CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
LOCAL NEWS
18 Gifford Street
This property is offered for sale at $1. It was apparently built for the Neighbourhood Workers’ Association in 1925 to support poor and homeless people. If you’re interested, the realtor is Theda Lean at HomeLife Dream Realty in Mississauga - her online listing has 32 revealing photos of the building’s interior. She calls it “a diamond in the rough.” (Photo: 18 Gifford St as seen on June 4th, 1930. City of Toronto Archives, Globe and Mail fonds, Fonds 1266, Item 20566.)
Fire at Hugh Garner Co-op
A small fire happened at Hugh Garner (550 Ontario) on Tuesday morning. One residential unit was involved and there were no casualties. A large number of fire trucks showed up in response to the alarm - it’s a big building and the fire department wasn’t taking any chances.
Two men charged with murder
Two Brampton men have been charged with murder following the September 16 incident at Sherbourne and Dundas. Police allege that they approached a group of people on the sidewalk and started shooting. Four people were wounded and one died in hospital. (Photo: Mehrdad Nazarahari/CBC).
Bell Box murals
The official unveiling for 12 new neighbourhood boxes happens on Saturday. Councillor Chris Moise and the artists who painted these boxes will be there. Congrats to Michael Cavanaugh - he coordinates this mural painting project across the GTA. It’s a great idea - drab and graffiti-laden boxes are transformed into colourful neighbourhood art pieces. Saturday October 14, 10 am, Winchester and Parliament. Check out the Facebook page to see samples of the artists’ works.
The condo proposal for 505 - 509 Parliament
Steps are moving ahead at City Council to designate 509 Parliament under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. City Council passed a motion this week to declare its intention to make this designation. Both the Cabbagetown Preservation Association and the Heritage Conservation District advisory committee have sent letters asking for this designation.
Tents in Allan Gardens
Councillor Chris Moise has maintained his Dashboard showing the statistics about the tents in Allan Gardens. His info for October 6 shows that there are 30 people staying in the park (down from the peak of 89 in mid-June). 15 people have housing plans, 9 have been in touch with City staff but have no plans and 6 do not want to move. There are also 30 structures - 10 have been removed.
Porch pirates
Claudio posted a report on September 29 on the Facebook page for Friends of Cabbagetown, Seaton, Ontario & Berkeley Street. His doorbell camera captured an image of a woman stealing a parcel from his porch. A bunch of interesting results came from the post. First, he was advised to use Penguin Pickup (459 Parliament and 650 Dundas E) instead of door-to-door deliveries. It works. Second, he contacted the police and a detective replied. Others did the same and the woman was identified. Third, Amazon drivers don’t ring your doorbell but after considerable hassle, Amazon will issue a credit for the value of the stolen item.
Your opinion counts - last chance
The Cabbagetown BIA is conducting a three-minute survey about this year’s Cabbagetown Festival. Straightforward questions ask for your reactions. There’s also a chance to win a $100 gift card. It closes on Friday October 13. The survey is online here.
IN THE MEDIA
Good Shepherd meals
Corktown’s Good Shepherd served its traditional Thanksgiving dinners last Monday for the first time since Covid began four years ago. The Toronto Star’s Marissa Birnie wrote about their work and the effort involved in offering hundreds hot meals to homeless men. (Photo: Toronto Star)
Dave LeBlanc tours Villiers Island
The Globe & Mail’s Architourist took a tour along Cherry Street to see the progress being made by Waterfront Toronto on Villiers Island. He sees plenty of hidden gems along the way. (Photo: Globe & Mail)
Booze in the parks
The City of Toronto’s official experiment allowing drinking in 27 parks ended on Monday. Riverdale Park East was one of the test sites. NOW Newsletter reports that no bylaw charges were laid in these sites. Maybe this will encourage greater bravery among City councillors for next year. LATE NEWS - City Council extended the pilot program to March 2024 in a 17-3 vote on Thursday. (Photo: City of Toronto, NOW Newsletter)
COMING EVENTS
Regent Park community cleanup
Clean up the Big Park (Sackville and Oak) - Sunday October 15, 10 am to noon. Meet at the Bake Oven.
Enoch Turner on tap
The Enoch Turner Schoolhouse (106 Trinity) is celebrating its 175 anniversary with a pub night featuring traditional food, music by Ian Hall and Anne Lederman and custom brewed beer. Thursday October 19, 6:30 pm. $30 includes food and one drink - tickets available through Eventbrite.
Toronto Dance Theatre
TDT is hosting an open house at its historic dance home at 80 Winchester Street. 11 am to 3 pm, Saturday October 21. There’ll be mini performances, all-ages movement classes, family fun and a TDT historic exhibit.
Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
Only three weeks left - the Fall harvest is now available. Beth Kaplan took this picture of this vendor’s amazing garlic choices.
Open from 3 to 7 pm every Tuesday in Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester). There’s more info on Facebook.
The Underpass Park Farmers Market
Only two Market days left in this season - today and next week. Corktown’s Farmers’ Market (29 Lower River) is open every Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. Check out the Facebook page for the list of this week’s vendors.
Cultural bazaar - last chance to visit
Live music, raffles, henna, multicultural food, artisanal products, homemade clothing and lots more. Every Friday afternoon to October 13, 4 to 9 pm. 660 Dundas E.
FOR YOUR BODY
Parliament Street Fitness
Austin Broadhurst is the new chiropractic specialist at Parliament Street Fitness (488 Parliament). Throughout October, he’s offering a free 15-minute assessment to PSF members. Email him to book an appointment. And another reminder - throughout October, annual memberships are on sale at $999. You’ll get full use of the gym, all classes, towel service and day-use lockers. PSF (488 Parliament) offers both personal fitness opportunities and weekly organized classes. Here's the schedule for October 16 to 21
Brenda’s step classes
Brenda organizes her step class every Wednesday morning at 9:15 am at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster). The fee is $5/class.
Essentrics
Gina’s Essentrics classes regularly happen every Monday morning at 9:30 am at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster). Email her for the link.
IN OUR SHOPS
The Great Mallard
Christina is cooking up delicious dinners for sale at her booth at the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market. She uses ingredients that are available at The Great Mallard (503 Parliament). If you visit her booth and she’s done some smoked apple barbecue chicken - grab it! She’s using Warren’s Smoked Apple BBQ Sauce. We have a bottle of it at home and it goes on lots of dishes beside barbecue - very yummy.
FOR YOUR KIDS
Learn how to cook - the Mini Chef program
Cafe Zuzu (555 Dundas E) and Council Fire have put together a six-week program for kids in Grades 5 to 8. It emphasizes the fundamentals of healthy, nutritional food and culinary skills. Monday afternoons, 4 to 6:45 pm, from October 16 to November 20. Additional info will be sent to registrants on October 11. To sign up, click here.
Baby Time
The Children’s Book Bank has Baby Time programs for infants and caregivers from birth to 18 months at both locations. In Regent Park (585 Dundas E), it’s on Monday from 11 am and on Sherbourne (561 Sherbourne), it’s on Thursdays from 4:30 pm. Stories and songs for babies. Drop-ins welcome.
THEATRE NEWS
For a monthly directory of the programs at our theatres, click here. There's news about Citadel's dance program for November.
RESTAURANT NEWS
FamJam at The Aviary
Every Monday night, kids eat free. All kids 12 years and younger can pick a kids meal from the kids menu. 484 Front East.
Herradura Nights
El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane) is having a party every Thursday night to October 26. Free samples, feature cocktails, DJ music and Herradura tequila.
Mill Street Brewpub
The Brewpub (21 Tank House Lane) is still celebrating Oktoberfest - for $15, get a stein of beer, keep the stein and you’re eligible to win a Brewpub gift card. To October 22.
Cyril’s soup
Cyril is making Lebanese squash and za’atar soup. Its flavours are herby, earthy and a tad lemony with butternut squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, regular potatoes and red lentils. His version is chunky but you can specify a blended one. His juice is pear and pomegranate. Soup - $3.50 per cup for 3 to 9 cups and $3 a cup for ten or more. Juice - $9.50 for two cups. Deliveries on Saturday October 21. Please email him to place your order.
BOOK YOUR EVENT
F’Amelia
They’ve hosted hundreds over the years and they love all of them. Email Tanya for more info. 12 Amelia.
Mill Street Brewpub
Enjoy the Distillery’s Winter Village with your own party at Mill Street. Send an email to Marley. 21 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Super Bargain
They offer lots of entertainment options and customized drink and food packages. All in a quaint and stylish venue. 441 Parliament.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY OCTOBER 12 TO SUNDAY OCTOBER 22
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 12
El Catrin
7 pm, Herradura Nights party
FRIDAY OCTOBER 13
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Naija Jolloff Lounge
6pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY OCTOBER 14
Naija Jolloff Lounge
6pm, Live music
SUNDAY OCTOBER 15
The Aviary
Noon, Market Brews includes brunch and shopping local vendors at the community market
Super Bargain
3 pm to 2 am, Sunday Funday
MONDAY OCTOBER 16
The Aviary
Fam Jam - Family night at The Aviary.
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
Super Bargain
7:30 pm, Trivia
TUESDAY OCTOBER 17
Golden Pigeon
4 pm, $2 oysters
7 pm, live jazz
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
The Aviary
8 pm, Bird Brain Trivia every Tuesday
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 18
Golden Pigeon
8 pm, Bar trivia
The Vibrational Apothecary
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
The Aviary
7 pm, Euchre Socials every Wednesday with monthly winners.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 19
El Catrin
7 pm, Herradura Nights party
FRIDAY OCTOBER 20
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Naija Jolloff Lounge
6pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY OCTOBER 21
Naija Jolloff Lounge
6pm, Live music
SUNDAY OCTOBER 22
Super Bargain
3 pm to 2 am, Sunday Funday
CONTACT INFO
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament
Aviary - 484 Front East
The Vibrational Apothecary - 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
Keating Channel - 2 Villiers St
La Gloria Mexican Coffee - 453 Parliament
Mill Street Brew Pub - 21 Tank House Lane
NJ Lounge - 507 Parliament
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton
Super Bargain - 441 Parliament
Wing House - 420 Parliament
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