Good morning! This is The Oakville Digest, your trusted guide to everything happening in the beautiful town of Oakville, Ontario.

Here is what to expect in today’s issue:

• 🍽️ Taste of Oakville returns! + tax rebates for Ontarians

• 🏒⛸️ More Oakville stars competing on the world stage

• 📅 Whats happening in Oakville to start the week

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Let’s dive in!

News

🍽️ Taste of Oakville Returns: Indulge in Culinary Delights from Feb. 17 to March 10

Mark your calendars! Oakville’s highly anticipated culinary celebration, Taste of Oakville, is back from Feb. 17 to March 10, featuring over 50 restaurants across town. Whether you’re craving a cozy café, an elegant fine-dining experience, or something in between, this event promises a mouthwatering showcase of Oakville’s diverse culinary scene.

What to Expect

• Prix Fixe Menus: Enjoy multicourse lunch and dinner menus with prices ranging from $20 to $35 for lunch and $30 to $75 for dinner.

• Live Music Tuesdays: For the third year, select restaurants will host live performances by local entertainers every Tuesday night, enhancing your dining experience with great tunes.

• New Highlights: This year introduces Hexagon Restaurant, a Michelin Star winner, offering a special $100 dinner menu on Tuesday nights, featuring the creations of award-winning Chef Rafael Covarrubias.

New Restaurants to Discover

This year’s lineup includes exciting newcomers like:

• Baton Rouge Oakville

• Bo.Vine Burgers & Bar

• Lokma

• Verace Italian Restaurant
  …and many more!

Returning favourites include local gems like Paradiso, The Boot Social Pizzeria, and Coriander Green.

Reserve Your Spot

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore Oakville’s culinary treasures. Reservations for special menus, including Hexagon’s exclusive dining experience, open Jan. 20.

💸 $200 'Taxpayer Rebate' Cheques Are Here!

Good news, Ontarians! Starting this week, $200 cheques are landing in mailboxes across the province as part of the government’s "taxpayer rebate" program. If you lived in Ontario at the end of 2023 and filed your taxes for that year, you’re in for a little financial pick-me-up. Parents, this one’s for you too! You’ll receive an additional $200 for each child under 18 if you qualify for the Canada Child Benefit.

This one-time rebate is designed to give your wallet a little breather as costs rise. Whether it’s going toward groceries, bills, or a treat for yourself, it’s money back in your hands.

Want to check the status of your cheque? Head over to the Ministry of Finance’s website and keep an eye on that mailbox.

Community Spotlight

🏒 Appleby Students Strike Gold at U-18 Women’s World Championships

Oakville is bursting with pride as Ava Wood and Riley Sorokan, students at Appleby College, helped Team Canada clinch gold at the U-18 Women’s Hockey World Championships last weekend.

In the thrilling final, Canada secured a dominant 3-0 victory against the USA to claim the top spot on the podium. Wood and Sorokan played key roles in the team’s success, each contributing to Canada’s offensive firepower throughout the tournament. Wood tallied an impressive five assists over six games, while Sorokan added three assists of her own, proving their importance to the team’s road to victory.

This gold medal is a monumental achievement for the 17-year-old athletes, who are already building an exciting future in hockey. Next season, both players will bring their talents to the NCAA—Wood is set to join Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, and Sorokan will head to Princeton University in New Jersey.

Their remarkable journey is just beginning, and Oakville couldn’t be prouder. Congratulations to these two young stars on their outstanding achievement and for representing their community so well!

⛸️ Oakville’s Madeline Schizas Wins Third National Title

Oakville’s Madeline Schizas shined bright at the Canadian National Figure Skating Championships, capturing her third women’s title with a total score of 203.87. Skating to Butterfly Lovers Concerto, the 21-year-old delivered an exceptional free skate, earning 133.87 points.

This victory marks a return to the top for Schizas, who previously won in 2022 and 2023. She now sets her sights on representing Canada at the Four Continents Championship in Seoul next month and the World Championships in Boston this March.

Congratulations, Madeline, on another incredible achievement!

Weather

Monday, January 15
🌤️ A mix of sun and cloud with a 60% chance of flurries.
High: -10°C | Low: -15°C

Tuesday, January 16
🌤️ A mix of sun and cloud.
High: -13°C | Low: -15°C

Wednesday, January 17
🌤️ A mix of sun and cloud.
High: -13°C | Low: -14°C

Events

• Free Morning Meditation 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | January 20 (more info)

  • Location: Oakville Public Library Central Branch, 120 Navy Street, Oakville

  • Description: Start your week with a guided meditation session and breathing exercises, presented by 100 Seeds of Joy in partnership with Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network Halton. Discover subtle energy centers (chakras), engage in calming practices, and enjoy a Q&A session.

• Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning 7:30 PM | January 20 (more info)

  • Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto

  • Description: Catch the Toronto Maple Leafs as they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in an exciting NHL matchup. Don’t miss the action!

• Speed Dating (Ages 30-42) 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM | January 21 (more info)

  • Location: Peruviano, 254 Locke Street South, Hamilton

  • Description: Meet up to 15 potential matches and enjoy appetizers at this fun and efficient speed dating event by Single in the City. Book your spot now for an exciting night of mingling and meeting new people!

• Toronto Raptors vs. Orlando Magic 7:30 PM | January 21 (more info)

  • Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto

  • Description: Celebrate Toronto greatness while cheering on the Raptors as they face the Orlando Magic in an electrifying game.

• Business Networking Meet-Up 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | January 22 (more info)

  • Location: Caffe Prego, 3115 Dundas Street West, Mississauga

  • Description: Join The Entrepreneurs' Network for a semi-structured, in-person business networking event designed to help you build meaningful connections with other entrepreneurs. Bring your 30-second elevator pitch and business cards, and connect with potential clients or referral partners. Enjoy introductions to other attendees and expand your professional network in a supportive environment. Parking is free onsite. Registration: $5.

Thank You!

Thank you for reading The Oakville Digest! We hope you found this edition helpful and insightful. We’d love to hear your feedback or any event suggestions you’d like us to feature in future issues. Don’t forget to share with friends and family, and we’ll see you Wednesday!

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