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The

Markham

Exchange

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June 26 2022

Edition 8

Happy Canada Day! 🍁


Although the final total is not in yet, last week's Union Villa Charity Golf Tournament raised around $65,000 towards assisting Union Villa residents. It was a pleasure to play with Nick, Jim and Kent. Thanks goes to the many supportive sponsors and players who helped Union Villa achieve their goal. 

Things have really picked up event wise lately. This past week I attended the Portraits of Giving kick-off, held the Unionville Main Street revitalization project public meeting, opened a new public art project at Aaniin Community Centre called Anwebi Aki, visited the Open House for the Holy Relics Vandana at the Buddhist Monastery, participated in the Hakka Conference Dinner Gala, Taste of Asia opening ceremony, Kindred Spirits Orchestra concert and the World Parkinson's Program Gala Dinner. Busy busy busy.

This Friday marks Canada Day and a chance to gather and celebrate. Many communities are having celebrations within Markham and even some streets are having mini celebrations. The City's event will be in Downtown Markham. Join in the fun and yes there will be fireworks.


Congratulations to the Swan Lake Community on their 25th anniversary!


email - don.hamilton@rogers.com

In This Issue

  • Happy Canada Day 🍁
  • Final Storm Update
  • Hot Time Summer in the City
  • Anwebi Aki Unveiling Event
  • 2022 Portraits of Giving
  • Save the Date
  • Attention Thornhill Residents
  • Tire Recycling
  • No Collection on Canada Day
  • World Hakka Conference
  • Other Items
  • Upcoming Meetings
  • York Region Update
  • Community Meetings and Events

Please forward this update to anyone

that may find it of interest.

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Find Your Ward Councillor

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Please continue to remember the Ukraine and its suffering people in your thoughts and prayers.

Click here for my last eNews

Happy Canada Day! 🍁


The City is thrilled to announce the return of in-person Canada Day celebrations in Downtown Markham - Markham Centre.

 

The event will be headlined by multi-award winning artist, Virginia to Vegas who will bring his renowned indie-pop choruses and electronic melodies to the Canada Day stage.

 

The day’s festivities begin at 3pm on July 1 and will feature entertainment right up until the fireworks display, capping off the evening at 10pm. There will be something for all ages to enjoy. An action packed day of fun for the whole family:

  • food trucks
  • children’s activities
  • free parking
  • live music and more


The new location at Birchmount Road and Enterprise Boulevard will have ample, free parking available and is easily accessible by transit. More information is available at markham.ca/CanadaDay.


Also the Kindred Spirits Orchestra will be performing on Canada Day at the Unionville Bandstand at 8pm. You can celebrate the birth of our glorious nation with a concert under the stars as the KSO presents musical favourites from the classics to Broadway and beyond.

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Final Storm Update


Clean-up from the May 21 wind storm is almost complete. There is still some work to be done and City staff are working to have it completed as quickly as possible. 

 

City staff continue to inspect completed areas to inventory and prepare for the next phase in recovery which will include structural pruning, tree removal, stump grinding and tree replacement.


You can place properly prepared tree debris at the curb for collection on your regular leaf and yard material collection day.

Hot Time Summer in the City


Summer is definitely here and the temperatures and humidex have certainly been on the rise this week. As a reminder:

  • stay cool and hydrated
  • keep people and pets out of parked vehicles
  • check in with elderly neighbours, family and loved ones.


Learn more at markham.ca/HeatSafetyTips.

The City's splash pads are now open.


It's a great way to cool off on a hot day!


Find a splash pad near you at markham.ca/SplashPads.

Anwebi Aki Unveiling Event


This week the City celebrated the completion and installation of the Anwebi Aki at the Aaniin Communtiy Centre. The Seven Grandfathers Teachings Carving partnership was a community colaberation with the York Region District School Board.


Two large trees provided by the City of Markham were transformed into seven carved benches by students and the Art teacher from Unionville High School, in consultation with Indigenous elders - more information.

2022 Portraits of Giving


This week I was happy to attend the opening reception to honour the 2022 receipents of the Portraits of Giving Awards.


These awards provide a legacy of social responsibility in York Region. This project was stared a number of years ago by York Region photographer Karen Merk. Here are several of the 2022 winners:

York Regional Police


Sergeant Mina Rahravan and Susan Gibbs

Unionville 2022 Winner


Shanta Sundarason

(represented by her husband)

Life Time 2022 Achievement Winner


Linda Dennis

Traffic Chaos Coming ... Another Road Closure


The intersection of Markham Road and 16th Avenue will be closed from Friday July 15 at 7pm to Monday July 18 at 7amThe closure is required in order to facilitate regional sanitary sewer work that is taking place along 16th Avenue.

 

Should you have any concerns or questions about the closure, you can send an email to OCS@markham.ca or call 905.475.4714.

Save the Date


The City of Markham, in partnership with Ted Rogers School of Management Diversity Institute, invites you to the launch of the Diversity Action Plan and Markham’s Eliminating Anti-Black Racism Action Plan.


On Wednesday July 13, join the City as they present the detailed plans the community helped to create to help remove barriers of racism, discrimination and access.


You are invited to celebrate this moment as the City continues to build an inclusive community in the City of Markham.


  • Aaniin Community Centre (5665 14th Avenue, Markham)
  • July 13 from 4:30pm to 6pm with free entertainment and refreshments

Have you seen the City's the new “Unity” flower bed that was recently planted at the Civic Centre at Highway 7 and Town Centre Boulevard?


This project was created in partnership with the Operations team and the Diversity office.


Unity is one of the values the City has adopted through our Diversity Action Plan. Stay tuned and learn more on July 13.

Attention Thornhill Residents!


There's a Statutory Public Meeting on July 5 at 7pm regarding the redevelopment of 8051 Yonge Street and 10 Royal Orchard Boulevard in Thornhill.


The meeting will be livestream here. You can speak for up to 5 minutes in-person or via Zoom with an email in advance to clerkspublic@markham.ca. More information about the meeting can be found here.

I was happy to attend the closing dinner on Saturday night for the 31st World Hakka Conference that was held in Markham over the weekend. It was a colourful event.

Other Items

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York Region has pulled together 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.

The 42nd Terry Fox Run will be back in person on Sunday September 18.  

 

You can join in at one of the runs taking place in the City of Markham to honour Terry Fox and his legacy for cancer research:


  • Old Unionville Library Community Centre - details about this year's run in Markham-Unionville can be found here including how to register for this year’s event.
  • Thornhill at the Thornlea Secondary School Track - details can be found here.

 

There are a few of different ways to get your 2022 Terry Fox Run T-shirt this year:  

  • register online for the 2022 Terry Fox Run, purchase your shirt and have it shipped directly to you - details 
  • a limited number of shirts that can be picked up in Markham (from the Markville Mall area). If interested, please fill out this form
  • purchase one on Run Day (September 18th) - quantities will be limited. 

 

Volunteers are needed to help spread the word to get people to register and fundraise. You can join or follow the Markham-Unionville Terry Fox Run group on FacebookTwitter or Instagram. Are you interested in taking on an organizational role (media relations, local donations, sponsorship, various coordinators)? If so, please email terryfoxmarkhamunionville@gmail.com.

The popular, free summer live music series Thursday Nights at the Bandstand returns this year for a 4-event series in July and August at Unionville’s Millennium Bandstand at the corner of Main Street and Fred Varley Drive. 


This year's line-up kicks off in mid July and all performances will run

from 7:30pm to 9pm. 


July 14 - Epic Eagles

July 28 - ABBA Revisited

August 11 - Elton Rohn

August 25 - Magic of Motown


More information is available here.

All COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada are safe and can reduce your chance of being infected by COVID-19. The vaccine can reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death. Receiving all recommended doses of the vaccine, including booster doses, provides the greatest protection against COVID-19 and its variants.


  • 1st and 2nd doses for 5+
  • Booster doses for 18+
  • Fourth doses for 60+


You are encouraged to be up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations which are available:


If you would like to learn more about Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination program, vaccine safety and where and how to get vaccinated, you can visit covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccines-ontario or if you have any further questions, you can contact the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1.833.943.3900.

On June 16, over 300 residents of Swan Lake Village celebrated the 25th anniversary of this adult lifestyle community in Markham. It was a beautiful day to mark the occassion and the first opportunity to gather as a group since COVID restrictions have been relaxed.


There was food to be had, music to be enjoyed and friendships to be renewed. It was a great day to see all that Swan Lake has to offer residents. There were displays of over 30 activities for residents to become involved with and also of the history and wildlife that are abundant in the community.


I've heard reports that even the sometimes stormy sky and the odd bit of thunder didn't stop the party and that everyone that attended had a great time! Congratulations to the Swan Lake Community on their 25th anniversary. 

York Region Council declared a housing affordability crisis. York Region is seeking input from the community as it reviews a potential Vacant Home Tax for the Region.


Now is the time to share your thoughts and ideas in this survey and upcoming public meeting - learn more.

Markham is home to a variety of wild animals including coyotes. To ensure a peaceful co-existence:


  • Do not leave food outside
  • Do not put waste bins out too early
  • Do not leave small pets outdoors unattended


More information is available at markham.ca/wildlife.

Exploring Ontario archaeology and clay culture, the From the Ground Up exhibit at the Markham Museum offers an in-depth look into local pottery traditions and the wonders of clay and ceramics. 

Why not stop by to see it.

Spongy Moth caterpillars will soon enter the pupa stage which lasts about 2 weeks before they become adult moths.


You can help to reduce the population of Spongy Moths by placing the pupa in a bucket of soapy water, stir and dispose of after a day or two. You should wear gloves to avoid an allergic reaction. Learn more at york.ca/spongymoth.

Did you join the Main Street Unionville Revitalization meeting this week to provide your feedback on the project?


If not, the City is seeking your input and you can provide your thoughts and ideas. Learn more about the project and share your ideas here.

The Unionville BIA is offering a free guided walking tours along Main Street with George Duncan, the author of Historic Unionville, a Village in the City - learn more.

Walking, cycling, rolling and taking York Region Transit  helps reduce emissions and promotes a healthy active lifestyle.



Enter the York Region Get Moving photo contest to share your sustainable transportation choice and for the chance to WIN! Contest details are available here.

Parking on Markham streets between 2:30am and 6am is not permitted within Markham.


However, the City can make exceptions for driveway repairs and out of town overnight guests.


Learn how to apply for an overnight exemption here.

Do you have a pool that is more than 0.6 metres (24”) deep?


Did you know your swimming pool must be surrounded with a 1.2 metres (4’) high fence and locked when not in use?


Protect children from the danger of drowning - learn more here.

Upcoming Meetings


  • Development Services Committee Meeting - June 27 at 9am - details
  • Development Services Public Meeting - June 27 at 7pm - details
  • Council Meeting - June 28 at 1pm - details
  • YR Council Meeting - June 30 at 9am - details
  • Development Services Committee Meeting - July 5 at 9:30am - details
  • Development Services Public Meeting - July 5 at 7pm - details
  • Special DSC Meeting - July 8 at 10:30am - details
  • Development Services Meeting - July 11 at 9:30am - details
  • Special Development Services Meeting - July 11 at 3:30pm - details 
  • Council Meeting - July 14 at 1pm - details 


  • Markham Committee Meetings - details
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York Region Update


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


Details of upcoming YR meetings and past sessions are available here

Community Meetings and Events



  • Markham Garden Club - Perennial Cacti - June 27 at 7:30pm - details
  • City of Markham Canada Day Celebrations - July 1 - details
  • KSO's Canada Day Celebration at the Unionville Bandstand - July 1 at 8pm
  • TNATB - Epic Eagles - July 14 at 7:30pm - details
  • Let's go out to the ball game - July 16 - details
  • TNATB - ABBA Revisted - July 28 at 7:30pm - details
  • Night It Up - August 6-7 - details
  • MBT Good Morning Markham - August 11 at 10am - details
  • TNATB - Elton Rohn - August 11 at 7:30pm - details
  • Markham Jazz Festival - August 19 - 21 - details
  • Markham Garden Club - Never Seen Plants - August 22 at 7:30pm - details 
  • TNATB - Magic of Motown - August 25 at 7:30pm - details
  • Terry Fox Run - Sunday September 18
  • Markham Garden Club - The Magic Six - September 26 at 7:30pm - 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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