This week’s image: A sure sign that Spring is coming - snowdrops bloom as soon as the snow melts.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
A NEW SITE FOR ARTISTS
Click here to visit the site. And email me to send back your comments.
Photographed in Rome, September 2013 as Lisa and I were walking away from the Vatican on Via della Sacrestia. The look on some of the faces of the faithful was incredibly powerful and on others it was as if they were on holiday. Which I'm sure they were…
This property is made up of a large empty lot and a vacant heritage house. It’s been the focus of a tug-of-war between its owner, the City of Toronto and a coalition of anti-poverty activists. Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam wants the City to buy it and build affordable housing there. The property owner has not been willing to sell to the City. The owner has now put the property up for sale with a deadline for expressions of interest on Friday March 11 at 3 pm. City Council agreed this week to submit an expression of interest. It’s possible that the City’s bid will be defeated by a private developer but, as Councillor Wong-Tam notes, not trying would be worse.
FEATURED ARTIST
Steve Frost
With over 30 years experience as a professional photographer, Steve Frost remains a committed, enthusiastic fan of the medium. His early interest was sparked by extensive travel in Australia, South East Asia, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. He continues to travel and document different cultures on a regular basis. Steve considers photography to be about 80% preproduction and 20% serendipity, but in reality that 20% comes from a willingness to say ”What if….”
The Believers
LOCAL NEWS
214 - 230 Sherbourne
The daycare project
Hmm … this will be interesting
Transportation Services has issued a map showing street furniture installations planned for 2022. Two litter receptacles will be placed in Cabbagetown, five in St James Town, three in Regent Park, four in Corktown and four in the Canary District. Seven bike racks will be placed in Corktown, two in Regent Park and two in Cabbagetown. Three transit shelters are scheduled for Corktown and two in Cabbagetown South. And two tiny little dots on the map are benches - one in Corktown and another one at Spruce and Parliament. Click here to see the map.
The Festival is back. Katie Tozier is this year’s lead organizer. The Festival will happen for live personal participation on Sunday May 1. The parade will begin at 10 am and the Wellesley Park events will run from 11 am to 3 pm. Details will come soon. It’s a big job to complete in just seven weeks. If you’d like to help, send an email to Katie. (Poster: Ava Stipe, Lily Finkelstein and Charlotte Finkelstein)
The 2022 Forsythia Festival
Join the team
The 2022 Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces garden tour is happening on Sunday June 5. Organizers are now looking for gardens to include and for volunteers. It’s a popular Spring event sponsored by the Cabbagetown Preservation Association. If you’d like to be included, please email either Sarah or Helen.
Skating at The Wink
The season finished at the community skating rink, The Wink (Winchester Park), on Saturday March 5. The ice will melt and evaporate and when it’s gone, the equipment will be dismantled and stored for next year. The straw bales will be offered to Green Thumbs Growing Kids. A skate giveaway was organized early in the season to distribute donations made last year. Trish Finkelstein again spearheaded the work. The volunteer team included Mike Barkey, Holly Clarke, John Di Fruscia, Andrew Finkelstein, Mike Glynn, Dave Hammer, Lee & Lindsay Matheson, Mark Michelin, Monica Oliver, Shawna & Ashley Pereira, Andrew Randell, Sam Richardson, Carolyn Shaw-Rimmington, Marc St-Germain, Katie Tozer and Sandy Ward. Thanks to each of them for making this project a success. (Photo: Parliament Street News)
Updates - public skating rinks
Our three nearby rinks are open on Thursday March 10 - Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview), Regent Park Athletic Grounds (480 Shuter) and Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne), As the weather warms up, check out the City’s website for up-to-date info at each rink.
Rick Matthews corrected the story about The Beer Store (227 Gerrard) that appeared last week. The project was previously owned by Rosewater Developments. They worked with the residents and their design included a Beer Store with 3,750 square feet. Rosewater sold the project to Stafford Homes who changed the design and increased the size of The Beer Store to 7,200 square feet. This new design was revealed to residents at a public meeting at the end of February. Last week’s report stated that the residents hadn’t seen a design at all - that’s incorrect, the Rosewater design was circulated to them. (Photo: Cabbagetown South Residents Association)
MISTAKES TO BE CORRECTED
Oops - The Beer Store
Another oops - ShowLoveTO in Cabbagetown
The ShowLoveTO campaign was set up by the City to promote local retail districts, to encourage local tourism and to foster a strong sense of community in neighbourhoods across the city. The campaign started in September 2020 and is now finished. Last week’s story referred to the campaign as a Valentine’s special and that was incorrect.
Making Tiramisu is the first of three virtual events being organized by The Sumach (146 Sumach). It’s hosted by chef Michelle Curnock. Learn how to make this amazing Italian dessert step-by-step. Free, March 17, 3 pm. Register now and the Sumach will send you a free kit with all the ingredients that you need for the event. There are free prizes and all attendees will be entered in the prize draws. Find out more and register online.
Menagerie Pet Shop (549 Parliament) and its owner Kaelo Gallagher are featured in a Toronto Star write-up by Tracey Tong. It’s a charming article that tells Menagerie’s story and the story of Cabbagetown’s retail district. (Photo: Andrew Francis Wallace, Toronto Star)
COMING EVENTS
Making Tiramisu
IN THE MEDIA
Menagerie Pet Shop
214 - 230 Sherbourne
Victoria Gibson has written about the negotiations and the City’s responses in the Toronto Star. The CBC reported on Councillor Wong-Tam’s ideas for the property as a way to ease the social problems in the neighbourhood.
Lenka is a professional photographer with very extensive experience working with businesses, groups and events around Cabbagetown. She writes a column in the Parliament Street News. She has just started a Babysitting Co-op among parents who look after each other’s kids. Find out more about her photography and her community work on her website, Instagram and Facebook pages.
Central Neighbourhood House (349 Ontario Street) is holding a March Break camp for kids 7 to 12 years of age starting next week, March 14 to 18. $15 per day. The Kidz Klub is a free after-school program providing a safe place for kids to meet friends and to enjoy games, sports, arts and crafts. And there’s a healthy snack. Please email Maleeka Black or call her at (416) 797-5043 for more info and registration for each program.
YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lenka Gazova
KIDS EVENTS
Two kids’ programs at Central Neighbourhood House
March break at the Children’s Book Bank
There’s a full program next week for your kids at the Children’s Book Bank (Daniels Spectrum 585 Dundas E). From Monday to Saturday at 11 am, it’s “Write a story with Ivy” for children 7 and older. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, it’s story time with take home activities for kids of all ages. On Tuesday, there’s a workshop “Become an Illustrator”. On Thursday, Keith from Native Earth Performing Arts will lead an Indigenous story time. These activities are free, no registration required.
The Cellar Salon (559 Parliament) is hosting a benefit to support the Canada-Ukraine Foundation on Sunday March 13 from 11 am to 5 pm. Free haircuts - with a suggested donation of $50. The Cellar Salon will match every service with its $50 gift. You can also donate directly with an e-transfer or by calling (416) 925-3293.
IN OUR STORES
A benefit for the Ukraine
A Spring wedding
Fair Trade Jewellers has a handy reminder. If you're planning a Spring wedding, contact the store at its Instagram site. Many of their designs require up to eight weeks to be made.
Tapestry Opera’s intimate evening of music and song. Friday March 11 at 8 pm and Saturday March 12 at 4 pm. The baritone Jorell Williams headlines this concert, alongside pianist and Women in Musical Leadership Conductor Jennifer Tung. The pair are joined by up-and-coming opera stars of tomorrow, who perform selected pieces from Tapestry’s beautiful back-catalogue. Eric Balmer Studio (315 - 9 Trinity, Distillery District).
THEATRE & DANCE NEWS
Songbook XI
Acceleration 2022
Eleven third-year students at the School of Toronto Dance (80 Winchester) will perform works by leading choreographers. Tickets are limited - safety procedures against COVID transmission are in effect. In-person performances on March 23 to 26 at 8 pm. Program details and tickets are available here. There will also be a virtual performance - details will come soon.
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. On stage now to Sunday March 13. More info and tickets - click here.
Other People
Canadian Stage (26 Berkeley) welcomes Daniel Brooks in his play about a man recently diagnosed with a terminal disease who is in a silent retreat. March 20 to April 3. Click here for details and tickets.
PastaFamily at F’Amelia (12 Amelia) has a challenge for you. Do you know how to make the best pizza? Email your recipe and if it’s chosen by the chefs at PastaFamily, you’ll win ten free pizzas. And your recipe will go on the menu and be named after you. Deadline March 31.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Make the best pizza
Noushe’s grazing board
A nifty way to entertain. 200 Carlton.
St Patrick’s Day
On March 17, Irish dancers will perform at 7 pm and there’ll be an Irish inspired menu.
The House on Parliament (424 Parliament).
Dominion Pub & Kitchen (500 Queen E).
Drag Queens’ Brunch with Lucy Flawless and Bearda Bidness. Saturday March 12, brunch at 11:30 am and show at 12:30 to 2 pm. Reservations required. $45.
Cyril’s soup
Cyril is taking a break this week, He’ll return with more favourite stews next week.
