November 19


This week’s image: Public skating rinks in our local parks will open on November 28 from 9 am to 10 pm daily - Riverdale Park East,  Regent Park and Sherbourne Common.  (Photo: Friends of Regent Park). 




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. 


Swerve

The true urban streetcar hunts by night as by day. Its prey has clearly just had a narrow escape. 18” X 11”, December 2016.


LOCAL NEWS


Blair’s Run success

The final numbers have been tabulated.  The Run gathered up $27,465 despite COVID restrictions. That’s more than $1,000 higher than 2019.  65% of the people covered the classic 2 km route and a third did their own freestyle routes.   The top three fundraisers were under 16 years old.  The best three teams were Wellesley (Susan Freeborn, captain), Winchester (Megan Takeda-Tully, captain) and the Amelia Airhearts (Rachel Hepburn Craig, captain).  The funds go to the new merger between the Cabbagetown Youth Centre and the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club.  Big congrats to everyone!


Dance photos

Eric Morse photographed the Kirov Ballet and the Red Army Chorus when they toured through Toronto in the late 1980s.  His photos are looking for a safe home.  He wants to donate them to one of our dance company’s archives.  He also can arrange to pass along programs and other memorabilia from these tours.  Email him.


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 maps shows that Rexall (539 Parliament) and our three neighbourhood Shoppers Drug Marts (467 Parliament, 565 Sherbourne and 593 Dundas E) do not have the vaccine.  


15th annual fundraiser for Nepal

Lynne Brennan and Elizabeth Wickwire are organizing an online fundraiser to support Nagarik Aawaz.  This group works with youth and women leaders in Nepal and supports community rebuilding after a prolonged civil war.  This year’s fundraiser is an online sale with curbside pickups from Lynne’s Cabbagetown home.  Select from fair trade crafts and artisan creations from around the world - Christmas stocking stuffers, scarves, jewellery, household decorations, kids stuff, bags and paper goods.  The sale continues until Saturday November 21.  You can, as well, join a Zoom event - conversations with Kathmandu - describing Nagarik Aawaz on Saturday at 12 pm.  Go to the website to see all the details.   


Winter clothing drive

As announced last week, Linda Sims is collecting used winter clothing for New Circles.  Her efforts have been paying off - generous people are dropping off their extra stuff.  New Circles is a non-profit agency that supports immigrants, refugees and people in need.  Email Linda to arrange a pickup.   


Distillery’s Toronto Winter Village

The Distillery’s new Winter Village highlights its retailers and restaurants.  The annual Christmas Market was cancelled because of COVID restrictions.  The new event has stirred some controversy among local Distillery residents.  Some feel that it hardly matches the “essential services” definitions being promoted by the City’s public health announcements.  Distillery officials claim that there’ll be careful security to keep the crowds within safe limits and sanitizers, medical grade cleaning and signage.  Now until 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.  


CPA annual awards

The Cabbagetown Preservation Association gives awards to community members for their contributions over the past year.  The Peggy Kurtin Award goes to 333 Wellesley Street E and an honourable mention to 402 Wellesley Street E - both for excellence in restoration.  338 Berkeley Street won the 2020 Streetscape in Bloom award for its fine front garden.  


Thanks Helen

Helen Coltrinari is resigning from the Cabbagetown Preservation Association’s Board at its annual meeting in late November.  She’s had a big impact on several CPA landmark events.  Since 1997, her Streetscapes in Bloom award has saluted outstanding gardeners in our neighbourhood and since 2007, the Association has organized her biennal garden tour.  She’ll continue as the committee chair for the garden tour.  Her newest project was the 2020 Planting Sharing Day.  Beyond these contributions, she’s been a cheery and effective member of the CPA Board, including terms as the CPA Board Chair.  Thanks, Helen.  (Photo:  Nick Kozak, Toronto Star)


Lookin’ good

Gina and Paul Dineen recently joined the virtual audience for an episode of Battle of the Blades.  They had a great time doing it.  Stay tuned.  They’ll be back again at 8 pm next Thursday November 26 to add lots of Cabbagetown flair to the finale.  CBC and CBC Gem. Fiona and her Mom Carolyn love this program.  They saw the flag and grabbed this picture.  (Photo:  Fiona Langton) 


COMING EVENTS


Weesageechak Begins to Dance 33

Native Earth Performing Arts (Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E) is bringing back its annual development festival featuring new dance, theatrical and multi-disciplinary works by Indigenous creators.  It’s 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

A series of  Zoom talks about trends in education toward equity and opportunity for everyone presented by the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation.  The next one - Are we moving closer to gender equity in education - happens at 7 pm on Tuesday November 24.  The final 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.  


CPA annual meeting

The Cabbagetown Preservation Association is having a Zoom event for its annual meeting - 7 pm, Thursday November 26.  Invitations are being distributed by email. Those not on the email list can contact the CPA here.  Three awards will be given to members of the community.  

 

Regent Park Film Festival

An incredible selection of programming featuring lots of Toronto’s local talent along with industry panels and talkbacks with our directors. The Festival is “Toronto’s longest running free community film festival”.  And this year, you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home.  It’s online and it’s free.   It runs over three days from Thursday November 26 to Sunday November 29.  It’s a big event - check out the daily offerings in the program here.   And scroll through the Festival’s Facebook page for lots of tempting bits about each part of the program.   

 

Waterfront Toronto virtual town hall

Join the town hall meeting online.  Tuesday December 1 at 7 pm.  You’ll hear updates about the projects that are underway and the plans for the future - about social housing, climate leadership and economic growth.  Use Eventrite to get the Zoom link and the meeting password.     


IN THE MEDIA


The Regent Park Film Festival

This CBC News' report about the Festival highlights its local talent.  It’s all online this year and it’s free.  It’s a good overview of a very full program - click here to read the story.  (Image:  Regent Park Film Festival)


BUSINESS NEWS


NOW Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards

Readers from across the city have nominated and then voted for their favourites.  This is a big deal for everyone nominated and for the category winners.  Our neighbourhoods are well represented in the winner’s circles in the 2020 NOW Magazine awards.
Congrats to Kristyn Wong Tam who was voted the best City councillor.
House on Parliament (454 Parliament) is Toronto’s best pub.
El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane, Distillery) won the best patio award and was second for the best Mexican restaurant award.
Soma (32 Tankhouse Lane, Distillery) won first place for its chocolates.
The Daniels Corporation was voted the best condo developer in Toronto and Streetcar earned the second spot.
Gotstyle (21 Trinity, Distillery) is the 2020 winner of the best indie men’s clothing store. 
POA Studio (546 Parliament) came in with three second place honours - best manicure/pedicure, best spa and best indie women’s clothing store.
Soulpepper (50 Tankhouse Lane, Distillery) ranked second as the best theatre company.
The Regent Park Film Festival was second in the small indie film festival category.
Among our chain stores, Pet Valu (240 Carlton) won first place as best pet store and No Frills (449 Parliament) was second in best gocery category.
Three restaurant groups have winners - Terroni (22 Sackville) winner for the best Italian restaurant, Sukhothai second place for the best Thai restaurant and Tabule (494 Front E) winner in the best Middle Eastern restaurant category.


RESTAURANT NEWS


Welcome Noushe

Noushe is a catering and event business based on Persian-inspired traditional recipes blended with a modern twist.  Clint and Iman have operated it for the past five years.  Now they’ve branched out into a storefront operation.   Catering and private dining have been a big part of their success so far.  Both are affected by COVID regulations.  

Go online to see their Noushe Market.  Their food line offers baked goods, sauces and dips, meal-sized packages that serve four and pantry goods.  .  Vacuum packing lets you refrigerate their meals for up to two weeks.  Both plant based and meat options are available. Customers are asked for 48 hour notice on orders for Friday pickups.  200 Carlton. 

  

Takeout Tuesday

Rick Matthews at the Cabbagetown BIA (238 Carlton) has been writing short introductions to Cabbagetown’s many small takeout restaurants on the BIA Facebook page.  These intros will be featured here whenever he posts a new one.  They’re a great guide to takeouts that make your dinners at home successful.


The deli at St James Town Steak & Chops (516 Parliament).   “…A local favourite has reopened their deli. As of today, St. James Town Steak and Chops is once again serving their stuffed-to-the-max sandwiches!  Made for one, but big enough to feed two, they’re made to order and oh so delicious.  @eatsteaknchops  also got a great selection of soups, wraps, salads and pre-made meals.” 


Congrats to the House on Parliament

The HoP (454 Parliament) has won a big award from NOW Magazine’s Readers Choice - the city’s best pub.  Congrats to Tania, Beau and the staff for a well deserved prize.  They’ve said on facebook, “Thank YOU so much! We are blown away by the kindness and support YOU have shown us! So much gratitude every day for all the little things.  Please continue to show all your community businesses some love this holiday season.”


F’Amelia’s meals for home

Take the stress out of cooking with F’Amelia’s daily takeout specials. $45 for 2,  $85 for 4.  Sunday’s special - amitriciana, arugula salad and focaccia. Monday - chicken parmigiana on Padano cream tagliatelle and arugula salad. Tuesday -  mushroom risotto, arugula salad and focaccia. Wednesday -  Pasta al Forno, arugula salad and focaccia.  Thursday - Chicken parmigiana on Padano Cream Tagliatelle and arugula salad.  Friday - spaghetti and meatball, arugula salad and focaccia.  Saturday -  Northern Italian beef stew,  arugula salad and focaccia.  Fritto Misto can be added to Saturday orders.   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 (Sunday), chicken parmesan or wings and fries (Monday) or cheeseburger, fish tacos or blackened salmon (Tuesday),  Black Angus steak or chicken souvlaki (Wednesday), Kashmiri chicken curry or roast pork dinner (Thursday), chicken pot pie, 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 it out online.   


Takeout and delivery from The Tilted Dog

Sean and Tiffany are using Skip the Dishes and Door Dash for their home delivery services.  Each one has the menu online.  Open Tuesday to Friday from 3 to 8 pm and weekends from 1 to 8 pm. You can also look up the menu online and call them yourself to arrange to pick up your takeout orders - (416) 961-9425). 424 Parliament.   


The Irv

The patio is still open and fully heated.  You can enjoy your meals at home  through Uber as well.  Try out the Buffalo mac ’n cheese. 195 Carlton.


Stout Irish Pub

Order Louis Cifer’s beer and Door Dash will get it to you in five minutes.  Erin says that she’s getting this service without fees for two months.  And get some of her yummy food specials while you’re at it.  221 Carlton


Cyril’s soups

Cyril will be offering his soups on his “by-request” system until January.  He’s got a list of available recipes - 72 different varieties.  Choose those that you want and tell him whether you plan to freeze them.  Tell him your specific target date.  He’ll schedule his deliveries and let you know when to expect him.  For your minimum order - two large ($12 vegetarian and $15 meat option/each) or three small ($9 vegetarian and $12 meat option/each).  Order as soon as possible and certainly by the end of November. Email him for the list of soups and for your orders.  


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.