January 30

This week’s image:  Ahhh - gotta love the sun!  This guy hopped onto his skateboard and let his dog pull him around the track at the Regent Park Athletic Field.


CABBAGETOWN
NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW


FEATURED LOCAL ARTISTS

Every week, a new image will highlight the work of a local artist.  Throughout January, Jack Grunsky has been featured.  His image is in the right column - click on it to connect with his website.

233 CARLTON 

Committee of Adjustment
A hearing at the City’s Committee of Adjustment is scheduled for February 26.  The Committee will look at changes to the building itself and make decisions about minor amendments to zoning requirements. 
The City of Toronto officials will hold a briefing about the Committee hearing on Monday February 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Central Neighbourhood House. The project’s architects will be there to discuss the building’s design.

A new group
The Cabbagetown Coalition is a new group of local residents and business people worried about safety and security issues at the new women’s centre (233 Carlton).  They encourage you to join their group and get their notices - info@cabbagetowncoalition.ca 

Voice your opinion
An online petition supports the new respite centre.  To date, 422 have signed it.  
Another petition to oppose the respite centre has been organized with a target of 2,500 signatures.  2,408 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 

Emergency funding for the CYC 
A staff report at the City of Toronto has rejected the CYC’s appeal for emergency funding.  
Lucy Troisi, the executive director at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster), had made a deputation at the City’s Budget Committee on Monday January 20 to request $350,000.  Her presentation was supported by Barbara Hall and Ryan Dudnick from Council Fire.
At this time, a private donor is supporting the CYC and it has enough to carry it forward with minimal programming for a few months. 
Lucy will be meeting Councillor Wong-Tam in the near future to plan the next steps. Its Board is also holding an emergency meeting.  
Lucy is concerned that City of Toronto staff failed to realize how vital the CYC’s recreation facilities and programming are in the downtown area, especially in St James Town.  Existing facilities in our neighbourhood are now full.  

Retail in Regent Park
The new buildings along the south side of Dundas across from the swimming pool now have retail spaces on the street level floors.  So far, F45 Fitness, the Wine Rack, Rogers, Shoppers Drug Mart and Wendy’s have opened there.  A Scotiabank is coming.  There are more empty spaces.  On Regent Park Road, Enterprise Car Rental, Subway and Tim Horton’s have been open for a while.
The lack of retail has been a weak spot in the redevelopment of Regent Park.  Residents have had to go up to Parliament, south to Queen and west along Dundas to shop.  Although these new chain stores are filling some of that need, there still aren’t many independent small retail stores - the kind that can service diverse needs and tastes for a neighbourhood like Regent Park.

Another hotel proposal for the Distillery
Image:  The Gupta Group.
The northeast corner of Mill and Trinity has a history full of different development proposals.  The latest is a renewed idea for a 31-storey hotel to be built up from the historic Rack House D facade.  Staff from Toronto’s Community Planning have opposed the plan as “an overdevelopment of the site which is too tall, does not provide adequate stepbacks and does not respond appropriately to its context.” 
Urban Toronto has described the new proposal - click here to read it.  

Save the Date - Sunday June 14
The Cabbagetown Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces tour will take place on June 14 from 10 am to 3 pm.  A few beautiful gardens are already lined up. If you know about a garden for the tour or if you would like to offer yours, please email cpa@cabbagetownpa.ca
Volunteers are also needed in two shifts - 9:45 am to 1 pm and 12:45 to 4 pm.  Please use the website to volunteer.  
Details and tickets will be available closer to the date on the website.  

Spiros Maniatis
Spiros, age 82,  died on January 23. He was an accomplished and colourful businessman.  Bill Renieris, chair of the BIA, describes him as “a good man and instrumental in Cabbagetown’s success.” 
He came to Canada from Greece in 1954 and set himself up on Parliament Street.  Eventually, he started the Parkway Restaurant and bought the buildings south of Aberdeen one by one.  When he decided to demolish and rebuild the corner at Aberdeen, he worked with the local community to design the current Starbucks building - a fine contribution to the facades on the street.  
He was pre-deceased by his partner Maria in 2007 and he leaves his sons Nick and George from his first marriage. 

Just when you thought everything was going downhill…
Gina Dineen saw this message attached to the CIBC bank machine.  Nice.  Click on the image to make it bigger.

COMING EVENTS
Listed by starting dates    

Open house at The Sumach
The Sumach by Chartwell (146 Sumach) offers you a worry-free lifestyle in its retirement residence.  You’re invited to its Open House for a personalized visit from 10 am to 5 pm throughout the week to Friday January 31. Light refreshments. Please RSVP to Nahid at nkeshavjee@chartwell.com or call (416) 644-8912.

Corktown Residents & Business Association
The CBRA annual meeting happens on Tuesday February 4 from 7 to 9 pm at the Cooper Koo Family Cherry Street YMCA (461 Cherry).  Special guests include Councillor Kristyn Wong Tam, Dianna English from WE,  Arthur Klimowicz from Toronto Centre Cyclists and from Seventy Seven Park.  The annual business session will follow.  Please RSVP to eventrite - click here.  

Toronto Light Festival
The fourth annual Light Festival has returned to the Distillery and it’ll  run to Sunday March 1.  It’s organized by local and international light artists.  The Distillery is filled in the evening with their displays.  Sundays to Wednesdays - sundown to 9 pm.  Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays - sundown to 10 pm.

GIVE YOUR BODY A BOOST

Parliament Street Fitness
Cabbagetowner Sydney Payne at the Parliament Fitness Centre - keeping herself tuned up and ready for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.  
Customer responses about the Parliament Fitness Centre (488 Parliament) are really positive - great location, great people, good security and a good program.  Check out its services and prices on its website.   

F45 Training
Photo:  Phil and Jarrett getting ready for Saturday’s opening events.
A new fitness centre is opening in Regent Park across the street from the aquatic centre near Dundas and River.  F45 (659 Dundas) is having its grand opening on Saturday February 1.  Check out its website for schedules and contact info.  

Step classes at the CYC
As the financial crisis at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster, gym) unfolds, Brenda is planning her step classes there on a week-by-week basis.  In early February, she’s scheduled Sunday February 2 at 11 am and Wednesday February 5 at 9:15 am.  Her normal schedule will be followed through February  - no class on the Family Day weekend, Sunday February 16.  

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.

IN THE MEDIA

Inglewood Arms
The Inglewood Arms (295 Jarvis) is a rooming house with about 100 tenants located on the east side just north of Dundas.  A developer has applied to demolish it and put up a 36-storey condo with 351 units.  Tenants have countered with demands that they get units in the new building at rental rates comparable to their current levels.  The debate has moved to the LPAT tribunal where a hearing is taking place challenging City policies to protect rooming houses.  Muriel Draaisma wrote a report on the debate for CBC News - click here to read it.   

Regent Park soccer team
Photo: Toronto Star
Jennifer Pagliaro has written a lengthy account about the successes behind the Regent Park United soccer team for boys 13 and under. Click here to read her Toronto Star story.  

Aki Studio Theatre
Image:  Mariah Meawasige
The new play “This Is How We Got Here” has opened at Aki Studio Theatre (Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E).   It deals with the suicide of a young person - a problem confronting many Indigenous communities.  Taylor Simmons reviewed it for CBC News - click here.  

KIDS’ STUFF 

Growing up green in the garden
On the first Saturday of each month - the next date is Saturday February 1 from 10:30 am to noon.  Kid friendly gardening and composting activities, scavenger hunts, nature crafts and more. Best for kids 2 to 8 years old.  Suggested donation $2 to $5.  Parental supervision required.  Drop-ins welcome.  Allan Gardens Children’s Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave, Carlton and Jarvis).

BUSINESS NEWS

Floor model final clearance
Select floor models - sofas, love seats, armchairs, swivel chairs and recliners - are now 40 - 60% off at Kendall & Co (514 Parliament). They’re made in Canada with durable upholstery fabrics. Each is uniquely one of a kind. Take advantage of these fantastic savings now - Kendall is making room for new furniture that’ll arrive soon!
Store hours: Tuesday to Friday 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday 11 am to 6 pm & Sunday noon to 5 pm.   https://kendallandco.ca  

RESTAURANT NEWS  

Get ready for Valentine’s
Check out the listings and make your choice - more pubs and restaurants will be added as we get closer to February 14.

F’Amelia (12 Amelia) - four-course dinner, $69.  More info about the menu on the website.  Reservations at (416) 323-0666.    

Tilted Dog (424 Parliament) - special Valentine’s Day menu with borscht, crab cakes, salmon with rice pilaf, fusilli with salsiccia sausage and homemade chocolate lava cake.   For info and reservations, call (416) 961-9425

Winter brunch challenge
For the second year, El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane, The Distillery) is serving brunch outside on the patio every Saturday and Sunday until March 1.  It’s a four-course brunch and guests who stay for all courses will get 50% off on their bill - $18 instead of $36.  Don’t be scared - they’ve got 25 heaters, a massive fire pit and lots of blankets. This year, El Catrin has teamed up with Mealshare  to provide one meal to a needy youth for every brunch challenge served on the patio.  

Peartree’s Winter Delicious
Peartree’s (507 Parliament) own Winter celebration for February is available now.  Enjoy a three-course dinner for $30.  Call for reservations to (416) 962-8190.

Two for one nights 
At The Tilted Dog (424 Parliament) - 
Mondays - 2 for 1 Burger Nite with any beverage (pop or alcoholic) purchase.  6 oz AAA Canadian beef topped with burger buddies and served with your choice of handcut fries or salad.
Tuesdays - Tuesday is  2 for 1 Burrito Nite with any beverage purchase.  Veggie, chicken or beef served with your choice of handcut fries or salad.

Winterlicious starts on Friday January 31

Photo:  Archeo in the Distillery
Toronto’s big mid-winter food festival runs from Friday January 31 to Thursday February 13. Reservations are now open. 
The three-course meals cost $23, $28 or $33 for lunch and $33, $43 or $53 for dinner.  
Over 200 restaurants are participating. From our area -   
Against the Grain Urban Tavern (25 Dockside),  contemporary menu, Continental & Fusion,  lunch $23 & dinner $33, 647-344-1562
Archeo (31 Trinity, Distillery), Italian, lunch $23 & dinner $33, 416-815-9898
Boku (42 Gristmill Lane, Distillery), Fushion & Japanese, lunch $23 & dinner $33, 416-368-8686
Cluny (35 Tank House Lane, Distillery),  French, lunch $28 & dinner $43,  416-203-2632
F’Amelia (12 Amelia), Italian, dinner $43,  416-323-0666
Pure Spirits Oyster House & Grill (17 Tank House Lane, Distillery),  seafood, lunch $28 & dinner $43,  416-361-5859
For a full list and for the online links to these restaurants, visit the Winterlicious website.   

Congrats F’Amelia
Photo:  the Winchester School fundraising party on Monday January 20
Todd Vestby happily reports that the fundraiser earned $9,000 for the school - and he wants everyone to make good on their pledges!  F’Amelia (12 Amelia)

BLCK is open
Formerly the Ontario Restaurants at 383 Dundas E, this is the first downtown location for BLCK.  It opened officially on January 27, serving breakfast and lunch. The hours currently are 7 am to 4 pm.
The menu features lots of brunch items along with burgers, mac ’n cheese, salads, steak sandwich, club sandwich and soup.  Dinner and dessert menus still haven’t been posted.   Licensed.  Check the website for more info.  

Kanpai has closed
Photo:  Jesse Milns, blogTO
NOW Magazine reports that Kanpai has closed.  It’s in arrears with its rent payments and the landlord has taken back the property.  It had also shut because of 12 serious violations by City of Toronto health inspectors.  Apparently, Kanpai’s original owner Trevor Lui departed in 2017 for other projects.  NOW’s story is online here.  

Burn the bill
The Dominion (500 Queen E) will burn the bill for one lucky customer at the end of every Leafs or Raptors game on TV. They’re doing this throughout the season.  

FEBRUARY THEATRE & DANCE PRODUCTIONS
Listed by starting dates.

Sweat
Canadian Stage  (26 Berkeley)
On stage to February 2
Website and tickets here.   (416) 368-3110    

Mother’s Daughter
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
On stage to February 9
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666  

The Trip to Bountiful
Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley)
On stage to February 1
Website and tickets here.  (416) 364-4170    

Jesus Hopped the A-Train
Soulpepper (50 Tankhouse Lane)
On stage to February 19
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666   

This Is How We Got Here
Native Earth, Aki Theatre  (585 Dundas E)
On stage to February 16
Website and tickets here.   (416) 531-1402    

This Happened …
Citadel (304 Parliament)
On stage to February 1
Website and tickets here.  (416) 364-8011  

How to Fail as a Popstar
Canadian Stage  (26 Berkeley)
February 18 to March 1
Website and tickets here.   (416) 368-3110  

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY JANUARY 30 TO SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9

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 JANUARY 30

New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Social Smiths
7 pm, Cabbagetown Comedy, cash bar

FRIDAY JANUARY 31

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

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1

Dominion
8 pm, Enzo

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2

Alice’s Place
9:30 pm, Karaoke

MONDAY FEBRUARY 3

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4

Dominion
7 pm, PubStumpers Trivia
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 5

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

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 6

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

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7

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

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8

Dominion
Noon to 2 pm, Drag brunch with Tynomi Banks
8 pm, Sarah Bolton

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9

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
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
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
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