Canada Day is one of the few days you can use fireworks - Safety tips and reminder for Burlington residents

By Staff

June 28th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Family (low-hazard) fireworks are permitted to be set off on Canada Day. The City’s bylaw regulates where and when you can set off fireworks if you choose to have a family fireworks display.

The City bylaw allows fireworks to be set off on private property (not in public parks) from sunset until 11 p.m. on Canada Day. No person under the age of eighteen years shall set off any firework(s) and fireworks shall not be discharged within 10 metres of buildings, structures, decks, vehicles, accessory building or other buildings.

Fireworks safety tips

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display hosted by trained and certified professionals, such as Canada Day celebrations at Spencer Smith Park at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 1.

If you choose to have a family or a home fireworks display, please follow these firework safety tips:

  • Only adults should handle and set off fireworks
  • Only use safety-certified fireworks sold by a trusted source
  • Choose a clear, open space, away from buildings, overhead wires and tree branches
  • Wear glasses and gloves when handling fireworks
  • Keep a water hose and/or bucket of water close by
  • Light only one firework at a time
  • Never hold a lit firework in your hand
  • Attempting to re-light a “dud” or defective firework is dangerous, it can quickly back-fire and result in severe burns
  • After the fireworks display, keep children away from used fireworks in case they are still active.
  • Place sparklers and fireworks in a metal bucket of water or sand to cool down.
  • Dispose of unused fireworks by completely submerging the fireworks in water and soak overnight and wrap the soaked fireworks in a plastic bag (so that they don’t dry out). Only then can you dispose of in your regular household garbage.

Karen Roche, Burlington Fire Chief asks you to be responsible and respectful if you choose to do your own fireworks. They pose a very real safety risk to anyone lighting them, watching them and surrounding properties. With safety and courtesy top of mind, we can all enjoy the holiday.”

Canada Day programming:

Morning events

  • Yoga in the Park at 9 a.m. (Spencer Smith Park, east lawn)
  • Canada Day Run, 1k and 5k at 9.a.m. Register online.

Late afternoon and evening events

  • Food and marketplace vendors
  • Live entertainment from the stage begins at 4 p.m., featuring:
    • The Burlington Teen Tour Band
    • Greetings from Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
    • Special guests include Dragon Drummers, David Johannesson (rock/blues) and K’Bola Band (Latin music and dancing)
  • Fireworks at 10 p.m. presented by Bunzl

Help us keep this event “green”!

  • Bring a re-useable bottle to fill at the water station
  • Take the shuttle bus from the southside of the Burlington GO station (2101 Fairview St.) to the downtown bus terminal (640 John St.) — a short 5-minute walk to the park. The shuttle operates a continuous loop from 3 to 11 p.m.
  • Cycle to the event. Lock your bike in the corral located at the main park entrance (near the hotel)

Note: due to the large crowds, please leave your pets at home.

 

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How will the Indigenous community celebrate Canada Day? They will mourn.

By Pepper Parr

June 27th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Just about everyone has some kind of a plan for Canada Day. And just about everyone will pause and reflect on how fortunate we are.

But not everyone sees the holiday quite the same way.

My friend Steve Paquette, an Indigenous elder who works for the Halton District School Board and was instrumental in getting Ryerson Public school renamed  and for giving the park with the same name something more fitting.

Steve Paquette would like to see sweet-grass grown and harvested in the park now known as Sweetgrass Park

Paquette suggested the name Sweetgrass; it was accepted and the park was renamed. The next thing Paquette wants to see is some Sweetgrass growing on the property.

During our conversation Paquette asked me how I thought the Indigenous community was going to celebrate Canada Day.

I didn’t have an answer for him. Would they not celebrate it the way the rest of us do?

Apparently not. Their take on the day is that it celebrates the land being taken from the Indigenous community.  The day celebrates a day when treaties were signed with the British who were concerned about the land as property which is not the way the Indigenous saw the treaties they signed.

An Indigenous dancer performing at Spencer Smith Park. Photo by Harry Hersh

The Indigenous people were thinking in terms of sharing the land. Property was not a concept they knew anything about or understood.

With that background – it is understandable when Paquette says “they are celebrating the day they took our land from us.”

“They committed cultural genocide and to this day we mourn the loss of that part of who we are as a people”, said Paquette.

So what do we, as the people who celebrate Canada Day, do to recognize the feelings of the Indigenous people?

We read land acknowledgements; we speak positively about the Truth and Reconciliation report but tend to put Reconciliation before Truth.

We readily accept the renaming of buildings and streets.

There is a change taking place; the Indigenous people now have the wind behind their sails.

The number of children who were buried while at residential schools is beginning to sink in – something more than 10,000 children is now more than an estimate.

Many do not realize that Burlington was not the result of a treaty being signed. The land that is Burlington today was purchased by the British from the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. When the British had title to the land they gave it to Joseph Brant.

Oakville is made up of land that was named in different treaties.

Will the public hear anything more than a land acknowledgement on Canada Day when they Mayor speaks.

Is there anything more than can be said?

Paquette would like to see a stronger acknowledgement and looks for more significant changes and for the Indigenous people being at the table making a difference.

I think he would like to see the end of unsafe water advisories.

How we as a people put up with having other people, who were here long before we were, having to boil the water before they use it is something I have never understood.

 

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City is looking for local writers and artists for Beachway public art signs

By Pepper Parr

June 27th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Burlington public art program is presenting a series of temporary public art signs at the Beachway for the annual Culture Days celebration.

Approximately 10 writers and 10 visual artists are needed to create artwork that will be displayed on temporary signs along the Beachway’s multi-use path. This project will give path users a safe, accessible way to enjoy art and to learn more about writers and artists in our community.

This call is open to Burlington-based writers and artists and all art forms that can be presented in a sign format. This includes, but is not limited to: visual art, graphic art, photography, poetry, short story, non-fiction, etc. Submissions are due Aug. 2 and may be from existing or newly created work.

Part of the Beachway path that leads to the canal and the boundary between Burlington and Hamilton

About Culture Days
This year, Culture Days will feature three weeks of arts and culture experiences outdoors, indoors and online from Sept. 23 to Oct. 16, 2022. The theme for the 2022 Culture Days is Re-emergence. Canada is ready for a re-emergence of arts and culture — and so is Culture Days! As the world navigates to past norms and designs new solutions for everyday life, we believe arts, culture, and expression play a vital role in a healthy, thriving society. As we reimagine and re-emerge, Culture Days is an opportunity to champion a life enriched by arts, culture, and creativity.

Artists submitting proposals for the Temporary Public Art Sign project should take inspiration from the re-emergence theme.

About the location
The artwork will be installed along the Beachway’s multi-use path. This 2 km route of lakeside trails runs from Spencer Smith Park to the canal. In addition to the path, the Beachway features a natural sandy beach, an outdoor pavilion, playground and seasonal concessions. The public art signs will primarily be located near the playground, pumphouse and pavilion.

Deadline Activity

Aug. 2 Submissions due
By Aug. 12 Successful artists selected; enter into a contract with the City of Burlington
Sept. 6 Final artwork files due
Sept. 23 – Oct. 16 Culture Days – Artwork on display

 

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A Closer Look at Ontario’s Legal Online Gaming Market Following Launch

By Maria Garcia

June 27th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

Since April 4th, 2022, Ontario residents, including those in Burlington, gained legal access to online gambling sites. Now that the market is up and running, we thought we’d check in on what has changed.

Has the ability to place over under bets and wager on the outcome of the roulette wheel changed our attitude toward gambling? Are the legal safeguards in place working to improve the lives of people in Burlington and Ontario in general? These are the questions we aim to answer.

What’s Changed?

Plans to end the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s market monopoly were announced in April, 2019. The legislation was introduced and passed in 2021, and later that year, regulatory standards were drafted.

The main changes were new advertising standards and rules for casinos, as well as the introduction of a new licensing system. For sports betting, it brought forth more choices for sportsbooks and a wider choice of bet types.

iGaming Ontario

iGaming Ontario (IGO) is a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and is in charge of regulations and licences. The government body has already granted licences to several operators, which have met the new regulations.

Online gambling isn’t new to Burlington. However, sites will now require a licence to operate. As they’ve become a part of the system, they’ll need to pay taxes that’ll benefit locals.

Sports Betting

Bettors aged 19 or over now have access to several online sportsbooks. Before the change, sports fans were able to make predictions via the only sportsbook available. Additionally, single-event betting is now possible, whereas before, the focus was on parlays.

Around 20 sportsbooks have been granted licences. It means bettors can choose where to spend their money based on various factors.

Casinos

Offshore casino gambling was already pretty well established in the province. The change in licensing and regulations is giving home-grown establishments the opportunity to penetrate the local market.

The 20% tax rate is a bone of contention with the brick-and-mortar casinos, which are subject to a much higher percentage at 55%. Many argue that the changes will cause a loss of revenue for existing operators.

On the other hand, proponents of iGaming regulations suggest that offshore gaming was already competing with land-based casinos. They maintain that legal online casinos need a lower tax rate to compete with overseas sites.

 

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Three people who made major contributions to the arts in Burlington recognized and placed in Hall of Fame

By Staff

June 24th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Burlington Performing Arts Centre’s Hall of Fame recognizes persons who have made significant contributions to the performing arts in Burlington (individual or group).

Recipients of this award demonstrate the diversity of artistic accomplishment that comprises the rich cultural tapestry of the City of Burlington. The Hall of Fame award is normally presented to the inductee at BPAC’s Season Launch events.

The Hall of Fame awards are designed by Teresa Seaton.

Boris Brott Lifetime Achievement

Boris Brott

Boris Brott, OC OOnt (March 14, 1944 – April 5, 2022) was a Canadian conductor and motivational speaker. He was one of the most internationally recognized Canadian conductors, having conducted on stages around the world, including Carnegie Hall and Covent Garden. He was known for his innovative methods of introducing classical music to new audiences. Over his career, he commissioned, performed, and recorded a wide variety of Canadian works.

Brott was the founder and artistic director of the National Academy Orchestra of Canada and the Brott Music Festival, both based in Hamilton, Ontario. He was the founding music director and Conductor Laureate of the New West Symphony in Los Angeles, and artistic director and Conductor of the Orchestre classique de Montreal (formerly the McGill Chamber Orchestra. He was a former Principal Youth and Family conductor with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, where he conducted family and education concerts.

Don Allan is a 2022 Inductee to the Hall of Fame

Don Allan

The name Don Allan will ring a bell for many Burlington residents, especially those with ties to the Burlington Teen Tour Band (also inducted into the BPAC Hall of Fame in 2017). Many refer to Don as Burlington’s Music Man. After spending time in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a clarinetist, Don taught music here in the Halton District School Board and then became the Director of the Burlington Teen Tour Band and later the Burlington Concert Band. With over 40 years of bringing music to youth and taking them around the world to showcase the talent we have here in Burlington, we are pleased to announce that Don Allan is the recipient of the 2022, Hall of Fame Induction.

Gary DeGroote is a 2022 inductee to the Hall of Fame

From the right: Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre, Tammy Fox, Gary DeGroote and his wife.  The art work was created by Teresa Seaton

Philanthropist, Gary DeGroote, will take a place in our Hall of Fame as our 2021 Inductee for his incredible contribution to the arts. BPAC’s existence was dependent on a lead gift, something to begin the campaign of raising the funds to build and establish a theatre for the entire community to enjoy. This lead gift was given by no other than Gary DeGroote. He also sat on the Campaign Cabinet as Co- Chair and used his leadership and passion for culture to drive the fundraising initiative which eventually culminated in the opening of Burlington’s world class theatre 11 years ago. Gary insisted the building not bear his or his family name and so it is with great pleasure that we induct him to our Hall of Fame to be recognized again for his contribution and commitment to the Arts.

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A musical powerhouse on stage at Performing Arts Centre - four Canadian talents: Murray McLauchlan, Cindy Church, Marc Jordan and Ian Thomas.

By Staff

June 24th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Lunch At Allen’s is a musical powerhouse comprising four remarkable Canadian talents: Murray McLauchlan, Cindy Church, Marc Jordan and Ian Thomas.

As individuals, they have written for or sung on over 25,000,000 CDs, penning hits for Josh Groban, Chicago, Bonnie Raitt, America, Santana, Cher and Rod Stewart, as well as Murray’s Farmer’s Song, Marc’s Marina Del Rey and Ian’s Painted Ladies, just to name a few.

These three artists have come together adding the incredible voice of Cindy Church (Quartette, Great Western Orchestra) to form Lunch At Allen’s. Attending their stage show is to embark on an intimate musical journey replete with laughter and personal anecdotes, familiar favourites and new material, fashioning an unforgettable evening’s entertainment …from their hearts …to your soul.

On stage at the Performing arts Centre June 29th.

“You would be hard pressed to find another Canadian ensemble with more collective depth of influence over Canada’s musical landscape than Lunch At Allen’s.” – The Beat Magazine

Dates & Times

Wed Jun 29, 2022 at 7:30pm

Venue – Main Theatre

Ticket Prices

Regular: $67.50 (All-in)

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Some very pointed questions from well informed people on the Bateman High School property. Why is city hall making this so difficult?

By Pepper Parr

June 21st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Procedural Bylaw determines what you can say and how you must say it when you are delegating before city council.
They like it that way.  I will come back to that Bylaw later.
It’s a little different when citizens can put what they are thinking and feeling about the plans to purchase Bateman emails/questions posed
The following are questions that were sent to the city by residents.

Why is the business of purchasing this property proving to be so difficult – it is really about one pocket of public money being put into a different pocket of public money.

1. Hi there,
I would like to give feedback on the project. Hope this is the correct forum.

I have lived in Burlington my entire life, I have been a volunteer in various areas from
sports to mental health.

My family [Greg/Andrea] Howard has been recognized for work in the community.
Today I am 45 years old – the last two ice arenas that have opened were Mainway in
the 1980’s / then Appleby in the 2000’s.

Our population continues to grow, our recreational infrastructure for ice sports / indoor
events does not.

Youth hockey is growing, girls and women’s hockey continues to grow, adult programs
are growing.

Arena’s are destinations, and I would bet besides the sound of music festival and
soccer fields – more visitors come to these arena’s / rec. centers than other place in
Burlington.

The “Skyway” rec center project is now used to hold city arborists equipment. We have
now reduced arenas, not grown them

The city of Burlington needs to look at this project with the inclusion of an arena. The
youth deserve it.

Hope someone can acknowledge this.
I’m happy to discuss more.

Thanks, Justin Howard

2. Turn the available land into a much needed full ice and training facility for our
youth. Ice availability in our City is not sufficient for the demand. Our youth are
shortchanged when it comes to ice sports!

Do something to make our residents proud without turning it into another pier
disaster! Dave Guluche

3. Why did the city not have a public engagement plan in place from when it decided
to pursue the acquisition of the property? Jim Thompson

4. When will the traffic studies be complete?
5. What is the plan for removing the asbestos on the site?
6. What is the plan for removing the asbestos on the site? (see above, in the
FAQs)

7. When will the traffic studies be complete?
CM-17-22

8. “What regulation prevents the release of the cost information? The city offer was
accepted by the school board so why the need for secrecy?”

9. Good Morning, I’m glad to see and very much support the proposed adaptive
reuse of Robert Bateman High School by the City of Burlington for a combination
of community and educational uses. I am particularly happy to see the relocation
of the New Appleby public library branch to a more appropriate long term home.
Thank you to city staff and council for your leadership in making this happen.

10. Why is the city rushing engagement – how much is this going to cost the city
taxpayer?

11. Why is the city not answering any questions regarding this project – who wrote
the FAQ.

12. How can a survey that was only up for one day and an information that only
lasted 90 minutes be considered as adequate public engagement?

13. There are outstanding questions that needs to be answered.
who provided the money to purchase the property in question?

who provided the money to build the school sitting on the property?

In both cases it was the TAXPAYER. Therefore the TAXPAYER should receive
the money back, NOT have to “PAY AGAIN” for the City to obtain the property &
building.

We TAXPAYERS would like these questions answered!!!

Some additional questions from the Gazette.

Why is this engagement business being handled so badly?

Is anyone in the Communications department even listening?

And that Procedural Bylaw – it gets written for Council based on what they want the bylaw to be – why isn’t this an election issue?

Why isn’t there a group people (10 or so is all it would take)  to go over the document, re-write and then lobby the members of Council and put together a petition and press council until they make changes to the document.

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Dance Academy - Year End Event - Together Again

By Staff

June 21st, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Burlington Dance Academy is presenting their year-end performance “Together Again”. From our youngest dancers to our graduating students our show is certain to entertain every one of all ages!

At the Performing Arts Centre June 25th and 26th

Serving Burlington for over 60 years, Burlington Dance Academy is the most tenured dance school in the community.

The fully qualified and accredited faculty’s goal is to provide a love of dance as well as excellence in dance training for students of all ages and abilities.

The Academy believes in developing co-operation, teamwork and self-discipline. – life skills that transcend dance. They offer instruction in Classical Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Acro and Creative Movement.

Dates & Times

Sat Jun 25, 2022 at 2:30pm
Sun Jun 26, 2022 at 2:30pm

Venue

Main Theatre

Ticket Prices

Regular: $40 (All-in)
Child (under 2 years): $22 (All-in)

Also offering fantastic summer camps!

Visit them at www.bdacademy.ca

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If you ever wanted to know what footloose really means - It will all be on stage at the Performing Arts Centre this week

By Staff

June 20th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Burlington Footnotes Senior Performing Troupe  –  Gotta SING, Gotta DANCE will be on stage at the Performing Arts Centre Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

Our apologies for the delay in getting this information to you.

This is a bunch of ladies who like to get out of the house, without their husbands and laugh it up.  And do some pretty fancy footwork.

They are a scream – worth the time.

Tue Jun 21, 2022 at 2pm

Tue Jun 21, 2022 at 7pm

Wed Jun 22, 2022 at 2pm

Gotta SING, Gotta DANCE! is an exciting tribute to the art of staying young showcasing music, comedy and dance. It’s a lavish production featuring a brand new line-up of upbeat and fast paced entertainment presented by the inspiring talents of the 50+ generation.

Ticket Prices

Regular: $34.50 (All-in)

Child (12 and under): $19.50 (All-in)

Group of 20 or More (Visit or call the Box Office at 905.681.6000)

Group: $31 (All-in)

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A parade -what a great way to let the city look at itself

By Denis Gibbons

June 20TH, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Mayor struts in the parade

Faraway fields look green for some Burlingtonians who fork out their hard-earned cash to travel to Caribbean destinations for a holiday.

They’re leaving a venue just as beautiful right under their noses.

Breezes at the Spencer Smith Park waterfront Saturday rivaled the West Indies as bright sunshine created a marvelous vista for the Sound of Music Festival.

Spectators filled the stands on Brant St. in front of city hall.

Some parents brought their children to the tiny beach. Yes, that’s right – a beach right at the foot of the city’s main street. How many towns and cities envy that ?

Boats even conveyed passengers over from Hamilton through the Burlington Canal to enjoy the festival.

On Saturday morning the Burlington Teen Tour Band and Top Hat Marching Orchestra led the Grand Festival Parade, with Mayor Marianne Meed Ward dancing along the way. The mayor walked the entire route, rather than riding in a car.

Bringing up the rear was the massive Burlington Teen Tour Alumni Band, which got the loudest applause of all. It was fascinating to see musicians who marched as teens 40 years ago still able to play their instruments and keeping up to the beat of the drums

The Burlington Teen Tour Band

 

Some fans listened to the music from their boats out in the lake. They were short far too many life jackets.

 

The British are back!

 

Gymnasts performed in front of Scrivener’s on Brant Street. Above the BTTB Alumni

The Naval Promenade was packed on a sunny Saturday afternoon

COGECO-TV Channel 23 and 700 HD will show a replay of the parade on Tuesday, June 21 at 2 p.m.

There could be other replays as well. Viewers should check COGECO listings on the web.

All photos by DENIS GIBBONS

 

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Concerts in the Park begin today. Teen Tour Band to perform

By Staff

June 19th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The outdoor concerts at the Band shell in Central |Park begin this evening and will continue through to the end of August.

The season will start with performances by Burlington Teen Tour Band, Burlington Junior Redcoats, BTTB Alumni

The program is sponsored by the city and the Rocca Sisters Team, a real estate agency.

Bring a chair and a blanket this evening – starts at 7:30 pm

The Burlington Teen Tour Band playing on the Naval Promenade in Spencer Smith Park

 

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SoM crowds described as fantastic - weather cooperates. Parade on Saturday

By Denis Gibbons

June 17th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Hot weather accompanied the opening of Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival at Spencer Smith Park Thursday night. The Promenade along the waterfront was jammed with people, with more taking in the rock music from their boats out in the lake.

With the beautiful Burlington skyline as a backdrop, folks listen to the music. Burlington’s version of front row seats

Members of the Honeymoon Suite group signed autographs for fans at the west end of the park after they performed. The midway and concession stands were doing a booming business. Freshly squeezed lemonade, hot dogs, hamburgers and candy floss were among the treats being offered.

The Grand Festival Parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, starting at Central Park, heading west on Caroline Street to Elizabeth, south to James, west to Brant and then north to Burlington Central high school.

The Sound didn’t go over that well with some people; one Gazette reader reacted to a story we did with this:

It was great sounds coming out of big big bass speakers.

For the record….not everyone thinks that the Sound of Music is “soothing”.  The noise from the bass was so loud last evening I sent an email to Lisa, and the by-law officer.  I can only imagine what Don Fletcher was dealing with.  His windows must have been shaking.  There is no need for the bass to be that loud under any circumstances.  A friend who lives on Smith Avenue told me the noise was awful.

 

All photos by DENIS GIBBONS

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Sound of Music soothes the city - lyrics by Three Days Grace might have been an omen

By Denis Gibbons

June 17th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

Normal, normal and more normal with the sound of the bands laying in the background and hundreds upon hundreds of people strolling along.

The weather was perfect for much of the day – seeing people out and about was just wonderful.

Darron Repton with Jessica Genereaux

Darron Repton, an aspiring rap artist who performs under the stage name ‘Talk Sic’, attended Thursday night’s performances with Jessica Genereaux, who operates her own beauty spa ‘Browzamore’ in Burlington.  Repton has been enjoying the festival since he was five years old. It was the first for Genereaux, who just moved here from Waterloo. Talk Sic has toured all over Canada. Repton also has a job at Tamarack Lumber.

Jim Corbett, who enjoyed the music Thursday night with daughter Abby, a Grade 10 student at Assumption high school..

Saturday’s parade will go right past the office of chiropractor Jim Corbett, who enjoyed the music Thursday night with daughter Abby, a Grade 10 student at Assumption high school. Jim was born just down the street at Joseph Brant Hospital and has been in practice for 22 years. He used to play a little guitar with a buddy, but not in an organized band.

Wowie Lon Toc of Mississauga and Mary Bolla of Hamilton

Wowie Lon Toc of Mississauga and Mary Bolla of Hamilton were surprised to find the festival when they met for dinner at Spencer’s On The Waterfront.  They decided to take an after-dinner stroll and were glad they did. Both trace their roots back to The Philippines and sing in the choir at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Mississauga.

Azadeh Newrozi, son Farbod and little dog Leo.

It was the first festival for Azadeh Newrozi, son Farbod and little dog Leo.  The family hails from Tehran, the capital city of Iran, and has been living in Burlington for the last three years.

Diana Vinski

A chemical engineer with Metrican, at Appleby Line and Mainway, Diana Vinski particularly liked the music of Three Days Grace, last week, and was at Spencer Smith Park on Thursday night to listen to Skid Row.

Originally from Oakville, Vinski said the festival is “1,000 times better than the Oakville Waterfront Festival, held annually at Coronation Park in that town. She made the statement, even at the risk of never getting a job at Tourism Oakville!

 

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Burlington Farmers Market Open on Canada Day

By Staff

June 14th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Celebrate Canada Day Friday, July 1 while shopping for fresh Market Products at the Burlington Centre parking lot. (Prospect St east of Guelph Line).

Bring the family. Free cupcakes for customers at 10:00 am, while they last. Fire truck on display.

Chat mid-morning with MP the Hon. Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children & Social Development.

Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward will also attend.

Saturday, July 2 is the alternative if Friday is cancelled by bad weather.

The Market, in its 64th consecutive year, features 43 vendors from all over Southern Ontario to serve you.

It is a long-term project of the Burlington Lions Club in service to the community and local vendors.

• Fruit/Produce/Cheese/Wine & Craft Beer/Flowers/Smoked Meats/Baked Goods/Honey/Preserves/Meat Pies.

The Market opens at 8:00 AM Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays until October 29th.

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City sets out how it plans to Celebrate Canada’s birthday at Spencer Smith Park

By Staff

June 14th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The City of Burlington is excited to return to an in-person Canada Day celebration in Spencer Smith Park on July 1.

Fire works on the waterfront with the pier in the background.

This year’s event will start with an opening ceremony at 4 p.m. followed by evening entertainment on the main stage and the grand finale of a spectacular firework display presented by Bunzl over the lake at 10 p.m.

The event will also feature food and market place vendors.

For our early risers and active residents, a Canada Day Run and Yoga in the park will be held in the morning in Spencer Smith Park.

Other Canada Day Activities

There are plenty of fun options for the family this Canada Day throughout the city, such as splash pads and pools. All nine of the City’s splash pad locations are open and always free.

Nelson Outdoor Pool & Splash Park and LaSalle Wading Pool are open for swimming on Canada day (weather permitting). If you prefer to swim indoors visit Angela Coughlan Pool. For times of swims at all locations, visit burlington.ca/dropinandplay.

Canada Day is a great time to get outside, explore Burlington and get active. Take our Get Outside and Play Challenge, and complete 90 activities in 90 days. The challenge is on now until Aug. 29, 2022. Win great prizes!

 “It’s been two long years since we’ve had the Canada Day celebrations in-person and we are excited to bring this very popular, award winning event to our community. We are looking forward to a great evening with some spectacular fireworks” said a city spokesperson.

Links

burlington.ca/canadaday

burlington.ca/playoutside

burlington.ca/splashpads

 

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Boats will go into the water on the 16th: LPMA members happy campers

By Pepper Parr

June 9th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

There will be life at the marina.

The LaSalle Park Marina Association has secured the insurance they needed; a crane has been booked and the lift in is set for June 16th.

Boats will go into water on the 16th

The city hasn’t has had to put in as much as a dime. The LPMA paid for the services of a lawyer the city was going to bring in to oversee the joint venture loan agreements.  The LPMA is paying for the use of the waterlots that are owned by Hamilton and the LPMA is continuing to pay the fees that are part of the agreement they have with the city.

The thought that the city would have to take over operation of the marina – won’t happen.

They will be hoisting the pewter mugs with tots of rum when the lift in is complete.

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Sound of Music road closures June 11, 16-19

By Staff

June 8th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

It is that time of year – again.

The 43rd annual Sound of Music Festival is taking place over two weekends: June 11 and June 16 to 19, 2022.

The crowds pay a premium to gather at the edge of the stages.

To meet the needs of the festival and to ensure public safety, road closures are noted below.
Parade route streets will re-open as soon as possible after the parade on June 18. Vehicles parked illegally in the event area will be tagged or towed for emergency access.

Road Closures
Emergency Road Closures:
• June 11 and June 16 to June 18 nightly from 10 p.m. to midnight; and
• June 19 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.:
• Lakeshore Road from Elizabeth Street to Maple Avenue.

Streetfest Closures:
• Saturday, June 18 from 3 a.m. to Sunday, June 19 at 8 p.m.:
• Brant Street from Caroline Street to Lakeshore Road.

Parade Closures:
Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the following streets will be closed:
• Baldwin Street from Hurd Avenue to Brant Street
• Brant Street from James Street to Baldwin Street
• Drury Lane from Courtland Drive to New Street
• Caroline Street from Drury Lane to Elizabeth Street
• James Street from Brant Street to Elizabeth Street
• Elizabeth Street from Caroline Street to James Street
Parking Restrictions Posted
• Please do not park in restricted areas.
• See parking rules at each pay machine.

Traffic Supervision
Road closures will be managed under the supervision of the Halton Regional Police Service. Emergency access will be maintained at all times in the event area.
Event notices were delivered to all residences, religious centres and businesses affected by the event.

Road Closures or Traffic Control Information
Event Liaison, City of Burlington, 905-335-7600, ext. 7704
Burlington Transit Delays and Information
Bus route detours in effect for Routes 2, 4 and 10.
Minor delays in the downtown core should be expected on all festival dates.

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How do butterflies relate to Climate Change? Encourage your child to become a Butterflyways Ranger and they will tell you.

By Staff

June 8th,  2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

They fascinate almost everyone – the 7 to 11 age group wanted to hold them in their hands.

You may not have heard about the Butterfly Project – but you have certainly heard about Climate Change.

How do you explain Climate Change to children between the ages of 7 and 11?

The older children get it and often become champions.

For the 7-11 set it’s a different situation. However they are the demographic that tends to be fascinated by Butterflys.

Gloria Reid and her pal Sharon Clark who are now officially Butterfly Rangers and have brought the David Susuki led initiative that started with five Canadian cities in 2017 to Burlington..

The Butterflyway Project is a volunteer-led movement that’s bringing nature home to neighbourhoods throughout Canada, one butterfly-friendly planting at a time.

They recruited a team of volunteer Butterflyway Rangers in each community. Their mission was to plant native wildflowers in yards, schoolyards, streets and parks to support bees and butterflies. The goal was to establish local “Butterflyways” by planting at least a dozen pollinator patches in each neighbourhood or community.

Over the past five years, they have recruited and trained more than a thousand Butterflyway Rangers from hundreds of communities. They’ve connected with neighbours, schools, city agencies, businesses and community groups. To date, they’ve helped:

    Get 85,000+ butterfly-friendly wildflowers into the ground.

    Create 6,000+ pollinator patches for wild bees and butterflies.

    Establish official Butterflyways in 75 communities and neighbourhoods.

Gloria Reid and her pal Sharon decided to grow a Ranger Group in Burlington.  They expect to show that a small group of residents can make a big difference. Rangers make their communities greener and healthier. They create opportunities, connect people and champion fun ideas.

Apply HERE to be a Butterflyway Ranger

You can also apply at this address.

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Connor Fraser: travelling around Burlington on a bicycle is inconvenient and borderline dangerous.

By Connor Fraser

June 8th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

A significant portion of my life has been spent cycling around Burlington. During high school, my commute often took me along Plains Road. On weekends, my friends and I would find our way to Spencer Smith Park and the beach. From a young person’s perspective, safe cycling options go a long way towards cementing a lifelong commitment to healthy behaviour.

Lanes dedicated to cycling – some want to see barriers in place to protect cyclists.

If my experience has taught me one thing, it’s that travelling around Burlington on a bicycle is inconvenient and borderline dangerous. Bike lanes along major streets such as Plains Road are intermittent and full of potholes. Connecting lanes between neighbourhoods – such as the Lakeshore Road QEW underpass – are non-existent. Under such conditions, cyclists are forced to dismount and walk long distances, or take their chances in live traffic.

Thankfully, a number of large-scale cycling projects are about to break ground in Burlington. In 2022, Plains Road between Waterdown Road and Spring Gardens Road will be resurfaced and buttoned up with protected cycling facilities. In 2025, Prospect Street and the remainder of Plains Road are scheduled for installations.

While these projects are likely to cause short-term disruptions to residents’ lifestyles, they should be welcomed with enthusiasm and open-mindedness. Aligning near-perfectly with the city’s strategic goals, cycling is both an environmentally sustainable method of transportation, and one that promotes long-term physical and mental health. As much as bike lanes are a short-term investment to enable diverse forms of mobility, they are also a long-term investment in environmental health and preventative healthcare. People who are empowered to cycle more often due to the presence of a convenient cycling network are more likely to remain healthy and happy throughout their lives.

City photo op to promote cycling to work. Several very senior people in this picture even owned a bike.

Unfortunately, Burlington’s recent past has been marred with hostility towards the concept of bike lanes. The New Street Bike Lane Pilot was removed in 2018 following the recommendations of a report entitled “New Street pilot project review and resurfacing.” While the report noted a common perception among residents that traffic along New Street became more congested during the pilot, the authors admitted that cause and effect was difficult to determine. For example, average westbound travel times between Walkers Line and Guelph Line increased by just 1.5 minutes during peak evening hours, while negligible travel time increases were noted for eastbound travel during peak hours. Moreover, when taking an average of datapoints over the entire day, impacts to travel times were minimal in both directions (+16 seconds westbound, +1 second eastbound). The report also found inconclusive evidence of traffic diversion onto adjacent roadways. Nevertheless, the New Street pilot was removed by council, setting back Burlington’s progress towards integrated mobility by several years.

Fast forward to the present, and conditions have changed such that all residents should be able to embrace, and also benefit from, upcoming cycling installations. Notably, the pandemic has enabled more people to work from home and avoid rush-hour traffic that some claim is aggravated by bike lanes.

Despite my above enthusiasm, progress towards building out the municipal cycling network is slow and suffers from critical underfunding. The New Street pilot project review and resurfacing report recommended (as a consolation) installing separated cycle tracks “for consideration in the 2019 to 2028 capital budget.” My sources at city hall informed me this project has been pushed until 2031 – a delay of at least 3 years. According to the 2022 Budget, several other projects that were listed as “high priority” by the 2021 Cycling Plan and initially targeted for completion by 2025 – have subsequently been pushed back. The Active Transportation Crossing of the QEW and Walker’s Line resurfacing will be delayed by 5-6 years and 2-3 years respectively beyond original timelines, documents suggest. We’ll see if anything changes once the Integrated Mobility Plan is released.

Is Burlington under equipped to make investments in public infrastructure and in particular cycling infrastructure? The media release page for the 2022 budget proudly displays how our municipal tax rate is significantly lower than other GTA municipalities (over 12.5% lower than the average municipality). If the consequence is that important projects must experience significant delays, it’s not a statistic to be proud of. We must be willing to pay for infrastructure upgrades, especially those that enhance quality of life to the extent that bike lanes will. Not only could there be noticeable upsides for property values (transit oriented communities are actually desirable for young people and young families), but the long term returns to personal, public and environmental health would be material and far outweigh any initial investment. One might argue that the above-cited delays are pandemic-related. However, our neighbours such as the City of Toronto used the pandemic as a catalyst for major expansions of their cycling networks.

The point is this. From my limited understanding, life is about compromise. That’s precisely what is happening here and why I hope to see uniform support behind city council and city staff. On one hand, Burlington is getting new cycling infrastructure. On the other hand, the projects have been delayed and will likely be completed incrementally over the next decade – keeping impacts on daily routines to an absolute minimum and allowing long periods for adjustment. Compromise.

I sincerely hope that most are enthusiastic about the upcoming cycling projects and are ready to eventually consider embracing cycling as a legitimate alternative to the automobile when it comes to getting around town!

Connor was born in Hamilton in 1997, is a long-time resident of Aldershot. He has volunteered for several local organizations and advocated to municipal leaders on building transit oriented, walkable communities.

 In 2020, Connor completed undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, with a B.A.Sc. in Engineering Science and a major in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

  Connor has returned to U of T to enrol in the dual Master of Global Affairs and Master of Business Administration program.

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Community Development Halton Social Location and Systems of Oppression workshop rescheduled

By Staff

June 7th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

Community Development Halton has rescheduled the Social Location and Systems of Oppression workshop to Wednesday June 15, 2022 at 12:30pm.

If you previously registered for the original date of May 31, you have received an email with instructions; if you missed registering earlier, you can register for the new date until June 13 at 5:00pm.

In this workshop you will walk away with:

• an understanding of your social location, systems of oppression, and common terms and how they relate to JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• understanding and harnessing your power, holding power, and giving power;
• how to share power – where and how this is possible at all stages of the volunteer engagement cycle; and
• how to lead equitable volunteer programs regardless of your positional power within your organization and specific tactics to foster inclusion

WEDNESDAY JUNE 15, 2022
12:30PM – 2:00PM

Via ZOOM

Register Today at: CiviCRM | Community Development Halton (cdhalton.ca)

CDH Members: $15
Non-Members: $25

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