This week’s image: the best launch for the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market in years - over 20 vendors and lots of customers.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW
FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST
Eric Farache
"My artwork expands upon the contemplative experience the viewer shares with art rather than collapse it into an instant or moment. I employ my own memories and life experience to create a very personal and idiosyncratic language that I draw upon to create my artwork. I graduated from the OCAD in 1994 with time spent in Florence, Italy. I completed my MFA from the University of Leeds 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 where I show the breadth of the work that I’ve done over the past 25 years and an Instagram page."
Back nude, 2021
“This painting study of a person from the back shows my interest in exploring colour and trying to further abstract elements in my figurative work.”
LOCAL NEWS
Canada’s 100 Best
This list is a collection of the 100 best things to savour - food and drink - from coast to coast. Two of our local favourites are included. Roselle (362 King E) is on the list for its exceptional pastries and for its emphasis on local produce and sourcing. DOVA (229 Carlton) is included as well because of chef Roberto Marotta’s “compelling Sicilian take on Mediterranean Italian cuisine”. DOVA says on Facebook, “WOW! A massive honour! Thank you Canada's 100 Best for including us on this coveted list! We are over the moon & so very grateful.” Click here to read the full list.
A great start for the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
Over twenty vendors offered their fresh produce, cheese, flowers, baked goods, apple cider, bike repairs and more on Tuesday afternoon in Riverdale Park (Sumach and Winchester). They’ll be back every week and several more will join them. Jacob and Patty operate Goldfarm Canada in Guelph growing micro veggies, herbs, mixes and edible flowers. They use organic non-GMO seeds, soil and fertilizer and they avoid pesticides and herbicides. Ask them for tips to work them into every meal. Check out their website for more info.
Higher fines at Green P
The fines for parking violations at the Green P parking lot off Aberdeen have increased to $75 from $30. Apparently, in some lots across the city, the old fines were cheaper than the daily parking charges. Not any more! Thanks to Victoria Hadden for the warning.
Updates about the stolen goat
Harry Black urged me to investigate further into the mysterious theft of a young goat from Riverdale Farm (Sumach and Winchester). I called the Farm but they do not answer during the COVID lockdowns. I then emailed the City’s general media desk who reported that a private security firm conducts hourly foot patrols around the site - nothing unusual was logged for the night of the theft. There are no security cameras at the Farm. Security measures are now being reviewed by Parks department staff. I also spoke to an investigating officer at 51 Division who confirmed that a canvas of nearby residences had happened and he hinted that a “guy” was being sought.
Clean-ups
The Cabbagetown BIA (237 Carlton) has been busy with its spring cleaning and decorating on Parliament, Carlton and Gerrard. The sidewalks have been pressure washed to get rid of winter grime and other stains. There’s new lighting in the trees along Carlton. The community kiosks at Winchester and Carlton have been repaired - by Weenen General Contracting (211 Carlton), free of charge. The curbside patios have been blocked in and they’re ready for the time when the government eases the lockdown. Watch the poles for the floral baskets - coming within days.
Welcome Sasha Ivanochko
Ms Ivanochko has been appointed as the new Artistic Director for the School of Toronto Dance Theatre (80 Winchester). She’s well acquainted with the School - she’s an alumna there and she then joined the Toronto Dance Theatre. After that, she received her MFA from Simon Fraser University and she’s served as artistic director at Dancers’ Studio West in Calgary. She’s earned a long list of awards and her choreography has been featured on Bravo’s Freedom series. For a complete biography, visit the School’s website here. She replaces Patricia Fraser who will retire in August.
Cabbagetown Residents Association
The CRA is looking for a few people willing to serve as members of its Board for a term of two or three years. Your name will be added to the list and ratified at the annual meeting on June 23. A summary of the Board’s activities is available online, along with contact info.
Peggy Kurtin awards
Three awards for excellence in restoration were given out at the Cabbagetown Preservation Association’s annual meeting last Monday. Not surprisingly, the headline award went to Lesley Black for her work at the Winchester building (Winchester and Parliament). David and Ann Ralston were given their award for the restoration of their home at 324 Wellesley. Descia Milinkovich and Howard Bortenstein were saluted for their improvements to the facade of their home at 20 Salisbury.
Cabbagetown Preservation Association programs
As reported at the CPA’s annual meeting last Monday, the future timing for the CPA’s public events is uncertain - the plant swap, the Tour of Homes and the garden tour. That hasn’t stopped the Association. An Instagram page is active. Scavenger Hunts in St James and the Necropolis cemeteries have been organized. The online newsletters have been published. The various awards programs are continuing and the Board will build closer collaborations with the People Project, the Heritage Conservation District, the local residents’ associations and the BIA.
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.
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 Wednesday June 2, 23,349 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. COMING EVENTS Marilyn’s nail clinic
Marilyn will be providing a clinic for your pet’s nail trimmings at Pet Valu (240 Carlton) on Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm. She’ll be located outside the back door near the Green P parking lot. Appointments needed, please call (416) 920-6814. $12, cash only.
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse
The annual meeting will feature a talk by James Thompson about Toronto’s lost restaurants, “Dining in Babylon”. He’ll tell us who they are, how they had an impact and why they finally closed. The annual meeting will start at 6:30 and the lecture at 7 pm, Tuesday June 15. Click here to register. 106 Trinity.
Farmers’ Markets schedules
The Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market (Sumach and Winchester) will happen 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
Two new restaurants
blogTO has highlighted two new restaurants in our neighbourhood. LJS Khasos (507 Parliament), “Pizza, pasta and burgers all come together on the menu at this Cabbagetown restaurant that's inspired by both American and Italian cuisines. Over a dozen pizzas and pastas are available, and they have a plant-based burger option”. And Pastor Tacos (245 Gerrard E), “Tacos dripping with house sauces are the order of the day when it comes to this Cabbagetown restaurant that also does popsicles, vegan ice cream, sweet corn salad, nachos and tortilla soup.” (Photo: Cabbagetown BIA)
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 if you're interested.
RESTAURANT NEWS
F’Amelia’s online tasting
F’Amelia (12 Amelia) is having an online wine and food experience with Nupur of TWC Imports and F’Amelia’s chef Therese. Thursday June 10 at 7 pm. Pickup for your meal on June 10 and sign-up by June 8. Click on the menu to see the food and wine pairings. $130 for one person with one glass of each wine. $270 for 2 people with bottles of each wine. Call (416) 323-0666 to reserve your spot online.
DOVA at the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
DOVA (229 Carlton) is one of the new vendors at the 2021 market. Riverdale Park (Sumach and Winchester).
Cyril’s summer soup
This week's soup is a celebration of summer, based on two of its most emblematic offerings: sweet corn and red pepper. Onions and garlic are part of the base as well, along with just a hint of celery.”As for spices, I'll stick to my Mediterranean mood and use thyme. Should I feel like paying tribute to BBQ flavours, I may add a hint of sweet smoked paprika. Who knows?” Sweet corn and red pepper soup - 3 to 9 cups for $3/cup and 10 or more cups for $2.50/cup. Juice is cantaloupe pomegranate and mint - 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.
