LOCAL NEWS
595 - 601 Parliament is for sale
The building that houses Cranberries and various offices is for sale. In 2017, the current owner applied to the City of Toronto to renovate the building and add three upper storeys. The application was approved and it succeeded without rancour or upset among the neighbours. No work has been done subsequently. Cushman & Wakefield are the realtors. On their listing, the brokers imply that the building application could be reopened so the site can be expanded upward. (Photo: Cushman & Wakefield)
The Great Mallard
Christina has announced that her store (503 Parliament) will close at the end of July. She plans to participate in local events and to support the community whenever she can. She says, “It’s become too difficult to maintain full-time careers, a growing family and our shop which has been a passion project that we love”. On Saturday July 6, she’s arranged a celebration barbecue at the patio in front of Rexall from 3 to 8 pm. Kelly Davies will perform there as well. We’re all invited. And our thanks and best wishes go out to her for her future plans.
Progress report about the new gardens
Chris and Margaret report that good progress has been made in the repairs to the Esso gardens (Parliament and Amelia). One of the corporate owners, Circle K, has provided access to a water tap - an important step in keeping the plants alive. Volunteer gardeners have removed the soil from the concrete boxes outside the fence and replaced it with good soil. Some plants have been installed and by next week, they hope to have covered the entire strip. Some of the plants behind the fence have been trimmed to improve sight lines. Lighting facing Parliament Street has been cleared away to improve personal safety. No news yet from the Traffic Department at the City of Toronto.
Donors to the garden project
Thanks go out already to generous people who want to help. Mr Tenjin from Parliament Smoke & Gift (609 Parliament) has extended a good deal on lavender plants. Hugh Garner Co-op, local businesses and individuals have contributed labour, tools, soil, compost and a wheelbarrow. Feedback from the community has been really positive - especially from the guys who enjoy sitting on the wall and drinking coffee. If you want to join the group, simply show up on Tuesday evening at 6 pm. For more info and to make a donation, email Chris and Margaret.
Winchester Park Residents’ Association
After a four-year “hiatus” for the Association, it’s once again active. A new seven-person Board of Directors has been confirmed. The annual meeting in April included important information for the whole community. David Reycraft from Dixon Hall reported on progress for the houses at 502 - 508 Parliament. Tenants are expected by the end of the summer. Marzio Silva from Councillor Chris Moise’s office reported on the encampments in Allan Gardens. The Association has also dealt with garbage issues along Bleecker Street and the graffiti-covered City signage on Carlton. For a list of the Board members and a summary of these topics from the annual meeting, click here.
Videos from the Olympic trials
Kelly Rogers has sent along two videos showing our Cabbagetown Olympic medal hopefuls. One shows Jazz Shukla’s race in Montreal during the Canadian championships to earn her Olympic spot - click here.
The other shows the Canadian women rowing to victory and an Olympic berth - click here.
Tents in Allan Gardens
Councillor Chris Moise’s Dashboard has been updated to June 28. The numbers have increased in the week since the last report on June 21. There are eleven tents in the park. Seven people are now living there - four have not committed to other housing plans and three refuse other housing.
Community environment day
Our annual environment day happens from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday July 13 at 600 Dundas E in Regent park. Compost will be available for your pick-up. The City of Toronto will collect special waste that our household collections don’t cover - electronics and hazardous waste like old paint cans. You can also drop off items for reuse and recycling - sporting goods, books, cameras, clothing, costume jewellery, small household items, musical instruments, medical aids and non-perishable food. For a full list and for instructions, check out the City’s website. (Photo: Chris Moise)
Anti-semitic graffiti
The Cabbagetown South Facebook page reports that anti-semitic graffiti has appeared on various pieces of public art along Gerrard. Residents in the area have been fighting this smear campaign for several months. The art was removed and the images were reported to the police. (Photo: Friends of Cabbagetown, Seaton, Ontario & Berkeley Street)
214 - 230 Sherbourne
Councillor Moise has commented on the ongoing controversies surrounding this property. The group called 230Fightback has been pressuring City to buy it. It’s currently owned by KingSett Capital who have told City officials that they’re willing to sell. The two sides, however, can’t agree on the price. As a result, KingSett is proceeding with its own plans. Councillor Moises sum up the City’s views. (Photo: Andre Bermon, The Bridge)
Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
Murray’s Farm is a long-time market favourite. Murray and Jane have been coming here from the farm near Cambridge for twelve years. This week, they had a variety of heritage pork cuts, gourmet sausages, heritage eggs and beef. Check out the Market’s Facebook page to see the weekly 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. This week, an impressive list of over forty vendors were offering their stuff. For this week’s updates, click here.
Artists needed
The Cabbagetown BIA has issued a call for more artists. This time, they need people to clean up, repaint and decorate their five big flower containers. Currently, they’re a graffiti target and they’re painted bright red. Artists will be paid $850 for each planter plus another $100 to defray the cost of materials. Applications are open until July 12. Click here for the details.
Calling all performers
The Cabbagetown Festival is inviting performers to apply for a spot during the annual Cabbagetown Festival - September 7 and 8. There’s a straight forward application form to be completed by July 19.
COMING EVENTS
Taste of Regent Park
The weekly market has returned to the Big Park (Dundas & Sumach) for the summer. Wednesday evenings, 5 to 8 pm. Enjoy local vendors, healthy foods, entertainment and cultural food vendors. Watch out, as well, for the outdoor movies on three Wednesdays through the summer.
Moss Park movie night
Councillor Chris Moise is sponsoring an outdoor movie night in Moss Park featuring Pixar’s Turning Red. 8 pm on Friday July 5. The screening happens at 260 Queen E. There’ll be free popcorn and juice and the movie is free.
Under the Stars
These are the outdoor night-time movies presented along with Taste of Regent Park (600 Dundas E). They happen on July 10, July 17 and July 24. Next Wednesday’s feature is The Queen of My Dreams. “Fawzia Mirza’s stylish feature debut mashes up the textures of Indian cinema and a Canadian coming-of-age picture, tracing key moments in the lives of a mother and daughter born three decades apart.” The pre-show entertainment starts at 7:30 pm and the movie will start around 9pm. Free - your donations are welcome. For more info, click here.
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show
At Corktown Common (155 Bayview at Mill Street). Movies will be screened from Thursday July 11 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 11, it’s Legally Blonde and the short film is Camera Test. Click here for online info.
Lavazza Inclucity Festival
Back for another season, The Distillery becomes an outdoor theatre until July 21. It’s an international event showcasing films representing Canada’s rich cultural mosaic. Immerse yourself in a Festival Village offering various art forms, including music, dance, gastronomy, tours, and much more. With your ticket, you get full access to festival events, tasting samples and movie screenings. The program changes daily - click here for the schedule and ticket prices.
Sounds of Toronto
Free music series in Trinity Square in the Distillery, 2 to 6 pm daily to July 21. For each day’s schedule, check out the Weekly Calendar below.
THEATRE NEWS
A Streetcar Named Desire at Soulpepper has been extended to July 14. Alumnae Theatre and Native Earth are each presenting plays from The Fringe Festival - July 3 to 14. Click here for more info and for tickets.
SHOPPING NEWS
Summer outdoor pop-up
Timeless Collective Toronto is holding an outdoor pop-up on Sunday July 7. There’ll be music by the DJ Sound Curator. Vintage clothing, antiques, accessories, local crafts and more. In Darling Lane behind 574 Parliament.
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.
Kendall & Co
Apothecary candles have arrived at Kendall & Co (514 Parliament). Choose from 32 scents, made locally of 100% soy and all natural essential oils. Stop by for a sniff test today!
RESTAURANT NEWS
Summerlicious
The big restaurant event starts on Friday July 5 and continues to July 21. The local restaurants are listed below - check out the lists of participating restaurants, price ranges, contact info and more - click here.
Biagio (155 King E) - $48 lunch, $65 dinner
Blake House (449 Jarvis) - $34 lunch, $45 dinner
Butter Chicken Factory (560 Parliament) - $27 lunch, $35 dinner
Cafe Zuzu (555 Dundas E) - $27 lunch, $35 dinner
Chef’s House (215 King E) - $27 lunch, $35 dinner
Cluny (35 Tank House Lane, Distillery) - $41 lunch, $55 dinner
Dia Restaurant & Lounge (387 Bloor E) - $41 lunch, $55 dinner
F’Amelia (12 Amelia) - $55 dinner
Maison Selby (592 Sherbourne) - $48 lunch, $65 dinner
Mengrai Thai (82 Ontario) - $35 dinner
Pure Spirits (17 Tank House Lane, Distillery) - $41 lunch, $55 dinner
Championship soccer
Pure Spirits (17 Tank House Lane) and Mill Street Brewpub (21 Tank House Lane) in the Distillery are showing Euro soccer games on a big screen in Champions Square. Enjoy breakfast sandwiches and pizzas. Games at 9 am, noon and 3 pm daily to July 14. Free.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY JULY 4 TO SUNDAY JULY 14
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY JULY 4
Distillery Sounds of Toronto
2 to 6 pm, Matinee Trio Groove
Decoy
9 pm, Holiday Special Boys, DJ and Live set.
Old Flame Brewery
8 pm, City Love open mic wit Tito’s bbq
FRIDAY JULY 5
Distillery Sounds of Toronto
2 to 6 pm, Lady Yetunde
Alice’s Place
Karaoke night.
Bisou
4 to 8 pm, tapas night
Decoy
10 pm, DJ Charlie Costello
Mill Street
8 pm, Friday nights with Humble Mike
Old Flame Brewery
8 pm, live entertainment with Cale Crowe
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
The Aviary
Vinyl nights
SATURDAY JULY 6
Distillery Sounds of Toronto
2 to 6 pm, Lady Yetunde
Decoy
3 pm, BassKase (live), dubwise, downtempo, trip-hop and ambient.
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment with Dan Young with Tito’s BBQ
Wing House
5 to 7:30 pm, Michael Caplan’s Porch Songs
SUNDAY JULY 7
Distillery Sounds of Toronto
2 to 6 pm, Lady Yetunde
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment with J J Thompson
The Aviary
11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch with a live band
MONDAY JULY 8
Distillery Sounds of Toronto
2 to 6 pm, Gene Hardy
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY JULY 9
Distillery Sounds of Toronto
2 to 6 pm, Gene Hardy
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 10
Distillery Sounds of Toronto
2 to 6 pm, Gene Hardy
The Aviary
8 pm, Karaoke night
F’Amelia
Wine Wednesday bottles over $100 at half price
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, Trivia night with District Pizza
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
THURSDAY JULY 11
Distillery Sounds of Toronto
2 to 6 pm, Gene Hardy
Old Flame Brewery
8 pm, open mic with City Love
FRIDAY JULY 12
Distillery Sounds of Toronto
2 to 6 pm, Gene Hardy
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 with J J Thompson
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
SATURDAY JULY 13
Distillery Sounds of Toronto
2 to 6 pm, Clair et Le Jazz Hot
Old Flame Brewery
2 to 6 pm, live entertainment with Jordan Arnott
Wing House
5 to 7:30 pm, Michael Caplan’s Porch Songs
SUNDAY JULY 14
Distillery Sounds of Toronto
2 to 6 pm, Clair et Le Jazz Hot
The Aviary
11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch with a live band
Old Flame Brewery
2 to 6 pm, live entertainment with Benji Crane
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
