 By Staff
April 27, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Rob Missen is inviting people to an afternoon of music from the land of purple heather. It will be a pleasant afternoon of time well spent – but more importantly – the event I being held to raise funds for the second annual Lowville Festival that will take place in the summer. And that is significant. What Missen and his team are doing is creating events that are out of the downtown core – in countryside. Check the link at the bottom of this piece – to see what you missed last year.
Come ye from the hills, from the mills, from the glens, and from the fens! The Lowville Festival – “a festival of all the arts for the artist in all of us”- and Lowville United Church are presenting a special benefit concert at Lowville United Church on Sunday May 1st at 3:00 pm.
THE HEATHER IN THE HILLS is a salute to the words and music of Scotland. The concert will feature the songs and poems of the immortal Robbie Burns, as well as selections from the musical Brigadoon and other popular Scots songs.
 The featured performers include Festival Co-Director Robert Missen; Carol Ann Thomson, the new Music Director at Lowville United; Wayne Strongman, former Conductor of Hamilton’s Bach-Elgar Choir and Conductor of the new Lowville Festival Choir; Stuart Laughton, Founding Member of the Canadian Brass and leader of the new band Radio Dial; Peter Skoggard, notable Burns scholar and reciter; Michael Mulrooney, Music Director of Tansley United Church and well-known musical theatre conductor and pianist; and three recent graduates of the Sheridan College Musical Theatre Program, Kate Madden, Andrew MacNaughton and Gregory Solomon.
Special Guests for the afternoon are the 78th Fraser Highland Pipe and Drum Corps, which has recently taken up residence at Lowville United.
All of the artists are donating their services. There will be reception following the concert which will feature tea and Eileen Missen’s legendary shortbread. All proceeds will go towards helping to defray the costs of the 2017 Festival and the outreach programmes of Lowville United Church.
On May 1st, the Lowville Festival will announce its programme for the 2016 festival, to be held between July 22-24 in various locations in and around the historic hamlet of Lowville in beautiful North Burlington.
“The mists of May are in the gloamin’ and all the clouds are holding still”. Come celebrate spring in the majestic highlands of north Burlington!
Related article:
The Lowville Festival
THE HEATHER IN THE HILLS: THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF SCOTLAND
SUNDAY MAY 1ST AT 3:00 PM
LOWVILLE UNITED CHURCH
GUELPH LINE AND BRITANNIA ROAD
TICKETS $25
AVAILABLE AT THE CHURCH (905-335-0911), DIFFERENT DRUMMER BOOKS & AT THE DOOR
 By Pepper Parr
April 26th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Our waterfront is used by thousands of people – on really nice weather days there are close to people traffic jams.
The city makes great use of the space for festivals – these are organized events that are for the most part free but they don’t reflect much of the colour or culture of the city.
 Great audience – but a passive audience. The Sound of Music draws thousand who are passive attendees – they listen to the music. Those on the stage are, for the most part people from out of town who are here to advance their music profile and provide what is basically free entertainment.
Rib Fest draws thousands who sit and eat and listen some music.
 The sand castle competition was popular but the city cut the program – it won’t be held this year. The Children’s Festival has events that children take part in but there isn’t any animating of the space by the children.
Surely there is room for events that are small in nature that give groups or collectives an opportunity to express their creativity.
A pop up play, a scavenger hunt for kids; wouldn’t it be something to see the gymnasts doing their routines in Spencer Smith Park?
There was a time when the eastern end of the Beachway was home to Joseph Brant – what must that part of the city been like in Brant’s time?
How would one express that dramatically? Great opportunity for the Museum people to do something at Brant’s house; they already do wonderful work at Ireland House where some of the most creative small community events take place.
Something to think about.
Toronto has created an Animating Our Waterfront, which is a pilot program that will provide funding to individuals, organizations, collectives and groups to support free arts and cultural programming in selected parks and public spaces developed by Waterfront Toronto over the last decade.
 The Cirque – one of the No Vacancy programs that took place in the Village square knew how to animate their event. All it takes is some imagination and and a little Chutzpah The objective of this program is to host arts and cultural programming that celebrate these new public spaces and invite Torontonians and visitors to enjoy them. For the purposes of this program, “arts and cultural programming” includes the presentation of dance, music, theatre, visual arts, performance, literary and media arts, community- engaged artwork, cultural celebration, and any combination of the above. They are looking for projects that include themes like place-making, civic engagement, education, health and wellness, and environmental issues are encouraged.
Why couldn’t Burlington do something like this?
 The Love My Hood funding might be one of the ways to help pay for things like this.
By Pepper Parr
April 26, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The city’s Sustainable Development Advisory committee is getting out into the community and showing citizens what sustainability is like at the ground level.
The advisory committee often gets bogged down in writing reports and commenting on projects the city has sent them for review.
They produce an impressive annual report which unfortunately didn’t get much attention after it was submitted – copies are sent to the library and that’s about all the coverage the document gets.
The SDC, acronym for the Sustainable Development Committee are getting out into the community and sponsoring a Jane’s Walk through Spencer Smith park and the Beachway early in May – the 8th
 The Spencer Smith Park we know today – pictures of what it used to look like are in the background articles. The story of how the city recovered land along the edge of the lake and created one of the more impressive parks in the province – giving people wonderful access to the lake is one of Burlington’s crown jewels.
 Spencer Smith Few know who Spencer Smith was and what he means to the city. Mark Gillies, one of the Gazette’s from time to time contributors, did an excellent profile of Spencer Smith – there is a link to that profile below.
It will be interesting to hear what the Jane’s Walk guide has to say about the way the waterfront was developed to what it is today.
The walk will move into the Beachway – a part of the city with a rich, colourful and controversial history. It was never a “tony” part of town – it had a railway line running through it and at one point it had its own small newspaper.
It was once a robust community with hundreds of homes that were on leased land that the city eventually took ownership of – the leases were brought to an end and the homes got to meet a wrecking ball.
 Beachway homes – they never want to leave – will they eventually be forced out? There are still some 25+ homes in the Beachway – occupied by people who have been there for generations and want to remain in the community. Other residents are hanging in looking for a better offer from the Region which has a mandate to buy every property on what they call a willing buyer – willing seller basis.
While this war of attrition goes on between the region and the residents the Region’s planners are working up plans for a massive series of parks that will – if it ever comes to pass – will be the envy of communities across the province.
 The remake of the Beachway community is massive in both concept and scale – it will be decades in the making and what the planners are thinking today might be quite different than the end result. The pier is a pimple when compared to the park plans. Most people in Burlington have no idea what the Region has planned for them – after the first announcement when the early thinking was made public, the Region went to ground – not a word from them in the recent past.
Will the Jane’s Walk shed any light on what is being done? Not likely.
Jane’s Walks were created to remember Jane Jacobs, an American who moved to Toronto in the xxx and became part of a group of activists who wanted to see better development in that city with more citizen input.
Hopefully the SDC will be true to her principles.
  Jacob’s, who would have turned 100 years old this year, upended the fields of city planning and architecture with her 1961 book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities. She was described as the most influential urban thinker of all time. Jacobs once said: “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody”?
The walk will begin at 1 pm – gather at the Compass in the park.
Background:
Spencer Smith – Part 1 by Mark Gillies
Spencer Smith – Part 2 by Mark Gillies
The struggle over the Beachway homes
The plans to turn the Beachway into a park.
 By Pepper Parr
April 23, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
This is different – an artist – an award winning artist, coming to town and doing performances at both the Art Gallery Burlington and the Performing Arts Centre and then offering to give lesson to aspiring flute players.
 Haley Marie is a woman from Winnipeg who is a flautist; a Governor General Award Winner, was awarded a full scholarship to McGill and Yale, performed with Yale orchestra has performed twice at Carnegie Hall and then when she graduated she had her own show, tours Europe, teaches in California.
 Hailey Marie – flautist. She then opened her own production company which presents classical music using film and live music. She found that audiences loved finding out the “dirt” on the composers she played so she made her performance both historical (film) and live music.
Her show “An Evening in Paris” covers a period from 1870 – 1910. Paris was not supposed to recover from the war. It is a comeback story, and everyone loves a comeback story.
It is a show that covers art, music, history.
The story of Haley Marie on itself is amazing. Paris is another story of itself.
Haley Marie will be performing at BPAC on May 12
She will b doing a private performance for AGB on the 13th and giving the Master flute class Saturday May 14, 10 – 12
There is more to tell about this event.
Click on the link to get a taste of what is coming to town.
By Staff
April 23rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The weather cooperated; the 11,000 people who signed up were still doing so at close to midnight on the Friday for the Saturday event during which those thousands helped Clean Up the city.
There were 181 locations where people were picking up trash recorded.
Instead of the usual gathering at city hall – people gathered at Central Park in front of the band shell where Turtle Jacks once again served burgers to the hungry environmentalists.
 The gathering after the Clean up took place in Central Park this year. smart move – plan is to hold the get together outdoors every year.  This is what a proud grandparent looks like -Councillor Paul Sharman, the only member o Councillor we say wants his granddaughter to look into the camera. The Mayor arrived later to say a few words.  Music was part of the event – look for additional performers next year. The decision to move outdoors was a welcome one. There was all kinds of room and while the crowds were not great the move was a wise one.
In time gathering outdoors on the Clean Up day will be the place to be.
 It was warm enough to be in short sleeves  BurlingtonGreen volunteer makes badges from art work created bu the kids. There were displays and activities in the library where kids could have their unique badges made and other could colour.
There was a room set up with a video and Vince Fiorito was on hand to show people how to make seed bombs.
There were fewer speeches this year – and that has to be a blessing.
Burlington has to have one of the most impressive turnouts when it comes to volunteering at this significant event – kudos to the BG board for making this happen each year.
By Staff
April 23, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Art Gallery of Burlington in collaboration with Craft Ontario, is organizing the first Canadian Craft Biennial to be held August 19 to October 29, 2017 in southern Ontario.
The deadline for submissions for this event is May 15th, 2016
The event which will take place in Toronto and Burlington on September 15 and 16, 2017
 The biennial will include a two-day conference (one day in Toronto and one day in Burlington), as well as a national exhibition, and an Ontario emerging craft maker exhibition.
The conference will be presented with multiple partners in both cities. The AGB is inviting proposals for the Biennial Conference sessions. The theme of this inaugural biennial is Can Craft? Craft Can!
The AGB is looking for a broad range of sessions engaging with contemporary craft issues and approaches. These could deal with academic, technical, historical and creative research, and community or political engagements. Within the context of Canada’s 150th anniversary, we seek to explore topics such as, but not limited to:
• Identity of Canadian craft
• Pattern as methodology
• Craft narratives
• Sustainability and sustainment
• Creative performativity
• Craft and learning
• Craft and social engagement
• The place of the amateur
• Making knowledge through tacit discourse
• Labour re-imagined
• Practice-lead research in craft
• Craft and the digital
• Indigenous perspectives on craft
• Craft curation and criticism
The hope is these sessions will also reflect the interdisciplinary concerns of our diversified Canadian craft community. Proposals for session formats include, but are not limited to panel, round-table, Pecha Kucha, Ignite and interactive sessions.
 As part of this inaugural Canadian craft biennial international ceramist, Anton Reijnders, has been invited to present recent work in a solo exhibition at the Art Gallery of Burlington, as well as to conduct a professional workshop and deliver the conference keynote address. Canadian makers and curators/writers will be given the opportunity to participate in a ten-day residency. The making residency will be centered at the Art Gallery of Burlington, while the writing residency will be under the direction of Studio Magazine.
Proposals should include a 200 word description of your session theme, name(s) and contact information as well as a 3-page CV of the convener(s). If you already have in mind potential presenters for your session, please provide their names and professional affiliation.
Send your proposal to Denis Longchamps at denis@agb.life by May 15, 2016.
Selected session conveners will be notified by May 31, 2016. Proposals for papers for each session will then be circulated.
 By Staff
April 23, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The annual exhibition that celebrates the Guilds at the Art Gallery of Burlington begins to day and will run through to May 22nd.
 The guilds which include the Fibre Arts Group, Burlington Fine Arts Association, Burlington Handweavers and Spinners Guild, Latow Photographers Guild, Burlington Potters’ Guild, Burlington Rug Hooking and Craft Guild,  and the Burlington Guild of Sculptors and Woodcarvers will be showing their work.
 By Staff
April 22, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Aldershot Arena
Aldershot Arena is closed due to unforseen maintenance issues.
 The Arena is expected to re-open Tuesday April 26th at 4pm.
By Pepper Parr
April 1, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The phrase “he got a haircut” has little to do with the the world of hair salons. It usually means there was a financial matter that didn’t work out the way you wanted it to work out.
I was at the point where I was in desperate need of a real haircut – I was beginning to look like something out of an orchestra that played classical music.
I trotted over to my usual “salon” and while I would have liked to have gotten the young lady that does my hair most of the time – the length was so bad I would have settled for anyone.
Walked in – and the place was empty – I’m in luck I thought – all the stylists are in the back yucking it up. No so. There wasn’t a stylist to be found – just a receptionist answering the phone.
Would you like to make an appointment she asked – “No. I replied I am here to get my hair cut.” “Well everyone has gone home – they left at one o’clock:, I was told.
Now there was a time when merchants closed on Wednesday afternoons but that as a long, long time ago – well before most of the woman who work in the salon I frequent were even born.
I needed my hair cut today. Hmmm.
I walked out the door and across the street to my favourite variety store where Omar continues to sell me lottery tickets that don’t pay off. He insults me by asking if I want to add Encore to what is a losing situation to begin with.
I complain to Omar that my favourite hair salon isn’t operating. You are in luck Omar tells me – there is a place a couple of doors over that will cut your hair for $10 if you’re not too fussy.
So off I go. I walk in – nice enough place and they are packed.
 Kristen – my coiffeuse. Rob the owner is sympathetic – he looks at my head of hair and clearly sympathizes and asks me what he can do for me.
“A whiskey would go down very well just about now”, I explain. “I can do that for you” and he disappears and returns with a generous portion of whiskey that he didn’t ruin with ice.
Meanwhile, the receptionist takes down the vital information – she doesn’t give me hers – and asks – “what else can we do for you.”
I explain what I like done with my silver locks and she looks at her list and tells me that Kristen can handle me and with that a leggy lass walks over and asks me to sit down so she can run her hands through my hair to get a sense of what she has to work with. I am liking this new place.
Good whisky and a coiffeuse of my own named Kristen.
She is chatty in a really nice way and constantly asks me if I am getting what I want. We carry on our conversation through the large mirror on the wall where the eye contact isn’t exactly complete but we are able to exchange information. Sort of like the way the kids these days chat with their friends on their cell phones – they never get to actually see each other.
With the job done Kristen holds up the mirror – I’m happy, she’s happy. She takes off the cape thingy she had draped over me and walks me to the reception desk and proceeds to book my next appointment. First telling me when she is available and writing everything out on a card.
This is service – the haircut is ok – need a few days to see how it looks.
Do I book another appointment or do I go back to the shop that wasn’t open on a Wednesday afternoon?
The Scotch did the trick – will they pour me another couple of ounces the next time I drop into Teo’s on Brant Street.
 By Pepper Parr
April 20, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It made slipping downtown for lunch an experience – it was what the Downtown Business Association saw as oxygen for the core of the city – the Test Kitchen was the place to be – you needed a reservation much of the time
The prices were almost too good to be true – turned out it wasn’t true – the owner shut the two Test Kitchen locations down quite quickly and can’t, apprently, be found.
Those $10 lunches – beverage included may have been a mistake – it was worth $15 at least – and perhaps whoever occupies the space this season will come up with a better business model.
 They call them Pop Ups – a locale that just pops out of almost nowhere. It expands the capacity for the restaurant and it has a sense of being outside and yet private. The Test Kitchen was the place to be – then it disappeared. Financial problems? It was the idea that took hold – the place had a buzz to it. There were several counters where you got squeezed in with other people and you didn’t mind. The servers were superb – the presentation was pure New York, New York – and those prices. The portions were small – which was probably in the best interest of most of us.
Pop Up locations were a good idea and the city I going to ride that band wagon as far as it can – with rules and regulations of course – this is being run by city hall.
Council wants to:
Authorize the Director of Planning and Building to approve pop-up patios within the downtown based on the evaluation criteria; and amend the Licensing Agreement to include conditions related to securities, signage and removal protocol.
 Inside the Pop Up – held 21 tables. The Test Kitchen operated a seasonal “pop-up” patio on two on-street parking spaces in front of their business from May to October 2015. Then they disappeared.
The patio was full of patrons from Monday to Friday during the lunch hour period, it created a buzz in the downtown and was successful in animating the downtown, added more “feet on the street” and there were no safety incidents nor formal complaints reported to staff.
Staff, with input from the BDBA is of the opinion that there are approximately 17 restaurants in the downtown that are able to satisfy the requirements for a pop-up patio.
Despite the evident success, the BDBA survey of those 17 restaurant owners/operators in late Spring 2015 found no existing restaurant owners/operators interested in constructing a pop-up patio in the near future.
So much for the entrepreneurial spirit and perhaps the most telling point in trying to understand why downtown is so dull. The late Jane Irwin once described the city as “Borington”
Staff has identified three issues to be addressed for future pop-up patios:
1) Securities should be collected prior to the operation of the pop-up patio in case any City property is damaged during construction, operation or removal of the pop-up patio;
2) Signage limitations on the exterior of the pop-up patio (e.g. no product advertising); and
3) Requirement for pop-up patio to be removed on date set out in the By-law or else RPM to remove pop-up patio and invoice the restaurant owner/operator for the removal costs or draw on securities.
That securities problem suggests the city got stiffed by the owners of the Test Kitchen
Staff is only aware of two downtown businesses interested in a pop-up patio for the Summer of 2016.
 Interesting graphic – it does show the location for two restaurants interested in creating a Pop Up – what is also interesting is that green line around city hall. Dos the city not own the property in the lower left corner? Staff is proposing to create a formalized application process for pop-up patios and sidewalk patios beginning in 2017. This process would include a deadline for applications, an internal staff circulation, licensing agreements, application approvals and inspections once the sidewalk and pop-up patios have been built. Staff will bring a report to Council outlining this process by Q4 2016.
Future pop-up patios will be asked for a $1,500 security.
Pop-up Patio Evaluation Criteria
Location Criteria
Applications for a maximum of 10 pop-up patios in the downtown will be considered in the context of following criteria:
– Permitted only on street with existing on-street parking
– Permitted only on sites that have inadequate space to construct a conventional sidewalk patio while maintaining a minimum 2 m clear path
– Permitted only where the pop-up patio can be located directly in front of the business
– Must be located at least one parking space away from an intersection
– Proposals will be assessed in accordance with vehicle volumes, sightlines and visibility to the satisfaction of the Director of Transportation
– Proposals must not obstruct underground utility access, electrical transformer vaults, utility boxes, parking meters, loading zones, transit stops and other infrastructure
– Proposal must avoid conflicts with existing pedestrian crossings Design Standards
– Proposals must have a flush transition at the sidewalk and curb to permit easy access and avoid tripping hazards
– The sub-structure must accommodate the crown of the road and provide a level surface for the patio
– Proposals must have a slip-resistant surface
– Proposals must be designed for 100 pounds per square foot
– Patio, including entrances, must meet accessible design standards
– Gates must swing in to the patio space and not obstruct the sidewalk
– Fending to define the space and be capable of withstanding at least 200 feet of horizontal force
– Proposal must have vertical elements that make them visible to traffic, such as flexible posts, bollards or landscape planters
– No umbrellas or other treatments can extend into the sidewalk or travelled portion of the road
– Patios must be buffered using a wheel stop at a desired distance of 4 feet from the patio to ensure visibility to moving traffic and parking cars
– The patio must provide a 30 cm buffer between the fenced edge and the limit of the parking space
– Lighting and signage will be subject to review and will be designed and installed in such a way as to not create a visual or physical distraction to travelling public in the sidewalk or road.
The folks as Joel’s sounded as if they liked the idea – they said: “While we are in support of the concept and of our neighbour’s business operations and the draw that Test Kitchen has to downtown, the patio had its strengths and its downfalls. We monitored its traffic and listened to the feedback of downtown customers. Losing parking spots has to be weighed out with maximum productivity. There were many times that the patio sat empty.
“Our compromise would be that such patios could open for Sound of Music Festival weekend, with respect of positioning as to not block traffic to the traditional sidewalk sale activities that occur at this time. We would also advise that the patios close directly after RibFest and not be extended in to the month of October.”
 Admittedly there as no snow – but that really wasn’t a good enough excuse to do nothing to decorate a store front during the Christmas Season. This was the store front that forgot Christmas was here last December. The Gazette would like to see Joel’s do a lot more to animate Brant Street during the Christmas season. The past two years they did basically nothing.
The people at Structured Creations, a couple of doors south of the Test Kitchen said:
• The patio was well used and had no negative impacts to business
• The patio created a buzz in the area around their office; people were interested in looking into what they do; it led to approximately 100 people per day looking at the office
• They also used the patio often after finishing work with clients or contractors to go for a bite on the patio
• They had no issue with the patio taking up two parking spaces; clients and contractors came by frequently, but they would park up or down the street and walk; did not receive any complaints about parking and had no issue with the arrangement
• They support the pop-up patio in that location and additional ones on Brant Street
• They suggest future pop-up patios be designed the way the pilot pop-up patio was designed; the patio was tastefully done, with no banners or signage
• There should not be any signage or banners on pop-up patios
• For safety reasons, future pop-up patios should have a concrete abutment because the patio is right up against the road.
City council will give the final word at its May 9th meeting. This will be a go.
 By Pepper Parr
April 19, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Andy Griffiths is looking for a way to break out of the market he currently has – he gets gigs in the region – but hasn’t yet found whatever it takes to get recognized and given the bigger stage he deserves.
 Last summer – at the Lowville Festival – Andy showcased his new approach to music – he appears to be aiming at a younger market – the kids with his “Our Cat Flash”
Griffith has a temperament and folksy tone that appeals to the younger set. He doesn’t take himself too seriously and seems to really enjoy yucking it up with the kids – and the kids certainly like his act.
There aren’t any groups or individual singers who market to the kiddie crowd – Sharon, Lois and Braum don’t exists any more.
Griffiths might have found a niche market that isn’t that small – heck if “Walk on the Earth” could get from Burlington to a world stage – why can’t Andy Griffith.
 Griffiths got himself into the CBC Searchlight competition and he would really like you to slip over to the Searchlight web site – listen to his sound and vote for him.
There is just one day left to get in there and vote – “You can catch my entry in the CBC Searchlight contest – CLICK Here and you are in.
Voting closes on Wednesday April 20th – 2:59 pm
Background on Griffiths
By Pepper Parr
April 19, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It took several hours but the Community and Corporate Service Standing Committee did agree to recommend that council authorize the Mayor to write letters of support for loans and grants the LaSalle Park Marina Association wants to apply for.
Councillor Jack Dennison (Ward 4) wants the letter to be strong and forceful – it will need to be – the Marina Association is looking for $12 million.
 The option the LaSalle Park Marina Association hopes is chosen through the Environmental Assessment. The design will add 100 slips plus 20 available for transient use and more significantly provide a solid barrier that will allow fish stocks to return and breed and put an end to the wave agitation John Birch, Executive Director of the LaSalle Park Marina Association , has been toiling for a number of years at getting a permanent breakwater built for Burlington. In his delegation to council last night he pointed out that Bronte has a marina that was paid for by the federal government, Kingston got a large chunk of federal money as did a number of other municipalities in the province. It is Burlington’s turn, said Birch.
It may well be – but it is going to be a tough.
Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward was the only member of Council to vote against the writing of a letter. Her argument was that city council has not yet voted on whether or not they want to approve a expanded marina.
 Trumpeter swan – magnificent creatures that many think need the marina space at LaSalle Park to survive the winters. Meed Ward felt that a letter at this time was premature and inappropriate. One citizen wondered how council would react if Birch was able to raise the funds needed – would the city be able to see beyond all that funding and make the best decision for the city.
Birch points out that Burlington is a waterfront community – he got that part right.
The Trumpeter Swan Coalition, they don’t want the expanded marina built and point out that a waterfront community means making space for not just boats but for the swans as well.
 There were some very good delegations made – the Gazette will report on these in more depth at a later date.
By Staff
April 18, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is probably the biggest event that takes place in the city. Its pumps millions into the local economy and it’s been around for years.
It has a culture all of its own – and happens because hundreds of people volunteer to do all the hard work.
If you want to be part of an organization that makes a difference – the Sound of Music Volunteer Open House takes place on April 23 at the Halton HiVE from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
The HiVE is located at 901 Guelph Line, which is on the south east corner of the Guelph Line Harvester Road intersection – acres of parking.
You should be able to slip up to the volunteer event after chowing down a couple of those Turtle Jack burgers at the Clean Up event that takes place at Centennial Park right in front of the band shell
Get ready for summer: Make your selections for Movies Under the Stars
 By Staff
April 18, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The people who toil on our behalf at city hall appear to be certain of something that many others may have in doubt – that there will be a summer.
The Burlington Festivals and Events people have announced the movie choices available at different parks during the summer.
Residents can vote online for the movies that will be played this summer at Movies Under the Stars. The program has been well-received in past years,” said Chris Glenn, the
city’s director of parks and recreation. “We are looking forward to another summer of fun-filled nights for families and friends to enjoy some of their favourite
movies in the great outdoors.”
 Night out in Burlington Movies Under the Stars is a city movie series that allows families to enjoy movies in neighbourhood parks. Supported by Tim Hortons, the series will feature a
different movie each Thursday between July 7 and Aug. 18. All movies start at dusk and are shown on an outdoor screen.
Residents are encouraged to vote each week to select the movies that will be featured during Movies Under the Stars at www.burlington.ca/movies
A new poll will be posted each week until May 18, giving voters a choice of three movies. Polls will instantly show which movie has the most votes.
Poll dates, Movie date and park
March 30 to April 6 – July 7, – Nelson Park
April 6 to 13 – July 14, – Aldershot Park
April 13 to 20 – July 21, Central Park Bandshell
April 20 to 27 – July 28, – Emerson Park
April 27 to May 4 – Aug. 4, – Kilbride Park
May 4 to 11 – Aug. 11, – Ireland Park
May 11 to 18 – Aug. 18, – Spencer Smith Park
 “Watch the votes climb and join the City of Burlington in thinking ahead to the warm
days of summer,” said Glenn. Bring your own chair and a blanket.
For more information and to cast your vote for the movie you want to see – visit www.burlington.ca/movies – email is at – festivalsandevents@burlington.ca or phone 905-335-7766.
The Burlington Festivals and Events office offers support to community event Organizers. They are presenting Kite Festival, Canada Day, Movies Under the Stars, and Children’s Festival to the community for free. The community relies on sponsors, vendors and volunteers to keep our events free.
 By Staff
April 18, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is one of the largest and most effective city – community groups Burlington has. They both advocate for the environment – they try hard, but not always successfully to hold city council accountable for the decisions they make that impact the environment.
BurlingtonGreen has initiated a number of projects that make a difference and they have invited world class speakers to the city. It is an organization that has real clout – it could be used more consistently and with more vigor at times.
REGISTRATION link is at the bottom of the page.
 Every age gets involved in the annual BurlingtonGreen Clean Up Every Spring thousands of citizens pull on a pair of gloves pick up a green plastic garbage bag and go picking up litter anywhere they can find it.
Called the Clean Up – it takes place on a Saturday morning with everyone, in the past, gathering at city hall for a burger, pop and a chance to chat up their friends.
The Clean Up this year takes place on Saturday the 23rd – people can go to the BurlingtonGreen web site and decide where they want to do their community work and just show up.
 The annual CleanUp campaign Burlington Green organizes ends with a gathering of the environmental clan – this year it will be at the Bandshelll in Central Park – right next to the library. There are perhaps hundreds of places to Clean Up – when the work is done everyone is encouraged to gather at Central Park and wander around the exhibits at the library or listen to music and have their burger and chat with friends on the grounds in front of the band stand. Entertainment is expected to be part of the event.
More than 55,000 participants have joined the collective effort resulting in cleaner parks, streams, school yards and neighbourhoods.
This citywide event invites citizens, schools, churches, businesses, neighbourhoods and community groups to come together to clean up and green up Burlington to help the planet locally. What a great and meaningful way to celebrate Earth Day 2016!
Registered Clean Up participants will receive free supplies (bags and gloves) to do their clean up activities and are invited to attend an Eco-‐fair Celebration at Central Park Bandshell/Library on April 23rd from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Festivities will include a BBQ courtesy of Turtle Jack’s and refreshments courtesy of Tim Hortons, along with fun button making for kids, a variety of local eco-‐display and opportunities to win free raffle prizes.
 Turtle Jacks will be there with their mobile kitchen. The line ups move quickly. There will be displays inside the library and music at the bandshell.
Amy Schnurr, Burlington Green’s Executive Director explains that this is the 6th year the city and the BG people have worked together. It started in 2011 she said. BG and the City partner on this event with the City contributing $7,000 from the Parks and Road maintenance budget for event planning and execution costs.
Registration gets done – just click here:
By Pepper Parr
April 18th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was pretty simple to Griffin Gervais, a grade five student at Lakeshore Public school – just ask people how to get the ball diamond behind the school repaired and they would tell him what was needed and it would get done because he was the kind of kid that did things like that.
 Carrie Gervais and her son Griffin at Matching Fund meeting. Griffin had an occasion to meet Burlington’s MP, Karina Gould and asked her if she would help him with his plans for the ball diamond. The grounds needed a serious leveling out – they had little rises and small shallow spots. The bases needed bags that were properly anchored – third base is currently a small hole that collects water.
The back drop is close to being ready to fall down. And the benches are kind of crappy.
The ward 2 member of city council happened to be at the same event – Gould pointed Griffin to Meed Ward who was pretty sure what Griffin and his buddies wanted to do was possible under a program that was being rolled out by the city’s parks and recreation department.
 The city had created a Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund that could put up as much as $5000 into a project that is designed to improve a community.
If the success of the Neighbourhood fund depended on the effort of the Parks and Recreation people overseeing the program – the thing would be a raging success.
The purpose of the program is to get people involved in their communities by pulling together a group with a common cause.
 Home plate is the only base that has a bag – and it doesn’t line up properly with the other bases. As a school play ground it has been allowed to deteriorate badly. The Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund has Griffin Gervais’s name written all over it.
City hall staff were spending time in each ward meeting with people to explain what the program is and how it works.
They were in ward 2 last week explaining the program and taking people through the forms that have to be filled in. There are a lot of forms to be filled in.
 No base bag at third base – just an indentation in the ground where water gathers.  Was he out – Griffin Gervais didn’t think so – but there was no base bag to really know. To use the language of the retail sector – these people want your business and they will go well out of their way to make what you want to do in your community happens.
Julia Rogers, the lead contact person and the one who does the presentations, gets herself pretty wound up when she speaks. Griffin Gervais who as at the meeting with his Mom wants to see that baseball diamond at his school upgraded.
Traditionally, in Burlington at least, the school board and the city don’t cooperate all that well.
That isn’t slowing down the people running the Neighbourhood Matching Fund. They appear prepared to do whatever they have to do to get a spark going within a community that will grow into a nice flame that will ignite people in their communities to come together and do things that make Burlington a better place for everyone.
Carrie Gervais said she now has the quotes she needs from the Board of Education so “we now know what the target is. The parents added $200 to the budget for a party in the park to celebrate their success which is all part of the city’s objective. They want people to come together, work together to make their neighbourhoods better places.
 In no specific order: Sawyer Cobham. Scott Rose, Griffen Gervais, Kayden Maslanyk discuss the problems with their ball diamond The Matching fund is intended for a project people want to see done in their neighbourhood. The forms are not that difficult – everything is on line – and if you have a problem – the staff are there to help you.
The city has set aside $50,000 for the program this fiscal year.
Applications have to be in no later than April 29th – which doesn’t leave much time. Staff actually apologized for the late start – this is the first year of what they see as a multi-year effort.
There are two completed applications in hand with one coming in from Giffin and his buddies. There are six wards in the city – someone is going to be disappointed.
Every project submitted won’t need a full $5000 explained Rogers. So the $50,000 available for this year is expected to cover all the applications.
If the program works – parks and recreation staff are planning on asking for more funding for future years.
The City has been pumping out media releases to remind residents that applications are due Friday, April 29.
Chris Glenn, the city’s director of parks and recreation believes there are a lot of good ideas out there and says:. “If you have a proposal for something you think would bring your neighbourhood and community together and build strong connections, we want to hear about it. Even if you are not able to complete all of the information requested in the application form, I would encourage you to still submit it to the city by the April 29 deadline.” Glenn added that once a project is approved the sponsoring group has up to one full year to complete the work.
Griffin project is going to come in at about $11,000 – they are hoping they can get a full $5000 from the city and fund raise to pull in the balance.
The community is expected to raise half of the amount needed. That half can be cash, or in kind materials. Any work that people do on the project is counted at the rate of $17.02 for each hour worked. 50% of any professional services that are needed can be included in the budget.
Griffin’s parents set up a crowd funding account at: Gofundme.com/myzjbcwk There are no stones unturned with this group.
 Julia Rogers will guide anyone through the application process. It sounds a little complex – don’t worry about figuring out the details – Julia Rogers is a phone call away and she will take you through the application form line by line.
One of the issues on anything that involves the city or the board of education is insurance. That can be difficult to navigate. Denise Beard, Manager Community Development, said her staff will do everything they can to get you the insurance coverage you need.
Applications need to be in before the end of the month – approved projects will be announced in June.
 By Staff
April 17, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was that kind of a weekend – the warm weather we have been waiting for blessed us and the citizens took to the streets and Spencer Smith Park and got out for walks.
Many of the sidewalk café locations were full, the Gelato location on Lakeshore Road at Brant had a line up.
 Next weekend is the annual Clean up that BurlingtonGreen organizes and supervises – hopefully the weather will cooperate again and we can pick up some of the rubbish that seems to gather in the late fall and winter months.
Buds on the trees weren’t quite ready to sprout – they’ve been fooled before.
The birds seemed pretty sure that this was the real thing – if you stopped for a moment you could hear some full throated warbling.
 Busy but not overcrowded. Rising quietly in the background is the re-developed Joseph Brant hospital. There is a group of people in the Region that are looking at the cost of burying those hydro lines. Would Burlington be Burlington without them?  A lot of relationships in this city got started at this gazebo – these folks are chowing down the way good friends do.  The pier got a good work out.  Doesn’t get much better than this – does it? Here is how some of the people spent Sunday.
By Pepper Parr
April 16, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
 Morgan, the axe throwing coach and instructor, points to where the axe was supposed to go. Many of the Brantford group managed to hit the bulls eye. There is a small club set up in an industrial space where people throw axes at a wall.
It’s entertainment and has grown into a business model that has expanded to eight locations in less than two years. Founder Mario Zelaya has plans to be in every major Canadian city. They say they are the #1 in Fun and Games in Toronto on Trip Advisor
The business went from a backyard hobby to a company that transformed a niche activity into one with mass appeal.
 Throwing an axe proved to be a little more difficult than expected.  Two women from Brantford throwing axes in Burlington.  The axe throwing party as held to celebrate the birthday of the gentleman on the left.  Not all the axes thrown were lodged in the targets – but they had fun learning how to throw. Friday evening a group of 13 people from Brampton came to town to celebrate a birthday. There is certainly nothing fancy or upscale about the site – it was a place people could rent and enjoy themselves. They brought their own beverages, a box of cupcakes to celebrate the birthday and the intention of having a good time.
They bring their own music which gets plugged into a speaker system.
Is it safe? Very. The instructor takes everyone through a safety lesson and watches everyone carefully to make sure no one does something stupid.
And then they begin to throw axes.
By Staff
April 13, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The inaugural Leading Ladies Charitable Dinner and Speaker Series, organized by the Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington, will take place on May 3, 2016 at LIUNA Station in Hamilton. Doors open at 5:30pm.
 Former Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion What makes this a newsworthy event? Former Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion is going to take the microphone – and it should be a barn burner of a talk.
Hamilton artist, author and philanthropist Patricia Gagic, will share the stage for an engaging and inspiring evening. The evening will be a dinner and exciting silent auction, with the proceeds supporting the charitable work of the Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington.
“Part of the Junior League’s mission is to develop the potential of women.” says Stephanie Fontaine, President of The Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington Inc. (JLHB).
At 95, Hazel McCallion still outworks colleagues half her age. She is passionate about causes that benefit the community and is thrilled to support the Junior League. “My career has spanned many decades but I have consistently championed education and the development of women leaders, two priorities that I share with the Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington.”
As one of WXN (Women’s Executive Network) Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada in 2015, Patricia Gagic’s talents have touched many aspects of the arts and beyond. She is also a dedicated community advocate both locally and internationally. “As a lifetime volunteer and advocate for children around the world, I am excited to share my story in hopes it will inspire others.”
Tickets for the evening (including dinner and speakers) are $100 each (charitable donation receipt available for a portion of the ticket cost), and are available online at www.juniorleague.ca or through the office at 289-337-9526 (Tuesday and Thursday).
The JLHB’s current focus of young women affected by poverty grounds their volunteer efforts and partnerships across the Hamilton-Burlington community.
 Former Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion – she can be as tough as nails when she has to be. While the Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington may be an organization of women committed to voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers purpose may be exclusively educational and charitable they are going to get an up close and persona look about the role women can and have played in the world of politics.
Hazel is going to lay a little of that political love on them.
By Staff
April 12, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Will you be Carson or Cora?
Come to the April 15 meeting of the Halton British Club and have fun paying homage to your favorite Downton Abbey character. There will be prizes for the most authentic look, a quiz and a British style tea party to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday with some delicious birthday cake. Only $7 at the door.
When: 7:30 – 11 p.m. Friday, April 15
Where: Knights of Columbus Hall, 2400 Industrial St., Burlington
 Which character do you want to be? The Halton British Canadian Club Inc was established in 1984. Its purpose is to provide a setting where members can participate in social activities. The club meets on the third Friday of every month at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
 For more information: hbcc.webs.com or contact
Jane or Russ Parker at: russjane2000@yahoo.ca
or (905) 465-3480.
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