 By Staff
June 3rd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington proclaimed June to be Pride Month and raised the Pride Flag over City Hall. On June 23, the pier will be lit up with beautiful rainbow-coloured lights.
 From the left: Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, Tara Thorp representing Free Mom Hugs Hamilton-Wentworth, ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna, and Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns. Earlier today, Deputy Mayor and Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna read the proclamation and helped raise the Pride Flag at Civic Square. He said “I am pleased that Burlington is a leader in safe, welcoming and inclusive communities. We all have a right to love and to be accepted.”
 By Staff
June 3rd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
On Friday, June 14, 2019, students from the Halton District School Board will participate in the 32nd Annual Special Athletes’ Track Meet at Garth Webb Secondary School (2820 Westoak Trails Blvd, Oakville). The track meet for athletes with physical and developmental challenges will take place from 9:30 a.m. – -2 p.m. Opening ceremonies begin at 10 a.m.
 Concentration! This year, more than 320 athletes are expected to participate, a significant increase considering only 12 athletes participated when the event began in 1987. Coaches, school staff and home school peers, friends, family members and volunteers provide support and encouragement for the athletes.
The Special Athletes’ events include 50m/100m races, softball throw (precision and distance), bean bag throw, Bocce (traditional), T-ball, and Frisbee throw.
 Effort! Additional events and stations have been added to the schedule including hoops/ropes and sensory exploration stations.
This event provides Special Athletes with an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and celebrate their successes with fellow students, friends and family. The Optimist Clubs of Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville and Burlington will be donating and serving hot dogs, hamburgers and cold drinks at the meet.
The rain/heat date for this event will be Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at Garth Webb Secondary School.
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 By Staff
June 3rd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Lowville Festival has announced its program for their fifth annual season in north Burlington’s majestic Escarpment country.
The Festival has been offering high quality performances of music, theatre, visual arts and spoken word in a variety of venues along the Guelph Line in the beautiful historic hamlet of Lowville.
 Dan Hill, composer of the legendary hit song Sometimes When We Touch will be on stage in Lowville in June. This year the Festival will consist of the one gala headline attraction, the legendary singer-songwriter Dan Hill. The concert, which will be held in the air-conditioned St. George’s Anglican Hall, where last year we presented Sarah Harmer and Ben Heppner, will mark the first Burlington performance in many years of popular Canadian balladeer Dan Hill, composer of the legendary hit song Sometimes When We Touch and many other hit parade successes.
He will be presented in a very intimate context with keyboard and backup singer.
 Hayley Verrall to back up Dan Hill at Lowville Festival. Hayley Verrall, the young Burlington folk/country singer-songwriter will open for Dan Hill.
Seating for this special gala performance is limited to 180 patrons, so order your tickets soon.
You do not want to miss this up-close-and-personal concert.
The Lowville Festival is the vision of its two Founding Co-Artistic Directors: Lorretta Bailey, a Lowville resident, has performed in musical theatre productions across Canada, including the original Toronto production of Les Miserables; and Robert Missen, proprietor of the Bobolink Agency, an artist management agency, was the 2016 inductee into the Burlington Performing Arts Centre Hall of Fame.
Burlington Hydro and the City of Burlington the generous supporters of the 2019 Festival.
DAN HILL IN CONCERT
Saturday June 22nd 7:30 pm
St. George’s Hall
7051 Guelph Line, north of Derry Road
TICKETS $40 advance/$50 at the door
Available at www.lowvillefestival.com or at Different Drummer Books
Media Contact: Robert Missen, rmissen@sympatico.ca or 905-632-6047
 By Staff
June 1st, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
A heavenly fragrance is drifting through Royal Botanical Gardens’ (RBG’s) Arboretum, marking the official start of lilac season.
Weekend lilac celebrations at Royal Botanical Gardens’ Arboretum include live entertainment and tours
Visitors to RBG can captivate their senses amongst one of the world’s largest and diverse lilac collections as it reaches peak bloom while enjoying weekend entertainment, guided tours, and special events.
On June 1 & 2; between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. there are a number of events at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Arboretum.
 It’s a little like walking through a perfume factory with fresh air to bring new fragrances to your nose. Discover Lilacs
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Arboretum
Discover the seven colours of lilacs and learn about our world-renowned lilac collection.
 Four of the seven different types of lilacs at the RBG. Guided Tour: History of Lilacs
11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.; Arboretum
Follow a Garden Interpreter as they walk you through the story of our lilac collection. Meet at the start of the Lilac Walk.
Entertainment: Hands On Exotics
Saturday June 1
11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m.; Arboretum
Join us for a Jurassic Adventure! Get up close with a boa constrictor and other reptiles, and learn about these scaly friends.
 This is what relaxing is all about. Voices from the Past
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Arboretum
Keep an eye out for Isabella Preston while wandering through our Lilac Collection. Hear her stories about her work as one of Canada’s first female horticulturalists.
John Deere – Saturday June 1
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Arboretum
John Deere will be on-site all day as the proud sponsor of the 2019 Lilac Blooms. Take a photo with a John Deere tractor and enjoy some of their give-aways and promotions that will be available.
History of Hendrie Park Heritage Walk
Saturday June 1
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. ; Hendrie Park
Learn about the history of RBG’s most popular garden area and hear the stories of the people who have changed this landscape and left their mark. Meet in the tunnel.
 Full bloom! Wildflower Walk
Sunday
1:30 p.m.; Hendrie Park
Join a Garden Interpreter for a guided walk along our trails and see what wildflowers are in bloom! Meet at the Nature Interpretive Centre front deck.
Discovery Packs
Daily
10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Arboretum
Borrow a Discovery Pack from the Discovery Cart to take with you around the Gardens. These packs are complete with activity books and other tools to help you explore.
“The clearly visible impacts of climate change are accelerating and are threatening to disrupt the lives of billions of people around the world. Notably the lives and livelihoods of younger generations are at stake. Acting now with better education can have a major impact a few years down the road, when young people come of age and can make the decisions that shape society” – Climate Education Initiatives Pick up Pace. United Nations Climate Change article, May 2, 2019
 By Staff
May 30th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Youth are aware of this and are demanding change. They want action to prevent irreversible destruction of our planet and to ensure a future for themselves and their descendants. Across the world, environmental skills and awareness are needed to bring about this change.
At the same time, 12% of Canadian children ages 9-19 are affected by mood and anxiety disorders. Less than 20 per cent of these children will receive appropriate treatment. Children and teens with mental illness symptoms are at much higher risk of experiencing mental illness as adults.
 Students on a school environmental project – planting trees. There is a large body of both experimental and observational evidence supporting the beneficial impact of the natural environment on mental well-being. Studies indicate that connection to nature is significantly related to lower levels of overall, state cognitive and trait cognitive anxiety.
Imagine if these two critical issues of our time, environmental stewardship and mental health, could be simultaneously addressed.
We don’t have to imagine. A school that can achieve this already exists. For 35 years, a school in Halton Region has been offering experiential environmental leadership high school education programs for grades 9-10 (Trailhead) and 11-12 (The Bronte Creek Project) including a Specialist High Skills Major in the Environment. These programs are offered to all students in the region who are interested in the environment and take place in a natural setting which promotes social and mental well-being. A highly dedicated staff imparts academic excellence and develops environmental expertise in their students.
Testimonials over the long years of their existence attest to the success of these programs. This is best conveyed through the words of the students themselves:
 “Being at BCP (The Bronte Creek Project) so far has changed my life and will continue to. I love it so much, it is so healthy being out in nature all day, and for people with anxiety, it is really beneficial. Being in BCP gives you a new perspective on life, how it is changing and how it will continue to change if we can’t do something about climate change.” – Current BCP student
“Although it was 23 years ago, the BCP remains … the greatest experience of my entire life … I wanted my own kids to take this program.” – BCP student from 1996 class
The Halton District School Board is now ending these programs as a cost-cutting move.
These programs are a vital solution and there is no alternative in the school system. They should be the model for education that produces healthier and better adjusted adults to guide our society through the challenges and uncertain times ahead.
For the sake of our future, for our children’s future, the decision to end these programs is unacceptable and must be reversed.
Our goal is to obtain as many signatures as possible in a short period of time, before June 19th 2019.
Please use the #KeepBCPandTrailheadRunning when sharing or discussing this campaign on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
Sarah Judd signed this petition
Jessica Kennedy signed 2 hours ago
Lisa Richardson signed 2 hours ago
1,835 have signed. Let’s get to 2,500!
You too can sign the petition – CLICK here.
 By Staff
May 30th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
 Pathways in Paletta Park are being eroded. It isn’t just the ball parks that are having water problems: The Beachway, LaSalle Park and parts of Paletta are closed due to high water levels.
The Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park—the Beachway—is closed until further notice due to high water levels. The closure includes all beach rentals and services.
 Shoreline in the Beachway is being ereoded. The closure takes place to protect public safety and will remain until the lake-level goes down. There is significant sand erosion and debris at the shoreline.
At this time, the playground, concessions, washrooms, parking and the recreational trail will remain open.
The lake-level is approaching the recorded all-time high of 2017, and it is anticipated to continue to rise.
City staff will be removing the floating public docks at LaSalle Park. A contracted crane service will be performing the dock removals which is tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 31. The public boat launch will stay open and the docks will be re-installed once the lake-level has returned to normal.
 Washouts along with Groyne Trail at LaSalle Park LaSalle Park, west and south of the Sailing Club, the stone dust trail has been closed due to The pedestrian bridge on the Groyne Trail has been locked closed and barricades are in place.
 Docks at LaSalle will be taken out of the water until levels fall. Trail access at Paletta Park remains closed along the east side of the park, as well as a section of trail on the west side of Shoreacres Creek at the waterfront, where shoreline erosion has occurred.
Murray Cameron, Manager of Parks Operations explains that rain has raised Lake Ontario water levels; everyone is being asked to stay away from the beach until the water is low enough for us to at least get a clean-up crew in place.
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By Pepper Parr
May 29th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
At the 2019/2020 Season Launch Tuesday evening the Burlington Performing Arts Centre inducted the Burlington Footnotes Senior Performing Troupe into the Hall of Fame.
 Footnotes on stage Since its inception in 1995, the organization has grown from six to more than 100 members. These swingin’ seasoned adults prove that it’s great to have life experience as they celebrate the art of staying young. They have danced their way into the hearts of countless audiences.
Their annual show, Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance, is performed three times over two days each June, and always sells out becoming a fast-favourite with BPAC audiences and local tour operators who bring bus loads of visitors to Burlington annually.
In addition to being audience favorites. The Burlington Footnotes Senior Performing Troupe Inc have been recognized and endorsed by many of Burlington’s elected officials over the years.
 Established in 2013, the Hall of Fame recognizes people or organizations that have made significant contributions to the performing arts in Burlington. This year, BPAC is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of the Burlington Footnotes Senior Performing Troupe.
The Footnotes is an enthusiastic troupe of senior dance performers who demonstrate various dance styles: tap, jazz, ballet, clogging, hip-hop, and musical theatre. Their group also includes musicians and singers. They represented Burlington twice as the City’s Golden Age Ambassadors, performing in our twin city of Itabashi, Japan.
 By Pepper Parr
May 29th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
They drift into the Performing Arts Centre as couples, sometimes as small groups and mill around the large open room chatting with neighbours, catching up with friends they haven’t seen in a while.
The evening is part of an annual event – the launch of a new season at the Performing Arts Centre. By the end of the evening those same people line up at the ticket office to purchase their tickets for future events. That line this year appeared to be quite a bit longer than it was last year.
Tammy Fox, Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre, announced that there were seventy productions that was a balance of local talent mixed in with some international caliber talent.
The season will feature more local artists presented on the Main Stage and in the Community Studio Theatre than ever before.
 The Dreamboats – Rock and Roll the way you remember it. Some of the local talent featured this season includes: Tom Wilson and his literary recital Beautiful Scars and Burlington’s own Symphony on the Bay with the JUNO-nominated Sultans of String, fronted by local musician Chris McKhool.
Ancaster resident Jayne Eastwood hits the Main Stage in October with her comedic super-group Women Fully Clothed and on Halloween you can shake your Hot Patootie with Tim Park and friends for his Rocky Horror ‘Acoustic’ Show. November sees the next big thing in Country Music, Oakville native Vanessa Marie Carter, hit the stage with local singer Evan Farrell. The Gazette reporter didn’t realize he was sitting beside Vanessa’a mother until he asked – her prolonged applause gave her away; the applause was justly earned.
 Steven Paige – once with the Barenaked Ladies will be on the Performing Arts Centre Stage. Former Barenaked Ladies front-man Steven Paige takes the stage with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra.
It is an impressive line up.
There are also many international superstars including the return of favourites: The Nutcracker, The Andy Kim Christmas, April Wine, and Burton Cummings. Tiffany, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Sesame Street Live, and Charo! Are also being welcomed to the Performing Arts Centre.
Two annual festivals – the free Burlington Downtown Jazz Festival in August and The Cultural Diversity Festival programmed in tandem with Ontario Culture Days in the fall.
The 2019/2020 season showcases international and homegrown talent in every genre including music, dance, theatre, comedy, illusion and family entertainment.
Ticket purchases are limited to BPAC members until June 5th when they go on sale to the public.
There were a couple of presentations that had people sitting up in their seats: The Dreamboats were stunning – the energy and the music – pure Rock and Roll. This will be a sold out event.
There appeared to be more in the way of Family entertainment and material for children. It seemed as if there was less in the way of Classical music.
The Jazz offerings – wonderful describes them best.
 Tammy Fox pulled it all together – 70 Performances for the 2019 – 2020 Performing Arts season season that cover the entertainment interests of just about everyone. BPAC pricing is ALL-IN and includes all taxes and fees: what you see, is what you pay! BPAC Members have exclusive access to buy tickets for one week before the public sale on June 5. Enjoy the perks of membership while supporting BPAC.
Tammy Fox deserves kudos for putting together a balanced, interesting program with several delightful surprises – not an easy task.
 By Staff
May 27th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
If there are yoga exercises being done on Sundays then summer weather must be here.
 They were done in Civic Square in the past –they have moved to a location outside the Performing Arts Centre – 440 Locust Street
Kicks-off June 2nd!
Runs every Sunday | 10am – 11am
Fit in the Core is back again for the summer beginning June 2nd! Join us for free fitness featuring a different class & instructor every Sunday outside the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. All you need to bring is a mat & water bottle.
This event will be canceled in the event of rain. Please stay tuned to social media @DTBurlingtonOn (Twitter, Facebook & Instagram) for cancellation announcements in addition to our webpage.
 By Staff
May 22, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Due to the amount of rain the City has had over the past few weeks, the following Grass Multi-use Fields and Ball Diamonds remain closed today:
• Berton Park F1
• Berwick Green Park D1
• Brada Woods Park D1
• Brant Hills Park D3, F1, F2, F3
• Clarksdale Park D1
• Frontenac Park F1
• General Brock Park D1
• Ireland Park F3, F4
• Kerns Park D1, D2
• Kilbride Park D1, D3, F1
• Landsdown Park D1, F1
• Leighland Park D1, D2
• Lowville Park D1
• Maple Park F1
• Millcroft Park D3
• Newport Park F1
• Orchard Community Park F1
• Palmer Park F1
• Pearson High School Fields
• Sheldon Park D1, F1
• Sherwood Forest Park D1
• Skyway Park D2
• Tom Thompson Diamond
• Wellington Park F2
All other fields are open.
Not much left to use is there?
 By Staff
May 21, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Takes place on Friday – one of the most interesting fund raisers you are likely to come across in this community.
Open Doors, taking place at St. Christopher’s Church on Guelph Line has an entertainment line up, a silent auction that includes sightseeing flight over our beautiful city, a northern getaway at a beautiful lakefront cottage or a B&B experience in wine country. You will be amazed by the choices of items on which to bid and the generosity of the donations made by our local businesses.
 Open Doors is a group of 15 community based programs at St. Christopher’s Church that support our neighbours with Community Food, Families and Parenting, and Community Resources. As a community hub we schedule our programs so that you can access many resources in the same visit.
The Open Doors is one of the ways St.Christopher’s supports these efforts. The evening, May 24th 7:30 to 10 pm is a fun-filled evening of entertainment, delicious food and drink, and a lively silent and live auction. Auction items will include beautiful garden art doors painted by students from the Halton District School Board, an antique wheelbarrow filled with your favourite wines.
They’d love to see you at the Open Doors Gala on May 24, 2019. To purchase tickets please follow this link:
By Staff
May 20, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The choir of Port Nelson United Church presents its annual spring concert on Sunday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m.
The concert, entitled Celebrate!, features performances by the Choir of Port Nelson United Church under the direction of Stillman Matheson.
The special musical guests for the evening are the members of the Hamilton Children’s Choir, with artistic director Zimfira Poloz. Accompanists are Brent Fifield and Laura Pin, with trumpeter Nora Nolan.
 Choir of Port Nelson United Church “The choir of Port Nelson United Church will be presenting a varied program that will appeal to all lovers of choral music,” said Matheson, director of music at Port Nelson. “The Hamilton Children’s Choir will deliver a memorable performance, as they always do.”
Among the featured works on the program from the Port Nelson choir are Benjamin Britten’s “Jubilate Deo”, three pieces by Toronto composer Eleanor Daley, and Randall Thompson’s “Choose Something Like a Star”. The choir will also perform Mark Sirett’s “O God, Whose First Creative Word” which was commissioned by the Port Nelson choir to commemorate the completion of the Rekindle Project.
Ilumini, the senior choir with Hamilton Children’s Choir, will perform a variety of repertoire spanning many languages, cultures and eras, including Malaysian folk song “Wau Bulan”, arranged by Malaysian-Canadian Tracy Wong, a world premiere by Canadian Steven Webb, “Li Ngu Weko”, and a crowd-pleasing piece in the Mexican huapango style by Stephen Hatfield, “Las Amarillas.”
“Our Ilumini singers have been busy preparing a programme full of surprises for our guest appearance with Port Nelson United Church,” said Poloz. “We are thrilled to share some of our favourite pieces from Europe, the Americas, and Asia, including the premiere of a piece we will bring to Hong Kong on tour this July. We hope that our music makes you breathe deeply, sigh with wonder, and delight in the beauty of young singers sharing their full hearts and voices.”
 Port Nelson United Church This year’s spring concert honours the memory of Rev. Donald Gillies, a long-time minister with the United Church of Canada who was a member of the Port Nelson congregation in his retirement. Gillies was a talented organist and a proud supporter of the Hamilton Children’s Choir, and his family is generously sponsoring the concert.
“He was a much-loved member of our congregation, and we wanted to honour his life and contributions through music,” said Matheson.
The evening is also a celebration of renewal, as this year, Port Nelson marked the official opening of its newly renovated and accessible sanctuary and community space.
Admission is by a free will offering. All proceeds benefit the ministry of music at Port Nelson United Church.
Port Nelson United Church is located at 3132 South Dr. in Burlington in the heart of the Roseland community.
By Staff
May 17th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
If this keeps up the only place you will be able to go to is a bus shelter.
 LaSalle Park Marina The city has closed sections of trail at Paletta Park and LaSalle Park will be closed for an extended period as a result of the wet weather southern Ontario has been receiving this spring.
With Lake Ontario water levels expected to rise over the next few days, one of the two public floating docks at LaSalle Marina will also be closed. One floating dock will remain open to the public this weekend.
Between April 1 and May 13, 226 mm of rain has fallen in Burlington. The average monthly rainfall for April and May combined is 150.3 mm.
Paletta Park
• Sections of trail at the south end of the park, near Lake Ontario, leading to the woodlot are closed due to erosion along the watercourse and at the waterfront.
LaSalle Park
 Stone Dust Trail, west of the Burlington Sailing and Boating Club • A section of Stone Dust Trail, west of the Burlington Sailing and Boating Club is closed due to flooding.
• One of the two public floating docks at LaSalle Marina is closed due to flooding.
One floating dock will remain open to the public this weekend.
Murray Cameron, Manager of Park Operations explains: “Even though there is some sun in the forecast this weekend, the water level of Lake Ontario is anticipated to rise further. City staff will continue to monitor the closures daily along the waterfront to ensure trails are safe to access.”
 By Staff
May 15th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Green has been running what they call an EcoFilmFest at the library on New Street for a number of years. The films focus on environmental issues.
The 10th annual Eco-Film Festival program for 2019 is set out below.
It is both an exciting and informative series of documentaries that creates awareness and opportunities for collective action within the community to help protect the planet.
By Staff
May 15th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Each year the Burlington Foundation chooses a person, sometimes a couple to be named as the Distinguished Philanthropist for the year.
 The 2019 Distinguished Philanthropist will be Angelo Paletta described as a prominent business leader and generous philanthropist.
Angelo is the face of Paletta International. He has called Burlington home since 1964, and over those many years has contributed significantly to the growth and development of the city. “Angelo’s commitment to making our community a better place to live for everyone is always at the heart of his philanthropic endeavors,” says Colleen Mulholland, President and CEO, Burlington Foundation.
 Angelo Paletta with Colleen Mulholland, President of the Burlington Foundation. “Angelo, who has supported our foundation for many years consistently demonstrating a passionate and generous commitment to many charitable needs and causes. We are truly delighted to honour and celebrate his legacy of giving and social impact.”
Angelo will be honoured at Burlington Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Celebration being held on the evening of Thursday, October 24, 2019.
The award is presented by Canada Life.
In 2013 Angelo was the Patron for the Burlington Community Foundation annual fund-raiser. Watching him work a room is a pure delight.
Related news story
Angelo as Patron of the 2013 Fund Raiser for what was ten the Burlington Community Foundation.
By Pepper Parr
May 15th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Things got a little sticky for the Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) – the cash didn’t flow the way they needed it to flow.
 It graces the entrance to the Art Gallery – many don’t understand what it means. The AGB is one of the local boards Burlington created to provide services that a community may value but that do not fall within the usual service delivery of the municipality. These services may be as varied as economic development service or arts and culture. The City of Burlington has relationships with several boards:
• Aldershot Business Improvement Association
• Art Gallery of Burlington
• Burlington Downtown Business Improvement Association
• Burlington Economic Development Corporation
• Burlington Museums Board
• Burlington Public Library Board
• Burlington Theatre Board
• Tourism Burlington
 Burlington Theatre Board is the corporate structure for the Performing Arts Centre. The City pumps more than a million every year into Performing Arts and just shy of a million into the Art Gallery. The total into all the local boards is in excess of $15 million. These organizations have service level agreements with the City which outline services provided by the City to the boards. Over the past few years, some boards have requested additional accounting services. It made little sense for each of these Boards to have their own accounting department. Bunking in with the city made more sense and better operational reviews. The city has already begun to work with several of the Boards and some changes have taken place since January 2017 in accounting and financial reporting services provided to the boards.
 Robert Stevens, Executive Director of the Art Gallery. In 2017, a request was made to the Controller and Manager of Financial Services by the Executive Director of the Art Gallery to consider providing accounting services to the Art Gallery. The concern driving this request was that financial information being received internally was not timely due to cumbersome accounting procedures and therefore was not useful for proactive decision making.
Finance management determined that it would be useful to understand the financial processes at the Art Gallery before deciding to provide accounting services. Finance staff provided support in developing accounting policies and procedures, cash flow forecasting, budget preparation and other financial processes beginning in the summer of 2017.
Through the work performed by Finance staff it became evident that the Art Gallery was experiencing cash flow challenges. To help reduce the likelihood that the Art Gallery would have to increase its line of credit, the City provided additional funds over and above the budgeted operating grant. The City provided an additional $265k in 2017 to assist with the cash flow challenges.
In 2018 the City expanded its financial services to the Art Gallery to include accounts payable and accounting services. The additional services included bringing the Art Gallery into the City’s financial system, SAP. Finance staff continue to support the Art Gallery with financial reporting and cash flow analysis. This support includes attending the Audit and Finance Committee meetings of the Board. More timely, accurate and complete financial reporting is provided to the Board and management of the Art Gallery. The provision of accounts payable services enabled a cash flowing of operating expenses through 2018. At year end the cash flow extended to the Art Gallery resulted in an intercompany payable to the City of $424k.
Finance staff have been on site at the Art Gallery two days per week up to and including the audit of the 2018 financial statements which concluded in March 2019. Art Gallery staff have been mentored so that they are now able to assume responsibility for more of the financial management. Finance staff will continue to provide support but will have less of a presence at the Gallery. Finance staff continue to look for additional opportunities to support the Art Gallery in establishing good financial management practices. The focus in 2019 will be to reduce dependence on the City for cash flow support.
During 2018 the Art Gallery held a successful fundraising event which netted funds of $181k. The Board of Directors of the Art Gallery has requested that approximately $60k of the funds be held in a reserve fund for future needs.
Some financial stability for the Art Gallery
By Staff
May 14th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It was on again off again for a week – then they just gave up and said Closed until further notice.
The weather is playing havoc with the folks over at the Parks and Recreation department.
Grass sports fields are closed due to unsafe conditions. Public safety trumps everything.
 No ball playing on this diamond. This is basically the situation across the city – except where there is artificial turf. In a media release the city said: “Due to the amount of rain the City has had over the past few weeks, all natural turf-grass playing fields will be closed until further notice.
Between April 1 and May 13, 226 mm of rain has fallen in Burlington. The average monthly rainfall for April and May combined is 150.3 mm.
The soggy conditions of the fields are a threat to player safety and use of the fields will cause damage to the turf resulting in significant repairs and lengthy field closures. Not all grass fields have been mowed because site conditions are too soft. Mowers have become stuck resulting in the need for costly repairs of the tracks left behind which also pose a risk to player safety.
 The field conditions are terrible – a lot of damage done. Murray Cameron, Manager of Park Operations explains it this way: “We’ve had much more rain than normal this spring, so our fields just haven’t had a chance to drain. They will need several days of drying conditions for the ground to become firm enough to support a mower and dozens of people using the area, so please stay off the fields until further notice, even if we get one or two warm sunny days.
“Repairs of fields are costly and time-consuming and injuries are not how anyone wants to start the season.”
By Staff
May 14th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
June is the Month of Play and the City of Burlington has many activities planned to help people get outside, have fun and be active.
The Burlington Kite Festival, presented by the Rocca Sisters Team
The Burlington Kite Festival, presented by the Rocca Sisters Team, is being held on Sunday, June 2, 2019 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Brant Hills Community Centre, 2255 Brant St.
Festival participants can build their own kite (while supplies last) or bring their own kite to fill the sky with dancing colours.
This year’s event will feature the Curiosity Cube which involves interactive, hands-on science experiments using the latest technology to inspire curiosity in the next generation of scientists. There will also be face painting, balloon animals, stilt walkers and much more. All are welcome.
 Splash pad at LaSalle. Spray Pads
Community Park Spray Pads will be opening on May 18.
 Nelson pool. Summer Outdoor Pool Openings
• Nelson Pool and Splash Park opens June 1
• LaSalle Outdoor Pool and Splash Park and Mountainside Pool and Splash Park open June 15
Please note, Nelson Pool and Splash Park will be closed June 9 and July 6 to 7, and
Angela Couglan Pool will be closed after May 31, 2019, until Spring 2020 for pool renovations.
Learn more about swimming lessons and recreational swimming schedules at burlington.ca/swimming.
ParticipACTION’s Community Better Challenge
Help Burlington become Canada’s Most Active Community. All you need to do is track your activities during the challenge. The challenge takes place from May 31 to June 16.
Download the ParticipACTION app for free at participACTIONapp.com.
Start tracking your activities!
Burlington Walks the Talk
Burlington Walks the Talk is a community program that encourages people to create or join neighbourhood walking groups year-round. The program offers a “how to create a walking group” guide and a place on the City of Burlington website to share information about upcoming community walks to invite others to participate and learn more about walk meetup times and locations in Burlington. The first 10 groups to post their community walking group on the community walk meetup calendar will receive up to 10 t-shirts for their walking group (while supplies last).
Pop Up n’ Play
Popping up in City of Burlington parks throughout the spring and summer is our Pop Up n’ Play experience where children can explore, create, imagine and play in their own way.
Yoga in the Park
Each week will feature a fully qualified instructor in a different park. Bring your yoga mat and/or towel, water, and wear appropriate clothing. All experience levels are welcome.
NEW-Pop Up n’ Play Fitness
Parents can join free Yoga in the Park every Sunday morning in May and June from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., while kids get their move on at our free Fitness Pop Ups. Encouraging children to be active and have fun in non-traditional activities. Build a ninja course, find a new way to balance or swing, create a strength challenge or make up a new game. Ages 4-14. Parents are to be in the park during the program.
Play Streets
The community program offers the opportunity for weekly, local street closures which encourage the use of neighbourhood streets for safe, active play and social interaction between neighbours of all ages and is available all year.
 Summer play at the Band Shell in Central Park Concerts in the Park
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy an evening of music under the open sky at the Central Park Bandshell. Concerts begin June 16 and run every Wednesday and Sunday until the Aug. 18. We offer music for every style and age.
100n1 Day Burlington
A festival of citizen engagement, 100In1Day Burlington is part of a growing global movement that is changing how people interact with their cities. 100in1Day Burlington inspires residents to activate 100 innovative, thought-provoking ideas into activations to transform our city, all on one day, June 1.
The City of Burlington encourages people of all ages to get outside and enjoy the many parks, outdoor spaces, playfields and recreational play experiences that support active living and a healthy lifestyle for all ages, abilities and cultures. Learn more about recreational experiences and where to play at burlington.ca/play. Get Outside. Live & Play Every Day.
 Chris Glenn, Director of Parks and Recreation in his PArks& Rec uniform. Chris Glenn, Director of Parks and Recreation maintains that “Flying a kite is just as fun for adults as it is for kids. For the rest of the Month of Play, we have a variety of activities to keep everyone active, having fun outdoors throughout the city all summer long. Get outside and play this summer and help Burlington become Canada’s Most Active Community.”
 By Pepper Parr
May 13th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
City Hall is reviewing Council appointed Citizen Advisory Committees to determine the best way to use the knowledge and diversity that citizen advisory committees can bring to the city.
A number of Citizen Action Labs are going to be held to get feedback, input and sound discussion on the role citizens can play in the way the city is run.
Citizen Action Labs are where people work together in small, welcoming groups to engage, discuss, share and explore new ideas.
Three Citizen Action Labs are planned. Current and past citizen advisory committee members and members of the public are encouraged to attend. Registration is required as there is a maximum capacity of 80 people at each session.
Burlington has a number of Advisory Committees; some have provided exceptional citizen service while others have been close to a bust and were disbanded.
The best the Gazette has seen is the contribution made by the Heritage Advisory Committee. While delivering one of their reports to a council committee they got a close to standing ovation from the members of council.
They had a budget and made recommendations on what can be given in the way of grants to property owners who want to enhance the heritage aspects of their property. It was citizen participation at its very best.
Prior to the re-creation of the Heritage Advisory committee any mention of designating a property as historically significant had property owners howling. Much of the real estate community didn’t help when property owners were told that a historical designation would make it very hard to sell their property.
No one had informed or educated people in Burlington on just what a historical designation could do to the value of a property. We seemed to be unable to see and understand what Niagara on the Lake had done.
The Sustainability Advisory Committee was also one of the sterling examples of citizen participation. The problem with that committee was that it was too successful and there were too many development applications coming in – they were overwhelmed – but they continued to deliver.
 Waterfront Advisory didn’t last very long – leadership left a lot to be desired. Then there was the Waterfront Advisory Committee that was put in place by former Mayor Cam Jackson and headed by a Burlington lawyer who thought he was writing legal briefs when he prepared reports. It was that committee that led to the sale of waterfront property to citizens who saw an opportunity to acquire land abutting their property – they pounced and the city lost forever the opportunity to create a continuous Waterfront Trail along the edge of the lake
That Advisory Committee got shut down.
It is going to be revived with a council member who will be sensitive to the input from the citizens and realize that her role is to liaise with the committee, city staff and council.
 Sparsely attended Transit Advisory meeting – staff talent shows up – members appeared to have missed the bus. There was once a Transit Advisory Committee that a number of people in senior positions at city hall just didn’t want. It was also terribly run. People were throwing documents at each other on one occasion. The council liaison person had no intention of letting citizens say very much
Each of the Advisory committees is given a Clerk who is in place to guide and support the committee; some were not able to do that as effectively as was needed.
The biggest flaw in the Advisory Committee process was the city council member who was put in place as a liaison. Most of them felt that their job was to run the committee and several made sure that their view prevailed.
Our view is that the problem is with the Clerk’s Office. While the City Manager is the person responsible for ensuring the will of council is met the City Clerk is the senior administrative officer and is charged with building public trust and confidence in the city government.
The current Clerk has consistently taken a very tight, almost rigid approach to how the rules get interpreted.
ECoB – Engaged Citizens of Burlington wanted to use a graphic the city had created to promote the seven public debates they sponsored during the October election.
They were told the graphic could not be used.
 Mayor \goldring had to hold his public meeting on a street corner. During the 2014 election then Mayor Goldring wanted to hold an event celebrating WORLD Day and was told that he could not use the Gazebo in Spencer Smith Park because it was city property and there was an election taking place.
The Mayor was speaking for the city on an event of international importance. He ended up holding his event on a sidewalk outside a coffee shop.
During the same election the candidate for ward 2 rented space at the Art Gallery for her campaign kick-off event and was told that her election team could not wear their T-shirts in the hallways of the AGB.
There is a nit picking, niggling tone, attitude and approach to the way the Clerk’s office sees the role that citizens should play in the affairs of the city. This Clerk doesn’t have much room or time for the public. “How can we help” are words that do not cross very many lips in the Clerk’s office.
There are exceptions – three in particular understand they are there to serve.
The city now has a Mayor who takes a different view of public involvement. Hopefully the Office of the Clerk will manage to read the signals.
Salt with Pepper is the opinions, reflections,musings and observations of the Gazette Publisher
Related news stories:
Historical Advisory takes an evidence approach to decision making.
Citizen Action labs set up
Jim Young on Advisory Committees
 By Staff
May 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The last of the 2018/19 Piano Series takes place on the 26th. A few days later the public will learn what the Performing Art Centre line up is going to be – that events takes place on the 28th.
Anagnoson & Kinton, one of the world’s finest piano duos, will be closing out the piano series on May 26 at 4:00pm.
The Piano was invented in the 1700s and is considered one of the most important instruments in Western music of all genres. Throughout the 2018/19 season, BPAC celebrated The Piano, presenting a four-concert series showcasing this magnificent instrument in distinct piano presentations, with some of Canada’s keyboard masters: music from Schubert, Ravel, Dvořák, and Stravinsky.
 Anagnoson & Kinton: talent of this caliber on the stage of the Performing Arts Theatre is one of the reasons the place was built. With over 1000 performances throughout the duo’s 40-year history, Anagnoson & Kinton have been repeatedly met with great critical acclaim across North America, Europe, China, and Russia. In addition to traditional recitals, the duo has commissioned numerous compositions, expanding the boundaries of traditional piano-duos.
Music of this caliber and quality is seldom available in smaller cities.
The tub thumping for the 2019-20 season follows.
In the past there have been some pretty limp performances at which the forthcoming Performing Arts Centre program was announced. There was one season when it was positively embarrassing.
 Performing Arts patrons going over the offerings for the year ahead before heading for the box office. The event could be a show in itself. The regular theatre goers – and Burlington has a lot of them – turn out in droves with their programs in their hands and wallets open to ready to book their tickets.
The full extent of the season offering is set out – some promotion and a bit of razz-a-matazz is what show business is all about.
Hopefully, the people who run the Centre will break out the mold that has prevailed in the past.
Show a little leg!
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