 By Staff
June 5th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington hosting two youth sporting events that will result in the closing of the Nelson Pool on June 9, July 6 and July 7.
SunRype TRiKiDS Triathlon is June 9.
 The butterfly being done the way it is supposed to be done. Burlington Aquatic Devilrays are hosting a swim meet on July 6 and 7.
Anyone wanting to enjoy a swim or spray pad on those days are encouraged to visit any of our other many indoor and outdoor pools and spray pads. For a listing of locations and schedules, please visit burlington.ca/waterplay.
The City of Burlington encourages people of all ages to get outside and play. Help Burlington become the Most Active Community in Canada.
Take ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge and track your activities. All you need to do is download the free app at participACTIONapp.com.
 By Staff
June 3rd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Lowville Festival has announced its program for their fifth annual season in north Burlington’s majestic Escarpment country.
The Festival has been offering high quality performances of music, theatre, visual arts and spoken word in a variety of venues along the Guelph Line in the beautiful historic hamlet of Lowville.
 Dan Hill, composer of the legendary hit song Sometimes When We Touch will be on stage in Lowville in June. This year the Festival will consist of the one gala headline attraction, the legendary singer-songwriter Dan Hill. The concert, which will be held in the air-conditioned St. George’s Anglican Hall, where last year we presented Sarah Harmer and Ben Heppner, will mark the first Burlington performance in many years of popular Canadian balladeer Dan Hill, composer of the legendary hit song Sometimes When We Touch and many other hit parade successes.
He will be presented in a very intimate context with keyboard and backup singer.
 Hayley Verrall to back up Dan Hill at Lowville Festival. Hayley Verrall, the young Burlington folk/country singer-songwriter will open for Dan Hill.
Seating for this special gala performance is limited to 180 patrons, so order your tickets soon.
You do not want to miss this up-close-and-personal concert.
The Lowville Festival is the vision of its two Founding Co-Artistic Directors: Lorretta Bailey, a Lowville resident, has performed in musical theatre productions across Canada, including the original Toronto production of Les Miserables; and Robert Missen, proprietor of the Bobolink Agency, an artist management agency, was the 2016 inductee into the Burlington Performing Arts Centre Hall of Fame.
Burlington Hydro and the City of Burlington the generous supporters of the 2019 Festival.
DAN HILL IN CONCERT
Saturday June 22nd 7:30 pm
St. George’s Hall
7051 Guelph Line, north of Derry Road
TICKETS $40 advance/$50 at the door
Available at www.lowvillefestival.com or at Different Drummer Books
Media Contact: Robert Missen, rmissen@sympatico.ca or 905-632-6047
Burlington’s Burlassic Park public viewings confirmed for entire NBA Finals series
 By Staff
June 1st, 2019
BURLINGTON,, ON
According to city hall, “Burlington’s Burlassic Park roared with excitement as over 2000 people came out to cheer on the Toronto Raptors and celebrate the historic win of Game 1 of the NBA Finals.”
The City of Burlington wants to continue to share Canada’s moment with Burlington residents and is all in to host free public viewings for every NBA Finals game.
 Don’t see 2000 people in this picture – the two buildings centre background will be a lot taller five years from now – 24 storeys taller. The following are the dates, times and locations for Burlassic Park NBA Finals public viewing parties:
Game 2 Sunday, June 2: Civic Square 7:30 p.m.
Game 3 Wednesday, June 5: Central Park Bandshell 8:30 p.m.
Game 4 Friday, June 7: Location to be determined next week. 8:30 p.m.
Games 5, 6 and 7: Civic Square (if needed and the Raptors do not take the series in 4 games)
Games 5 and 6 public viewing parties would start at 8:30 p.m. and
Game 7 at 7:30 p.m.
The City of Burlington will be hosting game viewings rain or shine. As the games are likely to go beyond 11 p.m., City Council has granted a Noise Bylaw exemption for all days.
 Can’t see a pop corn stand in this picture. Event updates will be available on the City of Burlington social media accounts and residents are encouraged to following along for event shares via the hashtag #burlassicpark
Twitter: @cityburlington
Facebook: @cityburlington
Instagram: @cityburlington
Councillor Rory Nisan said “The Raptors are on track and Burlington is stepping up, making Burlassic Park the spot to be for the rest of the NBA finals. Let’s show the Raps how much we support them with an even bigger crowd for Game 2 and through the rest of the series.”
 By Staff
May 21, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Takes place on Friday – one of the most interesting fund raisers you are likely to come across in this community.
Open Doors, taking place at St. Christopher’s Church on Guelph Line has an entertainment line up, a silent auction that includes sightseeing flight over our beautiful city, a northern getaway at a beautiful lakefront cottage or a B&B experience in wine country. You will be amazed by the choices of items on which to bid and the generosity of the donations made by our local businesses.
 Open Doors is a group of 15 community based programs at St. Christopher’s Church that support our neighbours with Community Food, Families and Parenting, and Community Resources. As a community hub we schedule our programs so that you can access many resources in the same visit.
The Open Doors is one of the ways St.Christopher’s supports these efforts. The evening, May 24th 7:30 to 10 pm is a fun-filled evening of entertainment, delicious food and drink, and a lively silent and live auction. Auction items will include beautiful garden art doors painted by students from the Halton District School Board, an antique wheelbarrow filled with your favourite wines.
They’d love to see you at the Open Doors Gala on May 24, 2019. To purchase tickets please follow this link:
By Staff
May 20, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The choir of Port Nelson United Church presents its annual spring concert on Sunday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m.
The concert, entitled Celebrate!, features performances by the Choir of Port Nelson United Church under the direction of Stillman Matheson.
The special musical guests for the evening are the members of the Hamilton Children’s Choir, with artistic director Zimfira Poloz. Accompanists are Brent Fifield and Laura Pin, with trumpeter Nora Nolan.
 Choir of Port Nelson United Church “The choir of Port Nelson United Church will be presenting a varied program that will appeal to all lovers of choral music,” said Matheson, director of music at Port Nelson. “The Hamilton Children’s Choir will deliver a memorable performance, as they always do.”
Among the featured works on the program from the Port Nelson choir are Benjamin Britten’s “Jubilate Deo”, three pieces by Toronto composer Eleanor Daley, and Randall Thompson’s “Choose Something Like a Star”. The choir will also perform Mark Sirett’s “O God, Whose First Creative Word” which was commissioned by the Port Nelson choir to commemorate the completion of the Rekindle Project.
Ilumini, the senior choir with Hamilton Children’s Choir, will perform a variety of repertoire spanning many languages, cultures and eras, including Malaysian folk song “Wau Bulan”, arranged by Malaysian-Canadian Tracy Wong, a world premiere by Canadian Steven Webb, “Li Ngu Weko”, and a crowd-pleasing piece in the Mexican huapango style by Stephen Hatfield, “Las Amarillas.”
“Our Ilumini singers have been busy preparing a programme full of surprises for our guest appearance with Port Nelson United Church,” said Poloz. “We are thrilled to share some of our favourite pieces from Europe, the Americas, and Asia, including the premiere of a piece we will bring to Hong Kong on tour this July. We hope that our music makes you breathe deeply, sigh with wonder, and delight in the beauty of young singers sharing their full hearts and voices.”
 Port Nelson United Church This year’s spring concert honours the memory of Rev. Donald Gillies, a long-time minister with the United Church of Canada who was a member of the Port Nelson congregation in his retirement. Gillies was a talented organist and a proud supporter of the Hamilton Children’s Choir, and his family is generously sponsoring the concert.
“He was a much-loved member of our congregation, and we wanted to honour his life and contributions through music,” said Matheson.
The evening is also a celebration of renewal, as this year, Port Nelson marked the official opening of its newly renovated and accessible sanctuary and community space.
Admission is by a free will offering. All proceeds benefit the ministry of music at Port Nelson United Church.
Port Nelson United Church is located at 3132 South Dr. in Burlington in the heart of the Roseland community.
 By Staff
May 15th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Green has been running what they call an EcoFilmFest at the library on New Street for a number of years. The films focus on environmental issues.
The 10th annual Eco-Film Festival program for 2019 is set out below.
It is both an exciting and informative series of documentaries that creates awareness and opportunities for collective action within the community to help protect the planet.
 By Staff
May 15th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Each year the Burlington Foundation chooses a person, sometimes a couple to be named as the Distinguished Philanthropist for the year.
 The 2019 Distinguished Philanthropist will be Angelo Paletta described as a prominent business leader and generous philanthropist.
Angelo is the face of Paletta International. He has called Burlington home since 1964, and over those many years has contributed significantly to the growth and development of the city. “Angelo’s commitment to making our community a better place to live for everyone is always at the heart of his philanthropic endeavors,” says Colleen Mulholland, President and CEO, Burlington Foundation.
 Angelo Paletta with Colleen Mulholland, President of the Burlington Foundation. “Angelo, who has supported our foundation for many years consistently demonstrating a passionate and generous commitment to many charitable needs and causes. We are truly delighted to honour and celebrate his legacy of giving and social impact.”
Angelo will be honoured at Burlington Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Celebration being held on the evening of Thursday, October 24, 2019.
The award is presented by Canada Life.
In 2013 Angelo was the Patron for the Burlington Community Foundation annual fund-raiser. Watching him work a room is a pure delight.
Related news story
Angelo as Patron of the 2013 Fund Raiser for what was ten the Burlington Community Foundation.
 By Staff
May 14th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
June is the Month of Play and the City of Burlington has many activities planned to help people get outside, have fun and be active.
The Burlington Kite Festival, presented by the Rocca Sisters Team
The Burlington Kite Festival, presented by the Rocca Sisters Team, is being held on Sunday, June 2, 2019 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Brant Hills Community Centre, 2255 Brant St.
Festival participants can build their own kite (while supplies last) or bring their own kite to fill the sky with dancing colours.
This year’s event will feature the Curiosity Cube which involves interactive, hands-on science experiments using the latest technology to inspire curiosity in the next generation of scientists. There will also be face painting, balloon animals, stilt walkers and much more. All are welcome.
 Splash pad at LaSalle. Spray Pads
Community Park Spray Pads will be opening on May 18.
 Nelson pool. Summer Outdoor Pool Openings
• Nelson Pool and Splash Park opens June 1
• LaSalle Outdoor Pool and Splash Park and Mountainside Pool and Splash Park open June 15
Please note, Nelson Pool and Splash Park will be closed June 9 and July 6 to 7, and
Angela Couglan Pool will be closed after May 31, 2019, until Spring 2020 for pool renovations.
Learn more about swimming lessons and recreational swimming schedules at burlington.ca/swimming.
ParticipACTION’s Community Better Challenge
Help Burlington become Canada’s Most Active Community. All you need to do is track your activities during the challenge. The challenge takes place from May 31 to June 16.
Download the ParticipACTION app for free at participACTIONapp.com.
Start tracking your activities!
Burlington Walks the Talk
Burlington Walks the Talk is a community program that encourages people to create or join neighbourhood walking groups year-round. The program offers a “how to create a walking group” guide and a place on the City of Burlington website to share information about upcoming community walks to invite others to participate and learn more about walk meetup times and locations in Burlington. The first 10 groups to post their community walking group on the community walk meetup calendar will receive up to 10 t-shirts for their walking group (while supplies last).
Pop Up n’ Play
Popping up in City of Burlington parks throughout the spring and summer is our Pop Up n’ Play experience where children can explore, create, imagine and play in their own way.
Yoga in the Park
Each week will feature a fully qualified instructor in a different park. Bring your yoga mat and/or towel, water, and wear appropriate clothing. All experience levels are welcome.
NEW-Pop Up n’ Play Fitness
Parents can join free Yoga in the Park every Sunday morning in May and June from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., while kids get their move on at our free Fitness Pop Ups. Encouraging children to be active and have fun in non-traditional activities. Build a ninja course, find a new way to balance or swing, create a strength challenge or make up a new game. Ages 4-14. Parents are to be in the park during the program.
Play Streets
The community program offers the opportunity for weekly, local street closures which encourage the use of neighbourhood streets for safe, active play and social interaction between neighbours of all ages and is available all year.
 Summer play at the Band Shell in Central Park Concerts in the Park
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy an evening of music under the open sky at the Central Park Bandshell. Concerts begin June 16 and run every Wednesday and Sunday until the Aug. 18. We offer music for every style and age.
100n1 Day Burlington
A festival of citizen engagement, 100In1Day Burlington is part of a growing global movement that is changing how people interact with their cities. 100in1Day Burlington inspires residents to activate 100 innovative, thought-provoking ideas into activations to transform our city, all on one day, June 1.
The City of Burlington encourages people of all ages to get outside and enjoy the many parks, outdoor spaces, playfields and recreational play experiences that support active living and a healthy lifestyle for all ages, abilities and cultures. Learn more about recreational experiences and where to play at burlington.ca/play. Get Outside. Live & Play Every Day.
 Chris Glenn, Director of Parks and Recreation in his PArks& Rec uniform. Chris Glenn, Director of Parks and Recreation maintains that “Flying a kite is just as fun for adults as it is for kids. For the rest of the Month of Play, we have a variety of activities to keep everyone active, having fun outdoors throughout the city all summer long. Get outside and play this summer and help Burlington become Canada’s Most Active Community.”
By Staff
May 13th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Farmers’ Market at Burlington Centre, operated by the Burlington Lions Club, will open for its 61st consecutive season on Wednesday, May 22nd and continue through October 26th.
The 50 vendors at the Market offer fresh local produce in season, eggs, meats, cheese, baked goods and wine.
Market hours are Wednesdays 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Fridays 8:00 – 3:00; Saturdays 8:00 – 2:00.
The Lions use the proceeds to support local community, health, and youth needs.
 By Staff
May 10th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Market friends — spring is here and so it’s time for Season 8 of the Centro Farmer’s Market! —— Opens Mother’s Day – every Sunday through to Thanksgiving. 10 am to 5 pm
One of the gems of the Downtown Core.
 Now in its 8th season, Centro Market is a food focused farmer’s market in Burlington Downtown, established with the goal of fostering community while connecting people with fresh healthy food and to the wonderful folks that grow and produce it in our area.
 Fresh doesn’t get much better than this!
 By Staff
May 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The last of the 2018/19 Piano Series takes place on the 26th. A few days later the public will learn what the Performing Art Centre line up is going to be – that events takes place on the 28th.
Anagnoson & Kinton, one of the world’s finest piano duos, will be closing out the piano series on May 26 at 4:00pm.
The Piano was invented in the 1700s and is considered one of the most important instruments in Western music of all genres. Throughout the 2018/19 season, BPAC celebrated The Piano, presenting a four-concert series showcasing this magnificent instrument in distinct piano presentations, with some of Canada’s keyboard masters: music from Schubert, Ravel, Dvořák, and Stravinsky.
 Anagnoson & Kinton: talent of this caliber on the stage of the Performing Arts Theatre is one of the reasons the place was built. With over 1000 performances throughout the duo’s 40-year history, Anagnoson & Kinton have been repeatedly met with great critical acclaim across North America, Europe, China, and Russia. In addition to traditional recitals, the duo has commissioned numerous compositions, expanding the boundaries of traditional piano-duos.
Music of this caliber and quality is seldom available in smaller cities.
The tub thumping for the 2019-20 season follows.
In the past there have been some pretty limp performances at which the forthcoming Performing Arts Centre program was announced. There was one season when it was positively embarrassing.
 Performing Arts patrons going over the offerings for the year ahead before heading for the box office. The event could be a show in itself. The regular theatre goers – and Burlington has a lot of them – turn out in droves with their programs in their hands and wallets open to ready to book their tickets.
The full extent of the season offering is set out – some promotion and a bit of razz-a-matazz is what show business is all about.
Hopefully, the people who run the Centre will break out the mold that has prevailed in the past.
Show a little leg!
By Staff
May 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s a sure sign that spring has finally sprung—Royal Botanical Gardens’ (RBG’s) flowering cherry (Prunus) collection is reaching peak bloom. The collection can be located at various areas of RBG with greater concentrations in the Arboretum and Rock Garden.
 Once the blossoms are in full bloom – they last four to five days. Cherry blossoms last an average of four to five days once in full bloom, so those wanting to experience the collection will have to act fast.
RBG records the flowering times of its cherries on an annual basis as part of a biological science known as phenology, an important tool in helping to track climate change.
In 2010, the Gardens added 34 trees to this collection, donated to RBG as part of the Sakura Project, an effort from members of the Japanese and Japanese Canadian communities to plant over 3,000 cherry trees across Canada. These trees are planted at both the Arboretum and Rock Garden sites.
Chefs at RBG’s Rock Garden Café are offering special menu items to mark the occasion. Visitors can sip cherry blossom tea and enjoy salmon poke bowl and matcha semi-freddo as part of their cherry blossom experience.
 Absolutely magnificent One of the most iconic spring sights at RBG is the flowering cherry circle in the Arboretum. The trees planted in this circle are Prunus ‘Accolade’ and were accessioned in 1966. P. ‘Accolade’ is a spectacular pink semi-double flowered cultivar that has achieved the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Garden Merit (AGM). These trees look most spectacular when viewed against the backdrop of a pure blue sky. Once the flowers begin to fade and fall the surrounding grassy area looks like it is covered in pink confetti.
For those that like to dig into the details – more than you may ever want to know appears below. Walking amongst those trees is to live for – don’t miss the opportunity.
Japanese flowering cherries within RBG’s collection are some of most treasured and appreciated of these trees. These cultivars have been bred for centuries in Japan and play a hugely important role in Japanese society and culture. The Japanese name the flowering cherry sakura and the art and celebration of viewing sakura is known as hanami (flower viewing) during the day and yozakura (night sakura) at night. The short-lived flowers are particularly important in Japanese culture as a symbol of the ephemeral and impermanent nature of life.
The colours of cherry flower petals can vary considerably with the colour of the same flower changing from first emergence through maturity to blossom fall. Typically flowers are darker in bud becoming paler as they age and expand. Seasonal conditions, climate and soil type can also all have an influence on the annual colour of flowers.
 What a great place for a Spring Wedding – can’t you just see a bride and groom walking down that path? Cherry flowers are divided into four different groups which are based upon the number of petals. Whilst nature isn’t always perfect and variations occur as a rule:
• Single flowers have five petals
• Semi-double flowers have between 10 and 20 petals
• Double flowers have from 25 to 50 petals
• Chrysanthemum flowered cherries have more than 100 petals
The scientific name for flowering cherries is Prunus. The genus Prunus is in the Rosaceae or rose family. This family not only includes roses and flowering cherries but other notable ornamental plants such as Chaenomeles (Flowering Quince), Crataegus (Hawthorn) Fragaria (Strawberry), Malus (Crab apple) and Pyrus (Pear). As well as flowering cherries the genus Prunus also encapsulates plums, peaches, apricots and almonds. The Rosaceae family, as a result is one of the most economically important crop families.
By Collin Gribbons
May 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
 Transit users in Burlington are happy with the improvements made over the past year and eager for more changes scheduled for the year to come. That’s the main takeaway from Burlington’s Fifth Annual Transit Users’ Forum, held May 4 at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre.
 More than 100 people packed the room at the Seniors’ Centre on Saturday to listen to the good news and celebrate the tremendous strides that are being made in the city’s transit service. Another capacity crowd of more than 100 packed the meeting room as bus riders heard Mayor Marianne Meed Ward promise more improvements over the coming years. In addition to the mayor, five of six city councilors attended the meeting, showing support for a bigger role for transit as the city grows.
 This year’s transit report card, an annual feature where riders vote on various aspects of the system, reflected the new optimism, with a much improved overall grade.
“You are the reason why transit is better in this city,” Meed Ward told the attendees.
“We have made some incredible strides forward on transit” in the 2019 city budget, she said. She thanked Council members for their support for free transit for low-income riders and for supporting an 18-month pilot project that will see seniors travel free in off-peak hours. “We’re going to make it permanent,” she stage whispered.
“We want people to be able to choose transit because it’s the best way to get around our city. We are not there yet,” she said.
“But the bottom line is that none of these changes would have happened without your advocacy. And along the way we’ve had some bumps. So I’d say, ‘Just hang in there. Keep advocating. Keep talking about transit.’ You did. You never stopped. And because of that, we’re here today with such great news. And there’s going to be more. We’re not done. This Council is just getting started in making sure that transit is the transportation option of choice.”
She thanked BFAST (Burlington for Accessible, Sustainable Transit) for activism on behalf of transit.
“You have been in the trenches advocating for a long time, when it wasn’t a very popular message,” she said.
Not there yet
 Doug Brown, chair of Bfast, wants to see a bus schedule with routes that work for people. BFAST Chair Doug Brown praised Council’s new commitment to transit but reiterated Meed Ward’s sentiment that “we’re not there yet.” He pointed out that Burlington would still be below the GTA average municipal per-capita contribution to transit after this year’s budget increases.
He said BFAST rejects the recommendations of a transit consultant hired by the old Council that the city must choose between coverage of all areas and more frequent service on main routes. “Burlington needs both,” he said.
He also asked that the city meet its own long-established transit-service standards for frequency and availability.
Brown once again urged that the city examine transportation as a whole, rather than isolate elements like roads, parking and transit. He pointed to studies by Waterloo Region and the Canadian Urban Transit Association that showed transit can save cities money on road work and bring huge returns on investment for the local economy.
Burlington Transit Director Sue Connor outlined improvements that will begin in September, including more frequent, improved service.
Keep in touch
She asked users to keep in contact through the transit system’s customer service line and make suggestions for improvement. “We do take that feedback and we do look at it. We make service changes about six times per year so there are opportunities to change something that’s not working right.”
 Shawna Stolte, Councillor for ward 4 and a bigger advocate for transit than many realized sits with Director of Burlington Transit Sue Connor during the 5th Annual Bfast Forum. More than half of the meeting was given to the users themselves as they made comments and asked questions to a panel made up of Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte, Connor, BFAST Steering Committee member Glenna Cranston and Burlington bus driver Slawomir (Swav) Ozog.
Stolte said that after she was elected, she was researching other transit systems and came across an American article featuring the significant improvements made to transit in Brampton, where Connor was director at the time.
“We are so lucky to have Sue [Connor],” she said. “And what I am personally committed to, and I know the rest of Council is, is to working hard with Sue and to making sure that our Burlington Transit system is also one that eventually gets written about in articles across North America as a premier, leadership public transit system that’s working well for everybody.”
 Doug Brown, on the left, and Collin Gribbons – wearing smiles – not always something seen at BFast events in the past. Questions and comments came thick and fast on everything from electric buses to getting younger people to ride transit to service problems. Stolte noted that Connor took pages of closely written notes from the session.
Connor herself promised that she would take the comments to a meeting of transit staff in the coming weeks.
Attendees also paid tribute to Mike MacDonald, a transit activist and BFAST member who passed away recently.
This year’s forum was endorsed and supported by 14 community organizations.
 By Staff
May 2nd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Climate change and how we are going to change the way we behave as inhabitants of this earth has become the issue for many companies that want to position themselves as socially responsible.
 The Order Processing Team at Edge For Edge Imaging, the Canadian school photography company, located in Burlington taking care of this planet is something they have been doing for nine years.
They use Earth Day as the occasion when every gets outdoors and picks up trash in the vast green space around its Burlington office. The company has created a tradition around involving its executives and employees in keeping the Earth clean, and it celebrated Monday for the ninth year in a row.
 It was “All hands on deck at Edge Imaging on Earth Day. “Being eco champions isn’t just something Edge talks about. We take it seriously and we know it’s on us to keep our space green and healthy,” says Edge Imaging CEO, Dan Boudreau. “This is why environmental sustainability is a main pillar in our corporate social responsibility platform. It’s good for the planet and our team gets to have some fun.”
Edge has a strong eco-oriented culture, and ensures that its actions line up with its values. All photos are printed on recycled photo paper, using a printer with a 100% carbon-neutral manufacturing process. In 2015, they were inducted into the Burlington Hydro Conservation Hall of Fame for retrofitting their head office and photo lab with sustainable light sources.
 By Staff
April 30th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
We are finally through April and heading into what might prove to be a chilly May – but June is going to be real summer weather – RIGHT?
Now that we are dealing with Climate Change and not weather it is difficult to know what is coming our way.
Parks and Recreation is taking the view that the weather will be great and gearing up for a Month of Play (June) and asking Burlington residents and staff to “Walk the Talk” and sign up for ParticipACTION’s “Community Better Challenge” to incorporate physical activity where they live, work and play. The nationwide challenge will recognize and celebrate community achievements, crowning regional winners and ultimately appointing one community with the designation to be Canada’s Most Active Community.
Join us on May 6 as we rally our city around this exciting movement to get active in a Public Art Walk with Mayor Marianne Meed Ward. Meetup will be at Civic Square, City Hall at 10 a.m.
Don’t forget to sign up for the challenge on ParticipACTION’s website. Download the app and begin to track your active minutes beginning May 31. Every minute counts….
Park Play Experience Fund
The Park Play Experience Fund is a one-year funding program that can provide up to $1,500 to bring people together and encourage our community to get outside and play in City of Burlington parks, trails and open spaces. The deadline for submissions is May 27, 2019. For more information and to complete an application, visit burlington.ca/parkplayfund.
Let’s Get Walking Burlington!
“Burlington Walks the Talk” is a community program designed to inspire neighbourhood walking groups and encourage Burlington residents to walk together. Start a walking group for your neighbourhood today. Check out the “how to guide” and promote and invite others to join you on the City of Burlington Walk Meetup Calendar. The first 10 groups to register their community walk meetup will receive 10 Walk the Talk t-shirts. Learn more about the program and about upcoming walk meetups at burlington.ca/walkthetalk.
Play Streets
The Play Street program is designed to inspire residents to come together and promote community play! The program offers the opportunity for weekly, local street closures to encourage the use of neighbourhood streets for safe, active play and social interaction between neighbours of all ages. For more information and to complete an application visit burlington.ca/playstreet.
Backyard Pool Owner Safety Clinic
Two dates to choose from, Saturday, May 4 or Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Tansley Woods Pool from 10 a.m. to noon. This clinic will provide pool owners with the tools necessary to stay safe in and around the water of their backyard pool. Participants will received a backyard pool safety kit. Register online at burlington.ca/play.
Pop Up n’ Play
Popping up in City of Burlington parks throughout the spring, Pop Up n’ Play is a play experience where children can explore, create, imagine and play in their own way. Choose from, After School Pop Up n’ Play or Pop Up n’ Play Fitness editions.
See schedule at burlington.ca/popupnplay.
Give the Gift of Play
Not sure what to give your Mom on Mother’s Day? Give the gift of PLAY! Recreation gift cards are now available in any denominations and can be used to pay for memberships, registered programs or admissions to variety of programs. Gift cards are available at all recreation facility locations during regular customer service hours. Learn more: burlington.ca/giftcards.
By Staff
April 25th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Finding something new, interesting and different for Mother’s Day can be a challenge.
The people at Ireland House have been offering a unique experience at Ireland House Museum.
 A different way to celebrate – Mom will enjoy the tour of the kitchen in the lower level of Ireland House. The Mother’s Day Tea & Tour will serve premium tea, traditional sandwiches and desserts, followed by tours and demonstrations on the hearth at the historic Ireland House.
Select from one of 3 seating times (11 am, 1 pm or 3 pm). Tickets are $40/person. A maximum of four people can be seated at your table, not recommended for young children.
Once your booking is processed, a museum representative will contact you to confirm your table arrangements. Tickets are non-refundable.
Click to book tickets:
By Janet Gadeski
April16th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The title of the talk that is to take place at the Library on New Street on Thursday, May 2 from 7 to 8:30 pm certainly catches the eye.
“Death is not a medical event. It is a social process,”
 Kathy-Kortes-Miller – author. Kathy Kortes-Miller. A social worker and palliative care specialist, speaks from systemic and personal experience.
Kathy’s book, Talking About Death Won’t Kill You (ECW Press, 2018), came out of that journey. Its helpful chapters include strategies and tips for becoming better informed; talking openly with family members, especially children; sharing with co-workers, creating compassionate workplaces for yourself and others; working through personal and medical decisions; making your values and wishes clear in an advance care plan; managing and benefitting from digital communications, including social media; and considering medical assistance in dying.
 She has earned a reputation for managing this topic with expertise, empathy, and humour. If you’d like her to tell you more about preparing for death and dying, join her at Burlington’s Central Library, Centennial Room, from 7 to 8:30 pm on Thursday, May 2. There will be plenty of time for your questions. Copies of the book will be available for sale too. The event is co-sponsored by the Burlington Public Library and Carpenter Hospice with the assistance of The Different Drummer in support of The 100% Certainty Project.
To register for this free event, go to https://attend.bpl.on.ca/event/1666855. See you there!
Burlington resident Janet Gadeski is a former board member of The Carpenter Hospice. An avid reader, she represents the Hospice on The 100% Certainty Project’s working group, a project dedicated to helping people talk about and prepare for dying, death, and bereavement.
 By Staff
April 16th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
There is a program delivered to many schools in Halton Region: Food for Thought.
Food for Thought is a Region wide program that works with elementary and high schools to ensure that every student has access to a proper breakfast.
The program takes place every day of the week at 130 schools across Halton and feeds more than 27,000 students a week. They have over 2,100 volunteers (including 930 students) and dozens of community partners who all work together to feed students in their communities.
For the first time ever, Halton Food for Thought is hosting an online auction as part of our annual Breakfast Bash!
Some amazing items have been donated by community partners and corporations. All proceeds for the online auction will go directly to support the 2019 Breakfast Bash goal of $68,000.
Please send us a message if you have anything you can donate!
You won’t want to miss this event!
Auction items will be added shortly, and bidders will have a week to preview before the bidding starts.
Bidding will start at 9 am on Wednesday, April 24! This portion of our Breakfast Bash event will only be run on Facebook.
Any items not securing a minimum bid online will be transferred to the Silent Auction at our Breakfast Bash on May 3rd.
The Food for Thought story.
Link to the Facebook page
By Staff
April 15th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
These are happier days for the BFAST (Burlington for Accessible Sustainable Transit) people. They finally have a Director of Transit services who understands transit and wants to bring about changes.
BFAST has struggled for a number of years just to be heard. They bore the brunt of past Directors of Transit who were just plain incompetent.
A transit staff member said recently that “our Directors tells us every week that a large part of our job is to make this council look good”.
So far they are doing that part of their job quite well – and this city council is providing them the funding they need to create a transit service that people will use.
BFAST announced today that they will be holding their 5th Annual Transit Users’ Forum that will take place on Saturday, May 4 at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre. It will be the fifth annual such gathering sponsored by more than a dozen community organizations in Burlington.
The forum starts at 10:00 a.m.. Doors open at 9:30, and a continental breakfast will be served.
Transit riders will also have a chance to discuss service issues with drivers, who will participate in a panel discussion, and to vote on an annual transit report card.
“Where past forums were dominated by pleas for greater funding, this year’s meeting will focus on sustaining and improving the service. A significant increase in the transit budget, approved by the new City Council, has opened the door to a better transit service in Burlington,” said Doug Brown, chair of Burlington for Accessible, Sustainable Transit (BFAST), the lead organizer of the event.
“We were extremely pleased with the budget increases that transit achieved in this year’s city budget,” said Brown. “City Council’s decision means that Burlington is on the way to providing support for transit that at least meets the average of comparable communities. We are very optimistic about the future of transit in Burlington.”
“Transit is an essential building block for an inclusive and environmentally-friendly city,” Brown said. “Everyone benefits from an improved transit system, including drivers.”
 Sue Connors, Director of Transit This year’s meeting will be co-sponsored by Burlington Transit, which will also provide logistical support for the event.
There was a time when the transit service neglected to provide transit service that would get people to their event.
Can transit fans expect to see the Director of Transit behind the wheel of one of the big buses?
By Staff
April 9th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The 46th annual Good Friday Road Race on Friday, April 19, 2019, will result in road and lane closures.
Streets will reopen as soon as possible following the completion of the final race. Vehicles parked illegally in the event area will be tagged or towed to allow emergency access.
 Same route and road closures as 2018. Road closures
• 8 to 11:30 a.m. – Fairwood Place, in the area directly in front of Aldershot School will be closed to traffic with local access to residences maintained, subject to race delays.
• 9 to 11:30 a.m. – North Shore Boulevard West from Fairwood Place to Unsworth will be closed to through traffic.
• Local access to residents within the closed area will be maintained, subject to race delays. Through traffic on North Shore Boulevard West will be detoured at LaSalle Park Road and at Plains Road West.
Traffic lane closures
All other streets on the race route will have one lane open for local access.
Resident access
Urgent access assistance: residents can get access to or from their homes to cross the race route, subject to race delays, by contacting the road marshal from the race committee at 289-795-7391 in advance or on race day. An escort vehicle will be sent to escort your vehicle through the closed section of the course, subject to race delays.
Emergency Services access will be maintained at all times along the event route.
Supervision and route management
Halton Regional Police Service will direct traffic at major intersections and event marshals will help runners and motorists at multi-residential driveways and on side streets.
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