 By Staff
August 1st, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Good News: The annual One Burlington celebration is on again this year. The bad news is that it does conflict with the Joseph Brant event at LaSalle Park.
 The costumes are bright, the energy from the dancer is incredible. ONE BURLINGTON is in Burlington’s Central Park on Civic Holiday Monday August 5; Noon to 4pm at the Central Park band shell on New Street at Drury Lane
 Their faith, their culture and their dress are parts of this community that we know very little about. The event is an opportunity to meet them and to hear what they have to say – and give them an opportunity to meet us. ONE BURLINGTON consists of representatives from the many faith communities serving the Burlington area. The impetus for the first event in the summer of 2017 was the Quebec City mosque shootings in January that year. They also held an event in 2018.
The shootings in the Pittsburgh synagogue in in 2018 and in the Christchurch, New Zealand mosques in in March this year show that faith-related violence remains a major concern.
 People from a number of different faith and cultural organizations will be taking part in the event. Their purpose is to celebrate faith and culture by hosting an annual celebration to encourage people from diverse faiths to get to know each other better and thus discourage hate-related violence.
The theme this year is “Embracing Diversity”. It will be an embracing occasion with dancers on the stage – you will see and hear music you won’t see anywhere else in the city.
 By Staff
July 30th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
This afternoon, on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at 2 p.m. City of Burlington aquatics staff noticed an odour.
Staff cleared the pool and evacuated approximately 40 people outside the pool and splash pad perimeter.
Staff called 9-1-1 and fire, ambulance, police and the health department responded at 2:13 p.m..
 The facility at LaSalle Park is very popular. Eighteen individuals were assessed on scene and seven people were transported to hospital for further evaluation.
It has been determined that during routine maintenance, water levels had dropped causing disinfectant to enter the pool at higher than normal levels, but still within the recommended range. The levels have since been further lowered. The City is reviewing this incident to prevent future incidents.
The Burlington Fire department inspected and tested the entire perimeter of the pool for air quality and deemed all levels to be safe.
At this time, the Halton Region Health Department is on scene. The wading pool and splash pad will reopen once approved by the health department. The City expects to reopen the pool tomorrow at 11 a.m. once it has been tested, inspected and confirmed safe.
The above is the city’s story – and they will stick to it until an independent authority takes a closer look and asks some “why’s” about how disinfectant levels are determined.
 By Staff
July 25th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Green has announced their 2019 Photo Contest. Simple to participate.
Take a picture of your favourite tree – send it in and wait for the results.
More detail – if that’s what you need:
1. Snap a photo of your favourite tree in Burlington. *If your photo includes a person(s), or address, you must have their permission to post the photo*
2. Email your photo as an attachment to michelle@burlingtongreen.org between July 8 to August 8 and tell us why it is your favourite tree (in no more than 50 words, please). Please include your full name in the email.
3. Look out for your photo on our Facebook page on August 9.
All entries will be posted publicly and open for voting. The photo with the most “likes” wins!
4. Share the post with your friends and ask them to “like” your photo for a better chance to win!
1. Participants must be residents of Halton Region.
2. All photos submitted to this contest will become the shared property of BurlingtonGreen in perpetuity. Photos used in the future for marketing purposes will include photo credits.
3. BurlingtonGreen will announce the winner on BurlingtonGreen’s Facebook page and website on August 20, with the winner also contacted by email.
 By Pepper Parr
July 23rd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It was the best offer he was going to get, probably the only offer – but he did convince the lady to let us see what she has in the way of pipes.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward took James Burchill up on his challenge that they go for a drive in his Smart Car to determine if the training as an opera singer Meed Ward said she had taken amounted to anything.
 She was breaking his heart. It is a very short clip – but she can sing. There is a short ad before the voices are heard – you can skip over that.
Check out the two minute clip.
In a note on her Facebook page, the Mayor said: “It was a great time, and you are a fab duet partner. Next time you get to pick the song (yes there will be a ‘next time’)
 By Staff
July 19th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
A phase of the incredibly interesting life Tomy Bewick has lived came to an end Thursday evening when he hosted his last Poetry Slam – it took place in the bowels of Nuvo – which Tomy regretted to say doesn’t have a bar yet and one couldn’t buy a meal.
But the program was a fine send off – registration touched 80 which was good for a Poetry Slam.
Some of the oldies were on hand, some people taking to the mike for the first time – including a woman who got to Burlington from Buffalo.
 Tomy Bewick and his wife at the last Poetry Slam for Burlington registration desk. Tomy opened the evening with one of the best pieces he has ever done – and from there it all depended on the crowd who hooted and hollered.
 Trade at the registration desk was brisk. Bewick wasn’t sure if the place would be packed – the last time we talked he wasn’t sure who was going to show up.
That’s the way Poetry Slams work.
There were 14 people taking part in the first round – they got whittled down to seven competing for the $200 cash prize.
The standard poetry slam procedure is of hounding the five judges if the audience didn’t like the scores they were given.
The second round had yet to begin when the Gazette reporter had to leave – Bewick will get back to us and let us know who took the top prize and when they closed down for the night.
 Dan Murray was in the house Dan Murray was in the house and we know he did a fine performance – that’s just the way Dan is – the woman who did the piece on the ten foot cell phone charter extension made a point – we think.
The end of Poetry Slam experiences in Burlington was boisterous, fun, the place where some remarkable performances took place. You just had to be there to take it all in.
 By Staff
July 19th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
While this is a Hamilton event – it is really interesting for Burlington residents; a Burlington Heights Tour of the battleground during the war of 1812.
Burlington was a big part of that even though the troops didn’t march through our streets.
The Dundurn National Historic Site is the focal point.
 This federal government plaque, erected at Burlington Heights, overlooking Burlington Bay got it wrong and Rick Wilson managed to get it corrected. The War of 1812 battles that took place on Lake Ontario were incorrectly explained on the plaque. The Hamilton Military Museum staff invite the public to join them for a dynamic guided 1812 tour of Dundurn National Historic Site for all ages on Jul. 28, Aug. 25 and Sept. 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 610 York Blvd.
Pre-registration is required. Tickets are available online for $30 – price includes a family admission pass for a return visit.
 An aerial view of the Dundurn Castle grounds. Burlington Heights, where Dundurn Castle now stands, was occupied by the British military from 1813 through 1815. Participants will uncover the history surrounding the property and discover evidence of military fortifications in Dundurn Park including the rarely-opened Cockpit. The tour concludes with a look inside Dundurn Castle focusing on the 1812 architectural features.
Quick Facts
• Burlington Heights was an important centre of defense, supply and refuge for thousands of men, women and children connected to the British army, local militia, refugees, and First Nations during the War of 1812.
• On June 5, 1813, American forces marched from Niagara and set up camp at the Gage family homestead (Battlefield House).
• In the early morning hours of June 6, 700 British troops marched from Burlington Heights and defeated 3,000 American soldiers under the cover of darkness.
• Sir Allan MacNab incorporated some of the components of the 1812 fortification when he built his Italianate-style villa in the 1830s.
• This tour contains outdoor components; participants are asked to come dressed for the weather and prepared for walking on uneven terrain.
By Staff
July 10, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington has invited Ontario-based Indigenous artists or Indigenous-led artist teams to submit an Expression of Interest to create a permanent public artwork for the exterior of the Joseph Brant Museum.
 Rendering of the Brant Museum transformation – opening pushed back to September. The museum is currently undergoing a major transformation, which will add more than 12,000 square feet to its current size. The artwork will be integrated into one of the garden areas (exact location TBD) and will serve as a landmark feature of the new museum.
Artwork Goals
In April 2019, a Steering Committee comprised of project and community stakeholders and representatives from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand River came together to determine the goals for this public art project.
Staff noted that the intent of this project is to build on efforts to create awareness of the rich Indigenous cultures, peoples and heritage that are at the root of our territory, city and province. This commission is not intended to be a memorial or monument to Joseph Brant.
 Indigenous dancers taking part on the ground breaking of the museum site. The Steering Committee suggested that the theme of the artwork focus on Indigenous language. Language is a through-line by which we are connected to our past, present and future. Language is crucial to the development of community and the sharing of knowledge.
However, Indigenous languages are under threat. Amongst the many efforts to protect and revitalize Indigenous languages, UNESCO has declared 2019 to be the International Year of Indigenous Languages.
Application
An artwork proposal is not requested at this time. This is a two-phase process: in Phase One, applicants will be reviewed on the basis of artistic merit of past work, professional qualifications and experience. In Phase Two, short-listed artists will be required to submit a preliminary artwork concept proposal that will be displayed for public comment and jury review. Artists selected for the short-list will be provided with a full Request for Proposals outlining detailed artwork specifications prior to developing their proposals. Short-listed artists will be paid an artist fee of $1500 to develop their proposals.
Click here to learn more and submit an application:
 In this portrait Joseph Brant is seen wearing the gorget given to him by King George III. That gorget is the most important piece in the collection at the Joseph Brant Museum. Finally – something that actually represents the Indigenous world that Brant represented for so long – with not all that much in the way of success.
The challenge here will be to ensure that the community stakeholders and representatives from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand River maintains control of the process and the selection. Keep the bureaucrats out of it.
The intent of this project is to build on efforts to create awareness of the rich Indigenous cultures, peoples and heritage that are at the root of our territory, city and province. This commission is not intended to be a memorial or monument to Joseph Brant.
By Pepper Parr
July 9th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It is not bed time reading but if you find at some point that you don’t like what your city is doing – flip back to this Vision to Focus (V2F) work plan to learn when they said they were going to align the work they do with the Strategic Plan and determine if they are on target.
In a preamble to the document Mayor Meed Ward said:
There are many new faces around the table at City Council and I’m excited and proud of what we are committing to accomplish for the people of Burlington over the coming four years.
The chart below sets out what this city council wants to get done before the end of its term. The Srategic Plan had four pillars – Staff added a fifth.
 The five areas of the Strategic Plan city council wants the bureaucrats to focus on during the balance of their term of office October 2022 The City’s long-term 25-year strategic plan reflects many of the priorities we identified in our respective campaign platforms said the Mayor. The plan will continue to evolve as our city changes, and our new council responds with new ideas. We are also committed to taking action in our four-year term to begin to implement the plan, where it aligns with our collective vision for Burlington.
That is why we have created a four-year work plan: to focus on what actions we can take in this term of council to deliver on the commitments we made during our respective election campaigns, many of which are captured in the strategic plan. The good news is that there is already a high degree of alignment among our individual campaign platforms, and with the elements in the 25-year Strategic Plan.
The citizens of our community voted for change in the last election. They told us on the campaign trail, and through their votes, that they wanted to see limits to over-development and intensification, better traffic management, protection of our green spaces, and more respect and civility at City Hall.
In the short time we’ve been privileged to serve you, we have implemented an Interim Control Bylaw to pause development in our downtown core and around the Burlington Go Station to better evaluate the long-term vision we have for growth in this area and ensure it represents the wants and needs of our community. We launched the Roseland Private Tree Bylaw to help protect and preserve the tree canopy in one of the oldest parts of our city. We passed motions at City Council to make it clear to the Provincial Government that we would not support development in our greenbelt, and that we are opposed to amalgamation with neighbouring municipalities. We debated the hot topic of allowing retail cannabis stores to operate in our city and voted how our constituents asked us to, with respectful debate as we reached a final decision together.
We launched the Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force to bring together business owners across all industries to identify obstacles to relocation and growth here in Burlington, and work together to remove them.
We worked together to pass a new budget that provided the lowest tax increase for our residents in 8 years while still adding new services that add value to our city.
Most importantly, we have prioritized connecting with our constituents and making sure everyone feels that their voice matters. We attend community fundraisers, local sporting events, flag raising and proclamations, new business openings and school tours, and meet 1 on 1 with constituents every day to help engage people from every corner of our city.
Our vision for the next four years is to continue on this very path. We will focus on key priorities like the environment and climate change, transit, and the health and well-being of our residents and businesses. We’ll deliver the customer service levels you deserve and ensure every voice in our community is heard and valued. We’ll do it all while operating with integrity, transparency and respect in everything we do.
This 2018-2022 Burlington’s Plan: From Vision to Focus document is the corporate work plan for the term of Council to align with the long-term vision of the 25-year Strategic Plan.
Burlington’s corporate alignment and accountability is built on Service Management and Results- Based Accountability Frameworks. A Results-Based Accountability Framework takes into consideration two types of accountability.
The following are the services the city currently delivers.
 These are the services the city currently delivers. Not every city delivers the same in the way of services; leaf collection is an example. Now – just what is it they are going to do?
The Priorities and the Action that needs to be taken to achieve these priorities are set out below
The actions that will be taken to achieve this priority.
Priorities for Focus Area 1
Actions for Focus Area 1
Priorities for Focus Area 2
Actions for Focus area 2
Priorities for Focus Area 3
Actions for Focus area 3.
Priorities for Focus Area 4
Actions for Focus area 4
Priorities for Area 5
Actions for Focus Area 5
The intention is to report to the public in June on each of the targets: were they reached and is it working.
The Road Map to getting all this done in time to decide if you want to re-elect this city council that looks like this.
 This is a massive document that council spent hours going over in great detail and revising to be certain they got it right. It was referred to as a “living document”; one that would change with the stresses, needs and desires of the community. Staff will report to the city at least once a year where they are on the Actions side – they are determined to deliver on the bigger picture plan.
We will report later in the week on the debate and discussion that took place – it was interesting and refreshing to watch this council pull together as a group towards a common goal.
 By Pepper Parr
July 4th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
What do you mean – it will be the final Poetry Slam. Final as in FINAL?
How did that happen? And why?
 But it is – taking place at the Nuvo on July 18th.
I first heard Tomy Bewick at an Installation Art show at the Waterfront Hotel.
There was this guy running up and down the hall way yelling his head off. I didn’t at first understand what he was doing or saying.
He disappeared around a corner – I didn’t see or hear from him again that night
The Installation Art was very progressive for Burlington.
The brunette stretched out nude face down across a Queen size bed with the tall, black, handsome dude standing over her had the hotel management edgy. They really didn’t want that exhibit to be “public”.
It was a one night event that brought out all the in the know people; not a politician in sight.
I next heard Tommy at the Black Bull on Guelph Line – torn down for a storage operation.
The Poetry Slam was a regular event – you could get a decent meal and hear some very good work and just get caught up with people.
When the Bull closed the Poetry Slam moved out to eastern Burlington, I think they were at the Windjammer.
 Tomy Bewick – on stage. Slammers from elsewhere would show up and do their thing – it wasn’t for everyone but it did have a core audience.
They are on at the Nuvo – will there be a bar?
Will decent food be available? If Tomy is ending this part of his contribution to the culture of the city – can we at least send him out with a bang!
 By Staff
July 3rd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The event took place in the Gazebo in Spencer Smith Park. It was one of the quieter events on Canada Day but for those who raised their hands while reading the Oath it was a huge day in their lives.
 If you look closely in the far right hand corner there is a young girl with her hand raised – becoming a Canadian citizen. Those people had chosen to come to Canada – some from war torn parts of the world, other from just south of our border.
Immigrants built this country – ideally the people taking the Oath yesterday will build on what we have in place now.
It is really what the country is all about.
 Some questions: Are all those women Liberals, wearing the party colours? And where oh where did Dave Vollick, the Town Crier, get those stockings? Were you able to count the medals on that veterans chest? What a fine photograph of the people that represented the community in welcoming new Canadians to the country.
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.
|
|
