Gemini (2008) and a Canadian Comedy Award (2007). As her bio notes, she balances this nicely by never having won an Olympic medal. Asked by the Bulletin whether she intends to win one in future, s... Full Story

Show seeks shelter: Walnut Ave. theatre fundraises for repairs

Tricia Postle has mixed feelings about rain.It grows roses in the outdoor garden at the little live theatre she runs on Walnut Ave. in the Queen and Strachan neighbourhood.But rain isn’t so good when her theatre’s leaky roof lets raindrops fall on a performer’s head in mid performance. And it has ha... Full Story

Parliament Street Library writers' group holds open house June 28

On June 28, the Writers’ Group is holding its 7th annual open house featuring readings from their works in progress, short stories and poems.Nine different writers will present their works. Snacks and chats start at 6 p.m. and readings start at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy some mystery, mayhem and merriment. The... Full Story

Creating interactivity for Toronto's Waterfront

Kevin McMahon’s documentary film on Yo-Yo Ma helped inspire the creation of The Toronto Music Garden in the late 1990’s which is truly an interactive park based on Bach’s music. Today his film on the Great Lakes, Waterlife has inspired a path breaking website and interactive experience on th... Full Story

Dino hunter shows off latest find: nest

Experienced dinosaur hunter and Downtown west resident David Evans was making no progress as he looked for dinosaur fossils in South Africa in 2005. Exasperated, he picked up a small rock and was about to toss it when he suddenly realized the rusty-red stone in the palm of his hand was remark... Full Story

Gardening program exposes indoor kids to worms, soil

The answer comes quick and precise when Sunday Harrison asks the smaller children what they like best about their gardening club. “Bugs and worms,” they tell her. And does the club tell them about bugs and worms? “Absolutely,” says Harrison. “They’re all part of what makes a healthy soil.” ... Full Story

You’re a good man, Chris Wilson: kids’ arts advocate

Entertainment District resident Christopher Wilson from Da Capo Productions is feeling good about his upcoming production of Your a Good Man Charlie Brown. He’s put together an all-star cast of performers. One of the cast members is even on her way to Broadway in a few weeks. But for Wilson, ... Full Story

Small houses limit the scope of Island artist’s work

Baye Hunter would be the first person to say she has established buyers of her Island house paintings as most of her clients are her neighbours living on Toronto Island. “It’s sort of a captive market,” chuckles 46-year-old Hunter. “I know the community pretty well now.” Hunter finds ... Full Story

Viewpoint: Century of rowing down the drain

This past July, the city went on strike. Being a 22-year employee and part of Local 79 union, I was rowing and on strike at the same time. Sadly, the ferry service was not operating to and from the Toronto Islands— and so we could not host the annual July 1 Canada Day regatta. In 1884, the ... Full Story

Improv calls to artists

One Friday evening there’s a painting in progress and a monologue with operatic emotion embracing the dimly-lit room. The next, it’s two zany hours of improv comedy, featuring single performers, duos, and ultimately a full stage of participants playing off each other. “It’s a time for people in and ... Full Story

Harbourfront choir seeking new members

Dallas Bergen will present his own version of the Three Tenors when he blends three distinct choir groups— Univox, Toronto’s choir for young adults, Harbourfront Chorus and the Choir of First Unitarian—in a performance of Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem accompanied by the Sneak Peak Orchestra on Feb. 26 at ... Full Story

Toronto Sculpture Garden: Yes, but is it art?

As you're walking along King St., this will stop you dead in your tracks -- these are quite possibly the most brightly coloured orange bears you'll ever see! Currently on exhibit at the Toronto Sculpture Garden is Dean Drever's Bear Hunt. According to Drever, "Acid-orange bears move... Full Story

Poet, artist brings Cabbagetown to the world

The first snowfall in Old Cabbagetown and the prosaic delights of the local hardware store are as inspiring for Barbara Elizabeth Mercer as are the mythological mysteries of Scandinavia.An acclaimed poet and visual artist, Mercer draws much from her world of Downtown Toronto, and makes the mundane a... Full Story

City themes take shape in bronze

Sculptor David Salazar is winging it this month with his newest work, to be shown at the Canadian Sculpture Centre.Salazar lives and works in the Niagara and King area. He graduated with a BFA from the Ontario College of Art and Design in 2007. Since then he has participated in numerous exhibitions,... Full Story

Performance addict lands rosy role

Caitlynne Medrek is pretty in pink. That’s fortunate since the CityPlace resident plays a young girl who turns pink in the children’s musical Pinkalicious. It’s now playing at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts through March 21. Drawn to her current production despite the uptown locati... Full Story

Got junk? Save your beads for Annalee

If it’s a weekday and the weather is good you’re almost certain to find Annalee Orr of the Re-Beadery selling her beadwork outside the St. Lawrence Market—the same place where her great grandmother arrived in a horse and wagon in the late 1800s and early 1900s to sell her farm produce.But while her ... Full Story

Dr. Max dogs kids to help them read

Students who are shy about reading in front of their classmates at St. Anthony Catholic School now have weekly visits from a “doctor” to make them feel comfortable as they read. And when they feel comfortable, they read easily and with confidence.The doctor’s name is Max. He has a long nose, four le... Full Story

King's man, zombie warrior a dad first

Of fall the weapons he has wielded in his career, Queen West resident Alan Van Sprang likes guns the best.The not unwillingly typecast bad guy has had his share of weaponry: he wielded space guns as an alien in Earth: Final Conflict. He’s toted machine guns in George A. Romero’s “Of the Dead” zombie... Full Story

‘A Little Case of the Great War’ at RCMI’s Military History Night

The RCMI’s regular Military History Night on Wednesday October 14 featured ‘A Little Case of the Great War’, a dramatic narrative based on a small oaken case containing a set of 100 glass slides from 1918. The slides consist of 61 well-known ‘stock’ shots from the Imperial Ministry of Informati... Full Story

Fringe favourite plays Panasonic for first time

Robert Kennedy has gone from the fringe to the big stage after the small cooperative play he was performing in, My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, caught the eye of Mirvish Productions.A veteran actor, 45-years-old, with multiple roles under his belt, the Distillery District resident has gon... Full Story

Africa trip inspires longtime local couple

A husband and wife folk-singing duo from the St. Lawrence Market area have been inspired to write the music and lyrics for their third CD after visiting people who live in poverty but are rich in spirit—and they live 13,000 km away.This past August Sue and Dwight Peters spent a week traveling throug... Full Story

Biracial filmmaker overcomes obstacles

A woman searches for love, compassion and integrity, while answering the needs of sexual addiction. Viewers were riveted to these film images unfolding on the wall of Parkdale gallery Culturshoc one night recently. But filmmaker, director, and west Downtown resident Tijuana Layne, who plays lead in ... Full Story

Musician raises funds for typhoon victims

As a gesture towards the typhoon victims in the Philippines, Richmond St. West resident Zach Bandolin, in co-operation with M.P.P. Mike Colle, initiated a series of fundraising shows where all ticket proceeds were given directly to those in need. Jazz guitarist Bandolin, accompanied by singer Ann Pa... Full Story

Galloway leaves jazz festival

Jim Galloway has announced he will step down as artistic director for the Toronto Jazz Festival at the end of October, citing evolving personal plans, intensive performance schedule demands, and a continuingly rigorous travel agenda precipitating his decision to relinquish full-time responsibi... Full Story

Fringe deadline advanced

The Toronto Fringe Festival has moved its application deadline earlier to Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. The festival will run from June 30 to July 11, 2010.The Fringe has been a springboard for many artists to debut new work and has sent several productions to major theatre centers across Canada and even to awa... Full Story

Local soprano performs Oct. 25

St. Lawrence resident and soprano Virginia Hatfield stars in Opera in Concert's Oct. 25 performance of Rossini's a La Donna del Lago. Visit operainconcert.com for details. She is also singing in the concert Alfred, Lord Tennyson at University of Toronto, Walter Hall, Oct. 18 (aldeburghconnection.com... Full Story

MPP participates in Nuit Blanche in Cabbagetown

George Smitherman, MPP opened the doors at the Toronto Centre Community Action Centre as part of Cabbagetown Nuit Blanche.This year marks the second year that George Smitherman has participated in Nuit Blanche, an all night event that showcases art exhibits throughout Toronto.As part of this years e... Full Story

A Green Mommy

At this year’s Toronto International Film Festival I am looking for the Green messages that are coming across the silver screen. My goal is to learn new things about how to Green my life and about how to get involved in the solutions. I am glad to have found some movies that inspire th... Full Story

Turtles 'R Us

I was really looking forward to sp... Full Story

Three Kates walked into a barre...

Downtown residents looking to see their friend Kate dance in the upcoming DanceWorks production titled Namesake:three will have to be more specific.There are three Kates from the Downtown core in the show: west ender, performer and choreographer Kate Alton and St. Lawrence residents, co-artistic dir... Full Story

Panelists, poets to grace literary festival

The Word on the Street festival returns to Queen’s Park on Sept. 27. This year’s festival features four Downtown residents—two essayists and two poets—who are making time to take their words off the printed page and into the spotlight.Garden District resident Steve Berezani and Cabbagetown resident ... Full Story

Local mounts exhibit of mother’s art

St.Lawrence community gardener Ewa Jarmicka of Princess St. is observing the hundredth anniversary of her late mother's birth by mounting an exhibit of some of Zofia Jarmicki's eclectic arts and crafts. Almost 40 items ranging from drawn-thread embroidery through petitpoint and knitting to wood-burn... Full Story

Get ready for greener TIFF

Harbourfront resident John Bessai of Cinefocus will once again keep readers of TheBulletin.ca abreast of the “eco-friendly” stars and filmmakers on the red carpet during the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.Bessai is paying special attention to filmmakers whose documentaries convey timely an... Full Story

Met United carilloneur takes his bell show on the road

Listening to the bells sing at Metropolitan United Church at the corner of Queen East and Church streets has been a time-honoured tradition for over 80 years.The Met United carillon (a set of at least 23 bells housed in a tower and played from a mechanical keyboard and pedalboard) is the fourth-larg... Full Story

Clowning around no funny business for this high flyer

Actors are told, “break a leg” for luck before a show. Downtown resident and aerialist Lindsay Stephens broke hers. But another showbiz adage is, “the show must go on” and despite a broken ankle, she lived up to that creed finishing her performance before heading off to seek medical attention.“I was... Full Story

Rastafarian makes music to please self

He’s not quite 40 but already Friendly, co-founder of the Toronto-based reggae band Friendlyness and the Human Rights, has found history has a way of repeating itself.In Friendly’s case the history centres around the old Bamboo Club that used to be on Queen just east of Spadina. In the late 1980s as... Full Story

Jazz man finds Downtown vibe

Jazz singer George Evans will bring his unique blend of Montreal and New York influences to the Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival on July 1.The 46-year-old Garden District resident has spent a decade involved in the Toronto music scene after living in New York and Montreal and is eager to show audi... Full Story

Language gives writer inspiration

Anita Majumdar is a busy woman.The writer, actor, director, and dancer is much in demand for her unique combination of performance and personality. In May, she trod the boards in the Dishoom! festival. On June 15, she takes the stage as one of five multicultural panelists discussing the impact of l... Full Story

Power Plant art gallery free all summer long

For the fourth year running, the Power Plant has announced that it will be offering free gallery admission all summer through its All Summer, All Free program.Due to the support of the Hal Jackman Foundation, the gallery is able to show Universal Code‚ a large-scale group exhibition presenting respo... Full Story

Garden tour features Ed Lawrence

The Cabbagetown Preservation Association (CPA) is holding its annual garden tour “Hidden Gardens and Private Spaces” on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. This event, now in its third year, is organized by CPA volunteers as a fund-raiser for local community programs and projects.Eleven ga... Full Story

Monstrous work wins local animator global acclaim

After four years of painstaking work, Sean Conly has finally received his reward by winning the Sprockets audience choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) For Children in April. Conly, a 33-year-old King and Bathurst resident, toiled relentlessly writing, directing, illustrati... Full Story

The spirituality of rabbinic pole dancing

Award–winning performer Tracey Erin Smith is living proof that art imitates life.Having dreamt as a little girl of one day becoming a rabbi and a performer, this Cabbagetown resident is now the playwright and star of The Burning Bush!, a one-woman show about a stripping rabbi. The show opens June 18... Full Story

Stroll through Downtown’s past, present

Heritage Toronto has planned a series of free walking tours that celebrate Toronto’s 175th birthday with a new schedule.This season includes debut walks entitled A Symphony of Clay, Stone, Metal and Glass; Leslieville; Campus and Cosmos: Astronomy in Toronto and Thistletown. Heritage Toronto’s walks... Full Story

Rock choir cures crippled cords

Queen’s Quay resident Maggie Simek had been singing since the age of five—gleefully taking singing lessons and performing in choirs most of her life. But five years ago, things took a frightening change.Simek started to feel a tightening in her throat and eventually lost her voice.The 19-year-old si... Full Story

Joker takes on recession humour

Second City vet and CityPlace denizen Leslie Seiler finds her current show very appropriate for the times.Seiler is on stage this month in her fourth revue—with the timely title 0% Down, 100% Screwed, a sketch show that finds humour in the global financial crisis. So far, Seiler has been able to mak... Full Story

Write of spring? George Brown authors to read

On May 19, the award-winning instructors from George Brown’s continuing education writing courses will be reading from their published works at Nicholas Hoare at 45 Front St. E.In addition to the readings, George Brown Writers: Fact and Fiction will offer guests, including students, faculty and writ... Full Story

Actor puts brave face on ghostly gig

St. Lawrence Market resident and Ghostly Encounters host Lawrence Chau is no stranger to things that go bump in the night.A self-proclaimed “ghost buff,” Chau is right at home as host of the real-life ghost stories show that features everyday people sharing their personal encounters with the spiritu... Full Story

Cabbagetown writer, Donner nominee not welcome at Liberal table

Life around Cabbagetowner Tarek Fatah can be deceptively placid.On this April morning, he has just finished the second broadcast in his new career on a local radio talk show, which his co-host had basically hijacked to launch into a vituperative attack against women in the armed forces, choosing to ... Full Story

Celtic fun at King Eddy

The King Edward Hotel hosts the O’Connor Irish Heritage House’s Celtic Fun Afternoon on May 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. The event is a fund-raiser for the O’Connor Estate buildings, the former country home of Senator Frank O’Connor and his wife Mary Ellen Hayes, founder of the Laura Secord chocolate company.... Full Story

Misseth not this punk Shakespeare

Until April 25, the Studio Blr Theatre Company presents “Hamlette—A Punk Rock Tragedy” at the Siesta Nouveaux Theatre at 15 Lower Sherbourne. The production features local actors performing Shakespeare's text and a series of local bands coming in to perform as part of the play. The show runs Thursda... Full Story

Guitarist steps into spotlight at last

Richmond St. W. resident and guitarist Zach Bandolin is following up on the January release of his first single, “Song for Mae,” with his first solo concert on April 4.Bandolin has worked as a professional musician for over 20 years, touring across Asia and Canada.For information about his April 4 p... Full Story

New novel uses blog to engage young readers

Cabbagetown resident Jennifer Cowan is about to launch her first teen novel—earthgirl, the story of an environmental activist—but the printed page takes an interesting twist thanks to teen-friendly technology.“I’m very excited,” says Cowan, whose teen writing credits include television’s Edgemont an... Full Story

Harbourfront director selected for festival

Harbourfront resident and documentary filmmaker Larry Young has had two pieces selected for this May’s Hot Docs festival.Young’s films “Ana and Arthur” and “Carmen” were announced as entries in the Canadian Spectrum category. Young directed, produced, edited, and was cinematographer for both films. ... Full Story

Curator-turned-choreographer happier with dance

Downtown resident and dancer Michael Caldwell has taken a roundabout road to his current career.Caldwell—appearing on stage this month in Holly Small's Radiant—has resided at Carton and Church “for about a year,” he admits, “but I've been in Toronto since 2002.” A native of Pittsburgh, he made his w... Full Story

Endowment to Bragg about

The Canadian Stage Company recently announced the formation of the Martin Bragg endowment fund, established in honour of outgoing artistic producer Martin Bragg, CanStage’s longest serving artistic head, who left his post in March after 17 years. Colleagues and associates have donated $50,000, which... Full Story

Adventurer authors period piece

Distillery resident Anne Hume’s new book Against All Disaster is an intriguing novel about Upper Canada that is set in 1837.“It is the story of Jess Lanchester, a fifteen year-old girl who seeks help in the search for her father from relatives in Toronto,” Hume recounts. Those relatives are the fami... Full Story

Christmas flower show at Allan Gardens

Usher in the spirit of the season with the annual Christmas flower show at Allan Gardens conservatory. From December 7 to 30, the greenhouse conservatory will showcase many of the newest varieties of poinsettias, all lending a victorian flavour for the holiday season. The conservatory will be open f... Full Story

Innovative design on the menu at GBC's new chef school

George Brown College’s newly-acquired storefront property at 215 King Street East is a unique blend of ancient and modern. From paint factory to Italian grocery, this heritage building has undergone a further restoration and renovation. It houses a publicly accessible student-run 70-seat re... Full Story

Mosque in Abbey Road? Check again

The CBC used shots to look like the famous cover of the Beatle's Abbey Road album to promote their new season of Little Mosque on the Prairie. So did they fly the entire cast and crew to England to take the famous photo ? Well not exactly. Although it's not beyond the... Full Story

Aurora arises to be Miss Universe Canada

It’s not every day that people literally get to live their dreams. That’s precisely what’s in store for 18-year-old Caroline Co-op resident Aurora Kruk, who is in the running to be named Miss Universe Canada. “I had a dream,” she remembers. “I had a dream about a pageant when I was little and in t... Full Story

Nutcracker nanny to be new mom

National Ballet second soloist and newlywed Lisa Robinson and her husband Gayan Fernando won’t be dancing a pas de deux for much longer: the young couple is expecting their first child in early 2009. For Robinson, the timing is ironic—for six years she has played the character role of Baba the nanny... Full Story

Leslieville guys pen booze book

Ryan Jennings and David Steele make no bones about the fact that their new book is for drinkers.“We're just a couple of guys who like to eat and drink,” Jennings laughs.Entertaining with Booze is the latest Jennings and Steele collaboration. Their previous book was titled Cooking with Booze. It was ... Full Story

Women’s studio has pottery sale, reception

Members of The Woodlawn Pottery Studio, a Toronto women's cooperative, are hosting their annual show and sale of a unique collection of ceramics at the Gladstone Hotel at 1214 Queen St. W. on Dec. 5 and 6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The studio’s master glaze maker is Ca... Full Story

AIDS concert first in Toronto

The Metropolitan United Church is hosting Casey House’s World Aids Concert on Dec. 1, the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, at 7 p.m.The Voices of Hope performance is Toronto’s inaugural World AIDS Day community concert. Similar performances are being held at the Dr. Peter Centre in Vancouver and ... Full Story

Rap opera opens ‘Pandora’s’ box

The Glen Gould Studio Ensemble will present Dean Burry’s new rap opera Pandora's Locker as part of the free concert series in the Richard Bradshaw Theatre located in the Four Seasons Centre on Dec. 10 at 12 p.m. Queen West resident Brian Current will conduct.Pandora's Locker is inspired by the Greek... Full Story

Dance around

Waterfront School students take in a performance by National Ballet apprentice Sara Garbowski on Oct. 21 as part of Dance Around.

Drawing healthier for local visual artist

Deciding to give up a health-compromising artistic discipline years ago created an opportunity for Harbourfront resident Sally Glanville to develop a new artistic talent: drawing.“Twenty years ago print making could be lethal because of the chemicals involved in the process,” said Glanville. “I deci... Full Story

She's got soul

Queen and Bathurst resident Melissa Jane Shaw on stage this month in playwright Aaron Bushkowsky’s modern morality tale Soulless.Soulless opens at the Factory Theatre Backspace on Nov. 6 and runs until Nov. 23. Tickets for the 8 p.m. performances (Tues.-Sat.) are $20. Sunday shows offer pay-what-you... Full Story

New statue, book at Fort York

A new monument to the War of 1812 was unveiled in the Fort York neighbourhood on Nov. 3. Sculptor Douglas Coupland’s newest work has been installed at the northwest corner of Bathurst and Fleet streets as part of the public art program. Developer Malibu Investments Ltd. funded the project. Joe Panta... Full Story

Canadian Children’s Opera Company celebrates 41st season

The Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus formally will be known as the Canadian Children’s Opera Company, to more accurately reflect the company’s mandate to commission new operatic works written and produced for children. The Canadian Children’s Opera Company is the only organization in... Full Story

Funny girl

Harboufront resident Alana Johnson cracks them up at Second City. The 24-year-old comedienne is in contention for the 2008 Tim Sims Encouragement Award on Oct. 27.

Premiere Dance Theatre gets prestigious new name

On the occasion of its 25th Anniversary, Harbourfront Centre's Premiere Dance Theatre will be rechristened with a prestigious new name, Fleck Dance Theatre, in honour of the longstanding commitment and support of Harbourfront Centre arts patrons Jim and Margaret Fleck. The Fleck’s philanthropic gift... Full Story

Colin drums up a big-time deal

One of the newest Canadian artists to sign a major record deal calls Queen and Beverley home. Colin Munroe, a singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, signed with American heavyweight Dallas Austin’s label, Rowdy, which recently partnered with Universal Motown and Universal Music Can... Full Story

Red carpet newbie shines at TIFF

Karen LeBlanc is definitely open to new experiences. For example, the Longboat Ave. resident has just given her first interview. “Sometimes with all those first expierences you're so innocent and so wide open,” she enthuses, noting that another major milestone is coming up when she steps out as t... Full Story

Now is the best time to plant a tree!

If you’ve been thinking about planting a tree in your yard, now is the time! Toronto has had lots of rain this summer; lots and lots of rain. Moist soil allows tree roots to easily soak up the water they need to establish themselves in their new location Cool fall weather will help your tree estab... Full Story

Cabbagetown street-gardening weekend a rip roaring success

You may have recently seen busy crews of volunteers digging around trees and along Cabbagetown sidewalks, planting a variety of perennials. Work was in progress on Sunday July 20th, 2008, up and down Parliament between Gerrard and Wellesley and even with the soppy weather there was a solid ... Full Story

Cabbagetown park gets Green Force makeover

A new fountain and pathways are in place and working at Anniversary Park at Gerrard and Parliament. The result is a bright, comfortable location where one can go for a relaxed lunch or a quick visit. The transformation was made possible by the efforts of the televisi... Full Story

Local food author connects with farmers

Acclaimed author Margaret Webb appeared at the Brick Works Farmers' Market July 26, for a special reading and cooking presentation with Chef Neal Noble. After traveling across Canada by Via Rail to promote her new book, Apples to Oysters: A Food Lover's Tour of Canadian Farms, Webb say... Full Story

Karmic MBA’s self-published novel full of local references

How does a pension consultant with an MBA become a karmic astrologer and fiction author? Ask St. Lawrence resident Karen M. Black, who has realized success by circumventing traditional distribution channels and self-publishing her first novel, Moondance, which has had an unusual birth buoyed by U.S.... Full Story

Cabbagetown Theatre: New digs and 2008 Slaw Festival

The Cabbagetown Theatre Company gave a performance of Live and Swinging at their new venue, fifty-one, the former Laurentian room at the historic Winchester Hotel, 51A Winchester Street on May 29-31, and June 4, 5 2008. Once frequented by the likes of Al Capone and Billie Holliday, the... Full Story

St. Lawrence Market holds customer appreciation night

Customers had a chance to sample a myriad of delicacies at the St. Lawrence Customer Appreciation Night on April 4, when vendors had a chance to say "thanks" to their clientele at an invitation-only, after-hours special opening. The event was well attended, and the munchies were as delectab... Full Story

Canadian Opera Company performs at RBC Royal Bank opening

Young singers Yannick Muriel Noah and Teiya Kasahara from the Canadian Opera Company Studio Ensemble performed pieces by Puccinni and Offenback for the grand opening of the RBC Royal Bank branch at Adelaide and York February 6th. Guests were treated to a lunchtime jazz performance... Full Story

He’s a hot one

Liberty Village resident Justin (left) is Mr. January in the 2008 FireHunks international firefighter calendar created to raise money and profile for the Mississauga-based charity Firefighters Without Borders (FWB). Visit firehunks.com for details on the calendar.

Neighbourhood library branch overdue for silver anniversary

The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood branch of the Toronto Public Library celebrated its 25th anniversary on Sept. 29. Supervisor Linda Goldman was on hand with her staff to greet visitors.The celebration featured a large birthday cake and programs for the kids. Outside was a book sale in the courtyard. ... Full Story

Cocoa beancounter? Accountant wins baking contest

Garden District resident Francine Fogel leads a sweet life.By day, Fogel, is a senior accountant at Laura Secord’s head office. But at night and on weekends, she wows her friends, family, and colleagues with her now award-winning brownies.“The original recipe called for almost a pound of butter. You... Full Story

A lot to Bragg about at CanStage 20th

Distillery resident Martin Bragg is ready for the curtain to rise once more. Bragg is the artistic producer of the Canadian Stage Company, or CanStage. He’s been with the company for 15 of the 20 years of its history. Bragg is considered one of the pioneers of Toronto theatre and one of Canada’s fo... Full Story

Kids: Mayonnaise magic

Did you know that the mayonnaise you put on your sandwiches can be used around the house? The Old Farmer's Almanac for Kids, Volume 2, offers many fun and practical uses for mayonnaise. Remember to always use a clean spoon when taking mayonnaise out of the jar, refrigerate it after opening it, and t... Full Story

CBC plans Gould series

CBC Radio 2 celebrates the life, legacy and lasting inspiration of Canada’s treasured music virtuoso Glenn Gould with Variations on Gould—a 10-day radio festival airing on CANADA LIVE. From Tuesday, Sept. 25 to Thursday, Oct. 4, performers across the musical spectrum—from experimental artists to sin... Full Story

The Complete Travel Writer: George Brown offers course

Every year, three times a year, novice and professional writers alike gather to learn about the glories and glamour - as well as the trials and travails—of writing for the travel industry.The draw for these writers is The Complete Travel Writer - a journalism course offered by George Brown College ... Full Story

Local b-boy takes a stance

Toronto born singer and songwriter k-os loves to show off his hometown to visitors—perhaps even on two wheels. He is a self-professed environmentally-friendly bicycle rider.“I believe a person can only change the world by changing themselves. Maybe this can happen if we use our environment as a mirr... Full Story

It's never too late to become a TIFF star

Bob Ormerod is hardly the kind of guy you'd think of as an entertainer. When he worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway, his job was to take care of the conductor's journals. Well, somebody had to do it. Otherwise how would they know where they were going or the number of cars on that train, or what... Full Story

Still making music: Cable's career into sixth decade

"I'm now at the age when they give me tributes," laughs composer, arranger and conductor Howard Cable. He’s referring to the CBC Radio program featuring his work, which will be broadcast July 1.Cable began his CBC Radio career in 1941 as a composer, eventually succeeding Percy Faith as Can... Full Story

Saturdays at The Kitchen

This new series of Food and History Shows enters its second month as a regular Saturday feature at St. Lawrence Market. Hosted at The Kitchen (West Mezzanine), this space offers ample seating and fabulous views of the Market and the city looking west along Front Street to the Flatiron Building and t... Full Story

Interview: Documentary knocks Moore off his pedestal

Halfway through this documentary, you can’t help but notice two things. First, the amount of research involved in this film is mind-boggling, and second, Michael Moore is not a nice guy. What started out as a film seeking to pay some kind of tribute to Moore, the film might shock anyone who has seen... Full Story

Former foot feeler fulfilled by music

Cabbagetown resident, writer and musician, Lesley Young, said her latest CD release, Inside, emerged from the realization that she wasn’t fulfilled without music.“I was a reflexologist for a while in the west end and it came down to deciding that I really wasn’t feeling like a whole person until I w... Full Story

Decks of cards in Cambodia demonstrates culture differences

Paul Snowdon and his wife had been dreaming about quitting their corporate jobs in the U.S. and travelling the world and eventually, they did just that.The culmination of that trip, which among other places, took them to India, Thailand, and Cambodia, is displayed in his art show, Conversations with... Full Story

Cabbagetown vintner takes top int'l honours

It was a nice pick.“It didn’t seem cold that night because there was no wind, and you could see as clear as day because of the full moon. It was beautiful,” Cabbagetown resident Douglas Macfarlane says. In reality, it was -9 degrees. Thirty men and women bundled up in toques and sweaters for a midn... Full Story

He craves the spotlight and a simple life

Off-stage Hardee T. Lineham craves the simple things in life—spending time with his children and granddaughter and shopping at the St. Lawrence Market at least once a week.You might remember him from the classic Edison Twins series, or a little more recently, appearing as dysfunctional co-worker Car... Full Story

Review: HotDocs delightful

One of the few things that makes living in Toronto a delight is its ability to host a great film festival. Recognized as the best festival of its kind in North America, this year's Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival opened last Thursday and is playing through to Sunday April 29. Th... Full Story

Rare performance features Harbourfront composer

Downtown Toronto is home to Esprit Orchestra, the world’s only symphony orchestra that specializes in playing music of our time. Music Director Alex Pauk has attracted a hip and adventurous audience for 24 years. On Sunday, May 13 he returns to St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts to conduct a concert r... Full Story

Island garden tours announced for July

Ten or more private gardens will be open to the public and the gardeners will answer your questions on sultry summer Sunday afternoons from 1 to 5 p.m. on July 8, 15, and 22. The Ward's Island ferry departs from the foot of Bay Street on the hour and the half hour. From the Ward's dock follow the s... Full Story

Battle school, Baroque music and more at Fort York

Fort York National Historic Site invites the public to the following events in March and April.The Romantic Muse: Songs of Love and TravelSunday March 18th from 2:00 until 4:00 pmFree with regular fort admission - presented in association with Claviers Baroque (www.claviersbaroques.com)Ms Lorna Kas... Full Story

Talented seniors sought for summer jubilee

If you are talented and 50+ this is your opportunity to stand in the spotlight at Roy Thomson Hall!Entertainers 50+ from across Ontario are invited to audition for the 2007 RBC Seniors’ Jubilee. For five days, August 13 – 17, Roy Thomson Hall will be filled with the sound of music, laughter and app... Full Story

Married to a focus on Canadian culture

She's from Burlington, he's from Edmonton. She's the optimist, he's the realist. She's detail-oriented, he's big-picture. Together they form the core of CineFocus, a thriving film company in Liberty Village.Twenty-four-hour togetherness certainly would not work for most, but then John Bessai and Joa... Full Story

'Sexy' 17-year-old Turkish mastiff keeps on chugging

We stand on guard for thee.” This was the headline of the article that led me to my Turkish mastiff nearly 18 years ago. I wanted a breed that would die to protect me, keep my home safe, keep my family safe, but not be an in-your-face creature that can’t live without my presence. I had looked at sev... Full Story

This metal mama is also a bean counter

Back in the good old days, folks envied mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent, who in the blink of an eye (but only if a phone booth was handy) could change into rather less mild-mannered (but definitely fitter) Superman.Now that the Internet is with us, anybody can have as many virtual identities as th... Full Story

Old Town resident keeps traditional skill alive

It is “kalos” to “graphien.” Huh? In Greek, “kalos” means beautiful and “graphien,” to write. Hence, “calligraphy”—or “beautiful penmanship.” You can look it up in your Funk and Wagnalls.“Calligraphy by Diane” means beautiful writing by Diane Iannuzziello. “It seemed to be destined to become a dyin... Full Story

One-eyed photog sees like a camera

Eric Morse is drawn to photography like Paris Hilton is to headlines—it’s just part of his nature. A friend once told him that he’s like a camera. Indeed with his visual impairment (he has visibility in only his right eye), Morse has an affinity to the camera. “Being monocular has its advantages in ... Full Story

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