CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
LOCAL NEWS
Welcome back
The Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market opened on Tuesday in Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester). Ellie Ruggles is the Market’s manager and she was delighted with this year’s successful launch, one of the best opening days in memory. They attracted 23 vendors. Music was again provided by Fat Quarter Band. Farmers were offering plenty of early Spring veggies and specialty vendors were selling honey, mushrooms, cheese, flowers, eggs and Waygu beef. As usual, there were lots of baked goods, wine, beer and cider and even the popular Nepali momos. You can collect a nifty sign for your front lawn at the volunteers tent at next week’s Market. It’s a great start - best wishes for the rest of the season. There’s more info online.
Coming next week
Here’s the list of vendors for next Tuesday May 23. The rotating vendors for next Tuesday include Pacific Provider, Leaning Post Wines, Morfosoaps and The Strong Food Company. Click on the image for a larger size.
Jones Family Greens
Matt was selling fresh radishes, spring onions and rhubarb along with a good variety of seedlings to help you get started in your own garden. He suggests that you check back next week when he’ll have even more plants for you.
The traffic maze and the new bike lanes
Around 300 responses came from the survey and 100 people came to the public event. Jason Diceman at the City of Toronto describes this as typical for many projects in the downtown core. A report by the consultation process will be published in about two weeks. The project will then be sent to the Infrastructure & Environment Committee of City Council for its June 5 committee meeting. Anyone who wants to comment further or react to the report can do so in three ways. First, comments can be emailed to Jason - check the website link. Second, comments can be sent to Councillor Chris Moise. Third, comments can go to the Infrastructure & Environment committee once the meeting agenda is published on May 29.
Condo proposal at 505 - 509 Parliament Street
Gilles Huot has started a petition opposing this project and it’s attracted over 550 signatures. He’s also been working with other Metcalfe Street residents and people from Broadcast Lane. His mailing list has 80 members. In his petition, he notes several flaws in the application to the City. Based on these errors, he has asked the City planner to cancel a proposed consultation meeting scheduled for May 30 and require the developer to resubmit the application. Send him an email if you want to join list.
Consultation meeting
City of Toronto staff are hosting a consultation about the proposal to build a condo at 505 to 509 Parliament. It’s online, happening on Tuesday May 30 from 6:30 to 8 pm. Learn more about the project and express your opinions. Click here to register.
Tents in Allan Gardens
Allan Gardens petition
The Allan Gardens Neighbourhood Group has been formed to start a petition demanding that the City of Toronto take action to remove the tent encampments in the park and to restore local residents’ sense of safety there. Almost 1000 people have signed by Thursday afternoon. Councillor Chris Moise is ready to submit this petition to City Council and get a motion to support its demands. To read the full text and to sign the petition, click here.
Congrats to the Distillery
This weekend marks the modern day Distillery’s 20th anniversary with music, live entertainment, shopping, dining and 150 patio seats on Trinity Street. Live music will be curated by Kevin Ray Clark, the Distillery’s first music director. The Summer Busker series also starts on Friday from 4 to 8 pm and on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 8 pm - musicians, magicians, jugglers and more. The weekend also brings the start of outdoor yoga and the Distillery’s summer market.
Don’t Mess with the Don
John Scott was working in the group’s tent in Wellesley Park last Sunday morning. He reported that 25 volunteers were cleaning litter in the Rosedale Valley Road ravine at that time. Apparently over the past five years, they’ve taken over 250,000 pounds of litter out of the Don Valley. He expressed his thanks to Loblaws for helping with storage space on Laird and with other supports. It’s an amazing track record - find out more and sign up for the Newsletter on the group’s website.
By-election update
There are job opportunities available working in the election polls - go to the City of Toronto website to see the job descriptions and to apply. It’s going to take a big effort counting the ballots - 102 people have registered to be our next mayor.
Thanks to Katie and Sara
Despite Sunday’s rain which shortened the Forsythia Festival, Festival-goers enjoyed the games, entertainment and barbeque until early afternoon. The event requires a lot of effort and planning. Katie and Sara spearheaded the committee and attracted over ninety volunteers. (Photo: Katie, Sara (rear), Josie and Jen.
Sponsors made it possible
Thanks to the businesses and individuals who contributed generously to this year’s Festival. Here’s a list of the gold sponsors - those who contributed over $500. St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) and Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton), Buds & Blossoms (517 Parliament), Bullitt Staffing (711 Queen E), Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (509 Parliament), Castillo Pardo Group (785 Queen E), Cycle Solutions (444 Parliament), Epicure Shop (473 Parliament), Hepburn Landscaping (Toronto), House on Parliament (454 Parliament), Meridian (486 Parliament), Neighbourhood Care (Mississauga), Salt & Tobacco (521 Parliament), TD Canada Trust (493 Parliament), Weenan General Contracting (211 Carlton) and Zygg (345 Sorauren). The silver and bronze contributors will be listed next week. Please show your gratitude with your support in their businesses.
Louise and the flag
Louise is on a trip to Alaska. At Skagway, she flew our flag. Another example of Cabbagetown pride. She wants us to root for her - she’s in a shipboard singing contest.
COMING EVENTS
Danny Marks is busy
He’s performing in Trinity Square in the Distillery from 1:30 to 4:30 pm on Friday May 19 - it’s a free concert. Then on Saturday May 27, he’s at The Duke Live (1225 Queen E) from 9 pm to midnight, $15 - he says it’s “an evening of little bit rock and little bit country with a hint of blues.”
Distillery 20th anniversary weekend
May 22 marks the 20th anniversary of the Distillery’s opening. There’ll be music throughout the weekend - all in Trinity Street Square . On Friday, the Danny Marks Band performs from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. On Saturday, the Heavyweight Brass Band is on stage from 1 to 4 pm followed by Queen Pepper from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. On Sunday from 1 to 4 pm, it’s the Julian Faust Band and from 4:30 to 7:45 pm, it’s Elizabeth Shepherd Band. The Red Hot Ramble perform on Monday from 1 to 4 pm and Kevin Ray Clark & Friends from 4:30 to 7:45 pm.
Corktown Green Block Party
Meet your Corktown neighbours and celebrate. Monday May 22, 1 to 4 pm, Enoch Turner Schoolhouse (106 Trinity)
Doogie and Dun
Fans of refined music will be heartened to know that Doogie & Dun are opening shows with Over the Moon band - Craig Bignell and Suzanne Levesque with steel guitar wizard, Burke Carroll and the best guitar picker in Canada, Paul Chapman. They’re on stage at the Moonshine Cafe in Oakville (May 27), the Redwood Theatre in Toronto (May 28) and the Gibson Centre in Alliston (May 31). Their music is Cowbilly. It ranges from old time Appalachian to Cowboy blues to Western Swing. Details available online.
Winchester Fun Fest
Join the fun for all kinds of activities - yoga, a silent auction, a velcro wall, bouncy castles, book swaps, story times, face painting and more. Free admission - adults are asked to bring a non-perishable food item. It all happens on Saturday May 27 in the Winchester School yard (15 Prospect).
Spring celebration at the Farm
Riverdale Farm (Winchester east of Sumach) is hosting its annual Spring celebration. Saturday May 27. There’ll be sheep shearing demos in the Lower Francey barn at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm, goat demos in the goat paddock at 12:30 pm and carding, spinning and weaving demos from 10 am to 3 pm in the Meeting House. Admission is free.
Cabbagetown Preservation Association annual meeting
The guest speaker is Liz Muir who’ll tell stories from her book, The Unrecognized Contribution: Women & Their Work in 19th Century Toronto. This is the final meeting for Gale Moore as the CPA Chair, a role she has filled for the past five years. Thanks to her for contributing so much to the Cabbagetown community. The business portion of the meeting will cover the CPA’s activities and reports from its officers. Tuesday May 30 from 7 to 9 pm Meeting House in Riverdale Farm (Winchester east of Sumach).
Annual meeting and special lecture
The Enoch Turner Schoolhouse presents Craig Herron speaking about Toronto workers in the 1850s. It was a decade of major change in Toronto with new immigrants, new jobs, new cultures. The Annual Meeting starts at 6 pm, the lecture at 7 pm.
IN THE MEDIA
Delays and problems with CafeTO
This popular City-wide program for street side outdoor patios is getting bogged down by bureaucratic delays and technicalities. Erin Gamelin owns Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) and Louis Cifer Brew Works (417 Danforth) and she has found the patios to be attractive expansions for her pubs. Her 2023 applications, however, have encountered problems with the City, making the patio spaces more expensive and slower. Phil Tsekouras from CTV News has written a report published on CP 24.
Have brunch at Dova
The Toronto Star ran a story about Toronto’s best places for a weekend brunch. Dova was Number 1 on the list. Click here to read it.
KIDS NEWS
Storytelling in the Park
Saturday May 20, 11 am, in the playground at Allan Gardens. Families are welcome, drop-ins are welcome. Free books for each child. Presented by Friends of Allan Gardens and The Children’s Book Bank.
Children’s Book Bank birthday
Congrats to the Children’s Book Bank - 15 years old in May. To celebrate, there’ll be visits from authors, artists and storytellers and literacy-themed giveaways for children of all ages. On May 27 and 28, there’ll be a huge sale for grown-ups at the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E). All proceeds from the book sale will support the Book Bank’s children’s literacy programming. Check the website for specific dates and times.
FOR YOUR BODY
Distillery yoga in Trinity Square
Every Sunday from 9 to 10 am in Trinity Square. Hosted by Pure Yoga Toronto.
Parliament Street Fitness
PSF (488 Parliament) offers both 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 picture for a bigger image.
At the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster)
Step classes - Brenda Brown McNee’s popular step class at 9:15 am Wednesdays. Drop-ins are welcome. Children are also welcome. $5 or PWYC. For more info, email Brenda. Stretch & strength - Gina Dineen’s weekly Essentrics class, Mondays at 9:30 am. Drop-in style, $5/class.
IN OUR STORES
The Distillery Local Market
Every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer. The Market features fresh produce and flowers. Noon to 6 pm.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Ti Kay La Foods
Chef Victoria’s pop-up stand offers the taste of St Lucia at the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market. I recommend her delicious jerk chicken. You can get it in a generous lunch serving - with rice, salad and several pieces of chicken. Grab one and sit at the nearby picnic tables to enjoy it.
Congrats Tasso
Tasso’s pop-up tent at the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market was a very good idea. They had lots of croissants and other goodies - and they’ll still have enough to handle their regular pick-ups next Saturday. Their fans showed up in large numbers to pick up their goodies.
El Catrin
Dogs are now welcome guests on the patio at El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane, Distillery)
Cyril’s soup
Oops, his deliveries this week are cancelled. He has a mild case of COVID. It shouldn’t interfere with his vacation plans. He’s leaving soon for France and will return for deliveries in mid-June. Best wishes,Cyril, for a full recovery and a safe trip.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY MAY 18 TO SUNDAY MAY 28
- For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY MAY 18
No events are listed for this date.
FRIDAY MAY 19
Trinity Square, Distillery
4:30 to 7:30 pm, the Danny Marks Band
Distlllery
Summer Busker series, 4 to 8 pm.
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY MAY 20
Trinity Square, Distillery
1 to 4 pm, The Heavyweight Brass Band
4:30 to 7:45 pm, Queen Pepper
Distlllery
Summer Busker series, noon to 8 pm.
The Vibrational Apothecary (formerly Bolokelen Malinke Percussion)
Noon, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
2 pm, beginner drumming classes with Anna Melnikoff
SUNDAY MAY 21
Trinity Square, Distillery
1 to 4 pm, the Julian Faust Band and from
4:30 to 7:45 pm, the Elizabeth Shepherd Band.
Distlllery
Summer Busker series, noon to 8 pm.
Super Bargain
3 pm, Sunday Funday
MONDAY MAY 22
Trinity Square, Distillery
1 to 4 pm, The Red Hot Ramble
4:30 to 7:45, Kevin Ray Clark & Friends
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY MAY 23
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, Drag bingo with Messy Margaret Queen
WEDNESDAY MAY 24
The Vibrational Apothecary (formerly 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 25
No events listed
FRIDAY MAY 26
Distlllery
Summer Busker series, 4 to 8 pm.
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY MAY 27
Distlllery
Summer Busker series, noon to 8 pm.
The Vibrational Apothecary (formerly Bolokelen Malinke Percussion)
Noon, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
2 pm, beginner drumming classes with Anna Melnikoff
SUNDAY MAY 28
Distlllery
Summer Busker series, noon to 8 pm.
Super Bargain
3 pm, Sunday Funday
CONTACT INFO
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament
Aviary - 484 Front East
The Vibrational Apothecary (formerly Bolokelen Malinke Percussion) - 243 Gerrard E
Cranberries - 601 Parliament
Distillery - Mill Street and Parliament
Dominion - 500 Queen E - closed permanently
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
