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October 3, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON
September had some wonderful fall days – then suddenly it was gone and the winds were a little more brisk and had a trace of a chill in them as well. Leslie Bullock – snapped a picture of the high winds late Saturday afternoon and shared it with friends – and we are sharing it with you. What does the Farmer’s Almanac have to say – because that water looks cold. 
October 2, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON Editor’s note: Invitational seating is limited and has already reached capacity…sorry, no more guests! During the city Council meeting earlier this week, ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster chaired as Deputy Mayor while the real Mayor was in Chine – we still don’t know why – a list of names of organizations was read out announcing that it was whatever the name of the organization month. The media tend to take these announcements with a bit of a yawn – every organization seems to have its day at some point during the year. It is only when we pause and say “I know that person” that some attention gets paid.
This isn’t the time or place to explain the circumstances under which media came to know Mike Swartz and his wife Janice Connell rather it is an opportunity to learn more about what he has done in the community. Mike is for the most part a quiet person – he has done well materially in life and has served as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and with the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) in a variety of roles over the past twelve years. The reception to honour and recognize him will take place at the Art Gallery of Burlington in the Fireside Room at 10:30 am on Saturday.
September 30th, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON Detours will be in effect for Routes 3, 4 and 10 from approximately 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. due to several road closures in downtown Burlington. Route 4 will not be able to access Teen Tour Way (into the Central Library and Senior’s Centre bus stop location) and will need to use Drury Lane instead. The remaining detours are as follows: Route 3 North: Route 3 South: Route 10 West: Route 10 East:
September 30th, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON As the city moves into October United Way volunteers in Burlington and Greater Hamilton will be hosting events to kick-off their annual fundraising activities for United Way and help raise awareness of the needs in our community. The initiative highlights the importance of pulling together to create lasting change.  Kick-off at Specs on Pearl in Burlington at 9am on Thursday The event will kick-off at Specs on Pearl in Burlington at 9am on Thursday and will include attendees from surrounding businesses, a few words from Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger, Deputy Mayor Rick Craven and United Way Campaign Chair and President of JanKelley Marketing Chantel Broten. United Way GenNext members will host closing festivities beginning at 6pm at Stonewalls Restaurant in Hamilton. Proceeds from the closing event will support LGBTQ and newcomer youth initiatives in Burlington & Greater Hamilton.  At past United Way campaigns the city really put their backs into the program. Here, former city general manager Kim Phillips helped pull a water truck down Brant Street. “United Way Day is really about encouraging individuals and organizations to get involved and help create possibility for residents of Burlington & Greater Hamilton. One in 3 people in our community will access services supported by United Way in their lifetime. This could be a friend, family member, or neighbour. We all know someone who has been helped by United Way” said Broten. United Way kicked-off the annual fundraising campaign earlier with a breakfast event at the Royal Botanical Gardens. The campaign will be championed by Hamilton Chair Paul Johnson, Director of Corporate Initiatives for the City of Hamilton and Burlington Chair Chantel Broten, President JanKelley and long-time Burlington resident. Together, they will highlight the unique needs of Burlington & Greater Hamilton and encourage collective community action. “The need in our community is great and we could not begin to meet that need without the support of volunteers like those participating in United Way Day. This year, the ultimate goal of United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton is to impact over 164,000 lives, because we know our community isn’t great, until it is great for everyone” said CEO Jeff Vallentin.
September 30, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON If you enjoy fast paced, high scoring baseball games in October, the End of Season Fastpitch Tournament is for you and your family. Come on out for the action and support a local charity.  Everything about Fast Pitch is fast – did the runner make it to the bag? Sixteen teams from across Southern Ontario will meet this weekend at Sherwood Forest Park. Starting Friday evening, all day Saturday with Sunday championships games. Fastpitch is much quicker paced than baseball, with 7 inning games games lasting about 1.5 hours, faster in-field play and more big hits! There will be a Bavarian beer garden serving BBQ’ed hotdogs and burgers. Fifty-fifty draws will be held with a portion of proceeds going local charities. This event is put on the Burlington Intermediate Men’s Fastball League (www.BIMFL.weebly.com) and the Hamilton Rosedale Fastpitch League.
Upper Canada Place, Burlington, ON Showtimes Week of Friday, October 02, 2015 through Thursday, October 08, 2015 The Perfect Guy (14A) No Escape (14A) The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (PG) Straight Outta Compton (18A) Ricki and the Flash (PG) Shaun the Sheep () Pixels (PG) Ant-Man (PG) Mr. Holmes (PG) Inside Out (G) Built NOT Bought ()
September 28, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON Halton Regional Police responded to a report of a distraught female that led officers to the Burloak Drive and QEW overpass in the City of Burlington.  BurlOak where it passes over the QEW – scene of an incident that required the Special Investigations Unit to be called in. This morning, Monday September 28, 2015 at approximately 6:20am, officers arrived on scene. The woman was transported to hospital in stable condition. The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was notified and has invoked its mandate. As a result the Halton Regional Police will not be able to provide any further information. Any inquiries should be directed to the SIU Communications. The SIU is brought in when there is need for an investigation of police conduct.
September 25, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON Burlington is about to enjoy a small part of the Brian McCurdy legacy – his decision to make space for local groups that have significant artistic merit and reflect one of the original purposes for the building of a Performing Arts centre in the city is what got the Form Contemporary Dance Theatre (FCDT) into the Studio Theatre for a three day dance program that knows where the edge of the envelope is and heads straight for it.  The FORM Contemporary Dance Theatre company in rehearsal for the two day – three performance of Blue on October 9th and 10th at the Performing Arts Centre. (FCDT) is presenting their Reflective/Vulnerable which makes strong use of physically raw movements. The Reflective/Vulnerable performance guides, pushes and pulls audiences through emotional extremes.  Developing the form and feel of a dance production takes time and practice. The Form Contemporary Dance Theatre will be at the Performing Arts Centre October 9th and 10th Reflective/Vulnerable is a mixed program featuring an interactive video installation from guest artists from The Burlington Wholeshebang and several other works of choreography each exploring different worlds of everyday experiences. Some of these worlds are filled with joyful and quirky movement; others examine the wandering rambling thoughts of our mind; and still others offer an intense exploration of control, power, and the individuals who challenge and overthrow.  A member of the Form Contemporary Dance Theatre in rehearsal. The company will perform in Burlington in October. Reflective/Vulnerable offers audiences a variety of movement styles, themes, and emotions. With the support of ArtHouse and Michelle Hopkins Dance Studio we are thrilled to provide children from the Halton region professional dance experience as part of Reflective/Vulnerable. We are very excited for you to experience all that Reflective/Vulnerable has to offer. FCDT sets out to create art that is inviting for audiences, art that combines extremes in its emotional content and art that is informed by human experiences. We aim to create works of art that have a raw and vulnerable essence. Mateo Galindo Torres, artistic advisor explains: “Nothing should be absolute or immobile; everything needs to be challenged to allow for growth and evolution.” The performances take place in the Studio Theatre: OCT 9th 7:30pm (pre-show talk 7:00pm) Tickets are available at The Centre Box office 905-681-6000 or online at www.burlingtonpac.ca.  The Form Contemporary Dance Theatre does excerpts from the Nutcracker Suite each year with a Cambridge orchestra. The company is very strong on costume – something very evident in these photographs. Top ticket price $20 Form CDT is a Hamilton/Burlington based company founded in February 2014. Within Burlington and Hamilton they have been part of Flounder Festival, Burlington Culture Days, Hamilton Fringe Festival 14/15 and have collaborated with the The Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts, Burlington Student Theatre and Art House. They have participated in Series 808 (Take Two) in Toronto, FRESH BLOOD in Toronto, Dance Matters in Toronto, and 2014’s Hemispheric Encuentro: Manifest in Montreal. Most recently Form CDT has been commissioned by UNU-INWEH to choreograph and perform at their 20th Anniversary Celebrations in the Fall of 2016. Form CDT is very active in dance and movement education and to facilitate this passion we founded a sister company called Transform CDT.
September 25, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON
“I have a glossy pamphlet you should have. ADI sent out invites for an exclusive broker luncheon Tuesday October 6th; “be the first to receive floor plans and advanced price list; see scale model, tour the stunning model suite”……”valet parking provided……”. The Gazette didn’t get an invitation. There is no stopping the ADI team
September 24, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON Sunday is the last of the three day cultural spree in the city. The Burlington event is part of a nation-wide celebration of the arts. The event coincides with Doors Open, another annual activity which opens up a number of the City’s heritage sites to the public. Sunday 27th Music Lessons for all Ages Celebrating Burlington through Photos Breathe with Planet Earth (outdoors meditation on live music) Location: Burlington City Hall, Civic Square, 426 brant St., Burlington, Ont. Applefest Fall Fair  Ireland House, a part of the Museums Burlington operation, is the only example of a farming property that is publicly view-able in the city south of Dundas, It is an excellent example of its period. Worth as visit Location: Ireland House Museum, 2168 Guelph Line, Burlington, Ont. KooGle Theatre Company Dance event Creative Hub Guild Demonstrations Stained Glass Demonstration – Copper Foiling Method  Teresa Seaton, centre, discusses where her cultural hot spots are with Donna Grandin – both are participants in the city’s Culture Days.in the city are located. Location: 654 Spring Gardens Rd., Burlington, Ont. Art in Action Demonstration Celebrate Burlington And All Was Bright: Multimedia Performance Art Installation As part of Culture Days 2015, Robertson will perform his latest installation, entitled “Hope”, at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. The performance piece is inspired by the unsteady balance of the natural environment and industry. Twin City Celebration Peacock Feather Drawing and Donna Grandin Art Display at BPAC Be a Conductor for the Moment Anyone from age six and up is invited to submit their name to the below email.  Trevor Copp will be performing during the Burlington Resounds part of Culture Day on Sunday. Burlington Resounds: Culture Days Grand Finale  Hayley Verrall sang O’Canada during the inauguration of the current city council – did a splendid job. Look for her on Sunday – worth the effort. Artists to Include: The only act Missens missed was Mayor Goldring at the keyboard and MP Mike Wallace dancing with a broom trying to convince an audience he was Gene Kelly. BURLINGTON RESOUNDS BRINGS CULTURE DAYS 2015 TO A RESOUNDING CONCLUSION AT THE BURLINGTON PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE At 4:30 pm some fifteen of the City’s finest performers and performing arts organizations will take over the Main Theatre (see list attached). These include a number of the City’s leading professionals, such as musician Stuart Laughton, pianist Renee Barabash, singers Charlene Santoni and Jason Hales, singer-songwriter Andy Griffiths, conductor-composer Charles Cozens and violinist Janet Horn, as well as a number of up and coming performers such as Hayley Verrall and members of Burlington Student Theatre. Participating organizations include the legendary Burlington Teen Tour Band, KooGle Theatre, Form Contemporary Dance Theatre and Tottering Biped Theatre. The Grand Finale will also feature a massed choir of local community and church singers, as well as the new Lowville Festival Choir, under the direction of Wayne Strongman. Named Burlington Resonds will mark the conclusion of three days of cultural celebration.
September 23, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON Route 1 East detour in downtown Hamilton – Saturday Sept. 26  Bulldogs hold their home opener for the season – bus route gets altered. This Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 from approximately 3 to 7 p.m., Bay Street in downtown Hamilton will be closed between King Street and York Boulevard for the Hamilton Bulldogs home opener. During this time, the Route 1 East will be detoured as follows: • Regular routing to King Street and Bay Street Pick-up and drop-off locations in the detour area will be at King & Hess Streets as well as at Hess and Cannon Streets.
September 26, 2015 BURLINGTON, on Culture Days has become a model opportunity for citizens, businesses, and all levels of government to collectively help lead the development of Canada through the development of the arts and cultural life of our communities. Volunteers lead and contribute to the success of Culture Days at every level. It is a grassroots, collaborative movement that works. There is a national advisory board, a national board of directors with some very powerful and effective people sitting around the table. There are then Tasks Forces within each province. The national objective is create opportunities for people to explore, discover and participate in arts and culture in every community across the country. In 2014, the fifth annual Culture Days event took place in more than 850 Canadian cities and towns, with attendance topping 1.6 million Canadians. Last year, more than 1650 activities were presented across Ontario. The purpose is to hold events that will feature free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to participate “behind the scenes”—and to discover the world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, and designers at work in their community. For the next three days you get to see what Burlington has to offer in the cultural world. Saturday 26th Time: Class 1 – 8 to 8:45 a.m., Class 2 – 9 to 9:45 a.m. Location: Burlington City Hall, Civic Square, 426 Brant St., Burlington, Ont. Organizer: AnyBodysYoga, anybodysyoga@gmail.com, www.anybodysyoga.ca, 905-869-0255 Music Lessons for all Ages Location: Burlington Music Centre, 2311 New St., in Central Park, Burlington, Ont.  Sit in with the Burlington Teen Tour Band during Cultural Days Burlington Junior Redcoats Marching Band Celebrating Burlington through Photos Music and Meditation by the Lake – Celebrate Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day Doors Open Burlington Site list: Joseph Brant Museum: 1240 Northshore Blvd. E, Burlington, Ont. Organizer: Doors Open Burlington, hello@doorsopenburlington.com, www.doburlington.com, 905-332-9888  The Different Drummer Book Store – well worth a visit  St Lukes Anglican church – one of the riches pieces of Burlington’s history.
Etsy: Made in Canada Marketplace Celtic Music Performance Location: City Hall, Civic Square, 426 Brant St., Burlington, Ont. Burlington Student Theatre Presents: Burlywood  An example of the work Donna Grandin does. Collaborative Acrylic Painting and Art Display in Civic Square Photo-Acrylics by Beth Bennett B Town Sound Record in Studio and Sing on Stage
 See the Art Gallery through practiced eyes. Free Gallery Discovery Tours Guild Demonstrations Time: 1 to 4 p.m.  Teresa Seaton, a stained glass artist has been a prime mover behind the annual Art in Action tour – she will be doing workshops as part of Culture Days. Stained Glass Demonstration – Copper Foiling Method DIY BookArts: Hardcover heartBEATZ Celtic Fiddle Music: In Canada and Abroad  Margaret Lindsay Holton – a Hamilton based artist who works in several mediums has put together an innovate program that marries poetry to ping pong. Ping Pong and Poetry – with Margaret Lindsay Holton
September 23, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON
Friday the 25th Culture Days has become a model opportunity for citizens, businesses, and all levels of government to collectively help lead the development of Canada through the development of the arts and cultural life of our communities. Volunteers lead and contribute to the success of Culture Days at every level. There is a national advisory board, a national board of directors with some very powerful and effective people sitting around the table. There are then Tasks Forces within each province. The national objective is create opportunities for people to explore, discover and participate in arts and culture in every community across the country. In 2014, the fifth annual Culture Days event took place in more than 850 Canadian cities and towns, with attendance topping 1.6 million Canadians. Last year, more than 1650 activities were presented across Ontario. The purpose is to hold events that will feature free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to participate “behind the scenes”—and to discover the world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, and designers at work in their community. As a grassroots, collaborative movement, Culture Days relies on your participation. For the next three days you get to see what Burlington has to offer in the cultural world. Celebrating Burlington through Photos
 stained glass artist Teresa Seaton – will give a workshop on stained glass Stained Glass Demonstration – Copper Foiling Method B Town Sound Record in Studio and Sing on Stage Time: 6 to 8 p.m. Location: 919 Fraser Dr., units 9 and 10, Burlington, Ont. Organizer: B Town Sound, Robyn Pauhl, robyn@btownsound.ca, www.btownsound.ca, 905-308-0026
Cine Starz Upper Canada Place SHOWTIMES September 25 to October 01, 2015 SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE G MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. PG NO ESCAPE 14A PIXELS PG RICKI AND THE FLASH PG TRAINWRECK 18A JURASSIC WORLD PG SOUTHPAW 14A INSIDE OUT G
September 22, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON This is a different way of promoting fire safety. Fire official’s report that the #1 cause of home fires is unattended cooking.
 Mayor Goldring brings a bit of an edge to the cooking competition to take place at Robert Bateman – he flips ribs pretty well – let’s see what he flips at the high school. Spreading the fire safety message is being tied to the Top Chef Competition at Robert Bateman High School. Four teams, each with one Burlington firefighter and two Robert Bateman High School culinary students, will compete to create a fiery dish from a mystery box of ingredients. Contestants can earn points or be penalized by answering cooking safety trivia. Other features of the event include interactive stations with information on smoke and CO alarms, the 911 call system, career options in the fire service, a firefighter crash course and technology demos as well as Burlington Fire Department truck display. This sounds like a neat event; it isn’t open to the public – the Gazette will tell you all about it
September 20, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON The crowds they had hoped for did not materialize but the weather did hold. There were more people at No Vacancy’s Supernova this year than there were at the Cirque event held at Village Square last year.  Perhaps outside some comfort zones. Let’s look at what was good. The Art Market was good – some of the exhibits stunned people a little – others were a pleasure to look at. Art is supposed to take you out of your comfort zone. The Teresa Seaton/Tomy Bewick event and the Kune Hua event were superb – illustration art at its best. Hua was a last minute entry – 36 hours before the opening he was still working through his concept – it turned out to be one a very emotional event for many people.  Several thousand ribbons were draped over the branches of the trees in the Wishing Garden. Set in a lot that was once a gas station the Wishing Garden was a collection of birth tree branches planted into pots with small white lights strong along the branches. Visitors were invited to take a ribbon and write a wish and then tie it to one of the tree branches. Hua believes that with all that energy; all those wishes collected in a single place – change was inevitable. Only those who tied a ribbon will know if there was a change – one can say however that there was a mood in the darkened space where you could smell the lake and not feel you were being intruded upon by the noise from Emmas Back Porch just yards away.  Tomy Bewick intoned in a strong passionate voice while Teresa Seaton spread the feathers about the ground “feathers spinning in the downdraft” The Seaton/Bewick event was more of a performance – and for those that listened there was a sense of trance as Bewick spoke ans Seaton moved around the space placing feathers fashioned out of stained glass on the ground while Bewick chanted she’s walking down that road again Seaton would gently place a few stained glass feathers on the ground while Bewick continued … watching the freebirds float above It wasn’t dramatic but it drew you in as the Bewick voice continued to intone and the feathers took their place on the ground as Seaton stepped around gently  The audience didn’t move while Bewick and Seaton performed – they stood silent for a few moments when the performance ended – it was that kind of event. she’s walking down that road again and the fumes are getting stronger It was a fine performance given every hour. If you missed this – you really did miss something. The problem areas – getting crowds out means promotion – some thought there wasn’t enough done. The location was very good – did the organizers create too much space? They were able to set aside basically all of the Old Lakeshore Road but there weren’t enough artists to take up the space which left the event feeling it was a little thin on the contents side. There were a lot of people at the event – it was hard to appreciate just how many because there was acres of space. At Village Square everything was crowded in – which made it seem very busy. There could have been more artists – it takes time for this type of event to gain a foothold. This was the third event put on by the No Vacancy group.  It was electric – it had energy and it had three dimensions – you left feeling better after looking at this piece of work. One of the problems they might want to give some attention to is the identity of the event. No Vacancy is the sort of umbrella name with each event given a different theme name each year. That gets a little confusing for the casual visitor. The organizers do something few other events of this type do – they ensure that the artists are paid – and that can be a real grind when other than the beer garden and perhaps some revenue from the art market there is no revenue stream. There were sponsorship’s and the city did kick in some money – there may not have been enough.  The Poacher Ukelele Band and the jugglers didn’t seem to fit into the art theme – but there were people who enjoyed both. The juggler was determined to make the event pay for him – which was outside the boundaries set by the organizers of the Supernova There was security that wasn’t needed – this was a very tame crowd that mixed well with the people that troop into Emma’s Back Porch. Printing a program means getting advertisers – and that requires time which the organizers just didn’t have.  The Art Market was in a smaller space this year and it had the crowds that in retrospect were what people missed overall. There was a very cruel, uncalled for comment from an artist who said ‘this was probably the last No Vacancy event. The artist who made the comment had submitted an event but was turned down and is reported not to have been prepared to make revisions to what was a collection of paintings that were for sale. Supernova was not at art sale – it was a collection of art illustrations – an event that you interacted with. It was an uncalled for comment from an artist currently looking to the community for financial support. After two outstanding successes the turnout this year is a bit of a setback. The arts are fickle – it doesn’t always turn out the way people hope it will  The Beer Garden was well situated – the band was loud – by the time this reporter was ready for an ale – the gates had closed – it was after 11 pm. The arts community has to call a spade a spade and work towards improving the event – what was great was the close to incredible support from the volunteers – who don’t get as much as a dime. Be kind to Selena and Dean Eckersall – they put their hearts into this and deserve an opportunity to put the event on next year
September 21, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON The weather was perfect – a great day for those of us who appreciate almost everything British to see about 1,000 motor cars on display in neat rows on the pleasant grass-covered fields of the Bronte Creek park. Some came from as far away as New York and Pennsylvania to get nestled between the trees.  Thousands of cars – all British – and a perfect day. There is such a rich variety among British motor vehicles that are distinctively different from the typical style of North American cars. Whether it is their soft curved lines, google-eye headlights, or being slung low to the ground.  Proud – very British – posh! Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Land Rover  Meant for narrow windy roads – with the wind in your hair. Triumph, McLaren, TVR Austin Mini, Sunbeam, MG  They look like Smarties in a bowl – all bright colours – great for skipping about crowded streets. De Lorean Lotus, Aston Martin Isn’t car manufacturing dead in the UK? No. There are over 30 car manufacturers in Britain with total output being just over half the number made in Canada. Well “somebody” needs to keep making the cars with a steering wheel on the wrong side.  A grateful child – with a picnic basket to make the day perfect. Boots and Bonnets
September 17, 2105 BURLINGTON, ON All the work, all the anticipation and then the scurrying around to make it actually happen – and we realize that it comes down to the weather. There are some people who don’t know about the event – where have they been? It is Supernova – takes place on Old Lakeshore Road from 7 to midnight. More than 20 artists showing you what they do.  Last year it was called the Cirque – 3500 people showed up – this year it is a Supernova on Old Lakeshore Road. Worth the walk. Last year the event took place at the Village Square – 3500 people showed up. This year there is a lot more space – enjoy the night. One of the artists has created a Wishing Forest. Here is how he tells that story.
September 17, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON It was an evening during which half a dozen people spoke glowingly about a man who is a classic introvert and in public settings painfully shy. A crowd of perhaps 100 people wandered around the Family Room of the Performing Arts Centre (now to be called The Centre) and gossiped, got caught up on things and then listened as various people spoke about Brian McCurdy, the retiring Executive Director of The Centre.  An apprehensive Brian McCurdy listens as he is lauded and recognized during a goodbye reception  A smiling Brian McCurdy – he is going to be missed. while with us he did a superb job. His replacement, Suzanne Haines was on hand – the people who are at the centre of much of what happens in this city introduced themselves to her. The Centre’s first Executive director was on hand to watch the passing of the torch. She was given some of the credit and recognition she should have been given before she left the position several years ago. Mayor Goldring spoke about the difference the Centre has made to the city and the growth that has taken place in the arts. During McCurdy’s time the program grew to include more local talent and a broadening of the program plus a significant increase in the number of performances on the two stages. McCurdy commented on what is involved in opening a new theatre. “I have opened three new theatres and know that it is not easy. What I was able to build during my time here was due in no small measure to what was done before I got here.” There was more than one occasion when city council had to speak rather forcefully to a former Chair of the theatre board about the size of the subsidy that was needed. When the $500,000 a year the city was prepared to live with ballooned to $1.2 million – Council came down hard on the theatre board – changes were needed and the then Executive Director left the position. Wednesday evening was a time to celebrate and those taking part in the pleasant goodbye got a chance to see how McCurdy worked with his staff. The star of the evening was the young man who runs the ticket office. Ty Howie told of a Brian McCurdy most people seldom see – a series of anecdotes and jokes and McCurdy’s difficulty with the GO train schedule gave us a glimpse of the man.  From the left: Theatre Board chair Ilene Elkaim former Executive Director Brenda Heatherington, retiring Executive Director Brian McCurdy and newly appointed Executive Director Suzanne Haines. The words staff watched for very carefully was when McCurdy said “I have an idea” – they knew changes were coming. Those ideas resulted in the 80 performances put on last season and the 100+ that are expected during the season we are now into. A man with more than 35 years’ experience in the theatre world had seen it all and brought that depth of talent to the footlights of the Centre’s stages – the results were evident. McCurdy started his career wanting to play the trombone – that wasn’t where he belonged. Brian Coulter, a colleague of McCurdy’s who recently retired from an arts position in Oakville said McCurdy is the kind of person you “hear of long before you meet him” Watching McCurdy as all these accolades flooded around him was awkward for him. “It was kind of surreal” he said – “they were talking about me.” It just wasn’t something he was used to or comfortable with. Ty Howie, the ticket manager, told the audience how McCurdy would continually ratchet up the goals and things just worked out. The Jazz in the Plaza series was an astounding success – expect that to be expanded next year; making stage and rehearsal space in the Studio Theatre available to community groups was a particular joy for McCurdy. Instead of booking a show and working with agents – he was working directly with the talent and having the time of his life. “That’s why we get up in the morning” he said during his remarks in which he set out just how much had been done.  Newly appointed Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre: Suzanne Haines The programming base for the season we are into has been set, there is a solid management team in place. The Board is well rounded with an energetic chair. Combine that with a new Executive Director and a level of satisfaction at city council we can now watch to see how Suzanne Haines builds on what was done before her. One of the most positive notes was McCurdy telling the audience that a Council member recently said to him: “I don’t get calls anymore.”
September 16, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON Look in almost any car in a mall parking lot and you will see a car seat for a child in the back. Legally required and gratefully used by every parent – was the seat properly installed? A the leading provider of Canadian car seats is sponsoring the Canadian Walmart Car Seat Clinic that will take place in the parking lot of the Walmart located at 4515 Dundas Street W on September 26 from 10 AM – 4 PM. The sponsors are encouraging people to make an appointment on their website (www.gracobaby.ca/news), but we will also take drop-ins.  There is a right way and a wrong way to install a car seat. You have to have one – might as well do it properly. Appointments will last for approximately 30 minutes (per car seat). The technicians will check and install seats for all ages and stages and any brand car seat. They encourage people to bring the manuals for both their vehicle and their car seat, along with their child if possible. Graco Canada, the sponsors of the event, claim that 90% of Canadian car seats are installed improperly and/or misused. Common errors include a missing top tether, an improperly positioned chest clip, and loose harness straps, not to mention children riding in seats that do not accord with their weight, height, and age. The simple habit of a child wearing a winter coat within their car seat can render the seat ineffective. The reality is that parents and caretakers love their children, but they don’t always know how to best protect them in a motor vehicle.
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