Campaign season is in full swing and that means my days and evenings are busy knocking on doors, posting to the website, and preparing for debates. But life is all about balance and it’s time to have a little fun! Join me each week for a segment I am calling “Where in the Ward is Melissa Bowman?”

I was recently reminded of a computer game I played in school where players were encouraged to use geography clues to locate the main character, Carmen Sandiego. It eventually became a popular television show as well. Reflecting on it now, I am sure teachers rejoiced as students were enthusiastically riddled with geography questions. As a student of course, it just felt like pure fun, but apparently, I was also learning something as well!

​Here’s how it works: I will take a note from those teachers’ playbook for my game – a little bit of learning along with some fun. On Tuesdays I will post a single picture of a location in ward 9. Your task, should you choose to accept it, is to use your observation skills to identify my location. On Wednesdays I will post my location along with a short video with a little more information about that space.
​
I have had a lot of fun putting this together and enjoyed learning more about some great spaces in our neighbourhoods. I hope you’ll join me each week for a little tour around ward 9!

​It’s always a delight to discover something new in your neighbourhood, something up until now you didn’t know existed. Recently I experienced exactly that while walking along King Street East to the market on Saturday morning. I happened to look to my right to discover a little walkway I had never seen before. The rectangular stepping stones invited me further into the space to explore. The area includes trees, plants, flowers, and large rocks that look perfect for sitting on.

Even though this area sits next to busy King St and beside a city parking lot, it felt like a small oasis in the busyness of the downtown core. Renowned urban activist Jane Jacobs encouraged readers to, “please look closely at real cities. While you are looking, you might as well also listen, linger and think about what you see.” Creating and maintaining spaces such as these promote a welcoming environment that encourages people to wander, explore, and better know their neighbourhoods and city.
​
What’s your favourite hidden walkway or path in your neighbourhood?

What better way to spend a sunny May evening than connecting with friends and neighbours over music, art, and food. This is exactly what happened Saturday at the Hohner Ave Porch Party, also known as HAPP.

I believe that an engaged city builds on strong neighbourhoods and connected neighbours involved in resident-led initiatives. HAPP is an excellent example of that and similar events are popping up throughout the city.
​
You can experience this fun and lively atmosphere by attending the upcoming Schneider Creek Porch Party on July 28th from 3-8 pm. Find out more here.