June 25


A PERSONAL VIEW

Chris Moise’s pamphlet

Councillor Chris Moise hasn’t declared his candidacy for re-election.  This isn’t an unusual delay.  Lots of people will enter the race before the August 21 deadline.  In fact, the delay is useful for him. It gives him time to promote himself at the City’s expense.  He has, for example, just released a pamphlet called “Delivering Results That Work”.  It’s jammed full of stuff about his good works for the past four years.  All of this was bought and paid for by the City of Toronto.


LOCAL NEWS


Happy Canada Day

Evan Solomon is giving away free Canada Day signs.  Put one on your lawn, your fence, your window or your balcony to show your pride and to celebrate Canada Day.  The office (409 Parliament) is open from 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. 


New buildings in St James Town

An application has been made to the City of Toronto by Greatwise Developments to permit three new buildings with 58-storeys, 21-storeys and 9-storeys in the area between 238 and 280 Wellesley and 650 Parliament.  A public meeting will be held on July 8 at 1:30 pm in Committee Room 1 in Toronto City Hall.  For details about the application, click here.


Rayah is under attack

This is now developing into a two-pronged issue.  On the one hand, there’s a commercial dispute arising from the landlord’s threat to evict Rayah Restaurant (507 Parliament).  Beyond that,  there’s a larger question affecting the whole community.  The landlord’s actions are out of proportion to the problem - he seems serious about getting her out.  The lease (which he signed recently), protects her from eviction for demolition.  But the landlord needs this extra space for the next door condo project.  In fact, it was part of the original plan.  If it’s a commercial issue, then that’s up to the two parties to solve.  If it’s a manoeuvre to get more space for the condo, then it’s a community matter.  

Unfortunately, neither the owner Kareem Sethi at Web Holdings nor Antony D’Antonio from Spectrum Management Properties has returned our phone calls. (Photo:  Daniel Ramos/Toronto Today)


A new mural

The mural for the laneway wall at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) will be painted on Saturday at 10 am.  It’s a dramatic finish for a lengthy process - to create design options, to collect reactions from the community and to come to a final decision. Everyone is welcome to join the painting party.  It’s a chance to help with a beautiful mural, to meet your friends and neighbours, to add colour to our community and to have fun - no experience needed.


Write in the garden

Beth Kaplan, an accomplished author and teacher, is hosting her annual writing workshop on Sunday July 19, from 10 am to 5 pm.  It’s a great experience.  You’ll spend the day in her garden “learning to trust your voice and tell your stories.” Lunch is included.  For more info, click here.  To register, send her an email at bethkaplan.ca/coaching 


Garden maintenance

Adam Villazer is just starting his business doing seasonal upkeep, garden and property maintenance and yard work. He’ll do leaf removal, snow shovelling and household chores.  It’s a great idea.  Lots of people offer garden design services but once they finish this initial stage, the homeowner is left to figure out the weeding, watering, and other maintenance issues.  And for seniors, these are often daunting tasks. You can check out some of his projects on Instagram and contact him personally by email or call (416) 556-2181.


Heritage in Corktown

A campaign is underway to create a Heritage Conservation District in Corktown.  There’s an online survey asking supporters of this idea to sign it.  The survey describes the reasons for the campaign and the way that Corktown will benefit.


The Unfinished Arch

This major new sculpture by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer lights up when a person touches its base.  Waterfront Toronto has installed it in Sherbourne Common (at the foot of Sherbourne Street).  To see more images and a short video, click here.

OUTDOOR MOVIES


Two separate programs will start in the next week. The events are free - bring a blanket and get some nibblies. The screenings will start at sunset, approximately 9 pm.


Toronto Outdoor Picture Show

In Corktown Common (155 Mill St - at Bayview and Mill) on Thursdays from July 2 to July 30.  A short film will be shown before the main feature.  On Thursday July 2, it’s Back to the Future and the short is Mixed Feelings. For more info, click here.  On Thursday July 9, the feature is Wildhood and the two shorts are Anyway I Piss Sitting Down and 6 Minutes per Kilometer. 

Under the Stars

In Regent Park (620 Dundas E) on Wednesdays from July 8 to July 22.  Short films will be shown before the feature.  On Wednesday July 8, it’s The Tower along with the short film, Is It War.  The program starts at 7:30 pm.  On Wednesday July 15 at 7:30 pm, it’s Fancy Dance and the short film is Niimi. Click here for program details.


NEXT WEEK - AROUND THE WORLD


On Saturday June 27, noon to 2:30 pm,  artists with all skill levels are welcome to an afternoon of open air sketching.  Facilitated by Urban Sketchers Toronto.  Start at Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester) and bring your favourite sketching materials.  Click here to save your spot. Free.


On Saturday June 27, 3 to 5 pm, music crawl brings live acoustic music in a series of pop-ups.  Matthew James plays at Sequins (552 Parliament) at 3 pm, J E Lopez is at Epicure (473 Parliament) at 3:30 pm, Flo Olavarria is at Anniversary Park (Parliament & Gerrard) at 4:30 pm and Seu is playing at Bluets (245 Gerrard E) at 5 pm. All performances are free and outdoors.


On Sunday June 28 and Sunday July 12 from noon, Saba presents the rich traditions of East Africa with an authentic Eritrean and Ethiopian coffee ceremony at Shalom Ethiopian & Eritrean Restaurant (587 Parliament). Free. Click here to save your spot.


On Thursday July 2 at 7 pm, it’s Comedy Night Cabbagetown at Super Bargain (441 Parliament) with some of Toronto’s best stand-up comics.  It’s free. Save your spot - click here.


On Saturday July 4 and Sunday July 19 at 11 am and 3 pm, visit six local restaurants for the Global Bites of Cabbagetown food tour.  Taste lively street foods and comfy classics. Meet at TD Canada Trust (Parliament and Carlton). Two separate 3-hour tours. Tickets are $22.50 - click here.


On Sunday July 5 at noon, the Cabbagetown Preservation Association is offering a walk through Cabbagetown.  This guided tour “will help you experience the culture, history and sights of one of Toronto’s oldest neighbourhoods.”  Meet at the corner of Parliament and Carlton.  Free.


OUTDOOR MARKETS


Cabbagetown Farmers Market 

Green Thumbs Growing Kids have a regular tent at the Market.  They’re selling the produce that they’ve grown in their own gardens.  Click here to learn more about their activities.  

The Market is holding a used clothing swap - gently used, clean, and free of rips, tears and stains and/or pick up something new at the green Info Booth.  Clothing from all genders and sizes are welcome. There’s no need to donate in order to take. Tuesday from 3 pm in Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester). Click here to see details about each vendor.


Underpass Park Market 

The Market will host 35 growers, prepared food vendors, artisans and brewers. Open every Thursday in Underpass Park (29 Lower River St).  Click here for info about the Market and its vendors.


Allan Gardens Saturday Market 

The Market is open from 10 am to 2 pm every Saturday outdoors at the Children’s Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave). For more info, click here.


IN THE MEDIA


Indigenous consultations

The Haudenosaunee Development Institute wants to be included in any serious consultations over Billy Bishop airport.  They worry that the deal may already be done.  Toronto Today ran an article by Jessica Smith Cross that discusses this issue. (Photo: Evan Mitsui/CBC) 


COMING EVENTS


Movies at Stout 

Weekly free movie nights at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton). Sundays at 5:30 pm. The lineup features family movies - bring your kids. On Sunday June 28, it’s “Back to the future”.  On Sunday July 5, it’s “Star Wars Rogue One”. There’s free popcorn. To save your spot - call Erin at (647) 344-7676 or send an email to Erin at erin@stoutirishpub.ca


Events in the Distillery

TO the Beat is a daily free outdoor concert series on Gristmill Lane in The Distillery.  It features artists from a variety of styles and cultural backgrounds.  From Friday June 26 to July 19, there’ll be two concerts each day in the afternoon and early evening.  Check the listing below for daily details.


Summer Arts Camp

The St James Town Community Arts are holding a two-week musical theatre intensive for kids 8+. Weekdays from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, July 6 to 17. The focus will be on singing, dancing and acting skills.  To register, click here.   


Muddy Mercredis

A bilingual family drop-in at Allan Gardens.   You don’t need to speak both languages to attend. Kids ages 3 to 8 will get excited about urban agriculture and nature education.  Every week will be slightly different.  Different ages are also welcome.  From 10 am to noon every Wednesday from July 8 to August 19 in the Children’s Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave). 


RESTAURANT NEWS


Congrats for great reviews

On Saturday, the Toronto Star highlighted two local restaurants.  F’Amelia (12 Amelia) was listed as one of Toronto’s most charming patios, describing it as a cosy restaurant (occupying) a charming cottage-style home.  In the Where Chefs Eat column, The Rosebud (498 King W) was called a hidden gem, the perfect neighbourhood restaurant.  


World Cup viewing

Here’s a list of some of our local pubs showing the games.  We’ll check it out over the next week to make sure that everyone is included.


Distillery - five bars have viewings:  Madrina, El Catrin, Pure Spirits, Spirit of York and Mill Street. Click here to learn about times and specials.

Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) - reservations are available.

Golden Pigeon (424 Parliament) - all the games every day with three TVs inside and more out on the patio.

House on Parliament (456 Parliament) - games will be shown every day.

Keating Channel (2 Villiers) - all the games will be shown

Lost Craft (482 Front) - the big screens will be turned on for all the games.

Mill Street Brewpub (21 Tank House Lane) - all the games are playing here.

Blake House (449 Jarvis) - all the games on their TVs


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 JUNE 25 TO SUNDAY JULY 5


THURSDAY JUNE 25


Mill Street Brew Pub

7 pm, Trivia with Quizmaster Jess


Old Flame Brewery 

7 pm, open mic with City Love


FRIDAY JUNE 26


Distillery TO the Beat

1 pm, Clerel

7:30 pm, Sarah Jordan and Matt Von


Bisou

Noon to 4 pm,  DJ Antony


Decoy

9 pm, DJ Grasshopper


Johnny Gs

7 pm, Live Jazz


Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, live music with Freddy on Guitar


Super Bargain

9 pm, Friday after dark with Chabala


SATURDAY JUNE 27


Distillery TO the Beat

1 pm, Science-Fiction Cumbia

6:15 pm, J Nichole


Decoy

9 pm, Imploders with Eye Ball & DJ Lucky Star


Johnny Gs

7 pm, Live Jazz


Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, live music with Sarah Fazackerly

8 pm, karaoke


SUNDAY JUNE 28


Distillery TO the Beat

1 pm, Tak Arikushi

6:15 pm, African Drumming Ensemble


Bisou

Noon to 4 pm,  DJ Antony


Johnny Gs

5 pm, Live jazz


Old Flame Brewery 

2 pm, live music Zach Erickson


Stout Irish Pub

5:30, Sunday movie night - Back to the Future


Super Bargain

Pride apres brunch & day time dance party


MONDAY JUNE 29


Distillery TO the Beat

1 pm, King Davis


Cafe Zuzu

6 pm, I Know this One trivia with Sayo Osikoya


Stout Irish Pub 

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia


TUESDAY JUNE 30


Distillery TO the Beat

1 pm, Kibra

7:30 pm, J3M


Decoy

9 pm, Chewie’s birthday with Chef Sydney and DJ Double Denim


La Gloria

4:30 pm, Practice your Spanish


Stout Irish Pub 

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia


WEDNESDAY JULY 1 - CANADA DAY


Distillery TO the Beat

1 pm, Conor Gains & the Canadian Tuxedos

6:45 pm, Women in Song


Golden Pigeon

8 pm, Trivia with Rachelle Lauzon


Keating Channel

4 pm, Canada Day backyard bbq with Unlimited


Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, Trivia night 


Stout Irish Pub 

7 pm, Euchre night


THURSDAY JULY 2


Distillery TO the Beat

1 pm, Carlos Morgan

5:30 pm, Women in Song 2

7:30 pm, Sarah Jordan & Matt Von


Johnny Gs

7 pm, Live jazz


Mill Street Brew Pub

7 pm, Trivia with Quizmaster Jess 


Old Flame Brewery 

7 pm, open mic with City Love


Super Bargain

7 pm, Comedy night Cabbagetown


FRIDAY JULY 3


Distillery TO the Beat

1 pm, Duende

7:30 pm, Burak Ekmekci Quartet


Bisou

4 pm, DJ Antony


Johnny Gs

7 pm, Live jazz


Mill Street Brewpub

Noon to 4 pm, live music and DJ with brunch


Old Flame Brewery 

7 pm, live music


SATURDAY JULY 4


Distillery TO the Beat

5 pm, Doug Marban

5:30 pm, Lisa Silagan

6 pm, Dos & Don’ts 

6:30 pm, Rhett Dela Cruz

7:30 pm, Jeric Medina & Jinky Vidal


Decoy

DJ Mazzz


Johnny Gs

7 pm, Live jazz


Old Flame Brewery

2 to 6 pm, live music

8 pm, Karaoke


SUNDAY JULY 5


Distillery TO the Beat

1 pm, KaiThee violinist

6:15 pm, Samantha Mora

7:30 pm, Aphrose


Bisou

4 pm, DJ Antony


Johnny Gs

7 pm, Live jazz


Old Flame Brewery 

2 pm, live music


Stout Irish Pub 

5:30 pm, Sunday movie night - Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home


CONTACT INFO

Alphabetical lists for restaurants in Cabbagetown, Canary District, Corktown, Distillery and Regent Park.


Cabbagetown

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

Epos Coffee - 290 Gerrard E

Falcha Fusion  - upstairs, 568 Parliament, (416) 926-9141

F’Amelia - 12 Amelia, (416) 323-0666

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

Playground Cafe - 492 Parliament, (437) 799-5248

Poopathi Mess - 585 Parliament, (416) 923-4243

Rayah - 505 Parliament, 

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

East Coast Donair - 314 Parliament 

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

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

Eataly - 21 Trinity

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

Spirit of York - 12 Trinity, (416) 777-0001

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