 By Staff
March 24th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
TD Bank Group (TD) has announced the 10 grant recipients of the 2024 TD Ready Challenge, an annual initiative that supports nonprofit and charitable organizations that develop innovative, impactful, and measurable solutions.
 In 2024, the TD Ready Challenge invited organizations to submit proposals designed to remove barriers for underserved entrepreneurs. Through these grants, the Bank aims to contribute to a stronger and more inclusive small business environment in Canada and the U.S.
“When small businesses thrive, communities thrive,” says Ellen Glaessner, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship. “This is why TD is supporting nonprofit organizations who help cultivate the entrepreneurial landscape. Support is especially vital for underserved entrepreneurs, who face unique challenges and are an important part of the small business ecosystem. The proposed solutions have incredible potential to make a real difference, and we can’t wait to see the impact they will help drive.”
 One of the project sponsored by the Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement. The TD Ready Challenge Grant program is part of the Bank’s longstanding commitment to help the communities we serve prosper. Each year, the program puts out a call for organizations in Canada and the U.S. to submit applications that offer solutions to a different problem statement. In previous years, the program has focused on helping to address barriers to affordable housing, health care and income stability, and addressing pandemic-related learning loss.
The 2024 TD Ready Challenge complements the Bank’s efforts to support financial security and aligns with TD Pathways to Economic Inclusion and the TD Community Impact Plan in the U.S.
There were a maximum of 10 grants available through the program in 2024. Eligible Canadian-based organizations were able to apply for CAD $1 million and eligible U.S.-based organizations were able to apply for USD $1 million.
The Canadian grants were awarded to:
Futurpreneur | Women in Entrepreneurship Initiative (Canada): Futurpreneur’s Women in Entrepreneurship Initiative will use the grant to support women-owned and women-led businesses through networking events, a peer-supported community, and tailored capacity-building workshops. Participants will gain critical skills for business growth in topics like financial management, marketing, access to capital, and international expansion, with access to coaching and resources through in-person and virtual connection opportunities.
Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement and Small Economy Works| Initiating Futures: Advancing rural, remote, and northern entrepreneurs (Canada): Tamarack Institute and Small Economy Works are using the $1 million grant to work together to engage 300 entrepreneurs with practical and contextualized training to grow and develop their businesses. Through local community collaboratives and AI-powered learning, the program delivers personalized coaching and group learning opportunities designed specifically to support aspiring populations such as Indigenous women, rural, remote, and northern entrepreneurs.
Syrian Canadian Foundation (SCF) | Newcomer Entrepreneur Women (N.E.W) Venture (Canada): The N.E.W Venture program, in partnership with the NISA Foundation, is using the funds to advancing economic independence and social inclusion through entrepreneurship training and skills development for newcomer and refugee women in Ontario and Quebec, with a particular focus on women who are victims of gender-based violence.
 Futurpreneur develops the entrepreneurs of the future: here is a crowd ready to go. Toronto Arts Foundation | Newcomer Artist Program (Canada): The grant will be used by the Newcomer Artist Program expansion to empower newcomer artists through mentorship, education, and work-integrated learning. Over three years, annual cohorts of 25 newcomer artists will gain entrepreneurship skills, paid work experience, and access to industry networks, contributing to their economic independence, personal and professional fulfillment, social integration, and long-term success.
University of British Columbia | UBC Sauder School of Business Ch’nook Management Program: Increasing Access to Economic Opportunities through Business Education, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Skills (Canada): The Ch’nook Management Program will leverage the $1 million grant to empower Indigenous entrepreneurs and small business owners with business education, skills, and resources to succeed. UBC Sauder faculty integrate business knowledge and management training with Indigenous perspectives to create a culturally relevant learning experience, culminating in participants presenting their projects or ventures at the program’s end.
 By Staff
March 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
We’re so excited to get back to our home of Hamilton, ON for the 3rd edition of THE RALLY. Saturday June 21st, 2025, Arkells take over Hamilton Stadium with support from very special guests Portugal. The Man, Valley and Seago.
Our fan pre-sale is the first crack at tickets: on-sale TOMORROW, Tuesday March 18th at 10 am with pre-sale code HOMETOWN. Get ‘em here:
We also have a limited batch of “cheap seats” for the door crashers. A 4-pack of tix in the upper decks for $100 – party with your pals for 25 bucks each! Grab ‘em before they’re gone with code CHEAPSEATS starting today.
 Xo Max, Mike, Nick, Tim, Anthony  An extra bonus for the die-hards. As an extra bonus for the die-hards that grab early tix, we’ve announced a special win-to-get-in club show this Thursday at the Underground in downtown Hamilton.
Wanna go? We’re selecting 100 fans who have: signed up for the pre-sale, tag us on socials when they get their tix and comment on this post with who they are bringing to The Rally. Be loud! We’ll find ya.
And for those wondering, this is our only show in Southern Ontario this summer. Going big at home – we won’t disappoint. Don’t miss out.
Xo Max, Mike, Nick, Tim, Anthony
 By Staff
March 13th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Registration is now open for Conservation Halton’s Ways of the Woods day camps for summer 2025.
Camps kick-off on June 30 and run every weekday including holidays until August 29, 2025.
Campers ages 4 to 15 can choose from twenty different camps with streams geared towards recreation, education, and leadership.
Boating, swimming, climbing, archery, mountain biking, animal care, gardening, construction, and camp games—with such a wide range of fun, outdoor-focused activities, kids can choose their own camp adventure this summer at Ways of the Woods!
Campers, parents, and caregivers alike will appreciate that Ways of the Woods continues to offer so many choices for fun and engaging summer camps:
 Waterfront Camp (Ages 9-11) Adventure Camp (Ages 12-14)
Athletics Camp (Ages 9-11)
Climbers Camp (Ages 9-11)
Construction Camp (Ages 12-14)
Counsellor in Training (CIT) Camp (Ages 14-15)
Disc Golf Camp (9-14)
Explorer Camp (Ages 9-11)
Farm Camp (Ages 9-11)
Girls Camp (Ages 9-11)
 Climbers Camp (Ages 9-11) Kinder WOW Camp (Ages 4-5)
Mountain Bike Camp (Ages 9-14)
Mountain Bike Camp – Trail Stewards (Ages 12-15)
Naturalist Camp (Ages 9-11)
Raptor Camp (Ages 9-11)
Olympian Camp (Ages 12-14)
Survivalist Camp (Ages 12-14)
Waterfront Camp (Ages 9-11)
Wee WOW Camp (Ages 6-8)
Wee Farm & Flight Camp (Ages 6-8)
Wee Sports Camp (Ages 6-8)
Ways of the Woods provides additional services for parents and caregivers to accommodate busy summer schedules. Free bus transportation is available to and from camp with sixteen camp bus locations across Milton, Burlington, Oakville and Mississauga.
This year, Ways of the Woods is offering more flexibility with extended care at the Kelso hub.
Parents and caregivers choosing to drop off and pick up at Kelso will now have three different extended care options. They can choose Early Camp Care with drop off starting as early as 7:30 am, After Camp Care with pick up as late as 5:30 pm, or Early + After Camp Care, allowing morning and evening flexibility. Ways of the Woods is happy to offer campers even more fun before camp, after camp, or both!
“Ways of the Woods camps are a long-standing summer tradition for families in Halton Region and beyond—and a guarantee of unparalleled outdoor fun and adventure during the summer months,” said Craig Machan, Director, Parks & Operations at Conservation Halton. “We’re delighted to offer twenty camp streams that familiarize campers with our parks like Kelso, Mountsberg, Crawford Lake and Area 8.
This year, WOW is offering more extended care options through our Kelso hub, to help make the summer camp experience even more convenient for families with busy work and personal schedules.”
To learn more about Ways of the Woods summer camps and to register, visit conservationhalton.ca/wow.
Ways of the Woods is a member of the Ontario Camps Association, so you can feel safe knowing you are sending your children to an accredited organization with professional counsellors and staff.
 Conservation Halton is a community-based environmental agency dedicated to protecting people, property and natural resources from flooding, erosion, and other natural hazards. As one of Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities, we steward 1,000 square kilometres of conservation lands. From the Lake Ontario shoreline to the Niagara Escarpment and beyond, we safeguard forests, wetlands and waterways through science-based conservation, land management and climate resilience initiatives. Our eight conservation areas welcome more than a million visitors each year and offer opportunities to connect with nature through recreation and education. Learn more at conservationhalton.ca.
 By Staff
March 6th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Art Gallery of Burlington is Now Recruiting for Board Positions – Join them in Shaping Arts and Culture!
Are you passionate about the arts and eager to enhance your community’s cultural scene? Become a vital member of the Art Gallery of Burlington Board.
Connect with like-minded professionals and community leaders who share your dedication to arts and culture. The Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) is currently seeking to fill Board positions for June 2025.
How to Apply:
Submit the following information by e-mail to the AGB Board Governance & Nominating Committee at board@agb.life on or before March 31, 2025:
- Cover letter expressing intent to apply;
- CV
 By Staff
February 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Hippity hop on down to Joseph Brant Museum for a Visit with the Easter Bunny!
 Families can book a 5-minute private visit with the Easter Bunny and have their photo taken by Henry’s Camera (6 family members maximum).
Henry’s will be providing each family with one digital image and a “Free Instant 8×10 Print” voucher for use at an in-store kiosk. Parents are also welcome to use their own cameras.
Children will have the opportunity to take part in an Easter egg scavenger hunt throughout the galleries and complete a Spring-themed craft. There will also be a mini-Makers market on site, and some hot chocolate to enjoy!
Tickets are $50/family ($45/members) and include a pre-booked visit and photos with the Easter Bunny, admission to Joseph Brant Museum, an Easter egg scavenger hunt throughout the galleries, hot chocolate, a craft for each child registered, and access to a mini-Makers Market.
The event takes place April 12-13. Call the Museum at (905) 634-3556 to reserve a spot.
Please note that it takes approximately 1 week for the professional images taken by Henry’s to be edited and sent to your inbox.
Would someone remind the people at the Brant Museum that Easter is more than bunnies, coloured eggs and scavenger hunts.
 By Pepper Parr
February 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Performing Arts Centre has put out a call for people to apply for a position on the Board of Directors.
Again?
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre Board of Directors named Peter W. Van Dyk their new Board Chair by acclamation at their meeting on November 28, 2024. Van Dyk replaces Ken Smithard, who has served on the Board since 2016 and whose term concluded at the end of November. Van Dyk was born and raised in Burlington. He was active as a musician locally and toured Ontario and Canada.
The current Board has had a rough couple of years. The sudden departure of Executive Director Tammy Fox, and governence issues related to an unauthorized arrangement with the Sound of Music may have worn out some of the current Board members.
The priority for the Board that is in place now was to find an Executive Director who would serve as the person who finds the talent to put on the two stages and then book that talent and at the same time keep the membership happy.
 Sara Palmieri: new Performing Arts Executive Director. Sara Palmieri was chosen as the new Executive Director – she started work on the 19th.
Palmieri was named the inaugural Director of Programming and Marketing at the newly established FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (FOPAC) in downtown St. Catharines where she has led much of the FOPAC’s success in its first ten seasons.
 A lovely building that has struggled more than one would expect to find and keep the leadership it needed at both the Staff and Board levels. The announcement seeking new Board members sets out what you have to bring to the table and what you will be doing if they give you a seat and some cutlery.
Are you passionate about the performing arts? The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is seeking a broad range of skilled leaders to join our Board of Directors. As we enter our 14th season of bringing world-class performances to downtown Burlington, we’re looking for dynamic individuals with diverse skills and talents who can help shape the future of our performing arts centre and Burlington’s cultural community. Whether your expertise lies in fundraising, community leadership, strategic planning or Board governance, there’s an opportunity to contribute your talents while being part of something transformative.
The Board completed a new Strategic Plan for 2024-2027, identifying four key strategic objectives which will define success for the Burlington Performing Arts Centre over the next four years:
A successful Burlington Performing Arts Centre will be:
- A place where all feel welcome. An organization committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and access to the performing arts.
- A financially stable organization with the resources necessary to accomplish its mission.
- A cultural hub that attracts diverse audiences and artists through a balanced programming model that presents professional and community performances.
- An employer of choice that attracts the best in the business.
The Burlington Theatre Board Inc. is a governance board composed of volunteers responsible for the stewardship and general oversight of the organization. The Board provides strategic direction to the Executive Director and meets approximately ten times a year, with additional time expected for sub-committee work.
 The Performing Arts Centre has built a loyal following during the past decade – much of the credit for that growth belongs to Brenda Heatherington, the first Executive Director – the patrons just loved her. Above, two patrons deciding which events they wanted to attend. The Burlington Theatre Board Inc. is currently seeking Board members with skills and experience in fundraising, community leadership, operations, risk management, Board governance, strategic planning, marketing and promotion, as well as a passion for the performing arts and deep ties in the Burlington community. Prior Board experience is not mandatory, particularly if candidates have strong relevant skills or insights. BPAC Board members serve for 4-year terms and may serve for up to two consecutive terms (8 years total).
Board members are expected to:
- be members of The Burlington Performing Arts Centre;
- participate in monthly Board meetings;
- participate in a minimum of one Board Committee (Audit and Risk Committee / Governance, Ethics and HR Committee / Development & Relationship Management Committee and Ad Hoc Committees as required), which may meet monthly;
- support BPAC functions and events (either through attendance or by other means);
- make an annual financial contribution that is personally meaningful, and/or actively support fundraising efforts through strategic introductions and engagement with the development team;
- act as ambassadors for BPAC.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send your CV and letter of interest as one document in PDF format to bpacboard@gmail.com on or before March 26, 2025.
If you have any questions about the application process, please send them to bpacboard@gmail.com and a member of the Governance, Ethics and HR Committee will respond.
Background links:
What Sara Palmieri bring to BPAC
 By Staff
February 20th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
All that snow withstanding – Summer camp registration at the Art Gallery of Burlington is now open.
If you know a kid who loves art, this is the camp for them.
They spend most of the day in the studio, with trips into the galleries and breaks for snacks, lunch, and outdoor time throughout.
Registration HERE
Bursaries
Thanks to the generous support of the Burlington Foundation the AGB is proud to offer an Arts Program Bursary for children from low-income families. Through this program we are able to offer a limited number of camp bursaries for children and youth to attend our camps free of charge!
The bursary application form opens at 10 am on February 14, 2025 for families seeking bursaries for camp programs in the 2025 year. This includes March Break Camps, Summer Camps, and PA Day Camps.
When applying for a bursary, do not register for camps — your child(ren) will be registered for camp by AGB staff if they are selected as bursary recipients.
Families who want to send multiple children to camp can include information for all campers in their household on their form.
Successful applicants will be notified by email and asked to confirm acceptance of the bursary to finalize registration for camp.
Deadline for Submissions
March Break Camps (March 10 – 14, 2025): bursary application cut-off date is February 21, 2025. Parents will be notified by February 26 if they have been selected.
By Staff
February 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Tuesday, March 04
7:00pm – 8:00pm
 Author of One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This
Jared Bland, writer and former Arts editor of The Globe and Mail, in conversation with award-winning novelist and journalist Omar El Akkad about his new book One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, a powerful reckoning with what it means to live in a West that betrays its fundamental values.
El Akkad believed emigrating from the Middle East to the West promised freedom. Now twenty years later, after reporting news such as the War on Terror, climate change, and the Black Lives Matter protests, he concludes much of this promise is a lie. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This chronicles his painful realization and is El Akkad’s heartsick breakup letter with the West—giving voice to the same breakup happening all over the United States. This book is for all the people who want something better than what the West serves up.
About the Author
Egypt-born Omar El Akkad grew up in Qatar, moved to Canada as a teen, and now lives in the United States. He is a two-time winner of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers’ Award and the Oregon Book Award. His debut novel, American War, was named by the BBC as one of 100 novels that shaped our world.
Jared Bland is the former publisher of McClelland & Stewart and was a vice president of Penguin Random House Canada. He has also served as the Arts editor of The Globe and Mail, a senior editor at House of Anansi Press, and the managing editor of The Walrus.
Presented in partnership with McClelland & Stewart and A Different Drummer Books.
A Different Drummer Books will be on site with books for sale and signing after the talk.
Register HERE. Just 62 seats left
Tuesday, March 04
7:00pm – 8:00pm
By Staff
February 12th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Two local individuals, Evan Khalsa, a Burlington Central Graduate and Lucas Michlik, a Brock University Education Student teamed up to design a unique custom Lego set called Applewood Acres.
 Evan Khalsa and Lucas Michlik,  Applewood Acres – an entry into a Lego competiton from two Burlington students The design is part of a global competition, “Bricklink Designer Program” where Lego fans from around the world vote to help get new designs turned into official Lego sets.
The set itself is a beautifully detailed farm scene, featuring a red barn, lush gardens, and adorable animals like pigs, sheep, and ducks. It’s inspired by the rural charm and agricultural life that Lucas and Evan grew up in.
The set has a personal connection for the two; it blends elements of the past with a peaceful, modern farmstead.
The competition is being held through a program called Bricklink Designer Program, and voting for the designs is open until February 21.
This is where they group needs the support of their community – by voting for Applewood Acres, we can help bring this creative design to life and make it an official Lego set that anyone can build and enjoy.
Link to the voting: Click HERE
 A close-up look at some of the detail around Applewood Acres Related news story
HMCS Haida done in Lego
 By Staff
February 4rg, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The 50th-anniversary event at the Art Gallery went very well.
 Jonathan Smith, a former curator at the Art Gallery attended.  The event drew a young crowd as well as the patrons who rarely miss a major event. Attendance was excellent and the mood was very upbeat.
The Ontario Art Council speaker told the audience that they have been a large part of the funding the Gallery receives for the past 50 years – they were there at year 1 – and that the Arts Council fully expected to continue supporting AGB.
That was the good news – the not-so-good news was the damage done by the postal strike. Donations that would have normally come in – didn’t. The postal strike meant cheques didn’t make it to the mailbox.
 Curator Suzanne Carte checks out the largest piece in the 50th anniversary exhibit. Suzanne Carte Art Gallery explained: “Back in November, we set an ambitious goal to raise funds to support impactful programs, events, and exhibitions at the AGB. We are thrilled to share we raised over $38,000, but with your help, there is still time to reach the $40,000 milestone!
The federal government has extended the donation deadline for the 2024 tax year. For AGB donors, this means you can still make a donation until February 28, 2025, and claim it on your 2024 taxes.
We are genuinely grateful for the incredible support we received in 2024. Your generosity means so much to our community.
Two things you can do: Send along whatever you can afford and make a point of taking in the Time Isn’t Real. It is mind-stretching and runs through to April 27th.
By Staff
February 2, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Reform Gravel Mining Coalition (“RGMC”) congratulates Sarah Harmer on last week’s announcement that she will receive the 2025 Humanitarian Award at the JUNO Award ceremony this Spring.
Harmer has woven her environmental passion into her music, as exemplified by her 2005 song Escarpment Blues, which brought widespread attention to conservation efforts on the Niagara Escarpment.
 Sarah Harmer has woven her environmental passion into her music, as exemplified by her 2005 song Environmental Blues. Photo credit Stephanie Montani An important part of Sarah’s volunteer work is acting as Co-Chair of the RGMC. The RGMC advocates for aggregate mining reform, the preservation of safe well water to drink, protection of endangered species (especially in the Greenbelt), and modern air quality standards.RGMC objectives also extend beyond aggregate extraction, to include protection of First Nations’ rights, public health and safety, farmland, significant wetlands and woodlands, and endangered species.
“Reforming the gravel mining industry in Ontario isn’t just about reforming rock extraction, it’s about diminishing real risks to human health and biodiversity loss across the province. I’m honoured to help shine a spotlight on this poorly regulated but powerful industry”, said Sarah Harmer, who has campaigned for environmental issues and sustainable aggregate for over two decades.“Time after time and case after case, Sarah Harmer has answered the call for the environment and communities facing threats from the aggregate to their drinking water, air that they breathe, and species at risk.
 When support was needed – Sarah Harmer was there with her guitar. As a co-founder of Green Gravel decades ago, her movement has grown into the Reform Gravel Mining Coalition, one of the most influential and coordinated environmental movements in Canada. Sarah has also helped to raise the profile of the need to protect the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve,” said David Donnelly, counsel to the RGMC and co-founder of the Green Gravel movement. “Sarah is one of Canada’s most important voices for the environment”.“Sarah provides RGMC with unwavering, wholehearted leadership,” said Doug Tripp, President of RGMC. “With her tireless advocacy, she shines a spotlight on our grassroots groups and brings the power of music to our movement, helping to inspire the RGMC community. We are thrilled to see Sarah receive this well-deserved recognition,” he added.
 By Staff
January 25th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
If you were one of the several hundred people listening to Mayor Meed Ward talk about the State of the City on Friday at the Burlington Convention Centre, the table you were at would include a copy of a calendar for 2025.
 The photographs used were very nice. They were printed on high-quality glossy paper and contained the dates of events for the various Regional and City public meetings. For those involved in city affairs, it is a really useful collection of information.
Continue reading Was the high quality city calendar printed twice?
By Staff
January 23rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Here is some really good news.
$10 tickets for children under 12 at the Performing Arts Centre event during the school Spring Break.
Looking for a family activity during March break? Outerbridge Magic: Mysteries of the Keyhole House is a world-class performance that combines grand illusions, comedy-magic, and mind-bending mentalism.
Perfect for the whole family, this world-class performance combines grand illusions, comedy-magic, and mind-bending mentalism. Based on a true story about a historic Ottawa Valley home lovingly restored and named The Keyhole House by the Outerbridges, it serves as the backdrop to this magical journey through time, filled with historic relics and tales of its former residents.
Educators and parents have learned that if a child is taken to live theatre performances they begin to build an interest in theatre and in later life become regular patrons. Do them a favour and give them an early start
 Performance running:
Sun Mar 9, 2025, at 7pm
Mon Mar 10, 2025, at 1pm
Call the Box office for tickets: 905-681-6000.
Box Office Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm to 4pm, and one hour prior to a performance.
Take advantage of $10 tickets for children 12 and under
These will go very quickly.
By Pepper Parr
January 22nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
She was a great ship with a proud battle history.
Julie van der Muellen created this 10-foot model made out of Lego.
Julie assembled and donated her 10-foot-long HMCS Haida to the Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton. It will be archived as a museum relic and displayed in a glass display case.
 Julie van der Muellen with her father and a 10 foot Lego model of HMCS Haida. Continue reading HMCS Haida, created out of 40,000+ pieces of Lego, will be on display at the Wartime Heritage Museum
By Staff
January 9th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Calling #BurlON artists!
From the city –
Here’s your chance to apply for the 2025 Burlington Arts and Culture Fund. This grant provides $75,000 to local artists, multicultural groups and arts and culture organizations.
Continue reading Grant fund provides $75,000 to local artists, multicultural groups, arts and culture organizations
By Staff
January 1st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The start of a new year is a chance to pause, reflect, and think about what you want to achieve in the next twelve months. Make 2025 a year of adventure and discovery by setting a reading resolution with the BPL Reading Challenge! Sign up online now to get started, then pick up your tracker from any BPL branch. It’s completely FREE to join.
Reading Challenge 101
The goal of our Reading Challenge is to read one book every month on a different theme or topic. In January, we kick off with the challenge to read a book set in a faraway place. It can be any book, fiction or non-fiction, that takes place somewhere else, whether it’s a different part of Canada, a different country, or even a different planet! If you’re not sure where to start, our librarians have curated a list of recommendations.
Stay Motivated
Every month, we’ll send you a reminder to check in online and let us know what book you read. When you check in, you’re entered into both our monthly and end-of-year grand prize draws for a chance to win great prizes. We’ll also share a new set of recommended reads, and other ways that we can help you find a book we think you’ll love that fits the monthly theme.
Connect With Other Readers
It’s like having a gym buddy, but for books! We’ll host a monthly meet-up for challenge participants, where we’ll chat about what we read, what we did and didn’t love, and exchange reading recommendations. Bring a friend, or come to make new ones. There’s no need to register, and you can find all the dates and locations on the BPL Reading Challenge web page.
Try Something New in 2025
Your monthly read can be in any format or genre, so why not challenge yourself even more and read outside of your comfort zone? Try a new genre, like romance, mystery, fantasy, or non-fiction. Or make 2025 the year you commit to audiobooks—it’s the ultimate in multi-tasking. You can tune into a great story while you’re driving, exercising, or cooking dinner.
Other Reading Resolutions
Beyond the Reading Challenge, there are lots of fun ways you can motivate yourself to read more in 2025. Here are some fun ideas for reading resolutions:
- Read the alphabet: Start with A and work your way through reading authors or books starting with each letter of the alphabet.
- Make a to-be-read jar: Anytime you hear about a book you want to read, write it on a scrap of paper and toss it in a mason jar, then pick a book from the jar when you’re not sure what to read next.
- Travel through books: Make a list of all the places you want to visit someday, then pick books set in those places.
- Expand your shelf: Exploring stories from people with different lived experiences can challenge your thinking, improve your empathy, and expand your understanding of global issues.
- Take on the classics: They’re (usually) popular for a reason, so consider tackling the books you skipped (or skimmed) in high school. For a fun twist, read the graphic or comic version of a classic novel, too!
- Ask us for a booklist curated by our book-loving staff through our Handpicked For You Service!
May your year ahead be filled with great books!
By Staff
December 28th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
One of the good pieces of news recently is the two-month tax break on Groceries, restaurant meals, snacks, and children’s clothing.
 The tax break amounts to 13% off the tab at restaurants, from December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025, – which fits in very well with the Taste of Burlington that starts January 27th. The tax savings is on the food, beer and wine – not alcohol.
Thirty-three local restaurants are offering Prix Fixe offerings that are worth considering.
As we get closer to the start date the Gazette will tell you all about the opportunity to get out with friends and save 13%.
 Jakes Grill & Oyster House  West Plains Bistro
 By Pepper Parr
December 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Let us not rush back into the real world quite yet.
Christmas was festive, fun, and family – the day after has become a holiday with a quaint tradition that is celebrated in the Commonwealth countries that reflects the class tradition of the times.
The first mention of Boxing Day as a tradition is believed to be in 1830. It was the day that the Upper classes gave a “box” to people like post-men, errand-boys, and servants of various kinds.
It was a present, a gratuity given at Christmas to people who had provided a service. In Great Britain the custom for tradesmen to collect “Christmas boxes” of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. The tradition goes back as far as December 1663.
 It was a different time, a different era when class differences defined everything. The Boxing Day tradition came out of that era. The tradition was linked to an older British tradition – servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food.
In South Africa as recently as the 1980s, milkmen and garbage collectors, who normally had little if any interaction with those they served, were accustomed to knock on their doors asking for a “Christmas box”, being a small cash donation, in the week or so before and after Christmas.
The European tradition, which has long included giving money and other gifts to those who were needy and in service positions, has been dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is unknown. It is believed to be in reference to the Alms Box placed in areas of worship to collect donations to the poor.
Boxing Day became a secular holiday that is traditionally celebrated on 26 December, the day after Christmas Day. 26 December is also St. Stephen’s Day, a religious holiday.
In the UK, Boxing Day is a bank holiday
In Scotland, Boxing Day has been specified as an additional bank holiday since 1974In Ireland – when the island as a whole was part of the United Kingdom – the Bank Holidays Act 1871 established the feast day of St. Stephen as a non-movable public holiday on 26 December. Following partition in 1920, Northern Ireland reverted to the British name, Boxing Day.
In Australia, Boxing Day is a federal public holiday. The Australian state of South Australia instead observes a public holiday known as Proclamation Day on the first weekday after Christmas Day or the Christmas Day holiday.
In New Zealand, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday; penalty rates and lieu time are provided to employees who work on Boxing Day.
In Canada, Boxing Day is a federal statutory holiday. Government offices, banks and post offices/delivery are closed. In some Canadian provinces, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday that is always celebrated on 26 December. In Canadian provinces where Boxing Day was a statutory holiday, and it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, compensation days are given in the following week.
In the United States, 26 December is not observed as “Boxing Day”.
The tradition has become a massive sales push that has people lining up outside large chain store operations as early as 5 am waiting for huge discounts, usually on electronic items that are positioned as loss leaders to attract customers.
 Boxing day at the Eaton Centre – packed. The CTV television network reports that in 2010 Boxing Day sales totaled $1.8 billion. The tradition has become a shopping holiday that has become Boxing Week
Many retailers open very early (typically 5 am or even earlier) and offer door buster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. It is not uncommon for long queues to form early in the morning of 26 December, hours before the opening of shops holding the big sales, especially at big-box consumer electronics retailers.
In recent years, retailers have expanded deals to “Boxing Week”. While Boxing Day is 26 December, many retailers will run the sales for several days before or after 26 December, often up to New Year’s Eve. Notably, in the recession of late 2008, a record number of retailers were holding early promotions due to a weak economy. Canada’s Boxing Day has often been compared with the American Super Saturday (the Saturday before Christmas) and Black Friday.
From 2009 onward Black Friday deals become more prominent among Canadian retailers to discourage shoppers from crossing the border to the USA when the Canadian and USA dollars was close to parity, and this has lessened the appeal of Boxing Day in Canada somewhat as it was overtaken by Black Friday in terms of sales in 2013.
Boxing Day is not and has never been a shopping holiday in the USA.
In some parts of Canada, particularly in Atlantic Canada and parts of Northern Ontario, most retailers are prohibited from opening on Boxing Day, either by provincial law or by municipal bylaw, or instead by informal agreement among major retailers to provide a day of relaxation following Christmas Day.
A tradition that came out of a social class based society has evolved into a week-long shopping spree.
It isn’t just about shopping; sports events have become major Boxing Day events.
 Major European leagues may enjoy a winter break when players can put their feet up over the festive period. But it’s all go in the Premier and Football Leagues. And that means plenty of action for armchair soccer fans. In the United Kingdom, it is traditional for both top-tier football leagues in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the lower ones, as well as the rugby leagues, to hold a full programme of football and rugby union matches on Boxing Day.
Originally, matches on Boxing Day were played against local rivals to avoid teams and their fans having to travel a long distance to an away game on the day after Christmas Day.
This is probably much more than you wanted to know about the holiday we celebrate today.
 By Pepper Parr
December 19th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Museums of Burlington is running an interesting collection of immigrant stories.
The exhibition, created by the federal government, is on tour at the Joseph Brant Museum until April 19, 2025.
 Nicholas Leblovic, his immigration story. Echoes and Reflections | Capturing the Human Story is a travelling exhibition created by the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
To complement this exhibition, the Brant Museum curatorial team reached out to local Burlington residents asking for stories on immigration experiences.
Local political junkie and retired lawyer, Nicholas Leblovic is featured in one of the profiles.
Link to that profile HERE:
By Staff
December 17th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 Brent Butt has long been considered one of the funniest people in Canada, with a career in stand-up comedy that stretches into five decades, including numerous appearances at major festivals in multiple countries and being voted Best Male Stand-Up in Canada by his peers in the profession.
 Brent Butt on stage – always hilarious. He also created and starred in two successful sitcoms, the international hit Corner Gas and Hiccups, which ran for two successful seasons also on CTV.
In 2013, Brent’s first feature film entitled No Clue and directed by Carl Bessai was released and later nominated for Best Motion Picture at the 2014 Leo Awards. Most recently Brent’s first novel Huge debuted to great fanfare immediately becoming the #1 Fiction Bestseller in Canada and it remains on the Top Ten list to date. Making his home in Vancouver for more than a decade, Brent continues to perform in clubs and theatres across the country.
Corner Gas star Brent Butt is bringing his hilarious stand-up set to BPAC on Friday, January 31st.
Ticket Prices
Regular: $59.50 – $79.50(All-in)
Member: $54.50 – $74.50 (All-in)
Tickets -Click here – these will go quickly
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