This week’s image: Opening up - diners showed up at F’Amelia (12 Amelia) and kept their distances on Wednesday.
CABBAGETOWN
NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED LOCAL ARTISTS
Every week, a new image in the right hand column highlights the work of a local artist.
This week’s picture marks the final showing for Rosie Shephard, our featured artist for June. Rosie’s lovely images depict Cabbagetown homes beautifully. Thanks and congratulations to her for submitting her work for us.
You can reach her online at her website.
A PERSONAL VIEW
Bragging rights
This week’s Cabbagetown Neighbourhood Review marks its official eighth anniversary with 406 editions and 1,636,000 page views under its belt. The June 2012 edition included stories about a fundraising picnic in Riverdale Farm, new decorations in St James Town and Chalo Barruetta who hosted Prince Charles’ royal visit to Cabbagetown. In a typical C’town controversy, both protesters and supporters came to Winchester Square parkette to complain or praise the new community gardens!
Then - as now - it was fun putting it all together. Thanks to everyone reading it now for your interest and your support.
COVID-19 NEWS
Townes’ masks
Townes is still making her beautiful non-medical face masks and they’re becoming a popular part of Cabbagetown’s wardrobe. The proceeds from her sales 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. 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).
CONTACT INFO
A comprehensive listing of our local food services is now available in our new Cabbagetown Directory.
The list includes bakeries, coffee shops, delis, restaurants and pubs. Each entry gives the name, address, phone number and a link to a Facebook page or website.
Click here to find your favourite.
LOCAL NEWS
Sandwiches from Aberdeen
Every week during the COVID crisis, Aberdeen volunteers have prepared sandwiches and cookies for Dixon Hall’s shelter at 58 Sumach. There were 65 sandwiches in this week’s offerings - warm sausages, omelette, ham and cheese, tuna and BLTs. People added personal size chip bags, banana bread and fudge brownies. A core group has done much of the work. They put together 10 or 15 sandwiches each every week. Thanks to Michael Guenther for organizing this weekly drive. Every Wednesday, he collects the sandwiches at 50 Aberdeen and delivers them to Dixon Hall.
It’s a great project. If you’d like to join this effort, send Michael an email.
Ron Hebert
Ron passed away on Saturday June 13 after a long and accomplished life. He leaves his wife Janice Sykes and his children and grandchildren. He was widely known and enjoyed by friends and neighbours in Cabbagetown. He was proud of his business career at Heron Technology. He loved the House on Parliament, his Acadian heritage, a good laugh with a friend and a party over a drink with Janice in his back yard. We’ll miss his cheery smile and good humour on Wellesley Street. Our sympathies go to Janice and his family.
Drovers Lane improvements
Louis-Philippe Rochon is keeping everyone up-to-date about the work being done on Drover’s Lane. His photo is dated from last Friday June 19.
Cherry Beach lifeguards
Photo: Tanya Mott, blogTO
Lifeguards at the beach are back from 11:30 am to 6:30 pm daily along with the blue flag water quality system. People are reminded not to gather in big groups.
Cabbagetown Farmer’s Market
There’s a new pick-up spot for the Market at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament). The Market is still an online shopping experience. Its 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.The Market’s organizers are working on their next move back into Riverdale Park. As they do so, they’re recruiting volunteers willing to help once it’s there - on Tuesday afternoons for a three-hour shift between 2 and 7:30 pm. Duties include helping with set-up or tear-down, assisting in monitoring the entry/exit, refilling sanitizer and potentially assisting with pre-order pickups for some occasional vendors. If you’d like to join, send them an email.
Click here to visit the Market shop.
Rain barrel fundraiser
Jen Walker’s rain barrels were delivered to her on Monday. As she says, it’s not too late to order yours. The rain barrel sale is a fundraiser for the Cabbagetown South Residents Association. 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.
To learn more, go to the CPA’s website.
Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
Image: Lady Pellatt fishing, 1906 Toronto Public Library e5-109f
Watercolourist Colleyna Mary Russell Morgan captured Lady Mary Pellatt in an informal moment, fishing somewhere along the Don River.
In 1906, shortly after her husband, Henry Mill Pellatt, had been knighted and she became “Lady” Pellatt, the Pellatts lived on fashionable Sherbourne Street, just south of Bloor, across from the C H Gooderham family. They summered on Davenport Hill before Pellatt built his monumental Casa Loma.
Lady Pellatt was at the centre of Toronto society and forever in the public eye. Retreating to the river must have been a rare occasion, but perhaps appropriate for the woman who became the first Chief Commissioner of the outdoor-loving Girl Guides in 1912 and received the Silver Fish award for her dedication in 1922. After she died in 1924, she was even buried in her Girl Guide uniform.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Free to a good home
A charming old, porcelain-coated Empire-brand gas stove. One of the fun things about it is the thermometer in the oven door which goes up to 600° and claims that 400° is Medium. Please note that the new owners would have to carry it out of the basement (on Aberdeen Avenue). I also have a bunch of old doors, cast iron grates, door hardware and lots of other stuff that I couldn’t bear to throw away when we renovated many years ago - all free for the taking.
Please email Linda if you’re interested.
Furnished apartment to rent
Spacious one-bedroom basement apartment in Cabbagetown, steps from streetcar and Parliament St. yet startlingly tranquil. Private entrance through a beautiful garden, high-ceilinged living room with dining space and kitchen, dressing room, bathroom with huge shower, washer/dryer, bedroom. Fully furnished.
$1650 a month, including utilities and high-speed wifi. Someone quiet and reliable with references, please; prefer longterm but short-term also possible, one month minimum. Photographs available on request. For more info, email Beth.
COMING EVENTS
Fight pests in your garden
Friends of Allan Gardens are hosting a Zoom webinar about garden pests on Tuesday June 30 from noon to 1 pm. It’ll give ideas for urban veggie gardens - common pests and diseases, strategies to avoid them, homemade concoctions to fight them and ways to maximize your harvest. The host is Derek Barber. Here’s the Zoom link where you can register for the event.
Celebrate PRIDE with Daniel et Daniel
Enjoy the Golden Girls brunch to celebrate despite all the social distancing. It’s brought to you by Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton). Each brunch offers Dorothy’s New York mini bagels, Rose’s Svenderbluden frittata, Blanche’s tart and Picture it salad along with Fancy Man’s fruit tray, cheesecake brownies and Out on the Lanai Orangina. The ingredients with each are amazing. $45 per person. Please order for your pick-up on Saturday June 27.
Check out the menu and place your order online - click here. If you want a personal contact, call (416) 968-9275, ext 10.
Canada Day celebrations from Daniel et Daniel
Celebrate Canada Day in style with the ultimate catering package. Each order includes a ready-to-heat Canada Day dinner with appetizers, main course, sides and dessert. The menu includes kale and red cabbage, grilled Mexican corn, sweet and smoky BBQ baby back ribs, 1/4 spatchcocked chicken, pimento macaroni and cheese, crispy potato wedges and vanilla cake with buttercream icing and Canada Day bonbons. Pickups or delivery on Tuesday June 30.
For more information and to place your order online, click here.
Tai Chi in Wellesley Park
Michael Smith and his friends have returned to Wellesley Park for their weekly gentle Tai Chi classes. The members respect social distancing. It’s a small group in the summer, usually less than ten people. Monday at 10 am and Thursday at 10 and 11 am at the end of Wellesley Street. Interested Cabbagetowners are welcome to join - just show up or call Michael White at (416) 926-9553 for more information.
IN THE MEDIA
Green Party leadership campaign
Elizabeth May, the longstanding leader of the federal Greens has resigned her post. The leadership contest is now underway and ten candidates have listed their intention to run for her job. Two of them are familiar to us.
Glen Murray, the former provincial Liberal and cabinet minister in Kathleen Wynne’s government is back into active politics and declared himself a candidate in this race.
Annamie Paul ran as our local Green candidate in the 2019 federal election. She did a good job. She collected over 3,800 votes and increased the Green percentage by over 4.5%.
The Toronto Star’s Alex Ballingall has written an introduction to each candidate. Click here for his story.
COVID-19 and tourism
Shawn Micallef has written in The Local about the decline in tourism in Toronto and the impact in local businesses. The Distillery, Soulpepper, Roselle, Soma Chocolate are all hurting. To read his article, click here.
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
Haircuts
Photo: Ryan Bolton, blogTO
Eric Morse reports that Hastings (251 Gerrard E) has booked him for 5 pm on Tuesday June 30. They are, apparently, booked solid before then. You can book online with them - click here.
Beaming with Pride
As social activism grows louder around the world, Kevin & Kendall honour this fundamental principle of Pride while uplifting our spirits with their annual Pride window display. They created a very special sofa inspired by Drag Queens and Transgender People who forged ahead for 2SLGBTQIA+. Featuring stiletto sofa legs, corset-like contrast stitch and a fabric as fabulous as our heroes & heroines. Come out, come all because COVID can’t rain on Kendall & Co’s parade at 514 Parliament St. Shop open by appointment Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 5 pm. (416) 363-9914 shop@kendallandco.ca
RESTAURANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Lansdowne Cone Ice Cream Parlour
Ice cream is coming to Regent Park - in the Paintbox (555 Dundas E). The opening weekend is coming up on Friday June 26 (5 to 10 pm), Sauturday (2 to 10 pm) and Sunday (2 to 9 pm). Check out the choices listed on the flyer - yummy.
F’Amelia
Visit its website to see F’Amelia’s hours, menus and reservation links. The same menus and specials are available still through the takeout table at the front window. Please note that seating arrangements are limited due to COVID-19 restrictions - your meal time will last for ninety minutes.Open Wednesday through Sunday. Closed on Canada Day, Wednesday July 1. Online orders start at 2 pm. Pick-up from 4 pm. (416) 323-0666, 12 Amelia.
Patio at PearTree
PearTree’s comfy patio is now open - call for reservations at (416) 962-8190. This week’s specials include beef tenderloin with mushroom peppercorn sauce, fresh veggies and rice or potato, $26.99 and baked fillet of red Snapper served with creole sauce, fresh vegetables and choice of rice or potato at $15.99. 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.
Cranberries’ specials
Cranberries (601 Parliament) is adding fresh salads for these sunny summer days - shrimp & chicken salad, chicken caesar and blackened chicken & greens. Check its website for the full list. As usual, yummy stuff.
Tilted Dog
The patio at The Tilted Dog (424 Parliament) is open with limited seating - Sean and Tiffany ask that you make a reservation. There’s a $15 minimum per customer. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 11 pm and the kitchen closes at 10 pm.
The Irv
The patio beside The Irv (195 Carlton) is now open daily - from noon on Monday to Saturday and from 10 am on Sunday. Please respect the maximum stay at 90 minutes and the minimum charge of $25 per person.
Odin Coffee Roasters
Odin (514 King E) has earned a mention in NOW Magazine’s online list of patios worth visiting.
Stout Irish Pub
Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) will open the back patio from Friday at noon. It’s 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.
The Dominion
The patio at Dominion (500 Queen E) is opening on Friday June 26 at 11:30 am.
Keating Channel
The lovely patio beside the channel will be open from 11 am on Friday. 2 Villers Street.
Cyril’s soups and juices
Cyril’s soup for Saturday will is his Moroccan chickpea and sweet potato soup with 3-cup size for $9 and 4-cup size for $12. His juice will be oranges, pineapple and spinach: $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 & JULY
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 25 TO SUNDAY JULY 5
Our restaurants and pubs are opening partially with service available on outdoor patios as well as takeout and delivery services. Entertainment and special events have been cancelled until the COVID-19 shutdowns are over.
For a complete list of area restaurants, pubs, bakeries, delis and coffee shops, click here.
