 By 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.
 By Staff
August 7th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It was clearly a difference of opinion that got out of hand.
 Eight 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).
By 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.
 Rich 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.
By 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
 By 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.
 This suggests they might never move out.
 The older folk seemed to have figured it out – staying together probably means live live longer as well.
 Quebec has always been different – but tat much different is surprising.
 Nationally – this is what we look like. Which do you fit into – and do your neighbours also fit into the sector you are in ?
 By 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.
 All 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?
 By Staff
August 3rd, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The London Majors took the first of seven games in the IBL quarter finals.
 The 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.
 By 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.
 This 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!
 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.
 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
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 Brant 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. 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.
By 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.
 The 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).
By 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.
 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.
By 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.
 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.”
 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.
 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.
By Pepper Parr
August 1st, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Everyone has heard of Crime Stoppers.
It is an international organization and one of the bigger tools available to the police.
It is an organization that gets information on criminal activity and makes it available to the police without telling the police where the information came from. Its strength is the anonymity that applies to all the information it gets.
Except for an administrative person who handles the telephone and takes care of the paper work Crime Stoppers is a totally volunteer run operation.
 Halton Crime Stoppers chair Cal Millar with HRPS liaison officer Detective Jodi Richmond at the most successful shredding event ever held in Burlington, Almost every community of any size has Crime Stoppers organization. In Halton Cal Millar, a retired journalist, is the current chair and is supported by a three member executive along with seven directors.
Jan Westcott is the vice-chair, Roger Alfaro, treasurer and Doug Maybee the past chair
Directors are: David Woodm, Ron van der Steen, Wally Trapler, Jane Miller, Rod Piukkala, Bob Maich and Corey Evans.
The Halton Regional Police assign an officer to act as liaison with Crime Stoppers. That liaison person is Detective Constable Jodi Richmond who recently attended a number of conferences and training sessions where she met with people doing the same job in different jurisdictions.
In Halton Region the TIPS go to a secure telephone line that prevents the Crime Stoppers staff from knowing who is calling or what number the call is coming from. All they get is the area code and the first three digits of the number a call is coming from.
 Detective Constable Jodi Richmond, police liaison. with Halton Crime Stoppers The Crime Stoppers staff person takes the call and notes the information which she gives to the police liaison officer, Jodi Richmond. A caller is never asked to identify themselves.
Depending on the type of criminal event that is being reported Richmond puts in a call to the relevant division of the HRPS and they take the matter from there. All the police have is information about what a caller thinks is a criminal event.
It could be something to do with a driver behaving erratically behind the wheel of a car or the witnessing of an assault or witnessing a theft taking place.
Richmond knows all there is to know about every department within the police service and can be in instant contact with the appropriate people.
During her training Richmond learned that in the United States the Crime Stoppers operation is driven by the rewards. More than 90% of the calls the Americans get is from people who want and expect to receive the reward that is available. In Canada Richmond said, less than 5% of the reward money is claimed.
In Canadian jurisdictions the information received goes directly to the appropriate police department. Richmond said that in many American communities the Crime Stoppers operation gets involved in some of the early investigation work.
In Canada Crime Stoppers depends on local media to get their message out. The Gazette worked with Crime Stoppers on getting the message out to the public about their annual sensitive document shredding event.
 The star of every shredding event is a truck that shreds documents on location. It was filled to capacity at the June shredding event in Burlington. The June event raised more in the way of way of donations than any previous shredding event and shredded more paper than they have ever done in the past.
Richmond told of the way several American Crime Stoppers organizations are working more tightly with the police on getting information and warnings out to the public.
Some jurisdictions have electronic kiosks strategically place in communities where information is sent to the kiosk electronically and can be updated in minutes.
 American law enforcement agencies work with Crime Stoppers and have electronic kiosks that are fed information via the internet alerting the public of people who are wanted by the police. Thus, explained Richmond let the police get information on very fluid situations out to the public immediately. It is a little like the Amber Alert used to alert the public when a child has gone missing.
The kiosks have a lot more information and the ability to use photographs. Some American jurisdictions talk of having kiosks at every supermarket.
Cal Millar, chair of Halton Crime Stoppers said he looks forward to raising the profile of the organization and to continue to work with the public to play a role in the apprehension of criminals and at the same time to work with strategic partners to be part of the process of educating the public on the increasing sophistication of the criminal element.
The size of the financial losses people suffer because of Identity Theft and internet based scams where the police struggle to keep up with the latest wrinkle is daunting.
Apprehension is a large part of the work the police do – Crime Stoppers will continue to be involved in helping the police catch criminals – what they would like to do as well is educate the public about just what it is the criminals are doing and prevent some of the crimes that in some cases clean people out financially.
The Gazette will follow up the article with how people get involved with the organization as volunteers.
By Staff
August 1. 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The beginning of the end of the playoff season for the Burlington Herd starts on Wednesday when the team takes to the ball diamond and plays against the London Majors, a team they were not able to beat during the regular season.
This could be a very short play-off season for the Herd.
The schedule is as follows:
SERIES “B” – LONDON (3) vs. BURLINGTON (6)
Game 1: Wednesday, Aug. 2, at London, 7:05 p.m.
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.
 By Pepper Parr
July 31st, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The CNE has been running their Rising Star Talent Competition program since 1987.
Each year young boys and girls from across the province enter the competition that runs for xx days at the Canadian National Exhibition.
The talent competition showcases young artists between the ages of 6 to 21
Contestants are judged on their natural ability, audience appeal, stage presence and the quality of their performance
Erica Pickering, a 12 year old grade 7 student at Sacred Heart where she says her best subjects are English and languages is a Rising Star contestant.
Erica puts in 25 hours a week on training but doesn’t talk in terms of a dance career for herself. She likes the look of interior design and decorating but is typical for a girl hr age – she is “considering her options”
 Erica Pickering, a contestant in the CNE Rising Star competition. Erica sings and dances and does some acting; commercial work is something she thinks she might like to do. She sees herself as a “triple threat”
Erica has this pixie look to her. The photographs of her as a performer are not the girl that you talk to in the back yard of her home.
The Erica on a stage has a very polished professional look to her.
In an interview she is confident; doesn’t look to her Mother for the answers to questions and doesn’t hesitate to tell you what she thinks – and does so very politely.
“Dancing is hard work” she will tell you but she must be doing something right: she was one of the top five in the Atlantic City event.
Now it is on to the CNE competition which is an event you must apply to for consideration.
There are usually more than 100 participants in the numerous categories.
The event is described as a “nice show” one that doesn’t have the meanness that is often seen on the events that have a reality aspect to them.
That is so Canadian: decent, polite, clean and fun – which pretty well sums up Erica Pickering.
The Gazette will follow her performances.
The Rising Star schedule is:
Junior Preliminaries: Friday August 18 – Monday August 21
Junior Semi-Finals: Monday August 28 & Tuesday August 29
Junior Finals: Saturday September 2
Youth Preliminaries: Tuesday August 22 – Sunday August 27
Youth Semi-Finals: Wednesday August 30 – Friday September 1
Youth Finals: Sunday September 3
The Grand Champion of the junior competition will receive $1,000. The Grand Champion of the youth competition will receive $2,500.
Youth division is 13 – 21 years of age ; the Junior division is 6 – 12 years old
By Staff
July 30th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The 2017 regular season for the InterCounty Baseball League (IBL) comes to a close later this week with the playoff series to follow.
At this point the teams to watch are the Barrie Baycats who have gone 33-2 and the Toronto Maple Leafs who are the only team to beat the Baycats – they did that twice.
The Burlington Herd will be playing the London Majors in the quarter finals – the Herd was unable to beat the London Majors during the regular season, which suggests the Majors will move on to play the Toronto Maple Leafs who should take that series and go on to play either Kitchener or Hamilton – Kitchener is favoured to win that series – which gets the league to a final series between the Barrie Baycats and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Leafs will go into that series as the under dogs – expect to see some really good competitive baseball. Worth driving to Toronto to take in a game.
For the die hard Leaf fans they could look upon the baseball games as the whetting of their appetites for the coming hockey season.
The men who swing the bats do not get paid.
Did you know that the men who play for the Inter-County Baseball League (IBL) do not get paid?
IBL compensation rules, 2017 season state that: Payment for playing in the IBL is not allowed. Additionally, compensation is not allowed as an incentive.
The IBL rate for mileage for 2017 season will be a maximum of 0.40 per kilometre. Maximum flat rates for players for the 2017 season is $35.
Non-Canadians, who are unable to legally work, but staying “in town” for the season, may be subsidized for housing and food. The amount for food is not to be greater than $50 per diem and the amount for housing is to be the real cost incurred by the player or the team.
Players cannot accept cash, significant gifts or discounts or any financial compensation from third parties in return for playing in the IBL.
Violation of these rules may result in suspension of the player(s) involved as well as team officials. The team may also face forfeiture of games in which the identified player(s) appeared.
A lot of name changes for the Burlington baseball team – playoff wins have been scarce.
Back in 2010 InterCounty baseball was revived in Burlington when a team named the Twin,who started out in St. Thomas moved to Stratford in 2004 and then moved to Mississauga for the 2008 season and operated there for two years before moving to Burlington in 2011. They were renamed as the Burlington Bandits in 2013 and were taken over by new owners. Two season later the team was once again sold to new owners and renamed the Burlington Herd.
By Pepper Parr
July 30th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
If you do what many of us do – plan your week on Sunday you might want to give some thought to slipping up to Lowville to take in a performance of Othello at Thinkspot where you can sit outside on a large large lawn and watch gifted actors perform one of Shakespeare’s plays.
Getting out in the middle of the week to watch a play isn’t the way most people spend their time – unless of course they are on vacation.
 Driftwood Theatre performing at Thinkspot in Lowville Whether you are on vacation or putting in time at the office – Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm the Driftwood Theatre Company will take to the outdoor stage and give you an interpretation of Othello that you will not have seen before.
Lowville has been the locale for a number of artistic endeavours. The annual Lowville Festival is now an established event that has shown admirable resilience getting off the ground. With three years behind them and respectable sponsorships in place – they can be expected to do nothing but grow.
Thinkspot has been welcoming the Driftwood Theatre to their location for a number of years. Lowville has become one of the more than 20 locations that Driftwood performs at each year.
At the end of the production, always to boisterous rounds of applause, some of the deeply committed audience for the works of William Shakespeare gather around a fire place and talk about the merits of the performance and the how’s and why’s of what the director chose to do.
 Using Canada’s United Nations role in Cyprus as the backdrop for a production of Othello is both a brave and audacious decision.
The experience is well worth the time and the locale is one to be treasured.
This is a Pay what you can event with a suggested $20.
By Staff
July 29th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a dismal way to end the season for the Burlington Herd who struggled to get above the bottom half of the league standings throughout the season.
New name, new logo, new ownership weren’t enough to put th Herd in top half of the league standings. A new name and new ownership wasn’t enough, the team ended with a 13 – 23 win loss record.
They will play the London Majors during the playoff season.
 London Major player. Photo by Matt Hiscox. The London Majors defeated the Burlington Herd twice on Friday – A game that started on July 20 in Burlington was tied 7-7 when it was called due to darkness. When the game resumed yesterday each team scored once in the 11th, and London added two more in the 13th. That gave London a 10-8 win for the delayed game.
In Friday’s scheduled game, London won 11-1.
The Herd will now play London for the quarter final of the playoff series
Standings
Barrie Baycats 32-1
Kitchener Panthers 27-8
London Majors 24-9
Toronto Maple Leafs 17-17
Brantford Red Sox 15-19
Burlington Herd 13-23
Hamilton Cardinals 8-25
Guelph withdrew.
By Staff
July 28th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Youth Soccer Club (BYSC) is hosting its “Burli Blast Festival” this Saturday, July 29th to celebrate the end of the soccer season for the U3 – U6 age groups in their Outdoor House League program.
 The Burli Blast Festival is an event dedicated to celebrating the successes and achievements of the players and volunteer coaches over the course of the summer season. There are over 800 players in these age divisions, and with parents and coaches, the expected attendance is upwards of 2,500 people.
Burli Blast will take place from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at Sherwood Forest Park (at the end of Fairview Street past the Appleby GO station) in Burlington. The festival will feature 60 mini soccer matches and medal presentations spread throughout the morning and afternoon.
 The BYSC has also invited many of its community partners that are providing bouncy castles, carnival games, food, and prizes. The BYSC invites the Burlington community to come out and enjoy the day, regardless of whether your child plays in their programs. An information tent with staff will be in attendance if you have questions about any BYSC programs or if you are interested in registration.
For more information about Burli Blast Festival or other BYSC programs, visit www.burlingtonsoccer.com or call 905-333-0777.
 By Staff
July 28, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The southbound lane on Brant Street, just south of Victoria Avenue, will be closed on Saturday, July 29, 2017 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for excavation work.
 Brant Street – looking south – part of the road will be closed for some excavation work.
 By Staff
July 28, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Toronto Maple Leafs scored in seven different innings of their 20-6 victory over the Burlington Herd Thursday night.
For Burlington, Justin Gideon had three hits, an RBI and a run. Ryan Freemantle drove in two and scored once, John Whaley had two RBI, and Matt Schmidt singled twice and had an RBI. Nolan Pettipiece scored twice.
Casey Bouillere-Howard (0-1) gave up nine runs (seven earned) on 13 hits over seven innings. He walked two and struck out two.
 The Leafs seemed to get production out of every player. Zac Orchard went 4-for-6 with a home run, two doubles, three RBI and three runs. Daniel Szpik had three hits, including a home run, four RBI and two runs. Dan Marra singled, doubled and drove in three while scoring twice, Justin Marra had three hits, two RBI and two runs, Jonathan Solazzo went 2-for-5 with two runs and an RBI, Tyler Hardie and Ryan White each had two hits and two RBI and combined to score four times.
Julian Johnson singled twice and had an RBI and three runs, and Grant Tamane added a double and scored twice.
Adam Garner (1-0) went seven innings for the win. He scattered three hits and allowed an unearned run while walking one and striking out one.
The Herd hasn’t been out of the bottom half of the league so far this season. The team has just one more game before the league moves into the playoff part of the season.
Looks as if the playoffs are going to be short on the farm.
The playoff schedule will be:
 Barrie Baycats with their 32-1 position get a bye
# 2 plays #7
#3 plays # 6
#4 plays #5
Future games
Friday, July 28
Burlington at London, 6:35 p.m. (completion of suspended game of July 20, tied 7-7)
Burlington at London, 7:35 p.m.
Standings
Barrie Baycats 32-1
Kitchener Panthers 27-7
London Majors 22-9
Toronto Maple Leafs 16-17
Brantford Red Sox 14-19
Burlington Herd 13-21
Hamilton Cardinals 8-24
* Guelph Royals 1-35
* – Ceased operations
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