This program, which is large in scale, cannot come cheaply. Funding must come from somewhere. What is odd about this program is the little information available about the leaders and sponsors of this program. When sending your child to day camp it is always important to research the leaders, so you know who are minding your kids. Odd is the fact that there is very little sent to parents and near nothing about them on the internet. This omission is not necessarily indicative of a bad omen, just an oddity in this age of online information. These sponsors are: Boys 2 Men Institute (B2M), TDSB Focus on Youth and the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (CYC).

The program seems to be run by the Boys 2 Men Institute. I can only find 2 references to this name on the web. The first reference describes a youth development program, but does not indicate country or other location. I cannot really say that this web page is even connected to the youth All Day Sports Camp that is run in Scarborough.

The Boys 2 Men Institute has been developed to challenge the current image, perception and low expectations for at-risk males grade 3 through grade 12.

… B2M Institute chapters promote the principles of Pride, Dignity and Respect. The Boys 2 Men Institute will comprise a detailed curriculum that affords at-risk (all) students the opportunity to get extra support, volunteer in their community, gain social skills, improve self-esteem and learn about proper nutrition.

This web page is not linked for further information, is undated and there is no contact information. Of course there is no web site for this group.

The second link is from the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (CYC), which mentions the Boys 2 Men program, but without description nor link. At least I can verify that the Cabbagetown youth Centre does exist in Toronto, Canada. There is a phone number and contact information. Here’s the reference:

I invite you to take some time to visit CYC’s site – read about our successes like our Performing Arts Program and our Summer Camp and Youth and After-Four programs; CYC’s involvement in programming across the City to help youth through the Boys 2 Men Institute; our fundraising successes and challenges and so much more!

In the Programs section of the CYC there is mention of an All Day Sports Camp:

The All Day Sports Camp is a non-competitive activity program. The philosophy of the camp is to expose children to a wide variety of sports and to develop fundamental physical movement skills, while they gain an appreciation for personal fitness through the joy of activity. A variety of activities are offered, including; cooperative games, ball hockey, basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, tennis and recreational swim. Children are asked to bring their own healthy lunch and two snacks daily; however, CYC can provide lunch for those who otherwise cannot. Special features include weekly off site trips and an end of year BBQ for the whole camp.

Surely this must be the camp held in Scarborough, though there is no mention of the camp’s location. The camp description does not mention anything about the Boys 2 Men Institute. Perchance I must triangulate logic: The CYC holds an All Day Sports Camp. The CYC has involvement with the Boys 2 Men Institute, therefore the Boys 2 Men Institute is managing the CYC All Day Sports Youth Camp in Scarborough. Then again, maybe this logic is simply incorrect.

The third sponsor, the Toronto District School Board, is much clearer. Their Focus on Youth Toronto (FOYT) program provides free summer school space to certain child and youth based organizations:

The objective of Focus on Youth Toronto is to enhance high quality summer program opportunities for children and youth in Toronto’s urban inner city areas by offering free use of school space for organized community-based programs, and by providing employment opportunities and leadership activities for the youth of these communities. The FOYT program for the second year will promote learning through play, healthy lifestyle and positive self-image for children and youth of these communities, and that this will have a positive impact on student achievement and well-being during the school year.

Of course the TDSB site does not mention the Cabbagetown Youth Centre nor the Boys 2 Men Institute. Maybe I am asking too much?

This is not to say that these programs are suspect in any way. They are legitimate programs. I have verified through real world experience that this summer camp exists and is well run. The youth are great with kids and the kids are treated well and have fun. The program runs out of a TDSB high school, in complete cooperation with TDSB staff. The kids get to use the high school equipment such as balls, gym and pool. I merely question the lack of information about these programs to parents. Am I the only parent that seeks questions about the organization that is taking care of my child for the summer? I hope not.

Then again maybe publishing the program on the internet is simply not a high priority for these grassroots organizations. Still, if you are doing such good work for the youth and kids of Toronto, publishing something might be a good idea.

If you have any further information about Boys 2 Men or the All Day Sports Camp please leave a comment and fill me in. I will be more than happy to update this document to the relevant links. Clear communication on the internet can only be good for all concerned. Transparency is simpler to achieve if all parties are public and well known.To those that work in the All Day Sports Camp, whomever you are, you’re doing a great job. Keep up the good work.

Note: I’ve found an article about B2M from 2008 that provides more information. A possible link to the program is Hugh Keane, Camp Director.

Honey Bee on Shasta daisy 1, Toronto, Canada

Honey Bee feeding on Shasta daisy 2, Toronto, Canada

Honey Bee on Shasta daisy 3, Toronto, Canada

Honey Bee on Shasta daisy 4, Toronto, Canada

Canada Day, July 01, 2010, Honey Bee feeds on a Shasta daisy in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto Police in riot gear, ready to intimidate and more at the Toronto G20

Toronto Police grab a women by the throat, College and Yonge, Toronto G20

Anyone should be able to walk around downtown Toronto and feel safe. Our city is actually safe and feels safe. Add police in riot gear on every downtown street corner, as is the case in Toronto today, and you feel the intimidation. The police have the power to beat you to a pulp for disagreeing with what they say, and be damned with the law. Of course Canadians are not used to a Toronto in a siege mentality, where the police rule, and rightly so.

The last time I was in such a situation was in Beijing, China, during and after the Tiananmen Square incident. Army personnel were on every street corner, guns in hand. Of course there is no law to protect Chinese citizens, so army and police can ask anyone for ID, search , beat up and arrest whomever they choose. It was unnerving and caused me a great deal of personal stress. If you’ve never experienced this environment I assure you that it is creepy. You live in a state of terror. I never would have thought that a change into a police state could so easily happen to Toronto, but I am proved wrong.

Toronto riot police with shields, meant to intimidate, Toronto G20

Ontario politicians had secretly passed a law that allows police to ask for ID and information about a person, to search whomever within 5 metres of the restricted area of the G20 summit, and to arrest anyone who does not comply. There was no public consultation. Even though activist lawyers were in daily contact with police, the police did not disclose this new law. The Toronto police also did not disclose this to the city of Toronto politicians. It all unfolded yesterday when the act was put into play by the arrest of a protester. This surprised the City of Toronto politicians, the public and protesters. The reason the law was kept secret is because it would most certainly be challenged because it is unconstitutional. The enacted law is illegal.

Toronto Police intimidate G20 protesters

Further to the fact that the law was passed secretly without public debate, and that it will be ruled unconstitutional, is the fact that the police abuse the law by asking for ID, searching and arresting people far from the “within 5 metres of the G20 summit site” at Allan Gardens. The law was also used against protesters 3 kilometers away from the G20 site. Even the letter of the law is not adhered to by police. When later challenged in court I am sure that no police officer will face disciplinary action for breaking the law. This is true in China and will be proved to be true here in Toronto.

Toronto riot police look on as fire department put out a burning police car

Protesters are legally allowed in Canada. It is not only legal but welcome. We here in Canada pride ourselves in our ability to see all viewpoints of an issue, and if you strongly feel the need to shout out, then do so. You may parade through the streets and shout as loud as you want, carry banners and placards stating your issue. Here in Canada we may not agree with your opinion but will gladly allow you to voice it. By allowing police the ability to ask for ID, to search and arrest protesters is a direct infringement on our ability to speak our mind. It is un-Canadian and unconstitutional.

Toronto riot police intimidate as a protester taunts them

Ironic is the fact that Canada invites more than 20 heads of state to our lovely city, only to change our city into a police state, intimidate Torontonians, to take away our right to speak freely and to flout the laws of the land. Is this the message Canada wants to send to the world? Leaders of the world, welcome to Canada. For you we will turn our country into a police state. How can Canada criticize other countries for their human rights records when for a small summit our government also does the same?

Toronto riot police push protesters back

As you visit our city this weekend note that Toronto is a vastly different place, both physically and politically. Torontonians are not used to intimidation by police in vast numbers, sporting riot gear, beating their shields with batons, live weapons and devices that cause pain in your ears, possibly causing permanent hearing damage. We do not appreciate police snipers on rooftops, with their high powered scopes ready to kill. We do not appreciate armed police on horseback, ready to stomp protesters to death. Photos of downtown Toronto show the absence of people, specifically Torontonians.

Toronto riot police face peaceful protesters

Frankly I am ashamed that the Canadian government could turn Toronto into a police state so easily and quickly. We should cherish democracy and our ability to freely speak out. These ideals have been trounced at the G20.

I’ve tracked down the actual Public Works Protection Act as well as the specifics that cover the G20, and for the life of me cannot see how the police can lawfully use this to search and arrest people from merely walking around the security perimeter.

Powers of guard or peace officer

3.A guard or peace officer,

(a) may require any person entering or attempting to enter any public work or any approach thereto to furnish his or her name and address, to identify himself or herself and to state the purpose for which he or she desires to enter the public work, in writing or otherwise;

(b) may search, without warrant, any person entering or attempting to enter a public work or a vehicle in the charge or under the control of any such person or which has recently been or is suspected of having been in the charge or under the control of any such person or in which any such person is a passenger; and

(c) may refuse permission to any person to enter a public work and use such force as is necessary to prevent any such person from so entering. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.55, s. 3.

Toronto riot police on horseback

The law applies to “any person entering or attempting to enter any public work or any approach thereto”. To me that sounds like an entrance way. If you are not near this entrance, for example walking by the perimeter fence, then how can you be searched and arrested? Further the law is very specific as to the affected locations. How is it that the police can use this law at Queen’s Park or Allan Gardens. Both these parks are a couple of kilometers away from the stated protected locations.

The law’s first victim, Dave Vasey was quoted:

Vasey said he was exploring the G20 security perimeter with a friend when they were stopped by police and asked for identification.

There was no mention of Vasey trying to enter the secure area nor being anywhere near an entrance. I do not see how the police can use this act to arrest someone for walking beside the perimeter. All I see is abuse of the law by police, unlawful and unsubstantiated search and arrest by police.

There are some great quotes coming out of recent articles that reaffirms my belief in the rule of law here in Canada. It further highlights the contradictions with mass arrests by Toronto Police this weekend.

“It doesn’t cast our country in a very good light, that we would go to such drastic measures to suppress basic civil liberties, like the right to protest,” said Paul Burstein, president of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association.

“It isn’t just the invasiveness of the power that is so troubling, but that it was done in secret so that by the time we can do something about, it will have run its course,” he said.

“We are trying to present this image of peacekeepers and all that . . . but here we are, we turn ourselves into a police state to host the world. It’s embarrassing.”

“Usually major powers and restrictions on our rights are not brought into law through a regulation,” said Diab [professor Robert Diab, of Capilano University in British Columbia]. “They are usually debated in a legislature and debated on in an open and transparent fashion,” he said.

…In addition, this is not consistent with the rule of law in Canada. We don’t make laws secretly and we don’t arrest and detain people for laws that were made secretly. These are police state tactics.

Links:
No arrests made under G20 rule change, Ontario says
First ‘secret law’ arrestee plans Charter challenge: The titles of these two news articles are contradictory. One person was arrested using the law.

There is some sense to this strategy. By riding 20-30kph over the speed limit and the flow of traffic the rider can be in greater control of the riding environment. Tailgaters are completely eliminated, as the rider is riding at above the average flow of traffic. The rider lane split when appropriate, and passes cars with speed and precision, thereby avoiding illegal lane changes, being boxed in, being stuck behind slow traffic or large SUVs, buses, and increasing overall visibility. Bikes are much more maneuverable than cars and aggressive cautious exploits this advantage.

Many riders use this strategy and claim it increases their level of safety. I do believe aggressive cautious does have its benefits. There are, however, also many negatives.

First and foremost, an aggressive cautious strategy is without a doubt illegal. You are speeding way above the flow of traffic. This increased speed also means increased force if and when you have a crash, thereby increasing the likelihood that the rider will have more serious injuries. The most dangerous aspect of this strategy is that in the eyes of the rider it legitimizes their need to ride at speed. “I speed because it is safer, riding at the speed limit is dangerous”. Increased speed means less time to react to the same threat as compared to riding at the speed limit.

While 20-30kph over might be sufficient on a city road, on the highway this strategy uses 50kph over. Here in Ontario, going 50kph over and getting caught by the police is considered “street racing”, resulting in immediate loss of bike and license for 7 days, as well as the charge of street racing. Many riders that use the aggressive cautious strategy now complain that they are Ok with getting a +50kph over ticket as the cost of riding safer, but the immediate loss of bike and license for 7 days, and associated costs are too high for them. Their solution: run from the police. Toronto Police rarely chase other vehicles when the speeds get too high, because of the risks to the speeder, the public and to law enforcement. The aggressive cautious strategy also exploits this fact.

While a reasonably sane person would question the decision to do +50kph in the first place, some riders opt to run at speeds well in excess of this. Some riders even state that the “real” speed limit on Ontario highways is 130kph, and therefore they need to increase their speed to 180kph for safe riding. They believe that +80kph is a better ceiling limit rather than the current +50kph.

The aggressive cautious strategy can also annoy other vehicular traffic. Speeding, lane splitting, aggressive lane changes and such can alarm other drivers. The aggressive cautious strategy is low on “share the road”, and more in tuned to the motorcycle rider playing a variant of the old video game frogger. By annoying other drivers, future riders that these drivers encounter may suffer their wrath. Is ti really worthwhile to possibly endanger fellow riders with this strategy.

There is no one way to reduce the risks of riding a motorcycle. By reading traffic, trying to predict and avoid potential hazards and riding cautiously these risks can be reduced but not eliminated. Riding at the speed limit put the rider in the flow of other cages, but also reduces the speed and therefore the intensity of the crash impact. It’s also easier and faster to slow down when you are going slower to begin with. How about sharing the road with other people and follow the rules of the road. Do not excessively speed, do not attract the attention of the police, do not run from the police. When a potential risk presents itself, slow down and prepare to stop.

One of the most common and dangerous threats to any motorcyclist is the left hand turner. This occurs especially at traffic intersections but can also occur on side streets and one way streets. The aggressive cautious strategy only increases the risk of this threat. By slowing down and being prepared to stop, the risk of serious injury is reduced. Increased speed does not reduce this risk.

The most interesting aspect of the aggressive cautious strategy is the paucity of the cautious component. It seems like a contradiction of terms. While we cannot control how other riders ride, if you ride fast, get caught and are charged with “street racing”, have your ride and license confiscated, then get onto an internet forum and find out how to beat the charge, surely you are missing the stated premise of the aggressive cautious strategy: increased motorcycle safety.

The aggressive cautious riding strategy seems to have some advantages, but overall it is sub-optimal for overall motorcycle safety. There is no magic bullet here: slow down, read traffic, follow the rules of the road, avoid hazards and ride responsibly.

GM-Segway concept electric vehicle

Here’s a really cool concept vehicle that could go a long way in reducing our dependence on oil. The GM-Segway concept vehicle is small, light and efficient. It’s electric powered. The absence of a sunroof would make it an interesting cross between a car and a motorcycle.

___It will probably be illegal on Ontario roads. Look, no huge front bumper, so will not withstand crash tests. The front bumper looks like a piece of bent sheet metal.

___We from Ontario are over regulated and not a little. As the world moves forward we are denied new electric vehicles due to our over-cautious safety laws. It is not that all our vehicles are as safe as your full size Buick or Town car. We also have motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and bicycles that ply our streets. We even have electric bicycles. None of them have front bumpers that need to pass a safety crash test. They all take the same risks car drivers do when driving on our streets. Why is it that two wheeled vehicles are Ok on Ontario roads but not small electric vehicles?

The ZENN (zero emissions, no noise) electric car is roughly the size of a Mini-Cooper, ~ $14,000.

___What happened to the personal choice of Canadians? Europe and Asia are very used to high gas prices and have changed accordingly to embrace smaller vehicles. They have so many more small cars than in North America, but also have a strong 2 wheeled tradition as well. I cannot say that most Canadians would embrace the small electric car market, but we now do not even have the choice.

___There is no question that small electric vehicles are not powerful enough to safely drive on a highway, but then again this is true for mopeds, small scooters and small motorcycles. These vehicles are therefore licensed differently. A small electric car can be similarly licensed.

___Interestingly, Canada already has two electric vehicle manufacturers, yet neither can legally sell cars in Ontario. It is sad in a way, when your home country is not broad minded enough to accept your own vehicle. Zenn and Dynasty have a rough road ahead in Ontario, and I wish them well. Maybe the Ontario government would rather wait for the offerings comping out of China?

This is not Chung Hing, but has the same feel. Photo by Don Qua

While it might seem unfair to compare a local Chinese grocer to the large big box chains, our shopping experience spans both, so I feel I should review both. Chung Hing, or in Mandarin, Zhong Xing, is our local Chinese grocer. While it is an average sized Chinese grocer, it seems to serve our needs well. Trip Review: Chung Hing: A.

___Chung Hing Supermarket, Kennedy/Finch, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Objective: Minced pork, regular weekly shopping.

Chung Hing is decidedly lowbrow. Shopping carts are castoffs from all and sundry grocers, with no company logos printed on any carts. Carts are of various sizes and colours. The store is low budget, but is very popular with locals and can be quite crowded. The floor is at times uneven but serviceable

The butcher counter has 3 live butchers that will bag whatever meat you wish, provided you speak Chinese. Any type of Chinese will do. We usually get a whole chicken from them, but also buy minced pork, whole hunks of beef, pork bones and whatever else. The butchers usually give you more than you ask or, so if your pot cannot fit 5 lbs of pork, you better ask for 4 and you’ll get 4.7 lbs. They are nice butchers. The fresh fish counter is right beside them.

Vegetables and fruit are usually quite fresh, although at times one must be careful if the price of the fruit is low. This may mean that the fruit is past due and soft. I’ve often bought firm fruit only to find it was previously frozen or close to it, brought it home only to find it was mushy. Caveat Emptor. If you are not sure, don’t chance it, no matter how low the price. This store will open clamshells of strawberries and blueberries and repack them with somewhat fresher produce. They like to package ginger into 3 lb plastic bags but price ginger per lb, so we open these bags and take only what we need, which is certainly less than 3 lbs.

On this shopping day all the veggies and fruit were fresh. Fuji apples were $0.99/lb, matching the big box stores, but fresh. Florida oranges were $0.49/lb, a reasonable price considering it is out of season. From the time this store has opened the layout has not changed, so we were very familiar with the layout. This store consistently beats the big box stores on bananas, at $0.59/lb, $0.10 below the competition. The quality is also fresh. Grapes were also great at $0.99/lb

Other purchases ranged from frozen basa fillets, soya milk, to Chinese sausage were right on the money. All prices are clearly marked and products well displayed.

This is where we buy our phone cards we use to call China. The store always gives us a recommendation. If people are having a problem with a brand of card, the store will quickly switch. They recommended the Nengda Tong card, 274 minutes for $4.50 to anywhere in China. That’s $0.016/minute, cheaper than most Bell calling cards to Canada. We line up at the checkout with the phone cards and add one to our bill. No trouble at all.

It is this kind of friendly service and product knowledge, coupled with fresh produce and low prices that we find appealing. Though you cannot brag that this shop is fancy in any way, we’re not eating here, so we don’t mind.

___Experience Rating: A. We came in with our grocery list, found everything with no difficulties. All produce was clearly marked and priced. No issues with carts or negotiating around obstacles in stores. Checkout is very fast and non-eventful. You’re out the door in a hurry. While 95% of patrons are Chinese, you will see the odd Indian, European or black families shopping there. I’ve never seen them have any problems purchasing food, and frequently see them return. Still, while most signs are bilingual, invariably all products are geared towards a Chinese clientele.

___Nofrills, Kennedy/Finch, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Objective: Sale priced tetrapack apple juice and general weekly shopping.

This week Nofrills continues their two week flyer with an additional single page of specials. None of the products in the extra flyer were very appealing. I specifically searched for their advertised Allen’s apple juice in tetrapack, 24 x 200ml for $3.33. This sale product was not available in the juice aisle nor on the aisle ends, but was available in their overstock sales aisle. At least have a sign in the juice aisle to acknowledge that there is a sale on juice. Very little stock was left, so for sure they will run out before the weekend is over. The juice was well displayed with a price.

It took 3 tries to get a shopping cart that I could somewhat easily push. I’m tired of getting shopping carts that take great effort to push around the store. I find it a great waste of energy and distracts me from having a good shopping experience. Sure they have all wheels, but with a lack of maintenance the carts have cracked parts, some have wheels that lock up, or the wheels don’t turn easily. The one I chose badly needed oil. At least it did not squeak.

In general the store was merchandised very well and was clean. I was able to find all the products I wanted. Corned beef I usually buy was out of stock and has been this way for about two weeks. I still await regular or halal corned beef for $1.99.

Today there were no skids of stock waiting to be unpacked but blocking the aisles. I’m always amazed when staff block aisleways so cannot get my cart through. Once I was almost run into by a small electronic forklift. She was not looking as she backed up, but I was. Otherwise she would have flattened me. Her passing remark of “This machine is dangerous, please stay out of the way” was relayed to the store manager upon checkout. But today there were no theatrics.

Checkout was fast and efficient by my favourite cashier. I’ve been shopping here long enough to know who is good and who will work slowly, so I choose my cashier carefully. Some cashiers get flustered with vendor coupons, or store sales events. At $28 on a credit card, no signature was required. Cardboard boxes were readily available for customers, as expected and always appreciated from this store

___Experience Rating: B+ A good shopping experience with merchandise well layed out and priced. This is why I prefer shopping here.

Walmart, Kennedy/Sheppard, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

___Walmart, Kennedy/Sheppard, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Objective: 4 pack of “D” batteries, 4 pack of 9v batteries, apple juice.

Because it was early in the day there were few customers. There was no greeter. Shopping carts were plentiful and in good working order.

I have had terrible experiences with the electronic department of this Walmart. I found them on multiple occasions to be unhelpful at best and downright lazy at worst. On this occasion I found 3 associates yakking together, laughing out loud, with the main troublemaker in the middle. Is this coincidence? As such, I would never buy an expensive ANYTHING electronic from this store.

The battery aisle was clearly sorted by brand and then by battery type. I, however could not find a 4 pack “D” type in the brand I wanted. Other more expensive brands were available. As I walked the 15′ aisle I noticed that beside the battery display there was a separate and distinct “bulk” battery area, which happened to have my 4 pack. I don’t know why this bulk battery area was not merchandised with the rest of the batteries by brand and type, but if I was not such a particular shopper i would have missed it. At least all batteries were clearly priced.

As I walked to the cashier I noticed two additional battery displays. While most batteries displayed here were duplicates of the main battery area, an additional brand was not. I dropped the 4 pack I had previously chosen and picked up a different brand name.

Down the juice aisle I found my apple juice in can. The price was clearly marked, they had stock and the display was clean and tidy. To be sure I asked my daughter to price check a can. The nearby pole price scanner was broken and turned off, so she had to go to the kidswear area. This scanner has been out of order for some time. A vendor rep told me this was common, and from my observations I agree. At least the display of juice, unlike the last time I was here, had a clearly marked price.

I picked up 10 cans of apple juice. The cashier was fast end efficient, scanning one and doing a multiple to charge me for the 10 cans. In the past some cashiers insisted on me putting all 10 cans onto the conveyor belt so they could scan each and every can. This is such a waste of time. Thankfully this cashier realized that each and every can was identical. Payment was uneventful.

___Experience Rating: B. Walmart usually has very professional merchandising, allowing the shopper to conveniently find merchandise. I’m unsure why there’s this anomaly in the battery section. All wall scanners in the store should be in good working order. The pole of the nearest price scanner was only marked as having a scanner in the East-West direction, and not the North-south direction. No wonder I have problems finding scanners. Clearly marking scanners is inexpensive, so why not do it? And why has this scanner been broken for so many weeks?

___Shopping trips should not be gladiator style struggles between good and evil. A customer should be able to view a sales flyer at home, and along with his shopping list, find, select, purchase and pay for products with little difficulty. This is not much to ask, but seemingly very difficult to achieve.

___Our Chinese visitors come to stay from 3 months to a couple of years. Most are retired, called here by their married kids to help raise their grandchildren. For the most part, these visitors from China are devoted to their families and add a lot of flavour to Toronto culture. They bring with them traditional Chinese values and thinking from an era of China that may be long gone, or at least buried deep in the past.

___I must tell you that Scarborough and neighbor Markham has the highest concentration of Mainland Chinese and Mandarin speakers in Canada. We have large shopping malls that cater to the local Chinese community. Many of our local malls have only Chinese stores. Banking and government services are offered in English and Chinese. The local big box grocery stores all carry Chinese foodstuffs, though there is no need, because there are so many local Chinese grocery stores. We have hospitals that will translate, and traditional Chinese doctors and pharmacies. We have 5 or 6 Chinese language newspapers, though there is no XinHua news. Of course there is the internet. There is almost nothing we cannot buy that is available in China. You can speak Mandarin at every Chinese store or restaurant with no difficulties.

___What this means is that in my neighborhood on my road I speak 50% English and 50% Mandarin to my neighbors. As white and Hong Kong owners move out, Mandarin speaking families move in. Once a family knows you can speak Mandarin, there is real cohesion that develops. Even though they need not learn English to live well in my neighborhood, they seem eager to greet a friendly face in their mother tongue. I miss China and happily comply.

___After a couple of years living in China, it is pretty easy to spot a Mainland Chinese person in my neighborhood. While there is a predominance of Asians here, not all are from China. We have families from Vietnam, Hong Kong (different culture from China) and China. For people from the Mainland there are some odd behaviors that stand out. Here are a few:

• ¤ Walking on the road with the whole family: We have wide sidewalks for pedestrians, but for some reason, newly landed Chinese seem to prefer to walk on the road. I have guessed that this is due to a lack of sidewalks in China. They seem to believe Canadians will not run them over. This is so not true.
• ¤ Taichi in the morning: This is not unexpected. Actually it is welcomed by white and Asian families here. There are informal taichi groups that congregate in our local parks and even on people’s front driveways in the early morning
• ¤ Lack of maintenance of the front of their house: It seems like there is no interest from Chinese families to maintain the front of their house. In my neighborhood, where many Canadian families take great pride in their manicured gardens, this really stands out. In the winter, there is a distinct lack of proper snow removal. And no, you cannot remove 20cm of snow with a broom. This is unlike Beijing dust.
• ¤ Predominance of large SUVs: Chinese people seem to prefer buying a large SUV, even though they only have 2 people in the house. Maybe it is seen as a status symbol amongst their friends, I don’t know. It would also be helpful to learn to properly drive such a large vehicle. Watch out for the other Mainland families walking in the middle of the street.
• ¤ All year Bicycle riding: Interestingly many elderly Chinese will ride their bicycles all year, rain, slush, snow be damned. They do ride slowly, but still ride. They are greeted with astonishment by Canadians of all stripes, not because of their all-weather capability, but that at that age they can still ride. We are slovenly here. No they don’t wear helmets or other protective gear. Yes they ride on the sidewalks, but they ride slowly and do slow down when passing pedestrians. It’s as if they KNOW how to ride through pedestrian traffic.
• ¤ Lack of understanding of garbage rules: While these rules are translated and printed in many different languages, there seems to still be a disconnect with Chinese families. Granted, our rules are complex. Separate garbage amongst organic, recyclables, and non-recyclables. Alternating weeks are organics and recyclables, and organics and non-recyclables. There are special pickups for Christmas trees and fall leaf pickup. For large appliances you need to call a special phone number for pickup. Yes, it’s complicated, but after a couple of years we all learn it.
• ¤ The need for a building permit before a large house renovation: We have building inspectors that want to ensure that after a renovation you do not burn down your house and kill your kids. This seems to be completely foreign to mainland Chinese. While I agree that this is your house, you need to follow safety rules and regulations, just like everyone else. And NO, there is no exemption just because you are from China.
• ¤ Kids going to the bathroom on the public street: This is common in China, but to have your baby, with their split trousers peeing and pooing in the street gutter is not allowed here in Canada. It’s actually illegal. Worse, the neighbors will not understand why you would do this. We have diapers that take care of this. Logistically this is also difficult to do at -15C. Poor kids and their popcicles. We even pick up when the dog does his thing.
• ¤ Spitting: This is very common in China, and I see this here as well, though less and less. In the spring it does not get worse. Thankfully. Maybe because no other nationality spits, this trait really stands out.
• ¤ In the summer, cool down at the park: It is very common in the summer that after dinner, the local mainland Chinese families gather at the park to let the kids play and to talk to neighbors. There are so many Chinese families at the park that if you close your eyes and imagine that the lush green grass is a pale shade of brown, you might think you are in China. Hey, who is that Indian kid? Does he belong here? Oh, right, we’re in Canada. Every so often I get to translate and explain something about Canadian culture. Yes, you need to file your taxes and yes, Revenue Canada does speak Mandarin.

___I often joke with my Canadian neighbors that they really should learn to speak Mandarin, as our Chinese guest are simply too old to learn English. Many Chinese here regret that they cannot speak English and therefore cannot easily communicate to other neighbors. There are very few of us that are bilingual. Their adult kids never seem to be home, are too busy to walk around the avenue, or are not interested.

___We certainly have a cultural and linguistic split on our avenue, but would not have it any other way. I still get to practice my Mandarin, long after I’ve returned from China. Jiayou!