This week’s image: Simon Prince on top of the Ak-Baytal pass in eastern Tajikistan at 4664 metres above sea level. Photo: Simon Prince
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
LOCAL NEWS
Simon Prince bikes the Silk Road
Simon is biking the 5000 km route through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran. He’s facing daytime temperatures between -5 and +40 degrees. He’s camping outside at altitudes as high as 5000 metres. His highest daily climb is 3200 metres. He’ll finish in Tehran and hopes to be home on September 5. He’s proof that people who live on Wellesley Street grow up strong and determined.
Election mayhem
Image - map of the federal Toronto Centre riding
Premier Doug Ford has unilaterally declared that Toronto’s Ward boundaries will be changed and that the nomination deadline for candidates will be extended to mid-September. His announcement is expected to pass in the Legislature in August. The Ford proposal will mean that our Ward will expand to match the boundaries for our local federal and provincial ridings in Toronto Centre.
The old nomination deadline had passed on July 27. The high profile candidates at that time included Lucy Troisi and George Smitherman in the north end and Jennifer Hollett in the south. Now, Kristyn Wong-Tam may potentially enter the race in our area from her base west of Sherbourne. The larger area also diminishes the impact of specific neighbourhoods like Regent Park where two good candidates had emerged to contest the northern Ward. Similarly, neighbourhood-based candidates had come forth in the southern half.
Honouring Pam McConnell
Photo: Toronto Star
The Regent Park Aquatic Centre has been renamed in honour of Pam McConnell, our late councillor. Her leadership played a major role in the revitalization of Regent Park as well as the building of the pool. The new name, the Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre was endorsed unanimously by City Council.
Good news for the Cabbagetown Short Film Festival
Gina Dineen, the Festival’s organizer, has announced that it will take place at the Winchester Dance Theatre (80 Winchester) as scheduled at 8 pm on Wednesday September 5. The move from the Daniels Spectrum was necessitated by the damage and ongoing repairs to the Ada Slaight Hall from a May 30 fire.
The Dance Theatre is its former home base and it’ll be a pleasant reunion for 2018. Gina warns, however, that it’s smaller than the Daniels Spectrum so only 243 tickets will be available.
A small number of tickets will be sold at the Box Office on the night of the event. Most tickets sell online - $16.34. Smart customers will order their tickets now - click here.
Repairs at the Daniels Spectrum
Photo: Garrison Mcarthur Photography
Lori Ann Girvan, the COO at Artscape, reports that much of the fire damage at the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E) has been repaired. The only work left is the restoration of Ada Slaight Hall. On May 30, a fire happened in Ada Slaight Hall - water damage caused by the sprinkler system created a lot of the subsequent repair work.
Over the summer, the upper floors have stayed open. Ms Girvan credits CSI and Centennial College for sharing their space with other tenants so their programs could continue. Outdoor activities like the summer movie series in nearby Regent Park were unaffected.
Aki Theatre, the Regent Park School of Music and Pathways to Education are now offering regular programming for their Fall seasons.
Celebrate the restoration
Artscape will host a community BBQ on Monday August 13 from 4 to 7 pm to celebrate the success of its restorations at the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E). The building will be open for visits and tours. Save the date - there’ll be family events for kids, live entertainment and a barbeque. Free.
More good news - Blair’s Run
This year’s Blair’s Run will support Riverdale Farm. Burnbrae Farms has pledged to match every dollar raised by the Run - your donation will have double impact. Funds will be aimed at children’s programming and repairs in the poultry barn. It’s also a great boost for the Farm’s 40th anniversary celebration happening at the end of September.
Save the date - 8 am registration and 9 am start time on Sunday September 9.
It offers a fun time over a 2k course through the neighbourhood.
The network of local street teams is the heart and soul of the Run. They raise money, encourage runners and connect the run to the Cabbagetown community. If your street doesn’t have a team, gather up some friends and launch yours today.
If you’re willing to help, please contact blairsrunTO@gmail.com.
Race registration is open now online
Cabbagetown Festival opening march and free tee shirt
Photo: Cabbagetown BIA
Cabbagetown kids are invited to join the March when the Festival opens on Saturday September 8. Get ready for the event with a free tie-dyed Tee shirt. Join Lindsay Matheson and Judy Lu in Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester) for a tie-dye session from 4 to 6 pm on either Tuesday August 28 or Thursday August 30. Get a free Tee shirt sponsored by the Cabbagetown BIA. Advance registration needed by Friday August 10. Click here.
Regent Park Garden Tour
The tenants in Regent Park are sponsoring a tour of the gardens in the area on Saturday August 11 from 2 to 4 pm. Meet at the Bake Oven in Regent Park and then return there at the end of the tour for a celebration.
Jennifer Snowdon’s restorative yoga
Jennifer is in and out of town during August. She’s arranged three dates when she’ll offer classes in restorative and hatha yoga at her studio (58 Rose). On Friday August 10 from 7 to 8:30 pm, she’s holding a restorative yoga evening. Pre-registration needed, eight people maximum, $40. On Saturday morning, August 11 and August 18 from 9:30 to 10:45 am, her class in hatha yoga will include asana pranayama, meditation and chanting. $40. For more info and registration, visit jennifersnowdon.ca
Bill Morneau’s annual BBQ
Our local Member of Parliament (and Finance Minister) Bill Morneau is hosting his annual bbq on Saturday August 18. 11 am to 3 pm in Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester). Free - everyone is welcome.
The new mural is ready
Michael Cavanaugh and Ted Hamer are finishing the latest Cabbagetown mural. It’s called the Rose of Cabbagetown - this design choice was favoured in an earlier opinion poll. Check it out beside the entrance to Zakkushi on Carlton (193 Carlton).
Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
Gypsy’s pastries are really good. They’re a perfect dessert for any dinner filled with fresh Market produce. The tomatoes and fresh corn are rolling in.
Four new vendors will join the Market next Tuesday.
The Market runs weekly from 3 to 7 pm every Tuesday, rain or shine, until the Fall in Riverdale Park (Sumach and Winchester).
Taste of Regent Park
The Taste continues every Wednesday until August 29 in the Big Park on the north side of Dundas at Sackville. The open-air market starts at 5 pm, a community meal at 6 pm and the movie series Under The Stars at 9 pm.
Bollywood is the theme next week on August 8 followed by the outdoor movie, “Bollywood Hollywood”.
PLAN YOUR SUMMER MOVIES
Under the Stars
Movies in Regent Park
Organized by the Regent Park Film Festival. Pre-show at 7 pm with fun activities for the whole family. Popcorn and refreshments. Rain date - August 22. Regent Park (just east of Sackville and Dundas), Wednesdays at sundown. Free.
Wednesday, August 8 - Bollywood Hollywood.
Cinematic Cities Series
Movies in Corktown Common
Free admission - suggestion donation is $10.
Corktown Common ( 155 Bayview at River)
Thursday, August 2, 9 pm - Roman Holiday. Audrey Hepburn won an Oscar for her role. The short film is Long Branch, a funny little story about two strangers who travel the TTC in search of romance. This concludes the 2018 season in Corktown Common. (The original screening date for these films was rained out and August 2 is the replacement date.)
IN THE MEDIA
Congrats again to Sydney Payne
Photo: @rowingcanada/Twitter
Once again, 20-year-old Cabbagetowner Sydney has been on successful rowing teams that have won major international races.
She rowed on the Canadian Women’s senior eight team in the World Cup races in Lucerne Switzerland in early July - they earned a silver medal.
The CBC covered the event with this report - click here.
In late July in Poznan Poland, she was on the Canadian Women’s U23 eight team who raced to gold for the second consecutive year.
CBC Sports again reported on this win - click here.
Congrats Sydney and your team.
Settlement with Albert Schultz
Photo: Glenn Lawson, Globe & Mail
After the bombshell announcements about Albert Schultz’s behaviour at Soulpepper last winter, four women launched a lawsuit against him. A settlement of the suit was reached earlier this week. J Kelly Nestruck has written about it in a Globe & Mail article that summarizes the issues as well as the settlement.
Alphabet Inc’s Sidewalk Labs and the Quayside
A new deal has been struck with Alphabet Inc and Toronto, paying the City an additional $40 million. The new Plan Development Agreement has drawn criticism for its lack of specifics about data collection and ownership. Waterfront Toronto describes its views of the agreement on its website - click here.
The Globe & Mail’s Josh O’Kane has written about the criticism and the implications of the agreement.
BUSINESS NEWS
NOW Magazine - Readers’ Choice Poll
Cast your vote for your favourite stores, services and restaurants. Voting has started and will continue through to late September. Check out NOW’s online info.
This year, the poll is being conducted in segments. A different category is offered weekly. If you miss a category, you’ll get a last minute chance to vote when the whole list is rerun from September 14 to 21.
The first batch was Shopping & Services. It closed on August 2.
Ten local businesses were nominated. They deserve your vote.
Cycle Solutions (444 Parliament) - Bicycles
Vistek (496 Queen E) - Cameras
Daniels Corporation and Streetcar - Condo developer
Corktown Designs (5 Trinity, Distillery) and Fair Trade Jewellery (523 Parliament) - Jewellery store
Anne Hudson (548 Parliament) - Lawyer
Bergo Designs (28 Tank House Lane, Distillery) - Online retailer
Menagerie Pet Shop (549 Parliament) - Pet store
John Fluevog Shoes (4 Trinity St, Distillery) - Shoes
Congrats everyone and best wishes in the voting.
Music is the next category. The winners are announced on November 1.
St Jamestown Steak & Chops
Our favourite local butcher is having a holiday. The store (516 Parliament) will close on Monday August 6 and reopen on Tuesday August 14. Before Mark closes, run in and grab some of his gorgeous tuna.
Unistar has moved
The store’s new home is 226 Carlton. Still available for reliable computer servicing and supplies.
Cabbagetown Martial Arts/Happy Kids Martial Arts
Photo: Cabbagetown BIA
Grand opening - September 8 during the Cabbagetown Festival. 492 Parliament. Parents can sign up their kids for a free back-to-school safety seminar . Open to kids 9+ - parents must also attend. The BIA is helping to organize the event - click here to read about it and to register.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Brun & Fer is now open
Rocio’s new cafe (559 Parliament) is a cozy partner with Blooming Flower Bar. It’s tucked away inside the flower shop. Her menu lists lots of specialty coffees (including a Mexican one), teas and juices and her snacks and lunches include a variety of Mexican dishes. So far, her tamales, her quiche and her corn bread are favourites. She’s open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm.
Watch for these new restaurants
Pho Pas (482 Parliament) will open very soon. The interior space is finished and the facade is a nifty design matching the other stores in that small retail strip.
Cafe Bello (582 Parliament) is a small place that lists coffees, desserts and snacks on its menu. There’s no official sign outside yet - they haven’t removed the old one for El Charro.
Save the date - Tilted Dog’s anniversary
The Tilted Dog (424 Parliament) - formerly The Local GEST and before that, The Ben Wicks - is now five years old. It’s time to celebrate. Save the date - Thursday August 2. There’ll be lots to cheer about. Tiffany promises a special evening to mark this milestone.
The Irv’s backyard bbq
All next week, The Irv (195 Carlton) has a special patio/backyard bbq menu - grilled shrimp salad, burgers, pulled pok sandwich and NY strip. Plus peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream. Wash it all down with some cold beers and cocktails.
The Tilted Dog golf tournament
Sign up now - the 4th annual tournament happens on Saturday August 11. It’s at Bloomington Downs Golf Club, just north of Richmond Hill. Tee time is 10:30 am. $125. Your package includes 18 holes of golf, a cart, a bus ride from the pub to the golf course (at 9 am) and dinner and drinks afterward at The Tilted Dog. Register now at the pub (424 Parliament).
Cyril’s soup of the week
Cyril is amazed at the enthusiastic response to his new salads and Buddha bowls. He’s offering them in addition to his popular soups.
On Friday, he’s filling a special request and he can add your order to it as well - lemon, lentil and corn soup. For Saturday, he’s offering a strawberry-tomato gazpacho.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, enjoy a Mexican inspired Buddha bowl.
Remember - pricing for the soup: when you order 4 or more soups (4 of the same or 4 different ones), the price is $8 for a 24-oz container. For 3 or less, it’s $9 each.
His salads and bowls this week come in two sizes. The lighter salad is $11/serving and the bigger bowl is $15/serving. He has three dressings for the salads and bowls - a yellow one with mango, lime and jalapeno, a green one with tomatillo, avocado, lime and jalapeno and a classic with cilantro, lime, cumin and coriander.
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
ON STAGE
Music City in the Distillery
Every weekend through the summer, the Distillery stages its Music City series on the Trinity Square stage. Two performers usually appear each day.
On Saturday August 4 - Sean Conway at 2 pm and at 4 pm, Winnie Brave
On Sunday August 5 - Gathering Sparks at 2 pm and Maneli Jamel at 4:30 pm
CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS
THURSDAY AUGUST 2 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 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 AUGUST 2
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Comedy night with Dave Burke and Danish Anwar
Dominion
9 pm, Bryan T
Mill Street Brew Pub
5 pm, Live music
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
The Tilted Dog
8 pm, live music with Jeff Barnes and Noah Zacharin
FRIDAY AUGUST 3
Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
SATURDAY AUGUST 4
Distillery - Trinity Square Stage
2 pm, Music City with Sean Conway at 2 pm and at 4 pm, Winnie Brave
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
SUNDAY AUGUST 5
Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Distillery - Trinity Square Stage
2 pm, Music City with Gathering Sparks and at 4 pm, Maneli Jamel
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
The Tilted Dog
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz - no jazz this weekend. The program returns next week.
MONDAY AUGUST 6
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY AUGUST 7
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 8
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
The Tilted Dog
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia with Porter
THURSDAY AUGUST 9
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Comedy night with Dave Burke and Danish Anwar
Dominion
9 pm, DJ Money jane
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
The Tilted Dog
10 pm, Comedy Night with Ethan O’Reilly
FRIDAY AUGUST 10
Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ
SATURDAY AUGUST 11
Distillery - Trinity Square Stage
2 pm, Music City with Blair Packham & The Impossible Dream and 4 pm, Valeria Matzner
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
SUNDAY AUGUST 12
Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Distillery - Trinity Square Stage
2 pm, Music City with Darling Cora at 2 pm and Steven taetz at 4 pm
The Tilted Dog
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with Samantha Clayton and Steve Cole.
CONTACT INFO
ALICE'S PLACE
554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088,
ARVO
17 Gristmill Lane, Distillery, (647) 352-2766
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/events/
