March 18

This week’s image:  Easter’s coming and the Bunny is checking out the neighbourhood.



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.


Buffy Sainte-Marie, 2019  

"A candid moment before she receives an Honorary Degree from the University of Toronto. This photo was taken while the Chancellor’s Procession was waiting to enter Convocation Hall.  Buffy looked at me and smiled.  It was special moment between the two of us." 


MY PERSONAL VIEW


Marci Ien

Ms Ien is our newly elected Member of Parliament.  I talked to her on a Zoom call on Wednesday.  She’s been on the job since last Fall.  She’s working online and missing the chance to meet her colleagues personally and to see the House of Commons in action.  She’s been assigned to the Canadian Heritage committee where her broadcasting background is useful.  When asked about her three top priorities, she listed efforts to combat mental illness and isolation, more affordable housing and the survival of our small businesses, focussing on personal and family issues arising from her experiences in Toronto Centre. In our discussion, Ms Ien showed a solid understanding of the different communities in Toronto Centre.  She’s become acquainted with our MPP Suze Morrison and our City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam and wants to work cooperatively with them.  She’s planning two Town Hall meetings in the near future.


GET YOUR COVID VACCINES

This information is current on Thursday March 18.


For people 80 years old or older

City of Toronto mass vaccine sites.  Three of Toronto’s nine sites have opened - 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.  (Photo:  Frank Gunn, Canadian Press)   


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 - check it out here.  The hospital is currently vaccinating people who are 80 years old or more, born in 1941 or earlier and specific high-risk targets. 

For people over 60 years old

Doctors and pharmacies.  As vaccines supplies increase, the government has widened the age ranges of eligible vaccine recipients.  The AstraZeneca vaccine will be given out by family doctors and in pharmacies for people over 60.  Contact them to make an appointment and learn their systems. The Ontario government has posted a comprehensive list of participating pharmacies.


JOB NEWS


The BIA is hiring

The Cabbagetown BIA Board (237 Carlton) has posted its job notice online.  It’s looking for an executive director and the notice details the job requirements, candidate skills and salary.  Email your resume and a covering letter to coordinator@cabbagetownto.com by March 26.  Click here to read the notice.   


The School of Toronto Dance Theatre

The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (80 Winchester) needs an Artistic Director.  Please email your resume and a covering letter to search@schooloftdt.org by noon on Friday March 26 - include the header “Application - Artistic Director”.  Check online to learn about this job opportunity and your required qualifications.      


Regent Park Film Festival

The Regent Park Film Festival needs a manager of programming. Contact them by email at jobs@regentparkfilmfestival.com and send your resume with your covering letter in one attachment. This position is open until Wednesday March 31. For a description of your duties and your qualifications - click here.


LOCAL NEWS 


The Spring Art Walk

The BIA’s new art exhibition in business windows along Parliament and Carlton is entitled “A New Beginning: Expressions of Hope, Rejuvenation & Community.” More displays are being revealed this week - Laura Gallo at Labour of Love (223 Carlton), Darryl Mayeb at the BIA Office (237 Carlton), St James Town Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) by Bareket Kezwer and Julie Amlin’s mural at 570 Parliament. The first display at 419 Parliament features Moira Ness and Kira Duff. Check out the artists who will be displayed - click here.

 

Foundry progress report

By Wednesday March 17, over 23,140 people had signed the petition to stop the Foundry demolition and $31,700 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.  The links for the petition and online donations are here.  


Cabbagetown cares

Tim Hortons is supplying subs and fresh coffee on Thursday March 17. It’s part of the Cabbagetown BIA’s project to distribute lunches to about 100 people in Allan Gardens - it’s been underway since early February. Both the lunch guests and the restaurants benefit. Thanks to private donations, the event will continue on Thursdays through March.


The WINK’s season is over

The warm weather brought the skating rink’s first season to a close in late February.  It was designed to be assembled and also taken apart for year-after-year use.  It’s now been dismantled and it’s in St James Town Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) for summer storage.  Many thanks to Trish and her team of volunteers and to Hugh Garner Co-op for helping with its operations. It’ll be back next year.


City of Toronto skating rinks 

On Thursday, two of our nearby rinks - Regent Park and Riverdale Park East - are open. Enjoy a last minute skate because their seasons end on March 21. Sherbourne Common is closed for the season.  Before you go, check the City’s website.  (Photo: Waterfront Toronto) 


Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit

Image:  The Irish Canadian 1870, with motto Resurgam: I shall rise again.  
No doubt, Patrick Boyle, the printer and publisher of the Irish Canadian weekly, celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in fitting style with a few friends at a Cabbagetown bar near his 1870 home on Parliament Street just south of Queen. A severe critic, Gerald Fitzgerald of the rival Catholic Weekly Review, snidely passed him off as “a puissant figure among tap room politicians.” Boyle was certainly a strong fighter for the rights of Irish Catholics and for keeping the memories of Ireland green among his readers. And he most likely did spend time with politicians of all stripes at Toronto’s plentiful pubs. But he made enough of an impact on his adopted country to merit an entry in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, which concluded that “Boyle’s lifelong fight for Irish Catholic rights enhanced the political influence of his community and had a long-term impact on Catholics as their Irishness faded.” Sláinte.   For more Cabbagetown history, photos and videos visit the CRPM Facebook page.  


FOR YOUR KIDS


Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club

TKBGC (101 Spruce) has reopened its in-person after-school programs for kids in grades 1 to 8.  When the pandemic struck, the Club started a Zoom after-school session called TKBGC@theClub and an informal tutoring and support space called class@theclub for its members.  Its new in-person program runs from Monday to Friday, 3:30 to 6 pm.  Go online here to see the Club’s safety procedures, the programs and the fees and to register.  


Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre

The Spring term for the CCAC’s online classes has started. Register your fsmily now.  If you’re a returning student, you do not need to register but you do need to go online to save your personal time slot. If you have questions, call (416) 925-7222 or email ccac@yaho.com.  For more info about the courses and fees, click here.   422 Parliament. 


ANNOUNCEMENTS


The real estate market is hot 

Michael O’Brien and Michael Grant are listing two Cabbagetown homes right now.  Check them out - click on the addresses.  248 Seaton and  306 Sackville.  There are almost twenty others on their website - browse through all the listings here.  


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 and other neighbourhood parents.  Send them to him along with any personal memories.  


IN THE MEDIA


Marc and Craig Kielburger go to Parliament

The Kielburgers testified to the Commons’ ethics committee on Monday.  Media reaction was decidedly skeptical. Marieke Walsh and Ian Bailey wrote in the Globe & Mail about their claim that they were the victims of a political squabble.  The Globe’s Konrad Yakabuski sees their comments as a childish reaction. (Photo:  Christopher Katsarov, The Canadian Press)   


Duchess! Duchess! Duchess!

Soulpepper’s artistic director, Weyni Mengesha, directed this new virtual sensation written by Vivian J O Barnes and presented by Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre. Although it was conceived and filmed last Fall, the play rings a remarkably true note after Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Harry and Meghan.  Click here for the Globe & Mail review.  (Photo:  Lowell Thomas/Universal Music Canada)


BUSINESS NEWS


Cabbagetown Organics

Drop by and check out Organics’ fresh fruits and veggies.  They have lots of good stuff available now. 499 Parliament. 


More info about AlphaShine

AlphaShine is a premium automotive detailing company focused on ensuring that your car gets luxury treatment. Services range from interior and exterior detailing to ceramic coating, paint protection, film and tinting. Its unique membership model offers its members lower rates and several perks including concierge access. It’s partnered with BMW,  Porsche and Starbucks. Located at 401 Dundas East between Sherbourne and Parliament.  (647) 249-2960   


RESTAURANT NEWS


Suruthi

Another feature about our small and noteworthy restaurants.  Suruthi (585 Parliament) offers up very good Sri Lankan meals for takeout.  The photo shows the “Chicken Rice Combo...basmati rice served with chicken curry, daal, eggplant curry, as well as 2 more vegetable curries from a rotation of 4 (beet root curry, potato curry, spinach, cabbage/carrot mix), along with a papadum and a few fried chillies.”


Park Snacks is back

Thanks to Parliament Street News for this tip.  This popular snack destination (Winchester and Sumach) is opening up again on the weekend - outdoors and socially distanced. (Photo:  Parliament Street News)


Erin describes her business struggles

Erin Gamelin owns Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton).  It’s one of our mainstays. She was interviewed by CTV News about her pandemic experiences and she describes how hard life has become for restaurant owners.  Click here to watch her.  


The Irv starts a campaign

A short while ago, Regan from The Irv (195 Carlton) wrote an open letter to the Mayor, the Premier and Dr de Villa asking for more openings for restaurants.  Since then he’s heard from colleagues in other restaurants who support him.  So he’s teamed up with MPP Roman Baber to give other owners a voice.  The message of this campaign is to advocate for the safe opening of indoor dining.  He asks, “What makes someone selling electronics at a big box store more essential than a server, bartender, chef, line cook or dishwasher?“ #hungry2open


The HoP’s daily menu

If you’re getting a yearning for braised lamb shanks or a Mac & 3-cheese - among other goodies - then go to the House on Parliament’s website and its list under Daily Fare. 454 Parliament.    


F’Amelia

F’Amelia’s (12 Amelia) daily specials are online and available from Tuesday to Saturday.  Click here for the menu 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.  


Cyril’s soups

Cyril’s thinking nostalgically about life in the sun and tropical islands in the Indian Ocean. His soup is Thai carrot and sweet potato with some peanut butter, lime, ginger, red curry paste and a few chilli flakes - 3 to 9 cups at $3/cup and 10 or more cups at $2.50/cup.  His juice is pineapple, lime and mint.  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.