 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON September 27, 2012 The vehicle pull down Brant Street by those marvelous people at city hall who keep the wheels turning in this city usually marks the beginning of the annual United Way program.
 Great weather to be outside, enjoy a burger and contribute to the United Way Campaign and be part of a team that pulls a fire truck down Brant Street. The weather is usually good, the crowd is enthusiastic and they have some fun while they are at it. The Fire Department has been the traditional winner of this event but last year Planning took the trophy – if memory serves me right they had two teams in last year.
 While the firemen took the trophy their anchor took a tumble for the team when he got the rope tangled around his feet. This year the Fire Department took the trophy back – Planning didn’t seem to be able to find the trophy they were given so it might be a bit before they actually get the thing.
It has to be noted that the vehicle being pulled this year was a fire truck – and while we aren’t suggesting the man behind the wheel had his foot on the brakes when others were pulling the thing – you know, the fireman might not have liked the idea of people who use their brains and their fingers to get their work done taking the prize for an event that calls for muscle and brawn. .
 Kim Phillips, one of the city’s General Managers with a focus on the administrative and financial side of the place – gave it the old high school try when she jumped into the line, grabbed the rope and pulled. Wasn’t quite enough – the firemen took the trophy this year. Not to be the least bit negative but last year the Clerk’s department had costumes that were a delight to see and the day had more teams out on the street – at least that was my recollection. Last year Lee Oliver played a bigger role in this event – bring him back.
City hall has been doing this vehicle pull for more than ten years and it might be time to come up with something new and different – jazz it up a bit more maybe. Staff clearly want to be part of an event. They have fun; Civic Square was close to packed.
The Burlington portion of the 2012 United Way Campaign is $2.1 million. That’s a big number that Burlington chair Paddy Torsney is going to have to be very creative to achieve. She has a strong team with a lot of new people taking part – many who are quite a bit younger than what United Way has been able to recruit in the past.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON September 28, 2012 Every Mayor decides at some point, what kind of a mark they want to make on the city they are leading. That mark is a combination of their hopes and dreams for the city; their background and experience and then the people they know who can help them fashion the mark they are going to leave.
That’s the dream – and it bumps into the cold hard reality of the world of politics and people and the economy they have to deal with.
There is a load of frustration and disappointment in being a Mayor and while many think the Mayor is “popular” and can call anyone for help – the truth is – it is very, very lonely at the top.
 Saturday evening the Mayor’s Cabaret will be held at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Getting the production to the stage was a bumpy road. A delay with the show date and a tremendous amount of work by the Mayor’s staff hasn’t produced the results they wanted. These events have to be carefully worked through to determine who the audience is supposed to be and then figuring out how you get them into the building.
It isn’t going to be a sold out event – and there probably won’t be a second Cabaret.
Burlington doesn’t have a long tradition of Gala’s headed up by the Mayor. This type of event became popular in the 90’s with former Mayor Rob MacIsaac holding the first event and using it to raise funds for the Community Development Foundation.
 Former Mayor Jackson ran a different kind of Gala and then ran afoul of the city manager and didn’t hold an event his last year in office. Mayor Jackson ran a different form of Gala and then ran into some difficulty during his final year in office with his event. Jackson went on to lose the election – not because of the way his Gala`s were run we might add. After leaving City Hall Jackson became a lobbyist for a professional organization. We are advised that he has since left the group he was representing.
There are former Mayors who don`t feel events like this should be run out of the Mayor`s office. Mayor Goldring has found that putting on an event like this eats up far too much of his staffs’ time.
The event won`t be a bust – but it will probably be the last one sponsored by the Mayor.
Rick Goldring is doing something else that matters – and it is with his Inspire series of speakers that we can expect to see change – albeit not in the short term. Planting new ideas in the minds of a community that tends not to take on new ideas easily is a challenge. What Goldring has done is find speakers who have ideas and something to say that can lead the city in a different direction and give us something to base our decisions upon.
The first speaker was Chris Hume of the Toronto Star who made no bones about what he thought of what McMaster University had done to the city. He saw their decision to back out of putting a campus into the downtown core as “morally repugnant”
Hume got the event off to a strong start and it has been uphill from there. The events have been held at McMaster’s DeGroote campus on the South Service Road but have moved to the Performing Arts Centre where they come close to full house events.
 The speaker at the Mayor’s next Inspire series will be Dr. Samir K. Sinha, Director of Geriatrics, Mount Sinai and the University Health Network Hospital And it is on this level, stimulating the minds and the imaginations of the community where Mayor Goldring has chosen to make his mark. Later this Month Dr. Samir K. Sinha, Director of Geriatrics, Mount Sinai and the University Health Network Hospitals, will speak on how we care for our aging population, which for Burlington is going to be a huge challenge.
While it is the hospital that will actually deliver that care – it is the community that is going to have to communicate to the hospital what kind of care that it wants, needs and is prepared to pay for. The $60 million given to the hospital by the city on behalf of its taxpayers has to stand for something.
 Ken Greenberg explained the role the large pension funds are playing in the development of the downtown cores of Mississauga and how his group had worked with developers in Toronto. It is now clear what this Mayor wants to do – he wants to get people thinking; he wants to bring new ideas to the table and create discussions that result in a public ready to do things differently. He has certainly brought in excellent speakers. Andre Picard talked about where the public health business was going; Ken Greenberg talked about the way major developments were being done and who the players were in the development game.
Gil Penalosa told the city how we could make more and better use of bikes and “create vibrant and healthy cities for all: from 8 to 80 years old”. His focus was the design and use of parks and streets as great public places, as well as on walking and cycling for recreation and transportation. Out of that talk came the two Car Free Sundays we had this summer. One of the two was a strong success – closing Brant Street didn’t go as well. Will we do it again? We should.
The city got a bronze level award for the way we have begun to focus on getting people outdoors and using bicycles more frequently. Burlington loves getting awards and this one will probably spur the city into doing more bike related stuff. There is a night ride scheduled by a group in the city this weekend.
 The two Car Free Sundays went well enough to try again next summer – although many of the people stuck in their cars may not think it was a good idea. The idea was to get those people out of their cars. All very good speakers – BUT, and this is not meant to rain on the Mayor’s parade – is anyone listening to these speakers; are they being heard? The city is currently looking into what it wants to do and can do with its employment lands – those properties that will hold the office buildings and high tech, high value added manufacturing operations the city needs.
Time and again we hear the consultants we hire telling council to “do your homework”. The Molinaro’s recently announced the purchase of the large lot in front of the GO station on Fairview, to the east of Wal-Mart and will be moving forward with their plans to develop the property.
During the Workshop the city held earlier in the week on the Employment Lands Councillor Jack Dennison (Ward 4) asked if maybe the Molinaro’s could be asked to include an office building in their plans. The Molinaro’s didn’t get to where they are with that kind of woolly thinking. They have already decided what they want to do with that property and have it all costed out.
That the city doesn’t know what they have planned suggests that perhaps some Council members are still using rotary dial telephones and have forgotten how to use them.
The Mayor fully understands the gravity of the problems we have and he is doing a part of the job that needs to be done. He does need to immerse himself into the talks with the developers and not leave that to the Economic Development people – nothing is getting done over there.
But the Mayor can’t do it all – the rest of us have to do our homework.
If we don’t do things differently – we won’t continue to exist.
 By Pepper Parr
The people numbers were up – the money numbers were down, but the Terry Fox run was a major success nevertheless.
It was the 31st time the event took place in Burlington. To date the community has raised $1,470,000 and countless numbers of Burlingtonians have run for Terry Fox and for those who found themselves facing cancer.
 Don Carmichael, chair of the 2012 run, and expected to chair the 2013 run as well, noted that this year “we had a group running with more than 200 members. That was very, very significant and is a large part of what the Burlington Terry Fox run is all about.”
More than 1,100 people participated in the run this year. “We printed up 1000 ribbons for people to wear and ran out”, said Carmichael. “It was a very good crowd this year”, he added.
The fund raising didn’t do as well. $84,000 was raised in 2011 while just $70,000 was raised in 2012, bringing the total raised by the Burlington Terry Fox Run since its inception to more than $1,470,000 That is a very significant sum of money.
 Commemoration boards were set up on the site for people to write a few ords on. What few know is that the organizing committee has kept every board ever set up and written on. They are set up each year in a quiet corner where pople can go and read what they wrote in the past. Every dollar raised in Burlington goes to cancer research and while the run doesn’t have an official sponsor there are organizations in Burlington that come forward to meet the needs that range from water to food. This level of support is hugely appreciated by not only the people who organize the run but by the community at large.
 More than 100 volunteers make the Terry Fox Run happen. Carmichael noted that they were seeing more “teams” groups of people running to remember someone or support someone fighting cancer. “In the past” said Carmichael, “we have had smaller groups running – three or four, sometimes a dozen or more. The team running for Casey Cosgrove this year exceeded 200 which is a big change for the run.”
Many people find that the run is a way to commemorate a person and to use the time those who walk the route need to think about, celebrate or miss the person they are “running” for.
 Many people see the Terry Fox run as a unique thing that happened in Canada and was the result of one Canadian’s supreme effort. The Canadian flag just seems to be a part of the event – and there were plenty of them handed out. The event is as much a community event as it is a single person running, with each person having their own personal reasons for being there, but everyone on the site for the same reason – they want to see cancer beaten.
Great strides have been made in research and many forms of cancer are treatable and cured if caught early enough. Carmichael expects to see more groups being formed to take part in the event.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON October 22, 2012 An old-fashioned fall fair right here in the city! Next weekend, Sunday, September 30th! ~11 – 4 p.m. at the Ireland House at Oakridge Farm, 2168 Guelph Line, Burlington
 The Farmall tractor – hundreds of the things, if not a couple of thousand, tilled the fields that are now sub-divisions in Burlington. Manufactured by International Harvester, a company that has been in Burlington for more than fifty years but is now moving to Hamilton You can start the day with a Country-style home-made pancakes & specialty syrup! That runs from 9:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m.
What else can you expect?
Jump into the sea of hay and join in a great harvest fair tradition – Make Your Own Scarecrow!
How about a try at the Hay Maze?
Live roping demonstrations with the Ontario Rodeo Association!
Take a tour through the historic Ireland House
Experience historic cooking, apple schnitzing and apple cider making!
See antique tractors and historic automobiles on display.
 Ireland House, a part of the Museums Burlington operation, is the only example of a farming property that is publicly viewable in the city south of Dundas, It is an excellent example of its period. Worth as visit Watch as fascinating artisans demonstrate their craft! Make your own neat crafts! Have fun with the Fall Harvest Obstacle Course and Games, Pony Rides (12-3pm), Junior Farmer Competitions and Games, Fair-Style Activities, Historic Cooking and Horticultural society arrangements.
There will be animal exhibits and special farm displays! Check out the Trifles & Treasures Bazaar. Find excellent fall treasures, home decorations and unique handmade items in the vendor area. Enjoy live stage entertainment all day including country dance demonstrations and musical performances! And don’t miss your chance to bid at the Applefest Silent Auction!
Finally, be sure to sign your children up for their chance to be crowned this year’s Applefest Fall Fair Prince and Princess! Contest is open to children 6-10 years old!
Admision to Applefest is FREE thanks to the generous support of The Rocca Sisters Team! Additionally, all children will receive a free goodie bag and a ticket to be entered into a draw to win a special prize basket!
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON October 22, 2012 In the week we are going into more than 4,000 Halton students will spend a part of a day taking part in the seventh annual Halton Children’s Water Festival (HCWF) being held from September 25 to 28, 2012.
Students from grades two to five registered to participate in the festival taking place outdoors at the picturesque Kelso Conservation Area in Milton.
 He really wants you to look at the bullfrog he is holding. Students at the Festival will experience a unique opportunity to learn about water in a fun and interactive way at activity centres which cover Ontario curriculum requirements. New this year, French language activity centres will be piloted with grade five French Immersion students on Thursday, September 27. The HCWF features nearly 60 activity centres that incorporate four main water related themes:
 Kids + water = fun and noise – all part of the Halton Children’s Water Festival. A full day of fun at a cost of $5 per student. “Since the Halton Children’s Water Festival began in 2006, more than 25,000 children have participated which shows the demand and interest for high quality environmental education in our community,” said Conservation Halton Chairman John Vice. ”The Festival’s success is due to the enthusiastic participation by volunteers, teachers and students backed by the commitment of partner organizations as well as tremendous support from individuals and businesses in the community. We thank everyone who has participated and contributed to the Water Festival over the past seven years.”
The Festival is co-hosted by Conservation Halton and Halton Region in partnership with, the Halton District School Board, the Halton Catholic District School Board, the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. This partnership has created a successful and financially sustainable water festival in Halton. Conservation Halton Chairman John Vice and Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr serve as the Festival’s honorary co-chairs.
 It isn’t all classroom stuff – just look at the way this girl rounds the bale of hay. A winner for sure. The Festival is a community partnership dependent on more than 150 volunteers each day to help with various activities. Halton high school students and community volunteers are once again generously offering their time and gaining experience in community outreach, public speaking, teaching and time management.
The Festival is offered to Halton schools at a cost of just $5 per child, which includes a full day at the Festival as well as transportation to and from the event. Schools seeking Ontario EcoSchools certification can count their attendance at the HCWF as a field trip in the Curriculum category.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON September 21, 2012 It would have been great – as it was it was very good. The rain spoiled the public participation but it didn’t stop two chef’s from Spencer’s on the Waterfront from showing a small crowd that huddled under umbrellas as Chris Hayworth and Andy McLean put together two really fine meals at an outdoor location in what the Farmer’s Market called Street Fight # 1 with Hayworth vs McLeod. The knives were out.
 You don’t see hand drawn type like this very often It was promoted as a Street Fight # 1, indicating that this would become an ongoing event. The first pitted two experienced chef’s from one of the better, if not the best, restaurant in the downtown area.
While the rain certainly dampened the public attendance the event was clearly something that could be done fairly frequently next season. If promoted effectively it could become an event to which day tourists travel to Burlington to take in.
The crowd that was on hand last Friday certainly enjoyed themselves even if they had to huddle in the rain under umbrellas tasting the results. Hayworth’s cauliflower soup was especially nice.
While the competition was to have two chef’s competing the event turned out to be a battle with the elements. With just drizzle, one umbrella was enough; but when it turned into real rain – Barry Imber went looking for as many umbrellas as he could find. His finds and what others had on hand kept most of the rain off the audience.
 Chef Hayworth on the left and Chef McLean next to him take their recipes through the final stages of preparation before letting the crowd taste the meal – and it most certainly was a meal.  Chef Chris Hayworth on the left with chef Andy McLean to his left prepare food for individual tastings. There wasn’t nearly enough to go around. The original plan was to have people sitting on benches observing; but the rain had people huddling around the cooking tables, while the chefs worked in very cramped quarters constantly hoping the electrical cables wouldn’t short out. The Farmer’s Market will shut down sometime in October and has to be seen as a success – not a raging success but a very positive addition to life in the downtown core.
Our Burlington supported the event from its very beginning and we will be reminding you about its return in the Spring.
Barry Imber is the driving force behind the concept and the guy who did much of the hands on work to make it happen. He was the guy who made the phone calls to get people to take part; he was the guy who chased down umbrellas and put them up as the rain moved from a drizzle to a real rainfall. He was the guy who went looking for additional electrical extension so the chef’s could continue cooking.
 One of the vendors teaches children at the Farmer’s Market some hand clapping dances There were different vendors throughout the year with Featherstone and Plan B on hand consistently. Some vendors were on the site when they had product – Gibson’s Honey who sold out every time he was there.
There were people from the Tourism office watching the event which many thought could be something done several times during the season and promoted as a destination event. There people who would love to make a day trip to Burlington to attend an event likes this, stay for the day and drive up into the Escarpment. As an event – it has potential.
The market is intended for those people who are purely organic. If you want pure food with nothing added, no preservatives or colouring to make the food look nicer.
What many wondered as the two chef’s worked away was – who was doing the cooking at Spencer’s while Hayworth and Mclean were at the market.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON September 19, 2012 It’s one of those events you need to plan for and to note it on your calender. The annual Burlington Art in Action tour which takes place the weekend of November 3rd and 4th this year.
 One of the better studio tours in the province. If art matters to you – don’t miss this event. The Art in Action people will be announcing the line up early in October and we will tell you all you need to know. Today, we just want to give you a heads up.
Great event. Last year we spent a full day going from studio to studio and met some really neat people, saw some art that interested us. Watched artists sell their work to people who were just beginning to collect art.
Note the dates.
 Part 4 of a 4 part Terry Fox Run photo essay.
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON September 17, 2012 It was for the COZ – there were close to 200 people wearing the small piece of paper that read Team Casey.
There were T-shirts, several handmade creations that said they were there to support Casey Cosgrove as he battles cancer.
 Parts of Team Cosgrove As Deb Tymstra was having the walkers get into the line in front of the starting gate – someone had Team Casey at the other side of the starting gate. There were so many Team Casey people that the walkers couldn’t get started until the Team Casey people were out of the way. So Deb Tymstra put them through a warm up exercise given by the Cedar spring ladies. Eventually, the photo shoot was done and the Team Casey people worked themselves into the walking line and Don Pace did the – Get Ready, Get Set and Go call.
 The Team Casey members were easily recognized. Besides being the biggest group they were probably the noisiest as well. There was never any doubt when a team member crossed the finish line. They were walking for Casey Cosgrove and along the way appreciating who he was and what he has done for his community. They thought about the really funny stuff that pops up on his Facebook page and they wondered as well about how much Terry Fox has done for cancer research.
It is cancer research breakthroughs that offer Casey the hope and the opportunity to beat the cancer he battles. Casey is quite open about his struggle. He has good days and bad days – but he has hundreds of friends to support him.
 Part of bearing the load. Top two members of Team Cosgrove Terry Fox brought the same robust attitude to his situation: he refused to regard himself as disabled, and would not allow anyone to pity him, telling a Toronto radio station that he found life more “rewarding and challenging” since he had lost his leg. His feat helped redefine Canadian views of disability and the inclusion of the disabled in society. Fox’s actions increased the visibility of people with disabilities, and in addition influenced the attitudes of those with disabilities, by showing them disability portrayed in a positive light. Rick Hansen commented that the run challenged society to focus on ability rather than disability. “What was perceived as a limitation became a great opportunity. People with disabilities started looking at things differently. They came away with huge pride”, he wrote.
 Two members of Team Casey giving it that final push. Casey Cosgrove has taught thousands how to deal with health adversity. Some disabled people are made to feel like failures if they haven’t done something extraordinary. Casey is just an ordinary guy doing his best and giving just as much as he is getting.
One of Fox’s earliest supporters was Isadore Sharp, founder of the Four Seasons Hotels. Sharp had lost his own son to cancer and offered Fox and his companions free accommodation at his hotels. He donated $10,000 and challenged 999 other businesses to do the same. Sharp also proposed an annual fundraising run in Fox’s name. Fox agreed, but insisted that the runs be non-competitive. There were to be no winners or losers, and anyone who participated could run, walk or ride. Sharp faced opposition to the project. The Cancer Society feared that a fall run would detract from its traditional April campaigns, while other charities believed that an additional fundraiser would leave less money for their causes. Sharp persisted, and he, the Four Seasons Hotels and the Fox family organized the first Terry Fox Run on September 13, 1981.
 Some members of Team Cosgrove made their own sweaters. One of those has to be used in the Spiral submission for the Performing arts Centre if that submission is chosen. Over 300,000 people took part and raised $3.5 million in the first Terry Fox Run. 4000 of those dollars came from Burlington.
Schools across Canada were urged to join the second run, held on September 19, 1982, and now have their own National School Run Day. The runs, which raised over $20 million in its first six years, grew into an international event as over one million people in 60 countries took part in 1999, raising $15 million that year alone.
Last Sunday, in Burlington, more than 1000 people did the run – and 200 of them were there for Casey Cosgrove and the COZ.
Part 1 of 4
Part 2 of 4
Part 3 of 4
 Jane Goodall, renowned environmentalist will be in Burlington this week. Major coup for the BurlingtonGreen people and a day those attending her events will never forget. By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON September 17th, 2012 It is going to be a boffo week for the BurlingtonGreen crowd.
Dr. Jane Goodall is now in Canada; the BG’s are incredibly thrilled to have her first event presentation taking place right here in Burlington on Wednesday, September 19 !
Goodall will be sharing fascinating stories from the field, her reflections on global conservation and hope for the future of the planet to both a daytime audience of 700 Halton youth attending our annual “Imprints” Youth event followed by a sold out evening event also taking place at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
Not only can ticket holders look forward to this rare opportunity to get inspired by this world renowned environmentalist and UN Messenger of Peace, but there will also be a variety of great opportunities to learn more about how individuals can get involved with and support the important work of both the Jane Goodall Institute and BurlingtonGreen.
There will be a raffle for a chance to win a hugely popular paddleboard courtesy of Mountain Equipment Co-op. There will be book signing by Dr. Goodall, eco-displays and a fast paced but awesome Eco (silent)Auction too ! Click here for a sneak peak of the amazing auction packages that have been creatively and thoughtfully compiled that event participants will have an opportunity to bid on and take home!
The evening will be the perfect opportunity to celebrate some of our greenest achievers in Burlington following Dr. Goodall’s message of how individuals can truly make a difference. A worthy recipient from each of our award categories(individual, school, child, group, youth & business) will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join Dr. Goodall on stage to receive a special presentation – wow!
Clearly, the BurlingtonGreen people are excited – and they should be. This is a major achievement on their part. For those of you who didn’t manage to get tickets – stay tuned – we will tell you as much as we can about this really important visit.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON September 11, 2012 Mayor Rick Goldring finally gets his Cabaret off the planning Boards and onto the stage of the Burlington Performing Arts centre where both the Arrogant Worms and The Lighthouse will take to the stage.
The day before the Mayor does his thing Burlington’s Gordie Tapp of Hee Haw fame is going to MC A Laugh a Minute — The Mike Wallace Roast.
 Wallace does know how to laugh and take a joke – expect him to be at his funniest while his colleagues roast him royally – with Gordie Tapp leading the crowd – it will be a riot. The Wallace event, taking place Friday September 28, is sponsored by the Burlington Federal Conservative Riding Association. The guest list of roasters includes Halton Riding Conservative MP Lisa Raitt and Michael Chong, Tory MP for Wellington-Halton Hills.
Cocktails are at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m.
Mayor Goldring came up with the Gala idea some time ago and had to shift the dates but he is now ready to have the curtains of the Performing Arts Centre stage pulled back for an evening of entertainment, receptions and both live and silent auctions. This might be your chance to get one of the Mayor’s election signs.
A variety show featuring special guests Lighthouse and The Arrogant Worms, along with some very talented local artists will make up what the Mayor says is “ sure to be an extraordinary evening”.
Lighthouse is a Canadian band whose music includes elements of rock, jazz, classical, and swing. They won Juno Awards for Best Canadian Group of the year in 1972, 1973 and 1974. Some of their hits include One Fine Morning, Sunny Days, Pretty Lady and Can You Feel It.
 Featured performers at the Mayor’s Cabaret – the Arrogant Worms bring their music to the Performing Arts Centre. The Arrogant Worms were formed in Kingston, Ontario and consist of Mike McCormick, Chris Patterson and Trevor Strong. Their musical comedy act has been played on three continents to crowds as large as 100,000 and they have sold more than 150,000 copies of their 12 albums. The Arrogant Worms have been described as “too much fun for their own good.”
Funds raised from this event will benefit The Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Tickets, $150 with a tax receipt issued for $100 are on sale now at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre box office.
Dress code is polished casual; that’s a new one. In addition to the show, there will be pre- and post-show receptions and silent and live auctions.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON September 11, 2012 After many months of keeping everything under wraps, Jeremy Freiburger finally opened the curtains and is letting the public see what the three Burlington judges have chosen as finalists for the public art that is going to stand in front of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
Burlington is slowly learning that if you want the public to buy into an idea – let them know what you are up to; ask their opinions and listen to what they have to say.
You can view models of the three finalists at the Central Public Library or see large photographs at City Hall and Tansley Woods – and that is about as far north as the public viewing will go. Something for the city to look into – the people north of Upper Middle Road are just out of luck when it comes to knowing much about what goes on at city hall, unless they want to drive well outside their community
 The currently unadorned Performing Arts Centre may soon get some public art. The plans are to place the art in the small fore-court – shown in the right of this photograph. Art is a very subjective thing. Many people feel that they know what they like the moment they see it – and that is certainly true. But taste is something that is developed; something that evolves over time. That development takes place when you see and experience different forms and examples of art. Some feel that public art should come from within the community – others feel the search should be world wide.
The judges are: Ian Ross, executive director of the Burlington Art Centre, Emma Quinn, executive director of the Ontario Craft Council, Trevor Copp, artistic director of Tottering Biped Theatre, Natalie Eldershaw, 4th-year Sheridan College art student.
The steering committee that oversaw the process included: Avery Brooks joiner – local youth involved in Culture, Dan Lawrie – project donor; Brenda Heatherington – BPAC Executive Director, site stakeholder; Mary-Ellen Heiman – member of BPAC Board and Denise Beard, Acting Manager of Community Development Services for the city of Burlington
The three finalists, chosen out of the 119 submissions to the Call for Submissions the city put out in March of this year, were asked to then create a small model and provide some detail on what they proposed to create.
Those models are now on display at the library on New Street
The project got its start when Burlington businessman Dan Laurie expressed an interest in sponsoring some public art that would be placed in front of the Performing Arts Centre, at the intersection of Elgin and Locust streets in downtown Burlington. Laurie put up $37,500 of his own money and the city used $75,000 from its Public Art Fund
The Cooke-Sasseville submission, Stay Connected, is made of stainless steel; aluminum; powder-coat paint. It is 15 feet high x 27 feet wide.
 The Cooke-Sasseville submission is certainly the most colourfull of the three. How will the bright colours stand up to weather over the long haul? In explaining their submission Cooke-Sasseville had this to say: “We are proposing the creation of a monumental and playful sculpture that stems from the idea of representing, on an exaggerated scale, a well-known, easily identifiable object that is closely tied to the performing arts: a technical console and connecting cables. Our proposal is visually striking and evocative in its usage of space and it will transcend the objects that it represents, becoming an almost abstract work that brings to mind both vegetation and the human circulatory system. The work will be firmly fixed to the ground and expand into space in a systematic manner, schematizing a perfectly orchestrated choreography where the notions of movement, exchange and transmission are represented.”
“The work that we are submitting suggests a never-ending openness towards the sky and it may be interpreted in many different ways, from the simple representation of everyday objects to the schematization of complex fractals. In doing this, we wish to glorify that which may seem banal but which is really essential, or that which is not seen but which plays a crucial role in the creation of major artistic productions: the technical side of the production as well as the importance of collaborations, human contact, encounters and communication.”
 A scale model of the Cooke-Sassville submission. These Quebec based artists have done a significant amount of public art work throughout North America. The Peter Powning submission, Spiral Stella, is to be made of stainless steel; cast bronze and stand 16 feet high and be 30 inches wide.
 The Spiral will be 16 feet tall and include in the bronze casting artifacts from the community that could well make this one of the most intriguing pieces of art in the city. Powning explains his submission this way: “My intent with this proposal is to produce an iconic sculpture of scale that has impact from a distance but which also provides an intimate experience up close. I propose a sculpture that offers an opportunity for discovery, an enhanced sense of local identity, and education opportunities; a community touchstone honouring Burlington and the Performing Arts Centre; its history, natural environment, culture and identity. A key element of this project will be community participation in providing important cultural and historical artifacts to include in the cast bronze spiral. I think of this bronze relief as cultural mulch, incorporating artifacts from the historical to the contemporary.”
“The elements I will be working with are meant to balance content and form in a dynamic approachable sculpture. The obelisk will reflect the sky, patterns of cloud and ambient light, changing hues as the day progresses, the cast bronze provides visual and textural contrast as well as an intimate tactile experience. The formal obelisk shape organizes the various parts of the sculpture in a unified, recognizable whole. In close proximity, it reveals a material richness with layers of cultural content gathered from the people and institutions of Burlington in cast bronze relief. From a distance, this monumental sculpture will be visible as a landmark.”
 The section that appears in blue is the part within which the artist will include local artifacts. No one knows at this point what will be included if this submission is chosen – but if it is chosen – expect everyone in the city to come up with something – it’s going to be out there for everyone to see for at least 50 years – perhaps forever. What doesn’t become immediately evident in the artists comments is that the people of Burlington will contribute a large part of the Spiral – and he has no idea what the public contribution will be. Somehow, what people want to see included in the spiral will get to the artist who will include it in the final structure. That could be very informative and certainly reflect the community.
Aaron Stephen calls his submission In the Round which will be made of cast zinc alloy; architectural zinc sheet and have a diameter of 28 feet.
 The In the Round submission is far more complex, and intriguing, than evident in this picture. That globe graphic is made up of more than 15,000 small figurines. Interesting approach but the location and the height of the art will need some consideration. “In the Round”, says the artist, “is composed of over fifteen thousand small human figures traversing the wall of Burlington Performing Arts Centre’s fly tower. Each three-inch metal figure interacts in a unique way. Some mill about, some talk, walk, or just look around – simply depicting a crowd of individuals interacting as we do in everyday life. From a distance the minutia of this crowd disappears while a larger whole becomes apparent. Each individual figure acts as a pixel defining the collective image of a twenty-eight foot world globe.”
“Anyone who has attended a live performance has experienced the curious moments that immediately precede the actual event. In the lobby, crowds mill around and everyday conversation takes place. There is a unique energy in the air that can only be described as communal anticipation. The evening takes a turn as the performer(s) appear on stage. In a brief moment, what previously seemed to be a haphazard group of audience members becomes a single entity.”
“Like the distinctive beginning of a live performance, In the Round encompasses the same feeling of anticipation, movement, and energy. It represents the moment in which the community of Burlington becomes fully engaged and implicated with those on stage.”
 Examples of the more than 15,000 figurines that will be used to shape a graphic of the globe in the In the Round submission. The “official” illustration doesn’t do justice to this submission. That it will be at the back of the theatre is a limitation. What is shown in the official picture is a graphic of the world – what you don’t see is the 15,000 little figures that will make up the globe.
All three submissions have merit. Several are unique in the approach they use to involve the person looking at the art.
The city has asked the public to “Tell us what you think!” and have provided a place on the city web site for comments on all three pieces of art. Log into WHERE and tell the city what you think. If you can – get over to the Library, and look at the maquettes (fancy word artists use when they really mean to say a model of what they have in mind)
There are also ballot like forms upon which people can write their comments.
The judges will review the comments and come to a final decision. That final decision doesn’t have to be the selection of a specific piece of art.
The three judges chose three submissions – they could have chosen five or ten but there wasn’t enough money in the budget to give every artist the $1500 grant to prepare the model.
Once the judges go over all the comments they will decide which of the three submissions should become the art that will be placed outside the Performing Arts Centre. The judges do not have to choose one of the three finalists – the decision they make will depend on the public feedback.
The challenge for the judges is – are they going to lead public opinion and help shape it or are they going to follow public opinion. Attempting to lead public opinion in Burlington is not always a rewarding endeavor.
If public opinion is strongly against any of the three submissions the judges can decide that none of the three put forward is what the public wants. What do they do then – and why were just three of the 119 submissions selected?
The selection process had two parts to it. First review everything that came in and then invite the three the judges thought were the best and ask them to prepare a model of what they were proposing. Each artist was given $1500 to build their mode. There wasn’t enough in the budget they had to work with to invite more than three.
This is the second major public art project for Burlington. The “orchids” ,done by Irish artist Alex Pentek, were liked by many – but just as many couldn’t understand why it was placed in the middle of busy Upper Middle Road, where it is extremely difficult to see the art as you duck under the railway overpass. Very poor location.
The Performing Arts Centre is seen as a prime public site and with the right art it will be something people will come to see; providing the city selects what the public is prepared to accept.
Make a point of getting to the library to look at the models. And let the city know what you like and don’t like – and add why you like what you see as well.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON September 10, 2012 Beds will be on the move up Brant Street on Sunday, Sept. 23 as the annual Amazing Bed Race returns.
From noon to 3 p.m. teams will compete to see who can push a bed the fastest over a straight-line 100-metre course starting from City Hall.
The event raises funds for The Rotary Club of Burlington North and the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital Foundation. In its first two years, the Amazing Bed Race has raised more than $170,000.
 As long as all the wheels are on at the Finish Line – 100 yards away – it’s legit. Thirty-nine teams participated last year with 34 registered so far this year. Teams will fund raise, build or borrow a bed, decorate it and race it.
Each team is guaranteed two races. They will be timed with the fastest 16 squads moving into a single elimination round. Teams will race two at a time with the fastest of the 16 being declared the overall winner.
Last year’s event added a Kids Stroller Race and it will be held again this year. It is open to kids between the ages of 4 and 12. They will race with their own stroller in a straight line for 25 metres wearing a helmet. It runs from 12:45-1:15 p.m.
 Amazing Bed Race. The event is a fund raiser for the hospital foundation. Prizes will be awarded to the grand champion bed-racing winner, to the top fundraising team and for the best-decorated bed/team.
Registration has been extended to Sept. 13. Day-of sign in is at 11 a.m. If you are interested in registering a team, sponsorships, fundraising or need more information, contact Emma Fitzpatrick at the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital Foundation by e-mailing efitzpatrick@jbmh.com or calling 905-632-3737, ext. 5542.
Donations can be made at https://www.amazingbedrace.ca/.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON August 29.2012 If you missed getting your kids to the Royal Botanical Gardens for the Fairy Queen visit – you can make amends and make sure they get a chance to attend the Teddy Bear Picnic that will take place on two days:
 Every little girl has a very favorite Teddy Bear that can be taken to the Royal Botanical Garden Teddy Bear Picnic. Saturday, September 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, September 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Picnics are being held at the RBG’s Rock Garden, 680 Plains Rd. W
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 21, 2012 It was one of those summer evenings when the living is easy.
The mosquitoes weren’t biting and the air was cool enough for some people to wear sweaters as they set their chairs out on the lawn in front of the Band shell at Central Park next to the library.
 Seniors with their chairs set out in neat rows listening to Alchemy Unplugged at the Band shell last week. While no one told people where to put their chairs – there they were set out in neat rows, but all some distance from the stage – which is unusual for concerts.
 Singing a tune and scanning the crowd Lisa Farmer entertains seniors at the band shell on a summer night. Lisa Farmer and Daren Swanson – known in the world of music as Alchemy Unplugged, were on the stage as part of the city’s summer entertainment program. Lisa and Daren are a favourite with the seniors set. They write music of their own and are in the process of recording an album at their own studio.
Daren is the kind of guy who can string things together and actually make them work.
Lisa serves as back up on the technical side but when it comes to the voice – hers is definitely the dominant one. She has a nice, light clear tone and can move from boogey woogey to soul searching blues and then blast out a piece done by the Eagles.
While the audience didn’t rush the stage there was a gentleman who could move rather well to the different tunes and he just needed to be out there grooving away in his own world. Then there was a delightful young lady who found the music much to her liking and she too climbed up on the stage and for a few minutes danced with Lisa and then decided she would just park herself at the feet of the entertainers and wave her arms to the sway of the sound.
 Lisa Farmer and Daren Swanson are a favourite with the seniors crowd. The two of them harmonize very nicely and have an album in the works. She wasn’t doing any harm but there came a point when it was time for her to leave and Lisa, in a beautiful dignified manner helped the young woman off the stage and back to her parents. No fuss, no bother. The youth was enjoying the music and was doing what came naturally to her. The polite, dignified way she was handled was a pleasure to see.
When she left with her parents – Lisa called out – good night. She should have been given a round of applause for that gesture.
All part of the way Burlington is – polite.
 By Pepper Parr
They gather in the hundreds and spend hours building sand castles. There are the professional sand castle builders; then there are the Family efforts, that can be quite amazing and then there are what five, six and seven year olds build.
 This is what happens when you let a professional get into a pike of sand. This one, being worked on by Sandi ‘Castle’ Stirling, delighted everyone. This year it was just the same.
 It was a perfect summer day. Just at the edge of the horizon sail boats tacked back and forth while people strolled along the edge of the water. The pro’s were out there working on the big ones while the artists in progress were toiling away with their individual efforts. While the crowds were not what the Beachway has seen in the past – it was the public making great use of a wonderful location.
Parking was a challenge but this Sunday we didn’t see the bylaw enforcement officers putting a ticket on anything that had four wheels. Smart move city hall.
The music was light summer stuff – the Beach Boys sound and the crowds loved it.
 The people putting together a A Cultural Action Plan for the city went to the community and asked people: What is culture to you and where do you look for it in Burlington. The group took a booth at the Children’s Festival and had children make their mark on a choice list. Interesting approach. This year there was en element of culture thrown in. Jeremy Freiburger, who heads up the development of the city`s Cultural Action Plan was asking the children and their parents where they looked for culture in Burlington and asking where did they find it?
His was an interesting approach to gathering information from the public.
 Sculpting lots were laid out waiting for people to show up and begin working with sand. By the end of the day the lots were full with every imaginable idea built with sand. The Festival was a two day event with the first day focused on the Beachway where the sand sculpture competitions took place. People were able to register in advance and get a small lot assigned to them.
There were prizes in five categories: Adult, Youth, child, family and The People`s Choice.
The People`s Choice went to the Andrews family who really worked as a team. Those who were not sculpting stood and held umbrellas over those who had their hands in the sand.
Adult prizes were:
1st: Azva Bowron – Sponge Bob Square Pants
2nd: John Bowron – Castle
3rd Eunice Harvey – Flower
 It wasn’t just about sand castles and playing in the water. Face painting was part of the event as well In the Youth category prize winners were:
1st: Julia Barnes – Man watching animals
2nd: Matthew Souter – Igloo and snowman
3rd: Jeff Behr – Tiger
In the Child category the winners were:
1st: Mitchell Green-Johns – Dolphins
2nd: Katie Green-Johns – Dragon Fly
3rd: Lulia Skumuter – Flower
 The Andrews Family took top prize in the Adult category as well as the People’s Choice prize Their winning effort was “under construction” in this photograph. In the Family category the prize winners were:
1st : The Andrews Family – Dragon and Castle
2nd: Mifsud Family – Jungle Animals
3rd: Barnes Family – Castle
 The sand castle builders always had attentive audiences The People Choice went to the first prize winners in the Family category – The Andrews Family with the Dragon and Castle sculpture.
Each year the Children`s Festival has a sand castle theme.
The Children`s Festival is a two day event with Day2 taking place at Spencer Smith Park and runs from 10:00 am to 10 pm. This is the 20th year of the Festival in Burlington. The theme this year Jungle Safari: the park will be overrun by Tarzans & Janes & Jungle Creatures! Themed around jungle fun, children will enjoy great activities targeted to them such as:
Live entertainment, Play zones, Inflatables, Character meet & greet, Shows, Kids’ marketplace and the Jungle Promenade Parade. Add crafts and the NEW Infant marketplace & activities.
The evening ends with an outdoor showing of the film Madagascar 2
 By Margaret Lindsay Holton
I recently moved. And, as anyone who has been through this anxious ordeal knows, moving, if not carefully planned out, can be a logistical nightmare. In preparation, I had meticulously prepared what was going where, sorted which boxes were to go to what specific location, marked said boxes for the movers in black and red markers, and basically got ‘mover ready’. I was determined to leave behind a clean empty house.
Two items were of concern. I was taking two appliances with me. Item one was a 1997 washing machine (worked perfectly) and item two was a bulky Maytag refrigerator that had a deep lower fridge portion, (which I liked and wanted.) Both items were large, cumbersome and very heavy. Both were going to need two strong movers using an appliance dolly to get them out.
I measured the door opening between the kitchen-dining room area to make sure that the appliances would fit through on route to the truck, and discovered, yes, the washing machine would fit, no problem, but no, the fridge frame was too wide by a quarter inch. Thus, the doors of the refrigerator would have to come off. In the basement, I found the prefect sized wrench to remove the door bolts and put it on top of the fridge, with a small plastic bag for the disassembled bits, ready too for the movers.
The big day arrived. On Wednesday, August 1st. at 9am, after emptying the contents of the refrigerator into a cooler, I went and got the 14’ U-Haul cube truck. I gingerly backed up the beastie so that the cavernous back would open up unfettered to the front door. I rolled the appliance dolly into the kitchen. I was ready for the ‘movers’. Everything was ‘on schedule.’
 Never argue with man and his tape measure. © Photography by Margaret Lindsay Holton Bonus. The first of three strong male movers arrived early. He asked me what I wanted him to do first. I told him that the doors on the refrigerator had to come off so that it would go out the kitchen into the dining room to get to the front door and out to the truck. He looked at the door opening and said, “Naw. It will fit. Just remove the refrigerator handles, not the whole doors.” I handed him the tape measure, and said, “You might want to double check that.” Miffed that I would challenge his perceptual acuity, he briskly measured the width and depth of the fridge, and measured the width of the door opening. “SEE?” said he, “Lots of room! We only have to remove the handles, not the entire doors.” “Are you SURE?” said I. “ABSOLUTELY”, said he, as he pointedly placed the tape measure back on the counter.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, never argue with a man and a tape measure. I left him as he began to remove only the refrigerator door handles and went upstairs to finish tidying up there.
When I returned to the kitchen, the two other movers had arrived. All three of them were trying to jimmy the now handle-less refrigerator strapped onto the appliance dolly out through the kitchen-dining room door opening. The dolly was screeching back and forth on the kitchen linoleum as they took one run after another. All were giving instructions: ‘Go left a bit. Go back a foot. Go right 2 inches. Got it here. Go forward. Go left a few centimeters. Go back.’ But still, the refrigerator would not fit through. I meekly suggested that maybe they should take off the entire refrigerator doors. This suggestion was abruptly dismissed. Instead, the MEN decided it would be “Easier & Quicker” to just remove the kitchen-dinning room door off its swing hinge, (rather than unstrap the securely bound refrigerator from the dolly.) I left them to it.
 Door handles © Photography by Margaret Lindsay Holton An hour later, the move had ground to a halt. Two of the guys, (not the guy who had measured the refrigerator), were fixated on removing the kitchen-dining room swing door from its upper and lower sockets. That old wooden door, painted several times during the decades, was deeply embedded into the door frame. Without electrical tools on hand, prying loose those old painted over screws and pulling out those old embedded socket hinges demanded dogged determination and a strong set of hands. Another strong set were needed to hold the heavy door level. It was proving to be hard work just to get that door off.
And where was the guy who had so confidently said to remove ONLY the refrigerator door handles?
I found him, a big strong sweating man, on the other side of the swing door, in the dining room. He too had stopped carrying stuff to the truck. Instead, somewhat sheepishly, he was very carefully vacuuming up all the aged paint and wood bit chips that were flying off that stuck door and frame as the other two struggled to set that old door free.
It was a poignant vignette. In that instant, I concluded that men really are wonderful, even though they can be proud, stubborn and even a little bit pig-headed.
Margaret Lindsay Holton is both an environmentalist and an acerbic social activist. She is an artist of some renown and the designer of a typeface. She is also a photographer and the holder of opinions she will share with you in an instant. She appears as an Our Burlington columnist every two weeks.
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 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON August 17, 2012 Beach water monitoring by the Regional Health staff on August 14 revealed the following beaches are safe for swimming:
•
 Beachway water is safe – jump in Burlington – Beachway Park
Halton Hills – Prospect Park Old Beach
Milton – Kelso Conservation Area
Oakville – Coronation Park East
The following beaches are unsafe for swimming:
• Oakville – Coronation Park West, Bronte Park Beach.
Remember to take sun screen and to park legally along the Beachway.
Have fun
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 13, 2012 She has a sweet, almost pretty sound. It’s light, lyrical – evocative at times. Give her a chance though and she can get as raunchy as the best of them – but music for Lisa Nicole is about being happy and having fun.
 Waiting for their call to the stage. Lisa Nicole and Daren Swanson She and her husband take to the stage at the Central Park Band shell Wednesday evening as part of the city’s summer program. The two of them work very well together – they own the stage the moment they get on it and while there is just the two of them they do each have their own guitar – so there is a chance for Burlington to once again show the world that eight million is just a drop in the bucket when it comes to getting hits with social media.
The last time Burlington did this, when introducing Walk off the Earth to the rest of the world. That group was made up of five people and the one guitar – OK so that group had a bit of help from a BIG name, but if we do this right and the Burlington Olympians (we have five of them and right now Olympians are hot) get on this band wagon we just might manage to skyrocket these two to a whole new level.
How do you do that? Well first – listen to the sound. They will be playing at the band shell in Central Park on Wednesday, the 15th from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.
The two, Lisa and Daren refer to themselves as Alchemy Unplugged, a duo that was formed in 2002.
 Lisa Nicole and Daren Swanson will take the Central Park band shell Wednesday the 15th Daren wrote a piece about a homeless guy he passed on the streets of Toronto. As I listened to the lyrics I realized – I know that man. He sits on a cushion almost every day of the week selling cheap ball point pens out of a tin cup and telling the women they look like Marilyn Monroe and they should be in Hollywood. The men get told that they look like Robert Redford. He isn’t a beggar – he is selling you a ball point pen.
When I asked Daren – do you remember the man’s name – he said – I never asked – neither had I but if you bump into him on the street – buy a pen and say hello for Daren and me.
What makes this man, who looks homeless, unique is that twice a week he goes to the hospital and gets plugged into a dialysis machine to have his blood cleaned.
Listen to the music about this man. It’s what’s in store for you if you happen to spend part of a summer evening at the band shell in Central Park.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON August 13, 2012 The Conservation is getting into marketing and helping parents get the kids off the couch and away from the screen and out into the green.
 Getting them away from the screen and out into the green – Mountsberg has a great program. “Does your child suffer from Nature Deficit Disorder, or do you just want them to take a break from screen time and get some green time? “ they ask. And they offer a 50 Things To Do Before You’re 12 program.
It all starts Sunday August 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mountsberg Conservation Area. It includes many activities some ‘old timers’ may remember doing as kids.
 Mountsberg offers great outdoor programs year round. A must visit if you`re raising children At 50 Things To Do Before You’re 12, children will learn how to use a compass, build a fort, start a fire without matches or skip a stone on the lake. Mountsberg is especially excited to welcome Maple Hill Tree Services who will help you to climb a big tree, without having to worry about falling.
50 Things To Do Before You’re 12 is based on a list created by the United Kingdom’s National Trust. All the activities engage children and their families with nature in a way that is sure to create long term family memories.
 Mountsberg is an incredible collection of things to do. This little guy would never get a chance to do something like this – churning – anywhere else The program is part of a response to the growing disconnect between children and nature. He coined the term ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ to describe the poor physical and emotional health of children and adults due to the lack of direct exposure to the outdoors.
There is no additional charge for the program; it is included with regular gate fees, and free for Conservation Halton Annual members. It will be a great day full of family fun, who knows maybe you can prove you are the greatest stone skipper of all time!
Getting there: Mountsberg Conservation Area is located on Milburough Line, five km west of Campbellville, ON, between Highway 6 South and the Guelph Line.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON August 10, 2012 They`ve been doing it for 21 years – playing in the sand, to the delight of hundreds of children. It happens every August at Beachway Park during the Annual Children’s Festival, the highlight of which is the sand sculpting competition, an event that is open to participants of all ages and abilities.
You don`t have to be sand castle builder to enjoy the event. Visitors can see local sand sculptors Sandi ‘Castle’ Stirling and Nick Blandin, winners of several North American sand sculpting awards, and Sharon Nesbitt, People’s Choice winner from the 2010 competition.
Tanya Kastl will also join the event this year. The four sculptors can be seen sculpting their jungle themed master pieces throughout the event.
 Now that is a sandbox. Expert Sandi “Castle” Stirling will be in Burlington August 18, building sand castles Sand sculpting competitions will be held for adults (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), families (noon to 3 p.m.), youth (noon to 3 p.m.) and children ages 4 to 12 years (2 to 3 p.m.).
Sculpting will be judged by the sand sculptors beginning at 3 p.m. with winners announced after 4 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to fill out a ballot to help choose the winner of the People’s Choice Award.
In addition to the People’s Choice Award, prizes are awarded for first, second and third prize in all four categories. First prize includes a commemorative trophy featuring a handmade sandcastle. A small fee is needed to enter the competition. Those interested in competing should preregister using RecExpress, at City Hall or Tansley Woods to guarantee a spot.
 Sandi “Castle” Stirling has been building sand castles for more than 15 years during which time she has delighted tens of thousands of children. On-site registration opens at 9 a.m. and is first-come, first- served.
Saturday’s free event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature entertainment by the Beach Party Boys, Mystic Drumz and Safari Science. Event attendees will also have the chance to walk on water with What A Ball and try Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) on Lake Ontario.
Sunday’s program includes free children’s entertainment and jungle-themed activities. Everyone is invited to join the festivities at Spencer Smith Park from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with our outdoor movie starting at 8:30 p.m. showing Madagascar 2.
Themed performances include an interactive Jungle Cat World show; a Jungle Jack puppet show; a tribute to Katy Perry; Safari Science; and Madagascar: Circus, Circus performance and Alex the Lion meet and greet. Children are invited to come dressed as a jungle themed animal or safari adventurer for our Promenade Parade at 12:30 p.m. The festival will also feature inflatable bouncers; face painting; crafts; a children’s marketplace; an obstacle course; games; a food court; and amazing balloon creations.
If you want to get serious about building a sand castle – log into this web site where you’ll find all kinds of tips and instructions and learn how a woman, who started out watching others make sand castles and found herself in the business of making the things herself and then teaching others how to do it.
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