CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW

 


A PERSONAL VIEW

Last week, I groaned and moaned about an attack of shingles.  Despite that initial diagnosis at St Michael’s Hospital,  it turns out that I may not have this affliction.  Further check-ups revealed that I also don’t have COVID.  My heart is functioning just fine.  My blood is flowing normally.  The only explanation for all of this, so far, is that I’ve got a pain. I received a lot of comforting emails from you.  I’m really grateful for your support.  This photo shows me at the exact time when my first painful attack occurred.  David Morris, the Liberal candidate, is explaining himself while I try to hide what’s happening.


FEATURED ARTIST


Victoria Hadden

Victoria is one of the artists displaying her work on our new Cabbagetown Artists page.  This painting is titled Spring III. It’s a 12” by 9” pen, ink and watercolour on cold press paper.  Go to her page to see the details and her contact info.


LOCAL NEWS


Suze Morrison

For the past four years, Ms Morrison has served as our Member of the Provincial Legislature.  She announced on April 4 that she would not seek re-election to a second term.  She cited severe and growing health concerns.   She’s worked diligently with local residents here in Toronto Centre. She’s made an impact on province-wide issues with her work at the Legislature.  We owe her our heartfelt thanks for her work and effectiveness as our MPP.  And our best wishes to her for a full and speedy recovery.


Kristyn Wong-Tam for the NDP

Suze Morrison announced her retirement from provincial politics on Monday April 4. Four days later,  Ms Wong-Tam jumped into the provincial election.  She will resign from City Council on May 4 and run here as Ms Morrison’s successor.   She’ll get the official NDP nomination on April 23. Party leader Andrea Horwath is delighted.  The NDP has already rented a vacant storefront at 242 Carlton to serve as its campaign headquarters.  Asked about the speedy turn of events, Horwath told Rob Ferguson of the Toronto Star, “Suze took the time to make her decision … (and) Kristyn became aware that was happening.” This is far more charitable than a version of events offered by opposing candidates.


David Morris, Liberal

David is a consultant working on client relations in a health technology company.   He’s a Toronto Centre resident.  Four years ago, he was the Liberal candidate against Suze Morrison. He was re-nominated for this election in September 2020 and he’s been everywhere in Toronto Centre since then. 
He ranks covid-related worries, rent control and housing prices among the chief local concerns. The Ford government’s use of Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZO’s) shows the need for their reform and careful use.  He wants zoning reform to enable more flexible housing in basements and laneways.
Asked about ongoing problems at Dundas and Sherbourne, he points to the need for a wider range of services there dealing with housing, mental health and food security.  He believes that too many services are being dumped into Toronto Centre and they need to be scattered more widely across the city. 
He wants Metrolinx to slow down with its plans for subway stations on the First Parliament site at King and Parliament and at Moss Park.  Local residents deserve a voice in the planning. 
Contact David by email, on Facebook, on Instagram and at his website.


Ontario election

On May 4, the provincial election will begin and run to June 2. Here are a few preliminary facts.
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.  


The 2022 Forsythia Festival

Sunday May 1.  Detaiis are starting to emerge.  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. 


Welcome Mina Mawani

Dixon Hall has announced Ms Mawani’s appointment as its new CEO.  She comes with over fifteen years’ experience in leadership roles in major organizations.  Dixon Hall’s programs reach deeply into our community and her influence here will be substantial.  You can read more about her background in the announcement.  She starts on May 2.

  

One hundred year-old seeds

Before the mouth of the Don was changed one hundred years ago, the marsh at its mouth was the biggest wetland on the Great Lakes.  It was then filled and the river was straightened.  Today, the project in the Port Lands is reclaiming the area with a kilometre-long channel.  It was excavated to a seven-metre depth and left while work continued elsewhere. Surprisingly, plants sprang up from seeds buried there one hundred years ago.  Check out the full story here. 


Visits to Riverdale Farm

The Farm (201 Winchester at Sumach) is now open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.  These lovely chickens will soon have company - baby goats, lambs and ducks will soon be popping out. You can keep track of new arrivals here.

 

Maplelicious was a success

The BIA’s first Maplelicious celebration on Sunday April 3 drew a happy crowd, mainly parents and kids. The sweets were a definite draw.  Staff from Daniel et Daniel made maple crepes with Chantilly cream.  Franks & Beans provided the music and the photo booth was set up.  Thanks go to Meridian Credit Union, Tim Horton’s and Weenen General Contracting for their support.


Clean Toronto Together

The annual Spring clean-up happens this year from April 22 to 24.  Local groups and associations are asked to register with the City of Toronto before April 15 in order to arrange litter pick-ups. Watch here for next week’s list of projects that you can join.


Learn to run

On Wednesday mornings for 45 minutes from 7 am with Manissa.  This eight-week course focuses on 5 to 10 km runs.  Riverdale Park - the runs go through the neighbourhood.  Sign up at the website.


Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit

By Sally Gibson.  Riverdale Zoo marked many a visitor including one of Canada’s great humourists, Robert Thomas Allen, who grew up during the 1910s and 1920s on Chester Street just across the Don Valley from Cabbagetown. “One of my favourite spots,” Allen wrote in My Childhood and Yours, “was the Riverdale Zoo, a pleasant, seedy place with weeds growing through the cobbles of the walks.” Allen was one of the sparse winter visitors. “I’d stand there on a murky winter afternoon when the sky was the colour of eggplant and listen to the lion roar.” And what a roar! “…starting on a low note, like a train shunting down in the flats, then picking up volume until it set up vibrations in my soul….” And the lions’ eyes. “I’d peer into the lion’s green, staring eyes, with the fearsome thought that they were not exactly unfriendly, but something worse – not having enough feeling to even be unfriendly, like the sea – and I’d terrify myself, imagining what it was like being hooked by those great claws.” The Riverdale Zoo lions had much to roar about, great complaints about their tiny accommodations, which are evident in this postcard. (Photo:  Riverdale Zoo Lions, detail from postcard). 


THEATRE NEWS


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 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


Get ready for Easter weekend

St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) is taking your orders now for your Easter dinners - turkeys, ham and lamb.  The butcher shop will be open from 9 am to 4 pm on Good Friday, from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturday and closed on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.


Terroni

The shop in Terroni (22 Sackville) has a line of ceramic dishes to compliment your Easter table in several styles and patterns.  7 am to 8 pm daily.  


Staij

Regular and mini-sized eggs are available at Staij. (552 Parliament).  Order online.


Roselle


There are plenty of bite-sized goodies left for walk-in customers over the weekend.  Including a special edition of caramel treats.  362 Queen E.


EASTER WEEKEND


Dominion Pub & Kitchen

Enjoy a special Easter brunch from April 15 to 18.  10:30 am to 3 pm daily.  500 Queen E.


The Irv

Easter dinner includes turkey, glazed ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, veggies and gravy - all for $24.  Friday April 15 to Sunday April 17.  It’s available for both dine-in and takeout.  195 Carlton


Mill Street Brew Pub

Mill Street’s Easter brunch menu features unique dishes.  This is shakshuka.  It’s a skillet filled with stewed tomatoes, tomato relish, gemolata, crispy chickpeas, topped with baked eggs. There’s also toast, a side salad and fresh fruit.  From 11 am over the long weekend.  21 Tank House Lane, Distillery.


RESTAURANT NEWS


Live entertainment

Dominion (500 Queen E) is bringing back live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night.  


Karaoke is back

Alice’s Place (554 Parliament) has revived its popular karaoke evenings.  They’ll be regular events every Friday at 9 pm.


Cyril’s soup

Cyril is taking a break over the Easter weekend.