By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 9, 2012 Water quality at the Burlington Beachway is just fine. Oakville’s Coronation Park East is still not safe – that’s been that way for some time.
The Halton Region Health Department monitors the water quality at public beaches throughout Halton. We get the information from the Region and pass it along to our readers.
 Many people don’t go near the water when they go to the beach but those who do swim have the right to know the water is safe and that they are personally safe as well. Lifeguards do that job. Beach water monitoring on August 6 revealed the following beaches are safe for swimming:
Burlington – Beachway Park
Halton Hills – Prospect Park Old Beach
Milton – Kelso Conservation Area
The following beaches are unsafe for swimming:
Oakville – Coronation Park East, Coronation Park West, Bronte Park Beach.
This is great information if you’re a regular reader of Our Burlington, but alas, not everyone reads what we have to say.
When you walk out to the Beachway there are days when you can see literally hundreds of people enjoying the water. In the past, when the water was not deemed safe by the Region, the public had no way of knowing the water was not deemed to be safe.
At one point the Region used to divide the Beachway into North and South – with no really clear dividing line between the north and the south.
 On a long weekend there are far more people using Beachway Park in Burlington than the number using the beach shown above – we don’t employ lifeguards nor do we post adequate signs to explain the condition of the water. The city owes its public better service on this one. The Region did provide a map that we posted – but then they discarded the North and South parts and just call it the Beachway – which was fine.
The problem however is that there isn’t any way for those who don’t read Our Burlington to know the water is not safe. There is a solution.
Do what other jurisdictions do; Put up signs or put up flags that tell the people what the water condition is.
On those occasions when there are literally hundreds of people using the beach – where are the lifeguards? It will cost money to hire lifeguards – which the Region or the city will do in a flash the moment there is a drowning.
Time for the city to take a hard look at the way the beach is used by the public and what the city should be providing in the way of safety services.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 7, 2012 Is the world just waiting for your videography skills?
Do you really know that you are great behind a video camera and that all you need is a chance and once you have that chance you are on your way to Hollywood fame?
Stand by – there is an opportunity coming your way. Give a listen.
WNED, a Buffalo television station that is part of the PBS television network, which is a sort of copy cat of our CBC is looking for 20 to 25 videographers to produce material for a one hour production. Many people in southwestern Ontario, according to WNED, see the station as their CBC.
 The Burlington story – to be told by the people of Burlington on American television. This is a great opportunity. If you have some ideas that you think would make great television WNED wants to hear from you. If you are good with a video camera and want to get some practical experience WNED wants to hear from you.
Lynne Bader-Gregory is the producer behind this series which WNED has done on both sides of the border. She will be in Burlington early in September to meet with the volunteers who want to take part in this program. She will brainstorm with people, give videographers technical tips on how to capture an image; work with people on their ideas and then give them two to two and a half weeks to get into the field and do their filming.
For anyone wanting some real experience with video – give this a look. If it isn’t for you – then think of someone who would be interested and pass it along.
This is a chance to get some experience and tell the Burlington story as well.
Editing for the one hour television program, will be done sometime in November at which time WNED will announce the air date. The program will be something like a video scrapbook of the people, places and happenings of Western New York and Southern Ontario towns as seen through the eyes of their residents.
People will use their cameras to shoot footage. WNED-TV will give you a one hour blank videotape for each volunteer in the format of their choice. There are no restrictions as to age or experience and no cost to participate. Just a willingness to be part of the project.
Bader-Gregory has some of the volunteers they want but they’d like to have a full compliment which is 20 to 25 people. Volunteers are asked to attend one of two pre-production organizational meetings to answer any questions about the project and to brainstorm a list of subjects to videotape. After footage has been shot, all volunteers participate in an on-camera interview about their subject.
Contact Lynne Bader-Gregory, Senior Producer, WNED. 716-845-7000, ext. 251 or email her at
lbader-gregory@wned.org
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 6, 2012 I called them “pixies”: there were hundreds of them; they came from everywhere and had congregated on the grounds of the Hendrie Park at the Royal Botanical Gardens on a sunny summer holiday.
 These “junior pixies” were settling in for a time to talk and whisper and plan on which Mystical Creature they would meet next. They were there for the Enchanted Garden weekend and also to meet the Mystical Creatures that included Melody the Bird Song Fairy.
 Poppy, Queen of the Faeries held court and listened to the wishes of all the pixies that came before her. Flora the Flower Fairy was there as well but before a pixie could meet a Mystical Creature the pixie had to have their faces painted. It helped if they had their pixie dresses on as well.
Poppy, the Queen of the Faeries was on hand and she met every pixie that came by her tent.
 Oberon, the Dwarf King signed documents for all the pixies that passed by. Oberon the Dwarf King signed a document for every pixie that stopped by his station as well.
 One of the 15 Mystical Creatures the pixies got to meet with and learn all about the flowers, the trees, the Lilly pads and the caterpillars that are part of the Hendrie Park. The 14 Elf`s, Fairy`s, Painter`s and Gnome`s were stationed about the garden so that the pixies could find them and learn what it was these Mystical Creatures were doing in the Garden.
All the flowers and plants and shrubs and trees were looking their very best. The Enchanted Crab Apple Tree was actually behaving – not being crabby.
The Mystical Creatures live in the garden and take care of the plants, keep the flowers beautiful, the trees strong and the grasses tall.
 Before the pixies could head out to meet the Mystical Creatures they had to have their faces painted so that the Mystical Creatures would know they were real pixies. And the pixies roamed and romped around the grounds wearing their costumes and painted faces – there to delight everyone and to see what mischief they could find.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 6, 2012 Marvelous Mike was there, asking – “did you get the cheque?” Mike delivers money from the federal government in Ottawa to the good people of Burlington, who in return put a check mark beside his name every four years or so, which sends him back to Ottawa so he can continue doing the same thing. It’s a nice job.
With Marvelous Mike out of the way, Dave Vollick, the Town Crier who served as Master of Ceremonies for the John Brant Day at LaSalle Park, worked his way down the food chain from MP, to MPP, to Regional Chair to Mayor. That’s what we pay these guys for – to come out and say hello.
As Vollick called up each of the dignitaries he sounded a bit like the ring master at a wrestling match calling out the names of the participants. Regional Chair Gary Carr asked if perhaps Vollick was available to the Region; Carr thought he would be useful in getting the Regional message out.
 From the left, John Norton, Sir Isaac Brock and John Brant at the LaSalle Park Brant Day event. All three men played a very significant role in the War of 1812. While Brock lost his life at Queenston Height, Brant and Norton went on to play major roles in the growth of the native community. With the dignitaries off the stage we got to hear from General Sir Isaac Brock and John, the son of Joseph Brant, both of whom were done as en-actors telling us a part of the story of the War of 1812 – which few in the area know all that much about.
That War was the first the new American republic declared on anyone anywhere – and they lost that war. Since then, Canada and the United States have worked their differences out peacefully.
A smart bunch of people were hired to put together a series of events to tell the War of 1812 story and how Brock worked with the aboriginal people to beat back the Americans. Joseph Brant died in 1807 and wasn’t a part of this war but his son John served with Brock in many battles.
 Protocol and discipline were what made the British troops the fighters they were. Here an officer takes the salute from his troops. One of the difficulties Brock had while preparing for the war with the Americans,was finding enough volunteers and then training them properly. He traveled between York (now called Toronto) and the Niagara Peninsula and passed through Burlington frequently.
Unlike the Americans we don’t do much work on our local history and can’t point to buildings and say “Brock slept there”. We can point to the almost exact spot at Queenston Heights where Brock was felled by a bullet from a sniper.
Monday, at LaSalle Park, we heard one of the Proclamations Brock read out to the people of the area exhorting them to sign up and serve King and Country and beat back the Americans.
To commemorate that War and all the events that were part of it, a Brock en-actor is doing a walk from York through to Port Dover over the balance of the week.
 Different regiments that took part in the War of 1812 were on hand for the Brant Day event at LaSalle Park where Sir Isaac Brock met with John Brant and John Norton – all three were participants in the Queenton Heights battle where Brock lost his life. There was a very solid crowd on hand for the event. Probably more than 100 War of 1812 en-actors with their encampments and camp followers dressed in period costume.
Two things stood out for me. We learned nothing about the various regiments that were on hand. Who were the guys in the grey uniforms and what did they do? And who were the guys in the red uniforms? Were they the ones that stormed Queenston Heights with Brock?
There was a missed opportunity to get into some of the detail of those battles. Where were these men recruited? What did they get paid? The British were famous for their battle formations and their tight drills. It would have been something to see these drills done out there on that field with a volley of musket fire and Generals barking out orders.
Instead we got to see the Burlington Teen Tour Band who were wise enough to take off their uniform jackets – it was a scorcher.
We saw very little of the native community this year – again. The natives and the Museums of Burlington don’t have a very good working relationship.
 A 7 year old aboriginal boy demonstrated using hoops at the Brant Day event at LaSalle Park There was one young man, a 7 year old aboriginal, showing us where has was in his “hoop dance” training. The adult with him beat out a sound from a small drum and called out a dance tune as the young lad did each of the routines. I look forward to coming back in a year or so and seeing this young man in full warrior dress doing a superb hoop dance.
The day at LaSalle Park has been traditionally called Joseph Brant Day but this year it was named John Brant day and the focus was to be on his son and his relationship to Brock. Other than a few words said by the John Brant en-actor we heard nothing and learned less from this young man. Another opportunity missed.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON August 4, 2012 It was billed as a bit of political theatre – in a bookstore.
What was Ian Elliott over at The Different Drummer up to now?
It was an election rally – sort of. It was a book launch – sort of.
It was certainly a different play on US-Canadian election processes.
Brian Calvert co-author of “America, but better”, told an audience that he was sitting with chums in Vancouver with his co-author, Chris Cannon, thinking about the American presidential election and commiserating over the qualities of the different candidates and said to Cannon: “What America needs is more of us in their lives”.
They run their elections and we run ours.
Calvert wasn’t prepared to leave it at that. “What, he wondered, if Canada ran as a candidate in the American election for president?”
It was a novel approach – could it work? Canada would be the candidate
 Bumper sticker for the Canada Party candidate in the US presidential elections. Launch of the political party took place in Burlington last week. And that’s what Calvert’s book is all about. Written in a light, meant to be a bit of a send up tone, not a word of which is to be taken seriously. The kind of thing you would read parts of to friends or leave in the outhouse along with an old Eaton’s catalogue for those who find they need a place for some peace and quiet and personal contemplation.
There were definitely some upsides to the proposition and the opportunity for some fresh thinking.
In the introduction the two authors set out the why of what they want to do.
“Hello America, it’s us – Canada
“We’re you’re next door neighbour, and the paper thin border has done little to muffle the sound of your political anguish, so we are pursuing the only option left. We want you to elect us the next President of the United States.”
“We had a chat with the rest of the world, and everyone agrees your addiction to dangerous, divisive politics has gotten out of hand, and you’re headed for an overdose.”
“We’re offering you the chance to kick back for a while and let a trusted friend cook your meals and fluff your pillow, giving you time to do some healing and generally reevaluate yourr place in the universe. So this is not an invasion; it’s an intervention.”
“Why are we qualified to lead America? Because we are America Jr., the little brother who has idolized you since we were baby colonies spitting up in Britain’s lap. We’ve grown up together, tamed a frontier together, laughed, cried, bled, overeaten at Thanksgiving, and conquered outer space together.”
“We share the same spacious skies and amber waves of grain, the same purple mountain majesties, the same sea to the same shining sea .”
“Which is why it has been with great sadness, and more than a little nausea, that we have witnessed our American brothers and sisters betrayed over the past decade by privately owned politicians who have created franchises out of persecuting the dis-enfranchised, fetishized ignorance at the expense of reason, deprived citizens of their civil liberties in the name of a very profitable notion of security, and driven up tax payers debt to finance solid gold pockets to carry their other gold.”
“We have watched from a distance with the same horrified stare one might impart on a bus load of kittens being carried away by a tornado. We have watched class warfare committed by classless bourgeoisie. We have watched as huddled masses yearning to breathe free were told that it is un-American to huddle, mass, yearn or breathe. We have watched, and for years have asked ourselves, “Isn’t someone going to help those poor folks!?”
“And then we realized: we are a somebody. And we are not just an “outside the beltway” candidate, we are outside the border. So we have written this book – translated from Canadian to American English – to explain our platform and convince you that you are better off getting an overhaul from an honest mechanic than being scrapped by China and sold for parts.”
 Authors often refer to this table at the Different Drummer as the next best thing to an ATM – it’s the place readers come to have their books signed – which means a purchase has been made. What’s interesting to watch at the Different Drummer is how many people buy multiple copies.
Here Brian Calvert, co-author of America, but better. That is what the book is about – They call it the Canada Party Manifesto. The right to bear arms that the Americans are so in love with – it was the second amendment to their Constitution – gets easily solved. The Americans can have all the weapons they want – they just can’t buy the ammunition – the Canada Party would outlaw bullets. There – that’s that problem solved.
If the Canada Party were to win the election campaign and become the President of the United States – who would sit in the White Houses? You, and you and you and you. Each of us would get our 15 minutes of fame and be President of the United States for a really, really short period of time – that way we wouldn’t do too much damage.
Calvert was pretty sure he was on to something here and he convinced a publisher to produce his book and then convinced Ian Cameron at the Different Drummer to hold the book launch.
You could buy a copy of the book – but more interesting – you got a bumper sticker instead of a bookmark as your take away.
Calvert expects that at some point he will be a guest on the Colbert Report where he will debate with Stephen Colbert on how Canada can help the Americans solve one of their more significant problems – finding a new President.
You heard about it first in Burlington, Ontario.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON July 31, 2012 August is always a great month for Burlington and things to do. Along with the traditional, this year there will be a series of events that tie into the War of 1812 festivities and what that historical event meant to Burlington.
While Joseph Brant gets most of the historical attention in this city – having a museum with your name on it will do that – this year Brant’s son, John will be featured because of his relationship with General Sir Isaac Brock and the Battle of Queenston Heights.
John Brant will meet with Sir Isaac at the Annual Brant Day event held at LaSalle Park, Monday, August 6th; 10 am to 5 pm, as part of a re-enactment
Brant had seven children – Burlington Streets are named after two sons and a daughter – John, James and Elizabeth Street. John became almost as heavily involved in native affairs as his Father was. Joseph Brant was not alive during the Wars of 1812 – he died in 1807.
 Three men who played critical roles in the War of 1812 – especially the Queenton Height battle. John Brant, son of Joseph Brant and John Norton along with General Sir Isaac Brock were part of the early War of 1812 battles His son John took part in the battle at Queenston Heights where Brock lost his life. John Norton, a young man who, while born British, became a Mohawk and was tutored and guided by Joseph Brant will also be a part of the re-enactments
John Brant survived the battle at Queenston Heights and went on to become the first native to be elected to the Ontario Legislature and played a large role in the development of the Grand River reserve that his Father first negotiated with the British government.
The day will be rich with history and pageantry and the Brant family will be front and centre – not always something that happens at LaSalle Park during their annual Brant Day events. Along with the re-enactments, there will be a military skirmish, native culture interpretation, traditional artisans and much more.
The day after, Tuesday, August 7th, from 10 am to 2 pm, at the Dundurn National Historic Site, Hamilton, Brock will meet with David Beasley – historian and descendant of Burlington Heights landowner.
The Hamilton Military Museum and Dundurn Castle’s main floor and basement will be open for FREE self-guided tours. Live music with Muddy York and talks by David Beasley will happen during the day. Let the kids dress-up and be part of military drills or enjoy tours of the grounds and garden. Come out for this free day of festivities!
Burlington Heights and what are called the Burlington Races are the significant events as far as Burlington’s involvement in the War of 1812 is concerned. There is a spot on the Heights where one can stand and see past the Skyway and into Burlington where several warship battles took place that many believe the War of 1812 was won by the British.
The War of 1812 was the first war the Americans declared on anyone – and they lost that one. Not something the Americans are all that keen to admit.
The Brock Walk is a government of Ontario tourism sponsored event that brings our history to a level we can easily understand. Burlington’s geography actually played a large and very significant role in that war.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, on July 30, 2012 Every parent watches anxiously as their children step out onto the stage they will live their lives upon. For the parents of Mischa and Mel Aravena, that stage was live and part of the Hamilton Fringe Festival that closed on Sunday.
Mel Aravena served as the director of a Harold Pinter play Betrayed, a complex piece that in its day changed the way theatre was done in London’s West End. Mischa Aravena played one of the two male lead roles and Tom Hick’s, their buddy who lives up the street served as co-director.
While Betrayal has endured and is done regularly, it is approached carefully, due to both its complexity and the close to exquisite timing the play calls for. There is a consistent need throughout the 90 minute production for those pauses that need to take place – if cut too short the moment is lost and if the pause runs too long the point is lost.
 Brothers Mel and Mischa Aravena shift the set that was used in the Harold Pinter play Betrayed, put on as part of the Hamilton Fringe Festival. They did good. Both Mischa Aravena, Chad Thurlow and Kayla Whelan who did the lion’s portion of the performance – we will get to the Venetian waiter later – did much more than credible jobs of handling the nuance and timing the play called for.
The play consisted of nine scenes which were not presented chronological and that made it a little difficult to follow for those who had never experienced a Pinter play before.
Done in a theatre in the round setting with a set that was sparse but cleverly done the three actors gave us a glimpse of what they bring to live theatre.
What I found, was that at the end of the play, I wasn’t thinking about the subject – betrayal – but I was thinking about the timing that I saw. Those pauses were close to flawless, and that is not easily done. The three actors were part of the same diminishing, soul destroying, trust trashing situation – each brought their own self-interest to their part – and each had their own unique way of handling the situations they faced.
It was a fine performance for each. Thurlow who played the love interest to the wife of his squash playing friend played by Mischa Aravena. It was never clear if they ever actually played squash together.
 Mischa Aravena plays one of two male lead roles in a Harold Pinter production that was part of the Hamilton Fringe event. Emma, played by Kayla Whelan, had to adjust who she was, depending on which man she was talking to. The switch back and forth between wife and lover was both demanding and complex – and done very well.
Aravena was able to evoke the pain of his wife’s betrayal, the loss of the relationship with a friend and at the same time be himself.
It was a fine production that gave us a look at three young people honing their stage careers. For their parents, it had to be a very satisfying evening. In the past few months, Joey Edwardh, Mother of Mischa and Mel, always had a handful of playbills in her bag which she would hand out to anyone and everyone she met. She was shameless in the promotion of her boys and her boys left her with much pride and satisfaction.
Mel served as Director, which had to be demanding task, as he brought his acting team to the point where they both understood and felt the lines they were delivering. The body movement, the inflection and those pauses – you had to have been there to appreciate them, were very well directed. Watch for these three – we can expect to see more of them – perhaps on the stage of the Performing Arts Centre.
Why, one wonders, could there not be a joint Burlington-Hamilton Fringe Festival – something for the movers and shakers of this city to think about.
Now – to the Venetian waiter. It was the bit part of bit parts to which Yehuda Fisher brought a touch that leavened the seriousness of the subject betrayal. Parisian waiters are known for their sang froid, Venetians are apparently known for the time they need to get a cork out of a wine bottle.
The play was said to have been given a Canadian touch – I didn’t see or feel that. What was evident was the reliance on alcohol to get through a conversation – of note was that neither Aravena or Thurlow ever reached for the Tanqueray gin that was on the always in sight bar – they seemed to favour whiskey – was that the Canadian content?
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON July 14, 2012 The Joseph Brant Museum, announces it has received a $32,500 federal government grant to put together an 1812-themed newspaper for distribution to a number of educational partners and the community.
 Burlington Museums will be doing a themed newspaper on the War of 1812 for distribution in the community. Brant’s son John will play a prominent part in the festivities this year. The grant includes covering the cost of a series of lectures/workshops on various aspects of the War of 1812 in Burlington. We assume more detail is to follow.
The museum will also create series of exhibition panels that will be displayed in community spaces.
 En-actors John Brant on the left with Sir Isaac Brock on the right. Norton stands between the two. Brock and Brant will re-enact a meeting during Brock’s Walk which will take place at LaSalle Park A main event for the Museum each year is the Joseph Brant Day, a family community event involving re-enactments and historical educational activities which will be held on August 6th at LaSalle Park. This year the focus shifts to Brant’s son John who will re-enact a meeting with General Sir Isaac Brock.
The tourism people have staged a Brock’s Walk, part of which will take place at LaSalle Park where Sir Isaac Brock will meet with John Brant, son of Joseph Brant.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON July 19, 2012 When the magazines begin writing about you – you are on your way to your 15 minutes of fame. And that’s just about where Plan B – the budding Farmer’s Market on John Street is right now.
Pure Green Magazine does a feature from time to time on the “Organic Kitchen”. If all goes as planned, and nothing actually goes as planned when you’re working with nature, the plan is for the writers to set up an outdoorsy and Muskoka themed booth and cooking facility. As well, they’ll set up bistro tables for sit down guests. Should be very cool.
 Macdonald and Barry Imber discuss the set up for the Plan B Farmer’s Market on John Street. Opens every Friday 11-2
They will be demonstrating cooking some recipes they’ve been working on that are easy and delicious, using locally sourced ingredients. Jonathan, the chef and partner of the magazine, has a unique way of cooking outside using rustic props and outdoorsy techniques – he can smoke meats and cheeses right at your table! – it’s super interesting and fun to do yourself so this should be great for the crowd.
Pure Green is a very nice binding element for what we believe the market, as well as Centro, is all about. Healthy lifestyles for people who love being outside and connecting with the ground, their food, their environment – whether that’s in their back patio, backyard or back forty.
Damian Wills – the chef and forager calling himself Meat to Table will be there again as will the fresh produce farmer and the folks from Featherstone Family Farm.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON July 18, 2012 With the weather we have been having – talk of umbrellas will at least raise an eyebrow. There is an opportunity to raise those eyebrows at the Burlington Art Centre July 22, 2-3 pm when an exhibit of porcelain umbrellas by Ann Mortimer will be on display. The event is free.
 Ann Mortimer, who traditionally works on canvas with an admired ability to bring out the translucence of her object, has done a collection of 19 porcelain umbrellas that will be part of the In Series events at the Art Gallery. The work was produced in China under the direction of the artist. Ann Mortimer works in watercolour and is interested in the translucency of that medium. In her painting she aims to achieve an illusion of depth through the portrayal of light. You get to arrive at a different understanding of transparency when you view the umbrellas. Worth the time to take this one in.
Mortimer is a member of the Society of Floral Painters, and while she has specialized in flowers, combining a looseness of approach with a respect for botanical accuracy, she has ventured beyond canvas and into other mediums.
Curator Jonathan Smith will lead a tour of the exhibition, which includes the umbrellas and her perspective plates, bird-fish form and sculptural cups series.
The event is part of the In Series Exhibition at the Art Gallery – in the Lee-Chin Family Gallery.
Mortimer is a graduate trained teacher, and also paints a variety of other subjects in watercolour from landscapes to town scenes to figures. She enjoys sharing her techniques and skills with members of art societies at workshops and at the art classes where she regularly teaches.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON July 17, 2012 Everyone thought it was going to be bigger and better than the Car Free Sunday on Appleby Line back in June but the crowd, if that is what you can call it, on Brant Street and Locust Streets for the second Car Free Sunday was not as large – something was missing.
 Interest group and services tents set up on Brant north of Caroline drew traffic – it was much quieter south of Caroline. Was it too hot; were people away at their cottages, kids off to camp? There was no reason to walk over to Brant Street – other than to be able to walk about with no traffic.
 Bus service was rerouted an cars kept off the street for most of the afternoon. Should it be an annual event? There was no focus to the event – but then there was no focus to the Appleby Line event and it had better participation than last Sunday’s event on Brant Street.
There was live music at the Civic Square but it drew very poor audiences. There was a Country and Western Music event at Spencer Smith Park and some of its traffic made its way up Brant – but there just wasn’t any sense that there was something going on.
The organizers did arrange for various interests groups to have tents on Brant north of Caroline – and they were busy and gave that part of the street the sense that there was something going on.
 There are retailers that get it – and they are the one’s that succeed. The shopping bag that lady is carrying isn’t empty. The folks that run Joelle’s understand retail. There were far too many stores closed. Far too many of the Brant Street merchants were not open – not a good sign. The Downtown Business association needs to get a bit of a burr under the saddles of some of its members. Those that were open did continuous business.
This was the first year the event took place. It’s worth doing the same thing next year, but there clearly has to be some brain storming if there are ever going to be people out on the street for large parts of a day.
Those who were lined up in their cars at Brant and Caroline to get through the intersection didn’t think very much of the idea of people taking over the streets of the city – even if it was only for a couple of hours.
There seemed to be more police presence than was necessary – lots of overtime booked by the HRPS.
 The pavement didn’t seem to be a problem. Get a dozen kids and a soccer ball plus two nets and you’ve got a game. It was pleasant to watch – some benches would have kept people around longer. The Burlington Teen Tour Band was out – they always draw a crowd but the idea was to have people out on the street for a large part of the 2pm to 7pm time frame. The barriers were taken up on Locust close to 6 pm and Brant was wide open to vehicles at 7 pm
During Sound of Music there were different attractions on the street that drew people and kept them around for a while. There were precious few places to get out of the sun and nowhere to sit and have a drink.
There were nets for kids to play soccer at the John and Brant intersection but there was no seating for anyone who wanted to watch the kids play.
 Brian Dean, top toff at the Downtown Business Association was out drumming up business for those of his members that took part in the Red Bag Sale. Too many of his members let the community down last Sunday. Keeping the doors closed while the city works at getting people out on the street isn’t the way the game is played.  There is a soccer player in there somewhere It was suggested that a focus was needed and there are a number of opportunities to bring in close to cost free events that would attract people and keep them around for a while. The antique car club people will show off their vehicles any chance they get. Inviting them to the city and asking if the owners of the cars would drive up along one of the rural roads with a guest passenger in their car – and then choose the guests from raffle ticket winners would certainly draw attention and participation.
A chance to sit in an MG or a Corvette with the top down would keep me hanging around hoping I got a chance for a ride. It would beat being on one of those nasty little ponies that were walking around the cenotaph at the side of city hall.
It is going to take some imagination to make this an event that people want to participate in and one that justifies closing down street for a period of time.
Good effort, they got the idea right now to add some ginger and make it more fun because there wasn’t much fun on Brant Street last Sunday afternoon.
There are a bunch of volunteers – more than 25 of them, that deserve more than the car free Sunday T-shirt they got. There were also half a dozen staff members who gave up half a nice day to make the event happen.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON July 12, 2012 This is one of those “local boy does good” stories – except that the story is about two brothers and one of their best friends who lived just up the street – still does. The three of them, along with a fourth person – a woman, are involved in the production of Harold Pinter’s major dramatic work play Betrayal, which involved just two men and a woman who all betrayed each other. The play itself is complex, but the Burlington group involved in the production of the Pinter play are not in the least complex.
They are an energetic serious bunch of young people who are either out of university or close to graduation and doing something they all want to do.
Mischa Aravena is the actor and producer, his brother Mel is the producer of the play. Friend Tom Hart is the assistant director while Jeanette Hicks is the set designer. Jeanette is a professional artists and has worked on a number of films, a Toronto Fringe show. She has exhibited her work at the Art Gallery of Ontario Gift Store.
The play is part of Hamilton’s Fringe Festival – with productions talking place July 21 at 9:45; July 22 at 6:15; July 23 at 9:30; July 25 at 6:30; July 26 at 6:00; July 28at 2:30 and July 29 at 6:00. Arrive on time – no entry no matter who you are, once the play has begin. All Betrayal shows are at the Citadel Studio Theatre in Hamilton. The Studio Theatre is built every year specifically for the Fringe event. The tickets are very modestly priced at $9 each. The Fringe is there to give young actors and set design people an opportunity to gain some experience and public exposure. A number of Fringe productions have gone on to New York and then into film production.
 The Aravena brothers, Mel out front in the centre with Mischa peeking out at the top, with Tom Hart giving advice on where the set piece should be placed. The Aravena brothers tried to get into the Toronto Fringe Festival where the approach is to take all the entries that come in and draw names out of a hat. They didn’t make the draw, but they were well enough prepared to get their application into the Hamilton people, where they were selected on merit.
Now to get the lines learned, the feel of the way they want to do the play and the set painted and ready for placement on the stage.
Mischa is the more intense of the two brothers; he will play one of the three characters in the production. His brother Mel is the director and has basically worked with Mischa on most of what he has done on stage.
The play was inspired by Pinter’s clandestine extramarital affair with BBC Television presenter Joan Bakewell, which occurred for seven years, from 1962 to 1969,. The plot of Betrayal exposes different permutations of betrayal and kinds of betrayals occurring over a period of nine years, relating to a seven-year affair involving a married couple, Emma and Robert, and Robert’s “close friend” Jerry, who is also married, to a woman named Judith.
 Jeanette Hicks: set designer. That apron is worn when she paints, she doesn’t cook or feed the others. For five years Jerry and Emma carry on their affair without Robert’s knowledge, both cuckolding Robert and betraying Judith, until Emma, without telling Jerry she has done so, admits her infidelity to Robert (in effect, betraying Jerry), although she continues their affair. In 1977, four years after exposing the affair (in 1973) and two years after their subsequent break up (in 1975), Emma meets with Jerry to tell him that her marriage to Robert is over. She then lies to Jerry in telling him that, “last night”, she had to reveal the truth to Robert and that he now knows of the affair. The truth however, is that Robert has known about the affair for the past four years.
Pinter’s articular usage of reverse chronology in structuring the plot is innovative: the first scene takes place after the affair has ended, in 1977; the final scene ends when the affair begins, in 1968; and, in between 1977 and 1968, scenes in two pivotal years (1977 and 1973) move forward chronologically. As Roger Ebert observed, in his review of the 1983 film, based on Pinter’s own screenplay, “The ‘Betrayal’ structure strips away all artifice. It shows, heartlessly, that the very capacity for love itself is sometimes based on betraying not only other loved ones, but even ourselves.”
Pinter was one of the “angry young men in the 70’s and had a significant impact on dramatic theatre both in London and New York. For a young actor embarking on a career on the stage, which tends to include a lot of taxi driving or waiting on tables, this play is a courageous step.
This year’s Hamilton Fringe Festival will be at four venues in Downtown Hamilton for eleven days between July 19 and 29, 2012. The full listing of productions is here. This year is the 9th Fringe Festival in Hamilton.
Online Tickets for the 2012 Hamilton Fringe are now on sale! Click here for box office. 50% of all tickets are held to be sold at the door – they go on sale one hour before the show! In order to access any fringe venue, you must be wearing a “fringe backer button” – (a one time $4 cost).
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON July 2nd, 2012 Canada Day – 145 years out and Burlington celebrates the day with Ashley MacIsaac on stage doing what he does so well with his fiddle. He then tried telling the citizens to do everything they can to ensure that the current prime minister isn’t in office on the 150th anniversary. That appeal fell on deaf ears.
 Homes on the Beachway left no doubt about what they were celebrating. He was as good on his fiddle as he usually is – but he shouldn’t try to sing.
Spencer Smith Park filled up as the evening approached after a day when a crowd of new Canadians took to the stage one by one to be made “Canadians” with Citizenship Court Judge Frank Hayden swearing them all in and giving them his “being a Canadian” pep talk.
It was a wonderfully sunny day; crowds were out and the Beachway part of the city had hundreds of families out on the grass with hundreds of kids in the water.
 If you didn't have a bright red T shirt - there was a booth you could buy one at. Parking was close to impossible and the city had additional staff handing out parking tickets. There was a subtle change in the uniforms the men were wearing – instead of the shirts with the By Law enforcement shoulder patches these men had Provincial Offences Enforcement, which meant they could give people tickets for provincial offences and not just parking – no drinking in public parks.
 Families out on the grass - enjoying great weather and a day to remember. It was interesting to note that the people on the Beachway tended to be large families that had hibachis and all the gear needed for a picnic. Many were people of colour, dressed traditionally and while quiet were very friendly. Soccer was the predominant sport but we did see one little tyke who had put together twigs for a camp fire in what any Scout master would have given him a badge for. The child was being very well supervised, there was no chance that he was going to light a fire.
 Police officer told us he was on "bikini patrol" and that he loved his job. The Regional police had officers out on bicycles patrolling what we were told was a quiet day.
 Her name was Jade - she just seemed to love the camera.  Captivated with the cell phone - this young man was having the time of his life. The mood and the scene at The Joseph Brant Museum was quite different. There was entertainment for the young people and displays to look over with plenty of shaded space to sit and eat more of that ice cream with fresh fruit than we perhaps should have. Quite a different feel than that out on the Beachway.
The Canadiana Tent the city set up was both a smart thing to do and the best deal available on the waterfront during the weekend. It was a place to sit and relax, for those who had been on their feet for several hours, the $20 price was worth every penny. You got a meal, an alcoholic beverage, a cold drink, a Maple Leaf cookie and reasonably comfortable seats plus shade. You can do that one again city hall. And that extra drink you wanted was nicely priced – less than we paid for the same drink in Grimsby the day before. You also got a small flag.
As dusk approached the waterfront filled up quickly for the fireworks.
The SeaDoo races around an obstacle course kept the air filled with the sounds of those roaring engines but no one seemed to mind.
It was just one of those pleasant sunny summer days – no doubt whatsoever that summer was here and staying for awhile. A national holiday, celebration of the founding of the country. Most born in the country Canadians take it all for granted; those who chose to come to this country knew what they were doing. We can learn from them just how fortunate we are.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON – June 28, 2012 Tickets for the Jane Goodall presentation are now available at the Performing Arts Centre box office. VIP tickets are priced at $125. Main Event tickets are $45 – add HST to those prices.
 Jane Goodall will be in Burlington September 19th speaking at BPAC. Chimp is not expected to attend. Acclaimed primatologist , environmentalist and United Nations Messenger of Peace, Goodall will entertain with of stories from the field, her reflections on global conservation and hope for the future of the planet.
The VIP tickets include a cocktail reception and an opportunity to interact with Goodall personally. This is a woman who took on the establishment and insisted that primates be protected and studied and did so at considerable personal risk. While she is lauded and applauded today there was a time when the world didn’t have much time for Jane Goodall.
She is one of those people who lived her personal convictions and brought the world to a point where it saw the environment in a different light. She made a difference.
During the Main Event Dr. Goodall will take questions from the audience. She is both an amusing and at the same time a very forthright speaker; there is seldom any doubt as to what Jane Goodall thinks.
BurlingtonGreen has stretched this event and added a level of community involvement, for which they should be applauded. The evening is going to include the recognition of six “eco-award” winners who will be chosen by the community.
Burlington citizens, schools, groups and businesses are being asked to submit nominations before August 27, 2012 highlighting their greening efforts. BurlingtonGreen president Ken Woodruff explains that “recognizing the positive contributions of our community in helping the planet locally is very important as it inspires others to get involved and take action as well.”
Details are available at: burlingtongreen.org for event and ticket information and to complete a nomination form for a local eco-hero.
The Burlington Community Foundation and the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation have provided early level sponsorship for this event. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available to support the event. Contact info@burlingtongreen.org or 905-466-2171
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 25, 2012 The War of 1812, The War of 1812, the War of 1812 – the one we won, the war that made this country what it is today. Remember? It can get a little tiring at times – all that history.
 War of 1812 is not just a Stoney Creek event - lots of Burlington history involved as well The people over at Tourism Burlington don’t see it that way though. They see the War of 1812 as a three year long tourism opportunity and met recently at the Joseph Brant Museum to talk to retailers about just how many opportunities there were for restaurants, local attractions and those in the accommodation business.
Simone Babineau, Marketing coordinator for Tourism Burlington organized the event which, unfortunately, drew a very poor response from the people who stand to benefit most from this marketing opportunity.
Those that were on hand learned of the General Brock Walk and the numerous print material tie-ins that are available to the retail community.
 All kinds of commercial opportunities for smart retailers - a special flavor of ice cream is one. Hewitt’s Dairy of Hagersville saw the opportunity and created two new ice cream flavours that will be available at Denningers in Burlington later in July.
The Holiday Inn staff saw numerous opportunities and the restaurants in Burlington have created a luncheon special – priced at $18.12. Local restaurants with $18.12 lunch menus can be found at: Click here
The marketing opportunities are significant but you have to get on board the train if you want to get to the destination.
The province has created a series of marketing Districts – Burlington is in the Hamilton/Halton/Brant district which is part of Western Corridor of the War of 1812. In this part of the province Stoney Creek takes up most of the oxygen with their colourful re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek. And while there was no one marching through the streets of the city, Burlington Heights played perhaps the most significant role in the part of the war that took place on the western end of the waters of Lake Ontario.
 Brock's Walk from Toronto to Niagara will be a significant part of the summer program. The Museums of Burlington have jumped on board this one; at Brant Day, August 5th at LaSalle Park, there will be a meeting of John Brant, son of Joseph Brant and Sir Isaac Brock at the event.
Tourism Burlington and the province’s “Heart of Ontario” group are all heavily involved in the development and promotion of this three year event.
There are opportunities here for the retail sector and wonderful, fun times to be had for the local and visiting public.
To fully appreciate the possible local tie ins – check out the Barn quilt tours.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON Ashley MacIsaac, famous for his energetic, inspiring live performances will headline Canada Day events in Spencer Smith Park
 Citizenship Court Judge Frank Hayden will preside on Canada Day For those who are made Canadian citizens on Canada Day, during a Citizenship Court to be conducted by Citizenship Judge Frank Hayden, will know why they chose this country once they’ve listened to and felt a MacIsaac performance.
 MacIsaac known for rousing and at times totally off the wall performances will be on stage at Spencer Smith Park on Canada Day. The day starts out with a 5 km run at 8:30 a.m. (to enter contact VRPRO at www.vrpro.ca), and a free yoga class at 9:30 a.m.
The Burlington Teen Tour Band will do their thing at 1 p.m.
This year’s free celebration features Canadian entertainment on two stages and throughout the park all day. Highlights
• Michael Bublé tribute band
• Summer of ’69 (Bryan Adams tribute)
• Wavelength (Rush tribute sponsored by Ardent Automotive)
• Scholars in Collars dog training performances at 12:30, 2:30 and 4 p.m.
• Water ski shows at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.
• A wide variety of food vendors and activities
New this year, visit the Canadiana Viewing Tent.
Limited tickets are now on sale. Your ticket gets you:
• Seating at tables and chairs offering great site lines to the Main Stage and Lake Ontario
• Bleacher seating for additional viewing of two Water Ski Shows
• Meal catered by D&T Classic Catering (1 to 8 p.m.)
• 2 drink tickets
• Exclusive upgraded washroom trailers
• Shelter under the large canopy
• In and out privileges
Advance tickets for the Canadiana Viewing Tent are $15. They are available at City Hall, Tansley Woods Community Centre, Appleby Ice Centre, Festivals and Events Office, and Tyandaga Golf Course Tickets purchased at the tent on the day of the celebration are $20.
Parking and transportation
Parking downtown during this event is in high demand, attendees are encouraged to arrive early or use public or alternative transportation. Free shuttle service from the Central Park bus shelter is available from 7 to 11 p.m.
Cyclists can lock up their bikes at the Mountain Equipment Co-op Bike Corral.
For further information call the Festival and Events Hotline at 905-335-7766.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON June 21, 2012 – The Halton Region Health Department monitors the water quality at public beaches throughout Halton.
 Beachway North is not yet safe for swimming Beach water monitoring on June 19 revealed the following beaches are safe for swimming:
• Milton – Kelso Conservation Area
• Oakville – Coronation Park East, Bronte Park Beach
• Halton Hills – Prospect Park Old Beach
• Burlington – Beachway Park South
The following beaches are unsafe for swimming:
 Boundary markers for Beachway Park North and South • Burlington – Beachway Park North
• Oakville – Coronation Park West
 Proud band leader. By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 18, 2012 While the Sound of Music Festival keeps four stages and four pods busy with entertainers – the parade draws the biggest crowd that spread itself along New Street as it works its way on to Brant Street.
 The plumes and the sashes set this band apart  We should be seeing fresh Niagara peaches in the stores soon. Interesting float.  The people of the Philippines with their band  St. Andrews`Pipe  It was the green rimmed sun glasses that did it for this young man.  This man is a Regimental Sergeant Major - they don`t make them like this anymore.  The music got to this lady - she just bounced along new street - even the trombone player couldn`t keep up with her. The story of the parade is best told in pictures.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON June 16, 2012 Three new exhibits will take up a temporary home at the Burlington Art Centre filling two of its galleries and its beautiful courtyard.
Opening reception is on June 24 from 2 to 4 pm. Everyone is welcome to come and mingle with the artists and experience their work.
The Courtyard will be filled with Hamilton-based artist Colleen O’Reilly’s Garden Spirits until September 23. Known for her bright and colourful function ware, in this exhibition, she ventures into the realm of sculpture with her charming porcelain totems.
Ann Mortimer – In Series will be in the Lee-Chin Gallery from June 23 to August 26. The exhibition examines the artist’s past serial work, with emphasis placed on her latest series of porcelain umbrellas which explore the relationship between form and pattern.
 Ann Mortimer'S Tree Peonies - new material will be exhibited at the BAC from June 23 to August 26TH. The paintings and collage works by Dundas artist Marla Panko in the F.R. Perry Gallery also are celebrated during the reception. Marla Panko: Meaning and Order (June 16 – August 7) explores the notion of modernism and evokes the pure abstraction which developed in the first half of the twentieth century.
Admission to all exhibitions and related events is free. The Burlington Art Centre is located at 1333 Lakeshore Road. For more information, visit the BAC.ca or call 905-632-7796. Follow the BAC on Facebook.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 14, 2012 The opening night will be great. The weather is going to be close to perfect and the sound that will come from the Dofasco stage where Of Gentleman and Cowards will pluck their strings to get the four day event rolling. Described as a band, made up of four friends from McMaster with an energetic sound that is melodic and youthful. They took hone first place in the Ontario finals of the Campus Music Explosion. They take to the stage at 7:00 pm
 The day before the Sound of Music kick off - possible to longe about the edge of the Lake. At the other end of Spencer Smith Park, on the OLG stage, the Glory Days will perform. This six piece ensemble is a tribute to American music icon Bruce Springsteen, and is made up of experienced concert musicians able to recreate some of the classic songs and performances that are Springsteen trademarks. Expect an unforgettable night of pure passion and energy from this bunch.
The action moves back and forth between each end of the park.
Born Ruffians at the Dofasco Stage at 8:15
Keeping the Faith on the OLG stage at 8:30
Back to the Dofasco Stage to catch the Arkells at 9:45
And end the evening taking in the Rear View Mirror at 10 pm on the OLG stage.
What a way to start the weekend – and this is only Thursday.
The Sound of Music Festival is a series of events that is anchored at Spencer Smith Park but also works its way up Brant Street and spreads out amongst the side streets as well.
 Hundreds of volunteers make the Sound of Music Festival work - two of them mark the location for a vendor. The park action is focused on three stages. The OLG Stage (your lottery gambles working for you) at the west end; the Dofasco Stage (known officially as the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Stage – remember the corporate tag line Our product is steel; our strength is our people – Arcelor laid many of them off) at the east end. Then there is the Burlington Hyundai Stage south of the Waterfront Hotel and the Cogeco Stage set up outside City Hall.
The Classical Stage is set up behind the Arts Centre on the North side of Lakeshore across from Spencer’s Restaurant.
There are also four Pods; one on Ontario Street tucked in close to the War Memorial; the Elgin Street Pod opposite the Queen’s Head; the Pine Street Pod just a short block north of Lakeshore on Brant and the John Street Pod across from the front of the Waterfront Hotel.
For Thursday – it’s just the two stages at each end of the park strutting the talent from six groups. Then it is a fast and furious Saturday and Sunday.
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