March 28

This week’s image: Regent Park’s revitalization reaches Parliament and Gerrard.

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW

OPEN HOUSE ANNOUNCEMENTS
This weekend, it’s like a mini-tour of homes.  
Three open houses happen on Saturday and Sunday - Wellesley Street (near the park), Winchester and Sackville.  Click here to read these announcements. 

LOCAL NEWS

Regent Park revitalization
The demolition of the buildings at the corner of Parliament and Gerrard has started.  Originally, this corner was scheduled as a final effort in Phase 5 of the Regent Park revitalization and then it was reassigned into Phase 3 of the development. The Daniels Corporation is working here and we can look for completions in 2022.

Welcome to The Sumach
Chartwell’s Sumach project at Shuter and Sumach is ready to open its doors.  There’s still some tidying up to do in its construction but the building will be taking in its first tenants on April 1.  The Sumach is a rental building aimed at active, independent seniors.  It offers a public pub, a private dining room, gardening opportunities, pet facilities and a fitness centre.  
It’s located in the middle of a busy part of Regent Park between Nelson Mandela Park School and the Athletic Grounds and close to the community centre and the new Dixon Hall youth centre.  Click here to see its website.     

Update on Dixon Hall
The new Youth Centre is now under construction.  It’s located at Nicholas and Wyatt in southeastern Regent Park near the Athletic Grounds.  It’ll add a range of youth facilities for Dixon Hall.  The work is on schedule and its opening date is expected for late this year.

Garbage dumping
Paul has been complaining about garbage that’s dumped by careless people in our lanes.  He recently photographed some of it and complained to the City’s 311 line.  He reports that Solid Waste staff came out immediately and had it cleaned up by the end of the same day. 

Spruce Street parking
Photo:  Ryan Slight & Eric Murphy
Several local neighbours have complained about the delivery trucks and vans that park illegally on Spruce while making deliveries to No Frills.  They’ve suggested, interestingly, that there’s a simple cure - lift the parking designations from “No standing” to allow everyone to park there.  The trucks will stop there anyway so this would expand parking opportunities for local law-abiding residents.  

Speeding car on Spruce
Photo:  Doreen Fumia
Johnathan Careless posted a video of a crazy driving incident along Spruce at 9 am on Tuesday morning.  The car crashed just after his video.  The driver was caught by the police - both people in the car reportedly on drugs.  They shot through every stop sign from Parliament to River Street.
Doreen Fumia sent along this picture taken later that morning from River Street and Spruce.

Lookin’ good
Welcome to Cabbagetown, Saga.  She’s a 9-week old blend of mastiff and boxer.  She’s coming to Jo’s household where she’ll join Juma who’s 8 and 1/2 years old.  When Jo talks about Saga, her face lights right up - obviously Saga is going to have a terrific time here.  

YOUR STORIES - RACCOONS
We’re collecting memorable raccoon stories.  Share yours with everybody else - send it here, cabbagetownreview@gmail.com .

Cecile writes -  
“Years ago, I played bridge with a group of ladies. One night, our hostess told us that her mother-in-law came over on the weekend to get her fur coat from their cedar-lined closet. She opened the closet door to get her coat and she screamed, ‘The coat is moving!’
Apparently, the trap door in the closet’s ceiling went to the attic. Sure enough, raccoons had come through and nested in this lovely fur coat. Needless to say, mother-in-law never wore the coat again!”

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY

Golf for the CYC
Regan and Jackie at The Irv (195 Carlton) are organizing a late Spring golf tournament to support the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster).  It’s a great bargain with lunch, eighteen holes and a cart, prizes, contests and an auction.  A bus will leave The Irv for those who want a ride. If you can’t join the group, you can still help - gift donations for the prize list and sponsorshps are welcome.  $160, tax receipt.  June 5, Royal Woodbine Golf Club (195 Galaxy Blvd, Etobicoke).  Contact jacklyne@theirvpub.ca 

Early bird ends on Sunday March 31
Dixonlicious is the popular fundraising evening that supports Dixon Hall’s ongoing food program.  It’s a fun evening.  Live music. Silent and live auctions.  Food stations provide scrumptious bites from local restaurants with selected wines to match the food.  This year, enjoy craft beer from ten local breweries in the Toronto East Brewery Collective.
Thursday, May 9, 6 to 9 pm in the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  
The early bird ends on March 31, $85 - get your tickets now!

Forsythia Festival volunteers
The Cabbagetown Residents Association organizes the annual Spring Forsythia Festival.  It’s a great event with lots of activity for kids and adults.  It’s held in early May in Wellesley Park.  
Volunteers are needed and the CRA has put out a call for everyone interested.  45 people have already signed up and 51 more are needed.  Please contact Carolyn (carolyn.jarman@gmail.com) if you'd like to find out more!  It's a fun day for volunteers and kids and parents alike.

Tour of Homes
The Cabbagetown Tour of Homes is looking for homes to include on the tour in September.  They also welcome people who are willing to volunteer on the tour day.  Please contact tour organizers here.  cpa@cabbagetownpa.ca 

Volunteer directors at the CRA
The Cabbagetown Residents Association is asking for volunteers to become members of its Board of Directors.  People who can handle book keeping, liaisons with the City of Toronto and community event coordination are needed.  The annual meeting happens in June and your term will start then.  Contact the Association and get a description of your duties.  https://cabbagetowner.com 

YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Apartment needed
A quiet, responsible woman in her early seventies has just been evicted from her long-term apartment on Sackville Street by new landlords. She’s lived in Cabbagetown for years and would like to stay nearby if possible for $1100 or under.   Please contact her friend Beth Kaplan at kaplan2721@rogers.com or (416) 922-2721.

KIDS’ STUFF

Poetry Month
April is poetry month at the Children’s Book Bank  (350 Berkeley).  Three different events - Poetry is Music on Saturday April 6 for kids ages 6 to 12,  Poetry is Art on Saturday April 13 for kids 3 to 12 and Poetry is Drama for kids up to 12 on Saturday April 27.  All events start at 1 pm.  There’ll be activities, contests and special guests.

Summer Arts
Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (509 Parliament) presents its summer program for kids ages 4 to 8.  July 29 to August 2.  Full and half day sessions for 5 to 8-year-olds and half-day sessions for 4-year olds. Both groups experience creative movement, music making and visual arts in the morning. Full-day students then enjoy creative story time labs and musical theatre in the afternoon.  Registration is now open - click here.  

Summer camps at Buds & Blossoms
Ten different camps are scheduled throughout the summer at Buds & Blossoms (517 Parliament).  Four and five days each, from 9 am to 4 pm with optional aftercare from 4 to 6 pm.  Your child will experience engaging programming in a safe, open and inclusive environment.  For details, registration and prices, go online - click here.  

COMING EVENTS
Listed by starting dates

Akasha Art Projects
Akasha’s (204D Carlton) new exhibition HABITAT opens Thursday March 28 and runs to Saturday April 27. It’s in honour of Earth Month. 
These two artists embrace our relationship with the earth. Christian Bernard Singer works with discarded pine needles to create striking objects of beauty from decay. Heidi Leverty’s photographic images capture environmental decay and the dichotomy of the beauty found within.  Open Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 7 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.  

Pizza in the Park
Taste of Regent Park is cooking up pizzas in the outdoor oven at Regent Park (600 Dundas E).  Yummy stuff.  Friday March 29, 4:30 pm ’til sold-out.  $5.

Songbook IX
Tapestry is the only professional opera company in Canada solely creating, developing and performing original Canadian opera. 
In Songbook IX, thirteen of Canada’s brightest emerging artists perform alongside soprano Jacqueline Woodley and pianist Andrea Grant. Hear highlights from Tapestry’s 39-year collection of absurd, tragic, and beautiful Canadian repertoire. Ernest Balmer Studio (9 Trinity, Distillery), 8 pm, Friday March 29 and Saturday March 30 at 4 and 8 pm. Tickets are $25, available online.  

Corktown April meeting
The Corktown Residents & Business Association will hold its April meeting in the Cherry Street YMCA (461 Cherry) at 7 pm, Tuesday April 2.  The program features Spadina Fort York MPP Chris Glover, an update on the King-Parliament Secondary Plan and a report from the Corktown vision committee.  

Spring Sing in Allan Gardens
The St James Town Children’s Choir and Reaching Out Through Music present two sets in the Children’s Conservatory at Allan Gardens (19 Horticultural Lane, Sherbourne and Carlton).  Free.  Saturday April 6, 2 and 3:30 pm.

IN THE MEDIA

Shooting at Dundas and Sherbourne
Photo:  Tony Smyth, CBC News 
Several media outlets reported that a man was shot and seriously injured at 251 Sherbourne late on Monday night.  The police say that he’s hospitalized but not in life-threatening condition.  Police have not given any information about suspects to date.
The Cabbagetown South Residents Association has issued a community safety alert.  The Association wants dedicated community policing in this neighbourhood and says that this incident underlines the urgency.
CP24 has a video report. 
The Toronto Star’s Premila D’Sa wrote a brief story about it.  

BUSINESS NEWS

Watch for it…
Mark at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) is going online.  He’s putting a shopping feature on his website. You’ll be able to buy anything from his shop.  For pick-up or delivery.  The site is in its final design stages now.  More news will come as soon as he gets it online.

Rug Clearance Sale
Final markdowns on discontinued rugs at Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) to make way for new styles. Enjoy a great selection of forty wool, jute and outdoor rugs at 25% off! Now or never - limited quantities available. Follow Kendall’s Instagram for preview & updates and visit your local design one-stop-shop for rugs, furniture, fabric, drapery, blinds, wallpaper and décor. 
New extended store hours - Closed Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 am to 6 pm. Thursday and Friday, 10 am to 7 pm.  Saturday 11 am to 6 pm. Sunday noon to 5 pm.  

MUNCHIES
Readers write about their noteworthy food experiences.  Send along yours whenever you’ve really enjoyed eating out in our neighbourhood.  cabbagetownreview@gmail.com 

Ray & Ginny write -
“About a year ago, a friend introduced us to Staij (552 Parliament). It’s located on the west side of Parliament across from the Esso Station. Since then, several times a week, we stop in for a morning coffee and treat.
The coffee and baked goods are superb. They also have an impressive lunchtime sandwich menu. With friendly helpful staff, it’s a great way to start the day.”  Staij & Co,  552 Parliament

RESTAURANT NEWS

Righteous Mic stand-up comedy
Cranberries (601 Parliament) introduces a new comedy night with Johnathan Ramcharan.  They say it’s a righteous cut of comics from the heart of the 6.  The first show is 8 pm, Thursday April 4 followed by shows every two weeks.  It’s a PWYC event.  Click here for more info.  

Tasso
Mike and Olya will be closed on Friday March 29.  They’re back at normal times on Saturday and Sunday - 8:30 am until “sold out”.  Tasso, 540 Parliament.

Paintbox Afghanistan buffet
Paintbox (555 Dundas E) along with the Regent Park Catering Collective is putting together an Afghanistan buffet.  There’ll be a marketplace as well showcasing the Regent Park Sewing Studio, the Regent Park Jewelry Collective and more.  Thursday April 4, 11:30 am,  $10.

Welcome Gushi
NOW Magazine tells us that Gushi (296 Gerrard E) serves some of the best Japanese fried chicken in the city.  Its new location will open officially next week at Gerrard and Parliament.  They’ll focus on street food and regional Japanese dishes. 

Burn the bill
The Dominion (500 Queen E) is featuring a Burn the Bill event. Show up at the pub for every Leafs game.  After the game, the staff will pick one open bill and burn it before your eyes!  You could get free drinks and a meal.

Cyril’s soup
Cyril has a new email - abeautifulbowl@gmail.com. Please use it for both your orders and e-transfers.
Saturday's soup uses za’atar - a blend of herbs (thyme, oregano, savory, hyssop or mint) with the addition of sesame and sumac. It's quite mild and yet complex: obviously herbal, but also lemony (sumac) and earthy (sesame). It’ll be paired with peas and broccoli for a more Spring-like soup.
Order deadline is 7 pm on Friday.  He delivers his soups (in Cabbagetown). He’s accepting payments by e-transfers and cash.

MARCH & APRIL 
THEATRE & DANCE PRODUCTIONS
Listed by starting dates.

Unsafe
Canadian Stage Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley)
On stage to Sunday March 31
Website and tickets here.  (416) 368-3110

ISITWENDAM
A Bound to Create Theatre Production
Aki Studio Theatre (Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E)
On stage to Sunday March 31
Website and tickets here.  (416) 531-1402

Wedding at Aulis
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
On stage to Tuesday April 14
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666

Amorous Playlist
Citadel + Compagnie
Ross Centre for Dance (304 Parliament)
Wednesday March 27 to Saturday March 30
Website and tickets here. (416) 364-8011

Copenhagen
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
Saturday April 6 to Wednesday May 1 
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666a

The Picture of Dorian Gray
George Brown Theatre School
c/o Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Lane)
Tuesday April 9  to Saturday April 20
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666

Monsieur d’Eon is a Woman
Young Centre (50 Tank House Lane)
Wednesday April 10  to Saturday April 20
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666

Bigre
Canadian Stage Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley)
Thursday April 11 to Sunday April 21
Website and tickets here.  (416) 368-3110

Four Old Legs
Citadel + Compagnie
Ross Centre for Dance (304 Parliament)
Thursday April 11 to Saturday April 20
Website and tickets here. (416) 364-8011

Impressionism
Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley)
Friday April 12 to Saturday April 27
Website and tickets here.  (416) 364-4170, ext 1

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY MARCH 28 TO SUNDAY APRIL 7

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 28

Mill Street Brew Pub
5 pm, Live music
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Social Smiths
7 pm, Comedy night with Robert Watson
Tilted Dog
8 pm, Open mic finger-style guitar sessions.

FRIDAY MARCH 29

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke 
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

SATURDAY MARCH 30

Dominion
8 pm, James Sheehan

SUNDAY MARCH 31

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke

MONDAY APRIL 1

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

TUESDAY APRIL 2

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY APRIL 3

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

THURSDAY APRIL 4

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Comedy night with Dave Burke and Danish Anwar
Cranberries
8 pm, Righteous mic stand-up comedy, pwyc
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Tilted Dog
8 pm, Live music with Jeff Barnes and Noah Zacharin

FRIDAY APRIL 5

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke 

SATURDAY APRIL 6

Dominion
8 pm, Jessica Soule Duo

SUNDAY APRIL 7

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, 
HENRIETTA LANE 
394 King E
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