CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
CHRISTMAS NEWS
Christmas dinner at Cranberries
Green Thumb Growing Kids
GTGK has a special colouring book on sale. What Gardeners Know is a guided lesson for kids ages 6 to 14 about gardening from soil to flowers to pollination to fruits and veggies. It’s a GTGK fundraiser and a great gift idea - books are $15 with local delivery and $20 with shipping. More details are available online.
Cabbagetown lights
The Cabbagetown Residents Association is back with its annual Christmas lights contest. Nominate a home with spectacular lights (even your own!). Your photo will be posted on Facebook and your neighbours will vote. Nominations are open now. Contest runs to December 26. Click here to get the contact info and the rules.
Jay’s
Jay’s (358 Gerrard at Sackville) has Fraser fir Christmas trees and a big selection of Christmas goodies - poinsettias, table arrangements, outdoor wreathes, boughs and decorative baskets. Open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
Turkeys are now on sale
Mark at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) is taking orders for your Christmas turkey. He getting them from Heritage Farms. Ask Mark about his other delicious meals for your holiday specials.
Livio died peacefully on Tuesday December 6. He was the beloved husband to Helen Coltrinari and a well known, respected member of our community. Helen has written, “It is with enormous sadness that I announce the peaceful passing of Livio Coltrinari at St. Michael’s Hospital, ICU care, on Tuesday, Dec 6, four days after his 80th birthday. Beloved husband of Helen Coltrinari for 54 beautiful years and friend to countless people…you know who you are. Cremation has taken place. At a future date, Livio will be honoured with a celebration of his amazing life….a life filled with love of music from opera to Amy Winehouse, wine, travel, downhill skiing, food - always good food - and walking his great pal Jack, the Border Terrier, who also misses him terribly. Donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Aphasia Institute or the St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation are welcomed.”
LOCAL NEWS
Livio Andrew John Coltrinari
Fire at All Saints
On Tuesday December 13 at 1 am, a fire broke out at All Saints’ Homes for Tomorrow Residence (319 Dundas E). Although it was extinguished within ninety minutes by the fire department, smoke and fire killed one man and two others were hospitalized. Damage throughout the residence and in All Saints’ community centre is extensive. The church has set up a gofundme campaign asking for financial assistance. Joanne Lavoie at CP24 has written a detailed account of the fire and its impact.
The Cabbagetown BIA reports that the Parliament road work will be finished this week, weather permitting. The fences and equipment will be removed and parking will be restored. The construction will return for 3 or 4 weeks in the Spring for road resurfacing.
Parliament Street construction
Homeless encampment in Allan Gardens
Chris Moise is our newly elected City Councillor. His Update issued this week reports on the encampment of homeless people in tents in Allan Gardens. Ten people have been housed elsewhere, thirteen more are cleaning up their personal paperwork and eleven are matched with housing opportunities. Unfortunately, ten more people have refused to cooperate for permanent housing or shelter support. Chris is working with staff to relocate everyone without resorting to police involvement. (Photo: Steve Russell, Toronto Star)
Chris Moise’s team
Here are the people who help Chris and work in his office. Top left to right: Yussuf Hussein, Juliet Akhadia, Chris Moise, Tyler Johnson and Edward LaRusic. Bottom left to right: Lucas Granger, Sharon Ma, Mary Hassan and Marzio Silva. You can reach them online, by telephone (416) 392-7903 and by email.
New partners at Quayside
Waterfront Toronto has announced an agreement with two developers - Dream Unlimited and Great Gulf Group - to create housing and public infrastructure at the 12-acre Quayside site (Parliament and Queen’s Quay.). This is the area where Waterfront Toronto and Google once negotiated for a possible project. The press release from Waterfront Toronto outlines the scope of this agreement and the future project. (Photo: Andrew Lahodynskyj/The Canadian Press)
Angela Jervis-Read
Angela is once again offering both in-person and online teacher training and retreats. Her immediate events are teacher training. Over two weekends on January 27, 28 and 29 and February 3,4 and 5, she’s teaching advanced Yin Yoga teacher training online. She’s also teaching online yoga philosophy study groups in eight ninety-minute classes spread out over four months in January, February, March and April. From January 14 to March 19, she’s a co-host on a Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training session from Manchester, England. To learn more and to join her sessions, go to her website.
Welcome Marit Stiles
Ms Stiles is the NDP’s incoming provincial leader and the MPP for Davenport. She and Kristyn Wong-Tam have been friends in the Legislature and so it’s appropriate that she visited Toronto Centre for her first local riding event as the party’s leader.
Thanks to our supporters
Outdoor skating rinks
COMING EVENTS
Holiday breakfast
Pre-Christmas concert with Doogie & Dun
Comedy Cabaret and Bake Sale
Drop in to Bolokelen Malinke (243 Gerrard E) for an evening of stand-up comedy by Puff Mama. Friday December 16, doors open and bake sale starts at 8 pm. The show starts at 9 pm and will feature an all female lineup of comedians. It's a private home and studio space, so attendees are welcome to BYO. Drop-ins are welcome - $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available online.
The holidays can be a stressful time but the care of your furry loved ones shouldn't be. Victoria van der Meulen provides quality care for the unique needs of your cats, from administration of medication to afternoon playtime. 20 years of experience and a local in the neighbourhood, Victoria is a quick e-mail away.
This weekend marks the end of Spruce’s time at 455 Parliament Street. Kim Alke has announced that the store will close after business hours on Sunday. She plans an online presence in 2023. Spruce has been a lovely store and Kim has overcome daunting problems to flourish here. Thanks, Kim and best wishes for your future plans.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Victoria’s cat sitting services
IN OUR STORES
Thanks Kim
Jam at The Great Mallard
Christina’s jams won major prizes during her appearances at the Royal Winter Fair. Here’s your chance to taste them and learn why they’re so popular. Saturday December 17, 1 to 5pm, The Great Mallard (503 Parliament). And they’ll make great stocking stuffers - after all, as she says, “ Award-winning ones are a pretty cool gift to give, eh?”
Follow-up to Holiday in the Patch
THEATRE & DANCE NEWS - DECEMBER
Peggy Pickit sees the face of God
Little Dickens
To Sunday December 18, Canadian Stage (26 Berkeley). An adults-only marionettes show. Click here for dates, tickets and more info.
‘da Kink in My Hair
To December 23, Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane). “Set in a West Indian hair salon in Toronto, it untangles the triumphs and tragedies of the women who sit in Novelette's salon chair … unforgettable, moving, and hilarious stories.” Tickets and more info, click here.
Extended run to January 7
To January 7, Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane). Soulpepper says this Alice is “a new adventure for all ages. Bad Hats Theatre’s contemporary spin on Wonderland takes us down the rabbit hole with Alice, a girl with a lot of questions.” Click here for tickets and info.
Alice in Wonderland
Crazy Dave Goes to Town
On stage to December 16. The Centre for Indigenous Theatre presents Daniel David Moses’ play, the story of David McLeod. Aki Studio Theatre (585 Dundas E).
Most of our restaurants and pubs will close on Christmas Day and reopen on Boxing Day. Cranberries (601 Parliament) stays open and offers an amazing Christmas dinner. Contact them at (416) 925-6330 for reservations and more details. The House on Parliament (454 Parliament) opens the bar from noon for a brief afternoon event with beverages and complimentary sandwiches.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Christmas Day events
Drag Queen bingo
Super Bargain (441 Parliament) presents Drag Queen Messy Margaret with two shows and four bingo games. 7 pm on Tuesday December 20. Check her out online here. And don’t forget DJ Shamz every Friday night from 10 pm to 2 am.
NJ Lounge
Oscar at NJ Lounge (507 Parliament) wants to remind everyone that he has lots of space where private events can be held. There’s room in the front and also the patio room further in the back. For more info, send Oscar an email.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY DECEMBER 15 TO SUNDAY DECEMBER 25
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 15
Dominion
7 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, Group drumming classes for beginners with Anna Melnikoff
FRIDAY DECEMBER 16
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
8 pm, Comedy cabaret and bake sale, $20.
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY DECEMBER 17
Dominion
7 pm, Live music
SUNDAY DECEMBER 18
Redwood Theatre
3 pm, Duncan Fremlin & Douglas John Cameron fundraiser for the Daily Bread Food Bank
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
1 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
Dominion
7 pm, Stand-up comedy.
MONDAY DECEMBER 19
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY DECEMBER 20
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
Super Bargain
7 pm, Messy Margaret’s Bargain Bin Bingo
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 21
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
THURSDAY DECEMBER 22
Dominion
7 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, Group drumming classes for beginners with Anna Melnikoff
FRIDAY DECEMBER 23
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
SATURDAY DECEMBER 24
Dominion
7 pm, Live music
SUNDAY DECEMBER 25
The House on Parliament, from noon opens the bar with sandwiches and beverages.
Cranberries Christmas dinner - two (and possibly three) sittings, 3 pm (tentative), 5:30 and 7:00 pm - reservations at (416) 925-6330.
CONTACT INFO
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion - 243 Gerrard E
Cranberries - 601 Parliament
Dominion - 500 Queen E
House on Parliament - 454 Parliament
NJ Lounge - 507 Parliament
Redwood Theatre - 1300 Gerrard E
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton
Super Bargain, 441 Parliament
