CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW
IN THE NEWS
Election info
Election info
The
provincial election campaign is now well underway and judging by the lawn
signs, it appears that everybody is in full flight. There are several questions that usually arise
before election day, so here goes –
·
When
is it? Election Day is Thursday June 12, 9 am to 9 pm. For locations – see your
voter registration card or go to the official website.
·
Can
I vote early? Advance polls are open next week, Saturday May 31 to Friday June
6, 10 am to 8 pm. For locations – see your voter registration card or go to the
official website.
·
How
do I know whether I’m on the list? You’ll get a registration card – it’s in the
mail now. Take it with you when you go
to vote. It’ll tell you where to go on
June 12 and where the advance polls are located.
·
What
identification do I need when I go to vote?
Take your registration card plus any document that has your name on it
such as a driver’s licence, birth certificate, passport, SIN card, Ontario
Health card.
·
What
if my name isn’t on the list? In this
case, you won’t get a registration card in the mail. Don’t give up hope. When you go to vote, you’ll need a document
that gives both your name and your address such as an official government
document, credit card or utility bills or a driver’s licence.
There
are lots of other issues that can be quickly answered. Check out the official Ontario government
website for this information. The official slogan is “We make voting easy” – and this website certainly
helps.
So, who are the
candidates…
Martin
Abell – Progressive Conservative, 25 McMurrich Street, (647) 405-4595, www.martinabell.caMark Daye – Green Party, www.markdaye.ca
Glen Murray – Liberal, 345 Bloor Street E, (416) 507-4612, www.voteglenmurray.ca
Kate Sellar – NDP, 555 Parliament Street, (416) 920-6262, www.katesellar.ca/
Altogether, there are twelve people running in Toronto Centre. You can see the official list at the government website, here.
Spring is officially here
Once again, the Cabbagetown BIA is putting floral baskets on our lamp posts. This is a great initiative. It softens our streetscape and adds lots of colour through the summer enjoyment. This is a surprisingly expensive project and our local merchants pay the full cost.
Protecting our tree
canopy
ReLeaf
is a vigorous local group that’s busy identifying our trees, street-by-street,
nourishing and watering new trees planted by the City of Toronto and working
with City officials for pruning and removals.
Last November, Justin Skinner wrote about the group’s program in Inside
Toronto – click here for this story. ReLeaf’s website is loaded with info about
tree species, City plantings, subsidized trees for private properties and more –
click here. Starting June 3, ReLeaf will have a booth at the Riverdale Farmer’s Market.
Take a tree tour
James Steenberg from ReLeaf along with Melissa Williams from LEAF will conduct a tour through Cabbagetown to explore our leafy canopy. Sunday, June 1 from noon to 2 pm. Meet at Sumach and Winchester. A $5 donation is requested. Please register here.
Little Trinity’s
successful renovations
Photo: Urban Toronto. The cottages before the reno.
Little
Trinity Church has successfully finished rebuilding its workers’ cottages at
339 King E. These two Georgian structures were boarded up for years until the
church decided to keep them and started to raise the funds needed for their
rescue. On Sunday May 25, the project
was officially re-opened with a restored facade and a new structure behind it
that houses the church’s offices, meeting rooms and a kitchen. Urban Toronto has written about the building’s
restoration.Fundraising for the Farley Foundation
The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association established the Farley Foundation in 2002 to assist people in need by subsidizing the cost of veterinary care for their pets. It relies completely on donations. To date, over $2 million has been raised for over 5000 people and their injured or sick pets. Each year, our own Cabbagetown Pet Clinic (239 Gerrard E) participates. Throughout the Summer, the clinic staff will be holding bake sales and raffles as well as accepting direct donations. In the Fall, staff members will be participating in a 50 km bike ride in the Niagara region and they’ll be looking for sponsors. The clinic’s fundraising goal is $2500.
Volunteers needed
Blair’s
Run is the mini-marathon that happens at the beginning of every Festival
weekend in September. Crowds gather to
run and walk 3 km through Cabbagetown.
It’s a highly successful fundraiser on behalf of the Cabbagetown Youth
Centre and the race is the focus for a neighbourhood-wide effort to generate
support for the CYC. Race organizers are
now recruiting street captains to coordinate local fundraising and to gather
people who want to be runners. To join
up, please contact Sandra sriches@rogers.com or James jameswood604@rogers.com
CONGRATS TO
OUR AWARD WINNERS
Indigo Books and Winchester Junior-Senior Public School
On Tuesday, Indigo announced a grant to Winchester School for $116,000 over the next four years to upgrade its library and educational resources. This gift is one of twenty annual awards that Indigo’s Love of Reading Foundation makes to special needs schools across Canada designed to bolster literacy and to strengthen school libraries.
CPA Volunteer of the Year
The
2013 winner of the Cabbagetown Preservation Association’s Volunteer of the Year
award is Randy Brown. Randy has
organized Arts & Crafts in the Park during the Cabbagetown Festival and has
made a major contribution to our community’s life.
Peggy Kurtin Award
The CPA gives this award annually to a homeowner for excellence in a renovation. This year, the award goes to 39 Spruce Street for an exceptional rear addition. This marks the first time when a renovation away from the street façade has been recognized. Both the CPA and the architect feel that this addition along the lane is a “second front” for this home.
BMO Seeds Fund
Paul Byron has won a $1000 grant from the 2014 BMO Seeds Fund for his project “Welcome Home”. His project will engage newcomers and culturally diverse residents in St James Town to create art that will eventually be distributed to apartment buildings in the area. The paintings will rejuvenate the buildings with art that “welcomes” people who have immigrated to Canada.
COMING EVENTS
Toronto Dance Theatre’s On Display
On Display is a series of ten solos created for TDT dancers by some of Toronto’s most dynamic theatre and visual artists. These are choreographies by non-choreographers - a playful, fresh approach to dance across disciplines. Performances on Thursday May 28 through Saturday May 31, all at 8 pm, tickets $20 to $26. For tickets, call (416) 967-1365 or click here. Winchester Dance Theatre (80 Winchester).
CCDT at Harbourfront
CCDT’s production of Fulcrum will be staged at the Fleck Dance Theatre in Harbourfront Centre (207 Queens Quay W) at 8 pm on Friday May 30 and Saturday May 31. The production includes four works – by Colin Connor, Alexander Whitley, Ofilio Portillo and CCDT’s Deborah Lundmark. For tickets and more information, click here.
St James Town Arts Party
St James Town Arts is a community-based support network for artists, residents and visitors. Its launch party happens on Saturday May 31 from 1 to 4 pm beside 260 Wellesley Street E. There’ll be an art exhibition, banner designs, face painting, cultural displays and henna art plus a colouring table, local food, dance demonstrations, music and murals. Artists who want to exhibit their work can call (416) 944-9697.
ROM Walks
The ROM is offering two guided walking tours in our neighbourhood. The first one in The Distillery District happens on Saturday May 31, 2 to 3:30 pm. There is a $30 fee and pre-registration is required, click here. The second is a free event in Cabbagetown North on Wednesday June 11, 6 to 8 pm. This walk begins at the corner of Parliament and Winchester.
Sing Toronto
Sing is the Toronto Vocal Arts Festival. It happens from Friday May 30 to Sunday June 1 and features over 100 performances, workshops and interactive events. This year, the Festival’s new headquarters is in The Distillery with three concerts in nearby Little Trinity Church (425 King E). The program is packed with pop and jazz groups, classical, barbershop and gospel choirs, and world music ensembles. You can see the full list here. Passes for daytime events are available at $40 for one day and $65 for the weekend. Evening events are individually ticketed.
Toronto Film Noir Syndicate
The season finale screening for the Toronto Film Noir Syndicate features 1957’s The Garment Jungle with Lee J Cobb, Kerwin Matthews, Gia Scala, Richard Boone and Valerie French. Saturday May 31, 7:30 pm, Dominion on Queen (500 Queen St E), $5.
Cooking class at Merryberry
On Tuesday June 3 at 6 pm, Cyril will show his cooking class how tea can be a great ingredient for any chef. He plans to share his recipe for smoked tea and tomato soup and his (previously secret) recipe for Earl Grey crème brulee. He’ll also demonstrate the close kinship between salmon and tea. To register, call Merryberry at (647) 348-0411 or drop by in person at 559 Parliament. $45.
Spring garden tour
Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces happens on Sunday June 8 from 10 am to 3 pm. Tickets are $15 and they’re available at several local retailers: Epicure Shop (473 Parliament), Fairway (520 Parliament), Jay’s Garden Centre (360 Gerrard E), Kendall & Co (227 Carlton) and Mi Casa (238 Carlton). Your ticket includes a map to each garden and a list of special offers available at local shops and restaurants. Click here for more detail.
Eats & Beats in Riverside
Across the Don Valley, the Riverside BIA is holding its annual spring Festival, Eats & Beats, on Saturday June 7. From 1 to 6 pm, the streets around Queen and Broadview will be filled with music, art, kids’ activities, walking tours, sidewalk sales and more. Save the date.
Cabbagetown Residents
Association
The
CRA’s annual meeting is scheduled for June 11.
The meeting happens at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) and there’ll be
beer flights to taste. Save the date. The CRA’s Board is currently looking for
nominees willing to serve for the next year.
If you know someone who’s interested, contact info@cabbagetowner.ca Bright Ideas Symposium
Central Neighbourhood House (349 Ontario) holds its third annual Symposium on Saturday June 14 from 10 am to 1 pm. It’s a lively discussion of bright new plans for community projects that CNH can endorse and fund. Lunch is provided. It’s free. To register, please call (416) 925-4363, ext 103 or click here.
Riverdale Farm Aid
This is the annual community fundraising picnic to support the programs at Riverdale Farm (201 Winchester at Sumach). This year`s proceeds will go toward a visitors` Welcome Centre in the Simpson House. On the program – live entertainment with Lemon Bucket Orkestra, a LEGOLAND building pit for kids, a silent auction and food and beverages by local vendors. Thursday June 19, 5 to 10 pm, $10. Children are free. Click here to buy your tickets now.
SHOPPING
See the light at Eclectisaurus
Leslie is offering a rare pair of 1960s brushed steel table lamps made in the United States by Laurel Lamps. You can see them online here or at the store, 249 Gerrard E. Wednesday to Friday from 3 to 8 pm, Saturday from noon to 6 pm and Sunday noon to 6 pm.
Wooly good sale
Kendall & Co (227 Carlton) will pay the HST on your rug purchases from now until May 31. There are lots of styles to choose from, including wool, runner, round and outdoor. Kendall has lots of new styles of outdoor rugs for your patio or cottage for the start of the summer season. Monday to Friday 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm.
Farmers Market in
Riverdale Farm
The
Farmer’s Market returns next Tuesday June 3. As before, there`s locally grown
seasonal produce, organic products and locally made baked goods and food.
There`s also a whole list of new ideas – a Facebook page plus monthly
handicraft tables, yoga, farmers’ demonstrations, themed market days and
special exhibits. Tuesday afternoons
from 2 to 7 pm, June 3 to October 14. Riverdale Park West (Sumach & Winchester)PUBS & CLUBS
Good eats at Café Olya
Last Saturday morning, a very literary discussion took place at Café Olya (540 Parliament) with Noah Richler and Sarah MacLachlan. During our lofty discourse, Noah insisted that the whole world should know that Olya’s croissants were the best pastries he had ever had. Everybody agreed.
Kristy Boyce at The
Flying Beaver
Kristy
travelled to Russia during the Sochi Olympic Games to meet and photograph
members of the LBGTQ community. Her
photographs, videos and stories will be shown as part of her evening at the
Flying Beaver (488 Parliament). Friday
May 30, 7 pm. It’s a “pay what you want”
evening with proceeds going toward her next trip. Dinner is available and dinner patrons get
priority seating for the show. For
reservations, call (647) 347-6567. Zim Zum
Every Sunday afternoon, The Local GEST (424 Parliament) hosts a jazz event from 4:30 pm. This week’s guest is one of the best jazz bands in Toronto, Zim Zum with Colin Flint on bass guitar, Ian Lazarus on alto and tenor sax, Jeffrey Hewer on guitar and Dennis Song on drums and percussion.
CLUBS &
PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS
THURSDAY MAY 29 TO SUNDAY JUNE 1
Contact info
Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088
Dominion on Queen, 500 Queen St E, (416) 368-6893, www.dominiononqueen.com
The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St, (647) 347-6567, www.pubaret.com
Gilead Café & Wine Bar, 4 Gilead Place, (647) 288-0680, http://www.jamiekennedy.ca/
House on Parliament, 454 Parliament St, (416) 925-4074, www.facebook.com/pages/House-on-Parliament
The Irv, 195 Carlton Street, (647) 350-4787, https://www.facebook.com/theirvpub
The Local GEST, 424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, https://www.facebook.com/thelocalgest
Merryberry, 559 Parliament, www.merryberry.ca
MillStreet Beer Hall, 21 Tank House Ln (Distillery), (416) 681-0338, Facebook and http://toronto.millstreetbrewpub.ca/
Paintbox Bistro, 555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555, www.paintboxbistro.ca
Stout Irish Pub, 221 Carlton St, (647) 344-7676, www.stoutirishpub.ca
Under the Table, 568 Parliament St, (647) 351-1533
If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, we’ve listed the prices. Otherwise, the event is free.
THURSDAY MAY 29
Dominion on Queen
Lesley Livingston book launch party
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia League hosted by Cajo, no cover
9:30 pm, Karaoke with Cajo, no cover
Gilead Café
Winemakers Night with Redtail Vineyards
The Local GEST
9 pm, Open mic with Porter
FRIDAY MAY 30
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Kristy Boyce, “Russia & Back again, stories & images from Russia’s LGBTQ community”, pwyc
9 pm, Coffee talk with Ryan J Hinds, $10/advance & $15/door
SATURDAY MAY 31
Dominion on Queen
7:30 pm, Toronto Film Noir Syndicate presents The Garment Jungle, $5
9 pm, Wicked Grin
Flying Beaver
7 pm, An evening with Michael O’Hara, $15/advance & $20/door
9 pm, Gita Wigdorchik & Caroline Martin-Rowe, “Everybody’s Girlz‘``, $10/advance & $15/door
The Irv
9 pm, Frank Ryan’s vocals and acoustics
Paintbox
7 pm, DMCI music gala, dinner & performance, $60
SUNDAY JUNE 1
Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Indrit Kasapi, Dinner & cabaret
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday jazz with Zim Zum with Colin Flint, Ian Lazarus, Jeffrey Hewer & Dennis Song
Mill Street Beer Hall
1
pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema