This week’s image: Tributes are coming for Thane Murray, a promising young man who was murdered in Regent Park. (Photo: Richard Lautens, Toronto Star)
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW
FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST
Martha Patricia House
Martha received her Masters Degree in English Literature at McMaster University and then earned a degree in Fashion Retail and Design. She published a book about fashion and design that was sold in both Canada and the USA. She studied art extensively in Italy and the USA, attending workshops and getting technical training with some of the best known artists in International contemporary art. She began painting in 2013 in her Cabbagetown studio and became a full time painter in 2016. Since then, her work has been featured in four solo shows and sold to collectors around the world. In 2019, she did a large six-painting installation for a downtown loft development.
Appointments to view her work at her studio are welcome. Her artwork can be found at Artifacts Lifestyle in Port Carling and her work will also be carried at Artifacts new location in Oakville. Martha is on instagram and she can be reached by DM on that account or by email
Flower Heart
“Part of my Heart series, this "flower heart" is representative of my love of pop art. I find happiness in pop art and I made this heart to have elements of some of my artists. It's just happy, colourful and fun!”
LOCAL NEWS
Truth and Reconciliation
Barbara Hall serves as an Honorary Witness in the Truth & Reconciliation hearings. She’s one of more than sixty chosen for their leadership and commitment to peace and justice. She and the other Witnesses became keepers of history who validate and provide legitimacy to an event that they witness and they share it when they return home. Barbara was inducted in April 2012 and she attended many of the emotional hearings conducted across Canada. She recently went to the Kamloops Residential School to pay tribute to the 215 children buried there. (Photo: Truth & Reconciliation Commission)
The Cabbagetown BIA has arranged for Philip Cote and Janus Young to collaborate on a wall mural ro be painted in Dr O Laneway. Mr Cote is an Indigenous artist and Mr Young is an internationally known mural painter. Their work is scheduled for 2022.
The City of Toronto is opening vaccination clinics at two locations in Toronto Centre on Saturday - 40 Oak Street (2:45 to 10 pm) and Wellesley Community Centre, 495 Sherbourne (9:30 am to noon and 1 to 4 pm). Walk-ins accepted at both locations. First or second doses available for everyone born before 2009. The City’s mobile clinic will also visit 40 Oak on Tuesday October 5 from 3 to 8 pm.
The City’s only women’s detox centre covered by OHIP is located in Trinity-Bellwoods (892 Dundas W). Its lease will expire in six months and it may be moved to the former Royal Oak Inn (376 Dundas E) in Cabbagetown South - only two blocks away from Sherbourne and Dundas. Toronto Police have issued a strong warning that they cannot keep its clients safe and that the location near so many other problem areas raises doubts about its effectiveness. Counclllor Kristyn Wong-Tam has objected strongly to the move. The Toronto Star did an article about the centre - click here to read it. (Photo: Wallace Immen, Cabbagetown HCD)
The City of Toronto bought this building with funds from the federal Rapid Housing Initiative. Repairs and renovations have been happening there to create 24 affordable rental units along with common spaces, retail spaces and parking. The City is now ready to receive proposals from non-profit operators to lease the building for 50 years starting January 1 2022. Click here to read the background paper prepared by City staff for Council consideration.
John’s Lexus was stolen from its parking spot at Wellesley and Laurier between 5:30 and 6 am on Thursday September 23. The theft was caught in detail by video cameras on nearby homes. The police have the videos. They’re pessimistic about the car itself - they feel that it’s already en route to a container for a foreign buyer. A Lexus is one of the prime targets for car thieves. If you experience a similar theft, please call the police - they’ll increase their vigilance when repeated thefts happen.
Waterfront Toronto posted a video showing the fish returning to the Inner Harbour. Someone took a camera under water and caught the image.
Two special projects are finishing this year’s season at the Market. Market vendors will put together a dinner for two with different products each week. Add-ons include appetizers and flowers. Order yours (online) by 6 pm on Sunday and then pick it up on Tuesday at the Market. There’s also a new food drive underway where you can drop off fresh produce or other donations in the tent at the exit. The food will go to Mothers of Peace in Regent Park.
Both Markets now have lots of Fall goodies. Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market is open in Riverdale Park (Winchester and Sumach) on Tuesdays from 3 to 7 pm and 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.
In Cabbagetown, both drug stores are vaccinating children who are 11 and turning 12 in 2021. Rexall (539 Parliament) and Shoppers Drug Mart (467 Parliament) both have Pfizer in stock - walk-ins welcome. Check other locations close to you - not all of them have vaccines. 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. Check the websites for Rexall and Shoppers to get times and details and to make appointments.
Local roads - River Street, Bayview and parts of Lake Shore - will not be available for cyclists this weekend. (Photo: Robin Pueyo)
IN THE MEDIA
Regent Park shooting
Victoria Gibson and Wendy Gillis have written an in-depth look at the damage done by the murder of Thane Murray. It happened in a chaotic shooting at Oak and Sumach in Regent Park on Saturday September 18. Two other men were injured. Thane was a much admired community worker whose loss has been felt widely. The Star article describes how much his death has impacted local youth and residents. (Photo: Richard Lautens, Toronto Star)
CityTV News reported on the clash between the City and the Province over a location for a Corktown subway station and other development proposals that the Province is promoting. Click here for the video.
COMING EVENTS
Marilyn’s clinic
Marilyn is back at Pet Valu (242 Carlton) with her nail clinic for your pets - Saturday October 2 from 9 am to 4 pm. Access is through the rear door from the Green P parking lot off Aberdeen. Please note - by appointment only. Call (416) 920-6814. $12
Enoch Turner is again hosting a Zoom speaker’s corner. In this series, Brian Stewart will look at four education issues. In the first one, he welcomes special guests Charles Pascal, Annie Kidder and Sue Winton. A Q&A session happens at the end of each session. Wednesday October 6, 7 pm. Click here to register.
On Thursday October 7 from 11 am to 2 pm at 188 Carlton. Find out about job opportunities and have an interview on-site for current openings. Grow your network and make connections for your future. There will be an on-site bbq. Please pre-register by email and bring your resume.
Start planning your Hallowe’en designs. The Pumpkin Walk is back and you can bring your well-carved beauty to Riverdale Park and show it off to your friends. November 1, 5 to 9 pm. There’s also a food drive. Sponsored by the Cabbagetown Residents Association. It’s also a big gossip fest.
KIDS NEWS
Young Dancers
Live in the park - Saturday October 2, 11 to 11:45 am, Winchester Park (530 Ontario), This lesson is presented by the School of Toronto Dance Theatre. It’s a live session for children of all ages - parents of kids 3 to 6 are asked to dance with their children. Free. Please complete the form and email it to tell the School that you’ll be there.
BUSINESS NEWS
NOW Magazine’s Readers’ Choice
This year’s survey uses a write-in ballot system. The same categories are listed but instead of having a group of previously nominated choices available, you can write-in your own favourites. There are six general categories and lots of specific choices in each one. Click here for more info and for the poll.
See the season’s best from select local farms and retailers - buy a pumpkin, taste seasonal treats, check out unique artisanal products. October 9 - 10 and October 23-24. Distillery District.
Up to 50% off select in-stock rugs at Kendall & Co (514 Parliament). Save on a wide variety of sizes, patterns, colours and materials including jute, bamboo, wool, polyester and outdoor. While quantities last. Buy online now. In-store visits by appointment - call (416) 363-9914 or email to book. Open Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 6 pm.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Welcome to Cabbagetown
Church’s Texas Chicken is coming to the Winchester (Winchester and Parliament) in the space formerly used by Tim Horton’s, It’s good to know that we can top up our cholesterol and shop local all at the same time! More details whenever they’re available.
Try some traditional cranberry sauce from Muskoka with your Thanksgiving dinner. 11 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton) is cooking up another lovely Thanksgiving feast. To start, there’s butternut squash soup and a mini-seeded brioche. The main course is sage roast turkey, traditional gravy, cranberry sauce, herb mashed potatoes, roast brussels sprouts, traditional stuffing. For dessert, fall fruit crumble. This portion serves one person - minimum order, two portions. It’s available from Friday, October 8th to Sunday, October 10th.
Staij and Co (552 Parliament) has a lovely selection of Fall and Thanksgiving desserts. Check them out here and order yours now.
It’s a City of Toronto program designed to support our pubs and restaurants. Participating restaurants offer two-item menus with prices ranging from $15 to $50. Six restaurants are in our area. Tokyo Ramen with $20 lunch and dinner (568 Parliament), Phosome with $20 lunch and $30 dinner (482 Parliament), Stout Irish Pub with $45 lunch and dinner (221 Carlton), Adda Bistro with $30 dinner (364 Queen E), Mengrai Thai with $25 dinner (82 Ontario) and Boku Noodle with $20 lunch and $30 dinner (42 Gristmill Lane, Distillery).
This week’s soup is Cyril’s all-time bestseller - mango black bean with onions, tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, garlic, cilantro and lots of spices (cumin, coriander, cinnamon, chili, thyme and bay leaves). His juice is mango, orange and peach. 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 SEPTEMBER 30 TO SUNDAY OCTOBER 10
If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, the prices are listed.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30
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.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 1
TSO at the Drive-in, Pride Together - concert
7:30 pm, CityView Drive-In (20 Poulson St), $92 to $233
SATURDAY OCTOBER 2
Marilyn’s Pet Clinic
9:30 am to 4 pm. Pet Valu (242 Carlton), $12
Young Dancers, Live in the park
11 to 11:45 am, Winchester Park (530 Ontario)
TSO at the Drive-in, Pride Together - concert
7:30 pm, CityView Drive-In (20 Poulson St), $92 to $233
SUNDAY OCTOBER 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.
MONDAY OCTOBER 4
Trivia at Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia, hosted by Josh Fishbane. (221 Carlton)
TUESDAY OCTOBER 5
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 OCTOBER 6
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 OCTOBER 7
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.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 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.
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.