CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
A PERSONAL VIEW
Hate messages in Cabbagetown
Daniel Bloch has discovered disturbing evidence of anti-semitism here in Cabbagetown. An image on Facebook shows foul graffiti and a sticker on a post near Ontario and Carlton. It was removed by a nearby shop owner. Daniel and others in the area have been doing their best to tackle some of this hate graffiti by scrubbing it off. There are also scrawled messages on the community bulletin board at Parliament and Carlton. Daniel isn’t alone with his disgust. His post on Facebook has attracted heartening responses - condemning the graffiti, urging action by the City of Toronto and police, and commenting on tolerance, coexistence and diversity in our local community. Cabbagetown owes our thanks to Daniel and to others who oppose this poison - they aren’t standing alone.
FUTURE TRENDS ON PARLIAMENT STREET
The public meeting
The Cabbagetown Preservation Association held its public meeting to look at the future of Parliament Street last Tuesday at Winchester Street Theatre (80 Winchester). The speakers included Remo Agostino from The Daniels Corporation, Dennis Rijkhoff, a senior architect and Adam Wynne, an experienced heritage advocate. Both the presentations and the question period produced important insights into development issues on Parliament. At least 150 people attended.
Preserving Parliament Street heritage
Adam Wynne has worked extensively on heritage preservation across the city. He predicts that efforts to make Parliament Street a Heritage Conservation District could take between five and ten years. He also noted that five properties on the street are currently given heritage status. Three are “listed” and their protection will expire on January 1 2025 - the home of L’Avenue (583 Parliament), Darlington Terrace just below Wellesley and the four homes currently being renovated at 502 to 508 Parliament. This leaves only two sites with the stronger “designated” protection - the Dance Theatre (509 Parliament) and the Winchester (Winchester and Parliament).
Alternatives to heritage concerns
Dennis Rijkhoff noted that streetscape amenities can reduce the debate about building types. He sees the strength of the Cabbagetown community and urges us to come to common agreement about our shared spaces. He also notes that the City of Toronto hasn’t often been a partner in this process - traffic flows, wide streets to accommodate cars and an emphasis on parking can prevent wider sidewalks, trees, benches, parkettes and other streetscape features.
Development can be positive
Remo Agostino defended the growth of larger buildings. He sees them as logical developments - they’re constructed in places where they make sense. Smaller buildings can be attractive additions to the street. The Regent Park revitalization was a huge project with unique development opportunities.
Streetscape plan
Interest was expressed at the meeting about the Cabbagetown BIA’s streetscape plan. It was completed in 2023 and has been registered with the city. Michael Sraga did the work. It’s a detailed suggestion for future changes along Parliament Street - public spaces, art, wider sidewalks, new traffic lights at Carlton and more. The recent changes for Anniversary Park are a good example of the way that the plan can direct positive improvements.
Lookin’ good
A beautiful member of Tuesday’s audience. Lots of heritage places on Parliament Street inspire her - Beastiary, Pet Valu, St Jamestown Steak & Chops.
LOCAL NEWS
Cabbagetown Cares
Throughout March, local merchants and the Cabbagetown Business Improvement Area will be fundraising to support local food banks. A dozen participating retailers will be promoting a product or service and proceeds from these sales will be donated to Saint Luke’s Church and Dixon Hall. The BIA’s executive director Matthew Mohan says, “The Cabbagetown BIA has launched the Cabbagetown Cares Fundraiser to help those in our community facing challenging times and to support the important food program work that Dixon Hall and Saint Luke’s United Church are doing here.”
Community meeting with All Saints Church
The community meeting last Saturday about the work at All Saints Church (315 Dundas E) was a constructive success. Staff from All Saints as well as local residents all had a chance to air their concerns. There is recognition that the dialogue between these parties has broken down and needs to be restored. Community volunteers plan to repair and repaint the Church building. A group called Here2Help (416-915-4200) was introduced. They are a mobile team that will act in crisis situations. Councillor Chris Moise’s office is reviewing the Downtown East Action Plan to plug some of its gaps and add to its strengths. The agencies face budget problems that affect their outreach - the Church survives mainly on private donations.
Tents in Allan Gardens
Councillor Chris Moise’s Dashboard shows the statistics about the tents in Allan Gardens from February 23 - 5 are staying in the park, 3 have been removed and 2 are refusing housing alternaives. Click here to see more recent data on the Dashboard.
Congrats Steve
Steve Grant and his friends in the Little Magic Sam band have won the Maple Blues Award from the Toronto Blues Society. It’s in the Best New Band category. Steve says that it’s the highest blues award given in Canada.
Congrats Green Thumbs
Green Thumbs Growing Kids (585 Dundas E) turns 25 this year. It’s a food education and gardening program for school children. It started in 1999 in Riverdale Farm and has expanded to school gardens at Winchester, Rose Avenue and Sprucecourt. Check out its website.
Police horses
Lisa Flynn captured this photo of two police horses strolling down Parliament. They also visited Wellesley Park and Amelia. (Photo: L A Flynn/Cabbagetown Residents Ass’n)
COMING EVENTS
Marilyn’s nail clinic
Marilyn from Diggity Dog Grooming (239 Gerrard E) is back for her monthly nail trimming clinic at Pet Valu (240 Carlton). 9 am to 4 pm, Saturday March 2. $12. Please call her for an appointment - (416) 920-6814.
Corktown Chamber Orchestra
The Orchestra is playing its midwinter concert on Wednesday March 6 at 8 pm. It’ll feature Sibelius Symphony No 7. $25 at the door or PWYC. Little Trinity Church (425 King E).
Biophilia
A celebration of human connection to nature at Labour of Love (223 Carlton) from February 29 to March 30. Lawrence Bernstein’s photographs and Elham Hazfi’s art will hang in Labour of Love throughout the exhibitions events. On opening night Thursday February 29, Farzad Hariri and Bamdad Malikia will perform traditional Iranian music at 7 pm at Labour of Love. To learn more and to register, go to Eventbrite.
Lawrence Bernstein
Lawrence will lead a talk and walk through Cabbagetown on Saturday March 2 from 2 pm to discover the best techniques for meaningful photography. It’s part of Labour of Love’s Biophilia (223 Carlton). Start at Labour of Love - register online here.
Danny Marks
On Sunday from 3 to 6 pm, he’s back for his regular show at the Smokeshow (744 Mount Pleasant). Last week, he played at Castro’s Lounge in the Beach. He says, “A great new venue in an old familiar place, back and better than ever. Friendly folks, great spirits, snacks, sightlines and sounds.”
Seedy Sunday
Friends of Allan Gardens is hosting Sunday’s seed exchange. Bring your spare seeds and trade them for seeds from Toronto Seed Library. Or you can purchase seeds from the Library. There’ll be organic seeds and Asian culinary seeds. And there’s a big program with other events - scavenger hunts for kids, a vermicompost demo, a seed and planning booth, a booth with talks about native plants and pollinators and a plant sale. Allan Gardens Children’s Conservatory (west side of the Park at Jarvis/Carlton, 160 Gerrard E)
Volunteers are needed
Sign up now to be a volunteer at Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces - the Cabbagetown garden tour. It’s happening on Sunday June 2. You’ll be assigned to a garden to talk with the tour visitors. It’s a great experience. For more info about the tour, click here. And click here to volunteer. By the way, if you’re proud of your garden and want to show it at the tour, click here to tell the organizers.
KIDS NEWS
Books about Black children
The Children’s Book Bank (585 Dundas E, Suite 260) is celebrating Black children’s book week. They’ll be sharing favourite books by Black authors that feature Black children as main characters.
THEATRE NEWS
Soulpepper’s Three Sisters opens this week. Citadel presents the return of Sex Dalmatian. Native Earth is staging Dead Elephants and Alumnae has The Children. Click here for links and more info.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Prix fixe at Cafe Zuzu
Two-course lunch at $28 and three-course dinner at $45 available until March 15. Check out the menu details online. 555 Dundas E
Apres ski weekends
Apres Ski experiences in the Distillery on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 7 pm. Open until Sunday March 31 at the end of Trinity Street. Happy Hour all day on Fridays. DJ every Saturday from 5 to 7 pm. Seats are available first-come, first-served. Free.
Cyril’s soup
His juice is blood oranges, hibiscus, and regular oranges. This week’s soup is butternut squash and pear with ginger, rosemary and whisky barrel-aged maple syrup. 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 March 9. Please email him to place your order.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 29 TO SUNDAY MARCH 10
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 29
Labour of Love
7 pm, Farzad Hariri and Bamdad Malikia perform traditional Iranian music
Old Flame Brewing
8 pm, Open mic with Landon
House on Parliament
7 pm, oysters and Talisker Scotch whisky tasting.
The Aviary
8 pm, Night People with DJs The Funky Ginger and Ron Jon
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, special Leap Year Apres Ski Weekend with DJ Alvin Memita
FRIDAY MARCH 1
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Old Flame Brewing
7 pm, live music
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend and all-day happy hour
SATURDAY MARCH 2
Old Flame Brewing
7 pm, live music
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, DJ Rore and Apres Ski Weekend
SUNDAY MARCH 3
The Aviary
11:30 am, Jazz brunch
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend
Super Bargain
3 to 5 pm, Paint nite
MONDAY MARCH 4
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
Super Bargain
7 pm, Oyster night
TUESDAY MARCH 5
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
Super Bargain
7 pm, Mean Girls trivia
The Aviary
7 pm, Bird Brain Trivia
The Golden Pigeon
4 pm, $2 oysters
7 pm, live jazz
WEDNESDAY MARCH 6
The Golden Pigeon
8 pm, Trivia night with Rachelle Lauzon
F’Amelia
Wine Wednesday bottles over $100 at half price
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, Trivia night
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
Super Bargain
7:30 pm, Music Bingo
The Aviary
7 pm, Euchre Socials
8 pm, Karaoke night
The Vibrational Apothecary
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
THURSDAY MARCH 7
The Aviary
8 pm, Night People
Old Flame Brewing
8 pm, Open mic with Landon
FRIDAY MARCH 8
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Old Flame Brewing
7 pm, live music
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend and all-day happy hour
SATURDAY MARCH 9
Old Flame Brewing
7 pm, live music
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, DJ and Apres Ski Weekend
SUNDAY MARCH 10
The Aviary
11:30 am, Jazz brunch
Distillery
1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend
Super Bargain
3 to 5 pm, Paint nite
CONTACT INFO
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament
Aviary - 484 Front East
Bisou - 350 Berkeley (at Gerrard)
The Vibrational Apothecary - 243 Gerrard E
Cranberries - 601 Parliament
Distillery - Mill Street and Parliament
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, Distillery
NJ Lounge - 507 Parliament
Old Flame Brewery- 45 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Playground - 492 Parliament
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton
Super Bargain - 441 Parliament
Wing House - 420 Parliament
