Second Annual Walk During Rouge Days - Markham, Ontario On Saturday, June 11, 2011 from 1 pm to 3 pm, Town of Markham Deputy Mayor Jack Heath and the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee will be walking through the Rouge River valley from Toogood Pond in Unionville to the western entrance of Milne Park. Residents are invited to join in on the walk. The walk time is approximately 1.5 hours.  No children or pets.  The walk will take place rain or shine. Some of the natural path is rough and unimproved but the Town of Markham advises that it is walkable for most people. A bus will return you to the starting point. Wear sturdy waterproof footwear, long sleeve shirt, long pants, hat and suncreen.  Bring water, snacks, insect repellent and your camera. Space is limited on the walk.  To bo... 06/12/2011

Town of Markham - Due Dates for 2011 Residential Final Property Tax Bills The due dates for the 2011 residential final property tax bills for the Town of Markham are: July 5, 2011 August 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 If you are on the monthly pre-authorized payment plan, the due dates are: July 1, 2011 August 1, 2011 September 1, 2011 October 1, 2011 November 1, 2011 December 1, 2011 Property tax payments made be made by mail, in person at the Town of Markham office, at most financial institutions, by telephone banking and banking via internet.  Banking fees may apply.  You may also drop off your tax payments after hours at the drop box at the Thornhill entrance of the Markham Civic Centre at 101 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham Ontario (northwest corner of Highway 7 and Warden Avenue). E.&O.... 06/12/2011

Save the Date - July 9 and 10, 2011 - Unionville Celtic Festival Saturday, July 9, 2011 and Sunday, July 10, 2011 are the dates for the annual Unionville Celtic Festival on Main Street Unionville in Unionville, Ontario.  Unionville is a part of the Town of Markham, Ontario, Canada. The Unionville Celtic festival is two days of wonderful, glorious Celtic music and is a free event. More details will be announced on my blog as we get closer to the actual dates of the Unionville Celtic Festival. Save the Date - July 9 and 10, 2011 - Unionville Celtic Festival 06/05/2011

Main Street Unionville - Music - Thursday Nights Bandstand - August 2011 August 2011 is the third and final month of the FREE three month music series "Thursday Nights at the Bandstand" at the Millennium Bandstand on Main Street Unionville (southwest corner of Main Street Unionville and Fred Varley Drive). Enjoy blistening blues, wicked soul and superb world music. The music concerts are held from 7:30 pm to 9 pm. Thursday, August 4, 2011 - Johannes Linstead Thursday, August 11, 2011 -The Tonedogs Thursday, August 18, 2011 - Brass Transit Thursday, August 25, 2011 -Blackboard Blues Band Main Street Unionville is located just east of Kennedy Road on the north side of Highway 7 in the Town of Markham, Ontario. Main Street Unionville - Music - Thursday Nights Bandstand - August 2011 06/05/2011

Main Street Unionville - Music - Thursday Nights Bandstand - July 2011 July 2011 is the second month of the FREE three month music series "Thursday Nights at the Bandstand" at the Millennium Bandstand on Main Street Unionville (southwest corner of Main Street Unionville and Fred Varley Drive). Enjoy blistening blues, wicked soul and superb world music. The music concerts are held from 7:30 pm to 9 pm. Thursday, July 7, 2011 - King of Nothing Thursday, July 14, 2011 - Fathead Thursday, July 21, 2011 - Heavy Weather Thursday, July 28, 2011 - Chuck Jackson and the All-Stars Main Street Unionville is located just east of Kennedy Road on the north side of Highway 7 in the Town of Markham, Ontario. Main Street Unionville - Music - Thursday Nights Bandstand - July 2011 06/05/2011

Main Street Unionville  - Music - Thursday Nights Bandstand - June 2011 The great summer weather has arrive.  It is time for Thursday Night Bandstand at the Millennium Bandstand on Main Street Unionville (southwest corner of Main Street Unionville and Fred Varley Drive). Enjoy blistening blues, wicked soul and superb world music. The FREE music concerts are held from 7:30 pm to 9 pm. Thursday, June 9, 2011 - Beach Party Boys Thursday, June 16, 2011 - Carpet Frogs Thursday, June 23, 2011 - Soul Stew Thursday, June 30, 2011 - Danny Marks Main Street Unionville is located just east of Kennedy Road on the north side of Highway 7 in the Town of Markham, Ontario. Main Street Unionville - Music - Thursday Nights Bandstand - June 2011 06/05/2011

Southeast Markham to get a Community Centre and Library The Town of Markham has announced that it will be building a community centre and library in the southeast portion of Markham.  The community centre and library will be built on a 23 acre parcel of land located at Markham Road and Kirkham Drive, close to the Costco.  It will also be bounded by New Delhi Drive and Karachi Drive. It is expected that the facility will be open in 2015.  Public consultations will begin in June 2011 to determine the amenities that the community centre and library will contain. Southeast Markham to get a Community Centre and Library 06/05/2011

IIFA Markham Buzz - Drive-in at the Movies at Seneca College Seneca College, Markham Campus, will be presenting a FREE drive-in movie as part of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Buzz Events. DATE:  Friday, June 10, 2011 TIME:  9 pm to 12 midnight WHERE:  Seneca College, Markham Campus, 8 The Seneca Way (Highway 7 and Allstate Parkway, immediately east of Highway 404), Markham, Ontario MOVIE:  3 Idiots starring Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor (this is a well known Bollywood movie) This event is being hosted jointly by Seneca College and the Town of Markham. The event is free of charge and is open to the public on a first-come first-served basis. IIFA Markham Buzz - Drive-in at the Movies at Seneca College 06/05/2011

Almost everybody has some life insurance policy and we all know choosing it wasn't so easy. It's probably the second most important financial decision in life after purchasing a home. I stumbled upon this article, which clearly says what should be your priorities, when asking How to choose life insurance: Ask yourself How much insurance do you need? Then you have to decide What type of insurance do you need? It is interesting to consider, if you Qualify for preferred rates. What are the underwriting requirements? Finally, the crucial question: Which insurance company to use? 06/02/2011

Who are the Town of Markham Council Members and Mayor? The Mayor, Deput Mayor, Regional Councillors and Ward Councillors of the Town of Markham, as of the date of this post on May 24, 2011 are: Mayor, Frank Scarpitti Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor, Jack Heath Regional Councillor, Jim Jones Regional Councillor, Gord Landon Regional Councillor, Joe Li Ward 1 Councillor, Valerie Burke Ward 2 Councillor, Howard Shore Ward 3 Councillor, Don Hamilton Ward 4 Councillor, Carolina Moretti Ward 5 Councillor, Colin Campbell Ward 6 Councillor, Alan Ho Ward 7 Councillor, Logan Kanapathi Ward 8 Councillor, Alex Chiu Who are the Town of Markham Council Members and Mayor? 05/23/2011

Happy Victoria Day 2011 long weekend!! I wish a very Happy Victoria Day 2011 to my clients, colleagues, friends and relatives throughout Canada. Have a very safe long weekend. Do not drink and drive.  The police will be out in full force throughout Canada to protect us. To find out the weather, whether you have a staycation at home or nearby, go travelling, go to the cottage, simply visit www.theweathernetwork.com Transit will be operating on a holiday schedule in the Greater Toronto Area on Monday.  Most stores, government services, banks, post offices, etc. will be closed on Victoria Day. Wikipedia has an excellent article to explain why Canada celebrates Victoria Day. Happy Victoria Day 2011 long weekend!! 05/20/2011

What is closed on Victoria Day 2011 in Markham, Ontario? Monday, May 23, 2011 is Victoria Day in Markham, Ontario. Since Victoria is a statutory holiday, there will be many closures. In addition, some services will operate on a holiday schedule. Below is a list of some of the closures for Victoria 2011 in Markham, Ontario. The following will be closed: Government offices (municipal, provincial and federal) except for a very limited number of services Libraries Canada Post Stores, shopping centres, plazas, grocery stores (some shopping may be available in designated tourist areas or where there are exceptions in the legislation) Beer store, liquor store Schools Banks and trust companies Most businesses Many services will be operating on holiday service including: GO Transit (trains and b... 05/18/2011

Send official greetings and congratulations to the Royal Couple Residents of Markham, Ontario who wish to send official greetings and congratulations to Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William and Kate Middleton), following their April 29, 2011 wedding, can sign an official registry. WHERE:  Markham Civic Centre, 101 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham, Ontario (located on the northwest corner of Highway 7 and Warden Avenue) WHEN:  Monday May 16, 2011 to Friday May 27, 2011 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The Town of Markham will forward the signed registry to Their Royal Highnesses. Markham Council has passed an official resolution to congratulate the Royal Couple.  In addition, Markham Council extended an invitation to the Royal Family to visit, exlore and enjoy ... 05/16/2011

Aaron Reid to appear at the 2011 Main Street Markham Farmers' Market The Main Street Markham Farmer's Market includes live entertainment.  During the 2011 Farmers' Market season, music entertainer Aaron Reid is scheduled to appear from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following dates: Saturday, May 21, 2011 Saturday, July 16, 2011 Saturday August 20, 2011 Saturday, September 10, 2011 Saturday, October 8, 2011 The above dates are based on publicly available information at the time that this post was written on May 14, 2011.  Entertainment is subject to change. Aaron Reid to appear at the 2011 Main Street Markham Farmers' Market 05/14/2011

Markham Council and Committee Meetings on May 30 and 31, 2011 The following Markham Council and Standing Committee meetings are open to the public at Markham Civic Centre on the northwest corner of Highway 7 and Warden Avenue in Markham this week: Monday, May 30, 2011 - 9 a.m. - General Committee Tuesday, May 31, 2011 - 9 a.m. - Development Services Committee Tuesday, May 31, 2011 - 7 p.m. - Markham Centre Community Improvement Plan Public Meeting Tuesday, May 31, 2011 - 7 p.m. - Council Meeting You can view the agendas and listen to live audio streams of the meetings at www.markham,ca. For more information, contact the Clerk's Office at (905) 475-4744 or visit www.markham.ca. Markham Council and Committee Meetings on May 30 and 31, 2011 05/14/2011

Markham Council and Committee Meetings on May 24, 2011 The following Markham Council and Standing Committee meetings are open to the public at Markham Civic Centre on the northwest corner of Highway 7 and Warden Avenue in Markham this week: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 - 9 a.m. - Development Services Committee Tuesday, May 24, 2011 - 7 p.m. - Development Services Public Meeting You can view the agendas and listen to live audio streams of the meetings at www.markham,ca. For more information, contact the Clerk's Office at (905) 475-4744 or visit www.markham.ca. Markham Council and Committee Meetings on May 24, 2011 05/14/2011

Markham Life Magazine is now available for Spring 2011 The Town of Markham has mailed the Spring 2011 issue of Markham Life Magazine to all Markham residences through the Markham Economist and Sun and the Thornhill Liberal community newspapers. Copies are also available at various locations in Markham as well as at Markham's website at www.markham.ca. Markham Life Magazine is your source for recreation, culture and library programs, activities and events, and the latest municipal news. Markham Life Magazine is now available for Spring 2011 05/12/2011

Markham Advisory Committee and Board Vacancies The Town of Markham is currently accepting applications for volunteer positions on the following advisory committees and boards: Achievement and Civic Recognition Committee Milliken Mill Main Street Advisory Group Public Art Advisory Committee Theatre Advisory Board Varley-McKay Art Foundation (application deadline is May 13, 2011) The application deadline is Friday, May 27, 2011 except for the Varley-McKay Art Foundation. For further details regarding the mandate of each committee, the application process, application forms, etc. visit http://markham.ca/Markham/Departments/Council/volunteerad.htm or contact the Town of Markham's Clerk's Office at Markham Civic Centre at 101 Town Centre Buolevard, Markham, Ontario  L3R 9W Markham Advisory  ... 05/06/2011

Election Results for Markham - Unionville for the May 2, 2011 Federal General Election The preliminary results for the May 2, 2011 federal General Election for the electoral district (riding) of Markham - Unionville in Ontario, Canada, as reported by the Elections Canada website are: John McCallum (Liberal) - 19,439 votes (39.0%) (incumbent) (winner) Bob Saroya (Conservative) - 17,734 votes (35.5%) Nadine Marie Hawkins (New Democratic Party - NDP) - 10,897 votes (21.8%) Adam Poon (Green Party) - 1,597 votes (3.2%) Allen Small (Libertarian) - 231 votes (0.5%) Polls reporting: 242/242 Elections Canada is required to report official results validated by the electoral district's returning officer within 28 days of election night. Election Results for Markham - Unionville for the May 2, 2011... 05/03/2011

Nominate a Senior for Markham's 13th Annual Seniors Hall of Fame Awards Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti has announced that Markham is seeking nominations for the 13th annual Mayor's Seniors Hall of Fame Awards.  It is available for those who make unqiue and outstanding contributions to the Markham community. To be nominated, a senior must be at least 60 and live or have lived in Markham for at least 10 consecutive years. Award winners are chosen by a Markham citizen committee. Winners will be recognized at Markham Council on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 during Seniors’ Month. Nomination forms are available at Senior Centres, Town of Markham offices or on the website at www.markham.ca. Nominations are open until May 27, 2011. Nominate a Senior for Markham's 13th Annual Seniors Hall of Fame Awards 04/21/2011