This week’s image: Riverdale Farm’s 40th anniversary
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
LOCAL NEWS
Riverdale Farm 40th anniversary
Save the dates for two days at the Farm (Winchester east of Sumach).
There's a fundraising bbq in the Barn on Friday September 28, 6:30 to 9:30 pm. $40 - proceeds go to the Farm’s educational program. You can buy your tickets online at Eventbrite.
On Saturday September 29 from 10 am to 4 pm, there's an Open House with farm activities for your family. Free.
Election updates
Another week has passed and finally we’re getting some firm rules about our civic election. The 25-Ward model has been approved by the courts and the election is now underway. We’re in Ward 13, Toronto Centre.
The election date remains at Monday October 22.
The list of our candidates for Council will be finalized at 4:30 pm on Friday September 21. There’s no information yet about the location, dates and timing of advance polls.
We do know, informally, about some candidates for City Council. Khuram Aftab, Walied Khogali, George Smitherman, Lucy Troisi, Megann Willson and Kristyn Wong-Tam have all been campaigning. Some have already submitted their final nomination papers. Suzanne Kavanagh and Jennifer Hollett have withdrawn from the race - each is a loss.
Welcome Holy Family Boxing Club
The Holy Family Boxing Club from Drogheda, Ireland is in Toronto to fight in the Nights Of Legends awards gala. It’ll be Ontario vs Ireland on Saturday night. They visited the Cabbagetown Boxing Club (2 Lancaster) on Wednesday. The Irish head coach is James McGorman (far left in the photo) and peeking over his shoulder is Cabbagetown’s Assistant Head Coach Johnny Kalbhenn.
CYC’s after-school clubs
The Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) offers after-school clubs that teach children skills in a fun and supportive environment. Ages JK to Grade 6. The CYC staff escort the children safely from school to CYC. Upon arrival, children receive a healthy snack and are engaged in creative and engaging skill building activities.
Parents may register for each individual club based on their child’s interest. Each club runs one day a week from 3:30 to 6 pm. Monday – Sports & Culinary Club. Tuesday – Art Club. Wednesday – Sports & Boxing Club. Thursday – Performing Arts Club. Friday – Science/Math Club & Boxing Club.
Programs continue from September 17 to June 2019 at 2 Lancaster.
New Roots Dinner - selling out fast
Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton) is organizing the New Roots dinners series on behalf of the Green Thumbs Growing Kids. They happen on Tuesday October 2 from 6:30 pm 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. Tickets are selling fast.
Yummy food, a great group to support. Click here to learn more and to reserve your spot.
Repairs to the damaged mural
The BIA’s nifty new mural at 193 Carlton was tagged. One of its artists, Michael Cavanaugh, scrubbed off most of the offending black ink. Thanks Michael, that was quick.
454 Parliament
This building has been sitting empty and dormant for years. Now there’s activity. U-Haul has moved into a temporary office in the back and it’ll soon be located downstairs. The upper level apartments are getting some final touches. Whatever is happening, it’s really welcome.
Nifty changes at Wellesley and Parliament
New businesses have been sprouting up at Wellesley and Parliament. Cabbagetown Dental (588 Parliament) has moved a few doors north to its new home beside Del Ray Cleaners. And the Parliament Animal Hospital (584 Parliament) has been open for several weeks in its neatly renovated premises. Tokyo Ramen just opened in the lower level at 568 Parliament with a new redecorated room. Fair Trade Jewellery is reconstructing the former Nettleship building (576 Parliament) for its new location.
Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
by Sally Gibson
Photo: Spruce Court, ca. 1914, City of Toronto Archives SC 18
In 1913 a group of wealthy Torontonians created Toronto’s first publicly supported housing company. They moved swiftly, hired architect Eden Smith and opened two developments, one at Bain Avenue across the Don and another at Spruce Court on the former Toronto General Hospital property south of today’s Spruce Court School. Their target group were the
“working poor” like those condemned to the crowded and dismal housing in The Ward near City Hall.
This photograph which appeared in a promotional brochure shows a model
suite that was perhaps a tad more lavish than their potential tenants would be able to afford.
But even at $14.50 to $29.00 rent, the project failed during the Depression. Fortunately, the buildings were not demolished so today’s cooperative housing rose from the dream of 1913.
For more Cabbagetown history, photos and videos visit the CRPM Facebook page.
BUSINESS NEWS
The Social Smiths
The Social Smiths connects with our community through monthly comedy nights and quarterly screen writing workshops.
Space is available for creatives and start-ups who’re looking for flexible working opportunities.
Check out her website here.
Debra McLaughlin
Debra, a longtime Cabbagetown resident, is a wardrobe consultant at Images That Suit (145 Front St E). She has 15 years’ experience dressing women who work.
She invites you to a unique, personal styling session with her.
It’s a private appointment and complimentary “what to wear” analysis in the comfort of a living room style showroom. This is the one stop where you can choose your clothing - no more wandering through malls.
You’ll find your own personal “WOW” factor just by choosing the right clothing and you’ll be gently nudged from your “same-old” and encouraged to be adventurous!
Debra’s clients rely upon her expertise and creativity to challenge and refine their current image through the clothes they wear.
Contact her by email at dmclaughlin@interlog.com or call (416) 817-6552.
Limited Time, Limited Quantities
We all love a good deal! So get over to Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) now and take advantage of savings up to 70% off on sofas, arm chairs, rugs, home accessories and garden décor. This is their End of Season Clearance. They’re making room for new fall arrivals.
They’ve also just opened their Design Shop’s lower level with a beautiful new furniture gallery! Their Canadian-made furniture can be personalized with your choice of fabrics and design details.
Store hours: 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays, 11am to 5 pm on Saturdays and noon to 4 pm on Sundays. http://kendallandco.ca/fyi/retail/
Cabbagetown Cannabis Club
There’s a bigger buzz among our biz. The Cabbagetown Cannabis Club (439 Parliament) is open for business but you may have to knock on the door to get in. We haven’t heard any of the usual hoopla and announcements about its appearance. Not even the BIA is listing it yet on its website. When more news drifts in, you’ll be the first to learn about it.
IN THE MEDIA
Congrats Sydney
Photo: CBC
Sydney Payne and her team won a silver medal in the women’s-8 event at the rowing World championship. They had a tough job to win so well - their first race was a disaster and then they faced off in an unfavourable lane and into a stiff head wind. There’s an exciting video and a detailed account of the race on the CBC’s website - click here.
New retail in Regent Park
Photo: The Daniels Corporation
John Lorinc wrote a Globe & Mail story about the new social enterprises that are springing up in Regent Park with the help of the Daniels Corporation. At this time, a cooking cooperative and a sewing enterprise are the first two local businesses. The article describes how they’re operating and how Daniels’ support will help them in the future. Click here.
New Ethiopian restaurant in Moss Park
Photo: Suresh Doss
Suresh Doss does the weekly restaurant reports for CBC’s Metro Morning. He’s very pleased that a successful Ethiopian chef has relocated from Church Street to Moss Park to set up Enat Buna (175 Queen E). It’s a great review - click here.
COMING EVENTS
Francophonie en Fete
Francophonie en Fete is an annual ten-day celebration of French-language music in Toronto. The free concerts over the weekend of Friday September 21 to Sunday kick off the event - musicians from France, Quebec, Africa, Haiti and Ontario will perform. Distillery District from 3 pm Friday.
For program details about all the concerts, click here.
GWNA garage sale
The Gooderham & Worts Neighbourhood Association are organizing a garage sale on Saturday September 22, 9 am to 1 pm. Trinity Street, east sidewalk from Mill to Front streets. One-of-a-kind treasures and baked goods.
The Social Smiths Comedy
No Cis Boyz Allowed edition. The next in The Social Smith’s comedy series happens on Thursday September 27, from 7 to 9 pm. 574 & 1/2 Parliament. This month, Jaimy Warner mc’s an all femme/trans/non-binary lineup of comics. The badass ladies include Laura Leibow, Michelle Coburn, Ievy Stamotov, Lauren Scratch. Lori MacIntyre and Bethany Daniels. Tickets are $10, available at Eventrite.
Cabbagetown Farmer’s Market
Every Tuesday from 3 to 7 pm, Riverdale Park (Winchester and Sumach). The best produce of the season - fresh fruits and veggies. The Oak Ridge Shiitake Farm has joined the market - the best mushrooms!
Fall plant sale
ON STAGE
Dr Silver, A Celebration of Life
Presented by the Musical Stage Company with Anika Johnson and Brita Johnson. Celebrate the life of the mysterious and magnetic spiritual leader Dr Leonard P Silver. The festivities promise to be an enchanting experience, a sung-through, psychedelic dissolution into the transcendental power of music. Heliconian Hall (35 Hazelton), September 13 to October 14. Tickets and more info online here.
Reviews for current productions
Martha Schabas wrote about Dr Silver in the Globe & Mail and gives it very high marks. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
I call myself princess - J Kelly Nestruck, the Globe & Mail’s theatre critic, describes the story within the story of Jani Lauzon’s play at the Aki Theatre. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
The Toronto Star recommends Soulpepper’s latest concert A Moveable Feast for those who want a Parisian salon here in Toronto. Photo: Soulpepper.
CURRENT THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
The Importance of Being Earnest
September 21 to October 6
Website info and tickets - here. (416) 364-4170, ext 1.
The Children
September 25 to October 21
Website info and tickets - here. (416) 368-3110.
I Call Myself Princess
Native Earth Performing Arts
Aki Theatre, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E)
On stage now to September 30
Website info and tickets - here. (416) 531-1402.
A Moveable Feast
Paris in the ‘20s - A Soulpepper Concert
Soulpepper, Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Lane, Distillery)
September 14 to 23
Website info and tickets - here. (416) 866-8666 .
RESTAURANT NEWS
Welcome Tokyo Ramen
Peter Kim (left) has opened his new restaurant at 568 Parliament. His small space has been completely redecorated into an attractive new room. He’s open from 11 am to 9 pm, Tuesday to Sunday. His menu includes six basic choices and five side dishes. There’s a vegetarian choice as well. All at economical prices from 8.95 to 12.95 each.
Sunday afternoon jazz
The Tilted Dog (424 Parliament) is again hosting its Sunday jazz afternoons after a hiatus through September. The series starts up again on Sunday September 30 at 4:30 pm with the Adina Vlasov Trio.
Cyril’s bowls and soups
On Friday and Saturday, Cyril is offering an African-inspired Buddha bowl and salad. His Saturday soup is Hungarian mushroom with dill and paprika.
Over the next three weeks, his soups are all “Fall-appropriate”. On Tuesday September 25, it’s butternut squash and pear. Saturday September 29, velvety Turkish lentil. Tuesday October 2, sweet potato and cauliflower. Saturday October 6, caramelized onion and roasted garlic. Tuesday October 9, pumpkin, carrot and orange. Saturday October 13, broccoli and white bean.
He delivers (in Cabbagetown). He’s accepting payments by e-transfers and cash. Place your orders at his email address, cyril@merryberry.ca
A birthday party at Paintbox
Paintbox (555 Dundas E) is celebrating its 6th anniversary with a special party throughout the day - all mains and selected beer and wine are priced at $6. Friday September 21 from 11 am to 6 pm.
Brewery tours for Toronto Beer Week
Mill Street Brew Pub (21 Tank House Lane, Distillery) is conducting free brewery tours to celebrate Beer Week. Saturday September 22 from noon to 6 pm.
Run and talk with La Femme Strong
The Mill Street Beerhall (21 Tankhouse Lane, Distillery) presents a 5k Fun Run followed by a round table discussion about women in the fitness and beer industries. September 22, 10 am. The Run starts at La Femme Strong (794 Broadview) and goes to the Beerhall. The round table is hosted by Alexis Wagner from Mill Street and Alison Blair from La Femme Strong. Snacks and drinks included. $18, tickets available online. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/women-beer-5k-tickets-49570326180
CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20 TO SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 30
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 SEPTEMBER 20
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Comedy night with Dave Burke and Danish Anwar
Dominion
8 pm, DJ Ikanpro
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Tilted Dog
8 pm, Open Mic with Robert LaBell
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 21
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 22
Mill Street Beerhall
10 am, 5 k Fun Run and Round Table discussion with La Femme Strong, $18
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 24
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 25
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 26
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
The Tilted Dog
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia with Porter
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27
Mill Street Brew Pub
5 pm, Live music
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Social Smiths
7 pm, Comedy Night - No Cis Boyz Allowed edition, $10
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28
Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
Keating Channel Pub
Danny Williams Band
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 30
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
The Tilted Dog
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz featuring the Adina Vlasov Trio
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,
SOCIAL SMITHS
574&1/2 Parliament
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
