 By Pepper Parr
September 3, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s getting tight people.
The high school students have a place to go next Tuesday and the Catholic students know where they are going to be as well. But the public elementary teachers are still jaw boning.
The doors will be open and the teachers are going to do the job they were trained to but they are not going to attend meetings nor will they be doing any of the administrative tasks that are not directly related to teaching.
 Teachers reminding the public just how much they do – they are hired to teach. The provincial government seems to have forgotten that teaching is not just the time spent with students in a classroom; there is paper marking to be done and all the tasks needed to keep curriculum material fresh and relevant. The internet has radically changed the flow of information and it is a monumental task to keep up.
Deb Matthews, President of the Treasury Board, released the following statement on the status of contract negotiations between the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU):
“I’m pleased that the parties have agreed to shift their efforts from negotiating essential services back to bargaining a collective agreement. We expect these conversations to begin next week.
Our government remains firmly committed to continuing to work with OPSEU to reach a fair agreement that balances the interests of employees with the need to provide sustainable and affordable public services, both now and in the future.”
I didn’t see the needs of the students anywhere in that statement – I thought schools were all about the children.
 By Staff
September 3, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Watch for it. The smoke from the grills at Spencer Smith Park should begin to rise sometime this afternoon as the crews prepare for the opening of the 20th Annual Burlington Rotary Ribfest.
The event starts today Thursday at 5:30pm And runs to 11pm, Friday to Sunday 11am – 11pm and Monday 11am – 8pm
To celebrate the 20th year Rotary added an additional day for feasting on those ribs.
 Premier Kathleen Wynne decided to show the boys how ribs should be flipped. Mayor Rick Goldring on the right likes the look of what he has done while Gary Murray, president of Gypsum Technologies adds another to the ribs that will go on sale. A couple of years ago the Premier of the province put in a shift at the grill – a very short shift – but she was there flipping those ribs.
While all is well at Spencer Smith Park and the Rotary operation – there is a simmering battle between two competing ribfest organizations heating up in Hamilton.
The following was reported in the Hamilton Spectator:
The Rotary Club of Burlington-Lakeshore is locking horns with a private ribfest company, the Northern Heat Rib Series, over the timing and location of their smoky, meaty, BBQ-sauce-infused events.
The Burlington Rotary, which runs Canada’s Largest Ribfest, hosts a massive event at Spencer Smith Park every Labour Day weekend.
The Northern Heat Rib Series — a brand-new business launched in April — hosted the first Hamilton Ribfest at Valley Park on the first weekend in June. Justin Brown, owner of Northern Heat, says he was simply aiming to provide a ribfest in an area that didn’t host one.
But the Rotary club isn’t impressed. Earlier this summer, Brown received a letter from several Rotary clubs — spearheaded by Burlington-Lakeshore — stating the club’s disappointment in his fledgling business venue.
 Burlington RibFest is a remarkable success – the result of a lot of hard work over a long period of time. If you looked around there was still some sitting room. The weather was close to perfect and the music was good – great way to bring a summer to a close. Soon after, a ribber booked on Brown’s Northern Heat Rib Series was kicked out of the Rotary’s Labour Day event in Burlington. Other ribbers have since pulled out of Brown’s events for fear of the same treatment. Brown has also lost one of his major sponsors.
“I’m not interested in any of this conflict. It’s not what I’ve decided to come into business for,” Brown said.
But Jeremy Racicot, co-chair of Canada’s Largest Ribfest, says Rotary is simply trying to defend its customers. He says the ribfest market in this area has already been saturated.
“We’re not a bully. We’re just protecting our charity,” he said.
This is the 20th year the Rotary Club of Burlington-Lakeshore has been running Canada’s Largest Ribfest — just one of the many Rotary chapters that operates ribfests around southern Ontario. The Waterdown Oh Canada Ribfest, run by the Rotary Clubs of Flamborough and Waterdown is a smaller player — albeit still popular — on the local ribbing scene.
 John Thorpe on the left and Bob Penning stand beside the cupboard with crests from Rotarian clubs around the world. Both men were founders of the exceptionally successful Rotarian Rib Fest celebrating its 20th year of operation, Later this week we will tell the story of how Name Thorpe and Bob Penning; two Rotarians, built the Rib Fest to the event it is today. It’s quite a success story.
 By Staff
September 3, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Canadian National Exhibition has been holding the Rising StarTalent dance and song competition for more than 29 years. some great performers got their start at that event.
This year three girls from Burlington took part and all three made it to the semi- finals.
 Lauren Salt made it to the finals at the CNE Rising Star Talent contest. Lauren Salt trains at the Dance Station and both Poppy and Olivia train at the Creative Edge Dance Studio under the name of “Frenemies”.
Lauren Salt has made it to the finals and will dance at that level Saturday night. Her Mom says “she is pumped”. Lauren has been in dance since the age of two – she sees this as a full time career option. We will report on the results.
 Olivia on the left and Poppy on the right – made it to the semi-finals at the CNE Rising Star competition. Poppy and Olivia are content with having made it to the finals. They had a lot of fun and the experience was good for them. we may see more of these two in the future.
 By Staff
September 2, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The folks at the Mountsberg Conservation Area are going to use the coming weekend to celebrate one of nature’s most incredible, and frequently misunderstood, creatures – the vulture.
Believe it or not there is an International Vulture Awareness Day.
 Turkey vultures have a really big wing spread which allows them to float above their prey for quite a while. Vultures all over the world are facing ecological challenges brought on by loss of habitat and pressures from human activity. This is your chance to learn about these fascinating animals, including the Turkey Vulture, Ontario’s only native vulture species. Park visitors will have the opportunity to learn all about how beneficial vultures are to the environment, and how intelligent and social they can be.
The day will include:
 You get to meet Casey and Buzz – face to beak. He isn’t exactly pretty is he? Vulture-themed crafts and colouring
Vulture games
Vulture displays
Opportunities to meet the Raptor Centre’s residents Turkey Vultures, Casey and Buzz, up close and ‘nose-to-beak’!
The Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) is Ontario’s only native vulture species, and their graceful silhouettes are often seen soaring near the escarpment and over Greenbelt rural land. Their bald heads and grisly culinary habits often lead people to dismiss them as unsanitary and unattractive, but this is unfair to the hard-working and highly efficient turkey vulture.
This event is free with cost of park admission ($7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors and children 5 to 15 years, and free for children 4 years and under); Halton Parks members only need to show their pass for admission. Mountsberg’s International Vulture Awareness Day activities will take place throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 5.
A nice inexpensive way to ease the kids from those lazy hazy days of summer into the discipline of a classroom and text books.
The Mountsberg Conservation Area is located on Milburough Line, five km west of Campbellville, ON, between Highway 6 South and the Guelph Line.
By Staff
eptember 1, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Performing Arts Centre is going to be one of the stops for the World Premiere Tour of the unique classical ballet Sleeping Beauty.
The performance will take place October 2, 2015 at 8:00 pm.
Dance Critic Gary Smith will give a pre-show talk, in addition to a post-show chat with the artists.
 Sleeping Beauty, Performance, Act I Sleeping Beauty is one of the world‘s most famous classical ballets and holds a place in the repertoire of virtually every major company.
This major new ballet tells the enchanting story of Aurora and her prince complete with its inherently magical qualities and dazzling choreography. The fairy tale about a young woman placed under a spell to sleep for a hundred years only to be awakened by a kiss is an easily accessible story. It appeals to a child’s imagination and holds a special place in the hearts of adults.
 Superb performances of Sleeping Beauty are going to take place on the stage at the Performing Arts Centre – October 2 The underlying theme is the tug between the forces of good (the Lilac Fairy) and evil (Carabosse), serving as an important thread to the plot. Told in three acts, the ballet benefits from the character development and technical expertise for which Canada’s Ballet Jörgen is known.
Artistic Director and award-winning choreographer Bengt Jörgen focuses on the magical elements and the interpretation of the ballet as a nature allegory: The young woman represents nature, the wicked fairy is winter, who deadens life with pricks of frost until a young man, spring, cuts away the brambles to allow the sun to awaken sleeping nature. Sleeping Beauty by Canada’s Ballet Jörgen draws on the traditional choreography by Marius Petipa to spin a tale of nature and love that will inspire young and old alike.
 Sleeping Beauty has a very large cast – it is a traditional ballet that has been done as a Walt Disney film and is a favorite with young people and adults that appreciate the richness of the story and the strength of the dancers. The delightful story will be danced to the original 1890 score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, set to a libretto based on Charles Perrault’s story La Belle au bois dormant. In ensemble with stunning costumes and captivating lighting design, Sleeping Beauty by Canada‘s Ballet Jörgen is guaranteed to provide an evening of entertaining and inspiring live performance.
If you want your children to have some understanding of what great ballet is – this is the event to take them to – the Walt Disney movie version always does well – real dancers with fabulous choreography is one of those things every child should have an opportunity to see.
Tickets can be purchased online www.burlingtonpac.ca, by phone 905-681-6000 or in person at the Box Office located at 440 Locust Street.
Cine Starz Upper Canada Place
460 Brant Street
WWW CINESTARZ.CA
SHOWTIMES September 4 to 10 , 2015
SINISTER 2 14A
Fri to Thur 1:20 3:30 5:20 7:15 9:10
AMERICAN ULTRA 18A
Fri to Thur 1:35 5:40 7:30 9:20
FANTASTIC FOUR PG
Fri to Thur 11:30 1:30 3:15 5:30
JURASSIC WORLD PG
Fri to Thur 11:10 1:00 3:20 5:10 7:00 9:15
VACATION 14A
Fri to Thur 11:20 1:30 3:15 5:10 7:30
SOUTHPAW 14A
Fri to Thur 11:15 7:20 9:30
INSIDE OUT G
Fri to Thur 11:15 1:15 3:15 5:15 7:15
PAPER TOWNS PG
Fri to Thur 11:00 3:30 9:30
AMY 14A
Fri to Thur 9:15
By Staff
August 29, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Lane Restrictions on Pine Street – Sept. 3 to 5
 You are looking at a Master Coffee Brewer- finest coffee in town Halton Region will be installing new wastewater main liners on Pine Street, between Elizabeth and Pearl Streets. This construction will take place at night from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. starting Thursday, Sept. 3 to Saturday, Sept. 5.
Lane restrictions will be in effect.
Whew – so I can still get my engines going at Tamp – need that coffee
By Staff
August 31, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
A monument. A tangible piece of history placed in a prominent spot to signify the beginning or end of something – a life, a war, a turning point in history – that is what Burlingtonians can expect to see in the very near future.
 Prominently located at the west entrance to Spencer Smith Park there will be a six foot high, three foot wide place marker to remind the public and tell the youth of the future about the remarkable attempt a young man made to run across this county with one good leg and the other an artificial leg that was always uncomfortable.
There are several markers in the Terry Fox Journey – British Columbia where his dream was born; St. John’s, Newfoundland – where his journey began and sadly, Thunder Bay, Ontario – where his run came to an end.
“We as Burlingtonians make no special claim of ownership over Terry’s legacy,” said Greg Costa, the lead on the Monument project, “however, on July 13th, 1980 something extraordinary did happen here. Terry brought his Marathon of Hope along Lakeshore Road, to North Shore, up King Road, and across Plains Road.”
“We weren’t the beginning or the end of this journey, but we’re proud nonetheless to be part of the journey. While the end of his run, and subsequent death left a permanent mark on every Canadian, it was his journey that truly touched lives. It’s what brought people to the streets to witness a once in a lifetime moment. A moment that showed the full spectrum of what it is to be human. Terry’s run was about sacrifice, friendship, determination, and strength. Not just physical strength, but strength of character.”
On this the 35th anniversary of Terry’s run through Burlington, what’s the perfect way to mark the occasion? While 35 years is a long time, no doubt, it’s not nearly the end.
Terry reached Burlington with many kilometers behind him, and many yet to go. Just as we have reached 35 years of participating in community runs in Terry’s name to raise money for cancer research – we have many years ahead of us.
Terry said: “Even though I’m not running anymore, we still have to try to find a cure for cancer. Other people should go ahead and try to do their own thing now.”
And we did. We have for 35 years – but we’re not done yet.
 The Burlington Terry Fox Monument Project Team has proudly announced plans for a “mile”marker” monument at the west end of Spencer Smith Park to celebrate Terry’s journey. “We hope that this will not only pay respect to one of the greatest Canadian Heroes this country has ever known,” said Costa, ” but to act as a reminder that we’re not finished what he started. Not yet.”
The Monument group is grateful to the City of Burlington for donating the location where the monument will be placed.
Funds for the monument are being raised privately and separately from the Terry Fox Foundation or the Burlington Terry Fox Run Committee
This is a separate community project – they have decided to be very low key until the annual Terry Fox runs takes place September 20th. They do not want to confuse the public – the Monument is not part of the drive to raise funds for cancer – it is to pay for a marker; something that every citizen will smile at when they see it and every visitor will want to have their picture taken in front of.
Greg Costa at the Burlington Terry Fox Monument Project, is passionate about Terry’s vision and his legacy. You can reach him by calling 905-335-1909 or emailing him at costagreg@cogeco.ca.
Their goal to erect a monument to commemorate the 35th year of the Marathon of Hope in memory of Terry Fox and his life time achievements in the fight against Cancer.
 This is a private citizen group led event. Costa points out that “we are not a registered charity, your donation cannot be tax receipted.”
This initiative is the kind of thing that makes people proud of the city.
By Staff
August 31, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Do you remember the s l o w dances?
Sure you do – and Kyle Tonkens, a local installation artist would like you to experience those wonderful evening dances once again.
 Your invitation. On Thursday, September 10, between 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm., Tomkins is inviting you have one of those slow dances as the sun sets in the west. The event features a real-time two hour sunset, where there will be live music, refreshments, and of course wonderful works of art on display.
I wonder if they will play Red Sails in the Sunset – that one always worked for me.
The event takes place at the The Art Gallery of Burlington on Lakeshore Road.
 It was vision and cultural courage that got this piece of art outside the Art Gallery of Burlington – plus the desire of a man to make a statement of his devotion to his wife. It will be held in the RBC Community room where a glorious sunset will be projected on the south wall of the community room. For those who want the real thing in the way of a sunset – they will be able to dance outside close to the Rebbecca – one mans statement of his love for his wife.
The sunset that will be projected was filmed at Princess Point – a part of the Cootes Paradise where the view of sunsets is incredible.
Admission is free.
By Staff
August 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
In the summer of 2013 the Art Gallery of Burlington proudly launched the John Willard Fibre Arts Residency to celebrate the remarkable life of John Willard.
 Willard took quilting in a different direction – he was bold, at times outrageous and left a collection to guide others. Not one to follow the rules of tradition, Willard turned the craft of quilting into a truly remarkable art form. With scissors, needles, thread and fabrics Willard created his own one of a kind quilt designs whether inspired by traditional patterns that he had deconstructed or by historical events.
To continue Willard’s legacy as a fibre art teacher, the residency will enable emerging artists to have access to one of the AGB resident fibre studios in order to develop a body of work for their first solo exhibition in the RBC Community Gallery.
 Karen Cummings has a strong style of her own – she looks like an admirable choice to follow in some of the Willard footsteps Cambridge’s Karen Cummings has been named the first recipient of the John Willard Fibre Arts Residency for Emerging Artists. She describes her current work as abstract collage for which she uses fabric and fibre. Cummings sees her eclectic collection as an opportunity for personal expression, based on the classical techniques of machine and hand stitching. Her work at times can be careful, contrasted to the frenzied moments of fast machine-stitched along with the arranging and rearranging of fabric, thus creating endless possibilities of diverse surfaces. Between the harsh difference of the rate of speed at which Cummings works and techniques used, Cummings hopes to convey her message.
During the residency, Cummings will engage with the public to share her passion for textile art. This opportunity to share her work gives her a chance to talk about some of the processes she has come to use and to expand her fibre art language. Cummings shares “…that feedback from visitors is valuable and hopefully AGB visitors will ‘see’ and understand a little about the complexities of this medium”.
Cummings’s will begin her residency in September and expect to spend a few days each week at the gallery
The Art Gallery of Burlington is located at 1333 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON L7S 1A9
Gallery Hours:
Monday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm Friday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday: 12 noon – 5:00 pm
By Pepper Parr
August 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
 A great way for the season to start at the Performing Arts Centre – new Executive Director starts that day as well. When asked what his favourite program was in the 2015/2016 Performing Arts season Executive Director Brian McCurdy said: the brilliant jazz guitarist Pat Metheny who appears on September 1. McCurdy retires in the very near future – we hope he was given a pair of tickets and that his wife will be able to join him for the performance.
This fifth season of programming at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre will see 68 artists and companies on the stages; it is The Centre’s largest offering of arts and entertainment to date. This Season delivers an exciting mix of returning favourites, and exceptional performers gracing our stages for the first time; from Canadian music icons and hilarious comedians, to world music stars and beloved childhood characters.
There will be opportunities to see Lighthouse, comedian Howie Mandel, Jully Black & Jarvis Church, José Feliciano, classical pianist Emanuel Ax, Broadway legend Colm Wilkinson, and many more.
In addition to world renowned talent coming to Burlington, The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is once again partnering with local professional theatre companies Tottering Biped Theatre, Nortesur Artistic Productions, and KooGle Theatre Company as part of the Theatre Series.
The Centre also partnered with the Live & Local Music Series – presenting six events throughout the season, putting local musicians on stage. New this Season, local acts will perform in the lobby prior to a selection of events, to provide pre-show entertainment and greater exposure for local artists. These initiatives collectively work towards supporting the growth of a strong regional theatre and music scene, with Burlington as the focus.
 Starting in the cabarets and jazz clubs of Toronto while still a teenager, Micah Barnes is now a well-loved singer-songwriter.
And if you didn’t know – this Friday there will be another of the Jazz on the Plaza – starts at 6:30 – the bar will be open and you get to hear the Micah Barnes – and the price is certainly right – free.
By Pepper Parr
August 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
 A former Burlington MPP, George Kerr swam in the Bay to prove is was not totally polluted. And yes there was once a car that could serve as a boat as well. There was a time – maybe 30 years ago when the local MPP had to take a swim in Burlington Bay – Hamilton Harbour to convince people it was not that polluted. That was the best the government could do at the time.
It is different now – the government realizes that they cannot do all that much by themselves but if they involve the public they can be a part of making real and significant change.
Ontario created the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund grant to help community groups protect, restore and enhance the Great Lakes.
Now in its fourth year, the fund provides a grant of up to $25,000 to not-for-profit organizations, schools, First Nations and Métis communities and other local groups for projects that have a direct environmental benefit to the Great Lakes. Past projects and activities supported by the fund have included:
• Planting trees
• Creating rain gardens
• Restoring wetland habitat
• Controlling invasive species
• Cleaning up beaches or shorelines
• Naturalizing stream banks and shorelines.
Applications will be accepted until October 23, 2015.
To qualify, your project must have a direct environmental benefit and support at least 1 of the 3 goals.
 When Burlington Green gets the opportunity their members turn out in droves to plant seedlings and save as much as they can of the fragile ecosystem in parts of the Beachway Park. Goal 1: protect water quality for human and ecological health
Examples to meet this goal include: strengthening riverbanks to reduce erosion students restoring wetlands to manage stormwater runoff building fences to keep livestock out of waterways helping property owners maintain septic systems.
Goal 2: improve wetlands, beaches and coastal areas. Examples to meet this goal include:
youth planting native grasses to restore sand dunes, rehabilitating coastal wetlands by restoring fish habitats, organizing community events to clean-up shorelines, restoring wetlands using traditional ecological knowledge.
Goal 3: protect habitats and species. Examples to meet this goal include:
Students planting trees to provided shaded habitats along shorelines, creating habitats for wetland wildlife, restoring traditional harvesting areas by planting native species, creating fish spawning beds
This year’s fund will award $1.5 million in total for eligible projects.
 Once seedlings are planted they need care and attention and sometimes water. Since 2012, $4.5 million has been awarded to 221 community-based projects in Great Lakes watershed areas, including the St. Lawrence River Basin and the Ottawa River; more than 11,000 volunteers have helped plant 85,125 trees, release 2,133 fish, create or enhance 643 kilometres of trail and collect 586 bags of garbage.
Ontario’s Great Lakes Basin is home to 40 per cent of Canada’s economic activity and 95 per cent of Ontario’s agricultural land.
If you want more information about the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund and want to look over the application form CLICK HERE – that will get you to the government web site
By Staff
August 26, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
You might not be able to get a hot dog at Easterbooks on Thursday but you will be able to watch a film crew set up for the shoot they will be doing on Thursday, August 27th at Easterbrooks Restaurant at 694 Spring Gardens Rd.
 The location scouts wanted a place for a television segment that was going back to the past – Easterbrook’s certainly meets that criteria Halton Regional Police Service will manage short road closures of two to five minutes for filming.
Preparation takes place during the day – 7 am to 7 pm
With filming starting at 7 pm am running through to 2 am
Wrap up will be done on Friday, Aug. 28 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The television segment has to do with going back into the past – that helps understand why they chose Easterbrooks,
Pam Brooks, who works at the Spring Garden Road location said the television show is about a time capsule and a bunch of scientists that want to stop a plague that is taking over the world and another bunch of people who don’t want the plague to end.
12 MONKEYS is a character-driven science fiction thriller about one man’s desperate attempt to save mankind using a dangerous and untested method of time travel. The small screen version of 12 MONKEYS will star Aaron Stanford (Nikita), Amanda Schull (Suits), Kirk Acevedo (Fringe) and Noah Bean (Nikita).
A portion of the location filming will be at EASTERBROOKS, mostly exterior scenes with 1 interior scene.
 A blast from the past – the fifties style at Easterbrook’s was just what the television location scouts wanted. “About twenty guys showed up a few weeks ago and looked the place over and decided we were what they wanted” said Brooks.
The production company GEP 12 Monkey Industries is located in Toronto. One of the production crew is a Burlington resident.
Segments of the television show can be found on Youtube.
By Staff
August 26, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Three young girls from Burlington are spending much of the next few days at the CNE in Toronto taking part in the Rising Star talent event that has taken place for the last 29 years.
 Dancer Lauren Salt has been dancing since she was two – has made it to the semi-finals at the CNE Rising Star competition. Lauren Salt from the Dance Station and both Poppy and Olivia from the Creative Edge Dance Studio have all made it to the semi-finals in their event.
Poppy and Olivia are dancing as a team while Lauren is doing her own act. She competes next on Sept 1st. Poppy and Olivia compete on August 31st.
Poppy said that she started dance for fun when she was younger and added that “I love dancing with my friends and it’s exciting to perform on stage. It feels really good when I am doing choreography and learning new styles. I hope that I can do more with dance as I get older. I would like to perform in shows and maybe do some acting.”
 Olivia on the left and Poppy on the right are dancing as a team at the CNE Rising Talent competition Olivia indicated that she can express her feelings and emotions through dance. She also said that she feels joy when she dances and would like to continue with dancing when she’s older so that she could travel with dance and see lots of different places in the world.
Lauren Salt, who has been in dance classes since she was two years of age said:
“Dance to me, is my world. Dance defines me and who I am. It has helped me become the person I am today. By dancing for eight years now, I have learned to be grateful and confident in myself. When I am up on stage dancing, there is an unexplainable feeling I get doing what I love. It is my passion and it is what I would like to do for the rest of my life”
That kind of passion is what produces champions. We will watch with anticipation on how well all three girls do at the CNE competition.
Cine Starz Upper Canada Place
460 Brant Street
WWW CINESTARZ.CA
SHOWTIMES August 28 to Sep 3 , 2015
FANTASTIC FOUR PG
Fri to Thur 11:15A 1:10 3:10 5:10 7:10 9:10
JURASSIC WORLD PG
Fri to Thur 11:00 1:10 3:15 5:30 7:20 9:35
VACATION 14A
Fri to Thur 11:00 1:20 5:20 7:45 9:40
SOUTHPAW 14A
Fri to Thur 11:10 1:25 5:15 7:15 9:30
INSIDE OUT G
Fri to Thur 11:10 1:00 3:30 5:25 7:20
IRRATIONAL MAN 14A
Fri to Thur 3:40 5:30
PAPER TOWNS PG
Fri to Thur 11:00 1:00 7:30
SPY 14A
Fri to Thur 3:00 9:15
AMY 14A
Fri to Thur 3:00 9:30
 By Staff
August 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Black Swan was packed to the walls – 220 people Friday and 200 on the Saturday and the doors didn’t close until well after 3 am.
Can these four geezers get it up one more time? The Sons Today: Peter Davidson, Dave Best, Ron Canning and Robin McMillan gave the audience more than their money’s worth.
The Rising Sons were going to go out in style
They didn’t raise all that much money but they did have a great time – there were stories told and memories shared
The finds that were raised went to a hospital in Hamilton.
 The Black Swan was packed – 200 + two nights in a row. Every seat available at the Black Swan had a bum in it – there were people at the door both evenings trying to get a ticket.
With a two evening event doing that well the promoter in Ric Connors ask – maybe this gig has legs and can be moved to a bigger venue?
Performing Arts Centre does come to mind.
There are people thinking about the idea – maybe early in November – if there is a spot at the Centre.
We will keep you posted.
 By Pepper Parr
August 24th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
When the Arts and Cultural Collective of Burlington was created it was unique and became the place to go to if you wanted to know what was happening in the arts community which had become of age in this city. Their Facebook page became a source of information that pulled the community together – and it worked
 The Arts Collective had a presence – they were making a difference – now their Facebook page is being used to sell high end sun glasses and Point of Sale equipment for restaurants. It was refreshing – they kept the membership limited – at one point you had to be referred by an existing member to get on the list. They were effective – they convinced the city to take another look at how artists were going to be treated with their contributions to the new web site – the city wanted to use picture – not pay for them and not even give a photo credit. That got changed.
The Cultural Action Plan that was researched by Jeremy Freiburger and his team over at the Cobalt Connection was a strong starting point. The Arts Collective liked what they saw but they wanted more involvement in the detail part of the cultural plans and also in the roll out in whatever was decided upon. They also wanted the final Culture Plan to include an Arts Council that would make grants available to artists.
A couple of months ago they began talking about how many members they had – and the size of the list became more important that the quality of the content.
 The younger, feistier set knew what they needed – they had done their homework – their challenge was to find their voice and make it hard. It was a moderated information source – which meant that messages that weren’t appropriate did not get posted. The person doing the moderation must have been asleep at the switch the past couple of months – there have been advertisements for high end sun glasses and then something for travel and now someone wants to sell a Point of Sale cash register system. “Perfect for any restaurant or retail business, …” using the Collective site as the advertising vehicle
This isn’t what the Collective was created to do. When it got off the ground a couple of years ago there was all kinds of really positive energy and they came up with very good ideas. They took possession of the agenda and pushed city hall to add resources to the cultural file.
They wanted to see culture moved out of the jock mentality many people saw dominating the Parks and Recreation department and they wanted to see more dollars put into the cultural field.
The province then got into the Cultural business with the promotion of Culture Week that was a decently done during its first year.
 Civic square buzzed during Culture week last year – with the increased involvement on the part of the cultural manager Angela Paparizo we may see even more activity. There are apparently all kinds of plans for Culture Week this year but there hasn’t been much coming out of city hall yet – the individual artists are promoting the events they have taking place – there is a Ping Pong and Poetry event that will take place at the new HiVe now located on Guelph Line. Local artist Margaret Lindsay Halton is running that event.
The organizational structure of the Arts Collective has always been a little undefined – personalities and ego began to take up too much space and the purpose began to get lost.
There is still time for the Arts Collective to recover – but they don’t take too much time doing it. They could and should play an important role.
There is still some very good energy within the citizen side of the arts. The Guilds at the Art Gallery of Burlington are becoming more active – management over there is expecting the guilds to be more visible and they are living up to the expectation.
 Retiring Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre Brian McCurdy stabilized the Centre – losing him is going to hurt for awhile. A new leader will need some time to get a sense as to how the Centre and the city work. In this photograph McCurdy is briefing the Mayor on parts of his thinking The No Vacancy people will be putting on their third event in September – this time on Old Lakeshore Road basically outside Emma’s. September 17th from 7 pm to midnight.
Last year they recorded 3500 + visitors. This year the event will be called SuperNova and they think they will double last year’s attendance. They have put on the event for two years with nowhere near the funding available to Culture Week and have in the past produced much stronger more vital programs. This year, for the first time they got some funding from the city – courtesy of Councillor Marianne Meed Ward who advocated for the small grant they got.
One of the hurdles that few people see coming is the wallop the Gazette thinks the taxpayers are going to face when the real costs of the flood are going to have on the 2016 budget. Reports that have been given to Council point out a number of close to pressing amounts that are going to have to be spent real soon.
It is going to amount to millions with an expected new line on the tax bill for the management of storm water.
The cultural file just might take a hit – more money is going to have to go into infrastructure; council has been told that transit needs a lot more attention, especially when looked at through an intensification lens and the city is still salting away money to pay for our share of the hospital redevelopment.
Some tough work ahead of this Council – which is going to be difficult because all the members of this Council don’t sing from the same page in the hymnal.
By Staff
August 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
“Bring along your furry friends and join us for a day of teddy bear-themed crafts, activities and stories. Meet a “life-sized” teddy, go on a scavenger hunt and enjoy a delicious picnic! It’s a day sure to be filled with Kodiak moments” said the media release from the Royal Botanical Gardens.
 Mark the dates – August 29th and 30th from 11 am to 4 pm
There are Activity Stations open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Travelling Teddy Totes: Make your own carrying sack to collect all 6 items hidden in the garden.*
Bear Binoculars: Make your own binoculars to help you find all the bears roaming around the garden.*
Teddy Tales Treasure Hunt: Get your map to help guide you on your bear adventure. *
Little Bear’s Berry Baskets: Make your own bear basket. *
Bear Disguise: Get your face painted!
Bear County Clinic: Visit the nursing station for a teddy bear check up!
Garden Games: Beary fun for all playing giant sized games.
Big Bear Barbeque: Get yourself some snacks and refreshments. $
11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
Bear Tales: Hear bear filled stories at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Puppet show starts at 1:30 p.m.
12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Teddy Bear Adventure: Join us on a hike to learn about what bears eat! Hike leaves at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
11:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
Bear-y Special Guests
Saturday – To be announced
Sunday – Bumbling Bert & The Big Book of Magic!
An asterisk * means you can take home what you make.
$ indicates this is a paid activity.
Parking is limited at the Laking Garden. RBG is offering a complimentary shuttle from RBG Centre to Laking Garden approximately every 15 to 20 minutes between 10:45am – 4:30pm. The last shuttle is leaving Laking Garden at 4:15pm.
BUY TICKETS ONLINE NOW!
 By Staff
August 22, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Intercounty Baseball League is a game away from knowing who the two finalists are going to be.
The Barrie Baycats beat the Toronto Maple leafs which makes them one of the finalists.
 The London Majors forced a seventh game against the Kitchener Panthers after their 5-3 Friday night.
Burlington dropped out of the race when they lost to the London Majors in the quarter finals.
The league has seen most of the games in this race to the final tightly matched with no one taking a series in a clean sweep.
Things have also gotten a little feisty on the field with the league suspending both players and a coach as the result of more excitement than is allowed when Kitchener played London on August 19th.
The game to determine the second finalist will be played in Kitchener at 7 pm on Saturday.
By Staff
August 21, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Mark Carr got word that the program he moderates on Cogeco Cable “The Issue” was good to go for the fall.
 Cogeco’s The Issue panel: Mark Carr, host on the left with Casey Cosgrove, a guest, then former Mayor Walter Mulkewich and then Brian Heagle First show for this season of The Issue is Tuesday September 15th 8pm LIVE.
The show is interactive – twitter them at # The Issue.
The Issue is broadcast on channel 23 and channel 700 for high definition.
Carr monitors the twitter feed and bounces comments tweeted in with the panel made up of former Burlington Mayor Walter Mulkewich, lawyer and former Burlington council candidate Brian Heagle, and Deb Tymstra who has reported for Cogeco on a number of issues.
The intention is to have a guest on the panel as well. The publisher of the Gazette has been asked to take part in the panel from time to time.
Those watching the program can tweet comments and see how the panel responds.
You can agree or disagree with the panel of community/political experts live” said Carr “ and then watch to see how they respond to what you had to say.”
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