 By Staff
January 21st, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
There is life for the Hamilton team in the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) who announced the team will be on the field this spring under new – joint – ownership.
 The joint ownership program, modeled after the Barrie Baycats, which has a 20-person ownership group, will breathe new life into the Hamilton team, ensuring the team has the funding and support needed to once again become a competitive baseball club, and make team ownership an exciting and affordable reality for local baseball fans.
 The Barrie Baycats took the IBL trophy in 2015, 2016 and 2017. John Kastner, the Intercounty Baseball League commissioner said “Hamilton has a long history of baseball, but in recent years, maintaining that history and commitment has been in jeopardy. Under this new model, we believe the team is now in a position to be able to continue that history with a solution that will see this team supported in a new and sustainable way.”
Carmen’s Group and the City of Hamilton have both committed to helping facilitate the joint ownership program, and that work is underway. “We are thrilled to help rebuild one of Hamilton’s oldest flagship sports teams,” said PJ Mercanti, CEO, Carmen’s Group. “This is a fantastic opportunity for community funders and baseball fans alike to come together, support the team and experience great baseball, at an affordable price, close to home. There is tremendous potential for community engagement that we have here before us and we anticipate a great deal of interest.”
The City of Hamilton will use existing capital budget dollars to ensure Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium is ready to go for the Cardinals’ 2018 season, and together the IBL, Dean DiCenzo the team’s General Manager, Carmen’s Group and the City are working on a plan to recruit the new owners. As a starting point and in keeping with the proven Barrie model, the group is aiming for 20-25 joint owners at $5,000 apiece. A management board of five or six members will be elected by the ownership group.
Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger previously met with team representatives and strongly supports rallying behind the team. “The Hamilton Cardinals have a long, 60-year history in this city and I could not be more pleased that they’re getting a chance to resurrect themselves through this new ownership model,” he said. “This team is passionate and resilient, and I look forward to seeing our community come together to support them this coming season, and for many seasons to come.”
To inquire about becoming a joint owner of the Hamilton Cardinals, please contact PJ Mercanti at pjmercanti@carmensgroup.com.
The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) is the top level baseball league in Ontario, boasting ex-major league professional and elite NCAA college baseball players. The 2018 season will mark the IBL’s 100th season. The IBL is the fifth longest continually operated baseball league in the world and serves as a valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff. More than 40 IBL players have advanced to Major League Baseball or returned to the IBL following the their MLB careers. The league is comprised of teams from Barrie, Brantford, Kitchener, London, Toronto, Guelph, Burlington and Hamilton.
 Hamilton Cardinal right-fielder Connor Bowie stretches to snag a fly ball during a 9-4 loss to the Burlington Herd. Founded in 1958, and part of the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL), the Hamilton Cardinals are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. They are the second oldest sports team in Hamilton and last won the IBL Championship in 1978. Players range in age from 19-35. Many are former major leaguers and minor pro players as well as current and former NCAA/U sports players. Home games are played at Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium in Hamilton, Ontario. For more information, visit www.hamiltoncardinals.ca.
Carmen’s Group is a leading hospitality and entertainment brand in Hamilton, Ontario. Established in 1978, they have created and operate some of the Hamilton region’s most beloved establishments: Carmen’s, the Best Western Premier C Hotel, Baci Ristorante, the Hamilton Convention Centre, The Lakeview, and Dundas Valley Golf & Curling Club.
 By Staff
January 19th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
That Service Disruption at the Angela Coughlan Pool is going to be extended to Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 for regularly scheduled programs and rentals.
Angela Coughlan Pool will be closed as of 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, 2018 due to an unplanned maintenance issue.
Afternoon and evening rentals, as well as the 5:30 p.m. Leisure Swim are cancelled.
The pool is planned to reopen on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 for regularly scheduled programs and rentals.
By Staff
January 19th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
On Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, there will be some temporary road closures and lane closures for the Robbie Burns Road Race. Minor traffic delays can be expected.
Road Closures
7 to 11 a.m. – Baldwin Street west of Hurd Avenue
9:15 to 9:45 a.m. – Baldwin Street from Hurd Avenue to Brant Street
Lane Closures
Locust Street, northbound, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
All remaining streets on race route will have one lane coned-off for runners from 9 to 11 a.m.
For those who don’t know who Robbie Burns was and why there is a celebration – know this.
Robbie Burns is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language. His political or civil commentary is often at its bluntest.
He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement, and after his death he became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism, and a cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish diaspora around the world. Celebration of his life and work became almost a national charismatic cult during the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature.
Addressing the Haggis is a favourite of the Scottish people.
 Robert Burns This particular poem is always the first item on the programme of Burns’ suppers. The haggis is generally carried in on a silver salver at the start of the proceedings.
As it is brought to the table a piper plays a suitable, rousing accompaniment.
One of the invited artistes then recites the poem before the theatrical cutting of the haggis with the ceremonial knife.
Good luck to you and your honest, plump face,
Great chieftain of the sausage race!
Above them all you take your place,
Stomach, tripe, or intestines:
Well are you worthy of a grace
As long as my arm.
The groaning trencher there you fill,
Your buttocks like a distant hill,
Your pin would help to mend a mill
In time of need,
While through your pores the dews distill
Like amber bead.
His knife see rustic Labour wipe,
And cut you up with ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like any ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm steaming, rich!
Then spoon for spoon, the stretch and strive:
Devil take the hindmost, on they drive,
Till all their well swollen bellies by-and-by
Are bent like drums;
Then old head of the table, most like to burst,
‘The grace!’ hums.
Is there that over his French ragout,
Or olio that would sicken a sow,
Or fricassee would make her vomit
With perfect disgust,
Looks down with sneering, scornful view
On such a dinner?
Poor devil! see him over his trash,
As feeble as a withered rush,
His thin legs a good whip-lash,
His fist a nut;
Through bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit.
But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread,
Clap in his ample fist a blade,
He’ll make it whistle;
And legs, and arms, and heads will cut off
Like the heads of thistles.
You powers, who make mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill of fare,
Old Scotland wants no watery stuff,
That splashes in small wooden dishes;
But if you wish her grateful prayer,
Give her [Scotland] a Haggis!
“Auld Lang Syne”, a piece of verse that is often sung on New Year’s Eve was written by Burns.
By Staff
January 18th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Angela Coughlan Pool – Service Disruption
Angela Coughlan Leisure Swim on Thursday January 18 from 5:30-7:30pm has been cancelled due to a maintenance issue.
Angela Coughlan Pool For alternative swim opportunities, please visit www.burlington.ca/play
 By Staff
January 18th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 Burlington Public Library and the Sound of Music Festival are excited to announce a new partnership.
Starting in January, free music and art education workshop series begins. They are called: Taking It to the Streets, designed for kids ages 9 to 12:
Sun January 21: Body Percussion Level 2 with Sheldon De Souza
Create music from nothing to something! Turn a zipper into a scratching turntable. A bottle for a cowbell. Clap, tap or stomp in a pattern. Use multiple voices to layer and create impact.
Sun February 11: Creative Arts with Rosalinde Pecino
 Rosalinde Pecino will show people how to explore the world of imagination and artistic expression. This workshop is an opening into the magical realm of creative arts using a series of exercises focusing on play, discovery, relationship, and expression. Together, with the help of the arts, we explore the world of imagination and artistic expression!
Sun April 8: Body Percussion Level 2 with Sheldon De Souza
Sun May 27: Theme to be announced
Sessions run 1.30-3pm. To register for any one or all of the Taking It to the Streets music education workshops @Central, please visit Sound of Music Festival. Space is limited. Maximum 20 children. There is no cost to attend but pre-registration is required.
Questions about the workshops? Contact Elizabeth Gomez, Chair, Music Education, Sound of Music Festival, 905.334.2241.
 By Staff
January 18th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
With all the confusion, all the concern and a deep mistrust on the part of a significant portion of the downtown population the city is going to introduce another layer of information and advice.
The city created an Urban Design Advisory Panel and asked for people who were interested to get in touch with the Planning department. They were seeking architects, landscape architects, urban designers and planners as members for its inaugural term (2018 to 2020).
The mandate of the Burlington Urban Design Advisory Panel is to provide independent, objective and professional urban design advice to the Department of City Building – Planning, Building and Culture on all tall and mid-rise buildings (five storeys or greater) and all public development projects, studies and policy initiatives with the objective of achieving design excellence in the city.
The city “is at a unique time in its history. With very little green space left for the development of suburban-type neighbourhoods, the city can no longer grow out. Instead, it must grow from within its existing urban area.”
 No green space left – so it is build up, build smart and build beautiful. Applications were due by Dec. 22, 2017
Selected candidates were to be contacted in early January 2018 to arrange an interview with city staff.
Joe Gaetan, a Gazette reader wanted to know “who establishes the guiding principles for this panel?” And wondered if “any thought has been given to any form of citizen engagement on urban design, or do we have to wait until all the decisions are made and then react?”
 By Staff
January 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Sip a glass of local wine while you listen to the stories of our local cultural thought leaders.
 The Museums of Burlington announce a “A Toast to History Speaker Series” that begins on Thursday, February 8 with a tribute to Black History Month.
Teacher and historian, Kelly Gray, will present “I am Canadian: Reflections Past and Present”.
• Thursday, February 8, 6:30 to 8:00 pm
• Tickets are $10.00 each and can be purchased in advance or at the door (space permitting)
• Admission includes a glass of wine upon arrival, doors open at 6:30 pm
• Spaces are limited, call 905-332-9888 or email museuminfo@burlington.ca to reserve your spot
Other dates for the speaker series are:
Thursday, April 12 | 6:30 – 8:00 pm | Geneology | Building and Preserving your Family Tree
Thursday, June 14 | 6:30 – 8:00 pm | Save the Evidence | A campaign to restore the former Mohawk Institute Residential School as a historic site
Thursday, September 13 | 6:30 – 8:00 pm | TBD
Thursday, November 8 | 6:30 – 8:00 pm | TBD
 By Staff
January 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
This could be both fun and interesting.
Literacy, the Library, Choo Choo trains and the Freeman Station.
The Burlington Library, New Street branch, is holding a “Reading” Railroad day. The Library and Friends of Freeman Station are teaming up on Saturday, February 3rd to promote reading literacy and model railroad fun.
 They are combining “story times” with model trains and age-specific special activities.
10:30 – 11:30 – “Adventures on the Island of Sodor” will feature an operating Thomas the Tank Engine with Annie and Clarabelle along with exciting stories about Thomas and friends (for preschoolers).
2:00 – 3:30 – “Burlington in the golden age of steam” offers a nostalgic look at our grandparents’ life around the Freeman Station. (All ages.)
 Saturday, February 3rd at the Central Library, Centennial Room,
There is no cost to attend, but donations toward construction of the model railway diorama will be gratefully appreciated.
 By Pepper Parr
January 15th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a public art master plan review should be worth millions of words. The City of Burlington wants public feedback on the Public Art Master Plan.
 Residents are invited to provide feedback through a standard online survey and through a mapping tool to show where they would like to see public art, or attend one of the public drop-in sessions.
Online Tools: Get this
Online Mapping: Where would you like to see public art in the city? Recommend a potential public art location by placing a pin on the map.
Click HERE to access the online mapping tool.
Online Survey: Tell us more about the kinds of projects you would like to see in the future. Click HERE to access the online survey tool.
The online mapping and survey tools will be open until Feb. 2, 2018.
Drop-in Public Engagement Sessions
 A delightful work of art – but you may never see it – sitting as it does in the middle of Upper Middle Road yards away from a railway underpass. Date: Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Tansley Woods Community Centre, 1996 Itabashi Way
Date: Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Location: Art Gallery of Burlington, 1333 Lakeshore Rd.
Date: Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018
Time: 1 to 5 p.m.
Location: Burlington Public Library, Central Branch, 2331 New St.
Date: Monday, Jan. 29, 2018
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Haber Recreational Centre, 3040 Tim Dobbie Dr.
 The unveiling of the Spiral Stella outside the Performing Arts Centre on a bright summer day was thought to be the beginning of a breakthrough point for the arts and cultural community. Hasn’t worked out that way, yet – but art perseveres – their day will come. Burlington’s Public Art Master Plan provides a 10-year plan for integrating art into the public spaces. The Plan is both a road map for the community—a vision for how public art can enhance Burlington’s public places, architecture, and landscapes—and a set of processes to put that plan into action.
The Public Art Master Plan (PAMP) addresses art, which is owned by the City of Burlington and located in public spaces. “Public space” is municipally owned spaces used by the general public, including parks, road allowances, tunnels, boulevards, streets, courtyards, squares, bridges, building exteriors, foyers, concourses and publicly accessible indoor areas.
The works may be permanent, temporary or mobile. The PAMP distinguishes and provides guidance for the Public Art Program for the City of Burlington.
Goals of the project
 Recent public art installed in Aldershot. Assess public’s receptiveness, awareness and support for public art
Review and update current list of potential public art sites and projects
Identify and prioritize opportunities for new projects; explore methods to more directly link project planning to annual budgeting process
Plan and prioritize project scope and scale in accordance with the Public Art Reserve Fund
Clarify policies surrounding temporary public art and community-driven art projects
Explore the need for a policy surrounding integrated public art projects/embedded artists within city-led projects
The Public Art Master Plan (2009 – 2018), a 77 page document is HERE.
 By Staff
January 15th,2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Everyone knows we have an Art Gallery. A significant number of people attend events at the Gallery. Hundreds of young people take courses and hundreds more seniors are active participants in the Guilds.
 Some of the Art Etc retail operation at the Art Gallery of Burlington. The Art Etc shop offers the best selection of arts and craft related products in the city. The quality is close to unsurpassed.
The Gallery has its supporters – they are loyal and generous and the funds they provide are needed.
Utter Morris, a Burlington based insurance agency that has been in business since 1927, underwrote the cost of a short video – it is part story about the Gallery, and an appreciation of what the Gallery has to offer and a bit of a look at how the place works.
Hopefully the Tourism department will make use of it and perhaps the developers of all those high rise condominiums can use the material in their sales presentations.
It’s worth looking at – CLICK for the link.
By Staff
January 13th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Calling all lovers of roots and bluegrass music – register for a FREE workshop with the Slocan Ramblers on Friday, January 26 3-4 PM at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre!
 The Slocan Ramblers with their bluegrass sound You don’t have to play an instrument to attend. It’s worth it just to meet this amazing band and get a taste of their sound!
Slide over to web site to register.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/free-bluegrass-roots-workshop-with-the-slocan-ramblers-tickets-42121817490
The event is part of the Performing Arts Centre Community Outreach.
FREE Bluegrass & Roots Workshop with The Slocan Ramblers
By Pepper Parr
January 13th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Part eleven of a multi-part editorial feature on the precincts and mobility hub being planned for the downtown core
The St. Luke’s/Emerald Neighbourhood Precinct is a retained precinct that exists in the current Official Plan and is intended to protect established residential neighbourhoods which are located outside of the Urban Growth Centre from significant redevelopment.
 The precinct is the core of the downtown residential community. If Burlington has a set of middle class values they come from this community. Draft Intention Statement:
The St. Luke’s Neighbourhood and Emerald Neighbourhood Precinct will conserve the existing established residential and heritage character of these neighbourhoods. Limited development may exist within the precinct and will be compatible with the existing character and built form of the area. New and/or enhanced pedestrian and cycling connections will be established as a priority throughout the precinct to allow for improved access to amenities and services.
 Homes on the Emerald side of the precinct. The key policy directions for the St. Luke’s/Emerald Neighbourhood Precinct include the potential for semi-detached dwellings as well as the introduction of accessory dwelling units as a permitted use within single and semi-detached dwellings as well as in detached garages consistent with city-wide policy directions in the draft new Official Plan.
These precinct policies also recognize existing low-rise apartments and townhouse developments within the precinct and introduce new opportunities for park/green spaces and pedestrian and cycling connections and amenities.
 St. Luke’s is the larger of the two parts of the precinct. The phrase “accessory dwelling units” is some of that weasel language that is creeping into documents coming out of city hall. Former Director of Planning Mary Lou Tanner has said that she is very much in favour of “granny flats” which is nice. And if this is what the community wants – then let it be. Is this what the community wants?
The St. Likes side of the precinct has a very informed and active community group. Expect them to speak up at the January 23rd meeting that will be going over the precincts as the planners have defined them.
 The ward Councillor has served notice that she will be bringing none motions for changes in what the planners have put forward.
Part 1 Evolution of precincts and hubs
Part 2 Brant Main Street
Part 3 – Parks and promenades
Part 4 – Bates precinct
Part 5 – Cannery precinct
Part 6 Old Lakeshore Road
Part 7 Mid Rise precinct
Part 8 Tall buildings precinct
Part 9 Public service precinct
Part 10 Upper Brant Precinct
By Pepper Parr
January 12th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Over the last thirty years the Art Gallery of Burlington has amassed the largest comprehensive collection of contemporary Canadian ceramics in the world, totaling over 2300 works. The work ranges from the highly functional to sculptural installations.
 The Art Gallery ceramics collection is extensive – this beauty just sprouts colour and energy. Collection policy has dictated that we not only have a representational selection of work from coast, to coast, to coast, but we have earmarked artists of outstanding importance where we collect their work in depth to represent their career span. The Collection looks at the intersection where high craftsmanship and artistic expression converge.
A portion, a very small portion of the collection is now on display in the Perry Gallery, which is a rather small room – not much space to move around in.
 It is a tea pot – it will draw some critical comment. The AGB probably has the only one in existence in its collection. Jonathan Smith, Curator of the collections at the Art Gallery doesn’t get too man opportunities to put the ceramics collection on display. He, along with Dennis Longchamps and other members of the staff have done a superb job of choosing the collection that is on display now.
The reception for this event is Friday February 2nd in the evening.
By Pepper Parr
January 9th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
We now know just how much the city is prepared to share the role of handing out grants to the arts community.
Burlington is launching the Burlington Arts and Culture Fund (BACF), an annual program that provides grants to local artists, multicultural groups and arts and culture organizations to foster creativity and enrich how Burlington residents experience and engage with arts and culture.
An individual grant cannot be for more than $5000. The city has allocated a total of $50,000 annually to the project.
 Angela Paparizo was a recreational planner who became a cultural planner and is now the go to person on the cultural file as Manager, Arts and Culture. Trevor Copp one of the movers and shakers within the arts and cultural community was the artist who took the issue of local artists having to travel to Toronto to earn a living. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 28, 2018 and will fund projects from April 2018 to April 2019.
Successful grant applicants will be announced at the end of March 2018.
The maximum amount award amount is $5,000; the city has discretion with regard to the amount.
Once an agreement is signed 80 per cent of the grant will be paid out. The remaining 20 per cent will be paid when a Final Report is sent in.
Grants will be evaluated in part by a peer assessment jury for artistic merit and by city staff for program merit and strategic initiative, citywide and community impact and economic impact. A committee of local arts and cultural professionals and the Arts and Culture Council of Burlington (ACCOB), supported by city staff, have worked together to develop this arts and culture support program.
The good news here is that ACCOB gets to choose who will sit on the peer review committee.
Whatever the grant application – it has to comply with the Strategic Plan. One could win a big lunch bet on just how many arts types even know the city has a Strategic Plan never mind what it is supposed to do.
The BACF is using a point system to rank the applications. ACCOB will determine 30% of the point with the city determining the other 70%.
The administrative load is a little daunting. If one looked at the amount of paper work the city is going to have to work through and the time city staff spend on determining who gets a grant – it is probably higher than the grant itself. Welcome to the world of municipal government.
 When the arts community was getting its footing they met as a group and began a group think to come up with the direction they wanted to take with the city. There was some pretty solid thinking done. ACCOB has done a superb job of getting the city to the point where it now has an arms-length citizen run council that can work with the city to promote the arts.
ACCOB has run two very successful fund raising events; they brought Thomson highway to the Performing Arts Centre and they set up the Christmas trees that decorated the Family room during the festive season. Those two events put more than $5000 into the coffers.
Anyone interested in learning more about this opportunity and the application process is encouraged to join staff and arts and culture professionals for an information session on: Thursday, Jan. 25, 2017, 7 to 9 p.m., City Hall, 426 Brant St. Room 247
Culture is a program that in recent years has been overseen by the Director of Planning; prior to that it was overseen by Parks and Recreation where it was never a fit.
Mary Lou Tanner, formerly the Planning Director, now the Deputy City Manager has taken the cultural file with her. In a city media release Tanner said: “This grant will provide ongoing support and encourage the development of a variety of arts and cultural activities, adding vibrancy to the city. The benefits of a program like this have endless possibilities from intercultural understanding to friendship and removing cultural barriers to neighbourhood beautification.”
 The arts community – this grew into the Arts and Culture Council of Burlington Tim Park, President of the Board of Arts and Culture Council of Burlington believes: “This is a fantastic opportunity for local arts and cultural groups, individual artists and members of Burlington’s various cultural communities to present their talents to the residents of Burlington.
More information at Burlington.ca/artsandculturefund
 By Pepper Parr
January 7th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Budgeted at $11 million with much of the money coming from the federal government, some from the province and a more than decent amount from the Joseph Brant Museum Foundation the task of creating a much different museum site is about the begin.
One of the first tasks was the removal of the time capsule – which is now with the museum administration, perhaps on the desk of Barb Teatero, the Director of Burlington’s museums.
The brutally cold weather keeps crews off the site.
 In this portrait Joseph Brant is seen wearing the gorget given to him by King George III. That gorget is the most important piece in the collection at the Joseph Brant Museum. The current Joseph Brant Museum is a 1937 replica of the house Mohawk native Joseph Brant, Thayendanegea, built on a 1798 Crown land grant. A modern addition to the museum will be built into the grassy area under the current museum.
The expansion will add more than 12,000 square feet to its current size. This will allow the Joseph Brant Museum to become a cultural destination and a place to host national exhibitions and the collection of artifacts.
The current 5,000-square-foot museum will be expanded to provide barrier-free space for gallery displays, interactive programming, the storage of collections and community outreach.
 Architect’s rendering of what the transformed museum is expected to look like when completed. – Construction will take 18 months, depending on weather
– The total project amount is approved at about $11 million, which includes a contingency fund and allows for cost increases due to winter construction period.
Funding includes:
– $2.9 million from the City of Burlington
– $4.4 million from the Government of Canada
– $1.5 million from the Province of Ontario
– $2.5 million from the Joseph Brant Museum Foundation
 By Staff
January 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Walking Soccer
When – Every Tuesday Morning Starting January 16th , 10 am to 11:30 am
Where – Sherwood Forest Domes
How Much – $5.00 per player/pay as you go
Anyone interested to email Gord King at gking@burlingtonsoccer.com to make sure we have enough players.
January 16th is free for everyone who registers their interest before January 8th.
By Staff
January 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The third New Year levee will take place on Sunday January 7th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm., at the Art Gallery of Burlington.
The event is being sponsored by Member of Parliament Karina Gould and MPP Eleanor McMahon.
 A levee is an old tradition in Ontario. In many communities the levee is held at city hall and sponsored by the Mayor and members of council.
There was a time when it was a pretty formal event – not so with the event Gould and McMahon sponsor.
Burlington’s Mayor hasn’t been part of the event the first two years – no mention of his taking part in the 2018 event.
Perhaps the sponsorship will be broadened in 2019.
It is a fun event and the speeches are kept to a minimum. It’s a time for the political set to gather and do what the politicians and the political junkies do
By Staff
January 2nd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The city does it every year.
Citizens are asked to think of who was the very best at growing the city in a number of categories.
 This year the Burlington’s Best Committee is challenging residents and organizations to “show us Burlington’s Best citizens.” Nominations for the Burlington’s Best Awards, formerly known as the civic recognition awards, are now open for eight award categories. Nominations will be accepted until February 28, 2018.
Burlington’s Best Awards is an awards program that honours Burlington’s most outstanding citizens. The winners in all categories are revealed at a celebration held in May of each year.
 The 2016 winners pose with their awards. From left to right: Jim Clemens (Heritage), Sylvia Baliko, Tetra Society (Accessibility), Dave Page (Senior), Mayor Rick Goldring, Marion Goard (Community Service), Dorothy Borovich (Citizen of the Year), Mehr Mahmood (Junior), Kale Black (Environmental) Absent: Margaret Lindsay Holton (Arts Person) The Committee mandate is to recognize citizens of Burlington who have brought favourable publicity and honour to the City of Burlington, to increase awareness of the committee so all citizens of Burlington have the chance to be recognized for their achievements.
There are eight award categories:
Citizen of the year
A person whose volunteer activity has made a significant and sustained contribution to the vibrancy and wellbeing of the Burlington community in 2017.
Junior Citizen of the year
A youth, 14-18 years of age, who has made a significant contribution to the Burlington community in 2017.
Senior Person of the year
A person, 55 years or older, who has advocated on behalf of seniors and/or made a significant contribution to the Burlington community in 2017.
Environmental Award
An individual or group that improved and/or protects Burlington’s environment in 2017.
Arts Person of the Year
An individual who has contributed to the arts in Burlington as an artist, patron or advocate including, but not limited to, visual arts, media arts, musical arts, performing arts and literary arts in 2017.
Community Service Award
An individual or group whose volunteer activity has contributed to the betterment of the Burlington community in 2017.
Heritage Award
An individual who has demonstrated a commitment to the preservation of Burlington’s heritage, and has volunteered their time in an effort to support the preservation of Burlington’s heritage in 2017.
The nomination form can be accessed HERE.
Resolutions!
A New Year’s resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western Hemisphere but also found in the Eastern Hemisphere, in which a person resolves to change an undesired trait or behavior, to accomplish a personal goal or otherwise improve their life.
This tradition has many other religious parallels. During Judaism’s New Year, Rosh Hashanah, through the High Holidays and culminating in Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), one is to reflect upon one’s wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness.
People can act similarly during the Christian liturgical season of Lent, although the motive behind this holiday is more of sacrifice than of responsibility. In fact, the Methodist practice of New Year’s resolutions came, in part, from the Lenten sacrifices. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually.
Some examples include resolutions to donate to the poor more often, to become more assertive, or to become more environmentally responsible.
Improve physical well-being: eat healthy food, lose weight, exercise more, eat better, drink less alcohol, quit smoking, stop biting nails, get rid of old bad habits
Improve mental well-being: think positive, laugh more often, enjoy life
Improve finances: get out of debt, save money, make small investments
Improve career: perform better at current job, get a better job, establish own business
Improve education: improve grades, get a better education, learn something new (such as a foreign language or music), study often, read more books, improve talents
Improve self: become more organized, reduce stress, be less grumpy, manage time, be more independent, perhaps watch less television, play fewer sitting-down video games
Take a trip
Volunteer to help others, practice life skills, use civic virtue, give to charity, volunteer to work part-time in a charity organization
Get along better with people, improve social skills, enhance social intelligence
Make new friends
Spend quality time with family members
Settle down, get engaged/get married, have kids
Pray more, be more spiritual
Be more involved in sports or different activities
Spend less time on social media
Success rate
The most common reason for participants failing their New Years’ Resolutions was setting themselves unrealistic goals (35%), while 33% didn’t keep track of their progress and a further 23% forgot about it. About one in 10 respondents claimed they made too many resolutions.
A 2007 study by Richard Wiseman from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people showed that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the study’s participants were confident of success at the beginning. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set; such as, a pound a week, instead of saying “lose weight”), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.
What will Canadians get done in 2018?
What will Ontarians get done in the year?
What will Burlingtonians choose to do?
What will you decide to do?
Something to think about.
 By Staff
December 31st, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It is said that “80% of human experience is filtered through the eyes”. The choice of a colour used is then critical.
But who makes that choice?
The Pantone Color Institute helps companies make the most informed decisions about color for their brands or products. Whether it is color trend forecasting, brand color development, custom color solutions, or product palette selection, the Pantone Color Institute guides their clients through the development of a color strategy.
They also make a pronouncement on what the colour for a year is going to be – and the trend makers tend to follow.
The Color of the Year 2018 is a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.
Expect to see a lot of it – we were having lunch at the Tin Cup on Friday and sitting at a long table with at least 30 boys celebrating a hockey event was a Mother with purple hair.
 Pantone maintains that their 2018 purple alludes to the mysteries of the cosmos and the unknown. Not sure the Mother had an “unknown” look about her – more one of being frazzled trying to cope with the boys who all needed to talk at the same time – loudly.
Laurie Pressman, vice-president of the Pantone Colour Institute, said: “The Pantone colour of the year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today.”
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