 By Staff
November 21, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Pam’s buying!
 Pam Damoff, MP for Oakville Burlington North with her coffee crowd. Damoff is the person on the left offering a small smile.
The Member of Parliament for Oakville North-Burlington has invited residents to drop by for a chat at the Tim Hortons on the Northeast corner of Dundas and Appleby in Burlington on Friday, November 25 from 5:30pm – 6:30pm.
She wants to meet her constituents and hear about what issues or concerns are on their minds. Grab a coffee and join the conversation!
She will also be giving you some tips on how to influence what the Minister of Finance puts into the 2017 Budget.
Damoff wants you “to join the conversation about how we can make the economy work for you and your family. As we build on our momentum to grow the middle class and position Canada for the global economy of tomorrow, it is your insights which will shape our vision for Budget 2017.”
You can provide feedback to the Minister of Finance for the 2017 Budget by the end of November though his online consultations.
Here’s the online link to the budget consultations: https://budget-lebudget.ca/
All ideas are welcome which is comforting to hear.
Personally we think the free coffee is the better idea. You will actually get something.
 By Pepper Parr
November 21, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board will be holding their public Question and Answer session Monday night on-line at 7 pm.
The protocol is set out on the Board’s web site. It isn’t easy to find – the Gazette will endeavour to get the exact url to log in.
 Director of Education Stuart Miller addressing parents at Central high school. HDSB Director of Education Stuart Miller made a presentation at every high school – some were very poorly attended. He is now holding an on-line Question and Answer session to answer questions.
The staff recommendation is to close both Central and Pearson high schools.– that is just a recommendation
The provincial government rules for closing a school require that the Board produce a report which they did.
They were not required to provide a recommendation, however they did.
The decision as to what is eventually done is made by the school board trustees.
Going forward the Board will take questions regarding this Program and Accommodation Review; send them via email to: BurlSSPAR@hdsb.ca.
The process to close a school is long and involved. Here are the steps that will be taken. Remember – it is the school board trustees that will make the final decision.
Formation and orientation of Program and Accommodation Review Committee (PARC)
December 1, 2016 –m This will be a closed meeting
Public Meeting #1
December 8, 2016
PARC Working Meeting #1
January 26, 2017
PARC Working Meeting #2
February 2, 2017
PARC Working Meeting #3
February 9, 2017
Public Meeting #2
March 2, 2017
PARC Working Meeting #4
March 23, 2017
Director’s Report to Committee of the Whole
March 29, 2017
Public Delegation Night
April 18, 2017
J.W. Singleton Education Centre
2050 Guelph Line
Presentation of Report to Board of Trustees for Decision
May 17, 2017
What many people do not realize is that every high school in Burlington anywhere near that 65 utilization number at risk. Hayden high school is not at risk – the place has only be operational for three years.
The parents at Central High School have been working diligently at doing everything they can to ensure their school is not closed.
The community based team is now leading the effort to Save Central. The group has a leadership and strategy team and a data team as well. They have a web site and a twitter account.
#centralstrong
https://centralstrong.ca
 T-shirts and lawn signs are part of the campaign. Central has been down this road before. Their spokesperson said they have an excellent process and structure in place.
And they have a long list of questions they want to ask the Director of Education. Here are some of those questions:
At the meetings where the Director spoke he assured the public that expenses would not drive the decision it would be equitable opportunity for all students , can the board outline what goes into determination of equitable , is it course offerings, student success, or other things, what exactly is considered ?
What is the point in having a PAR Committee that can’t hear opinions from the relevant schools, doesn’t hear from the Trustees of the relevant schools and won’t allow the Committee to make recommendations at the end?
Why did you not consider alternate options prior to engaging in the PAR? There is nothing in the Report to indicate this was done, as required by the Ministry guidelines.
Why are teachers not allowed to talk about this or have opinions? This does a disservice to both them and their students who naturally want to talk to them about it
Why did the board spend nothing on maintaining older schools for years, and remove students from Pearson only to put them at Hayden which caused the overcrowding? It appears this was all done so that Pearson and Central could be targeted for closure
 Why do you keep saying 1200 is an optimal number of students in a high school? This is only optimal based on dollars and cents. It is widely recognized in multiple studies that optimal numbers are actually in the 600-900 range. Where is your data to support this number?
The report does not state why Option 19 was recommended in comparison to other options and alternatives. Simply saying we think this is the best option at this time means nothing. Why was it the best option at the time?
Why in Option #4 would you say you could move the IB program from Pearson to Nelson which would then have Nelson’s utilization at 113%? Why would you not move it to Central or Pearson?
 It should be an interesting hour and a half of community engagement.
 By Staff
November 20, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Not sure an evening enjoying craft beers is the “best way possible” to help kick off the holiday season – there is something else we are celebrating.
Nevertheless, the RBG’s Fest-of-Ales returns for its second craft beer event- Thursday, December 8 from 6 until they are done!
 This year includes DJs, breweries, food stations, a cash bar for those wanting libations other than beer, and a mocktail station for our important DDs!
The vendors include Collective Arts Brewing, The Hamilton Brewery, Big Rock Brewery Inc, Muskoka Brewery, Shawn & Ed Brewing Co, Nickel Brook Brewery, Four Fathers Brewing Co., Clifford Brewing Co, Silversmith Brewing Company & the infamous Beaus Brewery! + more to come
Food Stations will be offering Poppers! Sliders! Dips! Snacks! Enough for the meat and veg lovers alike!
Prices: Advance tickets: $35 – includes Fest-of-Ales mug and 5 craft beer tokens. Tickets are $40 the night-of.
Designated driver ticket: $10 (no alcohol can be consumed with this ticket and you must be age 19+)
Thursday, December 8 from 6 until they are done. Sounds ominous.
Tickets available on line
 By Staff
November 17, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Teen Tour Band has been selected to take part in the January 1st, 2018 Tournament of Roses Parade!! There is no better way to end of the band’s 70th Anniversary year then to be selected as a Rose Bowl Band!
 This is a biggie – an accomplishment that very few bands are ever given the opportunity to participant in. This will be the 5th time the BTTB has been given this honour so even in our own history a very small number of band members have been a part of an achievement of this magnitude!
It may seem like a far way off…it is not! The Band has a lot to accomplish between now and the
They need to recruit at least 40 more members. The band has to be a minimum of 200 members.
 The stadium where the American football classic is played.  A part of the Rose Bowl parade – one of the best in the United States. Expect a knock on the door – they will be out fund raising, Dedication and commitment on the part of the band members – to attend all performances and rehearsals as they prepare for this 5.5 mile parade.
The Rose Bowl – an American football classic takes place in Pasadena California.
 By Staff
November 17, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
They are going to do it again – they do it every year.
 More Ho Ho Ho guys and gals that you would expect to see anywhere.
Burlington apparently puts more of the Ho Ho Ho’s on the street than any other Santa 5K run
This year the event is on Saturday November 26.
The route being run and details are set out below.
Ho Ho Ho!
 By Pepper Parr
November 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The closing of a high school is significant and disruptive.
The Director of Education wants to give the public every opportunity to be informed and ask questions.
Burlington has seven high schools where there are 1800+ empty seats – and that isn’t, as Director of Education Stuart Miller points out is not sustainable.
To add to the situation – Burlington has a high school that is at 115% of capacity and has had to add portables – for a school that was opened three years ago.
 Director of Education Stuart Miller preparing to talk to Central high school parents. The high school capacity in Burlington is south of the QEW – the population is north of that line.
Something had to be done to fix this imbalance. The Board of Education staff put forward a recommendation – one of 19 different possible recommendations to close Central and Pearson high schools.
While not required to get out into the community and explain the full story – some school boards pass the task along to the trustees and let them deal with the mess – Miller decided to hold at meeting at every high school and pass along to them the information he has.
 One of the five people in the picture is the high school principal. Parent participation was dismal. Some of those meetings were very well attended – others, sparse would be being polite. The parents just didn’t show up at Bateman high school which is a school that is very much at risk. That it wasn’t the staff recommendation doesn’t save Bateman. It is the trustees that will make the decision and there were 19 recommendations – and Bateman has a low and falling registration.
 Amy Collard, school board trustee for the ward Bateman high school is in attended the sparsely attended meeting. With Nelson high school just a couple of km away – Bateman parents want to listen up – carefully.
Miller has decided to go one step further and hold an on line Q&A on Monday, November 21st between 7:00 and 8:30 pm
By Staff
November 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Does Social Media work?
Donald Trump certainly believes it does – look where it got him.
The good folks at Lettuce Love Café are using social media to announce their Pure Love Smoothie Bar and the 50% off all day on November 25th when they hold their Grand Opening.
 Social media is one of the ways commercial operations avoid having to pay for advertising. The Gazette, and every other on line media gets hundreds of pitches a week from public relations people asking us to give them a mention. Some of them are important enough from a public interest point of view to get coverage.
Others are just great examples of how interesting graphics and an innovative idea get attention. Here is what the Lettuce Love Café people put together in the way of graphics.
It caught our attention.
By Staff
November 16th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Our Member of Parliament, Karina Gould, is hosting a town hall discussion on Budget 2017, to provide residents of Burlington the opportunity to share their insights and suggestions for the 2017 federal budget.
 Right this way with your comments suggests MP Karina Gould who was masquerading as a Burlington Bandit. The event is to take place at the Burlington Public Library, Centennial Hall, 2331 New St, Burlington, ON L7R 1J4 – Saturday, November 19, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Gould is asking for input from members of the community to identifying the opportunities that will help more families make ends meet, as well as ensure more prosperous communities, and foster long-term, sustainable economic growth.
Following the consultation, Gould will take these insights and suggestions back to Ottawa and present them to Finance Minister Bill Morneau.
 By Staff
November 15th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Learning Foundation (HLF) held their Benefit Bash last week and gratefully accepted a donation of $10,000 from Siemens Canada in support of students of the Halton District School Board.
The donation kicks off HLF’s “No Student Left Behind” holiday appeal which is raising funds to ensure the estimated 10% of students of the Halton District School Board who live at or below the poverty line can access emergency funding or student subsidies to help them stay in school and focused on learning.
 Ann-Marie Koumettou, Sr. Communications Consultant, Siemens Canada; Lesley Mansfield, Executive Director, Halton Learning Foundation; Ann Adair, VP, Communications and Strategy, Siemens Canada; David Grant, Board Chair, Halton Learning Foundation. A key component of the No Student Left Behind appeal is a gift catalogue that enables people to purchase gifts that students need, such as warm winter coats and boots, athletic equipment, healthy snacks and lunches, or fees to participate in field trips.
“If you’re searching for a holiday gift for your child’s favourite teacher, or that hard‐to‐buy for relative, consider giving a No Student Left Behind gift,” says Lesley Mansfield, Executive Director of the Halton Learning Foundation.
“For a society to grow and be sustainable we need to ensure children have a strong educational base,” said Robert Hardt, President & CEO, Siemens Canada. “I personally believe it is the duty of the private sector to add value to society by, among other things, supporting educational goals.”
This is the second year in a row that Siemens worked with HLF to ensure that no student in our community misses out on their education because they don’t have the money to fully participate in school,” Mansfield said.
 Olympian Mark Oldershaw An avid supporter of Halton Learning Foundation, in addition to supporting No Student Left Behind, Siemens Canada also provides mentoring for Halton District School Board high school students, field trips to Siemens facilities and donations of funds towards STEM programming at Halton schools.
Olympian Mark Oldershaw –sponsored by RBC — spoke about the importance of mental wellness to an athlete.
By Pepper Parr
November 11th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington tends to get defined by its relationship to the lake and the Escarpment. Try tinkering with either in a major way and the citizens descend on city hall.
Everyone have their own relationship to Spencer Smith Park and the Pier and most people tend to feel they are aware of what’s going on.
Burlington Waterfront, a small volunteer group of citizens dedicating their efforts to promote the protection of and enhance access to our waterfront have planned a meeting on Monday December 5th at 7pm. to share with you what’s happening
And just what is happening?
 Bridgewater development on Lakeshore – rendering of the project from the lake.  One of many Windows on the Lake. Windows to the Lake
Burlington Beach Park
LPMA wave break
Burloak Park
Martha St Adi tower
Water pollution at Brant St beach
Blue Water Place townhouses
Willow tree pieces
Bridgewater development
Waterfront Hotel master plan
Cootes to Escarpment Eco-Park System
The group has members from Wards 2, 4, and 6 currently – so not just downtown or along the waterfront. They are interested in expanding their membership but that is no the purpose of the meeting.
The Gazette has reported on all of these developments; what we haven’t done, and what the Waterfront group is doing is holding an event at which all the developments are talked about and reviewed at the same time.
Done properly – it would be the first time anyone has done something publicly that looks at the bigger picture. Kudos to Dee Dee Davies and the Burlington Waterfront committee.
 The bigger picture is something that has never really been explained to the public – a citizens group has taken up that challenge. This group came about when the city shut down the Waterfront advisory Group established by former Mayor Cam Jackson when the pier was the hot topic. The group wasn’t able to get much done – they do deserve credit for putting the Pump House to some use – many had hoped for something a little more imaginative.
When the city created Advisory group was shut down both Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor said they were going to form a group to keep the public aware of what was taking place.
Meed Ward actually got an organization going – the Mayor either lost interest or gave up when Meed Ward filled the need.
This is a citizen’s event – we don’t know if city hall people are going to be at the meeting; they have been invited.
The meeting takes place at the Brant Hills Community Centre, Mountainside Room. 2255 Brant Street, between Upper Middle Rd and Dundas Street.
In addition to the group doing the presentation, there will be some community groups who will be present with a poster to advertise their relationship to the waterfront.
Lest we forget.
 A veteran on the reviewing stand during a Remembrance Day parade Let we forget. A veteran on the reviewing stand during a Remembrance Day parade.
Let we forget. A veteran on the reviewing stand during a Remembrance Day parade.
Save
By Pepper Parr
November 11, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
James Burchill, the guy that beavers away creating a network for those commercial services operators and budding entrepreneurs who don’t fit in at the Chamber of Commerce and aren’t comfortable at the service club level but who nevertheless want to be part of a network, is back.
Burchill created the Social Fusion Network that went through several toothing experiences. He has put on two mini trade shows that out shone, significantly, what the Chamber of Commerce put on recently at the Holiday Inn.
Burchill is a shameless self-promoter – who understands social media and uses it to great effect for both his own interests and those of his clients.
He is also as up to date as anyone can be on the almost hourly changes in the high tech field.
He needed to take some time off for personal family matters – life tends to get in the way of business – and is now able to give his networking operation the time and attention it needs.
What do my people really want asked Burchill. So he did what anyone with the initiative would do – sent out a survey. He had to send it out several times (there were no repeats in the responders) to get a statistically valid return. Here is what he knows – and it was enough to decide there would be another trade show at the Performing Arts Centre – but that won’t be until April 6, 2017
Here is what Burchill knows – and what you now know:    
So it will be a 5 pm start – run for two hours and probably be at the same location each time. The Beaver and the Bulldog at the Waterfront was popular – but parking was a perennial complaint.   
What did the repondes have to say? While they may have said maybe to several of the questions – they had comments.
Having to pay for parking sucks. They (the B&B) really should compensate for that I think. Sometimes you get the same people out every week….need new blood!
Speed dating like encounters with frenetic networker’s. Also, should have members take an oath to be honest in their engagement practices.
Location requires parking costs, just a minor annoyance. Tend to see the same people, however that makes it easier to spot and connect with the new ones.
Not long enough
Too many changes with this group. It’s not exciting like it used to be to attend. I used to look forward to this meetup in Burlington..
I get three copies of each message you send and at times I feel a little badgered. paying for parking
People who throw their cards in your face before saying hello! Timing. Clear theme and goals.
They are always welldone! Thank you
Sometimes there are too many people that are just running around handing out business cards. A lot of members really push their products/services
Always in downtown Burlington. How about a location at the mall off Burloak or something closer for Oakville folks?
So many realtors, insurance people and investment people many of which only want to pass out as many business cards as possible in the evening without making any real connections with others
No focus.
Start time should be 6pm 8pm
Perhaps that it may not be the best demographic for my particular service. Too many financial planners. Need new people to join.
People trying too hard to sell their services and not interested in your own
Always the same people from very small service businesses providing mostly consumer type products hanging out with each other need more business to business members
It lost it’s local flavour long ago. It needs to be a Burlington group with Burlington business. Far too many people coming from way out of town for a “quick hit”. Successful networking is about building comfort & confidence in a relationship. These were previously quick encounters, like speed dating!
We have to give Burchill credit for letting it ll hang out. Those doing the objectionable stuff – take notice. The Trade Show is GO!
 By Pepper Parr
November 3rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Art Gallery of Burlington is announcing innovative program after innovative program while the Performing Arts Centre continues with its ongoing production of musical chairs.
 From the left, chair of the Burlington Theatre Board, Ilene Elkaim, former Executive Director Brenda Heatherington, former Executive Director Brian McCurdy and former Executive Director Suzanne Haines. McCurdy is back in as interim Executive Director. The best executive director the place ever had is back in the saddle – Brian McCurdy gave the place stability and some of the best programs that have graced the stages.
He did more with the community than anyone else but home was in Kingston and that was one hell of a commute.
So McCurdy left and they brought in a woman from Richmond B. C.; that didn’t work out and she went through the revolving door.
 Former Executive Director Suzanne Haines chatting up a theatre patron. Shortly before Suzanne Haines lost the title of Executive Director, the best person the place ever had doing marketing and promotion decided she too wanted to move on. Hillary Saddler got the call to come back – quick and do what she and McCurdy had done so well in the past.
Don’t however look for anything in the way of news from either the Board of the theatre operation or from the people who run the place day to day.
Events are booked and the task now is to try once again to find just the right person to lead the operation.
 Brian McCurdy listening as he is lauded during his first retirement party. He is back in as the interim Executive Director They want to look into cloning Brian McCurdy and also to learn how to communicate with the people who put up the dollars to get the place built.
By Staff
November 1, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
A media release came in from Dennis Longchamps, Artistic Director & Chief Curator at the Art Gallery of Burlington his agile mind to things other than art.
Do you wonder he asked, what happens behind the scenes at an art gallery? Do you have a sense of adventure?
 The Art Gallery of Burlington invites you to a night of discovery with After Hours.
Beer and wine tastings – unusual food pairings– experimental music and video art – dance performance – graffiti painting – and so much more!
Tickets are limited – $50 per person includes all of the above – Must be 19 years and older. Tickets available online only: https://artgalleryofburlington.com/afterhours/
Food and drink provided by Collective Arts Brewing, Son of a Peach Pizzeria, Sunshine Doughnuts, Twist of Fate and the George Hamilton. Music and video presented by And All Was Bright.
 Trevor Copp and Jeff Fox doing their First Dance routine. Liquid Lead Dancing presented by Trevor Copp and Jeff Fox.
This could be really interesting. The media release doesn’t say if this is a one off – or if Longchamps has an ongoing program in mind.
Thursday, November 17th – 7 pm to Midnight
Midnight to 7 am would have been more exciting.
Looks like it is worth checking out.
#AFTERHOURS #REVOLUTIONAGB
A revolution at the AGB – this is Burlington you know.
By Staff
October 21st, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
She once got a shout out from the President of the United States when he was addressing the House of Commons – now she wants to get the make members of that same House out wearing high heels – pink high heels.
A number of weeks ago Burlington MP Karina Gould challenged the Speaker of the House to hold such an event – and somehow the challenge got taken up and on November 3rd Gould MP for Burlington will be hosting Hope in High Heels on Parliament Hill
 Men in Burlington have been doing their annual pink high heel thing to make a point – and they are getting that point across. Next Month Burlington’s MP hopes to get every male member of Parliament into a pair of high heels The Prime Minister will pull it off – watch for some wobbly ankles from some of the others. After participating in the Hope in High Heels walk organized by Halton Women’s Place in Burlington on September 24, MP Gould was inspired to bring the walk to Parliament Hill.
“The message is simple – we will not end violence against women and children, if boys and men are not included in the conversation and part of the solution,” said MP Gould in a statement in the House of Commons. “Having this event in Ottawa, encourages all Members of Parliament, Senators and their staff to show Canadians that we are united in this fight.”
Halton Women’s Place has organized Hope in High Heels in Halton for the past seven years to help raise funds for their women’s shelter in the Halton region and to raise awareness of this ongoing issue. Halton Women’s Place will travel to Ottawa with their hot pink heels in tow, for all male parliamentarians looking to participate.
 There is a strong message behind those pink high heels – “real men don’t hit woman” The Halton woman’s Place houses a number of women who have been hit by men. “Halton Women’s Place is thrilled to bring Hope in High Heels to Ottawa,” said Diane Beaulieu, Executive Director, Halton Women’s Place. “We are proud of our relationship with MP Karina Gould who continues to advocate for women’s issues, especially women’s shelters. This initiative shows our clients that our community supports them in their decisions to start a new life free of violence. We look forward to working together with our local, provincial and federal government on making change for abused women and their children.”
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said, “Together, we can create a Canada and a world where all citizens are respected, valued equally, and safe from violence.”
By Pepper Parr
October 31st, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The 2016 Hamilton Burlington Junior League Annual Holiday House Tour has three location; two in Burlington and a third in Ancaster.
Every year, generous homeowners loan their homes to the Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington (JLHB) and talented design professionals transform them to showcase stunning holiday décor and entertainment ideas.
“Often it’s the little things. Everyone can find ideas for their own home, while on the tour.” says Dianne Brown, co-chair of the 2016 House Tour Committee.
The event is the JLHB’s signature fundraiser that generates the financial resources to help the charitable organisation, now in its 80th year, continue to make a lasting impact in the Hamilton-Burlington community.
 The Ancaster home house rep team, from the left: Kathy, Karyn, Sarai and Roseanne. The committee making this happen is made up of Diane Brown and Iris Hughes who are supported by teams of House reps who oversee the coordination of the designers who are going to make the home look and feel festive.
The Ancaster home is a 3,200 sq. ft. – four bedroom, four bathrooms house that has undergone a significant renovation.
The biggest challenge in decorating the 10-year old Ancaster home was finding the right decorators. The house had just undergone an extensive renovation, and been completely redesigned.
It now has a very fresh and youthful, yet classic appearance.
This house has a stunning conservatory which hosts a beautiful grand piano. The room is majestic, elegant, and serene. Perfect for reading and relaxing while listening to lovely music.
The open concept plan across the back of the main floor boasts a beautiful kitchen and dining room with large two story high ceiling family room to the left.
Expansive windows across the back take full advantage of the spacious backyard views. The oversized dining table is a focal, point for large family gatherings.
House Reps, serve in an advisory role with the decorators, helping them to coordinate with each other.
 The House Tour is a great way to pick up some ideas for holiday decorating – and those holiday aren’t that far off are they? The event hours for this the 34th Annual House Tour are: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm on Friday, 10:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are available on-line – cost $25 for the three house tour
The Junior League is looking for people who would like to serve as volunteers for some of the three hours shifts at the different house tour locations. This is an opportunity to learn more about the Junior League – sort of a toe in the water approach.
If you think you can help please email Annette at housetours@juniorleague.ca
 By Staff
October 27th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Thus is one of those event you want to order your ticket for now – they do go quickly.
The Art Gallery has been putting on this event for 20 years – this is the 20th anniversary of an event that has become a favourite fall fundraising event!
 Hundreds of hand made bowls await the guests who take part in the annual Soup Bowl lunch at the Art Gallery The event brings together hundreds of people to select a handmade ceramic bowl and pair it with a gourmet soup from a local restaurant, all for a great cause. Last year we welcomed 900 guests and raised over $30,000
 The set up is very tastefully done – the room sparkles. They do up the space nicely for a lunch that is a bowl of soup.
The funds raised support children’s programming, including Open Studio (a free drop in art centre for kids), diversified program offerings, and financial assistance for youth.
Thursday Nov 24 Lunch – 12pm
Very limited tickets available – call us at 905-632-7796 to purchase
Friday Nov 25 Lunch – 12pm
Very limited tickets available – call us at 905-632-7796 to purchase
Saturday Nov 26 Lunch – 12pm
Individual Tickets: $40 AGB Member, $50 Non-member
Tables of 8: $300 AGB Member, $375 Non-Member
Sunday Nov 27 Lunch – 12pm
Individual Tickets: $40 AGB Member, $50 Non-Member
Tables of 8: $300 AGB Member, $375 Non-Member
By Staff
October 26, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Do you remember the day you first went to school? It was certainly a different time – we live in a different world.
To start with there are no longer rows of desks.
The Halton District School Board wants to make that transition as smooth as possible. In November and December, future students and their parents/guardians are invited to attend one of five Kindergarten Open Houses to learn more about starting school.
 The years in school will probably be longer than the time they spend in any one job. Drop by any one of the following open houses between 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
Georgetown:
Thursday, Nov. 3 – Ethel Gardiner Public School (14365 Danby Road)
Burlington:
Thursday, Nov. 10 – Bruce T. Lindley Public School (2510 Cavendish Dr.)
Milton:
Thursday, Nov. 17 – Tiger Jeet Singh Public School (650 Yates Dr)
Acton:
Tuesday, Nov. 22 – Robert Little Public School (41 School Ln)
Oakville:
Thursday, Dec. 1 – West Oak Public School (2071 Fourth Line)
At the Open House, students and parents will:
• Explore a Kindergarten classroom
• Learn about play-based learning
• Pick up information and resource material in a free backpack
• Access information about community agencies and resources in Halton
• Get information about before and after school care
• Connect with special education staff to discuss any developmental concerns
Children born in 2013 can start Kindergarten in September 2017.
Registration for Kindergarten begins in January 2017 and takes place at the school your child will attend.
View our video to see what you will learn about the Board’s Kindergarten program.
By Pepper Parr
October 24, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Vince Molinaro, president of the Molinaro Group had a bunch of people over for lunch last week – 40 of them to be exact – mostly fellow developers who can pack a lunch, if you know what I mean.
They were on an Ontario Home Builders Association tour of developments that were part of what have come to be known as hubs – places where different forms of transportation come together: Go trains and buses, transit, cars, bicycles and those who choose to walk.
 Burlington has identified four different locations for mobility hubs. while they haven’t officially determined which location they will start with the Molinaro Group has started construction on their five building Paradigm project. Municipalities are looking at the idea of making these hopes the focus of development opportunities.
Burlington has identified four such hubs.
While the city was doing its identification thing – the Molinaro group was digging a big hole in the ground and are not at the tenth floor of the west building of what is going to be a five structure project with an average height of 20 storeys just a bit over a stone’s throw from the GO station on Fairview east of Brant Street
 The West tower of the five building Paradigm project has reached the tenth floor level. They are at the 85% SOLD level on two of the five towers that will average 20 storeys each. The association says the population of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area is expected to reach more than 10 million by 2041, and most of the growth — 79 per cent — will take place outside Toronto: in York, Durham, Peel, Halton and Hamilton.
This is a “historic moment for city building,” the association says, with an anticipated $32 billion in rapid transit expenditures over the next 10 to 15 years.
The 40 developers, members of the association and other interested people set off on a daylong excursion last Thursday that started in Port Credit before heading to Paradigm Condos adjacent to the Burlington GO station. From there, they continued to Hamilton’s West Harbour.
 Vince Molinaro – president of the Molinaro Group and a former president of the Ontario Home Builders Association Molinaro, whose Molinaro Group is the developer of the Burlington condominium project, says mobility hubs around GO stations are rich with possibilities but bring unique challenges.
A mobility hub is a term used to describe housing and commercial intensification around transportation nodes, such as GO stations. It creates opportunities for commuters to get around without relying on automobiles. The hubs are seen as a way to help with gridlock.
Molinaro says the municipal government in Burlington has been supportive of his project because the developer and city planners are on the same page when it comes to housing intensification. But with the development being so close to the railway tracks, his company has had to deal with numerous requirements from CN.
We had to construct a five-foot-thick, concrete wall between the tracks and the towers to help protect residents in case of a derailment.
 That is a five foot thick concrete crash wall that the railway authorities required between the development and the railway tracks. The track also required a 30-metre easement that cannot be used for residential space. More liability insurance was required than normal because of the five-tower project’s proximity to the tracks. Rather than $10 million, they needed $100 million.
Despite all of that, he says, the development is proceeding well. Construction on the west tower has reached the 10th floor, and a late summer opening is planned for next year. Work has also started on two other towers.
About 85 per cent of the units in the first two towers have been sold, Molinaro says. The buildings vary in height, but average 20 storeys. The final two to be built will have commercial and office space along with residential.
By Pepper Parr
October 24, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The meetings to explain the Program Accommodation Review to patents will take place on the dates and at the high schools set out below.
Date School Time
Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Robert Bateman HS 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Nelson HS 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Thursday, November 3, 2016 Aldershot HS 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thursday, November 3, 2016 Burlington Central HS 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Monday, November 14, 2016 Lester B. Pearson HS 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Monday, November 14, 2016 M.M. Robinson HS 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, November 15, 2016 Dr. Frank J. Hayden SS 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
 There is a lot of work to be done on the part of parents. Central High school parents set out the tasks as they saw them. Once parents have an understanding of the process the Program Accommodation Review Committee (PARC) gets set up.
The members of the PARC (there will be just the one committee) will be:
A Trustee as an ad hoc member, and Superintendent, both from an area not under study;
From each affected school:
the school Principal or designate (resource only)
two parents/guardians from each school, one of whom will be nominated by the School Council Chair; the other will be selected by the Superintendent(s) through the submission by parents of an expression of interest.
The Superintendent will review all parent representation and endeavor to ensure that all affected geographic areas and programs are represented.
A municipal Councillor will be invited to the committee once the committee is formed.
This is not going to be a small committee”
1 trustee
1 Superintendent
14 parents
7 principals
1 municipal Councillor
Our count is 24 people.
Timeline for the complete process:
PAR Initiated
October 19, 2016 (Done)
J.W. Singleton Education Centre
2050 Guelph Line
 Expect to see rooms full of parents for the next number of months. This was the first parents meeting for Central High school parents. Formation and orientation of Program and Accommodation Review Committee (PARC)
December 1, 2016
TBD
Public Meeting #1
December 8, 2016
TBD
PARC Working Meeting #1
January 26, 2017
TBD
PARC Working Meeting #2
February 2, 2017
TBD
PARC Working Meeting #3
February 9, 2017
TBD
Public Meeting #2
March 2, 2017
TBD
PARC Working Meeting #4
March 23, 2017
TBD
Director’s Report to Committee of the Whole
March 29, 2017
J.W. Singleton Education Centre
2050 Guelph Line
Public Delegation Night
April 18, 2017
J.W. Singleton Education Centre
2050 Guelph Line
Presentation of Report to Board of Trustees for Decision
May 17, 2017
J.W. Singleton Education Centre
2050 Guelph Line
There is a lot of work to be done – and a considerable amount of disruption throughout the high school system in Burlington.
What the parents need to understand is that it is the trustees they elect who will make a final decision not the bureaucrats. Work with your elected officials.
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