Burlington Spotlight: December Happenings
The weather outside might be frightful, but that’s no reason to hibernate in your homes all holiday season. Being one of Canada’s best communities, it’s no surprise that Burlington offers a wide array of events that will have you decking the halls, dashing through the snow, and rocking around the Christmas tree. Check out our list of 3 holiday-based events in Burlington this December that not even the Grinch would want to miss. The North Coal Christmas Market Taking place in the historic Village Square in downtown Burlington, this outdoor European Style Christmas Market will be hosting an array of local vendors, beverage lounges, and festive food huts where you can eat, drink, shop, and explore to your heart’s desire. The market will be open for 5 days, so there’s plenty of opportunities to get your shop on. Date night anyone? Date & Time: Wednesday December 4 – 4:00PM – 10:00PM Thursday December 5 – 12:00PM – 10:00PM Friday December 6 – 12:00PM – 11:00PM Saturday December 7 – 11:00AM- 11:00PM Sunday December 8 – 11:00AM – 9:00PM Burlington Symphony – Christmas Spectacular Bundle up the kids and bring them over to the Burlington Performing Arts Centre for a family concert full of Christmas magic. Featuring the Burlington Civic Chorale and renowned symphony conductor Denis Mastromonaco, you and your family can experience and sing along to all the Christmas classics you’ve heard since you were a child. Date & Time: Sunday December 8 – 3:00PM – 5:00PM Winter Lights at the Rock Garden Running every weekend this December is the Winter Lights event at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Thousands of festive lights lead you through a nighttime winter wonderland of charming Christmas tunes, soul-warming food and drink, and the Escarpment Train Exhibit. This unique holiday experience gives you and your loved ones a special evening to capture those perfect holiday memories. Dates & Time: December 6-8, 13-15, 20-23 – 6PM to 9PM (last admittance is 8:30PM) Remember that two of these events happen on multiple weekends so if you happen to be out of town this December, you’re not out of luck. So get out and celebrate the holiday season – or you can just stay inside and cozy up next to the fire, that sounds nice too.
The Illumina Presentation Centre Is Now Open To The Public
With the Illumina Presentation Centre now open to the public, the realities of living at this sleek, sophisticated condominium is becoming a reality. Located at 2089 Fairview Street – just east of Brant Street – the Illumina presentation centre is open Monday to Thursday, 3pm to 7pm and weekends 1pm to 5pm. Come visit to learn more about the exciting opportunity to live in Downtown West Burlington with a new standard of elegance and carefree living at Illumina. At the presentation centre you can expect to see a 3D model of the building, life-size sections of our suites, and in-depth information about our space-efficient storage and Energy Star solutions. Created by the award-winning team at Graziani + Corazza, Illumina is a statement of elegance with a view to Burlington’s future – one that only the Molinaro Group can offer, given its 50+ years of creating landmark residences. Animated by patterns of light and shadow, Illumina is awash in balconies and terraces inviting you to survey the charming Downtown West neighbourhood and beyond. Here, you’re close to all of life’s necessities and conveniences, including shopping, dining, recreation, and steps away from Burlington’s Waterfront, Spencer Smith Park, The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, the Art Gallery of Burlington, and the Downtown Core. Come visit us to see how you can shine a new light in your life with Illumina – Burlington’s new light.
Burlington Spotlight: October Happenings
Just because summer is coming to an end doesn’t mean your fun has to. Burlington has claimed the #1 spot on MacLean’s 25 Best Communities in Canada 2019 and it has a lot to do with the sheer amount of activities available year round. Let’s take a look at some of the events that you absolutely cannot miss! The Burlington Performing Arts Centre The month of October sees the Burlington Performing Arts Centre host multiple exciting musical performances all month long: Sloan First, check out Canadian pop-rock royalty as they make a stop in Burlington on their North American tour. Date & Time: Friday October 4 8PM – 10PM April Wine Next, check out this Canadian powerhouse band as they churn out their countless arena rock hits that have earned them numerous gold and platinum selling albums. Date & Time: Thursday October 10 8PM – 10PM Legacy: A Tribute to Gord Downie Then, celebrate the man, the myth, the legend – Gord Downie. The night will include musical performances by multiple Canadian artists with all proceeds going directly to the Downie/Wenjack Fund Legacy. Date & Time: Thursday October 17th 8PM – 10PM The Rocky Horror Picture Show Finally, what better way to spend Halloween than with the an acoustic arrangement of the cult classic? Head down to the Burlington Performing Arts Centre on Halloween night to groove along to all your favourite hits from the iconic movie. Date & Time: Thursday, October 31st 8PM – 10PM Raise The Woof Comedy Night Back by popular demand, Burlington Humane Society presents RAISE THE WOOF comedy night. Come help the animals and join us for a night filled with laughter, food, and drinks! Raise The Woof is a stand-up comedy event that works with animal shelters and rescue groups to help them receive much needed fundraising. Date & Time: Saturday, October 19th 7:30PM – 10PM Treats In Our Streets Come and celebrate Halloween at the wildly popular FREE trick-or-treating event located in downtown Burlington. Families are welcomed by businesses to trick-or-treat in costume throughout the downtown, collecting goodies at participating downtown businesses. Trick-or-treating locations are highlighted on maps provided, and include activities along the way. Plus, volunteers will also be on the lookout for the best costume, the winner of which will win a grand prize! Date & Time: Saturday, October 26th 10AM – 1PM Keep your eyes open for our winter events blog in November!
Burlington Spotlight: Summer Isn’t Over Yet!
The kids are going back to school, the morning air is a little cooler, and there are a few more leaves on the ground than there were a couple weeks ago. But don’t worry, summer isn’t over yet, and there’s still a ton of fun stuff to do in Burlington before we wind down for autumn! Check out our list of the events that you simply need to check out this September: Canada’s Largest Ribfest – Aug. 30th to Sept. 2nd Known as the largest and most successful community event in Burlington, the Rotary Ribfest has been a staple in the area since 1996. Not only can you enjoy a plethora of BBQ, including ribs, wings, and brisket, you can also check out the wide range of live music performances from bands like Freedom Train, The Dreamboats, and Blush. Best of all, you can feel good about attending an event that contributes all of its proceeds directly back into the community. Doggy Dip and Mutt Marketplace – September 7th, 10AM – 3PM Your dog wants to enjoy the end of summer too, so why not bring them down to the Doggy Dip and Mutt Marketplace at Bronte Creek Provincial Park? This event will feature local unique canine services, products and businesses who are all there to get your dog’s tail wagging. Also, from 10:30 to 1:30, your dog can enjoy a dip in the pool with up to 50 other dogs! Event details will be posted on the park Facebook page @OPBronteCreek. 39th Annual Burlington Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research – September 15th, 8AM – 12PM Why not get in an outdoor run before the weather gets cooler and your stuck on the treadmill? The 39th annual Terry Fox run in Burlington is not only an event that’s fun for the whole family, but it’s for a fantastic cause! The Start/Finish line is located at the east end of Spencer Smith Park by the Pier in front of the Waterfront Hotel, so you know the views during your run will be fantastic. Following the run, enjoy free food, face painting, balloon animals, massages and tattoos, while you groove to live bands, DJs and MCs. E-A-T Burlington – September 29th, 1PM – 4PM Are you hungry to participate in an exploration of Burlington in a brand new way? E-A-T is a food-centric event created for community members to navigate the neighbourhood and sample the most delicious and authentic food that Burlington has to offer. While you’re enjoying your food, you’re also supporting an incredible local charity that aims to fight child hunger in Burlington called FOOD4KIDS. For more ways to make the most of Summer 2019, check out the City of Burlington’s festival and events page: https://www.burlington.ca/en/live-and-play/Festivals-and-Events.asp
Molinaro Project Showcase: Paradigm
This month’s Molinaro Project Showcase features Paradigm condominiums. Situated at Fairview Street and Brant Street, this master-planned condominium has got it all. From an outdoor activity terrace, sky lounge, and outdoor party area, to an indoor basketball court, pool, and hot water spa, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Divided into three distinct towers, Paradigm offers a wide array of room styles and floorplans, perfect for families of all sizes. Shift Toward Sustainability with Paradigm Paradigm’s sustainable, eco-friendly features have been designed with 2 goals in mind: reducing the environmental footprint of the community, and lowering monthly living costs for tenants. From a state-of-the-art “white” roof, to energy saving peripherals, to locally sourced building materials, sustainability is at the forefront of all of Molinaro’s construction projects – and it’s no different at Paradigm. Location Living in Mid-Town Burlington provides you with all the advantages of urban living without the bustling crowds of people. The wide away of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and shopping centres in the area ensures you’ll never run of out of things to do! Paradigm is also conveniently situated just a short walk from the Burlington Go Train, so welcoming guests from out of town is a breeze. Also, both highway 403 and 407 are less than 5 minutes away from Paradigm, making Paradigm an extremely easy condo to come and go from. Paradigm is the latest expression of the Molinaro Group’s 50-year commitment to excellence in real estate development. Family owned and operated, the company has a proven track record of creating Burlington’s most iconic condominium residences. With a youthful and energetic vision for the future, Molinaro Group continues to set the standard of condominium quality and innovation here in Canada’s best mid-sized city.
4 Reasons Why You Should Be Living In Burlington
On August 8th, Maclean’s released their 25 Best Communities in Canada 2019 list, which calculates the cities and towns that offer the best quality of life in our country. If you’re lucky enough to live in Burlington, you’re probably not surprised that it came in at #1, with amenities, a low crime-rate, and thriving culture/community being the most touted features. But there are many great things about living in Burlington that many of us who live there might take for granted. The Proximity Whether you’re looking for big-city excitement, cottage-country living, cross-border shopping, or wine-country adventures, Burlington has you covered. Plus, with Highway-407 and 403 easily accessible, road-tripping across Southern Ontario is a breeze. However, living in Burlington means you don’t need to leave the comfort of your own backyard to have a good time. The Festivals Some of the biggest festivals in the country take place in Burlington, including the Sound of Music Festival, the Burlington Beer Festival, Marques d’Elegance, and Canada’s largest Ribfest to name a few. The gorgeous waterfront plays host to many of these festivals, providing visitors with amazing views and cool breezes. The many festivals held in Burlington each year help to enrich the community, and attracts visitors from all over Ontario. To keep up with what’s going on, check out the City of Burlington Festivals and Events page. The Nature Take a stroll along the Burlington Waterfront Trail, or experience the beauty of nature at the Royal Botanical Gardens. In fact – there are more than 100 parks and green spaces in Burlington for you to discover. Provincial parks, conservation areas, the Niagara escarpment, and Burlington Beach are just a few examples of the wide variety of outdoor spaces that you can take advantage of in Burlington. The Community Somethings, however, are less tangible than others – like the feeling of community spirit and togetherness in Burlington. Neighbourhoods are safe, family-friendly places where neighbours are always there to lend a helping hand. It’s a city full of people who are proud to live in Burlington, who continuously strive to make it the greatest city in Canada.
Community Spotlight: Building A Better Burlington
Joseph Brant Hospital Joseph Brant Hospital’s mission is simple: to provide quality patient care. They do this by always following and living by their core values: compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence. So in 2012, when they embarked on a multi-year revitalization project to expand and modernize their facilities, Molinaro Group jumped at the opportunity to help with a $1 million dollar donation. “We’re happy to give back to support the community. Burlington has been very good to us,” said Vince Molinaro, president of the Molinaro Group for the past 12 years. For their contribution, JBH recognized the donation by naming an inpatient unit for the Molinaro Group and included them on their Pillars of the Community installation erected in the Meditation Gardens just outside the hospital. “This amazing show of community leadership has inspired all of us at Joseph Brant and we could not be more appreciative,” said Eric Vandewall, president and CEO of Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital. “The Molinaro Group is truly a pillar of the community and we look forward to recognizing the company as such in our new, state-of-the art facility.” The Molinaro Group’s $1M gift was the first major donation to the $60M hospital expansion campaign. Carpenter Hospice Carpenter Hospice is a home in the heart of Burlington that offers both residential-based care to people in the last stage of their lives, and community-based programs for people dealing with grief or a life-limiting illness. It is staffed by an incredibly dedicated team of healthcare professionals and volunteers whose primary role is to provide compassionate, quality care to meet residents’ needs. For the past 2 years, Vince Molinaro and his Wife Tina have had the honour of being the Co-Chairs at the yearly gala for Carpenters Hospice. Through their efforts, they’ve helped to raise over $400,000 for the organization. They’re back at it again this year, and will be Chairing the 2020 Gala and look forward to raising even more money for this important part of the Burlington Community. Building a better Burlington; it’s not just a tagline. It’s about giving back to a place that’s maintained its title as one of Canada’s Best Mid-Sized Cities for several years in a row. What makes Burlington so great isn’t just the safe, clean environment, great amenities, and abundant green spaces. It’s also the people. And where you’ll find some of the best people is at Joseph Brant Hospital and the Carpenter Hospice.
Registration for Illumina is Now Open!
We’re excited to announce that registration for the Molinaro Group’s new condominium project – Illumina – is now open! Coming soon to Burlington’s downtown west at Brock Avenue and Ontario Street, The Molinaro Group is excited to build upon the bright future of Burlington with Illumina, this time only a 10 minute walk north of Lake Ontario and Spencer Smith Park! Register now at illuminacondos.ca to stay up to date on information and secure your opportunity to be one of the first to purchase a home at Illumina: Burlington’s new light. At The Molinaro Group, we’re building a better Burlington. We hope you’ll join us.
Burlington Spotlight: July Events & Happenings
So many exciting things are happening in Burlington this July, it’s easy to find something everyone will love. Here are our top 5 suggestions for things you need to check out! Canada Day Celebrations Head over to Spencer Smith Park on Monday, July 1st from 2PM – 10PM for a collection of Canadian-inspired activities and entertainment. Free shuttle buses to and from the event are available and will be running on a continuous loop every 20 minutes between 2PM and 11PM. Entertainment includes multiple dance shows, a welcome from Mayor Meed Ward, a performance by award-winning Canadian musician Johannes Linstead, and of course – fireworks! Movies Under the Stars Across multiple parks on Thursdays all summer, the city of Burlington is holding “Movies Under the Stars” where you and your family can enjoy a free outdoor movie! All movies start at 9PM, weather permitting. There are 4 movie nights in July: Thursday, July 4th – Nelson Park “Megamind” Thursday, July 11th – Orchard Park “Planes: Fire and Rescue” Thursday, July 18th – Central Park Bandshell “Annie” Thursday, July 25th – Earl Court Park “Monsters Inc.” Don’t forget to come early and bring lawn chairs/blankets! Parking and restrooms are available on site. Follow the Burlington Events Twitter account – @BurlEvents – for confirmation that the movie is showing. Burlington Downtown Car Show Burlington’s 5th annual Downtown Car Show is happening on Saturday, July 6th from 10AM to 4PM. Head down to Brant Street in the heart of the city, to check out vehicles of all ages, classes, and types. Plus, take a walk on the red carpet to admire the amazing collection of “Super Cars” on Elgin Street. The event is guaranteed fun for the whole family, with something for everyone including live music on the terrace of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, sidewalk sales, local merchants and automotive vendors. Admission is free so come check it out! Concerts in the Park Trying to get your groove on? Look no further than the Central Park Bandshell, where there will be live music acts playing all summer. Starting at 7:30PM on Wednesdays and Sundays, the Central Park Bandshell will be rocking with music for all tastes and types. So grab your blanket or lawn chair and come enjoy an evening of music under the open sky. July band schedule: Wednesday, July 3 – Dixieland Plus Sunday, July 7 – 12/4 Swing Wednesday, July 10 – Mississauga Concert Band Sunday, July 14 – Sophisticated Swing Wednesday, July 17 – Silver Swing Big Band Sunday, July 21 – Galt Kiltie Band Wednesday, July 24 – Swing Line Sunday, July 28 – Lincoln Concert Band Wednesday, July 31 – The Barbara Jordan Swing Septet Ontario Parks Celebrates: Healthy Parks Healthy People Looking for more ways to get outside and get active? For one day only on Friday, July 19th, access to Bronte Creek Provincial Park is absolutely free. There are tours and special activities available all day, so be sure to bring the whole family. There are five amazing hiking trails that perfectly showcase the beauty of the park, a Children’s Farm with live farm animals, disc golf, and the beautifully restored turn-of-the-century Spruce Lane Farm House, original built in 1899 – don’t forget to visit the turkeys! No matter your tastes, there’s something for everyone this July in Burlington. So get outside and enjoy your city – we’re sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Burlington Spotlight: Top 10 Coffee and Bake Shops
Burlington is full of sweet treats and freshly baked goods. Take a look at this top 10 list of Coffee and Bake Shops in Canada’s Best Mid-Sized City and leave a comment with your recommendations! 1). Kelly’s Bake Shoppe Kelly’s Bake Shoppe has been heaped with well-deserved praise since they first opened their doors in 2012. In fact, they were named to Buzzfeed’s Top 25 Cupcake Shops Around The World To Eat At Before You Die. It may sound impossible, but Kelly’s has created a full, delicious menu of cupcakes that are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, butter-free, vegan, and peanut-free, while using natural ingredients and flavours. “I’ve never had anything but an amazing experience here. From the cupcakes and cookies, to the root-beer floats – and now a delicious birthday cake!” Hours Monday: 9am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday: 9am to 9pm Sunday: 11am to 9pm Address 401 Brant St., Burlington https://www.kellysxo.com/ 2). MollyCake MollyCake puts a special focus on creating custom special occasion and celebration cakes, made with the best ingredients including real butter, fresh eggs, top quality chocolate, and Madagascar vanilla bean paste. Stop in to choose from their selection of French Macarons, Whoopie Pies, PushPop Cake Pops, ‘The’ Cookie, Salted Caramels, and Gourmet Marshmallows. Hours Monday: Closed Tuesday to Thursday: 10am to 6:30pm Friday: 10am to 7pm Saturday: 10am to 6pm Sunday: 11am to 5pm Address 361 Brant St., Burlington http://mollycakeonline.com 3). Cakes Sweets & Treats Cakes Sweets & Treats has a reputation and commitment to making each gourmet dessert memorable by combining high quality, fresh ingredients to ensure that every product looks and tastes delicious. “Was driving around Burlington today and happen to come across cakes sweets & treats, so glad we did! Muffins are super moist and the pastries as delicious will definitely be making a drive up to Burlington very soon!” Hours Monday: Closed Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 5pm Saturday: 9am to 4pm Sunday: 9am to 1pm Address 1600 Kerns Rd., Unit 3, Burlington http://www.cakessweetstreats.com/ 4). The Sunshine Doughnut Co. The Sunshine Doughnut Company offers Burlington a tasty selection of handcrafted doughnuts and coffee, that are always full of love. “My boyfriend and I came here for the first time yesterday. Doughnuts were gigantic! They were also the best doughnuts I’ve ever had, no lie. I find that for the size and taste of the doughnuts, they are well worth the price. Will definitely be coming again.” Hours Monday to Friday: 8am to 4pm Saturday to Sunday: 9am to 4pm Address 439 Brock Ave., Burlington http://www.sunshinedoughnuts.com/ 5). L.A. Cupcake Boutique & Cakes Since 2012, L.A. Cupcake Boutique and Cakes has been baking from scratch using only the finest ingredients. And while their specialty is cupcakes, full-sized cakes are available on request, and you can find treats including cookies, cake pops and assorted fresh baked bars daily. Stop in to choose from the 16 varieties of cupcakes available at L.A. Cupcake Boutique and Cakes daily! “We recently ordered cupcakes for my daughter’s sweet 16. My daughter and I were very happy with the look of the cakes and the party goers were raving about how great the cupcakes tasted.” Hours Monday: Closed Tuesday to Wednesday: 10am to 6pm Thursday to Friday: 10am to 7pm Saturday: 10am to 5pm Sunday: 10am to 4pm Address 2500 Appleby Line, Burlington http://www.lacupcake.ca/ 6). Nothing Bundt Cake Made fresh daily using real eggs, real butter, and real cream cheese, Nothing Bundt Cakes are top quality for any occasion. Visit the Burlington shop to choose from 10 delicious bundt cake flavours and forty unique cake designs. And while you shop, pick from a unique selection of gifts, cards, and inspired decorator items. Hours Monday to Wednesday: 9am to 6pm Thursday to Friday: 9am to 7pm Saturday: 9am to 6pm Address 3350 Fairview St., Unit 15, Burlington http://www.nothingbundtcakes.com/bakery/on/burlington-ontario 7). Sinful Desserts Since 1996, Sinful Desserts has been serving Custom Wedding Cakes, Novelty Cakes, Birthday Cakes, Anniversary Cakes, Special Occasion Cakes, European Pastries, Pies, Flans, Individual Desserts, Cupcakes, Petit Fours, Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and more. “You will understand the name once you taste the pastries. Everything is made from scratch. It is sinfully delicious.” Hours Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm Saturday: 10am to 3pm Sunday: Closed Address 3504 Mainway, Burlington http://www.sinfuldesserts.ca/ 8). Marco’s Bakery Marco’s Bakery bakes daily, offering fresh artisan breads, pastries, burek, sandwiches, meals, and sweets to Burlington. Open seven days a week, Marco’s Bakery is ready and waiting for you to stop in. “A great find, that makes delicious homemade Burek and Baklava. Wonderful staff that are very courteous and helpful. Highly recommend Marco’s Bakery!” Hours Monday to Friday: 9am to 7pm Saturday: 9am to 6pm Sunday: 10am to 5pm Address 3500 Fairview St., Unit 4, Burlington https://www.marcosbakery.net/ 9). The Brick Oven Bakery Opened in 1982, The Brick Oven Bakery has been serving Burlington for 35 years. With freshly baked daily offerings of breads, pastries, pizza, and deli options, their motto of “You’re only as good as your last batch” is lived up to every day. “The pizza is the best in Burlington, the breads are phenomenal, the chicken parmesan is the best lunch anywhere planetwide and the eggplant parmesan is perfection!” Hours Monday to Thursday: 8am to 6pm Friday: 8am to 7pm Saturday to Sunday: 8am to 6pm Address 2501 Guelph Line, Burlington http://thebrickovenbakery.ca/ 10). Lakeshore Coffee House Lakeshore Coffee House is dedicated to serving the best fair trade organic coffees from around the world to coffee lovers in Burlington. With unique beverage options to go with a food menu that includes sandwiches, soups, salads, quiche, pastries and ice cream, Lakeshore Coffee House is the perfect stop for lunch, dinner, or dessert. Hours Sunday to Friday: 9am to 9pm Saturday: 8am to 10pm Address 2007 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington http://lakeshorecoffeehouse.com/
