CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED ARTIST
Irene Peplinski DeClute
Dermott Place & Spruce, 11”by 14”, oil on canvas. See more of her art online at Cabbagetown Artists.
LOCAL NEWS
233 Carlton Women’s Resource Centre
Renovations on the interior of the building are now underway. The new site will be operated by Fred Victor Mission and will offer 24-hour drop-in and support services along with emergency beds for 35 women. The various appeals against the initial plan delayed the start of construction. It’s now scheduled to open in early 2024. For updates, check the City’s website.
Thanks Pete
Peter Lovering has retired from his Parliament Street News and the paper has gone into a hiatus. He looks back on his record there with considerable pride. In the Fall of 2022, he tossed his hat into the civic election in Rosedale and then he landed a job with a regular paycheque - he says it’s an amazing experience! The Parliament Street News was a lively and informative paper and it’ll be missed. Thanks, Pete.
Get a free tree
The Corktown Business & Residents Association is giving away free trees and Cabbagetown residents are included in the offer. Check the poster to see the varieties that are available. The trees are free. Saturday, April 29, 2023. Email your request no later than March 31.
Call for performers
The Cabbagetown Festival is looking for performers to appear on Parliament and Carlton during its two-day event, Saturday September 9 from 11 am to 8 pm and Sunday September 10 from 11 am to 7 pm. Musicians, singers, dancers, performance artists, circus artists and more. Send in the application before May 31. Let’s hope that the Cabbagetown BIA uses its own motto - Shop Local - when deciding the final list of performers.
Vendors and artists
Both the Cabbagetown Festival and the Cabbagetown Art & Crafts have also issued calls for vendors and artists for their events, Friday September 8 to Sunday September 10.
Nope, she’s not doing it
Kristyn Wong Tam denies that she’s in the race for Toronto mayor. She’s getting calls urging her to get into it and she’s resisting. She’s firm about staying the course in her new job as our MPP at Queen’s Park.
The lonely cow
For the past year, Rupee has been the only cow left at Riverdale Farm. Online comments have questioned whether Park staff intend to bring in more cows so she’ll have some company. A recent Facebook post gathered over 50 remarks. Park staff have said that they’re aware of these concerns from the public and they’re looking into the matter. People who have contacted the Farm about Rupee have received a rather bland form letter in reply.
Stretch & strength
Gina Dineen is starting regular Essentrics classes at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) for both beginners and experienced exercisers who want to add stretch and strength activity to their aerobics. The class starts on Monday March 29 at 9:30 am. Drop-in style, $5/class.
Step classes
Brenda Brown McNee’s popular step class at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) will continue every Wednesday through April. Drop-ins are welcome. Children are also welcome. Fee is $5 or PWYC. For more info, a detailed safety list and an equipment list, email Brenda.
COMING EVENTS
Ramadan meals
The Regent Park Catering Collective is offering free meals to Ramadan observers. Every Wednesday from March 29 to April 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Break the fast and pray Maghrib prayer together. Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).
Corktown Common clean-up
Volunteers are wanted to clean up the winter’s trash from Corktown Common (155 Bayview). Meet on Saturday at the Pavilion. Bags and supplies will be available.
St James Town Cabbagetown community meeting
Community Officers from 51 Division will meet with local residents to discuss trends in the neighbourhood and steps being taken to help. Tuesday March 28, 11 am, Community Corner (200 Wellesley).
Stoner Chicks comedy
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion (243 Gerrard E) presents its regular comedy night on Friday March 24. A super-charged all-female comedy night. Doors open at 8 pm and shows starts at 9 pm. $20. Click here for tickets.
Dixonlicious is coming
This is the big gala that helps to pay for Dixon Hall’s food support program - Meals on Wheels, summer camp, homeless shelter, AIDS programs and children and youth programs. Tickets are $100. It’s a celebration of local restaurants, chefs and breweries and it features an exciting silent and live auction. Save the date - Tuesday June 6, 6 to 9 pm, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).
IN OUR STORES
Welcome WD Cleaners
Steve has just opened Washing Dynasty Cleaners (586 Parliament). It’s in a great spot - it’s in the store location that was previously home to Del Ray Cleaners. As well as the usual dry cleaning services, Steve also offers shoe cleaning and repairs. He says that he’s had lots of people in his first few days. Check out his opening special prices.
FOC Foods
The Great Mallard (503 Parliament) is featuring salt cured chilies and peach fermented hot sauce from FOC Foods. Albert and Mike started the company in 2020 right here in Toronto and their sales have grown nationally through online sales. You can check out their goodies and order them from their website. Find out more about them in this blogTO story.
AAA Accounting & Tax
Owen practices from his Parliament Street office (462 Parliament) and from his informative website. His newsletters on his website give insights about current tax issues - new items on your tax return, professional and union dues, home office expenses, instalments, First Home Savings Account, RRSPs and TFSA contributions and lots more. Click here to read his news.
KIDS STUFF
Family Drop-in
Enjoy a Spring celebration at Allan Gardens. Daffodil crafts, micro greens to grow at home, bird-song matchup and plant sale. Activities for kids 3 to 8 years old and siblings are welcome. Children’s Conservatory (160 Gerrard E), Allan Gardens. Saturday March 25, 10:30 am.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Fusilli wine tasting
Fusilli (531 Queen E) presents a four course dinner with wines paired to each course. Start with focaccia and Spumante Brut 2022. Then pasta with Greco di Tufo DOCG 2021. For mains, pork tenderloin with Agliance DOC 2019. Finish with strawberry Romanoff and Lambrusco. 7 pm, Thursday March 30, $84.
Welcome Bowls & Snacks
Asian fusion comes to Regent Park. “Our menu boasts a wide range of fresh and flavourful ingredients that you can use to create your own custom sushi bowl or stir-fried dish.” Curry, stir fries, bowls, momo’s and of course, sushi. 1 Oak Street
Market Brews
The Aviary hosts Market Brews on Sunday March 26 and on Sunday April 2 from noon to 6 pm. Enjoy brunch, brews from Longslice and a community market.
Pick 6 at F’Amelia
Every Wednesday, F’Amelia (12 Amelia) will pick six wines - three reds and three whites - and discount them deeply.
El Catrin
Tequila tasting and dinner in the Bodega at El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane, Distillery). It’s your chance to taste rare and hard-to-find bottles. On Wednesday March 29, the menu will highlight classic foods that match the featured tequilas and mezcals. For more info and reservations, check it out online.
Cyril’s soup
This week, Cyril’s making butternut squash soup with pears and apples. For delivery on Saturday March 25. $3.50/cup for 3 to 9 cups and $3/cup for 10 or more. His juice is apple, grape, basil and lemon, 2 cups for $9.50. Please send him an email with your order.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY MARCH 23 TO SUNDAY APRIL 2
- For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY MARCH 23
Dominion
6:30 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
FRIDAY MARCH 24
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
8 pm, Stoner Chicks Comedy Show
SATURDAY MARCH 25
Dominion
8 pm, Live music
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
Noon, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
2 pm, beginner drumming classes with Anna Melnikoff
SUNDAY MARCH 26
The Aviary
Noon to 6 pm, Market Brews community market.
Dominion
6 pm dinner and 7 pm, stand-up comedy
Super Bargain
9 pm, Industry Night with DJ Shamz
MONDAY MARCH 27
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY MARCH 28
Aviary
8 pm, Bird Brain trivia
El Catrin
6:30 pm, Tequila tasting and dinner
Golden Pigeon
7 pm, jazz and $2 oysters
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY MARCH 29
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
The Golden Pigeon
7 pm, Random Trivia
THURSDAY MARCH 30
Dominion
6:30 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
Fusilli
7 pm, Wine tasting dinner
FRIDAY MARCH 31
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY APRIL 1
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
Noon, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
2 pm, beginner drumming classes with Anna Melnikoff
SUNDAY APRIL 2
Aviary
Noon to 6 pm, Market Brews community market.
Dominion
6 pm dinner and 7 pm, stand-up comedy
CONTACT INFO
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament
Aviary - 484 Front East
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion - 243 Gerrard E
Cranberries - 601 Parliament
Distillery - Mill Street and Parliament
Dominion - 500 Queen E
El Catrin - 18 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Golden Pigeon - 424 Parliament
House on Parliament - 454 Parliament
NJ Lounge - 507 Parliament
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton
Super Bargain - 441 Parliament
Wing House - 420 Parliament
