Walkerville BIA District Looking Tired

NO HANGING FLOWER BASKETS THIS YEAR

DAMAGED OR MISSING LIGHTS

SPINDLY TREE REPLACEMENTS

WEEDING AND WATERING TREES MIGHT HELP

WEEDING AND LITTER PATROL CAN'T HURT

COLD PATCH A GOOD TREE REPLACEMENT?

GRATES NEED TO BE CLIPPED TO ACCOMMODATE GROWTH

DID WE GIVE UP ON THIS TREE?

SOME TREES VICTIM TO EMERALD ASH BORER

GIRDLING WILL KILL TREES

Have you noticed anything missing from the Wyandotte streetscape in Old Walkerville? Not only are some of the trees missing (victims to vandalism and emerald ash borers) but this year there are no hanging flower baskets (victims of budget shortfall). The sad thing is that the BIAs immediately west and east of Old Walkerville do have their baskets up. This definately makes Old Walkerville look like the "other side of the tracks". Vandalism and damage have also taken their toll on other important details like historical street lamps. Globes are missing or broken and some of the standards are completely shorn off. Trees are not getting the care and TLC they deserve either. As an example, the cast iron grates around their bases have never been clipped to accommodate growth and girth (this condition will cause them to die). Many of the trees have been broken off and never replaced. Those which have been replaced are mere saplings doomed to be broken again. All in all, this section of Wyandotte looks pretty worse for wear.

So what's the deal with the hanging baskets? Too costly to water. The baskets have to be watered on a daily basis and the company hired to water the plants charges a pretty penny to do so (apparently high insurance and licensing fees). The next obvious question is how do the neighbouring BIA's do it? The answer is probably higher business density. More businesses mean more membership fees and therefore a larger budget. For whatever reasons businesses have dried up in this area. Icon, Old Walkerville Pizzaria, Black Opal, The Meating Place, Poster Optics, Lasik; there are so many more.

So how should our BIA meet these tough challenges without sacrificing the integrity of the Old Walkerville business community? Perhaps the local BIA could open itself up to it's surrounding residential community for help and input. Such a proactive stance might bring volunteers and a fertile "think tank" to the table. Maybe the good folks from Parks and Rec could help out with the trees (replacements with larger caliber trunks and maintenance) and maybe Public Works or Windsor Utilities might offer timely help with repair and replacement of light standards etc. The most immediate difference though, has to come from the local BIA members themselves. Sweeping and scrubbing the sidewalks and even watering the plants might be a possibility. Hey...It works in Europe.

There are obviously a lot of good fixes and ideas out there. If you've got one why not share it in the comments section of this posting? There's no such thing as a bad idea. What do you think?

Different Feel for Art in the Park

Oil Paintings and Prints by Alfred Prifti

From Steve Pieten's "Practical Art"

Art in the Park had a refreshingly different appeal this year. The ratio of art to crafts was much higher and the layout was much more comfortable. Day one saw a typical turnout which overwelmed most of Old Walkerville as visitors clamored for parking and sidewalk rights. Yard sales seemed at an all time high and children hawked pop and lemonade with bravado.

With the anticipation of rain, day two had a slow start but managed to build quite a fanfare by noon. It was actually a perfect time to visit the event. At one P.M. the weather decided that it just couldn't hold off any

longer. Gentle but continuous rain doused the event.

Highlights were excellent period jazz, terrific food and snacks (this writer made a point to order egg salad sandwiches which were excellent) and last but not least was the photo exhibition on display in the Willistead Manor. Great and curious shots of Windsor's past.

Thumbs up to this year's organizers. You are definately on to something.

Here are a couple of vendor websites to vist:

www.yessy.com Search for Alfred Prifti

www.practicalart.ca

Almost 900 Kilos of Road Cheese Gone!

Three heavy loads to the dump and a sparkling hood to show for it. This year we have had the largest turnout ever. Despite the rain! The street and alleys look fabulous! Thanks to everyone who came out to turn a rainy day into a fantstic success. Three and a half hours to complete the entire job. (Done by lunch!) Special thanks to Sara and Laura for getting hot coffee and doughnuts, John (JP) for renting a trailer and forking out for tipping fees, Marco for cooking up the sausages and providing bevies, and to everyone else for bringing goodies, bevies etc. to the after-party. All told, we went from 9:00 A.M. thru 3:30 A.M. Sunday. Good work Monmouth Road!

IT WENT LIKE THIS

900 Block Brings out a Ringer. What a gorgeous little cutie!

Chris is a two month newcomer to Monmouth. Already setting the pace.

Participants gather for after party.

Great food and fun for a job well done.

War stories.

Al kaida serves as goo wagon and bar.

What a hood.

After a good workout.

The work.

Valdi and Gordo have a sweep off.

Joe and Gordo sweat the little stuff.

Joe poses for hockey photo-op.

Street crew hard at work.

Hey neighbour! Where have you been?

Show me a pile. Any pile.

Slackin off.

Tough guys take java break.

Crew number one finishes up Niagra and heads for Cataraqui.

Startin to look good already.

Curling anyone?

Sara shovels it with the best of em.

Sunshine girl likes what she sees.