 By Staff
June 29, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
New roads, improvements to parks, murals for public places – all kinds of upgrades and improvements to the city.
 An aerial view of the Paradigm project under construction on Fairview – next to the GO station. Developers are banging away as well; The Bridgewater project is still a hole in the ground as is the ADI Linx project on Dundas. The hospital is well on its way to completion and the Paradigm project on Fairview is reaching into the sky.
Ireland Park has started phase one of the upgrades that will include:
• An accessible splash pad with seating and a pavilion for shade
• Ball diamond amenities, including accessible spectator areas with permanent bleachers
• Reconstruction of the south parking lot to improve the surface and traffic flow
• Accessible pathways and seating areas
• New energy efficient pathway lighting
• New goal posts at three soccer fields, and
• New trees
 Ireland Park. During construction, please expect:
• Pathway closures
• The driveway and the south parking lot, beside the tennis courts, to be closed
• Detours to ball diamonds, soccer fields, washroom facilities, tennis courts and the main playground
• Temporary access restrictions to the washrooms, snack bar and tennis courts
Construction is expected to last approximately six months.
Ireland Park will remain open during construction. We appreciate your patience and co-operation to make sure the park is a safe place during construction. There are other parks available in the community:
Playgrounds:
• Ireland Park – access from Folkway Drive
• Pinemeadow Park – 3171 Pinemeadow Rd.
• Newport Park – 3020 Headon Forest Dr.
Public Tennis Courts:
• Sycamore Park – 3157 Centennial Dr.
• Millcroft Park – 4520 Millcroft Park Dr.
 By Pepper Parr
June 29th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
City hall has come up with more cash for artists that want to take part in the creation of murals – the city wants to create three more:
Tansley Woods Community Centre (C$12,000)
Waterfront Parking Garage (C$5,000)
Pearl Street Parking Lot Crosswalk (C$1,500)
Application deadline is Friday, July 29, 2016. Applicants must be a resident of Burlington, Ont.
 Freight trains have always been a large part of the rail traffic through the city. Freeman Station was where produce was put aboard. This mural is on of six that were commissioned by the city. Clair Hall did the mural on the side of the Freeman Station The Burlington Mural Project is now in its second year. It is funded as an annual program designed to tell local stories using local artists. Each year, small to medium-scale murals are commissioned throughout the city. Free professional development opportunities are also offered to assist artists with the application process and project development.
 There was a time when this kind of illustration was Burlington. The then town supplied fresh produce that was shipped around the world. The community grew enough fruit and vegetables to require a second railway line into the city. Those train tracks are now a walking trail in the Beachway community. Tamara Kwapich did the mural in Orchard Community Park. The One-on-One Application Review Session takes place on July 12, 2016, between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Transportation Meeting Room at City Hall.
If you are unable to attend on July 12, please contact Kim Selman to discuss alternate dates.
These sessions will be open to all artists who are actively preparing an application to the Burlington Mural Program. Attendance is voluntary and appointments must be booked in advance. To book an appointment please contact: Kim Selman, kim@cobaltconnects.ca or 905-548-0111
Artists planning to submit to the Burlington Mural Project may book a 30-minute session with the Public Art Manager to review a draft of their application package and get constructive feedback.
Online Application: Applications may be submitted by mail or using our online application system. To submit your application online, click the link to the right: LINK. You are asked to read the full Request for Proposal document prior to submitting your application.
 It’s a telephone utility box with a mural that hints at the wharf that was once at “Port Nelson” at the foot of Guelph Line. Hannah Sell and Liam Racine did the art work. It is one of six commissioned by the city. The visual arts are getting funding – the Performing Arts haven’t been as fortunate.
The arts community in Burlington is still working at the creation of a formal Council that they would like to see mandated to operate as the voice and policy body for the arts in the city.
Ain’t ever going to happen.
By Pepper Parr
June 29, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Is this a friendly visit?
Are we looking at three animals getting to know one another?
The dog is perhaps curious but the hunch in the shoulders of those two crows tells a different story.
How does that story end?
The exhibit at the Art Gallery of Burlington in the Dan Lawrie Family Courtyard until September 25th is well worth a visit.
 The approach – who springs up and out first? You will want to ponder the three pieces and wonder – perhaps the friendly posture of the dog will change the intent of the crows.
Does the artist, Mary Philpott, tip her hand with the title of the exhibit: A Murder of Crows.
 Has the dog figured it out? This isn’t a friendly visit is it? Mary Philpott, a noted functional potter whose work has been inspired by Neo-Gothic architecture and William Morris’ Arts and Craft movement, has in recent years taken her decorative motifs of animals and birds and transformed them into live-sized three dimensional sculptures, a perfect synthesis of nature and style set in our garden courtyard.
Inspired by the colour, narration and design of medieval illuminated books, tapestries and architecture, Philpott’s work explores the story of flora and fauna in her surrounding landscape. At her studio, Verdant Tile Co., she designs custom pressed tile in porcelain. The animals and birds depicted in her tiles are frequently referenced in her sculptural pieces.
 Wary eyes – the posture the artist has given each animal is filled with suspense. In addition to receiving a BFA in Art History and Archaeology at the University of Guelph, Philpott is a graduate of the Ceramics and Design program at the School of Craft and Design at Sheridan College. She has also studied Anthropology and Archaeology at McMaster University, and Ceramics Intensives at Alfred University in New York.
She is the 2015 recipient of the Helen Copeland Award from Craft Ontario for an established artist working in her field.
 By Staff
June 29th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Canada Day – and no fireworks to thrill and entertain my little kids? Get real.
Fire Chief Tony Bavota is getting very real – and very serious.
Remember those fires that devastated large parts of Fort McMurray – the available evidence suggests they were the result of carelessness
 Evidence to date suggests the fire in Fort McMurray, Alberta may have been the result of carelessness. Have you taken a look at the colour of most of the lawns around the city – some pretty brown looking grass.
There hasn’t been enough rain.
All the farmer’s think they are going to be lucky to get two cuts from their hay fields – three cuts are out of the questions. Soybeans are looking a little limp and who know what’s going to happen to the corn silage?
Forest fires are very dangerous – very tough to control – so if the fire chief says don’t light fire crackers given the weather we are having – he needs to be listened to.
A city council that truly leads would pass a bylaw now that gives the authority to ban fire crackers to the fire chief – and make it a stiff, stiff, STIFF fine for those who fail to adhere to the bylaw.
Don’t let your Canada Day Fireworks go up in smoke” says the Chief.
The Fire Department is reminding residents to keep safety top of mind when planning annual Canada Day celebrations, especially those with fireworks.
“With the lack of rain and dry weather lately, we’re discouraging fireworks on Canada Day,” said chief fire prevention officer Joe Wintar. “The city is hosting a full day of activities in Spencer Smith Park, including fireworks. I encourage everyone to think about enjoying this show put on by pyrotechnic professionals.”
To keep your family and property safe, follow these guidelines when setting off fireworks:
• It must be three days before or during Canada Day, on July 1.
• You are at least 18 years old. Keep fireworks and sparklers away from children so they don’t get burned or have their clothing catch fire.
• You are being safe. Read and follow the directions on label carefully.
• You are on private property.
• Keep pail of water or water hose close by for extinguishment.
• Set off fireworks outside in a clear, open area away from doors, windows, buildings, cars, trees and dry grass.
• Light one firework at a time.
• Never re-light a “dud” firework. Wait 15-30 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Never light a firework in your hand.
• Keep onlookers at a safe distance and upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged.
• If someone gets burned, run cool water over the wound for 5-10 minutes and seek medical attention.
 It takes but a stray spark to start this kind of fire. As with any emergency, if there is a fire and public safety concern related to fireworks, please call 9-1-1. For more firework safety information, visit www.burlington.ca/fireworks
By Staff
June 27th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
The city has invited local creative organizations, venues, professionals and businesses to host events during the seventh annual Culture Days weekend that takes place from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, 2016.
Submissions are open to residents and artists of Burlington who would like to host a Culture Days event or activity, such as crafts, dance, literary arts-spoken word, media arts-film, music, theatre, visual arts and performance art.
 In 2014 the city set up a good display in Civic Square – it wasn’t quite the same in 2015 – and no one is able to say what is planned for 2016 – yet. The catch – you’ve got less than 30 days to get your act together – deadline for application is Friday, July 22, 2016.
Slide over to www.burlington.ca/culturedays – the forms and the detail are there.
Culture Days promotes free, hands-on and interactive activities. The public is invited to participate in behind-the-scenes activities to see how artists; creators; historians; architects; curators; designers; and other creative people work and contribute to culture in Burlington.
“Burlington has gotten behind the annual Culture Days program and has on occasion provided significant support.
Our most recent information was that the manager of arts and culture had something in the order of $2500 to make the program work this year.
While the city says it “wants to offer three days featuring different types of events, working closely with Doors Open, the Art Gallery of Burlington, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington Libraries, Burlington Museums, Tourism Burlington and Burlington artists to make this happen” that $2500 isn’t going to take them all that far
 The BTTB has always made major events a focus – expect to see them in fine form at the end of September. Founded in 2009, the goal of Culture Days is to provide a national network of cultural connections to provide Canadians with opportunities to participate in, and appreciate, all forms of art and culture. Through a three-day national celebration each September, hundreds of thousands of artists and cultural organizations in cities and towns come together and invite Canadians to discover their cultural spirit and passion.
Burlington’s participation at the community level has been tepid at best – the smaller groups need encouragement and support – which hasn’t been forthcoming from city hall.
This national initiative aims to raise the awareness, provide accessibility and encourage the participation and engagement of residents in the arts and cultural life of Burlington.
If you need more detailed information contact Adam Belovari, culture coordinator at adam.belovari@burlington.ca or 905-335-7600, ext. 7335.
 By Staff
June 27th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
This just might be one of those “we are really into summer” weeks.
It will be a short week leading into a long weekend – when we celebrate the 149th year of being a country.
We will probably talk more about what we will be doing next year when we do the big 150th – there are certainly a lot of people earning a decent living working on that event.
For the 149th – this is what the day is expected to look like.
 Early, early the 5K Canada Day run takes place.
1K Start – 8:15 – 5K Start – 8:30
Race Kit Pick-up
Thursday, June 30, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Burlington Running Room, 3300 Fairview St.
Race Day (Friday, July 1) from 7:00 – 8:15 a.m. at Spencer Smith Park – by the pier
Post-race awards and Panago pizza at Spencer Smith Park!
9:30 a.m. Yoga Class Compass/West Lawn
10 a.m. Citizenship Court – Gazebo.
Looks like it will be a small court this year – but no less important – specially to those who are going to become citizens
1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. & 4 p.m. – Scholars in Collars Dog Show Gazebo
Noon – 5 p.m. Face painting with BeeBop the Clown – East Lawn
Noon – 5 p.m. Balloon animals with MD Children Entertainment on the East lawn
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Stilt Walkers with Health Tarlin Entertainment Park
On the Main Stage
1 p.m. Opening Ceremonies featuring Burlington Teen Tour Band. The Teen Tour band parades from the Main stage to Joseph Brant Museum where hey join the hundreds that will on hand to take part in the Strawberry Social. Wonderful scoop of ice cream served to you by some of your elected officials who will be wearing funny hats.
2 p.m. Kaleidoscope Chinese Performing Arts Society
3 p.m. Alee
4:30 p.m. Bharatam Academy of Dance Arts
5:30 p.m. Jordan Haller; Winner of the Canada Day Performance Contest
6:30 p.m. Felicia McMinn
9 p.m. Symphony on the Bay
10 p.m. Fireworks presented by BUNZL Canada
 Alee will perform on the Main Stage at xxx  Felicia McMinn will perform on the Main stage at 6:30 pm A free Bike Valet is provided on Canada Day for those looking to avoid parking downtown and reduce their carbon footprint. The Bike Valet is in Spencer Smith Park at the corner of Brant Street and Lakeshore Road, beside the Waterfront Hotel.
 Jordan Haller will perform on the Main stage at 5;30 -pm – he was the winner of the Performer contest  Traffic:
Lakeshore Road from Maple Avenue to Elizabeth Street will be closed Friday, July 1, 2016 from 9 to 11 p.m for the fireworks at the Canada Day Celebration. Traffic will be redirected and the closure will be supervised by the Halton Regional Police Service.
 By Staff
June 22, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Future games:
Thursday, June 23
Toronto at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.
Guelph at Burlington, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 24
Toronto at Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.
Kitchener at London, 7:35 p.m.
Burlington at Brantford, 8 p.m.
Saturday June 25th
Hamilton at Burlington
 By Staff
June 22nd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is going to get a little hairy for people who use Lakeshore Road where it cuts away at Maple Avenue.
The city is raising parts of that road, just outside the Joseph Brant Museum as much as a metre and slopping it down until it gets to the end of the water treatment plant – that will close the road from July 4th to Early August 2016 +/-
 For those that ride their bikes along the old railway line and want to head for Hamilton – bad news – the pedestrian crossing at the lift bridge will be closed frequently:
Burlington Canal Lift Bridge – Daytime Sidewalk Closures
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise pedestrians and cyclists of restricted access to the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge from July 4 to 29, 2016.
During these dates, the following restrictions will be in place Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.:
• from July 4 to 29, the north and south pedestrian underpasses will be closed;
• from July 4 to 15, access to the east (lakeside) part of the Waterfront Trail will be closed;
• from July 18 to 29, access to the west (bayside) part of the Waterfront Trail will be closed; and
• from July 18 to 29, the west (bayside) bridge sidewalk will be closed.
 The bridge will remain open to pedestrian and cyclist traffic on weekends and weekdays after 5 p.m.
This schedule may change due to weather conditions or logistical requirements. PSPC will publish notices regarding any changes in schedule.
 Safety is a top priority for PSPC during this project. The closures are required as part of the project to replace the bridge’s controls, drives and cables. The replacement of key components of the bridge’s lift system will extend its serviceable life, meeting the needs of both marine and vehicular traffic in the area.
By Pepper Parr
June 22, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Is there an Arts Council in Burlington’s future? And if there is – what kind of a council might it be?
Arts and Cultural Community of Burlington, ACCOB, has been beavering away at creating some kind of an Arts Council – people in senior arts position in the city question just what the ACCOB people are doing and what I is they want.
 The Arts and Culture Collective of Burlington – a family photograph – less than half the family in the picture. This is a large group of people who have yet to turn their numbers into real political clout. There is a lack of discipline and not much in the way of focus within ACCOB” was one comment the Gazette picked up.
Please do not mention my name was another comment – “The news about the creation of the arts council is no secret, given that there are twelve members of the current ACCOB board and the CAPIC (Culture Action Plan Implementation Committee) External Body subcommittee, and word has spread to several city staffers.
We live in an age where there are few secrets – time for the ACCOB people to go public and set out just what they want. This jabbering away like a bunch of little old ladies over tea cups is getting them nowhere. (Little old ladies is an acceptable figure of speech.)
The reality the arts community faces is the seven members of Council. Can anyone identify the cultural leader on that Council?
One of the sessions at the Bay Area Summit on Tuesday focused on the role culture can play in the building of an economy. The Planning Culturally Can Unlock Bay Area Growth session had some very useful information.
Culture is a business and it is very good for business.
The Sound of Music might not fit the definition some have of what culture is – but it is certainly great business.
Artists need to add some discipline into their plea for financial support. Just what is it you want? Spell it out, make is financially feasible and then fight for it.
By Staff
June 22, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
If you’ve not managed to find a summer job yet – and you want to pick up some Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) experience meeting and greeting people at one of the biggest fairs in Canada – you might want to look into the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) ambassadors
The CNE is looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are interested in a rewarding experience, meeting people from around the world and serving as CNE ambassadors for the 2016 season.
 How would you like to be a volunteer ambassador at a place like this? Now in its 16th consecutive year, “Friends of the CNE” is a community initiative that has engaged more than 2,000 youth and adults, who have contributed nearly 63,000 hours of service. CNE volunteers assist with various roles and duties including greeting guests, providing directional assistance, acting as tour guides and supporting special events and programming such as the daily Mardi Gras Parade.
“Volunteers are at the heart of the Fair, and play an integral role in making the CNE a positive experience for all our guests,” says Virginia Ludy, General Manager of the CNE. “The Friends of the CNE program is a great opportunity for youth, and those who are young at heart, to apply their skills and gain valuable experience in a unique and exciting environment; and for others, it’s the fulfillment of community involvement and personal enrichment.”
o Friends of the CNE enlists more than 100 volunteers each year
o Volunteers work an average of 9 days and 43 hours during the 18-‐day Fair
o Over 80 per cent of CNE volunteers are between the ages of 14-‐17
o Ontario Secondary School students can earn credits toward community service hours
Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and must be able to commit to a minimum of six shifts, at four hours each. Applications are open to all but the CNE will give preference to those volunteers who can work evening shifts, between 5pm and 8pm.
All successful candidates will attend an orientation and training session, receive a “Friends of the CNE” shirt, are invited to a thank-‐you barbeque, and receive an I.D. badge that grants free admission to the Fair.
For more information on the Friends of the CNE program or to download an application, please visit: www.TheEx.com. Deadline to apply is July 15, 2016.
 By Jim Riley
June 22, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Art Gallery of Burlington is presenting a visual discussion on the duality of the urban and rural aspects of Burlington. Chief Curator Denis Longchamps, along with the Burlington Fine Arts Association, developed the theme to celebrate the BFAA’s fiftieth anniversary.
There was also a Call for Proposals on this theme, broadening it to a multidisciplinary exhibition. Sixty-six art works were selected, with a very wide range of sizes.
This is a more cohesive exhibition than the All Guilds’ group show in 2015, but it still has challenges to overcome. With this curatorial theme, it has improved the unity of presentation. This exhibit presents an uneven quality of artworks.
This theme gave opportunities for the artists to express their opinions about how the urban and rural co-exist in our city. One of the roles of artists is to raise issues within the culture they inhabit. There are few cities that (philosophically and culturally) declare protection of a rural culture, geopolitically combined with an urban culture the way Burlington has – it was actually the province that imposed that requirement on us.. Many artworks spoke of romantic places, with a varying degree of success.
Longchamps hung the Urban Rural exhibit capably, by tying together themes of content, aesthetics and scale.
 Robert Bateman, Progress, 2015, acrylic Robert Bateman was invited to exhibit. I found it noteworthy that Bateman and Donna Fratesi’s themes dealt with destruction of Burlington’s historic architecture.
 Donna Fratesi’s they paved paradise , 2015 acrylic Fratesi
Both are accomplished technical painters. Bateman was clearer in his thesis than Fratesi’s “They Paved Paradise”. Fratesi seems timid about her message, but evokes a warm memory of the intersection of Pine and Pearl streets. It is a romantic reminiscence of downtown Burlington. Although Bateman relies on text, he creates a clear criticism of Burlington’s treatment of its historic buildings. He focuses on the United Empire Loyalist Fisher house being replaced by a parking lot. Both artists explore their connections to the urban downtown environment, but Bateman’s “Progress” is more directly critical of how we handle it.
 Lorraine Roy, “The Balance”, textile, 2015 Lorraine Roy’s “The Balance” is one of the stronger works in this exhibition. Her textile work not only functions well on a compositional level but demonstrates the “pull and push” between urban and rural ecosystems. The wrapped, uprooted tree balances precariously be-tween the two worlds as it searches for a transplant space. Will it survive? Roy’s imagery is strong with rich tones suggesting a Tim Burton-style nightmare quality. It is intriguingly executed, done with textile rather than paint.
 Helen Griffiths, after a day in (the country), oil, 2015 Similarly, Helen Griffiths’ “After a Day in (the country)” uses her well-developed painterly skills, but also teases the viewer to ponder why she is showing a wild skunk sniffing at a beautiful bundle of roses. The artist statement refers to wild animals invading her neighbourhood. Like Griffiths’ reference to wildlife,
 Victoria Pearce, Lost Between acrylic 2016 Victoria Pearce’s “Lost Between” uses images of Monarch butterflies, and the surrealistic imagery of an urban-rural coyote. The coyote is nestled in grasses as it floats over a grid of urban streets. This may be suggesting that a clash between natural and urban worlds is imminent. Certainly, the coyote making itself comfortable in the urban environment is a new reality for Burlington. All three artists successfully combine content and painterly aspects in their art practice.
 Vanessa Cres Lokos, Moving Forward, 2016, mixed media  Dawn-Hackett-Burns & Michelle Lynn, “Home Grown”, ceramic. Vanessa Cres Lokos, “Moving Forward” and Dawn-Hackett-Burns & Michelle Lynn, “Home Grown” were hung one over the other. Cres Lokos’ expresses her viewpoint on rural and urban issues by placing cows marching along the Burlington pier with a forewarning, overcast sky. Hacket-Burns’ and Lynn’s ceramic artwork explores residential homes overwhelming rural buildings and cattle.
The artwork is placed on a low plinth so that the viewer can hover and oversee the battle.
 Jan Kendrick, Rossana Dewey, Grace Afonso group image Jan Kendrick’s, Rossana Dewey’s, and Grace Afonso’s paintings were hung side by side. All three artists are skilled painters. They use a similar colour palette and their paintings are emotive and sensually compatible. Their artist statements refer to issues: mining the escarpment, the Greenbelt Plan, the mid-peninsula highway and the vanishing rural landscape. Their images speak of a vast rural environment, but do not deal clearly with the issues expressed in their artist statements.
 Kathy Marlene Bailey, Sanctuary Between, oil, 2016 Kathy Marlene Bailey, “Sanctuary Between” uses curving movement in a watery world of reflections that suggests a more rural, natural aspect of the theme. Her artist statement refers to city planners facilitating a residential invasion of natural sanctuaries. There is beauty and mystery in Bailey’s painting. There is a hint of the escarpment and a house, but the focus is on water. The painting’s message is some-what ambiguous, in comparison to her artist statement.
The Lee-Chin Family Gallery is a large space. Area around the art-works, and the scale of the various artworks, present a challenge. Petit artworks in such a large space are difficult to notice, given the works nearby that are ten feet high. Longchamps creates space and separation for the intimate works.
There may be too many works in the exhibition for a viewer to comprehend, beyond surface aesthetics. I think this is a group exhibition in which less would actually be much more. However, there are many artworks not mentioned here that you should view, to decide on your own.
The exhibition runs until September 5, 2016
Lee-Chin Family Gallery at Art Gallery of Burlington
1333 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington.
AGB Hours
Monday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday – Thursday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 12 noon – 5:00 pm
Jim Riley is a Burlington, ON, based arts writer, independent curator and a visual and media artist. His recent art practice involves public art and gallery video installations. Riley has a BA from Brock Uni-versity. He has exhibited his art for thirty years in Canada and the United States. Some of Riley’s video art is represented by V tape Distributions, Toronto. Website: www.jimriley.ca
By Pepper Parr
June 21, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
They are meeting and they are talking but that band of artists, musicians and actors that created ACCOB (Arts and Culture Collective of Burlington) and began to call themselves the “collective” are ready to make an announcement about what they feel is a significant step forward. Just when is not certain.
 Angela Papariza currently handles the cultural file at city hall – she has few resources to work with. One of her strongest allies is Trevor Copp who lit the flame that is keeping the water boiling within the arts community. As yet however, the arts community doesn’t yet have the ear of the civic administration and without a serious commitment by city council to fund the arts – little is going to happen.
The relationship between the arts crowd and the city manager is not good – one artist has said the city manage lies to them.
Inflammatory for sure – but that is where things appear to be with the artists.
Back in 2013 Trevor Copp, a dancer you want to see perform at least once in your lifetime, raised the profile of the arts community when he delegated to city council and got all the usual platitudes.
 Teresa Seaton, organizer of the Art in Action Tour, thinks through a response at one of the Cultural Action Plan sessions. She is one of 250 people organized as an Arts and Culture Collective in Burlington. While the elected officials did little – the arts community began to organize themselves and are pressing city hall staff – to little effect so far.
There is in this city, a significant number of people who want to see a more vibrant culture – something that is above and beyond the Sound of Music and the Teen Tour Band. They have their place, an important one – but there is more than that to culture.
 The Collective has done their homework – they know what they want – now to actually get it – that’s their challenge. Expect to see the arts community beginning to network and make connections with some of the people who wrote the large cheques that paid for the construction of the Performing Arts Centre and work with them for more quality and substance that can be put before the public.
It might get a little messy – but the world of arts and culture has seldom been a smooth one.
It is the performance that counts – not all the petty politicking that we are seeing now.
 By Staff
June 20th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Cabinet Minister Eleanor McMahon wants you to understand that she believes fervently that young people play a vital role in building our community.
 “To better understand issues impacting youth across the province and right here in our city, I organized a group of engaging Burlington high school youth to gain their perspectives”, said McMahon in a media release
“One of the issues the group is passionate about is making Syrian refugees feel at home when they arrive in Canada. As part of their effort to welcome these families, they’ve created a video that tells their story about coming to Burlington.”
A year in the making, this video explores the idea of what “home” means and highlights the emotional challenges faced when leaving behind the home you know and having to build a new one in an unfamiliar community.
The video will be screened at Burlington central Library June 28th, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
By Staff
June 20, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Movies Under the Stars is back – first show is July 7th at Nelson Park.
 A family event – Movies Under the Stars The screens move around the city offering free family movie screenings in local parks every Thursday until Aug. 18.
This annual tradition has become a very popular summer activity for families, it is a safe, free, fun evening in front of the big screen.”
The films featured in the summer movie series were selected by residents who voted in online polls earlier this spring. The winning movies and locations are as follows:
Minions July 7 Nelson Park
Kung Fu Panda 3 July 14 Aldershot Park
Singin’ in the Rain July 21 Central Park Bandshell
Inside Out July 28 Emerson Park
WALL-E Aug. 4 Kilbride Park
Goosebumps Aug. 11 Ireland Park
The Good Dinosaur Aug. 18 Spencer Smith Park
Each movie will begin at 9 p.m. and will be shown on a 25 by 14 foot (7.62 by 4.27 metre) outdoor viewing screen. Starting at 7:30 p.m. each week, Healthy Kids Community Challenge will be leading games and activities for the whole family aimed at improving children’s health and nutrition.
Moviegoers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Washrooms and limited parking are available at each park. Consider walking or riding a bike to the event.
 By Staff
June 20, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Is it part of a public relations offensive?
 LaSalle Park Marina. The LaSalle Park Marina / Burlington Sailing & Boating Club announced a public open house for Sunday June 26, 2016 – 10am – 5pm at LaSalle Park Pier
The public will be able to tour the City’s Open Public Marina; Boat Club; & Sailing School.
As part of the daylong event the Blue Flag, which is significant in sailing circles, will be presented to the LPMA Environmental Defence Canada.
There will be comments made on different initiatives related to the bay area and sailing.
 Trumpeter swan – magnificent creatures that many think need the marina space at LaSalle Park to survive the winters. Nonsense according the Marina Association. The LPMA has been in an ongoing battle with the Trumpeter Swan Coalition that is committed to ensuring that no harm comes to this species that has made Burlington their home. This struggle has been going on for some time.
There will be speakers talking about how the bay and the fish stock are being restored. Kelly Pike of the Bay Area Restoration Council will talk about advances in Remedial Action Plan to clean Up of the Harbour.
Dr. Christine Boston will talk about the Walleye/Pickerel Restoration Program.
The Sea Cadets will be on hand, the Hamilton Beach Rescue Boat – Coast Guard Auxiliary will be there to show the public wat they do.
Halton Regional Police Marine Unit will be cruising about – and – the Burlington Fire Department will have one of their fire trucks on display.
 The option the LaSalle Park Marina Association wants this design for the re-configuration of the boat facilities. John Birch, title, has pulled out all the stops on this one – the struggle to get all the funding in place for a marina that will allow the boaters to safely tie up there craft.
The Burlington Sailing & Boating Club (BS&BC) was established in 1975; the LaSalle Park Marina (LPMA) was completed in 1981.
Able Sail, a separate charitable organization was established in 2000
BS&BC and LPMA are self-help, volunteer, not-for-profit organizations.
Both organizations are committed to providing family-oriented, quality yet lower cost recreational boating activities, together they form Burlington’s only boating and water-access facility.
By Staff
June 18th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
LaSalle Wading Pool is closed for the remainder of the day due to an unforseen maintenance issue.
The Splash Pad will remain open until 7pm, free admission.
The Wading Pool will reopen Sunday June 18, 2016 at 11am.
 By Staff
June 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Now this is a real trip down memory lane.
The people who are in the process of refurbishing Freeman station – now that they have saved it from a wrecking ball – are holding a railway nostalgia workshop as part of Seniors’ Month.
The event will take place at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre Tuesday, June 21st, 1:30 – 3:00 PM
It will be a chance to share personal stories about traveling through the Burlington Junction Station.
 Can you date this picture? The car might help. They would love it if you brought any pictures you might have.
The Sound of Music Program for Saturday June 18th plus who is doing what at the five pods on Saturday.
And at 11 am the Festival parade which begins at Central Park; travels along Caroline Street to Pearl Street, west on James Street, then turns north on Brant Street, ending at Central High School.
 
By Staff
June 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Is the Sound of Music about music or is it about people?
 Close to a full moon made it a wonderful summer evening. Friday evening was about as good a June evening as you are ever going to get.
Spencer Smith Park was packed. And yes some were listening to the music – the space in front of the five stages was jammed with people but there were just as many – perhaps more, milling about.
The Elwin’s were on the TD stage; at one point the singer barked out “There is no place I would rather be than right here in Burlington”. The crowd roared its approval.
Small craft were anchored close to the promenade, it looked as if there was a Coast Guard ship offshore.
The lights of the Skyway Bridge provided a backdrop; the surface of the lake was like glass – not even a ripple.
 The Ferris wheel and the carnival part of the grounds seemed a little bigger this year. There was a pleasant breeze coming in off the lake while goofy boys were trying to not pay attention to the girls who were walking quickly in group’s of at least three from place to place – seldom knowing just where the next place was.
The music was often more loud than good but the audience was eating it up.
 Emilie – Claire Barlow on the Cogeco stage in Civic Square Emilie-Claire Barlow was on the stage at Civic Square where the audience was quieter but very appreciative of the talent on the stage.
The different groups spread out along Brant street had their own followings with Dance schools showing people how to do different steps.
Couples were out for an evening; parents out with their kids – just a nice summer evening where you would bump into friends and chat.
There were a lot of paramedics and police officers – was the crowd ever at any risk?
When it was time to close down for the night the thousands of people walked along at a decent pace to the exits and on up the streets north of Lakeshore Road.
This reporter didn’t see one dis-orderly person.
The evening had gone well.
By Staff
June 16, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Are you a soprano? An alto? A tenor maybe? Ah – then a bass?
Wayne Strongman, conductor of the 2016 Lowville Festival choir has put out a call to anyone interested in being part of a choir.
Rehearsal is Wednesday July 20th; 7:00 pm at the Lowville United Church.
 Rehearsals will take place in the Lowville United Church Concert takes place Friday July 22nd at St. Georges Anglican Church hall
The repertoire will include classical, musical theatre and folk songs
An ability to read music is a definite plus but it not mandatory.
This looks like a fun choir, a one shot deal with just the one practice. It will get you out of the house.
Wayne Strongman, the Festival Choir conductor Wayne was born in Hamilton and assumed his first position as church organist and choirmaster in the city at the age of 16. From there he went on to found Toronto’s Tapestry Opera, the country’s leading creator and producer of chamber operas, of which he was the Artistic Producer for 35 years.
He was the Artistic Director of Hamilton’s Bach-Elgar Choir from 1984-98.
If you have questions the man you want to talk to is Robert Missen – he is at: Robert Missen <rmissen@sympatico.ca>
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