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