The holiday season is a special time of year where we can take some time to reflect and look back on what we’ve accomplished and of course how we would do things differently if we had a chance after all a new year is a good opportunity to mix things up a bit. The Beasley Neighbourhood Association has had quite a remarkable year as it has been working with residents and organizations through the Beasley Charter to develop a Beasley Neighbourhood Plan. This plan seeks to improve the quality of life for those who live, work and play in Beasley by addressing four major goals:

- Increasing Sense of Health, Safety & Security

- Improving Social & Cultural Connections

- Improving Neighbourhood Design

- Strengthening Business & Economic Opportunities

Beasley has a special place in my heart. My partner and I moved here 4 years ago. What attracted us was the cheap housing options but that alone would not keep us in this neighbourhood. What kept us here and why we now continue to choose Beasley is the active and engaged community that includes people from all walks of life. The resilience of people who had seen Beasley’s and their own darkest days is truly inspiring. Many of these people continued on with the hope that things could get better and instead of just talking about that hope they did something to turn it into reality. I think that is why we have the badger as our mascot. Because the badger needs to be strong, resourceful and resilient. These words are not the words that a lot of people would immediately associate with our neighbourhood. I would like to think that as a neighbourhood association we have become the words behind this badger symbol and I would encourage you to help the people you serve release their inner badger.

As a Neighbourhood Association we cannot achieve these goals on our own. There is simply too much to accomplish and too few resources available to us  however with the alignment and cooperation of organizations that serve the community such as yours, these goals become achievable. Together I know we will make good things happen for our Beasley, the Beasley we create together.

Merry Christmas
Paul Sousa
Chair – Beasley Neighbourhood Association

We’re a creative city, full of interesting people taking all kinds of photos. With this growing interest in photography the Freeway is proud to be hosting the Freeway Photo club.

$10 to join. Cameras can be provided.

Email us to sign up, or just drop by!

(a very quick list of those interesting people taking all kinds of photos: Flickr Hamilton, Ontario and Hamilton Flickr Group)

This is what happens when you have great volunteers who also work in greenhouses.

Fresh flowers + Pop Shop bottles: