Halton Paramedic arrested for sexual assault and voyeurism inside an ambulance.

Crime 100By Staff

July 22, 2106

BURLINGTON, ON

Halton Regional Police have arrested and charged a Halton Paramedic in relation to an incident which occurred inside an ambulance in October 2015.

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Tad Nelson, 57yrs of Dundas is charged with Sexual Assault and Voyeurism contrary to the Criminal Code in relation to an incident involving an adult female patient. Nelson will appear in Milton bail court on July 22nd, 2016.

If anyone has any additional information they are asked to contact Detective Constable Matt Cunnington at 905-465-8978 or Detective Constable Alanda Prescod at 905-465-8977 of the Halton Regional Police Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).

These things do have to be reported – there are a lot of men and women who do the very hard, gut wrenching work inside an ambulance as it races to a hospital. This incident should not reflect on the really good people who work as paramedics

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Baycats win sixth straight; Burlington Bandits holding on tightly to sixth place in an 8 team league.

sportsred 100x100By Staff

July 22, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Barrie Baycats stayed hot, beating the Burlington Bandits 7-5 Thursday night for their sixth straight victory.

Kyle Nichols went 2-for-4 with three RBI, and Jeremy Walker had two hits and two RBI. Kyle DeGrace singled twice and scored twice while driving in a run, and Jeff Cowan singled, doubled and scored once.

Adam Rowe (2-0) went six innings for the win, allowing five runs on 10 hits, striking out two and walking one. Chris Nagorski was perfect over 1.2 innings and struck out three for his fourth save of the season.

Bandits - Adam Odd - batter of weekBrad McQuinn had two hits and two RBI to lead the Bandits. Adam Odd singled twice and drove in a run, while John Whaley and Grant Okawa each had an RBI.

Ryan Beckett (2-5) took the loss, giving up six runs on nine hits over five innings, walking eight and striking out one.
Second-place Barrie improved to 22-9, and sixth-place Burlington fell to 8-21.

Elsewhere in the league the Kitchener Panthers beat the Hamilton Cardinals in slugfest.

The runs came in bunches Thursday night in Kitchener as the Panthers beat the Hamilton Cardinals 20-12.  Kitchener trailed 6-0 after two innings but scored seven in the third and eighth in the fourth to pull away.

Sean Reilly hit a grand slam to lead the Panthers. His 13th home run of the season sparked Kitchener’s third inning comeback.

Tanner Nivins went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs, Frank Camilo Morejon hit his second home run as and drove in four. He added two singles and scored three runs. David Whiteside went 4-for-5 with two RBI and three runs, Terrell Alliman had an RBI and three runs, Mike Andrulis drove in a run and Luke Baker had three hits, three runs and two RBI.

Andrew Simonetti (1-1) picked up the win, allowing five runs on seven hits in three innings of relief. He struck out two and walked one.

Starter Eric Hall lasted 1.2 innings and gave up six runs on six hits, striking out two and walking one.

The first-place Panthers improved to 24-7 with their fourth straight victory.

Hamilton CardinalsFor Hamilton, Liam Wilson had a home run, double, two RBI and four runs. Dre Celestijn singled and hit a solo home run while scoring three times. TJ Baker singled and homered and drove in three, Tyler Hardie had three hits and two RBI, Callum Murphy had two RBI and David Vanderby drove in a run.

Russ Burroughs (1-3) took the loss, allowing four runs on one hit with two walks in an inning. He didn’t strike out a batter. Kyle Adoranti started and went 2.1 innings, giving up seven runs on five hits with three walks and no strikeouts.

Last-place Hamilton fell to 7-25.

Future games
Friday, July 22
Toronto at Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.
Guelph at London, 7:35 p.m.
Kitchener at Brantford, 8 p.m.

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It’s on! 8:30 - August 20th - Spencer Smith Park - final Tragically Hip concert broadcast live from Kingston.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

July 22, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It’s on!

HipPoster-v2-resizedWhatever papers have to be signed – are signed and the event will start at between 8-8:15 p.m. at Spencer Smith Park with introductory remarks prior to the broadcast of the final Tragically Hip concert that will begin at 8:30 p.m., with the broadcast coming in live from Kingston courtesy of the CBC who have waived their licensing rights.

Putting this opportunity together was done in a matter of days with a lot of phone calls – Ward 2 Councillor Mead Ward managed to get a motion through council that was approved on a 6-1 vote.

The motion asked:
That City Council authorize matching funds up to $12,500 from the Tax Rate Stabilization Fund to assist with funding the live CBC rebroadcast of the Tragically Hip concert, Aug. 20, in Spencer Smith Park

Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven decided the event was just a nice to have and voted against it.  He missed the opportunity to ask if shuttle buses could be arranged for all those good Aldershot people to get to the Park and

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It’s just a nice to have said the Councillor when he voted against the city chipping in for the cost of bringing in the Tragically Hip concert live from Kingston.

enjoy the evening. The Gazette has never understood why the Council member can’t seem to get behind really good community events. If you see him attending the event – do let us know.

An ad hoc committee has been struck and will meet early in August, 12+ members including SET Team, Tourism Burlington, Sound of Music Festival, local citizens and representatives from two charities and Halton Regional Police Services

The team has interest from both The Halton Chapter of Canadian Cancer Services (with a focus on disease prevention) and the Joseph Brant Foundation (local cancer care clinic)

A site is being set up for community/corporate donations.  We will send you the link as soon as they have it set up.

 

All kinds of people have asked if they can donate time and energy as volunteers. Interested parties can contact: mcoletteertel@hotmail.com

The screening was made possible after the Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) put money on the table to kick-start funding for the event, and sought a matching contribution from the city of Burlington. City council supported a motion to contribute to the costs of the event. Donations of cash are still being sought from the community to cover costs of screens, speakers, projectors and security. Please consider making a donation.

Tragically hip

It will be a bitter sweet nice for the Tragically Hip as they close out their final performance in a live CBC broadcast across the country. Bring a chair and a blanket and a handkerchief – it is going to be a very emotional evening.

“This is an event of national significance that was looking for a place to happen in Burlington. Many residents reached out to me and said ‘We have to be part of this,’” said Meed Ward. “The Hip is the soundtrack of Canada. Many of us can track significant events in our lives by what Hip song we were listening to at the time. I’m grateful my council colleagues supported the funding request to make it happen.”

This is a rain or shine, alcohol-free and family friendly celebration. Residents are asked to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on.

The potential audience for this could be enormous. Will people come in from Oakville, will the GO trains be filled?

Hamilton is holding its own event – the location they have chosen doesn’t compare to what Burlington has.

An adhoc committee has been created – they will meet early in August, – 12+ members including SET Team, Tourism Burlington, Sound of Music Festival, local citizens and representatives from two charities and Halton Regional Police Services

McMahon - First public as Minister

McMahon the Minister now has a chance to give Burlington a great big thank you for electing her to office – send money.

Tourism Burlington leading on funding request to Tourism Ontario. The shiny new Minister of Tourism just happens to be our own gracious Eleanor McMahon who one hopes will shower some cash on the city that sent her to Queen’s Park. The Ministry must have a piggy bank somewhere in one of the offices.

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The Stay Frosty guy is back - setting up shop at the Beaver and the Bulldog August 25th.

eventspink 100x100By Pepper Parr

July 22, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

He is back!

James Burchill

James B. (Le Grand Fromage)

That Stay Frosty Guy – who has upgraded his stage name to James B. (Le Grand Fromage)

A shameless self-promoter who does put together pretty decent networking session out of which he appears to earn a living.

His Social Fusion Network is back up and running. He asks: If you want free b2b networking note the date August 25th, 5:00 pm at the Beaver & Bulldog, 2020 Lakeshore Road, – the Waterfront Hotel.

To date he has 48 people going; he usually draws close to 100.

It's all about networking.

It’s all about networking.

Just bring yourself (hey, why not invite a colleague?) some cash for the venue (drinks, parking etc.) your business cards and best smile and you’re all set!

The main website >> https://SocialFusionNetwork.com

Follow him on Twitter >> https://twitter.com/socialfusionnet

Like him on Facebook >> https://www.facebook.com/socialfusionnetwork/

Burchill said that if I published this for him – he would buy me a pony. He lied – but he is a likable fellow and if you are new to Burlington – the network is a good place to meet people.

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August concerts dates - plan your summer fun.

eventspink 100x100By Staff

July 22nd, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

These events will take place at the Burlington Musical Centre in Central Park just behind the band stand.

The Summer Concert series for August is set out below so you can plan some of your summer fun.

Little Peter band

Little Peter and the Elegants

Wednesday, August 3 – Little Peter and the Elegants
An eight piece band that recreates the rock and roll sensations from the 1950s and 1960s.

Sunday, August 7 – Euba
The spotlight is on the tuba quartet, sure to surprise and please the most eager music enthusiasts with their musical presentation.

Wednesday, August 10 – Vili Verhovsek
A powerhouse singer from Hamilton, Ontario, Vili sings all the vintage favourites from the 1950s and 1960s – Elvis, Orbison, Sinatra.

Sunday, August 14 – Burlington Concert Band

Burlington Concert Band

Burlington Concert Band – in full flight.

Summer Concerts finale with the Burlington Concert Band as they perform Broadway, classical and contemporary selections.

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Robin Hood will be on stage at the Lowville school house Saturday - his band of merry-men will come from the audience.

Event 100By Staff

July 22, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

DuffleBag Theatre will take over the Lowville School house Saturday afternoon for a fun-filled and hilarious interactive storytelling.

They’ve been doing this since 1992, and now feel they can call themselves the “Nearly World Famous” DuffleBag Theatre.

The DuffleBag actors, there will be four of them on the stage, begin retelling an adaptation of a well known fairy tale that is full of wit and humour. Just when the audience becomes enthralled by the story – a twist is created!

robin-hood-website-event-poster

These four DuffelBag actors will from the core of the production – other actors will be drawn from the audience.

People from the audience are asked to come up on stage and join in the action. At this point the play becomes an unpredictable performance and a hilarious experience for all ages and a truly unique interactive theatrical experience where the dream of living a fairy tale actually does come true!

The program this Saturday afternoon begin at 2:00 pm with a workshop for those who want to learn something about being on the stage and developing ideas and learning xxx

After the workshop – the “production” begins. DuffleBag has always been known for their ability to adapt and change things quickly. They will be doing Robin Hood and given that there is all kinds of great outdoor space they just might move part of the production outdoors.

Robin Hood and his merry band of men did hide out in Sherwood Forest didn’t they?
Expect the unexpected from this unique interactive production.

Where did the name DuffelBag come from? The theatre company uses duffel bags to carry all the costumes and props to each of their events.

Great entertainment for the whole family in a wonderful rural setting. There is more to Burlington than Spencer Smith Park.
The Festival is using the Snap’d service for ticket sales. Tickets are available on line
Saturday, July 23; 2:00pm
Workshop for Children with Dufflebag Theatre Company
Old Lowville Schoolhouse
$25 for both workshop & show

3:00pm
Robin Hood by Dufflebag Theatre
Old Lowville Schoolhouse
$15

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Are trees technology? You might want to think about that.

News 100 greenBy Pepper Parr

July 21st, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Trees are technology said a participant at the Town Hall meeting on Climate Change that Oakville North Burlington MP Pam Damoff held last night.

Trees Pearl Street

These trees came down on Pearl Street – nothing has gone up to replace them.

That comment raised a couple of eyebrows until Damoff piped up with – “I can buy into that.”

“I had senior who explained to me that she had three trees taken down because they had been infected with the Emerald Ash Bore (EAB). The result was that the shade those elm trees proved on one side of her building meant she needed to buy an air conditioner to keep her home cool.

“That senior was on a fixed income and expenses like this were not a part of the budget she lived within. The additional electricity cost is something else she has to deal with.”

The air conditioner is a technology that senior has to pay for – the trees were keeping her house cool and as far as the senior was concerned that was technology enough for her.

Trees are technology.

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Traffic flow changes on rural part of Appleby Line.

notices100x100By Staff

July 21, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

Union Gas - south of Derry

Union Gas is running a 40 inch line right across the top or the city.

Appleby Line will be closed to traffic between Derry Road and Britannia Road from Friday, July 22 at 6 p.m. to Sunday, July 24 at 7 p.m. for Union Gas construction activities.

Please follow detour routes.

Vehicles:
1. From the north, traffic will be directed east on Derry Road to Tremaine Road, then south to Britannia Road and west to Appleby Line.

2. From the south, traffic will be directed east on Britannia Road to Tremaine Road then north to Derry Road and west to Appleby Line.

Trucks:
1. From the north, traffic will be directed east on Derry Road to Regional Road 25, then south to Dundas Street and west to Appleby Line.

2. From the south, traffic will be directed east on Dundas Street to Regional Road 25 then north to Derry Road and west to Appleby Line.

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Decent audience attends climate change meeting - few got their by bicycle - far too many drove in cars by themselves.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

July 21, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It was more than a local town hall meeting to get people to think and act on climate change.

The meeting Oakville North Burlington MP Pam Damoff held at Tansley Woods Community centre Wednesday evening was part of a Canada wide program the federal government has put in place to hear what Canadians think and to learn just how much they are prepared to actually do individually to change the climate.

It didn’t sound like an awful lot at the Tansley Woods meeting

Climate change + Fraser Damoff

It was an audience that came to listen and then ask questions. Is this the way these meetings are going to take place across the country? Are we ready to make a real change – or will it be made for us?

Damoff knew she was speaking to the deeply converted and ensured that the message would be clear by having the lead person from both the Oakville and the Burlington Green associations at the table with her.

Damoff pretty much stuck to the script that had been prepared – asking people what they wanted to do and explaining that this wasn’t a problem the government was going to solve for them.

Damoff + Fraser at Climate change July 20-16

MP Pam Damoff, listening to people who attended the Town Hall meeting on Climate Change. Her son Fraser is on the right.

The key word that seemed to come up again and again was “adapt”. Climate change is here – and we certainly know that in Burlington where 191 mm of rain was dumped on the city in less than 12 hours and 300 homes were badly flooded in 2014.
All the creeks in the east end of the city broke their banks which brought about an incredible million dollar fund raising event within 100 days to cover some of the costs of repairing those 300 homes.

Flood Fairview plaza

A Burlington Plaza flooded during the August 2014 rain storm.

Burlington has tasted climate change – for those that experienced the understanding is very deep. It is the rest of the community that needs to decide what it wants to do about a change that is vital if we are to survive. And so far Canada isn’t doing all that well.

The media release Damoff handed out said: Global temperatures have increased by about .85 degrees Celsius since 1880; Canada has warmed at twice the global average with Canada’s north warming even faster.

Last December Canada joined 195 countries who adopted the Paris Agreement which saw countries commit to limiting the global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius in an attempt to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

Climate change - CJ Martin #2

CJ Martin asking a question at the Climate Change Town Hall meeting at Tansley Woods

When asked how many people attending the meeting drove to the location in a car by themselves – most of the hands in the room were raised. The MP, with a staff of four in her constituency office, apparently all arrived in different cars.

It was justified by there not being acceptable public transit. Some people did car pool.

There were some sterling examples of what can be done. A young mother mentioned the 0 household waste plan she has put in place at her home. We want to look at just how one can do that.

Vince Fiorito, a well-known environmental advocate suggested that with global warning Canada will be able to grow new and different crops in parts of northern Canada that have given us mineral resources and not much more. Fiorito suggested parts of Canada could become a banana belt. It clearly wasn’t his best night.

Climate change - diverse speaker

People from several communities took part in the Q&A part of the meeting.

The people behind the Leaf movement were in the room advocating that the fossil fuels be left in the ground and that we pour subsidies into wind, solar and geo thermal industries.

There were numerous people with their own angles and ideas. Fraser Damoff, the MP’s son wanted to see the federal subsidies given to many in the energy industry done away with. “Stop the subsidies and let them fight it out in the market place where the most effective solution will come out on top” advised Fraser Damoff.

In what was a very Canadian meeting – meaning it was polite, people were respectful of each other and Damoff didn’t cut anyone off – ran longer than was expected.

The interest was certainly there – but then a lot of people drove home, by themselves, in their own cars.

Climate change - diverse people

The audience was mixed, diverse and attentive.

Still a lot of work to be done – and more to say on this meeting.

Burlington MP Karina Gould will be hold her Town Hall meeting August 4th. The federal government has its members of parliament out in the field with their ears wide open. Been a long time since we’ve seen that kind of government behavior. They are listening – are we speaking?

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Bandits beat Leafs an 11-5 road win - long way to go to pass them in the standings.

sportsgold 100x100By Staff

June 20th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

The Burlington Bandits snapped a two-game skid with an 11-5 road win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday night.

IBL July 20

Beating the Leafs will certainly do a lot for the morale of the Bandits but the distance between the bottom three teams in the league and the top five is a lot to over come. It’s pretty clear where the winners are at this point in the season.

Julian Johnson went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and three runs. Justin Whaley had four hits, three RBI and scored twice,

Justin Gideon singled twice and drove in a run and scored once, Carlos Villoria had two hits, an RBI and run, and Nolan Pettipiece added a double, RBI and run. Kevin Hussey had two hits and scored twice, and Robert Tavone singled and doubled.

Jack Dennis (2-4) picked up the win, allowing three runs on two hits over seven innings, striking out 10 and walking six.

The sixth-place Bandits improved to 8-20.

Justin Marra had two hits for the Leafs, including his 11th home run of the season. Marra drove in two.

Ryan White added a single and RBI and scored once.

Brett van Pelt (1-5) took the loss, giving up five runs on nine hits over six innings, walking two and striking out eight.

Fifth-place Toronto fell to 15-16.

Future games
Thursday, July 21
Hamilton at Kitchener, 7:30 p.m.
Burlington at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, July 22
Toronto at Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.
Guelph at London, 7:35 p.m.
Kitchener at Brantford, 8 p.m.

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Regional deputy police chief recognized by American association of law enforcement executives.

News 100 blueBy Staff

July 19th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Deputy Chief Nishan Duraiappah accepted the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Technology Champion of the Year Award at the Annual Training Conference Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 in Washington D.C.

The award is sponsored by Harris Corporation and is presented to an individual who is a strong advocate of technology that benefits law enforcement and public safety.

NOBLE is the largest association of black law enforcement officers and spans police agencies across the United States of America.

The fact that NOBLE selected a Canadian police leader out of all the American police agencies is a remarkable testament to the achievements of Halton Police.  Deputy Chief Duraiappah accepted the award on behalf of the Halton Regional Police Service.

Deputy Chief Nishan Duraiappah pleads his innocence to the charge of Grand Theft Donuts, looking on is Halton Regional Police Detective Constable Paul Proteau.

Deputy Chief Nishan Duraiappah pleads his innocence to the charge of Grand Theft Donuts, during a police fund raising event. Looking on is Halton Regional Police Detective Constable Paul Proteau.

Some of the work that the Halton Regional Police Service has championed includes LTE mobile workstations in each vehicle, public police Apps in ITunes/Google, the testing of smart mobile devices for officers to conduct electronic notetaking in the field and piloting of in-car cameras. Halton Police has established a unique Police Analytics Unit, which has gained international recognition as Leaders in Business Intelligence. These initiatives are supported by world class police officers and civilians working in the Office of Continuous Improvement and Strategic Management and Information Technology.

Through technological initiatives and community programs, Halton Police improves community safety and well-being. We also partner with community groups such as the Canadian Association of Black Law Enforcers (ABLE) to enhance understanding and foster relationships between the police and all members of the public.

Police presence

Deputy Chief Duraiappah in command at a public meeting that police were concerned about public reaction.

The Halton Regional Police Service contributes to the safety and well-being of the Region’s more than 530,000 residents. Working in partnership with the communities we serve, the Service delivers quality, cost-effective public safety and crime prevention services, as mandated by law. The Halton Regional Police Service is recognized as one of the leading police agencies in the areas of diversity and community policing initiatives, and is committed to ensuring Halton Region remains as safe tomorrow as it is today.

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In Lowville - this weekend - a festival of all the arts for the artist in all of us.

artsblue 100x100By Jim Riley

July 19th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Lowville Festival will again be presenting superb musical and theatrical experiences for audiences old and young in north Burlington’s majestic Escarpment country.

Bon Missen and Loretta Bailey

Rob Missen and Loretta Bailey on stage at the first Lowville Festival.

The inaugural Lowville Festival in July 2015 was such a success that Co-Artistic Directors Robert Missen, Lorretta Bailey and Barbara Anderson-Huget decided to make it into an annual event. This year’s festival will again feature some of Burlington and region’s finest performing artists.

The Lowville Festival defines itself as “a festival of all the arts for the artist in all of us”. The ultimate aim is not only to feature all of the performing, visual and literary arts, but to provide opportunities for audiences to participate in the creative process. To that end, local singers were invited to join the Lowville Festival Choir, which will appear in the opening concert.

Patrons of the Folkies’ Choice concert will be invited to choose which of the featured songwriters should be saluted in a 2017 concert.

And children will have an opportunity to participate in a workshop with the nationally acclaimed Dufflebag Theatre.

The 2016 festival begins Friday July 22nd with a concert at St. George’s Hall at the Anglican Church – Music for a summer night – Classic and Classical. The concert will feature superb artists in performances of classical, jazz, musical theatre, cabaret, pop and crossover music.

These include Burlington’s Charles Cozens, Renee Barabash, Trevor Copp, Robert Missen and Lorretta Bailey, Guelph’ s James Gordon and Toronto’s David Warrack. A highlight will be an appearance by the Lowville Festival Choir under the direction of Hamilton-born Wayne Strongman, former conductor of the Bach-Elgar Choir.

LOWVILLE SCHOOL HOUSE

Lowville School House is the venue for the Children’s Workshop and Robin Hood production.

Saturday’s daytime activities will take place in Lowville’s Old Schoolhouse, a limestone edifice located right in the centre of the hamlet of Lowville. Dufflebag Theatre, the popular kids theatre company from London, Ontario, will present a performance of Robin Hood. Prior to the performance there will be a workshop.

Stuart_Laughton_0238c

Stuart Laughton – with one of his many horns will be playing at the Lowville United Church on Saturday.

Lowville United Church will play host on Saturday night to Folkies’ Delight: The Best of the Singer song Writers. Burlington’s Andy Griffiths and Stuart Laughton, Hamilton’s Jude Johnson and Carl Horton, Dundas’s Ariel Rogers and Toronto’s Paul Novotny will offer a tribute to eight great songwriters- Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, Buffy Ste. Marie, Cat Stevens, Carole King, Leonard Cohen and Stan Rogers.

The festival finale, to be presented at Lowville United Church in the afternoon of Sunday July 24th, is Love Letters , A. R. Gurney’s popular two-character play. The performance, which features Lorretta Bailey and Eric Trask, nationally renowned actors resident in Lowville who also happen to be husband and wife, will be a fundraiser for the festival.

Lowville Choir-with-Bob-Missen-on-stage-1024x327

The choir has grown to more than 60 voices – Friday at St; George Hall at the Anglican church on Guelph Line and Dundas.

The Lowville Festival is the vision of two Burlington performing artists, Lorretta Bailey, a Lowville resident, who has performed in musical theatre productions across Canada, including the original Toronto production of Les Miserables, and Robert Missen, proprietor of the Bobolink Agency, one of the country’s pre-eminent artist management companies, who was the 2016 inductee into the Burlington Performing Arts Centre Hall of Fame. They have been joined by Barbara Anderson-Huget, and former Managing Director of the Guelph Jazz Festival and Executive Director of CARFAC Ontario, the association of visual artists.
Online tickets available at Snapped:

A FESTIVAL OF ALL THE ARTS FOR THE ARTIST IN ALL OF US – JULY 22-24, 2016
Friday, July 22; 7:30pm
Music for a Summer Night – Classic and Classical
St. George’s Church Hall
$25 online (advance) $30 at the door;

Saturday, July 23; 2:00pm
Workshop for Children with Dufflebag Theatre Company
Old Lowville Schoolhouse
$25 for both workshop & show

3:00pm
Robin Hood by Dufflebag Theatre
Old Lowville Schoolhouse
$15

Saturday, July 23; 7:30pm
Folkies’ Delight: The Best of The Singer/Songwriters
Lowville United Church
$25 advance (online); $30 at the door

Sunday, July 24; 3:00pm
Love Letters by A. R. Gurney
Lowville United Church
$25 online (advance); $30 at the door

The Festival is using the Snap’d service for ticket sales. Tickets are available on line

There is an “all shows” package for $70 – pretty good value.

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Cash registers are the target for a man with long arms - hits two locations in the Region.

Crime 100By Staff

July 19, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

It was a cash grab – pure and simple.

On June 17th, 2016, Joseph Hamilton Essibuah walked into the Dollar Tree in the area of Dundas Street and Appleby Line in Burlington. He is reported to have approached the checkout and while the cashier was assisting another customer, the accused reached over the counter and grabbed a quantity of money from the cash register. He then fled in a waiting vehicle.

HRPS crestA short time later the accused attended a Shoppers Drug Mart located in the area of Brant Street and Upper Middle Road in Burlington. Again, the accused proceeded to pay for an item and when the cash register opened the accused reached over the counter and grabbed a quantity of cash. The accused fled in an awaiting motor vehicle.

Police have determined that the accused is responsible for additional occurrences in Halton region and surrounding areas; an investigation is ongoing.

Accused:

Joseph Hamilton ESSIBUAH,(25 years of Mississauga)
Current Charges:
Theft Under $5000 (6 counts)
Breach of Probation (6 counts)

ESSIBUAH is set to appear in Milton for a bail hearing on July 20th.
The investigation is continuing and anyone with information is asked to contact Cst. Jacqueline Ross of the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext. 2373 or D/Cst. Al MacEwan at ext. 2349 or Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).

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Region provides $212,500 for 13 community programs to aid in adequate access to food.

News 100 redBy Staff

July 19th, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Earlier this month, Regional Council approved $212,500 in funding for 13 community programs and projects that will support the health and well-being of Halton residents that have inadequate access to food.

The funding is the result of a new stream of funding through the Halton Region Community Investment Fund (HRCIF), which was created to improve access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food in partnership with Halton’s non-profit and community organizations.

Regional chair Gary Carr tasting honey on a farm tour. These days he is tasting the mood of the residents; wants to know rthat they are thinking.

Regional chair Gary Carr tasting honey on a farm tour.

“This funding reflects Halton’s commitment to improve access to food by working closely with our community partners,” said Halton Regional Chair, Gary Carr. “Investing in community agencies through the Halton Region Community Investment Fund is another example of how we’re working together with the community to achieve the best possible health and well-being for all and is part of what makes Halton Region such a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire.”

Funding will help community organizations to increase the amount of fresh and culturally appropriate foods available to clients, strengthen the capacity of agencies to safely store and distribute food and will support other efforts that make food more accessible to residents with inadequate access to food.

The food security grants are part of over $1.4 million in 2016 HRCIF funding that will support a wide range of community health and social service programs that serve Halton residents. The following programs will receive funding through the food security stream of the Halton Region Community Investment Fund:

Acton Foodshare – to increase the amount of fresh food available to clients and to support the development of cooking skills;
ClearView Community Church (Oakville) – to increase cold storage for its food programs, including cooking classes;
The Dar Foundation – to support the purchase of Halal meats for its clients;
Food4kids - bag + appleFood4Kids – to determine the scope of need and plan program expansion;
Food for Life – to hire an additional ‘food raiser’ to source fresh and culturally appropriate food for community programs;
Georgetown Bread Basket – to support new freezer/refrigeration purchases for its food bank;
Halton Food for Thought – to purchase freezers/refrigerators to support student nutrition programs in 11 schools;
Halton Fresh Food Box – to support a pilot project to deliver fresh food boxes to clients with transportation or mobility barriers;
Halton Women’s Place – to provide grocery cards to women exiting the shelter;
Milton Community Resource Centre – to support the organization’s Infant Food Bank program;
North Halton Community Kitchen St. Alban’s Church (Acton) – to support a community kitchen coordinator to develop and expand cooking and dining programs;
Feeding Halton (through Open Doors at St. Christopher’s Church as the lead applicant) – to support a position to coordinate farm fresh markets that provide access to local produce at a reduced cost. The position will also coordinate purchases from local farmers on behalf of several social service agencies; and
St. Luke’s Anglican Church (Oakville) – to purchase a refrigerator that will assist the organization to establish an outreach program.

 

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Lane Closures for Fairview Street Improvements, July through October, 2016

notices100x100By Staff

July 19th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington is making improvements to Fairview Street between Guelph Line and Walker’s Line and Commerce Court from Fairview Street to Cul-de-sac.

Fairview road closures map

Fairview Street between Guelph Line and Walker’s Line plus some of Commerce Court will have traffic limitations during road work.

The proposed construction will include:

• Road resurfacing along with traffic island modifications and localized repairs to sidewalks and curbs.
• Proposed Bike Lane on the north side of Fairview Street and Sharrow’s on Fairview Street.

This work will result in single lane closures during off-peak times:

• 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Fairview - road cross section

Fairview profile wen the construction is completed in October.

Road Construction: July to Nov. 2016
Project Budget: $3,200,000

City is beginning to look and feel like Toronto in the summer.

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Business license renewals can now be done on line.

News 100 blueBy Staff

July 19th, 2106

BURLINGTON, ON

 

At this rate we may not need a city hall.

Another city hall service has gone on line: business licence renewals.

Select businesses in Burlington can now renew their business licences online at www.burlington.ca/businesslicences.

Burlington flags“We need to support our small businesses as much as possible and that means giving them access to services 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Mayor Rick Goldring. “A step in the right direction is that businesses can now renew their licences online whenever they want.”

Business licences available to be renewed online include:

• Automotive
• Pawn brokers
• Personal services
• Public assembly:
o Restaurants/take out/lunch counter
o Movie theatre
o Banquet/public halls
o Pinball or electronic game machine
o Night club
o Sale of foodstuff
o Sale of adult magazines
• Sale of foodstuff
• Sale of tobacco
• Salvage yard
• Tourist/trailer camps

Business licences not listed above are only available for renewal in person.

With 15 bylaws to be enforced and a staff of five Tracy Burrows, Manager Bylaw enforcement gave a council committee report they sent back for more work and a "cleanup".

Tracey Burrows, manager, bylaw enforcement and licensing.

“Business owners needing to renew their licences will need to register an account with their PIN which can be requested online,” said Tracey Burrows, manager, bylaw enforcement and licensing. “We hope this will add to our customer service and meet the needs of our growing business community.”

All new and renewal licences can also be done in person at City Hall, 426 Brant St. For more information, visit www.burlington.ca/businesslicences, call 905-335-7731 or email building@burlington.ca.

No mention of the fee structure in the media release.

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Secret to success? Open early, sell out quickly, close and go home. Great place for $4 donuts.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

July 19th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

What a way to do business.

You open early.

You close when you are sold out

And if that happens to be just three hours after you opened – well that was your lucky day.

Sunshine Donut shop

Tucked in to the west of the Art Gallery – entrance off the Art Gallery parking lot.

With that kind of a schedule no wonder they call themselves the Sunshine Donut Company.

One of the ways you know a product is worth buying is – watch for how many police officers or fire fighters drop buy.

Sunshine Donut shop hours

That SOLD OUT sign has been known to go up within three hours of opening.

The Burlington Cream is not to be missed – but you have to be there early. At $4 bucks apiece that may seem a little extreme – d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!

The margins are obviously fantastic.

getting new - yellowLocation – not the easiest place to find – at the south end of the Art Gallery parking lot.

Run by the same people who operate Son of a Peach – a pizza shop on Pine

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The final Tragically Hip concert will be simulcast on large screen in Spencer Smith Park on August 20th.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

July 18th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Our fair city has decided to join much of Canada on August 20th when, if things work out the way a lot of people would like them to work out – thousands will be able to sit on the grass at Spencer Smith Park and watch a CBC simulcast of the final scheduled concert of The Tragically Hip.

Oh – and it is going to cost the city a cool $12,500 – the Burlington Downtown Business Association will somehow come up with the second $12,500 – for a total cost of $25,000

Council voted to go forward with this one – everyone voted for – except for Councillor Craven. He saw the event as a nice to have – which isn’t quite his cup of tea.

Gorn Downie of the tragically hip

Gord Downie, lead of the Tragically Hip.

CBC has waived its usual licensing fee with some conditions – there can be no sponsorship – so anyone putting up dollars is going to get a thank you.

There are some conditions. No alcohol can be sold. The city does not yet have a no smoking bylaw in public parks on the books.

The Tragically Hip, often referred to simply as The Hip, are a Canadian rock band from Kingston, Ontario, consisting of lead singer Gord Downie, guitarist Paul Langlois, guitarist Rob Baker (known as Bobby Baker until 1994), bassist Gord Sinclair, and drummer Johnny Fay. Since their formation in 1984 they have released 13 studio albums, two live albums, 1 EP, and 54 singles. Nine of their albums have reached No. 1 in Canada. They have received numerous Canadian Music awards, including 14 Juno awards.

Tragically hip

The night the country sits down in parks and arenas across the country to watch the Tragically Hip put on their final concert knowing that the lead has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer will be a hard evening. Gord Downie is in the centre with, in no particular order, guitarist Paul Langlois, guitarist Rob Baker, bassist Gord Sinclair, and drummer Johnny Fay.

As the band was getting ready to announce their summer tour they also announced that Gord Downie had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.  The out-pouring of public emotion led to CBC deciding to broadcast the final concert that was to be held in Kingston.  CBC then decided to let other municipalities across the country simulcast the program.

Brian Dean, chief at the BDBA, delegated to council and explained what Councillor Marianne Meed Ward had put in front of Council by Memorandum earlier in the day. She pointed out that the idea had come together very quickly and it looked as if cities across the country were going to do what they could to simulcast the event.

Mead Ward is putting $1000 from her Councillor’s budget into the pot. The ad hoc committee is reaching out to the federal and provincial governments (good luck at that level).

Some thought was given to Central Arena as a location – until they realized that the Children’s Festival is going to take place the following day and that stages will have been set up with porta potties in place – Spencer Smith Park became the obvious choice.
Hamilton is in; Kingston is in, Charlottetown is in, New Westminster is in and Halifax is in.

Parking MMW + Brian Dean with head of meter

Brian Dean with ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward the day the city got rid of the old parking meters and installed an expensive replacement that doesn’t provide better service.

Dean, who could sell ice cubes to Eskimo’s, assured council that this was really quite do-able and presented Council with an outline of the costs. When Dean doesn’t want the public to know what he is up to, he limits the information he shares; when he wants the public to know the media is showered with data.

Media were not given a copy of his cost breakdown.

It didn’t matter – the city manager sensed what council wanted and said that staff would provide oversight and that all the invoices would come to the city for payment.

A formal application has been submitted to the Special Events Team (SET) who gave approval in principle. They are also working on getting an exemption from the noise bylaw that requires events to shut down at 11:00 pm. The concert is expected to run until 11:30 pm

Meed Ward who exuded enthusiasm for the event suggested it was going to be the emotional equivalent of the winning goal Paul Henderson scored for Team Canada in 1972

The city manager wanted the cost of staff time that would be involved to be part of what the city has to come up with.

The event is 32 days away. Staff will have to hustle to make it happen and the city manager will make sure that the costs are controlled.

It took a two thirds majority vote to waive the city’s procedural by law and another vote to permit Dean to speak. If Council can do that in one meeting – the rest is a lead pipe cinch.

It has taken some time to figure out what the city manager is and what he isn’t. Observing him for the past 18 months the Gazette has found it difficult to say just what kind of an administrator he is. While he talks the talk of community engagement – he doesn’t really walk that talk. However, what is now very clear is that James Ridge is a very fiscally prudent man. Nothing is going to go seriously wrong on his watch. He may over promise from time to time – he certainly did that with a work plan he once put forward – but when it comes to watching where the dollars go – nothing disastrous is going to happen on his watch. Should that ever happen – the good Army Captain will choose to fall on his sword.

Where was he when the pier fiasco was being managed at city hall?

August 20th – mark that one on your calendar. With Meed Ward back on the BDBA as the Council representative – things like this get done.

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New surgery equipment being installed as hospital re-build stays on target - roads outside a total mess.

News 100 blueBy Staff

July 18th, 2106

BURLINGTON, ON

Construction of the patient tower is moving along nicely. The last window on Level 7 of the new patient tower was installed at the end of June! Soon, two elevators will be up and running on the inside of the building and the man and material hoist will be removed.

The pedestrian bridge structure connects Level 2 of the parking facility to Level 1 of the new tower. Now the construction team is building the metal deck on the floor and on the roof of the bridge and pouring the concrete floor. By the end of July, glass windows will be installed on the bridge and roofing and finishes will follow.

Power will be turned on in late September.

In their latest video, Alean Jackman, Operational Readiness Coordinator and Melanie Burnet, Program Champion for the Surgical Program share the 5 Things You Need to Know about Our New Surgical Suite. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the progress being made inside our future surgical suite and learn more about the new space from our experts!

In the past the hospital has had problems with infectious diseases. The new hospital will have three new washer disinfectors that have greater capacity for cleaning and processing clinical equipment. The machines also have fast and efficient cleaning cycles, larger touch screens, and built-in “cool touch” handles on the racks.

Inside, installation of drywall continues to progress from the Main Level to Level 7 and soon, ceilings will go up. Painting has started and the main lobby staircase will be installed by late summer.

The people who will make the hospital actually work on a day to day basis are involved in critical training programs; much of the equipment is very complex and requires training and practice before nurses roll you into one of the ten new operating rooms – nine of which are reported to be ready for business on opening day.

HOSPITAL - Lakeshore at Maple Ave

A new Lakeshore Road is being constructed that will lead to the new front entrance to the hospital.

The construction and re-development of the hospital takes place while the city re-builds the part of Lakeshore Road that will become the new front entrance to the hospital. Parts of Lakeshore Road are being raised by as much as a metre from their current level. The re-built road will slowly slope towards the parking garage where the rebuild will pause until the hospital is completed in 2018.

Hospital - storm water pipes

Storm water around the hospital has always been an issue – one that hospital media management people don’t like to talk about very much.

Hospital - 20 inch pipe going under road

Big 20 inch pipes being shoved under North Shore Road to connect properties north of Lakeshore to pipes running along Lakeshore right past the hospital to the Waste Water treatment plant.

Traffic in the area has been re-routed in several directions while the construction work takes place. Waste water treatment and storm water facilities are also being upgraded as well.

A 20 inch pipe is being shoved under the Lakeshore Road, North Shore Road intersection from the Brant Museum property to connect waste water pipes to the main trunk line.

Lakshore-road-clsoures-July-2016

These are the detours that are going to be in place until road re-construction is complete – sometime in September.

It is not a pretty place for traffic these days – and it is going to remain that way until late in September.

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City giving the Cenotaph a clean up - will mistakes on the plaque describing the memorial get fixed as well?

News 100 blueBy Pepper Parr

July 18th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

We were advised this morning that the errors on the plaque have been corrected.

Ed Keenleyside just might be sleeping a little better these days – The Cenotaph that is tucked beside city hall on Brant Street is getting a clean-up.

Keenleyside with partial monument

Ed Keenleyside at the Cenotaph.

Keenleyside has been researching the names of the 82 casualties etched on the Cenotaph with plans to publish an informative book, which will put faces and personalities to those who died so many years ago.

“I have information on all but one name and that person, J. W. Williamson, is among the 44 World War II fatalities. If anyone can identify this person Keenleyside would be most grateful. Please contact him at at ekeenleyside@cogeco.ca if you can help.

But that isn’t Keenleyside’s biggest issue – he was close to spitting nickels when he say the errors in the small plaque to the rear of the monument explain the memorial.

Within the handful of sentences describing this important monument said Keenleyside DATE are the following mistakes:

1. There are 38 World War I casualties listed on the memorial, not 39.
2. The 38 fatalities listed are soldiers from the Great War (or World War I ), not from the Second World War.
3. There are 44 local service people listed from the Second World War, not 43.

Keenleyside - plaque wording

Ed Keenleyside identified a number of significant error on this plaque.

In addition to the embarrassing errors on the plaque, Keenleyside wonders why the Korean War Veterans are recognized at the base of the Cenotaph but the Afghanistan War Veterans are not recognized.

Ed Keenleyside can’t understand why the plaque that explains the history of the war memorial he is standing beside has so many errors on it.

The Gazette hasn’t had an opportunity to check and see if the piece of metal with the errors inscribed has been replaced. We expect to hear from Keenleyside on this matter.

The cenotaph was dedicated in April 1922 by Lord Byng (Govenor General of Canada) and was originally located in a park setting on the downtown shore of Lake Ontario. The memorial was moved to its present location after the construction of the new City Hall in 1962.

Remembered, respected

Remembered, respected. Now to ensure that it is accurate and up to date.

The Cenotaph consists of five pieces of granite, stacked in a plinth and is topped with a sculpture of a World War I soldier cast in bronze. The names of 38 WWI fatalities from Burlington and Nelson Township are engraved on both sides of the column. On the back of the column the names of 17 key WWI Canadian battle locations such as Vimy Ridge, Arras, Mons, Ypres and the Somme are engraved. On the front of the column is a large bronze plaque four feet by three feet in size, with the names inscribed of 44 service people from this area who died in WWII.

Repair work will include: removal of loose corrosion products and accumulated dirt from the bronze statue, plaque and granite base; application of hot and cold wax to the bronze statue and plaque; filling in small bronze losses with wax; surface cleaning the bronze plaque and replacing missing hardware; replacing iron hardware with copper or stainless steel hardware; re-coating the lead lettering with black paint as required; replacing failing mortar on the granite base and surrounding pad.

Keenleyside spots errors on plaque describing the war memorial.

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