 By Gazette Staff
March 23rd, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington and more specifically BurlingtonGreen had a special relationship witn Jane Goodall.
She visited the city and spent time with BurlingtonGreen members and had a lasting impact on those who met her.
 Jane Goodall believed to the very end that the world could be saved. The global network of Jane Goodall Institute chapters announced today that they will be honouring Dr. Goodall with Jane Goodall Day, on what would have been her 92nd birthday.
This commemorative day will take place every April 3rd, encouraging people around the world to celebrate the global icon in true Jane fashion: by resolutely continuing her tradition of turning hope into tangible action. This initiative is in keeping with the ethos of Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, a program that inspires young people to develop projects that benefit animals, people, and their shared environment.
Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, and UN Messenger of Peace, inspired millions of people throughout her remarkable lifetime. People of all ages flocked to her message of hope — a message that resonates more than ever as climate change and biodiversity issues intensify. Her enduring relevance and influence have only grown since her passing on October 1st, 2025, with an extraordinary outpouring of support from around the globe.
“Jane taught us that our lives make a difference, and her legacy continues to inspire us — which is why we are celebrating our first Jane Goodall Day on April 3rd,” said Bella Lam, CEO of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada. “Jane also taught us about hope: that hope comes from each of us rolling up our sleeves and taking action in our communities.”
 A younger Jane Goodall: She changed how we understand animals and people, and her conservation activism inspired millions to make a positive difference in their communities and on behalf of our shared planet. Ways for Canadians to celebrate Jane Goodall Day:
- Individuals of all ages are encouraged to mark Jane Goodall Day by taking action locally. Canadians can plant a tree, participate in community clean-ups, donate to a cause, choose plant-based meals, advocate for animal welfare, or get involved in any way that makes them feel connected to Dr. Jane and her mission.
- People can share what Jane meant to them using #JaneGoodallDay on social media, tagging @JaneGoodallCAN.
- Canadians can take part in the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada’s popular online birthday auction, where people can bid on items including travel, artwork, and unique experiences. Funds raised support community-led conservation, youth-led service projects, and environmental education programs in Africa and Canada.
Jane’s legacy being celebrated annually on April 3rd:
- Dr. Jane’s landmark research changed how we understand animals and people, and her conservation activism inspired millions to make a positive difference in their communities and on behalf of our shared planet.
- Her spirit of compassion lives on through her namesake conservation organization, the Jane Goodall Institute, whose 30 global offices are spearheading Jane Goodall Day.
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 As a researcher Goodall was patient. Here she waits for the chimpanzee to come to her – building a trusting relationship. Jane surrounded herself with some of the world’s most respected scientists, conservationists, educators, and community leaders, and she entrusted this work to experienced leaders and supporters who continue to guide it forward today through impact-focused programs.
- Her belief in the power of young people galvanized hundreds of thousands of youth annually through Roots & Shoots — a global movement that is active in over 75 countries, reaching more than 1.2 million people in 2023 alone.
On April 3rd, people inspired by Jane can demonstrate once again that her legacy of helping animals, people, and the environment lives on not through memory alone, but through meaningful action.
 By Gazette Staff
March 23, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 These are the bookmarks you can pick up at any one of the library branches The 2026 Burlington Library Bookmark competition was a huge success.
The individual winners:
Here are the stats:
Bookmark submissions:
0-5 = 45 submissions; 6-8 = 221 submissions; 9-12 = 198 submissions; 13-17 = 11 submissions; 18+ = 59 submissions
534 total submissions
Total votes received: 3,101
 By Gazette Staff
March 17, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 Bring more pollinators to your garden while helping grow a more nature-friendly Burlington. Order one (or more!) of our native plant kits today.
While supplies last, kits for sun-loving, shade-loving, rain-loving and monarch gardens are available, as well as four types of native wildflower seed packets prepared by BurlingtonGreen volunteers.
💚 100% of the proceeds from plant kits and seeds sales directly support our Nature-Friendly Burlington programming to protect and care for local green space and habitat.
To avoid disappointment, community members are encouraged to place their online orders as soon as possible (below), for in-person pick up on Sunday, May 24th, 2026 at BurlingtonGreen’s Eco-Hub at Burlington Beach.
ORDER PICK UP
All purchases are for pick up only ( no shipping available). Pickup is Sunday, May 24, 2026 between 10 am and 3:30 pm at the BurlingtonGreen Eco Hub by the beach ( 1094 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario. L7S 1A7)
If you cannot pick up your order on Sunday, May 24, 2026, you can contact BurlingtonGreen at bg@burlingtongreen.org or 905-975-5563 to arrange pick up of your order on Monday, May 25, 2026 at the BurlingtonGreen Eco Hub by the beach. Any plant material not claimed after Monday, May 25, 2026, cannot be held and will be donated.
Scroll below to make your secure online purchases. Please note that purchases cannot be canceled and items cannot be returned.
 By Pepper Parr
March 16th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 Good fun – good beer – just don’t colour it green – please First day of Spring Break. Decent weather.
What will the second day of Spring Break bring ?
St. Patrick will grace the lives of every Irish person in the city – even those Italians who are sure there is at least a bit of Irish blood in them.
Every bar and pub in the city will have an Irish Offering. Think of which one will do it up best.
 By Gazette Staff
March 14th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The Creative Community Hive is hosting a free drop- in open art studio at the Orchard Community Hub ,2400 Sutton Drive, Burlington .
We are a creative arts platform in Burlington offering a variety of FREE programs for older adults.
Chilax – was a new word for me. Chill and relax.
By Gazette Staff
March 14th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
NEW ONLINE MODEL REGISTRATION IS OPEN
 Examples of past model entries. Organized in conjunction with the IPMS Hamilton Modellers Club, HeritageCon is widely regarded as Canada’s greatest plastic scale model contest and sale.
It’s not just a contest — it’s a full-day celebration of craftsmanship, aviation history,
and community!
 Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Admission: Admission Tickets and Model Registration will not be available at the door.
Adult (age 18+) $20.00
Child (age 6-17) $15.00
Model Contest Registration (unlimited model entries per person) $10.00
Model Contest Registration – upon purchasing your Model Contest Registration, you will receive an email with instructions and a link to add your model(s). Model Contest Registration closes on March 28 at 11:59 pm.
Free admission for museum members and children 5 & under. Complimentary passes are not valid for this special event. No exchanges or refunds.
Registration and Tickets HERE
By Gazette Staff
March 11, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Tweet Tweet! is a 30-minute contemporary circus performance experience for our youngest audience, aged 0-5 years and their caregivers. The show takes place on a magical tree apparatus. The performers move from the nests, up into the aerial tree canopy, through the rope tree trunk, and on the floor. There is a large forest floor carpet that lies beneath the tree branches for the audience to sit and lie on.
Tweet Tweet! is the story of a magical tree and two young birds that discover each other, play, and learn to fly in its branches.
 Contemporary circus performance experience for our youngest audience, aged 0-5 years. Dates & Times
Thu, Mar 19, 2026 | 10am + 12pm + 2pm
Fri, Mar 20, 2026 | 10am + 12pm + 2pm
Ticket Prices
Tickets HERE
 By Gazette Staff
March 11th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Performing Arts Centre has put together programming for the Spring Break (Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 20) Curious George will be on the stage.
All-you-can-eat meatball day came just once a year. George had been waiting all month for that day, a day almost bigger than his birthday!
On Meatball Day, George helped his friend, Chef Pisghetti, cook some delicious meatballs and serve them to the hungry crowd.
But this year, the crowd had vanished! Something was keeping people away… something pretty big.
And that something was Phinneas T. Lightspeed and his speedy Meatballs-o-Matic machine. In despair, Chef Pisghetti vows to cook no more. Determined to help his friend, George goes on a mission to enter the Chef’s meatballs in the world-famous Golden Meatball Contest in Rome.
Audience: Pre-K – 3rd grade; ages 4-9
Tickets HERE
 By Gazette Staff
March 11th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Community Development Halton has been working with the Community Connections Team at East Plains United Church to imagining how their space can be an asset in the Aldershot area of Burlington. Please see details below for an invitation to a special event on April 16th, where your voice matters.
 East Plains United Church You’re Invited to Community Connections at East Plains United Church
Join us for an afternoon of connection, learning, and community exploration. Together, well identify the needs and strengths of Aldershot and explore how East Plains United Church’s space can be a shared asset for local residents, organizations, and community partners.
What to Expect
Presentation and conversation on community needs & strengths
Tour of the church space and its possibilities Opportunities to share ideas, hopes, and challenges Light refreshments & informal networking
Who Should Attend?
Anyone who lives, works, volunteers, organizes, or cares about the Aldershot neighbourhood.
Why Your Voice Matters
Community Connections at East Plains United Church is about opening doors — literally and figuratively — as the church explores how its space can support meaningful community use, partnerships, programs, and gathering opportunities.
Join us on April 16 from 1 to 3 pm
East Plains United Church 375 Plains Rd E, Burlington
For questions or accessibility needs: office@eastplainsunitedchurch.com
We look forward to gathering with you and imagining new possibilities together.
East Plains United Church Community Connections Team
 By Pepper Parr
March 11th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 It is an aquatic club that is hard to beat. This past weekend (March 6-8), the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays hosted their 2026 Spring Invitational at Centennial Pool, and it turned out to be the largest Spring Invitational in the club’s 40-plus-year history.
They had 547 swimmers competing across three days, sessions running at full capacity, and an outstanding number of personal bests across all age groups.
It’s been a strong season for the club overall record, meet attendance, a sold-out team social event, growing membership, and strengthening partnerships across Burlington, including with the YMCA.
Photos to follow.
 By Gazette Staff
March 10th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
This article has been revised
The National Theatre School DramaFest formerly known as the Sears Drama Festival, has been running for 80 years as of 2026. Founded in 1946, it is a long-standing Ontario-based youth theatre festival that has been presented by the National Theatre School of Canada since 2017
Thousands of careers started on those stages.
 Zainab Majid, Michelle Stern, August Frade Two Burlington High Schools will take part in the Western Regional Showcase at the Gravenhurst Opera House, the week of April 20, 2026.
From March 4th to March 7th Students from Halton High Schools competed in the first round of performances.
The following schools participated.
Nelson High School, Disconnected
M.M. Robinson High School, No Cause for Concern
Milton District High School, Rory and Sonny
White Oaks Secondary School, Still Perfectly Fine
St. Ignatius of Loyola Secondary School, How to Get Away with a Murder Mystery
T.A. Blakelock High School, 20 Neo-Futurist Plays from Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind
Assumption Catholic Secondary School, Fortress
Burlington Central High School, The 146 Point Flame
McLachlan College, You’re Only
Craig Kielburger Secondary School, Crime and E-punishment
Advancing to Regionals (Outstanding Production Winners)
 Cast and crew of the Nelson High School students who produced Disconnected They will go on to the South Regional Showcase in Hamilton in April. These three outstanding production winners, two from Burlington, advance to the Western Regional Showcase
- Nelson High School for their production of Disconnected.
- Burlington Central High School for their production of The 146 Point Flame.
- Milton District High School (Host school) for their production of Rory and Sonny.
The winners of the Ontario competition will compete nationally with schools from three other provinces.
By Gazette Staff
March 10th, 2-026
BURLINGTON, ON
 Councillor Kearns was having a great time. Last Sunday, the Burlington Chapter of the Special Olympics held a polar plunge to raise funds.
The turnout wasn’t huge, and it wasn’t all that cold – but they pulled it off.
The award for the best photo op this year goes to Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns who seemed to be having a great time doing a Polar Plunge.
Special Olympics Ontario, of which Burlington is a part, provides sport opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. As a grass-roots organization, Special Olympics relies on volunteers at all levels of the movement to ensure that every athlete is offered a quality sports training and competition experience. Our athletes look to our volunteers for inspiration, guidance and coaching. Over the past 50 years Special Olympics has grown from a modest program serving local athletes, to becoming the world’s largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sport.
 It wasn’t a huge crowd, but it was a hearty one. Mayor Meed Ward decided to attend in a supporting role. She is on the left side of the photograph.
By Gazette Staff
March 8th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 Natalie Haynes, renowned for her highly varied and accomplished career as journalist, critic, comedian, broadcaster, historian and novelist, will be at the Different Drummer bookstore on March 15th to talk about her book:
Sunday, March 15, 1:00pm – 2:00pm Central Library Centennial Hall
Admission is free–
By Gazette Staff
February 26th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The sweetest time of year returns starting on February 28, 2026, as Maple Season kicks off at Conservation Halton’s parks.
Running on weekends, holidays, and March Break until April 5, 2026, this cherished tradition invites guests to experience the transformation of maple tree sap into syrup at Mountsberg’s Maple Town and explore the Indigenous origins of maple sugaring at Crawford Lake Conservation Area.
 Natures gift
In the sugar bush at Mountsberg’s Maple Town, visitors can watch sap transform into syrup in the evaporator, warm up by a fireside lounge, or help their kids become ‘certified’ Sugar Rangers through fun challenges. Sweet samples of maple sugar and fresh syrup await, along with syrup drizzled pancakes at the Pancake Pavilion and maple treats available at the Country Store and Discovery Centre Gift Shop.
New this year, Maple Town extends beyond daylight hours with Syrup & Starlight, an exclusive two-night evening experience on March 7 and 28. Guests can enjoy a moonlit wagon ride, an exclusive tour of the Sugar Bush, an Indigenous food tasting, live fiddle music, and more. This limited-capacity event offers a magical new way to experience Maple Season after dark.
 A couple of sausages on the side would make this a perfect meal. Guests looking to enhance their visit can add a wagon ride or a maple sugar making workshop to their visit, or Talons & Tailfeathers for an up-close encounter with Mountsberg’s resident birds of prey. Maple Town visitors will learn about the history of sugar making from its Indigenous origins and early iron kettles to modern techniques, and about how Conservation Halton staff steward the sugar bush today.
At Crawford Lake Conservation Area, Sweet Water Season highlights the rich Indigenous heritage of maple sugaring. Guests can visit the Spirit of the Lake exhibit featuring works by Indigenous artists and an interactive holographic experience, then step back in time at the reconstructed 15th-century Longhouse Village, when maple sugaring marked the first harvest of the year.
Sweet Water Talks run throughout the day, inviting visitors to gather in the Longhouse Village and learn about how maple sugar was traditionally prepared in this part of Ontario. Guided tastings offer the chance to compare the unique colours and flavours of maple and birch syrups.
“Maple Season is a cherished tradition for so many families, and we’re always looking for new ways to deepen the experience,” said Brenna Bartley, Education and Outreach Manager at Conservation Halton. “This year, we’re especially excited to introduce Syrup & Starlight, inviting guests to enjoy the magic of Maple Season after hours—combining the warmth of maple traditions with the beauty of the night sky will be a special experience!”
For tickets, pricing, and details about Maple Season, visit conservationhalton.ca/mapleseason.
QUICK FACTS
- Maple Town location: Mountsberg Conservation Area, 2259 Milburough Line, Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0
- Maple Town will run weekends, holidays, and March Break until Sunday, April 5, 2026, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
- The Syrup & Starlight evening event will run on Saturday, March 7, and Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm
- Sweet Water Season location: Crawford Lake Conservation Area, 3115 Conservation Road, Milton, ON, L9T 2X3
- Sweet Water Season will run weekends, holidays, and March Break until Sunday, April 5, 2026, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
- For more information or to purchase tickets, visit conservationhalton.ca/mapleseason
Conservation Halton is the community-based environmental agency that protects, restores and manages the natural resources in its watershed. The organization has staff that includes ecologists, land use planners, engineers, foresters and educators, along with a network of volunteers, who are guided by a Board of Directors comprised of municipally elected and appointed citizens. Conservation Halton is recognized for its stewardship of creeks, forests and Niagara Escarpment lands through science-based programs and services. Learn more at conservationhalton.ca.
By Gazette Staff
February 26th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Saturday, February 28thth – 7:30 pm
Forged in a cauldron of raging, inspiring contemporary jazz, the Jeremy Ledbetter Trio pushes the boundaries of the genre, providing an undiluted display of rampaging energy. Audiences must exercise caution. People who see this band are rarely the same again.
If the Jeremy Ledbetter Trio were an inanimate object, it would be a runaway train.
On piano, Jeremy exudes nonstop energy alongside Grammy-nominated drummer Marito Marques and renowned electric bassist Rich Brown. Together, these three world-class musicians deliver up-tempo, genre-bending music unlike anything you’ve heard before.
Tickets
 By Gazette Staff
February 24th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
On March 2nd, a Special Meeting of Council will take place.
Among the several items on the agenda is the vote on whether or not to implement a two year lifting of the development charges developers are required to pay for the housing they build.
It is a complex question with numbers and percentages that boggle the mind.
Council is deeply split on the issue.
Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns has gone on the offensive and is very much against going forward with the proposal that is being promoted by the West End Home Builders Association.
She has a Call to Action posted on her Facebook page.
 Kearns is addressing Council. Councillor Galbraith, on the left, listens patiently. This is a major issue. Inform yourself.
By Gazette Staff
February 22, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 CNOY is a winterrific, family-friendly walk in support of charities that serve people experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness. Eagles Nest is a proud partner of CNOY.
Walk Day is February 28, 2026
Since 2018 over 1300 people have walked in CNOY and raised over $400,000 for the affordable mental health services that Eagles Nest provides.
Walk starts at Memorial Park.
Registration is under the pavilion located by the skating loop.
Walkers will walk through the village of Waterdown stopping along the way at rest stops. The route will end up back at Memorial Park.
 Funds raised from Coldest Night support the mental health services that Eagles Nest offers. Read more about the services and supports we offer here
It’s a fun, family-friendly event for everyone!
You can choose your distance: either 2km or 5km
All walking routes are flat, starting at Memorial Park and winding through Waterdown village
After the walk, walkers are invited to join us at Youth Unlimited across from the park for a light meal
The 5km loop has additional hosted rest stops with complimentary snacks
Walkers are invited to join us indoors at Youth Unlimited located directly across the street from Memorial Park for a light meal.
 This is the time to donate – – funds raised get put to excellent use.
By Pepper Parr
February 19th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Included in the list of items that would be discussed in a CLOSED session was:
 Providing confidential advice regarding the Lakeshore Music & Arts Festival. The outcome:
Direct the Commissioner of Community Services to proceed in accordance with instructions given during closed session discussions.
What does all this mean? First Council does not want to be all that transparent on just what is happening with the Lakeshore Music and Arts Festival (LM&AF)
The organization does have a three-year contract with the City and they are working through the details for an event that takes place June 20th and 21st; a little more than three months away.
It is a bit of a scramble for LM&MF. The organization has tremendous depth and a lot of experience. Nevertheless, they have had to go back to Council on something, and Council doesn’t want you to know all that much.
No word from the City on jyst where things stand on a Festival parade. The Mayor wants it, LM&AF don’t want to be part of it, at least not this first year. No money in a parade.
Councillor Sharman had the best idea – have the Teen Tour Band march along the Promenad to open the Festival.
The Mayor and several of the Council members are hoping a community group comes forward and volunteers to host the event. The City has some cash, (Mayor makes mention of $50,000),they are prepared to give a community group that decides to host the parade.
 The Burlington Teen Tour Band marching along the Spencer Smith Park Promenade
By Pepper Parr
February 18th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Greek mythology may not sound all that interesting – it can be.
Greek mythology is essential because it provides a foundational framework for Western art, literature, and language, influencing everything from the names of planets to modern branding (e.g., Venus/Aphrodite, Medusa logo Versace). It serves as a, timeless tool for understanding human psychology, morality, and societal structures, while offering enduring,, relatable stories about the human experience.
Natalie Haynes wrote No Friend to This House, a bold retelling of the myth of Jason and his Argonauts who set sail to find the Golden Fleece.
 What is the Golden Fleece and just who is Jason and his Argonauts ? Most people will think you are talking about the football team the Toronto Argonauts
Spend an illuminating afternoon with acclaimed novelist and classicist Natalie Haynes as she discusses her new book.
 Jason was best known, however, as the captain of the Argo, the ship in which the heroic Argonauts sailed to Colchis to steal the Golden Fleece. The journey is filled with danger for Jason and everyone he meets, and if he ever reaches the distant land he seeks, he faces almost certain death. Medea—priestess, witch, and daughter of a brutal king—has the power to save the life of a stranger. Will she betray her family and her home, and what will she demand in return? Medea and Jason seize their one chance at a life together, but their love is steeped in vengeance, and no one—not even those closest to them—will be safe.
A Different Drummer Books will be on site with books for sale and signing after the talk.
Register for this event:
About the Author
Natalie Haynes is the author of eight books, including the NYTimes nonfiction bestseller Pandora’s Jar, and the novels Stone Blind and A Thousand Ships, the latter of which was a national bestseller and short-listed for the 2020 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Haynes has written for the Times, the Independent, The Guardian, and the Observer. She lives in London, UK.
By Gazette Staff
February 13th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 During the Family Day weekend, people across Ontario can fish for free from February 14 to 16 without purchasing a license or Outdoors Card.
Before heading out to ice fish, keep safety the top priority. Check conditions with local ice hut operators or anglers and remember that clear blue ice is strongest, while white or honeycombed ice is weaker.
Let someone know where you will be fishing and wear appropriate gear for warmth and safety.
Conservation Fishing Licence catch and possession limits continue to be in effect as do restrictions in sanctuaries and other fishing regulations.
Recreational fishing is a vital part of Ontario’s economy, contributing significantly to local tourism and jobs in communities across the province. Free fishing periods, such as Family Day weekend, encourage more people to discover the joy of fishing and help protect Ontario’s resource-based industry by promoting the many economic, social and environmental benefits that recreational anglers bring to the province.
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