 By Staff
November 20th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Barracudas – Burlington Girls Hockey Club, founded in 1996 – brought home three gold medals from tournaments this month.
The Club provides a safe and fun place for young athletes to play hockey. The not-for-profit organization has more than 750 girls playing Canada’s favourite sport and offers programs for girls ages 4 to 21 at both the house league and competitive levels.
They brought home three GOLD tournament medals, from three different tournaments including:
Bauer World Hockey Invitational in Detroit, MI
Rochester, NY Fire On Ice Tournament
Barrie Sharkfest Tournament
What do a bunch of winners look like:
 Bantam AA — Gold Medalists — Bauer World Hockey Invitational in Detroit, MI November 13-15, 2015. Burlington Girls Hockey Club – Bantam AA with second place team, Little Caesars of Michigan  PeeWee BB — Gold Medalists — Rochester, NY Fire On Ice Tournament November 4-6, 2015 Front Row: Ella Arsenault, Callista Thompson Middle Row: Renee Doucet, Claire Shepherd, Reese Andreychuk, Savannah Singh, Aliya Armstrong, Peyton Bear, Regan Duffy Back Row: Madison Dilworth, Charlie Lewis, Madisson Fonseca, Madison Uba, Kristen Hazlett, Ainsley Kaszecki, Jessica Anderchek, Kira Rowe  Peewee A — Gold Medalists — Barrie Sharkfest Tournament November 13-15, 2015 
 By Staff
November 19, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Later today the first of several hundred people will arrive at the Art Gallery of Burlington, select a soup bowl and enjoy soups from some of the best kitchen in the city.
One of the recipes comes from the kitchen of the Pearl and Pine Retirement Residents where Chef Daniel oversees the meals prepared for the resident.
The private dining room looks better than most restaurants in this city.
 Chef Daniel Obeng, a Ghanaian by birth was raised in a tougher part of Toronto but overcame that background and is now the Executive Chef at the Pearl and Pine said that beets are one of his favourite vegetables “I just love the colour and the different things you can do with a beet.
 Chef Obeng trained at the renowned George Brown Culinary school in Toronto as well as studying at the Humber and the Stratford schools.
The soup will be one of dozens that will be served at the Art Gallery during the fund raising event which runs from the 19th to the 22nd. Not to be missed
Roasted beet Volute
Ingredients: Makes about 4 servings
1 cup diced peeled beets
2cloves minced garlic
2 cups chicken broth
2 stalk celery, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 1/2 cup 35% cream
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon dried thyme
4 Tablespoon EVOO (divided)
S/P to taste
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
The Smoke seeds:
1cup pumpkin seeds
1 puck Hickory flavored bisquettes
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Place beets into a baking dish, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and black pepper.
Roast in the preheated oven until tender, about 1 hour; allow to cool. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat, and stir in the celery, onion, and garlic.
Cook, stirring often, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in the cooked vegetables, chicken broth, thyme, and bay leaf, bring to a boil, and reduce heat.
Simmer until the celery is very tender, about 45 minutes. Remove from heat, and discard the bay leaf. Puree the mixture in the pot with an immersion blender until its smooth; stir in the cream and lemon juice. Season the soup and pass through a fine chinois and serve, garnish with smoke pumpkin seeds
Add the remainder oil to the seeds, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
Smoke for 1 hour.
What is this soup recipe all about – learn more.
By Staff
November 18, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Matt Dusk has forged a career in music that has resulted in four critically-acclaimed studio albums. He will be singing many of those songs when he returns to the stage of the Performing Arts Centre November 27th – one night only.
Dusk was last in Burlington November of 2012; they loved him then.
 Matt Dusk – when he does My Funny Valentine – give the hand of the person with you a nice little squeeze. His latest CD release, My Funny Valentine: The Chet Baker Songbook, is backed up by an eighty piece orchestra and numerous special guests including: Grammy award-winner Arturo Sandoval, Juno award-winner Guido Basso, Juno award-nominee Emilie-Claire Barlow, and Straight-No-Chaser alumn Ryan Ahlwardt. Together they pay homage to one of the most popular musicians of the twentieth century, Chet Baker.
Dusk will be in Burlington Friday November 27 – he won’t have the 80 piece orchestra but he will be holding the microphone and crooning to the delight of those who know his work.
There was only the one Frank Sinatra – but this young man nevertheless has a fine voice and the memories will surface as you listen
 Matt Dusk – working the microphone. “When I was growing up, I listened to what normal kids listened to: pop music. But in our house, my parents had the radio tuned to the classical station, however, at night they played jazz,” recalls the former choir boy. “And that’s how I discovered jazz; specifically Chet Baker. I remember saving my allowance, then heading to the record store where I’d rummage through the bins looking for his music. I eventually got a trumpet, learned how to play, but I quickly learned that should left to the professionals! When I made this record, I wanted to go back to my roots and pay homage to the artists who influenced me, one of them being Chet Baker.”
Tickets to Matt Dusk at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre November 27 at 8:00pm can be purchased online (www.burlingtonpac.ca) or by phone 905-681-6000 or in person at the Box Office located at 440 Locust Street.
 By Staff
November 18th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
 There is a reason for the smile on this guy’s face – he is ahead fifty big ones. There is a reason for the smile on this guy’s face – he is ahead fifty big ones.
Jordan Cairns, a Burlington resident was the winner of the Lay’s Do Us a Flavour contest.
Earlier this year, Lay’s asked Canadians to submit regional flavour ideas for the next great potato chip. Jordan was named one of four flavour finalists in August after making the contest’s shortlist. Cairn’s He used Atlantic Canada’s reputation for potato cultivation as his inspiration – one of his fondest memories growing up was enjoying freshly baked, rich and cheesy scalloped potatoes at family occasions.
Cairn’s came up with the idea for P.E.I. Scalloped Potatoes. The flavour was selected after a two-month consumer voting period.
Cairn’s won the $50,000 plus 1% of his flavour’s future sales.
The Lay’s Canada Do Us a Flavour contest has received more than 2.7 million flavour ideas from fans across the country since 2013. Jordan intends to plan an epic trip across Canada with his winnings.
 By Staff
November 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Irish Rovers are rolling into town celebrating 50 Years of music with a tourthat will have them at the Performing Arts Centre on November 20th.
If you’re a fan – you won’t want to miss this concert – it is going to be a mix of hits, rollicking jigs and reels, plus hilarious stories from their years on the road.
 The Irish Rovers kicking up a storm on stage – will be in Burlington November 20th. They usually sell out The Irish Rovers were founded in Toronto but first became known on American television in the 60s. As guests on The Tonight Show, The Smothers Brothers Show, Mike Douglas Show, The Virginian, The Dating Game (George Millar actually won the date), they gained experience before hosting their first of three television series “The Irish Rovers Show” in the 70’s.
At that time, fans enjoyed their early hits like Black Velvet Band, The Unicorn, Whisky on a Sunday and Wasn’t That A Party.
Now with a career spanning 50 years they’re not retiring, but are slowing down the touring – ironically at a time when they’re getting some of the best reviews of their career:
“Sold out in Tallahassee – All the years of touring and playing haven’t eroded the band’s ferocious chops. Those musicians are so tight. They’re virtuosos!” – Tallahassee Democrat
“Sold out in Orange County – When the band was jamming through traditional Irish sets you could close your eyes and imagine yourself at a ceili in a pub on the shamrock shore with a pint and a rocking-tight house band of the lads.” – Orange County Register
“Sold out in San Luis – Impossible to sit still as they play song after merry song off the pages of Ireland’s historic songbook. What an unforgettable experience! The Irish Rovers excite even the most discerning audience member into having a rip-roaring good time.” – Foundation for the Performing Arts
 They aren’t as young – but the lilt is still in their voices – and they are very funny guys. Tickets to The Irish Rovers at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre on November 20 at 8:00pm can be purchased online www.burlingtonpac.ca, by phone 905-681-6000 or in person at the Box Office located at 440 Locust Street.
 By Staff
November 6, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Additional background information has been added to this piece after it was first published.
Cogeco Cable Community TV does a regular program live from their studio on Syscon Road where Mark Carr hosts The Issue and brings in guests to talk about specific issues.
 Pepper Parr, publisher of the Burlington Gazette The Issue invited the publisher of the Gazette, Pepper Parr to take part in a panel discussion about the problems the city of Burlington is having getting a Code of Conduct for its Council members in place.
 Che Marville, NDP candidate in Oakville during the last federal election. Che Marville, the New Democratic candidate for Oakville during the last election and CEO of Marville Media plus the founder of multiple social enterprises including the Children’s Media Museum. Rachel Halliwell, a Cogeco volunteer last year and now a student studying sports broadcasting completed the panel.
Mark Carr, moderator, was once a city of Burlington council member – at a time when a motion from then Council member Mike Wallace to reduce the size of Council from the then 17 members to the current seven.
Then Mayor Walter Mulkewich preferred a nine member Council and put forward a motion to that effect – it was defeated and the motion for a seven member council passed by a vote of 9 for and 8 against. Which is why we currently have a seven member city council.
Mulkewich points out in his response to the first version of this story that the Region of Halton had at the time reduced its size by four Councillors from 25 to 21 by taking away two from Burlington and two from Halton Hills which meant Burlington had to reduce its Regional Councillors by two and this became the trigger for the Council size issue in Burlington.
There is a longer story to this, to the saga of the debate at both the Region and City, and the reasons I voted as I did at that time. Now that Milton has dramatically grown as has Oakville, and therefore the Regional representation issue needs to be revisited – how will the Region deal with representation in this term or will it – and will there be ramifications for Burlington?
Is Burlington’s seven member Council more effective? Debatable and Carr made his views known.
Carr, who is well versed on public issues, gets into the debate and discussion as much as he can – few softball questions from him.
Che Marville can also get quite scrappy
One of the best comments was made by 18 year-old Halliwell who suggested city council take part in events that called for them to work as a team “seems to me” she said “that they need some team building opportunities.”
Halliwell voted in her first election this year
 The Issue moderator Mark Carr – Live on Cogeco Cable television The program was broadcast live Tuesday, and will be re-broadcast on the following dates on Channel 23 and HD 700
Fri, Nov 6, 2015 @ 2:00pm
Sat, Nov 7, 2015 @ 10:00am
Sun, Nov 8, 2015 @ 1:00pm
Sun, Nov 8, 2015 @ 9:30pm
Tue, Nov 10, 2015 @ 2:00pm
It got lively.
 By Staff
November 4, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Kim Kelly, a Special Constable with the Halton Police Service, will be meeting the Governor General of Canada later this month and receiving the Caring Canadian Award (one of Canada’s highest honours for volunteers) for her Kim’s Ride To Cross Out Cancer fundraising.
Created in 1995, the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award recognizes individuals who volunteer their time to help others and to build a smarter and more caring nation. The award also highlights the fine example set by these volunteers, whose compassion and engagement are so much a part of our Canadian character. It allows us to thank them for their contributions and for the positive impact they have had on the lives of others.
 Twenty three days at between 80 to 100 km per day got Kim Kelly to Charlottetown PEI on her bike. In July 2013, as a result of a friend’s battle with cancer, Kim planned to do something to help raise awareness and funds to fight it.
In her own words “ When a lifelong friend of mine told me she had stage 4 cancer, I knew I wanted to do more than just offer her support, cook a few meals and drive her to doctors’ appointments. I decided to ride my bike across the Eastern provinces to create awareness and obtain donations for the Canadian Cancer Society”. Her plan turned into action and became “Kim’s Ride to Cross Out Cancer”.
She spent the next year organizing a variety of fundraising efforts, public speaking engagements and rigorous training for what would be a very grueling cycle ride from Burlington, Ontario to Charlottetown, PEI.
Her journey started on June 1, 2014 and she rode 80-100KM everyday arriving in Charlottetown on June 23, 2014.
 There was never any doubt what she was setting out to do – and she did very well – raised more than $41,000 Kim personally raised over $41,000.00 for the Canadian Cancer Society and has become a remarkable ambassador for the society as well as the Halton Regional Police.
We are proud and commend Kim not just for the sheer magnitude of her efforts, but for the strong impact she and her team had in the Region of Halton, within the police service, and in the towns and villages along her route.
Kim will be receiving this prestigious award on Tuesday November 10, 2015 in the Music Room of the Lieutenant Governor’s Suite, Queen’s Park, Toronto. His Excellency the Right Honourable, David Johnston, Governor General of Canada will be attending from Ottawa to present the award.
Kim Kelley is now one of more than 1,000 volunteers that have been awarded this National Honour,
By Pepper Parr
November 4, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
They came trooping through the door – lugging boxes and bags of food that would be weighed, tagged and then distributed to one of the close to 100 bins that were set out on the floor of the gymnasium of Nelson High School where the Giving Back project, celebrating its tenth year was taking place.
 Judie Kavanaugh updates the tally of food as it gets carried into the Nelson gymnasium and weighed At 11:30 last night Judie Kavanagh told us that they had 164,908.93 lbs of food and added the comment that it was “not a bad start” – more than half way to the target – expect them to reach and pass the target.
 The food comes into the high school gymnasium in boxes and bags. All the planning and preparing done at endless committee meetings came to a head as food kept arriving and young people were scooting back and forth with boxes and bags.
Jean Longfield, a recipient of the Burlington’s Best Citizen of the Year award, and John Tate roamed the room answering questions, doing interviews and guiding people who were not quite sure what to do next.
 The scale sits on the floor where it is weighed and recorded. Tate stood in the background greeting people and congratulating those who came through the door with cartons of food.
Parents who normally pack the kids into the vans and take them to hockey games were now sitting at tables tabulating the totals those same children were bringing into the gymnasium.
 Hockey players take packages from the sorting tables to the bins. It is a significant logistical challenge – the Gazette will report on where all that food goes and how the team that makes it happen debriefs and plans for the next year.
 Jean Longfield during a CHCH interview – with John Tate in the background keeping an eye on things. Last year, The Gift of Giving Back collected more than 278,000 lbs of food and this year, hopes to exceed that amount and collect more than 305,000 lbs.
 Ciné-Starz Upper Canada Place, Burlington, ON
Burlington, ON L7R 4B6
Week of Friday, November 06, 2015 through Thursday, November 12, 2015
The Last Witch Hunter (14A)
Fri – Sun: 11:00 AM, 3:15, 5:20, 7:20, 9:20
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 3:15, 5:20, 7:20, 9:20
Crimson Peak (14A)
Fri – Sun: 1:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 5:20, 7:30, 9:40
Pan (PG)
Fri – Sun: 11:00 AM, 1:00, 3:05, 5:10
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 3:00, 5:10
Sicario (14A)
Fri & Sat: 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Sun: 1:00, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:40
Everest (PG)
Fri & Sat: 1:00, 7:15, 9:40
Sun: 7:25, 9:40
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 3:00, 7:10, 9:40
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (PG)
Fri & Sat: 7:15, 9:30
Sun: 7:15, 9:40
Mon – Thu: 7:15, 9:30
War Room ()
Fri – Sun: 11:00 AM, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Mon – Thu: 3:10, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Minions (G)
Fri & Sat: 11:10 AM, 1:15, 3:15
Sun: 11:10 AM, 1:15, 3:45
Inside Out (G)
Fri – Sun: 11:00 AM, 1:00
A Walk in the Woods (14A)
Fri & Sat: 11:00 AM, 3:10, 5:10
Sun: 11:00 AM, 3:10, 5:30
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 3:10, 5:10
 By Pepper Parr
November 2, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
If you are of a certain age – there is a piece of entertainment coming to town that you might want to take in.
Remember the Platters? And the Ink Spots? Of course you do – well they are going to be in town on the 6th of November for a single show at the Performing Arts Centre – 8:00 pm
 The Platters were one of the top vocal groups of the ‘50s scene, achieving success with a crooning, middle-of-the-road style that put a soulful coat of uptown polish on pop-oriented, harmony-rich material.
Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the Tin Pan Alley tradition and the burgeoning new genre of Rock n Roll. As one of the first ‘black’ groups to be targeted towards a predominantly ‘white’ youth audience in the US, they toured the world as international ambassadors of musical goodwill.
That vibe continues as their music lives on in such legendary titles as “Only You”, “The Great Pretender”, “The Magic Touch”, “My Prayer”, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”, “With This Ring”, “Earth Angel” and “Twilight Time”.
How long has it been since we’ve heard those songs? Heavy metal and whatever they call the other stuff just doesn’t cut it the way the Platters did.
Expect to hear these and many more that have become indelibly ingrained in the hearts of a planet.
 The Ink Spots gained international fame from the ‘30s through the ‘50s. Their unique musical style made them the godfathers of rhythm and blues, rock n roll and doo-wop. Their wide acceptance made them superstars of their time with more than 20 Top 10 Hits including “If I Didn’t Care”, “My Prayer”, “Java Jive”, “I Don’t Want to Set The World On Fire”, “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”, “I’ll Get By (As Long As I Have You)”, “I’m Making Believe”, “Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall”, “Prisoner Of Love” and “To Each His Own”. The Original Ink Spots (Bill Kenny, Deek Watson, Charlie Fuqua and Hoppy Jones) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
If you are of that certain age – take the Missus out for the evening – you might even want to take one of the grandchildren if they are well into their teens so they can get a taste of what the great music was like.
The two groups who come out of Vancouver are part of the playbill former Performing Arts Centre Executive Director Brian McCurdy included in the program Susanne Haines now oversees while she works towards developing the program for the 2016 – 2017 season.
Not to be missed – we don’t hear groups like these two all that often. There are still some good seats left
 Ciné-Starz Upper Canada Place,
Burlington, ON L7R 4B6
Week of Friday, October 30, 2015 through Thursday, November 05, 2015
Pan (PG)
Fri – Sun: 11:00 AM, 1:10, 3:10, 5:15, 7:20
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 3:10, 5:15, 7:15
Everest (PG)
Fri – Sun: 11:00 AM, 3:20, 5:00, 7:30, 9:45
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 5:10, 7:25, 9:40
Black Mass (14A)
Fri – Sun: 5:00, 7:20, 9:35
Mon – Thu: 3:20, 7:20, 9:35
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (PG)
Fri – Sun: 11:00 AM, 1:00, 3:00, 7:15, 9:30
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:20
War Room ()
Fri – Sun: 1:20, 5:20, 7:30
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 3:15, 5:25, 7:30
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (PG)
Fri – Sun: 7:15, 9:40
Mon – Thu: 7:00, 9:30
Minions (G)
Fri – Sun: 11:15 AM, 1:15, 3:35, 5:35
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 3:15, 5:30
Inside Out (G)
Fri – Sun: 11:05 AM, 1:00, 3:00
A Walk in the Woods (14A)
Fri – Sun: 11:00 AM, 1:00, 3:00, 5:25, 9:40
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 9:40
Graveyard Story ()
Fri – Thu: 9:40 PM
Great popcorn – good service.
 By Staff
October 26, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It is a well-established tradition in Burlington – 19 years and they are still slurping soup from hand crafted soup bowls.
 The AGB volunteers prepare for the 800 people they expect to slurp soup at their annual fund raiser. The Soup Bowl Event is a celebration of both culinary and ceramic art. From November 19 – 22, Burlington’s favourite fall fundraising event will feature all of the best loved Soup Bowl elements – beautiful handcrafted bowls donated by potters from across Ontario ready to be filled with delectable gourmet soups from some of the area’s finest restaurants and caterers, including Spencer’s at the Waterfront, Emma’s Back Porch, The Queen’s Head, Honey West, and many more.
Soup Bowl is an important fundraiser for the AGB and supports children’s programming, including vital education initiatives such as school outreach and financial assistance for youth.
This event traditionally sells out. Tickets are on sale now – $50 ($40 for AGB members) for all lunch (12pm – 1pm) and Thursday evening (6pm – 7pm) sittings. Tables of eight can also be reserved, the perfect opportunity for a staff lunch or family outing.
Order tickets online or by phone hone (905-632-7796, ext. 326) or in person at AGB 1333 Lakeshore Road, Burlington.
The AGB has prepared for 800 guests who will choose their handcrafted bowls, fill them with a gourmet soup to enjoy with the rest of their meal, and then take the bowls home after they are cleaned and packaged by our hardworking volunteers.
The people at the AGB don’t want you to forget the annual Christmas Sale of Fine Art and Craft presented by the seven Guilds of the AGB, and also to the seasonal beauty of the Art Etc. Gallery Shop’s Christmas Boutique, brimming with gift items carefully selected for quality and design.
 Wayne Cardinalli: one of the hundreds of potter who donated a bowl to the annual soup bowl event that takes place at the AGB November 19-22 Shopping at the Arts Burlington Christmas Sale is an added bonus during the Soup Bowl Event. There is free admission to browse and buy at the Arts Burlington Christmas Sale, which features a wide variety of handcrafted items produced by the Guilds of Arts Burlington with Christmas in mind. It is open to everyone on November 19 from 11 am to 9 pm; and November 20 – 22 from 11 am to 4 pm.
The Art Gallery of Burlington is located at 1333 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, and is an accessible facility with lots of free parking over the course of the event.
 By Pepper Parr (43164-H)
October 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There are these things we call unintended consequences or we say “I didn’t see that coming.”
The Legion sent us a note yesterday asking if we would publish a letter on their behalf.
Let’s let them make their point before commenting on it:
As noted in recent news, Ontario’s public elementary school teachers are preparing to ramp up their work-to-rule campaign and could begin rotating, one-day strikes this month.
 Heroic – most of those who fought volunteered. The Royal Canadian Legion Zone B6 incorporating Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Waterdown, Dundas and part of Ancaster is concerned that this may impact student’s awareness of our annual Remembrance Poster and Literary Contests. It is through school contact that the appropriate information is circulated for teachers to implement this worthy program. The Royal Canadian Legion encourages the continuation of the tradition of honouring and remembering our military heritage through this annual contest.
These contests are popular with our students and we have had contestants go on from competing at the Branch level to compete at the Zone, District, Provincial and National (Dominion) levels. Contestants are challenged to exercise their initiative and create posters, essays and poems that honour the theme of REMEMBRANCE.
 War time experience is life time experience – the price these men and women paid is far greater than you can even imagine. We want to ensure parents and students that the contests are scheduled as usual. If children do not receive information from their school, we ask that you please visit www.legion.ca/contest for a registration form, rules and regulations. (Click here to get to the web site) All entries can be submitted to the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your local branch.
We look forward to another successful year with our Remembrance contests.
Jackie Ralston, Youth and Education Chair, Royal Canadian Legion, Zone B6
The whole purpose of the educational system is to teach and educate our youth for the work they will do in their future and pass on some of our core values and to enrich the lives of the young people who will lead at some point.
The teachers, I am sure, have genuine concerns but I’m not quite sure what those concerns are. As publishes we get flooded with material from the provincial government – we loved the one about the province passing on millions to the teachers’ association to cover their costs while they negotiated with the province. Receipts weren’t needed eh!
We have yet to see as much as a word from the various teachers’ associations on just what it is they are unhappy about. As publishers we know how hard most teaches work – they deserve to be fairly paid. The public also deserves to hear the teacher’s side of the story.
The Legion has given us theirs.
What is that number after my name – those who served will know.
By Pepper Parr
October 22, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Run, Jump, Play – every day. That’s the drill and Burlington got it off to a decent start with children and some staff skipping and twisting with hula hoops outside city hall as the Healthy community initiative got kick started.
The Healthy Community initiative involves the school boards, community groups including Community Development Halton and staff from the Parks and Recreation department and the YMCA.
 Hip swiveling and chalking are the recreational tools that will be used during the first phase of the three year Healthy Community initiative being funded by the province to the tune of $1.1 million The funding comes from the provincial Ministry of Health and Long Term Care that wants to get kids to those under 12’s that spend more time in front of some kind of screen and get them outdoors.
The program is a three year effort to get children outside and away from the screens – television and computers.
One of the school board trustees recently advised her colleagues that more than 2400 requests for courtesy space on school buses has been requested by students who would not normally be within the area where school bus transportation is provided.
 City hall staff show how its done with Hula hoops – the expectation is that they can get these things out into the community and have children under 12 swiveling their hips. There was a time when there was more phys- ed in schools – Stuart Miller, Director of Education explained that liability issues have made it difficult to provide the kind of physical education classes that used to be held. You don’t see ropes for kids to climb in the schools anymore; there are no more wall bars either he added.
Miller did say that students must get 20 minutes of exercise each day and that there are physical education classes – but it doesn’t look as if society is looking to the schools to ensure that children get the exercise they need in an educational setting.
That task has been taken up by the province and shifted to the city who in turn look to Community Development Halton who know where the pockets of the population who are not on good healthy diets and who don’t have the money to buy the equipment to play hockey or football live; those communities where running shoe’s come in at over $150 a pair are not in the household budget in the marginalized communities in the city.
Does this mean that Run Jump Play is for a particular sector of this city’s population? Difficult to say at this point – the maps outlining where Community Development Halton is going to focus their work have not yet been completed.
The program is a three year initiative with $1.1 million of funding in place. The intention is to collect a lot of data to determine how much weight can be lost with this kind of program.
 Mayor Goldring showing the four year old daughter of a city hall staffer how well he draws with chalk This kind of program was used in France where the results were reported to be very positive. Measuring Body Mass Index (BMI) changes is seen as a simple way to determine if there has been a change.
It is a positive program and it got off to a good start. The Mayor didn’t twist and turn with a hula hoop around his waist instead he drew with a piece of chalk – this after saying at the opening of his wife’s art gallery earlier in the week that he was so bad at art that his teacher gave him a 50 mark and suggested he leave the program.
Related article:
City gets $1.1 million in funding for health initiative.
By Staff
October 19, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Union Gas handed over 500 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to the Burlington Fire department at a meeting at the Seniors Centre on the weekend. It is part of Project Zero, a public education campaign that provides combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to residents with the goal of reducing the number of residential fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths to zero.
The alarms were handed out at the seniors event, they were “won” through answering fire safety trivia questions.
 Fire Chief Tony Bavota. The few remaining alarms will be given to seniors registered in the fire department alarm assistance program, which helps those who are isolated and/or have disabilities or mobility challenges, which make it difficult to install and maintain their home smoke and co alarms.
Union Gas utility services manager, Marc Hoewing visited the Burlington Seniors’ Centre yesterday to present Burlington fire chief, Tony Bavota with the alarms.
“At Union Gas, the safety of our employees and our communities is our most important core company value,” said Hoewing. “And we share that commitment by supporting much-needed programs like Project Zero that helps us all stay safer.”
 They work – but only if they have fresh batteries. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless toxic gas that is often referred to as the “silent killer.” Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, burning eyes, confusion, drowsiness and even loss of consciousness, without the elevated temperature associated with the flu. In severe cases, CO poisoning can cause brain damage and death. The elderly, children and people with heart or respiratory conditions may be particularly sensitive to CO. Over 80 per cent of carbon monoxide-related deaths and injuries in Ontario occur in the home.
Fire Chief Tony Bavota said at the meeting that “Working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms save lives,” said Bavota, “Offering them to some of the seniors in our community will help to keep them safe in their homes.”
By Walter Byj
October 20, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Let me begin with the following two paragraphs from a June article I wrote:
“For some it is a grand success story while others view it as an experiment that has created a mess. Either way, it has created a logistics nightmare for boards across the province as educators try to run both a successful English program along with a strong French Immersion program. School busing, disruption of community schools, huge uptake in French Immersion and a shortage on competent French teachers in Ontario is forcing many boards to review their current implementation of French Immersion.
 Burlington school board trustee Richelle Papin was a member of the Program Viability Committee “In Halton, the board recently created the Program Viability Committee (PVC) whose goal was to do a thorough review of the challenges that French Immersion has placed on the English program and to then propose a number of solutions that could alleviate any current problems. The committee, which consists of 22 members, includes the Director of Education, board superintendents, schools principals and three trustees. The trustees are J. Oliver (Oakville, K. Graves (Milton) and R. Papin (Burlington). “
After a number of committee meetings, committee chair and Director of Education, Stuart Miller gave the board his report with his recommendations on September 16th
RECOMMENDATION 1:
Be it resolved that the Halton District School Board present the following options for the delivery of French Immersion to the public in the Fall of 2015 for the purpose of receiving feedback, considerations and comments. Feedback will be brought to the Board for consideration in the delivery of French Immersion programming:
1. Option 1: Grade 1 (early) French immersion remains a 50% French 50% English delivery model, but entry to French Immersion will be capped. The method of capping would be determined at a later date.
2. Option 2: Grade 1 (early) French Immersion remains at 50% French and 50% English, however all French Immersion programs will be delivered in single track FI schools. French Immersion will be phased out of dual track schools and no new dual track schools will be considered. The location of the single track schools will be determined at a later date.
3. Option 3: French Immersion will commence at a later entry point (mid entry); Grade 4. This will result in the delivery model of French Immersion moving from a 50% model to at least a 80% French Immersion model. In addition the delivery of French Immersion will occur in dual track schools only.
4. Option 4: French Immersion will commence at a later entry point (mid entry); Grade 4. This will result in the delivery model of French Immersion moving from a 50% model to at least a 80% French Immersion model. In addition the delivery of French Immersion will occur in single track French Immersion schools only.
 Director of Education Stuart Miller moves forward with the first initiative that has his fingerprints all over it – the public will get to see what he means by public engagement and how well he listens. After a thorough discussion, these recommendations were accepted unanimously by the trustees at the October 7th meeting with the understanding that the board would do everything they could to ensure the public thoroughly understand the current situation and be highly involved in any future solution.
Fully understanding the scope of this project, along with the potential ramifications on the public, Director Miller, with the encouragement of the trustees, emphasized that intensive input and ideas from the public would be required before any changes could be made.
He said the options presented are just a starting point and other alternatives would be studied. All information that the staff has would be shared with the public so that they would have a solid understanding of the challenges that the board currently faces.
There will be no pre-determined decisions as input from the public will play a major role in the final decision. Much time was spent discussing the different ways the public could be included in the process. Director Miller mentioned the use of social media and focus groups as some of the methods.
However, the first step will be face to face public meetings on the following dates:
All meetings will begin at 7 p.m.:
BURLINGTON: Monday, October 26 Nelson High School (4181 New St.)
OAKVILLE: Tuesday, October 27 White Oaks Secondary School (South Campus 1330 Montclair Dr.)
MILTON: Monday, November 2 Milton District High School ( 396 Williams Ave)
HALTON HILLS: Tuesday, November 3 Georgetown District High School (70 Guelph St)
After some prodding from the trustees, Director Miller said he would be open to have a fifth meeting if necessary.
Parents can attend any or all of the above meetings; they are not restricted by the city/town they live in.
The first major test will be the crowd at the Burlington meeting; it could be a barometer as to how well the board is reaching the public.
 Walter Byj has been the Gazette reporter on education for more than a year. He is a long-time resident of the city and as a parent has in the past delegated to the school board.
By Pepper Parr
October 19, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Denise Beard is pumped.
 Denise Beard, Manager of xxx for the city heads up a provincially funded project to get the under 1q2 set outdoors running, jumping and playing every day. She has her hands on a project that is going to keep her busy for the next three years and she believes the project is going to make a difference.
During a press briefing Beard told media that the city has been given a grant of $1.1 million to get the fat off the bodies of young people who spend more time in front of a screen of some sort rather than on their bikes.
There is an obesity problem in the city – and Beard who was a life guard when she was a teenager, wants to see younger people enjoying better health – and she thinks the program she is going to run for the next three years can go a long way to making that happen.
Beard tends to put everything she has into her projects – it’s just who she is.
So what is the program all about?
It is billed as a Community Challenge – an event that uses provincial money to drive a program that will result in younger people getting more exercise.
For reason’s it only understands the province decided to work with communities rather than schools or the medical community to get young people off the couch and away from the screens and exercise more.
The idea was first used in France where significant results were claimed to have taken place. The Ontario government chose Burlington as the only community in Halton to get funding. Hamilton and 45 other communities in the province were given funds.
 Expect to see a lot of chalking going on at least until there is snow on the side walks of the city – all part of a healthier youth initiative. Beard talked about “chalking” the community – getting young people to take to the streets and make their mark telling what they are doing to live healthier lifestyles.
The initiative came out of the provincial Ministry of Health and Long Term care that will be putting forward a new theme every nine months.
In order to get the funding communities had to come up with an Action Plan; Burlington apparently had the best one – so we will now see the Mayor pumping and promoting healthy living.
The city wants to see the grade 5 level students Running, Jumping and Playing every day. Data will be collected with the focus on individual Body Mass Index (BMI) – some additional focusing will be done on students at the grade 8 level.
There are five neighbourhoods in the city that that are expected to get special attention. The program will collaborate with the YMCA, parent groups and schools taking a “street to street” and “parent to parent approach” to getting young people – mostly those under 12 out onto the streets and the playgrounds and getting more exercise.
Great initiative – that has to compete with computer games.
By Pepper Parr
October 19th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
When Teresa Seaton opened her Stained Glass studio on Spring Garden Road a couple of years ago, a stones toss from the Royal Botanical Gardens – some thought there was the promise of a small cluster of art locations developing. The Seaton Gallery was right beside the EdRoy gallery which and the opportunity for some growth looked as if it was going to fade.
 Anne More’s piece is on the right. Yesterday Cheryl Miles Goldring and Anne More opened Gallery 2 and displayed a very nice collection of the both their own work and that of other artists.
The flow of visitors was consistent during the afternoon – what to make of this newest arrival to the art scene in the city?
Cheryl, who was chair of the Art Auction Committee for the Art Gallery of Burlington last year, is coming into her own rather nicely. The exhibition of her work from a Newfoundland tour was well received – now we are watching her develop the commercial side.
 Work by Anne More on the left and a piece by Cheryl Miles Golding, second from the right, is appreciated by a viewer during their opening event on Sunday. Anne More, who brings her own experience to the venture, studied under Gordon Harrison with Cheryl – a Harrison piece was shown at the opening exhibit. Just under a year ago Anne and Cheryl talked about renting the space that EdRoy had vacated; after working out some of the wrinkles they dove in and held their opening event on Sunday.
 Cheryl Miles Goldring listening to Catherine Brady. Anne wants people to understand what real art is: “I am constantly amazed at how little people know about how art is made.” Tough words from a woman who taught art with a Board of Education for a number of years.
Art is a business as well as a passion – and business means selling something to someone. There is a perception that original art is very expensive – and it can but doesn’t have to be. Anne has been involved in a number of sales that had payment for the art being made over a period of time. “If you like some of my art” Anne will say “make me an offer.” Her work has been shown at Art231 in Hamilton
 Anne More on a field trip. Cheryl sees the Gallery 2 as a place where they can focus attention on local artists who don’t get much of an opportunity to show what they have in a setting that was designed for the public and not done as an afterthought in a restaurant.
The Gallery 2 opening included work by Donna Fratesi, Pierre A. J. Sabourin, A. J. Van Die and Wayne Moore and Don Greaves.
The Gallery 2 intention is to mount new art every month – something this city has not seen in some time. Now the challenge of promoting the location begins
 By Pepper Parr
October 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Let’s dig a little deeper into the Work Plan city manager James Ridge presented to a Standing Committee earlier this week.
 City Manager James Ridge Ridge set his intentions out into groups, just the way any Army captain would and then delved into the groupings and what Ridge hoped to get done. We have added a few comments to expand on the tasks. which were:
STRATEGIC PLAN, OFFICIAL PLAN, AND OTHER SUPPORTING PLANS:
City Strategic Plan: While many many months late Council and staff are now meeting to nail this down and move on to the Official Plan Review and the city budget.
Official Plan: On hold until the Strategic Plan has been struck. With a new planner due to start in November there may be a little lag time while she figures out what is where at city hall and gets to know her staff.
Transportation Master Plan: A work in progress
Corporate/ SMT Work Plan: 12-24 month detailed work plan addressing all Strategic and Official Plan work items. Develop master SMT work plan to deliver strategic objectives.
Each Director, General Manager and Service Owner to have a personal work plan, which will be a central element of their ongoing performance evaluation
 How will citizens take to multi year strategic budgets? Multi-Year Strategic Plan budget: Ensure that high level budgeting is undertaken to accompany the Strategic Plan and supporting multi-year work plan to guide priority setting and annual budget discussions. Multi-year budget projections for implementation of the Strategic and Official Plans and associated Work Plans.
The city’s finance department is probably the best run shop in the city – they don’t need to be told what to do – they do need other departments to work as efficiently and as effectively as the Joan Ford crew works.
City Manager Work Plan: Set out in detail below.
Work Plan management and reporting systems
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Ridge wasn’t able to say much about initiatives – other than he thought there might be as many as 50 of them.
EXCELLENCE IN STRATEGIC GOVERNANCE
City Performance Indicators: Working with BEDC, Burlington Community Foundation and others, develop a macro set of performance measures that taken together are a reasonable proxy for the general wellbeing of the City. A clear set of key performance measures to measure the health, quality of life, and economic performance of the City tracked longitudinally.
Some very good data was released at a Standing Committee meeting earlier in the week. The Gazette is pulling that information together and will publish later this month – you won’t see this data anywhere else.
Workshop on Excellence in Strategic Governance: To support Strategic Plan implementation, have a facilitated workshop(s) to consider strategic governance principles and the appropriate governance/management relationship needed for successful implementation of the strategic plan.
Strategic governance workshop with Council and appropriate senior staff, to develop general principles of strategic governance and management.
Excellence in Governance Charter: City Council is widely seen as an exemplar of excellence in strategic governance. Develop with Council an “Excellence in Governance Charter.” Adopt as Council policy a series of best practices and decision tools that reflect accepted best practices in strategic governance for public and private sector organizations.
Watch this one carefully – it looks as if it might be what gets put in place of the Code of Conduct that most of this council does not want. The Code of Conduct is something this council needs and the public deserves.
 Councillor John Taylor wants better agenda and council meeting planning – dislikes the way Clerk’s office manages the flow of paper – city manager wants to get rid of the paper. Agenda Planning: Through regular reviews of the City Manager’s work plan, allow for better longer and medium term agenda planning. Several members of Council have complained about poor agenda planning and want material they are to discuss earlier in the process. When the calendar for 2016 was being discussed Councillor Dennison suggested a number of changes which the Clerk’s office wasn’t happy with. Mayor Goldring brought this up giving the Clerk an opportunity to explain what the problems were. Dennison wanted to know why he had not heard of the Clerk’s concerns. Now we know why there are problems with agenda planning – these people don’t talk to each other.
Council Agendas: Structure Council agendas to clearly identify strategic and good-governance agenda items. A proposal for a new model for Committee and Council agendas. Set for 2Q of 2016. Don’t bet the barn on that date.
EXCELLENCE IN MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION:
Customer Service
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tool
One Stop Business Startup Centre
Service Management
Enterprise Risk Management
Enterprise Performance Measurement
Business Analytics Capability/Research and Data analysis: If possible, fast track the implementation of a business analytics tool to permit robust data analysis. As an interim measure, create a temporary new role to do data analysis, quantitative research, and coordinate surveys.
A suite of applications, tools and process that when implemented and operational support performance measurement, data analytics and corporate reporting.
One position (perhaps .5 FTE) to undertake quantitative analysis and detailed data analysis in support of Council and corporate initiatives.
During a presentation made by former Director of Planning Bruce Krushelnicki we learned that the city has absolutely no demographic capacity and that there is some statistical capacity but the person doing the job could not tell a Director how many homes there are in Alton Village. That staffer is apparently still cashing a pay cheque.
Revenue and Grant Coordinator: Create a role with an explicit focus, and dedicated time, to undertake grant requests, stay abreast of new funding opportunities, and seek other revenue opportunities. Create a new (likely .5 FTE position) in the City Manager’s office to coordinate City grant applications, research new and existing funding opportunities, and consider other municipal revenue opportunities.
This is the second mention of additional staff – Councillor Craven won’t let this happen – but Councillor Sharman might like to see someone who can gather data
Document Management: Multi-year project to reduce or eliminate use of paper, provide better access to information, and more transparent public access. First phase should be paperless meeting materials for those who wish to use. Paperless SMT meetings. Full transition is a major multi-year project.
City Marketing Cooperative: Explore the possibility of a marketing cooperative to share expertise and resources among City departments and City- funded agencies and boards. If agreement is reached among the parties, create a marketing cooperative to share expertise and mitigate duplication in marketing, print, web support activities.
This is one of those initiatives that is better not even attempted – bureaucrats are not marketers – this should be outsourced to a company that is given a strong, clear mandate.
 Burlington didn’t lead the way it could have led during the Via derailment a number of years ago – the city now how seasoned Emergency Management in place Emergency Management: Fully implement an emergency management plan, appropriate training, and develop and maintain business continuity plans.
This task is well underway – the Fire department brought in a season manager who explained what the department will be doing and how it will work – it is a very significant improvement over procedures that were in place previously.
Build Redevelopment Capacity in Planning Building and other relevant Departments: Evolve through hiring, professional development and resource allocation the Planning and Building department’s expertise and capacity from greenfield single family to infill and intensification.
Land Economist: Strengthen our planning and real estate management capability by tendering for a retainer for a municipal land economist to provide expert arms-length advice to City staff and Council on land economic issues, particularly independent assessments of development applications and the embedded assumptions around profitability at various densities and uses.
ORGANIZATION AND CULTURE
 Members of the team that run the finance department during a budget debate – they were updating data on the fly People Plan Team: There is a general need for a team of union and non-union staff from across the City to focus on and make recommendations about, workplace quality and cultural concerns.
Culture Survey: In Q1 2016 undertake the Dennison survey of organizational culture as a baseline.
Performance Evaluation System: Develop a new Performance Evaluation system. Fully implemented new PE system that is modular, with elements for individual contributors, service owners, and Directors. Ridge wants this to be 100% use. He sees this as quarterly structured but less formal conversations with staff on performance, not a once a year report
Succession Planning: Create a corporate succession plan and succession planning policies. Initial identification of high potential management staff for detailed career planning. Initial identification of high potential front line staff with leadership potential for detailed career planning.
Succession plans complete for all departments. Corporate policies in place. SMT has created a list of high potential middle managers for immediate development
MAJOR INITIATIVES
Storm Water Management: Implement the Council-approved program on expanded storm water management.
This program is going to have a very significant impact on the 2016 budget and will stun the owners of properties that have large parking areas. The city has done a very poor job of informing both residents and commercial property owners on the ramifications – they are significant.
Asset Management – Infrastructure Renewal
Conversion Reviews: In the context of the Official Plan review, develop (with BEDC) mechanisms to defensibly and consistently make recommendations on conversion requests.
Once the Strategic Plan is in place this will become a major matter for this Council. The development community does not believe the city needs all the Employment Land it has – and they want the opportunity to convert those lands to residential where the profits are much higher.
 Zoned commercial, spitting distance to the QEW, minutes from downtown – owner wants to rezone and make it residential. Major developers in this city have been sitting on land holdings for year – decades in some cases – waiting for the day when they can get a conversion. The province does not make it easy for any conversions to take place – but the developers have skilled planners who can make a donut look like a life saver.
Beachway Park: Negotiate with the Region cost sharing for Beachway Park, both Capital and Operating.
Sustainable Development Awards
Urban Design Review and Awards
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Government Relations
Policies and Process: With the Mayor’s Office and Council develop formal policies, procedures for ongoing intergovernmental relations activities. Identify the first inventory of key intergovernmental issues and action plans.
This has always been a particularly weak area for this city administration. Having city managers move in and out of that office every two years didn’t help to develop strong working relationships. The city did hold a Burlington Day at Queen’s Park which amounted to everyone handing out business cards and getting 15 minutes with Ministers and some Deputy Ministers.
Burlington didn’t have a very effective MPP at the time which made it difficult to achieve very much.
The failure of the IKEA move to the North Service Road was due in no small measure to the lack of a deep understanding of how the Ministry of Transportation really works. The lead people on that file had not been properly mentored on how a city deals with a provincial ministry.
Redevelopment processes: Develop with Halton Region, a seamless process with known timelines for redevelopment applications. Done by 1Q 2017
 Our Building – on Hamilton’s land. LaSalle Park: Reach agreement and Council approval on the transfer of LaSalle park ownership to Burlington by 1Q 2017
Community Engagement: Continue and build on the work that has been done on community engagement, support the Engagement Charter
New Resident Outreach: The City administration takes steps to proactively reach out to and engage communities, including immigrants, who have a very low incidence of engaging with City
Partnerships. The city wants a tighter working relationship with Hamilton where there is real economic growth; it also wants to strengthen the relationship with the Region.
This is most of what city manager James Ridge put before city council. In a separate article we report on how council reacted
By Staff
October 15th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Better late than never – I suppose.
The Halton District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) announced that they are hosting the 8th Annual Conference for Parents on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville. The theme of the conference, held from 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., will be Building Healthy Relationships.
 The keynote speaker is Dr. Jean Clinton, a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University, division of Child Psychiatry. She will share how parent involvement is critical for student success through the power of relationships, as children and young people learn best in an environment where they feel respected and connected. She will attempt to answer the question, what role do we play as parents in this? Clinton will discuss how parents, in a busy wired-up world, can maintain a focus on relationships.
Parents can also choose to attend an afternoon presentation by Paul Davis, who will address the topic of social networking safety.
The Building Healthy Relationships conference theme will provide a variety of new workshops and will also include some that have been well received by parents in years past. Workshops will address numeracy, literacy, teaching kids about money management, promoting positive mental health for teens, community resources availability, helping students craft an academic and career pathway for success, high school course selections, managing behaviour and discipline, violence prevention and cyberbullying, and gifted learning.
The Halton District School Board Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) recognizes parents play a vital role in the development and education of their children and in the success of schools and therefore provides a regular opportunity for School Council members to network, share ideas, offer input and enjoy informative presentations on a number of education related topics throughout the school year.
For more information, visit www.hdsb.ca and click on the PIC logo on the right side of the homepage.
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