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The Modern (Co) Workplace

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Many of us have been working from home for a little over two years – and while we’ve embraced Zoom meetings (and sweatpants), some of us are starting to miss the office. With some offices transitioning to a more virtual setting, you may be exploring other options to get that “office feel.” This is where coworking spaces come into play. These spaces offer daily, monthly, and yearly memberships. Coworking spaces are a great alternative to your home office with both private offices and open desks available. Not only will you get to be around people, but they also offer great networking opportunities and the occasional water-cooler chat that you may have been missing. 

Here are a few options to explore:

ACE Coworking

Acecoworking.ca  | (289) 801-8731  

295 Robinson Street, Suite100, Oakville   |   132 Trafalgar Road, Oakville

Located in Downtown Oakville on Robinson Street, Ace is a community for entrepreneurs, startups, freelancers, and remote workers. With flex workspaces, private offices, and boardrooms – ACE promotes collaboration, connection, and a quiet space to retreat when you need it. 

“The benefits of coworking are numerous,” says Nancy Fornasiero, the Founder and Community Director for ACE Coworking.  “Working in a professional, well-designed space with great WiFi and other amenities makes you much more productive. We consistently hear from new members how much more they can get done when they come to work at our space than when they work at home.”

ACE Coworking offers something for everyone with an array of different membership plans, from daily rentals of a hot desk to a dedicated desk or private office space. Their aim is to bring people together, and emphasize that coworking is not just for an individual person. It’s also beneficial for small businesses. 

Staples Studio

Studio.staples.ca  | (289) 430-0217 | 320 North Service Road West, Oakville 

Remember that office supply store at Dorval and the North Service Road in Oakville? They’ve added a coworking space! Staples Studio inspires deep collaboration and fellowship with a positive and nourishing environment. The space provides everything an individual needs to learn and grow within their business or work. 

Offering 24/7 access to the building, Stapes Studio allows the freedom to work when it best suits you. Members are also given access to unlimited WiFi, discounts on their printing and marketing, dedicated on-site assistance, and a podcast booth. 

alternawork

Alternawork.com  | (416) 595-1313  | 2115 S Service Road West, Oakville

Just steps away from Bronte Go Station in Oakville in a state-of-the-art 21,000 sq. ft. building is alternawork – a coworking space designed to meet tech community needs in the GTA. The shared office space has private offices, dedicated workstations, and premium amenities, including a commercial kitchen, conference rooms, break-out rooms, event space, high-speed internet, parking, and coffee.

They also offer a virtual office package – where you can enjoy the benefits of a business mailing address, package handling, and access to the alternawork community, all with the freedom to book a desk and meeting space only when you need it.

LAUFT – Flexible Workspace  

Lauft.work/workspace/burlington-centre  | (905) 948-5807   | 777 Guelph Line Unit C2A, Burlington 

LAUFT – located in Burlington Centre on Guelph Line, believes the future of work requires more flexibility than ever before. With the ability to book hourly, daily, or weekly, they are on a mission to empower everyone with convenience. With no membership fee and on-demand booking, LAUFT is truly flexible. Desk rentals start at as little as $5-per hour. 

NUVO Network

Nuvonetwork.com |  905-592-2598 | 1295 North Service Road, Burlington

Located in what was known as the Crossroads Centre in Burlington, this 150,000 sq. ft. broadcasting building is a synergetic space connecting entrepreneurs, content creators, and community champions, providing access to state-of-the-art multimedia facilities including podcasting, video production, and recording studios.

NUVO members can work independently at a hot desk or in shared work environments, while the outside community can rent space for everything from conferences to commercials. 

With all of these spaces available to you, remote working no longer has to be a solo adventure.

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Oakville’s Little Kitchen Academy

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Is your child a budding chef, the next Bob Blumer, Lynn Crawford or Alvin Leung? Does your child demonstrate an interest in the art of cooking? Little Kitchen Academy offers a unique culinary experience for children ages 3-18, and Oakville has the only available location in Ontario.

This Canadian franchise provides children with exposure and an introduction to useful kitchen skills, potentially igniting future epicurean pursuits. For these young people, cooking at the academy isn’t just fun and games. “What the children learn in the kitchen are transferable life skills,” remarks Owner-Operator and Oakville resident Felicia Sia.

When Felicia attempted to locate a local culinary school for her young son, she was surprised not to find one. An online search lead her to discover a Montessori-styled culinary academy franchise for children in British Columbia. Following extensive research and  being  impressed with the structure and philosophy of the academy, Felicia invested in a franchise herself, bringing its first location to Ontario this past July.

Felicia’s experience and expertise was gained from her previous role as a director in food science research with ROHA, a leader in food colour and ingredient production. Her vision is to change lives from the early years, empowering the students with choices and a fundamental understanding of how flavour choices affect foods and how to prepare them.

Parents are not present while class is in session at this academy. Each student dons a chef uniform and listens to safety instructions before commencing.

Students have the opportunity to select ingredients within a prepared recipe. Herbs are grown on a living wall for the kids to harvest. They’re encouraged to try new foods and spices in various preparations, learning the science behind cooked versus raw. Lessons include education in the use of knife skills, clean-up, kitchen discipline, table-setting, and eating etiquette.

At the end of each session, students demonstrate what they’ve learned by presenting a meal for their parents to enjoy.

Q: Because the academy opened during the pandemic, what effect did these limitations pose on class size?

“We provided the appropriate spacing at stations during restrictions. The class sizes didn’t change. We weren’t affected in that way. Fortunately, registration remained healthy. Parents felt comfortable with how we handled the Health & Safety Guidelines. The only change made was that the students remained at their stations while presenting food, instead of using the community table.”

The classroom population at Little Kitchen Academy does not exceed ten students, with a 1:3 instructor ratio. While programs cater to kids 3-18, classes are grouped by age. The instructors have a culinary education and Montessori background. Felicia herself also instructs.

Q: Now open for just over nine months, what kind of feedback do you have from the parents about the program?

“Both the parents and kids have given us a positive response. We don’t have a lot of online reviews as of yet, but we do have many return students. This, for me, is undeniable feedback that we are doing something right.

There are children with special needs who have also enjoyed the program. Because of the low ratio of kids to instructors, all children can attend our program with sufficient 1-on-1 attention.”

The success and demand have been so great, with student applications also originating from Mississauga, Milton, Burlington, Thornhill, and Richmond Hill, that Felicia is looking for a second suitable location in Mississauga, with an opening date scheduled for late 2022.

Registration for spring classes and summer camp are now open!

Sia adds, “I have been and continue to be very grateful to the Oakville community for all their support.”

Little Kitchen Academy franchise has additional academy openings available for later this year in various GTA locations.

Visit the Little Kitchen Academy Oakville website for more information: littlekitchenacademy.com/locations/oakville

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Egg-cellent Easter Brunch

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The easiest way to celebrate Easter is with a simple yet elegant and delicious brunch.  It can be easily prepared while the kids are doing an egg hunt and served with style as they all emerge, famished.

Eggs are a great choice – not only are they following the theme of Easter, but they are inexpensive, nutritious, and can be prepared in many ways.  Simple scrambled eggs are always a hit.  They need to be cooked super slow on the lowest heat to get them really soft and creamy.  It takes some patience, but it really pays off and transports your palate straight to a French café eating oeufs brouillés.  With a classic such as this, there are always great variations.  Smoked salmon is a popular addition, or some shaved truffle (truffle oil is an easier alternative). Jamie Oliver has an innovative way of serving scrambled eggs in a soft bun with spiced tomato chutney.  Simply delicious. 

Still keeping it simple – poached eggs are always popular.  Ensure you swirl the water while popping the egg in so that the yolk stays together with the white, and the egg forms a neat ball.  Poached eggs on sourdough toast with mashed avocado is a well-loved favourite.  Add slow-roasted tomato, hummus, fresh chili, and arugula for a more gourmet version.

Try Australian Chef Donna Hay’s Moroccan poached eggs, served on Turkish flatbread with garlicky yoghurt, spinach, and green olive tapenade for something more exotic.

An age-old classic that may bring back fond childhood memories is a deviled egg.  I prepared some for my family, and my children just loved them.  For those unfamiliar with this dish (also called a stuffed egg), the egg is hard-boiled, then cut in half.  The yolk is carefully removed and mixed with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper.  The mixture is then spooned or piped back into the egg white. The deviled egg can be traced to ancient Rome, where hard-boiled eggs were served with sauces as an appetizer. The stuffing of the eggs was first seen in Spain in the 13th century.

Frittata is another simple brunch classic.  Many people think it is an Italian dish because its name comes from the Italian word friggere, meaning to fry, but this dish is not often seen on Italian menus.  It is basically a crustless quiche.  Any type of filling is put into a pan to which beaten egg is added.  Once the underside of the egg has browned, the pan is put into the oven, where the top part is browned.  It is then turned out and served sliced.  Asparagus, goat cheese, and herbs are a favourite combination in my family. The famous Israeli chef, Yotam Ottolenghi, serves a zucchini and ciabatta frittata with Parmesan cheese that is simple to make and has wow factor. 

If you want to outsource your brunch solution, there are many excellent options here in Oakville and Burlington.

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Geocaching – The Ultimate Scavenger Hunt

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One of the most positive spinoffs of the pandemic has been the increase in the number of people hitting the trails. There’s a fun activity identified as the world’s most giant scavenger hunt for those who want to add another dimension to their hikes. It’s called geocaching. 

What is geocaching? 

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting activity that uses GPS-enabled devices to find a particular spot. Those spots can be in parks, on trails, or anywhere around your town or city. 

The goal is to lead you to a spot where one of three things can happen; you may come upon a beautiful view or a special happening or find something special hidden in the cache. Not knowing what you’ll find is part of the fun. 

There are more than three million caches situated worldwide and an estimated 6,438 geocaches hidden around the Hamilton area alone. There are only three rules to geocaching; take something from the cache, leave something in the cache, and write about it in a logbook. 

How do you start? 

You can start your scavenger hunt by creating an account through a geocaching website like Geocaching.com or Conservation Halton. There is also an app called Geocaching®, where you can see a map of geocaches near where you live. 

You then use the app to locate the cache. Caches should not be placed in an area that could put the person searching in danger. 

Conservation Halton has some great spots for geocaching enthusiasts. You can also visit Geocaching.com to track caches in Oakville and Burlington, including some in Bronte Creek and even your own neighbourhood. 

What is in a typical cache? 

The most common items in caches are toy soldiers, coins, jewelry, keychains, maps, books, CDs, and rain ponchos. The cache itself can be a waterproof bucket that’s big enough to hold the logbook and other objects. Caches range in size from tiny to multi-caches and can include mystery caches that involve puzzle solutions. This is what turns the experience into a treasure hunt. 

What do I do when I find a cache? 

Hidden inside the cache is a logbook and sometimes a pen or pencil. It’s essential to bring your own pen in case there isn’t one. Once you find it, sign in (with your established code name), date the logbook, then put the geocache back where you found it and log your experience online. You can also include information on nearby attractions, coordinates to other caches, or even a funny joke in the logbook.

How do I place my own cache? 

If you want to put a cache somewhere on land that is part of Conservation Halton, there are some basic rules. You must first obtain approval from Geocaching.com and have a permit granted by Conservation Halton. Then you must include an explanation of the Geocaching activity in the cache container. 

Putting your items in a clear plastic bag is recommended to protect them. When deciding where to place the cache, it’s important to note that no digging is allowed. That means you cannot disturb any wildlife habitat or hammer any screws or nails into trees.

The cache owner must monitor the site monthly and make sure the contents are still there. No webcams are allowed as it impedes an individual’s right to privacy. 

Geocaching can be a fun way to learn about the environment, and it can teach your kids about nature and add a surprise element to your hikes.

Local Link

Conservation Halton: Conservationhalton.ca

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How to Personalize Any Space with Consignment Finds

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Shopping for furniture and home accessories can be a lot of fun — but sometimes, it takes extra effort to bring your vision to life. Your dream pieces may be over budget or out of stock, the big box stores might not have the quality or character you’re after, and custom pieces may not be in your price range at the moment. If these are your problems, consignment may be the solution—and fortunately, there are plenty of great places to shop in Halton.

High quality, lower prices

Consignment shops often carry vintage items as well as high-end pieces that have been gently used. You may be able to purchase a gorgeous sofa or accent chair used to stage a home or a bedroom set from a guest room. “In Burlington, most of my consignment items come from high-end homes with excellent furniture,” says Lesley Charest of Zoey’s Consignment on Fairview. “Because the items come from larger homes, consigners may not have used the furniture  daily — sometimes, barely used. You can’t tell the difference between that piece and something you went into a conventional furniture store to buy new.”

When you buy high-end pieces on consignment, they usually aren’t “cheap” — for example, a lightly used sofa that initially cost $7,000 may be on consignment for $4,000 — but the value is outstanding. You also may be able to find professionally curated collections. “A lot of my high-end consignors use designers, so you’re getting pieces that have already been coordinated,” Charest says.

In addition to second-hand and vintage, some consignment stores sell brand name overstock or online returns that are essentially new. And now, with supply chain issues causing significant delays among retailers, consignment has an added appeal: if it fits in your car, you can walk out of the store with it. (And if it doesn’t? You can usually arrange delivery within several days.)

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Consignment offers plenty of aesthetic benefits, but there are other reasons to shop second-hand. Buying gently used pieces saves money and often allows you to have something you might not otherwise be able to afford. It also helps keep furniture out of the landfill. “People are very conscientious about recycling and reusing, and they’ve realized that consignment is one of the most amazing ways to do that because you can find extraordinary pieces for half the price,” explains Lisa Bogart of Bogart Home and Decor in Bronte. “For environmental and economic reasons, it’s a win-win.”

Jacky Bernier of The Millionaire’s Daughter in Oakville feels that more customers embrace this mindset. “Instead of buying new, people are consciously looking for something out there already.” 

Trends and tips from the pros

Charest says that while every client is different, interior designers often look for interesting pieces to add to a home’s decor. Upholstered furniture is also in high demand right now. Bernier sees increased demand for chandeliers, accent pieces, and patio furniture. “They all want a unique, one-of-a-kind feel,” Bogart says. “People are trying to personalize their space. You want something meaningful to you — to come home and be like, I love that.” 

Ready to get started?

Here are a few tips from our experts:

  • Start with your rug and then add complementary pieces, says Charest. If you aren’t adding a rug, start with the primary furniture items and add accessories.
  • Bring photos and measurements with you when you shop! Charest says that if a sofa can’t get through the door to your house, it isn’t the sofa for you.
  • Whether it’s furniture or accessories, make sure you love it before you buy it, says Bernier. Have a vision for your home and collect items that bring it to life.
  • Take it slow, says Bogart. Buying ten pieces at once doesn’t nurture your soul like collecting treasured pieces over time.
  • Our experts say, don’t be afraid to mix eras or add interesting, eclectic pieces to your home. This is a way of making your decor interesting. 
  • Look for high style and quality. “Consignment makes great  design more accessible,” Bogart says. “It’s critically important to love your space, but you don’t have to spend oodles of money. Just buy stuff that you love!”

Local Links

Bogart Home Décor and Consignment: Bogarthome.com

The Millionaires Daughter: Themillionairesdaughter.com

Zoey’s Consignment: Zoeys.ca

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Grab and Go – Meals Made Easy

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Whether you’re a parent with a house full of kids or single with a busy life, some days, you just don’t want the trouble of making dinner. With endless options to chow on, gone are the days of pizza as an easy take-out go-to. Ready-made meals for delivery or pick-up have taken mealtime to an entirely new level – and you still get to claim some brownie points. You’ve probably heard of the larger contenders in the prepared foods market, but there are many local companies who do it – dare we say…better, fresher, and healthier than the rest. 

Nadine Hughes, founder of Dinner at Home Meals, started her business as a cooking school in Oakville over 13 years ago. But her customers wanted more. After taking her cooking lessons, people would come up to Nadine and say: “I wish you could cook for me every night.” Nadine, whom one could describe as a serial entrepreneur, listened to her clients and their needs, and launched her Dinner at Home Meals, preparing tried and tested recipes for delivery or pick-up. 

Nadine’s goal is to make things perfectly effortless. She grew up in a European family where her mother was an exceptional cook. Her family had a passion for food and bringing people together around a table. Nadine’s recipes are made from scratch in small batches using local suppliers.  Recipes are developed, tested, and trialed in-house until they are perfect. “We chop the carrots and make the stock so that you don’t have to.” Recipes are designed specifically for frozen meals so that most dishes can go from the freezer to the oven to the table in a simple step.

Nadine’s business isn’t the only local business inspired by family. Columbian-born couple, Luis Velasquez and Juliana Berrio, are the owners of Familia Fine Foods in Burlington. After working in the banking industry in Columbia and Toronto, they decided to take the plunge into their own entrepreneurial journey. While Familia is part restaurant and part catering company, Luis and Juliana also offer frozen prepared meals (most of which come with authentic Columbian flare). “We know that getting home after a full day and rustling up a family dinner can be a difficult task. We’re a family, too, with two daughters of our own, so we feel the time crunch,” says Juliana. “It’s why we started Familia Fine Foods. To take the stress out of meal times.”  

Familia has a large selection of ready-made food. The Brazilian chicken pie is fantastic, and so is the pork stroganoff. There are gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options as well. 

SupperWorks in Oakville is also inspired by family. Owner, Joni Lien founded SupperWorks over 16 years ago. At the time, she was a busy mom who loved to cook for her family – but she also understood how chaotic meal times could be. SupperWorks has a location in Ottawa as well as Oakville, and prepares fresh food for delivery, with each dish serving six people. One of the things we love about SupperWorks is their commitment to supporting local! Many of their meals are planned with seasonal ingredients in mind, so they can source those ingredients from local farms (talk about fresh). Once everything is prepped in their kitchen, freshly prepared meals are delivered right to your door – all you have to do is heat and eat! Some specialties include the four cheese and garlic crusted chicken breasts or the beef and ginger stir fry. Sides can also be included, like the healthy and delicious cauli rice with mushrooms and spinach or the maple crumbled sweet potato mash.

The Platter Company in Burlington is a foodie company that started off as a catering company, including making gourmet artisanal platters loaded with delicious cured meats, cheeses, olives and fresh and dried fruits. When the pandemic hit, the demand for party platters took a nose dive, but owner Jacqui Cronin quickly pivoted to focus on prepared meals. It was a natural transition as they know how to cook! Orders for the Platter Company’s frozen foods and prepared meals have been booming (so much so that they have recently  expanded their business to include a gourmet market). They have different meal sizes… the onesie (seniors, singles or students), meals feeding two or three, family size, and party size! With a whole frozen collection of appetizers, soups, sauces, pastas, brunch, desserts, their aim is to make it easy to entertain or just get through the week. Try the creamy truffle mac and cheese (there is also a lobster mac and cheese) or the peri-peri pulled chicken.

Monastery Bakery in Oakville offers fresh ready-made meals which can be ordered online.  There is a list of weekly dinner  specials to entice you, such as the Monastery Signature lamb shank on mashed potatoes with grilled vegetables, or the Atlantic salmon on brown rice with grilled vegetables Or try the cooked trays such as chicken teriyaki or seafood paella.

With all these creative options available, it seems that all is left is to sit down, open a bottle of wine if you choose, and enjoy your meal.

Local Links

Dinner at Home Meals: Dinnerathomemeals.com

SupperWorks: Supperworks.com

The Platter Company: Theplattercompany.ca

Familia Fine Foods: Familiafinefoods.com

Monastery Bakery: Monasterybakery.com

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Exploring India Through Food

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No country compares to India for the use of a vast array of spices in their cuisine. Those spices give each dish a distinct flavour and fragrance – which quite honestly, leaves us wanting more. While many popular spices used in Indian food can be found in local grocery stores, it’s all about how you combine and use them. And no one uses them better than our local Indian restaurants. While it would be a fair assumption to say that many of us have tried a creamy dish of Butter Chicken or even a golden curry – Indian food is so much more than that. 

With a population of over 1.38 billion people and 22 recognized languages, India is a country with vast cultural diversity. Naturally, with diversity comes many types of cuisine, and that means there is so much more to explore than mainstream Indian cuisine. Thankfully, Ontario has a large Indian population, which means their food and culture are well represented for us to learn about and enjoy. 

If you’ve had Indian food before, you’ve probably indulged in North Indian cuisine – also known as Punjabi cuisine (it’s the most popular). You’ll find lots of bread used in Northern Indian cuisine – think naan, roti, and samosas. In the South, you are much more likely to discover the versatility of lentils – lentil soups, lentil rice cakes, and lentil crepes. Their spice blends are also different. Northern Indian cuisine predominantly uses a spice blend known as  Garam Masala (a mixture of cinnamon, mace, peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and cardamon pods). The most popular seasoning in the South is huli pudi, a mixture of turmeric, curry, coriander, methi, and coconut oil. 

Popular North Indian Dishes 

Butter Chicken or Murgh Makhani originated in Northern India. This dish is tender and juicy, and the chicken pieces are marinated in yogurt and then prepared in a rich gravy with a smooth, silky texture. Instead of using butter as the name would suggest, Ghee (or clarified butter) is added with cream to give the dish its luxurious texture.

Chicken or Lamb Korma has its roots in the Mughlai cuisine of the Indian subcontinent. It can be traced back to the 16th century and usually consists of a protein or vegetable that has been braised with yogurt, water, and spices to produce a thick gravy. It can be mild or fiery hot, depending on your liking.

Tandoori cooking is believed to have originated in Persia. A charcoal fire is built in the tandoor oven (shaped like a large urn) and allowed to burn until the oven is red hot. Chicken or fish are threaded onto long skewers and placed in the oven with one end resting on the ashes. The meats are colored a bright red by using a natural dye called tandoori rang, which is added to the marinade. Naan bread is traditionally also made in the tandoor, giving them their soft inside and crispy, chewy outside texture. 

Popular South Indian Dishes 

The cuisine of South India is known for its light appetizing meals. It is mainly rice-based, while some dishes are mixed with rice and lentils. South Indian food is an excellent blend of colour and flavour. It is also extensive in its scope as it covers four significant states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. While there is a common thread between the dishes, they may differ in preparation or level of heat.

Dosa is a thin pancake made from a fermented batter of lentils and rice. It is similar to a French crepe but crispier. It’s bursting with almost any type of filling, from sweet to savory. 

Masala Dosa is one of the most popular dishes and is filled with potato flavoured with fenugreek and curry with Ghee. It is served with chutney and sambar, a lentil-based stew cooked with peas and tamarind broth. Although there are endless versions of Dosa and fillings, South Indian restaurants mainly offer vegetarian food. Very rarely do you find meat dishes on the menu.

While there are a number of wonderful and authentic Indian restaurants in Oakville and Burlington, it’s always fun to try traditional cooking at home. Most supermarkets offer ethnic products, including Indian spices. East Indian Supermarket off Trafalgar Road in Oakville and Samir Supermarket in Burlington offer a large selection of ingredients. 

Whether you order in, go out, or try to master a dish at home, Indian food has so many options to choose from, so there is no excuse not to give it a try.

Popular Restaurants for Indian Cuisine

7 Spice Bar & Masala Grill, Burlington: 7spice.ca

Prince of India, Burlington: Princeofindia.resturant

Royal Cumin Restaurant, Burlington: Royalcumin.com

Black Pepper Indian Kitchen, Oakville: Blackpepperindian.com

Oh Bombay, Oakville and Burlington: Ohbombay.ca

Coriander Green, Oakville: Coriandergreen.com

Riyasat, Oakville: Riyasat.ca

Bombay Bhel, Oakville: Bbloungerestaurant.com

Biryani House, Oakville: Oakvillebiryanihouse.ca

Daal Roti, Oakville: Daalroti.ca

Samir Market, Burlington: Samirsupermarket.ca

East Indian Supermarket, Oakville: Eastindiansupermarket.ca

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Art & Adventure: Close to Home

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The buds have sprouted, the bees are buzzing, and it’s time for a spring adventure! Reconnect with your community, grab your family for a day trip, or send the kids out to play, learn, and explore. Your local art galleries and museums are a great place to bring the whole family! Discover new and engaging programs and activities (and say hello to friendly staff). 

Let’s see What’s Hatching at the Oakville Museum

Any time of year, Oakville Museum invites you for a fun and fast-paced tour of the beautiful Erchless Estate. Investigate this unique historic home and learn about Oakville’s founding family. Or head over to the Museum’s gallery at Queen Elizabeth Park Community & Cultural Centre to check out Read Me a Story: Fables and Fairytales and enjoy a whimsical look at fables and fairytales from a long, long time ago. 

Children’s programs at the Oakville Museum encourage kids to find inspiration in a historic setting, and include unique activities, challenges, and crafts. The Tots and Pots Program (May 26 & June 2) offers seed planting, pot decorating, and flower-making crafts! It’s a perfect way to introduce young children to gardening at the historic Erchless Gardens. 

Summer Camps at the Oakville Museum (running weekly in July and August) are filled with excitement and adventure! Themes include Museum Mystery, Take Part Museum Art, Museum Summer Fun, Where Science Meets Art, Museum Material World, Wonders of Erchless Gardens, Explore Oakville, and Tales from Long Ago.

Catch some Spring Fever at the Museums of Burlington

The Joseph Brant Museum invites everyone to visit the Children’s Discovery Gallery any time of year – a specially designed, hands-on, interactive space for kids to explore, discover and have fun. Don’t miss True or False? This fun, interactive science exhibition invites visitors to use their critical senses to examine three principal categories of information: nature and animals, humans and food, and science and technology – on until May 21. 

Toddler Days (March 25 to May 20) is back this year, and kids can join in for a variety of themed days: On the Farm, Wild West, Flower Power, Ice Cream Social, A Bug’s Life, Mother’s Day, Spring Days, or Arctic Animals. 

P.A Day Camp (June 6) welcomes kids to the Big Top Circus! Join in and clown around with balloon animals, juggling, and even ventriloquism! Summer Camps at Joseph Brant Museum explore themes including Extreme Planet, Holiday Extravaganza, and Movie Mayhem!  

Each week includes special activities, crafts, and events. 

Hop on over to Ireland House

Ireland House is looking to re-open in the spring with some newly sprouted programs! Keep an eye on the Museums of Burlington website for details. The Culinary Kids Club provides a fun way for children to explore cooking methods in a hands-on, historic environment. The recipes for each session are based on a monthly theme, and include chocolate creations, focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, and pastry perfections! Summer Camps at Ireland House have themes that change weekly and include Medieval Times, Ancient Civilizations, Children’s Classics, and Culinary Kids. 

Let the Sunshine in at Oakville Galleries

Get outside with the Oakville Galleries and attend a Children’s Plein Air Workshop (May 22). Kids will be inspired by the natural beauty of the lake, trees, and flowers in Gairloch Gardens. Stroll down with the whole gang for a Family Art Workshop on April 24, 1:00 pm- 2:30 pm, or June 12, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm. Celebrate the spring and express your inner artist! These workshops are free, but pre-registration is required. Summer Camps at the Oakville Galleries will keep kids inspired while school’s out! Kids can stretch their thinking while having a blast making art. 

The Art Gallery of Burlington brings Spring Celebrations!

The Art Gallery of Burlington is a place for creators, cultures, and communities to come together! Current exhibits include Erdem Taşdelen: The Characters, Act III and Joanna Strong: Constellations. Open Family Studio programs allow visitors to explore objects, voices, and sounds through fun art projects. Weekly themes cover ideas such as Characters and Constellations and Cityscapes in Perspective. 

The Art Gallery of Burlington programs mix art, crafts, and technology! Explore how art, ceramics, light, and sound can inspire personal creations. Spend time in both the clay studio and art studio for a dynamic experience!

Local Links

The Oakville Museum: oakville.ca/museum

Museums of Burlington: museumsofburlington.ca

Oakville Galleries: http://oakvillegalleries.com

The Art Gallery of Burlington: agb.life

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Fitness Made Fun: Dance, Kick & Fly into the New Year

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There is never a time quite like the present to try something new, especially coming into a new year where collectively, we are more than ready for change! If the world isn’t quite ready to give us that change, maybe it’s time to shake things up in our own lives.

Thinking about starting a new year with a new commitment to health is nothing new. But what if our workouts could look different this year? Working out doesn’t have to be monotonous or routine, and it doesn’t even have to feel like working out. It can be new, vibrant, exciting, and fun, all while transforming your health and confidence. These local studios offer a variety of unique exercise classes for all ages, abilities, and interests. The only thing you need is a willingness to try something new and make a change.

Aerial Yoga

You may be familiar with yoga, but this takes traditional yoga to new heights, literally! Be Yoga and Wellness in Burlington offers a zero-gravity yoga experience with the help of a silk hammock attached to the ceiling. You don’t need to be experienced in yoga or a Cirque du Soleil performer to attend these classes where you will learn, improve, have fun, and develop incredible strength. Are you ready to fly?

Pole Classes

There are many stereotypes associated with pole “dancing”, but have you ever considered that it could actually be a full-body workout that combines resistance training, cardio, strength, and flexibility? This is an incredibly fun and active way to build your confidence in a way that doesn’t feel like you are working. Check out Yoga and Pole in Oakville for a complete schedule of all level classes.

Belly Dancing

Dance can be a great way to work out, and Egyptian Belly Dance is no exception. Located in beautiful downtown Burlington, BellyUp offers classes for curious beginners to those with higher levels of experience. Belly dancing is perfect for recreation, fitness, self-transformation, and artistry, and BellyUp is a non-judgmental and safe space to explore and try new things.

Kickboxing and Martial Arts

If dancing and yoga aren’t your thing, Inner Warrior Fitness in Oakville has other forms of modern workouts for you to try. Their large variety of classes include martial arts, kickboxing, and more, and are available to all experience levels. You will sweat, learn, improve, and have fun in a way that is sure to bring out your inner warrior!

Barre

There is a new dance workout raising the “barre” and it brings new life and energy to traditional ballet. Barre Life in Oakville combines ballet, pilates, and yoga in a unique class that utilizes a ballet barre and resistance bands. Several varieties of classes exist, each targeting slightly different things, available for all levels of experience.

Capoeira

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. Capoeira Bamba Mississauga is the perfect authentic local studio for you to experience this new art form. Be prepared to try putting your body in positions that you may have never thought possible as you learn this art form and immerse yourself in a different culture, all while becoming a stronger version of yourself.

We continue to face a world that is unknown, so with a new year upon us, perhaps embracing the unknown with newfound confidence could be empowering. These studios are unique, but they share a few things in common; they are locally owned, inspiring places ready to welcome you as you try something new, focus on your health, have fun and make a change!

Local Links:

Be Yoga and Wellness || Beyogawellness.com

Yoga and Pole || Yogaandpole.ca

BellyUp || Bellyup.ca

Inner Warrior Fitness || Innerwarriorfitness.ca

Barre Life || Barrelife.ca

Capoeira Bamba Mississauga || Facebook.com/bambamississauga

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Upgrade your Home with Custom Furniture

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When you’re shopping for new furniture, your first instinct may be to head to a big box store or maybe a high-end retailer you’ve heard good things about. Both of these are valid options, but don’t overlook another choice: custom pieces designed specifically for your home. While the idea may be intimidating, going custom may be easier and more accessible than you’d think. Here’s what you need to know plus expert tips to help you get started.

The benefit of going custom

The main benefit of going custom is getting exactly what you want — the right size, scale, colour, material and function for your home. While there are some beautiful mass-produced items on the market, they don’t work in every space, explains Jim Anderson of Anderson’s Interiors in Burlington. When you order a custom sofa, for example, you choose everything from the style and fabric to the specific dimensions of the piece and the firmness of the cushions. “It allows me to sit with a client and design something to their specific needs,” Anderson says, noting that older clients may prefer a firmer couch and other clients may need something compact or oversized.

Jim Hobbs of Joshua Creek Furniture in Oakville agrees. “I’d recommend custom furniture to those who cannot find a standard piece to work for them or desire an item that is unique,” he says. Both Joshua Creek and Anderson’s offer custom pieces with design support in store.

While custom chairs, sofas and tables are a common request, consumers can order custom media consoles, end tables, headboards, full beds and more. “If it can be made out of wood, it can be custom,” Anderson says.

When it comes to large pieces, avoid online

Online retailers may have great photos and tempting prices, but you often get what you pay for — or worse. “We hear it every day from customers — they made an error buying online,” Hobbs says. “We all know things look good in photos, and in reality it’s a different story. Furniture is a big investment and you want to invest wisely.”

To avoid regret, start your shopping journey in person. Ideally, you’ll be able to touch and feel various samples and even sit on furniture that’s been made by the same supplier.

Canadian-made quality that lasts

Another benefit of custom furniture is the quality, particularly when you’re working with Canadian makers. Custom pieces are typically made with great care, so they look amazing, last longer and provide better long-term value. Buying custom also supports local makers and woodworkers.

One local furniture provider is Steve Culumovic of Blue Skies Woodwork in Burlington. Culumovic builds custom furniture and cabinetry for clients and agrees that going custom is an investment in craftsmanship. “The value of hiring a custom maker is in how the furniture is made,” he says. “The piece can be better built with better joinery choices. The maker can also pay closer attention to wood grain and colour, which is something not done in a factory setting. There is more care and attention paid in a custom shop which results in longer lasting and more appealing pieces of furniture.”

And, if your style preferences change in the years to come, you can refinish or reupholster a high-quality piece at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

Can you afford to go custom?

Custom furniture isn’t cheap, but it’s not just for wealthy households. Anderson notes that a lot of his custom furniture clients are retirees who have downsized and have a bit of extra cash flow from the sale of a home. They know what they want, and they’re willing to invest in that perfect piece for their new condo or other living space.

Generally, a custom piece is going to cost significantly more than something from a big box store. However, if you’re comparing the cost of custom to buying off-the-rack pieces from high end furniture brands, the difference may be less than you’d think — and in some cases, it’s actually less expensive, Anderson asserts. This is due to rising costs related to the pandemic including material expense, supply chain issues and more. Hobbs agrees, saying, “Canadian-made furniture is great value these days.”

It’s also important to consider how length of use factors in. If you pay $1500 for a sofa that’s going to fall apart in a few years, you’re not actually spending less in total than someone who buys a $4200 custom sofa that lasts well over a decade. Keep this in mind when making decisions — if you can swing the upfront cost, you’ll get better value (and a more beautiful home) in the long run.

Local Links:

Anderson’s Interiors || Andersonsinteriors.ca

Joshua Creek Furniture || Joshuacreekfurniture.com

Blue Skies Woodwork || Blueskiescustomwoodwork.com

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