Pop a Wheelie: June is bike month
THE OFFICIAL COMMUNITY LEAGUE NEWSPAPER: BRITANNIA-YOUNGSTOWN, CANORA, GLENWOOD, HIGH PARK, MAYFIELD & WEST JASPER / SHERWOOD ALSO SERVING THE STONY PLAIN ROAD AND AREA BUSINESS REVITALIZATION ZONE
JUNE 2009 VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 5 CIRCULATION 16,000
photos by: Paula Kirman DARB ERICKSON Community Recreation Coordinator, Edmonton West – PACS
After this long cold winter of snowy roads it is time to dust off your helmet, tune up your bike, and get your wheels spinning! Edmonton celebrates Bike Month during the month of June. This celebration highlights all the benefits of cycling as a sport, a mode of transportation and as a way of life. Bike events will be happening daily throughout the city to promote two-wheeled transport. Here are a few things going on around town. Programs for Children – The City of Edmonton is running bike programs at many Community Leagues throughout the month. Four Wheel Drive is for ages 3-5, while Ride to Survive is for ages 6-12.
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Bike Month Proclamation at the steps of City Hall on June 1 at noon. Come make your own pedal powered smoothie and meet your government officials. See some Bikeology Movies at the Metro Cinema on various evenings throughout the month. Engage in fascinating bicycle discussions at the Bikeology Salon hosted at the new Credo Café in Downtown Edmonton. Bike to work breakie at the bike bottleneck on the SW side of the High Level Bridge, where you can get a free bike tune-up! For more information on events around the
EDITORIAL J A S P E R P L A C E U P D AT E S T O N Y P L A I N R O A D U P D AT E
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city check out www.bikeology.ca and join their Facebook Group and find Bikeology on Twitter! For new gear or a tune up check out the many wonderful bike shops throughout the city including Revolution Cycle on 151 Street Stony Plain Road: www.revolutioncycle.ca. Or, if you want to get your hands dirty working on your own bike go to the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society: www.edmontonbikes.ca. Also, get your hands on a Cycle Edmonton Map, Information and Trail Guide. This shows the citywide bike paths including our 100 Avenue bike trail and links into ravines and the river valley. Enjoy the ride!
T H E D R A G O N F LY D E N HOW WE SURVIVED 1947 COMMUNITY NEWS
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CLASSIFIEDS C U LT U R E DIRTY GARDENER
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EDITORIAL
SPURR • JUNE 2009 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 5
many of our major roads lack bicycle lanes, there are usually enough service roads and back streets to get where you’re going safely and efficiently.
Ph: (780) 757-0993 | www.thespurr.ca Editor: Paula E. Kirman editor@thespurr.ca Culture: Adele Knowler culture@thespurr.ca
PAULA E. KIRMAN Gardening: Michele Hebert gardening@thespurr.ca
Bike Month Musings
Community Info: Marian Bruin community@thespurr.ca Business Info: Diane Kereluk business@thespurr.ca Advertising: Debbie Olsen debbie@thespurr.ca Jim Wooley ads@thespurr.ca
One of the great things about living in Edmonton is that it is a very bicycle-friendly city. Despite our long winters (during which some brave – or crazy – souls still ride), there are so many places to go on two wheels when weather permits.
Photo Contributors: Paula Kirman Frank Bath Publisher: Pie Communications Inc.
Our river valley is very extensive, full of trails and parks. At some points, it is hard to believe one is still within city limits and not out in the countryside. While
The McKinnon Ravine runs through part of SPURR’s area, reaching the western-most point of part of the river valley trail system. Heading down the paved trail is a fun and fast way to get downtown, since it is downhill most of the way. Of course, getting back is another story – and one heck of a workout. I am a bicycle commuter, which means that I often run errands, head for work-related activities, and go pretty much anywhere I need to via bicycle. I’ve ridden in the Stony Plain Road area more times than I can recall, especially to go shopping at Jasper Gates.
For the most part I have not had difficulties on this busy stretch of road, but have also been cut off, honked at, received obscene gestures, and called a few things that I didn’t quite catch but am sure were not very nice. Bicycles and cars are both vehicles under the law, and have to share the road. While we may not be able to go as fast as cars, cyclists have a right to be in the same lane. Accordingly, cyclists are also bound by the same traffic rules as motorists. It’s a two-way street (pun very much intended). During Bike Month, I encourage those of you who are able to hop on your bikes and experience the rush of fresh air, exercise, and environmental soundness that is cycling.
544, 12222 137 Avenue Edmonton, AB, T5L 4X5
UPDATE FROM JASPER PLACE REVITALIZATION STRATEGY
Ph: (780) 757-0993 Fax: (780) 401-3438 www.piecommunications.com What is SPURR The Stony Plain (road and area) Urban Revitalization Report is a community based newspaper whose mission it is to serve the west-end communities of Britannia-Youngstown, Canora, Glenwood, High Park, Mayfield, & West Jasper / Sherwood along with the Members of the Stony Plain Road and Area Business Association.
MARIAN BRUIN (780) 944-5417
SPURR is a joint initiative for Community & Business Interests of Edmonton’s west-end lead by: City of Edmonton Community Services, Neighbourhood Revitalization Project and the Stony Plain Road and Area Business Revitalization Zone.
August 15 & 16 Callingwood 17740 – 69 Avenue
Feeling Safe in Our Community SCAN and Transit Watch have done presentations.
Working Groups Update There are many volunteers giving many hours to move the revitalization initiative forward. Here’s a brief update:
The Britannia Youngstown NET team did a presentation about NET and the potential for a crime council in the area.
Connecting Our Community Meeting was about the SPURR. Ideas to improve it and adding themes or types of articles like kids and teen news, seniors’ section, community history, and recreation programs and a calendar of events.
For More Information Please Contact: Marian Bruin, City of Edmonton Community Services Department P.O. Box 2359, Edmonton, AB, T5J 2R7
Jasper Place library has a link to the SPURR on it’s website.
Ph: (780) 944-5417 marian.bruin@edmonton.ca Diane Kereluk, Stony Plain Road
Next Meeting: the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Boys and Girls club, 16030-104 Avenue.
and Area Business Association 10043 151 Street. Edmonton, AB, T5P 4Z7
Working group looking at initiatives to implement the action plans. Next Meeting: the second Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m. at 10030- 167 street. Volunteers are always needed to join a working group. You can get involved with issues that concern you in your community. Call Marian at (780) 944-5417 or email: marian.bruin@edmonton.ca.
Ph: (780) 477-5169 info@stonyplainroadbrz.ca
Building Our Community Work is moving forward on the zoning plan and streetscape for the business area.
When visiting or calling one of our advertisers please make sure to tell them you saw them in the SPURR – thank you.
May Big Bin Event a Great Success!
THE SPURR NEEDS YOU! Reader response has been overwhelmingly positive about articles written by long time residents. If you have a story or a photo depicting how life is, was or should be in Edmonton’s west end we would love to hear from you. Please forward your stories to the publishers address above, thank you.
FREE EVENT CALENDAR The SPURR will begin publishing area events and activities in a monthly calendar in print and online. Please send us your date sensitive event information, we would love to include what we can and it’s FREE.
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There were over 600 cars each day at the free dumpsters on May 2 and 3. Now, Bylaw will be going through the community enforcing community standards bylaw which regulates the maintenance of private property. There will be more free big bin events soon: June 20 & 21 Woodcroft 13915 – 115 Avenue
Group discussed ideas to promote the BRZ and the businesses in the area. Discussion of the possible west LRT routes through the west end. Some residents have concerns with the road and sidewalk conditions in WJP and Canora. Working group looking at ways to address this. Next Meeting: the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Bent Arrow office 10117 - 150 Street.
S P U R R JUNE 2009
UPDATE FROM STONY PLAIN ROAD AND AREA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION support in complying with the following bylaw in regards to commercial signage. Please read the following Bylaw excerpt and ensure your signage complies.
DIANE KERELUK (780) 477-5169
You be the Judge… Restaurant Review
No sign shall be placed on ANY portion of public (City of Edmonton) property at anytime. The only exception to this is if it is a Sandwich Board sign. If this form of signage is used, only one sign per business is allowed.
RESTAURANT REVIEW Submit your reviews! If we choose to print your review, you will win a $50 gift towards your next dining experience within the qualifying business area and your review will get printed in the next edition of the SPURR. Reviews should be around 300 words and emailed in Word (.doc) or Rich Text (.rtf) to: editor@thespurr.ca. Winning entries will be based on the quality of writing and may be edited for content and length.
All sandwich board signs are to be a maximum of 1 meter high by 0.6 meter wide. They must be easily transportable and can only be displayed during the businesses operating hours. They cannot be displayed when a business is not open.
Congratulations to the following restaurants for the great reviews sent in:
All signs located on private property must have valid City of Edmonton portable sign permit. Any sign placed with an expired permit will be removed without notice.
Huong Long Restaurant 10041 170 Street Vic’s Pizza 10032 156 Street SIGNAGE ON THE SIDEWALK In conveying the message that this is a community that cares, the Neighbourhood Empowerment Team has partnered with City of Edmonton Bylaw Officers to help maintain minimum community standards for the Stony Plain Road Business Revitalization Zone. We are proactively asking for your
Sandwich boards cannot be attached to any public utility (i.e. light standards) and they cannot be located near ANY intersections, as to obstruct vision.
All businesses within the Stony Plain Road Business Revitalization Zone are expected to comply with the bylaw and no exceptions will be made. In the coming weeks, officers will be in the area ensuring businesses are complying with the bylaw. PLEASE
NOTE THAT SIGNAGE MAY BE
REMOVED WITHOUT NOTICE IF IT IS NONCOMPLIANT.
BUTLER MEMORIAL UPCOMING EVENTS
PARK
Aboriginal Days June 15th to 19th 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Fund Raiser & BBQ Saturday, July 25 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Family Night Friday, October 16 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS Attention Business Members: We are still taking orders for flowers. For further information please call (780) 477-5169. PROPOSED WEST LRT ROUTE Thanks to those who attended the LRT Network Plan information sessions last Wednesday. For those who were not able to attend. A copy of the presentation and copies of the fact sheets that were distributed at the session are online at: www.edmonton.ca/transportation/ets/lrt_projects/lrt-networkplan.aspx. If you need print copies of these materials, please e-mail LRTProjects@edmonton.ca. Notice of Public Hearing The Transportation and Public Works Committee of City Council will be holding a Non-Statutory Public Hearing on the LRT Network Plan: June 2, 2009, 9:30 a.m. River Valley Room, City Hall #1 Sir Winston Churchill Square. A copy of the report that will be considered by the Transportation and Public Works Committee is also on the web site at
www.edmonton.ca/transportation/ets/lrt_projects/lrt-networkplan.aspx. If you wish to make a presentation at the public hearing, please register at www.edmonton.ca/meetings, or contact the City Clerk’s office at (780) 496-8178 (e-mail: city.clerk@edmonton.ca) HELP TO COMBAT GRAFITTI Addressing the issue of graffiti is a shared responsibility in a community. The Graffiti Management Program, City of Edmonton, businesses, residents, and community groups all have a part to play. The best way to stop graffiti from spreading is to remove it as soon as it appears. To help assist the combat against graffiti Capital City Clean Up has provided the Stony Plain Road and Area Business Associations with graffiti kits. To pick up your free kit, the following is required: Complete and sign form Picture of graffiti Police file number – all graffiti offences are encouraged to be report to the EPS. Graffiti kit includes (value $60): Coupon 25% off paint at any Rona Paint tray Paint tray liner Paint brush Roller Chemical wipes – designed to remove graffiti off smooth surfaces Scraper Rags Spray bottle The kits are available to all residents and businesses by calling (780) 477-5169 to arranging pick up at the Stony Plain Road and Area Business Association location: 10043 151 Street.
You be the Judge…Restaurant Review Vic’s Pizza 10132-156 Street (780) 483-4900 Submitted by Keith Bredin In early May, my honey and I had our weekly dinner out at Vic’s Pizza (formerly Victoria Pizza) located just north of the former Jasper Cinema. It had been newly renovated in February 2007, but has not lost any of its former charm and atmosphere. This well-known pizza place had been in existence in the same location since the mid 1970s at least. The new owners, Tom and Linda and their daughter Maria S P U R R JUNE 2009
Dagres, could not give me any information on the history of the place or the former owners. However, my honey went there in 1976 on a first date with a former boyfriend. The menu hasn’t changed much since the 1970s, still making the best pizza in Jasper Place. Our friendly and efficient waitress, Maria, highly recommends the ribs which we will have to try on our next visit in the not-too-distant future. We started our meal off with a Caesar cocktail that was done just right, not too spicy or bland. My lady had the Greek Pizza, made with fresh, real spinach. It was also done just right, without being
greasy at all like some pizzas can be. I had the veal Parmesan made with real veal (not the packaged frozen type), and the sauce had a hint of cinnamon in it, just like the Greeks do it. For a fine finish, we had homemade apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream that rounded off the meal to perfection. The place is warm and homey, and the washrooms were impeccably clean and fresh-smelling. I would recommend Vic’s Pizza to anyone looking for a reasonably priced place to eat that serves up good homemade comfort food in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Daily lunch soup and sandwich
specials are available. Delivery is available for orders over $50.00. Thanks to Keith for submitting his review of Vic’s Pizza. In appreciation, Keith will receive fifty dollars compliments of the Stony Plain Road Business Association to spend at a restaurant of his choice. For contest details on our monthly restaurant review, please search “restaurant” on www.thespurr.ca or contact Diane at the BRZ office for more details. 3
FEEDBACK
T H E D R A G O N F LY D E N
Do you have a Letter to the Editor? A comment about an article or item appearing in The SPURR? A question about the community? Send your feedback to editor@thespurr.ca. MICHELE HEBERT
Please enjoy this feedback, we did. Publisher Happy Anniversary to SPURR. It’s a treat to get your paper. I was especially captivated by the article by Michelle Hebert. Kudos to her for her efforts in making Parkview a cleaner area by picking up garbage while walking her dog. The city always looks terrible in the spring. Every little bit helps. Something I would encourage Parkview residents to do is to clean up their yards. Many have unsightly collections of junk against their garage, fence or back lane. It’s an eye sore to see that when such effort is put into beautifying the neighborhood to help people clear out the junk that collects against their garages or fences. Now that would be really taking action to clean up the neighborhood. Keep up the good work. A proud resident of Parkview
CANORA COMMUNITY LEAGUE LIDS FOR ALL - BIKE CLINIC Bicycle Safety Clinic - Lids for All will be held at Canora Community League on JUNE 27 at 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Free bike or skateboard helmets will be available upon completion of a short safety program. This program is for all ages from toddlers to adults. Volunteers are needed to assist with this clinic. If you can assist, please call Deckla at (780) 484-1777. Children MUST be accompanied by an adult. Snacks will be served on completion.
The Lids for All program is run by the Safe Community Coalition of Strathcona County with support from the Edmonton Dinner Optimist Club, Alberta Traffic Safety Fund, and Community I n i t i a t i v e s (Edmonton Police NET Team). Come out and learn to ride your bike safely. The Jumping House will be back in August by popular demand. Watch this space for further details, date, and time.
OUR LADY OF PEACE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL • Pre-Kindergarten - Grade 6 • Full Day Kindergarten • Cree Bilingual Program (K-2)
Register Now!
Our Lady of Peace Catholic Elementary School 15911-110 Avenue Phone: 780 489-1222 Fax: 780 489.0868 www.ourladyofpeace.ecsd.net
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Many thanks to those of you who came out on Saturday, May 2 to the Parkview Community Garage Sale. I had two tables set up for my stuff and my mother’s stuff, and didn’t make a lot of money – just enough for takeout Chinese Food for Rod and I, my daughter Mimi and her boyfriend Liam who helped out at the sale, and my son Jaraad, who was in town from Victoria that weekend. Most of what I didn’t sell went to the Jasper Place Health and Wellness Center for distribution to their patrons who can use the dishes, lamps, small household appliances, and other such things. I had Rod clean out his side of the closet, and also took over many shirts, pants, socks, jackets, and items of clothing. I had two very nice young kids help me unload my car of the boxes, and they seemed very grateful for the few items that I was able to donate. Apparently the Center distributes a lot of backpacks, sleeping bags, blankets, coats, socks, frying pans, soap, toothbrushes, deodorant, and other toiletries and are in desperate need of these items in particular. I had several freebie soaps and shampoos from hotels from vacations, and included these in my boxes. It only took a few minutes to go through my closets and drawers, and I’m sure my never-used and gently used items will go to a good cause. I hope I earned some feathers, and it feels good.
It was requested by one reader that we no longer use the real dragonfly image, as bugs grossed them out. The dragonfly is not just any bug – it is a very beautiful and graceful creature that can devour multitudes of mosquitoes in a day. In my books, that alone makes it a “great bug” and worthy of a true image in this column. There are 457 known species of dragonfly, and it is the fastest flying insect. In the adult stage, they can live up to four months. The Latin species name is odonata. Dragonfly watchers (like bird watchers) are know as Oders, dragonfly watching is known as oding, and with care dragonflies can be handled and released. It is believed in many cultures that you will have seven years of good luck if a dragonfly lands on you. Some Native American cultures believe that dragonflies are a symbol of renewal after a time of great hardship. To the Navajo nation, they symbolize pure water. My home and garden, and even my car, have images of dragonflies in many forms throughout. I have several pieces of jewelry with the dragonfly on them, and wear them proudly every day. The image stays.
The Jasper Place Health and Wellness Center is located at 15210 Stony Plain Road. It operates from Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (780) 481-4001 for more information.
S P U R R JUNE 2009
The State of the Economy in 1947
How We Survived the Winter MAXINE HEBERT
When I hear about how bad the economy is right now, it makes me think of the first winter in our new house in Jasper Place. My Dad had just returned from England after WWII, and with his gratuities Mom and Dad bought a new house in Jasper Place, as well as furniture for it. We were very proud of our new house even though it lacked electricity and water. Heat was supplied by a coal and wood stove, but we were all happy. As we moved in during the summer, late July I think, there wasn’t time to plant a garden, but my Mom got some vegetables from my Grandfather’s garden to make some pickles, can some vegetables and, of course, make up jams and jellies. My dad was a house painter and he got a job with a construction company painting houses, and things looked pretty good for us. Then after Christmas the inevitable happened: work had closed down for my dad because of the cold weather and we were obviously in trouble. There was no money left for the Veterans as it had all been depleted during the War. In those days I doubt if there was Unemployment Insurance, or if there was, Dad probably didn’t have enough stamps to get any help. My dad made arrangements
with the man that had built our house to waive the house payments. He would work the next summer after hours and on weekends painting houses for him, so that worked out OK, but we still had to eat. My mother was a crafty woman, and she had two beautiful cake plates with embossed flowers on them, so she decided we would make plaques to make a few dollars. She bought a bag a Plaster-ofParis, some pots of paints, brushes and some decals. Every night after the supper table was cleared off, we would start mixing the Plaster-of-Paris. To this day, I still
remember the smell of it.
coloured paints. The ones that had been painted the night before were my job to do. I learned how to paint the roses and leaves very carefully on the large plaques with the coloured paint and not let it run. I had very steady hands, so I did a good job. The smaller ones that were painted pastel were decaled either with little flowers, little animals, birds or butterflies, and were very cute. I loved to slide the
decal off the backing and onto the plaque. Then, once a week, we would load them into boxes on my sleigh and go houseto-house selling our handiwork. The large plaques were 25 cents, and the smaller ones two for 25 cents. I was having a ball with all this; I thought it was great fun.
One evening, about 25 years ago, my husband and I went to play cards at a friend’s house in Jasper Place. His mother had passed on, and Homer and his wife had moved into her house. I looked on the kitchen wall and hanging there was one of the plaques we had made. I was amazed. Now I wish I had had the nerve enough to ask if I could have it, but I didn’t. A friend of mine who works at St. Vincent DePaul is keeping an eye out for me just in case one of the plaques comes in to them. If, by any chance, any of you reading this article happens to have one in your belongings, you would make an old lady very happy if you would let me know. You can contact me via this paper at (780) 757-0993, or via my daughter, Michele at gardening@thespurr.ca. This is how we got through our depressed State of the Economy in 1947, by making plaques. It kept our stomachs full, and has given me good memories, and I am sure they brightened up quite a few walls in Jasper Place.
Then, we would pour it into the plate, and after an hour or so when it was almost set up, we would set bent hairpins into the back for hangers. We also had some small soup bowls and we would fill four of them also. Then we would get out the ones that had been made the night before and we would paint the front of the larger plaques with white paint and the smaller ones with pastel
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S P U R R JUNE 2009
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GENERAL COMMUNITY NEWS UPCOMING EVENTS JUNE 13 Canora Spring Festival and BBQ Canora Hall 2 - 12 p.m. BBQ /Dance starts at 6pm 10425 152 Street
Jasper Place Library The Jasper Place Library has many programs for you and your family this month! Along with our regular programs, we are also hosting a Senior’s Spring Tea and gearing up for this year’s TD Summer Reading Club!
poster and activity booklet! Watch award-winning balloon artist Charis Hamm create balloon designs that YOU imagine! Booktalk Storytime on Saturday June 13 at 2 p.m. Baby Laptime – every Tuesday in June at 10:15 a.m.
Join us for the following programs: JUNE 15 - 19 Aboriginal Health in the Park Butler Park 2 - 8 p.m. 15715 Stony Plain Rd JUNE 30 - JULY 2 Britannia Youngstown Community Festival Britannia Park 1 - 4 p.m.
Rhyme Time – every Thursday in June at 6:30 p.m. Senior’s Spring Tea on Wednesday June 3 at 2 p.m. Come and celebrate both spring and Edmonton’s dynamic seniors. Join us for tea, refreshments, and good company. Launch of the TD Summer Reading Club on Saturday June 20 at 10:30 a.m. Calling all kid detectives! Come and sign up for the TD Summer Reading Club and get your free reading kit with a
BRITANNIA-YOUNGSTOWN Contact: 15927 - 105 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5P 0T8 Phone: 780-483-8983 We are excited to start the new Community year with a new executive and lots of ideas for the year. Free BBQ Celebration Celebrate our 50th Anniversary and Canada Day with us! Come and meet the new executive, meet and mingle with your neighbours. Join us in a free BBQ on Wed. July 1 at 1:00 p.m. at the Britannia Park by the Community Hall during the Community Festival. Please RSVP by emailing BYCLgeneral@hotmail.com or call (780) 483-8983 and receive a commemorative gift. We’d hate to run out of food! Please let us know if you are willing to help out in any way. We need about four more people to help make this happen smoothly. It’s an easy way to get to know a few faces while having a great time together.
What else is planned for the summer? Front Yards in Bloom 2009 – Make your yards pretty because your yard may be nominated by one of your neighbours in this city-wide friendly competition. Nominations are due in to the City by July 4 (www.edmonton.ca/environmental/conservation_landscaping/front-yards-in-bloom.aspx). All Sports summer program, July 27-31 (ages 7-10 years) - It’s happening in our own community hall. To register go online at www.edmonton.ca and search Summer Program Guide. Register early! Green Shack opens in July in a new location – Gordon Drynan Park (166 Street, between 103 and 104 Avenue). The leaders offer great activities for your kids (6-12 years) and an opportunity for them to create friendships close to home. Community Garden Coming Soon! Why should we do this?
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Please call the library at (780) 496.1810 for program details and to register. We are located at 9010-156 Street (across from the Meadowlark Mall). Visit us online at www.epl.ca. Don’t have a library card yet? Drop in and sign up! If you are under 18 we need to have the signature of your parent or guarantor.
Grow your own food to save money or eat organically Create a stronger community Eat local produce when possible Learn to garden in the company of neighbours and friends Teach your kids where food comes from and how to grow it Are you interested? We’re planning to break ground in the fall for an early start next spring in a community garden. Make sure that we meet your needs – talk to us while we’re still in the planning stages if you want to take advantage of this great opportunity to grow, learn, laugh and eat together! Email Evelyn at BYCLcommunications@hotmail.com. Traffic Concerns Are you concerned about the traffic in our neighbourhood? You have the power to control the speed of others. If you travel the speed limit, everyone behind you does too! Consider including your vehicle in the PACE car program by calling Connie with the NET team at (780) 426-8021. We all need to be examples to others on our roads. For hall bookings, general inquiries, requests for programs or to join our league, please call the Britannia Youngstown Community Hall at (780) 483-8983 or email BYCLgeneral@hotmail.com. We’d love to hear from you.
CANORA Contact: 10425 - 152 Street Edmonton, AB T5P 4P1 Phone: 780-489-6007
We would like to thank all the volunteers who came out and helped celebrate all of their hard work … a good time was had by all. We also would like to thank everyone who helped clean up the graffiti on the hall. We would like to remind our neighbours and friends when you see suspicious activity please call the police. Bingo: Canora Community League is looking for Volunteers within our league to work bingos, if you have some free time and would like to help us out please call Virginia, (780) 478-0979. Rentals: The hall is still open for many dates during the year! If you are looking to have a BBQ or wedding call Ellen Abbott at the hall (780) 455-7659. Keeping Clean: Clean up the neighbourhood. Let’s keep our neighbourhood clean. If you see garbage lets pick it up! Let’s help out each other. If you have graffiti on your house or garage and want some information on how to remove it! Call Paul, (780) 999-4529. SPRING IS HERE! Help the neighbours: If you notice that one of your neighbours needs help cleaning their yards, let’s help. This will help keep the neighbourhood clean, and a clean neighbourhood deters people to litter. Let’s all work together! Members: It’s never too late. The Canora Community league is always looking to welcome new members. If you would like to become a member please contact Erin, (780) 920-2092 Upcoming events: BBQ at Canora, June 13, 2009 Board meeting at Canora, June 14, 2009
We want to remind everyone to come out for the BBQ at Canora June 13 2009. All ages welcome. We hope to see you there.
Green Shack opens July 2009 to August 2009
Spring Festival – 2-6 p.m. (afternoon free) BBQ and dance – 2 - 12 p.m. $15 for adults, $7 Ages 7-12, 3 & under free
Membership Drive at Canora, September 12, 2009
Board meeting at Canora, September 8, 2009
S P U R R JUNE 2009
COMMUNITY NEWS Come to Hockey Night in Glenwood Sign up for Adopt-A-Block to keep your street clean
GLENWOOD Contact: 16430 - 97 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5P 0E8 Phone: 780-489-7571
Meet new friends and neighbours at our 70th Birthday Bash this fall
Annual General Meeting was May 3 Thank you to those of you who attended our AGM on May 3. Although attendance was very low, we all enjoyed a delicious brunch and got to chat about some of the issues that are occurring in our beautiful neighbourhood. We would like to welcome the current 2009-2010 Glenwood Community League executive.
Register your children for one of the City of Edmonton programs going on at the hall this summer Drop in to check out our summer Playground Program with your kids, nephews, nieces, grandkids or friends Organize a block party on your street Attend our annual Christmas Party
RETURNING President - Gary Racich Vice President - Clayton Johnson Gaming Director Sports Director Secretary - Sheri Brydges Treasurer - Harriet Fortuin Facility Director - Charlotte Larsen Membership Director - Michele Bugera Newsletter Director NEW MEMBER – WELCOME! City Liaison - Jamie Post Program Director - Shannon Nichols Ways to be a part of the community Purchase a membership. Memberships in Glenwood Community League are still (after almost 20 years) only $25.00 per household and seniors 60+ are FREE! Memberships for 2009/2010 will be available at our Annual General Meeting on May 3rd, at 10am (or email glenwoodcommunity@hotmail.com or call Michele at (780) 439-3169). Come to a community league event. Come and play cards (Euchre) on a Tuesday – beginners welcome Drop in at a community league meeting (first Thursday of every month, except summer months) Come to Community Swim at Jasper Place Pool on a Sunday, 3-5 p.m. (with membership)
Mark your Calendar… September 12th, 2009 is the BIG DAY! What Does a 70th Birthday Bash for a Community Look Like? Fantastic food, fun, fireworks, friends, family, dancing, jumpy things for kids, door prizes, networking, neighbours, games and so much more! This will be our biggest community event in YEARS and we are hoping to see so many people, new to the community and those who have been here for years joining together for a day of excitement. Email Michele at glenwoodcommunity@hotmail.com to get more information or to volunteer your expertise! Upcoming Scrapbooking Day Out Katherine hosts scrapbooking days at the hall approximately every two months on a Saturday. Please contact her for upcoming dates at kewchuk@telus.net or visit her website for more information at www.createwithkatherine.myctmh.com. Euchre Join us for Euchre every Tuesday night at the Glenwood Community Hall. Registration at 6:30 p.m.; games begin at 7 p.m. Anyone can come to play. Family and Kids’ Stuff Registration for registered programs IS NOW ON!
caring, individualized support.
3TREET
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an expectation of excellence, through
Green Thumbs (3-5 Years) 9-11:30 a.m. Class 317740 - $55 (August 10-14) Come and get the scoop on growing flowers and vegetables. Learn some neat ways that our insect friends help us out in the garden! Planting seeds, crafting some beautiful bugs and making cool garden markers are all part of the fun! Wild at Art (6-9 Years) 1:30-4 p.m. Class 318124 - $59 (August 10-14) Explore the world of art in this program. Sample everything from molding clay, paper maché and painting in different forms. Glenwood will once again be running FREE summer drop in playground program at the community league playground this summer. Please come out and enjoy games, crafts, and other dramatic play. Last year was a great success, and we look forward to even higher numbers this year. Don’t Forget about Free Swimming With your Glenwood Membership, you can participate with your family at our Community Swim at Jasper Place Pool on Sundays from 3-5 p.m. until the end of June. Other Glenwood Information: Have your say and find out about: Community development, League spending and changes, programs offered, what’s new in Glenwood. Community League meetings are open to everyone and are generally held at the hall at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Are you hosting a birthday party? Baby or bridal shower? Family Reunion? Family Christmas Party? Consider renting the Glenwood Community Hall. Friday/Saturday rentals: Members $150*, Non-Members $400 Sunday-Thursday rentals: Members $75*, Non-Members $150 Call the Facility Director, Charlotte at (780) 444-0411. Must be a member in good standing.
WEST 2000 INTERNATIONAL INC. Renovation & Restoration Specialist
Grovenor School offers a !VENUE stimulating and challenging environment for students K-6 and is conveniently 3TONY 0LAIN 2OAD located close to Stony Plain Road and 107 Avenue. We are a Balanced Literacy school that offers Spanish as a Second Language and Culture, a Musical Focus and many extra-curricular activities.
Providing exceptional educational opportunities, with
We have two programs right here in our neighbourhood! Go online at www.edmonton.ca and search Summer Program Guide for more information, or pick one up at City facilities. Register early to get your spot!
30 years experience in: New Home Construction • Renovation & Restoration Basement Development • Additions • Decks • Gazebos
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Daycare, preschool and out-of-school care are also available for children ages 0-12, which helps to make Grovenor school a great choice for your family. For more information, please call us at 455.0832. 10345-144 Street, Edmonton, AB T5N 2V3
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S P U R R JUNE 2009
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COMMUNITY NEWS HIGH PARK Contact: 11032 - 154 Street Edmonton, AB T5P 2K1 Phone: 780-484-4646 www.highparkcommunity.com Short Sport Day Camp for kids runs July 2024, 1:30-4 p.m. Contact Kim at (780) 444-6716 Registration for Preschool is in August. Call Paula for more information (780) 479-6929 Greenshack opens in July. Watch for it! Located on the south side of High Park School. High Park will host its first Membership Barbecue on September 13 starting @ 12 noon. Mark your calendars and please come and meet your neighbours. Memberships are available through Kim @ (780) 444-6716. Yoga begins again in September call Kim for more information @ (780) 444-6716. Let’s beautify High Park. Sign up for Adopt-aBlock. Call (780) 489-4646. High Park Community Hall seats 200 people. Please call Nora to book your special event @ (780) 486-1867 before 8 p.m. Are you interested in your community? Meeting new people and making a difference? Join our Board of Directors! If you are interested, please contact Janice Gargas at (780) 489-4753 Babysitting Course Anyone interested in participating contact Naida Woycenko @ (780) 487-8767. Dates to be determined by interest.
MAYFIELD Contact: 10941 - 161 Street Edmonton, AB T5P 1G2 Phone: 780-483-4675 Summer Activities for Kids at the Community Hall Basketball, water fights, movies, and more. Mon., Tues., Thurs., Sat., Sun. 1-4 p.m. See hours at the rear entrance of the hall for updated schedule. Call hall for more info @ (780) 483-4675 City of Edmonton Green Shack Program June 29 to August 21 Monday to Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Friday: 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Yoga Tuesdays 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at Mayfield hall $100 per 10 sessions $12 for drop ins Call Fran for info.: (780) 484-1476 Pilates Mondays 8 to 9 p.m. at Mayfield Hall $100 per 10 sessions $15 for drop ins Call Bonnie for info.: (780) 489-3254 Carpet Bowling Seniors carpet bowling Tuesdays and Thursdays For more information call Doreen @ (780) 486-1833 or Marlene @ (780) 484-5728
Hall Rentals for resident members only. Leave a message at the hall and a Board member will call you back. (780) 483-4675 Community Memberships Singles - $15.00 Families - $25.00 Seniors - $10.00 Call Elaine @ (780) 481-8108 Community Members BBQ September 19, 2009 Front Yards in Bloom Please contact Tara if you are interested in leading this City of Edmonton initiative. Contact Information Tara Middleton @ (780) 486-6152 or e-mail mayfieldcommunity@yahoo.ca Other Mayfield News On May 6 we had our first Community League Board meeting with our new executive. We are excited to be planning some new events within the community, as well as continuing the great work already happening. We would like to encourage everyone in our community to feel free to attend our meetings; the next meeting is Thursday, June 4 and we will reconvene on Thursday, September 10 after a summer break. If you are unable to attend regular meetings but would still like to volunteer or get involved with your community, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail Tara Middleton.
Moms and Tots Dads, newborns, grandparents, and caregivers all welcome. No cost. Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Last date is June 24 and will start up again in mid-September at Mayfield Hall. For information contact Tara @ (780) 486-6152
Did you know that you can use your community Credits for use OUTSIDE of the community! Registering your child for tae kwon do, skating, gymnastics, etc? Contact Janice Gargas prior to registering @ (780) 489-4753! Adult Drop-In All adults welcome! Drop in, have a cup of coffee, and a visit! Wednesdays – 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. High Park Community Hall. For information, call Joan at (780) 489-5419
WEST JASPER / SHERWOOD Contact: 9620 - 152 Street Edmonton, AB T5P 4N9 Phone: 780-483-2815
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Edmonton Centre MP Laurie Hawn (above) and MLA Laurie Blakeman (left) speak at the opening of City Market downtown on May 16, 2009.
S P U R R JUNE 2009
BUSINESS CONNECTOR Place your business card in the SPURR and reach out to the community. Email ads@thespurr.ca or debbie@thespurr.ca
CLASSIFIEDS
Children must be of Aboriginal ancestry, potty trained and either 3 or 4 years of age. Please call 780-481-3451 to make an appointment to register your child, spaces are limited __________________________ “Mark your calendars for the National Aboriginal Day project " A Celebration of Aboriginal Health and Wellness” happening at the Butler Memorial Park 157 St & Stony Plain Road during the week of June 15th to 19th.
"Pie Communications Website Design & Hosting, Email Campaigns and eNewsletters, Google Maps & Search Engine Optimization please contact Jim Wooley at 780-757-0993 info@piecommunications.com ____________________________
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At Nails Edge…because everyone deserves a natural set of nails at an affordable price. To Book an Appointment, Please Contact Sheila (780) 994-0338
Largest Pool Hall in Western Canada!
White Cloud Aboriginal Head Start is now accepting applications for the 2009/10 school year.
1 hour free pool* with drink purchase *New clientelle only, One coupon per person only
KARAOKE - Thursdays & Saturdays 8 pm! Register early for pool leagues. Hosting: EPPA, Triple E, Walmac, CPA
15121 Stony Plain Road Edmonton, Alberta T5P 2Y3 Phone: 486-3388 Fax: 486-4481 Email: qclub@shaw.ca
Who will you trust to represent you in the sale (or purchase) of your home? How will you decide on the Realtor® and the brokerage that will help you through what could be a stressful time, who could actually make it fun, and who will be able to assist you in the 146 details that make up a real estate transaction? When you choose to phone one of the professionals at Jayman Realty (Edm.) Inc., you can rest assured that you are dealing with a Realtor® who was hand picked by broker Madeline Sarafinchan to be a part of this elite group! This outstanding group of individuals has many years of experience with new and resale residential homes, farms & acreages, and even commercial properties. Madeline Sarafinchan Broker
Chelsea Wooley Associate Broker
Helen Axford 780-656-5516
Felicia Macdonald 780-289-6670
Adam Bree 780-289-9447
Brian Maschio 780-233-4200
Lindsay Carlson 780-984-7814
Jean Philippe Ouellett 780-217-7866
Paul Champion 780-504-9810
Alex Stewart 780-720-3343
Ron Karsten 780-991-6533
Kristine Walline 780-217-5747
Ann Kuehn 780-293-4663
Erin Willman 780-221-5801
Sandra Laurin 780-218-7653
Reena Yost 780-722-2263
When you don’t want to take a chance on trusting your home with anyone less than the best, call one of us today!
More than just new homes! S P U R R JUNE 2009
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CULTURE - Creating a Community in Bloom
ADELE KNOWLER
Recently, I visited my sister who lives in Lacombe for a family gathering. It gave me pause that at this time of year in every community, there exists a renewed sense of vitality as we prepare not only for spring clean up, but for communities in bloom. Throughout the spring and summer communities challenge each other to create and beautify their respective neighbourhoods. They do this through community clean up, with wonderful volunteers who take their own time to walk the neighbourhoods with bags in hand and a mission to clean their streets. I vividly remember my father insisting that on occasion we would clean up our own front
street as this would project to others that the community you live in is not only the house that you live in, but also a home community. It was intrinsically important to my father that he modeled good citizenship for his children and the children of the community. To this end, how can we beautify and create a community in bloom for the Stony Plain road and area? Perhaps each business could invest in a small basket of hanging flowers outside of their business to not only represent the coming of spring, but to exemplify for other Edmontonians that we are proud of our community by celebrating and enhancing our ownership of the area for all to enjoy. You might want to support your local greenhouses of this community instead of box stores, as small businesses work so hard to support their communities.
I did an all drive for book collection last issue and would like to thank George and Esther as well as others who came out last month to collect my father's books. The rest of the books have now found a secure home
with appreciative local charities. If you have any queries as to how to beautify your street or business, please contact me about informative and low cost methods.
! ! ! !
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S P U R R JUNE 2009
THE DIRTY GARDENER
MICHELE HEBERT
Finally, I have my gardens and pots planted up for this year. It was a very cold start to the season, especially in mid-May with the below freezing temperatures and SNOW just before the Victoria Day long weekend. I didn’t think I would ever get Rod’s peas planted, and he does like his peas (I can’t stand them). I plant them as a labor of love.
A few days ago, I was asked by a friend as to what bushes would be appropriate to plant as a memorial for someone who has passed on. She wished to plant it in her own garden at home, and I gave her a few suggestions such as an ArticHardy Explorer rose, a doubleflowering plum, or a Japanese Lilac tree. Another idea would be a daylily or any other perennial that would be around for years to come. A memorial plant, bush, or tree would also be a nice idea to remember a favorite pet that has passed away.
out what they suggest in their gardens. I spoke with Trevor who was very helpful and informative, although all the staff there are wonderful. Trevor informed me that they offer an evergreen or a chokecherry tree that can be planted along with a memorial plaque. Also, a tree with a rock placed at its base can be planted for internment of a cremation urn beneath the rock, in place of a plot. What a wonderful idea! Westlawn
offers perpetual care of the tree, and will replace it at no cost should something happen to it. Contact Westlawn for more information at (780) 489-1602. This summer is predicted to be very hot and dry. Remember: mulch, mulch, mulch, and make use of your rain barrels, installing some if you haven’t already. Free water is good, and rainwater is best for your plants. Happy gardening!
I then called Westlawn Memorial Gardens in Jasper Place to find
FRONT YARDS IN BLOOM Front Yards in Bloom celebrates front yards that make Edmonton beautiful. The goals of the program are to: encourage a beautiful community;
Nominations Nominate a lovely local front yard in your neighbourhood today. There are several ways to submit a nomination: Email: front.yards@edmonton.ca
recognize the contributions of local gardeners; foster community involvement; and, improve Edmonton’s standing as a community in bloom.
Phone: 311 Website: Get a nomination form from the website www.edmonton.ca/eib. The nomination deadline is July 4, 2009.
Volunteers with the Edmonton Horticultural Society will visit each nominated yard to deliver a Front Yards in Bloom sign and congratulations to the homeowners. Volunteers also determine the top front yards in Edmonton. Check out the top 20 front yards from 2008 at www.edmonton.ca/eib.
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