Based on evidence of gradual decreasing ammunity, Ontario is now offering a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine for vulnerable populations. A third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is available to moderately and severely immunocompromised populations at an earlier interval.

Booster and third doses are now available by appointment only at York Region clinics. First and second doses remain available through pop-up clinics, walk-in or by appointment. Check eligibility and find a clinic at york.ca/covid19vaccine.

Appointment bookings will open on Tuesday November 23rd at 8am for COVID-19 vaccines for 5 to 11 year-olds. Appointments are required for all children in this age group. They will not be eligible to receive a vaccine at a walk-in clinic. Book online and learn more at york.ca/COVID19Vaccine.

Even after a COVID-19 vaccination, we must follow public health measures to keep everyone safe and healthy. Learn more about measures and enforcement on york.ca/preventcovid19.

Even if you are fully vaccinated, it’s still important to get tested as soon as possible if you have symptoms, as there's still a chance you can contract and spread COVID-19. Reducing community transmission is everyone's responsibility. Learn more at york.ca/COVID19.

Flu shots are available to all Ontarians through health care providers and participating pharmacies at no cost to you. COVID-19 and the flu are different viruses and a different vaccine is required to protect you against each. Get your flu shot soon for the best protection this flu season.

Getting your flu shot is the best way that you can help to reduce additional burden on our health care systems. Learn more about protecting yourself from the flu at york.ca/flu.

If you're planning to travel outside of Canada this holiday season, make sure you’re aware of the testing and quarantine requirements based on your COVID-19 vaccination status before you finalize your plans. Learn more at travel.gc.ca.

The City of Markham is updating its Diversity Action Plan. They want to hear from residents, community leaders, community and service organizations, members of places of worship, business owners and entrepreneurs and individuals who work in Markham. The community consultations will provide an opportunity for you to share your experiences and recommendations for eliminating racism, discrimination and ensuring access for all within the City of Markham.

You can help shape Markham's future and be part of the conversation by registering for one of the upcoming targeted community consultations taking place until December 2nd. Participation in these safe, facilitated engagements is encouraged for all including Markham's racialized, Indigenous, immigrant, faith, youth and seniors, people living with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQ+, business and service organization communities.

Please visit markham.ca/DiversityActionPlan for more information and details about how to participate.

York Region is seeking opinions and ideas on road improvements on the sections of Warden and Kennedy between Major Mackenzie Drive and Elgin Mills Road through an Environmental Assessment. This work will build on the recommendations from York Region's 2016 Transportation Master Plan.

Your feedback can be provided starting on Thursday November 25. Learning more about the study and how you can provide your input can be found here.

You can help York Region plan the new South York Greenway which will be a cycling, pedestrian and micromobility route that will be more than 50 kilometres long. This active transportation route will connect York Region’s western and eastern borders from the City of Vaughan, through the City of Richmond Hill and the City of Markham. 

Join an information session on December 2nd and share your thoughts through a survey - learn more.

York Regional Police have recently released their new Community Safety Data Portal. This new tool is a brand new crime map along with data on road safety information, crime trends and important links to report crime and submit tips and more.

It's about keeping you informed and empowering York Region residents. It's about transparency and about stopping criminals. Have a look for yourself at yrp.ca/communityportal.

Are you looking for an exciting, challenging and rewarding career? York Regional Police is recruiting and there are upcoming in-person information sessions and some are this week. Have a look at calendar.yrp.ca to sign up.

Learn more about Winter road operations at markham.ca/winter.

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

Make sure to stay on the designated trails to protect the flowers, plants and trees, while experiencing the benefits of the Forest. Plan your trip and find a trail - details here.

Light It Up 🎄

Visit Main Street Markham on Friday November 26th and Friday December 10th from 6pm-9pm for Light it Up, a celebration of lights and a "shop local event" on Main Street Markham. ☃️

The event will feature a holiday market showcasing festive specialty goods, one-of-a-kind arts and crafts from local artists and artisans and lively entertainment. Light It Up is free to attend and they will be collecting non-perishable food items for Markham Food Bank at the entrance to the Holiday Market.🎄

Do your holiday shopping at the businesses on the street that will stay open late to welcome you. Shop local this holiday season to support our small businesses after the challenging times they have experienced during COVID. Take in the decorated shop windows and cast your vote for ‘People’s Choice’ in the annual Holiday Window Decorating contest. Make a night of it and dine at one of the many restaurants. 🎁

Travel along Main Street enjoying charming, holiday entertainment for all ages, socially distanced Santa photos, festive decorations and more including a holiday photo booth. 🎅🤶

The City of Markham's Recreation Service is now hiring.

Join the Markham team and get paid doing something you love. There are a variety of positions that are currently open including lifeguards, facility maintenance and various positions at the Flato Markham Theatre. Learn more at markham.ca/workhere.

This week I was pleased to attend the ground breaking for the new Mon Sheong Markham Senior Care Campus. The Senior Care Campus is projected to be completed by 2025.

It is their second Senior Care Campus in Markham and is located at 36 Apple Creek Boulevard. It will feature a long-term care centre with 160 beds, a senior living Mon Sheong Court with 280 units and a personal support workers (PSW) training facility. More information can be found here.

The Markham Board of Trade has a new way for their members to reach customers as they have transitioned their OpeninMarkham.com site that they introduced during the pandemic to ExperienceMarkham.com.

This new site is part of a suite of new ways that the Markham Board of Trade is encouraging residents to shop local. Have a look and if you have a local Markham based business, find out how you can register and be included - details.

November is Fall Prevention Month. We all need to do our part to reduce trip and fall hazards in and around our homes for all of us but especially for our seniors.

More information on healthy aging and fall prevention can be found here.

Did you know that strategically planted trees and shrub can help reduce your heating and cooling costs and help fight climate change? Learn more

The Markham Group of Artists is proud to celebrate their 40th anniversary with their MGA@40 Online Exhibition that will run until December 31 on social media and their website. View the artwork created by current and past members in a memorable show displaying artwork that celebrates MGA’s vibrant artistic contributions to Markham. Consider purchasing a painting or two for gifting. You can view the show by clicking here.

Also one of Markham’s seasonal favorites is back: the MGA Winter Holiday Show and Sale. Consider supporting your local artists by selecting your smaller holiday gifts from a wide range of painting styles: landscapes, florals, figures, and abstracts. To view the show and purchase the artwork until January 30, visit the show here.

Have you participated in the Smart Commute Month travel survey yet? Take the survey now for a chance to WIN prizes!

You can learn more about Smart Commute and their programs to help reduce congestion on the roads and act on climate change. Learn more here.

The Markham Arts Council is happy to announce the return of weekly Healing Dance sessions.

These dance workshops for seniors will help improve muscular strength, balance, flexibility, and mental wellness.

Join in! The sessions will run every Tuesday starting at 10:30am on Zoom - register here. The sessions will run weekly until March.

Over 400 lives annually are saved by a bystander application of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). November is CPR Month and York Paramedics want to encourage everyone to learn hands-only CPR and how to use an AED so you can act to save a life. Click the picture to watch the video and learn how easy it is to do hands on CPR.

For more information, visit york.ca/CPRMonth. Are you ready? ❤️

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

Details of upcoming YR meetings and past sessions are available here. 

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

Please forward the details to dhamilton@markham.ca