October 8

This week’s image: the final day at the Cabbagetown Farmers Market  in Riverdale Park.

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW

FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST

Steve Yeates

Starting as a three year old with a pencil, I continued to draw and design until as a high school teacher I was the go-to for graphics – posters, flyers and stage sets. Although I studied part time at the Ottawa School of Art, I needed more. A radical career change led to my design education at Ryerson University in Toronto. Work in film and television led me to find my career as a graphic artist. 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

Andy and Steely Dan

This image of Andy and his pup Steely Dan was commissioned as a gift from Andy’s mom as he opened his new Your Neighbourhood Barbershop in New Toronto. Ink and watercolour on watercolour paper, 6 x 9”

A PERSONAL VIEW

Annamie Paul has turned a sleepy Toronto Centre by-election into a national event. She was elected leader of the Green Party last weekend plus she's their candidate in our local campaign.  She ran here a year ago during the 2019 general election as the local Green Party candidate and she was impressive.  She brings good credentials, a welcoming personality and new ideas into the fray.

We’ve got a long tradition in this riding of electing people who became major national figures.  Donald Macdonald, David Crombie, Bill Graham, Bob Rae, Chrystia Freeland and Bill Morneau - they all had significant careers in Ottawa. 

Ms Paul joins their ranks. She’ll be exciting to watch.

LOCAL NEWS

Do you know Neil Matheson?

A ballot for the USA election has arrived in a Cabbagetown home on Sackville.  It was sent to “Mr Matheson” who is not known to the current and former owners of the house.  It’s a very important election and Mr Matheson may want to cast his ballot.  If you know him, please email me and I’ll forward the contact info onward.   

Thanks to the graffiti crew

Rick Matthews, Executive Director at the Cabbagetown BIA (237 Carlton), has recruited three young painters to attack annoying graffiti sprayed on doorways and walls across the BIA.  Last weekend, they repainted at least 12 spots.  As he says, “It’s amazing what a little paint, some elbow grease and a lot of community spirit can do.”  Thanks to each of them for their efforts.

Hardknocks and Cabbagetown Boxing Clubs

These two clubs have temporarily merged.  It comes at the end of the troubles experienced by the Cabbagetown Youth Centre.  For some time, the Cabbagetown Boxing Club (2 Lancaster) has been unable to welcome its members into its gym.  Now, Cabbagetown boxers will use the Hardknocks gym (358 Queen E) on one day each weekend and two evenings during the week.  

The Cabbagetown Farmers Market

The 2020 market was a success despite all the problems facing its organizers.   The vendors had a profitable summer.  The community enjoyed another year in a great tradition - one of the few Cabbagetown events to continue through the COVID-19 crisis. As always, it gave all of us a chance to meet our friends, to gossip and to feel a part of a vibrant community.

Thanks Ruvena

Ruvena was the 2020 market manager and she handled some really tough problems.  She recruited the volunteers who sanitized customers’ hands and steered them into one-way shopping lanes.  The shopping areas around the vendors maintained safe distancing. When she started up in the early Spring, she faced not one but seven different City officials who had to be assured that the market was safe.  And then, when all of this was settled, she dealt with the regular issues - attracting vendors and satisfying the visitors.  It all went very well.  She’s now off to Vancouver to start a new job there - thanks and best wishes, Ruvena.

233 Carlton

In the July City Council meeting, Kristyn Wong-Tam sponsored a motion asking three questions about the lease agreement between the City and the Kielburger family for 233 Carlton.  First - how did City officials first learn about the building’s availability.  Second - who from WE-related organizations communicated with City officials.  Third - is the value paid for the lease agreement inline and competitive with other commercial arrangements.  The answers were due at the Council meeting in late September.  Unfortunately, that meeting ran long and this agenda item was punted over to the end of October.

Streetscapes in Bloom

The Cabbagetown Preservation Association has awarded the 2020 gardening prize to the homeowners at 338 Berkeley.  Honourable mentions went to 7 Winchester and 456 Sumach.  Congrats everybody.  COVID restrictions prevent the usual public meeting and award ceremony in November.  An online event is now being organized.  (Photo:  Ruth Wagner)

Friends of Allan Gardens

The Friends have an edible garden and last week, they harvested tomatoes, peppers and fresh herbs.  The produce was donated to Building Roots in support of the Moss Park Market.

Pumpkin Walk

The 2020 edition of the post-Hallowe’en pumpkin walk has been cancelled.  It’s too bad.  The event has been gaining popularity every year and no doubt, this year’s walk would have been even better.  Thanks to the Cabbagetown Residents Association for its work on this annual project.

Ontario Street parkette

In May, an arsonist torched the playground equipment in the parkette.  It’s not the first time.  Councillor Wong-Tam reported that it has happened at least twice before.  City staff jumped on the problem and new equipment has been installed.  The parkette is ready to go.

More news from Blair’s Run

The good news continues. Blair’s Run has now received over $23,442 in donations from the community to support the Cabbagetown Youth Centre and the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club.  There’ll be more - donations are being received until October 20.  Click here.  

Lookin’ good

There’s serious stuff being discussed here.  Thanks to Victoria, Ray and Susan for a nifty picture

TORONTO CENTRE BY-ELECTION

By-election news - candidate contacts

Benjamin Sharma, Conservative.  To date, there’s no contact info available about him. 

Annamie Paul, Green Party. She can be contacted through her website and her phone number is 1-833-266-2643.   

Marci Ien, Liberal.  Her campaign office is located at 673 Yonge Street. She has a website and her phone number is (647) 696-1882.    

Brian Chang, NDP.  He can be contacted through his website and he has a Facebook page.  His phone number is (647) 557-6435 

Six other candidates registered as well.

By-election - Elections Canada

Elections Canada is the impartial referee and it supervises our local election.

Voter info.  To find out where you vote either on October 26 or at the Advance Poll, go to the website and follow the blue buttons.

Election Day is Monday October 26 from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm.

Advance polls happen on Friday October 16, Saturday October 17, Sunday October 18 and Monday October 19 from 9 am to 9 pm.  

The local Returning Office is in the TD Canada Trust Tower, 161 Bay St Suite 2700, 1-866-714-6422.  Hours - Monday to Friday from 9 am to 9 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday noon to 4 pm.  

By-election news - gossip

The Conservative candidate is Ben Sharma.  He’s the second choice that the party has put forward for the by-election.  The 2019 Conservative candidate, Ryan Lester, had planned to run again.  Earlier this week he withdrew because Elections Canada had deemed him ineligible to be a candidate.  There are, apparently, “technical issues” with his 2019 reporting.  It’s too bad - Mr Lester had lots of enthusiasm for the role and was ready to go.

COMING EVENTS

Dixon Hall rooming house meeting

Dixon Hall has taken over the management of the rooming houses at 502 to 508 Parliament.  They are currently being renovated and brought into decent condition.  A community information meeting on Zoom is planned for Wednesday October 14 from 3 to 5 pm to discuss the project plans and timing and to answer questions.  To register, go to the website and click on the link.  

Road closures

River Street from Gerrard to Bayview and Bayview from Rosedale Valley Road to Front will be closed over the weekend for cyclists.  From 6 am on Saturday October 10 to 11 pm on Monday October 12.  It’s part of the Active TO program.

Underpass Park Farmers Market

Warner Farms is bringing pawpaws to its booth.  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).

IN THE MEDIA

Restaurant closures

Erin Gamelin who owns Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) and Louis Cifer on the Danforth tells Liz Braun in the Toronto Sun about the hassles and dangers of a second lockdown for the restaurant industry.  Click here to read the story.   

COVID-19 rates in St James Town

The Toronto Star and CTV News have reported high infection rates in specific neighbourhoods in Toronto.  The worst are those where 10% of the people tested show signs of infection.  St James Town and Church-Wellesley are two of the neighbourhoods in a middle tier - over 7% positivity rates.  The CTV report is online here.  

Bennie Smith

Bennie comes originally from Cortown (yes - that’s the proper spelling) in Ireland.  After coming to Canada, he joined the Toronto Police Service in 1969.  He still lives here but he’s still known and remembered in Meath, Ireland. The Meath Chronicle profiled his life and career in Toronto - with an interesting Irish slant to his experiences. (Photo:  Meath Chronicle)   

Annamie Paul

John Paul Tasker at CBC News wrote a detailed story about Ms Paul and her leadership victory with the Green Party.  She obviously intrigues the Canadian media - this is just one of many stories done about her after she won the race.  Click here to read it. (Photo:  Adrian Wyld, Canadian Press).   

KIDS NEWS

The Children’s Book Bank

The Book Bank (350 Berkeley at Gerrard) is open for public visits 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 accompany 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 email Loribeth for extra info.        

BUSINESS NEWS

Kendall and Annie Sloan

The Annie Sloan paint supply store has moved across Parliament and joined Kendall & Co (514 Parliament).  The Kendall outlet is operated by Colmena Designs.  Chalk paint is unique - it doesn’t require sanding or priming and it can be used on all kinds of surfaces, indoors and out.  Open Tuesday to Saturday noon to 5 pm by appointment only. Email or call (416) 363-9914. https://kendallandco.ca

NOW Magazine’s Readers Choice Poll

The 2020 list of businesses in the Readers Choice poll has been published online.  It’s a very effective tool for stores and restaurants to use to attract new customers from across Toronto.  The list below shows your local friends in the restaurants, food and pubs group.  Check it out and go to the NOW website to support them. Voting continues to October 28.  There are several more categories - watch for them next week.

Restaurants and food

Best Barbeque - Cherry Street Bar-B-Que (275 Cherry St)

Best Chocolate - Soma (32 Tank House Lane, Distillery)

Best Dessert - Roselle Desserts (362 King E)

Best French - Cluny Bistro (35 Tank House Lane, Distillery)

Bst Mexican - El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane, Distillery)

Best Middle Eastern - Souk Taboule (494 Front E)

Best Patio - El Catrin  (18 Tank House Lane, Distillery)

Best Pub - House on Parliament (454 Parliament)

Best Thai - Sukhothai  (490 Front E)

RESTAURANT NEWS

Late news about Thanksgiving

Cranberries changes its plans.  Cranberries (601 Parliament) has decided to do its three-course Thanksgiving dinner for take-out only.  It’s a three-course meal at $25 per person.  The single-course turkey dinner is still available for take-out at $20 each. Sunday and Monday, 4 to 9:30 pm. Call (416) 925-6330 to reserve yours.  

The Tilted Dog  424 Parliament, (416) 961-9425.  Friday October 9 through Sunday October 11, from 5 pm.  Your turkey dinner comes with a vegetable medley, mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce, $22.  Pumpkin pie for dessert, $3 or two for $5. Your dinner with a bottle of red wine - one person at $55 or two for $75.

THANKSGIVING DINNERS

The list below shows you the restaurants having special meals and you can find extra details and contact info online here.   

Be sure to watch for early pre-order deadlines.  Pre-orders for take-outs and reservations for dine-in are recommended.  Click here for more details. 

Cranberries  (601 Parliament, (416) 962-6330)

A Cranberries’ classic dinner.  A three-course meal for $25 per person, take-out only. 

Daniel et Daniel  (248 Carlton,  (416) 928-9675).

Enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving feast at home.  $40/person.  

DOVA  (229 Carlton,  (416) 901-3501) 

DOVA’s Thanksgiving special is a dinner for four people.  $165.

F’Amelia  (12 Amelia, (416) 323-0666, info@familia.com)

A three-course dinner on Sunday October 12.  Dine-in service at $50 per person and take-out with a pre-order for $45.  

House on Parliament (454 Parliament, (416) 925-4074).

Pre-order for curbside pick-up and dine-in on the patios. Turkey dinner for $24 and pumpkin pie for $5.  Available on Sunday October 11 and Monday October 12.  

Peartree  (507 Parliament, (416) 962-8190)

A three-course Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday October 10, Sunday October 12 and Monday October 13.  $31.99 per person. 

Stout Irish Pub  (221 Carlton, (647) 344-7676)

Check out Stout’s regular menu online and watch for a Thanksgiving special.  

The Irv,  (195 Carlton, (647) 350-4787, regan@theirvpub.ca )

Pre-orders by email only by Friday October 9 for pick-up between 2 and 4 pm on Sunday October 11.  Turkey dinner with pumpkin pie for dessert, $24.  

The Tilted Dog,  (424 Parliament, (416) 961-9425

Friday October 9 through Sunday October 11, from 5 pm.  Your turkey dinner at $22.  Pumpkin pie for dessert, $3 or two for $5. Your dinner with a bottle of red wine - one person at $55 or two for $75.  

Get all the details about these offers here.  

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.