Art from the Heart

Creativity and community take centre stage April 9 as Joshua Farm Gallery hosts the opening of its annual Art From the Heart exhibition, running 1-4pm.

The show features artwork by adults supported through Community Living Oakville, offering visitors a chance to enjoy light refreshments while celebrating local talent in an inclusive setting.

Led by gallery owner Sybil Rampen, the exhibit highlights individuality and confidence through vibrant, personal pieces created in weekly art classes. Set inside a restored 1827 barn, the gallery continues to serve as a welcoming hub for creativity and connection, a fitting backdrop for a show that brings people together through art.

Ontario’s minimum wage will increase to $17.95 an hour on Oct. 1, up from the current $17.60, as part of the province’s annual adjustment tied to inflation.

The change means a full-time worker putting in 40 hours a week could earn about $728 more per year, according to the provincial government.

Labour Minister David Piccini says the move keeps Ontario among the highest minimum wage rates in Canada, though gaps remain. The Ontario Living Wage Network estimates workers in the GTA need $27.20 an hour to truly cover living costs, highlighting an ongoing affordability challenge across communities like Oakville.

Ontario is committing $300 million more to its Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, bringing total program funding to $500 million.

Announced in the 2026 budget, the investment will support new builds and upgrades to facilities across the province, with municipalities, non-profits, and Indigenous communities eligible to apply.

Sport Minister Neil Lumsden says the funding will expand access to recreation while helping local athletes train closer to home. With nearly 100 projects already supported since 2024, including new builds and major upgrades, the province is positioning sport and recreation as both a community benefit and an economic driver, something Oakville residents could soon see reflected in their own neighbourhood spaces.

The Halton Learning Foundation has launched its third annual HLF Month, rallying schools, businesses, and residents to help remove financial barriers for students across the Halton District School Board.

The initiative ensures access to essentials like meals, supplies, and extracurriculars, building on support already provided to more than 2,000 students this school year.

The month includes community fundraisers, the April 29 Students in the Spotlight showcase, and the Tour de Halton challenge.

CEO Marc Clare will also cycle over 100km to raise awareness, with donations matched up to $10,000. In a community like Oakville, it’s a reminder that small efforts can make a big difference for local students.

Oakville’s Alexa Frankian is set to join the prestigious San Francisco Opera Adler Fellowship, marking a major milestone in her rising career.

A graduate of University of Toronto and alum of the Merola Opera Program, she was selected as one of just nine fellows from a highly competitive pool.

Frankian will perform as Mimì in La Bohème’s adapted production while touring the Bay Area to bring opera to new audiences. With roots at St. Thomas Aquinas in Oakville and years of dedicated training, her journey reflects both talent and persistence, a proud moment for the local arts community.

Congratulations to one of Oakville’s own as she steps onto an international stage.

Friday, April 3
🌦️ Warm, showers
High: 18°C | Low: 3°C

Saturday, April 4
🌧️ Heavy rain, storms
High: 9°C | Low: 3°C

Sunday, April 5
🌥️ Cloudy, breezy
High: 6°C | Low: 1°C