ELECTION NEWS
This week, I met Olivia Iheme, the Green Party Candidate. She’s the last of three that I’ve contacted and met. In each case, we sat down at the St James Town Steak & Chops Deli and talked informally for an hour. Please note - these remarks won’t be either endorsements or attacks. They’re simply my reactions to our conversations.
Olivia Iheme
Olivia is a newcomer to politics. She’s running in her first election and she plans to stay around and contribute as much as she can. At the candidates meetings at Zero Bar on Monday and in Regent Park on Wednesday, she was well prepared. She lives in a co-op on Metcalfe Street and understands the value of this housing on a personal basis. Her campaign stresses four topics - removal of income taxes on earnings under $40,000, free post-secondary tuition, affordable housing and proportional representation in the House of Commons. The traditional Green Party emphasis on the climate crisis underlines everything that the Greens do. She has a page on the Green’s website and you can reach her by email here - info@tocentregreens.org
Election Day - next Monday
It’s all happening next Monday, April 28 . You should have your Voter information Card - it verifies that you’re registered on the official voters’ list. Use this Card, along with another piece of ID, to get your ballot. To check your name or update it, go to the Elections Canada website and click the Voter Information Service. If you’ve been left off the list incorrectly, there are ways to register at your local polling station. Click here for more details.
Candidates' meetings
Zero Cocktail Bar (223 Carlton) hosted its meeting on Monday. The discussion dealt with three topics - economic policy, tariffs and trade, and affordable housing. Olivia Iheme (Green), Evan Solomon (Liberal) and Samantha Green (NDP) participated. Luis Ibarra (Conservative) was invited but did not attend.
Daniels Spectrum, Regent Park. Over 100 people attended the meeting on Wednesday night. Once again, Luis Ibarra (Conservative) didn’t show up but Evan Solomon (Liberal), Samantha Green (NDP) and Olivia Iheme (Green) were here. They each presented their party’s views and the audience responded enthusiastically.
LOCAL NEWS
Forsythia Festival - save the date
Cabbagetown’s official celebration of the arrival of Spring takes place on Sunday May 4 in Wellesley Park. The Festival parade starts at 10 am in Riverdale Park West. In Wellesley Park from 11 am, enjoy free children’s activities, live entertainment, great food and a beer garden. If you want to support the Festival organizers, you can donate to the Cabbagetown Residents Association - email Elizabeth Harris at elizabeth.j.l.harris@gmail.com or call her at 416-854-9564. If you can spare some time as a volunteer, send an email to info@cabbagetowner.com
Jane’s Walk
The popular Spring walking tours are back again this year from Friday May 2 to Sunday May 4. Over 80 walks have been registered so far. 14 of them are in our neighbourhood including legendary houses, Toronto’s newest island, the Canary District, Riverdale Park and more. A detailed list will be available next week. In the meantime, you can review the official website here.
Spring celebration
Green Thumbs Growing Kids presents a family event on Saturday April 26. Music by David Celia, food, face painting for your kids and plant sales. It’s a celebration of GTGK’s 26th season - the group works in school gardens to teach kids about plants, gardening and the environment. Regent Park Greenhouse and picnic area, 620 Dundas E.
KUMON
Kumon is on the move. On May 5, it’ll relocate to a new spot at 194A Carlton. It’s still in our neighbourhood. Enroll in May and earn an $80 discount. To contact them. call (416) 939-2300 or send an email to vasudhachadha@ikumon.com
Movies at Stout
Weekly free movie nights are happening at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton). The lineup features family movies - bring your kids. On Sunday April 27, it’s “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and on Sunday May 4, it’s “Luca”. There’s free popcorn. Sundays at 5:30 pm. Please contact Erin to save your spot - (647) 344-7676 and erin@stoutirishpub.ca
Allan Gardens Farmers’ Market
Vendors on Saturday April 26 will include Murray’s Farm, Oakridge’s Finest, Loco Fields, Fifth House Cheese, Link Haus, SonoBee Hills honey and St John’s Bakery. Specialty vendors include Magic Oven and Spirited Tarts. Friends of Allan Gardens will be selling house plants and $5 volunteer propagated plants. The Market (19 Horticultural Ave) happens every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.
Amelia Street historical walk
The Amelia Street walk took place last Sunday and by all accounts it was a lively success. Thanks to Rychard Bannerman and Trevor Slimmon who led the walk and to F’Amelia for the post-walk pizza and snacks. The garden at Amelia and Parliament is being revitalized by an enthusiastic local group. This walk is the first of several events planned for the summer.
Income tax clinic
The Boys & Girls Club Toronto are running a tax preparation clinic for low income earners. They’re working in the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) in the evenings and on the weekends. For more information about hours and documents, call Hadiya at (416) 944-9697 or email her at hadiya@communitymatterstoronto.org
Peggy Kurtin Awards
The Cabbagetown Preservation Association is taking applications for its annual Peggy Kurtin Awards. These three awards are given for restorations that respect the historic character of their street. The eligible winners have completed the street-facing sides of their buildings within the past two years. For more info and to apply, go to the CPA website.
A reminder
Katrina Couture is showing her colourful abstracts at The Tasting Gallery (250 Carlton) every weekend. Drop in and chat with her on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm. Check out her Instagram post on Daniel et Daniel’s site.
Dixonlicious is coming
The annual gala to support the food programs at Dixon Hall is coming on Thursday May 29. Buy your tickets now - the early bird tickets are on sale at $85 until April 30. Click here.
Cabbagetown Tour of Homes
The organizers for the 2025 Tour are inviting homeowners to join. It’s a prestigious way to showcase your home’s unique design and renovation features. Homes with original Victorian features are always favourites. If your home is a possible candidate, please contact Christina Jackson, cjackson@bosleyrealestate.com
Babies at Riverdale Farm
It’s Spring and new babies are arriving at Riverdale Farm (Winchester east of Sumach).
NEIGHBOURHOOD CLEAN-UP DAYS
Aberdeen Ave Residents Group
Sweep the street on Saturday April 26 from 10 am to 1 pm.
Cabbagetown Residents Association
A community clean-up day on Saturday April 26 from 10 am to noon. Gloves and garbage bags will be supplied. Meet in Wellesley Park.
Canary District Neighbourhood Association
The clean-up day happens on Saturday April 26 from 10 am to noon. Bags, gloves and garbage grabbers will be supplied. Meet at the corner of Tannery and Front.
Friends of Regent Park
Clean-up The Big Park (600 Dundas E) on Saturday April 26 from 10 am to noon. Gloves and bags will be supplied. Meet at the Bake Oven in the Park.
Winchester Park Residents Association
This is a more general event. Residents can clean up an area of their choice and use their own bags and supplies. Full bags should be left at Winchester Square Park, Winchester Park or Bleecker Street Parkette between 9 am and 2 pm on Saturday April 26.
IN THE MEDIA
225 to 229 River Street
Back in November 2023, this row of houses burned badly, gutting their interiors. Their exteriors are now coated with graffiti. 227 is now for sale for $499,000. Previously, 229 sold on th day of the fire. BlogTO has written about these houses and the reasons why the sale price is so low. (Photo: Realtor.ca)
Carlton House
As reported last week, the Canadian Mental health Association has opened a home on Carlton Street for refugees experiencing homelessness and mental health issues. Kathryn Mannie explains the role of this home and the way it will operate in her article in Toronto Today.
BUSINESS NEWS
Shop2Win
Every week, someone will win $1,000 - divided equally between the winner and the store where the winner shopped. This week’s draw happens on Tuesday April 29 - all receipts dated between April 21 and April 27 are eligible. If you have more than one receipt, use all of them to increase your chances.
AAA Accounting
Owen at AAA Accounting (462 Parliament) is preparing tax returns for his clients. It’s a busy year. There have been changes to the tax regulations and filing dates. He’s informed and can guide your decisions through the current confusion. Check out his website and contact him when you’re ready to file your return.
Kendall & Co
Celebrate Spring with Kendall & Co’s new floral themed, hand-made, wool area rugs. Available in various sizes and colour-ways. Click here to see the rugs and to shop.
RESTAURANT NEWS
It’s a Canadian habit
As soon as the sun breaks through and a hint of Spring weather arrives, we want to sit outside for a good meal and a couple of drinks. People were doing just this at L’Avenue (583 Parliament) on Sunday afternoon.
Park Snacks
It’s open and people are already sitting outside, enjoying the sun, the view and each other. The menu is posted outside and the business hours are 10 am to 6 pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Winchester and Sumach.
Golden Pigeon
All the Leaf’s playoff games with the Senators. A pint of lager and a pound of wings for $20.
Congrats Zero Cocktail Bar
Gail at Zero (223 Carlton) organized and hosted the candidate election meeting last Sunday. It went off very smoothly. People who attended got a good look at each candidate and came away with the answers to many questions about each campaign. Thanks, Gail, for your hard work and a successful meeting.
Trivia opportunities
People who like Trivia really like Trivia. It’s taken off in our pubs over the winter. In Corktown, the Lisbon Hotel Bar (Lawren Harris Square) has a game every two weeks - the next one is on Wednesday April 30. In Cabbagetown, Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) hosts games at 7 pm on Monday and Tuesday each week. The Golden Pigeon (424 Parliament) and Rachelle Lauzon have games at 8 pm each Wednesday. In the Distillery, Old Flame Brewery’s (43 Tank House Lane, Distillery) games are held at 7 pm every Wednesday.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
Here’s your list, day by day, of events and specials in our clubs and pubs for the next ten days. For contact info, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY APRIL 24 TO SUNDAY MAY 4
THURSDAY APRIL 24
Decoy
9 pm, Second Hand garage rock
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, open mic with City Love
Zero Cocktail Bar
8 pm, Open mic
FRIDAY APRIL 25
Alice’s Place
Karaoke night.
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, live entertainment with Feddy on Guitar
Los Gyros
7 pm, Decar Gascon
10 pm, DJ Vaenca
Super Bargain
8 pm, Throwback 90s party
Zero Cocktail Bar
7 pm, Cocktail class
SATURDAY APRIL 26
Los Gyros
7 pm, Luis Maldonado
9 pm, DJ Vaenca
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment TBA
Zero Bar
7 pm, Live music with John Ian
SUNDAY APRIL 27
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment with Zach Erickson
Stout Irish Pub
5:30 pm, Sunday movie night - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Super Bargain
3 pm, Paint nite with Tayaba
MONDAY APRIL 28
Decoy
8 pm, Movie night - God Bless America
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, Paint night
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY APRIL 29
Cafe Zuzu
7 pm, Femme4Flirt speed dating
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY APRIL 30
Golden Pigeon
8 pm, Trivia with Rachelle Lauzon
Lisbon Hotel Bar
7 pm, Trivia
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, Trivia night
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Euchre night
Super Bargain
9 pm, Karaoke
THURSDAY MAY 1
Decoy
6 pm, MiBoSo prose in focus launch party (6 pm) and after party (9 pm)
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, open mic with City Love
Zero
7 pm, Open Mic night
FRIDAY MAY 2
Alice’s Place
Karaoke night
Decoy
10 pm, DJ Shadow Brown
Los Gyros
7 pm, Decar Rascon
10 pm, DJ Vaenca
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, Matt & Sarah play
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Zero Cocktail Bar
8 pm, Cocktail class
SATURDAY MAY 3
Los Gyros
7 pm, Luis Maldonado
10 pm, DJ Vaenca
Old Flame Brewery
2 to 6 pm, Sarah Fazackerley plays
Zero Cocktail Bar
7 pm, Live music with John Ian
SUNDAY MAY 4
Forsythia Festival
11 am to 3 pm, Wellesley Park
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment with Zach Erickson
Stout Irish Pub
5:30 pm, Sunday movie night - Luca
Super Bargain
3 pm, Paint nite with Tayaba
CONTACT INFO
Alphabetical lists for restaurants in Cabbagetown, Canary District, Corktown, Distillery and Regent Park.
Cabbagetown
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament, (647) 931-9088
Bisou - 350 Berkeley (at Gerrard), (437) 971-7150
Blondies - 419 Parliament, (437) 341-1555
Butter Chicken Factory - 560 Parliament, (416) 964-7583
Chew Chew’s Diner - 186 Carlton, (416) 323-0068
China Gourmet - 235 Carlton, (416) 515-0088
Church’s Texas Chicken - 537 Parliament, (416) 519-3846
Desi Bit3S - 568 Parliament, (416) 928-9731
East Coast Donair - 314 Parliament
Epos Coffee - 290 Gerrard E
F’Amelia - 12 Amelia, (416) 323-0666
Fattoush - 253 Gerrard E, (416) 922-5006
Good Gang Ice Cream - 540 Parliament
Gushi - 296 Gerrard E (at Parliament), (437) 241-1710
Hakka Bistro - 398 Parliament, (416) 944-3033
Hakka & Jerk - 296A Gerrard E, (647) 643-5405
House on Parliament - 454 Parliament, (416) 925-4074
Jet Fuel - 519 Parliament, (416) 968-9982
Johnny G’s - 478 Parliament, (647) 368-3877
Ju Sushi Bar - 383 Dundas E, (416) 594-0383
Kibo - 533 Parliament, (647) 352-3788
Kingyo Fisherman’s Market - 51B Winchester, (647) 748-2121
L’Avenue - 583 Parliament, (647) 368-8008
La Gloria Mexican Coffee - 453 Parliament, (647) 806-6383
Luis H - 556 Parliament, (416) 964-1000
Madras Curry - 178 Carlton, (416) 323-0000
Maya Bay - 252 Carlton, (416) 924-8989
Mikaku Udon Bar - 229 Carlton, (416) 323-0033
Momo Ghar - 568 Parliament, (416) 920-8224
My Pandan Cake - 246 Gerrard E, , (416) 276-6698
New Retro - 193 Carlton, (416) 519-8511
New Town - 413 Parliament, (437) 777-8260
Noushe - 200 Carlton, (416) 466-9595
Pastor Tacos - 245 Gerrard E, (647) 687-1175
Phosome - 482 Parliament, (416) 551-6395
Pisac Peruvian Bistro - 195 Carlton, (416) 515-0989
Playground Cafe - 492 Parliament, (437) 799-5248
Red Cranberries - 601 Parliament, (416) 925-6330
Saigon Pai - 446 Parliament, (416) 920-8424
Salt & Tobacco - 521 Parliament, (647) 348-2993
Shalom Ethiopian - 587 Parliament, (416) 964-7271
Souvlaki Express - 484 Parliament, (416) 637-6777
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton, (647) 344-7676
Super Bargain - 441 Parliament, (416) 266-6471
Tasso - 540 Parliament
Tender Trap - 580 Parliament, (416) 920-5147
Thai Room - 243 Carlton, (647) 352-8424
The Golden Pigeon - 424 Parliament, (416) 392-1039
The Vibrational Apothecary - 243 Gerrard E
Urban Thai - 415 Parliament, (416) 513-1020
Wing House - 420 Parliament, (416) 968-0294
Wing Machine - 443 Parliament, (416) 961-1000
Zakkushi on Carlton - 193 Carlton, (647) 352-9455
Zero Cocktail Bar - 223 Carlton, (416) 920-9376
Canary District
barBurrito - 464 Front E, (416) 601-1777
Cherry Street BBQ - 275 Cherry, (416) 461-5111
Fuel+ - 469 Front E, (416) 306-6480
Keating Channel - 2 Villiers, (416) 572-0030
Region - 475 Front E, (416) 864-0800
Souk Tabule - 494 Front E, (416) 583-5914
SukhoTHAI - 460 Front, (416) 777-2092
Corktown
Banknote Bar - 474 Adelaide E, (416) 367-7327
Berkeley Cafe - 262 The Esplanade, (416) 825-0504
Decoy Bar - 370 Queen E
Figs - 344 Queen E, (416) 913-7205
Fusilli - 531 Queen E, (416) 214-5148
Gusto 501 - 501 King E, (416) 477-5647
Impact Kitchen - 573 King E, (416) 306-1986
King Solomon & Queen of Sheba Ethiopian - 360 Queen E, (416) 368-9002
Ladybug Wine Bar - 514 King E, (437) 222-0142
Lisbon Hotel - 19 Lawren Harris Square
Mengrai Thai - 82 Ontario, (416) 840-2754
Signature Bar - 320 Queen E, (416) 996-6004
Reyna - 354 King E, (416) 546-3155
Sumach Espresso - 118 Sumach, (647) 351-3833
The Rosebud - 498 Queen E, (647) 531-1388
Wood 900 Grill+ Bar - 372 Queen E, (416) 363-1571
Distillery
Arena Coffee Bar - 15 Tank House Lane
Arvo - 17 Grist Mill Lane, (647) 352-2786
Balzac - 1 Trinity St, (416) 207-1709
Boku Japanese - 42 Gristmill Lane, (416) 368-8686
Brick Street Bakery - 27 Trinity St,
Cluny - 35 Tank House Lane, (416) 203-2632
District Pizza - 30 Gristmill Lane, (416) 815-9898
El Catrin - 18 Tank House Lane, (416) 203-2121
Jardin Kitchen & Juice Bar - 28 Gristmill Lane, (416) 203-2363
Madrina - 2 Trinity St, (416) 548-8055
Mill Street Brew Pub - 21 Tank House Lane, (416) 681-0338
Old Flame Brewery- 45 Tank House Lane, (416) 360-1209
Pure Spirits - 17 Tank House Lane, (416) 361-5859
Scooped by Demetres - 46 Gristmill Lane,(416) 988-2482
SpiritHouse Toronto - 16 Trinity St, (416) 948-9926
Young Centre Cafe - 50 Tank House Lane, (416) 866-8666
Regent Park
Cafe Zuzu - 555 Dundas E, (416) 815-2660
Liberty Pizza - 657 Dundas E
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