Jo7? the trash brigade Inside Trails that Lead to McCauley

AISH Pennies from Heaven

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Every day is clean-u- p day. Bao Williamson puts some litter in its place in anticipation of the the great annual comes McCauley community clean-u- p, and it's just around the corner, Saturday, June 4, rain or shine. the Free lunch for clean up helpers By Dan Glugosh

Get your garbage out. Get your pick-u- p ready to So please show your McCauley pride and volunteer. You can Queen! rumble. C'mon and help out. Orjust c'mon out and take also check in at the community's great new website home some great free stuff.On June 4 good-hearte- d volun- www.mccauley.info teers will come by with their pick-u- p trucks and pick up Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of unwanted items from your homes, or maybe your yard or England, and his royal highness the your alley, for free! Duke ofEdinburgh are coming to They'll take things like couches, chairs, mattresses, as part of tables, tree branches, stuff the garbageman's not crazy 's Centennial Kick-of- f about. As always, this service will be offered to all McCau- Party on May 23 . There will also ley residentsand will limited toone truckload perhouse and be performances by a truckload of they ask that you put your stuff behind your garage. Or fantasticAlbertaMusicalacts. better yet, ifyou can get your junk into a car or a truck or Artists scheduled to perform even a w heel barrow, you can come and drop it offbehind include Ian Tyson, Oscar Lopez, McCauley Apartments (9541-108- A Ave) on Saturday Tommy Banks, Jens Lindemann, June4 from 10:00am-6:00p- m. There will we biggarbage Corb Lund, White Chocolate, bins there to take it all. Last year we filled up 6 8x40yard MarenOrd, Bill Bourne, Maria bins. Dunn, Trincan Steel Orchestra, the There's going to be a tree chipper again, so all the Symphony Orchestra branches that are brought in will be turned into wood chips. and many more. It's a family party Residents can take home some free chips for their ofmusic, dance and celebration. gardens. There's also going tobe a recycl ing and reuse area Over 1 500 Albertans will take to for any of the items in OK or better shape. Things like thestage in an extraordinary couches, chairs, tables and who knows what will be there display ofAlberta's rich cultural for residents to take home for free. We will also be walking heritage. Tickets are freel They throughout the neighborhood picking up loose garbage. to a street are available at all Ticketmaster For Charlene. Flowers and notes attached Last year we had over 70 vol unteers helptocleanupour post on 95th street offer memories of Charlene Gauld 1-8- locations. Call 780-4- 5 000 or neighbourhood. Maybeyoucouldhelptoo? Giveusacall She was a sex-trad- e worker whose burned body was v!$it www.ticketmaster.ca at 424-- 2 870, orjust show up! We'll find something foryou found In an oilfield near Camrose recently. A 30-pers- on : Ppr more information about to do. This year the I lost Lions Club is teaming up with us ftCMP taskforce called Project Kara continues to acelebratlpncall42$f; ; to feed all the volunteers. Thanks to them for helping our myestkiate mm community. May 2005 Boyle McCauley News

VOLUNTEER GALLERY

The Boyle McCauley News is a non profit newspaper published monthly by the Boyle Street McCauley Community Newspaper Society. The Society is made up of people who live and work in the Boyle Street and McCauley neighbourhoods. Opinions expressed in the newspaper are not necessarily those of the Board of Directors. Any submissions may be subject to editing for length and suitability. Boyle McCauley News established 1979 Vol. 26, No. 4 May 2005 "As I started to learn more about my community, I stoppedfeeling so it. " - Room 224, 9624 -- 108 Ave., Edmonton, ABT5H1A4. Phone 425 3475 isolatedfrom Lana

Fax:425-624- 4 E Mail: bmcnewstelus.net

For advertising, call Erwin Seeger: 472-235- 4 What makes me feel as ifl'm a part ofa community? When I moved to Edmonton from the United States, the only real connection I had to the Board of Directors: Deanna Conrad, Bonnie Barrigan, Annette Kreider, Phil O'Hara, Miranda Ringma community was through my partner and stepdaughter. It was a hard EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: Kimberley Cluing, Zinia IYitcliarcl. Kale Qiiinn, Erwin Seeger, Garry adjustment to make at first. My family did help immensely. Through their Sxumski, Gordon Kate Wcrknian Stamp, I i ves and connections, I started fi nd place. Arseneault, to my OFFICE STAFF: Block Carriers: Darlene Richard Auclair, Bonnie Barrigan, Sandra Barnes, Gordon When I gained the courage to find my own way in connection with Editor: Garry Spoiowski Island. Marian Brant, Brixkman family, Barbara Layout tc Design: Kate Werkman family and community, I started by volunteering to help others. My work Bruce, Hie Sisters of Charity, Sara Canipos-Silviu- s, Kimberley Chung Volunteer Coordinator: Kimberley Chung, Michelle Cumming, Barry with the Christmas Bureau and the Centre for Family Literacy helped me Daniels, RWE Deering, John Gee, Rosalie also to learn about the needs in Edmonton. As I started to learn more DISTRIBUTION: Gelderman, Dave Gibson, RohannaGibson.Brian Auclair Coordinator: Richard Giffin, Dave Grant, Michelle Hobbs, Sister about my community, I stopped feel ing so isolated from it. I widened my Joanne, Maija Kothonen, Mackey Family, Wesley horizons as my confidence grew. THANK YOUR to OUR VOLUNTEERS: May, Shari Mati, Bob McKeon, Ewen Nelson, Writers: Zinia Mary, Debbie Yeting, George Ng, Daniel Nganga, Phil O'Hara, Trudi Oosterhuis, Moving into the Boyle-McCaul- ey neighborhood led me even further Natasha laurence, John Kolkman, Penelope Tew, Kathleen Quinn, Kim O'le ary &.-- John Reilly, into the heart ofthe community and its deepest needs. Finally all the pieces Kimberley Chung, Dan Glugosh, lana Phillips, George Sarantis, Henry Schuurman, Erwin Florence Miller, Erwin Seeger, Miranda Kingma Seeger, Michael Serhan, Garry Spoiowski, started to fit together with me in my place in Edmonton. I began writing for Photography: Garry Spoiowski, Pieter de Vos, Gordon Stamp, Caroline Stuart, Heidi Veluw, the smaller newspapers that got their start in the inner city. I started volun- l-aur- st Natasha ence Lionel Wasylishen, Bonnie Watt, John-We- Accounting: Rosalie Gelderman family. teering at The Mustard Seed and Bissell Centre. Working in their Drop-I- n Advertising: Erwin Seeger Centres and Mustard Seed's PAC introduced me to my neighbors. Then I found the truth, or at least my truth. Being a neighbour to others gives me a feelingof community and neighbourhood. Thisneighbourhoodfeelsmore Why like home to me because ofits diversity ofneeds and individuals and Volunteer? because ofits commitment to serving others in a variety ofways. My 1 ife reminds me now ofthe verse in Christian Scriptures: ". . .God you'll have fun, meet sets thelonely in families... "(Psalm 68:6a). First, Hegavemethe family Because 1 j with whom 1 i ve and share every day. Then, I le brought me into the larger people in the community and family included in Edmonton. Now I'm a part ofthis whole world, and I be able to get some fresh air rej'oiceinthat!!! and exercise. Plus, you help support the community and $115,000 in grants for may participate in the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Caboto Park upgrade Recognition. Only takes around Fundraisingfortheredevelopmentof 30 minutes a month. Giovanni Caboto Park got a few huge boosts last month as organizers received Our coal is 4 significant grants from Edmonton or- $750,000 Give us a call! ganizations: the City ofEdmonton con- firmed a grant for $80,000 toward the :100 new spray deck that will be a fun replace- Boyle McCauley News: ment ofthe cracked and worn out wading 425-347- 5 pool; the Edmonton Eskimos gave $25,000 over the next two year. The Junior Leagueof Edmonton contribut- ed $10,000 and the Edmonton Radio Group helped out with a $5,000 dona- Story and advertisement deadline for June 2005 tion. 425-347- Organizers are "absol utely del ighted" issue is May 20, 2005. Phone: 5 with the financial help as they continue the Fax: 425-624- 4 Email: bmcnewstelus.net quest of fully funding the community's New writers and photographers welcome! vision forthe park. Sales of individual "bricks" are also Placing an Ad? Call Erwin Seeger at 472-235- 4 "moving briskly ."accordingtoorganizer Ron Berczan, who isgrateful forall con- We reserve the right to consider articles or ads tributions, large and small. arriving after deadline for the next issue. Anyone can "buy a brick" and sup- port the upgrade. Buy a Bronze Brick Coordinator Kimberly Chung is for $50, a Silver Brick for SI 00. and a Volunteer Gold Brick for $500. Donors will be in the office Wednesdays 2:30 - 4:30 pm. recognized on a plaque in the park. Boyle McCauley News May 2005

AISH goes

By Natasha Laurence

McCauley resident, David Grant, can'tquitcbelieveit. only will the handicapped have m6re "All these years we waited,"he says, moncytoliveon, theywill also beableto shaking his head vigorously and smil ing keepmore ofthe money theycam i fthcy widely. work. Grant is one ofthe 30,000 Albcrtans Grant isn't sure about this one. He whorelyonAlSH.theprovince'sfuiancial thinks he might find ajob.but his illness safety net for severely handicapped makes it difficult. people. On April 1 5 2005, he received "I don't know, I'll see," he says. a piece ofgood news from Yvonne Fritz, Right now he's just happy to hear Minister of Seniors and Community While Dave Grantwishes the AISH increase washigher, he'll take it all about the increase in his income. The Supports. As ofthis month, his income the same. newamount,he figures, will allowhim to will go up onehundred dollars, and ayear make it past the middle ofthe month with from this month, itwill go up another fifty 1 979 tohelp meet the needs ofAlbertans the end the Minister went with a more some money left over. He thinks he dollars'Weheard that manyAlSHclients so severely disabled they could not work conservative figure. Alongwith the raise in might get a new TV or maybe make a felt the living allowance of$850 a month to support themselves. In 2004 a living allowance, the Minister dedicated trip to Slave Lake in the summer, but was too low," said the Minister in her committee ofthreeMLAs gathered public two mil lion dollars to establ ish contracts until the money is actually in his account news release, input, reviewed the program and made with experts designed to help AISH staff he's not making any solid plans. ; Grant couldn't agree more, "Eight-fifty-fived6esn'tgetyouanywhere.Ni- ne-fi several recommendations. figure out who is really eligible forAISH. Although he has been assured the Grant's good news was one ofthem. She also generously implemented the good news is indeed true, five years after; ftyfive,that'sbetter.'' Although the committee did recommend a committee's recommendations to improve the last increases, he's having a littlev ne AISH programwas established in larger increase in the living allowance, in the earning power ofAISH clients. Not troublebehevingit, , Letters Kudos for Caboto organizing committee As I read my community paper "Boyle McCauley News" (April) I felt so The Alberta government's 1 00th anniversary budget may appear to have had proud to have been a resident ofMcCauley for well over twenty years. gi ftsforall, even forsomeofourlow-incomeneighbours.Buttotal- ly missed For the Giovanni Caboto Park Organizing Committee, I can only imagine again were the 30,000 households who receive social assistance. The govern- how frustrating it may have been at times, after many hours, days, weeks, ment is to be commended for the increased support being given people with months and even years ofmeetings and paper work. But you wouldn't hear

disabilities (AISH) and low-inco- me seniors, as well as for the planned increase in this from them, they are too much ofa dedicated people and only have one the minimum wage to support low-wa- ge employees. But it is incomprehensible thing in mind, the RENOVATION OF GIO VANI CABOTO PARK. I can why social assistance rates were not increased as wel 1. image the greatjoy in their hearts as they are finally reaching the point where it After beingcutback20 at the beginningof Ralph Klein's tenure as Premier, all now becomes a REALITY. social assistance rates have been increased only once in 1 2 years. (In 2003 the First ofall the grant from the McCauley Community League of$60,000 rates were increased by S20 a month for fam i 1 ies and those not expected to started the ball rolling, I recall that original motion very well, unfortunately, I work.) was dropped from the Board ofDirectors and lost touch as to the progress of Finance M inister Shirley McClellan reminded us in the Budget speech this week this great undertaking. Just think, they have reached close to three quarters of ofthe Premier's pledge in 1 993 that "if Albertans helped us get rid ofthe deficit their financial goal of$750,000, you eight committee members are not only and debt, they would reap the rewards for their hard work." And certainly we dedicated people, you are concerned citizens on behal fofour elderly, our

in-betwe- are reaping the rewards ofliving in a debt-fre- e province. But there are too many young children and en. Albcrtans who are missing out on these rewards. Too often we tend to forget to say TI 1 ANK YOU to those who have given Among them are the over 50,000 women, men and children in Alberta for so much oftheirtime to benefit all ofour community. As a retired community whom social assistance is inadequate, providing for only 40-8- 0 oftheir basic activist in my eighties 1 speak to many local people, young and old alike on a needs (based on the Market Basket Measure thresholds). A debt-fre- e Alberta is daily bases, and the Giovani Caboto Park renovation becomes a very serious certainly in a position to increase their wel fare benefits so that they can at least topic. Words like, ..thank goodness, some one is doing something about the provide for their basic needs. Park, to ' ...1 just can't wait.' Speaking with a young lady with three kids in tow, They deserve an invitation to the Alberta centennial party too. she said "I sure wish I could help out some way, but with three kids my finan- cial situation is not possible for me to contribute, however I will pray for the John Pater , Communications Coordinator success ofthis project". Edmonton Social Planning Council Well, could that be '....donation in kind?' 7S0.423.2031 www.edmspc.com Before it gets forgotten in celebration mode, I wish to say on behalf ofall the many people that I have spoken to: TI IANK YOU ORGANIZING COM- MITTEE, MUCHO MUCHO THANK YOU! Klmo Trent Sr., McCauley May 2005 Boyle McCauley News

at Atonement Home

By Florence Miller ' , Directly in front ofme is the massive brick structure ofAtonement I lome, jtieated at 1 1035 - 92 Street. Thebuildinghasarichhistory. Fromwhenitwasbuiltin 1907until 1942, it was used as an isolation hospital for people with communicable diseases. In 1942, under the auspices of the Franciscan Sisters of Atonement, it became an orphanage and temporary 1 . receiving home for children in need. An addition was built in 952, with the

orphan-agecloscd- CKUA building housing between 60 and 70 children, in fants to teenagers. The in Popular songster and deejay Andy Donnelly not only performed 1988. at the anniversary celebrations but assisted with the concert. Currently,theSistersofAtonementofferaHeadStartprogram,aswellasa l

full-tim- e Kindergarten for low-inco- me families in the Boyle-McCaul- ey aridS BMHC celebrates 25 years Parkdale areas. Both programs are free, however parental participation and input are required. of inner city health care Head Start is an early childhood intervention program that encourages0 child's intellectual, emotional, spiritual and physical development. By Arnold Waxwing Children who come from famil ies that constantly struggle with povert0? The Boy le McCauley Health Centre own words he "used and abused the isolation, sole-parentin- g, language barriers, unemployment, hunger and too few (BMHC) celebratedits 25th anniversary system foryears. . .wasalways in trouble resources are nurtured at a young age so they can take that love and carej at Sacred Heart Church on April 1 6. with the law." But through a combina- throughouttheirlives. , t,j" There were stirringmemories shared, tion ofthe compassion and subtle ges- The Head Start program has wonderful classrooms with a variety1 fs warm-hearte- d speeches from dignitaries tures ofacceptance shown by doctors at educational materials to stimulate children asyoungas 3 12 years. r ;, representing all levels ofgovernment, the centre, together wit h their abi I i ty to Each day, the Head Start and Kindergarten children enjoy a hot meal , and - delicious food, and great musical enter- call him "when I was trying to pull the spend time in the classroom and the wonderful playground. The playground Was . tainment from Bill Werthmann, Andy wool over their eyes," Jenkins was able provided by a grant from the downtown Rotary Club, a long-tim- e supporter of Donnelly and Harry Welling. to start beating back some of his de- the work at Atonement Home. S Since 1980, BMHC has provided a mons, rediscoverthe strength in his spir- Vol unteers often come up with very innovative proj ects to support AtoneV wide range ofprimary health care and ituality and get on a healthier track in ment Home. For example, Gwen Burk invests hundreds of hours knitting health promotion services to residents life. It was not an easy struggle but he beautiful sweaters for the Head Start children. from BoyleStreet.McCauleyandNor-woo-d eventually became an addictions coun- " hlacKcrnrdcanTcIioose a sweater - Giraffes, bunnies, fish, flowers, trains and ,v as well as to people without Al- selor and is now a manager for the ; i.-- .. Ca :it-- t,n -- a i r. .1 t ) ,wrs arcj usi some 01 me pauerns a vauaoic.i w nai a wonueri ui junuaiy gi'cfu berta Health Care insurance coverage. Salvation Army. warm the hearts and bodies ofthe Head Start children. . The centre provides health care to The centre averages 2300 health Through their programs, the Sisters ofAtonement Home serve overOol people on the patient's terms, without care visits each month. A dedicated Ifwomen and children every year. judgement ofli festyleorcircumstances. volunteer work force of44 people helps flpT' Itis estimated that for each dollar snent on Head Start Droerams. five to'si As Volunteer Coordinator Denise Mc-Clar- en staff in al 1 aspects ofthe centre's opera- " dollars are saved in future special education, social assistance, health care andj says,"OneofthethingsI admire tions. cnminalj ustice costs. most about the centre is how we ap- Those operations include primary The Sisters also run the Lurana Shelter for women and children in crisis! proach things from a harm reduction "regular" medical care, along with sev- Trained staffoperate a 24 hourseven days a week Crisis and Referral Line (424- - point of view. Kudos to BMHC for eral outreach programs like Kindred 5875.TTY Enabled). treating all people with dignity and re- House, a service to women and trans-gender- ed Men who worry that they may become abusive often call for help. spect." prostitutes, Streetworks, a ' . For more in formation, or to learn how you can contribute to the Head Start! Sometimes, not only is harm reduced needle exchange program, and Haart

'program, the Kindergarten and the Lurana Shelter, either call 422-726- 3, e-mai- l!;1 but the Centre can help to turn wayward House, support for HI V and AIDS af- directorluranashelter.com, orvisit their website at www.atonementfiome.com lives around. fected communitymembers.TheCentre Such is the case ofJoseph Jenkins, a also works in concert with other agen- . wi- - "v.-- .. patient ofthe Centre in 1 990 -- 9 1 . In his cies such as Operation Friendship.

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IMPORTERS, PACKERS & DISTRIBUTORS OF ITALIAN FOOPS 'IN ORDER TO RECIEVE A FREE EYE EXAMINATION. CUSTOMER MUST BUY A COMPLETE SET OF EYE GLASSES. TERESA SPINELLI 424-46- 20 Boyle McCauley News May 2005

A celebration in music & art

By Penelope Tew Energy and talent were the mainstay at the 2nd annual Heart ofthe City Festival auditions that recently took place at the Sacred I leart School gymnasl uni. Although the gym presented an acoustically challenging environment to the performers and the sound technician, everyone's talents shone through anyway. TJhere was new music and great talent from the heart ofEdmonton; Allofthe muSicjans performed original music and the cal iberranged from good to"wovv'l Those ofus listening were in awe ofthe diversity oftalented people who took the time audition. to t ThemusiciansvvereshowingtheirwillingnesstobeinvolvedintheHcartof the City Festival, which takes place on June 1 1 th at the Sacred Heart GardefuMi; 6Ui Street and 108 Avenue. Theparticipatingartists live, work or volunteer irij Alan Bissonnette of the Lion's Club. the core ofthe city. JayDerkach,LivingIllusion,JohnnyButtons,Roscoe ' Taytuna and Mary Rankin arejust a fewof the acts invited to play so far, an d ?m invitations to other bril I iant musicians are still being issued. " Lion's Club feeds 800 monthly You will hear folk, country, hip-ho- p, hard rock, mainstream, polka, world beat, and so many more sounds created by new artists. By Natasha Laurence "We fed 700 people the first time-ste- w, This festival is about more than music. Original art from centrally base 1 Alan Bissonnette, president of the salad and dessert. Now we regu- artists will also be displayed throughout the festival grounds. These piecesNvi 1 i 1 Edmonton House Lion's Club, the sec- larly plan for 800 people." be available for sale. .' S ond oldest chapter in Edmonton, is ded- The Lion's Club, which organizes the EEyen , though the weather was uncooperative at last year's Festival, 3 0d fiard icated to increasing the club's profile in Klondike Days Dream Home fundrais-in- g soul s showed up and made for an enthusiastic audience. . For the past five campaign, is dedicated to serving the months, with the help ofthe Edmonton monthly meal foraslongas the volunteers dancers irprn the neighbourhood. City -- ofChampions Lion's Club, he has i ill-- . I I i i andfundingholdsout. i j . I.. ill junc iiii isuuuy iu cuiciiuai mid-mon- th iiuicuuyuui uwiuucaiautuwctuucui organized a free meal for 'So many people come to meetings excitingnewmusicontwostagesandviewsomeuniqueartwork. inner city residents. Held in the basement nowsayinghowexceptionallyinteresting Admission is free, so we'll see you there! of Sacred Heart Church, the midday theexpcrienceis,"saysBissonnette,"and

heart-wrenchin- feast has been consistently well attended. in some case g."

Dr. C. W. Ho OPTOMETRIST itEART OF Optical OMcloii 1 WS CiW Murnc .HI FSSTt Family Vision Eye Class Care dispensing Contact Lens On-Si- te lab Therapy Student & Senior (Standard -- Discounts Disposable Speciality) Social Service, Office hours: Seniors Health & & Mon.toFri. 10 a.m. -- 6 p.m. Indian Saturday 10 a.m. 6 p.m. Veterans Affairs Sun. & Hoi. 11:30 a.m. -- 5 p.m. claims welcomed s LENSES TINTEDl 425-33- 22 Ultraviolet. tRtt Protection Coating SCRATCH RESISTANT! 1 0638 - 97 ST. COATING Derkach one of the many exciting performers who auditioned Jay is exam is provided with purchase with coupon and purchase of a i Heart the City Festival. for the of es of eye-glass-

Boyle-McCaul- ey Denture Clinic The Finest European Quality - Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday 10815A 95 Street Closed Sunday; considered a family day by Italian Bakery

KALIAN We specialize in European breads, pastries, torta, rye, BAKERY sour dougfiwhite sour dough bread, crusty buns and offer a full line offresh Italian meats and cheeses. 425-84- 71 LTD. ITALIAN BREAD DELI 10 loaves Great Selection White or llrown Sliced Cheeses & Coldcuts Kevin C.W. Cho CDM Certified Denturist $8.90 Italian Sandwiches $2 and up Made Fresh Daily - Fast and tasty No extra billing for Social Assistance patrons 10644-9- 7 41 18-- 1 18 Ave. 7910-- 1 18 Ave. St. 474-989- 424-483- or Senior Citizens 474-222- 9 1 0 WE OFFER WHOLESALE PRICES DAILY

i 6 May 2005 Boyle McCauley News

Above, Chris Norman andhis daughters Chelsea andJasmine enjoy exploring i nature inside Klnnard Ravine. "They ask a lot of questions!" he said. Left, Dave Hayman jogs regularly through Kinnard Ravine. Above right, Cathy, . 1 LET'S TAKE IT Max, Bianca and Warren Preuss take a break from their bike trip.

Left at Kinnard leads to McCauley .By Garry Spotowski

Strange how a simple walk in the park can hoodoos and the view ofthe golfcourse across the So I meandered up and down the streets and y. change the courseofyourlife. Ishouldknow. It river is fine. lanes of McCauley. I don't have a clue really, y happened to me. As I walked along, I came to a sign I'd seen a where I went. All over the place, I guess, just c r I was living in Kensington, a fine community million times. enjoyingtheair.takingitin.

ear-to-e- ar westofNorthgateMall, packed with Kinnard Ravine it read. I'd actually been to the area many times, as I 'd . j .33 bedroom bungalows. Left it pointed. been going to Eskimo games at Clarke Stadium 'V It had its pleasures, but I'd been casually For some reason, in all the times I had walked or since about 1 964 or so. 3 biked there, I had never made that turn, even though But somehow, by approaching through Kin 7 lyears. I love scoping out different trails looking for views of nard Ravine, thewhole place tookon some kind ofi FM've always liked spending time in the valley the city. strange potential. raid I had a frisky young dog. It would be great That day was different. I saw houses for sale here and there. no move where I could simply step out ofmy I went left I continued to walk and walk. raoor.and walk the dog in the valley we both What a beautiful place to walk. It's narrow and Somehow my wanderings returned me to oncy enjoy; deeply cleaved. The city has put in a gentle roller ofthe houses for sale, by serendipity really. , PTrouble was, most places along the river felt coaster of a trail meandering along its west side. I'd been by once already, but it looked so good,$? grannie pricey. You're buried in a deep, cool, piney quiet. It feels I couldn't believe I'djust gone by earlier. It was " Oneday.Iwasovervisitingmybrotherand contemplative, recreational and natural. bordered on one side by a lane. sister-in-la- w, who 1 ive in Ritchie. You look down onto a succession ofbeaver dams As I walked down that lane, I was bombarded We enjoyed a fine sunny morning, sitting in and moist, fecund valley floor. And it's a fairly short, by barkingand woofing from three dogs inside the . jheirsunroom looking onto a park. easy walk, really just a kilometer or so. How had I yard. A second story window swung open and a v I remember thinking, "I'd like to have a missed this treasure for so long? woman with long,brown hair poked her head put, house with a sunroom overlooking a park." I emerged from its cool at SherifTRobertsonPark, yelling at the dogs to shut up. I looked up. She As is thankfully often the case, I had nothing on 82 Street, just south of 1 1 2 Avenue. looked down. "Your house is for sale?" "Yes, - much to do that day, so I decided to go on a I wasbeckoned by Commonwealth Stadium tothe "Can I look?" "'. favourite walk - from Dawson Park, on the west west. I love that structure - the most beautiful, sculp- As I sit here ten years later, writing this in the side ofDawson bridge, along the north side of tural architecture in town. Underneath theLRTstation sunroom, looking onto G iovanni Caboto Parkt I

! ' the valley toCapilano bridge- - asection I'd been I went, through the stadium complex I wandered. lightly revisit some 0 fthe great memories I ye had , 3ithrpugh a hundred times or more. I encountered houses. 'This seems promising," I here. ,;, I I love that part ofthe valley; it gets lots ofsun, thought. "What a fine walk from the river valley. I Funny what can happen when you gpjeft atj Boyle McCauley News May 2005 7

flrt'sf conception of the Chinese Garden destined for Louise McKinney Riverfront Park. The park is just below the Shaw Convention Centre. Construction Begins on Chinese Garden By Debbie Yeung and George Ng Centrally located on the north side ofthe ri verbank Located toward the eastern side ofthe park, near the below and to the east ofthe Shaw Convention Centre rose garden, the Chinese Garden will occupy 1.25 M V is Louise McKinney Riverfront Park. acres. During the winter the park is relatively quiet. In the In its conceptual design as depicted in the artist's summer, however, it plays host to the Edmonton drawing, itwillfeatureauthenticChinese architecture Dragon Boat Festival (scheduled for August 1 9 to 2 1 and horticulture. See Robins this year). It is also a busy spot on July 1" when There will be two pavilions, a nine-drago- n wall, a the Edmontonians flock there to secure a good location stone bridge, arock pond, two gates and many winding By Erwin Seeger to watch the fireworks. paths and stone carvings. Robins are easily the most familiar and best-love- d Over the past few years the park has become The Chinese Garden will also include narratives and birds. A promise seems to have been kept as we see

mid-Apr- more developed as city planners hope to attract more displays on the history ofEdmonton Chinese pioneers. the familiar brick-re- d breast arrive in il. people from downtown to enjoy its riverfront charms. The budget for the project is $ 1 ,500,000. Boyle Street and McCauley areblessed with abun- There are two more exciting developments coming in The land is provided by the City but the development dant trees, hedges and boulevards where robins can 2005. and construction ofthe Chinese Garden is undertaken perch. The olderresidential lots contain trees that they A $ 1 ,500,000 Centennial Legacy grant from the by hard-worki- ng volunteerswho formed the Edmonton seek out for theirnests-crabapp- le, evergreens, lilac, provincial government will be used to develop a Chinese Garden Society in August, 2000. honeysuckle and mountain ash. Most ofus have heard Centennial Plaza on the west side ofthe park. Through a variety offundraising activities and grants the magical song ofthe male robin, delivered from on The festive plaza will include new washroom from the three levels of government, the Society has high. When he sings, he is tell ing us that he is looking facil ities, and buildings for food vendors and river raised sufficient funds to commence Phase I with a for a mate and is warning any other male robins to stay valley outfitters who could rent out visitorsbicycles, budget of$800,000. away from the area he has staked out. rollerblades, canoes and the like. Before long, Edmontonians could be sipping lattes They find a suitable nesting site, sometimes near Edmontonians will also soon witness the com- from a coffee shop after a leisurely walk at the Chinese their old one, and prepare to raise their families. mencement ofconstruction ofthe Chinese Garden Garden in the Louse McKinney Park! Robins will often produce several clutches ofeggs in this spring. spring and summer; how many depends on weather and food availability. Robins run swiftly across our lawns, stopping to look around. They then tap around on the ground, looking for worms. I fone is found, they pull it out, for this high protein prize is grabbed eagerly. Worms are the chief food foryoungrobins. On a diet such as this, they will grow strong. I fyou see the spotted, fluffy robin fledgl ings on the ground, make sure to leave them alone. The parent birds are always nearby to help them find food. These youngsters have to grow fast because they must be ready to fly south with the adults in September. The chiefenemy ofthe robin is the household cat. When threatened, they will let out a series of sharp warning sounds. Ifyou have a soft spot for robins and don't want the cats to get them, you can report unlicensed stray cats to the City Pound at

496-886- 0. May 2005 Boyle McCauley News Downtown on the Wild Side Babies of spring By Khnbcrley Chung As we arc busy gctt i ng our yards and stalking it), leave it alone. I fthe flcdgl ing gardens ready for spring and summer, is in danger, the best thing is to place it on animalsare working frantically as well, a branch ofa nearby tree, or i fit's your but thei r type o fwork i s qui tc di ffercnt. animal putting it in danger, keep your For them, the continuation oftheir fam- animal inthe house forawhile. ilies and species is what's important at As for hares and othermammals such thistimcofyear. as deer, you might come upon their ba- What should you do ifyou find a baby bies lying very still in the grass. Leave bird out ofits nest or a baby hare lying in them alone! the grass? Many ofthese animals don't The mothers ofthese animals come actually need help, or could be helped back only a few times a day to feed their very simply i fyou know what to do. babies. Al 1 types o fan imals are preparing to This helps keep prcdatorsfrom find- have babies come spring. For the birds ing them through the mother's scent. downtown, thisusually means building These babies instinctively 1 ie very still so nests in neighbourhood trees. Often, a as not to draw attention to themselves. I f baby bird wi 1 1 fal 1 out o fits nest onto the you come too close, they might try to run ground. These birds are called nestlings andthemothermaynotfinditagain. If and are usually naked or have very few you touch these animals, more often than feathers. The best thing you can do is not the mothers will not look after them look for the nest it fell out ofand put it because they can smel I you. Unless these back! Themotherbirdwillcontinueto animals are in danger, don't interfere with care for it even i fyou have touched it-t- heir thematall. sense ofsmell is actually very poor There are many other situations that (contrary to w hat many people bel ieve). could take place, but these are the most 1 fyou find a bird on the ground that common. Wildl i fe rehabil itators always Lana Phillips is one of the many volunteers writing for the has all of its feathers, it is probably a prefer that animals remain in the wild i fat Boyle McCauley News. Thanks Lanal To read more, see our fledgling. This means it's in the process all possible, so please help with this. If Volunteer Gallery on page 2. oflearninghowtofly. They usually don't you are unsure about anything or en- f need to be rescued, as they o ften spend counter a situation not mentioned here, time resting on the ground. Unless it is callthe Wildlife RehabilitationSociety at Cash-flus- h Eskies dream obviously injured or in danger (i.e. a cat 914-411- 8. up stadium changes Schmitz Denture Centre By John Kolkman 10538 - 97 Street As expected, City Council recently suggested the organization was giving Will You Smiling" approved the installation ofartificial turf serious consideration to installinganin-flatabl- e "Our Impression Keep in Clarke Stadium, a move intended to dome over the entire playing field giveEdmonton'samateursportteamsa at Clarke. Denturist weather proofsurface to play on. This would al low the Eskimos to prac-tic-e K.L Larson The city will recover most of the in Clarke during inclement weather estimated $2.5 million cost from the and would allow the stadium to be used Edmonton Eskimos as part of an ar- for soccer, footbal 1 and other events on a

rangement made when the Trappers year-roun- d basis. baseball team was sold. The Eskimos An infiat