 By Pepper Parr
July 2nd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
She doesn’t tap dance and despite the view of some in the city she doesn’t walk on water but she does sing.
Few people know that Marianne Meed Ward was trained as an opera singer – you didn’t see that in the campaign literature did you?
She will not be appearing on the stage of the Performing Arts Centre but do look for her appearance in a future edition of Smart Car Coffee Confidential – the road show (literally) that James Burchill has been running on his web site and with Cogeco TV.
 She’s an opera singer – who knew? Last fall Burchill had all four Mayoralty candidates in his car – Meed Ward was miles ahead of the others in the way she came across. She does know media.
In a conversation over lunch Burchill and I talked about what he would do next and mention of Her Worship came up – “why not put her back in the car – she’s great media – your audience will love it”, I suggested.
Burchill, who knows a sharp angle when he sees one, followed the lead and put the following on his LinkedIn page.
Since the then Councillor (now Mayor of Burlington,) Marianne Meed Ward and I filmed her Smartcar Coffee Confidential episode, we’ve been repeatedly asked when we’d make good on our promise to get together and sing.
Remember, Marianne is a classically trained opera singer! I can just about carry a tune, so this should be interesting. Anyway, I’m pleased to announce the stars (and calendars) have aligned and we’re set to film our repeat performance in late July. So if you see my little black Smartcar roaming around Burlington, with the Mayor and I belting out show tunes (or maybe some Neil Young,) just know we’re having fun, and you’ll be able to catch Mayor Meed Ward’s repeat performance on Season 2 of the Smartcar Coffee Confidential – coming later this summer both online and Cogeco’s YourTV.
This will be a “must watch” event. Could it lead to a part in a Performing Arts Centre event?
If you want to watch Meed Ward’s election performance in the front seat of a very small car – CLICK HERE
 By Staff
July 1st, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
With nice weather it is one of the best ways to spend a day outdoors and enjoy what the Burlington waterfront has to offer – Celebrating Canada’s birthday at Spencer Smith Park
The Canadian Tire Burlington Store is the main sponsor.
Marking the nation’s 152nd anniversary of confederation, the City of Burlington’s Canada Day will officially kick off at 4 p.m. with the Burlington Teen Tour Band and remarks from special guests, including the Mayor of Itabashi, Burlington’s twin city, Mr. Takeshi Sakamoto.
 The day ends with a magnificent fire works display. The Citizenship Ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at the gazebo.
Entertainment on the main stage will include:
• Bharatham Academy of Indian Dance at 2:30 p.m.
• Opening ceremonies featuring Burlington Teen Tour Band and Japanese Taiko and Music Group at 4 p.m.
• White Pine Dancers at 5:30 p.m.
• Symphony on the Bay at 7 p.m.
• Guitarist Johannes Linstead at 8:30 p.m.
• Fireworks presented by BUNZL at 10 p.m.
Fun activities planned in the park include:
• Yoga by the Pier at 9 a.m.
• Canada Day 5k at 10 a.m.
• Citizenship Ceremony at 1 p.m.
 They are becoming Canadian citizens. The ceremony today will take place at the Gazebo. Numerous other event highlights include: stilt walkers, face painters, hair artists, giant inflatables, sampling booths, great food, vendors and lots of true Canadian spirit!
Free Canada Day Shuttle
Downtown parking is in high demand during this event. Residents are encouraged to consider other transportation options such as cycling, walking, car pooling or Burlington Transit.
A fully accessible, free shuttle service will run from 2 to 11 p.m. The shuttle will make stops at the Burlington GO Station (north side) and travel to the downtown bus terminal. Free bike parking will be available near the Waterfront Hotel for cyclists to secure their bikes.
For more information, visit burlington.ca/canadaday, follow @BurlEvents on Twitter or call the Festivals and Events Office at 905-335-7600, ext. 7422.
Other Canada Day Activities
The city’s outdoor pool locations are open for unlimited access to recreational swimming for only $4.40 per person; $3.05 after 5 p.m.
Hours for Canada Day are as follows:
• Nelson Pool – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• LaSalle Splash Park – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Mountainside Pool 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
All seven of the City’s spray pad locations are open and always free. For more information, visit burlington.ca/splashpads.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, believed to be a citizen of both Canada and the United States will tell you that: “We have so much to be thankful for in Canada. We have the greatest nation, the greatest people and now, the greatest basketball team! I look forward seeing everyone celebrate our country together in Burlington on Canada Day.”
 By Staff
July 1st, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The invitation says it all.
You can skip the dignitaries and tour the station. allow an hour – there is tonnes of stuff to see.
On Fairview just west of Brant – beside the Fire Station.
 By Staff
June 28th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
There are loads of things to do on Canada Day – the Royal Botanical Garden wants you to come to your senses and literally “smell the roses” all 3,300 of the things in the RBG property.
The RBG is celebrating Canada Day weekend with a flourish of colour and asking visitors to “come to their senses” by experiencing roses in bloom, guided tours and live entertainment.
 Canadian shield rose  A little late, but worth the wait, RBG’s new Rose Garden is starting to show off some brilliant colour in Hendrie Park. With many hardy, disease resistant and re-blooming varieties surrounded by companion plants, there will be flowers in the garden all summer long. Beneath these beneficial plant pairings is a trickle irrigation system. Deep roots, combined with a consistently maintained layer of mulch, means less artificial watering which promotes an eco-friendly approach.
“RBG is thrilled to present the first full season of roses in this beautiful new garden,” said RBG Head of Horticulture, Jim Mack. “Much like our rejuvenated Rock Garden, the new Rose Garden embraces new designs and techniques that reflect a more modern, environmentally conscious approach to growing roses. One that people can implement in their home garden.”
 Rose garden layout Highlights of the garden include approximately 3, 300 roses displaying 300 different cultivated varieties, 4, 500 companion plants and many new enhancements to the garden landscape. This includes upgraded pathways, fences, gazebos and lighting as well as renovations to the Turner Pavilion Teahouse that overlooks the new garden. Education elements include an array of interpretive signs, including the “story of roses” display, teaching visitors about the history of roses.
 The Dreamboats: “They just ripped the whole place up! Their energy and level of fun was off the scale. The crowd reaction was phenomenal – we have not seen anything like it before. Weekend highlights include the Escarpment Train Exhibit in the historic Rock Garden, Bonsai Society Exhibit at RBG Centre, guided tours, and educational experiences at the Discovery Cart. Canada Day entertainment includes face painting by Picasso Painters and performances by The Dreamboats.
Royal Botanical Gardens is the largest botanical garden in Canada, a National Historic Site, and registered charitable organization with a mandate to bring together people, plants and nature.
 You can’t cover the Royal Botanical Gardens in a single day. Maybe in a weekend. Weekend Schedule
June 29 to July 1
Saturday and Sunday
Bonsai Society Spring Exhibit
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; RBG Centre
Discover Alliums
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Rock Garden
Guide Tour: Rock Garden
1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Guided Tour: Come to Your Senses
11 a.m.; Rock Garden
Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Escarpment Train Exhibit
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Rock Garden
Discover Pollination
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Hendrie Park
Guided Tour: Pollinator Power
11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; Hendrie Park
Guided Tour: Come to Your Senses
1 p.m.; Hendrie Park
Sunday
Guided Tour: History of Hendrie Park Heritage Walk
11 a.m.; Hendrie Park
FREE Back to Nature Hike
10 a.m.; Rock Chapel Trailhead
Monday
Entertainment: Picasso Painters
(face painting)
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Rock Garden
Entertainment: The Dreamboats
(vocal quartet)
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 By Pepper Parr
June 27, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Trevor Copp has been directing his take on various Shakespeare plays at the RBG Rock Garden for the past five years.
The plays are done outdoors and are skimpy when it comes to the stage set. The backdrops are usually trees bathed in different colours of light.
 Trevor Copp There is a certain whimsy to the way Copp takes to something Shakespeare wrote. His direction is something to watch – you see his cast coming to the script as they work through the rehearsal sessions.
 Claudia Spadafora will direct Twelfth Night at the RBG Rock Garden Shakespeare on the Rock veteran actor Claudia Spadafora will be taking the helm of this year’s production – ‘To be seen or not to be seen’.
Shipwrecked twins, a lovesick duke and a self-important servant walk the runway in the ultimate Miami 80s fashion showdown of desire. Shakespeare’s masterpiece of misdirected desire gets the Vogue culture makeover in this comedy classic.
What does all that mean? Here’s Claudia to let us in:
Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, packed with mistaken identity, romance, farce, and a spirit of rebellion to rival 1980s Miami Beach nightlife.
 Twelfth Night follows an ensemble cast of clowns and lovers alike, all attempting to navigate courtship, relationships, and a few actual ships. At its core, the play is about looking for a life partner and finding yourself instead, often in the darkest and most bewildering of places. Given this description, this version is inspired by one of the darkest and most bewildering places we can think of; a nightclub. This is a space where young people- not unlike the ones Shakespeare was writing- take chances, experiment with self-expression, and show a side of them self they may not reveal in the light of day.
We’ve all been there – or are there – so why not put Shakespeare’s characters there too?
Show will run August 13-31, Weeknights (no shows Saturday or Sundays) at 7pm.
Each performance will include a 20 minute intermission for audiences to enjoy the beautiful Rock Gardens free with their tickets.
CLICK HERE FOR TIX
By Pepper Parr
June 26th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The cheek, the nerve.
The man manages to get himself bounced out of his job – with a healthy settlement package in his wallet and all the costs of getting out of town paid for by the taxpayers – and maybe even a bit of a capital gain on the property he owned.
Then he tweets on how nice life is in his new home town.
The tweet is set out below – you might want to follow James Ridge and his experiences
 James Ridge and Penny Hersh had a contemptuous relationship. It looks as if it will continue even though Ridge is no longer on the reservation.  Being able to rent a bike for a short term need. While Ridge was in Burlington there was talk of putting together a deal to include Burlington in the Hamilton social bike operation where cycles could be rented at one point and dropped off at another location.
Hasn’t happened so far.
 By Pepper Parr
June 25th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
They came looking for a little bit more money and left with marching orders to do it all over again.
It was not a pleasant Standing Committee session for the people at Capital Works.
And it was a chance to get a good look at how this city council is likely to work going forward.
The request for additional funding was placed on the Consent agenda which is a list of agenda items that are thought to not require any debate.
 Rory Nisan with ward 3 constituents before he was elected Councillor. Ward 3 Councillor Nisan spotted something he didn’t like and asked that it be taken off the consent agenda and added to the regular agenda which was pretty full.
Little did anyone know that the item would consume hours of discussion.
Council realized that they had not had all that much in the way of a close look at what was proposed for Civic Square.
After the holding of the Walk Off the Earth tribute and the Burlassic park event that covered all six of the NBA Championship games that made the Toronto Raptors the league champions, Burlington began to see Civic Square as something more than a place for public gatherings – it was THE public space and needed more polish and an image boost.
Also, taking out trees when a Climate Crisis had been declared was a stretch.
After some discussion, led to a large degree by the Mayor with input on what should be in the space by Councilor Nisan, Council decided this was too important a matter for staff to decide.
They were sent back to their desks and told to rethink and work on possible options on how to use the provincial funding before it expires. The tender is not moving forward at this point.
The Staff recommendation was to approve the tender for the Civic Square Renewal that came in at 1,162,922.61
The city was going to have to borrow to complete the project which came in $250,000 over the allocated amount.
Council was being asked to approve a total project cost of $ 1,198,000 with the money coming from the following sources.
Capital Purposes Reserve Fund $294,100
Federal Gas Tax $265,000
Infrastructure Reserve Fund $130,000
Park Dedication Reserve Fund $118,900
Public Benefits Reserve Fund $50,000
Senior Government Funding $190,000
Tax Supported Debt $150,000
Total Project Financing $1,198,000
 A lot of work was done on the plans for a revitalized civic Square – much of it was done before and during the election campaign – and got lost. Now that city Council knows what staff had in mind – Council wants more input. The original Civic Square construction was completed in 1984. It had reached the end of its life cycle and no longer met the city’s 2016 Accessibility standards.
 Civic Square as it is today – used for staff events, other public events including some of thee Raptors NBA games. City Council wants something with more in the way of prestige. In the summer of 2018, the City was provided with a Provincial Downtown Main Street Revitalization Initiative grant. City Council approved use of the grant towards the renewal of Civic Square given its importance to civic life and its relationship with Brant Street. To receive this funding the project had to be completed by March 31, 2020; it became critical to build in the summer and early fall to meet the deadline.
The summer and fall of 2018 was the election time frame that delivered a new city council. The focus during that campaign was who the new Mayor was going to be – a period of time when things got a little nasty and no one saw Civic Square as an issue.
Given the significance of Civic Square, an extensive public engagement process was developed and implemented with the goal to involve the public in shaping the design decisions. Public engagement made it clear that residents supported the continued use of Civic Square for festivals, events and other public uses. Residents also asked the City to make Civic Square a greener space with healthy trees.
Planting trees in a multi-use urban setting such as Civic Square is problematic with vehicles and large numbers of people traveling over the root zones. This requires the use of new technologies to ensure the long-term health of the trees. To achieve a sustainable environment for trees, the project includes the use of large structural soil cells for tree planting. These structures have the added benefit of storing storm water which slows the impact on the storm sewer system. This construction method is considered a positive action to help fight climate change.
The timeline set out in the staff report made it clear that Capital Works was engaging the public as well as they could. It was the incumbents and the candidates who missed the issue.
The estimated project cost was $948,000 – the project budget grew to $1,198,000 – an overage of of $250,000.
Capital Works explained the overage with the following comments:
1. Higher than anticipated costs by tendering landscape construction in late spring (after most qualified contractors have a full work schedule).
2. Higher than anticipated costs to build the pavement foundation.
3. Higher than anticipated costs to build structural cells for healthy tree growth.
4. Additional cost to relocate fire hydrant for festival and events access.
5. Additional cost to replace end-of-life electrical cabinets at the edge of Civic Square and Brant Street (at the Queen’s Head driveway).
The people at Capital Works have tendered 18 projects to date in 2019. The total approved budget for these projects was $24.75 million. The total cost at award for these projects was $22.94 million, as awarded through Delegated Authority Reports.
In their report Capital Works argued that the positive variance of $1.81 million could be directed to the Civic Square project to make up the difference between Budget Total Cost and the Tender Award Total Cost.
Capital Works tendering is not a science, unexpected issues arise, there are surprises – look at the Pier experience and the plans to do something different with New Street.
Capital Works didn’t think there was all that big an issue. What they didn’t see coming was a council that was determined to do things differently. They wanted to be much more hands on and they weren’t about to let something as significant as Civic Square get determined by any staff group.
Expect the same kind of thinking to get put into play when construction begins to take place across the street from city hall.
The hubub over the matter of $250,000 wasn’t the real concern. Council would find a way around that – of prime concern was – what kind of a Civic Square is the city going to have. Councillor Nisan began to focus on the public art that was being proposed and wanted to know where the design came from and who made the decisions.
What started out as a Consent Agenda matter became an item that got significant discussion at one Standing Committee meeting and even more at a meeting days later when Staff were brought in to answer questions.
 Angela Paparizo, Manger of Cultural programs in conversation with Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman. Angela Paparizo was pressed to explain who made the art decisions. Nisan didn’t like what he had seen so far – he was unaware that the city has a public art specialist on contract.
Capital Works had done its job of soliciting and sourcing public art; the consultant under contract was part of the process, the Manager of Cultural Programs Angela Paparizo did everything she was supposed to do.
None of that mattered – Council didn’t want to hand this one off to staff.
They were told to come back with other ideas to spend the provincial money.
Capital Works will scramble to see if they can come up with a project somewhere in the city that meets the Provincial Downtown Main Street Revitalization Initiative grant criteria.
The shade structure that was proposed will probably never see the light of day.
It might be some time before the public sees a renewed Civic Square – they had better get it right the first time – the public tends to get nasty when elected officials decide to be arts experts.
Related news stories:
Some public engagement did take place.
The plans were well known – Council was apparently asleep at the switch.
 By Jan Mowbray
June 24th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
What is a Green New Deal?
It isn’t a plank in the Green Party platform.
“The Green New Deal is an ambitious plan for how we can eliminate poverty and create millions of jobs while tackling the biggest threat of our time: climate change.”
 A small group of people gathered at the Gazebo last Friday afternoon to talk about a new deal needed to manage the changes in our climate. It involves massive public investment in clean energy, transit and climate adaptation work. But the vision is bigger than that: it’s about transforming our entire economy to be safer and more fair and give everyone a better life.
First proposed in the U.S., the Green New Deal is spreading around the world.”
 Participants put their idea on different coloured cards which became the focus for discussions. In Canada there are now 178 groups across the country, meeting together, as they did in Burlington last Saturday, to discuss ideas to address a common concern – our changing climate.
Led by Danny Carter, CEO of the Canadian Hemp Farmers Alliance, a group of people came together on Saturday to get information about the New Green Deal.
“In 2006, the Green New Deal Task Force created a Green New Deal; a plan for one hundred percent clean, renewable energy by 2030 utilizing a carbon tax, a jobs guarantee, free college, single-payer healthcare, and a focus on using public programs.
“A Green New Deal rests on two fundamental principles:
 Climate change as we know it now. • It must be based on knowledge and science and cut Canada’s emissions in half in 11 years.
• It must leave no one behind and create a better present and future for all of us.”
A Green New Deal must lift all of us together. How we address these problems needs to start at Canada’s beginning—the violent displacement of Indigenous peoples from the land—and build out from there.
Its grass roots at its best.The first Burlington meeting was small – they usually are – but they do grow. There wasn’t a politician in sight. That good be good or it could be bad.
There is more information available at:
https://canadians.org/greennewdeal
https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/12/21/18144138/green-new-deal-alexandria-ocasio-cortez
 By Staff
June 24, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The province sent out a media release advising that the first fruits of the season are now available at stores and farmers’ markets across the province.
Indeed they are.
In Burlington, the Canada Day event has traditionally had strawberries and ice cream served out by the Museums of Burlington people.
 The Strawberry Festival was once an important part of the Burlington social scene. You wore your finest – and if you mattered – you attended. The Joseph Brant Museum decided to take a pass on the annul Strawberry Social this year – transformed Joseph Brant Museum didn’t make the planned opening date, That won’t take place this year – the Joseph Brant Museum isn’t going to be open for the event. No reason was given for not holding the event elsewhere.
The upside is that Burlington is at least going to have a Canada Day event.
The Province decided to get small minded and not holding a Canada Day event – no need to invite another occasion when the Premier, the man working for the people, can get booed.
 These berries are at their very best – one of the nicer things about the summer season. The cool spring has done wonders for strawberry plants. Tom Heeman, Chairman of the Berry Growers of Ontario claims there “There really is no comparison to the taste and flavour of a true local Ontario strawberry, and this year they will be in great supply. Enjoy the taste of summer with the first fruits of the season!”
More than 1,900 acres of field strawberries are harvested in Ontario each year. Strawberries are high in antioxidants and vitamin C, and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
By Staff
June 20th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It is an occasion to wander down Brant Street, meet with friends, maybe do a little shopping and ogle some of the cars your parents drove.
 The car that gets a lot of people taking selfies A number of years ago at this event, there was a handful of electric cars that were available for people to test drive. No word yet if something like that will be on this year.
On Saturday, July 6, the 5th Annual Burlington Downtown Car Show will take place on Brant Street between Caroline Street and Lakeshore Road.
n order to meet the needs of the event, the following road closures will be in effect. Vehicles parked illegally in the event area will be tagged or towed to allow emergency access.
Road Closure:
Saturday, July 6 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Brant Street between Caroline Street and Lakeshore Road.
• Ontario Street and Elgin Street between Locust Street and Brant Street.
• James Street between John Street and Brant Street.
Resident Access
• Maria Street between John Street and Brant Street.
• Pine Street between John Street and Brant Street.
• Emergency Services access will be maintained at all times in the event area.
Parking Restrictions Posted
• Please do not park in restricted areas.
• See parking rules at each pay machine.
Supervision
• Road closure will be managed under the supervision of the Halton Regional Police Service.
• Event notices were delivered to all residences, religious centres and businesses affected by the event.
Photo caption:
By Staff
June 18th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Art in Action’s 17th annual Studio tour takes place Saturday, November 2nd and 3rd. Fairview Street becomes Burlington’s Art trail for this tour stretching from Appleby Line to Spring Gardens Road. The 2019 tour features nine studios and 27 artists, including its most recent scholarship winner, Anna Golding who will have started at the University of Guelph, fine arts degree. Anna will be at Studio 9.
An important part of Art in Action’s mandate is to support the next generation of Burlington’s artists with this annual scholarship programme. The award ranges from $1000.00 to $1500.00 depending on the financial support the artists receive each year from those who attend the tour.
 Art in Action member, Darlene Throop, left, presents their 8th annual Fine Art scholarship to Anna Golding from Dr. Frank Hayden Secondary school. Also in the photo is, Anna’s teacher, Jordie Burton. Anna Golding explains what she does this way: “I create art that is an embodiment of myself. It begins as a piece pf me, then evolves in such a way that the end result can be carefully traced back to the original idea. One could say the process I go through is similar to that of Dr. Frankenstein & his monster, in the fact that his monster gets extremely out of his control and that is ultimately how my art ends up.
“My art shows truth of self, giving way to feelings of complete freedom and utter vulnerability in myself, during creation, and in viewers, as they experience it. ”
Help the 27 artists of Art in Action by becoming a friend of Art in Action with a donation of $100.00 Sponsorship levels include $200.00 and up to $1.000.00. Check out the website at: www.artinaction.ca Help us keep this scholarship an integral part of our mission.
Follow the art trail from Fairview at Appleby to Plains Rd ending at Spring Gardens Road by the RBG.
www. artinaction.ca
For more information about the scholarship please contact Darlene Throop at darlene.throop@gmail.com
By Pepper Parr
June 17th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
City council will meet this evening and pass bylaws making legal the numerous recommendations that were made at the Standing Committee and Committee of the Whole level.
They will decide how pan handling is going to be handled.
There were some interesting differences of opinion during the debate on this issue. The Mayor had no problem with people pan handling – they have a right to do so as long as they are not standing on roadways and interfering with the flow of traffic.
Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nissan wanted things to further than that – however Inspector Ivan L’Ortie, the senior officer at the Burlington unit of the Halton Regional Police explained that there really isn’t much the police can do. “We try to offer people who feel they have to beg to get the funds they need to live as much help as we can and there have been a few occasions where we have been able to make a difference. But if people want to pan handle – here isn’t much we can do.”
Mayor Meed Ward wanted to know if the city had a No Loitering bylaw; they don’t.
What became clear during the debate was that if people in Burlington want to put an end to pan handling all they have to do is stop giving the pan handlers any money.
Once they realize that there is nothing for them – they will stop.
Most of the pan handlers are not Burlington residents – they are people from the Hamilton area who seem to know a good thing when they see it. The people of Burlington are prepared to open their hearts and open their wallets and help them out.
The best way to help them out is to direct them to agencies that can support then to move onto a more secure life style.
Staff reported that a survey of other municipalities showed that none have pan handling bylaws – some try to do some educating.
 Will Burlington see signs like this? It seems to be the only option available. Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte went on line during the meeting and came back with a sign being used in Wainsboro, Virginia.
The feeling seemed to be that the residents can put a stop to the pan handling by refusing to give money.
Council decided to leave the task of creating an education program for the public – which is likely to include signs at some of the more popular pan handling locations urging the public to donate to the charities in place to help these people.
A report will come back to Council in September – assuming the recommendation gets approved this evening.
By Staff
June 15th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Be prepared to be mesmerized by the brilliant colour combinations of the iris collection at the Royal Botanical Gardens’ (RBG) Laking Garden – they are at their peak bloom.
 Royal Botanical Gardens’ (RBG) Laking Garden Visitors can also explore the peony collection and perennial borders while enjoying live entertainment, guided tours, and presentations at the RBG Discovery Cart.
“You really have to come to RBG and immerse yourself in this collection to gain a full sensory experience that iris can provide,” said RBG Curator of Collections, Alex Henderson. “We have over 1,000 iris displaying an array of brilliant colour and the fragrance is truly captivating.”
Planted in 1947, the iris collection was RBG’s first herbaceous collection of importance with the main focus on tall bearded iris. There are approximately 250 species of wild iris found around the world and several are planted here.
 Set on a fertile terraced plain, formerly a market garden, the site is home to RBG’s herbaceous perennial collections. The name iris derives from Greek meaning rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species and cultivars. RBG’s collection includes award-winning bearded iris and hundreds of others including miniature bearded, dwarf bearded, intermediate bearded, border bearded, tall bearded, Siberian, spuria and wild species iris.
The garden also features a broad selection of tree and herbaceous peony cultivars, as well as several ancestral wild species. The Greeks referred to peonies as ‘the Queen of all herbs’ while the Chinese considered them ‘the King of all flowers’. Over time, peonies have been used ethno-botanically as a medicinal plant, as a spice, for making tea, as a perfume and the seeds were even used as jewelry.
Peonies are divided into three groups. Herbaceous peonies, which die back to the ground each winter, Tree peonies, which are one- to two-metre tall woody shrubs that bloom ahead of their herbaceous cousins, and the latest introduction of Intersectional (Itoh) hybrids, a cross between the two. The herbaceous peony collection is predominantly on the lower terrace near the gazebo while tree peonies are found on the upper terrace.
RBG’s Laking Garden (located at1260 Spring Gardens Road, Burlington) is set on a fertile terraced plain, formerly a market garden, and is home to RBG’s herbaceous perennial collections. The belvedere at the end of the path offers a panoramic view over the entire garden.
This garden, overlooked by a small cottage, offers the visitor an insight into the depth and breadth of perennial plants.
 By Staff
June 14th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The operators of the Schlegel Villages, long term care and retirement homes, are doing their part to put an end to ageism.
 The Elder Wisdom bench – at entrance #5 Burlington Centre They have come up with a unique idea – set benches out and invite people to spend some time with a senior to talk about their experiences.
They use benches painted in a signature green and putting them out in very public places.
The program is called Elder Wisdom – they use the hash tag #ElderWisdom and will be visiting the Burlington Centre (was once called the Burlington Mall) on Monday June 17th from noon to 2:00 pm.
Seniors from The Village of Tansley Woods will be at the Centre with the green #ElderWisdom bench to share in conversations with the Burlington community.
#ElderWisdom is a social awareness campaign aimed at highlighting senior wisdom and contribution in our communities in hopes to honour the wisdom of the elder, end ageism.
Ageism is a form of discrimination, often experienced by seniors. Our elders have a great deal of wisdom to contribute to their communities. However, societal norms marginalize seniors, treat them with disrespect, make them feel unwelcome and generalize as if they were all the same.
 Wisdom moving from the senior to a senior police officer. Examples:
• comedians and talk show hosts joke about seniors and memory loss;
• doctors often talk past the senior patient to an adult child as if the senior wasn’t even in the room and
• younger adults mock seniors for being ‘slow’.
Ageism robs seniors of choice, independence, dignity and negatively impacts their quality of life.
It’s an interesting approach to a problem that limits the degree to which seniors can be active participants in the growth and well being of their communities.
Burlington Centre – June 17th noon to 2:00 pm
The green bench will be at entrance number 5.
By Pepper Parr
June 13th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington now has more than one group advocating for better government and a better Burlington.
ECoB – the Engaged Citizens of Burlington proved to be very effective.
They sponsored debates in every ward during the municipal election and this evening they are sponsoring a discussion between Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Oakville Mayor Rob Burton on the Tale of Two Cities at the Performing Arts Centre. “Tip off” for that event is 7:00 pm.
There are 575 people who have free tickets – if you don’t have a ticket – worry not as there are about 50 seats still available. Just walk in and you will be welcomed.
After a solid meal of civic politics one can wander on down to Spencer Smith Park and see if the Raptors can beat the Golden State Warriors and cover Canada in Glory. The Toronto Maple Leafs were never able to do that.
The advocacy newcomers – We Love Burlington are a much smaller group with no plans for involving the community to the same degree that ECoB has
 We Love Burlington – we are calling them “The Lovelies”, are delivering mailers to different neighbourhoods to spread awareness about the group and talk about what folks can do to be heard.
We Love Burlington has prepared the following set of principles which they believe should be followed by the City of Burlington when considering development applications, particularly in the downtown and in waterfront areas city-wide.
They submitted these as commentary on the latest development application, for 2069-2079 Lakeshore/383-385 Pearl Street and will submit it going forward for all relevant applications, as it seems citizens do have to keep repeating their arguments over and over again. Depending on the specific circumstances of individual development applications, we may add further details and comments as we see fit.
Among the issues they want to sprinkle some star dust on are:
• Burlington’s downtown belongs to all the citizens of Burlington and should be developed as a vibrant, inclusive place for people to live, work, shop and entertain themselves.
• Burlington’s downtown is the cradle of its waterfront – a natural asset belonging to all citizens and deserving of completely open access, and careful, responsible stewardship.
• Access to Burlington’s waterfront includes visual and line-of-sight approaches. It must neither be blocked from public entry nor blocked from a reasonably unobstructed view. What is or is not “reasonable” is a determination that must be made carefully and by fairly considering all affected parties and interests.
• The height of buildings that border Burlington’s waterfront and core downtown areas must be carefully regulated to allow open access and appropriate sight lines to the waterfront and green spaces. Again, the degree of regulation must reflect the fair and careful consideration of all affected interests.
• The City’s approved Official Plan and the plan in force is the 2008 version that has been judged to be consistent with the overriding 2014 Provincial Policy Statement and Growth Plan. As such, all development proposals being submitted for approval should be assessed using the terms, conditions and provisions of the 2008 Official Plan.
• Optimization of provincial intensification objectives should not be accomplished solely or primarily through the construction of ‘tall’ buildings in the City’s downtown core. Alternate approaches and locations must be considered and “optimization” should not be considered to be synonymous with “maximization”.
• Development proposals that seek approval to construct in the downtown core must provide clearly identified/identifiable, valued, measurable community benefits. The determination of these benefits must be an open and collaborative process involving all affected parties and must be pre- rather than post-approval. The nature and scope of community benefits will, ultimately, be approved by council and should be directed to areas of greatest community need (i.e. affordable housing).
• Development proposals should always consider and identify the cumulative effects for things such as traffic, parking, shadowing, wind tunnelling etc. rather than those specific and isolated to only the development being proposed.
• Full development costs should be borne by the developer or development proponent and not passed on to taxpayers in the form of higher property taxes or greater municipal debt.
• Good policy and planning involves the appropriate balancing of local, regional and provincial interests. When these interests do not align, local concerns should not be subordinate nor should the developer’s voice predominate.
 By Staff
June 12, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The wildly popular ‘Burlassic Park’ is moving to Spencer Smith Park in a partnership with the Sound of Music Festival.
The City and the Sound of Music Festival have worked with all the artists playing on Thursday June 13th to accommodate the largest outdoor viewing of the Toronto Raptors Game 6, in the Golden Horseshoe!
 Lonestar becomes the warm up band for Game 6 of the NBA finals. The broadcast of Game 6 of the NBA Finals will be preceded by headline performance of “Lonestar” on the main stage.
The event can be shared by following the hashtag #burlassicpark
Twitter: @cityburlington
Facebook: @cityburlington
Instagram: @cityburlington
 A reported 10,000 people gathered in Spencer Smith Park in August of 2016 to hear Gord Downie in his final concert.
By Pepper Parr
June 11th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Terry Fox Run for a Cure got a bit of a break from city hall.
In the past they have had to pay a significant fee for the use of Spencer Smith Park.
 Craig Gardner, chair of the Burlington Terry Fox Run Committee Craig Gardner appeared before the Committee of the Whole Monday evening with a request that the city grant a permanent waiver of City fees related to the Burlington Terry Fox Run.
The Terry Fox Run started September 13, 1981 shortly after Terry’s death June 28, 1981. Terry started his run April 13, 1980 which included coming through Burlington, but he had to stop after 143 days and 5373 km on Sept 1, 1980 in Thunder Bay.
Burlington has had a run every year and after 38. During that time 23,000 runners in Burlington have raised over $2 million. Approximately 80% of these funds have gone to Cancer research including funding of cancer research at McMaster in Hamilton.
Isadore Sharp, founder of the Four Seasons Hotel chain, met with Terry before he passed away to get Terry’s okay to have an annual run (Izzy had lost a son to cancer in 1978).
It was at this time that Terry set the rules that all Terry Fox Runs to follow; those rules are still in place today.
There are to be no Corporate sponsorship, no entry fee, no minimum donation, not a timed run, family event, all funds raised must be forwarded to the foundation, any goods or services required to hold a Terry Fox Run must be donated or be covered by specific donations from third parties (e.g. food, service, or security requirements), locally everyone involved with the run is a volunteer, no paid staff.
 The monument to the time Terry Fox ran through Burlington was a citizen initiative, conceived and paid for by private donations. The only hitch with this project was how difficult city hall made to get it done. The citizens prevailed. “As you can imagine” said Gardner, “ it is a lot of work to host a run under these rules. We find Burlington a great city in terms of local businesses generosity in donating goods and services without a tax receipt and without the ability to advertise their donation, but we find it very hard to solicit cash.
“We have minimal cash obligations of about $200 per year for honorariums for St. Johns Ambulance, a radio club that helps make our run secure and licenses to play music from SOCAN and RESOUND.
“The city bill which is in the neighbourhood of $700 for park rental and park staff for the 4 hours we are in the park Sunday morning is by far our largest cash expense.
“To uphold Terry’s wishes and as a Canadian hero we request the city permanently waive the fee for this event in his honour. Majority of the cities in Canada waive this fee, as is the case in Oakville. Our plea is to make every dollar we raise go towards the research of finding the cure for cancer.”
See link for details on the way funds are to be used go to: https://www.terryfox.org/our-role-and-research/policies-and-guidelines/
The reply from the council committee was one of the fastest we have seen – slam, bam and it was done.
The recommendation will go to Council on the 17th.
This should have been done years ago.
Will others come a calling asking for the same break? Might, but they have quite a barrier to get over.
The Gazette has covered every Terry Fox run for the past eight years.
Don Carmichael, chair of the Terry Fox run in 2012, meets with part of his team to go over the final check-ins before the event gets serious and the crowds begin to show up.
 It has always been a family event. Many of the pictures we cherish the most are set out below.
 When you cross that finish line – a cup of water is real welcome. The Terry Fox organization in Burlington covers all the bases.  A really special team – Casey Cosgrove and his supporters.  Many people see the Terry Fox run as a unique thing that happened in Canada and was the result of one Canadian’s supreme effort. The Canadian flag just seems to be a part of the event – and there were plenty of them handed out.
By Pepper Parr
June 11th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
At just about every city council Standing Committee meeting there are a number of reports that are listed as part of the Consent Agenda.
These are reports that the Clerk’s Office doesn’t feel will require debate.
Any council member can ask to have an item taken off the Consent Agenda – which is what happened Monday evening when Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan asked that the report on changes to the design of Civic Square be taken off the Consent list – he had some questions – which led to close to an hour of discussion and a number of council members with their noses out of joint.
 What Civic Square looks like today. The holding of the event to recognize the loss of a member of Walk Off The Earth and the Burlassic Park site for the Raptors games have changed the way the city sees the use of the space. The only reason the item was on the Consent Agenda was because the cost of the project had gone over the permitted delegated spending level.
 Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan spotted a problem with a report – saved council and the city from a major embarrassment. Councillor Nisan had problems with the process that was used and pointed out that Civic Square was a flagship location and the level of public engagement should have been much higher. He argued that there was no opportunity for Council to comment.
Nisan wanted the report deferred so that Council could get to see what the final project was going to look like.
It was explained that the Capital Works people were up against a very tight deadline in terms of the work that had to be done and the need to get that work done before a March 2020 date which is when the funds that came from the provincial government would no longer be available.
Mayor Meed Ward jumped on that issue saying she shared the concern and wanted to know why the design was not in the report and added that what she was hearing from people was a significant level of being “underwhelmed”.
 The objective was to create a shade structure(s) to complement planned upgrades to the small gathering place in front of City Hall. Staff had come back to Council for approval to spend more than they were permitted to spend – council got huffed over not being asked to approve the final project.
There were two public information sessions and an on-line survey.
The city describes Civic Square as a small yet vital gathering space located in the heart of downtown Burlington and acts as the front entrance to City Hall. In addition to providing residents and visitors a space to stop and rest, Civic Square is also home to a variety of arts and culture events. Had Councillor Nisan not asked the Executive Director of Public works some questions this project to re-design what Civic Square was going to look like would have been a done deal.
Deferring it to the next Standing Committee cycle would have created timing problems on several levels – so Council decided to have the Capital Works people return the next day with a detailed report on what the site was going to look like.
Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns was fully aware of what was planned – she clearly dropped the ball on this one.
There will be some scrambling on Tuesday while Council scurries to recover from this gaff. Staff didn’t think they had a problem. The shade devices will be gone by the time council finishes with this matter.
The Gazette reported at length on the project – council members missed that one.
Link to related news stories: Gazette new story in February – it was all there for anyone to read.
Gazette story in December of 2018 on the changes coming to Civic Square.
 By Pepper Parr
June 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Freeman Station has announced their operating hours.
 The station is open today because of hard work done by a group of volunteers. Interesting to note that they have items that are for sale and that the model railway in the lower level of the building is now open.
Every child from about the age of five should be given a chance to tour the place and begin to understand how Burlington grew from a farming and produce community to what it is today.
A group of people started six years ago to save the structure at a time when the city wasn’t even able to sell it as kindling.
Some brave souls worked hard to find a location and then to raise the funds to keep it in one piece and put it on a foundation – all during a time when the city had basically given up on the idea of their being an historic railway station that the public could tour.
 Some of the people that made the Freeman Station possible at a city council meeting. A developer, (the Molinaro Group) with some prodding from a ward Councillor was able to put some Section 37 money into the building and when a particularly tough time hit them then Mayor Rick Goldring came through for them.
The Freeman Station is now a fact – built and operational – now what to do with it?
The hours of operation are impressive – it will call for a lot of volunteer time to keep the doors open. The people that did such a marvelous job of refurbishing the place do not have the skill set to market it effectively and run it on a day to day basis.
 Rendering of Brant Museum – scheduled to open in July. It needs a home within the city bureaucracy – the most obvious home is within the Museums Burlington set up that over sees Ireland House (which is very well run) and the transformed Joseph Brant Museum that as sucked up some $10 million in public money and is scheduled for a July opening.
 Barbara Teatero, Executive Director Museums Burlington The paucity of information that has come from the Museum operation has been a situation that is part of the way the current Executive Director has operated. There will soon be an occasion for new leadership of the Museum operation – once the city treasurer gets used to the kind of money the transformed Museum is going to need to be operational.
Some major surprises coming on that front.
Culture has never been a top of mind issue for city council – it is seen as a nice to have – something every city Burlington’s size has – but for Burlington not something that there is much heart and soul in.
By Staff
June 5th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlassic Park public viewings confirmed for Games 3 and 4 moving to Central Park Bandshell
The local broadcasting of games 3 and 4 of the NBA finals that has Toronto’s Raptors facing the Oakland Golden State Warriors in a seven game series that is now tied at one game each will be taking place at the Bandshell in Central Park due to construction at City Hall
 Golden State Warrior stadium in Oakland California – better viewing in Burlington. Games 5, 6 and 7 will be at Civic Square in downtown Burlington.
The following are the dates, times and locations for Burlassic Park NBA Finals public viewing parties:
Game 3 Wednesday, June 5: Central Park Bandshell. Viewing party begins at 8:30 p.m.
Game 4 Friday, June 7: Central Park Bandshell. Viewing party begins at 8:30 p.m.
Game 5: Monday, June 10. Civic Square. Viewing party begins at 8:30 p.m.
Game 6: Thursday, June 13. Civic Square. Viewing party begins at 8:30 p.m.
Game 7: Sunday, June 16. Civic Square Viewing party begins at 7:30 p.m.
 Construction at city “viewing party” has moved to the Band shell at Central Park. The City of Burlington will be hosting game viewings rain or shine. As the games are likely to go beyond 11 p.m., City Council has granted a Noise Bylaw exemption for all days.
Road Closures
For all games at Civic Square, Brant Street will be closed from James to Elgin Streets from one hour before the viewing parties begin and will be reopened soon after the game is over.
Event updates will be available on the City of Burlington social media accounts and residents are encouraged to following along for event shares via the hashtag #burlassicpark
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