SEPT/OCT. 2006 VOL. 12, NO. 1 FREE

Passionate about Tai Chi by Cal Wiebe

ast September my friend Sean invited me to join him to L check out a Tai Chi class on Agnes Street. Tai Chi is a Chinese form of exercise consisting of very slow and deliberate movements. I had been to a few classes before and had always enjoyed them but had never stuck with the program very long. This year has been different. I think it is because of our instructor, Master Shao Lei. He has a passion for Tai Chi which he exudes in every class. He brings with him a detailed knowledge of the benefits of Tai Chi and an understanding of the philosophy behind the movements. He began studying martial arts in China at the age of 8. At 19 he was attracted to Tai Chi and since that time has been very disciplined in his training and practice of this art. He came to Canada a few years ago to teach Tai Chi, and to give people in the West an introduction to an authentic style of Tai Chi as it is practiced in China. One of the first things I noticed about the class was how slowly we went through each of the moves, to learn them. The goal was not to get through the series of movements quickly so Usman Mohammed (left), Samir Hassan and a friend at the Winnipeg Central Mosque. that we could say we had mastered a certain form. Instead, the goal seemed to be to understand why we moved in a certain way both from a health Strengthening our Spiritual Fabric perspective and from a martial Tai Chi is a good by Omar Siddiqui fourth generation Canadian Muslims. The arts perspective. exercise for older WCM offers classes for all ages every Saturday It has been very interesting to ccording to the 2001 Census, there are on how to read the Quran (Islamic holy text me that movements, which look people who want A 4800 Muslims living in Winnipeg. From which is in Arabic), religious learning circles, so slow and graceful, could to develop strength 1991 to 2001, there was a 48% increase in the is open for community dinners and events and actually be a form of exercise. But number of Winnipeg Muslims. The median is developing a library, food bank and other and balance I only had to go to a few classes age of Muslims in Manitoba is 28 years. community services to meet the spiritual before I started coming home with tired legs. The reason for Newcomers often initially settle in needs of the Muslim community. this is because when you do the movement slowly you develop downtown Winnipeg and as of 2004 there The WCM is also open to people of other was no urban mosque, Muslim religious faith traditions to come and learn about the a lot of leg strength as you shift your body weight from one leg centre, to meet their spiritual needs. Islamic way of life. We regularly offer to the other. As your legs become fatigued your heart starts to Muslims working and studying downtown seminars to faith groups, high school and work harder to rush blood and oxygen to the tired muscles. also found the current places for Friday university students, and recently participated This increases your heart rate without putting a lot of wear and congregational prayer often crowded and in the CBC sponsored “Spiritual Bus Tour” on tear on your joints. This is why Tai Chi is such a good exercise inadequate to accommodate large groups. Multiculturalism Day this past summer. for older people. It allows them to exercise and helps them To address this growing concern, Winnipeg During the month of Ramadan, our holy develop strength and balance. Central Mosque (WCM) was established at month of fasting, we also hold an open house I was surprised to see how relaxed I was after my classes. 715 Ellice Avenue as a new addition to the so our friends of other faith traditions can One of the benefits of tai chi is that it puts you into a calmer urban life of Winnipeggers. break the fast with us. frame of mind. It actually cultivates a mental tranquility. I Located at the corner of Toronto Street and The WCM is managed by a Council of think I have found this to be the most helpful part of my tai Ellice Avenue (the old Bamboo Hut restaurant) dedicated volunteers who work with the the mosque, or “masjid” in Arabic, was community to ensure the spiritual needs of chi training. It seems that I am always on the go and anything officially opened in October 2004. However, urban Muslims are addressed. With that helps me slow down and relax is a helpful discipline. the property itself was acquired in February community support and help we hope to This relaxation, of course, has many health benefits to people 2004 and the Muslim contribute positively to the who suffer from heart problems, high blood pressure, high community, under the The concept of community cultural and spiritual fabric of cholesterol, obesity and anxiety. leadership of local Muslim is integral to the lives the urban community. Our class has recently moved from Agnes Street to the new elder Dr. Mujibur Rahman and of all Muslims. The concept of ‘community’ City Oasis Gym at 435 Cumberland. Anyone interested in his wonderful family, is integral to the lives of all attending one of the classes can phone Terence at 228-5250. renovated the building over the subsequent Muslims, as is the importance Islam places on months, to make it suitable as a place for the taking care of one’s neighbours. In this way, Cal Wiebe lives on Toronto Street. Muslim community to gather and offer daily community development is something we as congregational prayers. The work was hard Muslims in Winnipeg feel very strongly about. and required gutting the interior of the Whether it is renovating the building, keeping building, repainting and refurnishing. the car park and pavements clean, having The focus street this issue is: While it is still a work in progress, today the fundraising activities or inviting members of mosque is open daily for prayers, and is other faith and cultural communities to come attended by hundreds of Muslims from both to our mosque to learn, initiate dialogue, or Beverly Street the downtown and greater Winnipeg area. break bread with us, WCM is proud to The WCM serves as a religious centre for a contribute to the health, vitality, and diversity Next issue (Nov/Dec): St. Matthews Avenue multilingual, multicultural and multiethnic of the West End neighborhood. Please phone or drop by with any story ideas community of both new and established Omar Siddiqui is the chair of the Winnipeg Deadline for submissions: November 8 immigrants, students and second, third and Central Mosque. 2 September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS

Welcome to the opinion page September/October issue of West Central STREETS STREETS is a non-profit community paper based in the community School and Society bounded by Notre Dame, Carlton, Portage and Arlington. Its purpose is by Erik Berg to give voice to the interests, struggles and achievements of people in the community. Almost every weekday I open my eyes at 6:30 and think to myself how boring school is and For publication, the viewpoints and stories of people who live in the how little I want to wake up. Maybe I’m alone in this but judging by the tired and bored faces community take precedence over those of people from groups who have I always see… I doubt it. Why do we hate school? Is it genetic? Was it invented to take up an interest in but do not live in the community, such as some agencies, time and bore us? Is it a fault of our own, do we just not apply ourselves? Or what? churches and businesses. Their role is primarily to support and facilitate the participation of local residents in STREETS. I used to think it was a prison. My father would tell me ‘I did the crime, I gotta do the time.’ When I asked him what my crime was he would reply, ‘You were born… that was enough.’ All submissions may be edited for length and style. The Publishing Committee reserves the right to not publish submissions. He and I would look at my school and describe it as a jail. After all, the resemblance is striking. The plain brick walls with few windows except rows of plexiglass and barred panes. The Publishing Committee makes decisions about any honorariums If you could imagine the basketball nets were searchlights the image would be complete. for contributors. Contributors who work but do not live in the community, and people whose contribution is part of their job, do When I observed my peers and myself, I noticed the infinite bliss when we were given a not receive honorariums. mere 15 minutes of recess. Is this why we grumble nearly every morning—because we are West Central STREETS will not knowingly print anything, which is theoretically being locked up until 11:45, or is it more than that? unjustly discriminatory. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect I slowly developed my image into a factory. Do you know what product we’re part of? It’s the views of the Publishing Committee. called society, but each of us are only nuts and bolts. We are all being developed into self- centered, conceited machines used to further propel the greed of the human race. It is People who donate $25.00 or more get STREETS mailed to them for a almost inescapable. year. Phone for details re: tax receipt. The manufacturing is incredibly subtle while the effects are very vivid. We all go to school at first as curious and impressionable little kids. Now, that seems to have totally disappeared. Circulation: 7,500 When someone cries we don’t try to comfort him or tell the teacher, we continue to mock or Next issue: November/December 2006 tease until they are crying harder. By the end we have regressed so far back that we are Deadline: November 8 vicious animals, ruled by the infamous saying, ‘Survival of the Fittest’. So does it all revolve Phone: 944-4542 around regression and the factory? Fax: 775-1670 I believe there is hope. We can go beyond the normal cycle of malicious and egotistical c/o 102-583 Ellice Avenue development. For example, if enough people come together through a different way apart Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1Z7 from the roles they play to survive in school, maybe they’ll get beyond the reach of the Email: [email protected] system and be more than just robots that civilization creates to sustain itself. And if enough people escape the dreadful machine, they can rejoin with the knowledge Publishing Committee: they have. Imagine a teacher going beyond the normal boring copying of overheads, to Geoff Dueck Thiessen, Deb Fehr, Cheryl Martens, bringing enlightenment to the kids—role models who actually care for the children and Joe Wapemoose, Erika Wiebe teenagers they teach. Perhaps that would create a chain reaction that would result in a free world. Coordinating Editor/Photography: Erika Wiebe, Community Development Worker Maybe I’m wrong about all my theories. Perhaps I’m just some kid that’s paranoid about Neighbourhoods Alive, Gov’t of Manitoba conspiracies, but you cannot ignore the vast change in personalities, the way people have become less caring. Most people will read this and possibly smirk. If I’m lucky I’ll get “hey, Guest Editors: that was a good article” and then it will inevitably be forgotten … and that’s okay because this Lorna Derksen, Lydia Penner article is a feat of my own. I have done something beyond just copying notes and supplying the correct answer when I must. I have made an attempt to speak out and I can only hope Youth Editor: that this has given, to a fraction of you, a fraction of hope. Amy Groening Erik Berg is 15. He lives on Home Street. Contributors: Anonymous, Carol Barton, Erik Berg, Connie Fife, Wilo Jama Gasle, Samantha Mutchmor, Omar Siddiqui, Lyle Penner, Joel Penner, Cal Wiebe Bulk Distribution: tid-bits Bertha and John Guiboche

Door-To-Door Distribution: ! Distributors needed—West Central ! Writing Contest—It’s that time again. Chris and Nathaniel Budlong (Agnes, St.Matthews, Ellice, STREETS needs people who live on Furby, Get your creative juices flowing for this year’s Wellington), Ralph and Ruth Erb (businesses), Hardy Groening Agnes and Sherbrook to distribute the paper. STREETS Writing Contest. Kids, you can send (Beverley), Kassie and Martina Heerah (Langside), Stanley Gaddis Phone 944-4542 or email [email protected]. in a drawing. See back page for details. and Kayla Ross (Balmoral, Spence, Young), Louis Hendrikson (McGee), Saxon Vylentz (Simcoe), Del Michel and Val Vosper (Maryland), Cheryl, November and Diana Perchak (Toronto), Lee Tang (Arlington), Bev Urbanovich (Ellice Place), Doris Wiegel (Home, Wellington), May Yiu (Victor) Guest Editor This issue’s Guest Editors are friends Lorna Derksen (Home St.) and Lydia Design and Pre-Press: Penner (Beverley St.). David Henry This paid position is an opportunity to try 943-4316 interviewing, writing, taking photos, proof reading and helping plan one issue. If you Printer: live in West Central and want to try being Brandon Sun Guest Editor in a future issue, send your resume along with something you’ve written to: West Central STREETS 102-583 Major Funders: Ellice Avenue R3B 1Z7 or email Bill and Shirley Loewen [email protected]. Phone 944-4542 for L.I.T.E. (Local Investment Toward Employment) more information. September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS 3 more opinion street sense Parenting in the West End Do you plan to vote in the by Lydia Penner Not that the element of danger hasn’t still been around us, but it hasn’t seemed nearly as upcoming civic election? I’ll never forget the day I heard my 5-year- influential as I originally thought. by Carol Barton old son’s shoes crunch over broken beer What has been most surprising to me, bottles on the sidewalk as he walked with however, is that this lad, now entering Grade his dad on his daily trek to school. He was 11, loves the West End. It’s difficult to explain Crystal — No, I’m not really just starting kindergarten, and like all to co-workers who send their children to into politics. parents, we were nervous. This sound did private schools, or to my family in the suburbs little to calm our fears. who wonder why we don’t move to seemingly We had moved onto Beverley Street when safer neighbourhoods. But my son is not alone we were expecting him back in 1990. As in loving this area. I feel it’s a good demanding as the early years of raising a environment to raise a child. child are, I had at least an illusion of control Here we’ve been exposed to life in all its as I cared for him. But sending him out into diversity—the rough edges as well as all the the world was something new. Always being great people and resources around us. Both more of a worrier than my husband, I fretted joy and sorrow are not foreign to any of us, about details that I couldn’t control. My and raising children in this area gives them a mind went back to the smashed car firm grounding in reality. That’s not to say that windows and occasional 4:00 a.m. we’ve just set our son free and taken Nathan — Still not sure. arguments from the neighborhood. What unnecessary risks. It’s important to stay safe kind of influences would be around him? and keep an eye on our children. They say it Things didn’t seem as safe as the world I takes a village to raise a child, and I believe remembered from my own suburban it’s important for us all to build circles of childhood. As I spoke to other parents in the community and look out for each other’s kids. area, I found I wasn’t alone in my fears. That’s true no matter where you live. If your On the first day of school, we took a picture experience is anything like mine, you’ll know of him grinning widely on our front porch, that love is stronger than fear. ready to begin, and it took a step of faith to You might think it’s easy for me to say this. I send him from the safety of the porch out into realize I’ve been lucky to be relatively well the world. No matter where you live, I off, protected from poverty’s harsh edge. But I realized, you can’t control what happens to firmly believe that if we’re looking for it, a your child. But instead of finding him in what supportive community and helpful resources Verna — Yes, I vote in every I thought would be a dangerous environment, are available to all, whatever our background. election. I was amazed over the years to find caring And so, like the broken bottles, my fearful teachers, a supportive daycare, friends of ours preconceptions about the West End have been who look out for him to this day, and most of shattered. I’ve had a shift in perspective, and all, a kid who seemed happy enough in his as I look up and see the beauty around me, I new setting and who grew to love learning. know I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Where is the health care I need? by Anonymous Apparently businesses don’t need a lawful reason to fire someone. I was so moved by the article “Behind the I have not worked for over a year and since Diana Wescoupe — I always Mask” by Carol Barton in the May/June, 2006 August of 2005 I have not been able to leave vote in the election. issue of STREETS. my home due to the panic attacks. I have been I can so relate to her feelings and the seeking medical treatment for the past 3 years misconceptions that result when someone with no success. My doctor does not make finds out you have a mental illness. No, we’re home visits. So my life is at a standstill. not crazy. We have a very real disability that Fortunately I have one friend left (the rest cannot always be easily seen. have abandoned me) who picks things up at This is my life over the last 3 years. Anxiety the store for me and mails letters for me. And I struck as a result of barbarous acts against me have a wonderful mother, who lives out of from co-workers. Following my making a town but sends me care packages. complaint to the General Manager, 2 years of I am very disappointed in the Manitoba torment ensued at the hands of management. health system as I have tried for almost a year The reason was that I had exposed the lack of to find a doctor who will come to my home. Wayne Anderson — Yep, work ethic in this particular workplace. Apparently doctors in the city of Winnipeg do Further to my anxiety, panic attacks not make home visits to treat people who have normally do. developed. Going to work in a hostile anxiety. In fact, one office I called told me I environment took a great amount of courage would just have to “live with” my disability. on my part knowing the abuse I was in for Are they really that heartless? on a daily basis. Management tried to force Because I am unable to get medical me to quit for 2 years, but my stubbornness treatment I have also been unable to work or wouldn’t allow it. receive disability benefits and have not had an I was totally functional at my job despite income for over a year. When the money runs my illness. But if I could rewrite the past I out where will I be? Can the Manitoba health would have quit my job to save my health. system ignore people and pretend we’re not In February of 2005 I was wrongfully even here? Am I here? dismissed after 10 years of service. The writer lives in West Central. Anita (no pic) — October 25, hmmm. Most likely. West Central STREETS or just want to add something—write a letter, welcomes letters on any subject or responding phone or drop by. Be sure to include your to anything in the paper. If you agree, disagree name and contact info. 4 September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS new neighbours Poet finds a home by Connie Fife had just had six puppies. So they let me move in with seven dogs, because they’re good I was born in Saskatchewan, lived in hearted people. Now I only have two dogs. Saskatoon until I was about 10, went to I like the neighbourhood. I’m close to England, came back, went to Fiji and then everything I need. I’m aware of the gang finally came back to Canada. I was adopted involvement and violence but there are also when I was a baby by a non-Native family. My artists and painters and ordinary people. There father was an Anglican minister. He was are good resources—the STREETS newspaper, teaching all over the world. That’s how I the House of Opportunities, Spence ended up where I was. Neighbourhood Association, Art from the When I was 17 or 18 I finally ‘came home’. Heart. Those kinds of programs are the ones I found the native community in Toronto. It that support and uplift a community. was a group of very political women, all Connie Fife has published four books of older then I was. They made my return easy. her poetry and edited two collections. Her They pulled me in and loved me. They latest book, published in 2001 is called recognized that I hadn’t been ‘home’ yet, ie. ‘Poems for a new world’. amongst Aboriginal people anywhere. In Fiji where I lived for part of my childhood, children are never Wilo Jama Gasle (back middle) with her children, (back removed from their family or row) Kaltum and Hamza and (front row) Asma, Fatima community. So the kids would ask and Zainab, live on Simcoe Street. Wilo talked to me, “How did two white people get STREETS. someone so dark, like you?” And I Interview by Lorna Derksen would say, “I don’t know”, because I didn’t know at that point that I was Where did you come from? adopted. So I finally asked when I was a teenager and my parents told I’m from Somalia. I have five children. The oldest is 13. me. I knew that I didn’t look like I miss my family. I want to see some of my family come to them and wasn’t treated like them, so Canada. My mother, my sister and her children are in Somalia. when I was finally told, it made Last time I saw my mother was 2000. I haven’t seen my sisters sense. And when a child looks and brothers for 10 years. around and doesn’t see other people Before the problems in Somalia we enjoyed living together that look like you, you know but when there was fighting and no president for 16 years, somehow that you don’t belong. So every family moved and was lost. to find out, and then to find the My husband is a doctor. We spent four years in Yemen. We words, that was important. moved back to Somalia and then we moved to East Timor for I started writing stories when I was two years where he was a doctor with the UN. We moved to eight years old. I’ve been writing ever Indonesia for two years also. since. I still consider myself a student. I’ll always be studying my craft. Books What brought you here? fuelled my imagination when I was a I was a refugee in Indonesia. Canada has a consulate in kid, and saved part of myself. There Malaysia. They came to Indonesia and arranged for us to come were a lot of books around, and to Canada. I came to Canada on September 2, 2004. constant talk about literature. When, When we came to Canada we lived in Welcome Place. They at 8 years old I said I wanted to be a looked for a house for us but we didn’t get one because we are writer, it was because I wanted to a big family. We moved to the North End but it was dangerous. write books. Little did I know that I My children couldn’t go out to play. We were afraid at night. would end up writing books, and that My husband’s friend was renting this house on Simcoe and they would be books of poetry. Furby Street resident Connie Fife is a published poet. he said come live in my house and he found another home in I’m inspired to write poetry by the west end. people, places, events—everything. My husband got a job in Africa with the International Medical Because I believe that poets belong to the group. He can’t find a job as a doctor here. world I also believe that it’s our job to write Witnessing about the world whether it’s at a local, global by Connie Fife What do you think so far? or national level. Unfortunately right now, a So far it is good. I never see anything bad. My children can lot of my work represents war and the place we bear witness to the changing of history play anywhere. of Aboriginal people. remembering places where we were born At first I had problems. My garage door was open and I believe that to be born Aboriginal is to be to which we can never return someone took my son’s bicycle and lawn mower. But that’s ok. born into politics. History dictates that on a we bear witness to shifting movements There are no big problems. personal and global level. Poverty, HIV, remembering moments etched on cave walls I know some people around here. My husband’s friend and housing…. everything is political, a political buried in our past his mother help me. I hope my husband will get a job in act of some sort. Cut backs for women’s Winnipeg and maybe I will live in Winnipeg for a long time. programs, for the homeless, for the medical we bear witness to memory housed in stories system, for education—all of those impact on whispered through tongues of laughing stones the day to day lives of people, except those in their voices quiet with indiscretion power. The less power people have, the greater the oppression. we bear witness to change I’ve lived on Furby for a year. Friends of remembering our original being mine knew the owners of the building I’m her journey from here to now living in. They were kind enough to allow me knowing that in our fingertips to move in with my dog, which at that time history sleeps yet to be formed September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS 5 street answers Topic: Trees Answers by: Samantha Mutchmor, Coalition to Save the Elms

Q. How did Winnipeg get to have so many trees? A lot of land near the Forks was cleared for settlement, but was then abandoned and regrew itself. Residential trees were largely planted by people who lived in the City. They also planted many of the boulevard trees. The City of Winnipeg began planting boulevard trees in the 19-teens. This was done in the original inner city, which was then the City of Winnipeg. Q. Is Winnipeg unique in this aspect, among other cities? Winnipeg has the largest native American elm population in North America, and the largest bur oak population in any prairie city. Q. How healthy is Winnipeg’s tree population? Referring specifically to our elm trees, the City Forestry Naomi (right) practices interview skills with her teacher Melanie. Department estimates that there are approximately 160,000 elm trees on public and private property in Winnipeg. They also estimate that 3,500 to 6,000 of these trees are removed annually, since they either have Dutch Elm Disease, or are New Canadians get hazard trees. The health of the tree population in general is harder to quantify. The urban forest in the City is aging, and so die- started at Work Start back is noticeable. Q. What are the major threats to the health of the trees? by Lorna Derksen resume. Naomi’s life experiences helped me understand the difficulty most new immigrants There are many threats. These include man-made threats such Rosa found it easy to secure a job as a face. Their lives are complex, often burdened as pollution, the use of de-icing salts which can burn the trees sewing machine operator when she arrived in by the strife of leaving their home countries roots, vandalism, car accidents, and growth constraints caused Winnipeg from the Philippines in the1980s. because of national tensions. But they only by underground infrastructure. But when she lost her job in a garment factory, have the words of a child to express complex The trees can also be stressed by natural causes, such as she didn’t know what to do. Rosa heard about adult realities. Regardless of the level of drought, or a cankerworm infestation. The cankerworm the Work Start program last spring. Thanks to English Naomi acquires, her sense of humor, population that hatched this spring was especially bad, and Work Start she is now employed again, using faith and love of people are undoubtedly the caused stress to the trees when they tried to re-grow the leaves her sewing skills for a new company. gifts she will continue to share in Winnipeg. that the cankerworms had eaten. Work Start, located at 696 Portage Avenue, Sabrina’s story is quite different. She lives on Q. Is the same thing true for all kinds of trees or are elm trees is a new one-month training program for Furby Street with her brother and his family. In at risk in particular? Canadian immigrants whose language levels China, Sabrina enjoyed a professional position All trees can be stressed by the factors mentioned above. are between benchmarks 2-5. Lisa Allard, the in an advertising company. She decided she However, because Winnipeg has so many elm trees, a loss of coordinator, had the idea for the program after wanted a new challenge and moved to these trees would be especially significant, and noticable. working in the manufacturing sector. She saw Canada. Although Sabrina’s situation isn’t Q. Whose responsibility is it to look after the trees in how people who spoke English as an typical for immigrants, her life isn’t typical Winnipeg? additional language often lost out on job either. As a marketing manager she did opportunities because they didn’t know how whatever she could to sell her clients’ Trees that are on private property are the responsibility of the to fill out the application form, or weren’t products, distributing Loreal products on street homeowner. The City is responsible for the health of boulevard familiar with the interview process. The Work corners, soliciting responses from Avon trees, and trees on public lands, such as (public) golf courses, Start program gives people the skills needed to customers. Her friends in China wouldn’t have parks, cemeteries, etc. But, due to resource constraints, the get a job and keep a job. Also, staff at Work understood her desire to learn new skills, so City relies on the volunteer efforts of homeowners to ensure Start become references for participants. They she didn’t tell them that after working full-time that boulevard trees are banded. advise them of companies that may hire them days, she took on part-time evening Q. What can people do to keep the trees healthy? and, where possible, make introductions. employment as a waitress just for the fun of it. People can do general care of their trees, such as watering “I love learning new skills and I Even though the program only The program has and appropriate pruning. If you have doubts about how to do began in spring, it has already love the challenge.” these things, you should contact a professional arborist. assisted 60 newcomers from 22 already assisted Having applied for 20 jobs in Additionally, you can contact the City of Winnipeg’s Tree countries. 60 newcomers Winnipeg and receiving no helpline at 986-7623 for tree care questions and concerns. Naomi, an Agnes Street resident, from 22 countries response, Sabrina now sees Work People can also help to ensure the health of their trees by could have been the guest speaker Start as good luck. She is hopeful banding their trees annually. The Coalition to Save the Elms at the Work Start session on the importance of that learning helpful tips about Canadian will put up bands for you in the fall, and take them down in volunteering. Having come from Nigeria last customer service protocol and polishing her the spring. We band all deciduous trees, and having a healthy December, Naomi already boasts eight interview skills will secure her a job in tree is the best protection against Dutch Elm Disease. We also volunteer experiences on her resume. Winnipeg’s food service industry. In her sell the necessary supplies if you would like to try banding Volunteering is encouraged because it looks final Work Start week, anticipating a staff- the trees yourself. arranged interview with a large food service good on a resume, but for Naomi, taking in Q. Where can people get more information? destitute orphans and caring for elders in her provider, Sabrina may have found just the luck she needs. We welcome the public’s telephone calls at 832-7188, or to African community is part of what it means to our Tree Banding Hotline at 775-6642. Please visit our website be a human living in community. If you’re interested in Work Start, you can at www.savetheelms.mb.ca for more information on the With her husband volunteering in the church go to the second floor of 696 Portage Coalition, our programs, and other matters concerning trees. and her daughters attending the University of Avenue between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to Additionally, you can contact the City of Winnipeg’s Tree Manitoba, Naomi is eager to learn more about register. If you’re an employer looking to fill helpline at 986-7623 for tree care questions and concerns. Canadian culture including learning English. an entry-level position that can be done by “We’re like children, learning a new someone with limited English, call Work language,” she laughed while working on her Start at 953-1070. 6 September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS Making a Difference in Central Park Just as drops of water combine to make an a better place. Although the meeting was ocean, Central Park residents are joining coordinated by Central Community together to create a force on their downtown Coordinator Sally Wai, residents heard a clear landscape. More than 25 residents came message that it’s only in working together that together on a hot July evening to talk about change will happen. their concerns for the neighbourhood and Two residents already making a difference in their dreams of how to make their community their community are Fartun and Gullet.

Fartun (left) and her friend Deka. Together, they coordinate a women’s group. Bringing women together by Lorna Derksen Inspired by her mother, who raised eight children in Kenya Gullet (centre) at a soccer game. after fleeing Somalia where her husband was killed, Fartun is nothing short of amazing. Her involvement in the community seems endless — part-time health care aide, part-time program Soccer teaches about life coordinator with Wolseley Family Place, part-time coordinator by Lorna Derksen As an athlete, Gullet knows that of the homework club at Sister MacNamara school and full- commitment to a sport can teach you what’s time mom. Fartun also volunteers in Sister Mac kindergarten “Pass the ball! Hey, good shot.” Gullet, a Central Park resident and volunteer coach, good for your body. Commitment to a team classes and helps newcomers to Winnipeg get settled. When can also teach you what’s good for your life. asked why she chooses to be involved in so many ways, Fartun yells above the energy of 15 youth pounding the soccer field on a warm Saturday night. Team captain Hussein was quick to explain responded, “I love to volunteer and do different things all the why they meet, “We love soccer and we like time. I love to help people.” These youth, up to 22 players, have been meeting every weekend since summer to meeting new people. We’re trying to be role Together with three other Somalian women, Fartun organizes sprint, do push ups and face each other for models and it’s working.” Other players agree, a woman’s group. Every Saturday about 15 women gather to two grueling hours of soccer. Once we get to know saying that they’re staying off the learn English and cook together. This is an invaluable resource Wanting for years to do streets and out of trouble. “We’re for these often single mothers whose limited English restricts something for newcomer teens each other, we help like a family. Once we get to their ability to communicate with their children’s teachers or whose dislocation and boredom each other make know each other, we not only function freely in an English world. The women’s group hopes is driving some of them to resumes and find jobs play soccer, we help each other to raise money to start a daycare that would provide both day crime, Gullet proposed the idea make resumes and find jobs.” and evening childcare so that mothers could choose to of a soccer club to Osman Aden, the continue their education or work in the evening. program officer at the Somalian Community With plans to train every weekend during fall and winter, the team hopes to be ready to In addition to looking forward to starting nursing courses in Centre. With nine years of experience coaching soccer in Ethiopia, it just made enter a league next spring. Gullet also hopes fall, Fartun is also eagerly awaiting the arrival of her mother and that he can create another team for guys who two sisters who are moving to Winnipeg from Kenya in the next sense. After receiving full support from his community, Gullet called some friends who hang out around Central Park. Gullet year. If Fartun’s relatives have even a portion of her enthusiasm called their friends and the word spread. promises, “I’m going to use all my energy to for the community, their presence will be a boon to our West Although most players are Somalian, some make a difference” and I believe him. Central neighbourhood. are also from Eritrea and Sudan. Faith through Photography by Joel Penner episodic day to day, submitting yourself not to your own dull plans but to God’s miraculous will and the Beauty. Our meagre eyes ignore almost all of it. abundant beauty everywhere. Sure you’re in control You can find it anywhere if you try — in a kitchen, of what you capture, but what you see will knock on a walk, in the seemingly ugly Winnipeg West you off your feet. End, but it takes some slowing down. Photography is I started taking photos as a casual thing. I picked up a great method for finding beauty. Looking through a camera every once in a while, and my love for it the lens of a tiny mechanical device somehow opens kept on growing. I’m very grateful that I found your eyes to creation. It’s pure sensory overload! photography as it’s one of the many ways to see God I’m learning that photography is not about being working in everything. the master, something we normally love. It gives us a Photography taught me how much I get caught up corny sense of security to direct everything with no in myself; caring too much about my image, living in surprises in sight. Things seem easy that way, but fear, judging people and boring crap like that. That’s photography shatters the idea of trying to direct the Beauty in the details. Photo by Joel Penner world. You see everything you didn’t notice in the continued on page 10 ... September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS 7 youth page listen UP!

This Youth Page is for the youth of West Central. If you’re between the ages of 10 and 25, STREETS is very What do you think of interested in your stories and what you think. Pictured here is Victor Street resident Amy Groening, the new playground at the Youth Editor for West Central STREETS. If you have story ideas you can contact her at Jacob Penner park? [email protected]

Luc Letourneau — Í like the wading pool in it, and I like how it has swings. Some parks don’t have swings.

Eric Letourneau — [I like] Mostly the top of the slides.

Taylor — I like the big rock, because I like climbing on it. I like the Four year old Storm Brooks cuts the ribbon along with Dianna Hunt, Director of Victor structure because it’s fun and I like Play Centre, opening the new play structure at Jacob Penner Park. Also pictured are sliding down the slide. (from left) SNA Director Inonge Aliaga, City Councillor Harvey Smith, 9 yr.old Cecilia Arias and (right) Mark Titheridge, director of the West Central Community Program. Fond memories of old playground by Amy Groening to go tobogganing on that hill. We would each go down once, complain of frostbite, and end When I heard that the play structure at Jacob up back home within the hour. What would Penner Park was going to be replaced, my first we do without the toboggan slide? Tiara — I like the rock, cuz I like to reaction was to be shocked and appalled. Of course, the old play structure had to climb on it, and I like the swings, How could anyone tear down that old play come down. It was old. It was squeaky. It and I like the little set rock toys. structure? I mean, sure, it was rotten, in places wasn’t actually all that interesting. Despite my broken, a little rusted, and sort of a fire sentimental memories of it, it probably wasn’t hazard, but it was the play structure. It was a really worth keeping. relic of times gone by! Now, there is a new play structure at Jacob I used to play in that park all the time (way Penner Park. It’s bright purple, yellow, and back when it was still called Notre Dame teal, and is made of metal and plastic. The Park). I have fond memories of scaling the itchy sand that used to be the playground floor structure via the blue metal slide. It was the has been replaced with little pebbles. There is only slide I had ever been able to crawl up (it no merry-go-round, no climbable blue metal had handy supporting rungs on the side which slide, and no toboggan slide. There are, Bryce — I like the rock, cuz I like to could be used as hand and foot however, some new and amazing climb onto it and jump off of it…the holds). Beneath the structure, my My first reaction additions to the structure, things swings, I like to swing until I can siblings and I would open up shop was to be shocked that I had never found on a play jump off of them, and I like to jump and sell “ice cream” to each other and appalled structure before. In addition to the off the play structure. (all flavors were the colour and standard components every play consistency of wet sand). The seesaw always structure should have (swings, slides, monkey scared me, but I would valiantly brave it with bars, and a sand box), this structure also sports my sister, and sometimes jump off of it when a climbing wall, and a large granite stone she was at the top and I was at the bottom, (presumably for climbing on as well), with sending her crashing to the ground (a less fake ‘fossils’ in it. There is even a fortune- enjoyable memory for her). telling wheel, which can advise structure- The merry-go-round! Now that was a goers on yes or no-type questions. fascinating little bit of architecture. Jacob This new play structure may not exactly be Penner Park was the first place I encountered the equivalent of the play structure from my such a thing. It was the most fun when my childhood, but it has more than just swings friends and I could get it spinning really fast, and a slide. As play structures go, I would rate then, one by one, jump off of it and try to land this as a more interesting one, and it’s right in on our feet while the world around us the middle of our neighborhood! continued to whirl. The new playground was funded by Then, there was always the toboggan slide. Neighbourhoods Alive!, City of Winnipeg and Once every winter, my family would attempt Community Places. 8 September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS Focus on Beverly Street... Looking for Jesus by Lyle Penner

esus was hidden. Our gray-and-white male cat was so named J by his original owner who abandoned him. When my wife and I got Jesus (pronounced in Spanish) from a shelter last September, we really didn’t know what he looked like for the first while. He literally spent seven straight days under the bed, except to eat when we weren’t around. And then soon after Jesus began to emerge, he was gone! Not knowing where he was, we kept looking around the house. He probably made his getaway through the front door when the morning paper was being retrieved. Soon the search began in earnest. Each day when I walked from Beverley Street to work and back I would check between every house and down every back alley. I started noticing every stray cat. Orange ones, black ones, matted ones, but no Thelma and Abraham relax after caring for their beautiful garden. Photos this page by gray-and-whites. I took detours through open yards, asking neighbours if they had noticed our cat. I started making extra Lydia Penner and Lorna Derksen. trips farther and farther away from our street. Each day I thought today would be the day he would come Facts About Beverley Street back or I would spot him. I constantly wondered if he was just around the corner, under that bush or behind that wooden by Lydia Penner most recent version of Wellington School fence. I printed off some posters and my son and I put them up. was erected in 1972, 19 homes were bought id you know that Beverley Street is My wife started enlisting the neighbourhood kids, offering a and then removed by the school division to exactly 124 years old? It became a reward if they could lead us to our cat. Each child began to D make room for the new building. street in 1882, just a few years after think they had seen Jesus, but no luck. One kid in particular, • Wellington School, which began 100 years Winnipeg became a city in 1874. Who was Dougie, took our search to heart. He was enthralled by the ago in 1906, is the only school on Beverley. Beverley, you ask? We were unable to find potential reward but also by the mystery of our lost cat. As he out, but she was likely the daughter or wife • There are 12 apartment blocks and 3 stores joined our search he entertained us with many stories, of an early city planner. facing Beverley. including an odd tale of a 175-year-old relative! In 1891, the same year that • There are two businesses, I visited an older neighbour everly Street is 124 electric streetcars made their B both related to cars. across the lane who goes out of This little adventure first trip in Winnipeg, Beverley years old. It became his way to take care of stray • In 2004 and 2005, 655 was forcing me to see Street was renamed 20th Street cats. Bowls of food were laid a street in 1882, just Beverley came in third place South. It and many other my neighbourhood out in his backyard, and small for the West End in the streets were numbered because a few years after shelters were available, Winnipeg in Bloom contest, with new eyes of the arrival of thousands of including one heated. A few Winnipeg became for its lovely front yard settlers, and Winnipeg was sleepy cats peered up at me, but no Jesus. The next day Dougie flower garden. copying the large cities in the a city in 1874. was wondering aloud if a cat he saw near the playground fence • Every July, residents United States. (Notre Dame was ours. “He’s white with black around him,” he said with organize a street long Beverley Street yard was renamed Central Avenue!) However, the promise. I rushed out to look, but still no Jesus. sale. Pancakes and hot dogs are sold. new names created so much confusion that As I spent time looking for our cat, I realized that even though the old names were restored two and a half Sources of Information: Mosaic of Winnipeg we had lived on Beverley Street for 15 years, I hadn’t really got years later. Today, Winnipeg is one of the Street Names by J. B. Rudnyckyi, Winnipeg, to know our area that well at all. This little adventure was largest cities in North America without 1974. Website for the Manitoba Historical forcing me to see my neighbourhood with fresh eyes. Though numbered streets. Society http://www.mhs.mb.ca/ impoverished in many ways it was always interesting, and beautiful in other less obvious ways. Did you know… After a few days we had a new strategy. Why not rent a cat • It takes 20 minutes to walk trap? We set one up on our front steps. One curious stray the length of Beverley Street after another wandered into the metal contraption. We let (from Notre Dame to Portage them all go. Avenue), and 9 minutes to My searches through the neighbourhood were conducted travel by bicycle. with less and less hope. Perhaps our cat had met his end under • There are 3 murals visible the tire of a car? I inwardly shrugged, and gave up hope, but I from Beverley Street (one on was thankful for the experience of having my blinders taken off Portage, one at Beverley and by being exposed to the neighbourhood in a new way. Ellice, and the newest one is a The day before we had to return the trap, we placed it in the series of murals made by backyard for a change of scenery. I thought little of it, but later Wellington School students on that evening we heard a familiar meow. Our cat had finally the side of the school, made found his way home! Our once-hidden Jesus was tired and just this year). hungry but okay. • There are 375 elm trees lining Rewards were given to four helpful kids, and I was grateful — Beverley Street. They were for a pet, lost and found, and a neighbourhood, old and new. planted during the 1930’s. Lyle Penner lives on Beverley Street. • There are exactly 300 houses. All are occupied except one, which is being renovated due to a fire. Interestingly, when the Brydan and Regan enjoy an afternoon snack. September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS 9

Sparrows also welcome by Lydia Penner here’s a place where I’ve spent much time watching and T enjoying the birds — friendly chickadees, purple finches with their rich song, tapping woodpeckers, noisy blue jays, gentle nuthatches, many sparrows and sometimes the more rare species like northern flickers and Tennessee warblers. I’ve learned how to feed some of them by hand, even though they’re wild. Their antics and beautiful songs have brightened many of my days. ‘Just where is this nature reserve’, you may be wondering. How do you get there? What’s the entrance fee? Well it’s not only here in our own West End, but it’s as close as your own backyard. While the news blares out the troubled sides of our area, other aspects tell a different story. Bird feeding is one of them. It all began in 1990 when we moved to Beverley Street. Having lived in apartments for six years, I felt like I was living in the country The first Wellington School, built on Beverly Street in 1906. with my own backyard filled with trees and a garden. Inspired by my If the streets could talk sister, I bought myself a small feeder. by Lydia Penner overflowing and so Wellington School was Soon, birds began to born. A class with 50 students was normal. discover their newest o you ever wonder what our Most children in those days only went to neighbourhood café, A blue jay about to nab a peanut. Dneighborhood was like 100 years ago? school until Grade 8 and then went to work and I in turn discovered The photos at Wellington School’s 100th every day from 8 to 6. The schools realized how restful it was to watch them. They were always flitting anniversary in June made me wonder what the that these young adults wouldn’t learn English around and interacting with each other. It seemed like another streets would tell us if they could talk. if they weren’t in school, so they started world, one that took me away from my worries. I began to My house on Beverley was built in 1908, Evening Schools. listen for their songs, and was amazed at the complex and when many of the houses in this area were It was common for students to miss many varied language. My husband and son began to join me in going up. It was a time of huge population weeks of school due to various illnesses like watching at the window. For me, a vacation sitting on the increase in Winnipeg, from 40,000 in 1900 whooping cough. Winter clothing hadn’t yet porch with a book, in the company of my feathered friends, to 203,000 in 1913. Canada was the been designed for our winter climate. Only was preferable to flying off to distant lands. ‘Promised Land’, and people came from all five or six children in a family of ten were Some may have thought my pastime was developing into an around the world. Icelandic people made up likely to live to adulthood in the 1890s, but obsession, especially last summer when I discovered The the largest minority group in Winnipeg, many better medical services by 1909 began to Preferred Perch, a store dedicated to feeding wild birds. The of them settling in the West End. Today improve this situation. owner was happy to swap stories and help me out in my quest to lure birds to backyard perches. One feeder soon turned into Wellington School is host to many cultures Today’s students play many of the same six or seven, kept well stocked even on the coldest days. such as Pilipino, Vietnamese, Chinese, games as 100 years ago — marbles, skipping, But something began to trouble me. There were a lot of Aboriginal, and Thai, but in 1906, more than lacrosse or football. After school, the streets half its students were Icelandic. sparrows. I had to admit they were outnumbering the quieter, (without cars to worry about) were full of more amiable songbirds. Sparrows aren’t known for getting Sometimes it’s hard to imagine that life children at play. Street hockey in winter was along well with their neighbours. If you spend time watching could be any different here, but the last 100 common. There were lots of frozen “pucks” them, you’ll witness no end of arguments as they try to find the years has seen immense change. These days, around with all those horses! best perch, not to mention how they scare off the more backyards have patio On Sundays almost colourful, timid birds. This hobby began to have a downside. furniture, barbeques and Only five or six nothing except church was But as I thought about it, I remembered something from gardens. But in the past, these children in a family running. Electricity was Sunday School, how God loves even were not places for relaxation. turned off at midnight on the sparrows. What could I learn Sparrows aren’t A stable for a workhorse, a of ten were likely to Saturday and on again at 7 from these birds? known for getting chicken coop, a vegetable survive to adulthood pm throughout Winnipeg. Over the years, tragedy has garden and a woodpile made Streetcars didn’t run on touched our area. Our neighbours, along well with up the backyard. I suspect that in the 1890s, but better Sundays until 1906, though only two months in Canada, were their neighbours many people’s basements are medical services by many citizens protested this. moving in when their house was like mine, with one wall black broken into and appliances still in the box were carted off — a 1909 began to improve Sometime people glorify to this day around the still the “good old days”, when sad welcome. Another time, there was a murder a few doors existing coal chute. People this situation life seemed trouble free. down. Break-ins and smashed car windows happen all too had to work much harder than But life 100 years ago had often. Events that seem like unwelcome sparrows. we’re used to for ordinary things like heat, its own unique challenges, such as disease But there are other stories in this area — people bravely water and food. This area was made up of with few medical resources, racial tensions making a new start in a new country, parents raising their middle-class families — not the poorest and and long workdays for little money. The children with much care sticking around despite the not the wealthiest. many thousands of new immigrants also sometimes-bad press, people who see beyond surface appearances. Back then horses, streetcars and bicycles faced the difficulties of learning a new I’ve come to hold my judgment on the sparrows. They’re were the main mode of transportation. language and culture. survivors in a habitat that’s often harsh. And when I take a Instead of gas stations, hundreds of horse If the streets could talk, they would remind closer look, the more colourful songbirds still find their ‘service stations’ lined Winnipeg’s streets. us of what is common to all ages — the spirit way to my feeders. The plain and the beautiful feast Cars were just beginning to make an of courage amid adversity and hope amid together, all equally cared for by the Creator. What a appearance in 1901. The first one, a three- challenge. The streets of the West End saw perfect West End story. wheeler, had a steering wheel that could be that 100 years ago, and still see it today. To get information on making your own bird feeder, go turned forward so you could pull the car if it History taken from the book ‘An apple for to www.kidsdomain.com/craft/birdfeeder.html or just decided to stop working! the teacher: a centennial history of the Google ‘bird feeders’. Winnipeg schools had a population Winnipeg School Division’ by J.W. Chafe; explosion as well. John M. King School was illustrated by Edward Phillips, 1967. 10 September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS

Faith through photography continued from page 6.... because photography is all about seeing things as see my faith and soul in anything if I make an effort. From the moment I start taking pictures to the they are, or at least in a different way. When I’m not It’s definitely scary since being part of everything feedback I get, the process is very open and taking pictures, I carry some of the photographic includes the things I scoff at. Photography is a great something that I don’t dictate. mindset to normal life. I mentally take pictures, way to share myself with others because it’s fun for To summarize, photography is very meaningful to seeing how even a crack in the sidewalk is beautiful. them and I enjoy it as well. me because it touches on my faith and gets me to Photography gets me to filter my faith and soul into When people look at my photos, I get a buzz off stop running. Amen. a picture. Even though the pictures are taken their compliments. Smiling and remembering that Joel Penner lives on Beverley Street. He’s 15 and in randomly, I find that everything is connected. I can the best thing was taking the pictures is a lot better. grade 11 at Gordon Bell High school.

October 25, 2006 is City of Winnipeg election day • Eligible voters will vote for Mayor, City Councillors and School Trustees • *New for 2006* All voters are now required to provide identification at voting places • To be eligible to vote you must be a Canadian citizen, 18 years of age or older and a Winnipeg resident since April 25, 2006 • West Central is in the Daniel McIntyre ward for City Councillor and Ward 2 for the School Division • Residents of West Central will vote at Greenway School, Wellington School, John M.King School or Sr.Macnamara School • Voting hours are from 8:00am to 8:00pm. For more information phone 986-8500. September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS 11

• Donald Shields does yard fashions. Hand made metal jewelry maintenance, painting and and clothing. Community commercial cleaning. Call the Skills www.apocalypsecreations.ca Bank at 783-9401. • May will deliver flyers and • For landscaping, gardening or yard newspapers. Phone 774-6400. maintenance call Evan Kehler at • Getting married? Certified marriage Exchange 774-3277. commissioner, Doug Harney is • Ivan Miller is available for snow available to perform weddings. He If you live in the community, you can advertise on this page for shovelling and odd jobs. Reasonable also does marriage planning and FREE. Phone 944-4542 or drop by at 102-583 Ellice. rates, honest, reliable, references counseling. Call today -786-5000 available. Can be reached at 798- ext. 3037. email: A skills listing is not a recommendation. It is up to the people doing 7660 (mobile). manitoba_marriage_commissioner the hiring to check for any qualifications they see as necessary. But • Custom welding and repairs to @hotmail.com please phone STREETS about your experience with the Exchange— chairs, railings etc. Make railings, • Murals for your home/night club. good or bad. 944-4542. window guards, plant stands and Also prints/posters of original art. gates. Lawn mowing. Phone Dave at Phone 786-5000 (ext.2238) PS. Skills for Hire (not volunteer): writing and editing (any level) and 774-7304. Interested in meeting other artists. Philosophy. $10.00 an hour for • Joe Richard is available to shovel • Certified Reflexologist, plus ear Computers/finances community people. Phone 774- snow, yard work and basement candling and foot care. Phone 8270. • Lynne Kavanagh has 25 years repair. Phone 779-4828. Pauline Silva at 786-6572 or 333- experience in all areas of book • Linda, at Vision Quest Learning • Interior and exterior painting, dry 7983. keeping. Phone 774-4737. Skills on Ellice, teaches literacy, walling and taping, carpentry, small • Pramila Bahl does henna tattoos and GED preparation, ESL and Life • Learn to use a Computer and how to electrical and plumbing jobs. makes jewellery — necklaces, Skills, one to one or in groups. prepare a Word document, Excel General handy man services. Free bracelets, earrings and more out of Phone 783-2564. spreadsheets, search in the Internet estimates. Seniors discounts. Phone beads, leather, silver etc.. Phone and more. Computer training one Home Support Ralph McKellar at 772-9588. 942-2716. on one. Please call today to start. • Joe Carqueira does snow removal. • Val will deliver flyers. Phone 774- Reasonable rates. Phone Karina @ • Rachel Garang will do household Phone 999-0862 or 999-0863. 5818. 774-5688. cleaning. Phone 283-1676. • Douglas available for snow removal, • Computer and network Technican • Paul Villamor is available for Jobs: interior painting and drywall and Instructor - repair, diagnose, cleaning, both residential and repairs, and general handyman • West Central STREETS needs people build, upgrade desktop and laptop commercial buildings. Phone 775- services, at reasonable rates. Phone who live on Furby, Agnes and computers. Virus and other security 0755 or 227-5987. 772-1377. Sherbrook to distribute the paper. restoration and protection. Training • Simcoe Street resident Collette, will Phone 944-4542 or email and mentoring. 20 years experience do house cleaning at reasonable • Looking for someone to do snow [email protected]. with hardware, software and rates. Call 669-5432 between 9:00 removal, yard maintenance, home instruction. Toronto and Ellice area. and 5:00pm. maintenance, moving? Also an Volunteers needed: Reasonable rates. Known for quality • Available for respite care. Has a entertainer. Call Louis at 786-5000, • none this time ext. 1667. work. Phone 788-1302. Health Care Aide certificate. Please Donations needed: call May at 774-6400. • Book keeping, accounting and Miscellaneous • none this time income tax returns at reasonable • Marie Garcia on Beverley Street has • Reuben Garang will do translation rates. Phone 775-5791. extensive experience in child care (Dinka/English) and counseling. For rent: • Jeannie Tom does tutoring, office and house cleaning. Phone 786- Phone 283-1676. • St. Josaphath Church on Burnell has 6616. administration and clerical work, • ‘Painfree is Life Quality’. Got GOJI a hall for rent for showers, types 66 words per minute. Phone House and Yard Juice? We do. Call 936-9745 or 775- anniversaries, birthdays and 786-5000, ext. 1933. meetings. Call Lena at 783-8054. • Tree maintenance or removal 5791. • Home computer programmer. Call service. Certified arborist. Call • Saxon Vylentz is a provincially Messages: Nancy Allan at 943-1580. Robert at 792-1039. licensed marriage commissioner. • Moving sale—various items to sell. • Certified computer and network • Interior and exterior painting in the Wedding ceremonies are discussed Queen size box spring, filing technician willing to barter for vicinity of Arlington to Maryland and and planned with the couple and cabinets, and other household items. services or answer computer Notre Dame to Sherbrook. Low designed according to your own 423 Toronto street, Saturday, questions over the phone. Police rates. Seniors discount. Call Brian at desires. Phone 775-1965 or e-mail September 30, 8am to 10:30am, and check and references available upon 774-7473. to [email protected] Sunday, October 1, 9am to 2pm. request. Web page design available. William, a Home Street resident, • Doug Tanner repairs consumer Will do computer repair house calls • does yard work, snow shoveling, electronics including stereos, VCR’s for a nominal fee. Call today: 7pc- Got a message you want to raking, odd jobs. Phone 788-4405 or and TVS. Call 832-3689. chef or 772-2433. Email: 951-3071. • Brian Kirkey is a certified forklift send out or a notice of any [email protected] • Mickey Kematch does landscaping operator and general labourer. kind? Phone, fax or email Education and assembly line work. Call the Phone 925-3595. (see page 2) • Holly Steele is available to tutor in Skills Bank at 783-9401. • Apocalypse Creations chainmaille

ST. MATTHEW’S ANGLICAN CHURCH 641 St. Matthew’s at Maryland Phone: 774-1846 Community Ministry: 774-3957 Sunday Services are at 10:30am (Holy Communion) Sunday School and Nursery at the same time. Summer services are at 10:00am (June 22 to Sept 7) Everyone is welcome

Rev. Cathy Campbell, Rector Chanda-Labra (11) and Kyla- Rev. Honor Waithe, Honourary Assistant Alexis Bailey (8) sold lemonade on Furby at Ellice. 12 September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS 13 14 September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS 15 16 September/October, 2006 – West Central STREETS street happenings

or have parenting responsibilities. Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre, 509– TENTH ANNUAL STREETS Every Tuesday at 4:30–6:30pm from 511 Ellice. ‘How to save a few Sept. 5–Nov. 28 at Wii dollars’ on Saturday, Oct 28, 1–3pm Writing Contest Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre, Ellice at Freight House, Door #1, 200 at Young. Call Carol at 783-5000. Isabel. ‘Basic home plumbing’ on If you live in the West CONTEST RULES: Sponsored by the Spence Wed Nov. 8, 7–9pm at Wii Central STREETS area The story or poem can be about anything. Neighbourhood Association. Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre, 509– (between Notre Dame, One person can submit only one entry, either ❖ 511 Ellice Ave and Sat. Nov. 25, 1– Carlton, Portage and one story or one poem—not both. Arlington), we want The story should be no more than 650 words. Bored with making the same old things 3pm at Freight House, Door #1, 200 your story or poem! The poem should be a reasonable length. for supper? Tired of cooking by Isabel. Workshops funded by Wpg The story can be fiction or non-fiction. yourself? Had it with stretching and Foundation, CD/CED Training PRIZES: You have to live in the area to enter. stretching your food dollar? Food to Intermediary, WHHI, SNA, NECRC Best Story and poem Anyone who has won in the past and people on the STREETS Go might be your answer! A group of and Neighbourhoods Alive! (adult)—$100.00 Publishing Committee are not eligible to enter. people cook a meal together and ❖ Best Story and poem then take it home for their families. New at West Central Women’s FINAL ENTRY DATE: November 27, 2006, 4:30pm (ages 12-17)—$50.00 Small fee. Cook twice a month. Call Resource Centre, the RESPECT Send or drop off entries to 102–583 Ellice Avenue R3B Gerry at 783-6159 or see her at St Program. If you are a caregiver for FOR THE KIDS: 1Z7 or email [email protected]. Include your name, address, age group (youth or adult) and phone number on Matthew’s Maryland Community at-risk or gang involved youth, join Anyone age 11 and a seperate page. Ministry weekday afternoons except the weekly Peace Begins at Home under can draw a picture Wednesdays. A project of the circle—every Wednesday from 1– (about anything you want) ALL WINNERS WILL BE PRINTED IN STREETS Healthy Living Program. 3pm starting Oct. 4. Get support and and send it in. One entry ❖ will get $50.00 FOR MORE INFORMATION, PHONE: 944-4542 honour as a parent. Get support and Now You’re Cookin’! Cook with honour as a parent. Share your friends and neighbours. Take food stories and struggles in non- September John Howard Society, 583 Ellice home for your family. Four sessions judgmental space. Learn healing Avenue. Contact Glenn or Janet at in the Wellington area starting strategies. Also, watch for monthly Are you good at storytelling, spinning 775-1514. September 21. Contact Gerry at 783- workshops on your rights and EI&A, a yarn, weaving a tale? One of the 6159 for time and place. A project of street safety audits, do-it-yourself workshops at the Inspiration Market Ongoing the Healthy Living Program. home repairs for women and more! (on Sept.23) is called “Stitching Wiggle, Giggle & Munch, a time for ❖ Call Janis for more information at Stories and Squares”. In many local parents and children to have fun 774-8975. All women welcome. cultures—African, Asian, European Dance, dance, laugh! Learn to do together through active play, games, Childcare and lunch provided. 583 and Latin American, story telling African dance. Great music, lots of action songs and enjoy a healthy fun, meet new friends. Tuesdays Ellice Ave, lower level. took place while people worked. snack. All parents and their children, ❖ We’ll stitch quilting squares and tell September 26, October 3 and ages 1 to 4, are invited. Magnus Interested in improving your reading, stories—a cross-cultural sharing of October 10, 6:30–7:30 pm at MERC Eliason Recreation Centre, 430 writing , and math? Phone 774-0025 knowledge. If you can sew or tell 430 Langside. *Register for Langside every Tuesday morning and make an appointment to register stories, contact Judith at 775-9765 childcare. Call Gerry at 783-6159. A from 9:15–11:15 a.m. starting with Orioles Learning Centre today! after 5:00, Christine at Wii project of the Healthy Living September 19. Free. Childminding It’s free and includes GED. Chiiwaakanak 789-1431, or Lee Ann Program. for infants. For more information call ❖ at the Skills Bank, 783-9401. 475-5755. ❖ ❖ Free Housing Training Initiative workshops: ‘Residential Gardening’ ❖ On Wed. Sept 27 6pm-8pm join us for Living in the Community Support an evening of fun and food to launch on Saturday Sept 23, 1–3 pm, Freight Deadline for next issue: Group Thursdays from 1–3 at the House, Door #1, 200 Isabel. the new RESPECT Program and feast John Howard Society, 583 Ellice the Spence Home Safety Program ‘Prepare your home for winter’ on November 8, 2006 Avenue. For men who have been Sat. Wed. Oct 11, 7–9pm at Wii after it’s first successful year. At the incarcerated at the Wpg Remand Kid’s Garden 235 Furby St. (next to Centre or Headingley. Call 775- MERC). Bison meal, prizes and 1514. childcare provided! To register for ❖ childcare or for more information Respectful Fathering group for fathers, call Janis at 774-8975 18yrs or older, Wednesdays from 6– October 8:30pm at the John Howard Society, Getting your child ready for school, a 583 Ellice Avenue. Fee is $25. To family program for children ages 4 join call 775-1514. ❖ and 5 and their parents, at the West End Library, 823 Ellice Ave, Oct 16, Gentle Exercises—Do you lack 23 and 30 from 6:15–8:15. Stories, energy? Feel stiff? Not as strong as rhymes, book-making crafts and you’d like to be? Join us for Gentle more. This is a project of Bookmates Exercises. You can exercise in a chair Family Literacy Centre. Pre- and at your own ability. Trained registration is required by visiting or instructor. Wednesdays from Sept 6– phoning the library, 986-4677. Nov 10 at 555 Ellice. Free! Snack ❖ provided. Call Gerry 783-6159 for Special Event—Mark your calendars! more information ❖ Friday, October 27 join us at St Matthew’s Maryland Community Better Fathering, a fathering issues Ministry for a fun, spooky evening series for men. September 21– and a nice meal. Tickets available December 7, Thursdays from 7–9pm. October 10. Call Gerry 783-6159. A For men in a fathering role. Sessions project of the Healthy Living are held at Kateri Parish, 794 Ellice Program. Avenue (side entrance). Free. Childcare provided. Phone Donovan November/December Tomlinson at 945-4104 or Paul Anger Management group starts Malloy at 782-7987. November 2, Thursdays from 6–9pm ❖ for males age 18 or older with no Youth Fathering Group for men domestic violence charges at the between 14 and 21 who are fathers