June 13

 CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW

PROGRESS REPORT ABOUT THE ESSO GARDENS

The problems

This is a project worth pursuing.  The current garden (corner of Amelia and Parliament) is awful.  It’s full of garbage and overgrown vegetation.  The fence is broken and there are gaps where people have freely entered the area.  A large rat colony populates the front and back plots. It’s home to people enjoying their own versions of sex, drugs and rock ’n roll.  Maintenance by the property owners has increasingly declined.

The cure

Chris Hallett and Margaret Coshan are getting ready for a community-based campaign to clean up and then plant and maintain a new garden.    The rats in the garden are a big problem.  A City of Toronto inspector from Public Health visited Tim’s and Circle K and found them in compliance with rodent prevention procedures - but his focus was limited to the inside of the building and to the garbage containers. Another City department will inspect the exterior and enforce a cleanup. In addition, Cabbagetown volunteer Trish Finkelstein has already started to clear up the debris along the outer edges of the area.  

Chris and Margaret are recruiting volunteers to help.  The small gardens along the front outside the fence will be a first priority.  The dead vegetation will be removed and new soil added to the beds.  People with extra plants in their home gardens will be invited to bring them to these plots to beautify the area. Along with these plantings, gardeners will be able to exchange their surplus plants with other gardeners.  

City of Toronto project

As part of the participatory budget process, the City has an infrastructure program to support small projects like this one. With the help of  Councillor Chris Moise the group will file an application to the City for financial support with the garden.  Chris and Margaret currently work on the gardens over on Prospect Street west of Parliament.  Their track record is highly reputable and their reputation will add heft to the application - the City knows that they maintain the gardens once they’re in place.  Then the broader community will be needed to add its voice in support.  When there are over sixty people involved, the application becomes active.  There’ll be a time when local community members contribute their ideas to the future garden layout. If you have ideas which you would like included email Margaret and Chris or comment directly on the site. Click here to learn more and to comment on the application. We’ll be asked to vote on the project later in the process.  

LOCAL NEWS

Scams

The guys pushing various construction scams are still swarming through the neighbourhood.  This week, they pretended to be Stay Dry Roofing.  There are telltale signs that these people aren’t honest.  First, they hand out a flashy postcard or pamphlet.  Second, they want to start work right away, claiming that your house has an emergency problem.  Third, when they’re warned that other scammers are in the area, they leave.  Check out the pamphlets - if they have an address, it’s phoney.  Stay Dry says, on its website, that it’s located at 1130 Bathurst Street - that’s actually a TTC streetcar yard.  Maple Leaf Roofing lists its home at 959 Bloor W - that’s an income tax office.  Friendly Roofing claims to live at 1075 Fewster Drive in Mississauga - that’s a big auto repair shop.

Tents in Allan Gardens

Councillor Chris Moise has updated his reports about the encampments in Allan Gardens (Sherbourne and Jarvis).  By June 7, 9 tents remain in the park. 8 people are living there - five are talking to City officials, two refuse other housing and one has other housing plans. 

Beth Kaplan’s workshop

Beth is getting ready of her July day-long workshop in her garden.  It’s a popular event and well loved by those who attend.  “Spend a summer day learning to trust your voice and tell your stories. Listen to your creative self. Gain confidence and perspective from friendly contact with other writers.” Sunday July 21, 10 am to 5 pm, lunch included.  Even though it’s early, It’s a good idea to register ahead of time since the event has limited seating. $200.  Send Beth an email if you have questions or want to save a spot.

Mainstreet Mosaic Tours - exploring heritage and hubs

The Cabbagetown BIA has developed a free self-directed online walking tour of Cabbagetown’s historic main street.  It runs from June 15 to August 15.  It’s available through Driftscape.  “On this tour, you will uncover the rich history and stories behind our dynamic neighbourhood.”  It’s self-paced and takes between 30 minutes to 3 hours.  Several businesses have special offers only available through Driftscape.  To learn about all of these details, click here.

Mainstreet Mosaic Tours - launch party

The tour gets started with a party in Winchester Park (530 Ontario at Prospect) from 6 pm on Saturday June 15.  There’ll be “sneak peak” walking tours, an historic photo exhibition, dance lessons, face painters, a photo booth and a caricature artist. The pop-up food vendors include The Great Mallard (503 Parliament), Gushi (Parliament), Super Bargain (441 Parliament) and La Gloria (Parliament).  Live music by A Fantastic Bateria.  At 9 pm, there’s a free movie, School of Rock.

Sydney Payne

Sydney and her team were training for the Paris Olympics at Brentwood College in Mill Bay, BC on Tuesday.  They were visited by a family of five Orcas.  (Photo:  Rowing Canada)

Scholarship 

Tridel and Toronto Community Housing have a scholarship for Regent Park TCHC tenants ages 17 and older.  Recipients will get up to $3,000 toward tuition fees and another $500 bursary for expenses like books, transportation and equipment.  The application deadline is June 24.  For all the details and the application form, click here.

Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market

Mike and Dawson travel here from their Northumberland Hills Farm, just north of Brighton.  They brought a lot of strawberries.  In the coming weeks, they’ll add more produce.  Watch for raspberries and big ears of sweet corn.  Check out the Market’s Facebook page to see the updates and news. Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester)

Corktown’s Underpass Farmers’ Market

The market (29 Lower River) opens very Thursday from 4 to 7:30 pm.  There’s an impressive list of vendors offering their stuff -  for this week’s updates, click here.

Taste of Regent Park

Fred Victor will organize the Taste of Regent Park (The Big Park, 620 Dundas E) through the summer every Wednesday from July 3 to September 4.  It’s a fun event and well attended.  Vendors and entertainers are invited to apply for a space.   If interested, send an email to the organizers.

Kite Night

Lindsay Matheson reports that, “I think we had over 100 families flying their kites at the Park. It was so lovely to see all the kids flying their homemade kites.  It felt so heartwarming to see.”  Duncan Fremlin called it “a huge success”.  Thanks to Castillo+Pardo at RE/MAX Hallmark Realty for sponsoring the event and thanks to the parents and teachers at Sprucecourt School for putting it all together. (Photos: Duncan Fremlin)

Lookin’ good

Loretta and Liz - gotta love ‘em.

COMING EVENTS 

Cabbagetown Preservation Association

The Cabbagetown Preservation Association is holding its Annual General Meeting at 7 pm on Thursday June 13 in the Meeting House at Riverdale Farm (Sumach and Winchester).  This is a lively, effective community group and its meeting should be interesting.  The agenda and various documents are available online here.

Winchester School - In the Market

Grade 7 and 8 students are showcasing a market full of environmentally and socially responsible businesses that they’ve created.  There’ll be food stalls, arts and crafts, up-cycled treasures and special gifts for fathers - all for sale.  10 am to 2:30 pm, Friday June 14, Winchester School (15 Prospect).  

Community Music Schools of Toronto

On Saturday June 15, there’ll be a day-long concert at CMST in the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E). The party celebrates the Schools’ 25th anniversary of helping kids through music.  From 1 to 5:30 pm, the free afternoon events include student performances, Spiritwind  Women’s Hand Drums, alumni performances and a wrap-up with Jully Black.  From 6:30 pm, the gala is a fundraiser with the CBC’s Odario Williams and a cast of special performers, $125.  Click here for more info about tickets and program details.

51 Division Open House

Drop by the 51 Division headquarters (51 Parliament) on Saturday June 15 and take a tour. 11 am to 2 pm.  It’s a family friendly event.  There’ll be station tours, vintage cars, TPS exhibits, snacks and more. 

Toronto International Storytelling Festival

The Festival is holding its free Family Storytelling Day in the Regent Park Community Centre (402 Shuter) on Sunday June 16.  It’s part of the city-wide festival that takes place from June 9 to 27. The Regent Park program events include The Teddy Bear’s Picnic at 10:30 am, Stories from Many Lands at 11:30 am, the Musical Story Studio at 1 pm and Jan Blake’s Children’s Stories at 2 pm.  Free.  More info and registration online here.

Potluck picnic

Lindsay is organizing the third annual potluck dinner for families in Riverdale Park West (Winchester and Sumach, near the Farm).  Thursday June 20 from 5:30 pm.  Please bring enough food for 8 to 10 people plus your own plates and cutlery.

Songs from The Journey

A new production celebrating the transformation of Regent Park into a vibrant, thriving community.  It highlights favourite music from The Journey that played in the Daniels Spectrum from 2013 to 2018.  The show with its powerful blend of narration, spoken word, music and dance shows the profound impact of community involvement in shaping the future of urban spaces. It features a dynamic cast of local performers alongside world-class stars - Trevlyn Kennedy and Stacy Darko will be sharing the stage with Canadian icons Jackie Richardson, Quisha Wint and Gavin Hope as well as Charlotte Siegel from the Canadian Opera Company. Produced by The Daniels Corporation in collaboration with The Royal Conservatory.  Koerner Hall (273 Bloor West), 8 pm, Friday June 21. For more info and tickets, click here.

IN THE MEDIA

Villiers Island 

This week, City Council’s housing committee will review the final draft of the plans for Villiers Island. If accepted, the plan will then go to the full Council next week for final approvals. Alex Bozikovic considers the plan to be a disaster since it includes only 9,000 housing units, wide streets and a priority for cars over pedestrians.  He’s written a Globe & Mail column describing this final opportunity to densify development there. (Photo: Fred Lum, Globe & Mail)

THEATRE NEWS

The annual Toronto Theatre Critics Awards were passed out last week.  Soulpepper collected several prominent ones - awards were given for Casey & Diana, Sizwe Banzi is Dead, Three Sisters, A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screenplay about Walt Disney, and De Profundis: Oscar Wilde in Jail.  The Inheritance from Canadian Stage was given Best Production of a Play.  Daniel MacIvor from Canadian Stage was recognized for his “momentous past, present, and future contributions to Toronto and Canadian theatre.” For Joshua Chong’s Toronto Star story, click here. (Photo:  Dahlia Katz and Cylla von Tiedemann)

Soulpepper is staging Haley McGee’s Age is a Feeling to June 23.  A Streetcar Named Desire starts at Soulpepper on June 12 and runs to July 7.  Click here for more info and for tickets.

Both Alumnae Theatre and Native Earth are Satellite Venues during The Fringe Fest, July 3 to 14. Click here for more info and for tickets.

SHOPPING NEWS

Eclectisaurus auction

Leslie has organized an online auction featuring the beautiful items that she always sells. Bidding is open now until June 19.  She’s offering lamps, paintings, sculpture, furniture and more - 50 items in total.  To see the items, read the descriptions and place your bid, click here.

The Great Mallard

When you go to the BIA’s Launch picnic in Winchester Park (530 Ontario), look for The Great Mallard’s tent.  It’s a BBQ bonanza - burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese.  And lots of fun laughs.  Saturday, 6 to 9 pm.  

Kendall & Co

Check out these Chippendale dining chairs from Kendall & Co (514 Parliament).  They’re available singly or in sets of four.  Click here for more info.

Segway bike tune-ups

Segway (11 Gristmill Lane in the Distillery) is offering bike tune-ups and repairs on the weekends in front of their shop.  It usually takes about an hour.

RESTAURANT NEWS 

Pride events

Regent Park’s Out Loud community block party (One Regent Park Boulevard) happens from 3 to 6 pm on Friday June 14.  It features dancing and music, queer east social lounge, exotic animals and more.  Cafe Zuzu’s (555 Dundas E) Queer East Social returns on Thursday June 20 from 6 to 11 pm. Super Bargain (441 Parliament) presents Drag Bingo with Messy Margaret on Monday June 17 at 7 pm. 

The Great Mallard

Christina and her pals from The Great Mallard (503 Parliament) will set up on the roadside patio in front of Rexall (539 Parliament).  They’ll be doing this regularly.  They’re starting this Sunday at 10:30 am with a Father’s Day brunch from 10:30 am to 4 pm.  Pancakes, special syrups, grilled cheese - it promises to be delicious.

Distillery’s Bourbon Street North

The outdoor concerts in Trinity Square will end after Sunday.  This weekend, performers include Junestone, Red Hot Ramble, Queen Pepper, Kevin Ray Clark and the Bourbon Street 6,  Alison Young Jazz Band and the Heavy Weights Brass Band.  1 pm on Thursday, 4:30 pm on Friday and 1 pm and 4:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Check out the daily times on the Weekly Calendar below.

WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS

THURSDAY JUNE 13 TO SUNDAY JUNE 23

For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page. 

THURSDAY JUNE 13

Distillery’s Bourbon Street North 

1 pm, Junestone

Old Flame Brewery

8 pm, open mic

FRIDAY JUNE 14

Distillery’s Bourbon Street North

4:30 pm - Red Hot Ramble

Alice’s Place

Karaoke night.

Bisou

4 to 8 pm, tapas night 

Mill Street

8 pm, Friday nights with Humble Mike 

Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, live entertainment

Super Bargain

10 pm, DJ Shamz

SATURDAY JUNE 15

Distillery’s Bourbon Street North

1 pm - Kevin Ray Clark & Bourbon Street 6

4:30 pm - Queen Pepper

Decoy

8:30 pm, DJ Riffinder General, heavy psych, proto-metal and proto-punk

Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, live entertainment

SUNDAY JUNE 16

Distillery’s Bourbon Street North

1 pm - Alison Young Jazz Band

4:30 pm - Heavy Weights Brass Band

Golden Pigeon

9:30 pm, Father’s Day Karaoke

Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, live entertainment

The Aviary

11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch with a live band 

MONDAY JUNE 17

Super Bargain

7 pm, Drag bingo with Messy Margaret

Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia 

TUESDAY JUNE 18

The Aviary

7 pm, Bird Brain Trivia

The Golden Pigeon

4 pm, $2 oysters

7 pm, Live music on the patio

Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY JUNE 19

The Aviary

7 pm, Euchre Socials 

8 pm, Karaoke night

F’Amelia

Wine Wednesday bottles over $100 at half price

Old Flame Brewery

6:30 pm, Trivia night with District Pizza

Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, euchre night

THURSDAY JUNE 20

Cafe Zuzu

6 pm, Queer east social

Decoy

10 pm, Industry plant

Old Flame Brewery

8 pm, open mic with City Love

FRIDAY JUNE 21

Alice’s Place

Karaoke night.

Bisou

4 to 8 pm, tapas night 

Decoy

6 pm, DJ Double Denim and Town Brewery and Frank’s Italian focaccia stix

Mill Street

8 pm, Friday nights with Humble Mike

Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, live entertainment with Cale Crowe

Super Bargain

10 pm, DJ Shamz

The Aviary

Vinyl nights

SATURDAY JUNE 22

Decoy

2 to 11 pm, patio bar launch with four DJs

Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, live entertainment with Next Perfect Day

SUNDAY JUNE 23

The Aviary

11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch with a live band

Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, live entertainment

Super Bargain

3 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

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