This week’s image: The first of four new bridges for the Port Lands arrived in Toronto on a barge from Nova Scotia.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST
Eric Morse
Eric has lived in Cabbagetown since 1986. His photographs have been featured in a local newspaper and with a variety of community groups. Some of his work can currently be seen (and purchased) at The Tilted Dog. Streetcars are one of his favourite subjects and he often gives them whimsical powers.
Just before COVID, Eric also shot an epic full-length video of the entire route of the Carlton 506 car, with soundtrack compiled by Cabbagetown jazz aficionado Stan Smrke. It can be viewed here.
Cabbagetown corners
Streetcars are creatures of habit and tradition. When a new streetcar meets an elderly model, the newer one slows and makes obeisance, which the elder acknowledges with an assortment of skreeks and clanks. September 2016.
LOCAL NEWS
The new bridge
This is the first, and smallest, of four new bridges that’ll be installed in the Port Lands. This one will serve a new LRT, pedestrians and cyclists across the Keating Channel. It’s sitting on a giant turntable on the barge. The turntable is swung around until the bridge is directly over its final foundations. The barge is then flooded and sinks and the bridge is lowered onto the concrete. Lots of people came to the Keating Channel to view its arrival, including this guy with his drone.
Pot shop updates
Shelving and store fixtures were delivered to the proposed cannabis store at 307 Wellesley E. Local neighbours have opposed this application but the AGCO, the Ontario government licensing agency, still lists it as “in progress”. Applications are still being processed for Westcan Cannabis (407 Bloor at Sherbourne), Spiritleaf (238 Carlton), Corner Cannabis (514 King E) and Fika Distillery (49 Tank House Lane). The AGCO has a backlog of applications and it’s very slow so there’s no word or timetable available about these locations.
Shortage of flu shots
Check your local pharmacy for accurate updates. Supplies are arriving unannounced and the druggists are phoning clients to make appointments. Pharmasave (290 Shuter) has supplies of the vaccine - call to check at (647) 352-2252. The online map shows that our three neighbourhood Shoppers Drug Marts (467 Parliament, 565 Sherbourne and 593 Dundas E) do not have the vaccine. Rexall’s (539 Parliament) online message explains that the company cannot obtain the vaccine and will call or email to set up appointments when it arrives.
Winter clothing drive
Linda Sims is collecting used winter clothing for New Circles. It’s a non-profit agency that supports immigrants, refugees and people in need. The demand is overwhelming this year so she’s asking fellow Cabbagetowners for any clothing and gear that they can spare - coats, boots, sweaters and more for men, women and children. Email Linda to arrange a pickup.
Broadcast Lane mural
Gerald Michaud at HomeLife Realty One (501 Parliament) has organized a new mural by Christian English in Broadcast Lane. He wants to transform the lane into a walkable outdoor gallery with a positive art piece.
Ontario Street mural
Erika James painted a delicate mural on a bamboo fence along Ontario Street south of Gerrard. Rick at the Cabbagetown BIA recommends the STEPS initiative who can connect you with mural artists if you want to explore one for your own property.
Speed cameras
The automatic speed enforcement cameras in our area have moved to Sherbourne south of Wellesley and to Berkeley south of Gerrard. Across the city, there are 50 of these little observers watching your driving. They’re collecting thousands of dollars from speeders and, unbelievably, over 600 are repeat offenders.
Lookin’ good
Rick Walker sent along his photo of Riverdale Park on Sunday November 8. It was a gorgeous day and he’s captured its full Fall beauty. Thanks, Rick.
Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
Image: Toronto Railway Co Ticket, 1890s, City of Toronto ArchivesBy Sally Gibson
The Victorian “better way” arrived in Toronto in 1892-4 when the new Toronto Railway Company took over from the Toronto Street Railway that had run horse drawn cars since 1861. At the end, the TSR had 264 horsecars and over 1,300 horses. The TRC electrified the system and laid down heavier tracks. In the broader Cabbagetown area (from Queen north to Wellesley Streets), several lines brought faster service. For a mere 5 cents and a ticket like the one featured here, the adult passenger could ride the new rails along lines that had served the area well before, notably the Front-Parliament-Winchester route that took visitors to the Necropolis and Riverdale Park and local residents downtown; and the College-Carlton route that also headed toward Winchester Street and took riders east and west. Hearty residents might walk over to Sherbourne to catch the Belt Line that looped around Sherbourne-Bloor-Spadina-King. In the early days, drivers stood outside in all weathers for their 12 to 14-hour shifts. Ultimately, union pressure forced the company to enclose the drivers as well as the conductors and passengers, and install a seat for them. Among the Cabbagetowners who worked for the TSR and then the TRC was conductor James McEvoy, known as “Gentleman Jim,” who lived at 88 Berkeley Street.
COMING EVENTS
Weesageechak Begins to Dance 33
Native Earth Performing Arts (Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E) is bringing back its annual development festival. These are new dance, theatrical and multi-disciplinary works by Indigenous creators - online and free. From November 25 to December 6. It’s a jam-packed schedule with different performances every day. Click here to see the daily programs and artists’ profiles.
Opening the schoolhouse to all
Presented by the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation. Four ZOOM talks about trends in education toward equity and opportunity for everyone. The first talk - The Promise of Equity: race, multiculturalism and First Nations education - happens at 7 pm on Tuesday November 17. The second one - Are we moving closer to gender equity in education - at 7 pm on Tuesday November 24. The third and fourth talks happen in January. The speakers include academics, community leaders and teachers who have enhanced our understanding of education in Canada. Free. Click here to register.
IN THE MEDIA
Fatal accident
Last week, the Toronto Star described a fatal accident at Mill and Cherry Streets. Tricia Waldron was struck by a cement truck. In a follow-up article on November 12, Gilbert Ngabo describes her extensive community service and the gap that her death leaves in Corktown. Donations in her memory can be made to the new Anishnawbe Health Foundation - click here. (Photo: family photo, Toronto Star).
Redeveloping Seaton House
The City of Toronto is closing the big men’s shelter at 339 George Street by July 2022. It’s now looking for expressions of interest for the construction of a new facility. Joanna Lavoie has written about the project in the Toronto Star. (Photo: City of Toronto)
BUSINESS NEWS
Cabbagetown BIA annual meeting
The BIA’s 2020 annual meeting will be a virtual event. It happens next Wednesday November 18 from 5 to 7 pm. To register and get the link, email Rick.
New Pharmasave
New management has taken over at the Pharmasave at Shuter and Parliament (290 Shuter). As noted above, it’s had flu vaccines available and will continue to distribute them as long as its supply lasts. Kathleen Galias, the pharmacist, says that the clinic has a family doctor available for walk-ins and two addiction doctors for opiate dependent patients. 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Toronto Winter Village
The Distillery has launched a new Winter project based on promotions and activities by its retailers and restaurants. The annual Christmas Market was cancelled because of COVID restrictions. For this event, there’ll be careful security to ensure that crowds stay within safe limits and there’ll be sanitizers, medical grade cleaning and signage to remind everyone about safe distancing. It’ll run from November 12 to March 31, 11 am to 8 pm from Sunday to Wednesday and 10 am to 9 pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Click here for more info.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Heated patios and good brunch
Three local patios with good brunch menus made it onto blogTO’s top ten heated patios list - Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) with lots of blankets, heaters and traditional Irish breakfasts, Cluny (35 Tank House Lane, Distillery) with its upper-crust French bistro style and Aviary Brewpub (484A Front E) with blazing heaters, smoked trout and good beer.
F’Amelia’s meals for home
Check out F’Amelia’s specials. Take home a regular Fall meal - there’ll be a different one each night. On Sunday, it’s a pasta bake with amatriciana, $45 to two meals and $85 for four. On Monday, it’s chicken parmesan with parmesan scented fettuccini and arugula salad, $49 for two, $89 for four. On Tuesday, forest mushroom risotto with focaccia and arugula salad, $45 for two and $85 or four. Get the full week’s menus on Facebook and Instagram. And order up one of F’Amelia’s wines for a complete treat. Call (416) 323-0666 or order online.
Cranberries’ daily takeout menu
Every day, Cranberries (601 Parliament) offers new specials for take-outs along with its regular menu. You can decide on chicken breast or chicken pot pie (Sunday), chicken parmesan or wings and fries (Monday) or blackened salmon (Tuesday), Black Angus steak or chicken souvlaki (Wednesday), Kashmiri chicken curry or roast pork dinner (Thursday), steak and shrimp or fish ’n chips (Friday), four choices - roast pork dinner, BBQ ribs and wings or seafood fusilli or chicken pot pie (Saturday). Call (416) 925-6330 and check out the details online.
Pies from The Tilted Dog
Sean and Tiffany are serving up turkey, mushroom and fruit pies on the patio. Open Tuesday to Friday from 3 pm and weekends from 1 pm. Call them for your takeout orders - (416) 961-9425). 424 Parliament.
Chicken from St James Town
Mark at St James Town Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) has dinner ready for you - chicken tikka masala with rice or buttermilk fried chicken. Yummy dinners.
Haldi's Diwali hours
Haldi (568 Parliament) will be closed for lunch on Saturday November 14 to mark Diwali celebrations. The restaurant will open for dinner that evening.
Cyril’s soups
Cyril will be shortening his schedule from November 22 to December 22 because, as usual, he’s got a busy assignment for the Christmas season in the Distillery. He’s also searching for a reliable supplier of good quality fruits and so his juice menu is on hold. For Saturday November 14, he’s preparing a chunky Italian vegetable soup, Minestra. You’re invited to add some pasta to make Minestrone or add some meatballs and sausages. $9 for 3 cups and $12 for 4 cups. Email him to place your order.
COVID-19 closures
Inside dining at all of our pubs and restaurants has again been shut down. 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.
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.
