October 22


This week`s image:  Hallowe`en supplies have arrived.

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW

LOCAL NEWS

Election follow-up
Congrats, of course, to Bill Morneau for his victory in our riding. He earned 29,090 votes, 58% of the ballots cast.  When he sets us his local office and gets his other contact info, I’ll publish it here.
Congrats and thanks as well to Linda McQuaig (13,382 votes, 27%) and Julian Di Battista (6,131 votes, 12%) for their campaigns.  They represented their parties very well and gave us fine choices for our support.
Voter turnout was high.  50,265 votes were cast – 71.2% of our eligible voters.  This reverses a distressing trend that hit a low mark of 57.4% in 2008 and 62.9% in 2011. 
Final congrats are extended to Brian Gerrior, our Returning Officer with Elections Canada, who acted as the organizer and referee for the entire effort in Toronto Centre.  He provided a smooth and fair process for the candidates and for each voter throughout the campaign and on Election Day.

Cabbagetown Farmer’s Market
Last Tuesday was the final day for the 2015 market in Riverdale Park.  By all accounts, the season was a success.  Thanks to everyone involved, especially our local organizers who promoted it well, offered good produce and good choices, and ensured that the farmers who attended had worthwhile experiences.

Lower Don Trail
The trail runs along the Don River valley from Pottery Road to Corktown Commons.  Repairs have been scheduled for some time and the project is now underway.  The trail will stay open for cyclists and pedestrians during the Fall work period.  To see the details about the work and the 2015/2016 schedule, click here.  

CNH has daycare spaces available
Central Neighbourhood House still has openings in its two daycare sites.  At CNH (349 Ontario), there’s space for kids ages 0 to 4.  At its Winchester Public School location, there’s room for pre-schoolers and a Before and After school program for senior kindergarten kids.  Details are online here. For more info, call Soni Ahmad at (416) 925-4363, ext 10 or email sahmad@cnh.on.ca.   

Queens Quay report
Photo: Waterfront Toronto
Waterfront Toronto has published its report about the changes made along Queen’s Quay.  The report includes a rationale for the changes, a summary of the observations made by Waterfront Toronto plus public comments over the summer in the affected district, and a list of the adaptations that have been made to ensure the best routes and visibility.  This section of the Martin Goodman Trail has become the most heavily used bike route in the city. Click here to read the report.  

Parliament Street maintenance
Electricians were busy along Parliament Street checking and repairing the vintage lights.  It’s a good move by the BIA – these lights have needed this maintenance for a while. They look really good when they’re all working, especially in the dark winter months.

She hasn’t aged a day
Her good friends will quickly recognize Tania Waldock from the House on Parliament (454 Parliament).  She’s a member of the Board at the Cabbagetown BIA and uses this portrait as her official photo.  For a full list of the other eight Board members and their businesses, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.  

Cheryl in Dubrovnik
Cheryl and Andrew enjoyed an early October tour of Croatia, visiting Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik.  Andrew reports that the weather was fine and each destination was amazing.  Cheryl proudly wore her “Cabbagetown colours” during their visit – thanks for sharing your photo with us.

Survey
Last week, 54% of the people who responded to my little survey question last week said that they planned to cast a vote in the federal election.  Another 46% said that they had already done it.  Not surprisingly, nobody said that they planned to ignore the whole thing entirely. 
All of this was a small “test” question that ran here as an introduction to a new survey tool that’s going to be used to gauge our community’s sentiments on future issues.  I’ve learned a couple of good technical lessons from this test – thanks to everyone who answered.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Winchester Square
The walkway in Winchester Square (Ontario Street north of Carlton) has been upgraded and a new mosaic – entitled Cornerstone - is being prepared by Red Dress Productions.  The mosaic will be unveiled on Saturday October 24 at 1 pm.  A reception will follow at the St James Town Community Corner (200 Wellesley).

Walking group
A reminder.  Maureen Roe has started a Monday morning walking group.  It meets each Monday at 9 am at the Riverdale Park gate (Winchester and Sumach).  Weather permitting, the walks will tour our neighbourhood and give everyone a chance to stretch their legs and enjoy good conversations together.  Free – everyone is welcome.

Phantoms of the Organ
A Gothic extravaganza staged in Metropolitan United Church (56 Queen E), 9 pm, Friday October 30.  The phantoms will be called out by creepy organ music as some of Toronto’s finest organists lend themselves to the spirits.  Free admission – donations will be accepted to sponsor organ students. 

Cabbagetown Ghost Tour
The Cabbagetown Preservation Association will guide you to several ghost-infested homes, tell you spooky ghost stories and even encourage you to greet a ghost.  The Tour happens at 7 pm, Friday October 30.  It starts at Winchester and Parliament.  Wear a costume!  Bring your own stories.  Tickets are sold at the start of the Tour - $5 per adult and $10 for families of 2 or more. 

October fun fest
The Friends of Regent Park are organizing a fun fest in the park on Saturday October 31 from 11 m to 2 pm.  Celebrate Halloween and enjoy yummy food, music and games.  Great stuff for your kids – wear a costume.  It all happens in the Big Park (Sackville and Dundas). Free.

Riverdale Park pumpkin walk
The third annual pumpkin walk is being organized by the Cabbagetown Residents Association.  Sunday November 1 from 5 to 10 pm.  Save your lovingly carved pumpkin from Hallowe’en night and bring it to the park along with a candle to light it up.  It’ll join scores of other pumpkins beside the park’s walkways.  It’s free and it’s fun.

Victory at Vimy
Historian Ted Barris will talk about the WWI Vimy campaign at Enoch Turner Schoolhouse (106 Trinity St) on Tuesday November 3 at 6:30 pm.  Copies of his book will also be available.  For more information about his talk and for tickets, click here.  $12 (general) and $10 (members) 

Chrysanthemum show
The show continues at the Allan Gardens Conservatory (Jarvis and Carlton).  There are over 80 varieties of mums on display and they’re all in full bloom.  Check out Kiku – she’s looking great.  To November 8, 10 am to 5 pm daily.  Free.

ON STAGE

Soulpepper’s cabaret series
The intimate cabaret series returns with Mike Ross and his friends playing the music from Voyager 1, the space craft that left Earth in 1977.  Soulpepper (Distillery, 50 Tank House Lane). Saturday October 24,  8:30 pm.  Tickets are $20 available here.  

Huff
Finishing this weekend on Sunday October 25.  A solo show with Cree playwright Cliff Cardinal, presented by Native Earth.  Huff is a wrenching and darkly comedic tale of Wind and his brothers who are struggling with substance abuse and the death of their mother.  Aki Studio Theatre (585 Dundas E).  Tickets are $15 to $30, available online.  

Beckett Trilogy
Playing now until Sunday November 1 at the Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley).  Not I, Footfalls and Rockaby performed by Lisa Dwan.  For information about each play, a calendar and ticket sales, click here.  

Echo
Christopher House and Toronto Dance Theatre.  Ten dancers build images of beautiful creatures, dark angels and lost souls. 8 pm, Tuesday November 3 to Saturday November 7, Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre.  Tickets are available online and at the box office (416) 973-4000.  $20 to $42. 

FireWorks Festival
Three new plays that were developed at the Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley) along with discussion panels and playwright talkbacks – Divine Wrecks by Chloe Whitehorn, Radical by Charles Hayter and Cottage Radio by Taylor Marie Graham.  November 4 to 22.  Tickets and info available online.  

Spoon River
Edgar Lee Masters’ poems of the dead are brought to life in this stirring musical.  It’s on stage from November 5 to November 22 at Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane, Distillery).  For details and tickets, click here.  

BUSINESS NEWS

The biology of cancer
Paths2Vitality (439 Parliament) together with the Society for Osteopathic Wellness presents a seminar on tumor growth and the new emergent therapies that treat them.  Saturday October 24, 4 to 6 pm, Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club (101 Spruce). $30 individual, $25 each for groups of 2 or more.  Society supporters, $25.  For more information, email admin@osteos.ca

Cozy Up
Kendall & Co (514 Parliament). Plush, soft and new wool rugs, down filled accent pillows and alpaca throws in colours and in neutrals.  For more info on our handcrafted collection, click here.  And visit our shop from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday and 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday.

Ghosts and spirits of the Distillery
Haunted Walks of Toronto and Segway of Ontario host 90-minute ghost walks through the Distillery throughout October.  Each walk features eerie tales of duels to the death, the world of whiskey-making and the War of 1812 along with new interactive games and challenges.  Guests decide the identity of Toronto’s greatest ghost – prizes and bragging rights. For times, tour walks and prices, click here.  

RESTAURANT NEWS

Garlic cooking class at Merryberry
Garlic is the theme for Cyril’s current cooking class.  His class last Monday was originally scheduled for election day and so he moved it to Monday October 26 at 6 pm.  He had organized two class on this theme and his first one, last Tuesday, was  sold out.  His next class is starting to fill up as well.  If you’d enjoy an evening learning how to use garlic in soups, fish and chicken dishes and even in a dessert, then contact him at Merryberry (559 Parliament) or phone (647) 348-0411.  $45.

Galen Weston band
The premiere performance by the Galen Weston band - Friday October 23, 7 pm, Paintbox Bistro (555 Dundas E).  Galen Weston launches his new CD, Plugged In, along with his friends Dave Woodhead (bass), Al Cross (drums), Matt Horner (piano and keyboard) and Richard Underhill (sax).  $20.

Music in our pubs
Each week, the list below tells you about the events happening in our pubs.  Several regular events are worth special notice. 
·      The Local GEST (424 Parliament) now has a great weekly program, starting with Sunday afternoon jazz at 4 pm with different groups and singers weekly.  Smart Ass Trivia happens on Wednesday. Jeff Barnes and Noah Zacharin appear on the first Thursday each month and then Open Mic with Porter takes over on the next three Thursday evenings. 
·      At The Irv (195 Carlton), Thursday evening showcases Geoff Willingham from 7 to 11 pm.
·      The Mill Street Brew Pub (21 Tank House Lane, Distillery) has Tap That Cask with live acoustic music from 7 to 10 pm every Thursday. 


CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY OCTOBER 22 TO SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1

Contact info
Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088, https://www.facebook.com/alicesplacetoronto
Cranberries, 601 Parliament St, (416) 925-6330
El Catrin, 18 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 203-2121,  www.elcatrin.ca/home
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
Odin, 514 King W, (647) 350-6346, https://www.facebook.com/odinhus
Paintbox Bistro, 555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555, www.paintboxbistro.ca
Soulpepper, Young Centre, 50 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 866-8666,
Stirling Room, 16 Trinity, Distillery District, www.stirlingroom.com
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, the prices are listed. Otherwise, the event is free.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 22

The Irv
7pm, Geoff Willingham
The Local GEST
8 pm, Open mic with Porter
Mill St Brew Pub
7 pm, Tap That Cask- live acoustic music with Jeff Eager

FRIDAY OCTOBER 23

Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Paintbox
7 pm, Galen Weston Band, live premiere.  $20/advance
Stirling Room
Theatrical Friday reserve on the guest list.  $20

SATURDAY OCTOBER 24

Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Soulpepper Cabaret Series
8:30 pm, The Voyager Golden Record with Mike Ross and friends,  $20
Stirling Room
Stirling Saturdays, reserve on the guest list

SUNDAY OCTOBER 25

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with the Steven Koven Trio

MONDAY OCTOBER 26

Merryberry
6 pm, cooking class, “Garlic”, $45
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers trivia

TUESDAY OCTOBER 27

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers trivia

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 28

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
The Local GEST
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia with Porter
Paintbox Bistro
7:30 pm, Corktown Ukelele Jam

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29

The Irv
7pm, Geoff Willingham
The Local GEST
8 pm, Open Mic with Porter
Mill St Brew Pub
7 pm, Tap That Cask - live acoustic music with Miriam Kay
Under the Table
Closed for the week to November 2

FRIDAY OCTOBER 30

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

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31

Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Halloween at the Beer Hall
Mill Street Brew Pub
Nightmare on Mill Street
Odin
Zombie disco
Soulpepper Cabaret Series
8:30 pm, Dave Buchbinder & Hilario Duran, “Music of the Cubans and the Jews”,  $20
Stout Irish Pub
8 pm, Creepy carnival Halloween party, $10
Stirling Room
Stirling Saturday.  Reserve on the guest list.  $20

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz