June 2

This week’s image: a Cabbagetown garden in the Spring.  Be sure to join this weekend’s Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces tour.

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW

Thanks for your comments
Last week, I tested a possible logo for this page and asked for your reactions.  The majority told me that it was a nice try but no thanks.  Several people made detailed suggestions. Those who liked it were equally helpful.  The “nays” have it and I’m happy to do what I’m told.  Thanks everybody - I appreciated your advice and positive comments.

Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces
The tenth annual garden tour happens on Sunday June 5 from 10 am to 3 pm.  You’ll see spectacular gardens, quiet back laneways and interesting Victorian architecture.  Marjorie Harris is the tour’s gardening expert this year and she’ll be joined by six Master gardeners.  
$15.  Buy your ticket at several local outlets:  Epicure (473 Parliament), Fairway Garden Centre (520 Parliament), Jay’s Garden Centre (360 Gerrard E), Kendall & Co (514 Parliament), Labour of Love (223 Carlton), Mi Casa (238 Carlton) and Spruce on Parliament (455 Parliament).  You can also get your tickets online here.  
Richard Silver has a very good description of the day’s events on his website.  

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

Winchester Park Residents Association
General meeting - Tuesday June 7, 7 pm, Hugh Garner Co-op, party room (8th Floor, 130 Ontario).  Four big issues are on the agenda - Winchester Street TCHC rooming houses, Bleecker Street block busting, illegal rentals for party houses and neighbourhood safety.  The guest speaker is Bruce Rivers from Covenant House who will talk about the transitional home for young women that is now being established in the area.  

Cabbagetown Residents Association
The CRA’s annual meeting will happen on Wednesday June 8, 7 pm, Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton).  The Resident’s Association organizes the annual Forsythia Festival and the Hallowe’en pumpkin walk. It has dealt with very practical community matters - noise levels, speed limits, laneway cleaning, parking problems and road repairs.  Its Board is also closely involved with school issues, Riverdale Farm, heritage preservation and our tree canopy. There’s a good website and a regularly updated, informative Facebook page. The meeting will feature a business session plus lots of neighbourly chitchat, free nibblies and a beverage.  

Cabbagetown South Residents Association
The Spring meeting will highlight speakers from Options for Homes.  They’ll present their plans for affordable housing to be built on the St Luke’s Church site at Carlton and Sherbourne.  The Association’s newsletter has been published with details about the Marty Millionaire site, a development proposal for Queen and Ontario, problematic housing, policing, noise and new Ward boundaries.  Go to the Association’s website for a link to this Newsletter - it’s full of useful data.  Wednesday June 8, 7 pm, Retsina Restaurant (209 Gerrard E).  

A WEEK’S SUCCESSES

Sir Andrew Davis
Last Friday afternoon, Sir Andrew Davis was saluted by the City of Toronto with the naming of a Cabbagetown lane.  Running east off Rose south of Wellesley, his lane commemorates his service at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the ten years that he spent as a Rose Avenue resident.  On hand at the unveiling were Ward 28 Councillor Pam McConnell, former councillor and mayor Barbara Hall and TSO Board Chair Richard Phillips.  

The new YMCA
Over the past weekend, official ceremonies launched the new Cooper Koo Family Cherry Street YMCA (461 Cherry).  Opening events included tours and a chance to try out the fitness facilities.  Over the summer, new programs will be launched to create a full schedule by the Fall. Throughout June, you can get a free one-week pass - details vary depending on your choice of activities.  Inside Toronto’s Justin Skinner has written about the new Y and its opening - click here.  For more program info, check out the website here.   

Cabbagetown Farmer’ Market
The Market is up and running successfully every Tuesday afternoon from 3 to 7 pm in Riverdale Park (Winchester and Sumach).  Current vendors have good aspargus, green onions and peas among their early-season goodies.  There’s also lots of bread, baked goods, maple syrup and some deli meats. The offerings will get bigger every week as the growing season gets fully underway.
Unconfirmed reports say that the Regent Park Market will open on Wednesdays by the end of the month.

Cabbagetown Preservation Association
Photo:  Marion Korn (right) introduces Heela Omarkhail 
The CPA’s annual meeting last Tuesday was a success.  After the business discussions, the CPA presented its annual Peggy Kurtin Award and its annual Volunteer of the Year Award.  
Heela Omarkhail from The Daniels Corporation gave a thorough and engrossing talk about the revitalization process at Regent Park.  Among her highlights was the news that the corner of Parliament and Gerrard is now scheduled for demolition and reconstruction within the next two years.  Future developments include additional retail along Dundas, new commercial spaces, new purpose-built housing and the opening of the Athletic Field.

Peggy Kurtin Award
Photo: Kendall Williams, Rick Merrill (CPA), Kevin White, Dean Podolsky and Kevin Kung
For the first time, the award has been given to a Berkeley Street renovation and to a commercial site.  Ruth Preston and Kevin White along with Dean Podolsky from DJP Homes were saluted for their home at 372 Berkeley.  Kendall & Co was given its award for the work done at 514 and 516 Parliament.  Congrats to everyone.
The Peggy Kurtin Award recognizes significant renovations and streetscape improvements.  

Volunteer of the Year
Photo: Helen Coltrinari, Jenny Davey and Dave Pretlove
Jenny Davey together with Peggy Kurtin and a group of other volunteers did the tough, detailed research that culminated in the creation of the Heritage Conservation District.  She researched, documented, listed, photographed and wrote the history of over 2500 buildings in the District.  This Award recognizes her contribution and the work of her friends that resulted in a major benefit for the whole Cabbagetown community.  Thanks and congrats Jenny.

Sheep Festival
Last Saturday’s sheep festival at Riverdale Farm was a lively day.  There’s a nifty short video in the Farm’s Facebook page showing one haircut in progress.   

Expert traffic control
During Sir Andrew Davis’s laneway ceremony, a crowd gathered on Rose Avenue, blocking traffic access to the street.  Barbara Hall took charge.  As Councillor McConnell remarked, “She’s been a city councillor and she ran the whole city as mayor.  Who’d be better at traffic control?”  

LOCAL NEWS

Property assessment notices
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is mailing notices to all Toronto homeowners to inform everyone about the current assessment values that have been placed on every home.  This assessment then is combined with the tax rate that the City of Toronto will charge on each property.  For a full description of the assessment and its implications, visit the Cabbagetown Residents Association website.   

The new Egale Centre
Egale Canada Human Rights Trust has just announced that it will build a unique shelter facility at the corner of Dundas and Sherbourne.  It will offer emergency services, housing and counselling for homeless LGBTIQ2S youth, a service that has been badly needed in Toronto.  The announcement came at an event attended by Premier Kathleen Wynne, Mitchell Cohen from The Daniels Corporation, TCHC’s President Greg Spearn, Paul Dowsett an architect at SUSTAINABLE.TO, Glen Pushelberg from Yabu Pushelberg and Ed Clark, former president and CEO at TD Bank.  $8.7 million has been raised toward a $10 million fundraising target.  The new Egale Centre will have space for 30 people and will open in the Fall of 2017.  For a full briefing on the project, click here.  

Sprucecourt PS Fun Fair
Sprucecourt Public School is holding its first-ever Fun Fair on Saturday June 4, 11 am to 3 pm at the school (70 Spruce).  There’ll be face painting, games, a bouncy castle, food and prizes

5th annual Bright Ideas Symposium
Central Neighbourhood House is now organizing its 2016 Bright Ideas Symposium.  It’s a day filled with dynamic discussions, creative thoughts and plans for innovative community solutions.  Lunch is provided.  Free event - everyone is welcome. Saturday June 4, 10 am to 2 pm, Central Neighbourhood House (349 Ontario).  

Farm in the City photo contest
Visit the Farm (Winchester east of Sumach) and snap a photo. Use your photo to show what the Farm means to you.  Contest runs from now until Saturday June 4.  Winners will enjoy terrific prizes. There’s a Facebook page that tells you how to submit your pictures. 

Regent Park Community Band Sing-a-Long
Every Monday from June 6 to July  11, a different band will lead a community singing session.  Upbeat gospel, classic country, funky soul, oldies, collective songwriting and a surprise are the themes.  Bands include Heather & the Holy Fire, Lucky Mike, Snooky Tyne, Inspired Souls and Kamilah Apong.  It happens outdoors at the Artscape Lounge patio in the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E) from 5 to 7 pm.  Free. 

Send kids to camp
Central Neighbourhood House and the Neighbourhood Group are raising funds to send kids ages 5 to 13 to summer camp.  The summer camp program is a proven success with field trips, swimming, art, dance, cooking and sports.  It runs from July 4 to August 26. The first six weeks happen at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School (444 Sherbourne) and the last two weeks at CNH (349 Ontario).  Kids can register for one or more weeks.  The cost is $75/week.  
Your donation will help a kid from Moss Park, Regent Park, St James Town, Teesdale and Crescent Town.  For $75, you can give a child a full week to learn, play and grow.
For lots of information and for online donations, click here.  

Summer Dance Camp
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (80 Winchester) is offering a week-long dance camp from July 18 to 22. It’s designed for movement, creation and fun and it’s aimed at kids ages 5 to 9.    There‘ll be dance and music classes, arts and crafts and outdoor activities.  Kids will learn the fundamentals of modern dance in a safe environment.  9 am to 4 pm, with an after-camp care service available. Click here to find out the details and to register.  

Step classes at the CYC
Photo:  Sunday step class 
Brenda will offer her season-ending classes on Sundays, June 5, 12 and 19 at 11 am and on Wednesdays, June 8, 15 and 22 at 9:15 am.  The class on Wednesday June 8 is a photo op.  Everything winds up on June 22.  Cabbagetown Youth Centre gym (2 Lancaster, behind the Beer Store).  

Yoga classes for June
Alan Florence has returned. His classes are at Lotus Palm (517 Parliament) on Mondays and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:45 am, starting Monday June 6.  
Jennifer Snowdon holds her classes at 58 Rose Avenue.  A restorative and Nidra workshop takes place on Sunday June 5 from 2 to 3:45 pm.  On Saturdays in June, she has Hatha Yoga at 9:30 am and Yin Yoga at 11:15 am. Kids Yoga is scheduled every Thursday from 4 to 5 pm.  Beginner’s classes are Monday evening at 7:30 pm.  Shifts Happen on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 9 pm.  Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra are on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9 pm.  She has openings for private classes on Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9 to noon.  For lots more info, go to her website.  

Sue Greensmith’s book
The Adventures of Kikera and Sol tells about the bond between Kikera, a wolf and her mutt-mix companion, Sol, a dog.  Her pack rejects him and she decides to leave it to be with him.  Her book is available locally at Menagerie Pet Shop (549 Parliament) and Pet Valu (240 Carlton) and online at Amazon, Chapters, Barnes & Noble and Smashbooks.  For more info, go to Sue’s website.  

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum historical tidbit
Advertising card, City of Toronto Archives, 470-1-17.  Artifact, Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum.
In the 1880s, the “new, new thing” was a new model sewing machine.  The Wheeler & Wilkins “Triumphant” shown on the advertising card was rolled out accompanied by a trumpeter, lions and classical figures.
In Toronto, Singer dominated the market.  By 1910, Cabbagetowners hunkered down over their own Singers.  Families made and repaired domestic products.  Self-employed seamstresses, piece-workers and tailors clattered out a living at home and in local shops.
The Museum has a beautiful “Model 127 Vibrating Shuttle”, human-powered by a foot treadle.  It reflected the ornate industrial design of the day with sturdy cast-iron construction embellished by golden sphinx patterns on a fashionable “japan black” base. 
Totally trendy design and ultra-modern technology - something that an Edwardian Steve Jobs might have admired. 
For more tidbits, visit the Museum’s Facebook page. 


IN THE MEDIA

Investing in Our Diversity scholarships
Photo:  Inside Toronto
These scholarships from Toronto Community Housing were given to forty students who promote diversity, safety and anti-racism in underprivileged neighbourhoods.  Congrats to two Regent Park students who were among the winners, Rathesh Balendran and Rayan Saied.  Justin Skinner has written an Inside Toronto article about their efforts and success. 

ON STAGE

Danny Marks
Danny’s new album, “Cities in Blue”, has drawn lots of favourable reviews.  Cashbox Canada says that “it’s really something special… superb musical content …  clever and informative concept.”  Congrats Danny.

Beats, Brass & Black
newchoir presents its next concert tonight Thursday June 2 at 8 pm at Koerner Hall (273 Bloor W) with guest artist Jully Black.  newchoir creates rock concerts using unexpected arrangements of rock and pop songs from every decade since the 1960s.  Its shows are regular successes - thanks no doubt to the Cabbagetown singers in its ranks.  Click here to get your tickets.   

The Sword in the Schoolyard
VIVA! the Youth Singers of Toronto presents the world premiere of this children’s opera - a modern retelling of the Arthurian legend.  Friday June 3 at 7 pm, Saturday June 4 at 7 pm and Sunday June 5 at 2:30 pm.  $15 and $20. Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  Click here for more info and for tickets.  

Peter Donato is back
Peter presents his Cantautore repertoire to the Church Street Diner (120 Church) on Sunday June 5 from 5 to 7 pm.  No cover - pay what you want. Come for his music, enjoy a cocktail and stay for dinner.  It’s good to have him back.

Soulpepper Cabaret
Back again this Saturday, June 4 at 8:30 pm. Soulpepper’s Cabarets present outstanding talent in an intimate cabaret setting.  Suzanne McKenney, Steve Hunter and special guest Colleen Allen present “Kansas ‘Sin” City” - a collection of 1930s classic boogie-woogie tunes and stories full of energy and heart.  Young Centre (50 Tank House Ln, Distillery) Tickets are $20 (students) and $25, available online.  

Soulpepper’s Concert Series
Thursday June 9, Friday June 10 and Wednesday June 15 - The Voyager Golden Record. In 1977, NASA sent the Voyager probe deep into space with recordings on board that attempted to explain who human beings are and how we live.   The Soulpepper Ensemble recreates these recordings to take us on an extra-terrestrial journey.  Young Centre (50 Tank House Ln, Distillery). $25  Tickets and more info available here.  

Music City summer series
The weekly free concerts at the Distillery’s Trinity Stage start up this weekend - Saturday June 4, 2 to 6 pm.  At 2 pm, Kala Kater delivers her old-time banjo picking skills and deft arrangements to tour Appalachian music.  At 4 pm, Hare Brain does a jazz, folk, improv performance.

SHOPPING

The Children’s Book Bank
The Children’s Book Bank (350 Berkeley at Gerrard) has joined the 100in1 project that takes place across Toronto on Saturday June 4, 10 am to 3 pm.  Its goal is to collect 1000 books for its inventory during the day.  To make the day more exciting, there’ll be a Photo Booth complete with costumes and props so kids can dress up as a favourite character and then take a snapshot home afterward.  Please bring gently used (or new) books suitable for children.  The Children’s Book Bank is a literacy project that donates books to kids from Regent Park and Moss Park.  

Kendall supports the Garden Tour
Drop in to Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) on Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm to buy garden tour tickets.  While you’re there, shop like crazy and enjoy a 10% discount when you flash your ticket. You can also enter the draw and win a fantastic outdoor rug - no purchase needed. Check out the rug designs online.     

Spruce on Parliament
Stuff is arriving in the store’s back room.  Work is still under way in the front space.  Look for an opening soon.  455 Parliament.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Merryberry’s changes
Welcome to Cabbagetown Hive, a new room at Merryberry (559 Parliament).  The front of the house will be the Hive where artists, performances and events will happen.  The walls have been stripped down so the art can be displayed more effectively.  Artists will also use a bin at the front where patrons can look at it and buy some.  
There’ll be lots of room here for private parties and events.
The food service and menus will still be Merryberry.  
This weekend is the grand opening - from Friday at 5 to 8 pm.  Four young artists will display their works.  And there’ll be live music with an indies blues band.  Enjoy nibblies from the new menu. 
On the front patio, there’ll be dog caricatures.

Jeff & Noah 
Jeff Barnes and Noah Zaccharin perform tonight, Thursday June 2, at The Local GEST (424
Parliament).  No cover.  From 8 pm to midnight. 

Geoff Willingham
Geoff makes regular Thursday night appearances at 7:30 pm at The Irv (195 Carlton).  Acoustic guitar and vocals.  No cover.  

Cabbage Head Comedy
The Local GEST (424 Parliament) is now offering a comedy night at 10 pm on the second Thursday of every month, hosted by Ethan O’Reilly.  It’ll feature up-and-coming comedians.  No cover.

Wine tasting at Fusilli
Fusilli (531 Queen E) is having a four-course dinner with matching wines on Tuesday June 7.  The chef’s salad appetizer with a Gewurztraminer Riesling will open the meal.  Farfalle ai Porcini with a 2015 Voignier is the second course.  A 2014 Cabernet Merlot will accompany the Veal Saltinbocca. And a Cabernet Franc Icewine will be offered with dessert.  Reserve your spot - call 416) 214-5148.  $60.  

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY JUNE 2 TO SUNDAY JUNE 12

  • For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.  
  • If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, the prices are listed.

THURSDAY JUNE 2

The Irv
6:30 pm, live music with Geoff Willingham
The Local GEST
8 pm, Jeff Barnes and Noah Zacharin
Mill St Beer Hall
6 pm, Tap into summer - patio opening party

FRIDAY JUNE 3

Dominion
8 pm, DJ Bryant
Fuse
11 pm, Fuse Lounge Fridays, Grown & Sexy 30+ socials, Wade O Brown Trio
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Friday Nights with DJ Humble Mike

SATURDAY JUNE 4

Distillery Trinity Stage, Music City Summer Series
2 pm, Kala Kater
4 pm, Hare Brain
Fuse
11 pm, Fuse Lounge Saturdays, Grown & Sexy
Mill Street Beer Hall
9 pm, Saturday Nights with DJ Humble Mike
Soulpepper Cabaret
8:30 pm, Steve Hunter & Suzanne McKenney with Colleen Allen, Kansas “Sin” City, $20 and $25

SUNDAY JUNE 5

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Corktown Kitchen
11:30 am, Jazz at Sunday brunch with Dakota (guitar) & Matt (keyboard) Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with the Ryan Oliver Trio

MONDAY JUNE 6

Local GEST
7:30 pm, Euchre night with Joane
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

TUESDAY JUNE 7

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY JUNE 8

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Paintbox Bistro
7:30 pm, Corktown Ukulele Jam

THURSDAY JUNE 9

The Irv
7 pm, Geoff Willingham, live acoustic music
Local GEST
10 pm, Cabbage Head Comedy with Ethan O’Reilly
Soulpepper Concert
7:30 pm, The Voyager Golden Records, $25

FRIDAY JUNE 10

Fuse
11 pm, Fuse Lounge Fridays, Grown & Sexy 30s, Wade O Brown Trio
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Friday Nights with DJ Humble Mike
Soulpepper Concert
7:30 pm, The Voyager Golden Records, $25

SATURDAY JUNE 11

Dominion
8 pm, The Heat
11 pm, Fuse Lounge Fridays, Grown & Sexy 30+ socials, Wade O Brown Trio
Mill Street Beer Hall
9 pm, Saturday Nights with DJ Humble Mike
Soulpepper
8:30 pm, Soulpepper Cabaret with Richard Lam, “The New Toronto”, $20 and $25

SUNDAY JUNE 12

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Corktown Kitchen
11:30 am, Jazz at Sunday brunch with Dakota (guitar) & Matt (keyboard)
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with the Beverly Taft Trio
Mill Street Brew Pub
Doors Open Brewmaster Dinner - The Distillery Revisited, dinner, matching beers, brewery tour and live cooking demo, $69.99.

CONTACT INFO

ALICE'S PLACE
554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088, https://www.facebook.com/alicesplacetoronto
CORKTOWN KITCHEN
354 King St E, (46) 901-1188,  https://www.facebook.com/CorktownKitchen 
CRANBERRIES
DOMINION PUB & KITCHEN
500 Queen St E, (416) 366-5555, https://www.facebook.com/DominionTO/
EL CATRIN
18 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 203-2121, https://www.facebook.com/elcatrin.ca
FUSE
366 Queen St E, http://fusedining.com 
HOUSE ON PARLIAMENT
THE IRV
95 Carlton Street, (647) 350-4787, https://www.facebook.com/theirvpub/
LITTLE SHMIDDY’S HOT MEAT HOUSE
584 Parliament St, (416) 961-1600, https://www.facebook.com/ 
THE LOCAL GEST
424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, http://www.thelocalgest.com/
MERRYBERRY CAFE
MILL STREET BEER HALL
21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, (416) 681-0338, http://millstreetbrewery.com/toronto-beer-hall/
MILL STREET BREW PUB
21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, http://millstreetbrewery.com/toronto-brew-pub/
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, https://www.facebook.com/PaintboxBistro/
SOULPEPPER
Young Centre, 50 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 866-8666,
STOUT IRISH PUB
UNDER THE TABLE
568 Parliament St, (647) 351-1533,