Oct. 7, 2015
Community
 
Thanksgiving hours and information
 
City Hall and some other City of St. Catharines facilities will be closed for Thanksgiving Day on Monday, Oct. 12.
  
City offices return to regular business hours Tuesday, Oct. 13. Click here for a full list of what's open and what's not at the City of St. Catharines.

 
New baby alpaca at Happy Rolph's
 
There's a new little alpaca frolicking around Happy Ralph's Animal Farm.
  
Violet was born Saturday, Oct. 3 and both baby and mom Betsy are doing well. Violet joins baby donkeys Scout and Hawkeye, calf Charlie and a warren of baby rabbits all born at Happy Rolph's in 2015.

There's only a few weeks left to check out the babies and all the other animals: the animal farm closes for the season Oct. 18. Until then, the farm is open for viewing everyday from 7 a.m. until dusk. Admission is free.

Click here for more information.

 
Transit info now on Pingstreet
 
St. Catharines Transit bus route information is now available on Pingstreet, the City of St. Catharines' free smart phone and tablet app.
 
This new feature allows residents with Apple and Android devices to use Pingstreet to access information from the St. Catharines Transit Commission's app, including when the bus will arrive at the stop they are waiting at.
 
Pingstreet users can also use the transit app's trip planner to map out routes, including which stops to use and which buses to ride, and estimate travel time. The app also links to transit's website for more information, including fares and riding tips.
 
Residents can go to their device's app store and search "Pingstreet" to download for free. Click here for more information about the City's free smart phone app and its other features.
  
FirstOntario PAC set for first production
 

The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre is set for its first production next week.

 

The FirstOntario PAC presents The Tale of a Town - St. Catharines, Oct. 13 at Oddfellows Hall (36 James St.). The production weaves oral histories and archives with live music and performances sure to take audiences on a trip back to the glory days of Downtown St. Catharines. The Tale of a Town was inspired by living memories gathered through more than 100 interviews with local  community members, including Walter Ostanek, Doug Herod, Marilyn I. Walker and many other City leaders.

 
 
The Tale of a Town runs until Oct. 23. Click here for more information.


Put yard waste in its place
  
Are you cutting down your garden and cleaning up your yard for winter? Be sure to put yard waste in its place.
 
The Niagara Region picks up most yard waste placed at the curb in green organics bins and large paper bags during regular weekly garbage collection. Later this month, the Region will also pick up small bundles of branches left at the curb as well.
 
Branches and yard waste should not be dumped in ravines or creeks because they could be carried downstream, create blockages and cause flooding.
 
Can't get the mess cleaned up in time? Branches and grass clippings can be dropped off at landfills anytime free of charge. Visit www.niagararegion.ca or call 905-356-4141 for more information about yard waste pickup.
 
In Flanders Fields
 
The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals invites everyone to the In Flanders Fields Roadshow at its next Open Late Tuesday, Oct. 13.
 
This new pop-up exhibition from Guelph Museums and on display for one night only, explores the influence and impact of John McCrae's "In Flanders Fields." It features photographs, artifacts and audio from the McCrae House collection.
 
Open Late runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Click here for more information.
  
   
Pumpkinville set for Oct. 17
 
The 27th Annual Pumpkinville event is on Saturday, Oct 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Happy Rolph's Animal Farm.
 
This free event features scarecrow building, pumpkin carving, pony rides, family pictures, inflatables, children's entertainment, children's activities, food vendors and more.
 
Free parking is available at local businesses around Happy Rolph's Animal Farm and there is a free shuttle bus from Grantham Lions Club Niagara (732 Niagara St.) to Happy Rolph's Animal Farm.  
 
Click here for more information.
  
   
Fire Prevention Week continues
 
Working smoke alarms can help you and your family escape a fire at home. Especially when you're most vulnerable: during sleep.

Ontario law requires working smoke alarms on every storey of your home and outside sleeping areas. City fire fighters recommend you have working smoke alarms in bedrooms as added protection and have partnered with the St. Catharines Transit Commission launched an new bus ad campaign urging people to "hear the beep where they sleep." Click here to learn more about the campaign.
 
If your home requires a carbon monoxide alarm, the Ontario law requires it to be installed outside sleeping areas as well.
 
Fire Prevention Week continues in St. Catharines with several activities planned throughout the week. Click here for more details.
  
Council Highlights
Tuesday night council
 
The next City Council meeting is set for Tuesday, Oct. 20.
 
The meeting takes place at City Hall starting at 6:30 p.m.
 
Council meetings usually take place on Mondays, but the regular meeting scheduled for Oct. 19 was moved to accommodate the federal election.
 
Click here to learn more about council meetings in St. Catharines. 

Council wants to know more about Uber
 
Council directed staff to report on the differences between licensing contemporary taxi
services and Uber ride sharing services.
 
Council also wants to know more about insurance requirements, the impact on present taxi license holders and potential loss of City revenue from taxes and licensing fees.

O Canada, eh?
 
Council will now begin council meetings with the Canadian national anthem instead of reciting the invocation.

Would the old Merritton Town Hall make a good library?
 
The City will look into using the former Merritton Town Hall as a public library.
 
Instead of declaring the old town hall and fire station surplus to encourage private investors to redevelop the property, council is asking the St. Catharines Library to weigh in on moving the Merritton library branch into the building.

New all way stop for Merritton
 
The City will install an all-way stop at the intersection of Ferndale Avenue and Keswick Street.

More council online

 

Council Highlights offers informal summaries of some of the recent decisions and business discussed during St. Catharines City Council meetings.

 

The Office of the City Clerk provides a full recap of decisions and motions in its official minutes, available on the Friday after every St. Catharines City Council meeting.

 

Click here for City of St. Catharines council meeting agendas and minutes.
Upcoming meetings

Oct. 20

City Council

6:30 p.m., City Hall

 

Click here to learn about other upcoming meetings.

 

 

Click here to learn about construction projects happening in the City.

City of St. Catharines | [email protected] | http://www.stcatharines.ca
50 Church St
St. Catharines, L2R 7C2