 By Staff
July 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Downtown Car Show in support of the Burlington Lions Club is a celebration of the automobile showcasing 200 classics, exotic and iconic vehicles that will be displayed in downtown Burlington on Saturday July 7, 2017.
 The cars aren’t for sale – just for looking. There is no admission, 200+ cars will be on display including classics, cruisers, muscle cars, odd ball and exotic sports cars. They will be displayed on Brant Street between Caroline Street and Lakeshore Road – Saturday July 7th, 2018 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
The Burlington Downtown Car Show offers a view into the history of the automobile. This year’s show will include Main Stage music sponsored by the Burlington Downtown Business Association, a Kidz Zone supported by Stoner & Company Family Law Associates, and a Corvette Corral supported by Leggat Auto Group.
 All muscle! Civic Square will be a showcase of rare and unique cars. A wide variety of vendor offerings will be present along Brant Street.
Mayor Rick Goldring will officially open the show at 12:00 noon from Main Stage, located next to the new Burlington Promenade.
The show has attracted representation from virtually every automotive sector; modern muscle cars, off-road vehicles, tuners, European super cars as well as the classics.
 A Classic that was on display at a previous car show. Local merchants support the show with side-walk sales, turning Brant Street into a pedestrian mall full of activity for the whole family.
The car show people don’t say how much is raised for the Burlington Lions other than “the event is one of their bet fund raisers.
 By Staff
June 30th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington has always made a big deal out of Canada Day.
Every municipality does something but that park on the edge of the lake is so enticing – everyone gathers there.
 The city doesn’t disappoint.
The schedule is packed;
The day start with a yoga class and end with a fireworks display. Parts of the day’s events are going to be simulcast by 102.9 K-LITE FM during the fireworks display. Participants can listen to music synchronized to the fireworks through their mobile phone or on the radio from wherever the fireworks are visible.
Fun activities planned in the park include:
 Yoga at the compass at 8:30 a.m.
Citizenship Ceremony at 9 a.m.
5K run and 1K kids run at 10 a.m.
Scholars in Collars dog training performance at 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Face-painting, balloon animals, photo booth, hair spray artist and inflatables from noon to 5 p.m. presented by Glad Tidings Church
Canadian hockey player and Canadian Mountie stilt walkers from noon to 6 p.m.
The opening ceremonies begin at noon with the Burlington Teen Tour Band kicking off the festivities at the main stage.
Entertainment on the main stage will include:
 Karen Thornton at 1 p.m.
Melissa Bel at 2 p.m.
Mount Farewell at 3 p.m.
Symphony on the Bay at 4:30 p.m.
The Hockey Circus Show at 5:30 p.m.
Felicia McMinn Band at 6:30 p.m.
The Hockey Circus Show at 7:30 p.m.
Johannes Linstead at 8:30 p.m.
Fireworks presented by BUNZL at 10 p.m.
Downtown parking will be tough to find. Every organization with a parking lot will be offering to let you park for a fee. Think about considering other transportation options: cycling, walking, car pooling or Burlington Transit.
A fully accessible free shuttle service will run from noon to 11 p.m. The shuttle will run approximately every 20 minutes from the Burlington GO Station (north side) to the downtown bus terminal. A free bike corral will be available near the Waterfront Hotel for cyclists to secure their bikes.
Other Canada Day Activities
The city’s outdoor pool locations are open for unlimited access to recreational swimming for only $4.40 per person; $3.05 after 5 p.m. Hours for Canada Day are as follows:
Nelson Pool – 10:30 – 8 p.m.
LaSalle Splash Park – 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Mountainside Pool 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
 Many people see the Terry Fox run as a unique thing that happened in Canada and was the result of one Canadian’s supreme effort. The Canadian flag just seems to be a part of the event – and there were plenty of them handed out. Take a walk on a nature trail at Kerncliffe Park, play bocce at LaSalle Park or go for a picnic
All six of the city’s spray park locations are open and always free. For more information, visit burlington.ca/splashpads.
When you look at the flag – think about what is going on south of us and be grateful for what we have going for s.
 By Pepper Parr
June 29th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Round two of the race that will determine who will be Mayor of Burlington on October 23rd, has taken place.
 Ward 2 candidate Meed Ward holds her announcement on a dead end street in Aldershot- she was running for Mayor – was there ever any doubt this would happen? The first round had the Mayor making a statement at a golf club, Mike Wallace held a media event on the sidewalk outside city hall and Meed Ward gathered her tribe at a small dead end street in Aldershot.
The second round had Ward 2 city Councillor Marianne Meed Ward holding a fund raiser at Joe Dogs on Brant Street, the Mayor holding an event at Faraway Indoor Golf on Tuesday and Mike Wallace holding his event at Emma’s Back Porch last night.
Our correspondent reports that “The event at Joe Dogs was great, there was a wonderful buzz and energy in the room. People were excited and happy.”
“There were between 105 and 115 people there, people paid $25 to get in and at times we had lineups at the door. There was a real mix of people – all ages, from all parts of the city, all races and genders, all political stripes. The volunteers and supporters seemed to be proud that Meed Ward was not being backed or funded by any party, riding association, current or former MPPs or MPs.
“It appeared to me to be a real grass-roots bunch.
 Some of the entertainment at the Meed Ward fund raiser. “There were some young ladies doing highland dancing, campaign t-shirts and car magnets were on sale – thy almost sold out on those. Slated to end at 9:30, many hung around much longer than that. This correspondent had work to do at home.
“Meed Ward spoke about over-development, losing retail space, losing greenspace, not enough parking, amenity space, and a lack of affordability. She also spoke about the need for more respect from city hall for residents and their input. She stressed that residents must work together to ensure their best interests are being served which is what she committed herself to do as Mayor.”
Meed Ward has plans for events throughout the city. The next one is scheduled for September 13 at the Polish Hall
Rick Goldring had a good turnout – however he didn’t speak at any length. He mentioned that the city had put up $60 million as its share of the transformed Joseph Brant Hospital. Money had been put into culture and the Nelson pool had been replaced.
Goldring added that tax increases were within inflation rates – which just isn’t true. Inflation hasn’t been anywhere near 4%; tax increases have been above 4%
 Goldring explaining intensification at a 2015 event. Goldring explained that his first term of office was a Clean Up phase but he didn’t elaborate on what it was he cleaned up.
The second term of office was the setting up phase. He made mention of the Strategic Plan and the Official Plan but again he didn’t elaborate on what was important about the two initiatives.
Phase three, implementation of the set up but not a word about what that implementation was going to look like.
Goldring made mention of the city being th best Canadian mid sized city to live in. He did mention that a new listing of the best city’s is due out soon. What id Burlington gets a downgrade?
Mike Wallace chose a small space at Emmas Back Porch and packed the space. Sweltering hot.
Dwight Ryan, a CHCH retiree served as Master of Ceremonies and got the laughs he wanted then introduced Connor Clark, a Nelson high school student who is going to represent students on the Halton District School Board.
Clark was positioned as the vision for the future, the bright young man that was raised and educated in Burlington and after university would come back to Burlington where he could work and raise his own family. The audience, that had very few young people, loved it.
Then Keith Strong took to the podium and gave a run down on the other candidates in the race. He did a superb hatchet job on Meed Ward, made the briefest mention possible of the candidate from Aldershot and cut up the Mayor for his lack of leadership.
Strong was direct in his criticism of Meed Ward. She is disruptive, she creates conflict, she always argues, she isn’t a team player and she promises but never completes, said Strong. Strong words indeed.
After doing a classic political hatchet job on the other three candidates Strong got into what Mike Wallace brings to the table.
 Caroline Wallace Caroline Wallace, who was described as Burlington’s next first lady, took to the podium after Strong and read her speech. She said she wanted to make sure she got it all right. She is a solid, supportive candidate’s wife.
Then it was Mike’s turn – and he didn’t disappoint. After telling people that he was running because Mayor Goldring was not doing the job Wallace then laid out two platform planks.
He said he would ask his fellow council members to support him in creating a larger council and suggested that eight members plus a Mayor for a nine member council is what the city needed.
Then he launched into an idea that will surprise many. Mike told the audience about a place in Toronto called Liberty Village. It’s where the entrepreneurial crowd live and work. Some describe the place as almost like a university campus.
Wallace wants young people to be able to stay in Burlington and work in the city – and a Liberty Village is just the ticket he said.
 The Liberty Village community in Toronto is the place to live and work in Toronto for the younger, hip, entrepreneurial set. Mike Wallace wants some of this t exist in Burlington, He wouldn’t say just where this Liberty Village should/could be built; all he was doing was floating an idea. It wasn’t a bad idea, some complications, but at least there was an idea on the table that was more than Mayor Goldring was offering at his campaign kickoff event.
According to Wallace Tansley Wood was a Wallace invention. He said he was the force behind the creation of the Tansley Wood community centre when he got the city and the province to work together.
 Mike Wallace in full campaign mode. Wallace was brutal when it came to describing the Mayor. “There is no vision” said Wallace but there are growth pressures on Burlington from the province. Places to Grow is a provincial policy but we don’t have to let Queen’s Park just run over us” said Wallace.
“We have to push back at the Regional and provincial levels and this Mayor does not have the ability to do that.”
“There is no vision and there is a lack of pride.”
The kicker was when he asked: Who made the New Street decision.
Wallace said he believes he has a better shot at getting results from Queen’s Park than anyone else running for the job of Mayor.
There is no magic wand in the hands of the Mayor said Wallace. He said he believed a Mayor should lead and not just complain. “The demographics are against us in Burlington” said Wallace. “We have to attract the young people back to the city but right now there is no place for them to live.”
 Randall Reff – The second worst environmental waste deposit in the country is pretty close to home isn’t it Wallace said he was Ok with the new city plan and he was just fine with the mobility hubs/ “But we need someone to do those things.”
Wallace took credit for getting millions spent on the Randall Reef in Hamilton Harbour that was polluting the water in Burlington Bay. He pointed to the $250 million he said he brought to Burlington as the Member of Parliament.
It was a tough, no holds barred campaign speech. The Gazette has never heard Mike Wallace sound this aggressive before. Mike was known for his laugh, you heard the laugh before you saw the man.
He wasn’t laughing Wednesday night at Emmas Back Porch. Mike Wallace wants back in and he is going to give the other candidates a rough ride.
Greg Woodruff, the most recent candidate to file nomination papers has yet to hold a public event.
Meed Ward web site is at: https://mariannemeedward.ca”
Goldring’s campaign web site is at: https://www.rickgoldring.ca/
Mike Wallace web site: https://mikewallaceformayor.ca/
 By Pepper Parr
June 29th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
If you’ve been to Spencer Smith Park – you’ve been to the Lakeshore Coffee House.
 Sue Hofman – scooping ice cream at the Lakeshore Coffee House. If you want to say goodbye to Sue Hofman, the owner for the past five years – drop in today. She has sold the operation and is leaving for a month long holiday in Greece and then tending her garden in Aldershot when she gets back.
“I’ve been running the coffee house for five years and five months” said Hofman. “It has been a great experience – something I have always wanted to do. One more thing on my bucket list that is done”
 Sue Hofman with the key in her hand – she will lock the door to the Lakeshore Coffee House for the last time on Saturday. What did she like best about being a small business owner? “It was my customers – they have all been great. We got to know each other, I watched their children grow and I heard their stories.”
What didn’t she like? “The lack of parking and the winter. Business was terrible in the winter. But my regulars showed up and that made my day.”
“Parking?, this is Burlington.”
New owners take possession July 1st – wish them well.
 By Staff
June 29th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Do flags make a difference?
Last year the building on the corner of Pine and Pearl was decked out with dozens of Canadian flags.
This year they did the Pine Street side.
 Do flags make a difference? How did you feel when you saw these flags?
 By Steve Marks
June 27th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
If you are looking for a location that offers high-class gambling and an equal combination of luxurious, family-friendly and affordable resorts, Las Vegas is the place to go… or so would many people have you believe. While Las Vegas is surely one of the best gambling destinations in the world, another country which deserves much more credit than it gets is Canada.
Across Canada’s ten provinces, a wide variety of casinos await visitors from within the country and beyond. Some of these gambling venues have become large resorts that offer spas, restaurants, hotels and luxurious casino floors. These are the biggest casinos in Canada.
Casino de Montreal – Quebec
 Montreal Casino right across from the historic Old Port of Montreal on Ile Notre-Dame. Located on the Ile Notre-Dame, right across from the historic Old Port of Montreal, the Casino the Montreal is one of the biggest and most chic gambling establishments in the world. Visitors and gambling aficionados are welcomed by more than 3,000 slot machines, 100 gaming tables, as well as a separate, special section with 18 poker tables.
People who want to hone and test their skills at poker and bring home a generous prize can participate at the casino’s Texas Hold’em tournaments, which are held regularly. Casino de Montreal also has a program called the Casino Privileges Club, through which players can earn points to use in the casino as well as restaurants and hotels in downtown Montreal, and many other bonuses similar to the ones found on casinobonusca.com.
Caesars Windsor Hotel and Casino – Ontario
 Caesars Windsor Hotel and Casino across the border from Detroit Located just across the border from Detroit via the Ambassador Bridge, Caesars Windsor Hotel and Casino is a hotspot for both Canadian and American gamblers. Measuring about 10,000 square feet, the twin hotel towers offer 758 guest rooms and suites, alongside a fitness center.
The Colosseum showroom hosts headline acts and shows, with guests having the option to choose from six cafes and restaurants as well. The establishments that stand out are the Artist Café, a boldly colored, intimate place filled with intricate murals, paints and sculptures, and Neros Steakhouse, a world renown restaurant famous for its excellent selection of high-quality stakes and seafood. Naturally, the Ceasars Casino has lots to offer in terms of gambling as well. The Poker Room, for instance, has 14 tables, and the main casino floor offers a wide range of electronic slots and gaming tables.
 River Cree Resort and Casino sits right at the western edge of Edmonton River Cree Resort and Casino – Alberta
The River Cree Resort and Casino sits right at the western edge of Edmonton, Province of Alberta. A full-fledged entertainment complex, it acts as a luxury resort, a casino, and a hockey center. In terms of gambling, visitors can choose from more than 1,000 slot machines, 39 game tables, as well as engage in off-track horse betting. Apart from these features, gamblers can try their luck in a high stakes poker room, a dazzling roulette, or relax in the dining venue or enjoy a fun night together with friends in the Centre Bar.
River Rock Casino Resort – British Columbia
 River Rock Casino on the shores of the Fraser River Situated on the shores of the Fraser River, the River Rock Casino is arguably the largest gambling venue in Western Canada. The casino measures approximately 70,000 square feet, with 900 slot machines, a separate poker room with 14 tables, and a high-stakes VIP room called the Dogwood club. As with every resort, the River Rock hosts a wide variety of dining venues and entertainment centers, including the River Rock Show Theatre, the classy Lulu’s Lounge, a spa, and a 202-room hotel Suite.
 As bright, shiny, glitzy and glamorous as Las Vegas might be, nothing compares to the natural beauty and charm of Canada. Even though Canada is a relatively new player in the world of high-class gambling, nobody can argue that the country suffers from a shortage of quality venues, and these four casinos stand as living proof. If you are taking a trip through Canada, make sure to check these places out.
By Staff
June 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Plan your weekend.
There are things other than the Sound of Music to attend. Why bother – there is so much going on at the bottom of the city – head for Lakeshore Road – just don’t bother looking for a parking space. Find a way to use public transit, bike (careful if you use New Street) or walk.
Here is what will be on the four stages today.
Besides the stages in Spencer Smith Park there are pods placed all over the downtown core that are worth dropping by for a listen.
Scroll on down and decide where you want to spend your time.
By Pepper Parr
June 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Mayoralty candidate Marianne Meed Ward is holding her first large fund raising event on June 21st at Joe Dogs on Brant Street – $25 at the door.
This is the first of what is expected to be numerous fundraiser, meet and greet and town hall events. “we’ll be everywhere “ said Meed Ward.
 Invitation from the Mayor. Mayor Rick Golding is launching his re-election campaign on June 26th from 6:00-8:00PM at Faraway Greens Indoor Golf Club on Mainway.
Goldring is hosting a BBQ, with music and lots of fun! “I would love for you all to hear about my plans for the next four years” said Goldring in a media release.
The event is complimentary, but “donations to the campaign are always welcomed and encouraged.”
Meed Ward expects to be allowed to spend around $100,000 – the precise amount is based on a formula based on using the number of voters to determine the amount.
“We will spend everything we raise. Individual limits are $1200 per person, to a single candidate.”
A person can contribute to more than one candidate to a combined total per donor per municipality of $5000.
No corporate, union donations allowed (a good thing); only individual contributions. Meed Ward said: “I will not be accepting personal donations from developers. I believe it’s important to keep a professional, arm’s length relationship with the development community given the issues around development in Burlington.
“You’ll see in my 2006, 2010 and 2014 municipal campaigns I did not accept any contributions from developers. The current mayor and other councillors did.
The Meed Ward said her campaign team is made up of individuals of all ages and backgrounds from across the city and across the political spectrum.
 Marianne Meed Ward promoting her fund raising event. “We are not backed by any riding association, provincial/federal candidate or MP/MPP, and believe partisan politics have no place in municipal elections. We all set aside party politics and our team come together to work for the best interests of all the residents of Burlington. We are getting new volunteers every day, and welcome more people to join us!
“They can sign up at the campaign website here: https://mariannemeedward.ca”
Goldring’s campaign web site is at: https://www.rickgoldring.ca/
 By Staff
June 13th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The city has upgraded the information they make available on road closures during the Sound of Music and Canada Day celebrations.
 The traffic plan includes concrete barricades and parked police vehicles. This is to ensure pedestrian and vehicle traffic are kept separate for the safety of pedestrians.
 Shades of that tragic situation in Toronto when a driver in a rented van barrelled down Yonge Street, killing 10 pedestrians and injuring 16.
The public can expect to see concrete barricades whenever there are a large number of pedestrian.
The Sound of Music Festival will result in road closures Friday, June 15 to Sunday, June 17.
Road Closures
Friday, June 15 from 3:30 p.m. to Sunday, June 17 at 6 p.m. – Brant Street from Caroline Street to Lakeshore Road.
Parade Closures
Saturday, June 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Caroline Street from Drury Lane to Locust Street, Elizabeth Street from Caroline Street to Pine Street and Drury Lane from Courtland to New Street.
Road Closure for Canada Day fireworks:
Sunday, July 1: Lakeshore Road between Elizabeth Street and Maple Avenue from 9 to 11 p.m.
By Staff
June 13th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Cruisin’ For a Cause is a family friendly event and the unofficial start of Summer in Aldershot that has two ways for you to give back to our community:
It is also a chance to share a passion for kool rides, classic vehicles and more while strolling down memory lane at Cruisin’ For a Cause 2018.
 Kool cars – an opportunity for those people devoted to the car that have spent hours on refurbishing and customizing to show it off. Donations for the Green Angels Financial Assistance Program will be collected to help subsidize admission passes, annual memberships and programming for disadvantaged, special needs and new Canadian children who wouldn’t ordinarily experience the natural world of the Royal Botanical Gardens.
The Burlington Food Bank truck will be on hand to accept non-perishable items or financial contributions that help support families in need.
Check out the kool rides or bring your own!
If you need more information please call Leslie at 905-317-3279 or email leslie@lesliebullock.ca We hope to see you there.
Where: Royal Botanical Gardens, Plains Road West
When: Tuesday June 19, 4:30pm to Dusk
By Staff
June 13th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Sound of Music is a lot more than an event that takes place over the Father’s Day weekend.
It has been expanded well beyond Spencer Smith Park where there are three stages set up.
There are what are being called pods set up at different locations in the downtown core along with the Club Series that has bands playing at downtown locations.
The Gazette will provide a run down on what is happening where each day.
For today – the Club series is operating with the following:
 One of two pop up patios in the city – this one outside the Coop will be packed. Where will the bands playing be?
By Staff
June 12th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Sound of Music Festival will result in road closures Friday, June 15 to Sunday, June 17.
Road Closures
 Friday, June 15 from 3:30 p.m. to Sunday, June 17 at 6 p.m. – Brant Street from Caroline Street to Lakeshore Road.
Parade Closures
Saturday, June 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Caroline Street from Drury Lane to Locust Street, Elizabeth Street from Caroline Street to Pine Street and Drury Lane from Courtland to New Street.
 By Pepper Parr
June 11th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It was the schools 50th anniversary and something the community wanted to celebrate.
The vision came from the mind of Carie DeMunck, a parent and lead organizer for the event.
The community wanted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Pauline Johnson elementary school that was named after the celebrated Indigenous poet, author and actress who in her time was a major writer and entertainer.
DeMunck was able to contact the founding principal and a number of the teachers who opened the school, which at the time, was one of the first fully open concept schools in the province.
 Founding principal Doug Campbell with Mayor Rick Goldring and Director of Education Stuart Miller There were no walls, no corridors just one large open space. It was like one of those traditional one room schools in the rural parts of the province. Doug Campbell said that he had two hats; one as principal of the school and the other as tour guide. Every senior educator in the province wanted to see what an open concept school looked like and how it operated.
The open concept idea lasted five years – then the school began to expand and is now at the point where it has three portables at the back of the building.
Campbell was pretty curt with his comments on the decision to revert to a more traditional school set up. The open concept sounded as if it was the highlight of his career.
DeMunck explained to the Gazette when she was first in touch with us that “Our School is having its 50th Anniversary Celebration on Friday June 8th and 9th of this year. There was to be an official opening of the two time capsules, and a tree dedication.
Past principals, the Mayor of Burlington, and members of Six Nations were part of the audience.
The school gymnasium was filled with the elementary level students who were surprisingly quiet and well behaved.
A student choir sang one of the Pauline Johnson songs: The Land of the Silver Birch.
 The 25th anniversary time capsule.  The two time capsules open during the Friday celebration of the schools 50th anniversary. The opening of the time capsules was a highlight. However it was what the students wanted to put in the time capsule that was going to be created on the celebration of the 50th anniversary.
Students from each grade level trooped to the front of the audience and read out or displayed what their grade wanted put in the capsule. It was going to be considerably more robust than what had been put in on the 25th anniversary and by the millennial students.
 Several students with their poster telling the Pauline Johnson story as they understand it.  Teacher holds up the Pauline Johnson poster prepared by a class of older elementary school students. The two capsules were at one point placed outdoors, then moved inside the building where they were placed in an air duct where they gathered dust but were certainly kept dry. Schools in Ontario for the most part do not have corners stones.
 Pauline Johnson public school students taking part in a tree dedication to mark the 50th anniversary of their school. On Saturday there was a BBQ and a public reunion for alumni who have attended the school since the opening in 1968.
Background link:
Who was Pauline Johnson?
 By Pepper Parr
June 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
This article has been slightly revised.
It wasn’t a stop in the original plan for the campaign.
Burlington wasn’t seen as a major opportunity for the New Democrats in this provincial election. The party had a base in the 20% range and never got above that count.
2018 had two things that were different – the NDP was doing much better across the province and Burlington had a much better candidate.
 Andrea Horwath – she wades into a crowd and touches people – they love it. That’s what brought the Horwath “A Change for the Better” bus rolling into the Mountainside office late in the day.
 Andrea Horwath – animating a small crowd outside the Burlington NDP office. Andrea Horwath is on the short side – sharp eyes that hold their gaze with no problem wading into a crowd. She doesn’t need a lectern or a sign in front of her.
She delivers the message, is very friendly with people – she doesn’t just come across as sincere – she is. Some stuff can be faked – this wasn’t fake.
She isn’t the kind of speaker that you would call an orator. She just tells you what she thinks. Asked during the media scrum what the first thing she was going to do if she found herself having the Office of the Premier? Find out where the washroom is was the reply. And it wasn’t a smart ass answer.
Has she begun to think about how she would form a Cabinet? No decisions have been made but there have been conversations.
Intensification is a big Burlington issue: what does Horwath think about regional growth? It has to be sustainable and we have to ensure that the services we have now are kept in place and improved upon.
The decisions being made in the United States and the tariff talk that is taking place are top of mind for Horwath – what is this going to do to our steel industry.
Her opponent – and there is now just the one – has more than enough of his own problems to deal with said Horwath – police investigations, law suits involving family members. “If Doug Ford is being sued by his sister-in-law for failing to give her what she thinks she is due how can we depend on him to take care of the people of Ontario? was the question Horwath had.
In the final days of an election campaign everyone is in scramble mode – reaching out for every possible vote.
 The data in the graph is from the 2014 election. Burlington’s MPP Eleanor McMahon published a call for canvassers to keep at it – used a graph showing just how far ahead the Liberals were – in 2014. 2018 is a much different situation.
 Alvin Tedjo – Liberal candidate in Oakville North Burlington Premier Wynn is going to be in Burlington on Friday but she is not scheduled to drop by the McMahon office on Fairview – instead she will be calling on Alvin Tedjo’s office on Appleby Line where a combination of a politically attractive candidate and weak PC candidate plus a New Democrat who isn’t much more than a place holder. Nice but not a contender this time around.
 By Staff
June 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
If you are an Adele fan – and it is hard not to be – there is a treat coming your way.
In September, for one day only – the 19th THE ADELE SONGBOOK, as performed by Katie Markham will take to the stage at the Performing Arts Centre.
 Tickets are $47.50 (plus Facility Fee & Service Charge) available at the Box Office; Charge by phone 905-681-6000 or online at www.burlingtonpac.ca.
A former X Factor UK Finalist, Katie Markham was hand-picked by Adele herself on Graham Norton’s BBC ADELE Special where she met the star and sang with her on stage. Katie was asked to star in SOMEONE LIKE YOU: THE ADELE SONGBOOK.
With a show-stopping voice and captivating charisma she delivers an enthralling concert that faithfully recreates the magic of Adele’s three record-breaking albums, “19”, “21” and “25”, including the smash-hits “Chasing Pavements”, “Make You Feel My Love”, “Set Fire To The Rain”, “Someone Like You”, “Hello”, “Rolling In The Deep” and the multi-million seller “Skyfall”, as well as a selection of songs by some of the legends that inspired Adele.
The concert production features a seven-piece band of great voices and players that recreates and celebrates the magic of Adele’s music.
 By Staff
June 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
An estimated 768,895 voters participated in advance voting for the 2018 General Election. Preliminary figures show that voter turnout for advance voting was 18.8%. This is an increase from the 647,261 electors who voted at advance polls for the general election in 2014.
 Canadian citizens who reside in Ontario and are at least 18 years of age on election day are eligible to vote. Ontario electors can find a list of acceptable identification documents, along with information about when and where to vote, at www.elections.on.ca .
Polls open at 9:00 am and close at 9:00 pm.
By Pepper Parr
June 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
She was half white and was neglected as part of the indigenous culture that was beginning to be recognized when Margaret Atwood wrote Survival: A Thematic Guide to Canadian Literature in 1972.
At its publication, Atwood said she could not find Native works. She mused, “Why did I overlook Pauline Johnson? Perhaps because, being half-white, she somehow didn’t rate as the real thing, even among Natives; although she is undergoing reclamation today.
The Pauline Johnson Public School in Burlington was opened in 1968 at a time when schools were being built to accommodate a growing population. This Friday the school will celebrate its 50th anniversary by opening two time capsules; the 25th Anniversary capsule laid down in 1993 and the Millennium Year capsule laid down in 2000.
 A successful writer and performer who was forgotten for a period of time Pauline Johnson is once again being fully recognized. Emily Pauline Johnson (also known in Mohawk as Tekahionwake –pronounced: dageh-eeon-wageh, literally: ‘double-life’, was born in March 1861. Commonly known as Pauline Johnson, she was a Canadian writer and performer popular in the late 19th century. Johnson was notable for her poems and performances that celebrated her Aboriginal heritage; her father was a hereditary Mohawk chief of mixed ancestry. She also drew from English influences, as her mother was an English immigrant. One such poem is the frequently anthologized “The Song My Paddle Sings”.
Her poetry was published in Canada, the United States and Great Britain; she was one of a generation of widely read writers who began to define a Canadian literature. While her literary reputation declined after her death, since the later 20th century, there has been renewed interest in her life and works.
 Chiefswood, Johnson’s childhood home is now a National Monument in Brantford, Ontario Pauline Johnson was born at Chiefswood, the family home built by her father in 1856 on his 225-acre estate at the Six Nations reserve outside Brantford, Ontario. She was the youngest of four children of Emily Susanna Howells Johnson (1824–1898), a native of England, and George Henry Martin Johnson (1816–1884), a Mohawk hereditary clan chief. His mother, Helen Martin, was of partial Dutch descent and born into the Wolf clan; his maternal grandmother, Catherine Rolleston, was a Dutch girl who became assimilated as Mohawk after being taken captive and adopted by a Wolf clan family.
Although both their families were opposed to Emily and George Johnson’s marriage, and the couple were concerned that their own mixed-race family would not be socially accepted, they were acknowledged as a leading Canadian family. The Johnsons enjoyed a high standard of living, and their family and home were well known. Chiefswood was visited by such intellectual and political guests as the inventor Alexander Graham Bell, painter Homer Watson, noted anthropologist Horatio Hale, and Lady and Lord Dufferin, Governor General of Canada.
 One of the native costumes Pauline Johnson wore on stage. Emily and George Johnson encouraged their four children to respect and learn about both the Mohawk and the English aspects of their heritage. Because the children were born to a Native father, by British law they were legally considered Mohawk and wards of the British Crown. But under the Mohawk kinship system, because their mother was not Mohawk, they were not born into a tribal clan; they were excluded from important aspects of the tribe’s matrilineal culture. Their paternal grandfather John Smoke Johnson, who had been elected an honorary Pine Tree Chief, was an authority in the lives of his grandchildren. He told them many stories in the Mohawk language, which they comprehended but did not speak fluently. Pauline Johnson said that she inherited her talent for elocution from her grandfather. A sickly child, Johnson did not attend Brantford’s Mohawk Institute.
 Postage stamp issued to honour Pauline Johnson At the age of 14, Johnson went to Brantford Central Collegiate with her brother Allen. She graduated in 1877.
During the 1880s, Johnson wrote and performed in amateur theatre productions. She enjoyed the Canadian outdoors, where she traveled by canoe. In 1883 she published her first full-length poem, “My Little Jean”, in the New York Gems of Poetry. She began to increase the pace of her writing and publishing afterward.
Shortly after her father’s death in 1884, the family rented out Chiefswood. Pauline moved with her widowed mother and sister to a modest home in Brantford. She worked to support them all, and found that her stage performances allowed her to make a living. Johnson supported her mother until her death in 1898.
 “Ode to Brant” was written to mark the unveiling in Brantford of a statue honoring Joseph Brant. Johnson promoted her identity as a Mohawk, but as an adult spent little time with people of that culture.
In 1886, Johnson was commissioned to write a poem to mark the unveiling in Brantford of a statue honoring Joseph Brant, the important Mohawk leader who was allied with the British during and after the American Revolutionary War. Her “Ode to Brant” was read at a 13 October ceremony before “the largest crowd the little city had ever seen.
The poem sparked a long article in the Toronto Globe, and increased interest in Johnson’s poetry and heritage. The Brantford businessman William F. Cockshutt read the poem at the ceremony, as Johnson was reportedly too shy.
 Pauline Johnson used both native dress and traditional gowns in her stage performances. Johnson retired from the stage in August 1909 and moved to Vancouver, British Columbia to continue writing. In 1911, to help support Johnson, who was ill and poor, a group of friends organized the publication of these stories under the title Legends of Vancouver. They remain classics of that city’s literature.
One of the stories was a Squamish legend of shape shifting: how a man was transformed into Siwash Rock “as an indestructible monument to Clean Fatherhood”. In another, Johnson told the history of Deadman’s Island, a small islet off Stanley Park. In a poem in the collection, she named one of her favourite areas “Lost Lagoon”, as the inlet seemed to disappear when the water emptied at low tide. The body of water has since been transformed into a permanent, fresh-water lake at Stanley Park, but it is still called “Lost Lagoon”.
 Pauline Johnson was a remarkably beautiful woman who made a lasting contribution to our understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture. Johnson died of breast cancer in Vancouver, British Columbia on 7 March 1913. Her funeral (the largest until then in Vancouver history) was held on what would have been her 52nd birthday. Her ashes were buried near Siwash Rock in Stanley Park. In 1922 a cairn was erected at the burial site, with an inscription reading in part, “in memory of one whose life and writings were an uplift and a blessing to our nation”.
In 1961, on the centennial of her birth, Johnson was celebrated with a commemorative stamp bearing her image, “rendering her the first woman (other than the Queen), the first author, and the first aboriginal Canadian to be thus honored.
Johnson was one of the five finalists of significant women to be featured on Canadian banknotes, a contest eventually won by Viola Desmond.
Burlington’s Pauline Johnson Public School is one of four on Ontario to bear the name of this famous Canadian.
On Friday afternoon the students, staff, alumni and local dignitaries will take part in the opening of the time capsules and honouring the author. Members of the indigenous community will take part in the event.
By Pepper Parr
June 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
When the wind shifts a good Captain trims the sails.
When Andrew Drummond was made the NDP candidate for Burlington his hope was to get the NDP vote back to the 20% range they have traditionally held.
Andrew wasn’t able to get a leave of absence from his full time job – so he was hot footing it at the GO stations on his way into work and doing as much as he could when he got home.
A single parent with two pre-teen children he had his hands full.
 Andrew Drummond with a supporter He was a big step up in terms of a quality candidate – not a huge union supporter either. For him the issue is the quality of life we live. He can’t go along with people having to live on minimum wages that are only now at $14 – going to $15 next year when the Community Development Halton data is quite clear – people need $17 to live a decent life.
Last weekend Drummond got four houses in a row in the Riverside community that said they were voting for him.
The most recent poll gave the NDP 34% of the vote.
 Horwath campaign bus is going to roll into Burlington on Tuesday – 5:50 pm at the campaign office on Mountainside. All that positive news was good enough to convince NDP leader Andrea Horwath to have her tour bus take a tighter left hand turn and drop by the NDP office at 2232 Mountainside – 5:50 pm on Tuesday the 5th of June.
How long has it been since an NDP leader visited Burlington?
Walter Mulkewich told the Gazette that Bob Rae visited Burlington twice in 1985 when Mulkewich was the candidate. Walter didn’t win the provincial seat in that election.
Andrew Drummond is in a much different situation – the whole province is in a different sitaution.
The NDP sails are being trimmed to catch the new winds.
By Staff
June 2, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The City has launched a new, free community space called “Haber Hub” at Haber Recreation Centre at 3040 Tim Dobbie Dr.
This is a great example of giving sponsors value for their money. In June of 2013 Chris Haber, a personal injury lawyer, signed a 20 year deal with the city for the naming rights for the new Recreation Centre in the Alton Village. The $1.3 million dollar deal was for a 20 year agreement.
The Haber name gets a bit of a boost with the Haber Hub added. No word on if the city picked up any additional funds or f they gave it to the family as a freebie.
 From the left, Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster signs the 20 year $1.3 million naming rights deal with Chris Haber in the Centre. Chris Glenn, Director of Parks and Recreation is on the right. Haber Hub space is free to any neighbourhood or community group looking to provide free community programs and events to Burlington residents.
The space is also available for rent for those looking to host an event or program that is charging a user fee or is a private program or event.
This is a good first step, it will be interesting to see how this innovative program come to life.
 Part of the massive gym set up in the Haber Recreation Centre Follow up on this at – www.burlington.ca/communitysupport or email communitysupport@burlington.ca.
Denise Beard, Manager of Community Development explained that “The ultimate goal of community development is to have community groups working to provide their own programs and events that benefit either the smaller community or the city on a larger scale.”
By Staff
June 1, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Ticketfly, the service provider Sound of Music is using to get tickets into the hands of people who want take in the best band sound in the country later this month, experienced a glitch so SoM moved over to the parent platform Eventbrite.
If you purchased your tickets via Ticketfly, no worries – if you have your confirmation email, the tickets will be attached as a PDF and will still scan at the gate.
If you don’t have your confirmation email, once Ticketfly is back online (which they are still hard at work on), you will be able to log in again and download your tickets. Otherwise, just bring your ID and credit card to the box office onsite to pick up your tickets.
TICKET PRICES GOING UP
We wanted to let you know that general admission ticket prices are planned to go up on June 2 at 11:30pm. Time to purchase if you haven’t already!
The deal is: eight bands for $65 on Saturday, June 9th and seven bands for $55 on Sunday, June 10th (plus fee and tax) can’t be beat. Get yours HERE.
 Gates open at 1:00 pm. Shows start at 1:30 pm. Come early! Participate in our survey and enter to win 4 Sweet Seat passes for next year’s festival HERE.
The Father’s Day weekend Free concert program begins on the 17th. Great line up!
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