Top five card themed games for your new iPhone

sportsred 100x100By Lana Petrovski

April 5th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Playing cards has been part of human civilization for at least a millennium, long before the dawn of technology. Even though many people associate cards with online casino games such as poker and blackjack, there are several themed card games that go beyond the standard 52-card deck.

PAID top five iphone screen

It is now all at your finger tips- you can play anywhere – safely.

The good news is that you can also enjoy your favourite games on your new iPhone. Here are our Top five card themed games that you can download from the App Store today.

Hearthstone
Hearthstone is a card collection game from the studio that brought us World of Warcraft, and it sees players build decks with powerful cards to summon heroes and minions to gain control of a complex battlefield. Hearthstone merges skill and strategy with the joy of completing a set of characters as the battle unfolds.

Paid explod kitten Top 5 on line games

Kittens – a different approach to a game.

Exploding Kittens
Probably one of the most successful Kickstarter stories to date, Exploding Kittens transitioned from a fun board game to an even more enjoyable online game. Essentially, this is a game of hot potato that combines equal measures of cute felines and total destruction. Exploding Kittens is a great multiplayer game that makes for a fun and enjoyable night with your mates.

Gwent: The Witcher Card Game
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game is a free-to-play digital collectable card game based on the infamous novel and video franchise. This turn-based game has simple rules for challenging gameplay to collect ‘power’ and win. The cards and game board burst with colour and animations, transporting players deep into this fantasy world as they work to defeat their enemies.

UNO!
Uno has been a family favourite card game for over three decades, and it is still loved by many! The mobile game version, UNO!, keeps the same rules and gameplay in Classic Mode, but also adds a 2v2 Mode where players can team up and strategize together.

PAID Game of thrones Top 5 iiphone

Includes fan favourite characters from the Seven Kingdoms that battle for control of the Iron Throne.

Reigns: Game of Thrones
Reigns is a card simulator game set in a fictional medieval world where players need to rule over their kingdom by accepting or rejecting advice from their counsellors. Reigns: Game of Thrones keeps the basic rules of the Reigns franchise, but includes fan favourite characters from the Seven Kingdoms that battle for control of the Iron Throne.

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Urban farm to appear on Brant Stret

graphic community 2By Staff

March 4th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

urban farm 2 Kearns

Farmer Kearns

Farmer Kearns – oops that was meant to read Lisa Kearns, ward 2 Councillor, was out on a pasture making an announcement.

There is going to be an “urban farm” on Brant Street at Ghent in the North West corner.

Molinaro-Ghent-at-Brant

A Molinaro development that is years away. The empty field will be turned into an urban farm.

Kearns advises that the property is the subject of a development application submitted by the Molinaro Group.

Kearns explains that the development is years away and in the meantime a group asked for and has been given permission to set up an urban farm.

That got through city hall in record speed.

Not much more in the way of details – other than to say there are bales of how now set up on the property.

urnam farm 1

Phase 1 of an Urban Farm – on Brant Street.

Grow for Change a group that advocates for the farming community. They can be reached by email at grow4changes@gmail.com

They are reported to be looking for volunteers once everything is set up.

So if you own a pitchfork and farming trousers – stand by – someone is going to want you.

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Why live casino games have been such a big hit among Canadian gamers in 2021

sportsgold 100x100By Franz Kerl

April 5th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The surge in popularity for all types of gaming over the course of 2020 is a phenomenon that has already been discussed. This has been particularly noticeable in the online casino sector, which has benefited from more potential players being at a loose end at home, along with land-based alternatives facing temporary closures.

paid Khanwake min deposit

Get into the game for as little as $1

Those within the industry have taken full advantage, and you need only take a glance at this site to see Canadian minimum deposit casinos compared and to get a picture of just how competitive a market this is becoming. The various platforms don’t purely focus on bonuses and free offers to tempt new members. They all have their own ways of trying to bring something extra special to the table, and one technology that has proved exceptionally popular has been live gaming. This is when the player is connected via webcam to a real dealer spinning the wheel or dealing the cards. But why has this proved to be such a major attraction?

An authentic experience
There is more to a night at the casino than the mechanics of a card game or a spinning wheel. Casino goers love the theatre of the blackjack table or the roulette wheel, and that is something that live casino manages to achieve, even in the online environment. Studios typically have multiple camera angles so you can see the action from every angle, while the croupiers are professionally trained.

Increased trust
Paid KhanawakeToday’s casinos are closely monitored and regulated by bodies like the Kahnawake gaming commission. Everyone knows that the games are not rigged and the random number generators can be trusted to give a fair game. But despite all that, players still feel more comfortable seeing a physical roulette wheel spinning, or watching a real dealer shuffle a real deck of cards. Ultimately, even in the technical world of the 2020s, we still trust another human being more than we trust a computer algorithm.

Social play
There has been lots of talk about social gaming over the past few months. It is important to appreciate that social games are about more than Words with Friends and the like. Is there any gaming experience more social than sitting at a blackjack table or jostling around the roulette wheel, chatting to the dealer and exchanging some banter with the other players? Live casino games allow you to do all that, just without the jostling, via the chat box on your screen.

PAID Khanawake dealer mobile

The game is live – you see everything you would see if you were in the gambling hall.

Mobile connectivity
Live casino games have been around for a while, but it is only in the past year or so that the mobile infrastructure has been sufficient to allow you to play them from your smartphone. Given that mobile is now the platform of choice for more than 50 percent of all gaming, bringing the live casino experience to iOS and Android has been a crucial factor in it’s rising popularity. It is a phenomenon that will only increase.

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Federal plans to put in gates and fencing to keep people off the pier locks out a once very populart]

background graphic greenBy Pepper Parr

April 3rd, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

While the city is taking a closer look at how to deal with the crowding problem in the Beachway a federal government is looking for ways to limit public access to the piers on both sides of the canal that separates Burlington from Hamilton.

canal two piers

The two piers reach more than 320 metres out into the lake. The federal Transportation wants to fence them off to prevent the public from walking out.

The canal is overseen by the federal department of Transportation; in the words of Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, “it’s their asset and they get to do whatever they want”.

Burlington’s MP Karina Gould got wind of the Transportation plans – they probably ran what they had in mind past the Minister which got the issue to the city.

The Gazette learned about the plans more by luck than anything else. No direct word from the Minister, the Mayor or the ward Councillor.

We learn now that the idea of putting up fences and gates has been paused. Galbraith believes that it is just a matter of time before the federal people decide this is necessary and just go ahead and build.

canal tour boat

Tour boats made use of the canal and the public got out on them much of the time.

There was a time when those piers were the point at which steam ships that were taking people on tours would tie up and take on passengers.

We believe there are many people in the city who can add to what we know at this point – we would sure like to hear from them.

Governments do respond to pressure – the planned upgrade – it’s actually more of a rebuild – calls for the Beachway community plans for parks that run right up to the canal area.

It will be interesting to hear what the Region tells the city in the fall when they are scheduled to bring the city up to date on where the plans for the “new” Beachway stand.

canal - train bridge

A bridge dedicated to rail traffic into Burlington. At one point there were two tracks leading into the city.

The walking trail that begins at the west end of Spencer Smith Park and goes right up to the canal was once a rail bed for trains that came into Burlington, picked up some of the produce from large farms and took it on in to Toronto and Montreal.  Some of that produce made its way to European cities.

The trains that came through the city had their own exclusive bridge across the canal.  At one point there were three bridges across the canal.  When the Skyway bridge was opened – there was just the one bridge.

canal Royal Hamilton Yacht Club

The Royal Hamilton Yacht Club – a significant point of Hamilton Society

There is a lot of history in that part of the city.  During a walking tour with former Mayor Walter Mulkewhich he pointed out the location for a planned science museum tucked into land close to the western pier.

The Royal Hamilton Yacht Club had a magnificent clubhouse on the western side of the canal.  An impressive stone light house used to serve as a beacon for ships – it is still there, hidden from view by the lift bridge that changed the movement of traffic that used to clog the road that serves as the entrance to the hospital

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Some good ideas came out of a virtual meeting that wasn't all that well attended

News 100 greenBy Pepper Parr

April 3rd, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Convinced that there is actually going to be a summer that doesn’t have us in some level of lockdown, city hall people held a virtual community meeting on what could and should be done with the Beachway that was flooded with a level of traffic last summer that had not been seen in decades.

With few places open for walking around and a requirement that we keep six feet apart and wear masks – and at the same time try to get outdoors for some exercise and a chance to upgrade our mental health, the city was open to new ideas.  The city hall types wanted to hear what people thought should be done.

Many of the people using the park are believed to be people who were not Burlingtonians which rubbed some the wrong way.

The virtual event was a bit like a workshop; staff from Transportation, traffic, parks and recreation and tourism were taking part to explain what they were doing, as well as what they were up against.

beachway web cast

The virtual meeting was designed to get public input on how to handle the problems – though public take-up was low, there were some very good ideas. The Beachway traffic is close to being out of control.

Parking and waste removal were top of mind for those who did call in. The take up by the public wasn’t as high as Mayor Meed Ward had hoped.

There was a note that spaces on the call were limited to 500 – nowhere near that number – yet there were some good ideas.

When it was suggested that the Beachway be limited to just people who lived in Burlington, Mayor Meed Ward pointed out that the Beachway was a Regional park operated by the city.

That means having to take in the “rabble” from everywhere.

Charging for parking is something we are likely to see come the summer. The rate mentioned was $20 a day – $2.50 an hour. How those amounts are going to be collected wasn’t talked about.

Beachway - two storey + roof deck

This house was torn down – just an empty plot of land. All part of the Region’s willing seller – willing buyer program designed to remove all of the homes in the Beachway. It could serve as a temporary parking lot.

One call had a really good idea: Use the spaces that used to have homes on them before the Region began buying them up – they are now just vacant lots. The suggestion was to turn them over to one of the service clubs who would handle the parking and split the income with the city.

Given that we are dealing with municipal administrations there were problems (the Region owns the land) – the grounds would have to be properly prepared which would cost and thee is no budget in place to cover that cost.

We did learn that there are conversations taking place with the Region.

There are plans to put Ambassadors in place who will travel in pairs and patrol both the Beachway and Spencer Smith Park explaining the rules to people. Parking bylaw officers will also be well represented.  They will be wearing uniforms – no hats or badges said the Mayor.

Beachway washrooms

The Pavilion, which was badly in need of an upgrade will reopen around Victoria Day. Washrooms will be available.

The Pavilion is undergoing upgrades – washrooms will be operational by summer time.

City Staff are looking into ways to get mobile food vendors in the space.

Director of Parks and Recreation Chris Glenn, apologetically explained that the “healthy food” mandate they had in place will give way to products that are more popular. The vendors can’t make a living selling kale with dressing on the side.

French fries and ice cream will do it.

There are a lot of unknowns including whatever the province and or the Public Health Unit decide to impose.

Parking - municipal cash grab

Parking tickets get handed out when people decide they can park wherever they wish. This was in the west end of the Beachway – some of those houses in the background were torn down.

The job on the public health side is to do everything possible to keep us all safe; parks and recreation needs to find ways for creating things people can do while traffic needs to exercise some control over the parking.

Staff are looking into pick up and drop off locations where people can be driven into the park and be dropped off at a location where they could put all their ”stuff” and get driven out of the Park when they are ready to go home. Cumbersome to even think about.

A number of people wanted to see much better maintenance – the grounds get to look pretty tacky at the end of a busy day. The suggestion was that roving maintenance people be on hand to do the clean up throughout the day.

Staff would like people to realize that when they bring waste into the park, they should be made responsible for taking it out with them.

A lot of educating to be done – and these things cost money.

Using electric carts to move people in and out was mentioned, shuttle buses brought out the fact that one of the bus routes runs from the John Street terminal right through the Beachway. Parking in the city is free on the weekends – could work.

Council will be getting a report on Tuesday – the option will be spelled out along with the costs.

The virtual event was to take the pulse of the community and see what they had to say.

Mayor-Meed-Ward-and--Galbraith

The Mayor monopolized the microphone – partly because the ward Councillor didn’t have much to say – the Beachway is in his ward – he should be THE champion for that part of the city.

The Beachway is in ward 1 and while Councillor Kelvin Galbraith could be seen – the public didn’t hear all that much from him.

For much of the webcast it sounded like the Mayor was the prime input person – she asked the questions, guided those who were calling in and passed things along to Staff.

The one really “hot potato” was finding a way to reserve the park for Burlingtonians – no one wanted to touch that one.

Sitting in the background is the work being done on a Master Plan for the Beachway that began in 2015. Council is scheduled to receive a report on that sometime in the fall.

Beachway - Full park

Almost every foot of the Beachway park will look differently if the Master Plan now in the works actually gets done.

What Meed Ward consistently calls the jewel in the city’s crown” is going to begin to look a lot different in five years.

Hopefully we are out of public health restrictions by then.

 

Related news story

The Master Plan for the Beachway

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Online Job Opportunities for People with Casino Skills

News 100 blueBy Alexander Cedborn

April 1st, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

In a time where no career seems to be immune from the knock-on effects of COVID-19, job security is at an all time low. Tourism and hospitality is decimated, aviation and ground support staff are being laid off left, right and centre. Not one to sound bleak, but it is what it is. And what it is hasn’t been seen since the 1930’s. If even for the lucky that haven’t been effected, it’s still a big shake up around just how secure your life can really be, or if it can all change in an instant.

What this time is showing us, is that things can change so easily, so then they can also change for the better. Maybe your job isn’t going anywhere, your steady paycheck will keep turning up, month after month. But just maybe you’ve started to realize that there is more to life than your boring 9-5 that feeds your bank account but not your soul.

Whatever the case may be, the online casino industry is booming according to Casino Pilot Canada. Also, this trend will only continue until 2026 says Mordor Intelligence.

So, if you have some decent casino skills that could be put to good use, now could be the time of change. Here’s a good selection of jobs that will value your skills and may just have you living the good life on a Mediterranean island.

Job Opportunities

croupier

Croupier: It may seem a little obvious, but every casino has plenty of them

Croupier
It may seem a little obvious, but every casino has plenty of them and if you’re a social butterfly, it’s perfect for you. All casinos have a lot of on the job training so don’t worry if you’re not a pro. But having some skills in your back pocket will always get you a foot in the door.

And we’re not just talking about your local casino either. Live dealer casinos are becoming an extremely popular part of the online market. Many jobs are available in the central hub of these gaming countries where huge studios are set up to offer a live feed all over the world. The likes of Estonia, Malta and the great state of New Jersey have many opportunities available, so live a little and go out on a limb.

Customer Support Agent
All casinos operate with a customer support team. Many are hired as the first step into a career in gaming, so experience isn’t essential. You generally work as part of a rotational shift that may cover a 24-hour period or at least until 11pm. It’s a buzzing environment and again, a good knowledge of the workings of a casino may not be a prerequisite, but it shows your interest in the field at least.

Many positions are language based though so if English isn’t your first language, then you’re in luck. But either way, many positions are around.

gambler

There’s never been a better time to step up your hobby into a career.

Be a Professional Player
There’s never been a better time to step up your hobby into a career. With many of us working from home and living our lives in our tiny apartments, spare time is no longer sparse. You can start off slow by playing a few hours a night, after your normal working hours. That way you don’t have to make the big plunge.

As time progresses, you’ll soon know by the state of your finances if you’re cut out for the life of a card shark or not. But if you are, you can live anywhere in the world and play when you want. You’ll get to dictate your job rather than the other way round. But can you really make a good living from it? If you’re good, you’ll be more than comfortable. Just take it slow and see how it feels.

Should I go for it?
So, although the world may seem a bit mixed up right now, there’s still plenty of opportunities for people who have unique skills. And yes, brick and mortar casinos aren’t doing so well without punters through their doors, but that don’t doesn’t mean all is lost. Even for those who may have found themselves unemployed from these establishments can use their skills of numeracy, customer support and multi-tasking to gain further employment.

lifestyle

You’ll get to dictate your job rather than the other way round. But can you really make a good living from it? If you’re good, you’ll be more than comfortable.

It may seem like desperate times, but maybe it’s just that shake up that we need every once in a while, to think outside the box. To stop living on autopilot and start living the life we want and we deserve. Because we humans may be far from perfect, but we’re extremely adaptable when we need to be. So let’s start focusing less on what we don’t have in our lives and more on what we want to take from life.

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Food Bank names volunteer of the year - she put in 1000 hours.

graphic community 5By Staff

March 31st, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Burlington Teen Tour Band Boosters have been partnering with the Food Bank for events for some time and this Saturday at the Burlington Centre (formerly Burlington Mall), they are running a covid-safe food drive from 10am to noon in the parking lot beside the Bay on the south side – please join them and cheer them on!

The support for the Food Bank comes from the community. A few recent food drives deserve a heart felt mention – without them the system and the service provided wouldn’t work.

The Sheldon Creek community has done an amazing job recently bringing in 1,500 lbs of donations. The BAD parents and team (Burlington Aquatic Devil rays) raise funds and food. The Pauline Johnson Public School did an excellent job collecting donations at various locations while keeping all safety protocols in place. And a special thanks as well to Zoe & Christian for their Easter Food Drive.

Food BAnk_Dominique

Dominique Wildeboer – Food Bank Volunteer of the Year

Our Volunteer of the Year Award – Dominique Wildeboer
There were 160 different volunteers helping out during 2020 with 11,774 hours put in. The Food bank managers had to pick just one volunteer out of all of that. Congratulations to Dominique Wildeboer for stepping up during this year of the pandemic.

Dominique has been helping us out for approx. 4.5 years and she volunteered approx 1,000 hours logged in 2020 herself. Robin Bailey, Executive Director of the Food Bankasks, how did we get so lucky?

“I started volunteering after retiring from teaching. I had some experience in the grocery store industry growing up and thought the food bank would make a nice fit. After 4.5 years here I still love it mostly because of the wonderful people I volunteer with.” says Dominique.

“She goes above and beyond often times shopping for special requests for our clients. We truly are lucky to have her with us; she’s an inspiration to everyone”, said Bailey.

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Federal transportation department doesn't appear to be aware of long range plans for the Beachway

News 100 blueBy Staff

March 31st, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Gould

MP Karina Gould engaging a constituent during the last federal election

In her monthly report to the public Burlington MP Karina Gould, a Member of the Trudeau Cabinet said she was “pleased to share the news earlier this month that an agreement is in the works between Transport Canada and the Cities of Burlington and Hamilton to come to an arrangement to keep the Burlington Piers open and accessible.

There is more work to do, but this is a very positive development for our community.”

The decision to limit access to the piers on both sides of the canal came as a surprise to many.

Burlington Canal

A federal government department is working with both Burlington and Hamilton to find a way to keep the piers open to the public.

What concerns the Gazette is: Where is the public participation on this one?  It was the public that was being kept off the pier for really spurious reasons.

Can you just imagine telling the public they could not stand on the pier and watch as the ship, some under full sail, glided by.

As well – Burlington and the Region are toiling away at a major design task for the Beachway including a park setting that will be on the north side of the bridge coming right up to the water’s edge of what is at that point Hamilton harbour.

Beachway - federal pier

Long range plan for the Beachway is to upgrade the area including significant changes to the western end – around the canal. These plans would seem to be at odds with what the federal Transportation department is working through for public access to the piers.

Sandy Empire - canal

Hundreds gathered on the piers to watch ships like this glide by.

Ships canal - crowd bith sides

Many will recall the hundreds of people that lined the piers when the tall ships paid Burlington and Hamilton a visit.

 

 

 

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Holiday schedule: It is about more than the Easter Bunny

News 100 blueBy Staff

March 29th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

City of Burlington administrative services will be closed for Good Friday, on Friday, April 2, and Easter Monday, on Monday, April 5.

For a list of which City services and facilities are available on the Easter holiday weekend, please see the summary below or visit burlington.ca

The information provided below is accurate as of March 29, 2021. In the event of any changes made to current COVID-19 public health measures by the Province of Ontario, please visit burlington.ca/coronavirus for potential impacts to City services and programs.

Residents can also stay informed about city news on our social media channels: @cityburlington on Twitter and facebook.com/cityburlington.

City Service Holiday Closure Information

sick cat

You are going to have to nurse the cat yourself.

Animal Services
The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. remains closed to the public due to COVID-19.

To report an animal control-related emergency, call 905-335-3030 or visit www.burlington.ca/animal.

Burlington Transit will operate a Sunday schedule on Good Friday. For real-time bus information and schedules visit myride.burlingtontransit.ca.
The downtown terminal at 430 John St. and Specialized Dispatch will be closed on Friday, April 2.

City Hall The Service Burlington counter at City Hall (426 Brant St.), will be closed to all appointments and walk-in service on Friday, April 2 and Monday, April 5.
Many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices.

Halton Court Services – Provincial Offences Office Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will be closed on Friday April 2, 2020 and Monday April 5, 2021.

With the exception of the Easter closure, telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

All in-person services are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services

Parking Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage (414 Locust St.) on weekends and holidays, including Good Friday and Easter Monday.
NOTE: The Waterfront parking lots (east and west) do not provide free parking on statutory holidays.
Parking exemptions are required to park overnight on city streets and for longer than five hours. Visit burlington.ca/parkingexemptions

Recreation Programs and Facilities Drop-In Recreation Activities
All users must pre-register and complete the online COVID-19 screening at burlington.ca/screening. Registration opens 25 hours in advance of program start times. To view program times, visit burlington.ca/dropinandplay

centennial pool - inside

Centennial pool

Swimming
• Lap swimming and recreational swimming are available at Tansley Woods Community Centre (1996 Itabashi Way) and Centennial Pool (5151 New St.)

Skating
• Recreational skating is available at Appleby Ice Centre (1201 Appleby Line) and Mountainside Arena (2205 Mt. Forest Dr). An artificial rink at Hidden Valley Park (1137 Hidden Valley Rd.) is open for skating daily from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and is ideal for young families and people learning to skate. Capacity on the rink is 10 people.

Lending Library
Play Equipment
• Horseshoes, glow in the dark soccer balls, Kanjam, washer toss, tennis, Spikeball and more are available to borrow. Visit burlington.ca/playlending

Pickleball Equipment
• Borrow pickleball equipment for free, including noise-reducing paddles, ball packs and portable nets that can be used anywhere. Visit burlington.ca/pickleball

Outdoor Activities
Please see below for a list of opportunities available in Burlington (weather permitting) or visit www.burlington.ca/outdoorplay.

Please note: several of the outdoor recreational amenities listed below are not monitored. We ask that you cooperate with others using the space and follow all COVID-19 health precautions and posted signage. If the outdoor recreational space is busy, please try another outdoor recreational amenity in the city or come back at a different time. Please be kind to one another, remain vigilant and stay safe.

Tennis and Pickleball Courts
• Outdoor tennis and pickleball courts at Leighland Park (1200 Leighland Rd.) and Optimist Park (2131 Prospect St.) are open and available for play daily, from 8 a.m. to dusk.

This is the rural Burlington residents want to keep - walking trails and quiet countryside.

This is the rural Burlington residents want to keep – walking trails and quiet countryside.

Parks and Trails
• Enjoy any of the city’s trails and parks. Visit burlington.ca/outdoorplay

Active at Home
Options to stay active at home are available online at burlington.ca/activeathome, including a series of virtual activities from fitness to crafts for everyone to enjoy. All videos are free and new videos are added frequently.

Follow @BurlingtonParksRec on Facebook and @Burl_ParksRec on Twitter for the latest updates and videos.
Roads, Parks and Forestry The administrative office will be closed on Friday, April 2 and Monday, April 5.
Essential services will be provided as required.

Residents can stay informed about City news at www.burlington.ca/coronavirus and our social media channels: @cityburlington on Twitter and facebook.com/cityburlington

 

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How has the city shaped you? The city wants to hear your story.

graphic community 3By Staff

March 29th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It’s tell me a story time. Can I fib a bit you might ask?

Just how colourful can my story be?

Beard - hoola hoope - run jump playCan I tell you about the time a leader in the Parks and Recreation department gave a hula hoop demonstration outside city hall?  Didn’t think so.

Everyday in Burlington, someone does something for a friend, a stranger or their community. Many times, no one knows the action or even the impact it has. Sure, the city has some larger than life events and local personalities that are exciting, award-winning and newsworthy, but it’s the random acts of community that really build our strength, sense of belonging and defines who we are as a city.

We are asking residents to share stories of what makes you proud to be Canadian and a Burlington resident, and how we come together as a City. Tell us about how you or someone you know has made a difference or has brought people together through random acts of community; moments of kindness or through small acts that may have made a bigger impact in your life or those around you.

We are looking for your stories of what makes you a proud Canadian and Burlington resident and how we come together. Here are some thoughts on stories you could share:

This is what city building is all about. Seven young Burlingtonians made plaster impressions of their hand prints which were then engraved on the marker that tells the story of the pier and its construction. Despite its construction woes and legal problms the pier is a magnificent addition to the city.

This is what city building is all about. Seven young Burlingtonians made plaster impressions of their hand prints which were then engraved on the marker that tells the story of the pier and its construction. Despite its construction woes and legal problems the pier is a magnificent addition to the city.

1. What do you love about Burlington or your local community?

2. What is it about Burlington that drew you here or keeps you here?

3. How has the Burlington community made you feel welcome or proud to be a part of it?

4. How have you or someone you know, contributed to the Burlington community that brings us closer together?

5. How has Burlington shaped you?

We are looking for your submissions in writing (500 words or less) or through a video (no longer than 1 min and upload via YouTube or Vimeo) or a combination of written with photos sharing a story.

You can start your story like this: “I’m proud to be Canadian and I love Burlington because……”

Personal Information contained on this page is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, S.O. 2001, c.25, as amended and will be used for the purpose of gathering and sharing stories. Select submissions may be contacted for permission to share in other mediums. Questions about this collection should be directed to the Supervisor, Festivals & Events sandra.maxwell@burlington.ca, by phone at 905-335-7600, ext. 7724, or by mail at 426 Brant St., Burlington, Ontario L7R-3Z6.

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Earth Hour - 8:30 this evening - we might apologize for all the damage we've done

graphic community 3By Staff

March 27th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Earth Hour – this evening .

The occasion to think about the planet we live on – and acknowledge that perhaps we haven’t treated the land and sea all that well.

Communities around the world will turn off all the lights from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. Millions of people across the globe are expected to turn off lights to recognize the importance of nature and protecting the environment.

The initiative started as a symbolic lights out event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then, the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Earth Hour has grown to become the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment.

candle light dinner

Perhaps it has been awhile since you’ve spent an evening like this?

What do people do – sit in the dark ruminating over the state of things?

Some have decided it is a perfect occasion to have a candle light dinner – the over-riding question is – what kind of wine?

dancing couple older

After dinner – try this?

You could
• Discus the loss of nature and the importance of nature
• Under-stand biodiversity and its importance
• Explore the role of nature as an ally in the fight against the climate crisis
• Evaluate where and how electricity is used, and the importance of turning off and unplugging as many electronic devices as possible.

I think in our household we are going to try dancing to songs we sing to each other.

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Wagering on a hockey game: tips to make it a safe experience: A Beginner’s Guide

sportsred 100x100By Hubert Harrison

March 26th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The world of NHL sports betting can be quite overwhelming for beginners. With the amount of betting strategies and lingo swirling around, it can be hard to keep up. Before you start looking into ice hockey betting tips and placing bets it’s important to get the basics down first. With money on the line, it’s important always important to bet smart

hockey goalie

It is an exciting game with some incredible athletes.

Online sports betting has become a fantastic activity for many sports fans today. With a bet involved, fans get to have a more engaging experience for every match they follow. Compared to just watching the latest NHL news live broadcasts, sports betting is a lot more exciting. It gives bettors the adrenaline rush as they watch their team win or lose.

Important Safety Betting Tips For Beginners

Betting mistakes happen. Even to the most seasoned of sports bettors. However, making errors is inevitable, there are a couple of ways to reduce them. In the world of online sports betting, it’s important to take things slow when learning the ropes of the trade. You need to learn how to bet smart to lead a successful betting career. To help guide you on to the path of sports betting success, keep on reading.

Keep things simple and clear

If you think you’ll be winning big from the get-go, think again. Online betting takes time and experience to master. Just like playing the piano, it’s impossible to master a piece on your first try. You’re going to need to practice over and over again to nail it.

Take things step-by-step.

The very first thing rookies need to keep in mind is to keep things simple and clear. In other words, participate in bets that you fully understand. Know where you’re placing your bets and their results. By not over complicating things, you’ll be able to make smart betting decisions and avoid the risk of burning a hole in your pocket.

Have a budget
While a chance at winning big sounds a whole more exciting than just a couple of bucks, it is incredibly risky. Especially when you lack the experience. One of the most important tips you need to always keep in mind no matter what is to always stay within your budget.

You need to always spend within your means. To keep control of your finances, set a specific budget that you can afford to lose. As a beginner, you are bound to make a few more mistakes than the average punter. So, be prepared to lose a great sum of your budget.

Do not trust just any tipster
Cyber attacks are all over the internet. As a beginner, it’s important to thoroughly look through different betting sites before trusting them. Here are some tips on how to find the right trustworthy tipsters:

Client reviews
Looking through online reviews is the best way to get the best idea of a betting site’s services and client experience.

paypal logoPayment methods
Have a look at the site’s payment methods. Check if they use popular payment platforms like Paypal or Apple Pay.

Terms and conditions
A tell-tale sign that a betting site is suspicious if they don’t have a terms and conditions page anywhere on their site. Make sure the site you’re about to trust has one.

Compare betting odds and lines
One of the best betting tips you need to take is always to compare betting odds and lines. Having good odds gives a big advantage in having a higher payout. On the other hand, having better betting lines will increase your chance of winning wagers.

Another way to increase your chances of winning is to have multiple accounts with different betting sites. By having several accounts in different betting platforms, you’ll be able to compare and find the best betting odds and lines right away.

NHL Betting Terms You Need To Know

After getting a good grasp on the important safety betting tips, it’s now time to know more about the type of sport you’ll be focusing on. NHL sports betting lingo can be rather confusing, especially when you’re just getting started. Here are a couple of important NHL sports betting lingo commonly used amongst bettors in the industry.

Hockey - two team players

Pick the team you think can win and place a wager.

Moneyline
Pick a team to win the game. It’s the simplest way to wager on.

Puck Line
To win, your team must score by more than 1.5 goals and the opposing team needs to lose by no more than 1.5 goals.

Parlay
Parlay is the act of combining two or more bet types from the same or across multiple games. It’s a good move to increase your total number of odds. But it can also be a risk as all plays need to be accurate.

Favorite
Refers to the home team or the team with the better record of the season.

Underdog
Refers to the visiting team or the team with the weaker record of the season.

Teaser
The act of buying or selling goals on a puck line or in a total bet. This move gives bettors better odds or chances of winning with lower odds.

NHL team crests

All kinds of teams to wager on.

Different Ways to Bet on the NHL
After a quick crash course of NHL lingo, the next thing you need to familiarize yourself with is the different types of bets in the NHL.

Live Betting
Betting while the game is in action. It’s the most action-packed way to bet on the NHL, you’ll be able to see lines adjusted in real-time.

Single-game Betting
This betting type is used when you’re only interested in betting on specific individuals broken down to a money line.

Prop Bets
Single-game bets based on players. Bettors can place bets whether a specific player scores or not, or even hit a certain record.

Futures Bet
Early bets are placed during the off-season or within the season by supporting a specific team to win a certain amount of games.

Experience is Gold
When it comes to online sports betting experience is the best teacher. It’s important to take risks and make mistakes. It’s how you learn how to do better the next time around. Understanding these basic terms and ways of how to place bets on the NHL will help give you a better grasp on where to get started. The best betting strategy is to take things one step at a time. Learn and grow with every win or loss you make.

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There are things to look forward to - once the majority is vaccinated and safe distances have been maintained

eventspink 100x100By Tom Geens

March 25th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Lift your eyes to the future – and the all-Canadian pursuits we can look forward to over the coming months.

By anyone’s standards, the last year has been extremely tough. Leaving aside the direct human suffering inflicted by COVID-19, the pandemic has also ground society to a halt, with lockdown measures meaning that so many of our favourite pastimes have either been put on hold altogether or severely curtailed.

Things are going to stay tough for a little while yet. But at least now, with the prospect of a vaccine-led recovery strengthening every day, it feels like we can finally lift our eyes to the future and the promise of a return to normality.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of Ontarians’ favourite all-Canadian pursuits – the things that we’ve been missing dearly, and that enrich our local and national life so much. Something to whet the appetite as we look forward to brighter days ahead.

PAID hockey Toronto

Hockey is the national sport – watched at both the professional and local levels.

Watching hockey

Our biggest national sport, over 1.3 million Canadians actively participate in recreational hockey games, and as much as 68% of the population watched the 2018 NHL playoffs. This is a sport deeply ingrained in our national psyche.

Yet in recent months, there have been COVID-19 outbreaks traced to hockey arenas all over the US and Canada, meaning that spectators are not being allowed into stadiums to watch their favourite pro teams play. However, a vaccine-led recovery raises the prospect of Ontarians returning to the stands in the not-too-distant future, watching their favourite players while gobbling down hotdogs, ice cream and beer.

Playing rugby again with our friends

We might not be the world’s most famous rugby nation – that accolade probably goes to New Zealand – but we still love the sport.

wer

In Burlington the local Rugby Clubs take part in events, including the annual Christmas parade.

It was introduced to this country by the Royal Navy back in 1823, and we now have domestic tournaments such as the Canadian Rugby Championship and we participate in continental matches such as the Americas Rugby Championship.

With Rugby Ontario announcing that rugby clubs in certain parts of the province are allowed to start playing again, it feels exciting to be returning to the rucks and scrums of this fiercely competitive sport and using up some of that excess energy that we’ve all been storing up from months spent indoors.

Enjoying galleries and our world-beating culture

What have you been doing to pass the time during stay-at-home measures? A decent novel always helps. Netflix may offer some entertainment. There’s also the world of online casinos – sites such as this one offer plenty of online games, chances to win money, and safety measures to ensure that you can keep track of what it is you’re spending. For as long as the economy remains at least partially closed, indoor pursuits like this may help to keep you sane.

AGB live auction - closer look

Patron looking at painting being auctioned.

However, we’re all craving a bit of culture – Canada is famous for it, after all – and our very own Burlington Art Gallery has re-opened its doors.  With its range of exhibits, including a prominent collection of Canadian ceramics, and free access for visitors, this is definitely a great day out for the family.

Further afield, in the cultural mecca of Toronto, just over 40 minutes’ drive away, the Art Gallery of Ontario also remains closed – though an excellent array of virtual courses and activities remain available. For example, artist instructor Amanda Arcuri is running an online series called ‘Drawing Larger Than Life’.

Elsewhere, the world-famous Toronto Symphony Orchestra has posted an update on its website saying that it hopes to be able to share further details about its 2021/22 schedule by late spring or early summer.

Running your model boats at Centennial Pond

Skating at the Centennial Pond is over the for season.  Soon the water will be ready for those model boats that scoot around at a feverish clip.

Everyone is looking forward to the point where the majority of people will have been vaccinated and we will be able to get out to wine and dine and maybe event get to a movie.  Too early to tell – but that is the hope – assuming we all maintain that two metre safe distance and wear masks.

Drinking craft beer in our enviable array of bars

The humble glass of beer. In a bar. With your friends. Surely, few simple pleasures are being missed quite as much as this one, with venues across Ontario still shuttered due to the pandemic.

However, we can find solace in the fact that our enviable craft beer culture will come back with a bang when lockdown does finally end – and Toronto’s craft scene and brewers, in particular, give us hope that one day soon, we’ll be experimenting with all manner of flavorful ales.

Places such as Bandit Brewery, with its devilishly good bar snacks and quirky beer selection, is just one of the establishments that we’ll be hoping to get back into soon.

beer guy

The Beer Guy will deliver the suds to your door while you watch the hockey game.

Until then, be sure to check out companies such as The Beer Guy in Burlington, and the range of local breweries offering deliveries of kegs and bottles to people’s front doors.

We’re so lucky to live in Ontario – our proximity to big cities, big culture and world-beating nature means that we’re well-placed to enjoy the economic and social recovery from COVID-19 when it finally sets in.

Until then, we’ll have to make the most of the activities that we’re still allowed to do under restrictions and meditate on the prospect of better days ahead.

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Earth Day - Saturday

News 100 greenBy Staff

March 24th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Halton District School Board announced today that they will be joining communities around the world in support of Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27 from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. Millions of people across the globe are expected to turn off lights to recognize the importance of nature and protecting the environment.

Earth Day artThe initiative started as a symbolic lights out event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then, the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Earth Hour has grown to become the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment.

Schools in the Halton District School Board will set an example for their communities and lead into Earth Hour on Friday, March 26 by engaging in a series of learning activities including:

• Discussing the loss of nature and the importance of nature
• Understanding biodiversity and its importance
• Exploring the role of nature as an ally in the fight against the climate crisis
• Evaluating where and how electricity is used, and the importance of turning off and unplugging as many electronic devices as possible

 

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What Games Do Professional Gamers Play?

sportsred 100x100By John Gaar

March 24th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Did you know that the worldwide audience for E-sports games is forecasted to reach 250 million people?

The growth of Esports has been phenomenal, with new games being launched every year. Some games, however, dominate the landscape and are more popular than others. When we talk about the biggest Esports games, it can mean different things to different people. Some games are more popular globally while others are regional successes.

Gambling (also known as betting) is the wagering of money or something of value (referred to as “the stakes”) on an event with an uncertain outcome, with the primary intent of winning money or material goods.

Gambling thus requires three elements to be present: consideration (an amount wagered), risk (chance), and a prize.

Most of the online casinos offer no deposit bonus Canada or Australia players can use as well as UK or USA gamblers. The outcome of the wager is often immediate, such as a single roll of dice, a spin of a roulette wheel, or a horse crossing the finish line, but longer time frames are also common, allowing wagers on the outcome of a future sports contest or even an entire sports season.

Some have a lot more players while others organize bigger tournaments with large cash prizes. In this post, we have sorted the biggest Esports games by the amount of reward money that they have awarded for tournaments. All information on this is collected from the Esports Earnings website.

So, let’s get started with the list of the biggest Esports games.

Paid Gaming Fortnite

Fortnite is a popular multiplayer online game developed by Epic Games. It has three different game modes but still counts as one game.

Release Year – 2017
Total Prize Money Awarded – $89.1 million
Noteworthy Tournaments – Fortnite World Cup, Fortnite Fall Skirmish Series, Fortnite Summer Skirmish Series

Top Players – Kyle Giersdorf, Harrison Chang, David Wang.

Fortnite is a popular multiplayer online game developed by Epic Games. It has three different game modes but still counts as one game. Here are the details of each game mode:

Save the World – It involves up to 4 players fighting zombie-like creatures to defend themselves and other survivors.

Battle Royale – This is a player-versus-player type of game where up to 100 players fight to be the last person standing. It can also be played in teams.

Creative – This is the sandbox mode where players have creative control over the game world.

Paid Gaming Dota 2

Dota 2 is a popular multiplayer battle arena Esports game developed by Valve Corporation. It is a sequel to Defense of the Ancients: All-Stars. It is most popular in North America and Europe.

Release Year – 2013
Total Prize Money Awarded – $224.7 million
Noteworthy Tournaments – The International
Top Players – Johan Sundstein, Jesse Vainikka, Anathan Pham

About the Game
Dota 2 is a popular multiplayer battle arena Esports game developed by Valve Corporation. It is a sequel to Defense of the Ancients: All-Stars. It is most popular in North America and Europe.

The same is usually played in teams of five, with each one defending their area on a map. One team wins by destroying a structure called “Ancient” within the other team’s base.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Paid games counter strike

Counter Strike: is a first-person shooter game and is the fourth one in the Counter-Strike series.

 

Release Year – 2012

Total Prize Money Awarded – $96.5 million

Noteworthy Tournaments – World Electronic Sports Games (WESG), ELEAGUE

Top Players – Andreas Højsleth, Peter Rasmussen, Nicolai Reedtz

This is another popular Esports game developed by Valve Corporation, in collaboration with Hidden Path Entertainment. It is a first-person shooter game and is the fourth one in the Counter-Strike series.

This game is basically played between two teams—terrorists and counter-terrorists. The terrorists take hostages and plant a bomb. The counter-terrorists have to save the hostages and defuse the bomb.

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The Evolution of Online Gambling in Canada

sportsgold 100x100By Chris Bell

March 24th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Unlike in the US, gambling has been present in Canada for quite some time. The Great White North is famous for being one of the first countries to accept online gambling. As Canada’s first legal gambling form appeared in 1969, Canada was bound to have a highly developed gambling industry. Moreover, casinos became one of Canada’s famous landmarks where tourists and locals came for some quality entertainment.

I am a game expert working at Gamblizard;   I love to blog and give my audiences piece of his mind after reading my articles. 

PAID evolution Toronto skyline

The gambling culture in Canada became so mainstream, and it became one of the top ways to entertain yourself.

And as the advancement was introduced to the industry, online gambling started to be a thing in Canada. Nowadays, many Canadian residents opt for online casinos and sportsbooks, but it doesn’t mean that land-based casinos are any less popular.

If you are up for a quick Canadian gambling history lesson, tune in.

First Legal Encounter with Gambling
Chronologically speaking, the first time a legal document concerning gambling in Canada appeared in the 19th century. It was called the Canadian Criminal Code, and it banned all sorts of gambling activities known. As something new, strange and unknown, many disliked gambling, which is why it was considered illegal up until 1969.

Once the benefits of legalised gambling became clear to the Canadian government, they decided to alter the Criminal Code in 1969. After all, there was no stopping the casino enthusiasts from enjoying their favourite pastime activity – even if it was illegal.

The two activities that became legal with the altered Criminal Code were gambling and lottery.

This was the first step towards the incredible expansion of the industry in Canada. And for the next couple of decades, tons of new land-based casinos emerged, and the industry flourished. The gambling culture in Canada became so mainstream, and it became one of the top ways to entertain yourself.

However, after the 1990s, everything started to change, and by the early 2000s, it became easily accessible and available to almost everyone. The fast growth of Internet technology and computers gave birth to online casinos. Once online casinos started to become familiar, a new era of online gambling began in Canada.

PAID cards and dice evolution

You could go online and play blackjack, poker, baccarat and roulette.

The Beginnings of Online Casinos in Canada
And as it is entirely logical, the first online casinos in Canada and the rest of the world were quite simple. Even if this was considered groundbreaking at the time, the tech limitations allowed operators to offer only a few casino games users can play online.

Thus, you could go online and play blackjack, poker, baccarat and roulette. Another thing that used to limit people is the accessibility – as not many people had computers. Unlike today when everyone has a computer when students can access any online casino, they find on the website Gamblizard via phones when bored and get offers in Canada or play on their way to college. In other words, only a limited number of people could play these games and access the first online casinos in CA.

Also, online gambling was in a somewhat grey zone. Even if it wasn’t illegal, there wasn’t a law regulating anything conducted online. Without a clearly defined law concerning online gambling, many took advantage of the situation, which went beyond Canada’s borders and became a worldwide issue. This is precisely why many countries worldwide started defining online gambling laws and determining the legal status of online casinos.

Online Casino Laws in Canada
After almost two decades of online casino presence, Canada and many other countries worldwide struggle to define the laws concerning this matter. Thus, residents of the Great White North can play online casino games but only on offshore licensed websites. In other words, no online casino operator is allowed to run a gambling platform from CA. The country cannot issue any licenses and permits to enable such operating since there is no law defining it.

Unfortunately, the country won’t profit from playing taxes or license taxes as long as they don’t decide to pass a bill. All in all, people who are engaging in online gambling activities in Canada aren’t committing a crime – as long as that online casino is licensed offshore. Many of these offshore websites offer great bonuses, offers, top odds and exquisite gambling experience. Still, many people are hoping that the Canadian government will start changing the law soon. After all, this is a country with such a long gambling history, and it just needs to embrace it.

Chris Bell PAIDChris Bell is a game expert working at Gamblizard who loves to blog and let his audience get a piece of his mind by reading his articles. He is an absolute slot machine enthusiast, and he loves to play online video slots. When Chris is not working, he usually spends time with his family or reading interesting gambling content.

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Spring break and PA Day programs open for registration on March 26

eventspink 100x100By Staff

March 23rd, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The City’s spring break programming, which includes Youth Camp and Student Theatre Camp, and PA Day programming will be open for registration at burlington.ca/schoolbreaks on March 26, 2021, at 11 a.m.

Programs are available for viewing now.

students distant standing

Students will be able to be outside but programs will be much different this Spring Break.

Youth Camp and PA Day programming will take place at Tansley Woods Community Centre, 1996 Itabashi Way.

Student Theatre Camp will take place at Burlington Student Theatre, 2131 Prospect St.

If residents have questions about programs or need help with registering, contact the City by email at liveandplay@burlington.ca, or if you need to speak to someone, call 905-335-7738, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends.

Recreation Fee Assistance

Recreation is for all, regardless of financial situation. Recreation Fee Assistance is funding made available to resident individuals or families who need help to pay for City of Burlington recreation programs.

For more information or to apply, visit burlington.ca/feeassistance. You can also leave a confidential voicemail message at 905-335-7738, ext. 8501 and staff will return your call to assist you.

Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation, Community and Culture explains that while: “Programs may look different we have designed them to still offer the highest quality programming, staff and participant safety and a wide range of fun and exciting activities.

“Kids will love the programs and parents can feel confident their child is not only safe, but having fun, too.”

Links and Resources
www.burlington.ca/schoolbreaks

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BellyUp and Tone up - 8 week class to take place while the city is in the Red Zone

News 100 redBy Staff

March 18th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

Belly Up

Registration is open for BellyUp Bellydance’s 8 Week Spring Session.

Is this just a fun event or is this preparation for a public performance?

Register for in-person at the studio or live online.

In-Studio class sizes are reduced to 10 per class as per the Province of Ontario’s “Red Zone” restrictions which means their classes fill faster than ever. Join them for an inspiring session that’ll make you feel alive, build your self-esteem, strengthen and tone your body and so much more.

Click here for in-studio registration!
Click here for live online class registration!

Related news items:

Classic Belly Dancing

belly dancers

Feel alive, build your self-esteem, strengthen and tone your body.

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Football Association looking for referee recruits

sportsgold 100x100By Staff

March 18th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Lakeshore Football Officials Association needs more in the way of people who can serve as officials on the field.

It is no secret that officiating is an integral part of football. The Lakeshore Football Officials Association is beginning a campaign to recruit individuals who have a passion for football and are eager to stay engaged with the game.

The students on the Bateman High School football team would love an opportunity to play in the rain. According to their side of the story they are not being given the chance they feel they deserve.

Bateman High School football team students .

“We are reaching out to women and men, teens and adults who may be interested and have a passion for football. If you bring that passion, you will be mentored by some of the best football officials in the country,” commented Referee-in-Chief Murray Drinkwalter.

“There are many reasons to “Say Yes to Officiating”

For the love of the Game

Maybe you want to stay engaged and be a part of the game you loved to play, or maybe you are looking to get more engaged in the game your kids are playing. Either way, being an official will give you access to, and an appreciation for, the rules and strategies of the games you officiate like nothing else can.

Earn extra money

There is no better part-time job or hobby for you to make a little extra money doing something you enjoy. It’s the perfect extra gig for anyone from a high school student, to a parent to a retiree.

Give Back

Many officials like to pay it forward to football for what it has given them. Officiating is also a way to guide and enrich the lives of the athletes who are playing by teaching the value of sportsmanship and fair play.

It was raining, the ground was wet, slippery and football was hard to hang onto - but the game went on.

It was raining, the ground was wet, slippery and football was hard to hang onto – but the game went on.

Stay Active

Maintain a healthy lifestyle by engaging with a sport you love. Also, who doesn’t like getting paid to exercise?

Sense of Community

The fellowship and humour officials share with one another are incomparable. You will quickly realize there is no community like officials. Many of them will become your closest friends — lifelong friends.

Life skills

Officiating teaches independent thinking and the ability to see the big picture — a skill that translates outside of officiating. It also requires dedication, togetherness, and ability to work as a team that is important everywhere.

Opportunity

Football officials are often identified and associated with the sport and are known outside of officiating by coaches, players and fans. Even if people don’t know you specifically, many people associate officiating with trustworthiness, impartiality, dedication and integrity – all qualities that can open doors for you in other areas of life.

The organization is making a concerted effort to recruit individuals who have the availability to officiate high school football from September to November, the busiest time for the organization. High school football games are normally played Tuesday-Friday with most doubleheaders kicking off at noon, 1 p.m. or 2:30 pm.

All new officials must complete a Level 1 Football Canada Officials’ Certification Program, which has yet to be scheduled.

If you are looking to stay or get involved with football, make some extra money, be a part of a community, and enjoy being active, then please visit www.lfoa.ca to learn more and see the links to social media. 

Have more questions? E-mail info@lfoa.ca and someone will contact you.

footballAbout the Lakeshore Football Officials Association

The Lakeshore Football Officials’ Association, (LFOA) established in 1963, is responsible for officiating all community and high school tackle football in the regions of Halton, Peel, and Niagara. The organization offers Football Canada Certification Programs, rules and positioning clinics, and a personal mentoring program to assist in the development of all officials. Many of the organization’s officials are former or current members of the Canadian Football League and Ontario University Athletics officiating staffs.

 

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Big $$ on the table for community led ideas

News 100 yellowBy Staff

March 18th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

Think big Burlington; Community-led projects could receive up to $10,000

The City of Burlington is now accepting applications for the Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund (NCMF), where approved projects could receive up to $10,000.

The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2021.

Lakeshore ball park - matching grant winners

A number of years ago these boys wanted to fix up the neighbourhood ball park They succeeded – using grant money and sweat equity.

Created to inspire residents to champion community-led projects, the goal of the NCMF is to improve neighbourhoods by creating a sense of belonging and community pride, while building meaningful connections.

Burlington residents are encouraged to submit community-led project plans that help make our city a better place to live and play. Inspired by the unique needs of residents and community groups, projects can increase walkability, promote beautification, encourage recreational activity, build social connections and improve safety or accessibility. These projects are to be planned, led and implemented by, and for the community in a public setting.

All projects must comply with the current public health regulations and provincial framework during development and implementation.

For 2021, the Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund will focus on small projects that enhance infrastructure amenities within parks, gardens, buildings on public lands or on lands that are accessible to the public that meet the goal of the fund.

Burlington residents interested in applying for funds are encouraged to visit burlington.ca/matchingfund to learn more about the application process, guidelines and past projects.

How the fund works
The NCMF provides up to $10,000 in funding to support selected neighbourhood and community group-led projects in Burlington.

Approved projects receive up to 50 per cent of the funding for the project from the city to a maximum of $10,000.

That means the project could be something that comes in at $20,000.

The neighbourhood or community group will match this funding with an equal contribution made up through any combination of volunteer hours, donated services, donated materials and supplies or other funds raised, such as cash donations.

For more information or to apply, visit burlington.ca/matchingfund.

There have been some really interesting projects that have benefited a lot of people.

 

Chris Glenn

Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation, Community and Culture

Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation, Community and Culture believes that “Grassroots community building is where we get great value for money. Community-led initiatives that can build connectedness, walkability, visual appeal, recreation opportunities and better understanding can have lasting and meaningful impacts for years to come. If you have an idea for your community, take a look at the website and consider moving it from idea to reality.”

 

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