Newsletter - 4th Street Promenade

SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2011
Newsletter
3RD ANNUAL AL FRESCO A WONDERFUL SUCCESS
On June 13th, 2011 104th Street was the stage for downtown
Edmonton’s third annual Al Fresco 104th Street Block Party
and fundraiser for E4C’s Edmonton School Lunch Program.
The event not only celebrated the start of summer but
showcased locally owned businesses on and around 104th
Street by hosting a one of a kind event in benefit of a
worthy cause.
Street and area has to offer. Blue Plate Diner, Credo Coffee,
Tzin Wine & Tapas and Lit Bar all hosted extended patios;
Pampa, the Brazilian restaurant, put on an outdoor charcoal
BBQ featuring their specialty – grilled meats; and high end
Street Food was savoured as Corso 32, Sabor Divino, Tres
Carnales, Elm Café and MRKT all shared space in the
“Al Fresco Bistro” tent.
Your support and generosity helped raise over $26,000 for
the E4C School Lunch Program which feeds kids who go to
school hungry.
If food was the heart, wine was the soul of this year’s
block party. deVine Wines, along with their agents and
wine importers hosted and supported the deVine Outdoor
Tent, where numerous wines, beer and spirits were available
for sampling.
Next came the heart of the
Al Fresco 104th Street Block Party… the food!
The day began with a pancake breakfast hosted by the
Downtown Edmonton Community League. It was a great
way to kick-start the day. With a great breakfast anchoring
the day, the Downtown City Market on 104th grabbed
the proverbial baton and kept the momentum going. All
vendors stayed open from 8AM throughout the duration of
the Al Fresco Block Party– showing true community spirit
and stamina.
Next came the heart of the Al Fresco 104th Street Block
Party… the food! This year’s Block-Partiers enjoyed many
different opportunities to sample the amazing fare 104th
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Of the more than $26,000 raised deVine Wine’s online
auction alone brought in over $17,000 in donations with
their outdoor sampling tent contributing over $4,000
as well.
The involvement of so many businesses on 104th-St.
truly made Al Fresco a community event. From event
volunteers, community involvement, residential support,
and sponsors there are simply too many people to thank
for the tremendous success. But you all know who you are,
and from the bottom of our hearts…we sincerely thank you.
A list of most of the people that helped make this event
the success it was can be found on the Al Fresco Recap &
Thank You’s on the deVine Wines website: devinewines.ca
OCTOBER 4TH
AL FRESCO FUNDRAISING LUNCH
The organizers of 104th Street Al Fresco are hoping to build on the
momentum of their success by holding a very special fundraising lunch
on Tuesday, October 4th from 11:30 to 1:00PM in one of Edmonton’s
premier restaurants – The Hardware Grill. Part of what makes this
lunch so special is The Hardware Grill will be closing their restaurant
to the general public and creating a special menu JUST FOR THIS
EVENT! A special three course meal with two matching wines will be
served, including a takeaway dessert prepared by Chef Larry Stewart. All
proceeds will be donated to the E4C School Lunch Program.
“We have two young children of our own, and want to do something special to
give back to the community who has supported us so well over the years.”
“We could not participate in helping feed underprivileged school kids on the
day of the Al Fresco event, so we came up with the idea of donating the entire
restaurant to raise money for the Lunch Program” says Melinda Stewart.
You can register for the event by going to the deVine Wines website
(devinewines.ca) and finding “Hardware Grill Luncheon in Support of E4C
School Lunch Program” under Events.
In addition to special lunch, there will be greetings from the City of
Edmonton by none other than Mayor Stephen Mandel, as well as from
Jim Taylor, Executive Director of the Downtown Business Association,
and Kristin Morra of E4C. We are hoping for the entire 100 seats to be
sold for this worthy cause, so please spread the word to your friends and
corporate colleagues.
WHAT THE TRUCK?!…
PART ONE (AND AN IMPENDING PART DEUX!)
Did Edmonton Blog Power Couple Mack Male and Sharon Yeo envision
the start of a regular community event when they started planning “What
The Truck?!” For that matter… what on Earth IS “What The Truck?!”?
And further more…why does the title of this article infer that there’s
another “What The Truck?!” coming? Okay… enough questions… now
for the answers.
In Mack’s words, “While visiting San Francisco in September 2010, we
(Mack Male and Sharon Yeo) stumbled upon an event called Off the Grid.
Two dozen food trucks had filled a parking lot to serve up street food with
a side of music. The energy and excitement in the air was palpable; people
were having a blast sampling and socializing outdoors. We thought: why
couldn’t this be done in Edmonton? And with that, What the Truck?! was
born.” On June 24th, 2011 Mack and Sharon, along with a handful of
dedicated volunteers, saw their first “What The Truck?!” open to a crowd
of supporters. By securing 7 local food trucks and one of Edmonton’s
most picturesque downtown parks the event was well attended and
warmly received. Carnival Cravings, Eva Sweet, Fat Franks, Filistix, Fork
and Spoon Brigade, The Funky Pickle and The Lingnan formed the food
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convoy, creating a semi-circle of delicious local truck food fare for all
to enjoy.
The duo found the logistics of it all to be the most challenging –
specifically getting all food trucks in the park and placed within the paved
area just right. However with a lot of patience and cooperation, all trucks
found their place in time for the 4PM start time. They also had Urban
Monks DJs provide some music to set and maintain the mood of the
event. Urban Monks DJs did a great job, and even created a food-inspired
playlist. The food was delicious, the music was fantastic, and the people
were happy… and full.
Don’t despair for missing the premier of this fun and tasty food fest,
however. Hot on the heels of their success, Mack and Sharon are
planning a SECOND “What The Truck?!” offering on Friday, September
16th from 4PM to 8PM. This time, it will in the park on the South East
corner of Jasper Avenue and 102 Street to allow for a bigger crowd and
better maneuverability for the food trucks. Check out all of the details on
their website: www.whatthetruck.ca . As if they’d name it anything else.
SUMMER 2011
ALLEY OF LIGHT
The Alley of Light is enjoying a very busy and successful summer! In
June volunteers with the Alley of Light set up a booth and handed out
information at the Al Fresco Festival. On August 13th, a very successful
Arts 4 the Alley was held with painting and drawing for all ages,
performances by musical groups and DJ’s, and an evening film shown in
the alley attracting hundreds of people in activating the space throughout
the day. Last weekend (August 28th) the Edmonton Arts Council invited
three artists, assisted by numerous volunteers, to paint the surface of the
alley between 104th and 103rd Streets with three different designs and six
bright colours!
Coming up are a ‘chalk day’ in the alley that coincides with the
Community League’s September 17th Corn Fest and plans are underway
for an Alley event in November as well!
For further information and pictures from recent events check the
website www.eote.ca/alley
SEPTEMBER 17TH
EDMONTON CORN FEST 2011
The Downtown Edmonton Community League (DECL) presents
their 6th Annual Corn Fest, held in conjunction with the Edmonton
Federation of Community League’s EFCL Day on Saturday, September
17th. The 6th Annual Corn Fest will be held in Beaver Hills Park from
11AM to 3PM. Volunteers will be on hand to pass out free corn-onthe-cob & popcorn...and maybe even offer up a free salsa dance lesson.
There will be opportunities to sign up or renew your DECL membership
as well. Don’t miss the presentation of the The Downtown in Bloom
Awards, which will be presented during the CornFest. Come down, grab
some corn on the cob, and meet fellow downtown residents!
Check out the DECL website for more information:
http://www.decl.org/
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COURTESY OF THE EPS
SAFER COMMUNITIES IN THE DOWNTOWN CORE
The core of Edmonton is growing into a
mature area; as such some of the residences
have aged and become rundown and have
since been turned into rental properties run
by absentee landlords.
These properties then become problematic to
both the police and the community, as they
often become drugs houses that house active
criminals and draw other criminal activity to
the area.
Absentee landlords do not have a vested
interest in the community. They do not
care what effect their property has on the
community... as long as they are making a
profit, they are happy.
The question is what can you, as a community
member, do when an absentee landlord sets
foot in your area? The biggest mistake that you
can make is to think there is nothing you can
do. By doing this you are allowing the landlord
and the tenants of the property to take control
of your neighbourhood.
There are a couple of routes you can take to
address the issue. First and foremost, report
activities of note that are occurring in and
around the property to the police. This includes
things such as noisy parties, fights, suspected
drug deals, prostitution or anything else that
you feel the police should be aware of.
If these issues are recurring, please forward
your concerns onto your Community Liaison
Constable via email or phone call on top of
reporting them to the general complaint line to
ensure police attendance at the property.
The EPS Report a Drug House program can
also be utilized. If you believe the property is
being used as a drug house you can report this
at edmontonpolice.ca. The Report a Drug House
link will give you tips on identifying drug
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houses and walk you through the reporting of
them. You can also make reports to Edmonton
Bylaw for untidy and unsightly properties.
This is very effective in putting pressure on the
property owner to have the area cleaned up,
as Bylaw will pressure them to clean up the
property.
For more information on what to report
to Bylaw, how to report to Bylaw and some
specific examples of what to report call 311 or
visit edmonton.ca/bylaws_licences/bylaws/homebylaw-complaints.aspx
Safer Communities and Neighborhoods’
Unit (SCAN) is another useful resource for
communities. SCAN is a unit created by the
Alberta Sheriffs in 2008 to address properties
that are negatively affecting the safety of a
community through criminal activities such as
drug use/sale, unlawful consumption/sale of
alcohol, prostitution and gang activity.
They accept complaints through their toll free
complaint line 1-866-960-SCAN (7226) or
online by filling out their online complaint
form. This form and more information on
SCAN can be accessed at scan.alberta.ca
SCAN works with the EPS to address
complaints but will only accept complaints
from the community. Make sure you report
properties to both SCAN and the EPS.
The problem of absentee land lords is a
growing concern. We need your help to address
these issues. Please forward complaints to
your Community Liaison Constable as well
as Edmonton Bylaw and SCAN. By doing so,
we will make it difficult for these landlords to
operate in our communities. Together we will
continue to make this a safer community.
Cst. Mike Walkom, Edmonton Police Service
Community Liaison Constable, 780.421.2603
Michael.Walkon@edmontonpolice.ca
DOWNTOWN EDMONTON
POLICE SERVICES CONTACTS
104th Street aims to be one of the safest,
cleanest neighbourhoods in Edmonton. As
such, we’re working to create and maintain
strong ties with the with Edmonton Police
Services BEAT Officers to enhance street
security and Jasper Avenue. If you are having
trouble getting through the regular phone
number to report non-violent crime in progress,
please contact the following officers at the
numbers below:
TEAM ONE
Supervised by
Sgt. Shane Darda
shane.darda@edmonton police.ca
Cst. Dale McDonald . 780.691.9848
dale.mcdonald@edmonton police.ca
Cst. Michael Bates . 780.908.3716
michael.bates@edmonton police.ca
TEAM TWO
Supervised by
Sgt. David Kaybn
david.kaybn@edmonton police.ca
Cst. Morgan Page . 780.295.6731
mogan.page@edmonton police.ca
Cst. Dan Dehaas . 780.983.8911
daniel.dehaas@edmonton police.ca
Community Liaison Constables (CLCs)
If you have any questions or want to inquire
about educational programs, please contact our
current CLCs at the numbers below:
Cst. Will Hermosura . 780.421.2711
will.hemosura@edmontonpolice.ca
Cst. Trisha Nicholson
trisha.nicholson@edmontonpolice.ca
THE CITY MARKET SHINES
The downtown City Market is continuing to enjoy large crowds – due
in part to the lovely late-summer weather but mostly to the fabulous
programs offered. At any given market, you can find yourself amongst
the freshest produce, the tastiest treats, and ethnic foods from cultures
such as Mexico, Greece and the Philippines (and so many more). Once
a month the market hosts a different country, exhibiting their dances,
customs and traditional goods. On those special market days, attendees
are treated to sports demonstrations, music and dance demonstrations,
and displays featuring cultural art, clothing and merchandise.
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FEATURE ON...
THE METALS BUILDING
The Metals Building was purchased by the
Empire Brass Manufacturing Company in 1948
and six years later the company, then known
as EMCO, moved to new premises on 120th
Street. The building then became home to
Alex Murray and Company from 1955 to 1958.
Miller Stationers were the major tenants from
1959 through 1972.
In 1975, the Metals Building was converted
to office and retail use and the Annex became
home to Mother Tuckers restaurant. The
Annex was demolished in 1996, but the Metals
Building survived to be lovingly restored under
the stewardship of Worthington Properties. It
was designated a Municipal Historic Resource
December 19th, 2002.
View south on the corner of 104th Street and 102nd Avenue, 1914
The Metals Building provides a
connection to one of Edmonton’s
earliest plumbing supply ventures.
It was built in 1914 for Metals
Limited from a design by wellknown city architects Herbert
Alton Magoon and George Heath
MacDonald.
The story of the building began in
the early years of the 20th century,
with the 1903 founding of The
Gurney Standard Metal Company
Limited. Metals Limited, a
successor firm, was established in
1910 by Calgary stockman William
Roper Hull with A.E. Cross, James
Lougheed (grandfather of Alberta
Premier Peter Lougheed) and R.B.
Bennett on the board of directors.
An Edmonton division of the
company had commenced
operations in 1906 in a wood
framed building on the same site,
owned by Hull. As Edmonton
prospered, business grew and the
venture soon needed a bigger
premises to handle its Gurney hot
water and steam boilers, steam
fittings and plumbing supplies.
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The Zenith Construction
Company began site work in July
1914 and, by the end of the year,
the building was largely complete.
The final cost came in at around
$45,000.
Magoon and MacDonald were
partners in an architectural firm
that operated during the first
four decades of the 20th century,
designing some of Edmonton’s
most familiar buildings.
Their design for the Metals
Building was distinguished by
details such as a simple stone cast
in concrete above the entrance
doors proclaiming the buildings
name and date of construction
and stylized cast stone rose and leaf
set into the brick on either side of
the main entrance. The rose motif
symbolizes the provincial flower
and the Alberta-based capital of
the firm.
The main floor is now home to the 190-seat
Rics Grill, which uses the massive beams and
generous windows to grand effect. Along the
brick parapet atop the north wall, original
advertising lettering has been rejuvenated.
“Plumbing & Heating Supplies, Wholesale Iron
& Steel, Hardware, Mine, Mill & Blacksmith
Supplies”, it proclaims, a reminder of a time
104th Street was the heart of Edmonton’s
warehouse district and horses were more
numerous than cars.
Reprinted with Permission. © 2010 Lawrence
Herzog. The full article originally appeared in
Edmonton’s Real Estate Weekly.
WHAT IS THE 104TH
STREET PROMENADE?
PAST
Once the trailway reached Edmonton in 1905,
the warehouse district was the location for
Edmonton’s fur industry. All the fur lofts were
serviced by a single railway spur located between
104th and 103rd Streets. The coming of the Railway
not only consolidated the fur trade and outfitting
in Edmonton, but also greatly increased the
volume of business as Northern Alberta and the
McKenzie region of the Territories were much
easier to get to, particularly when the Dunvegan
and Waterways lines were extended north from
Edmonton.
PRESENT
The committee members who have gathered
together to advocate issues on your behalf have
begun to tackle the issues which concern you the
most. We have formed close working relationships
with Edmonton Police Services to keep your
street safe and with Capital City Cleanup to
keep your street clean. Our sense of community
has been fostered and strengthened through the
development of closer ties with the Downtown
Business Association, the Farmers’ Market, the
Downtown Edmonton Community League and
our City Council. Your street is also a part of:
Al Fresco block party; Edmonton’s best parades;
commercial and movie shoots... and so much
more!
FUTURE
A street where: Pedestrians can mingle and cars
slow down; Special events coexist in harmony with
the residents of the street; People relax in cafes and
patios enjoying extraordinary cuisine; Shopping
in exclusive shops and boutiques is commonplace;
Vibrant pedestrian environments and active street
frontages contribute to safety and security; Picking
the freshest fruits and vegetables at the Farmer’s
Market is a wide indulgence; Trees are dressed
elegantly with lights to highlight iconic architecture
year round; Rich landscaping and a great
streetscape provide an outdoor space for living
and socializing; The community works together
to balance environmental, economic and social
concerns; Edmontonians and tourists flock...
104TH STREET ACTION COMMITTEE
The 104th Street Action Committee is comprised of volunteer members
from our community. Your members are:
Ed Fong
deVine Wines & Spirits (Co-Chair)
Jim Taylor
Downtown Business Association
Shauna Warwick
Phillips Lofts (Co-Chair)
Michael Phair
Reclaiming Lost Spaces
Ryan Mayer
Bluehaus Communications
Jane Batty
City Councillor
Bernard Johnson
UofA MBA Program
Ben Henderson
City Councillor
Chris Martens
The Icon II
Cheri Onusko
City of Edmonton
Chelle Busch
Phillips Lofts
Bridget Smatlan
fridget apparel
Gord Stewart
The Icon I
Erica Viegas
The Century
Mack Male
The Century
Colin Gemmell
City of Edmonton
Jon Hall
Cobago Lofts
Dan Young
Downtown Farmers’ Market
Kelly McCauley
Coast Edmonton Plaza
Barbara Ursuliak
City of Edmonton
Jodie McKague
Freelance Writer
Mark Foerster
City of Edmonton
Bob Watson
City of Edmonton
Thomas Rose
DECL
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