April 16

This week’s image: She was shy about having her picture taken until she realized that she’s wearing a mask.

CABBAGETOWN
NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW



FEATURED LOCAL ARTISTS

Every week, a new image in the right hand column highlights the work of a local artist.  
Throughout April, Bev Jenkins will be featured.  
She focuses on nature and its strengths of light, vivid colour and texture.  Her thickly applied oils are sculpted in a neo-impressionist style.  

LOCAL NEWS

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

Who’s open and who’s closed
Check out the Shopping Guide.  It has a list of retailers and restaurants in Cabbagetown, Corktown and Regent Park who are still open.  Click here to see it.   

A bonus from self-isolation
People are tackling their gardens early.  The neighbourhood is getting cleaned up and the gardens are starting to bloom.  Cabbagetown is always incredibly beautiful in the Spring. 

We need wider sidewalks
Photo:  Eric Morse
Eric took this picture of people lining up at The Epicure Shop (473 Parliament) on Monday.  Obviously, everyone is trying to stay a safe distance apart.  But the people at the bus stop and those walking along the sidewalk have nowhere to go - and the separation certainly isn’t a safe distance.
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam has asked the Mayor and city officials to consider closing some streets to make them more pedestrian friendly.  They’ve basically dismissed her idea without an adequate explanation.
She’s proposed a good idea - however, in Cabbagetown and Corktown, we don’t need to go even that far.  We can simply ask the City to close the parking lane near shopping areas with temporary barriers so that pedestrians can have safer passage. 

This picture of Wellesley and Parliament shows the street immediately after the morning rush hour - only two cars driving and only one parking. Eric’s photo shows the corner at Parliament and Carlton at 4:30 pm when the evening rush is usually well underway.  There simply isn't any traffic. There’s obviously space for an extra pedestrian lane on each side.
We can support Councillor Wong-Tam.  Email her and Mayor Tory.  Tell him to think outside the bureaucratic box.      

Yard waste service
The City of Toronto has extended its yard waste collection service to May 1.  Put your brown bags on the curb before 7 am along with your garbage.  The City has also announced that street sweeping begins this week.  

Buds & Blossoms virtual tutoring
Judy at Buds & Blossoms (517 Parliament) is offering virtual homework assistance.  Buds & Blossoms has closed its doors during the COVID emergency and so she’s gone online to provide her services. 
She knows that home schooling can be tough.  During her virtual one-on-one time, she’ll walk your kids through the homework requirement provided by the school, teach them the necessary skills to complete their work while having fun doing it. For more information, email her .

Safe shopping habits
The Cabbagetown South weekly email includes tips on safe grocery shopping. It also has info on salutes to frontline workers, games to give to your kids and explanations about the reasons behind dog park closures.  It’s a good read - click here to see more.  

Street Health
The COVID-19 crisis has affected the programming at Street Health (338 Dundas E).  An initial client contact point has been set up in a tent outside along with a plexiglass shield and a hand washing station.  Regular services still being offered include ID Safe (for ID storage), OPS, mental health case management, nursing care for urgent issues and wound treatments and supply of harm reduction kits.  During this slowdown, the centre’s hours run from 10 am to 4 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and from 11 am to 4 pm on Tuesday.  Check out its website here.  

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
Image:  Charles Hastings, MD MOH, 1922   CTA 372-32-642
Public health has come out of the shadows and even created heroes, like Dr Anthony Fauci, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years, Toronto has been served by many excellent public health doctors. 
The first “superhero” of Toronto public health was Dr. Charles Hastings who had a strong connection with Cabbagetown. Before becoming Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health in 1910, Hastings had practiced as an obstetrician for over twenty years from his home and office at 258 Wellesley Street at the northwest corner of Wellesley and Rose Avenue. During this period, he estimated that he had delivered 5,000 babies and many of “his” babies undoubtedly became Cabbagetown adults. 
Before becoming the city’s Medical Officer of Health in 1910, Hastings had already participated in public health activities, notably a crusade to pasteurize milk. His dedication to this cause started after his small daughter died of typhoid transmitted through milk in 1902. In 1911, Toronto became the first city in Canada to require pasteurization of milk.  
Hastings moved away from Wellesley Street East after he became MOH, but his intimate knowledge of the area influenced his perspective and policies.
If you wish to contact Sally, click on Sally Gibson for a mail link.
For more Cabbagetown history, photos and videos visit the CRPM Facebook page.

VIDEOS

Thanks to our emergency workers
Video by Eric Morse
This video shows the salute to frontline workers done by the residents on Ontario Street near Gerrard on Easter evening.  Similar events have happened on Aberdeen.  If your neighbourhood is planning a shout-out, please let me know and Councillor Wong-Tam - we’ll each show everyone else your event on our emails and blog.  

How to wash your hands
Mark at St James Town Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) has posted on Facebook about handwashing.  It’s a great video - don’t miss it. 

COMING EVENTS

Alan Gensho Florence yoga classes
Alan is using Zoom to teach his yoga classes every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 10 to 11:15 am. He’ll continue to the end of June and then see what happens.  He’s focusing on breath, core strength and flexibility.
Click here for the links for Sunday April 19 and Tuesday April 21.  To sign in, use these details - Meeting ID: 416 680 3936 and password: FireLotus.  These online sessions are free but an e-transfer to Alan will be welcomed.    

Daniels Corporation art contest
Daniels is planning to add a logo to employee name plates in its headquarters.  Residents of Regent Park are invited to submit artwork for consideration.  It should be designed to fit 8.5” and 2”.  The winner will receive a $500 honorarium.  Submissions are due before Friday April 24. For details contact Fatima Saya.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cleo’s delivery service
Cleo Pettigrew Brown is organizing a delivery service for seniors and disabled people who are stuck in their homes during the COVID-19 shutdown.  She’ll pickup groceries and pharmacy items and deliver them at no charge.  She’s using a heavy-duty touring bike capable of carrying between 40 and 50 pounds.  She’ll leave the delivery on the doorstep and collect payment from the mailbox.  For details, email her .

IN THE MEDIA

Sidewalk Labs
Photo:  Sidewalk Labs
NOW Magazine’s Andrew Clement has posed several basic questions about the final approval of Sidewalk’s Quayside project.  Central to his concerns is the issue of digital data collection.  He suggests that approvals for this aspect of the project be delayed while the rest of it is approved.  Click here to read his article.  

BUSINESS NEWS

Oops - an overlooked business
Last week’s list of businesses that are still open left out Cycle Solutions.  Sorry about that. 
Cycle Solutions (444 Parliament).  The store is open but only 2 customers at any time.  Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sundays from noon to 5 pm. Repairs will be accepted at the curbside.  To reserve your spot for repairs and Spring maintenance, call (416) 972-6948.

St Jamestown’s new procedure
The food shop in St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) is very narrow and there’s no way for customers to avoid each other.  So Mark has changed his system.
Please call or email him with your order or tell him when you get to the store.  Your food will be selected, wrapped, paid and then delivered to you outside at the front door.  Or you can arrange home delivery.  It’s all safe, quick and easy.  Check out his selections online here.   

Thanks, FreshCo
FreshCo (325 Parliament at Dundas) is helping out the Girl Guides.  In these days of self-isolation and social distances, the kids can’t get out to sell their cookies.  So FreshCo has picked up the pace for them.  You can buy a package or two of these vintage goodies at the store and help the Girl Guides with their annual fundraising.
Loblaws and No Frills have announced similar sales.  Watch for them and support the kids while munching down a delicious cookie.

Bring back your empties
Our local Beer Store (227 Gerrard E) is again taking back empties.  Store hours for this operation are 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Saturday and noon to 5 pm on Sunday.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Carol and Jim review Fusilli
Photo:  Carol Moore-Ede and Jim Keffer 
Readers are invited to send along their reviews of our local restaurants and pubs.  During the COVID-19 shutdowns, our focus will be on pick-up and delivery services.  Email your comments here.
Photo:  Carol Moore-Ede and Jim Keffer
Carol Moore-Ede and Jim Keffer recently ordered a dinner from Fusilli.  Giuseppe himself made a delivery, all wrapped up in safety gear.
“Is anyone craving good Italian restaurant food? We treated ourselves to Fusilli’s takeout last night. It was delicious! Veal with mushrooms, pasta, and a great Caesar salad. We waved to Giuseppe – not as good as being hosted by him in his restaurant, but wonderful to see his smiling face. Give it a try if you haven’t already. We highly recommend it!”  
Fusilli (531 Queen E).  For pickup, call the restaurant at (416) 214-5148. Delivery with Skip The Dishes and DoorDash.  Menu online here.  

Jet Fuel is back
Buy a bag of your favourite Jet Fuel coffee - 1 lb for $15.  Free local delivery.  Order online - click here. 519 Parliament.  

Cranberries menu
As always, Cranberries (601 Parliament) comes through with great food just when you need it.  There’s a special item every day that comes with soup and is priced affordably at $10 or $15.  Pickup daily noon to 9 pm.  Call (416) 925-6330 and check out Cranberries’ website for details.   

PearTree takeout specials
This week, PearTree (507 Parliament) is featuring two special dishes for takeout and delivery.  Black Angus steak and lobster tail at $24.99 and haddock parmesan at $14.99. (416) 962-8190.  Pickup orders available from 12:30 to 10 pm - 15% discount.  Menu on the website.  Delivery orders through Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes, DoorDash and Foodora.  http://order.peartreerestaurant.ca

HOP’s prime rib
Prime rib dinner is one of the menu favourites at the House on Parliament (454 Parliament) .  It’s moved - now it’s available on Saturday at the HOP’s pickup window from 5 pm.  Check out the HOP’s Facebook page for daily menus - open Wednesday to Saturday from 5 pm. (416) 925-4074 

Terroni’s wine service
Sommelier Drew Innis will be on hand to help you with your choices from the extensive range of Italian wines from Spaccio's Wine Shop from Thursday to Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm. Avoid LCBO lines and maybe even taste a wine or two with Drew. Terroni Sud Forno Produzione e Spaccio (22 Sackville) is open from 9 am to 6 pm every day. (416) 368-4248.  There's more detail on Facebook.  

Cyril’s soups and juices
Cyril’s soup for Saturday is thick pureed root vegetable - a reminder of the soups that his father once made for him.  3 cups for $9 and 4 cups for $12.   His juice is un-apologetically full on exotic: orange, pineapple and kiwi, $9.  
During the current COVID-19 fight, he’s made 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. 

APRIL 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 APRIL 16 TO SUNDAY APRIL 26

Our restaurants and pubs are now offering only takeout and delivery services.  Entertainment and special events have been cancelled until the COVID-19 shutdowns are over.

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