Nearly 200 years ago, Charles Dickens (1812-1870) wrote his timeless classic, A Christmas Carol, during the six weeks preceding Christmas. Broke at the time, with his last book still an abject failure, he was struggling to support a large family. He self-published his timeless Christmas Classic on Dec 19th, 1844. It was an immediate success and went into reprint several times before the New Year arrived. It was the turning point of his career. The world is enriched because he believed in himself and overcame his personal challenges in life. 

A prolific and well-disciplined writer, Dickens created numerous classics that people all over the world still make time to read and enjoy. People continue to be inspired by his recurring theme of individual triumph over human adversity and impossible odds. Despite the many modern adaptations available, many prefer his original source with its archaic style of dialogue and prose. He provides supporting detail that brings his characters and tales to life and gives a deeper and more meaningful experience to the reader. His work is credited as the cause of the sweeping social reforms of the Victorian Era. Those transforming changes defined the freedoms of democracy that our entire culture is based upon.

His work is informative, instructive, and accurately depicts the social climate of his time. It covers some of the darkest corners of social experience and the harsh realities that are suffered by many through no fault of their own. Unfortunately, many of the problems and conditions that he wrote about continue to be chronic social issues and concerns today. 

Unfortunately, many of the problems and conditions that he wrote about continue to be chronic social issues and concerns today. 

He was a great humanitarian who valued connection to family and community. He never wavered in his belief that people respond well to opportunities to make a better life for themselves or for others. He had little patience with bureaucratic barriers or materialistic worldviews that interfere with helping the downtrodden improve their living conditions. He defied the conventions of his day to make his stories available to people from all walks of life. He reduced their cost so much that any could read and learn from them. Throughout his own journey from poverty and destitution to wealth with fame and acclaim, he maintained his code of ethics and expected others to do the same.   

His personal tips for success and effectiveness in daily life survive through his most-famous quotes. His messages are as relevant today for people to understand, to appreciate, and to act upon as they were when he first delivered them.

As Dickens tells us, “The most important thing in life is to stop saying ‘I wish’ and to start saying ‘I will.’ ” 

Misty lives in McCauley.

The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly. It promotes the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in every sphere of society.

December 3rd is the noted date. Each year IDPD has a theme. For 2023, the 31st year of IDPD, the theme is “United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for, with, and by persons with disabilities”.

Those living with disabilities are still facing barriers. This is a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice, and prosperity. It is critical that no one is left behind.

This year the only thing happening in Edmonton is a virtual event hosted by Voice of Albertans with Disabilities. This virtual event will have discussion, information, and guest speaker advocates from the Edmonton community, everyone is welcome! It is free but registration is a great way to let the organizers know the capacity. Sign up here.

Ian is a columnist with the paper. He lives in the area.

Seasons Greetings from Heart of the City (HOTC)! We have been hard at work this year with our chosen theme: Reboot. We took advantage of courses and webinars available online and through the Alberta non-profit learning centre. We connected with community leagues and collectives who share common core values to discuss the future growth of the Heart of the City Festival and how we can improve. We continue to discuss the upcoming 20th anniversary in 2024.

HOTC will announce the exact date for our AGM in February, so make sure you are following us on all of our socials or visit our website in the coming weeks. Our website is www.heartcityfest.com, and we’re @heartcityfest on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

For National Volunteer Week coming up in April, we have plans in the works for a volunteer-focused event so we can celebrate and show appreciation for all of our volunteers: past, present, and future! For almost 20 years Heart of the City has been run completely by volunteers - community members with full-time jobs, commitments, families, and challenges. The festival’s many years of growth and success are thanks to each volunteer who has donated their time and skill, even just for a couple of hours.

In 2017, when I had far too many jobs, a friend reached out in search of volunteers for the Heart of the City Music and Arts Festival. I didn’t really have the availability, but this friend was impossible to say no to. Before I knew it, I was side stage, working as an assistant stage manager, something I thought I’d never get the chance to do. I did not hesitate to accept an offer to join the board, and I will be forever grateful that I did. I have learned so much over the years, made new friends, and gained experience in an industry I am passionate about.

I am so happy that James Jarvis was that person who was impossible to refuse. James passed away suddenly in October. James, thank you for your many years as a volunteer and board member, and your never-ending support to the festival. We will miss you greatly. 

We here at Heart of the City hope the readers of Boyle McCauley News and all community members find time for joy this holiday season and we wish you all the best in the new year.

Jacqueline is the Producer and Director of Marketing and Communications with HOTC.

Mike Siek moved to McCauley in 2008. He has worked for a local alternative newspaper and is a filmmaker. He began his work in community development when fellow Heart of the City (HOTC) board member, Rylan Kafara, hired him to work at Boyle Street Community Services. He is currently working at e4c as a Community Developer. Mike can’t remember exactly how long he served on the board of Heart of the City. Our best guess is that he served for 12 years before he retired in 2022.

“When I moved into this neighbourhood, I moved away from the outskirts of the city where all the houses kind of look the same and nobody talks to each other,” Mike says. “As soon as I started working in the yard, I realized that everyone talks to each other here; there’s constantly people chatting about the neighbourhood and talking about things. I started to meet the neighbours. Part of my goal in moving into the neighbourhood was to get involved in community and volunteering. You know - spend less time working and more time living.”

Mike discovered the festival when he could hear it from his house, and began volunteering shortly thereafter. “I went over. I had a good time. Then I saw an article in the [Boyle McCauley News] that said if you’d like to be involved, come to the Boys and Girls Club.” He went and at that meeting became part of the festival’s Board of Directors.

When it comes to the kind of art he makes, Mike says, “I am mostly a musician. I do art otherwise, when the fancy strikes. I have a little space set up in my living room where I can do art, but for the most part I play guitar and noodle about recording and playing music with friends. That’s my release.” 

What sustains Mike as a musician “is the music itself. I’m mostly about creating music with other people and building in-the-moment musical relations. It’s like a conversation or a game or a sport, all of these things combined, you’re reading what this person has put out. You are trying to create with that person. You are building a language together. It’s all really interesting. The process of making music is what sustains me.” 

Mike has played in many Edmonton bands, including The Skips, Brother Octopus, Spring Crush, and, most recently, the band he founded with Patrick Pillay and John Aram called Funk Cove. At the time of writing this article, Funk Cove was scheduled to open for Boney M at the River Cree Casino in late November. You can check Funk Cove out at their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/funkcove). 

On volunteering in the community, Mike says, “I have an able body and some skills, so I try to make community events run more smoothly. Sometimes I’m a DJ at a Halloween event or I’m helping set up tables at another. Often I’m bringing folks from my work trying to get them involved and engaged in those events. It’s pretty much whatever I can get my fingers into in a way that helps as best I can when I can.” 

He adds, with his characteristic humility, “I do small things in small ways in a small community. I’m not doing anything amazing, just living. I’m just a human. I’m struggling and doing what I can. The types of things I like doing just happen to be art and community-based.”

Check out Funk Cove's cover of "Keep Bringing Me Back" here.

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

Are you looking for a way to volunteer in your community? Are you passionate about creating welcoming gathering spaces? Do you want to be part of something with lasting impact?

The McCauley Community League (MCL) is very excited to share that we are moving into the next phase of planning and design to replace our current rink shack with a new pavilion. We’d like to invite interested residents to be part of the project committee to help make it happen. A wide range of skills and experience are needed and welcome including project management, building design and construction, grant writing, administration, fundraising, communications, and more.

Please contact Corine Demas at league@mccauleycl.com.

The City of Edmonton has rules about who is responsible for cleaning up abandoned trash and snow/ice removal on boulevards and sidewalks. The Community Standards Bylaw requires property owners to manage the garbage and remove the snow and ice on the sidewalk and boulevard near their property. 

Property owners are responsible for cleaning up the garbage even if they didn’t put it there. Owners are also responsible for cutting the grass and maintaining the boulevards in front of their property.

Property owners include owners of private property and businesses as well as non-profit organizations, such as churches, social agencies, etc. 

If a property owner fails to maintain the boulevard near their property, or remove abandoned trash near their property, or clear the nearby sidewalk of snow and ice, you can complain to the City by calling 311. If a City Bylaw Officer validates your complaint, the City may clean up the site of garbage and remove the ice and snow and charge the property owner with the cost of the clean-up and/or issue a ticket. 

When a property is located beside a laneway, the owner is also responsible for maintaining the area to the centre of the laneway. The property owner on the other side of the laneway is responsible for maintaining the area to the middle of the laneway. 

All property owners are responsible for ensuring the sidewalks around their property and the area between the boulevard and halfway into the street are free from garbage. The bottom line is that if someone abandons a mattress or other garbage on the sidewalk near a property or on the boulevard or on the street in front of the property, the owner is responsible for removing it. 

The bottom line is that if someone abandons a mattress or other garbage on the sidewalk near a property or on the boulevard or on the street in front of the property, the owner is responsible for removing it. 

The Community Standards Bylaw also requires property owners to clear sidewalks of snow and ice around their property as soon as possible after it snows. However, there is no timeframe for when snow and ice must be removed. 

The City standard for a “clean” sidewalk is that all the snow and ice is cleared to the cement/asphalt for the entire width and length of the sidewalk. Sand, gravel, and/or ice melt can be spread on the sidewalk as a temporary measure while the snow and ice is being removed.

Failure to maintain your sidewalks free of ice and snow could result in a $100 fine plus the cost of their removal. Fines can be appealed.

Free sand is available in a box by the rink on 96th Street. Seniors needing help with snow and ice removal can call 311 or 211 to connect with the Edmonton Seniors Home Support Program. You can also access information about the program at https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/for_seniors/help-around-the-home.

Phil lives in McCauley.

“Nothing about us without us.” - A phrase originating from political movements in Poland in the 1500s and became used in disability activism in the 1990s.

The above phrase has been adopted by the disability community worldwide as a way to say that decisions about us should include us. And I’m very happy to say it is actively recognized in our city!

Consultations on upcoming civic building, renovations, and other developments now include persons with disabilities, whether they are physical, cognitive, or impairments with vision or hearing.

After a few hiccups, the Valley Line LRT has opened with a stop in The Quarters, part of our community, at 9516 102nd Avenue. The station provides transit to Mill Woods and in the other direction to 102nd Avenue and 102nd Street, just by City Centre Mall and Churchill Square.

I was honoured to be involved with the consultation on accessibility from the start of the Valley Line construction, along with several other accessibility advocates, representatives from organizations, everyday citizens, and members of municipal and provincial groups.

You will see many improvements in the Valley Line LRT trains and stations. There are tactile textures on the ground to let you know you are close to the track. My favourite change is that one no longer has to push a button to open the accessible doors to the train. Those doors open by themselves, while the other doors have a button. There is a red button with the International Symbol of Access at the accessible doors if you need a ramp. The ramp comes down quickly and does not have a big gap.

The seats are colour-coded. Green is for accessible seating and blue for regular. There are padded areas if you need to stand and lean. Every stop is equipped with ramps. The Davies stop, which is raised, has an elevator to get to street level. I find the ride to be very smooth. Crossing the Tawatinâ Bridge over the North Saskatchewan River is beautiful.

Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) offers the Mobility Choices Training Program. For information, visit: https://transforming.edmonton.ca/accessibility-on-transit-ets-travel-training/. You can also call 780-496-3000 or email ETSCustomerTraining@edmonton.ca. I can confirm from experience that this free program is great. Someone can ride along with you, teach you schedule planning, and make your ride on the bus or LRT pleasurable, accessible, and safe!

Ian is a columnist with the paper. He lives in the area.

ritual music
echoes in the bustling mall
hasty vibrations

liminal week of
inbetweeness, introvert 
catnip and slumber

fresh calendar year
resolute in its blank state
look before you leap

Problem properties are occupied or vacant properties that have serious negative impacts on the community, as well as on the people living or working there. They cause frequent and serious safety concerns and complaints to the City of Edmonton. 

Edmonton’s Problem Property Initiative (PPI) coordinates several teams to address issues at problem properties. These teams are composed of representatives from multiple City departments, the Edmonton Police Service, Alberta Health Services, and the Government of Alberta.

Increased funding, more resources, faster action
In 2022, City Council approved funding to implement the long term strategy to address problem properties. Since then, the PPI’s teams have expanded and more problem property files are being resolved.

The Problem Properties Team (PPT) is composed of Municipal Enforcement Officers (MEOs) dedicated to the neighbourhoods most affected by problem properties. These officers can issue enforcement orders related to a variety of nuisance conditions. Between August 2022 and September 2023, the team conducted approximately 2,300 inspections and issued 862 enforcement orders.

The Community Property Safety Team (CPST) reduces fire risk in Edmonton by ensuring vacant properties are secured at the landowner's expense. Between April 2022 and September 2023, the team inspected 593 properties that were known or suspected to be unsecured vacant properties (UVPs), issued 295 enforcement orders, and secured 320 UVPs.

Demolitions eliminate unsafe vacant buildings
PPI partners bring different regulations and enforcement approaches to the initiative. This helps create multiple pathways to demolish unsafe, vacant buildings. 

Enforcement orders issued by PPT and CPST are making it increasingly costly for owners to neglect their problem properties. As a result, many unsafe, vacant properties are being demolished by their owners. 

Where owners continue to neglect their properties, PPT can now facilitate the demolition of smaller buildings such as garages that are in extreme states of disrepair. And the PPI’s Demolition Assessment and Response Committee (DARC) is combining the resources of four City areas to speed up the demolition of larger, unsafe structures.

All vacant buildings, including those in the process towards demolition, are monitored to ensure that they are secure and inaccessible to the public. When needed, fencing and 24-hour security can be ordered at the property owner’s expense. 

New tax subclass increases taxes at derelict residential properties
On October 5th, 2023, City Council approved a new tax subclass for derelict residential properties in mature areas. Edmonton is the first city in Canada to make a subclass specifically for derelict properties as part of a larger effort to combat problem properties and encourage community vibrancy.

New Resources Addressing Issues at Problem PropertiesStarting in 2024, the new derelict tax subclass can be applied to residential properties in mature neighbourhoods that show serious signs of neglect, are dilapidated, are falling into significant disrepair, or are unlivable. The subclass will allow the City to charge a higher tax rate to owners of such properties.

“The derelict tax subclass is a new tool in the City’s toolbox for addressing the harmful impact that derelict and problem residential properties can have,” said Cate Watt, Branch Manager, Assessment and Taxation. “Managing derelict properties often comes with additional costs to the City and a higher tax rate will help to cover those costs while encouraging property owners to clean up derelict houses. We hope this will play a role in improving the vibrancy of mature neighbourhoods in the long run.”

For more information:
edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties
edmonton.ca/DerelictSubclass 

Information provided by the City of Edmonton.

The newly-constructed Italian Bakery at 10644 - 97th Street opened for business on October 2nd. This was a major event, as the original building had burned to the ground in 2020. Between a devastating fire and the pandemic that arrived at about the same time, this long-time, three-generation family business (see sidebar) was severely challenged. There were material shortages and contractor challenges related to COVID-19. 

But the outcome is a larger and more extensive range of products and services in an exceptionally attractive and functional space. The new bakery, of course, offers the traditional wide array of pastries and bread and doughnuts. It has also expanded to include fresh pasta and pizza, as well as ice cream and deli/grocery items, including ice cream and milk.

A visitor immediately senses the collegial relationship among staff and their interest in offering a “happy” customer experience. Co-owner Rosaly DeVenz says they run their business like a family. They are a family, as her partner in the business is her brother Renato Frattin and several employees past and present are relatives. “It’s in the blood,” DeVenz says.

The employees are unconditionally respected and supported and therefore often continue to work for the bakery for decades. 

“For us, it is natural to take care of staff,” DeVenz says. “If a single mom has a sick child, we send her home to look after her family. If you do that, the employees will give you 20 times more when they are back on the job. You are nothing without your staff.”

When asked about secrets of success, DeVenz mentions hard work and good recipes. “Wholesale contracts have kept us in business,” she says. “As just one example, since the 1970s we have been providing the hot dog buns for Northlands and now Rogers Place.”

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

An Italian Bakery in Chinatown

Why is an Italian bakery in the middle of what is now Chinatown?

Antonio and Aurora Frattin opened a small bakery on 93rd Street in 1960, and in 1962 moved to the current location on 97th Street. At the time, many recent Italian immigrants like the Frattins lived, worked, and played in that neighbourhood. The 97th Street location included an apartment above the business, which was the Frattin family’s home. Five children grew up in the apartment and helped to operate the family business from their earliest years. 

The new structure includes an apartment that was meant to be a retirement residence for Antonio and Aurora. Sadly, though, they both died in 2022.

Viet Huong Noodle House
10715 98th Street
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Tuesday through Sunday
Phone: (780) 424-9910

Edmontonians often think of only 97th Street as being “Chinatown”, but Boyle Street and McCauley residents know that there are plenty of interesting places to eat clustered just a block west on 98th Street. While there are some new or renewed ones, such as Van Loc and Delicious Pho which we mentioned in previous issues, there are also some old school places that have built a steady clientele over many years.

One such original restaurant that I’ve been returning to is Viet Huong Noodle House, just south of 107th Avenue at 10715 98th Street. Relaxed and homey, Viet Huong is hidden in plain sight. Due to recent construction works in front, you might not immediately see it, but parking is available just a little further along, and rear parking will still be accessible.

Inside is a fairly large space with all sizes of tables in ebony-coloured wood, as well as a TV and an aquarium. On the left you’ll see an ATM and BitCoin machine, which is handy because it’s cash-only, as many small restaurants are. Fridays and weekends are their busiest times (even for Vietnamese breakfast or a leisurely and social Sunday afternoon), but it’s never crowded. I find it’s a wonderful home-like spot where you can enjoy long uncrowded conversations with no rush at all. When I say “home-like,” that compliment applies not only to the atmosphere, but also to the hospitality and flavours.

The owner is very friendly and welcoming, treating guests like family, with warmth and relaxed respect. When I spilled my tea all over the table, he was quick to wipe it up for us. While I was embarrassed at my clumsy mess, he was not at all upset, instead caring and only wanting to make it clean and comfortable for us again.

Comfortable is the theme here. I’d certainly call the cuisine Vietnamese comfort food.

We started with spring rolls, which were small and crispy, the filling having a contrasting creaminess. We couldn’t figure out what created the texture, but we enjoyed how it felt  similar to the way that cream cheese or mashed potatoes are comforting. I also ordered a green onion cake, and it arrived perfectly golden. With a sweet hot chill sauce on the side it was ideal during the recent cold weather.

The menu is quite extensive, especially for soups, so we chose Thai Noodle Soup with Seafood (Sour & Spicy), as there’s more than just Vietnamese. The fish balls were plentiful, as were fine noodles covered by a fish-based broth with red chili oil shimmering above. We also tried seafood pho for a non-spicy alternative. It had just the right amount of sea-saltiness, as well as some sorrel or gai lan for a green touch next to the shrimp. Next up was Beef Fried in Lemongrass with Spring Rolls and Vermicelli. This combination of tangy grilled meat, crispy salad, and noodles makes a terrific one-person meal, as you get everything in one big bowl. 

And finally (followed by endless tea), for another hearty and complete meal in itself was the rice plate with a fried egg and pork prepared three ways: shredded, grilled, and as a patty, accompanied by plenty of green scallions.

Prices are very reasonable, with most items being $16 or less. A very relaxing and friendly spot indeed!

Alan lives in McCauley. He is the Chair of the paper’s Board of Directors.

I know that things can feel heavy these days, both globally and here closer to home. Caring for ourselves and our loved ones feels more important than ever right now. But we know that it’s also so important to care for our neighbours and our local communities, and to build and strengthen our community ties.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about community care, something that we see a lot of throughout our neighbourhoods of Boyle Street and McCauley. This comes in many forms, like checking in on neighbours or sharing a meal. For people on the receiving end, these moments of care can make all the difference.

I’ve also seen folks in our community fight tirelessly for change, whether through advocating for their unhoused neighbours, pushing for accessible healthcare for all, or standing together against bigotry and hate. It’s these things that make me prouder than ever to be your MLA, and it’s truly an honour to work alongside you to make our communities, and our world, safer, more equitable, and better for everyone.

I hear from you every day that you want to see action on a number of issues: the housing crisis, mental health, the drug poisoning crisis, climate change, public healthcare, a robust education system, and other vital ground-level supports. I couldn’t agree more, and I’m proud that I’m a part of the Alberta NDP team that is in the Legislature right now fighting for these very things. 

This session, we’re proposing real action on these issues. We’re tabling legislation on class sizes through reinstating class size reporting. We’re standing up for our public healthcare system, and the workers who support it, by fighting the government’s plans to balloon the bureaucracy and add more layers. And as the Official Opposition Critic for Housing, I’m so proud to be introducing a private member’s bill that includes greater investments in affordable housing and action on skyrocketing rents. 

As always, I want to hear from you. Please reach out, and know that as always, I’m here.

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

I filed my 50th article for the paper on November 12th. This current piece is about the rebuilding of a bigger and better Italian Bakery on 97th Street after a devastating fire. My first contribution, in March of 2017, was about the new Hyatt Place Hotel (now DoubleTree by Hilton).

All of the other interviews and research I did over the years have allowed me to meet talented and interesting members of this neighbourhood and to learn more about Boyle Street and McCauley’s unique culture and history. 

At times, there was uncomfortable or sensitive controversy and debate. More commonly, it was just difficult to track down the right people to interview. But it has all been well worth the effort.

For various reasons, I am now planning to contribute less regularly, or perhaps not at all. So I want to thank Boyle McCauley News for giving a retiree a great volunteer opportunity. Much better (for me) than bridge tournaments or playing pickleball!

-Anita Jenkins

Dr. Bob McKeon received the 2023 Kevin Carr Christian Leadership Award at a ceremony and luncheon hosted at the Santa Maria Goretti Centre on October 24th. Kevin Carr was the seventh president of Newman Theological College (1993-2001), the first layperson appointed to the position. The award recognizes individuals whose outstanding Christian leadership, witness, and service reflect the qualities exhibited by Kevin Carr in his work. 

A lifelong advocate for social justice, Bob has served on numerous boards, created new initiatives, and consistently volunteered to help others, especially in the areas of housing and food security. Among his many contributions, he is a founding member of the Edmonton Food Bank (formerly the Edmonton Gleaners Association), the Right at Home Society (formerly Edmonton Inner City Housing), and the Inn Roads Housing Cooperative.

Bob was a long-time resident of McCauley, was an instrumental part of this community newspaper from its inception, and continues to volunteer with Boyle McCauley News as a Block Carrier. 

Bob was nominated by McCauley resident Kate Quinn who has served alongside Bob in many community capacities.

With information provided by Newman Theological College.

Welcome to our final issue of 2023! First, some expressions of gratitude. After serving the maximum number of terms in a row, John Gee and Karen Matthews have stepped down from the paper’s Board of Directors. Anita Jenkins has also decided to step down after five years on our board. I thank all of them for their invaluable service as volunteers.

We also welcome Diana van der Stoel,  Beth Storheim, and John Kolkman to our board. Diana and Beth are new to the paper, while John has a long history that goes back almost to the paper’s beginnings. Thank you all for stepping up to serve on the board.

Speaking of volunteers, if you would like to sign up for a shift (or two) for our casino coming up on February 28th and 29th at Pure Casino Yellowhead, send me a message at  editor@bmcnews.org and I will forward your information to Colleen Chapman, our Volunteer Coordinator who is organizing the casino. 

For exclusive news and content concerning community news and events, please visit bmcnews.org regularly, where you can subscribe to our free e-newsletter. You can also sign up to become a member of the society that operates the paper - it’s free and you will occasionally receive information specifically for members.  

Enjoy the issue. Have a wonderful holiday season and new year.

Last year, I began doing something that was both new for me and out of character: I began playing organized sports.

I’m the athletic one in the family. If any of you know my family (or at least know me well enough), this should elicit peals of laughter. My feats of athleticism have been limited to walks, bike rides, and shooting baskets by myself  in schoolyards near my home. 

Last year, in an effort to meet new people and make some healthier life choices, I joined a non-competitive women’s basketball group. We don’t keep score, we have no referee, and body contact is  not permitted (at least, not deliberately). Once a week I join with other mature women in a public school gymnasium as we dribble, pass, and shoot. In fact, I’ve gotten a reputation for making baskets from as far back as the foul line. However, in reality I miss as many baskets as I make.

Which got me thinking: if I didn’t take any shots, then I would at once never miss, yet always miss. As the saying goes, which is believed to originate with hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, you miss 100% of the shots you never take. 

That saying can be applied as a metaphor to many opportunities that life presents us: applying for jobs, going back to school, or simply trying something new. I’ve known many people who avoided doing something out of fear of failure. Or maybe what holds someone back is a fear of success. But if you don’t try, you will never know what the outcome ultimately would have been.

So I am going to continue taking those long shots. When I make a basket I will celebrate, and when I miss I will shrug it off and try to do better next time.

No one becomes houseless by choice. Who are those people, living in the tents outside, standing in line to receive a bit of free food, and shivering from the cold? 

For us who live in warm houses and have food every day, it is difficult to imagine that somewhere outside there are people who are cold, who have nothing to eat, as well as do not have roofs over their heads. Certainly, it is easy to lower your head and imagine as if you do not notice them. When I look at those people standing in lines, I imagine them as being very similar to us. They all went to school and had plans regarding the future, but life turned out differently. 

World Homeless Day was observed on October 10th. This was a day to remind ourselves that every person is firstly a human and requires our help, since each one of us could have ended up being in a similar situation. Many individuals ended up in this situation as a result of many reasons: the inability to provide for themselves as a result of losing stable employment, various mental illnesses, being addicted to alcohol or drugs, or because the individual is lonely and no one wants them. None of us ever imagines that we can become houseless. A war or natural disaster can strike at any moment - no one is insured from that. 

Many organizations provide the houseless with free food, but that is only the fish being put on the table. It is better to give them the hook to be able to catch that fish by providing the houseless with stable employment. When an individual is sinking, we throw a life jacket to help those individuals survive. In a similar manner, we need to stretch a helping hand to the houseless when they need it the most. The opportunity must be provided for the houseless before they become indifferent towards living. If even one out of ten broken fates will be changed, that is already a success. 

In order to improve the situation for the houseless, it is important to provide them with the basic means of survival through social housing and expanded social programs. We are all humans, and we all can fall. If we stretch our helping hand to the fallen, one day we will always be given that helping hand. 

Natanel Krieksfeld is a grade 10 student at St. Joseph High School.

The Inner City Kids Safe Halloween party on October 31 at the McCauley Rink was another success, with lots of fun for kids and their adults. It was volunteer-driven once again by lead organizer Shelley Hollingsworth, and sponsored in part by e4c and the McCauley Community League. Here's a look!

The Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC) is a community full of love, caring, and support. In this and future articles, we will inform readers of the non-profit organizations operating in the EIC facility in order to bring light to their many good deeds.

MFRS was founded in 2005 out of the aspirations of parents from numerous ethnocultural communities that identified the need for group programs to assist with integration into Canadian culture, which was culturally responsive and linguistically specific. Eighteen years later, THRIVE (ethnocultural parent-child programs) is still going strong providing groups for nine ethnocultural linguistic communities in Edmonton. 

MFRS programming has expanded over the years and now includes English for Community Integration classes. There, participants improve their English skills and their ability to use numbers in a safe and welcoming environment. Those new skills improve their confidence and self-esteem, and help them integrate into the community.

MFRS provides an innovative model of holistic support for newcomers facing complex barriers and challenges at the MFRS Family Support Office located in North Central Edmonton at 13026 97th Street.

Their work across these programs is guided by four principles: being Relational and Culturally Responsive, fostering Empowerment, and using Participatory programming.

Relational: A way of interaction with and within the community in which they take time to listen, care, connect, and love to build mutual support hand in hand.

Culturally Responsive: Safe spaces to maintain a home culture and adapt to new connections and diversity; and develop a deeper understanding of cultures that are always changing.

Empowerment: Building community and working together to share space, opportunities, skills, and knowledge for mutual learning, self-determination, and ultimately, well-being.

Participatory: Participants identify what’s important to them, what they need, and what they want to achieve. This program meets participants where they are at and supports them in reaching their goals.

For more information, visit: https://mfrsedmonton.org/

Information provided by the Edmonton Intercultural Centre.

For the seccond year in a row, the Standing Together Orange Shirt Day Community Walk took place on September 30. Participants gathered at Mary Burlie Park, then walked to Giovanni Caboto Park for a gathering. The walk was supported by YWCA Edmonton, Bissell Centre, and the City of Edmonton. 

Photos by Paula E. Kirman

A new mural was completed behind China Marble on the weekend of September 23rd. "White Tiger of the West" was created by Branden Cha and is the first of a four-part mural series that will see different animal-themed murals go up in various parts of Chinatown. The mural symbolizes the area's unity, existence, and longetivity.

This year’s Edmonton Chinatown’s Summer Festival took place on August 20th on 98th Street between 105th and 107A Avenues. The street was packed with people enjoying the performances, market, food trucks, and other activities. One of the highlights was a simultaneous Lion and Dragon Dance presented by several groups together, as well as an appearance by Hunter, the mascot of the Edmonton Oilers. The event was organized by the Chinatown and Area Business Association with support from the City of Edmonton. Here’s a look!

Photos by Paula E. Kirman

The Boyle McCauley Pharmacy recently moved to a new location in Central McDougall. This relocation was not their choice. They chose to open and invest in McCauley in 2012, thinking they were a welcome and needed community business. As a renter, your future is never secure when owners have other plans. The pharmacy’s lease was not renewed in May. An eviction notice was delivered to vacate by August 31st.

I am a patient of the pharmacy. The relocation of the pharmacy means I can no longer walk a few blocks to pick up prescriptions. I recognize I am a patient with privileges. I have a car and can drive to the new location. I am able-bodied and can walk to the new location. I imagine that many of the 3,000 pharmacy patients do not have cars and struggle with various physical and mental health issues. It will be harder for them to adjust to this new location, although the pharmacy will continue to deliver to home-bound patients.

I recently had the privilege to be in a major European city. There were small pharmacies every one to three blocks. I know, because I easily found one to purchase a medication. Communities benefit from small, friendly pharmacies where you are welcomed by name. This is what the Boyle McCauley Pharmacy offers its patients.

Another displacement involves replacing sidewalks, creating bike paths and multi-purpose trails, raising intersections, making 92nd Street one-way, and adding corner extensions. At one Neighbourhood Renewal meeting, a few of us questioned the need for the scale of these changes at this time. We stated we would rather the City spend taxpayer money now on increasing affordable and supportive housing as one solution to encampments. But, that’s a different department budget. These changes are a strange priority while people still languish in their tents and the whole community is impacted. New streetscapes alone can’t change harsh realities.

Neighbours along 108A Avenue invested time and money in beautifying the avenue by planting flowers and shrubs beyond the fence line. One of the first City ideas was to remove the beautiful old elm trees. Community input changed that. However, the flowers and shrubs had to go. Our neighbour made the best of this by transplanting some flowers to encircle the trees. We relocated two of his plants to our front garden so he can see those continue to flourish. Creative coping.

Kate is a longtime resident of McCauley.

Friends,

Happy fall! Like so many of you, I’m a big fan of summer, and I’ve done my best to take advantage of the warm weather and the sunny days that we’ve had over the past few months. I was so happy to connect with many of you at community events this summer. I may be wearing more flannel as we move into fall, but you can still expect to see me out and about – and I’m looking forward to seeing you, too.

Anytime I’m in our Boyle Street and McCauley neighbourhoods (which is a lot!), I’m proud to say that I’m most struck by the great work that I see you all doing together to take care of each other. Last year at this time, I’d written that I’d heard from so many of you that times were tough – for some, tougher than they’d ever been. We know that this trend has continued over the past year. Food, transportation, and housing costs are getting more expensive by the day, our overloaded healthcare system is straining to meet the needs of Albertans, and many of you are concerned about ensuring the health and safety of our neighbours.

My colleagues and I are headed back to the Legislature at the end of October, and I’m ready to keep fighting for our communities here in Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood. You’re telling me that you want to see action on a number of issues: affordable housing, mental health, the drug poisoning crisis, accessible healthcare, a robust education system, and other vital ground-level supports. I couldn’t agree more. I’ll keep pushing for this action, and I’ll keep amplifying your voices at every opportunity.

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to continuing to connect with you, and to celebrate all the ways in which our community comes together. Whether it’s on housing, healthcare, education, or any issues that are top of mind for you, I want to hear from you. Please reach out, and know that as always, I’m here.

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

Originally from Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, Heather Bouchier has been in Edmonton since 2005. She attended fashion design school in Saskatoon and has been sewing since 2001.

Heather’s design aesthetic includes the use of thrifting and upcycling with some traditional techniques and materials. She is inspired by vintage styles and blends them with modern design. She owns her own business as a custom seamstress, costume designer, tailor, and jewelry artist.

Heather has shown her collections all over North America and Japan. She completed an Artist Residency at the Banff Centre For Art and Creativity for Indigenous Haute Couture. One of Bouchier’s award winning gowns was featured in Chatelaine’s Spring 2023 issue.

Heather serves as Fashion Director for the Heart of the City Festival Society of Edmonton and is the Creative Director of the Indigenous Empowerment Fashion Collective. This organization focuses on creating opportunities for Indigenous people who wish to follow dreams in the fashion industry.

Heather produced the first Heart of the City Fashion Show as a consultant and contractor. The next year at our AGM, Bouchier was invited to join the board as our first Fashion Director. She and the board successfully produced a second Indigenous Fashion Show in 2022. Bouchier tells us that Heart of the City is in the midst of producing the third annual event coming up in November of 2023.

I asked Heather to describe her fashion. “I like to create gowns haute couture style and I also like to incorporate my culture by using traditional techniques. I like to utilize traditional materials such as horse hair beadwork. I’m learning how to porcupine quill and use dentalium shells which used to be used as currency in the old days. I also utilize traditional methods of dying horse hair and things like that to bring the traditional methods to use in a modern sense,” she said.

“Something that I use in my current aesthetic is a mix of avant garde along with my inspiration to upcycle and thrift,” she continues. “The older I’ve gotten, the more climate change has become important to me. It’s always been important to me to upcycle. When I was younger we were very poor, when we got clothes we would be thrifting them and it is one of the teachings that we have in Indigenous culture not to be wasteful and so whenever I make things with leather, I find ways to use the scraps.”

Heather speaks of founding and running the Indigenous Empowerment Fashion Collective. “I would love to see more Indigenous fashion shows in Edmonton, big events, sponsored events. We are hoping to turn Edmonton into a hub for Indigenous fashion and art. That will create opportunities for everyone who wants to work in the fashion industry. What we are trying to do is to change the fashion industry at a grassroots level. We are trying to create events that will not only enrich the fashion designers and organizers, but also enrich our models, photographers, hair stylists, and other artists involved in the fashion world.”

Heather’s work can be found on Instagram and Facebook @heatherbouchierdesign.

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

The Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC) is a community full of love, caring, and support. In this and future articles, we will inform readers of the non-profit organizations operating in the EIC facility in order to bring light to their many good deeds.

The Edmonton Multicultural Coalition (EMC) was formed in 2007 by Dr. Lucenia Ortiz as a sister organization to the Multicultural Health Brokers to take on advocacy activities on behalf of immigrants and refugees. Over time, it has evolved to focus on building the capacity of individuals and organizations from ethnocultural communities. In July of 2018, EMC members adopted a new mission statement that shifts EMC to taking an intercultural approach in its work.

This intercultural approach focuses on building relationships between ethnocultural communities, Indigenous peoples/organizations, and the mainstream culture, which can lead to mutual and reciprocal transformation. As the Coalition is a small organization with limited resources, most of its work is done through collaboration, as we combine a community and systems approach.

The Coalition connects with other immigrant and refugee communities, learns about initiatives, successes and barriers in other communities, and has opportunities to engage with policymakers, funders, or mainstream agencies and organizations. It is a safe, inclusive, culturally relevant space that fosters openness, sharing, honesty, collaboration, and personal leadership.

EMC’s leadership development training strengthens the capacities of leaders from ethnocultural communities to create opportunities where these leadership skills could be practised within their organizations, in their communities and neighbourhoods, and in the larger society. Beyond capacity building, leadership development deepens their awareness of community issues and finds solutions to these within their cultural context and builds creative and respectful collaborations with organizations and agencies serving their communities.

Community animation opens the door for relationship building between one’s ethnocultural community and external stakeholders, including the City of Edmonton, the provincial and federal governments, and voluntary sector organizations. The training offered by the Coalition supports new and ongoing animators

• to develop their informal leadership in the community,
• to become objective and socially conscious effective motivators throughout the changing dynamics in the community,
• to be facilitators and,
• to develop their ability to share information, ideas, with and to inspire other leaders in the community.

Community-based research is an opportunity for community members to be trained as community researchers, to practise developing and articulating their ideas to each other in the community and, ultimately, to prepare to articulate their ideas to policymakers and funders.

Collaborative, group, and one-on-one support is provided at monthly meetings where community members help each other, including access to space, sharing of ideas, connections with key contact people, event and program coordination, and unique resource people found in each community. One-on-one support is also available from the coordinator.

ECM contributes to strengthening the richness of a multicultural society and making active citizenship a daily reality. For more information, visit: www.emcoalition.ca.

Information provided by the Edmonton Intercultural Centre.

Hello readers! I’m so happy to connect with you again. I hope you’ve all had time to enjoy summer in the city and all the great events our community has to offer.

The first phase of Neighbourhood Renewal has begun in Boyle Street and McCauley! As exciting as this new infrastructure is, I know that the construction phase can come with its disruptions and frustrations. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the project manager, Felix Lam, at 780-944-7695. You can also sign up for project email notices at edmonton.ca/BuildingBoyleStreetandMcCauley.

In October at City Hall, we’ll be talking about our corporate and city-wide housing strategy. I know how big of an impact homelessness is having in our community – not only for those experiencing homelessness but for all residents and businesses in the area. I’ll be advocating for strategic approaches that make the most out of the City’s resources and ensure that we continue to advocate for other orders of government to do their part, too. There’s been some encouraging news recently on that front: the Province announced 300 new shelter beds for Edmonton this winter, which will all be located in areas outside of the city centre. I think this is a good first step in relieving the pressures being felt across McCauley and Boyle Street.

Another big item at City Council will be the proposed new Zoning Bylaw. Our city looks a lot different than it did in the 1970s. The population has more than doubled, we have almost 25 km of LRT track, and far fewer bell bottoms (though moustaches seem to be making a comeback!). Despite all of these changes, the growth of our city is still dictated by many zoning rules that were set down in the 1970s, and even earlier! The Zoning Bylaw Renewal project has been looking at bringing our land use regulations into the 21st century and is an exciting opportunity to set Edmonton up for success in the years to come. For those who haven’t been involved already, I encourage you to get more information at edmonton.ca/zoningbylawrenewal and share your thoughts with City Council at the Public Hearing on October 16.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to reach out or say hello in recent months. Please never hesitate to call 311 or connect with my office at anne.stevenson@edmonton.ca or 780-496-8333 for information or assistance with City programs and services. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the changing seasons.

The McCauley Community League (MCL) is happy to report that we had a successful Annual General Meeting on June 28th at which we served food from Kim Fat Market, cotton candy, and drinks. We even had a candy bar. Members of the MCL elected nine new Directors-at-Large. Currently sitting on the McCauley Community League Board are myself, (President), Beth Storhiem (Secretary), John Gee (Treasurer), and Directors-at-Large Ima Welch, David Williamson, Ruth Sorochan, Misty Wells, Dale Johnson, Christa Ferland, and Rickard Enstrom.

Many of you may wonder: what is a community league’s role in the community? According to the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues:

A Community League is a volunteer, not-for-profit organization formed to meet the needs and interests of residents within a defined geographic area.

The role of a Community League is to:

• speak on behalf of their Community League Members, and
• report on behalf of all residents within the Community League’s specified geographical area.
• Bring neighbours together.
• Provide recreation and social programs.
• Develop amenities
• Represent community interests to government and other organizations


•  

From: https://efcl.org/about/

This summer, the MCL hired McCauley resident Stella Johnson to open the rink shack for children ages 12 and up to play ball hockey, basketball, and to do crafts. The rink will continue to be open in October for after-school fun from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We’d like to encourage kids to come and meet up at the rink to do homework together. In November, Dan Glugosh will return as our Rink Manager/Coordinator. He will open the rink when weather permits for kids and adults alike to come out and play hockey. Thanks to Sports Central we have equipment at the shack for use at no cost.

As we do every year, we are planning to host a Family Day event with sleigh rides and hot chocolate, and a New Year’s Eve bonfire celebration with marshmallows and hot dogs. At the time of the paper’s publication deadline, the MCL was planning our Community League Day event for September 16th which we called “Light Up McCauley” in reference to the fact that we once again partnered with Reach Edmonton to give away outdoor lights to McCauley residents at the event. We also gave community members the chance to shine by telling a family friendly story, reciting a poem, singing a song, or doing a magic trick at our open stage hosted by Paul Woida. Blake Desjarlais, MP for Edmonton Griesbach, signed up to tell us a story. We served soda, popcorn, cotton candy, and empanadas. We hope to have coverage of the event in the next issue of the paper.

Prior to COVID, the MCL hosted free group guitar lessons with Steven Johnson on Monday nights. We are thrilled to announce that Steven will once again be teaching group guitar lessons. However, we will now be holding them on Tuesday nights at 7:30 at the Boys and Girls Club (9425 109A Avenue). Lessons are for all ages. Bring your own guitar. 

Do you have some extra time and a desire to get involved in the McCauley community? We have two spots open on our board, and we would love to invite McCauley residents to consider joining our dynamic board of directors. We are in need of a Vice President, and encourage those who would like to build strong connections in the community to take on this role. However, you can join as a Director-at-Large without taking on an executive role. One of our goals is working toward securing a new Rink Pavilion and we would love to have folks with engineering and construction expertise join the board.

It is an exciting time to be a part of this board and I am grateful to have been elected president. My goals for the term are to provide quality programming and events, and to ensure that the process of securing the new Rink Pavilion continues. Please check our Facebook page regularly for updates and community engagement.

Corine Demas is the President of the McCauley Community League.

Paper Birch Books has been going strong since opening in Little Italy in December of 2022. Owners Benjamin Hertwig and Céline Chuang state on their website that they are bibliophiles. On a recent visit, Boyle McCauley News found this description to be entirely accurate.

The shop, located in the Piazza across from Zocalo, has an extensive stock of nonfiction and fiction, poetry, art and cookbooks, children’s books, graphic novels, and more. The books are attractively displayed on shelves built by Hertwig, with signage created by Chuang. The website states that the owners strive to offer stock “at a variety of price points, editions, and conditions.” The store has a high turnover of titles so there is always something new to look at.

The books are obtained via visits to people’s homes, estate sales, library sales, and any other locations that Chuang and Hertwig become aware of. “You can find rare and interesting books anywhere,” Hertwig says.

Chuang and Hertwig say their approach to marketing is primarily through word of mouth. They have dedicated neighbourhood regulars as well as customers from all over the world, either visiting as tourists or contacting the store online. This reporter introduced Merrill Distad, retired University of Alberta librarian, to Paper Birch. “I was impressed,” Distad says. “They have a well selected stock in many subject areas, as well as very fair and reasonable prices.”

The store welcomes everyone, even those who don’t have a lot of money to spend. For example, one regular, an AISH recipient who often comes to browse, has an arrangement for reserving a pile of books to be purchased at a later date, when funds permit. “It is important to us to be flexible,” Hertwig says. Hertwig and Chuang have also committed to redistributing a set portion of their proceeds each month to grassroots organizations addressing food insecurity and houselessness. The primary focus is on doing what suits the community – both business owners are huge fans of Edmonton and especially McCauley, where they live.

The meaning of the name “Paper Birch”

The name Paper Birch refers to the birch trees that grow in Alberta, which have bark that you can peel off and write on. The reference to writing/reading is clear, but Chuang and Hertwig also see it as recognition of the local environment.

Visit Paper Birch Books at 10825-95 St in Little Italy. Hours: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday.

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

Ten years ago, RJ Formanek wanted to start a conversation about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. As an adult who has FASD, he thought educating people and showcasing his diverse skillset and reliance was important.

RJ figured he should stand out – red shoes did the trick. With his crimson kicks, RJ took to the street, stopping to talk with anyone willing to learn about FASD. And no wonder he wanted to start a conversation about FASD – especially when it feels like no one is talking about FASD.

This year, our Red Shoe Walk sees us walking from Hope Terrace, our supportive living apartment for folks with FASD, through the King Edward Park community, and all through Bonnie Doon and into Strathcona and then returning to have lunch and an art sale at the Shamrock Curling Club. The art sale will feature artists who have FASD. Register today to join us on September 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to walk through the community and bring awareness to a disorder that needs to be talked about more.

4% of Canada’s population has FASD

There are more people in Canada who have FASD than autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome combined. And no two people who have FASD are alike. Many people who have FASD have rewarding careers and fulfilling lives – they uncover their strengths and lean on them to find success.

FASD affects people differently depending on when alcohol was introduced to their fetal development. Alcohol slows down development, both physically and mentally. This means how FASD affects a person is highly individualized, often requiring individualized programs and supports to help them live with dignity.

FASD is a hidden disability as most people who have FASD have no physical signs of impairments. Adolescents and adults who have FASD can experience high rates of difficulties in daily living and adverse outcomes, including school disruption, mental health issues, and challenges with independence.

There is shame in an FASD diagnosis

Often, people miss or never receive an FASD diagnosis because of the shame involved – not on the people who have FASD, but on those who carried them in utero. There are ad campaigns and information packages all over highlighting the risks of drinking alcohol while pregnant.

A person may consume alcohol while pregnant without ever knowing they’re affecting the fetus they carry. They may not know they’re pregnant, have been told a little alcohol doesn’t hurt, come from a community where that information isn’t available, are experiencing mental health or stress related illnesses prompting them to drink, or for many other reasons that have nothing to do with other issues like poverty. With a better understanding of how a person can end up consuming alcohol while pregnant, we can better understand FASD.

FASD can affect anyone – not only people in poverty

A common misconception around FASD is it only affects people experiencing poverty – we know this is false. People who have FASD can come from a range of backgrounds and situations, sometimes even from affluent families. We’ve seen this firsthand at Bissell Centre with participants in different programs telling us their stories and experiences.

Where the issue around poverty gets cloudy is how people who have FASD can be more likely to experience houselessness. That difference in understanding and mental processing can make navigating systems that we take for granted more difficult. We designed our programs specifically with this in mind – ensuring that services for folks who have FASD are readily available no matter the individuals’ personal circumstances.

Helping people live with dignity

Our Fetal Alcohol Spectrum of Services program works to understand individuals who have FASD as whole people. We work one-on-one with our program participants to identify their unique strengths to guide them toward personal fulfillment.

Part of our FASS program is Hope Terrace. This is a supportive housing building specifically designed for people who have FASD. Wraparound services for FASD are included in this building, which also features a Snoezelen room to help individuals with emotional regulation.

Recently, a group from our FASS program contributed to the book Born Broken, detailing what our participants found most important to them in their own voices. This book highlights what folks who have FASD have to offer the world, their fears and struggles, and how they’re moving forward.

Maybe no one is talking about FASD simply because they don’t understand it. On September 9, keep an eye out for some folks walking all in Red Shoes. Ask questions and ensure we are all talking about FASD.

Information submitted by Bissell Centre.

Delicious Pho
10725 98th Street
Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. 7 days a week
Phone: (780) 421-7082
Menu: deliciousphorestaurant.com

It’s comforting to enjoy something old, and refreshing to have something new. Delicious Pho is both of those things, and I now find myself returning there fairly often.

For about 18 years, the original Delicious Pho was located on 106th Avenue, half a block west of 97th Street where China Marble is (and Pagolac was). With rising rent and increased challenges (such as some customers being fearful of nearby encampments), they recently moved to the corner of 98th Street and 107A Avenue.

Their new space is open and bright, with full-length glass windows. With lots of traffic along 107th the new storefront and awnings get noticed more too, and I’m happy to see the clean, modern look is drawing more people into the area. The sidewalk is wide, and there’s angle parking in front. A guest who joined my wife and I biked from Westmount and was happy there’s bike parking right in front where he could keep an eye on his ride as we dined.

Upon entering, we received a friendly greeting and were offered to sit wherever we liked. There are booths, big and small tables, and, on the left, an especially nice spot in a little alcove surrounded by windows with a fun view of the street.

Menus quickly appeared, and the smiling server was very friendly, gladly explaining dishes on the extensive Vietnamese menu. We decided to try an appetizer or two. Spring rolls are a staple, and they arrived crispy and piping hot, just how you’d expect. The surprise was the Vietnamese-style chicken wings. They have other flavours, but do order the Vietnamese style. They’re our new favourite flavour: a perfect blend of meaty, crispy, and fresh, served with a garnish of colourful vegetables. Of everything on the menu, they’re my “must-try” recommendation.

Of course, pho is the restaurant’s main theme so next up was the soup, with the traditional rare beef slices in an aromatic pho broth, and plenty of noodles, bean sprouts, and garnishes. We also enjoyed a bowl of beef satay, which was just the right mixture of heat and richness, without being over the top. The bright red soup would be the perfect lunch on a cool rainy day.

There’s much more than soup, so I next tried the yellow curry, with your choice of vegetarian (vegetables only), tofu, beef, chicken, shrimp, or pork. It comes as a fragrant curry gravy mixed with the meat and stir-fried veggies, and a companion bowl of rice. The combination was delicious. The veggies were properly cooked yet still crisp. How do they do that? And the menu offers both green and red curries too. Our companion enjoyed his vermicelli bowl with crispy spring rolls, saying it tasted very fresh with a nice range of textures.

To try the drinks, we all ordered Vietnamese iced coffees, which are drip-brewed over sugary condensed milk, then poured over ice. These are an ideal dessert treat. If we hadn’t eaten so much, I probably would have tried one of their bubble teas, which several other tables had ordered.
 
Service was friendly and genuine, with plenty of repeat customers. While paying I noticed you could peek into a very clean kitchen, so the place is very professionally run. I’ve been back several times since they moved in, and it’s been consistently good every time.

Alan lives in McCauley. He is the Chair of the paper’s Board of Directors.

“As one we are a voice, as two we are a concern, as a group we become an action.” – Ian Young

When I wrote this quote which I often deliver at functions, I reflected on my journey to where I am now: an advocate for human rights, with a big focus on the disability sector, as I am a man living with a disability.

Becoming an advocate is actually pretty simple. You can start small, and ask yourself, “what concerns me? What do I think is important to the community and my friends? What issues do I care about?”

Then, do a quick online search of keywords (for example, “animal rights”) and add the name of your city or area (like, “Edmonton”). You will get search results with links to newsletters, events, and meetings. Go at your own pace and ask for information. Choose a level of involvement in which you feel comfortable. You can soon meet people with similar concerns and interests.

In this age of technology, a lot can be done remotely from your home, library, or other locations where you feel comfortable. Many meetings are online, or have an option to take part remotely if you can’t be there in person.

As well, many non-profit and charitable organizations are seeking volunteers. This is something you may want to consider depending on your time and skills.

It is a glorious feeling when I feel someone has benefitted from something with which I was involved. I have met influential people and built relationships with politicians at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels who have helped and informed me. Becoming part of this community newspaper was one of my favourite accomplishments, leading me to meet wonderful people who I admire.

In the end, everyone benefits from advocacy. If this is something that interests you, and you feel comfortable in taking the first steps, getting involved is like an education because of how much you get to learn.

Ian is a columnist with the paper. He lives in the area.

Welcome to our October-November 2023 issue. As I discuss in my editorial in this issue, we are currently facing some challenges in terms of getting our content on social media. If you want to see exclusive news and content concerning community news and events, please visit bmcnews.org regularly to read website exclusives and to subscribe to our free e-newsletter. It is delivered directly to your inbox when we publish a new issue.

We have the dates for our next casino: February 28th and 29th, 2024 at Pure Casino Yellowhead. If you’re interested in volunteering for a shift (or two), send me a message at editor@bmcnews.org and I will forward your information to Colleen Chapman, our Volunteer Coordinator who is organizing the casino. This is our biggest fundraising event to keep the newspaper going. You can also contact me any time at editor@bmcnews.org to discuss any other volunteer opportunities which may interest you.

Do you love Boyle McCauley News and want to see it thrive? Perhaps you would like to become a member of the non-profit society that oversees the operations of the paper. It’s free to join and you will occasionally receive notices and information. The sign-up page is here: bmcnews.org/membership.

Enjoy the issue – see you next time!

In the paper’s Editor’s Notes on the right-hand side of this page, I always take the time to direct you to our social media for additional content, particularly photos, from community events. However, because we are a news outlet, our content is currently blocked to users in Canada on Facebook and Instagram. This is because of how Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) is responding to Bill C-18, the Online News Act, which requires tech companies like social media sites to pay news outlets for showing their content.

Unfortunately, Big Tech’s reaction to this law ends up hurting smaller media like us, as we use social media platforms to increase our visibility, as well as promote local events and other time-sensitive content. We spent years organically growing our online audience and don’t want to see our hard work be wasted.

Therefore, our workaround for now is to publish even more extra content on our website: bmcnews.org. This will include photo galleries from local events that we normally would have published on our socials.

We will keep publishing on Facebook and Instagram to a limited degree in the hope that the situation will change. Following us still helps build our numbers for when our content can be freely shown to our Canadian visitors again. We’re @bmcnews on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bmcnews" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and bmcviews on Instagram. As well, we’re @bmcnews on X (formerly Twitter, and which is not currently blocking news to Canadian users).

You can also subscribe to our free e-newsletter at our website (bmcnews.org) which features current stories from our print edition as well as exclusive website features.

The Edmonton Chinatown Summer Festival took place on August 20th on 98th Street between 105 and 107A Avenues. The street was packed with people enjoying the performances, market, food trucks, and other activities. There was a combined Lion and Dragon Dance presented by several groups together, as well as an appearance by Hunter, the mascot of the Edmonton Oilers. The event was organized by the Chinatown and Area Business Association with support from the City of Edmonton. Here’s a look!

AV and the Inner City brought their soulful sounds to the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, which took place at Gallagher Park August 10th-13th, including a full concert on Stage 7! “AV” is, of course, McCauley’s own Ann Vriend (pictured on vocals and keyboard).

A group of community members just north of McCauley organized the second annual 94th Street Extravaganza on August 19th. The bazaar and art market took place Between 112th and 116th Avenues (including a short stretch closed to cars). Here’s a look!

The Edmonton Multicultural Coalition’s Soccer BBQ took place on August 19th in the field of the Edmonton Intercultural Centre. Young soccer players took part in a match, including one with members of EPS. Attendees also enjoyed a number of cultural performances and some delicious food. This is usually an annual event, but was postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s BBQ is the first one since the start of the pandemic. Here’s a look at some of the action.

The long hot days are coming to an end. The memories of summer vacation have still not left our minds, and here comes the golden season of the year: fall. Just like a painter, fall mixes all its bright and beautiful colours on the large leaves of trees, creating a mosaic. The leaves – which are trying to hold tight on trees’ branches, their homes during the spring and summer months – fall down and fly with the stormy fall winds. They circle squirrels and fall down on the ground, creating a red and golden carpet. Through the gray-eyed autumn days a ray of the sun will hatch and the blue sky will sparkle among the clouds. September has come, the bridge between summer and fall.

The first of September is the beginning of a new stage for all students. The doors of schools open wide to welcome to give a start to the new school year. This is a day of smiles, happiness, bright backpacks, new books, and colourful pencils. The first bell rings. This day is especially important to those who for the first time walk into a classroom and begin taking the first steps as they enter this new wonderful country of knowledge. It is a long trip which lasts for 12 years.

School is a ladder of knowledge and with each year we take another step, beginning from the first light years of school and ending with the more difficult ones which are found at the top of the ladder. A school is a shop which establishes the future generation of specialists. Our teachers and parents help us to pass through this unique and long journey. They teach us to believe in ourselves, our minds to think, our hands to create beautiful pieces of art, as well as our hearts to be kind and help others in need. Each child is a flower and its petals are their knowledge.

For many students this year will be their last year at school and it will be the students’ last step before entering adulthood. For them it is both a happy and sad day, since they will always remember their school years, their teachers, friends, and various achievements. They also know that they can always come to visit their second home: their school.

For the parents of students this is also an exciting day. Looking at their smiling children, each one of them remembers their first day at school, their first teachers, as well as their first school bell.

I want to congratulate all students on the beginning of the new academic year. The sails of the school frigate are already raised. Let the wind of hope be strong and come to the rescue when storms arise in your school life.

Natanel Krieksfeld is a grade 10 student at Argyll Centre.

Problem properties are occupied or vacant unsecured properties that have serious negative impacts on the well-being of the surrounding community, as well as the people living or working in them. They cause frequent and serious safety concerns and complaints to the City of Edmonton.

In December of 2022, City Council provided Edmonton’s Problem Property Initiative (PPI) with permanent funding to implement its 2023 – 2026 long-term strategy and expand its resources to address problem properties. Since then, the new strategy has had several impactful results, including decreased fires at derelict properties, streamlined demolition of derelict buildings, and increased inspections at high risk residential properties. In 2024, a tax subclass will be introduced to triple taxes at derelict properties where owners have not taken accountability for the conditions.

Property Clean-Ups
One very visible example of the PPI’s new strategy is the increased clean up of properties that present significant, often unsecured hazards to the surrounding area. In these cases, the PPI can order the property owner to clean up the property. If the owner does not comply, the PPI can undertake the clean-up itself and hold the owner accountable for the costs incurred by the City. This process has been particularly noticeable in McCauley, where several properties destroyed by fire have recently been cleaned up by the PPI.

These clean-ups take several days and require the coordination of multiple agencies and contractors to remove an average of 120,000 pounds of debris and backfill the property with clean dirt.

PPI Meet and Greets
Another example of the PPI’s new strategy is increased communication and engagement with community members affected by problem properties.

This spring, the PPI hosted a series of Meet and Greets across north central Edmonton, to strengthen relationships with community members and increase awareness of its strategy and new resources.

Each Meet and Greet featured a presentation and question and answer session, followed by an opportunity for community members to chat directly with PPI personnel. The three events were attended by 210 people, including 157 community members from 26 neighbourhoods. Community members were invited to provide feedback about the event and the work of the PPI.

• 94% reported that the events increased their knowledge of how the City and its partners address problem properties.
• 88% reported that the events gave them confidence that the City has a good strategy to address problem properties.
• 51% reported that they were beginning to see the impact of the PPI’s new teams and resources in the neighbourhood where they live or work.
• 87% registered to receive information through a PPI newsletter.

To learn more about the Problem Property Initiative, visit edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties.

Information provided by the City of Edmonton.

It was like a high stakes courtroom drama.

Minutes before a hearing on May 31st, 2023 to review the relocation of Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) to McCauley, community stakeholders and BSCS signed an agreement outlining conditions for operating the okimaw peyesew kamik (King Thunderbird Centre).

Since BSCS’s proposed relocation to the corner of 107A Avenue and 101st Street was announced in December of 2021, a loose coalition of community stakeholders has opposed the move. These included the Chinatown and Area Business Association (CABA), Chinese Benevolent Association of Edmonton (CBA), McCauley residents, and parents of students attending Victoria School.

According to McCauley resident Anna Bubel, “Resistance and persistence allowed us to hammer out a deal. Boyle Street promises not to operate a drop-in or safe injection site at that site. That’s a win.”

BSCS’s Executive Director, Jordan Reiniger, agrees it’s a win-win.

“We are excited that we were able to agree with the community to conditions on this iteration of our development permit application for okimaw peyesew kamik (King Thunderbird Centre). These conditions clarify our intended uses under this development permit, and our commitment to apply for a new development permit for any changes to how we would use the building in the future. We believe the okimaw peyesew kamik will be an important part of the solution to many of the challenges community members from all walks of life are facing.

“We hope this agreement with the community begins a new chapter of collaboration as we work together to ensure a better future for everyone in the neighbourhood.”

Unfortunately, no none from the CABA or CBA was available for comment by the time of the deadline for this issue of the paper.

Michelle Patterson Nipp has an eight-year-old son attending Victoria School. She, along with two students from the school, presented their concerns to the SDAB (Subdivision and Development Appeal Board) hearing.

“The over-concentration of services near Victoria School has led to an increasing number of unsafe interactions for students. That’s why members of the school community came together as the Victoria School Parent Coalition and worked with other local groups to appeal the development.

“We’re relieved that the SDAB ruled in our favour and that the conditions of their recently approved development permit prevent Boyle Street from operating a drop-in.”

Last November, the SDAB overturned the issuing of a development permit to BSCS. The agency revised its plans and resubmitted them to the City. When a new development permit was issued to BSCS in January of 2023, community stakeholders again appealed the decision to the SDAB.

With the second appeal to the SDAB pending, BSCS and community stakeholders signed a legally enforceable agreement that outlines conditions that will guide BSCS’s development.

The SDAB set a legal precedent in its decision by linking the issuing of a development permit to the agreement on conditions. Unlike Good Neighbourhood Agreements, this deal with BSCS is legally enforceable because the agreement has been integrated into the SDAB decision.

Phil O’Hara is a long-time McCauley resident. He was part of the loose coalition of community stakeholders opposing BSCS’s relocation to McCauley.

Here is a look at the various activities of the McCauley Community League (MCL) over the past year. A version of this report was presented at our AGM on June 28th.

With the help of employees Dan Glugosh and Albert Bernard, we ran the rink’s drop-in skating program. The connections that were made and relationships built at the rink are very important to our community.

We successfully ran our casino and look forward to utilizing the funding we will be receiving. Thank you to our volunteers and to Colleen Chapman for organizing.

Here is a report on the soccer program, prepared by Suzan Gluko:

The McCauley Soccer Program has had a bustling past year, hosting both an indoor and outdoor season. The McCauley Community League, under the leadership of Allan Suarez (the head coach) and parent volunteers, had kids from age 4 up to age 11 receive training in soccer along with fundamental physical skills and fun games.

This program is so much more than soccer itself. It facilitates community and connections to families. The program is premised on being accessible to all The program is premised on being accessible to all. It does not charge fees for participation and welcomes all families within McCauley and beyond.

During the past year we held a few successful events, including Community League Day where we heard many bands play and saw demonstrations of martial arts. At the event we handed out 450 hot dogs and served other refreshments. We hosted a holiday skating party with hot chocolate and hot dogs. There was a sleigh ride, food, and the music of Dana Wylie at our Family Day party, and we hosted a very successful New Year’s Eve bonfire and skating party with hot chocolate and other refreshments.

Our largest and most successful annual event almost didn’t happen this time around. We were told last minute by the Edmonton Police Service that they would not be co-hosting the McCauley Cup, the annual hockey game between EPS and community kids. However, our rink manager Dan Glugosh got on the phone and made a few calls to ensure that the event went on. The weather was beautiful. With over 356 cops, kids, and community members in total, the event was a wonderful success. It is confirmed that we will be hosting the McCauley Cup in December of 2024.

This year the League made the difficult choice to appeal the move of Boyle Street Community Services to our neighbourhood due to lack of community engagement on the part of Boyle Street Community Services. With support from other individuals and organizations, the appeal was successful. Please see the cover story in this issue for more details.

With the help of Reach Edmonton, we executed the “Light Up McCauley” initiative, in which we gave out lights to community members.

We plan to do another round of “Light Up McCauley” in the future, with the support of Reach Edmonton. We will continue to work toward securing a building for our neighbourhood. We plan to have another New Year’s Eve Skating party. The McCauley Cup, and parties for Family Day and Community League Day are also on the schedule. In addition, we plan to develop programming for seniors and families who live in the neighbourhood.

Sarah Pearson, John Gee, and I, Corine Demas, joined the board in 2022. Also remaining on the board are Rickard Enstroem and Kevin Jones. Joining the board this year are: David Williamson, Ruth Sorochan, Imai Welch, Dale Johnson, Beth Storheim, Crista Ferland, and Misty Wells.

We wish to thank supporters of the League including Sports Central, Bijou, Zocalo, the Italian Centre, Boyle McCauley News, E4C, Reach Edmonton, City of Edmonton, Edmonton Police Service, the Pagnotta and Mannarino families, and Canadian Tire. On behalf of the board, I would also like to thank all of our stellar volunteers.

Corine Demas is the Interim President of the McCauley Community League.

Elliot Taylor is a visual artist, musician, and writer.

“I’m doing the central art for Heart of the City this year but I’ve lived in the neighbourhood for a long time right across the street from where it’s happening and so I’ve been there a lot,” he says of his connection to Heart of the City. “So there’s a lot of years of painting records. I have a couple hanging up in my room.”

Regarding other aspects of the arts in which he works, Elliot says, “I’m primarily a songwriter and a musician and then I do some writing but mostly to support my music. I’m in a band called Borderline Thrills. We are working on an album. It’s self-titled because we thought it worked with what we were writing about. It’s like all these things that we are almost doing.”

When asked to describe his voice in art, Elliot says, “It’s a hard thing to describe because I do visual art in a lot of different contexts. I really like portraiture and I really like drawing people. That’s the biggest thing I do. I draw a lot of musicians, I draw a lot of performers. I really like that. It’s art nouveau inspired. I really like obnoxiously bright colour pallets. It’s things that I like to do, rather than a coherent idea of what my art should be.”

He continues: “I have a thing to say and I think that using the tools that I have to say the thing that I need and want to say the right way is more important than making sure that it’s cohesive and fits into the brand model of art. I am a trans person, a queer person in a time where it is increasingly dangerous to be both of those things. I grew up in an at-risk community with a bunch of people who were in much worse situations than I was in and these people were my friends and I empathize with them. Then I moved to a bigger school with people who had more money and I felt different and I wasn’t even at-risk in the way that all of my old friends were. I think speaking to an experience like that and creating an experience like that is something I do in my art.”

Elliot is also trying to break down misconceptions about his neighbourhood through his art. “I try to reflect the joy that is actually in my neighbourhood. I think a lot of people are very afraid of places that are like this: the streets, and the cars, and the sketchy people. That’s not what it is for the most part. There is so much joy, so much creativity, so much interest here. I love reflecting creativity and I take all of that in, growing up here in a big city.”

You can look Elliot up on Instagram: @Elliotataylorart and @Elliotthrills.

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

Heart of the City is making a movie! It will be a short documentary, to be specific. We intend to include as many memorable moments from over the years as possible. We will also include community members, community sponsors, and previous board members who have helped in the continuing success of Heart of the City Festival Society.

We are always accepting new members and volunteers. If you would like to be a part of this project we would love to hear from you! Our goal is to premiere the short film next summer and we can’t wait to update you along the journey.

The board has been busy with this year’s theme, Reboot, and would like to extend a thank you to our central artist for 2023, Elliot Taylor. Check out our website and socials to see Elliot’s amazing artwork!

We would also like to thank The Canadian Native Friendship Centre for inviting us to their Indigenous Peoples Day festival at Borden Park on June 17th. We had an absolute blast at our tie-dye workshop. Despite the rain and the overcast weather, over 150 Heart of the City t-shirts were tie-dyed!

We also had the opportunity to pop up at the Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market on July 1st. We spent the day on the second floor next to the Indigenous Artists Collective Market crafting and creating photo booth props for the market’s selfie booth. We are always so grateful for the ongoing support from our fellow community organizations.

We have so much more in the works, and as always, we are looking to add local and emerging artists and volunteers to our roster for upcoming events. You will find all updates and upcoming events on our website and social media. Our website is www.heartcityfest.com, and we’re @heartcityfest on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Jacqueline is the Producer and Director of Marketing and Communications with HOTC.

Friends,

As we move into August, I’ve been enjoying the warm weather, sunshine, and beautiful outdoor spaces here in Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood. I’ve also been lucky enough to connect with many of you at community events this summer, and I’m looking forward to more opportunities to join you as the summer continues.

In my last letter, I mentioned that the provincial election was right around the corner. Now, a few months later, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for once again putting your faith in me to represent you, your families, and our communities over the next four years. I am so excited to use this time to work with you to keep building a better future for our neighbours in Boyle Street, McCauley, and across the communities I serve.

I’m also truly honoured to have been named the Official Opposition Housing Critic. I asked our leader Rachel Notley for this role, as I know just how critical this issue is for my constituents. Many of you have shared with me that the lack of affordable, accessible, and safe housing is one of the biggest issues that our communities face. I believe that housing is a human right, and that it demands will and collaboration from all orders of government. I’m committed to do all I can to push for better for our unhoused neighbours and for all who are impacted by the housing crisis.

As I said the last time I wrote to you, I know that we have a long way to go toward building an equitable, kind, and supportive province for all Albertans. I will keep advocating and I will keep listening, and I’m so honoured that you’ve again given me the opportunity to continue this work together with you.

Whether it’s on housing, healthcare, education, or any issues that are top of mind for you, I want to hear from you. Please reach out, and know that as always, I’m here.

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

“It’s never felt more Canadian to be Canadian than it does now.” – Douglas Coupland (Canadian novelist).

On July 1, 2023, we celebrated Canada’s 156th birthday, with fireworks, gatherings, and concerts held here in Edmonton to recognize the event.

I recalled bits and pieces of Canada’s Centennial in 1967. I was residing in my city of birth, Ottawa, the capital of our nation, and I mostly remember the spectacular fireworks from the parliament grounds. I also remember hearing the song “C-A-N-A-D-A Centennial Song” (French version: “Une Chanson du Centenaire”) by Bobby Gimby which was played everywhere that year. If you are unfamiliar with the song, you can find it on YouTube. You will hear a line in the song: “Now we are 20 million.” As of April 1, 2023, we are almost double that at 39,858,480 million! We nearly doubled in 56 years.

Canada is my home. Every country has its good and bad features. I like to reflect on the good.

Here are some interesting facts about our country. Source: Canada Crossroads

• Canada is the most educated country in the world.
• Canada has 20% of the world’s freshwaters.
• Canada has a large number of lakes. To be precise, there are more lakes than in any other country.
• Canada has two of the largest lakes in the world: Great Bear Lake and Great Slave Lake.
• Canadians drink more fruit juice per capita than any other country.
• Alberta’s oilsands have the third-largest oil reserves in the world.
• New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in Canada.

We are a large and diverse country. Let’s keep up the reputation of being friendly by being kind and getting to know each other.

Ian is a columnist with the paper. He lives in the area.

Beyond Canada Day
lies the rest of summer
along with the crisp autumn season
across August, September, and October

Over that span
four holidays pay homage
to our heritage, history,
work, and spirit of gratitude

As the heat rises
past the solstice
August long awaits
among these lazy days

Dates full of activities
gardening, barbecuing,
socializing, sport, music,
and cultural celebration

A time for relaxation
before back-to-school shopping
and the Labour Day transition
of swinging into September routines

Now, established just this decade
we have a day to reflect on the truth
and reconcile with the colonial paradigms
that wrought the residential school system

The colour orange
takes on new meaning
beyond the changing of leaves
a resolve against future injustice

October then provides us
space to be thankful
and gather as nights dim
while the coming winter settles in

Jon is an aspiring researcher and writer. He believes everyone has creative abilities.

Ansgar Danish Lutheran Church (9554 108A Avenue) will celebrate a significant anniversary on Saturday, September 16th and Sunday, September 17th. We are pleased and proud to be celebrating our little church’s 100th birthday!

The present Church was built 1940-42, at a very difficult time in history. Funds were hard to find during the war years, but the many skilled craftsmen in our congregation, supported by many skilful women, were able to build the church with a bank loan. The unique frame and stucco structure of the church was built according to Danish architectural design, with the noticeable step design over the entrance and at the side of the gable roof. The parsonage was built next door at the same time. 

Ansgar Lutheran is a testament to the continuing existence of a Danish community in Edmonton. Our church has been a place for Danish immigrants and their descendants for about 100 years and has maintained many Danish traditions, both religious and secular. Although originally established as a Danish immigrant church, many others who feel that our church has given them a safe place to gather and hope in a world full of struggles have joined us. Ansgar’s doors are open to anyone who wishes to join in our services.

On Saturday, September 16th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., bring your family and come enjoy a Street Party outside the church with entertainment for kids and adults, food for all, and lots of music. We’ll also have an Open House in the church to show off our new pipe organ and introduce it with a couple of mini concerts. The day will finish off with a brief Vespers service at 7 p.m. in the evening. Come and have some fun and see what we’re doing to maintain and beautify our little Church!

Information submitted by Ansgar Danish Lutheran Church.

The Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC) is a community full of love, caring, and support. In this and future articles, we will inform readers of the non-profit organizations operating in the EIC facility in order to bring light to their many good deeds.

Ribbon Rouge Foundation (RRF) was selected in February of 2023 by the Edmonton Intercultural Centre’s Board of Directors to occupy a rare office space vacancy in the EIC facility. The EIC welcomes RRF as a Member Tenant and is looking forward to working with this fine and progressive organization.

Ribbon Rouge Foundation (RRF) is a non-profit organization with a primary mission to achieve health equity for African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) people across Alberta. They strive to achieve equity and improved opportunities for Black people experiencing poorer outcomes because of racialized health disparities. Their grassroots organization facilitates storytelling, advocacy, networking, and community-engaged arts to create transformative system change.

RRF supports highly vulnerable ACB clients, focusing on people who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, have substance use issues, and are at risk of living with sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), mental health issues, and experiencing incarceration. They take an asset and strengths-based approach that seeks to enhance the gifts and wisdom of community members, volunteers, and stakeholders.

For more information about RRF please visit their website at ribbonrouge.com.

For over two decades Van Loc café in Chinatown (10648 – 98th Street) served the delicious Vietnamese sandwiches called banh mi. Two entrepreneurs in their 30s, Wilson Wong and William Chen, took over the business in January of 2023 after the previous owner retired.

Boyle McCauley News had the opportunity to interview Wong, who handles public relations and marketing while Chen is more involved with the menu and food service. This energetic and enthusiastic pair are using most of the original recipes and suppliers, and maintaining the shop’s traditional Asian décor, including shrines. At the same time, they are also full of ideas about changes that will move the business forward.

Wong has been promoting Van Loc on Instagram every day since January 19th. He posts on TikTok, and he has been able to land interviews with local media, including Global and CTV.

Wong says their goal is to build something fresh and new in a community that he describes as, “tired but full of potential.”

“I believe in Edmonton and I believe in Chinatown,” Wong says. Wong and Chen are doing as much as they can to support the revitalization of Chinatown. They also support the Front Row Foundation, a charity that provides tickets to concerts and shows to people who could not otherwise attend.

When asked who the customers are, Wong says, “Everyone.” He and Chen are trying to attract youth by organizing social activities for them. Elders who patronized the business in the past are also giving the new version of Van Loc a thumbs up. People with low incomes appreciate a menu that can offer lunch for under $10. “They are coming in several times a week. If the prices were higher, it would be once a week,” Wong says. Allowing customers to use credit cards, which is not always the case in Chinatown cafés, is also a draw for people who rarely use cash.

Wong and Chen are paying their staff above minimum wage. The people behind the counter and in the kitchen are mostly students between the ages of 18 and 22. They can speak many different languages (some are international students), which is also a draw for quite a few customers in this part of the city.

“Try us out, give us a shot,” Wong says.

The Back Story

Wilson Wong and William Chen met when they were second-year students at MacEwan University. Wong was enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program with a major in Psychology and a minor in Business. Chen was working towards a Bachelor of Commerce in International Business. They found they had a lot in common and soon became best friends. They are both Vietnamese Canadians and Edmontonians. Their parents, who were refugees in the 1980s, established restaurant businesses in Chinatown. So entrepreneurship and Asian food – including banh mi – are in their genes.

“I tried a job in insurance and banking,” Wong says, “to have more financial stability. Several of my friends were getting married and having kids, and I saw that they needed a secure income to support their families. I committed to three years to give it a fair try, but it was not a good fit. I enjoy the freedom and risks of entrepreneurship.”

The writing was on the wall for Wong as early as age 18. “I was a salesperson for Cutco Knives,” he says – “making phone calls, visiting people in their homes, getting referrals, making a presentation, and then closing the deal.”

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

Welcome to our August-September 2023 edition. We’ve got a lot of community news and events in this issue. We have also been publishing actively on our website and social media.

If you are part of the online world, visit bmcnews.org to read website exclusives and to subscribe to our free e-newsletter. It is delivered directly to your inbox when we publish a new issue. You can also follow us on social media: we’re bmcnews on "Facebook":https://www.facebook.com/bmcnews and "Twitter":https://www.twitter.com/bmcnews, and bmcviews on Instagram.

New volunteers are always welcome. We are always looking for people who write, take photos, deliver papers, proofread, and work casinos. Our next casino – our biggest fundraising event – is scheduled between January and March of 2024. If you’re interested in volunteering for a shift (or two) or have any other volunteer-related questions, send me a message at
editor@bmcnews.org.

Do you love Boyle McCauley News and want to see it thrive? Perhaps you would like to become a member of the non-profit society that oversees the operations of the paper. It’s free to join and you will occasionally receive notices and information. The sign-up page is here: bmcnews.org/membership.

Enjoy the rest of your summer. See you again in October.

My mind sometimes wanders and tries to recall what was happening a year ago on approximately the same date. What was I doing? Who was I with? How was I feeling?

Somehow a year represents a benchmark for expectations of change. Usually something has changed within a year, but a lot can stay the same too. As well, sometimes things that change, whether good or bad, are beyond our control. What we can control is how we roll with those changes. What we learn from changes that disrupt our lives can be lessons that we carry forward as we continue to deal with challenges that life throws our way.

When one door closes, another opens – many of us have heard that saying before. However, instead of entering through the newly-opened door, some of us try to pry the old one open, and when that doesn’t work, we take a crowbar to the window and try to crawl in that way.

Why can we be so resistant to change? Sticking with the comfortable and familiar can feel natural. Sitting with discomfort is, well, uncomfortable. But it’s that discomfort that sometimes moves us forward closer towards where we are supposed to be. And on an intellectual level, many of us know this, even as we try to continue to cling to the past.

So, the next time you’re tempted to stay where you are or even move backwards in the face of change, ask yourself: where was I last year? Where do I want to be in a year? What can I do now to make that happen? Chances are, it will require making the uncomfortable choices.

In a way, every day has elements of stepping out into the unknown. Those little steps can add up. A lot can happen in a year. Or not. The choice – at least of what is within our control – rests with us.

On May 28th, a community film screening event, Storytelling in Chinatown from Within, was held at the Edmonton Chinatown Multi-Cultural Centre as part of Asian Heritage Month. The event was supported by the Centre’s staff and volunteers, as well as Eye Steel Film, the City of Edmonton’s Chinatown Recovery Fund, and the Chinatown Business Association.

The event opened with live harp music. Several booths offered community info and merchandise, including artwork and posters pertaining to the films being screened, as well as a few remaining Chinatown Greetings posters by local artist Ray Dak Lam. Coffee and tea were available, as well as popcorn and snow cones, and mandarin oranges donated by Lucky 97 Supermarket.

The film screening began with a special cut of the first episode of A Portrait of Chinatown, a six-part docuseries by local photographer and filmmaker Jordon Hon. The series explores his formerly tangential but growing relationship with Edmonton’s Chinatown, in contrast to his family’s more intimate experience of it before they moved to the suburbs and then to the Chinese cultural enclave of Richmond B.C.

The second film shown was Bowl Cuts, a short film directed by Alexander Milo, featuring local interdisciplinary artist Vivian Han-Tat as she reminisces on her own changing experience of Edmonton’s Chinatown and of the memory of her mother’s beauty salon there – all of which inspires her current art using photography and 3D renderings.

The third film was the main event: Big Trouble in Little Chinatown, by Karen Cho, screened as part of a coast-to-coast community tour. It details the struggles of four Chinatowns through 2020 to 2022: New York, Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, Cho’s hometown. The film documents businesses struggling through the pandemic, the reckoning of rising anti-Asian violence, and the fights undertaken by each community for their survival – some more desperate than others – as they face the monumental odds against them.

Following the film screenings at the close of the event a panel discussion and Q&A with Hon, Han-Tat, and Cho was hosted by local Chinatown historian Lan Chan-Marples.

Hon said that the genesis of this whole event came through his collaboration with local producer and director Shawn Tse on the project Chinatown Greetings. Later, Tse became the lead organizer of the coast-to-coast tour for Big Fight in Little Chinatown, and he made sure that one of the stops would be in Edmonton. At the same time, Hon had been waiting for a chance to screen some of his own docuseries, having not wanted to put all the spotlight on himself with a solo screening. So, Hon and Tse collaborated to make Storytelling in Chinatown from Within a reality.

“Shawn was kind of the spark for this event and [we] just worked together for the last couple of months to collaborate with all the Chinatown organizations to . . . see if they want[ed] to support [us] in some way and all of them did,” said Hon, “ . . . everyone was so supportive. And just so excited to gather here and I think that’s the energy of the Chinatown that I have fallen in love with and just inspires me to keep working in this community.”

All proceeds from the event’s ticket sales will go towards funding future Chinatown community programming.

Beth Storheim is an active volunteer for the Heart of the City Festival Society Board and the Kiwanis Club of South Edmonton. She lives in McCauley.

The Chinatown and Area Business Improvement Association’s economic recovery program continues to gain “steam” – and not just from power washing sidewalks.

While only three months into the Chinatown Solution, a long-term project to revitalize the area, the change has been remarkable. The solution starts with cleanliness, pure and simple. After washing all of the sidewalks and storefront windows in Chinatown on a bi-weekly basis, shoppers and shop owners have felt the change on the street. This partnership program has now been expanded to include vacant lot and alleyway cleaning. We believe that the best recovery is grassroots recovery and we are providing a level playing field for commerce to thrive in an environment where people are safe and want to visit and shop. We believe in the free economy and it is important to note that we did not have to market to people – they were waiting to come to us and have been very vocal about the difference they see.

The BIA began closely working in unison with our partners months ago with the goal of achieving a better community. We are trying every good idea and concept to make a positive difference for all in Chinatown and we proudly acknowledge that “all” includes not only businesses and residents, but also the social agencies and the people in need of services from these agencies and, of course, all Edmontonians.

Our actions are well thought out and we have moved slowly to ensure that our economic recovery is done right with caring, with reason, and with results. We feel that success only comes if every single person in the Chinatown area shares in the benefits of having their quality of life improve.

We have had our struggles to get where we are today. I would personally like to thank the Chinatown and area community for joining in the memorial for Hung Trang and Ban Phuc Hoang on May 19th, when we honoured two men who were killed in a terrible tragedy that must never be allowed to happen again. One of the most poignant moments at that memorial came from Christina Trang when she said, “I want my father to be remembered as a catalyst of change in Chinatown, to bring back safety and restore this once great community.” Paying respect on that day were shop owners, visitors, EPS, Sheriffs, EMS, the Mayor and City Councillors, and people referred to as “houseless” who are currently calling Chinatown home. This loss touched all of us in the community and this loss binds us together. Christina, I believe that your wishes for your father are being fulfilled.

The Chinatown and Area Business Improvement Association continues to publicly applaud the City of Edmonton for their initiatives to revitalize the downtown core. It is the right “first step” to healing Edmonton. Look no further than Chinatown for the proof. We were the worst affected area in downtown Edmonton.

Further changes are planned in the coming months. We are well along the way to restoring safety and security and plan to “Disney up” Chinatown by installing year-round lanterns across 97th Street – and a few other surprises. We want Edmontonians to be proud of Chinatown – that is our goal. After all, this is your Chinatown and it does not exist without you.

In addition to sidewalk and window cleaning we have added clearly signposted areas in Chinatown that will remain open to allow for regular cleaning and easy foot traffic. The “Chinatown Solution” includes everybody but it is much more – it is based on respect and it involves all in the community.

Over the past eight weeks we have made great strides improving Chinatown with a simple homegrown solution that works. We have alleviated many of the unique problems that face Chinatown and have improved the quality of life for all in our community. This has increased commerce and provided dozens of people in need of an opportunity to re-enter the work force and to regain a sense of pride and community belonging.

The Chinatown Solution has exceeded all of our expectations and we will continue to expand its scope. It does not fix everything but it is a model that other communities should consider following. Our success is measured by our results, and we have seen exceptional results with increased vibrancy, a strong community partnership with all residents of our community and, of course, a very clean and welcoming Chinatown.

We could not have accomplished this without the dedicated work of Hope Mission’s staff and the wonderful people in their recovery program. We wish you continued success and Chinatown is proud to be a part of your journey.

The City has taken the steps in the right direction, but downtown Edmonton and Chinatown still have much work to do. Chinatown is proud to have a lead role to play in Edmonton’s downtown vibrancy and recovery.

Stephen Hammerschmidt is the Chinatown and Area BIA’s Director of Economic Recovery.

The 39th Annual Ben Calf Robe Traditional Pow Wow took place on May 13th at Clarke Stadium, the first time since 2019. This year’s theme was “Honouring Our Sacred Gifts – Our Children.”

The Ben Calf Robe Traditional Pow Wow is organized by Edmonton Catholic Schools and Indigenous Learning Services, in partnership with the Ben Calf Robe Society and the City of Edmonton.

Photos by Paula E. Kirman.

Liz John-West, known to many in McCauley and Alberta Avenue, is the new Executive Director for the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE).

Jessica Steingard, CEASE Board President, welcomed Liz to her new position: “She comes to us having spent many years serving vulnerable Albertans. We are confident CEASE will continue to grow and thrive under her leadership.”

“The buying and selling of human beings, especially vulnerable women and girls, is one of the world’s fastest growing crimes,” says Liz. “This crime leaves deep and lasting scars on its victims. CEASE has dedicated the last 25 plus years to ending sex trafficking. I am honoured to take the baton from Kate Quinn and further the action and dialogue needed to end sex trafficking in Edmonton, Alberta, and Canada. CEASE is a force for change, and I strongly believe that with collaboration and hard work we can build a society where traffickers are held accountable, buyers are charged, and women and girls are freed.”

As outgoing Executive Director, I wish to express my profound gratitude for the past 27 years of working with CEASE, formerly PAAFE. The work was rooted in our experiences in McCauley and other core communities in the early nineties. CEASE has offered me rich learning opportunities and inspirational moments. It is a community initiative that requires the insights, skills, and experience of many, especially those whose lives are touched by any aspect of sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, and social inequality.

It has been my privilege to work with dedicated staff throughout the years. They are fierce advocates for the women and men who trusted them to walk alongside, bearing witness to painful histories and celebrating milestones of healing and forging new pathways. Past and current Board members give generously of their time to lead the organization and support the staff team and the vision and mission of CEASE. I wish to thank the women, men, and 2SLGBTQIA people who have so graciously been great teachers, sharing and challenging me to deepen my understanding. I look forward to hearing about new opportunities that Liz will create for CEASE!

Kate Quinn is the past Executive Director of CEASE. She lives in McCauley.

In 2018, there was a small gathering of supporters led by April Eve Wiberg, a grassroots activist with Stolen Sisters and Brothers and Judith Gale from Bear Clan Beaver Hills House. They gathered in Amiskwaskahegan—Beaver Hills House Park, hung red dresses in the trees, and planted posters around the park. Waving at pedestrians and drivers, they called out to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, men, boys, and Two-Spirit people.

In 2019, Red Dress Day expanded to a walk, starting at Canada Place and moving down Jasper Avenue to Amiskwaskahegan Park. The pandemic in 2020 prevented people from gathering, but, in 2021, over 400 people wearing masks marched from Churchill Square to Amiskwaskahegan Park.

In 2023, the Red Dress Day march increased to over 1000 people, many wearing red. Chants rang out, including: “Stop the Violence, Stop the Hate” and “No More Stolen Sisters and Brothers.” Traffic stopped, cars honked, drums sounded. Although I was unable to be there in 2022, I have been told that numbers were similar.

Red Dress Day events are organized in cities across Canada. This year, Winnipeg MP Leah Gazan led the call for a “Red Dress Alert” system like the Amber Alert when children are missing. The motion, which was adopted with unanimous consent, also called on the Federal Government to declare the ongoing violence a national emergency.

Kate Quinn lives in McCauley.

The McCauley Community Orchard and Gardens is back! Thanks to all the community members and organizations who worked tirelessly to get the space back up and running for the 2023 season under the new stewardship of Sustainable Food Edmonton!

Do you wish you knew more about fruit trees, orchards, and what it takes to grow great fruit in Edmonton? We are looking at dividing up the orchard into 12 sections (2-3 trees per section) and providing interested individuals and groups with the opportunity to learn how to grow, maintain, troubleshoot and harvest their sections. Each section would require approximately 3-4 hours of work per month – done on your schedule each month!

We also have 20 raised bed garden plots available for gardeners for this season – individuals and groups are welcome to inquire for a bed to grow all the annual veggies and flowers they’d like.

We will be hosting work bees, gardening workshops, orchard workshops, cider pressings, and more. We would love to have you all join us on the site this summer. The outdoor space will be available for events, celebrations, festivals, and more.

Questions? Suggestions? Do you want a garden plot or an orchard section? Do you want to volunteer with us? Would you like to host an event or workshop at the site? Please reach out to Shannon at edirector@sustainablefoodedmonton.org.

Information provided by Sustainable Food Edmonton.

Hello! As the proud City Councillor for Boyle Street and McCauley, I’m pleased to share a few updates with you. From addressing challenges to creating fun, here are some of the projects the City is undertaking in your neighbourhoods.

Neighbourhood Renewal
Both Boyle Street and McCauley will be going through Neighbourhood Renewal, including reconstruction of sidewalks and roads. Construction is starting this spring in specific parts of the neighbourhoods and will be phased over three years. Search “Boyle Street McCauley Neighbourhood Renewal” for the website and feel free to reach out to the Project Manager, Donny Fung at donny.fung@edmonton.ca or 780-496-4055 with any questions or to get more information.

Encampments
As the Councillor for Ward O-day’min and resident of Oliver, I’m aware of the continuing challenges posed by encampments.

Council approved an Enhanced Encampment Strategy focusing on two outcomes: rapid access to housing for those in encampments and minimising safety risks. A number of new strategies are being taken to meet these goals, including:

1. An active priority list that will work to move 100 people living in encampments into housing this summer.
2. Prototype projects aimed at improving the cleanliness and fire safety of encampments to reduce the most immediate risks and impacts to neighbours.
3. A new community liaison, providing follow up information to let you know what actions have been taken and what you can expect to see after an encampment has been reported to 311.

While I’m hopeful these enhanced approaches will alleviate some pressures, housing is the only true solution to encampments. My Council colleagues and I continue to stay focused on securing the housing our community needs to ensure every Edmontonian has a place to call home.

Healthy Streets Operations Centre
The Healthy Streets Operations Centre (HSOC) in McCauley is a collaboration between numerous agencies. It provides a visible safety presence, engages with the community, and proactively addresses public safety issues in portions of central Edmonton communities. If you have any questions about the centre, you can connect with the HSOC Project Manager, Dallas Dyson, at dallas.dyson@edmonton.ca.

Summer Fun!
The Green Shack program is back this summer! Starting in July, kids can drop by to enjoy fun and free activities, including games, sports, crafts, music, drama and special events.

Boyle Street (in partnership with the YMCA), Neighbourhood Playspace at Boyle Plaza:
Tuesday July 4- Thursday August 24, 2023, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

McCauley, Giovanni Caboto Park:
Tuesday July 4- Thursday August 24, 2023, 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

*In Closing *
If you’d like to stay up to date, please sign up for my newsletter at annestevenson.ca/connect or follow my social media accounts. You can reach out anytime at anne.stevenson@edmonton.ca or 780-496-8333.

I’m also looking forward to spending time enjoying Boyle Street and McCauley this summer (especially my daughter’s favourite parks at Boyle Street Plaza and Giovanni Caboto!) so please be sure to say hello if we cross paths!

Twenty years ago, members of Action for Healthy Communities, Bissell Centre, the Our Voice street newspaper, and the neighbourhoods of Boyle Street and McCauley got together to help inner city artists record and produce a CD showcasing the diverse musical voices within the communities. This CD, or rather project, was named “Patchworks” and would go on to inspire a daughter project entitled “Heart of the City.”

On June 12th, 2004, the first annual festival was held at Giovanni Caboto Park with 19 musical acts performing. The park hosted around 300 people that day, going up to 700 the following year. Heart of the City would continue to grow, adding free workshops, free activities for the whole family, and a second day of programming in 2010.

As we gear up for our 20th anniversary in 2024, the Heart of the City Festival Society (HOTCFS) has decided not to host our annual two-day festival in 2023. Instead, we intend on stretching the festival’s regular programming over the remainder of the year by hosting a series of events throughout our district. We have an almost brand-new Board of Directors and we plan to take this time to strengthen and reboot our organization while still upholding our mission to support and promote the artists and artisans in our communities.

We want to thank you, our community members, the Boyle McCauley News, all of the artists and creatives who have contributed to the festival thus far, and, of course, all of the board members and volunteers before us for their diligence over the years. HOTCFS would not be possible without the support and dedication of our volunteers and sponsors.

We will continue to update you regularly on our socials and website at www.heartcityfest.com, but, as always, you can reach us by email at heartcityfest@gmail.com with any questions and suggestions. We’re also @heartcityfest on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

If you have any photographs or footage of previous festivals or any stories you wish to share, please do not hesitate to pass them along. We have something special in store for our 20th anniversary! Stay tuned.

Jakki is HOTC’s Producer and a member of the festival’s Board of Directors.

“Here comes the sun,
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s alright”- George Harrison (1943-2001), member of the legendary group The Beatles.

The first day of summer arrives with the solstice on Wednesday, June 21st. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, Earth is tilting towards the sun.

Summer activities abound, such as festivals, concerts, and holidays. Perhaps you will have a vacation or a “staycation.” Maybe this can be a time to leisurely get to know our city and community!

You can have your own festivals right outside your door. Be creative – gather neighbours and explore. Our community holds a lot of significant history. Multiple generations of families have lived here, so there is always a story to tell!

Church Street (96th Street between 107th and 111th Avenue, formerly “Kinistino Street”) is considered historically significant and was visited by well-known people such as Pope Francis who was here last summer, and the cast of SCTV who filmed a segment there in the early ‘80s.

Even a nice relaxing afternoon in Giovanni Caboto Park across from the historic Italian Centre can make for a wonderful time.

Enjoy your summer – I know I will! And don’t forget to let the sun shine!

Ian is a columnist with the paper. He lives in the area.

Problem Property Initiative Meet & Greet
Wednesday, June 14th, 2023
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Edmonton Intercultural Centre
9538 107th Avenue

This spring, Edmonton’s Problem Property Initiative (PPI) is hosting a series of Meet and Greets across north central Edmonton, where the highest number of problem properties exist. The final event will be held at the Edmonton Intercultural Centre in McCauley on June 14th.

Free for all Edmontonians to attend, these events aim to strengthen relationships with community members and increase awareness of the PPI’s long term strategy and increased resources to address problem properties.

Each Meet and Greet features a presentation and question and answer session, followed by an opportunity for community members to share their knowledge and experiences directly with the PPI team members working in their neighbourhoods. Several new public information resources will be available. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

On April 29th, 62 people from 14 neighbourhoods attended the first Meet & Greet that took place in Eastwood. Guests were invited to provide their feedback about the event and the information presented by the PPI. An overwhelming 93% reported that the event helped to increase their knowledge of how the City and its partners address problem properties; 86% reported that the event gave them confidence that the City had a good strategy in place to address problem properties; and 86% signed up for a newsletter to receive information about the PPI’s progress and future events.

*Resources and Contacts *
To learn more about the Problem Property Initiative, visit edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties.
To report a problem property call 311, contact 311 online or use the confidential reporting form at edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties.
To report an unsecured vacant property call 311 or email communitypropertysafetyteam@edmonton.ca.
For general inquiries or to engage directly with the Problem Property Initiative, email problemproperties@edmonton.ca.

Information from the City of Edmonton.

The Latta Bridge (90th-91st Street on Jasper Avenue) has been closed since August 2022 to accommodate a bridge replacement project. The roadway will not re-open until fall of 2023 (estimated date). The resulting detour has presented some challenges for residents, visitors, the staff, students, and families at St. Teresa of Calcutta School, and the many others who use this section of Jasper Avenue to get to points east and west.

The new Latta Bridge is replacing a bridge built 87 years ago, in 1936. This is the third version of a small but important ravine crossing (see sidebar: First and Second Latta Bridges). Approximately 20,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day. The approved budget of $19.7 million is intended to cover the cost of demolition, rebuild, the installation of a new bridge deck and shared-use path, and landscaping.

The contractor, PCL Construction, has had one notable setback to date. “In April a girder rolled onto its side and a new girder has had to be fabricated,” says Nicole Boychuk, communications coordinator, Integrated Infrastructure Service, City of Edmonton. “We will keep the public informed about any potential changes to the project timeline,” she adds.

The detour reroutes traffic, mainly on 92nd Street and north and south of St. Teresa of Calcutta School. Speed bumps and other traffic-calming measures are in place. “To address shortcutting concerns,” Boychuk says, “we worked with the Edmonton Police Service and the community. The safety of both residents and construction workers is a priority, and we’re continuing to monitor and adjust.”

This writer’s informal and unscientific survey of the impact on local residents, the school, and businesses suggests that the detour and changes to the ETS service are being taken in stride. Those who live near Jasper Avenue on the east side of 91st Street are enjoying the temporary lack of traffic noise, particularly the sirens of ambulances and fire engines. A small shuttle bus (#998) now runs between Jasper Avenue and the Stadium LRT Station every 12 minutes. The shuttle also connects with frequently running bus routes 2, 3, and 101 just north of the station.

As a result, transit trips might be even better than before. Riverside Towers resident Ernie Koch certainly thinks so. “After 60 years, I have the best, most consistent, and convenient services ever. The LRT takes us wherever we need to go. It goes often and quickly.”

Another local who drives is going with the flow. He says, “I have learned to avoid the detour route, especially during rush hour and drop-off times at St. Teresa of Calcutta School.”

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

First and Second Latta Bridges
The first Latta Bridge was built in 1911 by its namesake, David Latta, an early resident of Edmonton whose home was on Jasper Avenue just to the west of the ravine. This relatively primitive wooden structure served the needs of the time. As more motorized and larger vehicles started to use the bridge, it became necessary to make improvements. But the Great Depression of the 1930s prevented the City from moving ahead. Finally, in 1936 the second bridge was completed, made possible by the availability of relief workers receiving low wages – a form of social assistance – and by using a lot of recycled materials, including components left over from the construction of the High Level Bridge. Filling in the ravine was considered but the old coal mines discovered underneath the crossing caused a problem. (See the article in the October, 2017 edition of Boyle McCauley News and an entry in the Forgotten Edmonton blog.)

Kinnaird Bridge
Rehabilitation of the nearby Kinnaird Bridge (on 82nd Street just south of 112th Avenue) began on May 1st, 2023. One lane of traffic in both directions and one sidewalk remain open. This project, combined with the ongoing closure of the Latta Bridge, has led drivers to find new routes.

RJ Tasty Bites
9711 107 Avenue NW
780-422-4186
rjtastybites@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/rjtastybites

While a great many of McCauley’s restaurants are visible on our famous Chinatown strip along 97th Street, there’s also more excellent food hiding just out of sight.

RJ Tasty Bites is a wonderful little hole-in-the-wall tucked inside a doorway just half a block to the west, kitty-corner from Lucky 97 or south across the avenue from Lee Garden Korean. At 9711 107th Avenue, it’s easy to get to by walking or bus, as well as having street parking right at the door.

Julia (the “J” in RJ) immediately welcomed us inside, with no reservations needed.When I mentioned that my spouse and I lived in the area and hadn’t noticed the restaurant before, she told us that they were attracted to the neighbourhood because of cost and location. Buying a restaurant space in McCauley beat other areas of Edmonton, while the central location made their delivery and take-out business so much easier than from other neighbourhoods.

Julia and “R” (her husband) had run a popular restaurant in the Philippines before settling in Edmonton, so they are able to offer an extensive menu of Filipino cuisine. Their clean and bright space is fairly simple with just a couple of larger tables for families and a few smaller tables for one or two. There was a brisk delivery and take-out business happening, definitely evidence of R’s cooking reputation in the Filipino community, which had spread through years of catering parties and weddings.

Combining Asian cuisine with Spanish empire influences, Filipino foods centre around combinations of sweet (tamis), sour (asim), and salty (alat). Popular dishes include adobo (vinegar and soy sauce-based stews), caldereta (meat stewed in tomato sauce and liver paste), mechado (larded beef in soy and tomato sauce), kare-kare (oxtail and vegetables cooked in peanut sauce), pinakbet (veggies like kabocha squash, eggplant, beans, okra, bitter melon, and tomato as a stew, flavoured with shrimp paste), sinigang (meat or seafood with vegetables in sour broth), pancit (noodles), and lumpia (deep-fried spring rolls).

We ordered the Beef Adobo, which we learned is a super-popular item. It was already sold out by the time we’d arrived! So Julia suggested the pork version. While it was cooking, we decided to try the lumpia (spring rolls) appetizer, which arrived in a small basket. The rolls were tight, golden, small and crispy and not at all greasy, awakening the appetite for more. The Pork Adobo came nicely seasoned and plenty meaty, with well-cooked chunks to dig the fork into. We also shared a Chicken Mami, shredded chicken pieces in a big bowl of noodle soup, served with green onions, roasted garlic, bok choy, napa cabbage and boiled egg. This soup (or the Pork Siomai and Beef Pares version) would make a great one-person meal, bringing to mind a Japanese ramen or Vietnamese pho.

Counterpoint is a feature in Filipino cuisine which normally comes in a pairing of something sweet with something salty or sour. For example, Puto, mildly sweet rice cakes almost like miniature cupcakes we were offered for dessert, each featured a surprise – a tiny decorative strip of salty and fatty processed cheese. It was a surprisingly tasty combination!

Stomachs filling from the hearty food, we noticed that RJ’s also served bubble tea as well as calamansi juice, sago, and summer coolers for drinks. Wanting to see what a Filipino bubble tea was like, we each ordered one, and were happy to find they were absolutely loaded with bubbles and jelly – tasty bites indeed!

The two of us enjoyed the tasty and very substantial meal, with two containers left over for the next day’s lunches, for about $50. And there’s so much on the menu that we couldn’t yet try, like the Silog rice meals and the Beef Pares. We’ll be back.

Alan lives in McCauley. He is the Chair of the paper’s Board of Directors.

The Chinatown and Area Business Improvement Association publicly applauds the City of Edmonton for their recently announced sidewalk cleaning and graffiti removal initiative. It is the right “first step” to healing the downtown core and we know, we “were” the worst affected area in downtown Edmonton.

Edmontonians should know that Chinatown has a very comprehensive cleaning and graffiti removal program which we term the “Chinatown Solution” but it is much, much more than graffiti removal and power washing sidewalks: it involves our entire community. Over the past six weeks we have made great strides improving Chinatown with a simple “homegrown” solution that also works to alleviate some of the unique problems that face Chinatown, namely houselessness, social disorder, and large-scale encampments. We made a very conscious choice when designing our “Chinatown Solution” to partner with Hope Mission and employ individuals from Hope’s recovery program to power wash Chinatown’s sidewalks, to squeegee all storefront windows, to remove garbage, and so much more. This has provided dozens of people the opportunity to re-enter the work force, and regain a sense of pride and community belonging.

This program has exceeded all of our expectations and we are now expanding its scope. In light of the City’s recent focus on cleaning and graffiti removal for downtown, our “Chinatown Solution” is a model that other communities should consider following. Our success is measured with our results and we have seen exceptional results with increased vibrancy, a strong community partnership with all residents of our community and, of course, a very clean and welcoming Chinatown. The new Chinatown has been noticed by shoppers and our repeat visitors as well as by our residents and shop owners. Everyone wants to have a sense of pride in where they live and where they work; it is human nature and the Chinatown Solution has moved the needle in a very positive direction. We welcome all of Edmonton to come and see for yourself. We could not have accomplished this without the benefit of the Alberta Government’s Civil Society Grant which started us on this path, the dedicated work of Hope Mission’s staff, and the wonderful people in their recovery program. We wish you continued success and Chinatown is proud to be a part of your journey.

The City’s graffiti removal and cleaning program is a powerful “first step” in the right direction, but downtown Edmonton and Chinatown still have much work to do before we see a full recovery. I want to let Edmontonians know that there is hope and if the hardest hit area like Chinatown can resolve the bad stigma of unkept streets and blowing garbage while lifting others to rejoin our society, then the downtown core can surely do the same.

Stephen Hammerschmidt is the Chinatown and Area BIA’s Director of Economic Recovery.

The Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC) is a community full of love, caring, and support. In this and future articles, we will inform readers of the non-profit organizations operating in the EIC facility in order to bring light to their many good deeds.

The Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC) would like to welcome Gabriela Mistral Latin American Society (GMLAS) as the newest Tenant Partner operating in the EIC Facility.

The Gabriela Mistral Latin American School was founded on October 9th, 1987 by a group of parents and teachers who sought to maintain and promote the Spanish language and Latin American culture among their children. It is a non-profit organization which relies solely on the efforts and generosity and support of each one of the members of Edmonton’s Latin American Community.  

The school counts on an energetic group of dedicated teachers. Their aim is excellence in teaching Spanish through literacy, language, dance, music, and culture. Those are some of the reasons why, at their school, learning Spanish is fun! 

The school has an enthusiastic student community including children, families, volunteers, and adults wishing to learn Spanish and enjoy the Latin atmosphere that permeates the school.  

At Gabriela Mistral, everybody is welcome! 

For more information about GMLAS, please visit their website at www.gabrielamistralschool.ca

Information provided by the Edmonton Intercultural Centre.

Welcome to our June-July issue. We hope you enjoy our presentation of community news and events.

If you are part of the online world, we also publish stories in between our print issues at our website: bmcnews.org. You can also subscribe to our free e-newsletter there. It is delivered directly to your inbox when we publish a new issue.

This community newspaper would not function without the efforts of our volunteers who write, photograph, proofread, deliver, sit on our board, and help at our casinos. Speaking of casinos, our next one is scheduled for some time between January and March of 2024. Our casino is our biggest fundraising event. Although the date might seem like a long time in the future, it’s never too soon to let us know if you’re interested in volunteering for a shift (or two). For this, and any other volunteer-related questions, send me a message at editor@bmcnews.org.

Do you love Boyle McCauley News and want to see it thrive? Perhaps you would like to become a member of the non-profit society that oversees the operation of the paper. It’s free to join and you will occasionally receive notices and information. The sign-up page is here: bmcnews.org/membership.

Have a wonderful start to your summer. See you again in August.

By the time many of you read this, another provincial election in Alberta will have come and gone. What changes the election may (or may not) bring are not yet known, since I am writing this in advance of voters heading to the polls. No matter what the election results are, I have some high hopes for the future, despite the grim few years behind us.

I hope that healthcare stays public and is properly funded so that people won’t have to start paying to see a doctor or to have a medical procedure, and that people won’t have to experience long wait times, especially to treat critical illnesses.

Further to the above, I hope that healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and everyone else involved in caring for patients, are treated with the respect they deserve, so that they will stay here and not be compelled to move to another province.

I hope that housing is a priority and that the unhoused will have access to safe, affordable homes. After all, if someone is housed, issues like mental health or addiction are easier to address.

Like the healthcare system, I also hope that education stays public and is funded properly to keep the teacher to student ratio reasonable and that supports are in place for students with special needs. I also hope that the curriculum being taught is developed by experts in education and includes both sound knowledge and values that reflect a diverse and inclusive society.

Frankly, all of these hopes should be unquestioned aspects of reality in a well-functioning society. The problem is that we haven’t functioned very well for a while now. My biggest hope is that those in power will do better, and that the rest of us will hold them accountable.

Whether we are housed, unhoused, tenting, or just driving through Boyle Street and McCauley, we are affected by the visible weight of homelessness and the wait for positive shifts in this continuing crisis. It’s been a hard winter with the devastating impact of frostbite, the shigella outbreak, fires, and deaths. Housing Outreach Teams at Bissell Centre, Boyle Street Community Services, and others actively engage with those sleeping rough. They work tirelessly to connect them with community resources and housing options, while Homeward Trust coordinates the city-wide responses.

One additional thread of hope opened in late January, thanks to partners like the Jasper Place Wellness Centre, the Tallcree First Nation, and the City of Edmonton, which invested $7.5 million from its Sustainability Fund. The Bedfort Inn on 155th Street and Stony Plain Road provides a transitional space for those in need of immediate safe lodging. Fifty-nine separate rooms equipped with a mini-fridge, microwave, and bathroom offer steps towards improved health and affordable housing. There are also daily meals plus mat spaces in the former banquet hall.

Homeward Trust reports that 45% of those seeking safe, affordable housing identify as women. Separate rooms with private bathrooms are especially valued by women. CEASE staff can refer women fleeing trafficking and exploitation to the Bedfort. The Safety Network Coordinator (identity protected) works with ALERT Human Trafficking Counter Exploitation Detectives. One woman felt her only option was to return to her trafficker. When she was offered a spot at the Bedfort, she took it! Knowing that she had a safe place to stay for 90 days where she could regain her autonomy and connect to a housing worker lifted her hopes.

Maureen Reid, CEASE Coordinator, asked a woman she had referred to the Bedfort about her experience: “Oh my goodness, I finally had a safe bed to sleep in after being homeless for four months. The stress immediately left me and the first night I slept nine hours straight, and I was warm! The staff were extremely kind to me and I felt really supported and cared for. The housing support worker was so helpful with my move and helped me with getting food and furniture.”

Maureen said, “As a staff person, this is a tremendous resource gift and a very gratifying experience working with the JPW staff to help participants reach their goal of finding a safe and affordable home”.

There are many other hopeful stories emerging from these 59 rooms. These stories strengthen us all. But, will this be a last chapter? The original funding expires May 31st.

Kate Quinn is the Executive Director of the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE). She lives in McCauley.

On March 9th, the Geography And Planning Students’ Society (GAPSS) hosted a walking tour of McCauley, focusing on innovative ways to improve the well-being of a neighbourhood. Although GAPSS advocates for students at the U of A, Daniel Witte, VP of events, says “anyone who is interested in these topics is also welcome to join.” The tour was expertly guided by Yasushi Ohki of Green Violin, a non-profit community development company. The following is a partial summary of the outing.

Dependant on zoning approval, Green Violin wishes to construct three small cottages, named Base Camp, on a single lot located at 10718 92nd Street. Along with its mission of building innovative spaces, Yasushi insists, “all Green Violin’s projects must be economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable.” The objective is to continue with designs that are best received by a community.

Nearby, at the juncture of 107a Avenue and 92nd Street, Yasushi directs attention to a neighbourhood icon that had served as a corner store. A City of Edmonton program hopes to revive these community hubs through a system of grants for qualifying applicants.

The history fans among the group were treated to the story of the “jailers’ homes.” These are the tiny houses that were built for staff working at the Alberta Penitentiary that used to stand where the stadiums are now. More than a century old, the remaining few are identical to each other in their unique architecture. Sadly, not one is registered as an historical resource, running the risk of disappearing forever. Jamie Yakimets, a U of A student studying towards a degree in planning, suggests that “they could be turned into mini museums, focusing on the jail and the construction of the homes.”

As the tour moved through McCauley’s alleyways, Yasushi discusses the concept of “narrow streets” and why we needn’t feel afraid to walk these routes alone. He visualizes the transformation of garages into cafes and small shops, creating a safe and welcoming environment for community gatherings.

During the tour, Yasushi pointed out three properties owned by the Edmonton Community Development Company. The ECDC is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with communities to purchase and dispose of derelict residential and commercial entities, then rebuild or transform them into safer, family-friendly properties. An excellent example is the Piazza Plaza. This site now has more community-minded commercial tenants. Peter Kosowan, a graduating business student, says of the ECDC: “Seeing the residents come together like this really showcases the importance of our neighbourhoods across the city and the role they have to play in promoting urban vibrancy.”

Daniel encourages community members to contact GAPSS with event ideas as it is “a really good way to broaden our horizons and bring value to our members.” He can be contacted at GAPSS@ualberta.ca.

Sheila is semi-retired from the hospitality industry and is an Edmonton history enthusiast.

Before the bloom
of leaves and gardens
rain must provide refreshment
for the awaking environment

Days extend while nights dim
as icy conditions abate
and snowbanks deplete
the glow of snowlight retreats

The air is light
as are the jackets
anticipation is on the rise
with plans to hatch a surprise

Festival season draws near
there is a call for patios and beer
new opportunities await
to mingle and associate

Jon is an aspiring researcher and writer. He believes everyone has creative abilities.

This spring, the City of Edmonton’s Problem Property Initiative (PPI) will host a series of Meet & Greets in north central Edmonton, where the highest concentration of problem properties exist. Free for all Edmontonians to attend, these events aim to strengthen relationships with community members and increase awareness of the PPI’s expanded powers to address problem properties.

Each Meet & Greet will feature a presentation and Q&A session, followed by an opportunity for community members to chat directly with PPI personnel. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

• Saturday April 29th, 2-4 p.m.: Eastwood Community League Hall, 11803 86th Street
• Thursday May 18th, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Alberta Avenue Community League Hall, 9210 118th Avenue
• Wednesday June 14th, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Edmonton Intercultural Centre (McCauley), 9538 107th Avenue

Edmonton’s Problem Property Initiative addresses properties that generate frequent and serious complaints and safety concerns. As part of its strategy to tackle the issues associated with these places, the PPI is committed to communicating, engaging, and collaborating with neighbourhoods affected by problem properties. The PPI is pleased to announce new public information resources and opportunities to meet with its team members.

We’ve updated our edmonton.ca/problemproperties website. Visitors will find photo galleries, improved definitions of a problem property, more precise reporting guidance, an enhanced Who to Call list, and a new information sheet that provides an overview of the PPI.

Information from the City of Edmonton.

This 16-foot tall marigold is a public art installation that blossomed at Stadium Yards in late January.

Rohit Rental Living commissioned Studio F Minus of Toronto to design and create “Marigold,” which cycles through several colours and is intended to represent diversity.

As an interactive element, the colour transitions increase in speed when approached.

The marigold is Edmonton’s official flower. Stadium Yards is located near 106A Avenue and 84th Street.

Dear friends,

As I write this, spring is starting to peek around the corner, and I’m so looking forward to enjoying some warm weather soon. And with spring and warm weather comes a provincial election too!

As I wrap up my first term as your MLA, I wanted to use this space to say thank you for putting your faith in me to represent you and our communities for the last nearly four years. I’ve been so proud to use my role to stand up for our neighbours in Boyle Street and McCauley during this time, and I hope to have the opportunity to continue to do so after the upcoming election.

It feels like the last four years have gone by quickly, but our communities have stayed strong and have continued to take care of one another. On my end, I think that what I’ve been proudest of has been my advocacy for our most vulnerable neighbours. This has included pressing the government on accessible and affordable housing, on harm reduction services, and on the need for strong public healthcare and education systems that leave no Albertans behind.

I know that we still have much work to do, and I am hopeful that my Alberta NDP colleagues and I will have the chance to put our advocacy into action and legislation for much-needed supports, like investments in permanent supportive housing, healthcare supports – including family health teams and free prescription contraception – and the wide range of social supports that our communities have been asking for over the past four years.

In short: I know that we have a long way to go toward building an equitable, kind, and supportive province for all Albertans, and I can’t wait to continue this work together with you. And, as always, I’m here to help, so if you need anything, would like to share your thoughts or feedback, or if you’d just like to say hello, please reach out to our constituency office!

Take good care of yourselves and each other.

Janis Irwin
MLA, Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood
Email: Edmonton.HighlandsNorwood@assembly.ab.ca
Phone: 780-414-0682
Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood Constituency Office: 6519 112 Ave. NW

“Transitions are a time for reflection, and a time for looking forward.” – Roy Cooper, American politician and attorney.

Spring arrived as of March 20th. Spring and fall are known as “transitional seasons” with spring transitioning from winter and fall from summer.

However, every season has a transition, requiring us to adapt. Seasons affect how we dress for the weather, the recognition and celebration of events, how nature appears, and what fresh food choices are available.

As well, every season has something to offer. Spring can be a time of planning whether it be for a summer vacation or an event, such as attending Edmonton’s numerous outdoor festivals and concerts.

When the snow melts, we discover things that have been covered. Unfortunately, some of it is trash, so if you want to plan an event with your neighbours and community you can arrange a clean-up! You need gloves, garbage bags, a broom, and a reacher/grabber tool, all available for a bargain at dollar stores. You can also get a free Capital City Clean Up Litter Kit from the City of Edmonton that includes a safety guide, a pair of gloves, and three garbage bags. Go to edmonton.ca, search “Litter Pick Up Supplies & Events”, and fill out the form.

Living in a clean environment makes life healthier, less stressful, and more pleasant. It can improve the self-image of residents and of the neighbourhood as a whole. Of course, be cautious of sharp objects, like needles. If you find a needle on public property, call 311 and they will arrange for it to be picked up. For private properties, call Boyle Street Ventures: (780) 426-0500. You can refer to the Boyle Street and McCauley Crime and Safety Resources on page three of the paper for more information.

Do what you can for your ability. Our community is historic, original, and beautiful. Let’s embrace and respect it. Every little bit helps.

Let’s embrace the transition of the seasons!

Ian is a columnist with the paper. He lives in the area.

Edmonton’s new Chinatown Gate is a go. Underground footings have been installed at the new location, over 97th Street at 101A Avenue. As well, the City has installed a dedicated area to showcase the gate, which includes landscaping.

City Council’s 2023-26 budget has allocated $6 million for the project, and designers in Harbin, Edmonton’s sister city, have prepared a conceptual design. A refined and engineered design will be provided in the future. “The best gate designers in the world are in China,” says Brett Latchford, Director of Chinatown Recovery, City of Edmonton.

Michael Lee, Vice Chair of the Chinese Benevolent Association Board, says it would have been ideal to install the new gate nearer to the area further north, where most of Chinatown is now established. But 97th Street close to Jasper Avenue is “a becoming site,” Lee says, since Edmonton’s Chinatown began in the late 19th century at and around the area where Canada Place is now.

Plans are to reflect the style of the old gate, constructed in 1987, which was a gift from Harbin. This “Harbin Gate,” located on 102nd Avenue just east of 97th Street, was dismantled in 2017 to make way for construction of the Valley Line LRT. It cannot be reinstalled in the new location because it is not wide enough. One of the six lanes of traffic on 97th Street is being closed, but the old gate still cannot span the five remaining lanes.

The timelines are not definite, but project participants expect work to be completed within the next couple of years.

This whole process has been controversial (see the story “Harbin Gate Makes Way for LRT in the April 2017 issue of Boyle McCauley News). Hon Leong, President of the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society, says that at that time there was a lack of communication and consultation with the Chinese community.

But now, Lee says, the Chinese Benevolent Association is “very pleased that the City is considering our input.”

The installation of a new gate is just one part of a broad strategy for the City and Chinatown businesses and residents to work collectively on several fronts (see sidebar: Five Pillars). The City of Edmonton’s website states, “While the City played a role in the development of the strategy, it is community-driven and it will be collaborative community-based partnerships that drive the success of the strategy.”

This good news is what Leong describes as “an end to this whole chapter.”

Five Pillars

The Chinatown Strategy is planned around these five pillars:

1. Improve sense of safety and security
2. Focused economic development
3. Governance and community leadership network
4. Celebrate Chinatown as a destination
5. Enhance built form and landmarks

From the Chinatown section of the City of Edmonton’s website.

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

Light does more than simply help us see – it can change our perspective. The “Light Up McCauley” (LUM) campaign has brightened the McCauley neighbourhood in more ways than one since its introduction in 2021. By providing lighting resources to local community members and groups, LUM spotlights the benefits of adequate lighting on mental health and well-being, while improving visibility and security.

On a sunny Community League Day last September, Safer McCauley and the McCauley Community League invited league members to take home a free set of motion-activated solar security lights and/or decorative LED string lights. Then as the familiar darkness of winter set in, we decided to follow up with recipients about their experiences with the lighting.  

The first notable outcome of LUM was an improved sense of social connectedness, an important factor in community-building. Individuals who decorated their homes with coloured string lights received compliments on their efforts, which often encouraged them to compliment their neighbours’ decorative efforts in a chain of appreciation. One community member also reported that having the festive lights in his home made him more inclined to host guests over the holiday season.

Because the Christmas season can often feel cost-prohibitive and inaccessible, the opportunity to have decorative lighting provided by LUM promoted inclusivity during this time. Residents of all ages reported that their light display allowed them to participate in holiday festivities, and feel included. Families with children also found joy in creating daily rituals and lasting memories centered around the lights. 

Another important outcome reported was an increase in perceived safety with the installation of lighting outside. Motion-activated security lights helped residents feel greater protection from crimes such as vandalism, trespassing, and theft. Many residents also reported feelings of security when entering and exiting their homes at night, allowing them to enjoy the comforts of home.

The last reported benefit of the lighting project is general happiness and positivity. Evidently, people feel good when they make improvements to their environment. This translates to the community at large and makes for a brighter place for us all.

“Light Up McCauley” is an initiative of McCauley Community League and Safer McCauley (REACH Edmonton), supported by funding from the City of Edmonton McCauley Revitalization.  

Celia Sweetland is a University of Alberta graduate (B.A. in Economics), and recently volunteered as a research assistant with REACH Edmonton.

With the arrival of April, our minds seem to naturally wander towards the spring and summer, and perhaps overlook some of the fun that has taken place over the past few cooler (but still sunny!) months. Prior to speaking about spring, we’d like to make special mention of a few recent MCL-supported winter happenings:

Winter Events Past

The McCauley Rink season wound down after another active, eventful, and fun-filled year. Special thanks to Dan, Albert, Adam, Kevin, and all others who contributed in so many ways to keep the gate open, the ice smooth, and the music playing! Also special mention to the good people at Baijiu restaurant for supporting us this year with a supply of snacks.

The McCauley Family Day event held at the rink on Sunday, February 19th offered warm drinks and snacks generously donated by the Pagnotta and Mannarino families, some lovely live music from Dana Wylie, horse rides from Longriders, as well as skating and warm fires. Special thanks to all our volunteers; LeaAnn Whiting, Jakki Duttenhoffer, Kenna, Grace Kuipers, Harley Kuipers Glugosh, Ruscita Hygaard, Ruth Sorochan, and Corine Demas.

The McCauley Cup, a fun-centered hockey game between members of the Edmonton Police Service and kids from in and around McCauley, took place at the rink on Saturday, February 25th. It was a warm and sunny day, and good times were shared both on and off the ice. There were too many donors and volunteers to list them all, but a few notables were Arctic Chiller water, United Sport & Cycle, Italian Centre, Sports Central, and community volunteers Grace Kuipers and Joan Kirillo. Special guests included EPS Chief Dale McFee, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, MLA Janis Irwin, Councillor Anne Stevenson, and MP Blake Desjarlais.

Spring on the Horizon

By the time this article is published, spring will have officially arrived. At MCL this means a shift in focus to outdoor activities and events, and a build-up of excitement for what’s to come. A few things we have on our radar include: a summer kids/youth soccer program at Giovanni Caboto and Norwood Parks, a spring/summer event at the rink, Community League Day in September, and a willingness to consider any other ideas and opportunities that may arise. For up-to-date information, please visit our website, follow us on social media, or sign up for a membership at
www.mccauleycl.com.

Casino and Board Volunteers Needed

We have been approved for an upcoming casino on June 24th and 25th at Grand Villa (next to Rogers Place). The funds received from this casino will be used to fund both our rink operations for 2023/2024, events and programs, and beyond. If you are interested in volunteering please call 780-668-3194 to discuss details with Colleen.

McCauley Community League Board Volunteer Opportunities Abound. Join Us!

Finally, our board is searching for a few more committee members who are passionate about all things McCauley. Our intention is to have friendly and engaging conversations, work towards a few worthwhile goals, and do our best to support community members in good ways. Email us at league@mccauleycl.com if you’d like to chat further about your interest in this opportunity.

Sincerely,
McCauley Community League

Abinet Family Restaurant and Catering
9642 107 Ave.
780-938-3597
Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday, Sat. & Sun.: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Delivery: skipthedishes.com
Catering: afrac2022@gmail.com

McCauley residents might remember a little restaurant called “No Name” nestled behind Lucky 97. It closed when COVID hit, and a new jewel has sprung up in the location.

Abinet Restaurant (pronounced like “cabinet” without the “c”) is run by a charming fellow of the same first name, who opened his Ethiopian and Eritrean family restaurant last April. Wanting to explore a variety from the eight page menu, we came in a group of five, and were happy to see that there were several large tables suitable for family groups as well as smaller tables for one or two. The clean and bright space is decorated with Ethiopian embroidery tablecloths, colourful woven baskets, and it’s easy to get to by walking or bus, as well as having street parking right in front.

Abinet and his family welcomed our group in a very warm and casual style, with no reservations needed. Mentioning that we’d never visited before, he told us that he had run a restaurant in Kampala, Uganda about 10 years back, before finally landing in Edmonton. His experience shows: as well as having such a wide menu, his staff’s service was very accommodating to all our group’s different requests, and food showed up fairly quickly for such a large and varied order.

Ethiopian food is eaten by scooping up morsels of food with pieces of pancake-like injera bread, but two of our group were more comfortable using forks and plates, which the staff were happy to quickly supply. Because one of our diners doesn’t eat bread, we tried Ruze be Doro, a very mild chicken-on-rice dish that arrived on a huge oval platter. If you like it tangy, Abinet will give you a container of Awaze (pronounced a-wa-zee), a spicy thick sauce made with not just chiles, but also mustard seeds and berber spices, which had heat and an amazing depth of flavour. Be sure to try it. When we asked about this remarkable flavour, Abinet pulled out his phone to show us a video of how it’s made.

Next, the vegetable combo arrived, with five different items on the injera bread. It could be an entire meal in itself for vegetarians. The generous portions continued with Misto, a spicy lamb (or you can choose beef) stew, and Lega Tibs: lamb cubes with onions and peppers, seasoned with herbs. The seasoning was the best I’ve had at any Ethiopian restaurant, with rosemary adding subtle depth instead of being garlic-dominated.

Our absolute favourite was the Derek Tibs, which had sprigs of rosemary amongst the meaty chunks of barbecued grilled beef, accented by Senafich, which is like a Texas barbecue rub powder, blending hints of mustard and chili dusted on the grilled meat.

For drinks, try the coffee ceremony, where freshly roasted beans are still smoking as they arrive, and it’s prepared at the table alongside the traditional Ethiopian incense. There are also regular fruit juices and soda pop for the kids, as well as tea and Perrier water. Abinet is a comfortable place for families, and our senior mom was warmly treated.

Prices are very reasonable: all five of us enjoyed a delicious and enormous meal, with four containers left over for the next day’s lunches, for about $100. What a value – real quality food for $20 a person. We’ll be back again with friends, or before if we start craving the lip-smacking Derek Tibs again – I know it won’t be long!

Alan lives in McCauley. He is the Chair of the paper’s Board of Directors.

Edmonton’s Problem Property Initiative (PPI) is committed to proactive communication, engagement and collaboration in neighbourhoods affected by problem properties. Please see the following update regarding new resources and upcoming opportunities to meet with our teams.

PPI Web Page
The Problem Properties in Edmonton web page has been edited to create a more user-friendly and informative environment. Visitors will find photo galleries, improved definitions of a problem property, more precise reporting guidance, an enhanced Who to Call list, and a Problem Property Initiative sub page. New features will be added on an ongoing basis, in response to stakeholder feedback.

PPI One Sheet
This downloadable and printable one sheet provides an overview of the PPI, its new centralized model, specialty teams, and long term strategic plan. It also provides a detailed definition of a problem property and up-to-date contacts for reporting a problem property. Feel free to share the resource with members of your community through your digital channels and/or in print form.

Additional public information and resources are in development, including a PPI booklet, tools to support tenants and landlords, and a reporting flow chart to illustrate how the PPI and its partners respond to problem property complaints.

PPI Meet & Greets (dates to be announced)
We look forward to meeting you and your neighbours in person. A series of “Meet & Greets” will take place in spring 2023 in several neighbourhoods affected by problem properties. Through these events, we aim to strengthen relationships, increase awareness of the PPI and its new resources, learn about your experiences, and connect you with the PPI team members assigned to your neighbourhood.

Information submitted by the City of Edmonton.

Welcome to our April-May issue. I often use this space to thank volunteers who have gone above and beyond, and this time is no exception. Due to a technical issue with the software we were using, we needed the database we use to generate the distribution list and bag labels for our distribution team and block carriers rebuilt in another program.

Thank you to Randy Layetzke for undertaking the time-consuming task of ensuring all of our route information is up-to-date and useable in a more accessible format. Some of you may recognize Randy’s name from when he was the paper’s Distribution Manager a number of years ago. As a result, he is quite familiar with our routes and our distribution system.

Fortunately most of our volunteers do not need hardcore technical skills. If you would like to volunteer with the paper, contact me at
editor@bmcnews.org to find out what opportunities are available.

If you would like to become a member of the non-profit society that operates the paper, you can do that here:
bmcnews.org/membership.

Subscribe to our free e-newsletter at our website: bmcnews.org. Finally, please follow us on social media: we’re bmcnews on "Facebook":https://www.facebook.com/bmcnews and "Twitter":https://www.twitter.com/bmcnews, and bmcviews on Instagram.

Occasionally I encounter a situation in my role as Editor that reminds me of the small world in which we live – and, thanks to modern technology, how a small publication can impact lives far distances away.

In early February, I was emailed by a woman in Wyoming researching her aunt: Anne Boyea. An internet search led her to the paper’s website. Anne Boyea was mentioned in the December 1979 issue – from our first year of publication, and of which we only have one physical copy. Her first name was misspelled as “Ann,” and she was thanked for a financial contribution to the paper.

Then, this niece sent me a copy of an article credited to Boyle McCauley News, December 1979. However, it was not in the copy of the issue on our website. At this moment I realized we did not have a complete copy. Through this article, I learned that Anne Boyea was born in a tent city in the 92nd-93rd Street area. Her family were recent immigrants from Yorkshire, England, who could not find proper housing. She lived in or near the area her entire life. In her later years, she lived in Pioneer Place in Boyle Street – and where we still drop off papers.

Later in February, I received a phone call from the sister-in-law of Boyea’s Wyoming niece. She had a full copy of the December 1979 edition and wanted to donate it to us. I gladly met with her to accept the paper and chat about her family. Sure enough, the feature article about Anne Boyea was on one of the missing pages. We digitized the issue and it is now in our online archive at our website. I hope this experience demonstrates the importance of hyperlocal media extends beyond a neighbourhood’s borders.

A number of McCauley residents and community contributors have received some major awards recently.

In our previous issue, MLA Janis Irwin wrote about presenting me with the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal. A couple of other community members have also recently received this honour.

McCauley resident Todd Janes received the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal from Sarah Hoffman, the MLA for Edmonton-Glenora on October 13th, 2022, for his contributions to the city and province. Todd is the Executive Director of the Stony Plain Road Business Association. In a Facebook post, Sarah Hoffman describes him as “a tireless advocate for Alberta’s arts, culture, and business communities.”

Kate Quinn was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal from MLA Janis Irwin on December 16th at the office of the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE). “For over 30 years Kate has been an advocate speaking out against sexual exploitation and sex trafficking in our communities. As the Executive Director of CEASE, Kate has helped countless individuals,” said Janis Irwin in a Facebook post.

A couple of other McCauley community members have been honoured for their work in the Arts and contributions to making Edmonton a better place.

McCauley musician AV (Ann Vriend) received the 2022 Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund (EATF) in December. Known for her porch concerts bringing the community together during the pandemic, many of AV’s songs are inspired by her experiences living in the neighbourhood and her passion for McCauley.

Another recipient of the EATF – and a reason we here at the paper are celebrating – is Vikki Wiercinski: Boyle McCauley News’ Designer and Advertising Coordinator. In addition to being an artist and designer, Vikki is a ceramicist and the lead organizer of the Royal Bison Art and Craft Fair.

The EATF is a joint initiative of the Edmonton Arts Council and the Edmonton Community Foundation, and is intended to encourage artists to stay in the city. We certainly hope both AV and Vikki stick around for a long time to come!

Problem properties are much more than abandoned houses with overgrown weeds. They are magnets for repeat criminal activity, place a burden on emergency services and pose a significant public health risk. Their presence in a community generates frequent and serious complaints and safety concerns.

Problem properties have been a long-standing challenge throughout Edmonton. That’s why, in early 2020, the City of Edmonton initiated an 18-month human-centered research project to gather ideas and lived experiences from Edmontonians in some of the hardest hit neighbourhoods. Out of this came the 2023 – 2026 long-term strategic approach for problem properties and dedicated funding to tackle the issues associated with these places.

“After 18 months of research and community engagement, the development of a robust long-term strategic approach and the creation of a funded centralized model for administering the Problem Property Initiative, the City of Edmonton and its stakeholders are now, more than ever, positioned to address problem properties,” said Justin Lallemand, specialized program coordinator at the City of Edmonton.

The Initiative now includes:

Dedicated resources
Neighbourhoods with high concentrations of problem properties and derelict buildings will be assigned dedicated Municipal Enforcement Officers to proactively identify and quickly address problem properties before they escalate. A dedicated Community Safety Liaison will also join Officers on inspections to bring an enhanced social justice lens and will provide direct support to people staying in or employed at problem properties.

Centralized office
A newly created centralized office serves as the key point of contact for the public, community, and City Council regarding all aspects of problem properties. This team will continue to develop relationships, attend community meetings, and co-create solutions based on data as well as the specific needs of the communities to which they are assigned.

Coordinated responses
The Problem Property Initiative coordinates the efforts of multiple City departments, the Edmonton Police Service, Alberta Health Services, and the Government of Alberta to present a united, consistent approach to the complex issues associated with problem properties.

Unique approach to unsecured vacant properties
The Community Property Safety Team (CPST) is a bold, innovative, and proactive approach to reducing fire risk at unsecured, vacant buildings. Using provincial legislation, the CPST holds landowners accountable to secure unsecured, vacant buildings that pose a fire risk to the surrounding community.

Streamlined path to demolition
A more focused, unified approach to streamline the path to demolition has been designed to take bolder action in addressing situations where owners have not taken accountability for their problem properties. This process prioritizes and expedites demolitions where required.

Potential tax subclasses
The City is studying the potential to establish a tax subclass for derelict properties. This subclass would enable the City to charge a higher tax rate to properties that are declared derelict, hopefully helping to discourage neglect and ensuring owners take responsibility for their property.

Stay tuned to your neighbourhood news and social media for an invitation to attend one of the City’s Meet and Greet Events where the Problem Property Initiative will share information about its strategic plan, dedicated teams, and new resources; and continue to gather information from community members about their lived experiences with problem properties.

• To learn more about the Problem Property Initiative, visit edmonton.ca/problemproperties.
• To report a problem property call 311, contact 311 online or use the confidential reporting form at edmonton.ca/problemproperties.
• To report an unsecured vacant property call 311 or email communitypropertysafetyteam@edmonton.ca.
• For general inquiries or to engage directly with the Problem Property Initiative, email problemproperties@edmonton.ca.

Photos: Before and after images of a recent clean-up coordinated by the Problem Properties Team (PPT). The property had been destroyed by fire and left in a state that presented a significant and unsecured hazard to the surrounding neighbourhood. PPT intervened, removing approximately 11 extra-large bins of debris and backfilling with approximately 20 dump truck loads of dirt.

Information from the City of Edmonton.

The Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC) is a community full of love, caring, and support. In this and future articles, we will inform readers of the non-profit organizations operating in the EIC facility in order to bring light to their many good deeds.

The Centre for Race and Culture

The Centre for Race and Culture (CFRAC) is a non-profit organization based in Edmonton. Their aim is to create a society free of discrimination and racism. CFRAC’s team includes experienced coordinators, assistants, educators, facilitators, and board members. They offer consultations, workshops, and courses which advocate and support intercultural understanding in the community.

CFRAC was established in 1993 as part of the Edmonton office of the Department of Canadian Heritage with the initial goal of educating the public regarding race relations. This goal continues today through community engagement and research-based projects and initiatives.

Consulting practices are offered by CFRAC to organizations that value equity, diversity, and inclusion. This fosters an intercultural and inclusive mindset that benefits diverse workforces, which helps individuals become better team players and community members. Previous customized workshops have included topics such as Anti-Racism Education, Gender Inclusivity, and Effective Intercultural Practices.

Public workshops and courses are also available to the general public, where participants listen and learn about issues related to race and culture. Participants complete activities and reflections to improve their understanding of intercultural concepts. Recent programs include Unmasking Micro-Inequities, which covers intersections from different instances of inequities, and the Leadership Program for Racialized Youth, which is focused on Indigenous Solidarity. Workshops and courses span from a single day to fourteen weeks. CFRAC places importance on community engagement, so many of the workshops they offer have a sliding scale basis on the ticket pricing to limit the barriers to the public’s participation.

Free access to educational resources and publications is also available on CFRAC’s website to sustain a continuous social commitment to its stakeholders. Individuals are permitted to access the resources at any time to share information with their communities to initiate meaningful conversations on equity and inclusivity.

More information about CFRAC can be found on their website at cfrac.com. To get in touch, they can be contacted at info@cfrac.com.

Information provided by the Edmonton Intercultural Centre.

“Though February is short, it is filled with lots of love and sweet surprises.” – Charmaine J. Forde, writer and poet originally from Barbados.

While February is the second and shortest month on the Gregorian calendar, it is also the only month that can add an extra day every four years – known as leap year.

February is Black History Month and, in the U.S., is also Cancer Prevention Month. As far as individual dates go, many know of Groundhog Day (February 2nd) and also Valentine’s Day (February 14th). However, there are some lesser-known dates you can learn about for your amusement. These include:

February 1st: Dark Chocolate Day
February 6th: Chopsticks Day
February 13th: Tortellini Day
February 21st: Pancake Day (also known as Shrove Tuesday)

Finally, we end the month with Chocolate Soufflé Day on the 28th!

So, if you want to recognize any of these dates, they could be excuses to have fun.

My favourite day is February 11th: Make a Friend Day. I find our community supportive and friendly and have met wonderful friends here. Some friendships have started by sharing community interests and attending events that take place in Boyle Street and McCauley.

My late grandad used to say “Everyone you meet can become a friend.” I like that – and there really is a day for everything!

Ian is a columnist with the paper. He lives in the area.

Felice translates from Italian as “happy,” and the owners of this new café in Stadium Yards have definitely chosen the right name.

Michelle and Tim Brouwer’s business at 10930 84th Street is making a major contribution to the Boyle Street community and beyond. It offers craft coffee and other beverages, snacks, and a small marketplace – all sourced from approximately 30 local companies and individuals. It has presented several live shows featuring regional musicians, and has plans for more in the future.

“When you support a local business, you support people who are your neighbours,” Michelle Brouwer says. “We have each other’s backs.”

Brouwer, who was a lab technician for 12 years, comes from a family of entrepreneurs operating small local businesses in the Edmonton area. She and her husband decided the time was right to join the business world, and started planning in January of 2021. They opened the café in April of 2022.

“Business was always in the back of my mind,” Brouwer says. “Then the pandemic forced me to re-evaluate and think about my passions, which include live music and food. I see owning and operating a business as a lifestyle (being your own boss) and a way of building the community.

The café’s customers include students from Norquest, MacEwan, NAIT, and U of A, who can easily drop in via the nearby Stadium LRT station. The café welcomes them and offers a place where they can work on their laptops and read.

The owners are responsive to customer feedback. For example, they lowered prices when they realized that many local residents – and many students – have low incomes. They also listened when customers asked for more savoury food options and upgrades to the Wi-Fi.

Brouwer notes that visitors from other cities and provinces “are finding us and coming for the Edmonton experience.”

The concerts have worked out really well too. Tickets were sold out for local artist Ellie Heath’s concert on November 26th. And, Felice gives the artists 100% of ticket sales, 100% of merch sales, and 5% of the revenue generated. “I didn’t know that this was not common practice,” Brouwer says, laughing.

The café hosted a plant market in October, with 800 people coming through the door. Plans are underway for a vintage market offered by local vendors.

Brouwer notes that a big component of Felice’s success is the staff. There is an 86 percent retention rate. “Staff have had a direct impact in shaping Felice into what it is today.”

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

Coffee shop at last

_My husband and I moved from the Highlands to an apartment on Jasper Avenue in 2013. We moved for disability access but gradually discovered how much our new Boyle Street community had to offer. Little Italy and Chinatown are unique, special, and filled with treasures. The built heritage of this area – the oldest part of Edmonton – is of great interest to me (Alex Taylor School, the Brighton Block, the Hecla Block, and more). Being able to look out my window at diners on the patio of Panini’s restaurant makes me feel very cosmopolitan. But until now one thing was sorely missing – a coffee shop! Felice has filled that gap and is doing so far beyond what I could have hoped for. - AJ_

Restoration is well underway on one of Edmonton’s oldest buildings, a 1909 industrial site called Edmonton Iron Works. This structure, located on the east side of 96th Street north of 104th Avenue, is interesting for a number of reasons.

First, it is the place where Edmonton Iron Works manufactured materials to construct a very new and rapidly growing city. As well, it was not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, with its brick façade and large windows. And, it is one of a small number of historic sites left in the Boyle Street area, the original location of Edmonton’s city centre.

The City of Edmonton now owns Edmonton Iron Works and is continuing rehabilitation work on the foundation and significant portions of the building structure – what Principal Heritage Planner David Johnston calls “the really scary stuff.”

“Current tasks include restoring exterior walls, installing new floors, addressing a range of structural repairs, and preparing the space for new uses,” Johnston says. The project is challenging, he adds, since “rough and tumble” heavy industry can result in a lot of wear and tear.

The building’s location is near what was then a railway that facilitated shipping and receiving. After Edmonton Iron Works shut down its business in 1927, various other industrial companies were located there. But by 2016 the building had been empty for a number of years and the owner had applied to demolish it. The structure was on the City’s Inventory of Historic Resources, but this listing did not give the City any power to stop demolition.

“Alberta Culture headed off the process by ordering the property owner to provide a historic assessment,” Johnston says. The owner then sold the property, and the City of Edmonton made an unusual and rare decision to buy it.

Plans are for the space to be available for tenants by 2024. The Edmonton Arts Council has already committed to moving in when work is completed.

Work is also proceeding on the 1950s annex on the north side of the Edmonton Iron Works Building, which the City also owns (along with an annex on the south side, which is on hold for the moment). These areas will be renovated as opposed to the restoration techniques required for the central historic section.

“The restoration of the Iron Works could be a catalyst for the Quarters area,” Johnston says.

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

As McCauley welcomes the first months of 2023, signs of winter activity can be spotted everywhere. From the holiday music in our local stores, to colourful lights in businesses and on residences, to children playing in the snow in the parks and skating, to folks just trying to keep warm in whatever ways they can: they’re all parts of cold weather living in our community. While warmer days tend to offer a bit more ease of comfort while we are out and about, the cooler months offer opportunities to come together and connect in their own unique ways.

The McCauley Community League Board gathered together in mid-December (indoors!) to celebrate the year that was 2022, give thanks to our outgoing president Alice Kos (who has contributed so much over the past few years), and to shift our gaze to the year ahead with intentions to keep supporting our neighbourhood in whatever ways we can. In the spirit of coming together, both our community rink and kids/youth soccer programs have been in full swing thanks to a dedicated crew of volunteers for both programs (more information: www.mccauleycl.com).

We hope to continue hosting a few fun events throughout the year as capacity and resources allow, as well as to collaborate with partners in Chinatown, E4C, REACH Edmonton, Viva Italia District Association, and others with activities and initiatives unfolding in and around the neighbourhood. We will be hosting our annual Family Day event at the rink on Sunday, February 19th, and co-hosting the McCauley Cup hockey game with the Edmonton Police Service on Saturday, February 25th (both weather dependent). Please watch our website and social media for more information closer to the dates!

We are also excited to announce that we have been approved for an upcoming Casino on June 24th and 25th at Grand Villa (next to Rogers Place). The funds received from this casino will be used to fund both our rink operations for 2023/2024 and beyond, as well as the future construction of a permanent community-centered rink amenity building to replace the trailer currently on site. We are in need of volunteers for various shifts for both of these days. Anyone interested can email us ASAP at: league@mccauleycl.com

While our board is mighty, we are also somewhat small these days. We welcome anyone interested in joining us to reach out to discuss your interests/passions and how we can best support you as an addition to our team. Our meetings are engaging, social, and fun while also focused on keeping on track with activities, events, and projects with the benefit of our community as a whole. We are open to new ideas and suggestions, as well as opportunities to increase capacities and resources in order to ensure meaningful outcomes for our community.

Our meetings are open to all and we currently meet on the third Thursday of each month from 7-9 p.m., either in-person or virtually depending on our board’s availability and comfort levels. If you are curious, please email us and let’s chat!

Finally, we encourage everyone to sign up for a McCauley Community League membership now available online (www.mccauleycl.com/membership) to keep up with events and news updates as they unfold. Memberships are still free (although donations to the League are welcome).

Sincerely,
McCauley Community League

Pei Pei Chei Ow
#102, 11051 97th Street (inside Whiskeyjack Art House)
780-760-5225
Email: michiso@peipeicheiow.com
Website: peipeicheiow.com
Open Wednesday to Saturday: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Boyle Street and McCauley may be downtown and urban, but our city neighbourhood is also where Saskatoon berries and wild asparagus grows just below the Stadium LRT station. Huge herds of bison roamed right to the edge of the River Valley until our houses were here. Ducks and geese still swim in the North Saskatchewan River below Jasper Avenue.

That natural fruit and meat sustained the people right here for thousands of years, and they – and the people who harvested it – haven’t gone away just because the few remaining bison are now on ranches.

In the previous issue of the paper, I reviewed Tee Pee Treats on 102A Avenue. There’s another exciting new Indigenous eatery hidden in McCauley, called Pei Pei Chei Ow (pronounced pe-pe-s-chew). We discovered Pei Pei Chei Ow inside the front gallery entrance while checking out the beautiful Whiskeyjack Art House on 97th street near the corner of 111th Avenue. Just inside, art fills the walls, and in front of you will be an equally artistic menu, seasonally changing with the natural cycles of what ingredients are freshest and currently available.

We were intrigued by the Berry BBQ Brisket Sandwich. A tangy berry compote contrasted with the deep flavours of the tender meat, enhancing both elements of the sandwich. Next was the Breakfast Sandwich, with perfectly-cooked egg and a little hit of richness with salt and fats from the mortadella, offset with the crisp bite of arugula and the real surprise: a bright green pea pesto that contained such freshness that it was like opening a pea pod in a garden. Our final selection was beef stew accompanied by bannock, which was deep and hearty, sustaining us well past the time we’d usually get hungry again – a real comfort food.

Founded by Chef Scott Iserhoff, Pei Pei Chei Ow was the name his Moshom (Grandfather) Louis gave to Scott during his childhood. It means “robin” in Omushkegowin (Swampy Cree).

Iserhoff says, in an article at Explore Edmonton, “Our Edmonton-based catering company offers contemporary Indigenous cuisine, inspired by the land, life, and seasons that surround us. We incorporate a variety of Traditional and Western ingredients to create food experiences that tell a story. From large public events, to small specialty dinners, we create elaborate and customized menus that use Indigenous cooking techniques while exploring the impact of colonialism on the Indigenous food system and our contemporary Culture.”

As well as serving at the gallery with take-out, and catering for events around Edmonton, Pei Chei Ow also offers a variety of cooking classes to share their knowledge of Indigenous cooking, traditions, and culture.

“I feel a responsibility to showcase Indigenous food,” lserhoff says in the Explore Edmonton article. And showcase it he does. I love that I can go there and have something new, not boring or ordinary. Yet the food is somehow comforting and familiar, even to this old white guy. Maybe, just maybe, that’s because it’s genuinely the food from right here, our shared home.

Alan lives in McCauley. He is the Chair of the paper’s Board of Directors.

It’s February. Fluffy snow is falling outside the windows, like a white angel who covers the world with its wings.

Each year, on the fourteenth day of February, we celebrate the wondrous holiday of St. Valentine’s Day. St. Valentine’s Day is a holiday of love, beauty, romance, as well as tenderness. The name of the holiday comes from a priest named Father Valentine, who secretly wed young couples. On this day, people give gifts to each other. Gifts such as flowers, sweets, and greeting cards called “valentines.”

Through frost, snow, and wind fly the red-breasted birds of the winter: the valentines. They fly like small sparks of a big fire of love. Those small hearts are like parts of a one heart, which fly in a hurry to give the kindest and tender words to our loved ones.

God is love. Love is a feeling that surrounds us from our very childhood, and thanks to love we come into this world. It makes our lives better and more colourful. Each day, our parents, with their love, devote their whole selves to see the smile on their children’s faces.

We look at the world through the windows of our souls, and those windows are our feelings. At times, we just want to stop the fast pace of life for a moment and pay attention to people. To give them a smile, or to say words which will put a smile upon their faces – words that will make their eyes be filled with joy, and their hearts melt.

Like a bird without the skies, or a child without miracles, a human cannot exist without love. It is wonderful that there are people to whom it does not matter where you come from, and what you look like, but they simply love you for who you are.

Love is like a river whose streams never run dry. There is no person who does not deserve to be loved. Love is something that we can never give or receive enough of. It is one of the most beautiful and powerful feelings on the planet, and the best thing that can happen to us. The more love you gift to others, the more love is being revived within you. Love is the feeling that unites all people. Without it the world would cease to exist.

Natanel Krieksfeld is a grade nine student at Genesis Online Catholic Junior High School.

The new year brings some changes to the paper. First of all, Karen Simons, who has been our lead proofreader for the past four years, has decided to take a break. We thank her for her service, and I especially am grateful for her help in elevating the quality of the paper to new heights. Thank you, Karen!

At the same time, we would like to thank Glen Argan, who is stepping into our lead proofreading role. Glen is an experienced editor and has been a guest proofreader in the past. Welcome, Glen!

We also have two new board members to welcome: Richard Nguyen and Deborah Stewart. Richard grew up in the area and is also a Block Carrier. Some of you may be familiar with Deborah’s name, as she was a board member (and a Co-Chair) a number of years ago. Thank you both for stepping up!

Speaking of volunteering, if you are interested in writing, photographing, delivering, proofreading, or other roles, please contact me at editor@bmcnews.org. You can also become a member of the non-profit society that operates the paper here: bmcnews.org/membership. And don’t forget to follow us on social media: we’re bmcnews on "Facebook":https://www.facebook.com/bmcnews and "Twitter":https://www.twitter.com/bmcnews, and bmcviews on Instagram. Finally, sign up for our free e-newsletter at our website.

A couple of years before I began editing Boyle McCauley News, a friend took me to a restaurant in Chinatown and led me through the process of ordering and consuming my first ever bowl of pho soup. This was a triple first for me: dining in Chinatown, eating pho, and using chopsticks. Since then, I have become accustomed to engaging in all three of these activities. I always reflect on this experience in the context of it taking a friend to push me out of my comfort zone and introduce me to something new, fun, and delicious.

At other times, I have been that friend who has introduced new places and cuisines to others. One time, after lunch a friend and I ended up going to a gift store in Chinatown to purchase a set of chopsticks so my friend could practise using them, hopefully to get better at it for our next lunch adventure.

I am not sure how many people I have brought to the restaurants, stores, and events Boyle Street and McCauley have to offer, but I know that each person walked away with an experience they never would have tried if not for my encouragement and persistence. In some cases, they left with a new perspective on the neighbourhoods and have become return visitors.

Trying something new doesn’t have to be something extreme or require a great deal of effort or planning. It can be something simple, like taking someone to a new restaurant to try a kind of food they have never tasted. Sometimes these small things can make a huge impact. I’ll always remember that first bowl of pho and the subsequent life choices I made – like becoming editor of this paper.

Jen Dunford recently moved to McCauley and is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Heart of the City Festival. Dunford is a multi-disciplinary artist who has formally studied piano and dance. She has worked in several different disciplines including theatre devising, acting, and singing.

Dunford says, “I’m an improviser by trade. I think that my happiest place is working between the mediums of live dance and live music. Art is a language. I’ve studied a lot in nonverbal communication which is my favourite way of saying dance. I work as a performer. My body is the work and I am the art.”

Dunford has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, a degree which she received in 2015. “I grew up taking community dance and I did Royal Conservatory examinations in piano at the same time, so I was concurrently becoming a musician and a dancer until I reached grade 6 in piano at which time it became more theory heavy and I had to make a decision between whether I was going to become a dancer or a musician,” Dunford says. “I decided to choose dance because oftentimes in a classical ballet class there is a live pianist and so in that way I could continue to experience both at the same time.”

As an independent dance artist, Jen works with musicians and singers performing together live. Her choreographies always include either live musicians or originally composed scores. “It is really important to me that the dancers and musicians have a connection. That interplay is what makes performance meaningful.”

When describing why she is drawn to dance, Dunford says, “I think it’s the ability to self-express and to have the agency to create. I feel empowered when expressing. I feel in control and I feel just a little bit taller, more confident. What always brings me to tears in dance is when I feel that I am a part of something more – I’m part of a conversation. It’s that communication between artists that makes me feel I’m a valued member of what is happening.”

“I recently came back to working as an educator for the Art Gallery of Alberta. It has been a joy and a highlight to utilize my skills in the fine arts and to recognize the cross over between all genres of art and how important visual literacy is. I’m really proud that the Art Gallery of Alberta, the house of art for our province, exists downtown.

About living in the inner city, Dunford says, “I think I prefer the downtown, even though I’ve had as many negative experiences as I’ve had positive experiences. It’s been a goal of mine to move out of the suburbs and create my own adult life in the inner city. I’ve always felt a part of the under-represented voiceless youth. I’ve spent a lot of time in the underbelly screaming into the void and never hearing an echo back.”

Dunford adds, “Maybe if I can create space for others, even in my own small capacity, I can help to reciprocate that echo.”

Corine Demas is the President of the Heart of the City Festival and the Special Events Coordinator for the McCauley Community League.

Edmonton writer Audrey Whitson, who lives in Boyle Street, wrote her Solstice blog post about the greatly increased number of unhoused people in her neighbourhood. Following are excerpts from the post, which can be read in full here.

Lately I feel a little like I’ve been walking through the streets of Charles Dickens’s London, with waifs on every corner and debtor prisons in the form of credit cards and food banks, or perhaps the byways and highways of John M Synge’s Ireland in the late 1800s and his accounts of tenant farmers turned out of their small huts to survive in the ditches when they couldn’t pay the rent. Or even better, walking through Maria Campbell’s account of growing up Métis on the prairies, as one of the Road Allowance People because these were the only places available to them to scrape together a living.

But no, I go about my business — bank, bakery, grocery store — in Edmonton, Alberta. A dynamic, modern and civilized city by most accounts, part of a prosperous province and country. At three o’clock in the afternoon, I pass the single men’s emergency shelter off 97th Street, people already lining up for a bed for the night. I pass the young women trying to sell themselves for a meal or a place to crash. I stroll past the dozens of makeshift tents that line every available strip of public land between private fences and public sidewalks off 95th and 96th Streets.

What to do? It’s a dilemma for all who live here.

The number of people without a home in Edmonton has doubled (at approximately 3000) since the start of the pandemic.

A good friend and priest, René Fumoleau, who worked with the Dene in northern Canada most of his life, told the story of a time when he asked a local artist to draw a scene for Midnight Mass. He wanted a picture of the holy family arriving in Bethlehem, only it would be a Dene village and they would have a tent and a dog team. …weeks, then months went by and still no drawing, René finally cornered him. That’s when the artist told him, he just couldn’t imagine Mary, Jesus, and Joseph left to fend for themselves. Why, if they had arrived at any Dene community, any one of them would have made room. They would have been welcomed.

Audrey Whitson is MacEwan University’s 2023 Writer in Residence.

What is kindness? Each one of us, at least once in our lifetime, has needed help. And how thankful many of us were when facing difficult times, and someone stretched their helping hand towards us. We all live under the same skies, and each one of us is worthy of help, support, and compassion.

In Edmonton, there is a charitable organization called The Marian Centre, which is the name of the local branch of a charity that operates in many countries. The name the charity uses in places outside the city of Edmonton is The Madonna House. Charity is an important Christian virtue, and it is giving hope to those who have lost their hope. It is finding its path amongst people who do not remain indifferent to the pain and suffering of others.

The Marian Centre is located at 10528 98th Street, and is home for 12 people who decided to dedicate their lives to God and the service of humanity. The Marian Centre is currently under the leadership of director Hugo Isaza. Each of these people is ready without hesitation to come to the aid of those who are in a difficult life situation and cannot offer anything in return except a grateful smile. Many volunteers come to the Marian Centre daily to assist in giving the homeless items such as food, clothing, and various hygiene items. Volunteers cook meals for the homeless, they work in the clothing room, but, most importantly, they give the homeless hope and a sense that we are all in this together.

Each soul of a homeless person is an unread book, which not every person can understand. The people at the Marian Centre see the spark of God in every person and they understand that selfless help is giving not only support to the homeless, but also to be able to save lives. People with a big heart will never pass by someone else’s grief, because they will always treat someone else’s grief as their own. They can understand any person who has lost hope in their lives and give them the hope they so greatly need. Kindness is freeing a person’s understanding to accept and understand the people which life throws our way.

_Natanel Krieksfeld is a grade nine student at Genesis Online Catholic Junior High School. _

As this is a breaking news story, it will be updated as required. Updates will be posted here.

Nov. 25, 4:57 p.m.: Comments added from Alice Kos, McCauley Community League President.

The Edmonton Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) has revoked Boyle Street Community Service’s (BSCS) development permit.

“Boyle Street completely disagrees with the decision. The organization plans to continue to move forward with the King Thunderbird Centre and will be exploring all avenues of recourse in the coming weeks,” according to a media release from BSCS on November 25th.

BSCS says that this decision “will mean that lifesaving services desperately needed in the core of Edmonton will be impeded.”

However, for a number of McCauley residents and community organizations, this decision was welcome. “As an appellant of the development, I’m relieved by the SDAB’s decision. At the same time, it’s complicated. McCauley is an inclusive and welcoming neighbourhood. And we want the best for our neighbours who are experiencing houselessness, and living with mental health and substance use disorders,” says Alice Kos, a McCauley resident and President of the McCauley Community League, whose board voted to support the appeal.

“I admire and value Boyle Street Community Services and their programs and services. But I feel the SDAB made the right decision. We won’t tolerate the perpetual over-concentration of services in one neighbourhood – especially one that itself is entirely vulnerable. And the location of the largest of those services within one block of the city’s largest K to 12 school would be entirely inappropriate,” Kos continues.

Kos is not the only one relieved by the decision. The Chinatown BIA, Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society (CTC), and other Chinatown organizations opposed the SDAB permit at the SDAB hearing held on November 10. Hon Leong, President of the CTC, in a letter of support supporting the BIA, listed a number of concerns.”

“As BSCS is a social agency, not a commercial enterprise, we believe that the Appeal Board should rule in favour of the Edmonton Chinatown BIA’s position that the proposed use by BSCSC is not in compliance with the land use indicated in the development permit,” Leong wrote.

“Moreover, during the development permit review stage, the City of Edmonton waived the need for a traffic impact assessment (TIA) study perhaps based on minimal vehicular traffic impact to the surround streets. In our view, the TIA study is a necessity to identify impacts to vulnerable road users such as BSCS clients who are challenged with mental and addiction issues and the large volume of students at the nearby Victoria High School. Conflicts between travelling vehicles and those vulnerable pedestrians on 101 Street and 107 Ave should be assessed to maintain traffic safety and protect vulnerable road users from potential injuries and fatalities.”

Finally Leong added that “We also believe that the development permit was approved without variances. There are a variety of uses (i.e., financial services and health) that would typically require variance and community consultation. This was not the case with this development permit.”

However, BSCS believes that “arguments made by the appellants to the development permit intentionally mischaracterized the services provided by Boyle Street and vilified those they serve. In the last year, Boyle Street has provided mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health services in the core of our city to over 7000 individuals the majority of whom are experiencing homelessness.”

Kos disagrees with the idea that the BSCS has been mischaracterized. “The reality is that a certain level of social disorder and lack of safety in McCauley / Chinatown and core neighbourhoods is connected to the over-concentration of poverty and services. That’s borne out by statistics and very visible evidence. Our entire neighbourhood system is vulnerable. Chinatown is dying. Businesses can’t operate with locked doors and smashed windows. And the level of random violence is intolerable.”

However, Kos also concerned by the “the divisiveness of this process. This appeal process has created an adversarial dynamic. But the reality is we’re not Boyle Street’s enemies. We’re not opposed to their services – only the location. We want the same as them: a healthy neighbourhood for all community members,” she explains.

The organization will continue to take steps towards the opening of the new facility in the planned location at 10010 107A Avenue.

“Over the 50-year history of our organization, we have experienced numerous challenges. This decision represents another challenge which we will undoubtedly overcome” said Jordan Reiniger, Executive Director of Boyle Street Community Services.

“We owe it to those we serve, our countless supporters, and our city to make sure this delay does not prevent us from moving forward in creating a purpose-built facility for those we serve who are put at the most risk in our society.”

Related:

Controversy Continues Over Boyle Street Community Services’ Planned Move to McCauley

Relocation of Boyle Street Community Services to McCauley Met with Concerns: Survey

Boyle Street Community Services is Moving

“THIS is McCauley,” commented a volunteer and long-time McCauley resident as she observed the beautifully diverse crowd assembled at the McCauley Community Rink on September 24th in celebration of Community League Day.

After being surprised with a line-up outside the gate 30 minutes before the event began, we were delighted to welcome over 600 attendees throughout the day. Folks from all walks of life were welcomed with free coffee, cookies, and muffins on arrival, followed by hot dogs, beverages, and ice cream sandwiches. Children and youth enjoyed a bouncy castle, face-painting, and balloon artists. Attendees were treated to top-notch live performances from The Prince Charles Fiddlers, Ron Pearson Magic, Alain Intwali, Shang De Tai Chi Praying Mantis Martial Arts Association, Homofonik, and Melafrique.

The day was made even better thanks to contributions from our community partners. E4C hosted a craft table where participants transformed McCauley Community League t-shirts into vibrant orange tie-dye, in preparation for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th. Courtesy of the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative, the God of Wealth mascot graced us with his presence and entertained us with some pretty spectacular dance moves. Two players from the Edmonton Elks signed autographs and posed for photos with fans alongside their mascot, Punter. And REACH Edmonton, with funding support from McCauley Revitalization, gave away 100 sets of decorative string lights and 144 motion sensor lights to McCauley residents as part of Light Up McCauley.

A cheerful team of community volunteers were the lifeblood of this event. We didn’t expect quite so many folks to come out, and the volunteers were run off their feet to ensure the day went as seamlessly as possible! We are so grateful to each of them for giving so generously of their time.

The McCauley Community League Board is committed to ensuring that its events are open to all, and entirely free. Heartfelt thanks to McCauley Revitalization and the Edmonton Arts Council for helping make that happen!

On a more personal note, as I reach the end of my term with the MCL Board, I want to express how proud I am to have worked with such a solid group of board volunteers over the past two years. Regardless of many pandemic roadblocks, we accomplished a great deal together, not least of which were two of the best-attended Community League Day events ever. When I feel overwhelmed by the challenges our community faces, it’s events like these that remind me that there’s so much beauty, vibrancy, and love in McCauley.

Alice is the President of the McCauley Community League.

For a long time, I have wanted to celebrate the art of slow fashion at Heart of the City. Fashion is an all too often overlooked art form. We may not realize it, but every day we are wearing art.

When I met Heather Bouchier last year at a bonfire, I had a lightbulb moment. I asked Heather if she would be willing to organize a show for HOTC. She consented to my bringing the idea to the HOTC board. The board was excited about the prospect and thus Heart of the City’s Indigenous Fashion Show was born.

This year, with Heather joining our board in the new position of Fashion Director, we held our second annual Indigenous Fashion Show and clothing drive at Parkdale Cromdale Community League on November 12th. The show featured the creations of emerging designer Kiera-Dawn Kolson and, for the second time, Acahkos Designs by Rhonda Johnson. Heather Bouchier also showed a collection at the event.

The event was emceed by Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse. We were pleased to present to a sold out audience.

The generous donations of clothing were distributed to a local organization called Water Warriors, who serve houseless folks, including many Indigenous people.

If you would like to find out more about this year’s featured designers, follow these links:

Acahkos Designs

Kiera-Dawn Kolson

Heather Bouchier Design

Many thanks to the Heart of the City board members who pulled together to produce this event: Heather Bouchier, Dilara Polat, Jen Dunford, Mike Siek, and Fey Goble.

Heart of the City also wishes to thank our amazing sponsors for this event: EPCOR’s Heart and Soul Fund, The Edmonton Arts Council, McCauley Community League, Parkdale Cromdale Community League and Boyle McCauley News. We were also supported by a private donation by HOTC’s Music Director, Boosh.

_Corine Demas is the President of the Heart of the City Festival and the special events coordinator for McCauley Community League. _

September 30th was the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Also known as Orange Shirt Day, the day honours survivors of residential schools and the children who never returned home. Of the dozens of events to mark the day throughout Edmonton, several took place in Boyle Street and McCauley. Here is a look at some of them.

Photos by Paula E. Kirman.