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.

We met Emile Moisan some 20 years ago, when he came to ask if we had any empty bottles for him to collect. We soon developed a regular relationship: he became our bottle collector. We live close to a bottle depot so it was easy for him to pick up our bag of bottles.

He was a kind and gentle man with a sense of humour. He was homeless at first and the streets and shelters were not easy for him. He was beaten up more than once, and one time when he appeared he was so injured that with his permission I called an ambulance. Later he told me he almost died that time.

He’d been in the trades but an injury sidelined him, and when his compensation ran out he self-medicated for a lot of chronic pain from his disability. His choice was alcohol, a harsh mistress. But even heavily the worse for wear, he retained his nature, and although he talked of some street battles, I never saw him do a violent act or heard him make a threat. He was often bullied and suffered insults and slurs, but shrugged them off.

He got into housing at last, minimal but it suited him, and he made a loyal and good friend Sammy. He and Sammy moved for a while into Ambrose Place, and both of them improved in health. But they kept up their routines of bottle-picking, visiting their clients. Sammy used to wait across the street, and Emile joked it was because he swore too much to expose to us!

Emile got a cell phone and after that he’d call to ask if we had bottles. I loved that insertion of the 21st century into his business.

Sammy died, and Emile was consumed with grief, but he carried on. We still saw him regularly. He moved into less expensive housing, got a job at a tire yard, and his life was in a kind of order that allowed him to relax a bit. When we saw him, he was always in much better shape.

However, Emile struggled with severe health issues, some of them a consequence of years of hard street life and some just the inevitable miseries of aging. He generally coped with reasonable good humour, but sometimes he became very discouraged. His friends were his sustenance at those times. I consider we were lucky to be know him, and we shared much mutual affection, but our friendship was inevitably much less involved than the people with whom he shared his home and interests.

Although we’re poor by societal standards, we were rich compared with Emile, but he valued and mostly enjoyed his life despite his troubles and losses. When he came by in particular need (a late cheque, a snafu in his benefits, or a particular health crisis), sometimes we added a few bucks or bus fare. When his teeth became a problem, we occasionally gave him a bit of homemade soup and other softer food to take home. 

He in turn would bring gifts sometimes: a little candle holder, a ring he found. Most recently, he found a lovely little clock with a figure in a garden surrounded by birds, which he fixed and brought to me. He knew our names but he called me Girl (which was more flattering as time went on.) He chose one of my landscape paintings to take home and hang up.  

During the tough part of the pandemic we probably saw Emile more than we saw any of our friends. He was part of our “bubble,” and he kept his regular pickups. We’d talk each time about what was going on in our lives. In summer we’d stand or sit on the front steps amid the garden with its willow tree and magpies, and joke about the vagaries of life. In winter we’d get him warm and dry, and then he’d head back out.

Also during that pandemic isolation time, I wrote the third of a series of three crime novels set in Boyle Street. I asked Emile’s permission to use elements of his and Sammy’s story, much changed for privacy reasons (and, needless to say, the events that happened in the novel didn’t happen to Emile and Sammy, nor to the other two people who gave me similar permissions. It was inspiration, not imitation, that drove the story.) 

The book, He Wasn’t There Again Today, came out in 2023. I gave him a copy but I never heard if he liked the fictional Fleury who shared some of his life story. I am proud, however, that this book can stand as an appreciation and partial memorial to Emile Moisan, a sweet human being who met the terrible vagaries of a vulnerable life with dignity, humour, generosity, and great courage.

Candas Jane Dorsey is a writer and visual artist who lives in Boyle Street with her partner, performer and writer Timothy J. Anderson, and Joffrey, a small bossy dog.

The rhythm of the drums is the heartbeat of a band. Denis Frigon has been infusing soul into Edmonton’s music scene since the age of 15, beginning with the drums, playing in jams, teaching, gigging, and starting bands.

Denis is a proud Edmontonian. As a youngster he attended festivals with his family, including Heart of the City Music and Arts Festival. His dad was a professional musician who ultimately decided to raise a family instead of pursuing a career in music. He was also Denis’ biggest fan before his death at age 71. “I still hear him in my heart, the great advice, the great talks, the great encouragement. He was the biggest encourager of my music career.” 

When Denis played at Heart of the City for the first time in 2015 it was alongside Edmonton legend Breezy Brian Gregg. The second time he played was in 2016 with his band, Lutra Lutra. The next year he played twice, once again with Breezy and a reggae band called Baby Boy. Denis truly embodies the heart, soul and vision of HOTC: supporting and celebrating local and emerging artists.

“My dad and I are both lovers of Motown music. Over the years we both noticed that there’s a lot of John Cougar Mellencamp, lots of Led Zeppelin getting covered, or Aerosmith, Steve Miller. You didn’t hear as much Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross.” 

Denis describes how his band Tiger Coffee was formed. “I really love those guitar players from Motown, Joe Messina, George Whyte. We said it’s a shame that nobody covers those great songs. Everyone knows ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’, everyone knows ‘My Girl’, and nobody plays them. That’s why I started Tiger Coffee.”

Denis is a musician by trade. He shares a memory of attending a lecture given by Edmonton legend Tommy Banks while studying at Grant MacEwan. “He’d said, decide now, whether you’re going to be an artist or a tradesperson. The artist who writes the song has something on his heart, something he needs to say. A tradesperson helps him bring it to life. I don’t usually create the individual composition - I help produce it. I listen to a lot of music, I teach and transcribe. I have a lot of ideas, but usually they’re not the starting seed.”

Jams are a huge part of Denis’ life. “I love the magic of throwing it at the wall to see if it sticks. There’s something very intellectually, emotionally, spiritually satisfying about that flow state that you achieve with people. . . . Your ears are open, you’re listening, you might try something you’d never try, because you’re getting feedback you’re never heard. You can have these beautiful moments.”

Denis currently plays with a rock cover band called The Commandeers, an original rock group called Sudden Love, a band called Landlady, and with acclaimed artist Jacquie Daniels. His band Tiger Coffee hosts a jam at River City Revival every Sunday night, located in the basement of the Starlight Room (10030 102nd Street).

Rachael Roberts is a board member with the Heart of the City Festival, where she has volunteered since 2013, and recently joined the board of Boyle McCauley News. She is a mother, a teacher, and a lifelong Edmontonian who loves this community. 

As I write this, the days are getting longer, and the snow has started to melt. And when you read this, I hope we’re all the way into spring and enjoying warm weather and all this wonderful season brings!

I’m back in the legislature, and as always, I’m so honoured to be here, representing the wonderful communities of Boyle Street and McCauley. This session, our Alberta NDP Caucus team is focused on your priorities: addressing the cost of living, improving our crumbling health care system, and supporting education so that all children can thrive. 

As I mentioned in my last article, I know that we have a long way to go, and a lot of work to do, to meet the needs of everyone in our community. We must ensure that we are all able to live safely; that we are all treated with dignity and respect regardless of our race, orientation, immigration status, or culture. This is truer than ever, and I remain unequivocally committed to fighting for better. 

I’ve also heard from so many of you worried about the separatism movement in our province. I want you to know that this is also top of mind for my colleagues and me. At the beginning of March, I was incredibly proud to stand alongside Indigenous leaders from across this province to unequivocally denounce separatism, to call for the government to honour the sacred Treaties that are the foundation of our country, and to stand up for Canada. This is a time when we need all leaders to speak clearly, and you have my commitment that the Alberta NDP Caucus will always fight for Canada - and we won’t back down. 

When I’m not in the legislature, I look forward to connecting with you all at events throughout our neighbourhoods. Please keep my office in the loop if you have an upcoming event, and if you spot me out in the community, please say hi! I’d love to catch up, or to meet you if we don’t yet know each other. 

And as always, I’m here to help, so if you need anything, please reach out to our constituency office!

Take good care of yourselves and each other.

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

Hello Neighbours! 

We are all treaty people. Our neighbourhood of McCauley in Amiskwaciwâskahikan, also known as Edmonton, is on Treaty 6 territory. 

The late winter/early spring season in Edmonton is  a back-and-forth of temperatures from cold to warm. Even so, the past winter season at the rink was enjoyable even when it was -20 degrees.

The variation in temperature made it difficult to predict how to best open the rink space as much as possible. We would like to thank Dan Glugosh, Roma Stephaniuk, and Gail Silvius for the immense amount of work, organizational effort, and heartful emotional time spent in creating this special space. There were some really good days there for our community.

This spring and early summer, there will be gardening opportunities at the rink space centred in part on the English as Another Language classes that happened in the winter. There will be a few garden beds dedicated to foods/herbs that are chosen by class and are culturally desirable. There is still space for you! This is for long term residents and newcomers alike. 

The McCauley Community League and rink space will continue to operate as a depot for the WECAN Food Basket Society. If you are interested in participating or volunteering, please get in touch with operators at the rink space (10755 - 96th Street, entrance on the southeast corner) on the third Thursday of the month (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) or via the WECAN website (wecanfood.com). 

The McCauley Community League AGM will be coming up soon. Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement. This will be on Facebook (@mccauleycommunityleague), the Boyle McCauley News website, and via email. There will also be posters throughout the neighbourhood at various locations. You are invited and welcome to attend. 

The board is currently seeking more members and actively encouraging programming inquiries. 

The McCauley Community League is one of a number of groups that is sponsoring a homegrown festival called the Heart of the City. The festival celebrates inner city talent and the joyful spirit of communities connecting together. It usually happens in June.

This summer, the McCauley Community League will host a garage sale and block party. This will be at and around the rink space.  

There will be a number of opportunities for community cafés and collaborations with Sustainable Food Edmonton - McCauley Community Orchard. If you can help with any of these events and opportunities please let us know via email or in person at an event. 

McCauley Community League will host a Bannock Tea in summer at the rink space with the specific date not yet set. This will be in recognition of the signing of Treaty No. 6 on August 23rd, 1876, by the Plains Cree, Woods Cree, Nakota Sioux, Saulteaux, and Dene people with Crown representatives at Fort Carlton in Saskatchewan, and the adhesion to Treaty No. 6 by Chiefs at Edmonton, on August 21st, 1877. 

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

Ruth Sorochan lives in McCauley with her family and is the Communications Director with the McCauley Community League.

City Council spent time over the winter thinking about the priorities that will guide us in the term ahead. Together we identified four key focus areas: Economic Development, Growth Management, Safety, and Quality Services. These priorities will be grounded in three guiding principles: fiscal sustainability, affordability, and relationship-driven decision-making. Together, they provide a framework for how we invest in our neighbourhoods and support communities like Boyle Street and McCauley.

Economic development is about building a vibrant city where Edmontonians have access to the jobs and services they need. Commercial and industrial development also provides property tax revenue to support City services while reducing pressure on household taxes. Initiatives such as the Chinatown Vibrancy Fund are helping strengthen local businesses and cultural spaces, while continued collaboration with small businesses in Chinatown, Little Italy, and surrounding districts help strengthen our communities. 

When it comes to growth management, Council is focused on ensuring our city is built  sustainably. This means making sure that new suburban neighbourhoods pay for themselves,  and it also means supporting  new homes in existing neighbourhoods to help decrease sprawl. This approach to growth can help make our city more affordable and make better use of existing infrastructure.

Safety continues to be a major focus and I know is something top of mind for many in Boyle Street and McCauley. The City is taking a range of approaches to ensure safety for all. We are continuing to invest in housing solutions, and are working with the Province to relocate emergency shelter beds from the Hope Mission and Herb Jamieson buildings to other parts of Edmonton. This can help relieve pressure in McCauley while also providing smaller and more dignified shelter for those in need. We are also investing in a Blueprint for Violence prevention and other community-based safety initiatives such as Neighbourhood Empowerment Teams (NET). I’m also hoping to fund safety attendants in transit spaces to support riders and improve safety.  

Finally, quality services remain essential to everyday life in our neighbourhoods. Residents have consistently told us that snow clearing and neighbourhood cleanliness matter. The City continues working to improve these basic services, particularly in areas like McCauley and Boyle Street where walkability and accessibility are critical for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Together, these priorities reflect Council’s commitment to building strong neighbourhoods, supporting local businesses, and ensuring that Edmonton grows in ways that are sustainable, safe, and welcoming for everyone. I look forward to reporting back to you on how we’re advancing these priorities in the years ahead.

As always, thank you to the many community members, organizations, and businesses who continue to contribute to the life of our communities. If you have ideas, concerns, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office and be sure to sign up for our quarterly newsletter at annestevenson.ca!

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

Yes, it is that time again. We all need to file our taxes. However, if a genius - a Nobel Prize winner in Physics - like Albert Einstein allegedly found income tax confusing, many of the rest of us can relate. March 2nd was the deadline for your T4 slips to be sent or made available (T4 is a statement from an employer or an agency that provides income support: AISH, the Income Support Alberta, or the Canada Pension Plan).

Filing your income tax is important because it allows you to receive refunds, as well as government benefits: the GST/HST credit, Canada Child Benefit, and Canada Workers Benefit. Filing also allows you to avoid penalties. Even if a person has no income, they still need to file to receive these benefits, as well as calculate tuition credits and maintain their eligibility for social programs when applicable. For extensive information about taxes and benefits, visit the Canada.ca website. 

However, the process can be confusing (especially for me!). Thankfully, there are volunteers out there who can help file for low-income people. Here are some of the places where you can find tax help.

Boyle Street Community Services 
(780) 424-4106​
info@boylestreet.org 

e4c
tax.e4calberta.org
This organization will only be doing walk-ins as of April 1st. 

Voice of Albertans with Disabilities
780-488-9088
vad@vadsociety.ca 

Bissell Centre
taxes@bissellcentre.org
bissellcentre.org/programs/community/taxes/

Action For Healthy Communities
825-523-4444 
10578-113 Street NW (walk in to make an appointment)
a4hc.ca/tax-clinic

The deadline for filing is April 30th. 

I look forward to the spring season - and getting my taxes filed!

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

Close to 400 walkers on more than 60 teams walked through downtown Edmonton on February 28th, 2026, for Bissell Centre’s ninth annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser. More than $161,000 was raised to go towards Bissell Centre’s programs in housing, financial empowerment, eviction prevention, family supports, and Indigenous cultural supports. 

Temperatures hit as low as –24 degrees that night with wind chill, but it didn’t deter any walkers from showing up and walking alongside people in need to help strengthen the community. The walk kicked off at YMCA Boyle Street Plaza at 4 p.m., starting with an opening reception where walkers picked up their matching colourful toques before taking to their routes. 

Walkers could choose either a two-kilometre route that took them up to 100th Street, or a five-kilometre route which saw walkers traverse all the way to 109th Street. Once walkers completed their routes, they headed back to Boyle Street Plaza for a complimentary pasta buffet from Bissell Harvest Catering. 

Money raised at Coldest Night of the Year makes a real impact on people in the community. In 2024, Bissell Centre helped house more than 500 people, prevented more than 600 evictions, returned more than $7.6 million through more than 4,000 personal tax filings, and connected hundreds more people to resources to help them live with a better quality of life. 

Next year’s Coldest Night of the Year walk will take place on February 27th, 2027. 

Information submitted by Bissell Centre.

Boa & Hare
#127 inside Pacific Mall 
(97th Street at 105th Avenue)

In movies and novels, we often enjoy the fantasy of secret places known only to insiders: the “if you know, you know” hideouts of the most sophisticated.

Boa & Hare feels just like that fantasy world, a beautiful space hiding inside Pacific Mall in Chinatown that thousands pass by every day. Opened at the end of 2024, it’s run by (brother and sister) Winnie and William Chen, and business partner Wilson Wong. All three have solid street cred: Winnie is chef at downtown hotspot Fu’s Repair Shop, and William and Wilson together run Van Loc, a local favourite for lovers of Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches.

Wanting to revitalize Chinatown, they have created a space that keeps the area active in the day as a place to chat over fancy coffee creations, then turns up that momentum as it morphs into an upscale restaurant/cocktail bar in the evening. Being right along 97th Street, Boa and Hare is easy to walk or bus to, and there’s a parking lot behind the Pacific Mall plus street parking in front.

Our group of four arrived for dinner and drinks with an online reservation and were immediately taken by a constellation of warmly glowing lanterns hanging above the richly decorated lounge. We were seated at a marble-topped table with half-booth seating, along an elaborate mural which drew our eyes deeper into the room, creating an intimate, welcoming atmosphere.

Over fancy coffees while exploring the menu cards, appetizers were in order. The Night Market Popcorn Chicken was the Taiwanese dry style, with Chinese five-spice waking the taste buds, on a bed of crispy greens. The edamame was a level above usual, with soy and sesame oil replacing the typical salt. And the Vietnamese Ca Ri Chips were exquisite shoestring fries, with a side-dipping ramekin of curry gravy.

Those fancy appies readied us for the main course, my first plate being Braised Black Pepper Pork. The meaty cubes were marinated in oyster sauce and soy. If that wasn’t enough umami, they were accompanied by ajitsuke, a ramen-egg with creamy mirin-soy infused yolk. It was a total flavour bomb!

Speaking of ramen, my sweetie ordered the Viet Shaking Beef, but the kitchen was out, so she chose the Ca Ri Vermicelli. Delicate noodles glistened in a flavour-packed curry sauce, topped by two generous skewers of grilled chicken. Our companions also enjoyed the Shoyu-based ramen - and it’s available in vegetarian or gluten-free options too! For desert, we all shared thick rich banana bread, plated amid a ginger-strawberry sauce that had tangy contrast to the sweet banana - clever chef!

Boa & Hare has a great vibe for conversations, so we kept the evening going over some creative cocktails. One highlight was the Lucky Biscuit, a creamy sip with the nuttiness of Amaretto almond and peanut butter blending with egg white, vanilla, and oat milk. I was delighted by the Ume Margarita. Umeshu is a plum-based liquor that joined with lime, Cointreau and tequila made a creative and posh Asian twist on the citrusy classic.

The cocktails capped our joyful evening, and we were surprised at how elegant and premium our experience was. We also were impressed that the Pacific Mall had a security guard who was attentive as we made our way back to our van. There’s no question they’re working to make Chinatown a destination, so we’ll be back again with friends!

For reservations and event hosting visit boaandhare.ca or email hello@boaandhare.ca.

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

That said, I want to give a shout-out to the Block Carriers who deliver the paper in all weather. Some of our carriers have been with us for decades, while others recently joined the team. No matter how long you have been helping get Boyle McCauley News delivered to our readers, thank you!

If you would like to become a Block Carrier, you can let me know at editor@bmcnews.org and I can let you know when (and where) routes become available. You can also contact me if you are interested in writing or photographing for the paper.

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 info: bmcnews.org/membership.

Visit our website (bmcnews.org) for exclusive content, an archive of back issues, 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.

Over these past two decades I have seen a lot of change in the area. Still, these neighbourhoods continue to have a character that remains unique in this city. To that, I credit the people here who are passionate about McCauley and Boyle Street. The area continues to attract residents and visitors because of its unique, diverse, historical nature. 

The paper itself has changed over the years. When I began, it only had spot colour on a few select pages. Now, we print in full colour. Our “website” was one page connected to the McCauley Community League’s site at the time. Today, we have a fully functional website with extra stories, a searchable archive, and many other features. 

What has stayed constant during these decades is the commitment of the community towards the paper. Volunteers remain at the heart of the organization. Whenever we have faced a financial crisis, the community has come together to help save the paper. 

As the paper approaches its 50th anniversary, we will have a lot to celebrate. I’m honoured have been a part of it for this length of time.

The Citizen Initiative Petition on No New Coal Mining in the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains is approved.

The full petition statement is:

“The Government of Alberta shall prohibit through legislation all coal exploration and mining activities within the Eastern Slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains, other than mines that are in actual production as of January 1, 2026. For clarity, this prohibition includes Northback Holdings' Grassy Mountain Project and Valory Resources' Blackstone Project as well as any projects to expand any producing mines.”

A federal and provincial (Alberta Environment Regulator) conducted an Environmental Assessment in 2021 and jointly rejected the development of the mine.

In 2024, The United Conservative Party announced the Alberta Coal Industry Modernization Initiative (CIMI). 

Investigative reporter Brett McKay presents a history of lobbying by the coal industry to overturn previous moratorium on this development here.

McCauley resident Joe Simons explained why he signed. “I am worried that renewed coal operations on the eastern slopes will reduce the water volume, and almost certainly affect water quality downstream clear to Manitoba. This short-sighted play for a few dozen jobs will negatively affect irrigated farms, wetlands, fish and wildlife, and municipal water for a million people for generations.” 

Earth's Refillery Coop (10831 95th Street) has offered table space for signature collection every Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m., and every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m., until June 7th.

The petition period runs until June 10th, 2026

This petition is being conducted in accordance with new Alberta Citizen Initiative Regulation which lowered the number of signatures needed to 177,000. Canvassers are expected to check your ID to confirm you are eligible to sign as an elector (Canadian citizen, at least 18 years of age, and ordinary a resident of Alberta). However, there does not seem to be a mechanism for people without a permanent address (the unhoused) to participate in this Citizen’s Initiative.  I have reached out to the Alberta Government for clarification.

For more information: www.waternotcoal.ca.

Gail Silvius is happily retired and living in McCauley. 

Disclosure: The article’s author and Simons are volunteering on this campaign.

Germay is a McCauley resident and has been attending English as a Second Language classes at the community rink.

Germay volunteered at the rink to help get ready for the McCauley Cup in late January. He shovelled a path in the snow for people to stand.

"It wasn't too heavy," he wrote on the class whiteboard. "The snow was about 30 cm deep. I made a path about 10 metres long."

Driven by passion and powered by song, Jackie Bayne Murray has had an affinity for connecting with others through music since she started singing at the age of eight. In 2025, Jackie performed at Heart of the City and for her it was a full circle moment. 

Jackie remembers working at the Boys and Girls Club after moving to Edmonton from Thompson, Manitoba, where she received her undergraduate degree. Giovanni Caboto Park was familiar. “It was a hub of activity. I was front line with the kids; that’s always been what I’ve always wanted to do.” Jackie then moved on to Early Childhood Special Education for the better part of her career. “We were doing a lot of early childhood movement games. We had a tape recorder, we were recording the kids singing and playing it back and building confidence that way.” 

She retired early in 2017. “That really opened up a whole new world for me. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to do what I do now.”

Jackie is a natural performer. “I’m the youngest of five. Both of my sisters were hippies. When I was about 11, my two brothers and two sisters acted out a song, ‘Rocky Racoon’. They acted that out for my 11th birthday.” 

She sang solo singing performances throughout elementary and during high school Jackie sang in the school choir. A teacher she admired recognized her talent and encouraged her to keep pursuing music. 

Eventually, Jackie learned the guitar so she could accompany her own vocals. “We do a lot of house jams. It’s a lot of fun and it’s nice to have a lot of people there.” She says her musical influences are mostly classic rock and music from the ‘70s such as the Talking Heads and Bob Marley and the Wailers.” She describes her early days of playing: “We’d all sing along and jam and if you had a few songs that you wanted to play, you’d get called up there.” Some of the songs she writes speak to her own personal struggles: “Rising through the struggles like a flame of a fire, fueled by your soul, ignited to inspire.”

Her song “Mom is Her Title but Betty is Her Name” is a testament to the love she has for her family. She enjoys bringing music into her granddaughter’s daycare and her mom’s seniors' centre. Alongside performing, she strives to give a hand to aspiring musicians. She will encourage anyone to take advantage of “any opportunity that you get. It’s really hard to build confidence if you’re not going out there and jamming.” More recently, she has played on Friday nights during the summer with Smile-Edmonton, across the street from Hope Mission. Smile-Edmonton is a group that seeks to help Edmonton’s unhoused community.

“It’s not just for performing, but it’s also for peace of mind. It gives me my peace and lessens my stress and brings me back.” Jackie’s band jacquedup plays in pubs, halls, and at community events like Heart of the City. 

Rachael Roberts is a board member with the Heart of the City Festival, where she has volunteered since 2013, and recently joined the board of Boyle McCauley News. She is a mother, a teacher, and a lifelong Edmontonian who loves this community. 

I write to you on a mild day here in our Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood constituency. Despite the warm temperatures, I know that this winter has been tough for many Albertans, especially our unhoused neighbours who have endured frigid weather and harsh conditions. 

We’ve seen heartbreaking statistics of increased frostbite amputations in our community, and I’ve heard from so many of you who are deeply concerned about the safety of our neighbours. Please know that these concerns are always on my mind as your local representative, and that I remain unequivocally committed to advocating for better - because every Albertan has the right to safety, dignity, and a place to call home. 

I continue to be so proud to represent the Boyle Street and McCauley neighbourhoods in the Legislature and be part of an NDP Caucus team that puts forward tangible solutions to address the issues that you’ve told me are important: access to healthcare, affordability, education, and housing. And as our spring legislative session commences at the end of February, these issues and more will be top of mind.

Last session we put forward legislation to lower household bills, protect workers’ rights, raise the minimum wage, and strengthen our health care and education systems. Disappointingly, the UCP government moved in a completely different direction and voted down all of our proposed legislation. 

They also forced teachers back into overcrowded classrooms, restricted the human rights of trans Albertans, and approved legislation that will cut benefits for disabled Albertans. But as an optimist and believer in change, I want you to know that I remain fully committed to demanding better policies and action from our government, and I won’t stop fighting for the things that matter to you.

Remember, friends, even when things seem dark and hopeless, there is power in community, in solidarity, and in showing up for each other. I promise to keep fighting because I know more than ever that better is possible here in this province and community I love. 

I hope to see you out and about, especially as we get closer to spring. Please continue to share your priorities and concerns with me and my team – we are just an email or phone call away.

Take care of yourselves, and each other.

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

Showing up for one another doesn’t need to mean grand gestures. Sometimes it looks like shopping locally, holding the door for someone, letting a car merge into traffic, or simply offering a wave or a smile. These small moments of recognition and generosity help shape the kind of city we all want to live in.

Across O-day’min, I see this spirit of connection every day. It shows up in volunteers who give their time, in neighbours who look out for one another, and in residents who choose to support local businesses and community spaces. While they seem small, these everyday actions remind us that we are not navigating city life alone and have been proven to have a profound impact on our sense of safety and belonging. 

Staying connected also means knowing what resources are available and feeling welcome to use them. From libraries and recreation centres to transit and skating rinks, these shared spaces are an important part of how we care for one another and stay engaged in city life. If you haven’t been there in a while, consider checking out what’s happening at the Stanley Milner Library, or go for a swim at Commonwealth Rec Centre for a break from the winter weather (and check out the upgraded lockers!). The City Hall skating rink has great events happening too!

These services belong to you. Library cards are free and the City offers great programs like the Access Leisure and Low Income Transit Pass to make sure that recreation, fitness, and cultural activities remain within reach for all individuals and families, supporting both physical and mental wellbeing. If you face barriers to accessing these services, don’t hesitate to reach out to let me know how I can help.

Speaking of staying connected, please be sure to keep in touch with City Hall. My team and I are always eager to learn from your experiences and hear your ideas and concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office, and you can also sign up for my newsletter at annestevenson.ca.

Thank you for continuing to show up for one another and helping make O-day’min a caring and connected place to call home.

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

The community skating rink is a success with so many beautiful souls coming out to find exercise. This welcoming space is created by Roma Stephaniuk, Gail Silvius, and Dan Glugosh. 

There was a delightful New Year’s Eve party with all the usual happenings and folks. We enjoyed skating, food, a bonfire, and could see the early downtown fireworks from the rink.

In the middle of December, Viva Italia District Association (VIDA) and various vendors work together to offer a free festive event called Winter in Little Italy. It took place over two weekends, and during the first weekend on December 7th the McCauley Community League set up a tent and table at the entrance of Giovanni Caboto Park. It was a community offering with a fire and Italian wedding soup. The community league was glad to add to the good energy of  people coming to the festival and people passing by. It was a cheerful affair and many thanks to Holly Payne and Dylan Morgan for their generous hospitality in setting up and hosting for the community league. Thank you to Corine Demas for her cheerful support in the event. Thank you to Dan Glugosh who was working at the rink, getting the ice ready and also helped to bring the community firepit and wood. 

There has been a lot of snow this season and that has created beautiful snowdrifts. Hopefully they stay all winter for our neighbourhood trees to get a good drink in the spring. However, lots of snow on the ground means lots of snow to move and sometimes climb over. This can be time and energy consuming to keep sidewalks maintained so we can move around our neighbourhood. If you need help or can offer help, please reach out to the League at the rink space or online in one of the neighbourhood groups on Facebook like McCauley Neighbours and McCauley Connect & Share Community Aid.

WECAN Food Basket Society distribution will continue at the rink on the third Thursday of the month. For more information, go to wecanfood.com.

Another continuing tradition will be the McCauley Community League Family Day festivities in mid-February. This is traditionally hosted by a neighbourhood family, and all are welcome and invited to come  out to skate, eat, and enjoy the day.

At the end of winter our attention will turn to projects of spring. There will be some upgrades made to the rink space, hopefully including the regrading of the rink asphalt. We will also complete the repairs to the fence that was damaged earlier in the winter by a road accident. 

In the past we have had spring parties and gardening with the Cultivate McCauley group and Sustainable Food Edmonton. This work will be continued. If you would like to participate or be a part of any of these groups, please visit us at the rink space or contact us by email at mccauleycl@gmail.com.

See you in the neighbourhood! 

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

Ruth Sorochan lives in McCauley with her family and is the Communications Director with the McCauley Community League.

Updated February 20th, 2026: Due to cold weather the outdoor Lion Dance and Dragon Dance, and firecracker parade by Lucky 97 has been cancelled. All events and cultural performances are at the Royal Alberta Museum starign at 11:45 a.m. 

The Edmonton Chinatown Business Improvement Area (BIA), in partnership with the Royal Alberta Museum, invites the community to celebrate Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Horse on Sunday, February 22nd, 2026.

First, the outdoor celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. in front of Lucky Supermarket (also known as Lucky 97). This will feature a Dragon Dance, Lion Dance, and firecrackers. 

Then, join us from noon to 3:30 p.m. indoors at the Royal Alberta Museum. This free, family-friendly event will feature Lion Dance and Cree dance performances in the main lobby, along with cultural performances and activities that highlight the traditions and symbolism of the Year of the Horse while celebrating the rich heritage of Edmonton’s Chinatown. 

Residents of McCauley and neighbouring communities are warmly invited to attend and celebrate together.

Information submitted by the Edmonton Chinatown BIA.