March 5


This week’s image:  The Farmer’s Market has ended.

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW

Open Houses
Check out the open house on Sword Street.  Click here. 

LOCAL NEWS

Riverdale Farmers’ Market
Another iconic Cabbagetown event has ended.  Over the past two years, the market has been in the hands of the local staff at Riverdale Park.  Parks Department officials have now decided that they simply cannot manage the demands of running it through another summer.  Interest and participation from farmers has been declining and the number of customers has dropped accordingly.  Staff were prepared to undertake the onsite management of the event in the park but recruiting vendors and marketing it to the community are bigger issues.  The opportunity is still open for future years and local individuals and groups are welcome to work out plans and use the park again.

Local health care app
Community Matters has unveiled its new Health Story Lines app in partnership with Self Care Catalysts.  It provides links to local health care and fitness resources.  It also offers tools for creating and tracking healthy living styles – recipes, exercise diaries, medication trackers, weight diaries, daily mood monitors and more.   It’s free.  Login here.  

Residential withdrawal management services
St Michael’s Hospital and University Health Network each currently operate withdrawal management services.  These are residential drug and alcohol withdrawal programs that typically last for 3 to 7 days. The clients move into follow-up supportive programs.  They`ve agreed with the Sherbourne Health Centre (333 Sherbourne) to renovate its fifth and sixth floors where they will set up 36 beds to open in 2016.  Before this happens, they will conduct a series of community consultation meetings.  The Cabbagetown South Residents association has expressed its concerns about another service like this coming into the neighbourhood.  Representatives from these agencies will meet the Association in its May meeting.

Barbara Hall
Photo: Aaron Harris, Toronto Star
Barbara served for ten years as the head of Ontario’s Human Rights Commission. Last week, she retired.  She was interviewed by Laurie Monsebraaten of the Toronto Star and reflected on the changes and significant cases that she’s worked on over that time. 

Shamrocks & Sneakers 4k Run
The Cabbagetown Youth Centre is taking part in the Shamrock & Sneakers 4k Run on Sunday March 15.  It starts at St George Street and Bloor, goes east to Yonge, south to Queen and west to University Avenue.  It’s a fundraiser for the CYC.  Advance fees range from $20 to $30 and race-day entries are $40.  Teams of ten or more can register for $25/advance and $35/race day per person.  For all the details and for online race registration, click here.  

Regent Park Community Centre closing party
Save the date for a great party – Saturday March 14 from 4 to 10 pm.  The Regent Park Community Centre (203 Sackville Green) will soon be closing.  Local musician Cabbagetown Steve and Alicia Porter are helping to organize the music and they`re hosting an open mic event.  Steve says that the Centre played a big role in his own childhood, helping him with its programs and his mother with its daycare.  There’ll be live entertainment, refreshments, children’s activities, a DJ and an evening dance. 

Rebuilding the St James Town tennis courts
As previously announced, St James Town’s Community Matters has received generous grants from Sentry Investments and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment to build new facilities in the rundown tennis courts near 260 Wellesley Street.  It’s the culmination of several years’ planning and searching for corporate or government sponsors.  Justin Skinner has written a good article in Inside Toronto about the project.  

Spring flowers
Allan Gardens is offering a badly needed tonic to fight off the late winter blues.  Spring Flowers is the name of their current show which runs to March 29.  Moira Welsh, writing in The Star, calls it “an alternative to Prozac … temperature controlled post-February therapy.”  Click here to read her story.  

Forsythia Festival
The Cabbagetown Residents Association organizes the annual Forsythia Festival in Wellesley Park.  It happens on Sunday May 3.  They need a new design for its poster.  If you’re an artist with good ideas, then submit a proposal.  If you win, you’ll get a $50 gift certificate along with the enormous pleasure of seeing your work plastered all over Cabbagetown.  Deadline for submissions is March 23.  Click here to see an outline of their requirements and the link for applications. 

Tour of Homes
The Cabbagetown Preservation Association is looking for volunteers and homes for the 2015 Tour.  It’s scheduled for the weekend after the Festival in September.  As announced last year, the Tour is now being reconstructed as a biennial event.  Please contact cpa@cabbagetownpa.ca to reach the Tour organizers.

Toronto the brand
We’re big boosters for Cabbagetown tee shirts and flags.  It turns out that this happens in other neighbourhoods in Toronto as well.  Last week, Lauren Pelley wrote an article in The Star about branding the city and its neighbourhoods.  She observed that community-based initiatives are among Toronto’s most successful promotions for itself.  It wasn’t a surprise to see that Cabbagetown’s love affair with toques and tees puts us on the top of the list in those categories.  

Riverdale Farmer`s Market proposals
The end of the Riverdale Farmer`s Market is not a surprise.  It`s struggled for a couple of years.  When the Parks Department took over its operation, staff were expected to do jobs beyond their normal expertise.  All in all, it just ran out of steam.
If we want it to continue, then it`s time for people in the neighbourhood to consider running it.  We`ve recently seen several vintage Cabbagetown projects wither and then come alive – the Forsythia Festival is a great example.  Efforts are also now underway to recreate the Festival parade. The Tour of Homes has had a year-long retreat but it`s on again for 2015. 
The Farmer`s Market deserves a new life.  As happened with these other events, new people with energetic ideas are needed.  The Regent Park Farmer`s Market is a good example of an innovative approach.
The Cabbagetown Residents Association has been a focal point for other projects.  They have contacts with people who will rethink and rebuild the Market.  Even if the Market doesn`t become part of the CRA`s formal program, its members may know who can do it.  It`s worth exploring.

SHOPPING NEWS

Kendall`s new store
Congrats to Kendall and his staff for the fine new store at the new location, 514 Parliament.  The retail shop is set up on the ground floor and the interior design offices are settled in downstairs.  It`s all completely transformed and expanded.  When you see Kendall, you`ll notice that he`s beaming!  As the final touches are finished, Kevin is expecting more fantastic home accessories to arrive.  You can reach them at (416) 363-9914 and visit them online at www.kendallandco.ca and on Facebook.  As before, the store is open from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday and 11 am to 5 pm on Saturdays. 

Cabbagetown toques
Yes, these are the toques currently ranked Number One in Toronto.  You can pick up your own at Spruce (455 Parliament).  Get one now before the weather gets warm.

Workshops at Little House In The City
Two workshops are scheduled for the coming week.  Jewellery Upcycling with designer and artisan Lara Bazant happens from 1 to 4 pm on Saturday March 7.   Basic techniques, materials and hands-on training.  $55.   Introduction to Wet Felting is on Wednesday March 11 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.  Monika Aebischer from the Olive Sparrow will teach the class.  $65.
Watch for details about Pysanky, Ukrainian Easter Eggs with Lucy Sterezylo from Stareatjello Design on Friday March 13 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. 
Don`t forget Children`s Yoga with Brittany Logsdon on Saturdays.  For kids ages 3 to 6.
Click here for workshop details.  (416) 413-9993.  555 Parliament.   

PUBS & RESTAURANTS

The Flying Beaver

Obviously, the fire that happened at the FB in late February has severely disrupted its plans for future events.  Cabbagetown’s Peter Donato was slated for March 15 and he now hopes that the club will reopen in the Spring.  On her website, Maggie Cassella has announced two events that will take place at CaFfinO Ristorante (1185 King St W) –  her own show, “I just want to say this”, on March 7 at 7 pm and Marilla Wex, “This much I know” on March 21 at 9 pm (the show is now sold out.) 

Gilead Café closing
Jamie Kennedy`s Gilead Café (4 Gilead) is closing on March 31.  The restaurant is for sale and is being marketed for its strategic location near the Pan Am Games site.

The Local GEST
Jeff Barnes and Noah Zacharin make their regular appearance on Thursday March 5 at 8 pm.  Sunday afternoon jazz features Diane Roblin & Friends at 4 pm.  Porter returns with Open Mic with Porter on Thursday March 12. 

Jazz Generation
Every Friday night, Cabbagetowners Graham Orwin (drums), Simon Leigh (valve trombone) and Melissa Smeets (vocals) join their other friends in the Jazz Generation playing at the Imperial Pub (54 Dundas E).  They play from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.  They’ve become a gathering place for the Jazz Safari, club tours that are set up by Jazz FM91.  No cover

Corktown Ukes
The Paintbox (555 Dundas E) is the new home for the ukulele concerts.  The next event is Wednesday March 11 at 7:30 pm. 

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY MARCH 5 TO SUNDAY MARCH 15

Contact info
Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088, https://www.facebook.com/alicesplacetoronto
Cranberries, 601 Parliament St, (416) 925-6330
Dominion on Queen, 500 Queen St E, (416) 368-6893, www.dominiononqueen.com
El Catrin, 18 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 203-2121,  www.elcatrin.ca/home
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, http://www.theirvpub.ca/
The Local GEST, 424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, http://www.thelocalgest.com/
Merryberry, 559 Parliament, www.merryberry.ca
Mill Street Beer Hall, 21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, (416) 681-0338, http://toronto.millstreetbrewpub.ca/
Murgatroid, 568 Parliament, (416) 323-9381, https://www.facebook.com/MurgatroidTO
Paintbox Bistro, 555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555, www.paintboxbistro.ca
Stirling Room, 16 Trinity, Distillery District, www.stirlingroom.com
Stout Irish Pub, 221 Carlton St, (647) 344-7676, www.stoutirishpub.ca
Tappo Wine Bar & Restaurant, 2 Trinity Street, Distillery, (647) 430-1111, www.tappo.ca
Under the Table, 568 Parliament St, (647) 351-1533, https://www.facebook.com/underthetabletoronto
White Elephant, 366 Queen E. (416) 364-9999, www.whiteelephant366.com

If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, the prices are listed. Otherwise, the event is free.

Please note:  a fire happened at The Flying Beaver and it has closed temporarily for repairs.

THURSDAY MARCH 5

Dominion on Queen
7:30 pm, Wee Folk Club – Fraser & Gerrard and Glen Hornblast, $10
The Local GEST
8 pm, Jeff Barnes & Noah Zacharin
Mill St Brew Pub
7 pm, Live acoustic music with Chris Bjorkquist, Laura Cole & Shawn William Clarke
Paintbox Bistro
8 pm, Wild Women (Don`t get the blues), $20 advance, $23 door.
Under The Table
9 pm, Karaoke

FRIDAY MARCH 6

Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Stirling Room
Theatrical Friday with resident DJ Rod Bravo, reserve on the guest list.  $20
Under The Table
9 pm, Karaoke
White Elephant
6 to 9 pm, Arthur Renwick

SATURDAY MARCH 7

Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Stirling Room
Stirling Saturday.  Reserve on the guest list.  $20
White Elephant
10 pm, Freeman Dre & The Kitchen Party

SUNDAY MARCH 8

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday jazz featuring Diane Roblin and friends
Mill Street Beer Hall
1 pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema

MONDAY MARCH 9

Murgatroid
6 pm, Games night
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers trivia

TUESDAY MARCH 10

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers trivia

WEDNESDAY MARCH 11

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
The Local GEST
7:30 pm, Trivia night

THURSDAY MARCH 12

The Local GEST
8:30 pm, Open Mic with Porter
Mill St Brew Pub
7 pm, Live acoustic music with Miriam Kay
White Elephant
8 pm, Open mic night

FRIDAY MARCH 13

Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Stirling Room
Theatrical Friday with resident DJ Rod Bravo, reserve on the guest list.  $20
White Elephant
8 pm, Scott B Sympathy

SATURDAY MARCH 14

Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Stirling Room
Resident DJ Rod Bravo, reserve on the guest list.
Stout Irish Pub
8 pm, St Practice Day celebrations with cocktail specials and live Celtic music
White Elephant
10 pm, Fraser Melvin Band

SUNDAY MARCH 15

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday jazz
Mill Street Beer Hall
1 pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema