Meeting Minutes – March 18th, 2015

The SoHo Community Association met at 7:00pm on March 18th, 2015 at Maple View Terrace.

  •  Everybody introduced themselves and shared their dreams for SoHo:
    • Places to work and live
    • A farmer’s market
    • A better sense of community
    • A grocery store
    • Happy engaged residents
    • To be proud of where we live
    • Steady, continued growth in a sustainable way
    • To hear “Oh, I’ve heard of SoHo, it sounds cool!”
    • A community centre
  • We discussed the farmer’s market – “SoHo Street Market
    • Lots of vendors, all local/artisan businesses, vegetable vendors, representation from each market in the city
    • Would try to collaborate with any major events in the city
    • Every Friday evening at 5 was selected so as to not conflict with other markets, and also allow for people to shop after work
    • Edgar and Joe’s would stay open later to serve customers of the market
    • There would also be entertainment (buskers, etc.)
    • We could also incorporate providing food boxes for those in need
    • The market would actually generate a significant amount of funds for SoHo, which could be used to further our food security program
    • One idea is a small storefront as a grocery store, one location that was suggested was the plaza at Bathurst/William
    • Any interested vendors, local businesses, artists, or musicians can contact Kyle Hutcheson (Market Manager) at hutchesky (at) gmail.com.
  • Thanks to Craig for taking last meeting’s minutes
  • Gary Zavitz discussed decorating businesses with lights around the winter holidays.
  • Cheri gave an update on the Old Victoria Hospital Lands
    • The city has decided to retain three buildings:  The Colborne Building, The War Memorial Children’s Hospital, and the Victoria Health Services Building.
    • Students from Fanshawe participated in a design competition for the hospital lands, and a Canada-wide competition is also coming up on March 21st from 8am-5pm at Fanshawe College.  Admission is $45, includes lunch, refreshments, and free parking.  Details at https://conference.fanshawec.ca/urbandesign2015.
    • The London Community Foundation also has an initiative/competition – “Back to the River” to provide community gathering spots along the river.  Laurie has volunteered to represent the community association for this project.
  • RAIDS Online will show what areas are covered by Neighbourhood Watches.  Cheri would like to see all of SoHo covered.
  • The London Environmental Network is a new organization, SoHo may want to look into joining
  • Craig gave an update from Goodwill
    • Goodwill has a free tax clinic, lower income families can have their taxes done for free.  Monday afternoons in March and April.
    • There is also a 50% off sale on March 31st.
  • The newsletter deadline is now March 20th
    • Newsletters will be hand delivered
    • Jamie will find out how many will need to be printed
    • Volunteers to deliver newsletters are needed
  • We will come back to community mailboxes in the fall as it will be a long time before they arrive in our neighbourhood
  • Cheri would like to establish a neighbourhood walking group
  • Volunteers are needed for the two cleanup days:  Thames Valley Cleanup on April 18th and Clean & Green on April 25th
  • rtraction will be moving into the London Roundhouse on April 1st (no kidding!).  An open house will be on April 16th from 4pm-7pm.
  • Organic Works will be having an open mic night, every other Saturday starting this Saturday from 6pm-9pm
  • The meeting adjourned at 8:10pm.