The Burlington Herd is out - InterCounty Baseball League close to the end of the quarter finals.

sportsgold 100x100By Staff

April 11th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

With the Burlington Herd out of the InterCounty Baseball League playoffs interest in the city has fallen off but there are people who want to be kept up on how the playoffs work out.

IBL_Horizontal_LogoThe Barrie Baycats are enjoying a long bye – waiting for the Brantford – Toronto quarter final and the Hamilton – Kitchener set to work their way to the semifinals.

The Brantford Red Sox forced a game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That game will take place Sunday afternoon in Toronto.

The Hamilton Cardinals won game five in that series and stayed alive enough to play game 6 against the Kitchener Panthers.

That game will be played Sunday, August 13 at 2:00 pm

The Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team who have beaten the Barrie Baycats this season – they did that twice.

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Mini Soccer Day - Saturday, August 19th to celebrate the end of the U7-U12 soccer season for the Outdoor House League program.

sportsgold 100x100By Staff

August 11, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Burlington Youth Soccer Club (BYSC) is hosting “Cogeco Mini Soccer Day” in partnership with Cogeco Cable on Saturday, August 19th to celebrate the end of the soccer season for the U7-U12 age groups in their Outdoor House League program.

Cogeco Mini Soccer Day is being held to recognize our players and volunteer coaches for all of their achievements over the course of the Outdoor season. The expected attendance is upwards of 4900 people, with over 1600 players in these age divisions and both parents and coaches in attendance.

byscThe Soccer Day will take place from 8:30am – 4:00pm at Sherwood Forest Park (at the end of Fairview Street past the Appleby GO station) in Burlington.

The event will feature over 60 mini soccer matches and medal presentations throughout the morning and afternoon. Many of the BYSC’s community partners will also be in attendance and are providing bouncy castles, bubble soccer, food and prizes.

The BYSC invites the Burlington community to come out and enjoy the festivities, regardless of whether your child plays in their programs. An information tent with staff will be present if you are interested in learning more about BYSC programs or registering for our upcoming indoor season. Mark your calendars for what is sure to be a great event!

For more information about Cogeco Mini Soccer Day or other BYSC programs, visit www.burlingtonsoccer.com or call 905-333-0777.

 

 

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Let your pictures show how you love culture. Contest prizes are certainly worth the effort.

News 100 yellowBy Staff

August 11, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

This looks interesting.

If you are in the city, attending or taking part in a cultural event – take some family picture of all of you at the event and send the pictures into the theme is to have you celebrating Canada’s 150th by capturing your love of art and culture. Enter a photo of yourself or your family taking part in a unique cultural experience anywhere in Canada.

Love culture - photo contest

The prizes are interesting. There are a couple of dozen Gazette readers we know who will be entering this contest.

The

You could win a prize pack valued at over $1500* including a DSLR camera, 24 Cineplex movie passes for a year, and more!

Here is the web site to enter your pictures – all the details are there.

There are a number of corporate sponsors – the largest appears to be Sun Life

Culture pic contest sponsors

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Merchant of Venice to open at the Rock Garden on Monday August 14th. Rehearsals indicate a well produced and fun show is in store.

artsblue 100x100By Pepper Parr

August 10th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

We seldom realize just how much of our commonly used phrases come from the pen of William Shakespeare.

If you take in the upcoming production of The Merchant of Venice that will take the grassy lawn of the Rock Garden at Royal Botanical Gardens you will hear dozens of phrases that you use frequently without fully realizing where they cane from.

Merchant full cast

The cast from the left: Chris Reid/Shylock, Michael Hannigan/Antonio, Alma Sarai/Portia, Shawn Coelho-DeSouza/Prince of Morocco and Lorenzo, Claudia Spadafora, Jessica, Isabel Starks/Ensemble, Jamie Kasiama/Nerissa, Zach Parsons/Bassanio, Jesse Horvath/Launcelot.

Trevor Copp tells people that in the Merchant “Money makes the world go ’round: Portia has it. Bassanio wants it. Shylock lends it. Antonio owes it – and it will cost him dearly.

“Dark in its humour and bawdy in its romantic hijinks, The Merchant Of Venice takes audiences on a journey of love, mercy and (in)justice.

The cast of

Marchant Intern and Alma

Isabel Starks and Alma Sarai during rehearsals taking notes on changes.

Chris Reid/Shylock,

Michael Hannigan/Antonio,

Alma Sarai/Portia,

Shawn Coelho-DeSouza/Prince of Morocco and Lorenzo,

Claudia Spadafora/

Jessica, Isabel Starks/Ensemble,

Jamie Kasiama/Nerissa,

Zach Parsons/Bassanio,

Jesse Horvath/Launcelot

is in final rehearsals – they will put on two performances in St. Catharines before opening at the Rock Garden May 14th.

Is St. Catharines going to be Burlington’s Peoria – the city that many live productions try out on before hitting stages in Manhattan?

The schedule is August 14th to the 18th, 21st to 25th; the 28th and September 1

NO SATURDAY SHOWS

Tickets are available at:

Merchant - plays antonio

Michael Hannigan plays Antonio,

This is the second year that Copp has mounted Shakespeare at the Rock Garden which provides the perfect atmosphere for a night of inspiring theatre under the stars. This is a very physical production that has a number of the 2016 crew returning to the stage.

The event was basically sold out last year; opening night RBG staff had to bring out additional seats. Heck even the Mayor was on hand – he didn’t stay for the full performance.

We sat in on a full rehearsal earlier this week. There a couple of line drops and some last minute change suggestions. Copp includes his staff at almost every level – certainly on the content of the production. Blocking and movement of different actors on the stage is a collaborative thing; more often than not he will say “sure, why not”.

Merchant - Trevor with laptop

Copp: focused, intent but wide open to ideas and suggestions.

His direction however is tightly focused – he doesn’t miss a thing and has a way of working with each actor in a way that works for the actor. While Copp is a dance artist in his own right – he doesn’t drag around a lot of ego with him.

The cast works well together – they like each other and share the ins and outs of their daily lives. These are educated and informed people with a sense of humour and some sharp wits as well. The black humour is not to be shared.

Each performance will include a half hour intermission with garden tours available during that time.

The Rock Garden will close to the general public at 5:30 p.m.  Garden opens at 6 p.m. to those who have purchased tickets. Seating is first come first served.

Midsummer - cast and audience

Great audiences last year – superb production coming this year.

The performance is rain or shine however in the event of inclement weather, RBG will determine at 5 p.m. if the theatrical performance will be cancelled. To check for a cancellation please check our Facebook page or call the weather hotline at 905-527-1158 ext. 404.

Your ticket will be valid to attend a future show of your choosing. Please call 905-527-1158 ext. 516 to arrange your new date. For those with dinner reservations, dinner service will go ahead as planned. If the performance is cancelled while in progress, please see the event staff to reschedule for another performance date.

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Some of the smartest, sweetest jazz to be heard in this city will be played on the Performing Arts Patio this weekend - and it is all free.

eventspink 100x100By Staff

August 10th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It is one of the events that those living downtown know about and make sure they get to the Performing Arts Centre early enough to get a seat.

Jazz - SROIt is the annual Jazz on the Patio – a joint effort between the Performing Arts Centre and the Burlington Downtown Business Association that is free.

Those who get there are treated to some of the smartest – sweetest jazz you are going to hear in this town.

And there is a cash bar,

And – given the way weather has played with us this summer – in the event of rain, the performance will be moved inside the venue.

Jazz BDBA event #1

Jane Bunnett

The line up this year includes:

Friday, August 11
JANE BUNNETT & MAQUEQUE –
7:00pm – 9:00pm –

 Four-time JUNO Award winner, two-time Grammy nominee soprano saxophonist/flautist Jane Bunnett brings the soul of Cuba to the hearts of Canadian music-lovers. Along with her new and exquisite all-female sextet: Maqueque.

Saturday, August 12
LAILA BIALI –
7:00pm – 9:00pm,

 Biali is an award-winning Canadian pianist and vocalist, who has has been garnering world-wide recognition for her music. Her accolades include SOCAN Composer of The Year, and Keyboardist of The Year at Canada’s National Jazz Awards.

Jazz BDBA #2

Amanda Martinez

Saturday, August 12
AMANDA MARTINEZ –
3:00pm – 5:00pm

 Amanda Martinez is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter whose music blends her unique Mexican and South African roots with flamenco soul. Her solo CDs have garnered her multiple nominations for Latin Jazz Performer of The Year.

Sunday, August 13
KELLYLEE EVANS –
3:00pm – 5:00pm

Born in Scarborough, Kellylee Evans is a chameleon-like performer, whose natural charm and improvisational jazz vocal style have shined on her adventurous journey through jazz, soul, pop and hip-hop over the past decade.

Every square inch of the patio is taken up – some people sit on the sidewalk on the other side of the street to listen to the music.

It is unfortunate that Performing Arts staff have in the past taken up some of the prime space – this is a public event – not a perk for staff.

The downtown lifers know a good deal and they arrive in droves.

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One out of every ten students needs some form of financial support to pay for school supplies.

News 100 redBy Staff

August 10th. 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Any day now you can expect to see the Back to School flyers in the print edition of newspapers. It will be a thick package of advertising material.

While many kids look forward to back to school shopping, new clothes and school supplies are unaffordable luxuries for about 1 in 10 students in Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills.

The Halton Learning Foundation (HLF) is on a mission to raise $10,000 by September 1 to ensure those students can start the school year with the basics they need to be successful.

Halton Learning FoundationThe Foundation annually provides more than 1,000 students and their families with emergency funds for clothing, lunches, and other basic necessities, and helps ensure all students can be included in school activities.
Lesley Mansfield, executive director of HLF, says the majority of students who receive support are from families where one or both parents work.

“The high cost of housing in Halton, low‐paid work and unexpected events like illness or accidents can affect a family’s income to the point where they can no longer afford to buy their children new shoes or send them on a school trip,” she says. “We don’t want kids in our community to give up on their education and the opportunity for a better future because they are unable to fully participate in school.”

Mansfield says even small donations can make a difference; for just $20 a student can be included in a class field trip instead of being left behind.

The help is needed to help prepare a child in our community to go back to school.  You can donate on line or give the office a call: 905‐ 335‐3665, ext. 3408 or 3388.

HLF logoThe Halton Learning Foundation helps eliminate financial barriers to education for students of the Halton District School Board by providing emergency help for students in need, post‐secondary scholarships, and funds to assist schools that have classroom needs beyond core education funding.

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City hallis not calling you to check your gas or water meter - those are fraudulent calls. Hang up!

News 100 redBy Staff

August 9th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

If someone calls you, s6ays they are from the city and asks to make an appointment to come to your home and inspect water and gas meters inside your home – you should know the call is fraudulent – the city isn’t going to call and offer to help you.

That is not the business municipal governments are in

The city continues to receive reports of phone calls being received by Burlington residents from an individual claiming to be a City of Burlington employee. The caller asks residents to set up an appointment time to inspect water and gas meters inside their homes. These are fraudulent phone calls

Residents who have called the number displayed on their call display got the “number not in service” message.
The fraud unit at Halton Regional Police Service as well as Halton Region and Union Gas have been notified.

The city is also posting information on its social media sites about the fraudulent calls.

If it looks too good to be true – you should know it isn’t. Municipal governments don’t call citizens – they do respond to citizen complaints.

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Herd out of the IBL baseball playoffs - lose 7-2 to London Majors who take quarter 4-1 in best out of seven quarter final.

sportsgreen 100x100By Staff

August 9th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Herd playerThe Burlington Herd are the first team to get taken out of InterCounty Baseball 2017 playoff contention. The London Majors won its first-round series after a 7-2 victory over the Burlington Herd Tuesday night at Labatt Park.

London wins the best-of-seven series 4-1.

For Burlington, Matt Schmidt hit a solo home run, and Reese O’Farrell had the other RBI. Ryan Freemantle singled twice.

Christian Hauck (0-2) gave up seven runs (four earned) on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts in 6.2 innings.

Byron Reichstein and Cleveland Brownlee each had two hits for the Majors and two RBI and combined to score three times for the team. Kyle Gormandy drove in three, LeJon Baker had an RBI, and Chris McQueen went 2-for-3 with two runs and a stolen base.

Luis Sanchez (2-0) went eight innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on nine hits with a walk and four strikeouts.

The Brantford Red Sox broke a 6-6 tie with two runs in the eighth inning to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 8-6 Tuesday night at Arnold Anderson Stadium.

The best-of-seven quarter-final is tied 2-2.

Panthers pitcher Jasvir Rakkar struck out 13 in a complete-game shutout as the Kitchener team blanked the Hamilton Cardinals 7-0 Tuesday night.

Kitchener leads the best-of-seven quarter-final 3-1.

Future games
Wednesday, Aug. 9
Brantford at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 10
Hamilton at Kitchener, 7:30 p.m.
Toronto at Brantford, 8 p.m.

2017 playof sched FINAL

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Area’s Amazing Things To Do Before You Are 12 at Mountsberg and Crawford Lake Conservation Area.

eventsgreen 100x100By Staff

August 8th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Summer days should be filled with play – time spent lying on your back looking at the clouds, building forts, hunting for frogs, and exploring!

Turn back the clock and make some time childhood memories at Mountsberg and Crawford Lake Conservation Area’s Amazing Things To Do Before You Are 12 event this weekend on Saturday, August 12 and Sunday August 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

snake - touch a

Touch a snake before you are 12

Families can spend the day checking things off a list of “Amazing Things To Do Before You Are 12”. Make a nest like a bird, touch a snake, make a masterpiece, learn to make fire without a match, and play to your hearts content. You won’t want to miss the fun at this year’s mud pie kitchen at Mountsberg or at the Archery range at Crawford Lake. Live snake and raptor presentations round out a day full of family fun.

Regular park admission applies, and Halton Parks members can show their pass for admission.

Birds nest

Learn how to make a bird’s nest – before you are 12.

Author Richard Louv introduced us to the dilemma of the growing disconnect between children and nature in his ground-breaking book “Last Child in the Woods”. He coined the term Nature Deficit Disorder which aptly describes the poor physical and emotional health of children and adults due to the lack of direct exposure to the outdoors. “Amazing Things To Do Before You are 12” event was created in response to provide fun, active outdoor play for busy families.

Mountsberg Conservation Area is located on Milburough Line, five km west of Campbellville, ON, between Highway 6 South and Guelph Line. This 472 hectare park includes extensive wetlands, forests, fields, and a reservoir. For more information please call Mountsberg at (905) 854-2276 or e-mail mtsberg@hrca.on.ca.

 

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Burlington Herd has to win this evening to remain in the IBL playoffs.

sportsgold 100x100By Staff

August 8th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The London Majors powered past the Burlington Herd in a lopsided 15 – 2 romp Sunday night.

Justin Gideon hit a solo home run, while Kevin Hussey had the other RBI.

Ryan Beckett (0-1) gave up seven runs (five earned) on seven hits in 1.2 innings. He walked one and struck out one.

On the London side Byron Reichstein and Michael Ambrose each hit two home runs.

London leads the best-of-seven quarter-final 3-1 and can advance with a win Tuesday at home.

The Toronto Brantford series has the Leafs leading the best-of-seven quarter-final 2-1.

In the Hamilton Kitchener series – Kitchener leads 2-1.

With all three quarter final playoff teams playing this evening how things are going to fall out should be clearer.

In the meantime the Barrie Baycats patiently wait to learn who they will be playing in the final round. The only team that has been able to beat the Baycats has been the Toronto Leafs.

Future games
Tuesday, Aug. 8
Burlington at London, 7:30 p.m.
Kitchener at Hamilton, 7:30 pm.
Toronto at Brantford, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 9
Brantford at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.2017 playof sched FINAL

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Police investigation ongoing into Stabbing at Burlington's Solid Gold adult entertainment establishment on Plains Road.

Crime 100By Staff

August 7th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It was clearly a difference of opinion that got out of hand.

Solid Gold imageEight people on the street outside the Solid Gold nightclub located at 53 Plains Road East in Burlington got into a fight that had the police responding at approximately 12:30am on Sunday August 6th 2017 ,

During the fight, one of the suspects used a small pocket knife to stab two other people involved in the fight. Those people have been treated at hospital for minor injuries and are expected to make a full recovery.

Detectives have since identified each of the persons involved in the incident and are continuing conduct interviews and investigation into this matter.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the altercation or may have any information concerning this incident to contact Detective Joe Barr of the #3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau, at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2385. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).

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The Burlington Herd took a game in the best of seven quarter final series - they may be getting some footing against a team that has given them nothing but grief.

sportsgold 100x100By Staff

August 6th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Two London Majors’ players hammered in 10 of the teams runs in a 14-4 win in Game 2 of their best-of-seven quarter-final Thursday night in Burlington. London leads the series 2-0.

Carlos Arteaga and Cleveland Brownlee were more than the Burlington Herd could handle.

Reese O’Farrell had two hits and two RBI for the Herd. Matt Schmidt drove in a run, while John Whaley and Ryan Freemantle each scored twice.

Herd T-shirtRich Corrente (0-1) took the loss, giving up 11 runs (seven earned) on 10 hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out three.

The Herd however found some footing and took the third of the seven game quarter final series and beat the Majors in a 9-5 win.

London now leads the quarter-final 2-1.

Future games
Sunday, Aug. 6
London at Burlington, 5:30 p.m.

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Police arrest two males for theft from autos in North Burlington; they were fleeing the scene in a taxi.

Crime 100By Staff

August 3rd, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

Late in July at very close to 2:30 AM on a Friday police received a call from a citizen who observed two males break into a neighbour’s car in the area of Millcroft Park Drive and Sarazen Dr. in Burlington.

Police arrived and observed two males matching the suspect’s descriptions leaving the area in the back of a taxi.

The taxi was stopped and the two males were arrested and found to have a quantity of stolen property that had been taken from numerous vehicles in the Millcroft, Headon Forest and Alton Village Communities of North Burlington.

Police also located a set of keys that were linked to a Dodge Ram that had been stolen from Deer Run Avenue and later located on Minvera Way in Alton Village (Burlington).

Kameron ARSENAULT (18-yrs) of Burlington and a 17 year-old male youth who cannot be named because of his age were held for bail charged with the following offences:

• Theft Under $5000
• Possession of property obtained by crime (6 counts)
• Possession of break-in instruments
• Break and enter
• Theft of motor vehicle

• The 17-year-old male faces additional charges of breaching recognizance and fail to comply with disposition.

Anyone who may have information pertaining to theft from autos are asked to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825 4747 ext. 2316, Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS, through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca or by texting “Tip 201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).

Police are reminding the public of the following prevention tips:

• Ensure your unattended vehicle(s) are kept locked/secure
• Never leave personal identification or valuables in your vehicle
• Park in a well-lit and attended areas whenever possible
• Never leave spare keys in your vehicle
• If you have to leave valuables in your vehicle, lock them in your trunk. Don’t tempt thieves by leaving packages or purses in plain view or on the seat.
• Remove GPS navigation and cell phone devices & power cords from view when not in your vehicle
• Consider installing CCTV / Surveillance cameras which can capture the crime and aid in suspect identification
Help police catch those responsible by keeping an eye out in your communities and immediately reporting any suspicious activity

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Statistics tell us a lot more about the make up of the country and the way we live as people. What's happening to the concept of the family?

News 100 yellowBy Staff

August 3rd, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Statistics Canada released more of the census data it collected during 2016.

We get a tighter look at data about families, revealing changes in marriage rates, how much longer Canadians are waiting to start families, and how many families live under different roofs — be it because one parent is working in another part of the country, or because they are older parents choosing to live apart.

The statistics show the varying and ever complex definition of family in Canada, which — like language — seems certain to prompt governments and service providers to rethink their policies and offerings to meet demographic dynamics.

Some graphics on what has been learned so far from the data. Interesting.

StatsCan - Young adults 2016

This suggests they might never move out.

 

StatsCan - seniors 2016

The older folk seemed to have figured it out – staying together probably means live live longer as well.

 

StatsCan - common law 2016

Quebec has always been different – but tat much different is surprising.

 

StatsCan - household make up 2016

Nationally – this is what we look like. Which do you fit into – and do your neighbours also fit into the sector you are in ?

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Almost totally SOLD OUT weeks before the curtain rises: Annie Jr to be performed at the Drury Lane Theatre.

artsblue 100x100By Staff

August 3rd, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Every artistic director wishes for words like these:

KooGle Theatre Company is very excited to announce that they are presenting a Youth Musical Theatre Summer Intensive for youth ages 8-18 – culminating in a production of ANNIE Jr.

Annie jr short logoAll actors have auditioned for a role in this production.

Tickets are on sale now! Only $10 each!

Saturday August 19, 2017 1:30pm – SOLD OUT
Saturday August 19, 2017 6:30pm – SOLD OUT
Sunday August 20, 2017 1:30pm – TICKETS AVAILABLE

Performances at
DRURY LANE THEATRE
2269 New St., Burlington

For tickets, please email us at
info@koogletheatre.com
or
call 905-633-8788

Excited they should be.  Leslie and Christopher Gray, Co-Artistic Directors at KooGle Theatre work very hard at getting productions to the stage and then hoping that the audience reaction is good and that tickets are bought based on the reaction to the show.

When they brought the Putnam County Spelling Bee to Burlington a few years ago and put it on a stage at the Performing Arts centre the response was good. There were a couple of SOLD out nights, but nothing like this.

Weeks before the curtain goes up for the first time there is just the one performance left for which tickets are available.

Extending this show would make real sense.

Has something like this happened in Burlington before?

 

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London takes the first of seven games against the Herd: score was 1-0

sportsred 100x100By Staff

August 3rd, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The London Majors took the first of seven games in the IBL quarter finals.

Burlington pitcher 2017 playoff game 1The Majors had an RBI single in the first inning and that was all they needed to make it a 1-0 win over the Burlington Herd in Game 1 of their best-of-seven quarter-final Wednesday night at Labatt Park.

It was a pitching duel – with both teams’ starting pitchers – Christian Hauck for the Herd and Luis Sanchez for London – were tough, as both gave stellar performances only allowing a combined eight runs in two complete games.
What was really exciting as the game played between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Brantford Red Sox.

The Leafs scored nine straight runs to stun the Red Sox with a 12-11 win Wednesday night at Christie Pits in Game 1 of their best-of-seven quarter-final.

The Red Sox pitcher must have gone home wondering what had happened to him

At one point the Leafs were behind 11-3 before scoring five in the seventh inning and taking its first lead with four runs in the eighth.

Future games
Thursday, Aug. 3
London at Burlington, 7:15 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 4
Burlington at London, 7:35 p.m.

Playoffs
SERIES “B” – LONDON (3) vs. BURLINGTON (6)
London leads series 1-0
Game 1: London 1, Burlington 0
Game 2: Thursday, Aug. 3, at Burlington, 7:15 p.m.
Game 3: Friday, Aug. 4, at London, 7:35 p.m.
Game 4: Sunday, Aug. 6, at Burlington, 5:30 p.m.
Game 5: Tuesday, Aug. 8, at London, 7:05 p.m.
Game 6: Thursday, Aug. 10 at Burlington, 7:15 p.m.
Game 7: Friday, Aug. 11, at London, 7:35 p.m.

2017 playof sched FINAL

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The Food Trucks at the Joseph Brant Day in LaSalle Park are not to be missed. Smokey maple bacon poutine - on Monday August 7th.

News 100 blueBy Staff

August 3rd, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

For Canada’s 150th birthday, the Museums of Burlington are celebrating Joseph Brant Day at LaSalle Park with all things Canadian.

2017 Brant festivalThis year, revel in the food truck rally highlighting Canadian ingredients.

Enjoy the main stage entertainment by local performers. Interact with local organizations and businesses, hosting a variety of fun games and activities.

You will sure find something to love from our long list of exciting features, including: a “Made in Canada” vendors market, henna tattooing, live art performance, community mural project, and many more!

Museum Board has plans for a major upgrade to the Brant Museum - is this a place for you and your skill set?

The Joseph Brant Museum as it looks today. It has been closed for close to a year and probably will never again be open to the public.

But you may not hear very much about the $10 million expansion that is to take place at the Joseph Brant Museum on Lakeshore Road.

Before packing things in for the summer city council approved the provision of a $1 million dollar top up sum to ensure that all the funding was in place for the construction of the new updated museum that will turn the replica structure into an administrative office that the public won’t get anywhere near. What is now the museum will be pivoted and moved a short distance while construction of the new museum, much of which will be underneath a large pile of earth.

brant-museum-rendering

Artists rendering of the proposed re-development of the Joseph Brant Museum.

Neither the Museum staff or the Museum Foundation have said very much about just what is going to be in the new structure other than to say that it will be 300% bigger than what is in place now.

One would have thought that the Joseph Brant Day would have been an excellent opportunity to tell the public about these big big plans.

This time next year the construction will be well underway.

For this year what the public gets is
MAIN STAGE SCHEDULE

11:30 Opening Ceremony
12:30 First Nations Pow Wow Dance Demonstrations
1:30 Halton Dance Network Interactive Dance Workshop
2:30 Curious Canadian Critter Show
3:30 Bar Blue Sea Live Band

At various times during the day there will be Interactive First Nations Drum Circles

FOOD TRUCK RALLY

Brant Day - Food truck line -2

Food Trucks have proven to be very popular at the annual Joseph Brant Day celebration.

Feast at the Food Truck Rally. This is a really smart addition to the Brant day celebration. The dishes being offered are said to be inspired by Canadian ingredients.

Enjoy a smokey maple bacon poutine, a True North burger, maple cotton candy and more!

There’s something for everyone: Dora’s Express, Luchadore Gourmet Streatery, Cafe du Monde Creperie, Pappas Greek, Sweet Temptation Cupcakery, MeatVentures, and Triple Treats.

MADE IN CANADA VENDORS MARKET

Explore the vendors market which will showcase the work of local artisans and businesses. Plan to visit the Purpal Paisley Soapery, Ruff Trade Ties/ Little Kitchen Helpers, The Davidson Co., She’s Got Leggz, In Front Design Studio, Voxx Life, Healing Treasures, Woodfully Wooden World, The Good Red Earth Soap Company, Pandamonium Publishing House, Rubber Ducky Co., Life lounge Chiropractic and Health Centre, Papas Pens by Bill and more.

What would Joseph Brant have said about all this? Maybe his peers knew what was best for Brant when they moved his remains from Burlington to Brantford where they rest in peace today.

Brant tomb in Brantford -Mohawk chapel

The Brant tomb sits just outside the Mohawk Chapel near Brantford.

Joseph Brant – the man.

Just who was this man Joseph Brant, the corner stone of the city’s history ?

The Museum staff tend to tell the public very little about the man who was given the land grant that Burlington was built on. Lest he be totally forgotten – here is a short version of his story:

Mohawk Leader. Born on the banks of the Ohio River to Tehonwagh’ kwangeraghkwa of the Wolf Clan of the Mohawk. In his early youth, Thayendanega became a favorite of Sir William Johnson, the British Superintendent of Northern Indians of America.

Thayendanega was among a number of young Mohawks who were selected by Johnson to attend Moor’s Charity School for Indians at Lebanon, Connecticut where he became known as Joseph Brant.  That school evolved into what today is known as Dartmouth University.

Brant was always pretty good at getting grants from the British, but this Council probably isn’t going to hear his argument.

Joseph Brant was frequently painted by British artists who were keen to capture his image – he was very popular during his several visits to the United Kingdom.

Brant left school at about age 13 and followed Sir William into battle during the French and Indian War. He became Sir William’s aide in the Indian Department, administered by the British out of Quebec. In August 1775, the leaders of the Six Nations of the Iroquois League met in council and decided that the growing conflict was a private affair between the British and the colonists, and that they should stay out of it. Brant denounced the Iroquois League’s decision to remain neutral and called the Americans the enemy of all Indians. He feared white expansion would push the Iroquois off their lands if the colonists achieved independence. Brant used his influence to engage the League for the British, four tribes, the Mohawks, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas entered into an alliance with England.

Brant property boundary on Allview

The oak tree on Allview, a street that runs off the North Shore Road, marks the western boundary of the land grant given to Joseph Brant.

The Oneidas and Tuscaroras ultimately sided with the Colonists splintering the confederation. Brant received a Captain’s commission in the British army and was placed in charge of the Indian forces loyal to the Crown. Brant took part in the Battle of the Cedars in 1776, German Flats, and Cherry Valley in 1778, establishing a formidable reputation for himself. At war’s end, Britain abandoned its Indian allies in the 1783 Treaty of Paris, when it ceded the Crown’s claim to land south of the Great Lakes and accepted peace terms that contained no mention of tribal rights.

2_Joseph_Brant_Painting_George_Romney-1200x500Brant retained his commission in the British Army and was awarded a land grant on the Grand River in Ontario by Governor Sir Frederick Haldimand in 1784. Brant led almost 2000 Iroquois Loyalists from New York to his grant where they settled and established the Grand River Reservation.

In this portrait Joseph Brant is seen wearing the gorget given to him by King George III. That gorget is the most important piece in the collection at the Joseph Brant Museum.

In this portrait Joseph Brant is seen wearing the gorget given to him by King George III. That gorget is the most important piece in the collection at the Joseph Brant Museum.

This land grant was separate from the 3000 plus acres he was granted in what became Burlington and whee he built a home. The current museum is a replica of the house he built.

Brant traveled to England in 1785 and succeeded in obtaining compensation for Mohawk losses in the American Revolution.

He encouraged the Mohawk to adopt Christianity and support British style schooling. His translations of Saint Mark’s Gospel and the Book of Common Prayer into Mohawk were published in 1787. Brant died at about 65 years at his home in what was then known as Wellington Square which came to be known as Burlington.

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CIBC bank on Fairview robbed just before noon. No one injured, three fled in a black sedan.

Crime 100By Staff

August 1st, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The CIBC bank on Fairview was robbed this morning when two men jumped on the counter inside the bank and threatened to shoot employees unless they were given cash.

It was approximately 11:20 AM.

HRPS crestThe robbers were given an undisclosed amount of money and ran from the bank to a waiting vehicle described as a black sedan being operated by a third suspect.

The vehicle was last seen traveling northbound on Appleby Line. No weapons were observed and no persons were injured.

The suspect descriptions are as follows:

Suspect #1 – Male, black, approximately 5’9″ tall, slim build wearing dark track pants, dark jacket with white shoulders and a dark hood with a scarf covering his face, white running shoes and white gloves/

Suspect #2 – Male black, approximately 5’11” tall, slim build, dark track pants, grey hoody with a bandana covering his face, white gloves and white running shoes, carrying a black gym bag.

Suspect #3 – wearing a hoody.

Anyone with information are encouraged to contact Detective Constable Jack Olewniczak – Three District Criminal Investigations Bureau, at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2364. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).

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Community needs tools to complete the building of a neighbourhood playground on Sunday August 13th..

News 100 blueBy Staff

August 1, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The KaBOOM! Aldershot community planning committee are looking for gardening and construction tools to help build a new playground at Bolus Gardens Parkette on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017.

A few volunteers are also needed to join Foresters FinancialTM, and non-profit KaBOOM! to create the new play space, which will serve more than 1,200 children and their families in the local community.

The design for the new playground is based on drawings created by neighborhood children at a special Design Day event that was held in June when community members met with organizers from KaBOOM! and Foresters Financial to design their dream playground. The drawings inspired the final playground design.

KaBoom visual

Designed by the kids – assembled by the community – they need to borrow some tools to get the job done.

Volunteers are asked to bring tools and community residents and businesses are encouraged to loan or donate items such as garden hoes, wheel barrows, various drills, hammers and saws. Please see the complete list at www.burlington.ca/bolus or contact Kim Napier at 905-335-7600, ext. 7900. or kim.napier@burlington.ca.

Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to register at https://www.tfaforms.com/4618494. There are limited spots for this opportunity.

Since 1996, KaBOOM! has been dedicated to ensuring that all kids get the balance and active play they need to thrive.

KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy lives and communities.

Foresters Financial is a KaBOOM! Founding Partner and National Partner.

Bolus Parkette is on Francis Road south of Plains Road East.

Related article:

Parkette adjacent to proposed community re-development.

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Artist commissioned to create public art for city recreation locations brings an impressive background to the task.

artsblue 100x100By Pepper Parr

August 1st, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

With the selection decision made Ken Hall now has to move into production mode and begin the process of creating large aluminum based ribbons that will be painted a bright red metallic paint that will go up on three of the city’s sports and recreation locations: Mainway Arena, Brant Hills and the Nelson Recreation centre.

During the selection process the public didn’t get to see much of work Ken Hall had done elsewhere. Shown were conceptual drawings that were a hint at what was being suggested.

kenhall_spiritofsportconcept_branthills

Rendering of the aluminum ribbon Ken Hall has been commissioned to install on the Brant Hills recreation centre, Similar ribbons will be placed on two other recreation locations.

Once the public had been given an opportunity to voice their views on  a selection of artists who made the short list, the task of refining the concept, ironing out some of the wrinkles and getting a production schedule in place became the focus.

One shift was that none of the art was going to be on the ground. All the ribbons will be attached to the building. There was a concern that something on the ground could be mutilated by vandals. They will not be illuminated which is unfortunate – they would look rather stunning in the evenings if they were lit up. Not enough money in the budget for that feature.

Hall has done public art for Cambridge and Georgetown, Ontario and has an interesting piece of work being created for Waterloo.

The work he is best known for is his Legacy, a piece of sculpture that was named Hope by children who lived in the community where the whale the sculpture is based on was washed ashore.

In 2002, the body of a female killer whale was found stranded on the North Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Just offshore, a healthy young male hovered close by, refusing gentle attempts to guide him into deeper water.

Although the orphaned male orca was saved, it was soon learned that the female’s body carried one of the most toxic loads of chemicals ever recorded in a marine mammal. She had the highest levels of PCBs and DDT ever found in an orca.

“Hope’s story” explained Hall “inspired me to create an installation that would illustrate the fragility of our ecosystems, and highlight the cost of ignoring our impact on our environment.”

Hall - Killer whale

Ken Hall’s Legacy currently on display at the Ontario Science Centre.

Legacy, the name given to the piece of work, is a life-sized, anatomically correct orca skeleton that has been hand-carved from recycled cedar, meticulously following scans of Hope’s skeleton taken during her necropsy.

The cedar was donated to Hall by the people of the Pine River Valley around the Orangeville part of the province where he lives and created the sculpture that is currently on display at the Ontario Science centre. More than three million people have viewed this piece of work.

The art work was built so that it could be taken apart and shipped to the different locations.

Dr. Peter Ross, Director of Ocean Pollution Research Program, Vancouver Aquarium said “Ken’s ‎spectacular reclaimed cedar killer whale skeleton provides a poignant opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to share critically important stories about ocean conservation.

“Highlighting the plight of one of the most iconic creatures on the planet, this evocative piece of art has the potential to connect people to their environment.”

Hall studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, did a couple of years’ studies and co-op work placements but didn’t earn a degree. He switched to Fine Arts before graduating.

His mechanical engineering studies ave him the background that he now uses for his installation art.

The original assembly work was done at the Dufferin County Museum where the staff were not completely sure what it was that Ken Hall wanted to say with the sculpture.

Hall with whalesculpture

Each of the 46 vertebrae were crafted by Ken Hall -(shown) from re-cycled cedar.

Once 11 of the 46 vertebrae were carved, Hall realized just how big of a project this would be—it took him six months of full-time fabrication to make all the pieces (there are over 200 bones that make up the sculpture).

The sculpture was completed and put on display at the Dufferin County Museum & Archives in Ontario. Sometimes accompanied by projection lights that provide a water-like effect and orca vocalizations playing in the background, the finished piece gives visitors a feeling of being underwater.

That feeling is what Hall wanted to provide people walking through the exhibit—one that highlights our connections as humans to the Earth and our ecosystems, like Hope and her community in the Pacific.

Which brings us back to the Ken Hall aluminium ribbons that will adorn three sports/recreational structures in the city.

The installation artist brings a rich history to the task. Something to keep in mind when you look at those ribbons when they go up later this year.

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