March 2013

Parkallen News

Snowfest a success! Parkallen’s Snowfest was a big success again this year. Kick sleds, skating, sledge hockey, snowshoeing, skiing, hay rides, hot dogs – but hey – we’ll let the pictures do the talking.

In this issue… • Snowfest • Parkallen Knitters • Parkallen Diggers • Hall Happenings • Community Development Plan • Classified

Parkallen News

2

Many thanks to Leanne Kohn for coordinating the day, and to all the volunteers who came and helped: Angie Miller ran the kitchen and kept everyone enjoying hot chocolate Sharlene Oliver cooked tons of hot dogs Noga Liron, Mike Chevrette and Rob Hafer manned the hockey sledges Jeff Miyashita helped assemble the kick sleds and brought both fire wood and his fire pit Sam Guffey, Alli Lamb and Christie Roy Irving helped wherever they were needed.

March 2013

Anne Pratt and Jessica Bateman took pictures The Face Painting girls: Kaylyn Hardstaff Kealin Koufogiannakis Heather Cattell Meghan The amazing clean up crew: Derek Roy-Brenneis Alex Clifford Angie Miller Sharlene Oliver City of Edmonton staff who arrived with bannock, showshoes, snow soccer and snow painting. Councilor Don Iveson for the generous donation MLA Steve Young for the hot dogs.

“And everyone else that pitched in. I am no longer surprised that everyone pitches in to get things done. I live in an amazing community. “ Leanne Kohn

March 2013

513426

513426

T I M D A ONE

3

Parkallen News

Movie Night Movies are $5 each. Popcorn just 50 cents! Soft drinks cost a loonie. Between movies there will be a short dance party (to get the sillies out!). Kids should bring pillows or bean bag chairs to sit on. Are you great with kids? Want to help out? We can always use volunteers. Contact Leanne at social@parkallen.ca.

March 29

April

6 pm: Rise of the Guardians 8 pm: The Hobbit

6 pm: Wallace and Gromit 8 pm: Life of Pi

Green Circle Preschool is going green for spring! Spring Garage Sale April 20 from 9–4 pm We will recycle your gently used items during our Spring Garage Sale at Parkallen Community Hall. Donations accepted April 19 from 7-9 pm

Electronics Recycling Program In partnership with ThinkRecycle and GEEP Donations, we will collect your old electronics for recycling. Donations accepted April 19 from 7-9 pm

We love being part of the community & are grateful for your support!

Salisbury Greenhouses Gift Certificates Green up your yard this spring. Green Circle is selling Salisbury Gift cards again this year. Available in $25, $50, $75 or $100 denominations. Available for purchase at the garage sale on April 20 (cash only please), or email at: greencirclepreschool@gmail.com.

GREEN CIRCLE PRESCHOOL | 6703 112 STREET Ph 780.435.3129 | www.greencirclepreschool.com

Parkallen News

4

March 2013

Spreading warmth, one stitch at a time

Front row: Lynn Welk, Sylvie Enfield, Violet Mootoo Back row: Susan Toy, Helena Hill, Helen Sass

The Parkallen knitters have been getting together for tea, stories, day trips and a bit of knitting for 27 years. These days, with just 16 knitters, the group is small, and getting smaller. Not many people learn to knit these days, and even fewer have time during the day to get together to share the craft. There was a time when knitting and crocheting were essential skills; making clothing and blankets with new and recycled yarn was something most women needed to know how to do. Not so much these days, when we are more likely to buy such things. So what keeps the Knitters knitting? On a sunny Wednesday afternoon in February, I spent some time with the Parkallen Knitters and they showed me their array of donated wool, their bags of hats, sweaters, socks and lap blankets ready to be donated to charity, and their scrap book. Originally formed in 1986, the Knitters have survived with no formalized leadership structure and a single objective: “Turn donated yarn into finished items and donate them to charities, nursing homes, hospitals,

schools or your favourite charitable organization.” They also sell their handiwork to raise money for charities and special causes citywide. From a casual meeting of six knitters, the group grew to 45 people at its height. They have always met at the Parkallen Community League Hall, but members come from all over. One dedicated member still makes the trek from Highlands. The scrapbook (still a work in progress) tells the story of nearly three decades of camaraderie and good works. Pages of photos document day trips,

written thank you notes from organizations and individuals. When you think of how knitted and crocheted items are made, every single fiber of yarn passing through the hands of the artisan, it’s easy to believe that the spirit of these generous women lives in each of the thousands of items they have made since 1986. Thank you Parkallen Knitters! Just knowing you’re there every Wednesday making hats for children, blankets for seniors, and booties for newborns makes us all feel a little warmer.

The Parkallen Knitters first Commandment: Thou shalt enjoy the Wednesday get togethers special celebratory meals, tea parties, a trip on the Edmonton Queen. All interspersed with photos of proud craftswomen with heaping piles of warm, handmade clothing – all made with love, and all given away to people they will never meet. Here and there, hand-

fertility

pregnancy

pediatrics

men’s health

mind & body

pain

ACUPUNCTURE • MASSAGE • YOGA • CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE

780 756 7736

6523 111 Street

www.wholefamilyhealth.ca

Parkallen News

6

March 2013

Do you have an itchy green thumb? featuring barbecued sausages and keg beer, all provided by local businesses. The garden has also been very popular with the local children both from our own Parkallen Sprouts and the elementary school, particularly the “pizza” and “butterfly” minigardens and the halloween pumpkins!

The Parkallen Diggers invite you to join them in their awardwinning work If you’ve walked past Ellingson Park in the last year or so, you may have noticed that the land south of the skating rink has been transformed into a garden. But did you know that this is no traditional community garden? Run by the all-volunteer group, Parkallen Diggers, there are no membership fees and no individual plots. Members cultivate and harvest the garden cooperatively.

The Parkallen Diggers is a group of hard-working gardening enthusiasts dedicated to sustainability and education – and, of course, a love of gardening! With support from the City and Sustainable Food Edmonton, over the last two years we have transformed an empty section of grass into the rich, living ecosystem that won last year’s Communities in Bloom award. It’s been a lot of work, but a lot of fun! Particularly noteworthy was last fall’s fantastic turnout for the “Shedtemberfest” shed raising

This year is shaping up to be just as exciting! We have plans to further expand and beautify, to increase accessibility for seniors, and encourage local habitat for beneficial species via the WWF-sponsored Wild Wings project. You don’t need any gardening knowledge to join in. Everyone is invited to meet their neighbours, take home the freshest (and most local) produce available anywhere, and help shape this unique community project. Visit us at http://parkallendiggers.org, and we’ll keep you updated with events and what’s in bloom. And if you know your gardening stuff, please give us your ideas; help us make this even better!

Taylor Community Choir directed by Diana Wiens, presents “How Excellent Is Thy Name”. Haydn’s “Te Deum” in C and other classical works, as well as contemporary anthems, gospel songs and spirituals. Saturday, April 13, 7:00pm and Sunday, April 14, 3:00pm Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church, 11210-59Ave. Edmonton Free admission. Donation opportunity will be given.

March 2013

7

Parkallen News

Haveyou you heard?! Have heard?! Parkallen Parkallen Community Community is is now now on on Facebook! Facebook!

Stay Stay up-to-date up-to-date with with neighbourhood neighbourhood happenings: happenings: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Events Events Construction Construction Community Community Meetings Meetings Local Business Local Business News News Groups Groups and and Activities Activities Membership Membership Updates Updates PLUS easy access PLUS easy access to to our our online online newsletter! newsletter!

The McDades AN INTIMATE CONCERT AMONG FRIENDS Where: Westwood Unitarian 11135- 65Ave Edmonton Date: Friday April 19 Time: 7:30 PM Tickets: Adult $25 Students $15 Blackbyrd Myoozik 780-439-1273 Myhre’s Music 780-477-1586 Or Call 780-435-3366

Stay Stay in in the the loop! loop! “Like” Parkallen “Like” Parkallen Community today Community today

March 2013

The Green & Gold Community garden, on the University of Alberta South Campus, is gearing up for its fifth gardening season. The garden is an initiative of the University’s School of Public Health and Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. Volunteers manage the garden and all of their time, and most of the seeds, plants and equipment used are donated.

9

Parkallen News We are always looking for new volunteers to help at the garden. Both novice and experienced gardeners are most welcome. If you don’t like gardening, but would like to help in other ways (distributing produce, promoting the garden, donating seeds or garden tools) please contact us at: E-mail: gggarden@ualberta.ca / Phone: (780) 492-9079 / Web site: http://bit.ly/ greenandgold_garden If you would like to receive the garden e-mails this summer (these let you know what produce is available at the garden and the market hours that week ) please sign up to our garden listserv at:

All are welcome to volunteer at the garden or to come to the garden markets.

http://www.mailman.srv.ualberta.ca/mailman/ listinfo/gggarden

The vegetables, herbs and flowers are all “spray-free” (no pesticides or artificial fertilizers are used). Anyone is welcome to ‘purchase’ their vegetables at the garden market. Every penny of donations goes to the Tubahumurize Association, a nonprofit organization in Rwanda that provides socially and economically marginalized women with vocational training, counselling, life-skills coaching, health care education, and opportunities for sustainable income generating activities. Last year the garden raised over $17,000 for the Tubahumurize project, and over $8,000 more was raised from sales of Tubahumurize handicrafts.

Seed & Handicraft Sale & Volunteer orientation sessions: We are planning a seed and handicraft sale, and an information session for those interested in volunteering at the garden. (Flower, vegetable and herb seeds and Rwandan handicrafts made at Tubahumurize will be on sale at both events.)

6703 – 112 Street • 434-8503 Web site: http://parkallen@epsb.ca Now accepting registrations for all grades for the 2013-2014 school year. Kindergarten students require birth certificates to register.

Kindergarten Open House Thursday, April 4 : 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. We welcome enquiries about our school. For information, please call us at 434-8503.

The Seed & Handicraft Sale will be held on Saturday, March 23, from 10:30am to 1:30pm The Volunteer Orientation Session will be held on Saturday, April 27, from 11:30am to 1:30pm Both events will be held at the Strathcona branch of the Edmonton Public Library (8331104 St).

Parkallen News

10

March 2013

Southwest Edmonton Farmers’ Market It’s almost that time of year again! Market season is just around the corner and there are lots of exciting things happening behind the scenes and special events being planned for the Southwest Edmonton Farmers’ Market. Your community market is entering its third season this year. Think of the market as more than simply the best place to find freshly prepared food and wonderfully ripe, fresh fruits and vegetables… think of it as a community gathering place: a place where the community spirit comes alive, where you can experience great beauty, where you can connect with friends, family and neighbours, where you can help to support the local economy and where you can nourish your family with the freshest produce and wonderfully scrumptious, nutrientdense foods. Mark your calendars for May 15th, the first market day of the season. There will be lots of fun things happening at your community market on that day. This year, the Southwest Edmonton Farmers’ Market is moving slightly and will be held in the parking lot of the Terwillegar Recreation Centre, at the corner of 23rd Avenue and Leger Road, (the one near the big new animated sign) on Wednesdays from 4:30-7:30pm. If you drive by, or are heading to the gym or the arena, be sure to stop in for some wonderfully fresh produce, some creative crafts and jewellery, some artfully prepared food… or for a quick meal at a food truck. You will find terrific things in store for you there!

know that you can buy bedding plants and wonderful planters at your local market? Plan to come and check them out while grabbing a bite to eat at a food truck with your family. Do you find yourself itching for market season to be part of your life right now? Do you find that you just can’t wait for the outdoor market season to begin? Then • immerse yourself in the Market Blog (include market blog button image) www.swefm. blogspot.ca, a series of vignettes that celebrate market culture wherever you find it, whether it be on your travels or close to home. • keep up to date on your community market’s happenings and announcements by going to the Southwest Edmonton Farmers’ Market website at www.swefm.ca or its Facebook Page at www.facebook. com/swefm.ca. • or follow your market on Twitter @ SWEdmFarmersMkt.

The Southwest Edmonton Farmers’ Market is an outdoor, seasonal market, so while you may not find an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies on its first market day, you will find plenty of other things to amuse and entice you. Did you

Hall Happenings for March 2013 Parkallen Playgroup Tuesdays 10:00 am -12:00 pm

Parkallen Knitters Wednesdays 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm

March 2013

11

Parkallen News

Community Development Plan Public Hearing Update Amendment to Belgravia-McKernan-Parkallen Community Development Plan and McKernan/Belgravia Station Area Plan Please note that the date for this public hearing has moved from Monday, April 22, 2013 to Monday, May 6, 2013. Both the Station Area plan and the amendment to the existing B-M-P Community Development Plan will be brought before Edmonton City Council for Public Hearing. The city will place advertising in the

newspaper and mail notices to property owners regarding the public hearing. The draft amended plan has been shared with the Parkallen Community League. We have not had an opportunity to review the revisions in detail; the key change is that Belgravia and McKernan are no longer included in the plan. Both communities

are moving to the new McKernan/ Belgravia Station Area Plan. The existing plan and resulting Mature Neighbourhood Overlay have not changed for the community of

Parkallen. The decision to keep the plan intact followed consultation with the community. Thank you to everyone who participated in this process. Our voices were heard!

Save the Date June 2nd 1:00 - 4:00 pm Official Park and Spraydeck Grandopening event – full of fun activities for all!

Lendrum Pottery Group Mother’s Day Sale Saturday May 4, 2013 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 11335 – 57 Ave., Edmonton, AB (Entrance off 113A St.) Pottery for all tastes at reasonable prices. Dishwasher, oven and freezer safe. Free coffee.

June 2nd 4:30 pm Parkallen Annual General Meeting

March 2013

12

Parkallen News

Classified Parkallen resident since 1990 and pet/house sitting for 12 years. Will shovel walks, bring in mail, water plants, take care of your pets while you are away. Contact Michele @780.434.7871. References available on request

Your Parkallen Community League Executive: President: Alex Clifford Vice-President: Sam Guffey Casino: Christie Roy Irving Civics: Donna White Community Garden Coordinator: James Goldman Graphics: Lindsay Erickson Groundskeeper: VACANT Hall Coordinator: VACANT Hall Maintenance: VACANT Housing and Development: Jan Hardstaff Membership Coordinator: Sandra Stessun Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator: VACANT Newsletter: Anne Pratt Park Redevelopment Committee: Nora Begoray Programs and Social: Leanne Kohn Rink Manager: Sal Blair Secretary: Allison Chevrette Soccer: Meghan Dunnigan Social Media Coordinator: Jessica Bateman South Campus Neighbourhood Coalition: Lawrie Seligman & Donna White Sustainability Coordinator: VACANT Transportation: VACANT Treasurer: Brandon Golby Website: Marc Pearce

president@parkallen.ca vicepresident@parkallen.ca casino@parkallen.ca civics@parkallen.ca sustainability@parkallen.ca newsletter@parkallen.ca

housing@parkallen.ca membership@parkallen.ca newsletter@parkallen.ca park@parkallen.ca social@parkallen.ca rink@parkallen.ca secretary@parkallen.ca soccer@parkallen.ca newsletter@parkallen.ca uofa@parkallen.ca sustainability@parkallen.ca transportation@parkallen.ca treasurer@parkallen.ca webmaster@parkallen.ca