CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
CABBAGETOWN ARTISTS
This site introduces local artists to our local community. Six artists are featured here. They’ve 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. (This image: Irene Peplinski DeClute, Wetland for Wood Ducks)
A PERSONAL VIEW
Bill Graham died this week. He was 83. He made a big difference to our lives in Cabbagetown and to all Canadians. First elected in 1993, he was returned to Parliament five more times. And he was popular - he was selected several times by NOW Magazine as Toronto’s best MP. (Photo: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images)
As a Member of Parliament, he had a significant impact throughout his career. He chaired the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs & International Trade. In 2002, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 2004, he moved to National Defence. After the Liberals’ loss in the 2006 federal election, he became the party’s Interim Leader and Leader of the Opposition. (Photo: Reuters, Chris Wattie)
In July 2007, he resigned his seat. In retirement, he wrote his memoirs, The Call of the World. He continued his philanthropic work and his participation in Canadian and world affairs. He and his wife Cathy gave $1 million to Dixon Hall and helped to build its new Regent Park Youth Centre which is named in their honour. He served as Chancellor at Trinity College and donated over $11 million to the University of Toronto. He was made a member of the Order of Canada and given honours from France as well as international and Canadian organizations. (Photo: Dixon Hall)
LOCAL NEWS
Cabbagetown Festival weekend
Blair’s Run is back and once again, it’s a virtual event. That format worked very well in previous years - over $53,000 was raised to support the Cabbagetown Youth Centre and Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club. Volunteers are needed to organize and canvass for street teams and donations.
The Cabbagetown Short Film Festival is having its in-person Live Gala on Wednesday September 7 at the Winchester Dance Theatre (80 Winchester). The program will also be screened online from September 8 to 15. Tickets for each event are $15. Gina Dineen says that there are lots of comedies on the program. Tickets will be available next week and the website with program info will be launched soon as well.
Cabbagetown Festival on Parliament Street. Bill Renieris, Cabbagetown BIA chair, says that the street will be closed and a big music program will be featured. Dates and times to be confirmed.
The Art & Crafts show in Riverdale Park (Sumach between Carlton ad Winchester) opens on Friday September 9 at 1 pm and continues through Saturday and Sunday. 150 art and craft vendors and nine food venf=dors will display their works. Check the website for detailed listings.
Parkscape musical events
The Toronto All-Stars Big Band are a perfect choice for the Parkscape stage. Their music is superb and their sound penetrates even the toughest competition from street traffic. A happy crowd gathered to hear them on Wednesday evening. They’ll be back again on Wednesday August 24 at 5 pm.
Robin Buxton-Potts
Robin is the interim City Councillor filling the vacancy created when Kristyn Wong-Tam resigned from City Council. Robin decided that her experience as a staff member at City Hall would add considerably to Council over the next four years so she’s running for election in Ward 11, University-Rosedale, just north of us. That Council seat is now empty - Mike Layton is retiring. She’s very concerned about the $1.4 billion financial shortfall facing the City and she feels equipped to make the decisions about programming and taxes that will be needed to deal with it.
It’s a bench!
The City of Toronto moved in quietly and plunked a bench down on the boulevard beside No Frills on Spruce Street. The City obviously didn’t worry about the big controversy that racked Cabbagetown a decade ago. Nobody locally knew that it was coming. The bench, however, has not gone unnoticed. According to sources at the Cabbagetown BIA, someone on Spruce Street has written a harsh note about the bench including personal remarks about the BIA’s staff and Board - even though they didn’t have anything to do with the decision. In the meantime, Chris couldn’t care less about all of this - he’s happy to use the bench to catch up on his phone messages.
Boat tours of the waterfront
Waterfront Toronto is organizing one-hour boat tours of the waterfront on August 13, 20 and 27 at 1:15 pm. Meet at the York Slip at the MV Shipsands boat. The tour will touch on waterfront history, the revitalization and the vision for the future. Early demand for a ride was very strong. Reservations are not available - seats are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Our two Farmers’ Markets
Steve from Fifth Town Cheese visits both markets every week. He offers plenty of choices from cow’s cheese, goat cheese, truffle cheese and more - all artisan products made in their Prince Edward County factory. And, of course, both markets also have plenty of fresh farm produce - peaches, corn, tomatoes and green veggies are all arriving now. The Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market In Riverdale Park West (Sumach at Winchester) is open every Tuesday from 3 to 7:30 pm. Underpass Park Farmers’ Market (29 Lower River Street) in Corktown is open on Thursdays from 4 to 7:30 pm.
More parking problems
It was a challenge to get along Spruce Street near Riverdale Park earlier this week. The big cube van is parked on the road and sidewalk (and on the nearby homeowner’s front bricks). The green tank truck completely blocked the street. The construction crew was working at a home beside the green truck. All of these guys were, presumably, working on a contract from the City of Toronto and they weren’t going anywhere in a hurry. (Photo: Rick Walker)
Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
IN THE MEDIA
Bill Graham
The media are full of articles commenting on Bill Graham’s death. Stephanie Taylor’s obituary in the Toronto Star notes his accomplishments and his warmth. Read her article here. ((Photo: Peter Power, Toronto Star)
Garden District
Jamie Bradburn describes a walk through the historic Garden District and Upper Jarvis in the Toronto Star. (Photo: Paige Taylor White, Toronto Star)
COMING EVENTS
Sunday in the Park
Sunday August 14. The annual Festival in Regent Park. Music, entertainers, games, food, vendors. Noon to 7 pm, Sunday August 14. The Big Park in Regent Park (640 Dundas E)
Music in Allan Gardens
Sunday August 14. The Counterpoint Community Orchestra presents free concerts in Allan Gardens (Carlton and Sherbourne). 3 to 4 pm every Sunday to August 14.
Ice cream social with Marci Ien
Saturday August 13. Enjoy free ice cream with our Member of Parliament, Marci Ien. Winchester Park (530 Ontario), Saturday August 13, noon to 2 pm.
Moonlight Market in Regent Park
On-going event. Thursdays and Saturdays from 5 to 10 pm, to September 17. Local crafts, food, entertainment. The east patio beside The Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).
Taste of Regent Park
Every Wednesday. Community meals prepared and cooked right in the Park, local vendors and entertainment every Wednesday from 5 pm until September 21. The Big Park (620 Dundas).
Park Yoga
Every Thursday from noon to 1 pm at Riverdale Farm (Sumach and Carlton) up to Thanksgiving. Sarah Elder is the instructor. PWYC. For listings of other locations and dates and for last minute info about rain cancellations, check out the website.
THEATRE NEWS - AUGUST 2022
Gould’s Wall
On stage August 12. A young, extraordinarily talented musician is striving for perfection in her art. Her path to greatness? A magnificent wall. Last performance - August 12, 8:30 pm. Created by Tapestry Opera and presented by the Royal Conservatory of Music. More info about the opera and ticket sales - available online.
Brad Wheeler has written an enthusiastic review of Tapestry Opera’s production in the Globe & Mail. Click here for the full review. (Photo: Dahlia Katz, Globe & Mail)
Queen Goneril
On stage August 25 to October 2. King Lear’s daughters in a man’s world. Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane, Distillery). For more info about the play and for tickets, click here.l
King Lear
On stage August 27 to October 1. Goneril’s father near the end of his reign. Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane). For online info and tickets, click here.
KIDS NEWS
Book donations
Children’s Book Bank will receive your drop-offs on Saturday August 13 from 11 am to 2:30 pm. Please leave them at the warehouse (531 Sherbourne), rear entrance off Berkeley Street north of Wellesley.
Mud-days at Allan Gardens
Mud-Day Monday morning for your kids on August 15 and August 22 from 10 to 11:30 am. Allan Gardens invites your family to drop-in (no advance notice needed) and stay as long as you wish. Great for children 2 to 7, siblings welcome, accompanied by a care giver. Your kids can nibble on plants, look at bugs, plant some seeds, make nature crafts and go on scavenger hunts. It all happens in the Edible Garden at Allan Gardens (Carlton and Jarvis).
IN OUR STORES
The Great Mallard at Parkscape
The Great Mallard (503 Parliament) and Meridian Credit Union (486 Parliament) are teaming up to present a games contest at Parkscape on Thursday August 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. The winners will earn a gift basket. Go to the tent in front of Meridian - free, no reservations required.
Timeless Collective at Parkscape
Beautiful and stylish clothing from Timeless Collective (540 Parliament). The pop-up happens at Parkscape in front on Parliament Street Fitness (488 Parliament) on Saturday August 13 from 1 to 8 pm.
ENTERTAINMENT
Lots of music at Parkscape
Performances happen on the Parkscape stage in front of Parliament Street Fitness (488 Parliament). On Friday August 12, George Crotty brings his eclectic style to Parkscape and he appears again on Monday August 15, from 2 to 5 pm on both days. The Power of Soul appears on Sunday August 14 from 2 to 5 pm with r&b, funk and soul from the 60s and 70s. On Wednesday August 17 from 6 to 9 pm, enjoy Trombone Charlotte’s Tiger Band playing traditional New Orleans style jazz. On Thursday August 18 from 6 to 8 pm, bring your ukulele and sing along with WeJam Toronto - in front of Jet Fuel (519 Parliament). Check the website for times and details. And watch for announcements for the weeks to come - the schedule is filling up with exciting groups. .
Buskers in the Distillery
Every Saturday and Sunday until August 28. Noon to 4 pm. A new performer appears very day. The Distillery invites musicians and outdoor performers to take part in the program. Contact them online here.
Headscratchers’ Trivia
Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) is hosting its popular Headscratchers Trivia every Monday and Tuesday night from 7 pm. Reservations are recommended. Board games are available daily. (647) 344-7676. Free.
Karaoke at Alice’s Place
Friday night karaoke happens at 9 pm every week at Alice’s Place (554 Parliament). Thousands of songs.
Live music and DJs
The Dominion (500 Queen E) brings you live music and DJs every Saturday night from 7 to 11 pm through the summer.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Pasta and pizza on the patio
Get over to the patio at F’Amelia (12 Amelia) for fresh pasta and yummy pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven. Every Wednesday, it’s Wine Wednesday - bottles priced over $100 are on sale for half price.
Dominion’s Tasting Flight for Two
Enjoy a dinner for two at the Dominion (500 Queen E). Menu includes a shared appetizer (cannellini bean hummus, cauliflower bites or nacho), one entree for each person (falafel hippie bowl, Dominion burger, truffalo chicken sandwich or fish & chips) and shared chocolate cake for dessert. $55. Saturday August 13 to August 31 at 10:30 am. Make a reservation online.
Stout’s doggy menu
Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) is now inviting dogs to join their owners on their patio. (They have a separate patio for humans only.) blogTO has written about the whole doggy experience and Erin has heard from people on both sides of the experience. Click here to read about it.
Tasso
Tasso (540 Parliament) is taking orders again. Officially they’re sold out for Saturday. Mike suggests that you check the website on Friday for cancellations and, if you’re in the area, stop by the shop at 12:30 pm on Saturday in case he’s had some no-shows.. Stay tuned to the website for menus and ordering.
Summerlicious is back
Summerlicious starts on Friday August 12 and continues to Sunday August 28. Reservations are now open. Summerlicious restaurants offer prix fixe three-course menus at lunch and dinner. Lunch prices range from $20 to $55 and dinner from $25 to $75. Local restaurants include The Aviary (484 Front St E), Mengrai Thai Restaurant (82 Ontario St) and Butter Chicken Factory (560 Parliament). Both Mengrai Thai and The Aviary made it onto blogTO’s recommended top 30 list.
Cyril’s soup
Vichyssoise is Cyril’s soup this week - a chance for him to reminisce about his holiday in France. He’s following Julia Child’s recipe with only six ingredients - potatoes, leeks, chicken stock, heavy cream, salt and pepper. You may want to add a dusting of nutmeg and chopped chives. Serve it cold (or hot if you prefer), 3 to 9 cups at $3/cup and 10 or more cups at $2.50/cup. His juice is pineapple, basil, apples and lemons - lemonade at $9 for 2 cups. Email him with your order.
