Since 1979 • December 2025-January 2026 • Circulation 5000

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Highlights

Seasons of Community

By Ruth Sorochan

A lot happened at the rink and elsewhere in the neighbourhood during the summer and fall.

Norbert Topolski on the Poetic Nature of Life

By Rachael Roberts
Big Flavour, Small Space, and a Lot of Local Buzz

By Alan Schietzsch
Remembering Richard Auclair

By Harvey Voogd
Bissell Harvest Catering Elevates

By Gail Silvius

Neighbourhood Views

Shopping and Grape Stomping at The Piazza: The Piazza was buzzing on September 21st with Hello Market featuring vintage goods, a DJ, and refreshments. At the same time, the Viva Italia District Association (VIDA) was celebrating Festa dell’Uva (festival of grapes), which is an an Italian festival of the harvest of grapes and of wine season. Melice is one of the people who tried grape stomping, which is part of traditional wine making. (Paula E. Kirman)

Celebrating a Professional Milestone: When Paula Kirman isn’t editing Boyle McCauley News, she does a variety of freelance media work. One such project is photographing and filming local protests, rallies, and other events for an independent media website (radicalcitizenmedia.com) she founded, which celebrated 20 years online in September. MLA Janis Irwin presented Paula with a scroll to commemorate this anniversary on October 14th during the Boyle McCauley News volunteer appreciation party at Tony’s Pizza. (Supplied )

Tree Pruning Workshops: Participants at one of the tree pruning workshops at the McCauley Community Orchard this past fall. The workshops were cohosted by the McCauley Community League and orchard gardeners. (Ruth Sorochan)

Mid-Autumn Festival Music: Echo Ensemble performs at the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 27th at the Edmonton Chinatown Multi-Cultural Centre. The event was presented by the Chinese Benevolent Association of Edmonton. (Paula E. Kirman)

Encouraging Volunteers of All Ages: At Boyle McCauley News we encourage volunteers of all ages. In our previous issue, you may have “met” Henry who is currently our youngest assistant carrier. He helps long-term volunteer Ian Young with Ian’s delivery route. Henry attended our volunteer appreciation pizza party on October 14th with his mom and grampy. If you want to volunteer for a route, contact us at editor@bmcnews.org. (Paula E. Kirman)

Round Dance at Sacred Heart Church: Parishioners of Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, join hands in unity during the Round Dance on September 30th. (Alan Schietzsch)

Porch Concerts Continue: AV & The Inner City’s annual porch concert happened on October 5th - but this time instead of at AV’s (McCauley resident Ann Vriend) porch, it was held in the back alley and yard at The Works’ headquarters on 95th Street and 106th Avenue. The porch concerts began during the COVID-19 restrictions as a way for people to enjoy music and connect safely outdoors. The porch concerts continue annually as a community building event. The concert featured performances by AV & The Inner City (pictured) as well as other local artists. (Paula E. Kirman)

Kathryn Luu Receives Daughter of the Year Award: Kathryn (Kat) Luu (centre) was one of 10 women to be named a Daughter of the Year at the annual Daughters Day celebration on September 20th at City Hall organized by Canadians for a Civil Society. Luu, who co-owns Kim Fat Market, was recognized for her work as a community builder and advocate for Chinatown’s revitalization, including being in a leadership position with the Chinatown BIA (Business Improvement Area) and organizing many events in the area. She is pictured here with award selection committee members and presenters Harriet Tinka (left) and Dr. Vivian Abboud. (Dan Hempel)

Volunteer Award for Michelle Cumming: Michelle Cumming is the recipient of the 2025 Garry Spotowski Volunteer Award. Michelle has been a Block Carrier with Boyle McCauley News for more than 20 years. Colleen Chapman, Volunteer Coordinator, says: “She has been reliable and willing to pitch in - and always with a smile that lights up the area around her.” The award is given to long-time volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their service to Boyle McCauley News. We present the Spotowski Award to Michelle with pride and gratitude. Thank you Michelle! (Paula E. Kirman)

Standing Together in McCauley: The annual mâmawi nîpawiwin – Standing Together Orange Shirt Day Community Walk took place on September 30th to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (also known as Orange Shirt Day). The community walk through McCauley finished at Giovanni Caboto Park with lunch and cultural performances. The event was supported by REACH Edmonton, the City of Edmonton, the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society, and Quilts for Survivors. (Paula E. Kirman)

Community Potluck Picnic: On September 30th, an Every Child Matters Community Potluck Picnic was held at Kinistinâw Park. Organized by Bear Claw Beaver Hills House, with support from the Pride Centre of Edmonton, the Tawaw Outreach Collective, and We Together Strong (local postal workers doing community outreach), the event featured a new trailer offering both food and harm reduction. More than 300 people were fed throughout the day. Clothing, blankets, and footwear were also available. (Paula E. Kirman)

Happy Halloween at the Rink: People having fun at the 31st annual Inner City Kids Safe Halloween party at the McCauley Rink on October 31st. More than 50 children plus their adults attended. It was organized by former resident Shelley Hollingsworth in collaboration with the McCauley Community League and other area organizations and volunteers. (Paula E. Kirman )

Live Music Between Bookshelves: Jyn-Ting Ying performs at Paper Birch Books on October 17th as part of the Chinatown Live Music Series. (Paula E. Kirman)

Inside This Issue

Big Flavour, Small Space, and a Lot of Local Buzz

Dining Out By Alan Schietzsch

If you like fried chicken, you will probably love Rob's Famous, with its huge pieces and crunchy goodness.
Seasons of Community

McCauley Community League Update By Ruth Sorochan

A lot happened at the rink and elsewhere in the neighbourhood during the summer and fall.
Norbert Topolski on the Poetic Nature of Life

Heart of the City Festival Society Artist Profile Series By Rachael Roberts

Norbert Topolski (also known as Boosh) has been an artist and organizer with Heart of the City.
Finding Warmth in the Winter

Update from City Council By Anne Stevenson

As the weather gets colder, the City is trying to find ways to support vulnerable folks.
Standing Up and Speaking Out

MLA Update By Janis Irwin

Education continues to be a major issue in light of the recent labour action and use of the bothwithstanding clause to force teachers and students back into classrooms.
A Champion for Newcomer Families

The Multicultural Family Resource Centre helps newcomer families adjust to life in Edmonton.
McCauley WECAN Food Basket Depot Moves Again

The WECAN Food Basker depot in McCauley is now at the rink.
December 2025-January 2026

Editor’s Notes By Paula E. Kirman

It's the final issue of Volume 46 and time to look forward to the next publication cycle.
Go Ahead: Meet Your Heroes

McCauley Musings By Paula E. Kirman

Meeting someone you admire can be a wonderful and unforgettable experience.

Web Exclusives

The Piazza is Under New Ownership

By Paula E. Kirman
Book Examines the Exclusion Act

By Gail Silvius
Seasons at Ociciwan Gallery

By Gail Silvius
Seeds and Saplings at the Rink

By Gail Silvius
The “Tenderbox”

By Darcia Parada
McCauley: the Gift that Keeps on Giving

By Abigail Struthers
Chinatown Summer Festival and Sari Sari Goes to Chinatown
Festa Italiana 2025

More web exclusives »

McCauley Historical Booklets

The McCauley Historical Booklets series is produced with the support of McCauley Revitalization/City of Edmonton.

View all booklets »

Upcoming Events

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Next Issue . . .

Volume 47, Issue 1 (February-March 2026) will be published February 1st, 2026. Articles and photos concerning community news, events, and opinions are welcome for both our print and online editions. We also occasionally accept submissions of poetry and cartoons. Deadline for the print edition: January 12th, 2026. Send submissions to: editor@bmcnews.org. Articles should be 400 words or less and accompanied by photographs (JPG, in high resolution) when possible.