 By Staff
November 27th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington’s rental fees for those not for profit organizations and small businesses who use recreation facilities to run programs for the community will continue to see a reduced rental fee that will gradually increase to regular rates later in 2021.
This support is provided to assist organizations impacted by the COVID pandemic and the restrictions imposed on these organizations in order to reduce the spread of the virus.
This approach lowers financial relief as we head into pandemic recovery.
This past August, Burlington City Council approved a 25 per cent fee reduction for the remainder of 2020.
 Recreational and sports programs are offered to parents who want something extra for their children. Not for profit organizations rent city space to offer the programs. Covid disrupted the programs – city came up with a support program. Burlington has a strong history of partnership with both not-for-profit organizations and small, for-profit businesses to provide recreation and sport opportunities for residents. These groups have been adversely affected by the restrictions for COVID-19, such as the requirement to cap the number of participants permitted in a facility at a given time, which reduces revenue, as well as the need for special protective equipment, extra cleaning and screening protocols, and training for staff, all of which increase expenses.
 Coach Dave who delegated for the sector had a strong history with at least two Council members: Rory Nisan who was developed as a pretty good wrestler by Coach Dave and Councillor Kearns who had children in a Coach Dave program. Continuing rental rate reduction support into 2021 will help as many of these groups as possible survive this disruption, maintaining “something to come back to” post-pandemic. Groups will be encouraged to pass savings along to residents, lowering or maintaining the cost of participation for families and individuals. Priority is already given in the space allocation process to groups with a fee assistance program; this will continue with the goal of maximizing safe, accessible, and affordable participation in recreation and sport.
Fee Schedule
• 20 per cent rental fee reduction in the first quarter
• 15 per cent reduction in the second quarter
• 10 per cent reduction in the third quarter
• Return to pre-COVID-19 rates in the fourth quarter of 2021
User groups will be contacted by the City staff.
Recreation Fee Assistance Program
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 our staff will return your call to assist you.
 By Cosmin Mesenschi
November 26th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Betting games have always been a piece of Canada since the beginning of her history.
The Great White North is on the top ten list of countries with the most gamblers, and the province of Ontario is a globally known casino destination for land-based clubs.
Ontario is the area with the most local gamblers in the country and has the highest revenue. Today, the internet betting framework in Canada is seen by many as the casino and gambling industry’s future.
 Online Canadian gambling services offer many benefits for the residents of Burlington in today’s social and political climate. Internet betting amongst Burlington residents has become popular because of its convenience. These online Canadian gambling services offer many benefits for the residents of Burlington in today’s social and political climate. You can check out some of the available and reputable Canadian casinos here.
The Locals are Logging On
More and more Burlington residents turn to online gambling as a simple way to have fun at home.
Demographic research of online gambling in Canada states that four out of five gamblers are male. Still, more female users are logging onto online gambling services on their smartphones. The people most likely to gamble or those enrolled in full-time education and under 35.
Of all the online games and services, slot and blackjack games get the most visits. Three-quarters of these players are playing virtualized versions of classic fruit slot machines; some of them are winning big prizes.
Now that land-based casino games are transitioning to online availability, it’s never been more comfortable to gamble. Especially with the relaxed online regulations, more Burlington locals can now access this pastime.
A Safe Way to Have Fun
In Burlington, players love to engage in online games in a safe, secure way to relax and play. In the past year, revenue for online casinos in Canada has skyrocketed to upwards to $31 million a year.
The advancements in mobile, virtual, and augmented reality create a real casino-like experience. It showcases modern ways to play casino classics, pushing for online gambling’s projected growth in Canada.
This new technology entices veteran players and attracts those new to the gambling world. Some of the most popular casino software providers in this country are Microgaming, NetEnt, Playtech, and Real Time Gaming.
Potential Income in Uncertain Times
There have been life-changing amounts of money that have been won by Canadian online casino players. A Burlington resident won the $250,000 Lottario jackpot in September of this year. An even bigger win of $20 million was on the MegaMoolah progressive slot in 2019, and a similar success on that same Canadian slot occurred only one year earlier.
Canada’s Soft Gambling Regulations
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is the public authority that manages all lottery, gambling, and circuit activities in Ontario. The OLGC has created more relaxed laws towards the online casino industry than others, even the United States. In 2015, they dispatched their casino website. It is the leading site of the area, but the only one that is regulated.
Many foreign online casinos are accessible in Burlington. All local betting game play is legal through these unregulated sites. Canadians can access these because the OLGC has not created a licensing structure for these outside businesses to register and become licensed in Canada.
Many Reasons to Play
There are many legitimate reasons why Burlington residents are logging on to casino sites, and it isn’t just because of the Canadian ancestry or the adrenaline pumping allure. The available technology, abundant opportunities to win big, and relaxed local casino laws make way for a vast online gambling presence in Burlington that shows no signs of slowing down.
 By Staff
November 26th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Get your Fall Party in a Box before they’re gone!
 A treat – something to enjoy on one of those evenings you would be out during the Festive Season We could all use something to celebrate and our Fall Party in a Box has everything you need for a cozy night at home or as a special holiday gift for friends and family.
Each curated party box contains locally sourced luxury items including a variety of gourmet items and a custom live-edge charcuterie board, VQA wine, premium chocolates and much more!
Special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, TD Bank.
Boxes are going fast so order today! More info on the order link below
Order Now!
By Staff
November 25th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
To bring happiness and joy to the neighbourhoods of Burlington this holiday season, the City of Burlington is launching Santa’s Holiday Magic Trail (SHMT) and asking you to join virtually for Story Time with Santa.
Santa’s Holiday Magic Trail
Santa’s Holiday Magic Trail is an innovative alternative to the traditional Santa Claus Parade. Due to COVID-19, the traditional Santa Claus Parade will not happen this year as the City continues to follow public health direction and the need to maintain physical distancing and avoid crowding.
 No reindeer this year – an antique fire truck and with the Ho, Ho, Ho man ringing a bell Santa’s Holiday Magic Trail will feature Santa Claus riding on an antique fire truck with a police escort through different Burlington neighbourhoods each weekend in December. To keep residents safe, the truck will not make stops and residents are asked to view Santa from within their own household or if outdoors, follow public health direction and maintain two metres physical distancing from anyone not from your household.
Schedule
Each day, Santa will be moving throughout the neighbourhoods from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.
Dec. 5: Rural Burlington, Tyandaga, Brant Hills and Mountainside
Dec. 6: Headon Forest, Palmer, Tansley and Millcroft
Dec. 12: Alton Village, the Orchard, Corporate, Pinedale and Elizabeth Gardens
Dec. 13: Longmoor, Shoreacres, Roseland and Dynes
Dec. 19: Aldershot, Central and Plains
Dec. 20: Make-up inclement weather date, if needed
For resident safety, the exact route of the SHMT cannot be posted in order to avoid potential gatherings along sidewalks awaiting his arrival. Santa will safely move through neighbourhoods and residents are asked to avoid gathering. The fire truck and police escort will sound their sirens occasionally.
Anyone who sees Santa can use the hashtag #SpotSantaBurlON to notify neighbours of his location and spread the magic.
Santa will not be stopping to accept letters, milk or cookies or posing for photos. Please use caution and stay safe when near the road.
Information is also posted on burlington.ca/parade.
Story Time with Santa
Beginning Dec. 19, at 6 p.m., Santa will bring greetings to Burlington residents and read “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” as well as tell stories of the north pole, his reindeer and the nice list. The video will be posted on burlington.ca/parade and will be available for viewing anytime until Dec. 31.
Our Mayor sees a “silver lining” in the pandemic we are under. “The silver lining throughout this year has been finding new and creative ways to do things and celebrate holidays from how we’ve traditionally done it before. I want to thank our Recreation Services staff for coming up with Holiday Magic Trail and Storytime with Santa, and putting it together to help our community usher in the Christmas spirit to our Burlington.”
www.burlington.ca/parade is the link you want to catch all this fun.
 By Staff
November 25th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
When the circumstances change you pivot and go in whatever direction you have to go to get to where you want to be.
The Halton Regional Police have done just that and tell us that “it’s that time of year again when families begin to think about the upcoming holiday season. There are many families within the Halton Region that are less fortunate and struggle to provide their children with an enjoyable Christmas, and some who are simply not able to buy their children a toy. This year we believe the struggle could be even greater for more families.”
 The Halton Regional Police Service and the Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation are commencing the annual Miracle on Main Street (formerly Toys for Tots) Christmas donation drive. This is the third year of the merger between the two entities to collect and distribute funds and toys to families in need throughout the Halton Region. The merger has allowed the organizations to enhance the annual donation drives and to work collaboratively to help more families in need than ever before. Since 1999 the Halton Regional Police Service have supported families through Toys for Tots and Miracle on Main Street campaigns. All donations collected are distributed to Halton schools, community agencies and families!
The Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation is a Milton-based charity started by wrestling legends, humanitarians and philanthropists; Tiger Jeet Singh and his son Tiger Ali Singh. For the last eleven years, the Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation has organized their “Miracle on Main Street” event which has raised millions of dollars through donations and sponsorships for children and families in need who live in our Region.
 Cramming that Cruiser will be a little different this year. To keep everyone safe, we have had to modify our efforts this year. We will not be accepting toy donations at our Halton Regional Police Service facilities. We are encouraging everyone to donate gift cards and cash in lieu of the usual unwrapped new toys.
Donations can be made online through www.MiracleOnMain.ca , or by visiting one of our scheduled events detailed below. 100% of the donations go back into the Halton community!
Our annual “Cram-a-Cruiser” donation events will proceed, Pandemic restrictions permitting, and following safe protocols.
Dates/times and locations below:
November 28, 10am-2pm at JR Toy Company – 2-4265 Fairview St, Burlington
December 5, 10am-2pm at Canadian Tire – 777 Guelph Line, Burlington
December 5, 10am-2pm at Canadian Tire – 2070 Appleby Line, Burlington
December 5, 10am-2pm at Canadian Tire – 1100 Kerr St, Oakville
December 5, 10am-2pm at Canadian Tire – 251 Hyde Park Gate, Oakville
December 5, 10am-2pm at Canadian Tire – 400 Dundas St East, Oakville
December 5, 10am-2pm at Canadian Tire – 1210 Steeles Ave East, Milton
We’ll also be hosting a weekly, one day, donation drop off at the Halton Children’s Safety Village, located at 1151 Bronte Rd Oakville. Cash and toy donations are welcome! Look for the holiday lights. We ask that anyone attending to please follow the direction of officers on sight and to remain in your vehicles. Drop off dates and times are:
Thursday November 26, 5pm-9pm
Wednesday December 2, 5pm-9pm
Wednesday December 9, 5pm-9pm
For further information, or if you are interested in partnering with us to collect or donate gift cards, you can contact us by emailing MiracleonMain@haltonpolice.ca. You can also contact the Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation at info@tigerjeetsinghfoundation.com, or visit their website at www.tigerjeetsinghfoundation.com for further information.
By Staff
November 25th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 Donations were collected from HRPS members (sworn and civilian) throughout the region. The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has completed its first annual Diwali Food Drive.
The event was organized by the HRPS South Asian Internal Support Network and donations were collected from HRPS members (sworn and civilian) throughout the region between November 2 and November 12, 2020.
Kudo’s to the police for taking the initiative to do something to meet the needs of a community that isn’t as fully integrated as it could be.
The food collected was donated to local food banks in Milton, Halton Hills, Oakville and Burlington (see attached photo).
The HRPS looks forward to turning the Diwali Food Drive into an annual HRPS tradition.
The HRPS would also encourage residents to make donations to local food banks throughout the year as they are able to.
By Pepper Parr
November 24th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gift of Giving Back – remember those people – the ones who worked with high school students and families to gather tonnes of foods – they filled school gymnasiums year after year – then COVID knocked the wheels off the work they do.
 Well – COVID wasn’t going to stop this crowd – they announced today a Help Us Feed Kids: Holiday Food Drive that will run from December 3rd to December 20th.
 The Barracudas – check in and making sure the weight of the food is put on the scoreboard. They are excited about how they figured out a way to meet what is these days a very different situation.
They are inviting our young Community Champions to help them safely collect non-perishable food items and bring them to the Burlington Centre where they will host a Food Drive Headquarters located by the Food Court.
They are also providing an opportunity for high school students to collect volunteer hours. There is more to this 2020 COVID initiative – additional announcements in the coming days.
 The van was packed – can they do this in 2020? The Gift of Giving Back Website
This page provides detailed information about the Holiday Food Drive as well as how high school students can collect volunteer hours.
While this pandemic has closed the Gift of Giving Back doors it has not prevented them from hosting their usual “November High School Gym Extravaganza”, it will not prevent them from continuing to empower our youth to compassionately give back. “We truly appreciate your support.”
By Staff
November 24th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Figuring out what to do with the time we have on our hands is going to be a bit of a challenge for some people.
The Burlington Amateur Radio Club sent us a note saying – Hello – we’re here!
They report that there is a surging interest in Amateur Radio all over the world.
 Yathiraj Chintagunta Today’s Amateur Radio is not what their grandfather’s ham radio was all about. The Burlington Amateur Radio Club (BARC) offers an on-line course which became particularly interesting to Yathiraj Chintagunta who was stranded in Dubai unable to return to his home in Mississauga. His “handle” is now VE3GYP.
Amateur radio is a fascinating hobby that frequently becomes essential for people in some parts of the world when there is a disaster and normal forms of communication are not available.
If you’re at all interested get in touch with Rod Clifton, ve3iso@gmail.com • 905-335-0267 or Hugh McCully, Education Director.
 By Pepper Parr
November 24th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
November is seen as the time when we think more seriously about veterans from the wars we have fought.
 The space to be named Veteran Square Yesterday City Council accepted a request from the Burlington Legion to name the area to the immediate north of City Hall on Brant Street where the Cenotaph is located and forever call the space Veterans Square.
There will be signage on the location with the new name.
Bob Ankrett spoke for the Legion and mentioned something this reporter didn’t know – that there are two Vimy Ridge oak trees on the site.
During the discussion Council talked in terms of using the word veteran to apply to first responders in the future as well
By Staff
November 23rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The very popular Tim Horton’s Free Skate program lost the donut maker’s sponsorship and, due to Covid rules, rink time was limited to 10 people on an ice pad for an hour, was what residents were looking at.
 Tim Horton’s advised the city today that they would now sponsor the 65 skate sessions. Expect the number of sessions to increase now that the sponsorship is back in place.
The Tim Horton’s people were concerned with the number of people who would be on the ice pad at the same time. With that issue resolved they were back at the table.
This Covid world has everything changing often.
You will have to register for one of those time slots. They will be spread around the different rinks in the city
 By Staff
November 23rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
There is beauty within all that snow.
The small path of red – the Canadian flag – waiting for a whiff of wind to flutter.
Getting outside, making a snow man with immediate family and the people in your bubble is Staying Safe.
 By Staff
November 23rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
That almost balmy weather we all enjoyed has been replaced by the winter that is part of our DNA.
At the same time parts of the city are lit up to help celebrate a Festive Season that will soon be upon us.
 Locomotive at Freeman station – waiting for a caboose to be attached. Photo by Allan Harrington
Freeman Station has a Lit Loco on display at their site on Fairview. This creation has about 4,000 lamps with chasers to give it a sense of movement.
Grand Trunk is spelled out in letters for the Grand Trunk Railway who built the Burlington Junction Station in 1906.
Friends of Freeman Station is run by volunteers and relies on donations.
If the group can capture a total of $500 in donations on line by November 27 2020, a lit up red caboose will be installed along with the existing Locomotive and Coal Car.
 BTTB sentries standing guard at Spencer Smith Park. Lakeshore Road at Brant now has the Burlington Teen Tour Band back on duty as sentries at Spencer Smith Park. Great for an early evening get out for some fresh air event. This is the 25th Festival of Lights.
Running now through to January 8, 2021 – it’s FREE and visitors can walk among the displays.
The Freeman lights and those at Spencer Smith are all the result of volunteer efforts.
Royal Botanical Gardens opened up their winter wonderland with the Hendrie Garden bursting with lights.
The Royal Botanical Gardens colourful outdoor stroll along the the pathway tells us how plants like mistletoe and ivy are part of the yule season, along with cinnamon and mint giving us festive flavours.
Not just plants, but local winter animals are part of the whole nature package.
 Hendrie Garden at the RBG – a winter wonderland.  It isn’t all outdoors at the RBG. A big TV projection screen TV outside shows a short movie with a “Mouse” but it’s NOT Mickey.
Wednesdays to Sundays, Nov 18 to Dec 23. Additional Dates: Dec 27-30, Jan 2, 3 5 to 10 p.m
Admission fee for non-members, and everyone must wear a mask and maintain social distancing
 By Staff
November 20th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington spends quite a bit of money on public art.
They want to refresh and add to the jury list they have to help with the judging of what merits funding.
 The placing of public art in the city: Most people don’t understand why the sculpture, a modernistic interpretation of orchids was installed in the middle of a busy road.  Public Art: Plains Road at Waterdown Road If you love art and your community, help make your mark on the City of Burlington’s Public Art program by participating on a public art jury. The City is looking for local artists, creative professionals and residents to evaluate public art applications throughout the year.
No experience is necessary! Each jury is made up of a mix of arts professionals and residents that represent a broad cross-section of the community.
If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out a brief online application form at Burlington.ca/publicart or fill out the online application directly by clicking here.
By Pepper Parr
November 19th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON’
It was a one hour virtual meeting with about 35 people taking part – at least five were city staff.
City Clerk Kevin Arjoon explained the basics of what City Advisory Committees are all about. He listed most of the committees.
The Cycling Committee needs 14 new members – that seems very high unless all the previous members all left at the same time.
 Members of the Community Engagement Team do a debrief after their Council Workshop session. Chris Walker is in the center. The closing date for new applications is November 27th – that closing date has been extended in the past – expect it to be extended again this year.
The intention is to announce the appointments at a Council meeting in January or February.
Arjoon is a big fan of citizen advisory committees – he has seen them work well in the five different municipalities where he has served as Clerk.
However, shortly before Arjoon arrived in Burlington a report from citizens on problems with the way the Advisory committees were created was debated at a City Standing Committee.
It was a lengthy report with perhaps too much data. It has one central point: that was set out in a Historical Note.
 It was a major piece of work for the citizens – didn’t get past the printing machine. Historical Note
This report and its recommendations represent the fourth occasion on which citizens have been asked to provide advice to council on Advisory Committee reform, beginning in 1997.
On each occasion, while the recommendations have differed since 1997, the initial conclusions were similar. Advisory committees far too often did not work as intended and were not properly integrated into the decision-making process.
Poor structure, poor terms of reference, misunderstandings, lack of relevant training, and selection methods open to influence all worked to undermine the role advisory committees should have in establishing citizen voices with appropriate input at the centre of City Hall.
We therefore encourage council to adopt our recommendations, recognizing the very longstanding need for change and the ongoing need for flexible, collaborative and insightful resident voices as trusted partners at City Hall and with staff and Council.
Until the issues set out in the Advisory Committee review Team are resolved Citizen Engagement will be less than robust.
 By Staff
November 18th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Port Nelson United Church had to cancel their Mirth and Music event; the Burlington Performing Arts Centre has had to close for the 28 days they are going to be in the Red zone of the provinces colour coded behaviour chart.
 Tammy Fox, Executive Director explains: “We’ve been forced to cancel all live performances while we are in this 28 day ‘red zone’.
“It’s disappointing, but fortunately we’ve been here before this time around we are much better prepared to cope.”
All isn’t lost for the Performing Arts people. The huge wreaths that go up each year in the windows will be up next week, the huge tree on the plaza area will go up and the Festival of Trees will take place – limited however to just ten sponsored trees.
They will be up on the 25th
“We will get through this!” said Fox.
Related news story:
Festival of the Trees
 By Staff
November 17th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Robert Missen announced yesterday that the November 21st Mirth and Music concert until has been postponed. Halton County is now under a red alert.
Missen, the man who put the show together and was going to perform as well, said “As soon as we can reschedule it we will do so, patrons will of course have first refusal for future tickets.
Related news story:
Mirth and Music to be heard at Port Nelson United Church
By Staff
November 17th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
We sometimes wonder how money moves around in this city.
Burlington is a very wealthy city with small pockets of poverty and people who struggle to meet their basic needs.
Rents are very high.
The plus side of wealth is the people that have it in Burlington are very good about sharing it.
The Burlington Foundation handles many of the endowments that families have created. The Foundation is good at spotting where needs are and going back to those who can donate and asking for funds.
One of the recent asks resulted in a Pandemic Response Fund that handed out the second phase of their planned program.
 Burlington Green was the recipient of one of the grants. They have used the funds they were given to put together a program: Nature Friendly Burlington initiative that will connect more of the community to local green space.
The Nature Friendly Burlington initiative will connect more of the community to stewardship opportunities and to a multitude of benefits nature experiences provide.
With the program structure in place the folks at Burlington Green want to hear from you
They want to know how you’ve been connecting with nature during COVID.
These are stressful time – there are more questions than answers on the minds of most people.
We are moving into a significant festive season – and it is going to be very different.
How do we cope- what supports are there out there for every demographic.
Burlington Green likes using a contest approach to draw responses from the community. There is a chance to win an eco-prize – you are automatically entered into a draw when you let them know how you’ve been connecting with nature during COVID.
Their core question is: For many of us, 2020 has been a difficult year. And many of us have turned to nature for solace, escape, refuge, and fun too! How have you enjoyed nature during COVID?
You get to the question and the opportunity to tell them what you do by CLICKING here.
By Pepper Parr
November 17th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington is looking for community members to volunteer on a city committee or board and play a key role in providing advice and feedback to City Council and staff on a variety of city issues. Applications are now being accepted online at burlington.ca/committees until Friday, Nov 27.
 An Action Lab – one of the events that took place when the city was determining the role that Advisory Committees would play in bringing you new ideas to the table. Residents over 18 years of age, representing the diverse backgrounds of our community are encouraged to apply. Participating on a city committee provides a unique opportunity to:
• Lend your voice and expertise to help shape decisions and services that impact our community
• Expand your network and meet new people
• Gain a broader understanding of how municipal government works.
There have been Advisory Committees that have served the city very well in the past. The Heritage Advisory is one.
Attend a Virtual Information Session
A virtual information session to share more details about the openings and application process will be held on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. Individuals who would like to attend can register in advance by emailing clerks@burlington.ca.
A recording of the Nov. 17 virtual information session will be posted to burlington.ca/committees following the event.
Kevin Arjoon, City Clerk who oversees the administration side of the Advisory Committees will tell you that: “Sitting on a local board or committee provides a unique opportunity to directly impact the future of our city. We are looking for volunteers who represent the diversity in our community to lend us their expertise and ideas to help make a difference in our community.”
Quick Facts
• The City of Burlington has more than 18 boards and committees that play a key role in providing advice and feedback to City Council and staff on a variety of issues, including heritage, accessibility, diversity and the environment.
Here is where the problem exists:
Many people who have served on Advisory Committees have come away disappointed and unsatisfied with what they were able to achieve. They didn’t feel that they were really listened to and that members of council play too big a role in how the Advisory Committee operates.
Many would like to see the Council members left outside the room. Many more feel that the members of Council play far to large a role in determining who sits on the Advisory Committees.
Until these issues are worked out – the problems of the past few years are not going to go away. Which is unfortunate because in events this reporter has taken part in there have been some very smart, dedicated people who want to see and are committed to citizen participation.
 By Staff
November 16th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Art Gallery of Burlington is in the running of a significant award by the Ontario Association of Art Galleries
The Gender Conspiracy, ran from August 31st to December 31st 2019. The event, curated by Suzanne Carte, senior curator at the Art Gallery of Burlington
 Suzanne Carte, senior curator at the Art Gallery of Burlington AGB was listed as one of three in the Exhibition of the Year Budget under $20,000 category.
Hosted by the Ontario Association of Art Galleries, the annual OAAG/AOGA awards celebrates outstanding achievement, artistic merit, and excellence in arts institutions and professionals in the public art gallery sector.
The OAAG/AOGO Awards recognize new exhibitions, publications, programs and community engagements that have been produced and commissioned by Ontario’s public galleries.
 The event was something Burlington had never experienced before. It was very well attended. The Gender Conspiracy is an Open Letter to the Trans and Gender Diverse communities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) to express allyship in furthering the discourse on gender fluidity and identity, sexual orientation, same-sex relationships, and consent to promote the mental health and safety of all LGBTQI2S* communities.
The AGB is determined to be vigilant and visible in our support of LGBTQI2S people by placing critical conversations on gender diversity back into the public education sphere.
The exhibition hosted a significant public programming stream in collaboration with community partners; The Positive Space Network, EGALE Canada Human Rights Trust, JAYU Human Rights Film Festival, Burlington Public Library, McMaster University Department of Gender Studies and Feminist Research, Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School Position Space (GSA), and Oakville Galleries.
By Pepper Parr
November 15th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The guy who was tasked with running the 2020 Terry Fox Run felt he was in great shape at the beginning of the year.
Come the end of March he thought he was looking at a disaster.
But Craig Gardner pulled the rabbit out of the hat and raised more in the year of the pandemic than ever before.
He gave the Gazette a call and said he had an idea.
“Things are going to be slow around Christmas – there won’t be many places we can go and there might not be all that much for people to do?, he suggested
 Craig Garner delegating to city council. wants to give people a way to drive around the city to take in the Christmas decorations. “What do you think of the idea of encouraging people to put up imaginative Christmas decorations outside their homes and then create a map showing where the homes are so that people can drive by with the kids in the car and at least get a sense that there is still a Christmas?”
With the city now in a red zone and the possibility of a lock down facing us, Gardner may have come up with a good idea.
How to make it happen was our question.
“Won’t that result in dozens upon dozens of people showing up in the cars?” I asked.
“I don’t think so” said Craig. “ I think people will be out for a drive and will want to move from location to location.”
We thought the idea had merit – anything Craig Gardner takes on usually works out.
The plan is to create an email address that people can use to say “I’m in” and send us their address.
 St. Catharines, ON has parts of that city that go all out on decorating. The Gazette will put the address locations on a map and people can decide where they want to drive around. It was suggested that people who are long term care facilities would love to be driven around to see all the trees and decorations..
The map will be published in the Gazette.
Because we expect a significant number of locations the city broken out by ward. You click on your ward and you get a map with all the locations in that ward.
You can tour as many wards as you like. We felt there might be far too many locations to place on a city wide map.
Gardner will be posting the idea on the Burlington Together Facebook page as well as the Burlington Dad’s Facebook page.
Craig and I are getting ready to visit a large retailer with an idea and an interesting way to promote the event and serve the community as well.
We will let you know how that works out.
Meanwhile, if you’re interested and want to be part of the tours just send us an email to:
lights@bgzt.ca
Provide your street address and the ward you live in (if you happen to know it).
We hope to have the maps in place before the end of the week. Note that “hope” is underlined.
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