CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW: June 2019

This week’s image: School’s over and Elena will finish her duties at Wellesley and Parliament for the year.

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD

REVIEW

OPEN HOUSE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Open house events are happening over the long weekend on Saturday and Sunday on Spruce and Wellesley. Click here to read these announcements.

LOCAL NEWS

Thanks Elena

Elena and our other crossing guards will finish up their duties for the school year on Thursday. Our thanks to all of them for doing their jobs in their friendly ways and for keeping our kids safe.

Elena earned an award in early June for her ten years’ service.

It’s also the last year when she and the others will work for the Toronto Police Service. The crossing guards will be hired and supervised next year by a new employer.

Save the date - Strawberry Social

The Winchester Park Residents Association is holding its third annual strawberry social on Saturday July 6 from 2 to 4 pm in Winchester Square Park. It’s a nifty community event - get there on time and enjoy a free sample.

Quayside

Image: Waterfront Toronto

Waterfront Toronto has released the draft plan by Sidewalk Labs for the development of the Quayside district. It’s a three-volume proposal. Waterfront Toronto’s Board chair, Stephen Diamond, has written an open letter in response. He notes that the proposal is strictly from Sidewalk Labs. Waterfront Toronto worked with them on the preliminary research and public consultations and then each organization did different tasks. Sidewalk Labs wrote its proposal and Waterfront Toronto created a framework for public response to the proposal.

The Sidewalk Labs’ proposal is online at Waterfront Toronto’s website.

Mr Diamond lists four concerns. First, Sidewalk Labs wants to expand its project into a much larger area. Second, Sidewalk Labs wants to be the lead developer for the whole project. Third, Sidewalk Labs wants commitments from other governments on transit, regulations and investment. Fourth, Sidewalk Labs has listed its ideas for data collection, ownership, use and governance.

His letter is available online here.

Waterfront Toronto will soon issue a guide to public consultations. These consultations are expected to begin in mid-July.

Cabbagetown Southwest heritage conservation district

The proposal to create Cabbagetown’s final heritage conservation district has taken a major step forward. The area in Cabbagetown South from Carlton to Shuter and from Sherbourne to Parliament has been the subject of a heritage study and that phase is now complete. The City’s Toronto Preservation Board approved the recommendation and Toronto Preservation Services will now draft a detailed plan. Furthermore, homeowners’ renovations and demolition plans will now be screened through this new heritage standard. The detailed background study is online here.

Development map

City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam has posted a map of development projects across Ward 13. It includes the locations of specific projects along with info about neighbourhood residents’ associations and heritage conservation districts. There’s also a description of each project, a summary of its progress through the approvals and contact info for the developer and the city officials. Click here to see the map.

Outdoor movies

It’s a sure sign that summer is here. Outdoor movie nights are starting in Regent Park and In Corktown Commons. The schedules are listed below.

Under the Stars is organized by the Regent Park Film Festival. A community market and family entertainment happen before the movies. Every Wednesday in July and August in Regent Park (The Big Park at Dundas & Sackville).

Dynamic Duos runs every Thursday night in July at Corktown Common (100 Bayview Ave at the foot of River Street). Each screening includes a short film along with the main feature.

Kids in the park

Kids from the after-school program at Community Matters Toronto took a short trip from St James Town to Wellesley Park last Tuesday. Ever since the splash pad opened there, the park has been a favourite destination. The new wading pools should also open soon in Winchester Park and Riverdale.

Congrats Brenda

Brenda launched a fundraising campaign to support the Cabbagetown Youth Centre. She holds her weekly Step Classes there. She set a $5000 target for the campaign and she’s just announced that she’s received this amount in total pledges. Thanks, Brenda, for both the campaign and your ongoing organizing at your Step Class.

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit

by Sally Gibson

Image: Liberal Gathering at Necropolis for William Lyon Mackenzie, 1922 Globe

Shortly before Canada Day 1922, a group from the Liberal Women’s Association led a pilgrimage to the Necropolis. They laid wreaths at the graves of four men who, they asserted, had been “Champions of Responsible Government” - journalist and Father of Confederation George Brown, rebels Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews who were hanged for their part in the failed 1837 Rebellion and the leader of that rebellion, William Lyon Mackenzie. You can still see Mackenzie’s Celtic cross in today’s Necropolis and in this June 29, 1922 photograph. The Globe celebrated the Liberal event with the somewhat demeaning caption “[for] keeping green the memory of the ‘Little Rebel’ of the stormy days of ’37.”

COMING EVENTS

Listed by starting dates

Filipino Heritage Night

Celebrate Filipino culture with arts and crafts, games, music and children’s activities. Enjoy fresh coconut buns. Near the bake oven in The Big Park in Regent Park (Sackville and Dundas), Friday June 28, 4 to 9 pm.

Cabbagetown Walks (French language version)

This walk will be conducted in French. It’s co-sponsored by the Cabbagetown Preservation Association and La Societe d’Histoire de Toronto. It’s a walk into the less-explored parts of the Necropolis. Visit the graves of African slaves and their children, of women and of immigrants. The tour starts at the gate to the Necropolis (200 Winchester), Sunday June 30, 1:30 pm.

The next English language tour happens on Sunday July 14 at 10:30 am at the gates to the Necropolis.

Sharon Harvie’s art

Sharon’s exhibition of her silk art at Cranberries (601 Parliament) continues through Sunday June 30. Drop by and check out her pictures - they’re lovely.

Table 7

A Plays in Cafes creation, part of the Fringe Festival. Paintbox (555 Dundas E), July 4, 5, 6 and 10, 11, 12 & 13. For info and times, go to the website. $11.

Corktown Common - outdoor movies

Every Thursday evening. Food trucks at 7 pm, movies at sundown, in Corktown Common (100 Bayview Ave at the foot of River Street). Free - suggested donation $10.

July 4 - E.T. with the short film Wakening.

July 11 - Hunt for the Wilderpeople with the short film

July 18 - Paper Moon with the short film Waiting for Lou.

July 25 - Some Like It Hot with the short film Switch.

Under the Stars - outdoor movies

Wednesday evenings in July and August in the Big Park (Dundas E at Sackville). A community market and kitchen by Taste of Regent Park along with family entertainment happen before each movie.

July 10 - Into the Spiderverse

July 17 - Meditation Park

July 24 - Our People Will Be Healed

July 31 - Life of Pi

Aug 7 - Your Name

Aug 10 - Black Panther

Distillery weekend events

The Distillery has a series of regular events every weekend.

Family Yoga - two 40-minute outdoor sessions, every Sunday at 11 am and noon. Kids 7 to 12 welcome. Bring your own mat. Gristmill Lane.

Summer Music Series - free outdoor concerts every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 pm. Trinity Square stage.

Sunday Market - vendors offering craft goods, artisanal foods and specialties. Sundays from noon to 5 pm.

Fantastic Planet - giant alien figures have landed and they’re exploring the Distillery until July 31. (Weather permitting).

Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market

The Market takes place every Tuesday in Riverdale Park West (Winchester and Sumach) from 3 to 7 pm with a great group of vendors.

This year, the Market is being organized by the Riverdale Farm Stewardship Group. Profits go to the Farm’s capital projects and its food education programs.

The Underpass Park Farmers’ Market

In Corktown - now open for the season on Thursdays from 3 to 7 pm in Underpass Park (29 Lower River Street). Activities and face painting for kids, a free yoga class with the Yoga Sanctuary from 5:30 pm and live music. Great produce and baked goods.

IN THE MEDIA

Hit and run in Regent Park

Photo: John Sandeman, CBC

A 39-year old woman suffered fatal injuries when struck by an out-of-control car at Dundas and Regent Park Blvd last Thursday afternoon. The driver of the car was charged with impaired driving, dangerous operation of the car causing death and failure to remain at the accident scene. The CBC has reported on the accident and on her funeral last Saturday.

Sidewalk Labs

Image: Waterfront Toronto

The Toronto Star has offered a summary and a quick critique of the plans to build Quayside on the waterfront by Mitch Potter.

Mitchell Cohen of the Daniels Corporation has written about the value of pursuing the Quayside project with Sidewalk labs. As a key organizer in the drive to revitalize Regent Park, he knows how these projects should proceed.

The Toronto Star has summed up critics’ responses to the proposal, particularly about data collection and personal privacy.

650 Parliament

Photo: Toronto Star

Donovan Vincent has reported in the Toronto Star on the difficulties faced by students and families from 650 Parliament following last summer’s fire in their apartment building. Local agencies, the City of Toronto, friends and suppoters and the landlord have all attempted to settle them near their schools. Click here for his story.

Seaton House

Photo: City of Toronto

The men’s shelter at 339 George Street is the largest shelter facility in Toronto with almost 600 beds. The City of Toronto is now closing it and moving its residents into five smaller shelters scattered across the GTA. A smaller renovated building on this site will be finished by 2024. CityTV has prepared a video showing the steps that will happen and the toll that this is taking on the Seaton House residents.

KIDS’ STUFF

Children’s Book Bank

The Book Bank (350 Berkeley) will be hosting its Summer Reading Program again this year, from July 2 to August 30. The theme is Summer in the City - celebrating all the fun activities Toronto has to offer. Children ages 3 to 12 can sign up at any time and receive a notebook to keep track of all the books they read. At the end of the summer, The Book Bank will celebrate all participants with prizes, cupcakes, and books!

BUSINESS NEWS

Now or Never Sale

To make way for new arrivals, Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) is having a BIG Clearance Sale at up to 75% OFF! Take advantage of amazing deals on home accessories, pillows, lighting, furniture and rugs. More marked-downs can be found downstairs in the design one-stop shop.

Store hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm, Friday from 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm, Sunday from noon to 5 pm. https://www.instagram.com/kendallandco

A change of plans

When the venerable variety store located at 220 Gerrard closed, the site became a vape shop. That idea has gone up in smoke. Instead, there’s a doggy daycare in the store. Check out their services on their website and their photos on Facebook - best wishes to Alisha and her shop at Paws In The 6ix.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Summerlicious - Friday July 5 to Sunday July 21

Toronto's big summer food festival is getting started in almost 200 restaurants. Reservations are now open. Meals are available in various price levels - $23, $28 or $33 for lunch and $33, $43 and $53 for dinner.

Five participating restaurants are in our neighbourhood -

F'Amelia (12 Amelia) Italian, $43 dinner.

Archeo (31 Trinity, Distillery), Italian, $23 lunch and $33 dinner.

Boku (42 Gristmill, Distillery), Japanese, $23 lunch and $33 dinner

Cluny (35 Tank House Lane, Distillery), French, $28 lunch and $43 dinner.

Pure Spirits (17 Tank House Lane, Distillery), seafood, $28 lunch and $43 dinner.

For a full listing of all restaurants and for contact info, go to the official Summerlicious website.

Congrats Cluny

blogTO has listed Cluny (35 Tank House Lane, Distillery) as one of its twenty top patios for a weekend brunch.

Cyril’s soup system

Cyril is taking a Canada Day weekend break. It’s a good time to remind you about his system. He makes two soups every week, on Tuesday and Saturday, and informs interested people about his menus in advance by email. He usually prepares a regular version and vegan one. He delivers to his Cabbagetown-area customers. He accepts payments by e-transfers and cash. Email him at abeautifulbowl@gmail.com

JULY & AUGUST

THEATRE & DANCE PRODUCTIONS

Listed by starting dates.

August: Osage County

Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)

On stage to Sunday June 30