Here’s your chance to empty out your basement.
U Haul trucks
Paul Dineen, a prominent local lawyer, has written to the City’s Parking Enforcement staff about these trucks. They are, he points out, a nuisance. And more than that, they’re a scam - they all have Arizona or North Carolina licence plates. These states won’t recognize parking tickets from Toronto. Paul talked to an enforcement officer who said, “…the City used to have a scoff law, 3 tickets unpaid for more than 120 days and we can tow and hold the vehicle until all unpaid tickets are paid…” So Paul found the Habitual Offender Program from February 20, 2014. The police do have the authority to act. Chris Butterfield from the Parking Enforcement Unit at 51 Division replied that this would be ideal and he’s looking into it.
Waving our flag
Cabbagetowners continue to travel and proudly wave our flag. Cathy Campbell went to Kirkwall in the Orkneys for the St Magnus International Festival. On the Festival’s website, it says, “Set against the backdrop of land, sea, sky, history and heritage, Orkney’s annual celebration of the Arts throws a midsummer spotlight on a magical part of Scotland and delivers a diverse cultural offering to visitors from far and wide and also those who live on the islands.” Cathy says it was grand.
Your ideas are welcome about the Esso gardens
Even the spark plugs need a holiday. Chris and Margaret will be back and digging away next week in the Esso gardens (Amelia and Parliament). In the meantime, if you have a suggestion about the possible uses for the gardens, send an email to Chris. It’s time now to start thinking.
Moss Park clean-up
Local neighbours will join police officers from 51 Division along with members of Don’t Mess with the Don to clean up Moss Park - laneways, power washing, graffiti removal and hazardous waste removals. Cleaning materials will be provided. There’ll be a community bbq in Moss Park afterward. Meet at 227 Ontario, Sunday August 18, 11 am to 1:30 pm.
Margaret’s Drop-In
Margaret’s (Dundas and Sherbourne) has restarted its community engagement team. It’ll operate from 7 am to 3 pm daily. Team members will walk its catchment area twice daily to control garbage, to deal with large groups gathering on the sidewalk, to respond to first aid emergencies, to offer food, water and clothing and to provide harm reduction support. The team’s return has been welcomed by the area’s residents.
The Fair Share Market
Dixon Hall’s Fair Share Market is an affordable farmers’ market with seasonal local produce as well as imported staples. Choose an assortment of pre-selected produce and pay what you can. Pay the $5 minimum or the $20 market rate. There’ll also be entertainment, hot food and refreshments. Thursdays, August 15 and 29 and September 12 and 26 from 3 pm. Outdoors at 190 Carlton and indoors at 188 Carlton.
Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
Alma Bakery has really good baklava. In fact, it’s addictive! It’s the peak season at the Market for the best local produce. And all of the vendors have an incredible selection of fresh fruit and produce. 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 South website
The Cabbagetown South Residents Association has launched a new website. It’s covering local news, events, development issues and heritage issues. Click here to see it.
COMING EVENTS
Plant swap at Allan Gardens
Bring pest free cuttings, plants and seeds to trade with other plant lovers. There will also be fundraising for community programs. Every donation of $2 gets a ticket for plant related raffles prizes. Saturday August 17, 10 am to 2 pm. Allan Gardens Children’s Conservancy (Jarvis and Carlton).
Danny Marks at the CNE
Danny will be performing at The Beach Bar on Thursday August 22 at 8 pm. He reminisces that he was the first singer to do “Let’s Go to the Ex”
Bend it Like Beckham
The August selection for Soulpepper’s community movie. Thursday August 15, 1:30 pm and 7 pm. Free. Discount prices on beer and wine. Seating is first-come, first-served and registration is required due to limited space. For more info and registration links, click here. 50 Tank House Lane, Distillery.
Muddy Mornings
Drop in to Allan Gardens every Monday morning in August for a family event for your kids ages 3 to 8. Learning stations will highlight agriculture and nature. 10:30 am to 12:30 pm in the Children’s Conservatory & Edible Garden (19 Horticultural Ave). PWYC - suggested donation $5 per child.
Picks & Bricks Country Festival
The Distillery’s big country festival. There’s live music every day. Special events include doggie dress-up contests (every Tuesday from 7 to 9 pm), specialty foods (in the Pure Spirits Saloon and the Trinity Food Truck), roping cattle contests (Thursdays from 7 to 9 pm), mechanical bull riding (Thursdays from noon to 8 pm) and line dancing (Fridays from 7 to 9 pm). And don’t miss Whisky Wednesdays and the best pie contest. Events will continue to Monday September 2. It’s all free. For more info, click here.
Taste of Regent Park
The weekly market in the Big Park (Dundas & Sumach). Every Wednesday evening, 5 to 8 pm until September 4. Enjoy local vendors, healthy foods, entertainment and cultural food vendors
THEATRE NEWS
Soulpepper's (50 Tank House Lane, Distillery) production of The Big Easy is an original concert about the music of New Orleans. It finishes this weekend, August 18. For details and contact info, click here. (Photo: Dahlia Katz)
SHOPPING NEWS
Beading workshop
Timeless Collective (574 Parliament) is hosting Lala with a beading workshop. Every Saturday in August from 10 am to noon. It’s great for kids ages 5 to 12. Send an email to Lala to register.
Kendall & Co
August 15 is National Leather Craft Day. Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) is Toronto’s destination for bespoke leather furniture, always made locally by a skilled upholsterer, and always superior quality. Click the photo to learn more.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Queer East Social
Cafe Zuzu (555 Dundas E) is hosting QES on Thursday August 22 from 6 pm. Special guests, electrifying performances, and a live DJ spinning the best tracks to keep the good vibes going. Food, drinks, and all the joy you can imagine await—don’t miss out.
Rosa Wine Club
A new wine club has opened at 249 Gerrard East. It’s offering a private space where members can retreat and enjoy a wine of their choice. Lockers are available for wine storage. The club can arrange orders from private agents. There’ll also be dinners by Chef Ivan Bekcic on Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 pm and special events - members and walk-ins welcome. For more info, check out its Instagram.
ZERO Dry Cocktail Bar
Watch for Jim at the pop-up counter outside ZERO (223 Carlton). He’s got tastings of non-alcoholic beverages. The bar is open from11 am to 9 pm daily. They’ve already been active in the community participating in the Taste of Regent Park events. Food service will come soon and future plans include karaoke and comedy nights. The next cocktail classes happen on Friday August 16 and Friday August 30 at 7 pm. Check out their plans online here.
Decoy
It's the second anniversary weekend at Decoy (370 Queen E) - August 16 to 18. On Friday August 16 at 7 pm, it’s Eric Douglas, John Richardson, DJ Riff Finder General and DJ Double Denim. The ping pong tournament opens on Saturday at noon and continues on Sunday afternoon. At 3 pm on Saturday, Big City Jerk Food. At 6 pm, Barker & Meadows perform live outlaw country. On Sunday from 3 pm, it’s DJ Bobby Maxwell and DJ BassKase.
DOVA
The status at DOVA (229 Carlton) is a bit confusing. The restaurant has been for sale but the listing has now been withdrawn. On the one hand, it’s closed but on the other, YELP did an updated review in mid-August. So, there’s no news whether it’s closed or been sold. The last postings on Instagram happened in mid-June. It’s sad - DOVA was a prestigious, imaginative addition to our restaurant scene. Roberto and Jacqueline still have Ardo (243 King E) and they’ve opened a new place, Ardo Bar (169 King E). Best wishes to them for their future plans.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY AUGUST 15 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 25
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY AUGUST 15
Distillery Picks & Bricks
3 pm, Live music
Noon to 8 pm, Mechanical bull riding
7 pm, Roping cattle contest
Decoy
8 pm, Nate Ahmad live acoustics
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, Small Town open mic and Tito’s bbq
FRIDAY AUGUST 16
Distillery Picks & Bricks
3 pm, Live music
7 pm, Line dancing lessons
Alice’s Place
Karaoke night.
Bisou
4 to 8 pm, tapas night
Decoy
Second anniversary weekend
7 pm, Eric Douglas, John Richardson, DJ Riff Finder General and DJ Double Denim
Mill Street
8 pm, Friday nights with Humble Mike
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, Shooter Band live entertainment
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
SATURDAY AUGUST 17
Distillery Picks & Bricks
1 pm, Live music with The Stardust Duo
5 pm, Live music with Mike Chianelli
Decoy
Second anniversary weekend
Noon, ping pong tournament
6 pm, Barker & Meadows perform live outlaw country, DJ Box Wine and DJ Double Denim
Old Flame Brewery
3 pm, live entertainment with Kevin Foster
Wing House
5 to 7:30 pm, Michael Caplan’s Porch Songs
SUNDAY AUGUST 18
Distillery Picks & Bricks
1 pm, Live music with Stardust Duo
5 pm, Live music with Shania Twin
Decoy
Second anniversary weekend
Noon, ping pong tournament
3 pm, DJ Bobby Maxwell and DJ BassKase
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment with Blue Hazel
Super Bargain
3 pm, Paint nite
The Aviary
11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch with a live band
MONDAY AUGUST 19
Distillery Picks & Bricks
3 pm, Live music
Decoy
9 pm, Film screening - The Death of Alice Blue
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
Super Bargain
7 pm, Messy Margaret’s Drag Bingo
TUESDAY AUGUST 20
Distillery Picks & Bricks
3 pm, Live music
7 pm, Doggie dress-up
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 AUGUST 21
Distillery Picks & Bricks
3 pm, Live music
7 pm, Whisky tastings
F’Amelia
Wine Wednesday bottles over $100 at half price
Golden Pigeon
8 pm, Summer trivia with Rachelle Lauzon
Old Flame Brewery
6:30 pm, Trivia night with District Pizza
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
The Aviary
8 pm, karaoke and wing Wednesday
THURSDAY AUGUST 22
Distillery Picks & Bricks
3 pm, Live music
Noon to 8 pm, Mechanical bull riding
7 pm, Roping cattle contest
Cafe Zuzu
6 pm, Queer East Social
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, open mic with City Love and Tito’s BBQ
FRIDAY AUGUST 23
Distillery Picks & Bricks
3 pm, Live music
7 pm, Line dancing lessons
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, live entertainment with Mark Villamor
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
SATURDAY AUGUST 24
Distillery Picks & Bricks
1 pm, Live music
5 pm, Live music
Wing House
5 to 7:30 pm, Michael Caplan’s Porch Songs
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, Jordan Arnott
SUNDAY AUGUST 25
Distillery Picks & Bricks
1 pm, Live music
5 pm, Live music
The Aviary
11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch with a live band
Super Bargain
3 pm, Paint nite, “Take me away”
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
