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August 7 2022

Edition 14

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Feel the Flutter

You can contribute to the conservation of beautiful Monarch butterflies in your neighbourhood.

Learn how to observe Monarchs in your own backyard and how your observations can help scientists figure out how we can save the Monarch butterflies - learn more.

Snake in the Sewer

Although there are many snakes in Markham, we thank YRP for wrangling this slippery suspect, a four foot python, which was recently found in a Markham sewer drain - read more.

Terry Fox Run

This year's Terry Fox Run will take place in person on Sunday September 18. There will be two events in the City of Markham with runs taking place in Unionville and Thornhill.

The Unionville event is seeking volunteers before and on Run Day. All activities are eligible for community service hours if you know a high school student looking for hours. If you're able to help, more information is available here.

Have You Been to the Forest?

Exploring the York Region Forest helps you stay active, relaxed and can help improve your concentration. 

Please stay on the designated trails to protect the flowers, plants and trees while experiencing the benefits of the Forest.

There are more than 150 kilometres of trails to get out and discover. You can find more information about the YRF here.

Drivers, Please Slow Down

Drivers, please slow down and share the road with cyclists especially on rural roads. Please make sure to give cyclists at least one metre of space when passing. Have patience. While it may slow you down unsafe driving around cyclists can cost them their lives. Learn more at york.ca/slowdown.

Sidewalk Closed

As York Region continues their work along 16th Avenue to upgrade the section of the York Durham Sewage System the sidewalk on the north side of the road will be closed between St Brother Andre High School and Williamson Road.

More information about the closure can be found here.

eWaste Drop Off

Back to school can sometimes mean new computers and other devices. Please make sure the old electronics are disposed of properly as they can contain heavy metals that are harmful to the environment. Electronics are not accepted at the curb.

If the devices are still in good working order, you can try to donate them - details here. If the devices need to be recycled and properly deposed of, they can be taken to the Markham Household Hazardous Waste Depot - hours here.

There will also be several eWaste pop-up events:

• Centennial Community Centre - August 13 - 14 from 8am to 4pm
• Thornhill Community Centre - September 10 - 11 from 8am to 4pm
• Markham Village Depot - September 17 - 18 from 8am to 4pm
• Aaniin Community Centre - September 24 - 24 from 8am to 4pm

In Case You Missed It

• car thefts skyrocket by nearly 50% compared to last year - read more
• for the third Summer in a row, the City is helping residents stay active with Open Street Markham - read more

Other Items

York Region has gathered information that may help residents and service providers support people affected by the conflict in Ukraine including:

• Federal and Provincial government services and supports
• York Region settlement services and supports
• additional settlement services and supports
• how residents, organizations and businesses can help.

As new information and details become available, the resources will be updated at york.ca/supportUkraine.

Have you read the August edition of Ward 3 Councillor Reid McAlpine's August newsletter?

He covers a number of topics that may be of interest for residents outside of Ward 3 too - read it here. Of specific interest to Unionville residents are upcoming projects. There will be a community information meeting on August 24 at 7pm for the redevelopment of the current Markham BMW site - details here.

COVID-19 vaccines for children under five are now available. Parents can book appointments at york.ca/covid19vaccine or through the provincial booking system, the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre and participating select pharmacies.

Do you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines for children? Visit york.ca/covid19vaccineinfo or speak to your child's primary care provider. Clinic staff are available to help answer questions that parents, guardians and children may have before, during and after vaccination. Parents can also call York Region Health Connection at 1.800.361.5653 to speak with a registered nurse for accurate public health related information.

Eligibility for second booster doses to Ontarians age 18+ continues. York Region Public Health clinics are providing second booster doses by appointment only for eligible residents who received their first booster dose at least five months ago. Whether you need your primary series (first or second dose) or a booster, you can find a clinic and learn more at york.ca/covid19vaccine.

The Markham Group of Artists are busy getting ready for in-person events. They have a number of upcoming workshops, meetings and other happenings that are available to MGA members. Their August newsletter can be read here which contains their events calendar.

Fuel your creativity by joining the Markham Group of Artists. Sign up now to take advantage of their Early Bird Special and receive $10 off the 2022-2023 season membership. Full time student memberships are always $20. Visit their site to discover the benefits of being a member - details here. 

Now's the time to have your say on future Markham parks. The City of Markham is developing a Parks Plan and they want to hear from you. 

The plan highlights the value of parks, outlines the evolving planning context, examines the existing supply and the future need for parkland and more. Read the draft plan and get involved at YourVoiceMarkham.ca/ParksPlan.

If you own, manage or are renting a property within the Don Mills Channel area, your property and assets may be at risk due to flooding damage from intense storms.

For more information on how to protect yourself and your business visit markham.ca/commercialfloodproofing.

Have you taken the kids to cool down at one of Markham's splash pads yet?

On these hot Summer days why not take the the opportunity to try a different City of Markham splash pad.

Find the locations of the City's splash pads at markham.ca/splashpads.

Or perhaps you might like to go for a swim at either Morgan Outdoor Pool or Rouge River Outdoor Pool.

Details about public swim times for all City of Markham pools can be found here.

Join the Parks Canada Learn-to-Camp team at Markham Museum on Thursday August 11th to discover the basics of tent camping.

The 90 minute free workshop will start at 3pm and is designed for adults, but children and families are very welcome.

Also happening soon at the Markham Museum is "The Power of Step" with Jully Black. This outdoor aerobic class will return on August 28th - register now.

York Region Update

York Region Council meetings and live streaming details can be found here.

Details of upcoming York Region meetings and past sessions are available here.

• Provide your input on York Region's Transportation Master Plan until August 8 at york.ca/TMP
• Monkeypox vaccine clinics - details

Community Meetings and Events

• What's on at the Library? - click here

• Movies on Main - Spiderman No Way Home - August 9 at dusk - Unionville Bandstand
• MBT Good Morning Markham - August 11 at 10am - details
• TNATB - Elton Rohn - August 11 at 7:30pm - details
• Night at the Markham Museum - Encato - August 11 at 8pm - details
• eWaste Drop-Off - Centennial CC - August 13 - 14 from 8am to 4pm - details
• Movies on Main - Jurassic World Domination - August 16 at dusk - Unionville Bandstand
• Night at the Markham Museum - August 18 at 7pm - details
• Markham Jazz Festival - August 19 - 21 - details
• Markham Garden Club - Never Seen Plants - August 22 at 7:30pm - details 
• Movies on Main - Encato - August 23 at dusk - Unionville Bandstand
• MBT After 5 Networking - August 25 at 5pm - details
• TNATB - Magic of Motown - August 25 at 7:30pm - details
• Night at the Markham Museum - Sing - August 25 at 8pm - details
• Night at the Markham Museum - Jonny Starkes - September 1 at 7pm - details
• eWaste Drop-Off - Thornhill CC - September 10 - 11 from 8am to 4pm - details
• Markham - Milliken Children's Festival - September 12
• YRP Community Safety Data Portal Training - September 13 at 12 pm - details
• eWaste Drop-Off - Markham Depot - September 17 - 18 - 8am - 4pm - details
• Terry Fox Run - Sunday September 18 - Unionville and Thornhill
• Markham at the Movies - September 20 at 7pm - details
• eWate Drop-Off - Aaniin CC - September 24 - 24 from 8am to 4pm - details
• UVA Community BBQ - September 24 from 5pm - 7pm
• Markham Garden Club - The Magic Six - September 26 at 7:30pm - details
• Markham at the Movies - October 25 at 7pm - details
• Markham at the Movies - November 29 at 7pm - details

I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters.

Please forward the details to don.hamilton@rogers.com.

Working together to make Markham better!

Don Hamilton

don.hamilton@rogers.com

www.donhamilton.ca

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