A lovely serene and peaceful Saturday. Sipping coffeee in the yard and making the plans for the day. A bike ride and picnic to Burlington Beach may be in order.
Or maybe just a lazy day with a good book in a chair in the sun.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Friday, July 6, 2007
More exciting news for Burlington
Good news all around for the city.
Looks like the proposed McMaster University campus in downtown Burlington cleared another hurdle this past week with the approval, by the university's governors, of moving their executive MBA program to the new facility.
There is a bit of mumbling and groaning from some quarters about the proposed location of the campus. There are even some suggestions that the school should be built on a larger plot of land removed from downtown with ample parking. I disagree 100%.
The only place for this campus is downtown. It is a smart use of the space (less urban sprawl - more intensification, easy access to cyclists, walkers and transit users) and would be an excellent boost to the cities vital, local economy. Smart cities know how important a vibrant downtown is to their future success and overall livability.
The second piece of news is the announcement of the commitment to fund a portion of the performance arts centre by the federal government. This is so cool and really will add to the cultural life in this 'burban city. Rumours abound that, if this project goes ahead, the building will be a Leed certified facility with hopefully a green roof and geothermal HVAC.
Looks like the proposed McMaster University campus in downtown Burlington cleared another hurdle this past week with the approval, by the university's governors, of moving their executive MBA program to the new facility.
There is a bit of mumbling and groaning from some quarters about the proposed location of the campus. There are even some suggestions that the school should be built on a larger plot of land removed from downtown with ample parking. I disagree 100%.
The only place for this campus is downtown. It is a smart use of the space (less urban sprawl - more intensification, easy access to cyclists, walkers and transit users) and would be an excellent boost to the cities vital, local economy. Smart cities know how important a vibrant downtown is to their future success and overall livability.
The second piece of news is the announcement of the commitment to fund a portion of the performance arts centre by the federal government. This is so cool and really will add to the cultural life in this 'burban city. Rumours abound that, if this project goes ahead, the building will be a Leed certified facility with hopefully a green roof and geothermal HVAC.
Staying green in a wasteful place.
This blog will always have a slight environmental bent to it. It is who I am however I must admit that it is hard to maintain a green streak when you live in the burbs.
To recap - we moved to Burlington from South Riverdale in Toronto in July of 2005. We moved because we grew out of our small and old row house. We moved to Burlington because we could not afford to buy a larger home in TO.
We did our research and looked at many communities in the GTA. We looked north, east and finally west. We are happy where we ended up and although our "new" home is smallish and older, we like the fact that we can walk to the Library, the YMCA and downtown. I love the fact that I can ride my bike or walk to the GO train.
But all is not perfect.
There are still challenges. Like my 2 hour commute, like too many malls, too many cars and too much traffic. Like narrow views and tiny worlds where a sense of entitlement means that people still drive honking SUV's and pick-up trucks. Making connections is hard, meeting like-minded people is challenging and finding a well paying job closer to home is next to impossible.
Often, when I travel on the long train ride home, I see people that I might find interesting and that might find me interesting. They might have a certain look about them that comes off as looking intelligent, educated and aware. Then I watch them get off the train and get in to their SUV and my opinion changes. Sadly I turn judgmental and pious. Not on purpose, and for no good reason - if I could afford a big SUV would I buy one? Never.
And that is a fundamental difference between my family and many of the people that I have met so far. I like to feel that my family and I think globally and act locally. We try to shop and support the smaller stores downtown, we avoid the malls as much as possible, we drive a small car, we ride and walk more often than not, we use a reel mower (on a corner lot no less). These are not hardships for us and I am not bragging about how we live. I certainly do not feel that we are better than anyone else and there are days where we throw out too much plastic or don't recycle 100% or buy too much stuff. But on the whole we are at least aware of our actions. And when we do slip up I know that I feel good and guilty.
So why can't everyone live like us?
Well the suburbs have been built around the car and as anyone who has spent anytime north of the QEW can tell you - walking around up there is not much fun. Cycling is downright dangerous and despite the best intentions of the City of Burlington, transit is inconvenient and time consuming. Conspicuous consumption is, well, conspicuous and the mall is a hang out.
There are bright lights to be sure, like the better recycling of garbage and waste that will come to the Halton region next year. Like the heightened awareness about pesticides, plastic bags, and pollution. Like the high price of gas that might force drivers to rethink their mode of transportation. Things will change and I know that Burlington will, over time, become a slightly greener town.
Do we regret the move?
Some days yes. We lament the change of pace, from fast and furious, to slow and steady. We sometimes feel like outsiders. We miss our friends, who knew 40 minutes down the road would be so far to travel?
Other days we are thankful for the space, the tranquil sense of piece that we get when sitting in our backyard next to the fish pond, the friendly people we meet at our children's school, the older well-meaning steady neighbours who willingly (some might say eagerly) share the history of the street we live on. We love the waterfront, downtown the Library and the clean well maintained community centres.
On the balance it was the right move at the right time for right now.
To recap - we moved to Burlington from South Riverdale in Toronto in July of 2005. We moved because we grew out of our small and old row house. We moved to Burlington because we could not afford to buy a larger home in TO.
We did our research and looked at many communities in the GTA. We looked north, east and finally west. We are happy where we ended up and although our "new" home is smallish and older, we like the fact that we can walk to the Library, the YMCA and downtown. I love the fact that I can ride my bike or walk to the GO train.
But all is not perfect.
There are still challenges. Like my 2 hour commute, like too many malls, too many cars and too much traffic. Like narrow views and tiny worlds where a sense of entitlement means that people still drive honking SUV's and pick-up trucks. Making connections is hard, meeting like-minded people is challenging and finding a well paying job closer to home is next to impossible.
Often, when I travel on the long train ride home, I see people that I might find interesting and that might find me interesting. They might have a certain look about them that comes off as looking intelligent, educated and aware. Then I watch them get off the train and get in to their SUV and my opinion changes. Sadly I turn judgmental and pious. Not on purpose, and for no good reason - if I could afford a big SUV would I buy one? Never.
And that is a fundamental difference between my family and many of the people that I have met so far. I like to feel that my family and I think globally and act locally. We try to shop and support the smaller stores downtown, we avoid the malls as much as possible, we drive a small car, we ride and walk more often than not, we use a reel mower (on a corner lot no less). These are not hardships for us and I am not bragging about how we live. I certainly do not feel that we are better than anyone else and there are days where we throw out too much plastic or don't recycle 100% or buy too much stuff. But on the whole we are at least aware of our actions. And when we do slip up I know that I feel good and guilty.
So why can't everyone live like us?
Well the suburbs have been built around the car and as anyone who has spent anytime north of the QEW can tell you - walking around up there is not much fun. Cycling is downright dangerous and despite the best intentions of the City of Burlington, transit is inconvenient and time consuming. Conspicuous consumption is, well, conspicuous and the mall is a hang out.
There are bright lights to be sure, like the better recycling of garbage and waste that will come to the Halton region next year. Like the heightened awareness about pesticides, plastic bags, and pollution. Like the high price of gas that might force drivers to rethink their mode of transportation. Things will change and I know that Burlington will, over time, become a slightly greener town.
Do we regret the move?
Some days yes. We lament the change of pace, from fast and furious, to slow and steady. We sometimes feel like outsiders. We miss our friends, who knew 40 minutes down the road would be so far to travel?
Other days we are thankful for the space, the tranquil sense of piece that we get when sitting in our backyard next to the fish pond, the friendly people we meet at our children's school, the older well-meaning steady neighbours who willingly (some might say eagerly) share the history of the street we live on. We love the waterfront, downtown the Library and the clean well maintained community centres.
On the balance it was the right move at the right time for right now.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
A cheery bit of news. Not.
Great Lakes fish getting worse: Study
SNIP-
"Toxins that once only surfaced in big fish are making their way down the food chain, a sign that the Great Lakes are getting even more polluted, a new report says. "
You can read the full story here.
SNIP-
"Toxins that once only surfaced in big fish are making their way down the food chain, a sign that the Great Lakes are getting even more polluted, a new report says. "
You can read the full story here.
New rail line and platform
The Burlington GO train station is getting a new platform and rail line. I have been following the snail like construction for the last few months and it looks like they may be done before the snow files again.
As far as I can tell (there are no artist renderings anywhere) the whole platform looks like it will get some sort of shelter doohickey. This will be a very welcome retreat on those cold and blustery winter mornings when we all huddle together for warmth waiting for the switches to get unstuck and the wayward 6:35 train to roll in at 7 or so.
The biggest benefit for the folks traveling homeward from Union Station on the 5:02 is that we will no longer have to wait, up to 10 minutes some days, for the east bound train to leave Burlington. If all works according to plan we should be able to just roll-in like all of the other station stops. I can tell you that there is nothing more frustrating than being slow close to home that you can feel it only to be stopped up at the last minute for an empty train heading in to Union Station. Somewhat frustrating to say the least.
As far as I can tell (there are no artist renderings anywhere) the whole platform looks like it will get some sort of shelter doohickey. This will be a very welcome retreat on those cold and blustery winter mornings when we all huddle together for warmth waiting for the switches to get unstuck and the wayward 6:35 train to roll in at 7 or so.
The biggest benefit for the folks traveling homeward from Union Station on the 5:02 is that we will no longer have to wait, up to 10 minutes some days, for the east bound train to leave Burlington. If all works according to plan we should be able to just roll-in like all of the other station stops. I can tell you that there is nothing more frustrating than being slow close to home that you can feel it only to be stopped up at the last minute for an empty train heading in to Union Station. Somewhat frustrating to say the least.
Wither yonder
We have returned from a lovely camping trip on Lake Huron. I am back at work and trying to figure out what to do next.
We are out of money.
It is foggy and cool - where for art thou summer?
Perhaps all is not lost as the weekend looks hot and muggy.
We are out of money.
It is foggy and cool - where for art thou summer?
Perhaps all is not lost as the weekend looks hot and muggy.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
MEC comes to Burlington
Awesome and exciting news! Burlington is getting its greenest building to date in the form of a 20,000 square foot Mountain Equipment Co-op.
Snippet from their release.
Snippet from their release.
""Sustainability is a driving force at MEC, and the Burlington store will be developed to our rigorous green building standards," said Robinson.
MEC plans to construct its greenest building to date and to meet at least the gold standard of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) greenbuilding rating system."
The location is not ideal - but it is still accessible by walking and biking and is close enough to downtown to make transit an option.Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Sound of Music Festival
The Sound of Music Festival wrapped up this past weekend and Spencer Smith appears to have survived another festival onslaught.
The weather was glorious, hot and sunny with only a mild sprinkling. On Saturday my family and I rode our bikes down and parked at Caroline and Brant and then meandered through the downtown. Oddly enough during the time we were there, 1- 5 pm, there was very little music being played. About 15 minutes in to our visit my daughter ended up having a little asthma attack and decided to go home with my wife but my young son and I stayed and played.
I reluctantly forked over the outrageous sum of $20 for some amusement ride tickets. Turns out it was well worth it as the young one gleefully and enthusiastically rode the rides. It was great fun to see him grinning ear-to-ear on the slide, mini-roller coaster and merry-go-round. Ahh to have such joy.
After tearing through the rides we sat down at the east end of the park in front of the Bell stage and watched exactly one song from a totally forgettable Canadian Idol finalist Then my son declared the music too loud and we proceeded back to Brant street to do some beading at beadworks. Jacob made a cool looking choker for himself and then we took one more listen tothe music and headed home for cookout.
The weather was glorious, hot and sunny with only a mild sprinkling. On Saturday my family and I rode our bikes down and parked at Caroline and Brant and then meandered through the downtown. Oddly enough during the time we were there, 1- 5 pm, there was very little music being played. About 15 minutes in to our visit my daughter ended up having a little asthma attack and decided to go home with my wife but my young son and I stayed and played.
I reluctantly forked over the outrageous sum of $20 for some amusement ride tickets. Turns out it was well worth it as the young one gleefully and enthusiastically rode the rides. It was great fun to see him grinning ear-to-ear on the slide, mini-roller coaster and merry-go-round. Ahh to have such joy.
After tearing through the rides we sat down at the east end of the park in front of the Bell stage and watched exactly one song from a totally forgettable Canadian Idol finalist Then my son declared the music too loud and we proceeded back to Brant street to do some beading at beadworks. Jacob made a cool looking choker for himself and then we took one more listen tothe music and headed home for cookout.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Soccer Dad.
Signed my 5 year old up lad up for soccer this past winter.
Stood in line on a cold winter day for about 90 minutes or so while the line for the sign-up snaked it's way around the building and up the stairs of the Burlington Youth Soccer Club. The building was butt ugly and the view encompassed a parking lot and the QEW. Not much to keep 2 squirming, bored children interested or engaged, but I kept telling myself that this would be a good thing for him.
Plunked my cash down and we, or rather I, gleefully waited for the start of J 's first season as a bona-fide player of the classic suburban sport - soccer. The whole experience felt like a right of passage and I could hardly wait for the Wednesday after Victoria day when it would all begin,
Things did not go well.
And to understand why you have to understand my son. J is a stubborn and willful lad. When he digs his five-year-old heels in there is no moving him until he is ready. When we first moved to Burlington from the Big Smoke he was set to start JK in September. He started in May. And it was not for lack of trying on our part (or the teacher's, principal, special ed teacher etc..). He simply decided there was no way in hell he was going to school and that was that.
So my wife and I approached soccer with levity and enthusiasm and joy and support and love. The big day came. I took an early GO train home so I could get him fed and to the game on time. It was at Optimist park and even I felt overwhelmed with the mayhem and noise of 10 teams of small boys running around and kicking yellow balls in every direction. So I can only imagine how he felt.
We found the coach, got the uniform and ball and off he went to show-off his skills. So far, so good. I grinned like a Cheshire cat, I was so happy. The team finished up the 20 minute practice and then gathered round the coach for the pre-game pep talk. And then it happened. Someone stepped on his hand and he started crying and that, my dear readers, was that. We tried the next week but he would not even come out of the house. He yelled and cried and kicked and screamed and no matter what form of persuasion or bribe we tried he had decided that he would not play soccer.
At least we got a refund.
Stood in line on a cold winter day for about 90 minutes or so while the line for the sign-up snaked it's way around the building and up the stairs of the Burlington Youth Soccer Club. The building was butt ugly and the view encompassed a parking lot and the QEW. Not much to keep 2 squirming, bored children interested or engaged, but I kept telling myself that this would be a good thing for him.
Plunked my cash down and we, or rather I, gleefully waited for the start of J 's first season as a bona-fide player of the classic suburban sport - soccer. The whole experience felt like a right of passage and I could hardly wait for the Wednesday after Victoria day when it would all begin,
Things did not go well.
And to understand why you have to understand my son. J is a stubborn and willful lad. When he digs his five-year-old heels in there is no moving him until he is ready. When we first moved to Burlington from the Big Smoke he was set to start JK in September. He started in May. And it was not for lack of trying on our part (or the teacher's, principal, special ed teacher etc..). He simply decided there was no way in hell he was going to school and that was that.
So my wife and I approached soccer with levity and enthusiasm and joy and support and love. The big day came. I took an early GO train home so I could get him fed and to the game on time. It was at Optimist park and even I felt overwhelmed with the mayhem and noise of 10 teams of small boys running around and kicking yellow balls in every direction. So I can only imagine how he felt.
We found the coach, got the uniform and ball and off he went to show-off his skills. So far, so good. I grinned like a Cheshire cat, I was so happy. The team finished up the 20 minute practice and then gathered round the coach for the pre-game pep talk. And then it happened. Someone stepped on his hand and he started crying and that, my dear readers, was that. We tried the next week but he would not even come out of the house. He yelled and cried and kicked and screamed and no matter what form of persuasion or bribe we tried he had decided that he would not play soccer.
At least we got a refund.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Sustainable huh?
I am a member of a citizen's committee on sustainable development (an oxymoron if ever there was one) and part of the task we have set for ourselves this year is to create a document that sets the goal for the city corporation to reach in terms of CO2 reduction.
The problem is that the corporation is only responsible for a minute portion of the green gas emissions with the bulk of the emissions coming from the citizens. Like any typical suburban community ours has sprawled. The new subdivisions are car centric, built on farm land and completely unsustainable. So how do you reverse these mistakes? No idea. The only ways to reduce emissions from a car centric society is to come up with a car that pollutes less, offer reliable and free public transportation or tax the people. None of them easy choices.
But the alternative is not so great either.
The problem is that the corporation is only responsible for a minute portion of the green gas emissions with the bulk of the emissions coming from the citizens. Like any typical suburban community ours has sprawled. The new subdivisions are car centric, built on farm land and completely unsustainable. So how do you reverse these mistakes? No idea. The only ways to reduce emissions from a car centric society is to come up with a car that pollutes less, offer reliable and free public transportation or tax the people. None of them easy choices.
But the alternative is not so great either.
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