This week’s image: Memories of the Festival from 2019. It’ll be back.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST
Marilyn Wilputte
Marilyn is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and she’s been living and working in Cabbagetown since 2005. She also well-known here as the owner of Diggity Dog Grooming (239 Gerrard E).
“I draw and paint every day, largely from my imagination. I've recently started working in acrylic on birch panels and illustration board. I'm loving the vibrant colours and the transparent effects. You can see more of my work on Instagram @marilynwilputte”
Christmas Tree
Really, I just felt like painting a very yellow car. Acrylic on birch panel 30.5 cm x 61 cm
FESTIVAL WEEKEND
Normally, we’d be ready to party over this weekend - pubs and patios, street music, lawn sales, art in the park, kids games and vendor tents. Two events have endured - Blair’s Run and the Cabbagetown Short Film Festival. And apparently there's a bunch of yard sales in the works.
Cabbagetown Short Film Festival
Yard sales
It’s also a time for yard sales. Go for it! There are guidelines from the City of Toronto to help your planning - click here to see them.
41st annual Blair’s Run
Organizers have put together a really imaginative event. You can run through the regular 2 km course or you can go freestyle and pick your own course and race to your heart’s content. The event happens between Friday September 11 through to September 20. Get your team organized. The run is also a fundraiser and this year, it will assist the new merger between the Cabbagetown Youth Centre and the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club. Team captains should contact Brenda Brown McNee - let the committee know that you can help. Go online for registration, $20 and for more details.
LOCAL NEWS
The CYC merges with Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club
The Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) will merge with the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club (101 Spruce) to form a new organization. It’s expected that the merger will happen on December 31.
The best of both organizations will continue. Lucy Troisi, the CYC’s executive director, notes that both operate with a similar vision - the CYC has depth in St James Town and the Boys & Girls Club has focused on Regent Park. “It doesn’t matter who runs it as long as it’s there for the kids.” She also gives a big thank-you to Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam for her continued efforts on behalf of the CYC.
Ontario Parkette
Don Purvis reports that City workers are now repairing the damage done by a vandal in the parkette. Earlier in the summer, the park's playground equipment was destroyed in a deliberate fire. (Photo: Don Purvis)
Bike thefts
There are more frequent reports of bike thefts in the Don Vale area in Cabbagetown. This kind of minor criminal activity is really irritating. It seems to come in waves and we may be in the middle of a wave now. Residents are reminded that even a secure lock outdoors may not be enough. Store them indoors if possible. You should register your bike with the police - use the form on their website. Report a theft to the police. Toronto Police Service tracks the statistics from residents’ reports - your complaint isn’t a minor one or a nuisance. The non-emergency number for your report is (416) 808-2222.
COMING EVENTS
Enoch Turner lecture
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse presents James Thompson talking about VE Day and the aftermath. It’s a ZOOM event. His lecture happens online next Tuesday September 15 at 6 pm. It’ll run for an hour and there’ll be time for a Q & A. Click here to register.
Corktown Meet & Greet
The Corktown Residents & Business Association is looking for volunteers to join the Board. You’re invited to the Meet & Greet on Tuesday September 15 from 7 to 8 pm - it’s a ZOOM event. Find out what’s happening and how you can join. Click here to register.
Community environment days
This year’s Environment Day has been rescheduled. It’s a drive-through event with health and safety protocols. Our local Drop-Off Depot is 400 Commissioner Street and it happens on Sunday October 4 from 9 am to 1 pm. The City of Toronto organizes these days to receive hazardous waste and to recycle used clothing, household goods, books and more. To learn more about it, read the CBC’s story about the 2019 events. For more info and for the locations of the other Drop-Off Depots, go to the website. (Photo: James Morrison-Collalto/CBC)
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
WE shuts its doors in Canada
WE Charity has closed its Canadian operations. It’s not clear what will happen at the for-profit group, ME To WE. WE’s foreign activities in the United States and Britain are also not mentioned. This action has spurred widespread media commentary. Click here to read the CBC News story by John Paul Tasker. (Photo: Hannah Yoon/The Canadian Press)
Bill Morneau contravened the Elections Act
Here's a great example of a petty issue. Before the 2019 election, Bill Morneau toured two Toronto-area ridings. He went as finance minister but he was accompanied by the local Liberal candidates whom he mentioned in his speeches. The independent Commissioner of Canada Elections has found that he contravened the Elections Act and fined him $300. His riding association has repaid $1661 for the costs of the two events. Catherine Tunney reported the story for CBC News. (Photo: Justin Tang, Canadian Press)
The gardens at Regent Park are closed
BUSINESS NEWS
Revolt Hairshop
Welcome Revolt (244 Carlton). Cabbagetown’s newest hair stylists are now open. Through September, you can book your appointment on any Tuesday or Wednesday between 1 am and 3 pm and get 25% off on your cut and colour services. For more info, check out the website.
Daniel et Daniel open on Sundays
The Food Shop (248 Carlton) is reopening on Sundays beginning on Sunday September 13. Open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm and Sundays 9 am to 5 pm.
Cabbagetown Organics
On sale this week - back to school snacks. Juice, crackers, smoothies and babybel cheese. Open Monday to Thursday 10 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am to 8 pm and Sunday 10 am to 6 pm. 499 Parliament.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Congrats to DOVA
Jacqueline and Roberto are the owners of DOVA (229 Carlton) Cabbagetown’s newest restaurant has been featured in Toronto Life’s latest online newsletter. It’s a lengthy article describing, the food, drinks and space. It’s the kind of publicity that every restaurant loves - it can be the start of city-wide interest. Click here to read the story. (Photo: Renee Suen, Toronto Life)
Tilted Dog
Indoor dining is open again with socially distant seating. The pub opens at 1 pm and the kitchen opens at 3 pm, Tuesday to Sunday. 424 Parliament
Order your favourites at Tasso
Olya and Mike are open and offering their delicious croissants. They’re using a handy system. Place your order online and pick it up on Saturday from 10 am to noon. Their website shows the items that are still available. It’s updated weekly. 540 Parliament.
Peartree
This week’s specials at Peartree (507 Parliament) include classic cracked peppercorn steak at $25.99, baked fillet of New Zealand white fish at $17.99 and chicken and Italian sausage provencal penne at $16.99. The front and back patios are open. For reservations, call (416) 962-8190.
Cranberries
Cranberries (601 Parliament) has reopened. Seating is socially distant and the side room where private parties usually happen is now open for regular business. Weekday hours are 4:30 to 9:30 pm. Weekend brunch from 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Weekend dinners from 3 to 9:30 pm. The takeout menu with its $10 specials is still available from Monday to Friday, noon to 9:30 pm and weekends 9am to 9:30 pm.
Cyril’s soups and juices
On Saturday September 12, Cyril is making his apple, butternut squash and ginger soup (three cups for $9 and four cups for $12.) His juice is grapes, pineapple and greens (two cups, $9.)
He’s started up onTuesdays again and September 17, he’s making curried eggplant and tomato soup (three cups for $9 and four cups for $12.) 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.
