August 30

This week’s image: victims of the fire at 650 Parliament need our help.


CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW


LOCAL NEWS

You can help - 650 Parliament fire victims
Community Matters Toronto and the Community Corner have organized a drive to receive new clothing for the people displaced by the fire.  There’s a special need for children’s clothes.  They're also accepting $20 and $25 donations for families to use with clothing purchases.  
Donations are being accepted until Friday August 31 and being distributed starting on Saturday.  Check out the Community Matters Facebook page for details.    

More ways to donate
The Red Cross has set up a donation page to assist those families who are left homeless by the fire.  Check it out here.  
WoodGreen has offered its services to find accommodation.  People who have housing available can contact them online.    

What’s happening at 650 Parliament
The Fire Department and the City of Toronto have returned the building to its private owner.  Residents were given a chance to go up to their units but they were required to sign a waiver that they wouldn’t take legal action against the owner if they were hurt during this specific visit.  This document was misunderstood by many residents who thought they were required to sign away all their rights for any future action.  Despite having a new document that clarifies the waiver, many residents are still distrustful.  Needless to say, lawyers are now circling.

Community Safety Walk
The Cabbagetown South Residents Association will conduct a safety walk focusing on Callaghan and Oshkenonton Lanes.  City Councillors, municipal officials and Toronto Police have been invited.  Everyone is welcome.  Meet at the northeast corner of Dundas and Sherbourne, Thursday September 6, 6:30 pm.

Children’s Choir
The Toronto Choral Society and the Neighbourhood Group have joined together for the 6th season of the TCS Children’s Choir.  It’s a non-audition choir for kids in grades 2 to 6.  Rehearsals are from 6:45 to 7:45 pm every Thursday at Central Neighbourhood House (349 Ontario).  Performances happen throughout the year.  $275 (limited subsidies are available).  For more info and registration, click here.   

Daycare update
The proposal for a daycare at Amelia and Sackville was rejected by the City’s Committee of Adjustment in the Spring.  Since then, the owner appealed to the Toronto Local Appeal Body and a hearing was set for mid-August.  At that time, the hearing was rescheduled for December 7.

Atonay Zekarias
Mr Zekarias has been convicted for the murders of two women - Nighisti Semret who was killed in a Cabbagetown laneway and the subsequent murder of Rigat Ghirmay designed to keep her quiet about the death of her friend Nighisti.  He was sentenced on August 14 to 20 years for Ms Ghirmay’s murder.  He is to serve that sentence consecutively after serving 25 years for the first murder - a total of 45 years before he is eligible for parole.
The sentencing closes a sad story that has shocked Cabbagetown residents since Ms Semret’s murder in October 2012.

Car thefts
Last week, Trish Finkelstein told us about two incidents of car theft in the area.  The thieves were, apparently, cloning the key fob without going inside the house and then driving away.  Police told her that we should store our fobs in a metal box.  Des Ryan from the Cabbagetown Residents Association has explained that we can also protect our fobs in two more ways - by keeping them inside our microwave oven at home or by purchasing a Faraday bag for storage at home and in a pocket or purse.

Dog poop
I’ve received a request directed to local dog owners.  Poop-and-scoop is now a widely understood habit.  And most people, thankfully, follow this rule.  The next step?  Throw the bag away in a garbage container either in the park, on the main street or at your home.  Please - don’t leave the bag on the street.

Housing for a refugee
Cabbagetown NARSA, a refugee sponsorship group, has sponsored a young man from Iran who is now in Toronto.  He hopes to find an affordable two-bedroom apartment near Cabbagetown for himself and a friend.  If you can help, please contact Joanne at joannearcand@hotmail.com 

Donate to the Cabbagetown Youth Centre
Traditionally, funds from Blair’s Run have gone to the CYC (2 Lancaster).  This year, the race is focused instead on Riverdale Farm.  If you want to continue your support for the CYC, please use this link.   

Flying saucers in Moonbeam
Moonbeam is a nifty village just east of Kapuskasing.  Early pioneers saw flashing lights in the night and so the town was named in memory of these UFOs.  These strange events didn’t stop there.  In the 1960s and 1970s, UFO sightings and mysterious crop circles reappeared.  In 2018, an alien guy in a mysterious Tee shirt showed up to admire the flying saucer.

COMING EVENTS

New Roots dinners
Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton) is organizing a series of dinners at eight locations across Cabbagetown in support of Green Thumbs Growing Kids.  Your meal will be designed by D & D’s executive chef, Karen O’Connor and executive pastry chef Bonnie Kravitz. Tuesday October 2 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.  Tickets are selling fast -  $150 (early bird) and $200 (regular).
Yummy food, a great group to support.  Click here to learn more.   

The Wonder of Storytelling
An evening with Emma Donoghue.  It’s a fundraiser in support of the Children’s Book Bank (350 Berkeley).  Thursday September 20, 6 pm, Daniels Spectrum Theatre (585 Dundas E). There’ll be musical entertainment by students from the Regent Park School of Music, complimentary wine and tasty hors d’oeuvres.  Ms Donoghue will discuss her work with author Charles Foran. Tickets are $100, available online here.  

Artfest at the Distillery
Artfest presents over 70 painters, photographers, sculptors and fine crafts throughout the weekend from Friday August 31 to Monday September 3. There’s live music daily from noon to 6 pm.  Gourmet food vendors.  Free.

Rani Glick’s cooking classes
Rani is offering four classes that will expand your repertoire of meal ideas. These are small hands-on sessions ranging from five to eight people.  Each class is based on a nutrition theme and offers a menu to match.  You’ll cook the meal together and then enjoy eating it.  She offers her classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays through September - click here to contact her and to register.  

Brenda’s step classes
Brenda Brown McNee is returning with her popular Step classes in September.  $2/class.  Drop-ins are welcome.  Each Sunday at 11 am and each Wednesday at 9:15 am.  The class on Sunday September 9 is cancelled because of the Cabbagetown Festival events happening on the same day.  Cabbagetown Youth Centre gym (2 Lancaster, behind the Beer Store).

Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
Beautiful fruit available now at the Market.  The Market runs weekly from 3 to 7 pm every Tuesday, rain or shine, until the Fall in Riverdale Park (Sumach and Winchester).  

FESTIVAL PREVIEWS

Program details
Check out the posters in the right hand column.  You can click on them to connect online to their program details.

Bike Valet
Cycle Toronto and Toronto Hydro have teamed up to help you take your bike to the Cabbagetown Festival.  You can drop off your bike and they’ll watch it for you.  Carlton & Parliament,  on Saturday from 12:30 to 10 pm and on Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm.  

Dancing at the CYC
The Boxing Club is sponsoring a Festival dance party on Saturday September 8 from 8 pm at the CYC (2 Lancaster, behind the Beer Store). There’ll be live music with Little Magic Sam and Steve Grant.  $20 at the door.

Festival dates

Cabbagetown Festival.  Parliament and Carlton Streets. Saturday September 8, 11 am to 10 pm and Sunday September 9, 11 am to 7 pm. 

Art & Crafts in the Park. Riverdale Park West, Sumach & Winchester. Friday September 7 from 1 to 7 pm, Saturday September 8 and Sunday September 9 from 10 am to 6 pm each day.

Cabbagetown Short Film FestivalWinchester Street Theatre (80 Winchester). Box office opens at 7 pm and screenings start at 8 pm, Wednesday September 5. 

St James Town Festival.  Park area, Wellesley and St James Ave. Saturday September 8 from 2 to 7 pm

Blair’s Run.  Carlton and Parliament.  8 am registration and 9 am start time on Sunday September 9. 

Cabbagetown Boxing Club demonstration matches.  2 Lancaster (behind the Beer Store). Saturday September 8 from 2 pm. Adults $20, kids under 10, $10.

CYC Dance2 Lancaster (behind the Beer Store), Saturday September 8, from 8 pm, $20.

Riverdale Farm Fall Festival.  Riverdale Farm (Winchester and Sumach).  Noon to 4 pm for most events, Saturday and Sunday. Pancake breakfast on Sunday, 9 to 11:30 am.

IN THE MEDIA

Challenging Ford’s new election rules
Photo: Toronto Star
The Toronto Star has profiled the people who organized the court case against the Ford election rules.  The case will be heard on Friday August 31.  Three people are from our neighbourhood - Jennifer Hollett who wants to run for City Council, outgoing school trustee Chris Moise and campaign volunteer Ish Aderonmu.  Click here to read their stories.     

Soulpepper’s new executive director
Photo: Daniel Malavasi, Globe & Mail
Emma Stenning is coming to Soulpepper in November from her current role at the Bristol Old Vic. She’s got the credentials and experience needed to bring the theatre company out of its dark troubles and back to its former prominence.  The Globe & Mail’s theatre critic, J Kelly Nestruck, has reported on her new appointment - click here

Port Lands Flood Protection
Image:  Carrie Cockburn, Globe & Mail
80 hectares in the Port Lands are being transformed.  The Don River will have a second route to the lake.  New parks will combine recreation and flood protection.  Alex Bozikovic has descibed this ambitious effort in the Globe & Mail - click here.  

More debates about Sidewalk Labs
Image:  Designlines
Google’s Sidewalk Labs continues to stir controversy about its data collections in its proposed Quayside site at the foot of Parliament Street.  The Toronto Star collected two viewpoints - Ken Greenberg favours the protections for privacy that have been offered.   David Murakami Wood and Bianca Wylie believe that Google’s data collection will go too far.  

RESTAURANT NEWS

Congrats Stout
blogTO did a nice profile article about Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton).  Check it out here.  

Cyril’s soup and bowls of the week  
Saturday’s soup is an apple and yam soup, balancing the sweetness of one with the tartness of the other. The other magic components will be ginger and curry powder.
The Buddha Bowl ($15) includes  baby spinach, quinoa with roasted butternut squash, roasted red pepper, chickpeas and almonds and shredded chicken, shrimp or marinated tofu. For the dressing, there’ll be orange juice, ras-el-hanout and harissa (it will be rather mild – for an extra kick, just add some chili flakes). The salad version is smaller and without protein ($11). Available Thursday through Saturday. Orders have to be placed the day before.
On Tuesday September 4, the soup is spinach, coconut, zucchini.
He delivers (in Cabbagetown) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. He’s accepting payments by e-transfers and cash.  Place your orders at his email address, cyril@merryberry.ca

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY AUGUST 30 TO SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9

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 30

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Comedy night with Dave Burke and Danish Anwar
Mill Street Brew Pub
5 pm, Live music
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

FRIDAY AUGUST 31

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke 
Keating Channel Pub
Danny Williams Band 
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 1

New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke 
The Tilted Dog 
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz 

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 3

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 4
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 5
CABBAGETOWN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
The Tilted Dog
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia with Porter

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Comedy night with Dave Burke and Danish Anwar 
Dominion
9 pm,
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Tilted Dog
8 pm, Live music with Jeff Barnes and Noah Zacharin

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 7

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
Keating Channel Pub
Danny Williams Band
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke 
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8
CABBAGETOWN FESTIVAL

New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9
CABBAGETOWN FESTIVAL

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke


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
See below - The Tilted Dog
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,
THE TILTED DOG
(Formerly The Local GEST)
424 Parliament. (416) 961-9425
http://www.tilteddogpub.ca