 By Tom Muir
June 22nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 A graphic representation of what a single virus particle looks like. The COVID19 virus emerging in the human species globally is what is known scientifically as an “extinction level event”.
It emerged in one place and spread around the world in three months hitching a ride in traveling humans.
The virus then shut down the world more or less.
The virus is microscopic in size: 5um. One um is equal to 0.001 mm, or about 0.000039 inch.
Tom Muir is a resident of Aldershot and a retired federal civil servant who has worked at scientific analysis most of his career.
By Staff
June 20th, 2021
BURLINGTON,, ON
On Saturday, June 19, the Province informed Halton Region Public Health that due to a Federal supply delay, Halton Region will not be receiving Pfizer vaccine as scheduled this week. This delay is unexpected and impacts the entire province.
 To ensure that every booked appointment is honoured, all Halton clinics will be administering the Moderna vaccine for residents 18 years of age and older, as it is interchangeable with Pfizer. As directed by the Province, remaining supplies of the Pfizer vaccine will be used for individuals 12 to 17 at this time as this is the only vaccine authorized by Health Canada for this age group.
Both Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines are safe, effective and authorized by Health Canada. Consistent with recommendations provided by Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization, mRNA vaccines are interchangeable meaning those who had Moderna or Pfizer vaccine for their first dose can safely have either Moderna or Pfizer vaccine for their second dose.
“Getting the first dose available to you is critical for gaining strong protection against COVID-19 and its variants, including the Delta variant,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health. “All Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death. I urge all residents to complete their two doses as quickly as possible with the first vaccine available to protect themselves, their loved ones and community.”
 By Staff
June 19th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
As of Friday, June 18, 2021, 453,614 doses have been administered in Halton, which includes 376,399 first doses and 77,215 second doses.
 This represents 75 per cent of Halton’s population aged 12 and up who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 15 per cent who have received both doses.
Yesterday, the MoH announced that individuals who received their first dose on or before May 30 can reschedule their second dose appointment at a shortened interval through Halton’s online booking system starting today.
By Staff
June 16th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The push is on.
The new COVID19 infection rate is low but it is not low enough – and from time to time it spikes a bit.
And the Delta variant is out there and it is dangerous.
The scientists believe the answer is to get everyone vaccinated.
There are eight clinics and 100 pharmacies in the Region that will vaccinate you.
Residents can get their first or second doses at:
- one of eight Halton Vaccination Clinics in all Halton municipalities;
- almost 100 pharmacy locations in Halton; or
- select Primary Care Offices offering COVID-19 vaccines to community members
- Starting Wednesday, June 16, residents 12 years of age and older can book appointments at a Provincial Pop-up Clinic in Oakville through Halton’s online booking system.
The Regional web site location for finding the pharmacy closest to you isn’t all that elegant but it works.
Click HERE for that site:
We are in the process of winning the fight to beat back the pandemic. The scientists have done marvelous work and the people that invented the doses that are now being used did something modern medicine has never seen before.
The Regional Municipality of Halton
For Immediate Release
June 15, 2021
Halton MOH updates Class Order to align with Provincial guidance and further protect residents
To align with Provincial guidance, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health has made important amendments to her Class Order requiring self-isolation under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Effective 12:01 a.m. on June 16, 2021, the amendments revise and clarify self-isolation requirements to prevent COVID-19 transmission in the community.
“A key role of Public Health in controlling the spread of the virus is to identify, contact and make sure high risk individuals are isolating as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health. “Stopping the spread of COVID-19 is a community effort and as we enter Step 1 of the Roadmap to Reopen we need to make every effort to further reduce the spread and severity of the virus in our community. It is important that our community continues to follow all public health direction and has clarity on what they need to do to stay healthy and protect others.”
Amendments to the Class Order reflect new provincial guidance and include an exemption for some fully vaccinated individuals from the requirement to self-isolate. Key amendments to the Order include:
- clarification that Halton Region Public Health may require people to self-isolate to prevent COVID-19 transmission in circumstances beyond the categories itemized in the Class Order; and
- an exemption to self-isolation requirements for some fully vaccinated individuals, based on specific requirements and in consultation with Halton Region Public Health.
Details of the changes to self-isolation requirements in the Class Order include:
Fully vaccinated individuals who are a close contact of a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 may not be required to self-isolate if:
- they received their second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series, or first dose of a one-dose vaccine series, 14 days or more before the day on which they last had close contact with the confirmed case or probable case of COVID-19;
- their vaccine history has been confirmed by Halton Region Public Health;
- they are asymptomatic; and
- they are not a resident of a long-term care or retirement home, a patient admitted to a health care setting, or an individual with an immunocompromising condition (for example, organ or stem cell transplantation recipients, undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapies).
Fully vaccinated individuals who meet these requirements may still be required to self-isolate if Halton Region Public Health has information that links their exposure to a Variant of Concern of the COVID-19 virus for which vaccine effectiveness is not well established.
Even if Halton Region Public Health has told you that you do not need to self-isolate:
- you must report your exposure to your employer and follow any restrictions from work as specified by your employer; and
- if you develop new symptoms (even mild symptoms) of COVID-19, you must self-isolate immediately and report your symptoms to Halton Region Public Health.
Halton Region and Ontario have now experienced outbreaks and community transmission of Variants of Concern (VOCs) of the COVID-19 virus—even in vaccinated individuals. Following public health measures is the best way to protect the community against the spread of COVID-19, including VOCs. To protect yourself and others this summer:
- get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two doses);
- practice physical distancing by maintaining a 2-metre distance from others outside of your household (or 3-metres if and as required for some newly permitted activities);
- wear a non-medical mask where required and when physical distancing cannot be maintained;
- wash hands frequently with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand rub; and
- get tested if you think you have COVID-19 or may have been exposed to it, even if you’ve been vaccinated. Stay home, and self-isolate.
To learn more, please read the Class Order and the Class Order fact sheet. To learn more about COVID-19 in our community and what you need to do to protect yourself and others, including under the Class Order, please visit halton.ca/COVID19. |
 By Staff
June 15th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
One of the things that makes the Burlington Food Bank the success it is are the partnerships they have developed.
It took some time for the understandings to be worked out and the trust to be built but over time Robin Bailey and the folks at Walmart have created a program that has Walmart sending food that is in perfect condition but is not going to get sold for a number of reasons. They may have over stocked; weather may have impacted traffic to their locations, or what they had in stock was not going to get sold.
They communicate with the people at the Food Bank and talk at least every couple of days to arrange for the shipment of food. This is the ongoing part of the relationship.
 Walmart ran a very successful Fight Hunger Spark Change that raised both funds and a better awareness of what happens when people are hungry. Walmart has a Fight Hunger Spark Change campaign that resulted in the generous donation of $26,765.72 to the Burlington Food Bank. The funds will allow for the purchase of healthy nutritious food for people needing support in our community.
The need remains steady and this is excellent timing for relief. We would like to encourage everyone who is able to support our local businesses and restaurants to enjoy a nice lunch on a patio in this great weather. And please be kind to one another as we all keep trying to get through this pandemic. Don’t forget the essentials to safely distance, wear masks as needed and wash/sanitize your hands often.
If you are in need or know of someone who could use our help, PLEASE have them email us at info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca or call 905-637-2273 to make arrangements to have food dropped at their door or make arrangements to pick it up through our curb-side pickup option. If you are a resident in Burlington, we are all here to help. Don’t struggle – give us a call.
By Pepper Parr
June 12th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Early reports on the opening of restaurants and bars are that things went well. The turnout was brisk and the weather supported getting out and relaxing with friends over what a colleague used to call An Adult Beverage.
 A location where you can see and feel the lake. The Port House is located at the Waterfront Hotel The province was in Step 1 of the Re-open plan which permitted
STEP 1
This step was expected to begin on June 14 or two weeks after 60 per cent of adults in Ontario have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Ontario officials said 58.5 per cent of the adult population have received a first dose as of Thursday. They added that the province would need to wait two weeks after hitting the vaccination target before entering the first step in order to monitor the vaccine outcome.
In this stage, outdoor activities and gatherings will be first to open but with some restrictions and limits.
Here’s a full list of what will be allowed:
- Outdoor gatherings for up to 10 people
- Outdoor dining for up to 4 people per table
- Non-essential retail at 15 per cent
- Outdoor religious services, rites and ceremonies with capacity limited to permit two metres of physical distancing
- Outdoor sports, training and personal training for up to 10 people
- Day camps
- Campsites and campgrounds
- Ontario parks
- Outdoor horse racing and motor speedways
- Outdoor pools, splash pads and wading pools
We stay in this stage for 28 days and if the new infection levels hold the province will move into Stage Two.
The target is to get past the 70% of the population vaccinated and as close to not more than 200 new infections each day.
The hospitality sector has been desperate for a Re-open date that would hold. The province had indicated it would probably be June 14th – than at close to the last day they moved that to the 11th giving restaurants and bars an additional weekend.
 It was certainly welcome but played havoc with scheduling.
Most commentators believe the province is through the worst of the pandemic and that we could be in for reasonable summer, providing we follow the rules and get everyone vaccinated.
The Delta variant has been found in Halton but does not appear to be rampant at this point. We are the best defence against that variant.
Vaccination Centres across the problem are busy with a large number of young people showing of for the inoculation.
The Centre I attended for my second dose at the First Ontario Art Centre in Milton had nurses doing the needle thing at five different parts of the building..
It was problem free while I was there.
 Healthy traffic – content customers.
 By Staff
June 11th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government is investing $141 million to extend the temporary wage increase for personal support workers and direct support workers in publicly funded home and community care, long-term care, public hospitals, and social services sectors. This temporary wage increase will continue until August 23, 2021, and will help stabilize, attract and retain the workforce needed to provide a high level of care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 The province has been providing a temporary wage increase since October 1, 2020, to over 158,000 workers who deliver publicly funded personal support services, including:
• $3 per hour for approximately 38,000 eligible workers in home and community care;
• $3 per hour for approximately 50,000 eligible workers in long-term care;
• $2 per hour for approximately 10,000 eligible workers in public hospitals; and
• $3 per hour for approximately 60,000 eligible workers in children, community and social services providing personal direct support services for the activities of daily living.
This latest temporary wage increase builds on the government’s previous wage enhancement extension on March 18, 2021, which was set to expire on June 30, 2021. Since October 2020, Ontario has invested $841 million to support personal support workers and supportive care workers. The province will continue to review the wage increase to inform next steps after August 23, 2021.
 By Staff
June 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
On Friday we will be able to step away – just a bit – from the rules that have kept us safe for the past year and a half. Some people will be able to go back to work.
There are many for whom the jobs at are just not there yet. They are the ones that need help for a while yet.
St. Matthews Church on Plains Road holds a drive through every Wednesday from 10 am to 4 pm – help out if you can.
By Pepper Parr
June 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario Government has announced that the province will move into Step One of its Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 2021.
 Does this mean that one minute after midnight – between the end of Thursday and the beginning of Friday that I can be outside with my ten best friends quaffing an ale?
At which of the patios that will be operating will I be able to do this?
We will share that information.
By Staff
June 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
It is now official – the city will begin the open up on Friday.
Details:
The Ontario Government has announced that the province will move into Step One of its Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 2021.
This stage includes, but is not limited to:
• Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 10 people
• Non-essential retail permitted at 15 per cent capacity
• Outdoor dining with up to four people per table (with exceptions for larger households)
• Outdoor fitness classes, outdoor groups in personal training and outdoor individual/team sport training to be permitted with up to 10 people
Following 21 days in Step One, the province will evaluate impacts on key public health and health system indicators. At the end of the 21 days, if 70 per cent of adults are vaccinated with one dose and 20 per cent of adults with two doses, along with continued improvements in other key public health and health system indicators, the province will continue to Step Two of the Roadmap.
 By Staff
June 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Region put out a heat alert and then extended it for an additional day. When the Region announces a heat wave the municipalities open up locations that are cool.
When temperatures are expected to be at least 31°C and overnight temperatures are above 20°C for 2 days or the humidex is at least 40°C for 2 days a heat alert is issued.
It is that time of year again – this time however there are people who are going to be more hard hit than when circumstances are normal.
 One way news people tell the hot weather story is to ask if it is hot enough to fry an egg on a sidewalk. We aren’t there yet – but it is very uncomfortable for those in locations without conditioned air. The malls in the past have been open – they became a place people could go to to walk around in, a cool location.
Burlington will open Central Arena’s Auditorium located at 519 Drury Lane as a Cooling Centre from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the heat warning.
Community members can use the facility for 1-hour increments and will be screened for COVID-19 when they arrive.
Measures will be in place to ensure physical distancing. Visitors must wear a non-medical face covering in the Cooling Centre. Please stay home if you are ill and always practice physical distancing (2m)
 By Staff
June 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
There is now a road map to get us from where we are to where we want to be in the battle to prevent the further spread of Covid19 and its variants.
The Roadmap to Reopen, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures based on the provincewide vaccination rate and improvements in key public health and health care indicators.
Roadmap to Reopen outlines three steps to easing public health measures. Each step lasts for 21 days providing the criteria for moving to the next step are met.
 Burlingtonians understand social distancing Step One An initial focus on resuming outdoor activities with smaller crowds where the risk of transmission is lower, and permitting retail with restrictions. This includes allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, outdoor dining with up to four people per table and non-essential retail at 15 per cent capacity.
 People got out and exercised. Step Two Further expanding outdoor activities and resuming limited indoor services with small numbers of people where face coverings are worn. This includes outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people, outdoor sports and leagues, overnight camps, personal care services where face coverings can be worn and with capacity limits, as well as indoor religious services, rites or ceremony gatherings at 15 per cent capacity.
Step Three Expanding access to indoor settings, with restrictions, including where there are larger numbers of people and where face coverings can’t always be worn. This includes indoor sports and recreational fitness; indoor dining, museums, art galleries and libraries, and casinos and bingo halls, with capacity limits.
The province will remain in each step for at least 21 days to evaluate any impacts on key public health and health system indicators. If at the end of the 21 days, the following vaccination thresholds have been met, along with positive trends in other key public health and health system indicators, then the province will move to the next step:
Step 1: 60 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose.
Step 2: 70 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose and 20 per cent vaccinated with two doses.
Step 3: 70 to 80 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose and 25 per cent vaccinated with two doses.
 As soon as 60% of the population is vaccinated we can move into Step One of the Roadmap to re-opening. The government expects to enter Step One of the Roadmap the week of June 14, 2021.
What the public is permitted to do between June 2nd and the 14th is not at all clear – other than to get out and get vaccinated.
Step One will permit the resumption of more outdoor activities with smaller, well-managed crowds where risk of transmission is minimized and will permit retail, all with restrictions in place, including but not limited to :
Outdoor gatherings up to 10 people;
Outdoor dining up to 4 people per table;
Outdoor fitness classes, personal training and sports training up to 10 people;
Essential retail at 25 per cent capacity and can sell all goods (including discount and big box);
Non-essential retail at 15 per cent capacity;
Retail stores in malls closed unless the stores have a street facing entrance;
Outdoor religious services, rites and ceremonies with capacity limited to permit 2 metres’ physical distancing;
Horse racing and motor speedways without spectators;
Outdoor horse riding;
Outdoor pools and wading pools with capacity limited to permit 2 metres’ physical distancing;
Outdoor zoos, landmarks, historic sites, and botanical gardens with capacity limits;
Campsites, campgrounds and short-term rentals; and
Overnight camping at Ontario Parks.
The detail is dizzying.
By Pepper Parr
June 1st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Tomorrow, June 2nd, we come out of the Stay at Home order the province put in place April 7, 2021.
Social distancing was observed in most places. However, all the other public health and workplace measures remain in place provincewide until Ontario enters Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen, at which point some restrictions will ease with an initial focus on outdoor settings.
The Roadmap to re-opening is a complex document with specific changes that are linked to the number of people who have been vaccinated.
Details on that Roadmap will follow in a separate article.
“With the Stay-At-Home order set to expire, we need to provide people with certainty so that they can continue to follow public health guidance. Doing so will help us to meet our goal of starting to gradually lift some restrictions when we enter Step One of the Roadmap when it is safe to do so.”
In a concentrated effort to reduce mobility and opportunities for transmission, the Stay-At-Home order required Ontarians to remain at home except for the purposes set out in the order, such as exercise, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, or accessing health care services. Once the Stay-at-Home order expires on June 2, these restrictions will no longer be in effect.
However, all other existing measures will remain in place provincewide, including restrictions on gatherings, businesses, services and activities.
This includes limiting indoor gatherings to households only and outdoor gatherings of up to five people, subject to limited exceptions, maintaining a cap of 25 per cent capacity for essential retail where only certain goods are permitted to be sold, restricting non-essential retail to curbside pickup and delivery only, as well as limiting short-term rentals to individuals in need of housing and allowing Ontario parks and campgrounds on public lands to be used for day-use only, subject to limited exceptions.
Ontarians will be able to leave home to travel within the province to a secondary residence for any reason however, they are not be permitted to host members of another household indoors except for a person from another household who lives alone or with a caregiver.
A simple, easy-to-understand summary of restrictions can be found on the province’s “Reopening Ontario” webpage, which provides details on what public health measures are in place before the province enters Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen. As always, anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19 or who may be exhibiting symptoms of the virus should use the province’s self-assessment tool to determine what they should do next, including getting a test and isolating if necessary.
 One has to wonder why a Stay at Home order was put in place. With the expiry of the Stay-at-Home order, emergency order O. Reg 266/21 (Residential Evictions) will also expire on June 2, 2021.
Emergency orders currently in effect under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act have been extended until June 16, 2021.
No word yet on what the Premier wants to do with schools. He is looking for a consensus: should something go wrong the blame can be shared by everyone.
By Eric Vandewall
May 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Last week, the Government of Ontario unveiled a three-stage reopening plan that relies on vaccination rates, critical care occupancy, and other criteria to allow the gradual easing of current restrictions as well as the re[1]opening of businesses and activities. This news follows a very encouraging decline in acute care hospitalizations cases and decline in the number of daily new COVID 19 cases.
At JBH, we are starting to see some relief from the intense pressure on our critical care beds, and are currently at 86% capacity. As of today, we are caring for 4 confirmed COVID-19 positive patients, with 1 confirmed case in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), along with 16 recovered patients who continue to require our care in the ICU and acute care units.
 Rendering of what the now completed hospital was to look like in its immediate neighbourhood. While we are seeing positive signs that we nearing an end to the third wave of this pandemic, we are still some time away from being able to say we are in the post-pandemic recovery phase. We must remain vigilant and continue to be patient – we will get there, it will take time.
Last week, the province lifted the restrictions in place since April that paused scheduled and non-urgent procedures to help manage the sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 patients across the province. This means that hospitals can begin resuming these services if they can do so while still maintaining COVID-19 care capacity.
 This was the day the citizens of the city tried really hard to make it into the Guinness Book of Records. It was a wet day and the number of people fell a little short of what was needed. It is however certainly a testament to what people will do for their hospital We know how important resuming this care is to our patients and their families. At JBH, we are starting to move in that direction and are working with our clinical teams and regional hospital partners to ramp up surgical care as quickly and as safely as possible. However, it is important that we continue to preserve critical care capacity for COVID-19 care, so this may take time to complete. If you are awaiting a surgery or other procedure, your doctor will contact you directly with more information.
This week, we reached a significant milestone in having administered over 25,000 vaccinations at our Halton Region Vaccination Clinic. It was a proud moment for our teams and a testament to the hard work of our staff, volunteers and partners in public health. Across Halton, over 300,000 people have now received either a first or second dose. We are very grateful to everyone in the community who has received the vaccine, booked an appointment, or are planning to do so once it is their turn.
It is important to remember that regardless of your vaccination status, public health experts recommend that we should continue to follow safety measures such as wearing masks in public, physical distancing, and regular hand washing.
I hope that you have found these community updates helpful in keeping you informed about our work at JBH.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support
 By Pepper Parr
May 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The back and forth debate over sending students back to school for the three weeks in June that are the balance of this school term seems to forge what everyone says they want – the best thing for the students.
 While due to retire in August, current Director of education for the Halton District School Board Stuart Miller could lead a drive to get students vaccinated before September. Students have been jerked around for the past 18 months.
The pandemic that we are now beginning to admit was something we should have been more aware of did throw a monkey wrench into the way we educated students.
Teachers went into shock when they were asked to teach their students by telephone, which is basically what virtual teaching is. There were no programs to help the teachers overcome the problems.
The equipment needed didn’t exist. The Halton District school Board has put more than “2000 pieces of hardware” into the hands of students.
Some teachers had difficulty adapting to teaching virtually.
The public doesn’t yet understand just how big a challenge students faced. The idea of thinking about teaching kindergarten virtually boggles the mind.
Significant damage has been done, much of it unavoidable.
But surely we don’t have to continue damaging these students.
We appear to be on our way out of the pandemic. Vaccinations are taking place and the Ontario government seems too to have learned to communicate with its citizens.
It looks, as well, that the federal government has vaccine supply lines that are holding.
Could we not now commit to having every student and every teacher vaccinated before school classes begin again in September?
There is an organization called CODE – Committee of Directors of Education. These men and women have clout – have them use that clout and work with the local Medical Officers of Health and get the job done.
It’s possible – what it appears to be missing is the will.
Find it – the students deserve to be back in the classrooms and the teachers have to be able to do what they do best.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
 By Staff
May 28, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Five days a week the volunteers show up. And the donations arrive – sometimes with nothing in the way of notice.
 The first time they showed up there was just the three of them. Next time they arrived there were four of them. That’s what makes the Food Bank the community success it is. The Food Bank is very thankful for donations of any kind however please make sure that any food donations are dropped off during normal business hours which are
Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 11:45 am
Thursday evenings 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Donations can also be dropped off at any local fire hall and/or local grocery store – our drivers make sure to pick up regularly.
With warmer weather approaching they don’t want any donation to go to waste or get damaged, as might be the case in wet weather.
They want to do their best to ensure donations remain safe. People needing food support need to know that anything we send them is in date, well protected and healthy/fresh as can be. Thanks everyone!
If you are in need or know of someone who could use their help, PLEASE have them email info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca or call 905-637-2273 to make arrangements to have food dropped at their door or make arrangements to pick it up through the curb-side pickup option. “If you are a resident in Burlington, we are all here to help. Don’t struggle – give us a call.”
By Staff
May 27th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
June is the Month of Play – Get Outside and Play.
That is the message coming out of city hall.
Heard in households across the city are the words: “ Can we go outside and play”
The terribly mixed messages coming from the province are being ignored. In Burlington most of the rules are being followed – some more responsibly than others.
Vaccination rates are climbing creating the sense that we are almost out of this aren’t we?
To kick off June, Mayor Meed Ward has proclaimed June as the Month of Play and the City of Burlington is encouraging residents to get outside, play, have fun, stay safe and be active with a variety of options.
 First piece of summer cake at LaSalle Park Straight from the desk of the Mayor: “June is the time of year where the City’s parks, trails, outdoor pools, splash pads and events come to life. Being active is a powerful way for residents to maintain or improve mental and physical health. As we celebrate June as the Month of Play, we encouraged residents to get active indoors or outdoors and enjoy options the City offers, safely.”
Get Outside and Play Challenge
The Get Outside and Play Challenge begins on June 1 and continues until June 30. The Challenge is a fun way to learn more about Burlington while completing the activities.
• Download the app from burlington.ca/playoutside
• Search for the Get Outside and Play Challenge (Game code ZDB8GE)
• Create login as a family or a group
Let’s Fly a Kite – Presented by the Rocca Sisters Team
Let’s fly a kite on Father’s Day, June 20.
Together, let’s celebrate play and fill the sky with colour starting Father’s Day, June 20. This June, the City will be offering a limited supply of FREE Kite Kits to Burlington residents. Registration is required and will open on June 7, 2021. Learn more at burlington.ca/kitefestival.
 Picnics – with the weather we are having – great idea. Recreation and Parks Month
June is also Recreation and Parks Month, so Parks and Recreation Ontario has provided a list of fun activities for everyone.
Splash Pads and City Outdoor Pools
The City has 9 splash pads, including a new splash pad location, Brant Hills Park Splash Pad 2300 Duncaster Dr. All splash pads are now open. For a list of locations, visit burlington.ca/outdoorplay.
LaSalle Splash Park and the outdoor pools, Mountainside Outdoor Pool and Splash Park and Nelson Pool and Splash Park are expected to open June 14, also pending Provincial regulations and public health restrictions.
Learn more at burlington.ca/waterplay.
Tim Hortons Free Summer Swimming
 There are always swimming pools. Check out the available programs and register for a spot. Tim Hortons Free Swims will be offered from June 19 to Sept. 5, 2021, pending Provincial regulations and public health restrictions. Registration will be required. Learn more at Burlington.ca/timsfreeswims.
Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation, Community and Culture might be beginning to think that he is close to being able to operate a normal recreation program and comes close to bursting when he says: “June is the month of play is a big kick-off to the summer. Everyone is eager to get outside and play, to explore our city and we’ve got so many great opportunities for families, individuals and people of all abilities.”
Links and Resources
burlington.ca/timsfreeswims
burlington.ca/waterplay
burlington.ca/playoutside
burlington.ca/kitefestival
By Pepper Parr
May 25th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Day in day out with time off for the weekends and holidays the staff and volunteers at the Burlington Food Bank are there for those who need help.
There was some good news from Feed Ontario – the province’s largest collective of hunger-relief organizations of which the Burlington Food Bank is a very active member.
As positive as that news is, and we will tell you a bit more about it – we first need to share some very painful news.
A former associate of the Food Bank is currently in the ICU, fully sedated and on a machine working their lungs, fighting covid19.
They are very sad and hoping for any sign of improvement. They ask you to join them in their prayers
It is difficult to stay focused and continue helping others when you learn that one of your own is suffering.
 Food arrives throughout the day – five days of every week. Volunteers unpack, quarantine the food and then pack it up for delivery. Together with food banks, industry partners, and local communities, the Burlington Food Bank works together to end hunger and poverty by delivering fresh and healthy food, developing innovative programming, and driving change through research and advocacy.
Feed Ontario provides the Burlington Food Bank with an allotment of MILK twice each month from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario. Since we are partners with the Salvation Army, we are able to share some of this with them.
 Dairy Farmers of Ontario allotment milk to the Food Bank twice every month. Robin Bailey the Food Bank Executive Director is handing it out. Robin Bailey, Executive Director of the Food Bank said he “hoped everyone had a great long weekend and that everyone still understands the need to be diligent with safety protocols everywhere. “We all need a little good news right now so if we do our best to keep others safe maybe the numbers will start looking better.”
If you are in need or know of someone who could use our help, PLEASE have them email us at info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca or call 905-637-2273 to make arrangements to have food dropped at their door or make arrangements to pick it up through our curb-side pickup option. If you are a resident in Burlington, we are all here to help. Don’t struggle – give us a call.
By Pepper Parr
May 23rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Years and years ago, in another life, I was a book publisher. I wasn’t particularly successful but I did publish a couple of significant books.
A book on the early political history of New Brunswick – Front Benches and Back Rooms. Another – The Power to Make it Happen –a book on how communities can take hold of the power they have and bring about change.
 One of the favouites was “Bo, the Constrictor who Couldn’t” by Patti Stren, an author who lives in New York now – we still keep in touch. The book is no longer in print.
Patti has gone electronic – she sent me her most recent graphic effort. Click on the link – and share what she is giving to every one you know.
You have some choices; there is the mini, then the itsy-bitsy and the teensy-weensy.
Given the status of the pandemic you might want to print pages of coupons and hand them out to everyone you see.
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