April 28

 CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW



FEATURED ARTIST


Victoria Hadden

Victoria’s celebration of Spring.  Go to her page on Cabbagetown Artists to see the details and her contact info.

Cabbagetown Artists

This site introduces local artists to our local community.  There are currently four artists featured here.  More are coming soon.  In addition, these artists have been adding new images regularly.  It’s a site where you can happily browse and see works by people you know.  And you can purchase any that appeal to you.


LOCAL NEWS


The 2022 Forsythia Festival

It's here - Sunday May 1.  Wear something yellow.  The parade will begin at 10 am in Riverdale Park (Sumach and Winchester). The Wellesley Park events will run from 11 am to 3 pm. There’ll be a bouncy castle, raffles, a beer garden with a bbq, lots of fun activities for little kids and the ever-popular mechanical bull ride.  A fire truck will visit at approximately 11:30 am, barring any last-minute emergencies. Scott Dietrich will present his magic show. The photo shows the picnic area and beer garden at the 2018 Festival.

Cabbagetown Naturescape - a park on Parliament Street

The Cabbagetown BIA and Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam are creating an exciting park project for Parliament Street for ten weeks from July 1. It’ll be located on the street between Carlton and Winchester using the parking lanes on each side. Traffic will continue in two lanes in the middle. There will be five “zones” with landscaping and event spaces in each.   You can expect grass, hills, trees, landscaping and seating areas. 

The project will use over 3,000 tons of natural materials - 130 truckloads of soil.  There’ll be 100 new street trees and shrubs. Based on prior experiences at other projects, it’s expected that retail foot traffic to local businesses will grow by 50% with 250 new seats added for pedestrians and businesses.  Traffic speeds will drop by 50%.  Surface temperatures will be up to 20C cooler in summer months.

The designers are Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds.  Ms Wong-Tam started the idea last year, did the fundraising and got the approvals from various city agencies.  She credits former BIA executive director Rick Matthews for bringing the idea to her.  She also feels that the current Board members along with Virginia Gallop have been vital to its success. The BIA is coordinating with local businesses and will organize events.

Gerrard and Parliament

The hoardings have gone up around this corner property (365 Parliament) and construction will start soon at this site.  Sales will begin in the Fall, 2022. It’s the final project for the Daniels Corporation in Regent Park.  Two buildings will go up here.  The northern one right at the corner will be built first.  It’s a mid-rise 10-storey building with 346 residential units.  The south tower will have 296 units. Both buildings will house over 23,000 square feet of ground floor retail. Amenities include co-working space, fitness centre, kids’ club and a wellness garden and there’ll be green roofs, outdoor amenity spaces, EV charging stations and plenty of bike storage.

The latest news from the garden tour

The Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces tour takes place on Sunday June 5.  Several extra events are planned. The CBC’s gardening expert Paul Zammit will be there along with master gardeners who can answer your questions.  On June 5, many local merchants will offer special discounts to tour supporters.  Tickets go on sale on May 1 - available through the website by credit cards and from local businesses by cash.  

Volunteers needed

The 2022 garden tour is scheduled for Sunday June 5.  Volunteers are needed to help in the various gardens and activities along the way.  It’s a fun job and every volunteer gets a free ticket to the gardens on the tour. You can do a morning shift from 9:50 am to 1 pm or an afternoon from 12:50 to 4 pm.  Send your email to Helen Coltrinari. 

Green Thumbs Growing Kids

GTGK is again selling baskets for Mother’s Day.  Funds go directly to school garden projects making food literacy and garden education available for all children.  $45. Check out the page at Canada Helps for details about the baskets and about further donations.   They’re also looking for volunteers to join the Board.  It’s a positive group who make a difference in the lives of kids in our community - if you’re willing, send an email

Clean Toronto Together

It seems that everyone got out and cleaned the neighbourhood last weekend.  Big thanks to those who did the work - it really makes a difference. Here’s a list of the groups who pitched in.  
Aberdeen Avenue Residents Group (Photo: Victoria Hadden)

Cabbagetown Residents Association.  (Photo:  Carolyn Murphy, the collection from Wellesley Park). 

The Corner and Dixon Hall in St James Town 

Friends of Allan Gardens 

Regent Park & Corktown Common 

Spring really is coming

Here’s a photo from late April 2017 at the site of Tony Brady’s plaque in Wellesley Park, home of the Forsythia Festival. It’s the most glorious season of the year in Cabbagetown.


Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit

By Sally Gibson.  Spring!  To homebody adults, spring meant the scent of lilacs and hyacinths, the blooming of blue bells and forsythia and the welcome appearance of daffodils and tulips planted last fall. But to the adventuresome 10- or 12-year-old, like humourist Robert Thomas Allen of Chester Avenue, spring meant going “up the bush” in the Don Valley in the 1910s and ‘20s. No doubt his Cabbagetown contemporaries skedaddled into the valley as soon as the sun beckoned and the temperature rose above zero or so. They slid down mud banks, Allen recorded, peered through thin sheets of ice into little cold emerald-green gardens between the roots of trees and wandered around over creaking ice and patches of snow and clay that stuck to their feet till they were the size of pie plates, just renewing acquaintance with all the familiar logs, creeks, stumps and boulders they hadn’t seen since last summer. Arrival back home, covered in mud and stinking of mud, rotten weeds and other unidentifiable objects meant meeting mothers expressing horror at the mess … but secretly knowing that “up the bush” had started the new season. (Photo: Two boys by the Don River, 1910s   City of Toronto Archives 372-41-588)


ANNOUNCEMENTS


Cabbagetown BIA is hiring

A marketing and administrative coordinator is needed to handle administrative tasks plus the planning and execution of special events. $20/hour, 35 hours/week. The position is available from May 2 to September 2. Email Virginia at the BIA. The job description is online at the BIA’s website.


COMING EVENTS


Save the dates - Jane’s Walks

Jane’s Walks return on Friday May 6 to Sunday May 8.  We usually see several in our neighbourhood.  On Friday at 2 pm, Transforming Toronto’s East Bayfront - meet at Jarvis and Queen’s Quay E, south side.  On Saturday, at 2:30 pm, explore public art in the Canary District - meet at 434 Front Street East.  On Saturday, at 10:45 am, Revitalizing Toronto’s Waterfront - meet at the Jack Layton statue near the ferry dock, 9 Queen’s Quay W.  On Saturday at 10 am and Sunday at 2 pm, Shared Stories of Corktown - meet at Berkeley St beside 300 King E.  On Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm each day, Allan Gardens & its Eclectic Neighbours - meet at the southwest corner of Carlton and Sherbourne.  On Sunday at 10 am, see three centuries in Corktown - start from the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse (106 Trinity). More walks cover other parts of Toronto.  Check the website.

Walking the Regent

Nathalie Prezeau is guiding a 3 km walk through the old and new sections of Regent Park. She’s a popular local author who’s written four walking guides to sites in Toronto.   It’ll start with a meet-n-greet at The Sumach (146 Sumach) followed by lunch on the Terrace and then the walk.   Thursday May 12, 10 am to 2 pm. Free - please register in advance by email or call (905) 597-7000. 

Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market

Opening June 14 and going to October 25, 3 to 7 pm.  Volunteers are needed - if you want to join, send an email to Ellie Ruggles, the 2022 market manager.  Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester)

Underpass Park Farmers' Market

Underpass Park Farmers’ Market (29 Lower River Street) will open on Thursday May 26 and run to October 20, 4 to 7:30 pm each day. Vendors are welcome - contact the Market by email.


IN THE MEDIA


Naturescape

blogTO has picked up the announcement about the new summer park planned for Parliament Street.  Amy Carlberg’s story describes the plan in detail.  


THEATRE NEWS


Is God Is

Presented by Canadian Stage at the Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley).  May 6 to May 22. Tickets and info are available online.  

This duet that we’ve already done (so many times)

Citadel + Compagnie (304 Parliament).  Choreographer, musician, dancer and jack of all trades Frédérick Gravel is joined by Brianna Lombardo.  May 5 to 7, 8 pm. Tickets online, $25. 

Acceleration 2022

Third-year students at the School of Toronto Dance (80 Winchester) will perform works by leading choreographers. In-person performances on May 5 and 6 at 8 pm and May 7 at 2 pm and 8 pm.   Program details and tickets are available here.

Momentum 2022

Students from all levels at the School of Toronto Dance (80 Winchester) will perform works by leading choreographers. In-person performances on April  28 and 29 at 8 pm and April 30 at 2 pm and 8 pm.   Program details and tickets are available here.

Pipeline at Soulpepper

The Canadian premiere of this story by Dominique Morisseau runs at Soulpepper (50 Tank Home Lane, Distillery) to May 8.  She tells the story of a mother’s battle to give her son a better future.  Ticket sales and more info are online.


IN OUR SHOPS


Welcome Andrew

Andrew Yeh is the new owner/pharmacist at Shopper’s Drug Mart (467 Parliament).  He comes to Cabbagetown after 14 years experience at the Yonge and Dundas store.  He’s very friendly and he’s looking forward to meeting each customer to learn what we want at Shopper’s.  

Gardening supplies

Our corner stores have plenty of plants, soil and other gardening supplies.  They’re already stocking up.  Visit your favourite - Jay’s Garden Centre (360 Gerrard), Fairway (520 Parliament), Jamestown Milk (592 Parliament) and Parliament Smoke (609 Parliament). 


RESTAURANT NEWS


Cyril’s soup

Cyril’s soup this week is bittersweet - carrot, cashew and turmeric.    3 to 9 cups at $3 each or 10 and more cups at $2.50 each.  His juice is a mystery blend brought about by his disappointment with the quality of fruits currently in the market.  He plans something exotic that’ll remind you of cocktails on a tropical beach at $9 for 2 cups.  Email your order to him. 

April 21

 CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW



FEATURED ARTIST


Irene Peplinski DeClute

Irene’s Cabbagetown paintings have proven to be popular.  This painting is titled Rawlings Lane. It’s 24” by 30” oil on canvas.  Go to her page on Cabbagetown Artists to see the details and her contact info.


ELECTION NEWS


Nicki Ward

Ms Ward is our provincial Green Party candidate.  She’s self-employed, working on new product development in financial services and the digital economy. She comes from a family who’re ready to work for change - her mother in England was a candidate for London City Council at 84 years old and her daughter is running for the Greens in Niagara West. As you can see in the photo at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament), she’s a comfortable campaigner who likes other people and she has fun doing it.  We sat down in the Deli there and talked about the coming election.
She believes that Toronto Centre is winnable for the Greens with its progressive, smart and strategic voters.  With 90% of Canada’s population living in cities, she thinks that we need to figure out what works in Toronto Centre and will work everywhere. Throughout the campaign, we can expect her to be forceful and interesting. Contact her at her website, by email, on Facebook and at Twitter.


Kristyn Wong-Tam’s next moves

Councillor Wong-Tam has announced that she will leave City Council on May 4 and run as an NDP candidate in the provincial election.  She has put her name forward for the Toronto Centre nomination.  That meeting will happen on Saturday afternoon, April 23.


Ontario election

The provincial election will start in ten days on May 4 and continue to June 2.  Be sure that your name is on the ballot.  Sign up to be a candidate. Learn some details about Toronto Centre riding.  Check out the different ways to cast your ballot.  Click here.  Do you want to work during the election?  Here’s the link.  


LOCAL NEWS


Cabbagetown Naturescape - a park on Parliament Street

The Cabbagetown BIA and Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam are spearheading an exciting park project for Parliament Street for ten weeks in the summer. It’ll be located right on the street between Carlton and Winchester using the parking lanes on each side. Traffic will continue in two lanes in the middle. You can expect grass, hills, trees, landscaping, seating areas and event areas. The designers are Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds. They have extensive experience with these urban park areas. Ms Wong-Tam started the idea last year, did the fundraising and is getting the approvals from various city agencies. The BIA is coordinating with local businesses and will organize events. Watch for more info and see the park unfold in early July.


Thanks to Royal LePage

Chris Dunlop (second from the left in the photo) from Royal LePage (517 Parliament) presented a cheque for $25,000 to Art Eggleton.  Art (left in the photo) is chairing the fundraising campaign for the Cabbagetown Youth Centre and BGC.  They’re accompanied by Greg Gary, executive director at BGC Toronto Kiwanis and by Robin Campbell (campaign manager for the capital fund-raising drive.) In his comments, Chris said, "As a youth, my life direction was turned around as a result of access to recreational programming led by caring adults. I know first-hand the positive impact opportunity and access to recreational spaces can have on the lives of young people who often have nowhere else to go for quality, safe recreational activities.” Thanks to Chris and his agents for their generosity.


The 2022 Forsythia Festival

Sunday May 1. The parade will begin at 10 am in Riverdale Park (Sumach and Winchester). The Wellesley Park events will run from 11 am to 3 pm. There’ll be a bouncy castle, raffles, a beer garden with a bbq, lots of fun activities for little kids and the ever-popular mechanical bull ride.  A fire truck will visit at approximately 11:30 am. Scott Dietrich will present his magic show.  Katie Tozier is this year’s lead organizer.   If you’d like to help, send her an email


Green Thumbs Growing Kids

GTGK is again selling baskets for Mother’s Day.  Funds go directly to school garden projects making food literacy and garden education available for all children.  $45. Check out the page at Canada Helps for details about the baskets and about further donations.   They’re also looking for volunteers to join the Board.  It’s a positive group who make a difference in the lives of kids in our community - if you’re willing, send an email


Sidewalk pilot project

The short stretch of sidewalk on the south side of Lakeshore Blvd East between Sherbourne Common and Bonnycastle is home to an important pilot project.  It’s testing ways to conserve surface runoff water, mainly from rain, and use it to water plants and improve the soil.  In most cases, runoff goes directly into the storm sewers.  Ideas from this project will improve work along the waterfront and across the city.

You thought it was over!

Winter returned this week and it was impressive.  The St James Town towers disappeared in the snowfall.  It’ll be warmer next week with mild temperatures and sunshine lasting to the Forsythia Festival.


COMING EVENTS


Clean Toronto Together

The annual Spring clean-up happens this year from April 22 to 24.  Local groups and associations are organized and just need your help to do their jobs. 

Aberdeen Avenue Residents Group - Saturday April 23, 10 am to noon. Cabbagetown Residents Association - clean up Wellesley Park to prepare for the Forsythia Festival.  Meet at the park’s south entrance on Amelia Street, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, Saturday April 23. 

Friends of Allan Gardens - meet in front of the Palm House, 1 to 2 pm, Sunday April 24. 

Regent Park and Corktown - meet at the Regent Park Fieldhouse (480 Shuter) at 9:45 am.  Cleanups at Regent Park Athletic Grounds, Corktown Common Pavilion and the Sackville Playground. 

Seaton, Ontario & Berkeley - Saturday April 23, 9 to 11 am
Volunteer residents - Kate Tinnerman is organizing volunteers to tackle Wellesley Street to the park.  Meet at 10:30 am on Saturday April 23 behind 323 Wellesley in Jeffrey’s Lane.


Bev Jenkins

Bev will be displaying her paintings at the Artists’ Project this weekend. Over 200 artists will be there - she’s in Booth 315. Timed entry tickets are $18 and any-time tickets are $22.  Thursday April 21 to Sunday April 24, various times. Click here for ticket info. Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place, 180 Prince’s Blvd.  


Save the dates - Jane’s Walks

Jane’s Walks return on Friday May 6 to Sunday May 8.  There usually are several in our neighbourhood.  Two have already been announced .  On Saturday, May 7 at 2:30 pm, explore public art in the Canary District. Meet at 434 Front Street East.  On Sunday May 8 at 10 am, see three centuries in Corktown starting from the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse (106 Trinity). There’ll be more walks - check the website.


Leslieville Flea

The Flea is back at the Fermenting Cellar (28 Distillery Lane) in the Distillery.  Sunday April 24, 11 am to 5 pm.  Over fifty vendors will be selling vintage, antique and original crafts.


Cabbagetown BIA is hiring

A marketing and administrative coordinator is needed to handle administrative tasks plus the planning and execution of special events.  $20/hour, 35 hours/week.  The position is available fro May 2 to September 2.  Email Virginia at the BIA. 237 Carlton.


Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market

The Market’s plans for 2022 are firming up.  Ellie Ruggles has been hired as the market manager.  She’s well qualified.  She grew up on a farm and she operated the Orillia Farmers’ Market for a year.  Dates have been set for the season - opening June 14 and going to October 25, 3 to 7 pm.  The Market will accept vendor applications until April 28. And volunteers are needed - if you want to join, send an email to Ellie.  Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester)


Underpass Park Farmers' Market

Underpass Park Farmers’ Market (29 Lower River Street) will open on Thursday May 26 and run to October 20, 4 to 7:30 pm each day. Vendors are welcome - contact the Market by email.


IN THE MEDIA


Regent Park Phases 4 and 5

Tridel has submitted its formal application to the City of Toronto for its plans for Phases 4 and 5 of Regent Park.  Daniels Corporation, the former Regent Park developer, already has formal approvals to build its last project right at the corner of Parliament and Gerrard - the site hoardings are now up and work is starting. Tridel’s area runs east from there along Gerrard to River - the site of the old brown low rise buildings. The CBC’s Farrah Merali has written an extensive article detailing Tridel’s plans. (Photo:  Patrick Morrell/CBC)


252 Parliament

Plans for the construction of a nine-storey condo on this site have been approved by the City of Toronto.  It will have 69 rental units along with ground floor retail.  35 units will be studios, 10 will be three-bedrooms and 24 will be four-bedrooms. It’s located on the site of the old Thrift Store.  Its heating and cooling systems will be powered by geothermal energy.  Urban Toronto has detailed descriptions of the project.


THEATRE NEWS


Acceleration 2022

Third-year students at the School of Toronto Dance (80 Winchester) will perform works by leading choreographers. In-person performances on May 5 and 6 at 8 pm and May 7 at 2 pm and 8 pm.   Program details and tickets are available here


Momentum 2022

Students from all levels at the School of Toronto Dance (80 Winchester) will perform works by leading choreographers. In-person performances on April  27, 28 and 29 at 8 pm and April 30 at 2 pm and 8 pm.   Program details and tickets are available here.


Pipeline at Soulpepper

The Canadian premiere of this story by Dominique Morisseau runs at Soulpepper (50 Tank Home Lane, Distillery) to May 8.  She tells the story of a mother’s battle to give her son a better future.  Ticket sales and more info are online.


The Next Room or the Vibrator Play

Onstage at Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley) to Saturday April 23.  In late 19th century America, an enterprising physician takes advantage of the dawn of electricity to employ a new mechanism to ease female “hysteria.” Meanwhile, his devoted but desperately unhappy wife takes charge of her own fulfillment and awakening. Tickets available online - click here.


IN OUR SHOPS


The Great Mallard

The Great Mallard (503 Parliament) is Cabbagetown’s home for unique vendors and products.  This week on Sunday, 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 they say that the shop is all of amazing goodies.


Menagerie Pet Shop

The dog washing station at Menagerie (549 Parliament) is open and free until the end of May, along with shampoo and conditioner, towel service, power dryer and treats.  You supply the dog!


Fair Trade Jewellery 

Fair Trade Jewellery (576 Parliament) is bringing life to its new shop.  The improvements have moved outdoors.  Along with the renovations across the street at the new L’Avenue restaurant (Amelia and Parliament) and at the Butter Chicken Factory (556 Parliament), this strip along Parliament is starting to perk right up.  Congrats everyone.


RESTAURANT NEWS


Book a private event

Mill Street’s Brewpub and BeerHall in the Distillery (21 Tank House Lane) are available now for private events.  To arrange a booking, send an email.


It’s Spring

Asparagus from Washington State has arrived at St James Town Steak & Chops (516 Parliament).  As Mark says, “Last stop before Ontario.”


In case you’ve forgotten

DOVA (229 Carlton) makes yummy pizza.  


Cyril’s soup

Cyril’s soup this week launches him into summer flavours - corn and red pepper.  It’s got onion, garlic and celery along with thyme and paprika.  You can add cream or coconut milk.  3 to 9 cups at $3 each or 10 and more cups at $2.50 each.  His juice is orange, papaya and raspberry at $9 for 2 cups.  Email your order to him.