July 2021

This month there are several updates for your review, including the expansion of the Mountain Climber Program to Aldershot GO Station, Truck Route Master Plan, Supie Recreation Program at Waterdown Memorial Park and more.

Many students I speak to are struggling with anxiety, mental and physical health issues. As a parent it is crucial to support their well-being but challenging to find help for them. Highlighted below, Waterdown / Flamborough is fortunate to have a local charity, Healthy Youth Network (HYN) with resources for youth of all ages and parents – this may be a life-line. In addition, Body Brave is a local charitable organization focused on eating disorder treatment, training and education. Literally a life-line for ALL body types and are weight inclusive and proudly LGBTQIA2S+ friendly.

Kind Regards,

Healthy Youth Network, local Waterdown / Flamborough charity, is hoping to welcome in a new school year more positively than the last, recognizing that COVID has impacted everyone in the last year and youth have seen significant changes in their lives. HYN provides assistance to youth and parents looking for support and resources. The Youth Hub and Parent Portal HYN launched this year is live and holds many resources for youth for a variety of needs including mental health resources and preparation for the coming school year. Councillor Partridge encourage parents and students to access it and explore to see what there is available to them as well as to receive updates on our upcoming programs.

A preview into an upcoming partnership: Allyship Program is currently in the works with Interval House of Hamilton and Halton’s Women’s Place. This program will connect youth with education on healthy relationships, consent, healthy masculinity, and prevention of misogyny and domestic violence. 

Body Brave Eating Disorder Treatment & Support

Body Brave offers virtual treatment and support services with programming based on a self-guided, stepped approach so that clients can choose the intensity of treatment based on their personal needs and preferences and have access to support resources in lieu of waitlists. Body Brave also offers education courses designed to equip supporters with the tools to ensure that early intervention and quality support is accessible for all. These courses are geared towards professionals, caregivers, community supports, and to individuals who are experiencing an eating disorder themselves. Email info@bodybrave.ca to learn more.

Call: 289 895 8580

Website: Flamborough Women's Resource Centre

Many thanks to those who have shared their recent experiences testing their home for radon gas, with some saying their readings were off the charts. Radon is a serious issue which is long overdue in acknowledging. I encourage everyone to learn more about radon gas and how you can test your home.

Hamilton Public Health Services conducted a study of radon gas levels in residential homes in Waterdown/Flamborough/Hamilton that did show some areas with higher than acceptable levels. Last Fall, Council approved radon testing equipment to be a requirement for all new construction builds going forward - read more about the residential construction requirements for Radon Gas mitigation.

The City of Hamilton has been recognized as a Bee City for the collective efforts of individuals, organizations, and the municipality in supporting wild bee populations. By expanding habitat, empowering citizens to take action to support pollinators and biodiversity, and celebrating success, we are making great steps in providing healthy habitats for wild bees. Watch this video to learn more.

An Initiative of Environment Hamilton & the Hamilton Naturalists' Club is a corridor of native plant species across the city of Hamilton that will provide food and shelter for pollinators. Together with our community, they are working to strengthen and enhance Hamilton's unique biodiversity. Learn more here.

When: Saturdays until mid October 2021

Time: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Where: Waterdown Memorial Park parking lot, 200 Hamilton Street North, Waterdown

Join Councillor Partridge for the Waterdown Farmers’ Market on Saturday's at Waterdown Memorial Park. Vendor offerings will include fresh produce, small batch prepared foods, Ontario VQA wines, cider and more. The Waterdown Farmers’ Market is not a resellers’ market – offerings are grown and/or made by local farmers and producers. Learn more at this link.

Do you enjoy the outdoors and have a couple hours to spare on Saturday Mornings? Join the Waterdown Farmers’ Market as a volunteer and help direct traffic and monitor the entrance and exit of the market. Shifts are limited to 2.5 hours. Sign up today.

When: Saturdays until October 9, 2021

Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Where: Mode Hospitality Inc, 69 Concession 5 Road East, Waterdown

Join Mode Hospitality for their Community Farmers & Makers Market. The market, which will run from 9am – 2pm, every Saturday starting June 5 to October 9, will feature seasonal produce, fresh baked goods, specialty products and so much more. Masks must be worn to attend.

Website: Grace Anglican Church

52 Weekly Wins with Grace is an exciting weekly lottery to raise funds for the creation of Bobby’s Place, a new community gathering space in the heart of Waterdown. Every week for 52 weeks, Grace Church will draw one ticket from all the purchased tickets ($25 / each) and the winner will win $200. After the draw, the winner’s ticket will be added back into the tumbler for more weekly chances to win! That is 52 chances to win! Draws will be videotaped and posted on the church website and YouTube channel every Saturday.

Website: July Events at HPL

The Hamilton Public Library (HPL) provides many on-line fun learning resources for all ages. Councillor Partridge encourages your family to visit the link above for some fun learning resources such as activities, online tutoring, print and digital resources.

A few events coming up this month: Macramé Planter session - learn how to do simple macramé techniques and create a planter Thu July 22, 2:30pm. Story Break on Fridays 10am - listen to stories one week, chat with fellow book lovers about your latest reads the next week. Details and more in the above link.

When: Saturday July 17, 2021

Time: 11:00 am

The Carlisle Optimists are hosting their Annual Duck Dash on July 17th streamed online, and the ducks are getting ready to dash! Duck Dash tickets and donations help support our local community organizations and schools. Traditionally, little yellow rubber duckies dash down Bronte creek, but this year Duck Dash will once again go virtual. The Carlisle Optimists are balancing the need for social distance with their mandate to support our community. Tickets are sold out but be sure to watch the live stream!

When: Saturday July 17, 2021

Time: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Where: Pure and Simple Farm, 1420 Middletown Road, Millgrove

Junior cast showtimes: July 31 & August 8, 7:00 pm

Senior cast showtimes: August 1 & August 7, 7:00 pm

CBY Music and Performing Arts presents the FREE virtual production of "Fame Jr", the hit Broadway sensation that follows the lives of students at New York's High School for the Performing Arts - watch a trailer at this link. Due to COVID lockdown, this is a virtual production that was filmed over 3 weeks in May, with students from Waterdown, Flamborough and beyond filming on green screens from the safety of their own homes. Based on the Oscar-winning film, and featuring the Irene Cara hit single "Fame", join us this summer to celebrate all things 80s as you follow the pursuit of dreams and destiny. Tickets are free, streaming on the CBY website. To learn more and book your ticket, visit www.cbymusic.com/fame

When: August 11-18, 2021

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is a signature YWCA Hamilton event that raises funds and awareness to end violence against women. They have transformed their traditional rally and march through downtown Hamilton into an online event: a Walk Week, a virtual rally and awards ceremony. YWCA Hamilton relies on funds raised by Walk a Mile in Her Shoes to provide a way out for women and children experiencing violence. Funds raised from this event provide safe housing that survivors need to escape abusers and get back on their feet. They provide safety, access to counselling, supports to help them become financially independent. Learn more about the impact you’ll make by walking.

When: Wednesday August 25, 2021

Join the community for the 19th Annual Drives For Lives Golf Tournament on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Proceeds from the tournament support women, with or without children, who have experienced abuse, violence or human trafficking. Reduced pricing this year to $150 a golfer. Register by July 30 to be entered into an early registration draw.

When: Saturday September 11, 2021

Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Made By Hand For You is teaming up with Griffin Vintage Furniture, Rustic Daisy’s and Creative Insight Pottery to bring you the Waterdown Creative Market! There will be approximately 30 local vendors with a wide variety of handmade goods. The outdoor event takes place in the spacious parking lot off Franklin Street in Waterdown Village.

When: September 24 - 26, 2021

Save the date for the 2021 Flamborough Chili Fest! This Fall, join the community for a weekend of delicious chili and other specials at participating Flamborough / Waterdown restaurants. For the past 9 years, Interval House of Hamilton and Flamborough Women’s Resource Centre (FWRC) have hosted an annual Chili Fest in Waterdown in the Fall, as a major fundraiser to support programs and services at the FWRC for women and their children dealing with family crisis and domestic violence.

Where: Flamborough (including Waterdown, Carlisle, Freelton, Milgrove, Lynden, Greensville and Rockton)

Available to anyone who faces challenges when it comes to grocery shopping (little to no support at home, at high risk for COVID-19, those with a disability, etc.), Flamborough Connects is now offering an affordable volunteer grocery shopping service. To receive this biweekly service, call Flamborough Connects to place your order and a volunteer will complete your shop including a no contact drop-off. For more information, please click here or call 905-689-7880.

Where: Flamborough (including Waterdown, Carlisle, Freelton, Milgrove, Lynden, Greensville and Rockton)

Flamborough Connects offers a volunteer driving program to help connect clients who live in Flamborough who do not drive to social outings or appointments (medical appointments, dental appointments, the bank, drug store). Clients must be independently mobile (walker or cane is acceptable) and must give 5 business days’ notice in advance in order to provide enough time to book a volunteer driver. Costs are based on the length of your trip and will be set prior to your drive. For more information or to register for Flamborough Drives, please call 905-689-7880 or email admin@flamboroughconnects.ca

When: Open Tuesdays

Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Where: Grace Anglican Church, 157 Mill Street N (parking can be accessed from ​182 Main Street N)

Food with Grace Waterdown Food Bank remains open to all in the community, with precautionary restrictions, on Tuesdays from 2-6pm. Please do not arrive before 1:30 pm. Neighbours seeking food assistance will be provided with pre-made bags of food at the entrance door. Thank you to our generous community for their donations.

When: Open Wednesdays

Time: 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Where: Flamborough Food Bank, Carlisle United Church,

The Flamborough Food Bank remains open weekly on Wednesdays 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Instead of entering the Food Bank for personal shopping, food is being packed into hampers by 2 volunteers who work 6 feet apart. Hampers are placed near the front door, into carts and then cars. There is no close contact between clients or volunteers. For more information, please contact Jim Leamen, 905-690-1036; flamborough1@hotmail.com

Councillor Judi Partridge | judi.partridge@hamilton.ca