 By Staff
May 26, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
More than 30 local schools across the city have signed up to participate in Bike to School Week, a Metrolinx initiative that encourages local teachers and students to use active transportation for their daily commute to school between May 30 and June 3.
We have a question – why is Metrolinx doing this – they run the GO train service.
 School board trustee Andrea Grebenc wants to see every students using a bike to get to school. This should be a local initiative – by either the city or the school board – both would be great. School board trustee Andrea Grebenc wants every student on a bicycle.
“This event is a great way to encourage more kids and adults to leave the car at home for short distance trips,” said Vito Tolone, the city’s director of transportation. “We have seen a 600 per cent increase in the number of schools participating from 2015.”
Schools that registered for Bike to School Week by May 6 were entered into a draw for a chance to win one of 20 bike racks, provided by Healthy Kids Community Challenge Burlington and the city.
The winning schools that will be getting a bike rack are:
Aldershot Elementary School
Alton Village Public School
CH Norton Public School
Charles R. Beaudoin Public School
Dr. Charles Best Public School
Gary Allan High School (STEP Program)
Glenview Public School
Lakeshore Public School
Maplehurst Public School
Mohawk Gardens Public School
Pauline Johnson Public School
Rolling Meadows Public School
Sacred Heart of Jesus Elementary School
Sir Ernest MacMillan Public School
St. Gabriel Elementary School
St. John Elementary School
St. Mark Elementary School
St. Paul Elementary School
St. Raphael Elementary School
Tom Thomson Public School
 This is a school in need of a bike rack. Schools that register for Bike to School Week before June 1 still have an opportunity to be entered into a draw to win a Can-Bike rodeo for their school in the 2016-17 school year.
“Being active on their way to and from school not only helps children get to know their community better but also improves their health,” said Chris Glenn, the city’s director of parks and recreation. “Active transportation is fundamental to building a healthy community.”
 For contest rules and regulations, please visit www.healthykidsburlon.ca. To register for Bike to School Week, visit www.biketoschoolweek.ca.
 By Staff
May 25, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
What did you do on the holiday weekend?
Some people took in the pier.
How many? Not as many as one might have expected – but see for yourself.
There is an eye in the sky –
https://vimeo.com/167814015
 By Pepper Parr
May 25, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The bike lobbyists have made their mark and cycling lanes are now real and most of the people behind the wheel of a car have come to realize that they are going to have to share the road. Finally!
 New Street is a major street in the city – putting safe separate bike lanes on it makes sense. Now – what kind of bike lanes?
Public safety and cost will be the considerations. The car still prevails in this city and it will be difficult for this council to spend the dollars for what is really needed – and that is a bike lane that is separate from traffic.
When people are out cycling they should not be in any fear at all for their lives.
Most of New Street can accommodate a bike lane that is off the roadway and completely safe for younger people who are not yet completely confident on their bikes, a place where seniors who might wobble a bit will not have to fear that they will slip into passing traffic.
 Councillor Jack Dennison, on the right, with members of the Mayor’s Millennial advisory committee in th background talks to a resident about the bike lanes. Little doubt where Dennison is on bike lanes – will he go along with the completely safe and separate lanes. City council will probably go along with bike lanes – something they couldn’t muster the courage to do when the debate was over putting in dedicated bike lanes on Lakeshore Road. The Mayor was for the idea when it was being debated at standing committee but lost the courage he had when it got to city council.
There were some pretty simplistic and quite frankly stupid arguments put forward at the time by people who should have known better.
Citizens should not expect their city council to make this happen – it is going to be up to the cycling lobby to show up in force as delegations and for the members of the Mayor’s new millennial advisory committee to say – enough – get on with it and do the right thing.
It is pretty clear that there is an appetite for bike lanes on New Street – what kind is the issue.
The price tag for the right kind of bike lane comes in at $3.96 million – not cheap but worth the price when you think of the parent that will be racked with fear when they hear on the radio that a child on a bike has been struck by a passing pickup truck that had wide mirrors – and they have children that use their bikes.
We are stick with cars for some time yet – the Mayor recently said that New Street is the street he drives on most in the city. Council needs to make sure that the bike lanes put in are the safest possible.
That isn’t going to be easy with price tags that range between $3.96 million to $940,000 and a low figure of $250,000 for the different options.
You will hear people talk about the $3.96 million being a Cadillac version – it isn’t – it is the safest version.
 This sidewalk – North side of New Street looking east from Robert Bateman high school as made for bike lanes.  South side of New street doesn’t have the same width – but the potential is there to widen. Bob Jerk, one of the city engineers explained to this reporter that in parts of the city the space already exists – “Right outside this high school, which I attended” he said.
The pictures are worth a thousand words.
By Pepper Parr
May 25, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
 New Street shown in a single picture – this is what the debate over what kind of bike lanes do the citizens want- and what will they pay for the lanes will be about? The Region is in the process of tearing up New Street, installing new water and waste pipes. For those in that stretch of New Street that runs from Guelph Line to Martha 0 is it is like living in a dust bowl – the price of progress. Water gets turn off and then has to run for a bit when it is turned back on. The price of progress.
 New Street is being ripped up for the replacement of water mains and waste pipes. when they are re-paved – bike lanes are being considered – what kind and where – and at what cost? With the tearing up of the roads and the eventual re-paving an issue that city council has skirted around for far too long is no right in front of them.
Will there be bicycle lanes on New Street?
And if there are going to be bike lanes – what kind of bike lanes?
 Bike lanes marked with shards and low speeds are quite safe in residential communities Burlington talks about that modal split and much is made of growing the number of people who take transit, those who will use a bicycle and those who are going to drive.
What will the speed limits be ?
New Street is identified in the city Cycling Master Plan as a road with future on-road bike lanes.
On April 19, 2016, Burlington City Council approved the staff direction:
Direct the Executive Director of Capital Works and Director of Transportation Services to carry out an assessment of providing cycling facilities for New Street from Guelph Line to Burloak Drive including city wide public consultation and report back on the results and recommendations to the July 12, 2016 Development and Infrastructure Committee.’
Staff reviewed New Street (Guelph Line to Burloak Drive) for cycling infrastructure and have come out with a number of options.
There was a Public Information event Tuesday evening at the Robert Bateman High school – four different options – each with a price tag.
Here are the choices:
Option 1 has a bicycle lane on the road on the north side of the street and a shared lane on the south side of the street. There is no additional cost for this design.
Option 2 has a bicycle track on both sides of the street. This is the safest design – also the most expensive – $3.96 million
Option 3 has what is called a road diet – buffered lanes on both sides of the street. The cost would be $250,000 The public would be exposed to traffic.
Option 4 has bicycle lanes on both sides of the street with minor road widening. The cost would be $940,000 The public would be exposed to traffic.
The options will be discussed at a Standing Committee meeting on July 12 and then voted on at a meeting of city council July 18
Related editorial:
City must provide safest possible bike lanes if they expect citizens to use the things.
 By Staff
May 25, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Symphony on the Bay: The Orchestra for Kids.
May 28 11:00 AM
Admission is $10 + HST for children (one free chaperone per child).
This program was sold out last year so buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
 All this – for $10
 By Staff
May 24th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington is encouraging residents 55+ years of age and their care partners to share their thoughts and opinions by completing an online survey at
www.burlington.ca/activeaging.
 The Bistro, the heart of the Seniors Centre. Feedback from the survey will be used to help develop the city’s Active Aging Plan, which aims to help keep older adults active, healthy and engaged in their community.
“The city is committed to creating a community that is age-friendly, where increased accessibility and opportunities for participation help residents of all ages create meaningful connections within the community,” said Chris Glenn, the city’s director of parks and recreation. “We
 Mayor Rick Goldring has his membership application processed at the Seniors’ Centre – joining was one of his campaign promises. really want to understand the needs and perspectives of older adults when it comes to things like transportation, leisure, civic participation, communications, and inclusion. Input from the community will be critical in ensuring the Active Aging Plan truly reflects the needs of Burlington’s older adults.”
Printed copies of the Active Aging survey are also available at city recreation centres and libraries.
They do want to know what you think – how they respond and react to what you tell them is the issue – but if they don’t have the data then they can’t respond.
So go on line or get a copy of the forms at city recreation centres and libraries and answer the questions.
We will watch for the data and then see how they respond – this isn’t going to result in changes all that quickly; it is a three phase project.
 Just that kind of day seniors sitting Phase 1 is complete; phase 2 will include – Phase 2 – Community Engagement, Public online survey, Stakeholder focus groups and Community workshops.
Phase 3 will cover Action Plan Development during which staff will assess opportunities and priorities, develop strategies and recommendations and create a draft action plan which will get presented to City Council in December.
What would be useful – and what this city doesn’t do – is report to the public on their progress. Taking a copy o the draft plan to public meetings and setting out the options would make the final plan much more real.
 By Pepper Parr
May 24, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
With the Performing Arts program for the 2016/17 season now known, the next major event on the cultural calendar is the annual Art Gallery Burlington art sale – this is the 38th such sale.
It draws a different crowd than the Performing Arts; a little younger, a little more hip and a lot more fashionable. You will actually see people turned out in well-cut suits and smartly fitted dresses. This crowd usually has more in the way of disposable income.
The art sale usually has a better buzz to it – maybe that’s because it has a longer pedigree.
 Some of the choices in the 38th annual art gallery sale. The event is an occasion to chat with your peers, freshen your network and button hole someone you wanted to “bump into”.
There is an ample bar and surprisingly different finger food. The catering crowd seems to pull out their top menus for the Performing Arts crowd and then one up things at the art gallery sale.
All the art will be displayed in the Lee Chin Family room.
The sale kicks off at our Public Opening Preview on May 29th at 2pm, and runs until our Live Auction evening on June 3rd.
 Tom Thomson’s iconic Jack Pine This year’s Art Auction celebrates the 100th anniversary of The Jack Pine, a beloved oil painting by Canadian artist Tom Thomson that has become an iconic representation of the Canadian landscape. Thomson was an important influence on the Group of Seven and together they ignited a passion in Canadian artists that still resonates today.
There will be a collection of Tom Thomson paintings on display in the Perry Gallery – they are on loan from the PLACE
By Pepper Parr
May 24th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
After the reveal of a pleasantly balanced offering for the 2016/17 season the Performing Arts Centre opens the box office to the public Online sales begin at noon today. On Wednesday in person at the box office sales begin at 9:00 am with telephone sales beginning at noon.
The Centre put on a performance last Thursday that went through the full line up, and then, as is now their custom, allowed their VIP members to place their ticket orders several days before the general public gets to purchase.
 A VIP is a person who has purchased tickets for four or more shows the previous year. Those VIP’s came very close to filling the theatre last Thursday.
In the next few days we will see how the general public reacts to the program offering.
On the Performing Arts web site there is a list of the various genres that each show has been categorized under – it is eclectic.
A Cappella, Blues. Brunch. Celtic, Cirque. Classical,
Classical Crossover, Comedy, Country, Cushion Concert, Dance, Drama, Family, Folk, genNEXT, Hip-Hop, Holiday, Jazz, Latin, Musical Theatre, Orchestra, Pop, Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Soul, Spectacle, Swing, Theatre, Voices, World.
 VIP members going through the program. There are some very attractively priced shows, some that you are going to have to move very fast to get a decent seat and pretty much something for everyone.
The Performing Arts Centre is an arms length organization with its own board of directors. The organization receives a grant of just under $1 million from the city each year.
 By Staff
May 23rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
 Tamara Kwapich – self portrait
Teresa Seaton has invited her friends to see Tamara Kwapich’s ” Feathers Fur and Fables” Exhibiton on Sun June 5th form 1pm – 4pm. She will tell you it is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Kwapich was one of six artists whose work was placed in the city – one in each ward. We will tell you more about her when her event takes place
What we can tell you wish much certainty is that you want to get to the gallery before May 29th – when the
 Michele Van Maurik peonies at the Seaton gallery. Michele VanMaurik exhibiton comes to an end on May 29th. If you haven’t had a chance to see her flowers you are really missing something.
By Pepper Parr
May 23, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
 Robert Missen Robert Missen spent a lot of time managing the careers of some of the bigger names in the entertainment business. He touches base with hundreds of them each month – placing then in a venue, talking through future plans. From time to time he has a conversation with one of the best entertainment names this country has produced – Gordie Tapp who can still be coaxed onto a stage.
Four years ago Tapp was made the first inductee into the Burlington Performance Arts Centre Hall of Fame. Little did Bob Missen ever think that he would see his name on the wall.
 Bob Missen and Loretta Bailey on stage at the Lowville Festival last summer. Missen who has returned to Burlington after a number of years now operates the The Bobolink Agency.
He was the artist representative for the Elmer Iseler Singers from 1986 – 2012; sang in the Rosedale United Church for 25 years and was the director of the Norfolk Arts Centre for three years.
Missen has represented some of the country’s finest performing artists in the fields of classical, jazz and pop music, theatre, musical theatre, comedy and dance. Artists included Stuart McLean, Sylvia Tyson, Maureen Forrester, Veronica Tennant, Michael Burgess, and Men of the Deeps.
He was the founder of the Tapestry New Opera Works/Tapestry Singers which ran for 12 years.
 Robert Missen with the award, designed and crafted by Teresa Seaton, poses with Performing Arts Centre president Suzanne Haines on the left and Theatre Board chair Ilene Elkaim on the right. Missen didn’t need much time to get active in Burlington – last year he, along with Loretta Bailey and others in the Lowville community, created the Lowville Festival which has announced its second year.
It’s clear Missen is going to “bop along” for some time yet.
 By Staff
May 21, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario’s provincial parks will be open to the public free of charge on July 15 this year for all day-use visitors, as part of the world-wide Healthy Parks Healthy People movement.
 Sandbanks provincial park – free on July 15th
By Staff
May 20th , 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Teresa Seaton has invited her friends to see Tamara Kwapich’s ” Feathers Fur and Fables” Exhibiton on Sun June 5th form 1pm – 4pm.
She will tell you it is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Michele VanMaurik’s peonies We will take her word for it – what we can tell you with much certainty is that you want to get to the gallery before May 29th –which is when the Michele VanMaurik exhibiton comes to an end.
If you haven’t had a chance to see her flowers you are really missing something.
Kwapich’s was one of the artists chosen for the mural project – she did the apple scene for the Orchard community.
 Tamara Kwapich – self portrait Her self portrait is an interesting piece of work.
By Pepper Parr
May 19th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Introducing new technology into a retail operation with a very strong brand has to be managed very very carefully. There can be no glitches.
McDonalds took a bold step and put in large screens at which people could place their food orders – the device covers all the bases and accommodates just about every need you can imagine.
 Some people prefer the smile that comes with the service from a person behind the counter. But at some locations – the devices don’t get used. “There are people who would rather talk to the person behind the counter” explained Ryan Sgro who has the ability to hold a conversation and at the same time constantly scan the service counters.
“Each McDonalds has its own environment – some get more traffic at the drive through – others have line ups that lead out the door” added Sgro.
The McDonalds on Plains Road and King Road intersection in Aldershot is one of those place people drop into – quite often a group of people getting together to have a cup of coffee. The windows on the western side draw those who want to read a newspaper in the sunshine.
For those who decide to use the screens – they are actually fun.
You sort of talk to the screen by just touching it.
 Eating in or taking it home?  I wanted an Angus burger and the options available to me were right in front of me – all I had to do was touch the screen.  I could tune up the taste as well – give it a little zip.  The result of the Angus Burger I created can be seen by the smile on my face. My friend was just as pleased with her salad The Sgro family operate six franchises in Burlington and one in Waterdown. Ralph, who started out with the McDonalds corporation a long time ago as an employee where he once worked at the Guelph Line location, drops by and remind son Ryan of a task and then nods to a customer who has been coming to the Plains Road location for years.
There are a lot of young people in Burlington who got their first job at McDonalds, said Ralph. “I’m pretty certain that we trained a lot of the people who now work at Canadian Tire because when I go in there to make a purchase I see a lot of my former staff working there” he added.
Ralph talks about the value of community for his locations. “There was once a serious fire at Walkers Line and Upper Middle Road – we made up meals for the firemen (and women) who had to battle that blaze – we ended up feeding some of the people who had to flee their homes.” Ralph explains: “We had a kitchen and food – they were hungry – we fed them.”
Ryan comments on the view some people have that the technology is taking jobs away from people.
“Nothing could be further from the truth” explains Ryan. The technology allows us to handle food orders faster which means more volume which means needing more people in the kitchen.”
Also, people can take their time in front of the screen and they usually aren’t holding anyone up – there are two of the large screens in each location. Once you get the hang of the things they are pretty easy to handle.
 The burger I created was so good – they named it after me. But the Sgro family nixed that idea – they did let me have the picture. McDonalds calls the technology – “Create your taste”.
It worked for me.
By Staff
May 18th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington public art program is inviting professional artists and artist teams to submit expressions of interest for an Artist-in-Residence program.
Working with the city’s Arts and Culture staff, the selected artist(s) will conduct a 6-month residency to research the existence of ‘cultural nodes’ in Burlington.
In addition to attending planning meetings and consulting with key stakeholders, the selected artist will create temporary public art interventions to engage and interact with the community.
This is a non-live-in residency however the selected artist is expected to visit Burlington frequently and must live within easy travel distance.
The city’s public art program, funded for the most part from Planning Act Section 37 funds (these are monies developers give the city for additional height and density among other things). The city puts $50,000 of its own money into the public art plan.
The opportunity is made up of a $10,800 artist fee and up to $10,000 materials
 Early in the creation of the Cultural Action Plan people were asked to indicate where they saw culture taking place in th city. The next step is to build on the knowledge gathered. The city has a Cultural Action Plan as well as a Culture manager and of course there is the robust arts collective that leans on city council every opportunity it gets.
Burlington hired Hamilton resident Jeremy Freiburger to craft the Cultural Action Plan. The work leading up to that document included asking people to map out where they “do” culture and how they define culture. Links below on those new stories as well.
The focus appears to be looking for ways to better define cultural nods. We are not sure that research actually makes that kind of thing happen – when people find a place they want to be they gather at that place and it just becomes a node. The approach this call is using sounds and feels a little like “social engineering” – and we know where that kind of effort gets us.
The project goals include:
The integration of an artist’s perspective into planning cultural nodes
Create opportunities for street-level cultural engagement through unique public engagement activities and temporary public art installations
Make recommendations on ways to link identified cultural nodes
Make recommendations on future permanent public art installation(s) related to cultural nodes
The deadline for this opportunity is Monday, June 20, 4:00 p.m. Artists wishing to learn more about this project are invited to an optional information session on Wednesday, June 1 (7:00 to 8:00 p.m.). The presentation will be followed by an open Q&A session with the public art manager.
 From the left – three people heavily involved in the cultural community: Deb Tymstra, Teresa Seaton and Donna Grandin. Artists interested in learning more about this project are invited to an optional information session at the Halton Hive, 901 Guelph Line, Burlington. Loads of parking. The Hive is just south of Harvester Road . A brief presentation will be followed by an open Q&A with the public art manager.
Those wishing to attend must RSVP by Monday May 30th at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artist-in-residence-information-session-tickets-25377297179?aff=mcivte
For more information contact:
Kim Selman, the Public Art Manager over at Cobalt Connexts is the lead on this. You can reach her at
kim@cobaltconnects.ca or at 905-548-0111
 By Pepper Parr
May 19th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Have you herd of the Eddies?
The 15th annual Eddies Gala Awards evening – a popular festival celebrating student filmmaking – will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
The theatre doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the awards celebration begins at 7 p.m., followed by screenings of this year’s winners. This event is open to the public, no tickets are required and admission is free.
 A clip from an Eddie winning entry. The Eddies, the Halton Student Film Festival, celebrates student success in filmmaking by recognizing technical and creative achievements and is open to all elementary and secondary students. Previous Eddies award winners have gone on to achieve success in the film and television industry, with some capturing prestigious awards for their work.
This year the event is highlighted by an impressive list of professionals who will judge the submissions. They include:
• Mandy Holyoke – Production Coordinator for Little Charmers, a popular Nickelodeon animated series.
• Kyla Springall – Assistant Production Manager at Cineflix, has been Production Coordinator on Property Virgins for 84 episodes and is now coordinating a Property Virgins spin-off series.
• Vaishni Majoomdar – experience includes casting on Good Witch, Reign and Schitt’s Creek.
• Omar Salama – Creative Director at Block 94.
• Jeff Bowman – retired Multimedia Administrator and co-founder of The Eddies.
• Ana Yavari – Editor on The Tudors, The Borgias and the Showtime series Penny Dreadful.
“Approximately 500 students participated this year from various subject areas making this a true display of how technology can be integrated in all academic and technical subjects,” says Dale Andrews, teacher at White Oaks Secondary School and co-organizer of The Eddies.
For a look at one of the entries that won last year CLICK here
 By Staff
May 18th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was to be a family portrait – no one really knew how big the family was. The number was put at more than 500 but how many would show up?
200 starving artists gathered in the Family Room of the Performing Arts Centre so that Ashley Sloggett could snap the shutter of her Brownie Hawkeye and then just to be sure she had the picture she wanted she did a camera upgrade to something with a more powerful lens – and here it is – The Collective.
This, said Sloggett, represents only a FRACTION of the Arts community in Burlington and I hope to do one of these every year and watch it grow.
 The Collective – a Family picture.
By Pepper Parr
May 18th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The question was – what will she have to show us when the Performance Arts Centre reveal takes place? Will it compare favourably with the superb program Brian McCurdy delivered before he took leave of running the Centre?
And would there be room for the local talent – and not just shows that were travelling and could spend an evening in Burlington?
And is the lineup for 2026/2017 a good line up?
 Performing Arts Centre president Suzanne Haines chatting with a patron after the presentation. Suzanne Haines delivered.
It’s a more than decent line up – and if the VIP members who lined up to buy tickets are any indication – the year will keep city council happy, meaning that BPAC won’t be back asking for more money – they already get close to a million dollars as it is.
A VIP member is a patron who has purchased 4 or more shows in the previous season and the capital donors and supporters.
There are a couple of boffo stand outs to comment on. The Shanghai Acrobats from China are astounding – a cultural circus if you will.
 Two Performing Arts Centre patrons flipping through the program book. The Aga Boom – three clowns that will delight both parents and the children they bring with them. The pricing on this one is great $15 if you bought a series.
Series pricing is $5 off the regular price if you buy tickets to four or more events. If this show doesn’t sell out – turn the Performing Arts centre into a day care centre.
A lot more jazz than one might have expected – most of it top rank
A solid family program for the Christmas season.
Some greats – Les Grand Ballet out of Montreal, the Nylons Farewell tour, Piaff! The Show (expect this to be a stunner) The popular Gerry Dee and
There wasn’t as much local talent given an chance to grow on the stage. There are going to be what are commercially called Added Value events – which will be performers in the Family Room entertaining theatre goers before and after different shows. That’s a start.
Last summer the Performing Arts Centre put on free Jazz on the Plaza concerts that were a huge hit. They have expanded the program to include a Tuesday night live, a Friday Jazz on the Plaza and Sunday Family Fun.
The presentation of the 2016-17program however was weak – it lacked any pizzazz.
 Patrons lined up to get their tickets booked. Performing Arts Centre president Suzanne Haines stood on one side of the stage and Director of Programming Costin Manu stood on the other side and read from telepromters. One would speak and then the other – as they passed the job back and forth.
There was an opportunity for the two of them to ham it up a bit and become part of the entertainment. At one point Costin was dancing away in small circles on his side of the stage – while Suzanne tapped her toes on the other. They could have danced towards each other and made their presentation much livelier.
Costin Manu can be very funny – he should have been given a writer to provide him with a bit of a script. It is after all show business.
 Ilene Elkaim, chair of the Theatre Board listens to a patron The “reveal” as many people chose to call the event closed with a nice touch. Haines announced that Royal Wood would return to the stage on October 1st – the 5th anniversary of the opening of the venue.
The Gazette was there that evening, which was described as a soft opening. The house wasn’t packed but the attendance was more than acceptable.
As Wood was taking his final bow two of what I describe as the “blue rinse” set strode up the aisle muttering about the lousy performance. They proved to be completely wrong – the place works – now to keep the costs in line and the content current, popular and just a little edgy at times.
 Deb Tymstra who reports on culture for Cogeco took in the evening and chats up a friend. The real test is to see the box office numbers – sales Tuesday night won’t be known until next week – they don’t appear to have adding machine over there.
The Gazette will comment and report on the evening later in the week. It was a fun night, the finger food offering was plentiful – the wine offerings at the bar could do with some expansion. The program book patrons took away with them is a keeper – everything you want to know about the new season is within a well designed book.
By Staff
May 17th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
The Regional Police have organized a very proactive approach to introducing how the police and emergency services work in the Region
On the 25th of May 2016, Halton Regional Police will be hosting ESINC Day (Emergency Service Introduction for New Canadians). The event will be held at the Halton Regional Police Service Headquarters located at 1151 Bronte Road, in the town of Oakville.
The event will run from 12:00pm to 2:00pm.
Come meet your local police officers, firefighters, paramedics, tour the emergency vehicles and visit the community information booths.
For more additional information please contact Cst. Jody Dugas of the Regional Community Mobilization Bureau. 905-825-4747 ext 5240.
If you know people who are new to Canada – mention this to them. Authority figures are seen differently in Canada than they are in the countries many new Canadians come from
By Pepper Parr
May 17th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
He is back – with not just one but two business cards and, we are advised, a seat on the board of one of the city’s cultural institutions.
We are not clear as to whether it is the corporate board of the Foundation board of the organization that our former Member of Parliament sits on.
Mike Wallace took quite a wallop during the last federal election. At the time he said he got beaten by a person whose age was less than the number of years he had served the public.
 Mike Wallace, Burlington MP, takes a closer look at art work at the Art Gallery Burlington. To his credit Mike has bounced back nicely and has jumped into the industry that Burlington treats so well.
Wallace has a business card for his real estate sales business and another for the consulting organization he created. The latter resulted in a meeting with members of council where he is reported to have represented a developer’s interests.
On his web site he says:
You provided me the opportunity to contribute to the quality of life that we enjoy in our community. I strived to meet my commitments to you responsibly, thoroughly and with integrity. I love our City and the people that make it the number one mid-sized city in Canada.
Many have asked “What will be my next career path?” There was no question that I wanted to continue to serve and care for the residents of Burlington.
 You always know when Mike Wallace is in the room – you hear him. At times he is the consummate prankster on other occasions he can manipulate a parliamentary committee as well as the best of them. After your family and their health, your home is the most important part of your life. It is where you do most of your living, through shared good and tough times. Therefore, after many hours of personal reflection, I have decided to pursue a career in residential real estate.
As a realtor, I will provide the trusted, transparent and timely service that you would expect and deserve in dealing with your critical real estate assets. If I can be of any assistance, now or in the future, please contact me.
Mike and his wife Caroline (26 years) are part of the RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc., Brokerage and work out of offices at 4121 Fairview St, Burlington. You can reach Mike at (905) 632-2199.
The office location is a little too far east for Mike to set up his campaign office when he takes a run for Mayor in 2018.
 By Pepper Parr
May 16, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Friends of Freeman station have to be nominated next year for one of the Burlington’s Best awards. This is without a doubt one of the best community organizations in the city. They fought hard to overcome serious inertia on the part of city hall and city council to save the Freeman Station.
 Sitting on some “cribbing” with a sign badly in need of several coats of paint, the Freeman Station gets ready for its big move. The city at one point had a very significant federal government grant to move and refurbish the station but couldn’t agree on where it should be located.
At one point the city ran an advertisement asking if anyone wanted the thing – to the best of our knowledge no one responded.
The late Jane Irwin fought hard to find a way to keep the structure that was in very sad shape sitting on cribbings beside the fire station on Fairview.
A city engineer actually told a Standing Committee that it couldn’t be save. That didn’t deter a group of die-hards who were not prepared to let the station get reduced to kindling.
 They had every reason to be smiling. Councillors Meed Ward and Lancaster pose with five members of the Friends of Freeman Station after the Council meeting that approved the entering into of a Joint Venture that would have the Friends moving the station and taking on the task of renovating the building. Councillors Marianne Meed Ward and Blair Lancaster who don’t agree on very much most of the time did come together and champion the Friends of Freeman Station. Now whenever there is a photo op the rest of council can’t line up fast enough to get their picture taken. Wait until the day the Station is officially opened – they will all be there with their best smiles painted on their faces.
But I digress – the Friends are going to be at Tansley Woods Community Centre, 1996 Itabashi Way, on Wednesday, June 1st – 9:30 – 4:00 to tell anyone who wants to listen about the station.
“Nostalgia… and fun!
— will be the order of the day when the Friends of Freeman Station travelling model railway exhibit is displayed at the Tansley Woods Community Centre in conjunction with the City of Burlington’s Parks and Recreation Department kickoff of Seniors’ Month — Wednesday, June 1st from 9:30 AM to 4 PM.
Nostalgia… “I remember travelling by train from the Burlington Junction Station…” Young-at-heart Burlington seniors recall fondly their experiences, as we re-create the era of steam power. You’ll see a model steam locomotive and passenger train, arriving and departing from a model of the the Burlington Junction Station just as it happened in the early Twentieth century. A beautifully crafted 1/24 scale model of the Station will be part of the display.
Fun! “Look, Grandma! It’s Thomas the Tank Engine!” Bring your grandchildren to see a rare demonstration of Thomas and friends Percy, Annie, Clarabell, Troublesome Truck #1, and Troublesome Truck #2 running on our scale model railway.
 Bob Chambers points to a detail of the Freeman Station model he built in his kitchen in a short 41/2 months. The model will be on display at the Tansley Woods Community Centre. Tansley Woods Community Centre
We’ll be there… to share the amazing story of the relocation and restoration of Burlington’s 1906 Grand Trunk Railway Station, slated for completion in 2017. There, on the Lower Level, we’ll be constructing a historic model railway diorama depicting early Twentieth-century life in the hamlet of Freeman, now a part of Burlington.
This is one of the organizations that deserve whatever you can manage in the way of donations. Every dollar they get does into the refurbishing that are a a 100% volunteer organization –no one is paid – they rely entirely on private and corporate donations to fund the costs of restoring the Burlington Junction Station under an agreement with the City of Burlington.
They are superb at scrounging as well
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