March 11

This week’s image:  People from the Tigrayan community staged a demonstration around St James Town on Tuesday to demand action from Canada and the UN in the current Ethiopian civil war.

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW 

FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST

Lisa Sakulensky 

Lisa has been a Toronto based professional photographer for more than 30 years. Her wide variety of clients have included The Royal Conservatory of Music, Branksome Hall, and the University of Toronto. She’s known for her work producing images for authors, artist websites, corporate and editorial publications and live performances. Her personal creative work focuses primarily on B&W documentary photography. Lisa continues to photograph her surroundings with a keen interest in capturing everyday moments that may otherwise go unnoticed. She’s lived in Cabbagetown since 1993.  She has her own website, Facebook and Instagram pages. She can be reached by email.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, 2004  

“He was in a reflective moment after being conferred with an Honorary Degree at the University of Toronto. This was taken just as digital photography came on the scene.  Always a sceptic about anything new, I shot this with my Leica film camera.  The tones, luminosity and general feel of an analogue image are like no other.”

TWO PERSONAL VIEWS

Thanks Rick!

Rick Matthews is leaving his job at the Cabbagetown BIA. He’s a terrific guy and he fit into this role skillfully.  He’s had a remarkable impact on the community.  Here’s a brief list of his achievements, all of which required a lot of work - Cabbagetown Cares, CafeTO, shop local campaign, updating the BIA website, invigorating the BIA’s social media presence, Deck the Holidays and the decorative Christmas lighting, the new Spring art walk, a graffiti removal campaign, a new paint job for the BIA office, and launching a new Streetscape plan for the business district.  He’s done all of this with great energy and good humour and he’s drawn the local business community closer to the residents that it serves.  He’s moving on now to a new job at Rogers Media.  Best wishes and many thanks, Rick. 

Guess what

The City of Toronto has conducted a survey asking for our opinions on consultations about locating services for homeless people.  By the time you read this, the deadline will have passed.  Publicity about this survey is similar to the consultations that happened about 233 Carlton - non-existent.   

GET YOUR COVID VACCINES

This information is current on Thursday March 11.

For people 80 years old or older

City of Toronto mass vaccine sites.  Three of Toronto’s nine sites will open on Wednesday March 17 - at the Metro Convention Centre (255 Front Street), Scarborough Town Centre (Scarborough)  and Toronto Congress Centre (Etobicoke). The hours are 11 am to 8 pm, every day.  As vaccine supplies increase, the other mass clinics will open and the hours may be stretched.

St Michael’s Hospital,  36 Queen E., Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower.  Part of the Unity Health Network.  The website gives practical instructions for preparations and for registration.  The hospital is vaccinating people who are 80 years old or more, born in 1941 or earlier and health care workers in specific high-risk jobs.  The appointment applies to one person only but a second person may also come to provide needed support. Bring government issued ID like an OHIP card or driver’s licence. There is a consent form online to complete.  Arrive no more than ten minutes before the appointment and allow fifteen minutes afterward to rest.  The vaccine requires two shots.  Your appointment covers the first one and you‘ll get instructions later for your second one.  

For people 60 to 65 years old

Doctors and pharmacies.  Starting on Friday, the single shot AstraZeneca vaccine will be given out by family doctors and in pharmacies for people ages 60 to 65, born from 1957 to 1961.  Contact them to make an appointment and learn their systems. Rexall has three locations near us - Winchester at Parliament, 63 Wellesley E and Greenwin Square.  There’s an online booking system including a waitlist registry.   

Shoppers Drug Mart at 20 Bloor E, 565 Sherbourne Unit 40 and 18 Jarvis.   Contact the store. Some stores are allowing walk-ins.  

Loblaws - 60 Carlton at Church and 200 Front E

Greendale - 152 Carlton, (416) 967-6610

Jarvis Street Apothecary - 275 Jarvis.  (416) 792-1959,   

LOCAL NEWS

What’s next at the BIA

Shivon Yim has been working in the office since last summer and she’ll continue to do the daily business.  In the meantime, the BIA’s Board will conduct a search for the new executive director.  The BIA’s plans for 2021 are exciting and Rick Matthews and Shivon have done the preparations to set them in motion.  Among other events, we’ll see a Spring Art Walk, more meals in Allan Gardens, more street-side patios with CafeTO and lots of support for the businesses as the COVID lockdowns are eased.   

The Spring Art Walk

The new art exhibition in business windows along Parliament and Carlton is entitled “A New Beginning:  Expressions of Hope, Rejuvenation & Community.”  The first display featuring work by two artists is now open at 419 Parliament - Moira Ness and Kira Duff.  Eight window locations have been selected and throughout the Spring, more works will be shown. Check out the artists who will be displayed - click here. 

Foundry progress report

By Wednesday March 10, over 23,000 people had signed the petition to stop the Foundry demolition and $31,500 had been donated.  The donations cover the cost of court actions so far but they’re far from enough to pay for any future actions.

Best wishes to our residents’ groups

Shawna Pereira (above) is the new chair at the Cabbagetown Residents Association and Karen Marren is continuing as the chair in Cabbagetown South.  Both groups have active schedules that changed to adapt to the COVID lockdown rules.  They each also have ongoing social and development issues that they’ll be addressing.  Best wishes to both of them for their work next year.

Cabbagetown cares

Cranberries (601 Parliament) made lunch on Thursday March 11 - roast chicken with gravy, veggies and mashed potatoes.  Staij & Co (552 Parliament) baked a dozen cakes to add for dessert.  The Cabbagetown BIA has been distributing lunches to about 100 people in Allan Gardens since early February.  Thanks to private donations, the event will continue on Thursdays through March.

City of Toronto skating rinks 

Two of our nearby rinks - Sherbourne Common and Riverdale Park East - are currently closed because of the warm weather. Regent Park is still open. The rinks may reappear - they’re scheduled to stay open until Sunday March 21.  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)

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit

Image:  3-D Reconstruction of Upper Canada’s First Parliament Buildings On Fire ASI Heritage.  By Sally Gibson    

The First Parliament Site - Part Two of Two

First the Americans in 1813 and now Metrolinks in 2012. When will Ontario’s first Parliament Buildings be safe and finally interpreted as the historic centre of our governance and civic life?  It appears that the Metrolinx proposal to use the site for its Ontario Line has at least been temporarily halted so that further negotiations can be held. Toronto’s west end depicts the town’s military life at Fort York in wonderful detail and appreciation. Toronto’s east end deserves equal attention. In 2000, an archaeological dig confirmed that Upper Canada’s Parliament buildings were located under a parking lot and automotive site between Parliament and Berkeley streets, south of Front Street near Toronto’s original waterfront. This discovery excited media attention. Plans were proposed. A brief Provincial interpretative site was opened. But the site lapsed into today’s motley accumulation of automotive uses. What lay beneath today’s banal had apparently been forgotten.  Canadian history must be preserved and celebrated now. Torontonians and Canadians must feel the same pride in Upper Canada’s first Parliament buildings as did early residents who dubbed them “Palaces of Government” and named nearby Front Street, “Palace Street”.  For more Cabbagetown history, photos and videos visit the CRPM Facebook page.  

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cabbagetown Sprucecourt baseball league

Duncan Fremlin has come across video of the Cabbagetown Sprucecourt baseball league that was founded in the early 1990s.  The parents who were involved included Betty White (who started the league), the Dineens, Gary Hamara, Blair Tully, Lennie Cunningham, the Spurr family and Duncan.  He’s asking you to check your own photos to see if you have pictures of the league's players and parents.  Email them to him along with any personal memories. 

IN THE MEDIA

More action on the WE controversy

When Mark and Craig Kielburger announced that they won’t be political footballs any longer, they included appearances at the House of Commons’ committees.  They then declined to appear when asked by the Commons’ ethics committee. The committee flexed its muscles and issued a summons to appear on Friday March 12. The Globe & Mail’s Ian Bailey has written about these events and the consequences if the brothers ignore the committee’s summons.  (Photo:  Christopher Katsarov, The Canadian Press)

Waterfront Toronto’s new ideas

The new Parliament Slip is an area at the foot of Parliament Street at Queen’s Quay.  New proposals suggest that it become a new waterfront park complete with swimming, kayaking and a floating restaurant.  The plan has not been formally approved.   (Image from Waterfront Toronto, West 8 and DTAH). 

Premier Ford justifies the MZO’s

Over the past three years, the provincial government has issued 43 ministerial zoning orders, including the one used to demolish the Foundry.  As complaints have increased, the Premier has responded.  Robert Benzie describes his remarks in his Toronto Star story. 

COMING EVENTS

The School of Toronto Dance Theatre

March 11 and 12 online at 8 pm.  The graduating class presents “Here in sonder”, an online choreographic workshop of unique new dance films.  Live streamed by Crowdcast and available online until March 14.    Tickets are $12 general admission and $7 for students, seniors and arts workers.  Click here to register and to get your link.  

Green Thumbs Growing Kids virtual workshop

Learn how to make your own compost.  6:30 pm, Monday March 15. Free. Pre-register here.

Virtual cooking class

Chef Karen O’Connor from Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton) is leading a virtual cooking class at 6 pm on Thursday March 18. Presented with Ocean Wise and Ripley’s Aquarium and broadcast live from the Aquarium.  She’ll use an exclusive recipe from the Ocean Wise digital cookbook - smoked scallops with green apple and bacon vinaigrette.  $30.  Register here - your link will be sent to you on Thursday March 18.  Click here for more info and for a list of the ingredients that you’ll need for this recipe. 

BUSINESS NEWS

Welcome AlphaShine

A new car detailing company that emphasizes customer experience and convenience. Located at 401 Dundas East between Sherbourne and Parliament. Ari is the company’s marketing associate and customer relations manager. He’s looking forward to joining local groups and fostering community benefits.

Congrats Velvet Lane and Staij

blogTO has highlighted fifteen of Toronto’s bakeries for their exceptional baking and cake decorations.  Velvet Lane (194A Carlton) and Staij & Co (552 Parliament) are included.  No surprise. 

Fresh fish 

Mark at St James Town Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) always has fresh fish available.  This week, he’s advertising fresh organic salmon fillets and fresh rainbow trout.  

RESTAURANT NEWS

F’Amelia

F’Amelia’s (12 Amelia) daily specials are online and available from Tuesday to Saturday.  Enjoy chicken parmigiana, pizza and calzone, chicken milanese, battered white fish and braised beef brisket.  Click here for the menu and ordering details.  Each meal is $45 for two or $85 for four - except for Wednesday’s pizza special at $25. (416) 323-0666.   

Cranberries

Cranberries’ (601 Parliament) daily specials are posted online.  Each day brings new dishes.  Check out the menu here.  (416) 925-6330.  

Stout’s St Patrick’s day special

Available from Friday March 12 to Wednesday March 17.  Two beef and Irish stout pies, bangers with caramalized onions, peas and baked beans, colcannon (mashed potatoes with kale and cheddar), and a house salad.  Dinner for two at $60 and single dinner, $32.  Add a six-pack of Louis Cifer Lager or Dry Irish Stout for $18.  Order at (647) 344-7676 or email to Madeleine. Stout Irish Pub  (221 Carlton).

Cyril’s trip to the Caribbean 

This week, he’s using shredded chicken and ground pork, pigeon peas, black beans, scotch bonnett peppers, tomatoes, mangoes and orange juice, cumin, coriander, allspice and cilantro.  Plus Angostura bitters.  For vegans, he’s using cashews.  The meat lover’s version - 3 to 9 cups at $4/cup and 10 or more cups at $3.50/cup.  Vegan - 3 to 9 cups at $4/cup and 10 or more cups at $3.50/cup.  His juice is pineapple, orange and hibiscus.  2 cups for $9.  Order by email to him.  

CONTACT INFO 

Food services 

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.