December 19

This week’s image:  Christmas lights in the snow.  Photo:  Irene DeClute.


CABBAGETOWN
NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW


Next week’s schedule
The next Review will appear on Monday December 30.  It’ll feature events on New Year’s Eve. The regular date on December 26 is cancelled.

Annual Christmas lights contest
The Cabbagetown Residents Association is looking for the best… the most spectacular… the most original Christmas outdoor decorations.  
Nominate yourself or a neighbour before December 27 on Twitter by using #cabbagetownlights or by email.  Just list an address and send a photo.  
The choices and the rules are posted online and public voting happens at Quiz Maker - click here.  Check out the homes that have been nominated and cast your vote.
Only one vote for each IP address - but you can change your mind until the voting closes.  The winner gets a trophy and big time bragging rights.  

Christmas dinner at Cranberries
Once again, dinner is served on Christmas Day at Cranberries (601 Parliament).  It’s a memorable three-course meal with butternut squash soup or garden salad, turkey and the traditional trimmings, fresh veggies and apple crumble for dessert. There’ll be two sittings - 3 pm and 7:30 pm.  The 5 pm sitting is already sold out. These special dinners are very popular and everyone who goes is always pleased.  Reserve your place now at (416) 925-6330.  $35.

Community carolling at The Tilted Dog  
It’s a major cultural milestone.  Jeff Barnes will lead the chorus.  Members of the audience will rise spontaneously to sing a favourite.  Good company, good food, good pub - what could be more Christmasy?  Bring a food donation for the PWA food drive.
Sunday December 22, 3:30 to 6:30 pm.  424 Parliament.

Christmas Day
Super Bargain (441 Parliament) and House on Parliament (454 Parliament) are open on Christmas Day.  Drinks only, no food service.  Check at the pub for the opening hours.  Most restaurants and pubs close in the late afternoon on Christmas Eve and stay closed on Christmas Day.

Christmas drive at 51 Division
Toronto Police at 51 Division are holding a toy and food drive.  Drop off canned foods, dried foods, vitamins and other staples, especially for seniors.  Unwrapped new toys for kids ages 2 to 16.  Bring your gifts to the 51 Division lobby (51 Parliament) until December 21.
Mill Street Brewery has teamed up with 51 Division - when you bring in a toy, you’ll gt a $10 voucher to use at the BrewPub (20 Tank House Lane, Distillery).

The final weekend at the Christmas Market in the Distillery
This hugely popular Christmas event in the historic Distillery District ends on Sunday December 22.  Admission is free until Friday evening and $8 (advance) and $12 (at the gate) on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.  To learn about the entertainment schedules and the vendor lists, go to the website.  

RESPITE CENTRE UPDATES

Progress report
Wow - whoever handles the paperwork for the respite centre at 233 Carlton really knows how to do it.  Even though the lease doesn’t start until January 1, the City’s application to the Committee of Adjustment for the planned renovations has already been submitted and a hearing date has already been set for February 26. 
The covering letter and the details contained in the application show the extensive planning that has already gone into this project - planning that was deliberately withheld from the local community.
Read the documents here.  

A chance to voice your opinion
Here’s a new opportunity for you to register your views about the respite centre. Send a letter or an email or make a personal appearance to the Committee of Adjustment.  
Even though City staff might refuse a public meeting about the centre, they are powerless to prevent you from making a comment at the Committee of Adjustment.  This procedure carries lots of weight - just think back to the debate at this same Committee over the daycare at Sackville and Amelia.  
More details about these procedures will come soon.

A weird way to treat the public
Throughout the entire discussion about the respite centre, the City of Toronto has disguised its intentions, withheld information and refused to answer local dissent.  
That’s weird because the planners actually have a good case to make.
First of all, there’s a genuine need.  The huge shelter on George Street is closing and those beds have to be replaced.  That involves shuffling among existing services (as is happening here) plus the addition of more beds across the city.
Second, the Fred Victor Mission operates the Adelaide Resource Centre (67 Adelaide) and it's coming to Carlton Street.  Several other agencies run programs inside the Adelaide Resource Centre and they’re also coming to Carlton.  The combination is a professionally run service.
Third, the Adelaide Resource Centre is virtually invisible.  Many business people and residents around it don’t even know it’s there. If the Fred Victor Mission can duplicate this behaviour here, our community won’t be distressed.
The City’s refusal to be open about its plans has created a poisoned atmosphere. When the City’s staff and facilitators try to ease local fears, they’re met by mistrust - by the simple question, “Why should we believe you?” 
The PR gurus and the City’s staff have done everyone a disservice by shutting down public discussion about such a sensitive initiative.  

Sign the petition
A petition to oppose the respite centre has been organized with a target of 2,500 signatures.  2,368 people have signed to this date.  

Another online petition supports the new respite centre.  To date, 404 have signed it.  

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

Support the Cabbagetown Youth Centre

2020 CYC calendar with amazing photos by Andrew Clowater featuring Toronto’s natural life.  They’re great stocking stuffers.  $20 each, two for $30.
Buy a Cabbagetown Tee Shirt at the Cabbagetown BIA (237 Carlton) and get a second one at 50% off.  All proceeds on sales between now and New Year’s will be donated to the CYC.  Check out colours and sizes at the BIA office. 
GoFundMe for the CYC - to date, the GoFundMe drive has collected over $6,850 to support the CYC’s After 4 program.  Make your donation, click here.  

Drilling for the Ontario Line
Metrolinx will begin drilling soil samples to test the underground conditions on Berkeley and Richmond East for the construction of the new Ontario Line subway.  Work will start in December and continue for six months.  

Outdoor skating rinks
The City’s outdoors rinks are now open.  We have three in our neighbourhood.  The latest rink details are online here.
Regent Park (480 Shuter) - next to the Regent Park Athletic Grounds.  
Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) - just across the Don Valley. 
Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne) - a great spot for lakefront and downtown Toronto views.

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
Image:  Postcard showing Carlton and Sherbourne in the 1890s, near the location where the drunken passenger fell from the streetcar.
By Sally Gibson      
Christmas 1885. While most Cabbagetowners were home celebrating the season of holly and mistletoe, some fellows had to work. Like Toronto Street Railway conductor James Morton who fell asleep while driving his horse-drawn vehicle up Brewery Hollow. (He was suspended and replaced by Cabbagetowner James Welch.) 
More distressingly, on a cold Boxing Day, a drunken and obnoxious passenger hopped around the Winchester streetcar until he fell off on Carlton near Ontario Street. His hand was crushed under a front wheel. No sympathy was forthcoming from the TSR, which recorded that it was “the man’s own fault” in the Daily Journal for December 26. 
Moving forward 134 years to 2019: Seasons Greetings to one and all.

CHRISTMAS ANNOUNCEMENTS 

A great Christmas present - Keith Lawrance guitar lessons
Keith is giving one-on-one personalized guitar lessons.  Banjo, acoustic or electric. He’ll meet you in his home or, if you wish, he’ll come to yours for the lessons. 
He has a life-long interest in music.  He graduated with a music diploma from Mohawk College and he’s recently revived a band who played together years ago.  
Check out his website for lots more info and for his rates. You can contact him at his website as well.  

COMING EVENTS
Listed by starting dates    

Winter solstice at Allan Gardens
On Saturday from 1 to 3:30 pm, visit the winter flower show in the Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave, Jarvis and Carlton) at Allan Gardens. Then drop by the Children's Conservatory to celebrate the solstice with the Friends of Allan Gardens. Make a pine cone bird feeder to take home, pick up a plant at our small pop-up sale and have a cup of hot cider.  All ages are welcome. No registration is required.
The winter flower show continues to January 6.  The theme for this year’s show is floral dresses.  Breathtaking floral scenes with thousands of colourful blooms.
Open now until Monday January 6, Monday to Wednesday noon to 7 pm and Thursday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm,

Soulpepper’s Family Festival
Extra dates and seats have been added for these productions.
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane, Distillery) is bringing back three classics for the whole family over Christmas.  Peter Pan continues to January 5 and A Christmas Carol is on stage until December 29.  Tweet Tweet returns on December 27, 28 and 29.  Tickets and info will be available at the Soulpepper website - click here. 

IN THE MEDIA

Photo radar is coming to Cabbagetown
Photo:  Paul Smith, CBC News
In the next few weeks, photo radar will be set up permanently on Prospect Street between Rose and Ontario and on Spruce between Gifford and Naismith.  The cameras will record speeding cars and automatically issue tickets.  It’s part of the city-wide campaign to control traffic and reduce accidents.  The CBC has a story online - click here.   

A new TCHC building
Photo:  James Morrison, CBC News
Toronto Community Housing has added a new building to its portfolio at 150 River Street - the 13th in Regent Park.  It’ll have 125 rent-geared-to-income units and 33 below-market units.  The CBC’s Desmond Brown reported on the opening - click here.   

KIDS’ STUFF 

Santa at the Book Bank
Save the date - Santa’s coming to the Children’s Book Bank  (350 Berkeley).  He’ll tell a couple of stories. Saturday December 21, 10 to 10:45 am. 

Festive family time
Drop in to the Parliament Street Library (269 Gerrard E) on Monday December 23 from 10:30 to 11:30 am.  Fun stories and crafts.  Pre-school children.

Congrats to Sprucecourt students
Image:  Saifan’s card - one of four winners
Over 300 kids from Sprucecourt School submitted Christmas card designs in this year’s card contest run by the Cabbagetown Residents Association.  Four were selected as winners - Nylah and Ted from the primary grades and Saifan and Zara in the junior grades.  Their designs have been used for the CRA’s Christmas cards that are distributed across the neighbourhood.  Check out the winners in Epicure Shop (473 Parliament).

BUSINESS NEWS

Christmas in-store & online
Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) has Toronto’s best selection of unique ornaments, a wonderful selection of toys and games for all ages, amazing party crackers, magical snow globes and adorable stocking stuffers. How lucky are Cabbagetowners to find this much Christmas joy so near and dear.  Shop in-store and online before they sell out!  Follow their instagram @kendallandco for just some of their featured items.  
Extended holiday hours:  Monday to Wednesday from 10 am to 6 pm, Thursday and Friday 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday 11 am to 6 pm and Sunday noon to 5 pm. 

Get your tree
Christmas trees are on sale once again on the boulevard at Spruce and Parliament next to No Frills from 10 am to 8 pm daily.  Prices range from $40 to $90.

Christmas specials at St Jamestown
Get one of Mark’s tourtieres fresh out of the oven for your Christmas Eve dinner.  He has more than turkeys for your Christmas dinner.  Pick up some cookies and Christmas cakes while supplies last.   St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament).
Blooming Flower Bar

Anji has last-minute holiday supplies for desperate people.  You can still order her holiday centre pieces.  And she has a fresh batch of premium trees for you.  She’s open from 10 am to 7 pm, closing at 3 pm on Christmas Eve.  Blooming Flower Bar (559 Parliament)

RESTAURANT NEWS  

Cabbagetown Comedy Holiday Spectacular
It’s early this month - Thursday December 19, 7 pm.  Robert Watson hosts the event.  Proceeds support the respite centre at 233 Carlton.  Social Smiths (574 & 1/2 Parliament).  Cash bar.  Tickets are available online, $10.    

Save the date
Once again, F’Amelia (12 Amelia) is having a fundraiser on behalf of Winchester School.  Save the date and order your spot now - it fills up quickly.  Monday January 20, 6:30 pm, $100.  info@famelia.com 

Help Allison conquer cancer
Allison Cummings has stage three breast cancer.  Her friends have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help her with the expenses from missing work and the extra tasks at home - $9,200 has been raised so far.  
Salt & Tobacco (521 Parliament) added an extra push to the campaign.  On Monday December 16, all proceeds from take-out and dine-in orders were given to the campaign.  

DECEMBER THEATRE & DANCE PRODUCTIONS
Listed by starting dates.

A Christmas Carol
Extra dates and seats added. 
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
On stage to December 29 - extra seats added
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666   

Peter Pan
Extra dates and seats added.
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
On stage to January 5
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666  

Tweet Tweet
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
December 27 to December 29
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666  

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY DECEMBER 19 TO SUNDAY DECEMBER 29

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 DECEMBER 19

New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Social Smiths
7 pm, Cabbagetown Comedy holiday spectacular hosted by Robert Watson, cash bar, $10
Tilted Dog
8 pm, open mic with Robert LaBell

FRIDAY DECEMBER 20

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

SATURDAY DECEMBER 21

Dominion
8 pm, Charlie the Kid

SUNDAY DECEMBER 22

Alice’s Place
9:30 pm, Karaoke
Tilted Dog
3:30 pm, annual Christmas carolling with Jeff Barnes

MONDAY DECEMBER 23

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

TUESDAY DECEMBER 24
Christmas Eve

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Christmas Eve pajama party

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25
Christmas Day

Cranberries
3 and 7:30 pm, Christmas dinner, $35.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 26
Boxing Day

New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

FRIDAY DECEMBER 27

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

SATURDAY DECEMBER 28

Alice’s Place
9:30 pm, karaoke
Dominion
8 pm, The Good You’s

SUNDAY DECEMBER 29

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