This week’s image: the election seems to have started - but it’s a sleepy one.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST
Steve Yeates
Steve describes his art, “I enjoy my disciplined commercial work but get the most pleasure from looser ink and watercolour sketching, often on the spot. The almost zen act of observing and understanding what I’m seeing is as satisfying as producing the image itself.”
Instagram: Velociguy website: steveyeates.ca
Friends
A group of friends sitting on steps at the National Capital in New Delhi, India. I’m drawn most strongly to people and architecture. Ink and watercolour on watercolour paper, 5 x 10”
A PERSONAL VIEW
Annamie Paul keeps attracting interesting media commentary. On Wednesday October 14, three “wise people” from Ontario politics wrote an opinion piece in the Toronto Star entitled “New Green Leader deserves seat in Parliament”
It was a noteworthy article for two reasons.
First, each of the three authors comes from a different political party. Greg Sorbara is a Liberal, Zanana Akande is NDP and Hugh Segal is a Conservative. They’re esteemed individuals with deeply partisan roots.
Second, their views were polite, well-reasoned and non-partisan.
Here’s a sample - “We believe strongly in the party structure of our political system and would never take steps that would undermine its operations. Nor would we do anything to betray our political allegiances. That said, there are rare occasions that should supersede partisanship, where it’s appropriate to step out of the armour of our individual party loyalties to contribute to an important collective mission. We believe that the upcoming byelection in Toronto Centre is such a moment. ”
We are constantly exposed to incredible vitriol from campaigning politicians. These comments, by contrast, are the kind of stuff that we need and seldom get.
Check it out - click here.
LOCAL NEWS
We’ve lost a great friend
Sandy MacPherson died on Monday October 13 after a brief illness. He was a long-time Cabbagetown resident, a major force in Toronto’s civic life and a serious academic. Above all, he was a friend. In recent years, he had dinner regularly at Cranberries - Ruth Gamble describes him as “one of the most gentle, kind, intelligent gentlemen I’ve ever met”. So true. Sandy designated Community Matters Toronto as his recommended charity in lieu of flowers. Please forward your donation to them through the Canada Helps website - click here.
Thanks Kyle
Kyle Lowry’s Foundation again delivered Thanksgiving turkey dinners to 50 Cabbagetown families at the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club (101 Spruce). It’s part of his annual Thanksgiving Assist project. Watch Kyle’s video clip here to enjoy his remarks.
Support the CCDT
The Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (509 Parliament) is selling poinsettias for its Christmas fundraiser. Proceeds go to the CCDT’s 2020 and 2021 program including two new dance films, studio work with guest choreographers, work shops for a new commission for Winter Song and more. 6” pot for $12, 8” pot for $22 and 10” pot for $32. Order yours before Tuesday November 10 and pick it up on Friday December 4 - call (416) 924-5657.
Waterfront Toronto
Your opinions about Waterfront Toronto’s goals for Quayside are important. It’s holding a public engagement through October to tell you about its plans, get your views and involve you in the process. This is the area where Sidewalk Labs was originally involved. There’s a 9-minute video and a backgrounder. You’re also invited to answer a survey (by Friday October 23) and join three informal sessions on Thursday October 15, Friday October 16 and Wednesday October 21 to ask your questions. Click here for links to each of these steps in the consultations.
Oops - Streetscapes in Bloom
Last week’s announcement that the Cabbagetown Preservation Association had awarded the 2020 prize to the homeowners at 338 Berkeley was accompanied by the wrong photo. Louis-Philippe Rochon sent us a nice correction along with a good photo. (Photo: Louis-Philippe Rochon)
The last week to donate to Blair’s Run
The good news continues. Blair’s Run has now received over $24,478 in donations from the community to support the Cabbagetown Youth Centre and the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club. Donations are being received until October 20. Click here.
COMING EVENTS
Riverdale Farm
The Farm’s annual Hallowe’en Boo Barn has been cancelled due to restrictions from COVID-19. The Cabbagetown Residents Association has already cancelled its annual pumpkin walk that’s normally done in Riverdale Park. They’ll be back next year.
Weekend bike routes
River Street from Gerrard to Bayview and Bayview from Rosedale Valley Road to Front will be closed over the weekend to give cyclists a safe route to the lakeshore. From 6 am on Saturday October 17 to 11 pm on Sunday October 18. It’s part of the Active TO program.
Underpass Park Farmers Market
The last Market for the season will take place on Thursday October 15 from 4 to 7:30 pm, Underpass Park (29 Lower River Street).
BY-ELECTION NEWS
Vote early - it’s easier
The Advance Polls for the election take place this weekend from Friday October 16 to Monday October 19 from 9 am to 9 pm. To find out where your Advance Poll is located, check your Voter Card or call the Returning office at 1-866-714-6422. Election Day happens on Monday October 26.
By-election observations and gossip
The election in Toronto Centre has started but it’s hard to tell. The candidates have to keep a social distance away from the voters. Their campaign teams have to stay home. So they’re relying on impersonal tactics - signs, phone calls and social media.
Our NDP candidate Brian Chang is holding a virtual rally from 7 to 8 pm on Thursday October 15 hosted by Suze Morrison with special guest Jagmeet Singh.
The Liberal candidate Marci Ien is organizing a series of phone blitzes so her supporters can work from home.
Green’s Toronto Centre candidate Annamie Paul did an online discussion with Democracy Xchange and an online fireside chat with MomFest on Thursday. On Thursday evening, she’s answering questions in a Zoom meeting with the Bleecker-Wellesley Activity Network and on Friday, she’s talking about women in politics with a BC Green candidate.
The Conservative Ben Sharma continues to be invisible. He declined to participate in an online all-candidates debate sponsored by Clean Air Alliance. Calls to the Conservative Party’s national office asking for contact info have gone unanswered.
All-candidates’ debates
So far, three debates have been scheduled. The first was about climate change and it has already happened - on Wednesday October 14 and featured Brian Chang, Marci Ien and Annamie Paul. Conservative candidate Ben Sharma declined to join this debate. It was recorded on YouTube. The second, sponsored by Building Roots in Moss Park, happens online at 4 pm on Monday afternoon, October 19. The Corktown Residents & Business Association is hosting the third online meeting on Tuesday October 20 at 5 pm.
Candidate contacts
Benjamin Sharma is the Conservative. To date, there’s no information available about him.
Annamie Paul is the Green Party candidate. She can be contacted through her website. Her phone number is 1-833-266-2643.
Marci Ien is the Liberal. Her campaign office is located at 673 Yonge Street. She has a website and her phone number is (647) 696-1882.
Brian Chang is the NDP candidate. He has a website and a Facebook page. His phone number is (647) 557-6435
There are six other candidates registered as well.
Elections Canada
Elections Canada (TD Canada Trust Tower, 161 Bay St Suite 2700, 1-866-714-6422) oversees the election. To find out where you vote either on October 26 or at the Advance Poll, go to the website and follow the blue buttons.
IN THE MEDIA
Congrats Suppli
A few weeks ago, Megan Takeda-Tully launched a pilot project testing her new reuseable food containers in several local restaurants. Her business is called Suppli. She’s offering an affordable way to replace the single-use food containers that most restaurants now have for their takeout orders. CityTV picked up the story and did a news feature.
Rekai Centre’s new LTC
The Rekai Centre has plans for a new long-term care facility with 348 beds to be located on Cherry Street between Front and Eastern in the Canary District. Occupancy is targeted for 2023 with construction starting in late 2021. Urban Toronto describes the project and the ways that planners have included safety measures into the design.
KIDS NEWS
The Children’s Book Bank
The Book Bank (350 Berkeley at Gerrard) is open on Tuesdays from 10 am to 6 pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 4 pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Parents are asked to bring their children. Classrooms, daycares and other groups should make an appointment. Check out the programs for Bookworms Reading, the Mental Health Story Time and the Students Story Time. You can see the details on Facebook and you can contact Loribeth for extra info.
BUSINESS NEWS
More cleaning projects
The wall beside the stores at Dr O Lane and Parliament has long been an eyesore. Those electric bike tags go back over ten years! The Cabbagetown BIA’s clean-up squad tackled it nicely - thanks to Jennifer Walker for her enthusiastic help.
NOW Magazine’s Readers Choice Poll
Be sure to vote for your local favourite. The 2020 list of eligible businesses in the Readers Choice poll has been published online. It’s a very effective tool for stores to use to attract new customers from across Toronto. Check out the list below and go to the NOW website to support them. Voting continues to October 28.
Some of these nominations have been earned by a chain - the local outlet is listed here.
Shopping and services
Bank and credit unions - Meridian or TD Canada Trust
Barber and men’s salon - Hastings
Condo developer - Streetcar or Daniels Corporation
Contractor - Fix-It Friend
Flea and local market - Leslieville Flea
Grocery store - No Frills
Indie men’s store - Gotstyle
Indie women’s clothing store - POA Studio
Manicure & pedicure - POA Studio
Optical store - Eye Candy
Pet stores - Pet Valu
Photography - Vistek
Spa - POA Studio
Cityscape
Beach - Cherry Beach
City councillor - Kristyn Wong Tam
MPP - Suze Morrison
Film, TV & Stage
Drive-in theatre - City View
Theatre Company - Soulpepper
Small indie film festival - Regent Park Film Festival
RESTAURANT NEWS
COVID-19 closures
Inside dining at all of our pubs and restaurants has now been shut down for the next 28 days. Check your favourite place for news about pick-ups, take-outs and patio service. Check as well about wine and beer delivery and pick-ups. For a list of our local restaurants with email, website, address and phone contact info, click here.
Pie at St Jamestown
Mark at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) has baked up a batch of steak ’n Guinness pies. 6” personal size - nice and rich.
Stout has blankets
It’s getting chilly on the patio so Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) is offering you a blanket. Yours to keep for $3.25 or have a TTB - toddy, toast and blanket for $15.
Shop F’Amelia
You don’t have to starve just because there’s a lockdown. F’Amelia (12 Amelia) has pizza kits, sauces, marinated olives, maraschino cherries, candied walnuts and soup. And grab a bottle of wine to go with it. All ready for you to pickup at the front door.
The Irv
Pick-up a family meal at The Irv (195 Carlton). Just take it home, heat it up and enjoy. These are comfy favourites - mac ’n cheese, shepherds pie, lasagna and burgers. There’s beer and wine to go with it as well.
Cyril returns
He’s back with his lovely soups. For the past two weeks, he’s been laid up by a non-COVID medical condition which seems to have receded. He’s bringing himself back into action carefully with one delivery a week for now.Saturday’s soup is a fan favourite. Mango black bean with black beans, tomatoes, red peppers and mangoes, all spiced with cumin, coriander, thyme, chilli flakes and cinnamon. Three cups at $9 and four at $12. His juice is cranberry orange - two cups at $9. Please order by Friday at noon by email.
CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS
THURSDAY OCTOBER 15 TO SUNDAY OCTOBER 25
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, click on the link at the bottom of this page.
If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, the prices are listed.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 8
Underpass Park Farmers Market
Final market day - 4 to 7:30 pm, 29 Lower River Street
TUESDAY OCTOBER 13
Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton)
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
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.
