May 21

This week’s image:  a pair of rose-breasted grosbeaks on an Aberdeen Avenue feeder.  Photo:  Ann & Colin Lambert.



CABBAGETOWN
NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW


FEATURED LOCAL ARTISTS

Every week, a new image in the right hand column highlights the work of a local artist.  
Throughout May, St James Town artist Michael Cavanaugh will been featured.  He’s worked on new murals in Cabbagetown, he’s been the program director of the successful Bell Box project and he works, as well, with Community Matters Toronto. 

A PERSONAL VIEW

Cabbagetown is ideally located to attract migrating birds.  It’s perched on the edge of the Don River and bordered on the north by the Rosedale Ravine.  Two cemeteries and our streets have good tree coverage.  There’s a pond and a protected bush in Riverdale Park.  Imagine all of this from a bird’s eye view - no wonder, then, that we get lots of beautiful creatures every year as they pass through from the south.

This week’s banner photo by Ann and Colin of two rose-breasted grosbeaks on their feeder is one of the most powerful images that I’ve ever had at the top of my blog.  Here’s another one from their garden.  Many thanks to them for contributing them.

Max Perren has sent along another remarkable photo - a Baltimore oriole sitting on his front yard hummingbird feeder. He’s got an encyclopedic knowledge of local sites and their birds and he’s happy to share it with anyone who asks.

Steve Noble snapped his picture of a robin on its nest in his back yard on Aberdeen.  By now, he should have a few babies yelling at their mom for some food.

Lots of people are sending me their photos.  Keep it up!  It’s a fun part of my life as a blogger.  And it doesn’t have anything to do with that *%#@!&*  virus.  

COVID-19 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
The Province of Ontario is changing the rules.  Our retailers now have open access to curbside pickups.  Hardware stores and garden centres can open completely for customers browsing inside their shops.  

How to wash your hands
This is a very informative video about handwashing from Mark at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament)  Don’t miss it. 

Cleo’s delivery service
Cleo Pettigrew Brown’s delivery service helps 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.  For details, email her.

LOCAL NEWS

St Jamestown Storeys
Lisa Kowalchuk co-produces St Jamestown Storeys with Darryl D’Souza. It’s a new podcast about life there and about the ways that people get together to solve their problems and improve their lives.  When the COVID crisis began, they switched direction to show how people are helping each other, often with the support of local agencies.  Check it out through the website.   

Congrats to the graduating class
Congrats to the students in the professional program at the School of Toronto Dance (80 Winchester).  In their last term, they had to rely on online classes to complete their studies.  Normally their graduation would include a public performance and a ceremony.  This time, it was online and their families and friends across the globe could watch.  

Executive Director at the Cabbagetown BIA
If you’re interested in this job, send in your resume and a covering letter. Some applications have already been received and gossip has it that very attractive, impressive people are applying.  That’s good news for both the BIA and the community at large.
The deadline for applications is May 25.  If you’re interested, you've still got time -  contact the BIA. 

The rules - what you can’t do
The Ontario government and the City of Toronto have started to relax the COVID-19 rules.  Everybody still stresses the urgency of safe distancing, hand washing and face masks.  
Retailers can offer in-store and curbside services provided that the safety measures are properly observed.
Thanks to Victoria Hadden at the Aberdeen Ave Residents Group, here’s a handy list of the activities that you still CANNOT do.
  • Wrestle or box, perform martial arts or play racquetball or squash.
  • Go for a swim in a public pool.
  • Visit a barbershop or hair salon to get your hair done.
  • Pop into a restaurant, cafe or bar for sitdown service.
  • Send the kids to schools or daycare centres. 
  • Visit places of worship.
  • Attend gatherings of more than five people.
  • Attend a festival, sporting event or concert.
  • Attend a movie theatre, theatre, pool, recreation centre, arena, spa, gym or nightclub.
Rules - what you can do
In the parks, off-leash dog areas, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, soccer fields, picnic shelters and more activities are opening.  Individuals can use these facilities but team activities are still not allowed.
You can also use a pet groomer, hire a housecleaning service, go golfing, hire non-emergency contractors and landscape companies and more.  Global News has put together a list of the full range online here.  

Best wishes to Jennifer Snowdon
Jennifer taught her yoga classes from her Rose Avenue home for several years.  She announced in January that she was selling her house and moving to Moncton.  The COVID lockdown slowed the sale and it also prevented her from continuing her classes for another brief time.
She’s written to her friends, “And so it seems that my time teaching in Toronto has come to an end. I had had visions of that final class, of chanting OM with people one last time. I'd imagined the feeling I would have — the sadness that comes with endings mingled with gratitude, affection, a satisfaction with what I had done here… I am, of course, still grateful to everyone who came to classes here over the years. Teaching here has been a wonderful experience… Please keep in touch!”
She’ll be renewing her online classes in August.  Watch her website for more info.  

Local street closures
Bayview from Mill Street north to the Rosedale Valley Road and River Street from Gerrard to Bayview will each be closed this weekend - from 6 am on Saturday to 11 pm on Sunday.  This will ease bike and pedestrian traffic on the Don River Trail.  

It’s an improvement - sort of
The City of Toronto has built an open laneway on Parliament Street to accommodate crowded sidewalks at the LCBO (512 Parliament).  It’s a start and it’s nice to be included in the project - but it’s pointed in the wrong direction.  The crowds line up toward the south.  

Shortages and surplus on Parliament Street
Photo: Eric Morse. Where are the benches at Daniel et Daniel? 
There's no where to sit along Parliament Street or Carlton.  The lovely benches at Daniel et Daniel have been removed because the sidewalks are too crowded. Dave Stratton tells us that customers who have to line up for the store would be lining up along the benches - there just isn’t room for people to sit, line up and walk by.
Elsewhere, the shortage is partly, a result of the City’s social distancing policy.  Partly as well it’s the inevitable result of the silly opposition to street benches during the community-wide debates a decade ago.
Members of our mystery shoppers team are noting that toilet paper is once again in good supply at No Frills.  Flour is still missing.  Parchment paper is in short supply. There’s concern that meat prices may be ramping up. 
Finally, there’s also a shortage of washrooms.  ‘Nuff said.

Ontario Parkette fire
Photo:  Don Purvis
Don has reported that repair crews from the Parks Department have started work in the parkette.  They’re removing the playground equipment that was damaged by an arsonist ten days ago.
The Cabbagetown South Association comments that Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam is committed to replacing the equipment but gives no timeline on the delivery.  This is the second time that this has happened. The last time, it took several months for the repairs and local kids were unable to play there.

Face masks
Jenn Walker’s daughter Townes (13 years old) is making decorated face masks.  She’s selling them for $10 and all the proceeds are going to local agencies - the Yonge Street Mission, CNH and others.  Email Jenn for more info and to make a purchase.   

Curbside pickup at the Children’s Book Bank
The Book Bank (350 Berkeley) is holding another curbside pickup on Wednesday May 27 from noon to 3 pm.  At its first pickup day, over 3,300 books were given out and 2,000 more in the second one. People were lined up safely along Berkeley to take part. The books are free and everyone is welcome.
Check out its Facebook page - it’s full of activities that your kids will enjoy. Click here to look it over. 

Donate to the Children’s Book Bank
The next big day for donations to the Book Bank (350 Berkeley) happens on Thursday May 28 from 1 to 5 pm.  The drop-offs take place in the driveway.  A tent will be set up there so you can make your donations even if it rains.  Your donations are then stored in the basement for a few days to keep them safely in quarantine.  

Your favourite Spring garden
Take a picture of a garden that really appeals to you.  Email it to the Cabbagetown South Association. One of the submissions will be picked (at random) and the gardener will receive a $20 gift certificate to Staij & Co (552 Parliament)
The deadline is Monday June 1.  Be sure to include the address so the prize can be delivered.   

Raccoons
Cabbagetown’s favourite backyard guests.  Ron and Barbara on Amelia Street shared their raccoon experiences -
“A family of racoons decided to take up residence in our garage through an unlocked door exiting to our garden.  Seemed a simple fix. We’d just start locking the door. 
This worked for a day or so until they entered through a sliding window that was left open about 3 inches. My next move to thwart the invaders was to put a two-inch nail in the window frame so the sliding section couldn’t be opened. But I was outwitted once again. The clever little buggers simply pulled out the nail. The picture shows where the nail was placed. You can see their paw prints on the window frame. 
But I’m not done yet! This morning I placed a 2-foot long section of a broom handle behind the sliding window frame. If they outwit me on this fix, I’ll give in and let them take up permanent residence in the garage.”

COMING EVENTS

Online screening - Farewell Regent
The Regent Park Film Festival will show Farewell Regent online on Thursday May 28 at 7 pm.  A panel discussion will follow the film.  Free.  To watch it, go to the website.  

Plant sharing day
The 2020 garden tour was cancelled because of COVID-19 requirements.  The Cabbagetown Preservation Association is organizing another way to enjoy your Spring garden.
Bring a plant to one of the drop-off spots - 89 Winchester, the southeast corner of Carlton and Sackville and Winchester Square Park (Aberdeen and Ontario).  Leave your plant and take another home.  Sunday June 14, 10 am to 5 pm.  

 Streetscapes in Bloom
Nominations for the annual award continue until June 15.  The Cabbagetown Preservation Association holds this contest to highlight the neighbourhood’s great gardeners. 
The judges will visit the candidates four times throughout the Summer and early Fall.  The winner is announced at a presentation at the CPA’s Fall meeting and receives a medallion from Kitros Glass and a watercolour painting by Rosie Shepherd.
To learn more and to submit a nomination, go to the CPA’s website. 

Keep your body tuned-up
Parliament Street Fitness (488 Parliament) has a YouTube channel. It’s posting videos by its staff that will maintain your fitness programs - yoga, pilates and HIIT.  The instructors are doing their workouts from their homes.   Check them out regularly on the PSF Facebook page and start your own at-home stretches and poses.

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.  The ‘doors’ open at 10 minutes before the class. 
Meditation - Meditating together, starting with a short introduction, three 15 minute periods, Q/A at start and end.  Sunday May 24, 11:30 am - following the yoga class (after a 15 minute break)
 Lotus Hips Yoga - Yoga class is 1:15 long, emphasis on core work, twisting, joint strength and flexibility.  Sunday  May 24, 10 am and Tuesday May 26, 10 am. 
If you have a yoga block or a small pillow bring it to class. A non-slippery yoga mat can be useful. Part of the class is standing and the rest is sitting on the ground.
Join these Zoom events with this link.
Meeting ID: 416 680 3936.  Password: SpringYoga.

IN THE MEDIA

Douglas Chambers
Photo:  Craig Patterson, Globe & Mail
The Globe & Mail has a lengthy obituary for Douglas Chambers who died on May 1 at the age of 80.  He was a public figure during the 1970s and 1980s battles for gay rights.  A distinguished and popular scholar, he taught English literature at U of T.  He lived on Laurier and owned one of the Wellesley Cottages where his brother Lorne lived.  Click here to read Erica Lenti’s story.  

Living Lane in Regent Park
A new laneway based on an award-winning design will be built between Sumach and River behind market condos currently under construction.  It’s a pilot project between Daniels Corporation and Toronto Community Housing.  Urban Toronto has written a report about the project.   

KIDS STUFF

The Wild World of Carnivorous Plants
This week’s video from the Friends of Allan Gardens explores carnivorous plants, many of them living in Ontario and on display in the Conservatory.  Click here to watch it. 
Sarah’s videos - Growing Up Green at Home - will return next week. 

Veg2Grow
Veg2Grow is a project by Building Roots that shows kids how to become urban farmers.  It provides a Garden Kit that kids use to start their own gardens.  Donations are needed to continue this work - $5 supports a fresh fruit and vegetable basket and $15 supports a Garden Kit.
Each kit contains a 10" x 20" plastic tray and a 7" clear plastic dome, three flats of six pots from Cowpots, five litres of soil for seedlings in a recyclable bag from Bag to Earth, assorted vegetable seeds and popsicle sticks to label the plants. For more info about the project and donations, click here.   

BUSINESS NEWS

Welcome back Kendall
Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) has reopened.  Staff are welcoming customers in-store (maximum 4) or by appointment Monday to Saturday, noon to 5 pm. Email for a private visit. 
You can still shop online from the comfort of your home. Get creative items to entertain your family, a little self-care to lift your spirits or gift cards for the heroes in your lives. You’ll also find special deals on the website with select rugs priced at up to 25% off and select floor model furniture at up to 60% off.  Choose “Pick Up” at check-out for free curbside delivery within Cabbagetown on most items.  

RESTAURANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Distillery restaurants gift cards
The Distillery restaurants are matching gift card purchases with free meals for disadvantaged youth at Eva’s shelter through Mealshare.  For example, when you buy a $50 card, 10 meals are donated as well.  For $1000, everyone in the shelter can be fed for a whole day.  Participating restaurants include El Catrin, Cluny, Pure Spirits, Madrina and Archeo.  Click here for more info.   

Shalom has smoothies
Saba has sent along Shalom’s list of smoothies.  They’re obviously healthy - great virus fighters!  Drop in (587 Parliament) and get one for takeout - 11 am to 9 pm, Tuesday to Sunday.  

PearTree takeout specials  
This week, PearTree (507 Parliament) has two specials - oven roasted pork ribs with special barbecue sauce, fresh-cut fries and fresh vegetables at $15.99 and baked fillet of Arctic char with avocado mango salsa, fresh vegetables and your choice of basmati rice or Yukon gold mashed potato at $17.99. The full menu is available for take out and delivery.  Call  (416) 962-8190.  Pickup orders available from 12:30 to 10 pm.  Delivery orders through Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes, DoorDash and Foodora.  For menu details, go to the website.   

Takeout at Jet Fuel
You can now drop-in to Jet Fuel (519 Parliament) from 6 am to 2 pm for take-out coffee.  Be sure to practice safe distancing while sipping it down outside on the sidewalk.  Payment by tap or cash.  John still also has home delivery for his coffee beans.  

F’Amelia
Even though they’re closed for the duration of the COVID shutdown, F’Amelia’s staff are busy with their housekeeping chores and some gardening.  They hope that you’ll drop by and say hello.  12 Amelia.

Cyril’s soups and juices
Cyril’s soup for Saturday is pea, edamame and mint soup.  3-cup size for $9 and 4-cup size for $12.  His juice is oranges with a little bit of pomegranate: $9 for a 2-cup container.
He makes two soups every week - on Tuesday and Saturday. He informs people about his menus in advance by email. He usually prepares a regular version and vegan one. Email him to get all the details about each day’s menus as well.

MAY 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 MAY 21 TO SUNDAY MAY 31

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