Pipeline Trail –
under-recognized but not for long

I run into people all the time who have never visited the Pipeline Trail in the east end of our city – or have even heard of it. You can’t blame them because, surprisingly, there are no plaques or signs indicating where this unique bike/pedestrian corridor exists. The trail follows a diagonal north/easterly path over …

Continue reading "Pipeline Trail –
under-recognized but not for long"
Portrait of Laura Keating in front of wall with graffiti. Photo by Gord Moss.

Laura Keating, a working musician

A horn player recently told me about how jazz colleagues are somewhat rusty from not having the gigs or the opportunity to jam during the forced isolation of the pandemic. Folk rocker, singer songwriter, guitar player and Crown Point resident Laura Keating had a different experience during the past two-years. “I turned to new ways …

Continue reading "Laura Keating, a working musician"
Screen capture from AGH website.

Crown Point artist at AGH

There is an unfortunate phenomenon that seems to be part of Hamilton’s DNA: buildings torn down to make way for city-approved projects, only to fail to get off the ground. It happens for all sorts of reasons including uncertain financing. So, we end up with parking lots or other kinds of underutilized and empty spaces …

Continue reading "Crown Point artist at AGH"
Complete Sreet in Grimsby

Can a city be driven to change?

This spring, Hamilton city council is expected to debate and pass a complete streets design manual to make roads friendlier and safer, especially for more vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists. Under the program, walking, cycling, and public transit will have a higher priority. The 2021 city transportation master plan (unanimously adopted by city council) states that …

Continue reading "Can a city be driven to change?"

Sherwood Secondary: Don’t make it political

We can argue about building aesthetics, compare vacant workshops versus brightly lit active spaces, but we know that whatever location is chosen, the Sherwood Saints tradition will continue with a very active and feisty parent council to continue to push for quality spaces for our children’s education.

Continue reading "Sherwood Secondary: Don’t make it political"

Hockey Returns to Balsam Avenue

The Bulldogs have been a part of many memories for me and my family over the years. I have been to games with my kids, my dad and I once took my grandfather to a playoff game which might have been the only time the two of us ever talked hockey.

Continue reading "Hockey Returns to Balsam Avenue"

Renoviction and the invisible eviction crisis

Ontario has a big problem with evictions. How big? No one knows for sure. While the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is ramping up the assembly-line to pump out evictions, there is no means to measure the depth of the crisis. No government or agency is keeping count. An eviction crisis is occurring behind a …

Continue reading "Renoviction and the invisible eviction crisis"

The Loss of a Voice that Understood the Need

Trustee Bingham and I got each other – as much as I could really understand a lifetime of constantly having to advocate for your child, or the behind the scenes struggles you don’t see not being at home every day through these parents’ tribulations.

Continue reading "The Loss of a Voice that Understood the Need"