 September 27, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. It’s all about networking , ya gotta get out there and network; show the flag, press some flesh – let them know that you’re in the game and you’ve got things, stuff and ideas that will make their business a couple of cuts above the others. Right?
 Networking at its very best in the nicest venue in town. That’s the current folk-lore and there are some people who really do this well. When you meet them at an event you remember them because of the way they tell their story. There are those sad sacks that show up looking a little worse for wear and tell you they forgot their business cards but if you know someone looking for a good collection agent – would you pass their name along?
 James Burchill with one of his regular networkers. Then there are those sharp young things that drive up in an SUV, glance in the mirror and fluff their hair, put on a fresh coat of lipstick and wiggle out of their jeans and into a very stylish skirt, arrange a bright scarf around their neck, check the blouse button levels and walk into the place where the hounds are hanging out – and they make it happen. They’re not on the make – they’re networking and they make the contacts and they follow-up.
 Monthly networking event is held at the Ivy Bar and Kitchen. A business card will get the conversation started but it’s sometimes difficult to tell your story with just a business card. James Burchill runs a MeetUp in Burlington every month. He started out at the Beaver and the Bullfrog, outgrew that venue and is now at the Ivy Bar and Kitchen where he hosts a couple of hundred people the third Wednesday of the month. He has an email set up where he gets the word out and consists of a list of who has said they will attend. If there is someone you want to meet – you’ll know if they plan to attend. You can check this out
Burchill took the event he hosts a couple of steps further and rents out the smartest space in town – the Family Room at the Performing Arts Centre where he can bring together pretty close to 800 people without feeling packed in. That’s a networking event.
The “value added” as Burchill likes to put it, is he space people can rent to set up tables and display what they have to offer. Jamie Buisman, a local photographer, sets up her camera and does some work right on the spot; pretty good way to find out if the fit and feel is right with a photographer.
Ivy Bar and Kitchen set out a couple of tables with nibbles to satisfy that peckish feeling. Neat way to get an idea what they have to offer.
You can get a table for a couple of hundred bucks – say $350 all in. With 500 people showing up that 500 impressions which works out to a little over 60 cents an impression – not a lot more than a fancy business card. That is getting value for those marketing dollars. Some of the smaller operations have taken to sharing a table.
In the advertising world the line goes that half of the advertising you run works for you – the trick is to figure out which half. At the Social Fusion Networking Group every dollar works. Burchill by the ways runs these events in a number of communities – so if there is some other part of the province that interests you – chat him up.
 September 26, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. If there was ever an example of one man making a difference – look no further than Rick Wilson, a Burlington resident and a member of the Heritage Advisory Committee as well as a serious history buff.
 This federal government plaque, erected at Burlington Heights, overlooking Burlington Bay, got it wrong and Rick Wilson wants it changed and the public record corrected. Wilson works in the field of finance but his passion is history and when he came across what he believed to be a significant error in the way local history was being told he mobilized and did he best to right the wrong.
Those efforts will bear fruit on Saturday morning when the city unveils a plaque that tells the full and true story of an event that has come to be known as the Burlington Races, which sounds like a sporting event but there was nothing sporting about the battles between the British and the Americans on Lake
 Rick Wilson isn’t certain as to exactly where Commodore Yeo situated his ship but he believes it might have been close to the foot of Brant Street. That location would certainly have given the British ships the angle and the advantage they needed to defeat the American ships and force them further west along the Lake. Ontario, right in front of Spencer Smith Park.
The battle that will be commemorated with the plaque took place on September 28, 1813 when six-ship British flotilla out-manoeuvred a fleet of ten American warships and took anchor in a highly defensible position off the shore of modern-day Burlington. The battle was described by eye witnesses as a sort of military yacht race where the British and Americans jockeyed for superior position – hence The Burlington Races.
The battle was a turning point in the War of 1812 as the British asserted naval dominance over the Great Lakes.
 Commodore Yeo’s ships never entered Burlington Bay. Records prove that the water was far too shallow of any ship to enter to Bay. The real victory for Rick Wilson will be when this plaque in Hamilton is taken down and a correct plaque put in place. For the time being the plaque in Burlington will be the one to tell the true story. “I believe it is important to celebrate Burlington’s rich history,” says Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring. “Our city was a strategic location during the War of 1812. The Burlington area was known as a safe haven, a place of trade, a crossroads, and a resting point. Contributions by local citizens and volunteers were important and we are proud to acknowledge their efforts with this plaque.”
The plaque unveiling takes place near the west compass in Spencer Smith Park at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013 – 200 years to the day of the battle – and will feature an on-shore celebration of re-enactors in period costume.
It is rather unfortunate that city hall could not find it within themselves to recognize Wilson’s efforts. For the past three years, perhaps more Wilson has bent the ear of anyone who would listen to explain where the historians got it wrong. If anyone pulls a velvet cord to reveal the plaque that tells a magnificent story – it should be Rick Wilson.
The wording on the plaque will read as follows:
After a United States naval victory on Lake Erie by Commodore Perry on September 10, 1813, a powerful American fleet of ten ships under Commodore Isaac Chauncey appeared off York (Toronto) on the morning of September 28, 1813. Its objective was to gain control of the Great Lakes or at least create enough of a diversion to allow American troops from the Niagara frontier to slip down the St. Lawrence River to attack Montreal.
A smaller British fleet of six warships under Commodore Sir James Yeo was in the harbour and quickly set sail to attack. In a sharp engagement the British flagship, HMS Wolfe, suffered sail and mast damage. With limited manoeuvrability, the Wolfe led the British flotilla to safe anchorage in view from the shore of present-day Burlington.
Yeo anchored his squadron with springs (heavy ropes) on the (anchor) cables, close to shore and pivoted his ships to present powerful broadsides from a strong compact defensive unit that could not be flanked. The Americans recognized the stronger British position and withdrew to the protection of Fort Niagara, leaving the Royal Navy firmly in control of the lake.
By out-manoeuvring the Americans that day, Yeo saved the fleet and preserved a formidable British presence on Lake Ontario – key to the defences of Upper and Lower Canada.
Eventually, Yeo’s fleet helped capture Fort Oswego in May 1814 and also delivered General Drummond with 400 British reinforcements and supplies to the Niagara frontier in July 1814 to defeat the Americans at Lundy’s Lane, the last invasion of Canada.
At this point we don’t know where Rick Wilson will be in the civic ceremony – but we certainly know where he should be.
 September 24, 2013
By Piper King
BURLINGTON, ON. I had originally planned to compare the desserts from the several different restaurants run by a group in the city. I drove out to the location of the first one but couldn’t seem to find it. I was looking for the Local Eatery & Refuge. My stepson, Jordan and I decided to start our adventure there but when we arrived at the location (4155 Fairview Street), the name on the building was Dymond’s Social Kitchen & Bar . Puzzled, we parked and entered the establishment.
When you walk in, Dymond’s has a classy feel to it, but with a slightly retro kick. The tables and chairs are dark, but it thankfully lacks a claustrophobic feeling, due to the large and airy interior. The walls have a mix of wood paneling and light brick. The ceilings are a mix of industrial and dark night club blocks, which gives it an upscale, chic feel.
 Kasia – took good care of us. The server, a tiny blonde lady named Kasia greeted us warmly. We asked for a booth seat, and she ushered us over and took our drink order. I asked if they have milkshakes (which these establishments usually do not) and much to my delight, she responded YES! Jordan ordered a chocolate shake and I the peanut butter and chocolate.
When Kasia returned, I asked her if this was still the Local Eatery & Refuge. She said that it’s under the same management, but they broke away from the Tortoise Group of Companies April 1st of this year and renamed it Dymond’s Social Kitchen & Bar, after the owner Ryan Dymond.
We were both amazed when our milkshakes arrived! Basically, we received two shakes for the price of one! I took a sip of my shake and it was absolutely delicious! What struck me was that it was a lot lighter than the typical milkshake you’d get from either Wimpy’s, or Lick’s, which by the way is no longer in business – the bailiff had posted a notice on the plate-glass door. A bonus for me with the shake in front of me was that I could taste more of the chocolate and less of the peanut butter (score)!
When Kasia returned she took our order: Jordan chose the Bacon Cheese Burger with fries and I chose the Arizona Dog and chips.
 You could feed a family with this burger. A few minutes later, Kasia brought out the largest burger we had ever seen, I mean this thing was piled high with lettuce, tomato and an onion ring (it was almost Alice in Wonderland/cartoon huge)! My dog was another amazing feat of Foodie heaven! I have NEVER seen a hotdog piled up with so much deliciousness. When we make hotdogs at home they’re usually a meager chicken or beef dog and a thin, no-name bun.
 The condiments alone amount to a meal. This was quite literally, the king of dogs, hands down! The chips were served in a deep fryer basket. (I wondered if they were served in the very same basket they were fried in)? I didn’t ask. The presentation for both meals were amazing. The food was hot and delicious! I suddenly remembered a Carl’s Jr commercial I used to see when I lived in Arizona. Carl’s Jr is known for the messiest burgers, so much so that their slogan was, “If it doesn’t get all over the place; it doesn’t belong in your face.” This Arizona Dog would have made Carl’s Jr. proud!
When we “finished” our meals (I managed to eat half of the hot dog and only half of the basket of chips), the owner, Ryan Dymond came over and introduced himself. He struck me as a person who’s passionate about food and the restaurant industry.
Ryan, a Burlington resident for many years, explained his reasoning for breaking away from the pack. He wanted a restaurant that supports local businesses and he felt that this could not be accomplished as a franchise. Once separated on April 1st, he ensured that all the food served in the restaurant would be sourced from local food businesses. Most restaurants provide a menu for pairing the food with a fine wine, but his vision is to pair their foods with amazing, locally brewed craft beer. The only outsourced beer he advised us, is Samuel Adams (which hails from the U.S.). He wanted to create a restaurant with “downscaled food in an upscale setting.”
 Ryan Dymond – broke away from a corporate environment and struck out on his own. The menu suggests he will do well – will the Dueling pianos give him that edge? He went on to explain that every Friday night (and starting in October, Saturday night too) they have an amazing musical spotlight called Dueling Pianos. It’s basically two pianos set up in a central location so both the bar and the dining room could request and enjoy the music all night. He explained that he had renovated to ensure that everyone could enjoy the music and that no one would feel isolated. Plus, for one Friday out of every month they feature a theme night, whereby they’d play to a specific theme – such as an “all Elton John songs” night.
It was truly a pleasure to meet Ryan and he was so good about posing for a photo or two. I will definitely go back one Friday, or Saturday night to check out the Dueling Pianos and see what the atmosphere will be like at night-time.
All in all, Jordan and I give Dymond’s Social Kitchen & Bar four thumbs up! The food was delicious, the atmosphere was relaxed and it really had an upscale feel to it that would appeal to Burlington’s affluent society, but the fare will cater to the “inner kid”.
Jordan summed it up this amazing event with his spontaneous observation at the end of our meal “Best part about this experience? “Heart” just came on the speakers.” So, we can give Dymond’s another gold star for amazing musical taste.
Dymond’s Social Kitchen & Bar
4155 Fairview Street Burlington L7L 2A4
905.633.9464
 September 22, 2013
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. It was the 4th Annual. They shut down the lower part of Brant Street to let it happen and happen it did. The Amazing Bed Race, a fund-raiser for the Joseph Brant Hospital’s redevelopment saw a number of new entrants. Smith Funeral Homes took the Best Entry prize for an imaginative entry.
 They called themselves the Overtakers and along with earning the Best Entry prize they got into the quarter finals as well. The knocked off the Mike Wallace Tories in an elimination race only to be knocked off by the Jane McKenna Tory’s in the next elimination. Great fun. Not only did the “vehicle” tell the corporate story but it made it to the quarter finals as well. Calling it a bed was a bit of a stretch though.
The crowd for this event – well it could have been bigger because it was good entertainment. The teams push and they push hard. As the elimination races began to take place there was a run off between “beds” from two landscaping outfits – and they were competing in every sense of the word.
The event is a fund-raiser but one got the impression there was a lot of corporate image on the line. The Tories were all over this event as well. MP Mike Wallace, looking very trim, lead his team while Jane McKenna, who was away at a Tory provincial convention, was led by a team done up in major blue costumes.
There wasn’t a Liberal or a New Democrat to be seen. The Greens weren’t to be seen either.
 The McKenna Tory team, in their sleek blue costumes, edged out the Smith Funeral Overtakers in the elimination races.  This one wasn’t a race – it was more of a route. The patient looks pretty concerned about the runner  Leggat Mazda had to push past the 007’s to get themselves to the finals – which they did.  The BayHawks Soccer Team beat out the team from the hospital and went on to give the automotive people who were eventually the two finalists a very good run.  Mike Wallace has probably never run as hard in his life. Valiant effort but the Overtakers laid the Wallace team to rest.  That looks like a tie – but it didn’t end that way. The bank lost out the hospital team.  The tone for the event was set by the judges who apparently didn’t take themselves all that seriously.  If you pushed a stroller – you were a winner.  Good clean starts  The finalists getting out of the starting gate. Acura on Brant beat Leggat Mazda in a well run race. The races begin with time trials. Each “bed” runs the short course twice, which then sets them up for the races that lead to one final event which for Burlington this year came down to two automotive dealers racing against each other. The McKenna bed and the Smith Funeral bed hung in right to the end.
Good clean fun – with a camera crew coming uncomfortably close to being wiped out on more than one occasion.
The rules require each bed to stay in its lane, which, given the steering mechanism on these “beds”, made that somewhat difficult.
With four years’ experience behind then – this could become an even more significant event, with the high schools running against each other, the political parties fighting for supremacy and the city’s corporate sector out there in force.
Could city hall challenge the Region? Could Roseland challenge Aldershot? Could some of the golf clubs challenge one another. Lots of room for growth on this one.
The Stroller races were a delight – there was one girl who figured out quickly how to get her stroller up that course quick,quick, quick. She tilted her stroller back onto the rear wheels and let it fly.
For the 2013 Amazing Bed Race it came down to Acura on Brant beating LeggatMazda in the final race.
The event is presented by Scotiabank and organized by the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation and the Rotary Club of Burlington North. In its first three years the event raised over $272,000.
Teams are formed and either makes their own bed or rents a bed from the organization then they get out and do their fund raising.
 September 23, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON. Traveling can be fun. Cruises are great, bus tours can be an adventure but most travel takes some planning. Ask your questions before you travel and don’t find yourself saying: “I didn’t know that.” Gordana Liddell a season travel veteran is here to answer travel questions: Just Ask.
My family is planning a trip to Montreal to see my husband’s grandmother in Vaudreuil. He wants to drive but I want to fly because I think driving is too long for me and my two small kids. The flight is short. Can you convince him?
Kate
Hi Kate,
This is a discussion we have had in my own family many times, and having done both with kids, I have definite ideas about which is better.
Let’s examine the flying option:
At first glance a 70 minute flight seems like a short trip. But that’s only the gate-to-gate time…not the entire journey.
Here’s the breakdown in a best case scenario:
-Travel time from Burlington to Toronto airport: 45 minutes
-Parking: if you park on site the time added is minimal, but most of us would probably explore the many off-site options. These require a shuttle bus ride to the terminal as well as waiting for said bus. Add 45 minutes.
 Check – at times this can be an “experience”. Allow for the time needed if you are flying. -Check-in: Even if you did an online check-in at home, you still need to be at the airport with enough time to check in your bags, (assuming you have bags since you are travelling with children…advice on travelling extremely light in an upcoming article), get through security and get to the gate at least 30 minutes before departure time. Add at least one hour.
-Boarding, flight time and deplaning: Add two hours.
-Getting picked up at the airport or taking a taxi? Add 45 minutes for drive time to Vaudreuil. (Renting a car? You will need to add considerably more time).
Total travel time from Burlington to Vaudreuil by way of flying is about five hours. And all of this is assuming the fact that you will experience no traffic on the way to or from either airport, that your flight is on time and that your baggage arrives on the same flight you do.
Now let’s look at the cost. If you get extremely lucky, you can score seat sale prices for only $250-$300 per person. More realistically, though, $500 per person is what you should expect. I’ll do the math for you…for a family of four, this adds up to…a lot.
The case for driving.
Travel time should take about six hours in a car. This, of course, does not factor in traffic or stops. The best…the very best time to go…is in the wee hours, when traffic has not yet started and ideally you can just transfer your kids from their beds to the car, and they can spend a good part of the journey asleep.
Weather can be a tough obstacle when driving, especially in the winter. But it can be an even tougher obstacle when flying. Winter weather causes flight delays and even cancellations due to storms not only in your own city but in others. Your plane may be stuck somewhere where the weather is nasty and your own city is sunny and mild. At least when you are driving to your destination, you have much more control over the entire situation.
 If you drive – plan for ways to keep the kids occupied. If the weather is right a picnic is a great idea. The drive is an easy one but it’s not an overly exciting one so you will need to think of amusement for the kids. Again, keep them asleep for as long as you can, and as for when they are awake, I’m sure you are already an expert on finding things to keep them occupied on a daily basis anyway. Plus, you will definitely need to make at least one “refreshment” stop which will kill some time, and at the same time add time to your travel. So try and keep it…efficient.
And when you get to Vaudreuil, you will arrive at the front door of your husband’s grandmother’s house, AND you will have a car to get around in, AND you will have your luggage with you guaranteed.
Cost: Yes, gas is expensive. But you can get there and back and have a full tank of driving around gas by filling up four times. This should not cost you more than $400. That’s a huge difference from the cost of flying.
And, probably most importantly, it costs the same for one person to make the drive as it does four.
In the end, Kate, I don’t think I can convince your husband that he is wrong. But those are the main points you can look over, compare and decide together.
(Do the drive).
Gordana Liddell is our resident travel writer. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto, a travel industry veteran of nearly two decades, freelance writer, and most recently book editor. She is fortunate enough to live right here in Burlington with her family. If you have a travel question you can reach her at: send us an email
 September 22, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. What was that line – it takes a village to raise the child? What does it take to create a community that is more than the “vibrant community” line that city hall spouts? How do you develop a caring, compassionate community that sees beyond galas?
 Brenda Richards, a resident of New Brunswick was the winner of the bike that was donated by Mountain Equipment Coop – now known as MEC. Ms Richards got pulled into the contest by her sister, a Burlington resident. BurlingtonGreen was named as one of five organizations in Canada to participate and compete in the Jamieson Vitamins Call for the Wild contest that would see $100,000 in prize money shared by the five organizations based on the number of people each was able to get to vote for them.
BurlingtonGreen was the smallest organization in terms of the community it represented and they were up against some pretty impressive organizations; the Vancouver Aquarium had a large audience to draw on and the McGill University Bird Sanctuary had an international reputation.
But Burlington was up to the challenge and, as Amy Schnurr, Executive Director of BurlingtonGreen commented “we beat Calgary which is five times bigger than we are”. On a day by day basis the race soon settled into Burlington fighting to keep its third place spot.
Mountain Equipment Coop, now known as MEC got behind the Burlington effort with the donation of an MEC bike that was won – wait for it – by a resident of New Brunswick. How did that happen? Well, Brenda Richard, the winner of the bike draw, has a sister who lives in Burlington. The sister spread the word to the family and as a result there were votes from outside the city that allowed us to literally inch ahead of Calgary by xx votes.
The winner picked up her bike from the MEC shop in Halifax. Perhaps we will see her on the bike testing herself on Guelph Line one summer afternoon.
It was a good race for the cause and a good run for Burlington Green. It will be interesting to hear what BurlingtonGreen decides to do with the funds they earned. Will they take us beyond that “vibrant community” line coming out of city hall and perhaps get us to the point where we are a city with a responsible tree preservation program?
 September 21, 21013
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. Sunday the 29th is going to be a busy day for the book lovers. A Different Drummer Books has author Shelly Sanders in their shop celebrating the publication of a new entry in her superb historical fiction series for young people, The Rachel Trilogy.
Rachel’s Promise, taking place in Shanghai and St. Petersburg in the early 20th century, continues the vivid saga begun last year with Rachel’s Secret, drawing upon Shelly’s own extraordinary family history.
Rachel’s Promise on Sunday, September 29 at 2pm, right in the bookshop. Admission is free, everyone is welcome, refreshments will be served.
 Janet Turpin Myers, local author launches her first title at the end of the month. Local author Janet Turpin Myers will be holding the local launch of her first title “Nightswimming” on the same date and at the same time. It’s a private event but if you know Janet – pop her a note and she will find a way to squeeze you in.
 September 19, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. It was like one of those small things that you come across. An object you see in a store window, a restaurant menu that delights the palate, a sunset or a cloud formation that deserves the word – awesome.
If you were there – and you could have been there – the No Vacancy event held at the Waterfront Hotel Thursday evening was certainly a one of a kind. Held in a part of the hotel where the hallways were narrow and left people feeling a little crowded which turned out to be part of the charm of the evening.
 The images, some thirty of them were just hanging from the ceiling by a piece of nylon – twisting from time to time. It was simple, almost austere until you looked closely at the work and saw immense detail. People kept wanting to go back to the room and look again. Ten artists either in their room doing their work or standing outside the room assigned to them welcoming you and in a couple of cases handing out a small memento to remember the experience. And there were experiences.
Ten area artists were each given a room and asked to do whatever they wanted with the space. They were to be open to the public for just three hours.
The space couldn’t handle all that many people and the hallways were plugged solid at times; people bumping into friends and chatting away. There were a couple of “slam poets” that brought energy and life to the hallways.
 Kyle Tonkens stepped way outside his comfort zone and stretched the imaginations of most of those who looked at his installation. It was a bold, brave move. It wasn’t the kind of thing that could be reviewed. Some of the artists had a large collection of their work on the walls of the room. Another went way, way WAY outside his artistic comfort zone and put on one of the most stunning displays. Two people in a room, one standing, and the other stretched out face down on the bed. If you were there – you hopefully understood the significance and the strength of the installation.
Another artist had a small table of small flashlights that you needed to work your way through her display – the room was close to totally dark. I didn’t get the significance of the ironing board in the bathtub but the room was fun to experience.
Selina Jane Eckersall is to be credited for getting the event off the ground. Too early to tell if all the work was worth the outcome. The sense I got was that everyone wanted more.
What Burlington is beginning to see is a cultural layer that was below the surface and not seen by very many people. When Jeremy Freiburger turned in his Cultural Directions document to the city – he was commissioned to do the report – then watched it sit on a desk for more than six months before the city finally got moving on public consultations the artists in the city decided they needed to do something.
The formed a collective; held a meeting. Twenty people came to the first, sixty to the second and there is now a group of 220 + people who chatter away on the Facebook page they created.
And they do chatter and in the process the public gets to learn more about just how much there is going on in this city. It is amazing – few people knew about much of it.
 One author complained about not being able to put up any literature on the Bulletin Board at the library – the space is apparently only for non-profit organization; something we will look into. Everyone knows that Canadian authors by definition are non-profit operations.
The Arts and Cultural Collective may not move the yard stick very much at city hall but they have broken that hard surface and people now know more about the events taking place.
Mayor Goldring is certainly onside. He attended the first Public Consultation and was close to overwhelmed with the energy and the talent he saw. Translating that enthusiasm into policy with funds attached to it is going to be the challenge.
There wasn’t a dime of public money spent on the event.
There are some very interesting art and cultural events going on in this city – it is out there – you just have to dig to find it.
Don’t expect to see anything on the library bulletin boards however.
Will Selina Jane Eckersall do another show next year? She should.
 September 17, 2013
By Piper King
Wendel Clarke opened up his new shop on Brant Street last week with a nod to the football season and looking for a way to raise some coin for the Critical Care Unit at the hospital
 Hot buttered soul – the band. You can almost taste music like that. The franchise owner slapped a $10 cover charge on everyone who walked through the door and then gave them a swag bag of goodies that far exceed the $10. The “donation” provided every attendant with unlimited access to a delicious pulled pork entrée (fresh off the roasted pig), hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, bean salad and coleslaw, as well as live performance from band Hot Buttered Soul playing out on the main level patio.
It got better – two drink tickets and a chance at a 50/50 draw. More yet – Prizes included in the draw were a barbeque hibachi, a wine tour, three $50 gift certificates to Canyon Creek, dinner for two at Paradiso, dinner for two at Montana’s.
The grand prize was a Wendel Clark jersey which Clark will sign when he is next in town..
Wendel Clark’s opened in June 2013 by franchise operator Merlin Webbe. Kristina Frizell set up the fundraiser. Hubby Chris Frizell pulled food serving duty.
 Staffer takes the first dunking – all in the name of a good cause; Critical Care at JBH The band swung between light jazz, blues and jazz cover titles. Management didn’t like the way donations were going in so they hoisted some of the staff onto the dunk tank platform and for a reasonable sum – down they went. Leah, a staffer took the first dive.
Guests chose between the spread on the patio or off the menu. I went for the traditional poutine and apple blossom (Wendell’s fresh twist on the classic Apple Pie).
 Our Foodie isn’t recommending the poutine; too salty and the coverage of the gravy left something to be desired. From a foodie’s point of view, and I am a foodie – I was there for the food – the poutine was tasty, but a little bit salty, some of the fries were untouched by the gravy and a few of the cheese curds were not melted.
 The Apple Blossom worked for our Foodie. “I’ll be going back for more of that” she advised. The Apple Blossom on the other hand was a hit! The innards of a delicious apple pie was wrapped in a blossom-shaped pastry, but exposed! To the left of the blossom was a line of whipped cream and to the left of that a scoop of vanilla ice cream. When I took a scoop of ice cream and a scoop of the blossom, it was a phenomenal sensation when hot met cold in my mouth!
I need to go back again – just so I can try another comfort food and dessert off the menu.
Most of the crowd was there for a good meal and not for the football kick off. With it being football pre-season, the only sports viewable on the television was mainly hockey. Golf doesn’t count as a sport – it’s what hockey players do when they are not on the ice.
It was a decent event was fairly decent, but it did not draw as much of a crowd as anticipated. The upside was that those $10 donations will work their way to the hospital.
Wendel Clark’s – Burlington
380 Brant Street, Burlington, Ontario L7R 2E8
Phone: 905-633-9217
Piper King will be writing about food for the Burlington Gazette.
 September 17, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. Last July the Burlington Slam Project celebrated five years of monthly poetry slams in this city. That’s an impressive number and impressive enough to convince the Canada Council to send some coin their way.
This month, with the generous support of our favourite local pub, The Black Bull; we are able to offer the winner of our first slam of the season a $100 CASH PRIZE. Second prize is a generous gift certificate to the Black Bull Neighborhood Pub itself.
 Poets read and the audience judges. If you like what you hear – you clap loudly. And if you think you have something to say – sign up and take the mike. What’s a Poetry Slam? It’s a competition judged by the audience. They are held in cities all over the world – San Francisco, New York, Dallas, Madrid, New Zealand, Hamilton and Burlington.
It’s the kind of thing you’ve gotta be in the room to fully appreciate. You never know who is going to say what. Every month there is Open Mic – anyone can sign up and share anything for 5 minutes. There is usually a feature artist to really rock the show.
Thursday evening the event will be The P.O.E. (Poetically Organized Entity); Hatched: 1981, on planet Aggression; Parents: Sarcasm, Spite; Occupation: Articulation; Special Skills: Speed, rhymes and rage. Points of Note: Beaten, ship full of hip hop awards. Quote: “I’m just some weirdo whose axis is off kilter, whose half assed practice has enough skill to kill ya“
 Raw, straight from the heart performances – some are exceptionally good. The Poetically Organized Entity (P.O.E.) is James Owen Brown. A slam poet from Hamilton Ontario, he has competed nationally at the Canadian Festival of Spoken word twice and been a semi-finalist. He has been a finalist at the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam and was the first ever winner of Last Poet Standing. In 2012 P.O.E. won the title of Grand Slam Champion of Toronto as well as the first ever Champion of Champions Cup. He has released a chapbook of poems called “More Poetiker Than Ever”. Typically P.O.E.’s style is very intense and aggressive. His hip hop background comes through in most pieces and his use of pop culture references to help clarify the abstract has made him a southern Ontario favourite.
If you’ve a taste for an appreciation of the English language – give it a try.
Thursday is a full night – but you can cover the No Vacancy in the ten rooms event at the Waterfront, runs from 6 to 9, and then scoot up Guelph Line and take in the Slam at the Black Bull
 September 17, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. At every game you would see him walking through the stands selling 50/50 tickets. There weren’t a lot of takers but that didn’t matter – week after week Ryan Harrison, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Burlington Bandits did the job – which earlier this week paid off.
 The season needed a lot of improvement – but the community spirit is certainly evident. The Bandits turned over $1062.00 to the Burlington Hamilton United Way 2013 campaign. The day of the $7 million target for the campaign ArcelorMittal Dofasco announced a really big donation – for which everyone was grateful.
 Ryan Harrison, Director of Sales and marketing for the Burlington Bandits in their traditional red sweaters. But for the United Way to be really successful – the giving has to happen at the small operations – in the places where someone will take on the task of bringing in those small amounts which grow into big amounts when there are enough of them.
Last year Burlington missed its target by $90,000 – and that kind of a shortfall really hurts the organizations that end up getting less than they had budgeted for. To the Bandits – Good on You for the idea and for the effort.
 Last game of the season for the bandits. They made it really exciting in the closing innings. For those of you who take in a Bandits game next season – they will do better next year; they’re building, when you see Ryan – buy one of those 50/50 tickets.
 September 16, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. It was a decent event. The weather didn’t kill it; the organizers of the event did tell everyone to bring a chair and a blanket.
It was a respectable crowd.
 It was a respectable crowd. And they did like the idea of dancing to Robbie Lane and the Disciples. I missed the opportunity to spin Connie Smith around the dancing space – she twisted her ankle the day before and had it all bound up with tape – but being the trooper she is – she was on the stage sharing the MC task with Lane.
The Drifters took to the stage and – they were OK. There is this “best before date” thing and, well, they were beyond that date but the sound was still there and for many of us in the audience, we were at our best before date as well.
What was interesting was watching The Drifters as they sat at the table autographing their CD. They were excited to be there. There was none of that cool, we are celebrities stuff about them. If there had been a red carpet they would have been embarrassed to use it. They were having fun and seemed delighted to be remembered and appreciated.
 The things we did in the back seats of those cars. Did the event raise funds for the Halton Heros? The stage, the sound system and the support needed for an event like this doesn’t come cheap. The tickets were decently priced – not sure there is going to be much left over when all the expenses were added up.
Did we hear a well-known group at their best? No, but that’s not what most people came for – they came to see, hear and remember. Rick Shepherd wasn’t shy in saying that he was 74 years old and there he was up on the stage belting it out – feeding us songs we spent some of our youth on.
What many of us assumed was that Shepherd was an Afro-American. Turns out his blood lines are native American – Cherokee on one side.
 It was dark but he sound was distinct. The Love Train was the tune that sent us all home. The audience actually set up two trains – it was a fun event.  Big Sound that covered a lot of the bases. Fine dancing music. Pauley and the Goodfellas were a different act. Their music was louder, the tempo was quicker and they played what many others had played before them. People wanted to dance to the Goodfellas – much of the crowd wanted to listen to The Drifters.
Burlington’s MP, Mike Wallace danced to everything – and the man does a mean dance step.
 September 16, 2013
By Staff
The Burlington Terry Fox Run took in over $72,000 which slightly ahead of last year. The final tally, won’t be known for several weeks but there were more than 1000 participants and 140 volunteer.
 Casey Cosgrove talks with Deb Tymstra about the crowd he brought with him to the 2013 Terry Fox Run. 
 Run Warriors – it is this age group that shows up year after year.  When they burn up the energy – the need to refill those tanks. Hot dog stand was where most people ended up.  when you cross that finish line – a cup of water is real welcome. The Terry Fox organization in Burlington covers all the bases.  The Run done – this family re-groups and gets ready to head home – a good job done and some lessons learned.  The Remembering Board tells a large part of what the Terry Fox Run is all about.  A really special team – Casey Cosgrove and his supporters. Don Carmichael, chair of the 2013 Run said he thought the atmosphere was great and operations were smooth.
The changes to the course and parking seemed to have worked well. “We disappointed a few people” said Carmichael, “when we eliminated bikes but the big crowd just makes it impossible to have them.” The organization is already thinking about how to keep growing and improving the Run Day experience. We are looking forward to next year as we build toward the 35th anniversary in 2015.
The organization added a feature this year that many found touching. Deb Tymstra did live interviews with people on the Beachway Park grounds giving them an opportunity to tell their story; why they were taking part in the Run and what it meant to them.
In July 1980 Terry Fox ran through Burlington. He left deep foot prints and every year, for a little while, we get to follow those foot prints and run with him again. Sunday morning more than 1000 Burlingtonians followed those footsteps and raised more than $72,000 for Cancer Research, slightly ahead of last year.
 September 16, 2013
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. It boiled down to a battle for third place and BurlingtonGreen did everything they could to hold that position.
The Jamieson Vitamins Call for the Wild was a race between five organizations for a share of the $100,000 prize.
 Early in the contest the Vancouver team was racing ahead but Burlington and Calgary caught up and battled for third place while Nova Scotia and Quebec went on to take the top two spots. Burlington Green looked at the competition and at first thought the Vancouver Aquarium was going to be the stiffest group to go up against but as it turned out Nova Scotia’s Hope for Wild Life, and McGill Universities Bird Sanctuary began to show as the clear leaders about a third of the way into the month-long contest.
 It was a stiff battle between Burlington and Calgary for the third spot in the $100,000 contest. The last week was a back and forth between Burlington and Calgary’s Wildlife Rehabilitation for that third spot.
Burlington put their membership out into the Terry Fox Run on Sunday where they were able to collect the name and email addresses of about 100 people who they then entered into the contest Facebook page and that basically did it for Burlington who racked up 11,042 votes to pull in $12, 576.
Calgary had 10,980 votes and took $12,505
Michelle Bennett of Burlington Green called it an amazing last day response from a very supportive community and we are so thankful to them.”
BurlingtonGreen added a local incentive and put a bicycle from Mountain Equipment Coop into the draw. Anyone who voted was able to slide over to the Burlington Green website and enter their name into the draw for the bike. The winner of that draw will be announced later this week.
 September 15, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. He will stand there quietly, chat with some of his many friends as he looks over the crowd. Many lined up at the registration table while others do their stretching exercises to get ready for the Run – The Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research.
It was 33 years ago when Greg Pace organized the first run. “I was all gung-ho at the time – everyone was. Terry Fox had run his Marathon of Hope and had to give up – but what a lot of people didn’t fully realize was the kid was running the equivalent of a 26 mile marathon every day. That was a phenomenal achievement and he did it with just the one good leg.”
There isn’t a Canadian alive today who saw that young man work his way from the east coast and through hundreds of Ontario cities, who will ever forget that little hop Terry Fox used to propel himself forward.
 Greg Pace with one of the Iron Maidens. And for Greg Pace, who lost his wife Kim to cancer, that is what it is all about – propelling ourselves forward. The Terry Fox Run started out at Sherwood Forest Park back in the 80’s where all we could set up was a 10k run” explained Pace. “We moved the event downtown but that didn’t work out – the priests at the downtown churches asked us to try and keep it quiet and not use the megaphones – they wanted to be able to finish their church services.”
“I started out by calling the Canadian Cancer Society but they didn’t seem to have their act together so we just organized the event and it took place. It was a really small committee; Fran Agnew who was working with Rob MacIsaac at the time and Chuck Dooley who is now teaching Phys Ed at Notre dame High school.
We ran the event for seven or eight years until others were able to take it over – and we now watch as young people grow the event. It`s great to see it continue.
Pace who has been around fitness all his life spent a couple of years at the Cedar Spring Health Club, was the man who opened up the Goodlife Health Club at Burlington Mall. Worked for a while at the Fitness Institute – one of the first operations totally committed to fitness improvement when it wasn’t seen as a business opportunity.
After working for others Greg decided to strike out on his own and formed Pace Performance where he has settled into working with people who want to prepare for endurance events – Triathlons and Iron Man events. He formed the Iron Maids that his wife was part of when she was an active athlete.
 Doing better than you expected with children there – every step of the way. When asked what he thinks now as he watches people doing the Run, Pace said it was hard to pin that thought down. “There is nothing better than watching someone do something that is better than they thought they could do” and “nobody thinks the run was a bad idea when they are doing that last 50 metres” he said. “Everyone comes away with a sense of accomplishment”, he added.
“In the beginning some people thought the Run was part of a wave; something that would peter out over time but today it is bigger and better than it ever was – it certainly has staying power – but then that’s what Terry Fox brought to the Run that he did wasn’t it, said Pace.
The Mayor of a city has the privilege of selecting individuals for special recognition. Rick Goldring recently presented Greg Pace with The Civic Recognition Award.
Greg, said the Mayor, “has been involved and donating his skills and time for various charitable and fitness organizations for over 30 years. Most notably, the Moon in June Road Race which in the last 20 years has raised over $450,000 for local charities and brings thousands of participants and spectators to the Burlington downtown core.”
“For the past four years the Halton Trauma Centre has received the proceeds from this race, raising over $100,000 to help provide assessment and treatment to children and adolescents who have suffered from abuse or neglect.”
Add the Terry Fox Run to that and you have quite a set of accomplishments. Think about that as you take part in the Terry Fox Run later today.
 September 12, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. After years of struggle. After battling a civic administration that really didn’t want the thing saved and working around a city council that couldn’t come up with a solution even though they had federal funding to pay for a move – the Friends of Freeman station watched the structure move a couple of hundred yards from beside the fire station on plains Road to a spot in a field where they can begin the renovation and restoration work.
It was a very satisfying day for a small bunch of people.
 Leaving a place that was not very nice – station begins one of the shortest trips it has ever made.  The station is eased into a large excavation. She wasn’t being buried – just put into a location where a foundation can be put beneath the structure.  Construction equipment gets out of the excavation and the crews prepare the ground for the station to be eased down the slope.  The station is eased into a space where its foundation will be built.  All settled in. The tractor will unhitch and drive away. Those huge yellow beams will get pulled out once the station is lowered onto a set of cribs that will hold it in place while the foundation is built.  These are what are known as “Happy Campers” or Friends of Freeman Station. They are, from the left:John Mellow (Chair, Restoration & Relocation) , Alan Harrington (Treasurer), Bev Jacobs (Board Member) Brian Aasgaard (Vice President), Jacquie Gardner (Publicity), Reg Cooke (Secretary), and James Smith. President.
Now, as they put it, the real work can begin. There is some settling of the building to be done but that is just a detail.
It is in place, temporarily if the Friends of Freeman have their way, and over the next three to five years the work will get done.
During the lengthy debate over how the city wants to see the Beachway Park develop, city staff provided some pictures and layout on how the place would look when it is more like a park than it is now – there wasn’t a hint of a place for the Freeman Station. Unfortunate. That will get changed.
 September 13, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. Put on a sweater, pick up the portable lawn chair and head out for Nelson Park and on the way remind the woman with you that these are going to be Magic Moments as you listen to the sounds of the bands you danced to when you were able to dance all night long.
 Now this is some mighty fine steppin – wouldn’t you say? This Magic Moment is an event that is part of the Halton Heros initiative which has set out to raise funds that can be used to support police officers who have been injured or fallen in the line of duty.
The idea came out of the minds of Walter Brown and Scott Robinson who took it along to Keith Strong who had put together the Halton Heros initiative. But that’s all about local politics and supporting the people who protect us – the evening is about music and a good time.
This is an occasion when the parents take over the high school grounds and dance the night away. Because this is Burlington the event will end at 10:00 pm.
 Those suits – we didn’t wear suits like that – did we? The audience will hear Pauley and the Goodfellas doing music from the 50’s and 60’s.
Robbie Lane and the Disciples will take to the stage; Robbie will do a piece or two with budding Burlington singer Charissa Pavlou.
 The Drifters – they were our kind of music back then – and they’re still going strong. The main event will be The Drifters who will do their signature song – This Magic Moment, as well as other hits from that period those of us collecting pension cheques grew up in.
Starts at 2:30 with all kinds of things to do in the afternoon and early evening. There is a food booth and a refreshment stand. And a place where you can dance the night away.
 Perhaps hula hoops are for the younger set. Connie Smith, far right, does her best to keep the hoops closer to her hips – she did get therm there – eventually. Connie Smith, who has by now learned how to wiggle a hula hoop around her hips, will share Master of Ceremonies with Robbie Lane as the evening works its way through the play list.
It should be a great evening. And it is being done without a dime of public money.
Tickets have been available on-line – and will be available at the gate – $35.
 September 13, 2013
By Ray Rivers
BURLINGTON, ON. Over a decade ago, Newfoundland and Quebec, the most Catholic provinces in Canada, moved to a single public education system and eliminated separate school funding, leaving only Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon and Ontario in the dark ages.
The UN human rights commission has weighed-in, as well, determining that Ontario is discriminating against other religions and demanding either an end to separate school funding or that the province publicly fund all other religious schools. We may recall from the election of 2007 how Ontario voters overwhelmingly rejected the full-funding option advanced by Tory leader John Tory.
It’s true that there are constitutional guaranties for separate schools in Canada, a legacy of provincial deal-making in the days leading to the formation of the nation. But the provinces have absolute authority over education and Ontario could reduce its sprawling systems of education, 73 in total, with the stroke of pen, as Manitoba, Quebec and Newfoundland have done. There are 29 English Catholic, 8 French Catholic, one Protestant, (Penetanguishene) 31 English public and 4 French public school boards that operate in Ontario, more than twice as many as would be needed for a secular-only public school system.
The Manitoba Act creating that province in 1870, included a provision for a separate school system. Manitoba’s history is intensely complicated but this issue, became one of the biggest in the province’s history and one which nearly tore the new nation apart. However, Manitoba persisted in its efforts to eliminate funding for separate schools and two years after Manitoba the North-West Territories essentially followed suit. More people in Quebec (over 80%) identify as Catholic than in any other province, yet the province also decided to abandon public funding for the Catholic education system and received constitutional authority to proceed in in the late 1990’s.
 Solid Catholic classrooms were once a part of Newfoundland educational system. That province is now totally integrated. I have been visiting the Rock this week. It’s earliest residents included the Beothuk aboriginal people (now extinct), and the Vikings. Newfoundland was accidentally discovered by a Portuguese fisherman, landing some twenty years ahead of Columbus. The Rock was later re-discovered and its modern history started with John Cabot and English and French settlers before being invaded by Irish immigrants seeking relief from their potato famine and English oppression. By 1840 Irish Catholics made up half the population of the Island, but it was closer to the turn of that century that formal education was initiated with the Anglicans, Methodists and Catholics each running their own religious schools.
As Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, the protestant schools evolved into a secular public school system but under terms of joining the confederation, Catholic schools had also been given funding. It took a half-century and two referenda for Liberal Premier Brian Tobin to eliminate funding for all but the secular public system. So only the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario still fund Catholic schools.
 Dalton McGuinty’s government transformed Ontario’s education system from one of the worst to the very best in Canada over his time in office, but was somehow uninterested in further cutting costs by reducing duplication among school boards. Even as he charged the Drummond Commission to explore ways of reducing duplication and eliminating the deficit, he and they left the secular public schooling option on the table.
After health, education is the largest expenditure for the provincial government, so it is perhaps unsurprising that Drummond’s report can be found mostly on a shelf gathering dust. Now Dalton has left the room leaving a new Ontario premier to chart a new course, including doing something serious about the province’s expenditures and deficit. And what could be easier than eliminating this remaining anachronistic vestige of post colonial rule, amalgamating the various school boards and shutting down those redundant to the educational needs of the province?
When I lived in rural Ottawa, years ago, I used to watch four half-empty buses from four different school boards parade one after each other, and wonder. I haven’t seen the math on this, don’t have the numbers, but moving to a single school system should be a win-win for the people of Ontario just as it has been for Newfoundland, and Quebec. And speaking of Quebec, the irony of it all is that funding for separate schools was only ever put in the constitution because of the insistence of Quebec. And that province has now eliminated it’s own separate school system.
 Ray Rivers was born in Ontario; earned an economics degree at the University of Western Ontario and earned a Master’s degree in economics at the University of Ottawa. His 25 year stint with the federal government included time with Environment, Fisheries and Oceans, Agriculture and the Post office. He completed his first historical novel The End of September in 2012. Rivers is active in his community. He has run for municipal and provincial government offices and held executive positions with Liberal Party riding associations. He developed the current policy process for the Ontario Liberal Party.
 September 11, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. The cultural scene in Burlington gets busy right after Labour Day – everyone wants you to come to their event.
There is a poetry slam that would love you to show up and there is a dance production that is on for two nights at the Toddering Biped Theatre in Burlington.
We will do our best to publish a small piece on as many as we can. What we have found, ever since the creation of the Arts and Cultural Collective of Burlington, is that there are dozens of artists doing very interesting work. Is it all great? That’s something you will have to decide. Is it worth going to? A sense of adventure is helpful when you embark on something you’ve not done before. Take a chance, call up one of your friends and move out of your comfort zone and see what happens.
Each November the Art in Action group holds a Studio Tour and gather’s between three to five artists in one home with eight to ten homes in the tour. That event is a chance to make a day of it and get a cultural dunking. The Studio Tour is something you have to do at least once.
 It runs for just four hours – tickets available on-line. An event taking place September 19th intrigued us. Dream State is being hosted by No Vacancy; the arts initiative Selina Jane Eckersall created to bring more focus to art and culture in Burlington. Dream State is a multi-artist installation being held at The Waterfront Hotel and featuring the work of ten artists from a variety of disciplines.
The theme of the event is “dreams and dreaming”. All ten artists are somewhat local, all hail from Oakville, Hamilton and Burlington with two taking the GO train from Toronto.
The ten artists are free to interpret the theme in whatever way they wish and each have their own room to create a unique installation.
Selina Jane Eckersall sits on the Board of Directors for The Halton Women’s Centre and wanted to help them raise awareness and do some fundraising – so proceeds from the Dream State silent auction will be divided between the artists who place their work for auction and the Women’s Centre. Additionally, any ticket sale proceeds (after all of the hard venue and catering costs are paid) will be divided equally between the artists and The Women’s Centre.
 Jim Riley does some of the most amazing video work. “Why am I doing this?” asks Eckersall: “Because our city needs more of a thriving art scene with more players. The more the merrier – the grander our culture. Our neighbours (both to the East and West) have much more in the way of funding, events, opportunities, and culture when it comes to art. I really want to see that happen here in Burlington, and I believe it can. I am a fan of all things Burlington and all things community too, so I am always looking for ways to both be of service and to promote the wonderful people, businesses, causes, and places that we have here in our city.”
The event is on September 19th, 2013. It runs from 6pm to 10 pm. The rooms are on the lower level of the Waterfront Hotel.
This kind of event would have been great in the now demolished Riviera Motel. Eckersall wanted to hold the event at the Ascot Motel but there was a complication with a long-term tenant. Going from motel room to motel room would have been a hoot. But the Waterfront Hotel it is – where each artist will have a room to interpret their dream.
There are some exceptionally good artists taking part in this event. You will remember many of these artists and tell your friends about what you saw for some time.
Here’s the run down.
 Xiaojing Yan Xiaojing Yan creates mixed media installations, which express personal ideas of identity, history and communication from the perspective of an immigrant working between cultures. Yan employs traditional Chinese materials and techniques and reinvents them within a Western aesthetic and presentation. In several of her series, Yan uses the reeds and fibre papers of Chinese lantern making to mold the fragile cocoons of an immigrant life – where staying safe and protected within an unfamiliar, often intimidating cultural environment is essential to emerging and adapting with a reincarnated identity.
 Yan mixes western aestheticism and Chinese materials – these are not just Chinese lanterns. Xiaojing Yan is an artist who has migrated from China to North America, both her identity and work pass through the complex filters of different countries, languages, and cultural expectations. Making art is a transmigration of Xiaojing’s ideas, and physical presence. Xiaojing has education from both the eastern and western worlds, with a B.F.A in decorative art, Nanjing Art Institute, Jiangsu, China, as well as a M.F.A in sculpture from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
 Faisal Anwar Faisal Anwar is a digital media artist/ interactive producer / UI/UX expert (Toronto/ Pakistan). He is founder of an interactive art studio, DigitalDip and Co-founder Me A Monster Inc. His project series, Oddspaces, brings together art, culture and technology in an odd configuration to explore our perceptions towards architectural space, private or public spaces and social interactivity in modern urban cultures. He has shown at the Winter Olympics 2010, and performed nationally and internationally.
 The “art” of war. A closer inspection of Anwar’s work and the word horror follows. His project Odd spaces was part of Vancouver Olympics 2010 Code live exhibition. In October 2011 Oddspaces was also shown at Nuit-Blache Toronto and created a real-time installation between Karachi, New York and Toronto. Odd spaces was presented at the exhibition ‘Six Degrees of Separation: Chaos, Congruence & Collaboration’ 2008, curated by KHOJ, International Artists’ Association in Delhi, India and was presented in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh in September 2008.
 Daniel Anaka Daniel Anaka was born in 1978 in Brampton Ontario and currently resides in Toronto, Ontario. Daniel Anaka’s career as an artist has been as controversial as it has been brilliant. He works in the age of nonrepresentational art, much of his work having the look and feel of a Rembrandt, style of a Klimpt, narrative of a Rockwell, and sensuality of fashion photography. Other than attending artist material workshops, he is largely self-taught by studying the works of the masters, examining contemporary works, and working alongside other artists. Daniel now consults artists in materials and process, conservation, and frequently instructs artist workshops in representational and abstract acrylic and oil painting.
 Anaka classic work and classic form – to be appreciated. Anaka is principally known for his monumental, sensual, and emotionally raw depictions of women in his figurative and portrait work.
 Jim Riley Jim Riley is a Burlington, ON, based artist and independent curator. His art practice is a blend of documentary evidence, personal ideology, social commentary and artistic explorations. Riley’s present aesthetic investigations explore time and perceptual memory.
 Riley captures a thought and then holds you to that thought – riveting. His recent art practice has involved public and gallery video installations. He has a BA from Brock University. Currently, he is on the Media Arts Team of the Burlington Art Centre and is the Chair of Exhibitions and Programming Committee at Centre3 for Print and Media Arts (Hamilton). He has exhibited his art for more than twenty-five years in Canada and the US.
 Grace Loney Grace Loney is an active visual artist living in Southern Ontario. Grace’s work is enjoyed in private collections throughout North America, Britain and Japan. Her paintings are intuitive and alive with colour and rhythm. She uses acrylic, oil pastel, water-colour, and painterly mixed media to create depth in abstract expression.
 A maze? Art to be experienced? Loney seem to push the limits. “As an artist, I have journeyed down many paths to explore different ways of creating and making. My goal is to contribute to human experience by making art for art’s sake and currently I paint compositions. I also love to play with clay. Along the way, I’ve learned to work with new and found wood, fibre glass, cement, soil, and garden growth. I’ve had to learn to represent myself digitally and make acquaintance with cyberspace.”
 Sanjay B Patel Sanjay B Patel is a Canadian of Indian descent, residing in between Hamilton and Toronto. This talented artist is carving a path with his one-of-a-kind commissioned work; a unique experience that offers the client a custom abstract representation of their energy, tastes and personality, while taking into consideration the current colour, lighting, and space in the room.
 Patel bursts with colour – what will he do with a single room. Sanjay Patel is a refreshing artist who perfectly balances himself between classic, fine art fundamentals and modern couture design.
 Reg Moore Reg Moore is a projection and light artist holding unique events under the name Realtime Activities. Realtime turns the clock back and forth with shout-outs to eclectic moments and personalities in motion picture, photography, animation, music and popular culture.
 When Reg Moore adds sound to these visuals – “cool” and “awesome” are the only reasonable responses. Using an existing site and manipulating it, Realtime creates installations that are a visual feast for the average individual and a delight to the more seasoned viewer who recognizes Realtime’s incorporation of such ground-breaking works as “Moth Light”, “Rhythmus 21”, “Dog Star Man”, and “Matrix III”, to name a few. A Realtime installation is both a fabulous live event and a compelling expression of art.
 Kyle Tonkens Kyle Tonkens is a Canadian artist who lives and works in Oakville, Ontario. In addition to completing a Bachelor degree in Sociology at the University of Western Ontario, Kyle has studied Visual Arts and Art History at both the Ontario College of Art and Design and the University of Toronto [Mississauga].
 Tonkens uses colour to create abstract masterpieces. Kyle’s current project 100 Billion Sons&Daughters is an ongoing series of paintings created to celebrate each and every person who has ever lived, and their inherent beauty. Kyle uses colour choices provided by the ‘subject’ of each painting to create abstract masterpieces named in their honour.
 Keith Busher Keith Busher of Precious Mutations is an emerging artist from the Hamilton area who became famous in 2012 for his zombified nutcrackers and mutated thrift store finds. What began as a lesson to his two daughters about what could be accomplished when you are not sitting in front of the TV has turned into the work that he has become best known for.
 Busher’s zombified nutcrackers and mutated thrift store finds. Keith began purchasing thrift store/garage sale ceramic figurines and ‘mutating’ them into humorous, sinister and sometimes downright macabre creatures. His zombified nutcrackers were shipped all over the world to countries like Japan, Australia and the Netherlands. Keith’s work was recently featured at an installation at MANTA Contemporary during the Hamilton Art Crawl. The exhibit was entitled Re-Visions and featured his work alongside the work of award-winning artist David Irvine.
 Lana Kamarić Lana Kamarić is a contemporary surrealist artist. Born in Sarajevo, Bosnia, she began painting at a very young age. In 1994 Lana moved to Canada with her family, and made a home in Burlington, ON. She graduated York University with a degree in Art History in 2011, and currently works at the Burlington Art Centre.
 Kamarić’s windows into another world, an escape from the anxieties of reality. Drawing inspiration from various mythologies, folklore and fairy tales, her work often incorporates classical narratives to represent themes of time and identity. The goal of her paintings is to create windows into another world, an escape from the anxieties of reality.
The art we have shown here is not what you will see at the Dream State event. It is, we hope, representative of what these artists have done. We certainly had our favourites.
This will probably rank as the best the city is going to see this year – make the time to see it.
Cost of a ticket is $20 plus a small fee. Go on-line.
 September 11, 2013
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. On Saturday, September 14, Halton Region will host the annual Fall Compost Give Away from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Halton Waste Management Site (HWMS) located at 5400 Regional Road 25 in Milton. During the one-day event, Halton Region encourages residents to pick up compost free of charge.
“Through participation in waste diversion programs like the yard waste collection program, Halton households continue to divert 60% of waste away from the landfill, up from 40% in 2007,” said Gary Carr, Regional Chair. “These efforts help to conserve our landfill, a savings of $15 million to taxpayers.”
 Composting – best way to get a garden to really produce – and this time it is free. Through the participation of Halton residents, approximately 31,000 tonnes of yard waste (e.g. leaves, garden trimmings and brush) was collected in 2012 and turned into rich, garden-friendly compost at HWMS. The resulting compost is now ready for residents to use in their own gardens and landscaping projects.
Bring their own bags or useable containers (e.g. garbage bags, yard waste bags, trailer) and shovel. A maximum of seven bags (or equivalent) of compost may be collected during the event.
You are responsible for shoveling and bagging their compost.
You are encouraged to bring a cash donation or non-perishable food items.
In 2012, 4,600 residents came to compost give away events at HWMS and picked up approximately 2,000 tonnes of compost. Residents also donated 6,000 kilograms of food and $10,650 for local food banks.
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