This week’s image: The Jacques Russell Trio is performing live at Spruce and Parliament for the next three Sundays - Brianna on vocals, Pierre on drums and Abbey on bass.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW
FEATURED LOCAL ARTIST
Martha Patricia House
Martha 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. Martha is on instagram and she can be reached by DM on that account or by email
Blue/Green Heart
“When I started my Heart series in January, I saw the shape of the heart as both the universal symbol of love and as a receptacle for experiences and emotion. This heart represents colours of nature. Forests, lakes, snow and sun, all elements that have sustained my soul the last 18 months.”
FEDERAL POLITICS
No conversations with the Conservative
I’ve had personal discussions with the local candidates from the Green, Liberal and NDP parties. Despite two phone calls and two emails, the Conservative candidate Ryan Lester did not respond.
Voting details
You’ll receive a personal voter information card telling when and where you can vote using any of these options.
Election day - Monday September 20
Advance polls - Friday September 10, Saturday September 11, Sunday September 12 and Monday September 13.
There are seven advance voting stations in total and four are in our immediate area.
Wellesley Community Centre (495 Sherbourne)
St Peter and St Simon Church (525 Bloor E)
Regent Park Community Centre (402 Shuter)
St Lawrence Community Centre (230 The Esplanade)
Vote by mail - register no later than 6 pm, Tuesday September 14.
LOCAL NEWS
Wonderful variety of live music
The Cabbagetown BIA (237 Carlton) is sponsoring free live music performances along Parliament Street throughout September weekends. The Tim Collins Band is playing on Saturday September 4 from 2 to 5 pm at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (Parliament and Winchester). Yosuf & the Yingles are there on Saturday September 18 from noon to 3 pm. Duo Lirica is scheduled there for September 19 from noon to 3 pm. Trombone Charlotte’s Tiger Band will be there on September 25 from 2 to 5 pm. The Jacques Russell Trio is performing on Sunday September 5, 12 and 19 from noon to 3 pm at Spruce and Parliament. Joseph Piilonen is playing guitar pieces at Carlton and Parliament on Sunday September 5 from 11 am to 2 pm.
Daycare at Amelia and Sackville
The daycare issue has reappeared at the Toronto East York Community Council. Item TE27.36 involves amendments for parking spaces for the proposed daycare at 459-461 Sackville. This is the last hurdle for the daycare application with the City of Toronto and if it passes, then the City is giving its approval for a daycare at this location. The City’s Transportation Services has recommended that four spaces at the corner be dedicated for ten minute parking from 7:30 to 9:30 am and 4 to 6 pm, one on the west side of Sackville south of Amelia and three on the north side of Amelia near Sackville. Once this issue is settled, then the Province of Ontario gets involved with specific standards for the actual size and operation of the daycare at this site.
Friends of the Foundry’s financial report
Throughout the debate about the Foundry’s future, a fundraising campaign has earned over $30,000. Friends of the Foundry designated the St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association as the beneficiary. The Association incurred most of the expenses including liabilities for the legal fees. Negotiations are still happening and these fees aren’t finalized. At this time there’s no date for the delivery of a Financial Report. (Photo: Evan Madill, CBC)
Farmers’ markets
Samsara Fields Organics was selling gorgeous sunflowers last Tuesday as well as fresh veggies. 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.
Tennis in Regent Park
After last week’s story about Ade’s interest in a tennis court somewhere in Regent Park, Chris emailed to express support as well. Apparently, by the time Chris arrived at the Thursday meet and greet, Tridel’s people had left. Chris suggests that other interested people could form a group to let the City of Toronto, Tridel and Toronto Community Housing know about the need for a court. If you’re interested, drop an email to the Cabbagetown Neighbourhood Review.
Congrats to the Winchester
The Winchester Hotel & Hall has been nominated for a Heritage Toronto Award in the Built category. It has been recognized as the largest tuck-pointed building project in the past forty years. (Photo: Heritage Toronto)
A fourth scavenger hunt
The Cabbagetown Preservation Association has added a new hunt to their list. This one focuses on our architecture. Stroll through Cabbagetown to find the various styles listed in the hunt. Click here for details.
Furnished apartment to rent
Spacious one-bedroom basement apartment in Cabbagetown, steps from streetcar and Parliament St. yet startlingly tranquil. Private entrance through a beautiful garden, high-ceilinged living-room with dining space and kitchen, dressing-room, bathroom with huge shower, full-sized washer/dryer, bedroom. Fully furnished. $1700 a month, including utilities and high-speed wifi. Someone quiet and reliable with references, please; prefer longterm but short-term also possible, two month minimum. Available November 1, possibly a bit earlier. Email Beth for more info.
Support Sandy’s bursary
Sandy MacPherson died last October after a brief illness. In his honour, Community Matters Toronto created this bursary and Hazel Medina is the 2021 recipient. She received $2500 to use toward her first year tuition and course expenses at York University. We know that Sandy would be proud to support a young student like Hazel. Please consider your support for future awards from the fund - it’s a great way to remember Sandy. Contact info@communitymatterstoronto.org
It’s back - The New Roots Dinners
Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton) supports Green Thumbs, Growing Kids through its New Roots Dinner series. GTGK helps children develop their relationship with the earth through school gardens and nature programs. This year’s dinner can be enjoyed at home. Four courses feature an Ontario cheese and charcuterie platter, summer blackberry salad, rainbow trout roasted with honey and rosemary with summer vegetables and a rosemary plum trifle. A vegetarian alternative is also available. $120 each. A $50 tax receipt is given for each order. Click here for ordering and menu information.
Weekly update about COVID vaccines
In Cabbagetown, both drug stores are vaccinating children who are 11 and turning 12 in 2021. Rexall (539 Parliament) has Pfizer. Shoppers Drug Mart (467 Parliament) also has Pfizer. 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. 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.
CafeTO Artwalk
The newest patio is in front of Souvlaki Express (484 Parliament). Steph Payne’s work is displayed on the fence around the patio. The BIA has more info about this project online here.
Weekend cycling routes
Bayview Avenue from Rosedale Valley Road south to Corktown Common is open for bike traffic from 6 am Saturday September 4 to 9 pm on Sunday September 5 at 9 pm. Lake Shore is not open for bike riders for the Labour Day weekend. (Photo: Robin Pueyo)
New pigs at the Farm
Two new Tamworth piglets have arrived at the Farm (Winchester and Sumach). They’re five weeks old. They’re in the Pig and Poultry Barn just ast of the Simpson House. They can been seen in the paddock, pen and pond. The Farm is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Check out the piglets’ video on Facebook.
CABBAGETOWN FESTIVAL
Cabbagetown Art & Crafts
The big art show in Riverdale Park (Winchester and Sumach) is happening. The Parks Department has given the event a green light for 11 am to 6 pm on Saturday September 11 and Sunday September 12 - the usual Cabbagetown Festival weekend. It’s welcome news. Gradually, bits and pieces from the Festival are coming together. The art show is a big part of it and it’ll create a festive basis for the 2021 weekend.
Cabbagetown Short Film Festival
30th anniversary online festival. This year, you can buy one Access Pass that admits you to three different programs. Each program has 6 or 7 short films. Once you open a program, you’ll have up to 72 hours to watch its films. There’ll be a total of 20 shorts from Canada, the USA, Morocco, Russia and Spain. 7 of these films are from Toronto including Cleo Brown’s award winning The Young Wife. Here’s your link to buy your Access pass.
Blair’s Run
Once again, it’s a virtual event - September 10 to 19. The Cabbagetown Youth Centre is now part of Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club. The building is being renovated - it’s extensive and expensive. Proceeds from Blair’s Run will ease the burden. Form your street team and register here.
Succulent sale
Friends of Allan Gardens are hosting an in-person succulent sale on Saturday September 11, 10 am to 1 pm. Northwest corner of Allan Gardens (Carlton and Jarvis) in the green tent. There’ll be 750 to 800 plants in 3” to 5” pots, most priced between $6 and $15 with some large ones from $25 to $50. Please wear a mask and keep socially distanced.
KIDS STUFF
The CCAC’s fall semester
The Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre (422 Parliament) is offering both online and in-person lessons starting on Monday September 13. Piano, guitar, violins, drums, vocals and speech arts. Strict COVID protocols. Click here for the website with programs, ages and fees.
Young dancers at home
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (80 Winchester) is offering virtual dance lessons for kids 3 to 17. Creativity, spontaneity, musicality and new techniques are at the heart of each session. The lessons are twice monthly from 9:30 to 10:15 am from September 11 to December 18. Each session includes live-stream video followed by live Zoom class. Single students can register or a family pack will include two or more students. Register now - click here. (Photo: Timothy Yeung)
Store hours at the Book Bank
The Children’s Book Bank (350 Berkeley) will be closed on Sundays and Mondays in September. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are reserved for community drop-ins from 10 am to 6 pm. Fridays are school drop-in days from 10 am to 3 pm. Saturdays are community drop-in days from 10 am to 3 pm.
IN THE MEDIA
Cars or children
Parliament Street News has published a strong statement by Celeste Ulicki, daughter of the building owner at 459-461 Sackville. This building is the proposed site for a future daycare centre. She describes the current status of the project and asks supporters to contact Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam urging her to approve the parking issues.
The future for the cube houses
Irelyne Lavery wrote a story in the Toronto Star about Corktown’s unique cube houses. They face an uncertain future as developers apply for a condo project on that property. (Photo: Steve Russell, Toronto Star)
Affordable housing
The condo for the cube houses site is a proposal from Markee Development. Jennifer Keesmaat is a partner in the company. It will contain 119 units of affordable rental housing and 324 condo units to support the rentals. Alex Bozikovic wrote about the project in mid-August in the Globe & Mail. (Photo: GH3).
Parking enforcement at Cherry Beach
A lot of us visit Cherry Beach for picnics, dog walks and bike rides. Jessica Ng and Muriel Draaisma have written a CBC News report about complaints of excessive parking tickets in the inadequate parking lots at the Beach. (Photo: Jessica Ng/CBC)
The architourist visits The Distillery
Dave LeBlanc, the Globe & Mail’s architourst, takes a walk through The Distillery. He loves its retail and residential mixture. His story offers lots of historical detail and he shows why he believes that the site will endure for a long time. This story is behind the Globe’s subscribers’ firewall. (Photo: Dave LeBlanc, The Globe & Mail)
383 Sherbourne
Urban Toronto reports on a proposal for a 49-storey condo to be built just north of Carlton on the east side of Sherbourne. Two low-rise apartment buildings were located here. One was damaged by fire in 2017 and recommended for demolition. The new building will have 483 units - 76 rental and 407 condos. The site is in the Cabbagetown North Heritage Conservation District.
COMING EVENTS
Marilyn’s clinic
Marilyn is back at Pet Valu (242 Carlton) with her nail clinic for your pets - Saturday September 4 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
Modern Dance Expression
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (80 Winchester) presents Modern Dance Expression, taught by Megan Nadain. It’s an all-levels class that celebrates community, music, exercise, and our love for dance. If you have a passion (or just a curiosity) for modern dance, you can reconnect with yourself and others through movement in a stimulating and supportive environment. The classes are a hybrid series both outdoors in a nearby park and virtually from home. September 14 to October 19 (outdoors) and October 26 to November 30 (virtually). Book one session, or both – the choice is yours! (Photo: Marlowe Porter Photography)
RESTAURANT NEWS
Labour Day closures
Fattoush (253 Gerrard E) is the small Middle East restaurant that’s attracting lots of attention for its good food. It’s closing for the long weekend from Friday at 6 pm until the normal time on Tuesday. Paintbox (555 Dundas E) is also closing on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Cyril s enjoying his Labour Day break - soup will be back soon.
More croissants
Terroni (22 Sackville) is making croissants - fresh from the ovens in their kitchen. They’re joining Le Beau (865 Dundas E), Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton), Absolute (589 Parliament) and of course, Tasso (540 Parliament). Yummy stuff
EVENTS, CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2 TO SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 12
If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, the prices are listed.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2
Justin Abrams at The Irv
7 to 9 pm. Live acoustic music, 195 Carlton.
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.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 5
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.
Labour of Love - concert
3:30 pm, CityView Drive-In (20 Poulson St), $105 to $185
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 6
Soca or Die, J’Adore - concert
2 pm, CityView Drive-In (20 Poulson St), $57
Trivia at Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia, hosted by Josh Fishbane. (221 Carlton)
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 7
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 SEPTEMBER 8
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 SEPTEMBER 9
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.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 10
Cabbagetown Short Film Festival - virtual event
https://csff2021.eventive.org/passes/buy
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 11
Art & Crafts in the Park - outdoor art show
11 am to 6 pm, Riverdale Park (Sumach and Carlton)
Manifesto Festival - concert
3 pm, Cityview Drive In, Free
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 12
Art & Crafts in the Park - outdoor art show
11 am to 6 pm, Riverdale Park (Sumach and Carlton)
Blair’s Run - virtual event
https://raceroster.com/events/2021/50746/blairs-run-2021/teams
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.
