Jazz at the Museum series resumes in February 2012

MILTON, Ontario, January 25, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Halton Museum Foundation and the Halton Region Museum have assembled a talented roster following a successful 2011 Jazz series. The fundraising concerts support the Museum's capital renovation programs and take place in the Museum's Hearth Room, every second Sunday of the month from February to May.

"Since the jazz series began four years ago, it has gained a loyal following," said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. "These concerts showcase top-notch talent and enhance the profile of the Halton Region Museum, drawing visitors from Halton, Hamilton and the GTA."

Jazz at the Museum 2012 will kick off on Sunday, February 12 with the sounds of Michael Keys. Michael is both a singer and keyboardist with over four decades of experience. He will provide a well rounded performance of jazz, pop and boogie woogie blues.

"I invite residents to mark the 2012 dates in their calendars," said Nancy Field, Manager, Heritage Services. "Our lineup of regionally known artists will appeal to all jazz lovers - and hopefully inspire some new fans to visit the Museum as well."

The series continues through to May. On Sunday, March 11, Rachel Melas takes the stage. Rachel has been a fixture on the Canadian music scene for many years. She is equally at home in a wide variety of genres, including folk, jazz, country, Cajun and Klezmer/swing. On Sunday, April 8, (Easter weekend), jazz vocalist Margot Roi will perform jazz/pop/roots mash-ups and standards, bringing her fresh, textured sound to the Museum while helping to celebrate spring.

The series ends on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13 with the return of The Three Guitars. This group has had a strong following at the Museum and features performing artist, guitarist and singer/songwriter George Grosman. George is joined by veteran guitarist Tony Quarrington and Toronto-based jazz guitarist, performer and instructor David Dunlap. The trio's performances of songs from the Classic American Songbook, including Gershwin, Porter, Fats Waller and Bohemian Swing will fill the historic, yet intimate venue.

Tickets are available for $20 at the door and include entertainment and complimentary light snacks. Subscriptions are available for all four Sundays for $70. There is also a cash bar (beer and wine). Seating is on a first come first served basis and tickets can be purchased in advance. On entering Kelso Conservation Area, Jazz series guests should mention to gate staff that they are attending the Museum jazz concert, in order to avoid Kelso Conservation Area admission fees.

To purchase tickets or for more information on the Jazz Series or other museum events call 905-875-2200, ext. 27 or visit www.halton.ca/museum, email museum@halton.ca, dial 311, or call 905-825-6000, Toll free 1-866-442-5866, ext. 7935, TTY 905-827-9833. You can also find the Museum on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HaltonRegionMuseum. Check out the fan page for contests and ticket giveaways.

The Halton Region Museum is located inside Kelso Conservation Area in Milton - the site that was originally settled in 1836 by Scottish immigrants. The Alexander family farmed the 200-acre property through four generations. Today, one of the Museum's focal points is the Alexander Barn. The upper two floors of the historic building feature exhibits and artifacts that reflect Halton's natural and cultural heritage. Two unique meeting and reception rooms located in the Barn are available for corporate or social events, group presentations and educational programs.

The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 500,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; emergency medical services; waste management; public health; Ontario Works (formerly social assistance); children's and seniors' services; social/non-profit housing; heritage programs; emergency management and economic development. For more information, dial 311 or visit Halton Region's website at www.halton.ca.

New Year's Day Levee at Fort George, Niagara on the Lake

The New Year's Day Levee at Fort George, Niagara on the Lake, was presented by the Friends of Fort George. The 41st Fife and Drum Corps played authentic military songs. Hundreds of visitors toured the buildings, viewed the displays, and met Lieutenant Governor David C. Onley. He officiated the formal ceremonies to start the War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebrations

Lieutenant Governor's New Year's Levee at Fort George, Niagara on the Lake, 2012 from Peter Mykusz on Vimeo.

Visit:
friendsoffortgeorge.ca
discover1812.com
pc.gc.ca
visit1812.com

Canadian Heritage

As a department of the Canadian government, Canadian Heritage is:

"responsible for national policies and programs that promote Canadian content, foster cultural participation, active citizenship and participation in Canada's civic life, and strengthen connections among Canadians."

On their homepage, visitors can read through the "Headlines" area to get a sense for the programs they sponsor, which include investments in the Yukon's arts scene and programs for aboriginal youth.

Visitors won't want to miss the "Events & Initiatives" area. Here they can learn about the "Canada Day Poster Challenge" and a special website created to celebrate the history and culture of the War of 1812.

On the left-hand side of the site, visitorscan use the "Topics" area to learn more about Canadian culture and traditions. Here interested parties can learn about the Canadian national
anthem, provincial symbols, heritage objects, and the monarchy in Canada.

Visit the Canadian Heritage website at http://www.pch.gc.ca/index-eng.cfm

>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout 1994-2012.
http://scout.wisc.edu/

Donation of 100 vintage cars and trucks the largest in Olds College 99-year history

J.C. (Jack) Anderson (CNW Group/Olds College)

OLDS, Alberta, January 18, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Calgary area businessman and rancher J. C. (Jack) Anderson will be donating the proceeds from the sale of his collection of 100 vintage cars and trucks to Olds College during its 2013 Centennial year.

Planning for the "100 Cars and Trucks For Our 100th Year" auction is underway. Mr. Anderson's prized collection will be auctioned off in a very public and celebratory auction that will be a cornerstone event of the Olds College Centennial year.

Olds College President Dr. Tom Thompson captures the college's gratitude.

"Jack has, again, given us a remarkably incredible gift. It's not just the seven figure cash donation that will flow from the auction, but the auction itself has amazing potential to shine an enormous spotlight on our college as we celebrate 100 years of education excellence. We are beyond grateful."

Mr. Anderson will allow the College to decide how to best use the proceeds from the vehicles auction, but it is likely that the College's next capital building campaign and the year-long Centennial celebration will be beneficiaries. The Centennial year will actively engage the college's alumni, industry stakeholders, donors, the community, the province and international guests. Mr. Anderson gifted Olds College $1 million in 2007, without restrictions on its use. The vintage vehicles donation is made with similar freedom of discretion by the College and its Board of Governors.

Olds College Vice-President, Advancement Jordan Cleland was profoundly moved by this second Anderson gift.

"The word 'transformational' is often used in the world of philanthropy; perhaps so much so that its descriptive impact has been reduced. Let me say, then, that Jack's gift, and his cumulative impact are of the lump-in-my-throat, eye-moistening, lip-quivering variety. I'll remember that moment in Jack's living room where he first made this gesture, with his two black Labradors jumping all over me, as long as I live."

About Olds College:

Founded in 1913, Olds College's vision is to be the premier Canadian integrated learning and applied research community specializing in agriculture, horticulture, land and environmental management. Located 45 minutes north of Calgary, Olds College prepares students to contribute provincially, nationally and internationally through careers in agriculture, horticulture, environmental land management, agribusiness, and rural entrepreneurship. Olds College provides certificate, diploma and applied degree programs, and participates with other institutions in offering post-diploma degrees. Olds College is further dedicated to nurturing innovation, learning, applied research and commercialization for agribusiness through the School of Innovation. 2013 marks the College's Centennial Anniversary, closely following notable recent accomplishments including the opening of the Shirley McClellan Riding Arena and the launch of the Canadian Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship.

For more information on Olds College, please visit www.oldscollege.ca or call 1-800-661-6537.

Royal Canadian Mint Celebrates Bicentennial of the War of 1812 with New 2012 Proof Silver Dollar Collector Coin

OTTAWA, January 17, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to announce that its first collector coin of the year, the 2012 Proof Silver Dollar, is dedicated to celebrating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. This cornerstone of the Mint's annual collector coin program remembers a conflict which united English, French and First Nations forces in defending the borders and values of a future Canada and also ushered two centuries of peace between Canada and the United States.

"The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to celebrate Canada's history, culture and values through beautifully crafted collector coins and we are delighted that our 2012 Proof Silver Dollar honouring the bicentennial of the War of 1812 captures one of the most pivotal moments in Canadian history," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Canadians far and wide can collect this coin as a memento of their history and the Mint looks forward to continue celebrating this milestone anniversary with many more coins to follow"

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"Honouring the bicentennial of the War of 1812 with this special collector coin pays tribute to some of our greatest national heroes and a crucial moment on the road to Canadian nationhood," said the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Royal Canadian Mint. "The Government of Canada encourages Canadians to take the unprecedented opportunity in 2012 to learn more about our history and take pride in our traditions".

Limited to a mintage of 40,000, the 2012 Proof Silver Dollar is produced with 99.99% pure silver and is available for $59.95 CDN. The Mint is also offering a Brilliant version of the Proof Silver Dollar as well as two types of proof sets featuring the coin (Please see attached backgrounder for further information).

All of these coins can be ordered today by directly contacting the Royal Canadian Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at www.mint.ca. Starting January 23, 2012, these coins will also be available at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver as well as through the Mint's global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2008 certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca

Diamond Jubilee celebration begins at Canada Post

Overall, seven stamps to be issued in 2012 to commemorate the event

OTTAWA, January 16, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - This morning, surrounded by approximately 50 children from two area schools, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, accompanied by the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate, and Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post unveiled Canada's postal tribute in honour of the Diamond Jubilee at the Museum of Civilization, home to the National Postal Museum.

The official Diamond Jubilee stamp available today in all post offices across the country features a cameo of a photograph of Her Majesty in her royal robes and tiara, waving from the window of a carriage. Also available today is the first of six Diamond Jubilee mini-panes of four stamps issued as part of a limited edition keepsake folder. Each keepsake folder—six in total, one for each ten-year period in The Queen's reign—houses a mini-pane of four stamps, an informative booklet pertaining to that period, plus a postcard featuring all the stamps bearing Queen Elizabeth II's image issued during each respective ten-year timeframe.

A final stamp issue will feature an engraved stamp with two portraits of The Queen, a design inspired by the famous Canadian stamp issued, in 1897, for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Collectors still speak glowingly of the 1897 stamp.

"We have witnessed Her Majesty The Queen's wise leadership throughout her remarkable 60-year reign," said His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. "It is fitting that Canada Post continues in the tradition of honouring Her Majesty The Queen with these new stamps. It is a wonderful tribute."

"Canadians recognize not simply the importance of Her Majesty's position in our constitutional monarchy, but the steadfast devotion she has demonstrated over six decades," said Minister LeBreton. "These stamps are a fitting tribute."

"Only once before, with Queen Victoria in 1897, have we had the opportunity to celebrate a royal event as significant and historic as Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee," said Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post. "We have created stamps that both celebrate and make history."

Diamond Jubilee issues - except for the engraved stamp-were designed by Gottschalk + Ash International and developed with the co-operation of both Rideau Hall and Buckingham Palace, as were all stamp materials bearing an image of The Queen.

Canadian Government Celebrates the Birth of Canada's First Prime Minister

WEST VANCOUVER, January 11, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Today the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, invited all Canadians to reflect on Sir John A. Macdonald's life and accomplishments, in honour of the 197th anniversary of his birth. Minister Moore spoke to students while attending an event at Caulfeild Elementary School in West Vancouver. Today's event was organized in partnership with the Historica-Dominion Institute to showcase how classrooms across Canada can celebrate the birth of Canada's first Prime Minister.

"Our Government received a strong mandate to support and celebrate important milestones like the birthday of Sir John A. Macdonald, who holds a very distinguished position in Canadian history as our country's first Prime Minister and a Father of Confederation," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is committed to educating all Canadians on the importance of Sir John A. Macdonald's defining role in our history, by celebrating his life and accomplishments and how they have shaped the Canada we know today."

"We are thrilled to be in Vancouver to celebrate Sir John A. Macdonald Day with schools in British Columbia and across Canada," said Jeremy Diamond, Director at the Historica-Dominion Institute. "The life and times of Canada's first Prime Minister, and founding father, teach us a great deal about the origins of our country and how that history may live on in the present."

Thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada, the Historica-Dominion Institute launched a major educational campaign during the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years, to encourage schools across Canada to organize their own Sir John A. Macdonald Day celebrations on January 11.

This commemoration is just one of a series of events that will continue to bring Canadians together in the years to come. Upcoming commemorations include the following:

...the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, the 200th anniversary of the Selkirk Settlement, and the 100th anniversary of the Grey Cup (2012)

...the 200th birthday of Georges Etienne Cartier and the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown/Québec Conference (2014)

...the 200th birthday of Sir John A. Macdonald (2015)

...the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the 100th anniversary of the NHL, the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Dieppe, and Canada's 150th anniversary (2017)

...the 25th anniversary of NAFTA (2019)

The Government of Canada is providing funding of $263,250 through the Commemorate Canada component of the Department of Canadian Heritage's Celebration and Commemoration Program. This component provides financial support to initiatives of national significance that commemorate various aspects of Canadian history.