This week’s image: Kamilha Apong sings at the Sumach’s reception, Cocktails & All That Jazz.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
LOCAL NEWS
The Pam McConnell Award
Yusra Khogali
Talisha Ramsaroop
Two women have been selected as the inaugural winners of the Award - Yusra Khogali, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter, and Talisha Ramsaroop, an advocate for the Jane and Finch community. City Council established this award to honour Pam’s contribution to the city. An independent committee received nominations and selected a winner. It’s an annual award that’s given to young women who have shown exceptional leadership skills and a commitment to social justice and are an inspiration to others in their leadership. The Toronto Star’s Samantha Beattie wrote about this year’s winners - click here.
Local politics
The provincial NDP nominated its Toronto Centre candidate for the coming Spring election - Suze Morrison lives in Regent Park with her husband Trevor. She has an impressive personal resume, working as an activist and a communications specialist. You can read her story in detail on her website.
The NDP is the first local party to nominate its candidate. The Party is getting excited about its prospects in the Toronto Centre campaign. Over 200 people attended the nomination meeting on Sunday March 3. Andrea Horwath, the provincial leader, was the guest speaker.
Thanks for the support
The 2018 edition of Dixonlicious has been a huge success. Over $80,000 was raised, enough to give out 20,000 meals in Dixon Hall’s food programs in Regent Park. Local sponsors included Daniel et Daniel, Meridian Credit Union, RBC and Paintbox Bistro.
Local crime update
A thief has been active along Wellesley Street in the past week and he’s scarier than most. In two cases, he tried to get into houses as well as cars and he was actually caught inside one of these homes.
So it's time to be careful -
If you find somebody on your property, call the police ASAP. If it's going on while you see him, call 911. If it's already happened, call (416) 808-5100 and tell the person who answers that you want to file a report. Please don't hesitate about doing this step - the police respond when there's a volume of complaints.
Clean out your car and your yard. Don't leave even small items visible from the outside. (In one of these instances mentioned above, the guy stole a pair of eye glasses from a car).
Turn on your outside lights - it really helps.
If you have a camera that covers the outside of your property, check the footage whenever you hear about a neighbourhood incident to see if somebody is visible committing a crime. If so, tell the police.
Thanks Kelly
Kelly Sather has left Councillor Lucy Troisi’s office at City Hall. She plans to work on the coming provincial election campaign and then she’ll see where her employment prospects take her. She was active in Pam McConnell’s office and then in the transition period when the Councillor’s seat was vacant. People in Ward 28 benefitted from her hard work and advice and we want to wish her well now in her future plans.
Councillor Troisi has appointed Peter Lovering to handle constituency matters across the Ward. Two familiar faces from Pam’s office are continuing there as well - Sherry-Ann Lotz and Tom Davidson. Lucy’s long-time friend and a former senior City staffer Herb Pike is now in the office as Executive Assistant. The office can be reached at (416) 392-7916.
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. People 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.
Allan Gardens spring show
Tulips, hyacinths and other bulbs fill the Allan Gardens Conservatory with beautiful colours and fragrant blooms. The show is under way now to Sunday April 29. During that time, the annual Easter show will also be staged from March 25 highlighting Easter lilies and hydrangeas. Daily from 10 am to 5 pm, free admission, Carlton and Sherbourne.
Corktown Residents & Business Association
Photo: Eric Morse
The CRBA held a public meeting on Wednesday March 7 and Councillor Lucy Troisi participated in a Q & A with the members. She answered their comments about the height and density of proposed nearby developments, especially the Rekai/Options for Homes project which City staff have repeatedly asked be lowered. She also reported that Shuter Street between Sherbourne and Parliament is scheduled for resurfacing in 2019 and that the problem with streetcar noise in the neighbourhood appears to be eased. Thanks to Eric Morse for the photo and the update.
Wayfinding signage
The Parks department has been conducting a demonstration of various signage features in Riverdale Park and along the Don Valley trail since the Fall. They’ve also conducted a survey of residents’ reactions. The survey results are now available online for further comments. There’s a good summary plus links to the survey at the Cabbagetown Residents Association website - click here.
Forsythia Festival King and Queen
Think Spring - the Forsythia Festival happens on Sunday May 6. It’s a great opportunity for you to recognize a friend or neighbour who regularly volunteers and supports Cabbagetown activities. Nominate your choice for the Festival King and Queen. Send your nomination to info@cabbagetowner.com
Cabbagetown Festival vendors
It may seem early to be planning for a September event but the Festival organizers need lots of time to put together such a big project.
Vendors who want to set up a booth on Parliament or Carlton should apply now.
Enjoy the Early-bird rates. Not-for-profits are $150. Made-in-Canada commercial vendors are $250. Food vendors and general commercial vendors are $500 and food trucks are $750. All of these Early-bird rates will end on March 31.
Check out the details and get your application forms online here.
It’s Spring at the Farm
Riverdale Farm has its first new kids - three baby Nubian goats arrived on Saturday March 3. Together with mom Bluebell, they’re doing well. Visitors are invited to check them out in the Lower Francey Barn.
COMMUNITY COMPLAINTS
Theft at the LCBO
Paul wrote to me that “we’ve been seeing and experiencing a significant amount of brazen theft during all times of the day at the Cabbagetown LCBO.” He was personally bumped by two men who were leaving the store with bottles in their hands without paying for them. Because of worries about his personal safety, he’s now shopping elsewhere where there’s better security. He isn’t alone. Other customers have told their stories about similar incidents.
The LCBO has responded to my queries.
First of all, because the LCBO (like many other retailers) is concerned about the safety of its staff, it has strict instructions to its employees not to interfere with the thieves.
Second, a report of each incident is given to the police and if needed, the store also has a video system to back it up. Although police don’t immediately react to a theft, the LCBO is satisfied that there’s a good system at work to go after thieves.
Third, the stores have a series of anti-theft measures in place which the LCBO does not want to talk about.
Finally, the LCBO feels that its stores are not the biggest victims of shoplifting and theft. This honour, according to the Retail Council of Canada, belongs to the grocery chains.
The LCBO spokesperson would not comment where the Parliament Street store’s theft rates rank across the chain. She did say that because the store is so small, incidents of theft may be more visible here than in bigger stores. Finally, she did not feel that there has been any increase in the frequency of theft here recently.
More next week.
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
IN THE MEDIA
Cinespace expands in the Port Lands
Cinespace plans to convert the former Marine Terminal 51 located just west of Unwin Avenue and Cherry Street into its new film and television studio. Part of the terminal will continue to service visiting cruise ships. The 165,000 square foot space will house the company’s downtown facilities - a move that will alleviate the city’s shortage of available studio space. Click here to read the CBC’s report.
It’s official - new Ward boundaries
The new Ward boundaries for City Council have passed the final hurdle and they’re in effect for the next election. The plan was first presented to Council last year and approved. It was then appealed to the OMB who also endorsed it. A final appeal at the Superior Court was rejected on March 6.
In Ward 28, our ward is split into two smaller parts and our area will be represented by two councillors after the Fall election. The dividing line is Shuter Street. Regent Park, St James Town and Cabbagetown form the northern Ward. St Lawrence, Corktown, the Canary District and parts of the waterfront form the southern one.
Jennifer Pagliaro has written a story in the Toronto Star about the new Wards - click here.
MARCH BREAK ACTIVITIES
Save the date for Sugar Shack
Photo: Hetor Vasquez, blogTO
Waterfront Toronto’s popular annual celebration of everything maple. Two sugar shacks will serve fresh maple taffy. There’ll be a winter marketplace with delicious maple-inspired eats. Tons of fun - interactive entertainment including a battle of the chainsaws, ice carving competition, ice activities, warming station, live music, specialty bar & much more! Free admission. Saturday March 10 and Sunday March 11 from 11 am to 5 pm. Sugar Beach (11 Dockside Dr).
Winterfest
Taste of Regent Park presents Winterfest - a DJ, sports and games, fresh baked corn bread, veggie chilli and hot drinks. A great way to kick off March break week. Sunday March 11, 2 to 5 pm, Regent Park (620 Dundas E).
Buds & Blossoms
March Around the World - a five-day camp for ages 4 to 8 during March Break. It’s a kids’ trip around the map. Prices and program info are available online.
Registration is now officially open for summer camps and there’s everything from science to photography and print-making to music theatre! Camps are for ages 4-8, with by-the-day or week-long options. Now is the perfect time to register as spots are available in every camp-- you get first dibs!
After care arrangements from 4 to 6 pm are available for each camp.
Schedule for the Step Class
The gym at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre will be used for a March break camp next week. So Brenda’s mid-week class on Wednesday has been cancelled. Her classes on Sunday March 11 and Sunday March 18 will go ahead at 11am.
March Break at the Children’s Book Bank
March Break is a busy time at The Children’s Book Bank (350 Berkeley at Gerrard). Every day from Monday March 12 to Saturday March 17, there’ll be a Storytime session - from Monday to Thursday at 11 am and at noon on Friday and Saturday. In the afternoon at 3 pm during the week, there are four different events - a singalong with Daphne Perkins (Monday), a drawing workshop with Tina Seeman (Tuesday), collage with Randy Goldman (Wednesday) and world of puppets with Puppetmongers (Thursday). Drop-ins welcome, no fees and no reservations required.
Neighbourhood ice rinks
The rink at Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne) is open again - mechanical issues had closed it earlier in the week. Our other two rinks are also open - Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) and Regent Park (480 Shuter). Each rink is scheduled to stay open, weather permitting, through March 18.
Before you go, you can confirm operating hours and conditions at the City’s website.
BUSINESS NEWS
Free Hugs and Kisses
Stella has just moved into Cabbagetown and her parents brought her over to meet everyone at Kendall & Co (514 Parliament). The Décor Team loves their regulars and everyone is very well treated (wink, wink). Bring yours over for a walk around the shop. New Spring home accessories, lighting, furnishings, rugs, wallpaper and fabrics are arriving weekly. Open from 10 am to 6 pm weekdays and 11 am to 5 pm Saturdays. http://kendallandco.ca/fyi/retail
RESTAURANT NEWS
Second annual International Women’s Day brew
Mill Street Beer Hall and Brew Pub (21 Tank House Lane) are celebrating the release of their limited edition International Women’s Day brew on March 8 - She’ll Be Right Ale by these six awesome brewers.
Fiona’s in the Food Fight
Fiona from the Scullery (200 Carlton) will be duking it out in this Second Harvest fundraiser organized by the Chef Collective. She’ll be boxing other celebrity chefs for three two-minute rounds. She’s been training since October with Jab Cross Promotions. In all, there’ll be six matches, starting at 8 pm on Monday March 12 at the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E). Tickets are $42.50 until March 10 and $50 after that. Half the proceeds will go to Second Harvest. You can buy yours online here.
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!
ST PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVITIES
Two days and a recovery day
St Practice Day at the Dominion (500 Queen E) happens on Friday March 16. It’s followed by St Patrick’s Day on Saturday March 17 - 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. There’ll be an Irish-themed menu as well.
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).
St Paddy’s Malarkey & Shenanigans
Stout Irish Pub’s (221 Carlton) annual St Paddy’s event - Saturday March 17, 1 pm to 1 am. Live music, drink specials.
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 from March 7 to 25, 2018
Wednesdays to Saturdays at 8 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 pm.
Week One, March 7 to 11:
F*ck L*ve by Rosemary Doyle
The Dancing Man of Macklin Street by Andrew Lee
Governing Ourselves by Stephen Near
Oracle Jane by Vicki Zhang
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 1 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
4.48 Psychosis
Presented by NSK Theatre
March 9 and 10
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 THEATRE
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
From March 3 to March 24
Animal Farm by George Orwell
From March 9 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 8 TO SUNDAY MARCH 18
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 8
Local GEST
10 pm, Comedy night with Ethan O’Reilly
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
FRIDAY MARCH 9
Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ
SATURDAY MARCH 10
Dominion
9 pm, DJ Money Jane
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
10 pm, Nairobi Nights, $10
SUNDAY MARCH 11
Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with the Artie Roth duo
Quincy
10 pm, Reggae Sundays, $10
MONDAY MARCH 12
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY MARCH 13
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY MARCH 14
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 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 - ST PATRICK'S DAY
Dominion
3 to 8 pm, St Patrick’s Day celebration with James Sheehan
10 p to 2 am, St Patrick’s Day celebration with Sarah Jordan and Matt G
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.
Stout Irish Pub
1 pm to 1 am, Live music for Malarkey & Shenanigans
SUNDAY MARCH 18
Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with the Brendan David Trio
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
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
