This week’s image: This monster machine whizzed through the snow banks without any trouble.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED ARTIST
February is a month full of love
TWO PERSONAL VIEWS
Sincere thanks for good story ideas
Sally Gibson tops my thank-you list for her tireless research into Cabbagetown’s history.
Joice Guspie alerted me to Doug Chow’s retirement. Paul Dineen shared his memories about Merion Clement. Daniel Bloch is circulating the info about the insurance survey. Art Eggleton is keeping us informed about the CYC renovations. Sean O’Donovan told me about the fundraiser for Dixon Hall. Trish Finkelstein sent photos about The Wink. George Pyron and Jo Lambert dug up the facts about Wink’s skate exchange. Roxanne Deans gave me the latest events at the Children’s Book Bank. Michael White reported his news from his Tai Chi group.
Victoria Hadden continually reposts my blog to new audiences and tells me juicy gossip that always turns into some of my best stories.
And a special thanks to Rosalind Warren who keeps on sending more people to subscribe to my email list and who gives me tidbits about community fridges and other local projects.
That’s the list for just one week. Send me your news and your reactions. It’s all great stuff. (Image: A relieved blogger after he gets all this help!)
Snow clearing
LOCAL NEWS
Thanks Doug
Merion Clement
Merion died on January 30 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. In 1973, she bought Simmons Flowers and in 1987, she moved it to 540 Parliament. She soon became the chair of the Old Cabbagetown BIA. Paul Dineen, her successor, notes that she constantly worked to ease the extreme taxation burdens inflicted on local retailers and she supported projects that brought local business people together as a community. She and her daughter Tina ran Simmons successfully for 37 years until she retired ten years ago. She was smart, warm and always welcoming, one of the visionary activists in the local business community who created many of the unique Cabbagetown events that we still enjoy today. Our thoughts go out to Tina for her loss.
Welcome back
Provincial COVID regulations have eased. Community centres and swimming pools are open again. Riverdale Farm (Sumach and Winchester) continues to be open daily. Masking and 50% capacity rules are in effect. This includes Allan Gardens (Horticultural Drive, Jarvis and Carlton), Wellesley Community Centre and pool (495 Sherbourne), Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre (640 Dundas), Regent Park Community Centre (402 Shuter), John Innes Community Centre (150 Sherbourne) and St Lawrence Community Centre (230 The Esplanade). Click here for the city-wide list.
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
The fridge needs more supplies. A quick 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.
Cabbagetown Youth Centre
Art Eggleton has sent along more pictures of the repairs and renovations at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster). Work is going ahead now and will be finished in April for an official reopening in May. Art’s chairing the fundraising campaign to pay for this job and to create a financial cushion for the future. Half of the capital funds have been raised and he plans to do a community campaign later in the Spring. The top photo shows work upstairs in the boxing club.
Accident in Riverdale Park
City staff at Parks, Forestry and Recreation say that an accident happened on the toboggan hill on Saturday January 22. When they investigated, they found a “structure” built from snow on the hill and blood in the snow around it. Two people were taken to hospital. Other people say that the structure was some kind of ramp. The hill was closed while the structure was removed and then it was reopened on Sunday. No info available about the injuries suffered or about the two who were hospitalized.
Home insurance rates
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. The first link connects to the covering story. The second link goes to the five-minute survey. Please reply by Thursday February 17.
Updates for The Wink
Needless to day, the warm weather this week has melted some of the surface ice at The Wink in Winchester Park (530 Ontario at Prospect). Outdoor skating has temporarily stopped. Go to The Wink’s Facebook page for ice conditions and for your ice time reservation. The melt revealed some of the side boards and the ice surface along with the seating area - you can see the amazing job that Trish Finkelstein and her volunteer crew did to put it all together. (Photo: Trish Finkelstein)
Updates - public skating rinks
Our three nearby rinks are open on Thursday February 3 - Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview), 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.
Looking’ good
Shawn saw me walking around Winchester Park with my camera. He was really pleased to pose and dance for a snapshot.
Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
By Sally Gibson. Cabbagetowners and Riverdale Zoo visitors must have been hearty, but sometimes invisible, souls. Somewhere in the Riverdale Park of December 1925, they observed tea-time in the depth of winter while “wild birds” perched overhead ready to swoop down on any crumbs. Rather than focusing on people, his usual topic, the anonymous Globe photographer spotted the dramatic design of the birds on cage supports and snapped this page one image. (Image: Waiting for crumbs, December 1925 Globe)
Marilyn will hold her nail clinic for your pets on Saturday February 5 at Pet Value (240 Carlton). By appointment only. Phone or text her at (416) 920-6814. Please use the back door off the Green P parking lot. Starts at 9 am. Still only $12, cash only.
COMING EVENTS
Marilyn’s nail clinic
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 were asked to donate unwanted skates to The Wink and now they’re going back out to people who need them. By the way, Jo and George have learned that last year’s skate drive filled up the tank and The Wink isn’t accepting more donations right now..
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.
Cabbagetown Tai Chi
Michael White and his friends are meeting for their Tai Chi sessions at The BGC Toronto Kiwanis (101 Spruce) on Monday mornings at 10 am. Interested people are invited to join - call Michael at (416) 926-9553 or email him.
Brittany Barber writing in Narcity has named eight Black-owned businesses worth our support. Angie’s Blooming Flower Bar is at the top of the list. (Photo: Blooming Flower Bar, Instagram)
IN THE MEDIA
Black History month
Rents
Erin Nicole Davis has written a summary in Toronto Storeys about rent levels and patterns in the GTA. Cabbagetown and Parkdale are each listed as the lowest in the city. She also describes current demand, incentives and future predictions.
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.
Order your rose boxes before February 10 and save 10%. Click here.
YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Parliament Street News
BUSINESS NEWS
Valentines
Next week, watch this space for a big list of store and restaurant specials.
Blooming Flower Bar
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.
Church’s Chicken has opened in the Winchester (Parliament and Winchester). It’s a clean bright store. Farida (above, right) and her staff are really pleasant. The chicken is very good. What more can I ask?
RESTAURANT NEWS
I predict a big success
A couple of quick reviews
Daniel and Liora Bloch travelled through southeast Asia for their honeymoon. Daniel says,”ever since then we’ve tried just about every local Thai, Cambodian and Vietnamese restaurant in an attempt to emulate the flavours from that very special trip… Lately, we've enjoyed trying new dishes from Maya Bay. Their Khao Soi hit the spot and is just what was needed to cure the -15 degree shivers!”
Maya Bay (252 Carlton at Parliament)
Haldi (568 Parliament)
Paula has written, “I placed a request for the heavenly Aloo Gobi and more and learned that despite trips to several shops, including Costco, Haldi had no cauliflower... I agreed that it was in short supply but told him that I had been fortunate enough to snag one at Loblaws, Carlton and Church, the day before. I asked Harish to forget about the aloo gobi - so you can imagine my delight when I received it in my order less than a few hours later. Clearly, he must have galloped to Maple Leaf Gardens.”
Playground Cafe
Nomnomnom has rebranded itself to Playground Cafe (side door, 492 Parliament). Along with this new direction, there’s a new art installation. It’s called Red String of Fate, based on Asian ideas that an invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place and circumstances. It may stretch and tangle but it’ll never break. Drop by to view the installation and enjoy a coffee and pastry - daily, 7 am to 9 pm.
Cyril’s soup
Cyril expects that his workload elsewhere is going to be very demanding. So, he’s taking a week off and won’t be making soup for the coming weekend. To compensate, he’s going to make a soup for Family Day weekend, February 19, when he normally enjoys a day away.
