Posted in Community Member Profiles, Deverill Park, Neighbourhood Issues, Uncategorized, untagged on July 5, 2012 | 2 Comments »
Arlene, who started standing on the corner of Milton and Haliburton around 3 years ago, moved from Nanaimo the past week. She initially played a daring and controversial role in cleaning up that intersection as well as Cinderella Lane (which is looking right now more like one of the ugly step-sisters…:(
Good luck, Arlene, and happy travels in life.
Posted in Community Coming Together, Deverill Park, Neighbourhood Flavour, Uncategorized, untagged, tagged Mad Hatter's Tea Party on July 26, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Welcome to the Second Annual Mad Hatters Tea Party! It was a great success last year and we’re looking forward to another gala event sponsored by SECA!
http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/fun/alice-in-wonderland-costume-ideas.html
http://www.communityartsworkshop.com/media.html
For pics from last year, click here.
Posted in Artbins, Community Coming Together, Deverill Park, Events, tagged Artbins, Miners Heritage Picnic on June 20, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Last year we set up our first “Art Bin Beauty Salon” at the Miner’s Picnic, and it was a TON of fun. Here’s how it works:
The bins that are painted at the Picnic will soon go to work on the streets of the South End (after they are christened and profiled here on the blog, of course…:)
The Art Bin Salon will be open between 10 AM and 3 PM.
Posted in Community Coming Together, Deverill Park, Events on July 29, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
It’s the gala-gala event of the summer!! And it’s right in the neighbourhood!
Some extra notes (that wouldn’t fit on the poster):
Posted in Community Coming Together, Deverill Park, Events, Uncategorized, untagged, tagged Miners Heritage Picnic on May 25, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Eighteen years ago, Charles Torhjelm, then President of the South End 
Community Association, organized the first Miner’s Heritage Picnic, and since then it has become a wonderful annual tradition in the South End.
The picnic is funded entirely by local donations, (we spend approximately $6,500 on the event) and the whole day is about bringing the neighbourhood together to celebrate our history and enjoy a fun free day.
The day starts at 8 AM with a free pancake breakfast, superbly hosted for many years by the Women of the Moose Lodge. A band of fiddlers from the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music will entertain the breakfasters.
We have live music throughout the day, including The Cunninghams, The Owl and the Pussycat, Trinitude, and a barber shop quartet.
Other events include:
It’s a South End day, but Nanaimo’s north, west and east are welcome too!
The Miner’s Heritage Day Picnic will be held Sat. June 26 at Deverill Square Park (Milton and Haliburton)
~ thanks to Douglas Hardie
*** Check back closer to the date for a complete and confirmed schedule of events.
Posted in Artbins, Community Coming Together, Deverill Park, Events, Neighbourhood Issues, Neighbourhood Plan, Uncategorized, untagged on December 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
December 2, 2009
Festive greetings to all our members, new and old. As 2009 draws to a close here’s a review of what’s happened over the past year. As an association we are involved in a number of activities, all of which are designed to support our mission statement: “We are proud of our community and working to make it better.” Our greatest asset in the south end is ourselves!
The neighbourhood level really is the best place to observe people power in action. It’s an old cliché, but together we really do make a difference. Cheers to all of us!
The south end neighbourhood planning process is finally underway. SECA has long been advocating and preparing for a plan and we are delighted to have an opportunity to shape the future development of our beloved south end. SECA has contributed a number of members to the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee and many of you will have participated in the open houses that have contributed to the planning process thus far. A range of important issues are being addressed, including, land use planning; social issues; transportation and roads; water access; parks and recreation and so much more. The planning process will roll out over the next year and should be complete by next summer. Stay tuned for further opportunities to participate in this important process.
15 years and getting bigger and better every year. The picnic has become a signature event for the neighbourhood and our association. It is the single largest gathering for the neighbourhood and this year we had considerably more children and families than ever before. Thanks to everyone who volunteered their time, energy and enthusiasm, and to the many south end businesses whose generosity makes this annual event such a great success.
The IPI campaign is a wonderful example of how SECA makes a difference in our neighbourhood.. For years, residents living next to the plant have complained about noise and disturbance from the plant., but had been frustrated by the apparent inability of city hall to address their concerns. Our relationship with city hall, our organisational capacity and our determination to hold the company and the city accountable to reasonable community standards, have been instrumental in forcing a number of changes by the company, including the removal of all glass processing from the site. Local people, coming together to support each other and tackle issues that matter in the south end. That’s what SECA is all about.
The jewel in our neighbourhood is looking better than ever. A few years ago when the neighbourhood was particularly stressed, we identified and began advocating for the regeneration of the park as a key part of our neighborhood improvement strategy. We have enjoyed terrific support from the city in this regard. New equipment has been installed, the park is used by sports teams on a regular basis, “art in the park” is adding colour and vitality, and future plans, e.g., a multiplex sports court, are in the works. How else might we develop the park? How could the park be better used by residents as a place of gathering and fun? Summer concerts in the park?
The infamous lane between Haliburton and Nicol and Milton and Farguhar has felt the love! Take a walk through the lane sometime and notice the absence of large numbers of folks lost to the world of drugs and despair. Notice the artwork on the lane, and on the walls and fences, notice the brightly painted art bins full of litter once strewn throughout the alley. Notice the newly planted shrubs and how tidy it looks. Notice that it doesn’t feel so scary, that there’s actually some really nice houses in there, and hey, say Hi to some of the really nice people who live there too! 2 afternoons of SECA inspired effort by friends and neighbours, music and bbq’s, and guess what…things change…
Our colourful art bins continue to pop up throughout the neighbourhood, devouring litter and bringing some much needed cheer and creativity to our streets. Snuneymaux First Nation liked them so much they painted some themselves and now have a number of bins doing their job on the No 1 reserve. We hope to plan another paint day soon, perhaps involving children from Bayview so stay tuned. Our monthly litter pick-ups have dwindled a bit and we might reintroduce our big spring clean one-day event next year.
Thanks to staff and residents at the Balmoral for being involved with us, keeping us informed about how the project is developing, and staying open to a lively and at times challenging conversation in the neighbourhood about the project and the complex social challenges that we face in the south end. SECA has tried to support the project in a number of ways. Our monthly meetings provide a forum for information about the project to be shared and discussed. We have written to funding authorities to urge for adequate levels of funding so that the project can be a success, both for the residents who live there and for those who live near by.
Particular thanks to Barbara Densmore and Larry Gambone for their wonderful efforts with the newsletter and blog. It has really changed the way we communicate with each other, both within the neighbourhood and beyond.
The financial report will reveal more detailed accounts, but I just wanted to acknowledge the work of many of our members to raise money for our different events and activities. We recently held a very successful Beer and Burger fundraiser which helps pay for general SECA activities and our insurance costs, which are approximately $700 yearly. We raised over $6000 for our Miners Heritage Picnic this year and sales of the popular SECA T shirts, cards, silent auction and hot dog sales all contributed significantly to the SECA coffers. Thanks to everyone for their efforts and to the many local businesses who support our association.
Just a few days ago SECA hosted an inspiring evening with Mark Lakeman from City Repair in Portland, at the new museum. Google “City Repair” for more information about the amazing work that has taken place in Portland. It’s a philosophy that we share. It’s about looking at how we can come together as neighbours. How we can create gathering places in our neighbourhood, rich with art and creativity, where we can get to know each other and have some fun. It’s about people getting out of their boxes and their cars and connecting! It’s what we do. How could we do more?
We lost some much-loved south enders this year and we’ve been thinking about their legacy and how SECA can honour their memory. Many of you will have attended the planting of Gino Sedola’s memorial tree on the corner of Milton and Irwin, in what was a moving and fitting tribute to that great man.
More recently Laura Ramsey passed away and again many of us attended her packed memorial service. We are wondering about a memorial flowerbed in the park for the vision impaired as a tribute to her.
Chief Viola Wyse passed away and we honour her contribution to the lives of her people. Viola played a significant role in the recycling plant campaign and in speaking forcibly on behalf of her people’s interests. We have made a contribution to the Breakfast Club that operates on reserve in her memory.
There are many little things that we do as an association that contribute to our mission. They include various media contacts where I or others share the south end perspective regarding a wide range of issues that directly or indirectly impact our neighbourhood. We try to talk about our strengths and all the great things about our neighbourhood as the best way to challenge many of the negative and myth based perceptions that exist about the south end.
We helped the city plant trees in Maffeo Sutton Park; we went to the school board and participated in a dialogue about school facilities and advocated for the building we sit in tonight. We met with developers and gave them feedback on proposed new housing developments. We organized a neighbourhood soccer drop in at the park. We participate in the Neighbourhood Network Association with other groups from across the city.
We invite local politicians and city officials to come to our meetings and get engaged with our association. We take every opportunity to appreciate and thank the many people and agencies that interact with our neighbourhood and work so hard on our behalf. We so very much appreciate their support. They include:: MLAs Doug Routley and Leonard Krog, Corporal Dave Laberge and his colleagues at the RCMP.
Many city official and staff who work in and support our neighbourhood, in different ways with particular thanks to Randy Churchill, Chris Scholberg and Kirsty Macdonald,
Mayor Ruttan and members of council …thanks to all.
Happy Holidays and best wishes,
Douglas Hardie, Chair
Posted in Building Developments, Deverill Park, Events, Uncategorized, untagged, tagged Garden, Gardening, Port Place Mall, Workshops on October 29, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The city has received a development permit application for a 4 story apartment building at 253 Victoria Road (think behind the Dairy Queen). We’ve invited the designer to come to our November meeting, present his concept, and get some initial feedback.
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Artist Yvonne Vander Kooi is half-way through her colourful mural on the washroom walls at Deverill Park. 
Although this is a commissioned job for her, she has donated countless hours of service to both the South End and the city. If you’re quick, you she’s the Hidden Hero this week on Shaw TV Channel 4. Bravo, Yvonne.
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Fitness Edge is taking over the lower floor of the building next door, which formerly held the hydroponics store and MP Jean Crowder’s campaign office. They will use of for exercise classes, and it can also double as a meeting space, fitting up to 50 people comfortably. They’ve done a terrific job in renovating.
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On Sunday November 1st, 2009 the Young Professionals of Nanaimo are hosting a community BBQ to help raise funds for the restoration of Nanaimo’s E&N Train Station. The event will be from 1-3 pm and will include many local residents, community and business leaders as well as local media. We encourage you to forward on this invitation to anyone who may be interested in learning more or contributing to the restoration of the Train Station.
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MLA Doug Routley is finalizing plans on a Nanaimo office. In the meantime, the grand opening of his Ladysmith office is on November 14th from 2:00 – 5:00 pm. Anyone that would like to come and have a coffee/tea and visit with Doug and his staff is welcome.
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Port Place Mall is doing an info session about the mall redevelopment, sadly, the same night as our next SECA meeting. In the Mall, Wed Nov 4 from 6 to 8 PM. Perhaps we can ask them to come speak with us at another time?
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Who? Community Garden leaders and anyone interested in spearheading new food garden initiatives, including representatives from the City of Nanaimo and food security organizations.
Where? Harewood Activity Centre, 195 Fourth St (near Bruce St.)
When? Tuesday November 24th,
Display Set Up & Viewing 6-6:30pm Meeting 6:30-8:30pm
Why? To share our successes, challenges, and our dreams – with the aim of supporting each other, increasing collaboration and growing more community gardens.
Agenda
(To help us shape the agenda to benefit those who are attending, please indicate what you would like to gain from this meeting when you RSVP.)
6:00pm Set-up and view displays of community garden initiatives (photos, literature)
6:30pm Facilitator will bring meeting to order. The agenda will be modified to suit needs of participants, but will likely include introductions and discussion of:
§ how your garden is structured
§ who participates
§ to whom food is distributed
§ how it is funded
§ what has worked well for your initiative
§ what has been a challenge/barrier, and
§ individual and collective goals for the future and how we can help each other
8:30pm Adjourn.
Please RSVP by November 17th by calling 250-816-GROW (4769)
Or emailing Pat at pat.w@shaw.ca
Remember to let us know what you would be interested to gain from this meeting so we can best accommodate you and your community garden group.
Nanaimo Community Gardens Society
www.nanaimocommunitygardens.ca
250-816-GROW (4769)
7-10 Club Grand Opening
The Nanaimo 7-10 Club Society invites you to celebrate their Grand Opening November 8, 1:00 to 4:00 at the Community Service Building 285 Prideaux Street. For more information 250-714-0917. email – info@nanaimo710club.com Web site – www.nanaimo710club.com
Posted in Deverill Park, Neighbourhood Flavour, Neighbourhood Issues, Uncategorized, untagged, tagged Balmoral, Deverill Park on July 31, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The initial paint lines have been drawn for a water pipe upgrade project on Irwin Street between Farquhar and Milton. It’s still budget dependent and nothing will happen for certain until after Aug 10. If it’s a go, plan for 4 weeks of construction.
At the same time, Parks and Rec have requested that the yellow concrete blocks at Irwin and Milton be removed and that a cul de sac bulb with grass and curb be installed…woo-hoo!
While the water main work is being carried out on Irwin, Parks is planning to work with Engineering to build a trail along the Deverill Square Park frontage on Irwin and to upgrade the parking along the Irwin Street park edge (including the creation of 4 universally accessible stalls).
If you want to see a copy of the plan, click here.
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Deveril Park improvements are complete for this year and we hope that they have been enjoyed by the neighbourhood this summer. However, parks is still considering small public art projects including new murals on the washroom building murals.
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Sunday Morning Soccer is one of Deveril Park’s newest additions. Last Sunday, the Gillespie Street Gang waged a mighty and valiant battle against the Irwin Street Eagles!!! Fun was had by all!!! Remember, we play the first and last Sunday of each month at Deverill Square Park at 10 am sharp! We play for about 45 minutes. All ages and skill levels are welcome. We’re here for a good time!! For more info or questions, contact Ed at fernville [at] telus.net
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At the Balmoral Hotel, the old strip club bar has been done a total “about face” and now houses offices for Income Assistance and the Homeless programs, which are now operating. Plans are now underway for the next phase of renovation–tenant suites.
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Robins Gardens engineers have contacted the city as they begin to work on drawings to ensure that the ultimate site (now 8 lots) has proper drainage so both the trees and buildings will be safe. Still a long way to go, but in progress.
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The condo development at 119 Haliburton is in the working drawing/pro forma financials/getting financing phase. Baby steps, but heading forward.
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Welcome to Matt Baker, who is our new resident RCMP bike cop. And best wishes to Cam Thompson who is settling into his new position in Prince Rupert. (And a “you’re not getting away from us even tho’ you’re in PR now” to Anne Thompson, our blogging expert who helps us out here when we trip over our own technology..:)
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IPI is rumoured to be moving their glass operations to Duke Point, at least temporarily. Click here to link to the article in the Aug 1 Nanaimo Daily News.
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Thanks to our resources: Park Planner Kirsty McDonald, Heritage/Community Planner Chris Sholberg, Development Approval Planner Gary Noble, Christina Martens from the CMHA, Norm Abbey from Nob Hill, James Younger, and Ed Chan.
If you would like to comment, just click on the title and the complete article along with a comment box will magically appear…:)
Posted in Community Coming Together, Deverill Park, Events, Neighbourhood Flavour, tagged Miners Heritage Picnic on May 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
petting zoo buddies 2008
Hey, it’s the South End shin-dig of the year! And this year promises to be the BIGGEST one yet! We’ve got some amazing entertainment booked, PLUS, in celebration of SECA’s 20th Anniversary…what could be better than a GREAT BIG cake…???
Here are a few highlights of the day
Musician, Shane Philip has a unique ability to bring people together, then build and drive a powerful, positive vibe J with his music. When you hear the thunderous beat of the electronic kick, the rhythms of jembe and other percussion instruments, a pulsating didgeridoo, guitars, electric and acoustic, you could be in a dance club anywhere. Everyone is on their feet, everyone is dancing. Yes, I said didgeridoo. But the didge is only one of the tasty features, a big one for sure, but not the whole enchilada. Shane is a multi-instrumentalist, who plays these things at the same time and sings, but he is also multi-dimensional in his music.
Click here to check out his website and listen to some of his unique music.
helping budding artists
Lots of your favourite activities are returning, including the uber-popular Kid’s Art tent, the pet parade, the silent auction, and entertainment by Trinitude, the Nanaimo Fiddle Orchestra, and lots of other great acts!
And of course, Gord Fuller’s world-famous BBQ hot dogs!
And most of it is FREE, thanks to the generous support of our local businesses!
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People who volunteer to help out at the Picnic often say that they had even more fun than attending. If you’d like to help out, here are some of the shoes we need filled:
to set up tables and chairs, move and carry around. All day, starting at 7AM, any help throughout the day would be great. Clean-up at 4:30.
rides and...more rides! 2008
And to put you in the spirit of the South End……
Number One Mine located at the foot of Milton Street, was once central to the lives of South Enders. For an interesting history of the mine, plus the story of SECA’s involvement in the preservation of its memory, click here.
Posted in Building Developments, Community Coming Together, Deverill Park, Neighbourhood Flavour, Neighbourhood Plan on May 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
1. Robin’s Gardens Development
The plan for the former Robin’s gardens site includes 5 condo buildings, to be built in steps….one finished before the next one started. Included in the development agreement includes pavement upgrades on all sides of the property (think curb, gutter & sidewalk). The Edmonton-based developers made a presentation to council on Monday May 25, asking for a relaxation in the original plan – to exclude the south side of the property (closest to the rail line) from the upgrade process, saying that this will save them $250,000 in costs, thereby allowing them to begin the development sooner.
2. 119 Haliburton (across from the Balmoral)
The lot almost across from the Balmoral is slated for a 5-story condominium, to be developed by the folks who have just completed ViVo! in the Old City Quarter.
According to the developer. Lucio Sacchetti, of Alterra Property Group Ltd. in Burnaby, plans to start two similar projects, though smaller, on Haliburton Street in the next year. Presales for the first building could be available as early as next month.
3. Other Potential Sites
The city has had a lot of calls about 2 other properties with multi-family zoning, both on Haliburton, both near the Balmoral. Gary’s comment: “we’ve had lots of interest, but no bites yet from a proposal standpoint.”
Click here for an article on the condo market in Nanaimo, from the May 12 Nanaimo Daily News.
Thanks to Gary Noble from the Planning Department and Derek Spalding from the Nanaimo Daily News for your input.
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–Thanks to Kirsty MacDonald. Parks and Rec
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Rumour has it that south Haliburton residents have been able, over the past month, to sleep in on Saturday mornings, or to hear the birds chirping in the the trees outside their windows. No word yet on whether you can hear the snip-snip of Sandra’s shears as she dolls up her clients. The idyllic peace is the result of IPI now adhering to their working hours by-law (7AM to 5:30, 5 days per week.) If this all continues, you might even get an invite to a summer evening BBQ if you have friends in that neighbourhood (hint, hint.)
The city is following up with IPI on other issues to be dealt with i.e. fencing, traffic and parking. More on that as it unfolds.
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At its 2009-May-25 meeting council approved unanimously to, once again, initiate the neighbourhood planning processes for the Newcastle Planning Area and the South End Planning Area.
The first step will be to formalize the composition of the steering committee and then review and set a detailed time frame for the plan process. The steering committee is the vehicle through which the neighbourhood plan process is coordinated and will be a 8-10 person committee composed of members of SECA, the local business community, and other residents of the neighbourhood including senior and youth representatives.
The neighbourhood planning process is anticipated to take approximately one year to complete and will consist of five phases. The phased process moves from commencement through neighbourhood context and visioning, to concepts and options selection, and then from a draft to a final neighbourhood plan document, which is presented to Council for consideration of adoption. Throughout the processes there will be numerous opportunities for public consultation and participation, including open houses, workshops and surveys. Administrative support will be provided by Chris Sholberg, Community Planner, City of Nanaimo, with additional support from John Horn, the City’s Social Planner. We are shooting to complete the plan by June, 2010.
Thanks to Chris Sholberg and Gord Fuller for the information.
Click here for an article from the Nanaimo Daily News.
