The 2026 Ben Calf Robe Traditional Pow Wow happened on May 9th. Once again, it took place at the  Commonwealth Recreation Centre’s indoor field house. The theme for this year was Prayers for Peace / nitotamâtan pêyâhtakeyimowin. Here are some photos from the 1 p.m. Grand Entry.

Photos by Dan Hempel and Paula E. Kirman

He was tall, painfully thin and could swear like a sailor.  Everyone knew not to approach him during any day when he was preparing a meal for any of the 320 residents of O-day’min Village on 95th Street in the Boyle Street neighbourhood. He would yell at you if you brought food unannounced to the free meal that he paid for with his own money.  

But that was Tim for the more than 10 years that he lived in the affordable housing building owned and operated by Civida. Tim died in mid-April. He was a contradiction of kindness, generosity, and spitting anger.  

At his memorial, packed with residents in the lobby, people cried openly as they recalled: “Tim the one who baked cakes for birthdays, Tim the fellow who walked around with a pot of soup asking if anyone was hungry,” and, yes, “Tim the fellow who would shout others down if he had a grudge against them.”

And as residents wept and struggled to get out their words, others would come over to hug them, whisper words of consolation and just be there.  

Tim was in his mid-60s when he died. He suffered for many years with a congenital spine condition that, at times, required long periods of rest. He had a rough time growing up, competing with his older brother for the attention and approval of their parents. The two never saw each other after they parted ways in the mid-1980s. 

Tim spent time in jail, worked hard in northern Alberta, married, had children, and left relationships with much disappointment and pain in their wake for everyone involved.  

In subsequent months, as more efforts were undertaken to build a sense of community in the building, Tim blossomed. Christmas dinners, Easter dinners, summer barbeques continued. And when an opportunity for a community garden came to be outside the building’s community gathering space, Tim led the planting, weeding, and distribution of the harvest, especially for single mothers in need.

After his death, one of Tim’s distant relatives who visited him over the years at O-day’min went out of her way to find other members of the family who also had lost contact with him. And so, on that day later in April, his mother, younger sister and daughter were able to hear about Tim’s generous side as person-after-person stood to tell the story of Tim’s central role at O-day’min Village. And you could tell, it meant a lot to them.

O-day’min Village was built by the YMCA in 2010 and transferred to Civida in March 2023. Before the transfer occurred, all kinds of rumours were circulating that residents would be evicted and rents would increase. When Tim first met a Civida representative he demanded a meeting to discuss how he was going to pay his rent as he was not going to learn to do electronic transfers. A meeting date was set. And Tim showed up at the appointed time with 10 other residents, underlining that this wasn’t just about Tim.  

In subsequent months, as more efforts were undertaken to build a sense of community in the building, Tim blossomed. Christmas dinners, Easter dinners, summer barbecues continued. And when an opportunity for a community garden came to be outside the building’s community gathering space, Tim led the planting, weeding, and distribution of the harvest, especially for single mothers in need.

Tim was not a joiner. He did things very much as a solo actor. But he enjoyed seeing others having fun. When bingo night started on the main floor, down the hall from his room, he kept his door open because, “I like hearing the laughter.”

The memorial was a true community effort, led by Melody, a resident who was especially close to Tim. Arrangements were made to bring in a minister from the Salvation Army. Sympathy cards were made available for visitors to sign, flowers were placed on a central table next to a container of tobacco, and there was the opportunity to smudge. 

In the evening, after a flower garden was planted in his memory, we gathered for a barbecue in the courtyard adjacent to the building. And importantly, in the absence of Tim who would have normally led the effort, residents took the lead to bring food, barbecue the burgers, and enjoy each other’s company.  Tim’s legacy was honoured; he would have been proud. 

David worked on community development at O-day’min Village from 2023 to 2025.

7-Kitchens Restaurant
9645 101A Avenue
780-249-6007
7kitchensrestaurant.com

Tucked behind Jasper Avenue on 101A Avenue (across 97th Street from Canada Place) 7-Kitchens Restaurant is quietly building a loyal following among local diners looking for generous portions, affordable prices, and comforting Chinese food served with warmth and care.

With 101A Avenue closed due to street reconstruction since the restaurant opened last August, we had to walk half a block after parking on 96th Street, as the road is covered in construction fencing. It was totally worth it!

The hidden restaurant is found sheltered below the peak of the Edmonton Chinese Benevolent Association. Inside the atmosphere is warm and cozy with wood furniture. It’s exceptionally clean and the staff are incredibly welcoming. That warmth defines the experience as much as the menu itself. There’s no question they want to make guests feel at home. We thought the almost picnic table-like row of tables in the middle would be perfect for hosting a large extended family or work group.

The multi-page menu is extensive with familiar Chinatown dishes: fried rice, chow mein, noodle soups, combination platters, sweet-and-sour favourites, seafood dishes, and family dinners designed to feed far more people than advertised. There are also house specialties and combination meals that make the restaurant particularly appealing for budget-conscious diners or big families.

Our group of four decided to sample five different dishes: Shrimp with Cashews, Chinese Vegetarian Delight, Mapo Tofu, Chicken Curry, and Shanghai Noodles. Let’s just say nobody was going to starve. The mapo tofu leans toward the vegetarian style, with lots of silky soft tofu, flavour packed black fungus strands, and plenty of heat. The Shrimp with Cashews was generous, the shrimp nicely cooked and the veggies steaming hot. Next came the Chinese Vegetarian Delight, with plenty of crunchy baby corn among all the other vegetables.

The star of the night was the thick Shanghai Noodles. It’s a standard dish at many Chinese restaurants, but at 7-Kitchens the fresh noodles were pleasantly chewy with a smoky wok flavour that hinted at proper high-heat cooking, avoiding the greasiness that often drags down takeout-style Chinese food. Lifting them further, the dish contained so much BBQ pork that it deserves special mention. The juicy, red, slightly salty pork pieces made it dangerously easy to keep chowing down long after feeling full. The Chicken Curry was almost as impressive, with a deep yellow sauce that has real depth of flavour.

But what stands out most about 7-Kitchens is not culinary experimentation or trendy presentation. Instead, it succeeds by delivering exactly what many neighbourhood diners want: hearty comfort food, large servings, fair prices, and genuinely kind service. In an era where rising costs have become a common pain point, this approach is refreshingly old-fashioned. Like the most beloved Chinatown eateries, 7-Kitchens feels designed for gathering around overflowing plates with family or friends. It is the sort of place where leftovers are expected, where servers remember regulars, and where value still matters.

For downtown workers, nearby residents, or anyone craving classic Chinese comfort food without downtown prices, 7-Kitchens is shaping up to be one of the quieter success stories in Edmonton’s evolving Chinatown dining scene. Don’t pass it by - it’s well worth the obstacle course! And you’ll need the exercise. We were so full, for just $20 per person!

Alan Schietzsch lives in McCauley and is a member of the paper’s Board of Directors.

Our space is mostly concrete with a bit of green space and a trailer. The plans for a new building may be on hold, but we have space and we want to make the best of it. We have a few projects to complete this summer to make our space feel more functional and friendly. 

We have come up with some ways to engage with our space during the summer. Gardening, weekly English lessons, a clothing swap, monthly tea and conversations, a community garage sale, and bannock and jam to commemorate Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day are just some of the events planned for the summer. For more information about these events please check out our Facebook page (@mccauleycommunityleague). If you have any ideas about what McCauley Community League can host or do to further build our community, we would love to hear from you.

Save the date! McCauley Community League is hosting a community-wide garage sale on August 15th. Community members can submit their address to be added to the garage sale map, and members without access to a garage or yard space can have a table at the rink. Please submit your address or request a table by July 15th through email (league@mccauleycl.com).

McCauley Community League’s AGM will be held at Santa Maria Goretti Centre (11050 90th Street) on June 7th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. We encourage community members to come out and hear about what has been happening. If you have been thinking about joining the league, come on out and join us.

Website: mccauleycl.com
Email: league@mccauleycl.com
Facebook: @mccauleycommunityleague

Justine Dyck is the Vice President of the McCauley Community League.

Budget Engagement Session

On April 28th, we hosted our Ward O-day’min Budget Engagement Session at Westglen School. Thank you to everyone who came out to share your priorities and ideas for Edmonton’s 2027–2030 budget.

Mayor Knack and I really appreciated the thoughtful conversations, diverse feedback, and creative ideas you all have for our city. We received many sticky notes with thoughts about where the City should invest more or less, how to balance taxes and services, and what people see as Edmonton’s biggest priorities moving forward.

Public engagement plays an important role in shaping the City’s budget process, and all feedback gathered during the session will help inform the analysis and recommendations coming to Council later this year. As we move closer to the fall budget discussions, I look forward to connecting with even more residents about the future of Edmonton and the ward. As always, please feel free to reach out if you would like to connect or share your thoughts.

Constructions Projects Around O-day’min

A number of major infrastructure projects continue to move forward as part of the City’s focus on quality services and growth management. These projects are designed to make it easier for us to get around, stay active, and connect with one another. There are a number of notable projects in O-day’min:

• McCauley and Boyle Street Renewal are both entering their last year of construction. More details about where construction is happening can be found on the City website. For areas that are already done, be sure to report to 311 any issues you’re noticing (like grass that hasn’t survived, or concrete that’s already cracking) so that those things can get fixed by our contractors. 
• Streetscape upgrades on 97th Street are currently being designed. This will include public realm improvements like lighting, benches, and potential electrical upgrades to accommodate decorative lighting and lanterns. There will be opportunities for public input throughout the year so stay tuned!
• Construction on the new Chinatown Gate on 97th Street and Jasper Avenue has begun. This intersection will be closed starting on May 29th so be sure to look for alternative routes. I’m excited for this beautiful new addition to our community. 
• Construction is continuing on the Valley Line West LRT project. Vehicle traffic on 102nd Avenue is closed between 102nd Street and 107th Street but that stretch is scheduled to be complete at the end of this year. 
• Construction is also underway for Imagine Jasper Avenue from 115th Street to 124th Street (it’s looking great so far!).
• A new shared use path is coming along 112th Avenue that will connect McCauley to the east, starting on 92nd Street and a local bikeway connector on 110A Avenue.
• New priority bus lanes on 101st Street are coming south of 104th Avenue. Council recently restored parking in front of Thanh Thanh, Padmandi, and Freecloud Records during lunch hour to support these great businesses. 
• While these projects can cause disruption, I’m grateful for all this investment going into our community. And the results are well worth it: a more connected, resilient, and beautiful city. 

Expanding the Problem Property Initiative

Run down buildings have a big impact in our community, making our neighbourhoods less safe and less attractive. Back in 2023, City Council introduced a new policy that tripled the property tax on derelict houses. This program saw great success, with over a third of the properties demolished or rehabilitated in the first year alone.

Building on this success, we’re looking to expand the derelict property tax to commercial buildings. This will give the City a new tool to address highly problematic occupied and unoccupied properties that generate frequent complaints, ongoing disorder, or serious safety concerns (I’m sure we can all think of one or two in the area!). The new tax would make sure that these properties were paying a premium to reflect the cost to services they have, and act as a motivator to fix up or tear down these eyesores.

There are a number of steps that our taxation team will be taking to prepare this new tax, and we’re expecting a report back in early 2027. I’m hopeful that this new tax will prove as successful as the residential tax, and help us achieve our Council priority of building safer neighbourhoods. Please do be sure to continue reporting troublesome properties - this is an important part in making sure we capture all the derelict properties. 

Signing Off

Thank you, as always, for your ideas, your advocacy, and for your ongoing care for the community. I look forward to continuing these conversations in the months ahead. 

Anne Stevenson, City Councillor for Ward O-day’min
Email: anne.stevenson@edmonton.ca
Phone: 780-496-8333

Editor's note: This is a longer version of the article that appears in the June-July 2026 print edition.

To students: whether you’re graduating, moving on to junior high or high school, or simply wrapping up one school year and preparing for the next, please know that I’m so proud of all you have accomplished! I know this year had unique challenges due to the teachers’ strike, crowded classrooms, and diminishing resources, but I continue to be amazed at your efforts to do your very best amidst significant difficulties, and that’s well worth celebrating.

To teachers and school staff: I’m so proud of all of you, too. Once again, you have put forward incredible efforts to support your students in a very challenging and unprecedented time. Please know that I see you, I hear you, and I will continue to work to make sure your voices are heard both in and out of the legislature.

As we approach summer, I’m looking forward to marking Canada Day on July 1st. For me, this means reflecting on the treaties which are the foundation of our country; exploring Canada’s history (both the successes and failures) to consider how I can contribute to reconciliation and equity; and lastly, it means taking time to celebrate the beautiful diversity of Canada – which is truly one of our greatest strengths. 

I know that for many Albertans, Canada Day may hit differently this year as we anticipate a separation referendum this fall. I’ve heard from so many of you who are anxious and worried about the uncertainty that looms in the very near future. And so, I want to be abundantly clear: I unequivocally denounce separatism and I am committed to Canada. Of course, I understand we face some challenges as a province, but threatening to tear our country apart is not the answer. Please know that my NDP Caucus colleagues will always fight for Canada, and we won’t back down. 

Like so many of you, I’m loving the warmer weather, the sunshine, and the beautiful greenery all around us. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you in the community and connecting with you at events throughout Boyle Street and McCauley. And if I don’t see you, please don’t hesitate to reach out, and know that as always, I’m here. 

Janis Irwin, MLA for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood
Email: Edmonton.HighlandsNorwood@assembly.ab.ca
Phone: 780-414-0682

The City has begun construction of a new Chinatown Gate at 97th Street between Jasper Avenue and Okîsikow Way (101A Avenue). This is the site of Edmonton’s original Chinatown, but many of the businesses had to move or close when Canada Place was built in the late 1980s. 

The new gate replaces Harbin Gate on 102nd Avenue and 97th Street, built in 1987 as a gift from Edmonton’s twin city, Harbin, China. The original gate was dismantled and put in storage in 2017 to make way for the Valley Line Southeast LRT.

When the new site was chosen, which is wider than the original site, plans to relocate the old gate had to be changed. The City, in consultation with the Chinese Benevolent Association of Edmonton and other members of the Chinese community, has worked with traditional gate artists in Harbin to develop a design. Some features of the original gate will be introduced in the new one, including the plaque and bell and the stone lions.

The gate’s structure will be made from steel. The new gate will feature high-density polystyrene on its decorative features instead of the traditional clay materials.  These changes are intended to reduce costs and make the structure more durable. 

“The new gate will feature four art panels. Artwork for the two south-facing panels will be supplied by the City of Harbin. Artwork for the two north-facing panels will be designed by a local artist,” says Jarek Karpiejuk, Director, LRT Expansion and Renewal. The City issued a  public call for art earlier this year. As of press time, the submissions were still under review.

Kathryn Luu, chair of the Edmonton Chinatown Business Improvement Area (BIA), is pleased to see the project moving forward. “We are very happy it’s back,” she says. The BIA likes the location, which connects the original site of Chinatown in Edmonton with the Gate of Happy Arrival built in 1998 at 97th Street and 107A Avenue (near the Lucky 97 Supermarket). The Gate of Happy Arrival commemorates newcomers from Vietnam and other areas of Asia. “This is more than a landmark,” Luu says. “It brings people downtown to visit and builds community. It is an Instagram-able structure.”

Sandy Pon, chair of the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society of Edmonton (CTC), is also happy that the gate is finally being rebuilt. “We are very sad about what happened to the original gate but [are] looking forward,” she says.

Pon has concerns about the consultation process. “The community cannot see how the City’s contractors can come up with a price tag of $8.7M and yet state that savings are reflected through the substitution of inferior materials,” she says.

Plans are for the project to be completed in early 2027.

Anita Jenkins is a retired writer and editor who lives in Boyle Street.

Voice of Albertans with Disabilities (VAD) is hosting a BBQ and silent auction on June 6th from 12-2 p.m. It will take place in Borden Park (Site 6). To RSVP for the event you can call 780-488-9088 or e-mail vad@vadsociety.ca. 

I have written about VAD previously. It is a well-needed support agency. I was proud to have been a board member for four years, then spent two years as an advisor. Information can be found at vadsociety.ca.

From VAD's website:

Since 1973, Voice of Albertans with Disabilities has been a provincial, cross disability organization of individuals with physical, mental, sensory, learning and intellectual disabilities. We are dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities through our efforts, services and programs. Over the years we have consulted and collaborated with like-minded organizations on many important projects that impact the daily lives of individuals with disabilities. All over the province, people with disabilities are making their voices heard and Voice of Albertans with Disabilities is an enthusiastic partner in this movement.

Join VAD at the event and enjoy the warmer months!

Ian Young is a columnist and Block Carrier with the paper. He lives in the area. 

One of Bissell Centre’s largest and most joyful celebrations of the year is coming back with even more performers, food, activities, and cheer for the whole community. 

The annual National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) celebration is on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of Bissell Centre’s buildings at 10527 96th Street. It features art, performances, stew and bannock from Bissell Harvest Catering, and even an appearance from the children at Bissell Child Care. 

“Holding this celebration is incredibly important for many of the people who come to us seeking support,” says Heather Slade, Bissell Centre’s Manager of Indigenous Engagement. “Acknowledging this important day helps so many as they heal from the trauma of colonialism.”

The headline performers at this year’s NIPD celebration are Adrian LaChance and the Running Thunder Dancers, taking place from noon to 2 p.m. Their performances will include traditional drumming, singing, and dancing — including a round dance as a memorial for all the loved ones in the community we have lost over the years. 

Adrian LaChance and the Running Thunder Dancers have been performing traditional Indigenous dancing and drumming since 2010, and facilitating workshops to better support individuals, families, and communities through cultural connection, healing, and personal growth. LaChance himself is renowned for his powwow dancing and drumming. He has been showcasing the culture he carries from the James Smith Cree Nation across the world, including through Europe, Asia, and New Zealand. 

“Seeing the community come alive for this celebration is always so heartwarming,” says Slade. “NIPD reminds me about the hope I have for our vision to see an end to poverty in our community.”

Bissell Centre’s annual NIPD celebration is just one of the many ways its Indigenous Engagement team makes space for ceremony, culture, and healing - guiding both people in the community and Bissell Centre as an organization. 

“With so many people we support coming from Indigenous Nations, ensuring Indigenous culture is integrated into what we do is crucial for their healing,” says Slade. “Bissell Centre is continuously seeking to be an ally with Indigenous communities. Our NIPD celebration is just one way we honour the resiliency of Indigenous communities.” 

Join us on June 19th and visit bissellcentre.org to learn more about our Indigenous Engagement program.

Information submitted by Bissell Centre.

Sister Estelle Demers, 94, died on March 8th, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Why is this important for readers of the Boyle McCauley News? Estelle was a key member of the Boyle Street McCauley community from 1977 until 1985. She and three other Canadian Medical Mission Sisters came to Edmonton to support community initiatives around health needs.  Three were nurses with experiences in rural African communities. Estelle offered international experience with a broad, holistic understanding of health and culture. She was a creative risk-taker. 

The Sisters first spent time door-knocking and asking residents: what more was needed? A few years earlier, the Sisters of Providence had done the same, with a focus on the needs of isolated seniors in rooming houses. Those Sisters helped create Operation Friendship. Bissell Centre and Boyle Street Community Services already existed to support people. What was missing? 

People responded: “we need a community-based health centre!”  The word “community” was essential. This was not to be a health clinic. It was to be responsive to community health needs and operated by a community Board of Directors with a staff team of doctors, nurse practitioners, and community outreach workers. Estelle coached community residents to negotiate with politicians, funders, health administrators, academics, and community organizations to build a health centre uniquely suited for an inner city neighbourhood. 

Estelle trained neighbourhood residents in community leadership roles and board responsibilities so they could guide and govern the new health centre. One person who benefitted from her work was Bob McKeon, who became the first Board President. “Working with Estelle as a mentor made a huge difference in my community life and work that continues to this day. She helped us build skills and confidence to take on community initiatives and be able to go from a concept or community need to build a community organization that endures,” he recalls. The Boyle McCauley Health Centre first opened in 1980. Now named Radius Health, it has expanded beyond the borders of Boyle Street and McCauley.  

Other organizations can trace their strength to the mentoring offered by Estelle. Edmonton Inner City Housing, now the city-wide Right at Home Housing Society, was started and governed by McCauley residents. The Boyle McCauley News was founded in 1978 as a way to help bring neighbours closer together, stir community imagination, and communicate about community initiatives such as the emerging health centre. 

Stories published throughout 1979 kept readers informed. “Congratulations! Your efforts have been crowned with success. The Development Appeal Board has approved the building on the corner of 106 Avenue and 96 Street for the Boyle McCauley Health Centre. The health needs of the community were known for some years, the active lead was provided by the Medical Mission Sisters who deserve our special gratitude.”

Bob said, “Estelle was friendly, outgoing, engaging and hope-filled.” Her hope sustained organizations that endure, strengthening individuals and community.  

Kate Quinn lives in McCauley.

The impact of unsafe or abandoned properties in our communities can be significant. Edmontonians have long dealt with the ripple effects of neglected homes, including fires, unsafe buildings, drug activity, and constant uncertainty. Launched in January 2023, the City of Edmonton’s Problem Property Initiative (PPI) aims to address these concerns, spur redevelopment and improve the overall safety and quality of life for residents.

For community advocate Christy Morin, Executive Director of Arts on the Ave, the negative effects of these properties are profound. “Sometimes a problem property becomes like a beehive of the negative things you don’t want to experience on a block,” Morin says. She notes that this can lead to criminal activity that impacts the whole neighbourhood.

Morin, who has lived and worked in the Alberta Avenue area for decades, stresses the toll these properties take on residents’ well-being. “When a problem property lands on your block, it can stop your whole quality of life,” she says. “People are afraid. They stop using their backyards. They feel like they’re constantly watching what’s happening next door.” 

The PPI was sparked by years of community advocacy, with residents and community organizations pushing for new tools to address unsafe or neglected properties. Community groups researched solutions in other cities and raised concerns with governments. Advocates even pushed for changes at the provincial level to allow municipalities to introduce stronger taxation tools targeting derelict properties, which are now part of Edmonton’s approach.

A coordinated City response

The PPI is a coordinated City response, bringing together multiple teams focused on inspections, enforcement, and ordering property remediations and demolitions. Between 2023 and 2025, the PPI expanded its proactive focus on neighbourhoods with high numbers of neglected properties, conducting over 22,000 inspections at more than 2,000 unique properties.  

Trena MacGillivray, Problem Properties Program Coordinator, oversees the initiative’s implementation.

“We’re taking increasingly bold enforcement actions and accelerating the demolition of unsafe vacant buildings, which is contributing to the redevelopment of under-used land, particularly in mature neighbourhoods,” says MacGillivray.

A key tool in addressing these places is the Derelict Residential Tax Subclass, which allows the City to triple the tax rate on vacant and deteriorating residential properties. 

Together, these measures make it increasingly costly for property owners to neglect their buildings.

Restoring safety and hope

“The City’s strategy to address problem properties was launched to help restore a sense of safety to neighbourhoods negatively impacted by these properties,” MacGillivray says. “It’s great to see how far the PPI has come in cleaning up neglected properties, securing or demolishing unsafe buildings, upholding housing standards and connecting vulnerable tenants to resources.”

For Anna Bubel, a long-time McCauley resident and principal of the community economic development firm Another Way, the issue is personal. She has experienced firsthand how disruptive and stressful living next to a problem property can become. “It was awful,” she recalls. “There were safety concerns, hoarding, animals, health inspections, the kind of situations that affect the entire block.”

Bubel says one of the most meaningful changes she has seen is the PPI’s responsiveness. “As residents, sometimes it feels like you’re screaming into the void,” she says. “When someone calls you back, when you see action happening and that feedback loop closing, it’s powerful.”

Community connection remains central to the PPI’s work. Over the past three years, the initiative has attended more than 100 community meetings and events and engaged directly with more than 11,000 Edmontonians.

According to Morin, the initiative has helped restore a sense of fairness for historically overlooked areas. “This initiative has given communities hope that things can change and that these neighbourhoods matter,” she says.

When it comes to the PPI’s work, Bubel offers a message for continued momentum: “Don’t take your foot off the gas,” she says. “Press the pedal down and keep going.”

To report a problem property, contact 311 or use the confidential reporting form at edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties. To report an unsecured vacant property, contact 311 or email communitypropertysafetyteam@edmonton.ca.

Information provided by the City of Edmonton.

Today, we delivered the Boyle McCauley News along 101st Street. We have been doing this route since 2022. We always enjoyed popping into the shops and restaurants along the way. Some businesses were leery of us at first, but as time passed, we developed a rapport with them, and shared greetings and stories. We each had our favourite people to chat with, and we also witnessed a lot of sadness and neglect along the way.

This time we discovered more closed and boarded up businesses than ever before.

In addition to the bundle we took to the King Thunderbird Centre, we delivered only 15 copies of the paper (including three copies at Omonia Foods Import). We are genuinely greeted at Ital Motors and Ericksen Nissan.

We have supported Omonia Foods, the Greek grocery, for many years and Macarons & Goodies since we started this route.

We used to leave extra copies at Mamenche’s Restaurant. It has been closed for well over a year.

We love delivering the news and will continue to do so! Next time, we will take a tour of King Thunderbird (graciously offered).

We just wanted to share about our little strip of the neighbourhood.

 - Kimberly Lockert and Dwayne Alward

The Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton (SAGE) does simple tax returns free of charge for seniors (55+) who have an annual income of no more than $35,000 for a single person and no more than $45,000 for a couple. The service is available by appointment, on the phone or in person. 

More information:

• https://www.mysage.ca/help/income-tax-preparation
• 780-809-9424
• taxes@mysage.ca

 - Anita Jenkins, Boyle Street

I have always been fascinated with how cities begin. Anyone from Edmonton who loves poetry will likely already know I share this passion with one of our greatest poets, Alice Major. She wrote about how Romans founded a city, one of them being Londinium almost 2,000 years ago. I also loved it when I learned that Giovanni Caboto was a famous explorer who Anglicized his name to John Cabot, but that our lovely park uses his original name.

I love history, especially World War II history, and I was fascinated to hear about the Canadian Army and the Battle of Ortona, which is commemorated in Giovanni Caboto Park. But I have learned what I hope are most of McCauley’s secrets. I have seen fires, homeless encampments, SWAT teams, and a friend who often brings his son to Giovanni Caboto Park to use the monkey bars and other amenities because it is his favourite playground.

Eager to take new pictures, and to visit my favourite city on the planet (even bypassing my beloved Edmonton and Vancouver), I bought a ticket to London, England, for March of this year.

There was just so much to see. I spent two full days in The British Museum and two full days in the Victoria and Albert Museum. In between I went to places such as Kensington Palace where Princess Diana lived for 12 years, and the Science Museum where they have such things as the capsule from the Apollo program that orbited the moon without landing to explore a path for the first moon explorers. I also felt it critical to visit Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral and wasn’t disappointed.

When I told Canadian friends I was off to London, they often asked which one. In London, England, though, Edmonton is a suburb where a Hudson’s Bay Company executive was born, and our city was named after it as a tribute. It is comforting to know, 8,000 miles from home that there is an Edmonton in London and a London in Canada.

Being away this time wasn’t as hard as on previous trips. I paid extra to be able to phone home and even joined a support group I frequent over the Internet and wrote blog entries from my hotel room. To hear London stories, enjoy other free content, and find out more about mental health, visit my blog at: https://leifgregersen.substack.com.

Leif Gregersen lives and writes in McCauley.  

I always use this space to pitch our various volunteer opportunities, and this time is no different. If you would like to become a Block Carrier, let me know at editor@bmcnews.org and I will let you know of available routes. 

You can also contact me if you are interested in writing or photographing for the paper, either for our print edition or our website (or both). I am always looking for reporters willing to take assignments, especially to cover community news and events. As well, if you have an idea for a story, you can pitch it to me any time. 

Residents of McCauley and Boyle Street (and active volunteers with us regardless of location) can apply  for a free membership at our website. Members occasionally receive information and have a vote at our AGM. More information is here: bmcnews.org/membership.

If you want to enjoy more of the paper between issues, visit our website at bmcnews.org. There is exclusive content, an archive of back issues, the opportunity to sign up to receive our free e-newsletter, and more. On social media you can follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @bmcnews and Bluesky at @bmcnews.bsky.social.

Enjoy the issue. We’ll be back in August.

There are many reasons for this collection of creativity. These include lower housing costs, proximity to performance venues and events, and an area well served by public transit (making getting around without the expense of a car more feasible). Most artists live on a tight budget, although these days so do most of us.

That said, artists often gravitate to where there are other creative individuals, and opportunities to work at and perform or display their talents. The Aviary is just across the street from the north boundary of McCauley. CO*LAB is situated in the heart of Boyle Street, and now Club 97 is emerging as a performance venue. Giovanni Caboto Park hosts the Heart of the City Festival most summers. Paper Birch Books has been having some cool musical evenings, and spoken word and other art forms have been seen and heard at Boa and Hare in Chinatown. Felice Cafe in Boyle Street has music, comedy, and spoken word numerous times per month.

This is not a comprehensive list, as there are pop-up activities in the area all the time. Art - and those who create it - add quality of life to an area. Creativity builds connections. People from other parts of the city come to Boyle Street and McCauley as a destination to enjoy arts-related events. It is another way the area is put on the map for positive reasons that benefit Edmonton as a whole.

The 46th Annual Good Friday Outdoor Way of the Cross took place on April 3rd. It started and ended at Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples. As always, it was an ecumenical event focussing on social justice. This year's theme was: Whatsoever You Do: Seeing, Naming and Protecting the Rights of People as Part of Creation. Here is a look at some of the walk.

More than 20 years ago my husband Boris Derow, then a monastic brother, founded Axios Men's Ensemble, a niche male ensemble specializing in eastern liturgical music of the Byzantine rite.

Boris is a purist, deeply rooted in his faith and in music that inspires prayer.

When he decided to spread his wings and embark on a path to opera that led him abroad in 2017, one of the early members of the choir, Damein Zakordonski, picked up the reins: “Axios must carry on.”

Damein became a driving force, resulting in more collaborations that had begun with the men of ProCoro in 2015.

As they say, the rest in history. The project grew into visionary concerts and recordings involving artists from Ukraine and members of other choirs across Canada.

Fast forward to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. By this time, Boris and I had relocated to New York City in the midst of the global pandemic, to fulfill a long-held dream.

Back in Edmonton, plans were set in motion by Damein, to commission a Ukrainian War Requiem by American composer Benedict Sheehan. Boris sang in the concert premiering the work and as a soloist on the recording.

By the end of summer 2025, Boris and I had come home to Edmonton.

In February 2026, an announcement was made regarding the Juno nomination. It was touch and go whether or not I’d be able to snag a seat as Boris’ plus one, but I knew that I wanted to be by his side in Hamilton, Ontario. By the time I had adjusted my schedule, the event was sold out. I was determined. I booked a flight not knowing whether or not there would be room at the inn.

At 11 p.m. Friday, March 27th, after arriving in Hamilton, I checked my email. One ticket had been released for me. It was my lucky day.

On Saturday I was on site watching and cheering for my husband and his choir mates in their shining moment.

Boris had lost his Aunty Pat a few weeks earlier and her celebration of life took place before the Juno Gala on Saturday in Hamilton. The two events coinciding made it easy for us to attend and gave us an opportunity to honour her and spend time with extended family. A fitting omen, in hindsight.

The energy was incredible and we were whisked through security, and into a series of photo ops in a huge space with a massive central open bar.

When the cocktail reception had ended we were guided upstairs into what had been transformed into a grand ballroom. As I was a late entry to the party, Boris and I sat not side-by-side, but back-to-back at separate tables. My dining neighbours: the CEO of Massey Hall on my left and an artist agent on my right.

As the evening wore on, it became more and more apparent that the venue was filled with around 1500 strangers who interacted like old friends. There was warmth.

By the time of the announcement for Classical Album of the Year Large Ensemble, I had migrated from my table to sharing Boris’ banquet chair.

A clue was provided to anyone who was paying attention as four television cameras moved like amphibians toward the Axios table. Yet I was fixated, waiting with baited breath as they went through the list of nominees read by Julie Nezrallah.

When she announced Axios, we all jumped up. It was an unbelievable moment.

The competition was stiff with other entries like the Toronto Symphony, and Tafelmusik. Yet, this “little engine that could” Axios Men’s Ensemble from Edmonton with their sincerity and project commemorating those whose lives have been lost due to the war in Ukraine, had won.

Tears flowed as the men accepted their award, and were escorted by a team to be photographed and to field questions by the press.

The evening wrapped up shortly thereafter and we all convened at the Airbnb where most of the nine choir members were staying. Over a nightcap and pizza we pressed rewind on the events of the day with joy and incredulity.

On Sunday morning, we gathered at the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Hamilton, a stunning house of worship where the choir lent their voices to the 10 a.m. service.

While Boris, Damein, and I boarded flights back home, the others stayed behind for the live telecast. We scrolled CBC's Juno updates in flight, sorry that we’d missed seeing Prime Minister Carney fête Joni Mitchell.

At the same time, we were, in hockey terms, bagged. We were also proud to call ourselves Canadian, proud of Axios bringing light to darkness through the power of music, and proud of this huge moment with its deeper meaning.

Axios defied the odds and won.

Darcia Parada is a writer, director, producer and performer. A former McCauley resident who moved to Brooklyn, NY during the pandemic, she has recently returned to Edmonton and now lives in Boyle Street.

Putting yourself in the shoes of
others can be done this way
embodying how they live
the consequences of their actions
realities distinct from our own
you can have those experiences

Jon Lai (he/him) is a researcher, writer, and lifelong resident of Treaty 6 territory. His poems have been published in Happiness Reflected Vols. 1 & 4, Boyle McCauley News, NorthWord Literary Magazine, and Capital City Press Anthology Vols. 4 & 5. Jon believes everyone has creative abilities.

On February 28th, fellow Heart of the City organizer (and Boyle McCauley News board member) Rachael Roberts and I walked in the door for the opening night of Club 97, located in the old Brittany’s Lounge space at 10225 97th Street in the Shoctor Building. 

After walking through a long corridor past the door, we turned and entered the club. The house was packed, with standing room only. Everyone was dressed to the nines for a Caribbean Reggae show featuring Skystar and the comedy of Sterling Scott. Rachael and I danced and mingled and had a lovely night listening to live music in the new performance space.

The opening of Club 97 was a big success for Colin Campbell, who has been working on getting the club ready for months. I sat down with Colin before the opening and talked about his desire to animate The Quarters.

“In five years we hope that Club 97 can be a staple, and influence more and more venues to open in The Quarters.” Colin said, “We believe that this could be the start of something special, to really kickstart The Quarters as the arts district that this [area was] always meant to be.”

“We are doing this on a limited budget. That is the beauty of grassroots projects that you can do a lot on a small budget. We believe that we can activate spaces with not a lot of capital. Grassroots projects come with people who have ideas and passion and a drive to do with little and see how it grows over time.”

Colin added, “We will be having a jazz jam to honour the history of Brittany's. We have a grand piano. We are going to be doing music and art events, it will be a multidisciplinary arts space.”

Colin’s space is offering an open jam every Monday night starting at 8 p.m. and as of the publication of this article the club will host a weekly slam poetry night called, “Tuesday Slam” starting at 7 p.m. and running until 10 p.m. Slam is competitive poetry. There will be an open stage and a slam in which poets will have the chance to compete for the glory of being the ultimate slam champion at the end of the season. 

Colin is open to talking to folks who are looking for space to run arts and cultural events. “We want to work with grassroots organizations. We will be working with equity seeking groups. The Quarters was always promised to be a place for the arts. It takes a lot of time and understanding to get backers. Equity groups could really take over and make this the coolest neighbourhood in the city.”

Corine Demas lives in McCauley where she is the President of the McCauley Community League, the President of the  Heart of the City Festival, and a board member with Boyle McCauley News.