This week’s image: This beautiful guy climbed onto a garage roof on Amelia Street on Sunday and stayed there all afternoon. (Photo: Heather Grant)
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST
Atia Pokorny
Atia Pokorny has lived with her family in Cabbagetown since 1986. Art has been always a part of her life both in her work as an art conservator and in her photography practice. Her photographs are a sort of storytelling. To achieve that, she usually manipulates them further by cutting, folding or digital alteration. As a member of Gallery 44, she has exhibited in numerous group shows and a solo exhibition in 2016. Her work has been also juried for such fundraisers as RMG Exposed or SNAP for ACT. You can see more details about her art on her website and instagram pages.
Artifact St Lunaire
This work is one of four prints called Artifacts. I started with a couple of photographs, folded them, photographed them again from different angles, and further layered them digitally. The photographs were all taken during my two trips to Newfoundland. I have a lot of great memories of these trips but how accurate are they now? The work is a kind of metaphor on how a memory can be manipulated by ourselves or by external actions. Exhibited as part of Contact 2018 Photography Festival with Gallery 44 members.
A PERSONAL VIEW
The Foundry (153-185 Eastern) is one of those places where imagination and skill will create a magical urban landmark. It’s been designated a heritage site by the City of Toronto. Local Corktown groups want it converted to a cultural centre.
The Foundry is the first of three sites in the Canary District affected by provincial Ministerial Zoning Orders. These MZOs were issued in late October for 373 Front Street East and 90 Mill Street, 125 and 125R Mill Street and 153 to 185 Eastern Avenue. Mayor John Tory and Councillors Cressy and Wong-Tam objected strongly at that time, saying that these orders would sidestep orderly municipal planning and heritage regulations. Premier Doug Ford claimed that they are a necessary first step toward rapid building of affordable housing. A group called Friends of the Foundry is opposed to the demolition and has set up a Facebook page. The Corktown Business & Residents Association has a plan developed with community cooperation for the site. Click here.
A virtual consultation meeting will happen on Wednesday January 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm to introduce the work being done to create a new heritage conservation district under Part V of the Heritage Act. The proposal for a new district in Cabbagetown Southwest was approved by the Toronto Preservation Board in 2019. The City’s planning department is now getting an official plan ready for the district’s designation to be sent to City Council for approval by the end of 2021. Here's the link for the meeting.
A rooming house at 238 Berkeley experienced a serious fire at 5:15 am on Monday January 18. One person was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation and has recovered. The other residents were not injured. The building has been badly damaged and is vacant. The City of Toronto found temporary accommodation for the residents at a nearby hotel. The property has been the source of considerable trouble for the neighbourhood. Fire, police and MLS inspectors have visited it. The City has launched legal action to close it and the next door building permanently. Cabbagetown South Residents published a detailed report on the fire and a lengthy reaction from Councillor Wong-Tam.
The slow march of this application for 459-461 Sackville through the bureaucracy and the appeals system continues. The second review - done by a TLAB panel and released in early January - approved the application with various conditions involving parking, safety and traffic. If these are met, the project can proceed. The City of Toronto may appeal this decision to the Divisional Court. Robert Ulike, the property owner, is waiting to see what the City’s decision will be. The deadline for registering a possible appeal is early next week.
Two of the new speed cameras were placed in Cabbagetown in the initial round. By the end of the reporting period in October, the one on Prospect near Winchester School collared ten speeders, the lowest in the city. The second one near Sprucecourt School got 13 speeders. These cameras have now moved to other locations - Sherbourne south of Wellesley and Berkeley south of Gerrard. Three red light cameras are now operating at intersections along Parliament at Richmond, Adelaide and King and a fourth camera is located at Dundas and River. (Photo: Steve Russell, Toronto Star)
Riverdale Park East, Regent Park and Sherbourne Common are open from 10 am to 10 pm daily. During the COVID restrictions, outdoor rinks are still open with a 25-person limit. Change rooms and lockers are closed. You can make a reservation and confirm that the rinks are open at the City’s website. (Photo: Waterfront Toronto)
Image: “Deluge” No. 5 Fire Station,1851 John Ross Robertson Vol.2
Theodore William Kanhaiya Garg was born on Monday January 18. Mom and baby are both fine. Dad seems to be ecstatic! Even Bella the family dog is happy about the new arrival. Andrew, a neighbour, emailed, “The world just got 7 lbs, 8 oz better.”
Get tested in Regent Park - Fred Victor (40 Oak Street), Wednesdays January 27, 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Drop-in, no appointment needed. Bring your OHIP card if available.
This site at Parliament and Front is historically significant. The City of Toronto has owned the property since 2012 and is studying ways to develop the site. On January 21, an online presentation will discuss the Master Plan. This presentation is important in the light of today’s reports that Metrolinx wants to destroy the site to build a station for the new subway. Click here to register.
CBC News ran an informative piece about the site and its demolition. There’s been a lot of media coverage and this article is one of the best summaries. Click here to read it. (Photo: CBC News)
The Toronto Star reported that Metrolinx is planning to build the Corktown station for the proposed new subway line across downtown Toronto on the First Parliament site (Front and Parliament). They’ve started the expropriation process. The Toronto Star has a story about the site and the stations on its website.
The Cabbagetown BIA together with Dixon Hall and St Luke’s United Church is providing lunch for our most vulnerable residents. The BIA has recruited Chew Chew Diner (186 Carlton), Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton), Pho U (398 Parliament), Epicure Food Shop (473 Parliament), Tim Horton’s (537 & 581 Parliament), DOVA (229 Carlton) and Matt’s No Frills (449 Parliament). They’re supplying 100 healthy lunches to be distributed every Thursday in Allan Gardens until February 25. A grant has paid for this project and the BIA has set up a donation page to extend its life once that money runs out - use the code “Cabbagetown Cares” in the message box for St Luke’s United Church.
The BIA’s survey about its Deck the Holidays campaign produced positive feedback. 98% of the respondents want it to return next year. People like its use of empty window spaces to create life on the street. Next year, the BIA will use more windows and they’re considering other decorations for other seasons and events as well. There’ll be a call for submissions issued in the Fall.
There’s been a big increase in cycling over the past nine months as COVID shutdowns took effect. Sales at Cycle Solutions (444 Parliament) really jumped as a result. Kale’s inventory was wiped out last summer and he’s now putting together his orders to his suppliers for the 2021 season. He wants to alert everyone interested in buying a new bike to contact him now. If you wait until the Spring, his suppliers may not be able to meet your needs.
Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) now has a regular special for your Friday and Saturday dinners with new pricing to makes it a very affordable offer. This week’s dinner for two is a slow roasted half chicken, half a roasted butternut squash with parmesan, garlic, fried kale, creamy macaroni and cheese and a zesty caesar salad. Serves two, $55. Order your favourite craft beer or add a bottle of Laurent Miquel red wine - email Erin to place your order.
Are you a soup fan? Check out the offerings at Cabbagetown Organics (499 Parliament). They’ve stocked up their inventory with cans from Amy’s, cartons from Pacific Foods and bottles from Sunflower Kitchens.
The House on Parliament (454 Parliament) is expanding its delivery zone - north to Bloor, south to Front, east to Pape and west to Church. Check out the website to see the daily specials. Then call your order into the pub and they’ll take care of your delivery. (416) 925-4074.
DOVA (229 Carlton) has been named one of Toronto’s best new restaurants in blogTO. Corktown’s Gusto 501 (501 King E) made it on the list as well. Click here to read the comments and click on each review for details about the restaurants. (Photo: Gusto 501 by Hector Vasquez, blogTO)
If you’re having poutine withdrawal, worry no more - The Irv (195 Carlton) has it every Wednesday, $10. Pick-up only.
After closing for a COVID shutdown, the food shop (248 Carlton) is reopening on Friday January 22. The closure was part of a thorough safety check that D & D undertook when an employee experienced a positive COVID test.
F'Amelia (12 Amelia) is taking a break. They closed on January 17 and they’ll be back on February 9 to prepare your Valentine specials. 12 Amelia.
This week’s soup is Irish Farmhouse Vegetable with potatoes, carrots, leeks, celery, parsnips and green peas, 3 to 9 cups at $3/cup and 10+ cups at $2.50 per cup. His juice is winter citrus - 2 cups at $9. His prices are the same but he’s offering a more flexible system for his quantities. He’s offering soup containers in 2 cup, 3 cup and 4 cup sizes (minimum 3 cups). You can also place bulk orders for freezing, banquets and special orders (minimum 10 cups) and save 50 cents per cup. His soup deliveries are happening again. Email him to place your order.
There’s a business directory on the Cabbagetown BIA website with the COVID details listed beside each store’s 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.
Demolition of the site started on Monday.
The provincial government owns the Foundry property. It used its zoning powers to override the City’s planning and heritage regulations.
Gilles Huot, a leader in the Cabbagetown Preservation Association, has written a moving letter to the Ontario government about the importance of the site.
Councillor Wong-Tam, several Corktown groups and thousands of people who have signed petitions are all trying to save the buildings. They hope to get an injunction to stop the destruction. They want to force the government to show that it actually does have heritage and environmental assessments of the site.
There’s a Facebook page, a GoFundMe campaign and a petition. By Thursday morning, over 16,000 have signed up and donated over $5,000. Check it out. Your support is vital.
On Sunday afternoon, this fox set up his home on top of a garage in a lane behind Amelia. (Photo: Andrew Wilson)
Two raccoons climbed to the very top of a tree across a lane off Wellesley, cuddled up and slept there for the day.
Coyotes have been spotted again in the cemeteries. Rabbits have been showing up around the homes in the Wellesley Cottages - perhaps to escape from the pressure of foxes and coyotes in St James Cemetery. (Coyote photo: Bev Jenkins)
LOCAL NEWS
Animal reports
The Foundry demolition
Cabbagetown Southwest Heritage Conservation District
Fire at 238 Berkeley
Daycare application
Speed cameras
Kristyn Wong-Tam’s priorities
We asked our Councillor to give us a list of her 2021 priorities for our area. “Although I have been the City Councillor for Cabbagetown for just the past two years, my top Council priorities for this wonderful neighbourhood remain the same in 2021, namely, community safety, food security, small business tax reforms, equitable service distribution across all the city and the rapid building of affordable housing.” She has attacked rental evictions at Toronto Community Housing, promoted a small business tax class and worked on food distribution through Yonge Street Mission and with the Medallion Corporation. She spearheaded two new neighbourhood teams with $1 million budgets to help Cabbagetown South with clean-ups and with teams to work with troublesome individuals.
City of Toronto skating rinks
Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
by Sally Gibson
In the 1850s, when “Deluge” Engine House at the southwest corner of Berkeley and Duke (now Adelaide) was operating, all fire-fighters were volunteers – carpenters, painters, bricklayers, shoemakers and other working-class men who lived nearby. As the pen-and-ink drawing indicates, their first engine house was quite small and primitive. No watch tower or bell. Only a single, shed-like shelter for their hand-drawn pump (no horses and no steam power).
When the alarm was given – sometimes by messengers racing off to workplaces or nighttime residences – the men would dash to the station, grab their hand-pump engine and run off to the fire. All too often they ran along the plank sidewalks rather than the muddy streets, scattering, sometimes seriously injuring, pedestrians.
Meanwhile, the carters who dragged great puncheons of water to the fire were doing battle to win the award of $4 for being the first to arrive. They may have been the first but they often had splashed most of their water out of the puncheon en route.
For more Cabbagetown history, photos and videos visit the CRPM Facebook page.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congrats Libby and Davin
Searching for Jack Swinson
Marie Sparling from Iroquois Falls is looking for information about Mr Swinson. Details are sparse. Mr Swinson was born between 1900 and 1930 and he lived in Cabbagetown. He dated Birdie Edith Shirk whose sister was Ms Sparling’s paternal great grandmother. Together, they had a son, Donald, born in 1956. Donald knows nothing about his father and he’s never met any of his paternal relatives. Anyone who knows about the Swinson family is asked to contact Ms Sparling.
COMING EVENTS
COVID-19 testing
The First Parliament Site project
IN THE MEDIA
The Foundry demolition
First Parliament site
BUSINESS NEWS
#CabbagetownCares
Survey results
A reminder from Cycle Solutions
RESTAURANT NEWS
Go to the restaurants’ websites and Facebook pages for the menus from your favourite places - click here for the contact list.
Stout’s weekend special
Cabbagetown Organics
More lucky people
Congrats DOVA and Gusto 501
The Irv
Daniel et Daniel
F’Amelia is taking a break
Cyril’s soups
CONTACT INFO
COVID regulations for retail stores
Food services
