Category: #Sunnyside365 (Page 32 of 39)

“When this church was built around 100 years ago, they called it a ‘7 day-a-week Church’. I think that says a lot about the vision they had back then and how we carry it now. It’s built in this fashion as per the way they used to build Presbyterian churches in a rotund style.

Oh this neighbourhood? I like seeing people on the streets, I like the coffee shops, restaurants…

Yeah, the people. I like seeing diversity. The other thing I like is the river and the Peace Bridge. I like seeing people on the river, floating by and enjoying it. I moved here from the suburbs and I live in Hillhurst, on 21st, which is on the bike path. When I look out the window and see people cycling I think to myself ‘I love this.’ People in the neighbourhood want to be here and share it with others.” John Pentland, Lead Minister, Hillhurst United Church.

“I like the diversity. People feel welcome here in this community. It’s a really positive place to be yourself and feel at home. People feel like it’s okay to knock on our door and ask questions. It’s something that we really support–diversity, open-mindedness, and support. It’s a community and it’s home. They’re all things I really feel in this neighbourhood and this church, especially being a newcomer to the community.” Danielle Ayana James, Minister, Hillhurst United Church.

“It’s this time that I love the most in this neighbourhood. When the first crisp smell of Autumn starts to rise at dusk and dawn. It’s hard not to welcome the changing seasons in Sunnyside because I spend so much time outside.

…and that’s the thing. You take walks and nod to a passer-by, and eventually see them enough times where you stop and say hello. After a few seasons of doing this, you realize that you’ve been doing it for years. Before you know it, you have made a friend.”

“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.