CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED ARTIST
This week’s feature is a new image by Jack Grunsky - Blue House in Cabbagetown, acrylic on canvas, 12” x 12”. Check out the Cabbagetown Artists’ website.
LOCAL NEWS
Smelled any?
There’s a Facebook report about a large skunk at Sackville and Winchester. There have also been smelly encounters near Owl House Lane. Google says that skunks’ annual mating season happens during February and March. This makes sense - after all, it’s Valentine’s. So they’re roaming around to see who they can meet. You should also know that a female who isn’t “in the mood” will spray the amorous suitor.
Homicide at Sherbourne and Dundas
Nelson Niyongabo, 26, was stabbed and killed on Sunday afternoon inside 251 Sherbourne near the corner of Dundas. Police have arrested Rashid Ali and charged him with second degree murder. Anyone with more information is asked to call the police at (416) 808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (416) 222-TIPS (8477), or online at www.222tips.com. (Photo: Spencer Platt, Getty Images)
Tekyuharhtes – Star Lodge
Catherine Tammaro’s work is featured at Winterlit, the winter festival produced by Conservation Halton at Mountsberg Conservation Area (just west of Campbellville). Her work is “an interpretation of our Celestial Spaces, as a lodge of transformative awareness of the heavens and our deepest connection to them through the eyes of a Spotted Turtle Clan Wyandot FaithKeeper.” The exhibition continues through February 11 and then moves to the REMOTE Gallery in Toronto (568B Richmond W) from February 18.
Marilyn’s nail clinic
Get your furry pal ready for Valentine’s with a pedicure at Marilyn’s regular monthly nail clinic. Saturday February 4 at Pet Valu (240 Carlton), 9 am to 4 pm. She’s handled cats, dogs, Guinea pigs and rabbits. She often has a full schedule for the day so she asks you to make an appointment. Call her at (416) 920-6814 for a reservation. $12, cash please.
Hungry for love
Carnivorous plants for sale, sponsored by the Friends of Allan Gardens and Plantzza Hut. Sunday February 12, noon to 5 pm, Children’s Conservatory (160 Gerrard E).
Outdoor skating rinks
The City of Toronto operates three rinks in our area - Regent Park (480 Shuter), Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) and Sherbourne Commons (61 Dockside). On Thursday, all of them were open. Check the City’s lists for ice conditions when you want to skate.
CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY
Flowers are always welcome
Anji at Blooming Flower Bar is ready with her Valentine florals. Check out her website page for her amazing selections. Cabbagetown customers will get a discounted delivery price on orders placed before February 10. Between February 10 to 14, pick-ups are only available at her pop-up store on the main floor in Nordstrom in the Eaton’s Centre. Deliveries can be made anywhere for the regular price.
Valentine’s at Fair Trade Jewellery
Last Call at FTJCo… for the first time ever and just in time for Valentine’s, FTJCo has a selection of ready-to-wear jewellery at reduced prices. The Last Call Collection features pieces that need to go to their forever homes. Snag them at a reduced rate while you can. Check them out online. 576 Parliament
Love is in the air at Staij
Dessert is a “must” for a successful Valentine’s dinner. Staij (552 Parliament) has seasonal cupcakes, cakes and confectionary that are perfect for you. Try some chocolate covered strawberries, conversation hearts and Valentine’s treats. Maybe you’d like your own cookie mix or cupcake decorating kit. There’s lots more - go online to order.
Dinner at F’Amelia
Treat your loved one to a special evening at F’Amelia (12 Amelia). It’s a four-course dinner for two - complete with wines - $250. Burrrata for two to start. Scallops or kale salad come next. Your entree choices include seared duck breast, 1/2 lobster or mushroom pie. For dessert, there’s lemon tart brûlée, flourless chocolate torte or vegan wild blueberry cheesecake. For your reservation, call (416) 323-0666 or send an email.
IN THE MEDIA
St Jamestown Steak & Chops
Terry Michelin, Mark’s father, opened our local butcher shop in 1971. Mark’s sons are now working there. David Silverberg has written a warm description of their success and the tragedy that fell on them 30 years ago. (Photo: R J Johnston, Toronto Star)
Guardian Angels
Toronto Sun Columnist Joe Warmington has renewed the call to enlist the Guardian Angels to patrol troubled areas in Toronto. The group, an American invention, has made several unsuccessful efforts to get a Toronto foothold - including plans to patrol Cabbagetown and Regent Park. Click here to read his remarks.
YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Office space for rent
The offices at 493 Parliament above the TD Bank have extra space to rent. This office is open and bright. The common areas are available including a kitchen, a meeting room and seating in the entrance area. There’s elevator access to the second floor. It’s an ideal space for a lawyer or professional. For more info and for a tour of the space, call Tony Lafazanis at (416) 979-1770. $850 month plus HST.
KIDS NEWS
Black History Month
The Children’s Book Bank (585 Dundas E) has a whole display about Black history. Visit the store and take home a free book. Throughout February, there’ll be lots of books by Black authors and about Black contributions to our communities.
CampTO
The City of Toronto has released its list of CampTO programs. This list gives parents time to decide which ones to use for their family. The actual registration opens at 7 am on Saturday February 11. Online registration is suggested. There are five community centres where in-person registration is available - the Wellesley Community Centre (495 Sherbourne at Wellesley) is the nearest one.
THEATRE & DANCE NEWS - FEBRUARY
Aki Studio
(Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E)
February 16 to 19 - Firewater Thunderbird Rising. “the transformative spirit of dance travelling through dimensional realms of existence – ancestors, dreams, blood memory and the land directly connected to our Anishinaabek way of living, awakening the healing of our Nation’s future.”
Alumnae Theatre
(70 Berkeley)
On stage now to February 4 - Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike.
Canadian Stage
(26 Berkeley)
February 9 to 11 - Cabaret Noir. “Movement, dialogue, and music reconstruct emblematic scenes from popular culture… a celebration and resistance of concepts of Blackness.”
Soulpepper
(50 Tank House Lane, Distillery)
February 9 to March 5 - English. “What gets lost and found in translation… English Only! That is the class rule in Iran as four adult students prepare for the language exam that will unlock their futures.”
February 22 to March 5 - Billie, Sarah & Ella, Revolutionary Women in Jazz. “Stories of the women that transformed the music industry and gave Jazz its social purpose.”
George Brown Theatre School
(50 Tank House Lane, Distillery)
February 8 to 18 - Anatol. “Seven short one-act plays written by Arthur Schnitzler in the 1890s, all featuring the title character’s compulsion to love and be loved.”
IN OUR STORES
Introducing Parliament by Fair Trade Jewellery
Parliament is FTJCo’s new collection of limited edition 14k gold and silver jewellery. It’s made for everyday wear from responsibly sourced materials. Look good while doing good. Good on you. New collections will appear twice a year. Check it out online. 576 Parliament
WINTERLICIOUS
Winterlicious - the final week
Over two hundred restaurants are offering three-course meals at lunch and dinner for special prices. Eight of them are near us. There are more in nearby neighbourhoods and you can view all the participating restaurants across the city on its website. It continues until February 9. There are six price brackets for each meal ranging from $20 to $55 for lunch and $25 to $75 for dinner. The individual restaurants’ menus, hours and prices are also listed on their websites. Here’s the contact list - click on your favourites.
Blake House (449 Jarvis) - Lunch $27, dinner $35
Boku (42 Gristmill Lane, Distillery) - Lunch $34, dinner $45
Butter Chicken Factory (560 Parliament) - Lunch $27, dinner $35
Cluny Bistro (35 Tank House Lane, Distillery) - Lunch $48, dinner $65
Dominion Pub & Kitchen (500 Queen E) - Lunch $27, dinner $35
F’Amelia (12 Amelia) - Dinner $45
Maison Selby (592 Sherbourne) - Lunch $48, dinner $65
Pure Spirits (17 Tank House Lane, Distillery) - Lunch $41, dinner $55
SUPER BOWL EVENTS - FEBRUARY 12
Keating Channel Pub & Grill
Super Bowl party - specials on Budweiser, Budweiser Light and Michelob. Football Squares and great prizes. Enjoy a prime rib special dinner. 2 Villiers Street.
Mill Street Brewpub
Game Day Platters are available for dine-in and take-out. $50. Featuring two pounds of wings, blue cheese dip, 16 pretzel bites and fries with dip. You can add on Mill Street’s fabulous beers. 55 Mill Street, Distillery.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Congrats Momo Ghar
Taste Toronto has written a nifty review of Momo Ghar (568 Parliament). “Rave worthy momos come to Cabbagetown … Made fresh, in-house, the traditional Tibetan dumplings come with well over a dozen different fillings that range from meaty – beef, chicken and pork – to vegetarian options such as potatoes and cabbage. You can opt to have them steamed, pan-fried, or deep-fried (in the case of meat momos) and can also choose whether you want to dunk them in house or charred chili sauces.”
Fusilli wine tasting and dinner
Fusilli (531 Queen E) presents an evening with Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Amara. Paired with a five course dinner with bruschetta, mixed green salad, farfalle and mushrooms, flank steak and tiramisu. 7 pm, Wednesday February 8. To reserve, call (416) 214-5148. $80.
Apres ski weekends
Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6 pm from January 21 to March 19. There’ll be Muskoka chairs, fire pits, marshmallows, beer, wine, hot drinks and tasty menus. Put away your boards and grab your toque. First come, first served - in the Distillery at Trinity Square.
Tequila tasting and dinner
This week, it’s Tacos Tuesday along with rare and hard-to-get tequila. For more info about the featured bottles and for reservations, click here. El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane, Distillery).
Cyril’s soup
Cyril will be making his regular deliveries every two weeks from now on. Next week’s soup is available on Saturday February 11 - lemon, orzo and dill with either chicken ($4.50/cup for 3 to 9 cups, $4/cup for 10 or more cups) or tofu ($3.50/cup for 3 to 9 cups, $3/cup for 10 or more cups) . His juice is orange, carrot and ginger, 2 cups for $9.50. Send him an email with your order.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2 TO SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12
- For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2
Winterlicious
Continues to February 9 - F’Amelia (12 Amelia), Butter Chicken Factory (592 Parliament), The Selby (560 Sherbourne), Dominion Pub & Kitchen (500 Queen E), Cluny, Pure Spirits and Boku (all three in the Distillery) and The Blake House (449 Jarvis).
Dominion
6:30 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, Group drumming classes for beginners with Anna Melnikoff
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3
Comedy night at Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
8 to 11 pm, 8 to 11 pm, all-female comedy with the Stoner Chicks.
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
Oyster night and 10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 4
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
Noon, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
Distillery
Noon to 6 pm, Apres Ski Weekends in Trinity Square
Comedy night at Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
8 to 11 pm, all-female comedy with the Stoner Chicks.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 5
Distillery
Noon to 6 pm, Apres Ski Weekends in Trinity Square
Dominion
6 pm dinner and 7 pm, stand-up comedy
MONDAY FEBRUARY 6
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
Super Bargain
Oyster night
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 7
Aviary
8 pm, Bird Brain trivia
El Catrin
6:30 pm, Tequila tasting and dinner
Golden Pigeon
7 pm, Jazz, blues and $2 oyster specials
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
Super Bargain
Trivia night
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 9
Winterlicious
February 9 is the final day for Winterlicious.
Dominion
6:30 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
El Catrin
6:30 pm, Tequila and dinner tasting events.
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, Group drumming classes for beginners with Anna Melnikoff
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
Noon, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
Distillery
Noon to 6 pm, Apres Ski Weekends in Trinity Square
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12
Distillery
Noon to 6 pm, Apres Ski Weekends in Trinity Square
Dominion
6 pm dinner and 7 pm, stand-up comedy
CONTACT INFO
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament
Aviary - 484 Front East
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion - 243 Gerrard E
Cranberries - 601 Parliament
Distillery - Mill Street and Parliament
Dominion - 500 Queen E
El Catrin - 18 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Golden Pigeon - 424 Parliament
House on Parliament - 454 Parliament
NJ Lounge - 507 Parliament
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton
Super Bargain - 441 Parliament
Wing House - 420 Parliament
