This week’s image: the Bunny Hop is coming to Carlton and Parliament at 11 am on Saturday.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
OPEN HOUSE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Two open houses on Saturday and Sunday - a home near Riverdale Park on Winchester and a Regent Park townhome. Click here to read these announcements.
THE BUNNY HOP
Bring your kids for a day full of fun at Carlton and Parliament. Saturday April 13, 11 am to 1 pm. There’ll be kids activities and free books, refreshments, live music and of course, the Easter bunny. It’s all free. The Cabbagetown BIA has organized this event and its sponsors include Staij & Co, Meridian Credit Union, The Children’s Book Bank, Blooming Flower Bar, Buds & Blossoms and St Jamestown Steak & Chops.
BUSINESSES COMING & GOING
Closings
Several prominent local businesses are now closing. They’ll be missed.
Starbucks (492 Parliament) is closing on April 25. The staff has been reassigned to other Starbucks stores. This is apparently happening following a disagreement with the new owner of the building - there’s no indication that Starbucks will reopen in another local spot.
Hey Lucy (227 Carlton) will serve its last pizzas on Friday April 12. Staff have been offered jobs in other restaurants in the group. This location has been sold to another restauranteur - details to follow.
Mi Casa (238 Carlton) is leaving its longstanding location on Carlton. Over the years, it’s brought good taste and fine design into our neighbourhood.
New businesses
Gushi (296 Gerrard E) has opened and is now getting very positive reviews from local foodies. There are a few seats inside. Most of its business is takeout. Open Monday to Friday from 11:30 am to 8 pm, Saturdays noon to 8 pm. Closed Sundays and holidays. Click here for menus and more info.
Super Bargain (441 Parliament) is undergoing a total reno and will soon be a classy little bar. It’s a very encouraging upgrade in this lower block on Parliament.
Vintage clothing (557 Parliament) will be offered in the site of the former Lampcage, just south of the gas station. Nice idea.
Saigon Pai (446 Parliament) has opened. It’s both a renovation and a menu change from the former Silk. The spiffy new restaurant offers both Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. It’s open from 9:30 am to 11 pm daily.
LOCAL NEWS
Street Health - community experiences
A week ago, Premier Doug Ford referred to a conversation that he had with local residents in Cabbagetown South. He cited it as one of his reasons for withdrawing funding for the safe injection site at Street Health (338 Dundas E).
Local residents do not oppose a safe injection site nearby. They support the clinics operating at Moss Park and Regent Park. Their opposition to Street Health comes after disturbing events last summer.
At that time, new people appeared in the Dundas and Sherbourne area. There were larger crowds on the sidewalks and in the lanes, violent incidents, sounds of screaming and breaking glass and needles, condoms and city-issued drug safety kits thrown around in lanes. The neighbours counted four home invasions and 38 thefts from local cars. There are serious concerns for the safety of seniors in TCHC’s William Dennison Residence and residents in 251 Sherbourne. Drug dealers seem to do their business without anyone’s interference.
Street Health - community safety
The Cabbagetown South Residents Association has strongly supported the Province’s decision. The Association’s press release is available online at its website.
The Mayor joined a safety walk through the neighbourhood in September. Local agencies and the City of Toronto have become more involved in calming the area and restoring safety since then.
The Association has repeatedly asked for increased police presence by officers who are dedicated to the neighbourhood. Recently, the Superintendent at 51 Division has been open to this idea.
Help for the area has also come from the Sherbourne Dundas safety network. Margaret’s House - a local service agency - has set up an outreach team to visit hot spots and work with addicts on the street. Several local groups including Street Health have organized a needle clean-up system. All Saints Church has reopened its drop-in services to give people a safe place to get off the street.
Street Health - controversy
Much of the controversy happens as people with different experiences look at the same problems. The neighbours think that the site attracts addicts into the area. Street Health says that it set up its clinic because the addicts were already here. The neighbours support the Regent Park and Moss Park sites. Street Health says that the addicts whom it serves won’t go there - they’ll stay in local lanes, streets and parks. Street Health has increased its participation in the surrounding neighbourhood but the neighbours feel that this is a token effort.
Friends at Stratford
Photo: Scott Wishart, Stratford Festival
Jacklyn Francis and Juan Chioran are appearing in several plays at the Stratford Festival over the summer. Juan plays Lodovico in Othello and The Mayor in Front Page. Jacklyn is Patience Maria in Henry VIII and appears in Mother’s Daughter as well.
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.
The CRA has put out a call for volunteers. About 100 are needed and so far, 75 great folks have offered to help. 25 more to go! Please contact Carolyn (carolyn.jarman@gmail.com) if you'd like to find out more!
Carbon tax
Tania and Steve want to know - what carbon tax?
YOUR STORIES - RACCOONS
We’re collecting memorable raccoon stories. Share yours with everybody else - send it here, cabbagetownreview@gmail.com .
Penelope writes -
“Many years ago, I answered a knock on the front door from a tenant who lived next door. He seemed very distressed. He and Kathy had made a vegetable garden in the back yard. He was mad that raccoons kept eating the plants. He picked up a shovel and hit a raccoon raider which keeled over and died.
He said that Kathy would be very upset with him and because we were ‘religious’ he wondered if we would organize a funeral for the raccoon to comfort her. Somewhat surprised, we gathered our four children and planned a funeral service!
A small group of neighbours joined us in the back yard and we began the service. To our amazement a line-up of raccoons appeared along the back fence, maybe 12 in all. One by one they came, nuzzled the body of the dead raccoon, moved on and left. The raccoon was buried and its grave was decorated with flowers and gifts from the children. It was a cry and laugh experience for all of us, including Kathy. ”
YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS
We asked for your advice…
Tony Lafazanis didn’t recognize this creature seen last week in his Spruce Street yard. We asked for your advice and we got the usual colourful mixture of replies. The majority voted for groundhogs. We also got one vote for a gopher (perhaps imported from Saskatchewan), one beaver (up from the Don) and one coypu (Wikipedia says they like levees, dikes and embankments and they cause bank collapses!). Thanks everybody.
KIDS’ STUFF
Growing up green
Friends of Allan Gardens organize family-friendly programs in Allan Gardens - planting and composting, plant scavenger hunts, botanical arts and crafts and more. Great stuff for kids ages 2 to 10. It’s free - drop-ins welcome. The next afternoon is Saturday April 20 from 1 pm to 3 pm. Allan Gardens Children’s Conservatory (Carlton and Sherbourne).
Poetry Month
April is poetry month at the Children’s Book Bank (350 Berkeley). Week 2 happens on Saturday April 13 - “Poetry is Art” for kids 3 to 12. Week 3 looks at “Poetry is Drama” for kids up to 12, Saturday April 27. All events start at 1 pm. There’ll be activities, contests and special guests.
Registration is open for Summer Arts
The summer program for kids ages 4 to 8 at Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (509 Parliament). July 29 to August 2. Full and half day sessions for 5 to 8-year-olds and half-day sessions for 4-year olds. Click here for more info. https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/c03793_820d4a2a6931474f9bf2f0d716069a04.pdf
COMING EVENTS
Listed by starting dates
Ryan Dineen at Ingram Gallery
Ryan’s new paintings are on view at Yorkville’s Ingram Gallery (24 Hazelton). The show opens with a reception on Saturday April 13 from 2 to 4 pm.
Hydrangea show at Allan Gardens
The Spring hydrangea show opens on Sunday April 14. There’ll be a day-long selfie station in the Palm House. From 1 to 3 pm, children’s activities will happen in the Children’s Conservatory. From 2 to 3 pm, there’ll be a Spring tree tour. Throughout the day, guides from Friends of Allan Gardens will answer questions about the show.
Croissant baking
Artisanal chef Leo Baduria is offering a class on baking this French classic. Sunday April 14, 2 to 5 pm, Paintbox Bistro (555 Dundas). $75. Tickets available online.
Cabbagetown South Community Meeting
Meet the Community Response Unit Manager from 51 Division and hear representatives from Oben Flats talk about its new development at Sherbourne and Gerrard. Tuesday April 16, 6:30 pm, Central Neighbourhood House (349 Ontario).
Open Mic night
Drop in and enjoy yourself. Open Mic in the Centre for Social Innovation Lounge at the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E, 3rd Floor). There’ll be snacks and a bar. April 18, 6:45 registration, 7 to 10 pm.
Community Environment Day
The City of Toronto will again be visiting Allan Gardens on Carlton Street for its annual environment day. Start gathering up your dangerous goods, batteries and electronics, old clothing and other unwanted items. City staff will collect all of it in this convenient, one-stop drop-off. Saturday April 20, 10 am to 2 pm.
48th annual Forsythia Festival
Welcome the return of spring!
Be sure to save the date - Sunday May 5, 10:30 am to 3 pm. Parade at Riverdale Park (Winchester and Sumach) and events at Wellesley Park (east end of Wellesley). Food, crafts, games and family fun. Free except for food and beverage.
Easter events
Cranberries (601 Parliament) is holding another of its wonderful dinners - Sunday April 21 from 5 pm. Butternut squash soup, organic greens salad, turkey with all the extras, baked lamb shank - all followed by dark chocolate truffle. $38. There’ll be two seatings - 5 and 7:30 pm. These are very popular dinners so reserve your place now at (416) 925-6330.
Corktown Easter egg hunt - Sunday April 21, 10 am to noon in the Corktown Common playground (155 Bayview). This is a massive event - 10,000 chocoloate eggs, live music, Easter Bunny appearances. Rain or shine - free.
IN THE MEDIA
Regent Park future developments
Map: Toronto Community Housing.
Phase 4 is shown in yellow and Phase 5 in red - both on Gerrard Street.
Last Spring, Toronto Community Housing revealed that it is reopening bids for the rebuilding in Phases 4 and 5 in Regent Park. This came as a surprise to many community activists who expected that The Daniels Corporation would finish the job.
TCHC has now announced that three developers will bid on this work - Daniels, Tridel and Capital Developments. The final decision will be announced by the end of 2019.
Joseph Hall wrote a Toronto Star story about this process and the steps that will be taken in the coming months.
Street Health
Carly Weeks summarized the issues about Street Health’s safe injection site in a Globe and Mail article last week. Click here.
Canary Restaurant
Photo: Tanya Mok, blogTO
The old Canary Restaurant building is designated as a central part of a new Indigenous hub. Plans are being drafted now. blogTO did a story about the project, click here.
MUNCHIES
Readers write about their noteworthy food experiences. Send along yours whenever you’ve really enjoyed eating out in our neighbourhood. cabbagetownreview@gmail.com
Susan Dineen writes -
“Ontario Restaurant (383 Dundas E) has the best souvlaki dinner in the city - chicken or pork loin. And its Greek potatoes are to die for.”
Photo: Gina and Stephen are part of the family who own and operate Ontario Restaurant.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Live entertainment at Pho Pas
Andre Marc appears at Pho Pas (480 Parliament) on Saturday April 13 at 8:30 pm. He’s a silky soul songwriter. Tickets are available on Eventrite, $20 advance and $25 at the door.
Cyril’s soup
Cyril has a new email - abeautifulbowl@gmail.com. Please use it for both your orders and e-transfers.
Saturday's offering is Thai lemongrass soup. With tofu, $8 and with shrimp and fish sauce, $10.
Order deadline is 7 pm on Friday. He delivers his soups (in Cabbagetown). He’s accepting payments by e-transfers and cash.
APRIL THEATRE & DANCE PRODUCTIONS
Listed by starting dates.
Wedding at Aulis
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
On stage to Sunday April 14
Website and tickets here. (416) 866-8666
Copenhagen
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
On stage to Wednesday May 1
Website and tickets here. (416) 866-8666
The Picture of Dorian Gray
George Brown Theatre School
c/o Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Lane)
On stage to Saturday April 20
Website and tickets here. (416) 866-8666
Monsieur d’Eon is a Woman
Young Centre (50 Tank House Lane)
On stage to Saturday April 20
Website and tickets here. (416) 866-8666
Bigre
Canadian Stage Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley)
On stage to Sunday April 21
Website and tickets here. (416) 368-3110
Four Old Legs
Citadel + Compagnie
Ross Centre for Dance (304 Parliament)
On stage 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 APRIL 11 TO SUNDAY APRIL 21
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 APRIL 11
Mill Street Brew Pub
5 pm, Live music
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Tilted Dog
8 pm, Comedy night hosted by Ethan O’Reilly
FRIDAY APRIL 12
Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
SATURDAY APRIL 13
Dominion
8 pm, Havelin
Pho Pas
8:30 pm, Andre Marc, $20 advance and $25 at the door
SUNDAY APRIL 14
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
MONDAY APRIL 15
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY APRIL 16
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY APRIL 17
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
The Tilted Dog
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia with Porter
THURSDAY APRIL 18
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Comedy night with Dave Burke and Danish Anwar
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Tilted Dog
8 pm, Open mic with Robert LaBell
FRIDAY APRIL 19
Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
SATURDAY APRIL 20
No listings for this date
SUNDAY APRIL 21
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
PHO PAS
480 Parliament, (416) 922-0769
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
