CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW

This week's image:  Plaza at Parliament & Dundas

IN THE NEWS

Open Houses - Two homes are listed: on Salisbury and on Ontario St.  Click here for more information.

Parliament Street revitalization
Rumours are drifting around again that the block of stores south of Starbucks on Parliament is being considered for redevelopment. A couple of years ago, these properties were part of a plan to build a new LCBO store in this area. 
Current ideas have expanded beyond this.  The proposal suggests that the Parliament Street part of the development be mixed use with modern storefronts and upper level residential units in a building that will be about as high as the Starbucks building. The rear lanes will be rerouted with the north-south lane exiting onto Aberdeen further west. The rear section over the Green P lot will house an indoor parking garage and upper level condos.  There may be height issues with the new condos.
All of this is still speculative.  No plans have been produced and the City does not have a development application on file.  There are a lot of individual interests to be satisfied.  On a larger scale, the City of Toronto and the local community, including Aberdeen residents, still need to agree to the proposals.
 
Be quick – time is running out
Photo:  City of Toronto
The City of Toronto has a survey underway seeking residents’ reactions to the proposed expansion of Toronto Island Airport which would allow jet aircraft to land there and would also allow an extension of the airport’s runways into the lake.  Questions cover health, noise, environment and economic issues.  It’s an interesting questionnaire.  If you want to register your opinion, you must hurry – the deadline is midnight, Friday October 11.  You'll find the survey here. You can also read the City’s general background notes here. Thanks to Steve de Blois for sending this link along for you.
 
ROM Walk
Photo:  ROM
Cabbagetown is back on the ROMWalk agenda on Sunday October 20 from 2 to 4 pm.  This tour takes about 90 minutes.  Meet at the northeast corner of Spruce and Parliament (beside No Frills).  This event is free and no registration is required.
 
Global Cabaret Festival
Photo: Jason Hudson
The entire Young Centre (50 Tank House Lane, The Distillery) is turned into a cabaret venue.  Over 150 of Canada`s leading performing artists create 15 one-hour songbooks and cabarets.  The headline performers include Ins Choi, Molly Johnson, Sharron Matthews, Sophie Millman and Jackie Richardson. For schedules and ticket information, click here.
 
Moss Park Hockey League
Megan Takeda has asked for help to locate a sponsor for one team in the MPHL.  The League offers a free program for at-risk kids between the ages of 4 and 14.  Sponsorship covers the cost of some equipment and the banquet at the end of the season.  In return, sponsors name the team and get a logo and a link on the League’s website. For more information, contact Megan at mossparkhockeyleague@gmail.com  

COMING EVENTS
 
Jack Grunsky’s exhibition
Jack is an award-winning Cabbagetown musician and artist who regularly contributes his talents to our community’s events – he was, for example, part of the program at last Spring’s Forsythia Festival.  His paintings are being featured in a show called Urban Realism at the Moonbeam Café (30 St Andrew St) in Kensington Market from Saturday October 12 to November 8.  If you want a nice preview, click here to see his work on Etsy.
 
Peter Donato
Peter is another enthusiastic local guy and his music is attracting lots of attention from his friends here.  He’s back at the Flying Beaver (488 Parliament) on Thursday October 17 at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.  You can enjoy dinner while you’re there.
 
Jo’s show at Redline
Jo’s photography continues on display at Redline Coffee & Espresso Bar (354 Queen E) until October 31. On Facebook, Redline says that her photos of her recent trip to Burma are spectacular.
 
PUBS & RESTAURANTS
 
Thanksgiving reminders
 
Photo: Nick & Hilary
St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) has all the supplies and all the accessories that you’ll need for a real feast.
 
We`ve got four great bakeries ready to supply your desserts – Absolute (589 Parliament), Café Olya (540 Parliament), the Scullery (200 Carlton) and Daniel et Daniel (Carlton).  I don`t know how we`re ever gonna stay skinny!
 
Cranberries (601 Parliament) is offering a three-course prix fixe dinner at $27 on Sunday and Monday.  It’s a traditional Fall feast with butternut squash soup or mixed green salad, roast turkey with mashed potato, seasonal veggies, cranberry sauce and homemade stuffing and apple or pumpkin pie for dessert.
 
The Local GEST (424 Parliament).  On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the Local is hosting a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings.
 
Peartree (507 Parliament) has a three-course traditional Thanksgiving dinner for only $22.99 on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Every Friday, Peartree has an 8 oz Black Angus striploin dinner for only $13.99.
 
Under The Table (568 Parliament) has house salad, soup, turkey with stuffing and cranberries, corn, baked macaroni, broccoli and gravy, and pumpkin pie for $21.  All weekend.
 
Junior Jazz is back
This monthly series at Paintbox Bistro (535 Dundas E) features jazz performances for kids.  On Saturday October 19 from 10 to 11 am, the Thompson Egbo-Egbo trio presents a concert for kids.  Bring your entire family and enjoy brunch while you`re there.  No cover charge.
 
Merryberry`s new menu
Cyril has a new menu to celebrate the Fall season.  His specials now include a turkey and chorizo burger, curried turkey pot pie, sweet potato quiche, sweet potato and roasted garlic burger and a quinoa salad with butternut squash.  And tortiere is back.  Sounds yummy.  You can enjoy these goodies from Monday to Saturday from 10:30 am to 8:30 pm and on Sunday from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. 559 Parliament
 
F`Amelia`s expansion
Photo:Toronto Life
Extended F`Amelia (8 Amelia) is the new room that John and Todd have created next door to F`Amelia.  It`s just open but it`s already attracting nifty press coverage.  gridto.com viewthevibe.com and torontolife.com have all reported on its opening and all are encouraging about the wine choices and chef James Harrison`s menu.  Todd says that customer response has been very healthy with several parties already booked.  Congrats to everyone.
 
Halloween parties
The Local GEST (424 Parliament) has announced plans for a Halloween party on Saturday October 26.  Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) also has one set for the same night.  Winchester Kitchen & Bar (51B Winchester) has a Halloween party on October 31 with Odd Soul, from 9 pm to 2 am. No doubt, there`ll be more.
 
SHOPPING NEWS
 
Eclectisaurus
Leslie has a 6` by 3` Italian travertine marble dining table with a rectangular pedestal base.  Its beautifully polished, tactile and practical surface is perfect for everyday dining and for resting your elbows.  You can see all the details here. 249 Gerrard E, Wednesday to Saturday noon to 7 pm and Sunday noon to 6 pm.
 
Make love not war
As families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, our definition of a family has changed dramatically.  At Kendall & Co (227 Carlton), the staff is thankful for being in Canada where families can stem from equal marriage and children can be adopted into these loving homes.  Say ``I do`` to equal marriage every time you buy a mug. Kendall & Co will donate $2 from your purchase to 519 Church Street community centre.  Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm. Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm.
 
Get ready for winter
Steve and Phyllis at DelRay Cleaners (586 Parliament) have a sale going on for your winter coats and jackets.  Save 25% from now to November 30.  You can see more about their non-toxic cleaning services here.
 
Thanks for giving
Pet Valu (240 Carlton) is again participating in the Thanks For Giving drive throughout October.  All the gifts given at Pet Valu on Carlton will be directed to Catbusters adoption agency and to PWA`s Pet Food Bank. Staff at Pet Valu remind you that they encourage ongoing donations of cat and dog food, kitty litter, small animal and bird food and gently used pet toys.  In two weeks, Catbusters will be back to help you adopt a cat for your home – Saturday, October 26, 10 to 3 pm.
 
Don`t forget Farley Month
The Cabbagetown Pet Clinic (239 Gerrard E) is again taking part in Farley Month throughout October to raise funds for the Farley Foundation.  The Foundation provides support for families who need veterinary care but can’t afford it.  It was established and administered by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association.  If you’d like to donate, drop by the Cabbagetown Pet Clinic and also put your name into the raffle for two big gift baskets full of treats.
 
Opening soon
A quick visit inside the new Dollarama store (429 Parliament).  Shelves are now being built (and it looks as if the store will really be full of stuff!)  The opening is expected either in late October or the first week of November.

PUBS & CLUBS - LISTINGS

THURSDAY OCTOBER 10 TO SUNDAY OCTOBER 20

 

Contact info
Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088
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
Local GEST, 424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, https://www.facebook.com/thelocalgest
Paint Box Bistro, 555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555, www.paintboxbistro.ca
Que Supper Club, 364 Queen St E, (647) 748-1783, http://www.quesupperclub.com
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 OCTOBER 10
 
Cafune
6:30 pm, Henrique Matulis (guitar), Kyla Charter (vocals) & Chris Adriaanse (bass), Brazilian jazz, free admission
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Jeffrey Straker & Anna Gutmanis, $10 advance/$15 door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm, Loser karaoke with Jason Rolland
 
FRIDAY OCTOBER 11
 
Dominion on Queen
9 pm, Swamparella, Toronto’s premier Cajun Zydeco band, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, HSSE fundraiser cabaret hosted by Chris Brazeau, $5 advance/$10 door
9 pm, Lee Lindsay with James Cronyn, $10 advance/$15 door
Que
10 pm, DJ Night
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm, Karaoke with Jason Rolland
 
SATURDAY OCTOBER 12
 
Cafune
8 pm, Henrique Matulis (guitar), Laura Fernandes & Trevor Giancola, Brazilian jazz, free admission
Dominion on Queen
9 pm – Al Lerman blues, $10
Flying Beaver
9 pm, Jay Harmony, $10 advance/$15 door
Que
10 pm, DJ Night
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
Naked rebel party
 
SUNDAY OCTOBER 13
 
Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly brunch with the Cosmotones
Flying Beaver
8 pm, Savoy Howe’s Gangsta Drag Karaoke, $10
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
Naked rebel party
9 pm, Beau’s presents Open Mic with Porter
 
MONDAY OCTOBER 14
 
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm Win-Prov
10 pm,  Industry Night
 
TUESDAY OCTOBER 15
 
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
10 pm, Epic movie Tuesday
 
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16
 
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
8 pm, Corktown Ukelele
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Minxy’s country music mix-up switch-up, with a bag of clothing $5, no bag $10
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
7:30 pm, Winchester Trivia smackdown
10 pm, Karaoke with Jason Rolland
 
THURSDAY OCTOBER 17
 
Cafune
6:30 pm, Henrique Matulis (guitar) & Trevor Giancola, Brazilian jazz, free admission
Dominion on Queen
7 pm, Wee Folk Club, $10
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Peter Donato “Cantautore”, $10 advance/$15 door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm, Karaoke with Jason Rolland
 
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18

Dominion on Queen
7 pm, Gary Kendall Band
Flying Beaver
9 pm, The legendary Carole Pope with Tim Welch and Sean Kelly, $20/advance & $25/door
$15 advance/$20 door
Que
10 pm, DJ Night
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Oktoberfest “Polka on down”
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm Barbarosa
 
SATURDAY OCTOBER 19
 
Cafune
8 pm, Henrique Matulis (guitar) & Atilla Fias, Brazilian jazz, free admission
Dominion on Queen
3 pm, Lesley Livingston & Jonathan Llyr book launch “How to Curse in Hieroglyphics”
9 pm, James Anthony Detroit music hall of fame, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Heidi Mole “The Brady Project”  $10/advance & $15/door
9 pm, The Dudettes with Ryan Kelly & Dale Miller, $15/advance & $20/door
Paintbox Bistro
10 to 11 am, Junior Jazz for childfren featuring Thompson Egbo Egbo .
Que
10 pm, DJ Night
 
SUNDAY OCTOBER 20
 
Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly brunch with the Cosmotones
4:30 pm, Wintergarten orchestra $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm. Hypnotixx, $10/advance & $15/door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm, Beau’s presents Open Mic with Porter