This
week’s image: Path in Riverdale
Farm. Photo: Riverdale Farm Toronto.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW
Rebuilding
the Lower Don Trail
Photo: City of Toronto
Pam
McConnell reports in her latest newsletter that the Master Plan for the trail
is complete and implementation is about to begin in the summer. You can find the plan on the City’s
website here. It’s a great read and full of good news for anyone who enjoys this remarkable
treasure.
Wellesley
Park improvements
Pam
has also reported on upgrades for the children’s splash pad in Wellesley
Park. A new pad will be built in
the Fall of 2014 and will feature an aquaflex reproduction of one of Norval
Morrisseau’s works “Grandchildren, Birds & Butterflies” on its
surface. (Aquaflex is a durable
surfacing material that withstands various weather extremes.) Improved seating and a new water
fountain that includes a lower spout for dogs will also be built. The Cabbagetown Residents Association
worked with the City to get the rights to use Morrisseau’s image in the pool.
Phase
Three in Regent Park
Illustration: TCHC
Toronto
Community Housing reports that phase three in the project’s revitalization has
been started – there are five phases in the overall project. In phase three, the new Regent Park
Athletic Grounds will be built.
And there’ll be 614 rent-geared-to-income homes, 50 affordable rental
units and six condominium buildings.
As
well, the new central Regent Park next to the Aquatic Centre will be finished
and officially opened on June 21.
Good
news in Riverside
Photo: Peter J Thompson, National Post
The
Broadview Hotel building at Queen and Broadview has been sold to Streetcar
Developments. The new owners want
to rescue the building and restore it as a community showcase. Plans for its future use are not yet
finalized. As Cabbagetown
residents know from experiences with the renovated Winchester, this is good
news indeed.
IN THE MEDIA
Christopher
Hume writes about the West Don Lands
Photo: Shawn Micallef, Toronto Star
This
new neighbourhood will eventually be home for the 2015 Pan Am Games and then
for 6000 permanent residents. The
Toronto Star`s Christopher Hume has written a summary of this ten-year effort
by Waterfront Toronto to turn a wasteland into an imaginative new
development.
River
City Part 3
Illustration: Urban Capital
John
Bentley Mays has written in the Globe & Mail about the third phase of the
River City project that`s just been unveiled by its developer, Urban Capital Property
Group. Located on the north east
corner of the West Don Lands beside Corktown Common, the project will have
three towers containing 950 units.
Toronto
Birth Centre
Photo: Michelle Siu, Globe & Mail
Kelly
Grant has a story in the Globe & Mail about the new birthing centre in
Regent Park, starting with the first baby born on February 3.
Private
streets in Toronto
Photo: blogTO
Two
area streets, Corktown`s Percy Street and Cabbagetown`s Alpha Avenue, are
mentioned in blogTO`s story about private streets in the city.
Regent
Park`s revitalization
Photo: Justin Skinner, Inside Toronto
The
CBC has reported on phase three`s work and the story also details how difficult
it can be to be a resident caught in the middle of the relocations required by
the demolitions.
COMING EVENTS
Artfest
at The Distillery
85
artists and artisans will display their works from 11 am to 6 pm daily on the
Victoria Day weekend, May 17, 18 and 19.
Pottery, glass works, jewellery, painting and gourmet foods. There’ll be live music. Free admission.
COBA`s
Legacy II
COBA`s
second 2014 season presents three performances – Hommage a Erzulie by Jeanguy
Saintus, Blood Memory by BaKari I Lindsay and Primal Fete also by Bakari.
Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E), May 22 to 24 at 8 pm and May 25 at 2 pm. COBA is the Collective of Black
Artists. It presents West African
and Caribbean dance, music and folklore.
Tickets to Legacy II are $20 to $35 and are available at
Eventbrite.
Winchester
Fun Fair
Ecole
Winchester Public School is holding its annual Fun Fair on Saturday May 24 from
11 am to 3 pm. There`ll be games,
rides, music, food and much more for everyone. Snacks from Daniel et Daniel, Starsky`s Fine Foods and
Starbucks. The auction includes a
gift certificate from HairSpa, a five-class pass at Sundara Yoga, a massage by
Claudia Salzmann and another from Laurie Ward`s Shiatsu Massage, a waffle baker
from Home Hardware, a doggy bed from Menagerie Pet Shop, a gift certificate
from CCDT, a child`s jacket from Sarah Cook`s Injeanious Jackets, a portable
gazebo from Canadian Tire and gift certificates from Star Nails. You can also
bid on tasty meals from F’Amelia, Peter`s Cajun Pizza, Oriental Taste, Magic
Oven Pizza and Café California. 15
Prospect Street.
Riverdale
Farm events
The
Sheep Celebration happens on Saturday May 24 from 10 am to 3 pm. At 11:30 am and 1:30 pm, there`ll be a
shearing demonstration. Goats take
centre stage at 10:30 am and the horse at 12:30 pm. There`ll be children`s activities throughout the day. Special guests include the Cabbagetown
Quilters Guild, Toronto Guild of Spinners & Weavers and Cabbagetown Regent
Park Community Museum.
Doors
Open
On
Saturday May 24 and Sunday May 25, Doors Open happens across Toronto. The Cabbagetown Preservation
Association will be conducting tours of the Necropolis from 10 am to 5 pm
throughout the weekend.
Door-to-door
clothing drive
On
Saturday May 24, Daniel Bloch and Liora Tal-Bloch are organizing a clothing
drive for the Regent Park Salvation Army.
They’re collecting gently used toys, books and clothing. Look for a Red Bag and fill it with
your gifts. Contact them for more
info at info@teambloch.com
Cabbagetown
South neighbourhood yard sale
By
now, 14 homes have already registered to participate in this big
neighbourhood-wide sale (Sherbourne to Parliament, Carlton to Shuter). Saturday May 24 from 9 am to 3 pm. If you can’t hold a sale in front of
your own home, you can set up in front of Central Neighbourhood House (349
Ontario). It’s a free event for both buyers and sellers. Anyone who wants to be included in the
advertising campaign and the street signage should register here before Tuesday
May 20.
Beth
Kaplan’s book launch
Cabbagetown
author Beth Kaplan has published a new book – her third – All My Loving, Coming
of Age with Paul McCartney in Paris.
To celebrate, she’s having her official launch at The Local GEST (424
Parliament). Monday May 26, 6 to 9
pm.
Cabbagetown
Preservation Association
The
CPA’s annual meeting happens on Tuesday, May 27 at 7 pm in the Meeting Room at
Riverdale Farm. After the business
session, Michael Ormston-Holloway and David Grant will make a presentation
about tree canopy on our streets and in our parks. The CPA is an active association that sponsors the Spring
garden tour, the Fall tour of homes, the Peggy Kurtin Award for excellence in
restoration and a widely read Cabbagetown quarterly newspaper. Click here for its website.
Financing
your new business
Scotiabank
and the Centre for Education & Training (595 Parliament) are co-sponsoring
a session aimed at entrepreneurs who want help with a business startup. Topics will include the importance of a
business plan, the amount of money needed for your startup and resources for
financing. Thursday May 29, 10 am
to noon, 595 Parliament (main floor).
Please register at the Centre, (416) 964-9797, ext 0.
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.
Tree
tour of Cabbagetown
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.
Farmer`s
market in Riverdale Farm
The
Farmers Market returns on Tuesday June 3 and it appears that organizers have
given it a nifty perk-up. 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 – starting
with a Facebook page (click here), plus monthly handicraft tables,
farmers demonstrations, themed market days and special exhibits. Tuesday afternoons from 2 to 7 pm, June
3 to October 14. Details about the
Regent Park Farmers Market are not available yet.
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.
Cabbagetown
Residents Association
The
CRA’s annual meeting has been moved ahead one day to Wednesday June 11 to avoid
conflicts with the provincial election.
Save the date – details to come. 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
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 this year – live entertainment with Lemon Bucket
Orkestra, a LEGOLAND building pit for kids, a silent auction and food and
beverages by local vendors. Save
the date – Thursday June 19, 5 to 10 pm, $10. Children are free.
Click here to buy your tickets now.
BUSINESS NEWS
Sinate
expands
Sinate
Creations has a successful fashion store at 480 Parliament and a strong
presence through craft shows and online marketing (click here). Ilias has just
told us about his expansion plans to 398 Bloor West in the Annex. The new store will open on Friday, just
in time for the long weekend.
Congrats and best wishes to Sharon and Ilias for their new venture.
Kendall`s
rug sale
Buy
one, get a second one at 40% off.
The sale ends on Saturday, so don`t miss out. There`s lots to choose from including new styles in wool,
outdoor, runners and rounds. Team
up with family and friends to share the savings! Some conditions apply. Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm. Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm.227
Carlton.
RESTAURANTS & PUBS
F`Amelia`s
patio is open
The
good weather has brought welcome relief to patio dwellers. F`Amelia (12 Amelia) has one of the
finest in Cabbagetown and it`s already busy. The patio next door at Extended F`Amelia (8 Amelia) will
open soon with its own menu – whole fish, steaks, chicken, house-made
sausages. It`s all yummy stuff.
Shelley
Ledger at Cranberries
Shelley
Ledger’s remarkable photographs will be on display at Cranberries (601
Parliament) starting Wednesday, May 14.
Cyril`s
cooking classes
Cooking
with Tea is Cyril`s new theme for his menu at Merryberry (559 Parliament) and
in his cooking classes – scheduled for Tuesday May 20. He’ll be cooking an
appetizer, a main dish and a dessert, all made with tea. For more info, call (647)
348-0411 and visit Merryberry Café.
Gilead
winemaker’s night
On
Thursday May 22, this week’s winemaker’s night features Redtail Vineyards. Buy glasses of its wines at half price,
meet the winemaker and enjoy a meal cooked especially to pair with the
wine. Reservations at (647)
288-0680, Gilead Wine Bar (4 Gilead Place).
Junior
Jazz is back
This
ever-popular hour-long program for young kids is always a big hit. It returns to the Paintbox Bistro (555
Dundas E) on Saturday morning, May 24, 10 am. Kwasi Dunyo is a master drummer who brings excitement and
joy with his traditional Ghanian music styles. No cover charge, brunch is available.
CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS
THURSDAY MAY 15 TO SUNDAY MAY 25
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
Mill
Street 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 15
Dominion
on Queen
7
pm, Wee Folk Club, $10
9:30
pm, Toronto Blues Society presents Morgan Davis
Flying
Beaver
7
pm, Pubstumpers Trivia League hosted by Cajo, no cover
9:30
pm, Karaoke with Cajo, no cover
Local
GEST
9
pm, Open mic with Porter
FRIDAY MAY 16
Flying
Beaver
9
pm, The legendary bitch Diva’s Bday show & party, $10/advance &
$15/door
SATURDAY MAY 17
Dominion
on Queen
4:30
pm, Blues & Troubles
9
pm, Jessica Blake & the Dinner Club
Flying
Beaver
7
pm, Savoy Howe’s Newsgirls vs The World sing off, $5 at th3 door sings
Paintbox
Bistro
5
to 9 pm, Curly Soiree, $30
SUNDAY MAY 18
Alice’s
Place
4
pm, Karaoke
Local
GEST
4:30
pm, Sunday jazz with Laura Hubert
Mill
Street Beer Hall
1
pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema
MONDAY MAY 19
Stout
Irish Pub
7:30
pm, Nerd Night pub quiz
TUESDAY MAY 20
Dominion
on Queen
8:30
pm, Hot Club of Corktown “Django Jam”
Stout
Irish Pub
7:30
pm, Nerd Night pub quiz
Paintbox
Bistro
2
to 3 pm, Jewish Music Festival
WEDNESDAY MAY 21
Alice’s
Place
9
pm, Karaoke
Dominion
on Queen
8
pm, Corktown Ukele Jam
Flying
Beaver
7
pm, Hypnotixx, $10/advance & $15/door
The
Local GEST
7:30
pm, Trivia night
Paintbox
Bistro
8
pm, Chris Lowry solo, $8
THURSDAY MAY 22
Dominion
on Queen
Leslie
Livington 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
8
pm, Jeff Barnes & Noah Zacharin
FRIDAY MAY 23
Flying
Beaver
7
pm, Kiss a ginger comedy night benefit, $10 at the door, $5 for a ginger
SATURDAY MAY 24
Dominion
on Queen
9
pm, Big John & the Honking Swans
Flying
Beaver
7
pm, Carla Collins, $20/advance & $25/door
9
pm, Carla Collins, $20/advance & $25/door
The
Irv
9
pm, Frank Ryan’s vocals and acoustics
Paintbox
10
am, Junior Jazz presents Kwasi Dunyo
6
pm, dinner. Two sets, 8 & 9:30 pm, JPEC’s piano plus presents Pat LaBarbera
Quartet, $20
SUNDAY MAY 25
Alice’s
Place
4
pm, Karaoke
Flying
Beaver
7:30
pm, Sarah Strange & Erin Breen, “Manaret”, $15/advance & $20/door
Local
GEST
4:30
pm, Sunday jazz with Alana Bridgewater
Mill
Street Beer Hall
1
pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema
