This week’s image: Live theatre is coming back. Image: Young Centre for the Performing Arts.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED ARTIST
February is a month full of love.
To celebrate, five local artists have agreed to send along an image full of love. This week, Victoria Hadden has given us her painting of tulips - her favourite flower.
Wedding Tulips
Watercolour and ink on paper, 14 by 20 cm, from the collection of Tony Redmond and Steve Noble. Click here to see Victoria’s website.
LOCAL NEWS
Online meeting about Regent Park
Toronto Community Housing is hosting an online community meeting about the redevelopment along Gerrard south to Oak and east to River. (Known as Phases 4 and 5). February 16, 6:30 pm. The meeting link is here. The summary of the plan that will go to City Council will be presented at this meeting. Click here to find the agenda for this meeting and reports about previous meetings.
37 Metcalfe
Occasionally, a real estate ad unveils a unique landmark. The apartments in the Hampton Mansion at 37 Metcalfe belong in this category. Check out this ad and its photos of this second floor unit.
Speed limits on Dermott Place
Dermott Place is a small lane running between Carlton and Spruce with fourteen homes on the road, most with very small front yards. The current speed limit is 40 km/h and this sometimes results in cars speeding too quickly down the street. A 30 km/h limit is more sensible. Councillor Kristyn Wong Tam has sent a motion to Toronto East York Council to bring about this lower limit.
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.
The community fridge - a reminder
The fridge constantly needs fresh supplies. An inquiry at Cabbagetown Organics (499 Parliament) indicates that its contents are in demand and people are regularly stopping by for the food. Butter, milk, individual yogurts, cheese, eggs fruit and veggies. Thanks to all who are supporting this valuable project.
Home insurance rates - last week for the survey
The deadline for your submission is February 17. The National Trust, a group dedicated to heritage conservation across Canada, is conducting a survey about higher insurance rates. It’s noticed the growing concern that we’re paying higher rates or experiencing cancellations because our homes are located in a heritage district. Its 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.
Skate it forward
Organizers at The Wink (Winchester Park, Ontario and Prospect) put together a skate giveaway last Saturday February 5. Over forty people showed up and picked out a suitable pair. Needless to day, the warm weather this week has again melted some of the surface ice. Outdoor skating has temporarily stopped until the weekend. Check out The Wink’s Facebook page for ice conditions and for your ice time reservation. (Photo: Trish Finkelstein)
Updates - public skating rinks
Our three nearby rinks are open on Thursday February 10 - Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview), Regent Park Athletic Grounds (480 Shuter) and Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne), As warmer weather arrives, the rinks may close sporadically. Check out the City’s website for up-to-date info at each rink.
IN THE MEDIA
A high-rise city
Alex Bozikovic has written a Globe & Mail story about the opportunity for dense housing on the new Villiers Island in Harbourfront. (Image: Globe & Mail)
THEATRE & DANCE NEWS
At Arm’s Length
The annual choreographic workshop by students at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre (80 Winchester) is an in-person event happening at 8 pm on Friday February 18 and Saturday February 19. These eleven new dance works were choreographed by third-year students and produced by second-year students. For tickets and more program details, click here.
On Air
Citadel (304 Parliament) launches its new in-person season with Heidi Strauss’ On Air - a conversation between three women. 8 pm, February 18 and 19, 23 and 26. Live streaming available also on February 25. Buy tickets here.
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui
Bertolt Brecht’s play is presented by Canadian Stage (26 Berkeley) for two-days, February 25 and 26. Details and tickets are available here.
The War Being Waged
Native Earth (Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E) presents an online production about three generations of Indigenous women. One woman becomes an activist while her brother goes to war. A grandmother raises her granddaughter with love, in community. And a granddaughter full of turmoil finds her voice. March 1 to April 3. For tickets and more info, click here.
Nested
Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley) opens its live productions with Liz Best’s Nested. Elaine and David have sold their family home, their kids are away and Grandma Rose is going to a retirement home. Much 2 to 13. More info and tickets - click here.
Soulpepper’s season
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane) has rescheduled its two opening February plays to the Fall. The Ex-Boyfriend Yard Sale, October 18 to November 6. The Golden Record, November 9 to 20. Its very busy 2022 season will open in April with Pipeline.
YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wedding ring
This ring was discovered in a snow bank on Smith Gemmell Lane (between Naismith and Sumach) about three weeks ago. Enquires in this neighbourhood have come up dry. If you think you know its true owner, please email Alan. Thanks to Keith for his efforts to locate the ring’s owner.
Parliament Street News
Pete Lovering, the News’ publisher, is looking for young writers who want to contribute articles to the paper. If you’re interested, send him an email and he’ll follow-up with all the details.
VALENTINE’S SPECIALS
Blooming Flower Bar
Order your rose boxes before midnight, February 10 and save 15%. All other orders are available until “sold out” - click here to visit the website.
Fair Trade Jewellery
A charming pair of wedding bands, both made in our beautifully warm rose gold and set with gems - the wider band is flush-set with a mix of diamonds and light blue sapphires, and the narrow band has been micro-set with champagne diamonds. Each ring has its own personality, but together they are a winning combination. Call (647) 430-8741 and go online for more choices.
501 Gusto
Exclusively for Valentine’s. Cherry cocktail with Martini fiero aperitivo, Amarena cherry syrup, Canti Prosecco and garnished with Amarena cherry and dehydrated Turkish rose bud. 501 King E
Daniel et Daniel
Join us at 7 pm on Saturday, February 12 for a night of knowledge and passion. Enjoy a romantic dinner for two from Daniel et Daniel, along with a virtual wine tasting led by The Flying Somm featuring “Wines from Portugal”. Take a trip through Portugal with your Valentine to learn about its 2000 years of fermenting history, while discovering the country’s hidden gems and incredible value wines, all from the comfort of your own home. For details and availability, check out the website.
Dova’s Finish at Home dinner.
Everything is prepared. Just do a few final touches and heat it. Capesante - Thinly sliced raw scallops, wild fennel, peperoncino, orange, olive oil. Risotto - Saffron carnaroli rice, cold water shrimp, Spanish clams, salt spring mussels. Merluzzo - Seared Newfoundland wild cod, green pea mousse, golden beets. Soffice - Dark chocolate mousse, salted caramel, pink peppercorn, meringue . $80 per person. (416) 901-3501. 229 Carlton.
F’Amelia’s dine-in menu
F’Amelia (12 Amelia) has prepared a four-course dinner with optional wine pairings at each course - appetizers, antipasti, mains and cheese plate with dessert. Wines include Prosecco Bel Star, Marchesi pinot grigio or Primitivo, Vellodoro 2020 Pecorino or Tombacco 2015 biferno rosso and Taylor’s 10 year tawny port. Dinner at $89 per person and with wine tastings for $149 per person. Menu details are online here. For reservations, call (416) 323-0666.
F’Amelia’s take-home menu
Four courses for $75 per person and a bottle of Prosecco for $40. Check out the illustration to see the menu. To order, call (416) 323-0666. 12 Amelia
Mill Street
Valentine’s dinner is made for two. Your choice of starters, two entrees, and dessert. Go to Facebook for ordering info. 21 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Roselle’s raspberry meringues
Crunchy, dissolve-on-your-tongue and naturally pink from the abundance of freeze-dried raspberries folded in. “ I normally find meringues too sweet (they are just sugar and egg whites after all) so the vibrant raspberries are a welcome addition.” 362 King E
Staij - Love is in the air
Nestled in a white gift box - great gift for the one you love or a palentine! Lovestruck cookie mix, white chocolate crunch sweetie bar, sweetheart snack mix and a "Be Mine" Greeting Card. Please order online.
Terroni
Start Valentine’s Day with a breakfast box for two - fresh orange juice, raspberry croissants, double chocolate biscotti, chocolate raspberry mousse and salmon quiche. Check out Facebook for more Valentine’s ideas. 22 Sackville.
SUPER BOWL EVENTS
Dominion Pub & Kitchen
Enjoy a Game Day Bundle. Two pizzas and two pounds of wings for $55. Dine-in or take-out on Sunday February 13. 500 Queen East.
Game Day Super Box
Check out the menu - Mill Street Brewpub’s feast for the game. No news yet about prices. Go to the Facebook page for more info when available. 21 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Keating Channel
Open again in time for Super Bowl. Prime rib dinners are on the menu. 2 Villiers Street.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Playground Cafe
There’s a new menu item at Playground (492 Parliament, side door) - croffles. It’s a blend of a croissant and a waffle and it comes in nine different flavours. Playground is now open from 8 am to 9 pm, Monday to Thursday and 7 am to 9 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Outdoors at Archeo
Archeo in the Distillery (27 Trinity) has organized an outdoor patio for toasting marshmallows, cuddling under blankets and enjoying mulled wine. Thursday and Friday from 5 to 10 pm and weekends 3 to 10 pm.
Cyril’s soup
Cyril’s comments about his soup include this little note. Valentine’s Day, “the most romantic day of the year, has taken hold all over the planet. It may take different names (National Chocolate Day in Ghana), involve different customs (mass weddings in the Philippines), show different levels of inclusiveness (celebrating friendship as well as romantic love in Finland), and even be celebrated to different degrees (only 49% of French couples say they celebrate it - I'll let you ponder why). I also find it amusing that this day bears the name of a Roman Saint, even though the Catholic Church banned it as a pagan tradition.” He’s making New England clam chowder since clams are reputedly an aphrodisiac. Clams, bacon, potatoes, cream and a little bit of orange and lemon zest. If you wish, he’ll substitute coconut milk instead of cream. His juice has blood oranges, oranges, mangoes and a hint of rosewater. Soup is $4/cup for 2 to 9 cups and $3.50 for 10 or more. Juice is $9/two cups. Email him to place your order.
