Photo's from the St. John's Residents' Association AGM!

On Sunday October 20th, residents and community members gathered at the Ralph Brown Community Centre for the Annual General Meeting. It was a well attended event with representatives from our funders, residents and friends coming together for some food, entertainment and of course electing the new board. 

We had some delicious food prepared by Sharon & Mary that was full of meatballs and roast and potatoes with Three Sisters stew as our vegetarian/vegan option!

Former resident Wanda Wilson entertained us with her musical talents and beautiful voice.

Welcoming remarks were given by our City Councillor Ross Eadie.

We honoured our past chair & Vice Chair Madeline & Ian (and baby) as well as Ashley Grace for helping with the Communications committee.

Dale presented us with the housing report and gave us some good news moving forward in the next year!

We have this beautiful display board to welcome our guests - it is available to go and be shared with other community groups who want to get involved with the residents association!

Thanks for cooking Mary!!

We had kids and adults prizes. Every child in attendance walked away with a prize!

We were honoured to have some support from the North End Ambassadors!

Sgt Bonnie Emerson of the Winnipeg Police Service introduced some North End Police officers and explained how important it is for police and residents to be working together.

Tracey Procter of MPI Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) also gave a presentation on the COPP Program inviting any neighbourhood groups to contact her to take ownership over our neighbourhooods!

It was a fantastic event, thank you to Sharon, our community Development Worker and all of the SJRA Board and Committees for making our AGM such a success. Special shout out to Ralph Brown & NECRC for their support of the event as well!

Programs @ St. John's Library

Print and share with your friends :)

Fall Family Storytime registration begins

Friday, September 13, at 10:00 AM

The Fall Storytime session begins

Tuesday, October 1, 6:30-7:00 PM

and run Tuesdays until November 19.

The ABCs of First Time Home Buying 

Thursday, October 3, 6:30 PM

Will be approx. one hour in length.

All of the above located in St John's Library at 500 Salter Street 

City of Winnipeg 2014 Budget Consultation

The City of Winnipeg is undertaking a consultation process to engage the citizens of Winnipeg in shaping the direction of the City’s budget. All across Canada, municipalities are facing an infrastructure crisis. The list of items needing repair includes streets, bridges, sidewalks, community centers, libraries, and sewer and water systems. Based on current revenues, the City of Winnipeg anticipates shortfalls in its 2014 and 2015 operating budgets of $74 million and $94 million, respectively. Under the City of Winnipeg Charter, the City must balance its budget. Given this challenge, the City of Winnipeg is seeking to understand what the citizens of Winnipeg want and expect from its civic government. The City of Winnipeg would like to know what the citizens of Winnipeg think about

• What the priorities of the City should be
• What choices they would make if they were in charge of the City’s budget.

Citizens can provide feedback through public workshops, an on-line survey, written submissions, by email to wpgbudget@mnp.ca or by phone to a comment line at 1.877.780.8683.

 

More information available at http://wpgbudget.ca/

 

The workshops are being independently moderated by MNP in an open house format and will be held on the following dates:

Tuesday, June 18	Highbury School, St. Vital, 99 Highbury Road	6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	Show in Google Maps
Wednesday, June 19	Victoria Community Club, Fort Garry, 80 Derek Street	6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	Show in Google Maps
Saturday, June 22	Buchanan Hall, Assiniboine West Recreation Association, St. James-Assiniboia West, 861 Buchanan Boulevard	12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.	Show in Google Maps
Monday, June 24	Millenium Library, Carole Shields Auditorium, 251 Donald Street	6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	Show in Google Maps
Wednesday, June 26	Park City West Community Centre, Transcona, 115 Sanford Fleming Road	6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	Show in Google Maps
Thursday, June 27	Garden City Community Centre, 725 Kingsbury Avenue	6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	Show in Google Maps

 

Citizens Action Network

Do you have a neighbourhood issue that you wish to report but don't necessarily want to be the one reporting it?

Do you have:

- neighbours who don't maintain their yard or home
- neighbours involved in criminal or dangerous activity
- issues with your road, backlane, or other City property
- derelict or vacant home issues

The Citizens Action Network (C.A.N.) can accept your report and forward the issue to all necessary parties. This can include Community By Law Enforcement Services, the Winnipeg Police Service, the Winnipeg Fire Department and outside agencies. As well, these departments will notify any other agency that is required after they complete their investigation.

This system allows all citizens to be able to report concerns with a certain amount of anonymity. There will be some cases where information may need to be followed up on, however, if you do not feel comfortable with this, there are things that can be done. One can be the C.A.N. Coordinator can look into the concern and verify it and report it for you and follow up with the agencies after the report is submitted.

Did you know St. John's has their own C.A.N. Coordinator? If you wish to use this service you can email cansjr001@gmail.com.

More information on this program can be found here.

Also this service is to only be used for NON-Emergencies. If there is an immediate threat to life or public safety, please contact 911. Do not report these issues to C.A.N. as there may be a delay with the Coordinator viewing it and the agencies (ie. the WPS or WFPS) will not accept an emergency report from the Coordinator.

Friends of Sherbrook Pool

Friends of Sherbrook Pool has been advocating to have Sherbrook Pool reopened, and their cause would benefit greatly from additional signatures on their e-petition and participation from Winnipeggers from all neighbourhoods in their campaign to call city councilors to ask that they stand up for the pool.

If you would like more information on what they have been doing and the situation with Sherbrook pool, you can see their call for action below as well as their information.

You can see their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Sherbrook-Pool/181229775249616?ref=hl, their online petition at http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Save_Sherbrook_Pool/ and their website at http://friendsofsherbrookpool.wordpress.com/.

As well, the City released the following news release today:

Friday, June 7, 2013 

City to consult with residents of Daniel McIntyre ward on future of Sherbrook Pool

Winnipeg, MB – The City of Winnipeg’s Public Service is recommending that a consultation process be undertaken to determine the recreational needs of the Daniel McIntyre ward, including Sherbrook Pool and other facilities in that area.

On November 29, 2012, a routine inspection of the 81-year-old Sherbrook Pool identified a potential concern with the integrity of the support columns on the pool deck.The facility was closed to allow for a detailed engineering assessment of the facility to be undertaken. This assessment involved opening up (or uncovering) the columns around the pool to assess their condition.

Programming was relocated to nearby pool facilities for the winter and spring 2013 sessions.

The City brought in a third party engineering firm to assist with the assessment, which focused on determining the structural integrity of the facility and the anticipated costs of any needed repairs or remediation.

The Public Service has determined that the capital cost to re-open and maintain Sherbrook Pool would be approximately $6.3 million ($2.8M to re-open and $3.5M to maintain over the next twenty years).

Total expenditures for both maintenance and programming for Sherbrook Pool have increased significantly. It has gone from $525,000 in 2002 to $753,000 in 2012.

The public service recommends a request for proposals to have an independent third party conduct the community consultations.

An administrative report will be considered by the Standing Policy Committee of Property and Development on Tuesday, June 11. The report is available here.

Giveaway weekend - NEXT weekend

The first giveaway weekend of 2013 is this weekend on May 11 and 12. Be green and let others use items that you are no longer using. The tips or 'rules' of the giveaway the City of Winnipeg sets are below:

Tips if you are giving away items:

·         Place unwanted household items at the curb on your front street.

·         Label each item with a FREE sticker or sign.

·         Keep any items safely stored away that you don't want to give away.

·         Remove leftover items from the curb by dusk on Sunday.

Examples of giveaway items include:

·         books, CDs and DVDs

·         furniture, electronics and small appliances

·         sports equipment and toys

·         yard and gardening tools and equipment (e.g., lawn mowers, snow throwers, rakes, shovels)

·         kitchen gadgets, dishes, cutlery, pots and pans

·         unwanted gifts

·         construction material (e.g., nails, paint, wood)

·         clothing

Please do not put out:

·         items that could be unsafe

·         items infested with bed bugs (e.g., mattresses, furniture, bedding)

·         toilets (with a flush volume of 13 litres or more)

Tips if you are cruising the curbs looking for treasures:

·         Take only the items at the curb marked "FREE.”

·         Respect other people's property – don't walk or drive on people's lawns or gardens.

·         Don't discard any items on another person’s lawn.

·         Obey the traffic laws at all times (e.g., don't block traffic, park illegally or block people's driveways with your vehicle)

·         Watch out for children.

For more information on the giveaway weekend, including what to do with leftover items:

·         visit winnipeg.ca

·         contact our 311 Centre, open 24 hours every day, by phone at 311 or by email at 311@winnipeg.ca

·         download the mywaste app at Winnipeg.ca/mywaste

For information on items that aren’t safe to give away (e.g., baby walkers, lawn darts), visit: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/cons/garage-eng.php

Ever want to be notified of whats being put on by the City of Winnipeg? 

They have a Facebook page (facebook.com/cityofwinnipeg) and a Twitter (twitter.com/cityofwinnipeg)

Help support our neighbours at Burrows Resource Centre

Burrows Central Residents Council is hosting a Craft, Accessory and Bake sale on Saturday May 11. Check out their poster below for all the details!

17TH Annual Winnipeg Police Service North End Spring Feast

The Winnipeg Police released the below information regarding the 17th annual WPS North End Spring Feast. 

-----

Members of the Winnipeg Police Service District #3 Community Support Unit will be hosting the 17^th Annual Spring Feast at the Indian & Metis Friendship Centre located at 45 Robinson Street, tomorrow, April 12^th at 12:00 noon. 

In traditional Aboriginal communities, there were a select group of individuals known as the Peacekeepers or Warriors of the tribe.  They were from the Bear Clan and assumed the responsibility to protect the community from harm.  Another important role was to provide food to ensure no one within the community was hungry.

As police officers, we are honorary members of the bear clan and are expected to perform a wide range of duties and assume many different roles including being a Peacekeeper.

The Winnipeg Police Service North End Spring Feast, under the guidance of an Aboriginal Elder, is reminiscent of the tradition whereby the hunters in the community prepared and held a Community Feast.

This has proven to be a tremendous success and has enhanced the relationship between the members of our Police Service and the Aboriginal Community.

This year with the assistance of RB Russell culinary staff, Police Officers will prepare beef stew and serve it with bannock to members of community.  In the past years, Officers have served upwards of 650 community members during this event.

This year Winnipeg Police Service members, including the WPS Cadets, along with CP, CN, RCMP and Treaty Three police officers, are honoured to represent the Bear Clan at this Traditional feast.

Business contributors of this year’s feast have made possible book scholarships for north end students. Performers from the area schools and Aboriginal Community will be in attendance.

Members of the media are welcome to attend. 

Nobody’s Perfect Parenting Program for Newcomer Parents

When: Tuesday 9:15 - 11:15 PM, Feb 5 -Mar 26 2013

Where: Turtle Island Neigbhourhood Centre, 510 King Street 

What: Rhymes and Songs in English and your language and time to talk about being a parent in Canada

Parenting Books, Childcare and Snacks provided.

To register:

Call Erna Andersen (204) 582-9091 

Nisw1wwra@gmail.com 

or Jean Tinling (204) 794-6796 

jtinling@mosaicnet.ca

Language support in: Karen, Kinyarwanda, Swahili

Pollocks Hardware

Pollocks Hardware recently sent out their newsletter. Some neat tidbits in it were:

They are holding their Paderno Sale from November 14 - 18. More information on the sale can be found at  http://www.pollockshardwarecoop.com/blogs/news.

Pollocks is also updating their website frequently. Check it out at www.pollockshardwarecoop.com. They post it with photos, news, products for sale and with information about the Social Enterprise Center at 765 Main Street's Warehouse). Plus they also have Community News! 

You can also check out their Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pollocks-Hardware-Co-op/84030323460. 

Don't yet have a Pollocks membership? Ask about one next time you're in. With it you will get 10% off at The Tallest Poppy (631 Main Street), 10% off parts at Minute Muffler (1011 Main Street) and 10% off sales and services at St Paul Small Engine (2985 Henderson Highway).. in addition to the awesome deals with member sales!

Community Spotlight - Pendragon

Every three months we include a Community Spotlight article in our newsletter. This last issue included an interview with Pendragon. The interview, in its entirety, is posted below.


"We sell fun!" that's how John explained his business to me when I recently visited him in his store, Pendragon Games and Hobbies. John and his wife Linda have been in the business of selling board games for almost 40 years. He opened his first store in Ottawa in the 1970's, and his wife ran the store while he was off on military duty. In 1982, he opened a store in downtown Winnipeg, and for the past 8 years, he has been at his current location at 1354 Main Street, on the corner of Main and Cathedral.

John sells all kinds of games - farming, action, family oriented, decision based and role playing ones. They come from all over the world, China, India, Germany, Switzerland, and they are all English editions. Were you aware that the earliest version of a board game was found in Ancient Egypt? 

Aside from carrying the traditional board games that most of us grew up with such as Monopoly, Chess, Checkers, and Cribbage, John also carries such popular ones as Dungeons and Dragons, Ticket to Ride, a cross country train adventure game which outsells Monopoly in Europe, and the Settlers of Catan, an award winning game of Discovery Settlement and Trade. 

He also sells games that have been made out of a TV series such as Pillars of the Earth, pocket books based on the games, t-shirts, and Dungeon and Dragon figurines. The figurines come in a steel gray color and can be painted. He carries a good selection of paint colors, as well as a booklet on how to paint them. Prices for the board games range anywhere from $20.00 to $80.00. He doesn't sell computer games, but he does buy and sell used board games.

John pulled out one of the display games to show me and I couldn't help but be impressed by what I saw - exceptional graphics, nice visual representation, and detailed figurines. If you would like to try one out before you buy, he would be more than happy to demonstrate one for you.

There is no major board gaming convention held in Canada, so John has to travel to the US or Europe to see the latest board games in the industry. 

John shared with me as we talked that he would like to put on a game demonstration evening at the local high school or library, but, for now, in the lower level meeting space of his building, he holds game nights. Wednesday evenings is 4E D&D Encounters at 6:00 pm, followed by Casual Games Play at 7:00 pm. Thursday at 6:30 pm is the Pathfinder Society RPG play, and Fridays at 6:30 pm, Magic the Gathering Card Game Play. Pendragon Games and Hobbies meeting space is also available to rent for your meetings. 

If you have fond memories of a particular board game from your past, drop by and talk to John, maybe he can help you find it. Pendragon opens at 10:00 am Monday to Saturday, and closes at 6:00 pm, Fridays at 9:00pm. The store is closed on Sundays. If you would like more information please contact John at 772-5415. There is no website but they have a Facebook page.

Their Facebook page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pendragon-Games-Hobbies/115539495130521.

CBC Conversation Cafe - 'Police and vulnerable communities'

A Journalist with the CBC is doing a radio segment for CBC Manitoba called 'The Conversation Cafe'. The aim of the Cafe is to bring a small group of Winnipeggers together for an informal dinner and a facilitated conversation about issues and matters important to them.


The conversation is pre-recorded and segments are aired on CBC's information radio with Terry MacLeod. The aim is to bring people together who may not have had the opportunity to engage with one another. Its a comfortable space and place to share thoughts, experiences, discover more about each others perspectives and build bridges of understanding.

The next Cafe will put two groups of participants to speak about 'Police and vulnerable communities'. There will be four participants from law enforcement and four participants representing vulnerable communities (representatives of residents associations, neighbourhoods with high rates of gang related activity or crime, 'at-risk' youth group representatives etc). This would provide a unique forum for representatives from key sections of civil society to come together and discuss key issues affecting all. It would also provide a wonderful opportunity for you to learn and discover different perspectives about how to address issues that arose from the conversation.

The philosophy behind the cafe is that it focuses on respectful dialogue and not hostile debate. This is not about 'grilling or blaming each other' but rather about having conversation at the personal level with people who are passionate about bettering our society.

Questions that will be discussed at the cafe could include:

How do we strengthen trust between police and vulnerable communities/'at-risk' individuals?
What are the success stories?
What are the challenges and barriers to this? How do we work together to overcome them?
What are the next steps to increasing partnership and understanding between these groups? How do we work together to make Winnipeg a safer place for all?

The Conversation Cafe will take place on Tuesday October 23rd, at 120 Maryland from 6pm- 8:30pm. The cafe will be audio recorded, but not aired live. The CBC is looking for people from your community and neighbourhood to participate in this important conversation. If you are interested, or know of anyone who would be enthusiastic to engage, please contact Nadia at nadia_kidwai@yahoo.co.uk. There is a screening process prior to the cafe, thereafter participants will be selected.

Thanksgiving Weekend Fun - Mosienko Lanes

Billy Mosienko lanes is having a Thanksgiving Weekend of Family Fun (perfect for the winter-esque type weather we are having).

Three options! You can either do the door crasher between 10 am and 12pm where games are only $2 each; the Pizza Pack which is an hour of bowling, a large pizza and a pitcher of pop for $42 or the Snack Pack which is an hour of bowling, 1 pitcher of pop and a bucket of popcorn for $35.

If you're feeling wild, why not do all three!

Located at 1136 Main Street, inbetween Redwood Avenue and Boyd Avenue on the West side of Main Street, come on down for some indoor fun this weekend.

August Activities at Aboriginal Visioning for the North End

Aboriginal Visioning has some great activities this month! On top of that its all free!

Friday August 3 feel free to drop in for coffee or tea anytime!

On Tuesday August 7 Picnic in the Park planning meeting is being held at 10 a.m. at St. John's Park.

A Housing Gathering is at 586 Selkirk Avenue at 5 pm on Thursday August 9. Bus tickets and a FREE dinner are provided.

The North End Community Helper's Network meeting is on Friday August 10 at Kildonan Park at Noon.

Saturday August 25 is Picnic in the Park from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at St. John's Park.

In addition to all of these awesome events, every Wednesday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. is Women's Gathering where you can share in yummy food, meet people, do fun activities and get involved!

August 1 - Lunch is Garlic Sausage and Perogies and you can make keepsake boxes
August 8 - Sandwiches and Soup are lunch and the activity is Money with Maia!
August 15 - Lunch is Burgers, Fries and Coleslaw and enjoy a visit from Pathways
August 22 - Its' Breakfast for Lunch! Make Jewelry with Jessie later on :)
August 29 - Enjoy Sandwiches, Veggies & dip and then do beading with Gladys

Questions? Head on down to 586 Selkirk Avenue; give them a call at 204-586-5940 or check our their website at www.aboriginalvisioning.com.

Main Street Farmers Market Trucking Along

Tomorrow is the Main Street Farmers Market from 2-7pm in the Neechi Commons parking lot located on Euclid and Main. There are almost 10 vendors confirmed and some music! Bring out the family for an afternoon of sun and fun!

Questions? Comment here, send us an email to get in contact with Jasmine, Food Security/Greening Coordinator with North End Food Security Network at jasmine@necrc.org or 204-927-2342.

Grandmothers Protecting Our Children - 6th annual medicine walk

Kookum Kaa Na Da Maa Waad Abinoojiiak Council “Grandmothers Protecting our Children” 6th Annual Medicine Walk will be held on September 21st, 2012.


This will bring together our communities, social service organizations, helpers and allies under the Wisdom and Guidance of the beloved Grandmother Council. Their prophecy tells us that the Grandmother Councils will reclaim their rightful place in these trying times. In our history it is known that our Ancient Grandmothers/Clan Mother councils before us, were the ROOTS to the balance in our societies. The Men inherently understood this and looked to the Kookums for Guidance. The Men understood that the Kookums were the birthers of all, the white haired ones, that knew deeply what was best for the people.

This year they will be gathering for a ceremony at the Circle of Life Thunderbird House on Higgins Avenue at Main Street.

The Grandmothers Council are requesting that your group/organizations/agencies who work with our people come to a Tobacco Pray Tie “Burning Ceremony” at the Thunderbird House. This is to Honour the Spirits of our children, youth and peoples who have lost their lives through violent death, suicides and because of the ongoing systemic abuse which is still prevalent in our lives and communities today. The Grandmother Council needs to send out a message of importance and the urgency of all our People coming together in ceremony and healing.

It does not matter if you come from a religious Faith based background, if you are Traditional or not. Everyone is diverse from all backgrounds but have one voice.

If you are attending, you are requested to bring:

*Prayer ties: You can have a circle with staff, clients and families and make prayer ties together for those we have lost.
*Bring prayer ties to ceremony at Thunderbird House 8am [outside at ceremonial grounds] Grandmothers will be there to receive you with Love and Guide you through the Ceremony.

A light Breakfast will be inside Thunderbird House at aprox. 9am. The Medicine Walk will start at 10 am and proceed to the Legislative Building where the Grandmothers Council and invited guests will deliver their words of Wisdom to all Peoples.

They invite all to participating to bring a banner to represent their group/organization/agencies. If your agency has a van, they also request the name and logo be on the van that can follow behind the Medicine Walk to show solidarity in the community. They also encourage the youth and individuals participating to make a banner to bring awareness to the broader society. A strong visual presentation of banners and vans will get the message forward that “We Will Not remain Silent”.

For more information or to register please contact;
grandml@shaw.ca
billiethunderbird@hotmail.com
kandiann@hotmail.com

Mini Gardening Q&A sessions with Urban Eatin

The Salter Street Community Garden at 417 Salter Street will be host to Urban Eatin on:

(Today) Tuesday July 31st at 3:30 pm

Tuesday August 14th at 3:30pm
Wednesday August 29th at 3:30 pm

They will be on site for a few hours to answer gardening questions; everything from plants, pairings, general maintenance, off season maintenance and tips!

Even if you don't garden at the site, please feel free to attend one of the dates. If you have any questions contact us or call 204-927-2340.

No Stone Unturned Concert - July 14

Everyone is invited to the 'No Stone Unturned Concert' at The Forks on July 14 from 1pm -10 pm.


The concert will honour Manitoba’s missing and murdered women and girls – and to raise awareness about the issue in Manitoba. Many performers have given their time to support this cause.

Performers include:


Hector Menow / Soul Chemical / Rband / DMP / Joshua Manzanilla / Chrome 204 / Percy Tuesday / Andrea Dunning / Troy Westwood / Ruckus Movement / Fargo Arizona / Giving In / Raven Hart Bellecourt / Black Saddle / Keewatin Otchitcha / Traditional Womens Drum Group

Hosts include:

Hector Menow & Claudette Osbornes Family and Friends

Emcees include:

Rosanna Deerchild / Troy Westwood / Melissa Streetz Spence / Cecil Sveinson / Junior James

There will also be an art auction with paintings by Patrick Ross & Jackie Traverse (produced live during concert).

Oodena Celebration Circle Candle Light Vigil will be at 10 pm.

If you would like to volunteer Bernadette Smith at 204-219-2579 or by email at bsmith_772@msn.com.

Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak and YOU

Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak introduced a newly enhanced website created to be youth friendly.

They are hosting daily, weekly and monthly contests where you could WIN promo materials (like water bottles, key chains and pencils) gift cards and an Ipod Touch for a grand prize!


Check it out at www.winnipeg.ca/aboriginalyouth.

Enjoy the site and dont forget to add yourself to their email distribution list to be entered for prizes!

Food For Folks Fundraiser - Saturday April 28

The Food For Folks Fundraiser is an event that will help build a stronger Community. All proceeds from this event will be going to support their food market at Folk Fest, with those profits being reinvested in the Community Gardens and food security project in OUR neighbourhoods!

Wanna buy a ticket?

They can be bought at:

Neechi Foods - 325 Dufferin Avenue

Folk Festival Music Store - Unit 203, 211 Bannatyne Avenue

Ragpickers - 216 McDermot Avenue

Pollocks Hardware Co-op - 1407 Main Street

Organic Planet Co-op - 877 Westminster Avenue

Jonnies Sticky Buns - 941 Portage Avenue

UofW Info Booth - 515 Portage Avenue

Popsodas - 625 Portage Avenue

The tickets are being sold on a sliding scale and cost between $10 - $20 per ticket.

The acts include:

Rastamils; Bacca; Maria Mango; Twin; Rainbow Tubesox; DJ Beezneez; Michael Champagne; Flaming Trolleys; Lorenzo.

It is being held at 591 Pritchard Avenue at the Ukrainian Labour Temple and doors open at 6 PM on Saturday April 28.