Latest news with #BurlingtonPublicLibrary
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Here's 2025 lineup for Burlington's twice-a-week Concerts in the Park series
Burlington's Concerts in the Park music series returns to Central Park twice a week throughout the summer. Twenty-two concerts are scheduled, Wednesday and Sunday evenings throughout the rest of June, July and August. All concerts are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and run to 8:30 p.m. If a performance is cancelled due to weather, a message will be posted at 905-632-9590 . The schedule is intended to showcase a diverse collection of ensembles and genres that include concert bands, big bands, brass bands, jazz, Dixieland, Motown/soul/R&B, 1950's/'60's rock, and folk bands. Residents are invited to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the free performances outside at the Central Park Bandshell ( 2311 New St. ), next door to Burlington Public Library's Central Branch. This year's series is sponsored by Access Storage. City staff said the Concerts in the Park series has been held each summer for more than 40 years, and having a sponsor is a regular occurrence that allows for 'high-quality programs with reduced costs to taxpayers.' The cost of the series and the value of Access Storage's sponsorship were not provided by the city or company by deadline.
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Burlington heritage home Paletta Mansion requires $15,000 of unplanned repairs
Unplanned repairs at the 95-year-old Paletta Mansion will cost the City of Burlington an estimated $15,000. City staff said the sunroom of the heritage building at 4250 Lakeshore Rd. will be restored after an inspection found rotting wood and peeling paint. Repairs include wood replacement, sealing and repainting, with work to be completed by a restoration contractor. According to a heritage permit application, restoration of the sunroom exterior will be as close as possible to its original condition by using matching Douglas fir wood. The building's reasons for heritage designation are likely to be affected due to removal of original wood trim. A schedule for the repairs was not available by deadline. Burlington's 2025 budget includes $958,900 from a reserve fund for repair and renewal of the three-storey heritage home. The fund is also used for condition assessments of infrastructure to ensure repairs are made as needed. Scheduled projects this year include the replacement of vinyl composite tile flooring and air handling units — part of the air conditioning system. A city spokesperson said there is no impact on taxpayers from Paletta Mansion's repair and renewal. The building currently operates as a banquet centre and wedding venue within the city's Paletta Park on Lake Ontario. The heritage home has been leased to Edge Hospitality since 2014. City staff would not release details of the lease agreement. The Burlington Post has filed a Municipal Freedom of Information request for the lease details. 'Financial details remain confidential,' a city spokesperson stated in an email. The lease is scheduled to expire this year, but city staff said there is an option to extend it to 2031. Edge Hospitality did not respond to requests for comment by deadline. The city purchased the former McNichol family estate in 1990 for $3.8 million, with plans for a public park. That was followed by a nearly three-decade long saga to determine the home's permanent use. Burlington Public Library's digital archive includes a collection of newspaper articles that followed the process through the 1990s. Several options were considered, including demolition of the home for expansion of the surrounding park, construction of up to 14 single-family homes or a 12-unit condominium, a Joseph Brant Hospital rehabilitation centre, seniors housing and an art gallery. The Paletta family eventually stepped forward to help restore the property and keep it in public hands. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
A Community United in Spirit: Burlington Celebrates 20 Years of Sahaja Yoga and International Yoga Day
This year marks a special milestone in Burlington as Sahaja Yoga celebrates its 20th anniversary in the city. At the heart of the celebration is Ioana Popa, the founder of Burlington's Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network and their meditation classes, and the passionate force behind International Yoga Days in Halton. Her journey began in Romania, just after the fall of communism — a time she describes as dark but transformative. 'There were no materials about yoga or spirituality during communism, but my grandfather had books hidden away. When I started reading them, it felt like finding light in the dark,' she recalls. That inner spark of curiosity eventually led her to Sahaja Yoga, guided by the teachings of Shri Mataji, a spiritual teacher she refers to with deep reverence. Popa says, 'Yoga means union — connection. The goal is self-realization. Everything that is essential should be simple, born within us. That's what 'Sahaja' means.' After arriving in Burlington two decades ago, she searched for free yoga classes but found none. So, she rented a space at Brant Hills Community Centre and began offering classes from the heart. 'For more than a month, no one came. But I kept showing up. I wasn't doing it for business or ego — I was doing it because yoga is meant to be shared.' From these humble beginnings, Sahaja Yoga in Burlington has grown into a vibrant network of community partnerships, volunteer support, and multicultural celebration. This year's International Yoga Days has expanded into a three-day experience, featuring meditative concerts, public yoga sessions, and community gatherings designed to nourish the mind, body, and spirit. 'This is not just a celebration, it's a reflection of what can happen when you plant the seeds of joy,' Popa says. 'We called our campaign 100 Seeds of Joy, and in one year, we ended up doing over 450 events.' The events kick off with a flag-raising ceremony on June 20, newly proclaimed by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward as Sahaja Meditation Day in Burlington. 'It's so meaningful to have the city acknowledge what we've been doing for years. It's about bringing people together to recognize the light that shines in every person.' Among the weekend's highlights is a gentle yoga flow accompanied by live Indian bamboo flute at Spencer Smith Park, a guided meditation at the Burlington Public Library, and the Festival of New Beginnings at the Burlington Lions Club, which features live music, chakra workshops, and community tea moments. Artists like Mari Joël and Kenny Clarys — international musicians who blend Celtic, Dutch, and meditative influences — will perform throughout the weekend, creating a rich cultural tapestry. The Burlington-Apeldoorn twinning agreement with the Netherlands added another meaningful layer to this year's celebration. 'When I learned that Burlington had a treaty with the Netherlands, and our guest musicians happened to be available for a week, it felt like alignment,' says Popa. 'We invited the mayor and wanted to highlight that this is about global connection — about being a global personality.' But what sets Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network apart isn't just its free offerings or cultural scope. It's the deep-rooted intention behind every class and event. 'This isn't physical yoga. It's about meditation and connection, about experiencing peace from within. It's closer to the original state of yoga — ending thought and feeling the oneness with the universe,' explains Popa. 'Our motto this year is 'One Earth, One Health.' The best way we can contribute to the world is through self-realization — respecting our own freedom and that of others.' Accessibility remains a cornerstone of Sahaja Yoga's mission. Every event and class is free and open to all, driven by a spirit of inclusivity and service. 'We've never charged for a class. We're volunteers, many of whom started as participants. Our events are for everyone: newcomers, seasoned yogis, people of every background. That's how we create real community.' From school visits and senior wellness sessions to collaborative events with local venues and musicians, Popa and her team of volunteers continue to spread their message across Halton. 'We don't need fancy things, just space, music, and intention. Let's make Burlington proud by showing that wellness is for everyone and that joy is something we cultivate together.' Whether you're joining a lakeside yoga session or sipping tea in shared silence, the goal is always the same: connection, joy, and the gentle reminder that everything you need is already within. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
14-06-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Burlington Public Library's Summer Reading Club returns
Burlington Public Library's Summer Reading Club returns for 2025 this month. The program has inspired local youth to read during their summer break for more than 50 years. It's free to participate for anyone up to 17 years of age. From June 28 to Aug. 24, young readers set their own weekly reading goals and strive to achieve them. Participants can visit their nearby branch every week with their reading club tracker and check in with library staff. Share what you've read to receive a weekly prize and a ballot for a chance to win a (Burlington Public Library (BPL) prize pack during three draws throughout the summer. To keep the momentum going over the 12-week program, library staff send freshly curated staff picks to participants every week, along with a friendly reminder to check in. 'When kids keep reading during the summer, they hold on to the skills they've worked so hard to build over the school year,' said BPL Chief Executive Officer Lita Barrie. 'A simple reading goal can make all the difference — helping kids stay sharp, feel confident, and head back to school ready to learn.' For more information and to register, visit the Summer Reading Club page at Burlington Public Library's website . Suggested book lists, club events and tips are available on the website. BPL spokesperson Lauren Arkell said the Summer Reading Club had 2,432 registered participants last year. In 2022 and 2023, the program was open to adults and youth with an all-ages Summer Reading Club during COVID, and had 3,123 and 2,848 registered participants respectively. Arkell said the earliest mention of a Summer Reading Program in BPL's annual reports was in 1972.
Hamilton Spectator
03-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Burlington library branch reopens after fire-related closure
Burlington Public Library's Aldershot Branch reopened Monday, June 2 after a nearly month-long closure for flooding repairs. It was the second closure this year, after the 550 Plains Rd. E. branch suffered water damage during a small stove fire in Halton Community Housing's Aldershot Village seniors apartment building above the branch on Feb. 6. The fire was extinguished by the building's sprinkler system. The branch closed for preliminary repairs immediately following the fire, then temporarily reopened with reduced services and some areas closed to the public from Feb. 21 to May 3. It closed again for 29 days from May 4 to June 1 to complete repairs. Burlington Public Library spokesperson Lauren Arkell confirmed Monday, June 2 the branch had reopened at 9 a.m., resuming regular hours and services. Arkell said there are no changes or additions to previous branch programs or services. 'But the refreshed interior colours and deep cleaning throughout make the branch look and feel brand new,' Arkell said. Final repair costs were not yet available. Visit the Aldershot branch web page for details on branch services, programs and events. On Monday, Burlington Public Library also launched a two-week Customer Satisfaction Survey, which can be accessed at the library's website . Feedback from the survey will help guide the library's 2026-2027 Strategic Plan. Paper copies of the survey are also available at all library locations. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
