March 19

This week’s image:  Last week, we asked “How low can it go?”  At that time, gas was 92.9 cents.  Photo:  Irene DeClute


CABBAGETOWN
NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW



FEATURED LOCAL ARTISTS

Every week, a new image in the right hand column highlights the work of a local artist.  
Throughout March, Victoria Hadden will be featured.  She paints large works in acrylic on canvas and smaller works in pen and ink and watercolours.  

This image is a larger version of Victoria’s watercolour shown in the right column - Schiphol, acrylic on canvas 40 x 36 in.

GOOD NEWS

Thanks to Parliament Furniture
Parliament Furniture (465 Parliament) is extending a special 10% discount to residents of 650 Parliament.  These are the people who had to abandon their homes after a fire swept through their apartment building in the summer of 2018.  “As a thank-you for your support over the years and to make things a little easier for you, we are thrilled to offer you a special discount.”

Paintbox
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam has started a list of people making a difference during the COVID-19 crisis.  Her first choice is the team at Paintbox Bistro (555 Dundas E).  When the notices from the City of Toronto told them to close, staff gave away the restaurant’s perishables to local residents in Regent Park.  Congrats, Paintbox.

Shopping for seniors and those with disabilities
Matt at No Frills (459 Parliament) has announced that the store will open one hour early - from 8 to 9 am - on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  This extra hour is dedicated to customers who are elderly or who have special needs. 
Hamza at FreshCo (325 Parliament) is dedicating an hour from 7 to 8 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays for senior shoppers and those with disabilities.

Spirit of York
The Distillery District’s distiller (12 Trinity) has switched its production to hand sanitizers.  In the face of shortages across the GTA, “Spirit of York … is working to combat this shortage by using the alcohol from their facilities to produce an alcohol-based hand sanitizer solution.”  Proceeds from these sales will go to local food banks.  

LOCAL NEWS

COVID-19 contact info
Toronto Public Health has a useful website with the latest information, resources and facts. 
Public Health at the City of Toronto (416-338-7600)
Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000).

Local agencies - closures

Photo:  Toronto Star
Cabbagetown Youth Centre and the Cabbagetown Boxing Club (2 Lancaster) have closed until April 6. This includes Brenda’s Step Class.

Central Neighbourhood House (345 Ontario) has closed its group programs following advice from Public Health.  Other individual services are being offered, either in-person or on the telephone. For the full list, visit the website.  https://www.theneighbourhoodgroup.org/wearehere/ 

Dixon Hall is continuing its shelter and respite centre services.  Meals on Wheels is also ongoing.  Tuesday breakfast and Friday dinner community meals will still be offered at 58 Sumach but with takeouts only.  All children and youth programs, the Music School and Out of the Cold facilities are closed.  Employment services are only available by telephone.  Income tax clinics and settlement services are closed. Dixonlicious, the fundraising event, is cancelled.  

Going to pot
Two different business applications have been sent to the Government of Ontario seeking approvals to open cannabis stores on Parliament. Application forms and details have been posted at each storefront.  

Deadline for submissions about The Growers Retail (492 Parliament) is March 28.

Deadline for the Green Closet at (439 Parliament) is March 26.

Social media at the BIA
The BIA (239 Carlton) is hiring a social media manager.  This person will manage the BIA’s Twitter, Facebook and website posts, generate content and keep in touch with the members.  Email your resume, covering letter and salary expectations to the BIA office by 4:30 on Friday March 20 at bia@cabbagetownto.com. 

The CYC needs an Executive Director
The Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) has issued a call for applications for its Executive Director position.  The application deadline is March 20.  Interested people should send a covering letter and resume to mszajer@torontolawn.com 

Outdoor skating rinks
The three rinks in our neighbourhood are now all closed. Regent Park (480 Shuter), Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) and Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne).  They closed a week early due to the COVID-19 closures.  It really didn't make much difference - their regular season ends on March 22.

Hmmm…
Who knew that we’d ever hear The Beer Store talk about “flow control”?

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
Image:  Angel of Mercy, Toronto General Hospital, Gerrard Street East  CTA 1244-1205
The “Spanish flu,” according to the Medical Officer of Health in October 1918, struck Toronto “like a cyclone.” 
The first case was seen on September 29. By October 3, 540 patients were being treated in the old Military Base Hospital (aka Toronto General Hospital) on Gerrard Street East, by far the largest concentration of flu cases in Toronto. Within a month, the city was suffering 50 deaths per day, with those between 20 and 40 years old being hardest hit. And by the end of the pandemic, some 55,000 Canadians, including more than 1,750 Torontonians, had died. 
Cabbagetown, lying in the shadow of the hospital, suffered perhaps more than other areas. Visitors, staff, and patients passed under this Angel of Mercy sculpture that once graced the hospital and was photographed by William James.
For more Cabbagetown history, photos and videos visit the CRPM Facebook page

KIDS STUFF 

Scavenger hunt
This idea was posted on the Cabbagetown Moms & Dads Facebook page.  Each day, kids make an image and then display it in your home’s front window.  When you take your kids for a walk, see how many of the images you can find.  Click on the image to read the list of suggested daily items. Thanks to Carolyn Shaw-Rimmington for this story.

Buds & Blossoms
Closed as part of the City’s directives.  Check online for lots of suggested kids’ activities.  (517 Parliament). 

Children’s Book Bank
Closed until further notice. (350 Berkeley).   

Allan Gardens Conservatory
Closed as part of the City of Toronto’s directives.  (Children’s Conservatory, 19 Horticultural Ave, Jarvis and Carlton)

Parliament Street Library and St James Town Library
Closed as part of the City of Toronto’s directives. (260 Gerrard E and 495 Sherbourne). 

Riverdale Farm
Closed as part of the City of Toronto’s directives. (Next to Riverdale Park, Sumach and Winchester).  

BUSINESS NEWS

Shopping online at Spruce
Kim has decided to close Spruce (455 Parliament) and to focus on her online store during the COVID-19 crisis.  She’s also setting up shopping appointments to anyone who wants to browse personally in the shop - just email her to set it up.  She’s adding new products to her website and offering free local delivery - it’s all explained on her site, click here.   

Tune up your bike
It’s a good time to get your bike into Cycle Solutions (444 Parliament) for its Spring tune-up.  Drop-ins can still expect a quick turn-around.  But if you wait, you’ll need an appointment.  During the big Spring rush, the guys can’t handle immediate demands for work on drop-ins and they ask for a reservation instead.  Contact them at (416) 972-6948 and by email.

Cabbagetown Pet Clinic
The Clinic (239 Gerrard) is staying open but reducing the exposure between clients and staff - some procedures with pets will be done away from the clients, payments will be requested over the phone and some clinic hours will  be curtailed.  Appointments are focusing on emergencies and sick pets rather than routine procedures. Pickups for food and medicines are still available.

Parliament Animal Hospital
The Hospital (584 Parliament) is operating normally.  They ask clients not to use cash for payments.  Otherwise they have no restrictions on the range of services being offered.  Food and pet supplies are available.

Parliament Street Fitness
PSF will be closed until further notice.  All memberships will be frozen during this period. (488 Parliament)

RESTAURANT NEWS  

Daniel et Daniel Food Shop
The Food Shop (248 Carlton) is open and has started a home delivery service.  There’s an impressive menu of available dishes - check it out online or call (416) 968-9275 x 10.  

Food shops
Jet Fuel (519 Parliament) is serving takeout coffees only. Balzac’s (1 Trinity, Distillery) offers takeout only and is not accepting cash.  Arvo Coffee (17 Gristmill Lane, Distillery) has decided to close during the crisis. Corktown's Henrietta Lane (394 King E) has closed as well. 
Three of our food shops have inside cafes.  The cafes are now closed but their food service is still available - Epicure Shop (473 Parliament), St James Town Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) and Staij & Co (552 Parliament).
Absolute Bakery (589 Parliament) is still open.  Velvet Lane (194 Carlton) has closed its shop - cakes can still be ordered for pickup and free delivery by email or text.  Roselle (362 Queen E) has closed.  Tasso (540 Parliament) is closed until the situation becomes clearer. 

Cyril’s soups and juices
Cyril’s soup for Saturday is corn cassava plantain at $9.  His juice is ruby red grapefruit and red grape juice with hibiscus, $9.  On Tuesday, it’s chipotle sweet potato with (or without) cheddar, $9.
During the current COVID-19 fight, he’s making two changes.  First - he’s back to disposable plastic containers and saving the glass ones until the battle is over.  Second - he’s urging customers to use e-transfers rather than cash.
He makes two soups every week - on Tuesday and Saturday. He informs interested people about his menus in advance by email. He usually prepares a regular version and vegan one. 
His order deadline for Saturday delivery is 5 pm on the previous Thursday and for Tuesday, it’s 5 pm on the previous Sunday.  He delivers to his Cabbagetown-area customers. He accepts payments by e-transfers and cash. Email him at abeautifulbowl@gmail.com

MARCH THEATRE & DANCE PRODUCTIONS
Listed by starting dates.

Our theatres are now closed following directives from the City’s Public Health staff - Aki Studio, Alumni Theatre, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, Canadian Stage, Citadel, School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Soulpepper, Toronto Dance Theatre. 

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY MARCH 19 TO SUNDAY MARCH 29

Our restaurants and pubs are now offering only takeout and delivery services.  This is a great opportunity to try some smaller places that have really good food and lots of experience with home deliveries. 

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