Author: Ara (Page 34 of 41)

“Basically, this is an annual mega-huge garage sale, run by volunteers and donors with all proceeds going to the Mustard Seed. We’ve raised over $130’000.00 over the years through all the donations and sales.

Mostly thanks to Jim, he hosts this sale on his lawn and people look forward to it every year, asking when they can donate and participate. This year we have the JCI (Junior Chamber International) participating through volunteers. It’s really quite exciting to see everyone come together and help.

What do I like about Sunnyside? I’d have to say my number one favourite thing is how it promotes pedestrian traffic. You rub shoulders with people you know on a daily basis. I also just like how I can walk everywhere. I just came from Market Collective in the East Village and passed by Expo Latino. Yeah, it’s like a small town.”

Christal, Donor Stewardship Coordinator at The Mustard Seed with Jim, host of the Annual garage sale on 5a Street NW.

“It’s been a hell of a week: cover photo and profile in Calgary Metro, my project’s Facebook page exploded, and my 35 birthday (which has always had a twinge of melancholy–simultaneously celebrating another trip around the sun, while marking the end of the summer months).

After being in the news paper, I felt the bar had to be raised and I sought inspiration, so I went to to the river to shoot a photo of the Peace Bridge. I walked around it, looked for angles, waited patiently for a moment when I had the space to myself and then came to the realization that I wouldn’t have the place to myself. That’s when the inspiration for this shot struck me.

I don’t want this place to myself. I want to share it. This neighbourhood, this project, the photos–all of it. While composing this shot, I could hear the echoes of Expo Latino’s music flowing up the river from Prince’s Island Park, I could see and hear families of all walks of life enjoying the Peace Bridge, shooting selfie photos, the C-Train rumbling by, taking people through the city, the ringing of bicycle bells as a group of cyclists goes on a night ride across the river. What a novel idea: all these people being brought together on a bridge aptly named “The Peace Bridge.”

I wonder if somebody sat on this spot a century ago and thought the same thing. I hope they will a century from now.” Ara Shimoon.

Kensington Fitness is a family run gym and we’ve been in business for seventeen years. We’re visited by people who live in the community, out of the community, pass through the community–everybody here knows your name.

Sunnyside? Oh my… I love the mom and pop shops in this neighbourhood. It’s walkable and we don’t have any big-box stores. Everybody here tries to help each other out. It’s such a community. It’s go such a sweet, small-town vibe.” Debbra Hobbs, owner/manager, head professional trainer – Kensington Fitness Studio

“We both have lived in this neighbourhood in the past. We don’t live here now, but we visit frequently. There’s a strong feeling of community, it’s a great feeling.

And the coffee is good!” Marjorie and Martin.

“I appreciate this neighbourhood and I like the fact that it’s a community. People here are into the idea of sharing: spaces, ideas… Yeah, a community concept. But it’s changed lately. People used to hang out and play music and gather around and talk and socialize a lot more than they do now.

It’s a lot less of a bohemian feel, y’know? It’s becoming more of a square neighbourhood. Maybe because the new buildings, the cops patrolling… I don’t know. Maybe the old regulars have moved away. Who knows for what reason, but it’s happening.

I guess if that kind of thing is important to people, they’d work hard to keep it, but I suppose it’s up to whoever is moving here. If people are looking for a more secular neighbourhood, but they want to live in this part of the city, they impact this community in their own way.” Eli

“I’ve been knitting for about ten years. My joints in my fingers started feeling funny, so my friend said to me, “You should try knitting.” So I did.

By the time I noticed that my fingers felt better, I was already addicted to knitting. One of the Celtic musicians at Oak Tree said that men knitting in the bar in Ireland is a dime a dozen.

I’ve lived here in this neighbourhood off-and-on since the late 1970’s. What do I like about the neighbourhood? Nothing in particular… nothing and everything I guess. It’s all nice, haha.” Vincent.

“What do I like about the neighbourhood? People. Yeah, I’ve worked at Vendome for about 5 years and it’s mostly the people and the sense of community. A photo? Sure, the Calgary Herald just did a photo of me here, so why not?” Kristi, barista at Vendome.

“‘New Age’ is the re-learning of ancient traditions. New Age Books and Crystals started in the basement of the space we’re currently in, 35 years ago. The owner of that place did so well that she moved into the the old location that the store used to be in, and that’s when my family bought the business. It’s like a dream come true to take over this whole building and combine it into one large space. We’re finally knocking the walls down and making a series of new reading rooms. It’s really exciting to see all this happen.

There’s so much new age and spiritualist places in this neighbourhood. I think it works in balancing the type of energy that comes from down-town. I was thinking of taking the business right out of the neighbourhood because of the huge costs of operation, but I just couldn’t do it. I was born in the Sunnyside Community Housing Co-op, I’ve got roots that run through this community as deep as they go.I feel like Sunnyside is one of the most eclectic neighbourhoods in the city. It’s the antithesis of the concrete jungle across the river there…” Yvan, Owner of New Age. Learn more at www.newageyyc.com

“We strive to bring to the community a source of good quality, flavourful food and goods produced by local farmers, food creators and artisans. As an Alberta Approved Market we are committed to ensuring that at least 80% of our vendors sell products which they, a family member, a staff member or a member of a producer-owned cooperative have made, baked or grown. Many of our farmers operate small family farms that use traditional methods but have decided not to obtain organic certification due to limiting factors like cost. We encourage you to ask all vendors about their growing and production methods when you visit the market. Come for the goods, stay for the fun. Live music and special guests have made the market a place to stay and enjoy.” www.farmersmarket.hillhurstsunnyside.org