CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
LOCAL NEWS
Remembrance Day
The Cabbagetown BIA is organizing a Remembrance Day ceremony at 10:15 am on November 11 at Carlton and Parliament. There’ll be readings by local officials and business people, a trumpet performance and a moment of silence. Light refreshments will follow the event.
Tour of soldiers’ graves
Following the November 11 Remembrance Day ceremony, Gilles Huot will lead a walking tour of soldiers’ graves in the Necropolis. He’s researching their graves and will pick a few to include. It’s informal and will start at Carlton and Parliament and go first to the Necropolis chapel. Free.
Distillery’s Winter Village
The Distillery’s big Christmas season event returns on Thursday November 16 and runs to January 7. Parking in the area is notoriously difficult - take the bus, a cab, Uber or walk. Tickets are required on opening night and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday November 17 to December 17 after 4 pm and daily after 4 pm between December 18 and 3. No onsite ticket sales, purchases must be made in advance— prices range from $15 to $45. Tickets are not required from January 1 to 7. For details, go to the website.
Distillery’s Winter Village highlights
Open from 10 am daily with outdoor shopping cabins and food vendors. Start the Village celebrations at the lighting of the 56-foot Silver Fir in Trinity Square. Live entertainment from 5 to 6 pm. Thursday November 16 at 6 pm.
Throughout the Christmas season, meet Santa and the roaming elves, join the carollers’ sing-alongs, listen to live entertainment and lots more. Enjoy the Distillery’s permanent restaurants, food specialty shops and retailers as well as the outdoor shopping cabins and bar experiences.
From January 1 to 7, it’s the Winter Village shopping week. Extended Boxing Day sales will continue.
The Foundry update
In the wake of the scandals about the Greenbelt, the Ford government has now been queried about its use of Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZOs). One of the high profile early examples involved the Foundry site in the Canary District. The move was unexpected and brutal with demolition happening almost immediately. Public protests and a court ruling forced the government to negotiate a plan for the site. Once that was reached, the site was sold for $101 million to Aspen Ridge Homes and since then, the developer has been discussing plans openly and working with local community members. It’s expected that the first groundbreaking on the three proposed towers with more than 1,000 units will be in 2025. (Photo: Richard Lauren’s, Toronto Star)
Tents in Allan Gardens
Councillor Chris Moise still publishes his useful Dashboard listing the statistics about the tents in Allan Gardens. His info for November 3 shows that there are 25 people staying in the park (down from the peak of 89 in mid-June). 8 people have housing plans, 3 have been in touch with City staff but have no plans and 5 do not want to move. There are also 22 structures - 15 have been removed.
Waterfront plants
In 2021, Waterfront Toronto workers discovered seeds in the Port Lands that were over 100 years old. Researchers from the University of Toronto have been testing and growing them. In October, the plants were placed in the new wetlands.
Your opinions count
The Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market is conducting a survey to find out about our impressions of the 2023 season. Our answers will help them to plan the 2024 Market. Check it out here.
Community safety survey
Councillor Chris Moise has published a survey asking about our experiences and attitudes on safety in our community. It’s easy to complete and quite comprehensive - go to his online site.
505-509 Parliament
Gilles Huot reports that there haven’t been any recent developments with this application for the new condo. After the application was received by the City of Toronto, City Council indicated its intention to designate the entire dance theatre as a heritage site. The developer now has the choice of amending its proposal in response to public commentary and to the heritage designation. There’s no deadline for the developer’s reaction.
Worms & Dirt
Explore your garden’s underworld and the little critters living beneath its surface. Best suited for kids 3 to 8 years old. Parental or caregiver supervision is required. Children’s Conservatory (Jarvis and Carlton) in Allan Gardens. Saturday November 18, 10:30 am. $5 donation is requested.
Steve Grant’s band
Steve’s band, Little Magic Sam Band, is a familiar group at the annual Cabbagetown Festival. They’re terrific. They’ve been nominated for a Maple Blues award in the New Artist/Group category. He’s asking us to visit the website and cast a ballot for them. The system is simple. First, go to the website and register to vote - it’s a straightforward form. Then go to your email box and get the password that’s been sent to you. Back to the website and vote in the New Artist/Group category. That’s it.
Tulipalooza on Sword Street
Louise has reported on Sword Street’s first Tulipalooza on October 28. “Our little block was given a grant more than a decade ago from the city to beautify and unify our boulevard with planters and the consensus (recently) was that a tulip planting would add beauty and cohesiveness to the design… Kids, adults and dogs enjoyed the last warm day of Fall and pitched in to rejuvenate the soil, pull weeds, plant bulbs and get the beds ready for winter. We can't wait to see the results in May!” (Photo: Angela and Ruby - photo by Mark Wilson.)
Lookin’ good
I’ve told Louise on Sword Street that there’s a surefire way to get your stuff onto my blog. Put a golden retriever into the picture. (Photo: Mark Wilson)
YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Winter clothing drive
Linda Sims is once again on the hunt for used winter clothing to provide to New Circles, a non-profit that helps clothe immigrants, refugees and Torontonians in need. Linda is reaching out to fellow Cabbagetowners for any winter clothing and gear they can donate - coats, hats, scarves, boots, sweaters and more. She can also take other winter clothing such as pants, suits, shirts and shoes. Women’s, men’s and children’s items are all in demand. Linda is happy to gather your donations for New Circles - email her to arrange for a pickup.
IN THE MEDIA
Artscape
In September, Artscape announced that it expects to go into receivership. A new non-profit, ArtHubs Toronto Inc, has been established and will take over its operations at several sites, including the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E). Josh O’Kane has written a Globe & Mail story that details the new arrangements for Artscape’s facilities and contracts.
214-230 Sherbourne
This property keeps on popping up on the radar. When it was sold in 2022, the City of Toronto lost the bidding to Kingsett. Since then, Kingsett has submitted plans for a 47-storey high-rise. Despite all of this, Councillor Chris Moise has dropped references and hints about alternative plans, raising the possibility that the City could buy the property from Kingsett. Andre Bermon has written in detail about these events in The Bridge.
THEATRE NEWS
It’s a busy time in our theatres. Alumnae is just starting its annual Fireworks Festival. Native Earth presents Weesageechak Begins to Dance. Soulpepper will stage its favourite Christmas program. For a directory of the programs at our theatres, click here.
RESTAURANT NEWS
DOVA is hosting a Tuscan tasting menu
Inspired by foods from the Tuscan countryside and accompanied by the exquisite wines from Toscani Winery. Tuesday November 14, 6:30 pm, reservations at (416) 901-3501 or by email. $185. 229 Carlton.
F’Amelia’s Wine Maker’s Dinner
Steve Neuhof from Niagara’s Reif Winery will join F’Amelia (12 Amelia) on Tuesday November 21 for a five-course dinner. Each course is accompanied by outstanding VQA wines from Reif. For more info, go to F’Amelia’s website. For reservations, call (416) 323-0666 or send an email. $150.
Latin nights at Aviary
Longslice Brewery (484 Front E) presents Latin Nights with salsa lessons from Paula and Jose and hot Latin tunes by DJ Amarok. Thursday November 16 at 8 pm and Saturday November 18 at 9 pm. $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
Cyril’s soup
Finally, we have a handsome new photo for Cyril. For next week, Cyril has announced his new “orange” soup. It’s carrot, miso, ginger and orange - simple, sweet and savoury. $3.50/cup for 3 to 9 cups and $3/cup for 10 cups or more. His juice is orange peach and passion fruit at $9.50/2 cups. Please order before November 15 for delivery on November 18. To place your orders, send him an email.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9 TO SUNDAY NOVEMBER 19
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9
No announcements
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 10
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Naija Jolloff Lounge
6pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, oysters and DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 11
Remembrance Day ceremony
10:15 am, Carlton and Parliament
Naija Jolloff Lounge
6pm, Live music
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 12
Super Bargain
3 pm to 2 am, Sunday Funday
MONDAY NOVEMBER 13
The Aviary
Fam Jam - Family night at The Aviary.
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
Super Bargain
7:30 pm, Trivia Night
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14
Golden Pigeon
4 pm, $2 oysters
7 pm, live jazz
The Aviary
8 pm, Bird Brain Trivia every Tuesday
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 15
The Vibrational Apothecary
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
The Golden Pigeon
7 pm, Trivia night with Rachelle Lauzon
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
The Aviary
7 pm, Euchre Socials every Wednesday with monthly winners.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 16
The Aviary
8 pm, Latin night
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 17
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Naija Jolloff Lounge
6pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 18
Naija Jolloff Lounge
6pm, Live music
The Aviary
9 pm, Latin night
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 19
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
Playground - 492 Parliament
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton
Super Bargain - 441 Parliament
Wing House - 420 Parliament
