The Conservation Authority sent out water level warnings for the creeks that run into the city from the Escarpment.
The city decided that all clay diamonds and select soccer fields are to be closed to due water Tuesday, June 9, 2015
All clay diamonds are closed the evening of Tuesday, June 9:
Ireland Park: D1, D2, D3, D4 Millcroft Park: D1 and D2 Nelson Park: D1 Other diamonds are “as is” condition as there may be some puddles on the infields
The following rectangular fields are closed the evening of Tuesday, June 9: Maple Park Tansley Woods Park Sherwood Forest Park: F5 Central Park: F1
Less laundry for the parents if the playing fields are closed – what to do with the kids? The parents will figure that out.
It takes place in two cities – Burlington is one of them,
The site covers several thousand acres – 2700 to be exact.
The event will take place on three different days
It has the rather pedestrian name of Panorama – however it can turn out to be quite an experience.
Called the Panorama Adventure Challenge Sport it is a run that cover either a 3 km or 5 km distance designed to teach team building and problem solving.
It is intended for any age and can be done at any pace.
Opera and the Sound of Music? It’s going to happen – not out in Spencer Smith Park but inside the Knox Presbyterian Church, 461 Elizabeth St.
The Magic Flute was performed by the Canadian Children Opera Company. Burlington will hear a cabaret of their work June 13th
The performance is being put on by the Canadian Children’s Opera Company, (CCOC) an opera company for young people, unique in North America, dedicated to the training of young singers with an annual commissioned opera for young people from ages 5 – 20.
The CCOC’s youth chorus will present Opera Cabaret at Knox Presbyterian on June 13th conducted by two of Canada’s most treasured music educators, Ann Cooper Gay and composer, Errol Gay. CCOC members are regularly seen on stage at COC productions and is supported by various organizations including the Ontario Arts Council.
The 30 voice strong, Youth Chorus performs Opera Cabaret which marks the first performance of the CCOC in Burlington and will feature excerpts from Alice in Wonderland.
WHY IS THIS SO SPECIAL?
The CCOC is a major training ground for Canada’s future opera singers. And one of them is year is Burlington’s Lori Lewis, currently a student at Aldershot High School, a brilliant young talent whose musical roots are right here in our city and who will join an opera training programme this summer in Italy before he returns to this final year with the CCOC.
The Hobbit – a Canadian Children’s Opera Company production.
Having spent over 30 years as a singer and conductor, it was a rare treat to hear and see this young man in Alice. The voice is a tenor’s treat, warm and rich with high notes beyond what one might expect for a tenor this young. But today’s opera and music theatre world demands more than a voice and Lori Lewis has the timing of a comic, the awareness of an actor and the gift of moving his audiences. As the Mad Hatter in Alice, Lori’s performance still lingers in my memory.
This year’s sell-out event was a Canadian composed, written and staged opera, Alice in Wonderland that premiered at the Enwave Theatre at Harbour Front in Toronto to 12, sold-out, standing ovation audiences.
More details at www.canadianchildrensopera.com
Please forward this email to anyone you think would enjoy a taste of tomorrow’s Canadian musical stars.
The lobby of the Performing Arts Centre was abuzz with people last Thursday evening enjoying a complimentary glass of champagne.
Brian McCurdy, the Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre sat in a comfortable chair on stage beside Commie Smith and talked about the line-up for 2015- 2016. Connie chatted away in that “golly, gee-whiz” style that is all her own while McCurdy provided what he called the “colour commentary”
It was impressive.
McCurdy brought years of entertainment industry experience to his job – it shows – and announced a program of which he has every reason to be very proud.
The season consists of 68 artists and companies – the biggest the Centre has ever put on in this its 5th year of operation. Some of the city’s favourites – Alex Cuba and Matt Anderson will be on the stage during the season along with some delightful surprises as well – Colm Wilkinson of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera fame will be doing Broadway, Christmas and Beyond, an intimate and personal side of a performer not seen before.
The offerings are very strong – what makes it all work is the way McCurdy has broken the program into units that appeal to different audiences.
The Entertainer’s series Jose Feleciano and Pavlo; October 22 – 8 pm Jully Black and Jarvis Church – October 30th – 8 pm Art of Time Ensemble – Beattles Project – November 4th – 8 pm The Celtic Tenors: December 20th – 2 pm Bruce Cockburn: February 18th – 8 pm
The Blues and Rock series Lighthouse: September 26th – 8pm Pink Floyd: The Wall: February 6th – 8 pm Darlene Love: November 29th – 7:30 pm Matt Andersen: March 4th – 8pm Ruthie Foster & Harrison Kennedy: April 20th – 8 pm
The Traditional Series Irish Rovers: November 20th – 8 pm Men of the Deep: April 13th – 8 pm John McDermott: December 13th – 2:00 pm
The Dance Series Canada’s Ballet Jorge – Sleeping Beauty: October 2nd – 8 pm Proartedenza: November 11th – 8 pm Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet: February 4th – 8 pm Peggy Baker Dance Projects; Armour & Coalesce – 8 pm Hong Kong Ballet: March 8th – 8 pm
The Family Series Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny: November 22nd – 2:30 pm Alice in Wonderland: January 24th – 2:30 pm Cat in the Hat: February 21st – 2:30 pm Alexander Who’s Not. Not, Not, Not, Not. Note Going to move: February 12th – 2:30 pm
The Comedy Series Howie Mandel: October 3rd – 8 pm Ron James: November 7th – 8 pm Brent Butt: November 30th 8 pm Steven Wright: February 19th – 8 pm Just for Laughs: April 7th – 8 pm
The Jazz Main Stage series The Pat Metheny Trio: September 1st – 8 pm Abduillahj Ibrahim & Ekaya: October 23rd – 8 pm Matt Dusk: November 27th – 8 pm Holly Cole: April 6th – 8 pm
The Classical Series Emanuel Ax: November 3rd – 8 pm Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra: March 5th – 8 pm Midori: April 19th – 8 pm Collectif9: May 5th – 8 pm
The Global Beat series Compania Flamenca Jose Porcel: October 15th – 8 pm Soweta Gospel Choir: December 3rd – 8 pm Jesse Cook: December 12th – 8 pm Dakhabrakha: January 29th – 8 pm YAMATO Legend of the heartbeat: February 25th – 8 pm
The Performing Arts centre has a smaller theatre that is perfect for events that need a closer relationship with an audience. Called studio 440 – it will feature
A singer song writer series Danny Michel Trio: October 2nd – 7:30 pm Fortunate Ones: NOVEMBER 6TH – 7:30 pm David Francey: March 2nd – 7:30 pm David Myles: March 12th – 7:30 pm
The 440 World Series Alex Cuba: October 17th – 7:30 pm The Once: November 21st – 7:30 pm De Danann; March 10th – 7:30 pm Sultans of String: April 8th – 7:30 pm
The 440 Jazz series Tribute to Dave Brubeck: October 16th – 7:30 pm Shine On – The Universe of John Lennon: December 15th – 7:30 pm Laila Biali: February 20th – 7:30 pm
440 is the address of the Performing Arts centre on Locust Street
Classically yours – Sunday brunch series Campbell/Afiara: October 18th – Brunch 11:45 – Show 12:30 Crow Chiu Duo: November 15th – Brunch 11:45 – show 12:30 Gryphon Trio: February 21st – Brunch 11:45 – show 12:30
The Cushion concert series Markus: Saturday October 3rd – 11:00 am and 2:00 pm Camping Royale: Saturday February 13th – 11:00 am and 2:00 pm Old Man River: Saturday March 5th – 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Theatre series Second Life, Tottering Biped Theatre: October 22 to 24th – 7:30 pm and October 24, 25 and 31st – 2:00 pm Ralph and Lina: November 25 to 28th – 7:30 pm and November 28 and 29th – 2:00 pm Air – Tottering Biped: January 14 to 16 and 21st to 23rd – 7:20 pm. January 16, 17 and 23RD – 2:00 PM Late Company: February 24th and 27th – 7:30 PM and February 27th, 28th – 2:00 pm Proof: May 5th to 7th and 12th to 14th – 7:30 pm and May 7th and 14th – 2:00 pm 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: July 14th to 16th and 21st to 23rd: 7:30 pm and July 17th and 24th 2:00 pm
Special events Special Event – Cirque, October 29th – 7:30 pm Special Event – The Nutcracker, December 8th and 9th – 7:30 pm and at 2:00 pm on December 9th Special Event – Country: Gord Bamford, January 20th – 8:00 pm
Live and Local Music series Melissa Bel and Sharon Musgrave: September 18th – 7:30 pm Stuart Laughtin: February 12th – 7:30 pm Loretta Bailey: October 7th – 7:30 pm Aitch and Chris Chambers: November 20th – 7:30 pm Mod Opera: April 12th – 7:30 pm
Community on Stage
When first envisioned the Performing Arts centre was to make space available to community groups at a price they could afford. It took a while for the idea to get a foothold – under the direction of Brian McCurdy there is now wide ranging, active community involvement.
Burlington Student Theatre Peter Pan: July 6 to 17th; the July 16th show is at 2:30 pm Mary Poppins: July 20 to 31; the July 30th show will be at 2:30 pm
Symphony on the Bay Northern Lights with Ben Smith on piano: October 25th Christmas Pops: David Holler and the Mohawk College Community Chorus: December 6th Romance: February 14th Last Night at the Proms: Sunday May 15th Brott Musical Festival: June 18th – 7:30 pm and June 25th – 7:30 pm Top Hat Marching Orchestra: May 7th – 7:00 pm Burlington Footnotes: June 21st at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm and June 22nd at 2:00 pm Burlington Teen Tour Band: Fall concert: September 25th; 13th annual Christmas Concert, December 4th and Spring Concert May 13th
Matapa World Music series Zal Sissokho, Senegal: October 1st – 7:30 pm Ivan Mazure, Mozambique/Norway: November 18th – 7:30 pm Kasse Mady Diabate, Mali: March 26th – 7:30 pm Marrabenta, Sounds of Mozambique; April 27th – 7:30 pm
Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.burlingtonpac.ca or by telephone at 905-681-6000 and in person at the Box office at 440 Locust Street. Box office hours are noon to 6:00 pm – summer hours noon to 4:00 pm
When Reid Flock was a student in Burlington he used to hang around what was then known as the Burlington Art Centre and found himself drifting to the pottery section where he learned to throw clay.
Pottery: yes, of a different sort. The colours are resplendent and the shapes whimsical. A flock piece is up for bidding at the Art Gallery auction.
He found himself being heavily influenced by Kayo O’Young, a ceramist who worked out of Kleinburg. Reid may not have known it at the time but his future was being determined and he decided he needed to spend some time in Japan.
What was to be a one year trip turned into a nine year journey that brought him back to Canada where he now works out of a studio in Hamilton turning out some of the most astounding pottery this country has seen.
The Art Gallery of Burlington is holding its annual Art Auction – there will be a small piece of Flock’s work up for the bidders.
Jonathan Smith, curator of the ceramics collection at the Art Gallery of Burlington, looks over a Reid Flock piece that is being readied for shipping. Smith played a strong role in guiding Flock as he developed his skills with clay while at student.
Flock tells of the times Jonathan Smith would lock him in the ceramics vault at the art gallery where he would spend hours looking at different pieces and developing the sense of ceramics that allowed him to grow into the artist he is today.
Flock is perhaps the most accomplished artist to come out of the Burlington Gallery.
If you were to be invited to a display of pottery you would probably attend with an idea at least of what you were going to see – when you see the work that Flock does your understanding of pottery is shattered.
Flock calls his art whimsical – something that reflects a society and will smile when you tell him his work looks like baskets that happen to be made of “burnt dirt”.
I suggested to him that the Flocking Red Basket reminded me of the Queen of Hearts at the croket game in Alice in Wonderland. “Exactly”, flock responded “you’re beginning to understand the whimsy of it all.”
Reid Flock talking to his Dad about an idea he is working on.
Flock has no idea who buys his work when it is first sold. He learns later who has a piece and at times it is borrowed for a showing.
While his reds and his blues are, to this viewer, his most stunning, Flock has done pieces in black and in pick and has done a piece with polka dots – which I thought was taking whimsy a bit further than it might have been intended to go.
Flock is awaiting funding for a new tangent he wants to go off on – “squeeze toys” which was about all he wanted to say about the next venture other than to add that the pieces would be larger than his Flocking Red Basket which is the largest piece he has done.
During a meeting with Karen Brouwers at her Framesite location in Aldershot, Flock, his Dad along with Jonathan Smith and his brother were talking about how the red piece would be shipped – he has had at least one piece of his work broken in transit – he mentioned that his cat had climbed into the piece. Seeing Reid Flock’s work as something with utility is a real stretch
There will be a small Flock piece at the Art Gallery of Burlington Art auction which is doing exceptionally well with their 200 for $200. event. Painting by some well-known local artists were snapped up very quickly. There are still some good pieces available.
Art Gallery curator Denis Longchamps looks over some of the 200 for $200 pieces that are still available at the annual Art auction
The Art Auction is being held at a time when weather, hopefully, will not have the negative impact it has had in the past. This year the event has a theme: La Belle Époque that will see the gallery transposed into something resembling Paris at the turn of the century.
It was a period of time seen as a “beautiful era: that began in the late 1800’s and ended with the start of the First World War.
The hope that those attending the event would take to costume and really represent the era is expecting too much – Burlington isn’t there yet.
However, young people from the Student Theatre under the guidance of Rainer Noack will be on hand and in costume. Our young have always led the way haven’t they?
The art auction committee is headed up by Cheryl Goldring, an artist in her own right, is looking for ways to take a new direction and trying to create a theme for each year and make the event not just a fund raiser but something that raises the cultural bar of the city.
The event is a major fund raiser for the Gallery which has gone through a very rough patch financially. The city had to basically bail them out to the tune of $100,000 a year for two years.
Local art on sale at the Art Gallery of Burlington Auction.
The importing of a new President and CEO, Robert Steven, from Grande Prairie is the beginning of a stronger focus on the ceramics collection and hopefully boosting the reputation of the collection, which is really very good, to the point where it will draw people to the gallery and the city.
Some of the buzz going about the city suggests a new location for the Art Gallery might also be in the works – the property they are on has very significant value that a developer is believed to be talking to the city about exploiting.
A Broadway production on the stage of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre? Yup – Saturday Night Fever will be in town for a one night performance January 28th
Just a one day production – this one will sell out – a Broadway production on the Performing Arts stage.
Brian McCurdy made the announcement during the introduction to the 2015 – 2016 program for a theatre that appears to have found its footing and now has a robust, diverse program offering that does what the people behind the idea of a performing arts centre in the city wanted it to do.
It has been a struggle – a lot of financial ups and downs; a change in the management with another change coming in the not too distant future.
Bringing a popular Broadway production to the city – even if only for a single production – is a step forward.
Canadian singer-songwriter and activist Sarah Harmer will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Accessibility Awards at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday, June 2, 2015, at 2 p.m.
Sarah Harmer
“Sarah Harmer is an award-winning artist with strong ties to our community,” said Judi Lytle, the city’s accessibility co-ordinator. ”We are thrilled that she will join us and deliver the keynote address as we celebrate accessibility in Burlington.”
The Burlington Accessibility Awards are hosted by the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee as part of the city’s National Access Awareness activities. Emcee for the afternoon event will be Kelly MacDonald, a reporter for Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) and host of AMI-tv’s original program, AMI Blind Sighted. The awards celebrate the work being done by individuals, businesses and organizations to make Burlington more accessible for people with disabilities.
“We are making great strides in Burlington, not only to help remove existing barriers but also to prevent new barriers from being created,” said David Fisher, chair of the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee. “Each year we see great leaders in our community who are making our city a more accessible place to live, work and play.”
Admission to the awards ceremony is free, but attendees must pre-register. Call 905-335-7600, ext. 7865.
Established in 1994, the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee is a volunteer citizen’s advisory committee to Burlington City Council. The BAAC provides advice on the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to people with disabilities in the municipality’s bylaws, policies, programs and services.
There will be water in city operated swimming pools – but the pool at Nelson will not be one that opens – this year.
Beats the heat doesn’t it? Your tax dollars at work.
Nelson Outdoor Pool was scheduled to open for the 2015 summer season. As part of preparing for the summer opening, city staff conducted a pool inspection after the winter season. The pool structure has been deemed unsafe for public use by a structural engineer.
Attempts were made to see if any short term solutions could be found for this summer season however, repairs measures are too extensive. As a result, Nelson Pool will not open for the summer 2015 season.
“The pool was to reopen June 13, but with two severe winter seasons back-to-back, the steel tank at Nelson Pool has seen an accelerated rate of deterioration.” said Glenn. “Ensuring public safety is our top priority, and thus the need to keep Nelson Pool closed. Plans have been made to accommodate program participants and renters at other city pools.”
With the bad news out of the way the Director of Parks and Recreation Chris Glenn sang a happier tune and said the City of Burlington wants to help residents splash into summer and that all the city’s splash pads, including the Dofasco Waterjet Park at Discovery Landing, are open for the summer.
“With the warm weather, we’re pleased to have splash pads around Burlington open for the season earlier than usual. There are splash pads in parks across the city for families to enjoy the outdoors and cool off throughout the summer.”
Mountainside Outdoor Pool and La Salle Splash Pad will open on Saturday, June 13 to the public for the summer swimming season.
Mountainsides bran new pool will see its first customers Saturday June 13th
The Tim Hortons free swims scheduled for July 6 and Aug. 9 at Nelson Pool will be relocated to Centennial Pool, 5151 New St.
The July 6 swim will run from 1:30 to 4 p.m. and the Aug. 9 swim will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Don Graves gets around – he paints. He has shown his work in many shows and is off to Port Credit to take part in an event there – and didn’t take part in the official opening of the new office MPP Eleanor McMahon opening this Friday afternoon.
Don Graves painting of Grindstone Creek decorates the walls of the constituency office of Eleanor McMahon.
When Don learned that MPP Eleanor McMahon was officially opening her new constituency office he felt some original Canadian art would be needed to decorate the walls.
And he just happened to have what he felt was perfect for an office.
So – Don’s painting was unveiled on Friday at the office opening without the artist being on hand to take a well-deserved bow.
Graves doesn’t know if our MPP is purchasing the painting or if it is just going to hang on the wall for a period of time and be returned.
Cheryl Goldring, wife of the Mayor, will have a piece of her art on the walls as well.
Sign goes up on the office of Burlington’s MPP
The new digs for the MPP are several steps up from what she had on Brant Street. The washroom in the new location is bigger than the office McMahon had previously.
There is a small boardroom with all the office space walls done in glass.
A Shebang? A what? You’re calling it close encounters of the creatively collective conscious? Really.
AKA as a cool art event happening at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre with Burlington/Hamilton based professional writers, musicians, dance artists, singers, actors, costume designers and media artists.
And they are known as the shebangs?
Is this dancer doing the shebang?
Does it mean the whole shebang showed up?
Collectively they form The Burlington Shebang and their first public encounter is June 7, 2015 from 3:30-5:00 pm.
Does that help?. It didn’t – did it ? Here are some clues Trevor Copp, Tomy Bewick, Leslie Gray Shannon Kitchings, Bridget Alanna Bezanson and Lisa Ann will be doing the shebang – did I get that right.
It’s a Sunday afternoon gig or is it a shebang ? Is that like West Indian dance ?
I think you’re just going to have to go and take your chances.
There was no mention of prices – sounds as if it is free.
It used to be that Lakeshore Road was the place to be if you wanted to enjoy an outdoor patio.
Joe Dogs was further up Brant Street and there were a few places that had a couple of tables – but there was nothing that had any style or pizzaz.
The Test Kitchen had to pay full freight for the two parking space the Pop Up Patio took up. 21 tables in that space – it’s hoot and a fun place to be.
Alex Mickalow opened his Test Kitchen on Brant Street and offered a lunch that included a glass of beer or wine for $10 – the place became THE place to be seen.
There was a buzz to the place with a menu that was different for this city. Finally something that said one can do better than just a burger and beer.
Alex decided he could ratchet his operation up a notch and talked to people at city hall to see what they thought of what were being called Pop Up Patios.
It’s not the Brant Street you are used to seeing – expect to see servers scooting back and forth across the street.
It took a lot of talking – and city hall wasn’t exactly reasonable with the deal the Test Kitchen got but it did get approved much to the delight of the Burlington Downtown Business Association and Jodie Wellings, Special Business Area Coordinator responsible for making the Downtown Core Commitment real.
She unfortunately wasn’t in town for the opening.
The patio is now constructed and open – there are 21 tables in the space that used to hold two parked cars – tight but friendly.
The Test Kitchen Pop Up Patio on Brant Street is open – and appears to work.
Your menu is on an iPad which allows for instant menu upgrades and is kind of cool to use. Staff is great – they are kept busy.
City Council took to the idea and hoped there would be more applications for this type of operation. They seemed prepared to let Brant Street become one row of restaurant after restaurant – with room for other innovative commercial ideas. The street could eventually become car free – with just bicycles and people strolling along.
Does it have to be Brant Street? John Street has significant potential – the Organic Farmer’s market is now into its third year.
The Brant Street Test kitchen has proven that something upbeat, different and with some hip style to it will work. Mickalow knows he is on to something and is in the process of opening up a second Test Kitchen on Appleby Line.
Getting a table at Brant Street – make a reservation. (289) 245-1999
The only thing they didn’t have at the Art Gallery of Burlington Annual General Meeting last night was a hat check person – and they needed one.
Anne Swarbrick, changed hats so often that it was difficult to tell just what her title was at any one point in time.
Anne Swarbrick, back to being chair of the Art Gallery Burlington Foundation
During the past year the AGB has gone through significant changes along with the realization that the balance sheet was a little lop sided with the revenue part of that document nowhere near as high as it needed to be.
Swarbrick who was the Chair of the AGB Foundation had to be brought in as the interim Executive Director to run the AGB on a day to day basis while the chair of the AGB itself Sandra Edrupt kept things on an even keel.
Former Executive Director Ian Ross left the organization and Treasurer Paul MacDiarmid worked with the gallery staff to re-align some of those numbers.
Sandra Edrupt, Chair of the Art Gallery Burlington
Swarbrick and Edrupt worked as one of the most effective tag teams this city has seen in some time and convinced city council to make available the funds needed to cover the short fall for the next couple of years.
Council literally poured funds – more than $100,000 a year for two years into the bucket Swarbrick and Edrupt had brought with them. It was an impressive performance.
Newly anointed Executive Director Robert Steven learned that the woodworking guild was in the process of building him a new desk.
Robert Steven, newly appointed Executive Director Art Gallery Burlington
The meeting was one of the best run the Gazette has seen – the procedures they followed covered all the bases.
We will report further on just where the Art |Gallery needs and wants to go in the next three to five years.
Is there anything the Board or the city wants to say about the city owned property the art gallery sits on?
North America will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope on July 13, 2015. Terry Fox visited Burlington during that first event.
The Terry Fox Run to Cure Cancer has been a Burlington event from the beginning 35 years ago. Last year the organizers of the event set up a booth in the Car Free Sunday in Alton.
The city has been approached by the Burlington Terry Fox organization requesting a plaque or monument be installed along the waterfront, on the border between Wards 1 and 2, to mark the 35th anniversary.
Terry Fox ran along Spencer Smith Park during his cross Canada run, and the annual race takes place in Spencer Smith/Beachway Parks.
The city is exploring the idea further, and will be presented the following staff direction at the May 12, 2015 Community & Corporate Services Committee meeting:
Direct the Manager of Arts and Culture to consult with the Burlington Terry Fox Foundation in the design of a monument to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Terry Fox Run with funding provided by the Terry Fox Foundation for implementation;
Direct the Executive Director of Capital Works to consult with Halton Region on a location of the monument in alignment with the Beach Master Plan; and
Direct the City Clerk to write a letter of support for the project to the Burlington Terry Fox Foundation.
The tension between Councillors Meed Ward and Craven is close to measurable at times. It will be interesting to see how they manage to cooperate at the unveiling of the plaque the city is considering. ,
It will be interesting to see how the Councillors for wards 1 and 2 manage to co=operate on this event. They are not known for the conviviality of their relationship.
The plaque itself is a wonderful idea – Burlington has been a consistent supporter of the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope since its earliest days.
Large parts of this article were first published in a blog Mayor Goldring contributes to from time to time
The group that spent close to a week in Holland representing Burlington in one of the most politically and historically significant events for the western world are all back in town.
Burlington and Apeldoorn residents touring the Kasteel Cannenburch in Vaassen.
Mayor Rick Goldring and Councillor Blair Lancaster represented the city officially. Staff members Scott Stewart and Rob Peachy took part in the trip along with members of Burlington’s Dutch Community and the Burlington Teen Tour Band.
The event was the 70th year celebration of the end of the Second World War. The remaining members of the armed forces who fought that war are in their 90’s – the chances of them taking part in the next celebration ten years from now is remote.
Brian Bourne, Mayors John Berends and Rick Goldring, Scott Stewart, Councillor Blair Lancaster, Ed Dorr, Jan Koorenhof and Charles Minken come together with the Burlington Teen Tour Band and visiting Burlington residents for the preview of Burlington Park in Apeldoorn.
The occasion was an opportunity for Burlington to further cement its relationship with Apeldoorn, the city was twinned with ten years ago.
Mayor Goldring called the trip “the experience of a lifetime”.
The celebrations were multi-faceted. In April, 21 Burlington students from participating high schools travelled to Apeldoorn for a week-long exchange. There was also an art exchange and pen pal program between participating Grade 4 and 5 students.
Cycling is a key mode of transportation in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. Ideas for encouraging cycling in Burlington were shared.
Apeldoorn is a city of approximately 150,000, while Burlington has about 180,000 residents. We have many similarities despite our physical distance.
The Burlington delegation met with municipal officials on several occasions to share ideas and best practices, with discussions around infrastructure, sustainability, fleet, efficiencies, greenspace management and council procedure, among others.
There were also discussions about possible economic development opportunities. Economic development is a priority for both Apeldoorn Mayor John Berends and myself.
The close ties between the Canadian and Dutch people date back 70 years when the Canadian Forces liberated Apledoorn in April 1945 and the rest of the country by May 5, 1945.
Today, both Canada and the Netherlands are highly regarded in the international community for our strong open democracies with enduring traditions of tolerance and respect for human rights and the rule of law. We are natural friends and partners in so many ways.
Mayors Rick Goldring and John Berends lay a wreath at Loenen, the Netherlands.
Mayor Goldring said the visit to Holten Cemetery to honour our Canadian soldiers “touched my heart, as did the veteran’s parades in Apeldoorn and Wageningen.” Apeldoorn Mayor John Berends and Mayor Goldring laid a wreath at Loenen.
“I have always been proud to be Canadian” said Mayor Golddring. “This past week, observing thousands of Dutch citizens waving Canadian flags and seeing young Dutch children run up and hand our veterans homemade cards and fresh flowers during the parade deepened my patriotism.”
Canadian veteran and Burlington resident Mr. Jim Warford meets with Councillor Blair Lancaster and Mayor Rick Goldring.
Councillor Blair Lancaster and Mayor Rick Goldring with Canadian veteran and Burlington resident Mr. Stan Egerton.
“Last week”, while in Holland, “ I also had the opportunity to connect with Burlington veterans Mr. Jim Warford and Mr. Stan Egerton in Apeldoorn. Words are not enough to describe the honour of shaking their hands.”
“It is so very important to teach our young people about the importance of freedom and the relationship between Canada and the Netherlands. Everywhere I went, people spoke about the talent, precision and dedication of our young people in the band. They truly are the pride of Burlington and Canada’s Musical Ambassadors.”
Princess Margriet of the Netherlands meets members of the City of Burlington delegation in Apeldoorn.
Goldring reminded us that: “It is special to note that during the Second World War, the Dutch Flag was flown over the Parliament Buildings and Peace Tower in Ottawa when Princess Margriet was born in Canada. She is a beloved daughter of Canada.”
The Burlington delegation to Holland had an opportunity to meet Princess Margriet during their visit. “She was gracious and very complimentary of Canada and the relationship with Burlington.” Said the Mayor.
Goldring spoke during the preview of the Burlington Garden in Apeldoorn and said:
“I would like to extend warm greetings to Mayor John Berends, Apeldoorn Burlington Committee Chair Jan Koorenhof, Burlington Apeldoorn Committee Chair Charles Minken, Burlington Mundialization Chair Ed Dorr, our citizens, the Burlington Teen Tour Band and our friends in attendance.
A bench embossed with maple leaves in Burlington Garden in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. The park was a mundialization initiative.
“What a glorious occasion it is to be here today at the preview of Burlington Garden during the 10th anniversary of the official twinning of Burlington and Apeldoorn.
“The Burlington Garden is a meaningful initiative for both the City of Apeldoorn and the City of Burlington.
“Two years ago, Mayor Berends and I celebrated the ground-breaking for Apeldoorn Park in downtown Burlington. How quickly time has passed, my friend.
“Apeldoorn Park officially opened in Burlington in September 2014. It was a special occasion as Apeldoorn high school students were present at the opening.
“It has many Dutch features, with orange play equipment, benches engraved with tulips, and hundreds of Apeldoorn tulips.
Burlington Teen Tour Band members line a street in Apeldoorn for the walk of silence on the Day of Remembrance on Monday, May 4.
“Every time I drive or walk by Apeldoorn Park, I see children playing or seniors sitting enjoying the scenery. Apeldoorn Park is a park that holds a special place in the hearts of our residents. It is an honour to be here today at the opening of Burlington Garden.
“This garden embodies the friendship and close bond between the people of Burlington and Apeldoorn. It is also symbolic of city council’s dedication to the welfare of the people of Apeldoorn, as the garden will be maintained by area citizens and residents of Heeren Loo.
“It is beautiful to think that children will be playing in Burlington Garden at the same time as children in Apeldoorn Park. Although we are separated by a vast ocean and hundreds of miles, we are family.
The route for the Pan Am Torch run has been determined. It will go through Burlington on Friday June 19 and start at Brant and Leighland and proceed south to Caroline where it will turn west along Caroline to Locust.
South on Locust to Elgin
West on Elgin to Maple and south on Maple into Spencer Smith Park.
The Torch Route will start at 17:40 (5:40 pm) arriving at the stage at Spencer Smith Park at 18:25. (6:25) pm These times need to finalized with TO2015, which we anticipate shortly.
Pan Am Torch route – Friday June 19,
The 19th of June is Sound of Music time of year – so the Torch run will somehow become part of the Sound of Music.
There are hordes of people involved in the Pan Am event. Corporations are being asked to think in terms of possible staggered hours for their employees or have them work from home.
Traffic is expected to be a bit of a mess for the whole of the Pan Am and the Para Am games.
This is the torch Burlington’s representative will carry June 19th
Burlington has what the bureaucrats are calling “non-event” status – which is a polite way of saying nothing is going to take place in Burlington other than the practice soccer games that will take place at City View park – but the public will not be allowed to watch those games.
All these decisions were made before Burlington was recognized as the best mid-sized city in Canada to live in.
Dr. Ashley Worobec will carry the Pan Am Torch through Burlington and into Spencer Smith Park.
Dr. Ashley Worobec will carry the Torch for the Burlington portion of the run into Hamilton.
Worobec is a Burlington based chiropractor at the Burlington Sports and Spine Clinic. She is also an avid Crossfit practitioner.
A mother of two young children, she is actively engaged in numerous community activities and blogs about her community, her practice, parenting and staying fit and healthy.
One of the most gifted and at times controversial writers on important public issues, Jeff Rubin returns to Burlington to mark a major event in publishing and in fiscal and environmental analysis–the release of his new book The Carbon Bubble.
A compelling, forthright author and speaker, recipient of the National Business Book Award and author of two momentous works of economic forecasting, Why Your World is About to Get a Lot Smaller and The End of Growth, Jeff Rubin is in great demand in all media for his cautionary insights and startling predictions.
“If the world is changing, those willing and able to change with it will be rewarded. For a high-latitude country like Canada, whose average temperature is expected to rise a multiple of the global average that change points to a fundamental rethink of our national economic priorities.” –from The Carbon Bubble
The Diffeent Drummer, is hosting Jeff Rubin in partnership with Burlington Public Library on Monday May 25 at 7pm in Centennial Hall at Burlington Central Library, 2331 New Street.
Tickets are $10, available at the bookstore and at the third floor Information Desk at the Library.
To reserve seats in advance, please contact us at (905) 639 0925 or diffdrum@mac.com.
The Burlington 48 Hour Film Challenge is a weekend film making competition where teams of up to 10 cast and crew members set out to create films within the span of 48 hours.
The clock starts clicking the moment the teams receive their packages: will have no more than 48 hours to write, shoot and edit their short films.
All films are screened the weekend later and those eligible will be critiqued by a chosen set of judges putting them in a position to win a prize package.
The Challenge is open to filmmakers of all skill levels as well as newbies who would like to take a stab at film making.
The shoot gets done May 29th to the 31st. Entry fee is $65
The event is presented by the Filmmaker’s Alliance of Burlington and is currently in it’s first year. This is one of many events held by the Filmmaker’s Alliance in their mission to promote and support the film making industry in and around the Burlington area.
Jane Mulkewich, a full-time career as a lawyer for the Ontario Nurses Association and daughter of former Burlington Mayor Walter Mulkewich, spends her free time researching, writing and speaking about an American slave girl named Sophia Pooley.
Jane Mulkewich practices law and will be speaking to the American Women’s Club about a salve once owned by Joseph Brant
Sophia was the first non-native resident of the Halton area, and was stolen and brought to Canada from New York in the late 1700’s, and belonged to the Joseph Brant family. Mulkewich will be telling this fascinating story to the American Women’s Club who will be holding their 38th Annual May Luncheon at Paletta Mansion,on May 14th at 4250 Lakeshore Rd in Burlington. The event is from 11am until 2 pm, and will include the Annual General Meeting for the AWCO,
Founded in 1977, the American Women’s Club of Oakville is a non-profit organization, and membership includes U.S. born and naturalized citizens, both men and women, with the majority residing in the Halton, Hamilton and Peel regions of Ontario. The purpose of the club is to provide fellowship and social activities among Americans living in the area, and to encourage participation in service to the community, both civic and philanthropic.
When we did a report on the reception for the publication of Janet Turpin Myer’s first book Nightswimming we said that “Burlington may have just witnessed the introduction of a major new writer.”
Meyer’s has just published her second title: The Last Year of Confusion
Janet Turpin Myers works in a bright, sunlit room filled with the smell of cedar trees when the windows are open.
Her publisher, Maureen Whyte said of Meyers: “I believe it demonstrates a true ability to write well when an emerging writer doesn’t merely copy a previous storyline. Janet has written an engaging, funny, yet thought-provoking book that takes readers on a wild – but rewarding – journey.”
A story brimming with satire, dark humour and truth, the book follows Villis, a cranky retired anthropologist and survivor of Stalin’s gulag work prisons, as he works vigilantly with his long-time pacifist friend, Bipin, to protect the unspoiled forest they call The Pearl.
There are no coincidences, Bipin believes – so when a young man on an obnoxious all-terrain vehicle begins chewing up forest trails and squashing amphibians, Bipin seeks the cosmic meaning inherent in this assault. But Villis wants to wage war.
The two friends’ naïve efforts to dispel the ATV-man from their beloved woodland haven spiral into a rollicking chaos of confusion, involving celebrity impersonators, visions of cavemen, and a time portal swirling from within the vibrating heart of The Pearl. Mingling pathos and tragedy with humour and a keen perception of the superficiality of current pop culture, The Last Year of Confusion conveys profound ideas regarding peace, faith and love.
Janet Turpin Meyers, local author launches her first title. Her second title will be released later this month.
“I have used satire and, yes, shock features, in this story for an important reason,” says Myers. “I want to encourage readers to think about how pop culture, TV reality shows and celebrity personalities have lured our attention away from not only the environmental crisis our planet is in, but also from the abiding threat to human freedom by oppressive political and state forces.”
Book Launch will be at – the Cedar Springs Community clubhouse on May 24th – 2081 Grand Blvd., North Burlington- , starting at 2:00 p.m. The author will give a talk about the book, along with a short reading. Refreshments will be served.
On May 12, 1989, Mayor Roly Bird signed a twinning agreement with Mayor Kurihara of Itabashi, Japan.
Many Burlington visitors see the rows of cherry blossom trees as a bridal arch. The trees were a gift from Japan.
As a result of that agreement two rows of Sakura Cherry Blossom trees have grown in Spencer Smith Park.
On Saturday, May 9, 2015, 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Art Gallery of Burlington, Lakeshore Room the public is invited to the Sakura Cherry Blossom Festival.
The Japanese look forward to the annual bloom of the sakura tree as it is the premier sign of spring in Japan and blossom viewing parties are organized by companies, departments, neighborhoods and families.
Highlights:
Japanese taiko drum demonstration, with Burlington’s own Do Kon Daiko drum group
Koto performance and hands on demo by members of Kiri Koto Ensemble
Japanese dancing performed by Suzuran Odori Dancers
Martial arts displays from Burlington’s Shudokan Family Karate.
A presentation outlining the history of the sakura, both in Japan and here in Burlington
Each year, usually in May, the trees blossom adding to the splendor of |Spencer Smith Park
Burlington’s sakura trees are located in Spencer Smith Park, near the gazebo and the pier
By Pepper Parr
The Entertainer’s series
Ron James: November 7th – 8 pm
The Global Beat series
The 440 World Series
The Cushion concert series
Community on Stage
A compelling, forthright author and speaker, recipient of the National Business Book Award and author of two momentous works of economic forecasting, Why Your World is About to Get a Lot Smaller and The End of Growth, Jeff Rubin is in great demand in all media for his cautionary insights and startling predictions.
