12/31/13

Survey for Statues in Victoria Park is now open





Victoria Park is within easy walking distance of MHBP and we often head there for festivals and other events, or just for a walk or bike ride. 

Recently, there has been a proposal to sponsor sculptures of all the Canadian Prime Ministers be created and placed in the Park. This would be part of the 2017 Canadian Sesquicentennial celebrations.

The city of Kitchener has a detailed page of information and links to explain the project. And there is also a link to a survey for everyone to vote.

Please read the city's information here and then vote here. It is up to all of us to decide whether or not we'd like to walk past Kim Campbell staring towards the clock tower, or Joe Clark kicking back with the trees and the grass. What are your views on Wilfrid, Charles, Richard, Pierre, Lester, John, John, John or John (among others) coming to our park for only $300,000 from taxpayer money?

12/29/13

Highlights from 2013 #1

Walking around the neighborhood over the past couple of weeks I have talked to a few people at house parties, walking their dogs and at the lantern walk. The "old Electrohome building" (AKA 152 Shanley) comes up as a topic. "What is going on with that building?" I am asked.

I would like to remind all the Blog readers that we posted two articles a few months back to explain the history and current status of the buildings. The first article is here and the second article is here.

We don't have anything new to report at this time, but we will talk with city officials about the progress of the "tax sale" and if any parties have shown interest in the site.

Stay tuned for more "highlights" from the past year.

12/27/13

More Photos from the Lantern Walk, Dec 23, 2013

Here are some additional photos from the Lantern Walk. We saw very beautiful lanterns made of ice, paper, glass etc. Thanks very much Julie!

If you click on the first one you can progress through all of them like a slide show.











12/26/13

10,000 hits, here we come!

Our Blog was started five years ago and we are currently at 9,934 hits (this means each unique visit to the Blog and not every page click). Will we make 10,000 hits by January? Tell your friends and neighbours to visit!

As always, if you have any comments, photos, questions, please email mhbpna@gmail.com. And the Blog wishes everyone the best of the season.

12/25/13

Lantern Walk a Success

The ice storm we all experienced pushed back the Lantern Walk from Dec 21 (shortest day of the year) to Dec 23 (still a very short day). 

We had over 35 people attending and that included many 'small people' who had a great time. Sometimes a snow bank is all you need to play in.

It was cold and a fire was a welcome addition. Around 7:30 a group of hardy souls did walk around the block though the footing was a bit unstable with all the ice still on the ground.

Here are some photos (thanks very much Juanita!) that capture the spirit of the event. The ice candles were particularly beautiful. We look forward to another Lantern walk in 2014 and hopefully the weather will be a little kinder.

As always, click the images for full size glory:




12/22/13

Ice Storm Weekend

How is everyone doing with this freezing rain and ice? Here are a couple of photos from around Duke Street Playground.




Send us a photo and we'll put it on the Bog to share with the neighbourhood. Email us at mhbpna@gmail.com. 

Here is another photo from Duke Street. Thanks Meg!


And one from Joan:


  





 






12/20/13

Lantern Walk, Saturday Dec 21

Several folks in our community had planned on a Lantern Walk tomorrow on the shortest day of the year. This has been worked on for a few months now and it seems like nature is coming along to possibly put a wrench into the gears of community.

Please read about the walk and keep updated here:

http://lanternwalk.wordpress.com/

12/16/13

"Snow Event" declared

The city of Kitchener has declared a "snow event" so please read this. Basically, there is no parking on the street allowed until they are finished removing snow.

12/11/13

SPRAWL will get us ALL if we are not vigilant

Please be aware of this important meeting on Environmental Defense and Smart Growth in Waterloo region.

We have to prepare for many additional people in our region over the next 20 years in the most intelligent and sustainable manner. How many? Nearly 300,000 new residents are expected to move to the Waterloo region by 2031. Yikes!

WHAT: Panel discussion about smart growth in Ontario, and the issues facing Waterloo Region
WHO:   
Kevin Thomason, Vice-Chair, Grand River Environmental Network
Rob Horne, Commissioner of Planning, Housing and Community Services for
the Region of Waterloo
Kate Daley, Co-Founder, Smart Growth Waterloo Region
Aidan Grove-White, Planning Advisor, Environmental Defence
Moderated by Mike Farwell, journalist and broadcaster
WHEN: Thursday, December 12, 2013
6:30 p.m. Doors open for light refreshments
7:00 p.m. Panel discussion begins
WHERE: Downtown Community Centre, 35B Weber Street West, Kitchener

For full details please click this link.

12/1/13

Winter parking regulations come into effect Dec. 1

This is a MHBPNA community service re-posting of an important City of Kitchener announcement. We would not want anyone to have to pay a parking ticket if it can be avoided.





KITCHENER – Kitchener residents are reminded that winter parking regulations are in effect beginning Sunday, Dec. 1 through March 31 every year, and that no parking is permitted on streets from 2:30-6 a.m.
The city’s tag-and-tow bylaw will come into effect anytime a snow event is declared. The tag-and-tow bylaw prohibits parking on city streets anytime during the snow event.  A snow event is declared when a significant snowfall is predicted based on credible weather forecasts.
When a snow event has been declared, the decision will be communicated in several ways including the city’s website – kitchener.ca – by e-mail to residents who sign up to receive the city’s snow-event advisories, by SMS text message, and by alerting local media. 
During snow events, bylaw staff will ticket vehicles parked on local streets and may tow vehicles if they interfere with snow removal. The amount of the ticket for vehicles parked on the street during a snow event is $80. Vehicles that are towed will be relocated to another area in close proximity when it is safe and practical to do so. However, it may be necessary for some vehicles to be impounded at the owner’s expense.
If you suspect your vehicle has been towed, or to report parking violations, please call 519-741-2345.  
This year, council approved a pilot parking project applying only to Ward 5; this means parking is permitted on the boulevard portion of the driveway from Dec. 1, 2013 – March 31, 2014. There are some specific conditions to note:
  • vehicles must be on the paved, driveway portion of the boulevard, not the landscaped (or hardscaped) portion of the boulevard;
  • all of the vehicle’s tires must be on the paved, hard-surface driveway portion;
  • there can be no overhang of any part of the vehicle onto the sidewalk or roadway;
  • boulevard parking will not be permitted within 15 metres of an intersecting roadway;
  • in the case of abutting driveways, vehicles must not overhang the projection of the property line, and
  • drivers must not drive over the grass portion of the boulevard to park on the driveway.
This change will also allow the plows to get through the streets in the winter months to clear snow. During a snow event, it will give home owners a place to park their vehicle (on the driveway portion of the boulevard) to allow snow plows easier access.
This change is for Ward 5 residents only.  If you are not sure what ward you live in, or have any questions please visitwww.kitchener.ca/whatsmyward or call 519-741-2345.
The impact of these temporary changes to the current parking regulations during this pilot will be assessed, and staff will report back to council in 2014 with recommendations on a long-term solution.
For more information about winter parking, the city’s tag and tow bylaw and snow removal activities, visit kitchener.ca/tagandtow or call519-741-2345.