Potholes, Sinkholes Everywhere...

We have had so much rain over the past month that it appears the soil under our streets is being washed away -- to where we do not know. We are left with numerous potholes and what look like the beginnings of sinkholes throughout the neighbourhood.

You may have noticed the coloured markings around some of the holes. on some street corners, curbs and even sidewalks. That usually signals that work of some sort is about to take place. We do know that the Region of Peel is planning to begin work on the watermains throughout the neighbourhood -- continuing what they were doing on Silver Birch and on Nesdale last year. We also assume they are waiting for a break in the weather to start this work.At this point in time, we do not have a start date -- or a completion date.

What we have been told is this: when Peel Region has completed the work on the watermains, the City of Mississauga will begin paving the streets. We will keep you updated here, on the website, and in our newsletter. Meanwhile, keep the cursing to a minimum, drive around the potholes, and watch out for others both walking and driving.

Saturday morning & it is raining!

It is 10:00 a.m. on Spring Cleanup day, but the weather is not cooperating. Rain, cold, wind. I don't think anyone is crazy or dedicated enough to go out in this weather to pick up litter. I know I am not. Going to hold off on going out to see if it clears up.

20-Minute Makeover Today

Looks like a great day to get out and participate in the 20-Minute Makeover. Weather is sunny if a little cool and windy. I am going out for a bit today, maybe more than once. Anyone want to join me?
      I am a little concerned about tomorrow's weather, so I would like to get some litter-picking done today during the 20-MM. See you out there!
     

Weather alerts for Saturday, April 16

The forecast is for RAIN --  100% possibility of precipitation during the hours of the cleanup), with about 20 - 30 mm accummulation. Also, winds E at 30 kmh. Sunday's forecast is also showers, 40% POP and >1 mm of rain on the ground, with winds W 40 kmh. So it looks like we are in for a soggy Saturday and Sunday.
       Prognosis:  If it is not raining Saturday, we proceed as planned. If raining = CANCELLED.

20-Minute Makeover on Friday, April 15

In addition to our Spring Cleanup on Saturday, take part in the 20-Minute Makeover tomorrow, Friday, April 15. Officially it takes place at 2:00 p.m., but anytime during the day will do.

Spring Cleanup in 2 days!

Don't forget -- Spring Cleanup on Saturday, April 16, 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon. Meet at Children's Playground in Birch Glen Park (by the bridge).

Remember -- Spring Cleanup in two weeks!

Spring has arrived and it is time once again for the Annual Spring Cleanup in Birch Glen. This year's date is Saturday, April 16, starting at 10:00 a.m. and going at least until noon. This coincides with the 20-Minute Makeover (April 15 at 2:00 p.m.) and a general Community Cleanup Day in Mississauga, also on April 16. Earth Day follows on April 23. 
        We are holding the Cleanup earlier than in previous years, mainly to get a jump start on picking up the litter uncovered when the snow melts.
         This is a community effort and we would like to see the adults in the neighbourhood coming out to provide a good example for the younger generation. This is our neighbourhood and we do have a responsibility to keep it clean and litter-free.
         The "command centre" is at the children's playground in Birch Glen Park, where you can pick up garbage bags, gloves and utensils (provided by the Parks Department/Clarkson Yard), set out on your litter route, then bring the full bags back for pickup by the City.
         Make a point of coming out to help not only the Association Board, but the community as a whole.
         Remember -- Together we are a community; separately we are just people who live in the same neighbourhood. Be part of the community. Get involved.

Report from our AGM

This year's Annual General Meeting for the Birch Glen Residents' Association was held on Monday, November 22 at Owenwood Public School. Although the turnout was small, the discussion was lively and the presentations were great. We were fortunate to have Councillor Pat Mullin address the group, followed by representatives from Parks and Forestry. In a nutshell, this is what we learned:

1. The streets in our neighbourhood will be repaved in 2011, but the work will have to wait until the Region of Peel has completed work on watermains throughout the neighbourhood;
2. Watermain work has been completed on Silver Birch Trail and on Nesdale Court;
3. Watermain replacement is scheduled in 2011 on Kos Blvd. (east & west legs), Ithaca and Lefkas Courts, with cathodic protection added on Andros, Zante (crescent & court), and Johnson's Lane (from Lakeshore to Andros);
4. We will be getting leaf pickup starting in Fall 2011. That means that you will be able to push your leaves to the curb for vacuum removal on scheculed days (schedule to be announced next year);
5. A new developer has taken over the reins for the Clarkson Manor townhouse development on Lakeshore near Birchwood Park and Kentucky Hill. Details will be provided as the project proceeds;
6. The retirement home in front of Walden Spinney will proceed under a new developer.

Additional information will be provided on our website and in our print newsletter as it becomes available.

House Break-in Reported on Labour Day

On Monday, September 6 - the last day of the Labour Day long weekend - a home on Kos Blvd. in the neighbourhood was broken into and some valuable items were stolen. The homeowners were present and did see - and confront - the thief immediately outside the home, but were unaware at the time of the confrontation that the thief had already been inside their house and may have already taken items out of the house. Thus, they allowed the person to leave their property. It was only later that they realized they had been robbed and immediately contacted the police, who came out to investigate that evening. A police report has been filed and a description of the thief has been given to the police.
     At this time, we would appreciate hearing from residents both in the vicinity of the break-in and throughout the neighbourhood to find out if there were any other incidents of this sort that night or anytime over the Labour Day weekend. Also, if you know of similar incidents anywhere close to our neighbourhood around that timeframe, please let us know.
     Birch Glen is regarded as one of the safer neighbourhoods in Mississauga and we would like to keep it that way. We realize that break-ins and occurances of this type can happen anywhere and are usually a crime of convenience. That description, however, does not make those who are victims of such crime feel any better or any safer. That is why it is important for anyone with pertinent information to come forward.
     As reported, a description of the thief has been given to the police although he has not yet been identified. If anyone saw or heard anything in the vicinity of Kos Blvd. or the children's playground in Birch Glen Park, please get in touch with us either through this blog or by email (birchglenresidents@gmail.com) or through our website (http://www.birchglen.com/). Comments to the blog can be anonymous; emails will be kept confidential.

Taken: 1 set of summer tires!

Our neighbourhood is considered one of the safer neighbourhoods in Mississauga by Peel Regional Police but, sometimes, a resident experiences a break-in that makes them wonder how safe they are. Recently, a garage was broken into and the thief (or thieves) stole a set of summer tires -- nothing else, just the tires. This leaves us to scratch our heads and wonder what the thieves were up to. Did they notice the car parked outside the garage, see that it had winter tires on, and thnk "I need a set of summer tires for a car just like this, and this is as good a place to get them as any"? Boggles the mind, really.

So what can we do as a neighbourhood?

1. If anyone has any information about this, please respond to this post.
2. To protect our homes and possessions, make sure that you do have a lock on your garage door and lock it at all times. Don't leave the door open if you are not within sight -- it just takes a moment for a thief to enter, take what he wants, and leave, often without you knowing. People usually don't have an alarm attached to their garage doors, but it might be good if we did;
3. Also make sure that you lock your car doors at all times -- even if it is inside your garage. Thieves are attracted to GPS systems, radios, boom boxes, CD players, anything related to technology -- and it doesn't matter whether it is is permanently "installed" or not for them to attempt to take it. Modern cars sometimes have the capability to lock themselves automatically a short time after the engine has been turned off, but don't take that for granted. Get into the habit of locking it yourself when you exit the car.

This type of crime is simply one of opportunity and does not reflect on surroundings or personalities; it happens all the time all over the city and all the time. That doesn't make it acceptable, far from it! Unfortunately, it happened here within the past week and it is unnerving to the victims, and to the neighbourhood in general. Help us out if you can.