 By Staff
February 1st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Mark your calendar as the City Spring 2023 recreation programs for preschool, youth and teens and Summer Camps are opening for online registration Feb. 11.
Both the spring session and summer camps will provide a variety of fun, interesting and active options. Programs are available for viewing now. Adult Spring 2023 programs for ages 19+ and 55+ will be viewable March 1, and open for online registration March 11.
Registration Dates and Program Highlights
Date Time Program
 There is no age limit for summer camp. Saturday, Feb. 11 9 a.m. • Spring programs for preschool, youth and teens including swimming lessons, aquatic leadership, PA Day programs and more.
 Burlington Teen Tour Band at Performing Arts Centre • Summer camps including S.N.A.P., youth, music, theatre, individuals with disabilities.
• Youth interested in joining the Junior Redcoats or Burlington Teen Tour Band can email bttb@burlington.ca for more information.
• Log in and register at liveandplay.burlington.ca.
Saturday, March 11 9 a.m. • Spring Adult programs for ages 19+ and 55+ including:
Non-resident registration opens Feb. 17 for Youth programs, and March 17 for Adult programs.
Assisted Registration
Residents who need extra support or do not have online access to register for programs, can call 905-335-7738 for staff-assisted telephone registrations starting Feb. 11 and March 11 at 9 a.m. The Recreation customer service team is also available through email at liveandplay@burlington.ca. Phone and email support is available Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 In person registration is available starting Monday, Feb. 13 at the Tansley Woods Community Centre In-person registration is available starting Monday, Feb. 13 at the Tansley Woods Community Centre and starting Monday, March 13 at Burlington Seniors’ Centre.
For more information on how to set up an account or register online, visit
Recreation Fee Assistance
Recreation is for all, regardless of financial situation. Recreation Fee Assistance is funding made available to resident individuals or families who need help to pay for City of Burlington recreation programs. For more information or to apply, visit burlington.ca/feeassistance.
Links and Resources – Click on the link
burlington.ca/feeassistance
burlington.ca/registration
 By Staff
February 1st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 Carrie Mines Tickets to take in the 2023 Drury Lane Theatre edition of Music Hall are now on sale
Ticket sales started last week and at this point they have sold 46% of the 1656 seats available. That 46% indicates the production is selling faster than normal given they are a month away from opening!
If this is something you were thinking of taking in – move quickly – they just might reach sold out before opening night.
Drury Lane takes you on a worldwide excursion of Music Halls; venturing to Vaudeville in New York City, Cabaret in Paris, Kabarett in Berlin and Music Hall in London while enjoying the flavour of this art form past and present.
The production embraces British and American versions of this popular live entertainment. However, the attraction to this comedic musical variety form also has strong roots in Glasgow, Warsaw and several other European cultures.
This compilation is strongly oriented to the stylings and methods utilized from 1890 to 1950.
 The Pearlys – Jennifer Welosky, Michael Belton, May Farquhar Related news story:
Music Hall 2023.
March 3-26th -12 performances over a 27 day time frame.
Drury Lane Theatrical Productions
C: 289-260-7169
Online ticket purchases
 By Pepper Parr
February 1st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
On the 30th of January, at 3:00 am I made the decision to cease publishing.
I had to come to the conclusion that I just did not have the financial resources that were needed to continue.
The comments made by readers of the Gazette were appreciated. A number of people congratulated me on “my retirement.” This was not a retirement.
The runway had come to an end – continuing with the financial resources available was no longer possible even though readership was setting new records every month
Since the announcement, a number of people have asked: How can we help ? So there will be conversations in the days ahead. I am required to keep the newspaper “in print” for a number of days; so whatever I was doing in the past I will be doing for a little longer.
February is celebrated as Black History Month.
Special events take place, a Declaration is read by the Mayor at City Council meetings and events are organized by the Black community.
A number of years ago a group held a dinner and dance; I was expecting to see people doing the “limbo” and other West Indian dances. No such luck. For the most part it was slow waltzing. Food was good.
There are flags flown during Pride Days, Terry Fox Days and on days that Aboriginal events take place – so far no flag to celebrate the Black Community.
 Well over 1000 people descended on City Hall to declare very loudly that Black Lives Matter A number of years ago more than 1000 people, young people for the most part, marched on city and sat on Brant Street and in Civic Square.
 Black Lives Matter statement done in chalk on the sidewalk outside city hall. Sometime later large chalk graphics were drawn on the sidewalk in front of city hall with the words Black Lives Matter – and indeed they do.
When we look south and read of the carnage that is being done to the Black people we shudder and hope that this type of thing never happens in our country and our city.
It is when the public goes out of its way to recognize and celebrate people of colour and ensure that they have the same benefits and opportunity as the result of us.
This is the month to do as much as you can to make a difference and ensure that Black Lives do Matter
 By Staff
February 1st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The comments made by readers of the Gazette were appreciated. I made the decision to cease publishing very early – at around 3 in the morning, when I had to come to the conclusion that I just did not have the financial resources that were needed to continue. A number of people congratulated me on “my retirement.” This was not a retirement.
The runway had come to an end – continuing with the financial resources available was no longer possible. Readership grew almost every month.
Since the announcement, a number of people have asked: How can we help ? So there will be conversations in the days ahead. I am required to keep the newspaper “in print” for a number of days; so whatever I was doing in the past I will be doing for a little longer.
The Super Bowl is a massive North American event that for many is the sports highlight of the year. It is an American game. Of course Canada does have a footballl league. Hockey is the sport for Canadians.
 One of the pages from the “tour” of the State Farm Stadium at which the Super Bowl will be played. Everything about the Super Bowl is over the top.
Some of the advertising creative breaks new ground.
The Half Time Show sometimes rivals the Oscars.
The stadiums are engineering marvels.
Super Bowl LVII will take place in Phoenix Arizona in the State Farm Stadium/
Here is a link to the the Stadium through which you can tour the structure.
On each page there are “portals you can click on to go deeper into the structure.
The field they play on sits on a huge tray outside the stadium and is rolled in for the game.
Amazing.
By Ashley Marsh
January 31st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Super Bowl LVII is approaching quickly. The NFL’s championship game will be played on Sunday, February 12, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals. It will be the first time since 2020 that a home team won’t be contending for the Super Bowl title at their own stadium.
 For many Canadians in the Burlington area, the event will be a big one for a few reasons. While the annual Super Bowl regularly draws in over 100 million spectators, this year might see more viewers tune in thanks to the availability of sports betting. Ontario recently launched its online markets, which means that fans who normally stick to the CFL might explore the US’s league.
This season’s Super Bowl odds have revolved around a few favourites in the last two months. These include the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs. While the Bills have experienced another crushing postseason defeat, the Chiefs look ready to compete for another Lombardi Trophy.
They’re favourites with odds of +235 to take home the title, but not all fans are following Super Bowl moneylines. Instead, they’re focused on other bets that don’t concern the game’s outcome. These have proved especially popular with CFL fans who don’t feel strong loyalty toward a particular NFL team and who instead just want to enjoy the big game.
Below are some key examples of novel non-sporting bets that are proving popular in the run up to the event.
 Rihanna will take the stage. Halftime Performance by Rihanna
 Philadelphia Eagles The biggest market for non-sporting events for the Super Bowl is the halftime show—and that’s because the NFL goes to lengths to weave arts into its offerings. The halftime show is one of the most coveted performances in the world, and one that leads musical stars to pay their own money to produce and perform. This year, Rihanna will take the stage—and it’s a big deal, as the recent mother hasn’t performed live since 2019. She also swore to boycott the Super Bowl in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick in the past.
The Queen of Pop is back however—and she’s commanding attention from sportsbooks. If you’re a fan of Rihanna, then consider predicting which song she’ll perform first and last. You can also wager on other outcomes, like what sort of outfit Rihanna will wear, whether she’ll descend from the sky, and whether she’ll bring on a guest performer.
National Anthem by Chris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton is a country music star who will be performing the National Anthem—another highly coveted Super Bowl act. He’ll be joined by Babyface, who will sing ‘America the Beautiful’ and Sheryll Lee Ralph, who will sing ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’.
 Kansas City Chiefs If you’ve got a gut instinct about how one of these vocal performances will go down, then you can wager on it. Most of the bets will focus around Stapleton, as the National Anthem is the main focus before the game kicks off. You can wager on things like what Stapleton will wear and how long the song will run for.
Commercials from Leading Brands
Vocal and musical performances aside, the Super Bowl is also one of the most important games for major brands and their advertising efforts. Each year, some of the US’s most popular brands pour their resources into creating the most memorable and catchy ads. Some seek to pull at viewers’ heartstrings, while others are looking for laughs.
If you’re a fan of cinematic ads, then dive into markets on halftime commercials. They cover a variety of outcomes, like which brands will be shown first, whether companies will include the same characters or songs in their commercials, and even how many dogs will appear in commercials this year.
A Speech from the Winners
One of the zaniest types of prop bets offered on the Super Bowl covers the speeches made by winners after the game. These speeches often come from the game’s official MVP and unofficial MVPs alike—and you can wager on what these players will say and in what order. For example, one prop bet covers the question of who the MVP will thank first—his team and teammates, his city and fans, his family, or his coach?
January 31st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The comments made by readers of the Gazette on the decision I made to cease publishing were appreciated. I made the decision to cease publishing very early – at around 3 in the morning, when I had to come to the conclusion that I just did not have the financial resources that were needed to continue. A number of people congratulated me on “my retirement.” This was not a retirement.
The runway had come to an end – continuing with the financial resources available was no longer possible. Readership grew almost every month.
Since the announcement, a number of people have asked: How can we help ? So there will be conversations in the days ahead. I am required to keep the newspaper “in print” for a number of days; so whatever I was doing in the past I will be doing for a little longer.
Everything has a beginning and everything has an end.
The end for the Burlington Gazette is today.
Pepper Parr
By Pepper Parr
January 30th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Headline revised: The arena is under construction
The shovels are in the ground yet – the construction is underway.
No matter – despite the fact that taxpayers are looking at a 7.08% tax increase (just 5.80% of that is the result of the city spending) there is a Request for Expressions of Interest from anyone who wants to put art work on the new Skyway Arena – there is a budget of $120,000 CAD. Deadline: Friday March 10, 2023
 A new arena was necessary; that part of the city is undeserved with ice rink capacity. But $120,000 at this point in time ? In the announcement put out today the City of Burlington invites professional artists to submit Expressions of Interest to create an exterior public art installation for the plaza area of the new Skyway Community Centre (129 Kenwood Ave, Burlington, Ontario). This competition is open to all Canadian and International professional artists* and/or artist-led teams.
*A professional artist is an individual who has specialized skills and/or training in hi/her artistic discipline (not necessarily in academic institutions), has a history of public presentation and is critically recognized as an artist.
 The building will have the best and the latest in technology. And of course it needs public art. An artwork proposal is not requested at this time. This is a two-phase process: in Phase One, applicants will be reviewed on the basis of artistic merit of past work, professional qualifications and experience. In Phase Two, short-listed artists will be required to submit a preliminary artwork concept proposal that will be displayed for public comment and jury review.
Artists selected for the short-list will be provided with a full Request for Proposals outlining detailed artwork specifications prior to developing their proposals. Short-listed artists will be paid an artist fee of $1500 to develop their proposals.
Click HERE to learn more…
Related news story:
There was at least one councillor who thought fiscal prudence had been ignored.
 By Pepper Parr
January 30th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Oscar Wilde once famously quipped that the definition of a cynic is “one who knows the price of everything but the value of nothing.
It was interesting to listen to Council last week discuss the adding of the signature of Mayor Marianne Ward to a list of Mayors in the Region supporting the idea of bringing the 2030 Commonwealth Games to the Burlington Hamilton community that included eight other municipalities. Throughout the discussion council members were adamant – not a dime of city money was to be put into the venture.
That’s about price. Bur what about value?
The Games are big business – run successfully they attract the attention of millions to the community and can leave lasting economic and social impacts. Run badly, well most of us remember Montreal.
As far as the Commonwealth Games franchise is concerned, the 2022 Games recently took place in Birmingham (UK): a second tier UK city living in the shadow of London struggling through hard economic times. Interim reporting about the value of the Games to Birmingham are now available. These reports are from reputable organizations, such as global accounting firm KPMG, undertaken on behalf of the UK government. Those reports highlight the success of the Birmingham event and point up the major benefits of bringing arts and culture together with major sporting events.
 Lou Frapporti, former Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Hamilton Bid Group President P J Mercanti checking on how things went at the Birmingham Games in 2022
Birmingham created a six month Festival that enveloped the games and drew an audience of more than 2.4 million and reached more than 41,000 participants.
What Birmingham had was an international calibre event that they leveraged to create the Festival that added £100 million in direct economic impact.
The region-wide Festival worked with 993 organizations, 4,954 creatives and had diversity at its heart, according to independent evaluations.
The Festival successfully enhanced more than eight out of ten residents’ and non-residents’ perceptions of Birmingham.
The Birmingham 2022 Festival, was a six month celebration of creativity that brought not only pride and joy to the city – it gave a dramatic boost to the regional economy.
There are nine independently-produced reports – available here – that evaluate the successes, learnings and impact of the vibrant and dynamic six-month cultural programme. They include the insights and learnings on individual projects and initiatives during the Festival and a commitment to cement Birmingham’s reputation as an international centre of cultural and creative excellence.
 Councillor Sharman as Deputy Mayor has responsibility for getting the city’s Strategic Plan updated. The Commonwealth Games is something he will surely include in the long term thinking. City Manager Tim Commisso can ensure that the staff resources needed to make the Games real in 2030  They reveal powerful impacts on communities across the region and how it had diversity at its heart by engaging with a wide range of communities that represent ethnic diversity, gender, LGBTQIA+ and disability identities.
It would be wonderful if the smarter thinkers at city hall dug into the Birmingham successes and learned how they might apply to Burlington in advancing the city’s strategic plan, and then considered whether or not investment was warranted
There is an opportunity here for the City Manager to create a small ( 3 or 4 people) who would work with Anita Cassidy at Economic Development to poke around at the data and the opportunity to see if closer collaboration with the bid organizers, senior levels of government and neighbouring municipalities is warranted – putting a Burlington perspective on it.
The reports also show a direct economic impact of £100 million to the economy –
 A private sector property that is being considered as the locale for some of the 2030 Commonwealth Games events.. King Road at the bottom, Aldershot GO station at the top of the aerial photograph with the GO train tracks on the left and and hwy 403 on the right. The evaluation shows a total attendance for the Festival Programme of 2,467,588, with 96 per cent of attendees rating their experience as good or excellent, while eight out of ten residents of the region said it had improved their own perceptions of where they live.
The combined workforce was 4,954 including staff and freelancers, with an additional 1,315 volunteers contributing to the Festival.
The Birmingham 2022 Festival successfully engaged 41,894 residents in active arts or cultural activities with the majority of participants directly engaged in an event performance or a creative project, with eight out of ten saying they had either gained new skills or improved skills.
The Festival directly commissioned 34 per cent of the projects while the overwhelming majority (63 per cent) saw more than £1.7 million distributed through the Creative City Grants programme that brought communities together with artists to create work for the Festival – from visual arts through to dance. This helped to take the Festival to people and places who would not normally engage with the arts. The Festival also brought in £47 million directly from tourists.
Raidene Carter, Executive Producer of the Birmingham 2022 Festival, said: “In delivering the Festival as part of a Commonwealth Games, we commissioned a body of work which reflected this wonderful region and shone a light on our creativity and heritage. It showed the true power of bringing arts and culture together with a major sporting event, making the cultural festival and the sporting festival greater than the sum of their parts.
“The Festival was brave enough to have honest conversations about what it means to be a Commonwealth city and region, and this led to welcome challenges we can all learn from as arts and culture-makers, alongside powerful statements about how we want to reflect ourselves to the world.
“Undoubtedly, this has had a positive effect on audiences and participants alike who felt healthier, happier, and closer to their communities and more in touch with the city and wider region.
“There is great insight from the reports for future host cities of both sporting and cultural festivals to digest and learn from …”
 Mayor Meed Ward – just signing a letter isn’t going to cut it. The Brits have a national lottery. Anne Jenkins, Executive Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “They were thrilled to award Birmingham 2022 Festival with a £3million grant to support its six-month celebration of culture and heritage.
Would the Ontario Trillium Foundation give some thought to supporting something like this in Burlington?.
Getting the Commonwealth Games to the Burlington Hamilton community with all the benefits that entails is going to take more than signatures on a letter.
It is going to take people who can see just a bit over the horizon and become aware of the huge potential – folks who are focused on value and not just the price – they did it in Birmingham – not a reason in the world why it couldn’t be done in Burlington.
It will need some political courage and some really creative thinking.
 By Pepper Parr
January 30th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Food security for a growing number of people has become more than a phrase.
 The need cannot be met with groups that take the initiative to help out – they have done a superb job of covering some of the need. More is needed. The food banks and church groups that support those who need help in feeding their families has become more than a pressing issue.
Later today those involved in the delivery of food will be taking part in an announcement that is expected to bring changes to this sector.
The changes in food security needs seen in recent years has led to the identification of the necessary steps to ensure a better, stronger food security network across the Region of Halton. The announcement will be a preview of what should be a huge leap forward in addressing the food security issues seen across the region as a whole.
The announcement will be made this afternoon at 4:00 pm.
 By Staff
January 30th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Covid 19 is basically with us forever. Like measles and mumps and polio.
 This virus is with us – probably forever. It can be controlled – the same way we control measles. We managed to get some control over measles – regular vaccinations of students at school solved that serious problem.
The World Health Organization said recently that: Higher levels of immunity worldwide through vaccination or infection “may limit the impact” of the virus that causes COVID-19 on “morbidity and mortality,” the committee said.
 Every child has to be vaccinated to attend school. This is the kind of world we live in. “But there is little doubt that this virus will remain a permanently established pathogen in humans and animals for the foreseeable future. While Omicron versions are easily spread, “there has been a decoupling between infection and severe disease” compared to that of earlier variants.”
Committee members cited “pandemic fatigue“ and the increasing public perception that COVID-19 isn’t as much of a risk as it once was, leading to people to increasingly ignore or disregard health measures like mask-wearing and social distancing.
It is a different world – we need to be aware of what we are up against – we do know what we have to do.
By Pepper Parr
January 28th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
If how things work interests you – take a few minutes and watch how Amazon does it.
 Robot delivering a package to a conveyor belt.  These little orange things carry those big yellow things very quickly Most people realize that they have automated everything. You have to see it to believe it.
Yes there are issues with the way staff are treated – some of the injury rates and disturbing, the number of items they have to pick and pack in an hour is astonishing.
Seeing it all in action is – well take a moment and see just how they get that package to you as quickly as they do.
 Each one of those yellow racks get carried around by the small orange carriers. They weigh as much as 600 kg
By Pepper Parr
January 28th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The City wants to create a new residential parking permit program for residential on-street parking.
If you just heard 100 people shout out: Halleluiah, the sound came from the Orchard where parking is a real problem.
 City hall wants feed back and is asking residents to take a short online survey no later than Monday, March 6, 2023. The information gathered from the survey will be used to inform City staff.
Link to the survey is HERE
They will use the information to:
• Create an on-street parking permit program;
• Balance on-street parking with safety, road use, enforcement and emergency vehicle access;
• Create consistent rules and regulations city-wide and
• Create a residential on-street parking permit that meets residents needs based on changing conditions
 Parking in the Orchard community has been a problem from the very beginning. Planners at the time were going to ensure that transit service to the community would lessen the need for vehicles. As parking needs change in Burlington, the City is working to offer residents parking options to manage parking needs and the growth of our city through development. Residents are encouraged to take the survey to let staff know how to best serve residents. The goal of the on-street parking permit program is to provide a permit program that works safely and maintains emergency vehicle access.
The parking permit survey opened on Thursday, Jan. 26 and closes on Monday, March 6, 2023. Staff will present a report with the survey results and a permit program to the City’s Community Planning, Regulation & Mobility Committee and City Council this summer.
Katlan Edgcumbe, Manager of Integrated Mobility explains:
 Katlan Edgcumbe, Manager of Integrated Mobility “Parking in our city has seen a lot of changes over the years. Now we need to offer you parking options to help you manage new ways of working, your changing family and the growth of our city through development. This survey is your chance to let us know how we can best serve you, our residents.
These changes look different for all of us and there are numerous factors to consider. For some, adult children and parents may be living at home, for others that live in tighter neighborhoods – parking may be an issue due to the design of the community.
We want to know what is ideal for all of our residents so we can provide a permit program that works safely and maintains emergency vehicle access.”
By Staff
January 28th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Food Trucks Will Appear for Throwback Event, Then Hit the Open Road
 The Zellers sign comes off the store in the Burlington Mall. The brand will re-appear as in-store operation inside the Hudsons Bay locations Zellers has convinced themselves that Canadians are craving a taste of nostalgia and they plan to dish it out.
As the country gets ready to reunite with the Zellers experience within select Hudson’s Bay stores, the retailer has heard loud and clear the call for the restaurant return!
Although an in-store diner just isn’t possible in a 10,000 sq ft footprint, Zellers is mobilizing a fleet of food trucks to greet customers at its first locations opening this spring. Set to appear
over a series of days, the Zellers Diner on wheels will pull into various locations and serve shoppers with some fan favourites from the fondly remembered Zellers Family Restaurant. And while Zellers is tuning the engines and pumping the tires, Canadians have been tasked with building the menu.
Starting today, Zellers has launched an Instagram poll @zellersofficial listing 10 menu items; 9
from the original restaurant (adding one new veggie option for good measure).
For one week, people can weigh in on their favourites and the top five will make the cut. Following the initial stops at the store locations – and if customers embrace the comeback – the Zellers Diner on wheels will gear up to head out for its cross-Canada debut. Tour dates and locations to be shared at a later date. And of course, with the launch of Zellers.ca, customers from coast to coast will have access to the Zellers experience from day one.
Now Polling: The Zellers Diner Menu Items
1. Big Z Burger
2. Fries and Gravy
3. Hot Chicken Sandwich
4. Grilled Cheese Sandwich
5. Onion Rings
6. Quesadilla
7. Poutine
8. Hot Dog
9. Chicken Fingers
10. Veggie Burger
Visit @zellersofficial and let your taste buds do the talking.
 Food Trucks have proven quite popular in Burlington. Hudsons Bay and its brand Zellers hope to make some marketing mileage out of the nostalgia. Now a Hudsons Bay brand, Zellers holds a special place in Canada’s maple leaf-shaped heart. And now, with a brand spankin’ new zellers.ca website and 25 locations (to start!) within
Hudson’s Bay stores across the country, customers can expect a helpful, playful shopping experience packed full of low prices day in, day out. With a core focus on design and value – and
a hint of the nostalgia that Canadians know and love – Zellers is gearing up to become the new go-to, from lifestyle to home and almost everything in between.
 By Pepper Parr
January 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
What do you get when you combine a rock and roll guitarist with an orchestral percussionist and an accomplished musical theatre performer? You get The Rowdymen, a band devoted to sharing the music of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
 Come From Away, the smash-hit musical based on the true story of 7,000 stranded airline passengers on September 11, 2001 who were welcomed and cared for by the people of Newfoundland. The Rowdymen are professional guitarist Gerry Finn, east-coast musician Greg Hawco, and Canadian musical theatre stalwart George Masswohl, who have come together to keep the beloved music from the acclaimed musical Come From Away alive, while treating audiences to traditional and contemporary music and culture from “the rock”.
 In no particular order: Gerry Finn, Greg Hawco, and George Masswohl, Come From Away, the smash-hit musical based on the true story of 7,000 stranded airline passengers on September 11, 2001 who were welcomed and cared for by the people of Newfoundland, was created by David Hein and Irene Sankoff and produced by Michael Rubinoff. The musical has toured around the world and the songs such as “Welcome to the Rock” and “Screech In” have found a special place in hearts and homes across the globe.
These songs, as well as many other traditional Newfoundland classics and some original work will reverberate through the Burlington Performing Arts Centre’s Main Stage Theatre on Saturday February 11, 2023 at 8:00pm.
“Introducing The Rowdymen to the people of Burlington is such an enormous pleasure and privilege for me”, says BPAC Executive Director Tammy Fox. “I have known both George Masswohl and Greg Hawco for many years, personally and professionally, and I leapt at the opportunity to include their exciting new project in our 22/23 Season.
Come From Away creators David Hein and Irene Sankoff have given their blessing to The Rowdymen to include songs from their musical into the band’s repertoire, which I know our patrons will love, however any fan of traditional east coast music is guaranteed a high-energy, rollicking good time!”.
The Rowdymen guarantee to impress. George Masswohl, originally from St. Catherines, Ontario, played Mayor Claude in Come From Away in Toronto. The pandemic shut down the show but Masswohl went back to Newfoundland and led a guided tour company, sharing many of the actual sites and even people that inspired the musical. It is in Newfoundland that Masswohl and two others formed The Rowdymen. As George Masswohl says “We formed this band to play Newfoundland music but in a new way. Our sensibilities all come together and create something different”.
Originally from Bell Island, NL, and now a resident of Hamilton, ON, Greg Hawco, brings eclectic percussion, mandolin and bouzouki to the group, along with his passionate east-coast vocals. Hawco is well established as a musician and composer and his music has been enjoyed on shows such as ‘Republic of Doyle’ (starring his brother Allan Hawco) and ‘Caught’, and his classical compositions have been performed around the world. Greg performed in the live band during the Toronto run of Come From Away.
 Jerry Finn Juno Award winner and multiple nominee, Gerry Finn, has been playing guitar across the globe for over 25 years. He has received multiple gold and platinum album awards here in Canada and abroad. Some of the bands he has shared the stage with include; Killer Dwarfs, David Usher, INXS, Iron Maiden, Bruce Cockburn, Burton Cummings and more! Originally from St. John’s, NL, he’s known for his powerful heavy-metal guitar skills, which energize the East Coast sounds of The Rowdymen.
The Rowdymen: MUSIC FROM THE ROCK
Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 8 p.m.
Main Theatre
Tickets: Regular $39.50 / Members $34.50
Tickets can be purchased online or by telephone Box Office
The full schedule of BPAC Presents events is available HERE
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By Staff
January 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
2023 marks Burlington’s 150th anniversary; A journey that began in 1873 when the villages of Wellington Square and Port Nelson merged to become the Village of Burlington. The Village of Burlington became the Town of Burlington in 1914 and the City of Burlington in 1974.
 Naval Memorial on the Promenade at Spencer Smith Park  The King Edward VII Memorial Fountain was made in Hamilton. It once sat at Brant/Water Streets and later Spencer Smith Park. It spent time in storage until being restored by the Optimist Club of Burlington and relocated to City Hall for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. The event, a sesquicentennial anniversary, is not one anyone at city hall is getting very excited about. The plan at this point is to, throughout the year, add features to help commemorate the anniversary. These will be marked with a new identifier for the occasion.
To help mark the occasion, a graphic identifier has been designed to highlight events and opportunities for residents to celebrate Burlington’s anniversary the city created an Identifier, designed to capture the complexity and beauty of the land and the people.
The symbol is in recognition of the Indigenous history of the land that goes beyond 150 years, honouring the diverse Indigenous peoples that have lived in this area.
The identifier uses four shapes and colours to represent Burlington:
 Green represents nature and the land.
Yellow symbolizes unity and our multi-cultural community.
Light blue symbolizes freedom as we continue to live in peace and harmony
Orange represents commitment to Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation.
That the city is doing this much is due to the persistent pressure from a resident who had to remind city hall that the anniversary was taking place this year. Anne Marsden delegated on this but got little in the way of response at the time.
There is now a much more public recognition of the role the Indigenous community played in the creation of the city – heck it was their land before we arrived and basically took it from them. What the city doesn’t have yet is something that stands out, a statue perhaps of Joseph Brant. All we have at the moment is Sweetgrass park hidden away close to a school that now has the same name.
We have more work to do.
 By Staff
January 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Parks Canada has announced a contribution of more than $3.5M to Conservation Halton and partners in support of the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System.
Funds will be used for collaborative efforts to restore ecological corridors between Cootes Paradise and the Niagara Escarpment in Hamilton and Burlington. The contribution to the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System is funded by the Parks Canada National Program for Ecological Corridors.
The program was launched in 2022 and this is the first initiative that it has funded. The funding announcement was made today by the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister, along with Dr. David Galbraith, Head of Science at the Royal Botanical Gardens of Burlington and Hamilton, Ontario.
 A massive undertaking that gets a little bit better every year. The Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark is 2,200 hectares of natural area, including forests, wetlands, creeks and shoreline, which is protected by a partnership of government and not-for-profit groups, including Conservation Halton, Hamilton Conservation, Royal Botanical Gardens, Bruce Trail Conservancy, Halton Region, City of Burlington, City of Hamilton, Hamilton Naturalist’s Club and McMaster University. As a partner, Conservation Halton uses sustainable practices to protect, preserve, and restore this area, support the ecosystem services it provides and promote responsible appreciation of nature.
 A walking trail: This is what a wetland is supposed to look like “We are proud to be a partner in the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System and to receive this funding from Parks Canada,” says Hassaan Basit, President & CEO, Conservation Halton. “For nature to thrive, especially in complex regions like ours where development needs to be in balance with the area’s rich biodiversity, it needs to be connected. Conservation Halton has been working with diverse community groups to help prepare our environment and communities to be more resilient to climate change and we are honoured to have the federal government’s support on this important initiative. Minister Karina Gould has been a champion for this project for close to a decade and the collaboration we have had with all of our partners is what turns ideas like these into reality.”
Protecting and restoring natural areas plays an important role in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss, but for these efforts to be most effective, the areas must be strategically planned, located, and connected, like the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark. Ecological corridors support the movement of plant and animal species between natural areas, and allow other natural processes, like pollination, to take place. This approach to conservation also provides more opportunities for community members to access, enjoy, and appreciate nature.
 There may not be a count of the number of birds in the Cootes Eco Park Conservation Halton is the community-based environmental agency that protects, restores and manages the natural resources in its watershed. The organization has staff that includes ecologists, land use planners, engineers, foresters and educators, along with a network of volunteers, who are guided by a Board of Directors comprised of municipally elected and appointed citizens. Conservation Halton is recognized for its stewardship of creeks, forests and Niagara Escarpment lands through science-based programs and services.
While federal funding is important, even more important are the changes the Ontario government is making.
In a massive overhaul of urban development planning, the Ontario government looks to take power away from the agencies that help prevent flooding — again.
The legislation will repeal 36 specific regulations that allow conservation authorities to directly oversee the development process. If passed, it would mean Ontario’s conservation authorities will no longer be able to consider “pollution” and “conservation of land” when weighing whether they will allow development.
The government is also seeking to force the agencies to issue permits for projects that are subject to a “Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator,” a new tool that allows the province to expedite zoning changes. It will limit authorities’ ability to weigh in on developments to issues of “natural hazards.”
Ontario’s planning system has many players: the provincial government, 444 regional and local municipalities and 36 conservation authorities. Of these, the ones most directly tasked with looking out for animals, land and environment during the planning process are conservation authorities.
 By Staff
January 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 Carrie Mines Drury Lane takes us on a worldwide excursion of Music Halls; venturing to Vaudeville in New York City, Cabaret in Paris, Kabarett in Berlin and Music Hall in London while enjoying the flavour of this art form past and present.
Drury Lane Theatre embraces British and American versions of this popular live entertainment. However, the attraction to this comedic musical variety form also has strong roots in Glasgow, Warsaw and several other European cultures.
This compilation is strongly oriented to the stylings and methods utilized from 1890 to 1950.
However, the music is both a tip of the hat to that earlier era but adds a modern flavour by incorporating the music from contemporary Broadway and Movie Musicals.
SHOW DATES 2023 (12 performances)
Evenings 8 PM Mar. 3,4,10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 24, 25, 2023
Matinees 2 PM Mar 12, 19, 26, 2023
 Jennifer Welosky, Michael Belton, May Farquhar, Shane Brenton, Greg Porter, Sheila Flis, Melody Rasmussen, Margaret Moir (Back Row L-R) Carrie Mines (Centre Front) Photography byHeather Pieorazio  Greg Porter, Shane Brenton (L-R) Drury Lane Theatrical Productions Inc. as a charitable (Charity # 88649-198-RR0001) non-profit organization, plays an important role in Burlington’s Arts & Culture fabric. Drury Lane normally impacts over 10,000 patrons, artists, musicians, and volunteers providing the joys of stage musicals.
This year Drury Lane Theatrical Productions will mount three theatrical productions. Subscription Season
Tickets make up a significant part of our patronage and we regularly appeal to multi-generational audiences from the Halton, Hamilton and Niagara Regions. All our shows are presented at “The Loft” ,our term of endearment for The Drury Lane Theatre located in the heart of Burlington’s downtown cultural and dining scene.
We excel in musical storytelling and fun, humorous musical variety entertainment.
Online Ticket Purchases
Box Office: 905-637-3979
 By Pepper Parr
January 26th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
When City Council agreed earlier this week to affix the Mayors signature to a letter to the Premier of the province supporting the idea of having the 2030 Commonwealth Games take place in the Burlington Hamilton area, as well as in eight other municipalities, few appreciated what events were being proposed for inclusion in the Games or where those events will be hosted. However, this information has been publically disclosed representing over a year of work by a committee of international experts and the solicitation of expressions of interest from public and private sector stakeholders.
As it pertains to Burlington, Lou Frapporti, Bid Chair, has been meeting with all the stakeholders including council and city staff and the Premier of Ontario and former Sport and Tourism Minister MacLeod over a period of months in relation to the venues available to the City of Burlington. They include gymnastics, ESports (Digital Gaming) and the athletes village.
Those discussions have proceeded on the basis of the private sector assuming the cost and risk of delivering these venues as needed in the community in any event and then being subsequently used by the Games’ bid should it come to Ontario. Such private sector investment has been put forward as an innovation in the Games delivery model aimed at ameliorating demands for taxpayer funding. Further benefits might include transitioning some portion of the athletes village to affordable housing.
These venues would be located on a 50 hectare piece of land at 1200 King Road that stretches west to the Aldershot GO station with highway 403 on the north side and the GO tracks on the south side owned by developer Alinea.
 A drone photo that shows the site from King Road, looking west towards the Aldershot GO station. No buildings, just a clean slate of potential.  Communities clustered around GTA West that will be taking part in the Games A number of major benefits will be an extension of the South Service road through the property proving an additional access to the Aldershot Go Station.
The province and federal government are on the eve of a decision around supporting the Games bid with a decision expected by the UK Commonwealth Games Federation on where they will be held in November; Burlington-Hamilton is seen as both the leading choice and the favourite given that the original Games took place in Hamilton in 1930 when they were called the British Empire Games
The Games Federation has some hard and fast rules: there must be Track and Field events and there must be Aquatics – after that it is up to the hosting community to determine what will take place.
The Federation looks for hosts that include other communities. The BID committee has been meeting with eight municipalities and two Indigenous organizations.
The City of Burlington decided on Tuesday, on a unanimous vote to support the Games. This decision was preceded by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce’s endorsement of the opportunity.
By Staff
January 26th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 The view looking south in lot 4 off John Street Snow Control Update, Jan. 26, 9 a.m.
Crews plowed primary and secondary roads throughout the night. Residential roads, sidewalks and bus stop clearing is underway.
There is no parking until the event is declared over.
Find out what’s been plowed by visiting the Burlington Plow Tracker. Use the + key to enlarge the map
 By Staff
January 26th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
After a real winter snowfall, a fireplace to take the chill out of the room is part of living in rural Burlington.
 Courtesy of a rural Burlington resident
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