 By Staff
October 29th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Each year a Burlington high school is chosen as the collection point for the annual Gift of Giving Back (GGB).
 Students placing food in the bins during the annual Gift of Giving Back event One a specific day high school students from around the city drive up to the school with food that will get distributed to the food banks and organizations that take care of those who need help.
It’s an annual thing – they’ve been doing it for ten years.
But 2020 has not been kind to very many people.
The traditional format for the event has had to change.
 Jean Longfield keeping a secret Jean Longfield and her team have been working through some ideas and will talk to the citizens of the city early in December about how the GGB is going to do what they have been doing this years – collecting food.
Longfield has been pretty tight lipped about the plans. All we know is that the how part is going to be different.
This is the time of year that the City of Burlington raises the Gift of Giving Back flag at city hall to kick off a time of giving, teamwork and volunteering. The flag will still go up, of course.
Each year in the past, three gymnasiums at the chosen school are filled with metal bins that get put in place with a fork lift truck that takes them out the next day and puts them on transport trucks and taken to a distribution center where it is then distributed to the Food Bank, the Compassion Society, Food4Life, Salvation Army and the Women’s shelter.
What is equally impressive is the involvement of the students – they troop in with cases of juice, canned goods, toiletries – you name it – they bring it on.
 Kavanaugh putting up the totals. It is run in part as a competitive event with what the students bring in weighed and then tallied on a blackboard for all to see.
Many of the students who took part in the collection side of the event also make the time to work as volunteers in some of the food distribution organizations.
Due to COVID-19, some people having to self-quarantine for 14 days, needed support in getting food. The Food Bank was delivering food parcels to those who couldn’t leave the house.
Something is coming in early December and it will be a GIFT to the whole community.
 By Nicole Gaskin
October 28th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
As the world reverts to a kind of “normal”, many cities’ industries that were shut down for many long months have finally made a comeback. Burlington has officially welcomed its entertainment industry back, with facilities and establishments in the area, and those surrounding it, opening their doors to the gaming masses once again. Burlington has many opportunities for gamers who crave to have the in-person experience that they have been missing for so long, at some of the most prestigious casinos and venues that are located nearby.
 Facility is now open: operating 7 days a week, between the hours of 10 am to 2 am. – buffet is superb. The Elements Casino Mohawk is situated in Milton, Ontario, for those who don’t mind a short journey to experience the prestigious offer in store. As of the 19th of October, the facility has gone back to operating 7 days a week, between the hours of 10 am to 2 am.
The casino features more than 900 of the most popular slot titles such as Vegas riches and progressive jackpot machines.
For most gamers, the longing is not just for the gaming experience, but also the culinary wonders that they have been deprived of.
The Elements Casino Mohawk offers an all-you-can-eat buffet that boasts cuisine from all over the world, boutique restaurants, and shuttle service for those who reside within the Milton area.
The casino is still adhering to strict safety protocols but will be back to its usual operating hours for all to enjoy.
 Grand River casino is a short drive from Burlington. Elements Casino Grand River
The Elements Casino Grand River is a bit further from Burlington than Elements Casino Mohawk and is situated in Elora, Ontario, but is well worth the trip. Especially for players who enjoy slots machines in its various forms. This location boasts hundreds of slot machines that range from vintage-styled to cutting-edge offerings. The numerous slot machines can be found on a beautifully designed, and spacious, gaming floor. There are table games and other gaming options on offer from 10 am to 2 am, with the casino operating seven days a week.
The casino venue offers a range of dining options that are designed to satisfy almost every kind of palate, with refreshment and food services set to resume normal operations as well.
Delta Bingo and Gaming
The Delta Bingo and Gaming hall in Oakville is part of an expanding franchise that currently runs an impressive total of 20 Bingo and Gaming halls in Canada and America. Delta is one of the most trusted and reputable bingo hall brands in Canada today, having celebrated its 53rd anniversary this year. Delta is known for its frequent jackpots and promotions, which has made them the bingo brand of choice in North America. The facility features ample seating, tables, and space to ensure that the operators can adhere to safety protocols as Bingo-lovers make their way back to one of their land-based halls.
Other Forms of Entertainment in Burlington
While land-based casino gaming is a luxury that many people believed they would not be privy to for a very long time, there are those who would still prefer to stay indoors. For these players, there are many sites that highlight the best gaming sites to try from the safety of one’s home.
 Axe throwing has become a popular and safe sport. For those gamers who are interested in more of the traditional style gaming mediums such as arcade-style games, arcade locations in the Burlington area will join casinos and also be opening their doors this month. Other recreational entertainment and gaming operations such as Bubble Force Corp, Viking’s Landing, The PaintBall Nation, the Golfer’s Academy, and Bad Axe Throwing have begun to consider joining the likes of the gambling industry but this move is subject to governmental approvals, especially since these entertainment forms tend to be done in teams or within proximity to others.
 By Staff
October 27th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
It gets dark early in Burlington come November – and it gets cold even earlier. Come in out of the weather and experience the first-class lineup of entertainment at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) next month.
“We have put together a diverse program for November that highlights the depth and breadth of Canadian performers today,” said BPAC Executive Director Tammy Fox. “The people of Burlington deserve the very best and we will be hosting award-winning artists, recognizable performers, classic concertos and Broadway blockbusters.”
Health and Safety Precautions
BPAC is perfectly positioned to welcome back audiences with patron safety at the forefront, with its spacious Lobby, increased ventilation, physical-distancing ticketing system and additional health and safety measures to put theatregoers’ minds at ease.
All patrons must wear a mask, hand sanitize upon entry and maintain social distancing outside of their social circle. Patrons are expected to self-screen, and of course to stay at home if experiencing COVID-related symptoms or if suspecting recent exposure to the virus. Health and safety measures are also being implemented backstage to protect artists, and throughout the venue to protect staff and volunteers.
 Kevin Fox Stacked Lineup for November
Kevin Fox leads off the November lineup with two shows on Sunday, November 1, combining his beautiful voice with his signature instrument, which he plucks, taps, and loops, creating a unique and intoxicating blend of cello-driven folk/pop. Tickets are $39, or $34 for BPAC Members, with VIP packages featuring lots of goodies for $69, or $64 for BPAC Members.
Sarah Slean has published two volumes of poetry, starred in short films and a movie musical (spawning two Gemini Award nominations), penned two string quartets, held numerous exhibitions of her paintings, and shared the stage with 10 of the country’s professional orchestras over her 20-year-career. Tickets are $39, or $34 for BPAC Members, with VIP packages for $69, or $64 for BPAC Members.
 Sarah Slean Tom Allen and Lori Gemmell’s A Poe Cabaret features music by the brilliant and troubled impressionist Claude Debussy, his modernist student André Caplet and by the versatile Canadian composer Alexina Louie. The show combines the compelling and tragic life story of Edgar Allan Poe with great music conjured in his honour. Tickets are $39, or $34 for BPAC Members.
Into The Woods in Concert is a musical journey that intertwines the several beloved Brothers Grimm characters and explores the consequences of their individual’ wishes and wants. Characters like Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and the Beanstalk), Rapunzel, Cinderella and others encounter each other as they fight for what they believe is their happily ever after. Tickets are $49, or $44 for BPAC Members.
The ALTdot Comedy Lounge has been one of Toronto’s premiere comedy shows for 24 years. The show has encouraged alternative, untraditional comedy and continues to discover the best talent on the Canadian Comedy scene, providing an alternative to the mainstream in a comfortable cabaret atmosphere. BPAC presents Rhiannon Archer, Peter White, Keith Pedro and Tim Rabnett on November 27 and Courtney Gilmour, Alex Wood, Nigel Grinstead with host Ali Hassan on November 28. Tickets are $35 or $30 for BPAC Members.
 Leslie Kinton is one of Canada’s best-known and sought-after chamber musicians. Leslie Kinton is one of Canada’s best-known and sought-after chamber musicians and has been a founding member of many established ensembles, including ARC (Artists of the Royal Conservatory), the resident chamber ensemble of The Glenn Gould School. In 2019, Kinton and his duo partner James Anagnoson were named Honorary Fellows of The Royal Conservatory of Music, awarded to a distinguished group of individuals and organizations who have made an extraordinary contribution to arts and culture in Canada and beyond. Tickets are $39, or $34 for BPAC Members.
BPAC November Lineup
• KEVIN FOX: Songs for Cello & Voice (November 1, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
• SARAH SLEAN (November 7, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
• A POE CABARET featuring Tom Allen and Friends (November 8, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
• Talk is Free Theatre: INTO THE WOODS in Concert (November 27 to December 6, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows)
• ALTdot COMEDY LOUNGE: Rhiannon Archer, Peter White, Keith Pedro, and Tim Rabnett (November 27, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.)
• ALTdot COMEDY LOUNGE: Courtney Gilmour, Alex Wood, Nigel Grinstead with host Ali Hassan (November 28, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.)
• LESLIE KINTON Celebrates Beethoven (November 29, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre
440 Locust Street, Burlington, Ontario
Tickets can be purchased online or by telephone:
905-681-6000 | burlingtonpac.ca/bpacpresents
By Pepper Parr
October 23rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Having gone through a serious lock down Burlingtonians began to look for ways to at least try to get some normality into their daily lives.
Dealing with what the school board has been able to do, figuring out what the Parks and Recreation department has made possible, and learning to live with social distancing and hand sanitization, the idea of getting out for a drink or having a meal with friends has been a bit of a challenge.
 The Gazette took up the opportunity to report on the Taste of Burlington, a program that has restaurants in the city offering attractive meal opportunities in an attempt to coax people out of their homes and into the restaurants where rules to ensure public safety were in place.
The Taste of Burlington is a program gone run by the city’s Tourism and Events Department. The once vibrant Burlington Restaurant Association has gone disappointingly silent as its membership struggles to stay alive.
 Rahoons Persian Eatery at Village Square For Michele Bogle the three things that matter when she is doing a review are: the service, the plating and the flavours. In the seven reviews she did for the Gazette the flavours at Rahoon’s stood out.
Knowing that there are serious public health concerns, Bogle was watching for how the restaurants were dealing with the need for the highest possible levels of cleanliness. She would have liked to have seen sanitation stations front and center – yes “they would have looked a little cluttered” she said “but it was important for people to be able to see the station and use it”.
Bogle found the devices to take temperatures were iffy at times. The small device that is placed near the forehead didn’t leave Bogle feeling all that comfortable. “They had to do my forehead twice in one place” said Bogle who found she was very comfortable with the full facial scanner.
The customer space was always done up nicely: tables were not set, staff were all wearing masks. Bogle said she “would have liked to have known what was going on in the kitchen” and wondered if perhaps a monitor could not have been set up with a camera trained on the kitchen so the public could see how health precautions were being carried out.
 There were line ups – it was a Saturday night. Traffic in many of the restaurants she reviewed was slow, which Bogle added was “being polite”. Her review of Turtle Jack’s reported line ups of people waiting to get into a space that was limited. “To be fair, many of the reviews were done during the week when patronage was slow.”
“People”, said Bogle “were not ready to go out”. I had to take my children with me, none of my friends were up to going out.
The Taste of Burlington is an event put on and promoted by the Tourism and Events department of the city. The hospitality sector decides if they want to take part. The event has those participating offering menu choices that are reasonable priced using prix fixe menus.
This year there weren’t very many restaurants from the ethnic communities taking part. “Everyone loses when that happens” commented Bogle.
“As an amateur cook and foodie, I find it difficult to be impressed when I dine out because I’m most particular about flavour profiles. Good service is a great part of the dining experience. I found service in most of the restaurants that I visited in this event to be above average.
“People in this position recognize the role that they play is not only to extract the greatest tip percentage at the end of each meal; but that their livelihood stands in the balance should the guests not have an ultimate dining experience. Plating is almost as important as the taste and more and more restaurants are on board with this reality.
“ I found most of the dishes I experienced in the past few weeks looked as delicious as they tasted. Finally, the flavours: I was impressed with many individual elements from various restaurants. I even had the pleasure of being introduced to new and exotic flavour combinations.
“Whether your reasoning for going out, be it social, to have an intimate dinner, or just because you’re too tired to cook for the family that day, a setting appropriate for any mood or event to celebrate can be found in a restaurant in the city of Burlington.
Eating out doesn’t just need to be an escape from the kitchen; it can be an ‘experience’. One to be enjoyed with friends or family.
“After your own research, if you can find some comfort level, even enjoying one of the participating restaurants on the patio, now is the time to support your local restaurants. If you wait until we are free of restrictions again, it may be too late for some of our city’s favourite eating establishments.
Burlington restaurateurs appreciate your continued support. There are three days left to the event- Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Asked how much weight she had put on dining out three nights a week Bogle said. “That’s not a question I want to answer.”
The restaurant reviews:
West Plains Bistro
Gator Teds
Turtle Jack’s
Studebaker
Paradiso
Barra Fion’s
Rahoons
By Michele Bogle
October 22, 2020
BURLINGTON, ONTARIO
 Everyone has a patio Named after the football team, the ‘Florida Gators’, this family restaurant has celebrated more than 45 years of doing business in Burlington, renamed to in 1994. The location has survived continued expansions; both indoor and out, and a lengthy Human Rights legal battle. Ted Kindos, co-owner of Gator Ted’s with his mother, contemplated selling in 2013. Fortunately for the community, Ted reconsidered and committed to continuing on.
This hot spot, known for its beer and wings enjoyed while watching sports on the numerous screens also serves up other tasty dishes. Gator Ted’s ‘Halibut & Chips’ can be found on the Taste of Burlington’s Pre-Fixe menu.
From the menu, we chose their fish & chips. It has been my experience to have found a generous amount of fish inside the beer-battered coating with freshly cut fries with a side of crisp coleslaw. A rich slice of pecan pie finished the meal off just right. The menu offers a lot of value in this $25 dinner.”
 They don’t skimp on the portions For a reasonable price of $25 you could also choose from a selection of soup or salad; a medley of pastas in their ‘Tour of Italy’, Jambalaya.
Great location for groups. Patio seating is available. No reservation was required, but our contact information was collected at the door where our temperature was taken. This location also invested in a facial temperature scanner. The booths are stationary; the guests were seated with the appropriate safety regulation spacing. Masks were worn by staff and patrons who moved about the establishment.
 Some bacon bits in there as well. As a reminder; for more information on the Pre-Fixe menu options during this dining event that ends on October 25, 2020, please check the Taste of Burlington website for more details. https://tasteofburlington.ca/prix-fixe-program/. Remember to sign up for the Taste of Burlington Passport to make menu selections from the app, paperless. The more you check-in from the app, the more chances you have of winning the weekly gift certificate giveaway and eligible for the grand prize of a $500 gift card to a restaurant of choice. This is useful for family gatherings now that the holidays are approaching.
 Michele Bogle is a Burlington resident who writes for the Gazette on community issues. Ms Bogle has taken part in the Food Network for the second year in a row to audition for the ‘Great Chocolate Showdown’ 2020 and 2021. She made it to the second stage of auditions for ‘Wall of Chefs’ 2019 and finished top 1% of auditions last year for ‘The Great Canadian Baking Show’.
Michele Bogle
October 15, 2020
BURLINGTON, ONTARIO
Barra Fion’s Pre-Fixe Taste of Burlington menu boasts seven appetizers and five delicious-sounding entrees to choose from. With such a fantastic selection, it took us longer than anticipated to decide.
This Spanish inspired tapas restaurant was well spaced with plexi-glass shields in between the tables set in the middle of the room to allow for additional and safer seating. The best part was the non-contact facial recognition temperature scanning at the entrance. Our servers were patient, knowledgeable about the menu, and engaging. The restaurant was clean and guests wore masks while moving within the restaurant. As a reminder; using the Taste of Burlington Passport App also allows you to read menus digitally to avoid paper contact.
 Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes For starters we tried the ‘Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes’. Two, only, may not sound like a generous portion but they were considerably large, hearty, flavourful and the aioli sauce was addictive, as well a perfect compliment to the dish.
 Blackened Shrimp and Farro Mediterranean Salad We had also ordered the ‘Blackened Shrimp and Farro Mediterranean Salad.
This dish overloaded my senses. A culinary delight which was visually intriguing with all of its elements. Each ingredient with a specific purpose; a little crunch, a little spice and a little zing. I highly recommend this item on the menu.
 Spanish Inspired Seafood Stew Delightfully perplexed by my choice for the next course, we happily landed on ‘Spanish Inspired Seafood Stew’ as our entree. Don’t let the uninspired name fool you. This dish was a whole new eating adventure with its individual elements. The perfectly spiced blackened tilapia needed to be experienced first before dropping into the delicious seafood broth below; held up by a generous number of mussels and surrounded by a medley of stewed vegetables and herbs. Within the broth were found large gorgeous shrimp and an almost serrated roll of calamari. In my mind the garlic bread was provided to enjoy the delicious broth with. I was still echoing an “mmm, mmm, mmm” as I placed my empty bowl to the side.
 Pumpkin Spiced Mini Churros For dessert, my daughter and I chose the ‘Pumpkin Spiced Mini Churros’ with caramel sauce. I think that the chef forgot that they were supposed to be minis. Shhh, it’ll be our little secret. Adding a touch of pumpkin spice to an already perfect dessert is ‘brilliant’.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Barra Fion and would recommend that if you haven’t yet experienced their food, that the pre-fixe menu offered during the Taste of Burlington Dining Event is a perfect time to try different items on their menu at an excellent price.
Please note that this event runs only until October 25. You won’t want to miss it. Some restaurants are giving out additional offers. The more you use the Passport App to check-in when you dine at one of the participating restaurants, the more chance you have of winning the weekly gift-card giveaway and the grand prize of a $500 gift card to a restaurant of choice.
Barra Fion is located at;
1505 Guelph Line, Unit 10A
Burlington, ON L7P 3B6
905-319-3466
Open 7 days a week, 12-9pm
Michele Bogle is a Burlington resident who writes for the Gazette on community issues. Ms Bogle has taken part in the Food Network for the second year in a row to audition for the ‘Great Chocolate Showdown’ 2020 and 2021. She made it to the second stage of auditions for ‘Wall of Chefs’ 2019 and finished top 1% of auditions last year for ‘The Great Canadian Baking Show’.
 By Staff
October 15th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The relationship between the Food Bank and the Gift of Giving Back people grew much stronger this year.
Cole, Thomas and Colby from the Burlington Eagles 07 team stopped by the Food Bank to drop off what they could gather from their family & friends during the holiday weekend. Last year at this time they were part of the huge annual Gift of Giving Back food drive where they actually filled three gyms with food.
Each year a number of teams make arrangements to stop by the Food Bank to take a quick tour and experience a little about what happens behind the scenes, as well as learn about a number of the struggles that some of their neighbours may be facing and needing the support of our services. We appreciate their visits and will miss them this year due to covid restrictions, nevertheless we appreciate any donations they are able to collect for families here in Burlington.
 When Covid19 was not ravaging the community Burlngton youth were collecting food as part of the annual Gift of Giving Back. Here volunteers are calculating what has been collected and sorting it into different bins for delivery. The Burlington Eagles 07 team challenges other teams to do their best as well.
Scot Connor, a Food Bank volunteer, admits that he keeps blowing the horn of Gift of Giving Back – but adds that “these people are the absolute best of the best of all of our wonderful volunteers and charities. The people are great but its what they do to help teach our Burlington kids that makes them so special. it’s a real shame we don’t get to see a high school gym FULL of food again this year – and all the teams running around helping each other.
By Staff
October 14th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington’s favourite fundraiser is back… social distance style!
 Individually hand crafted bowls done by artizans across the province. Enjoy a special gourmet soup from a local restaurant. In an effort to support our local restaurants, we’re hosting this year’s Soup Bowl Fundraiser to go!
Bowl sales begin Thursday, October 15, 2020 and the event runs through the month of November. Stay tuned for exciting updates including restaurant announcements, supporting sponsors, bowl gallery preview, and more!
How it Works
Step One: Choose a Bowl
Browse our online gallery and select a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, ceramic bowl. Bowls are $55 – AGB Members: watch your email for an exclusive discount code. Your purchase includes a voucher for a bowl of soup from one of our participating restaurants. Complete your purchase and keep your receipt handy – you’ll need it for the next step.
Step Two: Plan your Pick-Up
After your purchase, you’ll be notified of dates and times available for you to pick-up your bowl from the gallery. When you arrive, you’ll be given a Soup Bowl Swag Bag that includes your bowl & soup voucher.
Step Three: Enjoy your Soup
Contact your restaurant of choice during the month of November to book a time to redeem your soup voucher. Be sure to book your favourite restaurant as soon as possible; some limitations may apply.
 By Clair Ward
October 15th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The online gambling ecosystem in Canada is seen by many as the future of the broader sports betting and casino industry. This is in partly because regulators are softening their outlook on both land-based and online gambling alike, allowing more locals to get into this pastime without having to jump through hoops.
To reveal the true scope and significance of this sector, here is a look at some of the most surprising facts about it.
Overseas operators take the lion’s share of the market
The legislation surrounding online casinos in Canada is still somewhat complex, so while domestic players are able to legally enjoy access to any number of web-based gambling services, it is not currently possible for operators to set up shop on Canadian soil.
Because of this, the vast majority of cash generated by this industry goes to gambling sites that are based in other parts of the world where regulations are less restrictive.
In 2019 alone almost $400 million was generated by these offshore sites, and further growth is anticipated for 2020. An online casino in Canada can still be reputable and fully featured; it is simply difficult to support any local businesses when playing online.
The other issue with this is that the government does not generate any tax income from the industry, which would all change if it decided to embrace it outright and start issuing licenses for casino sites to operate domestically. Some provinces are taking the lead in pushing through changes that would free up the industry from state monopolies and restrictions, but it will still be a while before any shifts take effect.
 Young men are the most eager online gamblers
Research into the demographics which make up online gambling in Canada conducted by CasinoValley show that four out of five gamblers are male, with the under-35s being the most prolific players.
In particular it is those who are still in full time education, or only recently graduated, who are most likely to participate in this type of activity.
That is not to say that female players do not have their own trends and preferences; in fact more women make use of smartphone-powered gambling services than men, which is a globally unique statistic for this industry.
Slots lead the way in terms of raw popularity
There are all sorts of online casino services available, with everything from traditional table games like roulette to every conceivable variety of poker and beyond on offer. However, slots games are by far the biggest draw for web-based gambling sites, with almost three quarters of players pumping cash into virtualized versions of classic fruit machines.
 Once again there are gender differences in game preference, with bingo proving to be more of a hit with women than men. Like slots, this is one of the more accessible types of gambling, with a gentle learning curve that means newcomers can pick it up quickly.
That is not to say more skill-based, intricate games like poker are not able to bring in the punters. Indeed 59 per cent of online gambling site users from Canada have played a few hands of mainstream examples like Texas Hold ‘Em.
Jackpots can be huge
Life-changing amounts of money have been won by Canadian online casino players, with the most recent big win of $20 million coming on the MegaMoolah progressive slot back in 2019. This follows on from a similarly sizable win achieved on the same slot in Canada less than 12 months earlier.
So there you have it; the online gambling industry in Canada is going strong, and is only in need of a little more direct support and acceptance from political leaders to become even more of an asset, contributing to economic independence.
Clair Ward is a consultant in outreach marketing with a focus on the online gambling industry. She has watched this form of gambling since its inception and understands and comments frequently on the differences between the various markets.
By Staff
October 13th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
When the lock down was put in place Tammy Fox knew she had a problem – she just didn’t know how big a problem it was going to be.
Today – she knows.
 Tammy Fox, Executive Director Burlington Performing Arts Centre Tammy is the Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre.
The two theatres in the building – one, the Main Theatre, holds 720 people; the other, the Community Studio Theatre, holds 165 people – have been empty for months.
The building needed some attention during the lock-down – while minimal, the costs were nevertheless real.
A very interesting production has been announced that will give young people who have a deep interest in theatre a chance to get some solid experience and mentoring.
Rebuilding the audience is going to take time. The immediate future is iffy at best. The province has limited the number of people who can attend events. “I can’t put much more than 50 people in the Main theatre – close to impossible to pull in the revenue needed to support the operations” said Fox.
“COVID social distancing cuts into what we can earn from the bar.”
On the upside, the Performing Arts Centre has a solid core of patrons who have stayed with us.
Our volunteers have been great – we had them in for a run-through on what it means to manage and direct people when they are entering the theatre and explaining the seating arrangements. We held three separate sessions – 90% of the volunteers have returned to usher people.
During the balance of October there will be:
 A fund raising concert that sold out – broadcast as a live stream of the performance featuring Tom Wilson LEGACY – A Tribute to Gord Downie featuring Tom Wilson is sold out.
The Livestream of the fundraising concert and special evening to celebrate the man, the music and his enduring legacy take place on October 15th and 16th.
BENEATH SPRINGHILL: The Maurice Ruddick Story takes place on October 17th and 18th – at 1:00 pm on both days.
This is the dramatic true tale of seven miners trapped beneath a small mining town and the racial tension that surfaced as a result.
 Elise LeGrow; an impressive chanteuse Elise LeGrow will perform on Sun Oct 25, 2020 at 4pm and at 7pm in the Community Studio.
Her voice and storytelling abilities are second to none. She has performed at the Performing Art Centre before to solid audiences.
Then there is the ALTdot Comedy Lounge on Friday Oct 30, 2020 at 7pm and again at 9pm
Featuring Sean Cullen, Jackie Pirico with host Ali Hassan! For 24 years, The ALTdot Comedy Lounge has been one of Toronto’s premiere comedy shows.
 Nancy Brewer, Chair Burlington Performing Arts Centre The Performing Arts Centre has a new Chair, Nancy Brewer, a Chartered Professional Accountant in Burlington. Nancy is actively involved in community service having served as Chair of Joseph Brant Hospital and the Halton Learning Foundation.
Fox has put the finishing touches on the budget for next year – it is going to be painful.
Much depends on how long the current audience limitations are in place – assuming that we don’t slide back into a second lock down – and the arrival of a vaccine that proves to halt the spread of the virus.
 By Staff
October 13th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Performing Arts Centre has created a unique opportunity for local youth to participate in a professional theatre production of ‘Into the Woods: In Concert’ this November and December!
 The production was the Dora Mavor Moore Award winner for Best Production of a Musical in 2010. As part of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre’s upcoming presentation of Into the Woods: In Concert, there will be a three-week Youth Mentorship Program.
Up to 22 local youth will become a part of the ensemble, participating on stage or behind the scenes, experiencing the rehearsal process with the professional cast, and performing in a one-of-a-kind production of a Broadway classic, produced by one of Canada’s leading independent professional theatre companies.
Applications must be sent in no later than Friday October 23rd.
Physical distancing and all proper COVID-19 safety measures will be followed during the program, and masks will be required for all participants.
“Participating in this kind of production is a great opportunity for young performers, designers and fans of theatre, in general,” said Burlington Performing Arts Centre Executive Director Tammy Fox.
The program: Into the Woods: In Concert was created by the Talk is Free Theatre company based in Barrie Ontario. The opportunity to take part in this production is every theatre kid’s dream, and a unique opportunity to learn from industry professionals, said Fox.”
Applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 20, must commit to approximately 20 hours of rehearsal at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, between November 16 and December 6, and must be open to the creative process and respectful to their environment.
An introductory workshop will be provided by Leslie Gray of Burlington’s own Koogle Theatre.
Participants can participate in acting, singing, design, directing, stage management and more, based on their interests.
Those seeking a performance role will get to act in this iconic musical alongside some of Canada’s leading musical theatre actors, whose productions credits span from Mirvish Productions, Shaw Festival and Stratford Festival.
 Into the Woods In Concert performer. Photo by Alex Medvick. Every participant will also receive one-on-one mentorship from a member of the professional cast and/or creative team. These mentorship sessions consist of two 30-minute meetings which will be scheduled during the rehearsal and performance timeframe.
This unique opportunity to be part of the show costs $200, which includes two complimentary tickets to the production. Interested youth must apply by Friday, October 23 on the BPAC website. (https://burlingtonpac.ca/youth-mentorship-program/)
About Into the Woods: In Concert
Talk is Free Theatre presents Into the Woods: In Concert at the BPAC’s Main Theatre for 10 shows from November 27 to December 6.
Into the Woods is a musical journey that intertwines the several beloved Brothers Grimm characters and explores the consequences of their individual’ wishes and wants. Characters include Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and the Beanstalk), Rapunzel, and Cinderella to name a few. At the centre of the story is a childless baker and his wife who will do anything to have a family, but they encounter a powerful witch who has placed a curse on them. Throughout this magical journey, characters from different fables encounter each other as they fight for what they believe is their happily ever after. The original Broadway production earned three Tony Awards in 1988.
 The stage lights are back on – the Performing Arts Centre is once again operational. About Talk is Free Theatre
Talk is Free Theatre was founded in 2003 in Barrie, ON by Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak and colleagues, and has since produced close to 100 works. TIFT’s recent production The Curious Voyage is an internationally recognized first-of-its- kind immersive experience that physically transported participants to London, England as part of an inescapable narrative. Their co-production of Sondheim’s Assassins with Birdland Theatre as a sold-out success, a Dora Mavor Moore Award winner for Best Production of a Musical in 2010 and has been named on the 10 Best Toronto Theatre Shows of the Decade by NOW.
Tickets can be purchased online or by telephone:
905-681-6000 | burlingtonpac.ca/into-the-woods
Tickets: Regular $49 / Members $44
By Michele Bogle
October 11, 2020
BURLINGTON, ONTARIO
West Plains Bistro is located in Aldershot. It has a warm comfy feel, almost cozy at the west end of Burlington: this little European-styled bistro is conveniently accessed off busy Plains Road. There was plenty of outdoor seating but a little noisy, so we chose to eat inside. Tripadvisor.ca rated it at #9 out of more than 300 Burlington restaurants.
 West Plains Bistro – rated #9 in Burlington on Tripadviser What I observed upon entering: at the door was the restaurant’s ‘Food & Safety Inspection Sheet’ prominently placed for patrons to read before entering. When entering, we were greeted by mask-covered staff. There were only booths as a choice for seating. The additional tables were eliminated for appropriate spacing. Before being seated the server informed us that both doors at either end were open for improved air circulation. The tables were not pre-set. The restaurant looked clean.
‘Soup of the Day’ was red pepper with goat cheese and bacon. However this combination sounds, I can assure you that the flavours make you stop and redirect your conversation. This was a taste experience that made this cook want to attempt to recreate this soup at home. I’d return just for the soup.
 Smoked Salmon Crepe Next, we chose the ‘Smoked Salmon Crepe’ as our entree. At first glance you might think that you’ve been transported into an expensive New York restaurant featured in a food magazine. The plating was beautiful and the quantity of food sitting on the plate, minimalistic. Inside this tidy package I found a fully-loaded crepe of smoked salmon, red onion and goat cheese. The dill sauce was a perfect complement to the dish.
 Pumpkin Pecan Torte Appetite now completely satisfied, it was time for dessert. Dessert was a choice from eight delectable creations. A list of which can be found on their website https://westplainsbistro.square.site/gallery-3. It was very difficult to choose. We went with the Pumpkin Pecan Torte, which in my opinion was more of a tart, than torte, and the Peach and Apple Crumble. The crumble was mushy and there was little evidence of peach present in my dessert. I wouldn’t recommend this particular item on the menu. As a baker, my specific area of strength is in flavour profiles. After tasting the Pumpkin Pecan Torte, I would give the balance of spices within this torte, three thumbs up.
The overall dining experience was good. At $20 per person during the Taste of Burlington Pre-Fixe Dining Event, I received more than my money’s worth of delicious food.
Make sure to sign up for your Taste of Burlington Passport App found in the link below, if you haven’t already; to make ordering and your check-in process safer and easier.
https://tasteofburlington.ca/prix-fixe-program/
As a reminder this event runs only from October 5-25. Reservation required at most locations. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to try new restaurants and or to visit some of your favourites while supporting hospitality in Burlington, Ontario.
West Plains Bistro
133 Plains Road, East
Burlington, ON L7T 2C4
905-333-9449
info@westplainsbistro.com
https://www.westplainsbistro.com
Remember, every time you participate in this event using the Taste of Burlington Passport, you increase your chances of winning the weekly gift card giveaway, or the $500 gift card to a participating restaurant of choice.
Michele Bogle is a Burlington resident who writes for the Gazette on community issues. Ms Bogle has taken part in the Food Network for the second year in a row to audition for the ‘Great Chocolate Showdown’ 2020 and 2021. She made it to the second stage of auditions for ‘Wall of Chefs’ 2019 and finished top 1% of auditions last year for ‘The Great Canadian Baking Show’.
By Staff
October 10th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
What’s open; what’s not open – Thanksgiving Holiday.
Animal Services
The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. remains closed to the public due to COVID-19.
To report an animal control-related emergency, call 905-335-3030 or visit www.burlington.ca/animal.
Burlington Transit Burlington Transit will operate a holiday schedule on Oct. 12. The downtown Transit Terminal, Specialized Dispatch and the administration office will also be closed on this day.
Schedules and specialized booking are available at burlingtontransit.ca. For real-time schedule information visit Google/Apple Maps or triplinx.ca.
City Hall Closed on Monday, Oct. 12.
The Service Burlington counter will re-open Oct. 13 and is available for the following in-person payments from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday:
– Parking permits and tickets
– Property taxes
– Freedom of Information requests
– Garbage tags
– Dog licenses
– Property information requests
– Recreation services
Service Burlington continues to offer marriage licenses and commissioning services by appointment. Please call Service Burlington at 905-335-7777 to schedule.
Cash payments are currently not accepted. Many service payments are also available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices.
Anyone entering City Hall must wear a mask or face covering unless exempted from by the Mandatory Mask Bylaw.
Residents are asked to bring and wear their own masks.
Building and Planning
Service counters for building and planning are currently closed and staff continue to process applications electronically.
For more information about building permits and business licences, visit burlington.ca/building.
For information about development applications, visit burlington.ca/developmentinfo
Halton Court Services – Provincial Offences Office Closed on Monday, Oct. 12.
Administration Counter Services, at 4085 Palladium Way, will re-open on Oct. 13 and are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Many online services are also available, please visit Halton Court or email burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca
Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage on weekends and holidays.
NOTE: The Waterfront parking lots (east and west) do not provide free parking on statutory holidays.
Parking exemptions are currently not required for overnight parking on City streets between 1 and 6 a.m., due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. burlington.ca/parking
Recreation Programs and Facilities Arenas will be closed on Oct. 12 and re-open on Oct. 13.
Angela Coughlan Pool will be open on Oct. 12. Pre-registration is required. For scheduled programming, visit burlington.ca/fall
Roads, Parks and Forestry Administrative office closed on Monday, Oct. 12.
Essential and reduced parks maintenance services will be provided.
rlingotn.ca
By Staff
October 10th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Dads drove to the Food Bank earlier this week at the end of their Food Drive in Kilbride with 167 pounds of donated food.
 Heritage Firetruck used as a back drop for food collected in the Kilbride community by the volunteer fire fighters. The Dads partnered up with the Kilbride Volunteer Firefighters Association to do a non-perishable food collection and stopped by numerous friendly local businesses that offered their offices as drop-off points along the way. One of the Dads (Jordan Bradburn) organized the event and drove an old 1937 Ford fire truck to lead the way, proudly flying the DADs flag.
Each year at this time the Burlington Dads host their annual Ride to Provide spin marathon as their own fundraiser. In lieu of the pandemic it was cancelled, however last year’s host’s – Cedar Springs Health Racquet & Sports Club squash members helped out by collecting 40 donated turkeys from their members for us to distribute to families this weekend!
 Three unnamed young men dropped off a bin of food they had collected. Being Squash Members, a few of them included squash as well.
One last thing –the photo is of three young men who just showed up last night and dropped off a full bin of food as a donation – anonymously! Two hockey players and a soccer player (that’s all we know). Amazing!
Are there some proud parents who want to identify these young men?
By Michele Bogle
October, 9, 2020
BURLINGTON, ONTARIO
 Located in the middle of Village Square; a quiet oasis – not a car to be heard Tucked away in the quaint little Village Square is a Persian Restaurant, ‘Rayhoon Eatery’. Whether you already love Persian fare or have never tried it before, the Pre-Fixe dining opportunity during the Taste of Burlington event is the perfect time to try this restaurant. They offer a 3-course lunch or dinner, $25 or $40 per person respectively.
Rayhoon offers a good selection on the Pre-Fixe menu with gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options. All of the dishes are ‘halal’. Every third Friday, they have belly dancing for your dining entertainment. Reservations are required for all dining. Please note that they are not open on Mondays with the exception of holiday Mondays.
The eatery was clean, the waitress was attentive, polite, knowledgeable, and the music was at a soothing level, allowing for conversation.
What I observed when entering; all employees were wearing masks; spaced an appropriate distance from one another; the tables were spaced 2 metres apart; and there was a sanitation station set up at the entrance. The bathroom was clean. Before ordering, we and patrons around us were asked for names and contact info. All of the utensils were wrapped. When leaving their tables for the restroom or for departing, the staff politely reminded patrons to put their masks back on. The Taste of Burlington’s Passport offers you additional comfort when digitally ordering your lunch or dinner.
 Bakhtiari Kabob For dinner, my daughter and I chose the Pistachio Crusted Salmon and Bakhtiari Kabob. To start I enjoyed a walnut, beet and arugula salad with goat cheese and a pomegranate dressing. The combination of flavours made me feel that even if I had nothing more to eat, I’d be happy.
The Persian-inspired butternut squash soup was aromatic and delicious.
 Baked Atlantic Salmon encrusted with pistachios Next I enjoyed Baked Atlantic Salmon encrusted with pistachios and a serving of saffron flavoured rice and their walnut, berry and goat cheese salad. The salmon was fresh-tasting and very moist. My daughter ordered the Bakhtiari Kabob, complete with instructions from our server as to how to properly prepare this dish before eating.
Packets of seasoning and butter were offered to add to the rice, then my daughter was instructed to cut the lemon-spiced chicken and the incredibly tender strips of beef tenderloin into bite-size pieces along with the grilled tomato; add to the saffron-infused
rice, and voila! The medley of flavours were exotic and delightful.
 Persian Spiced Sticky Toffee Pudding We finished off our enjoyable dining experience with a Persian Spiced Sticky Toffee Pudding, which lacked enough flavour on its own but was well complimented by the drizzle of caramel sauce.The Cardamom & White Chocolate Affogato, I could eat again and again; a scoop of homemade cardamom and white chocolate ice cream, topped with slivered almonds, then to be doused with a shot of hot espresso. Simply sublime.
I would have liked to have seen some signage reminding patrons and staff to wash hands; to wear their masks and signage for the direction of restrooms so that patrons aren’t wandering around others in search of them. There were a lot of verbal cues and a large visible sanitizing station in lieu of the signage. I am satisfied and feel comfortable about returning.
If considering Rayhoon Eatery during the Taste of Burlington Fall 2020 Dining Event, make sure to call or write ahead to make a reservation.
Rayhoon Eatery
420 Pearl Street Village Square, Burlington L7R 2N1 905-637-2500
info@rayhooneatery.com
https://www.rayhooneatery.com/
https://tasteofburlington.ca/restaurants/rayhoon-eatery/ Remember, every time you participate in this event using the Taste of Burlington Passport, you increase your chances of winning the weekly gift card giveaway, or the $500 gift card to a participating restaurant of choice.
Michele Bogle is a Burlington resident who writes for the Gazette on community issues. Ms Bogle has taken part in the Food Network for the second year in a row to audition for the ‘Great Chocolate Showdown’ 2020 and 2021. She made it to the second stage of auditions for ‘Wall of Chefs’ 2019 and finished top 1% of auditions last year for ‘The Great Canadian Baking Show’.
 By Staff
October 7th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Book a Heritage Workshop at Ireland House Museum with your private group of 4-6 people, $30/person.
 All workshops take place in the historic house at the hearth and are available on Saturdays (beginning in November), Sundays (sold out in October) and Mondays. Workshops include all supplies and a guided tour of Ireland House Museum. Masks are mandatory. We offer a choice of one of three experiences:
• Heritage Fall Baking Workshop
• Heritage Food Preservation Workshop
• Heritage Soups & Stews Workshop
This is one way to get out of the house and enjoy something other than Netflix.
For the truly creative – you might order in a lunch, with a decent wine (it is a private lunch) and make a day of it.
Link to the booking page is HERE
 By Michele Bogle
October 5, 2020
BURLINGTON, ONTARIO
The Taste of Burlington 2020 launches today with 35 of your favourite participating restaurants offering their best under circumstances that are far from normal.
An event that started in 2008 with just 12 restaurants taking part has steadily grown.
The event starts Monday October 5th and runs through to the 25th.
This fall, each participating restaurant is again offering mouth-watering pre-fixe menus with appeal for anyone’s palate.
Taste of Burlington has made ordering easier, with extra perks.
Sign up for the ‘free’ Taste of Burlington Passport to view menus on-line. The more times you dine out, using the app, the more chance you have of winning the weekly gift card give-away, or the grand prize of $500 to a restaurant of choice.
Some participating restaurants have special offers for returning. Tallying of the contest used to be by ballot-box, but can now be done digitally.
Kelly Harris, Marketing Specialist with Tourism Burlington and Co-ordinator of Taste of Burlington writes, “Quite excited about this as especially with the pandemic, the ballots don’t have to touch so many hands.”
But wait!, there’s more. If you choose to dine in at any of the participating restaurants, the app allows you to order from the pre-fixe menu without touching anything but your own device.
Dining out at a new or favourite restaurant, has been made easier, safer and more economical with the Taste of Burlington Passport App.
As a cost-saving measure to the restaurateurs, if dining out, there is only pickup available. No delivery. The app also allows you to choose the patio, takeout, or dine in. As well it can be used to make reservations, required for this dining event.
Within this link to the list of participating restaurants, you’ll find the quick and easy application for the passport, if you don’t already have it.
Check each restaurant’s website for dates and times available. Not all locations have their own parking, so leave enough time to find city parking, if dining in.
When dining in, as a patron you can expect the Public Health Guidelines as set out by Halton Region to be rigorously observed.
As an on-going series, I’ll be reviewing some of the participating restaurants to assess, not only the value and quality of the pre-fixe menus offered, but of the safety measures exercised by those restaurateurs.
 Michele Bogle is a Burlington resident who writes for the Gazette on community issues. Ms Bogle has taken part in the Food Network for the second year in a row to audition for the ‘Great Chocolate Showdown’ 2020 and 2021. She made it to the second stage of auditions for ‘Wall of Chefs’ 2019 and finished top 1% of auditions last year for ‘The Great Canadian Baking Show’.
By Pepper Parr
September 30th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
One of the three female members of city council is a birthday girl today.
Can you figure out which one?
 Lisa Kearns  Marianne Meed Ward  Shawna Stolte
 By Pepper Parr
September 29th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Several months ago the Gazette published a piece on a program called the “Post Promise”, which is a self-declaration that a business is working to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
 Once completed, a business is provided with the necessary communication and implementation tools to educate employees on the five key steps to workplace safety, which were created to be consistent with what has been recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Make the promise today: Click HERE.
Businesses who make the promise will be able to use and prominently display the POST Promise logo which is a nationally recognized symbol of a business’ commitment to doing their part to protect their customers’ and employees’ health and safety as COVID-19 restrictions ease. Participating business can also purchase a kit which will include additional communication tools like window decals, posters and tent cards which can be used to further build awareness of their commitment within their place of business.
Businesses that want to apply for some of the grant money that is being made available ($2500 per grant) will not be eligible unless that have made the POST promise.
I have yet to see one of these decals on the window or door of any restaurant or commercial establishment.
The program is free – and for me and the circle I travel knowing that a location is safe and is prepared to go that extra distance to ensure that I am kept safe while I am in their establishment is something I look for.
 The weather has been great – the traffic on the patios has been good. What happens when the weather chills on us? The hospitality sector is looking for all the help they can get including financial support from the city and the Region. The want help from the federal government as well.
They are in a very tough sector. When the restaurant business is good it can be great – but it can also be a grind. You take all the problems home with you.
I don’t understand why these decals aren’t on every front door and every print piece a restaurant has. Put it on the menu – tell me that I am going to be taken care of.
The hospitality sector is, unfortunately, close ground zero for the huge spike in infections.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said in a prepared statement that “Consumer confidence to participate in the economy is still very low, and hopefully this will help the public feel more comfortable visiting their favourite local shops.
Photo-ops of the Mayor in a restaurant that has the Post Promise decal on their front door would help.
 By Pepper Parr
September 26th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 A silent protest. There they were.
Set out ever so neatly within Civic Square – more than 230 pairs of shoes.
They were part of a silent protest about what we are not doing about climate change.
It was billed as a climate strike inviting everyone in Burlington to join in demanding that all levels of government act immediately on the urgent climate crisis.
The social distancing rules had to be respected. How do you do that?
The people who organized the event identified two places where the shoes could be dropped off. The Rolling Horse Community Cycle in Aldershot and a private home in Millcroft.
Participants were invited to insert a note inside their shoes to convey their message about why urgent action on climate change is important to them.
This was a silent protest. There were no opportunities for speeches or public announcements or political leader photo ops.
After the silent protest the shoes were collected and returned to hosts or donated to a local charity that will distribute them to those in need.
 Many of the shoes had notes in them – setting out the wish, hope, aspirations and dreams of those who had walked in those shoes earlier. Similar Shoe Strikes were to take in Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills; those situations didn’t work out very well.
Oakville found that their plans were upset with the COVID-19 rules on how many people could gather in a group.
Milton ran into bureaucratic problems – the need for a permit and the need for insurance.
Fridays for Future will be co-coordinating similar Climate Strikes throughout Canada. Locally, organizers come from a cross-section of groups: Burlington Biodiversity Team, Students for Change Halton, BurlingtonGreen Youth Network, Burlington Citizens Concerned about Climate Change (BC4), and local residents.
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