This week’s image: A peek back five years to the 2016 Art & Crafts show in Riverdale Park.
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
Blossoms
“Painting florals is so much fun for me. They’re loose with energy and hope and colour. As an intuitive painter - my paintings come from my imagination - florals are special. They represent the hope and optimism I’m feeling as I paint them.”
FESTIVAL WEEKEND EVENTS
Cabbagetown Art & Crafts
The big art show in Riverdale Park (Winchester and Sumach) is happening. from 11 am to 6 pm on Saturday September 11 and Sunday September 12 - the usual Cabbagetown Festival weekend. 145 vendors have signed on - painters, jewellers, wood carvers, photographers, fashion and textile designers, and lots more. Click here to find the list of vendors and lots more info.
Cabbagetown Short Film Festival
It’s streaming now - to Friday September 10. This is the 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 Run will ease the burden. The event is off to a good start. By Wednesday, 12 teams and 69 participants had registered. Form your street team or enter on your own - register here.
Live Music in the Patch
This weekend, enjoy Cabbagetown-based Franks & Beans at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) on Saturday from 2 to 5 pm.- funk soul covers and pop songs from the ages. Take in the Jacques Russell Trio performing on Sunday from noon to 3 pm at Spruce and Parliament. Electric guitarist Joseph Piilonen plays at Carlton and Parliament on Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm.
The Cabbage Chop
Every Festival gets its official start with a chopping of a cabbage. This year, Mark at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) did the deed for the 45th Festival in a virtual ceremony on his store’s patio. (Photo: Marion Voysey)
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.
FEDERAL POLITICS
A gentle kind of politics
Martin Regg Cohn wrote an article in the Toronto Star last Friday about a respectful all-candidates’ meeting at Ryerson University. He served as its moderator. It’s an easy going discussion about the issues in the debate and the personalities of each of our candidates. Great read when you want to know more about the people on our Toronto Centre ballot.
Voting details
Your personal voter information card has been mailed and it should have arrived. It confirms that you’re registered on the voters’ list and it tells you when and where you can vote. Click here if you want to check whether you’re on the list.
Election day - Monday September 20 Vote by mail - register no later than 6 pm, Tuesday September 14.
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)
LOCAL NEWS
Daycare at Amelia and Sackville
A vote at the Toronto East York Community Council on parking for the daycare at Sackville and Amelia has been deferred. Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam moved that consideration wait until a licence has been granted by the Province of Ontario. Following that, the City will look at the licence to decide whether it’s reasonable to allow the daycare to operate. The City’s Transportation Service had previously agreed that four parking spaces could be allotted for drop-offs and pick-ups along Amelia and Sackville.
Cabbagetown Youth Centre
Art Eggleton is serving as the chair of the committee overseeing the merger of the CYC (2 Lancaster) and the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club (101 Spruce). He’s also the chair of the new committee that will undertake a campaign to raise $3 million for future renovations and operations. Currently, the clubhouse at 2 Lancaster is being repaired. The target for its reopening is late November. The Boxing Club will return to the building. The Boys & Grils Club serves kids from the southern neighbourhoods and the CYC is focused on the northern ones - a good blend of two agencies into one. (Photo: Global News)
Community fridge
Paula Warren reports that the community fridge in front of Cabbagetown Organics (499 Parliament) is successfully launched. It’s been there since August 27. Cabbagetown Organics is supplying the electricity and paying for it. Volunteers are checking it daily to sanitize and refill it. The fridge itself was donated by a local friend and then painted by Colin Tea. Its motto is “Take what you need, leave what you can.”
Farmers’ markets
County Left Farm at Underpass Farmers’ Market has a bountiful display ready for us. In Cabbagetown, there are tomatoes and corn. 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.
Thanks Shivon
Shivon Yim is finishing her job at the Cabbagetown BIA. She's leaving on September 20 to continue her studies. She first came along a year ago on a Canada Summer Jobs grant. Since then, she’s handled many duties and her biggest public achievement was organizing cafeTO - the patios and art placed outside our restaurants along the street. Thanks, Shivon and best wishes for your future plans.
Groan - gimme a break
Asli Alin created the artwork that decorated the patio fence outside Saigon Pai (446 Parliament). It’s one of the locations for the BIA’s cafeTO project. Somebody has stolen the posters.
Support Sandy’s bursary
Here’s a great way for Sandy’s friends to honour his memory. Sandy Macpherson died last October after a brief illness. Community Matters Toronto created this bursary. Hazel Medina, the 2021 recipient, 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 contribute your support for future awards from the fund. Contact Community Matters for more info and for donations
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 in stock. Shoppers Drug Mart (467 Parliament) uses Pfizer and they’re waiting for new supplies - check for availability on Saturday. 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.
Weekend cycling routes
Bayview Avenue from Rosedale Valley Road south to Corktown Common is open for bike traffic from 6 am Saturday September 11 to 9 pm on Sunday September 12 at 9 pm. (Photo: Robin Pueyo)
KIDS STUFF
The CCAC’s fall semester - starts on Monday
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 - starts this week
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)
COMING EVENTS
Modern Dance Expression - starts on Tuesday
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)
Community environment days
The City’s annual environment days are drive-through events this year. In our area, the closest depot is at 400 Commissioners Street on Sunday September 26 and Sunday October 24, both from 10 am to 2 pm. Check the City website to see which items can be included. Thanks to Keith Lawrance for the heads-up on this event.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Wasp season
The folks at F’Amelia (12 Amelia) have found a nifty way to discourage wasps who visit the patio. Cloves. A small dish on the table keeps them away.
Gusto’s Americano burger
Le Burger Week is a coast-to-coast celebration of burgers. Gusto 501 (501 King E) is Corktown’s entry and its Americano burger is its big deal. Ingredients include certified Angus beef, herb remoulade, caramelized onions, American cheddar and more. Drop in and try one - $20. The fete continues until Tuesday September 14.
Cyril’s soup
Cyril is making peach and tomato soup - his choice for late summer days. It has a touch of sweetness, a bit of heat from cayenne peppers and lots of fresh thyme. It’s a blended soup with half and half but you can specify coconut milk instead. His juice is orange and papaya and you might want to add a touch of rum. 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 9 TO SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 19
If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, the prices are listed.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 9
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 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.
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 13
Trivia at Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia, hosted by Josh Fishbane. (221 Carlton)
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 14
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 15
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 SEPTEMBER 16
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 SEPTEMBER 18
Summer of Soca - concert
4 pm, CityView Drive-In (20 Poulson St), $63 to $96
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.
