Burlington Fire Department releases video based on family’s close call with carbon monoxide.

 

News 100 redBy Staff

July 8, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

A crack in a furnace released carbon monoxide into a home –

CO is a gas you can’t see, smell or taste so the only way to detect it inside the home is with an alarm.

The Burlington Fire Department has released a public safety video to create awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO). Julia’s Story captures the emotional account of one family’s close call with CO after a crack in the home’s furnace led to a CO leak inside the home. The video addresses the signs and symptoms of CO exposure and how to prevent the threat of CO poisoning at home.

“Julia’s story is part of a storytelling campaign aimed at sharing the experiences of city residents during emergency situations,” said Fire Chief Tony Bavota. “We are grateful to Julia and her family for allowing us to tell their story, which underscores the importance of working carbon monoxide alarms.”

If you live in Burlington and have experienced a fire or life safety emergency, the fire department would like you to share your story; email them at – firedepartment@burlington.ca.

“The intent of the video is to tell a real and meaningful story to spark conversation within our community about CO,” said Public Education Officer Kim Sopko. “There are many stories out there like Julia’s. Our goal is to find and share those personal experiences to hopefully prevent the same situation from happening to others in our community.”

Julia’s Story and other fire and life safety education videos can be viewed on the fire department’s YouTube channel.

CO is a gas you can’t see, smell or taste so the only way to detect it inside the home is with an alarm. If it the alarm sounds, get outside immediately and call 9-1-1. More information on CO can be found at: www.burlington.ca/co.

The Burlington Fire Department is a composite force that includes career staff and volunteers serving the diverse needs of the community. The department’s activities include fire suppression, fire prevention, education, training and emergency planning.

Return to the Front page

Hospital asks for a re-jig of the funding formula - council says sure - the amount to be borrowed will push city close to its debt limits.

jbhhealthBy Pepper Parr

July 8, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

The Joseph Brant Hospital tag team paid a courtesy call on Council earlier this week and chit chatted about how things were coming along on the construction site; updated council on where things were with the community portion of the $120 million we have to come up with to get that refurbished hospital, large parts of which will be brand spanking new, top the point where people can use the place.

Annissa Hilborn and Eric Vandewall, she of the Hospital Foundation and he of the hospital itself, also left the city with a document that set out when and how much of the $60 million city taxpayers have been putting into a reserve fund for that rainy day when the hospital comes looking for a cheque.

The purpose of the meeting was to approve the amendments to the City’s Contribution Milestones and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the amending agreement.

JBH renering July -15 with passageway to garage

Most recent rendering of the Joseph Brant Hospital showing the bridge from the garage.

In July of 2012, Council approved a Contribution Agreement that had the city contributing $60 million towards the purchase of eligible equipment costs.
At the time there was a bit of a squabble on how the city was going to give money to the hospital. They, the hospital, wanted the city to pay for building the parking garage which Councillor Taylor objected to – unless the city was going to get the parking revenue. That idea didn’t fly.

They eventually settled on the city agreeing to pick up the tab for up to $60 million in equipment costs.

The initial cash flow from the hospital represented the their preliminary estimate of the equipment needs and cash flow requirements over the life of the JBH Redevelopment Project prior to the award of the construction Contract to Ellis Don Infrastructure JBH Inc.

Hospital cash flowThe revised schedule is now reflective of the equipment purchases required to align with the construction schedule of Ellis Don Infrastructure JBH Inc. which includes the opening of the new tower in 2017. The equipment requirements for the hospital fiscal years 2015/16 have decreased by $10.1 million. In 2016/17, the equipment requirements have increased by $22 million from the original contribution agreement. These changes are consistent with the construction project schedule and the requirement to acquire furniture, fixtures and equipment and install the same prior to the opening of the new tower in 2017.

The new tower will include a new Emergency department, three medical/surgical floors, a new ICU, new OR’s and day surgery and ambulatory care including a new Ophthalmology Clinic.

The comparison of the Revised Contribution Milestones is provided below:

JBH contribution milestones

2016 is going to be a crunch year – the hospital wants a lot of the money then – and we don’t have it – so we borrow – hoping that interest rates remain low.

The change in the cash flow advances the amount of debt required, but given the current favourable interest rates, the revised cash flow reduces the total levy and the length of time for the dedicated hospital levy from $62.1 million (19 years) to $59.5 million over 17 years.
The original cash flow is set out below

JBH original cash flow 2015

The revised cash flow means the city doesn’t have to borrow quite as much as it would have under the original flow.

The Contribution Agreement requires that JBH provide a Milestone Notice to the city at least three months in advance of each contribution date. This is critical in 2016 as this is the largest payment requiring a significant amount of debentures through the Region of Halton.

Each notice must contain:

• A statement confirming the application of all installments previously provided by the city to eligible costs
• A statement confirming the amount contributed by the Foundation to Local Share Plan Costs at that time (the agreement stipulates that the cumulative city contribution is not to exceed the amount contributed by the Foundation)
• A statement confirming the application of any unused funds from any prior city installment together with interest earned
• Any unused funds together with interest earned shall be used on account of the next city installment.

The city’s $60 million contribution is made up of cash payments totaling $24.1 M and debentures of $35.9 M. Debt repayment (principal and interest) amounts to $41.52 M (10 year debt at 1.951% for the 2015 issue and an assumed 3% for the 2016 debt issue). All cash and debt repayment is funded by the dedicated tax levy for the hospital.

Return to the Front page

Bandits lose a shootout in Barrie - 9-8 leaves them sixth in an 8 team league

element_sportsCBy Clinton Dixon

July 8, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

On a cold summer’s day the Burlington Bandits made their way North up the 400 to once again battle with the reigning IBL Champion Barrie Baycats. Unfortunately Burlington was not able to come out on top in the game, losing in a shootout, the final score 9-8 in favour of Barrie.

The game almost never happened as Barrie experienced heavy rainfall for the majority of the day. In the end the rain let up just in time, allowing Burlington to try and redeem themselves after losing to Barrie 17-4 at home last weekend. “We’ve been better,” said Burlington’s Coach Kyle MacKinnon, “we still have to fight with the top dogs. Keep scratching out the wins we should, and beat someone we shouldn’t.”

After a 45-minute delay the field was finally ready and Colonel Doyon, Commander of Canadian Forces Base Borden, took the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Military Day at Coates Stadium.

Baycat batter July 8

Luis Diaz tosses his bat after being walked.

When the game finally got underway it was easy to see that the wet conditions were making it tough for both teams. In the top of the first inning Adam Odd hit a ground ball right at Barrie’s second baseman Luis Diaz; the play should have resulted in an easy out, but the conditions resulted in Diaz losing grip on the ball, throwing into his own dugout. Odd would score shortly afterwards to open the scoring for the game.

From that point on there were several lead changes that saw Burlington put up the fight their coach was asking for.

However, they weren’t able to find that killer instinct and put the game out of reach. After holding the lead several times the Bandits found themselves going into the eighth inning down 8-5. After Brandon Hillier singled to left and Adam Odd singled to right Shaun Cooper stepped to the plate and belted a home run to tie the game.

The season needed a lot of improvement - but the community spirit is certainly evident.

Bandits lose to the Barrie Baycats – Close – but that doesn’t count in baseball.

Sadly the win wasn’t in the cards for Burlington, in the bottom of the eighth Luis Diaz scored for Barrie on a single by Kyle DeGrace, putting the Baycats on top for good as they went on to win the game 9-8.

The loss leaves Burlington with an 8-16 record, and in sixth position in the eight team league.

The Bandits now travel to Brantford to play the Red Sox tonight, Wednesday July 8 at 8:00 p.m.

Return to the Front page

Performing Arts Centre repeats it call for local talent to Showcase in the 2016 - 2016 season.

Arts and entertainment graphicBy Staff

July 7, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

If at first you don’t succeed try, try again.

The Burlington Performing Arts Centre has issued a new call for applications to audition for talent Showcase spots that will be part of the 2015/2016 season

BPAC at night

The Performing Arts Centre has initiated a Community Engagement program that will introduce amateur performers to theatre patrons.

This is part of the Centre’s Community Engagement initiative.  They want to involve local amateur talent in Burlington and surrounding areas to showcase prior to a selection of events in the Main Theatre throughout the 2015/2016 Season.

These showcases are to complement the show in Main Theatre. For example if the event in the Main Theatre is a dance event then the group that will be chosen to Showcase their talent the lobby will be dance.

If the Main stage has song then the group – or a single person – will be a singer.

The objective is to have what is being showcased compliment what is taking place on the Main theatre stage.

There is a small honorarium for the Lobby Showcases and artists will get an opportunity to market their brand at that time, while reaching a new audience. The artists may also be added to the City of Burlington’s Artists database, with their permission.  The honorarium was a change from the original announcement

The selected performers will get one of eight Lobby Showcase spots available throughout the 2015/2016 Presenting Season and they, as well as others selected, may also get a chance to be featured in the Culture Days celebrations, September 25 to 27, 2015.

The Centre’s goal is to provide these local acts with greater exposure – to introduce the artists to the Centre;s patrons, and a wider audience – encouraging local artists on their way to becoming better known in the community.

werf

If the Burlington Teen Tour Band can do their thing in the lobby of the Performing Arts Centre – imagine what a smaller group could do?

We are looking for singer/songwriters, dancers, singers (pop, jazz, blues, folk, classical), bands or combos, instrumentalists and soloists (classical, jazz, etc.), performance art and comedy.  Please submit the following by email to: BPACAuditions@burlington.ca

Include photos, a short biography and background information, a description of the act or performer, any links to YouTube videos if available, and contact information.

Dateline for submissions is July 24, 2015.

There are limited spots available so only the acts or artists selected will be contacted with an audition date and time. Auditions will take place on September 19 and 20, from 10am to 5pm.

Any further inquiries may be made to Community Engagement Manager, Costin Manu, at costin.manu@burlington.ca

Return to the Front page

City of Burlington and Transit Workers, reach a tentative settlement; they did the same thing last week

News 100 blueBy Staff

July 7, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

A tentative settlement was reached today between the City of Burlington and the members of CUPE Local 2723, representing Burlington Transit workers.

The union will be holding a ratification meeting on July 12. Both parties have been ordered by the conciliator to respect a full blackout on any details of the settlement until the day of ratification. Both parties fully recommend the tentative deal.

Strike signThe city has known for some time that there were going to be problems with the transit union; a tentative deal, which was recommended by the union negotiators to the membership, was nevertheless turned down by the membership.

There is something the transit workers are really unhappy with.  Was the city able to sweeten the deal enough for the membership to accept?  We will know Sunday evening

The union has informed the city that if the tentative settlement is rejected by the union members, a transit strike would start effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday, July 13.

That’s cutting it close.

City staff are concerned that a lengthy strike will drive people away from transit – and it takes a long long time to win them back.  Critical; time for transit in Burlington

The community is encouraged to consider alternative arrangements for transportation in the event of a strike.

Return to the Front page

Car show will create transit detour - Brant closed south of Caroline from 7 am to 5 pm on the 11th

News 100 redBy Staff

July 7, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Let us add to your traffic woes.

Burlington Transit routes and 5 will detour this Saturday, July 11

Brant street will be closed from Caroline to Lakeshore Rd. in both directions, from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. during the “Burlington Downtown Car Show”.

Routes 3 and 5 will be detoured in downtown as follows:

From Burlington GO to Downtown Transit Terminal:
• regular routing to Caroline
• left on Caroline
• right on John St.

From Downtown Transit Terminal to Burlington GO:
• north on John St to Caroline
• left on Caroline to Brant St.
• right on Brant St.

Return to the Front page

Summer traffic woes on Maplewood Drive and parts of Plains Road West

News 100 blueBy Staff

July 7, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Summer traffic woes.

Traffic alerts –Maplewood Drive and Plains Road West have trouble spots.

Maplewood Drive will be temporarily closed from Brant Street to Robinson Street from July 2 to July 9, 2015 for the installation of a sanitary sewer.

The northbound lane of Plains Road West between Hillsdale Avenue and York Boulevard will have a temporary lane closure for work to rehabilitate a bridge.

The lane restriction is in place from July 7 to Oct. 30, 2015.

Access to buildings along this section of Plains Road West will be maintained at all times.

Return to the Front page

Is the Food Truck a fad, a new phenomenon or the shape of things to come?

News 100 yellowBy Tara Hall

July 7, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Food trucks are more than just a phenomenon, they’re a social movement

What was once the domain of fried potatoes and tubular meat products has undergone a culinary revolution. Food trucks are more than just a phenomenon or fad. They represent a new social movement in the culinary world and deserve a place in the foodscape of a vibrant community.

Food trucks - hundreds of people

That is a crowd and that is a circle of Food Trucks – the idea has taken hold – will Burlington ever see a set up like this?

The rise of the gourmet food truck movement began early this century with the economic downtown in the United States. There was a convergence of opportunities. A drop in housing and construction saw mobile food vehicles that had once served the construction sites go under.

Restaurants felt the pinch as the economy slowed and were laying off staff, and frugal consumers were looking for inexpensive meals. Unemployed chefs, cheap trucks and thrifty consumers made the gourmet food truck an opportunity to cash in on.

Less than a decade since, IBISWorld research estimates that there are more than 4,000 food trucks operating in the United States and they have out-performed the rest of the food industry. The movement came to Canada about five years ago.

Food truck - bright

Some of the Food trucks are almost an art form

Niagara’s el Gastronomo Vagabundo, started operation in 2010 and is widely regarded as the first gourmet food truck in Canada and certainly a pioneer in Ontario’s growing food truck movement. It is a movement that has already established a hold in Golden Horseshoe communities outside of Burlington and contributes to their status as culinary destinations for foodies.

In today’s consumer culture we buy the signs and ideas more so than the commodity itself. In the case of food we’re not buying sustenance, we’re buying, local, organic, vegan, exotic, fusion, gourmet, authentic, exclusive, trendy, ethical, artisanal sustenance.

This shift in the culinary world is not about food trucks. Rather, the foodie culture has been a growing movement and smart restauranteurs recognize the trends. There has been democratization of the food world at the consumer end where foodies seek authentic, exotic, ethical or gourmet food but a bricks and mortar restaurant, whether it’s hole-in-the-wall or haute cuisine, is where you’ve needed to go to get it.

Food trucks, however, represent a democratization at the production end. Food truckers have brought all the caché foodie consumers seek to a mobile space that comes to a street near you. The trucks come with gourmet food, bright colours, amusing names, and a buzz created by social media.

The trucks often pay homage to the cuisine, cooking techniques or food represented. There is a playful imitation of gourmet or comfort food but in a way that celebrates the original. Comfort food like grilled cheese is elevated with gourmet artisanal ingredients. A blurring of culinary genres is a common food truck theme as evidenced by Asian tacos with kimchi or a truck dedicated to noodles from all culinary traditions.

Food truck - British fare

You know what you’re getting from this Food Truck

Foodies, seeking that authentic, exotic, ethical or gourmet food now have another place to get it. Restaurant associations, rather than welcoming the culinary newcomers have lobbied municipalities for restrictive by-laws that limit them. In some cities entire zones are off limits for food trucks and although another restaurant can open up next door a food truck can’t operate for the afternoon within a specified buffer zone. What the restaurant associations don’t realize is that if a foodie wants a food truck experience they will find a food truck. If they want a Michelin star experience they will find a Michelin star restaurant. That is a part of what the foodie culture is about.

As for food truckers, they’re a plucky lot. Food truck operators in Ontario formed an association of their own to lobby for better access to streets and parks. They founded locations in some communities with access for all food trucks, and participate in food truck rallies where they come together and operate as a collective attraction.

Their marketing techniques are primarily through social media and cross promote other trucks. Some are fine to stay on the road while others may look at the truck as a stepping stone to a bricks and mortar operation. Just down the road in food truck friendly Hamilton, at least three food trucks are opening restaurants in the community.

Food truck - extended

This is taking the idea of a Food Truck a little further than the very first vehicles – but if there is a market for this – who knows.

Although meeting with resistance from traditional restaurants, and municipal politics, the renegade restaurants on wheels are a growing success and a movement that’s here to stay.

Indeed they are – the design of the Beachway Park – that we won’t see for at least ten years includes Food Trucks that will cater to the thousands of people who will use that park.

About the author:

I am not in the food truck or any food service industry, nor do I have family or friends in the industry. I work in municipal government for the City of Hamilton. The research I based the op-ed on was conducted as part of my studies towards a Masters of Arts in Intercultural and International Communications through Royal Roads University in Victoria. It’s based on a project that I completed for a Public Culture course where I looked at the food truck movement in Southern Ontario from a postmodern perspective.

Return to the Front page

Is there a future for the oldest farmhouse in the downtown core? Could be if the city planners and the developer get creative.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

July 7, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

It’s pretty clear now that the house William Ghent lived in as a farmer is going to meet the nudge of a wrecking ball.

Studio - Ghent farm house - bigger view

The last genuine farm house in the downtown core – can any of it be salvaged?

The Development and Infrastructure Standing Committee decided not to go along with a staff report that advised the city not to issue a demolition permit.
The goose was cooked” when Jim Clemens said during his delegation that he would be very hard pressed to find a strong reason for keeping the structure.

Clemens Jim - Heritage

Heritage Advisory Chair Jim Clemens didn’t see enough in the Ghent – Brant property to designate it – without the designation the city has to issue a demolition permit if one is sought.

Clemens did say that he hoped a way could be found to save parts of the structure – perhaps the façade of the building and include that in whatever gets built on the lot at the corner of Ghent and Brant Street along with the property to the south of it.

Tony Millington, the private planner on the file said that the owners of the property had not yet decided what they were going to build but that they expected to come back and ask for zoning to build at least an eight storey structure.

The city’s planning department still harbours hopes that something can be saved – the structure is the very last farm house in the downtown core.

While Ghent was the owner of the property when it was divided into eight 5 acres parcels – that would qualify him as one of the city’s earliest developers – he really didn’t live in the house all that long.

The property will soon be in the hands of a developer – all they have to do is convince council to give them the zoning and density they want and that corner of the city will be like most of the other – plain, bland and uninspiring.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

There are two classical Renaissance style structures on Yonge Street in Toronto that were basically abandoned years ago.  Both were banks.

Bank front for Massey Tower

Abandoned bank on Yonge Street in Toronto found a new life – as the lobby to a high rise condominium. Imagine this as the front door to your home.

A developer came up with a way to use one of the abandoned banks as the entrance to a high rise condominium that would be built behind and above the old bank.

The pictures tell the story.

Massey Tower

The classical structure was saved – lending much more comfortable street scape and a lobby that is to die for.

Does Burlington have a developer with some imagination and the ability to take a risk and include the farmhouse in whatever they decide to build – and get a little extra density for their efforts?

That farmhouse could be changed into a general store, a drug store, even a coffee shop that would enhanced the property and keep some of the city’s heritage.

It can be done.

Woodbine - the beauties

A stretch of anything but contemporary looking homes in the Beach of eastern Toronto

There is a stretch of Toronto along the lakeshore in the east end where the road bends and becomes Woodbine Avenue. Years ago a racetrack was on that property.

A developer bought the land and developed a nice sub-division – not unlike our Alton Village. They were nice enough.

Woodbine beauties - Brick and best colour BEST

Buyers had a choice between plain bland brick and colourful semi-detached homes – the colourful homes sold for a premium.

The developer was getting on in years and decided he wanted to do something different so he built a stretch of the development that were significantly different than the rest – they were brightly painted and just different – and they ended up selling at a premium price.

The public will buy different – if the developers don’t come forward with different ideas – there are people in the planning department that can help them,

Let’s see what the end resolution is with the property at Ghent and Brant.

Return to the Front page

Royal Botanical Gardens’ workers to stage ‘Still Falling Behind in Paradise’ rally tomorrow

News 100 redBy Staff

July 7, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

The unions in this city seem to be on a bit of a roll  – while the city’s outside workers settled  – the transit drivers have yet to accept the city’s latest offer.

The 33 front-line workers who maintain the Royal Botanical Gardens gardens, grounds and buildings, are facing the harsh reality of falling behind as their wages have not kept pace with inflation in decades.

Hendrie Gardens RBGThe union points to the pride of the RBG being an ‘ecological jewel’ and a living paradise for locals and visitors to escape to, the workers who maintain the place are not happy campers

“While RBG’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) saw his salary increase by 40 thousand dollars from 2006 to 2014, the workers who tend to the ecological jewel received 0 per cent for 8 of the past 20 years,” said Sandra Walker, president of CUPE 5167, representing RBG workers.

RBG gardens - lots of colour

Thirty three grounds workers make all this happen – they’d like to see the same increase in their pay cheque that the CEO got.

“While they love the gardens, our members have truly fallen behind in ‘paradise’ because at the end of the day they have to feed their families and not just admire the beauty of RBG.”

Over the years, the workers were forced to accept none to very minimal wage increases to keep the RBG operating financially. As a result of their sacrifices to keep RBG afloat, the workers’ wages have fallen behind drastically and they are now attempting to address the wage issue in this round of bargaining talks. Their last contract expired on January 15, 2015.

Both the union and management are scheduled to return to bargaining talks on July 14 with the help of a provincial conciliator. The workers voted unanimously, a 100% mandate, to secure a fair contract that corrects the wage gap, including job action if necessary.

“According to the CEO, last year was a positive year for the RBG, with a new five-year strategic plan that aims to position the RBG as a global leader in the next decade,” said Walker. “Our members support this plan and they’ve worked hard to help RBG turn the corner, and it is now time for management to help workers with real wage increases.”

To highlight the economic challenges faced by the workers, they will hold a ‘Still Falling Behind in Paradise’ rally on Wednesday, July 8 at 5:00 p.m. outside of the RBG entrance at 680 Plains Road West in Burlington.

Return to the Front page

CineStarz - Show times - July 10 to 16, 2015

Cinestarz logo

 

Cine Starz Upper Canada Place
460 Brant Street
WWW CINESTARZ.CA

 

SHOWTIMES July 10 to 16, 2015

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON PG
Fri to Thur 1:00 3:10 5:10 7:10 9:40

MAX PG
Fri to Thur 11:30 1:30 3:30 5:30 7:30 9:30

SAN ANDREAS PG
Fri to Thur 1:10 3:10 5:40 7:40 9:40

ME AND EARL AND THE DYING PG
Fri to Thur 11:20 1:20 3:15 7:35 9:30

WATER DIVINER 14A
Fri to Thur 11:00 7:40 9:40

PITCH PERFECT2 PG
Fri to Thur 5:05 7:40

TOMORROWLAND PG
Fri to Thur 12:45 3:10 5:15

MAD MAX FURY ROAD 18A
Fri to Thur 9:45

HOME G
Fri to Thur 11:15 3:30

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD PG
Fri to Thur 11:00 1:00 5:30

Return to the Front page

Conduct an orchestra! They will put the baton in your hand. Wow!

News 100 blueBy Staff

July 7, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Have you ever marvelled at that guy in front of that big orchestra and the way he waves his arms around and gets everybody to play just the way he wants?

orchestra conductorSymphony on the Bay has been performing in Burlington for the past 4 years at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.(www.symphonyonthebay.com)

They were the orchestra playing the concert with the fireworks on Canada Day in Spencer Smith Park.

The orchestra will be taking part in Culture Days and is looking for people, ages 6 and up, who would like to conduct the orchestra in a” pass the baton” relay at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre on Sunday, September 27.

Anyone interested can contact Andrea Battista at abattista1@cogeco.ca.

Return to the Front page

Be part of the show - Koogle looking for dancers to take part in September's Culture Days

News 100 redBy Staff

July 6, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Koogle Theatre Company will be holding auditions on Sunday August 9 for local dancers!

Koogle at bandshell - hippies

A Koogle Theatre event that took place in Central Park – they will be taking part in Culture Days in September

They are looking for dancers of all ages for the Culture Days event on Sept 27,

Contact info@koogletheatre.com if interested.

Rehearsals will be on Sundays in August and Sept.

Culture Days, which take place in late September have grown to become almost the major growth event that involves people in the city and the thousands that visit Burlington.

Here is an opportunity to be part of the event.

Return to the Front page

Line up for the first Lowville festival announced - Gordie Tapp will be making an appearance.

News 100 blueBy Pepper Parr

July 6, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Robert Missen doesn’t speak – he gushes.

Words tumble out of him – he has so much he wants to say and the passion behind his words is palpable – so it was no surprise that the launch of the Lowville Festival was going to be – well extensive.

Lowville? Sure – everyone wants to be in Spencer Smith Park where the crowds have lots of room.

Lowville Rickli with torch

They live life differently in Lowville – here the citizens celebrate an equinox.

Missen calls Lowville a hamlet – could be, it is certainly a community with its own identity that it does not appreciate people trifling with. They do things differently up there.

Bronte Creek runs through the community and God help anyone foolish enough tio dump trash into the part of the creek that runs through Lowville.

Missen tells the story of the launch this way: “The hills and dales of north Burlington’s beautiful Escarpment country will be alive this summer with the sounds of music, theatre, dance and spoken word.; Told ya – he gushes.

And he has a lot to gush about – check the lineup- Gordie Tapp will perform,  Stuart Laughton will perform (you don’t know who Laughton is? you will once you hear him)

The inaugural Lowville Festival will feature many of Lowville and Burlington’s finest performers, as well as a number of the country’s most superb artists.

LOWVILLE SCHOOL HOUSE

The school house hasn’t seen a student for some time – the Jazz group should give the rafters a wake up call.

The Festival will begin on Thursday July 16th with an open-air performance of Shakespeare’s HAMLET, presented by Toronto’s Driftwood Theatre. A special free workshop takes place that afternoon.
On Friday July 17th, the festival will kick into high gear with a gala benefit concert called SWINGIN’ ON A STAR at St. George’s Anglican Hall.

The first half of the concert will celebrate a wide variety of Burlington performers, including Stuart Laughton, this year’s Burlington Hall of Fame Award winner, and Charles Cozens, one of the country’s finest conductor/arrangers.

The second half is a salute to the 100th birthday of Frank Sinatra, the 20th century’s finest pop singer. The concert also marks the launch of the Lowville Festival Choir under the direction of Wayne Strongman, former conductor of Hamilton’s Bach Elgar Choir.

Saturday’s activities will take place in Lowville’s Victorian schoolhouse, located right in the centre of the hamlet of Lowville. Both concerts will be curated by Burlington singer-songwriter Andy Griffiths.

The festival concludes on Sunday with three unique events.

In the morning, Kilbride’s Anna Schantz, a specialist teacher in Nia Dance, will lead a special free dance fitness experience in Music, Movement, and Magic .

The legendary Burlington entertainer Gordie Tapp headlines FOR LOVE OF LOWVILLE, a celebration of the history and environment in and around Lowville, to be held in Lowville United Church on Sunday afternoon. He will be joined by local novelist Janet Turpin Myers and blues singer Melissa Bel, among other performers.

The festival finale, SUMMER SERENADE, also at St. George’s Hall, will feature a range of classical and musical theatre artists, including Rebecca Caine, star of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, and virtuoso Oakville cellist Rachel Mercer. The festival will conclude with a special tribute to The Sound of Music.

gordie_tapp

Gordie Tapp, a one time Lowville resident, will make an appearance at the festival. Hee haw!

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,

These days everyone collaborates or has partners – the festival has partnered with Thinkspot, Ticketpro and Robert Lowrey, Piano Experts – these are the Official Festival Sponsors.

The city of Burlington gets a nod for its support under its Love My Hood initiative. The proters have a very special thanks for both Lowville United Church and St. George’s Anglican Church Lowville, whose support for the festival has been invaluable.

The Lowville Festival has a unique mandate- A festival of all the arts for the artist in all of us.
For more information contact Robert Missen at 905-632-6047 or rmissen@sympatico.ca

The events break out this way:

DRIFTWOOD THEATRE WORKSHOP
THURSDAY JULY 16 2:30 pm
6210 LOWVILLE PARK ROAD

Driftwood Theatre offers a free workshop and opportunity to perform in the evening’s performance of HAMLET. Contact www.thinkspot.ca to sign up.

DRIFTWOOD THEATRE’S HAMLET
THURSDAY JULY 16TH 6 pm Doors Open. 7:30 Show commences.
6210 LOWVILLE PARK ROAD

Shakespeare’s royal murder mystery featuring some of the most famous lines in theatre unfolds for audiences outdoors in beautiful Lowville Park. Driftwood Theatre. Toronto’s professional touring company, is offering this classic play for a Suggested Ticket Price of $20 or Pay What You Can.
Sponsored by THINKSPOT

Local musician to play the Queen's Head Thursday night.

Local musician to play the Queen’s Head Thursday night.

SWINGIN’ ON A STAR
FRIDAY JULY 17, 2015 7:30 PM
ST. GEORGE’S PARISH HALL

Loretta Bailey and Robert Missen, hosts.
Artists include Stuart Laughton, Renee Barabash, Andy Griffiths, Dacid Warrack, Lorraine Foreman, Michael Mulrooney, Jude Johnson, Charles Cozens, Wayne Strongman and the Lowville Festival Choir,

The first Lowville Festival with a Gala Concert featuring a wide range of superlative performers, most of whom hail from Burlington.

Classical, pop, jazz, blues, folk, musical theatre. The second half of the concert will be a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Frank Sinatra. Proceeds from this benefit concert will be dedicated to the establishment of the festival.

$25 ADVANCE/$30 AT THE DOOR

MY CAT FLASH’S SOPHISTICATED SONGS FOR KIDS
SATURDAY JULY 18TH 2 PM
LOWVILLE SCHOOLHOUSE

ANDY GRIFFITHS and FRANK KOREN
Burlington singer-songwriter Andy Griffiths launches his new kids’ show, which will also entertain the kid in all of us.

$10

ROOTS N’ ROLL: ACOUSTIC ROOTS IN THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE
SATURDAY JULY 18TH 8 PM
LOWVILLE SCHOOLHOUSE

Andy Griffiths and Frank Koren and Kim

Join Andy and his Burlington musical friends for an intimate evening with local songwriters in the Victorian stone schoolhouse in the centre of Lowville.

$20

SUNDAY JULY 19TH 11 AM
LOWVILLE PARK, between the playground and the creek,
under the trees
ADMISSION FREE

NIA is a joyful, mindful, and expressive physical conditioning practice, incorporating moves from dance, martial arts, yoga and other alignment arts, as well as individualized, free form movement. NIA offers fun and fitness to men and women of all ages and fitness abilities. Join Nia Black Belt teacher Anna Schantz for a NIA dance fitness experience in Music, Movement, and Magic. Theme: Psychedelic Sunday. Bare feet, hippie attire, and flowers most welcome. Suitable for everybody. www.nianow.com

Janet Turpin Meyers, local author launches her first title at the end of the month.

Janet Turpin Meyers, local author will appear at the Lowville Jazz festival.

FOR LOVE OF LOWVILLE
SUNDAY JULY 19TH 2 PM
LOWVILLE UNITED CHURCH

Lorretta Bailey and Robert Misen, hosts

Artists include Melissa Bel, Janet Turpin Myers, Loraine Foreman, Jude Johnson, Lorreta Bailey, Robert Missen and Daryl Webber.

Special Guest: GORDIE TAPP

Celebrating the rich historical and Escarpment heritage of the hamlet of Lowville in a concert that combines music and the spoken word. Local musicians Melissa Bel and Lorretta Bailey are joined by novelist Janet Turpin Myers. Legendary Burlington entertainer Gordie Tapp, formerly of Lowville, will be reunited with Lorraine Foreman, his colleague on Country Hoedown, one of the most popular Canadian television shows of the fifties.

$20 ADVANCE/$25 AT THE DOOR

SUMMER SERENADE
SUNDAY JULY 19TH 7:30 PM
ST. GEORGE’S PARISH HALL

rebecca_caine

Rebecca Caine of Les Miserables fame will be part of the Lowville festival

ROBERT MISSEN is hosting this event.
Artists include Rebecca Caine, soprano; Robert Kortgaard , piano; Rachel Mercer, cello; Stuart Laughton, trumpet; Renee Barabash, piano; Michael Mulrooney,  piano

Missen says rhey will be bringing  the inaugural festival to a glorious conclusion (I did say he gushs) with a concert featuring some of the country’s finest classical and musical theatre artists. Rebecca Caine, the original Cosette in Les Miserables and star of the Toronto production of Phantom of the Opera; Oakville-born cellist Rachel Mercer; and virtuoso trumpeter Stuart Laughton will present a concert featuring Bach, Chopin and Schafer as well as a special tribute to The Sound of Music.

$25 ADVANCE/$30 AT THE DOOR

Lowville doesn’t see this much action even during the Winter Carnival.  Getting around Lowville is easy once you know where you are going.

The United Church is at the corner of Guelph Line and Britannia Road with a decent parking lot behind the church.

St. Georges isn’t actually in Lowville, it isn’t even in Burlington. It is on Guelph Line just above Derry Road – can’t miss the place – it is a beautiful stone building built in 1896

Tckets can be had on line at Ticketpro

Available at the door – but cash only.

Return to the Front page

Police bring technology to the original Neighborhood Watch concept - SCRAM is a big help.

Crime 100By Staff

July 4, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Kind of tough when you can’t be sure that the things you left in your car while it was parked in the driveway overnight are going to be there when you get in the car the next morning. But that is what it has come to.

Halton Police constantly remind the public to lock their vehicles parked in the driveway and more importantly, to hide and secure valuables such as electronics from sight.

Sure – throw a blanket over the dash board – that will just encourage the thieves to beak the window. In their media release their police said: “Dash mounted GPS devices left in plain view resulted in vehicle windows being smashed to gain entry.”

Car broken into

This is a scene far too many car owners are seeing when they walk out of the house to get into the car they had parked in the driveway.

Overnight, between June 30 and July 1, 2015, several vehicle entries occurred in the Region with Oakville being hit the hardest. Thieves were checking for unlocked car doors looking for cash, GPS devices and other electronics.

The police continue to investigate vehicle entries and ask the public to make extra efforts to keep valuables safe and hidden from sight. If possible, take any valuable electronics into the home at night so not to attract wandering thieves.

Catching these thieves is not always easy – the police usually don’t have much to go on. It was that fact that brought about SCRAM.

Halton Regional Police have a Security Camera Registration and Monitoring program, ( S.C.R.A.M) a community based crime prevention opportunity and investigative tool that enlists the help of Halton residents.

S.C.R.A.M. enables community members to voluntarily identify and register their residential video surveillance equipment through a simple, secure, confidential, online form located on the Halton Regional Police Service website. https://bit.ly/11B4FNE

Surveillance-Cameras - home -  graphic

One camera is usually enough for decent home surveillance.

A number of people wonder just what giving police access to your home security means. You are not giving the police any access when you register – what you are doing in letting the police know that you have an electronic security system. If there is a crime near your home the police will know that you have a security camera and may ask if they can look at what was captured by your camera.

You are under no obligation to hand over anything.

When investigating a crime the police usually end up going door to door hoping that someone may have seen something – if they knew where the security cameras were they could narrow down the search area.

Door to door can be a time-consuming endeavour as it may include a 360 radius around the crime scene. Armed with the knowledge of locations of security cameras, police can better focus their investigation. This has proven helpful in many investigations where suspect vehicles or suspects themselves have been picked up on third-party camera systems. Knowing a “direction” enables investigators to focus their attention on that particular path, even at considerable distances, where perhaps another camera may be located.

Investigators have been surprised by the number of residents choosing to protect their homes and property with security cameras. Canvassing a neighbourhood is a time-consuming endeavour and the program will only be as good as the data inputted. That’s why the police want your help.

The objective of the program is primarily to build a database of camera locations in our community. Adding a security camera to your property is an excellent crime prevention tool, and is a way for you to protect your OWN property. Allowing the police quick access to potential recordings of crimes in progress is a way for citizens to help make our communities safer for everyone.

Neighbourhood watch graphicThe police are No. We are asking the public to take an active part in helping make your community safer. Neighbourhood Watch was a recognized crime prevention initiative many years ago; police asked neighbours to look out for neighbours. This is the technological extension of that.

If you think this might be something you want to take part in – click on this link.

Return to the Front page

That was a big hole in that donut - Tim Horton franchise takes a $200,000 hit.

Crime 100By Staff

July 3, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

On June 15, 2015, the owners of a Tim Hortons franchise in the City of Burlington learned there was a lot of money that didn’t make it to the bank.  The police describe the situation this way: “extensive amount of deposits remained outstanding”  as the the company attempted to complete the year-end financial statements.

The calculated loss from these outstanding balances between January 2014 until May 2015 was just over $200,000.00.

Donut hole

There was a big hole in the deposit donut at a Tim Hortons franchise in Burlington

An employee, responsible for the Tim Hortons bank deposits was identified and the owners reported the theft to Halton Police on June 29, 2015.

On June 30, 2015, the accused was arrested.

Accused:

Mariel ABEJERO, 42 years, from Hamilton has been charged with:

Theft Over $5000

The accused is schedule to attend court on July 29, 2015.

Return to the Front page

Fibre artists return the collection of Guilds at the Art Gallery of Burlington.

News 100 yellowBy Staff

July 3, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Guilds were a medieval association of craftsmen or merchants, often having considerable power that determined the rules for the practice of a trade. The name stuck and is now applied to groups of people who get together to do a particular form of art.

Burlington has had six guilds working out of the Art Gallery of Burlington; Arts Burlington recently announced a seventh guild that will focus on Fibre Arts

Losier - Red poppies

Apiece by Claudette Losier that was included in an Art Gallery exhibition. Losier has gone on to be invited to take part in an exhibition in New York city.

In truth, this is not a new guild. The fibre artists have been a guild of Arts Burlington in the past but were smaller at that time and were unable to provide support to the activities of Arts Burlington at that time.

However today, to our benefit, the Fibre Arts Guild has grown and is able to rejoin us in this exciting new stage of activity of the Arts at the AGB.

There are more than 400 paintings in the Art Rental inventory

There are more than 400 paintings in the Art Rental inventory; just some pf the work done by Burlington artists,

There is a renewal of activities, a spirit of adventure as new things emerge from the Guilds.

The new Juried Show format for 2015 was a resounding success. Arts Burlington looks forward to more great things in the coming years and are happy to have the Fibre Arts Guild join us in the adventure!

The current guilds are:

Fibre Arts
Handweavers and Spinners
Hooking Craft
Latow (Photography)
Potters
Sculptors and Woodcarvers

Fine Arts

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Guilds can be found at Arts Burlington

Return to the Front page

Delivering the same benefits to every union worker is a question that may not have been settled - but the Outside workers are happy.

BNews 100 bluey Pepper Parr

July 2, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

When it is in their best interests, city hall knows how to move.

CUPE Local 44 (outside and arena/outdoor pool operators) completed their ratification vote at 3:00 pm on Thursday July 2nd – at 3:48 pm the city issued a media release saying they were pleased to announce that both the members of CUPE Local 44 (outside and arena/outdoor pool operators) and City Council have ratified a three-year collective agreement, which runs from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2017.

There were no mention of the details of the settlement agreement.

What the Gazette found a little confusing was how the city could accept an agreement without it being ratified by the union.

City Hall BEST aerial

Access to meetings and critical documents is not what the public thinks it is.

That was easy – the city held a special council meeting – it didn’t advise the media of the Special Council meeting at which they were briefed on the tentative agreement that was awaiting ratification. They apparently said that if the union ratified the agreement that was tentative at that point –  then it was understood that the city had agreed.

That sounded a little slick but Roy Male, the Executive Director or Human Resources emailed the Gazette saying: “We did this to be proactive to speed up the approval process to remove any uncertainty in the public’s mind about the services which may have been affected.”

Fine – but the city didn’t issue a statement after that June 30th meeting which media didn’t attend because they were not advised.

To be fair the city does put a notice of meetings in the mail slot each media has however most of us don’t trot over to city hall to see if there is any mail every couple of hours.

When the Mayor wants to call a Special Meeting of Council there is a rigid procedure he has to follow. That procedure should include an electronic noticed to the media. Given that the Mayor has a full time media person in his office he can’t say he isn’t aware of how media works.

The Mayor doesn’t talk to the Gazette anymore. A number of months the Mayor decided he didn’t like what we were saying about him and decided he wasn’t going to return our phone calls. We didn’t know this was the position the Mayor had taken until we asked why phone calls were not being returned.

That is when he told the Gazette we were not fair or balanced.

We have never had the Mayor tell us precisely what it is we were saying that was not fair and balanced.

Krantz and John Vice

Milton Mayor Krantz explains to Conservation Halton how the media works.

A few weeks ago the Gazette was in Milton covering a Conservation Halton awards event and met with Gord Krantz, Mayor of Milton, who commented to John Vice, chair of the Conservation Board that he never worried about what the media said about him – he worried when the media stopped saying anything about him. Krantz has been Mayor of Milton for 25 years. Burlington’s Mayor should spend a little more time with Gord Krantz when they cross paths at Regional Council.

Burlington is not a media friendly town. City managers tend to set the tone on what comes out of city hall; each council members decides what they want in the way of a relationship with media. Some council members have particularly thin skins and don’t handle criticism all that well.

But we digress.

According to union negotiators the pressing issue for them was benefits for those workers who were over the age of 65. While the collective agreement that was in place called for the city to pay the same benefits to all employees the union was not aware that they weren’t being paid because there were no members over the age of 65.

The Outside workers ratified their agreement – union negotiators will not say if the benefits issue was resolved; they added that they do not have any workers over the age of 65.

The transit union does have workers over the age of 65 who are not getting the same benefit package as those who are under 65.

educated union member_editedThe union maintains that they were not aware that union members were being treated differently – it wasn’t until they began getting complaints from union members over 65 that the problem came to their attention.

Apparently the city instructed their benefits provider not to give the same benefits to everyone.

It is clear that there isn’t a collaborative working arrangement between the union and the city’s human resources department.

It will be interesting to see if the transit works ratify the agreement.

Another confusing point; both unions are CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) members. Why would one union – Local 44 ratify the agreement before the Local 2723 – the transit union if the matter of benefits mattered to both?

We thought solidarity was the glue that gave the union its clout.

Splash pad LaSalle - swimming

Splash pads are guaranteed to be open for the summer – gives the kids a place to play and keep the heat off the members of council

In its media release the city said: “ Thanks to the co-operation of CUPE and our employees, it is business as usual for city services that include outdoor pools, summer ice use, all sports fields and all outdoor maintenance services.”

At the closed council meeting of June 30th the city passed a Bylaw # 71-2015 to confirm the proceedings of Special Council at its meeting held Tuesday, June 30, 2015, being read a first, second and third time.

Fine – what did the Bylaw say: Can’t tell you – it wasn’t published and you can’t get it instantly online. Here is what the city says about Access to Bylaws

“The City of Burlington provides online versions of bylaws for information and reference purposes only. Posted documents are not consolidated with all possible amending and repealing bylaws: users refer to these online documents at their own risk. For the greatest level of accuracy and reliability, please obtain a certified copy of a bylaw and its applicable amending bylaws from the Clerks department: contact Service Burlington at 905-335-7600, or email records@burlington.ca.”

This is not the mark of an open, transparent government.

Return to the Front page

Sometimes they have to hit you with a 2 x 4 - Ouch!

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

July 2, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Maybe I slept in a little longer than I should have this morning,  after a long, fun filled Canada Day.  Whatever, I wasn’t functioning all that well when putting together the pice on the newest Performing Arts Centre Community Initiative.

weefrt

Performing Arts Centre comes out with an interesting Community Initiative. You’ll have to hustle to meet that deadline.

By the way the Performing Arts people are doing a better job than the city is so far in the community initiative field – but that’s another story.

We got some information on a new idea the Centre was doing and were putting the story together when we came across a part that wasn’t clear to us.  Several back and forths via email (have you noticed that you never get the full answer to the question the first time?) and what was not clear was now clear and we published the piece.

The error in the headline was glaring – we got a polite email asking that we fix it – we did.

Got another call saying it wasn’t fixed – it was.  I had changed the date.

Then I was told it wasn’t the date that was wrong – it was both the month and the date in the headline that was wrong.

With two corrections – both tweeted – we realized that anyone following the story would be completely confused.

So – here it is again.

The Performing Arts Centre has a really neat community initiative for growing artists called the Lobby Showcase.

The full story is HERE.

And Costin and Stefanie and Hils – I finally got it right – my apologies.

 

Return to the Front page

Performing Arts Centre plans to make space on its Main Stage for growing talent - application deadline is July 24!

Arts and entertainment graphicBy Staff

July 2, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

The Burlington Performing Arts Centre has created a new feature: the Lobby Showcase. Auditions are being held on September 19 and 20, from 10 am to 5 pm, for the Centre’s Lobby Showcase Project which will take place during the professional presenting season that starts in September/October 2015.

This is part of the Performing Arts Centre Community Engagement initiative that is intended to find new amateur talent in Burlington and surrounding areas to showcase local artists or acts that are in the process of developing their material and need some experience before a live audience.

Showtime logoThese performances will take place on a particular night to introduce these artists to our patrons and a wider audience.

The groups selected will perform in the theatre’s Family Room, that really grand space that a performer can do almost anything with.  In the past there have been some superb events put on in that space.

The artists chosen for the Lobby Showcase will perform in the lobby before the main event starts.

BPAC with BTTB in Family room

Room enough for the Burlington Teen Tour Band to perform – what do you have in the way of an entertainment event for this space?

The intention is to assist local artists or groups on their way to becoming better known in the community. The hope is that some will eventually become professional.

There is no remuneration for the Lobby Showcases but artists will get an opportunity to market their brand at that time, while reaching a new audience. The artists may also be added to the City of Burlington’s Artists database, with their permission.

The selected performers will get one of eight available Lobby Showcase spots available throughout the 2015-2016 Presenting Season and they, as well as others selected, may also get a chance to be featured in the Culture Days celebrations, September 25 to 27, 2015.

BPAC stage

The Performing Arts Centre Community initiative is opening up some space for local amateur talent that will take place in the theatre lobby before a main production takes place. Their hope is that these events might be an early step towards an event that will get them to the Main Stage.

We are looking for singer/songwriters, dancers, singers (pop, jazz, blues, folk, classical), bands or combos, instrumentalists and soloists (classical, jazz, etc.), performance art, and comedy; show us what you have.

Please submit your idea by email to: BPACAuditions@burlington.ca

Include a couple of photos, a short bio and some background information and a short description of the act or performer, include any links to YouTube videos, if you have them; don’t forget your contact information.

Dateline for submissions is July 24, 2015.

There are a limited number of spots available; only the acts or artists selected will be contacted with an audition date and time.

Return to the Front page