CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW
THANKS
Four
loud “thanks” to people who made truly lasting contributions to our
neighbourhood in 2015.
Mischa
Hamara and Seed by Seed
Mischa
and his friend Andrew Wilson were dismayed to learn in the Spring that the
Farmer’s Market in Riverdale was cancelled. Both of them were active in Seed by Seed, a non-profit group
that empowers communities to reconnect with their food. They wanted to save the Market. Along with three friends, Ashley
Collier, Michelle Davidson and Malory Hilkewich, they indeed rescued it and
they gave it a badly needed burst of new life and energy along with a website,
a Facebook page and a variety of innovative extras for each Market day.
The
Market has long been a pleasant summer event for the Cabbagetown
community. It was important for
the farmers as well and they were happy to help with its rescue. By the end of the season, the vendors
who sold their goodies were pleased with its reception by the community.
Mischa,
Andrew, Ashley, Michelle and Malory will be back next year. They need our help – as shoppers at the
Market and as volunteers to help with the heavy lifting each week.
Thanks
to each one of you.
Mark
Michelin at St Jamestown Steak & Chops
Photo: Mark in his landmark tent at the Cabbagetown Festival
Every
year, hundreds of loyal shoppers keep coming back to Mark’s butcher shop and
deli at 516 Parliament. No wonder
- he offers high quality food at reasonable prices with exceptional service.
He
does a lot more. He supports our
community. He is, for example, a
Gold level sponsor of the annual Forsythia Festival.
And,
this year, he’s been busy polishing up his store. His new façade is a dramatic improvement that gives the
corner a modern, upbeat tone. His
interior renovations have saved the store’s former charms while making it more
efficient and more welcoming.
Thanks
Mark.
Cabbagetown
Residents Association
In
recent years, the CRA’s Board of Directors has been a positive, strong group
that sees opportunities and acts on them.
A few years ago, for example, a Board committee got involved in the
Forsythia Festival and reenergized it, making it once again a vibrant Spring
event. The Board has an impressive track record and it does its work without a
lot of noise or controversy.
For
the past couple of years, the Board has been working with officials at the City
of Toronto on plans for the splash pad in Wellesley Park. It was built and opened in 2015 and
it’s clearly well-received by the whole neighbourhood. There’s a striking design on the pad’s
floor – a reproduction of one of Norval Morrisseau’s works – and approval to
use it was negotiated by a CRA Board member.
Families
from Don Vale and St James Town started to use the pad last summer. Every day,
an enthusiastic group of kids got gleefully soaked. When a dog ran through it
on a hot summer day, nobody freaked out.
Thanks
to the Board at the Cabbagetown Residents.
Kendall
Williams and Kevin Kung
Kendall
& Co (514 Parliament) has an impressive track record. Kendall and Kevin have a prize-winning
interior design studio. Their store is also a prize-winning home decor
retailer. Their shop always sets a high standard among retailers along
Parliament as our shopping strip becomes more modern and gentrified.
Together
with their friend Mark Michelin, they redesigned the facades on 514 and 516
Parliament to give the Winchester corner a new and interesting feel.
They
regularly give a big boost to two important local events - the Tour of Homes
and the Garden Tour. They sell
tickets, create special offers for ticket holders and generate publicity. And they give local artists and crafts
people a chance to display and sell their work to a local audience.
Thanks
Kendall and Kevin.
LOCAL NEWS
Jarvis
Street fire
Photo: The Toronto Blog
On
Monday morning, a fire destroyed a heritage building at 314 Jarvis Street. Built in 1865 and altered in 1901, the
house was built for the Sheard family.
Dr Charles Sheard served as Toronto’s Chief Medical Officer of Health
and also as a Member of Parliament.
For a personal look at the home and its history, click on this CBC
link.
Allan
Gardens flower show
The
flower show in the Conservatory (Sherbourne and Carlton) is underway now and
continues to January 10, 10 am to 5 pm daily. Don’t miss it. Free admission.
Bloor
Street Improvements
The
stretch of Bloor east from Church to Parliament will be given a facelift in
2017. The City of Toronto is
proposing new sidewalks, more trees, benches, bike parking posts, better
signage and future bike lanes. This
stretch will be the main street for the big new development at Bloor and
Parliament. The streetscape
improvements will pick up from the Bloor-Yorkville work done at its west end. A public consultation is scheduled for
Monday January 11 from 5:30 pm at the Church Street Community Centre (519
Church).
Sherbourne
and Gerrard development
A
public consultation will be held about a proposal to build a 13-storey rental
building at 307 Sherbourne with 57 one bedroom, 32 two bedroom and 5 three
bedroom apartments. The location
used to be a gas station which was demolished several years ago. The Cabbagetown South Residents
Association notes that the building’s size is a problem and urges some ground
floor commercial to help redevelop the streetscape. The meeting will be at the
Parliament St Library (269 Gerrard E) on Wednesday January 20, 7 to 9 pm.
CNH’s
refugee settlement project
Justin
Skinner, writing in Inside Toronto, has described the project that Central
Neighbourhood House (349 Ontario) is undertaking to help Syrian refugees. CNH has conducted a very successful
fundraising campaign. Now, it’s
searching for volunteers to help.
Read his story here.
John
Tory’s traffic plan
Mayor
Tory has announced a plan to ease congestion at Toronto’s ten top traffic
hotspots. Bloor and Parliament is
one of those locations. The
Mayor’s efforts will include lots of traffic-easing techniques, none of which
have been revealed to date. They
are, undoubtedly, beneficial since they rely on the very latest “vehicular
probe data.” The CBC’s report is
here.
Updates
in Cabbagetown South
The
Cabbagetown South Residents Association has published its January
newsletter. It’s full of good
stuff. There are several important
topics raised in it. Click here to
read it.
Heritage
Preservation Services at the City of Toronto has listed Cabbagetown South as
the next area for heritage designation.
The Association is cautious about this project, worrying that safeguards
for heritage buildings will also restrict homeowners who want to improve their
properties.
Vacant
and neglected properties continue to be topics of meetings between the
Association and City officials.
Progress is slow.
There
are reports on the redevelopment of George Street and the reconstruction of
Seaton House. The Association is also worried that the new Liberal government
in Ottawa will be sympathetic to supervised injection sites and that the
potential locations are always in downtown areas.
The
donations window at The Beer Store
The
Cabbagetown South Residents Association arranged for a donations window at the
Gerrard Street Beer Store (Gerrard and Ontario). Drop off your empties at this window and you’ll be
supporting the breakfast program at Lord Dufferin School and the refugee
project at Central Neighbourhood House.
Keep drinkin’ and keep givin’.
What
are you worth?
Nick
Humphries and Hilary Browning at Sage Real Estate (538 Parliament) have just
finished their year-end research, comparing 2014 and 2015 home sales in
Cabbagetown. They’ve found – not
doubt, to everyone’s delight – that our houses were worth more, more of them
went on the market and they sold faster in 2015. To check out the details on their website, click here.
NIMBY
stuff
Edward
Keenan has written a three-part series on NIMBY behaviour in Toronto. Part Two uses Cabbagetown’s Tarp Tussle
as its launching pad. It’s a
surprising report. He finds a good
side in even the nasty and petty battles, including ours. You can read his series here – Part One,
Part Two and Part Three.
The
Swallow
Shannon
Grimm lives in a house on Hillcrest Park.
Her home is the setting for Charis Cotter’s award-winning book, “The
Swallow: A Ghost Story”. The
story, set in the 1960s, tells about two girls who each go into their homes’
attic to escape problems in their daily lives. They discover each other through the wall and develop an
unlikely friendship. Ms Cotter,
the author, once lived in this house and has based her story on her experiences
there and her knowledge of the nearby homes and graveyard. It’s published by
Tundra Books and it’s available online from Amazon. Thanks for the tip,
Shannon.
Old
dogs
Claudia
Salzmann has just finished reading Pete Thorne’s book, “Old Faithful”. She suggests that Cabbagetown is full
of lovely old dogs. She recommends
that we share our stories and brag about our pals. I agree. Send
along your photos and tell us why you think your Old Faithful is special. To start off, here’s our Willie and his constant companion, Smudges.
BUILD UP YOUR BODY
Skate
with Glen Murray
By
the way, Glen’s event is very popular and as a result, some of his skates have
become worn. If you have an extra
pair that you can donate, contact Glen’s office at
gmurray,mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Gentle
Tai Chi
Michael
White’s tai chi classes are starting up for the fourth year. He teaches a 24-move tai chi at a
gentle pace aimed at improving balance, flexibility and relaxation for adults. Regular classes are planned for
Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 am.
Starting
on Wednesday January 13, 9:30 to 10:30 am, Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls
Club (101 Spruce), $30 month (4 or 5 sessions).
He’s
also seeking your reactions for a possible evening class on Thursdays from 7:30
to 9 pm.
To
register or to comment, email Michael at michael.white@sympatico.ca or call
(416) 926-9553.
Jennifer
Snowdon’s Yoga
Jennifer’s
January schedule is now available.
She’s offering regular weekly classes plus a special workshop on Sunday
January 17. All classes and the workshop are held at 58 Rose Avenue.
For
more info on each session, click here.
Mondays
- teen yoga from 4:30 to 5:30 pm
and beginner’s yoga from 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Wednesdays
– Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra from 7:30 to 9 pm.
Thursdays
– kids’ yoga from 4 to 5 pm.
Saturdays
– Hatha Yoga from 9:30 to 10:45 am and Yin Yoga from 11:15 am to 12:30 pm.
Special
Workshop – Sunday January 17, 2 to 4 pm.
Conquer your fear, 2016.
Connect
with your heart, find strength in the present moment and begin to live your
dream. Through yoga, meditation
and reflective writing, you’ll uncover your brilliant self. Pre-registration is required, space is
limited, $40. Click here for more
info and for registration.
Brenda
Brown McNee’s step classes
Brenda’s
classes are starting up again for the New Year. 2016 marks her 18th year as a Step class leader -
she held her first class in the CYC in 1998!
Sunday
January 10 at 11 am, Wednesday January 13 at 9:15 am and Sunday January 17 at
11 am.
Her
classes are held in the gym at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster,
behind the Parliament St Beer Store).
They’re
drop-in sessions. Brenda will meet
you before a class to talk about your needs and to give you an idea of her
program – please email her at brenda.brownmcnee@bell.net to confirm your visit.
ON
STAGE
Stompin’
Tom by Whiskey Jack
Duncan
Fremlin and his friends in Whiskey Jack are again celebrating Stompin’ Tom’s
birthday with a special concert for his 80th. Guests include Adrienne Clarkson in her
cowboy hat singing the Marten Hartwell Story and the great Maritime virtuoso J
P Cormier. Tuesday February 9,
8:30 pm, Hugh’s Room (2261 Dundas W).
Tickets sell quickly – reserve yours here.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Cooking
with Cyril
Cyril
has a fascinating schedule of cooking classes lined up for the next few
weeks. All classes are on
Tuesdays, starting at 6 pm.
$45. If any classes have a
strong interest, Cyril will hold an extra Monday class. He’d like your reactions, as well, to
his idea for a mid-February “Cook for your Valentine” class.
January
19, Tacos, Part One, Tex-Mex style
January
26, Fish
February
2, Tacos, Part Two, Fusion style
February
9, Morocco
To
sign up, drop in to Merryberry (559 Parliament), or call (647) 348-0411 or
email cyril@merryberry.ca
Jeff
Barnes & Noah Zacharin
Jeff
and Noah will be playing on Thursday January 7 at 8 pm at The Local GEST (424 Parliament). They appear there on the first Thursday
of every month. Jeff says that
Noah has quit his day job and is now a proper full-time musician.
Psychic
brunch is back
The
ever-popular Psychic Brunch returns to Cranberries (601 Parliament) with
Toronto’s best psychics using a wide variety of special psychic modalities
including tarot cards, astrology, mediumship, clairvoyance, psychometry,
palmistry, face reading and numerology.
Who can resist? Sunday
January 17, 11 am to 3 pm.
$40. Your fee includes a
20-minute individual reading plus an additional 5-minute reading from a
different psychic, together with a $5 voucher for any menu item from
Cranberries. Net proceeds benefit the Rainbow Association of Canadian
Artists.
CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS
THURSDAY JANUARY 7 TO SUNDAY JANUARY 17
Contact
info
Alice’s
Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088,
https://www.facebook.com/alicesplacetoronto
Cranberries,
601 Parliament St, (416) 925-6330
Dominion
Pub & Kitchen, 500 Queen St E, (416) 366-5555
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 JANUARY 7
Dominion
Pub & Kitchen
Peter
James project
The
Irv
7pm,
Geoff Willingham
Local
GEST
8
pm, Jeff Barnes & Noah Zacharin
Mill
Street Brew Pub
7
pm, Tap That Cask with acoustic music
FRIDAY JANUARY 8
Dominion
Pub & Kitchen
Take
Cover
Mill
Street Beer Hall
8
pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Mill
Street Brew Pub
6:30
pm, Beer school with Dan North, $20
SATURDAY JANUARY 9
Dominion
Pub & Kitchen
Clean
SL8
Mill
Street Beer Hall
8
pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
SUNDAY JANUARY 10
Alice’s
Place
4
pm, Karaoke with Vee
Local
GEST
4:30
pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with Sherie Marshall
MONDAY JANUARY 11
Stout
Irish Pub
7:30
pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY JANUARY 12
Stout
Irish Pub
7:30
pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 13
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 JANUARY 14
Dominion
Pub & Kitchen
Dan
Kosub Duo
The
Irv
7pm,
Geoff Willingham
The
Local GEST
8:30
pm, Open mic with Porter
Mill
Street Brew Pub
7
pm, Tap That Cask with acoustic music
FRIDAY JANUARY 15
Dominion
Pub & Kitchen
Vicars
of Vinyl
Mill
Street Beer Hall
8
pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Mill
Street Brew Pub
6:30
pm, Beer school with Dan North, $20
Under
The Table
9
pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY JANUARY 16
Dominion
Pub & Kitchen
9
pm, The Lonely Hearts
Mill
Street Beer Hall
8
pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
SUNDAY JANUARY 17
Alice’s
Place
9
pm, Karaoke with Vee
The
Local GEST
4:30
pm, Sunday afternoon jazz
