This week’s image: Six local groups have joined together to support Dixon Hall’s fundraiser.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED ARTIST
Charles Gibbons
Charles Gibbons’ abstract art has been exhibited in galleries, museums and art fairs around the world for more than thirty years. He’s been featured in solo and group shows, television programs, magazine articles and a book. He’s lived in Cabbagetown for the past 35 years. His works are on Instagram and his personal description of his work is on his website. Contact him by email.
BoxCar 11, 2011
Acrylic on canvas, 26 x 26”, 66 x 66cm
A PERSONAL VIEW
Some good news
Not every restaurant report during the COVID lockdowns is sad. There are brave people expanding or starting a new place. Butter Chicken Factory has created a new location across the street on the northwest corner of Prospect and Parliament. Kingyo Izakaya (51A Winchester) has closed while it changes its interior and rebrands itself. Several new locations are appearing soon - Church’s Chicken (Parliament and Winchester), L’Avenue (Parliament and Amelia) and My Pandan Cake (245 Gerrard). And there are new places that have survived for several months despite these troubles - Pastor Tacos (245 Gerrard), Fattoush Levantine Diner (253 Gerrard) and NomNomNom (492 Parliament). Congrats and best wishes to everybody.
LOCAL NEWS
Food security fundraiser
Six local groups have joined together again to raise funds for Dixon Hall’s Neighbours Helping Neighbours campaign. Last year’s fundraiser collected over $13,000. To learn more and to contribute, click here and follow the links.
Cabbagetown Youth Centre
The CYC has merged with the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club (now called the BGC Toronto Kiwanis). That merger is now mainly completed. Art Eggleton serves on its Board of Directors and he’s chairing its fundraising campaign. Their target is $3 million for capital repairs at 2 Lancaster and for future core programming. The Cabbagetown Boxing Club will continue and the building will still be called the Cabbagetown Youth Centre. Work at 2 Lancaster is going ahead and will hopefully be finished in April for an official reopening in May. Half of the capital funds have been raised and Art plans to do a community campaign later in the Spring.CYC repairs
Termites are one of the many challenges to be repaired at 2 Lancaster. Art Eggleton has forwarded this photo showing rotten beams.
Waterfront Toronto
The five-year plan for Waterfront Toronto for 2022 to 2027 has been published. Among its major highlights for 2022 - Commissioner Street and the New Cherry Street will open, connecting Villers Island to the mainland. A development partner will be negotiated for Quayside and the design for the Parliament Slip will be advanced, depending on provincial and federal funding. Click here to read the plan.
Thanks, Carter
Carter Trozzolo became a social media phenomenon with one big sigh and a lot of snow shovelling. The folks at Royal Home Hardware (485 Parliament) have given him some snow shovels, ice melter and a toboggan to help him with his work.
Home insurance rates
Concern is growing that we’re paying higher insurance rates because our homes are located in a heritage district. The National Trust is dedicated to heritage conservation across Canada. The Trust recognizes the difficult pressures on the insurance industry but is also worried about stories of cancellations and higher rates. The questionnaire will help to clarify the issues and obtain data that can be used in discussions with the industry and with government. This link connects to the covering story. This second link goes to the five-minute survey. Please reply by Thursday February 17.
The Wink is back
Trish Finkelstein and her volunteer crew have rebuilt their natural ice rink in Winchester Park (530 Ontario at Prospect). It’s open now. Skaters are asked to book a 30-minute reservation for themselves and no more than 6 other people at the Calendly link in the “About” section on Facebook. (Photo: Trish Finkelstein)
Wink needs volunteers
Join the team who’re putting together the outdoor skating rink at The Wink. If you want to be a volunteer, contact Trish by email. (Photo: Trish Finkelstein)
Wink donors
Thanks go out to two generous supporters. Bill Renieris at Royal Home Hardware (485 Parliament) donated a wagon to The Wink to haul the 50-foot hoses around when the rink needs extra water. Carolyn Jarman and her family contributed the straw bales that are used for the seating area at the rink. As he did last year, Mark Michelin at St James Town Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) has been a strong supporter. Shout-outs also go to the Royal St Georges’ Community, Just Hockey Source for Sports and the Cabbagetown Residents Association. (Photo: Trish Finkelstein)
Another weekly gripe - excess salt
Our sidewalks are littered with salt. When City of Toronto workers spread it around (presumably to assist seniors), they use far too much of it. This photo comes from the Gooderham & Worts Neighbourhood Association.
Updates - public skating rinks
One rink is open on Thursday January 27 - Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview). Two public rinks in our local parks are snow covered and they’re closed while snow removal is underway - Regent Park Athletic Grounds (480 Shuter) and Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne), Check out the City’s website for up-to-date info on openings and closures at each rink.
Gettin’ tough
This shirtless jogger was captured by L A Flynn on the Cabbagetown Residents Association page.
COMING EVENTS
Doogie & Dun
Duncan Fremlin and his singing pal Doogie will be performing live online on Friday January 28 at 6 pm. It’s a free concert. Grab a bottle of wine or a cocktail and some snacks. They’ll be doing a Beatles segment. Here’s the link.
Skate it forward
The Wink (Winchester Park, Ontario and Prospect) is organizing a skate giveaway on Saturday February 5 from 11 am to 3 pm. Last year, we donated unwanted skates to The Wink and now these skates will go back out to people who need them.
Cabbagetown Tai Chi
Michael White and his friends are meeting for their Tai Chi sessions on Zoom on Monday and Thursday mornings. They want to get together at the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club (101 Spruce) on Monday mornings but this will be delayed until next week at the earliest. Interested people are invited to join - call Michael at (416) 926-9553 or email him.
IN THE MEDIA
Regent Park rallies to help a family
Donovan Vincent describes how a father has been working to raise his triplet daughters in Regent Park after his wife died. The neighbourhood has rallied to his aid. Click here to read the Toronto Star story. (Photo: Giovanni Capriotti, Toronto Star)
BUSINESS NEWS
Suppli is growing
Suppli offers reusable take-out containers for restaurants. They calculate that over 20,000 single-use containers have been saved from the waste bin so far. Participating restaurants use Suppli’s stainless steel containers for your meal. You then rinse them out and drop them off at a nearby collection point. And every time you refer a friend, Suppli donates $1 to Second Harvest to fight food insecurity. Check out the website and sign up today. Your account is free.
The Children’s Book Bank
The Book Bank’s new home in the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E) is ready and it’ll open on Saturday February 5. Community drop-ins welcome on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. School visits on Monday and Friday, 10 am to 3 pm. Closed Sunday.
Tune-up time at Cycle Solutions
Beat the rush! The people at Cycle Solutions (444 Parliament) are ready to do your bike’s Spring tune-up. To make your reservation, go to the website and click on the big green button.
Photos wanted
RESTAURANT NEWS
Suppli’s restaurant partners
When you have a Suppli account (it’s free!), your order from these restaurants will come in your Suppli container. Haldi (568 Parliament), Gushi (296 Gerrard E), Tokyo Ramen (568 Parliament), Shalom (587 Parliament), Noushe (200 Carlton), Daniel et Daniel Food Shop (248 Carlton), Fattoush (253 Gerrard E) and Sukhothai Canary (490 Front E)
The new rules
Restrictions on restaurants and pubs will be eased on Monday January 31. You’ll need QR proof of vaccination on a phone. Masks will be in required to enter the establishment, move around and use the washrooms. The restaurant or pub will be able to seat 50% of its capacity. Customers will not be permitted to sing or dance. This system will be in force at least until February 21 to allow public health workers to judge the impact of Omicron.
My Pandan Cake
Gail Gordon Oliver sampled some cakes and wrote this review. “This place, which opened 5 months ago, somehow escaped my radar and I think lots of other people's, too. It's a wonderful little Singaporean pastry shop on Gerrard near Ontario. They specialize in pandan (and other flavour) chiffon cakes, as well as "magic cakes" (various desserts in containers or tin cans) and cheesecakes. I went by there today and picked up a few things. Absolutely delicious, especially the magic cakes I got.” 246 Gerrard E. (Photo: Gail Gordon Oliver)
F’Amelia’s take home specials
Fresh and delicious food from the kitchen at F’Amelia. When you order it, the chefs make it and pack it and then they ship it to you. Don’t forget - F’Amelia’s heated outdoor patio is open from 5 pm. Only four tables so reservations are needed. If you want to take home all of F’Amelia’s products, just like the grocery store, check out Pasta Family. (416) 363-0666.
The Irv
The Irv (195 Carlton) is closed this week and will reopen with indoor service on Monday January 31. Regan ran a pop-up restaurant in Newmarket last weekend and it was a big hit - they planned for 150 meals on Friday and did over 500! So they closed in Toronto and took the entire staff to Newmarket for Saturday.
Cyril’s soup
Thai-inspired sweet potato, lime and ginger soup. If you like some heat with Thai food, add some diluted chili paste to your dish at home. His juice is a favourite, winter citrus. Soup is $3 cup, 10 or more cups at $2.50 each. Juice is 2 cups for $9. Send him an email to place your order.