By Staff
June 8, 2105
BURLINGTON, ON
All diamonds and grass playing fields are closed for the balance of Monday June 8, 2015:
All Diamonds and Rectangular fields, with exception of Turf fields, are also closed due to inclement weather.
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June 8, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON Opera and the Sound of Music? It’s going to happen – not out in Spencer Smith Park but inside the Knox Presbyterian Church, 461 Elizabeth St.  The Magic Flute was performed by the Canadian Children Opera Company. Burlington will hear a cabaret of their work June 13th The performance is being put on by the Canadian Children’s Opera Company, (CCOC) an opera company for young people, unique in North America, dedicated to the training of young singers with an annual commissioned opera for young people from ages 5 – 20. The CCOC’s youth chorus will present Opera Cabaret at Knox Presbyterian on June 13th conducted by two of Canada’s most treasured music educators, Ann Cooper Gay and composer, Errol Gay. CCOC members are regularly seen on stage at COC productions and is supported by various organizations including the Ontario Arts Council. The 30 voice strong, Youth Chorus performs Opera Cabaret which marks the first performance of the CCOC in Burlington and will feature excerpts from Alice in Wonderland. WHY IS THIS SO SPECIAL? The CCOC is a major training ground for Canada’s future opera singers. And one of them is year is Burlington’s Lori Lewis, currently a student at Aldershot High School, a brilliant young talent whose musical roots are right here in our city and who will join an opera training programme this summer in Italy before he returns to this final year with the CCOC.  The Hobbit – a Canadian Children’s Opera Company production. Having spent over 30 years as a singer and conductor, it was a rare treat to hear and see this young man in Alice. The voice is a tenor’s treat, warm and rich with high notes beyond what one might expect for a tenor this young. But today’s opera and music theatre world demands more than a voice and Lori Lewis has the timing of a comic, the awareness of an actor and the gift of moving his audiences. As the Mad Hatter in Alice, Lori’s performance still lingers in my memory. This year’s sell-out event was a Canadian composed, written and staged opera, Alice in Wonderland that premiered at the Enwave Theatre at Harbour Front in Toronto to 12, sold-out, standing ovation audiences. More details at www.canadianchildrensopera.com Please forward this email to anyone you think would enjoy a taste of tomorrow’s Canadian musical stars.
June 8, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON If you had a ticket to this Live Auction – you were at the right place; the Art Gallery of Burlington was all a ‘buzz’.  Paris and the Belle Epoch was the theme for the 2015 Art Gallery of Burlington Live Auction. The Eiffel Tower seemed d appropriate The guests eagerly arrived at this much anticipated event held by The Art Gallery of Burlington. The reception was advertised to begin at 6:30 p.m. but that did not keep the eager AGB supporters and art lovers from showing up at 6:00 p.m. Upon my arrival I quickly felt the high energy of the evening. The theme was La Belle Epoc or ‘Moulin Rouge’- the party days of Paris in the 1800s. The Burlington Student Performers were dressed in their Paris costumes and entertained the crowd. I chatted with Robert Steven, President & CEO with The Art Gallery of Burlington. Robert was the first person to greet the art enthusiasts who poured into The Art Gallery of Burlington to take part in the festivities. Robert was proud to let me know; they had reached record ticket sales this year. He also mentioned the Live Auction raises funds for Exhibitions and Programs held at The Art Gallery of Burlington. I spoke with Cheryl Goldring, Chair of the Live Auction at the Art Gallery of Burlington. She was very attentive to everyone as they approached to congratulate her on the success of the event. Cheryl was very excited that this year the sponsorships doubled and they also added new Sponsors to their roster. Cheryl started a new program called ‘Friends of AGB’. Each member pays $1,000 to join which supports the Art Gallery of Burlington. Cheryl was super excited and thrilled with the outcome and support from the community.  AGB volunteer Dee Goodings hands out bidding numbers while CEO Robert Steven watches the count. This year the Live Auction took on a fresh new look and it was a success! I heard someone say “They sure outdid themselves this year.” That is when I sought out the Event Coordinator, Cheryl Soderlund, who was instrumental in adding a ‘fresh face’ to the 37th Annual Live Auction. This was after all the 1st Annual Live Auction under the new name the Art Gallery of Burlington. I spoke with Cheryl who was very humble. According to Cheryl, the Live Auction would not have been successful without the commitment of her ‘35 Volunteer Force’. Volunteers consisted of; Greeters, Art Carriers, Live Auction Clerks and Packing Room Attendants – who all wore white gloves; how classy. Her goal was for everyone to enjoy the art, walk about and participate in the ‘Party in Paris’ theme. The event was set up as follows; in one room there was the Silent Auction and in the larger room the Live Auction, and down the hall, the 200 for $200 room.  The Live Auction bidding is about to begin – the room has a bit of a buzz to it. It was evident Cheryl’s vision became a success. As I congratulated Cheryl for a job well done; she suggested I speak with Kim Varian, who was instrumental in pulling together the logistics for the Live Auction event. I spoke briefly with Kim, who together with the Art Committee worked tirelessly to broaden the event. There is no question the Art Gallery of Burlington ‘pulled out all the stops’ this year. I spoke with Catherine Brady who has been with the Art Gallery since 1998 as part of their Committee. She too was very proud at how the Live Auction event transpired this year. First decision they made was to move the event from February to June. Second decision was to add the 200 for $200 Art Sale. In this room there were 200 pieces of art for sale for $200 each. The Art pieces were comprised by local artists including; Victoria Pearce, Deborah Pearce and Claudette Losier, to name a few. By 7:30 pm the smooth shift took place as the crowd transitioned from the small Silent Auction room to the large Live Auction. The crowd began their seating preference. The seriousness came through as everyone held onto their bidding numbers. By 7:45 p.m. there was not an empty chair in the room in anticipation of the Live Auction.  Denis Longchamp, Chief Curator with The Art Gallery of Burlington looks over some of the 200 pieces that were on sale for $200 each – a new part of the AGB’s fundraising program this year. At 8:00 p.m. Robert Steven opened up the Live Auction. He thanked everyone for being a part of the Live Auction and explained to them how the funds raised were being distributed. I had a chance to chat with Denis Longchamp, Chief Curator with the Art Gallery of Burlington. He was very excited and proud of the Live Auction. Denis was quick to point out that the success of the event was made possible by the attendance at this event and the support from the community. He was looking forward to the results of the Live Auction.
June 6, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON Just two weeks away from PRIDE week in Toronto, the Halton Regional Police are jumping the gun and declared they are proud to celebrate our diverse LGBTQ+ community and are excited to support and participate in the Pride Parade with a newly decorated police SUV. The Halton Regional Police Service has built strong partnerships with our LGBTQ+ communities within Halton and in particular, with Marcus Logan, Supervisor, LGBTQ+ Education and Support Services for the Positive Space Network in Halton as well as the Reach Out Centre for Kids (R.O.C.K.)
In addition, our PRIDE cruiser will also be featured at the Halton pride event that is scheduled to take place on Saturday August 15, 2015 at Central Park in the City of Burlington. “My long standing partnership and collaborative relationship with the Halton Regional Police Service is one that I am sincerely proud of. The PRIDE cruiser is more than a gesture of inclusion; this is a visible commitment to the ongoing diversity and inclusion work both our agencies are doing together in Halton.” says Logan. “I remember the first time we saw the pride flags flying across Halton, it was such a hopeful and moving sight. The PRIDE cruiser has evoked those feelings in me once again and I am sure that our LGBTQ+ youth and families and allies will experience the same when they see the PRIDE cruiser in their community.” – Logan I always thought Burlington didn’t want to be like Toronto. At least now we know where some of our tax dollars go,
June 6, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON Wildlife in Aldershot have more protected land to call home thanks to the City of Burlington which purchased 5 acres of natural lands on Snake Road, in the middle of the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System.
This 1.3km long corridor of greenspace provides unusual forested talus slopes and deeply incised sheltered creek valleys creating unique microclimates for a diversity of plants and animals. The Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System is one of Canada’s biodiversity hotspots, home to more than 1,500 species of plants and animals, including nearly one quarter of Canada’s wild plants. The ecopark system lands are owned and managed by ten local government and non-profit partners who have committed to work together to protect, connect and restore the extraordinary natural heritage in the ecopark system area.
With this property acquisition, partners in the ecopark system have permanently protected more than 120 acres of ecologically significant land in the past two years, through purchase, donation and conservation easement.
June 4, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON It’s bicycle season! Children and adults alike are out enjoying the Spring and Summer weather and the hard-core cyclists are populating the beautiful rural roads in Halton. Those roads have not been accident free.  Burlington has created car free Sundays – occasions when the roads are blocked off to vehicular traffic. Since January 2014, there have been 127 reports of Motor Vehicle Collisions involving bicycles in the Region of Halton, 56 of those collisions occurred in Burlington. The vast majority of collisions involving cyclists are intersection related, followed by cyclists struck from behind when passing motorists fail to provide them enough room. Bicycles are considered vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act and cyclists must abide by the same rules and regulations and drivers. Sharing the road is a responsibility we all must learn to make a priority. Officers working in the City of Burlington will be making efforts from now until October, to reduce the number of collisions involving bicycles through awareness, education and enforcement. Burlington is the only municipality in the Region that allows cyclists of any age to ride on most sidewalks throughout the City. The City of Burlington allows cyclists of any age to ride on most sidewalks throughout the City. The exceptions to this are: • Bicycle riding is prohibited on the sidewalks of both sides of Brant Street between Caroline Street and Lakeshore Road. All cyclists under the age of sixteen (18) years are required by law to wear a helmet while riding or operating a bicycle, and the chinstrap of the helmet must be securely fastened under the chin. (According to the Highway Traffic Act, 104 (2.1)  Councillor Jack Dennison is a regular bike rider – known to take part in long trips. Under the Highway Traffic Act, a police officer who finds any person contravening this Act or any municipal by-law regulating traffic while in charge of a bicycle may require that person to stop and identify themselves, just as drivers must do during a traffic stop. That’s important now that the Mayor is riding his bike to work
June 4, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON The play bill for the first week of operation for the new CineStarz theatre on Brant Street has been cast in stone. A freshly renovated theatre with larger screens and new seating is the part of the refurbishment that the public gets to see. On the second level in the projection room there are seven servers that will read hard disk drives the size of a pocket book and project the image using new high end projectors.  Films are stored on a hard drive and put into the server and projected onto new screens in the seven small theaters Bruce Gurberg has been working day and night – and complaining about the parking ticket he got – welcome to Burlington Bruce – to have the theatre ready for the first patrons on Friday. FAR FROM THE MADDING CROW PG HOT PURSUIT PG FURIOUS 7 PG EX MACHINA 14A AGE OF ADALINE PG PAUL BLART MALL COP 2 PG KINGSMAN THE SECRET SERVICE 14A CINDERELLA G
$3.99 on Tuesday $4.99 for children and seniors $5.99 general admission – Adults
June 4, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON There is $50,000 available to an Ontario based artist who thinks s/he can come up with a winning entry for a piece of public art that will be erected beside the new Jazz condominium project on Plains Road.  To be known as the Jazz – the four storey condominium will have a piece of public art put in place. The art will between the condominium and Maplehurst school. Deadline for filing an Expressions of Interest is Monday, July 13, 2015 The city is inviting artists to submit Expressions of Interest to create a permanent public artwork for the development site. An artwork proposal is not requested at this time. Artist applications will be reviewed on the basis of artistic merit, professional qualifications and experience. Short-listed artists may be required to participate in an interview with staff and members of the community steering committee (in person or via teleconference). The funds for the project came from the city: $25,000; $20,000 from BrantHaven the developer and $25,000 raised by the community. Click here to view the full Expression of Interest document in a pdf format Additional information about this project can be found on the Aldershot Village page
June 3, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON It was billed as an important event and it was. The lobby of the Performing Arts Centre was abuzz with people last Thursday evening enjoying a complimentary glass of champagne. Brian McCurdy, the Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre sat in a comfortable chair on stage beside Commie Smith and talked about the line-up for 2015- 2016. Connie chatted away in that “golly, gee-whiz” style that is all her own while McCurdy provided what he called the “colour commentary” It was impressive. McCurdy brought years of entertainment industry experience to his job – it shows – and announced a program of which he has every reason to be very proud. The season consists of 68 artists and companies – the biggest the Centre has ever put on in this its 5th year of operation. Some of the city’s favourites – Alex Cuba and Matt Anderson will be on the stage during the season along with some delightful surprises as well – Colm Wilkinson of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera fame will be doing Broadway, Christmas and Beyond, an intimate and personal side of a performer not seen before. The offerings are very strong – what makes it all work is the way McCurdy has broken the program into units that appeal to different audiences.
The Blues and Rock series The Traditional Series The Dance Series The Family Series The Comedy Series The Jazz Main Stage series The Classical Series
The Performing Arts centre has a smaller theatre that is perfect for events that need a closer relationship with an audience. Called studio 440 – it will feature A singer song writer series
The 440 Jazz series 440 is the address of the Performing Arts centre on Locust Street Classically yours – Sunday brunch series
Theatre series Special events Live and Local Music series
Burlington Student Theatre Symphony on the Bay Matapa World Music series Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.burlingtonpac.ca or by telephone at 905-681-6000 and in person at the Box office at 440 Locust Street. Box office hours are noon to 6:00 pm – summer hours noon to 4:00 pm
June 3, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON When Reid Flock was a student in Burlington he used to hang around what was then known as the Burlington Art Centre and found himself drifting to the pottery section where he learned to throw clay.  Pottery: yes, of a different sort. The colours are resplendent and the shapes whimsical. A flock piece is up for bidding at the Art Gallery auction. He found himself being heavily influenced by Kayo O’Young, a ceramist who worked out of Kleinburg. Reid may not have known it at the time but his future was being determined and he decided he needed to spend some time in Japan. What was to be a one year trip turned into a nine year journey that brought him back to Canada where he now works out of a studio in Hamilton turning out some of the most astounding pottery this country has seen. The Art Gallery of Burlington is holding its annual Art Auction – there will be a small piece of Flock’s work up for the bidders.  Jonathan Smith, curator of the ceramics collection at the Art Gallery of Burlington, looks over a Reid Flock piece that is being readied for shipping. Smith played a strong role in guiding Flock as he developed his skills with clay while at student. Flock tells of the times Jonathan Smith would lock him in the ceramics vault at the art gallery where he would spend hours looking at different pieces and developing the sense of ceramics that allowed him to grow into the artist he is today. Flock is perhaps the most accomplished artist to come out of the Burlington Gallery. If you were to be invited to a display of pottery you would probably attend with an idea at least of what you were going to see – when you see the work that Flock does your understanding of pottery is shattered. Flock calls his art whimsical – something that reflects a society and will smile when you tell him his work looks like baskets that happen to be made of “burnt dirt”. I suggested to him that the Flocking Red Basket reminded me of the Queen of Hearts at the croket game in Alice in Wonderland. “Exactly”, flock responded “you’re beginning to understand the whimsy of it all.”  Reid Flock talking to his Dad about an idea he is working on. Flock has no idea who buys his work when it is first sold. He learns later who has a piece and at times it is borrowed for a showing. While his reds and his blues are, to this viewer, his most stunning, Flock has done pieces in black and in pick and has done a piece with polka dots – which I thought was taking whimsy a bit further than it might have been intended to go. Flock is awaiting funding for a new tangent he wants to go off on – “squeeze toys” which was about all he wanted to say about the next venture other than to add that the pieces would be larger than his Flocking Red Basket which is the largest piece he has done. During a meeting with Karen Brouwers at her Framesite location in Aldershot, Flock, his Dad along with Jonathan Smith and his brother were talking about how the red piece would be shipped – he has had at least one piece of his work broken in transit – he mentioned that his cat had climbed into the piece. Seeing Reid Flock’s work as something with utility is a real stretch There will be a small Flock piece at the Art Gallery of Burlington Art auction which is doing exceptionally well with their 200 for $200. event. Painting by some well-known local artists were snapped up very quickly. There are still some good pieces available.
Art Gallery curator Denis Longchamps looks over some of the 200 for $200 pieces that are still available at the annual Art auction The Art Auction is being held at a time when weather, hopefully, will not have the negative impact it has had in the past. This year the event has a theme: La Belle Époque that will see the gallery transposed into something resembling Paris at the turn of the century. It was a period of time seen as a “beautiful era: that began in the late 1800’s and ended with the start of the First World War. The hope that those attending the event would take to costume and really represent the era is expecting too much – Burlington isn’t there yet. However, young people from the Student Theatre under the guidance of Rainer Noack will be on hand and in costume. Our young have always led the way haven’t they? The art auction committee is headed up by Cheryl Goldring, an artist in her own right, is looking for ways to take a new direction and trying to create a theme for each year and make the event not just a fund raiser but something that raises the cultural bar of the city. The event is a major fund raiser for the Gallery which has gone through a very rough patch financially. The city had to basically bail them out to the tune of $100,000 a year for two years.  Local art on sale at the Art Gallery of Burlington Auction. The importing of a new President and CEO, Robert Steven, from Grande Prairie is the beginning of a stronger focus on the ceramics collection and hopefully boosting the reputation of the collection, which is really very good, to the point where it will draw people to the gallery and the city. Some of the buzz going about the city suggests a new location for the Art Gallery might also be in the works – the property they are on has very significant value that a developer is believed to be talking to the city about exploiting. Interesting times ahead.
June 2, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON A Broadway production on the stage of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre? Yup – Saturday Night Fever will be in town for a one night performance January 28th  Just a one day production – this one will sell out – a Broadway production on the Performing Arts stage. Brian McCurdy made the announcement during the introduction to the 2015 – 2016 program for a theatre that appears to have found its footing and now has a robust, diverse program offering that does what the people behind the idea of a performing arts centre in the city wanted it to do. It has been a struggle – a lot of financial ups and downs; a change in the management with another change coming in the not too distant future. Bringing a popular Broadway production to the city – even if only for a single production – is a step forward.
June 2, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON When I asked what the prices for ticket at the about to open CineStarz were going to be were Bruce Gurberg said – 3,4,5. Huh!
Gurberg was telling me that the price was $3.99 on Tuesday, 4.99 for children and seniors and $5.99 for adults and general admission. Those are good prices. The line-up is pretty good too: Far from the madding crowd First run at the CineStarz on Brant Street will be Friday evening. On Brant – in the Upper Canada building.
Waterfront Trail gets a workout from Carpenter House supporters while the Greens plant new saplings.
June 1, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON Everyone was out on Saturday – we all stayed in on Sunday. Summer isn’’t ready to show its face yet.  It was warm up time for the several hundred Carpenter Hospice volunteers and supporters before the took a long leisurely walk along the Waterfront Trail to the canal and back.  The weather was as good as it gets – the Carpenter House supporters in the blue T-shirts were out in force. The waterfront was the place to be on Saturday. The hundreds that support Carpenter House were out exercising and then walking the Waterfront Trail.  While hundreds walked the Waterfront \Trail an additional 100 + planted new saplings in the environmentally fragile sand dunes.  Carefully tamping down a new sapling one of the hundred + people who put in half a day ensures the roots have a chance to growth into the sand. Close by just over 100 people dug away in the environmentally fragile sand dunes that make up a large part of the Beachway Park. They were out there on their hands and knees making sure new saplings were firmly bedded. The Sunday gave them a solid soaking. In the past residents in the park would be out with their pamphlets and petitions looking for support. None of that in site this Saturday. It seems as if they are resigned to what is going to eventually happen – or they are saving their energy for another day. For some the fight to keep their homes in the park will never end.
May 29, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON There he was – a politician on a stage – what more could he have wanted? For reasons he said he never understood Mike Wallace Burlington’s MP said he always gets nervous when he is on the stage at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Brian McCurdy wasn’t nervous but he choked up a bit when he thanked Wallace for the federal grant of $175,000 to cover the cost of a band shell that will be added to the stage set up. “It will really make a difference when we have orchestras playing “ said McCurdy – “the sound will be projected so much better.  Lawrence Bonanno inducted into the Performing Arts Centre Hall of Fame. Lawrence Bonanno, a member of Theatre Burlington since 1960, was part of a group that exposed thousands of Burlington citizens to live theatre. Lawrence first became involved in Burlington Little Theatre (now Theatre Burlington) when asked to help with sound recordings for a play. This morphed into directing and producing, building sets, running sound and special effects. “As one of the recipients of the 2012 Michael Spence Award for Contribution to Community Theatre, Lawrence serves as an inspiration and role model to all. He also formed a technical committee along with Joe Henning and Ron Hebbard who spent countless hours planning and working with the architects to create the Performing Arts Centre.”  Stuart Laughton inducted into the Performing Arts Centre Hall of Fame Stuart Laughton blew his first note on the trumpet at age nine and fell in love with the instrument. At the age of 19, Laughton was the principle trumpet player at the Hamilton Philharmonic. Stuart was asked to join a new group, the Canadian Brass. He spent just the one year with Canadian Brass and left to attend the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He formed Opening Day Recordings, and released 18 discs of Canadian music, four of these releases were Juno-nominated, plus one Juno win. Stuart has performed as concerto soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Quebec’s Les Violins du Roy, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra and the Winnipeg Symphony and was the principle trumpet for LaScala Opera. After an absence of 35 year he rejoined Canadian Brass for a short time before founding roots/rock band Porkbelly Futures, that released three CDs of original material. Leighton and Bonnano join Gordy Tapp and Rainer Noack who were inducted in 2012 ans 2013
May 29, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON There is no business like show business – the bright lights and the Hollywood Stars and the Red Carpet and the dress that reveals more than the one your wife wears – the glitter and the glamour – some of it is working its way to downtown Burlington.
 Gone are the days when cans of 35mm film were shipped to theaters around the country – today the flick comes loaded onto a hard drive tat is slipped into a server and programmed fr viewing. CineStarz technician is testing the system before a planned June 5th opening. CineStarz, an organization with six movie theatres under its management is doing a major upgrade to the space and the facilities. “I’m putting more money that I planned on spending into the renovation” said Bruce Gerburg, the man overseeing the opening of the new location.  Projector is one of seven in the room – one for each theatre at the CineStarz.  Server sits beneath the projector. Films are loaded onto a hard drive and just slide into the server. The renovation and upgrade of the theatre that will have everything its predecessor didn’t have.  Bruce Gerburg, who lives on his cell phone, runs a six theatre operation and will open the latest one in Burlington on June 5th. He prowls through the projection room where equipment is being wired and programmed for the big opening. Painters, carpenters, electricians and video technician are crawling all over the place to have things ready for the opening on June 5th The intention is to have all the current cinema offerings with at least one of the six screens devoted to “art” films. Art wasn’t a term that Gerburg defined. The biggest difference, besides the look of the place, is going to be on the second floor where all the projection equipment is located. Movies are all digital now – there are very few that have reels of 35mm film trucked in. “These days we get what is basically a hard drive that we slip into the server” said Gerburg. “We program the projectors from a lap top or from something as simple as a smart phone”  Technician can program any server in the seven theatre set up from a smart phone. “I can have the guy who is selling popcorn in the lobby program a projector in another city” – the technology makes all this possible.
May 27, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON Here is a coup for you. Canadian singer-songwriter and activist Sarah Harmer will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Accessibility Awards at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday, June 2, 2015, at 2 p.m.  Sarah Harmer “Sarah Harmer is an award-winning artist with strong ties to our community,” said Judi Lytle, the city’s accessibility co-ordinator. ”We are thrilled that she will join us and deliver the keynote address as we celebrate accessibility in Burlington.” The Burlington Accessibility Awards are hosted by the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee as part of the city’s National Access Awareness activities. Emcee for the afternoon event will be Kelly MacDonald, a reporter for Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) and host of AMI-tv’s original program, AMI Blind Sighted. The awards celebrate the work being done by individuals, businesses and organizations to make Burlington more accessible for people with disabilities. “We are making great strides in Burlington, not only to help remove existing barriers but also to prevent new barriers from being created,” said David Fisher, chair of the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee. “Each year we see great leaders in our community who are making our city a more accessible place to live, work and play.” Admission to the awards ceremony is free, but attendees must pre-register. Call 905-335-7600, ext. 7865. Established in 1994, the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee is a volunteer citizen’s advisory committee to Burlington City Council. The BAAC provides advice on the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to people with disabilities in the municipality’s bylaws, policies, programs and services.
May 26, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON It is starting out as a different Strategic Plan review exercise. Each term of office city council reviews the Strategic Plan and fine tunes the document to determine if any changes are needed. In the past – prior to 2010 – the Strategic Plan was a collection of pretty pictures and bland statements. The current Mayor had at that time a Chief of Staff who thought the Strategic Plan should actually mean something and after more than eleven half days of meetings the city came out with a strategic Plan that set out three priorities: Vibrant Neighbourhoods  Ideas and points made floated around the room like confetti at a wedding when the 2011 Strategic Plan was crafted – expect this next team to be as active with the flip charts. Those three, as limited as they were, amounted to the best council could do at that time. They were led by one of the best Strategic Plan facilitators in the country who asked them at their first meeting what they had as a BHAG – the room was silent. BHAG – a Big Hairy Audacious Goal – the city didn’t have one and the best the team that was crafting the Strategic Plan could do was talk about the things they wanted the city they ran to be able to do and achieve.  Making sense of all the notes and the different ideas left a lot on the table – crafting a strategic plan of this scale was a first time event for several members of council. Be friendly, be prosperous and have decent government. At the session Tuesday the staff and members of council talking part in crafting the 2015-2018 plan heard that we aren’t as friendly as we would like to be and that the prosperity isn’t all that well distributed. How good a government are they? They all got re-elected – that must mean something – that the majority of the people surveyed did not think their government listens to them says something else. This Council now has a full term under their belts and they know a lot more about civic government than when they started crafting the 2011 – 2014 Strategic Plan. The Tuesday session was listening to numerous stakeholders – all the way from the Cycling Committee to the Art Gallery of Burlington and more than a handful in between. The trend in most of the thinking is that being a “smart” community making use of technology and ensuring there was a strong cultural base was the best way to reach the goal that everyone wanted – even though that goal was never spelled out.  Culture was the brightest thread seen during the Strategic Plan session that listened to the Stakeholders. The “automobile” and good roads and lower taxes didn’t get very many mentions. The tone was that if we can become more diverse, have a strong sense of cultural well-being people will want to move to Burlington and corporations will want to locate here – and if those two things can happen – we will be a prosperous community. The delegations made were for the most part very solid. There were a few that said they got very short notice which suggests there are some snags to be worked out in the flow of things – but they crew setting out the Strategy for the next three years is off to a good start.  Georgina Black of KPMG facilitated the 2011 Strategic Plan workshops and grew this council much more than they expected. Bringing her back would be a smart corporate move. The delegations need some thought before they can be reported on in any depth – we will get back to you with that. No BHAG yet – and this |Council may not yet have one on them. Time will tell that part of the story. As yet there is no facilitator in place – staff report that they are negotiating with someone – they said that more than a month ago.
May 25, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON There will be water in city operated swimming pools – but the pool at Nelson will not be one that opens – this year.  Beats the heat doesn’t it? Your tax dollars at work. Nelson Outdoor Pool was scheduled to open for the 2015 summer season. As part of preparing for the summer opening, city staff conducted a pool inspection after the winter season. The pool structure has been deemed unsafe for public use by a structural engineer. Attempts were made to see if any short term solutions could be found for this summer season however, repairs measures are too extensive. As a result, Nelson Pool will not open for the summer 2015 season. “The pool was to reopen June 13, but with two severe winter seasons back-to-back, the steel tank at Nelson Pool has seen an accelerated rate of deterioration.” said Glenn. “Ensuring public safety is our top priority, and thus the need to keep Nelson Pool closed. Plans have been made to accommodate program participants and renters at other city pools.” With the bad news out of the way the Director of Parks and Recreation Chris Glenn sang a happier tune and said the City of Burlington wants to help residents splash into summer and that all the city’s splash pads, including the Dofasco Waterjet Park at Discovery Landing, are open for the summer. “With the warm weather, we’re pleased to have splash pads around Burlington open for the season earlier than usual. There are splash pads in parks across the city for families to enjoy the outdoors and cool off throughout the summer.” Mountainside Outdoor Pool and La Salle Splash Pad will open on Saturday, June 13 to the public for the summer swimming season.  Mountainsides bran new pool will see its first customers Saturday June 13th
The Tim Hortons free swims scheduled for July 6 and Aug. 9 at Nelson Pool will be relocated to Centennial Pool, 5151 New St. The July 6 swim will run from 1:30 to 4 p.m. and the Aug. 9 swim will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
May 25, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON Ron and Marie Foxcroft went to London to see the Queen. More correctly Ron went as the Honorary Colonel of the Argyll’s to be presented to the Queen who is the Honorary Commander in Chief of the Argyll’s.  Queen Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, receives Colonel Ronald Foxcroft (Honorary Colonel) at Buckingham Palace in London. Foxcroft was there to accept the condolences from the Queen on behalf of the Regiment over the dearth of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo last year in front of the National Memorial in Ottawa. Being presented to the Queen is a very formal affair – for most people. Ron Foxcroft is not most people. He and the Queen just hit it off is the best way to put it. What is normally a five minute event spun out to more than 40 minutes during which the Queen told Foxcroft that she believed the Canadian reserve troops were the best their was and that her regiment, the Argyll’s were as good as it gets. The Day the Foxcroft’s met the Queen started out with Ron and Marie leaving their hotel in a taxi for Buckingham Palace which a short trip away. Traffic was heavy and it looked as if they were going to be late so they got out of their cab and began walking to the gates of the Palace where there were long line ups. They got to the guards and explained they were there to be presented to the Queen and were let through and told to head for a second barrier. Marie Foxcroft explained that there were a number of barriers they had to get through and the guards at one barrier would call forward to the next until they found themselves in front of a door that let them into the Palace The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace was taking place at the same time which meant large crowds. “We were just directed from one barrier to the next until we were in front of a door and we went in – and there we were inside Buckingham Palace where everything was so spacious” said Marie  The rooms were massive with one room leading into another – it was easy to get lost. One of the spaces was the size of a football field with these huge rooms everywhere. Marie noticed that there wasn’t much in the way of vegetation but the grounds outside were spotless. One of the large outdoor areas they had to walk though was covered with small stones – almost like gravel that was raked several times each day.  Queen Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, receives Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence Hatfield (Commanding Officer) at Buckingham Palace in London. The purpose of the visit was to present Foxcroft and Colonel’s Kennedy and Hatfield to the Queen and accept her condolences over the death of Cpl Nathan Cirillo. These two officers were, as Foxcroft described them “lifers” were there with their wives as well. “The Queen didn’t look a day over 70 said Marie Foxcroft – she is very quick and at times there was a devilish look in her periwinkle blue eyes.” The procedure followed had the “officers” of the Regiment meeting with the Queen in a private audience while their wives waited in the Empire Room to be “buzzed” in.  The rooms were massive – the Lady in Waiting said she often got lost in the place, The wives spent the time with one of the Queen’s six ladies in waiting who chit chatted with them and explained that the Palace was so big that she at times got lost in the place. The Queen asked where they were staying while they were in London and Foxcroft replied that they were at the Goring – to which the Queen replied “lawteedaw” which wasn’t language Marie Foxcroft wasn’t expecting from a lady she had curtsied before when she was introduced. Then the Queen added that she was going to an event that evening and would meet Big Dave Goring – at which point the Queen put her arms out to indicate the Mr. Goring was a man of considerable girth. “She was just so normal” said Marie –“it was if I was talking with my Mother.” “She has these periwinkle blue eyes and is so elegantly dressed” added Marie. The Queen’s two Corgis were in the room during the close to an hour visit “and she didn’t sit down once”.  Royal gardens at the rear of the Palace – Queen has her own John Deere grass cutter and Canadian geese who foul her lawns and hiss at her Corgis.  Queen Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, receives (from left) Colonel Ronald Foxcroft (Honorary Colonel), Lieutenant Richard Kennedy (Honorary Lieutenant Colonel) and Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence Hatfield (Commanding Officer) at Buckingham Palace in London. Marie Foxcroft commented on the numerous framed pictures on the tables. At one point the Queen pulled back the drapes and showed the group the garden she would use to host a garden party. Foxcroft asked how many people would be at the garden party – 8000 replied the Queen who then pointed out her John Deere grass cutter. The Queen then pointed to the Canada geese that fouled her gardens at which point Foxcroft produced two of his Foxcroft whistles and said he thought these would help.  The framed replica of a |Canadian poppy was set out on an easel during the presentation to the Queen. The Queen accepted the whistles – which seldom happens – and while she didn’t blow one at the time – Foxcroft is pretty sure she will eventually use what is part of a special production run of the Fox40 Classic whistle that has the crest of the Argyll’s stamped on the side. The Queen thought the men that rode what she called scooters beside her car should have these – scooters were where what we would call motor cycles The Palace wakes up at 6:00 am but you never see any of the staff explained Marie. There is very ornate furniture all over the place and the rooms for the most part are very large – except for the room they met the Queen in. What both Ron and Marie spotted was a table with dozens of framed pictures of family members. Foxcroft asked if he queen had seen the new baby and she responded that she has “seen Charlotte the once but she was sleeping and I never wake a sleeping baby”. I expected that Marie Foxcroft would have curtsied before her Queen – and wondered how elegant a curtsy it would have been. It took a little prodding but Marie Foxcroft, looking elegant in a pair of jeans, did her curtsy and immediately began to blush. The day she married Ron Foxcroft she had no idea that she would one day stand with him before her Monarch.  Queen Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, receives Colonel Ronald Foxcroft (Honorary Colonel) at Buckingham Palace in London. Foxcroft steps right up to shake the hand of his Monarch. The protocol is for people meeting the Queen to first address her as Your Majesty and after that you refer to her as Mam. “Ron couldn’t get it right said Marie – he kept calling her Your Majesty. “I was terrified that I was going to screw it up” added Foxcroft who said “there was perspiration dripping down his arms.” Ron wasn’t the only one nervous yet during the interview with the Foxcroft’s in their home Marie referred to her time as “kibitzing” with the Queen. Ron certainly got her going – they were having a fine time talking about ”her” regiment and how proud she was of the way they had served in Afghanistan. When the audience with the Queen was over, Commander Andrew Canale, who is Equerry to the Queen wondered “what were you talking about” Audiences with the queen do not last very long. Ron Foxcroft seemed to have gotten through to her. When asked if he managed to make a mention of his Fluke Trucking fleet – Foxcroft dropped his head a bit and said: No, I didn’t. Queen Elizabeth has long fond memories of Canada and the Canadian she met last week certainly made an impression on her. It was the trip and experience of a life time “but you know” said Marie, “it is nice to be home.”
May 24, 2014 BURLINGTON, ON
 Don Graves painting of Grindstone Creek decorates the walls of the constituency office of Eleanor McMahon. When Don learned that MPP Eleanor McMahon was officially opening her new constituency office he felt some original Canadian art would be needed to decorate the walls. And he just happened to have what he felt was perfect for an office. So – Don’s painting was unveiled on Friday at the office opening without the artist being on hand to take a well-deserved bow. Graves doesn’t know if our MPP is purchasing the painting or if it is just going to hang on the wall for a period of time and be returned.  Sign goes up on the office of Burlington’s MPP The new digs for the MPP are several steps up from what she had on Brant Street. The washroom in the new location is bigger than the office McMahon had previously. There is a small boardroom with all the office space walls done in glass.
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On Sunday June 28, 2015, a significant number of service members will be attending the PRIDE parade to march alongside our decorated cruiser. We look forward to joining many other police and emergency services, coming together to support, encourage and promote inclusivity for our LGBTQ+ community.
The property is adjacent to the Clappison Escarpment Woods Environmentally Sensitive Area and builds on this important east-west corridor of natural greenspace along the Niagara Escarpment. Last fall other Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System partners purchased 25 acres along this same corridor.
“The protection of natural lands is an example of what can be achieved when we work together. It exemplifies the mission of the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System: to work together to protect, connect and restore natural lands between the Harbour and the Escarpment,” said Deborah Herbert, Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System Coordinator. “We are delighted at the progress made so far in permanently protecting natural lands in the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System and look forward to continuing this momentum.”
The film line up is decent – and the prices are right; B explains them as easy to understand: 3, 4 and 5
The Entertainer’s series
Ron James: November 7th – 8 pm
The Global Beat series
The 440 World Series
The Cushion concert series
Community on Stage
No I mean the price for a ticket to a movie. Bruce Gurberg again said: 3,4,5.
