This week’s image: The Farmers Market opened again in Riverdale Park on Tuesday from 3 to 7 pm.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED LOCAL ARTISTS
July’s featured artist is David Brandy, an award-winning contemporary fine art photographer. He lives in Cabbagetown near Riverdale Park West. Click on the image in the right hand column to reach his website.
A PERSONAL VIEW
The Cabbagetown Festival and the Art & Crafts show have both been cancelled for 2020. They’re part of the City’s decision to postpone big public events until at least September 30
This is a good opportunity for the organizers of both events to inject some fresh thinking into their plans. A few years ago, the people organizing the annual Forsythia Festival went through this process and the result was a new, durable event.
The Festival on Parliament does a lot of things very well - street entertainment, Blair’s Run, patios lining the street, kids’ entertainment. But it’s also wandered a long way away from Cabbagetown charm. The result is a somewhat repetitive, generic event that could be happening in any Toronto neighbourhood.
A few signature events were thrown away in the past without anything exciting replacing them. The Saturday morning parade drew a great crowd to start the day but it was cancelled in a false effort to save some money. The Cabbagetown Youth Centre was once a focus for the weekend with a fashion show, a dance night and a boxing exhibition - now only the boxing day continues. There were dog shows, waiters’ races, cabbage cooking contests and other mini-events featuring local residents and businesses.
These past successes came from a strong sense of local community. To create our future successes, we need to tap into new ideas that reflect the interests of the younger people and the very diverse audience that lives here now. This approach will give us a brighter spotlight on Cabbagetown itself.
We’ve now got a whole year to think about it. Let’s use that time to put Cabbagetown back into our Festival.
LOCAL NEWS
Best wishes for Olya and Mike
Olya is expecting her first baby, due some time in August. She looks very happy about it and by the way, so does Mike. They’ll be staying at home during this time - her family lives nearby. They’ve agreed that the baby is destined to enjoy croissants! Tasso (540 Parliament) will be closed until some time in September.
Thanks Cleo
Throughout the COVID-19 shutdowns, Cleo has been voluntarily making deliveries for people who have difficulty leaving their homes. She’s finishing that service - she has a job starting August 4. Many thanks, Cleo, for your valuable service.
Festival cancellations
Both the Cabbagetown Festival on Parliament Street and the Art & Crafts show in Riverdale Park were scheduled for the weekend of September 11 to 13. They’ve been cancelled by the City of Toronto. They’re among the group of larger public events cancelled to September 30.There’s no news yet about Blair’s Run - the organizers are working on alternatives that respect City and health regulations.
The Cabbagetown Short Film Festival
Although the actual in-person event is cancelled, Gina Dineen insists that the show must still go … online. Early indications are that it’s gonna be awesome. Gina is planning a two-hour program that will be streamed over three days from Wednesday September 9 to Friday September 11. Viewers with a pass will be able to watch a bit, take a break, return and watch more. Or sit through the whole thing in one big binge! Details about the films and the online links are coming soon.
Refugee housing
Mayor John Tory announced on Wednesday that vacant units in four buildings in Regent Park will be used as temporary homes for refugees until December 15. 70 units will house 160 people. These buildings are scheduled for demolition as part of the revitalization process there.
Cabbagetown Farmers Market
The Market returned to Riverdale Park (Winchester and Sumach) on Tuesday. Over 200 people and about a dozen vendors showed up to launch it - a couple of bakeries, eggs, maple syrup, cheese from Prince Edward County, Murray’s (with their delish sausages!) and of course, good fresh produce. Extra steps were taken to ensure everyone’s safety including a one-way flow and lots of hand sanitizers. The Market will continue every Tuesday from 3 to 7 pm at the Park until October.According to the Market’s Facebook page, some people complained about using a separate entrance and exit and about the one-way flow. Hmmm.
Underpass Park Farmers Market
Corktown’s Underpass Park Market (29 Lower River Street) opened on Thursday July 9. It operates every Thursday afternoon from 4 to 7:30 pm.
Riverdale Farm
The Mayor and Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam showed up at Riverdale Farm (Winchester east of Sumach) on Tuesday afternoon to give some heartfelt speeches and to start up the Farm again. It’ll be open daily from 9 am to 5 pm - free admission. There’s a one-way walking flow from the Riverdale Park entrance through to the exit onto Winchester.
A nice crowd was wandering through on Wednesday afternoon with lots of kids in tow, including one who sized up a nearby cow while her Mom explained that she’s where the milk comes from.
Allan Gardens Conservatory
The Conservatory opened last Tuesday. Daily visits from noon to 4 pm, free admission. There are one-way walking guides, lots of space for physical distancing and hand sanitizers. Wear your mask. To see what’s blooming, go to the Friends of Allan Gardens Facebook page.
Swimming
The wading pool in Riverdale Park West and the splash pads in Wellesley Park, Regent Park , Winchester Park and Sackville playground are all open, 9 am to 8:30 pm daily. The indoor facility at the Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre is scheduled for reopening on Monday July 20 along with the community centres in our area.
Taste of Regent Park
Taste of Regent Park and 40 Oak Street are once again offering a free take-away meal once a week. Wednesdays from 6 to 7 pm.
DriveInTo at CityView Drive-in
Photo: Samuel Engelking, NOW Magazine
CityView Drive-in (20 Polson Pier) is a drive-in theatre located near Cherry Beach. It’ll host concerts, films, and screenings from InsideOut LGBTQ festival, Regent Park Film Festival, Reel Asian Film Festival, and Reelworld Film Festival.
These are part of the City’s DriveInTO program using pop-up events to give residents free film, concerts and sports broadcasts.
Lookin’ good
Finance Minister Bill Morneau (also - our very own MP) showed some federal support for F’Amelia (12 Amelia) last week. His red mask is really nice even if it gives him a hard time eating his pizza.
And Louise, behind her mask, is looking very pleased with her wrap at The Tilted Dog.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Egg cartons
Evonne is collecting unsoiled, used egg cartons. There’s a shortage of these containers currently and she’s helping a local farm. Drop off your used cartons on her front porch at 68 Salisbury.
KIDS STUFF
Green Thumbs, Growing Kids
Donate now and double your impact this July. Every dollar that you give before July 30 is matched. For over twenty years, Green Thumbs Growing Kids has helped children and families in Cabbagetown, Regent Park and St. James Town. They’ve integrated school gardens into our education system. During COVID-19, our harvests from school and rooftop gardens will be filling food boxes for families in our neighbourhood who are facing food insecurity. Food access matters now more than ever.
Click here to get more info and to make your gift.
BUSINESS NEWS
Massage therapy
At Parliament Street Fitness (488 Parliament), Paul Neira, RMT, provides massage therapy and he’s expanded his hours at PSF - 1 to 5 pm on Saturdays and noon to 8 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. He’s also booking 90-minute sessions. For a reservation, email him.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Grab some ice cream
Park Snacks (Winchester and Sumach) is a great spot for a cone and for people watching.
Outdoor patios
Photo: House on Parliament, NOW MagazineOn July 8, Natalia Manzocco in NOW Magazine listed sixty patios open in Toronto. Six are in our neighbourhood - El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane, Distillery), F’Amelia (12 Amelia), Gusto 501 (501 King E), House on Parliament (454 Parliament), Maison Selby (595 Sherbourne) and Mill Stret Brew Pub (21 Tank House Lane, Distillery). Click here to see her comments and the complete list.
Pop-ups at The Paintbox
At The Paintbox (555 Dundas E) every Wednesday from 2 to 4 pm. Paintbox is selling its own sauces, jams and pickles as well as groceries and grab-and-go meal items.
This week at Peartree
This week’s specials at Peartree (507 Parliament) include a T-bone steak ($25.99), salmon alfredo fettuccini ($18.99)and lemon chicken with jumbo shrimp ($18.99). Wash down your dinner with Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay or Shiraz for $5.50/glass or with Waterloo Dark, Mill Street Organic, Steamwhistle pilsner and Alexander Keith IPA at $5/pint. Free delivery on orders over $30 - call (416) 962-8190. For menu details, go to the website.
Special offers at Haldi
Haldi Indian Food (568 Parliament) has a couple of great special offers. Place your pick-up order on the phone or in the store and save 10%. Enjoy a lunch special from only $10.99. Both offers expire on Friday July 31. Great food - take advantage of the specials.
Fusilli
Fusilli (531 Queen E) has been selling Sicilian FoodLine pastas for a while. Now, they’ve added more Italian food and groceries to their offerings. Drop by to get Sicilian extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegars, spreads, jars of grilled eggplants, gluten-free pasta and lots more. Open daily from 5 to 8:30 pm, closed Sundays.
Nifty masks
Tiffany and Sean at The Tilted Dog (424 Parliament) are very pleased with their new masks that brand their pub. Thanks to a friend, Roberto, who designed and produced them.
Patio hours
Alice’s Place (554 Parliament). Open from 3 pm.
Cluny (35 Tank House Lane, Distillery). Tuesday & Wednesday 4 to 10 pm, Thursday to Saturday noon to 10 pm and Sunday noon to 9 pm.
Dominion Pub & Kitchen (500 Queen E). The patio opens at 11:30 am during the week and at 10:30 am on Saturday and Sunday.
El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane). Noon to 10 pm daily.
F’Amelia (12 Amelia). Online orders start at 2 pm. Patio open every day from 5 to 10 pm.
Fusilli (531 Queen E). Open for 2 to 4 people in each party. 5:30 to 10 pm.
House on Parliament (454 Parliament). Street and rooftop patios open at 11:30 am.
The Irv (195 Carlton). Open from Monday to Saturday at noon and Sunday brunch from 10 am to 2 pm.
Keating Channel Pub (2 Villers). 11 am to 10 pm daily.
Madrina (2 Trinity, Distillery). Wednesday & Thursday 4 to 10 pm, Friday & Saturday noon to 10 pm and Sunday noon to 9 pm
Mill Street (21 Tank House Lane). Patio is open from 11 am to midnight daily.
Peartree (507 Parliament). The back patio is open daily from 11 am to 11 pm.
Pure Spirits (17 Tank House Lane, Distillery). Wednesday to Saturday noon to 10 pm and Sunday noon to 9 pm.
Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton). Monday to Thursday, 4 to 11 pm. Friday and Saturday 11 am to midnight. Sunday 11 am to 9 pm - brunch until 2 pm.
The Tilted Dog (424 Parliament). The patio opens every day through the week at 3 pm and on the weekends at 1 pm.
Vicino Italian Kitchen (148 Sumach). Open Tuesday to Sunday from noon to 8 pm.
Cyril’s soups and juices
For Saturday, Cyril is making a chilli ratatouille with ground beef (or not), pinto beans, bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, spices, basil and thyme ($9 for 3 cups vegetarian and $12 for 4 cups vegetarian and $12 for 3 cups with beef and $16 for 4 cups with beef). His juice will be plums and grapefruit ($9 for 2 cups). Tuesday’s soup features a corn and jalapeno chowder ($9 for 3 cups and $12 for 4 cups).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.
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.
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 JULY 16 TO SUNDAY JULY 26
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.
