August 31

This week’s image:  the view from the window seat in Silk Thai Restaurant.

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW

LOCAL NEWS 

Tenants First
Photo: TCHC activist Rick Keegan at 508 Parliament.  Bernard Weil, Toronto Star
The purple and green rooming houses next to the LCBO store on Parliament Street may soon be fixed up. The incredibly rundown TCHC properties on Parliament, Aberdeen, Rose, Prospect, Winchester and Wellesley are also on the list for improvements. 
In July, Toronto City Council unanimously voted in favour of the Tenants First plan.  It involves spinning off 647 single family homes and 46 rooming houses out of the Toronto Community Housing portfolio.  
The City and TCHC have jointly issued a Request for Expressions of Interest aimed at non-profits, co-ops, land trusts and community agencies.  There’ll be an information session on September 15 and the deadline for submissions is September 25. This info will contribute to a final report to City Council which will then decide how to proceed.  Timetables have not been set and will depend on Council’s decisions.  
This will have a profound impact on our neighbourhood.  25 rooming house properties and 26 single family homes are located here.

A Singular Eye
Local photographer Eric Morse is showing his Cabbagetown pictures at The Local GEST (424 Parliament). It’s a combination show - new pictures that he’s never shown previously along with pictures from his streetcar series.  Opening event is Thursday September 7 at 7 pm.  

A new mural
Photo:  Linda Eggerer
Toronto artist Thelia Sanders-Shelton has just finished her new mural at Seaton and Dundas.  Many thanks to Linda Eggerer for her picture. She remarks that the mural softens the corner nicely.   

Parks updates
The City of Toronto will close the wading pools at Winchester Park (Ontario and Winchester) and Riverdale Park (Sumach and Carlton) on Sunday afternoon, September 3.  The splash pads in Regent Park (600 Dundas E) and Wellesley Park (500 Wellesley) will stay open until Sunday September 17.
Registration for our neighbourhood in the City’s Fall and Winter recreational programs begins on Wednesday September 13 at 7 am.  There’s an online page describing the registration steps - click here.  

Cabbagetown South meeting
The next Association meeting takes place on Wednesday September 6 at 7 pm at Hey Lucy (229 Carlton).  Two local development proposals will be discussed - the Gerrard Street Beer Store and Oben Flats.  In addition, there’ll be a discussion about laneway safety measures.  Local residents who are interested in the Oben Flats development at 307 Sherbourne at Gerrard should go to the Toronto East York Community Council meeting on Wednesday September 6.  It’s at City Hall at 11 am.  The staff’s recommendations are online here.   

Artfest at The Distillery
The annual outdoor art and crafts show returns to the Distillery from Friday September 1 to Monday September 4.  Painting, sculpture, crafts, live music and more.  

The new Health Bus
Sherbourne Health Centre (333 Sherbourne) is launching its new Health Bus. It’s been a joint project between SHC and the Rotary Club for the past twenty years.  The new Health Bus will deliver primary care, mental health support, health education, screening and referrals, especially for people who face barriers to health care.  
The launch event happens on Thursday September 14 from 4 to 6 pm at the Sherbourne Health Centre (333 Sherbourne).   Please RSVP by September 7. 

Tour of Homes tickets
Sunday September 17, noon to 4 pm.  $35. Tickets are on sale now.  
The Tour is a self-guided event - your ticket contains the address for each home.  This year’s program is a completely new selection. Your ticket will also list of special offers from retailers and restaurants for the event day.   
Tickets are now available on Paypal.  Please note that you must trade your Paypal receipt for an actual ticket on the day of the Tour.   
Four local retailers are selling tickets:  Epicure Shop (473 Parliament), Fairway Market (520 Parliament), Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) and Mi Casa (238 Carlton). 
Four more are selling them at convenient locations across Toronto:  Greenery Patch (St Lawrence Market), Kay & Young Florists (136 Avenue Road at Davenport), Ringe & Associates (Scotia Plaza concourse level) and Sheridan Nursery (2827 Yonge). 

Margaret MacMillan and Yann Martel
Wednesday September 13, 6 pm, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E)
The Children’s Book Bank (350 Berkeley) is hosting an evening with Margaret MacMillan and Yann Martel.  These two outstanding authors will discuss books that endure the test of time.  A third author, Charlie Foran will moderate. Students from the Regent Park School of Music will provide the background music.  There’ll be complimentary nibblies, wine and beer.  It’s a fundraiser to support the Children’s Book Bank - tickets are $100.  To order yours, click here.    

Grace on a bike
Grace McNee has reached Fredericton.  Her snapshot shows her in Quebec City.  She’s really pushing along now after spending several days in Montreal recouping from “a terrible bug”.  
She riding her bike across Canada to raise money for Independent Living Nova Scotia in honour of her friend Sarah Dube. We can all help her with our donations.  She’s handling her fundraising through Canada Helps.  

Congrats Glen
Glen Murray’s farewell party was a lovely bash full of gossipy people who were obviously enjoying themselves.  It was a great send-off.  Best wishes Glen for your future at the Pembina Institute.

Stitched up
Photo:  George Pyron
George snapped this picture at Riverdale Farm on Tuesday.  He believes the wrap was done by kids at a camp in the Park.  Several trees and a few posts and railings were decorated.  

Cabbagetown abroad
Photo: Kevin White
Ruth and Kevin recently visited Santa Monica.  Kevin snapped this photo during an early morning ride. Ruth’s shirt started lots of conversations.  

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
By Sally Gibson.  Image:  Toronto Public Library 943-1
It’s Festival time in Cabbagetown. Over the years, Riverdale Park has seen many festivals. 
In August 1942 not long after the dreadful losses of the Dieppe Raid in France, a “Festival of Britain” popped up in Riverdale Park. It provided a rare interlude of fun, fundraising for the Evening Telegram’s British War Victims Fund and employment for carnies displaced from the CNE grounds that were being used by the Armed Forces. The attractions included a high diver who plunged 75 feet, a ferris wheel, exotic animal shows, and a kiddie land where parents could leave their children while they enjoyed the fair. 
The flight of a Lancaster bomber, shown in this painting by local artist Owen Staples, was one of the attractions.  This was the Lancaster flown from Britain to act as a model for Canadian manufacturing of this celebrated plane. By war’s end, workers at Malton had produced 430
Lancasters, which played an important role in the war effort.
For more Cabbagetown history, photos and videos visit the CRPM Facebook page.   
Please support the Museum by clicking on GoFundMe.  

CLASSIFIEDS

Our Classifieds are free announcements about your news.  Are you having a yard sale, renting a parking spot, looking for a lost cat, bragging about your newest baby?  Tell your neighbours here.  Contact cabbagetownreview@gmail.com 

Are you having a street sale…
All across Cabbagetown during the Festival weekend, people sell their own goodies or they get together to hold a neighbourhood sale.  Tell the world what you’re doing!  Put an announcement here and it’ll appear on Thursday September 7.  It’s free.  Contact cabbagetownreview@gmail.com

Cabbagetown walking group 
Monday mornings from 9 am. Join us for a morning walk through the neighbourhood and beyond. We meet at the gates to Riverdale Park (southeast corner of Sumach and Winchester) and walk for about an hour.  This is a drop-in group and everyone is welcome.  Questions: maureen.roe@gmail.com

ADVANCE INFO ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Cabbagetown Film Festival
Our annual two-hour celebration of outstanding short films - comedies, dramas, animations and documentaries.  This year’s program includes films from Canada, the USA, France, Germany, Spain, Israel and Mexico.
Tickets are now available online - $15.  It’s a good idea to buy yours early - there will only be a limited number available at the door!  Click here.  
Wednesday September 6. Doors open at 7 pm, screening from 8 to 10:30 pm.  Cash bar and refreshments. Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).    

Art & Crafts in the Park
This year’s Festival poster features works made by Scott Barnim.  Scott won the 2016 Members Special Award for his pottery.  He set up his studio in 1978 and he’s located in an old stone house in Dundas Ontario.  Check out his work online.   
Riverdale Park on Friday September 8 (1 to 7 pm), Saturday September 9 and Sunday September 10 (10 am to 6 pm each day).  
Click here to see all the details on the Art & Crafts website. 

Cabbagetown Festival
Cabbagetown will be rocking for the whole weekend.  New this year - a Skateboard Park.  Plus there’ll be terrific street food, a KidsZone, crafts and vendors including a “Made in Canada” section, music along the street and in our pubs and lots more.  Saturday September 9 and Sunday September 10.  Parliament from Wellesley to Gerrard and Carlton west from Parliament.  

Sip & Sing
A new feature for this year’s Cabbagetown Festival.  Love to sing?  Love cold beer or a glass of wine or a summer cocktail?  Join Dana Clark at The Local GEST (424 Parliament) in a “choir-for-the-night” to sing classic pop and rock tunes.  Everyone welcome - lyric sheets provided.  $5, Friday September 8, 8 to 10 pm. 

Throw a cow flap
It’ll be fun.  It’s just one event in the Riverdale Farm’s Fall Festival from 9:30 am to 3 pm on Saturday September 9 and Sunday September 10.  If you want something a bit calmer, try the corn roasts, the chicken and pig calling contests, face painting, gardening and farming demos and the wheelbarrow races.  All good - Riverdale Farm (201 Winchester).  

Boxing show
The Cabbagetown Boxing Club (2 Lancaster above the Cabbagetown Youth Centre) is holding its annual Festival show on Saturday September 9.  There’ll be ten amateur bouts.  Doors open at 2 pm and the first bout is 2:30 pm.  $20

Blair’s Run
This signature athletic event of the Cabbagetown calendar happens on Sunday morning September 10.  You can run, race or walk the 2km course - alone or with your spouse or your children or your dogs or any combo you want.  It’s a fun event and a fundraiser for the Cabbagetown Youth Centre.  Click here for more online info and registration.  

Cabbagetown Theatre Company
Every year, the Company presents a short play that engages and thrills the whole, family.  This year, it’s a high-flying production of Peter Pan,  the ultimate flyboy.  Necropolis Chapel (200 Winchester across from Riverdale Farm), Saturday and Sunday at noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 pm.  $5 

IN THE MEDIA

Pam McConnell’s memorial service
Photo:  Carlos Osorio, Toronto Star
A large crowd gathered last week in St James Cathedral in Pam’s honour.  Ainslie Cruikshank’s story in the Toronto Star describes the service and the contributions by Pam’s family, her close friends and her Council colleagues.  Click here.  

Hit and run vehicle
Photo: Toronto Police Service
At 4 am on Tuesday August 15, a dark coloured Dodge Durango Citadel struck and killed a woman on Dundas east of Sherbourne.   Police are looking for the vehicle.  Inside Toronto has details about the accident and the SUV.  Click here.  

Toronto’s third university
The Ontario government has announced the creation of a French-language university. The new school will possibly be located in the West Don Lands along the waterfront.  There’s a French-language story from L’Express here.  The Toronto Star has an English-language story here.    

FARMERS’ MARKETS

Late summer goodies
The Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market is featuring lots of late summer stuff.   Heirloom tomatoes, yummy corn, peppers, leeks and lots more.  Tuesdays from 3 to 7 pm, Riverdale Park (Sumach and Winchester).   

Corktown Farmers’ Market
3 to 7 pm on Thursdays in the Underpass Park  (Lower River Street).  Vendors include Clearwater Farms, Durham Honey Farm, Field Sparrow Farm, Monforte Dairy and Sunray Orchards.  The park is home to some of Toronto’s best murals and street art.  

SHOPPING

Now or never clearance at Kendall & Co
Kendall and Kevin are making room for new Fall arrivals. Take advantage of fantastic markdowns on furniture, rugs, lighting and home accessories. A fresh batch of clearance items has arrived and there are further reductions.  Shop now for the best selection because these items will go fast at these prices. Open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. Visit our website or, better still, come to our store at 514 Parliament. 

Children’s Book Bank
The store (350 Berkeley) will close from Monday through Thursday to prepare for the school schedules.  It’ll reopen on Friday September 9 and then follow its school schedules from Monday September 11.  

NOW Magazine’s Reader’s Choice poll
24 local businesses have been nominated for the annual Reader’s Choice award.  It’s a great boost for each of them. A win in their category attracts customers from across the city.  Check the list and vote for your favourites.  Voting ends at 5 pm on September 21.Don’t be surprised when you see some names twice since they’ve been nominated in more than one category.  Click on the category name to cast your ballot.
Best bicycle store - Cycle Solutions  
Best camera store - Vistek 
Best condo developer - two local choices 
    Daniels
    Streetcar
Best jewellery store - Fair Trade Jewellery  
Best pop-up store - Leslieville Flea  
Best shoe store - John Fluevog Shoes
Best butcher - St james Town Steak & Chops 
Best caterer - Daniel et Daniel 
Best cheese - Epicure Shop  
Best deli - Epicure Shop 
Best design firm - Kendall & Co  
Best farmers’ market - Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market 
Best taco - El Charro  
Best pub - House on Parliament  
Best gastro-pub - two local choices  
    House on Parliament
    The Irv
Best Japanese restaurant - two local choices   
    Kingyo Iza
    Zakkushi
Best Mexican restaurant - El Catrin  
Best server - Ashley at The Irv  
Best Thai restaurant - Sukhothai   
Best large theatre company - Soulpepper   

RESTAURANT NEWS 

Welcome back, Kibo
Kibo (535 Parliament) has reopened.  Good news for sushi lovers.  There are daily specials at $10.95 and the very handy takeout boxes at $5.  

Merryboxes at Merryberry
Merryberry is proud to offer a rotating menu of “almost-ready” dinners. The work is done - the meals are chopped, seasoned and prepped to perfection.  Follow the instructions to finish cooking each dish and you’ll be eating within twenty minutes.  
The cost is $11 for each Merrybox plus the extra charge for the added protein.  You can save 10% on all orders from now to September 8. 
To find out the menu, check out Merryberry’s Facebook page.  You can also subscribe for a regular email to get his weekly announcements - info@merryberry.ca .  Phone Cyril at (647) 348-0411 to place your order (please allow 45 minutes before your desired pick-up time) and then come to Merryberry to pick it up.  559 Parliament

Coming up at Mill Street
The Beer Hall will have three events in September. A Cask & Cheese Fest on September 15 from 5 pm, $10.  Brewmaster’s Experience - five beers paired with food stations, from 5 pm on September 21, $69.99.  Fifth annual Oktoberfest party with 18 beers on tap, Bavarian fare on the menu, live entertainment and a souvenir mug, $35.  For more info and tickets, click here.  21 Tank House Lane, Distillery.  

NEW PROGRAMS - THEATRE & DANCE CALENDARS 
Addresses, online info and current events.

CANADIAN STAGE
30th Anniversary Season
Berkeley Street Theatre
26 Berkeley Street
(416) 368-3110

Life After by Britta Johnson (book and music)
September 23 to October 22 

SOULPEPPER
20th Anniversary Season
Young Centre for the Performing Arts
50 Tank House Lane, Distillery District
(416) 866-8666

Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
September 8 to October 7
Picture This by Morris Panych & Brenda Robins
September 9 to October 7

TORONTO DANCE THEATRE
50th Anniversary Season
Winchester Theatre
80 Winchester Street
(416) 967-1365

Toronto Heritage Dance - two programs
September 21 to 24 & September 28 to October 1

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY AUGUST 31 TO SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10

  • 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 AUGUST 31

Mill Street Brew Pub 
6 pm, Live music with Derek Lathrop
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Friday nights with Humble Mike
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke 
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2

Arvo
6 pm, Live music with Emily Steinwall and Hayden Farrar
Local GEST
9 pm, Young, Live & Local - live music hosted by Evan.
Mill Street Beer Hall
5 pm, Saturday nights with Humble Mike
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
10 pm, Nairobi Nights, $10

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 3
Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Distillery
2 & 4 pm, Music City Summer Series - The Diamond Joes (2 pm) and Lotus Wight (4 pm)
Dominion
10 am, Brunch & Beats with Garrick the DJ
Quincy
10 pm, Reggae Sundays, $10

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 4

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 5

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 6

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Dominion
7 pm, Sharon Musgrave Duo
Local GEST
7:30 pm, Wednesday Night Trivia with Porter
Paintbox
8 pm, Corktown Ukulele Jam, $12
Quincy’s
Latin Wednesdays with DJ Fight - reggaeton, merengue, rumba salsa, Afromusic and more.  $10.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7

Local GEST
7 pm, A Singular Eye on Cabbagetown. Local photography by Eric Morse.
Mill Street Brew Pub 
6 pm, Live music with Derek Lathrop
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke 
Fuse
10 pm, Ladies night and dancing, ladies free, others $10
Local GEST
8 pm, Sip ’n Sing with Dana Clark, $5
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Friday nights with Humble Mike 
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 9
CABBAGETOWN FESTIVAL

Local GEST
Cabbage Bowl for the Children’s Book Bank 
Mill Street Beer Hall
5 pm, Saturday nights with Humble Mike
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10
CABBAGEOWN FESTIVAL

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Dominion
9:30 pm, DJ Money Jane
Local GEST
Cabbage Bowl for the Children’s Book Bank 
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
10 pm, Reggae Sundays, $10

CONTACT INFO

ALICE'S PLACE
554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088, https://www.facebook.com/alicesplacetoronto
ARVO
17 Gristmill Lane, Distillery,  (647) 352-2766
CORKTOWN KITCHEN
354 King St E, (46) 901-1188
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, (647) 347-3873, http://fusedining.com 
HOUSE ON PARLIAMENT
IMPACT KITCHEN
THE IRV
95 Carlton Street, (647) 350-4787, https://www.facebook.com/theirvpub/
JOHNNY G’s
478 Parliament St, (416) 928-1358
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/
ODIN
514 King E, (647) 350-6346, https://www.facebook.com/odinhus
NEW TOWN
413 Parliament Street
PAINTBOX BISTRO
555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555
QUINCY’s AFROKITCHEN & BAR
326 Parliament, (647) 989-9127,  https://www.facebook.com/cometoquincys/
SOULPEPPER
Young Centre, 50 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 866-8666,
STOUT IRISH PUB
UNDER THE TABLE

568 Parliament St, (647) 351-1533, https://www.facebook.com/underthetabletoronto