This week’s image: LoveTO arrives in Cabbagetown.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
COMING NEXT WEEK - WATCH FOR IT
Cabbagetown Artists will be a new website that promotes and sells Cabbagetown art. For the past two years, we’ve had featured artists on each weekly blog. Here’s our chance to showcase them and your chance to enjoy and buy their work. At first, we’ll be testing ideas to build the kind of site that you can use easily. More info next week.
FEATURED ARTIST
February is a month full of love
Martha House wraps up our February series of images about love. She feels that nothing is as symbolic of our love as a traditional pink and red heart. You can view Martha’s work online on Instagram
LOCAL NEWS
LoveTO in Cabbagetown
The City of Toronto ran a “LoveTO” campaign with these hearts. After the campaign, the hearts were available at no cost to local BIAs. Our BIA grabbed the opportunity and our heart is now shining away at Carlton and Parliament. Congrats to the Board at the BIA.
Email problems
The Cabbagetown BIA (237 Carlton) has been the victim of a computer hack. It’s creating phishing attacks using the BIA’s name and email. If you get an unusual email from the BIA, don’t open it and certainly don’t open any attachments or links. These will make your computer vulnerable and possibly expose your private information. The organization deeply regrets that this has happened and is trying to fix the problem. For a good summary of these attacks, go to Microsoft’s page.
Councillor Kristyn Wong Tam writes to The Beer Store
Councillor Wong-Tam has been hearing from local residents attempting to reduce the 7000 square foot size of the proposed Beer Store at the new Georgian condo (227 Gerrard E). In a March 2 letter to Ted Moroz, the Beer Store’s CEO, she refutes the claim that she has met Beer Store staff in the past - she notes that a March 1 meeting was the first time that she has ever met its representatives. She strongly agrees with residents’ claims about “noisy and aggressive crowds, disruptive lineups, vandalism, illegal garbage dumping”, all made worse by the old store’s bottle recycling system. She says, “I have seen (these things) myself on numerous occasions while in the neighbourhood.” She calls the project a big box store and suggests a store at half that size. She asks Mr Moroz to “reconsider the size, layout and operations of The Beer Store at this location to eliminate the ongoing adverse impacts that we have historically experienced in the neighbourhood from your store.”
Neighbourhood petition
Over the past several years, Cabbagetown South residents have successfully worked with the Georgian condo’s developers to refine the design of the building. Retail was always planned for the ground floor with the understanding that the Beer Store would take some of it. At no time was any specific design for the store raised until now. Obviously, a return of a big Beer Store outlet with bottle return systems has worried the neighbours. They’ve started a petition to oppose this plan. (227 Gerrard E) lick here to read and sign it. (Photo: Cabbagetown South Residents Association).
A library for Regent Park
A new library in Regent Park is part of the planning for the final stages in the revitalization. If it proceeds, the Parliament Street branch (269 Gerrard E) may close. Toronto Public Library is holding a Zoom meeting to discuss the proposal. Tuesday, March 8, 6 pm. Click here to join it.
Food security fundraiser
The January-February fundraiser to support food security programs at Dixon Hall has raised $3500. Congrats to the local groups who joined together to put this successful campaign invocation.
Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces
The 2022 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 Wink is open again on Thursday and Friday - before the warm weather arrives on the weekend. This may be your last chance to get out there for this season. Click here for updates and for reservations. (Photo: Parliament Street News)
Updates - public skating rinks
Our three nearby rinks are open on Thursday March 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 at each rink.
Nominate a tree
The Friends of Allan Gardens (Sherbourne and Carlton) want to know which tree in the park is your favourite. Maybe you like its shape or size. Maybe something happened there. Maybe it has interesting leaves or beautiful flowers. They’re developing a new tree tour of the park and your tree can be included. Send an email to them or post a story on your FB timeline and tag the Friends.
Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
COMING EVENTS
Marilyn’s nail clinic
Marilyn is back at Pet Valu (240 Carlton) for her regular monthly nail clinic. Bring your pal from 9 am onward on Saturday. Please use the rear door from the Green P parking lot. Appointments are needed - call (416) 920-6814. $12.
The Sumach presents Fit, Fun & Food
Three virtual events organized by The Sumach (146 Sumach). Free. Each one is approximately one half hour to an hour. Making Tiramisu is the first one with the Sumach’s chef Michelle Curnock. Learn how to make this amazing Italian dessert step-by-step. 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.
Maplelicious
The Maplelicious program is underway. Drop in to the photo wall at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) and snap a pic. It’ll stay there until the end of the Maplelicious events. Watch for other events from our local merchants highlighting Spring and maple delicacies. There’ll be a big finale on Sunday April 3 with maple taffy, bands, beavertails and patios.
YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lenka Gazova
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's 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.
KIDS EVENTS
Two kids’ programs at Central Neighbourhood House
Central Neighbourhood House (349 Ontario Street) is holding a March Break camp for kids 7 to 12 years of age. March 14 to 18. $15 per day. They've also organized the Kidz Klub, 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.
Pea Shoots
Green Thumbs Growing Kids has a new program that’s been well received by teachers and by kids. It’s pandemic proof and it allows kids to create their own snacks. It’s a kit for growing pea shoots - with seeds, soil and a cup. Kids can watch the seeds sprout and grow until it’s time to eat them. Lots of instructions for watering and for maintaining them on a windowsill. Check out the full story on GTGK’s site.
Donations for the Children’s Book Bank
Book donations for the Book Bank are welcome on Saturday March 5 from 11 am to 2:30 pm. New and gently used books for kids up to 18 years of age. Drop off your books at the new warehouse (561 Sherbourne) - please use the rear loading dock off Bleecker Street..
IN OUR STORES
The Great Mallard
The Great Mallard (503 Parliament) is Cabbagetown’s home for unique vendors and products. This week, try Nature Lion’s gourmet mushroom growing kit. You’ll get four crops from one box. Reviewers on the company’s website say that it’s a fun way to enjoy a tasty homegrown meal. And while you’re there, find out about Christine’s plans for MapleLicious.
Parliament Street Fitness
Life is getting back to normal again for PSF (488 Parliament). Appointments are available for registered massage therapy - Paul is booking Tuesday through Saturday, including evenings. HIIT classes, outdoor running classes and yoga are all scheduled. Monthly memberships are $99 with no initiation or cancellation fees. Click here to see the Facebook page.
THEATRE & DANCE NEWS
Songbook XI
Tapestry Opera’s intimate evening of music and song. March 11 at 8 pm and 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). Details are available online.
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. They plan to move but the family has other ideas. March 2 to 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 whois in a silent retreat. March 20 to April 3. Click here for details and tickets.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Johnny Gs
Ginny has written a quick review of Johnny Gs (478 Parliament). “This long-time Cabbagetown diner has a new owner. You might want to stop in and introduce yourself. The place is very clean, the service friendly, the food excellent value and the new owner is most welcoming. Try a cup of coffee....it’s excellent.”
Cyril’s soup
This week, it’s African peanut stew - with chickpeas, carrots, bell peppers, a leafy green, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and peanut butter. Modest spicy heat along with cumin, paprika, grains of paradise and cinnamon. If you wish, you can add your own shredded chicken, some extra heat with cayenne pepper and rice, cassava or plantain. Juice is apple, basil and lime. Soup is $3/cup for 2 to 9 cups and $2.50 for 10 or more. Juice is $9/two cups. Email him to place your order.
