If you're eligible for a vaccine, York Region is ready for you. Pop-up clinics and new appointments are added regularly. Please check york.ca/covid19vaccine often to find the best clinic time and location for you and your family to get your vaccine. You're encouraged to get your booster as soon as you can. Starting on Monday December 13 at 8am, individuals aged 50 and over will be eligible to schedule their booster dose appointment. Eligibility and access to vaccines varies depending on your age or health status. You may already be able to obtain your booster dose - check here.

Getting your child vaccinated against COVID-19 reduces their risk of infection and severe outcomes, helps keep them in school and participating in the activities they love and also helps slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to learn more about the benefits of vaccinating children by checking out the information and resources at york.ca/covid19vaccineinfo or speaking to your child's primary care provider about your unique questions.

The tradition continues at Heintzman House with their 2021 Family Carol Sing. Come join the holiday fun on Sunday December 12th from 5pm - 6pm - details.

The event is free. In the spirit of the holidays, donations of non-perishable food items and toys will be accepted for the City's Holiday Donation Drive.

Also the Giving Tree is organizing a Hand in Hand Holiday event with an evening of carolling at the Unionville Bandstand on Friday December 10th starting at 7pm.

If you're planning on attending, please consider bringing a hardback book or two (no taller than 12" or 30 cm) to donate to their current project, The Canadian Library, in remembrance of Indigenous Women and Children.

Investigators with the York Regional Police Auto Theft Unit have identified a new method being used by thieves to track and steal high-end vehicles across York Region. There have been several cases where small tracking devices have been placed on vehicles in malls so they can be located later and stolen.

Click here to learn more and watch the video to get additional detail.

Here are some of the tips provided by YRP to prevent your vehicle from being stolen:

Reid McAlpine, Ward 3 Councillor, has just released the latest edition of his monthly eNewsletter - read it here.

Even if you aren't a resident of Unionville you may want to have a look at Reid's latest update as he highlights a number of items coming to Council this month including the Vacant Home Tax, coyote response strategy, the Lobby Registry, the 2022 Budget and more along with other community news.

Watch this video to see how Metrolinx's ill-considered Option 3 Yonge Street North Subway Extension alignment will ruin Thornhill's well established Royal Orchard community. The YNSE belongs on Yonge Street. Thornhill residents want a subway but not one running under their homes. Would you want a subway running under your home? Councillor Keith Irish says NO.

Metrolinx and the Province need to go back to the original approved YNSE plan and stay on Yonge! The Better Way is to stay in high density areas and use vacant lands rather than tunneling under schools, ravines, parks and homes. Learn more and get involved - here.

Make your voice heard too.

Learn more at markham.ca/fire.

Registrants will receive a suggested materials list for the art workshop in advance and a zoom meeting link - details here.

You can read the latest Varley update - click here.

from the Greenbelt Foundation

A key recommendation from the Southern Ontario Nature Coalition's (SONC) groundbreaking report, this investment will set the stage for achieving future targets of 40-50 per cent forest cover and self-sustaining natural systems and species.

“In addition to traditional ecological benefits, increasing tree cover can reduce the urban heat island effect and make people more comfortable during the more intense heat waves we are starting to experience by providing shaded areas for heat relief and reducing overall temperatures.” Edward McDonnell, CEO, Greenbelt Foundation.

How do we make 54 million trees happen? Long-term investment is needed to ensure that shovels get into the ground and nurseries can plan and forecast stock. The results, however, will last much longer. We'll see enhanced forest habitat and connectivity for wildlife, better climate resilience in 100 communities and reduced risks of flooding, extreme heat, drought and water pollution - learn more.

Ward 8 Councillor Isa Lee is organizing the 2021 Fight Hunger Food Drive Challenge this holiday season to gather food and other items for families in need.

Through this event Councillor Lee is aiming to raise enough to support 500 local families in need with food for the Christmas week through 105 Gibson Centre Food Bank’s annual Christmas Gift Hamper Program, as well as the Food Bank of York Region and Markham Food Bank.

Food and personal care products can be donated at 105 Gibson Drive in Markham until December 23 from 10am to 3pm Monday to Saturday. Councillor Lee will be setting up a booth at 105 Gibson Centre on Saturday December 11 between 12pm to 2pm to greet residents making a donation to the Food Drive. Residents who come by during that time will receive a small gift sponsored by a local business. If you require further information about this event, please contact Councillor Lee at ilee@markham.ca.

Learn more at markham.ca/diversityactionplan and you can take the survey until December 12th at markham.ca/diversitysurvey.

Your responses will help the City create a plan that reflects the needs of our diverse communities, lay the foundation for ongoing community conversations, and guide the City in its journey to equity. A plan where everyone feels included, welcome and can live their best life in Markham free from barriers of discrimination, racism and access - take the survey.

The Markham Library continues to offer various programs and now that the weather has turned colder maybe you are looking for something to do inside. The full list of programs is available here. This is just a sampling:

Have you been out to enjoy live music yet? Why not join the Kindred Spirits Orchestra on December 18 at 8pm at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts? I attended their last concert. It was a great event and felt almost "normal" except for the fact that everyone in the audience was wearing a mask.

Under the direction of Maestro Kristian Alexander the KSO will perform a night of exceptional music. They will be joined by acclaimed violinist Conrad Chow.

There will also be an intermission discussion with Conrad Chow and the KSO Associate Conductor Michael Berec. The concert is part of KSO Flex so you can attend in-person, watch via live-streaming or watch via a recording. To book your tickets ($20 - $40), visit KSOrchestra.ca or call 905.604.8339.

Markham Fire will be donating smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to vulnerable residents in the City. through a partnership with Enbridge Gas and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council. Together they are working to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.

MFES received 474 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Safe Community Project Zero, a public education campaign that receives financial backing from Enbridge Gas. The alarms will be distributed to vulnerable and at-risk residents in Markham - learn more.

Yesterday (Saturday December 4), I was honoured to attend the ceremony at our Markham Cenotaph to commemorate the Battle of Hong Kong which took place 80 years ago during the defense of Hong Kong. The event was organized by the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) Ontario Association and the Hong Kong Ex-Servicemen's Association (Ontario Branch) to pay tribute to the brave Canadian and British Hong Kong soldiers who paid their supreme sacrifices during WWII. These 2 organizations along with the Hong Kong Commemorative Association are working to keep this legacy alive as well as pass on the close historical tie between Canada and Hong Kong to the next generation. More photos here.

Join in and support the toy drive being organized by Ledgemark Homes and the Unionville BIA by bringing an unwrapped toy to 206 Main Street Unionville on December 11th from 1pm to 4pm. There will be free hot chocolate and cookies if you make a donation. All the toys will donated to the Markham Fire Department Toy Drive for Salvation Army and Markham Stouffville Hospital Children's Centre.

Santa and some of his hardworking elves will be collecting toys for Toy Mountain at the Pride of Canada Carousel in Downtown Markham (corner of Birchmount and Enterprise). The antique firetruck will be parked at the Carousel until December 19th and you can drop off an unwrapped toy:

On December 14, CTV News will feature a live report from the Carousel on their 6pm news.

A friendly reminder that all open air fires in Markham require a permit (by-law 85-97). This includes the burning of leaves and other garden materials. Most properties in City are not designated "rural" and will not comply with the provisions of the permit. More at markham.ca/openairfire.

The sooner you get your flu shot, the sooner you are protected from serious respiratory infections caused by influenza virus.

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.

The Unionville Residents Association is having their monthly meeting on Monday December 6th at 7pm on Zoom. There will be updates by Markham City staff on COP26, solar battery and domestic heat pump pilots, Councillor updates and Main Street Holiday festivities.

More information on URA and how to access their upcoming meeting can be found here.

If you can, please donate non-perishable, unexpired food (including unexpired pet food) and personal care items for this year's drive. Food donations will be collected for the Markham Food Bank.

All donations are being accepted at Markham Fire Stations. Learn more at markham.ca/HolidayDrive.

Just a quick winter driving reminder as vehicle braking distances increase during winter conditions. Reduce your speed, avoid distractions and watch out for pedestrians and yes cyclists too. Winter tires are also recommended. Shorter daylight hours affect visibility and you need to have your headlights on not just the daytime running lights as I have seen a number of drivers using. Please check.

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