March 15

This week’s image:  Yen Lane - the City of Toronto is studying policies to create new laneway homes.


CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW

LOCAL NEWS

Changing Lanes - Laneway Homes
The City of Toronto is collecting ideas and reactions about building homes in lanes across Toronto and East York.  This will obviously appeal to homeowners in Cabbagetown with our long lots and extensive lanes. This is an attractive opportunity make Cabbagetown denser community.
Several consultation meetings have been held and planners have used their input toward their final report.  Susan Dineen from Cabbagetown South and Victoria Hadden from Aberdeen Avenue both attended a recent consultation.  Thanks to Victoria for her summary of this meeting.
Height, setbacks, access to the main street, emergency services, separations from the main house, balconies and parking are all important issues.  
Five principles have been established by city planners for the laneway houses.  They must be rental units.  The houses and their land cannot be severed from the main lot.  They must be subordinate to the main house and complementary in design.  They will be permitted as-of-right and some lots in our neighbourhood will not be suitable.
Interested people can visit the Changing Lanes website or speak to the city planner Graig Uens (416-397-4647) or email questions and comments to graig.uens@toronto.ca  

Bunny Hop on Parliament Street
Back again for another fun event.  Save the date - 11 am to 1 pm, Saturday March 24, Carlton and Parliament.  Meet the big rabbit and take a selfie. There’ll be kids’ crafts, refreshments, free books and live music.  Bring your family.  

Spring into The Sumach - a lifestyle of choice
Presented by Donna Robertson - a relocation and transition specialist.  This is another in The Sumach’s continuing events for people who want to learn how their lifestyle will evolve as they move into a new home.  Enoch Turner Schoolhouse (106 Trinity), Tuesday March 27, 2 to 4 pm.  RSVP to (416) 644-8912.

Yoga and bunnies at Buds & Blossoms
On Saturday, March 24 from 10 am to 11 am, Buds and Blossoms (517 Parliament) presents Happy Bunny Yoga! Children ages 5 to12 and adults are invited to join an hour-long family yoga practice.  
There’ll also be special bunny guests from The Toronto Humane Society hopping around the studio. The bunnies are available for adoption - preliminary paperwork and additional info on pet adoption will be made available. 
This is a ticketed event - $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 5-12.  Proceeds from the event will be donated to The Toronto Humane Society. 

4th annual SPRUNG art show
ArtHeart presents works done over the past year in its studios. Paintings, sketches and other art work will be displayed in the Hallway Gallery at the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  A special new feature in the show presents works by Syrian newcomers.  The Opening Reception happens on Wednesday March 21 from 6 to 8 pm in the ArtHeart Community Art Centre on the second floor. The exhibition is open from 8 am to 9 pm, weekdays and 10 am to 6 pm, weekends from March 21 to April 22.  

The Journey Studio
A ten-week free professional training program for emerging young musicians, dancers and actors running from April 8 to June 24.  Only 20 spots available - application deadline Friday March 23.  It will focus on strengthening performers’ skills in acting techniques, physical performance, voice, spoken words, movement, choreography and dance techniques. Kate Fenton is the artistic director.  
Auditions take place on Sunday March 25 from 1 to 5 pm and Monday March 26 from 4 to 7 pm in the Centennial College Performing Arts Common, 1st Floor, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  
For more info and to apply for a spot online, click here.  Or contact thejourneycoordinator@gmail.com   

Pre-holiday reminder
Are you planning an exotic getaway this year?  Maybe it’s just a trip to Etobicoke.  Doesn’t matter.
When you go, take along a Cabbagetown Tee or a Cabbagetown hat or a Cabbagetown flag.  Strut your stuff at your destination and take a selfie.  Send your pic to me and I’ll post it here.  

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
by Sally Gibson
Image:  Riverdale Zoo foxes, Toronto Public Library Y21
Foxes have long roamed in Toronto’s ravine system, sometimes emerging through the Necropolis to visit the Farm. These captive foxes, however, were spending another miserable winter cooped-up in the old Riverdale Zoo. The Zoo was one of Toronto’s attractions celebrated by the Eaton Company’s stereographic sets like this one published around 1900.
For more Cabbagetown history, photos and videos visit the CRPM Facebook page.
Please support the Museum by clicking on GoFundMe

COMMUNITY COMPLAINTS

Waste collection
Not everyone enjoys the efficient collection system provided by big trucks rumbling along our streets. These big trucks each collect different materials - green bin compost into one truck, recycling into another and landfill stuff into a third.  
Some people live in tighter locations where a smaller truck is needed.  These small trucks are an all-in-one system - everything gets tossed into the one truck.  So, what happens to that waste when it arrives at the City’s depots?  Is it all destined for landfill or is it sorted out again for composting and recycling as well as landfill?  
Thanks to Shirley for this question.  She notes that, “We pay for recycling; we believe in recycling; the large bins take up a lot of real estate space in what was once our garden sheds; unless we stop eating and reading newspapers we are being forced by the City to contribute to landfill problems.”
Kris Hornburg in Solid Waste at the City of Toronto is getting an answer to this question.  After that, if it’s bad news, we’ll have to start pressuring for change.

Updates about your issues

One way signage on Aberdeen and Winchester - the Traffic department has agreed that signage on these streets needs improvement. The new signs should be in place in the Spring or Summer.

Snow clearing next to businesses - mixed results.  Compliments go to Cosimo at No Frills who immediately jumped on the problem and now has a regular system to clean the Spruce Street sidewalk.  At Rexall, the Winchester sidewalk is still cleaned haphazardly.  At Esso, there’s no improvement - the east end of the Amelia Street sidewalk is still snow covered and icy while the west half gets shovelled. Next step is a reminder at Rexall and a contact with the corporate office at Esso.

Theft at the LCBO - we got a reply from the LCBO headquarters describing their reactions to this issue. I have a call in to the Community Relations Office at 51 Division but no one has responded yet.  A security guard - complete with a bullet-proof vest - has appeared in the store (512 Parliament).

Post Office elastics littering the streets - my call to the Post Office hasn’t been answered.  Next step - an email to Canada Post president and CEO, Deepak Chopra.  It’s a very small question and I normally wouldn’t bother him but I need action!

Bigger garbage cans in our parks - a phone call to Kris Hornburg in Solid Waste has produced the promise to check out the problem, determine who can solve it and provide an answer.   

Your issues
Does something in the neighbourhood really bother you?  Maybe it seems too small for a complaint but don’t hesitate any longer.  Send your info here and it’ll be checked out.  cabbagetownreview@gmail.com  

SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY 

Forsythia Festival volunteers
More than 100 volunteers are needed to do everything from face painting to assisting at the food and beverage area or tying doughnuts to tree branches (which is way more fun than you might think.) You can set up and take down all the tents and activity stations or be a marshall for our Festival-opening neighbourhood parade. These are fun jobs in a fun event.
If you would like to volunteer, contact the organizers at info@cabbagetowner.com 

Volunteer at the Garden tour
Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces is a big event in the Spring.  People from across Toronto visit us to tour through these beautiful gardens.  Volunteers are needed to staff the gardens during the day - Sunday June 3, 10 am to 4 pm.  If you’re interested, email rlatch21@gmail.com 

Cabbagetown Residents Association - volunteer Board members
In preparation for the June annual meeting, the CRA Board has set up a nominating committee.  If you’re interested in serving on this Board, email the Association and the committee will arrange a meeting with you.  info@cabbagetowner.com 
It’s an effective and dynamic Association and Board membership promises to be rewarding.  You’ll get the full picture of the CRA’s work on its website - click here.    

Scout leaders needed
The Scouts 403rd is a vibrant Scout group in the heart of St James Town and Cabbagetown for kids ages 5 to 17. Scouting provides an opportunity for them to develop, learn and enjoy life and is open to any young person regardless of sex, creed, colour, orientation, mental or physical ability. 
It’s entirely volunteer-run and new volunteers, especially parents of youth members, are always welcome.
There are waiting lists for youth who want to join the Scouts’ program. Adults who love children, the outdoors, camping and adventure are needed as adult volunteers to fill this demand. 
403 Scouts meet at 188 Carlton Street. Meeting times are - 
Beaver Scouts (ages 5 - 7) every Wednesday from 6 - 7 pm,
Cub Scouts (ages 8 - 10) every Thursday from 7 - 8:30 pm,
Scouts (ages 11 - 14) every Wednesday from 7 - 9 pm, and
Venturers (ages 15 - 17) every Wednesday 7 - 9 pm.
For more info, check out the Scouts Canada website and the 403 Facebook page.

CLASSIFIED ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bike for sale
A 2012 "Specialized Expedition Sport" navy blue in colour. Excellent condition - like new.  $175 or B/O (original value $540).  Contact rlatch21@gmail.com

MARCH BREAK ACTIVITIES

March break at Riverdale Farm
Drop in to see how farmers work and to check out the new baby Nubian goats and Tamworth piglets.  Farmer demos in the Lower Francey Barn - 10:30 am goats, 12:30 pm horses and 1:30 pm cows. Craft activities, board games and pre-school playroom in the Meeting House.  Free, 9 am to 5 pm, Riverdale Farm (201 Winchester near Sumach).  

March Break at the Children’s Book Bank
March Break is a busy time at The Children’s Book Bank (350 Berkeley at Gerrard).  A Storytime session at noon on Friday and Saturday.  Drop-ins welcome, no fees and no reservations required.  

Neighbourhood ice rinks
If you’re looking for a last-minute skate, two of our local rinks are still open - Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) and Regent Park (480 Shuter). They’re scheduled to stay open, weather permitting, through March 18. Our third rink at Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne) is closed for the season.
Before you go, you can confirm operating hours and conditions at the City’s website.

BUSINESS NEWS 

Cabbagetown swag
The BIA has a new item to add to its nifty line of Cabbagetown swag available for your personal enjoyment and as souvenirs for your friends.
A Cabbagetown acorn street sign pin - wear your home next to your heart!  Only $10. And don’t forget the tee shirts, baseball caps, tote bags, flags and baby onesies.  
Pick out the one that you want at the Cabbagetown BIA Office (237 Carlton).  Check out each item online.  

Cheers to Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Celebrate this weekend of Irish festivities in Canadian style with Kendall & Co’s new party drinkware. Sold in sets of 4, in 2 sizes. Kendall & Co (514 Parliament).  Store hours: 10 am to 6 pm weekdays and 11am to 5pm Saturdays. http://kendallandco.ca/fyi/retail

Easter goodies at St Jamestown
St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) is ready to go for Easter - lots of lamb, steaks, ham, turkey and prime rib roasts. Give him your order now and Mark will have it ready for you on Easter weekend. 

Spring and Easter pop-up shop
Arta Gallery (14 Distillery Lane, Distillery) will host a pop-up shop with an incredible array of unique ceramics, jewellery, handmade artisanal items and small artworks. Saturday March 24, Sunday March 25 and Saturday March 31 from 11 am to 6 pm.  

Congrats to Blooming
Anji reports that Blooming’s sister company, Blooming Planters, has won a Houzz award for best service for the fifth year in a row. Check out its website here.  Congrats Anji and best wishes for your new shop (559 Parliament).   

Congrats to Daniel et Daniel
In Cabbagetown, we’ve known for a long time that D + D (248 Carlton) are awesome caterers.  Who else wins so many awards so often?  
Daniel et Daniel has just received the Catered Arts Through Innovative Excellence (CATIE) Award at Catersource for the best plated menu.  They prepared the meal for ROM Ball 2017.  The award is sponsored by the International Caterers’ Association and it recognizes exemplary culinary production at an event.  
Congrats to everyone who created this meal.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Psychic brunch at Cranberries
The psychics are back for their monthly visit to Cranberries (601 Parliament) on Sunday March 18 from 11 am to 3 pm.  The fee is $42 - for two insightful 15-minute readings plus a $5 coupon to use toward the cost of your brunch.

Dominion supports the Children’s Book Bank
With every pint of Mill Street’s Cobblestone Stout sold from now to St Patrick’s Day, Dominion (500 Queen E) will donate 50 cents to the Children’s Book Bank.  Great idea - cheers!

Alice’s Place - great karaoke
The BIA reminds me that Alice’s Place (554 Parliament) has Cabbagetown’s best karaoke.  You can join in on Wednesday and Friday nights and Sunday afternoon. 

ST PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVITIES

Two days and a recovery
St Practice Day at the Dominion (500 Queen E) happens on Friday March 16.  Then, on St Patrick’s Day on Saturday March 17, there’s live music with James Sheehan at 3 pm and Sarah Jordan and Matt G from 10 pm to 2 am.  And then there’s a Recovery Brunch on Sunday March 18.  

Dancing and Irish goodies at the HOP
Irish dancers will return to the House on Parliament (454 Parliament) on St Patrick’s day at 2 and 5:30 pm.  There’ll be an Irish-themed menu as well highlighted by corned beef and cabbage. 

Giveaways, music and Amsterdam at The Irv
Drop by The Irv (195 Carlton) from 7 pm to hear live music.  There’s lots of Amsterdam beer on tap all day.  Special prizes and giveaways including a beach Cruiser bike.

Lucky Mike at The Local GEST
Back by popular demand - Lucky Mike entertains on Saturday March 17 from 7 to 10 pm at The Local GEST (424 Parliament).

St Patrick’s Day Bash at Mill Street
Good beer, great food and plenty of live music.  Menu items include the Ode to Irish Stew and Stout Whipped Chocolate Cream Pie.  DJ Elliot Devine plays from 6 to 10 pm.  Mill Street Beerhall and Brew Pub (21 Tank House Ln, Distillery).

St Paddy’s Malarkey & Shenanigans
Stout Irish Pub’s annual St Paddy’s event - Saturday March 17, 1 pm to 1 am.  Live music, drink specials.   221 Carlton.

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

ALUMNAE THEATRE
70 Berkeley Street
(416) 364-4170, ext 1

New Ideas Festival 2018
Three weeks of new works on stage to March 25.
Wednesdays to Saturdays at 8 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 pm.
Week Two, March 14 to 18:
Sweet Mamma and the Salty Muffins by Ciarán Myers
If Socrates Were in My Shoes by Donna Langevin
Stars by D.J. Sylvis
Moving On by Elmar Maripuu
Week Three, March 21 to 25:
The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Natalie Frijia
Marty and Joel and the Edge of Chaos by Camille Intson
The Officiant by Francesca Brugnano
Mourning After the Night Before by Chloë Whitehorn

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

In This Body conceived and sung by Fides Kruker
March 14 to 18
Tanya Tagag & Laakkulul Williamson Bathroy
March 22 to 24

NATIVE EARTH PERFORMING ARTS
Aki Theatre, Daniels Spectrum
585 Dundas Street E
(416) 531-1402

Artifice 
Presented by Oakham Community Theatre
March 14 to 17
Finding Wolastoq Voice
Presented by Niimi’iwe:  Indigenous Dance Showcase
March 29 to 31

SCHOOL OF TORONTO DANCE THATRE
Winchester Theatre
80 Winchester Street
(416) 967-6887

Acceleration 2018
March 21 to 24 

SOULPEPPER
50 Tank House Lane, Distillery District
(416) 866-8666

Idomeneus by Roland Schimmelpfennig
On stage to March 24
Animal Farm by George Orwell
On stage to April 7
A Moveable Feast, Paris in the ‘20s
Soulpepper Concert Series
March 30 to April 6

TORONTO DANCE THEATRE
Winchester Theatre
80 Winchester Street
(416) 967-1365

Glass Fields
At Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre
March 20 to 24

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY MARCH 15 TO SUNDAY MARCH 25

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 MARCH 15

Alice’s Place
Karaoke
The Local GEST
8:30 pm, Open Mic with Evan
Mill Street Brew Pub
5 pm, Live music
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

FRIDAY MARCH 16

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke 
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ

SATURDAY MARCH 17

Dominion
3 to 8 pm, St Patrick’s Day celebration with James Sheehan
10 pm to 2 am, St Patrick’s Day celebration with  Sarah Jordan and Matt G
House on Parliament
2 and 5:30 pm, Irish dancers and an Irish-themed menu
The Irv
7 pm, Amsterdam tap takeover, bike giveaway, live music
Local GEST
7 to 10 pm, Lucky Mike’s St Patrick’s Day shenanigans
Mill Street Beerhall & Brew Pub
5 pm to 2 am, St Patrick’s Day Bash with good food, great beer and lots of music.
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ
Stout Irish Pub
1 pm to 1 am, Live Celtic music for Malarkey & Shenanigans

SUNDAY MARCH 18

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Cranberries
11 am, Psychic Brunch includes two readings and a $5 coupon toward brunch, $42
Local GEST 
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with the Brendan David Trio
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
10 pm, Reggae Sundays, $10

MONDAY MARCH 19

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

TUESDAY MARCH 20

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY MARCH 21

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Local GEST
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia with Porter
Quincy’s
Latin Wednesdays with DJ Fight - reggaeton, merengue, rumba salsa, Afromusic and more.  $10.

THURSDAY MARCH 22

New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

FRIDAY MARCH 23

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke 
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ

SATURDAY MARCH 24

Dominion
9 pm, DJ Dash
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
10 pm, Nairobi Nights, $10

SUNDAY MARCH 25

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Local GEST 
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with Ambiance
Quincy
10 pm, Reggae Sundays, $10

CONTACT INFO

ALICE'S PLACE
554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088, 
ARVO
17 Gristmill Lane, Distillery,  (647) 352-2766
CORKTOWN KITCHEN
354 King St E, (46) 901-1188
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, 
HOUSE ON PARLIAMENT
454 Parliament St, (416) 925-4074, 
IMPACT KITCHEN
573 King St E, (416) 306-1986, 
THE IRV
95 Carlton Street, (647) 350-4787, 
JOHNNY G’s
478 Parliament St, (416) 928-1358
THE LOCAL GEST
424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, 
MILL STREET BEER HALL
21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, (416) 681-0338, 
MILL STREET BREW PUB
21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, 
ODIN
514 King E, (647) 350-6346,
NEW TOWN
413 Parliament Street
PAINTBOX BISTRO
555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555
QUINCY 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
221 Carlton St, (647) 344-7676,
UNDER THE TABLE
568 Parliament St, (647) 351-1533