ISSUE 2 VOLUME 4 APRIL/MAY 2017 Resident-led action heroes ©Sean Hurley ©Sean by Sean Hurley On any given day, Crown Point volunteers are working to make our community a better place to live. Working with faith groups, the city, agencies, and part- ners, the planning team produces this newspaper, funds service projects, plants gardens, advocates for green space, trees, and playgrounds, brings mental health services closer to everyone, and helps residents turn problems into solutions. Elizabeth Seidl who lives on London Street North, represented Crown Point at “Park People”, a confer- ence in Calgary where she talked about her work on the Pipeline Trail. Julie Berube, who lives in Crown Point, teamed up with Sherman’s Angie Mallory to begin My Free Hamilton. These two brave women open up about their own struggles to help bring available and free health resources to others. The kids who brought the pump track to Gage Park have been running a bicycle co-op under the guidance of New Hope Community Church for eight years. Neighbours from Crown Point and Homeside have come together to work for the The Crown Point Community Planning Team (CPCPT) is a resident-led organization that works to revitalization of Kenilworth. bring grass-roots initiatives to reality. From left, Bev Wagar, chief instigator at the Garden Club, Not all, but most of these efforts involve action Cynthia Lokker, Editor in Chief at The Point and Co-Treasurer of the planning team, and Lyna teams, small groups of people who do the work to make Saad, past community developer. The photo was taken last September on Ottawa Street North. things happen. Dina D’Ermo leads the Crown Point Traffic Calming action team that has just completed a in our neighbourhood. We tried to engage as many resi- survey on traffic safety. Bev Wagar began the gardening Crown Point dents as possible so we could develop a plan that is more club that will run its second Garden Day this spring representative of the neighbourhood. in the parking lot of the Crown Point Community neighbourhood action plan We categorized the feedback into larger themes to Church. Anne Vallentin from Crown Point and bring focus to the plan. A small subcommittee will take Kathleen Livingston from Homeside, partnering with by Cynthia Lokker the responses and derive action goals for our new plan. Green Venture, will depave a portion of the Holy Family Church parking lot on Kenilworth and reinte- n February 4, 2015, Hamilton city council en- Once there is a draft of the action items, the plan will grate the property with the street. dorsed Crown Point Community Planning Team’s be presented to the planning team for approval. We will O It all starts with an individual. A resident. Someone first action plan. The action plan was based on input also publish the draft plan in our next issue of The Point. just like anyone else who is willing to champion a from residents, service providers, and businesses in the cause. The planning team describes the work we do neighbourhood. The plan had a number of overarching Themes: as “resident led” because the efforts are intended to be goals, with specific action items. You can read it here: • Neighbourhood character crownpointhamilton.wordpress.com/neighbourhood- • Advocacy grassroots. The planning team, through the city, assists action-plan • Community residents who wish to lead the charge—with small grants,volunteers, and technical and administrative sup- Fast forward two years, and the planning team is in • Greening and Environment port through a community developer. the midst of a plan update. We’ve met many of our ori- • Youth The Crown Point Community Planning Team ginal goals, some projects are still underway, and some • Health and safety (CPCPT) meets on the third Monday of every month. of the items are less relevant than they were a few years • Poverty/Economic development Currently we are meeting at the offices of the Hamilton ago because the neighbourhood has evolved. The plan • Revitalization/Beautification and District Labour Council on Barton opposite the update process will allow the Neighbourhood Action • Space/amenities Centre Mall. Meeting reminders are posted on the Strategy partnership with the city to continue to sup- • Safe streets Facebook group. Just search for Crown Point Hub. port our existing and new actions. The Executive consists of the Co-Chairs, the Co- Why should a neighbourhood have a plan? There are Our goal is also to have city council endorse the new Treasurers, and the Co-Secretaries. They are responsible benefits to having measurable and clear goals for the action plan. This allows city departments to include to: develop policies; develop planning processes; main- planning team and the affiliated action teams. For one relevant and possible action items into their work plans. tain Terms of Reference and protocols; set an annual thing, the team can support current and new action One of the planning team’s greatest successes is the review of policies and practices; hold the annual general teams that undertake work on the plan. Support can Pipeline Trail. Our original plan included enhance- meeting; oversee affairs of the CPCPT; communicate to come in the form of small grants, connections to other ments to the trails, many of which the City supported the public, elected officials, funders and service provid- people who want to help work on a similar goal, or and now there is a new parkette being constructed along ers on behalf of the CPCPT; and attend Crown Point liaisons with our councillors and city staff. the trail at Kenilworth Avenue. Continuation of the Community Planning Team meetings and Executive You may have filled in a postcard last summer asking trail across the street and into the Homeside neighbour- meetings. Each executive member will serve for a two- you what you would like to keep or protect, stop or hood is part of the old plan that has been actively taken year term with co-terms alternating. change, and start or introduce in our neighbourhood. up by the city and a number of city departments. Anyone who lives in Crown Point and wishes to sit Postcards were available through The Point, at local This issue of The Point focuses on the work of some on the executive committee should contact us at execu- coffee shops, and at planning team meetings. We even of our current action teams. Though some of the work [email protected] prior to the April 17th meeting had bicycle-powered outreach (donated by New Hope comes from our existing action plan, many new teams for details and information regarding the specific roles. Community Bikes) into a few parks! You may have have sprung up when there have been enough people Individually and together we can make a difference completed a drawing on the back page of The Point, interested in making a change. If you have an idea for where we live. We prove it every day. Turn the pages to contributed your thoughts through Facebook surveys, an action team, let us at [email protected] find out how. or at the Ottawa Street sale in September. We received or come to a meeting. responses from more than 75 people! Sean Hurley edits The Point and is Co-Chair of the Crown These outreach efforts conveyed a broader sense of Cynthia Lokker is Editor-in-Chief of The Point and Co- Point Community Planning Team. what residents of Crown Point would like to see happen Treasurer of the Crown Point Community Planning Team. 2 THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017

SPIRIT OF CROWN POINT

farm from my brother’s. I don’t want to see my brother Building bridges anymore and I would like for you to build a high fence by Rev. Shelley Smith there please. I’m going into town and I’ll be back this evening. or the past three months I have been reflecting a When he came back that evening, he was shocked to Fgreat deal on neighborhoods, cities, and countries. see that the carpenter had not followed his instructions. We have been flooded with media talk about building Instead of building a high fence, he had built a bridge walls, separating people, naming who is included and over the stream. The man walked down to take a look PUBLISHER who is excluded, all with very negative thinking, speak- Fatima Mesquita at the bridge, and as he did, his brother walked toward • ing, and acting. him from the other side. His brother said, “After all the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Perhaps like me, you are concerned about actions terrible things I’ve done to you over the years, I can’t Cynthia Lokker that divide rather than unite, separate rather than con- believe that you would build a bridge and welcome me • nect. Perhaps you are motivated by fear rather than love. back.” He reached out to his brother and gave him a big MANAGING EDITOR I must admit I am not familiar with the theme of ac- Sean Hurley hug. • tion teams although I have walked the Pipeline Trail. It The brother then walked back up to his farmhouse to PHOTO EDITOR is apparent that action teams are a very important part talk to the carpenter. “Can you stay?” he asked. “I have Tanya Field of Crown Point and that they have a very positive im- more work for you to do.” The carpenter answered, “I’m • EDITING AND PROOF TEAM pact in our neighborhoods. Our action teams are doing sorry but I can’t stay. I have to go, for I have many other things differently and so I wanted to share a story with Tyler Fish, Jeff Hayward, Sean Hurley, bridges to build.” (author unknown) Deborah LeBaron, Tiffany Madden, Michelle Martin, you about taking an alternative approach. Sometimes we have disagreements with the people Elisha Stam, Matt Terry, Bev Wagar Once upon a time, there were two brothers. When we love. When that happens, we often build a fence • the brothers first started farming on their adjoining between ourselves and them. We stop talking to them. DESIGN AND PRODUCTION TEAM Johanna Chaytor, Alise deBie, Elizabeth Seidl, farms, they were the best of friends and would share We don’t want to see them. We don’t want to be around everything together. Then, one day there was an argu- Agnieszka Wierzbicka, Magda Wierzbicka them. I would argue that action teams are an act of love • ment between the two brothers and they stopped for our communities. Perhaps instead of building walls, ADVERTISING SALES speaking to one another. For many years not a word was we can try to do differently and build bridges instead as Cynthia Lokker spoken between them. our action teams are doing here in Crown Point. May [email protected] • One day, one of the brothers was at his house when our wonderfully diverse community of Crown Point a carpenter came to his door and said, “I would like to DELIVERY MANAGER continue to grow and prosper. Tim Brand do some work. Do you have any work that I can do?” • The brother thought for a moment and then replied, Shelley Smith is the Minister at Delta United Church and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “I would like for you to build a fence on my property. she is a resident of the Crown Point community. Hamilton Community Foundation Build it down near the stream there that separates my CONTACT THE POINT

WRITE c/o 16 Grosvenor Ave S., Hamilton, ON L8M 3K9 EMAIL [email protected] EVENTS TIPS [email protected] ADS [email protected] ©Sean Hurley ©Sean ACCESS THE POINT ONLINE thepointhamilton.wordpress.com

WE WOULD LIKE TO MEET YOU!

CROWN POINT COMMUNITY PLANNING TEAM meets every third Monday of every month from 6:30–8:30 p.m. Please see Facebook page or website for location.

CROWNPOINTHUB.CA

CROWN POINT HUB

@CROWNPOINTHUB Crown Point Community Church suffered a break-in this past March. Instead of closing in, the church opened, up inviting Crown Point neighbours to participate in a pot luck lunch. Ward 4 Councillor Sam Merulla, pictured, contributed $350 worth of food for the effort from the Parm House on Kenilworth. THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017 3

Are you prepared for EDUCATION MATTERS an emergency? Diversity through our children’s eyes

by Larry Pattison immediately after that, but there is still one aspect of this process of which I am not a fan: starting off with ack when Donald Trump was just a candidate what is a mandatory staff recommendation. We tell Band he first started to make headlines for wanting communities that this is not a final decision but it has “stronger borders”, I looked around at my child’s play- in the past and continues today to divide our neighbor- ground and thought “If only Mr. Trump spent some hoods right out of the gate. time as a quiet bystander in his nation’s wonderfully We can’t take that initial report back. It’s there diverse schools.” online and in our PAR binders: three recommendations Now Trump is President, his discriminatory desires all pointing to closing one school. I have read your emails, articles, and letters. I’ve he City of Hamilton Emergency Management are coming to fruition, and Canada is the one picking up the pieces after six members of the Muslim com- heard your frustrated voices at our first public informa- Tprogram is all about the simple steps that help tion session and working group meetings. Whatever residents prepare for emergencies that can impact neigh- munity were murdered while praying peacefully in a Quebec City Mosque. your feelings regarding the success or failure of that bourhoods. These include weather-related emergencies, public session, the value of Hess Street Elementary natural disasters, and human-induced hazards. Your On February 4th, Hamilton Mosques opened their doors to our community. It was a peaceful, enlighten- School, for the north end community and especially family should be prepared to be self-sufficient for up to our newcomers, was loud and clear. 72 hours following an emergency. You and your family ing evening celebrating love and inclusion. Back in January, our Board held our first public We must ensure successful outcomes for everyone may be asked to shelter in place or to evacuate. Think within our municipal borders which includes cele- about pets, seniors, young children, those with special meeting at Sir John A. MacDonald to discuss the West Hamilton Pupil Accommodation Review or PAR. brating diversity in planning and developing local needs, or those who require special attention. solutions. Put together an emergency kit to keep at home and a Although I had attended accommodation review “go bag” to take if you evacuate. The goal is to remem- meetings as a community member and have now been a Trustee for two reviews, this was my first representing Larry Pattison is a resident of Crown Point and a trustee ber important items that may be overlooked when an with Hamilton Wentworth District School Board. emergency happens. a school I oversee. • Your emergency kit should include: Depending on who you ask, the meeting was not • for each person: a three-day supply of water and our best. But for me it couldn’t have gone any better. non-perishable food I have volunteered at my own girls’ schools on • flashlights with extra batteries or a wind-up numerous occasions over the years. Through this flashlight involvement, and now as an elected official, I have ADVERTISE IN • a manual can opener experienced the great diversity in our schools. I am • a first-aid kit proud of how our classrooms reflect our beautiful world • a wind-up radio community. • candles and matches or a lighter On that late evening in January, I saw a dynamic • pet supplies that I had never before experienced as I stood at the front of the near-capacity room with seven of my col- Our community newspaper is Reception centres or emergency shelters will be leagues looking out at community leaders, engaged opened when people are evacuated. In most reception Hamilton regulars, as well as interpreters of many dif- supported by advertising. We centres there will be cots, meals, and water. You will ferent languages. distribute 9000 copies every need to bring the following items, so be sure to include Addressing a crowd on any given occasion comes them in your “go bag”: with its own challenges, never mind a known divisive two months to the Crown Point • pillow process like accommodation reviews among Hamilton’s area, City Hall, and a number of • cell phone and charger most diverse neighborhoods. • laptop and charger I felt that Todd White (Chair), Sue Dunlop (Area locations downtown. • ear plugs Superintendent), and staff did a great job with what • change of clothes was a very vocally despondent crowd—as they should Please contact us for information • toothbrush and toothpaste have been. email [email protected] • medication Last year the Accommodation Review Process • books or something to keep you occupied was overhauled in a very positive way and field tested

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning, sometimes isolating entire neighbourhoods. Neighbours WARD 4 NEWS may need to rely on each other before help is able to arrive. Working together—as a team—with your neighbours before, during, and after a disaster not only Filing taxes can pay per year! Families receiving social assistance are eligible increases your resources, it could help save time and for the benefit too, and it isn’t deducted from Ontario lives. Getting to know your neighbours is an import- by Sam Merulla Works or ODSP. ant part of preparing for an emergency. There may be The City of Hamilton wants to make sure everybody people on your street who need more help than others. iling taxes may not be your idea of fun, but it can who is eligible can access the money to which they Consider older people living at home by themselves, Fmake a big difference to your family’s income. New are entitled. City staff are working with commun- people with disabilities or special needs, families with financial supports such as the Canada Child Benefit ity partners and poverty-reduction organizations to young children, and people newly arrived to the area. can mean hundreds of extra dollars per month for low- develop a plan to expand free community tax clinics in During an emergency check in regularly with your and middle-income families who have children up to Hamilton. In the meantime, please visit www.cra.gc.ca/ neighbours to see if they are okay and whether you can the age of 17. The only catch is, you must file your taxes getready to find out more about filing your taxes and be of any help. in order to access this extra money! receiving the Canada Child Benefit. Any emergency is easier to handle when you have For example, a family with two children, earning prepared ahead of time. For more information on preparing $28,000 a year, could be eligible for a tax-free benefit Sam Merulla is Hamilton’s Ward 4 Councillor, reach him at for an emergency visit www.hamilton.ca/emergency of $900 a month through the CCB—that’s $10,800 [email protected] 4 THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017

A BIG, BIG ©Jeff Hayward OPPORTUNITY on Ottawa Street for Hamilton artists By Jeff Hayward

he sign outside a familiar building on Ottawa TStreet North advertises a BIG BIG Wallpaper store inside. And while that business’s story is drawing to an end, a Hamilton organization has big, big plans for the next chapter. CoBALT Connects, the non-profit arts service organization behind the revitalization of 270 Sherman (The Cotton Factory), as well as a number of other studio spaces around Hamilton (including some on Cumberland Avenue), has grand plans to make 233 Ottawa St. N. a space for artists to rehearse, create, and even sell their wares. At almost 30,000 sq. ft. over three floors and a basement, the group sees huge potential to provide prime space for artists around the city. CoBALT hosted a drop-in session on February 28, CoBALT Connects has grand plans to make 233 Ottawa Street North a space for artists to inviting any interested parties to check out the space, rehearse, create, and sell their wares. pitch ideas and ask questions. The eager handful of people that showed up at the start of the afternoon-long downtown space for artists is starting to become scarce, ground floor space up and running by this September session proposed uses such as a drop-in maker space, and the prices can be prohibitive for some. “The rates we “if everything aligns,” and some of the CoBALT a music rehearsal venue, and even a place for artists to can offer at this building are not possible downtown,” Connects staff could be moving to the Ottawa Street store or exchange supplies. she said. “Our intention with this building is to keep it site from its current downtown location. That’s mostly in line with CoBALT’s own vision for as affordable as possible.” Selman and partner Jeremy Freiburger, the chief con- the space. While it’s looking to maintain retail space on That being said, the proposal is to charge the same nector and cultural strategist for CoBALT Connects, also the ground floor, which could also include small vendor monthly rate as the square footage requested. For ex- happen to be Crown Point area residents, moving here stalls, the second floor could end up as individual artist ample, if an artist wanted 200 sq. ft., they’d pay $200 from the Sherman Hub neighbourhood a few years ago. studios or a shared workspace. The third floor needs to a month for a minimum one-year lease, although she be finished (which CoBALT plans to undertake), but mentioned there could be shorter-term leases available To propose ideas or secure space at the Ottawa Street also has potential for event space and other uses. for market spaces on the ground floor. That proposed location, send an email to [email protected]. Kim Selman, strategic initiatives lead for CoBALT rate would include utilities and “basic marketing” but Connects, showed the early visitors through the first not on-site parking, which is available on the street and Jeff Hayward is a Crown Point resident and ex-pat two floors of the building, still filled with rolls of at municipal lots. Torontonian who is enjoying watching his new wallpaper and Christmas decorations. She said that Kim explained that the group’s goal is to have the neighbourhood grow. THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017 5 Cascade of light by Ingrid Mayrhofer

f you think that nothing is new in people (Chris, Ute, Werner, and I) took Icontemporary art you may be right— on the challenge. We had only a few or not. The Guardian’s Jonathan Jones months to plot, plan, and test. City observed in May 2014, “Contemporary Parks staffer Cory Manning helped with art isn’t original—even copying has been securing a location and facilitating the done before.” Yet, judging by Supercrawl installation. Aesthetic and engineer- 2016 and its 165,000 attendance record, ing topics took up most of the creative in the eye of the beholder at least, con- discussion. At issue were the colour of temporary art is more relevant than ever. the lights, number of bottles, installa- So how do artists respond to the chal- tion impact and size, as well as electrical, lenge of delivering new meaning with the structural, and mechanical concerns. same materials and formulas? Testing took up a lot of time; logistics During the past 40 years the contempor- depended on the willingness and energy ary art world has changed in its attitude of many neighbours who collected, toward the public. We’ve moved from the cleaned and strung more than 1000 “parallel galleries” alternative arts scene bottles onto 600 feet of LED strings of the seventies and eighties—which did in three days. Chris sourced the LEDs, not know the meaning of audience rela- Werner brought the generator, Cory’s tions—and art-as-an-investment needing team put the scaffolding up and a few of the artist to be a solitary, preferably dead, us (with fearless Bev) installed the piece genius. in three hours. Most of the “running Now, passive viewers have become around” tasks remained with Fatima and engaged participants. In contrast to the Madga. creative industries, community art prac- Water is Life, the theme chosen by Rees ©David tice is an artist-led participatory process First Nations activists protesting the where everyone contributes different Dakota Access Pipeline, has inspired a skills and holds shared authorship of the re-thinking of not just water, but also of A composite image of the DeLIGHT Festival waterfalls and Sherman outcome. environmental activism. To be a pro- Falls overlapped. At least ninety people contributed to tector of water is to be a protector of life the making of 1000 Bottles Waterfall in on earth. Project leader Fatima Mesquita, Delta Park this February and every one in an interview in February by CBC of them owns it. Hamilton, noted “plastic bottles create Go ahead and ask. What makes it art? a cascade of problems.” The earth can’t New study explores how older Whose idea was it? How did you pull it digest plastic. off? What does it mean? Who cares? During the three nights that the lights adults want to find trusted The phenomenon of “artistic merit” is were on, hundreds of people came out usually evoked by peers and critics when for the experience. Some just walked information about staying healthy non-artists are involved in a creative in, others had heard about it on local collaboration. I say it is art because the television (thanks to Fatima and Sean) Over 60 years old? artists said so. Artists contributed to the or via Hamilton’s Winterfest promotion. concept, drawings, and execution. Light They came from neighbouring streets Have you tried to find health information but are not sure who or what to trust? sculptures were first accepted because in the Delta, from the mountain, and of minimalist Dan Flavin’s work with from as far away as Brampton. It was A new study based out of McMaster University wants to hear from you! We fluorescents; his concerns were with great to see a few artists drop by, as well want to work together with you to design the best ways to share trusted health abstraction and architecture rather than as City staff. Media attention was okay information to help you stay healthy. with art that makes a political statement. and Fatima rounded up enough financial We will work with you: Our artistic intent—to contrast the support to pay for the hard costs. The · To better understand how you find trusted health information. ephemera of light with non-biodegrad- list of sponsors was printed on the ban- · To create new and engaging ways to deliver trusted health information able plastic bottles—created a pictorial ner, and individual donation messages to older adults. tension that was reinforced by both the were posted all around. A collaborative · To learn about health information that is important to aging Canadians. imagery (a waterfall, or nature) and the creative process works because everyone Participation in this study is open to all older adults in Hamilton/Burlington. We materials (construction equipment, or the contributes and all participants own the hope a wide variety of people will volunteer. Whether you are healthy or not; have built environment). The resulting form experience. The reward: lots of Facebook trouble hearing, seeing, reading, or have physical challenges; are expert in using and content resonated with the waterfalls posts, selfies, and likes, and conversations technology or have no experience at all – we want to hear from you! that surround the lower city. In keep- with friends and strangers. A wonderful Volunteers will be paid a $25 per hour honorarium to attend a two hour in-person ing with the outdoor festival format, the example of shared ownership and “post- session at a location in Hamilton. Your parking and transportation costs will be piece was monumental and its impact production” creative rendering is David covered. was immediate. Rees’ superimposed photo of the installa- The knowledge and experiences that you share will help us design new ways to As Elizabeth Seidl mentioned in tion over an image of Sherman Falls. present trusted health information to older adults. the last issue of The Point, Hamilton’s Considering the hundreds of sel- Recruitment for this study is happening now. If you wish to learn more to DeLight Festival was created through fies and photographs of the 20-foot tall participate in the study, please contact Nancy Murray (telephone: 905-525-9140 the Neighbourhood Leadership Institute, cascade of lights during its three-night ext. 21422; email: [email protected]) to provide your contact information. and presented its first community art duration, we gather that hundreds more installation along the Pipeline Trail people will want to do their part next year. in 2016. Earlier this year, some of the key organizers of that amazing project Ingrid Mayrhofer is an independent arts (Fatima, Madga, Elizabeth, and Doug) professional who has been living in Crown issued a call for help, and a few more Point since 2014.

TM

Shabby & Chic & Everything Neat

TM Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan Vintage & Antique Furniture Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint Home Decor 208 Ottawa St., North, www.thepaintedbench.ca HAMILTON 289.389.9281 6 THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017 Rolling into eight years with New Hope Community Bikes by Johanna Bleecker cycling education program for local schools, and have skills, and much more, all while having fun with our since delivered it to over 2,300 students across 21 interactive, game-based curriculum. t’s safe to say that New Hope Community Bikes schools. The program provides students with four to NHCB has been working to increase cycling access I(NHCB) has come a long way since two guys decided five instruction hours over the course of a week. Ride among people typically underserved in the cycling to fix up bikes at the Ottawa Street Farmers Market Smart minimizes barriers to participation by providing world. We run women/trans/queer-only repair nights on their day off in 2009. Thanks to the support of our bikes, helmets, instructors, resource materials, and the twice a month. This allows folks who may feel intimi- community, we’ve become a local leader in cycling edu- equipment needed to set up different obstacle scenarios. dated by the typically male-dominated world of bike cation and promoting bicycles as affordable, accessible Students in grades four through seven learn about local repair to work on and learn about their bikes in a safe, transportation. Here’s a look at what we’re up to lately. laws, best practices for sharing the road with cars, shoul- supportive environment. On the first Tuesday of each In 2015 we launched Ride Smart, our self-contained der checks, hand signals, emergency maneuvers, balance month there is a WTQ basic bike repair workshop ($25) for those who prefer a comprehensive class structure, and on the third Tuesday there is a drop-in open shop night (PWYW for shop time, pay for parts) for those who want to work on specific problems. We also run nights for newcomer families with refugee status to come in with their caseworkers and fix up a bike that they then get to keep. We have equipped about 225 newcomers with bikes through this program since 2015. We now have a second downtown location, The Hub, which is a shared space between us and Bike for Mike, another Hamilton non-profit which gives new bikes

©New Hope Community Bikes Community Hope ©New to families through schools, and Cycle Hamilton, our local cycling advocacy group. Currently NHCB does not have a public storefront at The Hub but we run our newcomer nights there as well as volunteer bike refur- bishing nights, every Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. All are welcome to come out regardless of experience. Along with these initiatives and others, we also continue to operate our storefront at 1422 Main St. E. where anyone can come buy a refurbished used bike, get their bike fixed up by our mechanics and trained vol- unteers, or learn how to fix their bike themselves either during shop hours, during one of our evening basic bike repair courses, or as a volunteer. We’ll also be running our popular Steel City Bike Festival again over the month of June, so mark your calendars now! As always, we couldn’t do anything without the wonderful Crown Point and East End communities and we thank you for the support over the years as we continue to grow and evolve.

New Hope Community Bikes celebrates eight years in the community promoting cycling to Johanna Bleecker is Education & Community Outreach all ages. Coordinator at New Hope Community Bikes.

For more information email [email protected] or go to www.sobihamilton.ca THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017 7

MUSIC AND ART Getting the blues by Shiona Mackenzie at age 14, after studying elsewhere for a few years,” Lammie explains. “I noticed elta United Church congregants he had what we call “great ears”, which DLu and Dale Lenz share an appre- means he hears a lot of what is happen- ciation for a variety of musical genres. ing on the guitar in recordings. All he Milling about with the crowd at the needed was to learn some vocabulary on Grimsby Festival of Arts last spring, the guitar to help him play what he was admiring the cornucopia of artistic ac- hearing.” complishments, they found themselves Spencer can recall, from as early as drawn to a particular group of musicians. age five, that his father played all sorts “We sat through their whole set, as did of music at home. But it wasn’t until many others, and a very large audience Lammie introduced him to a Stevie Ray gathered,” says Lu. They were listening Vaughan song that he was captivated by to Fort Erie’s left-handed guitar sensation any particular genre. He realized that Spencer MacKenzie and his blues band. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s music had been “We had just returned from a trip played, among that of other blues artists, to New Orleans where we spent some ever since he could remember. Today, he happy times, especially in a bar called also enjoys the music of blues greats like BB King’s. The music was superb. Dale Ray Charles, Freddie King, and Muddy and I agreed that Spencer’s talent met or Waters. surpassed some of the seasoned musicians we’d heard down south,” added Lu. Afterwards, Lu and Dale lingered, There is a ton hoping to meet Spencer and his band of talent coming members. “They were thrilled we had out of the

taken to time to speak to them. They King ©Bill are remarkably gifted young musicians. Hammer I friended Spencer on Facebook so we Award-winning blues guitarist Spencer Mackenzie will perform at could follow his adventures.” Clearly the Delta United Church on April 30. Lenzes know a good thing when they According to Lammie, once Spencer hear it. Playing guitar seriously since heard a minor pentatonic scale, he was he was eight years of age, MacKenzie hooked. “I taught him not just to play region. Spencer wants to perform for as charts in Canada. By the end of this year, won the Niagara Music Awards’ Rising these notes and scales, but to feel the many people as he can, and branch out he plans to release his second album. Star award in 2013. He proved himself notes, to breathe with them. He has into new areas. “There is a ton of talent coming out of to be one of Canada’s best at the 2017 always been one of those students that “Blues is a niche genre and Spencer the Hammer, not to mention the support Maple Blues Awards, receiving the New came back for a lesson better than he was is the new kid on the block in southern I get as an artist in the Greater Hamilton Artist of the Year award on January 24 at the week before. It’s because he listened Ontario,” says Lammie. “Spencer is a Area,” said Spencer. “It is a great family Koerner Hall in Toronto. to the teacher and practised daily at young man with a gentle manner; it’s no to be a part of.” How has he achieved so much so home. Spencer also listens to dozens of surprise his popularity is soaring.” While he may try not to look too far soon? Spencer gives a lot of credit to his experienced musicians, both recorded Meanwhile, the Lenzes persuaded into the future, it isn’t difficult to see it renowned mentor Elton Lammie, a B.C.- and live. That’s the formula for success.” Spencer to appear at a fundraising con- will be bright, as Spencer continues to born multi-instrumentalist who initially In 2015, Spencer attended his first cert for Delta United Church at 2 p.m. learn and exercise his musical chops. For made a name for himself as a country open-mic blues jam and met Brant on Apr. 30. They are sure the Crown once, I’m looking forward to getting the music singer, and then generated even Parker of The Brant Parker Blues Band, Point audience will welcome his talent. blues more interest by winning the first season which has been performing in pubs, bars, Infected With The Blues, the title track of a Canadian reality TV show called and clubs in the Niagara region, and at from Spencer’s debut CD released last Shiona Mackenzie is a communications Bathroom Divas: So You Want to Be an festivals across Canada for several years. year, earned rave reviews and internation- professional with 17 years of international Opera Star? in 2006. Parker subsequently introduced Spencer al airplay with 16 consecutive weeks on experience and a life-long love of music. “Spencer came to me for guitar lessons to stages in the Golden Horseshoe the Top 50 Roots Music Report blues

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@OttawaStMarket @SewHungry 8 THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017

planning team was very proud to pub- contest. Staff from NDulgence Salon Black and white lish its first annual financial statement Love your Kenilworth and Renegade Tattoo walked around and in the February/March 2017 issue (now by Tammy Heidbuurt greeted everyone on Kenilworth with available on The Point website: thepoin- Santa Claus. and read all over thamilton.wordpress.com). he Kenilworth Action Team, which In 2017, we aim to have more events by Michelle Martin “Honestly,” says managing editor Sean Talso goes by the name of “Love your including a storytelling series from resi- Hurley, “I think every issue is a great Kenilworth,” started out of a desire to dents who have seen many changes on f you love black and white movies, achievement. Every issue brings a new see the street become vibrant and ac- the street over the years. There will be ac- Iyou can probably recall movie scenes set of challenges. That we pull it together tive. This goal was identified as early as tivities for 100in1Day on June 3 so if you of old-fashioned newspaper glory: ink- with a single meeting every other month 2008 (when the Crown Point Planning want to do something fun and unique on stained fingers, cigar-chomping editors always surprises me. A lot of credit goes Team formed) but it gained momentum Kenilworth let us know! Expect another barking orders, and cub reporters yelling to our layout team. They are amazing.” around 2014. Many meetings and events Holiday event, various cleanups, and “Stop the presses!” I think of letter- Teamwork is key. A small army of have taken place to find the issues that more. Other improvements include a press typesetting machines, or Rosalind volunteers, all contributing what they residents and businesses on and around new parkette where the Pipeline Trail Russell and Cary Grant sharing story de- can, produced the issue you are reading Kenilworth would like to tackle—and crosses Kenilworth, and a DePave project tails over the phone while a source waits today. Hurley and Lokker oversee it all, to identify the community’s hopes and at Holy Family/Our Lady of Vietnam downstairs in a cab. It’s fun to re-imagine and try their best to make sure everyone desires for the future of the street. Parish. The Point production as a scene from His knows what is needed. “It is important to Here is some of what we heard. Our Follow us on Twitter @ Girl Friday. communicate with contributors and copy community wants to see more new busi- TeamKenilworth for information on editors,” notes Hurley. “I think we’re still nesses come to the street, particularly events, facts about Kenilworth, and Stop the presses! trying to find a good solution in the edit- specialty shops like Kenilworth used to re-tweets about local businesses. To ing stage. It is a matter of letting people have: butchers, bakers, grocers, cob- truly support our businesses and to see “Walter, now listen: I’ve got the whole know they have assignments, that they blers, and similar crafts and trades. We Kenilworth thrive, we need the whole story on how they got those water bottles can access them, and knowing they will want to see beautification efforts that community on board. Join our team—a for the DeLight Festival and I’ve got it be done while everyone works independ- would make the streetscape appealing few workers make the magic happen. exclusive. Yeah, that’s right, and it’s a ently and remotely. I don’t think we have and clean. We need to address traffic and Contact us at teamkenilworth@gmail. pip. Cost me 450 bucks to tear it out of our communications where we want pedestrian flow through efforts such as com . Ingrid.” them to be, just yet … this year, if we Complete Streets. And, as development These days, we have technology on our could streamline the editing process and happens, we must mitigate the displace- Tammy Heidbuurt can be found working side. Instead of landlines and typewriters, improve our communications, I would be ment of residents. to make magic happen in Crown Point all your community newspaper planning very happy.” Throughout the past year, we’ve of the time. team has cell phones and emails. We Lokker sees time as the biggest hurdle. been able to work with many residents meet bi-monthly, at The Café on Main “Most challenging is the amount of time and businesses and, along with city ©Tammy Heidbuurt Street East, and no one barks last-minute that the various tasks take,” she says, staff, achieve some “quick wins” for orders at anyone. It’s all very polite and “especially the time needed to build re- Kenilworth: murals, benches, planter orderly. Final proofs are laid out with lationships and follow up with potential artwork, garbage cleanups We can also publishing software and uploaded elec- advertisers and new volunteers.” This is help simply by intentionally shopping tronically to the printer. no exclusive committee: volunteers are and eating at one of the many great busi- I think the most nail biting happened always welcome around that table at The nesses located on the street. with our very first issue three years ago, Café. If you are interested in helping out At the end of 2016, we held a Holiday when the delivery person backed out. with anything, from layout to writing to event for the community on an empty lot After a few panicked emails, we all mar- photography to planning to accounting on Kenilworth. It was a great event that shalled friends and family and got that to advertising to … just email contact- even brought people from Toronto who baby delivered on time, like a scene right [email protected]. had heard about it via CBC Hamilton! out of one of those classics with Mickey Not only will you be joining a neigh- In the “Passport to Kenilworth” game, Rooney and Judy Garland where the kids bourhood paper, you’ll also be tapping people were encouraged to visit and get together and put on a show. into a larger network of Hamilton neigh- shop at participating businesses, and Since then, we’ve been able to ar- bourhoods. “In the coming year,” Lokker learn a little history about the street at range for a delivery team. Editor-in-chief points out, “we can look forward to more the same time. Game Day Games (with A young man takes to the Cynthia Lokker sees this as part of great content and collaborations with a Christmas tree coming through the piano, donated by Delta United the larger achievement of “getting our other neighbourhood publications.” ceiling) and The Food Box (with amaz- Church, on Kenilworth during financials in order so that we have a bet- What are you waiting for? We’d make ing decorations hanging throughout 100in1Day. ter sense of what is needed to keep the a great team, kid. the restaurant) were winners of the paper sustainable, and also increasing the honorarium for our delivery team who Michelle Martin lives and writes in Hamilton Consumer Choice award as ensure that the paper gets delivered to all Crown Point. She sometimes tweets @ A PATH to well as receiving numerous grants and homes in the neighbourhood.” The Point deltawestmom. acknowledgements. Services available through the Crown employment Point initiative on Wednesdays include by Tyler Fish career counselling, resume development, assistance with job leads and interview Since March 1, PATH Employment preparation. Further resources such as Services has been offering job search computers, copiers, career software and assistance services at The Café (1365 group workshops are also available in Main St. E.) on Wednesday afternoons PATH’s downtown headquarters at 31 from 1–4:30 p.m. PATH is a non- King St. E., right near Jackson Square. profit agency dedicated to helping people PATH also provides assistance to with any kind of disability acquire and companies looking to meet or improve maintain employment. This particular their accessibility standards. They offer initiative was launched to make it easier partner businesses unique access to space for people with disabilities to receive for job fairs and interviews, as well as the accessible job search support within their opportunity to use PATH’s job board neighbourhood. and talent pool. Interested employers PATH was founded in 1972 by Mark can fill out a form on the website and be Garber, a placement officer at Mohawk contacted by PATH directly. College who saw the need for a dedicated No appointments are necessary for the agency to help those with disabilities find neighbourhood workshops at The Café, meaningful employment. The agency and readers seeking further details may WANT TO GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY? has grown since then and last year contact PATH at (905) 528-6611, or visit their website at pathemployment.com. Join Crown Point Planning Team’s Facebook Group at 9,977 visitors came to its Employment “Crown Point Hub” Resource Centre and 605 clients with disabilities were served, culminating in Tyler Fish is a Delta graduate and lifelong or, follow the planning team’s web page at 326 competitively paid job placements. Crown Point resident currently studying www.crownpointhub.ca PATH’s service to the local community Civil Engineering and Management at or Twitter feed @CrownPointHub has not gone unnoticed. The organ- McMaster. ization is a five-time recipient of the THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017 9

Elizabeth Seidl details the evolution of the changes taking place and the friendships made along the Pipeline Trail.

work it’s time to take a break or delegate. furniture rental and trees. With tempor- Finding friendship We all have something to learn from each ary paint we painted our own trail and other. Most of all we try to keep things a street artist stencilled the concrete along the Pipeline Trail informal, laugh and have a good time medians. With the trail master plan com- together. ing to completion around the same time, By Elizabeth Seidl Benches on the Pipeline Trail came to be. In September 2014 — beyond our everyone was in the mood to celebrate. By chance, I came across the Pollinators wildest dreams — Hamilton city council This node space is one of the first projects everal years ago, the Crown Point Paradise Project, a joint initiative be- approved funding for a Pipeline Trail in the master plan to be realized. For SCommunity Planning Team’s action tween Environment Hamilton and master plan. Suddenly there was a lot of several years, residents have wished for a plan identified the Pipeline Trail as a the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club that is momentum towards redeveloping the parkette here and a design was selected neighbourhood asset with the potential trying to educate, raise awareness, and entire Pipeline corridor. We crafted a by the community last spring. Soon this for improvement. Currently it has some re-establish habitat for pollinator insects. vision to reflect what residents wanted to former parking lot will finally be trans- challenges with accessibility, pedestrian I met with Jen Baker of the Naturalists’ see in a redeveloped trail. The consult- formed into a beautiful public space with safety and a lack of amenities. On the Club and explained what we were hoping ants and city staff involved were mindful street furniture, plantings, and public art. plus side, it is a mostly green space with to do. She took care of the rest, and of this vision through the planning Then, last winter, along came another trees, grassy mounds, sunny open areas months later we found out that our grant process. The emphasis on stewardship group of neighbours to organize the and vistas of a gentle, meandering trail. request to the Hamilton Community came from our desire to take care of the Hamilton DeLight festival. Building You can hear the birds as you walk and Foundation for a native perennial garden public commons of the trail. As the cor- on the revitalization momentum, the din of traffic nearly disappears. For on the trail the following spring had been ridor is also habitat for insects and birds, DeLight brought us a lantern display in a trail in the middle of the city, you can approved. planting a mix of preferably native trees, celebration of Chinese New Year and almost pretend you were in the country. During the planning process we spoke shrubs, and meadow plants will improve demonstrated the trail’s viability as an I moved to the Crown Point neigh- with the adjacent trail neighbours about biodiversity. Recreation, fitness, and artistic and cultural venue. I was asked bourhood in East Hamilton almost the project. Access to water was gracious- commuting should be safe and accessible, to be involved, which brought new four years ago and was aware of a trail ly provided, as was some manual labour with reduced risk to cyclists and pedes- friendships and further awareness to the close to my house, but not its historical in preparing the site. We set the date trians at street intersections. The master Pipeline Trail as DeLight drew crowds significance. Because I’m naturally re- for planting to coincide with the first plan presents many ways to implement from all over the city and beyond. served, I delayed getting involved in the 100in1Day Hamilton, a hugely inspira- wayfinding through creative themes and To see others excited about the trail’s community planning team. Eventually tional day filled with urban interventions graphics. Since the pipeline carries water, potential is really motivating. Right now curiosity prevailed and I stepped out of across the city. To be able to garden in the majority of residents thought water a small team is working on an Ontario my comfort zone. Becoming involved in the trail corridor, we needed to create an should be the key visual theme for the Arts Council grant application to fund a my neighbourhood has challenged me official Adopt-a-Park group so that the trail. series of community art workshops with to live my life differently and become city would recognize our group and be We also demonstrated how a parking trail stakeholders and local artists. These connected to others in exciting new ways. covered by insurance. The Crown Point lot could be used for people rather than team members became acquainted at I said “yes” to a lot of things at that first Garden Club was born for this purpose cars by staging events like the Pipeline the last parade which has built a posi- community meeting, including joining and is now a thriving entity of its own, Parade and Pop-Up Parkette. Since 2014 tive relationship between the adjacent the Jane’s Walk Hamilton organizing responsible for other local pollinator this annual event in September cele- neighbourhoods and attracted new team, which evolved into leading a walk patches and instigator of further garden brates the trail as a pedestrian and active volunteers to the friends of the trail. My down the Pipeline Trail. To my amaze- projects, work parties, and field trips. transportation corridor. Everyone is hopes of improved connectivity between ment, more than 20 people turned out. It can be challenging to stay inspired encouraged to dress up or decorate their the neighbourhoods is being realized as With newfound confidence, I created or motivated throughout the process if bikes, strollers, mobility devices, and people come together to celebrate the online and paper surveys about the trail there are setbacks or criticism. Dealing even their pets. The first year, we started Pipeline Trail. to connect with others who wanted to see with this has meant not hesitating to the parade at the western trailhead and it improved. consider varied approaches towards com- ended it on Kenilworth Avenue with a Elizabeth Seidl lives in Crown Point and Soon we began to organize regular munity engagement and team building. pop-up parkette in the parking lot which leads the Pipeline Trail Action Team as a meetings to talk trail. In the surveys, With an asset-based approach, asking was dressed up with patio furniture and resident-led initiative through the Crown people had suggested that milkweed people how they would like to contribute container plants. Point Community Planning Team. She could be planted – awareness had been helps empower them. And being pre- In year two, the lot became the parade delivered a longer version of this article at building about the decline in monarch pared with a back-up plan in case plan staging area where we had a costume and Heart Of The City Conference: Shaping The butterflies. Other people wanted to A derails is essential. Because we are float contest with judges and prizes prior Future Of City Parks In Canada in Calgary see some seating along the trail. This volunteers, it’s important to keep it fun to the parade. The city’s urban planning this past March. was how our first project Butterflies & for everyone. When it starts to feel like department collaborated by providing the 10 THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017 Depave Paradise and liberate a parking lot ©Sean Hurley ©Sean

Holy Family Catholic Church at Britannia is the subject of the depave program to green the street front along Kenilworth.

by Anne Vallentin Master Plan for a new parkette beside the Tim Hortons on Kenilworth Avenue; WE’RE GREENING oni Mitchell’s famous song, “they Love Your Kenilworth’s activities to Jpaved paradise and put up a parking bring creativity and neighbourhood KENILWORTH! lot,” has been playing in my ears since engagement to Kenilworth’s revital- learning of this exciting project coming ization; Crown Point Garden Club’s You, your family and friends, young and to our neighbourhood. work to beautify the neighbourhood; old, are welcome to join us at Our Lady In fall of 2016, Kathleen Livingston Environment Hamilton’s pollinator cor- of Vietnam and Holy Family Parish, as of the Homeside Hub Neighbourhood ridor, the Hamilton Naturalist Club’s Homeside Hub Community Planning Development Team heard of the DePave work to increase urban tree planting, Team, the Crown Point Garden Club and Paradise Program through her connec- and of course the Barton-Kenilworth Green Venture partner to transform part tion with the Randle Reef Community Revitalization Plan. Additionally, this of the parking lot into a vibrant green Liaison Committee, where Laura is going to be a terrific way to celebrate Anderson of Green Venture spoke on Canada’s sesquicentennial anniversary. space for all to enjoy! the subject of the program. Looking The project will remove the fencing at her neighbourhood, Kathleen had between the street sidewalk and park- identified the fenced parking lot of the ing lot along Kenilworth, remove about Volunteers needed! historic Holy Family Church/Our Lady 100 square metres of asphalt, and build a of Vietnam at the corner of Kenilworth garden about three metres wide along the This is a family-friendly and festive event Avenue North and Britannia Avenue as a length of the parking lot. and all are welcome. All tools and safety perfect spot to “depave”. Experienced gardeners Bev Wagar, equipment will be provided, as well as The Homeside Hub Team invited Kathleen Livingston, and Joyce Killin are food and drinks. Please arrive dressed Laura Anderson to present at their volunteering their expertise to develop a for the weather (rain or shine!), wearing monthly meeting, and they immedi- garden plan that includes native plants ately recognized and fully supported the and trees that will tolerate the heat and sturdy shoes, and be ready to get your potential of depaving Kenilworth. Laura wind of the site. The parishes of Our hands dirty. and Kathleen met the next day at the Lady of Vietnam and Holy Family are Church, spoke with Father Hahn and set enthusiastic supporters in their desire to Saturday, May 27, 2017 to the task of bringing the project to life. bring a vibrant and pleasing green space 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Green Venture has been Depaving to the neighbourhood. Paradise since 2012, depaving portions Funding has generously been pro- This community work-bee event is of three elementary playgrounds in vided by RBC Blue Water Project, Green Phase I of the beautification of the Hamilton. The project engages volunteer Communities Canada, and Councillor parking lot. It will involve ripping up the teams who physically remove a section of Sam Merulla. Great, fun volunteer op- asphalt and plant gardens. Pavement is portunities include the asphalt removal asphalt in the parking lot and loading it an impermeable surface, so all the water on Saturday, May 27. Garden planting into dump bins. Join us! And bring the kids! that hits it eventually runs off, usually day, a 100-in-1-Day event, is Saturday into municipal stormwater systems. By June 3. Green Venture will supply equip- Saturday, June 3, 2017 removing pavement and creating gardens, ment such as shovels and wheelbarrows 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. polluted runoff is reduced, since gardens and volunteer training will be provided. are permeable and absorb rainwater as If you would like to be involved in This is Phase II of the beautification of it falls. Eventually this water soaks back this transformative experience, contact the parking lot. We will be planting into groundwater aquifers, giving us Laura Anderson, program coordinator, a beautiful landscape strip along the more clean drinking water. Green Venture at 905-540-8787 or laura. The list of benefits to green spaces [email protected] Kenilworth side of the parking lot. Join such as this one include carbon dioxide You can also sign up to volunteer us! And bring the kids! capture, water capture and filtration, and give input on the project through improved oxygen levels, cooler micro-cli- a community survey: https://goo.gl/ For more information and to register as mates, mental health benefits, and others. forms/9cSWK6iGwOHYOXh12 a volunteer contact Laura Anderson. Green spaces are good for cities and their 905. 540. 8787 ext. 158 citizens. Anne Vallentin is Crown Point resident and [email protected] This project builds on many new Crown Point Garden Club member. initiatives: the City of Hamilton Pipeline THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017 11 ©Courtesy of CASTLE ©Courtesy of Cancer Assistance Program

Faye Parascandalo, right, at 541 Eatery & Exchange with connectors. The Cancer Assistance Program house on Concession Street.

who will get to know their neighbours A CASTLE built on and share the bags. These “connectors” are the key to the project—they are Free practical supports available neighbourhoods people who are already actively getting by Faye Parascandalo to know their neighbours by supporting for those affected by cancer them in small ways. Perhaps they bring by Bobby Jo Smith west of the JCC. If the person with the he CASTLE project promotes in recycle bins after the truck goes by, cancer diagnosis is unable to access servi- healthy lifestyles in the Crown Point keep an eye on kids in the street, mow a T pon being diagnosed with can- ces for any reason, a loved one or another and Sherman hubs. It is led by public lawn, or chat with people every day. cer, individuals can experience an support person can register and secure health nurses who partner with com- The focus is on being a good neigh- U incredibly wide range of emotions and necessary items on their behalf. No ap- munity organizations and residents to bour, and on maintaining relationships are typically faced with having to make pointment is necessary—just show up! help build healthy neighbourhoods. with neighbours. Connectors are people many decisions in a very short amount When contacting CAP, you’re likely The City of Hamilton has numerous who are building community, in their of time. Day-to-day routines can be to connect with one of our volunteers. health services and yet, for a variety of own way, in their own time. We want disrupted, personal needs can change Currently, CAP has more than 180 men, reasons, many people in our community to support them so they can help their and expenses can start to mount. Cancer women, and youth contributing their do not access the health care they need. neighbours to improve their quality of has the potential to be an overwhelming time. It is our volunteers, alongside our Through positive relationships, residents life. Anyone who wants to build these diagnosis. small staff team, who answer phones, can inform, educate, and support each relationships can be a connector. There are many worthwhile programs issue products, and properly fit and give other to make healthy choices, develop A CASTLE public health nurse at- and services available in Hamilton to out home health equipment. healthy lifestyles, and deal with health- tends monthly community hub meetings support individuals and families af- Volunteers also coordinate transporta- care issues. to share resources and health messages fected by cancer. The Cancer Assistance tion and provide scheduled rides. It is CASTLE supports neighbourly with service providers and residents. Program (CAP) is one of these services. also our volunteers who complete the relationships through the Healthy Residents then pass these bags along to The Cancer Assistance Program initial intake, which is non-intrusive Community Connections Project. We their family and neighbours. You can provides practical supports, at no cost, and takes less than ten minutes. We are know that our friends and neighbours find CASTLE health-related advertise- to help individuals access care, improve aware that by the time individuals start can have a huge impact on our behav- ments in every issue of The Point. day-to-day quality of life, and reduce accessing CAP they have likely already iours, whether positive or negative, so Would you like to distribute your some of the financial burden that goes completed many pages of paperwork and it makes sense that if we build healthy community resource in the CASTLE hand-in-hand with a cancer diagnosis. have had to answer many of the same community connections we can build a Healthy Opportunity Bag? Would you Available services include: questions. We want to avoid putting healthy society. like to share these bags with your neigh- • Transportation to and from cancer-re- anyone through such a lengthy process Every month a new health theme bours? Come out and chat with Faye at a lated medical appointments, including yet again. is shared in neighbourhoods through Crown Point Hub meeting or email faye. treatment, tests, appointments with Services can be accessed Monday to Healthy Opportunity Bags. These bags, [email protected] or call 905- doctors, nutritionists, social workers, Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Anyone which contain a mix of information and 546-2424 ext. 5022. dentists (when treatment causes dam- who is unable to get into the CAP house “swag”, focus on a message, program, Follow CASTLE’s social media to age to gums), etc.; during these times can make alternative or event that may be of interest to the share health messages and local activities. • Loans of home health equipment: arrangements by calling and arranging a neighbourhood. These bags have become Facebook fb.com/CASTLEknownow wheelchairs, transport changes, raised day and time. a valuable tool for building relationships Twitter @castleknownow toilet seats, walkers, rollators, com- and sharing health information, resour- modes, bath chairs, etc. Individuals Bobby Jo Smith is the executive director ces, and opportunities. Faye Parascandalo is a public health nurse can borrow as many pieces as necessary with the Cancer Assistance Program. For We try to reach people where they with the City of Hamilton and works with for as long as necessary information visit 569 Concession Street or live, by finding one person on each block CASTLE. • Access to parking for appointments phone (905) 383-9797. taking place at the Juravinski Cancer Centre (JCC) and Juravinski Hospital THE CROWN POINT (limited as only three spots are available) COMMUNITY PLANNING TEAM • Monthly issuances of oral nutri- is a resident-led neighbourhood network... tional supplements (two six-packs per month), adult incontinence products (two packages per month) and dispos- • Connect with friendly people able bed liners (30 per month) • The provision of wigs, alternative head • Make your ideas happen coverings, breast prostheses, and mas- • Help make Crown Point better tectomy bras.

In order to access transportation and We meet the 3rd Monday of every month, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. parking, individuals in need can simply call the CAP house. In order to secure For more info visit: equipment or products, individuals must ©Courtesy of Cancer Assistance Program CROWNPOINTHUB.CA currently visit the CAP house at 569 Concession Street, located four blocks A CAP volunteer assists a patient. 12 THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017

BUSINESS PROFILE ©Ashley Jackson ©Ashley

Photojournalism is one of the many programs available at Mohawk closure of 253 stores, leaving thousands City School. Steel City Video out of work. by Tyler Fish Even as many of its competitors have shut their doors, Steel City Video has photography. They were really warm and Business Name: Steel City Video continued on at its home on Main Street City School made me feel really welcomed. East across from Memorial School. One of the team actually bought one Address: 1160 Main Street East Hours: Mon - Thur: 12-10, Fri - Sun: 11-11. According to store manager Huss, its student interview of my prints. I wasn’t expecting it; I main clientele consists of young families didn’t think it was that great of a photo. Years in business: 28 ast fall, City School delivered its Contact: (905) 549-0399 renting DVDs, with Saturday being That made me really happy that she liked the busiest day for business. Huss says Lfirst course at Central Library. Based my photography. That was my first sale! on resident input and the vibrant arts ustomers walking in through that one of the greatest strengths is its community established in Hamilton’s the doors of Steel City Video are strategic location between downtown S: Tell me about the Digital C Hamilton and Stoney Creek. And he ap- Jamesville neighbourhood, digital photo- Photojournalism course you took at greeted with the scent of buttery pop- journalism was determined to be the best corn and racks of DVDs, each with a pears to be right—according to Google Central Library. Maps, Steel City Video is the only video course to offer at City School’s second A: I really enjoyed the photojournalism familiar velcro rental tag. For the past location. 28 years, residents of the Crown Point rental store remaining in all of East course. The instructor was great. Some Hamilton. Sean Coffey, Communications students were intimidated at first, and Delta neighbourhoods have come Coordinator for Mohawk College, here to rent or purchase their movies, People have been predicting the de- but the instructor made everyone feel mise of the bricks and mortar video store interviewed Ashley Jackson, one of 14 comfortable and encouraged them to games, and television series. In addition students in the course who successfully to DVDs, customers can also buy mem- for many years, but Steel City Video en- come back every week. It was a lot of ters 2017 in good shape, embodying the earned a credit in Mohawk College’s fun, learning and going out on the street orabilia and snacks to accompany their Media and Communication Arts pro- movie-watching. persistence of the increasingly vibrant and shooting images. We got a lot of Crown Point community. gram. She has since enrolled in the really good shots. It’s kind of like we With the advent of Netflix and inter- Interactive Web Design course which net downloading, many conventional were exploring the human condition. Tyler Fish is a Delta graduate and lifelong began in February. movie rental businesses have come under Crown Point resident currently studying In this interview with Sean Coffey, significant market pressures. Perhaps S: What did you learn that surprised Civil Engineering and Management at Communications Coordinator for most famously, Blockbuster Canada’s you? McMaster. Mohawk College, Ashley outlines a few A: I learned to appreciate more creative bankruptcy in 2011 resulted in the of her past struggles with the college aspects. It doesn’t always have to be application system, her experiences in straight and narrow, there are a lot of the Photojournalism course, and how she creative things you can do and make feels now about her future. a career out of them. You just kind of think “Oh, I want to be a photographer.” Sean: How did you originally hear But how do you start? Is that just a about City School? dream? I spent time volunteering at Ashley: I heard about City School studios but never got a sense of how to through a friend, and was really excited make it happen. How do you gain those to learn more. skills like using the camera, editing, Photoshop, running a business, and other S: What were some challenges you had essential skills? faced before taking this City School I was a bit intimidated about using a course? DSLR. But after doing it for a while I felt A: When I was applying for college encouraged and I actually did invest in I was really stressed, confused, and a camera. I’m practicing more now that overwhelmed. There was so much I’m comfortable using it. I surprised my- information to take in—it was hard to self that in that short amount of time I process it all and know all the resources was able to learn so much about cameras are available. It felt like there wasn’t a and feel confident using them. lot of time because there were so many students applying. It’s not that the people S: If you had to pick one thing, what I talked to weren’t helpful, they just did you like best about City School? BLOOMS FOR AFRICA didn’t have enough time to answer all my A: The sense of community. There were CELEBRATING 10TH ANNUAL GARDEN questions. young people, people in their 60s, people who were new to Canada. We all got TOUR IN OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD S: What did you think of the City along really well. I looked forward to School staff? coming back every week and seeing “Walk through the Hidden Gardens around historic Gage Park A: The people were really helpful with everybody. I made quite a few friends. I Neighbourhoods” will take place on the evenings of July 14th and 15th and will helping me find my path. It’s nice that had a lot of fun, I really enjoyed it. be the 10th Anniversary Garden Tour put on by ‘Blooms for Africa.’ I had people who took the time to sit To check out the photos taken by down with me and share with me all the Ashley and other City School students The Garden Tour Committee has been warmly welcomed and supported resources that are available that could for the course, visit www.mohawkcollege. by Councillor Matthew Green, the Ottawa Street BIA, and the many businesses help me when I’m applying for college. I ca/cityschool or Like us on Facebook at in the area. The passports are wonderful gifts for Mother’s - we look forward don’t feel as intimidated, I feel a lot more fb.com/cityschoolbymohawk. to selling passports for the garden tour in April/May at the Ottawa Street comfortable now. Questions? market. Look for more information in the June/July edition of The Point or on I definitely plan on continuing Email [email protected] or the Blooms website www.bloomsforafrica.org. In May/June/July tickets will communication with the City School call 905-575-2489 to find out more! be available at the Orange Tree Boutique and The Millionaire’s Daughter on staff while I’m applying to Mohawk Ottawa Street. in September for either business or Submitted by Mohawk City School staff. THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017 13

WARD 3 NEWS by Matthew Green projects around four parks throughout So they have begun a rural project with in the values they hold—these youth are our ward. Staff are also reviewing streets Leon Robinson, a.k.a. Eklipz. The mural, walking the talk. The last meeting of the he City of Hamilton has adopted that we have heard have heavy truck at 10 feet tall and 32 feet wide, will year will be in May, followed by a break Tcorporate pillars to guide its ac- routes and will report back on what we mounted on the fence by the Gage Park for the summer. If you know youth in tivities: collective ownership; Steadfast can do to make these areas safer. Pump Track in May. grades 6 through 12 who want to walk Integrity; Courageous Change; I wanted to take a moment to pro- Another community priority was to the talk, have them contact us to get Sensational Service; Engaged Empowered vide an update on the brick company on have the cracks in the bike paths filled, involved in YAH! Employees. We can see many of these Lawrence Road. We have heard signifi- so a day will be scheduled for a bike path values reflected in the efforts and com- cant concern from the community about ride to identify the spots that need repair. Matthew Green is the city councilor for mitment of Crown Point residents. mud tracking on the road, bricks on the One of the most astonishing things Ward 3. Having values helps to guide our deci- property, and other activity. I have been for me is how grounded they already are sions, and having a vision helps to guide watching this issue closely first hand. our mission. I will soon be asking ward We’ve sent staff out on numerous oc- residents to join in creating a shared vi- casions and requested the company to sion that we can all work towards, so now clean up the road at their cost. Our staff is a good time to begin thinking about have notified the Niagara Escarpment your vision for Ward 3. Commission. I understand this is a top Are you a senior who owns your home concern for the neighbours and that in our community? Chances are that you makes it a top concern for me. I invite may be eligible for the seniors’ property residents to call my office as they see tax credit. This credit is available to sen- activities unfold so that we can work iors who make less than $34,800 a year, together to continue to make our neigh- who own their home, are 65 or older, and bourhood even more vibrant. whose home is worth less than $409,200. Walking the Talk: The Ward 3 Youth This year, the tax credit will rebate $186 Advisory Huddle (YAH!) has been work- dollars for those who qualify. If you do ing since September to help bring youth not yet receive this grant, please contact voices to Ward 3. Having established my office and we will be happy to help their core values (“Inclusive, Respectful, get you started. Honesty, Leadership”) the team will use I have heard from all over our com- them in their decision-making as they go munity about the need for better traffic forward. They developed a list of priority safety. I’m proud of our work so far. action items and have seen progress on We’ve approved 40 km/h speed limits some already. on all residential streets and as well as One priority was to have more art specific and concrete traffic calming and art programming in the community.

THE CAFÉ

Angel Wings: incision to move one of its two smaller sides in this incision. faworki, chrust, chruścik Fry in an oil bath at 350 F, turning (makes about 25 pieces) faworki halfway through cooking until very lightly browned, about one minute Preparation time: 1 hour 15 minutes per side. Fry a few pieces at a time with- Rest time: 2 hours out overcrowding. Cooking time: 20 minutes Drain and place on a plate covered with paper towels. Sprinkle with icing Ingredients sugar or sugar. 4 cups flour, sifted 1 tsp baking powder Magdalena Wierzbicka is a Crown Point 5 egg yolks resident, co-founder of The Café and the 6 tbsp heavy cream Hamilton Dialogues, and a constant creator 2 tbsp butter (just give her a tool!) in all areas of life. 1 tsp sugar 2 large pinches of salt 1 tbsp alcohol of your choice or white vinegar (I use vodka) 4 cups vegetable oil Icing sugar or sugar for sprinkling

©Magdalena Wierzbicka Preparation On a work surface, mix the baking powder, sugar and flour. Angel Wings Make a well in the centre and add the eggs, cream, salt, butter, and alcohol. by Magdalena Wierzbicka Knead until it becomes a smooth, homogeneous dough, about ten minutes. t’s almost impossible to say when humans discovered the delicious possibilities of Wrap the dough with plastic wrap Ifrying food in oil. Some historians list evidence from 600 B.C., but the experts and let stand for two hours at room agree that our modern obsession with frying date to the 19th century, with the soar- temperature. ing popularity of cast iron. On a lightly floured surface, knead A visit to kitchens around the globe shows that all cultures fry. Fish and chips, the dough vigorously (incorporate 1-2 tempuras, so many variations of donuts—they win us with their unique texture, ap- tablespoons of flour if the dough sticks pearance, and flavour. This brings us to a Polish pastry called Angel Wings. too much) and roll it with a rolling pin It has several names: chruściki, chrusty, and faworki. “Faworki” is the Polish word to a thickness of 1/8 inch (or thinner for for the colourful ribbons attached to either female or male clothing, especially rib- crispier faworki). bons given to medieval knights by their ladies. Etymologically, the word “faworki” Using a pastry wheel or knife, cut came to Poland from the French word faveur, meaning “grace” or “favour”. The word rectangles of about 2” x 1” and make an A pastry tool combo wheel “chrust” means “dry branches broken off trees” or “brushwood”. “Chruścik” is a incision in the centre of each rectangle. and knife diminutive of “chrust”. Take each rectangle and spread the 14 THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017

POINT PEOPLE

©Jeff Hayward

Educator Leanne Hagan responds to criticism directed at Memorial City Elementary School. An open letter to the Crown Point community by Leanne Hagan

have been a member of your community for the past I16 years. Although I reside in Stoney Creek, I have incredibly strong ties to Crown Point as I have had the pleasure of meeting, mentoring, and yes, teaching over 1,200 of your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. I absolutely love this neighbourhood, specific- ally my second home, Memorial City Elementary School. Greg de Denus gave up a music career in Toronto to play to the dreams of home buyers in Hamilton. In recent months I have been saddened by a lot of negative comments, posts, and insults directed at or potential homebuyers to buy an affordable property about our school. Unfortunately, some well-meant Greg de Denus in Crown Point? intentions have resulted in a backlash of criticism and A: It really depends on the buyer and what they are attack on Memorial, which is perpetuating a very nega- by Jeff Hayward looking for in a neighbourhood and home. In my tive and unfair perception of the school and staff. It opinion, I feel like nearly anywhere in the entire lower breaks my heart when members of the community with reg de Denus was teaching in the music depart- city is a good opportunity. Development is everywhere, no actual ties to the school have “heard what a terrible Gment at Toronto’s Humber College, running a new businesses are opening all the time, older homes are place Memorial is.” I can quite confidently say that busy piano teaching business, touring festivals and also being restored, and it is a very exciting time to be living there is no one out there more qualified than myself to performing regularly. He’s proud to have been part of in Hamilton. comment on the world that is Memorial City. several Juno/National Jazz Award nominated albums. There is definitely still time to find an affordable Our school is comprised of over 400 students from After almost 20 years of working professionally as a property in Crown Point, but the window is beginning Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 including two autistic musician, it was time for a change. Now, selling homes to close as the word is out and demand is very high. classes and a number of special needs students within in Hamilton is music to his ears. I think that we are going to see more custom homes the regular classroom. We have a number of educational Here’s how he responded to some questions we sent his way: and extensive modern renovations throughout the lower assistants (never enough of course) who are literally run city as values continue to rise. We will also continue to off their feet on a daily basis. These folks are amazing – Q: What drew you to Hamilton from Toronto, and see an influx of young professionals looking to live an I could never do their job! more specifically, why Crown Point? urban, pedestrian centric lifestyle. Behind the scenes we have our caretakers and A: After spending 17 years in Toronto it was time to go. administrative staff, who do their utmost to keep a 99 The city changed dramatically in that time, and frankly Q: What are your favourite things about Crown year-old building running smoothly. Spend five minutes it was no longer a fun, sustainable place to live. My wife Point, and what would you like to see change? in the office and you will get a whole new appreciation and I explored Hamilton over a couple of weekends and A: The people, the small business owners, and the of our office staff. really gravitated towards Crown Point. Ottawa Street, strong sense of community are my favourite things Our parents are awesome. We have a number of the proximity to Gage Park, and walkable amenities about Crown Point. Since moving here we have volunteers who run a nutrition program ensuring really sold it for us. It basically had everything that we made very good friends and have always felt welcome our students receive healthy snacks everyday. School liked about our neighbourhood in Toronto with none of everywhere in the ‘hood. Council meets monthly and is comprised of a number the drawbacks. There isn’t anything that stands out as “need to of parents, our administration, and teaching staff. This change”. Change is occurring naturally as more and dedicated group works incredibly hard and are the voice Q: How did you decide to make the transition from more people with diverse needs are moving in. Local of the community. Anyone with concerns or suggestions musician/teacher to real estate agent? Do you see any businesses seem to be getting together and cross promo- about Memorial should join the Parent Council, or sim- parallels in your former work as a musician/teacher ting each other, which is great! I think that they (local ply become a volunteer in their child’s classroom. to helping people buy/sell homes? businesses) are doing an excellent job at adjusting to the As far as our teachers go, they are top-notch. Staff A: We bought our first house in 2007 and I became needs of residents. We are also fortunate to have very run intramurals during nutrition breaks; coach before, fascinated with the market. As self-employed musicians, responsive and dedicated municipal councillors as well. during, and after school; run clubs, trips, fundraisers, owning a house was a must. Our Realtor encouraged special events, and Houses, a system of peer mentoring me to think about getting into the business and I Q: Any other thoughts you’d like to offer? and team building which began last year. Monthly decided to take the plunge. A: One of my family’s favourite things to do is just activities within our individual houses are lead by The skill set required to be a successful musician is wander around the neighbourhood and see where Grade 7 and 8 students. There are kids from Junior completely transferable to Real Estate. Organization, the day takes us. Grabbing a coffee, sitting down for Kindergarten to Grade 8 in every group helping us to time management, people skills, the ability to acquire lunch, doing some shopping, seeing who we run into get to know each other and work as a cross-graded team and disseminate large amounts of information, digital in the park, there is never a shortage of things to do. to promote positive interactions across the school. literacy, marketing, writing—the list is quite long. The I would encourage anyone who hasn’t explored the Our teachers spend their breaks with your children, music/arts business is probably one of the most competi- neighbourhood on foot for a while to do so. I am really whether it is academic aid, counseling, problem solving tive out there; it is survival of the fittest, definitely. So looking forward to seeing what the future brings, and or extra curricular activities. I have worked with a num- I felt quite at home in Real Estate almost immediately. am happy that my kids are going to grow up in The ber of these people for over ten years. They aren’t simply My performing arts background and running a success- Point. my colleagues. They’re my family. ful music school has been hugely beneficial to my real Greg has a Facebook page where he has added some Speaking of family, these 1,200 plus children that estate career. blog posts about various neighbourhoods/features have passed through my door are forever a part of me. Music and teaching is all about ideas and relation- of Crown Point. You can find it at facebook.com/ I’ve dedicated my entire teaching career to Memorial. ships. This is exactly the same for real estate. When gregcitybrokerage. I could certainly move to a different school, an “easier” people buy or sell a house they are buying or selling the school. I’ve chosen to stay at Memorial, because it is idea of the home, and the working relationship with Jeff Hayward is a Crown Point resident and ex-pat where I want to be. Don’t get me wrong, there are new clients has to be totally solid. Torontonian who is enjoying watching his new challenges every day and it certainly isn’t always smooth neighbourhood grow. If you know of someone sailing, but it’s home. Q: Where do you see the biggest opportunities for interesting in Crown Point who would make a good first-time buyers in Hamilton? How do you see profile contact Jeff at [email protected]. Leanne Hagan is a Grade 8 Teacher at Memorial City the local market developing? Is there still time for Elementary School. THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017 15

maintain a website that we met our third partner, Jen a balanced wellness and quality of life, accessible to, and My Free Hamilton Lenoir. Thanks to Jen, we have been able to reach many inclusive of all residents of Hamilton. by Julie Berube people within the Crown Point community and beyond. We’ve currently developed two workshops and are in We want to reach more! the process of creating more. We are also working to get have been a resident of the Crown Point neighbour- We’re passionate about mental health, overall well- out into the community so we can share what we have Ihood for 22 of the last 36 years. I had left for a ness, and sharing the amazing free resources we have to offer. while but returned when I realized this is the place right here in Hamilton. We personally strive to develop To learn more about us, and to access the free where I wanted to raise my family. It was right here in and maintain overall wellness in our own lives and our resources that will benefit your life, please visit us at Crown Point where I teamed up with my partner Angie goal here at My Free Hamilton is to put people in touch www.myfreehamilton.ca. You can also follow us on Mallory and together we created My Free Hamilton, a with the free support services available across our city. Facebook at fb.com/MyFreeHamilton. peer-led safe space for residents to explore Hamilton’s We also want to help end the stigma that mental and We look forward to hearing from you, and see you free resources, with a focus on mental health, emotional emotional health and wellness are only available to those around in our incredible community! well-being, and community engagement. with a physician’s diagnosis. We facilitate local access to Together we can Discover, Improve, Inspire, and My Free Hamilton started as an inspiration, and, free resources as we strive to enhance overall well-being Empower. along with support from the Neighbourhood Leadership for a healthier community. Institute program, we were able to turn our idea into a Our mission is to offer a peer-led approach to trans- Julie Berube is a Crown Point resident and is co-founder reality. It was with a generous offer to help create and forming lives and driving social change and our vision is of My Free Hamilton.

LOVIN’ YOUR GARDEN

You get petunias became an Adopt-a-Park group, created beautification) and, of course, the person- media. The area became known for its another public garden, had meetings, al benefits of physical activity, creativity, gardens, especially the ones on the boule- By Bev Wagar went on road trips, held a plant sale, did lifelong learning, and a shared interest vards, and the eccentric activists who guerrilla gardening, planted bulbs, hosted with others irrespective of religion, skin took pride in living EOA. Gardening was he summer of 2015 was a gardener’s workshops, made bee boxes, created two colour, age, gender, or political views. I the conduit for social transformation. Tdream. Just when we thought we more pollinator gardens, and somehow don’t include garden style on this list be- I think about what we might have should haul out the sprinkler, in came became an action team independent cause (and my tongue is in cheek) friends achieved if we’d had access to the kind the rain. Planted in early June, the of the pipeline group which, under the don’t let friends plant hostas. Please, no of support available in Crown Point Pipeline Trail pollinator garden thrived leadership of Elizabeth, continues its hostas. Or daylilies. Or petunias... through the Neighbourhood Action during the near-perfect weather and the excellent work on trail improvement. In the early 2000s we lived in London, Strategy and Planning Teams. We are key volunteers behind the project—mem- Action teams exist to help solve Ontario, in a downtrodden much-ma- well served in Hamilton. This city might bers of the Crown Point Garden Club a problem or fill a gap or make an ligned neighbourhood known as EOA be unique in the way it champions – were buoyed by the success. improvement—“forces for good,” I like (East of Adelaide). Outsiders saw only resident-led activities and projects such as The garden club happened at the to call them. But do petunias really help the crime, junkies, poverty, and proxim- the garden club. confluence of individual and commun- make Crown Point a better place? Okay, ity to the rail yards. Residents saw the Some may wonder why we want to ity need. The Pipeline Trail Committee, not petunias. Please, no petunias. But cool green tree canopy, quiet streets, solid make public gardens, carry on environ- an action team of the Crown Point gardens in general. Really, what’s the brick homes with huge back yards, and a mental activism, and otherwise “do Community Planning Team, was look- fuss? steady influx of newcomers who recog- things for free.” We say: gardens are the ing for a first project—a garden—on the The benefits of gardening are greatly nized the potential. Our fledgling garden means, not the end. Plus, you get flowers. trail. That’s when I showed up at a meet- underappreciated. Whether they are club met the detractors head on, with a ing in Elizabeth Seidl’s backyard. I was public places or backyard oases, gardens boulevard gardening contest, plant swap, Bev Wagar is an Organic Master new to the ‘hood, looking for volunteer are inherently worthwhile. The obvious and garden tour. Our regular Friday Gardener and Monarch Awards volunteer work and friends who shared my pas- environmental benefits (diversity, pol- night guerrilla gardening actions not only who has been known to admire the oc- sion for gardening and activism. So the linators, air quality) are matched by the added beauty to lamp posts and neg- casional hosta, petunia, and daylily. Crown Point Garden Club erupted. We social benefits (neighbourhood pride and lected spaces, but also intrigued the local 16 THE POINT • APRIL/MAY 2017

CROWN POINT EVENTS

Job Search Assistance with PATH Employment Services Garden Day Baby Play Date Services available through PATH include career counselling, Plant sale, compost and woodchip pickup. Proceeds to Crown Explore the world of play with your baby at our interactive resume development, assistance with job leads and interview Point Garden Club for public garden projects. Visit crownpoint- play stations. Interested parties can drop in anytime during preparation. No appointments necessary. For details please gardens.wordpress.com or phone 289-788-1345 for details and the program to play. contact PATH at 905-528-6611. donation info. When: Monday, May 29, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. When: Every Wednesday from 1 - 4:30 p.m. When: Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Where: The Cafe, 1365 Main Street East Where: 92 Ottawa Street North Adult Programs Papercrafting 101 Beautiful Alleys Spring Cleanup Greening Kenilworth In this workshop, you will make a gift set including a hand Make new friends, get some fresh air, and join in a neigh- All necessary tools and safety equipment will be provided, as stamped card, envelope and an 8 1/2” by 11” photo mat all in bourhood project organized completely by volunteers and well as food and drinks. For more information and to register time for Mother’s Day. No experience needed. Bring a few 4 x supported by community sponsors to create safe and beauti- as a volunteer contact Laura Anderson at 905-540-8787 x158 6 photos and you will leave with a beautiful paper crafted gift ful green spaces for all ages to enjoy.. Provided FREE: garbage or [email protected]. handmade by you! and recycle bags, protective gloves, safety training, and an Phase I of the beautification of the parking lot. When: Thursday, April 6, 6:30 p.m. “after party” with pizza at Powell Park! To volunteer for a When: Saturday, May 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. cleanup team, or for more information email hamiltonalleys@ Where: 1393 Cannon Sreet East Beauty and Makeup Tips gmail.com or visit facebook.com/beautiful alleys. Phase II of the beautification of the parking lot. Join local makeup artists as they do a makeup demonstration When: Saturday April 22, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. When: Saturday, June 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and share some of their go-to products. Where: 1393 Cannon Sreet East When: Tuesday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. Get Your Dance On! Fundraising Dinner and Dance Love butter chicken? Join us at Narula’s Banquet Hall with DJ Wellness Café Events Writer’s Workshop Turn It Up and Masta C and great food. $40 per person, or Please visit our facebook page for information about our up- Join local author Kathryn Heaney as she offers advice on how $300 for a table of 8. For tickets or info call Cindy Newman at coming events. www.facebook.com/TheCafeHamilton to kickstart your writing career. She will offer advice not only 905-545-2899. Where: 1365/67 Main Street East on starting a novel but offer up different ways to hook the When: Saturday, April 22, Doors open at 6 p.m. reader and get them engaged in your work. Where: Narula’s Banquet Hall, 1162 Barton Street East KENILWORTH BRANCH LIBRARY EVENTS - All Free! When: Thursday, April 13, 6:30 p.m. 103 Kenilworth Ave. N | 905-546-3960 | hpl.ca/events Laura Keating - Free Lunch Hour Concert at the Central Library Photo Editing with Photoshop Crown Point resident Laura Keating is an acoustic guitarist, Children’s Programs Learn how to retouch, add text or graphics to your photo- folk-rock singer-songwriter and will be playing all original Storytimes for kids from ages 0-5 begin the week of March 27 graphs and adjust them for optimal prints. This program will material.Exploring love, life and the world around us, Laura`s and run for 8 weeks. Check website for dates and times. cover basic and specific techniques like cropping, adjusting music soothes the soul and wakes up the mind. the brightness and resizing of photos. When: Friday, April 28, 12 - 1 p.m. Maker Cart When: Tuesday, May 2, 3:30 p.m. Where: Central Library, 55 York Boulevard, 4th Floor Try your hand at making a cool creation and take home a masterpiece. Drop in. Living Well with Diabetes Spencer MacKenzie Concert When: Every Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Drop in and listen to staff from St Joseph’s Healthcare pro- Come and listen to award winning blues artist Spencer vide information and tips on how to live a healthy life with Mackenzie. This concert will be a fundraising event for Delta Legomania diabetes. United and an amazing opportunity to hear a rapidly ris- Drop in to build, imagine and play with Lego. When: Monday, May 8, 1:30 p.m. ing star. Tickets are $20 in advance, and can be bought When: Every Saturday, 2 p.m. online through the Delta United Facebook page, or $25 at the door. For more information go to facebook.com/ Special Superhero Storytime events/1656235618012792/. Dress up as your favourite superhero and join us for stories, When: Sunday, April 30, 2 p.m. games and a special craft. Ages 4 - 8. The next issue of The Point is June/July. Where: Delta United Church, 47 Ottawa Street South When: Saturday, May 6, 11 a.m. Please send your information for all Sew Hungry DIY Teacup Terrarium for Mom neighbourhood events to us by May 1st at Ottawa Street’s national award winning restaurant and food You supply the teacup and we will supply the materials to [email protected] truck rally is back and better than ever. make a teacup terrarium for Mother’s Day. Ages: 8 - 12. When: Friday, May 5, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. & 4 - 8 p.m. When: Saturday, May 6, 2 p.m.

constant illegal dumping, vandalism, Community Foundation, Clean & scheduled cleanup days. “We want this Right up your and trash in their laneways, they formed Green, Environment Hamilton, and the to be an ongoing process throughout the the Alley Laneway Enhancement Team. City of Hamilton Waste Management year,” says Brenda. beautiful alley Now and then they would get together Department, the first Beautiful Alleys Beautiful Alleys wants to be a source for a few hours on a weekend to clean up event drew approximately 600 volunteers of information for Hamiltonians who by Erin Shacklette an alley. Then the questions and phone who cleaned 100 laneways. Three more come across illegal dumping or graffiti calls started—people wanted their alleys cleanups occurred in September 2015. and don’t want to wait for an official any people within the Crown cleaned. Word eventually got around and The success continued in 2016 with cleanup day to do something about it. Point, GALA, Sherman and M more people became interested in the idea. cleanup events in April and September. “We want to empower citizens to take Keith neighbourhoods are familiar with Plans for the first city-wide cleanup The number of participants has waned back their alleys as places of gathering, Beautiful Alleys, the resident-led group in April 2015 were soon underway. The since that first cleanup, in part due to biking, and walking routes.” that has organized alley cleanups in April twelve people who attended the first less dumping and more people monitor- With an organizing committee that and September over the last two years. I organizational meeting decided the name ing their alleys year-round. This is okay maintains the Facebook and Twitter first heard about them in March 2015 on “Alley Laneway Enhancement Team” was according to Brenda: “Beautiful Alleys pages, the group continues to organ- the Crown Point Facebook page. I joined too long. Someone asked, “Well, what started out as, and will continue to be, ize scheduled cleanups, and host full about 600 other Hamiltonians (as well as do you want the alleys to be?” Brenda’s a grassroots initiative organized and run membership meetings which are open to people who didn’t even live in Hamilton) response: “Beautiful of course!” by the community.” The ultimate goal is anyone in the community. The next clean to clean alleys in the lower city. It was a That is how Beautiful Alleys was to no longer have to clean alleys and to up is April 22nd 2017 from 9:00 a.m. humbling experience that made me real- born. With the help of Carlos Pinho focus instead on education and beautifi- to 1:00 p.m. If you’d like to participate ize our widespread neglect of these public who worked on the recruitment of cation of the cleaned alleys. please email [email protected]. spaces. Curious as to how the group got volunteers at the time, Brenda set up a “We want to be able to support other started, I brought this question to Brenda Facebook page and an email address. groups who wish to clean up an alley, Erin Shacklette is an Urban Planning Duke, one of the founding members. With the support of organizations such as a church or youth group interest- student at Mohawk College and a member She explained that it began about such as the Neighbourhood Clean ed in community service.” BA recognizes of Beautiful Alleys. She loves trees, four years ago with a small informal Team, Community Points, Hamilton that not everyone can participate on the gardens, and beautiful alleys. group of GALA residents. Tired of the