 By Staff
July 9th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Hamilton Cardinals scored twice in the top of the ninth inning, with a little help from the Burlington Herd, to take a 7-5 IBL win at Nelson Park in Burlington Saturday afternoon.
 The Guelph Royals ceased operations earlier in the season. Burlington had tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the eighth but then Hamilton got the win with two runs in the ninth on just one hit, three errors and two walks.
Jake Chiaraville singled to open the inning, went to second, and then third, on errors by the pitcher and scored the winning run on a fielder’s choice.
Connor Bowie had a single and a double for Hamilton and TJ Baker hit a home run, scored twice and drove in two runs.
Justin Gideon had two hits for Burlington, including a home run, stole two bases and is now batting .414. Catcher Kevin Hussey also homered for Burlington.
Benson Merritt recorded the win and Kyle Symington was tagged with the loss.
It was the sixth win of the year for Hamilton and Burlington drops to 9-17.
Sunday is a big day in the IBL as the undefeated Barrie Baycats travel to London for a doubleheader with the second-place Majors.
 By Staff
July 6th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Saturday, July 8, 2017 – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 These roads will be closed on Saturday, July 8 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Burlington Downtown Car Show:
• Brant Street, between Caroline Street and Lakeshore Road
• Ontario Street and Elgin Street between Locust Street and Brant Street
• James Street between John Street and Brant Street.
 By staff
July 5th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Does your day start with the sound of an alarm clock?
Or perhaps it is the kids making more noise than they should and you aren’t quite sure what they are up to so you need to slip out of bed. Coffee or tea follows.
 Good morning sun! There are people in this city who have a habit of slipping out the door very early and watching the sun rise and determining what kind of a day they are going to have.
Only in Burlington – the sun rise is part of what makes the city the place that it is.
And it is not a magazine circulation promotion tell us that we are the best city or very close to it in the province and then the whole of Canada.
That sunrise told the photographer what kind of a city she lives in.
 By Pepper Parr
July 5th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It was going to be the war that ended all wars.
It was a war that had a huge impact on Canada as a nation that was just coming into its own.
It was a war that was fought with equipment that is close to laughable today – but the men, and they were mostly men back then, took to the air in the flimsiest of aircraft to fight for the dominance of the sky’s over Europe.
 A ceremonial fly past during the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Last April this country celebrated the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge. It is a great story and if it is of any interest to you the link to a video about the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge is at CLICK here. You might want to book mark it for viewing later .
 The RCAF gave the fleet a lift in the C17 Globemaster. Four Nieuport II, 2 Sopwith Pups and one SE5 ready for the journey. Today, Wednesday, a small crew of pilots will be in Burlington with the four aircraft that are part of the Vimy Flight which consists of a team of Canadian military pilots who are retired or active and continue to believe that our Nation was born out of the teamwork and the sacrifice that our brave soldiers and airmen endured during the Great War.
Today, with over 230,000 of combined flying experience, the ten hand-picked pilots understand the tremendous risk and courage required to fly these fragile craft.
 These aircraft kept the sky over France during the battle for Vimy Ridge fee of German aircraft. They were part of the 100th anniversary of the battle where they performed a ceremonial fly past. The dramatic re-enactment of the 1936 fly over ceremony at the historic Vimy Memorial is being re-enacted across the country. The Vimy Flight team of pilots and support personnel will share the stories of the early military aviators in a way that has never been seen before. Passion, courage and adventure drives the team to provide Canadians the much needed message that it is our humbling privilege to honour those that sacrificed so much in order for us to enjoy the freedom that we enjoy today.
 Meet the men behind the machines L->R: Larry Ricker, Paul O’Reilly, Will McEwan, Dale Erhart, Dave Wilson, Peter Thornton, Rod Ermen, Gord Cooper, Al French. Missing from photo: Allan Snowie VIMY FLIGHT is a team of dedicated volunteer pilots and ground support that had the honour of performing a commemorative bi-plane fly-past over the Vimy Ridge Memorial in Vimy France this April 9, 2017. That team is taking that fly past on a cross country tour that will be in Burlington today and for much of the balance of this week.
The Vimy Flight is in Burlington from July 4th to the 7th.
The aircraft arrived in Burlington yesterday July 4th.
 On Wednesday, July 5 from 4:00pm – Dusk – there will be an Open House – BBQ at the Burlington Executive Air Park.
On Thursday, July 6 from 11:00am – 7:00pm – Local Flying / Static Display/
The aircraft leave Burlington 11:00 AM on July 7
The entrance to the Air Park is on Bell School Line.
By Staff
June 30th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Canada Day event organizers have arranged for Burlington Transit shuttle service with three pick-up points:
Haber Recreation Centre,
Mainway Recreation Centre
and the north side of Burlington GO Station.
The buses will begin at noon and run until the fireworks end.
This is great for the people in Alton – parking will be impossible downtown – take the bus – there should be plenty o parking at the Haber Centre – schools are closed.
For specific departure times and more event information, please visit the Canada Day event website.
Burlington Transit is also operating a regular Saturday service schedule on July 1, which includes late night routes 50, 51, and 52.
 By Staff
June 30th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The picture that tells the city’s story today?
Those tall ships sailing through the canal on their way into Hamilton Harbour where they will be on display for Canada Day.
Thousands gathered on both sides of the canal to watch these majestic ship slide by. Those with massive Canadian flags drew rounds of applause.
 By Staff
June 29th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
What did the city look like at around 10 am this morning?
A Beachway resident captured a band of fog lingering over the Pier – and we decided to share it with you.
 A band of fog hovers over the Pier.
By Staff
June 28th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It will be exciting!
Eleven magnificent Tall Ships will gather on Lake Ontario near the entrance to the Burlington Bay Canal on Friday, June 30 beginning at 2:00 p.m. with all ships docking at Pier 8 at 4:00 p.m.
In order to get to that canal – you gotta sail past the Burlington Pier, the most expensive chunk of concrete in the province – but we digress.
 Where you park and where the ships are. Burlingtonians can watch the ship sail towards the canal
Prominent vantage points to watch the parade of ships on the Burlington side of the Skyway are|:
Burlington Canal
LaSalle and Bayshore Parks in Burlington.
And of course from the Pier and from a number of vantage points in the Beachway.
 The Empire Sandy Access to vantage points will be affected by the closure of Eastport Drive at the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to enable the ships to enter Hamilton Harbour.
With the ships in Hamilton, tied up at Pier 8 the Parade of Sail launches the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta at Pier 8, Discovery Drive, on July 1.
This will be a rare opportunity – and the only place in the GTHA – to witness the spectacle of 11 Tall Ships touring Hamilton’s beautiful Waterfront.
• Free deck tours are offered from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (first come, first served – no guarantee of access past 5 p.m.)
• Ticketed Harbour Cruises available for purchase online at www.hamilton.ca/tallships. See website for cruise times and pricing, including the evening fireworks cruise that boards at 9:00 p.m.
 The Pathfinder • Family-friendly and nautical-themed activities
• Music on the Waterfront Stage featuring great musicians from Hamilton’s thriving music scene
• Numerous food vendors
• The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s Avro Lancaster will conduct multiple fly-overs of the Waterfront between 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on July 1st.
This event is organized by the City of Hamilton in association with Le Rendez-Vous Naval de Quebec, Sail Training International, the Hamilton Port Authority and the Hamilton Waterfront Trust.
 The Niagara More than 40 Tall Ships will be sailing Canadian waters to honour the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation in 2017, with stops in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes
It is a Hamilton event – but they do have to sail past Burlington to get to Hamilton Harbour.
By Staff
June 28th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
We didn’t see this one coming.
A date in Hamilton is said to be the most expensive you will encounter – even higher than Toronto.
The research for this dubious WORD was done by EliteSingles, a national organization in the relationship business.
 They totaled up the cost of a typical date night in Canada – and found that Hamilton is Canada’s most expensive big city for a romantic night out, with Toronto coming in second place! Those in Ottawa get off lightly – a date night in the city is below the average cost.
The full study is on their web site – including a rundown of date night costs in 10 of Canada’s biggest cities, and a global dating comparison that shows the cost of dating in 25 cities around the world.
They have highlighted the price differences in two interactive, shareable maps that you can find on our site.
If the love of your life is in Hamilton – be ready to spend more than your Canadian Tire money.
Given that just about everything in Burlington costs more than in Hamilton – especially when it come to gasoline prices – Oakville might be an option.
The full scoop is HERE
By 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.
 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
 By 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 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”
 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
By 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 By 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 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.
 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 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.
 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
 By 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.
 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.
 By 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.
 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.
 Burlington’s newest citizens – youngest was 11 the oldest 97  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.
 By 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.
 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
 By 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.
 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
 Day 1  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.
By 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
 Canice 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
By 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. 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
By 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.
 Americans 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.
 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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