It was a very satisfying win for the Herd - they just need more of them to get out of the bottom half of the league standings.

sportsgold 100x100By Staff

June 25, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Five different Burlington players went deep as the Herd beat the Hamilton Cardinals 15-9 Saturday afternoon at Nelson Park.

Justin Gideon, John Whaley, Andrew Mercier, Carlos Villoria and Cooper Lamb all homered in the win. Gideon added a single and drove in three, Whaley went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs, Mercier’s home run was a pinch-hit solo blast, Lamb added a single and scored twice to go with his solo homer, and Villoria hit a two-run shot.

Cooper Lamb 23

Lamb lambasted the ball – again.

Canice Ejoh had two hits and a run, Matt Schmidt singled once and scored twice, Nolan Pettipiece singled twice, doubled, drove in two and scored twice, Grant Okawa had two hits and two runs, and Marquis Kidd had a hit, RBI and run.

Burlington pounded out 17 hits in total.

Christian Hauck (2-0) picked up the win, giving up a run on three hits in five innings of relief. He walked two and struck out two. Starter Jesse Anderson went four innings and allowed eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits with four walks and three strikeouts.

TJ Baker hit a pair of home runs for the Cardinals, swatting a two-run blast in the first inning before adding a three-run shot in the fourth. He also had a sacrifice fly in the second inning for a five RBI afternoon.

Jake Foden singled four times and scored twice, while Chris Beer added a pair of hits and three runs. Connor Bowie and Mike Hart drove in the other runs.

Dan Weagle (0-4) gave up nine runs (eight earned) on eight hits over four innings. He struck out one without issuing a walk.

Future games:
Sunday, June 25
Burlington at Kitchener, 2 p.m. (DH)

Standings
Barrie Baycats 15-0
London Majors 14-0
Kitchener Panthers 11-4
Toronto Maple Leafs 10-9
Burlington Herd 6-11
Brantford Red Sox 4-11
Hamilton Cardinals 3-10
Guelph Royals 1-19

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Send a sky lantern aloft during the shortest night of the year. 0nly in Lowville - it's worth the drive.

eventspink 100x100By Walt Rickli

June 21st, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Are you ready for it… tonight will be the shortest night of the year.

ThinkSpot's Debra Pickfield - wild about Canada's and Burlington's economic complacency.

ThinkSpot’s Debra Pickfield

It’s the June 21, 2017 Summer Solstice and once again Debra Pickfield and her THiNKSPOT team are hosting a celebratory event. All are welcome – all ages and stages – solo or in groups. Do your best to RSVP to the email address at the bottom of this email…it really makes the planning easier.

As at previous Solstice events the cost of admission is a donation of personal effects for people experiencing homelessness (deodorant, tampons/feminine napkins, winter socks, underwear, toothbrushes) or a monetary donation to allow the purchase of items in bulk. That’s how this event got the nickname “The Sockstice”

Ready to launch

The Solstice gets celebrated in the winter and the summer – these sky lanterns were set afloat last December.

Here is the evenings schedule:

From 7:00 pm to 7:45 pm A complimentary dinner will be served while at the same time we will have a collaborative painting canvas available for people to decorate.

From 7:45 to 8:15 pm the Sky Lanterns will be distributed in the Lowville School House for people to write on what they are grateful for and what they wish to let go of. An alternative option – is a Floating Lantern for those who have experienced the loss of a loved family member, partner, friend, or pet. There are a limited number of floating lanterns available and we will be creating a silent space to honour the moment.

From 8:15 to 8:45 pm – a Light Session (hosted by Kune Hua and Brock Hewitt) will be held through ambient music to create the space for a mindful conversation/meditation to come together in community. Guests are welcome to bring blankets to sit on the grass.

From 9:00 to 9:30 pm – releasing the Sky and Floating Lanterns.

Where in Lowville?  Look for the old school house at Lowville Park Road – steps away from the parking lot.  Lowville isn’t big enough to get lost in.

Please RSVP and choose either a Sky or Water lantern: debra@thinkspot.ca

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Faithful Liberals gather this evening to renominate Eleanor McMahon as their candidate for the June 7th, 2018 provincial election

eventsred 100x100By Pepper Parr

June 19th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

If you a member in good standing with Burlington’s provincial Liberal Association you have a chance to get to hear some particularly good people spout the Liberal line as they prepare for a tough provincial election in 2018
The crowd will nominate Eleanor McMahon as their candidate – she should be a shoe-in for re-election unless the bottom falls out of the Liberal Party during that election.

McMahon with seniors

Eleanor McMahon at her annual tea for seniors.

McMahon has done a good  job for the most part – the Tyendaga community want her to pay more attention to their issues and some of the high school parents think she could have and should have done much more for their cause.

But on balance McMahon is popular and liked.

She took a seat that the Conservatives had held for the previous 70 years; the Liberals don’t want to see it going Tory blue.

Summit Wynne + McMeekin - Zelinksi

Ted McMeekin with Premier Wynne – he serves as her Parliamentary assistant.

Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier will be speaking. Has McMeekin been re-nominated?

Hon. Glen Murray, MPP for Toronto-Centre and Minister of the Environment and Climate Change will get to speak

Hon. Kathryn McGarry, MPP for Cambridge and Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry will add his voice.

mckenna-jane-new-look

Jane McKenna

Given that all three are speaking to the converted there just might be some fine oratory. McMeekin can certainly move an audience when he puts his mind to it.

Burlington Central Public Library; 6:00 pm

McMahon will speak longer than she should, but they are her people.

Jane McKenna has already been nominated as the candidate for the Progressive Conservative Party.

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Eleven Arabian stallions getting some rest at a farm in the Escarpment

News 100 greenBy Pepper Parr

June 14, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

They were very attractive – close to beautiful and graceful – not words that are normally used to describe males – but they certainly applied to the eleven Arabian stallions that were running around a field on a magnificent farm in the Escarpment.

Megan feeding C

Megan Morris is drawing the horses towards her with a bucket o grain in her hands. Two of the horses were more interested in what the photographer was doing.

The horses were part of a herd of 65 horses that are part of the Cavalia Odysseo that will be performing in Mississauga under a massive tent for a 12 day run.

Megan feeding A

Once the horses knew there was grain for them they clustered around to shove their noses into the bucket.

This was a rest and recreation occasion for the animals that get fed eight times a day – five meals of hay and three of grain.

The animals were very curious when we walked into the field to take some pictures – we wanted to see how they handled things when they were being fed grain so Megan Morris, one of the grooms fetched a bucket of oats – the horses gathered around her very very quickly.

These are exceptionally well trained animals that have careers that are as short as a year and can last as long as six years – then it is full time retirement for them.

Megan feed B

Megan is in the middle of the herd on a site that is about as majestic as it gets in the Escarpment,

They live for up to twenty years – when there performance days are over they are adopted by people, often their trainers.

Laure Warda, the communication lead, explained the adoption procedure – the rules are pretty rigid
While they are performing these horses work with their riders and their trainers to complete very exacting routines.

Stallion - young - colour leaves

The brown spots disappear as the horse ages.

They will leave the fields in the Escarpment on Thursday and get trucked into Mississauga where they will perform under a huge tent.

The riders and the horses have a relationship that is based on the needs, preferences and emotions of the animals. A performance will last no longer than 15 minutes – but that 15 minutes is the result of hundreds of hours of training.

The shows begin June 21st and run through to July 16th. Tickets can be ordered online

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Sound of Music sets up a shuttle bus service from the Burlington GO station.

News 100 redBy Staff

June 12, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

If you are using the GO train service to get to the Sound of Music Festival there is a shuttle service the organizers have arranged from the Burlington GO Station (access from the North side off Queensway Drive) to the Downtown John Street Transit Terminal.

That red light was a sign - Sound of Music didn't get the $37,000 they felt they needed as fall back money if the weather turned on them and events had to be cancelled. Note that the pier in this 2011 picture isn't visible because there was nothing to see. The city plans on offocially opening the pier during the Sound of Music festival this summer. SOM should charge the city a fee for horming in on theior event.

The crowds will descend on Lakeshore Road and steam into Spencer Smith Park – Thursday is the official beginning of the annual music blowout!

The fare of $3 per person for the round trip Shuttle ride helps to keep this convenient program sustainable. Children under 5 years are free.

Shuttles operate on a continuous loop as follows:

Thursday, June 15: 6 p.m. to Midnight
Friday, June 16: 6 p.m. to Midnight
Saturday, June 17: Noon to Midnight
Sunday, June 18: Noon to 8 p.m.

Extended service is also available on Routes 3 North and South (to Burlington GO Station) and eastbound Route 10 buses at 11 and 11:30 p.m. on Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17, 2017.

For more information on travelling to the festival please refer to Burlington’s Sound of Music website.

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An event that told of changing times - reaffirming an Oath of Allegiance was not a huge occasion for Burlington in 2017

News 100 redBy Staff

June 12th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It was billed as an opportunity for Canadians to re-affirm their oath of allegiance to the Crown while new Canadians were being made citizens.

reaffirmation event - crowd

It wasn’t a huge crowd – the numbers were a refection of changing times.

We had no idea what the turnout would be like.

Hundreds – thousands? It was closer to the latter.

reaffirmation - new citizens

Burlington’s newest citizens – youngest was 11 the oldest 97

Oath

The Oath

Within the group of people who were given certificates of citizenship the youngest recipient was 11 years old and the, most senior was 97.

There was a time in this city when most of the population would have attended an opportunity to reaffirm their oath to King and Country – time have changed.

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Burlington Herd let the Barrie Baycats stay at the top of the league while they remain in the bottom half.

sportsred 100x100By Staff

June 12, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Well – everyone knew it wasn’t going to last forever – and they were up against the top team in the league – Barrie Baycats with a 10-0 record.

52 pitcher

Rich Corrente

Carlos Villoria earned the Burlington Herd’s RBI.

Justin Gideon and Eddie Chessell had two hits apiece atop the lineup. Gideon also scored a run.

Brad Smith (0-1) took the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits in 2.2 innings before leaving the game with an injury. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out three.

Barrie improved to 10-0, and Burlington dropped to 3-8.

Standings
London Majors 10-0
Barrie Baycats 10-0
Kitchener Panthers 9-2
Toronto Maple Leafs 6-5
Burlington Herd 3-8
Brantford Red Sox 2-9
Hamilton Cardinals 1-7
Guelph Royals 1-11

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Five thousand bicycle riders raise $20,000 + for cancer research.

eventsgreen 100x100By Staff

June 11th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

On the morning of Saturday, June 10, the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer announces a record-breaking 5,042 riders raise $20,533,000 for Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as the 10th annual Ride commenced in Ontario.

Ride to conquer

The starting point for 5042 riders.

In 10 years, the Ontario Ride has raised over $175 million to support Personalized Cancer Medicine, research, treatment advances, education and new standards of care at The Princess Margaret, across Ontario, and around the world. Nationally, the Ride to Conquer Cancer has raised over $359 million to-date and is Canada’s largest peer-to-peer fundraising event

Enbridge Day 1

Day 1

Enbridge Day 2

Day 2

Thousands of Riders rode their way yesterday to Camp at McMaster University in Hamilton, and today, Sunday, many will embark to the finish line in Niagara Falls. In total, Riders will travel over 200-kilometres this weekend on one of three routes.

The event is organized by Cause Force, an industry leader in producing active lifestyle events for non-profit organizations across the globe. In this case the organization is the Princess Margaret Hospital and its cancer treatment program.

Enbridge gets to put its name on the event as, presumably, the lead financial supporter.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer® is an incredible two-day, 200-kilometre cycling journey through the beautiful countryside that raises crucial fundraising dollars for top cancer institutions around the globe and supports their missions to conquer cancer.

The Ride offers participants a fully supported event, catering to all needs from registration to the finish line, and creates an unforgettable event experience for Riders, Crew Members, volunteers, sponsors, donors and supporters. The Canadian Ride to Conquer Cancer series is the largest peer-to-peer fundraising event in Canada.

$175 million over ten years – someone is doing something right.

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Herd has taken three in a row - impressive

sportsgold 100x100By Staff

June 11th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Now that they know just what they are supposed to do on the baseball diamond the Burlington Herd is clearly on a roll.

The won their Saturday afternoon turnout against the Brantford Red Sox 4-1 to sweep the home-and-home with the Red Sox.  Third game in a row that the team has won

Herd T-shirtCanice Ejoh, Cooper Lamb and Grant Okawa all picked up a hit and drove in a run. John Whaley and Justin Gideon each singled, doubled and scored. The host Herd broke a 1-1 tie with a three-run sixth.

That was enough offence for Burlington hurler Rich Corrente, who tossed a five-hit complete game. Corrente (1-1) struck out four and walked two and has a 1.12 earned-run average in four games (three starts).

Tyler Soucie (1-1) took the loss for Brantford, giving up three runs, three hits and three walks in two-thirds of an inning. He relieved Justin DAmato, who went the first five and allowed a run on five hits with three strikeouts.

Burlington improved to 3-7, and Brantford dropped to 2-8.

The Herd is feeling a lot better about their game these days.  They are up against Barrie Baycats on Sunday who have yet to lose a game.

Future games:
Sunday, June 11
Burlington at Barrie, 7 p.m.

Standings
London Majors 9-0
Barrie Baycats 9-0
Kitchener Panthers 8-2
Toronto Maple Leafs 5-5
Burlington Herd 3-7
Brantford Red Sox 2-8
Hamilton Cardinals 1-6
Guelph Royals 1-10

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Burlington Herd gets out of the InterCounty baseball league basement - wins two in a row.

sportsgold 100x100By Staff

June 10th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Now that they have won a baseball game in the InterCounty Baseball League, the Burlington Herd appears to like that idea and went on yesterday to defeat the Brantford Red Sox 4-2

Trailing 2-1, the Herd took the lead with two runs in the seventh inning and added an insurance run in the ninth. Carlos Villoria had two hits and an RBI for Burlington, which improved to 2-7 – the same record as Brantford.
Canice Ejoh and Nolan Pettipiece each singled and drove in a run. Justin Gideon went 3-for-5 with a run, and Eddie Chessell singled, doubled and scored.

Herd player sliding home Ph by Crystal Young

Herd player sliding home. Photo by Crystal Young

Ryan Beckett (1-1) threw four innings of relief for the win, giving up a run on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Starter Brandon Hiller lasted five innings and allowed one run on one hit with two walks and two strikeouts.

Chris Dennis homered for the third time this season and drove in both Brantford runs. Benjamin Bostick singled and scored.

Matt Betts (0-2) took the loss, giving up two runs on five hits in an inning. He took over for Graham Tebbit, who went six innings and gave up a run on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts.

A Herd that is not in the basement is nice to see.

Future games:

Saturday, June 10
Brantford at Burlington, 1:05 p.m.

Sunday, June 11
Burlington at Barrie, 7 p.m.

Standings
London Majors 9-0
Barrie Baycats 8-0
Kitchener Panthers 7-2
Toronto Maple Leafs 5-5
Brantford Red Sox 2-7
Burlington Herd 2-7
Hamilton Cardinals 1-5
Guelph Royals 1-9

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Will thousands of citizens turn out for a public re-affirmation of the Oath of Citizenship this Sunday?

eventsblue 100x100By Staff

June 9th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

This Sunday in Spencer Smith Park, on the Sound of Music TD stage there will be a ceremony at which Canadians will have the opportunity to stand and re-affirm their Oath of Citizenship.

The event will be led by the Mayor and the event will be short.  It takes place at 2:00 pm at the Sound of Music TD stage

The oath goes like this:

I affirm
That I will be faithful
And bear true allegiance
To her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second
Queen of Canada
Her Heirs and Successors
And that I will faithfully observe
The laws of Canada
And fulfill my duties as a Canadian citizen.

Canadian flagAmericans hold their hand over their heart when they make statements like this – we Canadians just stand.

Most of us will be holding a piece of paper reading the words because most of us have probably never said them even once in our lives.

Canada is a Constitutional Monarchy, something most Canadians don’t realize either. We are quick to say that we live in one of the best countries in the world – and that would be true.

Canadian flag at Quebec referendum

During the Quebec referendum tens of thousands of Canadians took part in moving a huge Canadian flag through the crowds. They want the country to remain united as one.

Keeping it that way for the future is going to be a challenge which we are certainly up to.

As I read the Oath I wondered what other people will think about that “bear true allegiance” phrase – and I wonder as well how many people will be out on Sunday in Spencer Smith Park following the Mayor as we re-affirm our duties as Canadian citizens.

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Herd earns first win - eight players drove in at least one run in an 18-11 victory over Guelph

sportsgold 100x100By Staff

June 9th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Finally – a win for the Herd.Herd-logo

Nine different players picked up at least one hit, and eight players drove in at least one run in an 18-11 victory over the Guelph Royals Thursday night. That qualifies as a team effort,

Ryan Freemantle went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs. Eddie Chessell had three hits, three RBI and a run, Carlos Villoria singled three times and drove in a run. He also scored once.

Herd batters

Herd bats came alive

Canice Ejoh singled, doubled and scored four times and had an RBI. Justin Gideon singled and had an RBI and two runs, Logan Stewart and Nolan Pettipiece each had a pair of RBI and scored a run, and Andrew Mercier had an RBI. Kevin Hussey and Resse OFarrell each scored twice.

Adam Prashad (1-2) earned the win, giving up four runs on eight hits in seven innings, walking three and striking out six.

Guelph hit three home runs in the loss. Matt Schmidt went 3-for-6 with a home run and four RBI, Mike Hart homered, drove in two and scored three times, and Darren Saunders added a solo blast.

Marquis Kidd singled and drove in two, and Quinton Bent singled twice, doubled and scored twice.

Starting pitcher Cam Gray was pulled without recording an out. He was charged with three runs without allowing a hit and was hurt by three walks. He didn’t register a strikeout.

Burlington is 1-7, and Guelph is 1-8.

Future games:
Friday, June 9
Burlington at Brantford, 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 10
Brantford at Burlington, 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, June 11
Burlington at Barrie, 7 p.m.

Standings
London Majors 8-0
Barrie Baycats 7-0
Kitchener Panthers 7-2
Toronto Maple Leafs 5-5
Brantford Red Sox 2-6
Hamilton Cardinals 1-4
Burlington Herd 1-7
Guelph Royals 1-8

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Rained out game does nothing to help the Burlington Herd. Still at the bottom of the league standings.

sportsgreen 100x100By Staff

June 7th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

One supposes that being rained out is better than losing the ball game.

Either way – the rained out game between the Hamilton Cardinals and the Burlington Herd still left the Herd at the very bottom of the InterCounty Baseball League standings.

No make-up date has been announced.

Future games:
Thursday, June 8
Guelph at Burlington, 7:15 p.m.
Friday, June 9
Burlington at Brantford, 8 p.m.

Standings
London Majors 8-0
Barrie Baycats 6-0
Kitchener Panthers 6-2
Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3
Brantford Red Sox 2-6
Hamilton Cardinals 1-4
Guelph Royals 1-7
Burlington Herd 0-7

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Waterfront Trail in the Beachway Park is closed June 7 - 9, 2017

notices100x100By Staff

June 6, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Waterfront Trail along Beachway Park will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists on Wednesday, June 7 through Friday, June 9, 2017 for shoreline protection work and construction.

Please use the sidewalk on Lakeshore Road during this time.

Lakeshore Road to hospital

City wants you to use the brand new sidewalk on June 7th to the 9th.

Waterfront Trail - from east - few people

This part of the Waterfront Trail is closed June 7th to 9th.

 

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BurlingtonGreen sponsors a film on bikes vs cars - guess who wins?

eventsgreen 100x100By Staff

June 6, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The next BurlingtonGreen event is a film presentation on Bikes versus card – a must see movie for the Gazette commentators who regular toss barbed comments at each other.

Wednesday, June 7th – a look at both the struggle for bicyclists in a society dominated by cars, and the revolutionary changes that could take place if more cities moved away from car-centric models.

Wednesday, at 6:30 pm – Central Library, 2331 New Street, Burlington

$5 admission (free for BG members).

Following the film, there will be time for audience discussion about the challenges and opportunities for cycling in Burlington with our event guests from the Burlington Cycling Advisory Committee.
Click here to see the film trailer.

 

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We couldn't have asked for much more - weather was close to perfect.

eventspink 100x100By Staff

June 4th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Saturday – It was as perfect as it was going to get – different people enjoyed the day in different ways.

Spencer Smith - empty

Spencer Smith Park seemed close to empty – resting up for the thousands that will fill the park for the Sound of Music.

Spencer Smith Park was close to abandoned except for those with children who enjoyed the joys of a splash pad.

Kids in splash pad

The Splash Pad in the Park had a consistent flow of visitors both young and older – pets as well

A couple used the Discovery Centre as the local for their wedding while other

Discovery Centre wedding

A couple chose this wonderful June Saturday to marry – using the Discovery Centre as the local.

 

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A baseball game with $1 ice cream on what might turn out to be a sunny afternoon. Definitely a family event.

sportsgold 100x100By Staff

June 1, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Like Ice Cream? Who doesn’t!

The Herd, Burlington’s InterCounty Baseball League member will be playing the Toronto Maple Leafs this Saturday at the Nelson ball park.

Herd ice creamThere is a special treat – $1 ice cream day presented by Murphy’s Ice Cream Parlour.

If the Herd win the game it will be their first win of the season.

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Walk Off the Earth added to the FREE Sound of Music June 11th concert.

eventsred 100x100By Staff

June 1st, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

They are thrilled – you might be delighted.

The Sound of Music Festival, in partnership with the City of Burlington, announced this morning that there is going to be an additional day of FREE concerts on Sunday, June 11.

Spoons - female lead

Sandy Horne –

Canada 150 Day Celebrations will take place on Burlington’s Waterfront from 1 pm to 9 pm. Sunday’s shows feature a full roster of Burlington performers including Valley, White Pine Dancers, The Killin’ Time Band, The Spoons, Tebey and Walk Off The Earth.

A Citizenship and Reaffirmation Ceremony will take place at TD Stage at 2 pm. In attendance will be Hon. Karina Gould, MP, Hon Eleanor McMahon, MPP and Mayor Rick Goldring as Master of Ceremonies.

Newcomers to Canada will partake in The Oath of Citizenship, accepting the responsibilities and privileges of becoming a Canadian Citizen.

This is a public event that family, friends, residents and visitors are welcome to attend. Everyone is encouraged to re-affirm their Canadian citizenship by taking the Oath with our newly appointed Canadians.

June 11 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

You Tube just might have given Walk off the Earth the boost they needed to really make a mark on the musical scene. Are we looking at another spoons in the making?

Walk Off the Earth – added to the free day of great music on the waterfront.

1:00 Valley
1:45 White Pine Dancers
2:00 Greetings, Citizenship & Reaffirmation Ceremonies
3:15 The Killin’ Time Band
4:30 The Spoons
6:00 Tebey
7:30 Walk Off The Earth

Many people see the Terry Fox run as a unique thing that happened in Canada and was the result of one Canadian's supreme effort. The Canadian flag just seems to be a part of the event - and there were plenty of them handed out.

This is about as Canadian as you can get – how many people who are already Canadian citizens will show up to re-affirm their Canadian citizenship by taking the Oath with the newly appointed Canadians.

This day is a celebration of our values, and our country, along with an unbelievable roster of local performers.

“This is a bit of a dream come true as a music lover and resident of Burlington, there couldn’t be a greater expression of hometown pride”, says Rian Malloch, the Festival’s Programming Chair.

The shows are FREE, VIP upgrades to Sweet Seats and FrontRow are available for $29, limited quantity. Visit soundofmusic.ca for full line-up, schedule and show times.

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I was wondering - she asked: would you promote the Save Our School Walk?

eventspink 100x100By Pepper Parr

May 31st, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

“Hope all is well” she said and added “hope you are enjoying today’s beautiful weather.”

The she added: “ I was wondering if you would be so kind as to promote the Save Our School Walk which is this Saturday, June 3rd at 11 am .

Delegation May 8 HDSB

Some of the Pearson high school parents during delegation night at the Board of Education.

The Walk is a last minute effort by the parents whose children attend the Lester B. Pearson high school that has been recommended for closure in 2018.

It is a high school that has been hornswoggled by the Board when the feeder schools they once had got attached to Hayden high school – which was a death sentence for Pearson – but they are going to do whatever they can between now and June 7th when the eleven Board of Education trustees decide what to do.

Join the walk!LBP JUNE 3RD WALK FINAL VERSION - (1) (1)

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National Ride your Bike to work day: Where are those plans for bike lanes on New Street?

backgrounder 100By Staff

May 29, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

Revised 12:50 pm May 29th, 2017

Today is Bike to Work day.

Did Burlington celebrate the event?

They did – in an event at Civic Square but there wasn’t a line of bikes along New Street.

Not this year – that road is in the process of being rebuilt between Guelph Line and Appleby.

Where are things with the cycle lane for New Street?

Not much recent information on the city’s web site. The original plans to do a pilot exercise in 2016 didn’t work out all that well.

In his blog the Mayor said in 2016 that …

Goldring selfy - the

Goldring selfy – the day he took the bus to work. Provided by the Mayor’s office.

City Council supported a staff recommendation for a one-year pilot for bicycle lanes on New Street between Walker’s Line and Guelph Line.

A majority of council (6-1) supported this decision. It was our team of transportation experts that recommended what is being called a ‘road diet’. Simply put, that means taking New Street from four lanes to three lanes (two travel lanes and a centre left turn lane), with bike lanes separated by painted buffered lines on each side.

There are a few key things to note as we measure data and carefully listen to residents during the bicycle lane pilot project on the two-kilometre stretch of New Street:

This is a pilot project scheduled to last one year. Our staff will be tracking detailed data and we invite feedback from everyone using that stretch of the road.

The pilot is a litmus test to see if the painted lanes result in a positive experience for people who want to ride their bicycles, while causing a minimal impact for drivers who also need to get where they are going in a timely manner.

This is an ideal time for the pilot to be done as this section of road is scheduled for resurfacing in 2017. This means there will be no cost to revert the lanes if the pilot is determined to be unsuccessful by staff and ultimately, council, or keep the new lane configuration when the road is resurfaced.

I live by New Street and as such, take it every day, at different times. I will experience first-hand the traffic delays, if indeed there are any.

The key measurement for me will be the impact on the automobile driver. If there are significant traffic issues as a result of this new configuration, we can simply repaint the road. This one-year test allows us to see if New Street is the right place for bike lanes.

The multi-purpose pathway from Burloak Drive to Martha Street is good for recreational cycling. However, it is a busy mixed use pathway that includes not only cyclists but walkers, skateboarders, walkers with dogs and young children. A friend of mine broke his wrist after a young child darted in front of him causing him to slam on the brakes and fall. This means it is not ideal for people cycling along the pathway for transportation, especially when travelling at higher speeds.

The pathway is also not useable when it is dark as the average light from a bicycle is not bright enough and does not shine far enough to create a safe ride. The pathway is not lit at night. There are also numerous crossings where vehicles have the right-of-way.

New street - being rebuilt

New sewer pipes and a resurfacing of New Street put the new bike lane plans on hold.

Furthermore, the pathway does not provide meaningful connections to the many amenities right along New Street.

 

Bike lanes on Fairview

Data presented to a city Standing Committee by the Cycling Advisory Committee in 2016

The cycling enthusiasts explain that bike lanes on New Street by themselves will not have much of an impact – a fully developed cycling master plan with bike lanes throughout the city are what is needed and that is going to take some time.

Bike lanes - New Street - Guelph Line to Burloak

Data provided by the Cycling Advisory Committee in 2016. Not much, if anything has happened since then.

Changing public opinion on bike lanes would seem to be the biggest obstacle.

The idea had support from a limited number of people; it was then so poorly executed that what little support got pummeled badly – can it be revived?

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