By Staff
August 14th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Blathwayte Lane will be closed
Monday, Aug. 14 to Friday Aug. 18, 2017
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Hydro duct is being installed on Elgin Street.
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August 14th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
They take to the grass this evening at 7:00 pm for the second season of Shakespeare at the RBG Rock.
 Trevor Copp Trevor Copp has done a remarkable piece of work with the Merchant of Venice and his cast of nine. Copp sets out the story line. Money: Portia has it. Bassanio wants it. Shylock lends it. Antonio owes it. And it will cost him dearly. Dark in its humour and bawdy in its romantic hijinks, The Merchant Of Venice takes audiences on a journey of love, mercy and (in)justice. And for the second consecutive year, Trevor Copp will direct the production; Copp is the founder and Artistic Director of the Tottering Biped Theatre.  Alma Sarai as Portia and Zach Parsons as Bassanio, Last year, their first at the Rock Garden they brought in more than 2000 people to watch A Midsummer’s Night Dream. It was a bold venture and it took courage on the part of the Royal Botanical Gardens administration to make the space available to Copp.  Michael Hannigan as Antonio, It turned out to be a really wise move – the Burlington Hamilton markets might well be on the way to becoming the place where a director has the opportunity to produce a program that is vivid and entertaining. There is an intimacy to the space used at the RBG Rock – well worth attending. Opening night is this evening – the play will run August 14th to 18th ; 21st to 25th; the 28th and September 1st. There are no Saturday shows. Tickets are available on line.
August 12th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
Rain threatened so they moved the event from the patio to the expansive space indoors where the sound was just fine and the audience happy and dry. The third annual Jazz on the Patio was about to begin.  Jane B on the clarinet. Jane Bunnett brought her exquisite all-female sextet: Maqueque and their soul of Cuba sound to the stage. They were the first night performers of the very successful Jazz on the Patio series that the Performing Arts puts on each August. This is the third year and it worked wonderfully. Four performances being done by four different female groups chosen by Brian McCurdy – who should be referred to as the Executive Director Emeritus of the Performing Arts Centre, has produced a sterling program. He ran a superb program when he was the full time Executive Director and left a SOLD OUT performance for the woman that replaced him when he decided to try retirement – only to have to return to the job when she proved to be less than was expected. Tammy Fox was brought in to run the place – she wasn’t at the Jazz event on Friday so we didn’t get to meet her but we have heard nothing but good things about the woman who has an impressive resume. The problem with the Executive Directors at the Centre is that they seem to have trouble lasting beyond their sophomore year was the way one wag put it. The really solid programs have been put in place by McCurdy – who was on hand to watch the event Friday evening. The Jazz program is the best of that music form one is going to hear in this city. Take in the show – it is a free program – where you will hear some of the smartest and sweetest sounds that will float from the stage.  The threat of rain moved the event indoors – it was still a fine event. In terms of numbers – the Performing Arts staff had nothing to complain about – there were a couple of places where you could find a seat but not many.  A very good crowd, a very loyal crowd – but the demographic for the Performing Arts Centre needs to be broader. The problem was with the demo-graphics. The down-town crowd have made the Performing Arts Centre their turf and they are a loyal audience. The younger crowd – the people who are the future of the Centre, just weren’t in the audience. The Gazette was told that the marketing people distributed flyers, advertised in local markets including Hamilton and Oakville and had post cards delivered to homes in the Burlington market. Something isn’t working – the room was full –and there is nothing wrong with the seniors and the in the process of becoming a senior market. But the purpose of the Centre is to include a wider demographic. Whatever the magic is to attract those younger couples – the marketing people haven’t found it yet – and it certainly isn’t because they aren’t trying. The program content for this Jazz on the Patio series is as good as it gets – equals anything you will hear at the bigger city locales.  Classically trained violinist showed the audience how the sounds of the soul of Cuba can be heard. The classically trained Cuban violinist was superb. Those Cubans certainly know how to move on a stage. There were times when she was as aggressive with her bow as Ashley Macisaac has been on occasions. It was just plain fine music in a great locale – take it in if you are downtown – performance in the afternoon and the evening on Saturday and on Sunday afternoon. Jazz on the Patio at the Performing Arts Centre – program line up.
August 11, 2107 BURLINGTON, ON
When West Haven Drive resident Heather Laurie saw the letter in her mail box telling her that a quarry was going to go operational just over 100 yards from her back yard she made a point of meeting her neighbours – quickly. The letter was notice of a meeting that Heather was not going to miss.  Brick inventory outside the manufacturing plant in north Aldershot The company, Meridian Brick, was the corporate entity that came out of an amalgamation of a number of brick manufacturing operations. Brick manufacturing has been an industry in Aldershot for close to 100 years which wasn’t something the people on Westhaven Drive knew much about. Turned out that the brick plant had three different quarries in the same area which are referred to as the west cell, central cell and the east cell.  Reddish area on the left is the west cell and the brick manufacturing plant, to the right of Bayview Park is the Central cell which is being worked now. To the right of the Central cell and left of the red marker is the forested area the company wants to clear and begin quarrying shale. Meridian was telling the community that they wanted to begin the process of preparing to mine Queenston shale from the east cell. That preparation would mean cutting down 9000 mature trees and operating heavy equipment yards away from the homes on the west side of Westhaven Drive. When the residents went to their ward councillor and the Mayor asking for some help to prevent the cutting down of those 9000 trees and keeping the noise, the silica dust out of their lives, they were told that the company had a license to do what they were proposing. Nothing the politicians could do about the problem the residents believed they had. According to the residents, the MPP wasn’t much help either. The noise and the silica dust were just starting issues – there was the matter of property values on a street where home re-sale prices ranged from $795,000 to $2.2 million. Heather’s initiative brought the neighbours together which resulted in the creation of TEC – Tyendaga Environmental Coalition – a non-profit the community created after local fund raising put money into a bank account to cover the cost of incorporating and hiring professional help. The hand-delivered letter from Meridian to the Westhaven Dr. residents (WHD) mentioned their intent to expand their quarry to the east cell and announced a September, 2015 date for a WHD Community Meeting in order to present their plans and provide a Q and A forum. About 60 WHD residents found themselves facing 10 Meridian employees; most were operations personnel. During that 2015 presentation residents learned a little about the corporate history, 1929 – Quarry owned and operated by National Sewer Pipe Sometime in 2010 a number of brick manufacturing operations were merged to create Meridian Brick who are now the operators of the brick manufacturing plant and the quarries in north Aldershot and the one on Dundas west of Tremaine. Ward 1 city Councillor Rick Craven told the residents that Meridian Brick had a license to operate a quarry : “..they showed us documents …” he is reported to have said.  Approved as a sub division in he late 90’s the project went through some difficult phases with the original developer turning the project over to another developer. some of the original developer undertakings appear to have been forgotten by the company that actually built the homes. Meridian had taken the position that they wanted to be “Good Neighbors”; they even have a handbook setting out what they were setting out to do. That 2015 meeting was attended by Donna Kell (City Burlington, Manager communications) , Lisa Steen (City of Burlington, Planning) and Thomas Douglas (City of Burlington Planning). This was the meeting at which Councillor Craven told the residents – “They have the license folks there is nothing you can you do”. Prior to the meeting Hanson offered WHD residents a tour of the processing plant. During the 2015 meeting residents asked if the company could do an incremental quarry ‘dig’ – in other words only deforest a portion of the trees at a time (essentially, gradually move eastwards) rather than do the full 30-acre deforestation.  The Westhaven Drive residents have done a lot of research in order to figure out just who owns what. Their answer was that they had to do a complete deforestation because they needed to get more complete and comprehensive core samples which they could not get those without full deforestation. This appeared to indicate that they have very little knowledge about the clay / shale content before the devastation which some residents thought was even more disturbing. The residents asked how the company would monitor the dust. Meridian said they would place a number of plastic bottles with holes in them suspended on a pole and periodically examine their content for volume. The residents wanted them to measure for content as well.  Residents fear that they are going to have to live with equipment like this less than 100 yards away from their back yards. City says there is nothing they can do – the brick company has a license. The 2015 meeting did a lot to galvanize the residents – they were beginning to realize that their lives were going to experience considerable disruption. They had come to realize, said one resident, “ that the politicians just want it off their plate and not have to be bothered about the mess that gets left behind when the quarry had been mined out.” Meridian Brick began to realize that they were now up against a community that did not like what was being proposed and they were not going to sit quietly and let the company do whatever it wanted.  The residents are organized. That September 2015 meeting lasted about two hours; it got a little tense near the end but out of it came an agreement amongst the WHD residents that they had to organize a community group which would then represent the community and work with brick company. They were initially called the Tyandaga Community Group but in January 2016 they renamed and incorporated as Tyandaga Environment Group. This is a story about residents who want their elected officials to protect their interests and a municipal government who seem to want to walk away from a problem because of a license that was issued in 1972. The residents are pointing out that things change. To follow: How the community pulled together and did their own research – it wasn’t a pretty picture.
August 10th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
The 2017-18 Fall/Winter Live and Play Guide – the City of Burlington’s guide for information on recreation, sport, culture programs and festivals and events is now available online. Printed copies are available for pick up at recreation centres, City Hall (426 Brant St.), Burlington Tourism (414 Locust St.) and Burlington public libraries. The online Live and Play guide allows you to review and share program information as well as register for programs directly from any computer or mobile device. View the online guide.
An interesting program that has become quite popular is pickle ball, a trending sport that is taking the world by storm. Easy to learn, Pickleball can be geared to a wide range of ages and skill levels, from those new to the sport to the most seasoned players.
In coming years, Pickleball in Burlington will expand to include more advanced lessons, advanced drop-in times, and tournament play. For now, we encourage advanced level players to play with similarly skilled partners and opponents or to respectfully adjust their level of play to the level of others. More on the program online.
August 10th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
It is one of the events that those living downtown know about and make sure they get to the Performing Arts Centre early enough to get a seat.
Those who get there are treated to some of the smartest – sweetest jazz you are going to hear in this town. And there is a cash bar, And – given the way weather has played with us this summer – in the event of rain, the performance will be moved inside the venue.  Jane Bunnett The line up this year includes: Friday, August 11 Four-time JUNO Award winner, two-time Grammy nominee soprano saxophonist/flautist Jane Bunnett brings the soul of Cuba to the hearts of Canadian music-lovers. Along with her new and exquisite all-female sextet: Maqueque. Saturday, August 12 Biali is an award-winning Canadian pianist and vocalist, who has has been garnering world-wide recognition for her music. Her accolades include SOCAN Composer of The Year, and Keyboardist of The Year at Canada’s National Jazz Awards.  Amanda Martinez Saturday, August 12 Amanda Martinez is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter whose music blends her unique Mexican and South African roots with flamenco soul. Her solo CDs have garnered her multiple nominations for Latin Jazz Performer of The Year. Sunday, August 13 Born in Scarborough, Kellylee Evans is a chameleon-like performer, whose natural charm and improvisational jazz vocal style have shined on her adventurous journey through jazz, soul, pop and hip-hop over the past decade. Every square inch of the patio is taken up – some people sit on the sidewalk on the other side of the street to listen to the music. It is unfortunate that Performing Arts staff have in the past taken up some of the prime space – this is a public event – not a perk for staff. The downtown lifers know a good deal and they arrive in droves.
August 10th. 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
Any day now you can expect to see the Back to School flyers in the print edition of newspapers. It will be a thick package of advertising material. While many kids look forward to back to school shopping, new clothes and school supplies are unaffordable luxuries for about 1 in 10 students in Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills. The Halton Learning Foundation (HLF) is on a mission to raise $10,000 by September 1 to ensure those students can start the school year with the basics they need to be successful.
“The high cost of housing in Halton, low‐paid work and unexpected events like illness or accidents can affect a family’s income to the point where they can no longer afford to buy their children new shoes or send them on a school trip,” she says. “We don’t want kids in our community to give up on their education and the opportunity for a better future because they are unable to fully participate in school.” Mansfield says even small donations can make a difference; for just $20 a student can be included in a class field trip instead of being left behind. The help is needed to help prepare a child in our community to go back to school. You can donate on line or give the office a call: 905‐ 335‐3665, ext. 3408 or 3388.
August 9th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
If someone calls you, s6ays they are from the city and asks to make an appointment to come to your home and inspect water and gas meters inside your home – you should know the call is fraudulent – the city isn’t going to call and offer to help you. That is not the business municipal governments are in The city continues to receive reports of phone calls being received by Burlington residents from an individual claiming to be a City of Burlington employee. The caller asks residents to set up an appointment time to inspect water and gas meters inside their homes. These are fraudulent phone calls Residents who have called the number displayed on their call display got the “number not in service” message. The city is also posting information on its social media sites about the fraudulent calls. If it looks too good to be true – you should know it isn’t. Municipal governments don’t call citizens – they do respond to citizen complaints.
August 8th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
Summer days should be filled with play – time spent lying on your back looking at the clouds, building forts, hunting for frogs, and exploring! Turn back the clock and make some time childhood memories at Mountsberg and Crawford Lake Conservation Area’s Amazing Things To Do Before You Are 12 event this weekend on Saturday, August 12 and Sunday August 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Touch a snake before you are 12 Families can spend the day checking things off a list of “Amazing Things To Do Before You Are 12”. Make a nest like a bird, touch a snake, make a masterpiece, learn to make fire without a match, and play to your hearts content. You won’t want to miss the fun at this year’s mud pie kitchen at Mountsberg or at the Archery range at Crawford Lake. Live snake and raptor presentations round out a day full of family fun. Regular park admission applies, and Halton Parks members can show their pass for admission.  Learn how to make a bird’s nest – before you are 12. Author Richard Louv introduced us to the dilemma of the growing disconnect between children and nature in his ground-breaking book “Last Child in the Woods”. He coined the term Nature Deficit Disorder which aptly describes the poor physical and emotional health of children and adults due to the lack of direct exposure to the outdoors. “Amazing Things To Do Before You are 12” event was created in response to provide fun, active outdoor play for busy families. Mountsberg Conservation Area is located on Milburough Line, five km west of Campbellville, ON, between Highway 6 South and Guelph Line. This 472 hectare park includes extensive wetlands, forests, fields, and a reservoir. For more information please call Mountsberg at (905) 854-2276 or e-mail mtsberg@hrca.on.ca.
August 8th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
It is less than a year away. In June of 2018 we will elect a provincial government. The provincial Liberals have been in office since 2003 and are described by many as tired and no longer have that edge one needs to govern a province the size of Ontario.  Katherine Wynne decided to sell part of Hydro to raise the money for needed infrastructure projects. Many thought she had made a serious mistake. Hydro rates bother a lot of people and the selling of a significant part of Hydro One is seen as close to criminal by many. The attention being paid to the upgrading of our infrastructure – roads, rails – and the building of hospitals has been admirable. Will all that be enough? Wynne put immense pressure on the federal government to improve the Canada Pension Plan by creating an Ontario pension plan – the federal government caved in and improved the federal plan – something every Canadian can be grateful for. The raising of the minimum wage to $15 an hour suggests the Wynne government hasn’t completely lost touch with what the province needs. The pressure from the private sector is immense – Loblaws is lobbying her fiercely.  Patrick Brown is going to have a Joe Clarke experience. Keeping the provincial economy sound and maintaining the NAFTA agreement with an American president who wants to tear it up before he gets committed to either a mental health institution or a prison is not a small matter. Something well beyond the capacity of Patrick Brown. When deciding who you want to run the government, being angry and wanting to get rid of what you have, requires a look at what the options are. The pickings aren’t all that inviting. Andrea Horwath hasn’t excited anyone other than the limited NDP base and the support for her there isn’t exactly overwhelming. And there doesn’t appear to be a number two within the NDP ranks. Patrick Brown struggles to define just what it is he wants to do – and seems to have an edition of his platform that is tailored for whichever part of the province he is in. In Burlington it has been difficult to get a sense of what the Conservative candidate, Jane McKenna, has to say or to even get a look at her. The Gazette has reached out to the Conservative’s in Burlington – they haven’t been returning calls. Brown is still learning his way as the Conservative party leader – he should be aware that he isn’t going to hold that job for all that long.  When she was a speaker at the federal Conservative leadership convention earlier in the year it was evident what the Mulroney game plan was – Caroline was headed for the leadership o the provincial Tories. The game changer is Brian Mulroney’s daughter Caroline, who has been nominated to run as the Conservative candidate in York–Simcoe, north of Toronto. She appears to have a home in Forest Hill, a very tony part of Toronto and a home in a township within the York Simcoe riding. The team guiding the Caroline Mulroney nomination campaign are keeping her away from national media while they woo the locals. The sitting member for York Simcoe, is the longest serving female member of the provincial legislature and has thrown her support behind Mulroney. Caroline Mulroney did not decide to enter provincial politics to sit as a back bencher at Queen’s Park. That is not the way the Mulroney’s do business She will win the York – Simcoe seat and while she has zilch legislative experience the pressure on Brown to put her in his shadow Cabinet is something he will not be able to resist. Should he win the provincial election, which is a big assumption, the pressure to put her in his Cabinet will be even stronger. The Mulroney’s are going to do to Patrick Brown what they did to Joe Clarke. It will not take too long for Caroline Mulroney to outshine Patrick Brown and begin the move to ousting the poor man when there is a leadership convention. Jane McKenna, who has been particularly adroit at figuring out where the power is in a room, will find herself warming up to Ms Mulroney as quickly as she possibly can.  She has a strong profile: Caroline Mulroney is a lawyer, has experience in the financial sector and the required philanthropic foundation. Ms Mulroney is in this for the long term. Should she find herself on the Opposition benches the goal will be the same – to gain the leadership of the Conservative party in Ontario. So what the public wants to do is look very carefully as Caroline Mulroney – is this the woman that is going to restore the Progressive Conservatives to power in Ontario? Patrick Brown might, and this is a small might, defeat Kathryn Wynne. She is a formidable campaigner and she does not like to lose. She also believes that Ontario has done well by the Liberal government she has led. These are all small matters – Catherine Mulroney is going to lead the Ontario Progressive Conservative party and will at some point defeat the Liberals.  Former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney and daughter Caroline arrive at the church for the state funeral for the late Jim Flaherty. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette Wynne might prevail and get back in but 2018 will be her last election and there is no one on the Liberal front bench that can take the leadership and defeat Ms Mulroney. The only thing in the woman’s way is any stupid mistake she could make. Highly unlikely – her Father will be up to his ears in her campaign and he will call in every favour he has and then some. An opportunity to create a Mulroney dynasty is too much for Brian Mulroney to take a pass on.
August 7th, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
It was clearly a difference of opinion that got out of hand.
During the fight, one of the suspects used a small pocket knife to stab two other people involved in the fight. Those people have been treated at hospital for minor injuries and are expected to make a full recovery. Detectives have since identified each of the persons involved in the incident and are continuing conduct interviews and investigation into this matter. Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the altercation or may have any information concerning this incident to contact Detective Joe Barr of the #3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau, at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2385. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
August 4, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
Ray is taking what he feels is a much needed and well earned break to re-fresh and get some work done on his next book which has the working title of The Draft Dodger. He has found a publisher interested in this most recent book. He will return to these pages immediately after Labour Day.  Ray Rivers, shamelessly flogs his book every opportunity he gets. Rivers published The End of September in 2012.
August 3rd, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON Late in July at very close to 2:30 AM on a Friday police received a call from a citizen who observed two males break into a neighbour’s car in the area of Millcroft Park Drive and Sarazen Dr. in Burlington. Police arrived and observed two males matching the suspect’s descriptions leaving the area in the back of a taxi. The taxi was stopped and the two males were arrested and found to have a quantity of stolen property that had been taken from numerous vehicles in the Millcroft, Headon Forest and Alton Village Communities of North Burlington. Police also located a set of keys that were linked to a Dodge Ram that had been stolen from Deer Run Avenue and later located on Minvera Way in Alton Village (Burlington). Kameron ARSENAULT (18-yrs) of Burlington and a 17 year-old male youth who cannot be named because of his age were held for bail charged with the following offences: • Theft Under $5000 • The 17-year-old male faces additional charges of breaching recognizance and fail to comply with disposition. Anyone who may have information pertaining to theft from autos are asked to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825 4747 ext. 2316, Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS, through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca or by texting “Tip 201” with your message to 274637 (crimes). Police are reminding the public of the following prevention tips: • Ensure your unattended vehicle(s) are kept locked/secure
August 3rd, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
Statistics Canada released more of the census data it collected during 2016. We get a tighter look at data about families, revealing changes in marriage rates, how much longer Canadians are waiting to start families, and how many families live under different roofs — be it because one parent is working in another part of the country, or because they are older parents choosing to live apart. The statistics show the varying and ever complex definition of family in Canada, which — like language — seems certain to prompt governments and service providers to rethink their policies and offerings to meet demographic dynamics. Some graphics on what has been learned so far from the data. Interesting.  This suggests they might never move out.
 The older folk seemed to have figured it out – staying together probably means live live longer as well.
 Quebec has always been different – but tat much different is surprising.
 Nationally – this is what we look like. Which do you fit into – and do your neighbours also fit into the sector you are in ?
August 3rd, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
For Canada’s 150th birthday, the Museums of Burlington are celebrating Joseph Brant Day at LaSalle Park with all things Canadian.
Enjoy the main stage entertainment by local performers. Interact with local organizations and businesses, hosting a variety of fun games and activities. You will sure find something to love from our long list of exciting features, including: a “Made in Canada” vendors market, henna tattooing, live art performance, community mural project, and many more!  The Joseph Brant Museum as it looks today. It has been closed for close to a year and probably will never again be open to the public. But you may not hear very much about the $10 million expansion that is to take place at the Joseph Brant Museum on Lakeshore Road. Before packing things in for the summer city council approved the provision of a $1 million dollar top up sum to ensure that all the funding was in place for the construction of the new updated museum that will turn the replica structure into an administrative office that the public won’t get anywhere near. What is now the museum will be pivoted and moved a short distance while construction of the new museum, much of which will be underneath a large pile of earth.  Artists rendering of the proposed re-development of the Joseph Brant Museum. Neither the Museum staff or the Museum Foundation have said very much about just what is going to be in the new structure other than to say that it will be 300% bigger than what is in place now. One would have thought that the Joseph Brant Day would have been an excellent opportunity to tell the public about these big big plans. This time next year the construction will be well underway. For this year what the public gets is 11:30 Opening Ceremony At various times during the day there will be Interactive First Nations Drum Circles FOOD TRUCK RALLY  Food Trucks have proven to be very popular at the annual Joseph Brant Day celebration. Feast at the Food Truck Rally. This is a really smart addition to the Brant day celebration. The dishes being offered are said to be inspired by Canadian ingredients. Enjoy a smokey maple bacon poutine, a True North burger, maple cotton candy and more! There’s something for everyone: Dora’s Express, Luchadore Gourmet Streatery, Cafe du Monde Creperie, Pappas Greek, Sweet Temptation Cupcakery, MeatVentures, and Triple Treats. MADE IN CANADA VENDORS MARKET Explore the vendors market which will showcase the work of local artisans and businesses. Plan to visit the Purpal Paisley Soapery, Ruff Trade Ties/ Little Kitchen Helpers, The Davidson Co., She’s Got Leggz, In Front Design Studio, Voxx Life, Healing Treasures, Woodfully Wooden World, The Good Red Earth Soap Company, Pandamonium Publishing House, Rubber Ducky Co., Life lounge Chiropractic and Health Centre, Papas Pens by Bill and more. What would Joseph Brant have said about all this? Maybe his peers knew what was best for Brant when they moved his remains from Burlington to Brantford where they rest in peace today.  The Brant tomb sits just outside the Mohawk Chapel near Brantford. Joseph Brant – the man. Just who was this man Joseph Brant, the corner stone of the city’s history ? The Museum staff tend to tell the public very little about the man who was given the land grant that Burlington was built on. Lest he be totally forgotten – here is a short version of his story: Mohawk Leader. Born on the banks of the Ohio River to Tehonwagh’ kwangeraghkwa of the Wolf Clan of the Mohawk. In his early youth, Thayendanega became a favorite of Sir William Johnson, the British Superintendent of Northern Indians of America. Thayendanega was among a number of young Mohawks who were selected by Johnson to attend Moor’s Charity School for Indians at Lebanon, Connecticut where he became known as Joseph Brant. That school evolved into what today is known as Dartmouth University.  Joseph Brant was frequently painted by British artists who were keen to capture his image – he was very popular during his several visits to the United Kingdom. Brant left school at about age 13 and followed Sir William into battle during the French and Indian War. He became Sir William’s aide in the Indian Department, administered by the British out of Quebec. In August 1775, the leaders of the Six Nations of the Iroquois League met in council and decided that the growing conflict was a private affair between the British and the colonists, and that they should stay out of it. Brant denounced the Iroquois League’s decision to remain neutral and called the Americans the enemy of all Indians. He feared white expansion would push the Iroquois off their lands if the colonists achieved independence. Brant used his influence to engage the League for the British, four tribes, the Mohawks, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas entered into an alliance with England.  The oak tree on Allview, a street that runs off the North Shore Road, marks the western boundary of the land grant given to Joseph Brant. The Oneidas and Tuscaroras ultimately sided with the Colonists splintering the confederation. Brant received a Captain’s commission in the British army and was placed in charge of the Indian forces loyal to the Crown. Brant took part in the Battle of the Cedars in 1776, German Flats, and Cherry Valley in 1778, establishing a formidable reputation for himself. At war’s end, Britain abandoned its Indian allies in the 1783 Treaty of Paris, when it ceded the Crown’s claim to land south of the Great Lakes and accepted peace terms that contained no mention of tribal rights.
 In this portrait Joseph Brant is seen wearing the gorget given to him by King George III. That gorget is the most important piece in the collection at the Joseph Brant Museum. This land grant was separate from the 3000 plus acres he was granted in what became Burlington and whee he built a home. The current museum is a replica of the house he built. Brant traveled to England in 1785 and succeeded in obtaining compensation for Mohawk losses in the American Revolution. He encouraged the Mohawk to adopt Christianity and support British style schooling. His translations of Saint Mark’s Gospel and the Book of Common Prayer into Mohawk were published in 1787. Brant died at about 65 years at his home in what was then known as Wellington Square which came to be known as Burlington.
August 2nd, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
The Art Gallery of Burlington has released their program for the fall. Family Saturday Sessions There will be sessions on: Sept 23: Rug Hooking Oct 14: Printmaking
Nov 4: Darkroom Photograms Nov 18: Clay Masks Dec 9: Embroidered Felt Buttons Kids Classes
Age: 4-12 years Member: $175 | Non-Member: $200 Creative Playdates (10 classes) Home School Art Immersion (12 classes) Teen Classes Teen Potters (8 classes) Artist and Curator: Parade Float (9 classes)
Member: $30 | Non-Member: $40 NEW – Open Studio Drop-in Community Drop-in Studio Fine Arts (13 weeks) For Adults 16+ who need a studio space to work in – drop by and work on your own independent projects. The onsite facilitator will show you how to use the equipment. Member and Non-Member: $10 for 4 hours or 10 visits for $90 Pottery (13 weeks) Member and Non-Member: $10 for 4 hours or 10 visits for $90 Adult Classes
Pottery by Hand (6 classes) The Foundation of Painting (10 classes) Painting the Canadian Landscape (10 classes) The Foundation of Drawing (10 classes) Pottery Your Way (10 classes) Beginners Throwing Workshop (9 classes) Intro to Stained Glass (1 class) Sip & Paint Social (1 class) For a full description of each Adult Class including date, time, cost and instructor please see the course outline on our website. Beginning in October
Intro to Stained Glass (1 class) Stained Glass Panel Original Design and Fabrication (6 classes) Clay Date (1 class) Hooked on the Maple Leaf (4 classes) Encaustic Painting Techniques: The Whole Ball of Wax (2 classes) Basic Watercolour (8 classes) For a full description of each Adult Class including date, time, cost and instructor please see the course outline on our website . Beginning in November
Sip & Paint Social (1 class) Enamel Buttons are Back (4 classes) Handmade Statement Ring (4 classes) Clay Date (1 class) For a full description of each Adult Class including date, time, cost and instructor please see the course outline on our website. The Art Gallery of Burlington is funded by an annual grant from the city of Burlington, fees charged for events and additional financial support it gets from the provincial government, provincial agencies and private sector sponsors.
August 1st, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
The CIBC bank on Fairview was robbed this morning when two men jumped on the counter inside the bank and threatened to shoot employees unless they were given cash. It was approximately 11:20 AM.
The vehicle was last seen traveling northbound on Appleby Line. No weapons were observed and no persons were injured. The suspect descriptions are as follows: Suspect #1 – Male, black, approximately 5’9″ tall, slim build wearing dark track pants, dark jacket with white shoulders and a dark hood with a scarf covering his face, white running shoes and white gloves/ Suspect #2 – Male black, approximately 5’11” tall, slim build, dark track pants, grey hoody with a bandana covering his face, white gloves and white running shoes, carrying a black gym bag. Suspect #3 – wearing a hoody. Anyone with information are encouraged to contact Detective Constable Jack Olewniczak – Three District Criminal Investigations Bureau, at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2364. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
Community needs tools to complete the building of a neighbourhood playground on Sunday August 13th..
August 1, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
The KaBOOM! Aldershot community planning committee are looking for gardening and construction tools to help build a new playground at Bolus Gardens Parkette on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017. A few volunteers are also needed to join Foresters FinancialTM, and non-profit KaBOOM! to create the new play space, which will serve more than 1,200 children and their families in the local community. The design for the new playground is based on drawings created by neighborhood children at a special Design Day event that was held in June when community members met with organizers from KaBOOM! and Foresters Financial to design their dream playground. The drawings inspired the final playground design.  Designed by the kids – assembled by the community – they need to borrow some tools to get the job done. Volunteers are asked to bring tools and community residents and businesses are encouraged to loan or donate items such as garden hoes, wheel barrows, various drills, hammers and saws. Please see the complete list at www.burlington.ca/bolus or contact Kim Napier at 905-335-7600, ext. 7900. or kim.napier@burlington.ca. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to register at https://www.tfaforms.com/4618494. There are limited spots for this opportunity. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has been dedicated to ensuring that all kids get the balance and active play they need to thrive. KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy lives and communities. Foresters Financial is a KaBOOM! Founding Partner and National Partner. Bolus Parkette is on Francis Road south of Plains Road East. Related article: Parkette adjacent to proposed community re-development.
August 1st, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
With the selection decision made Ken Hall now has to move into production mode and begin the process of creating large aluminum based ribbons that will be painted a bright red metallic paint that will go up on three of the city’s sports and recreation locations: Mainway Arena, Brant Hills and the Nelson Recreation centre. During the selection process the public didn’t get to see much of work Ken Hall had done elsewhere. Shown were conceptual drawings that were a hint at what was being suggested.  Rendering of the aluminum ribbon Ken Hall has been commissioned to install on the Brant Hills recreation centre, Similar ribbons will be placed on two other recreation locations. Once the public had been given an opportunity to voice their views on a selection of artists who made the short list, the task of refining the concept, ironing out some of the wrinkles and getting a production schedule in place became the focus. One shift was that none of the art was going to be on the ground. All the ribbons will be attached to the building. There was a concern that something on the ground could be mutilated by vandals. They will not be illuminated which is unfortunate – they would look rather stunning in the evenings if they were lit up. Not enough money in the budget for that feature. Hall has done public art for Cambridge and Georgetown, Ontario and has an interesting piece of work being created for Waterloo. The work he is best known for is his Legacy, a piece of sculpture that was named Hope by children who lived in the community where the whale the sculpture is based on was washed ashore. In 2002, the body of a female killer whale was found stranded on the North Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Just offshore, a healthy young male hovered close by, refusing gentle attempts to guide him into deeper water. Although the orphaned male orca was saved, it was soon learned that the female’s body carried one of the most toxic loads of chemicals ever recorded in a marine mammal. She had the highest levels of PCBs and DDT ever found in an orca. “Hope’s story” explained Hall “inspired me to create an installation that would illustrate the fragility of our ecosystems, and highlight the cost of ignoring our impact on our environment.”  Ken Hall’s Legacy currently on display at the Ontario Science Centre. Legacy, the name given to the piece of work, is a life-sized, anatomically correct orca skeleton that has been hand-carved from recycled cedar, meticulously following scans of Hope’s skeleton taken during her necropsy. The cedar was donated to Hall by the people of the Pine River Valley around the Orangeville part of the province where he lives and created the sculpture that is currently on display at the Ontario Science centre. More than three million people have viewed this piece of work. The art work was built so that it could be taken apart and shipped to the different locations. Dr. Peter Ross, Director of Ocean Pollution Research Program, Vancouver Aquarium said “Ken’s spectacular reclaimed cedar killer whale skeleton provides a poignant opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to share critically important stories about ocean conservation. “Highlighting the plight of one of the most iconic creatures on the planet, this evocative piece of art has the potential to connect people to their environment.” Hall studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, did a couple of years’ studies and co-op work placements but didn’t earn a degree. He switched to Fine Arts before graduating. His mechanical engineering studies ave him the background that he now uses for his installation art. The original assembly work was done at the Dufferin County Museum where the staff were not completely sure what it was that Ken Hall wanted to say with the sculpture.  Each of the 46 vertebrae were crafted by Ken Hall -(shown) from re-cycled cedar. Once 11 of the 46 vertebrae were carved, Hall realized just how big of a project this would be—it took him six months of full-time fabrication to make all the pieces (there are over 200 bones that make up the sculpture). The sculpture was completed and put on display at the Dufferin County Museum & Archives in Ontario. Sometimes accompanied by projection lights that provide a water-like effect and orca vocalizations playing in the background, the finished piece gives visitors a feeling of being underwater. That feeling is what Hall wanted to provide people walking through the exhibit—one that highlights our connections as humans to the Earth and our ecosystems, like Hope and her community in the Pacific. Which brings us back to the Ken Hall aluminium ribbons that will adorn three sports/recreational structures in the city. The installation artist brings a rich history to the task. Something to keep in mind when you look at those ribbons when they go up later this year.
August 1st, 2017 BURLINGTON, ON
Everyone has heard of Crime Stoppers. It is an international organization and one of the bigger tools available to the police. It is an organization that gets information on criminal activity and makes it available to the police without telling the police where the information came from. Its strength is the anonymity that applies to all the information it gets. Except for an administrative person who handles the telephone and takes care of the paper work Crime Stoppers is a totally volunteer run operation.  Halton Crime Stoppers chair Cal Millar with HRPS liaison officer Detective Jodi Richmond at the most successful shredding event ever held in Burlington, Almost every community of any size has Crime Stoppers organization. In Halton Cal Millar, a retired journalist, is the current chair and is supported by a three member executive along with seven directors. Jan Westcott is the vice-chair, Roger Alfaro, treasurer and Doug Maybee the past chair Directors are: David Woodm, Ron van der Steen, Wally Trapler, Jane Miller, Rod Piukkala, Bob Maich and Corey Evans. The Halton Regional Police assign an officer to act as liaison with Crime Stoppers. That liaison person is Detective Constable Jodi Richmond who recently attended a number of conferences and training sessions where she met with people doing the same job in different jurisdictions. In Halton Region the TIPS go to a secure telephone line that prevents the Crime Stoppers staff from knowing who is calling or what number the call is coming from. All they get is the area code and the first three digits of the number a call is coming from.  Detective Constable Jodi Richmond, police liaison. with Halton Crime Stoppers The Crime Stoppers staff person takes the call and notes the information which she gives to the police liaison officer, Jodi Richmond. A caller is never asked to identify themselves. Depending on the type of criminal event that is being reported Richmond puts in a call to the relevant division of the HRPS and they take the matter from there. All the police have is information about what a caller thinks is a criminal event. It could be something to do with a driver behaving erratically behind the wheel of a car or the witnessing of an assault or witnessing a theft taking place. Richmond knows all there is to know about every department within the police service and can be in instant contact with the appropriate people. During her training Richmond learned that in the United States the Crime Stoppers operation is driven by the rewards. More than 90% of the calls the Americans get is from people who want and expect to receive the reward that is available. In Canada Richmond said, less than 5% of the reward money is claimed. In Canadian jurisdictions the information received goes directly to the appropriate police department. Richmond said that in many American communities the Crime Stoppers operation gets involved in some of the early investigation work. In Canada Crime Stoppers depends on local media to get their message out. The Gazette worked with Crime Stoppers on getting the message out to the public about their annual sensitive document shredding event.  The star of every shredding event is a truck that shreds documents on location. It was filled to capacity at the June shredding event in Burlington. The June event raised more in the way of way of donations than any previous shredding event and shredded more paper than they have ever done in the past. Richmond told of the way several American Crime Stoppers organizations are working more tightly with the police on getting information and warnings out to the public. Some jurisdictions have electronic kiosks strategically place in communities where information is sent to the kiosk electronically and can be updated in minutes.  American law enforcement agencies work with Crime Stoppers and have electronic kiosks that are fed information via the internet alerting the public of people who are wanted by the police. Thus, explained Richmond let the police get information on very fluid situations out to the public immediately. It is a little like the Amber Alert used to alert the public when a child has gone missing. The kiosks have a lot more information and the ability to use photographs. Some American jurisdictions talk of having kiosks at every supermarket. Cal Millar, chair of Halton Crime Stoppers said he looks forward to raising the profile of the organization and to continue to work with the public to play a role in the apprehension of criminals and at the same time to work with strategic partners to be part of the process of educating the public on the increasing sophistication of the criminal element. The size of the financial losses people suffer because of Identity Theft and internet based scams where the police struggle to keep up with the latest wrinkle is daunting. Apprehension is a large part of the work the police do – Crime Stoppers will continue to be involved in helping the police catch criminals – what they would like to do as well is educate the public about just what it is the criminals are doing and prevent some of the crimes that in some cases clean people out financially. The Gazette will follow up the article with how people get involved with the organization as volunteers.
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Burlington offers registered lessons for Pickleball players of all levels. Many drop-in times and locations are also available. These drop-in programs are designated as beginner or intermediate levels and provide flexible, convenient opportunities to enjoy the sport.
It is the annual Jazz on the Patio – a joint effort between the Performing Arts Centre and the Burlington Downtown Business Association that is free.
The Foundation annually provides more than 1,000 students and their families with emergency funds for clothing, lunches, and other basic necessities, and helps ensure all students can be included in school activities.
The Halton Learning Foundation helps eliminate financial barriers to education for students of the Halton District School Board by providing emergency help for students in need, post‐secondary scholarships, and funds to assist schools that have classroom needs beyond core education funding.
Eight people on the street outside the Solid Gold nightclub located at 53 Plains Road East in Burlington got into a fight that had the police responding at approximately 12:30am on Sunday August 6th 2017 ,
This year, revel in the food truck rally highlighting Canadian ingredients.
Brant retained his commission in the British Army and was awarded a land grant on the Grand River in Ontario by Governor Sir Frederick Haldimand in 1784. Brant led almost 2000 Iroquois Loyalists from New York to his grant where they settled and established the Grand River Reservation.
Oct 28: Metal Embossing
Junior Guild – Mini Makers (8 classes)
P.A. Days
Clay Date (1 class)
Weaving Basics and Beyond (10 classes)
Pottery Decorating Techniques (6 classes)
The robbers were given an undisclosed amount of money and ran from the bank to a waiting vehicle described as a black sedan being operated by a third suspect.