 By Staff
April 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 It’s one of the holiest and most somber days in the Christian calendar as followers remember the execution of Jesus.
How did Jesus’ final days unfold? Scholars are still debating
The people and places of the Passion are well documented in the Bible, but pinning down the exact locations and timing of the trials of Jesus in Jerusalem is an ongoing challenge.
For billions of Christians, Good Friday remains one of the holiest days in the religious calendar. Commemorating the day Jesus died by crucifixion around A.D. 30., Good Friday is a crucial part of the Christian Holy Week, the series of holidays that culminates in Easter, when, according to Christian faith, Jesus returned to life after dying on the cross.
It is a time where believers mark the events leading up to the Passion of Jesus Christ, including the trial of Jesus before the Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate. Biblical scholars and historians have pored over surviving records to determine the exact timing and location of this crucial event, but definitive answers have yet to be found.
What’s the context behind Good Friday—and how do Christians observe it every year?
Good Friday represents Jesus’ execution at the hands of the Romans. So why do Christians call the holiday “good”?
“‘Good’ in this instance means something like ‘holy’ or ‘pious.’ It is ‘good’ because it is ‘holy,’ not because we are supposed to think that crucifixion is a good thing,” explains Candida Moss, Edward Cadbury Professor of Theology at the University of Birmingham.
Religious scholars believe that Jesus of Nazareth—whom billions of Christians believe was the son of God—lived in the first century in what is today Israel. At the time, the Roman Empire controlled the region. Scholars have different interpretations about Jesus’ life, but they agree that he built on his Jewish faith to proselytize a religious vision that attracted a growing number of followers.
 Judas kisses Jesus in Caravaggio’s “The Taking of Christ,” painted circa 1602. Accusers and judges
In the Bible, the apostle Judas betrays Jesus by revealing where he has sought refuge after celebrating the Passover feast: the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. The Temple Guards discover Jesus there, arrest him for the disturbance at the Temple on the eve of Passover, and take him before Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest, at his private residence where Jesus would be interrogated.
 Caiaphas interviewing Jesus. Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest, at his private residence interrogating Jesus.
Caiaphas may have deliberately sought to indict Jesus in a private session to avoid having certain council members—notably, the Pharisees (a Jewish sect, some of whose members were supporters of Jesus)—rise to his defense. Many scholars have argued that without the full backing of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish political and judicial council, the high priest did not have the power to order a man’s death. Therefore, the only solution was to refer the matter to the local Roman authorities and bring Jesus before Pontius Pilate. Caiaphas’s challenge was to come up with a charge that would justify a sentence of death.
During the interrogation, Caiaphas asked Jesus directly, “Are you the Messiah?” According to Mark, Jesus replied, “I am,” and then cited from Psalms and from the Book of Daniel: “You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of ‘the Power,’ and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven’
With those words, Jesus had given Caiaphas the perfect pretext to involve the Romans. Though Jesus had merely quoted from Scripture, the high priest knew that words such as power and coming with the clouds of heaven would have a very different meaning for the Romans.
Historians also agree that around Passover, a significant Jewish holiday, Jesus was arrested and tried before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of the province. The Bible claims Pilate sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion.
 The traditional location of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives lies near the Temple Mount. So why was Jesus killed? It’s possible that his rising profile made him a political target. At the time, Jewish religious leaders led popular protests that challenged hierarchies in Roman Judaea.
“Jesus was sentenced to die and executed at a very tense political and religious moment,” says Moss.
As Jesus spread his teachings, Jewish pilgrims gathered in the city of Jerusalem for the feast of Passover.
“This made the Roman authorities nervous,” Moss explains. “Passover celebrates liberation from slavery and oppression, and the Roman authorities didn’t want people taking inspiration and rising up against the Roman empire.”
 Pontius Pilate interviewing Jesus Indeed, Pilate may have sentenced Jesus to execution for a political reason. According to Bart Ehrman, James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Jesus was referred to as “King of the Jews.”
“Being King meant being the political leader of the people of Israel,” he wrote in his blog. “And only the Roman governor or someone the Romans appointed (like Herod) could be king. Anyone else who claimed to be king was usurping Roman prerogatives and was seen as a threat, or if not a threat, at least a public nuisance.”
Jesus’ form of execution aligns with this. “Crucifixion was a form of execution that was practiced by the Romans and was used for enslaved people, bandits, and rebels,” Moss says. “It is likely that Pilate, fearing some kind of uprising, sentenced Jesus to die as a political subversive.”
Days or weeks?
It’s difficult to determine exactly when the trial presided over by Pilate took place. The Book of Mark places it immediately after the hearing by Caiphias: “[A]s soon as it was morning . . . they bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate,” who initiated a hearing (Mark 15:1).
Some ancient writers, including the Evangelist Mark, often compressed events into a shorter time frame to maintain the narrative integrity of the story. The idea of the events of the Passion taking place in just a few days appealed to early Christians, for it enabled a commemoration of them in one “holy week,” but some scholars believe the actual events may have taken longer to play out.
 Antonio Ciseri painted Pilate showing the scourged Jesus to the crowds, known as “Ecce Homo,” in 1880. The judge, by custom, would have been the highest-ranking Roman magistrate in town. Pilate had come to Jerusalem during Passover to suppress any form of violent protest from the local population. His presence dictated that he would oversee the proceedings.
The Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John, describe an elaborate trial that hews closely to the Ius Civile—Roman Law. The chief Jewish priests are the main accusers (delatores in Roman jurisprudence) who present evidence (Luke 23:2). Their evidence is found wanting, so the judge himself must interrogate the accused.
The Bible describes how Jesus refuses to respond to Pilate’s questioning (Matthew 27:14), but in the Gospel of John, a learned debate ensues between Pilate and Jesus. The accused gives evasive replies to Pilate’s questions, leading Pilate to declare, “I find no case against him” (John 18:33-38). In both Matthew and John’s accounts, the trial takes place before a large crowd, who insists upon Jesus’ execution, despite Pilate’s findings.
But it is quite possible that Mark’s succinct summary of the hearing before Pilate might be closer to the actual events. In Mark’s portrayal, Jesus was ushered before Pilate who asks, “Are you the king of the Jews?” to which Jesus’ response is “You say so,” (Mark 15:2). Pilate made no further attempt to question him. Indeed, by this account it would have been pointless. Anyone identified as a “king of the Jews” was, by definition, a rebel against Rome and rebels merited only one punishment: crucifixion.
When is Good Friday?
The actual dates of Good Friday change year to year—and that’s because the holiday always precedes Easter, which commemorates what Christians believe to be Jesus’ resurrection on the third day after his death. There isn’t a consensus on when this religious event happened or which calendar to use when calculating dates.
The authors of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the men credited with writing the canonical texts that partly make up the New Testament—used the Jewish calendar, and they claimed that Jesus’ death happened in the month of Nisan, which corresponds to what is now March and April, when Passover typically falls. Yet, they don’t agree on whether it happened on 15th or 14th Nisan.
Moreover, early Christian leaders failed to agree on when exactly to celebrate Easter, which impacted when Good Friday could be observed.
“Most Christian denominations use the ‘computus paschalis’ to determine the date of Easter,” Moss says. “Most years, Easter is the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox.”
But that this isn’t always the case for all Christians.
“The date of Easter is calculated differently in Orthodox Christianity than in other denominations, so many years it falls on a different date. The reason this is so complicated is because in the Bible and in Christian tradition, Jesus’ death is tied to Passover and the date of Passover is calculated using a lunisolar calculation,” Moss explains.
The location of the trial is also uncertain. The Gospels refer to Pilate’s “headquarters,” or the praetorium, the seat of the provincial governor. There are two possible locales. One was the old palace of Herod, a sprawling complex in the southwestern city. The other was the Antonia Fortress, the Herodian citadel adjacent to the Temple complex, where the main Roman garrison was based. Herod’s palace would have offered more comfort for the prefect of Rome, but if trouble arose, it was likely to happen in the Temple forecourt.
 Antonia Fortress, the Herodian citadel adjacent to the Temple complex. The content of this article came from National Geographic Magazine.
 By Staff
April 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Heritage properties and the designation of homes was a major issue for Council earlier this week.
Helen Callaway, co chair of Kilbride United Church Board of Directors and the chair of the Kilbride history group, appeared before Council saying: “I really want to thank you for this opportunity to speak to the heritage designation of Kilbride United Church. We’re thrilled to have that designation so that the church remains in the community forever.
 Kilbride United Church as it stands today – Council decided that the Church would be designated as a heritage property.
“However, we’re going to ask that the addition of what we believe is the Davidson church not be included in that designation.
“There are a few errors in the report that you received, and I’ll speak to some of them, but first, I’m going to give you just a wee bit of history. In 1853 William Paten and Francis Baker, Irish immigrants who saw the potential of what is now Kilbride.
 Helen Callaway, co chair of Kilbride United Church Board of Directors and the chair of the Kilbride history group. “The new immigrants to the community brought a really strong religious belief with them. In 1854 the Cumminsville Bible Society was established, and members went from location to location. Originally, those meetings were held in the Temperance halls of Cumminsville and Lowville. In case you don’t know, Cumminsville is at the corner of Cedar Springs Road and McNiven Road.
“George and Rhoda Harbottle sold the land for $5 of lawful money. It was not donated, as was stated in the original report, according to the indenture. The chapel, or meeting house, is referred to as the Canadian Wesleyan Methodist New Connection chapel of Nelson Township. It wasn’t called a church, and the name Zion, we’re not sure when that was adopted to the church.
“In 1878 the decision was made to move the church to the present location on the corner of Kilbride Street and Jean street. It really would have been a sight to see to bring that original church on skids, pulled by oxen down the hill to the stream back up again, and then placed in its original location, sometime after that.
“Around 1881 Davidson church on Appleby line and fourth line, just south of Britannia Road, was closed. The congregation did not merge with Kilbride because of the distance.
“All we know is that Davidson church was moved sometime after 1881 and before 1912. It’s very unfortunate that all of the Davidson records have been thrown out decades ago, the ladies of the church had a wonderful clean. They didn’t realize the value of the old books that they threw out.
“The Davidson church section has been renovated a number of times as well, and we feel that a lot of the historical elements have gone except perhaps the shell and the windows. It now houses a kitchen, meeting rooms and our gas furnaces. We no longer have written proof that this is Davidson church. It is only in our oral history, and it’s our strong recommendation that this portion of the current church should not be considered for Heritage designation.
“In times of community troubles and emergency, the congregation has come together to help. In 1967, the ladies of the church, gathered to provide food and refreshments for the searchers of Mary Ann, she was abducted on her way home from school and has never been found.
“The church bell is going to ring on April 27 at four o’clock in her memory.
 Inside the Kilbride United Church
“Today, the congregation of Kilbride United Church is at a crossroads, and we have to consider our future. We have an aging, declining membership and dwindling donations. Unfortunately, this is true of many of the churches today. However, we’re fervently looking for many options to keep the doors open, including some upcoming talks with the church in Hamilton that has turned its future around. We remain extremely hopeful. However, we have to be realists. We cannot, if we cannot turn the financial future into a positive one, we have to consider putting the church up for sale. There’s no question that we want the original 1860 structure to have a heritage designation. That perpendicular piece, the Davidson church, is a deterrent to selling. A buyer would have limited options as to what they could do with it.
Many times old historic buildings have been repurposed as businesses, stores and even homes, and we would hope that the church would at least remain as an event space for the community, or, like Bethel, have yearly service and weddings and funerals, if and only if that’s a very big if the church needs to be closed, we would love to see it maybe as a museum showcasing the settlement of North Nelson.
“Kilbride has a really rich history. The congregation of Kilbride United Church hopes that you will consider a historic designation for the original church structure only unfortunately, the Davidson church portion, in our opinion, has lost its history and value over the years. We don’t know what the future is going to be for the church, but we are working very hard at keeping the doors open and having the church both for our spiritual needs and for community events.”
Council decided that the church would be designated.
 By Staff
April 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Meeting up with people your age and talking about the books you are reading appeals to a lot of people.
The Burlington Library sets up meetings for kids and adults who want to do just that.who want to do just that.
No need to make a reservation – just drop by.
Here are the dates and the locations:
based on this month’s theme
 This isn’t part of the Library programme: Some people knew how to get in on the event and stay cool at the same time. Not sure how much reading got done.. BPL Reading Challenge Meet-up
Thursday, April 24: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Central – Centennial Hall
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Wednesday, June 25: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Tansley Woods – Program Room
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Wednesday, July 30: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Alton – Program Room
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Thursday, August 28: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Brant Hills – Mountain Garden Room
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Wednesday, September 24: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Central – Centennial Hall
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
Wednesday, October 29: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Tansley Woods – Program Room
Age group: Adult
event type: Book Clubs, Writing
Chat about books based on this month’s theme
 By StaffApril 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Library hours for the holiday season
By Staff
April 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON. ON
Tomorrow, April 16, Mayor Meed Ward will be presenting the Keys to the City to Sarah Harmer, Chris McKhool, and Beverly Jacobs at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
 Key to the City Residents are invited to attend this free event beginning at 7 p.m.
Sarah Harmer
 Sarah Harmer Born and raised in Burlington’s Ward 3, Sarah Harmer is an acclaimed singer-songwriter and a dedicated environmental advocate. With three JUNO awards, including the JUNO Humanitarian Award, eight nominations, and two Polaris Prize shortlist recognitions, Sarah has used her platform to drive meaningful change. She co-founded Protecting Escarpment Rural Land (PERL) to safeguard Mount Nemo Plateau, part of a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Her tireless work continues to preserve Burlington’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
Chris McKhool
 Chris McKhool An internationally renowned musician and filmmaker, Chris McKhool has been a vibrant force in Burlington’s arts and culture scene. He is a four-time JUNO nominee, seven-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner, and two-time Cannes World Film Festival Award-winning director for The Refuge Project and Walking Through the Fire. Chris’s creative work, especially with his group Sultans of String, champions diversity and inclusion, positioning Burlington as a hub of cultural expression and connection.
Beverly Jacobs
For 25 years, Beverley Jacobs has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to volunteerism in Burlington. She spent 23 years offering comfort and care at Carpenter Hospice, and has been instrumental in preserving Burlington’s heritage through her 15-year involvement with the Friends of Freeman Station. Beverley has also supported local health initiatives through her 25-year dedication to the CIBC Run for the Cure and 10 years with the Bright Run. Her lifelong service embodies the spirit of community.
To learn more about the Keys to the City, visit Burlington.ca/KeyToTheCity
Civic Recognition Awards
City’s Civic Recognition program: Nominations for Spring 2025 are open now until Tuesday, April 22 at 4 p.m.
Civic recognition is given twice each year, in the spring and fall. Successful recipients are recognized in person at an evening Council meeting (May and October) where they are presented with a certificate. To nominate someone or to learn more, visit Burlington.ca/CivicRecognition.
We regret not being able to find a picture of Bev Jacobs.
Links and Resources
Burlington.ca/KeyToTheCity
Burlington.ca/CivicRecognition
 By Staff
April 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
One is often known by the company they keep.
The Burlington Public Library has been keeping some pretty smart and intelligent company recently.
CEO Lita Barrie took part in a discussion on local democracy that was recorded by the CBC IDEAS program that will be broadcast in the near future
 Lita Barrie (CEO, Burlington Public Library), Sabreena Delhon (CEO, The Samara Centre for Democracy), Meg Uttangi Matsos (Director, Service Design & Innovation, BPL), Nahlah Ayed (Host, CBC’s IDEAS), and Ira Wells (Professor, University of Toronto, critic & author). The Samara Centre for Democracy, co-founded in 2007 by Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan, is Canada’s leading non-partisan organization focused on strengthening and protecting Canadian democracy.
IDEAS is a CBC radio program that has collaborated with Samara on a series of programs that focus on democracy and how it works in Canada.
The most recent IDEAS production on democracy was recorded at the Burlington Public Library and will be aired in the near future.
 By Staff
April 9th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Public Library’s Aldershot Branch will close temporarily from Sunday, May 4 to Sunday, June 1 to complete repairs following the water damage sustained earlier this year.
“The Aldershot community has been very understanding and supportive about the disruptions from the water incident this winter,” says James Dekens, Manager of Neighbourhood Branches. “We truly appreciate everyone’s continued patience as we carry out these essential repairs. Our team is working hard to make sure customers can still enjoy library services with minimal interruption.”
 Aldershot branch of the Burlington Public Library system. During the closure, customers are encouraged to visit the nearby Central Branch, located at 2331 New Street, for full library services.
While regular programs are paused, a partnership with City of Burlington allows local families to keep enjoying storytime close to home. Family Storytime will run every Tuesday, May 6 to 27, from 10:30 to 11:30am in the Aldershot Pool community room at 50 Fairwood Place West.
Please note that the outdoor book drop will also be closed during this time. Customers are asked not to return items to the branch between May 4 and June 1. Due dates for materials checked out from Aldershot will be extended until after reopening.
Library loans can be returned to any other BPL location.
 By Staff
April 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Taxes for Artists
 Sunday, April 13, 1–3 pm
A workshop for artists who earn some or all their income through sales, exhibition fees, contract teaching, and other self-employed sources.
Preparing to file a tax return can be an overwhelming prospect for many artists.
This informative session will provide an overview of taxes as they relate to self-employment income and expenses and provide useful advice for artists to manage their financial documentation.
Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion following the presentation.
Instructor: Matthew Simpson
$10
Register HERE
Matthew Simpson has decades of experience in the worlds of art and finance, having studied Commerce at McMaster University before pursuing a degree in Industrial Design at OCAD. Since graduating, Matthew has accrued over two decades of experience in banking and personal tax preparation while continuing to engage in the arts through costume design and his current position as a supernumerary with the National Ballet of Canada.
By Pepper Parr
April 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The art work is distributed in parts of the downtown core and along the Spencer Smith Park Promemnade; they are part of what Dan Lawrie has been doing for the past four years – letting people see what local artists are doing.
 Stand in front of this piece of art, take a picture of yourself, and see what you get.  Dan, a retired insurance industry leader, has had a penchant for art most of his life. He has placed a paint brush in his hands on occasion and now displays the work in his home.
The courtyard at the Art Gallery is named after the Lawrie family.
The Burlington Waterfront Sculpture Trail is preparing for its fourth season. The goal is to bring sculpture into the public realm in a free and accessible trail linking major elements of Burlington’s stunning downtown core and waterfront. Artists from across the country are paid an exhibition fee to present their work, and the DLISC team works to sell the works to drive additional support to Canadian artists. –
 Worker installing some of the Lawrie Public art outside the 400 Brant Kitchen This is the fourth year The Burlington Waterfront Sculpture Trail has been shown. The 1km long experience linking the Art Gallery of Burlington, Spencer Smith Park and the Downtown Burlington BIA through a series of 15 temporary sculptures created by local and regional artists. The 1km trail was a fully accessible experience, free of barriers and admission for all to engage in.
 Persian rugs were used to decorate this piece of art.  Is this art original or is it original items wrapped in tin foil?
 By Pepper Parr
April 5th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
We know changes are going to be made with Civic Square.
We understood it was going to be quite different – do these photographs point to the direction the city is going?
 There is no signage explaining who did the work or why it is sitting in the middle of Civic Square.  Seen from a different angle. The highest point of this work is about where the entrance to City Hall will be once the remake is completed sometime in 2026 – more likely 2027.  Made of wood. Was it built for the skateboard crowd?
 By Pepper Parr
March 31st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Strengthening Schools Through Kindness, Connection and Community will explore the HDSB’s commitment to Kindness, Connection and Community, as outlined in the 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan, and how it is being brought to life in schools and workspaces through meaningful actions.
Panelists will discuss how centring a culture of kindness in learning and working environments supports student and staff success and well-being, creating a genuine sense of belonging and the conditions for students to thrive.
 Amy Collard, Chair of the Halton District School Board. Joining the session as panelists will be Amy Collard, Chair of the HDSB, representation from HDSB students and staff, as well as Dr. John-Tyler Binfet, PhD, Professor of Education at the University of British Columbia. Together, the panel will explore how kindness, connection and community strengthen schools. Dr. Binfet will share insights on how students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 conceptualize kindness in learning environments and how they define and enact kindness to themselves and others.
Monday, April 7 from 6 – 7 p.m.
This will be a virtual event with the livestream linked on the HDSB website (hdsb.ca).
Registration is not required.
 Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board explains the program this way: “This session presents an exciting opportunity to dive deeper into how centring a culture of Kindness, Connection and Community plays an integral role in strengthening our schools and workspaces.”
“By modeling empathy and respect in our daily actions, and striving to create learning and working spaces where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging, we create a supportive environment and strengthen relationships among students, staff, families and the broader community. We look forward to coming together to discuss how these efforts help ensure that everyone in the HDSB community feels valued, supported and empowered to succeed.”
The 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan sets direction and prioritizes the collective actions of all students, staff, families and community members. This plan ensures our efforts as an organization are aligned and coordinated to support more than 67,000 students, 11,000 staff and the broader HDSB community. The six commitments identified in this four-year plan intersect and overlap to ensure that we take a cohesive approach to fulfilling its objectives.
To this one has to add: Kindness, Connection and Community are important – very important but not at the expense of students graduating that cannot write a paragraph and cannot do simple math without their cell phone. Knowing something about the history of Canada and the importance of voting.
All one has to do is look south to get a sense of what a lousy education results in. We can avoid that and be kind, connected and participant in the community we live in.
the country
 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
|
|
