You may be one of those people who knows all about the Lowville Festival – an event that takes place every July in Lowville.
Last season there was a rendition of Northwest Passage delivered by the widow of Stan Rodgers, the man who wrote it and performed it for tens of thousands of Canadians.
Paul Novotny playing the double bass at the 2016 Lowville Festival.
There was a performance on a base fiddle that was the best I have ever heard. Paul doing the Porter’s Hymn on his double bass was the star of the evening. Seldom does one hear this quality. You could have heard a pin drop while the sound was being plucked from the strings of the bass.
The team that puts together the Lowville Festival each summer has put together a winter program that begins with Robert Priest, Canada’s finest spoken word poet and singer who will delight the audience with some of his poems and compositions along with a salute to Robbie Burns. Schoolhouse Series
Lowville School House – Locale for the Lowville Festival winter series.
That event takes place Saturday January 21, 2017. Titled “Words to Warm a Winter’s Night” it will beheld in the Lowville Schoolhouse
Saturday March 4, 2017:
Racy Artists from the Renaissance to the Rococo.
Real lives of the artists will be revealed by Barbara Anderson-Huget in this multi-media presentation. Murder, adultery, fanaticism, broken vows and fashion.
Sports concussions are the topic for the final evening of the Lowville Festival Winter series.
Saturday April 1, 2017:
Head Games: the Global Concussion Crisis
After viewing the movie, Concussion, Lorretta Bailey and guest will lead a discussion about how to prevent concussions in our youth, the warning signs and possible treatments.
$20 /person for each event to defray costs.
RSVP to tickets@thinkspot.ca to reserve a seat
Whenever there is some new art placed in the community there are the couple of dozen people who complain about public money being spent on “nice to have” and often questions about the credentials of the people making the decisions.
The grade separation on King Road had art painted on the bridge.
Cobalt Connects, an organization that manages things that get done in the arts community is recruiting people who will sit on juries that select what gets chosen. They handle most of the administrative side of the city’s public art program and consult for the city.
Participate in a Public Art Jury
They are looking for ordinary people who love art and their community and are asking people who want to make their mark on the city’s public art program by participating in a public art jury.
They are looking for local artists, creative professionals and residents to evaluate public art applications throughout the year.
No experience is necessary! Each jury is made up of a mix of arts professionals and residents to represent a broad cross-section of the community.
This pice of art work was painted on the side of the Freeman Station.
A small honorarium will be paid to all jury members as a thank you for participating. (That should pull in a significant response)
If you are interested in volunteering there is an application form to be placed on the jury roster.
Click on the link to access the form.
Kim Selman can answer any questions you might have. She can be reached at 905-548-0111 or at
kim@cobaltconnects.ca
Maybe 150 people came out to basically watch a television program, including the commercials, in a high school auditorium.
They do things like that at Central high school.
There was a place to collect cash donations and food for the Breakfast program at the school.
Catching up. From the right – Dania Thurman and Lynn Crosby and an unidentified male
There was popcorn and coffee that the cleaning staff were able to take advantage of. People milled around, got caught up on what was happening.
The occasion was the showing of the CBC’s latest mini-series – Pure.
Shawn Clement, a film arts teacher at Central high, handled the technical side of things while his dog “Buddy” roamed around the auditorium as if he owned the place. It looked like he did.
Jessica Clement – plays the part of a Mennonite high school student in Pure
What the promoters of the screening didn’t say was that one of the female performers was none other than Jessica Clement, Shawn’s daughter, who was an absolute delight.
A maybe 20 something with one of those slim as a rail physiques and eyes that convey all kinds of character and depth, plays the part of Tina Funk, who attends a local high school where she wears a full Mennonite attire including the bonnet.
The program was filmed in Halifax, NS
This reporter wasn’t able to stay for the full screening so can’t comment on the quality of the performance other than to say that many of the television reviewers felt CBC was quite bold in the decision to run the six part series.
Jessica Clement tells us that there is enough script material for several 12 show runs – – let’s see how the television program is received.
An Aldershot high school graduate who went on to earn a degree at the University of Guelph, Jessica started her career as an actress at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton at the age of seven and grew her skill set in that environment. At the age of 12 she began to perform outside Aquarius.
She has done it all: Stage, television, commercials. She was part of a Les Misérables cast; she performed as Marta in The Sound of Music
And there she was on the large screen at Central high school while her Dad, Shawn, looked after the technical side of the evening and his dog roamed through the aisles. He seemed to know or wanted to get to know everyone.
It was as if you were in a small town movie theatre; that is also a community centre that is a little on the run down side with all kinds of character.
No one made any speeches. It was just a community out for the evening enjoying themselves.
There is some talk about the high school being closed. The Board of Education may find that they have to close a few high schools – Central won’t be one of them. The place has just too much community going for it.
Jessica Clement – Pure cast member.
As for young Ms Clement – she has done a lot of work for someone her age.
Pure (TV Series) 2017 Meza 2013 Paranormal Radio (Short) (completed) Casey Hopkins 2012 The Time Traveler (Short) (completed) 2015 Hemlock Grove (TV Series) Damascus (2015) … Cherry Brian’s Song (2015) … Cherry 2015 How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town 2015 A Christmas Horror Story 2015/I Life 2015 Let Me Down Easy (Short) 2012 Dear Scavengers (Short) Closer to Free: Part 1 (2012) … Naomi 2010 The Man Who Loved Flowers (Short) 2010 Small Town Murder Songs 2008 The Border (TV Series) Like just about everyone in theatre in this country Jessica has done Degrassi: The Next Generation (TV Series)
While we appear to rank as the #1 mid-sized city in Canada as one of the best places to live – we rank just 5th as the city that most values monogamy which is defined as being faithful to your husband/wife and not flirting with people of the opposite sex.
This conclusion came out of the latest large-scale Canadian study that analyzed anonymous user data from 20,000 EliteSingles members to discover the cities in Canada where people most value monogamy Burlington took the #5 spot!
The top 10 cities where you can find monogamous people, as well as the top 10 cities where you can find monogamous men and monogamous women (and Burlington features on all three lists, coming 5th overall, 7th on the men’s list, and 8th on the women’s).
• Overall, the Canadians most enthusiastic about monogamy are from Aurora, ON • Whitehorse, YT and Port Moody, BC take second and third place • Canada’s most monogamous men are from Port Moody, BC • The nation’s most monogamous women can be found in Stratford, ON
The study, which was conducted by premium dating site EliteSingles, used anonymous user data from 20,000 registered members to determine just how much Canadians prioritize monogamy.
The study looked at the extent to which the randomly selected participants agreed with the statement ‘I believe that monogamy is essential in a relationship.’ These scores were then averaged out by area, revealing the Canadian cities where people are the most likely to be mad for monogamy:
The top 10 cities in which to find Canada’s most monogamous people:
1. Aurora, ON 2. Whitehorse, YT 3. Port Moody, BC 4. Spruce Grove, AB 5. Burlington, ON 6. Airdrie, AB 7. Langley, BC 8. Okotoks, AB 9. Maple Ridge, BC 10. Kelowna, BC
Participants in the study were asked to rank the extent to which they agreed with the sentiment ‘I believe that monogamy is essential in a relationship’; placing themselves on a scale of 1 (do not agree at all) to 7 (agree completely). As it turns out, Canadians are strongly in favour of monogamy: the average result for women was 6.3, while men average 5.7.
As well as determining the averages overall, the study looked at answers geographically, determining an average result for each location and thus revealing the ten cities in Canada that are home to the most monogamous people overall, as well as the cities that are home to Canada’s most monogamous men and most monogamous women.
The organization that did the survey is a dating site that manually confirms the existence of every client.
Something just didn’t’ seem right about this one. Perhaps it is because we don’t understand the world of artists but asking a sculptor to send in an Expression of Interest for a possible $140,000 commission within 10 days suggests that the decision has already been made and the request for those Expressions is released to cover the tracks.
The location for this piece of sculpture is nice – part of the RBG Rock Garden.
We pass this on – and wonder if we are misleading the sculptors in the community
Here are the details. We will watch with interest and see who is awarded the commission.
ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS | REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Deadline: Friday, January 20, 2017
Budget: $140,000 CAD (maximum)
The Royal Botanical Gardens invites artists to submit Expressions of Interest to create a permanent Thomas McQuesten commemorative artwork to be installed in the Dalglish Family Courtyard at the Royal Botanical Gardens. This competition is open to professional Canadian artists or artist-led teams.
The call: Artist Opportunity
The Royal Botanical Gardens invites artists to submit Expressions of Interest to create a permanent Thomas McQuesten commemorative artwork to be installed in the Dalglish Family Courtyard at the Royal Botanical Gardens. This competition is open to professional Canadian artists or artist-led teams*.
Dalglish Family Courtyard at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
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 an artwork concept proposal and maquette. 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.
* A professional artist is an individual who has specialized skills and/or training in his/her artistic discipline (not necessarily in academic institutions), has a history of public presentation and is critically recognized as an artist.
Artwork Goals
This commission will commemorate Thomas Baker McQuesten, one of our nation’s tireless advocates for conservation and founder of the Royal Botanical Gardens. Set in the Dalglish Family Courtyard, this sculpture will stand as a proud reminder of McQuesten’s legacy and the RBG’s long-standing commitment to the stewardship of our land.
The goals of this project include:
• Celebrate an iconic figure in Canadian history in connection with Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation • Enhance the Dalglish Family Courtyard with an inspiring public artwork • Provide a space for contemplation and commemoration • Tell the story of McQuesten and his contribution to local and national infrastructure, conservation and beautification
Background The Royal Botanical Gardens
For over 80 years Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) has been an ecological jewel at the western tip of Lake Ontario. Conceived and founded through the tireless efforts of early conservationist Thomas Baker McQuesten, RBG lands were set aside to create the region’s first botanical garden. Patterned after Kew Gardens in England, RBG was created to serve as both a regional botanical tourism site and an environmental agency. In his book “Garden with a View”, former Executive Director Dr. Leslie Laking explains RBG’s unique role in society:
Hendrie Gardens RBG
“Royal Botanical Gardens puts nature’s beauty on display, but it isn’t a park system. It teaches but it isn’t a school. It protects and preserves forest and marsh, but it isn’t a conservation authority. It collects and propagates botanical knowledge and plant life, but it is not a library, museum, or laboratory. It is all those things and more than their sum”.
Designated as a national historical site, RBG is revered worldwide for its extensive 400 acres of display gardens. What makes RBG unique is that it also protects and stewards over 2300 acres of environmentally sensitive lands and diverse ecosystems that connect the Niagara escarpment to Lake Ontario. In acknowledgement of this crucial environmental role, Royal Botanical Gardens was granted a provincial mandate in 1941 for the development of four areas of focus: Conservation, Education, Horticulture and Science. In the 70 years that followed, RBG has established a national and international reputation as a living laboratory for science, a connecting point for children in their early embrace of nature, a leader in sustainable gardening and the standard-bearer for ecological restoration and plant preservation.
In the face of devastating environmental threats worldwide, RBG is more relevant now than ever before. Its established and evolving environmental programs provide straightforward, workable solutions designed to maintain sustainable biodiversity in Canada, for the world.
Thomas Baker McQuesten
Thomas McQuesten
Thomas Baker McQuesten (June 30, 1882 – January 13, 1948) was born in Hespeler, Ontario (now Cambridge) and received his primary and secondary school education in Hamilton. Following high school, McQuesten attended the University of Toronto and continued his studies at Osgoode Hall, receiving his law degree in 1907. McQuesten served as an alderman on Hamilton City Council and later, a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (representing Hamilton- Wentworth).
McQuesten, whose family had deep roots in Hamilton was a key player in infrastructure development across Ontario and is credited with bringing forward the Queen Elizabeth Way, Royal Botanical Gardens and many other projects. McQuesten was a tireless advocate for the development of parks and conservation areas. For instance, his advocacy for parks on Hamilton, Ontario City Council earned him an appointment to the permanent position on the Board of Park Management in 1922, where he remained until his death in 1948. In this position, he supported the construction of the Rock Garden and other landscaped areas on the Burlington Heights (Ontario), which became part of Royal Botanical Gardens in 1932. After his retirement from electoral politics, McQuesten resumed his interest in RBG and became an executive member of that organization, active there until just before he died.
Artwork Location
The artwork will be located in the Dalglish Family Courtyard. The courtyard serves as the entry point to the newly rejuvenated Rock Gardens at the Royal Botanical Gardens. The three-year, $20 million project provided the garden with major upgrades in infrastructure, accessibility and landscape design. This included improvements to the garden’s structural integrity, water and sewage systems, visitor accessibility, and architectural landscape. In addition, a new visitor centre was constructed to serve as a year round destination for business and private functions.
Just outside the visitor centre, the Dalglish Family Courtyard is an elegant space that serves as both a welcoming point for guests making their way outdoors and a venue for social occasions and gatherings. Alpine plants representing true rock garden vegetation grow from the beautiful stone walls, and gentle waterfalls creates a peaceful atmosphere.
The artwork will be sited in the eastern portion of the courtyard is the primary location for the artwork. Artists may propose an artwork in series or ancillary piece that makes use of Site B as a secondary location (optional).
Locations for the sculpture in the Daiglish Family Courtyard.
Artwork Design Parameters
The artwork must adhere to the following design parameters:
• The artwork must be an exterior, sculptural installation. • The artwork should contain elements that are representative of Thomas Baker McQuesten. The artwork could be a formal commemorative sculpture or could contain elements that are more interpretive in nature in combination with figurative elements • The artwork should express the passion and commitment of McQuesten to the natural environment and the Royal Botanical Gardens • Fabricated using high quality, long-lasting materials that are highly resistant to theft, vandalism and weathering • Must not pose a risk to public safety (i.e. no sharp points, does not allow climbing to restricted areas, no slip hazards, etc.) • Does not incorporate light, video or sound elements • Artwork does not restrict visitor’s movement within the courtyard or compromise accessibility standards • Meets all Ontario building code standards (https://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page7393.aspx); • The selected artist will be required to submit drawings certified by a structural engineer licensed to operate in Ontario
Budget
The budget for this project is $140,000 CAD (maximum, exclusive of HST). This is the total amount available for all related expenses of this public art project including (but not limited to): artist fees, materials, site preparation, technical consultation, fabrication, installation, any required above or below-grade foundations, insurance, equipment, permit fees, and travel.
RBG grounds staff will be available to assist in site preparations, general labour and have a significant skillset and available equipment that may be used during installation. To ensure the budget is being maximized an installation consultation will occur with each short-listed artist.
When the flowers and plants are in bloom the RBG is one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
Eligibility
This competition is open to all professional Canadian artists. Artist collectives and/or artist-led teams are also encouraged to apply. The selected artist must be able to travel to Burlington, Ont. for a minimum of two visits: one technical consultation meeting and one visit to manage the installation of the artwork and to engage in public dialogue (i.e. artist talk / public unveiling event).
The selection panel is comprised of the following representatives:
Camilla Dalglish, major gift donor
John Best, author, Thomas Baker McQuesten: Public Works, Politics, and Imagination
Tobi Bruce, Director, Collection & Exhibitions / Senior Curator, Art Gallery of Hamilton
Jeremy Freiburger, Executive Director, Cobalt Connects
Andrew Hunter, Fredrik S. Eaton Curator, Canadian Art, Art Gallery of Ontario
Mark Runciman, CEO, Royal Botanical Gardens
Maryella Leggat, resident & RBG supporter.
Estimated Project Timeline (2016-17)
December 2016 Expression of Interest document released
January 20, 2017 Deadline for Stage One: Expression of Interest
By January 31, 2017 Selection committee applications, selects short-listed artists
March 17, 2017 Short listed artists’ Concept Proposals due
By March 31, 2017 Steering committee reviews proposals and selects winning artist Selected artist enters into a contract with the Royal Botanical Gardens
September / October 2017 Artwork is installed
What’s the rush? If they are going to commemorate McQuesten -do it right.
There is always a certain amount of rivalry – call it give and take – between Burlington and Hamilton. The relationship has changed from one where Burlington was basically a bedroom community attached to Hamilton to what is now more of a partnership between the two cities. The Bay Area Economic Summit was a very good example of what the two cities can achieve when they work together.
Burlington city manager James Ridge’s meeting with Hamilton bureaucrats over getting the LaSalle Park water lots into the hands of Burlington might fracture that relationship a little. We are likely to get outsmarted by Hamilton on that transaction. But I digress
With the federal government telling us how they are going to spend our tax dollars as we celebrate our 150th anniversary as a country – that’s what a Sesquicentennial is – all kinds of ideas are popping out of nowhere.
One of the federal ideas is to have a couple of chaps travelling across the country with a red leather chesterfield on which they are inviting people to sit on with them and tell stories about Canada. That one is almost as wacky as some of the Canada Council grants we hear about.
There is one grant application that doesn’t appear to involve very much in the way of tax dollars but might appeal to Burlington’s pride – even though the object of all the attention is located in Hamilton.
These were the ships that fought the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest naval battle in history. Shown here is HMCS Haida, currently tied up in Hamilton.
And that is the Tribal Class destroyer HMCS Haida that is tied up in Hamilton in a place that is not that easy to find. But the good ship Haida is there.
There is a petition sponsored by Project Naval Distinction that they would like you to sign to have the ship named as the “flagship” of the fleet.
This is our opportunity to recognize a Canadian icon of excellence, the last of its kind in the world.
The ‘fightingest ship’ Canada has ever produced, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) HAIDA served during the Second World War, the Korean War and the Cold War, sinking more enemy tonnage than any other ship in Canadian history.
When you get to the web site just enter E560 for the petition you want to sign and they will take you through the process.
The sponsors of the petition want to see Haida given due recognition during the Canada150 celebrations.
Go to
petitions.parl.gc.ca
While not known as a naval city – Burlington has always had a strong naval pride. A portion of the monument on the Naval Promenade at Spencer Smith Park.
before February 22nd, 2017 and add your signature to petition E-560 to honour the incredible accomplishments of HMCS HAIDA. This is a simple and symbolic way that you, and those you share this petition with, can make the Canada150 celebrations even better.
This is one of the better Canada 150 projects – all they are asking for is your signature.
It’s back to school for everyone on Monday – the students show up sometime before 9 am and parents arrive before 8 pm to enjoy a premiere showing of the new CBC drama Pure on Monday, January 9th in the school auditorium.
Doors open for a meet and greet with the cast and crew at 8 pm and the screening will start at 9pm sharp.
Please join the members of the cast and crew to celebrate this captivating new Canadian television series.
The first of six part CBC mini series will be premiered at Central high school Monday night.
This event is free of charge but the school will be collecting non-perishable items for the food bank as well as donations to the Burlington Central breakfast program. This event is open to the whole community.
Central high school is one of two that were recommended to be closed as part of a reduction in the number of classroom seats in the Burlington high schools.
The community has rallied and is in the process of showing the public that the school is more than a collection of classrooms.
This Sunday the two women who represent the political leadership at the federal and provincial levels will hold their second New Year’s levy.
Levies were once significant municipal events at one end of the political scale and the event put on by the Lieutenant Governor of the province at the other end.
MPP Eleanor McMahon and MP Karina Gould at a Remembrance Day ceremony in Burlington.
Karina Gould and Eleanor McMahon decided they would jointly hold the event this year – the Mayor in his six years as the man with the chain of office showed no interest in holding the event. That left the oppor-tunity for the two woman to revive what looks as if it is going to become a regular annual event. Good on them.
The civic celebration of a New Year is an oppor-tunity to look at how well the federal government and the provincial government have done in serving the public interest.
Provincially the province struggles with hydro rates – the increases are hurting. The story behind those increases is complex and not all the fault of the current Premier Katherine Wynne. However she is the one wearing this issue.
In the year we are now into the opposition and the third party will beaver away at what they will call the failures of the current provincial government. They failures are easy to point to – but there were some significant positive moves.
A Premier that was once close to being addicted to the cash for access practice managed to shut down the practice and hardly a word has been heard about hat issue in a number of months.
During the 2016 New Year levy held at the Art Gallery of Burlington, MPP Eleanor McMahon took a turn at a weaving loom – that led to her becoming a member of the provincial cabinet.
The province has some serious infrastructure deficits and getting us out of our cars without providing an acceptable and convenient alternative is proving very difficult.
What comes across however, is a Premier who is going to do whatever it takes to bring about the changes needed to accept the fact that our climate has changed and we need to change if we are going to continue to exist on this planet.
Much ado was made about the Premier’s attempt to create a provincial pension program – which was shut down once the federal government decided to make changes in the pension program at that level. The federal changes would not have come about had Wynne not had the courage of her convictions to force the federal government to change. Don’t thank Justin Trudeau for the improvements in the federal pension program – than Wynne for pushing him into it.
When the next provincial election rolls around the provincial Liberals will have been in office for 15 years – they are being called a tired, worn out government.
Trite comment from the political pundits. How many years were John Robarts and Bill Davis in office – and were they tired and worn out? The Conservatives in this province let Mike Harris in the hen house – he turned out to be a wolf not a fox.
Wynne has her hands full – when one looks at what is out there to replace her – one feels confident with her hands on the wheel. Perfect she isn’t but better than the alternative she certainly is.
Burlington member of parliament Karina Gould celebrating with a couple expecting a child during the 2017 levy.
Federally – the bloom has managed to stay on the rose that Justin’s father used to wear in his lapel. We love the guy, the world loves the guy. But there are serious issues that are not getting the kind of attention they need.
We are fortunate in Burlington to have a woman who is not yet 30 serving as our Member of Parliament. She has a lot of growing to do but there appears to be little doubt that she will go through those growth curves in fine fashion.
Now if we had a finance minister who would stop growing the deficit and spending like a drunken sailor there would be reason for an optimistic financial future.
We have young people for whom the opportunities in the work of work required the creation of a new word: precarious employment. They deserve better than that.
We talk in terms of those under 30 never being able to buy a home. Who then is going to buy those outrageously expensive bungalows north of the QEW when the current owners want to move on?
We have newspaper headlines that report on federal “deficits that will run into 2050”.
If there is a phrase that described financial irresponsibility that just about covers it.
As popular as he is – the Prime Minister sets the tones and those he is currently using are tone deaf but they are not falling on deaf ears.
We are going to spend $1 billion on sesquicentennial celebrations this year. What’s to celebrate? Fiscal imprudence?
We just may need the time between this anniversary and the second centennial – assuming we dodge the climate change bullet heading our way, to get out of the deficits that are being accumulated. The money we borrow does have to be paid back
What Burlington has going for it is a remarkable young woman doing a fine job at the federal level and a well-seasoned woman serving at the provincial level who happens to be one of the best campaigners this reporter has seen in some time. Her campaign ability and her genuine empathy for her constituents serve both her and the community well.
There were solid reasons for making her a Minister and a member of the Treasury Board.
Now if she can spend a little less time in the “golly, gee-whiz local booster” mode she frequently falls into she will be with us after the next provincial election.
Salt with Pepper is an opinion piece. The Gazette invites others with opinions they feel will advance the level of civility in the city to be in touch with the publisher.
It’s one of those old one-room school houses that so many of our grand-parents went to. They had pot belly stoves and an outhouse back behind the building.
Built in the 1870’s the school was closed in 1952.
The Lowville school house – Built in the 1870’s the school was closed in 1952.
Few of them survived but the one in Lowville is still standing, structurally in pretty good shape actually but sort of languishing as a venue. It doesn’t get used all that often.
That appears to be changing.
The Lowville Festival has used the building for each of its events the past two years and plans on using it again this year.
ThinkSpot, a small consulting form that located in Lowville a number of years ago, works at “shifting the way people think and the way they work together. They connect all the various intricate pieces of the puzzle – the people, the process, and the place and create a place where people collaborate, think creatively, and find solutions to complex problems.
Debra Pickfield, the ThinkSpot principle, entered into a lease with the city that allows her to use the space when her own premises are not large enough to handle the size of the group she is working with.
And from there it sort of grew.
Gillian Anderson – known to most as “Scully” – the female lead in the X files. Her film performance as Lily Bart in the film House of Mirth was a surprise to many. That film will be the premiere of the Lowville School House film series.
This winter there is going to be a small Lowville Schoolhouse film series – seating is limited to 40 people. That series of events starts in early February.
Robbie Burns
More immediate is the salute to poetry on the occasion of Robbie Burns’ birthday featuring Canada’s finest spoken word poet, Robert Priest. That event takes place Saturday January 21st. Nothing yet on whether or not there will be a piper and if the haggis will be shared.
The Lowville Festival people are now pretty sure they have an event they can grow and are looking at some long term plans that will see the Lowville Park location used more.
These two events, the film series and the poetry reading are events that came out of the minds of the people in the community – they usually know what works best.
Everyone likes nature – to be out for a walk in a forested area and suddenly see a young doe standing very still watching you. There is both an intimacy and a magic to it all.
Watching traffic stop while a flock of geese cross the road taking their sweet time aggravates for a moment until you begin to appreciate that we share this planet.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology sent out the following short video.
It will change the way you see the day – less than a minute to view – well worth the time.
They want to be “shovel ready” should the federal government come through with the$5 million plus in funding that is needed to completely transform the Joseph Brant Museum
City council was asked to approve the process and strategy identified in capital works department report on the possible transformation of the Joseph Brant Museum from the single structure on the site to a 14,000 square foot creative Centre.
Architectural rendering of the transformed Joseph Brant Museum – view from the street level.
Staff did a 50% costing exercise for the Transformation Project, including the tasks that have been carried out to date and the remaining tasks to complete the proposed scope of works to be “shovel ready”.
The report also identifies a strategy for the Joseph Brant House should senior levels of government funding not be secured January 2017.
In April of this year Capital Works got approval to move forward with the detailed design for the Joseph Brant Museum Transformation Project funded entirely from the Joseph Brant Museum Transformation Reserve Fund. The reason to move forward with the detailed design was to be “shovel ready” should senior levels of government funding be realized to meet a funding condition to be substantially complete by March 2018.
The Burlington Museums Board (BMB) and the Joseph Brant Museum Foundation (JBMF) endorsed the initiation of detailed design requesting support from the Senior Project Manager from the city’s Capital Works Department.
There is an excellent very short video of how the site is to be transformed if federal funding gets to Burlington. Video is near the end of this article.
An aerial architectural rendering of the transformed Joseph Brant Museum. House is moved west a short distance and the Creative Centre built underground – 14,000 square feet of space.
The project still remains contingent on funding from senior levels of government. Staff continues with the tasks associated with detailed design in preparation for tender to pre-qualified General Contractors in order to be “shovel ready” and achieve substantial completion by March 2018.
January 25th is a critical date. Should the senior levels of government funding not be realized by January 25, 2017, staff recommends that the secured funding that is available January 25, 2017, be utilized to renew the existing Joseph Brant House.
The table set out below identifies the revised project budget based on 50% costing at $10.3 million.
The $2.2 million from the Museum Foundation consists of a reported $1.4 million from the Helen Ireland Caldwell estate.
A separate table outlines the funding breakdown. The city’s portion has not changed from the prior approved budget funding of $2,120,000. There was a grant of $1 million from the Burlington Foundation and a significant bequest, $1.4 million from the Estate of Helen Ireland Caldwell who passed away in August 2010. She was the first cousin to Marie Ireland, the last Ireland family member to live in historic Ireland House before it was bought by the city and turned into a museum in 1987.
Staff reported in April 2016 that there would be public engagement in 2016. Since the funding has not been secured staff is recommending holding a public open house when senior level’s of government funding is 100% secured.
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.
Should funding not be realized staff recommend a strategy to suspend the current proposed project scope and direct efforts toward the existing Joseph Brant House renewal with the monies from City sources in combination with any additional secured funding to January 25, 2017. Staff will report back to Council on that scope of works.
The current annual operating cost for Burlington museums is $581,759 which includes Ireland House.
The plans for the transformation are not minor. The existing structure will be re positioned on the site and a large, very large underground creativity centre will be installed.
Very little has been said about just what that creative stuff will be about other than the following notes on the museum web site: The $10.8 million expansion will add 14,000 square feet including four exhibit halls that offer the opportunity to showcase special exhibits, two multi-purpose rooms, a lobby, shop, resource centre and storage for over 25,000 artifacts and historical treasures.
More importantly, it will enable the Joseph Brant Museum, Burlington’s Community Museum and Heritage Centre, to showcase blockbuster exhibitions from around the globe.
The existing Brant house will not be something the public can get into – it will be a location for administrative offices. Looks as if the only thing “Brant” about the new building will be the name.
The Joseph Brant Museum as it stands today.
The existing collection of Brant material is limited and the library in place truly pathetic. The role Brant played in the society he was part of was very significant – it looks as if it might be lost in the new structure.
An ongoing concern is the width of the re-constructed Lakeshore Road hat was raised close to a metre and curves around the existing structure. That road is a single lane and leads to the re-developed and enlarged Joseph Brant Hospital and its parking garage.
The video set out below will give you a sense as to just how big this transformation is – and just how small Lakeshore Road it.
Will that single lane road carry all the traffic if there is a major traffic disaster on the QEW; the 403 or on the railway tracks.
As you look at the video imaging a couple of dozen ambulances racing along that road.
Then consider the long long range plans the city and the Region have to turn the existing Beachway community into a theme park.
A lot of questions – and not that much in the way of public input.
Where will the Canada Day Strawberry social take place?
Dawn Hackett-Burns is having her first solo exhibition at the Art Gallery of Burlington. The exhibit will be in the RBC Community Gallery and will run from January 3rd to the end of the month.
Hackett-Burns is the 2016/17 resident ceramic artist at the AGB where she has had access to a fully equipped that has allowed her to build a portfolio with diverse projects that support the Gallery’s programming.
The residency provides the artist with the opportunity to teach in community and studio programs, and to present new work in a solo exhibition in the RBC Community Gallery.
Dawn Hackett-Burns is described by the AGB as an emerging ceramic artist based in Greensville, Ontario. Mostly self-taught, she has honed her craft by attending workshops and receiving mentorship from ceramic artist Colleen O’Reilly. Her practice focuses on the use of pattern and repetition, and colours that speak to vibrant cultures observed in her travels.
The residency has allowed Hackett-Burns to explore different ideas and formats, and the work in this exhibition is a direct result of the residency.
The work presented in this exhibition is hand built and the patterning is elevated through low relief carving and hand-painted designs. Hackett-Burns has taught children’s classes at the Art Gallery of Burlington for the past eight years, and her teaching often intersects with her artistic practice.
The public reception is on Tuesday January 3, 6pm-8pm
It was the place to be if you had kids with more energy than you had on this first day of th year 2017.
There were hundreds of kids running all over the place with almost every one of the rooms at Tansley Woods occupied with one children’s activity or another.
The occasion was used to announce what some of money the politicians were going to do with the tax money we gave them to look after our well being,
From the left Burlington MP Karina Gould, in the center Pam Damoff, MP for Oakville North Burlington and Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon who also serves as the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports for the province.
Burlington MP Karina Gould did most of the talking and reminded the audience that, January 1st, marks the beginning of the 150th anniversary of our country’s Confederation.
The Government of Canada’s vision for the 150th anniversary centres upon four major key themes: diversity and inclusiveness, the environment, young people and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. This anniversary is an opportunity for all Canadians to reflect on our shared history, consider the path we have taken so far, while also looking to the future with optimism.
Gould announced that the Art Gallery of Burlington and the Halton District School Board and the city were to receive project funding.
Laura Martin – started the New Year painting faces.
The Canada 150 Fund, will provide $49,500 to the City of Burlington for its reaffirmation citizenship ceremony and the Art Gallery of Burlington Celebration Quilt.
The Government of Canada will also be providing $97,000 to the Halton District School Board for their Truth and Reconciliation project for their students.
The 150th anniversary of Canada is an opportunity to come together to celebrate our shared values, our achievements, our majestic environments and our place in the world. It is a time to celebrate what it means to be Canadian.
The city’s annual New Year’s Day event at Tansley Woods – hundreds of children scooting about the place.
Mayor Rick Goldring, Executive Director of the Art Gallery of Burlington, Robert Steven and Executive Director of the Sound of Music Festival, Dave Miller now have some of their funding for the year locked in.
The Canada Day citizenship ceremony should be a block buster.
Mayor Goldring told the small crowd that the city oversees or sponsors 168 events in the city each year.
The kids didn’t seem to care – they were scooting in and out of the small crowd listening to the politicians – they will be the ones to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the formal formation of this country – Canada.
Burlington MP Karina Gould will be working New Year’s day.
Burlington MP Karina Gould has called a media conference for Sunday January 1st at Tansley woods to announce what Burlington is going to get in terms of the Canada 150 fund projects.
Sunday media conferences are rare in this city – the federal Liberal’s jut might be directing their members across the country to hold these New Year’s Day events.
Robert Stephen, President of the Art Gallery Burlington.
President and CEO of the Art Gallery of Burlington, Robert Steven, and Peter Martin, President of Sound of Music are going to be part of the media conference which suggests there are some goodies for them.
The event will take place at noon New Year’s Day – it will be interesting to see just how much media the event gets.
Griffin Gervais, now a grade six student, made a city program work for him and his chums earlier this year. As a result there is now a well fitted baseball diamond at the park just behind Lakeshore Public school.
In no specific order: Sawyer Cobham. Scott Rose, Griffen Gervais, Kayden Maslanyk discuss the problems with their ball diamond.
Griffen “drafted” three of his friends: Sawyer Cobham. Scott Rose, and Kayden Maslanyk to make it happen – and it did. They used what was then a new city program that had city hall matching funds (up to $5000) for a community related project.
The city is running the project for a second year – called the Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund program.
Applications for the 2017 program are now being accepted – details at
www.burlington.ca/- matchingfund.
Submissions due Wednesday, March 15, 2017.
It was a pretty rough looking ball diamond before Griffen Gervais found a way to get some funding from city hall to get it fixed up,
The program is designed to inspire residents to lead neighbourhood and community projects; the Community Matching Fund provides up to $5,000 to support projects led by local groups.
The Mayor residents to think of projects that showcase our Canadian pride and mark our Sesquicentennial – Canada is about to become 150 years old.
How the Fund works
The Community Matching Fund program provides up to $5,000 in city funding to support neighbourhood and community group-led projects in Burlington. Approved projects receive up to 50 per cent of the funding for the project from the city. The neighbourhood or community group will match this funding with an equal contribution made up through any combination of volunteer hours, donated services, donated materials and supplies or other funds raised, such as cash donations.
“Residents are the experts of our community and they have great ideas about ways to improve how we live and play here,” said Chris Glenn, the city’s director of Parks and Recreation. ““We want to inspire residents to work together to enhance our neighbourhoods and create a sense of belonging. That connection is just as important as the project itself.”
The city will be hosting two information and workshop sessions to assist community groups with any questions they have about their applications or the program. These will take place on:
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 7 to 9 p.m. Burlington City Hall, 426 Brant St. – Room 247
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017 7 to 9 p.m. Haber Recreation Centre, 3040 Tim Dobbie Dr. – Community Room 1
For more information about the Community Matching Fund, visit www.burlington.ca/matchingfund or email matchingfund@burlington.ca
Before there can be a Christmas – there has to be a Winter Solstice; the day with the shortest number of daylight hours… or the longest number of darkness hours – totally your preference.
For the past four years Debra Pickfield’s Thinkspot in Lowville has celebrated both the Winter and Summer Solstice.
Getting ready to launch a sky lantern
On Wednesday, a surprisingly large crowd of 150+ gathered for a meal together, some activities for children, or simply decorating a sky lantern which they released at just after 8:30pm as a way of honouring what they were grateful for in 2016 and also what they wanted to release from 2016.
Launching the sky lanterns to celebrate the Winter Solstice
Watching those sky lanterns fill with warm air from a candle and they ascended majestically into the night sky was something to watch.
A sky lantern reaching for the winter sky.
People were asked to bring a donation of new socks and underwear that will be provided to individuals experiencing homelessness at shelters in our communities.
The ice pads at Mainway Arena have reopened following a temporary closure to complete unexpected repairs.
Two of the three compressors used at the arena to help maintain the ice surface stopped working and required replacement. The new compressors were installed this week and the ice pads are restored and ready for the Golden Horseshoe Tournament starting on Dec. 27 in Burlington.
The pressure to get those compressors in place was driven by the 100 AAA + major-age teams who are arriving in Burlington arenas for its traditional Dec. 27-30 slot in the schedule.
Seven of those teams are host Eagles teams (two in tyke, one in the remaining five major age groups) donning the colours of the Burlington City Rep Hockey Club.
Despite increased competition from other holiday tournaments over the past few years, the Horseshoe still thrives. Fratesi thinks the reason is simple.
“We run a great tournament,” he said matter-of-factly. “We have the core guys that have the format down now. There’s a lot of grunt work that has to be done when you have 236 games to schedule in four days.”
Perks that players and parents remember — spotlights on the player during the championship games introductions, for example — have become a mainstay. Others, such as the introduction of a the FFP Laser Systems show at the opening ceremonies and championship games last year, are adding to the event’s lustre.
The events concludes with the six championship games on Tuesday, Dec. 30. The site of the games prevents Cogeco from showing the games live (signal interference) so games are tape delayed.
Most of us are rushing to get tasks done that just have to be done before we ease up for a few days away from what usually occupies us Monday to Friday,
City of Burlington administrative services will be closed from Monday, Dec. 26, 2016 until Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017.
Parks and Recreation Programs and Facilities: Activities and customer service hours at city pools, arenas and community centres vary over the holidays.
For a complete listing of program times visit burlington.ca/play
For a complete listing of service hours and customer service locations visit burlington.ca/servicehours
Burlington Transit and Handi-Van Service Hours:
The Downtown Transit Terminal will be closed Dec. 25 and 26, 2016 as well as Jan. 1, 2017. It will be closed early (2 p.m.) on Dec. 24 and 31.
Date Service schedule/hours
Dec. 24 Service ends early at approximately 8 p.m.
Dec. 25 No service
Dec. 26 Saturday service hours
Dec. 27 to Dec. 30 Regular service
Dec. 31 Saturday service extended until approximately 2 a.m.
Jan. 1 No service
Roads and Parks Maintenance: The administrative office will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26, 2016 and will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017. Only winter control and emergency services will be provided.
Halton Court Services: Provincial Offences Courts in Milton and Burlington will be closed Monday, Dec. 26, 2016 and will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017.
Parking: Free parking is available in the downtown core at all meters, municipal lots and the parking garage during the month of December and on Jan. 1, 2017.
NOTE: The Waterfront parking lots (east and west) do not provide free parking on statutory holidays.
We need to get through Christmas – but when that is done – and if you have an appreciation for modern dance and would like to take part in a class – mark the date Tuesday, January 3 from 5:30pm – 7:00pm at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre
FORM Contemporary Dance is putting on a free workshop that will flow through various exercises to find avenues to access confidence, explore and express creative range and physicality.
Tuning awareness to the sensations, feelings, emotions and ideas that are naturally present and allowing them to blossom into breathtaking movement.
The people at FORM are remarkably creative – if dance is your thing they are as good as it gets.
By Pepper Parr
The top 10 cities where you can find monogamous people, as well as the top 10 cities where you can find monogamous men and monogamous women (and Burlington features on all three lists, coming 5th overall, 7th on the men’s list, and 8th on the women’s).
Participants in the study were asked to rank the extent to which they agreed with the sentiment ‘I believe that monogamy is essential in a relationship’; placing themselves on a scale of 1 (do not agree at all) to 7 (agree completely). As it turns out, Canadians are strongly in favour of monogamy: the average result for women was 6.3, while men average 5.7.
A separate table outlines the funding breakdown. The city’s portion has not changed from the prior approved budget funding of $2,120,000. There was a grant of $1 million from the Burlington Foundation and a significant bequest, $1.4 million from the Estate of Helen Ireland Caldwell who passed away in August 2010. She was the first cousin to Marie Ireland, the last Ireland family member to live in historic Ireland House before it was bought by the city and turned into a museum in 1987.
Hackett-Burns is the 2016/17 resident ceramic artist at the AGB where she has had access to a fully equipped that has allowed her to build a portfolio with diverse projects that support the Gallery’s programming.
Seven of those teams are host Eagles teams (two in tyke, one in the remaining five major age groups) donning the colours of the Burlington City Rep Hockey Club.
The events concludes with the six championship games on Tuesday, Dec. 30. The site of the games prevents Cogeco from showing the games live (signal interference) so games are tape delayed.
FORM Contemporary Dance is putting on a free workshop that will flow through various exercises to find avenues to access confidence, explore and express creative range and physicality.