Italian Centre Shop owner and McCauley resident Teresa Spinelli has made what she believes is a bad business decision – but for a good reason.

She recently purchased The Piazza, the commercial strip mall located at 108th Avenue and 95th Street. She paid an undisclosed amount, and will only admit that she paid more than the original purchase price of the property. “I don’t want to share what I paid, because it was not a good business decision. But I paid enough so that all the investors were left whole,” she says.

The Piazza was purchased in January 2020 by the McCauley Development Cooperative, which formed in 2019 and was made up of area residents who wanted to encourage businesses in the strip mall that were a better fit for the community in terms of values and safety issues. Spinelli was part of this initiative and was one of its leaders.

However, these good intentions were not enough to make the project financially viable. “The building had a mortgage and there were a couple of empty spots that we were not able to fill,” Spinelli explains. To further complicate matters, in March 2020 - only a couple of months after the purchase - COVID-19 hit.

Members had raised $1.1 million, with the remaining amount of the almost $2.9 million purchase price supported by a loan from the Social Enterprise Fund, which is operated by the Edmonton Community Foundation.

Five years later, the cooperative was on the verge of receivership. Selling the property at the original purchase price was one option, but would have resulted in a financial loss to members. Thanks to Spinelli's intervention, the members will recoup their original investments.

Another reason for Spinelli's decision to purchase The Piazza was the concern that an unknown buyer would possibly “not be a good landlord or community partner.”

The Piazza has become a hub of activity in Little Italy, featuring unique shops and services such as Paper Birch Books, Earth's Refillery Coop, True Blue Barber Shop, and Culina Famiglia. Its large, paved front area is also the setting for a number of local events such as Winter in Little Italy and the Hello Market pop-ups.

Spinelli began working towards the purchase of The Piazza in May 2025 and the sale was finalized in late October. She is currently trying to rent out the final available bay to a community-focused business and urges everyone to “please continue to support the local businesses in The Piazza!”

Paula E. Kirman is the Editor of Boyle McCauley News.

As the snow begins to blanket our city again, I feel both grateful and excited. I’m so honoured to have been re-elected to serve the incredible communities of O-day’min for another four years. I’m thankful for your trust and support, and I look forward to continuing to work together to build a city that works for everyone.

A key priority as the weather turns colder is to ensure that everyone has a warm place to be. Council recently approved one million dollars to expand the number of day shelter spaces offered throughout the city. Not only will this help keep Edmontonians experiencing homelessness out of the cold, it can also help relieve pressures many businesses and residents feel when folks have nowhere else to be but on our streets, in our yards, or in front of businesses. I also moved a motion earlier in the fall asking the Province to come up with a plan to relocate some of the shelter space from the Hope Mission and Herb Jamieson to other locations across the city. I think this is the best approach to help reduce pressure on the core while making sure essential services can still be provided. 

Despite challenges we continue to face, there is much to be hopeful about this season. I’m excited for the upcoming holiday celebrations – events that remind us of the warmth, creativity, and community spirit that make O-day’min such a special place to call home. 

As winter settles in, I encourage everyone to stay connected with the many City services that support our communities. From libraries and recreation centres to public transit and community grant opportunities, there are many ways to get involved and find support. My team and I are always here to help, and I love hearing from residents about the ideas and concerns that matter to you.

Never hesitate to reach out to my office, and if we cross paths at an event or around the community, please be sure to say hello.

Thanks for reading!

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

“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” - John F. Kennedy (May 29, 1917-November 22, 1963. 35th President of the United States of America.)

On November 4th, the 20th Anniversary of The Glenrose Award of Courage took place at the Dr. Bill Black Auditorium, located in the Glenrose Hospital. This event is held annually to recognize the power and bravery of those who move forward and inspire despite having succumbed to a life-changing setback. There have been recipients of all ages, from children to seniors, who have faced setbacks with strength.

Another significant date is December 3rd, which is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). The date was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly. At the time of writing, there was an event planned to take place at the Legislature on December 3rd but I could not get specific details prior to our print deadline. The online version of this article will be updated if possible.

We then move on to the holiday season and welcome the year 2026. May we all appreciate the season, respect the diversity of traditions, and have a good, safe New Year’s.

Ian Young is a columnist and Block Carrier with the paper who lives in the area. He received the Glenrose Award of Courage in 2007. 

Bissell Centre launched Bissell Harvest Catering, the newest of the agency’s social enterprises, in June. In development since 2023, the downstairs kitchen in the Bissell East building (10527 96th Street) has been expanded and modernized. Meal preparation capacity has been increased from 36,000 meals per month to 50,000. The expansion provides capacity for the social enterprise to offer catering services to the general public.

According to the Bissell Harvest catering website (bissellharvest.ca): “... when you choose our elevated cuisine for your next event, you’re not just indulging in a fantastic meal - you’re also helping to elevate the lives of people right here in Edmonton. It’s like a meal with a side of good karma!”

Prasanna Peddireddy, Manager of Food Services, has been part of Bissell’s Food Services for seven years. He brings more than 23 years of culinary skills and international experience to the project. He is equally comfortable putting together bag lunches for 300 community members who come to Bissell for programs and services as plating such dishes as honey garlic chicken with creamy mashed potatoes and crisp vegetables. He envisions the development of the catering business as another tool for sustaining the long term viability of Bissell Centre. Peddireddy states, “We have the skills and capacity and are excited to be developing a new business that gives back to our community.”

The catering menus feature a holiday dinner with Citrus and Herb Crusted Salmon and Classic Roast Turkey, along with side dishes. Among the offerings for hors d’oeuvres are gluten and dairy free options, such as southeast beef salad rolls that are tortilla wrapped, or vegan salad rolls in rice paper.

Price ranges are from $5 for an appetizer to $45 for a full formal meal. A minimum order of 15 servings is required. At this time, alcohol service is not offered. 

The food services team at Bissell Centre, in addition to preparing healthy snacks and meals for users of Bissell Centre’s programs, is using its skills to develop a viable and sustainable business model for this catering venture. All profits return to the organization to further the agency’s goals.

Sustainability and care of the environment is another component of Bissell Harvest’s mission. Ingredients are locally sourced as much as possible, with any food waste being composted.  

This is a further step towards reducing the organization’s carbon footprint and strengthening its financial position through lowering operating costs. In recent years, Bissell Centre has installed solar panels on the Bissell West building, as well as at the Bissell Thrift Shop on Alberta Avenue. 

Bissell Centre is no stranger to social enterprise. Its Thrift Shop functions as a social enterprise providing employment, low cost clothing, and household supplies to its customers, while returning any profits to the agency. It has been in business since 1959. In addition, Bissell Centre operates Moonlight Bay at Wabamun Lake as a retreat centre. 

Bissell Centre was founded in 1910 as a Methodist mission, and incorporated as a stand-alone charitable society in 1977. 

For more information about Bissell Harvest Catering, visit: bissellharvest.ca.

Gail Silvius is happily retired and living in McCauley.

McCauley is a neighbourhood of many: many different people, events, and happenings. There is always something going on. This season we hope as a community league to continue being a link for residents to municipal government and a connector of community groups. 

In the summer and autumn the Community League continued to host monthly community cafes at the rink space. Community resident Dustin Bajer, from Cultivate McCauley, established a forest nursery at the rink space. Look for it in the spring for more information. 

The Sustainable Food Edmonton McCauley Orchard and the McCauley Community League (MCL) connected to host Kids in the Orchard. One of the fall projects was fixing and repainting the communal sheds at the orchard site. Also there were two tree pruning workshops cohosted by orchard gardeners and the MCL. Look for more opportunities to be involved in the spring. 

The Community League Day party was at the Rhema Chapel this year with face painting and crafts. It was a good Saturday afternoon in the neighbourhood.  

Halloween was a smashing success this year. There was warm and spirited fun at the rink. An unofficial count of 52 children of all ages, as well as their adult folks, came through the rink space while the music spilled down the street. Thank you to all the folks who came to sort candy, set up, and clean up at the end of the night. 

A new venture at the rink space this fall has been offering English as another language classes on Wednesdays and Fridays. These classes have been successful and more folks are welcome. It is free and drop-in.

There have been many successes in the past season. The debris around the rink was cleaned up, something which will improve maintenance and improve the rink’s appearance. Look for new projects in the spring to upgrade and beautify our shared space. 

This winter the Community League will be working with the Friends of Mary Burlie Park for a  sports initiative called Little Champs Community Sports, offering noncompetitive sports programs in the new year for neighbourhood children and teenagers. If you are interested in more information or would like to volunteer, please contact the League. 

The rink will be opened as the weather allows, thanks to the good work of returning Rink Manager Dan Glugosh. Look for more information on Facebook or online at the Boyle McCauley News website or via your email. There will be a Christmas and Solstice season party and a fireworks watch party on New Year’s Eve. 

In the middle of the dark winter we hope to light up the neighbourhood with the 15th annual McCauley Cup. Please contact the League through email or at the rink space if you can help with any of these events. The community rink space is located at 10755 96th Street (main entrance at 108th Avenue and 96th Street). These  community events are good traditions to foster a sense of belonging and connection among neighbours.

Thank you to volunteers and organizers of past events for their efforts in the past season. including: Justine Dyck, Kat Phong Luu, Maia Amee Scheffer-Sorochan, Ash Ferland, Gail Silvius, Shelley Hollingsworth, Holly Payne, Dylan Morgan, and Cass Clutchey. Welcome to our new board members, and we invite others who may wish to serve on the board.

We encourage you to  reach out to the League to volunteer or help organize community groups. Please attend and participate in any or all of the upcoming events in order to continue building a strong and vibrant community.

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

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

Dear friends,

Winter has arrived and with it comes festive times of celebration and tradition, but also time for reflection and stillness as we anticipate the start of a new year and new possibilities. This time of year can be hard for many. For me, I am reminded of how important it is that we reach out to our friends and neighbours and find joy in community.    

My Alberta NDP Caucus colleagues and I headed back to the Legislature at the end of October. On the first day of debate, the UCP government rammed through Bill 2, the Back to School Act, which forced teachers back into underfunded and overcrowded classrooms and removed their right to collective bargaining. Bill 2 also included, for the first time in Alberta’s history, preemptive use of the notwithstanding clause to bypass charter-protected rights of Albertans. 

With a government so willing to trample on human rights, it is fair to say we are living in a new alarming reality in Alberta. We are living under a government that has openly defied charter rights and abused its legislative power. We are living under a government that has overtly valued power over human rights, prioritized control over dialogue, and has demonstrated once again, that public education is not a priority. 

And while the legislative action of the government was shocking and unprecedented, the saddest part was watching students and teachers return to the same broken system. Alberta students are still the lowest funded in the country. There are no class size caps and not enough space. There is virtually no support for students with special needs, and teachers continue to shoulder the burden of this chronically underfunded system. None of this is okay.  

But what gives me hope is the response of Albertans. I’ve witnessed so many of you here in Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood, and  across the province, rise up like never before. Students are organizing and people are attending enormous rallies at the Legislature. My inbox is flooded with hundreds of emails every day advocating for education, access to healthcare, human rights, and affordable housing. So many Albertans who’ve never been involved in politics before are reaching out for the first time. 

Keep speaking out, keep showing up, and keep staying hopeful. Because kids deserve better, our teachers deserve better, Albertans deserve better. And better is possible.

As always, please reach out at any time. I can’t wait to see you around the community. .

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

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.

At the Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC), we are proud to be home to a diverse range of community organizations that embody inclusion, collaboration, and cultural understanding. Among them, the Multicultural Family Resource Society (MFRS) stands out as a vital force supporting newcomer families and helping them thrive in Edmonton. Since its founding in 2005, MFRS has worked to address the poverty, isolation, and systemic barriers many immigrant and refugee families face, while fostering a strong sense of belonging and wellbeing across cultures.

As a member tenant organization of EIC, MFRS enriches the our community through its collaborative approach and commitment to intercultural learning. The organization leads parent and youth programming that empowers families to build confidence, develop new skills, and connect meaningfully with others. As one staff member explains, “Our programs provide a place for participants to belong, to voice their concerns, and share hopes and dreams. It’s a place where they can feel safe and connected when language and cultural barriers make life challenging.” Through English classes, youth programs, adult groups, and parent-child initiatives, MFRS creates spaces where newcomers are not only supported but celebrated.

The English Classes at MFRS go beyond language learning: they help participants build confidence and friendships while strengthening their integration into the community. The MFRS’s Youth Programs give young people opportunities for leadership and community service, fostering civic engagement and resilience. Meanwhile, Individual Support Services use a cultural brokering model to guide vulnerable refugees through settlement, employment, and wellbeing challenges. Whether through Adult Groups that encourage social connection or Parent-Child Groups that nurture confidence across generations, MFRS demonstrates the power of community-based support to transform lives.

The story of MFRS began with a small group of parents from diverse backgrounds who came together to share the challenges of raising children between two cultures. What started as a parent-child program of 30 participants has grown into a vibrant organization now serving around 25,000 immigrant and refugee families each year. This incredible growth has been made possible through the dedication of staff and volunteers, alongside support from the City of Edmonton Family and Community Support Services; Edmonton Community Foundation; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; and the Edmonton Community Adult Learning Association.

The Edmonton Intercultural Centre is honoured to share our space with an organization whose work so perfectly aligns with our mission of intercultural understanding and community connection. To learn more or get involved with their programs, visit the Edmonton Intercultural Centre (9538 107th Avenue), the MFRS’s website (www.mfrsedmonton.ca) or contact MFRS directly at info@mfrsedmonton.org.

Information provided by the Edmonton Intercultural Centre.

Former McCauley resident, Richard Auclair, died September 10, 2025 in Dawson City, Yukon, at the age of 79. He lived in McCauley for 31 years before he moved to the Yukon in 2012. 

Richard was an active volunteer with the Boyle McCauley News for 17 years (from 1989 until 2006) writing articles and letters, and bundling each issue for delivery to carriers. But he is best known for coordinating the paper’s delivery in McCauley and delivering each issue to homes.

A volunteer profile in the October 1989 issue stated, “Richard has been regularly delivering the paper to 5 blocks this past year. Sometimes, when we are short of paper carriers on other blocks due to people being sick, out of town or having quit, Richard has pitched in to deliver up to 8 blocks of papers.”

I met Richard in the summer of 1985, at his rooming house residence, while doing a door-to-door survey on behalf of the McCauley Community League. We quickly became good friends.

Richard was born in Chambley, Quebec, and moved to Edmonton in May 1981. He told me, “I came by bus to Edmonton from Calgary, and as soon as I saw the river valley and the city skyline, I liked it.”

Due to various health problems, Richard was on a limited income through Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH). He liked that McCauley had a couple of grocery stores and everything he needed was nearby.

Richard’s volunteer involvement coincided with his move to a new affordable, safe, and secure housing project at 9532 107A Avenue. He lived there from the day it opened until he moved to the Yukon. The building, owned by Right at Home Housing Society, is now known as Auclair Manor.

A visit to his place was evidence of his love of painting and the artist Picasso, as his own reproductions lined the walls of his home. Richard was known for his hospitality and generosity.

An email from the lodge where he lived the last 10 years said it best: “He was just the kindest soul with the most wonderful eccentricities and so thoughtful. The team is forever thankful that your visits gave us a glimpse of who Richard was before he had to come into care: the artist and music lover. If there is an afterlife, I’m sure he is engaged in conversation or singing with the music.”

Harvey Voogd lived in McCauley from October 1984 until March 1997 and was involved with the paper as a board member, writer, and carrier. He lives in Delton and is the Executive Director of Edmonton Youth Justice.

The McCauley WECAN Food Basket Depot is moving to the McCauley Rink in December. 

The move increases accessibility because the rink space includes a ramp. Ramp access will make it easier for members who use a rolling cart to collect their groceries. Members who use a walker can avoid the stairs. 

Thank you to the McCauley Community League for making the space available.

The rink address is 10750 96th Street (main entrance on 108th Avenue and 96th Street). Pick up hours: 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., third Thursday of the month.

The WECAN Food Basket Society is a food buying club, with more than 700 members. Produce orders are $15 and meat orders are $20. Annual membership is $5. Membership is open to all who eat.

For more information on the WECAN Food Basket Society: wecanfood.com

Norbert Topolski creates, produces, and organizes music behind the scenes. His connection to Heart of the City Music and Arts Festival is multi-faceted. In 2016, he and his band, Boosh and the Dip (with bandmates Jordan, Bob, Chris, JP, J-reds, and Tyler), performed on the main stage, with Norbert rapping on the mic. He joined the organizing board in 2022 as the Music Director and Treasurer, positions he held until 2024. 

Before HOTC, Norbert (or, Boosh), started a busker-style, grassroots festival called Streets Rise Up. The idea arose after a winter of busking: a street performance in a public space, performing for donations, all for Boyle Street Community Services.

“I had a little drum machine . . . and Jordan would be playing guitar. We would loop it, and I would rap the whole thing, and then we spent a winter or two just not having jobs and just busking . . . And then I just randomly called Boyle Street. I’d never been there, I’d never talked to anyone there, I didn’t know anything about Boyle Street.” 

Sebastian Barrera answered the phone and he encouraged Norbert to move forward with his idea. An event was created on Facebook, and it took off. “The first year the police threatened me; they said they were going to charge me with inciting a riot if anything went sideways ‘cause I never got any permits . . . and then the day before the event, it started getting a really big following online, like 3000-4000 people were saying they were going to the event . . . The second year the City offered their support.” 

The connection between Streets Rise Up and HOTC was obvious. “That’s what linked me to Heart of the City because Sebastian kept hyping Streets Rise Up and was encouraging me to get involved [with HOTC].”

Boosh and the Dip has been compared to Rage Against the Machine in sound and musical perspective. Norbert goes on to describe the summer of 2019. “We had a little tour of festivals around Alberta and ended it at South Country Fair. We got to headline the Saturday night; it was quite a dream come true.” 

Their final performance was a private booking in St. Albert. “We really bombed,” he says of their last show. “It was a real high and then that happened and then it just blew the wind out of our sails.”

Norbert is currently working on his Master’s Degree in Business Administration, in community economic development. “It’s focused on non-profits and my focus is on housing.” He works for the Bissell Centre as a Development Officer, coordinating grants. Before that he worked for Boyle Street Community Services. 

“I started working there after Streets Rise Up. Working in the drop-in . . . and then I got into housing.” He describes a project he is particularly proud of: “my first supervisor role when [bridge housing] launched at Coliseum Inn.”

Norbert is still involved with music production companies, promoters, artists, and community organizers. “I still produce music, I don’t really release it; my community involvement is trying to find money for the arts.” 

He is motivated by the stories people tell him. “The poetic nature of life. If you’re . . . paying attention there’s so many seemingly purposeful things that are happening.”

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

Rob’s Famous Fried Chicken
8540 Jasper Avenue NW
587-873-4707
robsfamous.ca

You may smell Rob’s Famous Fried Chicken before you see it. The warm, spicy aroma drifts across lower Jasper Avenue, pulling in passersby and condo residents like a cartoon scent trail. The shop itself is tiny. Two tables, a counter, and a steady stream of take-out bags has quickly earned this little storefront a big reputation among local fried chicken fans.

Rob’s is next door to Panini’s Italian Cucina (under the same ownership), and like its neighbour, it’s built on simple food done really well. Inside, the vibe is relaxed and playful, with a comic book theme to the décor. It’s a pickup counter, not a dining room, but when warm weather returns the river valley outside would make Rob’s perfect for an al fresco picnic.

There’s no question what you’re here for: the chicken is always the star. The menu focuses almost entirely on fried chicken: sandwiches, drumsticks, jumbo strips, and “Famous Fries.”

Portions are generous. Two “jumbo” tenders can easily pass for a full chicken breast, and the coating delivers that all-important crunch even after the short drive or walk home. The meat inside stays juicy and flavourful, helped along by Rob’s signature Hollywood Sauce, a tangy-sweet, mildly spicy dip that is like “mayo, Cajun, and thousand-island had a baby” (to quote a review from Google). Heat levels range from Plain to Original Nashville (all flavour, only a little fire), to Hot, Extra Hot, all the way up to “Cluckin’ Hot,” which is certain to make you sweat. Those who love true Southern spice will find their match here.

I ordered the chicken sandwich, which was likely the thickest burger I’ve eaten in my 60-plus years. Garnished with pickle and sauce on a brioche style bun, it was a delicious challenge! My sweetie chose the Korean chicken, which was outstanding. She was impressed that white meat could be so juicy and moist, yet cooked evenly through, with a crisp non-greasy batter that held the tangy sauce. Mom enjoyed the drumsticks, which she complimented as beautifully seasoned (and she’s picky, having farmed chickens for many years!). All these meals included a big heap of seasoned fries.

Because every order is cooked fresh, expect a bit of a wait - typically 15 to 30 minutes during busy hours. I recommend calling ahead for takeout. Service gets glowing marks: the staff is warm and good humoured, and they have great communication, texting when your order is ready for pickup. Parking can be tricky on the service road, so why not walk?

Prices are roughly $15 to $18 for a sandwich or tender meal, but portions are huge, and you’re getting quality food. They also offer 10% off if you follow them on Instagram or TikTok.

Rob’s Famous Fried Chicken has earned its name. Crispy, juicy, and proudly local, it’s a small business with big flavour. Bring your appetite and patience, and definitely get some extra Hollywood Sauce.

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

Welcome to our final issue of Volume 46. Depending on when you read this, it is either the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026. Either way: Happy New Year!

At our AGM in November, we welcomed a couple of people to our Board of Directors. Rachael Roberts is also involved with Heart of the City and recently began writing for us. Alan Schietszch is a name that may be familiar: he writes our Dining Out column but also served on our board for a number of years and was our board’s Chair for a while. We are happy to welcome him back to the board. We also said farewell to Diana van der Stoel who completed her term on the board. We thank her for her time and wish her all the best. 

You can apply  for a free membership at our website (bmcnews.org/membership). Members occasionally receive information and have a vote at our AGM. At our website we also publish exclusive content, extra classifieds, an events calendar, a searchable archive of back issues, and the chance to sign-up to receive our free e-newsletter.

Call-out for volunteers: if you are interested in writing, photographing, or delivering the paper, please let me know at editor@bmcnews.org.

Follow us on social media: we are on X (formerly Twitter) as @bmcnews and Bluesky at @bmcnews.bsky.social. 

A common piece of advice is to never meet your heroes. The belief is that meeting a well-known person in real life will be disappointing because that person will not live up to the idealized version existing in one’s imagination. 

I have had the privilege to meet some of my favourite entertainers over the years. Yes, during these experiences I often had my heart in my mouth and had to be careful not to get tongue-tied. However, the experiences have been positive in that I have been able to make some wonderful memories while also telling the people in question how much their work has meant to me. As an artist myself, few things feel better than for someone to compliment your work.

One of my favourite musicians recently died. I met this person twice and have photos to prove it. I feel grateful that I was able to connect and now be able to share those memories with other fans. Another recent experience was meeting a musician I have been a huge fan of since my teens. Finally meeting the person was literally a dream come true and worth the wait. 

I realize there are stories out there about people meeting a celebrity and it not going well. A good way not to be disillusioned is to remember that everyone - including people we admire from afar - are at their core, just regular people living their lives. Don’t avoid meeting someone you admire if the opportunity arises simply out of fear the person may not be as perfect as you hoped. You may be pleasantly surprised. You also may  never get another chance.

The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act by the B.C. community historian Catherine Clement was introduced at a book launch at the Stanley Milner Library in June 2025. 

The book was the culmination of research undertaken to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Immigration Act, also referred to as the Exclusion Act. Exhibitions were mounted in several cities in 2023.Those exhibits form the basis for the book.

Clement writes, “The Exclusion Act was a monumental chapter in the origin story of Chinese in Canada. Yet as I began to reach out to families across Canada, I was astonished by how little Chinese Canadians knew about the Act or the impact it had during the quarter century it was the law."

Listening to Clement at the book launch, I learned more about the history of the Chinese Canadian community in an hour than I ever did in school.

Clement’s book serves as a historical record of the immigration policy that specifically targeted the Chinese community. One early policy was the Head Tax, imposed only on the Chinese. The $50 tax (later increased to $100 and reaching $500 in 1923) limited the ability of Chinese men to bring their families to join them in Canada. 

In the run-up to the declaration of the official Chinese Immigration Act declared on July 1, 1923, Chinese residents were registered, fingerprinted, and documented. Canadian-born children were excluded from citizenship and issued a Canada Immigration document, C.I. 45, that included the declaration: "This certificate does not establish legal status in Canada.”

Featured in the book are the individual stories of Chinese immigrants who, even if educated in Canada, were unable to practise professions in medicine, law, or engineering, and their pushback to immigration policies that singled out Chinese immigrants.

In the face of the discrimination that limited access to the labour market, Chinese merchants opened restaurants, laundries, and convenience stores to make a living. (Merchants were excluded from having to pay the Head Tax.) The Canadian Prairies are still home to these Chinese restaurants in many small towns. 

Clement’s book amasses the paper documents hidden in drawers and trunks of families who wanted to forget those years of the “Exclusion Act,” the unofficial name of the Chinese Immigration Act. Each chapter contains stunning photos and images of archival records.

Locally, the Mah Society of Edmonton, with lead researcher Connor Mah, participated in the gathering and scanning of artifacts housed in the Provincial Archives of Alberta and the Bruce Peel Special Collections at the University of Alberta. Excerpts and articles from community newspapers detail the debates and opinions of the day, and document some responses of the Chinese community to these draconian laws.

Particularly poignant to me was the chapter on the “uncles.” These men spent their lives as bachelors in rooming houses in our cities and towns, working as labourers, dishwashers, or field workers in agriculture. Many of these men had left their families behind, hoping to create a better life in Canada. For too many, poverty and ill health from hard physical labour, along with exclusionary immigration policies meant they would never see their families again.

As late as World War II, the Canadian-born descendants of Chinese Canadians were denied the vote, and could still not practise medicine, law, or engineering. Veterans of that war worked to get full citizen rights for Chinese Canadians. Full voting rights were finally achieved in 1947.

The Exclusion Act ended in 1947, after a quarter century. 

The Harper government issued a formal apology to Chinese Canadians in 2006. “For over six decades, these malicious measures, aimed solely at the Chinese, were implemented with deliberation by the Canadian state," said the then-Prime Minister. "This was a grave injustice, and one we are morally obligated to acknowledge.”

As Canadians debate immigration policy, Temporary Foreign Worker programs, and a Conservative MP raises the question of birthright citizenship, the Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act provides an examination into Canadian history that is increasingly relevant to today’s discussions. 

The book is published by Plumleaf Press and is available to order for $59.95. 

For a local connection, book a visit to the The Journey of the Horse exhibit, housed at the Mah Society in Boyle Street (9643 Okisikow Way) celebrates 100 years of the Mah Clan in Edmonton. For more information, read the Boyle McCauley News story by Paula Kirman, January 2024). You can book a time to see the exhibit by clicking here.     

Gail Silvius is happily retired and living in McCauley.

This exhibit is small, just five pieces, each curated to evoke connections to family, culture, and the seasons of life. It is mixed medium and features art from Faye HeavyShield, Jennine Krauchi, and Jerry Saddleback. 

The photo installation, Matriliminial, by HeavyShield, features an archival photo of Kate Three Persons, the artist’s paternal grandmother. The artist posed Kate’s great-granddaughters in a similar manner, creating a tableau of women meeting across time.

Two other pieces by HeavyShield are entitled The Women, a collage, and the Red Line II. 

Saddleback's installation, Puts Meal on Table features a bow, suitable for buffalo hunting, with silencers on the string. He created the bow from birch, hickory and maple wood. The display is a reminder of the traditional season of harvesting and storing food before winter.  

An intricately beaded and embroidered moss bag is the result of 15 years of work by Métis artist Jennine Krauchi. Beginnings is mounted on an acrylic base. The moss bag appears to float above water, where polished stones from the artist's family are set.

Accompanying me to the exhibit were two women from the Congo. During our English lessons, we have looked at the history of treaties and the experiences of colonialism in both the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Canada.

The women survived the genocide in their home country 30 years ago. Said one of her reaction to the exhibit, “Our stories are the same, we search for connection and consolation in our culture, for healing from our experiences.”

Gallery staff welcomed the women. In a mix of French, English, and with a little help from technology, the tour was conducted and connections made between cultures.

The exhibit continues until December 6th, 2025. It is open Wednesday through Saturday, 12 - 5 p.m. at 10124 96th Street.

Ociciwan welcomes group tours. These can be booked by emailing Carmen van Soest, the Community Outreach Coordinator, at community@ociciwan.ca.

Gail Silvius is happily retired and living in McCauley.

The McCauley Community League hosted a seed collection and saving event with Sustainable Food Edmonton (the folks who steward the McCauley Orchard) on September 25th. The hands-on workshop was led by Chelsea Boos of Sinusoid Seeds, who gave guidance on collecting, drying, and storing seeds for next year's planting.

Dustin Bajer of Cultivate McCauley was there to distribute saplings to residents who have signed up to receive and plant trees. Tree planting instructions are included here, courtesy of Dustin.

A harvest share table, which had been suggested at one of the Community Conversations that the League holds at the rink the last Monday of the month, included beet tops, squash, and apples. Several neighbours went home with a few extra groceries, and we enjoyed applesauce a few days later at the September community conversation.

How to Plant a Baby Tree from Cultivate McCauley

• Identify a location for your tree that will give it space to grow.
• To cool your home in summer, consider planting deciduous trees (leaves) to the South or West to provide summer shade.
• To keep your home warmer in winter, consider planting coniferous trees (needles) to the North or West to reduce winter winds.
• Avoid planting tall trees under utility lines
• Using a shovel, cut a 2-foot diameter circle where you want to plant the tree.
• Remove any sod and place it to the side.
• Remove soil to create a hole that is as deep as your tree’s pot.
• Using a shovel, rough up the sides and bottom of the hole to make it easier for tree roots to penetrate.
• Remove the tree’s pot and place the tree in the centre of the hole.
• The base of the tree stem when the tree was in the pot should be at ground level after the tree is planted.
• Hold the base of the stem as you pull loose soil around its roots.
• Gently, but firmly, press soil around the tree to make sure that it is secure
• Break up any sod you had placed to the side and flip it over to form a ring around the hole.
• Mulch the hole with woodchips, lawn clippings, or leaves to help retain water and insulate the tree’s roots.
• The mulch should come up to but not touch the trunk of the tree.
• Reapply mulch every season as needed.
• Water your tree multiple times over the next few days and then every few days until the tree starts to put on new growth (spring) or until the ground is frozen (fall).
• Enjoy your tree for decades to come!

Tree Pruning Workshops

Continuing our collaboration with Sustainable Food Edmonton, there are two tree pruning workshops on October 22nd and 29th. Meet at the rink (entrance at 108th Avenue and 96th Street) at 4:30 p.m. for theory with arborist Alex McCormick, and then we will walk to the Orchard for practical work. The workshops will end around 6 p.m.

Gail Silvius is happily retired and living in McCauley.

New York City
One eighty 
I travel the
Paczki road 
Rustbelt to greenbelt 
Fireworks at 70 mph
Cheese curds
Montana not Hannah
Guns and fishing rods 
Stand side by side
Near faithful Joe
Who carries me 
Past midnight
Big deer, wee hours
When one crosses
There's bound
To be another 
BRAKE
Thanks be to Jesus
Whom I haven’t met
Yet
Cypress Hills 
Cowboys and contrast
Nostalgia to dystopia
Fentanyl skies
Tent cities and meth 
Shopping carts and twitches
Wild fires and Aurora Borealis
Intrepid city slicker
Whose viewfinder
Contemplates leagues
Major to minor 
A ghetto bird
Blades whirring 
Flies overhead
Presence
A pint of stout 
Open spaces
Nature
Oh-my prairie
Heart 
Is home.

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

I was sitting in a university lecture hall one day when I saw this photograph* pop up on the screen. 

My first reaction was to gasp and say: “Garry Spotowski!” as though the person doing the presentation would have no idea who was in his photograph. Once the guest lecturer continued his presentation, a little more confused after my outburst, I turned to the person next to me and said: 

“I know him! That guy in the photo!” 

Not only did I know the guy in the photo, but he was the reason I was sitting there in that lecture hall. Garry Spotowski met my parents when they had both just moved to Edmonton in the late 1990s. He was my dad’s roommate and the officiant at my parents’ wedding a few years later. When he passed away in 2017, he left me and my sister a small inheritance, enough to pay my university tuition. 

This is a story I've told many times to old friends and people I went to high school with. It’s a story that ties me to McCauley, a place that was so intertwined with who Garry was, and what he cared about. Ultimately, that’s why I shared this story with even more people this summer while workshopping an idea for a McCauley heritage project – part of my learning experience as an interpreter for the Edmonton City as Museum Project. McCauley is a character in and of itself in my memories of Garry: in the park, in the backyard, and on the balcony and the back deck. That sense of place is what continues to bring me back to McCauley, in hopes that I could learn more about this person whose life continues to weave with my own. 

I embarked on this project a little starry-eyed. I wanted to interview people and publish their stories and memories in a way that would contribute to the fabric of the neighbourhood. It was ambitious, but I was lucky enough to talk to people for this project who were gracious enough to just pick up the phone and meet with me despite not necessarily knowing where it was going. At times I felt like a journalist, chasing a story or a source, and at other times like an historian, collecting and curating information to share with the public. In doing so, I realized that those two things aren’t as far apart as we think they are. You’re considering your audience, your content, your delivery method, and your process. 

My considerations for this project revolved around those four things, and how they could reflect the McCauley I knew and loved. Community-centred. Diverse. Resilient. Forward-thinking. In the end, although I was unable to complete the project due to time constraints, I learned that when imbued with meaning and memory, places become not just pins on a map, but living things that are constantly shifting and changing. The McCauley of my childhood, of forty years ago, and of tomorrow, are very different, but they are nonetheless a part of me. A part of who I am. And that will never change.     

Abigail Struthers is a student at the University of Alberta. She worked with the Edmonton Heritage Council’s Edmonton City as Museum Project over the summer.

*The photo accompanying this article is the one that was used in Abigail’s class. Garry Spotowski worked in the Waste Management department at the City of Edmonton.

At the west boundary of our community, 101st Street divides our neighbourhood from the heights of Rogers Place and the Ice District. Just across the street from where McCauley ends, One01 Bistro matches the physical heights of those tall towers with some high-end flavours!

For the last year, the new One01 Bistro has made itself a destination on the corner of 101 Street and 105 Avenue, or kitty corner from the EPCOR Tower, with parking hidden behind. Stepping through the doors you’ll discover a sleek long space with modern booths to the left, and a room for bigger groups to the right. Windows hint at the buzz around Rogers Place, suggesting this might be a great spot to meet before a big concert or sporting event.

Our group of four were quickly seated at a booth, and handed not one, but three different menus to describe the sheer range of dishes offered. We learned from our friendly server that most of the kitchen staff hail from Hong Kong, an international crossroads. So, they’re skilled in a fusion of both Hong Kong Chinese and European techniques, with touches of Japanese and Thai cuisines.

While trying to make up our minds from such a variety, we ordered a couple of appetizers which arrived promptly and piping hot. The Golden Tofu was crispy, opening to a silky texture inside, while the boiled Wontons with Chili Sauce were pillowy little parcels packed with flavour and just the right amount of heat. We were impressed with the high-end presentation too: each dish had distinctive plates and dishes that made it as visually appealing as it was tasty.

Since our server had mentioned the cultural fusion, I had to try the Beef Bourguignon. “Now, that’s a classically French dish, so what would the Hong Kong version be like?” I wondered. Oh my: big fall-apart-tender hunks of beef, in a rich spicy gravy and with large sweet carrots bringing to mind Vietnamese Bò Kho stew. And, with a mound of rice to soak up and not miss a drop of the aromatic sauce, I was in heaven.

Next up was Duck Breast Ramen, which was magazine-photo beautiful: slices of meat beautifully fanned out, shimmering on curly wheat-based noodles. My spouse selected Mapo Tofu Donburi, which felt like a childhood comfort food - satisfying and familiar even though we’ve never been there. Cubes of tofu and a bed of ground beef topped a rice bowl, mixing Chinese home cooking with Japanese style. This would be a meal we’d crave on a cold day. And to try to the Thai side, a classic Pad Thai was flavour-filled, with the citrusy brightness of tamarind balanced by plenty of egg, shrimp, and chicken among the flat noodles and crunchy roasted peanuts. You won’t be hungry after such a substantial feast!

To finish the evening, we only had room to share one dessert. While ice cream sounded pretty basic, this assumption was wrong. It was presented like a five-star restaurant, swirled with sauces and accompanied by a fudge and chocolate lava cake that was rich enough to satisfy all four of us sharing a few spoonfuls each.

For a meal that felt this high-end polished, prices were more than fair: about $40 per person, including imported beer and a fancy dessert. Not bad for a place that could just as easily be charging downtown premiums.

One01 Bistro reflects the fusion of cultures, stories, and traditions that define this part of Edmonton. Whether you’re heading to a concert or just craving something a little different, One01 is worth your visit.

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

Dear friends,

Since I last wrote, I’ve had the deep privilege of doing what I love: connecting with all of you. There were so many incredible community events in our Boyle Street and McCauley neighbourhoods over the last few months, including Mary Burlie Day, Festa Italiana, Community League Day, Heart of the City Festival, and so many Chinatown events: the Chinatown Summer Festival, Chinatown After Dark, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society’s Dragon Festival, which included the National Lion Dance Championships - just to name a few!

I truly love spending a lot of time in Boyle Street and McCauley and whenever I’m there, I’m always reminded of the amazing, vibrant, caring, and compassionate communities that we are so fortunate to share. 

And now the leaves have turned, and the days are getting much shorter, so I want to wish you all a happy fall! Autumn is a beautiful season in Edmonton, and it is also an exciting time of new beginnings, specifically for our youngest community members: students. 

Amidst the excitement this year, when knocking on your doors and connecting at events, I’ve heard from so many of you who are worried about education in our province. And so many of you have been urging me to keep amplifying the voices of Alberta teachers who have been asking the current government for something quite simple: support. 

Support with 

• Smaller class sizes so students can get the attention they need,
• More educational assistants so children don’t fall through the cracks,
• Funding for appropriate and evidence-based learning resources, and 
• Fair wages that, at minimum, cover the skyrocketing inflation we’ve all experienced over the past few years. 

As always, you can count on me and my Alberta NDP Caucus colleagues to stand up for public education, stand up for students, and stand up for teachers and education workers who want to give students the best possible education in a safe and healthy environment. 

Beyond the pressing concerns regarding education, you’ve told me that you want to see action on the extremely concerning changes to AISH, better access to mental health supports, meaningful attention to the ongoing drug poisoning crisis, funding for affordable housing, and so much more. 

When my colleagues and I head back to the Legislature at the end of October, I’m ready to keep fighting for our communities at every opportunity. I am so honoured to represent you, so please keep in touch and continue to share your priorities and concerns – my door (and inbox!) is always open.

In the meantime, I hope to see you out and about this fall and winter, celebrating all the ways in which our community comes together! 

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

Daniela Zenari, who lives in McCauley and works in the Ice District, is a freelance journalist and is also an artist. Her mediums are writing, singing, and playing the guitar. 

I asked her what gets her going with her writing. “A deadline really helps. I follow my ADHD hyperfixations into things that I’m passionate about and interested in. It’s hard to do all the things I want to do, so now I’ve just decided to start talking to all the people who do the things I want to do so I can learn more about them and then I can scratch that itch without having to commit. I’ve written an article about mushrooms in Alberta and I have tried growing mushrooms at home. My next article is about honey bees, backyard beekeeping, and honey producers. I think in general instead of having a mushroom log and a bee hive and probably a chicken coop, writing is my way of following my passions without taking on a million projects that I would not finish.”

I asked Daniela to share her experiences with Heart of the City. “Almost every year I go and check out the festival,” she said. “It kicks off festival season for me. I love the vibe and the music and the different things there are to see. This year I was asked to do a comedy set at the Beat Spoken Word Stage’s Comedy Showcase. It was really awesome to get to do the thing I love and feel supported at this great festival.” 

Daniela was one of eight comics who each did a 10 minute set. This year, we had to contend with a terrible wind storm that almost shut down the show, but we left the tent flaps open, comics wrapped themselves up in blankets, and the show went on. Says Daniela, “The show was awesome, so many people braved that wind and even when there was half a tree that blew by, the audience stayed. You can’t control the weather but under the circumstances I think it went really well. It was super fun.”

When I asked Daniela about her connection to the neighbourhood, she said, “I grew up on the south side but for the last seven to eight years I’ve lived in McCauley. My sister has her family here. My mom moved here. We all live in a three block radius and I absolutely love McCauley. I’ve been the chair of the board of Inn Roads Housing Cooperative for the last three and half years. I just love the community and want to contribute. My favourite part of McCauley is the community feeling. You know your neighbours, you know who is around, people say hi and chat.” 

Being close to the Italian Centre, Zocalo, and Paper Birch Books is one of Daniela’s favourite things about McCauley. “There are so many great little community hubs where you can go, get all the things that you need and see people you know. I think it has that great community feel. My family is here. I want to live in McCauley for a long time because you don’t really get that in other places.”

If you recognize Daniela’s last name, it’s likely due to the fact that her family has run restaurants under the name “Zenari’s” for the entirety of Daniela’s life. However, the family’s most recent restaurant closed in December 2024. “That was a big deal because it’s the first time I haven’t had a place to go. But I started working at O’Byrne’s in Ice District. It’s also a family-run business so that has been nice. It’s a really great team.”

At the time of writing this article, Daniela was starting two comedy shows. ”Where’s the Craic?” is a weekly show on Sundays at 8 p.m. at O’Byrnes Ice District. “Let’s Be Frank” is a monthly show on the first Thursday of the month at 8 p.m. at Frank’s Community Pub (8815 99th Street NW). 

Corine Demas lives in McCauley where she is the President of the McCauley Community League and the Executive Director of the  Heart of the City Festival.

Summers in Edmonton always feel too short. One reason is because of all of the festivals and events. Often there are several things going on at the same time. That’s no surprise. There are only so many longer days and warm weekends. 

I always look forward to some annual events, like the Folk Fest. I get to enjoy great music and  run into folks I haven’t seen in ages (or at least since the previous year’s festival). 

However, I also had a few new adventures. For starters, I went on a long-overdue trip to Vancouver. I visited with friends who relocated there, people I only knew online through various organizations and activities. I also met with some professional contacts. Highlights included spending time in Chinatown and attending a huge music festival near where I was staying. Many pictures were taken.

I went to K-Days for the first time in years, thanks to a band I wanted to see. Yes, I had some greasy food. Yes, I played a game and won a stuffie. No, I did not go on any rides. My sense of adventure has limits. 

My days as a bicycle commuter have dwindled for a variety of reasons, but I decided to get back on the saddle and explore my world on two wheels again. I own an older bike that, if it could speak, could tell many stories about our adventures over the past quarter of a century. 

Our short summers make me appreciate the season and all of its possibilities. And now, on to autumn. 

This spring and summer, the McCauley Community League organized activities for all ages at our community rink area from May through August. Our objectives included implementing consistent programming which emphasized sports and gardening. You might have noticed the sweet herb spiral we made in the green space at the community rink. We planted herbs and mint which we later served at the community teas. 

We have been trying to improve the community space’s existing infrastructure. Certain things still need attention, such as the removal or repair of damaged equipment and heavier yard work. If you are interested in helping please contact the League. 

A highlight of our summer endeavours included bannock and jam on August 21st to acknowledge the signing of Treaty No. 6 on August 21st, 1877 at Fort Edmonton. The initiative proved to be a valuable community outreach initiative.

Throughout the spring and summer months, the League organized an array of events and gatherings that brought residents together, including ukulele nights, monthly cafés, and community teas. These types of events will continue and we hope our collective efforts will transform the space into a hub of engagement and connectivity. Our hope is that we can continue to be a gentle presence and to offer an ongoing cheerful corner of connection.

We collaborated with Sustainable Food Edmonton and Cultivate McCauley. There will be a forest nursery overwintered at the community site so that more trees will hopefully be distributed to neighbours to plant as a part of the Cultivate McCauley project. Sustainable Food Edmonton’s McCauley Orchard will be active until the end of October. 

The rink will soon be transformed for the winter season into the wonderland that Rink Manager Dan Glugosh creates every year. Before that happens, we will look forward to the Safe Halloween party that former resident Shelley Hollingsworth has organized for 30 years. She is seeking volunteers. Donations are welcome for food, prizes, and candy. Contact the League to be put in touch with Shelley.

Our community café conversations on the last Monday of the month resulted in the establishment of a small lending library resource. This was enhanced by local business Paper Birch Books. 

This summer saw long-time neighbour and volunteer Mike Siek leave the city. This may contribute to future challenges for the League including filling gaps that are left from the closing of the e4c programming at McCauley Apartments, such as the annual Community Clean-Up.

Please contact us with any questions or feedback. If you are not already a member,  the link is on the website. Membership is free. Your involvement and investment is important to our local initiatives.

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

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

“You can’t heal what you don’t acknowledge” - Jack Canfield (American author, motivational speaker, and co-author of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series of books.)

November is a month that raises awareness for a number of cultures and causes and also has a lot of specific awareness recognition days and weeks. November includes:

• Lebanese Heritage Month
• Hindu Heritage Month
• Lung Cancer Awareness Month
• Diabetes Awareness Month
• Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
• Movember (awareness of men’s health issues)
• November 5 - 11: Veterans’ Week
• November 8: Indigenous Veterans Day
• November 11: Remembrance Day
• November 20: National Child Day
• Fourth Saturday of November (the 22nd this year): Holodomor Memorial Day 
• November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
• November 30: Stomach Cancer Awareness Day

Months dedicated to cultures are important to celebrate their histories and contributions to our multicultural society. We should always be aware of the vibrancy that different cultures bring through the stories they share along with skills, cuisine, entertainment, and knowledge. All of these things contribute to the greatness of this country and our community.

Other dates of awareness commemorate historic events and the people who took part in them. To appreciate veterans who have served our country, many events happen on November 11th. These heroes come from many backgrounds and cultures. It is also important to recognize Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8th to pay tribute to the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis veterans who have served this country. 

Like many other months, November is also a month of recognition for a number of health issues. This helps people learn about health conditions (especially early detection and prevention) and helps organizations raise funds to do important research. We all need to try to take care of ourselves and to help support each other.

Acknowledgments help to raise awareness, build a multicultural society, and promote health and well-being. Let’s pay attention to days and months that raise awareness for a variety of cultures and causes, and work together for a better world. 

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

A person is never too young or old to learn. 

Meet Henry, a capable, energetic youngster who (with supervision) delivers the Boyle McCauley News in the Artspace Housing Cooperative.

Henry, who will turn four early in the new year. His grandparents, who come along with me when Henry and I deliver papers, are excited that he is learning skills at such a young age.

Henry decides which floor of the high-rise we should do first. There are eight floors. We deliver to four, take a break, then complete the other four.

Just like any worker, he is given employee reviews, and so far they have been very positive. He may be “Employee of the Year!” Of course, I’m joking: Henry is a volunteer like me and dozens of other folks involved with Boyle McCauley News.

It is enjoyable to see his smiling face when he “reports to work” and his interaction with residents when they see him.

Let’s applaud Henry for doing deliveries, as well as his parents and grandparents for the permission and supervision. Who knows? Henry could become a future columnist!

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

Boyle Street and McCauley are two of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods and due to their ages, there are many properties in these neighbourhoods that have historical significance. Sadly, as can be seen in many other mature neighbourhoods in Edmonton, many of these historical buildings have been neglected or even demolished over the past few years. When we lose these original structures, neighbourhoods’ sense of place deteriorates.

The Edmonton Historical Board (EHB) is an advisory board for City Council that provides information and recommendations relating to Edmonton’s history generally and specifically to the City’s built heritage. The EHB has been building awareness in our communities around this loss of built heritage. One effective way to tackle this issue of neighbourhood character erosion is the City of Edmonton’s Historic Resources Management Program (HRMP).

The HRMP empowers owners of historically-significant property to protect their building in perpetuity through designation as a Municipal Historic Resource (MHR) where City Council passes a bylaw that prevents its demolition in perpetuity and requires the building owner to maintain it to a reasonable standard. In exchange for protecting the building, the City will install an interpretive plaque that provides information on the building and also offers financial incentives that can be used to rehabilitate exterior “character-defining elements” of the building.

In order to be considered eligible for designation as a MHR, the property needs to first be listed on the City’s Inventory of Historic Resources. This is a list of buildings in Edmonton that have been deemed by the EHB’s Historic Resources Review Panel to have sufficient historical significance and integrity from both architectural and cultural standpoints to be eligible for designation as a MHR. Buildings on the Inventory have no legal protection from demolition. Unfortunately, over the last few years there have been more buildings lost from the Inventory due to demolition than have been added. This is an extremely concerning trend and one that urgently needs to be addressed.

If you own, or are contemplating owning, a building that you think is historically significant, please consider applying to add it to the Inventory. If it is already on the Inventory, please consider designation as a MHR to protect it so that it may be appreciated by future generations of Edmontonians. You can reach out to the City’s heritage team at heritageplanners@edmonton.ca for details on either process.

Harrison Sheremeta is the Chair of the Edmonton Historical Board and lives in a heritage home in south Norwood, adjacent to the border with McCauley. He wants to see more heritage buildings in our neighbourhoods restored and protected for future generations to appreciate.

The 2025 Chinatown Summer Festival happened on August 31st, featuring performances, food, and lots of vendors. This year, the Chinatown BIA organized the event in collaboration with Sari Sari Mercado, which promotes Filipino culture and businesses. 98th Street between 105 and 107A Avenues was closed, with the south half being Sari Sari Goes to Chinatown and the north half the Chinatown Summer Festival. Here is a look at some of the fun on both sides!

The Mustard Seed’s church on 96th Street officially closed its doors on October 24th, 2024. It was formally decommissioned on Thursday, August 27th, 2025.  

The McCauley Then and Now historical booklet states that the church was constructed in 1912 as the Dutch Baptist Church, then, the First German Baptist Church, later renamed Central Baptist Church. “In 1973, Friar’s Steakhouse bought the property to offer licensed dining and dancing with live entertainment direct from Las Vegas. By 1979, after a brief iteration as ‘The Mayflower,’ Danny Hooper’s Stockyard Night Club opened for business here…When Danny Hooper consolidated his numerous ventures, the church was again empty until 1993 when The Mustard Seed moved in” (page 61). 

The building is over 100 years old.  Many structural conditions were identified that were too costly to restore the building to safety standards. The Mustard Seed decided that it was more important to invest donor dollars to continue providing valuable services than to invest in the restoration.

Terry Fossen, a Regional Minister with the Alberta Baptist Federation, remembered the founding days of the Edmonton Mustard Seed in 1987, inspired by the “impetuousness of youth.” Young men from Central Baptist spent time in McCauley and began inviting houseless men to come sleep in the church. One Sunday morning they were still there. This challenged the pastors and congregation to ask what more they could do.  

Jeremiah Basuric worked with The Mustard Seed from 2012 to 2024 as Community Engagement Coordinator and a chaplain, and currently is a volunteer. He asked, “what do we all need as humans? Food, water, community, safety, fun, and a sense of home. The Mustard Seed was like a living room, where people could talk about deeper things.“

James Gardiner, CEO of The Mustard Seed, spoke about the growth of services provided by The Mustard Seed throughout Edmonton and Alberta. He said their shelters have a 15% monthly target of helping shelter guests find appropriate housing and that will increase to 20% in 2026.  This year, they have reached 16.5%.  

The former church and house next door will be demolished this fall. Gardiner stated they are actively meeting with municipal leaders, partners, and community members to discern what to do with the lots. 

For more information, visit theseed.ca.

Kate Quinn is a McCauley resident.

Festa Italiana returned to Giovanni Caboto Park (and area) featuring performances, wrestling, vendors, and more. One of the afternoon's highlights was special guest John Catucci, best known as the host of the television program You Gotta Eat Here. The event was organized by Amici Italiani. Here's a look.

A new café on 97th Street is a big hit with workers from across the street in Canada Place and beyond, tourists, and passersby. 

At the time of writing, Chai Coffee Day (9665 101A Avenue) had 115 reviews on Google, all of them receiving a five-star rating (see sidebar). One enthusiastic customer says, “I legit come here every day I’m at the office to the point the owner starts making my masala chai the second he sees me crossing the street.” 

This attractive and welcoming café serves a wide range of chai, including masala, elaichi (cardamom), ginger, and Kashmiri pink. The menu also includes coffee, samosas, and vegetarian patties. 

The atmosphere is pleasant. The space features unique and bright furnishings, and signs that state “Give Thanks” and “Be Happy.” 

The owner, Puneet Singh Mehara, has a special charm. All customers receive an exceptionally friendly greeting, and Mehara wears outfits that are colourful, like the décor. When asked about what this reporter saw as “Elvis” hair, Mehara says, “This is just the way my hair is.”

Mehara’s sense of humour and enthusiasm pervades his advertising. For example, “Warning: Royal Pink Chai may cause sudden cravings and uncontrollable happiness. If your morning doesn’t start with chai, what are you even doing? We’ve got that steamy, spicy, soul-hugging goodness waiting for you. Bring your face. Bring your friends. Just don’t bring drama — we’ve got enough steam already.”

Mehara worked in insurance in Toronto for one year. Then he decided it was time to seek out something new. He moved to Edmonton without knowing a soul and happened to see a For Lease sign in a perfect location. By May 1st, 2025, Mehara was ready to open the doors of his new business.

Mehara explains the name, Chai Coffee Day: “People type ‘chai’ or ‘coffee’ in Google to look for drinks, so my business name pops up.” He added “day” because most people drink chai and coffee during the day. “If the name is too fancy, some people will avoid it, thinking it will be expensive.”

Comments from happy customers

“There’s a reason I’m back constantly, and I hope to see you there too. This chai is the best I’ve had in Edmonton, and I’ve had a lot.”

“Puneet, who genuinely knows how to make visitors feel appreciated and cared for, was what truly stood out.”

“The personnel was quite welcoming, never rushing us or sacrificing quality, even when we arrived at closing time. It’s uncommon to come across a location where excellent customer service is maintained throughout the day.”

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

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) is thrilled to announce MERCADO! 2025: Arts, Crafts, & Foods Fair, taking place on November 22 and 23, 2025. This marketplace event will showcase a vibrant celebration of Edmonton’s diverse cultural heritage, building on the success of last year’s 10th Anniversary Marketplace.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the EIC’s 10th Anniversary Marketplace a memorable celebration of culture, creativity, and community. Your support and participation brought local talent to life and made the event truly special.

What’s New This Year?

MERCADO! 2025 promises to be bigger and better than ever. The event will feature a bustling marketplace with artisan goods, food trucks, live performances, and an exciting night marketplace that will light up the evening hours. It’s an opportunity to discover unique handcrafted items, enjoy delicious foods from different cultures, and be part of a dynamic celebration that highlights the rich diversity of our city.

Event Details

Location: In the heart of McCauley @ 9538 - 107th Avenue NW

Saturday, November 22, 2025

• Marketplace: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Night Marketplace: 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. (featuring food trucks and entertainment)

Sunday, November 23, 2025

• Marketplace: 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

We are excited to invite you to join us again this year! If you are an artisan, food vendor, or cultural performer looking to showcase your work and share your culture, we’d love to have you as part of the event.

Vendor Applications

Apply for a vendor booth. Email us at EventsAtEIC@gmail.com for the link to the application form. Whether you sell handmade goods, serve authentic cuisine, or offer cultural performances, come show your colours. Strut your stuff. Put the “U” in Unique. Amaze us with your creativity. Cook up a storm. We want to celebrate the diversity and creativity that make Edmonton so unique.

MERCADO! 2025 is more than just a marketplace - it’s a celebration of heritage, creativity, and community. It’s a chance to come together, appreciate the art and culture of Edmonton, and connect with neighbours from all backgrounds. Whether you’re a vendor, a performer, or an attendee, your presence will help make this event unforgettable.

We look forward to seeing your name among the list of amazing vendors and celebrating the vibrant cultures that make Edmonton such a special place.

For more information, or to learn more about MERCADO! 2025:
Email: EventsAtEIC@gmail.com
Call: 780-756-2655

Information provided by the Edmonton Intercultural Centre, which is located at 9538 107th Avenue.

McCauley’s “Summer at the Rink” program hosted a tree walk with Dustin Bajer, a McCauley-based educator and tree farmer who is the founder of Cultivate McCauley.

Dustin led a walk to our local park, followed by a quick lesson in propagation using some suckers from a giant willow, resulting in a tiny tree nursery that we will tend throughout the summer.

Along the way, we identified trees on the boulevard and in yards, like apple, goji berries, a plum and linden trees with blossoms.

We were lucky to visit Mia from Sustainable Food Edmonton at the McCauley Orchard, where we did some leaf art and watered trees in between soccer practice. The kids picked a few sour cherries and gooseberries. Taking Mia along the same walking route that Dustin led, the kids showed her the variety of trees, reinforced the lessons learned about male and female trees, identified seed pods like peas on caragana, and experienced just how big trees can get as we wrapped many linked arms around the giant willow.

A big thank you to Dustin and Mia for their educational work.

Our rink in the summer has a small herb spiral where we can harvest mint for tea, and have tomatoes growing in buckets, a tiny forest nursery, a pollinator bed, and “worms in residence” to promote composting. 

Thanks to Paper Birch Books for kickstarting our book exchange nook, and to McCauley Community League for funding for craft materials and garden supplies.

We use different action cards from the City of Edmonton’s Neighbouring for Climate toolkit to spark ideas for activities.

Any climate action curious folk are welcome to drop by the rink Thursday evenings from 4 to 6 p.m. to check out our summer garden and books.

Gail Silvius is happily retired and living in McCauley.

The Mustard Seed Church (10635 96th Street) will be decommissioned on Thursday, August 27 at 10 a.m.  All are welcome to come for this ceremony. The building will be demolished in the following weeks.  

The Mustard Seed Church officially closed its doors on October 24th, 2024. Food Hamper services shifted to the Wellness Centre (11355 105th Avenue). People can also access Mustard Seed programs and services through the Community Impact Centre Canora (15740 Stony Plain Road) and at the Mosaic Centre at 12758 Fort Road.  

Why is the church being decommissioned? The building is over 100 years old. Many structural conditions were identified that were too costly to restore the building to safety standards. The Mustard Seed decided that it was more important to invest donor dollars to continue providing valuable services than to invest in the restoration.  

The McCauley Then and Now historical booklet states that the church was first constructed in 1912 as the Dutch Baptist Church, then, the First German Baptist Church, later renamed Central Baptist Church. It goes on to explain:

In 1973, Friar’s Steakhouse bought the property to offer licensed dining and dancing with live entertainment direct from Las Vegas. By 1979, after a brief iteration as ‘The May-flower,’ Danny Hooper’s Stockyard Night Club opened for business here…When Danny Hooper consolidated his numerous ventures, the church was again empty until 1993 when The Mustard Seed moved in.

Plans are underway for the future use of the site and will be announced at a later date. 

For more information, visit theseed.ca.

Kate Quinn is a McCauley resident.

Event Name: Edmonton Dragon Festival 2025
Dates: August 23–24, 2025
Times: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily
Location: Kinistinâw Park & 96 Street (between 102A Ave. – 103A Ave.) 

The Edmonton Dragon Festival is a two-day celebration of Asian Canadian culture, featuring the Canadian National Lion Dance Championship, live performances, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. 

Roadway & Sidewalk Impacts 

• 96 Street (102 Ave, to 103A Ave.) will be closed to vehicle traffic from Friday, August 22 (9:00 a.m.) to Monday, August 26 (12:00 p.m.). 
• Pedestrian access will be maintained with crossing corridors where possible. 
• Delivery access for local businesses will be coordinated in advance. Alley ways remain open for local business access. 

Transit Information 

There are no planned bus stop closures, and The Quarters LRT stop will remain open and is just ½ block from the site. 

Parking 

Limited street parking is available in the surrounding area but there are numerous parking lots available in the area that can be used at the event attendees' expense. 

Sound Notification 

• There will be amplified sound and music between 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. 
• All performances will end by 8:00 p.m. daily. 
• We are taking steps to manage volume levels and reduce extended disruption to neighbours. 

More Information:

? www.ctcyeg.ca/dragonfestival ? info@ctcyeg.com ? 780-916-8482

Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us celebrate and revitalize Edmonton’s Chinatown! 

Information provided by the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society. 

Dear friends,

I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer so far! It’s been so nice to have the opportunity to spend some time outside in the sun, and to join you in celebrating all that our Boyle Street and McCauley communities have to offer.

Since we’ve been out of the legislature, I’ve been spending my summer catching up with constituents across my riding. I’ve seen many of you at local community events, but I’ve also had the chance to connect with you at your doorstep to make sure that I’ve had the chance to chat directly with as many of you as possible, and hear your concerns.

I’ve received a lot of great feedback from you all about what you’re seeing from the provincial government, and about what you would like to see in order to ensure a safe, fulfilling, and equitable future for all Albertans.

Many of you have shared your concerns with health care, including your experiences when you or your loved ones have needed to access care urgently, but have not been able to do so as the UCP government allows our health care system in Alberta to collapse. We’ve talked about the need for accessible and timely public health care for all Albertans, as wait times in hospitals and for surgeries continue to skyrocket. This isn’t how it should be anywhere, let alone in a province as wealthy as ours.

Many of you have also told me that as you look ahead to the coming school year, you are deeply concerned about the quality of education for your kids. We agree that teachers and school support staff are absolutely doing their best to ensure that every student in Alberta receives the education they need to set them up for lifelong success, but that the UCP government is making this increasingly difficult as class sizes balloon while supports diminish. Please know that I’ll keep advocating for our students, teachers, and school support staff on these issues.

I also know that countless neighbours are struggling with housing insecurity, and that many are currently unhoused or are on the edge of becoming unhoused. This is truly a life-or-death issue, and it’s a priority for me to continue to push the UCP government to ensure that all Albertans have access to safe and affordable housing. This includes the need for investments in permanent supportive housing, action on out of control rents, and more robust subsidies. 

Finally, I continue to hear from community members who are alarmed by the separatist movement that has been stoked by the UCP government. I know that the vast majority of Albertans, and certainly the vast majority of Boyle Street and McCauley residents, are proud to be Canadian and are very serious when they say that Alberta must remain a part of Canada. You’ve got my commitment that I will keep being a loud and proud Canadian!

I’ve been outspoken and active on these issues and more throughout the summer, and I’m looking forward to bringing my voice back to the legislature in October. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to share your concerns too, no matter what they are. You can call or email my office anytime. I hope to see you out in the community or on your doorstep soon!

In the meantime, as always, 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

Most people who know me well know that I love music of all kinds, from folk to jazz to blues. However, sometimes I just need some of that rock and roll music. 

When I learned about the Rockin' Thunder Festival taking place a short distance north of the McCauley and Boyle Street neighbourhoods, my heart filled with nostalgia when I saw the lineup. 

I had the chance to relive my tween/teen years by enjoying acts like Queensryche and Bret Michaels (who I knew best as a member of Poison). "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" holds a special place in my heart even though I was never really into hair bands. It is a beautiful song regardless of hairdo. 

Joan Jett was the only woman on the list of headliners and she meant a lot to me in terms of representation when I was younger and getting into music. I never thought I would ever get to experience "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" live - but there I was. Unfortunately, she did not allow any media so I don't have any photographic evidence. 

More of a generational contemporary, Sam Roberts Band had me grooving to songs like "Don't Walk Away Eileen" and "Brother Down."

During the two days I also got to know a couple of bands of which I knew the names, but not the music: Toque (which does covers of classic Canadian rock tunes) and The Trews (melodic, intelligent songs that I am going to have to look up now).

One of the event's emcee's was Rick Campanelli. Those of us who used to be addicted to MuchMusic would remember him as "Rick the Temp." He still looks the same and has that great energy he brought to the station. 

Overall, Rockin' Thunder was a lot of fun and I am already looking forward to next year!

After more than 25 years, e4c Community Development closed the office at McCauley Apartments on June 30th. As the previous program manager for eight years, I thought I’d share some fond memories.

In the 1990s, e4c was invited by Capital Region Housing (now Civida) to set up a presence at McCauley Apartments. It was a win-win: e4c gained an outreach space, and McCauley Apartments gained an on-site gathering space to offer social connection and tenant support.

As time went by, the tenants of McCauley Apartments became active contributors to neighbourhood life, sitting on the Community League board, volunteering at festivals and church events, supporting the McCauley Cup, and organizing the annual McCauley Safe Kids Halloween. Many neighbours will remember the McCauley Clean-Up, an extravaganza of garbage collection and litter cleanup, hosted at McCauley Apartments.

We learned that - despite the challenges of poverty, mental health struggles, stigma, and isolation - we each have a deep well of love and connection and service and neighbourliness.

The little office at the back of McCauley Apartments holds so many stories, so many characters, so much joy and wonder. The music, the laughter, the food, the gardens, the community clean-ups and litter blitzes, the crafts, the chair yoga, the coffee, the puzzles, the sharing circles, the tie-dyed t-shirts, the poetry in the park, the ukulele lessons, the love and care and checking on each other.

May you continue to find each other despite many challenges. 

Kathryn Rambow is a former program manager with e4c who has recently completed graduate school and is starting a counselling practice. She lives a block north of McCauley with her family.

“Knowledge is like money: to be of value, it must circulate, and in circulating it can increase in quantity and, hopefully, in value.” - Louis L’Amour, American writer of novels and short stories, 1908-1988.

Summer in Edmonton has many annual festivals like the Edmonton Heritage Festival, Edmonton Folk Music Festival, and the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival. 

Parking can be scarce at these festivals, so travelling by ETS or DATS is recommended.

Did you know that people with lower incomes (such as some people with disabilities) may be eligible to get an Arc card with a reduced cost?

The website www.edmonton.ca/ets/subsidized-transit has information about the Ride Transit Program. It says: 

With Arc, instead of paying a monthly rate upfront, participants pay for transit as they use it. You can load as little as $4 or as much as  you need.

Once you reach a daily cap ($10.25) or the monthly Ride Transit fare cap ($36 or $51, depending on your eligibility), you can ride transit for free for the rest of that day or month.

The site suggests you call 311 if you have questions about Ride Transit. You can also apply for the program through the website. 

Taking transit is a cost-saving way to travel, and I find the Arc card accessible. ETS drivers are knowledgeable and can assist. I have also mentioned in previous columns that the Valley Line trains are very accessible.

It will soon be autumn, so enjoy the remaining summer days!

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

Wellness Network Edmonton discontinued its services as of June 30th, due to funding changes. It provided peer support to folks with lived experience of mental health challenges through educational courses which were co-created and co-facilitated by people with lived experience and professionals, and was run by local social service agency e4c. While the Wellness Network will no longer operate, there are still a number of peer focused programs available in Edmonton.

David Prodan is Senior Director of Community Programs and Strategies at Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Edmonton Region. “Some of the areas I oversee are the community education and training areas, which is where the Wellness Network fits in,” he explained. 

David shared with me some of the places folks can go to find peer support and education. “CMHA Edmonton has Recovery College which is similar to what e4c did with the Wellness Network, where we have those psychoeducational courses that are recovery oriented that are co-created and co-delivered by people with lived experience. We have over 30 different courses in the Recovery College and through our partnership and work with e4c we are hoping to put on some of the courses they had as well.”

He spoke about another service he leads called Prosper Place, which is a mental health clubhouse for people with lived experience of mental health challenges. “Prosper Place is a great place for people from the community to make certain types of mental health connections and find social opportunities as well as education opportunities,” he said.

Prosper Place, which is currently located in the far west end of the city, will be moving this fall  together with CMHA’s downtown offices into Centre 106. “It’s a much bigger space. We are going to be able to provide programs, both educational and drop-in. We are going to house our contact centre there - that’s through 211, 988, and the Distress Line and other connected support and help lines. We will have an office with peer support workers who will be helping with things like systems navigation. We are excited for Prosper Place to move because it gives us more space to do drop in programs and focused arts and crafts, goal setting and leadership type programs that were part of the Wellness Network. We are going to continue to do that work,” David said.

Another initiative to promote peer support in the community is a Peer College which CMHA is developing. “Peer support specifically is one of the growth areas at CMHA. We are building on that concept of co-production and co-delivery,” he said. 

“The idea with Peer College is that we will provide peer support training for people who want to work with peers. That could range from being a recovery college peer course facilitator to being a peer support worker or a peer leader of some kind in a community organization. There is a diversity of different peer roles that are starting to pop up in the community and it’s a worldwide movement really. The idea is that we want to prepare people with lived experience to enter the workforce with the ability to use that lived experience to help others.”

CMHA is also building a website at together4cmh.ca. “It will be a repository or a hub to find out what kind of training is available in the city and in the province. We are keen to let people know what kind of training and help there is out there for mental health,” David said.

David pointed out that folks can also find connections to programming through 211, where community connectors can help you find programming and places to find social peer support. 

“The spirit of the Wellness Network continues,” said David. “I know that there is a formal end through the e4c chapter but I do think that the programming that was happening is going to continue in the community in different ways.”

Corine Demas is the President of the McCauley Community League and is on the board of Boyle McCauley News.

The Edmonton Neighbourhood Watch Program Society (ENW) warmly invites you to participate in the upcoming Walk Your Block Week 2025, running from Sunday, August 17 to Sunday, August 23, 2025.

This city-wide initiative is designed to foster community engagement and enhance neighbourhood safety.Whether it’s a quick morning stroll or an evening walk with your pet, your presence alone can help deter crime, increase community awareness, and foster a stronger sense of connection between neighbours.You also have a chance to win a prize

Why Participate?

Participating in Walk Your Block Week has several benefits, including:

• Strengthening the bonds within your community.
• Increased visibility and engagement which can reduce crime.
• Familiarization with your neighbourhood, recognize unusual activities, noticing things like burnt-out street lights, graffiti, or property damage and know who to contact.
• Stay fit and mentally alert through regular walking.

DO NOT PUT YOURSELF IN HARM’S WAY. CALL 911 IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

How You Can Get Involved:

• Participate in Walk Your Block Week alone, with friends and family. 
• Promote Walk Your Block Week. Share information about the event with your members through newsletters, social media, and community boards.
• Organize Local Walks. Encourage local residents to organize and participate in neighbourhood walks during the Walk Your Block Week.
• Plan and Host a community event or gathering to coincide with Walk Your Block Week, such as a neighbourhood meet-up or safety workshop.

As in previous years, you can enter to WIN A PRIZE by tagging us at #WalkYourBlockWeek2025 on your social media story or post or by directly emailing us a photo or video of yourself taking a stroll!

To confirm your participation, donate a prize, invite us to your Walk Your Block Week event or find out more information, please contact Ade Abiona at programcoordinator@enwatch.ca or call (780) 433-7458 by August 13, 2024 or visit our website at www.enwatch.ca.

By simply showing up, you’re making your neighbourhood a safer and stronger place. Walk Your Block isn’t just about safety, it’s about connection, pride, and prevention. Let’s step out, connect, and protect our neighbourhoods one block at a time!

Not sure who to contact for a non-emergency situation? Refer to our “Who Should You Call?” sheet for guidance at https://enwatch.ca/resources

If you have any questions contact us at programcoordinator@enwatch.ca or (780) 433-7458 ext.1 or visit our website at www.enwatch.ca.

 Information provided by the Edmonton Neighbourhood Watch Program Society (ENW)

Days go together, sometimes smoothly and sometimes choppy like a beautiful bicycle ride. Even though every day is not perfect, the balance is good and joyful. 

This is the feeling I got from Kevin Schmidt who owns and operates Somewhere Cycles at 10816 95th Street. Kevin is well aware of the long history of the neighbourhood and the Venetian Barber Shop, operated by Tony Tassone - the space that Somewhere Cycles now occupies. 

Kevin Schmidt is dedicated to good-hearted repair work of all wheeled things. He and his partner have been rooted in the McCauley/Norwood area for about a decade and are ready to build a good living on this beautiful idea based on a passion for bicycles and lots of hard work. 

Somewhere Cycles opened this spring. The space looks modern and renewed, thanks to a busy month-long whirlwind renovation done by himself and a contractor friend. Kevin built up to having a shop of his own after years of working for customers independently and doing bicycle repair for folks in the community. Kevin’s hopes for the business and neighbourhood vibing well together are rooted in his belief in community and good communication.

Welcome to the neighbourhood, Somewhere Cycles!

Ruth Sorochan lives in McCauley with her family and is a Block Carrier with the paper.

The McCauley Community League held its AGM on June 14th at 2 p.m. in the Alumni Room at the Commonwealth Rec Centre. Despite the fact that we sent emails to our membership and put posters up around the neighbourhood, we struggled to make quorum. We were able to make quorum after a few phone calls to members and some folks ran over to the meeting.

We passed a motion to accept the financials and elected new board members. Holly Payne, Justine Dyck, Dylan Morgan, and Nathan Hupka will be joining us. Christa Ferland and I, Corine Demas, were reelected. Imai Welch, John Gee, and Ruth Sorochan stand in their second term. In a later meeting, I was voted in to remain as President. Vice President is Justine Dyck, the Secretary is Holly Payne, and remaining in the position of Treasurer is John Gee. 

This summer we held a tea and visit with our City Councillor Anne Stevenson on July 19th and will hold another on August 16th from 2 to 4 p.m. at the rink (10750 96th Street). The purpose of these meetings is to give our neighbours a chance to talk to Anne about their concerns regarding city planning, infrastructure, and services.

On Thursdays through August, Gail and Ruth will open the rink shack for an informal drop-in. Kids can play basketball, help plant and maintain the flowers, and do crafts. Adults are welcome to come and sip some tea and talk with neighbours. For more information about our summer programming and beyond, check our ad on page two of this issue. 

Corine Demas is the President of the McCauley Community League and is on the board of Boyle McCauley News.

Pizza 42 and Donair, nestled in the Boardwalk Centre on lower Jasper Avenue, is a paradox of charm, flavour, and inconsistency. For such a generically-named eatery, it offers an eclectic menu that ranges from classic pizzas and donairs to Indian biryani, curry, and paneer dishes, and it has earned both loyal patrons and the odd skeptic.

The food is very good. Local regulars rave about the juicy beef donairs, BBQ chicken pizza, and generously portioned poutines. Many customers mention the warm hospitality from staff members, who have a reputation for being welcoming, friendly, and even generous - sometimes offering free samples or drinks with large orders. The biryani and samosas, a nod to the restaurant’s South Asian roots, get a lot of praise for bold flavour and authenticity. That curious mixture drew our group of five.

With hours extending well into the early morning, the focus is as a take-out business, but we ate in and took advantage of the many booths for up to four, framed by the enormous and varied menu boards. It even has a well stocked bar behind the long counter!

Starting with the namesake pies, we noticed one pizza that was not so ordinary: the Punjabi. The crust impressed me first, with a bubbly edge and a soft chew perfectly in the middle between Italian and North American styles. Toppings were very generous and full of flavour, with red onion, black olives, and bright red and yellow banana peppers, backed up by ginger, cilantro, and mushroom – delicious!

From the Indian menu, one highlight was the Tandoori Fish, with huge chunks of red snapper seasoned with a lemony onion-ginger-masala paste on a bed of salad. A few of us don’t eat fish, so went for the the Chicken Biryani, a rich meal with four chicken drumsticks grilled after being marinated in Indian spices and yoghurt. The bright red legs were served on a deep bed of biryani - a basmati rice dish seasoned with masala spices. We also enjoyed the Goat Curry, which is a seasoned gravy with cubes of goat meat, eaten alongside naan bread to soak up the savoury liquid. If you’re a “dipper” this is real comfort food. Any of these three could be an entire meal in itself.

To wash it all down, we enjoyed the Mango Lassi, a sweet and tart Indian classic similar to a smoothie or milkshake - a great dessert. We were pleasantly surprised when a complimentary dessert arrived - Gulab Jamun, which are doughnut-like cake balls, soaked in a cardamom honey sauce - divine! We left smiling for under $100 including tip, which is less than $20 a person - wow! And so many choices to come back for.

Pizza 42 is a quirky neighbourhood gem that delivers on flavour and friendliness with an unexpected combination of items and great value. It’s a place with soul and really expresses the mosaic of cultures and tastes that makes our neighbourhood - and country - so special.

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

is something of a misnomer 
when issued by weather authorities 

circumstances which are not unique
but reoccurring, with a changing climate

air becomes perilous
to human health and well-being

Canadian forests continue to ignite
as zombie fires plague the prairies

our breath is being taken away,
activities suppressed, and homes displaced

we must settle with these realities
while pushing for the change that is necessary

Jon Lai (he/him) is a lifelong resident of Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He holds a BA with a major in Sociology and a MSc in Human Ecology with a specialization in Aging from the University of Alberta. His previous poems have been published in Boyle McCauley News, NorthWord Literary Magazine, and Capital City Press Anthology Vols. 4 & 5.

This year’s edition of Heart of the City happened on May 31st and June 1st, a weekend earlier this year than the traditional first weekend of June. While the team of organizers of this year’s festival was small, we were mighty. The weather held for most of Saturday, though there were some moments when we thought we may have to shut down the main stage and open the flaps on our tents in a big windstorm. After consulting veteran sound tech Mike Tully, the show went on. 

We were able to bring two days of music, spoken word, visual arts, and workshops to our neighbours in Giovanni Caboto Park. Jacqueline Duttenhoffer and her mother Le Anne Whiting, Rachael Roberts, and I (Corine Demas) worked hard on the logistics and pre-festival organization. This year we hired Isaac Friesen to help us coordinate the logistics as the festival unfolded. He also ran the music stage. We heard around 20 musical acts at the main stage, including Stella Johnson, Bobbi Jo Star, and Funk Cove. Some notable emcees on the main stage were Margaret Smith (our Neighbourhood Resource Coordinator), Anne Stevenson (our City Councillor), and local comic Matt Chaney, who really stepped up and put in a lot of time helping us fill in unbooked time slots.  

The Beat Spoken Word Stage was coordinated by Dani Zyp this year. Dani programmed all of the poetry sessions including the popular word and music session where poets were invited to read to music. Dani helped scout musicians as well. We held a well-attended comedy show at 8 p.m. on May 31st. We were impressed with the turnout as the show happened in a windstorm. We heard family friendly comedy from Harshan Gill, Matt Chaney, Steven Darnel, Daniela Zenari, Erin MK Hall, Kamal Alaeddine, and Delbir Sehmby. We were particularly impressed with the comedy of newcomer Aldrick Dugarte. Kamal Alaeddine and his team (Katie Yoner and Ross Zimmermann) showed us what improv can be in a fun and interactive session at the Beat Stage. 

On Sunday, June 1st, we held our 6th annual Story Slam which was hosted by Kamal Alaeddine. The $300 prize was split by co-winners Leif Olefson Cormac and Delbir Sehmby.

We need to thank the organization 4B Harm Reduction who came to help us with harm reduction and community outreach. Their team was amazing and we hope that you seek them out to table at your next community event.

On Friday, May 30th we set up the park. We were so impressed with the number of people who showed up to help us, in particular Keith and Dylan. As they do every year, the folks at Zocalo brought us beautiful flowers to decorate the main stage. Breanna, a new volunteer, stepped up and took on many roles and filled in gaps. I want to give a big shout out to Nathan Hupka. He was integral in setting up the park on Friday. He showed up and stayed to help from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and stayed until the park was totally shut down on Sunday night. Our volunteers always show up to help us and we wish to give them many thanks. 

One volunteer we need to acknowledge spent the weekend helping us with set-up and tear-down - and who also played in several bands at the festival. This was Mike Siek’s last summer in Edmonton and the last time he will be able to volunteer for Heart of the City. We thank Mike for his tireless support and wish him all the best in his future endeavours. 

It is important to us to thank our sponsors which include Boyle McCauley News, Paper Birch Books, Listen Louder Productions, Island Spice Food Truck, Edmonton Folk Music Festival, artsvest, City of Edmonton, FreeArts, McCauley Community League, Boyle Street Community League, BGC Big Brothers Big Sisters (BGCBigs), Print Machine, Native Youth Sexual Health Network (NYSHN), Otipemisiwak Métis Government, I.A.M. Indigenous Artist Market Collective, 4B Harm Reduction Society, and the Edmonton Arts Council.

Corine Demas lives in McCauley where she is the President of the McCauley Community League and the Executive Director of the Heart of the City Festival.

It was a long day in City Council Chambers on June 9th where zoning issues for many neighbourhoods were debated. I was there with three others from McCauley along with staff from The Mustard Seed and Radius Community Health and Healing for a rezoning hearing to remove the sunset clause approved in 2023. Rezoning would allow The Mustard Seed Central shelter to operate indefinitely as a permanent shelter. 

The building was originally operated by Operation Friendship as a seniors’ drop-in with supportive housing for 40 seniors. This housing was lost when Operation Friendship closed the building due to safety concerns for staff and residents largely due to the drug trade. The Province then funded The Mustard Seed and Radius to operate a shelter and health services for 124 people. This meant cots and bunkbeds. Shelter guests are awakened at 6 a.m. so main floor cots can be packed up to make room for breakfast at 7 a.m. and health services throughout the day. 

The good work of The Mustard Seed and Radius is not the issue. In a six month period, 123 people moved from the shelter into housing. Many others were supported to seek health services, detox, treatment, and other programs. The concern is that over 80% of the permanent shelter beds in Edmonton are located in McCauley. Rather than adding another permanent shelter, the focus should be kept on creating more options for unhoused community members.

I advocated that the sunset clause be extended for two more years then return the building for use as supportive housing. I was not the only one.  Councillor Anne Stevenson proposed this amendment that carried 9-4: “4.3. Any Development Permit for Community Service in the form of a Year-round Shelter or Seasonal Shelter must be temporary and expire on July 1, 2027.”

Kate Quinn is a McCauley resident.

Editor’s Note: this article contains time-sensitive information. More information will be added as it becomes available. Edits and additions will be noted in this space.

Municipal Elections are coming October 20, 2025

Changes to the Local Authorities Elections Act were passed in the Alberta Legislature last year and Elections Edmonton is gearing up to accommodate the changes. 

Voters in Edmonton will see changes to the voting process this year. One major difference will be multiple paper ballots for mayor, councillors, and school trustees.  

Register to Vote: Deadline is August 15th. 

Edmonton Elections is creating the permanent record of voters list using the provincial Voterlink [voterlink.ab.ca] system. You can check to see if you are on the voters’ list by entering your name and postal code. This is especially important for people who have recently moved to or within the City. The online process takes just a few minutes.

Voters will need an Alberta Driver’s License or Alberta Identification Card in order to use this online feature.

The deadline for updating online is August 15. 2025. More information on how to register is available at edmonton.ca/elections. 

If you miss the deadline, there will be other ways to register. 

• Email Elections Alberta at info@elections.ab.ca.
• Call Elections Alberta at 780-427-7191.
• After August 15, you can update your information in person at your assigned voting station during advanced voting or on Election Day, or when voting by special ballot.

To vote, electors must provide proof of their identity and current residential address. This can be done through one of the following:

• Government-issued photo identification.
• One piece of identification authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer that establishes both the name and residential address.

Electors who don’t have identification with their current residential address can provide government-issued identification that shows a mailing address (e.g. post office box) or have another elector vouch for their address.

The information presented here is from the City of Edmonton’s Elections Edmonton website, and was compiled by Gail Silvius. Gail is happily retired and living in McCauley.

Great-grandson to ᐸᐦᐹᐢᑌᐤ pahpâstêw and long-time resident of Boyle Street and McCauley ᑳᐯᓵᑳᐢᑌᐠ reuben quinn is publishing a new resource for teaching and learning ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ nêhîyawewin (Cree).

ᑭᐢᑭᓱᒥᑐᐠ kiskisomitok: ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ to remind each and one another will be launched at Paper Birch Books (10825 95th Street) at 1 p.m. on July 24th, accompanied by a pipe ceremony and feast.

Born in St. Paul, Alberta, reuben was a Day Scholar at Blue Quills University. He had learned his mother tongue in his home community.

As a child he experienced severe hearing loss, later corrected by surgery. This hearing loss, which he terms “fortune from misfortune”, meant he did not lose his ability to articulate nêhîyawewin (Cree) as a native speaker.

As a young man he worked with young offenders, and was tasked with including culture in their programs. At that time he began to develop his teaching method, using spirit marker writing system as a foundation for teaching ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ nêhîyawewin (Cree).” 

At the University of Alberta, he co-taught the Poetics of Treaty Six with Dr. Christine Stewart. The two collaborated in getting this latest book to print. reuben emphasises, “without her [Dr. Stewart], there is no book. That’s the truth of it.”

reuben has been a ceremony person and Lodge Keeper, and points out that he does not consider himself a fluent speaker. Many words have been lost and the language lexicon has shrunk significantly. 

The book, he hopes, can serve as a “beacon for young Indigenous people” many of whom have lost language and culture from the “vestiges of colonialism” which includes the legacy of residential schools, the Sixties Scoop and even earlier government policies that outlawed spiritual and religious ceremonies. 

“In order to destroy culture, belief systems need to be undermined, separating people from their spiritual foundations. You will see Catholic or Protestant churches in communities, and some people are not aware of their traditional religions and have lost the words that relate to their Creator. This colonial practice was not isolated to North America, it has been used on both sides of the water,” he says.

According to the description on the publisher's (Talon Books) website: “Each spirit marker holds a law. These laws are meant to guide us in ways that support us in life. They are meant to guide us in ways of living well with the elements: fire, land, water, and air. The spirit markers remind us that these elements form the foundations of all relationships on earth.”

rueben welcomes all to use this resource for learning nêhîyawewin (Cree) language grounded in culture. “Learning this way (through the spirit markers) can create a shift in our understanding of ourselves, and our relationships.” 

Books will be available for sale at the launch.

Gail Silvius is happily retired and living in McCauley.

Editor’s Note: reuben quinn prefers his name to be presented in lower case as an act of sovereignty.

In July, the WECAN Food Basket Society McCauley Depot moved back to the Boys and Girls Club at 9425 109A Avenue. 

The WECAN Food Basket Society was formed in 1993 by a couple of social workers engaged with women in the Abbotsfield community to address “empty fridge syndrome.” As money was tight near month end, families were faced with a lack of healthy food. The Food Basket was welcomed as an alternative to charity and the use of food banks. The premise is simple: pool money and buy meat and produce in bulk to lower food costs.

A monthly newsletter includes recipes and price comparisons. Since its inception TGP has been the preferred supplier for the society. 

Over the years, the society has grown from 150 members to over 700 and has depots around the city. Meat orders (with a non-pork option) are $20. Produce orders are $15. There is no limit on the number of orders a household can make.  

An annual membership is five dollars. The WECAN Food Basket Society is based on its ability to leverage the power of bulk purchasing. Often seen as a resource only for lower income people, all are welcome to join. More members and orders increase the purchasing power of this nutritious food buying club.

The same hours are kept: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pickup is usually the third Thursday of the month (depending on holidays).

For more information: wecanfood.com

Gail Silvius is happily retired and living in McCauley.

In July, the WECAN Food Basket Society McCauley Depot will move back to the Boys and Girls Club at 9425 109A Avenue. It will keep the same hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pickup for July is July 17. Pickup is usually the third Thursday of the month (depending on holidays).

The WECAN Food Basket Society was formed in 1993 by a couple of social workers engaged with women in the Abbotsfield community to address “empty fridge syndrome.” As money was tight near month end, families were faced with a lack of healthy food. The Food Basket was welcomed as an alternative to charity and food banks usage. The premise is simple: pool money and buy meat and produce in bulk to lower food costs.

Many members of the early society received monthly assistance allowances, establishing the rhythm of collecting money at the beginning of the month, with food pickup scheduled in the third week of the month when funds and groceries were scarce.This timing provides a critical influx of groceries to get people to the end of month with enough healthy food to feed their families. 

A monthly newsletter includes recipes and price comparisons. Since its inception TGP has been the preferred supplier for the society, which remains an affordable alternative in the face of inflation and food scarcity. 

Over the years, the society has grown from 150 members to over 700 and has depots around the city. Meat orders (with a non-pork option) are $20. Produce orders are $15. There is no limit on the number of orders a household can make.  

An annual membership is five dollars. The WECAN Food Basket Society is based on its ability to leverage the power of bulk purchasing. Often seen as a resource only for lower income people, all are welcome to join. More members and orders increase the purchasing power of this nutritious food buying club.

For more information: wecanfood.com

Gail Silvius is happily retired and living in McCauley.

The 94th Street Extravaganza is an annual grassroots event by and for our Norwood and Alberta Avenue neighbours. Each year, we get together to connect, celebrate, and showcase our community’s generous, resilient, and vibrant spirit.

More than just a block party, the 94th Street Extravaganza connects and champions our neighbourhood strengths inclusive of all neighbours: the residents, businesses, organizations, and all folks who frequent the neighbourhood. We aim to create a radically welcoming, mutually supportive network throughout the neighbourhood that leans into our community’s strengths for placemaking and community building. We’re here for each other, so come as you are to be welcomed with open arms!

When: Saturday, August 30th, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: 94th Street from 112th Avenue to 115th Avenue

What to Expect:

• Art Walk & Artisan Bazaar
• Yard Sales
• Buy Nothing Market
• Community Business and Organization Tables
• Live Music and Performances
• Hot Local Food and Snack Vendors
• Arts and Crafts 
• Games and Activities
• Kid’s Activities

Stay tuned for vendor, performer, and activity announcements as they arise: facebook.com/94thStreetNeighbours. You can also visit our website:  94streetextravaganza.square.site. Send us an email for more information or if you want to get involved: 94thStreetExtravaganza@gmail.com.

Information submitted by your 94th Street neighbours.

For more than 15 years McCauley has been the place where Mike Siek wanted to be. “McCauley is my small town,” he says. “If I go out on the street, I see at least one person I know. I chose this community in 2008, in part for budgetary reasons, but also because it is closer to the action and more community-oriented than other places I have lived.”

And Mike has lived in more than a few places. “I am not a huge plan maker,” he says. “I am more of a leaf on the wind, just following my heart.”

This past May, the time came for Mike to move on once again. In a post on Facebook, he wrote, “This will be my last summer in Alberta. I have such a great community (deep roots) here in Edmonton, and I will miss you all more than even I can imagine, but it’s time for a new chapter! I will be heading to New Brunswick to be closer to my siblings and extended family, and to help my folks live in their beautiful home as long as possible, as they get close to 80!”

Many people know Mike through his work roles. At the time of writing this article, he was a community developer at e4c. Before that, he was a recreation facilitator at Boyle Street Community Services. He has also been the production manager for the late Vue Weekly newspaper. Mike’s versatility and flexibility is evident in that he began his work life as an auto mechanic.

Others know Mike as a musician. He plays guitar and has been a member of several Edmonton bands, most recently Funk Cove. “I have been playing guitar from the age of 12 or so,” Mike says. “I got to love it and started to become connected with the music folks. I have been doing live shows in various bands since my early 20s.”

Perhaps the place where most have met (or witnessed) Mike is in his volunteer roles. He has been the production manager and president of the annual Heart of the City music and arts festival. He has done communications for the McCauley Community League. His other volunteer involvements have included McCauley Revitalization, Friends of Church Street, and the board of Boyle McCauley News. Mike is also everywhere that a community event is happening, quietly helping to move tables, rescue falling lanterns at the CO*LAB Spring Lantern Parade, putting away chairs after a meeting, and doing anything that needs doing. 

The operative word in the previous sentence is “quietly.” When being interviewed for this article, this humble guy says, “I am not all that big on talking about myself.”

The last word goes to Colleen Chapman, a neighbour, friend, and fan: “I hope the fact that there are so many of us who will miss him touches his heart! He deserves to know how very special he is.”

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

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 Ribbon Rouge Foundation is a grassroots organization committed to advancing health equity and social justice through the arts. By using storytelling, community-engaged art, and intentional dialogue, Ribbon Rouge helps raise awareness, shift public perceptions, and foster meaningful social change. Their work centres on uplifting the voices of those facing racialized health disparities - especially African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities - and tackling the intersection of race and gender in health outcomes.

Health disparities remain a pressing concern. In 2014, the rate of new HIV infections among ACB communities in Canada was approximately six times higher than among the general population. By 2017, nearly half of all new HIV diagnoses among women were among Black women. These figures highlight not only a public health crisis but also a systemic failure to address the broader socioeconomic and cultural forces contributing to these inequities.

To combat these challenges, Ribbon Rouge launched the Black Equity in Alberta Rainforest (B.E.A.R) initiative: a socially innovative, research-driven effort focused on dismantling systemic barriers to health for ACB communities. Guided by an ACB Leadership Caucus, B.E.A.R works collaboratively with academic partners to generate data, produce 13 interdisciplinary reports, and develop multimedia tools that inform and support long-term policy and community solutions. The initiative includes nine sub-projects targeting health inequity measurement, justice mapping, community development, and arts-based engagement.

Complementing this, the Intersectoral Action Fund (ISAF) initiative builds cross-sector partnerships to address key social determinants of health including education, employment, income, and mental health. Through an advisory board and three working subgroups, ISAF works to strengthen community capacity, encourage evidence-based planning, and implement targeted equity-focused action plans. The goal is to share these findings and models at regional and national levels to scale impact and inspire broader change.

Ribbon Rouge is proud to be a member tenant of the Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC), a community hub that supports collaboration among non-profit organizations working to build inclusive, empowered communities. As part of EIC’s diverse network, Ribbon Rouge benefits from a shared space that fosters connection, resource sharing, and intercultural dialogue -further strengthening its ability to serve ACB communities across Alberta.

To learn more about Ribbon Rouge Foundation’s work and upcoming initiatives, visit www.ribbonrouge.com.

Information provided by the Edmonton Intercultural Centre, which is located at 9538 107th Avenue.

Welcome to the August-September 2025 edition of Boyle McCauley News.

I always use this space to make a call for volunteers, and this time is no different. We’re always seeking writers and photographers, and have a few routes available for Block Carriers. Our fundraising casino is also coming up on December 30th and 31st of this year at the Century Casino on Fort Road and we have numerous positions available during the days and nights. Contact me at editor@bmcnews.org and I will connect you with Colleen Chapman, who is coordinating our casino volunteers.

Have you visited our website (bmcnews.org)? We publish exclusive content, extra classifieds, an events calendar, and a searchable archive of back issues. You can also sign up to receive our free e-newsletter.

At our website you can also sign up for a free membership. This helps support the paper by building our membership numbers. Members occasionally receive information and have a vote at our AGM. More information is here: bmcnews.org/membership.

For those of you on social media,  we are still on X (formerly Twitter) as @bmcnews and Bluesky at @bmcnews.bsky.social. 

Enjoy this issue and the rest of the summer. We’ll be back in print in October. 

Neighbourhoods are defined by more than just names and geographic boundaries. They are defined by the people within them: people who live, work, and volunteer while making their community a better place. Mike Siek (who you will read more about elsewhere in this issue) is someone who embodies all of these things. 

Whether giving of his time and talents with the Heart of the City Festival, volunteering at numerous events at the rink, helping facilitate programming at McCauley Apartments, and even spending some time on the board of this community newspaper, Mike is someone whose impact resonates throughout McCauley and beyond.

Like many, I was sad to learn the news that Mike would be leaving this summer. However, time moves on and lives change. Nothing - and no one - lasts forever.

Mike’s journey will leave gaps that will provide opportunities for others in the area to step up and fill. Sometimes the most valuable volunteers are people who simply emerged when needed. 

I know many who have been inspired by Mike’s unwavering commitment to the community.  It is my sincere hope that some of them will rise to the occasion, if they haven’t already. No event or organization should rest entirely on the shoulders of one individual. We all need to share the work. That way, when it comes time for someone to move on, there will always be others to carry the torch.

On Wednesday, June 11th, everyone is welcome to join neighbours and students at the Alberta Avenue Community Centre (9210 118 Ave). From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. we will offer free silkscreening and refreshments in a celebration of our inner city neighbourhoods.   

This celebration is hosted by the students and instructors of the University of Alberta course in Community-Service Learning. The course, CSL 370/550, is called What If We Choose Welcome? The course has been facilitated by organizers and artists who have lived and worked in this area for more than 15 years. 

Community-Service Learning classes often involve a placement in which students are helping community groups or individuals through a placement at a service agency, for example. Students bring their knowledge and energy to help the community. In this class, instructors Lisa Prins and Allison Sivak have asked students to consider how the community teaches us.  

For six weeks, we (Allison and Lisa) have been learning about the diverse stories and peoples who live together in the Boyle Street-McCauley-Alberta Avenue neighbourhoods. We have read different writers from amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton) to help us think about the layered histories of this place. We have talked about the ways that people can get to know and appreciate each other across our differences, and how people can work together to make good change that welcomes everyone. 

We are excited to share our artwork with you!  At the party, you can screenprint a poster from student designs that you can take home! You can also bring a blank, clean t-shirt, a teatowel, or a pillowcase to print on.  

If you'd like to come celebrate with us, please email Lisa Prins at lprins@ualberta.ca so we know how many people we can expect. 

Our thanks to the Society of Northern Alberta Printmakers (SNAP) and Dr. Christina Battle, for helping us to experiment with art-making and to create our final projects. 

Isaac Friesen began his involvement with Heart of the City through the FreeArts’ Youth Stage in 2019 when pH15 - his band with fellow FreeArts performer George Zhang - played the stage. “I was asked by Sebastian Barrera from FreeArts to continue helping out with the festival over the next few years. During the pandemic we did some online shows and then after the pandemic I took a greater role with the youth stage. Last year I was directing the youth stage. This year I’m still directing the youth content but I am also acting as the artistic and logistics coordinator for the whole festival.”

Formerly known as CreArt, FreeArts is a non-profit that provides free arts and community programs for people of all ages and backgrounds throughout Edmonton.

Isaac goes on to say that, “Heart of the City is a really important festival to me because it is one of those really great opportunities for emerging artists to perform in a real gig where you are actually getting paid and have the opportunity to perform in front of a real audience. As a performer myself, Heart of the City was the first performance for my band so it will always hold a special place in my heart.”

I asked Isaac how he expresses himself creatively. “I mostly use music. I’m classically trained in piano. I also play a lot of keyboards. I have fun putting things into Logic [music production software] and seeing what comes out of it. I really like playing with sound and putting different kinds of music together to see what comes out of it. I am also an amateur puppeteer. We, the Magpie Puppet Club, perform little stories about Chinese culture and Chinese history. We do this around different festivals like Chinese New Year or the Autumn Festival.”

I wanted to know what made Isaac turn to music. He said, “I’ve always had a good experience with music. As a child my family would take me around to different festivals in the city like Folk Fest and we used to have Interstellar Rodeo, and then I got more involved from taking piano lessons. In junior high my favourite class was band class and I had a really great band teacher who pushed me to keep music as part of my life. The older I’ve got I have found that it’s even more important to me. Music is helpful for regulating and expressing emotions. It’s good for feeling different things, bringing up different emotions like nostalgia or joy. Sometimes I will listen to music to reflect. No matter what, music is a powerful tool for expression and thinking about emotion.”

Isaac just finished a dual degree in music and education from the University of Alberta and is looking to begin working as a music teacher in the near future. pH15 is also in the process of recording an album. “It’s been a long process, especially when we are working out of our own home studio. It’s lots of fun to be recording our own music and rewarding as well.”

You can find pH15 on YouTube by searching “pH15 music”. The band is also on Spotify and most of the other streaming services.

Corine Demas lives in McCauley where she is the President of the McCauley Community League and the Executive Director of the  Heart of the City Festival.

Dear friends,

Happy summer! Like so many of you, I’m a big fan of this season, and I’m looking forward to spending time out in the sunshine, taking in all that our communities have to offer in the warm summer months. 

I’m writing this in mid-May, at a truly pivotal time for our province and our community. The Legislature is about to wrap up for the summer, we’ve just been through a historic federal election, and the city is gearing up toward the upcoming fall municipal election. 

It’s been a challenging time in the Legislature, to be honest. The UCP government rammed through a lot of legislation that hurts our communities. Whether it’s legislating further privatization of health care through Bill 55 or undermining our democracy and attacking Indigenous rights through Bill 54, this is a government that has its priorities all wrong. And they’re doing this all while further dividing Albertans through pushing a separation agenda.

At a time when there is so much important work for us all to do, let’s remember how much more we can get done when we work together and lean on each other. As we focus on building our connections as a team working toward a common goal, we can keep in mind how much stronger we can get by finding joy together as a community. Times are tough for so many of us, and I am always so impressed by the care that neighbours in Boyle Street and McCauley show for each other. 

Let’s make sure, even in the midst of the challenges we’re facing together, to take time to restore our energy and strengthen our bonds by having some fun this summer. There is no shortage of summer activities to be found in Edmonton, and I’m especially looking forward to connecting with you all at events throughout our communities.  

This summer, let’s celebrate all the ways in which our community comes together. When you spot me out in Boyle Street, McCauley, or elsewhere, please say hi! I’d love to catch up, or to meet you if we don’t yet know each other. And, as always, whether it’s on housing, health care, 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
Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood Constituency Office: 6519 112 Ave NW

Since January 2023, the City of Edmonton’s Problem Property Initiative (PPI) has written regularly in Boyle McCauley News about its work cleaning up properties, securing or demolishing unsafe buildings, and upholding housing standards across the city. In this issue, the PPI is providing information specifically about its work in your neighbourhoods of Boyle Street and McCauley.

The PPI has a team of Municipal Enforcement Officers that address the external conditions at seriously neglected private properties, some of which present public safety hazards. While working city-wide, the team has a proactive, data-driven focus on the most affected neighbourhoods. Since January 2023, the team has inspected 62 properties in Boyle Street and McCauley.

The team has overseen the removal of hundreds of thousands of kilograms of debris and hazardous materials from the two neighbourhoods, at the property owner’s expense. Furthermore, tickets and enforcement orders issued by the team are making it increasingly costly for owners to neglect their properties. Following interventions by the team, 35% of the inspected properties have been demolished by their owners or have submitted applications for demolition permits. Several are undergoing redevelopment.

The PPI also has a team of Fire Prevention Officers that secure - and hold property owners accountable for - unsecured vacant buildings that pose a fire risk to the surrounding community. Since April 2022, the team has inspected 79 properties in Boyle Street and McCauley. 

Of the properties inspected, approximately 75% were confirmed to be vacant and unsecured. These properties have all been subject to securement measures, ranging from board-ups to fencing to 24/7 security patrols, all at the property owner’s expense. Approximately 40% of the properties inspected have since been demolished, including several that have been redeveloped. The team’s work is contributing to a significant decrease in structure fires in mature neighbourhoods.

The PPI also has a multi-agency team that provides a wraparound approach to complex residential living situations involving vulnerable individuals, families and places. Since January 2023, the team has inspected 37 properties in Boyle Street and McCauley. 

Of the properties inspected, 92% have been brought into compliance with minimum housing standards. In the process, the team has connected vulnerable tenants to services, helped to rehouse individuals from properties that are no longer liveable, and reduced the risk these properties present to the surrounding community.

Finally, a tax subclass allows the City to to triple the tax rate for owners of residential properties that show serious signs of neglect, are dilapidated, are falling into significant disrepair, or are unlivable. The subclass is encouraging owners to improve or demolish their properties, while also generating revenue to help offset the costs of otherwise dealing with derelict properties. Since January 2024, 27 properties in Boyle Street and McCauley have been included in the subclass. Five of these properties have been repaired or demolished.

To learn more about the Problem Property Initiative or sign up for the PPI newsletter, visit edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties. To report a problem property, call 311, visit 311 online, or use the confidential reporting form at edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties. To report an unsecured vacant property email communitypropertysafetyteam@edmonton.ca or call 311.

Information provided by the City of Edmonton.

The GLOW Spring Lantern Parade on March 22nd this year celebrated the return of spring. It was a very busy night at CO*LAB. Excited voices echoed around the room. There were kids with their adults making lanterns in the shape of carrots. Many busy volunteers helped the kids, who were anxious to get going on the parade. Shima Robinson, Edmonton’s Poet Laureate, was in the room, readying herself to perform a poem about spring. 

There were many young families in attendance. I saw one of the greatest things that can happen at an arts event: kids, who had never met before, started playing together, and then the parents started talking to each other. I talked to two mothers who were attending the event. Nav Kaur said, “We are always looking at CO*LAB events, especially ones that are inviting kids. This was really well advertised and it seemed very friendly. The kids are getting along, so it tells you that this is a good comfortable environment for kids to be themselves. It’s nice to see the parents socializing.” 

Elizabeth Cromie, who recently moved to Edmonton and was there with her kids, said, “Community is so important when moving to another city. Being around like minded people, being around families that are out for the same reason - I think that’s important.”

Lorin Klask is one of the founders of Quarters Arts Society and the Artistic Director of CO*LAB.  “We have been underserved as a neighbourhood. CO*LAB is here because our neighbourhood needs accessible third spaces [public, social spaces apart from home or work]. It just happens to be around art because art gives us, like we see with this lantern parade, a way to come together. People of diverse backgrounds and different languages - we are all coming together to make this lantern and go for a walk in our neighbourhood to celebrate that winter is technically done in Edmonton,” Lorin said.

“I was reading up a bit about the event which introduces spring which I found cool. Here I see all the lights and the colours. Winter was a bit rough and I think it’s a good way to introduce the newness of spring.” said Elizabeth Cromie as the doors were opened and the attendees spilled out onto the sidewalk to start the lantern parade.

CO*LAB has become an important third place for our neighbours and a space for artistic creation that is needed in the Boyle Street community.

Corine Demas is the President of the McCauley Community League and Executive Director of the Heart of the City Festival.

The 2025 Ben Calf Robe Traditional Pow Wow took place at the Commonwealth Rec Centre’s indoor field house on May 11th.

This year’s theme was Nehiyaw Pimatisiwin - Indigenous Way of Life. This theme, as stated on the Pow Wow’s website (ecsd.net/powwow), “emphasizes the importance of preserving, living, and passing on Indigenous culture, language, and traditions to future generations.”

The event was supported by the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Catholic Schools, and Ben Calf Robe Society. 

Thousands of people from different cultures and walks of life took the opportunity to experience the free, family-friendly event which has been taking place in the McCauley area for more than a decade. Here is a look at some of the celebrations during the Grand Entry. 

Photos by Paula E. Kirman.

Rock n Roll Ice Cream
10109 108 Avenue NW
780-425-3500

With summer approaching and a few warm days already behind us, having a wonderful variety of frozen treats is one thing that makes our area so enjoyable. Now the delicious Asian flavours of Little BonBon and the gelato at Italian Centre have been joined by the Indian (as well as western) ice creams at Rock n Roll, adding yet another cultural dimension to our neighbourhood’s sweet offerings.

McCauley and Boyle Street residents who walk along 101st Street next to Victoria Composite High School might have noticed the spectacular art deco styled tiled renovation of the Freecloud Records building. Right behind it, tucked away on 108th Avenue, is Rock n Roll Ice Cream - a place I’ve been admiring from the outside before finally stepping in to sample their treats. It’s just steps from the main drag and easily accessible by foot or bus, though for those with limited mobility, there are two steps up to the entrance (outdoor seating is available for those who prefer it.)

Go inside and you’ll find a small space cheerfully decorated with amusing dotted tiles and bright rectangles. The centre is a glass counter where you can watch your ice cream being hand-rolled with scrapers on a freezing cold metal surface - a fascinating preparation method that’s part entertainment, part culinary art. The process takes a few minutes, but it’s worth the wait as each creation is assembled with care. Before our turn, we watched a vibrant Strawberry Cheesecake come to life for the couple ahead of us, the bright pink base rolled into cylinders and topped with sweet and chewy red boba balls.

The enormous menu features dozens of familiar western flavours, as well as milkshakes, smoothies, and even mini pancakes. But what truly distinguishes this ice cream parlour is the “Desi Dreams” section featuring Indian-inspired desserts.

Traditional Indian ice cream, called Kulfi, is denser and creamier than western ice cream, with distinctive flavours. Options include Kesar (saffron), Badam (almonds), Rose, Mango, Rasmalai (pronounced ras-ma-lie, a cheese-based dessert soaked in sweetened milk), and Kaju Barfi (cashew nuts).

As a pistachio lover, I immediately selected the Pista Falooda, which was hand-rolled from frozen pistachio milk and sprinkled with crushed pistachio nuts atop very fine sweetened vermicelli noodles. The vibrant green colour signaled the use of real pistachios rather than artificial flavouring. The textures had wonderful variety - creamy ice cream, crunchy nuts, and those uniquely tender noodles - creating a dessert experience that wasn’t overly sweet. The quality ingredients were evident in every spoonful.

My companion ordered from the extensive selection of milkshakes, which included classic chocolate combinations like KitKat and Oreo as well as fruit flavours and Desi varieties. Her Ferrero Rocher milkshake arrived with real chocolate balls mixed throughout a smooth, less-thick-than-usual ice cream blend that allowed the hazelnut chocolate flavor to really shine through.

With such a diverse menu, we’re already planning multiple return visits throughout the summer. The friendly staff told us they’d already opened Rock n Roll last summer, so I’m glad we finally learned of their attention to detail and quality ingredients. The mini pancakes look particularly intriguing, and for non-frozen options, there’s coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

Prices are reasonable for the quality: our two generous hand-made desserts totalled under $20. It would be a challenge to ever exhaust the many sweet options at Rock n Roll Ice Cream. 

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

The area is losing another cornerstone business of importance to those committed to the revitalization of the Chinatown and 107th Avenue business districts. Servus Credit Union has announced that its 107th Avenue branch will relocate to Ice District.

Servus has been a fixture in the Central McDougall neighbourhood for decades. The Servus branch in Boyle Street closed about 10 years ago and the 107th Avenue branch was redesignated as the Chinatown branch. Many other financial institution branches in neighbourhoods north of downtown have closed over the past several decades. This led to the Servus 107th Avenue branch becoming the primary banking institution for many in the Boyle Street and McCauley neighbourhoods.

First built as the headquarters of the former Union Centre Credit Union, the two-storey building has a retail branch on the main floor and offices on the second floor. Located on the southwest corner of 107th Avenue and 103rd Street, the branch has served several generations of nearby residents.

James Thomas, Leader of Retail and Major Cities for Servus Credit Union, identified several factors for the decision, including a decline of in-person visits as members do more of their banking online. Servus is also relocating its Petroleum Plaza branch near the Legislature to Ice District.

“We are confident that this new location will showcase the credit union with a flagship location in one of Edmonton’s vibrant and high-profile areas, while continuing to meet the needs of members from nearby neighbourhoods,” said Thomas. “The good news is we aren’t going far, and we believe the new branch offers an enhanced member experience with modern banking amenities.”

“All employees will be offered comparable roles to continue to provide members with the best credit union experience. There will be no job losses from this consolidation,” Thomas said.

The consolidated branch will be located on the north side of 104th Avenue between the casino entrance and the Oilers Entertainment Group office. Construction is currently underway. Free member parking will be available in the parkade below the arena building with entry and exit from 102nd Street. 

Staff from the Petroleum Plaza Branch will be temporarily relocated to the 107th Avenue branch on June 6th. The expected move date to the new location will take place later in the summer.  Thomas says 60 days notice will be provided prior to the exact date of relocation. 

Thomas noted that the new Ice District branch will not offer safety deposit boxes. “Any members using this service will need to remove all contents by mid-June. Our staff will be happy to assist members in finding an alternative location, such as the Inglecroft Branch at 11245 124th Street, which offers safety deposit boxes and is the nearest option,” he said.

Thomas said that, after the 107th Avenue branch relocates, Servus will put the building and the surrounding property up for sale.

John Kolkman lives in McCauley. He is the Treasurer of the paper’s Board of Directors and also a Block Carrier.

April 13th was a beautiful day. It was a bit cool when the sun went behind the clouds, but a good spring coat was a remedy for that. I was grateful for the nice day since the McCauley Community League (MCL) had already rescheduled the “Spring is Here” party we had planned for March 29th, due to that great dump of spring snow. 

Those who attended got to have their pictures drawn by caricature artist Catherine McMillan and we were entertained by singer-songwriter Shauna Lynn. We played a “guess that seed” game with a smart watch for the prize, won by Anna Bubel who is an avid gardener. We had flower seeds and pots for people to take home and grow their own flowers. Mike Siek facilitated a relay race, and we played mingle bingo for small prizes. We ate hot dogs, potato salad and mud cakes; chocolate cake, pudding, whip cream, Oreo crumbs and gummy worms. I want to thank Roma, Shauna, and Kalungi for helping me to make the food. Dan and Grace helped with the hot dogs. We had several other volunteers for the first time, including Drayton at the gate.

As of writing this article, MCL is planning our AGM on June 14th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. It is being held in the Alumni Room at the Commonwealth Rec Centre (11000 Stadium Road). We will get started with the meeting promptly at 2:15 p.m., and there will be refreshments and mingling afterward. All are welcome to attend, but we need at least 30 members of the community league to attend so that we will have a quorum. If you are not a member of the community league, memberships are free and available online at www.mccauleycl.com or you can join the community league at our AGM. We do have board positions open. We are looking for a Vice President and a Secretary as well as other non-executive positions.

Your free membership with the McCauley Community League comes with these benefits:

• Free general admission and community swim at Commonwealth Recreation Centre every weekend (Saturdays 3 p.m to 5 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.).
• 10% discount on any multi-use recreation pass for Commonwealth Recreation Centre.
• Vote in McCauley Community League’s Annual General Meeting to elect board representatives.
• Free tool rentals from the Edmonton Tool Library.

Corine Demas is the President of the McCauley Community League and is on the board of Boyle McCauley News.

“With awareness comes responsibility and choice.”-Amanda Lindhout, Canadian journalist and humanitarian.

June is Brain Injury Awareness Month in Canada. From the Brain Injury Canada’s website (braininjurycanada.ca):

“Each year, national, provincial, and local associations run campaigns to increase awareness about the prevalence of brain injury, the obstacles that exist for those with brain injury, and the need for more services and support at all stages of recovery.”

In Edmonton, we are blessed with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, which has a program specifically for people with a brain injury. From experience, I can confidently say it improved my quality of life. We also have a local agency, Brain Care Centre (braincarecentre.com), which provides services in Drayton Valley, Edmonton, Hinton, and Jasper.

No public events to mark Brain Injury Awareness Month were planned in Edmonton as of the time I was writing this article. However, to me awareness and understanding are the best “events”. Remember to take precautions like wearing a helmet during sports or cycling, and consult a doctor if you have had an incident involving your head.

I wish everyone a safe summer!

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

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.

Thank you to everyone who attended our 10th anniversary celebration in December 2024. This day marked a significant milestone in the Edmonton Intercultural Centre’s (EIC) journey to foster diversity, inclusion, and intercultural engagement. The anniversary highlighted EIC’s recent contributions to the local community, including its support of Embuttu Drums and Dance by offering rehearsal space to the new talented African percussion band. EIC continues to champion the creative arts as a powerful way to unite people and celebrate cultural expression.

Nestled in the heart of the McCauley community, EIC has played an instrumental role in this city by bridging cultural gaps and creating and maintaining a safe and comfortable space where people from all backgrounds come together to share, learn, and grow.

EIC is home to more than a dozen non-profit organizations. These organizations work tirelessly to address issues such as racial justice, family support, language preservation, mental health, and community empowerment. By housing these groups under one roof, EIC offers a collaborative environment where resources are shared, partnerships are built, and community impact is amplified.

In addition to our member tenants, EIC also serves as a dynamic venue for sports, social gatherings, and meetings. EIC’s gymnasium and various meeting spaces provide a safe, neutral environment where people of all races and backgrounds can come together to participate in physical activities, celebrate milestones, and host meetings. Whether it's a local youth basketball session, a community party, or a corporate seminar, EIC’s versatile facility ensures that people have a welcoming space to gather.

As the Edmonton Intercultural Centre enters its second decade of service, its commitment to promoting inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and community engagement remains stronger than ever. With our dedicated staff, diverse non-profit member tenants, and engaged community, EIC continues to be a beacon of unity and hope, reflecting the city’s values of multiculturalism and social equity.

EIC’s story is not just about a building or an organization; it’s about the people who make it a thriving space for intercultural exchange. The Centre’s ongoing success is a testament to the power of collaboration, respect, and shared vision in creating a community where everyone can belong.

Whether through arts, culture, sports, or social services, the Edmonton Intercultural Centre remains a vital resource for Edmonton’s diverse population—ready to welcome new ideas, new faces, and new opportunities in the years to come.

For more information, please visit edmontoninterculturalcentre.ca.

Information provided by the Edmonton Intercultural Centre, which is located at 9538 107th Avenue.

When I was growing up I was told that certain topics were not to be discussed in polite company. Politics was one of these subjects. The reasoning behind this was because political discussions can lead to arguments that cannot be resolved. People are unlikely to change each other’s minds about their personal political beliefs, such as what party for which they choose to vote.

I have to admit there is some wisdom to this. I sometimes get cornered by people with different political beliefs trying to sway me to their side. Such a conversation usually starts and ends with the person explaining why they are correct, why I am wrong, and how if their party or candidate doesn’t get elected, society is going to go down some sort of slippery slope, to which I am contributing. I do my best to cut such conversations short.

I know people who changed their political ideology because they felt a particular party better suited their beliefs than the one they previously supported. People also sometimes try to vote strategically to avoid a candidate getting elected that they do not support. Others always cast their ballots for a specific party regardless of the candidate. 

In the end, election winners are supposed to represent everyone in a constituency. If they don’t, there’s always another election down the road. After all, people can reconsider their political choices at any time. Elections are when those choices are put into action. The awareness of this can hopefully keep elected officials accountable.

The June-July edition of Boyle McCauley News marks the halfway point of our annual publication cycle. The month of June marks the halfway point of the calendar year. While it seems like 2025 recently began, it is flying by.

That said, sometimes we have too much content to pack into our print edition or time-sensitive news we want to get out to the community. At our website (bmcnews.org) we publish content between issues. There are also more classifieds than in our print edition, an events calendar, and a searchable archive of back issues. You can also sign up to receive our free e-newsletter, which is published with each new issue and contains links to exclusive website content. 

Our website also has a form where you can sign up for a free membership. This helps support the paper by building our membership numbers. More information is here: bmcnews.org/membership.

Please follow us on social media if you use it. We are still on X (formerly Twitter) as @bmcnews and Bluesky at @bmcnews.bsky.social. 

If you’re looking for ways to volunteer with us, we’re always seeking writers and photographers. We also have a few routes available for Block Carriers. Contact me at editor@bmcnews.org to learn more.

Enjoy the issue. We publish again (in print) in August.

Zocalo, a much-loved McCauley business located at 10826 95th Street, is operating full steam ahead after a long recovery from a devastating fire in January 2024. “We are connected to this place,” says co-owner Miranda Ringma. “We love doing business in Little Italy.”

Recalling the trauma, Ringma says, “We were not ready to give up. We wanted to keep doing this.” She says the shutdown gave her and partner/co-owner Ken Bregenser time to reflect. 

“We thought about doing more and doing less. We thought about what other people can do better. In the end, we decided to bring on other folks to grow the business and serve the community better.”

The result is a renewed operation that includes floral vendor Love and Fantasy Flowers and Aspen Coffee Roasters (its second location in the city). “We can now share the workload. Ken and I can be a little more focused, concentrating on the plants and gifts.”

“Necessity is the mother of invention,” Ringma says. “There is a trend towards smaller local businesses finding ways to operate without having a standalone retail site.”

The gifts and housewares, flower shop, and café part of Zocalo re-opened in November 2024, ten months after the shutdown. The greenhouse re-opened in March 2025.

The renovation was a lot of work. The two buildings were gutted and refinished. Jobs included electrical work in both buildings; a boiler system on the café side; paint, flooring, and carpet in the greenhouse; and new fixtures. A number of insurers were involved, and as Ringma puts it, “Insurance doesn’t move quickly.”

Zocalo first opened in November 2003. At the time, Miranda was a graphic designer and writer, while Ken was a landscape designer. “We wanted to keep doing innovative, creative work,” Miranda says. “We looked long and hard for a location.”  Ken and Miranda live in McCauley and can walk to the store. “It’s home,” Miranda says.

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

The Ben Calf Robe Traditional Pow Wow is an annual event featuring spectacular dancing, drumming, and Indigenous culture. For the past decade, it has taken place in the McCauley area as it is again this year on May 10th from 1-9 p.m. at the Commonwealth Rec Centre's indoor field house (11000 Stadium Road).

Although the event takes place on Treaty 6, the name comes from Treaty 7. Ben Calf Robe was a Blackfoot educator from Calgary. His name was chosen to have the school named after him, which is now Ben Calf Robe-St Clare Catholic Elementary/Junior High. The Pow Wow started in the Ben Calf Robe school gymnasium of St. Clare with just a few dozen people in attendance. As it grew, the event was held in various locations. The University of Alberta Butterdome was its last venue before moving to the Commonwealth Stadium facility.

Kehteya Elizabeth Letendre, Manager of the Council of Elders with the ECSD, explains that in 2012, she and the late Joan Carr along with others who were involved with the Pow Wow approached then-Mayor Stephen Mandel to ask if the City could help find a venue for the growing event. 

That meeting led to a partnership with the City of Edmonton that continues to this day. 

The Pow Wow has been at the Commonwealth Stadium facility, either indoors in the field house or outside, for the past 13 years. Thousands of people from diverse cultures and walks of life attend the Pow Wow not only from across the city, but also from other provinces.

“Attendees can expect to be mesmerized by the sound of our drums, by movements of our dancers, by the vibrant celebrations,” says Ms. Betty, as she is known in the community. “They’ll have a chance to learn the history, speak with others about what a Pow Wow truly is, and maybe even ask a dancer or family about the meaning behind their regalia." For those who may not know, “regalia” refers to the dancers’ outfits that are often colourful, handmade with intricate beadwork, and rich with cultural meaning.

Ms. Betty explains that there many kinds of Pow Wows, each with its own meaning. “The one we have followed is the traditional Pow Wow, passed down from the Kehteyah (The Old Ones). We have always followed the old way,” she says. “That means proving food, supporting our drummers and dancers, and offering an honorarium-money that is exchanged as a way of nourishing and supporting our families.” 

Every Pow Wow has a theme. The Pow Wow's website states: “This year’s theme, Nehiyaw Pimatisiwin - Indigenous Way of Life, emphasizes the importance of preserving, living, and passing on Indigenous culture, language, and traditions to future generations.”

The Pow Wow always happens the Saturday before Mother's Day. This was a purposeful decision on the part of the organizers, many of whom have been involved with the Pow Wow since its inception. “We have a very special time just after dinner to honour our life givers, our mothers,” says Ms. Betty.

Ms. Betty hopes that the Pow Wow continues to be an event of togetherness, learning, and peace. “People come to visit old friends and make new ones, to have fun, laugh, share and tell stories. We eat together. It’s about coming together and supporting Indigenous history,” she says. 

“There's a lot of non-Indigenous people who come, too.  And even our Indigenous people-those who grew up in foster homes, or were a part of the Sixties Scoop, they are finding their way back. For them, this is a step towards learning who they are, and what Nation they come from. Sometimes they're just coming for themselves to learn more, because as a people, we must learn from one another for us to have peace when we're not afraid of one another.”

The Pow Wow Grand Entry happens at 1 p.m. “When you see people coming in through that grand entry, when the first part of the Pow Wow starts and you hear that first drum beat, it's like you go back as a little being within your mother's womb, and you hear that heartbeat, and then that carries you all the way through that heartbeat of Mother Earth,” says Ms. Betty.

The Pow Wow is made possible with support from the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Catholic Schools, and Ben Calf Robe Society. Ms. Betty emphasizes that while the event “does not have a lot of funds, we share what we have. So, if I have a piece of bread and you are hungry, I will give you half of that bread. So that's our motto, is continuing to come and bring your children and your families and all your people that you can bring - bring them, and we'll learn together.”

Paula E. Kirman is the Editor of Boyle McCauley News.

The closure of Earth’s General Store last year left a gap in the lives of people who prefer to shop sustainably by refilling their containers with groceries and personal items.

However, the former owner of Earth’s General Store, as well as three former store employees, are opening Earth’s Refillery Coop in The Piazza on 95th Street and 108th Avenue this summer. It will occupy the space where La Dolce Vita was formerly located. The crew took possession of the space in early April. As of press time, Earth’s Refillery Coop was planning a July grand opening 

Michael Kalmanovitch, one of the coop members, was already familiar with the McCauley community due to family connections, and even considered relocating Earth’s General Store in the neighbourhood at various times.

“Because of the institution that is the Italian Centre we figured this would be an excellent complementary addition to this cluster of businesses and community groups,” says Kalmanovitch.

Earth’s General Store was started by Kalmanovitch in 1991 and was located on Whyte Avenue. He left the business in 2022, transferring it to a non-profit that was created to keep the store going. It was ultimately unsuccessful. The store closed in September 2024.

However, this time the operations of the store will take an alternative approach. “The business is a multi-stakeholder coop which means that one type of share will be owned by the workers, and another type will be available for consumer members to purchase. We are a horizontal organization - no bosses,” says Kalmanovitch.

Earth’s Refillery Coop will offer kitchen and pantry food items in bulk, such as grains, legumes, flour, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices along with bulk liquid food items like olive oil, maple syrup, and tamari. In addition, it will also offer refilling options for household goods and cleaners like laundry and dish detergent, and personal care items like shampoo, conditioner, and essential oils.

While the store will have a small number of clean donated containers (which will be sanitized), customers are encouraged to bring their own clean containers and bags. “Our goal is to reduce packaging and food waste. People buy their products in a reused container, which they bring to be refilled,” Kalmanovitch explains. 

The refillery is only one part of the business, and will occupy one area of the building. The other area will be a coffee roaster and cafe. Kalmanovitch and company have been roasting coffee in-house since 2004.

“I wholeheartedly believe that a community of people want and need what EGS offered - an opportunity to reuse and refill, an alternative business model, a community hub, an alternate vibe,” says Kalmanovitch.

For more information, visit earthsrefillerycoop.ca.

Paula E. Kirman is the Editor of Boyle McCauley News.

The article “CO*LAB Continues to Survive” (in the April-May edition of Boyle McCauley News) discussed the City’s funding of the arts and community space. 

Following the publication of this article, Lorin Klask, Artistic Director of Quarters Arts Society (the non-profit organization that operates CO*LAB), contacted Boyle McCauley News to clarify that CO*LAB does not currently receive operational funding from the City.

The warmer weather means more people will be spending time in Giovanni Caboto Park. Some folks bring their dogs with them to the park - and sometimes let them run around unleashed. The park is not an off-leash area.

Here is the City of Edmonton’s bylaw concerning dogs, taken from the City’s website:

Dogs are not allowed to be loose unless they are on your property or in a designated off-leash area. Dogs must always be on a leash when on public property and should be contained in a secure yard or building when on your property. Dogs are not allowed on school grounds, sports fields, playgrounds and golf courses.

The fine for violating this bylaw is $100.

As well, not picking up after your dog on public property or the property of others carries a fine of $100.

A list of off-leash areas is available on the City of Edmonton website.

Two local writers have made the short list for the 2025 Robert Kroetsch City of Edmonton Book Prize.

Benajmin Hertwig is nominated for his debut novel Juiceboxers. Hertwig is a McCauley resident and co-owner of Paper Birch Books.

Marilyn Dumont is nominated for her poetry collection South Side of a Kinless River. Dumont is a former McCauley resident who wrote the Indigenous McCauley historical booklet.

The Robert Kroetsch City of Edmonton Book Prize was established by City Council in 1995 and honours a book that deals with some aspect of Edmonton's culture, history, or current affairs. 

The winner will be announced at the Edmonton Arts Prizes Awards Presentation on May 7. The winner will receive $15,000 while the runners up will receive $5,000.

Edmonton Arts Prizes are coordinated by the Edmonton Arts Council, in partnership with the City of Edmonton, Alberta Media Production Industries Association, Alberta Music, Audrey’s Books, CARFAC Alberta, Edmonton Community Foundation, and Writers’ Guild of Alberta. 

The closure of Earth's General Store last year left a gap in the lives of people who prefer to shop sustainably by refilling their containers with groceries and personal items.

However, the former owner of Earth's General Store, as well as three former store employees, are opening Earth's Refillery Coop in the Piazza on 95th Street and 108th Avenue this summer. It will occupy the space where La Dolce Vita was formerly located. The crew took possession of the space in early April and hope to open later this spring or early summer.

Michael Kalmanovitch, one of the coop members, was already familiar with the McCauley community due to family connections, and even considered relocating Earth's General Store in the neighbourhood at various times.

“Because of the institution that is the Italian Centre we figured this would be an excellent complementary addition to this cluster of businesses and community groups,” says Kalmanovitch.

Earth's General Store was started by Kalmanovitch in 1991 and was located on Whyte Avenue. He left the business in 2022, transferring it to a non-profit that was created to keep the store going. It was ultimately unsuccessful. The store closed in September 2024.

However, this time the operations of the store will take an alternative approach. “The business is a multi-stakeholder coop which means that one type of share will be owned by the workers, and another type will be available for consumer members to purchase. We are a horizontal organization - no bosses,” says Kalmanovitch.

Earth's Refillery Coop will offer kitchen and pantry food items in bulk, such as grains, legumes, flour, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices along with bulk liquid food items like olive oil, maple syrup, and tamari. In addition, it will also offer refilling options for household goods and cleaners like laundry and dish detergent, and personal care items like shampoo, conditioner, and essential oils.

While the store will have a small number of clean donated containers (which will be sanitized), customers are encouraged to bring their own clean containers and bags. “Our goal is to reduce packaging and food waste. People buy their products in a reused container, which they bring to be refilled,” Kalmanovitch explains. 

The refillery is only one part of the business, and will occupy one area of the building. The other area will be a coffee roaster and cafe. Kalmanovitch and company have been roasting coffee in-house since 2004.

“I wholeheartedly believe that a community of people want and need what EGS offered - an opportunity to reuse and refill, an alternative business model, a community hub, an alternate vibe,” says Kalmanovitch.

For more information, visit earthsrefillerycoop.ca.

Paula E. Kirman is the Editor of Boyle McCauley News.

In the summer of 2024, Dragon Food Tours encouraged people to experience Chinatown through its culinary delights. Organized by the the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society (CTC) and led by summer students, the tours featured a sweet and savoury versions – both of which were hits. In fact, the tour is a finalist for the 2025 Edmonton Tourism Awards. The awards ceremony will be held in early June.

“The intention behind the Dragon Food Tours is to celebrate and revitalize Chinatown by showcasing its rich cultural heritage, diverse culinary offerings, and strong sense of community. As a youth-led initiative, it was also created to mentor and elevate young people by giving them the opportunity to activate their amazing creative skills, organize meaningful projects, and make a real impact in their city,” says Joanna Wong, an organizer and board member with the CTC.

“Many youth today have incredible ideas and talents but often lack a platform to put them into action. Dragon Food Tours provides that space. Through storytelling, education, and public engagement, the program connects younger generations to the neighbourhood in a way that is both empowering and purposeful. Our board members play a key role in supporting and guiding these youth-driven efforts, ensuring they have the tools and confidence to lead and shape the future of Chinatown. This initiative also fulfills a key pillar of the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative (CTC): Celebrating Chinatown as a Destination.”

Wong emphasizes that the success of the Dragon Food Tour is due to “the authenticity of the experience, the passion of the youth leading the initiative, and the strong collaboration with local businesses. By blending food, culture, and personal storytelling, the tours created a genuine connection between participants and the community. They revealed just how much richness exists in our neighbourhood: stories, flavours, and history that many had forgotten or never knew.”

The tour also used social media with short videos on CTC's Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/changechinatown/) and TikTok from various influencers to reach a wide audience, and even had its own theme song written by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Felix Hatfield.

Carmin Wong was a Student Lead for the tours, and is currently a third-year student at the University of Alberta. “Organizing these tours gave me the opportunity to apply the skills I’ve gained through my education to create a platform for sharing the culture and history of Chinatown. Leading a team to develop these tours helped me enhance my leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal abilities. Furthermore, learning the unique stories behind each business made these tours truly special and allowed me to connect more deeply with the Chinatown community.”

Jason Ng, Senior Tour Guide and Social Media Producer also in his third year of university, says of the experience: “Being a tour guide in Chinatown has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Not only have I had the chance to share stories about the rich culture and hidden gems of the neighbourhood, but I've also deepened my own understanding of its long history and the stories behind every smile and storefront.

Community partners and supporters included the City of Edmonton, Chinatown Business Improvement Area (BIA), and businesses located in North Chinatown, “who generously opened their doors and shared their stories. Their collaboration and unwavering support made the tours not only possible, but deeply meaningful for our young tour guides and participants while helping to strengthen community connections and bring the vision of Dragon Food Tours to life,” says Joanna Wong.

If you missed the 2024 tours, don't fret: the Dragon Food Tour is returning this year. Get on the waiting list for the 2025 tour here. 

Paula E. Kirman is the Editor of Boyle McCauley News.

It was a full house at Paper Birch Books on March 11th as Dustin Bajer gave a talk entitled 

“Trees in McCauley: The Past and Future of McCauley’s Urban Forest” to neighbourhood folks, keen gardeners, and general lovers of trees.

His presentation covered the current state of McCauley’s tree canopy, and outlined the contribution trees can make to beauty, quality of life, climate resilience, and even property values. 

Dustin shared information on some of the challenges facing older trees, such as Dutch Elm Disease. He also spoke to the crowd about his new project, Cultivate McCauley, which seeks to engage McCauley residents in starting, growing, and planting 1,000 trees to increase biodiversity in the neighbourhood.

Dustin’s enthusiasm for trees was evident as he shared stories of knocking on stranger’s doors to identify the trees in their yards, or scouring boulevards for apricot pits.

Gail Silvius recently moved back to McCauley after living in Delton.

Dani Zyp is Heart of the City’s Spoken Word Director for the 2025 season. “I’m very excited to have been appointed,” she says about her new role. “I have been going to Heart of the City for years under various people’s stewardship. I would like to expand things a little bit to include music with words. Spoken word along with music is an important development in my own life and so I would like to give everyone an opportunity to find a way to share their spoken word poem with music.”

Dani told me about her experience the first time she volunteered for Heart of the City. “When I put out my fourth book, The Book of Women’s Mysteries and One Man’s Confusion (which was an anthology of six poets), I brought it with me to my volunteer shift at Heart of the City in the green room giving out packages to musicians. Mike Siek was running the main stage and Mike came back and said, ‘So and So can’t make it. Can anyone fill in?’ My hand shot up before I even thought about it and I said, ‘I’ve got my poetry book here’ and he said, ‘get up there!’ Paula Kirman got a shot of me, which was so special. It was a big moment for me.”

Dani, who plays music under the name “Ladi Harp”, is involved in a number of artistic mediums. “My first love was visual art. I started drawing at a very young age. I am from a very artistic family. I wrote my own short story at five years old. I illustrated it with a white horse, jumping over the fence of a church yard to escape. At five years old!” Dani said, laughing.

“Writing became my priority as time went on. I’ve done many shows and poetry open stages as well as releasing seven books. Writing is still my number one. Visual art would be my second love and thirdly would be music. I’m very thankful and grateful for those artistic mediums.”

Dani also wrote the curriculum for and co-facilitated a course called “Art Around the House” for the Wellness Network, which is headquartered in the Boyle Street neighourhood. “I work on a contract basis for the Wellness Network. It is a peer supported network that offers courses. All the courses are designed to help with your mental wellness and are run by people with lived experience of mental health challenges. I put in a proposal about art as meditation. It was accepted and we are hoping the class will be coming back on Zoom,” Dani explained about “Art Around the House,” which was originally offered in person.

Dani is currently producing and hosting an irregular series from time to time at the Kasbar on Whyte Avenue, where the now-defunct Raving Poets used to hold their open stage. The series is designed for spoken word artists to share their work with a band improvising music behind them, inspired by the Raving Poets. She is also part of a musical duo called Oma’s Girls, performing at seniors homes and looking for other gigs. In March she shot a music video for a song called “Beautiful Disaster” with local photographer Rob Swyrd. Dani hopes it will be released in April and will be available to view on her website (danizyp.ca), where you can find her work including her visual art, poetry books, a schedule of events she is producing.

Corine Demas lives in McCauley where she is the President of the McCauley Community League and the Executive Director with the Heart of the City Festival.

I hope you’re enjoying the warmer weather and the renewed energy returning to our city. It’s been a busy few months at City Hall and resiliency has been a key theme in our discussions.

At Council, we’ve been talking a lot about the impacts of tariffs on Edmonton. We've heard about the robust steps staff are taking to reduce risks for the City, and how we’re working with other partners to support businesses and residents in these uncertain times. While tariffs bring challenges, they also highlight the strength of our local economy and the incredible businesses in our region. By working together, we’ll navigate these changes and emerge even stronger. One simple way we can all contribute is by shopping local and supporting Edmonton businesses. We are lucky to have so many great ones in the area!

At the Emergency Advisory Committee, we also had a good discussion about the City’s emergency preparedness plans. We learned about the City’s all-hazards approach to emergency planning that can help us face whatever challenges come our way. I encouraged City staff to connect with community leagues to explore how we can take a more local approach to emergency preparedness. I look forward to more conversations - a resilient city starts with resilient neighbourhoods!

Council also received an update on bridge construction in the downtown. Thanks to careful phasing by City staff, there will not be full closures of multiple bridges at the same time. The only full closure will be the Wellington Bridge on 102nd Avenue, beginning at the end of this year. We’re also working to accelerate LRT construction this year. There will be periods of major disruption - like the closure of the intersection at 124th Street and 104th Avenue for eight weeks - but it will mean road construction is done months ahead of the previous schedule. Staff will also be closely coordinating other construction projects in the core to reduce overlapping disruptions. While not without its short-term frustrations, these important investments will support the long-term resilience of our community. 

I hope you all continue to connect with the many City services there to support you. From libraries, to rec centres, to transit, to grant opportunities, we are working to build on the strength of our communities. Please continue to reach out to my office to let us know how we can help, and be sure to say hello if we cross paths!

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

Heart of the City Music and Arts Festival turns 21 this year, marking more than two decades of bringing the McCauley community and surrounding neighbourhoods together to celebrate local talent and creativity. Even through the challenges of COVID-19 this volunteer-led festival has persevered, a testament to the dedication and passion of everyone involved.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and on behalf of the board and executive committee, I want to acknowledge and celebrate every volunteer who has contributed their time and energy to ensure the festival’s success. From months of planning to the festival weekend itself, HOTC is powered by volunteers who show up, rain or shine, to make sure the music plays on. As a registered non-profit society, Heart of the City continues to demonstrate how investing in the arts enriches the entire community, supporting artists, boosting local businesses, and fostering lifelong connections.

I first volunteered for HOTC in the summer of 2017. I was a single mom working full time as a cook, and I was hoping to take a weekend off to enjoy one of the city’s many festivals. A dear friend, James Jarvis, invited me to volunteer. Little did I know that weekend would change my life. Over the years James encouraged me to volunteer at various events, and I discovered that volunteering was not only a backstage pass to unforgettable moments, but it was also a gateway to gaining valuable experience. Beyond the perks, I built lifelong friendships, working alongside like-minded people and creating memories I’ll cherish forever.

During the summer 2022 festival a survey was conducted. People were asked about their favorite aspect of HOTC, which revealed a common sentiment: “The music. The people.” This sentiment inspired this year’s theme: “The Music Will Bring The People.” This year, Heart of the City Music and Arts Festival will take place on May 31st and June 1st. Attendees can look forward to expanded workshops, from crafts to crafting a joke; more interactive activities for all ages; and, of course, an abundance of performances by local and emerging artists. 

As always, HOTC is seeking artists and volunteers for a variety of roles. We have revamped our website, so whether you’d like to volunteer, apply as an artist or vendor, or explore sponsorship and partnership opportunities, visit the “Get Involved” page for applications and more information at www.heartcityfest.com.

Jacqueline Duttenhoffer is the President of the Heart of the City Festival’s Board of Directors.

I’d like to take this time to celebrate a wonderful member of the McCauley community with you. In my role as MLA, I had the opportunity to nominate someone from our Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood constituency for a King Charles III Coronation Medal. While I am extremely proud to say that we have so many incredible community builders in our area that deserve medals and so much more, I was so pleased to present this honour to McCauley’s own Dan Glugosh.

Dan is a legend in Edmonton’s inner city. He’s lived in the McCauley neighbourhood for decades, and has raised his family here.

Dan earned the name Dan the “Ice Man” after taking on the rink duties at the McCauley Rink in 2000. Through his work, thousands of kids have enjoyed the gem that is the ice rink in the heart of our city. Dan has organized the annual McCauley Cup for years, and has led initiatives for rink upgrades. 

And through his efforts, he’s garnered financial support for the rink from the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, and has hosted many Oilers players at the rink, bringing so much joy to our neighbourhood kids. 

Over the years, Dan has also been a soccer coach and hockey coach. He’s volunteered for this very paper, Boyle McCauley News, and has served on the boards of the McCauley Community League and the Boyle McCauley Health Centre (now Radius Health).

Overall, Dan is a huge champion of the McCauley and Boyle Street communities, and all of Edmonton.

I knew Dan was the right recipient because a few years ago he had reached out during the last round of medals for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. He wanted to nominate other people for that award. So as soon as I had a chance to present someone with a King Charles III medal, I knew Dan had to be the recipient. He is always thinking of others, and wanting to acknowledge their efforts, but never wanting the spotlight for himself.

Congratulations, Dan, and thank you for all you do.

As always, friends, please don’t hesitate to contact our constituency office if we can offer any support. We love hearing from you!

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

For 14 years the McCauley Community League has been hosting the McCauley Cup, an annual hockey game between the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) and the kids who skate at our outdoor rink. This year, the game happened on January 25th. The game was organized in part and refereed by Kelly  Hodgson from United Sport and Cycle. The sporting goods store also sponsored the game, providing tents and a dressing trailer, as well as other important things that ensure the game runs smoothly.

We presented Edmonton Oilers alumnus Al Hamilton with a framed jersey to thank him for all the fundraising and awareness he has brought to our outdoor rink.

This year was Chief Dale McFee’s last with EPS. He played in the game and was also presented with a framed jersey. The MCL thanks all the EPS officers who took part in the 2025 McCauley Cup. We also thank our continuing sponsor, Sports Central.

MLA Janis Irwin presented our rink manager Dan Glugosh with the King Charles III Coronation Medal for the good work and community outreach he does. Congratulations Dan - the medal is well deserved.

McCauley Community League’s annual Family Day event was held on February 16th. Despite the bitter cold, our community members came out to celebrate at the rink. The Pagnotta/Mannarino family supplied and served a wonderful meal as they do every year in honour of their parents who raised them in Little Italy and in memory of Albert Pagnotta. We also had horse-drawn wagon rides, a fire pit, games, and prizes. MCL thanks the Pagnotta/Mannarino family and all of the volunteers, in particular Gail, Maia, and Ree. 

We are currently in the process of hiring a project manager to oversee the construction of the rink pavilion and help us navigate the process of getting permits from the City. Next is the design phase. If you have any ideas for fundraising or input on what should be included in the design, email us at league@mccauleycl.com.

Save the dates: This summer we will host two tea parties at the rink: July 19th and August 16th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. We will have tea and cookies. Anne Stevenson, Ward O-day’min’s City Councillor, will be there to talk with MCL members and the community at large. We thank Anne for donating our new fire pit and the refreshments for our summer events.

Check our Facebook page (@mccauleycommunityleague) and website (mccauleycl.com) for information about spring and summer programming.

Corine Demas is the President of the McCauley Community League and is on the board of Boyle McCauley News.

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 Association (EMCA) is a proud member tenant of the Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC). EMCA is a non-profit organization established in 2007 and granted charitable status in 2021. The organization supports ethnocultural communities and equity-deserving communities and newcomers, helping them achieve their full potential as they settle in Edmonton.

The EMCA works to foster multiculturalism and socio-economic integration, building a community strengthened by equity and inclusion. Acknowledging the Indigenous peoples of Treaty 6, including Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Nakota Sioux, Métis, and Inuit, the EMCA connects Edmonton’s diverse communities through community engagement, capacity-building workshops, and outreach programs.

EMCA’s key focus is advocating for racial equity with initiatives such as “A Thousand Steps: Anti-Racism and Cross-Cultural Awareness” that addresses barriers faced by newcomers and equity-deserving communities in areas like employment, health care, and the criminal justice system. The EMCA has organized several anti-racism workshops such as “Breaking Racial Barriers” and “Together We Stand” to combat systemic racism.

Looking ahead, the EMCA is excited to announce the Spring 2025 Construction Jobs Information Session and Career Fair on May 15th. Building on the success of last year’s event, this year’s career fair will aim to engage 300 participants, including newcomers and individuals from ethnocultural and equity-deserving communities in Edmonton. 

Beyond workforce integration, the EMCA fosters cultural diversity through events like the Labour Day Youth Soccer Tournament held every August. The tournament unites youth from various backgrounds, celebrates sportsmanship, and promotes intercultural connections, demonstrating how sports can help combat discrimination and unite diverse communities. The EMCA is also dedicated to youth development through programs like the McCauley Youth Basketball and Life Skills Training Program, launched in February 2025. The program runs every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. until May 31 at the Edmonton Intercultural Centre.

With a commitment to diversity, racial equity, and inclusive opportunities, the EMCA is working to create a future where these values are celebrated. Their ongoing programs, funded by the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Community Foundation, United Way, Government of Alberta, and Government of Canada, continue to break barriers and strengthen Edmonton’s multicultural community.

For more information: www.emcoalition.ca

Information provided by the Edmonton Intercultural Centre, which is located at 9538 107th Avenue.

On January 24th I attended the Winter Fundraiser for CO*LAB at the venue located at 9641 102A Avenue. The fundraiser included lantern making and repair, a pop-up station where folks could make their own patches, a silent auction, clothing exchange, and performances by local bands Dancing Auras and Funk Cove. It was well attended, with many folks showing up in Funk Cove t-shirts. 

I asked Nicole Bodnaresk, the drummer of Dancing Auras, why she was willing to volunteer to play the fundraiser. “It’s such an awesome facility and what is offered here is totally amazing and it really aligns with the values of everyone in Dancing Auras. The venue brings people together and supports so many different cultures and people through art and through creation. Creation is the key to coming together as community and humanity and promotes healing.”

Sarah Dotimas, one of the organizers of the fundraiser said, “I love CO*LAB. I think it’s a great arts and community space. I was here when Tee Pee Treats was here and I loved that the venue creates safe space for community members, really for everybody. I have been in this space for music and birthdays. I’m passionate about keeping this space open, activated and animated.” 

In 2024, CO*LAB was dangerously close to losing its funding from the City. Many people made calls to their city councillors and the funding was continued. I asked Anne Stevenson, City Councillor for Ward O-day’min, to explain why she went to bat for CO*LAB. She said, “I always think of CO*LAB as a beacon in The Quarters. From its bright and beautiful exterior to the incredible arts and community work that happens inside, it represents the kind of city we want to build here and across Edmonton. I’m glad to be able to support this organization and will keep looking for ways to help them and the neighbourhood thrive.”

Larissa Poseluzny, the Operating Director of CO*LAB, talked about how the venue was doing now. “To be honest we are still struggling. We are hopefully going to be having more arts nights like we did in 2022. We would like to have weekly programming whether it be a t-shirt screen printing class or a night where artists can come out and have a space to make art. We are collaborating with Beyond Rainbow for a DJ workshop. We are also going to be collaborating with local downtown galleries with Arts Bus.”

The first test workshop with Beyond Rainbow was planned for March 20th prior to the GLOW Festival on March 22nd. Workshop attendees learned in modules and then had the opportunity to DJ at the GLOW Festival.

Larissa was also excited to say that they have plans to develop community gardens in their courtyard. This is contingent on receiving funding.

I asked Larissa how people can help the venue. She said, “Attend events and workshops and you can donate to our GoFundMe.” CO*LAB’s GoFundMe is located at www.gofundme.com/f/supportyourcommunity.

Corine Demas is the President of the McCauley Community League and Executive Director of the Heart of the City Festival.

Note (added March 29th, 2025): Following the publication of this article, Lorin Klask, Artistic Director of Quarters Arts Society (the non-profit organization that operates CO*LAB), contacted Boyle McCauley News to clarify that CO*LAB does not currently receive operational funding from the City. 

Imagine walking through McCauley where trees provide shade, cleaner air, and a peaceful place to gather. This vision is becoming a reality through Cultivate McCauley, a community-led effort to plant 1,000 trees in our neighbourhood.

The Benefits of Trees

Planting trees isn’t just about making our streets look nice - it’s about improving our lives. Trees clean the air, lower energy bills, and bring people together. They also make our neighbourhoods safer and more welcoming.

Trees Save You Money

Did you know trees can help lower your utility bills? They provide shade in the summer and block cold winds in the winter, reducing heating and cooling costs. Homes in greener areas also tend to have higher property values. Planting a tree today is a smart investment in your home and community.

Trees Improve Our Environment

Trees act as natural air filters, removing pollution and releasing oxygen. They help cool the air, reducing the impact of hot summer days. Trees also soak up rainwater, helping to prevent flooding on our streets and in our yards.

Trees Bring People Together

Green spaces encourage people to spend time outside. Neighbours are more likely to chat on a tree-lined street or meet at a shaded bench. Studies even show that communities with more trees have lower crime rates and stronger connections between people.

How You Can Get Involved

Cultivate McCauley makes it easy to take part. Here’s how you can help:

• Plant a Tree: Choose a tree from a variety of species and plant it in your yard.
• Host a Nursery: Provide space for a small tree nursery (about 4x4 feet) to grow young trees until they are ready to be planted.
• Attend a Workshop: Learn about tree care, growing plants, and how urban greenery benefits our community.
• Volunteer: Help spread the word, plan events, and care for young trees before planting.

Every tree planted makes a difference. By getting involved, you’re helping build a greener, stronger neighbourhood. Visit CultivateMcCauley.ca to learn more and take action today. Let’s grow a better future - one tree at a time!

Dustin Bajer is a McCauley resident, educator, and urban farmer who works with people to grow vibrant and resilient communities.

Nam Siam opened early in the new year, offering Thai food with a Vietnamese influence. The new place is operated by a friendly gentleman coincidentally named Thai, who has plenty of experience with Asian food: he previously ran an Oodle Noodle location.

If you know Chinatown, you might remember Hoa An, a once-popular Vietnamese noodle house under a green awning just south of Lucky 97. It closed late last year, and now a bright red awning has taken its place. Located right off 97th Street, it’s easily accessible by foot or bus, and for those with limited mobility, there’s just one step at the entrance.

Step inside, and you’ll find a spacious dining area freshly painted in crisp white, complemented by warm wood tables. Along with plenty of smaller tables for one or two, there are a few large round tables perfect for families and groups.

Arriving hungry, our group was eager to dive into the extensive, multi-page menu, which was placed on our table just moments after we sat down. It features a wide selection including stir-fries, rice dishes, stir-fried noodles, vermicelli bowls, and an assortment of curries, soups, appetizers, and drinks like pop and iced coffee.

Thai cuisine highlights lightly prepared dishes infused with aromatic ingredients and a touch of spicy heat. Renowned worldwide, it captivates with its distinctive balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavours. While Thai dishes are bold and intensely flavoured, Vietnamese cuisine emphasizes freshness and harmony, featuring abundant herbs and delicate broths.

One of the best-known Thai dishes is Pad Thai, a stir-fried noodle dish made with rice noodles, eggs, tofu or shrimp (sometimes both), and a variety of vegetables like bean sprouts and scallions. It’s typically seasoned with ingredients like tamarind paste, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and chili. Pad Thai is usually garnished with crushed peanuts, fresh lime wedges, and sometimes cilantro, making it a flavourful and well-loved dish worldwide.

After appetizers of tapioca dumpling and spring rolls, we couldn’t resist trying Nam Siam’s version of Pad Thai. We were pleasantly surprised by the noodles’ perfect texture. The medium spice level was just right, not too intense, and the dish was served with a generous portion of fresh bean sprouts. The tamarind gave the dish a delightful citrusy sweetness.

The hit of the night was the Drunken Noodles, also known as Pad Kee Mao. Despite the name, it doesn’t contain alcohol. Broad rice noodles are stir-fried with a combination of vegetables - such as spring onions, broccoli, carrots and Thai basil - along with $2 protein options like pork, chicken, beef, or shrimp. The dish is flavoured with soy, fish, and oyster sauces, plenty of garlic, and fresh chili for heat. The Thai basil adds a distinct herbal note.

If you prefer bolder flavours, the Tom Yum soup offers a robust, well-balanced spice with mushrooms and tomatoes, while the Red Curry (with beef) packs red chili-powered fiery heat that’s mellowed by bamboo shoots and sweet bell peppers. It’s best served alongside steamed or coconut rice.

Every dish was consistently good, and prices are very reasonable. The five of us got full for about $20 per person - and that price included not only the two appetizers, but an order of beef skewers for lunch the next day.

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

Welcome to the April-May 2025 edition of Boyle McCauley News. I hope by the time you read this, all of the snow will be gone, temperatures will be warm, and the sun will be shining.

We have more stories and photos at our website. We publish content between issues, particularly stories that are time sensitive or that we simply could not fit into print. Our website also has more classifieds, an events calendar, and a searchable archive of all of our available back issues. You can also sign up at our website to receive our free e-newsletter, which is published with each new issue and contains links to exclusive website content. 

At our website, you can sign up for a free membership which helps support the paper by building our membership numbers. More information is here: bmcnews.org/membership.

If you use social media, we are still on X (formerly Twitter) as @bmcnews and Bluesky at @bmcnews.bsky.social. We’re especially trying to build our following at Bluesky, so please follow us over there.

Are you interested in volunteering with the paper? We’re always looking for writers and photographers. We also have a few routes available for Block Carriers. Contact me at editor@bmcnews.org to learn more

Thanks, as always, for reading. Enjoy! We’ll be back in print in June.

Boyle Street and McCauley are always experiencing change: road construction, new homes being built, and businesses coming and going, just to name a few examples. 

Sometimes change is a cause to celebrate, like the reopening of Zocalo following the tragic fire last year. Sometimes we grieve a loss, like the Italian Bakery closing permanently on 97th Street. We welcome new neighbours and say goodbye to people who decide to move on. 

I often speak with long-term residents who describe the many changes in the area over the years. Many of these changes have been documented in the pages of Boyle McCauley News, which is accessible to anyone in the archive at our website.

Community newspapers are in a unique position to document hyperlocal history and give people the chance to tell their own stories. One thing that has not changed is how Boyle McCauley News focuses on local people, issues, and events from the perspective of people who live in, or who are somehow connected, to the area. Part of our mission is to focus on positive aspects of the area that other media often ignores. Even when people are discussing serious social issues affecting the area, glimmers of light shine through as these issues are approached from a solutions-oriented viewpoint.

Whether we like it or not, change is going to keep happening. Hopefully, Boyle McCauley News will always be here to document it

Boa and Hare recently opened in Chinatown at 9700 105th Avenue. This ambitious food and drink establishment held a “soft launch” in February, offering coffee and a test menu of sandwiches and salad, including braised pork, edamame, and scrambled eggs and Spam.

Plans are for the location to be a coffee shop and bar. “A place where you can start your day, and a place where you end your night,” says co-owner Wilson Wong. 

The fully renovated space features high-end espresso machines, a full kitchen, seating for 34 people, and lovely lantern light fixtures.

The three co-owners – Wilson Wong, William Chen, and William’s sister Winnie Chen (an award-winning chef) – hope to revitalize the Chinatown area by attracting younger diners. 

The name Boa and Hare is Wilson and William’s respective Chinese zodiac signs, Snake and Rabbit.

Young Entrepreneurs Championing Chinatown

William Chen and Wilson Wong met in 2009, in a Japanese class at MacEwan University. They soon became best friends and later business partners. These two young entrepreneurs are now active participants in the movement to revitalize and develop Edmonton’s Chinatown.

Two years ago, Chen and Wong took over the Van Loc sandwich shop after the previous owner retired. Their second business, Boa and Hare, is just now getting established. They employ over 20 young people who speak a range of different languages, and organized the ambitious Van bLoc party on 98th Street last June and are planning a second one on June 7-8, 2025.

Chen was recently named chair of the Edmonton Chinatown Business Improvement Area (BIA), which states on its website, “Welcome to your new Chinatown.” The BIA includes veteran business owners and new ones, all committed to enhancing safety and security, and to encouraging Edmontonians and tourists to visit. One of the BIA’s underlying goals is to change the negative perceptions of Chinatown. 

Current activities, Chen says, focus on dialogue with the McCauley community, with related organizations such as the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society (CTC), and with non-profit and social agencies such as Hope Mission. By working together, the various groups have created many events and projects. And more are in the plans, Chen says. He cites, as just some examples, the Chinatown Summer and mid-Autumn Festivals, the Edmonton Dragon Festival, Edmonton Chinatown Dining Week, Chinatown After Dark, Van Loc’s block party, Lunar New Year celebrations, and several beautiful murals.

Wong is a bit of a philosopher about business ventures. “It is never really about money or transactions,” he says. “We have to work for a roof over our head, but that can happen only if you build relationships with the community - with customers and with banks, and with other businesses. You serve without expectations.”

Wong is also inspired by the nearly unlimited and global possibilities that the internet offers. For this ambitious and positive “dude,” as he likes to call himself, the future is bright.

The final word from Wong: “Everyone is in sales.” In other words, business is part of promoting a new Chinatown, but everyone in the broader community also has a role in getting the word out.

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

What is your favourite park in our neighbourhood? Is it Giovanni Caboto Park? If it is - and I bet it is for many people reading this - boy, do I have an interesting idea for you.

Giovanni Caboto Park is the centre of our neighbourhood for many of us. It has beautiful trees and lots of space for activities like soccer, sitting, having a picnic, playing, and just enjoying the outdoors. The statue and the fountain make the park special. In the summer, the splash park makes it really fun. In the winter, it is a good place to play in the snow. It is also right across the street from the Italian Centre, where they sell great doughnuts that many kids like to eat in the park.

The park currently has swings for babies and saucer-type swings for kids and anyone else. Saucer swings are fun but you can’t swing properly in them. So, unfortunately, our terrific park lacks proper swings for anyone who isn’t a baby. Proper swings are swings that go high in the air, are wide so that even in the winter when you’re all bundled up you can sit comfortably and swing, wide enough for your arms to be comfortable, and high enough off the ground so even a grown-up can swing comfortably. 

Having proper swings like that would make our beautiful park even more fun. Do you like to swing? Maybe you like to imagine who-knows-what while you’re on a swing, such as that you’re an airplane, for example a Spitfire, in battle over the North Sea in the Battle of Britain. Some kids like to swing to think and relax. Imagine being able to soar way up in the air in our beautiful park on a summer’s day with the fountain on and trees all green. Wow! Let’s get swings for Giovanni Caboto Park.

Michael Alexander is nine and lives in McCauley. This is his first published article.

When I won the historic election of 2021, it was on the promise of doing two things:

1. Leaving our community better than how we found it.
2. Ensuring positive change is sustained.

When I first decided to get involved in federal politics, I witnessed a community growing more divided, folks becoming less hopeful, and those we loved becoming more isolated. Neighbours found themselves unable to keep up with rent, mortgages, and even grocery costs – all during one of the worst public health crises we have ever faced. During that time, and since, we have also witnessed a tidal wave of greed at the gas pumps, check-out lines, and banks forcing more and more people into despair and precarity, all while those at the very top made record-breaking profits.

But this didn’t happen overnight. Our community’s vulnerability came from decades of underfunding and cuts to critical services like the National Housing Program in the early 1990s by previous governments. This resulted in one of the largest national shortages of affordable homes in Canada’s history.

These cuts hurt working people and end up being more expensive to address as time goes on. From housing to health care to support for people with disabilities, Albertans know the cost of cuts.

But it doesn’t have to be this way – we can build a Canada for all of us, where no one is left behind. A Canada where quality public health care is guaranteed, where we create good union jobs with fair wages, and where the prices for the things we need are kept within reach by limiting the greed of multinational mega-corporations. 

Together with the people of Edmonton Griesbach we have accomplished so much for Canadians because that’s just who we are. We take care of each other, and we know we are all better off when we do. But our work and our values are on the line in the next election.

That’s why I am here and ready for this fight: for me, for you, for all of us.

It has truly been the honour of my life to work for you and for our community. It is something I have never and will never take for granted. Your faith and belief in a better future for all inspires me every single day. I love the north side, having lived here for many years, and love those who are building it.

My friends, the best years of our country are still ahead of us. Let’s build it together.

Blake Desjarlais Member of Parliament, Edmonton Griesbach
Phone: 780-495-3261 
Email: Blake.Desjarlais@parl.gc.ca

Ociciwan* Contemporary Art Centre began in 2015 as an artist collective. A key aspect of the mandate is to support and uplift living Indigenous artists. The work of three artists are on display at the gallery until April 19.

In her curatorial essay Alberta Rose W. writes, “. . . for thousands of years, the dominant culture in these lands has been rooted in the traditions of the original custodians, Indigenous peoples.”  She writes of a reclamation of photography that  takes the camera out of the hands of colonizers and returns agency to us.” 

Cora Kavyaktok, originally from Iqalukuutiaq, Nunavut, was the lead photographer of the Inuit Tattoo Revitalization Project. Kavyaktok created photos for her Inuit Gold Series, a nod to The Cranberries’ music video “Zombie”. 

Her subjects are dusted in gold and the backgrounds are deep and moody. One visitor to the opening called them ethereal. Kavyaktok spoke of her project:

“We [Inuit women] went through three generations where we did not get tattoos. Recently I took a photograph of 4 generations of women who have reclaimed this cultural practise. I took a photograph of one of our elders who had been taught to feel ashamed of her tattoos. I want us to be proud of ourselves.”

The photo collages of Nahinni Mckay depict her home of Banff on Treaty Seven territory. The collages show the stunning backdrop of the mountains, along with crowds and consumerism.  Her work invites us to look at the relationship of the human impact of commercialization on the natural environment and the role of the National Park System.

The third featured artist is Seth Arcand. He used drones to photograph his home near Sandy Beach and uses mirrored images set vertically to create reflections.

Arcand is a Cree filmmaker from Kipohtakaw Cree Nation (Alexander). The triptych explores shorelines that Arcand frequented as a child and is a lament for the loss of territory that is no longer a source of food and sustenance for his people. 

Overall, The exhibit invites viewers to reflect on our own understanding of land and culture, not as a disappeared past, but as a living relationship.

Through Their Lens: Indigenous Perspectives in Focus runs until April 19th at 10124 96th Street. Regular hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m.

*Ociciwan is an inanimate Plains Cree noun relating to current or river, translated to mean the current comes from there. The name references the North Saskatchewan River that has brought many people over time to the region. It conveys an energy of engagement with Indigenous contemporary culture, linking present with the past and the future. From website: https://www.ociciwan.ca

Gail Silvius recently moved back to McCauley after living in Delton.

The annual outdoor Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown for 2025 took place on January 26th. The Year of the Snake was welcomed in an outdoor event featuring the lighting of firecrackers, followed by a Dragon Dance and Lion Dance. Hundreds of people enjoyed the mild weather and gathered near Lucky 97 for the festivities.

An indoor celebration followed that afternoon at the Royal Alberta Museum, with cultural performances and displays. An estimated 3,000 people attended. 

The Lunar New Year celebration in Chinatown was organized by the Edmonton Chinatown BIA (Business Improvement Area) in partnership with the Royal Alberta Museum, Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society, and City of Edmonton.

January 25th was a perfectly sunny day that was warm enough to be comfortable but not enough to wreck the ice at the McCauley Community Rink where the 2025 McCauley Cup took place.

The McCauley Cup is the annual hockey game between Edmonton Police Service downtown beat officers and the kids who skate at the rink. This year's event was extra special because MLA Janis Irwin was there to present the King Charles III Coronation Medal to Dan Glugosh, Rink Manager. Dan also received a McCauley Cup jersey from Constable Rhyce Cotterill.

Constable Cotterill also presented franked McCauley Cup jerseys to outgoing EPS Chief Dale McFee and Al Hamilton, who has done a lot to help support the rink over the years (and was the first captain of the Edmonton Oilers). Oilers alumnus Kevin Lowe was also there to support the event.

This year, the names of the young players were announced as they skated onto the ice. Delicious sandwiches were providec ourtesy of The Italian Centre Shop, and gift bags for the kids were brought by the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation. Support for the event also came from Sport Central, and organization that provides sports equipment to kids in need. 

Problem properties have been a long-standing challenge in Edmonton. They can have serious, harmful impacts on the communities around them and the people living in them. They often are in significant disrepair, are unlivable, or attract repeat criminal activity.

For years, concerned Edmontonians called for stronger measures to deal with problem properties. That’s why the City of Edmonton developed a plan to address these places, in consultation with people impacted by them. In January 2023, the Problem Property Initiative (PPI) was launched to clean up properties, secure or demolish unsafe buildings, and uphold housing standards at high-risk properties.

From January 2023 to December 2024, the PPI conducted more than 14,000 inspections at over 1,800 unique properties.

Cleaning Up and Creating Space for New Development
The City of Edmonton’s focus on cleaning up and demolishing problem properties is contributing to neighbourhood vibrancy and paving the way for redevelopment. By addressing neglected and unsafe properties, the PPI is helping to ensure that neighbourhoods continue to be desirable places to live. 

The PPI has coordinated 394 property cleanups and 10 demolitions, removing 1.63 million pounds of debris and hazardous waste from Edmonton neighbourhoods. All costs related to this work are billed to the problem property owner.

Furthermore, tickets issued by PPI enforcement officers, along with a higher tax rate for derelict properties, are making it increasingly costly for owners to neglect their properties. Following interventions by the PPI, 379 properties were demolished by their owners. Of those demolished properties, 205 have since been redeveloped or have submitted applications for development permits.

Reducing Fire Risk in Neighbourhoods
Fires in unsecured vacant properties are a significant risk to the community and first responders. The PPI has a dedicated team to reduce this risk by securing - and holding landowners accountable for - unsecured vacant buildings that pose a fire risk to the surrounding community. 

The team has inspected 927 properties that were known or suspected to be unsecured and vacant. Where needed, 366 properties were secured with the related costs billed to the property owner. Over 300 of these properties have since been demolished by their owners. This work has led to a significant decrease in structure fires in vulnerable neighbourhoods.

Supporting Vulnerable Populations
The PPI is committed to ensuring housing standards are met at high-risk residential properties and that vulnerable tenants are supported. The PPI helped connect 156 vulnerable individuals or families to 123 different service agencies for financial, medical, mental health, or basic needs support. Additionally, 81 people, including 37 children, were successfully rehoused from unlivable properties.

Expanding Efforts Across Edmonton
The PPI has a data-driven focus on the neighbourhoods most affected by problem properties. In 2023 and 2024, proactive resources were dedicated to eight core northside neighborhoods, like McCauley and Alberta Avenue. This year, 15 neighbourhoods will receive the same attention, including five on the south side. Community members from these neighbourhoods were informed of this expansion at a public meet-and-greet in October 2024.

To learn more about the Problem Property Initiative visit edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties. To report a problem property, visit edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties or call 311. To report an unsecured vacant property email communitypropertysafetyteam@edmonton.ca or call 311.

Information provided by the City of Edmonton.

Kamal Alaeddine has been a fixture on the Edmonton street performer scene since he was a teenager, 20-odd years ago. Kamal also works as a stand up comic and entertainer, with notable appearances on The Gong Show and The Tonight Show. He also went on tour with the Jim Rose Circus. Over the years Kamal has gone by several performance names, including “Power Man”, “Fat Matt”, and “Matt Alaeddine”. Kamal has done several one man shows at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival and other Fringes around Canada. His latest show spoke about the internal struggle he had with his name and identity, explaining his various name changes. 

In 2024, Heart of the City worked with Kamal to produce a comedy workshop and he headlined our Saturday night Stand Up Comedy show at the festival.

“I was quite proud to have facilitated a comedy workshop which was a great outreach initiative for community members. There were weather and hockey issues but it was great to walk around the park and see artists of other disciplines. It was a positive experience,” he said.

When I asked Kamal about what inspires him, he explained, “I’m inspired by thinking about things in different ways and sharing those viewpoints. I’m excited about sharing my thoughts.”

“I’m a doer. I like to do the thing and I figure it out as it develops,” he continued. “Some people find it more comfortable, or less nerve-racking, to write up their jokes in their entirety. Maybe even before trying stand-up comedy they want to organize their thoughts before they finally present them. They meticulously edit themselves before execution of the jokes. I tend to start with a single point and expand as I go, taking on other ideas and amalgamating them into one monolith. I don’t like to sit down and write. I like to have ideas and present them and figure out the wording on stage.” 

Kamal, who doesn’t live in our area, says Giovanni Caboto Park is his favourite part of McCauley. “It is an amazing resource year-round. Even when it’s cold I see the park activated. It’s great to see that park being so well used. I also enjoy shopping at the Italian Centre and visiting my friends who live in Boyle Street and McCauley.”

About the future Kamal says, “Recently I’ve started to do improv shows. There is always a new facet to discover. What keeps me going is how fortunate I’ve been and how lucky I am. The hardest thing is to get started, and luckily I got started a long time ago and the future has an infinity of opportunities.”

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

We've all settled into the remarkably warm weather of this winter. The McCauley rink has been a big success this season. Dan Glugosh, our rink manager, reports that 818 people visited the rink in December. While the warm weather is lovely, it’s hard on the ice, so closures may happen more often this season.

On December 22nd we held a Christmas party, where Santa came by and gave stockings stuffed with treats and small gifts to the kids. We also had a fireworks watch party at the rink on December 31st. These events were sponsored by the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) labour union. We wish to thank CLAC for its generosity. 

At the time I was writing this, the League was busy planning the McCauley Cup, our annual game between Edmonton Police Service beat officers and the kids who skate at our rink. By the time you read this, the event will have happened on January 25th (weather cooperating). We will have more about the McCauley Cup on our Facebook page (@mccauleycommunityleague)  and in the next issue of the paper. 

The rink is operated out of a trailer donated to us by ATCO 15 years ago. The current board of the McCauley Community League is committed to building a rink pavilion. We have made progress and, as of the time this article was written, we were about to publish a Request for Proposal (RFP) to hire a project manager. The RFP will be published on our Facebook page and website as well as other outlets. If you would like more information, please email us at league@mccauleycl.com.

Former Edmonton Oiler Al Hamilton has done wonders over the years to raise funds and awareness of the McCauley Rink. We are grateful for his passionate and continued support. Mr. Hamilton recently donated an Edmonton Oilers jersey signed by Stuart Skinner. Watch our Facebook page and check our website (mccauleycl.com) as we will be raffling off the jersey this winter in support of the new rink pavilion building.

Looking ahead, we will host our annual Family Day party on February 16th from 1 to 4 p.m. Do you have any ideas for community events or programming? Please email us at league@mccauleycl.com. 

Corine Demas is the President of the McCauley Community League and is on the board of Boyle McCauley News.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope your 2025 is off to a great start. The past few weeks have been filled with the annual Lunar New Year festivities across Chinatown. I’m always so impressed by the rich and vibrant events that bring us together and showcase this incredible community at the heart of our city.

The Lunar New Year celebrations have had me reflecting on how we at City Hall can continue to build on the strengths of the area. I am excited to share more about a number of initiatives. Most recently, City Council committed to continuing the Chinatown Vibrancy fund for the next two years. This will provide $480,000 a year to support community initiatives in both north and south Chinatown. If you have an idea for an event, festival, public art, or programs to bring the community together, please be sure to apply.

We will also see a number of capital investments moving forward in 2025. In addition to the ongoing neighbourhood renewal project, the building of the new Mary Burlie Park will also get started. Construction on the new Chinatown Gate is also planned for 2025. I can’t wait to see these investments come to life in our community.

I know safety is a top priority for Chinatown, and throughout Boyle Street and McCauley. The City is continuing to explore how we can best respond to the health and housing crises we see playing out in our streets. In addition to advocating to other levels of government to address the root causes, the City is looking at the tools we have to respond to our current challenges. 

An important conversation coming up in that regard is our Public Spaces Bylaw. This bylaw seeks to regulate behaviour in parks, transit, sidewalks, and other public spaces. It tackles questions of how the City will respond to things like open drug use, bikes on sidewalks, and large protests. We will debate this bylaw on February 10th. I encourage you to share your thoughts. You can call or email my office, or register to speak to Council. This will be a hard conversation with many viewpoints to balance, and the more input we have, the better able we will be to make the best decisions. I hope to find practical, evidence-based approaches that best meet the needs of all community members and support a safer city for everyone.

Thanks as always for taking the time to read and don’t hesitate to reach out to my office any time!

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

The Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC) celebrated a decade on December 21st. During the day people could enjoy a craft market, food, and various activities. The evening featured a gala for ticket holders with cultural performances and special presentations, including from the Province and City. 

Juanita Murphy was always haunted by bad memories when she passed the Atonement Home on 92nd Street and 110th Avenue on her way to medical appointments. December 20th was different. The building was being demolished. Old wounds ripped open as she could see into the bowels of the structure.

“I suffered various forms of abuse at the hands of nuns and priests, all in the name of ‘God’,” she recalls. “I am grateful that it’s over, and my inner child is safe. I am glad to see it go, but the memories will always linger.” 

Atonement Home was a Catholic boarding school opened by the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement in 1928. It became a temporary residence for children aged three to 12 while they awaited either return to their families or placement in foster care. It closed as a children’s residence in 1988.

Atonement Home was not added to the list of residential schools recognized by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement because it was not federally funded. Alberta Children’s Services was responsible for placing children there.

After 1988, the Franciscan Sisters Benevolent Society operated a number of programs, including a day care and Head Start program. The building later became known as the Franciscan Centre.

Catholic Social Services acquired the land in 2024 with plans to expand housing supports for vulnerable Albertans.

The demolition came as a surprise to many in McCauley and beyond. On December 28th, activists April Eve Wiberg and Stephanie Harpe organized a “flash rally” at the site for survivors, their children, and supporters. Stephanie was 10 when she and her brother were taken to the Atonement Home. “As they break this place and as it crumbles, I let it do that to me for a short while but I took back my healing, I took back my power. I took back my place. I ignited my home fire, my spirit,” she said.

“I choose not to be that rubble. Today I take back that hurt. Today I take back my spirit, and that’s all that matters. It’s a beautiful, powerful day.”

Clinton Marty spent seven years at Atonement Home. “We were all children, innocent children," he said.

"There is a lot of hidden history here . . . to bring light in any form is necessary for people to wake up and see what happened. There’s neighbours here who never knew what happened in this building.  The memories will live with me. My children and grandchildren will always remember to tell the stories of abuse.” 

April Eve Wiberg’s siblings spent time at Atonement Home. She said, “I’ve seen the lifelong harm. It ends here with us. We have to get these stories out.”

Catholic Social Services provided an email statement to Boyle McCauley News explaining it did not make a public statement in order to protect the safety and security of clients and staff in nearby programs. The transfer of the property was marked in a gathering with an Elder and CSS staff where the Elder guided reflection on the aspirations for vulnerable Albertans who will be served by the new facility. CSS envisions the new building as a vital community resource, providing 33 suites and access to wraparound services.

Kate Quinn lives in McCauley, a few blocks from the former Atonement Home. She is one of  many neighbours who did not know what happened inside until she and Juanita Murphy worked together at CEASE (Centre to Empower All Survivors of Exploitation and Trafficking). 

Paula E. Kirman is the Editor of Boyle McCauley News.