 August 19, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. Stella is moving from New Brunswick to the corner of Locust and Elgin, perched on the edge of the plaza outside the Performing Arts Centre.
Stella is a beauty – her full name is Spiral Stella and she came out of Peter Powning’s studio in New Brunswick. Her pedigree? Pure Burlington – with several centuries of history all over her.
Spiral Stella is the most recent piece of public art set up in the city. This latest effort is the result of a generous donation from Dan Lawrie, a Burlington businessman who, besides being a successful insurance company owner is also an artist in his own right.
 Dan Lawrie, an artist in his own right and also collector sits with a piece of art that is part of his collection. It was the Lawrie donation that got the city to He approached the city and offered to donate $37,500 for a major piece of public art. The city went to Jeremy Freiburger, head honcho over at Cobalt Connects, its managing partner for the Public Art Program and he set up a volunteer committee that would judge the submissions that came in
And come in they did. There were 119 submissions from artists from across North America.
 Olympian Melanie Booth brought her medal to have an impression made and hopefully have it become part of the Spiral Stella sculpture. Jeremy Freiburger, on the right, the city’s managing partner for the Public Art Program, admires the medal. Trevor Copp, one of the members of the jury that chose Powning’s submission is beside Ms Booth. The committee narrowed the 119 down to five and asked the public for comment: more than 500 people responded and out of those comments came the decision to select Powning’s Spiral Stella.
Powning was not a newcomer to Burlington. He has five pieces of his work in the permanent collection at the Burlington Art Centre. Link to first stage
 Powning made impressions in artist’s clay which he took back to his studio in New Brunswick and made bronze castings that will be affixed to the Spiral Stella. Shown here is one of the early castings. See anything that you recognize?  Boy who just cannot keep his eyes off the work artist Peter Powning does as he makes impressions in clay – the first stage of the creation of the Spiral Stella that will sit outside the Performing Arts Centre. Powning uses artifacts that come from the community to tell its story. Hundreds trooped over to the Burlington Art Centre to have an impression made of their artifacts. No one knew exactly where there object was going to appear on the Spiral – Powning didn’t know either when he was making the impressions. What would go where was the creative part of the project. Next Sunday we will get to see what Powning decided to do.
It should be quite stunning.
 Work crew prepares the base for Peter Powning’s Spiral Stella that will arrive in town later this week and be unveiled on Sunday, Originally the sculpture was going to be to the north of the walkway leading into the Performing Arts Centre but besides being open to a street where a vehicle could run into it, the location was too close to an oil pipeline that runs underneath Elgin Street. The sculpture will not sit to the left of the walkway and be part of the Performing Arts plaza. Much better location for this art.
Burlington is clearly on a roll. The pier was successfully opened, the public loves the place and now we are going to see an exceptional piece of art in a location where thousands can see the work.
The last piece of public art the city put up was nice enough but it got plunked down in the middle of a high traffic road where care zoomed by as they slipped through a railway grade separation on Upper Middle Road.
Nice art, wrong location.
Stella will be in a great location.
 By Staff
August 15, 2013
BURLINGTON, ON. Burlington’s Annual Children’s Festival, now celebrating its 20th year is a festival that’s all about kids having FREE fun – circus style!
This two day event takes place on the waterfront with Day 1 focused on the Beachway Park and Day 2 focused on Spencer Smith Park.
 Lots that were registered are marked out – waiting for keen competitors to show up. The Sand Castle competition is one of the most popular events. So popular that the city put together a process that allows people to reserve a space to build their sand castles. For years families have been gather along the Beachway and building their castle – with a keen eye on what their neighbours were doing.
This competition fills up fast! Great prizes in all four categories including a sandcastle trophy and participation gifts for child and family categories! Pre-register to compete as only pre-registered entrants are guaranteed a spot. Those interested in participating on event day are first come, first served and spaces are limited.
 This was a family event and these people were serious competitors. Close out Day 1 by returning to the Beachway with your lawn chair and blankets and take part in the outdoor screening of a circus movie! Cozy up afterwards in front of a 25 ft. outdoor screen on the beach. Movie starts at 8:30 p.m!
The Day 1 schedule:
 Vote for your favourite creation in the People’s Choice Award. Judging begins at 4 p.m followed by an award ceremony on the beach at 5 p.m.
Day 2 schedule:
 Day 2 takes place at Spender Smith Park where it is usually packed – but great fun. Starts at 10:00 am end at 6 p.m. The park will be overrun by circus performers and animals, themed around circus fun. Children will enjoy great activities: Live Entertainment; Play Zones; Circus Inflatables; Character Meet & Greet; Themed Shows and a Kids’ Marketplace.
 By Ray Rivers.
August 15th, 2013
BURLINGTON, ON. Still in the news and not going away. Senator Wallin blew all the goodwill she earned from her interview with Mansbridge when she jumped to the microphones to preempt the formal release of her expenses audit. She claimed the audit was flawed and unfair, but then announced that she is going to pay what they have assessed anyway. So if it was flawed, why pay it?
 Her file has now been forwarded to the RCMP along with fellow Conservative senators Patrick Brazeau and Mike Duffy. And then there is a Liberal, Mac Harb, who is sitting with a huge repayable expenses bill to his name. Harb apparently claimed a permanent residence which was uninhabitable – without water and under construction.
Oh, and Harb also accepted loans from a numbered company doing big business with the feds – something he must have known to be a no-no.
 Senator Mac Harb – thinking it over? Mac Harb, was a good loyal Chretien trooper, an Ottawa MP, whose reward for service was a Senate seat. He has a web page that lays out the things he is fighting for. He is apparently engaged in some laudable activities but where does he get his mandate? Are these activities official Senate business or just his pet peeves?
When Stephen Harper was elected in 2006 he swore not to appoint any senators until the Senate was reformed. Of course he did. Then in December 2008, when it looked like the NDP and Liberals were forming a coalition to take over government, Harper panicked, prorogued Parliament and decided to stack the Senate. He appointed 18, the most ever named on a single day. Wallin and Duffy were among the appointments that day. It is pretty clear their roles were to support the PM and the Conservative party, doing what both parties had been doing for years.
The NDP has never been in power or they too would have stacked the Senate with supporters. Instead, they sit on the side lines and complain about the unfairness of it all. And they are right! They point out that senators have no constituents, few responsibilities and no serious job description. They are only required to pop-in to the Red Chamber occasionally to show they are still breathing and pick up their pay and expenses cheques. For the most part they do politics, sit on corporate boards or live la vida loca.
Wouldn’t we all like a job like that? Do we remember former Liberal Senator Andrew Thompson? Now there was someone with an original perspective on his job. Vacation in Mexico and show up in Ottawa for a total of two weeks in seven years. You could just see him sauntering up to the Red Chamber on his burro and clearing the cobwebs from his Senate seat with his poncho.
 Mike Duffy, toasting – on the public’s dime? Not all senators are this delinquent, of course, but many are totally embedded in their party’s politics. For example, Liberal David Smith has co-chaired national political campaigns and Wallin and Duffy were clearly appointed as fundraisers. Which explains all those partisan political expenses rejected by the independent auditors for that pair. Let’s get this straight, we are willingly paying senators over $130,000 a year so they can work for their political party as volunteers.
 Senator Brazeau, being escorted from the Parliament buildings. Brazeau, is another case. He had been arrested on a domestic matter and is also under investigation for his expenses claims by the RCMP – not your upstanding public official. Even so, he is unlikely to lose his seat unless he goes to prison. In which case he will have another 37 years left to draw pay as senator, earning $5 million in salary over that time, plus travel and living expenses – and his pension.
The Conservatives and Liberals don’t want to get rid of the Senate. They’ll tell you how we need this, so-called, Chamber of Sober Second Thought. But the evidence is in. It is just a place to reward the politically faithful with a patronage appointment and give them a salary while they do their party’s bidding.
 Ray Rivers was born in Ontario; earned an economics degree at the University of Western Ontario. He taught in New Zealand 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. Rivers left the federal government to consult for private sector and government clients. He completed his first historical novel The End of September in 2012; a story about what might have happened had Quebecers voted for sovereignty association in the 1980 referendum. Rivers is active with ratepayers groups, a food bank, environmental organizations, community journalism and policing. 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.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON.
August 15th, 2013
Our Town Crier, Dave Vollick, took himself to Kingston recently to compete with Criers from around the world, and was judged to be 11th of 17 competitors. That’s not all that good a position but then there were seven people tied for the 11th spot.
 Dave Vollick, on the left, took his interest in history, particularly local history and found himself wanting to be a Town Crier. There were two tied for fifth place; two tied for 8th place and two for tenth place; three for twelfth place and six for the 13th place.
Clearly a different approach to scoring competitors.
There were 17 contestants in the World Invitational Town Crier Competition 2013 that took place in Kingston. The event marked the first year that the championships have taken place in Canada.
Kingston, originally the first capital of Canada, is a city rich with history. The Criers were brought into town by that city’s Business Improvement Association.
Vollick has served the city as a volunteer Crier and has performed admirably. On the one occasion when this reporter was unable to attend a city Council meeting, the last that took place in 2011, we engaged Vollick to explain out absence which he did when he said:
Oyez Oyez Oyez
Your Worship Mayor Goldring, gentle lady and gentlemen of the council, esteemed city administrators, members of the public gallery; I appear before you tonight at the request of, and on behalf of, that epitome of Burlington’s political reporting and punditry – Mr. Pepper Parr.
To his despair he finds that he is unable, not only to attend, to but to document, and disseminate the momentous deliberations and decisions of this the penultimate council meeting of the year of our Lord two thousand, ought ,and eleven.
He bids you to persevere in his absence, and to carry on as sagely, judiciously, and with all due prudence, albeit with the caution, that he has come to expect of this august body.
Why you may ask has Mr. Parr sent a young stripling in his stead, and an answer you shall receive.
This very day, yea, but a few short hours past, Mr. Parr, did in the precinct of Aldershot in that most noble of wards (Number 1) in this our crown jewel of a city Burlington, pledge his troth to his beloved Pia. Yes indeed he has chosen to splice his life line, join in nuptial bliss, to become as one, to slip on that golden ring, in short to join the ranks of married men.
So while it is with regret that he cannot be with you tonight; let it be known to one all that he is in the throes of rejoicing, rapture, possibly stupefaction, bliss, and / or terror as befits a gentleman of mature years as he is about to embark on the good ship “Married Life”
To one and all whom inhabit this hall he sends his true best wishes, but don’t despair he will be here as 2012 commences.
He had members of Council rolling in their seats.
Our Town Crier does engagements for individuals and organizations. Worth thinking about when you want to do something different.
 By Pepper Parr, BURLINGTON, ON.
August 13th, 2013.
All the committees were in place, the organizational part of the This Magic Moment events were coming along fine – but the organizers felt is needed just a bit of a push and so they held a press conference at the Waterfront Hotel.
 Getting those hula hoops to whirl around ones waist wasn’t quite as easy as Connie Smith, shown in the upper right, thought it was going to be. Everyone involved in the event was on hand to do an update. To give the occasion a little pizzaz someone brought in three hula hoops which they wanted people to use. Expecting people like Keith Strong and Wayne Brown to be able to manage a hula hoop was a stretch. One needs a waist to make hula hoops whirl around your body and you also need to be able to move your hips. Except for Connie Smith and J. Scott Robertson, few of the others had waists. That was a hoot to watch.
While the event is all about having a lot of fun and giving those who are collecting or about to collect pensions, a reason to get out of the house and maybe give husbands and wives an opportunity to look at each other in a way they’ve not looked at them for a while. But there is a bigger purpose and that is to do what Burlington does very well – giving back to the community.
This all got going in September of 2012, when a group led by Keith Strong, called the Halton Cares Community, organized an event that would raise funds to support police officer who may have been seriously injured or lost their lives while serving the community. They called the event: Halton Heros. They chose the tried and true Burlington route which is to hold a gala. The first was held last September and raised $140,000.
Wayne Brown and his wife attended that evening and bought a table for 12 which they auctioned off to raise funds for the event. That auction went so well that Strong convinced Brown to put up two tables. After the event Brown came up with an idea he thought could be run for five, maybe seven or ten years that would also raise funds for the Halton Heros.
 Scott Robertson on the left and Wayne Brown, center, serve as Co-chairs of the Magic Moment event. Keith Strong, on the right heads up the Halton Community Cares organization that Magic Moment proceeds will support. Wayne Brown and Scott Robertson felt there was an opportunity to hold an event that would really appeal to Burlington`s older demographic – the music from the 50`s, 60`s and 70`s.
Hold it in a place where thousands could attend. Charge a really affordable price. Promote the daylights out of it – and see what happens.
Strong liked the idea and everyone hit the phones. It didn’t take them long – and they scored a real coup when Reg Titian managed to get the Drifters to travel to Burlington to perform.
 Robbie Lane, a 60’s heart throb, will co-host the Magic Moment with Connie Smith at Nelson Park September 14th With Connie Smith on board that meant Robbie Lane was going to be available – heck they worked almost side by side for a period of time. Wherever Lane goes the Disciples aren’t far behind. Smith started going through her list of contacts and that brought them Stuart MacDonald, the singing cop – and it just kept growing from there.
For Wayne Brown and Scott Robertson it looked like the event was going to be a major success. They saw the project as a way for the community to show their appreciation to local law enforcement. Both Brown and Robertson, serving as co-chairs, feel fortunate to live in Halton and are grateful for the success that they have experienced in this community.
 By Walter Byj
BURLINGTON, ON. August 14th, 2013 Robbie Lane, he of Robbie Lane and the Disciples fame, said he was excited to be both performing and co-hosting the This Magic Moment event with Connie Smith. Recounting the many years he has been associated with music, performing as a band back in 1963 and once playing with Ronnie Hawkins, he mentioned that his current band does not have any of the originals, but some current members have been with him for over 20 years.
This is the Robbie Lane they remember. He will be on stage with his Disciples at the This Magic Moment event in Nelson Park September 14th.
When not spinning records and talking rock and roll on Zoomer Radio AM 740, Robbie performs on a regular basis throughout the GTA. Asked why this strong attachment to the music of the 60’s and 70’s, he said he feels that “the older generation seems to be drawn to a time where life was simple and a lot slower”.
Perhaps there is some truth to that. For those who grew up in the 60’s their youth represented a time where the sky was the limit and there was nothing physical they could not do. Not so any more, their goals have come and gone and while sometimes not achieved the dreams and the experiences are fondly remembered.
But that music is still in their souls and on September 14th, sitting in a lawn chair they brought with them, they will close their eyes and listen to Robbie and the Disciples take them back to a different time – those Magic Moments.
Tickets are going quickly – they can be purchased on-line.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. August 8, 2013. The little beach at the bottom of Brant Street is iffy but everything along the Beachway Park is great for swimming.
The Regional health people have posted their reports.
 Bottom of Brant – iffy – rest of Burlington beaches are good to go – grab your towels. Brant beach is considered unsafe to swim if water tests show high amounts of E. coli bacteria.
 That water run off pipe is what results in part of the problem with the small beach at the foot of Brant Street. That plus the geese that foul the water. There is always a sign on this beach that tells you if the water is safe. Conditions posted are based on samples taken from the previous day.
 REVISED
By Pepper Parr.
BURLINGTON, ON. August 5th, 2013. It is always that first Monday in August – we always seem to be favoured with good weather. The lineups at the food tables isn’t all that bad and the grounds at LaSalle Park are spacious enough for lots of wandering. Joseph Brant Day in Burlington.
While the day is supposed to belong to Joseph Brant – there isn’t much of the man or what he did in evidence. Were it not for the presentation made by the Historical Society – you would hardly know that Brant was one of the greatest Canadians ever produced.
 Museums of Burlington staff in their new t-shirts kept busy at the food tent. The Brant Day event is still probably one of the best family events in the city and on this holiday Monday the weather was superb, the hot dog prices were good and the Museums of Burlington team of volunteers were scurrying about in the brand new T-shirts.
The Museum Board that oversees both Ireland House and the Brant Museum are working on a proposal to have an almost complete re-build of the Museum at Maple Avenue and LAkeshore but there was no mention of that project during the day. One would have thought there would be at least a video presentation of what the thinking was. Not this year.
 An aboriginal youth lays out his hoops as he prepares to do a demonstration dance. A young aboriginal boy gave a demonstration of a hoop dance. We saw this young man last year – he is coming along just fine – we should see a well-rounded hoop dancer in the years ahead. A parent beat out the dance pace on a small drum and explained to the audience that the aboriginal community have passed down their traditions for centuries. We say part of that tradition Monday afternoon at LaSalle Park – land that Joseph surely walked on during his time in Burlington – the city he died in on November 24th, 1807.
There was the obligatory War of 1812 re-enactor; the face painting people and seniors sitting outside in the sun.
One couple, both reading – he from a Kobo, the books on a screen and she from a paperback novel – the two of them sitting in the shade.
The Friends of Freeman Station has their new model of the structure they saved from the fire wood crews set up and there were a decent number of $5 bills in the collection bowl.
 These races used to be done in potato sacks – urbanization has upgraded them to pillow cases. Still the same race which the kids loved. Joseph Brant Day in Burlington in 2013 – slim on the educational side, close to bare in acknowledgement and celebration of Joseph Brant but a time for everyone to be outside playing Frisbee with a couple of friends and a dog that insists in being part of the game.
 Burlington’s MPP and MP were on hand for part of the day. Jane McKenna, Mike Wallace and Friends of Freeman president James Smith posed with Bob Chambers and his model of the Freeman Station. We were advised that Burlington’s political leaders were on hand to do the meet and greet stuff. Mayor Goldring was on holidays in Ireland and sent his Congratulations. Regional Chair Gary Carr we were advised was also on hand.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. August 3, 2013 When you ask Wayne Brown why a committee was formed to put on yet another gala event in Burlington he will tell you that the moment three people in this city get together the outcome is a gala – and if two people are in a pub having a beer, he adds, the result is a golf tournament. That’s just what people in Burlington do. It could be worse.
Wayne Brown is the chair of an event being called This Magic Moment and while not exactly a gala, it is a fund raising event for a good cause with a committee made up of anyone who is anybody on the letterhead.
 Don’t expect to see Connie Smith with this Vavavavoom dress at the Magic Moment event; she plans to wear a pony tail and her saddle shoes – if she can find them. Try this for influence: Wayne Brown as Chair; Scott Robinson of the Burlington Bandits baseball team as Co-Chair; Reg Titian, Artistic Director; Lucie Rivest, Treasurer; Connie Smith at CHCH is handling Publicity; Don Foster/Jackie Penner have taken on marketing. These are the working stiffs
The Board of Directors consists of Carol Leppan, Steve DeHaseth, Carla Leyer, Jason Stoner, Bill McKeon, Jenifer Rayworth, Sarah Allen, Salma Burney, Shannon Smith, Wendy Gzechowski, Barry Leppan, Mario Carr and Rob Wheeler.
 You need to be careful with this man: Once he has decided to do something – it is going to get done. Expect to see Jim Frizzle working with him Serving as liaison with the Halton Heros committee is Cheryl Goldring and Keith Strong. Strong is the guy you want to keep an eye on. This Magic Moment event would not be taking place if Strong had not learned that there are times when police or civilian working for the police service need help.
What are all these people doing when they get together in the same room? Organizing an event that will sell 2000 tickets for an outdoor dance event to be held at Nelson Park September 14th. This isn’t going to be any ordinary dance under the stars. The stars will be on the stage and the music will take the audience back to their youth – those time when they danced the jitterbug and the guys whirled the girl they were with through the air. The music of the 50’s and 60’s headlined by The Drifters, not some knock off group – but the original four who will be on the stage singing their signature piece: This Magic Moment.
No need to go looking for a scalper outside Nelson High – slip over to get tickets – don’t wait – this one will probably sell out.
The Magic Moment event is one part of a much larger organization called Community Cares Committee of Halton. It was incorporated late in 2012 by volunteers that care and want to help make a difference. Its first initiatives was the organizing of a gala for the Halton Heroes which held its inaugural event last year and raised $140,000 which will be used to support police officers and civilians employed by the Halton Regional Police Service who are injured in the line of duty.
The funds raised by the Gala were left with the Burlington Community Development Foundation on an in trust basis. When anyone working with the Police Service is injured the Foundation delivers a cheque to them within 48 hours.
Brown explains that while insurance and other benefits are available to police officers and police service staff there is a process to be followed and that takes time. For families in crisis with perhaps no immediate financial support, funds in hand immediately make a huge difference – thus the Halton Heroes funding.
The second gala, specifically dedicated to the Halton Heroes fund is to be held on Friday, September 20, 2013 at the Burlington Convention Centre. The sole purpose of this fund is to make sure the community is there for Halton Regional Police Service families.
“In Halton Region”, explains Brown, “ the public depend on the Police Service to protect us in times of crisis and need. We can’t prevent every act of violence or injury. But together we can offer our officers and civilian staff peace-of-mind.”
“Right now”, adds Brown, “there is a gap in funding when one of our Police Service members is seriously injured or killed. By establishing an endowment fund to be administered by an independent board, our Halton Regional Police Service members and their families will have short-term financial assistance that is not currently available.”
The funds raised during that Magic Moment evening will be added to the Halton Community Cares Committee.
It sounds like almost too many layers of organization – but it gives them a reason to get out of the house at night. And the end result next September 14th will be an evening under the stars dancing to music some of us remember very well – Dancing to the sound of
 They’re collecting pension cheques now – but this is the way they did it when they were younger. He rocks in the tree tops all day long
Hoppin’ and a-boppin’ and a-singing his song
All the little birds on Jaybird Street
Love to hear the robin go tweet tweet tweet.
Remember?
Connie Smith is going to MC the event, along with Robbie Lane; the Drifters will be on stage. Do you remember Pauly and the Goodfellas? When was the last time you heard Good Vibrations and California Girls?
It gets better. The Drifters don’t like running around at the pace most entertainers do; they prefer to relax; take the train and avoid the crowds – so they’re coming in Burlington a day ahead of their Saturday night appearance at Nelson Park.
 It’s a sound that will bring back wonderful memories from some of those wonderful moments – the Drifters – live at Nelson Park Well guys, thought the committee that put this together, if you’re in town, why not hold a nice, small, intimate evening with a small bunch of people who can sip wine, nibble on the noshes and chat up the Drifters and hear some of the wild tales they have to tell.
That resulted in the Soiree that will take place on Friday evening at the Waterfront Hotel. Tickets to that event right here.
It’s going to be a great weekend – with a number of people calling their chiropractors the next day – that “hoppin” and a “bobbin” stuff calls for a physical dexterity many of those people just don’t have anymore.
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. August 3, 2013. This is certainly going to be a “get to the Beach” weekend. Lake Ontario is beginning to warm up a bit and the water is described as safe in most places.
The Beachway Park water is described as unsafe – caution. There is certainly loads of beach space along that stretch of the lake. Finding a spot to set up a shade awning and maybe setting up your hibachi won’t be easy and if you manage to find a parking spot along Lakeshore Road – good on you. Keeping out of the water – or at least not staying in for long periods of time might be a good idea. Very young children – not a good idea to have them in the water.
 The Region is responsible for testing water and advising the public on whether or not it is safe to swim.
 The water at the foot of Brant is safe – the way to keep it that way is to not feed the geese. If you put food in one end of the critters – you gotta know what is going to come out of the other end. And that stuff comes out in the water, which is shallow All that adds up to the high e-coli count that is reported.
 The Beachway Park is on a part of the lake where wind directions change frequently – which results in different wave patterns. It will be really difficult to keep children out of the water. There are consequences if they do play in the water.
Enjoy the weekend.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. August 1, 2013. The Nelson pool is closed due to a water main break. City and regional staff are on site to assess, conduct repairs and clean up.
The splash pad is closed due to the water to the area being cut off. Camps and rentals are being diverted to other locations.
We expect the next update from the city at 3:00 pm this afternoon.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. August 1, 2013. The city is reaching out to residents and visitors to Burlington, asking them to capture their special moments at the city’s many parks, recreation and cultural spots and then share them online as part of a community project called Burlington Moments.
The concept for Burlington Moments originated from the city’s Community Report, which featured a companion video of an up-close look at how people personally experience and enjoy the city’s parks, recreation and cultural assets. Since its launch in June, the video has garnered more than 1,200 hits on YouTube.
 Precious moment – captured forever – will we see pictures like this submitted? “We knew people liked the Burlington Moments video and that there were more great moments happening every day at pools, parks and cultural hubs across the city so we put out the call for people to share those ‘feel-good’ experiences with us and the rest of the community,” said Kim Phillips, the city’s general manager of community and corporate services. “Our hope is that when people watch the video they’ll be inspired to create and share their own special moments.”
 Do you think maybe Mom is a librarian? The city is encouraging people to post their favourite moments on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, using the #BurlONMoments hash tag for a chance to win one of three summer fun prize packs.
The prize pack includes: 4 swimming passes, 2 rounds of Golf at Tyandaga, golf shirt, cooler bag, 2 mugs, 2 water bottles, Tim Horton’s gift cards, 2 beach towels, sunscreen, sunglasses and sand castle toys. You don’t get all of this stuff – city hall will dole it out to the winners.
There are two deadlines to post your favourite moments online. The first round will close Aug. 13, the final round will close on Aug. 27.
The Region is inviting residents and visitors to share their favourite local summer activities in a new “Summer Wonderful” photo contest. Submit a photo with your favourite summer outdoor activity or location for a chance to win a $100 gift card from Burlington’s Mapleview Mall.
Halton Region’s contest will use popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest to share submissions. All photos will be judged by Halton Tourism staff on the basis of originality and seasonality.
Other prizes include admission for two to Harvest Halton – The Farm to Chef Experience in Milton, a $50 gift card to Williams Mill Art Gallery in Halton Hills and a Family Day Pass to Conservation Halton Parks.
If you insist on being practical and want to use the summer to tidy up the place – then you can get out to On Saturday, August 10 and 17, Halton Region will host four Blue Box Pick-up events for residents. At these events, Halton’s new larger 22-gallon Blue Box will be available to residents for pick up, free of charge, with a limit of one Blue Box per household.
Regional chair Gary Carr announced that in the first few months of the expanded Blue Box program, Halton has distributed over 40,000 Blue Boxes to Halton residents and seen an increase of 13 per cent more Blue Box and GreenCart materials being collected, and a decrease of 6 per cent in the amount of garbage collected. This is a tremendous achievement, one that is helping to extend the life of Halton’s landfill site and provide savings of $15 million to taxpayers.”
 During the earlier distributions of the new larger Blue boxes the demand was big. If you want one of these new larger Blue Boxes get yourself over to one at the locations listed below. Halton residents only, proof of residency required.
 Here is what you can put in the Blue box now. Blue Box Pick-up Events
Saturday, AUGUST 10, 2013 (from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
· Robert C. Austin Operations Centre, 11620 Trafalgar Road, Georgetown
· Burlington Closed Landfill, 291 North Service Road, Burlington (west of King Road, east of Waterdown Road)
Saturday, AUGUST 17, 2013 (from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
· Halton Regional Centre, 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville
· Halton Waste Management Site, 5400 Regional Road 25, Milton
You can continue to use the older, smaller Blue boxes if that meets your needs.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. July 30, 2013. The federal government announced that it was going to gift the recently born Prince a gift that would include a number of books fit for a Prince from his Canadian citizens.
We asked bookseller Ian Elliott at the Different Drummer Book Store what he thought would make an excellent collection of children’s titles from Canada.
And we asked Maureen Barry, CEO of the Burlington Public Library if she would prepare a list. Barry turned to her children’s librarians and here is what they came up with. Interestingly, there was just one title Elliott and the librarians suggested: Red is Best. Other than that there was no duplication.
We were delighted to see The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier on that list. The gift will come from the people of Canada sent by the Prime Minister and The Governor General who are both avid hockey fans.
We are going to pass this list along to those two gentleman and see what they decide to put in the gift package.
 A future King of Canada, Prince George Alexander Louis gets a list of books he might want to read as he grows up. The Prince, George Alexander Louis, third in line to the British throne has made just the one public appearance but expect to see a lot more of that child. He will be King of Canada to many of those children who currently buy books at the Different Drummer and borrow books from the library.
 I Have the Right to Be a Child, Alain Serres, illust. Aurélia Fronty, Groundwood Books
Alligator Pie, Dennis Lee, Harper Collins
The Hockey Sweater, Roch Carrier, Tundra Books
Something from Nothing, Phoebe Gilman, Scholastic Books
ABC of Canada, Kim Bellefontaine, illust. Per-Henrik Gürth, Kids Can Press
Picture a Tree, Barbara Reid, Scholastic Books
 Imagine a Day, Sarah L. Thompson, illust. Rob Gonsalves, Simon & Schuster
I Want My Hat Back, Jon Klassen, Candlewick Press
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, Mem Fox, illust. Helen Oxenbury, Houghton Mifflin
On the Day You Were Born, Debra Frasier, Houghton Mifflin
I Like to Play, Marla Stewart Konrad, Tundra Books
 Red is Best, Kathy Stinson, illust. Robin Baird Lewis, Annick Press
The list that follows is a compilation of suggestions from Burlington Public Library librarians who have had the privilege of serving as children’s librarians at various points in their careers. They chose Canadian picture books because, as they said, “we have a rich treasure of wonderful Canadian stories and illustrations for children. These are all ‘tried and true’ at many a storytime! It was difficult to narrow down our choices because there are so many great options.”
Barbara Reid – Welcome, Baby (Barbara is both author and illustrator and her ‘illustrations’ are all crafted with plasticine! It’s true that little Prince George has caused smiles around the world. This book is about babies bringing happiness.)
Barbara Reid – Read me a book (This is a collection of several wonderful Canadian stories compiled by Barbara Reid. It is a way to give Prince George a taste of Canada before his first visit.)
Marthe Jocelyn – Same Same ( Exploring in very simple images how things that are different can be very much the same.)
Marthe Jocelyn – Where do you look? (A fun exploration of homonyms.)
Jan Thornhill – Wildlife ABC and 123 (It is pretty clear what this book is about)
 Michael Kusugak – My Arctic 1,2,3 (Learning numbers, counting and all about Arctic animals, this book is a gem.)
Edith Newlin Chase – The New Baby Calf (There may be a “no fly zone” over Bucklebury while Prince George is in town but we are certain there are baby calves in town. This is a lovely story of the first days of a baby calf.)
 Kathy Stinson – Red is Best (A perennial favourite story about a little girl and debates she has with her mother about the colour red. This books begs to be read again and again.)
Kathy Stinson – Big or Little (Little ones cannot wait to be big, but sometimes they realize being little is OK too.)
Robert Munsch – Mortimer (Prince William said that his son had a ‘great set of lungs’ and we think the very loud repeated chant of Mortimer who loves to make noise “ all day” will appeal in the Royal nursery).
 Phoebe Gilman – The Balloon Tree (The story is all about fantastical royalty with Princess Leora prepares to use balloons to signal her father the King if something goes wrong while he is out of the kingdom. Something does go wrong. There is a happy ending.)
 Prince George Alexander Louis with his Father the Duke of Cambridge; second and third in line for the British throne. How many parents who are avid readers and take their child to the library on a regular basis recognize these titles? Is this a good list of books to send to the future king of Canada.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. July 26, 2013. She was paid fifty cents an hour to baby sit and didn’t like wearing the crinoline she had because it scratched her legs.
She was just a beat or two behind the drum when it came to fashion and wore stitched moccasins when others were wearing saddle shoes.
 She went to Pineland elementary school and is looking forward to being one of the MC’s at the This Magic Moment event that will be held at Nelson Park September 14th.
 Will Connie Smith go with her Vavavavoom look at the Magic Moment event or will go the pony tail look and still wow the crowd? We are of course talking about Connie Smith, that 39-year-old woman with the smile that lights up a room. When she takes to the stage at the This Magic Moment event she expects to wear the pony tail she still has. As for the rest of her costume – she is deciding on either the Olivia Newton John (1) look or the Olivia Newton John (2) look – but being a woman she automatically gets the right to change her mind at the very last-minute.
 Now a “39-year-old” seasoned broadcaster Connie Smith learned her trade at Mohawk and has been taking the “good news” to Burlington ever since. She will MC the This Magic Moment event at Nelson Park September 14th. Connie got her first transistor radio while at elementary school and thought she was the coolest kid on the street; she remembers watching the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show. The crowd that the organizers of the event expect to draw will know exactly what Connie was talking about
The This Magic Moment event is all about those days and those memories – which may not mean a thing to you if you don’t recall the Ed Sullivan Show but Wayne Brown, chair of the event being held to raise funds for an endowment that will support police officers should they die or be injured while on duty, will tell you that there are thousands of people in Burlington who want to spend an evening at Nelson Park listening to the music of the Beach Boys, The Drifters and the Jersey Boys.
The Drifters will be on the stage in person – charming the audience with their signature tune as well as many other pieces of music that you will want to walk out to the dancefloor the minute you hear the first couple of beats and show the kids that you can still strut your stuff.
 The Drifters – live at Nelson Park on September 14th and up close and personal at the Waterfront Hotel on the 13th for an exclusive audience. Getting the Drifters to take part in this event is another story we will tell you about later. What you will want to know is – well the Drifters were a vital part of that 50’s and 60’s era and they don’t like to rush around. So they decided to arrive in Burlington a day early and Wayne Brown knew right away that he had another element to his program. Why not have the Drifters do an exclusive, limited engagement Soiree at the Waterfront Hotel the day before? Great idea and so if you want you can get a tickets for both events.
Wayne Brown pulled together one of the most impressive committees this city has seen and called in every favour he could; that’s what got him into a coffee shop with Connie Smith where he asked her to MC the event – she agreed and then Wayne called her back and asked if she would handle publicity as well.
I am told that the “Always Good News” girl has a dance card – and I think my name is on it.
September the 14th – expect it to be a great event. Tickets are available on-line .
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. July 25, 2013. The Regional government does regular water testing for all the beaches in Halton and report on what is safe and what is not safe.
We noticed that in the report for this week they advise that the Beachway Park water is safe for swimming but that the water at the foot of Brant Street is not safe.
 View of the mini-beach at the foot of Brant Street where people like to swim. Notice the large pipe on the right hand side in the top part of the picture. The rain run off from that pipe might be what is making that water unsafe for swimming. The geese that like that part of the waterfront don’t help either. Region might want to consider a warning sign in that area. Given that the two are quite close together we asked the Region “why” and they replied that the Manager of Healthy Environments explains that if “water samples collected have e.coli counts above the guideline, the beach is posted as unsafe for swimming.
“The e coli results for Brant Street beach were not within the acceptable guidelines while Beachway results were. There are various factors that affect bacteria counts in water including wave action, currents, wind, water depth, storm water outfalls and the amount of waterfowl in the water and on the beach. Ultimately, it is difficult to determine the exact factor or factors that caused the difference in the water sample results.”
 That made sense because there is a pipe that runs from under the Waterfront Hotel area right into the mini-beach that was created when the pier was built. Also, geese and other waterfowl love to walk along that mini beach and people tend to feed the critters – and you know what geese do when they eat don’t you?
Might not the Region post a sign in this area advising people that it is prone to having e-coli counts higher than normal and is therefore not a safe place to swim – especially for very small children.
Other than a few beaches in the Region it looks like it is going to be a healthy weekend to go swimming.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. July 25, 2013. In Kingston they refer to him as their “cultural czar” and they can’t understand why he is leaving. The contacts we spoke to didn’t even know that Brian McCurdy had resigned and was on his way to Burlington where he will serve as the Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre. He takes up the reigns in the middle of August.
Kingston’s Grand Theatre was undergoing a major renovation when McCurdy arrived in that city. He completed that job and put together what most people in Kingston felt was a very good program bringing in a number of acts from Europe that for the most part didn’t tour smaller Canadian cities.
McCurdy created a jazz festival that has proven to be very popular in Kingston; hopefully a jazz program will be something we might see from Mr. McCurdy early in the New Year?
McCurdy was said to have been very good at creating partnerships with small theatre groups in Kingston and while described as a cautious man, people in Kingston found that the proof was in the pudding and McCurdy did produce for them.
 Brian McCurdy, newly appointed Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre. Burlington is about to get serious with its Cultural Plan which is working its way through city hall and a committee or two. McCurdy is said to have done “excellent” work setting the direction for arts and heritage in Kingston for the next ten years. Might he manage to set the bar a little higher at the Brant Museum?
The depth of experience that McCurdy brings to cultural development will be new to this city. Burlington has gotten a little mired in its approach to culture – this man, if the information we’ve been given is sound, takes a very sophisticated approach and at the same time fully understands the realities of the market place.
In Kingston McCurdy said once he was “worried about the success of the KidStage series” and found a remedy — he cut the children’s prices in half. “It really caught on,” he said. “The audiences doubled and tripled.”
 “When we did a survey at the end of this year”, said McCurdy, “ 92% said they got value for their money but would come to more shows if the prices were cheaper. So this year, we’re introducing three price breaks where you can save as much as $10 if you’re willing to sit further back in the theatre.”
McCurdy has a considerable amount of American experience which is usually a good thing. It gives him a broader view of culture and how it develops and rolls itself out. A university education at McGill University will have given him a firm understanding of the dual culture of this country as well.
Add to that some work in Hamilton with the opera crew over there and he at least knows where Burlington is. Has anyone told him about the most expensive pier ever built in this country? When he was taken on a tour of the city did they walk him out to the end of the thing?
As to why did he decide to leave Kingston, a city that has a richer, deeper arts tradition than Burlington and a very significant summer tourist traffic, a world-class university in the middle of the city and a stronger Canadian history pedigree than Burlington, no one could come up with a reason other than “these people like to move on quite a bit”.
 Our contact in Kingston did have one parting comment. “Burlington” he said, “has to stop poaching our people”. And then I realized that our police chief Stephen Tanner, also came to us from Kingston. This would put some validity to the Mayors statement that we are the best place to live in the country. Problem with that statement is that there are a number of correctional institutions in Kingston where we may not want this great news to get to.
For the moment let us welcome Brian McCurdy to the city and wish him well. If Burlington is to have a cultural identity – this man appears to have the capacity to get us there. He also has a community of artists who want to be at the table and the sense we got from the people we talked to is that this man understands artists – which will be welcomed.
 By Staff
Burlington, Ont. July 24, 2013 – The Burlington Theatre Board has selected Brian McCurdy as the new Executive Director of The Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Mr.McCurdy will assume his new role effective August 19, 2013.
Mr. McCurdy has served as Cultural Director of the City of Kingston, since 2008. In this role he was responsible for overseeing the management of the historic Grand Theatre, city museums, Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning, in addition to municipal cultural planning.
 Brian McCurdy has been appointed the Executive Director of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre – he joins that organization in the middle of August. He was also involved in the re-development of the historic Grand Theatre in Kingston which re-opened in the spring of 2008 following a 3-year renovation. Previously, Mr. McCurdy provided management for the Performing Arts Centre, University of Lethbridge; Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, a 1500 seat performing arts centre; and the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, University of California.
“This is an important leadership role and we are delighted to have attracted broad interest from top candidates across the country, and beyond.” said Rick Burgess, Theatre Board Chair. “Brian has provided leadership and direction for the planning, construction, opening and ongoing management of performing arts centres, and has extensive programming experience. He has held the position as the first manager of many performing arts centres and therefore understands the complexities and the excitement of an organization in its development stages. As we head into our third season, we are excited to welcome Brian to the team.”
 Some new light being brought to the Performing Arts Centre with the appointment of Brian McCurdy as the new Executive Director. Mr. McCurdy received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music from McGill University in Montreal and his Master’s Degree in Music with a major in arts administration from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He also studied arts administration at The Banff Centre, in Alberta, the Leadership Institute at the University of California at Berkeley, and has participated in numerous workshops and seminars on fundraising, board and community development.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. July 24, 2013. The city’s Town Crier, Dave Vollick will be in Kingston, Ontario early in August to test his pipes against those amongst the best there is at the 2013 World Invitational Town Crier Competition.
 Dave Vollick, Burlington’s Town Crier taking part in the Brant Day celebrations at LaSalle Park. Vollick will have four days during which he will show them what he can do and perhaps come home as the “World Town Crier Champion”.
2013 marks the first year that the championships have taken place in Canada.
Burlington has had a Town Crier since March 2011 when Council went along with the idea but didn’t put up any money to cover any of the costs involved. At the time Vollick had hoped the city would pony up for some of his cleaning bills.
Vollick has appeared at a number of events – were he to come home with the prize – we would certainly see a lot more of him.
 A Royal birth being announced by a Town Brier in the United Kingdom. The world saw just what a Town Crier can do when the announcement of the birth of the third heir to the British Crown was delivered by a Town Crier.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. July 20, 2013. Did you dance to Under the Boardwalk? Do you remember Pauly and the Goodfellas? When was the last time you heard Good Vibrations and California Girls?
 It was black and white in those days; it was rotary dial phones and gas that came in at what 25 cents a gallon? It was a different time and those were different tunes – all to be heard on September 14th – Nelson Park. It’s all just a couple of months away. Wind you way over to Nelson Park Saturday September 14th – event begins at 2 pm – last dance just before 10 pm – and have a look at some of the antique cars and wonder what ever happened to those fins.
 This Magic Moment – an exciting, first-of-its kind outdoor event celebrating the music and nostalgia of the 60’s with event headliner Rick Sheppard and the Drifters – not a knock off group but the original four in those trademark red jackets.
Two local groups will open the show….The Night Brigade (Sweet Caroline, Hooked on a Feeling) and Halton’s singing cop Stuart MacDonald.
You’re going to need a ticket for this one – and expect the place to be packed.
Tickets are available online at: tickets.
You won’t want to miss the Contours who will get those feet moving when you hear “Do You Love Me?” and do their Motown Review. Robbie Lane and the Disciples (“Fanny Mae”) will be on stage as will Pauly and the Goodfellas doing a tribute to The Jersey Boys and Beach Boys. Each of the four groups above will perform for 75 minutes!
Bring a lawn chair and settle in for an evening of pure nostalgia and remember just what your good old days were about. Bring the grandchildren to watch as you get out and dance and show them your stuff.
The on stage MC’s will be Connie Smith and Robbie Lane
Licensed area, food concessions, and a Vintage Car Show!
Nelson Park, New St. east of Walkers Line in Burlington. Gates open at 2 PM….Music from 2:30 to 10 PM. Tickets are only $30 for over 7 hours of live music!
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. July 20, 2013. Homegrown country at the Royal Botanical Gardens Country Night with award-winning singer Lindsay Broughton.
The show will take place at Hendrie Park in the Gardens and is free for all.
 Rising country singer, Lindsay Broughton to sing at Free concert. Brooklin, Ontario native Lindsay Broughton has been making waves for some time in the Canadian country music scene. She is already receiving acclaim by her peers for her stunning performance at the inaugural Country Music Association of Ontario Awards show this past May, where she also won the coveted “Rising Star Award”, for 2013.
Broughton’s current single “Now You Don’t” is being played on national radio. Her debut self-titled album is due to hit shelves this Fall.
On Tuesday July 30th at 6:00pm at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
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