CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
A PERSONAL OPINION
So, I’ve got COVID
I have no idea how I contracted it. My experience so far has been mild. But I’m hearing from others that it can be very serious and that it’s getting quite widespread. What happened, I’m wondering, to bulletins from government officials? Why has the Province of Ontario cancelled warning signals like waste water testing? I believe that my vaccines are up-to-date - am I wrong? I don’t blame Doug Ford because I’m sick. But I do blame him for this lack of concrete guidance - a loud voice from the government is just what’s needed right now.
LOCAL NEWS
Times for Jazz and Sydney
The Olympic Games start this week on Friday July 26. Sydney Payne’s first race in the Women’s Eight boat is a qualifier and it happens at 6 am (Toronto time) on Monday July 29, followed by the Repechage on Thursday at 4:10 am.
Jazz Shukla will run her first 800 metre race on Friday August 2 at 1:45 pm (Toronto time). Watch for the CBC’s announcements for more details.
Parliament Street gardens
Don has been creating these planters for over 15 years along the townhouses at 543 Parliament just north of Winchester. Some of the palms grow over seven feet tall. The plants are, as he says, a mad mishmash of colour and texture. Click on the link to see his photos. (Photos Don Moffat)
Progress report about the Esso gardens
Volunteers at the garden (Parliament and Amelia) did a batch of real tough grunt work on Tuesday. They cleared out the debris and undergrowth inside the fenced area and filled fourteen leaf disposal bags. Circle K has hired a landscaper who’ll arrive on Saturday to add to this work. By this time, it’s now possible to see through the garden area and to see the old garden fixtures that were once installed but were later hidden by the wild growth.
Gardening volunteers are welcome
As reports every week have shown, the team clearing the Esso gardens has made remarkable progress. You’re welcome to join. Just come to Amelia and Parliament at 6 pm every Tuesday afternoon.
Cabbagetown Art & Crafts Show
The big art show in Riverdale Park West happens this year from 1 pm on Friday September 6 to 5 pm on Sunday September 8. Organizers have been very busy. They’ve received applications and selected 170 artists to exhibit. The website is live and the lists of 2024 artists will be posted within a week. There’ll also be Instagram and Facebook pages where details will be shown as the event gets nearer. Volunteers are welcome - it’s a fun event. If you want to participate, email Gerald FitzGerald with your contact info. (Photo: Cabbagetown Art & Crafts Show)
More U Haul trucks
Beth has commented that the CBC News photo about Tuesday’s shooting on Carlton also shows three U Haul trucks in the background parked on Carlton near Parliament. In the past, this company (456 Parliament) has used public parking spaces on both residential and commercial streets, moving trucks around randomly from one place to another. If you see U Haul trucks parked anywhere, you’re asked to report them to Christopher Butterfield at the Parking Enforcement Unit. (Photo: CBC News)
Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
This report might cause a stampede. There are fresh apricots at the Market. Along with fresh peaches and cherries. Check out the Market’s Facebook page to see the weekly updates and news. Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester) (Photo: Cabbagetown Farmers Market)
Corktown’s Underpass Farmers’ Market
The market (29 Lower River) opens very Thursday from 4 to 7:30 pm. This week, an impressive list of over forty vendors were offering their stuff. For this week’s updates, click here.
Cabbagetown wild life
David spotted this baby cedar waxwing on a Cabbagetown fence earlier this week. It wasn’t flying - he suspects that it hasn’t learned how to fly just yet. (Photo: David G Hallman, Facebook)
YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Is there a woman who can help?
I am a Cabbagetown resident who had a stroke that makes it difficult for me to manage my home. I am seeking a woman to help me for about four hours per month in organizing cupboards, drawers, my wardrobe etc. I am prepared to pay $40 per hour. If interested, call Barbara at 416-763-2142.
COMING EVENTS
Walking tour of St James Town
Heritage Toronto will be conducting a 90-minute walking tour featuring Canada’s largest high-rise community. Rain or shine, Saturday, July 27 at 3 pm. The tour uses individual audio headsets and every participant will receive one. The starting point is Rekai Park (625 Bloor E). Tickets cost $8 plus $1.85 transaction fee. Space is limited and drop-ins may not be able to join. From more info and for registration, click here.
Corktown garden clean-up
Members of the Corktown Residents & Business Association will be cleaning up three boulevard gardens on the east side of Inglenook School (19 Sumach). They’ll remove existing debris, shrubs and weeds. This will all be in preparation for another effort in the Fall to plant pollinator gardens in each bed. Sunday July 28, 9 am to noon. For details, check the website page. If you can join, please inform them by email.
Picks & Bricks Country Festival
The Distillery presents live music, dog dress-up contests, specialty foods, mechanical bull riding and more. The events start at 11 am on Saturday July 27 and will continue to Monday September 2.
Taste of Regent Park
On Wednesday, Friends of Regent Park cooked up pizza and served non-alcoholic cocktails from Zero Cocktail Bar (223 Carlton). It’s all part of the weekly market in the Big Park (Dundas & Sumach). Next week, together with Zero Cocktail Bar, they’ll serve halal beef and vegetarian patties. Every Wednesday evening, 5 to 8 pm. Enjoy local vendors, healthy foods, entertainment and cultural food vendors. Watch out, as well, for the outdoor movies following the market.
Under the Stars
These are the outdoor night-time movies presented along with Taste of Regent Park. Next Wednesday’s feature is Queen of My Dreams (rescheduled from July 10). The pre-show entertainment starts at 7:30 pm and the movie will start around 9 pm. Big Park, 600 Dundas E. Free - your donations are welcome. For more info about the film, click here.
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show
At Corktown Common (155 Bayview at Mill Street). Movies will be screened to Thursday August 1. Eats and treats happen at 7 pm and the movie is screened at sundown, about 9 pm. Each film is accompanied by a short film. On July 25, it’s Inside Man and the short film is Closing Dynasty.
Next week, it’s Fire of Love with the short film A Life on Mars. Click here for online info.
IN THE MEDIA
Violence in Cabbagetown
A police officer shot a man who was armed with a knife and he was taken to hospital with a serious injury. It happened in the early evening on Tuesday July 23 on Carlton Street west of Parliament. Few details have been released. The SIU has taken over the investigation since it involves an incident where an officer injured another person. The CBC has a report on the event. (Photo: CBC News)
Throwing poop on Howard Street
77 Howard Street experienced a power blackout during the heavy rain last week. Electrical contractors have been there ever since to restore power to the affected units. Unfortunately, some residents on higher floors have thrown human poop onto these workers. The building management has informed Toronto Police, hired extra security and sent around a notice. The power has since been restored to everyone. NOW Magazine did an online story about the incident.
218 Carlton
The new residence for homeless Indigenous men has opened officially at 218 Carlton. The house was part of an imaginative arrangement made by former Councillor Kristyn Wong Tam. It was obtained by the City from MOD Developments as part of a Section 37 deal and fully renovated by MOD with nine bachelor and one-bedroom suites. Na-Me-Res won a proposal to provide safe, affordable housing for former shelter residents and homeless men living on the street. City News wrote the full story with details about its future, click here. (Photo: City News)
THEATRE NEWS
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane, Distillery) is launching The Big Easy, an original concert about the music of New Orleans. August 1 to 18. For details and contact info, click here.
SHOPPING NEWS
Great Mallard’s closing party
Christina has announced that she’s closing The Great Mallard (503 Parliament) at the end of the month. She’s holding a special closing party on Sunday July 28 from 1 to 6 pm. You’re invited to drop by - she’s making her famous smash burgers. “… It was a very hard decision for us to make as we have grown to have so much love for our amazing Cabbagetown community…” She’s planning to create more local pop-up events and to have a booth at the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market and the Cabbagetown Festival. You can order her supplies at her website for free local delivery.
Massive costume sale
The Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (509 Parliament) is opening its studio doors for a costume sale on Saturday July 27 from noon to 5 pm. There’ll be dance costumes, clothing, accessories, office supplies, tech, dance shoes and musical instruments. Prices will start at $2.
Kendall & Co
The mice are back at Kendall & Co (514 Parliament). Stop in to see their huge variety of felt character ornaments, perfect for any gifting occasion.
Check them out online here.
Cultural bazaar
Every Friday from 3 to 8 pm until September 6, there’ll be a cultural shopping experience on Regent Park Boulevard. Local crafts, henna, jewellery, clothes and food.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Welcome Epos
A new coffee shop has opened at 290 Gerrard just west of Parliament. Pastries and sandwiches are available. (Photo: Laura Graham)
Scoops
The ice cream window is open at Cafe Zuzu (555 Dundas E). Monday and Tuesday from 11 am to 5 pm. Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm.
Painting workshop
Unleash your creativity at La Gloria Coffee Shop (453 Parliament) on Sunday July 28 from 2 to 4 pm. Yana Myronova will lead the workshop.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY JULY 25 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 4
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY JULY 25
Old Flame Brewery
8 pm, open mic with City Love and Tito’s BBQ
FRIDAY JULY 26
Alice’s Place
Karaoke night.
Bisou
4 to 8 pm, tapas night
Decoy
10 pm, DJ Oakeve
Mill Street
8 pm, Friday nights with Humble Mike
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, Jay Blues Trio with Gangster Cheese
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
SATURDAY JULY 27
Decoy
10 pm, DJ olasconola
Wing House
5 to 7:30 pm, Michael Caplan’s Porch Songs
SUNDAY JULY 28
The Aviary
11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch with a live band
Decoy
LAL Remix project
Old Flame Brewery
2 to 6 pm, Christmas in July with Sarah Fazackerley
Super Bargain
3 pm, Paint Nite, $45
MONDAY JULY 29
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY JULY 30
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 JULY 31
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 AUGUST 1
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, open mic with City Love and Tito’s bbq
FRIDAY AUGUST 2
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, Murray Drive
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
The Aviary
Caribana vinyl nights
SATURDAY AUGUST 3
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment by Eunice with Tito’s BBQ
6 pm, Hogtown Flea Night Market
Wing House
5 to 7:30 pm, Michael Caplan’s Porch Songs
SUNDAY AUGUST 4
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment with Mark Villager
The Aviary
11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch with a live band
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
