This week’s image: first 2019 snowfall - nice and clean and soft.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
CHRISTMAS NEWS FINAL ROUND-UP
A grand finale to the Christmas contests
The Cabbagetown Residents’ Association ran a contest to decide which local home has the best Christmas lights this year. The results of the popular voting were announced on Boxing Day. Several hundred people participated and the contest ended in a tie. Congrats go to homeowners at 21 Hillcrest Park and at 450 Wellesley St E.
The Christmas Market
Thousands of people attended the Christmas Market and presumably, enjoyed themselves. One report about attendance last year estimated that 650,000 people passed through the gates and this year’s Market was open for an even-longer period.
Local residents in nearby buildings didn’t find the event so charming. Traffic jams and accidents, taxis parked (illegally) all along Mill Street, noise, garbage on nearby streets and a lack of washrooms all crashed around them.
Residents from areas north of the Distillery are equally amazed at the traffic jams and lack of control around the Distillery during this time. The south end of Parliament Street became a place to avoid.
Police at 51 Division and the owners of the Distillery seemed unresponsive, even though the police station is just a block away. A traffic control person was on the scene for weekends only.
If you want to get a sense of their frustrations, check out the Gooderham & Worts Residents’ Association Facebook page. Start with the posts in early November as people express their dread about the situation and then watch as the frustrations become stronger through December.
What are you doing with your old Christmas tree
Photo: Anji loved her trees this year - great premium quality!
Victoria Hadden has reposted a suggestion from the Nature Conservancy. Just toss your tree into the back yard. It becomes an extra winter shelter for small birds and you’ll enjoy having them in your yard for the next few months.
LOCAL NEWS
A new river system
The Port Lands project along lower Cherry Street envisages a new route for the Don River mouth. It will include the existing Keating Channel and then add on a second route for the normal river flow. A third channel will take excessive flood waters into the existing ship channel and out to the lake. Waterfront Toronto has a nifty video showing all of this and explaining how the flood control system in the Port Lands will work. Click here to see it.
Corktown - a new book
Coralina Lemos has published her new book, Corktown: The history of a Toronto neighbourhood & the people who made it.
It’s about the people, establishments and institutions that shaped this historic neighbourhood. She describes the history behind 38 street names and over 200 surnames, making it a useful reference source for anyone conducting genealogical research. It’s also a quick reference source on local places of worship and architects who were involved in the area’s built history. The graphics were done by Cabbagetown’s Steve Yeates. 195 pp, hardcover and paperback, 90 images, some of which are made available for the first time.
Get your copy at Preservation House (461 King E) or online. $30 (pb) and $45 (hc) plus shipping.
Introducing REACH
REACH (563 Dundas E, Suite 201) moved into its Regent Park office about a year ago. It’s a charity that works with kids with disabilities and their families. Its mandate is to provide support services to connect children and youth with disabilities to inclusive recreation and sport opportunities in their own communities. At this time, REACH is looking for ways to handle fundraising in our neighbourhood and business community. There’s an informative and nifty website - click here.
Special events at Winterlicious
Reservations are now open for the special Winterlicious culinary events. For more info about all of the events and for reservations and tickets, click here.
Two of them take place in the Distillery.
Archeo (31 Trinity) has two evening dinners on “The Art of Food Preservation” - Friday January 25 at 6:30 pm and Sunday January 27 at 5:30 pm, $125. Five-course menu, wines and cocktails, demonstrations.
Boku Noodle House (42 Gristmill Lane) offers “Beer vs sake, a pairing journey of bites ad libations.” It’s a three-course meal with tastings from Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines. Thursday January 31, 6:30 pm, $65.
Winterlicious general info
For the full list of participating restaurants and contact info, go to the official website. Reservations open on Thursday January 10 and the festival takes place between January 25 and February 7. Local restaurants include F’Amelia (12 Amelia), Boku Noodle House (42 Gristmill Lane, Distillery) and Archeo (31 Trinity, Distillery).
Final week - winter flower show
The show in the Conservatory in Allan Gardens continues until Wednesday January 9. 10 am to 5 pm daily. Free admission.
Skating rinks
The City of Toronto operates three skating rinks near our neighbourhoods.
Regent Park Skating Rink (480 Shuter) is located at the Regent Park Athletic Grounds.
Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) is at the north end of the park overlooking the Don Valley.
Sherbourne Common/Paul Quarrington Rink (5 Lower Sherbourne) is on the waterfront and skaters enjoy marvellous views of the lake and downtown Toronto.
You’ll find up-to-date notices about these rinks and others throughout the city at the official website.
Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
by Sally Gibson
Image: Wilmot Survey, East End of York 1811, detail John Ross Robertson copy 1890s
Before its development began in mid-nineteenth century, what did the Cabbagetown landscape from about Queen Street to Bloor Street look like? Was it forested? Was it scrub brush? Was it rich agricultural land? Was it pasture land? No paintings seem to capture the area. But one early document, the 1811 Wilmot Survey, and its creator’s comments, do shed light on the
question.
Deputy-Surveyor Samuel Wilmot was hired to survey the Government Reserve (“Park”) from the waterfront, where the Parliament Building and Blockhouse are indicated, northward beyond the Cabbagetown area, to determine its revenue value. According to the surveyor, its economic value was low. But he does, at least, provide a horticultural hint about its appearance. “The land consisted of poor thin soil with the timber principally destroyed, but with good management it might answer for pasture.” The only valuable timber “was close to the lakeshore,” where the Distillery District now stands.
IN THE MEDIA
Theft at LCBO stores
In March, Paul, a local resident, complained about the frequency of brazen thefts that he was witnessing at our Parliament Street LCBO (512 Parliament). In reply, the LCBO spokesperson explained that an average level of theft occurs at our store and that the LCBO chain also experiences average levels of theft compared to other retailers.
Clerks in the store said that the thieves were scary people. The thieves knew that no one would interfere and that the police would not show up. Clerks were told to make a written report about each incident and these reports would later be forwarded to the police. The Community Response Unit at 51 Division did not return my telephone call.
Clerks in the store said that the thieves were scary people. The thieves knew that no one would interfere and that the police would not show up. Clerks were told to make a written report about each incident and these reports would later be forwarded to the police. The Community Response Unit at 51 Division did not return my telephone call.
Mitch Potter at the Toronto Star has been digging deeper into this issue. He finds similar patterns in stores across Toronto - widespread theft, thieves who disregard staff, police who don’t show up and clerks who are intimidated by thieves and instructed by managers to leave them alone.
The Star article also states that the LCBO stores reported 9000 incidents since 2014, the highest level among Toronto retailers during that time. The Parliament Street store reported 337 incidents and was the seventh highest among 100 stores across the city.
Click here to read his article.
COMING EVENTS
Winchester Jr & Sr Public School
F’Amelia and Todd Vestby are sponsoring a fundraiser on behalf of Winchester Public School. All funds will go toward the school’s programs and supplies. Lots of good food and drinks. Monday January 21, 6:30 pm, F’Amelia Ristorante (12 Amelia), Get your tickets at todd.vestby@gmail.com - $100.
Pop-up pizza plus a pasta workshop
Taste of Regent Park is back with pizzas from the outdoor bake oven in the Big Park (620 Dundas). Friday January 4 at 5 pm. $5 for a ten inch. They go quickly because they’re delicious.
The Taste of Regent Park is also holding a workshop on making pasta - long noodles, stuffed pastas and yummy sauces. Wednesday January 9, 6 to 9 pm, CRC (40 Oak Street), free. Reserve your spot at cavellh@tcrc.ca
Vision Board with Chartwell’s Sumach
Vanessa Tynedal at The Sumach is hosting a Vision Board Workshop from 7 to 9 pm on January 10th at 500 Dundas East. Elizabeth Verway from Spoken Lives: Stories Women Share will be facilitating the event. Call Vanessa to reserve your spot - space is limited and filling up quickly. (416) 910-3431. $20 includes snacks and refreshments.
Discovery Days at Riverdale Farm
Discovery Days are a fantastic one-day experience for children aged 6 through 12 years - fun and interactive activities and games highlighting agriculture, leadership, teamwork and crafts. The next one happens on Friday January 18 from 9 am to 4 pm.
Call to register at (416) 338-4386 or 311. $70. Riverdale Farm (Winchester east of Sumach)
RESTAURANT NEWS
From our friends at the House on Parliament
The HOP posted this New Year’s message on Facebook -
“Hello 2019!
We’ve been waiting for you after a very hard 2018. We have lost too many good friends this year and they say time helps and yes it does but it doesn’t fill the hole that’s been left behind. What we have discovered is that what helps the most is family, friends and community. We have always known that we landed in a very special place. We have never taken it for granted but this year, this year especially, we have been fortunate to fully embrace what that means. We have been on the receiving end of so much love and support. We have been surrounded by the most incredible staff, family actually, and equally as amazing clientele. You are our community. We couldn’t be more grateful.
Wishing everyone a very happy new year!”
JANUARY THEATRE & DANCE PRODUCTIONS
Listed by starting dates.
The last weekend for Soulpepper’s Peter Pan
Soulpepper’s (50 Tank House Lane) popular production is back on stage and ends this weekend - check the Soulpepper website for ticket availability.
Peter Pan - On stage to Saturday January 5
Website and tickets here. (416) 866-8666
Rose: A New Musical
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
Thursday January 17 to Sunday February 24
Website and tickets here. (416) 866-8666
Top Girls
Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley)
Friday January 18 to Saturday February 2
Website and tickets here. (416) 364-4170, ext 1
Virgin Trial
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
Saturday January 19 to Sunday February 3
Website and tickets here. (416) 866-8666
Slow Dance
Toronto Dance Theatre
Winchester Theatre (80 Winchester)
Wednesday January 23 to Saturday February 2
Website and tickets here. (416) 967-1365
This Shape, We Are In
Toronto Dance Theatre
Winchester Theatre (80 Winchester)
Thursday January 24 to Saturday February 2
Website and tickets here. (416) 967-1365
A Day of Light
Dance Ontario’s DanceWeekend 2019
Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre
Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront (235 Queens Quay W)
Sunday January 27
Website and tickets here. (416) 924-5657
Skow
Citadel + Compagnie
Ross Centre for Dance (304 Parliament)
Wednesday January 30 to Saturday February 2
Website and tickets here. (416) 364-8011
CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS
THURSDAY JANUARY 3 TO SUNDAY JANUARY 13
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 JANUARY 3
Mill Street Brew Pub
5 pm, Live music
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Tilted Dog
8 pm, Live music with Jeff Barnes and Noah Zacharin
FRIDAY JANUARY 4
Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
SATURDAY JANUARY 5
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
SUNDAY JANUARY 6
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Tilted Dog
4:30 pm, Sunday Afternoon Jazz will return later in January
MONDAY JANUARY 7
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers New Year’s Eve Trivia
TUESDAY JANUARY 8
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
The Tilted Dog
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia with Porter
THURSDAY JANUARY 10
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Comedy night with Dave Burke and Danish Anwar
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Tilted Dog
8 pm, Open Mic
FRIDAY JANUARY 11
Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ
SATURDAY JANUARY 12
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
SUNDAY JANUARY 13
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
The Tilted Dog
4:30 pm, Sunday Afternoon Jazz will return in later January
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
