This week’s image: James with the Cabbagetown flag on the beach in Goa. As travel opens up in the new post-COVID era, it’s again possible to take your Cabbagetown flag and show it off at exotic locations.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
A NEW SITE FOR ARTISTS
Images by our Featured Artists. For the past two years, there’s been a featured artist on each week’s edition of the Cabbagetown Neighbourhood Review. I’ve been asked regularly whether this art is for sale and how to contact the artist. This site will solve those questions. (Image: Irene Peplinski DeClute)
The site is meant for your browsing enjoyment as well as your convenience. (Image: Victoria Hadden)
Right now, it’s still a “test”. Three talented people have volunteered to be the test cases - Irene DeClute, Victoria Hadden and Martha Preston. More artists will be added regularly. (Image: Martha Preston)
Click here to visit the site. And email back your comments.
FEATURED ARTIST
Steve Frost
With over 30 years experience as a professional photographer, Steve Frost remains a committed, enthusiastic fan of the medium. Steve considers photography to be about 80% preproduction and 20% serendipity, but in reality that 20% comes from a willingness to say ”What if….”
Christmas Morning in Cabbagetown
“Photographed December 25 Christmas morning after a beautiful night of light snow fall. I was looking for a shot at the St James Cemetery but didn't get anything I liked. Heading home I saw the corner of Wellesley and Parliament bathed in beautiful light and put the camera to my eye. The birds were entirely serendipity.”
LOCAL NEWS
Cabbagetown flag
This display happened on ski trails in Norway. In the past, our flag has flown on Mount Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, Cuba, Iceland, France, Pompeii, Manitoulin Island and even Burlington Ontario. It’s fun - just get a flag at the Cabbagetown BIA office (237 Carlton), $35. Take it on your trip, snap a photo and email your picture to the Cabbagetown Neighbourhood Review. You’ll be famous!
The Conservative leadership race
A few weeks ago, Cabbagetown resident Tasha Kheiridden was testing the possibility of entering the leadership race. She decided not to do so. She has, instead, endorsed Jean Charest and is his campaign co-chair.
Allan Gardens
Volunteers with the Friends of Allan Gardens have started to plant seeds for veggie and herbs. They’ll be planted in the edible plants gardens.
Dog bites
Matt’s 2-year-old daughter was accidentally bitten in the Ontario Street Parkette (227 Ontario) a short while ago. The dog was not on a leash. Her medical treatment, the process for registering a complaint, the rabies data in the City’s registry and the obligations of dog owners are all ingredients of an important story. You can read Matt’s account on Facebook. It’s a reminder for all of us who own dogs.
The last weekend at public skating rinks
Two of our three nearby rinks are open on Thursday March 17 - Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) and Regent Park Athletic Grounds (480 Shuter). Sherbourne Common (5 Lower Sherbourne) has closed because of poor ice conditions, All three are scheduled to end their sessions on Sunday March 20. Check the City’s website for more details.
Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
COMING EVENTS
Tour downtown Budapest with Zsuzsi Hejja
The Sumach’s (146 Sumach) second virtual event visits Heroes Square, St Stephen’s Basilica, Szechenyl Chain Bridge and more in this beautiful city. Free, March 30, 11 am. It’s part of the Sumach’s Fit, Fun & Food series. Register online here.
The 2022 Forsythia Festival
The Festival is back 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. Katie Tozier is this year’s lead organizer. If you’d like to help, send an email to Katie. (Poster: Ava Stipe, Lily Finkelstein and Charlotte Finkelstein)
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.
IN THE MEDIA
Private security
Residents in the area between Carlton and Gerrard, Parliament and Sherbourne have hired Primary Defence Corp to patrol every Friday and Saturday evening. It’s an effort to combat the criminal and disturbing behaviour occurring in the neighbourhood’s lanes and streets. Residents believe that the police do what they can but their help has not stemmed the tide. Primary Defence will not confront people but will immediately call 911 to alert police about an incident. There’s a full explanation of the details involved in this project in the March edition of the Parliament Street News.
214 - 230 Sherbourne
Dan Durrah has written a detailed history of the struggle to build affordable social housing on this site at Dundas and Sherbourne. His article shows how delays by the City of Toronto and difficult negotiations with the property owners have been met by activists’ determination.
Gerrard Street development
Nina Dragicevic has researched and written a light-hearted article about Gerrard Street and the surrounding Cabbagetown neighbourhood in Storeys blog. She emphasizes the people who live here and who value this community. (Photo: Storeys).
YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Job opportunity
Fix-It Friend (208 Gerrard E) is looking for a new team member. It’s a small handyman business operating in downtown Toronto. The person who joins will receive lots of hands-on, on-the-job training and will become an independent team member. They’re looking for someone who is a good people-person with lots of pride in the skilled trades. Check out their website for the list of qualifications and for the application form.
Rental at The Hub
Unit 2 is available for immediate occupancy. It’s located on the ground floor of The HubTO (208 Gerrard E). 650 square feet with 8 foot double doors and close to the 10 foot street level garage doors. For rental info, check the website.
KIDS EVENTS
Kids’ program at Central Neighbourhood House
The Kidz Klub at Central Neighbourhood House (349 Ontario) 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.
IN OUR STORES
Cold pressed juices
St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) has a new line of fresh juices - all kinds of fruit, veggies and mixes. They’re made in the store and available in 500 ml and full litre sizes in the Deli.
THEATRE & DANCE NEWS
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.
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.
RESTAURANT NEWS
CafeTO
This popular and successful project to help the food industry is back again for 2022. Restaurants and pubs are reminded that the application deadline for CafeTO is April 2. Contact the Cabbagetown BIA if you want to participate. (416) 921-0857. The City of Toronto has detailed info on its website.
Butter Chicken Factory
Now open - the new location for the Butter Chicken Factory. It’s right across the street from the former location. Congrats to everyone for your successful opening last weekend. Check out the website for menus, hours and specials.
New restaurant and pub
The Golden Pigeon is the new name for the restaurant planned to replace The Tilted Dog (424 Parliament). Work there is well underway and is expected to finish by June.
A new mural at F’Amelia
Yasaman Mehrsa has been commissioned to paint a mural on the laneway wall at F’Amelia (12 Amelia). It’s a grant project by the Cabbagetown BIA. Yasaman’s playful work is familiar to people who visited the Maplelicious photo wall at St Jamestown Steak & Chops. (Photo: Marion Voysey)
A special visitor
Arizona Coyotes goalie Karel Vejmelka came for dinner at Fusilli (Queen E) earlier this week.
Make the best pizza
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.
Cyril’s soup
Cyril is making a Spanish stew with chickpeas and sausage. “To make this stew, you start by sweating some onions and garlic. Then you add the sausages (a mix of spicy chorizo and mild turkey kielbasa) and let them brown a bit. Then comes the flavour kick in the form of a recaito (a blend of peppers - both mild and hot - cilantro, more onions, more garlic) seasoned with turmeric, smoked paprika, cumin, and of course saffron. Finish it off with some potatoes, chickpeas and chicken stock, and voilà ! (I guess I should say ¡listo!).” One to nine cups, $4/cup. Ten or more, $3.50/cup. His juice is pear, grapes and lemon, $9 for two cups. Place your order with Cyril by email.
ST PATRICK’S DAY
Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton)
Irish dancers. Irish drinks - Lucky Lager and Jamesons..
Mill Street Brew Pub (Distillery, Tank House Lane)
Live music from 5 to 8 pm. The menu includes boxties, lamb stew, burgers and Cobblestone Stout brownies.
House on Parliament (424 Parliament)
Irish dancers will perform at 7 pm and there’ll be an Irish inspired menu with corned beef & cabbage, Guinness braised lamb shanks and Irish organic salmon.
Dominion Pub & Kitchen (500 Queen E)
St Patrick’s Day party with live music with Geoff Willingham, drinks and party favours.
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