An entire week has been set aside this month to honour those who have shown exemplary character, and to encourage others to pursue character growth. Led by volunteers and layleaders from the community, government, education and business sectors, the Character Community Foundation of York Region’s mandate is to raise awareness in the public about character development. They encourage what they refer to as “Character Attributes”: compassion, courage, fairness, honesty, inclusiveness, initiative, integrity, optimism, perseverance, respect, responsibility. The idea of Character Community Foundation of York Region was initially conceived at a conference in 2001, by the York Region District School Board. There, Town of Markham Mayor Donald Cousens took on the challenge to host a forum about building cities of character. Since 2001 Cousens has continued development of Character Week across York Region. This year’s Character Community Week will take place from October 21-26, which, fittingly, will include the Inaugural Celebration of Character- Donald Cousens Tribute on Wed., October 23. “We are honoured to be showcasing him as one of the initial members, as bringing the Character movement to our neighbourhoods,” said Karen Addison, Executive Director, Character Community Foundation of York Region. As part of the luncheon, Cousens will also be sharing his views on key people who exemplify good character and those who do not. Addison added that outreach efforts have successfully spread to youth. “We do reach out to all the schools here, and through York Region Police we are involved in various communities. We set up a character colouring classroom timed for Halloween too.” Cousens was first elected Mayor of Markham in 1993 and served four successive terms. From 1981 to 1993 he was Markham’s Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) serving as Deputy Speaker, Minister of Corrections and Opposition Critic for Environment and Finance. He currently serves on the Foundation’s Board of Governors. The Board of Governors include Chief (Retired) York Regional Police Armand La Barge, former MP Belinda Stronach, and Chief York Regional Police Eric Jolliffe, among dozens of other involved leaders. The Character Community Foundation’s signature event is the annual Character Community Awards Celebration which recognizes individuals, schools, groups and businesses for demonstrating exemplary Character. Among other initiatives from Character Community Foundation of York Region is Slap Shot - an after school hockey program running since 2009. Partnering with the York Region District School Board, the program provides 200 newcomer children in grades 4-6 with the opportunity to learn hockey, who may have not been able to due to financial or cultural barriers. This year’s six week program will kick off in several school gymnasiums where children will be introduced to floor hockey to learn about sportsmanship, teamwork and the character attributes.

It started as a casual afternoon tea party that drew only 100 people, but a quarter century and $8 million later, the CIBC Celebration of Hope luncheon is one of the most anticipated and successful cancer awareness and fundraising events in York Region. On Sunday October 27, Markham Stouffville Hospital will host the 25th Anniversary CIBC Celebration of Hope Luncheon at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Center. When the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation held the first Celebration of Hope event in 1988, it was to raise awareness for a disease that was, at the time, relatively absent from public discourse. As the community’s knowledge and understanding of cancer has grown, so has the scope of the fundraiser, which now supports efforts to treat numerous forms of cancer, as opposed to simply breast cancer. Since 2006, the luncheon has been an initiative of the Markham Stouffville Hospital, and the $2 million raised since then has gone towards the hospital’s Breast Health Centre and other cancer services. Even in light of the event’s evolution and expansion, the fundamental theme has not changed. “It’s about hope,” said Allan Bell, director of corporate sponsorship and special events for the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation. “Hope for the future and that there is life beyond a diagnosis of cancer.” Bell, who has been involved with Celebration of Hope for 19 years, said that the fundraising target is set at $225,000. In the past, audiences have been made up of cancer survivors, families of victims, and even members of the community who don’t have a personal connection to the disease. Organizers are expecting 1000 to attend the event, which will be emceed for the 19th year by radio personality Erin Davis of CHFI in Toronto. “There’s so much to celebrate--triumphs in spirit and science --but also it’s a day of remembering those who’ve passed the torch to us to find a cure and to never forget their fight,” said Davis. “It’s been an incredible honour to be part of such a momentous event. I just love it.” As its name would suggest, the gala-style event has always maintained the tone of being about hope rather than loss. “It is a celebration. We take time annually to celebrate those that we’ve lost, and that their lives and their battles haven’t gone unnoticed,” said Bell. “But we also like to celebrate the hope of a future without cancer.” In the past, the luncheon has been used as an opportunity to honor and support celebrities and members of the media who have courageously brought their own struggles with cancer to the public eye through the Hope Awards, which were introduced to the event five years ago. Previous recipients have included Cynthia Mulligan and the late Mark Dailey of CityNews, as well as actress Lisa Ray and CTV News personality Ken Shaw. Even though the event is a celebration, Bell still wants attendees to understand the reality of cancer. With one in nine Canadians expected to be afflicted by cancer in their lifetime, one person at every table at the fundraiser could wind up fighting the illness. To Bell, that statistic is all the more reason to boost awareness and funding, both so people will be more proactive in getting tested, and also so hospitals like MSH have the resources to test and treat patients.

At a time when technology is rapidly expanding, it helps to be ahead of the curve so you don’t get stuck using outdated materials. That’s why Seneca College began offering its Social Media Graduate Certificate program. But they didn’t stop there. They’re using cutting edge software that has quickly become the standard in new media marketing - Salesforce Marketing Cloud. Training students in this program, it is hoped, should produce marketers that can better harness the power of social media. Sean Perkins, Digital Director of Starcom MediaVest Group, said that such advanced knowledge is crucial. He has noticed far too many people not being able to keep up. “[There is] a significant gap in the tools utilized on an everyday basis in a work environment.” Seneca’s Coordinator of the SMGCP Bhupesh Shah says that, “the hands-on training will prepare them for exciting careers in the growing social media industry.” Renny Monaghan, Head of Marketing at Salesforce concurs, noting that the training at the college will include a certification exam in how to use the software, ensuring a high standard of competency across the board. He notes that the trend is “away from mass marketing. And now they listen and engage with their customers on social media in a tailored more one-to-one basis.” The certification exam ensures employers that students know the elements and that the skills they offer will be in high demand. The idea of matching real-world technology software platforms has caught on, as other programs have begun to integrate industry leading technologies too. The Technical Communication Graduate Certificate program has begun formally integrating the Adobe Technical Communication Suite into the curriculum as well. Speaking to the new knowledge base afforded graduates, Prof. Beth Agnew, Coordinator for Seneca’s Technical Communication program says that, “Adobe’s….support and training materials deliver added value to our students, making this partnership truly rewarding.” “Employers increasingly demand skilled communicators who can develop and manage content while helping make technology easier to use. By mastering this software, our students will be must-have employees in any company upon graduation.” Kayla Lewis, Public Affairs & Media Relations Specialist with Seneca agrees, offering that “in Salesforce and Adobe we have two of the industry’s leading platform and technology companies working with the College to ensure we have current technology integrated in our curriculum for our students.” Noting that it was the college and not the private companies that initiated these partnership, she adds that [our students] will be immediately productive both at their co-op placements and in the workplace after graduation. That’s good news for students who have invested sizeable chunks of time and money into their training - and for recruiters who want to retain top talent. For more on Seneca programs, visit www.senecacollege.ca

The York Catholic District School Board, along with Seneca and Centennial colleges, have teamed up to deliver a unique approach to schooling for those who are interested in finishing the requirements of their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) while at the same time experiencing college life and earning college credits. The SWAC program, as it has been dubbed (Strive, Work, Achieve, Connect) attempts to re-engage those who have dropped out of high school but are old enough that they will benefit from a more mature educational environment. The project geared to 17 to 20 year olds is offered at no charge with tuition, textbooks, transportation and course materials funded by the Ministry of Education. Carlos Sousa, Principal of Student Success and Alternative Learning with the YCDSB notes that “we’re always looking for new ways to meet the needs of all our students so that they all graduate and make seamless transitions to the post-secondary destinations of their choice. Programs like SWAC are an important part of our efforts to prepare students for success and to enable them to make powerful contributions to their communities.” The elements of the secondary curriculum would be delivered by a qualified YCDSB teacher and the college elements from the colleges’ professors. The full-time course is 5 days a week. For more information on the program you can call the YCDSB at 905-713-1211 ext 5041 or access their website at http://www.ycdsb.ca/programs-pathways/SWAC.htm

Offers of dill pickle-flavoured potato chips, quotes from The Big Lebowski and musings about poutine addiction may seem like strange bedfellows, but they are connected by one common denominator: They’ve all appeared on the official Twitter account of the York Regional Police in the last month. The pop culture-inspired and often witty tweets of YRP’s Twitter account are evidence of the light-hearted approach taken by the force in managing and maintaining its online presence. With over 12,500 Twitter followers and 5200 Facebook likes, York Regional Police, or @YRP, as it is known online, has used social media to engage with the community, share information about public safety and educate followers about the law. It wasn’t until this summer, however, that @YRP became a global internet meme following a clever response by a media officer. On August 13th, Twitter user @Sunith_DB8R, later identified as Sunith Baheerathan, invited marijuana dealers to a Mr. Lube in Vaughan, his place of employment, for a sale. Though the request itself was not illegal, it landed on the radar of York Regional Police Constable Blair McQuillan who retweeted Baheerathan’s request, also writing “Awesome, Can we come too?” from the YRP’s Twitter account. The tweet, which has since been retweeted over 7,000 times and has been made headlines around the world, was a widely publicized example of the approach that the police department has taken to external communications. “We’re looking to attract a younger audience in order to communicate with that group of people,” said YRP spokesperson Constable Andy Pattenden. “The whole idea is for us to build as large an audience as we can with citizens of York Region so that we can engage them on a day-to-day basis, but if there were a crisis, we would have that large audience built to quickly message things that would be required in an emergency to it.” While this approach is unique, it is becoming increasingly common. Last month, @YRP was engaging in witty banter about potato chips with @SeattlePD, the Twitter account for the Seattle Police Department in Washington State.
“We have to keep people engaged. If we were just sending out safety messaging…we might have more of a tune-out factor. People might not follow us or watch what we’re doing,” Pattenden said. “We try to mix it up with a blend of humour, sarcasm, wit, as well as safety messaging and highlighting community events to be engaging and informative.” Just as social media has become a necessary tool for many businesses in the private sector, the need for law enforcement to stay connected is just as important. “Police forces are jumping headfirst into social media because, quite frankly, they can’t afford not so,” said Carmi Levy, an Ontario-based technology analyst. “As citizens increasingly use social media platforms and tools in everyday life, law enforcement must follow them…or risk no longer being a part of the conversation and no longer able to understand what’s going on within the community.” Levy also pointed to the ability for police to use social media to keep abreast of events and occurrences for anything from collisions to riots.
YouTube, Facebook and Twitter have all been used by police to make arrests across Canada following riots, most notably in the Vancouver Stanley Cup riot of 2011. As for Sunith Baheerathan, his tactless tweeting led to his termination from Mr. Lube, which the company fittingly announced via Twitter.
“Thank you to the York Regional Police for your help and great work,” a post on Mr. Lube’s official Twitter page read. “The matter has now been handled.”

On September 16, four local NHL Hockey alumni and a crowd of Ontario’s marketplace leaders made a breakaway to the Emerald Hills Golf Club, for the second annual LeaderImpact Golf Charity Event. Order of Canada recipient Paul Henderson was joined by his good friends and former NHLers Ron Ellis, Mike Gartner and Wes Jarvis in support of an organization that Paul launched 30 years ago. Today, it is known as LeaderImpact and has expanded across Canada and to an additional five countries. After dinner they shared life lessons from both on and off the ice. LeaderImpact is best known for its focus on weekly groups, where both male and female marketplace leaders can reach their full potential while leading lives of balance and significance. As Paul Henderson says “Just when you think you have it all, do you really? What are the deeper questions in life, and are you asking them?” These are the things Henderson was forced to think about as he continued his life in the spotlight after the historic winning goal he scored in the 1972 Soviet-Canada series. Despite the fame and success he enjoyed, he admits to being an “angry guy who could sense something was missing in his life” when Mel Stevens, a man unknown to Henderson came calling. Stevens ran a Christian hockey school. “He asked me if I’d come and help out at the camp” remembers Henderson. “I ask ‘how much?’ He said nothing, we’re a Christian camp. We can’t afford anything.” Henderson remembers thinking indignantly “don’t you know who I am?” But something inside him was moved to work with this man of conviction and a fruitful relationship was born, and Henderson began a road that led him to start LeaderImpact, what he describes as “a safe place for people to ask questions that they might never ask in church” – even if they were to go. There are no dumb questions and no judgement he notes. That earnest sense of inquiry is appreciated by the local people who attended the charity event. Among the many business leaders from Markham who attended were Denis Frappier, Senior Partner and Executive Vice President of AMJ Campbell Van Lines who said, “LeaderImpact has been the catalyst for transforming my life. Despite trying to, I could not do it by myself. My participation in a weekly LeaderImpact group helps me protect the core of my life, which is my Christian faith, day in and day out. “I have become a more effective and understanding father, husband, and business and community leader.” Frappier is one of many influential leaders who open their boardrooms throughout the Markham region for men’s and ladies groups.
To learn more about LeaderImpact, to look into a group in your area, or to register to hear Paul Henderson speak at the Markham Breakfast Leadership Forum on November 5, visit www.leaderImpactgroup.com.

A delegation from Markham embarked on a seven-day business mission to Germany in September. Their goal: forging new business relationships in the technology sector, affiliated with two German firms. Both Giesecke and Devrient, a Munich based company - and Siemens – which already has sizeable operations in Markham, were on the itinerary. Mayor Frank Scarpitti, along with Councillor Carolina Moretti and a group of seven other area business leaders worked the business connections, while another group of Markhamites concentrated on exploring the cultural ties Germany has with us.
Nordlingen was the focus for the cultural group, where some of the founders of Markham first immigrated from - in particular the William Berczy family. The Mayor also took part in the cultural relationship development participating in a street naming ceremony at the historic Wall Festival that will honour Markham’s historic ties to that area. “Markham continues to leverage its international business relationships as a means of enhancing our city’s economy and employment. Our aggressive economic development strategy, Markham 2020, has served us well in driving strategic investments to Markham”, said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “We’re proud to enhance this international relationship that is rooted in Markham’s founding,” said the Mayor. “The cultural investment made by those first immigrants” helped shape our community.
The Mayor added that Markham already has a sizeable bilateral trade and commercial activities with Germany. Joining the two purposes of the trip together, Councillor Moretti, the Ward 4 representative and Chair of Markham’s Economic Development Committee, said that, “our two countries have a strong legacy culturally and economically. Having our city and our local business community make new connections with members of the Canadian German Business Club will be valuable.”

It’s been a long haul for Main Street Markham merchants and area residents who have put up with agonizing waits, dirt and other inconveniences while construction continues on the Main Street revitalization project. Fortunately, the wait for what the City calls an effort to transform Main Street Markham from a vehicular dominated street to “one that better supports commercial activities in the core and enhances the Markham Village Heritage Conservation District” is nearing an end. The project, undertaken in three stages – a northern section from 16th Avenue to Major Mackenzie, Highway 7 to Bullock Drive and Highway 7 to 407 was certainly more than an attempt to just dress up the street. It was also a chance to complete much-needed upgrades to the streets watermain, and storm sewer infrastructure. But now with the more northerly section largely finished, sporting newly-greened boulevards and roomy lane configurations, the more southerly phase is about to start its make-over this fall. The merchants in the centre stretch are waiting patiently as the top road construction and curb placement finishes up, so they can rebuild lost revenue. The question many Main Street Merchants are asking is “was it worth it?” Diane Kobelansky, Chair of the Markham Village BIA and owner of Tangerine Geck Art Gallery, has mixed feelings. “There is no doubt that [the construction] is causing some strain on business overall” she notes, and adds that “the impact has been greater this year”. However, she is optimistic that the mid-November timeline for completion of the streetscapes will encourage for busy Christmas shopping season. “We want to let people know that we are open for business now.” When asked about the improvements, and if she likes what is taking shape, she said, “it’s going to be astounding. It will enhance the feel of the street. It will be pedestrianized. It’s what we’ve waited for all along for the last 20 years.”

The Markham Small Business Centre (MSBC) in cooperation with the Markham public Library is presenting a series of free seminars geared to help small businesses be competitive in a sometimes daunting environment. The MSBC, located at the Markham Convergence Centre at 7271 Warden Avenue is a public-private sector alliance that prides itself in being a complete source of services and programs for small business.
Those services and programs include one-on-one management consultancy, skills training as well as physical resources. But in case business owners are too wrapped up in the tasks of everyday business to get to the centre, the Centre is taking its show on the road to various library locations throughout the City this fall with topical and timely seminars available at no cost. With topics such as Marketing Research Resources, Business Planning for Youth, Start-up Basics, E-Business Boot Camp and Profitable Website Strategy, among others, there are plenty of options for small business people to help tweak their business model and help them grow.

The school year always starts off as a flurry of binders and books, with frantic parents and students. But now that school has started and classes are settling down, teachers and students have time to think about their involvement in school, outside of class. Some teachers and students are doing this by joining their school environmental clubs. These Eco-friendly clubs are all working to reduce the impact schools have on the environment. Dianna More, a teacher at Markham District high school, and head of Eco Markham said; “I want my seven times great-grandchild to be living in a world that still has beautiful places in it.” That’s what these clubs are working for: a beautiful planet where the natural environment hasn’t been destroyed by human impact and they all work to do it in whatever way they can. Markham District High School’s Eco club is working to raise funds to put a Living Wall –a wall that would literally be covered in living plants- in the front foyer of the school to help filter the air and as a reminder to the students of the need to make environmentally friendly decisions. The wall was originally supposed to be put in when the school was rebuilt, but due to funding errors and miscommunication it didn’t happen. The school hopes through fundraising and donations they will finally be able to achieve this goal. The Eco Club at Markville Secondary School is beginning its waste management green bin system. It’s the first high school in York Region to implement the program. The Eco Club also plans on increasing their community outreach by picking up garbage around the neighborhood and holding activities and fundraisers to get the students involved. An outdoor classroom is the big undertaking of Unionville High School’s environmental team. They hope that through fundraising and donations they will raise enough money to build an outdoor classroom that has rocks for students to sit on and hopefully trees for shade. High schools like Bill Crothers have big dreams but no team. Bill Crothers Eco Club is currently not up and running but hopes to be by April. The geography department is still working towards their own Eco initiatives such as a program in which used milk bags are brought into the school by students, then made into blankets and sent off to Haiti in a program that both helps the environment and people in third world countries. All these Eco clubs need volunteer support, and help from the community. Take some time to find out what your school is doing and how you can get involved.

It’s that time of year again when the sniffles, stuffy head and aches come and sometimes we feel helpless to combat the inevitable. But one medical practitioner says there are ways we can nourish the body to increase our defenses. “One of the biggest things to consider when looking at cold and flu season -- our approach is really about prevention,” says Dr. Nadine Cyr, Naturopath at Markham’s Naturopathic Living. “We don’t want you to come in when you’re sick. We want to see you beforehand, typically as the season is changing. And this is this time of year. This is when we see our patients. Let’s discuss some preventative approaches to getting the flu.” Her take is: If you’ve taken the right preventative action, the cold should be lessened, and so will the frequency. The main culprits that most people don’t realize are diet and lifestyle. One issue is receiving the appropriate amount of rest. “The immune system significantly decreases if you don’t have enough sleep or you wake several times during the night,” she says. To the surprise of many, she adds that refined sugar is common enemy number one. “People don’t realize the negative impacts of refined sugar. Why do people get so many colds after Halloween? The immune system reduces about half after the consumption of refined sugar.” When those viruses do hit, she recommends fighting the instinct to use over the counter treatments. Instead, she says, it’s better to use herbal remedies like Echinacea or oil of Oregano. Most over-the-counter drugs fall under the category of ‘suppressive’ - they suppress the symptoms, but do not fight off the cold. For Cyr, the answer lies in homeopathic remedies – anti-viral and anti-bacterial solutions - to help treat the symptoms without suppressing the immune system. In fact, colds are our body’s way of sending us crucial messages. “Your immune system is trying to tell you something, it’s fighting something. Why would we want to suppress what the body’s trying to?” she asks. “A cold and flu is a good opportunity for the body to cleanse itself. If we take something that’s going to dry the mucus, like an over-the-counter drug, the body won’t be able to naturally get rid of it.” That, she says, could potentially add weeks to the length of the cold. But what about those of us with frantic lives, young kids, long work hours and eating on the go? Cyr says there are still steps possible to mitigate the risk of receiving colds and flus. “Just find a really good quality multi-vitamin. For hectic people, it’s a good place to start,” she says. “Some people like to bring in extra vitamin D and vitamin C. Help boost the immunity to fight off colds.” For more: www.natliving.ca

On The Floor, The Ultimate Dance Experience paired competitive and professional dancers together to raise funds for the SickKids Hospital. The hospital is one of the world’s foremost pediatric health-care institutions and Canada’s leading centre dedicated to advancing children’s health. On The Floor’s first annual fundraising gala, A Night For SickKids, held last month at the Markham Theatre, included performances that combined winners of their first competitive season, with professional dancers like The Family Channel’s stars Jennie Pappas and Jordan Clark, who emerged on the scene when she won So You Think You Can Dance Canada. “The dedication and professionalism that we see at SickKids is second to none, and the staff and children hold a very special place in our hearts,” said OTF co-founder Lisa Hupe. In addition to the Gala, OTF has many more ways they are supporting the hospital. They worked closely with SickKids to create a very successful OTF Teen Dance Party that gives patients an evening to put their illnesses aside and have fun.
On The Floor is hoping to raise enough money to continue this tradition throughout the year. On The Floor will also be hosting their first annual OTF Dance-a-thon. This event will take place on Sunday October 20, and all proceeds will be going to SickKids. Studios from across the country have been asked to participate either at the live event or at their own studio. The Dance-a-thon has seen an overwhelming response and will be hosted by OTF faculty member and star of The Family Channel’s The Next Step, Jordan Clark. There will also be a special guest appearance from the Toronto Argonaut cheerleaders. For more information or to make a donation, contact Lisa at lisa@onthefloor.ca.

Dozens of facilities in and around Markham will be kicking open their front doors and laying down a ‘welcome’ mat later this month for Doors Open Markham, an annual celebration of local heritage. Now in its 11th year, Doors Open Markham is the local installment of the Doors Open Ontario initiative, which encourages Ontario residents to discover “hidden heritage treasures” in their communities. Many of these treasures are not regularly—or have never been—open to the public. The theme for this year’s event, which comes on September 28, is Cultural Expressions. This is a particularly timely message for Markham, which earlier this year, was labelled Canada’s most diverse community by Statistics Canada. This connection is certainly not lost on the organizers of Doors Open. “We try to look at a broad range of sites that represent various cultures that make up Markham’s population,” said George Duncan, senior heritage planner for the City of Markham. “Our cultural heritage represents a diverse range of cultures.” Duncan, who has headed up Doors Open Markham since it launched in 2003, pointed to the event’s inclusion of the Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre, an Indian centre north of Buttonville, and the St. Dimitrija Solunski Macedonian Orthodox Church on Main Street Markham as examples of the variety showcased in this year’s festivities. In the event’s history, locales ranging from fire stations to art galleries to jails have opened their doors to the public to offer a greater insight and depth to the communities in which they are housed. The only criteria that local sites must meet are that they not charge admission, and that they have an openness to share their culture and heritage with the community at large. A new addition to Doors Open Markham this year is the Tangerine Gecko Art Gallery on Main Street. Diane Kobelansky, who owns the gallery, jumped at the opportunity to participate, seeing this year’s theme as one that echoes the work she does on a regular basis. “Our gallery supports local artists, some living only blocks away from the gallery,” she said. “The diversity of their art includes a variety of styles and art forms. This representation…adds to the ongoing history of the community.” The Tangerine Gecko Art Gallery was one of a handful of new additions to the line-up this year, including the ONE Gallery, the Archibald Fenwick House and the Richard Lewis House. To Duncan, the new additions, as well as the returning sites, all have something unique to offer that helps deepen peoples’ understanding and appreciation of Markham’s history and cultural fabric. “Every year we’ve tried to add new sites and features to keep the event fresh,” Duncan said. “Where possible, we try to have activities take place at some of the sites to add to the experience.” Though the appeal of Doors Open is to people within the community, the event also serves to make a statement about Markham to those outside of the city. “Since [Markham’s] founding with a handful of families 200 years ago, we’ve grown to Canada’s 16th largest city—while always preserving our unique heritage areas and buildings,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “I’m thrilled we’ll be hosting Doors Open again this year, and I invite everyone to enjoy Markham’s, Thornhill’s, Unionville’s and Milliken’s historic and cultural treasures.”

A recent study on students in York Region has shown insights into the health and habits of the region’s young people. 
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has collected information Ontario-wide since 1977, in the reportedly longest, ongoing school survey in Canada. The regional statistics collected includes anonymous surveys collected from 927 students, grades 7-12, and include respondents from three Catholic and nine public schools.  While parts of the study may be alarming to parents, the in-depth information can aid in setting local health priorities and develop programs and services to combat problems and encourage the positives. Allison Bailey, a Public Health Nurse with the Region, notes that “we take a look at all areas of the study and look at the balance”. The balance she notes, offers reasons to be optimistic adding “there weren’t any real surprises”.  While there are certainly teens who participate in risky indulgences, the numbers in several key categories are improving. Alcohol consumption by teens in the 2009 survey is 64 percent, compared to only 57 per cent in the updated report. Marijuana use also tailed off to 25 per cent, down from about a third previous, and cigarette use  continued to fall. There is positive local news to be found on other fronts compared to the Ontario averages, but there are places for concern - especially with regards to physical activity. Teens who participated in physical activities for an hour a day, 4 days a week, plummeted 15 percentage points from 73 per cent to 58 per cent. The numbers were even worse for females, where rates slumped from 66 per cent to only 53 per cent. Although overall activity is down across the board, there were mixed results on reports of obesity, with men reporting obese body weight at a far higher rate than women in 2011 (29 per cent vs. 13 per cent), but for men the numbers were trending down (-4 per cent) as opposed to up for women (+3 per cent). The study suggests that teens face mental health challenges, as only 60 per cent reported their emotional health as good or excellent compared to 66 per cent in 2009, and 39 per cent indicating current psychological stress compared with only 30 per cent in 2009. With reference to these numbers Bailey again cautions to look at the whole. “There was also encouraging data” noting that 87 per cent of those surveyed like school (a jump of 12 per cent) and 91 per cent feel they have close friends to turn to in need (up 2 per cent). She also stresses that, “we usually promote the idea of student led programs” to aid in emotional development in addition to strategies developed with schools to keep the numbers improving. Parents can play a huge role in improving emotional health. Bailey advises offering four key things to assist development: Develop family activities to encourage connection, establish a smoke-free space for their family, have open conversations on alcohol use, and share a meal or snack together. This allows time for families to talk and get to know each other and grow together. The York version of the study is available at the Region of York website at http://www.york.ca. The full CAMH study can be found at http://www.camh.ca 

Progress has been made in York Region’s public transit, and with the help and cooperation of many levels of government, new lanes and new vehicles are servicing our area. As one of many projects, the initial stretch of the bus rapid transit (BRT) has opened. The first 2.5 kilometres of high speed Viva buses began on the centre median of Highway 7 from Bayview Avenue to Highway 404, in a project called vivaNext. Almost four kilometres more between 404 and Warden Avenue will open in 2014.
“The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area is facing a gridlock crisis that is costing our economy an estimated $6 billion a year and is compromising the quality of life for residents,” said Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure, who took part in the opening. “If not addressed, this problem will continue to grow as our population increases and further burdens our economy. The Ontario government is taking action by moving forward with the largest transit investment in a generation to get the region moving.” “Opening this segment four months ahead of schedule surpasses our goal and provides an immediate advantage to our growing number of transit customers,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. “We will continue to work hard to complete the remainder of the rapid transit project over the next five years, bringing over 37 kilometres of rapidways to York Region.” Plans for Highway 7 include wider boulevards, additional trees and shrubs, and bike lanes. The new Viva stations feature 27-metre arched glass canopies inspired by European transportation architecture, with heated waiting areas and level platforms to board the bus. The sites offer off-board fare collection, GPS navigation, real-time information, Presto, and new card readers. The transit project was conducted with $1.4 billion in provincial funding, and is part of a 25-year transit plan for the Greater Toronto Area spearheaded by Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario. The ongoing construction and repaving on Highway 7 is aimed to help improve congestion in Richmond Hill and Markham, and lead to managed growth in the area. Meanwhile, some changes in Viva services are starting in September. Viva purple’s route between Markham-Stouffville Hospital and Richmond Hill Centre Terminal will see increased service during morning and afternoon rush hour, with buses arriving every 15 minutes. When combined with Viva pink service, both routes will provide an average 7.5 minute frequency along the shared section of the route. The last westbound bus from the hospital departs at 1:44 a.m. Viva pink is adjusting its schedules to better reflect actual travel times. The average morning and afternoon rush hour service will improve to every 15 minutes. The first northbound trip from the Finch GO Bus Terminal will depart at 5:45 a.m.. For more information about Metrolinx’s plans for the region, called The Big Move, visit www.metrolinx.com or www.vivanext.com.

How to enter the world of arts and culture shouldn’t be a mystery or a secret said Thom Ernst, the producer and host of TVO’s Saturday Night at the Movies.
He, and other leaders in the field of arts and culture will be speaking at the much anticipated Arts Exposed conference in Markham in October in order to bring their advice to the public. “There’ll be a lot of talk about perseverance,” said Ernst of the third annual symposium. “My whole thing is that I’ve always wanted to go into the industry…. You may think the film industry is a gated community. It’s not. Put aside any feelings that you have that you have no way in. There’s always a way into this.” Occurring Oct. 4 and 5, keynote presenters include industry professionals such as: Anne Gawda Nicodemus (top US arts leader), Terry O’Reilly (marketing guru and voice of CBC’s Age of Persuasion), Steven Thorne (top Canadian cultural tourism expert), Janice Price (CEO of Luminato Festival), and Cameron Bailey (Artistic Director of TIFF). “The conference provides a dynamic opportunity … to network and learn new ways to develop and grow their business, organization or events. It is a must-attend event that will continue to surprise and delight its attendees,” explained Nancy Bodi, Executive Director of the York Region Arts Council.
Arts Exposed touts itself as covering all disciplines, such as festivals, museums, galleries, professional theatre, film, tourism providers, arts education and more. “It’s a platform that brings together artists, cultural leaders, non-profits, and anyone who is simply interested in creative industries,” said Samantha Rodin, Associate Director, York Region Arts Council. “There’ll be really candid knowledge about what’s expected in their profession to succeed.” “Arts and culture and cultural tourism is a strong economic driver that builds vibrant places,” added Bill Fisch, Chairman and CEO of The Regional Municipality of York. “Arts and culture can transform and invigorate places to be significant attractors and tourism destinations….Arts Exposed is the one event that brings these diverse stakeholders together in one forum.”

The fate of Markham’s involvement in the GTA Centre may be decided this month.
The proposed GTA Centre (GTA Sports, Entertainment and Cultural Centre) is a 700,000sq ft. arena, which would be owned by the City of Markham and operated by the Remington Group. Proponents of the deal have suggested that the arena would host 130 events and 780,000 people a year. After a few months of silence regarding the Centre, Deputy Mayor Jack Heath announced his intention to place a motion in front of Markham Council for a final decision to be made with regards to Markham’s involvement in the Centre. In an e-mail sent to media outlets, Deputy Mayor Jack Heath outlined his reasons for objecting the Proposed Financial Framework (PFF) as well as the details of his proposed motion. This motion will be submitted to the clerk at the next Markham Council meeting on September 17, and will be put up for debate on September 24. If passed by council, Markham will rescind its previous approval of the Proposed Financial Framework, terminate its negotiations in terms of operation and cost-sharing agreements, but they will continue to encourage the proponents and other parties to explore private funding opportunities. Deputy Mayor Heath continued in his email: “I believe it is inappropriate for a fiscally responsible municipality of a limited size like Markham to be financially involved to this extent. But I’d support and encourage private investors to develop the GTA Centre and would be pleased to confer with any interested parties at any time.” Other objections of his were that Markham and its taxpayers would be the financial guarantors, the levy on new housing units that may be challenged in court, as well as the faint hope of having an NHL team in Markham. This move by the deputy mayor is unique as he released his intention to place the motion weeks before submitting the motion to Markham Council. Motions can always arrive unannounced in council for debate. The deputy mayor told the Markham Review that the reason for an advance notice is, “that changes in the proposed financial framework can be worked out and both the proponents and opponents can be prepared.” The deputy mayor indicated that he was still looking for someone to second his motion.  As of press time, nobody has officially seconded the deputy mayor’s motion, but Heath said, “I have all sorts of offers…but I haven’t been looking really. We’re still several weeks away.” The Proposed Financial Framework - the $325 million dollar project - would be funded by both the City of Markham and the private sector. Markham will contribute half of the costs and would be covered through a tax levy incurred through the construction of new housing units.  Similarly, Regional Councillor Jim Jones, Regional Councillor Joe Li, Ward 1 Councillor Valerie Burke, Ward 3 Councillor Don Hamilton, and Ward 5 Councillor Colin Campbell have taken steps to gather public opinion with regards to the proposed arena. These councillors have all endorsed a survey that was prepared by a group of concerned citizens searching for public opinion on the arena. Questions in the survey asked Markham residents how they felt with regards to the funding of the arena as well as the transparency of the project. The survey began circulating July 27, and is set to end September 30. Results of this survey will be provided to each councillor in the Markham Council. When asked about the survey, the deputy mayor said that he maintained his independence from it. He told the Markham Review that he had no intention of delaying his motion in order to wait for the results.

Allan Bell from the Markham-Stouffville Hospital Foundation and John Koidis of Johnny Bistro pose in front of construction for the new Breast Health Centre and Cancer Clinic. Funds from the Johnny Bistro Golf Tournament were part of the fundraising efforts for the Centre. On October 27 the 25th anniversary of the CIBC Celebration of Hope Luncheon, featuring the Raffle of Hope that offers a 128i Cabriolet as a prize, will also benefit the new clinic. For more information visit www.mshf.on.ca or by calling 905 472 7059.

The Markham Mobility Foundation (MMF) knows a thing or two about keeping people moving. They’ve been at it now for over 30 years and show no signs of slowing down – just like their clients. Established in 1983 the Markham Mobility Foundation’s goal was simply to raise funds to help offset the (then) Town of Markham’s costs setting up a door-to-door public transit service for low mobility people. After York Region took responsibility for the services throughout the region, the Foundation shifted its attention to assisting specific groups and individuals with their mobility needs.
The group’s fundraising efforts also ramped up at that time, recalled Regional Councillor Gord Landon. “We ran many events including corporate car rallies and car shows, casinos and golf tournaments.” Landon, a founder of the organization and active member since, learned firsthand the value of service provided when at one point he found himself ill and in a wheelchair. Of that time he gratefully acknowledges that “the Foundation was very helpful”.
To date, the group has raised well over one million dollars that has gone toward the purchase of accessible busses and vans, bed lifts, wheelchairs and scooters and other equipment used to allow people with disabilities to become better mobilized. The annual Mobility golf tournament, dubbed the Bob Sherwood Tournament after the late director of the organization, raised over $80,000 in this, its 18th year. That same week they also celebrated the completion of a new ramp and lift at Participation House – a special residence in Markham dedicated to “enhancing the quality of life of individuals with disabilities.” That work and notable anniversary were highlighted by a special presentation to the group by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath. A Certificate of Congratulations was accepted on behalf of MMF by Foundation director Ms. Jean-Anne Dodge recently at Meadowbrook Golf and Country Club – the site of their successful annual tournament. “The Markham Mobility Foundation has done so much for the Markham community in its 30 year history,” says Heath.
Plans are beginning already for the 19th edition of the tournament and year 31 of keeping people moving.

The beginning of every new school year brings excitement and nervousness for parents and students alike. Kim Hopper, who has been teaching 8th grade at Lincoln Alexander PS for ten years, shares these 6 tips:
#1: Talk to your child about current events
In an age-appropriate way, parents should discuss current events with their children to help them make sense of these events and their repercussions. “If families are up-to-date about what’s going on in the world and they keep their children up to date, it keeps conversation going in the classroom, which is the #1 priority,” she says.
#2: Embrace technology
Though parents can be hesitant to allow their child to adopt new technologies, these can be important ways for children to learn and teach.
#3: Encourage your child to go outside his or her comfort zone
“A lot of the kids have tight-knit groups,” Hopper says. Though preferring to work with and interact with a small circle of kids is common in school settings, parents should encourage their children to branch out. She says students have much to gain when they “explore new methods and learn about different people.”
#4: Encourage your child to communicate face-to-face
Though technology can be a positive force in our lives, it is no replacement for live human interaction. Parents should encourage their children to spend time with others, as opposed to communicating solely via phone and computer.
#5: Foster open communication with teachers
“Parents hear a lot of different things from students, and it might be interpreted very differently depending on how the student interprets what’s been going on in the classroom,” Hopper says. If parents have a question about what they have heard from their child about school, they should reach out.
#6: Build independence through a “gradual release process”
Hopper sees students who are transitioning to becoming more independent. Giving children independence makes them more confident, but requires trust. Parents “have to learn to trust their kids,” she says, which is not a process that can be rushed. “You have to build that trust.”

The City of Markham’s mandated goal of achieving an 80 per cent waste diversion was well under way with blue box, green bin, decomposable green bin bags and a number of other initiatives under its belt. But the recent introduction of clear bags for household residue served to open the eyes of many residents as to the goals of the plan and how resident behaviour could and should change in order for the City to reach its goal.
While there was grumbling from some quarters when the orange “OOPS!” sticker was placed on offending dark garbage bags or cans at the curb after the program started in April, the City wants you to know that despite a few complaints of “big brother” poking its nose too deep in your household refuse, Mission Green, now in its seventh year, is a smashing success. The City recently announced that it has surpassed the 80 per cent diversion goal with an 81 per cent diversion rate achieved overall, but there are certain areas doing far better. Ward 4, represented by Councillor Carolina Moretti reached a compliance rate of a hundred per cent, so it was fitting that the announcement of the program’s success was made in her ward. “I’m really proud of the residents of Ward 4 for being the first ward to have a hundred per cent compliance and also the residents of Markham for putting the City of Markham on the map for Waste Diversion once again,” stated Moretti. The impetus for the clear bag measure was the City’s estimate that between five and 10 per cent of households, or over 8,000 homes, did not recycle. Clear bags clearly show who is doing their civic diversional duty. Clear bags were not the only 2013 initiative. Nine other programs have helped the City inch towards its diversion goals including the zero waste for schools program, the banning of batteries and electronics from garbage, an expanded yard waste collection schedule and a carpet diversion project. Full details of the waste diversion strategy can be found in the “The Best of the Best” Markham’s Roadmap to 80 per cent Diversion report, available on the City website at www.markham.ca

At a recent event held at Seneca College, York United Way officially set some ambitious, long-term goals. But the ambitious goals match the growing need for the services offered by the group in York’s nine municipalities. “The demand for services across our region is outpacing our supply - stretching an already slim network of agency partners,” notes Helen Murray, Board Chair of York United Way. Barbara Bellissimo, Senior Vice-President and Chief Agent, State Farm Canada, also expressed this aggressive three-year plan. “Our volunteer team of corporate and community leaders is excited by this bold goal. And thanks to all [the sponsors] that have already committed to partner with us, we have an opportunity to make great neighbourhoods across this region even greater for all.”

Sunny skies and toasty temperatures greeted the 200 plus golfers at Angus Glen to participate in the 6th annual event that raises funds for an aray of charities and worthy organizations. The ALS foundation was one of the main groups to benefit from funds raised at the event but there are many others. Kylemore Communities’ president Patrick O’Hanlon noted “the funds raised at this annual event are distributed throughout the year. We often choose to support organizations who may not receive major corporate donations and amounts such as $1,000 can make a huge difference.” More than $600,000 has been raised at the tournament over the years with over $125,000 being raised this year alone. The support of local sponsors allows this event to be a huge success.

Fall fairs began to appear in the early 19th century in Ontario for the purpose of improving early farm production through competitions in crops, farm animals and quality of lifestyle. Markham Fair traces its roots back to 1844.
Once again, after 169 years, Markham Fair, located on the north-east corner of McCowan and Elgin Mills roads, will welcome fair-goers, spectators and competitors from Thursday October 3 until Sunday October 6. With diversity in entertainment Markham Fair bills itself as having “something for the whole family.” Situated on 104 acres, there is lots of free parking.
Markham Fair is an opportunity for viewing a variety of competitions, tractor and horse pulls, with sounds and action of “power” on display. Or, the more gentle action of large “heavy horse hitches” show, moving in rhythmic sequence, pulling large colourful wagons. The infield area allows you to enjoy dressage events with “Light Horse” riding and carriages of a bygone era. Or if you prefer smaller animals, such as calves, piglets, bunnies and chicks, visit Old MacDonald’s Barn or the Poultry and Livestock pavilions. The General Exhibits and Homecraft buildings include farm produce, photo and school exhibits together with Arts and Craft shows, and mouthwatering baking and preserves. Commercial exhibits are both indoors and outdoors featuring a diverse array of products and demonstrations. Added to this are a complete menu of delectable foods. Many of the commercial outlets are sponsored by local service clubs and charities which use Markham Fair as an “opportunity” to support their community work. Billing itself as “Canada’s largest 4 Day Fair” the Fair proves its claim with entertainment features led by Worlds Finest Shows Midway, monster truck show and rides, demolition derby, teen talent shows, baby contest, giant fireworks, Jazz Vineyard & Corral, live country and rock bands, baby contest, and Silver Elvis to name but a few. Markham Fair is and has been since its beginning a meeting place for people in its surrounding communities. Many local residents in their later years boast of having never missed a Fair, having made their first visit in mother’s/father’s arms. Some even state after years of successful marriage their first date was at Markham Fair. So for many visitors the Fair is really a “Homecoming”, which is the Fair’s theme this year. Visit www.markhamfair.ca/ to get a full list of events.

Oscar Wilde once quipped that “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” Those words ring true for many residents of Markham, who, this autumn, have more access to the world’s top fashion designs than ever before without even needing to leave the city.
With the fall season now underway, Markham apparel retailers are ensuring that they are fully stocked with the timeless, classic designs and fresh seasonal styles that their clients demand. One of those retailers is Mariani’s Custom Clothiers in Unionville, which, last month added lines from Armani to its already robust catalog of high-end menswear. In addition to carrying clothing from designer brands like Hugo Boss, Pal Zileri and Robert Graham. Make no mistake; Mariani’s isn’t your typical neighborhood tailor. Mariani’s, which has been serving Markham since 1975, also excels in the niche-but-luxurious market of custom “Made to Measure” suits using premium, imported fabrics and prepared based on the client’s measurements rather than standard suit sizes.
Like Mariani’s, other clothing retailers in Markham have opted to present smaller, more specialized collections for their customers. Peppertree Klassics on Main Street Markham and Magic Needle Fashions in Unionville each offer proprietor-selected clothing options for women who prefer the boutique shopping experience to that of the larger shopping centres. Fashion-forward shoppers are no doubt familiar with Markville Shopping Centre, which bills itself as the “fashion authority of the east end of the GTA.” Later this month, Markville Shopping Centre will hold its final launch following the shopping centre’s widely-publicized $111 million redevelopment and transformation. The Centre’s fashion credentials were given some weight with a partnership with Flare magazine that brings a special VIP “Flare Trends” event to  centre court on September 25. The Flare team returns on Saturday September 28 for a consumer oriented version that will include prizes, DJs and style consultations with Flare stylists. In recent months, Markville has welcomed world-class fashion brands like J. Crew, Dynamite, Michael Kors and Coach to its roster of retailers, with Loft, Victoria’s Secret and Pink slated to open later this year. American Eagle, which previously closed its location in Markville, will be returning to the mall this fall. “Markham is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, so it’s great that we can offer the fashions that the Markham shopper has wanted for so long,” said Diana Pitassi, marketing manager for Markville Shopping Centre. “We have a fantastic merchandise mix to supply cutting edge, wearable fashions for our trade area.” From Aritzia to Zara, Markville’s diversity in apparel retailers is unquestionable. “Shoppers can find exactly what they’re looking for close to home,” Pitassi said. “You can find all of your must-haves here, from fashion to accessories.”

Travelling across the world is surely a common dream, but there are also those who would love to trek across Canada. One opportunity that Kristen Idiens took to do this was to join a reality TV show. The Amazing Race Canada on CTV gives contestants an opportunity to race across Canada for the chance to win a year of free airline travel, a pair of cars, and $250,000 cash. Idiens, who grew up in Markham, is one of the contestants competing for this prize. She and her boyfriend Darren Trapp met one summer and kept a long distance relationship until they met again to do charity work in Cameroon. Together, they joined the Canadian version of Amazing Race. Although she does not live in Markham now, Idiens recalls the city fondly. “Markham provided endless amazing opportunities to develop as an athlete, form life long friendships, and pursue a great education.” Idiens still frequently comes back to revisit her old stomping grounds, family, and catch up with friends.
She now resides in Fairmont Hot Springs, British Columbia and works at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort as a yoga and aquafit instructor, kayak instructor, and naturalist. So in terms of fitness, she’s well prepared. But as far as stress and competition, that’s another story. “We had to take a lot of deep breaths and refocus… We battled, but also sorted out our differences quickly and moved on.” One of the most endearing aspects of being in the race, she adds, was developing a greater appreciation for the diversity of Canada. “We have one of the most beautiful countries in the whole wide world,” and she encourages everyone to take the time to explore it. “We are so fortunate to be Canadian and should not ever take it for granted.” Idiens and Trapp are no strangers to travel. Idiens has taught in Antigua, Costa Rica, Africa, and Mongolia. She has also travelled to Southeast Asia, South America, and Europe. Similarly, her race counterpart Darren Trapp has also travelled abroad to places like New Zealand and Australia, most recently travelling to Cameroon with Kristen to work with International Children’s Awareness and Project Ashia. As to what’s next, Idiens will soon be moving to Port Simpson in British Columbia to teach physical education. Ultimately, the end goal for the couple does not end in Port Simpson. Idiens and Trapp have set a goal to develop a “sustainable community and education centre,” with a focus on wellness and respect towards the environment without sacrificing modern day living. “We want to share our love and excitement for the natural world with everyone and spread love, acceptance, and open-minded across the country.”
When asked what viewers can expect from this race, Idiens tells the Markham Review, “[Viewers] will have their minds blown away by who walks away with the prize. It will be worth watching every episode.” The Amazing Race Canada airs every Monday night at 9pm on CTV.

Every morning, Gerry straps on his backpack, boards a city bus and heads to campus to attend one of his daily classes. With this ritual, he would normally blend into the college environment where he is in his third year of an undergraduate degree, were it not for one fact: Gerry is 38 years old. Though still in the minority as far as most campuses’ demographics are concerned, Gerry is part of an increasing number of adults—or ‘mature students,’ as the academic community often refers to them—who attend post-secondary school on a part- or full-time basis to change careers, bolster their resumes for career advancement, or simply to update their knowledge bases and skill sets. Though some adults are enrolling in post-secondary institutions full-time, the demands on prospective adult learners’ time and finances have encouraged far more to register as part-time students while still maintaining regular employment and family commitments. With 15 colleges and universities in the Greater Toronto Area, including a Markham campus for Toronto’s Seneca College, an applied arts and technology institution, one need not travel far for a return to the classroom. Actually, one needn’t travel at all with the increasing availability of internet-based learning opportunities. “There’s a huge shift right now towards online learning right now and other flexible modes of delivery,” said Karen Spiers, a program coordinator in the Faculty of Continuing Education and Training at Seneca College. “We’re always looking to improve online and blended program delivery so that it does appeal to students who are working or have other commitments they need to attend to.” Spiers, who has sat on both sides of the fence—as both an instructor and an adult student—said that offering fast-tracked programs has proven popular with mature students who “don’t want to take years and years” to complete a program. Flexibility and accessibility are among Seneca’s top priorities in courting adult learners. Understanding prospective students’ needs and desires is also paramount. “Some people are looking to switch careers, but a lot of people are just looking to bone up on emerging technologies to add-on to their skill sets to grow in their careers,” said Robin Richardson, the program coordinator for computer studies at Seneca’s Markham campus, which houses 8,000 continuing education students. The Markham campus has grown to become the epicentre of the college’s business and technology programming, which has most recently evolved to offer training in social media, a growing need in the business community. Richardson said that most students she has interacted with opt to take individual courses and certificate programs rather than full diploma modules. Of Seneca College’s 75,000 part-time students, 70,000 are adult learners. Of those, the majority prefer in-person learning, but Seneca’s online classes last year had an attendance roll of nearly 10,500. Richardson said that most adult learners fall within the 35-44 age range, but there are many outside of that range as well. In 2006, one of Richardson’s students was a 97-year old man who enrolled in her Introduction to Computers class. “He did very well,” she recalled.

Investigators with the York Regional Police Major Fraud Unit are warning citizens to be cautious when shopping online and making purchases from private ads on websites. Police have received several reports of incidents of fraudulent concert or event tickets being sold on online classified websites. In some cases, after having online contact, the victims met with offenders in person and were sold counterfeit tickets. In other cases, the victim transferred the money online and then never heard from the seller again. Counterfeit tickets will often appear authentic and there may be no indications that they are fraudulent until they are scanned at the venue. York Regional Police are urging anyone who suspects they may have been a victim to call them as soon as possible. A fraud is a criminal offence. Anyone caught committing this type of fraud could face up to two years in prison. They are also reminding citizens to shop safely online. Do not deal with companies or individuals that you do not trust. If a situation feels suspicious, trust your instincts. Do not be talked into using payment methods that you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with. Do not pay by sending cash, money transfers or money orders. To report similar incidents contact the York Regional Police Major Fraud Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6612.

Back for its 33rd year, the Terry Fox Run in Markham-Unionville will have participants walking, running or riding along one of three routes that start and end at Old Unionville Library and travel through beautiful Toogood Pond Park. This year’s theme is “communities coming together,” and organizer Marissa Hill says that our area’s residents will meet that challenge, with about 600 people expected to partake. When the Run to raise funds for cancer research occurs Sunday September 15, participants can have their choice of engaging in a one, five or 10km route. Hill stepped up to the plate to organize the event after seeing a posting online announcing the position was vacant. It had particular resonance to her, as her step mother had succumbed to cancer in April. Though she had been involved previously in the Run, organizing it was a whole different experience that she found a learning curve. “The Foundation is fantastic. They’ve answered my million and a half questions. The Run is great – the organizers can do whatever ideas they want. They lay out a good foundation for you,” said Hill. “I knew nothing and they were very helpful in all of this.” Yet, she’s no stranger to project management. The 26-year old is a project coordinator for Reconnect Mental Health Services. Of a particular thrill for her was to see all of the assistance she’s received thus far. “The amount of community support that we get, it’s been so overwhelming and to see such young people wanting to get involved is a delight - countless volunteers - some being 13 years old,” she says. “It’s nice to see the entire community coming together.” Another related event to look forward to is the Great Canadian Hair Do event leading up to the run. This is an event where individuals can get their hair cut or shaved with all funds going to cancer research and hair longer than 10” donated to making wigs for cancer patients. It takes place Sat. Aug. 24 at the Varley Art Gallery of Markham courtyard, at 1pm. There will be complimentary tee shirts for all who partake.

For 11 years, patients with movement disorders have been going to the Centre for Movement Disorders in Markham for treatment. Effective August 31, these patients will have to look elsewhere for treatment. The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has withdrawn its funding to the center, effectively shutting down its operation. The Centre for Movement Disorders is a clinic focused on providing treatment to those who suffer from movement disorders like Huntington’s disease, Dystonia, as well as Parkinson ’s disease. Located in the Yee Hong Centre at 9th Line and 16th Avenue, the center consists of neurologists, physicians, occupational therapists, as well as social workers. This clinic is a “community based multidisciplinary clinic,” as described by Caphan Lieu, Coordinator of Public Affairs and National Programs at the Parkinson Society Canada. Announced on May 9, 2013, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care decided to withdraw its $700,000 dollars of funding, “because the clinic’s funding model does not fit within the government’s funding structure,” Lieu said. This closure, effective at the end of August, essentially puts the patients that the clinic serves without a place for treatment. “Patients can be referred to other service providers and agencies,” Lieu tells the Markham Review. Unfortunately there isn’t any other center of such caliber, which provides a “one stop shop” in Ontario, say advocates. Although it might seem like a simple task, Lieu says that people may “encounter challenges with accessing services with other providers.” For example, the treatment and service provided at this clinic was provided under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) but when clients turn to other service providers, their service might not be covered under OHIP. Furthermore, Lieu says that the current wait list for other service providers can range from a year to three years. The Markham clinic was accredited as one of the best service providers in Ontario. “The issue with the Markham clinic closing, [is that] the clinic has demonstrated itself as a provider of gold standard services.” Patients treated at this center have been statistically healthier and have had reduced hospital stays than patients treated at other centers, statistics say. Lieu is not just concerned about the status at the Markham clinic, but is also concerned about the future of similar clinics in Ontario. “[We] need the government to put a strategy to put up this model that has shown positive health outcomes and expand that across Ontario.” As to how he wants people to respond, the Parkinson Society of Canada has put together a letter writing campaign to the Minister of Health as well as local MPPs, “not only to address the decision to cut funding but a broader movement disorder strategy.”
People looking for more information can visit www.parkinson.ca

A street festival for 30,000 people is no small feat, and the 2013 RBC Markham-Milliken Children’s Festival is a lesson in organization and passion. Touted as Ontario’s largest children’s festival, the event, now in its 15th year, is organized by the City of Markham and some 600 volunteers. Aimed at entertaining children aged two to twelve, it features a wide variety of play zones, crafts and outdoor activities. The Free Zones give kids an opportunity to embrace energetic outdoor play with no cost. The annual event aims for a “Street festival feel,” as described by Councillor Logan Kanapathi, who has chaired the festival committee for the past seven years. “We’re reaching out more and engaging more. It is a great opportunity to get to know each other and to get families together,” said Kanapathi. “This is unique and one of a kind, community run and volunteer run, and that requires passion. And they keep coming back.” Several of the specialty areas include a Building Zone sponsored by Home Depot that allows children to complete a construction project; a Game Zone that includes a chess tournament; the President’s Choice Cooking School which includes decorating cupcakes; Markham’s biggest sand box in the Sand Zone with plenty of room for castles; a York Region Paramedic Zone to learn about paramedics and ambulances; and a Table Hockey Zone. The festival itself is free, but for an extra $10 you can get a play-all-day pass to visit an exotic and farm animals petting zoo, a mini car racing circuit, mini putt, paddle boats, and a two-story rock climbing wall. The festival organizers are still looking for volunteers to help out, and ask that people who can commit for ten hours please come help with the arts and crafts, monitor the petting zoo, help on games and rides, or do face painting, hair wrapping and henna art. Volunteers can email mcfvolunteercommittee@gmail.com. The festival is on Saturday, September 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine, at the Markham Civic Centre, 101 Town Centre Blvd. at the northwest corner of Hwy. 7 and Warden Ave. Check out www.millikenchildrensfestival.ca/ for more information.

Nominations for the 15th edition of the annual Seniors Hall of Fame are now open and the City of Markham wants to know if you know of any seniors who have provided outstanding contributions to the community. They qualify if they are over 60 years of age, reside in Markham and have done so for over 10 years. The awards take the form of Winners of Meritorious Awards, Certificates of Appreciation and is capped off by the prestigious Mayor’s Seniors Hall of Fame Award, last year presented to Mrs. Dorothy Gilbert. While the awards are handed out October 1 at Markham Council, the nominations are due September 13. Nominations usually outline extraordinary acts of volunteerism, but can include awards and achievements in many areas of community service. For those wishing to nominate, download English or Chinese nomination forms from the City website (www.markham.ca) or hard copies are available at Markham Seniors Centres, Community Centres, Libraries, or the Markham Civic Centre. Call for more information 905-477-7000 ext. 4930 or email lgold@markham.ca

As those lazy, hazy days of summer transform to the golden hues of autumn, Ontarians will look to the arrival of fall fairs and the annual celebration of our farms. In the Markham Stouffville communities, the annual Markham Fair is approaching, and with it fun for the whole family. Many events are served up annually by the Fair’s more than seven hundred volunteers. The event dates back to 1844. The Fair this year takes place from Thursday, October 3 to Sunday, October 6, delighting attendees with a symphony of sounds, a smorgasbord of displays and a synopsis of the wonderful world of farming, all tied together with a carnival of rides, tractor competitions, horse shows, livestock judging, among many other thrills. The Fair’s theme this year is “Homecoming”, an added invitation to all to attend and participate. So kids, moms and dads keep your eyes peeled for signs that Markham Fair is coming. Here are a few hints: large round bales of straw with painted cows, horses and other farm animals appearing in the corners of fields in the weeks leading up to the Fair; also jack-o-lanterns, sunflowers, pigs and sheep may appear magically in various colours on some bales. Mark your calendar for special pre-fair events on Sept 7 at RBC Markham Milliken Children’s Festival and at the Markham Museum’s annual Applefest Sept 14-15. Markham Fairgrounds is located at McCowan and Elgin Mills Rd.

For over 40 years, the fate of the Pickering lands remained uncertain. But on June 11, Ontario Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced that the well-protested project that is the Pickering Airport would be revived and now become a reality. On Monday, June 24 and Thursday, June 27 Transport Canada, in conjunction with Parks Canada held an information sessions at Glen Cedars Golf Club, located on Concession 7, ironically, one of the properties affected by the announcement. The information sessions were held so that the residents of the area can better understand the proposed changes, and how it will affect them, what will happen and when. Transport Canada officials said that more than 400 people attended the forum. And in addition to area residents, many protestors and activists against the proposed airport showed, with representatives from the organization Land Over Landings making an appearance. The original proposed site stretching from Stouffville Road in the north, to Highway 7 in the south, and from Markham Road to Brock Road from the west to east respectively, was said by Transport Canada that this site was four times the size of Pearson International Airport, and has been “rezoned” and will now encompass a much smaller area. The new plotted area will be from York Durham Line 30 in the west to Brock Road in the east. And from Townline Road (south of Stouffville Road) to the north, down to Highway 7 in the south. They also noted that even though this land has been zoned to a much smaller area, all of it still might not be used. But it still “needs to be protected”. With this reduction in land space proposed for the new airport, Parks Canada has a new proposed plan for the unused portion of the original expropriated area. Parks Canada officials say their goal for this area is to “keep farmers farming on their land, keep the heritage homes on heritage lands, and preserve the natural landscape”. With that statement, they have proposed the new Rouge Urban National Park. The current area under consideration will be opposite of York Durham Road 30, and stretch out to the east to approximately Donald Cousins Parkway, and reach from 19th Avenue in the north, down to south of the 401, ending at Lake Ontario. As well, an addition to the study area has been proposed to the north, which would now extend the area up to Stouffville Road. For more information on the Pickering Airport Lands, visit Transport Canada’s website at www.tc.gc.ca, or Parks Canada atwww.pc.gc.ca.

In May 2013, Howard Shen (pictured above), a member of the Toronto 2015 Community Engagement Council, won one of the two remaining “Play Me, I’m Yours” pianos at a special volunteer appreciation event held by Toronto 2015. Shen, an entrepreneur in the community with deep roots in Markham, donated the piano to the City. Markham now has three of the 41 visually stunning “Play Me, I’m Yours” pianos that were designed for the Pan/Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. This visual art installation first conceived by British artist Luke Jerram for the Pan-Am Games places pianos in a variety of locations throughout the City leading up to the TO2015 Games – from the Cornell Community Centre and Library, to the Varley Art Gallery, to the Thornhill Community Centre and Library. Residents and visitors are invited to come out and play these pianos. Learn more about the pianos at http://tinyurl.com/Play-Me-Yours
For the latest Markham Pan-Am news, visit http://tinyurl.com/PanAmGames

Operating a funeral home under any circumstances is, itself, an undertaking. However, for the community recently labeled Canada’s most diverse, the process of guiding grieving families through their final farewells is a particularly onerous one.
Statistics Canada’s National Household Survey, the results of which were released in May of this year, revealed that 72.3 per cent of Markhamites are visible minorities—Chinese-Canadians alone holding a majority stake in the city’s demographic makeup—who represent a wide range of ethnic and religious backgrounds. The numbers were far from a surprise for anyone in the community, least of all owners of local funeral homes, who have been tasked with handling the delicate balance of multiculturalism for years.
Eric Tappenden, president and co-owner of Chapel Ridge Funeral Home and Cremation Centre, has made a concerted effort to build relationships with many of the community’s cultural groups. Chapel Ridge, which sits on Woodbine Ave., just east of Buttonville Airport, has been serving all cultures and faiths since it opened in 1999. Tappenden and his wife and co-owner, Susanne, recently expanded the property, which now houses the GTA’s largest funeral chapel. “It’s been a challenge in the sense that we have to work at it,” said Tappenden. “People like to be served in their own language and by someone who understands their traditions. When dealing with a largely first-generation cultural community, with people as upset as they are at a time of losing a loved one, it gives emotional comfort to be able to be served…by someone who understands the nuances of the culture.” Tappenden, an Anglo-Canadian Baptist—“plain vanilla,” as he calls it—staffed Chapel Ridge with a team that reflects the various communities that call Markham home. The funeral home has staff from Chinese, Sri Lankan, Indian, Italian and Egyptian and Goan backgrounds, to name a few. Every faith and ethnic group has its own eccentricities when it comes to saying goodbye. Greek Orthodox, Hindu and Buddhist funerals feature the burning of incense.
Western cultures eulogize the deceased. Buddhist ceremonies focus on reincarnation and rebirth. These are among the many specific nuances that local funeral directors have had to familiarize themselves with to serve the community’s needs. The funeral business is far from a dying industry: Chapel Ridge had to turn down ten families in January alone because of a lack of space, a problem that Tappenden said will no longer be an issue with the facility’s recent expansion. Tappenden has found himself having to explain the nuances of cultures to others, particularly those who view specific ethnicities as homogeneous bodies. “[People ask me] what Chinese funerals are like, which is like asking what kind of cars white people drive,” he joked. “The Chinese community is not a monolithic one. Within it there are evangelical Protestants, Catholics, Buddhists, Taoists, and people who are entirely secular. All of those practices are different.” There would be more similarities between funerals for a Chinese Catholic and a Sri Lankan Catholic than there would be between a Chinese Catholic and a Chinese Buddhist, he noted. In spite of the cultural differences present at funerals, Tappenden sees far more similarities. “When somebody loses a loved one, it doesn’t matter what culture of faith they come from, they are human beings who have just lost their mom, their husband, or their son,” he said. “Their hearts ache the same as my heart aches, so we don’t see people through the lens of what culture or faith they’re from, we just try to find out what was special about that person.”

For five years, Unionville residents have been able to purchase locally grown produce as well as crafts at the Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market on Station Lane. Due to by-laws enacted by the City of Markham, the Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market will not be operating for the 2013 season. Bob Stiver, and Jeanne Ker-Hornell, co-founders of the Unionville Village Conservancy created the Stiver Mill Farmers’ market. In 2008, Bob Stiver, a descendant of the Stiver family, “approached me and asked if I would like to run a farmers’ market,” said Jeanne Ker-Hornell. The purpose of the farmers’ market was to bring awareness and preserve the Stiver Mill. The Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market was a great success. It has attracted 15-20 vendors a week and up to 1,400 visitors daily. In addition, the Farmers’ Market gave many local Markham students volunteer opportunities to give back to the community. This summer, the town enacted a new bylaw at the request of the fire department, which limited parking on Station Lane forcing the market to halt operations indefinitely. The new by-law, which prohibits parking on roads that are six meters in width was something that Bob Stiver said, “didn’t need to happen.” With regards to the future of the Stiver Mill Farmers’ Market, “the community needs to stand up and say what it is they want,” Bob Stiver said. “We would like the community to contact their councillors, and tell them if they would want the farmer’s market back on that location for 2014.” The Stiver Mill, owned by the Stiver Family was a grain elevator and feed mill from 1910 to 1968. It was purchased by the City of Markham in 1993 and efforts to restore the mill have not been brought up until 2005 when a public survey showed a desire from the public to keep the mill. On December 10, 2012, Markham City Council passed a motion to restore the Stiver Mill with $622,000 coming from the federal government and two-thirds of the money coming from the city. The estimated completion of the first phase is due in March of 2014.

When Martina Ortiz Luis belted out Somewhere Over the Rainbow to more than 200 people at the Rouge River Community Center recently, she described the moment as “energizing.” Luis, the guest soloist at the eighth annual Markham Idol event, added that she felt “quite honoured to be performing there, completely happy to sing and enjoy being on stage.” The 2013 Idol event was host to 27 performers – all singers, with the exception of one band - resulting from some 65 auditions. For 12-year-old Luis, this is the latest in a string of concerts she’s given in prestigious venues. She has also performed at the Four Seasons Hotel, Niagara Hilton, Markham Theatre, Yonge/Dundas square, and at Massey Hall. She has also participated in several vocal competitions throughout Ontario. It’s all come with hard work and dedication. She has trained vocally in classical and Broadway music since age three, and learned violin since age five. Her accolades include winning first place in the York Region Celebration of the Arts Talent Search in 2006 at the age of five. Since that time she’s seen no shortage of invitations from charitable organizations asking for a performance. One organization in fact, World Vision, has welcomed Martina as this year’s ambassador, which she spoke briefly about at Markham Idol, as she described its aid to needy children around the world. Don Roe, who oversees Markham Idol on the City level, says that it is a “very big project” under the leadership of the Unionville Youth Council who plans the whole event out, from mailing out of registration forms and posters, to organizing auditions, to preparing programs to presenting the program, to decorating the room. “The highlight,” he says, “is seeing everyone on the night of the event, with families present and the excitement, and smiles of everyone competing. It is a lot of work but when those smiles are seen, and everyone supporting one another, it is very special time.”

Whole Foods Market Unionville wanted to thank the volunteers, organizers, supporters, members and staff of a local non-profit and charitable organization that they work with by hosting a Summer BBQ Party catered by Whole Foods Market.
On June 14th the store hosted one of their Food in the Hood BBQs for Pathways for Children, Youth and Families of York Region at Angus Glen Golf Club. Around 80 staff members and volunteers from Pathways enjoyed an afternoon of live music, photo booth fun and delicious grilled food. “Supporting our local community organizations is part of our core values and we see firsthand the hard work and dedication of their volunteers, organizers and supporters,” says Christina Dallimore, Community Relations Specialist of Whole Foods Market Unionville. For more information on the next Food in the Hood and other summer community initiatives, stay connected on twitter by using #FoodnHood.

York Region’s Scouts recently held a ceremony to recognize many of their Markham and area volunteers who support, serve, and dedicate their time to the Scouting Movement and to our community. Various service awards were presented to those who were honoured for their faithful and outstanding services. Pictured above is some of the many award recipients. L-R: Henry Fok (Medal of Good Service), Maha Moursi (Long Service Medal), Helen Tam (15 Years Service), Michael Chan MPP, Nancy Duan (Medal of Good Service), Don Tom (15 Years Service), Elwick Tang (Long Service Medal), Jenny Terakita (Area Commissioner), Ersin Kutluoglu (Council Commissioner).

The music was pumping and the food was grilling, but it wasn’t your typical backyard party. Featuring music and food from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, the Markham District Veterans Association (MDVA) recently opened their doors to the neighbourhood for what has become a yearly affair. Begun in 2008, the event was seen as a way for the MDVA to introduce itself to its neighbours in Markham, introduce long time residents to the sights and sounds of new Markham and also strike a note of welcome to the many new residents who may not be familiar with the club. As usual, the weather cooperated, and good cheer prevailed with the Fiesta, part of a slate of events celebrating a successful Multicultural Day.

The United Way of York Region in partnership with York University and a host of area groups recently participated in a seven-part symposium that brought academics, researchers and practitioners together to help craft York’s response to youth homelessness. The series held primarily at the Markham Convergence Centre drew on experts from Ontario, Newfoundland and Alberta – with a special focus on projects enabled in Calgary. Jane Wedlock, Knowledge Mobilization Officer for York United Way explained that “beyond family circumstances, we are particularly interested in prevention and the different systems” that are connected to the issue of youth homelessness – such as education, child protection, hospital discharge planning, and the justice system. The purpose of bringing the speakers from Calgary representing Calgary John Howard Society and Woods Homes was to hear about their innovative pilot project working with young people who are being discharged from the correctional institutions.
“We want to see where there may be points of intervention and innovative practices that could be useful as we respond to youth in transition in communities across York Region,” said Wedlock. She explained that part of the challenge is establishing a “baseline” number of people who need such services. She noted that groups like Pathways, Blue Door Shelter and the Salvation Army and others have their numbers, but it will be up to groups like the United Way to collect the information. There are four summer students working on that issue. “We hope to be able to capture the ‘hidden’ population, as many young people couch surf and don’t necessarily access emergency shelter services,” she said. The presentations from each of the seven presenters is available at www.thehomelessHub.ca

In 2007, a young Markham boy was saved from a life threatening heart disease by the efforts of doctors at the Hospital for Sick Children and to show his gratitude he created “Austin’s Cardiac Kids”. All proceeds from this charity go directly to their Cardiac Care Division. It began when 12-year-old Austin Mansz began showing what his parents believed to be regular flu-like symptoms. They took him to the hospital when they became concerned with his severe and worsening fever. Doctors began chest x-rays and blood cultures and diagnosed Mansz with bacterial endocarditis, a type of ‘super bug’ that was destroying his heart. Austin didn’t respond to the antibiotics so an echocardiogram was ordered. The results showed that Mansz’s condition was so critical that he was only given a 50 per cent chance of survival. It took hours for Sick Kids’ cardiac surgeon Dr. Christopher Caldarone to rebuild Mansz’s heart and a lengthy recovery period followed, but he survived. “Sick Kids is the reason I am still here and the reason I am healthy,” Mansz said. “I saw all the children and babies in the hospital and realized even though I had survived, many of them would not.” He wanted to do something to help increase the survival rate of the others, so his charity was born and it has continued to grow thanks to the generous support of local residents and businesses. One of the many ways that funds are raised for this worthy cause is through his annual “Austin’s Cardiac Kids” golf tournament, which is now seeking more players. Now in its fifth year, hopes are high to raise even more for the Cardiac Division of Sick Kids Hospital. This year’s tournament is at Glen Cedars Golf Club, Thursday, July 25. For $150 the tournament includes: 18 holes of golf with power cart, lunch, dinner and a silent auction. One of the highlights of this year’s tournament will be the drawing of the winning ticket for a 50-50 draw that could be worth close to $5,000. If you want to find out more information on how you can support Austin in his quest to help the children at Sick Kids, visit www.austinscardiackids.com.

The second phase of a study designed to forward a picture of what Unionville Main Street should look and feel like recently drew interested citizens to a series of town hall-style public input sessions. Although the final report is not due until at least October, dozens attended one of the three evening sessions and hundreds sacrificed a sunny Sunday afternoon to attend the charrette wrap-up at Crosby Arena. Study authors Torti Gallas & Partners Inc., along with Michael Morrissey, were quick to note that their initial consultation with stakeholders and the resulting phase one report was very much a work in progress with public input, feasibility studies and ultimately a final report rounding out a four-step plan that would accommodate all concerns. The basic premise of the report is that Unionville Main Street is a unique treasure, and that its charm and sights should not only be preserved but they should grow. The initial report also acknowledges a number of issues raised by citizens and merchants that have dogged the unique street, including parking headaches, empty stores, by-law impediments, retail and restaurant ratios as well as poorly managed greenery. Logistics, specifically the flow of people and traffic, and environmental responsibility, were front and centre in the would-be makeover. Using an overhead photo, Morrissey pointed out that there is not much greenery left in the core commercial area, with almost all of it covered in an asphalt patchwork and the tree canopy largely cut away due to paving, disease, poor soil and drainage. Likening the overhead scene as one you’d expect after a tsunami, he indicated that some cooperation between property owners and the City could provide not only a better flow of traffic and adequate parking, but also significant reclaimed green space that would attract more people and successful businesses to the street. The thorny details of accommodating all stakeholders were put aside in favour of a focus on positive developments. Mayor Frank Scarpitti, accompanied by City officials and councillors Jim Jones and Don Hamilton, conceded that the devil is indeed in the details but noted that when it comes to the Ontario Municipal Board, “having a documented vision gives a better chance [of succeeding]”. The scope of what constitutes Main Street development was expanded far beyond the “core”, identifying a number of areas of revitalization including better approaches and streetscapes at Highway 7 (the Gateway), a village square (Carlton & Main) that would see the curling club relocated and playing fields shifted, alignment of nature and walking trails, Toogood Pond amphitheatre, Parkview Public School renewal. As well, the south end of the street below Highway 7 that ultimately will lead to the Pan-Am facilities and, perhaps, the GTA Centre. Key recommendations that seemed well received included increased number of commercial spaces and square footage, changes of by-laws governing what businesses were welcome on the street and the addition of residential dwellings. Although the official public consultation phase was largely wrapped up by the charrette, city officials indicated that they were still open to input and would give it due consideration, in preparation for the final report being submitted to council in the fall. In response to requests from the public, city officials promised that the initial report will be made available at the City of Markham website www.markham.ca.

The Hilton Suites Conference Centre recently played host to one of the biggest and glitziest events on the Markham business calendar as Mayor Frank Scarpitti delivered his annual Board of Trade address. Speaking to a sold out crowd of local business people, political movers and international guests who helped to underline recent trade efforts, the mayor’s tone was one of an enthusiastic cheerleader more so than the dry, matter-of-fact, tone similar events are known for. The address made it clear that there is a lot going on in the city. Videos from prominent Markham companies sprinkled throughout the presentation drove home the point that Markham is growing and a place to do business. The mayor also listed specific categories the city plans to continue enticing to Markham, including life sciences, high-tech, financial services, digital media and professional services. These efforts have started to pay off, helping to add over 190 companies and 8,340 employees to Markham since 2008, he explained. Responsible fiscal management and business attraction took centre stage from the start with Scarpitti touting modest tax increases and enlarged reserve funds that are being set aside for a rainy day. Referring to the E3 program – a study to examine opportunities for efficiencies begun in 2008, the mayor simply notes “the results are impressive...we have now doubled our reserve funds from $105 million to $216 million that will allow us to replace our aging infrastructure”. New infrastructure also figured into the proceedings with the city investing $600 million in the next ten years for projects like a Woodbine bypass and construction on dedicated Viva bus lanes along Highway 7 – which Markham commuters are more than aware have begun. To applause, the mayor noted that the second phase from 404 to Warden will be completed within a year. Scarpitti also touted core community development like the state-of-the-art $74 million Cornell Community Centre, an updated, larger hospital and its successful capital campaign, South-East Community Centre, and finally the Pan Am Games centre which is destined to become a centre-piece of Markham’s recreational efforts with a 50 metre pool and facilities to host water polo, badminton and table tennis events in 2015. These facilities, he deliberately mentioned, provide the city with “a community legacy”. Not surprisingly the mayor also boldly noted projects like Remington’s Downtown Centre, which will include new theatres and a five-star hotel and the much-talked-about Markham Sports, Entertainment and Cultural Centre (the GTA Centre) as opportunities to generate more jobs and investments far into the future. Present hubs like Unionville Main Street will also continue to be developed into what Scarpitti called “a unique experience, from the Varley Gallery all the way down to our new Pan Am facility.” This Main Street evolution includes a charrette, or a period of design and planning which includes opportunities for the public to offer feedback. These public consultations will be held June 5-7 from 7 pm to 9 pm at Crosby Arena with a draft vision being presented there on Sunday June 9 at 3 pm. While many of the highlights of the mayor’s address were about growth, he also made sure to note that Markham is determined to not become so big that it cannot properly service its citizens, and to that end took time to promote All Access Markham, the city’s new and advanced web portal that allows access to over 50 city services online, all the time. It’s also been phone mobilized. (Get your app at the city site: www.markham.ca) 
Finally in an ode to diversity, Scarpitti wrapped up the proceedings by praising the area’s many peoples and unique cultural backgrounds that make Markham the vibrant city “in motion” that held not just the key to current prosperity but also the key to continued success. “Our residents say ‘it’s a great community; I feel safe here. Markham is a great place to raise my family,’” he explained. “Their strength has led to our success. Indeed, our diversity is Markham’s strength.” 

The York Regional Police held a town hall meeting on Wednesday, May 15, at the Thornhill Community Centre, to listen to the concerns of York Region residents.
Members of the Planning and Research Unit as well as the Strategic Services Bureau were on hand to give residents an outlet to voice their comments and concerns. Some key topics of discussion include how the police were doing, how they can improve, as well as how we can all make York Region safer. Also on hand that evening was York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe as well as the mayor of Markham and the Chair of the Police Services Board of York Region, Frank Scarpitti. Every three years, provincial legislation outlined in the Police Services Act mandates that every police service in the province of Ontario must provide a new business plan. The business plan of a police service is required to address the objectives of the police service, the different priorities it will have, as the different strategies it will use to achieve these goals and priorities. One goal that was on the current business plan was, “to support healthy communities that engage youth and their families.” When asked upon that goal, Deputy Chief of Police Thomas Carrique told the Markham Review that it is “hugely successful,” and they are starting to have a “stronger online presence.” Currently, the York Regional Police’s business plan is set to expire by the end of the year. The planning and research unit with the York Regional Police is seeking input into the 2014-2016 business plan. This new plan will be presented to the Police Services Board of York Region for approval later this year.The police are seeking feedback from a variety of different sources like their community partners, which include any organizations that have interest in public safety, support groups, youth groups, public transit organizations, as well as the public itself. Deputy Carrique says that many of the concerns he receives deal with traffic safety, youth engagement, drug education and enforcement, crime prevention, and police visibility. Data recently released by Chief Eric Jolliffe at a recent Police Services meeting reveals that the crime rate in York Region had dropped a staggering 5.4% in 2012. This rate is followed by a decrease in assault rates, property crime rates, 911 calls, non-emergency calls, as well as hate crimes. The police are still taking suggestions on ways in which to improve the police service. If you want to make your voice heard, send an e-mail to planning@yrp.ca.

There’s no denying that festival season is upon us. With a sizzle of excitement and dash of culture, Taste of Asia 2013 is gearing up to be bigger and better than it ever has. On June 29 and 30, the street in front of Pacific Mall at Kennedy and Steeles will be taken over by the festival that organizers refer to as “an extravaganza of culture and cuisine.” They aren’t lying. With well over 100,000 expected to be in attendance and 150 street vendors, Taste of Asia is the largest Asian street festival in Canada. It aims to bring modern and traditional Asian culture from a broad spectrum of countries to one location to share with all Canadians, regardless of their ethnic background. Now in its 11th year, Taste of Asia was originally created in 2003 as a way to bring people to Pacific Mall, which was then fledgling as a result of the S.A.R.S. scare that was sweeping the Greater Toronto Area. Since then, the Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham (FCCM) and the Association of Progressive Muslims of Ontario (APMO) have teamed up with Pacific Mall and the City of Markham to keep the spirit of Asia alive in the community year after year.
“The whole street at Kennedy and Steeles will be rocking with music, with friendship, with food, and with entertainment” promised Dr. Ken Ng, chairman of the FCCM and the Taste of Asia festival. “It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase our culture from Asia to the Canadian population, and also to our children.” The festival comes only a month after a Statistics Canada report revealed that Markham is Canada’s most diverse community, with 72.3 percent of the city’s population comprised of visible minorities. Chinese men and woman make up 52.9 percent of Markham, with South Asians representing another 17.2%. In keeping with tradition, this year’s festival will include two days of non-stop multicultural performances, as well as carnival rides for children, a pet show, and a street basketball competition. This year will also include a car show. Vendors will be on site selling food and clothing from a variety of countries. The FCCM confirmed that there will be special presentations from individuals representing the Philippines, Thai and South Korean communities. As well, a second stage for musical performances has been added as opposed to the single stage used in past years. Unlike most of Markham’s summer festivals, Taste of Asia draws visitors from outside of the city as much as it attracts those from within. Despite only a few thousand visitors in its first year, last year’s festival welcomed 108,000 participants over the two days, many of whom were repeat visitors. “Every year, I’ve attended Taste of Asia with my family and friends and will always eat some Korean snacks, drink lots of coconut juice, and listen to the music,” said Linus, a Korean-Canadian singer from Toronto who previously performed at the festival. “It gets better and better.”

Kermit the Frog once lamented that “it’s not easy being green,” but that isn’t stopping students and faculty alike at Markville Secondary School from implementing a proven waste management initiative in September. When classes resume in the fall, Markville will be the first secondary school in York Region to participate in the region’s Green Bin program, an initiative that uses a third bin alongside those for regular waste and recycling for disposal of organic waste. Organic waste, which includes food products, paper and other compostable materials, makes up 35 per cent of what presently goes into landfill. At Markville, that number is reportedly much higher, based on a waste audit recently conducted at the school. The 25 students in Markville’s Ecology Club set this initiative in motion, which encouraged vice-principal Phil Azzopardi to contact the city for assistance. After consultation with the school’s caretakers and other staff, he saw this as an opportunity to engage the student population in a movement that exists both globally and in the community. “This is giving students the opportunity to participate in the city’s initiative and our society’s efforts to contribute to the environment in a very positive way,” said Azzopardi. “It’s good training for everyone that they’re learning environmental issues as well as academics. We’re becoming part of a whole worldwide initiative to not take from the world that we’re living in. It’s very positive that we’re actually doing what we’re saying to make everything sustainable.” “It’s real life learning,” he added. York Region District School Board classes Markville as an EcoCertified school, but the Green Bin program is above and beyond what most EcoCertified schools are doing to further environmental sustainability. The program is part of a broader region-wide initiative that includes businesses, schools and residential properties. Green Bins are presently available for residential use in the City of Markham for a one-time bin fee of $20.50. Markville’s participation in the Green Bin program comes at no additional cost to the school, Azzopardi stated. For Ward 3 Councilor Don Hamilton, this initiative marks a new course forward for schools in the city. “I was pleased to be asked by the Principal and Vice-Principal to engage our city staff in making Markville S.S. a zero waste building,” said Hamilton, who is an alumnus of the high school. “It is through the cooperation of the…staff and students—and the custodians of course—that we were able to move ahead on this initiative. A waste audit has been completed and the program will begin in earnest in September.” The school’s waste audit was also initiated by Markville’s Ecology Club, and involved gathering all garbage on the premises and sorting it in the gymnasium. After removing the organic waste from the mix, there were only three containers full of garbage for landfill. “Markville S.S. is the first high school to take on this responsibility in York Region. This is a huge win for the school, community, city and the environment,” said Hamilton.

The City of Markham recently announced a new set of services to enhance customer service, and provide more convenience and accessibility to its municipal services and programs. The improvements included extended counter services hours, more than 50 new online services, accessibility software on its web portal, and a new multi- service mobile app. New counter, telephone and email service hours are: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and extended hours every Thursday until 7 p.m. At the media conference launch, the City showcased its new mobile app, and the eSSENTIAL Accessibility™ online software on the City website Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti had said the new services aim to respond to the needs of residents and help the City, “transform how we do business and serve our customers.” The eSSENTIAL accessibility software, he added, improves access to the City’s web information for those with disabilities. Markham is the first city to use this software in North America, according to Scarpitti. “Over the past several years, we have seen more corporations recognize the importance of reaching consumers with disabilities,” said March of Dimes of Canada President and CEO, Andria Spindel. Markham’s new app provides instant mobile access to information on the City’s parks, recreation and library programs, waste collection programs and schedules, updates on major city projects, bikeway systems, culture and entertainment opportunities, social media pages, and the City’s resident publication, Markham Life magazine. The new accessibility software is now active on Markham’s website. Markham’s new mobile app can be downloaded through I-Tunes and Google for I-Phone and Android, and is mobile optimized for Blackberry operating systems. Visit www.markham.ca for more information and to download.

Last year on July 1, the Town of Markham officially became the City of Markham. With the first year anniversary of this milestone soon approaching, one question has to be asked: Is Markham still growing? Data released by Statistics Canada seems to highlight strong growth and diversity in the City of Markham. The growth of Markham reflected through the 2011 census truly reinforces the vision of Markham as a city and not a town. The 2011 National Household survey was the first voluntary census conducted by Statistics Canada replacing the former mandatory long-form census. The objective of the voluntary census is, “to provide data for small geographic areas and small population groups.” It collects social and economic data from the Canadian population. The figures released in the 2011 survey reveals population growth in Markham from previous census figures in 2006. The population grew a compelling 15.3 per cent to a total population of 301,709 over a five-year span.
Complementing the growing population comes a growth in housing developments from 81,181 private dwellings in 2006 to a total 93,202 in 2011.
The city of Markham was also attributed as having the “highest proportion of visible minorities” in the Toronto area. Visible minorities in Markham account for 72.3 per cent of Markham’s population compared to the 49.1 per cent in the city of Toronto. Markham’s diversity can also be seen through the presence of different languages spoken. Over 80 different languages were identified as people’s mother tongue. These census statistics are important to the police in order for them to respond to the community’s needs. Currently, officers in the York Regional Police speak more than 70 different languages, but York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe acknowledges that it is not enough. Deputy Chief of Police Thomas Carrique describes the York Regional Police’s “Recruiting with a vision strategy,” as having, “the newest officers reflecting the demographic of the community.” Although this census paints what seems to be a strong picture of the demographical landscape of the City of Markham, it also comes with a note of caution. Statistics Canada notes that the data presented is a result of estimates drawn from the voluntary survey, which may be, “subject to potentially higher non-response error than those derived from the 2006 Census long form.” Besides Markham’s diversity and growth, what else makes Markham special? Tweet us for a chance to be featured in the Markham Review. @MarkhamReview

As we approach our city’s first anniversary in July, it is a fitting time to reminisce about how Markham was made up of dozens of small communities, many of which still exist today. As of the 2011 census there were over 300,000 people living in Markham, making it the fourth largest community in the GTA (after Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton). The area was named after William Markham, the Archbishop of York and friend of the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe. Markham was initially settled by a group of German families, and for decades existed as an agricultural community until moving towards urbanization after World War II as Toronto expanded. Almost forty 19th century communities have existed within Markham, and many continue to post ‘town limits’ signs although they are only suburban districts today. 
In the 14th century, Box Grove was a Middle Iroquian settlement, on the west bank of a tributory of the Little Rouge Creek. In 1815 the first European settlers arrived, and the area was registered as a hamlet in 1850 under the name Sparta or Sparty-Wharf, a nod toward the boat traffic on the river. The name was changed in 1867 during Confederation, by which point there was a church, schoolhouse, two taverns, and various mills, a store and a blacksmith. Today, the area has transformed from agricultural use to residential, in the area around Ninth Line and 14th Avenue. The first church in Victoria Square, a hamlet in Unionville, was built in the 1830s. The Primitive Methodist church was later followed by a Wesleyan Methodist church in 1845, followed by an inn and a post office. Modern residential development only began in the 1990s, in the area between 19th Avenue, Warden, Woodbine and Major Mackenzie Drive. Cedar Grove was first settled by a family from North Carolina in the late 18th century, followed by Mennonites from Pennsylvania in 1804. In 1820 they built a school and church at Steeles and 11th Line, to be replaced by larger schools for the growing community in 1850 and 1869. The blacksmith shop can still be seen at the Markham Museum and Historical Village, and the hamlet near 14th Avenue and 10th Line also had four mills, a post office, store and inn. The area at 15th Avenue and Kennedy Road was known as Hagerman’s Corners, founded in 1803 by Nicholas Hagerman. By 1878 the community had a church, hotel, store and post office. Although the church was removed in the 1920s, its cemetery remains, as well as a few historical homes. The area now contains a new public housing project and two large strip malls. Markham Village was settled in 1825 by Mennonites, and eventually comes to include many immigrants from the British Isles. The village, originally named Reesorville, became a police village in 1931. A police village is formed when the local population or finances did not allow for a proper village to be established, and was created by the district or county that it remained a part of. Unionville was founded in 1794, and was later given its name from Ira White’s Union Mills, which were named for the Act of Union of Upper and Lower Canada in 1840. It was a police village within Markham Township until 1970, when all police villages were abolished. Much of Markham Township became part of Richmond Hill and Whitchurch/Stouffville, and the rest became part of the Town of Markham. In 2009, Markham Town Council reinstated the name “Unionville” for addresses within Ward 3, between Warden, 16th, McCowan and the 407. Thornhill was founded in 1794, with the first settlers split between the Vaughan and Markham sides of Yonge Street. Benjamin Thorne arrived in 1820, ran various mills and a tannery, and the settlement became known as Thorne’s Mills then Thorne’s Hill. Stagecoaches, and later an electric street railway, travelling between Lake Simcoe and Toronto along Yonge Street helped make the area grow. The area was originally not independent but was split between Vaughan and Markham; it became a police village in 1931 with its own boundaries, but the the 1971 creation of York Region led to it being split again. Visit www.markham.ca for more history.

Kylemore Communities received the pinnacle “P2G Community of the Year – Low-Rise” distinction for its Angus Glen Community in Markham at the 33rd Annual Building Industry and Land Development (BILD) Association awards. This annual event celebrates the best in design, construction, sales and marketing. “P2G” refers to Ontario’s Places to Grow Act, the government’s plan for controlling growth in a strategic way.This coveted award recognizes the community that represents the best example of smart growth, environmental preservation, innovative site planning, recreational amenities, streetscapes and architecture. According to Kylemore President, Patrick O’Hanlon, “It is really gratifying to know that our commitment to creating a unique community for the current and future residents of Angus Glen has received recognition at this high level. Kylemore has not taken the easy planning route, and we’ve had the good fortune to work with City of Markham’s Mayor, Council and staff who believed in our vision and our ability to deliver on our promises.” That interaction began in 1995, when Kylemore presented its revolutionary master-plan for what was to become one of Markham’s most desirable neighbourhoods. The unconventional (for the time) plan was to create one of the province’s first mixed-use residential communities based on new urbanism planning principals. With an 18-hole championship golf course complete and a second course planned, the company’s landowner Gordon Stollery envisioned a master-planned community surrounding the fairways within the Bruce Creek Valley System.
The overall architectural and landscape elements for the development present an image that reflects the qualities and streetscapes of Markham’s historic neighbourhoods. Kylemore has succeeded in creating a sense of place for its residents, while also establishing a new benchmark for increased building density and community sustainability ahead of its time. Throughout the years with the continued support of the City ofMarkham and Angus Glen’s residents, Kylemore has remained true to its planning roots and over 1,000 families now live there.
For information visit kylemorecommunities.com or call 905.887.9950.

Markham Council has recently announced a site location for the new Southeast Markham Community Centre and Library, along with two new parks to enhance leisure, culture and recreation opportunities for growing southeast Markham. The new 119,000-square-foot Community Centre and Library will be located on 13.4 acres of land at the southeast corner of 14th Avenue and Middlefield Road, and will include a library, gymnasium, swimming pool, community rooms and cultural spaces. This site was chosen because of its easy access to pedestrian-friendly public transit, accessible road network, close proximity to two high schools and residential neighbourhoods, and is sized to meet future needs. In addition to the building, parking and piazza area, five acres of the site will be used for a new community park. A second major park will be located in the area on a 16.26-acre parcel of land located at Kirkham and Karachi Drives. This park, now in the design stage, will be completed in phases in 2013 and 2014. Construction of the new community centre is expected to begin in 2013 with the facility scheduled for completion in early 2015.

October 1, 2012 was a day that no child or family wants to experience. It’s the day 5-year-old Sarah Watkin was told she had cancer. The AML (acute myelegenous leukemia) diagnosis brought worries about the treatment, painful bone marrow transplants and transfusions, and a fear that the cancer could destroy the vibrant young girl’s life. But instead of devastating a family, it was the start of an amazing and inspirational journey for Sarah, her family, friends and complete strangers. The spark was Sarah herself, who remained undaunted, energetic and positive. Leukemia begins in the blood stem cells which are produced in the bone marrow. These mutated cells can eventually crowd out healthy red and white blood cells and platelets, that bring oxygen to the rest of the body, fight infections and prevent bleeding. As there appeared to be no bone marrow donor match available, Sarah started aggressive chemotherapy at Sick Kids Hospital where she has spent the last 6 months. Her parents Mark and Leah, faced with the reality that there was a huge need for the identification of potential marrow and stem cell donors, embarked on a campaign that they hoped might save Sarah but also thousands of others who needed a donor. Realizing that a donor could be identified by taking a simple mouth swab – a Q-tip rolled in the back of the mouth – they began a campaign to enlist potential donors at schools and other community sites. Partnering with One Match, a stem and marrow network, and working with Canadian Blood services and aided by a friend who taught at Bur Oak Secondary School, Aileen MacInnes, they began the campaign there with senior students (only ages 17-50 are considered suitable donors). Milliken Mills, where Mark is a teacher, quickly organized a donor drive as did seven other secondary schools, with two more set for the future – Stephen Lewis S.S. on May 10th and Bayview S.S on May 21nd. When asked if there is a particular message he would want to convey to Markham Review readers, Mark Watkin responds quickly that getting on the donor list is “super easy!” “Most people think it’s painful, with needles and blood, but it’s just a mouth swab”. He adds that he is eager to talk to any organization or school who wish to organize an event. “They can contact me on Sarah’s Facebook page. At the end of all of this, it is NOT about Sarah, but about all those waiting for a match including over 900 Canadian families.” Luckily, Sarah has responded well to the treatment, is in remission and has just arrived back home. Her hair is growing in but she will return for another round of chemo this month. Mark says, “We are now learning how to become a family again. After all, we haven’t had a dinner together, gone to a movie together, or even spent some quality time together since this all started...we are thankful for each and every day”. In addition to donor registration events, potential donors can register at www.onematch.ca and a swabbing kit will be sent to your home free of charge. Financial donations can be made to Chai Lifeline Canada (www.chailifelinecanada.org), an organization that supports families who have a child who is diagnosed with a serious illness.

April 21 marked an important day for Markham citizens of Macedonian ancestry as the President of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, along with First Lady Maja Ivanov, came to Markham for a series of special events that highlighted some of the intensive community building efforts the local Macedonian community has been involved in. The day included a special flag-raising ceremony at City Hall, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Markham. A “friendship tree” planting ceremony followed that will eventually see a locally grown Bur Oak tree to a place of prominence at the end of Bitola Drive in Markham – a street named after a city in the southwestern part of Macedonia that has long been a cultural, commercial and educational centre in that country. The street is one of three that recognize the Macedonian contribution to Markham. But prior to the formal procedures at City Civic Centre, Ivanov, along with Ambassador Ljuben Tevovski and other officials from the Macedonian delegation and local dignitaries also visited Markham Stouffville Hospital where they unveiled a plaque that honoured the Markham Macedonian community’s pledge of a $100,000 donation. Local residents and co–chairs of the fundraising efforts from St. Dimitrija Solunski Orthodox Church on Main St., George Markou, Jim Dimovski and Chris Stanwyck, are modest about their input. Markou notes that, “while proud of their Macedonian heritage, our fathers are proud Canadians and community minded residents of Markham, and as such they wanted to answer the MSH’s call for support. So, they drafted their sons to lead the community’s fundraising efforts,” he said. This sizeable donation is fruit of a number of initiatives the community undertakes annually, which included a gala fundraiser this past November, and include their annual Macedonian Cultural Festival in September. This three-day undertaking, which runs this year from September 6-8, features music, dance, cultural lessons and, or course, lots of food and fun.

What’s it like to walk on water? Or for that matter, have you ever tried to break an unbreakable bubble? You can do all of that, as well as watch robots race, at the Science Rendezvous, Sat. May 11 - an annual cross-country science festival, which now has a sector in Markham. York University scientists and researchers – including biologists, chemists, physicists, mathematicians, even a bee keeper will be on site to answer all things scientific, and exhibit engrossing hands-on science experiments. There will be a range of demonstrations, everything from walking on water, to creating unbreakable bubbles, making bio-batteries, racing solar powered cars, and touching real comets from outer space, said Kelsey Miller, who is executive director of the Science Rendezvous in Markham. “The very young will enjoy making and trying to pop unbreakable bubbles, but there is actually some really interesting chemistry going on there that our scientists can explain, and that would fascinate even the very old. Plus, I have yet to meet any one, at any age who thinks walking on water, and making a cloud out of thin air is not for them,” Miller said, adding that the stand out part is that these presentations employ all of our senses. “For me the most exciting part is bringing science out of the lab, and off the pages of text books, and taking it to the streets where the public can actually get their hands on it and explore. Science isn’t just memorizing equations. We often forget that, especially in elementary and high school. It’s doing, creating, innovating. And that’s what you get to do at Science Rendezvous.” This free science fair will be combined with the opening day of Markham’s 14th Annual Farmers’ Market, and take place Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Main St. The market -replete with old fashioned signs and canopies- features many fresh organically grown fruits and vegetables, as well as baked goods, gluten free items, preserves, berries, frozen meat, beauty products and flowers. Organizers have created a way that some science experiments work in tandem with the farmer’s market. “This year we’re making batteries out of fruit. You can get an electrical charge out of some fruit,” said Christine Matthews, of the Markham Business Improvement Area, as marketing manager and community liaison. “It gets kids interested in science in careers. If you get them young, you get them forever.”
Matthews, who has also coordinated volunteers and organizes the vendors, added that the market and science fair caters to every age group.
“The parents absolutely adore this, and this is for everybody. It’s quite fascinating. I’ve often told several of the scientists if I had come across this when I was younger I might have been in the scientific field.” As well as cool science visuals, there are aural treats with live performances at the market each Saturday from 10am to 1pm. They include: On May 11, 40 Something; May 18, Andrea Kuzmich and May 25, Jan Hanko.

We don’t always see them, but we know they’re there, and we are thankful that they are. There’s no denying that policemen and women are any community’s heroes. But how much do we really know about the work that they do?
Next week, police forces across the province are opening their doors to answer that question by showing members of their communities first-hand the tools and tactics employed by local law enforcers to carry out their work. From May 11 to May 16, the York Regional police department is hosting an open house and four days of station tours in observance of Police Week. Police Week is a coordinated annual campaign across the province of Ontario that also coincides with National Police Week in the United States. Its purpose is to increase awareness about the work police do, and uncovering ways in which the community can become more involved and acquainted with its best protectors and advocates. For police officers, this event gives them a venue to build a more direct relationship with members of the community that they have vowed to serve and protect. “People have a pretty good understanding of what police do, but [Police Week] gives them an opportunity to see more precisely how we do it, and know that it’s not exactly like they see on TV,” said Sergeant Chris Palmer, who oversees community partnerships for York Regional Police. “We generally don’t solve crimes in 30 minutes or less—a lot goes into it.” Though police are often the subject of much criticism in the media and public discourse, events like last month’s terrorist attack in Boston often bring about a more sympathetic tone by society towards police. To one Ontario Provincial Police officer, who wished to remain anonymous, the tides of public opinion don’t hinder most police officers from fulfilling their duties. “It’s disappointing sometimes when I see my colleagues accused of incompetence and even malice,” he said, “It doesn’t matter, though. We do this because it’s our calling.” Police Week will kick off on Saturday May 11 from 10am to 3pm with an open house at the Community Safety Village in Stouffville, an interactive, scaled-down city experience that teaches children about road safety as they drive around in small motorized vehicles. As well, officers will be on site to host motorcycle and service dog demonstrations, as well as lesser-known law enforcement tasks like barbequing and face painting. Organizers expect to welcome 1,500 visitors to the open house, which will take place whether the day brings rain or shine. One of the demonstrations will be as enticing to parents as it is to children. “[The Real C.S.I.] is a set-up that our forensics people do,” said Sgt. Palmer. “They’ll bring down their command vehicle and set up different demonstration areas to show how they lift fingerprints… how we conduct grid searches for various items we might be looking for, and they’ll have something with lasers too. Everyone loves lasers.” From May 13 to May 16, station tours will be provided between 6pm and 9pm at York Regional Police’s district stations in Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Sutton, Vaughan, and at 8700 McCowan Road in Markham. Police will also be hosting community outreach programs on crime prevention and fraud awareness, targeting adults and seniors. For more information about attending Police Week events, www.yrp.ca/policeweek.aspx.

Plenty of mothers appreciate the flowers, candy and handmade cards they get for Mother’s Day, but what better way to spend the day itself than with some quality time? Local Markham businesses are offering plenty to do on Sunday, May 12, so that your family can make memories together.
Brunch and confections
A popular option for Mother’s Day is the traditional Sunday brunch. Many local restaurants and hotels will be offering Mother’s Day specials with options designed to please Mom – and the whole family. Johnny Bistro on Washington St. will be offering a special Mother’s Day menu. Portobello or butternut squash ravioli and Ahi tuna are among the choices, though diners interested in theatrics with their meal can order shrimp and scallops Grand Marina flambéed tableside. Entrees are $17.95-$24.95. Call 905-201-1433 for more information or to make reservations. The Hilton Toronto-Markham Suites Conference Center and Spa’s attached restaurant, Essence of Unionville, will host two seatings on Mother’s Day, at a cost of $48 per person for adults and $24 per child between the ages of 4 and 12. Diners will be treated to an all-you-can-eat buffet with a full complement of traditional brunch options, as well as some special entrees that include lobster ravioli and a prime rib carving station. Reservations can be made in person or by phone to 905-470-8500 ex. 2067. While local brunch options abound, if you have a favorite eatery in mind, reserve early to avoid disappointment. If you’re not full from brunch, take mom out for ice cream or a treat at Old Firehall Confectionery (www.oldfirehallconfectionery.com, 170 Main Street in Unionville). If the weather’s nice, you can sit in their outdoor seating and enjoy their handmade truffles, caramel corn, beer nuts and other treats. If you’re planning in advance, you can order a chocolate plaque with a personalized message or take out a cake to celebrate mom. In conjunction with the Unionville BIA’s Women’s Style Days in May, the Old Firehall Confectionery is offering a promotion where you get a free chocolate rose if you spend $20, from May 9-20.
Spending time together
Getting dressed up and posing for photos together is a way to spend family time, with the photos becoming a lasting keepsake. Markham photographer Don Burrell (http://www.degreyimages.com/Family) suggests a Mother’s Day photo shoot as an alternative to the more traditional gifts of flowers. Burrell photographs families at his Markham and Steeles studio but will also photograph clients at their home or a local park. Those who reserve in advance can get a package that includes a photo session, an edited DVD of the photos, and private online access to the photos, plus discounts on prints.
If you don’t want to get dressed up, consider getting messy instead at Paintlounge on Highway 7. Why make mom a gift in advance when you can create something together? Paintlounge is offering a workshop where you can make your own mixed media art on a 16 x 20 canvas for $30. Reserve a spot online at www.paintlounge.ca. If your family enjoys spending time outdoors, consider one of the many local parks listed at www.markham.ca. Browse lists of tennis courts, download the city’s cycling map or just scroll through the list of local parks. Take a picnic, some lawn chairs and a Frisbee and enjoy the hopefully-beautiful weather. To find local Mother’s Day deals of your own, the internet is your best resource. Groupon and other daily deal sites connect you to discounts at local businesses. Kijiji.ca has searchable listings to find events and services. Whatever you plan to do on Mother’s Day, you’ll find plenty on offer here in Markham.

Spring is the perfect time to improve your health with walking, running and playing sports. However, it’s important to be mindful of times when sport injuries can occur. Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the bottom of the foot), metatarsalgia and Achilles tendonitis are common conditions that can develop with increased activity.  With the right precautions and preventive measures, much harm can be avoided. In situations where individuals participate in intense activities, experience foot trauma, have certain foot deformities (such as bunions), suffer from arthritis, or simply wear the wrong type of footwear, metatarsalgia may occur. Symptoms include discomfort and or a burning sensation located at the ball of the foot. This condition is also not limited to one area, and often also results in sharp pain or numbness in the toe area. Plantar fasciitis is debilitating and an annoyingly persistent injury that can happen to anyone, but it is most common amongst runners. The plantar tendon runs the length of the bottom of the foot, spanning the area from the base of the toes to the front of the heel. The two ends of the tendon attach at the base of the toes and at the front of the heel bone by means of fascia (a strong fibrous membrane). Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia caused by any motion of the legs that creates a pull on the plantar tendon. When the plantar tendon is consistently over-stretched, the body begins to add calcium where the attachment between the tendon and the heel bone takes place. Over time, enough calcium is added to build more bone mass in that particular spot, creating a heel spur that can be even more painful than plantar fasciitis. Achilles tendinitis is a common condition that causes pain along the back of the leg near the heel. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It connects your calf muscles to your heel bone and is used when you walk, run, and jump.  Achilles tendonitis typically starts off as a dull stiffness in the tendon, which gradually goes away as the area gets warmed up. It may get worse with faster running, uphill running, or when wearing spikes and other low-heeled running shoes. If you continue to train on it, the tendon will hurt more sharply and more often, eventually impeding your ability even to jog lightly. About two-thirds of Achilles tendonitis cases occur at the “midpoint” of the tendon, a few inches above the heel. Other common causes of the above conditions include: wearing inflexible or worn out shoes, very low or high arches, being overweight, spending long hours on your feet, having tight calf muscles or tight/stiff ankle muscles and walking barefoot in soft sand for long distances. Metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis can be both prevented and treated with the use of custom made orthotics. These are corrective devices that are produced as a means of correcting a foot that is not functioning biomechanically. With the use of orthotics, individuals are able to regulate irregular foot function, re-establish proper weight distribution and improve the overall function of the foot. Appropriate footwear also plays a key role in keeping your foot healthy. To book an appointment with a chiropodist for an assessment or a pedorthist for a complimentary evaluation or consultation on how to prevent sports related injuries, call 905-787-9255 or visit www.walkncomfort.com for more information.

Markville Secondary School held its Annual Hoops for Heart Tournament on April 25th. The Athletic Council (led by Raphaela So, Jessica Luc and Elissa Kong-pictured L-R) coordinated the event this year with support from Ms. Coleman and the Health and Physical Education Department and members of the Senior Boys Basketball Team (Shayan Jaffer, Sharu Ahilan) This is the 11th year that Ms. Coleman has been in charge of this event. In that time, Markville students have raised over $10,000 that has been donated to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Every year, between 25 - 30 teams (all from Markville) sign up to participate in this event.

If you happened to think that more people than usual were wearing pick around April 10, you weren’t imagining it and it wasn’t just people in the Easter spirit. Staff and students across York Region were participating in International Day of Pink, a day first begun in Nova Scotia when two high school students saw a gay student being bullied and decided to make a statement of support and encouraging fellow-students to join in. The idea caught on and school boards across the country have responded including here in Markham where 33 public and Catholic secondary schools participate in the Empowered Student Partnership (ESP) program which, with support from York police and school administration, strive to create a positive, supportive atmosphere in schools.

The Stiver Mill and Grain Elevator has long been a recognizable feature in the heart of historic Unionville. But recently it hasn’t been recognized so much for its use or beauty as it has been for its state of disrepair. Built in 1910, the mill was a part of the area’s agricultural industry until economic realities forced its shutdown in 1968. Recognizing its unique heritage qualities, the Town of Markham purchased the property with the intent of having it developed, but plans fell by the wayside. Over the last year and a half, new preparations for its revitalization have begun to solidify. In October of 2012, a detailed report drafted by the Unionville Stiver Mill Preservation Advisory Committee was submitted, that outlined a comprehensive restoration endeavour with a projected cost of approximately $1.9 million for the first and biggest phase of the restoration.
The project received a huge boost on April 5th as Oakridges-Markham M.P. Paul Calandra announced federal funding of over $622,000 as part of the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan that allocates funds from the Canada Community Infrastructure Fund (CIIF). “I am proud to see my community benefit from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund,” said MP Calandra. “This investment will help create jobs and growth, and will support the prosperity of the City of Markham for years to come.” Mayor Frank Scarpitti, along with members of council and Stiver Preservation members, welcomed the infusion of funds. “Stiver Mill is an important heritage treasure and landmark in the historic village of Unionville .... With this support from the Federal Government, the Stiver Mill, in conjunction with the Unionville Train Station, will serve as a campus for community use with seating and spaces for outdoor events.” The first phase involves restoration of the building exterior, renovation of over 1100 ft of ground floor leasable space, and landscaping complete with a boardwalk that would connect the Mill to the Unionville Train Station and continue to Main Street Unionville. No word yet on a potential start date, but fingers are crossed that the Mill can quickly regain it stature and add to the Unionville heritage district’s charm.

The Gala for Giving, a unique event initiated by
Regional Councillor Gord Landon provides small local organizations the opportunity to fundraise in a large gala event. Through this type of event, the organizations can benefit from a more diverse audience while experiencing and developing a sense of comradeship with other organizations in the community. The inaugural event was held April 25 at the Crystal Fountain Banquet Hall. The City of Markham has chosen to assist seven local organizations in raising funds to improve their services to the community including Centre for Dreams, Cherish Integrated Services, Free The Children, Kindred Spirits Orchestra, Markham Arts Council, Markham Symphony Orchestra, and Markhaven Foundation.
About 900 guests attended the event.

York Regional Police, in partnership with the community, recently hosted its 11th annual community commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. An overflow crowd came out to the Markham Event Centre on Duffield Drive to watch events hosted by Master of Ceremonies Farley Flex, artist manager and former host of Candian Idol. In addition to guest speakers, a number of artists performed including members of Laya Bhava Dance Academy (pictured).
The United Nations established International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The declaration was intended to increase awareness around the issues of racism and discrimination. Canada became one of the first countries to formally recognize the declaration when it proclaimed the day in 1989. “York Regional Police is very proud to host this special cultural event for the 11th year in a row,” said Chief Eric Jolliffe. “The celebration of this important day has become a tradition in York Region.”

Regional Councillor Joe Li for the second year hosted Canada’s Diversity Celebration: A Musical Evening Showcasing Our Rich Culture during the Easter long weekend at the Flato Markham Theatre, aiming to bring communities together and celebrate cultural diversity. This annual concert is a Chinese and Indian-themed cultural event spearheaded by Councillor Li to celebrate the richness of Chinese and Indian cultures through singing and music. This year’s show featured a mix of over 20 talented amateur singers of Chinese and Indian backgrounds who sang a variety of popular and classic hits in Hindi and Chinese. Mayor Mr. Frank Scarpitti made a special guest appearance debuting his Cantonese and Mandarin singing accompanied by a violinist and an erhuist and was well received by the capacity crowd of 500.

Ange Friesen, community librarian, teaches local kids about the joy of growing your own food. A pilot project of the City of Markham’s Sustainability Office and Markham Public Library, the Markham Grows Seed Library provides organic, heritage seeds to the public – free of charge. Library members then return seeds from the plants they grow, completing the cycle and ensuring the library’s sustainability. Given Markham’s status as the most diverse municipality in Canada, the seed library includes seeds for plants both native to Southern Ontario and from around the world. The seed library’s collection will include easy to grow and save seeds such as beans and peas as well as more challenging seeds to save, such as lettuces and carrots. By growing their own food, Markham’s families become more connected to the environment and their communities; they save money, reduce their ecological footprints, and – most important – have the satisfaction of eating delicious, healthy food that came from their own garden.
The Seed Library is located inside the Milliken Mills library, and will be accessible during regular library hours. The library will present a series of workshops on gardening throughout the spring, summer and fall. For updates and information, please check out www.markhampubliclibrary.com or email seeds@markham.ca.

Parade? Check. Fireworks? Check. Live music? Check. Everything else? Check that off the list, too. The Unionville Festival committee is getting ready to take over Main Street for what members of the committee promise to be a weekend of non-stop fun. The 43rd installment of the Unionville Festival will be taking place during the weekend of May 31 to June 2.
Organizers of the event are expecting upwards of 50,000 visitors from Markham and other parts of York Region to visit Main Street Unionville and Crosby Park during this year’s festival. The event started off as a rally by concerned citizens to urge officials to preserve Main Street, which was at the risk of being widened to four lanes. Since this successful effort in 1970, the festival has grown to be a celebration of Unionville’s vibrant business and cultural scenes. Year-round, Main Street Unionville is the second-most visited area in the 905 region, next only to Canada’s Wonderland. At the helm of the festival this year is 30-year Markham resident Mona Babin, whose involvement is driven by a desire to give back to the community that she claims has given her so much. “If you’re in Unionville, you have to come because all of your friends are going to be there,” advised Babin, who is serving as committee member and chair of the festival for the first time this year. “If you’re outside of Unionville, this is the best way to discover Main Street and see it in full action—not just what we’re bringing to the street that weekend, but a showcase of what we offer year round.” Much like in previous years, the 2013 Unionville Festival will have musical entertainment, the Festival Parade down Main Street—which boasts the honour of being York Region’s largest parade—as well as a family fun day in Crosby Park, complete with a bouncy castle, and activities for the family pets. The beer tent has been rebranded this year to become the Booze and Tunes area. Also, a wider variety of vendors are expected for this year, according to Babin. “In the past, we’ve had craft and food vendors, but this year we’re also going to have community organizations and several local business,” she said. Headlining on the Friday night will be pop/rock cover band The Staff, with a catalogue of songs ranging categorically—and alphabetically—from Adele to ZZ Top. Among the most enthusiastic for the festival are members of the Unionville Business Improvement Area, an association of local business that stand to benefit from the influx of people on Main Street during the festival. “The Unionville BIA is happy to have the Unionville Festival on the street each year,” said Judi McIntyre, Executive Director of the Unionville BIA. “The hard working committee that organizes the Saturday events and Sunday in Crosby Park do a terrific job and the businesses of Main Street are appreciative.” Unionville’s merchants are responsible for hosting Friday evening’s events, as well as some of Sunday’s festivities.
“This has become the way to launch the summer in Unionville,” said Babin. “The streets come alive as soon as the sun shines.”
A full schedule of events for the Unionville Festival is available at www.UnionvilleFestival.com

The faculty and students of St. Brother Andre Catholic High School lost a great friend last month, with the sudden passing of guidance counsellor, teacher and basketball coach Rick Maloney. Maloney had taught at the school since it opened, more than 25 years ago. Earlier this year he lead his senior boys basketball team to a York Region championship and then tragically died last month while playing basketball, suffering a heart attack on court. He is survived by his two kids Breanna and Ryan and his wife Jackie, who also taught at Brother Andre. Along with his family, Maloney is survived by the many lives he touched throughout Markham and the legacy and memories he has left behind at Brother Andre. These are memories cherished by the school’s physical education head, Dave Turner. Turner worked with Maloney for more than 25 years and remembers his colleague and friend as a “jokester”, who always did the right thing. Laughing over the phone, Turner remembers just how much Maloney loved Halloween as he would regularly come to school dressed up for the event. Turner’s laughs grew as he recalled one Halloween when Maloney, who had a physically imposing build and used to play in the Canadian Football League, arrived to school dressed as a skeleton, but ran into some trouble when he went to do some banking during his lunch break. “He was in his costume, waiting in line at the bank and evidently it really scared someone, because they called the police – next thing you know, the SWAT team shows up and they are there for Rick,” said Turner. “I’ve heard and told that story so many times over the years and it makes me laugh really hard, still.” While many at the school share happy stories remembering Maloney, the mood in the halls remains a little sombre said Turner. “Since his passing, the kids have been quiet. He knew all the kids – I think the kids could tell that he really cared,” he explained.
“Walking into the gym is different for me now that he’s gone. He was always down there sharing a laugh or staying late or coming in early so kids could shoot hoops.” Kelsie Josephs graduated from Brother Andre last year. Now attending Brock University she remembers that when walking into her former school’s guidance office, Maloney’s smiling face would be the first she saw. “He was the type of man that would stop you in the hallway just to find out how your day was going, even if he didn’t know you very well,” she said, adding that he was able to touch the lives of so many in many different ways.
“Although some people didn’t know him as well as others, I am completely certain that everyone that did have the pleasure of meeting this man has been impacted by his huge heart and always positive demeanour.”

Markham residents can make a huge difference in the community without even leaving bed, thanks to a fun summer fundraiser in the works by the city’s hospital. On June 23, the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation is hosting its second annual Great Markham Stouffville Hospital Bed Race down Main Street Unionville. The Bed Race is part of the hospital’s long-term Buy a Bed campaign to equip the hospital with much needed patient beds. The concept is a simple one: A team of five representing a community group or local business will push one of their own—the ‘patient’—down a 150-metre stretch of Main Street on a retired—and heavy—hospital bed. In the lead-up to the race, teams will secure pledges from anyone they can, with pledges going toward the acquisition of new beds by the hospital. Winners will have their names engraved on the official Bed Race Trophy Award, as well as a nifty prize by one of the event’s sponsors. Last year, each member of the winning team was given a watch from Timex. “We are looking forward to holding the Second Annual Great Markham Stouffville Hospital Bed Race and raising funds for the Buy-A-Bed campaign,” said Jane Burchell, Bed Race Chair for the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation. “It was a great success last year and a lot of fun for the participants and the spectators alike. It’s great fun watching the teams race down the street with their ‘patients.’” Organizers have set a fundraising goal of $100,000 for the race. While the cause of buying beds is not necessarily the most glamorous of fundraising initiatives, it is an important one. “All the money being raised will help us purchase needed beds. We’re trying to raise as much as we can to buy as many as we can,” said Madeline Cuadra, Manager of Corporate Sponsorship and Special Events for the foundation. Cuadra added that a standard patient bed costs $10,000, while specialized beds for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) cost more than $70,000. The event’s uniqueness, however, has engaged the community for the cause. “Involvement from local businesses and the banks has been very positive,” said Cuadra. “It’s a very unique event because everyone has different walks and runs, but not many people race beds.” The idea has been executed by a small group of other hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area towards their own Buy a Bed programs, most notably by the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington and the Whitby Hospital.

At 31 years old, Jamie had a degree, a career in financial services, and a fiancé. Unfortunately, he was also struggling with an illness that gradually became debilitating. It prevented him from attending work every day, from seeing his fiancé on a regular basis, and even from spending time with his family. His illness wasn’t visible to anyone, but it was very real for him. Like 2.72 million Canadians, Jamie was suffering from a form of depression. Despite a multitude of medications, therapies and programs available to him, thoughts of fear that his fiancé would leave him or his job would be in jeopardy if anyone found out he was, in his view, “mentally unstable” prevented him from seeking any of these. Silent misery was easier than facing judgment from those he cared about. Depression is only one form of mental illness, but it is indiscriminate of sex, race, age or class. In severe cases, it can lead to suicide. Though 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a form of mental illness, the issue still remains an elephant in the room in most corners of the country. The stigma surrounding this very real epidemic is a sometimes impenetrable barrier between available help and those who need it most. In May, the Canadian Mental Health Association will be celebrating Mental Health Week to raise awareness for this cause. In Markham, one service group has made it its mission to improve access to services and the community’s awareness of the issue. On May 5, the Boxgrove Lions are hosting the Lions Walk for Mental Health at the Markham Civic Centre to raise funds for mental health programs at Markham StouffvilleHospital. According to the Markham Stouffville Hospital, the Lions are one of numerous community organizations that have stepped up in the fight against mental illness. “In Markham, we have tremendous support from community agencies and private families who support the mental health program,” said Sandy Marangos, Director of Mental Health for Markham Stouffville Hospital. She added that the Lions Club has contributed financially to support their programs. Also, the Angus Glen holds a run once a year and the proceeds have historically been going to mental health and emergency services. These funds have helped purchase testing materials, as well as computer programs that allow patients to get more self-directed help within their treatment. This supplements the inpatient and outpatient programs the hospital offers for children, adolescents and adults experiencing psychological issues. The hospital is currently planning to implement a day program for children and youth in September. The key is creating an environment where individuals are not ashamed to seek help. “We help patients under our care cope with the impact of stigma for them. [Such as] how to handle returning back to the workplace, people’s questions about where they’ve been, as well as family support and education,” said Marangos. “We have also developed an anti-stigma training program geared towards emergency room staff.”
The program was created and implemented at Markham Stouffville Hospital, but the Commission on Mental Health has picked it up and is encouraging its use provincewide. The hospital also frequently goes into schools in the region for professional development days to educate teachers and guidance counsellors on how to identify and assist students affected by mental illness. “We’re real advocates for mental health,” said Marangos. As for Jamie, through ongoing therapy, he is battling his illness and not allowing it to take over his life.

When construction kicks up again for the long-awaited Main Street Markham beautification and revitalization this summer, business owners will be turning lemons into lemonade. The overhaul of Markham Road between Highway 407 and Major Mackenzie Drive will include a much-needed repaving of the roads, as well as improvements to sidewalk fixtures, greenery and lighting. Last year, the street was torn up while the sewer and watermains were repaired. Though traffic was heavily disrupted during last year’s construction, a spokesperson for the City of Markham said that all contractors bidding on the contract are required to present a traffic plan. “The bidders are to submit their proposal as to how to manage traffic, pedestrians and access to businesses for our review and evaluation,” said Alan Brown, Director of Engineering for the City of Markham. “Those contractors that submit a satisfactory mitigation plan will then proceed to review of their tender prices.” He added that the tender recently went out to a “pre-selected number” of contractors. The City hopes to have selected a contractor by the end of April. For Markham businesses, it’s a minor inconvenience in the big picture. “It can’t be any worse than what we experienced last year,” said Diane Kobelansky, Chair of the Markham Village Business Improvement Area and owner of Tangerine Gecko Art Gallery. “We took every opportunity to turn lemons into lemonade. It would be wonderful if we had a magic wand and it could all be done tomorrow, but ultimately the end will be astounding and everyone agrees with that.” “No pain, no gain,” she added. Among the changes taking place on Main Street is the construction of 143 new condominiums by Sierra Homes, which is spearheading 68 Main Street, a high-end condo building that will incorporate a courtyard, retail shops, and even an on-site car share service. Sierra condos will run anywhere from the mid $200,000s to over $1 million. Just down the road, the Ravina condominium at 46 Main Street is still in the process of selling units. Having that many new residents in the area is good news for the BIA. “Sierra Homes is a large part of our renewal,” said Kobelansky. “The new condos and retail stores will be a welcomed addition to the original, historic downtown, the place to live, work and play in Markham.” The BIA has received some concerns that these changes will result in Main Street being bottlenecked, but that is not the case. “The street functions as two lanes and it’s going to function as two lanes after the construction as well. We have parking on the street and there will be parking on the street when this is done,” said Christine Matthews, Community Liaison for the BIA. “It’s going to be functioning the same as it was before, except hopefully a lot prettier looking.” The City of Markham is contributing over $5.5 million to this project, on which construction will start in early July. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

It was in October 2007, that Robert Davidson found out the test results trying to identify the cause of his breathlessness. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), he was told, but he knew nothing about what it was. What he did know was that his quality of life rapidly deteriorated. Within a couple of years, it got so bad that he was in a wheelchair --he could not walk more than a few paces without pausing for breath, even with supplemental oxygen. A friend wheeled him around Markville Mall to do his Christmas shopping. Talking and shaving at the same time was not possible. The 66-year-old needed his wife’s support to dress himself. He spent days in a chair watching TV. “Going up stairs to bed, even using the oxygen, was a monumental task requiring a rest halfway up,” he remembered. His weight dropped 70lbs and his appetite had disappeared so that he was living on chocolate high protein drinks. Unfortunately, he found little information about what he was going through; and, sadly, American contacts he made were unhelpful. In response to his dilemma, Davidson decided to start his own organization, to help other Canadians. From his own Markham home, supported by volunteers, he created the charity Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. The first thing to know is that IPF is a lung disease characterized by scarring of the air sacs in the lungs. As the scarring becomes thicker and more widespread, the lungs lose their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. The disease is more common in men than women and is usually diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 80 years. Studies suggest that 5,000 to 8,000 Canadians suffer from IPF, with an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 having mild to moderate disease. There are an estimated 3,000 deaths each year in Canada associated with the disease. The only treatment for mild to moderate IPF in adults is recently available in Canada, called Esbriet. There is no known cause and no known cure - except a lung transplant. Life expectancy after diagnosis is 3 to 5 years. Robert was lucky enough to receive a double lung transplant, Jan. 30, 2010. “When you wake up and you can suddenly breathe, it is mind-blowing. Within no time, I forgot I was breathing,” he remembers, along with furious walking around that he was not able to do before.
“I ate everything they gave, even mac and cheese, which I dislike. Food at last… I was perpetually smiling and I loved my donor whoever he or she was. I had gone from near death to very active and happy.” The very month he received his new lungs, his organization’s fundraising began in January 2010, and to date they have raised more than $300,000. In 2014 they will be supporting a gathering of international researchers studying IPF. Today, he says, “my new lungs are magnificent” but he is required to take immuno-suppressing drugs for the rest of his life. “Some of these drugs have some pretty heavy side effects. I am very susceptible to infections which have slowed down my ability to return to my previous level of fitness. Before the transplant I was a Class 1 soccer referee,” he laments. “I still think of how different I am to the rest of the world, mostly, having someone else’s generous gift keeping me alive. It is a feeling and mindset that cannot be described.” In the past few years he has counselled, educated or supported about 200 IPF patients and their families across the country -- and met about 80 of them. He receives, on average, 25 to 35 e-mails or phone calls a month. He has also written a downloadable patient guide handbook. “My greatest task is finding these patients so that they can use my support and be linked with others in the same position.” About 80 per cent of his e-mails and telephone conversations cover patient advocacy and “what they must do to push their doctors to get them to the proper place with the best chance of survival.” In a continued effort to raise money and awareness, the organization on Apr. 27 will be hosting its annual Spring Gala at LeParc Banquet Hall, an evening touted as dinner, dancing, silent auction, with a raffle and door prizes. Also, Wednesday July 31, 2013 they will be hosting their 4th annual Golf Open, held again at the Angus Glen Golf Course in Markham, on the South Course. For more information www.cpff.ca or Robert@cpff.ca

More than three years have passed since Unionville’s Lindsay Bolger succumbed to her 4 ½ year battle with cancer at the age of 26. Despite this, Lindsay’s spirit and legacy live on as her family, friends and community promotes the message that Lindsay used her final years to share: Be Strong. On April 21, one day shy of what would have been Lindsay’s 30th birthday, her family is hosting the second annual B-Strong Walk, a five kilometer walk taking place at the Markham Museum. In 2011, the City of Markham declared April 22 B-Strong Day in honour of Lindsay. After her diagnosis with brain cancer in 2005, Lindsay, then 22, made a decision to fight back. Despite her doctors trying to convince her to take the year off of school, she had a different idea. “You can take away my hair. You can take away my energy. But you will not take away my graduating year,” she remarked, according to a tribute video for Lindsay. While completing her studies, she also founded the B-Strong Fund, an avenue to raise money and awareness for brain tumour research. The work that Lindsay set in motion is still thriving, with B-Strong having now raised over $630,000 towards its cause. The money has been distributed to four hospitals that Lindsay selected based on where she received treatments or advice: Princess Margaret, Sick Kids, and Sunnybrook hospitals in Toronto, as well as the Montreal Neurological Institute. “Lindsay was so incredibly positive. She was always up to checking anything out and she was quite shocked by what impact this had on her—the treatments, the surgery. She wanted to help others get through similar situations,” said John Bolger, Lindsay’s father. “If we weren’t doing something, we’d truly feel guilty because Lindsay did an incredible job at kicking this off when she was facing much more challenging circumstances than most of us.” The committee that organizes B-Strong’s events is made up of Lindsay’s friends and family members, who volunteer their efforts for the cause. The first walk, which took place last year, brought out 500 people and raised $57,000, a number her family hopes to exceed this year. “We are very appreciative of the long-term support that we’ve been given by people and organizations in Markham, like Hockey with Heart teaming with Village Grocer and Kylemore Homes who have been major supporters from the beginning and we welcome the recent support of Whole Foods and others,” said Bolger. “We are deeply committed to this.” The 2nd Annual B-Strong Walk takes place again at the Markham Museum on April 21, at noon. For more information or to register, visit www.BStrong.ca.

York Regional Police is seeking volunteers to support the 2013 Special Olympics Summer Games. The event, scheduled from July 11 to 14 will be the largest provincial summer games ever held. More than a thousand athletes, coaches and staff from across Ontario will come to York Region to compete in soccer, softball, golf, rhythmic gymnastics and track and field. Competitions and special events will be held in each of our nine regional municipalities. Volunteers are needed to fill positions including team ambassadors for each sport, marshals for opening and closing ceremonies, time keepers, golf caddies and track and field timers. Volunteers are asked to commit at least 16 hours of their time to this worthwhile cause. You must be a minimum of 14-years-old to apply and a police background check is required. Also, York Regional Police is organizing a Paint the Region Red Day on May 16 to raise funds for the Special Olympics Summer Games. There are two programs - one for schools and one for the public. For schools, the Police will make available a Special Olympics red wrist band for every student in the Region. Every school will have the opportunity to participate. But there are limited quantities so register soon! As for the public and businesses,your employees and/or associates can wear red Special Olympics laces on May 16. It’s a fun way to show your support and funds raised will support the Special Olympics. Visit www.yrp.ca for more information.

Students will be praised and awarded for their integrity and moral fiber on Apr. 24, at the Character Community Awards. The seventh annual event, at the Richmond Hill Performing Arts Centre, recognizes individuals, schools, groups and businesses for demonstrating exemplary character. “Like every year it’s the showcasing the number of people actively out there doing a number of great things,” said Karen Addison, Executive Director, Character Community Foundation of York Region. ”Often we’ll hear only about the negative things that people do, but here we see some of the good, which is nice. We have a thirty per cent jump in participants from all across the region since last year, and that shows either people are willing to take the time to recognize their friends or there’s more people out there doing good stuff.” Led by volunteers and layleaders from the community, government, education and business sectors, the Character Community Foundation of York Region’s mandate is to raise awareness in the public about character development. They encourage what they refer to as “Character Attributes”: compassion, courage, fairness, honesty, inclusiveness, initiative, integrity, optimism, perseverance, respect, responsibility. The idea of Character Community Foundation of York Region was initially conceived at a symposium hosted in April, 2001, by the York Region District School Board. Today, Board of Governors include Chief (Retired) York Regional Police Armand La Barge, former MP Belinda Stronach, and Chief York Regional Police Eric Jolliffe, among dozens of other involved leaders. Liyan ChrisB Liu of Markham won one of the awards last year, in the category of Character Through the Arts. Liu, a trained visual artist in graphic design, publication and hand-crafting, used her skills to inspire youth. In 2007, she conducted a creativity training workshop for over 200 youths at Across U-hub’s Youth Leadership Training Camp.
She also led a team of Canadian youth to connect to the Sichuan earthquake victims. She initiated a series of hand-made paper projects, including letters of blessings to comfort, and befriend, earthquake survivors. She brought the letters to Sichuan and gave them to the survivors. She conducted a photography workshop in Beichuan High school, in Sichuan, where over 1,000 students lost their lives in the earthquake. The workshop helped over 800 surviving students express their grief. “It was an unforgettable moment for me when the emcee announced I was the winner of Character Through the Arts category at the award night. It also is a great encouragement for me to pursue my dream,” she said. Currently she is studying MSc Art Psychotherapy in Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, U.K., a two-year program which she says will help her achieve her goals “to serve people in need in our community after my training,” she said. “It is stressful and heavy loaded to study Art Psychotherapy, but it is never an easy path when we are chasing our dreams, and I am lucky that I got this opportunity.” Later this year, the Foundation will promote Annual Character Community Week, Oct. 21-26.
Among other initiatives from Character Community Foundation of York Region is Slap Shot - an after school hockey program running since 2009. Partnering with the York Region District School Board, the program provides 200 newcomer children in grades 4-6 with the opportunity to learn hockey, who may have not been able to due to financial or cultural barriers. The biggest hurdles of the Foundation, Addison said, are limited resources. But she hopes that will change in coming years. “It’s not being able to do everything we want to do – because it does integrate into every part of our lives. What we do plays into the sports community, music community and even in family life,” she said. “We’d like to fulfill requests and the needs, and touch more people’s lives.” For more: www.Charactercommunity.com

Canadians of Pakistani Origin (COPO) stepped into the fundraising spotlight again recently hosting their 11th annual fundraising gala in support of the Markham-Stouffville Hospital Foundation. The $100,000 dollars raised at this year’s event March 22 at the Crystal Fountain Banquet Hall brings the total funds for the 11 years to over $1.25 million. Khalid Usman, Chair of COPO shares “we know that a strong hospital is the cornerstone of any vibrant, growing community, so giving to our community hospital is easy”.  Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation named the Emergency Department Orange Zone and a radiology suite in honour of COPO’s ongoing support as well. Foundation CEO Suzette Strong is appreciative of the collaboration noting, “without the support of Canadians of Pakistani Origin and all our generous donors, the very recent opening of our new building could not have happened.”

Stouffville Hyundai is one of five Hyundai dealers in their category across Canada to win the 2012 Hyundai Canada President’s Award of Merit. This recognition of excellence is awarded to the top 10 percent of Hyundai dealers in Canada based on customer service, market share and vehicle sales. Dealer Principal Pieter van der Griend, said “I am honoured to receive this award, it confirms that we are achieving our number one objective of customer service. I thank my team and customers for their continued support”. Stouffville Hyundai has been in business since August 2010.

Before William Berczy, founder of Markham, was William Berczy, he was lesser known by the name of Johan Albrecht Ulrich Moll, born inNordlingen, Bavaria, Germany in 1744. And though his contributions as Berczy to what is now Markham and Toronto are well documented, City officials along with a group of private citizens led by Markham’s Official Historian Lorne Smith are taking a pilgrimage to Nordlingen this September to help recognize the historical connection between the two areas that many are not aware of. It is not the first effort to connect, however. In 2001 the two cities signed an agreement recognizing their unique connection and in 2004 the Markham Men of Note choir performed concerts in Germany. In 2008 a delegation of 118 from Nordlingen associated with their Youth Band visited and performed for Markham. But the visit to Nordlingen this year by Smith along with Markham Town Crier John Webster and more than a dozen other private citizens who are paying their own way will not only take part in some official activities with City officials, but will for 15 days be immersing themselves in the cultural history of the place from where our founding families came, including the renowned Stadtmaurerfest (Ring Wall Festival) which is staged every three years. While the slots for the citizens’ tour are almost full, a few openings remained at press time and interested parties can find out more about the costs and itinerary at alohah@idirect.com or by calling 905-852-0707

The newest addition to Markham Stouffville Hospital is the  four-storey, 385,000-square-foot building that includes new emergency, mental health, diagnostic imaging and maternal child units. It opened its doors to patients  March 10. Work will soon commence on the second phase of the project, which involves renovating the original building. Celebrating the completion of this new wing were several government representatives including: Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care;Markham-Unionville MPP Michael Chan; and Oak Ridges-Markham MPP Dr. Helena Jaczek. At the peak of construction activity, approximately 300 workers were on site daily, with 25 to 40 per cent of the workforce coming from the Region of York. When the project is finished in August 2014 the expanded hospital is expected to employ an additional 875 staff and attract 60 new physicians to the area. Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with Markham Stouffville Hospital to manage the redevelopment project, which will remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable.
Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca or www.msh.on.ca for more information.

Earth Day Canada is issuing an action-based challenge during April urging all Canadians (kids, classrooms, groups, businesses, individuals and families) to make positive changes to their daily habits. Called Act for the Planet, the challenge runs from April 1 to April 30, 2013 and encourages people to take up activities that will demonstrate just how easy it is to make daily routines greener (and healthier).
Canada’s EcoKids program, with prizing from Sony Canada, is offering kids a chance to get involved on their own terms. Kids will have all month long to do something good for the planet (and remind their parents to do their part, too!) Fun and easy actions include:
• Build a Bug House 
• Grow and Eat Sprouts
• Reconnect with Nature 
• Swap Stuff
• Start an Anti-idling Campaign.
For the rest of us, lifestyle choices are typically based on convenience, complacency and habit, but these come with a price. Take the 30-challenge to help you make better decisions about what you do, eat, drink and what resources you use. Try something new each day that’s good for you and the planet!
“We know that beyond air, food and water quality, the types of products we use on a daily basis, as well as the amount of activity we get, can have substantial effects on our health and the environment,” says Jed Goldberg, President of Earth Day Canada. “These campaigns help inform people about the environmental and health impacts of the decisions they make on a daily basis, while encouraging them to adopt behaviours that will improve the health of their families and communities.”
Visit www.earthday.ca for more information and step-by-step help with the kid’s activities.

David Tsubouchi’s story begins in 1941, when his family, along with tens of thousands of Japanese Canadians were imprisoned by Canada’s Liberal Mackenzie King government. In his memoir, Gambatte, to be released in June 2013, Tsubouchi describes a journey from nightmare to redemption. His mother was incarcerated in British Columbia’s Lemon Creek Internment Camp; his father and uncles were in POW Camp 101 near Marathon, Ontario; his grandfather had the inauspicious distinction of being the first Japanese Canadian to die as a result of being transported to a camp. Indefinitely confiscating their property and finances, Canada’s government left the Tsubouchi family with nothing save their hope and courage. Gambatte, Japanese for never give up, is hard to believe, but is typical of the experience of most Japanese Canadians. “My history isn’t unique,” the author tells the Markham Review. “Canadians of Japanese descent had to learn determination early on. Our parents and grandparents taught us how to cope, move on and take responsibility for our own lives.” His parents left the camps with only the clothes on their backs, and the realities of prejudice meant that no one would hire them. “You couldn’t be poorer than us,” the Markham local says, “but we had nothing to complain about. A great family overcomes hardship.” His father ultimately landed a dry cleaning job, his tenacity enabling him to eventually buy the business. And Tsubouchi worked hard to become the first member of his family to graduate with a university degree (followed by his brother and sister). He studied English literature, fell in love with poetry and went to law school. He opened his own practice on Main Street and got involved with the community, coaching hockey and softball, and volunteering at the Optimist Club of Markham and the Markham Festival Committee. In 1988, Tsubouchi was elected to Markham council, the first Japanese Canadian to be elected to office in Canada. In 1995, he was elected to the Ontario Legislature, the first Japanese Canadian to be elected to a provincial legislature. “It’s the government’s responsibility to ensure that people aren’t discriminated against because of their race or ethnicity,” he tells the Markham Review. “It’s all about the public good.” As Minister of Culture, he championed libraries, successfully acquiring funding for small northern communities. When he was growing up, he couldn’t afford to buy books. Today, he owns more than 4,000 signed first-editions. “Libraries are the one place where people with money and without money have the same rights,” he says. “Education is the biggest cure for poverty. It’s the greatest equalizer.” He has devoted his life to education, raising more than $10 million for Seneca College, serving in the Advisory Council for York University and chairing the fundraising effort for the George Brown College School of Fine Arts. “Books give you possibilities in life,” Tsubouchi says. “They open your eyes to potential.” And so he wrote his own — a book that defines actualizing potential.

For those still waffling over what to do during March Break, immerse yourself in the sweet and sticky world of maple syrup at Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area in Stouffville this month, as the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival is underway. Now in its 45th year, the festival, also observed by the Kortright Centre for Conversation in Woodbridge, runs until April 7 and is intended to celebrate all things maple. This year’s festival at Bruce’s Mill includes guided tours of the sugarbush and demonstrations of the old method of creating syrup using pot stills, as well as the newer, more mechanical process. There will also be family activities such as carriage and pony rides and a petting zoo. And, of course, lots and lots of sampling.This week, because of March Break, Bruce’s Mill will be open daily until 5 p.m. For the remainder of the festival, it will be open on weekends. According to the coordinator of the event, the festival is a great opportunity for kids to learn about one of Canada’s most delicious industries in a fun and very visual way. “The general reaction is great,” says Andrew Morin, Supervisor of Bruce’s Mill Conservative Area. “The kids love it. They’re very happy and they love the petting zoo, magic show and pony rides. It’s a nice atmosphere and it really feels like a festival.” Morin says that the festival is made with children in mind, but there’s something for everyone. One thing that he says always surprises both children and adult visitors alike is the sap to syrup ratio in making maple syrup. “It takes 40 litres of sap to make one litre of syrup,” he says. In other words, at the risk of sounding sappy, that pure, delicious maple syrup is a labour of love and a profound exercise in patience. During the hour-long sugarbush tour, people will have the opportunity to see the different types of maple trees, and learn about the different types of syrup that can be made from them. And did we mention sampling? Inevitably, such an event comes with a warning. “The kids tend to get a little hyper,” Morin says. “A lot of the products we have are pretty well pure sugar. You definitely don’t want to give them any extra sugar before they come.” Fortunately, the site comes with some open space where kids (and possibly parents) can burn off the extra energy before heading home. As for Morin’s favorite part of the festival—“Maple fudge,” he says. “It’s absolutely fantastic.”

Cookies and juice tend to be the biggest treats to blood donors after the needle gets pulled out, but soon, two companies could be bucking the norm and offering payment. If all of the regulatory checks pass, Canadian Plasma Resources in Toronto and CanGene Plasma in Winnipeg could start business this summer or fall. Though common south of the border to pay those who donate, Canadians have always rolled up their arms on a volunteer basis. As of press time, it’s still unknown how much compensation these companies will offer – but Canadian Plasma Resources say actual cash will not be exchanged. On their website they note that monies will be transferred to bank accounts and Visa cards. Dr. Henry Solow, Markham hematology expert, believes that changing the status quo would not be a good idea. “I know that the United States pays people to give blood but it’s not what we should be doing here in Canada. I think one of the essentials is that the Canadian system is highly regulated, a very well managed entity. To fracture that, is not in the advantage of the Canadian public,” said Dr. Solow, who has been providing oncology and hematology services at Markham Stouffville Hospital since the hospital opened in 1990. Most recently he was the Chief of Medicine for the Hospital and he continues as Director of the Blood Bank. He frowns upon the idea of these companies setting up, also worrying about whether they can do as good a job as existing establishments. “Quality may be variable. Not that they’re not going to do good job, but remember that the Red Cross was raked over the coals 30 years ago (with the HIV scandal). I think our national program (CBS) does a good job with good products and serves the public very well,” said Dr. Solow.
“These new companies need to be reviewed … it’s not something that should be treated lightly if at all. It’s changing the format of how we do things.”
One official from the Canadian Blood Services- a national charitable organization that manages the blood supply- reportedly came out against the move. Reports say that Canadian Blood Services is taking a pass on purchasing plasma from Canadian Plasma Resources. The official had said that it might spur people to lie about their health on screening applications just to be able to get the cash. Any potential – however remote – of tainted blood getting through the system could mean a repeat of what happened some twenty years ago, when thousands of Canadians contracted HIV and hepatitis C from tainted blood that came from the U.S. It was believed that the scandal and infections stemmed from the idea of paying for blood. Ruling on the subsequent inquiry, Justice Horace Krever in 1997 concurred, ruling on the imperative that “significant efforts be made to ensure that blood components and blood products used in Canada are made from the blood and plasma collected from unpaid donors.” Toronto’s Canadian Plasma Resources says it plans to open near a university and homeless shelter. But it’s only once Health Canada – a regulatory body - approves the facility’s safety to handle blood. Meanwhile, demand is increasing vastly for blood plasma, reports say, which can be developed into drug products to treat cancer and other diseases.

Busy mom Angela Chhin was pleasantly surprised when she heard that more Markham services could be accessed online. The active entrepreneur and mother of two – aged five and seven – registered her marriage license at the Markham Civic Centre nearly ten years ago. But physically walking into the Centre might not even be necessary for some things anymore.
As of recently, you can not only file a marriage certificate application on Markham.ca, residents can also find forms to request services like overnight street parking exemptions, heritage permit applications, building investigation requests, pet licenses, and applications for family fireworks. Working under the brand All Access Markham, the City of Markham has taken these various new steps to make city services easier to access with new hours, and new options.These new initiatives are being touted as increasing the convenience for both residents and businesses in Markham. Also online, residents can report missed curbside waste collection, litter in a park or on the sidewalk, damaged or burned out streetlights, street pavement damage, and damaged trees. Chhin lamented the fact that previously “it wasn’t convenient to sit on the phone, especially when you’re busy watching the kids…. Just for a complaint about garbage pick up.” Residents can request maintenance of a play structure in a park or maintenance of a sports field, and report graffiti on public property. In fact, in another complaint with the city, she used the phone to let them know about “a playground equipment issue” when some equipment fell on a child. “I’m glad that they took it seriously,” said Chhin, the owner of Thanks-a-loot gifts, who creates what she calls “no candy themed loot bags”.
Now, however, such a report can be done quicker with a click of the mouse. Still, for those who need to visit the Centre in these days of busy schedules and the need to serve people in a more efficient manner, Markham’s Civic Centre is now open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours for the Cash Counter and Contact Centre on Thursdays until 7 p.m. For tax inquiries, and payments for Property Tax, PowerStream, York Region Transit Tickets, Parking Infraction Tickets, among others, go to the Cash Counter (Thornhill doors). The Contact Centre Counter at the Unionville doors is for marriage licences, wedding reservations and permits, Commissioner of Oath and other inquiries. Requests receive a reference number to track progress after you have submitted your claim. The multicultural mosaic of Markham is served with information available in more than 180 languages, through the Language Line at 905-477-5530, says Angela Vink, a city official. The Contact Centre supports 10 languages (Cantonese, Mandarin, French, Tamil, Spanish, Italian, Macedonian, Hindi, Gujarati, and Urdu), she added. The City uses Google Translator on their website to provides translations for 65 languages, including English. Services are also available by phone, at 905-477-5530 or by email at customerservice@markham.ca, and for emergencies after hours call 905-477-7000. “It all sounds convenient for a busy mom and businesswoman,” added Chhin. Soon, the city hopes to roll out mobile apps so that services and information will be available on smartphones.

Apart from the stereotypical duties of the police – speeding tickets, drug busts and the like - the York Regional Police also do a lot in terms of giving back to the community. The police service board recently launched a campaign - called Cops with Hearts - in an effort to deepen relationships between the York Regional Police and the community, officials say. The Cops With Hearts campaign was announced by Inspector Maria Ahrens, Superintendent Graeme Turl, Inspector Shelley Rogers, human resources staffer Allison Bergin as well as Karen Richards, the 2013 Special Olympic Games Manager. And it seems these cops have great big hearts, given their charitable involvement. Members of the York Regional Police volunteer for organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of York, Cops for Cancer, various food drives, Special Olympics, and The United Way of York Region. They have assisted in countries in need of aid like Haiti, Japan, and Jamaica, and have fundraised for the United Way. One pet project is the Special Olympics Ontario 2013 Summer Games, which the police will host. These games, say organizers, promote opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to, “develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and develop skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympic athletes, and the community.” The York Police Services Board has also announced its support for the 16th Annual Children’s Champion Gala, April 13. This event will fundraise for the York Region Abuse Program, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of abuse as well as eliminating abuse. This event will be held at Madsen’s Garden in Newmarket. More information can be found on 2013yrapgala.eventbrite.com.

The Regional Municipality of York has just released a Travel Alert application for smart phone devices.
The York Region Travel Alert is a hands-free, personalized real-time traffic reporting system which alerts motorists through voice prompts and a colour-coded map to unexpected traffic delays on their route. York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch said that this is among several initiatives York Region is employing to help manage traffic congestion. York Region has partnered with Markham-based GreenOwl Mobile, which develops traffic management mobile applications. Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Wayne Emmerson, Chair of the Region’s Transportation Services Committee said, “We encourage residents to download this locally developed traffic management tool.” The York Region Travel Alert, which is available for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android, can be downloaded for free by visiting york.ca/travelalert The York Region Travel Alert will also notify motorists when they are entering Community Safety Zones and speed limit reductions. It also comes with a list of popular shopping destinations and tourist attractions. York Region’s initiatives for helping to manage congestion include:

• Smart Commute, which encourages people to carpool, cycle and take transit
  
• Traffic signal timing through a centralized traffic control system
  
• High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes
  
• Future YRT/Viva Bus Rapid Lanes along Highway 7, Yonge Street and Davis Drive
  

Running red lights has become such an issue in the Region to the extent that York Region staff have given the greenlight to cameras on streetlights. After studying where the highest needs are, 20 of these cameras are to be installed this year. The criteria for installation included locations where a high number of collisions have occurred, notably right-angle collisions. It is hoped red light cameras should reduce the volume of traffic accidents. Also in the plans are what the Region calls “geographic dispersion” of installation, to ensure cameras cover a wide area. However, cameras will not be installed where construction is expected in the foreseeable future. Among the sites, Markham will see cameras at

• Kennedy Rd & Major Mackenzie Drive E
  
• Major Mackenzie Dr E & McCowan Rd
  
• Highway 7 & Bullock Dr
  
• Ninth Line & 16th Ave
  

This summer, installations are expected to begin. Throughout the fall and winter, the contracts will have been completed, an update will be presented to Council on the “Red Light Camera Enforcement Program,” and a plan in place to inform the public of this new initiative.

In an effort to stop bullying in its tracks, schools in our neighbourhood have been tackling the issue head on with various initiatives.
St. Augustine Catholic High School in Markham lately initiated activities to promote the message that bullying isn’t cool.
The school’s Bullying Prevention Committee runs two major events a year and also promotes the core idea of speaking up to fight bullying. The Committee created a video to the song “Some Nights” by Fun, to reinforce the message that no student is alone and that things will get better.
“The best way to stop bullying is to speak up,” said Ray Lefaive, Vice Principal of St. Augustine Catholic High School.
“We try to do the educational piece – show how hurtful bullying can be.”
The school recently invited YouTube stars YTF – Yesterday, Today, Forever - to perform and speak about their own experiences of being bullied.
What programs like these do is ensure that not only students are safer, but that their wellbeing in the future is better.
A recent study found that the effects of childhood bullying could lead to greater impacts on mental health later in adulthood. As published in the journal called JAMA Psychiatry, children that have been bullied are 4.3 times more likely to develop anxiety during adulthood than those who have not been bullied. Another area school taking on the issue is Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School in Markham. “We are working on educating students; what is right from wrong and how to appropriately use social media,” said Debbie Linkewich, principal of the school. The school has student groups aimed to promote bullying awareness. “They work to support anti-bullying initiatives,” she added. Their events include an anti-bullying week, which aims to reinforce the district school board’s anti-bullying pledge. The York Catholic District School Board, moreover, has recently partnered with CTV Two to produce a public service announcement aimed to raise awareness on the ever-growing issue. Meanwhile, in an effort to lower the incidence of bullying, the government of Ontario mandated that, “each school must have a code of conduct and a bullying prevention plan.” The recent Bill 14 proposed by Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod of Nepean-Carleton is aimed to, “designate Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week in schools and to provide for bullying prevention curricula, policies and administrative accountability in schools.”

Barely out of his teens, Jack Bendahan ran a million-dollar company, having purchased a private label bankruptcy account from Citibank. “Earning 500k a year was a pretty crazy experience, especially at such a young age when I really didn’t understand the value of money,” he writes in his new book: “Everyone Loves a Comeback: 20 steps to getting back on top”, the story of his corporate fall, and his success in climbing back as an insurance salesman. For various reasons the business bottomed out, a lawsuit had cost $400,000 in legal fees, and then came corporate bankruptcy – which resulted in a two million dollar loss. “For a long time I struggled with doubt and belief in myself,” he says. “I can remember to this day the pain I felt knowing that the business I had built from scratch disappeared overnight... especially when I hear about job loss, bankruptcy and financial struggle that many are going through. I know the effects it can have on someone, and how sometimes a great book, words of wisdom or a motivational speech can gently guide you back on the path to success.” Through an acquaintance he landed in the insurance business. “Needless to say the importance of life insurance really hit home when I saw how all members of our family could have benefited from financial relief.” Both of his parents were struck with a critical illness, his father with a quadruple bypass surgery, his mother suffering from cancer, and his father in law died of cancer. To add insult, it wasn’t an easy road in the beginning of his new career choice. Many of the leads he pursued fell flat. “After two years of being on the road, working long and late hours chasing my own tail, I started to identify some key problems,” writes the Markham-based entrepreneur. Some of them included diet, and energy levels. He solved that by creating a regimen of a 40-minute daily walk and drinking water, staying away from soda and coffee. In the book he busts myths about why people keep themselves from succeeding. One problem is that “they don’t have an experienced mentor,” he says, adding that he hopes his book is a good jumping off point to mentor someone in success. An often heard excuse, he says, is when people rationalize there’s too much competition. There are, he says, ways to stand out. Learning how to optimize web sites and using props is another example of how to reach out to future clients. “I am pretty outrageous although a lot of these tactics may not work for everyone,” he says, adding that he has more than 60 YouTube videos. He put his face on a 30-foot jumbotron with a neon pink background that played for a year on a busy intersection, he hands out bright pink neon magnets, and his car is neon green and pink. The culmination of determination, marketing savvy, and taking chances resulted in tripling his income in just two years, and today he boasts a thousand clients. He has been seen on CBC, Rogers TV and written about in the Globe and Mail. “The biggest hurdles were developing the confidence and belief that I could make it on top again. When you are hit so hard, believing in yourself is almost impossible. It still takes work today,” he says. “If you believe you will succeed, and I mean really believe it, feel it, visualize it. Things will change and sometimes it’s really shocking.” For information visit www.everyonelovesacomeback.com or lifeman.ca

Locally based Chef Sergio Shidomi won the South American World Chocolate Masters on Feb 22nd at Sao Paulo, Brazil.
During the competition which lasted all day, participants had to submit molded chocolates, a gastronomic dessert, plus a dessert classic “reinvented” an entremets chocolate and finally a chocolate sculpture. Sergio  stood out in all areas and presented a sculpture representing the cycle of processing cocoa until the final product, chocolate. Sergio Shidomi will go on to compete at the world final competition in October which takes place in the Chocolate Salon of Paris, France. The Brazilian chef is currently the head chocolatier and pastry chef at the Old Firehall Confectionery, where he has worked since 2009. You can drop by the store at 170 Main Street in Unionville to purchase one of his fine truffles, chocolates, pastries, fudge and candy apples and more.

The Regional Municipality of York has released its first State of Infrastructure Report Card. York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch has explained it as a means for taxpayers to better understand how roads, transit and traffic are managed. The report is to be produced annually. The report card outlines the following:

1. What transportation assets York Region owns – including roads, YRT/Viva vehicles and traffic signals
   
2. Their physical condition and life span
   
3. Whether they meet current transportation needs
   
4. Their reliability
   
5. Their worth
   
6. What we will need to spend in the future for current and future needs
   

According to Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Wayne Emmerson, York Region operates and maintains approximately $2.1 billion worth of Region-owned transportation infrastructure assets. “The report card provides an excellent way of identifying where we need to concentrate our efforts and priorities,” said Emmerson, also the Chair of the Region’s Transportation Services Committee. The topmost grade is an “A”, down to a “D.”
Roads were rated as: their condition received a B, reliability A, capacity C, for an overall rating of B. According to the Region, the road network is very reliable, relatively new and in good condition. Capacity is a concern, they added, especially in more urbanized areas which are experiencing population growth. For transit, their condition was rated a B, reliability a C and capacity a B, for an overall rating of a B/C. Says the Region, the transit system is in good condition with vehicles on average a third of the way through their lifespan. Reliability of vehicles is steadily improving, they added, with investments in proactive maintenance. For traffic, their condition received a B/C, reliability a B and capacity a D, for an overall rating of C.
York Region, according to reports, is implementing programs to improve the mobility of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians across the region and manage traffic congestion. To view the report card, visit  www.york.ca

Markham-area synagogues are gearing up for Passover, also known as Pesach, the Jewish holiday that celebrates the historical exodus of Jews from Egypt over 3,000 years ago. This year, the first day of the eight-day Passover holiday falls on Tuesday, March 26, with the ritual Passover seder (dinner and service) being held on the evening prior. Rabbi Avraham Plotkin of Chabad Lubavitch of Markham, at 83 Green Lane, near Bayview and John, explains that Passover is a festival of freedom, since the Jews are one of the earliest recorded groups of slaves. “Their redemption, which came through great miracles, has great significance because it’s one of the great mass liberations,” he says, noting that a Biblical proclamation of freedom is inscribed on the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “Everyone has a divine right to live a free life,” he says, noting that Chabad Lubavitch of Markham, an Orthodox synagogue, usually sees 400-500 people attend services on the first two days and nights of Passover. He welcomes all to attend, noting that his synagogue has “an open-door policy.” Rabbi Martin Berman of Shaar Shalom Synagogue, a traditional Conservative synagogue, also stresses the theme of freedom as it relates to Passover’s historical significance. “All people should have freedom to live in peace and security.” He notes that every Jewish holiday has historical as well as seasonal components. “Normally, [Passover] comes at the beginning of the spring harvest season. It recognizes God’s bounty to us,” Rabbi Berman says, adding that the Passover liturgy reflects the changing agricultural cycle of the land of Israel, which is different than the agricultural cycle in Canada. Though Passover falls early this year, it is still at its centre a spring holiday, explains Rabbi Berman. “We maintain that idea of the connection with the land of Israel along with the idea that God will bless us wherever we live.” Local residents wishing to attend a community Passover seder have two local options. Rabbi Plotkin invites people to sign up on the synagogue’s website (http://www.chabadmarkham.org) for Chabad Lubavitch of Markham’s community Passover seder on the first night of Passover, which he says emphasizes family togetherness and getting children learning directly from their parents. Temple Har Zion, a Reform synagogue at Bayview and Laureleaf, will also be hosting a community Passover seder. Theirs will take place on March 26 at 6:30 pm, and interested participants can register through the synagogue office. A central part of the Passover seder has children asking the question “Why is this night different?” and quizzing parents about the many unique features of the Passover seder, including the special unleaved bread called matzo, the bitter herbs, dipping foods into salt water and haroseth, a paste of wine and nuts, and ritual leaning. A major feature of the observance of Passover is that those who observe it refrain from eating bread products of any kind for the duration of the holiday and even go so far as to remove all bread, wheat,cereal and legume products from their homes for the eight-day span. These substantial changes should naturally cause the children to ask the questions featured in the Seder. “It’s a brilliant educational scheme to get the children involved,” says Rabbi Plotkin. The answers to the questions posed at the seder stem from the idea that the Jews were slaves in Egypt and then became free. “The greatest teacher of children is the parents,” says Rabbi Plotkin, who stresses that all parents need to personally teach their children “morals, ethics and how to be decent human beings.” “Pass on your message to your children, whatever your message is.”