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In Articles

Don’t Let Love Get Lost in Translation: Valentine’s Gifts for Every Love Language

January 27, 2023 1 Comment

Romance, it’s the language of love. Though if you ask Dr. Gary Chapman, there are five “official” love languages: quality time, words of affirmation, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Through years of counselling couples, Dr. Chapman analyzed the unique needs and communication styles within a relationship. Taking what he learned, he turned his observations into a best-selling book, The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts.

While many of us can relate to the five love languages above, understanding and acting on your partner’s love language can lead to a deeper connection. So, this Valentine’s Day, why not try a gift to resonate with your partner in a new way? Gift their love language.

Quality Time
If quality time is your partner’s love language, then the gift they really want is you! Book an evening at the Pearle Hotel and Spa to connect, unwind, and relax with views of Lake Ontario. Enjoy in-room dining, in-room soaker tubs, and luxurious amenities. Plus, their full-service spa on-site offers a 90-minutes couples’ massage. Another great way to spend quality time together is right at home! Order in from one of your favourite restaurants or make your own heart-shaped pizza with House Sauce and Pizza Dough from Son of a Peach Pizzeria. Once dinner is made, hop into your jammies (Bocana on Pearl has adorable Valentine’s jammies), throw on your favourite movie, or get competitive in a game of Scrabble.

Words of Affirmation
If words of affirmation aren’t your love language, coming up with verbal ways to connect with your partner may feel a bit daunting. But fear not, there’s at least one card on the planet to thoughtfully get your feelings across. People who seek verbal affirmations are looking for words of encouragement and compliments through cards, conversations, phone calls, or texts. In other words, say “I love you” in any number of ways. Burlington’s Waves in the Village has witty and hilarious cards for everyone. While Cards N’ Such in Oakville is a great spot for something a bit more classic and romantic. To step it up a notch, write a love letter (or two) in a beautiful journal from The Handmade House in Burlington.

Receiving Gifts
This is where you can go fairly traditional with classic, elegant, and timeless gifts. Jewellery and flowers may be an obvious choice, but adding a personal touch can really elevate a gift. Design custom jewellery or incorporate a family heirloom into a beautiful keepsake at Diamond Boutique in Hamilton or Avalon Jewellery in Oakville. With Brant Florist, you can create a floral arrangement featuring your loved one’s favourite colours and flowers, or select a pre-arranged bouquet. Shops like Pure Boutique, Bluboho, and Homebody have unique, modern gifts from jewellery to home décor perfect for any style and stage of life.

Acts of Service
Acts of service is the love language for people who believe actions speak louder than words. Things like a fresh cup of coffee (grab some fresh beans from Vereda Central and make a pot at home), prepping dinner (The Platter Company and Familia Fine Foods have incredible homecooked frozen meals), or tidying the house (Mint-Maids of Waterdown & Burlington offer plant-based eco-friendly cleans) will make your loved one feel seen and appreciated.

Physical Touch
Some people just love a good ole fashioned hug – and there’s nothing better than snuggling in something cozy. New from Joseph Tassoni is the JT Spa Collection, available for both men and women, so you can cocoon yourself in the softest dream robe. Or, turn the heat up with a little something from Goodnight Goodmorning in Oakville. Their silk robes are beautiful and sophisticated, available in a number of fun colours and patterns.

While speaking another love language may take some practice, with these gift ideas, there’s no doubt your partner will love what you’re trying to say.

In Community

Community Restaurant’s Green Goddess Bowl

January 23, 2023 No Comments

The Green Goddess bowl at Community is one of their bestsellers – and for good reason! Make your own at home, or try it at either of their locations, in Kerr Village, Oakville or Port Credit, Mississauga. PLUS if you don’t want to make the vinaigrette, you can buy a bottle at the restaurant.

LEMON BASIL VINAIGRETTE

1 cup lemon juice
4 cups sunflower oil
2 tbsp Dijon
1 whole lemon zested
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 cup garlic confit
2 whole bunches of basil leaves
6 tbsp of maple syrup

GREEN GODDESS BOWL

organic spinach
organic arugula
red cabbage
zucchini noodle
guacamole
cucumber
sprouts
pomegranate
fermented vegetables
seed medley
sesame seeds
basil lemon vinaigrette

Visit Community

343 Kerr Street, Oakville
Oakville: 905-582-3581

89 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga
Mississauga: 905-271-0486

www.communityresto.com

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Community Restaurant's Green Goddess Bowl

In Articles

Regift, Remake, Resell: Making The Most Of Nana’s Jewellery

December 1, 2022 No Comments

Special occasions are usually when heirloom jewellery changes hands (or necks or ears) – an engagement or wedding, a milestone birthday, an anniversary, and yes, even the holidays. But what do you do when Grandma’s ring shows up under your tree, and it’s not quite to your taste? Of course, the meaning of it far outweighs the appeal. But the last thing anyone wants is for a beloved ring to sit in a jewellery box collecting dust. Maybe you’ve thought of remaking the piece to suit your style while also keeping a loved one’s memory present. Maybe you’re not all that sentimental and would prefer to sell material objects you no longer use. When it comes to weighing your options, here are a few places to start:

Regifting

The most important part of regifting a piece of jewellery is acquiring an updated appraisal (the person receiving it should know exactly what its worth). If you haven’t had the piece appraised in a while, it is also important to note that the value may have changed over time depending on the material, popularity, and supply/demand. S. Taylor Jewellery Appraisal & Consultation is a local Burlington business specializing in all proper documentation needs for a professional and accurate appraisal by Certified Gemologist Appraiser, Sherrie Taylor. With in-person, private appointments, Taylor has invested in specific tools that allow their clients to see their gems and jewellery up close and personal.

Remake

Sometimes the memory of the piece is just too precious, or maybe the value of the raw material is high, and you want to remake the piece into something that suits your style more. In this case, The Diamond Boutique, Oakville Jewellery, and Laura Tedesco Jewellery Design are all great options. With over 35 years experience, John Akcan relocated his Toronto Dundas Square store to Lakeshore Road in Oakville. His new location Oakville Jewellery features a state-of-the-art workshop equipped with a 3D printer, laser welder, lapping machine and more. This allows them to create virtually any design a customer wants, and provide 3D proofs before creating the pieces on site. In the heart of Stoney Creek, you will find sisters Sandra and Julia Karan at The Diamond Boutique, with over 14 years of experience in the jewellery industry. This family-run shop specializes in custom engagement rings and jewellery designs, and can help you turn your vision into beautiful custom-designed pieces. Also in Hamilton, Laura Tedesco Jewellery Design on Locke Street offers custom design work as well as a stunning collection of Laura’s own designs. Laura grew up in the jewellery business and her father Dino still helps out and consults in the business. And Laura’s husband John brings his creativity combined with CAD expertise to create stunning pieces of art for their clients. This team’s passion is to help clients find their unique expression in the jewellery they wear. Their website is user-friendly, with a selection of beautiful design templates to help customize your piece.

Resell/Recycle

Finally, if your jewellery has surpassed the first two options, you are most likely ready to completely let go of your pieces. Au Jewelry Exchange Lab is located in the heart of Downtown Burlington and offers a one-of-a-kind experience when it comes to reselling your precious metals. From honest and educational evaluations right in the privacy of the lab to in-home Gold Party and Lab on Location events, AU prides itself in making the experience about you. Their transparent approach differs from what we’re used to when we think of selling our gold for cash. One of the other factors that sets them apart is their emphasis on recycling the majority of the products they buy. AU Jewelry Exchange Lab uses local refiners to melt down their metals and recycle them back to be repurposed. So, if your jewellery has reached its final destination, allow it to do something good for the planet…and for your wallet! AU pays out their evaluations on the spot. Complimentary evaluations are available.

By Anneliese Lawton

Local Links

Laura Tedesco Jewellery Design
lauratedesco.com

Oakville Jewellery
oakvillejewellery.ca

AU Jewelry Exchange Lab
theaulife.com

The Diamond Boutique
thediamondboutique.ca

S. Taylor Jewellery Appraisal & Consultation
stjewelleryappraisal.com

In Articles

Discover The Spirit of Ukraine: The Zirkova Vodka Story

November 30, 2022 No Comments

The spirit of Ukraine is truly present in the vodka business that Katherine Vellinga runs from her home in Oakville. Katherine and her husband, John, are co-founders of Zirkova Vodka, an ultra-premium vodka made in Ukraine that first made its way onto the shelves of LCBO stores across Ontario in 2005. Keeping those shelves stocked hasn’t been easy, and their story is one of persistence and resilience.

It began many years ago when Katherine moved back to Ukraine for a few years. Her parents and grandparents were born there, and although they’d moved to Canada years earlier for a better life, they never forgot their dream of a free Ukraine, having survived Stalin’s genocide.

Vellinga wanted to honour that dream by creating a vodka that was grown in the rich black earth of Ukraine. No one was surprised by her idea, least of all her family.

“I was always the kid who wanted to bring people together, and vodka has always been part of our Ukrainian culture,” said Vellinga, the company’s CEO. Vellinga lucked out when she found a distillery in the Cherkasy region of Ukraine, the birthplace of vodka, that dated back to 1895 and was close to an artesian mineral water source, an essential component for high-quality vodka.

“You can bring grain there, but you can’t move the water,” said Vellinga.

The vodka was made in the old traditional classical method, with the first batch being launched in 2004. It appeared on the LCBO shelves in 2005. Vellinga described it as the “ultimate sipping vodka.” In short order, Zirkova vodka was ranked fourth among top-shelf vodkas, in the over $30 price range, which is the highest quality. They then came up with Zirkova Together, which is made for mixing with cocktails.

When the pandemic hit, like many small businesses, they were forced to pivot. “There were times (during the pandemic) when we couldn’t even go into the stores. The whole industry was impacted. But we managed to hold on and were looking forward to being able to get out and interact with people again,” said Vellinga.

Then in February this year, just as they were rebounding, came the devastating news – Russian forces had invaded Ukraine. “We’d had a couple of trying years with the pandemic, then we were coming out of it when the invasion appeared. It was so heartbreaking,” says Casey Kiekebelt, Chief Marketing Officer.

Vellinga says she cried for the country and for the people she loved so much. But she was also worried about their business. They had trucks full of vodka shipments that were supposed to leave Ukraine on the day of the invasion (which didn’t make it out), and they only had a limited amount of inventory with the LCBO.

Still, there were zero thoughts of giving up. “I thought, we have to keep going for them. We have to find a way.” She was buoyed by the images of bravery coming across the TV screen.

“The world was seeing what I’d loved and appreciated for so long – the spirit of Ukrainians.”

There was much discussion about what to do. They agreed they would bring their Master distiller over from Ukraine and start producing a new brand of vodka in Ontario. “We wanted to make sure we preserved Ukrainian vodka making and continued what we’d discovered,” said Vellinga.

They took all of the things they knew from working in Ukraine and created a third brand called Zirkova Unity, which was on the shelves by July 2022. To show their love and support for Ukraine, 100 percent of profits from sales of Zirkova Unity goes toward humanitarian aid there.

Keikebelt says they’ve learned much over the past four years. “We’re stronger because of what we’ve been through. We all really know what we need to do to move forward,” said Keikebelt.

They recently expanded Zirkova Unity into Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

In Ukraine, production isn’t quite back to 100 percent, but they’re slowly getting there. “We will survive this together,” says Vellinga. “You have these extraordinary people who are still working and keeping the economy going and doing all that they can to contribute to the war effort. They’re all unique and extraordinary and purposeful and resilient.”

By Denise Davy

In Christmas

Look Local’s Holiday Kitchen: Our Best Roast Potatoes

November 28, 2022 No Comments

Ingredients

1.5 kg russet potatoes (serves about 6)
Duck fat or unsalted butter or olive oil (enough to form thin layer across your baking tray)
5 or 6 garlic cloves
1 bunch of fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon of baking soda
Cooking spray (optional)

Method

Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
Peel the potatoes and cut into even sized chunks.
Soak the potatoes in cold water for 5 minutes and drain to remove excess starch.
Whilst the potatoes are soaking, spray a large baking tray evenly with cooking spray and add your fat – olive oil, butter or duck fat (in order of glutinousness). Place baking tray into the oven.
Tip potatoes into a large pot, cover with lukewarm salted water. Add teaspoon of baking soda which helps to create fluffy edges. Parboil for 10 minutes, or until a fork can readily puncture each chunk, then drain in a colander.
Leave to steam dry in the colander for 3 minutes and give it a shake until the potatoes form fluffy edges – this will help to make them super-crisp later on.
Tip the potatoes into the now hot tray in one layer. Season well with salt and black pepper. Toss the potatoes in the fat, then roast for 30 minutes, or until lightly golden.
Now’s the time for a key step. Gently squash each potato with a potato masher or spatula to increase the surface area – the more of your potato that’s in contact with the pan, the crispier it will be.
Add rosemary, unpeeled garlic cloves and 1 good lug of oil to a small bowl. Mix until garlic and rosemary are evenly coated.
Evenly distribute rosemary and garlic mixture with the potatoes and give the pan a good shake. Flip and gently squash each potato again, then pop back in the hot oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until crispy and delicious.

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Look Local's Holiday Kitchen: Our Best Roast Potatoes

In Christmas

The Sweetest Thing’s Mint Chocolate Sammies

November 28, 2022 No Comments

CHOCOLATE COOKIE

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all-purpose flour
6 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
110g bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
¾ cup unsalted butter
1½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract

METHOD

Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Reduce mixer speed to low and add eggs, one at a time, mixing until each egg is completely incorporated before adding the next. Mix in vanilla.
Pour in lukewarm cooled chocolate and mix on low speed, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl well, until batter is uniform in color. Add dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just incorporated.
Scoop tablespoon sized balls of dough and place on a parchment lined sheet.
Bake for 7-8 minutes at 350 or until just set in the middle
Let cookies cool, and fill with Mint Buttercream.
Drizzle melted chocolate over top and garnish with festive sprinkles!

MINT BUTTERCREAM

INGREDIENTS

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
3 ½ cups powdered sugar
1-2 Tbsp cream
1/2 tsp mint extract

METHOD

Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Gradually add in the cream until the frosting is a spreadable consistency.

Visit The Sweetest Thing
at 282 Kerr Street in Oakville
www.thesweetestthing.com

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The Sweetest Thing's Mint Chocolate Sammies

In Articles

Burlington Downtown Warmly Launches Bright Nights 2022

November 22, 2022 No Comments

The Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) invites you to head downtown and enjoy a truly magical winter experience we call Bright Nights.

This much anticipated winter showcase of lights and displays is something that is not so much seen, but experienced. The Elgin Promenade comes alive with the warm glow of festive lights and animations for all to enjoy. From illuminated archways to gorgeously lit trees, from brightly decorated walls to canopies of lights, winter has never felt so electric.

This free month-long animation is courtesy of our Presenting Sponsor Lisa-Marie Winning of Winning & Associates IG Private Wealth Management.

“We are thrilled to be back as the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s event,” says Lisa-Marie Winning, Winning & Associates, IG Private Wealth Management. “We hope Bright Nights gives our community a place to come and visit during the holidays. A place to snap some pictures with your family, to create some magical moments and a beautiful setting to enjoy while supporting our local shops and restaurants along the way.”

Visitors to the displays are encouraged to craft their own Bright Nights evening. Pair your Bright Nights walk with a festive meal at your favourite restaurant. Conclude your Bright Nights stroll with a warm holiday favourite at your go-to coffee shop. Match the festive mood with a night of shopping at local businesses. The experience is yours to create and we so warmly welcome you to do so.

Bright Nights runs Thursday December 1st through January 2023. For additional information on the event, please visit burlingtondowntown.ca/brightnights/

In Community

Cove Bar & Restaurant’s Clam Chowder

October 25, 2022 No Comments

INGREDIENTS

.

8oz Bacon
¾ cup butter
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced onion
¾ cup flour
12 cups clam nectar
1 ½ cup peeled & diced white potato
3 tins baby clams
1 cup 35% cream

METHOD

In a pot, cook bacon on medium heat until cooked through. Add butter, celery & onion and cook on medium heat until vegetables are translucent.

Add flour and cook to a blonde roux. Add clam nectar in small amounts whisking constantly to break up any clumps.

Once all clam juice is incorporated, add baby clams with their nectar and the potatoes.

Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer. Stir occasionally and simmer until potatoes are tender and the chowder has thickened.

Remove from heat and add cream. Season well with salt and white pepper.

COVE BAR & RESTAURANT

49 Bronte Road, Oakville
coverestaurant.ca

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Cove Bar & Restaurant's Clam Chowder

In Community

Digital Transformation Grant Impacts Burlington Small Businesses

October 21, 2022 No Comments

This post is provided by Burlington Economic Development. If you are a small business in Burlington, Ontario, this post is for you!

It’s Small Business Week! While it’s critical to support our small businesses all year round, this week we take the opportunity to celebrate our small businesses and showcase their resilience. Burlington Economic Development is committed to supporting small business through programs like Digital Main Street.

As businesses across Ontario reimagine their operations in a post-COVID retail environment, local Burlington business owners are looking for tools to help transform their digital strategies to reach new customers through online channels. Administered by the team at Burlington Economic Development, the Digital Transformation Grant from Digital Main Street has been a valuable resource for many small businesses across the city. This vital grant funding supports various digital marketing initiatives, website design or improvements, social media, productivity software, and more.

Social media support and adoption of software is one area that the Digital Transformation Grant supports. Tara Lester, owner of The Olive Oil Dispensary, is one of the many small business owners in Burlington that has been able to tap into the program. “I applied for this grant to improve my digital presence on all social media platforms,” said Lester. “This grant has allowed me the opportunity to expand my business social awareness and increase my sales though a more complete and unified social presence.” The COVID-19 pandemic brought on unprecedented pressure for small businesses to take their businesses online to accommodate things like curbside pick-up and delivery. The Digital Main Street program directly addresses this need.

In Downtown Burlington, Shirley Cope, the owner of The Knitters Boutique Inc., had the opportunity to hire support for social media through this grant funding. The increase in her revenue came quickly. “Receiving the grant has helped tremendously,” Cope explained. “I have been able to hire help with Instagram and with rebuilding my website. Almost instantly, sales came from Instagram posts.” Shirley also offered vital advice for other small business owners, saying that, “More than ever an online presence is imperative. Do your market research and know your target audience and reach out to them.”

Businesses can also use social media to expand brand awareness. Melanie Bianco, from Aldershot Dental Hygiene, shared that, “social media is a wonderful tool to get your name out locally”. As a grant recipient, Bianco is planning to use the Digital Transformation Grant funding to aid in the expansion of the business, and Bianco is looking forward to expanding to provide services to seniors in long-term care homes.

The Digital Transformation Grant is also available for owners looking to offer website and e-commerce solutions for their businesses. Aldershot Foot Clinic’s updated website will be ready next week, which they hope will result in more traffic and online books, according to owner Heidi Moris. Moris is also excited about using a portion of the grant for advertising in order to help clients know they are there and how they can help.

Small business owners across Burlington looking to reach new customers through new or redeveloped digital strategies can learn more about Burlington’s Digital Service Squad services here. Applications for the $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant are open until October 31, 2022.

About Burlington Economic Development

Burlington Economic Development (Burlington EcDev) is an arm’s length agency of the City of Burlington that works to attract high-value companies to Burlington, support the expansion of existing businesses, and encourage the start-up and growth of new companies. Burlington EcDev delivers a range of services to help businesses achieve their goals. To learn more, visit http://investburlington.ca.

In Community

Taste of Burlington: Fall Edition

October 6, 2022 No Comments

Enjoy Burlington’s delicious food scene with prix-fixe dining options during the Taste of Burlington Fall Edition. Dine-in, Heated Patio, and Take-out options are available.

The Taste of Burlington Fall Program, presented by PV&V Insurance, will begin on October 11th and run to October 31st, 2022. With 34 participating eateries & restaurants, you can guarantee you’ll be well-fed from a wide variety of menu options. Lunch and dinner choices, dine-in and new this program, culinary experiences.

Kelly Harris, Manager of Marketing & Special Projects at Tourism Burlington says, “We are thrilled to introduce the addition of culinary programs to our Prix-Fixe program. We’ve got cooking classes from Burlington Culinary Experiences, quaint dinner parties at Home by Topowe Boutique Events & Catering and Dinner & Show packages with various performances at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre”.

The Taste of Burlington program is once again using a free mobile passport that patrons can sign up for on the Taste of Burlington website. There’s no app to download; it is a web-based program; just sign up and go. When you use the passport to check-in at the participating restaurants, you are entered to win weekly gift card giveaways as well as the grand prize draw of a $500 gift card to the Taste restaurant of your choice.

Taste of Burlington started with just 12 restaurants in 2008 and is now in its’ 14th year. It has steadily grown since it started and the prix-fixe program runs in February/March and October each year. Burlington has quickly become known as a dining destination in the GTA with restaurants continuing to open and call Burlington home.

Burlington has something to offer every taste bud from casual – fine dining and intimate bistros to pubs, fast food, and specialty shops. The Taste of Burlington program encourages diners to try something new at one of their many dining establishments.

See a full list of participating businesses in the fall program, by visiting https://tasteofburlington.ca/prix-fixe-program/

Community

LEMON BASIL VINAIGRETTE

GREEN GODDESS BOWL

Visit Community

Community Restaurant's Green Goddess Bowl

Regifting

Remake

Resell/Recycle

Local Links

Ingredients

Method

Look Local's Holiday Kitchen: Our Best Roast Potatoes

CHOCOLATE COOKIE

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

MINT BUTTERCREAM

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

The Sweetest Thing's Mint Chocolate Sammies

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

COVE BAR & RESTAURANT

Cove Bar & Restaurant's Clam Chowder

looklocal.ca