May 27

This week’s image:  we have great gardeners here - nominate one of them for the 2021 Streetscapes in Bloom award.



CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW 




FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST


Laura Gallo

Laura contributed this piece (above) to the window display at Labour of Love (223 Carlton) for the BIA’s Spring Art Walk.  She’s an emerging new artist. “Everything to me is art and energy.  I am most inspired by magazines. All my pieces are made using a cut and paste technique. The process is my enjoyment, it calms my mind and expresses my soul.” When she isn’t making art, she works as an RMT at Cabbagetown Massage Therapy (Amelia and Sackville) helping clients to feel their best. She’s accepting magazine or old book donations -  email her.  You can see her work on Instagram and buy it at Etsy.

A Time to Breathe

“A Kettle brings cosy comfort to a kitchen. It’s my timer for when I need a break, my wake-up call when I hear the whistle, and of course my instant noodle cooker when I want a quick bite. Without it my kitchen wouldn’t be complete.  Thank you Kettle.”

LOCAL NEWS  

Streetscapes in Bloom

Nominate a friend’s garden (or your own) for the annual gardening award.  The Cabbagetown Preservation Association collects names every Spring and then checks them out throughout the summer. In the autumn, a winner is announced.  See the details online here and nominate a garden that you like before June 15.  

Stay safe at the Farmers’ Market

Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market organizers are preparing for their June 1 opening. They’ve posted some simple rules to keep all of us safe while we’re there.  Stay home if you don’t feel well.  Use sanitizer and put on your mask before entering.  Follow the one-way walking directions.   Be courteous and stay two metres away from other people.  Don’t eat in the Market area.  It’s all common sense and we’re all used to these rules by now.  Riverdale Park, Winchester and Sumach.

Ari Korkodilos

Ari is another young phenom to watch.  He’s 15 years old and has won the 2020 national Briggs Junior Kart championship racing title.  He’s now moving up to the Briggs Senior championship.  His dad has prepared an amazing You Tube video about his races.  Ari needs sponsors.  If you’re interested, email his father. Many thanks to Ann MacNaughton for the introduction.

CPA Spring newsletter

The Cabbagetown Preservation Association has issued its Spring edition.  It’s full of interesting local stuff - the restoration of the Winchester, names for local lanes, a special side trip to Cabbagetown Atlanta, Jack Nichols, Al Capone, the Museum and more.  Click here to read it online.

The latest news from Cabbagetown Steve

Steve Grant is doing well.  He and Sam Taylor of the Little Magic Sam band were mentioned on a Q107 podcast about Toronto artists.  He’s been invited to play at Buddy Guy’s Club in Chicago.  Steve is well-known here for his support of the CYC and his performances in the Festival.  Click here to listen to the Q107 podcast.

Great cycling routes

River Street (from Spruce to Bayview) and Lake Shore (east bound lanes from Leslie to Woodbine and from Stadium Road to Windemere) will  close to motor vehicles from 6 am on Saturday to 9 pm on Sunday to allow safe wide routes for biking.  River Street joins the new bike routes on Bayview going north to Rosedale Valley Road and south to Corktown Common and Mill Street. (Photo:  Robin Pueyo)

Foundry progress report

By Thursday May 20, 23,288 people had signed the petition to stop the Foundry demolition and $33,016 had been donated to the Legal Defence Fund.  The links for the petition and online donations are here.

A lovely lamb

Thanks to Kate Tinnerman. She captured this picture on Thursday morning at Riverdale Farm.

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit

By Sally Gibson. Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews were local heroes to many ordinary Torontonians. They were prosperous farmers and ardent “patriots” who supported William Lyon Mackenzie’s failed rebellion in 1837 against the power of the Family Compact. After the rebellion, many participants were exiled half a world away to Australia. Lount and Matthews, however, paid with their lives. Many attempts were made to save them, including a petition signed by 8,000 people. To no avail. On April 12, 1838, the two men calmly approached the gallows outside the jail at King and Toronto streets. 10,000 people gathered, some in support of the patriots, some just for an exciting day out. Their bodies were interred at Potters Field at Yonge and Bloor where they lay under a simple stone engraved with their names. In 1859, a procession led by William Lyon Mackenzie transported their remains and the stone marker to the still-young Necropolis. They are buried at the west end where the main entrance to the cemetery off Sumach Street was once located. Lount and Matthews may have lost their lives but their deaths helped defang the Family Compact and led to Lord Durham’s 1839 report that introduced the concept of responsible government. For more Cabbagetown history, photos and videos visit the CRPM Facebook page. (Image: Lount & Matthews original marker, at Necropolis since 1859, SG).


COMING EVENTS


CPA Annual Meeting

The Cabbagetown Preservation Association’s annual meeting happens on Monday May 31 at 7 pm.  It’ll be a Zoom event - save the date.  The business meeting will be followed by two special events.  First, a Cabbagetown home will receive the Peggy Kurtin Award for Excellence in Restoration.  Then Gilles Huot will present Cabbagetown through Time, a 30-minute talk with photos and maps.  For more info and to register, click here.

Farmers’ Markets

It’s looking good for next Tuesday June 1, 3 to 7 pm - still the target date for the opening of the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market (Sumach and Winchester).  Thursday June 3, 4 to 7:30 pm, is the target for Underpass Market (29 Lower River Street) in Corktown. Check out the Facebook pages for Cabbagetown and Underpass for the latest news about 2021 vendors.

A third Farmers’ Market

Mill Street’s Farmers Market is returning on Saturday May 29 from 11 am to 2 pm.  Mill Street Brew Pub, 21 Tank House Lane, Distillery.

IN THE MEDIA

Outreach in St James Town

Workers and volunteers from Community Matters Toronto (102-260 Wellesley E) are reaching out to isolated residents in the St James Town towers.  It's important work.  They’ve seen lots of evidence of mental distress brought on by the COVID emergencies.  The CBC aired a report about their work - click here to watch the video.  (Photo:  CBC) 

Top twenty walks in Toronto

NOW Magazine has written a quick guide to good walks in Toronto,  including the Lower Don trail and Corktown Common.  Click here to see the column. (Photo:  Glenn Sumi) 

YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Apartment for rent

Available September 1. Spacious one-bedroom Cabbagetown basement apartment, fully furnished. Private entrance through gorgeous garden, high-ceilinged living room with dining space and kitchen, dressing room, bathroom with big shower, full-sized washer/dryer, bedroom. Use of part of garden. Startlingly tranquil, ideal location.  $1700 a month including utilities and high-speed wifi. Quiet reliable person with references. Prefer long term but short term also possible, one month minimum.  Email Beth for more info.

356 Wellesley St E

Daniel Bloch and Liora Tal-Bloch have just listed this historic home. Click here to visit their website for more details. 

BUSINESS NEWS

Yummy alert!

St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) has fresh Ontario strawberries.  And while you’re there, be sure to search for the Ontario asparagus and rhubarb. 

Welcome Cabbagetown Massage Therapy

Christine Brown and her team at Cabbagetown Massage Therapy (78 Amelia) are new faces for an old friend.  They’ve taken over Claudia Salzmann’s massage therapy practice - she’s retired and is moving to Nova Scotia.  The staff are all familiar faces.  Christine has a new logo and her website has lots of info - click here to read it. 

Congrats to our cake bakers

Velvet Lane (194A Carlton) and Staij & Co (552 Parliament) have made the top-ten list of best custom cake bakers in Toronto.  Check out the list on blogTO.

Furniture clearance sale

Tired of your old sofa or armchair? Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) is having a clearance sale of selected Canadian-made floor model furniture to make way for new styles. Enjoy these savings now. Shop online to browse all the deals. The shop is open for virtual appointments to assist with your plans for new furniture, reupholstery, rugs, drapery, window shades and wallpaper. Noon to 5 pm weekdays during current lockdown. Curbside pick up or delivery available.  (416) 363-9914 and email.  

RESTAURANT NEWS

1 Billion Breaths 

Haldi (568 Parliament) joined four other Indian restaurants in Toronto to raise funds for oxygen tanks for India.  They’re part of a global campaign - forty restaurants from Canada, the US, the UK and Peru are involved.  15% of Haldi’s sales on May 25 and 26 went to the campaign.  It's a remarkable project - thanks for this effort.  647-898-5680 and online

Tenfed at The Irv

The Irv (195 Carlton) will provide one meal for a hungry child for every can of Tenfed sold and ten meals for very six pack.  Regan has been doing this for two years and so far, he’s provided over 1000 meals through the program.  For more, check out The Irv’s Facebook page and, better yet, order a can or six at the pub.

A new pasta store at F’Amelia

On Friday, F’Amelia (12 Amelia) is launching an online store for fresh handmade pasta, sauces, pizza kits, house made pickles and more.  Deliveries on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Watch for more info online.

DOVA at the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market

DOVA (229 Carlton) will be one of the new vendors at the 2021 Market.  Tuesday June 1 from 3 to 7 pm.  Riverdale Park (Sumach and Winchester).

This weekend at Stout

Steak Frites with grilled tomato and a house salad are the weekend special at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) from Friday to Sunday, $30. Add a bottle of red wine for $25.    Pickup after 4 pm - (647) 344-7676 or email Madelaine.

Cyril’s soups

Cyril has prepared Maghrebi Chickpea soup with garbanzo beans, tomatoes, onions and parsley. It’s loaded with fragrant North African spices including harissa for a bit of heat. 3 to 9 cups for $3/cup and 10 or more cups for $2.50/cup.  His juice has pineapple and orange to provide the sweetness with rhubarb and ginger providing the balancing touches. 2 cups for $9. To order, send him an email. 

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.  

May 20

This week’s image:  the flea market is open in St James Town, next to the Food Basics store.



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 for appointments.

Lilacs of Spring

20" x 16”, oil on canvas.   I like familiar flowers and blossoms on trees.  I always have one painting of them on the go, often by custom request.  Lilacs are a Springtime favourite.” 


A PERSONAL VIEW


Farewell and thanks, Tim’s

First, Starbucks came and went.  Now Tim Hortons is leaving.  Tim’s departure seems to sadden many people but it was different fifteen years ago when Tim’s announced that it would come to Cabbagetown. Irate local residents then mourned the loss of their favourite booze can in the Winny.  The store itself proved them wrong.  It became a comfy meeting place and its owners supported lots of local causes. Maybe it’s all happening because our tastes have changed.  We’ve switched from big-chain coffee shops to big-chain pot shops.  


LOCAL NEWS    


Don Vale baseball

Back in the 1990s, a group of Don Vale parents set up a softball league for their kids.  Duncan Fremlin was one of them.  He’s put together a warm and nostalgic tribute to their friendships and their kids.  He’s combined clips from actual videos, team photos and portions from a Zoom call that he organized with other parents.  Don’t miss this - it’s glorious. Click here.

Crime statistics in 51 Division

Toronto Police Service has released data to its Citizen-Police Liaison Committee about crime rates in 51 Division between 2020 and 2021. There are some highlights. Most major crime indicators are down with the exception of assaults - sexual assaults are up by 32% and other assaults up by 10%. Break-and-enters are down by 21% and robberies are down by 38%.  The report gives specific data by types of crime and shows where clusters of these crimes are happening.

RBC leaves the neighbourhood

The ATM in the Esso station (581 Parliament) has been removed.  It was RBC’s last lonely presence in Cabbagetown.  The new machine at the gas station appears to be one of those highway robbery ATMs with outrageous service charges.  Of course, if you simply want to withdraw cash, you can always get cash-back at the LCBO (512 Parliament).

Women supporting women

Cabbagetown’s Sydney Payne is one of the summer Olympians receiving a donation from CAN Fund.  CAN Fund supports women competing on the Canadian Olympic team at the coming summer and winter Olympic Games.  They’re raising $150 gifts from women across Canada.  850 young athletes have asked for support and so far CAN Fund has provided $6,000 to 314 of them.   When you make your donation, you’ll learn the name of the woman whose Olympic journey you’re supporting.  Click the link to see the list of athletes being supported and to connect to CAN Fund’s website.

Farmers’ Markets

June 1 is still the target date for the opening of the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market (Sumach and Winchester).  Thursday June 3 is the target for Underpass Market (29 Lower River Street) in Corktown. Check out the Facebook pages for Cabbagetown and Underpass for the latest news about 2021 vendors.

Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market

Market organizers are preparing for their June 1 opening. They’ve posted some simple rules to keep all of us safe while we’re there.  Stay home if you don’t feel well.  Use sanitizer and put on your mask before entering.  Follow the one-way walking directions.   Be courteous and stay two metres away from other people.  Don’t eat in the Market area.  It’s all common sense and we’re all used to these rules by now.  Riverdale Park, Winchester and Sumach.

CafeTO

The City of Toronto in cooperation with the Cabbagetown BIA has blocked off sections of Parliament, Carlton and Amelia for summer use by restaurant patios.  The barriers are there now and they’ll be decorated and improved by the BIA shortly. Obviously, this won’t happen until the COVID lockdowns are eased to allow outdoor dining. Ten restaurants have joined the project.

Streetscapes in Bloom

The annual gardening contest is now open.  The Cabbagetown Preservation Association collects nominees for this award every Spring and then checks them out throughout the summer. In the autumn, a winner is announced.  See the details online here and nominate a garden that you like before June 15. 

ActiveTO - rerouting Bayview Avenue

New bike and pedestrian lanes on Bayview Avenue from Rosedale Valley Road south to Lawren Harris Square in the Canary District will bypass the construction on the Lower Don Trail.  Additional bike lanes will continue from there to Mill Street.  These are temporary changes.   Cars will be limited to one-way southbound traffic only on Bayview along this route. River Street (from Spruce to Bayview) and Lake Shore (east bound lanes from Leslie to Woodbine and from Stadium Road to Windemere) will close to motor vehicles on weekends from 6 am on Saturday to 9 pm on Sunday to allow safe wide routes for biking.  (Photo:  Robin Pueyo)

Foundry plywood panels

The panels on the south wall of the Foundry have been covered with messages, photos and graffiti by local residents who want to save the buildings.  The Ford government has ordered them removed.  The construction company is clearly uncomfortable about this and has offered to save the panels for future use. Panels along other walls were painted black to cover the messages.

Foundry progress report

By Thursday May 20, 23,247 people had signed the petition to stop the Foundry demolition and $33,016 had been donated to the Legal Defence Fund.  The links for the petition and online donations are here.

218 Carlton

Rob Coatsworth has taken a trip down memory lane.  218 Carlton - now being converted into affordable housing - once belonged to his grandfather, Emerson Coatsworth.  At that time, Emerson was a Member of Parliament.  He later was elected to City Council and then became Toronto’s 33rd mayor.  He was honoured by the naming of Coatsworth Street, one block south of Dundas between Ontario and Parliament.  Rob believes that the new uses for 218 Carlton would have greatly pleased his grandfather.

COMING EVENTS


CPA Annual Meeting

The Cabbagetown Preservation Association’s annual meeting happens on Monday May 31 at 7 pm.  It’ll be a Zoom event - save the date.  The business meeting will be followed by two special events.  First, a Cabbagetown home will receive the Peggy Kurtin Award for Excellence in Restoration.  Then Gilles Huot will present Cabbagetown through Time, a 30-minute talk with photos and maps.  For more info and to register, click here.

IN THE MEDIA


Home insurance issues

The Globe & Mail’s real estate reporter, Shane Dingman, has written about property insurance issues faced by homeowners in heritage districts and in older neighbourhoods. Thanks to Megann Willson for the tip about this article. Click here to read his story.  (Photo:  Dave LeBlanc)

Why the Foundry matters

NOW Magazine’s Enzio DiMatteo has written about the Foundry’s history, the fight against its destruction and plans for alternate uses.  It’s a comprehensive overview of the issues and the struggle to save the buildings.  (Photo: Samuel Engelking)

YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS


Juniper

Michael Hepburn from Hepburn Landscaping is disgusted by the theft of Juniper from its mother in Riverdale Farm.  He’s offering a $1000 reward to the person who stole the little goat.  Return it to Riverdale Farm and contact him at Hepburn Landscaping.  The reward will be paid - no questions asked. 

356 Wellesley St E

Daniel Bloch and Liora Tal-Bloch have just listed this historic home for sale. Click here to visit their website for more details. 

BUSINESS NEWS


Furniture clearance sale

Tired of your old sofa or armchair? Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) is having a clearance sale of selected Canadian-made floor model furniture to make way for new styles. Enjoy these savings now. Shop online to browse all the deals. The shop is open for virtual appointments to assist with your plans for new furniture, reupholstery, rugs, drapery, window shades and wallpaper. Noon to 5 pm weekdays during current lockdown. Curbside pick up or delivery available.  (416) 363-9914 and email.  

RESTAURANT NEWS


Qi Sushi

After a ten-year run, Qi Sushi  (358 Gerrard E) will close this weekend on May 24.  Jenny has posted on Facebook, “You will all forever be in my heart and I’m sorry that this is happening.  Thank you for an amazing 10 year chapter in my life.”  Thanks and best wishes, Jenny, from all of us.

Congrats to three new restaurants

Cabbagetown’s acclaimed new Sicilian restaurant DOVA (229 Carlton), Filipino cuisine at Tala (31 Howard) and Chef Kareema Caribbean Fusion (203 Dundas E) for outstanding Jamaican food.  They’ve been listed by NOW Magazine among the top ten new restaurants in Toronto. (Photo: NOW Magazine) 

LJS Khasos

Thaso and Vijay have opened their new restaurant at 507 Parliament.  They’re offering a wide range of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and nibblies as well as main courses with Atlantic salmon, NY striploin, chicken and butter chicken.  There are plenty of pasta dishes and ten different choices for pizza. Open daily from 11 am to 11 pm.  (416) 551-2100.  Their website is now online - check out the menu and ordering details.

Stay-at-Home suggestions from Daniel et Daniel

The Stay-at-Home Essentials is a convenient way to entertain from home even though everyone is apart.  Just select the menu and budget that you want, inform your guests about their choices and then let D & D deliver the meals.  The Grill-It-Yourself BBQ kit includes ready to grill sausages, chicken, vegetable brochette, potato salad, cabbage and kale slaw, focaccia and dessert.  Call (416) 968-9275 x 10 or click here for the Online Food Shop (248 Carlton).

The Irv

The Irv (195Carlton) knows about hockey.  And Regan’s got the perfect game snacks - a pound of buttermilk chicken wings, handcut fries and a can of Greenside Social, $18.  Open Monday to Saturday, 4 to 9 pm, takeout and delivery, (647) 350-4787 and online.

Make your own pizzas

Your kids will love making their own pies and so will you.  Pick your flavour from F’Amelia’s list.  Your kit has all the ingredients that you’ll need.  Pickup available daily, from 4 to 8 pm.  (416) 363-0666 and online at F’Amelia’s website. 12 Amelia.

Cyril will be back

He’s enjoying a break over the long weekend.  He promises to return for next week, May 29.

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.