July 27, 2016

Community
Fire ban remains in effect 
  
The City of St. Catharines' ban on all open-air burning remains in effect.
 
Fire Chief Dave Wood called for the ban on open-air burning because recent hot and dry weather has increased the risk of a fire burning out of control by quickly spreading to nearby grass and plants.
 
The ban prohibits all open-air burning, such as cooking fires, fireworks and sparklers and other types of outdoor burning. Barbecues are still permitted under the ban, but the fire chief advises residents to be careful when cooking.
 
Civic Long Weekend Information
What's open, what's not on Civic Holiday


City Hall and some other City of St. Catharines facilities will be closed for Civic Holiday, Monday, Aug. 1.
  
City offices return to regular business hours Tuesday, Aug 2.
 
Learn more
Moonlight Flicks


Free outdoor movies are back
 
Port Dalhousie will be a great place to catch dinner and a movie on Tuesday nights this August.
 
Free outdoor movies on Tuesday nights kick off with a screening of Dumb and Dumber To, Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Lakeside Park. Movies begin at dusk (9 p.m.).
 
Washrooms are available onsite. Free parking is available. Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, snacks and drinks.



 
Learn more    
Dancing in Montebello Park

Dancing in Montebello Park
 
Strap on your dancing shoes and head to Montebello Park this August for live music and dancing.



Music and dancing begins Sunday, Aug. 7 with So What Jazz and continues every Sunday until Aug. 28. The event goes from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., rain or shine. 
 
Musicians will be in the bandshell and dancing will take place in the pavilion. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on.
 
Learn More
Dog's Day at the museum
 
Get ready for a howlin' good time at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre. The annual Dog's Day of Summer is set for Saturday, Aug. 13.
 
Enjoy all the furry fun, including pet contests and a leash-free zone, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dog's Day of Summer also features the latest in pet products and services, demonstrations, silent auction, charity barbecue and more. You could meet a new best friend: local pet rescue groups will be onsite with pets looking for forever homes.
 
Admission to Dog's Day of Summer is free. Visitors are also welcome to explore the museum galleries, open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the museum is by donation.


Learn more  


Take care when hiking Decew Falls
        
Visitors to Decew Falls are urged to be aware of the unique risks and challenges of hiking in some areas of the gorge.
  
Decew Falls and the nearby Morningstar Mill heritage site continues to be a popular picnic, photography and hiking destination. With two waterfalls, and access to the Bruce Trail and the Niagara Escarpment, Decew Falls offers a perfect setting for nature lovers.


But, visitors descending into the gorge must take care, because of the trail's unique challenges. The gorge is extremely steep and trails accessing the lower waterfall are not maintained. The area around waterfalls may be wet and slippery. Slips, trips and falls can result in injuries.


Keep these tips in mind when visiting Decew Falls:
  • Travel in pairs and let someone know when and where you are going;
  • Stay on trails, respect all signs and don't hike in darkness;
  • Bring a cell phone, but be aware reception may be unavailable in some areas;
  • Wear proper clothing and footwear for hiking;
  • Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
  • Pack water and snacks
  • Use common sense and avoid unnecessary risks
  • If you find yourself in trouble, call 9-1-1.
Learn more  


Local youth groups can apply now to use the City's Meridian Centre suite

        

The City has a sweet deal on its Meridian Centre suite for local groups.

 
Local community youth groups and charities can apply to cheer on the Niagara IceDogs from the City's Meridian Centre community suite or club seats. Registered charities, incorporated non-profit organizations and minor not-for-profit sports associations are eligible to apply. Submit applications online by Aug. 15.
 
Apply  
Volunteer for Scotties Tournament of Hearts


Volunteer for the Scotties
 
Join the premier Canadian women's curling event and volunteer for the 2017 Scotties Tournament of Hearts Feb 18 to 26 at the Meridian Centre.
 
Apply
A Report from

Mayor Walter Sendzik
Mayor Walter Sendzik
This week I hosted my second annual Mayor's Invitational Golf Tournament and I'm very proud to announce that the tournament raised approximately $60,000 for Pathstone Mental Health and Hotel Dieu Shaver.
 
I'd like to say a very big thank you to the golf committee, all the sponsors, participants and volunteers. Thank you to our tournament hosts, the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club, and everyone who played in the tournament and helped make it a great day.
 
I also want to say a special thanks to Mr. Tom Rankin of Rankin Construction for his support during the live auction portion of the night when he bid on my newly grown beard to raise some extra dollars for the Walker Family Cancer Centre. Thanks to Tom's winning bid of $5,500 I'll be growing my beard for the next 11 weeks in honour of Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip and his fight against cancer. All the proceeds will be donated to the local cancer centre.
 
The Hip have a special place in the hearts of many Canadians and I'm glad  we'll have the chance to enjoy their concert on Aug 20 via livestream at the Meridian Centre. When you get your free tickets to the broadcast, please consider making a contribution to the Canadian Cancer Society at the event.
 
This week has shown what a truly caring and compassionate community we are and I'm proud to have your support. Follow my beard-growing progress using the hashtag  #BeardForGord on social media and please join me in making a donation at the broadcast.
Council Highlights
Correction
 
An item in the Council Highlights section of the July 13 Garden City Current enewsletter should have said the City will be investing nearly $23,000 in arts and culture through the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program.
 
The original item misstates the total amount of funding council directed the City to invest through the program.
Dalhousie Ave. development moving ahead
 
Council made some zoning changes allowing developers to move forward with a housing project at 6 and 10 Dalhousie Ave.
 
The City required the developers to pave Gary Road and to sign an agreement to use a section of Dalhousie Ave near their property as an entrance to underground parking proposed for the site.


City getting Hip at the Meridian Centre
 
The CBC's broadcast of the Tragically Hip concert on Aug. 20 will be live streamed at the Meridian Centre and tickets are available now.
 
The CBC is broadcasting the concert, taking place in Kingston, commercial-free to all of Canada on TV, radio and online and will permit the City of St. Catharines to live stream the broadcast. Last night, mayor and council approved the City's plan to use the Meridian Centre as the venue for a free showing of the concert.
 
Residents can attend the broadcast at the Meridian Centre for free. However, seating is limited and tickets are required. Tickets are limited to four per household and available at the Meridian Centre box office Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.


The Canadian Cancer Society will collect donations at the event. Council asked staff to report back on having the donations stay in Niagara.




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.
 
Digital versions of the Garden City Current are available. Click here to read past issues.



Upcoming meetings
Aug. 22
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



City of St. Catharines | 50 Church St | St. Catharines | Ontario | L2R 7C2 | Canada