This week’s image: A few years ago, Wellesley Park was an empty field. Not any more. People come here for picnics, for the kids’ playground and splash pad, for pickle ball and a lot more.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW
FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST
Martha Preston
Martha sent along an extra image so both of her final selections are included this week. She says, “I wasn't sure what to paint. I splattered lots of colours and found some of my favourite flowers in line-and-wash.” She’s online - check out her Instagram and Facebook pages.
Potted Orchid
“This is a rendition of my orchid that sits on my front bay window and has been giving me endless blooms for the past 7 years.”
LOCAL NEWS
Sydney at the Olympics
Sydney Payne is in Tokyo as part of Canada’s Women’s Eight rowing team. She's the second rower from the right in the image They’re racing tonight in their event’s gold medal final against four other boats. It’s a 2000 metre course that Canada has conquered twice before with impressive results. In their heat on Saturday, they came within .30 seconds of the winners. In the repechage on Tuesday, they were .75 seconds behind the winner and the first three boats all surpassed the world record speed for that distance. The medal finals are on Thursday July 29 at 9 pm. (Photo: Kelly Rogers)
Shots are still available
In Cabbagetown, both Rexall (539 Parliament) and Shoppers Drug Mart (467 Parliament) have an ample supply of Pfizer and Shoppers also has Moderna. Check other locations close to you - in Regent Park, Shoppers Drug Mart at 593 Dundas E, in St James Town, the Shoppers at 565 Sherbourne, in Corktown, the Shoppers at 351 Queen E. The stores are accepting walk-ins plus you can check the websites for Rexall and Shoppers to get times and details and to make appointments.
Welcome Virginia
Virginia Gallop has been appointed the new executive director at the Cabbagetown BIA, replacing Rick Matthews who resigned a few weeks ago. She’s a good choice. She comes from a career with non-profit groups and she has lots of experience in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood. Her immediate priorities include bringing live music to the street, working on the new streetscape plan, moving out of the COVID restrictions, expanding the retailers’ digital presence, developing plans for next year’s street festival and continuing the BIA’s current programs. Best wishes for all of this, Virginia.
CafeTO Artwalk
The BIA has sponsored streetside patio spaces in front of a dozen restaurants for the summer. The fences around each patio are decorated by works done by local Toronto artists. F’Amelia’s panels (12 Amelia) were done by Gabrielle Lasporte. You can see more info about the artists at each location on the BIA’s website.
Allan Gardens
The Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave, Carlton and Jarvis) is now open again from 10 am to 4 pm daily. The Palm Room is undergoing some repairs and its plants were moved elsewhere in the Conservatory. Everything will be rearranged when the work is done. Some Covid restrictions apply - check out the Conservatory Facebook page.
This week at the Farmers’ Markets
Fresh produce is now overflowing at the booths in both Markets - cauliflower, broccoli, rapini, spinach, radishes, leeks, potatoes, sweet corn and more. You can even get cabbages at the Cabbagetown market. There have been hints that tomatoes will be coming soon. Kudos to the farmers and organizers for their determination in the face of the rain storms.
Weekend cycling routes
These road closures happen from Saturday morning at 6 am to Sunday evening at 9 pm on the weekend. Bayview and River Street are not included this week on the City’s closure list but there is an ample bike lane on each one. Lake Shore West (east bound lanes) from Windemere to Stadium Road, Lake Shore East (east bound lanes) from Leslie to Kew Beach Avenue. (Photo: Robin Pueyo)
Foundry progress report
By Thursday July 29, 23,435 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.
Lost & Found bins
There’s a bunch of homeless garbage bins at The Beer Store (227 Gerrard). They were collected from nearby lanes. Check them out if yours is missing. (Photo: Jeff Lookkong)
Squirrel’s nest
Pat found a squirrel’s nest on her Alpha Ave window sill. It’s the second one to appear this year. Surprisingly, they cause a lot of damage to the window sill and frame - they chew at the filler used for repairs and at the paint.(Photo: Pero Celap)
IN THE MEDIA
294 Sherbourne
An application has been submitted to the City of Toronto to build a students’ residence at 294 Sherbourne, just south of Gerrard. The proposal calls for a seven storey tower sitting on top of a three storey podium for a total height of 37.45 metres. It’ll house 153 rental units (128 studios and 25 two bedroom units) designed specifically for students. Click here to read Urban Toronto’s report. (Image: Submission to the City of Toronto)
Heart2Heart
Heart2Heart (216 Carlton) provides peer support training to people who are likely to encounter individuals in opioid overdose crisis. Since June, 75 people have received this training. The Financial Post posted a story about its program - click here to read it.
New plans for Quayside
Sidewalk Labs was previously involved in plans to develop the Quayside property on the waterfront at the foot of Parliament Street. That project failed. Waterfront Toronto now has bids to develop the area from four large local developers - Daniels with Hullmark, Hines with Tridel, Kilmer with Mattamy and Tricon and Dream with Great Gulf. David Rider has written in the Toronto Star about the project and the proposals. (Photo: Waterfront Toronto)
BUSINESS NEWS
Special offer from PSF
Parliament Street Fitness (488 Parliament) has membership promo - $99/month to the end of December. It’s a good deal, down from $120. Caroline, a local fitness buff, loves PSF’s outdoor activities in the parks - check out the weekly schedule in the events calendar below.
Summer holidays at St James Town Steak & Chops
Stock up on your supplies now because St James Town (516 Parliament) will close for its summer holiday from August 1 to August 8. Reopening on Monday August 9. Get some of these PEI ribeye steaks - beautifully marbled and ready for your bbq. 516 Parliament.
The system at Tasso
Tasso (540 Parliament) is using its website to serve its customers more conveniently. Mike and Olya bake absolutely delicious croissants and other goodies and in the past, they’ve been swamped by popular demand. To meet this demand, they recommend that you order at their website early in the week - usually on Tuesday. Their list for the coming weekend will be displayed. If something isn’t there, then it’s “sold out”. Place your order and your pick-up time. Show up at the shop at that time and your order will be ready. This system solves the frustration that many expressed over the long line-ups on weekend mornings and the disappointments of waiting in line only to be told that the store has sold out its supplies. Sorry - no walk-up sales.
COMING EVENTS
Transitioning from your home to independent living
The Sumach (146 Sumach) is hosting a webinar about moving out of your home and into an independent living community. Experts will discuss the steps needed to sell your house, the lifestyle that you can afford after the sale and the kind of life that you can expect. Thursday, August 5, 4 pm. Oniine and free. Register at Eventbrite - click here.
Pivot 2021
An evening with students from the School of Toronto Dance Theatre (80 Winchester). New works by Elke Schroeder and Darryl Tracy feature the first-year class in the Professional Dance Program. A film by Hanna Kiel shows the second and third year students. Watch the live-streaming presentation at 8 pm on Friday July 30.
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’s weekly movies.
Under the Stars
An online event. Starting on Wednesday, movies will be offered each week through August. Pre-show events start at 6 pm. This week. All Nation Jr’s Drum Group will perform and Native Earth will present Sash Maker. The movie will be shown at 7 pm. On Wednesday August 4, the film is Warrior Women. Free. Register here. (Photo: Warrior Women)
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.
RESTAURANT NEWS
The Irv makes another gift
The Irv’s Session Pale Ale is back. Every can sold helps to pay for a child’s meal. It’s a popular project. In its last appearance, over 1000 meals were sold in collaboration with Tenfed project. 195 Carlton
Cyril’s soup
Cyril is taking a break for the long weekend. He’ll be back next week.
EVENTS, CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS
THURSDAY JULY 29 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 8
If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, the prices are listed.
THURSDAY JULY 29
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.
SATURDAY AUGUST 7
Dr Jay presents Big People Fete
7 pm. CityView Drive-In (20 Poulson St). $174 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.
MONDAY AUGUST 2
Trivia at Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia, hosted by Josh Fishbane. (221 Carlton)
TUESDAY AUGUST 3
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 AUGUST 4
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.
Inside Out Film Fest: The Mitchells vs The Machines
8:45 pm. CityView Drive-In (20 Poulson St). Free
Under The Stars
Movie night - Warrior Women at 7 pm. Pre-show activities at 6 pm include All Nation Jr Drum Group and Native Earth. Free. Register for the online event - RegentParkFilmFestival.com
THURSDAY AUGUST 5
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.
SATURDAY AUGUST 7
Scott Helman
7 pm. CityView Drive-In (20 Poulson St). $145 to $262 (per vehicle)
SUNDAY AUGUST 8
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.
