This month’s take on the neighbourhood is from long-time friend to the board, Shawna Pereira. As well as being a fantastic professional photographer, Shawna is working on this year’s Forsythia Festival preparations.

Best place in Cabbagetown for a bite to eat…
Best food in the hood – The House on Parliament
Best ambiance, patio and staff and cocktails – F’Amelia
Best Indian Fix – Rashnaa

Cabbagetown needs…
To clean up, remodel and rent out the closed-down business on the east side of Parliament Street from Aberdeen down to the old House on Parliament location. Updating those buildings will help bring in new business opportunities and improve the retail vibe on Parliament Street

Favourite block…
Riverdale Park: Farm on one side, Park Snacks (double chocolate scoop ice cream cone in the summer) on the other side.

Best public space…
The new splash park at Wellesley Park. A great addition located next to the playground

Favourite store…
It’a a tie:
Labour of Love and Kendall & Co.
Great gifts, featuring local artists and craftsmen.
Owners of both stores are always available to talk and are cool, down-to-earth people.

Cabbagetown pet peeve…
Dog walkers throwing their poop bags into my leaf bags and green bin. Take your poop home, neighbours!

Cabbagetown’s best kept secret…
Our laneways. As a photographer, I love the laneways as backdrops. No matter what season we are in they are beautiful.

They are also a great place for the older kids to play, ride bikes and explore without worrying about cars speeding past. And they are historical….research some of the people they are named after! Pretty cool and right in our hood.

Best reason to join the Cabbagetown Residents Association (CRA)…
It’s not only fun but it is important to be a part of the bigger picture and help make things happen right in our own backyard.