It’s not too late to take part in the Doorways to the Holidays at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton. While the event began on November 26, there are still lots of holiday related activities to look forward to; Doorways to the Holidays doesn’t end until January 8, 2012.

Maple Leaf Foods announced recently that they were closing several meat processing plants in Canada; among those cities that have lost a total of 1500 jobs due to this are Kitchener, Moncton and Toronto. However, at the same time, Maple Leaf Foods announced that they were investing $560 million over three years to build a prepared meat processing plant in Hamilton that will open in 2013.

Maple Leaf Foods opened what is being called Canada’s largest bakery in Hamilton on September 28. The 385,000 square foot facility will provide up to 300 full-time and 30 seasonal jobs to the city. Mayor Bob Bratina has stated that this brings “significant benefits to our local economy.”

The 1st annual Ancaster Business Showcase will take place on October 23 from 12 until 4pm. This free event is presented by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and will take place at the Ancaster Fairgrounds. Those businesses that plan to attend will be arranging for such things as brochure, businesses card and flyer printing so that they can promote their business or service well to the general public.

The Business Executives Organization is a business networking group based in Hamilton. One person from each type of industry is welcome to join BEO. Currently, members include representatives from a printing company, an advertising company and a marketing company as well as more niche businesses.

The 2nd annual Design Edge Canada’s Regional Design Awards were presented on June 29 at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto. A company from Hamilton won the award for Best of Region identity application. The printing and design featured on business cards created for one of their clients was considered to be a “traditional, classic graphic design.”

The Art Gallery of Hamilton is currently hosting an exhibition of French avante garde graphics. The exhibit, entitled Elegant Verve: modern French graphics from the collection, will be running until September 5, 2011. Companies who specialize in printing will expect that the artworks presented at such exhibits will help them develop fresh ideas and unique products for their customers.

Hamilton residents have yet another thing to look forward to. Mmm, the smell and taste of freshly baked cupcakes. Natalie Ravoie is the owner of the soon-to-be-opened Cupcake Diner in Hamilton.