Click here to read the previous edition of The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.

It's a sad day when the latest scam is being done in the name of raising funds for Ukraine relief. Here is an article where the OPP warns of this new charity scam. BEWARE!

The Red Cross relief effort in the Ukraine is generally considered one of the best ways we can help. You can see the work the Red Cross is doing in the area here. You can make a donation here.

Vaccination is still our best, and now, one of our last defenses against COVID-19. Third doses are important for everyone over 12 years of age. The mass vaccination clinics are now closed. Details about current clinics can be found at york.ca/covid19vaccine.

Do you remember last summer when many of the trees in Markham were eaten bare by the caterpillar stage of the LDD moths?

Now is the time to check local trees for these spongy egg masses that are a part of the LDD moth's lifecycle. These egg masses can be easily removed. Learn more including how to protect your trees from LDD moths - details here.

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday April 20 at 6:30pm about the LDD Moth and its impact on the health of local trees. Participants will learn how to identify and manage the LDD moth and what the infestation forecasts are for 2022 - register here.

The Markham Unionville Rotary Club is organizing a food bank drive to benefit the Markham Food Bank in April. They are targeting 500 homes with this, their first food drive, which will cover homes west of Kennedy Road and south of 16th Avenue - Aitken Circle, Pennock, Main Street Unionville and some side streets. They will be dropping off bags soon and will be picking up the bags around April 16th.

If you don't live in the area where this Easter Food Drive is taking place, the Markham Food Bank still would appreciate a donation to assist community members that are in need. The MFB has seen a big increase in the number of families using the food bank. You can learn more about the Food Bank and how you can help - here.

Join the City as they celebrate Earth Month in Markham. It's an opportunity to learn more about climate change and the ways that you can take action to help protect the planet. Celebrate Earth Month and take a stand to live a more sustainable lifestyle all year long.

To learn more about other Earth Month programming and other resources including sustainability grants and a chance to win in the Earth Month photo contest. Further information can be found at markham.ca/EarthMonth.

April is the month we say goodbye to our major Winter/Spring exhibition Karen Tam: With wings like clouds hung from the sky. We hope you will be able to view this outstanding installation before it closes on April 24. But if you can’t make it in person to the Varley, don’t worry, you can still peruse it at your leisure, along with the continuing Refracting the Lens show, through the Varley’s online exhibition experience.

Following the major success of last year’s event, the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham is once again mounting a "Virtual Vintages at the Varley" fundraiser, this year scheduled for Thursday May 5. There are a variety of great ticket options for this fun and informative wine tasting party but you do need to purchase them by April 20 - details. 

Coming up even sooner is the April 8 deadline to apply for the 2022 Wallace Joyce Scholarship. This award, offered by the Foundation in partnership with the Varley Art Gallery, will support a graduating high school student from York Region who is pursuing their studies in an art-related field at a post-secondary level.

The City is developing new age friendly design guidelines and they want to hear from you about how you live, work and play in Markham. Join the upcoming Open House on Wednesday April 13 at 6pm - learn more here.

Next weekend in the Unionville area starting on Friday evening. Metrolinx, as a part of routine rail maintenance, will be making repairs to the railway crossing on Highway 7 between Kennedy Road and Warden Avenue in Unionville. The work is scheduled to close Highway 7 in this area from April 8 at 8pm until 5am on April 11.

The work done by contractors will be a full railway crossing rehabilitation which will include full ballast removal and replacement and then the installation of a new track panel, concrete and asphalt.

If you have any questions or concerns about this work you can send email to YorkRegion@metrolinx.com.

Spring Into Colour at the 2022 Heintzman House Art Show and Sale.

From April 29 to May 1, stop by to admire the incredible work of 30 talented artists, converse with community members and take part in something special.

Admission and parking are free. The beautiful historic Heintzman House - theheintzmanhouse.ca - is located at 135 Bay Thorne Drive in Thornhill.

More information about the show can be found here.

As we've all been spending more time online, it has created a prime opportunity for cyber savvy criminals. YRP has provided the following tips to help safeguard yourself, family and business against cyber crime.

More and more, our daily lives revolve around wireless networks, whether it's through mobile devices or home and work computers. Criminals are always coming up with new ways to access your information and accounts for their profit. More information is available at yrp.ca/cybercrime.

Lorne Smith, probably best known to Markham residents as the City's historian, is now home after a long stay in the hospital. Lorne was involved in a life-threatening accident last November and he has spent the last months in hospital recovering from his injuries. He's glad to be home with his wife Carol as they will celebrate their 60th anniversary in July - read more.

Do you have your ticket yet to the Garden by the Greens luncheon? This event, to be held at Angus Glen Golf Club on Thursday April 28, will soon be sold out.

Join the celebration as 2022 has been designated the Year of the Garden and the event will highlight the contribution that gardens make on the environment, our mental and physical health and the quality of life in our communities.

Proceeds from the event will support the residents' gardens at Union Villa. These gardens were the only outdoor space that Union Villa residents could access over the last 2 years. Click here to purchase your ticket or learn more about the event. Even if you aren't really a gardener, it's a fun event for a great cause.

Did you receive a copy of the Ward 3 update sent out this weekend by Councillor Reid McAlpine?

His monthly eNewsletter provides details on happenings in Unionville and across the City. You can read it here.

Have you registered for Markham Stouffville Hospital's upcoming Community Town Hall meeting to take place this week on April 6 at 7pm.

Learn more about the future of healthcare in our community. It is also an opportunity for you to provide your feedback. Register here for the event.

Here's another opportunity for high school students to get some volunteer hours.

The TRCA is offering an opportunity for students to earn up to 11 hours of community service at home this Spring. From May 3 - 30 complete online modules and action projects related to microplastics, invasive species and more.

Register today at trca.ca/get-involved/conservation-youth-corps.

The Markham Little Theatre , an award winning community theatre group, is thrilled to announce its post-pandemic re-opening. Join them for a night of friendship and laughter as they bring The Ladykillers to Flato Markham Theatre.

The performance will take place from Wednesday April 27 to Saturday April 30. All shows will begin at 8pm. Please contact the Theatre's box office for tickets at 905.305.7469 or online here. In an effort to keep the production safe for all involved, audience members will be asked to wear masks throughout the performance.

Here's another event that's happening again this summer! The Markham Village Music Festival is back on Markham Main Street for 2022. 

Learn more at markhamfestival.com.

Now that Spring is here and thought turns to projects outside, please know that the City has a by-law that applies to all driveways.

This by-law controls the extend to which driveways can be widened. The details can be found here.

Just so you know, the pictured house and driveway does not conform to the parking by-law.

The Markham Group of Artists are happy to announce that they are starting in-person meetings and events again. All of the details about their upcoming events can be found in their April newsletter. As examples, they are having a Members' Meeting and Demo on Wednesday April 6 at 7pm. They are also doing an art fundraiser in support of Ukrainian Refugees. More details about these projects and other upcoming events can be found here.

The Flato Markham Theatre is our local entertainment gem bringing excellent shows close to home. Details on some of their upcoming shows and their latest promotion can be found here.

The next Unionville Residents Association meeting is tomorrow night on Zoom - April 4 at 7pm. The meeting will discuss the new Markham Centre Secondary Plan with guest speaker Randy Peddigrew, EVP Remington, with comments on the recently updated secondary plan concept for the Downtown Markham area. Remington owns some of the land that will be impacted by the new secondary plan. There will also be Councillor updates. URA meetings are open to the public. You can register for the Zoom link by emailing rsvp@unionvilleresidents.com.

The 2022 Municipal Election will be taking place in October. It's your chance to vote for your representatives on Markham Council.

You need to be on the Voters' List to take part in the election. Find out more and check to see if you are on the List - click here.

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