Reuse / Reduce Showcase at the Arts Barn

I didn't quite understand the format at first, but it worked.  This year's Edmonton Waste Management volunteer appreciation event was held at the Arts Barn.  The lobby was filled with local vendors, like in a farmers market, offering samples of their wares. 


Yes, Catherine and I will try your award winning chocolates.  Freshly made corn tortillas?  Yes, please.  From another vendor we learned one of the main differences between Italian and Ukrainian sausages (spiciness from red chilies versus black pepper respectively).  The only thing that could have been better is if we were allowed to reuse our sampling devices (oh, the bag full of little cups and plates), but I guess it was somewhat managed, they were all made of compostable materials.

The standout vendor for me was Fruits of Sherbrooke.  Their tasty jams and jellies are made with (55-100%) rescued urban fruit.  Reducing food wastage is definitely something I support.  Turns out they're also planning to holding classes to teach others how to use their fruit too. 

The very short formal program honoured graduates of the Master Composter Recycler Program.  Once again, I get twinges of maybe I should sign up...

Potluck Picnic Party - In the Park!

Erik to Steph: My mother told me to give you a hug.
Everyone: Aw...
Erik: And to tell you I can do the death race.
Meaghan: DON'T listen to your mother! 

Meaghan and Kathy's Potluck Picnic Party was on the other side of the park - the bit of Emily Murphy Park I didn't even know existed. When Paul and I tracked everyone down, people were mellow: Eating, feeding the fire, and catching up. 

Most were familiar faces.  But there were also some I only last saw at Kathy and Neil's wedding! 

More things to invoke that day?  Meaghan twirling in the same white dress and games on the grass.  If only there was singing...

Beth: Province in Canada, people from there are extremely silly.
Paul: BC... Alberta... Ontario...
Steph (on the other team, finally): Newfoundland.



We played Catchphrase -- and were too slick for our own good.  Somehow, we managed to blank out on "Elmo". 

Afterwards, instead of bocce it was "frisbee-soccer catch" which morphed into "multi-ball-throw-kick" chaos.  So fun!  At least for those actually playing.  We had the courtesy to call out to the person we're aiming for ("To the guy on the cell phone!") and not get too close to the food.  But we did not have very good aim. 

After hours of food, catching up (Meaghan seemed to be pretty happy in the States), and game play most of us were ready for a nap and headed home. 

I almost think the PPP in Park was blessed - not only the usual good friends, food, and fun, but also good weather and few mosquitoes... Unlike the UADC volunteer barbeque planned for a couple of hours later -- same time as the thunderstorm.

More photos of the PPP in the Park here.

Fort Edmonton Park

Not yet arrived at Fort Edmonton Park and already Jackie had an interesting find. 

Jackie: Is that a hubby shop?
Me: I think it's "hobby"...

But I was concentrating on driving, so maybe I was wrong...

It's been a while since Paul and I last visited.  I didn't expect many changes to a historical park, but it would be new to take Jackie there with a camera'd Paul on a summer weekday.  All these factors indeed made for a very different visit. 

It was early in the day and we found ourselves waiting for the train.  Paul walked to the other side of the tracks to take photos of an old car.  I explored a small neighbouring building that turned out to house a really neat miniature train set.  I love the details of the community -- each corner was a story scene.
We took the (regular)train, explored the Fort, stopped for lunch at the bakery and cooled down in its air conditioned basement.  They also had fudge for a reasonable price.  Between these points, I think Paul was happy. 

My brain was perhaps not fully on Fort Edmonton... (Right: What's Malcolm doing here? / Below Left:  Irene, what are you doing here?  / Below Right: Ah, Sherlock's not far away.)















But interactions with the actors / interpreters would bring me back. 

This lady (left) reminded just how difficult it was to bake a cookie back in the day.  A smokey open fire and a cast iron pan yielded a hard and oily disc, which was still (considering other options) a pretty special treat.  (Note to self: Send my baking back in time...).

(Below: Maps at the Dominion Land Office.)

Again, I didn't expect big changes, but Fort Edmonton has been busy updating with the times -- they have a new movie theatre!  We learned Capitol Theatre played classic and historically-based movies during the year (tickets available online), but park vistors could watch their 4D short feature, "Northern Light", for free.  We were just in time for their last showing of the film that day. 

In air-conditioned comfort, we learned of Edmonton's history (trade, booms, busts) as images were projected on layers of moving screens creating the 3D effect without wonky glasses.  The forth dimension came through as "snow" falled from the ceiling.  Pretty cool stuff. 

Also, as it was summer, the mid-way was open!  While we were too late to take the rides, we did have a little time to look around.  I think it would have been fun to have ridden the children's carousel. 

The trip would not have been complete without a visit to the gift shop... Well, at least Jackie was with me on that and Paul was pulled along.  Somewhere, combing through books, old fashioned candies, and Edmonton souvenirs, Jackie saw a snake (image / print / figurine?  I didn't notice it) and we made a quick exit. 

More pictures of our visit here.

Why doesn't it Fort Edmonton come to mind as frequently or more highly on the list as a neat place in Edmonton to visit?  Admission fees?  But it was, as with each time, enjoyable, though my feet are now really sore.  We all earned another break sitting down in the shade.

Tropical 118

Jackie and I set out to see just what 118th Ave had to offer.  I'd been in the area to visit Elite, but never to shop.  What we found was a hit of tropical in Edmonton. 

Paraiso Tropical Latin Food Market had a whole wall of interesting spices and chillis.  And would you know it - a Spiderman pinata!  Just yesterday Laura was hoping to find a Batman one. 

Both Jackie and I had fun poking around the shelves.  We tried to decipher what was inside the different colourful packages, or just what was different between this version and the familiar one for some international brand items. 

There were some baked goods here too, but nothing that was quite right in feel to bring as a gift to my parents. 

Not far away was Kasoa Tropical Food Market. 

This place had both dry and grocery goods.  It reminded me a bit of Chinatown for its smells of raw meat and fish - but mingled with unfamilar spices.  I wondered if this slightly nauseating and confusing sensory experience is what other people get when they enter a Chinatown supermarket.  We took a quick look around and left. 

(Above left: Ah!  So that's where one finds fish stock cubes! 
Above right: Woah, that's Chinese writing. ) 

There were plenty of stores we didn't make it to because we'd run out of time.  But perhaps next time, I'll be adventurous enough to actually buy something to cook with. 

Day 1, Part 2: The Muttart - Summer inside and out

Jackie: I can't seem to get it to work. 
Lana: Um... I don't think it's really a Magic Eye...

It was perhaps a bit naughty for me to point to the YEG brochure's inner pattern and mention its likeness to a Magic Eye... and then laugh when Jackie actually tried it.  But Paul laughed too! 

 

We were outside of the Muttart Conservatory ready to step inside, but became distracted by the sunshine peeking out of the clouds.  Yes!  The weather was finally looking nice and grounds were beautiful. 

When we finally made it inside, I saw the renovated central space had been taken over by an art exhibit.  I wasn't there for the art though: To the plants! 

The "Crown of Thorns" in the Arid pyramid made want to say "Watch out!"  I was envious of all the edible fruit just growing there: Figs, peaches, dates, persimmons... there must be some good pollinators at work.  Though the question might be natural (i.e. exotic and potentially scary insects) or semi-natural (i.e. insects I'm used to) or some really diligent gardening staff? 

Pictures inside the pyramids here.

Once outside, Paul wanted to continue exploring the grounds.  We walked over a little bridge and enjoyed some shaded areas. 

Everywhere we looked seemed to be bursting with life.  (Left: Look a bee!)

We spotted a group of people dressed in bright orange, gold, and white saris and tunics.  Were the bridal party of an East Indian wedding?    What a nice afternoon for it. 

Chinese Garden and Muttart Conservatory

We started on the edge of downtown (what I call downtown) at the Chinese Garden and end up on the other side of the river at the Muttart Conservatory.

Paul tried to explain to me the visual effect of the light circular splotches / dark circles when there wasn't such a pattern -- just light through a tiny grid / mesh... but I didn't get it.  Oh, well.

Jane's Walk on 104th Street

Jodie collected us from just around the Sobeys and told us about Jane.  Jane Jacobs was an urban thinker.  She wrote a book called "The Death and Life of Great American Cities", and (unlike Arthur Dent) stopped a freeway from being built through Greenwich Village.  She inspired Jane's Walk a movement to promote exploration of city neighbourhoods led by knowledgeable locals (and for neighbours to get to know each other). 

The walk / tour, Jodie had planned for us was of 104th Street.  Though Paul and I aren't a part of the neighbourhood, we were certainly attracted to it with it's interesting boutiques and bakeries and new condo buildings.

Others on the tour, however, were connected.  Someone's family had worked for Cecil Hotel.  Someone else lived with 12 other kids above a restaurant.  There used to be a playground there where people met.  

Jodie introduced current business owners to us.  Credo's owner (right) plied us with chocolates and reminded us that his cafe was the place for "the sexy people." 

We entered another building where Coup Garment Boutique had taken up space that might have once been a bank. 

Up rickety stairs and narrow hallways were offices and studio spaces for artists. 

Bridget of Fridget Apparel (below) allow us in to her workspace.     

And then we visited Capital City Burlesque (below).  Members of the group showed us some of their costumes. 

 

All the while, Jodie continued to refer to history and how Jane would have viewed these areas... how the people using the spaces effectively dictate how spaces are used ("spontaneous meeting spaces") - not bureaucracy or policy. 

 

She also introduced how gentrification was changing the area.  Truly, I haven't thought of gentrification in a long time - and could think of only the good points: Old run down areas are converted into new and desirable spaces - these studios and offices could be so much safer if they were renovated... What's not to like?  Unfortunately, this was done on the backs of low income artists who rely on cheap housing and studio space.  Essentially, they make an area interesting and desirable to live in, but at some point, because the area becomes too attractive, they're driven out by high rents and people who want to tear down the old and put in condo buildings.  (Yikes, this was Rent - have I really forgotten / changed that much?) 

(Above: Alleys get a make over too - a good site for a photo shoot and all lit up to be reclaimed from being "lost space".)

The walk was near its end when we were further given samples of scones from Queen of Tarts Bakery and wine from deVine Wines.  Even without all the samples, the Walk only confirmed what a neat neighbourhood this is.

(Below: Something completely unrelated.) 

Back to the Fort

"Where's the t.v.?" ~ Overheard at the Fort

Paul and I take full advantage of Free Access Day - to Fort Edmonton we go!  He was super excited.  I didn't realise he was so interested in history. 

(Left: Grr! I can block the sun.)

We arrived by shuttle and then took the train into town.  The old fort was our first stop. 

Paul: The visitors here must be really boring.

Lana: It's just that the responsible adults make sure they don't do crazy things.

Paul: You're the responsible adult in this situation?

As we walked through the Fort, I was keeping an eye out for the small details (we tried to read a letter that lay on a desk), Paul was looking for places to hide and jump out at people.  (Right: There's Paully!)

"Next year I'll be working in 1885." ~ Overheard at the smith

Outside, we watched two blacksmiths fashion a small cross and s-shaped window fasteners before working on a sword (which seemed a little out of period).  We also stumbled on an aboriginal dance showcase.  We stayed to watch part of it.  I was interested in jingling from one of the woman's costume - aluminum pop cans fashioned into bells?

We walked to the other areas of the park.  Our noses lead us to the bakery, and we stopped for lunch. 

(Left: Some kind of modern art sculpture?)

There was no covered wagon selling snake oil this time around(I was sure there was one just around the corner...), but we visited churches, an old school house, and a petting zoo.  

The day had gone by really fast.  When we made it to 1905 street it was already time to head back to the train station and to the present - time for me to go to TA training.  The rest of 1905 and the carnival will have to wait until next time. 

More photos here.