CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
A PERSONAL VIEW
The proposed changes to traffic flow in Don Vale and Winchester Park create some issues that need to be carefully considered. Unfortunately, the City’s recent brochure requires - as Biblical scholars would say - the patience of Job and the wisdom of Solomon. What, for example, is a “sharrow” and where do we go on a “Wayfinding route”? What happens in a “Westbound contra-flow bike lane centre lane between eastbound pick-up drop-off and eastbound vehicle lane”? These traffic changes seem like a small matter except they’ll affect all of us for a very long time - we need to understand them. Let’s hope that the City traffic managers issue another brochure, this time written in one of the two official languages of Canada.
FEATURED ARTIST
Martha Preston
Martha’s watercolours are a tribute to Spring. Check out her work online.
LOCAL NEWS
Share your opinion
There are three separate scenarios for a new traffic plan east of Parliament along Sumach, Sackville, Winchester, Wellesley and River. Two-way bike routes are proposed on these streets. Traffic will be diverted to discourage people who want short-cuts around Gerrard and Parliament. Additional changes for two-way bike routes are suggested west of Parliament for Winchester and Ontario. There’s a public meeting at 6 pm on Thursday April 27 at BGC Toronto Kiwanis (101 Spruce). There’s online info as well.
Condo proposal on Parliament Street
The Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre is leaving its 509 Parliament Street location in August 2024. A development proposal has been submitted to the City by Streetwise for a ten storey condo with 85 units and with ground floor retail spaces. Two issues have immediately been raised about this project - the relevance of the Toronto Preservation Board statement that this is a significant property and the importance of the 45-foot height bylaw along Parliament Street.
Chris Moise’s new office
Councillor Moise is opening his constituency office (329 Parliament) at 1 pm on April 29. We’re invited for fun and food - please also bring some non-perishable food items for the Allan Gardens Food Bank.
Children’s Book Bank birthday
Congrats to the Children’s Book Bank - 15 years old in May. To celebrate, it’s holding raffles every week on May 4, 11, 18 and 25. The prizes are packages of junior and senior readers. Both locations - 585 Dundas E, Suite 260 and 561 Sherbourne, P3. If you’ve got any favourite photos of the Book Bank, email them to the staff.
Sponsors wanted for the Cabbagetown Festival
The Cabbagetown BIA has issued its call for sponsors for the 2023 Cabbagetown Festival. It’s a big event and a good showcase for its supporters - the BIA says that over 50,000 people from Cabbagetown and across the GTA visit “for a family-friendly, entertainment-packed weekend”. For details, email Meaghan Madill.
Be part of the Tour of Homes
Daniel Bloch has reached out to homeowners willing to add their homes to the Tour of Homes. It’s a great event and a prestigious one for the homes included on the Tour. Event organizers have firm control over preparations, security during the Tour and any needed clean-ups or repairs afterward. It happens on Sunday September 17. There’s a good summary at the CPA website.
Forsythia Festival - volunteer now
Be a volunteer at the Festival. It’s a fun job and you have a chance to meet new friends and neighbours. You can do a one-hour shift or more. High school students can earn credits for their hours. And your help is needed as a sponsor. It’s a very popular event and the organizers always make sure that supporters and sponsors are widely thanked. To get more info, email Sara Jones to sign up.
Volunteers wanted for the Farmers’ Market
The Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market starts up in just a few short weeks. It operates in Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester) every Tuesday afternoon from 3 to 7 pm until October 31. Organizers are looking for volunteers to help with set-ups from1:30 to 3 pm, openings from 3 to 7 pm and take-down from 6:45 to 7:45 pm. You can go online to sign up or send an email.
Community clean-up days
Last weekend, local residents got together to clean up the streets, parks and lanes around their homes. Many thanks to the Aberdeen Clean Team, volunteers in Corktown, the Friends of Regent Park and the Friends of Corktown Common for cleaning our neighbourhoods despite the pouring rain. (Photo: Aberdeen Ave Residents Group)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Give your front yard a little tender loving care
Lukas Lafazanis is back. He paints iron fences. If your fence needs some care and painting, give him a call at (647) 745-9086 or send him an email.
COMING EVENTS
Jane’s Walk
This annual open-door exploration of Toronto’s famous and hidden landmarks happens on May 5 to May 7. In 2023, there are several walks in our immediate neighbourhood. Waterways: Histories of the Don on Friday May 5 at 5:30 pm. Canary in the Pan Am on Saturday at 2:30 pm. Two Centuries of King Street East on Sunday May 7 at 10 am (sponsored by the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse). Don Valley: Past, Present & Future Opportunities on Sunday May 7 at 10 am. Corktown: See It Before It’s Gone on Sunday May 7 at 1 pm. More Walks are being added - go to the main website for updated listings.
Waterfront Open House
From May 11 to 18, Waterfront Toronto is serving up a sneak peek at the future of the eastern waterfront - Quayside, Port Lands, East Bayfront and the Waterfront East Light Rail Transit. There’s a drop-in open house to explain progress on each of these. The opening night event is also a free drop-in but tickets are required - click here for times, more info and reservations. It all happens at the Waterfront Innovation Centre, second floor, the Nexus (155 Queens Quay E at Lower Jarvis).
KIDS NEWS
For the birds
A family event in Allan Gardens exploring the fascinating connection between birds and plants. Saturday April 29. 10 am to noon. Children’s Conservatory (160 Gerrard E).
Spring is in the air
Green Thumbs Growing Kids is organizing its annual Spring fundraiser in the Children’s Conservatory in Allan Gardens on Sunday, April 30 from 1 to 4 pm. This family-friendly event is free and it features a plant sale, food, music, a silent auction and a kids’ zone. Check the website for more info about Green Thumbs Growing Kids.
Drop-in Circle Time
Singing, rhymes, stories and fun for babies and toddlers. Every Friday at 11 am, starting May 12. Children’s Book Bank (585 Dundas E, Suite 260)
Storytelling
Saturdays from 4:30 pm. Sherbourne Street branch - Children’s Book Bank (561 Sherbourne).
FOR YOUR BODY
Parliament Street Fitness
PSF (488 Parliament) offers personal fitness opportunities and weekly organized classes. Their class schedules will be shown here every week, fresh from their blackboard in the gym. Updates will be posted every Monday. Click on the image to enlarge it.
Stretch & strength
Gina Dineen’s Essentrics class happens every week at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) on Mondays at 9:30 am. Beginners and experienced exercisers are welcome. Drop-in style, $5/class.
Step classes
Brenda Brown McNee’s popular step class at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) will continue at 9:15 am every Wednesday through May. Drop-ins are welcome. Children are also welcome. $5 or PWYC.
IN OUR STORES
Again - thanks Leslie
People have been emailing and commenting about the sad loss of Eclectisaurus (249 Gerrard E). Leslie reports that she’s getting all her moving details settled and she’s almost ready to go for the April 30 deadline.
The Wall of Flames
Attention all hot sauce lovers. The Great Mallard (503 Parliament) is becoming the new home of all locally made Ontario hot sauces. They’re building a Wall of Flames filled with absolutely the most incredible, versatile, award winning hot sauces ever made. Watch for upcoming surprises for our hot sauce lovers. In the meantime, feel free to drop by the shop to fire up your palettes.
Sweet Addictions
A smart and charming woman stopped me the other day to tell me about Sweet Addictions (462 Sherbourne at Wellesley). It is, she said, exactly the kind of place that I should be discussing in my blog. It’s a bakery and the goodies are superb. I told her that this is the kind of newsworthy item that I need for my weekly revelations and for my personal dietary balance. More details will come after I’m able to make a personal visit. Check them out online.
Kendall welcomes Cabbagetown
The retail space at Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) upstairs and downstairs is ready for guests. Kendall says, “We’ll have even more finishing touches as accessories continue to arrive. We have you covered, Cabbagetown.”
AAA Accounting & Tax
Are you one of the huge group of taxpayers who file at the very last minute? You’ve got two more days before the annual tax deadline. You’ll be well advised to check Owen’s newsletters and his website for important insights about current tax issues. Click here to read his news. 462 Parliament
Labour of Love
Regina holds regular exhibitions and workshops in Labour of Love (223 Carlton). From April 29 to May 20, she’s helping photoEd Magazine launch its Food Edition - join the photographers and artists behind the summer edition, sip some Sparkplug Coffee and get some chocolate covered coffee beans. The opening event is from 1 pm on April 29.
April is Art Month
Seven galleries in The Distillery are celebrating the Distillery’s roots in the arts and culture. Saturday April 29 from 5 to 9 pm, visit them to see specially curated exhibitions of international and Canadian art and design. Thompson Landry Gallery, Deaf Culture Centre, Beauchamp Art Gallery, Arta Gallery, RedEye Gallery Studio, Dish gallery and Studio, and Corkin Gallery.
RESTAURANT NEWS
New Retro
blogTO has written about New Retro (193 Carlton) in a story by Agnes Ryoo. It’s in the basement below Zakkushi. Her descriptions of the menu items and cocktails along with the photos by Fareen Karim give even a novice a great idea of the restaurant’s mixed inspirations.
A good review - Luis H Restaurant
Chris has passed along an enthusiastic review of Luis H Restaurant (556 Parliament), our newest Mexican restaurant. He says the food is very well done and the staff are very pleasant. His comments are repeated by others on Facebook and in informal conversations. Luis himself has taken time to get settled into his new premises and to become a friendly face among the neighbours on Prospect and Parliament. (Photo: Andrew Dobson, Dobbernation)
Cyril’s soup
Cyril’s making a curried lentil and apricot soup. “The main ingredients are lentils, tomatoes, onions, and dried apricots; the main seasonings are curry powder, ginger, and garlic…finished with a splash of coconut milk.” ($3.50/cup for 3 to 9 cups and $3/cup for 10 or more). His juice is orange, mango and pomegranate (2 cups for $9.50). For delivery on Saturday May 6. Please send him an email with your order.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY APRIL 27 TO SUNDAY MAY 7
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY APRIL 27
Dominion
6:30 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
FRIDAY APRIL 28
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
Fresh oysters
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY APRIL 29
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
Noon, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
2 pm, beginner drumming classes with Anna Melnikoff
SUNDAY APRIL 30
Dominion
6 pm dinner and 7 pm, stand-up comedy
Super Bargain
9 pm, Industry night with DJ Shamz
MONDAY MAY 1
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
Super Bargain
7 pm, oyster night
TUESDAY MAY 2
Aviary
8 pm, Bird Brain trivia
Golden Pigeon
7 pm, jazz and $2 oysters
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
Super Bargain
7 pm, Teacher’s Pet trivia
WEDNESDAY MAY 3
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
The Golden Pigeon
Bar trivia with Rachelle Lauzon
THURSDAY MAY 4
Dominion
6:30 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
FRIDAY MAY 5
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
Oysters night and DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY MAY 6
The Aviary
Noon - Market Brews presents artists, local crafts and Longslice brews
Dominion
8 pm, Live music
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
Noon, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
2 pm, beginner drumming classes with Anna Melnikoff
SUNDAY MAY 7
Wellesley Park
11 am to 3 pm - Forsythia Festival
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
