does anyone know when avenue is going to be up and running?

It's probably running, but you may struggle with getting it to work. Add this as a bookmarklet and just use this to get to Avenue in the future:

javascript:window.open('https://cap.mcmaster.ca/mcauth/login.jsp?app_id=702&app_name=McMaster e-Learning','Login','height=170,width=310,left='+(screen.width-310)/2+',top='+(screen.height-170)/2+',resizable=off');

If you don't know how bookmarklets work, I made this article that says what they are and how to use them.

Similar to goatandsheep, but I just use the url of that annoying little login box bookmarked instead of the avenue url,
https://cap.mcmaster.ca/mcauth/login...20e -Learning

This goes to the same place as his bookmarklet.