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The

Markham

Exchange

July 24 2022

Edition 12

First COVID,

Now Monkeypox

While COVID continues its undesirable reign in our community and around the world, we now have a new concern coming forward called Monkeypox.

The latest COVID variant continues to cause many people discomfort and even death, so please take appropriate precautions when you are in crowded indoor situations. One of the ways York Region Public Health measures COVID presence is through our wastewater and those numbers are up.

If you are in the high risk category for Monkeypox, York Region Public Health is offering vaccination clinics. See below for details.

Be sure to check the list below of great events coming to Markham. Thursday Night at the Bandstand continues this week. Markham Jazz Festival has a great lineup this year. Markham Museum is offering family friendly movie and concert nights. The Markham Garden Club is active. The Terry Fox Run and Markham At The Movies are back this September. Plan your calendars accordingly.

Enjoy our lovely summer weather.

email - don.hamilton@rogers.com

In This Issue

Paediatric Vaccine Rollout Begins
Night at the Museum
Hot, Hot, Hot
Road Construction Notice
York Region Public Health
Call Before You Cut
4 Weeks to the Jazz Festival
Fight the Bite
Other Items
Upcoming Meetings
York Region Update
Community Meetings and Events

Please forward this update to anyone that may find it of interest

Find Your Ward Councillor

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

Click here for my last eNews

Paediatric Vaccine Rollout Begins

York Region Public Health clinics are preparing for the paediatric vaccine roll out with plans to make families as comfortable as possible while getting their vaccines. Paediatric vaccination clinics for children under the age of five will be held separately from regular clinics and will be smaller, more intimate, offering more privacy and every effort will be made to reduce anxiety and needle-related fears for children - learn more.

Vaccinations for children ages six months to under five years will be available at York Region clinics starting Thursday July 28 (by appointment only). Times can be booked at york.ca/covid19vaccine. Clinic staff are available to help and answer questions that parents, guardians and children may have before, during and after vaccination. Parents can call York Region Health Connection at 1.800.361.5653 to speak with a registered nurse for accurate public health related information.

Eligibility for second booster doses to Ontarians age 18+ continues. York Region Public Health clinics are providing second booster doses by appointment only for eligible residents who received their first booster dose at least five months ago. Whether you need your primary series (first or second dose) or a booster, you can find a clinic and learn more at york.ca/covid19vaccine.

Night at the Museum

The Markham Museum is happy to announce their free Night at the Museum summer event series.

Every Thursday night, starting this Thursday July 28 until September 1, the Museum will be hosting an outdoor movie or a mini concert for the whole family to enjoy - learn more. As these are evening outdoor events, you will need to bring your own chair or blanket and bug repellent.

This week's movie is appropriately Night at the Museum. Additional information and registration details can be found here.

Hot, Hot, Hot

Sure it's Summer and it's supposed to be hot but this week we've had some HOT days. Here are some reminders to keep in mind for the hot weather:

drink plenty of cool liquids
avoid sun exposure
check on vulnerable community members
don't leave people or pets in parked cars

Additional information can be found at markham.ca/heatsafetytips and also at york.ca/extremeheat.

Road Construction Notice

Be prepared for some traffic chaos on McCowan Road south of Major Mackenzie Drive as work is done to replace the culverts that the Robinson Creek flows through below the Road. The work will start in August and should be completed by October. The work will take place on weekdays between 7am and 7pm and the road will remain open but temporary lane restrictions maybe be needed. Additional detail can be found here.

York Region Public Health is More than COVID-19

For the last 2 years York Region Public Health has been the go to source for information on COVID-19 but they have always been committed to community health and well-being at every age and stage.

information for growing families and thriving children
living life to the fullest
protecting and promoting health

While YRPH doesn't treat individual illness, they provide services to prevent residents from getting sick or injured in the first place and to lead healthier lives - learn more here.

Call Before You Cut ...

or Face a Fine

Property owners must apply for a permit before cutting, injuring or destroying any tree in the City of Markham with a trunk of 20cm (about 8 inches) or more, measured at 1.37 metres (about 54 inches) above the ground from the base of the tree. Learn more

4 Weeks to the Jazz Festival

The organizers of the 2022 Markham Jazz Festival are excited to bring jazz musicians back to Main Street Unionville in just 4 weeks for their 25th anniversary event.

Once again, the festival will takeover Main Street Unionville on August 19 - 21 with performances on three stages where established and emerging artists will deliver traditional jazz, blues, Afro-inspired beats, cool summer sounds and overall amazing energy. Best of all the performances are free. You can find out more about the artists at markhamjazzfestival.com/artists. To make parking easier there will be a free shuttle bus from the Markham Pan Am Centre. Details are available at markhamjazzfestival.com/shuttle-service.

The Festival's Opening Night Concert and Party will take place on Wednesday August 17 at the Markham Museum. This is the only ticketed event where Montreal based jazz band Manteca will perform. The evening includes a cash bar, bites and a silent auction. The event will be outdoors with good weather but there is also an indoors option, if needed. Tickets can be purchased here.

Fight the Bite

Did you know that mosquitoes are more active around dusk and dawn? Use insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin and wear long-sleeved shirts or jackets, long pants and socks to prevent bites.

Visit york.ca/WestNile to learn how you can fight the bite and help avoid the possibility of getting West Nile disease which can cause serious illness in human.

Other Items

York Region has gathered 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.

Own a business in York Region?

Receive up to $10,000 in financial incentives by replacing inefficient equipment with water efficient equipment - learn more.

With so much information available at our fingertips, it can be hard to sort our fact from fiction.

Learn more about the five common tree myths from tree care to tree growth - details. See how much you know about trees.

Construction continues on Unionville Commons. This is York Region's new affordable housing building for seniors which is located behind Union Villa on Highway 7.

A recent project update was sent out - read it here. Here are some highlights:

construction of the 12th floor is complete and windows are being installed
interior work continues
landscaping work is underway

The building is anticipated to open in early 2024. More information can be found at york.ca/unionvillehyi.

It's been hot and if you're looking for a way to keep the kids entertained, you should stop by one of the City's splash pads.

Find a location at markham.ca/splashpads.

Are you registered to vote for the 2022 Markham Municipal Election

It's quick and easy.

electionsmarkham.ca/register

Many Markham residents participate in worthwhile fundraising events. Satya and Sham are actively engaged community residents. They asked me to mention their next adventure on October 16 as they participate in the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon 5K virtual run to raise money for the Guyana Dialysis and Eye Clinics in collaboration with McMaster University's Faculty of Health. This charity's mission is to provide vital support to help those with kidney failure and low vision to live longer, healthier and better lives. Should you wish to sponsor Satya and Sham, you can do so here.

During the Summer, many of us enjoy walking and cycling and other recreational activities using Markham and York Region trails.

Take the opportunity to upload a photo of your sustainable transportation trip for a chance to WIN in the York Region Get Moving photo contest - details here.

Did you know that York Region can assist families struggling to meet some of their housing costs like mortgage, rent or utility payments?

You can find out more about these supports and if you are eligible here or by calling Access York at 1.877.464.9575.

July is Picnic Month and you still have a few days to get out and have a picnic either in one of Markham's many parks or perhaps the Rouge National Urban Park. There are many places for a great picnic day with friends and family. Just remember to leave no trace that you've been there. Use reusable containers and properly dispose of any leftovers to help keep our parks clean.