This week’s image: Wednesday at 6:45 am. The snow didn't last very long and didn't disrupt us very much - it always happens in late April.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST
David Arathoon
David Arathoon is a successful professional painter who lives in Cabbagetown. He has a website, public Facebook and Instagram pages which include contact details.
Don River reflections
“Started in Autumn and completed in February 2021, it features our well known Don River at the edge of Cabbagtown which I view often from the bridges at Riverdale Park and Queen Street East.”
Almost a dozen pharmacies in this neighbourhood offer COVID vaccines. They’re available for everyone over 40 years old. In most cases, you’ll need an appointment - call or book through the store’s website. For store hours, type of vaccine and age groups, go to the government website. You’ll also be updated about additional pharmacies and you’ll see where the 24-hour service is located.
We’re one week away from the 2021 edition of the Forsythia Festival - its 50th anniversary. Festival organizers have planned a series of alternative events to fill the gap created by COVID lockdowns. Get started now on two special projects. First, find a stone that your kids can decorate - paint it yellow and add your own unique design or special message. Then put your “Secrete Stone” in Wellesley Park for others to find. Second, “Think Spring” and decorate your house with yellow. Anything goes - be bold! Prizes will be given for the most eye-catching home.
The community around Sherbourne and Dundas has pressed for surveillance cameras at this corner. The final permit from Toronto Hydro has been received. Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam reports that all the approvals have finally been given and the cameras will be installed within the next couple of weeks.
Dee Lewis, President of the Winchester Park Residents Association, and members of her Board have been working with police officers from 51 Division to get wider coverage of their neighbourhood. Two improvements have resulted. Community bike patrols will now be added for both Winchester Park and St James Town. In addition, crime statistics for the whole Division will now be based on community calls and not just reports from individual police officers.
Two local political parties have started their pre-election preparations, obviously because they think the Trudeau government will either pull the plug in Parliament or collapse in a non-confidence vote. Brian Chang has been nominated for the NDP - he’s run here twice before and he’s putting his name forward again. Annamie Paul will hold her official Toronto Centre kick-off on Thursday evening for the Green Party. There’s no love lost between these two groups and it’ll be interesting to see if they level a lot of cannons at each other or shoot instead at Marci Ien and the Liberals. Lately, the Conservatives have kept a low profile - who knows what they’ll do this time. Photo: Brian Chang (left) and Suze Morrison, MPP.
Be a vendor at the Market in Riverdale Park (Winchester and Sumach) - spaces are still available. Please apply before April 30. If you’re interested, send an email to Katya, the market’s administrator.
The Underpass Market (29 Lower River Street) in Corktown is scheduled to open from Thursday June 3, 4:30 to 7 pm.
Green Thumbs Growing Kids has put together a gift basket for Mother’s Day. It’s a fundraiser for the group. Special thanks go out to the businesses who’ve donated their products for the basket. It contains an organic tomato plant seedling from Sosnicki Organic Farm, a herb plant seedling from Fernlea Greenhouse, homemade soap made locally by the Traditional Soap Company, solid hand cream and container from LUSH and the book, Balcony Gardening, by Lara Lucretia Mrosovsky. Green Thumbs Growing Kids has also contributed a calendula seedling and calendula salve, a nasturtium seedling, a worm casting tea bag to fertilize your plants and a seed package. $50 ($70 value). Order from GTGK online. Pickup your gift basket on Saturday May 8 between 10 am and 2 pm at Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E, Lobby Entrance).
The Cabbagetown South Residents have two good ideas for your garden. They’re selling rain barrels and they’re working with Plantables to bring you a hassle-free way to start your garden. To get more info about the rain barrels and to order one for yourself, shop online, $55. Go to Plantables’ website and look over your choices, $4/plant. They’ll bring them along until the seedlings are ready to go into the ground and they’ll deliver them to you. When you order, enter the code cabbagetownsouth and 10% of the proceeds will go to the Association. Proceeds will go to local service groups and to the youth anti-graffiti brigade.
This week, Tim Hortons is providing lunch. The program supports about 100 people each week in Allan Gardens. Both the lunch guests and the restaurants benefit. Originally, it was intended to run four weeks in February - private donations have extended it to April 29. It’s organized by the Cabbagetown BIA (237 Carlton) along with St Luke’s United Church and Dixon Hall.
Darryl Mabey painted the image in the BIA’s office window (237 Carlton). It’s one of the new art pieces in businesses along Parliament and Carlton. He’s been a digital artist and senior graphics designer for fourteen years. His work on his website is full of colour and excitement. Check out all the featured artists - click here.
By Thursday April 22, 23,221 people had signed the petition to stop the Foundry demolition and $31,950 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.
The Festival organizers have designed limited edition special “Experience Bags” with a unique artist design. They’re a great hit - over 200 have been sold already. Inside each bag there’s a DYI dangling doughnut kit, DYI kite kit, DYI window craft, yellow chalk, anniversary window sticker, yellow ribbon to hang on your door, four forsythia themed cake pops from Velvet Lane Cakes (194 Carlton) and two traditional parade twizzlers. You can also buy a limited edition yellow Festival Tee shirt. To manage all of this, the Festival team have set up their own Shopify store - to see each item and to place your order, click here.
Carolyn Taylor-Watts has written her fifth book and second novel. Phantom Siblings is a story about a mother’s fantasies and a protagonist filled with self-doubt. Check her website for more info and for ordering. Available at Amazon for $21.38 and on Kindle $8.69.
Our local businesses have contributed generously to the Festival Experience Bags. You’ll find a coupon for 20% off on your next purchase at Steak and Chops (516 Parliament), a $10 gift certificate for F’Amelia (12 Amelia), a $5 gift card for Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton), 10% off for summer camp at Buds & Blossoms (517 Parliament) and a free coffee from Epicure (473 Parliament). Plus, there are special prizes for the Festival - a gift basket from Spruce (455 Parliament), a gift basket from Epicure (473 Parliament), a gift set from Wonderkind and two $50 gift cards plus t-shirts from Salt & Tobacco (521 Parliament). Cycle Solutions (444 Parliament) and Menagerie Pet Shop (549 Parliament) are each preparing special “Gifts with Purchase” while supplies last.
If you want to donate books to the Book Bank (350 Berkeley at Gerrard), its next book drop-off day happens on Saturday April 24 from 11 am to 2:30 pm - leave your boxes and bags on the pallets next to the gates. Click here for the Facebook page with lots of programming announcements.
Mom won’t have to lift a finger with this yummy breakfast - French toast, breakfast sausage, hash brown baked egg, fresh berries and fresh pressed orange juice. $38 per person, minimum 2 people. Please order by May 5. Available on Saturday May 8 and Sunday May 9. 248 Carlton
Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton) also has a special luncheon for your celebration with Mom - herbed foccacia, shaved spring vegetables, warm nicoise salad and rainbow trout, cheese board and rhubarb upside down cake. Available from Friday may 7 to Sunday May 9. Add a beautiful floral bouquet. Order online by May 5, $57 per person, minimum 2 people.
Roselle (362 King E) has an amazing afternoon tea for two. Ordering starts at 8 pm on Monday April 26 with pickups on Sunday May 9 from 11 am to 3 pm. Check out the full menu online, $60.
Staij (552 Parliament) has lovely offerings for Mother’s Day - an afternoon tea scone set, raspberry almond croissants, vanilla shortbreads, homemade granola, raspberry rose white chocolate and hand-tied preserved flower bouquets. Check out the ordering details and prices here.
Stout’s special Mother’s Day package includes a dozen red carnations, chocolate covered strawberries and a bottle of Rose. $80. Email Erin to place your order by Wednesday May 5. Deliveries on May 8 and May 9 to 5 pm, $10. Pickups available on May 7, 8 and 9 from 11 am to 8 pm. 221 Carlton.
Peartree’s owners have announced the restaurant’s closing. Asokan and Ilongo served the Cabbagetown community for over 27 years. Peartree became a landmark for all of us. With Asokan’s passing, the family feels that the restaurant should close. Others will undoubtedly come to take over the location and they’ll be welcomed. 507 Parliament.
On April 9, staff at El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane, Distillery) learned that one member of their team had been exposed to COVID. Toronto Public Health advised them that a public announcement and closure weren’t necessary. They chose, however, to take these precautions. The voluntary closure period is now over and they’ve reopened for pickups and deliveries. Thanks to them for their respect for public health measures.
Cyril is again taking a break. This time, he’s worried about possible COVID infections. He knows seven people directly who’ve been infected. He’s had his own vaccination. He’ll let us know when he’s ready to start up again. Order by email to him.
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.
LOCAL NEWS
Book a vaccination appointment at a pharmacy
Forsythia Festival events
Street cameras
Police patrols in Winchester Park
Dee Lewis, President of the Winchester Park Residents Association, and members of her Board have been working with police officers from 51 Division to get wider coverage of their neighbourhood. Two improvements have resulted. Community bike patrols will now be added for both Winchester Park and St James Town. In addition, crime statistics for the whole Division will now be based on community calls and not just reports from individual police officers.
Gearing up for the federal election
Vendors at the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
Underpass Park Farmers’ Market
Mother’s Day gift basket
Fix up your garden
Cabbagetown cares
The Spring Art Walk
Foundry progress report
COMING EVENTS
2021 Forsythia Festival bags and tees
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Phantom Siblings
BUSINESS NEWS
Business support for the Forsythia Festival
FOR YOUR KIDS
Children’s Book Bank
MOTHER’S DAY SPECIALS
Breakfast in bed from Daniel et Daniel
Luncheon from Daniel et Daniel
Afternoon tea with Roselle
Staij & Co
Stout Irish Pub
RESTAURANT NEWS
News about Peartree
Kudos to El Catrin
Cyril’s soup
CONTACT INFO
Food services
