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.