Our West End

Friends, Below are some pictures from our west-end youth block party and our recent visit to the Bloomfield House. The youth block party was a great success thanks to the organizing efforts of New Beginnings (Marianne Wright et al) and several youth leaders. There were many service providers in attendance and youth were exposed to the many services available in our region. The Bloomfield House is a community space for residents on Bloomfield road and the west-end in general. It is also a unique social enterprise in that it strives to be self-sufficient by having a flea market, among other initiatives, to help pay its bills so that it serves its social purpose. To learn more about the Bloomfield House, you can contact the founder TJ Travis at tj.travis@live.com. Fabio

Friends, We are in need of volunteers to help deliver flyers in the neighbourhoods around St. James grade school and Windsor Regional Hospital. We are hosting a town hall on July 30th focusing on neighbourhood watch. Windsor Police, Windsor Fire and Rescue, The Safety Village and Barry Horrobin from Windsor Police, among others, will give presentations and/or answer questions or concerns from residents. We hope to assist in establishing a few neighbourhood watches in that area and continue our work in developing an environment where residents are sharing relevant information regarding crime with each other and with Windsor Police. If you can help, please email me at fabiocostante@gmail.com. We will be out this Saturday and Sunday delivering flyers. Thanks! Regards, Fabio

Friends, Yesterday, we had over 100 Chrysler employees and volunteers, including over 15 youth from the area, paint over graffiti all throughout parks and neighbourhoods in the west-end. It was extremely successful. None of this would be possible without the United Way, the City of Windsor, Chrysler Canada, Centres for Seniors Windsor and the Our West End team and volunteers. Many residents in the area were extremely grateful and proud of the good work done by the volunteers. Yesterday, we not only painted over graffiti -- and there was a lot let me tell you -- but we began redefining what it means to live in the west-end. I could not be more proud of everyone involved in this great initiative. Let the good work continue! Fabio You can see the Windsor Star article and CBC Story below, along with some pictures from the event: Windsor Star: Cleaning Up West-End CBC Windsor: Cleaning Up West-End

Friends, I am very proud to announce that 'Our West End' has been approved for funding from the United Way to develop a parks committee in the Bridgeview neighbourhood, establish a west-end roundtable of community stakeholders to provide guidance and resources, tackle issues such as graffiti and general clean-up, and develop a strategy for the west-end focusing on neighbourhood engagement and empowerment. The funding is for two years. You can see the Windsor Star article regarding our funding announcement here:  Our West End Funding Announcement We have partnered with the Centres for Seniors Windsor right on McEwan and Wyandotte and they have been gracious enough to provide us with office space and resources. We couldn't have asked for a better community partner and wouldn't have been able to receive the funding we got without their help. The funding has allowed us to hire on a few part-time staff to roll out the initiatives mentioned above. In the next few week...

Friends, There will be a pasta dinner fundraiser on Sunday, April 28th, between 3pm - 8pm at the Moose Loyal Order of No 1499 located at 777 Tecumseh Rd. W. right next to the Bowlero.  All proceeds go to the Bridgeview Outreach for Youth Group, a grassroots organization committed to engaging youth in the west-end and including them in the community.  Tickets are $10.  To purchase tickets or learn more, please contact Wilfred Birch at 519-977-5510.  Thanks! Fabio Costante WebRep currentVote noRating noWeight

Friends, I am posting a position for a Community Coordinator for the West-End.  Once a successful applicant is chosen, a very positive announcement will follow.  Spread the word with friends and family.  Thanks! Fabio Costante Request for Proposal – Community Coordinator POSITION:    Community Coordinator                         23 month contract position part-time – May 1, 2013                                   to April 1, 2015 DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSBILITIES: Reporting to the Our West End Chair and Centre for Seniors Windsor, the Community Coordinator will be primarily responsible for initiating, managing and leading community activities already agreed upon in the west-end. QUALIFICATIONS: Preferred post-secondary degree or seni...

I want to thank all of the volunteers who helped deliver over 1000 flyers on Saturday in the neighbourhoods surrounding Mic Mac Park, Windsor Regional Hospital and St. James grade school.  We are building a better community, block-by-block, neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood, making our west-end a better place to live, work and play.   Have a wonderful weekend.  Fabio Costante 

Friends, I have a few news updates to share. Parks and Pools As you may know, Atkinson Pool will no longer be an item for discussion at City Council.  This is great news. Several residents have contacted me regarding South Tilston Park.  It has been decided by many that a public meeting at this time will not be beneficial.  I have been working diligently on this issue and have had several discussions with our Councillor and others about this as well.  Please do not hesitate to get in touch should you have any questions or concerns.  It is our hope that South Tilston receives the same good news as Atkinson Pool did recently. Positive News I have just found out some very positive news today regarding an initiative that I have been working on for several years in the west-end.  There will be a public press conference regarding this great news in the near future.  Until then, I cannot say much, other then the fact that this positive development...

Friends, I attended the Canada Post rally earlier this afternoon.  There was a good turnout, and as always, a great sense of community in Olde Sandwich Towne.   The fight to save Canada Post will continue.  You can contact Canada Post directly at www.canadapost.ca/retail and email Minister Steven Fletcher at steven.fletcher@parl.gc.on.ca.  Regards,  Fabio Costante 

Friends, There will be a rally to save Canada Post in Sandwich Town this Saturday at Hurricanes (the plaza at the corner of Mill and Sandwich St.) at 1pm.  For more information, see the link below.  Hope to see you there.  All the best,  Fabio City Council Joins Post Office Closure Protest

Friends, There has been some unfortunate news as of late.  Canada Post is looking to shut its doors in Sandwich Town.  Here is the article in the Windsor Star:  Canada Post to Shutter Sandwich Post Office . I was asked to help fight the closure.  Once I hear more, I will keep everyone informed. The hours of operation of the Post Office in Sandwich Town is Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm.  The location is 3201 Sandwich St. Regards, Fabio Costante

When I think of the past year, I think about how much we have been able to accomplish, but also how much more we have to do going forward.  From the good work in crime prevention and reduction, to the closure of Forster High School, we have had our share of ups and downs throughout the year.  Let us take a look at some of the key areas where progress has been made, where challenges lay ahead and where we are going, together, as a community.  Crime Prevention and Reduction The Bridgeview Neighbourhood Watch team is operating in full speed.  According to the group, they have contributed, either directly or indirectly, to nine arrests in the west-end.  In addition, they have provided Windsor Police with useful tips and information throughout the year.  In sum, they are doing great work.  I hope they receive more help in the new year so they can expand their information sharing and further assist Windsor Police.  Moreover, earl...

Friends,  Residents in the Bridgeview neighbourhood formed a west-end youth outreach initiative and hosted a meeting this past Sunday where Windsor Police and RCMP educated youth about drugs and drime.  Olympian boxing coach Charlie Stewart allowed us to use his gym for the meeting.  Below are some pictures I took.  There were approximately 10 kids from the Bridgeview neighbourhood present and pizza was sponsored for the meeting. Bringing awareness and educating our youth about the implications of crime and drugs is a step forward in making our west-end a safer place for all.  Regards,  Fabio Costante 

Dear West-end Residents:  Please see an email I received below from a member of the group who is hosting the meeting:  "A citizens group concerned about the declining quality of life in the west end of Windsor have scheduled a public  meeting for residential homeowners July 10, 2012, 7 pm, at Bedford United Church, 3340 Sandwich St., Windsor. This meeting is being held to review legal options taxpayers have to combat declines in neighbourhoods, everything from  by-law infractions, partying, parking and others. A lawyer will give a presentation of how the law can be used to restore these neighbourhoods. For details call Bob Nagy at   519 973 0978 ." I will be attending the meeting.  Hope to see you there.  Regards,  Fabio Costante

Dear Residents: Could you imagine if the title of this blog were to be true? That Sandwich Towne could be Named No. 1 Across Canada? Well I am here to tell you this can happen, and Walkerville's recent recognition sets a precedent for us to aspire towards. Recently, the Walkerville community has been named one of the best old house neighbourhoods in Canada by "This Old House" Magazine. See the article here: Walkerville named No. 1 across Canada . I am very happy that Walkerville has been recognized nationally but upon reading the article and after hearing what a local resident who lives in the west-end had to say tonight regarding this notoriety, I said to myself: We too can be one of the best old house neighbourhoods in Canada! Walkerville was recognized for its unique and historic homes, along with its geographic landscape, making it a walkable community; that is, everything is within walking distance. Sound familiar? To me it sounds a bit like Sandwich Tow...

Just a quick thank you to all of the volunteers who have helped me deliver flyers and knock on doors these past few weeks.  The success of Our West End is highly dependent on the level of involvement from residents in the area.  Whether it's reporting a crime, discussing an issue, helping spread the word by canvassing and dropping flyers, or simply telling friends and neighbours about what we do; every little bit counts.  So again, THANK YOU! I will continue dropping flyers and canvassing every Sunday until the holidays.  If you're interested in coming along, please drop me an email at fabiocostante@gmail.com. All the best, Fabio