 By Pepper Parr
August 16th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Lazy hazy days of summer don’t apply to everyone when there is an election on the near horizon.
Both the Liberals and the Progressive Conservatives have their people out doing the door to door thing – measuring the support for their candidate.
The political parties work at their strategy and get regular electronic mailings out to the media.
 Jane McKenna at the Joe Dogs fund raiser for the Central high school parents. The Gazette wasn’t seeing anything from the Conservatives – a call to them electronically and by telephone drew nothing in the way of a response.
The Liberals are leaving little to chance They have a regular stream of corrections they make to things that Progressive Leader Patrick Brown has said.
They call their stream of media releases: Facts still matter and correct Brown at every opportunity.
The Liberals maintain Brown has spread misinformation across the province in an interview with CTV Ottawa, and add that he seems to be flip flopping on this, his one and only policy proposal – a carbon tax.
Facts Still Matter in Ontario, and Patrick Brown needs to stick to them say the Liberals.
Brown claimed: “Well, I don’t support raising taxes.”
Fact: Wrong – Patrick Brown supports a carbon tax.
 Worse, he supports it despite knowing that independent, third-party experts have proven his carbon tax scheme would be more expensive and less effective than our plan to cap the pollution businesses can release into the atmosphere.
 The Liberals have proposed a linked cap and trade program. The Progressive Conservatives have proposed a straight carbon tax. The Liberals claim that their approach guarantees emission reductions at the cheapest price possible for people and the economy.
The Gazette looks forward to anything Progressive Conservative candidate Jane McKenna has to say.
The Gazette has no idea where the New Democrats are – have they nominated a candidate?
 By Staff
August 16, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The province is increasing GO train and bus service across the network to help manage congestion and provide convenient and frequent service for commuters and families.
Effective Sept. 2, the province will also increase GO bus service on some of the most in-demand routes that serve customers in Burlington, St. Catharines, Guelph, Mississauga, Oakville, Hamilton and Richmond Hill.
These improvements will help commuters and families in communities across the region connect to jobs, school and recreational activities with a modern, integrated transit system. The service changes include:
Six new weekday bus trips on Route 12 Burlington-Niagara, increasing bus service to every half hour between Burlington and St. Catharines, including an earlier morning trip from Burlington to Niagara College that will arrive in time for morning classes
These service changes are part of the GO Regional Express Rail (RER) program. GO RER includes electrifying core segments and expanding the rail network, and bringing more two-way, all-day service to commuters and families, increasing the number of weekly trips from about 1,500 to nearly 6,000 by 2025. It will provide faster and more frequent service across the GO rail network and is the largest commuter rail project in Canada.
For those wondering what the province did with the proceeds of th sale of a potion of Hydro One – look no further than this:
The province is investing $21.3 billion to transform the GO network from a commuter transit system to a regional rapid transit system.
The GO RER program involves more than 500 separate projects across 40 municipalities.
 By Staff
August 16, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The plans are almost firm.
Fred Fox – Terry’s older brother, will be in Burlington on the afternoon of August 24th to view the monument created to celebrate Terry’s achievement. Fred Fox has seen just drawings and sketches when the family approved the design.
 The monument to Terry Fox’s run through Burlington was paid for by a group of citizens. The schedule is to hold a meet and greet at city hall followed by a walk to the Terry Fox monument in Spencer Smith Park after which the group will head over to the Art Gallery of Burlington to see the exhibit that has been in place for a month or so.
At the gallery Fred will be joined by Leslie Scrivener who will sign copies of her Terry Book which will be on sale at the gallery (all proceeds to cancer research) as well as talking on her experience travelling with Terry on the Marathon of Hope.
 Terry Fox waving to a Burlington resident as he runs through the city during his 1980 Marathon of Hope. The gallery portion will start between 3:30 and 4:00 pm. Craig Gardner reports that “other parts are still a bit fuzzy”.
Fred Fox will be arriving in Burlington from a visit to Oakville.
Gardner said the city hall portion of the tour is still a little iffy. He shouldn’t worry – it’s a photo op with the name Fox attached to it. The Mayor will be there.
 By Staff
August 16, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
A long layoff didn’t affect the Barrie Baycats, who defeated the Brantford Red Sox 14-1 to open their best-of-seven semifinal Tuesday night.
Barrie received a first-round bye after finishing atop the regular season standings and hadn’t played since July 30, but the Baycats scored twice in the second inning and added five more runs in the third to pull away.
Branfy Infante doubled twice and drove in four to lead the Baycats’ offence. Jordan Castaldo had two RBI and two runs, Kevin Atkinson and Ryan Spataro each scored twice, while Claudio Custodio and Kyle DeGrace both had an RBI and two runs. Jeff Cowan drove in two and scored once, Steve Lewis singled, doubled and had an RBI and scored, and Conner Morro plated a run.
Emilis Guerrero (1-0) earned the win, allowing an unearned run on seven hits while striking out eight in seven innings.
Nic Burdett had the Red Sox’s lone RBI. Dan Jagdeo and Nate DeSouza had two hits apiece, and Benjamin Bostick went 2-for-4 with a run.
Adrian Yuen (0-1) took the loss, giving up 13 runs on 11 hits in six innings. He walked seven and struck out three.
The other game in the semi-final playoff series has the \Kitchener Panthers playing the London Majors.
Sean Reilly went 4-for-5 with a home run and two RBI to lead the Kitchener Panthers to a 5-2 win over the London Majors Tuesday night at Labatt Park.
Kitchener leads the best-of-seven semifinal 2-0.
Reilly also singled twice and doubled while scoring a pair of runs. Mike Gordner had two hits and a run, and Yorbis Borroto and Mike Andrulis each had a hit and scored once. Zarley Cina singled twice.
Sean Ratcliffe (1-1) allowed two runs on four hits with five walks and seven strikeouts over five innings. Mike Schnurr gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth for his first save of the postseason.
For London, Carlos Arteaga had two hits and scored once, Michael Ambrose singled twice and had an RBI, and Cleveland Brownlee drove in the other run.
Luis Sanchez (2-1) allowed five runs (two earned) on 10 hits with a walk and three strikeouts over seven innings.
Future games
Wednesday, Aug. 16
Barrie at Brantford, 8 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 17
Brantford at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.
London at Kitchener, 7:30 p.m.
 By Staff
August 16, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Trinity Baptist Church at 4372 Appleby Line and No. 2 Sideroad was on fire at approximately 1:18am this morning. Police and fire responded to a reported fire where flames were visible upon arrival.
The Burlington Fire department extinguished the fire but not before the structure suffered extensive damage.
The Burlington Fire Department will be notifying the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office. It is too early in the investigation to know the cause or the estimated damage. There were no injuries.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Burlington Fire Department or the Halton Regional Police #3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2316.
 By Staff
August 16, 2017
BURLINGTON,ON
The Burlington Youth Soccer Club (BYSC) has announced the introduction of its NEW Adult Indoor League for the upcoming Fall & Winter 2017/18 Season, as well as the expansion of several of its existing programs to offer players opportunities for a lifetime.
 New programs for adult players. After a successful launch of its outdoor Open Age Coed League, and in addition to its usual U21 offerings, the BYSC will expand its indoor recreational leagues for adults to include:
Men’s Open Age, Ladies Open Age, COED Open Age,
Men’s 40+, Men’s 30+ and Ladies 35+.
These recreational leagues will give players in the community a chance to continue with the BYSC, for an affordable price and at convenient times!
Teams can register for $2000 or players may register individually for $190. All games will be held at the BYSC Domes, located in Sherwood Forest Park, with qualified referees officiating each game.
Adults 50+ and/or those with mobility issues can take part in Walking Soccer to be able to enjoy the game without the impact on muscles and joints.
 Walking soccer inside the Dome BYSC is also expanding youth-focused programs:
• House League +, launched in the Summer of 2017, will continue to provide a professionally coached training session and House League game through the Fall and Winter.
• Embracing Ability, launched in 2016 for players between the ages of 6-14 with and/or without intellectual and/or physical disabilities will be offered throughout the Fall and Winter.
• Lil Burli started last year for toddlers 18 mos – 3 years and their parents will have an evening and daytime session.
There is additional information on the BYSC web site:
The office telephone number is: 905-333-0777.
By Staff
August 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Mention school buses and the mind goes to getting ready for school – it is that time of year again.
School buses in Halton Region – Milton, Burlington, Oakville and Halton Hills – are managed by the
Halton Student Transportation Services (HSTS) who contract with local school bus operators.
Those operators hold a “School Bus Orientation Day” which will be held on SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017 starting at 9:00 a.m.
 School Bus Orientation Day is a safety program provided by HSTS and the local school bus operators to assist parents and first time riders in understanding the importance of school bus safety.
Parents of all first time riders are encouraged to bring their children to the free sessions, which will feature a classroom presentation on school bus safety, including Off We Go! a special video on school bus safety and a demonstration on a school bus.
School bus company safety officers and bus drivers will talk to the children and their parents about safely getting on and off of the bus, proper behaviour on a school bus, crossing the street to get to a waiting bus and overall school bus safety. In addition, a handout will be provided to all young riders with tips on school bus safety.
Both HSTS and the school bus operators hope the orientation sessions will help students and their parents feel more comfortable riding a school bus before the first day of school.
The sessions begin at 9 a.m. on August 26, 2017 at the following five locations throughout Halton. To register students and secure a preferred time slot, parents must contact the host bus company at the phone number listed next to the desired location.
Burlington: Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School; 905-333-4047 (Attridge Transportation)
Oakville: Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School; 905-335-7010 (First Student Canada)
Acton: Acton District High School; 519-853-1550 (Tyler Transport Ltd.)
Georgetown: Georgetown District High School; 905-877-2251 (First Student Canada)
Milton: Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School; 905-877-2251 (First Student Canada)
If you need to follow up for additional information, please contact:
Karen Lacroix, General Manager
Halton Student Transportation Services
1-888-803-8660 ext. 259
By Sharon Kaplan
August 15, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
 You may or may not know that gambling has become one of the biggest and most popular pastimes in the world.
Now with the internet, you can log on and play all of your favourite casino and slot machine games wherever you are and whatever you are doing.
Casino gaming online especially in Canada is taking over and has quickly become something that is very much a part of our day to day life. But how many phrases do you use in your day to day life that have their origin in gambling? Let us read on to find out more!
High roller
Used to refer to someone in a casino who plays and wins big, it has transferred into popular usage to mean someone who plays and wins big in the real life. Used to refer to those that spend large amounts of money playing at the best online slots casinos, or anything else for that matter, it has become a really popular way of describing someone who has lots of zeros after their bank balance and isn’t afraid to splash the cash in public and without much thought!
All bets are off
This phrase used in reference to betting on things like sports. When the outcome is unpredictable or it is unviable to place bets and the bookies get concerned, they reserve the right to take all bets off. This has been transferred into general usage and means that when any given situation is unpredictable or the result is impossible to gauge, it is impossible to place a hypothetical bet or prediction on the outcome any way.
Go for a spin
This phrase once referred to spinning the reels or even having a spin on the roulette wheel. Now it is often used to describe going out, going for a drive or going to do something fun!
 Shake, rattle and roll
The name of various songs, as well as meaning that someone is ready to go and do something fun,
Poker face
Not just the name of a Lady Gaga song, “poker face” refers to someone that keeps a straight face and doesn’t let on what they are saying, thinking, or doing.
Its origins come from poker and the art of bluffing and keeping a straight face so as not to give anything away in terms of what sort of hand they may or may not have.
Playing your cards close to your chest
Another phrase that has its roots in poker, this means to keep your fortunes close to yourself. It can also mean if you have a plan or an idea, you will keep it quiet so as not to give anything away.
Why don’t you try some of these in your day to day speech? Don’t wait to hit the online casino before busting out a couple of these phrases!
 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.
 By Staff
August 14th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
For Leslie Gray it was a little like herding cats – some twenty of them.
The kids rehearsing Annie Jr at the Drury Lane Theatre were learning the positions they were expected to be in on the stage. Like any director Gray would make a change – which proved to be a little challenging for some of the chorus line.
 Leslie Gray directing 20+ summer students who will be part of the Annie Jr production at the Drury Lane Theatre this weekend. “Down stage – now upstage and then move sideways and keep your legs up. Remember your positions” – they were getting.
This was a summer boot camp for kids who would perform in a real theatre at the end of it all.
It was put on by KooGle Theatre, the husband and wife team of Leslie and Christopher Gray who have in the past mounted some very entertaining performances at the Performing Arts Centre. It is not easy to make light summer fare work in Burlington. It is a market that has to be developed.
 Poised! This summer Koogle decided to do Annie Jr, an abridged version of Annie the popular Broadway production geared down to a summer production that was open to anyone. There will be some 40 young people on the stage at one time or another.
 Waiting to be discovered. The production was coming together for its three performance run – Matinee and evening on Saturday the 19th and a Matinee on the Sunday. There are about 50 tickets left – both Saturday performances are sold out.
That isn’t something that happens very often with community theatre.
The KooGle team of Leslie and Christopher Gray were familiar with the format they chose to use this year – a boot camp that had the participants taking part in intensive workouts for a number of weeks.
During the workouts Leslie and her script assistant Melanie Arsenault and co-director Carla Pantalone had a pretty good idea of what they had in the way of talent and built their show around what they had.
The talent levels did vary – and some of the kids were close to shameless as they mugged for the camera.
There were far more boys than girls – all were wonderfully polite and there was basically no attitude from any of the performers.
 Are they all in the right place on the stage? There will be those in the “chorus line” that will lose their place on the stage – memorable moments. The full production will be fun for the kids and for the parents and the grandparents that buy tickets.
At $10 a pop it is real value.
By Staff
August 14, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
One of the beautiful things about sports is the way things can turn on the kicking of a ball, the passing of a piece of pigskin, the shooting of a puck or the crack of a bat.
And it was the crack of a bat that brought about a stunning 5-4 Brantford win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Sunday afternoon in Game 7 of the quarter-final.
 A Kitchener Panther trying to beat the ball to the plate. Brantford will now face the Barrie Baycats in the semi-final starting Tuesday.
The Baycats lost just two games in the series – and those were to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
With the Leafs out of the playoff series the Brantford Red Sox face a team they were never able to beat during the regular season.
The Red Sox win stunned the league with their game 7 comeback over the Leafs – the only team that managed to defeat the Barrie Baycats.
While the Brantford team battles it out with the league leading Barrie Baycats the Kitchener Panthers’ will take on the London Majors.
It has been an exciting series of baseball games for the league.
The Burlington Herd were taken out of the playoffs when Hamilton defeated then 4 – 1 in the seven game quarter finals.
By Staff
August 14, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
As obvious as this might sound it is the people in a community that are the building blocks that growth, change and acceptance are built upon.
Building relations with people of different faiths and beliefs is the goal of Burlington’s first inter-faith multicultural festival to be held Saturday, August 19 at Central Park Bandshell from noon to 4 p.m.
Through foods from different cultures, dance, games, singing and entertainment, the festival will offer Burlington and area residents the opportunity to meet people who practice different faiths while learning their customs and beliefs.
 Halton Mosque “Among faith leaders in our community this dialogue is already there. This festival is being held to widen this discussion to the broader community,” said Abdullah Hatia, Imam for the Halton Mosque.
Rev. Stuart Pike, Rector at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, agrees, calling the festival a “breaking-the-ice celebration.”
There will be no preaching at this informal, fun-filled event which will run from noon to 4 p.m. on New Street at Drury Lane. In the event of rain, the festival will move inside Central Arena.
A broad cross section of faiths as well as community groups will be represented.
The One Burlington Festival builds on the candlelight vigil organized by Rory Nisan last February at Burlington’s City Hall the day after the Quebec City Mosque shooting to mourn the victims and demonstrate solidarity in Burlington and Halton. “Multiculturalism, inclusion and interfaith understanding cannot be taken for granted. We have to nurture them as one community,” said Nisan.
 Wellington Square United Church “The key concept (of the inter-faith festival) is that all faiths are responsible for the dignity of the other,” added Pike. Hatia added that its central message is to celebrate our differences. “Isn’t it cool that we live in Canada and we’ve got this rich diversity to celebrate in culture and the arts.”
Hatia has personally experienced the richness of this diversity through his friendship with Rev. Dr. Orville James, Minister of Wellington Square United Church.
They first met a few years ago after Hatia spoke at the YMCA’s Peace Medal Breakfast. Their friendship blossomed as they worked to resettle Syrian refugees into Burlington. Since then, each has come to personally know other members of their individual faiths.
 St Luke’s Anglican church “It’s a beautiful thing,” Hatia said. “Sometimes, over coffee, we have deep discussions, with respect and the goal of understanding one another’s beliefs. To get to that point, you have to have a lot of trust. It is a close relationship.
This is also the goal of the inter-faith festival. It is just the beginning of people getting to know one another.”
Rory Nisan, Lead Organizer for the One Burlington Festival can be reached at: 905-464-7195, rnisan@gmail.com
 By Staff
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.
By Pepper Parr
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.
 By Pepper Parr
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.
Meridian had not expected quite that many people.
During that 2015 presentation residents learned a little about the corporate history,
1929 – Quarry owned and operated by National Sewer Pipe
1972 – Quarry first licensed under Pits and Quarry Control Act
1990 – Canada Brick purchased quarry
1998 – The West Tyandayga Ratepayers Assoc (WTRA) objected to the subdivision, the Official Plan Amendment: the Zoning By-law; and the Draft Plan. Then they agreed that it could be approved. One item had Jannock passing the Minutes of Settlement on to subsequent owners and to the WTRA
1999 – Tyandaga West Subdivision registered
1999 – Hanson PLC purchases Canada Brick
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.
By Staff
April 11th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
With the Burlington Herd out of the InterCounty Baseball League playoffs interest in the city has fallen off but there are people who want to be kept up on how the playoffs work out.
 The Barrie Baycats are enjoying a long bye – waiting for the Brantford – Toronto quarter final and the Hamilton – Kitchener set to work their way to the semifinals.
The Brantford Red Sox forced a game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That game will take place Sunday afternoon in Toronto.
The Hamilton Cardinals won game five in that series and stayed alive enough to play game 6 against the Kitchener Panthers.
That game will be played Sunday, August 13 at 2:00 pm
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team who have beaten the Barrie Baycats this season – they did that twice.
By Staff
August 11, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Youth Soccer Club (BYSC) is hosting “Cogeco Mini Soccer Day” in partnership with Cogeco Cable on Saturday, August 19th to celebrate the end of the soccer season for the U7-U12 age groups in their Outdoor House League program.
Cogeco Mini Soccer Day is being held to recognize our players and volunteer coaches for all of their achievements over the course of the Outdoor season. The expected attendance is upwards of 4900 people, with over 1600 players in these age divisions and both parents and coaches in attendance.
 The Soccer Day will take place from 8:30am – 4:00pm at Sherwood Forest Park (at the end of Fairview Street past the Appleby GO station) in Burlington.
The event will feature over 60 mini soccer matches and medal presentations throughout the morning and afternoon. Many of the BYSC’s community partners will also be in attendance and are providing bouncy castles, bubble soccer, food and prizes.
The BYSC invites the Burlington community to come out and enjoy the festivities, regardless of whether your child plays in their programs. An information tent with staff will be present if you are interested in learning more about BYSC programs or registering for our upcoming indoor season. Mark your calendars for what is sure to be a great event!
For more information about Cogeco Mini Soccer Day or other BYSC programs, visit www.burlingtonsoccer.com or call 905-333-0777.
 By Staff
August 11, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
This looks interesting.
If you are in the city, attending or taking part in a cultural event – take some family picture of all of you at the event and send the pictures into the theme is to have you celebrating Canada’s 150th by capturing your love of art and culture. Enter a photo of yourself or your family taking part in a unique cultural experience anywhere in Canada.
 The prizes are interesting. There are a couple of dozen Gazette readers we know who will be entering this contest. The
You could win a prize pack valued at over $1500* including a DSLR camera, 24 Cineplex movie passes for a year, and more!
Here is the web site to enter your pictures – all the details are there.
There are a number of corporate sponsors – the largest appears to be Sun Life
By Pepper Parr
August 10th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
We seldom realize just how much of our commonly used phrases come from the pen of William Shakespeare.
If you take in the upcoming production of The Merchant of Venice that will take the grassy lawn of the Rock Garden at Royal Botanical Gardens you will hear dozens of phrases that you use frequently without fully realizing where they cane from.
 The cast from the left: Chris Reid/Shylock, Michael Hannigan/Antonio, Alma Sarai/Portia, Shawn Coelho-DeSouza/Prince of Morocco and Lorenzo, Claudia Spadafora, Jessica, Isabel Starks/Ensemble, Jamie Kasiama/Nerissa, Zach Parsons/Bassanio, Jesse Horvath/Launcelot. Trevor Copp tells people that in the Merchant “Money makes the world go ’round: 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.
The cast of
 Isabel Starks and Alma Sarai during rehearsals taking notes on changes. Chris Reid/Shylock,
Michael Hannigan/Antonio,
Alma Sarai/Portia,
Shawn Coelho-DeSouza/Prince of Morocco and Lorenzo,
Claudia Spadafora/
Jessica, Isabel Starks/Ensemble,
Jamie Kasiama/Nerissa,
Zach Parsons/Bassanio,
Jesse Horvath/Launcelot
is in final rehearsals – they will put on two performances in St. Catharines before opening at the Rock Garden May 14th.
Is St. Catharines going to be Burlington’s Peoria – the city that many live productions try out on before hitting stages in Manhattan?
The schedule is August 14th to the 18th, 21st to 25th; the 28th and September 1
NO SATURDAY SHOWS
Tickets are available at:
 Michael Hannigan plays Antonio, This is the second year that Copp has mounted Shakespeare at the Rock Garden which provides the perfect atmosphere for a night of inspiring theatre under the stars. This is a very physical production that has a number of the 2016 crew returning to the stage.
The event was basically sold out last year; opening night RBG staff had to bring out additional seats. Heck even the Mayor was on hand – he didn’t stay for the full performance.
We sat in on a full rehearsal earlier this week. There a couple of line drops and some last minute change suggestions. Copp includes his staff at almost every level – certainly on the content of the production. Blocking and movement of different actors on the stage is a collaborative thing; more often than not he will say “sure, why not”.
 Copp: focused, intent but wide open to ideas and suggestions. His direction however is tightly focused – he doesn’t miss a thing and has a way of working with each actor in a way that works for the actor. While Copp is a dance artist in his own right – he doesn’t drag around a lot of ego with him.
The cast works well together – they like each other and share the ins and outs of their daily lives. These are educated and informed people with a sense of humour and some sharp wits as well. The black humour is not to be shared.
Each performance will include a half hour intermission with garden tours available during that time.
The Rock Garden will close to the general public at 5:30 p.m. Garden opens at 6 p.m. to those who have purchased tickets. Seating is first come first served.
 Great audiences last year – superb production coming this year. The performance is rain or shine however in the event of inclement weather, RBG will determine at 5 p.m. if the theatrical performance will be cancelled. To check for a cancellation please check our Facebook page or call the weather hotline at 905-527-1158 ext. 404.
Your ticket will be valid to attend a future show of your choosing. Please call 905-527-1158 ext. 516 to arrange your new date. For those with dinner reservations, dinner service will go ahead as planned. If the performance is cancelled while in progress, please see the event staff to reschedule for another performance date.
By Staff
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.
 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.
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.
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