admin – Cabbagetown Residents Association

ROAD CLOSURES FOR ActiveTO THIS WEEKEND (Jun 3)

the City will close some major roads this weekend, making roadway available for walking, running and biking, as part of ActiveTO. The two closures close to Cabbagetown are:

River Street from Gerrard Street East to Bayview Avenue
Bayview Avenue from Mill Street to Rosedale Valley Road

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COUNCILLOR WONG TAM WRITES TO AGCO (Jun 3)

Councillor Wong Tam has sent this letter to the AGCO, following our request to put her support behind residents objections to the proposed Cannabis store at 307 Wellesley.

The letter outlines key reasons why this is not an appropriate location for a cannabis retail outlet.

Thank you Councillor.

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STATE OF EMERGENCY EXTENDED THRU JUNE 30 (Jun 3)

The Ontario government will extend all emergency orders by another 28 days, following vote in legislature.

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CANNABIS OUTLET AT 307 WELLESLEY STREET EAST (Jun 2)

Several Cabbagetown residents have expressed concerns about the proposed location of a Cannabis store at 307 Wellesley Street East.

If you want to object to this outlet, you can do so via the AGCO web site. Here’s a step by step guide.

Deadline is June 5.

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SAVE THE DATE FOR (VIRTUAL) CRA AGM (Jun 2)

In the face of the continuing state of emergency, the CRA has decided to hold its AGM on-line on June 11 at 7pm. More details to be shared in due course.

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APPRECIATING SPRUCECOURT TEACHERS (Jun 2)

Find out how you can give thanks to your kids teachers – or indeed any of the other great folk that work at Sprucecourt Public School.

We received this message from Sprucecourt School:

–oOo–

Thank a Teacher – or Any of The Amazing Sprucecourt Staff

Usually in June, the School Council hosts an end of year “Thank You” breakfast for the staff at Sprucecourt. Obviously, this year we won’t be able to do that, but we wanted to give our school community the chance to say thank you to the teachers and staff at Sprucecourt. So, we will be doing a thank you slide show that will be emailed to the staff before the end of the year.

If you would like to participate, please email us a picture of your child holding a drawing or thank you sign. If you would prefer your child’s face isn’t visible, that’s OK too (just take a picture of their sign, or the sign covering their face).

If you would like your picture in the slideshow, please email it to us by Wednesday, June 17th.

Finally, our final School Council Meeting will be held virtually on Google Meets – Wednesday, June 3rd at 6:30pm. Mr. Stathopoulos will send out the link to the meeting at 6:15pm on the 3rd. Hope to see you virtually!

A note from Cathy Davis, Cabbagetown resident:

–oOo–

Hi Neighbours,

I’ve noticed on my regular walks with my dog Guinness that all of the Boxwoods on Metcalfe and Carlton appear to have Leaf Miner. It’s a serious and very infectious pest that can rapidly damage all the Boxwoods in a given location. That’s why all our Boxwoods look yellow and anemic. It appeared 2 years ago, and I aggressively cut my Boxwoods back to try to control it. They were healthy last year, but it’s come back again.

Bartlett Tree came & gave me a quote on the spray, as well as some other good advice on the garden. They have good reviews on Home Stars and Google, and a few people on the street have recommended them to me as well. They are coming toward the end of the month to spray the Boxwoods in my and my neighbours gardens.

The key is that it has to be treated at a certain window in the life cycle, (I think when the larvae hatch and start to chew threw the leaf), which is now. So you need to act quickly, if you want to address it.

Hope everyone is healthy & enjoying the spring weather!

Cathy

MORE CITY SERVICES AND AMENITIES OPENED (May 29)

Here’s a guide to which City services and amenities are open and which remain closed this weekend.

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TORONTO CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (May 29)

City Council met virtually on May 28 for the first time. Here are all the highlights of the meeting.

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CITY LOOKING TO EXTEND WORK FROM HOME (May 29)

Mayor John Tory announced that the City of Toronto, a number of other major downtown employers plus Toronto’s post-secondary institutions, will continue to support employees working from home until September at the earliest.

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ActiveTO WILL EXPAND BIKE NETWORK (May 28)

City Council Approves the installation of approximately 25 kilometres of new bikeways, for a total of approximately 40 kilometres of on-street cycling lanes approved for accelerated installation in 2020, as part of the ActiveTO program.

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EMERGENCY ORDERS EXTENDED (May 27)

Ontario has extended emergency orders until June 9.

These include the closure of outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment, public swimming pools and outdoor water facilities, as well as bars and restaurants (except for takeout and delivery). Restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people also stay in place.

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COVID19 PRIMARILY A TORONTO AREA PROBLEM (May 27)

More than 76% of new infections are in the GTA, CBC News analysis finds.

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ARE YOUR BOXWOODS SICKLY? (May 23)

There’s an outbreak of Boxwood Leaf Miner in our neighbourhood and it’s a serious and very infectious pest. We received this email from a local resident about the problem.

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CHARITY MASK DRIVE (May 23)

Our colleagues at Cabbagetown South Residents Assoc. are doing a fundraiser and have some great masks for sale. All proceeds are going to local charities: CYC, Central Neighbourhod House and Young St Mission.

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CANNABIS STORES IN CABBAGETOWN (May 22)

There are lots of people that seem to want to open Cannabis stores in Cabbagetown. There are four applications to date, plus at least one more in progress.

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ARE SQUIRRELS DRIVING YOU NUTS? (May 2020)

Is it just me, or are there way more squirrels in our gardens than ever before? One thing that will help is limiting their access to food – please don’t feed them! Check out this neat video that shows just how cunningly they can access your bird food!

There are now four official applications to open cannabis stores in Cabbagetown – 307 Wellesley, and 492, 439 and 433 Parliament. The application by Cana Cabana at 433 Parliament is already approved.

There is a fifth planned location at 238 Carlton but this does not yet appear on the AGCO web site.

The CRA has reached out to the AGCO to better understand what guidelines they follow regarding store density in a given neighbourhood.

UPDATE

The AGCO came back to the CRA with this response:

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Thank you for contacting the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, Customer Service.

Respecting the density of cannabis retail stores in any given area, it is possible that store authorizations can be issued to locations in close proximity to each other.

Every application for a cannabis retail store authorization is considered by the Registrar in accordance with the statutory and regulatory requirements set out in the Cannabis Licence Act.

For general inquiries, please contact the AGCO online via the iAGCO online portal, or by phone at 416-326-8700 or toll-free in Ontario at 1-800-522-2876.

Regards,

AGCO Customer Service

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Our review of the Cannabis Licence Act unearthed no rules, regulations or restrictions that could be brought to bear against the proliferation of license applications in Cabbagetown.

However local residents who wish to file a complaint about a specific application can do so via the AGCO web site.

This document provides step by step instruction on how to do this.

LIBRARIES START CURBSIDE DROP-OFF/PICK-UP (May 22)

Toronto Public Library today announced details about its curbside drop-off and pick-up service. Starting Monday, May 25, select library drop boxes will be open to accept library returns. By Monday, June 1, drop boxes at all remaining accessible branches will be opened up.

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NON STANDARD SYMPTOMS NOW BEING TESTED (May 21)

Officials are now urging people to go to COVID-19 assessment centres for testing, even if they have mild symptoms of the disease — from loss of taste or smell to pink eye.

This week my doctor sent me for a test at the assessment centre at Shuter and Bond, which was very quiet. I was mildly concerned about the long swab up the nose but it’s really nothing to worry about. Results posted online in <48 hours. (Yes, negative. Phew!)

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CITY ENCOURAGES ALL TO USE FACE MASKS (May 20)

City of Toronto strongly recommends face coverings or non-medical masks be worn when physical distancing cannot be easily maintained – e.g. on Parliament Street or in popular retail outlets like the LCBO and No Frills.

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TORONTO PARK AMENITIES REOPENING (May 20)

Mayor John Tory announced the City of Toronto will open more than 850 park amenities this week. Get all the details here.

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THE TOXIC TAXI IS BACK (May 20)

The Toxic Taxi service for pickup of Household Hazardous Waste has resumed. Max. 50 litres/kilograms and min of 10 litres/kilograms per pickup. Pickup must be prearranged by calling 311.
Learn about what is accepted and how to set it out.

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OFF LEASH DOG PARKS ARE OPEN! (May 19)

The City has opened its more than 70 dog off-leash areas. While visiting a park, people must continue to practice physical distancing.

From the CBC (May 20) The Dog Park is Open Again Should You Use it?

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NEW, FREE DAILY CAMP PROGRAMMING (May 19)

Backyard Camp is a new, free service delivering daily activities and customizable programs by email aimed at keeping kids active and engaged all summer long.

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TRANSFER STATIONS REOPENING (May 19)

As part of the City’s phased resumption of services, Drop-off Depots (Transfer Stations) are now partially reopening to the public.

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PHASE 1 REOPENING – WHAT’S IN, WHAT’S OUT (May 19)

There’s a bunch of new things you can do outside the home starting May 19. Here’s a list of what you can do (and what you can’t do!)

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MORE BEER NEWS! (May 18)

The Beer Store on Parliament Street is re-opening on May 19! We understand that they will not be accepting empties immediately, these can still be returned to the River Street location.

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CITY SUPPORTS TAKE-OUT/DELIVERY (May 17)

The City is encouraging all restaurants/grocers/ butchers/bakers to sign up for Ritual ONE – an easy way to accept digital orders from their own website and social media accounts. Businesses that sign up by June 1 receive the service free for life and pay no commission or subscription fees.

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CITY SUMMER CAMPS CANCELLED (May 17)

The City of Toronto has cancelled all city run summer camps due to COVID19. The advise that they are looking at what alternatives they can come up with.

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HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PARKED CAR (May 16)

While you may be saving money on gas, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is looked after and doesn’t require costly repairs from sitting for long periods of time.

THE SHOW DID GO ON!

We still celebrated the 49th Cabbagetown Forsythia Festival, despite the lock-down and need to social distance! Check out the photos and winners here.

And don’t forget to mark your calendars for Sunday, May 2, 2021 for the 50th Annual Forsythia Festival. It will be epic! #thinkspring2021

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LETTER TO RESIDENTS FROM BILL MORNEAU

The office of Bill Morneau sent this letter to us on May 14, asking us to share it with Cabbagetown residents.

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TORONTO TEE TIMES ARE GOING FAST!

The City of Toronto will open all five of its golf courses for the 2020 season starting Saturday, May 16. Some restrictions are in place.

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OFF LEASH DOG PARKS MAY RE-OPEN

The city is preparing for the reopening of off-leash dog areas in parks across Toronto, Mayor John Tory says.

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STATE OF EMERGENCY EXTENDED

On Tuesday May 12 the provincial legislature voted in favour of extending the declared state of emergency until Jun 2. It originally started on March 17.

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VANDAL(S) ACTIVE ON WINCHESTER

A local resident has reported that their convertible fabric roof was slashed sometime during the evening of May 11. A reward is offered for anyone with information that leads to a conviction. If you have anything to share, please email us at info@cabbagetowner.com.

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JARVIS ST. ON RAMP TO GARDINER TO CLOSE

On Monday, May 18 at 12:01 a.m., the Gardiner Expressway eastbound on-ramp at Jarvis Street will be fully closed for replacement and will reopen once the project is completed in 2021.

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CNE CANCELLED

Toronto’s Canadian National Exhibition is cancelled for only the second time in its history!

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HIGH PARK REOPENS

Toronto has reopened High Park after temporary closure during cherry blossom bloom.

Many Provincial Parks have also reopened though some park amenities remain closed.

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FARMERS MARKET VENUE SOUGHT

The Cabbagetown Farmers Market is seeking a temporary venue for a pick-up market model. Anyone with ideas is asked to contact them.

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ActiveTO EXPANDS PEDESTRIANS/CYCLISTS SPACE IN C.TOWN

The City’s ActiveTO plan has expanded to include more areas in Ward 13 where Pedestrians and Cyclists can socially distance more easily.

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STEAK AND CHOPS REOPENS TO WALK-INS

Max 3 customers at a time in store, from 10am to 5pm. You can still buy online for delivery or curbside pick-up.

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AND IN BEER RELATED NEWS…

Do you drink Steamwhistle? If so, the brewery is asking you to return your empties to the Beer Store, as they are running out of their iconic green bottles to make more beer!

To allow for better physical distancing outside, last week the City of Toronto announced the launch of ActiveTO to give more space on roads to cyclists and pedestrians. While roads are not being closed entirely to vehicles, streets will be calmed through the installation of signage and temporary barricades to encourage slow, local vehicle access only.

Locations are being identified and prioritized by several factors including: population density, equity, access to green space, car ownership rates and traffic volumes. Network connectivity was also reviewed and routes were selected to support safe cycling and walking connections on essential trip routes, particularly along tower renewal corridors and within neighbourhood improvement areas.

The list of initial ActiveTO locations to be established in Ward 13 include:

Sackville St from Shuter St to Gerrard St E;
Sumach St from King St E to Wellesley St E;
Howard St from Parliament St to Sherbourne St;
Earl St / St. James Ave from Parliament St to Sherbourne St;
The Esplanade from Yonge St to Berkeley St; and,
Mill St from Parliament St to Bayview Ave.
Scott St from Colborne St to The Esplanade;

(Thanks to Councillor Wong Tam’s office for this content)

Despite the lockdown and social distancing restrictions, the CRA still managed to celebrate the 49th Forsythia Festival in style.

Thanks to Shawna King and her crew for making it an event to remember in such troubled times!

Congratulations to the winners of the Virtual” Forsythia Festival Spring decorating draw. You have each won a $100 Gift Card, in support of Cabbagetown business:

Epicure- Jen Crosbie
Steak and Chops – Radek Zajkowski
House on Parliament – Karen + Paul
Stout – Trish Finkelstein
Blooming Planters – Jenny Stam
Salt + Tobacco – Amber Hines
Daniel + Daniel – Bronwyn Roe
Kendall + Co – Jessica Daussey-Bazielle
Spruce – Darina Friender
Labour of Love – Christine Ganev

Thanks also to everyone else who joined in the fun too, making our neighbourhood ready for the season by decorating their houses in Forsythia yellow!

We’d also like to make a BIG Forsythia Festival shout out to TD Bank for donating $1000 to the Festival again this year, which allowed us to purchase the gift certificates for the contest.

Now all we need to do is mark our calendars for Sunday, May 2, 2021 for the 50th Annual Forsythia Festival. It will be epic! #thinkgspring2021

ONTARIO REOPENING – CAUTIOUSLY

The Premier announced expanded reopening plans this week with additional businesses coming on line over the coming days.

Read more about the Ontario framework for reopening the Province.

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GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION RESTARTS

The City has announced the resumption of normal garden waste collections. Please put yard waste out before 7 a.m. on regularly scheduled collection day. If it is not picked up the day it is put out, leave out until collected. No need to call 311.

Please use yard waste bags if possible. Otherwise a rigid open-top container. Brush and branches should be secured in bundles (<1.2 metres long, <than 0.6 metres wide, < 20 kilograms weight).

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REVISED DUE DATES – PROPERTY TAX AND UTILITY BILLS

The City of Toronto announces important changes on installment amounts and due dates for all customers.

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JOB POSTING #CABBAGETOWN BIA

The Cabbagetown BIA is hiring a Temporary Part-Time Coordinator! Application deadline May 25.
More details here

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NECROPOLIS REOPENS FOR VISITORS

The Mount Pleasant Group has reopened the Necropolis from Thursday 7 May. Future hours:
Monday – Saturday 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Sunday* 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM
*Gates closed on May 10th, Mother’s Day, to avoid overcrowding.

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AIR CANADA UPDATE FROM CALIN ROVINESCU

Air Canada President and CEO offers a glimpse into how travel with AC might look when it starts to ramp up again.

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CITY TO PROVIDE MORE SPACE FOR PEDESTRIANS/CYCLISTS

Mayor John Tory announced the new ActiveTO program to provide more space for people walking and cycling as well as transit riders to allow for better physical distancing as part of the city’s restart and recovery.

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AND IN CABBAGE RELATED NEWS……

COVID-19 has hurt the PEI wholesale market for cabbage. They now have a surplus of more than 500,000 kg of cabbage. So one enterprising islander set a challenge for her fellow PEIers.

And while we’re on the subject of cabbage… I tried roasted cabbage steaks for the first time recently – what a revelation! Absolutely delicious.

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