This week’s image: The Cabbagetown BIA has installed images on the fencing around the street patios at our pubs. This one, from Patrick Hunter, is displayed at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton).
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST
Betty White
Betty is a Cabbagetown artist who’s lived here since 1984. She’s our featured artist through August. Click on the image to enlarge it. Click here to visit Betty’s website.
ODE TO ITALY, 25” x13”, chalk pastel, pencil on cow skin“When I think of my travels in Italy, I think of a special kind of contentment, in myself and the character of the people. The mood in this piece reflects that.”
LOCAL NEWS
Bell Box project
Photo: Michael Cavanaugh
The Bell Box project at Street Art recruits artists and finds utility boxes that need to be perked up. This one at the corner of Gerrard and Berkeley across from the library has just been finished. The artist is Julie Amlin and she’s done a colour bomb on a set of boxes. Thanks also to Cabbagetown South resident Louis-Philippe Rochon who notified Bell about a year ago that these boxes needed a facelift. Congrats for a great job.
Cabbagetown Short Film Festival
Gina Dineen is organizing the Film Festival as an online event. Your ticket will allow you to watch the films on Wednesday September 9, Thursday September 10 and Friday September 11. Or you can watch all of them in one big binge. Twelve films - lots of comedy and drama. You can also catch the trailers on the website. Buy yours now, $15 - and make a donation to help it to continue in the future. Click here for tickets and info about the films.
Blair’s Run
This will be the 41st year for this remarkable event. Organizers are setting up an online “race”.
Here’s the first step. Save the date - the race window will be longer so the start-up is still Friday September 11 and the end date is “to be determined”. Get your team organized. Second, the routes are still being settled. It sounds as if negotiations with various parts of officialdom are also involved.
Third, team captains should contact Brenda Brown McNee. Let the committee know whether you can help. Volunteers are needed for social media, flyer deliveries and mapping the routes. It sounds really imaginative - once the details are cleared up, there’ll be more announcements on the website.
Update - 233 Carlton
Justin Lewis from the City’s Shelter, Support & Housing Administration reports that the current appeal to the Toronto Local Appeal Body has limited the activity possible at 233 Carlton. Some of the indoor demolition is permissible and it’s being undertaken.
Update - the tunnel and big pipe
Three massive tunnels are under construction along the Don River, Taylor Creek and the Inner Harbour. They’ll capture combined sewer outflows (storm water and sewage), store excess water and greatly improve our water quality. The water is taken to the Ashbridges water treatment facility. It’s the biggest water treatment project in Toronto’s history. The portion that we see is the Coxwell Bypass tunnel along the Don River - 10.5 km long, 6.3 metres in diameter. The work at Bloor and Bayview is an underground storage shaft and will continue to early 2024. The work at Rosedale Valley Road is for a connecting shaft - it’s almost finished and will wind up in September 2020. A third site at Gerrard and River is a connecting shaft and the work here is finished.
Check out the scope of the project online here.
Art Walk in Cabbagetown
Photo: Cabbagetown BIA
Seven local restaurants have set up street-side patios. Artists have contributed images that are decorating the fencing around each patio. You can see Susan Hunter at F’Amelia (12 Amelia), Chihiro Segi at Kingyo (51B Winchester), Fatspatrol at Peartree (507 Parliament), James Fowler at the House on Parliament (454 Parliament), Taylor Ray at Saigon Pai (446 Parliament), Duncan McLean at Chew Chew Diner (186 Carlton) and Patrick Hunter at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton). Thanks to the Cabbagetown BIA for the fencing and the artwork that’s beautifying these new street patios.
Stabbing at Sherbourne and Dundas
Photo: George Joseph, CITY NEWS
A woman was stabbed and killed in a convenience store at Sherbourne and Dundas. It happened at 10 am on Wedneday August 26. A second woman has been arrested.
Distillery WiFi
The Distillery now offers neighbourhood WiFi throughout the District. Select “Distillery WiFi by Beanfield” and get one hour’s service. Free.
Federal government services
Although Bill Morneau has resigned as our Member of Parliament, we still have access to federal services through his former constituency office. His local assistants will handle our ongoing needs and they’ll stay until a new MP is elected and chooses new staff. Please note that the office is closed because of the COVID-19 lockdown and it’s unclear whether it’ll reopen. If you need help, call (416) 972-9748 or email the office here.
COMING EVENTS
Dixonlicious is back
This is the live auction that’s a fun part of Dixon Hall’s annual fundraiser. It pays for much of the food program that Dixon Hall offers to the community. It’s back - this time it’s online. The list of goodies is impressive. An evening in an inn in Prince Edward County and another at Toronto’s Sheraton Centre. Prints by Charles Pachter. Hand knit dolls. A Scotty Cameron putter. Bike lights, designer robes, spa and hair treatments. Lots more - check it out and place your bid. Open until the auction ends at 9 pm on Monday August 31.
Loose Woman, my odyssey from lost to found
Beth Kaplan’s new book will be launched on September 9 at her home (308 Sackville) from 4 to 6 pm. Beth says that “It’s the story of how a quasi-alcoholic Canadian actor came to spend four astonishing months in 1979 living and working among men with severe disabilities at a L’Arche community in Provence, and how the experience opened her heart and transformed her life.” Social distancing, a one-way flow of guests and other pandemic precautions will be observed. Print copies from Beth are $25, three or more for $20. Print books also available from Ben McNally Books, Chapter/Indigo and Amazon, e-book from Kobo, Kindle and Amazon. An audiobook read by the author will be available on Audible - all on and after September 9. Check her website for more info and for direct orders.
Local farmers markets
The best produce of the season is now arriving - corn, tomatoes, fruit and lots of green veggies. Cabbagetown Market (Riverdale Park, Winchester and Sumach) has attracted more vendors with good seasonal produce. It continues every Tuesday from 3 to 7 pm until October. The Underpass Park Farmers Market (29 Lower River Street) operates every Thursday afternoon from 4 to 7:30 pm.
Taste of Regent Park
Once again offering a free take-away meal once a week. Wednesdays from 6 to 7 pm in Regent Park (620 Dundas E).
CityView Drive-in
CityView Drive-In (20 Polson) is a new venue for concerts and movies. Check out the website for info and tickets.
IN THE MEDIA
The new river valley
Images: Toronto Star
David Rider has written a comprehensive story in the Toronto Star about the massive project that’s happening in the Port Lands. He describes the new route for the Don River, the future island that will be home to thousands of residents and new businesses and the new parks along the lakeshore.
Toronto Police Service
Photo: Toronto Police Services
Police are looking for Rowan Atkins. Mr Atkins is wanted in connection to a “threat to kill” involving gang members from Regent park. This threat was posted on an instagram account. CBC News has written about it.
BUSINESS NEWS
Parliament Street Fitness is open
Jay noticed that some of his customers were surprised to find that his gym has reopened. So he decided to do a big banner for his front window. His 8-year old niece Anya and his 12-year old nephew Kieran pitched in and did it for him. It’s a nifty look and good advertising as well. (416) 901-5421, 488 Parliament.
Kendall is Open
Yes, Kendall & Co is open and they are awesome. Simply email or call (416) 363-9914 to set up your private appointment to shop their new collection of wool rugs, new vinyl floor mats, new wallpaper and new Canadian-made furniture. Open Tuesday to Saturday Noon to 5pm. https://kendallandco.ca
Children’s Book Bank
As school openings happen, the Book Bank (350 Berkeley) has new hours starting September 8 to continue their book distribution and literacy programs. For more information about booking a group, email.
Cabbagetown Organics
Peter and Sam want to remind you that this is the best time to buy their fresh, organic veggies. 499 Parliament.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Welcome DOVA
DOVA (229 Carlton) is opening on Thursday, August 27. Jacqueline and chef Roberto are offering Sicilian and Mediterranean Islands cuisine. The restaurant is beautifully designed. The main dining area is completely refinished in a modern, white style. The intimate cellar room is available for private functions. The rear patio is enclosed in a courtyard and is one of the most impressive in Cabbagetown. Menus are available online and daily features and news are on Facebook and Instagram. Open now from 5 to 11 pm. Watch for the weekend brunch, coming very soon. Reservations at (647) 347-8930, email.
Welcome back, Cranberries
Cranberries (601 Parliament) will reopen on Tuesday September 1. The weekday hours are 4 to 9:30 pm, weekends from 9 am to 9:30 pm. The takeout menu is still available from Monday to Friday, 11 am to 4 pm. Cabbagetown’s friendly neighbourhood pub is back!
Headscratchers Trivia
Every Tuesday at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton). Arrive by 7:15 pm for 7:30 startup. It’s the Stage Three edition, socially distanced. Reserve your space ahead of time - follow this link to book your table and to learn the new Stage Three rules.
This week at Peartree
This week’s specials at Peartree (507 Parliament) include a slow-cooked lamb shank at $18.99, baked fillet of rainbow trout for $18.99 and oven roasted pork ribs at $15.99 Wash down your dinner with a glass of wine for $5.50 or with a glass of beer on tap at $5/pint. Free delivery on orders over $30 - call (416) 962-8190.
Odin is closing
This beautiful cafe and bar space at Odin (514 King E) is closing. Its final day will be Sunday August 30 from 8 am to 1 pm. The impact of COVID-19 is mentioned. The design at this shop attracted international media attention during its life.
Cyril’s soups and juices
On Saturday August 29, Cyril is making a 3-potato soup (red, Yukon and sweet). It’ll be cream-based but, as usual, you can request coconut milk instead. It will be mostly chunky but I’ll probably blend some of it for some thickness and texture. (three cups for $9 and four cups for $12.) His juice is strawberry lemonade and you’ll get four cups for the price of two, $9.He plans to skip Tuesdays for the summer and make one soup each week for Saturday. Email him to get all the details about each day’s menus.
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.
