June 30

This week’s image:  A soggy blowout at the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market.  It really poured down during Tuesday’s market.   (Photo:  Irene DeClute).



CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW 





A PERSONAL VIEW


Streetside patios

After last week’s report about the two tiny seating areas, one wag has mentioned that, “At last, we’ve got benches on Parliament Street!”

FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST

Martha Preston

“Flowers - everything about them - have always fascinated me.  I can never get enough of their beautiful colours, structures and perfumes. Watercolours of flowers I see in my home and garden or on my travels are my path to art therapy. I’m fairly new to this medium and found myself devoting more time to it during Covid-19 lockdown. I’m inspired every day by nature's beauty and will continue taking my camera everywhere and growing in this wonderful art of watercolours.”

She's online - on Instagram and on Facebook.


Brown-Eyed Susans

“This was inspired by a trip to Manitoulin Island.  Every day I would go for very long walks and every where I looked the gardens were filled with these sunny beauties and their brown centred buttons.”

LOCAL NEWS 

Every Child Matters Walk

Thursday July 1, 10 am.  The Walk is honouring former students of Residential Schools and those who perished while enrolled.  It starts at Toronto Council Fire (430 Dundas E at Parliament), continues to Yonge and Dundas and then reaches Toronto City Hall

Drop in on Canada Day

F’Amelia (12 Amelia) is serving oysters and drinks from 1 pm on the patio - open until 4 pm or until they run out of oysters.  Regular dining is closed for Canada Day.

Open on Canada Day

Riverdale Farm (Winchester east of Sumach) is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily, including Canada Day.  Underpass Park Farmers’ Market (29 Lower River Street) is open from 4 to 7:30 pm.

Cabbagetown Residents Association

The CRA is looking for volunteers to join its Board of Directors.  It should be a good time to do it.  The COVID lockdowns reduced the CRA’s workload and its excitement but 2021 and 2022 are looking more normal and successful. The CRA has a website and a Facebook page.

Fundraising for Green Thumbs Growing Kids

Make your donation and watch it double!  GTGK supports school gardens.  Since the pandemic started, it’s expanded online to nine more schools in four more cities.  To handle this extra work, GTGK has hired students supported by the Canada Summer Jobs program.  That funding ends on July 9, just before the harvesting season and eight weeks before school starts.  Two generous supporters have given $8,000 and the challenge is to match these donations and to raise $16,000.  Click here to learn more and to make your gift.

Weekend cycling routes on Lake Shore Blvd

Lake Shore East (east bound lanes) from Leslie to Woodbine and Lake Shore West (east bound lanes) between Windemere and Stadium Road will  close to motor vehicles from 6 am on Saturday to 9 pm on Sunday to allow safe wide routes for biking. No announcement yet about Bayview from Rosedale Valley Road south to Corktown Common and Mill Street.  (Photo:  Robin Pueyo)

Foundry progress report

By Thursday June 30, 23,397 people had signed the petition to stop the Foundry demolition and $33,041 had been donated to the Legal Defence Fund.  The links for the petition and online donations are here.

KIDS NEWS

Jake’s skateboarding clinic

Jake will teach your kids basic techniques for better skateboarding experiences - getting comfortable on their boards, basic maneuvering, reaching for higher standards.  He’s using the Underpass skateboard park and Riverdale Park East.  Helmets required.  $25/hour.  Call him at (647) 901-9559 or email him to set the time and place for your first session.  Instagram jake.z99. 


Children’s Book Bank

Watch for the Bookworms Program for kids 3 to 12 years old. Starting Wednesday July 6 - exclusively online.  It’s a free reading experience.  Email for more info.  The Book Bank store (350 Berkeley at Gerrard) is opening again on Tuesday July 6 for in-store visits - Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 5 pm.  Closed Friday to Monday.

Cabbagetown Sport Skills

A summer camp is planned for Parliament Square Park (Parliament at Mill) during the mornings on July 5 to 9 and July 12 to 16.  Boys and girls are welcome, ages 6 to 12.  $225/week or $50/day.  Send an email to get more info and registration.

COMING EVENTS


It’s back - check out the Live Entertainment calendar at the bottom of the page.  


Farmers’ Markets schedules

The Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market (Sumach and Winchester) will be open every Tuesday from 3 to 7pm.  Underpass Park Farmers’ Market (29 Lower River Street) in Corktown is open on Thursday from 4 to 7:30 pm. Check out the Facebook pages for Cabbagetown and Underpass for the latest news about 2021 vendors and events.

IN THE MEDIA

The Phoenix

CBC News interviewed Lisa Zbitnew, co-owner of The Phoenix (410 Sherbourne), about her plans to reopen.  Thanks to Victoria Hadden for posting this conversation. Upcoming shows for September are listed on the Phoenix website.

Rekai Centres LTC facility

Rekai has proposed a long-term care facility to be built on Cherry Street and Front across from the YMCA in the West Don Lands.  Plans have been submitted to the City of Toronto for a Site Plan Approval.  The building will have 348 beds, a seniors’ assessment centre, a dialysis clinic and a personal support worker college program.  It’s been named the Cherry Place LTC.  Urban Toronto has a detailed description of the plans. (Photo:  Rekai, City of Toronto submission)

YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS


Wood carvers alert

Paul has cut down the last cherry tree from his front yard.  He has some beautiful burls and extra timber.  He’s interested in trading these supplies for a finished bowl. If you’re a carver, send him an email.

Bridgit has come home
Right after a widespread public appeal was made on her behalf, Bridgit calmly came home on her own steam. She’s a Cornish Rex cat who lives in the Berkeley neighbourhood south of Carlton. Thanks everyone for your help.


BUSINESS NEWS


Cycle Solutions

Kale says that he could sell at least one thousand bikes right now - if he had the inventory.  Supply shortages are still plaguing Cycle Solutions (444 Parliament) and every other bike store.  Check with him to see about the bikes that he’s still got in stock. His staff are still doing lots of repairs and servicing calls - please go to the website and book an appointment.

Repair and Run

A bike repair pop-up shop is open in the Distillery beside Balzac Coffee.  Services include free tire inflation and bike safety checks.  There’s a special offer - save $20 - on a basic bike tune-up.  Saturdays, 9 am to 1 pm.  Check out the website for more services.

Outdoor fitness and yoga with Parliament Street Fitness

PSF (488 Parliament) now offers outdoor HIIT classes with Warren at 6 pm on Tuesdays and with Adem at 7:15 am on Thursdays - both at Sprucecourt School (70 Spruce).  In Riverdale Park (Winchester and Sumach), Manissa is holding Learn to Run classes on Wednesdays at 7 am focusing on techniques, strategy and healthy habits.  Two yoga sessions are planned - Slo-Flo yoga with Robin is online on Wednesdays at 9:30 am and Yoga Flow with Alex is in Riverdale Park on Saturdays at 10:30 am. In case of bad weather, the outdoor classes will happen online. Classes are free for current members. Non-members welcome, prices vary.  For more info, check out the PSF online calendar.

RESTAURANT NEWS


Wow - so this is what it’s like!

This week, I ate my first patio lunch in months.  At the House on Parliament (454 Parliament).  Streetcars were clanging past.  Colourful local characters wandered by.  The staff knew exactly what to do.  We gossiped with other diners and with each other.  We even managed to finish just before the rain pelted down. The photo shows what it's normally like. Lunch was terrific - I loved every minute of it! (Photo: blogTO.)

Noushe

Noushe (200 Carlton) is a Persian inspired kitchen that combines traditional recipies with a modern culinary twist. The results are spectacular.  Noushe has opened a beautiful food shop at Ontario and Carlton.  The Cabbagetown BIA wrote a great review - “Inside you’ll find an array of delicious pre-packaged, chef-prepared meals that are ready to be heated and served, including vegan and gluten-free options. So whether you’re in the mood for pomegranate meatballs (Kofteh Anar), spinach yoghurt dip (Borani-e Spinach) or a slice of moist orange chocolate loaf, they’ve got everything you need for a delicious and easy-to-prepare meal.  They’ve also got great grab-and-go picnic (and) lunch items!”  Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 6 pm.  (416) 466-9596.  Check out their offerings online

LJS Khasos

Ron and Babs went to LJS Khasos (507 Parliament) and sat in the back patio - one of their favourite spots.  For dinner, they had a Caesar salad, pasta with fungi, a sandwich and two glasses of wine.  And french fries - which they describe as “the best we’ve had in Cabbagetown”.  $68 plus tip and tax. They really are pleased with their meal.  blogTO has also done an introductory article about the restaurant.  (Photo:  blogTO)

Cyril's soups
Cyril is taking a break on the long Canada Day weekend. No soup.

EVENTS, CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS


THURSDAY JULY 1 TO SUNDAY JULY 11

If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, the prices are listed.


CANADA DAY THURSDAY JULY 1


Oysters and drinks on the patio

1 to 4 pm.  At F’Amelia (12 Amelia). Regular dining is closed. 


Underpass Park Farmers’ Market

4 to 7:30 pm, 29 Lower River Street


Summer House Party Tailgate - concert

4 pm.  CityView Drive-In (20 Poulson St).  $35 (per vehicle)


Outdoor HIIT classes with Adem

6 pm, Sprucecourt School (70 Spruce). Parliament Street Fitness.  Members are free, non-members welcome, $15 or ten-pack at $125.


SATURDAY JULY 3


Yoga Flow with Alex

10:30 am.  Riverdale Park (Winchester & Sumach). Offered by Parliament Street Fitness.  Members are free, non-members welcome, $15 or ten-pack at $125.  


The Big Wreck - concert.

7 for 9 pm.  CityView Drive-In (20 Poulson St).  $127 to 297 (per vehicle).


MONDAY JULY 5


Stout Irish Pub

7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia, hosted by Josh Fishbane. (221 Carlton)


TUESDAY JULY 6


Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market

3 to 7 pm, Riverdale Park West (Winchester & Sumach)


Outdoor HIIT classes with Warren

6 pm, Sprucecourt School (70 Spruce). Offered by Parliament Street Fitness.  Members are free, non-members welcome, $15 or ten-pack at $125.  


Stout Irish Pub

7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia, hosted by Josh Fishbane.  (221 Carlton)


WEDNESDAY JULY 7


Learn to Run classes with Manissa

7 am.  Riverdale Park (Winchester and Sumach). Offered by Parliament Street Fitness.  Members are free, non-members welcome for 8-week package at $50.


THURSDAY JULY 8


Underpass Park Farmers’ Market

4 to 7:30 pm (29 Lower River Street)


Outdoor HIIT classes with Adem

6 pm, Sprucecourt School (70 Spruce). Offered by Parliament Street Fitness.  Members are free, non-members welcome, $15 or ten-pack at $125.  


The Reklaws - concert

8 pm.  CityView Drive-In (20 Poulson St).  $185 to $320 (per vehicle)


FRIDAY JULY 9


Classic Albums Live: The Dark Side of the Moon - concert

8 pm - CityView Drive-In (20 Poulson St).  $185 to $320 (per vehicle)


SATURDAY JULY 10


Yoga Flow with Alex

10:30 am.  Riverdale Park (Winchester & Sumach). Offered by Parliament Street Fitness.  Members are free, non-members welcome, $15 or ten-pack at $125.  


Drive ’N Queens series 

8 pm.  CityView Drive-In (20 Poulson St).  $232 to $279 (per vehicle)


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. 

June 24

This week’s image:  new seating areas on Parliament Street.



CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW 




NEXT WEEK -

Thursday is Canada Day. We'll publish on Wednesday June 30.



A PERSONAL VIEW


Rooming house fires

A potentially serious fire happened this week at 373 and 375 Sackville.  Fortunately, the Fire Department successfully fought it back before serious damage happened here or in the neighbours’ homes.  The  same owner has an Ontario Street house where another fire ruined the building in early June and other properties across Cabbagetown South where fires have also happened.  The owner’s response seems to be indifference - the damaged homes are often simply boarded up and abandoned for long periods of time.  One more reason why the City of Toronto needs a serious look at these places - why they’re left empty, how we can hold the owners responsible for clean living conditions and how we can help tenants become safer in the places where they live. 


FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST


Eric Farache

“I graduated from the OCAD in 1994 with time spent in Florence, Italy and I completed my MFA from the University of Leeds in 2000. Through the past 20 years my artistic practice has focused on photography, watercolour and oil painting, all the while continually producing elaborate sketchbooks.  I have a website and an Instagram page.”


Ladies

“Strange and mysterious- these quasi-librarians walk with serious purpose with books on their heads, but to where and why? We can only wonder.” Click on the image to see a larger version.


LOCAL NEWS    


Streetside patios

Two tiny streetside parkettes have been built among the restaurant patios. They have seats and picnic tables (to be installed next week).  They’re intended for anyone who simply wants to sit down.  They’re not part of any restaurant patio.  This one is located near Shalom (587 Parliament) and Absolute Bakery (589 Parliament) and another is set up near the House on Parliament (456 Parliament).


Sackville Street fire

On Monday June 21, a serious fire broke out at 373 and 375 Sackville.  These two homes are rooming houses.  In the end, the blaze was contained to a rear third floor deck and quickly extinguished.  No one was injured.  Neighbours report that the residents were able to move back.  This is the second fire in a few days experienced by this building’s owner - another rooming house on Ontario Street burned badly on June 11.(Video:  Gina Dineen).


Cabbagetown Residents Association

The CRA held its annual meeting on June 23. The Association is in good shape.  2020 was a slow year despite its pioneering success with a virtual Forsythia Festival and the community’s strong response to its Christmas seasonal contests.  The Pumpkin Walk and the park clean-ups were cancelled.  Revenues dropped in 2020 - only $3726 came in from membership fees.  The group experienced its first loss, $1,718.  There is, however, a sizeable reserve fund.  Together with the Cabbagetown Preservation Association and the Cabbagetown Coalition, the CRA helped to raise $13,000 fo combat food insecurity and also contributed $750 to help the Cabbagetown Youth Centre.  2021 and next year are looking more normal and successful. The CRA has a website and a Facebook page.


Charlie’s Freewheels at the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market

Bike repairs for kids, ages 12 to 25. Bring your bike to next week’s Market (Winchester and Sumach).  Charlie’s Freewheels is there every two weeks and they’ll be back next Tuesday, June 29.  Here’s what they say about themselves, "Charlie’s Freewheels is a registered non-profit that uses bicycles to support the development of empowered young leaders and self-assured young cyclists. We do this by improving youth access to bicycles, facilitating bicycle-related skill development and inspiring youth to ride with confidence. All of our programming is free and open to youth and young adults ages 12-25.”


Riverdale Farm

Riverdale Farm (201 Winchester at Sumach) has officially opened to the public. 9 am to 5 pm daily.


Gerrard Street Beer Store

The Beer Store (227 Gerrard) has moved these massive trailers into the parking lot.  They are, apparently, for the recycling and empties system.  This store is one of the few in downtown Toronto where empties are accepted.


Outdoor fitness and yoga with Parliament Street Fitness

PSF (488 Parliament) now offers outdoor HIIT classes with Warren at 6 pm on Tuesdays and with Adem at 7:15 am on Thursdays - both at Sprucecourt School (70 Spruce).  In Riverdale Park (Winchester and Sumach), Manissa is holding Learn to Run classes on Wednesdays at 7 am focusing on techniques, strategy and healthy habits.  Two yoga sessions are planned - Slo-Flo yoga with Robin is online on Wednesdays at 9:30 am and Yoga Flow with Alex is in Riverdale Park on Saturdays at 10:30 am. In case of bad weather, the outdoor classes will happen online. Classes are free for current members. For more info, check out the PSF online calendar.


Fundraising for Green Thumbs Growing Kids

GTGK supports school gardens.  Since the pandemic started, it’s expanded online to nine more schools in four more cities.  To handle this extra work, GTGK has hired students supported by the Canada Summer Jobs program.  That funding ends on July 9, just before the harvesting season and eight weeks before school starts.  Two generous supporters have given $8,000 and the challenge is to match these donations and to raise $16,000.  Click here to learn more and to make your gift.


Bayview cycling route

Bayview from Rosedale Valley Road south to Corktown Common and Mill Street. River Street from Spruce to Bayview. Lake Shore (east bound lanes from Leslie to Woodbine). These three streets will close to motor vehicles from 6 am on Saturday to 9 pm on Sunday to allow safe wide routes for biking. Last week’s report was wrong and I apologize for any inconvenience this caused.  (Photo:  Robin Pueyo)


Pollinator Playground

The Friends of Allan Gardens are planting a new garden inside the children’s playground area.  It’ll attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds using native plant species.  Planning and community feedback begin this summer and the planting will start in September. The City of Toronto has provided a grant to pay for the project.  Allan Gardens, Carlton at Sherbourne.


Anniversary Park

The fountain in the park (Parliament and Gerrard) is back in service.  In recent years, as this photo shows, this little park has become friendlier and cleaner.  (Photo:  Rick Matthews).


Foundry progress report

By Thursday June 10, 23,394 people had signed the petition to stop the Foundry demolition and $33,041 had been donated to the Legal Defence Fund.  The links for the petition and online donations are here.


KIDS NEWS


Cabbagetown Sport Skills

A summer camp is planned for Parliament Square Park (Parliament at Mill) during the mornings on July 5 to 9 and July 12 to 16.  Boys and girls are welcome, ages 6 to 12.  $225/week or $50/day.  Send an email to get more info and registration.


COMING EVENTS


Kardinal Offishall at CityView Drive-In

The Drive-In Theatre (20 Polson) is open again.  On Friday June 25, the first of iwo concerts by the Drive 'N Queens and on Wednesday June 30, a series of concerts by Kardinal Offishall.  You can watch these shows from the safety of your car.  Info and tickets online here.


Farmers’ Markets schedules

The Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market (Sumach and Winchester) will be open every Tuesday from 3 to 7pm.  Underpass Market (29 Lower River Street) in Corktown is open from 4 to 7:30 pm. Check out the Facebook pages for Cabbagetown and Underpass for the latest news about 2021 vendors and events.


IN THE MEDIA


Indigenous Hub

A 2.4-acre centre will be built at Front and Cherry in the West Don Lands to provide health care, employment and education services and housing for Indigenous people. Anishnawbe Health, Miziwe Biik Training Institute, a City of Toronto daycare centre, and the Province of Ontario are all partners.  A ground-breaking ceremony happened on Monday.  The community centre will be finished in 2022 and the rest of the hub will open in 2024.  Olivia Bowden wrote in detail about the project in the Toronto Star. (Image:  BDP Quadrangle) 


YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS


Bridgit is missing - Flash update, she's home!

She’s a Cornish Rex cat who’s been lost over the past 24 hours.  She lives in the Berkeley neighbourhood south of Carlton.  Please contact Susan at (416) 509-7121 or (416) 816-7670.  There’s a reward for the person who returns her.  


Wood carvers alert

Paul has cut down the last cherry tree from his front yard.  He has some beautiful burls and extra timber.  He’s interested in trading these supplies for a finished bowl. If you’re a carver, send him an email. 


BUSINESS NEWS


Repair and Run

A bike repair pop-up shop is open in the Distillery beside Balzac Coffee.  Services include free tire inflation and bike safety checks.  There’s a special offer - save $20 - on a basic bike tune-up.  Saturdays, 9 am to 1 pm.  Check out the website for more services. 


RESTAURANT NEWS


Taco wars

All of a sudden, we’ve got two spots selling very yummy tacos.  Pastor (245 Gerrard E) is a small takeout restaurant.  Then there’s the pop-up taco stand at Tilted Dog (424 Parliament).  Both are really good.  We’re getting the benefit!  Check out blogTO’s write-up of Pastor - it’ll make you hungry.  (Photo: Fareen Karim, blogTO).


Tour de France dining

Cluny (35 Tank House Lane, Distillery) will host four weeks of special dining experiences based on the famous Tour de France bike race.  Meals will be paired with the best wines and champagnes from France.   For menus and reservations, go to Cluny’s website.


Haldi’s patio

Haldi’s streetside patio  (568 Parliament) is now open and serving a nifty range of curry, biryani, vindaloo, butter chicken and more along with six shareable appetizers.  Kingfisher Beer and Steam Whistle are available.


Cyril’s soup

Sunshine soup is this week’s recipe - a beautiful, light and simple bright yellow concoction with corn, yellow bell pepper, lemon and a touch of garlic and oregano. Add some fresh herbs to it, maybe some diced avocado or crumbled bacon, chopped scallions or even some goat cheese. It can be served hot or cold. 3 to 9 cups for $3/cup and 10 or more cups for $2.50/cup. His juice is also Sunshine juice, an apple and ginger lemonade. Add a little bit of Perrier if you want to give it some fizz. $9 for two cups.  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.