November 7

This week’s image:  it’s not much, but it’s a start.  Winter will be here officially on December 21.  


CABBAGETOWN
NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW


RESPITE CENTRE UPDATES
In the community debate about the value of the respite centre planned for 233 Carlton, people have started to organize beyond individual complaints.  Groups are forming to devise plans to make local objections more forceful.

Bob Hepburn in The Toronto Star
Photo:  Toronto Star
Bob Hepburn is a senior columnist at The Star.  His  November 7 column lists the events in the respite centre’s approval and then adds important insights into the missteps and abuses in the process.  Click here to read it.  

Supporters of the centre
Some voices have been raised in support of the centre’s move to 233 Carlton. Tabatha Southey has written a passionate Open Letter in support. Click here to read her comments.
Jaimy Warner operates Social Smiths (574 & 1/2 Parliament). As both a business woman and a local resident, she’s optimistic about its contributions. She feels that the negative impacts that are being described are unproven.  She also thinks that the operators, the Fred Victor Mission, will do a good job managing the centre and that people who are objecting should consider the desperate needs of its clients.  

Organized opposition
Up to now, the people opposed to the respite centre have been vocal but largely unorganized.  One group has met to begin coordinating efforts.  At this stage, it’s too early to give contact info or progress reports.  
Among the local residents’ associations, the Cabbagetown South Residents has been the most visible opponent.  Winchester Park has concerns about this project but continues to support other social service agencies in its area.  The Cabbagetown Residents’ Association in Don Vale has decided not to take sides.  

What’s happening at City Hall
Efforts to verify that due diligence was done by senior staff members from Shelter, Support & Housing Administration have not been very satisfactory.  Andrea Gonsalves, a Senior Communications Advisor from Media Relations, emailed to say “City staff from SSHA and Corporate Real Estate Management visited the site prior to the lease being finalized as part of the normal due diligence process and feasibility assessment that all site undergo before approvals are completed.”
In a follow-up telephone call, she was asked for a list of the dates of these visits and she could not provide them.
A City staff member from SSHA apparently admitted in a community stakeholder’s meeting that they did not visit Cabbagetown or the 233 Carlton site prior to deciding to move the respite centre into this building.  
When Andrea was told this, she had no information available to her to refute it.
Queries about this issue are now getting circular.  The initial requests went to the Councillor’s office and then bounced around the bureaucracy.  The questions have been submitted to the Councillor for a second time to get some answers.  

Criteria used to select 233 Carlton
According to a Fact Sheet produced by Councillor Wong-Tam, there were eleven finalist sites for the respite centre.  Enquiries about the other ten sites have been blocked by City staff.  Andrea Gonsalves said in her email “we are not able to disclose the details of private property listings that may not all have been publicly listed. Doing so could violate privacy rights of the private landowners.”  She was not willing to check which of the sites were publicly listed and exempt from these concerns.  She was also unable to disclose how the City staff would know about the availability of a property if it were not listed somewhere.   

The Mayor’s role
In a 2016 message on Twitter, the Mayor congratulated Leysa Cerswell and Craig Kielburger for their wedding and announced that he had been part of the ceremony.  This message sparked rumours and accusations that he had favoured his friends when the respite centre was leased at 233 Carlton.  
The reply from his office gave detailed denials that he’d been involved in any decisions about the centre, formally or informally - the procedures used in the “delegated authority” process are designed to bypass him completely and that process was followed here. A further check of the paperwork about the project shows that the final approvals rested with City Manager Chris Murray.

Sign the petition
A petition to oppose the respite centre has been organized with a new target of 2,500 signatures.  Over 1,950 people have signed to this date.  

Emails can be sent to City of Toronto officials at the following addresses - use “233 Carlton” in the subject line.  The Mayor - mayor_tory@toronto.ca.  The City Manager - chris.murray@toronto.ca.  Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam - councillor_wongtam@toronto.ca

LOCAL NEWS

Call for artists
The Tilted Dog (424 Parliament) will hold its second annual art market on Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 8 from noon to 5 pm daily.  Paintings, jewellery, bake goods and crafts will be displayed.  Last year’s market was a success and the pub is hoping for an even bigger response this year.  
If interested, you’re invited to call Tiffany at (416) 961-9425.  $25 daily or $50 for the weekend. 

The Distillery’s Christmas Tree
The 2019 Christmas tree arrived from Bancroft on Monday November 4.  When it’s fully up and operating, the 50’ tree will have 40,000 lights, 800 ornaments and over 1 km of ribbon.  

Christmas Market in the Distillery
This is a hugely popular Christmas event held in the historic Distillery District.  There’ll be locally produced crafts, unique foods, entertainment, Santa and the elves. Admission is free from Tuesday to Friday and $6 on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.   It runs from November 14 to December 22, Tuesdays through Sundays.  Closed Mondays.  To learn about the daily entertainment schedules and the vendor lists, go to the website.  City Council has approved a new traffic plan for the Market area.  The eastbound curb lane on Mill Street will be closed during this time to widen the sidewalks for pedestrians.  

Congrats to the CRA
The 2019 pumpkin walk in Riverdale Park West was another success despite the cold rainy weather.  As always, it was a great chance to catch a few friends and have a gossip.  Park staff and CRA volunteers handled the cleanups.

Help CCDT raise the curtain for kids
As part of its 40th anniversary celebration, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (509 Parliament) is raising funds to sponsor admissions for student matinees in schools.  Every $25 gift pays for one seat.  As part of the effort, CCDT is offering poinsettias and holiday wreaths.  Please order by November 8.  Call 416-924-5657 or email development@ccdt.org to inquire about products and pricing.

Get your flu shot
Our local pharmacies now have supplies of the 2019 flu vaccine.  Your doctor can suggest a source for the stronger version recommended for seniors.

Lookin’ good on Hallowe’en
It’s a great time for costumes and carvings - here are a few neighbourhood photos.

Ontario Street pumpkins. Thanks to Paula Warren for the photo.  

Daniel Bloch and Liora Tal won “best dressed” at their party.  Photo:  Paula Warren
Betty White’s photo shows a well-dressed but scary family.

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
Photo:  Homemade wagon, Earlscourt, 1913 City of Toronto Archives 1244-21A
By Sally Gibson   
From an early age, all members contributed to the family income, even small children who were sent off to collect coal or coke at the Consumers’ Gas plant on Parliament between Front and King Streets. 
Noel Sabourin recalled her coal-collecting adventures when viewing this photograph, taken in Earlscourt, Toronto but showing similar ingenuity. “We had a big wheelbarrow and potato bags and we were going to the
Consumers Gas Company. There is still a building on Front [now 51 Division Police Station] but we were going to the other side of the street where a garage is now. That is where they were putting the coke that had not completely burned. We were wearing gloves but we were always playing in the coal before picking it. Then we filled the wheelbarrow and went home.” (trans. Danièle Caloz for Société d’histoire de Toronto)
No doubt the scavangers were as coal-black as their fuel for the stove when they returned home.

COMING EVENTS
Listed by starting dates    

Step class in November
Brenda has made a change for her November schedule. The class on Sunday November 24 is cancelled.  Otherwise, classes will continue on Wednesday morning at 9:15 am and Sundays at 11 am.  Drop-ins are welcome. Cabbagetown Youth Centre gym (2 Lancaster behind the Beer Store).

Corktown Chamber Orchestra
The season’s first concert happens at 8 pm on Thursday November 14 in Little Trinity Church (425 Queen E).  The program includes Saint-Saens' Organ Symphony and Richard Strauss' Death and Transfiguration.  Tickets are PWYC ($20 suggested, kids free.)  

Seminars for parents
Buds and Blossoms (517 Parliament Second Floor) is hosting a series of free seminars by Ana Guilhermino. She has a background in positive psychology and emotional education.  The seminars will give parents a safe and comfortable space to explore various ways to have a positive impact on your children.
This is an adult-only event with no childminding available. 
This month's seminar will be held on Saturday November 16th, at 10 am, at Buds and Blossoms. Free - no RSVP required.

Cabbagetown Preservation Association
Save the date - Thursday November 21, 7 to 9 pm.  The CPA will present the Streetscapes in Bloom award for the year’s outstanding garden and the Recognition Award for an outstanding contribution to the community.  Following the awards, Laura Johnson, Stephanie Fernandes and Robert Johnson will talk about Regent Park & Cabbagetown: Past & Future.  Meeting House, Riverdale Farm (Sumach and Winchester)

Cabbagetown South holiday party
Save the date.  This event is always a lot of fun.  Meet your neighbours and friends.  Wear a Christmas sweater.  Hors d’oeuvres and sweet treats.  Monday December 2, 6:30 pm, The Tilted Dog (424 Parliament).  Tickets are available online here. $10.  

Healthy neighbourhood forums
Councillor Wong-Tam is hosting community conferences to draft ideas for healthier neighbourhoods.  Expert speakers and roundtable discussions.  The comments and feedback from these sessions will shape her work here in the future. Save the dates.
St James Town, Winchester Park, Upper Jarvis and Bloor East - Tuesday November 12, 6 pm, The Church of St Peter & St Simon-the-Apostle (525 Bloor E).
Regent Park and Cabbagetown - Tuesday November 26, 6 pm, Regent Park Community Centre (402 Shuter).
St. Lawrence, Corktown & West Don Lands - Monday December 2, 6 pm, St Lawrence Community Centre, Multipurpose Room (230 The Esplanade). 

IN THE MEDIA

NewsTalk 1010 
On November 3, Dave Trafford did a report about the Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre.  He talked to Sarah Patrick and enjoyed some tunes from the Centre’s students.  His story is a nice update on the Centre’s fortunes following the break-in and theft of its equipment and instruments earlier this year.  Click here to listen to it.  

Regent Park Film Festival
On November 20, 21, 22 and 22, the Regent Park Film Festival will be screened in the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  It’s Toronto longest running free Festival.  The program will highlight emerging directors, locally produced short films and noteworthy features from around the world.  For a full program, click here.  
Click here to read the CBC News story.  

Sidewalk Labs
Photo:  Michael Wilson, CBC
CBC News summarized the negotiations between Waterfront Toronto and Sidewalk Labs. The story shows where Sidewalk Labs has agreed to Waterfront Toronto’s terms and notes that detailed negotiations will now begin.  Click here for the story.  

KIDS’ STUFF 

Buds and Blossoms 
Buds and Blossoms (517 Parliament, second floor) became a fully-licensed childcare facility in  September. It now has lots of spots available for new preschoolers. The preschool program is perfect if you’re searching for ways to help your child build social and communicative skills before starting kindergarten next year.  Click here for more info about the programs now being offered.  

PA Day activities
The next PA Day happens on Friday November 15.  

Buds & Blossoms is hosting a Space Adventure PA Day Camp on November 15th, 2019. The camp will run from 8:30 am to 4 pm. Great for kids ages 4+!  517 Parliament, second floor.

Children’s Book Bank (350 Berkeley) Some of the most famous children's writers were born in November.  Please join us on the next PA day for an authors’ birthday party - celebrating the like of Barbara Reid, Marc Brown (of Arthur fame), and many other authors of classic kids lit.  
November 15, 10 am to 3 pm at The Children's Book Bank (350 Berkeley)

Friends of Allan Gardens hosts a Family Drop-in Afternoon on each PA day from 1 to 2:30 pm.  The next one happens on Friday November 15. Activities include hands-on gardening and composting activities, scavenger hunts, nature crafts and more.  Best suited to children from 6 to 12 years but younger siblings are always welcome. Parental supervision is required. Children’s Conservatory, Allan Gardens (Jarvis and Carlton). 

BUSINESS NEWS

Cabbagetown Chairman’s Awards
Vote now to pick the best businesses in Cabbagetown.  The BIA is holding its annual Chairman’s Awards event and your choices will be used to pick the winners.  There are seven categories - best customer service, best restaurant, best take-out options, best service business, best new business, best professional and best employee. Click here to vote.   

NOW Magazine’s Readers Choice winners
Congrats to the restaurants, pubs, food stores and retailers who won awards in this year’s Readers’ Choice survey.
Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton) is back again as the city’s best caterer.  Across the street, Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) is runner-up for the city’s best pub.  Sukhothai has two locations (274 Parliament and 490 Front) - it’s the runner-up for the best Thai food. Soma in the Distillery won the best chocolate shop.  Roselle (362 Queen E) is runner-up for the best desserts. Souk Tabule (494 Front E) has the best falafels and the best Middle Eastern food.  Cluny in the Distillery is runner-up in the best French category.  
The Distillery’s Soulpepper is the runner-up in the best large theatre company.  Also in the Distillery, Fluevog was runner-up in the best men’s shoes.Under the Stars was runner-up for the best outdoor film screenings.  
Among politicians, Kristyn Wong-Tam was voted runner-up for the city’s best councillor. 

Hair Spa
Nano has a promotion underway for November and December.  She’ll do a root touch, trim and style for medium and long hair at $100 and for short hair at $85.  440 Parliament.  

Cocktails and sneak peeks at Spruce
Drop in to Spruce (455 Parliament) for cocktails, nibblies and special prices.  It’s Kim’s way to launch the festive season in her beautiful store.  She’s highlighting Alveole’s honey - harvested locally in Toronto.  Click here for a sneak peek at her Christmas specials. 7 to 9 pm, Thursday November 14.  

Christmas Loud & Proud
Christmas has arrived in Cabbagetown’s Kendall & Co (514 Parliament), unlike anywhere else. The city's biggest and best selection of unique ornaments, holiday decor and adorable gifts. How lucky are Cabbagetowners to find this much Christmas joy so near and dear. Shop local and early because these very special goodies sure sell out.  Follow Kendall’s instagram @kendallandco for just some of their featured items. https://www.instagram.com/kendallandco 
Open - Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm, Friday 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday 11 am to 6 pm and Sunday noon to 5 pm.

Plant sale at Blooming Flower Bar
Anji is having a sale - save 30% on all plants in the store. Blooming Flower Bar,  559 Parliament.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Sicilian wine and food tasting event
Fusilli (531 Queen E) is hosting a four-course dinner that features Sicilian food paired with Sicilian wines.  7 pm, Tuesday November 12.  Reservations are recommended - there’s limited seating.  (416) 214-5148.  $65.

Baking croissants
Leo Baduria is teaching two workshops about one of French pastry's most magical delights - the flaky, delicate butter croissant. Sunday November 10, 10 am to 1 pm and 2 to 5 pm, Paintbox Bistro (555 Dundas E) 

Michael Darcy at Stout
Michael Darcy returns for another evening of traditional and original Irish music.  Wednesday November 13, 8 to 11 pm.  Stout Irish Pub (221 Calton).

Ethiopian cuisine
Another in Paintbox’s (555 Dundas E) pop-up community lunches. Ethiopian cuisine prepared by Ubah Jimale from the Regent Park Catering Collective.  Wednesday November 20, 11:30 am to 2 pm.  $10 - tickets available online here. 

Haldi
Haldi (568 Parliament) is a new Indian restaurant that opened on October 22.  So far, comments and reviews by hungry Cabbagetown foodies have been very positive.  It’s open from Tuesday to Saturday for lunch from 11:30 am and for dinner from 5 pm.  On Sundays, dinner is served from 5 pm.  There’s a Facebook page - check it out.  

Cyril’s soups
Cyril’s soup for Saturday is daal made with red lentils, coconut milk and tomatoes together with lots of spices for a mild and comforting flavour,  $9.  He’s also doing tropical cranberry juice at $9.
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. His order deadline is 2 pm on the day before delivery.  He delivers to his Cabbagetown-area customers. He accepts payments by e-transfers and cash. Email him at abeautifulbowl@gmail.com

NOVEMBER THEATRE & DANCE PRODUCTIONS
Listed by starting dates.

Almighty Voice and His Wife
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
On stage to November 10
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666    

Let’s Run Away
Canadian Stage (26 Berkeley)
On stage to November 17
Website and tickets here.   (416) 368-3110   

FireWorks Festival - 3 new plays
Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley)
November 6 to 24
Belle Darling Klondike Queen
November 6 to 10
Grief Circus
November 13 to 17
If the Shoe Fits
November 20 to 24
Website and tickets here.  (416) 364-4170   

Riverboat Coffee House, The Yorkville Scene
Soulpepper Concert Series
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane) 
On stage to November 17
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666  

Weesageechak Begins to Dance 32
Annual developmental festival of new Indigenous works
Aki Studio Theatre  (585 Dundas E)  
November 13 to November 23
Website and tickets here.  (416) 531-1402   

Ring
Toronto Dance Theatre (80 Winchester)
November 14 to November 23
Website and tickets here.  (416) 967-1365   

Wind in the Leaves with Allies & Friends
Citadel + Compagnie  (302 Parliament)
November 15 to November 16
Website and tickets here.   (416) 364-8011   

Citadel Dance Mix 2019
Citadel + Compagnie  (302 Parliament)
November 27 to November 30
Website and tickets here.   (416) 364-8011   

Impulse 2019
School of Toronto Dance Theatre  (80 Winchester) 
November 28 to 30 and December 5 to 7
Website and tickets here.  (416) 967-6887    

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY OCTOBER 7 TO SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17

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 NOVEMBER 7

New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Tilted Dog
8 pm, Jeff Barnes and Noah Zacharin, live music

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8

Alice’s Place
9:30 pm, Karaoke 
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9

Dominion
8 pm, Derek Lathrop Duo

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 10

Alice’s Place
9:30 pm, Karaoke
Paintbox
10 am to 1 pm and 2 to 5 pm, Leo Baduria’s workshop on baking croissants, $75.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 11

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 12
Dominion
7 pm, Pub Stumpers Trivia
Mill Street Beer Hall
7 pm, Pub Stumpers Trivia
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 13

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Stout Irish Pub
8 pm, Michael Darcy plays Irish music
The Tilted Dog
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia with Porter

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14

New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
The Tilted Dog
10 pm,  comedy night with Ethan O’Reilly

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 15

Alice’s Place
9:30 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16

Alice’s Place
9:30 pm, karaoke
Dominion
8 pm, Andrew Fetterley

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17

Alice’s Place
9:30 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, 
FLIPSIDE DONUTS & BAR
12 Case Goods Lane, Distillery
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, 
NEW TOWN
413 Parliament Street
ODIN
514 King E, (647) 350-6346,
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