 By Pepper Parr
January 9th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
We now know just how much the city is prepared to share the role of handing out grants to the arts community.
Burlington is launching the Burlington Arts and Culture Fund (BACF), an annual program that provides grants to local artists, multicultural groups and arts and culture organizations to foster creativity and enrich how Burlington residents experience and engage with arts and culture.
An individual grant cannot be for more than $5000. The city has allocated a total of $50,000 annually to the project.
 Angela Paparizo was a recreational planner who became a cultural planner and is now the go to person on the cultural file as Manager, Arts and Culture. Trevor Copp one of the movers and shakers within the arts and cultural community was the artist who took the issue of local artists having to travel to Toronto to earn a living. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 28, 2018 and will fund projects from April 2018 to April 2019.
Successful grant applicants will be announced at the end of March 2018.
The maximum amount award amount is $5,000; the city has discretion with regard to the amount.
Once an agreement is signed 80 per cent of the grant will be paid out. The remaining 20 per cent will be paid when a Final Report is sent in.
Grants will be evaluated in part by a peer assessment jury for artistic merit and by city staff for program merit and strategic initiative, citywide and community impact and economic impact. A committee of local arts and cultural professionals and the Arts and Culture Council of Burlington (ACCOB), supported by city staff, have worked together to develop this arts and culture support program.
The good news here is that ACCOB gets to choose who will sit on the peer review committee.
Whatever the grant application – it has to comply with the Strategic Plan. One could win a big lunch bet on just how many arts types even know the city has a Strategic Plan never mind what it is supposed to do.
The BACF is using a point system to rank the applications. ACCOB will determine 30% of the point with the city determining the other 70%.
The administrative load is a little daunting. If one looked at the amount of paper work the city is going to have to work through and the time city staff spend on determining who gets a grant – it is probably higher than the grant itself. Welcome to the world of municipal government.
 When the arts community was getting its footing they met as a group and began a group think to come up with the direction they wanted to take with the city. There was some pretty solid thinking done. ACCOB has done a superb job of getting the city to the point where it now has an arms-length citizen run council that can work with the city to promote the arts.
ACCOB has run two very successful fund raising events; they brought Thomson highway to the Performing Arts Centre and they set up the Christmas trees that decorated the Family room during the festive season. Those two events put more than $5000 into the coffers.
Anyone interested in learning more about this opportunity and the application process is encouraged to join staff and arts and culture professionals for an information session on: Thursday, Jan. 25, 2017, 7 to 9 p.m., City Hall, 426 Brant St. Room 247
Culture is a program that in recent years has been overseen by the Director of Planning; prior to that it was overseen by Parks and Recreation where it was never a fit.
Mary Lou Tanner, formerly the Planning Director, now the Deputy City Manager has taken the cultural file with her. In a city media release Tanner said: “This grant will provide ongoing support and encourage the development of a variety of arts and cultural activities, adding vibrancy to the city. The benefits of a program like this have endless possibilities from intercultural understanding to friendship and removing cultural barriers to neighbourhood beautification.”
 The arts community – this grew into the Arts and Culture Council of Burlington Tim Park, President of the Board of Arts and Culture Council of Burlington believes: “This is a fantastic opportunity for local arts and cultural groups, individual artists and members of Burlington’s various cultural communities to present their talents to the residents of Burlington.
More information at Burlington.ca/artsandculturefund
By Pepper Parr
January 7th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Budgeted at $11 million with much of the money coming from the federal government, some from the province and a more than decent amount from the Joseph Brant Museum Foundation the task of creating a much different museum site is about the begin.
One of the first tasks was the removal of the time capsule – which is now with the museum administration, perhaps on the desk of Barb Teatero, the Director of Burlington’s museums.
The brutally cold weather keeps crews off the site.
 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. The current Joseph Brant Museum is a 1937 replica of the house Mohawk native Joseph Brant, Thayendanegea, built on a 1798 Crown land grant. A modern addition to the museum will be built into the grassy area under the current museum.
The expansion will add more than 12,000 square feet to its current size. This will allow the Joseph Brant Museum to become a cultural destination and a place to host national exhibitions and the collection of artifacts.
The current 5,000-square-foot museum will be expanded to provide barrier-free space for gallery displays, interactive programming, the storage of collections and community outreach.
 Architect’s rendering of what the transformed museum is expected to look like when completed. – Construction will take 18 months, depending on weather
– The total project amount is approved at about $11 million, which includes a contingency fund and allows for cost increases due to winter construction period.
Funding includes:
– $2.9 million from the City of Burlington
– $4.4 million from the Government of Canada
– $1.5 million from the Province of Ontario
– $2.5 million from the Joseph Brant Museum Foundation
By Staff
January 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Walking Soccer
When – Every Tuesday Morning Starting January 16th , 10 am to 11:30 am
Where – Sherwood Forest Domes
How Much – $5.00 per player/pay as you go
Anyone interested to email Gord King at gking@burlingtonsoccer.com to make sure we have enough players.
January 16th is free for everyone who registers their interest before January 8th.
By Staff
January 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The third New Year levee will take place on Sunday January 7th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm., at the Art Gallery of Burlington.
The event is being sponsored by Member of Parliament Karina Gould and MPP Eleanor McMahon.
 A levee is an old tradition in Ontario. In many communities the levee is held at city hall and sponsored by the Mayor and members of council.
There was a time when it was a pretty formal event – not so with the event Gould and McMahon sponsor.
Burlington’s Mayor hasn’t been part of the event the first two years – no mention of his taking part in the 2018 event.
Perhaps the sponsorship will be broadened in 2019.
It is a fun event and the speeches are kept to a minimum. It’s a time for the political set to gather and do what the politicians and the political junkies do
By Staff
January 2nd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The city does it every year.
Citizens are asked to think of who was the very best at growing the city in a number of categories.
 This year the Burlington’s Best Committee is challenging residents and organizations to “show us Burlington’s Best citizens.” Nominations for the Burlington’s Best Awards, formerly known as the civic recognition awards, are now open for eight award categories. Nominations will be accepted until February 28, 2018.
Burlington’s Best Awards is an awards program that honours Burlington’s most outstanding citizens. The winners in all categories are revealed at a celebration held in May of each year.
 The 2016 winners pose with their awards. From left to right: Jim Clemens (Heritage), Sylvia Baliko, Tetra Society (Accessibility), Dave Page (Senior), Mayor Rick Goldring, Marion Goard (Community Service), Dorothy Borovich (Citizen of the Year), Mehr Mahmood (Junior), Kale Black (Environmental) Absent: Margaret Lindsay Holton (Arts Person) The Committee mandate is to recognize citizens of Burlington who have brought favourable publicity and honour to the City of Burlington, to increase awareness of the committee so all citizens of Burlington have the chance to be recognized for their achievements.
There are eight award categories:
Citizen of the year
A person whose volunteer activity has made a significant and sustained contribution to the vibrancy and wellbeing of the Burlington community in 2017.
Junior Citizen of the year
A youth, 14-18 years of age, who has made a significant contribution to the Burlington community in 2017.
Senior Person of the year
A person, 55 years or older, who has advocated on behalf of seniors and/or made a significant contribution to the Burlington community in 2017.
Environmental Award
An individual or group that improved and/or protects Burlington’s environment in 2017.
Arts Person of the Year
An individual who has contributed to the arts in Burlington as an artist, patron or advocate including, but not limited to, visual arts, media arts, musical arts, performing arts and literary arts in 2017.
Community Service Award
An individual or group whose volunteer activity has contributed to the betterment of the Burlington community in 2017.
Heritage Award
An individual who has demonstrated a commitment to the preservation of Burlington’s heritage, and has volunteered their time in an effort to support the preservation of Burlington’s heritage in 2017.
The nomination form can be accessed HERE.
Resolutions!
A New Year’s resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western Hemisphere but also found in the Eastern Hemisphere, in which a person resolves to change an undesired trait or behavior, to accomplish a personal goal or otherwise improve their life.
This tradition has many other religious parallels. During Judaism’s New Year, Rosh Hashanah, through the High Holidays and culminating in Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), one is to reflect upon one’s wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness.
People can act similarly during the Christian liturgical season of Lent, although the motive behind this holiday is more of sacrifice than of responsibility. In fact, the Methodist practice of New Year’s resolutions came, in part, from the Lenten sacrifices. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually.
Some examples include resolutions to donate to the poor more often, to become more assertive, or to become more environmentally responsible.
Improve physical well-being: eat healthy food, lose weight, exercise more, eat better, drink less alcohol, quit smoking, stop biting nails, get rid of old bad habits
Improve mental well-being: think positive, laugh more often, enjoy life
Improve finances: get out of debt, save money, make small investments
Improve career: perform better at current job, get a better job, establish own business
Improve education: improve grades, get a better education, learn something new (such as a foreign language or music), study often, read more books, improve talents
Improve self: become more organized, reduce stress, be less grumpy, manage time, be more independent, perhaps watch less television, play fewer sitting-down video games
Take a trip
Volunteer to help others, practice life skills, use civic virtue, give to charity, volunteer to work part-time in a charity organization
Get along better with people, improve social skills, enhance social intelligence
Make new friends
Spend quality time with family members
Settle down, get engaged/get married, have kids
Pray more, be more spiritual
Be more involved in sports or different activities
Spend less time on social media
Success rate
The most common reason for participants failing their New Years’ Resolutions was setting themselves unrealistic goals (35%), while 33% didn’t keep track of their progress and a further 23% forgot about it. About one in 10 respondents claimed they made too many resolutions.
A 2007 study by Richard Wiseman from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people showed that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the study’s participants were confident of success at the beginning. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set; such as, a pound a week, instead of saying “lose weight”), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.
What will Canadians get done in 2018?
What will Ontarians get done in the year?
What will Burlingtonians choose to do?
What will you decide to do?
Something to think about.
By Staff
December 31st, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It is said that “80% of human experience is filtered through the eyes”. The choice of a colour used is then critical.
But who makes that choice?
The Pantone Color Institute helps companies make the most informed decisions about color for their brands or products. Whether it is color trend forecasting, brand color development, custom color solutions, or product palette selection, the Pantone Color Institute guides their clients through the development of a color strategy.
They also make a pronouncement on what the colour for a year is going to be – and the trend makers tend to follow.
The Color of the Year 2018 is a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.
Expect to see a lot of it – we were having lunch at the Tin Cup on Friday and sitting at a long table with at least 30 boys celebrating a hockey event was a Mother with purple hair.
 Pantone maintains that their 2018 purple alludes to the mysteries of the cosmos and the unknown. Not sure the Mother had an “unknown” look about her – more one of being frazzled trying to cope with the boys who all needed to talk at the same time – loudly.
Laurie Pressman, vice-president of the Pantone Colour Institute, said: “The Pantone colour of the year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today.”
By Staff
December 31st, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Promoting a Comedy Festival seems like a good way to close out the year.
The Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA), in partnership with the Kitchener-Waterloo Comedy Festival and The Water Street Cooker are putting on the 3rd Annual Burlington Comedy Festival.
The three-day kicks off on Family Day: Monday February 19th, 2018.
Featuring over twelve comedians and variety performers at two venues tailor made for live stand-up: The Burlington Performing Arts Centre and the Water Street Cooker (2084 Old Lakeshore Road)
The 3rd annual Burlington Comedy Festival, in support of the Canadian Cancer Society, commences with a Family Variety Show. This show is suitable for all ages and features award winning, international circus artists. Including a Portuguese Clown who is one of the judges on Portugal’s Got Talent, a Magician who has performed in Las Vegas and a Juggling and Acrobatic Duo who will be coming direct from China.
The show runs approximately 80 minutes, Family Day: Monday February 19th, 2018, with no intermission. Seating is general admission. Tickets are $15.00 and show time is 3:00 p.m. at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
That same evening the “Best of the Fest” (tickets are $49.00) at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 8 p.m. start time. The seven comic lineup is headlined by comedian/actor Kevin Pollak, “The Kids in the Hall” alumnus Scott Thompson, and Canadian writer/actor Jon Dore.
The Festival concludes with two performances at The Water Street Cooker: Tuesday February 20th and Wednesday February 21st. Featuring “up close and personal” comedy (and a variety act) starting at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $29.
This includes admission to the reserved seating area and $25 for dinner at Emma’s Back Porch. A $54.00 package!
The material is not censored and intended for a mature audience. Seating is general admission, no recordings are permitted.
For a full list of complete acts and to buy tickets
Brian Dean, Executive Director, Burlington Downtown Business Association wants to make the experience of live comedy against the backdrop of Lake Ontario an annual tradition.
Taken during a Burlington Santa Claus parade – it expresses what we believe the season is really all about. The fundamentals of our society are based on that message.
By Staff
December 23rd, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s a day Jamie Leslie isn’t likely to forget.
She was at Kelso/Glen Eden with her Dad, Dave day on Friday when she was declared the one millionth visitor in 2017 to a Conservation Halton location.
The visits number includes those who have enjoyed recreational programs and services at Crawford Lake, Hilton Falls, Kelso / Glen Eden, Mount Nemo, Mountsberg, Rattlesnake Point and Robert Edmondson.
The Conservation people have been working towards that millionth visitor number for some time. Chief Administrative Officer Hassaan Basit and Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Matthews made the target number a must for the year.
 Georgetown resident Jayme Leslie was the one millionth visit to a Conservation Halton location. Jayme, a Georgetown resident, received a gift package which will give her and her family the opportunity to keep enjoying our parks in 2018 and beyond. The package included a Glen Eden Season pass for 2018-19, a Halton Parks Membership for one year, merchandise and maple syrup from Mountsberg.
Basit, who is intense, but not the kind of guy that goes over the top with his comments. On this occasion however he got excited and said: “As we approach the end of the year it is fantastic to be able to celebrate a milestone like one million visits and we would like to thank everyone who came to enjoy our beautiful conservation areas.”
Visitation at Conservation Halton’s conservation areas has grown steadily over the past few years. In 2013, visits went over the 800,000 level, and last year almost reached 1,000,000. During that time period, the number of visits to Hilton Falls, Mount Nemo and Rattlesnake Point has more than doubled as people are enjoying the scenic views from those parks which are each along the iconic Niagara Escarpment and other activities like hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing.
By Staff
December 19th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The folks at the head office of Conservation Halton on Britannia Road are excited – they are poised to reach the milestone of one million visits to its Conservation Areas in a calendar year for the first time in its history.
 The view from Mt. Nemo The visits number includes those who have enjoyed recreational programs and services at Crawford Lake, Hilton Falls, Kelso / Glen Eden, Mount Nemo, Mountsberg, Rattlesnake Point and Robert Edmondson.
The one millionth visit is expected to take place this week and a celebration will be held this Friday, December 22 at 11 a.m. at Glen Eden. Ontario’s third busiest ski facility will serve as a backdrop for this milestone; Glen Eden is also opening for the 2017-18 ski and snowboard season the day before.
 Chief Administrative Officer Hassaan Basit has driven the growth of Conservation Halton – 1 millionth visitor expected this week Conservation Halton operates seven primary conservation areas – Crawford Lake, Hilton Falls, Kelso / Glen Eden, Mount Nemo, Mountsberg, Rattlesnake Point and Robert Edmondson. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational programs – birding, boating, camping, cross country skiing, dog walking, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and swimming.
By Staff
December 19th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington has several organizations that operates at arm’s length from city hall. The Art Gallery, the Performing Arts Centre and the Museums. Add the public library to that list.
Those organizations don’t have publicly elected leadership but they do have leadership drawn from the community.
 A good animated conversation. They happen often at the Art Gallery. Some are better than others in looking to the community in a very public manner for their leadership.
The Art Gallery (AGB) said in a recent statement that they “ have a strong desire to represent our community, and so we are seeking community leaders who have an interest in becoming involved at the gallery. “
“The Board of Directors and various committees at the AGB provide high-level guidance, counsel, and support to the organization.
The AGB is holding an Open House & Information Session, January 9th at 7 pm at the Art Gallery. If you plan to attend let to Alya Shah know email alya@agb.life
The current Board members are:
Tim Caddigan, Chair
Brenda Bowlby, Vice Chair
Jim Commerford, Vice Chair
Paul MacDiarmid, Treasurer
Tom Evans, Secretary
Sandra Edrupt, Past Chair
Ted Bossence
Greg Henderson
Paul Subject
Blair Lancaster, City of Burlington Representative
Bob Pring
Allan Ramsay
Roxanne Field
The AGB Board has two members from the Art Gallery of Burlington Foundation. They are:
Robert Redhead Chair & Secretary, AGBF
Kenna Danyliw, Vice Chair AGBF
Holiday Season events and program at the AGB
Open December 24, 10am – 3
pm
Closed December 25 & 26
Open December 27, 28, 29 & 30, 10am – 5pm
Open December 31, 10am – 3
pm
Closed January 1, 2018
AGB Shop Holiday Hours
Closed December 24, 25, 26 & 31
Open December 27, 28, 29 & 30, 10am – 5pm
Closed January 1 + 8 & 9 for inventory
FAMILY HOLIDAY OPEN STUDIO
DEC 23 & 30, 1 – 4 PM – ALL AGES (FREE ADMISSION)
Everyone is invited to the AGB’s FREE drop-in art studio for some creative holiday fun! Our artist instructors offer ideas as sources of inspiration and encourage visitors to engage in art and craft making. Children must be accompanied by parents or adult caregivers.
FAMILY HOLIDAY ART BREAK
DEC 27 & JAN 2, 1 – 3 PM
An opportunity for parents, grandparents, guardians and young people to share in some creative time. Our instructor will lead you through the current exhibition for inspiration then guide you through an art making workshop to create a memento of your visit.
CREATIVE HANDS HOLIDAY PROGRAM
DEC 28 & 29, JAN 3, 4, 5, 1 – 3 PM (AGES: 5 – 12)
An afternoon break for parents – no adults allowed at this 2 hour session where we will explore a variety of mediums as we get crafty. Bring your imagination!
MP Karina Gould, on the right with a couple at a New Year’s Levee. NEW YEAR’S LEVEE
JAN 7 , 1 – 4 PM – ALL ARE WELCOME (FREE ADMISSION)
All Burlington residents are invited to the third annual New Year’s Levee co-hosted by MPP Eleanor McMahon and MP Karina Gould. Enjoy free access to the gallery including demonstrations and hands-on activities. Light refreshments will be served. No RSVP required. We will be collecting non-perishable food items for the local food banks.
Related news story:
By Staff
December 19th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Glen Eden is preparing for its best opening week conditions in recent memory!
Cold December temperatures have allowed Glen Eden’s snowmaking team to make snow day and night over the last 10 days. The hills will be set to open this Thursday, December 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Glen Eden expects to be fully operational with all lifts and trails open. The Learning Centres and the Terrain Parks will also be ready.
 A really exhilarating view. The trip down is a real high. Glen Eden is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. except for December 25 when it will be closed for the day. The latest information can be found on the Glen Eden website, www.gleneden.on.ca, as to which runs and lifts will be open, as well as the Terrain Park location, number of features and other details.
“The team at Glen Eden is looking forward to welcoming skiers and snowboarders for another fantastic season,” said Gene Matthews, Director, Parks and Recreation. “Our snowmaking team has been working around the clock to get the hill ready with the best conditions possible. We are confident all visitors will be pleased with our surface conditions whether they are learning to ski or snowboard, out enjoying some runs with family and friends, or throwing it down in the Terrain Park.”
 All the lifts are in great working order – ready for the first skiers on Thursday. In the last ten years, Glen Eden has been open before Christmas seven times, Boxing Day once and December 27 the other. The only time in the last ten years Glen Eden did not open until January was 2016. Opening date that year was January 8 during an el nino winter.
Glen Eden is home to one of the largest Learning Centres in Ontario, with a wide variety of lessons and programs for all ages and abilities. There are two Christmas Camps during the holidays. Camp #1 starts on Boxing Day, and Camp #2 starts January 2, 2018. Group lesson programs run starting on Boxing Day, there are also private and semi-private options. Visit the Glen Eden website, www.gleneden.on.ca, or call Visitor Services at 905-878-5011, ext. 1221, for more information.
 Glen Eden: They have been laying down snow for the past ten days – conditions will be great for the Thursday opening. The Terrain Park is where a lot of the action happens at Glen Eden. The “Big” Parks, Nighthawk and Falcon have upwards of 40 of the most progressive features dedicated to these two runs during peak season. Glen Eden has lots of options for keeping things fresh while pushing your limits and developing your skills.
Christmas Theme Day – December 23
Skiers and snowboarders are invited to celebrate the holidays a few days early during Opening Weekend at Glen Eden at the Christmas Theme Day on Saturday, December 23. Visitors can join in the fun and help us decorate our On-Slope Christmas Trees on the Learning Centre. Wear your Santa hats, ugly Christmas sweaters and bring your sweet tooth for some candy canes. Keep your eye out for a special guest in a red suit while enjoying the slopes at Glen Eden!
New Year’s Eve Ski & Dine – December 31
Join us for New Year’s Eve on the slopes, for music, s’mores, campfire, a ginger ale toast, dinner and more from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. The Ski & Dine package is $39 per person and includes lift ticket and dinner in the West Lodge. New Year’s Eve dinner will be snacks, salad, pasta, dessert and soft drinks. Reservations are required. New Year’s Eve Ski & Dine tickets can be purchased on the website www.gleneden.on.ca or at the Visitor Centre by December 26, 2017.
 She’s ready! Glen Eden’s Discover Skiing and Snowboarding is a lesson program for first timers and beginners and are available starting this weekend. During the season, Discover is offered weekends, holidays, and March Break from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 6 to 9 p.m. on non-holiday weeknights. Glen Eden’s snow pros will help ensure you learn the basics – equipment, stopping and turning. By the time you complete the program you should be ready for the big hills. Discover is available on a first-come, first-serve basis unless you’re booking a large group. For groups of 20 or more people please call 905-878-5011, ext. 1278, at least one week in advance.
Glen Eden is located on Kelso Road, near Tremaine Road and Highway 401, and is a 20 minute drive from Mississauga, Burlington and Hamilton and is operated by Conservation Halton. During the season, Glen Eden is open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. for skiing and snowboarding with the Snow Tube Park open on the weekends. For more information visit the Glen Eden website, www.gleneden.on.ca, or call 905-878-5011.
By Staff
December 19th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Not just a bunch of Old Timers strapping on the shin pads the Burlington Old Timers Hockey Club looks for situations where some help is needed and find a way to have a good time and help out others.
They did that late in November with a Christmas Dance at the Legion and raised $3,575 for Burlington Food Bank
On hand were some of the best dancers in the league and their wives! The fabulous live band for the night was SpeakEasy, featuring Lloyd Millar, from our White division and as a Special Guest Singer/Performer, 16 year- old Alyssa MacKenzie joined the band for a few songs.
Through player donations, prize table raffle tickets and a delicious Christmas Home Baked goods table the league was able to raise $3,575 for the Burlington Food Bank to help them with their ongoing contribution to our community!
 Shown here are the BOWSER Babes, BOD members, League Convenors, and Colin Ashdown (event organizer) presenting Robin Bailey (Burlington Food Bank) with a cheque for $3,575 The Food Bank is committed to ensure that no one in Burlington struggles with hunger. They provide food to those in need. In order to do that they need funding – the Oldtimers came through.
By Staff
December 17th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
They live life a little differently in Lowville.
They celebrate the Winter and Summer Solstice.
The purpose of ThinkSpot Solstice events have been solely around coming together as strangers or friends and finding that commonality to realize we are not alone as we walk this journey of life.
That’s the “why” – and to witness that happen twice a year is an unbelievable gift.
 Lowville residents parading around their community during the Winter Solstice. In the past a community has gathered paraded around the community and then gather to set paper lanterns into the night sky.
 Lanterns are illuminated and set afloat into a Winter Solstice night. The lanterns have been an amazing and beautiful way to celebrate our connecting and thank you to everyone who has been part of the past nine solstice events. For the last few months we’ve been wondering about how to create something new;
Kune Hua and Arryn Ter Smitte figured it out last week.
Lowville Burning Man – Family Style is coming to life next Thursday (December 21st) in Lowville. For those of you who are familiar with the festival in Nevada each year you will know what happens at the end when a beautiful creative masterpiece is set on fire.
 The Burning Man is a celebration – that will take place in Lowville. How does it come about – you have to be there to be part of it. At 7:00 pm a light dinner will be available and we will begin to create a Lowville artistic expression that will be an honouring of 2017 – what we are grateful for; what we wish to let go of; and what we may have lost (a relationship, friendship, job, family member, pet – anything that is of value to us).
We will be providing wood and tools (drills, hammers, screwdrivers, nails/screws, glue) so that people can get in there and create whatever comes to life. We will also provide cedar rings and sage for everyone to use as mementos.
What you can bring is any flammable memento (non-combustible is a definite requirement, no metals or concrete) that you wish to add to the sculpture. Perhaps a shirt, a stuffed animal, a pet collar, .a letter to your higher self – anything that you wish to offer as a symbol of 2017.
At 8:00 pm we will go for a candlelight walk through Lowville Park as we celebrate the shortest day/longest night of the year – and then at 8:30 pm come back to light the Lowville Burning Man Sculpture.
At 9:00 pm we will release one sky lantern to celebrate our coming together and welcoming the beginning of longer days and sunlight.
Please RSVP so we can plan for food and materials required. The evening is complimentary although we do request a donation of personal items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, tampons, underwear and warm socks (new only please)) to be shared with people experiencing homelessness.
By Staff
December 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
A group of Dads in Burlington joined together Tuesday night at The Anchor Bar to have some fun and to raise some money for the Burlington Food Bank.
Burlington Dad’s is an online group and this was a rare live get together… hopefully becoming an annual event. Organizers Rene Schuster and Peter Winstanley never expected the level of generosity shown by their group and were thankful for all the support received. “This event grew from Rene and Peter saying we would like to see our members in person and give something back… we never imagined that the guys would get on board the way they did. Lots of generous guys in Burlington! Thanks for putting food on the table for Burlington families this Christmas guys!” said Peter.
 Shown here are Jamie & Mark Little, Peter Winstanley and Rene Schuster presenting Robin Bailey (Burlington Food Bank) with a cheque for $3,189 from Burlington Dads. Not shown is the additional 512 lbs of food donated the same night. The cheque presentation was broadcast live to the Dads Group. Burlington Dad’s was formed by Rene Schuster in March of 2014, and now assisted by Peter Winstanley. Burlington Dad’s was formed by Rene Schuster in March of 2014, and now assisted by Peter Winstanley. Basically it was Rene’s brainchild; a Dads helping Dads group. If you need some advice, something fixed, in search of a service, or simply need to vent, the Dads are always obliging.
There is no drama allowed, which means only a select few get in. It has grown to over 1,300 members, and includes Dads in the Oakville/Burlington/Hamilton area.
Check it out
Burlington Food Bank is committed to ensuring that no one in Burlington struggles with hunger. They provide food to those in need. If you or someone you know is hungry and in need of help, call them at 905-637-2273. https://www.burlingtonfoodbank.ca
By Staff
December 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington has been identified as one of 40 municipalities set to have a cannabis store by July 2018. The LCBO will make the determination of where a cannabis store is located in Burlington.
The city will be working with the Ministry of Finance and the LCBO to develop guidelines and the process for choosing store locations. The guidelines will achieve the provincial objectives of protecting youth by ensuring stores are not close to schools while providing access in communities and addressing the illegal market.
Where in this fair city will the cannabis retail outlet be located. If it is on Brant Street will it bring the much discussed vibrancy to the area? The City of Burlington, like other municipal governments across Canada, has been paying close attention to provincial and federal legislation regulating cannabis.
Burlington joins 28 other municipalities for one or more standalone cannabis retail stores to open in July 2018. The other municipalities:
Ajax, Belleville, Barrie, Brampton, Brantford, Cambridge, Chatham-Kent, Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener, Lindsay (Kawartha Lakes), London, Mississauga, Niagara Falls, Oakville, Oshawa, Ottawa, Peterborough, Sault Ste. Marie, St. Catharines, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vaughan, Waterloo, Whitby and Windsor.
Odd that Milton, the municipality with the highest population growth in Halton, is not on the list.
The city uses the tag line: “Burlington is one of Canada’s best and most livable cities, a place where people, nature and business thrive.” That just might become true next summer.
By Staff
December 14th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Those festive lights in Spencer Smith Park didn’t fall of the back of a truck and suddenly glow. Volunteers from the corporate sector and high school students created the lights and installed them late in November and were turned on December 1st. Community spirit at its best.
They will be in place until January 8th and are turned on at 4:30 PM – 12:30 AM
The 2017 lighting marks the 22nd anniversary of this event.
 The festival gets its start early in December when Burlington Electricity Services Inc., a subsidiary of Burlington Hydro partners with the Burlington Downtown Business Association’s (BDBA) for the Candlelit Stroll through the downtown core and the lighting of the Tree of Hope.
Volunteers from Burlington Electricity Services Inc., Burlington Taxi, King Paving, Robert Bateman High School, T.A. Blakelock High School (Oakville), and local residents help with set up the lights in Spencer Smith Park
 There were 15 students from both schools involved with the project. The Students designed and built the newest hockey themed display. Expect to see two new displays from this crew for the for the 2018/19 year.
CHML’s Joey Castillio served as the emcee for the tree lighting and the Candlelit Stroll event.
By Staff
December 11th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Lowville Festival, Burlington’s festival of all the arts for the artist in all of us, is presenting a special Yuletide concert in collaboration with St. George’s Church Lowville.
 Dylan-Thomas A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES, the beloved recollections of fabled Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, will be the featured work in a fundraising concert that will feature songs and stories of the festive season in Wales and around the globe.
The main artists in the concert- legendary Toronto publicist and actor Vivienne Muhling; soprano Gaynor Jones, formerly of the Canadian Opera Company; Robert Missen, Founder and Co-Artistic Director of the Lowville Festival; and pianist David Low, one of the region’s most distinguished keyboard artists- have been performing Welsh-themed concerts in Toronto and region for several years. Both Ms. Muhling and Ms. Jones hail from Wales.
This concert will be launched on Tuesday December 12th at the Performing Arts Lodge in downtown Toronto. In addition to the Thomas work, there will be a selection of Welsh and other nations’ hymns, songs and carols, as well as readings from other Thomas poems, and a special rendition by Lowville Festival Co-Artistic Director Robert Missen of A Visit from St. Nicholas, better known as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
 St Georges Anglican Church For the December 17th concert, which will take place in the seasonally bedecked sanctuary of St. George’s Anglican Church, a beautiful Edwardian stone edifice in north Lowville, this quartet will be joined by a number of local performers, including Lowville Festival Founder and Co- Artistic Director Lorretta Bailey, the well-known Canadian musical theatre performer; and Major 7th Band, a Lowville ensemble with a Celtic flair, which has come to prominence in the last short while. A couple of Special Guest Artists will be announced shortly.
All of the artists are donating their services to the concert. Proceeds will benefit both the Lowville Festival, which will be presented on June 8-10, 2018, and St. George’s Anglican Church.
The Festival has been delighted to collaborate with St. George’s on a number of Festival events since the Festival’s inception in 2015.
For more information and tickets contact Robert Missen at 905-632-6047.
TICKETS $25/GENERAL ADMISSION
Available at DIFFERENT DRUMMER BOOKS and at the CHURCH OFFICE
Or by phone at 905-632-6047
Online at SNAPD TICKETS BURLINGTON
By Staff
December 11th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
We are coming to the close of Canada’s sesquicentennial – our 150th anniversary as a country,
Both the federal, provincial and municipal governments’ have poured a tonne of money into this celebration.
When the Gazette’s political columnist Ray Rivers was touring a Canadian Armed Forces training base in Ukraine he was able to hand out Canada 150 pins to the troops serving in Ukraine.
Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon announced last week the names of the Burlington150 Award recipients at a special reception held at Crossroads Centre in Burlington.
McMahon said the 150 residents “embody the qualities and values that make our province great and who have dedicated their time and talent towards community service in Burlington.
The recipients contribute to:
• Celebrating diversity/inclusion
• Building community/capacity
• Protecting the heritage of Burlington
• Protecting the environment
• Promoting a healthy community
In July 2017, residents of Burlington were asked to nominate suitable candidates through an application process organized by MPP McMahon’s Constituency Office.
Photographs of some of the recipients are shown below.
Awarded were:
Woman
Sue Aiken
Michelle Bennett
 Michelle Bennett an advocate for community gardens.  Cheryl De Lugt Dorothy Borovich
Rishia Burke
Lana Biro
Susan Busby
Karen Candy
Charlene Cheng
Angie Crichton
Cheryl De Lugt
Kristin Demeny
Mary Dilly
Amy D’Souza
Jody Dugas
Erin Dunham
Elaine Evenson
Tanya Ferro
Jasmina Garbus
Stephanie Geosits
Judy Goodings
Shirley Heathfield
Janine Hersey
Becky Hewis
Frances Hillier
Beverley Jacobs
Paulene Jodry
Candice Keem
Lisette Kingo
Marina Lloyd
Jean Longfield
Lisa Lunski
Heather MacLeod
Diane Miller
Colleen Mulholland
 Colleen Mulholland Mary Nichol
Sandy O’Reilly
Gwen Piller
Dorothy Pocock
Connie Price
Sara Rams
Fareen Samji
Chloe Schleichkorn
Amy Schnurr
Peggi Shepherd DeGroote
Janice Skafel
Sheila Slattery-Ford
Joanna Sparrow
Hanadi Subhi Almasri
Bonnie Sylvia
Patricia Vollick
Carole Ward
 Carole Ward on the left. Jessica Wesolowski
Pam West
Darlene Wierski-Devoe
Men
Don Allan
Andy Barber
Rob Bennett
Angelo Bentivegna
 Angelo Bentivegna Kale Black
Rev. Bill Bond
Rick Burgess
Colin Campbell
John Chisholm
Stephen Clarke
Casey Cosgrove
John Creary
John Doyle
Ron Foxcroft
Gil Garbus
David Goodings
Brian Hansell
Alan Harrington
Dr. James Henry
Fergie Holland
Bill Hughes
Cam Jackson
 Cam Jackson  Rainer Noack David Johnson
Ron Kirk
Craig Kowalchuk
Doug Leggat
Bryce Leggatt
Marcus Logan
Matthew MacPherson
Ken Maitland
Ted Michaels
James Morrison
Walter Mulkewich
Rainer Noack
Fred Norman
Angelo Paletta
Dr. Bob Peeling
Bob Pring
Bill Reid
 Karmel Sakran, chair of Halton Learning Foundation Karmel Sakran
John Searles
Don Smith
Jonathan Smith
Murray Sutherland
Jim Sweetlove
John Thorpe
Dave Tourchin
Jack Van der Laan
Peter John Van Dyk
Mike Vencel
Scott Wallace
George Wright
Dan Wynnyk
 Griffin Gervais second from the left.  Rory Nisan on the left. Youth
Janna Abdelaziz
Sara Ahmed
Aiman Akmal
Madeleine Barbeau
Sarah Bennett
Kennedy Boyd
Charlotte Brooks
Sean Clarke
Hannah Doherty
Autumn Finley
Victoria Finley
Jerry Gao
Griffin Gervais
Grace Hellam
Luke Hellam
Emma Jackson
Riya Karumanchi
Megan Lee
Jacob Lightfoot
Tianmi Liu
Aidan MacMillan
Carina McDonald
Thomas McDonald
Brianna Moore
Rory Nisan
Shawn Patrick
Sean Reynolds
Pranetr Ranjit
Kate Smith
Keri-Lynn and Maddie Smith
Phoenix Smith
Ayden Soares
Aleksandra Sorbovski
Jessica Sumner
Abbey Syer
Luis Tavares
Noor Toeama
Gershon Tsirulnikov
David Vandenberg
Olivia Walker-Edwards
Emma Ward
Taylor Ward
Connor Withers
Grace Aleta Workman-Porecki
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By Pepper Parr
A levee is an old tradition in Ontario. In many communities the levee is held at city hall and sponsored by the Mayor and members of council.
This year the Burlington’s Best Committee is challenging residents and organizations to “show us Burlington’s Best citizens.” Nominations for the Burlington’s Best Awards, formerly known as the civic recognition awards, are now open for eight award categories. Nominations will be accepted until February 28, 2018.
Pantone maintains that their 2018 purple alludes to the mysteries of the cosmos and the unknown. Not sure the Mother had an “unknown” look about her – more one of being frazzled trying to cope with the boys who all needed to talk at the same time – loudly.
The festival gets its start early in December when Burlington Electricity Services Inc., a subsidiary of Burlington Hydro partners with the Burlington Downtown Business Association’s (BDBA) for the Candlelit Stroll through the downtown core and the lighting of the Tree of Hope.
There were 15 students from both schools involved with the project. The Students designed and built the newest hockey themed display. Expect to see two new displays from this crew for the for the 2018/19 year.
