Burlington has thousands of people who volunteer – and it could use an additional thousand tomorrow – there is no reason to be at home doing nothing in this city. Volunteers make the place work.
The Art Gallery of Burlington has 300 + volunteers and they wanted to find a way to thank them in a very special way.
They found a way – they are sponsoring a PRIVATE performance of the Hayley Marie Remple concert at the Performing Arts Centre.
Volunteers only –
The performance – named “An Evening in Paris” is a combination of superb flute playing by Hayley Marie interspersed by short gossipy videos of the men who composed the music she will be playing.
Remple has certainly done her research – she tells all kinds of little known facts about some of the greatest composers the world has ever heard.
While Beethoven is not one of the composers she will be playing – the video on him is a delight– Remple calls them Two minute Talks.
The Halton District School Board will be recognizing Children’s Mental Health Week, May 2-8, 2016 with a range of activities offered at schools throughout Halton. These events will focus on mental health promotion and promote an awareness and understanding of the importance of wellbeing and practical mental health coping strategies.
Activities include:
• Munn’s Public School in Oakville will focus on the positive effects of being physically active. The school will host a Yoga day on May 3 and a Jump Rope for Heart event on May 6.
• Burlington Central School will host ‘Compliment Days’ and hand out apples to students as they enter the school in the morning to encourage healthy eating.
• Bruce Trail Public School in Milton students will post positive sticky notes or ‘thought bubbles’ throughout the school to encourage each other.
• Forest Trail Public School in Oakville will be hosting a ‘We Care Wednesday Appreciation Day’ in which students and staff members will express appreciation to one another.
• Stewarttown Public School in Acton will be incorporating a ‘May the Force Be with You’ theme including ‘Yoda Yoga’ and a ‘Jolly Jabba Walk’.
Clara Hughes – Olympic medal winner and spokesperson for mental health.
The week will culminate with the 3rd annual Halton Run for Youth Mental Health on May 7. It’s a collaborative effort between Halton District School Board, Halton Catholic District School Board and CameronHelps. More than 400 people have registered to participate. The event aims to unite students, families and staff to show their support for youth mental health and break the stigma.
“We are pleased to recognize Children’s Mental Health Week as part of our continued commitment to promoting the positive mental health and well-being of our students,” said Mark Zonneveld, Board Superintendent of Education (Student Services). “This is an important initiative as schools have a significant role to play in building skills and sharing knowledge to help promote wellness.”
There is an opportunity for you to travel to Paris – basically free.
Yes there is a catch – you have to attend the one night only Hayley Marie Remple performance at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre and buy at least one of the $2 raffle tickets.
The Eiffel Tower
Should your ticket be drawn – and you must be in the theatre when it is drawn at the end of the performance – you will have won a trip to Paris put together by DH Tours.
Hayley Marie Remple will be at the Performing Arts Centre May 12th
The idea came out of one of those late in the day conversations – Mary Mazur, Executive Assistant to the AGB CEO Robert Steven were going over details of the Evening in Paris event that is scheduled for mid May when Robert asked: “Wouldn’t it be great if we could raffle off a trip to Paris the night of the concert.”
They approached DH Tour who said they would be happy to support the AGB with a trip. And what a trip it is going to be.
Return flights from Toronto to Paris Return transfers from Charles de Gaulle airport to/from hotel 6 nights, central, 3 star hotel in Paris with daily continental breakfasts Hop-on/Hop-off city sightseeing tour, 48 hour pass 3 day Metro Pass 2 day Musee Pass All hotel taxes and service charges All Air taxes Paris maps and information package.
The concert is part of a month long five province tour Hayley Marie is doing. She has performed in southern California, Germany and France
It is probably the biggest event that takes place in the city. Its pumps millions into the local economy and it’s been around for years.
It has a culture all of its own – and happens because hundreds of people volunteer to do all the hard work.
If you want to be part of an organization that makes a difference – the Sound of Music Volunteer Open House takes place on April 23 at the Halton HiVE from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
The HiVE is located at 901 Guelph Line, which is on the south east corner of the Guelph Line Harvester Road intersection – acres of parking.
You should be able to slip up to the volunteer event after chowing down a couple of those Turtle Jack burgers at the Clean Up event that takes place at Centennial Park right in front of the band shell
Looks like a lot of people believe Spring is indeed here.
Getting ready for golf?
All those guys with the funny trousers are hauling out their bags of clubs and heading for the open spaces.
Tyandaga Golf Course will officially open for the 2016 golf season on Saturday, April 16. Golfers are invited to take advantage of a spring special on green fees which includes $45 to ride with a golf cart and $30 for golfers that are walking.
“Thanks to our maintenance crew, the course is in great condition and ready for a new golf season” so says Chris Glenn, the city’s director of parks and recreation.
Tyandaga Golf Course is located at 1265 Tyandaga Park Dr. and is one of Burlington’s most picturesque and challenging golf courses. Players wishing to book a tee time can do so online at www.tyandagagolf.com.
Tyandaga offers memberships, tournaments, clinics, private lessons, men’s and women’s league play, and in-season and off-season rentals. For more information about golfing at Tyandaga, call 905-336-0005 or visit www.tyandagagolf.com.
This probably means that warmer weather is going to arrive and stay for a while.
The Cycling Committee has invited residents to attend a series of free cycling seminars to help prepare for the 2016 spring and summer cycling season.
There are four topics that will be covered during the seminars, which run at Burlington Public Library branches this spring.
For Rob Narejko a good ride on one of his bikes is better than a night out. A passionate believer in greater use of bicycles, N has served on the city’s cycling committee for some time. He recently led a night ride that had some 20+ people out on the roads at night.
Awesome Bike Gear for 2016 – Wednesday, April 27, 7 to 9 p.m. – Central Branch
A variety of local bike shops will share the latest in cool cycling gear for 2016. From stylish cycle-friendly clothing to tech/training gear, to fun and trendy bike accessories and fabulous equipment for family rides. Local bike experts will answer gear questions after the seminar.
Bikes parked outside a Burlington school – both board of education and city hall would like to see more students biking to school and fewer parents driving their children to school.
Bike Maintenance 101 Saturday, April 30, 10 to 11:30 a.m. – Central Branch Wednesday, May 4, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Central Branch Saturday, May 14, 2 to 3:30 p.m. – Alton Branch
Learn about basic bike maintenance that can be done at home. Start the bike season off right with a properly maintained bike for an easier and safer ride. This includes a keynote presentation from Rolling Horse Community Cycle.
Bike Safety Saturday, May 7, 2 to 3 p.m. – Alton Branch Monday, May 16, 7 to 8 p.m. – Central Branch Saturday, June 4, 10 to 11 a.m. – Central Branch
This seminar will cover the rules of the road, must-have bike accessories, the roles and responsibilities of cyclists and motorists, hazards and the proper way to ride on-road bike lanes, bike sharrows and bike paths.
Bike Infrastructure around the World – Wednesday, June 1, 7 to 9 p.m. – Central Branch
Which cities are doing cycling infrastructure right? What creations of pro-cycling design around the world could Burlington learn from? Explore cycling infrastructure projects from around the world.
The seminars are free but sign-up is required.
For more information about the Burlington Cycling Committee and these free seminars, visit www.burlington.ca/cycling. To sign up for any of the seminars, call Burlington Public Library – Central Branch at 905-639-3611, ext. 1321.
All this attention to getting bikes ready just might do something for the city’s transportation modal split – and if you don’t know what a modal split is – ask the people who tell you how to get your bike ready – this is what they are all about.
Come to the April 15 meeting of the Halton British Club and have fun paying homage to your favorite Downton Abbey character. There will be prizes for the most authentic look, a quiz and a British style tea party to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday with some delicious birthday cake. Only $7 at the door.
When: 7:30 – 11 p.m. Friday, April 15
Where: Knights of Columbus Hall, 2400 Industrial St., Burlington
Which character do you want to be?
The Halton British Canadian Club Inc was established in 1984. Its purpose is to provide a setting where members can participate in social activities. The club meets on the third Friday of every month at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
For more information: hbcc.webs.com or contact
Jane or Russ Parker at: russjane2000@yahoo.ca
or (905) 465-3480.
A group of Burlington-area performers have joined together to present a benefit concert in aid of Syrian refugees. Burlington impresario and artists manager Robert Missen put the call out to all of his Facebook friends when the tragic circumstances in Eastern Europe came to a head. He wondered if they would be interested in participating in a special concert to provide financial support to the cause. The reaction was swift and decisive.
Missen put the word out to his colleague, Stillman Matheson, Director of Music at Port Nelson United Church, who then took the idea to the church’s Syrian Refugee Sponsorship Group . Their response was equally positive. The church will provide the use of the sanctuary for the concert, and will support the presentation of the event from marketing and logistical perspectives. Mr. Matheson and the church choir will participate in the concert.
Stuart Laughton
Musicians from all genres- classical, jazz, folk, blues, musical theatre- will come together at 3:30 pm on Sunday April 17th. All of the artists will be donating their services. They include singer-songwriter Jude Johnson, trumpeter , sopranos Carol Ann Thomson, Elise Naccarato and Alix Kingston, KooGle Theatre’s Leslie and Chris Gray, pianist Charles Cozens, flutist Claire Sweeny, mime artist and singer-songwriter Andy Griffiths. Robert Missen will serve as Host.
All of the proceeds will be shared equally between The United Church of Canada’s Emergency Response – Syria Relief campaign for those in refugee camps overseas and the Port Nelson Refugee Sponsorship Group.
Trevor Copp
5000 Miles Burlington is but one of several similar benefits that are being held across southern Ontario: Rosedale United Church in Toronto on Sunday November 8th ; Knox Presbyterian Church in Elora on Saturday November 28th ; and St. John’s Anglican in Ancaster on February 28th.
Tickets are $25 and are available through the Office of Port Nelson United Church, at Different Drummer Books, through Eventbrite and at the door. Children under 12 are admitted for free.
5000 MILES: A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES
SUNDAY APRIL 17TH, 3:30 PM
PORT NELSON UNITED CHURCH
3132 SOUTH DRIVE, BURLINGTON
905-637-5631
TICKETS $25, CHILDREN UNDER 12 FREE
“ Yes we know you’ve heard it all already”, said David Low, president of Latow, the Burlington photography Guild, “but a week from now Latow will be holding its Annual Photography Weekend with David duChemin, who is regarded as one of the top photography educators anywhere.”
David duChemin
David duChemin is a world and humanitarian assignment photographer, best-selling author, digital publisher, and international workshop leader whose nomadic and adventurous life fuels his fire to create and share. When on assignment du Chemin creates powerful images that convey the hope and dignity of children, the vulnerable and oppressed for the international NGO community. Drawing on a previous career in comedy, du Chemin is a dynamic and engaging presenter and educator. A driven artist, creative professional, entrepreneur and life-long adventurer, du Chemin educates and inspires through stunning visuals and hilarious travel stories.
From the David duChemin collection.
Saturday’s full-day seminar, Photographically Speaking, – a day of inspiration and
instruction.
Sunday mini-seminars: three 2-hour sessions: A Stronger Approach to Travel
Photography, Stronger Landscape Photography, and The Visual Imagination.
Saturday evening Latow AV Festival – 10 presentations combining images and music in
innovative ways.
Latow is the photography guild associated with the Art Gallery of Burlington.
The Air Cadets of 715 Mohawk Squadron, Burlington, will be honouring the 3,600 Canadian lives lost at the Battle of Vimy Ridge by marching 3.6 kilometres from the
Royal Canadian Legion, Burlington Branch 60 to City Hall beginning at 9 a.m. on April 9.
The march will result in lane closures. Streets will reopen as soon as possible following the completion of the march.
Traffic Lane Closures – 9 a.m. start time
The march will use one lane, expect delays:
Fairview Street travelling east, between Brant Street and Drury Lane; Drury Lane, south to Prospect Street; Prospect Street, west
to George Street’ George Street, south to Ghent Avenue Ghent Avenue, west to Brant Street.
Brant Street, south to City Hall, Civic Square
Emergency Services access will be maintained at all times along the event route.
Supervision
Police will direct traffic at major intersections and event volunteers will assist motorists at multi-residential driveways and on side streets.
The Halton Board of education is going to host behavioural expert who will talk on dealing with challenging behaviour in children and teens on April 27, 2016. The event starts 7 p.m., and will be held at Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Dr. J. Stuart Ablon, on the right, will speak about why some children and adolescents have difficulty managing their behaviour.
Dr. J. Stuart Ablon will speak about why some children and adolescents have difficulty managing their behaviour. His presentation will provide an overview of Collaborative Problem-Solving, an evidence-based approach to understanding and helping children and adolescents with behaviour challenges.
Specifically, the Collaborative Problem-Solving Approach provides an alternative conceptualization to help parents with explosive noncompliant children and adolescents. The CPS model helps adults teach children lacking cognitive skills in the domains of flexibility/adaptability, frustration tolerance and problem‐solving.
Dr. Ablon is the Director of Think: Kids in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, as well as an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
There is a program at the Seniors’ Centre that gives you a reason to get out of bed on Saturday’s!
Breakfast @ the Bistro keeps seniors and volunteers of all ages engaged as they cook and serve breakfast to community members at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre,” said Chris Glenn, director of parks and recreation. “Burlington Seniors’ Centre welcomes the community to enjoy an affordable breakfast and entertainment once a month, thanks to a donation from the Lions Club of Burlington
Breakfast @ The Bistro – entertainment follows at the Seniors” Centre this Saturday.
This Saturday the Lions will present a cheque for $500 to the Burlington Seniors’ Centre to help sustain the popular monthly breakfast program and keep costs low and affordable for seniors.
On Saturday, April 9, Lions Club executive members Blair Greer, club president, Jim Mc Laughlin, first vice president, Barry Leppan, second vice president and Jim O’Breza, treasurer will be at the Seniors’ Centre Breakfast @ the Bistro to serve coffee and breakfast after the cheque presentation at 8:55 a.m. Breakfast will begin at 9 a.m. and is served until 10 a.m.
The Escapade Trio, a vocal and piano trio specializing in Jazz and popular music from the golden age of the hit parade will perform at 10 a.m. Their music includes Louis Armstrong to Elvis and Frank Sinatra to Motown songs.
“From the time we are little, we are taught to share” declared Lawson Hunter. ”However, as we age, the desire to acquire ‘stuff’ grows as soon as we earn a little bit of money and join the consumer society. Advertising pushes us to buy the next best thing, a bigger, better, newer version, a complete set, to find happiness and fulfillment. That may be good for the economy but is it good for society?
Uber taxi, while disruptive to the taxi industry, is one of the more popular sharing services.
“Capitalism may be built on competition,” says Lawson Hunter, “but history shows that we progress much further if we co-operate with one another.” Collaboration, the sharing of ideas and resources, takes us leaps and bounds beyond the private, proprietary approach. Community has always meant working together to achieve good for everyone, not just the individual. Inequality results when many hands do the work but only a few grow wealthy because of it. Sharing brings everyone up to the same level and everyone benefits.
Some call it the ‘sharing economy’; the gig economy; the gift economy; peer-to-peer accommodation; or collaborative consumption, but at its core it is very simple – if you’re not using something why not let someone else use it?
Though not officially counted in the GDP, the sharing economy could grow to $335 billion by 2025, according to PriceWaterhouseCoopers. This is the foundation behind such revolutionary start-ups such as Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, TaskRabbit and dozens of other disruptive technologies that citizens and cities are embracing or challenging, depending on your point of view.
To that end, Hunter met with the Mayor to see if he could get something going at that level – the Mayor is going to think about it.
He has run the idea by a couple of council members – they didn’t day ‘not a hope’. Hunter, who is a letter carrier dabbles in some public relations consulting.
Libraries are perhaps the original sharing service.
The sharing economy has opened the door to more efficient uses of everyday items we own but do not use to their fullest capacity. For example, car ownership is ubiquitous and yet most cars sit parked for most of the day. Someone may purchase a drill only to use it a half a dozen times in total leaving it to lay in the toolbox for years. Books, clothing, household items may be used once or twice and then discarded. This is an incredible waste and unsustainable. Why not ‘share’ with someone else, reducing cost, optimizing resources, and extending the usefulness of thousands of articles?
Hunter points out that we already share quite a lot! We just don’t know about it or take it for granted. Libraries, food banks, used clothing stores, parks, public transit, recycled building materials, and even co-operative housing are examples of the sharing economy.
Volunteering to coach hockey, teaching someone to read, driving a patient to the hospital, carpooling, shoveling your neighbour’s sidewalk are just some of the ways we already ‘share’ our time and effort, goods and services. It’s important to measure, and celebrate, the many ways society shares its common resources. There is an international organization that wants every community to stand up and be counted in The Sharing Cities Network – www.shareable.net.
Hunter explains an event called a mapjam – a time when people get together and map out just where sharing is done in a city. “You would be surprised ay just how much sharing goes on” and points to a number of situations in Burlington where people on a street collectively own a heavy duty snow blower.
More than 500 MapJams have been hosted in 60 countries – two have taken place in Canada – Elora and Toronto.
Many cities around the world have created bicycle sharing services.
Hunter wants Burlington to join that Network. To kick things off, he is hosting a ‘#Map Jam’ on Thursday, April 14, 7:30pm, Frank Rose Room, at the Burlington Central Library. Every organization that shares, opens its doors, facilitates exchanges, co-ordinates time-sharing or carpooling or food banks or little league sports, arts, and activities is invited to network, meet other sharing activists and exchange information. The general public is also invited to learn more about the sharing economy. “We may all be amazed at how we already are in the sharing economy,” says Hunter.
What Hunter is promoting is exactly what the Parks and Recreation department is trying to get going in the city.
Mother’s Day – May 7th this year. The florists will pick up on that one. All the pushy advertising aside – it is a special day. For many – their parents live in Burlington and their adult children live elsewhere.
With the warmer weather coming (it is coming isn’t it?) there are opportunities to get out.
The restaurants will be packed that Sunday and besides – you get out to restaurants often enough.
Cheryl Golding and her colleagues at the Gallery 2 on Spring Garden Road are hosting a Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea on Saturday, May 7, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
They will be serving: tea/coffee, scones with cream, and a variety of sweet treats.
They decided to call it a party rather than a meeting and made a good effort to give the Parks and Recreation Event Strategy workshop a different tone and feel.
It worked – sort of. There was half an hour at the front end of the meeting (oops, party) for socializing that included an open cash bar (two bottles of beer and one soft drink were sold) and then into the Workshop.
The purpose was to get ideas and feed back on what the city’s event Strategy should be – what worked and what doesn’t work asked the facilitator and what would you like to see, what would your vision be even if the idea was not feasible or practical. This was an occasion for some blue sky thinking – they didn’t quite rise up to the challenge.
Manager of Community Development Services, Denise Beard
A year and a half or so ago Manager of Community Development Services, Denise Beard got to listen to James Dier at a conference – she was mesmerized. Within months Beard got Diers to an event in Burlington where he blew the socks off a lot of people and showed an approach to building community that had a lot of people excited and wanting more.
Those who worked closely with communities understood immediately what Diers was saying – it took others a little longer to “get it”.
When Diers made a presentation to a Committee of the Whole at Geraldo’s it was priceless to see the expressions on the faces of the buttoned down consultants. Diers is a very “in your face” advocate for what he calls “Neighbourhood Power”. He changed the way Seattle involved its neighbourhoods in figuring out what was needed at the street level.
Much of what we now see coming out of the Parks and Recreation department now is the result of the Dier’s approach.
Staff tried to create a sense of a play party with gimmicks that could be used illustrate some of the creative ideas.
He isn’t for everyone. He is loud, forthright and gets excited. He once threw a live chicken into the office of the Mayor of Seattle to make a point. Watching the look on Councillor Craven’s face as Diers got himself wound up while explaining a point set out the stark contract between the two men – and contrasted the difference between the way the ward 1 Councillor works with his constituents and how others involve their citizens.
It’s pretty clear that the Parks and Recreation people are going to follow as much of the Diers philosophy as they can. The Gazette will report in more detail the approaches Diers created and what Burlington can expect to see in the months ahead.
The Tuesday evening “party” was the first time Parks and Recreation staff had an opportunity to field test some of their ideas.
A Workbook was given to all the participants who gathered in groups of six to eight around tables that had all kinds of play toys – plasticine, coloured paper and markers and large sheets of butcher paper to draw plans on.
The questions put to the groups were focused on the current experience people had had on an event that took place:
What did they think about the current experience ?
What is your experience with events held on City property now? What do you love? Why? What’s working well? What bugs/concerns you? Why? What keeps you from attending? What draws you to these events?
Each group of people beavered away at the questions and then reported back.
This is what the facilitator gathered from the participants – the future of festivals and events as they saw them.
Next up was Future Experiences: Given the trends and increasing demand for festivals and events in Burlington, the Workbook outlined, what would you like the experience of attending Future events to feel like? Look like? Who would be attending? • What should we continue to do? • What should we stop doing? • What should we start doing?
Again the different groups worked through their ideas and reported back and the results were put up on a huge banner.
The last session was Advice to the city:
The workbook set out criteria the City could use to help them select appropriate festivals and events to host on City property.
Those taking part, there were about 75 people taking part – they were asked to:
1. Take a look at the criteria and choose the ones that you feel the City should use. Why should they choose these ones? 2. Have a discussion at your table. 3. As a table, look at the criteria again and together choose the top five criteria
This is what the facilitator heard the 75 + participant say – it wasn’t as imaginative as some had expected.
What advice do you have on criteria for the downtown festivals/events? What advice do you have on criteria for the neighborhood festivals/events? What did you clearly agree on at your table?
What did you have difficulty agreeing on?
The criteria put before the participants for selecting events:
Type of Sports Events
One time event attracting out of town athletes On-going community/local activity (e.g. house league) Fee to Attend Event Paid Admission Supporting our Community
Healthy and greener City by ensuring healthy food and activity options, environmentally friendly practices, encourages modal split
Focus on local talent, food, businesses and organizations
Diverse types of events
Celebrates diversity in our community
Family friendly for all ages
Who and what type of events should we give preference to when we’re deciding on applications for festivals and events on City property? Choose your preference to the following:
Type of Host
For Profit
Non-profit
Charity
Preference for Hosts of Events
from Burlington
from outside Burlington
Purpose of events
Community Development – build sense of community
Economic Development – bring dollars into community.
The community level work being done was part of a larger exercise. The people at city hall had begun to rethink the city and it brand. The two biggest festival events the city holds – Sound of Music and Rib Fest have both taken place in the city for more than 20 years.
Are they getting stale?
Did they really portray what Burlington is in the minds of its citizens?
Have times changed and is it perhaps time to look at what the city permits on the waterfront space?
The sand castle competition is no longer a summer event in Burlington.
While there hasn’t been a big announcement – the sandcastle competition held in the Beachway part of the waterfront will not take place in 2016.
The debate over what should be done with the 25+ homes in the Beachway clouded the discussion over the several different parks that are going to be created on that stretch of land from the Joseph Brant Museum and the canal.
Discussion at all of the tables was wide open and wide ranging – there were some that felt there should be stronger security and that the festivals intruded on life for those who lived downtown.
Unfortunately the public is not all that involved in the design of that park – planners at the Regional level are putting together the ideas. It will be a couple of decades before anything significant appears.
The intellectual guru behind the thinking taking place within the Parks and recreation department – and make no mistake about this – the city has swallowed the Kool Aid – they are all in at this point on the Diers philosophy.
The challenge now is to get the citizens to the point where they begin to understand that Neighbourhood Power is the direction staff is going – the biggest part of their job is to get citizens to buy in and begin thinking aloud what they want their city to look like; what kind of events do they want to see in the public places?
The facilitator, who brought a different visual approach to the documenting of the data and the comments made, asked the audience to do some ”blue sky” thinking – to talk about their vision which may not be feasible, probably no very practical either – she just wanted them think bigger than they normally do
Chris Glenn,Director of Parks and Recreation.
There wasn’t all that much in the way of responses. One table thought more use should be made of the water – and hold water based events.
They decided to go for the big photo op – just the one city Councillor attended – the Mayor popped in to make the opening remarks.
Another comment was to have more focus on the city’s history and tell more about the veterans.
The biggest concern was traffic – getting out of an event when everyone was heading for the same exists at the same time. There were suggestions about using shuttle buses and holding alternative events that would be part of the larger festivals.
No mention was made of the hydro towers and the thought that is being given to burying them.
There was a member of Rotary in attendance and the Sound of Music had several of their big guns at several tables. They, along with Brian Dean, General manager of the Burlington Downtown Business Association chose to be in a listening mode for the most part.
The task now for the parks and recreation people is to pull together all the data and comments they have collected from the various stakeholders and community groups and prepare a recommendations report for city council.
Festivals and events are one part of the mix that get reflected in the Strategic Plan – document the city will make official later this month.
City of Burlington building staff will be at local home improvement stores for three Saturdays in April to answer questions and provide information about building permits.
City building permit staff will set up shop at different building supply stores during the month of April to help out with the paper work.
“With the mild weather we’ve had the last few weeks, many residents will be getting a start on spring renovation projects around the house,” said Mary Lou Tanner, the city’s director of planning and building. “We hope that by having staff where people shop, available to answer any permit questions, people will get the information they need to know about permits and home projects.”
City staff will be available between 8 a.m. and noon on the following dates at these locations:
Saturday, April 9 – Rona Lansing (1830 Ironstone Dr., Burlington)
Saturday, April 16- Home Depot (3050 Davidson Court, Burlington)
Saturday, April 30 – Lowe’s (3270 Harrison Court, Burlington)
Bfast – (Burlington for Accessible Affordable Transit) will be holding its second annual Forum on the state of transit in the city – and issuing report cards on the quality of the service. We are told that while overall the service hasn’t improved enough – they will be issuing at least one A in that report card.
Doug Brown, chair of Bfast, wants to see a bus schedule with routes that work for people and not the current bus route set up in place. It doesn’t work claims Brown.
The biggest problem, according the Doug Brown, is the transit service is very under-funded – and until the service is given the resources it needs it will always be sub-standard.
Brown who knows more about the history of service in Burlington than anyone alive seldom gets the hearing he deserves from the transit people.
The 2015 Forum attracted about 90 people with much to say about their experiences using the Burlington’s buses. There in the role of listeners were four of the seven members of Burlington City Council, including Mayor Rick Goldring, as well as Burlington’s MPP, Eleanor McMahon. Not present, unfortunately, was anyone responsible for designing and operating the transit system—Burlington Transit.
Positive messages from the participants can be quickly told: everyone praised the friendliness and thoughtfulness of the bus drivers, who often help passengers in unusual circumstances.
Because of cuts to service and frequent route changes during the last three years, Burlington Transit’s system is no longer convenient, resulting in a considerable drop in ridership. And two fare increases during that time have made it unaffordable for many potential users.
The Presto card service is not as simple as saying “Hey, presto!” One attendee last year said that Presto ought to be as convenient as cash in order for it to replace cash fares.
Short term notices work well – its the signage throughout the transit system that is less than satisfactory.
Signage at bus stops throughout Burlington presents a problem for many, especially occasional transit users. Ideally, every bus stop should display the route numbers of the buses stopping there and the scheduled times of arrival. The reality is rather different: bus route numbers and arrival times are nonexistent.
Burlington Transit has been touting a new electronic system that will do everything but place your coffee order hasn’t seen the light of day yet. Maybe there will be an announcement at the Forum this Saturday at the Central Library – where there is a complimentary breakfast for those who arrive early.
Burlington Transit’s Handi-Vans provide an essential service for people with disabilities unable to use the regular bus service. Unfortunately, as BT’s nine Handi-Vans cannot handle the current demand, users must book at least a week in advance. To deal with requests at short notice, such as necessary medical appointments, taxis should be used to supplement the Handi-Van fleet when required.
All the shortcomings of Burlington transit system that came out of the 2015 Forum are the result of a common cause: serious underfunding of transit by the City Council. It seems that the guiding principle when making decisions about transit is to save money, not to provide a good service.
The key message from the Forum last year was:
“People don’t use the system because it’s cheap, they use it because it’s convenient. So, when it’s not convenient to navigate, they won’t use it.”
The difference this year is that the transit people will be at the Burlington for Accessible, Sustainable Transit (BFAST) second annual Transit Users’ Forum, which gets underway this Saturday, April 2, from 9:30AM to 12:00 noon at the Central Library.
Last year they were missing in action.
Seniors discussing what the transit system does for them – has anything changed since this event last year?
Eight community organizations have combined efforts to sponsor the Forum that has announced it will be issuing a report card on Burlington Transit’s performance based on areas identified as priorities by last year’s gathering. Nearly 100 people attended in 2015.
Mayor Rick Goldring and Councilor’s Marianne Meed Ward and Paul Sharman have accepted invitations to attend this year’s event. Burlington Transit will also have a representative.
A free continental breakfast will be provided between 9:30 and 10:00 AM.
“The objective of this forum is to provide an opportunity for Burlington Transit users to describe their riding experience and to provide their views on how the system should be improved,” says Doug Brown, chair of Burlington for Accessible, Sustainable Transit. .”It will be an opportunity for transit users and transit advocates to meet and discuss potential strategies for improving transit and special transit.”
Mayor Goldring, checking the bus schedule on his Smart phone while Joey Edwardh looks on – not certain the Mayor knows what he is doing.
Due to construction on New Street, Burlington Transit is providing special shuttle buses between the Central Library and the Downtown Bus Terminal both before and after the meeting. Consult bfastransit.ca or the Burlington Transit website at burlington.ca/en/services-for-you/Burlington-Transit.asp for more details.
The co-sponsoring organizations are as follows:
Burlington for Accessible Sustainable Transit (BFAST) Burlington Age-Friendly Seniors Council (BAFSC) Burlington Green Canadian Federation of University Women – Burlington Community Development Halton Halton Environmental Network (HEN) Poverty Free Halton Voices for Change – Burlington (VFCH)
Why is transit always seen as something for poor people? Those with income limitations don’t own a vehicle and they depend on public transit – but ta the same event last year there were a number of people with good jobs in Toronto who depended on transit to get them to the GO station and they talked candidly and appreciatively about the quality of the transit service and how it had been able to make those small changes at work for them.
A “selfie” the Mayor published on an occasion when he created a photo op by taking the bus to work. Where was his communications adviser when this was released?
Modern buses with schedules that meet the needs of as many people as possible and don’t undergo changes all the time will draw a clientele that becomes loyal. We could stop framing transit as something people with limited means need – and position it as something that meets the transportation needs of a bigger cohort.
And if the politicians can stop using the occasions when they do take a bus as more than a photo op and become regular users – we will have come some distance. You weren’t holding your breath were you?
April is going to be a really busy month – we can all come out of the winter cocoons and begin to enjoy the city.
Spring Clean Up – Green Up is Saturday April 23rd this year
Late in the month of April Burlington Green will be doing its annual Clean Up Green Up campaign.
The Comedy Night is back at the Burlington Legion on April 2nd. This amazing night of comedy for a great cause – Burlington Army Cadets The Facebook page says Air Cadets – media release says Army – tickets are just $15; doors open at 7:00pm with the show beginning at 8:00pm. Two amazing professional headliners who have toured all over Canada will be at the Legion.
White peonies by Michelle Maurik was shown at the Louvre in Paris.
Very early in April Michele Van Maurik will be showing her art work at the Seaton Gallery on Spring Garden Road from April Ist – May 29th 2016. The artist reception will be held Sunday April 3rd, 1 – 4 pm
Maurik is a much underappreciated and under recognized artists in the community. She is best known for her bold floral oil paintings, the dramatic use of light and her mastery of colour.
Her work has been displayed at the Louvre in Paris – not something anyone else in the region can lay claim to. This is a show you don’t want to miss.
The Teresa Seaton Studio & Gallery is located at Spring Gardens Road, just across from the Royal Botanical Gardens.
The Halton District School Board invites parents to attend an information session in the next several weeks to gain information, meet other parents and ask questions about transitioning their children with special needs into Kindergarten. The following meetings will be held:
Wednesday, March 30, 2016 – Emily Carr Public School at 4-5:30 p.m., 2255 Pine Glen Rd., Oakville
Monday, April 4, 2016 – M.M. Robinson High School at 9:30-11 a.m., 2425 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington
Monday, April 11, 2016 – Ethel Gardiner Public School at 7-8:30 p.m., 14365 Danby Rd., Georgetown
Monday, April 20, 2016 – P.L. Robertson Public School at 7-8:30 p.m., 840 Scott Blvd., Milton
Topics for this information session will include:
● Learn about support and programs offered by the Halton District School Board ● Speak with parents whose children with special needs have recently entered Kindergarten ● Learn more about the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) ● The role of the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) ● Meet Special Education staff from the Board and ask questions ● Visit a Kindergarten classroom (except at M.M. Robinson High School)
Information sessions will begin with a brief overview presentation followed by a choice of small breakout sessions focusing on specific topics.
There will be childcare available at all information sessions.
By Staff
They approached DH Tour who said they would be happy to support the AGB with a trip. And what a trip it is going to be.
If you want to be part of an organization that makes a difference – the Sound of Music Volunteer Open House takes place on April 23 at the Halton HiVE from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
The march will result in lane closures. Streets will reopen as soon as possible following the completion of the march.
Cheryl Golding and her colleagues at the Gallery 2 on Spring Garden Road are hosting a Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea on Saturday, May 7, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
It worked – sort of. There was half an hour at the front end of the meeting (oops, party) for socializing that included an open cash bar (two bottles of beer and one soft drink were sold) and then into the Workshop.
