CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED ARTIST
Betty White
The Marionette, 32” X 32”. Betty White has been an artist in Cabbagetown since 1984. She’s exhibited in Montreal, Toronto, United States, France and Mexico. Her work is in collections at The Art Bank, TMU (Ryerson University) and Reader’s Digest, and in private collections around the world. She apprenticed with Brazilian artist, Olly Reinheimer in Rio de Janeiro, and has taken private studies with conservator Andrzej Ornoch. She was a teacher at Montcrest School for 28 years.
LOCAL NEWS
Eclipse news
Eclipse parties happened across Cabbagetown. Some people griped about the clouds but others just enjoyed whatever they could see through the gaps. We set up behind our house with our nearby friends and neighbours. Lots of other people did the same. (Photo: The final moment of the eclipse over Riverdale Park East, Richard Lautens, Toronto Star)
Parks department staff report that a huge crowd gathered on the hill in Riverdale Park East - check out the video shown on CityNews. There’s another short video showing the eclipse shadow descending on Allan Gardens. Megan Ogilvie, Calvi Leon and Jermaine Wilson at the Toronto Star wrote about the crowd and its reactions as the eclipse unfolded.
Eric Morse caught two pictures showing the shadows on Wellesley Street at Ontario. The Distillery held an eclipse party to wrap up the season for its Apres Ski events. One neighbour stayed inside and was very impressed by the CBC’s coverage of the event as it crossed Canada.
Davin Michael Kumar Garg
Davin has just been appointed as a judge in the Ontario Court of Justice. He was an assistant crown attorney in Etobicoke to 2016 and then he was Crown counsel with the Crown Law Office – Criminal, conducting trials and appeals in both official languages and developing expertise in Charter litigation, commercial crime and driving cases. He started his duties on April 11 and he’ll serve in the court in Hamilton on criminal matters.
Regent Park Community Health Centre
The strike by 115 workers at the Regent Park Community Health Centre (465 Dundas E) was settled over the weekend. The front-line workers ratified a tentative deal with management on Friday. Their union, OPSEU, stated that they agreed to a 4% pay increase for the first year and 3.5% for the second year. They also have an increased benefits package, improved health and safety provisions and a voice in the allocation of future funding from the provincial government.(Photo: Toronto Star)
Sydney Payne - update
Sydney rowed on the Canadian Women’s Eight boat that won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. They’re preparing now for a return to the Paris Games. They’re on their way to the 2024 World Cup II in Lucerne Switzerland in late May - an important warm-up to the Olympics later in the summer.
Panhandling
Superior Court Justice Robert Centa has ruled that major portions of the 1999 Ontario Safe Streets Act violate the charter rights of people who are panhandling - specifically, sections that prohibit panhandling at ATMs, pay phones, public toilets and line-ups for transit rides. The case was argued by Fair Change, a student pro-bono legal clinic that represents people who have been fined for panhandling and loitering. Panhandling has been a major issue along Parliament Street for decades.
Community clean-ups - advance info
The official date is Saturday April 20. Whether you want to tackle a whole neighbourhood or just a stretch of streets and lanes near your home, now’s the time to get your friends ready. Tyler Johnson in Councillor Moise’s office says that he’s got a supply of bags and gloves. He can also help to get your effort registered so your litter bags are picked up - (416) 392-7903 or Councillor_Moise@toronto.ca
Community cleaning
Several community groups are organizing neighbourhood clean-ups
Aberdeen Avenue - the local residents will be working on Saturday April 20, 11 am to 2 pm. Email Victoria for additional info.
Corktown - 10 am to 1 pm, Saturday April 20. Start at Sackville Playground.
Regent Park - 10 am to noon, Saturday April 20. Start at the bake oven in The Big Park (620 Dundas).
Two residents’ meetings on Wednesday, April 24
Cabbagetown South Association - 6:30 pm in Central Neighbourhood House (349 Ontario). Councillor Chris Moise will be there. Click here for more info.
Winchester Park Residents Association - 7 pm, Hugh Garner Co-op (550 Ontario), Eighth Floor. The first meeting in several years - this is an effort to revive a badly needed voice.
Little Trinity Good Food Market
Starting on April 24, Little Trinity Anglican Church (403 King E) will organize an affordable food market in partnership with Foodshare. It’s aim is to provide good quality food at wholesale prices in order to combat food insecurity and build community supports. It’ll run every Wednesday from 5 to 7 pm. For more info, click here.
Babies are arriving
Riverdale Farm (Winchester east of Sumach) is home for a new batch of Spring babies. Baby goats and lambs are already here and more are expected soon. The Farm is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Forsythia Festival
Festival organizers are getting ready - it happens in Wellesley Park on Sunday May 5, less than one month away. The Cabbagetown Residents Association is now recruiting volunteers to help during the Festival. The jobs are easy and fun - you’ll enjoy the kids and the chance to see your neighbours. Your work slot will be one-hour long between 8 am and 4 pm. Email them to join.
Gardens needed
The Cabbagetown garden tour happens on Sunday June 2. Organizers are looking for gardens to include on the tour. You can nominate a neighbour or offer your own. If you’re interested, click on this link and complete the form.
Cabbagetown Farmers Market
The Market (Riverdale Park West, Sumach and Winchester) happens every Tuesday from 3 to 7 pm from May 14 to October 22. Organizers are getting ready. They’re recruiting volunteers for three different tasks - set-up from 1:30 to 3 pm, take-down from 6:45 to 7:45 pm and market support from 3 to 7 pm. Both the set-up and take-down require some physical activity. For more details, email the Market manager with the heading, “Cabbagetown Farmers Market Volunteer”.
YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS
John and Claire are welcoming guests from Italy from April 19 to 26. They have a new baby who’s just under one year old. They’re wondering if anyone has a car seat and a stroller that they can borrow/rent for a week. Please email him.
COMING EVENTS
Bengali and Tamil celebration
The Fred Victor Centre is celebrating the New Year with the Bengali and Tamil communities. Wednesday April 17, 12:30 to 3:30 pm, Fred Victor Centre (40 Oak Street). There’ll be dance performances, henna and garden activities and kids’ games. Everyone welcome.
Bach & Tallis
The next concert will happen on Saturday April 13 at 7:30 pm in Little Trinity Church (403 King E). It’ll feature three works by the English Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis - Cantata BWV 131 “Aus der Tiefen,” Tallis’s “Lamentations of Jeremiah” and Motet BWV 228 Fürchte dich nicht (“Do not fear”). “Trinity Bach Project is a vocal and instrumental ensemble dedicated to serving ordinary audiences the extraordinary musical and spiritual riches of J. S. Bach’s choral repertoire.” For more info, go to their website. PWYC.
Earth Weekend Family Drop-in at Allan Gardens
Pete Moss - is an acclaimed children’s musician who draws inspiration from birds, plants and weather. The show starts with crafts and Pete will perform from 11:30 am. Saturday April 20, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Children’s Conservatory in Allan Gardens (160 Gerrard E).
Ocean School - features a giant floor map of Canada. Visitors are encouraged to explore the map to earn about the importance our water. PWYC, $5 donation is appreciated. Sunday April 21, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, Allan Gardens Children’s Conservatory. (160 Gerrard E).
Green Thumbs Growing Kids
GTGK is hosting a Spring event in the Conservatory at Allan Gardens (160 Gerrard E) on Sunday April 28 from 1 to 4 pm. There’ll be a plant sale, face painting and a silent auction.
SHOPPING NEWS
New dog food
Imagine - if you’re a dog - here’s a store full of doggie treats! Christina at The Great Mallard (503 Parliament) has developed a new line of fresh dog food. She’s making complete meals. They're cooked, frozen and vacuum packed - cornmeal with veggies and chicken bits and hearty lentil and turkey dinner. She also has three new doggie treats - Daisy’s delights (cookies baked with four ingredients), Daisy’s breakfast quiche and Pup Cups (with yogurt, bananas and peanut butter). Watch for her subscription service where you can order a full week’s supply and pick it up on Fridays.
The Great Mallard’s Pup Day
Cabbagetown dogs (and their owners) are invited to a Pup Day on Saturday from 1 to 5 pm to introduce the new line of doggie meals and treats. The Great Mallard (503 Parliament).
Faux spring florals at Kendall & Co
Kendall’s (514 Parliament) new faux florals include a large variety of flowers. Create your own bouquets with these “real feel” tulips, hydrangeas and magnolias that look and feel like real flowers.
THEATRE NEWS
New productions in our theatres
Native Earth presents Women of the Fur Trade from April 9 to 21. Soulpepper’s A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screenplay about the Death of Walt Disney starts on April 13 and continues to May 5. From April 24, Alumnae Theatre will stage its 36th edition of the New Ideas Festival - four new one-act plays. Click here for links and more info.
RESTAURANT NEWS
International Street Food Market
A collection of containers is assembling on Parliament just north of Queen. It’ll feature a variety of international foods - Portuguese, Indian, Middle Eastern, poutine, shawarma, waffles and Mexican. The Middle Eastern one is now open and the others are coming soon.
Chew Chew has closed
Chew Chew (186 Carlton), a favourite local diner, has shut down. It has, apparently, gone into bankruptcy.
Cyril
He’s back from his family holiday in France and he’s making his soup again on his regular schedule. His weekly menu on the blog has been moved - check out the top of the right-hand column.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY APRIL 11 TO SUNDAY APRIL 21
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY APRIL 11
Old Flame Brewery
8 pm, open mic
FRIDAY APRIL 12
Alice’s Place
Karaoke night.
Bisou
4 to 8 pm, tapas night
Decoy Bar
10 pm - DJ Shadow Brown
Mill Street
7 pm, Throwback Trivia & Haze Phaze IPA Launch
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, live entertainment
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
SATURDAY APRIL 13
Decoy Bar
10 pm - DJ Moe Funk with Deejay Scott
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment
SUNDAY APRIL 14
The Aviary
11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch wth a live band
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment
The Golden Pigeon
9:30 pm, Karaoke
MONDAY APRIL 15
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
Super Bargain
7 pm, Messy’s Drag Bingo
TUESDAY APRIL 16
The Aviary
7 pm, Bird Brain Trivia
Cranberries
5 pm, pizza night
The Golden Pigeon
4 pm, $2 oysters
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY APRIL 17
The Aviary
7 pm, Euchre Socials
8 pm, Karaoke night
F’Amelia
Wine Wednesday bottles over $100 at half price
The Golden Pigeon
8 pm, Trivia
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, Trivia night
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
The Vibrational Apothecary
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
THURSDAY APRIL 18
Old Flame Brewery
8 pm, open mic
FRIDAY APRIL 19
Alice’s Place
Karaoke night.
Bisou
4 to 8 pm, tapas night
Decoy Bar
10 pm - DJ Double Denim
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, live entertainment
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
The Aviary
Vinyl Night
SATURDAY APRIL 20
Decoy Bar
10 pm - DJ Cortez the Chiller
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment
SUNDAY APRIL 21
The Aviary
11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch wth a live band
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment
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
Decoy Bar - 370 Queen E
Distillery - Mill Street and Parliament
El Catrin - 18 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Golden Pigeon - 424 Parliament
House on Parliament - 454 Parliament
Johnny G’s - 478 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
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