This week’s image: This group in Riverdale Park obviously didn’t get the message about social distancing. It’s now permissible for groups of ten people to get together - but they still need to keep two metres apart.
CABBAGETOWN
NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED LOCAL ARTISTS
Every week, a new image in the right hand column highlights the work of a local artist.
Rosie Shephard, our featured artist throughout June, was born and raised in Cabbagetown. Her main media are watercolours, pencil/pen and digital photographs. She sells prints of her original paintings and does commissions on request. She paints a range of subjects including residential houses, commercial buildings, landscapes, and gardens.
You can reach her online at her website.
A PERSONAL VIEW
Pot stores
It’s becoming increasingly clear that the early applicants for pot store licences along Parliament Street didn’t know about the density of nearby competition. Canna Cabana (433 Parliament), The Green Closet (439 Parliament) and Growers Retail (492 Parliament) all started out blindly. Two other competitors - Spiritleaf (238 Carlton) and The Little House (307 Wellesley) got into the game after the government agency started publishing its map and table showing who has applied.
The supervising agency, the Alcohol & Gaming Commission (AGCO) passed the buck. They claim that density issues are a result of higher level government policies and they referred questions to the Ministry of the Attorney General.
To date, the Ministry spokesman hasn’t replied to questions about this issue.
There are two more stores close to us - Budmasters (290 Shuter) and Corner Cannabis (514 King). We can now add an extra one - Westcan Cannabis (407B Bloor).
If it’s any consolation, we aren’t alone. A quick look at the AGCO’s location map reveals scores of applications across Toronto. We’re soon going to need a weed-whacker to sort it all out.
COVID-19 NEWS
Social distancing
Experts of all sorts everywhere have been telling us repeatedly that social distancing is a powerful tool against the COVID-19 virus. For some reason, the wading pool area in Riverdale Park is a magnet - even though it’s empty - and parents, caregivers and kids have been clumping up there.
Elsewhere in the park, people have been enjoying themselves more sensibly.
Townes’ masks
Townes is making beautiful non-medical face masks. The proceeds from her sales - now approaching $3,000 - are going to local agencies. The Cabbagetown South Residents’ Association has an online story and links.
If you want one (or more!), email her - $10 each.
Thanks Cleo
Cleo Pettigrew Brown is still doing her delivery service to help seniors and disabled people who are stuck in their homes during the COVID-19 shutdown. So far, she’s made over 60 trips.
She picks up groceries and pharmacy items and delivers them at no charge. She leaves the delivery on the doorstep and collects payment from the mailbox. For details, email her.
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).
LOCAL NEWS
Cabbagetown Farmer’s Market
The Market opened for the 2020 season on Tuesday. It’ll be back next Tuesday from noon to 3 pm on the patio at the House on Parliament (424 Parliament).
It’s an online shopping experience. The website lists over twenty vendors and the products they’re selling - there’s lots of stuff from regular favourites and new vendors. The online shop is open from Wednesday to Sunday.
Place your order for pickup on the following Tuesday.
Ruvena reports that the actual Market went smoothly. One customer at a time came to the HoP’s patio - the lineup was never more than two minutes. Shoppers bought apples, raspberries, garlic scape and salads, along with spelt grain pretzel bagels and assorted fruit pies. A few customers treated themselves to local cheese boxes, sausage from Murray's farm or organic prepared foods and sauces from St. Jacob's.
Click here to visit the Market shop.
Plant sharing day last weekend
Organizers at the Cabbagetown Preservation Association are really pleased with the success of their plant sharing project last weekend.
Helen Coltrinari is one of the event organizers. She reports from her location, “At 10 am, we had two wagons and a wheelbarrow arrive with plants. At 89 Winchester, we had over a dozen hostas to give away…and they all went by noon but other people brought many varieties of plants to share: lilies, hostas, rose of Sharon, morning glory, violets, vinca, grasses, obedience plants, wild geraniums (Geum), astilbes, some succulents and for the indoors, about a dozen Ming Aralia cuttings!” People are urging that this become an annual event.
Thanks Simon
Simon and Jane Van Duffelen built a flower box at the end of Rolston Avenue. Similar private neighbourhood projects have appeared in every corner of Cabbagetown.
Members of the Aberdeen Avenue Residents Group have, for several years, tended a flower garden at the Green P parking lot and vegetable gardens in the small Winchester Square parkette. Prospect Street neighbours have won wide recognition for their two gardens - one beside Pizza Pizza and the other across the street beside Butter Chicken Factory. Last week, the neighbours near Drovers Lane did a planting along the newly rebuilt lane to make it a friendlier place for everyone. And deep under the tarps currently covering the Winchester, there’s a lovely little corner garden planted by the building’s owner.
Jungle on Amelia
There’s a garden behind the gas station, facing Amelia. It’s set up behind a big metal fence. The two were put there after a previous restaurant owner complained about the sex, drugs and rock ’n roll happening here.
This isn’t any improvement. Over the years, the garden has been tended less and less often. It rapidly becomes overgrown, then drought-stricken. Garbage and litter accumulate. There are rumours that the fun seekers have returned. This year, even this minimal care isn’t happening at all.
And this is a four-season insult. Repeated pleas by local residents to get the gas station to shovel the sidewalk in the winter have fallen on deaf ears.
It’s currently not clear who is responsible - Esso, Circle K, Tim Hortons or a local manager. More info will come shortly.
Rain barrel fundraiser
The Cabbagetown South Residents Association is again holding its rain barrel sale as an Association fundraiser. Everybody benefits. When you buy a barrel for $55, you’re saving 25% on the normal pricing. The Association earns an additional $10.
The sale runs until June 30. If you choose home delivery, add an extra $10 for the delivery charge. The date for pick-ups is Tuesday June 30 from 4 to 7 pm at 182 Seaton (in the lane).
For additional info about the barrels and to place an order, go to the website.
Streetscapes in Bloom
Eight gardens have been nominated for this annual award. Here’s the list - watch them throughout the summer.
30 Amelia, 88 Amelia, 338 Berkeley, 379 Berkeley, 418 Ontario, 456 Sumach, 7 Winchester and 86 Winchester.
The judges will visit the candidates four times throughout the Summer and early Fall. They’re looking at plant material, hard landscaping, landscape design and execution.
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 Shephard.
To learn more, go to the CPA’s website.
Summer programs at CCDT
Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (519 Parliament) is offering virtual online programs for the summer.
SunDance Online. July 6 – 24, 2020
SunDance is the only summer intensive in the world to combine RAD Ballet and Limón Modern. It provides renowned high-calibre technical training and artistic development led by some of Canada's top dance educators and by acclaimed international dance artists. SunDance 2020 offers an innovative and streamlined online intensive experience for young dancers ages 11-19.
The video audition deadline has been extended to June 29th. Submit your application now!
Summer Arts 2020 online, July 27-31, 2020
A one-week virtual day camp for Ages 4-8.
Join us for SummerArts 2020 — bringing our one-week summer day camp right to your home via Zoom for five days of interactive creative play and discovery. Participants will enjoy Creative Movement, Music Making, Visual Arts, and Story Time. Program fee: $200 (includes craft kit). Click here for more info and registration.
233 Carlton
The conversion of this building into a women’s respite centre passed the City’s Committee of Adjustment in February. Official notices about this decision have been sent out and dated June 3.
The deadline for appeals to the Toronto Local Appeal Body is Tuesday June 23.
The instructions and the forms needed to launch an appeal are available online here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Your announcements work
Last week, Babs and Ron put in an announcement that they needed a gardener. They were contacted immediately and satisfactory arrangements have now been made.
You’re invited to use this space. It’s free. If you want to buy or sell something, hire some help, get rid of a precious but unneeded belonging, find or rent a parking spot - contact cabbagetownreview@gmail.com
COMING EVENTS
Local street closures
It’s a fun bike ride - the roadway down from Gerrard to Bayview is a great hill and Bayview is wide and easy to use.
Closures include Bayview from Front 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.
KIDS STUFF
The Children’s Book Bank
Beginning on July 7, the Book Bank (350 Berkeley) will move toward its normal operations. Open Tuesday (10 am to 2 pm), Wednesday (noon to 4 pm) and Thursday (2 to 6 pm). Please wear a mask inside the store. Email the store to take part in the summer reading program.
Summer Camps
The City of Toronto has announced that its summer camp program will open in July. For more info and links, go to the City’s website.
BUSINESS NEWS
Check out these prices
Registered massage therapy
March 25
June 18
Registered massage therapy
Paul Neira, RMT is back at Parliament Street Fitness (490 Parliament) and offering his massage therapy sessions. He’s available for one hour appointments on Wednesday June 24 and Friday June 26 at 1, 3, 5 and 7 pm. PSF has implemented enhanced safety measures including screening, hand sanitizing, cleaning and disinfecting, masks and new spacing throughout. For more info and an appointment, send an email.
Save a seat for Dad
Give Dad something to drool over from Kendall & Co! This floor model armchair recliner is now on final sale. Bring him in to select the fabric of his choice. Available with stain guarded fabrics - so go ahead, have the pizza and wings and enjoy that beer. Upgrade him with a motorized recliner and he might never leave his seat.
Shop online - click here.
Kendall & Co is open by appointment only Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 5pm. Call (416) 363-9914 or email the store to book.
The Distillery
The Distillery has published a list of the stores and restaurants that are open now and offer curbside services. Click here to read it.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Welcome Maya Bay Thai Market
Maya Bay (252 Carlton) opened last Friday and they’re selling their food directly onto the street. It’s a great idea. Hungry customers can place an order (at a social distance!) and then watch it being prepared.
The menu lists spring rolls, curry puffs, fried taro and tofu, mango salad, shrimp chips and tomyum deep fried chicken wings. Smoothies, slushies, Thai milk tea, Thai lemon iced tea and Thai sodas for drinks. Desserts include mango sticky rice, snow ice cream and deep fried coconut ice cream. Very affordable. Check out the website for more photos.
F’Amelia
Family meals are now ready for pickup - $24 per person (minimum of two). Order your favourite chicken cacciatore - it comes with tiramisu for dessert! Homemade focaccia in take-home size, lots of new dishes, two new delicious salads! Pre-order please.
Open Wednesday through Sunday. Online line orders start at 2 pm. Pick-up from 4 pm. For menus and info, go to the website. (416) 323-0666, 12 Amelia.
Cranberries’ specials
Do you like Black Angus steak, or blackened salmon, or roast chicken with all the extras? These are just three of Cranberries’ daily specials. Great meals at very affordable prices. Check its website for the full list. As usual, yummy stuff. 601 Parliament.
Thinking of Dad
There’s nothing like a prime rib dinner at the House on Parliament (424 Parliament). Sunday’s dinner available from 5pm. Call to reserve yours (426) 925-4074
Open Tuesday to Friday from 4 to 8 pm and weekends from noon to 8 pm. Menus are available daily online - click here.
Father’s Day at Peartree
On Saturday and Sunday from 4 to 10:30 pm, Peartree (509 Parliament) has three specials for Father’s Day. Prime rib roast with Yorkshire pudding, gravy, fresh veggies and Yukon gold mashed potato. Classic leg of lamb with fresh vegetables and Yukon gold mashed potato. Baked fillet of Arctic char with avocado mango salsa, fresh vegetables and choice of rice or mashed potato.
The full menu is available for take out and delivery. Free delivery on orders over $30 - call (416) 962-8190. Pickup orders available from 12:30 to 10 pm. You can also go to Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes and Door Dash. For menu details, go to the website.
The Irv has a big deal
Get a huge meal for Dad at The Irv (195 Carlton) - a full rack of ribs, a pound of chicken wings, fries, coleslaw and 6-pack of Amsterdam blonde. All for just $49. Add another rack of ribs for $23. Pre-orders only please - by Friday at noon.
Email to order.
For the regular menu, call 647-350-4787 for pick-ups and delivery and go online for the menus. Click here.
Breakfast at Stout
Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) is offering a Full Irish Breakfast for pickup on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 pm. Call or message - (647) 344-7676. Add a mimosa. Details on Facebook.
Open now for pickups 7 days a week. Monday to Thursday 4 to 8 pm and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 8 pm.
Cyril’s soups and juices
Cyril’s soup for Saturday will be his salute to the start of summer - strawberry tomato gazpacho. 3-cup size for $12 and 4-cup size for $16. His juice will be raspberry-cantaloupe: $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.
JUNE 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 JUNE 18 TO SUNDAY JUNE 28
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
