December 29

This week’s image: The Tilted Dog will close on December 31.  It’s a Cabbagetown landmark and it will be missed.




CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW

 



FEATURED ARTIST


Ray Prince

Ray passed away in October 2020 after living in his Cabbagetown home for over 50 years. He was an accomplished woodworker and turner. He sourced his wood from reclaimed material as much as possible and frequently used exotic species that he had found beautiful in both texture and form.  He leaves behind an incredible body of work including intricate bowls, boxes and sculptures. For over twenty years, he was a member of the group that organized the annual Cabbagetown Art & Crafts show in Riverdale Park. He left a bursary in his name, awarded annually to the most accomplished woodworker at the Festival each fall.


A PERSONAL VIEW


Too much salt

Every dog owner knows that the City of Toronto throws down far too much salt onto our roads and sidewalks.  Take a look at three examples.
A City program is offered to seniors and disabled people to shovel and salt their front sidewalks - the resulting salt that’s distributed is often excessive.
And take a look at that truck in the photo.  It sped along Wellesley from Parliament to the park, turned around and sped back.  Then it returned for a third trip - scattering salt all the way three times. Two days later, the street was a sheet of ice and all that salt had disappeared.
There’s a new plan in place to run a machine along our sidewalks and clear away the snow - no doubt also leaving a salty trail behind itself.
The City needs to get a grip on this problem.  We may need some salt but certainly not as much as this and certainly not everywhere.


LOCAL NEWS


A sad closure

The Tilted Dog (424 Parliament) will close permanently after December 31.  Its owners are offering it for sale.  Mainly, “The Dog” was home to good companionship. I remember walking in the door and always seeing the familiar faces of my friends. For me, it was the place where we went for early morning Olympic hockey broadcasts and World Cup soccer games. You could join the Christmas carol singing, even if you couldn’t hold a tune.  It’ll be missed. Thanks to Tiffany and Sean for creating a classic pub and best wishes to them for their future projects.

Demolition resumes at The Foundry

Nearby residents were surprised to see demolition crews back at The Foundry site earlier this month.  The buildings that were destroyed in the past few days were scheduled for eventual destruction but this step is earlier than planned.  The warehouse, the office building and a connecting building have been taken down.  The north side of the machine shop is also down.  Toronto’s Heritage Preservation Services says that these steps conform to the agreement reached with the community in August but the timing is very sudden.

The Foundry diary

Check out Friends of the Foundry Facebook page.  It lists day-by-day details of the current demolition.  The photos from October also show dramatic pictures of the interior rooms.  The group’s website gives details of the agreement reached last August for the district’s preservation.

Thanks to Helen Coltrinari

In late November, Helen was given the 2021 Recognition Award by the Cabbagetown Preservation Association.  Her long list of contributions includes serving as the Chair of the CPA, organizing the bi-annual Tour of Homes and the Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces tour. She planned and set up the Streetscapes in Bloom program.  Her Carolling for Cans initiative raised thousands of dollars and gathered thousands of pounds of food for local food banks every Christmas.  She has been a leader and a helper in the Cabbagetown Preservation Association for over twenty years. Congrats Helen for this well-deserved recognition. (Photo: Nick Kozak, Toronto Star)

Achievements in 2021


Kristyn Wong-Tam

Our Councillor at the City of Toronto.  She has an impressive list of achievements in 2021.  She’s sent out over 100 e-blasts to keep the community informed on issues and her work.  She’s helped with campaigns to save main street businesses and to stop excessive construction noise. She’s held 10 press conferences to stop commercial evictions, to protect local planning and to promote vaccinations. She introduced 122 motions at City Council and she’s responded to 5,000 requests from her constituents.

Suze Morrison

Ms Morrison is an NDP Member of the Ontario legislature. Over the past year, she’s urged action on the COVID eviction act for renters, introduced the gender-affirming health care act and re-tabled the St James Town Act to protect tenants there.  She joined the fight to save the Foundry, supported paid sick days and help for businesses during the third COVID wave. She spoke out for a safe return to schools, a community-based vaccine outreach and proof of vaccination.   

Marci Ien

Ms Ien is our federal Member of Parliament and a minister in the Cabinet. A request has been forwarded to her to provide her list of accomplishments and her priorities for 2022. (Photo: Patrick Doyle, Canadian Press)

Upgrades at the Sherbourne Station

The TTC has announced that two elevators are now available at the Sherbourne subway station. They connect the street level to the concourse and the train platforms.

Distillery Winter Village

The last day for the Winter Village will be on Thursday December 30.  Due to safety concerns, Friday’s Family New Year’s Eve celebration is cancelled. 

Public skating rinks

All three public rinks in our local parks are open on Wednesday December 29  - Regent Park Athletic Grounds (480 Shuter),  Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) and Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne), Check out the City’s website for up-to-date info on openings and closures at each rink.

Community fridge

Organizers have put out a call for non-perishable food, menstrual products and dental supplies.  Please make your donation.  Outside Cabbagetown Organics (499 Parliament)

Lookin’ good

Carolyn and Fiona walked their dogs on Christmas Eve morning.  We didn’t have a white Christmas, but a white Christmas Eve was better than nothing.  


YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS


Porter’s handywoman services

(Please note - the wrong email address was previously listed for Porter. It’s corrected here.). Many of us know Alicia Porter from her entertaining appearances in Cabbagetown’s pubs.  She’s also doing a home repair service.  If you need small jobs completed, send her an email.

Apartment for rent

Available January 1.  Spacious one-bedroom Cabbagetown basement apartment, fully furnished.  Private entrance through gorgeous garden, high-ceiling living room with dining space and kitchen, dressing room, bathroom with big shower, full sized washer/dryer, bedroom, and use of part of the garden.  Startlingly tranquil, Ideal location.  $1700/month including utilities and high-speed wifi.  Quiet reliable person with references.  Prefer long-term but short-term possible (one-month minimum). Send an email to contact Beth.


IN THE MEDIA


Flood protection in the Port Lands

The Globe & Mail’s Alex Bozikovic has done a summary article about the rebuilding of the mouth of the Don River.  It’s a massive job and it’ll open up a huge area for future development, industry and parks.  (Photo: Patrick Dell, Globe & Mail)


THEATRE NEWS


Capacity restrictions

Canadian Stage (26 Berkeley) expects that the new restrictions will affect its staging of Solaris (Bluma Appel Theatre) starting January 5 and its dance production, Miigis: Underwater Panther (26 Berkeley) starting January 6.  Native Earth (585 Dundas E) is using online video to present its programs from Weesageechak 34 until December 31.   Soulpepper’s Golden Record (50 Tank House Lane) starts the year on February 9 followed by the Ex-Boyfriend Yard Sale on February 11. Alumnae (70 Berkeley) presents Nested starting on January 26.


NEW YEAR”S EVE


Cranberries (601 Parliament)

Enjoy a three course dinner from 5 pm.  Start with either shrimp bisque or a green salad.  Prime rib with garlic mashed potatoes, veggies, Yorkshire pudding and red wine au jus.  For dessert, choose either sticky toffee pudding or apple pie.  Reservations are nice - call (416) 925-6330 or walk-in.  $40.


Take out from F’Amelia (12 Amelia)

Two scrumptious choices for your New Year’s Eve take-home dinner.  Each choice includes a bottle of Belstar Prosecco.  The Fun Pack serves four at $260.  The Dinner serves two for $195. The meals are cooked and delivered cold - ready for reheating at your home. Please order before December 30 for pick up on December 31. (416) 363-0666 or email.

Dine-in at F’Amelia (12 Amelia)

Four course dinner for eat-in experiences at $80 per person. Call (416) 363-0666 or email to reserve your table.

House on Parliament (454 Parliament)

Two choices for your New Year’s Eve dinner - both are four courses.  The regular menu starts with red pepper soup or salad, followed by shrimp cocktail or steak tartare.  Mains are lamb shank, roasted halibut or beef tenderloin.  Dessert is a dark chocolate and salted caramel tart.  $80.  The vegetarian option opens with red pepper soup and arugula salad, sweet potato and vegetable terrine for a main and dark chocolate and salted caramel tart for dessert - $50.  Dine in is by reservation only.  Takeout - call and pickup from 5 pm.  Call (416) 925-4074 to reserve. 

The Irv (195 Carlton)

The Irv has two different specials for New Year’s Eve.  The tomahawk steak dinner for two is a walk-in special at $99.  

The New Year’s Eve party platter is a takeout special at $60 - please order it by 9 am on Friday December 31. Call (647) 350-4787 or email to place your order.

RESTAURANT NEWS


Good review for Krystos

Krystos opened recently at 148 Sumach.  Dave Bottoms commented on it in Life in Cabbagetown,  “The food is excellent as is the service.”  He enjoyed the chicken souvlaki, baklava and an Americano coffee.

A free meal at Haldi

Buy an entree at Haldi (568 Parliament) and get a second one free.  Check out the menus here.  (647) 787-5680. 

New hours at the Distillery restaurants

Starting on December 27, the Distillery group’s restaurants will set their hours every day depending on COVID rules.  Reservations will open at 9 am for each day.  Walk-ins are welcome, based on capacity.  El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane), Pure Spirits Oyster House (17 Tank House Lane), Cluny (35 Tank House Lane) and Madrina Bar Y Tapas (2 Trinity)

December 22

This week’s image: Salisbury in the winter, painting by Irene DeClute.




CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW

 



BEST WISHES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Eat, drink and be merry!  And have a healthy and joyous holiday season.

CHRISTMAS IS HERE


Congrats to The Irv

Originally, The Irv (195 Carlton) planned to hold an outdoor Santa visit last weekend but the new COVID restrictions stopped that idea.  The food, toy  and clothing drive went ahead anyway.  Over 400 pounds of food were collected along with $550 in cash donations used to purchase grocery gift cards.  A great idea, great perseverance and great supporters.

Get your turkey

St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) still has a limited supply of turkeys in the 16 to 18 pound range.  If you’ve ordered yours for pick-up, please get to the store before 2 pm on Friday.

Christmas lights contest - last chance to vote

An amazing number of homes are being decorated for the Christmas season.  Lights, ribbons, wreathes and inflatables are popping up every where. Once again, the Cabbagetown Residents Association is organizing a community contest to select the best home display.  Voting happens until December 26.  For more information, check out the CRA website.

Distillery Winter Village

The Distillery’s annual Christmas celebration continues until December 31, closed December 24, 25 and 26. Vendors, fine dining and snack cabins.  Open from Tuesday to Sunday - safety requirements include masks and proper government vaccination ID. The Distillery’s regular retailers and restaurants are open seven days a week.  Tickets are required for Friday, Saturday and Sunday - $8.  Click here to visit the Distillery’s website.

LOCAL NEWS


A sad closure

The Tilted Dog (424 Parliament) will close permanently after December 31.  Its owners are offering it for sale.  “The Dog” was home to lively entertainment, community Christmas carol singing and good companionship.  It will be missed. Thanks to Tiffany and Sean for creating a classic pub and best wishes to them for their future projects.

Bike lanes on Bayview

The bike lane on Bayview from Rosedale Valley Road to River Street has been approved for permanent use.  City Council approved these routes at its meeting on December 16. No word yet about the lower stretch of Bayview between River and Mill Street.  This section was closed on weekends in the summer for the ActiveTO program.

Public skating rinks

Two public rinks in our local parks are open on Wednesday December 22  - Regent Park Athletic Grounds (480 Shuter) and Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview). Weather conditions continue to make the ice unsafe for skating at Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne), Check out the City’s website for up-to-date info on openings and closures at each rink.

Community fridge

Organizers have put out a call for non-perishable food, menstrual products and dental supplies.  Please make your donation.  Outside Cabbagetown Organics (499 Parliament)

It doesn’t take much snow.

Brook and Blair in Wellesley Park

Lots of families in Riverdale Park

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit

By Sally Gibson.  Any Victorian Cabbagetown child would have been delighted to see this exquisite miniature tea set under the Christmas tree. Originally created in England, the hand-painted and gilt-edged items included a 4 1/4 inch tea pot and 2 1/4 inch tea cups - all fit for Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter and the local boy or girl. Maybe some 21st century kids will see a miniature tea set under their tree. Merry Christmas to one and all from the Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum.  (Image:  Victorian Miniature Tea Set,  Carol Moore-Ede/CRPMuseum)

YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS


Porter’s handywoman services

Many of us know Alicia Porter from her entertaining appearances in Cabbagetown’s pubs.  She’s also doing a home repair service.  If you need small jobs completed, send her an email.

Cleaning services

Faye runs a cleaning service in Cabbagetown.  She’s available now.  You can contact her at (647) 786-4593.

Cat sitting

Are you looking for someone to take care of your furry feline?  Look no further than your own neighbourhood. Victoria van der Meulen has been a Cabbagetown cat sitter for over twenty years and she still has openings for the Christmas holidays.  From afternoon cuddles to administration of medicines, she’s equipped to handle any cat and its particular needs.  Email her for more info.

Apartment for rent

Available January 1.  Spacious one-bedroom Cabbagetown basement apartment, fully furnished.  Private entrance through gorgeous garden, high-ceiling living room with dining space and kitchen, dressing room, bathroom with big shower, full sized washer/dryer, bedroom, and use of part of the garden.  Startlingly tranquil, Ideal location.  $1700/month including utilities and high-speed wifi.  Quiet reliable person with references.  Prefer long-term but short-term possible (one-month minimum). Send an email to contact Beth.

IN THE MEDIA


The Regent Park Project

Kirthana Sasitharan has written a story for CBC News about the Regent Park Project - a program aimed at bringing opportunities in film making to young people ages 15 to 26 in Regent Park.  (Photo:  Paul Borkwood/CBC)

Protesters on the Bloor Viaduct

Protesters supporting the Wet’suwet’en people in their opposition to the pipeline plans in the BC mountains closed the Bloor Viaduct at noon on Sunday December 19. A second group blocked the streets at Yonge and Dundas later in the day.  Nick Lachance wrote a brief account in NOW Magazine.  (Photo:  Nick Lachance, NOW Magazine)

BUSINESS NEWS


Kohl Strawford 

Kohl is one of the vendors at The Great Mallard County Market (503 Parliament).  Kohl makes charcuterie boards, serving trays and tables from black walnut or maple and colourful epoxy.   His pieces can be seen on Instagram, @westernskywoodco. 

THEATRE NEWS


Capacity restrictions

Canadian Stage (26 Berkeley) expects that the new restrictions will affect its staging of Solaris (Bluma Appel Theatre) and its dance production, Miigis: Underwater Panther. (26 Berkeley). Each ends on February 6.  Native Earth (585 Dundas E) is using online video to present its programs from Weesageechak 34 until December 31.   Soulpepper’s Golden Record starts the year on February 9 followed by the Ex-Boyfriend Yard Sale on February 11 - no word yet about capacity restrictions.

CHRISTMAS DINNERS

Several restaurants are preparing Christmas dinners for pickup.  Please note the order and pickup deadlines for each of them.  


Cranberries (601 Parliament)

Cranberries’ lovely Christmas feast is a takeout event this year.  It’s a three course menu — soup or salad, roast turkey with all the traditional extras and pudding for dessert.  All done with Siva’s magic touch.  Call (416) 925-6330 before Friday. The restaurant is closed on Friday.  Pickup on Saturday. $38 per person. 

F’Amelia (12 Amelia)

Two scrumptious choices for your holiday dinner - roast turkey roulade or slow braised brisket.  Each choice includes a bottle of primitivo or pinot grigio.  Serves four. The meals are cooked and delivered cold - ready for reheating at your home. Please order before December 22 for pick up ion December 23 - $250. (416) 363-0666 or email.

House on Parliament (454 Parliament)

Christmas dinner done with the HOP's good cooking. Turkey with Yukon gold mash potatoes, apple, sausage, sage and pecan stuffing, veggies, cranberry chutney and gravy, $26.  Add a sticky toffee dessert, 9.  Call (416) 925-4074 to reserve by December 23.  Pickup on Friday December 24 from 4 to 6 pm.

The Irv (195 Carlton)

Enjoy a turkey dinner with all the traditional extras and a sticky toffee dessert.  Pick-up on Friday December 24 from 10 am to 1 pm.  To order, send an email.  $29


EVENTS, CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS


THURSDAY DECEMBER 23 TO SUNDAY JANUARY 2


The event calendar will return next week with listings for New Year’s Eve.