CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
A PERSONAL VIEW
On February 27, the Cabbagetown Preservation Association is sponsoring a public meeting about the future of Parliament Street. It’s part of a campaign toward designation of a Heritage Conservation District along the street. There’s one big problem with the meeting. The Cabbagetown BIA has not been asked to participate. The businesses along Parliament will be directly affected by the final decision. They should be included from the very beginning.
Coming next week …
The format for my covering emails will change. It’s a new design that gives the emails a more modern look and provides space for an advertisement and a community announcement
FEATURED ARTIST
Ruth Wagner is our featured artist. This week’s image is entitled “Against the Iron Fence”. 12 x 12”, soft pastels on Pastel Premier, white.. Ruth has a bent for drawing and soft pastels. This is the perfect medium for her work on floral, tree and still life themes. She’s exhibited in juried shows with the Pastel Artists of Canada since 2017 and more recently with the Artists’ Network of Riverdale.
LOCAL NEWS
Family Day activities
Family Day is coming soon - Monday February 19. Several local events celebrate it.
Drop-in at Riverdale Farm (Winchester and Sumach) for farmers’ demonstrations, weaving, crafts and refreshments. The Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre (640 Dundas E) and the Regent Park Community Centre (402 Shuter) are also both open from 2 to 5 pm.
Allan Gardens Children’s Conservancy (160 Gerrard E) is celebrating the Lunar New Year from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm on February 19.
There’ll be a Family Day Skate at the Regent Park Rink (480 Shuter) on Saturday February 17 from 1 to 3 pm - skates and helmets are available free.
233 Carlton
The City of Toronto is now renovating this building to turn it into a resource centre for women. According to its website, the Fred Victor Centre will operate it and will provide support services with its partners at CAMH, University Health Network, Street Haven and the Regent Park Community Health Centre. It’s expected to open in the late summer or early Fall. Councillor Chris Moise together with the City has provided this update. More info along with drawings showing the finished interior are available at his website and at the City’s page.
Parliament Street on the Cusp
The Cabbagetown Preservation Association is holding a public meeting that will look at the future of Parliament Street developments. The speakers include a senior executive from Daniels, a senior architect and a experienced heritage advocate. Tuesday February 27, 7 pm, Winchester Street Theatre (80 Winchester)
Heritage buildings on Parliament
Gilles Huot has made a YouTube video about the various qualities of Parliament Street buildings. It’s a very useful introduction to the discussion about heritage designation in the retail area. To watch it, go to the CPA Facebook page and scroll down to the January 27 entry.
Community meeting with All Saints Church
Cabbagetown South Residents and All Saints Church (315 Dundas E) are inviting the community to a meeting to learn about the work that the Church does at the corner of Sherbourne and Dundas. Saturday February 24, 10 am. Its work is often controversial and this is your chance to see its side of the story. The topics will range across the realities of homelessness, the resources in our community and introductions to the staff from All Saints and the H2H Crisis team.
Vacant home tax
Here’s a last-minute reminder. You must tell the City of Toronto whether your residential property is occupied or vacant by Thursday February 29. If your property is declared vacant, there’ll be an extra levy applied to your property tax bill. There’s an explanation of the tax on the City’s website. (Photo: Mike Smee/CBC)
Tents in Allan Gardens
Councillor Chris Moise’s Dashboard still shows the statistics about the tents in Allan Gardens from February 2. At that time, there were 9 people staying in the park. 3 with housing plans and 6 who do not want to move.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our Announcements are available to anyone who want to reach out to the community. Email your message and an appropriate photo (in jpeg format). It’s free and your Announcement will run for two weeks unless other arrangements are made.
The Pathfinder
Ron Hume is a Cabbagetown-based writer. He’s turning his talents to a bi-weekly online blog that he’s calling The Pathfinder. His latest topic gives an indication of his bent - a plea to stop the hate. Future subjects will be decidedly controversial. He’s also recruited a team to contribute columns on their favourite topics. Beth Kaplan comments, “… a smart, thought-provoking newsletter from a writer who is surely Cabbagetown’s most inspiring and engaged elder.” Click on this link to read his published works - a subscription page will pop up first so you can conveniently join his list. It’s free.
Holiday in France
Mary Spence Thomas has a beautiful house in France that’s available for vacation rentals this summer. It’s in Castelnau-de-Montmiral, often referred to as one of the most beautiful villages in France and it’s a wonderful base for exploring the surrounding bastides and vineyards. Check out all the details, photos and rental info online. Please note that there’s a new email address for the house.
COMING EVENTS
I love art
The annual fundraiser for Rosedale Heights School of the Arts is back after a four year break caused by the pandemic.. There’ll be a live and silent auction, performances by the students and a display and sale of their artwork. Thursday February 22, 6 pm. Admission tickets are $10. Local businesses are invited to donate items for the school’s silent auction. If you can make a gift, please send an email to the organizers.
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.
IN THE MEDIA
Distillery’s Winter Village
The event has finished and the assessments are starting. In years past, it’s had a controversial impact on the surrounding community. Daryl Gonsalves has written a story in the latest edition of The Bridge about local reactions to this year’s event.
SHOPPING NEWS
Biophilia
A celebration of human connection to nature at Labour of Love (233 Carlton) from February 29 to March 30. On opening night Thursday February 29, Farzad Hariri and Bamdad Malikia will stage a musical performance at 7 pm at Labour of Love. Photographer Lawrence Bernstein will conduct a walk through Cabbagetown on Saturday March 2 from 2 pm to discover the best techniques for meaningful photography. Kevin Charlie will host a Sound Bath at Labour of Love on Saturday March 9 at 6 pm. Deidre Buryk will demonstrate seasonal recipes from her book “Peak Season” on Saturday March 16 at 1 pm. Elham Hazfi will conduct a workshop to show how to make drinks and snacks from rhubarb Saturday March 23 at 1 pm. Lawrence’s photographs and Elham’s art will hang in Labour of Love throughout the exhibitions events. To learn more and to register, go to Eventbrite.
Vacation time
St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) will be closed for a vacation from Monday February 19 through Sunday February 25.
Roselle
Sweetheart cake is back at Roselle (362 Queen E). It’s got raspberry rose mousse, intense raspberry coulis, vanilla creme and sponge cake soaked in lychee rose syrup and lychee pieces. It’s on sale for walk-ins until February 25.
THEATRE NEWS
Glenn Sumi has reviewed the new Soulpepper play about Oscar Wilde in the Globe & Mail. He describes it as bold and brilliant. Canadian Stage and Native Earth also have new plays currently on stage or coming very soon. These listings and more are online here.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Congrats Maya Bay
On February 11, the Hungry Onion did a review by Charles Yu about his dinner experiences at Maya Bay (252 Carlton). “Their super-delectable food must rank as one of GTA’s biggest pleasant culinary surprises this post Covid era!”
Cafe Zuzu
There’s still time to enjoy Cafe Zuzu’s (555 Dundas E) Valentine’s prix fixe menu. It’s available until Sunday February 18. Start with a taste of house Prosecco. Appetizer choices include mortadella, oysters or bruschetta. The pasta entrees are rigatoni, medallion or pappardelle. For dessert, there’s cannolo, gelato or tiramisu. $49 per person.
Paint Nite
Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) is holding a special Paint Nite event with Yasmin. She’ll take you step-by-step through your creative experiences. 7 pm, Friday February 16. Get your ticket online. $45 - supplies are included.
Raclette Party
Bisou (350 Berkeley) is having a raclette party with Swiss raw milk raclette, hot drinks, hot food and hot tunes. Saturday February 17, 3 pm.
Latin Nights
The Aviary (484 Front E) is hosting Paula and Jose of Dance to Live for salsa lessons at 9 pm, Saturday February 17. Hot Line dancing with DJ Amarok.
Messy’s Drag Bingo
Messy has been visiting Super Bargain (441 Parliament) since November 2022 and she’s a great favourite. Four rounds of bingo with prizes after every game. Messy will also be singing. Tuesday February 20, 7 pm.
Apres ski weekends
Apres Ski experiences in the Distillery on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 7 pm. Open until Sunday March 31 in Trinity Square. 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
Cyril’s back after his New Year’s break and he’s making Moroccan vegetable stew. His juice is tropical cold-pressed papaya, orange and pineapple. 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 February 24. Please email him to place your order.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 15 TO SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 15
Old Flame Brewing
8 pm, Open mic with Landon
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Yasmin and Paint Nite
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17
The Aviary
9 pm, Latin night with Jose and Paula and DJ Amarok
Bisou
3 pm, Raclette Party
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 18
The Aviary
Jazz brunch
MONDAY FEBRUARY 19
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 20
Super Bargain
7 pm, Messy’s Drag Bingo
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
The Aviary
7 pm, Bird Brain Trivia
The Golden Pigeon
4 pm, $2 oysters
7 pm, live jazz
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 21
The Golden Pigeon
8 pm, Trivia night with Rachelle Lauzon
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, Trivia night
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
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 FEBRUARY 22
Old Flame Brewing
8 pm, Open mic with Landon
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 23
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Old Flame Brewing
7 pm, live music
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24
Old Flame Brewing
7 pm, live music
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25
The Aviary
Jazz brunch
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
