CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW: April 23

This week’s image: Trinity Street in the Distillery, 2 pm, Monday April 20.

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.

A PERSONAL VIEW

The horrible shootings in Nova Scotia last weekend are yet another awful event in a constant series of violent acts happening across Canada. These shootings took place in Nova Scotia but they affect us in downtown Toronto.

We can fight this violence. We need to speak up.

It’s time for our federal politicians to act decisively to curtail gun ownership. Yes - we must outlaw military style “assault” weapons. Yes - we must limit long gun and handgun ownership.

Several of the most powerful politicians in the Liberal caucus come from our area. Bill Morneau and Chrystia Freeland are major players in the Cabinet. Scarborough’s Bill Blair is currently drafting new gun control laws. They are on track to introduce new laws - tell them to pass these new laws as quickly as possible. Tell them that we support these efforts.

Here are email addresses for your messages -

Bill Morneau (Toronto Centre) - Bill.Morneau@parl.gc.ca

Chrystia Freeland (University Rosedale) - Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca

Bill Blair (Scarborough Southwest) - Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca

Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister) - justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca

COVID-19 NEWS

COVID-19 contact info

Toronto has a useful website with the latest information, resources and facts. toronto.ca/coronavirus

Contact Public Health at the City of Toronto by telephone (416-338-7600) and email. PublicHealth@toronto.ca

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.

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.

Cleo’s delivery service

Cleo Pettigrew Brown has organized 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’ll leave the delivery on the doorstep and collect payment from the mailbox.

LOCAL NEWS

A sad announcement

Gilles Huot from the Cabbagetown Preservation Association has an immediate concern. “Earlier this week, someone pulled the Cabbagetown People plaque (a blue oval) about Roger Abbott out of the ground. It had been installed at a home on the north side of Amelia Street at the end of Rawlings Avenue (just west of Sumach). The plaque might have been dumped somewhere in the neighbourhood (in the park, in the garbage or in a back alley?). If you see it, please let the Cabbagetown Preservation Association know at info@cabbagetownpa.ca."

Report on Toronto’s waterfront

Photo: Toronto & Region Conservation Authority/ Waterfront Toronto

There’s good news about Toronto Harbour and Lake Ontario - the water has become healthier. Waterfront Toronto has reported ”Among the successes: lower levels of e. coli at all Toronto beaches thanks to better sewage treatment and stormwater management; decreased PCB levels in fish so that most resident species are now safe to eat; and the creation of over 800 hectares of fish and wildlife habitat throughout the Toronto and region watersheds.” There’s a detailed report about these achievements at the Waterfront Toronto website.

Emergency housing

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam reports that the City of Toronto has directed Toronto Community Housing to prepare vacant units to be used to house homeless people during the overcrowding crisis in our shelter system. TCHC has started to repair empty units in Regent Park that have been designated for demolition in the revitalization. Nobody who is sick or who displays COVID-19 symptoms will be housed in these units.

Yard waste service

Photo: Ryan Enn Hughes/Globe & Mail

The City of Toronto has extended its yard waste collection service to May 1. Next Wednesday, put your brown bags on the curb before 7 am along with your garbage. Please also remember that the garbage truck will not handle yard waste in open containers - use a brown paper bag. The City has also announced that street sweeping begins this week.

IN THE MEDIA

Homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis

Thanks to Victoria Hadden for bringing this important story to our attention. Kat Eschner has written in The Local about homeless people who sit on park benches in Allan Gardens and the police who give them $880 tickets for violating the bylaws and provincial regulations about social distances. The Local is an online magazine that focuses on health and social issues. Click here to read this moving story.

Pandemic experiences in St James Town

Photo: Christopher Katsarov

Alex Bozikovic writes about architecture and urban issues in The Globe & Mail. His April 21 article describes life in social isolation in St James Town.

Click here to read it.

UHN doctors at the Rekai Centre and Sherbourne Place

Photo: University Health Network

Doctors, nurses and other trained healthcare workers from the University Health Network volunteered to help staff at Sherbourne Place (345 Sherbourne) and the Rekai Centre (160 Wellesley E) in their battle against coronavirus. Staff there were working extraordinary hours and had become deeply fatigued by their responsibilities. Moira Welsh has written about the impact of their work in the Toronto Star.

The “Sandwich Sisters” help out at The Good Shepherd

This Corktown shelter prepares and distributes 1,000 bag lunches every day. This team prepares the sandwiches at home and delivers them every day to the shelter. Click here to read Lyndsay Morrison’s story and to watch the CTV News video.

KIDS STUFF

The Children’s Book Bank

The store is closed during the COVID-19 crisis. The Book Bank (350 Berkeley) is continuing its work online. Its Facebook page is full of activities that your kids will enjoy. Click here to look it over.

Videos from Friends of Allan Gardens

The Friends will post a weekly video for family viewing - Growing Up Green at Home. This week’s presentation is about Earth Day. Click here to watch it and to get more info on future videos in this series.

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.

COMING EVENTS

Think Spring

The annual Forsythia Festival had to be cancelled. And the organizers have gone to work to create a virtual Festival instead. You’re invited to decorate the front of your home in yellow - the more yellow, the better. Decorate your windows, your door, your front yard.

Then post a photo of your masterpiece on the Cabbagetown Residents Association Facebook page or on Instagram with the tag @ctforsythiafestival and #thinkspring2020. The deadline is Sunday May 3.

All photos will be entered into a draw and the winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to one of Cabbagetown’s retailers. Thanks to the TD Bank for its $1000 donation that’s making this possible.

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.

On Wedneday evenings at 7 pm, he’s holding a meditation class. These online sessions are free but an e-transfer to Alan will be welcomed. To sign in, use these details -

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4166803936?pwd=eUZLeXNjVDNrVzFhU3cyeFo2VlZRUT09

Meeting ID: 416 680 3936.

Password: YogaTwist.

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.

Cancelled or pending

Forsythia Festival - the 49th annual Festival scheduled for May 3 has been cancelled. A virtual Festival is planned in its place.

Enoch Turner Schoolhouse (106 Trinity) - the annual meeting has been delayed. Its theme is remembrance of D-Day, 75 years ago with James Thompson.

Corktown Chamber Orchestra - the May 14 concert, Across the Sea to Russia, has been cancelled.

Cabbagetown Farmer’s Market (Riverdale Park West, Winchester and Sumach) - opening day delayed until the City of Toronto approves new activities in the park.

VIDEOS

Yoga from Parliament Street Fitness

Each week, yoga instructors from Parliament Street Fitness (488 Parliament) have been posting videos on YouTube about in-home yoga. This is the fourth week and Alex Gosselin demonstrates a 30-minute vinyassa flow. The links in the sidebar take you to other demonstrations. Click here to watch the video.

BUSINESS NEWS

Blooming Flower Bar

Despite the COVID-19 closures, Blooming Flower Bar (559 Parliament) still has lots of flowers and special offers available for you. The Happy Hour specials happen every day. Custom orders and sales of plants, pots and gift items are arranged online - click here. Free delivery in the Cabbagetown area. For the latest news about these and other offers, visit Instagram @bloomingflowerbar and call (647) 350-8076.

Blooming Planter

Anji works in two related businesses. Her landscape business is Blooming Planter where she’s now delivering garden plants and plants for pots. You can contact her for deliveries at (416) 940-0076.

Spruce and Labour of Love - delivery services

These two stores have been highlighted in blogTO. Both stores have active online services. Click on their names to see their beautiful gifts.

Spruce (455 Parliament) is doing free front porch and lobby drop-offs.

Labour of Love (223 Carlton) will ship your purchase anywhere in Canada free of charge.

Shopping reviews - curbside service

St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) is using a pre-order system. Call (416) 925-7665 or email your order and tell them when you want to pick it up. Your food will be selected and wrapped. You can pre-pay or pay on arrival. Your order will be delivered to you at the front door. Or you can arrange home delivery. It’s all safe, quick and easy. Check out Mark’s selections online here.

Pet Valu (240 Carlton) has a similar system. It works very well. Call (416) 961-0661 and describe what you want and when you want to get it. There’s a table at the front door where your order will be placed and where you make your payment.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Erin and Sean review Haldi

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: cabbagetownreview@gmail.com

Photo: Gail Oliver

Sean and Erin recently ordered a dinner from Haldi.

“Is there anything better than discovering an amazing new restaurant in your own neighbourhood? My family ordered from Haldi this weekend and were absolutely blown away. This a hidden gem.
The na'an alone is worth the trip to Haldi. It was crispy, chewy and surrounded by charred edges that only a magnificently hot tandoori oven can provide.
The house curry was divine with sauce thickened by finely chopped stewed onions and tomatoes. You know how some Indian is a piece of chicken surrounded by watery sauce? Not here. The sauces were thick and savoury. The vindaloo was equally as good. Briyani littered with fresh cardamom pods speaks to the quality ingredients and love that goes into each dish.
The exceptional rating is well deserved. We will be back. Spread the word!”

Haldi (568 Parliament). For pickup, call the restaurant at (647) 898-5680. order dinner and get a 15% discount. Seniors will get home deliveries free. More info on Facebook and online.

Family meals from Cranberries

Siva at Cranberries (601 Parliament) has added Family Meals to his weekend offerings. On Saturday, it’s roast chicken, fries, gravy, large caesar salad and four soup servings. On Sunday, it’s beef stew, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, large caesar salad and four bread pudding with Irish whisky sauce. $25 each day. There’s also a special item every day that comes with soup and is priced affordably at $10. Pickup daily from noon to 9 pm. Call (416) 925-6330 and check out Cranberries’ website for details.

PearTree takeout specials

This week, PearTree’s (507 Parliament) full menu is available for pickup and delivery. Call (416) 962-8190. Pickup orders available from 12:30 to 10 pm - 15% discount. Delivery orders through Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes, DoorDash and Foodora. For menu details, go to the website.

HOP’s new hours

The House on Parliament (454 Parliament) has added an extra day - it’s now open on Tuesdays as well. And you can pre-order your Saturday prime rib dinner - a good idea because they sell out! Check out the HOP’s Facebook page for daily menus - open Tuesday to Saturday from 5 pm. (416) 925-4074.

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.

Cyril’s soups and juices

Cyril’s soup for Saturday is Western dahl - an adaptation of a rcipe from India. 3 cups for $9 and 4 cups for $12. His juice is a mix of everything: apple, orange, spinach and grapes, $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 at abeautifulbowl@gmail.com

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 23 TO SUNDAY MAY 3

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,

https://www.facebook.com/alicesplacetoronto

ARVO

17 Gristmill Lane, Distillery, (647) 352-2766

CRANBERRIES

601 Parliament St, (416) 925-6330,

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Cranberries-Restaurant/133328393362150

DOMINION PUB & KITCHEN

500 Queen St E, (416) 366-5555,

https://www.facebook.com/DominionTO/