This tour marked my first foray onto 118 Ave, feared by some, and loved by others.  I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I ventured over to the neighbourhood of Beacon Heights (which joins together with Beverly Heights to form downtown Beverly); while rough around the edges, the area has tons of potential!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Since I was in a major commercial area, there were many interesting things to photograph on both sides of the street, but I only photographed on the north side of 118 Ave to hold fast to a rule I made concerning these tours; everything photographed has to be within the confines of the neighbourhood in question.  So if you know of something in Beverly that I missed, it was probably on the other side of the street!

Beacon Heights is bounded on the north by 122 Ave, on the east by 34 Street, on the south by 118 Ave, and on the west by 50 Street.

The Pegasus Western Wear horse welcomes you to the neighbourhood of Beacon Heights in the fabulous town of Beverly!  NOTE: The store is closed.  I was very disappointed … oh well!

Some of the businesses along 118 Ave in Beverly, including the Take 5 coffee and doughnut shop (which suspiciously looks like a certain other doughnut shop…)

As I was walking along 118 Ave, a variety of incredible smells drifted past my nose; soon enough, I couldn’t take it anymore; I had to get some food!  I walked into the aptly named Italian Bakery, and I asked the nice lady behind the counter for a signature creation of theirs: she recommended the cannoli.  So creamy and good…

Mmmm mmmm yummy!  Don’t you want one?

Downtown Beverly, with a variety of vibrant businesses and nice streetscaping.  All it needs is a good cleaning and some people to come on over!  With the advent of the Beverly Farmer’s Market, hopefully that is beginning to change!

Another appealing feature in Beverly is the presence of public art, such as this mural on the side of the community centre.  Very nice!

Typical street scene in the residental portion of Beacon Heights.  Some in need of repair, but most are well-kept, and the canopy of trees, like other mature naighbourhoods around the city, make it a great place to be in the summer.

So long from the “red light district” of Edmonton (sorry if it’s cheesy, but I couldn’t resist!)

I’m back after a lengthy hiatus … personal matters.  Here’s what’s haqppening this weekend:

Performing Arts: Edmonton Street Performers Festival, Churchill Square, Downtown, until July 13 @ 5pm, donations suggested – See musicians, offbeat acts, and more as the Edmonton Street Performers Festival winds up this weekend.

Concert: Kid Rock, Rexall Place, July 11, 2008, 8 pm, $37 - $70: Southern-fried rocker/rapper invades E-Town Friday night.

Concert: Jimmy Eat World, Edmonton Event Centre, West Edmonton Mall,  July 11, 2008, 8 pm, $33: Pop-rock band Jimmy Eat World plays the EEC, one night only!

Concert: James Taylor, Rexall Place, July 12, 2008: The legendary James Taylor. Nuff said!

Event: Sourdough River Race, Terwillegar Park to Rafter’s Landing, River Valley, July 13, 2008:  The makeshift boat race that got cancelled last year is back!  The festivities start at 8 am in Terwillegar Park with a $2 pancake breakfast…

Concert: 50 Cent, Shaw Conference Centre, Downtown, July 13, 2008, 7pm, $60:  The contreversial yet highly popular hip-hop star 50 Cent hits the stage at the Shaw Conference Centre this Sunday!

For this tour, I travelled about as far north as you can go in Edmonton before you hit CFB Namao … the neighbourhood of Baturyn.  For a community on the outer edges of the city, it is surprisingly mature (again probably due to the military base being nearby).

 

Baturyn is bounded on the north by a property line (approx. 173A Avenue), on the east by 97 Street, on the south by Castledowns Rd, and on the west by 112 Street.

I started off with lunch at a neighbourhood pub (I forget the name, but that happens when you post a tour almost 4 months after it happens!) located in a strip mall at approximately Castledowns Rd and 100 Street.  Nice little spot celebrating its 1st anniversary!

Typical street shot in Baturyn.  As I said off the top, it is quite mature for a neighbourhood on the outer fringe of Edmonton, as the tall spruce trees attest!

Winter continued its fake death (remember mid-April?  I don’t want to either!), on this day, as the remains of snowmen and massive sidewalk floods abounded in the neighbourhood…

 

In a pattern typical of Castledowns communities, there is extensive townhouse and condo developments at the heart of Baturyn.

Finally, since the neighbourhood is close to CFB Namao, there are alot of military families living here.  This display (and many others like it) turned my thoughts to our brave men and women serving overseas.  No matter your opinion of the missions they serve, always support those protecting us in the military!

This tour was my first foray into Castledowns.  It was a chilly, windy day on Good Friday, with the temperature hanging around 5c (the windchill made it feel below freezing).  I parked at the big box shopping area called Kensington Crossing at the south end of the neighbourhood, and trekked northward…

Baranow is bounded on the north by 153 Ave, on the east by 125 St, on the south by 137 Ave, and on the west by 127 St.

A partial list of the many stores that comprise Kensington Crossing, where I parked.  As a result, this neighbourhood, while obviously car-oriented, provides many nearby services for residents.

Speaking of cars, the eternally busy 137 Ave runs along the southern boundary of Baranow…

I may be posting this on July 2, and this may be from the first day of Spring, but I had to get a maple leaf in here somewhere.  Happy Canada Day!

 

A few blocks north of Kensingston Crossing on 127 St, the sidewalk ends, leaving me to walk on dirt and grass.  I wasn’t kidding when I said this was a car-oriented area!

I forget the name of this school, but it is an Islamic School, and very well-designed at that!

Baranow is a relatively new area.  This condo complex was under construction, with forested areas and signs of rural habitation surrounding it…

… such as this country-ish house with an adjacent gardening business…

… but these days, suburban development is never far behind!

Further proof of this area’s multiculturalism: a Buddhist temple located near 153 Ave on 127 St!

Overall, Baranow is a new community; it is mostly under construction, but a few people live here currently that were here when this area was farmland and countryside.  Things could be enhanced by adding sidewalks along the east side of 127 St, to increase walkability. 

 

We’re into the first days of summer here in Edmonton … and I’m still posting neighbourhood tours from winter!  If it helps, pull on a sweater or throw on a jacket, and enter Bannerman on a frosty Sunday morning in March, when it was -8c, with windchills pushing -20c (at least it was sunny!)

Bannerman is bounded on the north by 144 Ave, on the east by 20th St and the River Valley, on the south by 137 Ave, and on the west by Victoria Trail.

 

I began my tour by venturing down into the River Valley via Bannerman’s access staircase.  Here, nature clashes with industry to create an awesome photo opportunity, or a social/environmental statement, depending on your point of view.  Even on this brisk morning, I ran into several fellow Edmontonians walking their dogs.  Maybe I wasn’t so crazy to venture out on this cold cold day!

A better view of the aforementioned industry on Edmonton’s Eastside.  This neighbourhood is generally upwind of the plants, so emissions don’t migrate over here very often, but it is of note to those who have issues with air pollution.  On the other hand, work is close by, housing is cheaper, and those who have a thing for industrial complexes have a stunning view of Alberta’s economic might!

 

Medium and high density housing is plentiful in Bannerman.  Townhouses, condos, and apartments are available in roughly equal numbers to the single family houses in the neighbourhood.

As a result of the high density, shopping and services are plentiful in Bannerman.  One of two Giant Tigers in Edmonton are located here (they have great deals on groceries, bacon was being sold for $1.50 when I was there!), and there is a produce market and a deli loacted in the same complex.  Just outside the neighbourhood on Victoria Trail, a Sobeys can be found for general grocery needs.

Overall, if you’re looking for an apartment or a townhouse, a cheaper option for real estate and/or proximity to industrial work, while having walk-in access to the River Valley, Bannerman is definitely a place to consider when searching for a place to live.  Most services are within a walk or a short drive, and the Clareview LRT is a short distance away.  Pollution may be a concern, but Bannerman is generally upwind from the industry it overlooks.

Hello everybody, sorry about the lack of articles recently.  Due to a combination of personal matters + a very relaxing vacation to British Columbia, I have not been maintaining this blog as I should have.

Well, I’m back!  Expect a new neighbourhood tour by the end of the weekend, and event listings should resume for the Canada Day weekend, which is next weekend (how time flies!)

Hope you all are having an excellent weekend!

James

After tempting us with the thought of an early Spring, winter returned to Edmonton in mid-March, just in time to set the tone for my trip to the neighbourhood of Balwin.  The snow and grey skies brought out both surreal beauty and the grittiness of the eastern parts of the community…

Balwin is bounded on the north by 132 Ave, on the east by 66 St, on the south by 127 Ave, and on the west by 82 St.

The tour began on 127 Ave, where houses on one side of the street face the Yellowhead industrial corridor, as well as the CNR tracks.

Lilydale, makers of fine chicken products found in the meat cooler of your local supermarket, has its Edmonton operations here.  And they’re hiring too!

With the freshly fallen snow, Balwin park took on an austere beauty.  The Balwin community rink has a mascot it seems, Bengals perhaps (feel free to write in and correct me)?

 

New infill townhouses near 66 St …

For fans of grit, the Fort Road brick smoke stack is visible from the SE corner of the neighbourhood.

Balwin is a railway community,  fans of train whistles take note; people who don’t like being awakened by trains should also take note!

 

Somebody’s hedge on 66 St traps snow in a stunning manner, great pic!

What, the SoCreds still exist?  Ah well, maybe next time!

Balwin is well-serviced along 82 St., granting the west side of the neighbourhood a degree of walkability (wide road aside!).  Overall, Balwin struck me as a quiet, sedate 1950’s era community (complete with well-kept 800-1200 sq.ft bungalows like Avonmore).  There is a shady element that congregates in the extreme SE corner of the neighbourhood along Fort Road, but that should clear up once the Fort Road revitalization proceeds (let’s get on it developers/city council!). Situated on 82 St, Balwin has easy commuter access to Downtown via car, and it is not far from Belvedere LRT station if you live in the Eastern sections of the community.  If you are appalled by south end prices for starter homes, this area may be an option for you!

A bit of a site announcement before we get to the neighbourhood tour:  postings have been suffering lately — this has been due to my novice skills as a blogger, and I take full responsibility for that.  I had been trying to create content during the workweek, where time is at a premium for me.

Thus, ALL content for this blog will be created on weekends from here on, and it will be posted by me hitting the “publish” button on the day it is to be posted – any updates that are necessary (events listings) will be done as required.

And now on to the good stuff…!

Avonmore is bounded on the north by 76 Ave, on the east by 75 St, on the south by Argyll Road, and on the west by the Mill Creek Ravine.

I started off in the parking lot of Allsports Replay.  Now I’m a big fan of second-hand stores, so the idea of picking up some quality gear for cheap appealed to me.  Being late in the day, it was closed.  Drats!  It’ll have to wait until another day…

On the west side of the neighbourhood, the Mill Creek Ravine provides many opportunities for recreation in the River Valley.  On this day, the neighbourhood kids were making use of the last of the winter’s snow for sledding at the time (knowing nothing of the cruel April to follow)!

It might be to hard to see in this picture (I didn’t use the zoom in this one, d’oh!) but like Argyll, Avonmore has great views of the Downtown skyline, with the blue glass Manulife Place clearly visible.

Density fans will be pleased to learn that Avonmore has a HUGE condo complex near 76 ave, on the Mill Creek Ravine.  A great option for condo living enthusiasts!

What?  No more outdoor shinny hockey?!  Mommmmmmyyyy!

 

Overall, Avonmore is a well-situated neighbourhood, with easy access to the Sherwood Park Freeway and Downtown.  As far as amenities go, it has backyard access to Mill Creek Ravine, and Casino Edmonton is on the opposite side of Argyll Road from the southeast boundary of Avonmore.  The Four Points Sheraton also makes for an easy walk-in brunch on a lazy Sunday.

As far as real estate goes, this area is starter home city, if 700-1200 sq foot 1950’s bungalows is what you are seeking.  Otherwise there is a condo complex near 76 Ave, and infill homes that are bigger are sprinkled throughout South Central Edmonton! 

Tons of music and comedy acts in the city this weekend, so let’s get to the details:

Concert:  The Mars Volta, Edmonton Event Centre, West Edmonton Mall, May 22, 2008, 8:00pm, $39.50:  Easiest the most innovative and unique band in alt-rock today…

Concert: Coheed & Cambria, Edmonton Event Centre, West Edmonton Mall, May 23, 2008, 7:00pm, $31.50: … and the next night, modern rockers Coheed & Cambria roll in to excite the the patrons at the EEC!

Concert: The Hives, Edmonton Event Centre, West Edmonton Mall, May 24, 2008, 8:00pm, $33.50: Wow, the EEC is gonna be rocked off the face of the Earth this weekend!  Garage rockers The Hives are at WEM Saturday night.

Festival: Rainmaker Rodeo, St. Albert, Alberta, May 23-25, 2008: Even more music here!  Acts such as Vanilla Ice, Trooper, Dr. Hook, Terri Clark and more grace the entertainment stage.  Lots of stuff to keep the family entertained, including a rodeo, a midway, a monster truck rally and more!

Comedy: Judah Friedlander (of 30 Rock),  The Comic Strip, West Edmonton Mall, May 22-25, 2008:  He’s here all week(end), head out and see one of comedic television’s funniest people!

Comedy: Girl’s Night Out, John L Haar Theatre (10045 - 156 ST), Jasper Place, May 22, 2008, 7pm, $31.50:  A national tour of women comedians in the heart of Downtown Jasper Place.  Debra DiGiovanni, Kristeen von Hagen and Laurie Elliott will keep you in stitches all night long! 

Apologies once again for a very late entertainment listing, but as I said earlier, my professional life has been very hectic as of late.

The May Long Weekend edition of What’s On In E-Town is as follows:

Amateur Sports/Event: 2008 David Thompson Brigade, Devon, Alberta, May 18, 2008, 3:00pm: The canoers reenacting David Thompson’s 1808 voyage to Thunder Bay, Ontario arrive in Devon on Sunday.  Events include canoe races, dinner, live music, and entertainment.

Performing Arts:  The Kids in the Hall, Jubilee Auditorium, University of Alberta, May 18, 2008, 7:00pm, Tickets: $52-63:  The offbeat, unconvential and conterversial show that graced the CBC in the 80’s and 90’s is back in stage form.  Catch Mike Foley and company at the Jubilee Sunday!

Recreation:  City of Edmonton Outdoor Pools (Mill Creek, Borden Park, Oliver), All Weekend:  The City of Edmonton has opened its outdoor pools for the 2008 season.  With temperatures predicted to hit between 20-30c this weekend, why not go take a dip?