Happiness is a Clean Street

Communitas Supportive Care Society, located at 1423A – 16 Avenue, Campbell River, BC, is the newest volunteer cluster of Adopt-a-Block. 

Mordecai & Rigby approved

The group’s enthusiasm for cleaning the sidewalks and boulevards in their area can be witnessed as often as they see the need, sometimes weekly. The trash deposited by passersby is what they are looking for and when its located,  the dedicated cluster of like-minded devotees go to work. They take up their trash pickers, gloves, garbage bags, visi-vests and street smarts to improve the area in that part of Campbell River. Perhaps the trash-tossers will become aware of the benefit of a tidy place to live, work and play.

Volunteers are thoughtful citizens

 When you are walking, biking, driving, skateboarding or exploring in that district, give the friendly volunteers a wave or bring along your trash tongs, ask them for a bag (donated by the City of Campbell River) and chip in. What fun!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead

The Tree of Joy and Radiance

Grayson, Susan, Anne, Robin

The exquisite faces of family and friends radiate joy and contentment from the place where we’ve gathered to enhance a paper birch tree. It lives on a boulevard in Campbell River, behind the curling rink facing Dogwood Street.

Grayson removes trash

On this light-filled day, young Grayson removes the discarded trash from the area, while Pat, a dedicated admirer of nature, sits crossed legged on the earth tugging at invasive plants. Robin, an artist, pours soil on the exposed roots while Anne, a gardener, detaches several large obstructions protruding from the ground. I set the picnic table with food and refreshments, and acrylic paints for later. With dogged determination the crew brings splendor and magnificence to the once straggly-looking white birch.

Bonnie gets a makeover

Several years before, we had adopted and named the tree Bonnie the Birch. Initially, her solitary sentinel-like posture called out to us. She looked abandoned and in need of tender, loving care. It didn’t takes us long to tend to her with nutrients, fresh soil, compost and a power-drink comprising of natural enhancement ingredients. Within a few weeks she exuded a glow that gave off an interesting sparkle during the sun-lit hours. Together, throughout the seasons, we’ve dedicated ourselves to her well-being.

Today, our visit with this attractive natural being brings radiance and joy to our hearts. The brightness and warmth from the sunbeams caress our bodies as we bend and stretch to reach all parts the patient recipient. Grayson speaks to Bonnie like a friend and tells her that she’ll be really happy now that we’re looking after her. I imagine she would whinny like a horse, nuzzle like a dog, or purr like a cat if she had the capacity. I take her branches waving in the slight breeze to be her thank you to all of us. Our final touch to the tree’s newest makeover was painting the rocks at her base. She looks settled, satisfied and attractive. Bonnie and her offspring lovingly referred to as Bert and Bertha, belong to all of us. 

A tree brings friends together

We Pick Up What Others Let Go

 There are two kinds of people, those who care and pick up trash and those who don’t. Today, I met both.

My regular route is from 4^th Avenue to 2^nd Avenue on Dogwood Street in Campbell River, British Columbia. Along my way, a woman told me that the boulevard along Dogwood Street and Evergreen Road intersection had loads of trash spread all over it. I told her I was not able to get to that area because I was following a tight schedule that morning. I suggested she call the City and report the mess.

Later, I glanced across the street at a man tidying up that private property. He had garbage tongs and a trash bag in one hand and his dog on a leash in the other. He had his head down and was working diligently at retrieving what others had tossed aside.

As I approached the bus stop in front of 231 Dogwood, the stench of rotting food stopped me in my tracks. The garbage can put there by the Steiner Bakery owner, was overflowing onto the ground. The rubbish could have fit in the trash container but who wants to clean up? That’s where autonomous volunteers come in. I retrieved the garbage on the ground and packed it into a large bag. I picked up what others had let go.

Bus stop before Adopt-a-Block

Bus stop after Adopt-a-Block

Press Release - Banned From Parks

Campbell River, BC (Canada) – Adopt-a-Block, a volunteer group with a mission to remove trash from the sidewalks and boulevards of Campbell River and surrounding districts has been banned from city parks.

"I am going to have to ask your group not to pick up litter or perform any other work on our parks sites due to labour relations and liability issues, " wrote Ross Milnthorp, General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, in an email to Susan Black the initiator of the humble bunch.

“Our single purpose is to clean the city and present ‘her’ as a beautiful place to observe, smell, listen to and feel,” according to Susan. “The volunteers walk the city willingly, some for long distances, retrieving trash that others have left behind. We are sorry to have been excluded from the parks, which are sometimes on our route. The next time you see trash in the park, leave it be, apparently it’s the property of Parks, Recreation and Culture.”

Adopt-a-Block is registered with Clean Up the World, an organization sanctioned by the United Nations. http://www.cleanuptheworld.org

“We intend to develop a ‘Volunteers in Parks’ program as soon as resources allow and we believe that this program will address the issues above and also provide volunteer opportunities, which generate civic pride in our parks system,” wrote Ross Milnthorp.

Susan can be reached at cleanlivingcr@gmail.com, Ross Milnthorp can be reached at ross.milnthorp@campbellriver.ca

Adopt-a-Block Campbell River is registered with this United Nations sanctioned organization

BFI To The Rescue

Courtesy of Progressive Waste Solutions

I heard the familiar thunder of the massive trash dumpster being lifted from its position across the alley from my home.

“They’re replacing the dumpster,” my husband said.

“Oh, really! I'll get the camera,” I said.

I rushed to the balcony of our home to photograph the removal of the massive graffiti-covered waste container. I had called BFI Canada and explained the horrible vandalism scribbled on their property. The nice women on the phone put me through to the man who could solve the problem. Today, I look out at a graffiti-free dumpster. What a pleasure.

If you see graffiti smeared on your adopted block call the company associated with the surface and ask to have it removed. It’s our right to have a clean city.

We realize that what we are accomplishing is a drop in the ocean. But if this drop were not in the ocean, it would be missed. ~ Mother Theresa

Clean Dumper Surface

Mystery Man Sited

Mystery Man

This is not Doug A. with a haircut.

This mystery man, who removes the trash from the Tyee Spit daily has yet to be identified. If you see the anonymous chap cleaning the area, say hello and ask his name.

Tyee Spit Adopted

Doug A. at your service

 Doug A., a dedicated Adopt-a-Block volunteer who already removes rubbish from the sidewalks and boulevards of South Murphy Street and the small plot of land located at the South Alder Street intersection, has taken on the Tyee Spit as a daily destination for himself and his two dogs. He brings his garbage tongs and a bag or two to collect the trash strewn about by those who have a disposable outlook on their environment.

Tyee Spit is a long, flat, narrow piece of land that sticks out into the Strait of Georgia. You can drive, hike or bike to it by turning east on Island Highway onto Spit Road. Once there, take your time to absorb the spectacular scenery, pleasant smells, and impressive sounds. Bring your own bag and trash picker to help out a real-world fellow. 

Love the world as you love yourself. Lao Tze

Tyee Spit Campbell River

Friends, Fresh and Fireside

Roadside view

 On Sunday, April 29, friends gathered at Ellis Park in Campbell River to make fresh the grounds along the highway, in the parking lot, along the paved walkway and on the rocky beach. Volunteers dawned rubber gloves and while some bent down to retrieve the rubbish and toss it into a bag, others held garbage tongs in one hand, a bucket in the other and picked quickly and accurately at the litter left behind by those who find their world quite disposable. A third troop of volunteers tromped their way through the driftwood on our city’s spectacular shoreline and found a secure place to set up a fire.

When we finished cleaning up, we gathered at the fireside and shared stories of our biggest garbage find and talked about how good it felt to contribute to the well-being of our community. We feasted on hotdogs cooked over the fire; fruits, cookies and chips were shared along with laughter and a brilliant sensation of camaraderie and purpose.

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. ~ Muhammad Ali

Service is refreshing

Fireside friends

Adopt-a-Block

It Takes a Village

Ditch Pickers

Stepping down into a ditch to remove trash from sunken boulevards is the trait of champions of the Adopt-a-Block volunteer crew. Retrieving rubbish tossed carelessly from the deep pockets of a trench sometimes takes a bit of fancy footwork and weird body contortions to reach out for the garbage and toss it into a bag.

A dedicate couple has taken up ditch picking along their property line on the corner of Peterson Road and Evergreen Road. There are no sidewalks on their trek but there is a great deal of discarded junk. Armed with garbage tongs, work gloves and trash bags, the troopers brighten up the area for your hiking, walking and driving enjoyment.

When you come upon the hard-working Adopt-a-Block volunteers show them your gratitude.

Adopt-a-Block

It Takes a Village

Corner of Peterson and Evergreen

Similar view from corner of Peterson and Evergreen

Trekking Homewood Road

Congratulations to Lorraine and Lyle H. who have graciously adopted a two kilometre round trip trek from the intersection of Homewood Road, Maple Street and Elk River Timber Road to the intersection of Homewood Road, Ironwood Road and the other Maple Street.

Lyle and Lorraine's Route

The enthusiastic couple will remove the trash from the sidewalks and boulevards and haul the rubbish home. Because there are no garbage receptacles anywhere along their route, the City of Campbell River authorities will accept their garbage at Dogwood Operations located at 385A South Dogwood Street (250) 286-4033.

When you see our new volunteers tending to the properties along their route, wave or say hello. We’re happy to be of service.

Adopt-a-Block

It Takes a Village

♫ Happy Earth Day ♫

On Friday, April 19, like-minded folks of Campbell River and surrounding districts gathered at the Tidemark Theatre in Campbell River to commemorate Earth Week.

A keen team of six Adopt-a-Block volunteers took turns sharing our theme of removing trash from the sidewalks, boulevards and plots of land in our fabulous city. John P. corralled those who glanced at our display and directed them to speak with Robin K. and Nancy C., who stood ready to explain our plan to adopt as many blocks as necessary to ensure our city remains wholesome. 

We managed to sign up a whopping sixteen new volunteers. Campbell River citizens are enthusiastic about their city.

Trash picking equipment

Elementary School Enthusiasts

Great news from the Cedar Elementary Grade 5 students who have adopted the sidewalks and boulevards in their school neighbourhood. The enthusiastic volunteers are led by their teacher, Mr. Walt Klassen. The school posted their project in a recent newsletter.

Extracted from Cedar Elementary Newsletter

Here's another example of the brilliant activities that take place at the school.

Button Blanket hangs in Walmart

Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.

 ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Adopt-A-Block

It Takes a Village

The Secret Life of Shoes

At first glance, they look kind of funky. A pair of shoes, with laces tied together, hang from overhead wires. It was not the first time I had seen footwear flung onto overhead electrical cables. Many towns and cities across Canada have them and the reasons why they are tossed to that height are as varied as the shoes themselves.

According the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, shoe flinging or "shoefiti" is the practice of throwing shoes with their laces tied together at the wires until they stick. The attention-grabbing performance hits its mark when drug dealers recognize their specific location as a territory claim and a message that the hanging shoes mark the setting of a drug den. 

Another possible explanation could be bullying in which an intimidator steals a pair of shoes and puts them in a position where the victim cannot reach.

They are not welcome in my Adopt-a-Block neighbourhood, which includes the intersection of 4th Avenue and Dogwood Street. I’ve claimed that location to 2nd Avenue on Dogwood Street as my terrain and contact whomever necessary to have shoes removed, graffiti painted over and discarded pieces of furniture taken away. In the case of the mysterious hanging shoes, I first contacted the City of Campbell River Dogwood Operations at 250-286-4033, and explained the situation. They kindly sent out an observer who said the specific cable belonged to Telus. I called the Telus Repairs Department at 866-415-8105, clarified the circumstance, after which they provided me a ticket number and a solemn promise that the offending sneakers would be removed in three days.

According to Barbara and David P. Mikkelson, who describe the secret language of sneakers in their blog, they conclude that it is a legend and the purpose of shoe tossing has no one right answer. 

The Hanging Shoes Mystery

Adopt-a-Block Mascot Missing

Mascot Gone Missing

I stood in quiet horror staring down at what was left of Bonne the Birch tree, the Adopt-a-Block mascot for nearly two years. All that remained was her raw, torn trunk and two desperate saplings waving pleadingly in the whipping wind the morning of February 26, 2013.

To celebrate my birthday that day, I walked south from my home on Dogwood Street toward a hair salon to get my grey hair cut and styled. I became concerned that my bespectacled eyes were not picking up the familiar site of the Paper birch tree. Her five-foot stature and distinctive truncated trunk usually stood on the northwest corner of the Campbell River Curling Club property. As I paced forward, I saw that the fence that had been erected close to her a few days before had been dismantled and taken away and so had she. I wept.

Damaged but not dead.

 With tears rolling down my cold cheeks, I remembered the glory and pain I had felt when I pulled an aluminum pop can from one of her five outstretched branches a few years earlier. I had passed by the Paper birch ignoring the tree because I felt it was the responsibility of the property owner or the City of Campbell River to look after it. One day the sun shone with exceptional brilliance reflecting its light on the metal gleam of the can. It was out of place and looked hurtful so I decided to remove it from the branch. I ripped several leaves from the tree and a significant amount of birch bark. I dropped the can into my plastic bag with the intent of exchanging it eventually for cash. I sensed the neglected tree was in need of some tender, loving care. It looked as though it had experienced a very arduous life.

As a follow up with my tending minimally to the needs of the birch tree, I called one of the members of the curling club and asked if they would mind if I took care of the tree.

“It’s not our tree,” he said. “It’s on City property and belongs to them.”

Bonnie the Birch as I found her.

I called the City Office and asked about the tree and was told it was not their property and it belonged to the curling club. I felt a sense of splendor and excitement at both responses. In my heart I felt that I had been offered the opportunity to adopt the abandoned Paper birch. With the help of a knowledgeable tree master, it was identified as a Betula papyrifera. With great enthusiasm I chose to refer to the Paper birch as a ‘she’ and to name her Bonnie the Birch. Bonnie became the mascot for the Adopt-a-Block program.

On one special occasion, Frank, my husband, and I picked rocks to place at her base to help identify her freedom between the surrounding massive fallen logs. We cleared all the tall grass that was growing in her midst and pulled out the intrusive yellow broom plant, a notorious weed that will take over. A local garden centre provided us with two large packages of donated sterilized soil to spread over her exposed roots. Soon, a few of the Adopt-a-Block volunteers joined us and helped finish making her living space stylish.

Friends with Bonnie the Birch

Winter Bonnie

Back at the offensive scene of our missing Adopt-a-Block mascot, I thought about how much I would miss Bonnie the Birch. Even in the winter months she generated lots of character. During the Christmas season, I had placed reflective tape on her barren branches so that drivers would notice and enjoy her being there. She was indeed unique because although the Paper birch is found throughout British Columbia there are only a few scattered on the outer coast and even fewer on Vancouver Island. With Bonnie the Birch’s leaves gone in the winter her unique bark is exposed and reflected beautifully by the snow covered ground. It’s thin, white to reddish brown character, with dark horizontal slits were easy to see in the cold months. If you had looked closely, you would have seen her bark peeling in papery strips, exposing her reddish-orange inner bark, which was turning black showing her age.

As I stood near what remained of her trunk, I remembered admiring her egg-shaped green leaves with their distinct doubly toothed sides, each a dull green on top, paler with a soft down underneath. I remembered the sensation of touching the new leaves in spring and admiring the tree’s sheer determination to come to full bloom. In my research of a Paper birch, I discovered that every tree has flowers and bears fruit. The Paper birch flowers are either male or female and are in narrow catkin. Female catkins are 2 to 4 centimetres long, standing erect at the tip of the branch. Male catkins are longer and hang below the branch. The flowers appear before or at the same time as the leaves. Bonnie the Birch was becoming part of me, releasing in me a passion for the vegetable spirit.

Paper birch leaf and catkin

Another curiosity that came to light in my research was that the Paper birch was fruit bearing. Her nutlets had wings broader than the seed and Bonnie the Birch produced thousands of seeds, like her descendant before her and that is how she came to be. With the aid of other elements the birch planted roots, then fed on the generous break down of the rotting logs by her side and the kindness of rainfall. Filled with natural energy, her roots took hold and the magnificence of her existence was revealed. A slender sapling grew robust with bark, fruit, flowers and leaves. Taller and taller she extended her wanting to the source, the sun. Her intention was to become a small to medium-sized tree, hopefully producing many stems, extending her existence up to 30 metres tall. The Paper birch standing alone on the boulevard was fashionably unique, because unlike most others in the forest with a slender trunk that curved before extending to a narrow, oval-shaped crown, this tree’s crown was pyramid-shaped. And then, one day, someone cut her down to a stunted five foot, two inches.

Our original Adopt-a-Block mascot is gone, however, Bonnie the Birch left behind two saplings, Berta; whose meaning is ‘Famous’, and Bert, meaning ‘Bright’. Both extend from her trunk and are attempting to find their place in the sun. To top the excitement, a local arborist has generously offered to take care of the two new extensions and based on her experience and enthusiasm, the offspring have a good chance of survival.

When you are walking, hiking, biking, or driving on Dogwood Street between 4^th Avenue and 2^nd Avenue, please feel free to step up to our two new progeny and offer up your human spirit and energy.

Welcome Cedar Elementary School

 Mr. Walt Klassen and his troop of Grade 5 students have graciously adopted the sidewalk and boulevards near their school. Decked out in Tim Hortons youth-size Visi-Vests and a few of their donated garbage tongs, along with City of Campbell River garbage tongs, garbage bags and gloves, the flock will remove the trash between 2^nd Avenue and 4^th Avenue on Cedar Street.

Youth offer a keen sense of what is right about our community. By building pride in their city, they become thoughtful citizens of the world. We trust the children will see the beauty in their surroundings and build the capacity to be passionate about their neighborhood.

Good habits formed at youth make all the difference. ~ Aristotle

Cedar Elementary Route

New Enthusiastic Volunteer

Welcome Lois H., as another of our enthusiastic Adopt-a-Block volunteers.

Lois has graciously taken on both sides of the Island Highway from the corner of Simms Road to the corner of Erickson Road plus the parks and lots between. She and I met the other day and exchanged stories of what it is like to remove the trash left behind by others from the sidewalks, boulevards and seemingly abandoned properties.

“The garbage tongs will help me pick up those things that I was fearful of retrieving with my bare hands,” she said. “So, where do I dump the garbage?”

“Let me walk your route with you and we’ll determine the best place to leave the rubbish we collect,” I said.

We agreed that providing this service to our community is our way of making the City we care for look great. We also agreed that the City needs more concrete garbage containers – a topic to bring up with the City of Campbell River Parks and Recreation Department.

Lois H. Route

Jan J's Inventions

Jan J is one of our Adopt-a-Block volunteers. She is so determined and devoted to picking up and disposing of trash left behind by others on the sidewalks and boulevards of Campbell River, she’s invented two practical gadgets to get her work done.

“My picker bag and rake work faster than my regular trash tongs. I do my route in a shorter time. It’s also good for picking up dog poop.”

Jan's Picker Bag and Rake

Some of the volunteers are quite selective about what they will and won’t pick up. Dog poop is off the list for some, while others exclude cigarette butts and dog droppings.

“I also have an exclusive poop picker-upper. After I pick up a dog’s leftovers, I rub my picker-upper in wet grass, spritz a shot of water on it and off I go.”

Jan's Poop Picker-Upper

Have a good pick! 

It's Not How It Looks

I watched a man picking up trash on the sidewalk and boulevard of Cedar Street. I approached him and said that Adopt-a-Block is looking for people just like him.

“What kind of people are those?” he said.

“People who care about the condition of their neighbourhood and take the time to pick up stuff that’s been tossed on the ground,” I said.

He pointed to an apartment building across the street from where we were standing.

“I live over there and walk down to the water and back with my plastic bag picking up garbage,” he said.

“Do you want a trash picker and garbage bags?” I said.

“Oh no! Then I’d look like someone doing a community restorative justice job, like punishment for some crime I’d committed,” he said.

I laughed and thought of all the Adopt-a-Block volunteers and how it’s not how it looks, at least not to me. I wondered if the people who pass by us as we take up our positions and remove the rubbish from the sidewalks and boulevards of this city, that they imagined us fulfilling some sort of punishment. I smiled at the idea.

I thanked the man for helping to clean up the City however I did not shake his hand. His clear plastic bag contained items that I would not pick up without my trusty garbage tongs.

My Tool of Choice

Near, Yet Too Far?

HI MY NAME IS ROBIN, 

Have a look at the photo below; two garbage cans so near yet so far, for some, from the litter. My Adopt-a-Block route is unlike most of the other volunteers. I don't have to lug trash long distances to get to a receptacle; in fact there are two more cans within 15 metres of those shown. So it just seemed right to pick this kind of thing up myself on my twice-a-day dog walks.

My dogs have changed but unfortunately the litter has not. When I met Susan and became an 'official' volunteer I didn't expect anything to change, but something did. I did.

Having those cans nearby used to irritate me. Thinking "How can people be so unthinking and lazy?" as I stuffed their garbage where it belonged.  That has faded away and calm has been restored. Removing litter is just another part of our walk, like throwing the ball for Ruby.

Near, Yet So Far?

Walking with Ruby

My Twins Park

HI, MY NAME IS DOUG and I pick up trash on the sidewalks and boulevards along Robron Road, north on South Alder Street up to Merecroft Road and back again, south the length of the opposite side of the street to my home.

On the corner of South Alder and South Murphy Street is a small plot of land that I’ve adopted and named Twins Park, after the two trees that stand in it. I could see that the area needed some tending to, so I contacted the City of Campbell River to suggest that I would clean it up regularly if they would come and pick up the refuge. They responded with a yes. I cut the grass and raked it, along with the weeds and leaves, into piles and the City workers took it all away.

I have so much fun doing my pick! Come summer, I hope to plant something in Twins Park. My hope is to outdo the City planting. Watch for my progress come summer and if you like what you see let the Adopt-a-Block volunteers know.

Pickers Up! Doug

Twins Park

One of Doug's Routes