It's taken us 2 years to recover from our last Ritchie Pub Night but we are ready to do it all over again.
On September 29th we will have beer, tunes and snacks at the hall.
Bent Stick Brewing will be fuelling the fun and Sean Brewer and Kimberly MacGregor will be making sure nobody goes to bed early.
Keep your eyes peeled for the poster next month.
Ritchie Gear
Ritchie Gear
The rad red Ritchie merch has arrived and it looks mighty fresh on both kids and adults! If you prefer a vintage blend, we also have older style Ritchie T-Shirts, Hoodies, Mittens and Toques, which we are offering at basement prices.
Check out the online Ritchie Store to take advantage of sweet deals and to see swanky new stuff!
Pop Up Play Program
A Face of ACE
A Face of ACE
Rusty Foerger knows about neighbours - both good and bad. A few years ago, he'd look out his window and see people coming and going from a run-down drug house across the street.
"As tough as it was, it actually brought us closer," he says. "I ended up meeting others in the area who were also concerned about what was going on and wanted to do something about it."
Rusty and a couple of this neighbours worked together, taking down license plate numbers, alerting the landlord and sharing information with the police. Although the problem house has since been torn down, Rusty's desire to strengthen the community remains.
The retired firefighter decided to join Ritchie's Abundant Community team this summer after seeing a call for Block Connectors in the League newsletter.
"I think it is really important to be an active part of the community where you live," says Rusty. "When my kids were younger, it was much easier to meet people because I was coaching soccer or running around with them. Those connections just came naturally."
Over the next few weeks, Rusty will be initiating conversations with his neighbours to learn more about their interests, abilities and ideas for Ritchie.
"Although I wouldn't call myself an extrovert, I'm not afraid to get out there," he says. "I've been on this block for 17 years and I'm looking forward to meeting new people and developing those important community relationships."
Ritchie’s Abundant Community program is continuing to gather momentum. We are still actively looking for local volunteers to fill Block Connector roles. If you would like to learn more please email: ritchieconnector@gmail.com
Rusty and a couple of this neighbours worked together, taking down license plate numbers, alerting the landlord and sharing information with the police. Although the problem house has since been torn down, Rusty's desire to strengthen the community remains.
The retired firefighter decided to join Ritchie's Abundant Community team this summer after seeing a call for Block Connectors in the League newsletter.
"I think it is really important to be an active part of the community where you live," says Rusty. "When my kids were younger, it was much easier to meet people because I was coaching soccer or running around with them. Those connections just came naturally."
Over the next few weeks, Rusty will be initiating conversations with his neighbours to learn more about their interests, abilities and ideas for Ritchie.
"Although I wouldn't call myself an extrovert, I'm not afraid to get out there," he says. "I've been on this block for 17 years and I'm looking forward to meeting new people and developing those important community relationships."
Ritchie’s Abundant Community program is continuing to gather momentum. We are still actively looking for local volunteers to fill Block Connector roles. If you would like to learn more please email: ritchieconnector@gmail.com
Neighbourhood Connector
The Ritchie Abundant Community Support Team is thrilled to officially announce that Amanda Heiford has accepted the position of Neighbourhood Connector.
Amanda brings with her years of directly related professional experience in community engagement and outreach, as well as a strong background in volunteer and project management. This along with her passion for Ritchie, enthusiasm for our community, and ability to foster relationships amongst individuals, will help us grow Ritchie into an even stronger community for all neighbours.
The Support Team couldn’t be happier, and with Amanda we are certain the Ritchie Abundant Community initiative is in incredibly capable hands. We want you to grow with us and help build Ritchie to its fullest potential!
We welcome you to find out more about Abundant Communities Edmonton via the Ritchiewebsite. Here you can learn more about the initiative and even sign up to be a Block Connector on your street!
A Little Horse Play
The ponies are coming, the ponies are coming!!!!
On Sunday August 27 from 12 -3, the Ponies & Unicorns Summer Picnic will take place at Ritchie Park.
- pony rides
- live music
- bike decorating
- a bike parade
- a BBQ catered by Quickfire Cookery and
- much much more!
Thanks Walkable Edmonton, Sara Kalke RE/MAX River City and Stefan Cherwoniak from Quickfire Mortgage Solutions. This is an amazing opportunity to horse around with friends and neighbours. Giddy-up.
Neighbourliness News!
Neighbourliness News!
We're excited to announce that the neighbourliness challenge is in full swing in Ritchie. The first $50 Earth's General Store voucher has been awarded to Dave Whelan who moved into Ritchie about 3 years ago and has been a great friend to his pal across the alley. Here's why Evan took the time to nominate his neighbour:
We couldn't be more lucky to have a neighbor like Dave. He is always quick to offer his help with anything that we need. Two weeks ago, in the blistering heat, he helped us take apart a new refrigerator so that we could transport it into our house. He's driven us to the airport, shoveled our walkways, and always keeps an eye on our house and the other houses in the neighborhood.
Dave has become a very good friend to me and my family, and we love having him over for dinner or a beer on the deck. He truly exemplifies what it means to be a great neighbor, and Ritchie is lucky that he choose our great neighborhood to live in.
We've got more vouchers and we'd love to reward the great community builders in Ritchie. To nominate your neighbour, all you have to do is email ritchieconnector@gmail.com and tell us why you love thy neighbour!
Show Us What You've Got!
Show Us What You've Got!
We're doing it - Ritchie Garden Tours aaaaaaaand a Harvest Market. Here's the dirt:
We want to get a bunch a green thumbs or garden lovers together and tour around some of Ritchie's amazing gardens. The plan is to wrap up the tour with a good old garden swap at the hall. If you've got surplus veggies or plants that could use a new home this is the place to do a little trading!
We've tentatively locked in Sunday, September 10 between 10:00am-2:00pm. But right now we need to figure out where we are going!
If you have a great garden and want to be involved, we'd love to hear from you. Please email julia.dalman@gmail.com.
Classic Car Show
Attention Green Thumbs and Garden Lovers of Ritchie!
Calling all gardeners in Ritchie, do you have a garden (edible or decorative) you would be willing to show to your neighbours? We want to hear from you! We are looking for 5 gardens to showcase on a garden tour of Ritchie that can help inspire creative ways to grow edible or non edible landscapes. We are particularly looking for gardens that showcase sustainable growing techniques (ex. permaculture or unique watering systems), or are great examples of edible and non edible gardens. Get in touch with us! Please contact us by e-mailing our Ritchie Livability Coordinator at julia.dalman@gmail.com, no later than August 18, 2017. Keep an eye out for more updates as they come on this exciting event.
What we have in mind
We are inviting you to participate in our September garden extravaganza! We know there are some really talented gardeners in Ritchie and neighbours that love the gardens of Ritchie. Why not combine these two loves on one awesome day? Here is what we are proposing– a garden tour of Ritchie that ends in a Ritchie farmers market of sorts where neighbours share their locally grown produce or plant bulbs if they have some to spare. Please join us on September 10th for a garden event that will awaken the green thumb in you! We will post an event listing here soon.
Ponies & Unicorns Summer Picnic
Join your neighbours for an afternoon of horse play in Ritchie Park.
Sunday, August 27 at 12-3pm
Ritchie Park (7727-98 Street)
The free community event will include:
- A BBQ catered by Quickfire Cookery
- Pony rides
- Live music
- Bike decorating booth
- Bike Parade
- Plus more
Rain or shine.
Presented by Walkable Edmonton, Sara Kalke RE/MAX River City and Stefan Cherwoniak with Quickfire Mortgage Solutions
ENJOY THIS SUMMER WITH FREE ADMISSION TO OUTDOOR POOLS
The City of Edmonton is celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation by waiving admission fees to all outdoor pools! The special offer is in effect from *JULY 1 to the end of the 2017 season!*
Drop-in swimming will be free during operating hours, and includes both public and lane swimming. Lessons and rentals will still be available for a fee. All four of the City’s four outdoor pools are now open - Queen Elizabeth, Fred Broadstock, Mill Creek and Oliver.