 By Pepper Parr
November 28th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
“Just in case you haven’t seen it yet” wrote a Gazette reader, “that Japan trip cost us $31,161 for the six people who took it – quite a bit over the initial estimates, even by airfare and accommodations alone.
“I understand the significance of the anniversary, but this is a ridiculous cost that I as a Burlington resident am forced to pay. They went over there for five days with few working hours – an entire day at least was spent on things like a ‘soba noodle making experience’.
What value is that to the public back home? It sounds more like personal vacation time for the Mayor, Councillor Nisan, the City Manager and the Mundialization Committee members.
“I urge you to take a deeper dive into this – the report is available online, its item 4.6
 The Mayor and the City Manager went local while they were in Japan. The trip may well have been worth the photographs of the Mayor and the City Manager strutting through the streets of a Japanese community.
Here is what the Mayor will report on.
 By Staff
November 28th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
 Transformed at a cost of close to $10 million – the museum is now open to the public. The Museum does have the name of the first citizen on the outside – but high school level entertainment is the feature currently.
The Joseph Brant Museum made the display of a collection of pin ball machines as the opening event for the expensively transformed museum.
There are two events that focus on the collection of pinball machines at the Museum.
 Balls & Beer Pinball Night takes place on Friday, December 13th, from 7 pm to 10 pm
Patrons can enjoy local craft beer and test their pinball skills at the Part of the Machine: Rock & Pinball exhibition on for a special night out at Joseph Brant Museum.
This event is licensed, you must be 19 years + to attend. Your ticket includes unlimited pinball play, 2 beer tickets, appetizers, a souvenir beer glass and there will be door prizes! $40/person. Tickets for the event.
 On December 21st, the Museum is hosting an IFPA sanctioned pinball tournament. You are expected to be a pinball wizard – the event is a friendly competition – all skill levels are welcome!
Prizes will be given to the top 3 scorers. Sign up before December 14. Snacks provided. $25/person.
Guest host, Jeff Teolis from Pinball Profile will lead a fun night out at Joseph Brant Museum on – 5 to 9 pm. ALL skill levels are welcome. Players will be randomly assigned opponents and a pinball machine to play a match. This event is sanctioned by the IFPA (International Flipper Pinball Association).
Top scores will be posted on their website. Registration limited to 40 people, sign up before December 14.
 By Pepper Parr
November 25th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is doing what they are there to do. Bring world class performances to the city.
The Nutcracker is a must see for every young person who is going to have at least an understanding of the arts. For the truly young it is spectacular; for those in high school and their parents it is great performance.
The Russians do The Nutcracker superbly – the National Ballet Theatre of Odessa’s production of The Nutcracker is in town for three performances from December 6-7, 2019. (Some of the people of the Ukraine are going through a bit of a war trying to get out from under the thumb of the Putin Russian government.)
 Energy and colour – will delight the eyes and hearts of the very young. The dancers will dazzle Burlington audiences with the timeless holiday classic. Set to Tchaikovsky’s music, including Waltz of the Flowers and Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, The Nutcracker is a cherished holiday adventure that follows a little girl’s journey through a fantasy world of fairies, princes, toy soldiers, and an army of mice.
Following in the footsteps of Moscow’s famous Bolshoi Ballet, The National Ballet Theatre of Odessa (which happens to originate in Ukraine) will be dancing the same classical choreography with 55 of the Ukraine’s brightest ballet stars. This production of The Nutcracker has fast become a Burlington family tradition for the young and young at heart.
The Odessa National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet is the oldest theatre in Odessa, Ukraine.
 Classic ballet – the performances show the way it is supposed to be done. It is not cheap –
Regular: $69.50 (All in)
Member: $64.50 (All in)
Youth: $35.00 (All in)
National Ballet Theatre of Odessa:
THE NUTCRACKER
Friday, December 6, 2019 @ 7:30pm
Saturday, December 7, 2019 @ 2pm and 7:30pm
Main Theatre
440 Locust Street, Burlington, Ontario
By Pepper Parr
November 25th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It is that time of year again – when the Ho Ho man rides down Guelph Line and along New Street to City hall following almost anyone who can walk as part of the Santa Clause Parade that takes place on Sunday December 1st – which happens to be the start of that month long Free Parking gift from the city.
 There is Free P for you in downtown Burlington parking lots and on-street spaces throughout the month.
Few will remember that it was our Mayor who stick handled this one through city council when she was a mere ward Councillor.
Now in its seventh year, the Free P program allows visitors to park in on-street parking spaces at no cost for up to three hours and, in municipal parking lots or the parking garage at 414 Locust St. with no maximum time limit. Free parking overnight in municipal lots is also permitted.
Motorists with downtown parking permits are reminded to continue to park in their assigned parking lot throughout the month of December to maximize the number of parking spaces available for visitors and holiday shoppers.
The City of Burlington provides 1,500 municipal parking spaces in downtown Burlington. Free parking is year-round in the downtown, Monday to Friday after 6 p.m. and all-day Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Starting at 2:00 pm – the Season parade begins at Guelph Line and Prospect.
 Road closures:
1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Guelph Line from Prospect Street to New Street
New Street from Guelph Line to Martha Street
James Street from Martha Street to Brant Street
Brant Street from Baldwin Street/Victoria Avenue to Elgin Street.
The Joseph Brant hospital is holding a Join the Joy Holiday Open House. You can leave the hospital event and scoot over to New Street and watch the Santa Claus parade.
 By Pepper Parr
November 22, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It was the second public meeting to update people on the 25 year Master Plan that the Royal Botanical Garden is putting in place.
The RBG is a sprawling 2700 acre property that has dozens of nooks and crannies that many, probably most, don’t know anything about.
 Formerly a market garden, Laking Garden is home to RBG’s herbaceous perennial collections. There are of course the obvious Laking, Hendrie, Arboretum and the most recent Rock Garden but did you know about the Rock Chapel? The South Shore Commons?
The RBG has a core group of supporters that are rock hard. They see themselves as stewards there to support management and ensure that no one infringes on the place.
Other than some American Republicans everyone knows we no longer have weather – we have climate change. We are also becoming much more aware of the relationship of the climate we live in and what it does for our overall well-being.
The RBG is an operation with a $50 million budget of which 65% is generated internally.
They are in the process of expanding their revenue options while at the same time taking a look at what in the way of problems is coming their way.
The recent news of the waste water that was allowed to seep into the water is just one example of what RBG has to cope with.
 It was a full house of people who see themselves as stewards in place to support management to ensure that no one infringes on the RBG The RBG is part of a bigger picture; it is impacted and impacts the Great Lakes, the Escarpment and local agriculture. Pollution is an ongoing concern and adjacent land users need to have an eye kept on them.
The objective is to ensure that the RBG is ecologically resilient and reflects the changes in the way the public now sees the place.
Drew Wensley, a principal with MT Planners, said they were looking for a way to change the “landing points” for the RBG adding that he didn’t think it appropriate for the entrance to the RBG be a parking lot. He thought the entrance point should be a garden of some sort.
Thought was being given to improving transit to the site and also looking for way to use “green transit” on the site.
All this is a part of the 25 year plan – how does RBG adapt to the public change in attitude towards the changing climate? And how do they continually take the RBG’s environmental pulse?
 People attending the Master Plan Update meeting had more than fifty poster sized graphics to see in detail the changes that were being thought through. Thursday evening well over 150 people turned out to learn more and get an update on the Master Plan being developed by a team of consultants led by the Primary Consultant, MT Planners. The long-term policy document will identify short-term capital projects to be addressed in the next five years as well as longer-term projects for the next 25 years. The plan is expected to be completed at the end of February 2020 and approved by RBG’s board of directors in mid-March 2020.
Called a “bold initiative” it will be the roadmap for Royal Botanical Gardens to ensure future generations will connect with plant-life in a unique environment, fostering awareness and care for a world that is under increasing ecological threat. RBG aims to instill in everyone they reach, a deeper awareness of themselves, their place on this planet and their role as protectors and stewards of the environment.
“The Master Plan will be the roadmap to achieving RBG’s goals; namely to build the financial strength and independence to serve its future and to enhance infrastructure and amenities for current visitors and for new, more diverse audiences from local, national and international markets.
 Mark Runciman – the xx of Royal Botanical Gardens; runs a tight ship. “RBG plans to achieve this by creating new revenue streams and leveraging and enhancing its existing land use plan. RBG will explore not only the living framework of the landscape, and its business and market, but the aspirations of RBG’s members and governance body.
“At the heart of this plan is the critical need to nurture and protect ecosystems on a local, national and global scale. While the need to achieve financial sustainability is clear, RBG exists to affect real and positive change in how humanity interacts with our environment and has pledged to take full advantage of our resources, knowledge and reputation to make significant strides in this direction. To bring this Master Plan to fruition, significant fundraising efforts will be required and formalized throughout the planning process.
 Kelvin Galbraith,Ward 1 Councillor, is the Regional representative on the RBG Board Kelven Gailbraith, who is the Regional representative on the RBG Board noted that: “There was a large crowd at the event last night and many were very excited about the future that this master plan will bring to the RBG.
“Many of the people I spoke with were frequent users of the gardens and use it as an escape from our busy society.”
The Gazette will have an opinion piece in how the meeting went – what worked and what didn’t work.
 By Staff
November 20th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The good folks at the Brant Hospital Foundation want to get you into the hospital – but not too far past the front door.
They are celebrating their third annual Join the Joy Holiday Open House! They would like to see a lot of people show up and take part in a fun program. Event runs from 11:00am – 1:30pm., on Sunday, December 1st.
You can leave the hospital event and scoot over to New Street and watch the Santa Claus parade.
Admission is free and includes:
• Photo with Santa Claus
• Holiday treats (while supplies last)
• Musical Entertainment
And you can purchase Festive Activity Station tickets for additional activities including:
• Teddy Bear Wellness Clinic (please bring own stuffed animal)
• Holiday Photo Booth
• Festive Fish Pond
• Face Painting & Glitter Tattoos
• Cookie Decorating
• Stocking Ornament Decorating
• Finger-Cast Making & Germ Station
Register here to take part – no cost
In addition, you can purchase tickets for the children’s gift draw which includes gift certificates, toys and more and gingerbread Joy cookies from Christy’s Gourmet Gifts.
All proceeds from the event support the renovation of the Labour and Delivery Unit.
By Staff
November 18th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The 3rd Annual Festival of Trees will be on display in the lobby and mezzanine of the Performing Arts Centre from November 20 – December 21, 2019.
 The pre-lit trees, donated by the Canadian Tire Burlington store, will be available to the public by auction. The proceeds go to Performing Arts Centre’s ‘Live & Local Artist Development Initiative’, which provides performance opportunities and support for Burlington-based artists.
Over 10,000 patrons are expected to visit the Centre during the Festival of Trees which will run from November 20th to December 21st from noon – 4pm, seven days a week.
Each tree is individually sponsored and decorated by a local business in Burlington. Patrons and visitors to BPAC will have the opportunity to take one of these trees home by silent auction.
“The Festival of Trees has quickly become a holiday tradition at BPAC, and a great opportunity to bring the joy of the season to our many visitors,” said Tammy Fox, Executive Director.
 The look of the Family Lobby last year. The silent auction will close with the lucky winners announced during The Andy Kim Christmas.
The full schedule of BPAC Events during the season is here:
Sponsor a Tree!
Promote your local business or organization to over 10,000 local visitors, while supporting BPAC, by sponsoring a tree!
The Sponsorship Commitment:
$250 Tree Sponsorship
Decorate your tree at BPAC on November 18th or 19th (9am – 7pm)
You provide the decorations and ‘gifts’ – have fun making your tree a spectacular and seasonal reflection of your business!
Your Sponsorship Benefits:
Promotional Signage in the BPAC Family Lobby beneath your tree for over 4 weeks, seen by over 10,000 visitors to BPAC!
Recognition in 14 ‘BPAC Presents’ house programs (8,000 programs!)
Recognition in all Festival of Trees advertising and promotions, include activation on BPAC’s social media channels!
Recognition on BPAC’s website, with a direct link to your website (22,000+ visitors per month)
Recognition in a promotional eblast – sent to 28,000+ patrons! (a $200 value)
2 complimentary tickets to The Andy Kim Christmas on Dec. 21st ($139 value)
Opportunity to draw and announce your tree winner’s name on Dec. 21st
All proceeds support The Burlington Performing Arts Centre’s ‘Live & Local Artist Development Initiative’, which provides performance opportunities and support for Burlington-based artists.
Related news stories:
Twenty five pre-lit trees auctioned in 2018
Festival of trees supports the arts
By Staff
November 18th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
There is something about the seasons.
 Apples left on a tree -look a little like Christmas decorations. We know what they are but we aren’t always prepared for what they bring us.
Farmers are in the fields doing some scrambling to get crops in before they lose what was planted.
Some produce doesn’t get harvested.
This lone tree will hang on to its fruit until total frozen and the apples fall to the ground.
The dogs seem to like them.
 By Staff
November 17th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
This is one of those events that has three different organizations behind the wheel as it were.
The Library is sponsoring it – you will need your library card to register.
The Art Gallery is the venue for the event – they have the space.
And A Different Drummer is in there should you want to buy the book.
The event is an opportunity to hear an “ever-droll playwright, novelist, and social commentator discuss his life, career and the concerns at the heart of his artfully wry and poignant new work of fiction, Chasing Painted Horses.
The star of this show is Drew Hayden Taylor who is “one of the dangerous writers who knows the potential of humour, and how far it can reach into a society, how deep it can cut, how quickly it can heal.”
He’s an award-winning playwright, novelist, journalist, scriptwriter and artistic director of Canada’s premier Native theatre company—and a very funny man. BPL is thrilled to welcome back Drew Hayden Taylor to share his latest novel, Chasing Painted Horses.
Admission is free–please register at this link or by contacting us at 905 639 0925 or diffdrum@mac.com.
If you don’t have a library card give the Drummer a call – they can register you. Seating is limited – there are a reported less than 30 left.
 By Pepper Parr
November 15th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
That young deer that got stranded on the not frozen enough pond at Royal Botanical Gardens tells us that we are close to being able to create neighbourhood ice rinks.
The City of Burlington is encouraging neighbours to come together to maintain outdoor community ice rinks at their local park this winter.
Applications for the Neighbourhood Rink program are available now at burlington.ca/neighbourhoodrink and are due by Dec. 1, 2019.
 There is something so very Canadian about being out on an ice rink set up by neighbours where everyone can take part. A lot nicer than any indoor rink.
Applicants can choose from nine City parks that have a dedicated water supply or another local park without a water supply. Groups looking to organize a neighbourhood rink will need a minimum of six people from their community to maintain the rink.
City staff will install rink boards and hoses in each requested park and provide a tarp (or voucher for a tarp) and a training manual with tips on ice maintenance. As the colder weather arrives, each neighbourhood group will flood the rinks to get them ready for a first skate and then maintain them throughout the winter.
Neighbourhood rinks are open to all community members to skate for free.
 Chris Glenn, Director of Parks and Recreation Chris Glenn, Director of Parks and Recreation lauds the program run by his department. He said: “A neighbourhood rink is a great way to get outside and play with your neighbours during the winter months. A key new feature we’ve included this year is a tarp. It sounds simple but we heard from many of last year’s groups saying a tarp will do wonders to keep the rink in better condition as we go through freeze-thaw cycles. Early forecasts are calling for a long, cold winter which hopefully means a long time for everyone to enjoy the great Canadian pastime of outdoor skating and playing outside.”
By Staff
November 16, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gospel According to St. Nick wants to put you into the Gospel Groove with music from Burlington New Millennium Orchestra (BNMO).
 The BNMO is comprised of highly respected musicians and talented soloists whose performances are comparable to the Canadian Opera Company, Metropolitan Opera and Boston Pops with inspiration from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Specializing in broad-based non-classical performances, BNMO is genre-crossing. Their repertoire features Pops, Broadway, Jazz, Rock, and World Music, and many of the scintillating arrangements are penned by Conductor and Artistic Director Charles Cozens.
Charles Cozens is the driving force of the BNMO. A highly acclaimed arranger, composer and orchestrator, Maestro Cozens is best known for compelling symphony shows, featuring his arrangements for full orchestra, performed by artists that include Sir Elton John, Randy Bachman, The Nylons, Mark Masri and more.
 TC3’s proudest fact is that young people who stay with TC3 complete high school and an impressive 90% continue on to higher education. The Toronto Children’s Concert Choir & Performing Arts Company (TC3) is part of the very full program. They are more more than a choir. Bringing together young people ages 7 to 18 from across the Greater Toronto area, TC3’s mission is to promote, develop and encourage youth through inspirational song, dance and Afro-Caribbean drumming. The focus is always on establishing excellence, holistic development and first-rate performance.
The premier program of The HopeWorks Connection TC3 has performed on television, at corporate events as well as at sold-out performances and on international tours. They have also released an award-winning album. However, TC3’s proudest fact is that young people who stay with TC3 complete high school and an impressive 90% continue on to higher education.
Among that talent that will be featured are:
 Gavin Hope is a natural-born performer with a truly exceptional, emotional voice. Gavin Hope is a natural-born performer with a truly exceptional, emotional voice whose diverse career includes song, stage, TV and film. This Juno-nominated solo recording artist has performed around the world sharing the stage with such greats as Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole and James Brown.
His theatre highlights include lead roles in the original Canadian companies of RENT, The Lion King (Mirvish), The Tempest (CanStage) and As You Like It (CanStage). Gavin is also known for his work performing as a member of the Canadian a cappella vocal group The Nylons, with whom he has toured the world and recorded six studio albums (two of which were nominated for Juno Awards).
 Alexandra Oliver is a Burlington-based poet, who will read a poem written specifically for this BNMO “Gospel Groove” event. Arlene Duncan is a Canadian singer, songwriter and DORA award-winning actress who has worked extensively in theatre, television, radio and film, but is perhaps best known for her role as Fatima Dinssa on the hit CBC series “Little Mosque on the Prairie”. She was also recognized as Female Vocalist of the Year at the Canadian Black Music Awards and received an African Canadian Achievement Excellence in Arts award.
Duncan‘s theatre credits include the Dora Award-winning production of Ain‘t Misbehavin, and the Tony award-winning musical ―Caroline or Change. The multitalented Duncan has appeared in many commercials and sang jingles for McDonald‘s and Pepsi.
 Arlene Duncan is a Canadian singer, songwriter and DORA award-winning actress. Alexandra Oliver is a Burlington-based poet, who will read a poem she has written specifically for our BNMO “Gospel Groove” event.
Alexandra Oliver’s 2013 collection Meeting the Tormentors in Safeway was the recipient of the 2014 Pat Lowther Memorial Award, and her most recent collection, Let the Empire Down, was also shortlisted in 2017. Her libretto for From the Diaries of William Lyon Mackenzie King, conceived in conjunction with composer Scott Wilson, was performed by Continuum Music in Toronto in 2017.
Oliver is a past co-editor of Measure for Measure: An Anthology of Poetic Meters (2015) and the Toronto-based formalist journal The Rotary Dial. She is currently enrolled as a PhD student in the Department of English and Cultural Studies at McMaster University. Oliver’s most recent chapbook, On the Oven Sits a Maiden, is available through Frog Hollow Press.
It all comes together at 7:00 P.M., Saturday, December 7th, 2019
Port Nelson United Church, 3132 South Dr., Burlington, ON L7N 1H7
Tickets: $45 Adult | $25 Youth 18 and under incl. HST Tickets are only available through the BNMO website.
 By Staff
November 16, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
They are going to do it again; a Sunday afternoon Matinee when the music will be sublime at A Different Drummer Books.
Performed by Andrea Battista, violin; Philip Corke, guitar and Shiori Kobayashi, clarinet
 Andrea Battista, violin; Philip Corke, guitar and Shiori Kobayashi, clarinet Sunday November 24th, 3pm at A Different Drummer Books, 513 Locust Street Burlington
IIan Eliott said he is delighted to herald the return of his marvellous friends Andrea, Philip and Shiori who will celebrate great cinematic scores in an enthralling concert.
Tickets are $15. Refreshments will be served. Please contact us at (905) 639 0925 or diffdrum@mac.com to reserve seats.
By Staff
November 14th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
This month BurlingtonGreen is celebrating the close of the 2019 Grow to Give program by recognizing two of their amazing program leads, Ross Johnson & Darlene Duncan.
 “Both volunteers have tirelessly committed their time, energy and knowledge to support the Grow to Give program. They were on site every time a new volunteer required orientation, organized tasks and timelines, and got their hands dirty every week caring for the food donation garden, harvesting produce and more.
“We could not have operated this impactful program without these two wonderful team members and we are THRILLED that they will be leaders for the program again next year!”
This year Ross and Darlene were able to donate over 470 lbs (215 kg) of produce to the community, contributing a whopping total of almost 8,000 lbs (3,535 kg) since 2012.
By Claire Nash
November 15th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Aspire Global, a well-known iGaming solution provider for both operators and white labels, recently entered the Canadian online gambling market through one of its leading proprietary casino brands, Karamba.com.
 Featuring all the top-rated gaming developers such as Play n Go, Evolution Live Casino, NextGen Gaming, Microgaming, NetEnt and many ASG proprietary games, online casino Karamba is backed by the best-of-its-class platform technology delivered by Aspire.
The purpose behind foraying into the Canadian market is to offer the country’s gamblers the most popular online slot games, scratch card games and multiple live casino options.
About Aspire Global
Aspire Global came into being in the year 2005, with the idea of offering comprehensive iGaming solutions to operators and white labels, involving a complete suite of services for support call centre, acquisition optimisation, online casino management, sports book management, VIP management, payments, risk control and multilingual CRM.
All these services are over and above their robust platform which is already setting new benchmarks in this space. The games offered are from leading developers of the market, apart from 30+ well-recognised global payment methods. Aspire has obtained its gambling licenses from multiple authorities including the ones in Belgium, Malta, UK, Italy and Denmark. The company is listed on NASDAQ too.
More on Karamba
Karamba Casino has been operational since 2006 and is widely respected in the iGaming industry today. Aspire Global rebranded this casino in the year 2015, giving it a completely novel celebratory feel and look, characterized by a charismatic and fun loving parrot. Over the years, Karamba has created a huge fan following of gamblers, which the company refers to as party people.
 Offering a 100% match-up welcome bonus (up to C$ 200) and 100 free spins, it doesn’t come as a surprise Karamba casino has a large number of returning as well as new players. Anyone who’s experienced at playing online casino games would know that when it comes to these platforms, it’s not just about how good an offer is, but what you are allowed to do with that offer in the long-term which really counts.
Aspire Global lays a lot of emphasis on responsible gambling and the same is evident in how Karamba.com functions. You need to be at least 18 years old to play on this platform. They constantly track down and ban minor accounts, preventing children from engaging in any sort of gambling activity.
In order to ensure that people enjoy their gambling experience with Karamba, the casino gives them better control over their gaming habits. The platform gives the players a wide range of options to gamble more responsibly.
For instance, you can set personal limits on your bankroll on a monthly, weekly or daily basis.
Furthermore, you’re free to take a break from Karamba at any point of time and put your account into temporary suspension. This is referred to as cool-off period and lasts for 24 hours. Self-exclusion from all Aspire Global Casinos is another way in which you can control your gambling habits. You can exclude yourself for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months or even permanently.
 By Pepper Parr
November 13th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The big national corporations have deep pockets and layers of resources to mount a public drive to show that they care about the communities the operate in. It’s just good business and in this day and age expected.
What do the mid-sized local firms do that can express their concern for their community? Many firms have found a niche that allows them to involve their staff in giving back to their community in their own way.
 The response was more than overwhelming. Woolcott staff had to scramble a bit to find space for everything that was donated. The five tonne truck that was taking the donated goods was more than half full. Jayne Woolcott, partner at Woolcott Team, said to be the largest real estate brokerage in the Hamilton – to Burlington market (by dollar volume) said the idea for the clothing drive came out of their “mastermind” team. “We operate in a very collegial manner and are open to almost anything from any staff member.”
“We’ve been doing this for five years now – this drive was our biggest ever, partly because of the new location on Dundas east of the Waterdown core. Our signage is much better and having the truck parked in the driveway helped.
“Prior to that we worked out of a supermarket parking lot.”
 Trunks were filled with winter coats and other household goods. The flow of traffic into the Woolcott parking lot on Dundas east of the Waterdown core was consistent during the several hours they were open – the five tonne truck was half full by the time it was ready to head out to the Good Shepherd operation in Hamilton where the coats and other household goods were to be sorted and readied for distribution.
 Everyone who drove into the parking lot was greeted by a Woolcott staff member. Marty Staz was greeting the gentleman on the right and getting ready to take the coat he was holding thinking it was being donated. The gentleman on the right told Marty that it was his own winter coat and the goods he was donating were in the trunk of his car. It was a nice coat. Woolcott spent more on social media and emails to their extensive email list.
Each year Woolcott Team gets the names from the Good Shepherd of several families that need help during the festive season.
“We provide the funds for the food and buy the gifts that the families are just not able to provide” explained Jayne Woolcoot.
It’s a project that has grown – the Woolcott people can see no reason why it shouldn’t continue.
By Claire Nash
November 13th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Enjoy a Staycation this Winter
 Dust off the Toboggan and get outside this winter! Photo by spDuchamp Dust off the Toboggan and get outside this winter! When we think of the kind of people who preach the benefits of the staycation, who comes to mind? Is it the California couple who have a plethora of yoga classes, beaches and organic restaurants to choose from? Is it the lucky newlyweds who relocated to Thailand and have endless nature at their fingertips? Chances are you don’t consider your own hometown a prime staycation location. However, nobody does!
We all take for granted the things we have around us, but looking at your surroundings like an outsider can bring a whole new excitement to your hometown. Here are some options to consider for your holiday at home to re-ignite that love of Burlington.
You Could Find a New Hobby Holidaying at home can seem a little dull at first, we all have our favorite places to go and we’ve done them time and time again.
However, finding a new favorite place or even a hobby in your hometown is a brilliant feeling! There are plenty of entertaining activities around Burlington, for example, visit the top tourist and local attractions, if you’re a chocolate lover try some Lake Champlain Chocolates, or get to grips with the game in the poker clubs around the city, which offer a friendly place for beginners to train their skills. If you’re doing this staycation with your partner, then there is always the chance that one of you might fall in love with the game a little more than the other. If that does turn out to be the case then luckily there’s a great deal else going at our casinos this winter, so neither of you will be left bored!
 Enjoy fresh corn flour tortillas and homemade queso fresco at MaracaZ Cantinerie. Photo by stu_spivack If you’re looking for a new laid back favourite, then MaracaZ Cantinerie could be just the thing. Having only opened relatively recently, this Mexican inspired bar has received more than its fare share of rave reviews already.
Their tacos and tequila are the main attractions here. The bar offers frozen drink machines to make fruity slushies (that can even be made a little bit naughty with the addition of one of their 20 tequilas!) The tacos are really great though; choose from crispy fried fish, spicy chicken, smokey pulled pork or a melt in the mouth beef brisket. Next load your tacos up with all of the traditional toppings, including a cheese, which is absolutely delicious and made in house.
It’s far enough away from traditional Canadian fare to feel like you’re having a holiday experience, but it has all of the benefits of that warm ‘sticks to your guts’ fodder that gets us through these icy winters!
Embrace the Cold
Sure, plenty of us go on holiday to escape the cold weather, but plenty of people make their way to Canada every year to make the most of our icy winters. Think like a holiday maker and book yourself a bit of time to try some winter sports. We are lucky enough to have free facilities that allow tobogganing and ice-skating around Burlington.
If you don’t mind contributing a little bit of money then there are also some fantastic skiing locations, which are totally suitable for beginners, or for the more competent there’s even the possibility of cross country skiing – a truly exhilarating adventure.
Whichever winter sport feels the most natural for you, remember to wrap up warm and pay attention to any warnings that are given. Done correctly, winter sports are a great fun way to exercise, but as with anything they can be dangerous if you don’t take sensible precautions.
Get Inspired
Living in Ontario, we have plenty of nearby galleries to choose from, but one of the most exciting ones is right on our doorstep in the heart of Burlington.
 Art Gallery of Burlington – over looking Lake Ontario – Open seven days a week – Admission is free. The Art Gallery of Burlington hosts around 20 exhibitions per year, which cross a wide spectrum of captivating themes. One of the collections that absolutely cannot be missed is of their contemporary Canadian ceramics, the largest on display in the world.
Although the gallery is free to visit, they run as a not for profit organization, so they rely heavily on donations from the public. So remember, if you enjoyed your visit, give a little tip or buy something from the gift shop.
Spending our money in local businesses is the best way to keep Burlington a diverse and creative neighbourhood.
 Remembered, respected
The memorial was put in place after WWI when the citizens of Burlington wanted to do something to remember the fallen. It was paid for by citizens and then turned over to the city to maintain.
The bronze plaque on the front was put in place to commemorate those lost in WW II – beneath that plaque are the following words:
“To teach that he who serves is lost,
To bear in silence, though our hearts may bleed,
To spend ourselves, and never count the cost,
For others greater need.”
 By Gary Scobie
November 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Once more into the breach. While there have been some good measures this new Council has brought about in 2019, on the most important issue you face, I am feeling frustrated and disappointed.
 Keeping the historic Chrysler Carriage House and leveraging its heritage to get additional height for a development many think is taking place in the wrong part of town. I am delegating in opposition to the 27 storey mixed use condo application for 2093 etc. Old Lakeshore Road, in the middle of the
“football” between Old Lakeshore Road and Lakeshore Road. I would suggest nothing higher than mid-rise at this location and the
same goes for the site being planned next door to the east at the corner of Old Lakeshore and Lakeshore Roads. We don’t need
skyscrapers in our faces as we enter the eastern gateway to the downtown.
 There was a time when a much larger bus terminal existed 25 yards to the left of this small terminal on John Street – it was where people met. Today this tiny structure has been defined as an Anchor Hub. I am frustrated that the Interim Control Bylaw (ICB) has only four more months to run and Council still has not acted on its mandate from citizens to rid us of the Anchor Mobility Hub (AMH) and Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) designations downtown. Nor has it moved the Urban Growth Centre (UGC) to the Burlington GO Station. These requests have been there since ECoB formed.
The three un-designations would free you from having to scramble to please the Local Planning Area Tribunal (LPAT) with your refusals to bend to developer demands to build high, build dense and build expensive on small sites in our downtown.
I am disappointed that instead Council is having the Planning Department spend time and expertise teasing out designs for downtown precincts (excluding Old Lakeshore precinct I might add) to please no one except developers.
This department should be using its expertise to support you in un-designating the downtown as an over-intensification project and reclaiming your right as a Council to decide on the intensification of our downtown that was already clearly expressed in the current Official Plan (OP). I attended the final Downtown Development Lab on Saturday and the crowd was not enthusiastic about either concept and was wondering why we were doing this exercise.
I last came here in June of 2019 and advised that your first priority to stop the further proliferation of high rise buildings near our
lakeshore like this one and in our downtown like others was to get us out of the cross-hairs of the development industry by making moves that Oakville Council in its wisdom did well over ten years ago. Instead we are still seeing applications such as this one that run counter to our vision of our lakeshore re-development and give developers an easy ride at the LPAT to gain height without maximums on small sites that only add to existing congestion and ultimately result in a rebuild of our downtown in their image.
Yet we are spending time updating an Adopted OP so it might pass muster under the over-intensification mandates you continue to allow to stand. You ignore the fact that our small Bus Terminal never qualified as an Anchor Mobility Hub because it has neither rapid transit nor dedicated transit to the Burlington GO Station Gateway Mobility Hub. You appear to ignore the ability you have to revise the boundaries of the Urban Growth Centre to direct high intensification like this building being applied for to the GO Station Mobility Hubs instead of in the downtown. Meanwhile the clock continues to tick toward the end of the ICB in March 2020.
The canyon effect along Lakeshore Road predicted ten years ago by Save Our Waterfront is about to come to pass unless strong measures are taken by Council.
 The canyon effect along Lakeshore Road predicted ten years ago by Save Our Waterfront is about to come to pass. At one time, I think citizens believed that we had enough historic buildings in our downtown to forestall high rise developments everywhere. Alas, we have very few buildings designated as historic and protected. If one happens to be on a site of properties assembled by a developer, like this one with the Chrysler Carriage House, it is incorporated in a tiny corner of the new building as simply a cost of doing business and a token to those who care about history. Old buildings or interesting facades like Kelly’s Bakeshop are incorporated in the build to lower our unease that our downtown is being stolen from us, to make us feel more comfortable with the redo that is unfolding. I believe that most citizens realize that these small measures are little compensation for what is being lost in total – the vision that Council promotes of a continuing attractiveness, walk-ability and vitality of the small town feel of Burlington’s downtown.
Developers have been assembling properties for years in anticipation of the goldmine that awaited them in high rise luxury condos, with token retail and office space that is mostly unaffordable for the very people we want to stay in the downtown.
Developers want to demolish and build new. You only have to look out your window at City Hall to see the blank slate that was 421 Brant Street. That is the dream of every developer. No trees, no buildings left, just a vacant lot ready to dig down deep for dungeon parking and building footings, set to rise to new heights each time. Wind or shadow issues? We’ve got experts who will tell you all is fine. No trees that will ever live past seven years because the beds are too small and too shallow? You can plant another one in its place. It’s all going to be wonderful with well-off people moving downtown to support the businesses that might or might not be left. What’s not to like?
This type of viewpoint might work at a true mobility hub where you can actually build from scratch a complete community for rail commuters, but it just doesn’t cut it in a downtown that actually does have some buildings, both high and low, that will stay for a long time and need to be built around in a respectful manner.
Members of Council, expect to see the developer of this application at the LPAT soon. In the meantime, please get working with Metrolinx and the Province to at least give you and your citizens a chance at saving our downtown, not frozen in time, but with a reasonable intensification target of our own making.
 Gary Scobie is a Burlington resident who has in the past delegated to city council. His research has informed public opinion.
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Is there anything that can be done to preserve the football?
Can the Mayor keep the dream alive?
By Pepper Parr
November 4th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Change only happens instantly on television.
The people in the Goodram – Lakeshore Road community are putting up with noise that would drive anyone bonkers – this at 2 am.
They have been asking for help for more than 18 months.
 The Monster Mansion that is being rented out via Air BnB was finally shut down by police – albeit well after midnight.. The efforts of their member of Council and a reach out to the police to step in has shut down the Air BnB operation that was the cause of all the concern.
Ward 4 Shawna Stolte said she has been pushing hard for relief for the residents in the area in regard to the troublesome AirBnB.
Saturday night was another big party with the police intervening multiple times and shutting the place down by 2am.
Councillor Stolte explains that: “The immensely frustrating challenge is that we have no jurisdiction to shut them down or enforce ceasing to operate as an AirBnB as we have no bylaw that speaks to this yet.
One option may have been to try to enact an immediate ban on all Short Term Accommodations in Burlington in order to catch this one…but that would have unfairly impacted the 160 other AirBnB’s in the city who are abiding by the rules and offering a great service.
Licensing will take a bit of time, it is being implemented by the Planning Department, who are so “under water” with the dramatically shortened timelines due to Bill 108 as well as the Official Plan and the Interim Control ByLaw timelines. Councillor Stolte said she “could have demanded something sooner but I know we would have ended up with an incomplete, not well thought out licensing bylaw.
“The property in question never would be granted a license to operate as they are anyhow…this situation is a matter of them using the guise of AirBnB to skirt the zoning bylaw and rent out a residential property as a commercial event venue.
“The fastest way to shut down this property is to take the legal approach re: residential zoning infraction which is what has been happening these last 6-8 weeks. We are well into this process and should see an impact any day now.
 Shawna Stolte: Rookie Councillor who took on a defeated a double decade incumbent is proving to be very effective. The Gazette had asked why the MAT (Municipal Accommodation Tax), was being considered at this time; she explained that “this is a completely separate issue that coincidentally just happens to include Short Term Accommodations. It is being spearheaded by the City Managers Office, not the Planning Dept. “Believe me, if I thought for one second that the Planning Department was taking time to implement the MAT instead of dealing with the Licensing Bylaw, well let me leave it at that.” She added that “I am holding the Planning Department’s feet to the fire as much as I can without running the risk of damaging things for a department that is struggling with the workload.
“The ultimate result is to get this AirBnB shut down by whatever means possible. As of Friday the advertisement for the offending property is gone from the AirBnB website. I had had contact with the AirBnB company as had a number of residents. Now AirBnB has banned all “party houses” after the shooting last week at a “party house” in California.
The residents may now finally have some peace and quiet on their street. Give the Councillor a kudos on this one.
Related news story:
City Council vows to take action
 By Staff
October 30th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
And so it begins.
The Port Nelson United Church people remind us that Halloween may be two days away, but the Christmas season is in full swing at Port Nelson United Church!
 Port Nelson hosts the 67th annual Mistletoe Mart on Saturday, November 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. What makes this year even more special is that it’s the first Mistletoe Mart being held in the renovated church. After years of planning, designing and construction, Port Nelson can now display Christmas spirit in a bright, modern, accessible space that is just perfect for hosting Burlington’s favourite Christmas party!
“Come experience a true Christmas Bazaar atmosphere: artisans, jewelry, knitting, sewing, baking, crafts, books, silent auction, collectibles and more! Come early for your morning coffee and a muffin and stay for the best Christmas lunch in town!
“If you play your cards right, you can get your Christmas shopping done without ever needing a mall, a big box store or an online delivery.
“We are accepting $2 donations to support our community outreach projects. After all, Christmas is the season of giving!”
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