This week’s image: Cabbagetown’s Sydney Payne is in the #7 seat, second rower from the right. Thanks to Kelly Rogers for the image.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW
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.”
Martha is online - check out her Instagram and Facebook pages.
Red Poppies
“Red poppies in my garden inspired this piece. I wanted to catch their lightness as their petals blew in the wind.”
OLYMPIC NEWS
Sydney at the Olympics
Sydney Payne is in Tokyo as part of Canada’s Women’s Eight rowing team. They race over a 2 km course. Her races will be broadcast on the CBC. The heats happen on Saturday July 24 from 8 to 10:30 pm. Repechage on Tuesday July 27 from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. The medal finals are on Thursday July 29 from 7:45 to 9:25 pm. These are Toronto times for the live broadcasts.
Sydney’s birthday Olympics
In 2000 when the Olympics happened in Sydney Australia, Cabbagetown’s Sydney Payne celebrated her third birthday. Kelly, her mom, threw an Olympic party in Wellesley Park and invited her three-year old neighbours. No one knew then that Sydney would herself become an Olympian in 2021. (Photo: Kelly Rogers)
Mauricie’s chart
Mauricie Summers, another Cabbagetowner at the Olympics, works with World Rowing handling its social media. She’s in Tokyo for the Games. She prepared this diagram to tell us at a glance what’s happening with the Women’s Eight rowing team. Click on it to see a larger version. (Diagram: Mauricie Summers, World Rowing).
LOCAL NEWS
Get your shot
In Cabbagetown, both Rexall (539 Parliament) and Shoppers Drug Mart (467 Parliament) have an ample supply of Moderna. Shoppers is accepting appointments for Pfizer on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm - these supplies are more limited. In Regent Park, the Shoppers Drug Mart website lists Moderna availability at its Dundas and Sumach store (593 Dundas E). For St James Town, the Shoppers store at Sherbourne and Howard (565 Sherbourne) has Moderna. In Corktown, the Shoppers Drug Mart (351 Queen E) at Parliament and Queen has Moderna. Check the websites for Rexall and Shoppers to get times and details and to make appointments.
Festival previews
Ordinarily at this time of year, Festival organizers are up to their necks with a million details. Its usual schedule falls on the weekend of Friday September 10 to Sunday September 12. For 2021, Randy Brown is optimistic - he’s doing his planning and setting out the program for the 31st Art & Crafts in the Park sale. Gina Dineen is confirming the final details for her Cabbagetown Short Film Festival. She hopes to hold both a live event with an audience and a virtual streaming event. Dates and times for all of this will be finalized soon. Meanwhile, the Cabbagetown BIA has decided that commitments for a Parliament-Carlton street event are too risky and they’ll let the Festival wait for another year.
A last minute request
Gina Dineen’s Cabbagetown Short Film Festival is applying for a Community Heritage Award from Heritage Toronto. The Festival has been screening a wide variety of films annually since 1992. It’s been a non-profit effort with proceeds helping to pay for the Festival and for awards to the filmmakers. For many years, its selections have reflected the diversity of our community as well as the creativity of the filmmakers. If you agree that the Festival deserves this award, please send Gina a quick email - she hopes to submit her application on Friday July 23, so please act now.
Swimming in City of Toronto pools
On Wednesday July 21, swimming opened at the Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre (640 Dundas E), Wellesley Community Centre (495 Sherbourne), St Lawrence Community Recreation Centre (230 The Esplanade) and John Innes Community Recreation Centre (150 Sherbourne). The City’s announcement about its facilities and the new rules for using them is online here.
The Conservatory is reopening
Allan Gardens Conservatory (Carlton at Jarvis) will reopen on Monday July 26. Some parts will stay closed while construction work continues.
This week at the Farmers’ Markets
Fresh produce is now overflowing at the booths in both Markets. Murray’s has raspberries and strawberries, potatoes and sweet corn. Kooners stocked up on lettuce, potatoes, cucumbers and radishes. And Aunt Beth offered a hint of whiskey in each Gourmet Cookie.
Weekend cycling routes
The bike lanes return to River and Bayview south to Corktown and north to Rosedale Valley Road on the weekend. Lake Shore West (east bound lanes) from British Columbia Drive to Stadium Road, Lake Shore East (east bound lanes) from Leslie to Woodbine. 6 am on Saturday to 9 pm on Sunday. (Photo: Robin Pueyo)
Foundry progress report
By Thursday July 22, 23,430 people had signed the petition to stop the Foundry demolition and $33,291 had been donated to the Legal Defence Fund. The links for the petition and online donations are here.
A downy woodpecker
This little guy showed up at the Sprucecourt Co-op and Rita snapped his picture. Look closely and you may see a hint of a red cap on his head. (Photo: Rita Deen)
Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
KIDS’ NEWS
Kumon is open
Kumon (543 Parliament) is again offering in-person classes for students from preschool through Grade 12. Kumon develops the skills that help them build upon each concept they learn. With individualized learning plans, motivation and practice, Kumon prepares students to become avid learners, encouraging success throughout their entire academic experience and beyond. For more info, check out the website, call (416) 939-2300 or email Vasudha, the Centre’s Director.
Donations to the Children’s Book Bank
Saturday, July 24 from 11 am to 2:30 pm. Drop off your book gifts at the driveway (350 Berkeley at Gerrard).
BUSINESS NEWS
Cabbagetown Organics
There are lots of keto friendly products in-store now. Open from 10 am to 9 pm, Monday to Thursday. 10 am to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday. 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday. 499 Parliament.
St Jamestown Steak & Chops
Fresh sushi-grade Itsumo tuna is now in stock - limited quantities. Add on some fresh sweet corn from Norfolk County. 516 Parliament.
Le Beau is back
The vacations are over and the shop is open again. Great croissants, coffee and cakes on Le Beau’s side patio (665 Dundas E). Open Wednesday to Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm.
Seasonal clearance at Kendall & Co
Save up to 50% on select furniture, rugs, art, home accessories and gifts. While quantities last. Check out the sale now on Kendall’s website. Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) is making room for new arrivals and renovating to launch a new and improved customer experience in August. Open by appointment for in-store shopping of their furniture, rugs, wallpaper, drapery, blinds and reupholstery. Noon to 5 pm weekdays. (416) 363-9914
COMING EVENTS
Taste of Regent Park
Every Wednesday evening through the summer, a free meal is served at 40 Oak Street. In August, it will be coordinated with Under The Stars - the Regent Park Film Festival’ weekly movies.
Farmers’ Markets schedules
The Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market (Sumach and Winchester) opens 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.
YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Found cat
Janine has found a lost kitten outside her house near Ontario and Carlton. She was frightened and hungry. Now that she’s inside, she’s friendly and relaxed. She’s been cared for - her coat is smooth, her eyes are clear and her weight is good. Call or text (416) 882-5138.
RESTAURANT NEWS
La Paisa
Javier and Karen set up their pop-up kitchen every weekend, Friday to Sunday from 3 to 9 pm. They make their tacos and street food from scratch - it’s fresh and delicious. Outside the Tilted Dog (424 Parliament).
LJS Khasos
These new folks on Parliament Street (507 Parliament) sure know how to make a gorgeous soup. Try the Bombay Rice soup whenever it’s on the menu - scrumptious.
Cyril’s soup
Cyril is making his good old fashioned classic gazpacho. It’s got lots of ripe tomatoes, red and green peppers, cucumbers, garlic, Spanish onions, sherry vinegar, crusty bread, salt, pepper and cumin. You can top it with fried bread, diced tomatoes, minced onions and a drizzle of oil. Nothing cooked- all raw and fresh. His juice is another lemonade with kiwi, apple and ginger. Soup - one to 9 cups at $3/cup, 10 or more cups at $2.50/cup. Juice - 2 cups for $9. Email him to place your order.
EVENTS, CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS
THURSDAY JULY 22 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 1
If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, the prices are listed.
THURSDAY JULY 22
Underpass Park Farmers’ Market
4 to 7:30 pm, 29 Lower River Street
Outdoor HIIT classes with Adem
7:15 am, Sprucecourt School (70 Spruce). Parliament Street Fitness. Members are free, non-members welcome, $15 or ten-pack at $125.
Matt Dusk - concert
7 pm. CityView Drive-In (20 Polson St). $174 to $297 (per vehicle)
FRIDAY JULY 23
The Reklaws - concert
8 pm. CityView Drive-In (20 Polson St). $185 to $320 (per vehicle)
SUNDAY JULY 25
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.
MONDAY JULY 26
Trivia at Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia, hosted by Josh Fishbane. (221 Carlton)
TUESDAY JULY 27
Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
3 to 7 pm, Riverdale Park West (Winchester & Sumach)
Outdoor HIIT training 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.
Trivia at Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia, hosted by Josh Fishbane. (221 Carlton)
WEDNESDAY JULY 28
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.
Slo Flo yoga with Robin
9:30 am. Zoom. Offered by Parliament Street Fitness. Members are free, non-members welcome, $15 or ten-pack at $125.
THURSDAY JULY 29
Underpass Park Farmers’ Market
4 to 7:30 pm (29 Lower River Street)
Outdoor HIIT training with Adem
7:15 am, Sprucecourt School (70 Spruce). Offered by Parliament Street Fitness. Members are free, non-members welcome, $15 or ten-pack at $125.
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SATURDAY JULY 31
Dr Jay presents
7 pm. CityView Drive-In (20 Poulson St). $127 to $209 (per vehicle)
SUNDAY AUGUST 1
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.
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.
