Celebrating Diversity – July 6 to 12

July 5 – 12 – NAIDOC Week (Australia) – NIADOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee and is a week-long celebration around Australia during the first week in July to focus on the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

 July 6 – Dalai Lama’s Birthday (Tibet) – His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people. Born to a peasant family in northeastern Tibet, he was recognized as the 14^th Dalai Lama (Mongolian for “Ocean of Wisdom”).  In Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is believed to be an incarnation of Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of Compassion.

 July 7 – Wassana (Buddhist) – This day marks the beginning of the 3 month “Rains Retreat” for self-examination and peace-making for monks and nuns.  It also celebrates the Buddha’s first teaching.

July 7 – Tanabata (Japan) – Meaning “Seven Evenings” is a Japanese star festival, derived from Obon traditions and the Chinese star festival, Qi Xi.  The festival is usually held on July 7, and celebrates the meeting of Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair).  The Milky Way, a river made from stars that crosses the sky, separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year.  This special day is the seventh day of the seventh lunar cycle.

July 9 – Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha’i) – The Bab was executed at the age of 31 by firing squad in Tabriz in 1850 C.E.  The event is observed at noon.  Work and commerce are suspended on this day.

July 11 – Imamat Day (Islam Ismaili) – Imamat Day is celebrated every year by Ismailis on the day that the Imamat or religious leader transferred from the past Imam to the present Aga Khan.

July 11 – Nadaam Festival (Mongolia) – The festival lasts for three days where the men compete in the Three Manly national sports of archery, wrestling and horse riding.

Source: www.multiculturalcalendars.com

Part of a posting series on multicultural events for 2009.

Hindu Worship of Fire Deity at Riverside Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update on Infrastructure Projects

The infrastructure projects announced for Guelph will create jobs while investing in our future. 

We have a lot of work to do to make this happen.   The following is an update to Council from our Chief Administrative Officer: 

Roads projects

 Of the many roads projects that received funding, three will begin this year.  All of these projects will be tendered in accordance with the City’s regular tendering process, albeit with accelerated timelines, of which bidders are already aware.

 The projects are:

• Wyndham from Wellington to Farquhar (which will be done in blocks so as not to restrict access to critical facilities such as the courts, main fire station, etc.)
• Norfolk from Paisley to Green
• Woodlawn pavement resurfacing

The majority of roads projects will occur in 2010.  In fact, 2010 will see three times the amount of road construction work as an average year.

To ensure the City is poised to begin work early in the 2010 construction season, we have already issued RFPs for design work, so projects will be completely designed by the close of 2009, and ready for tender in January 2010.  2010 projects will then begin in March/April, allowing time for projects to be substantially completed by December 2010.

Earlier this week I had a very productive, positive meeting with representatives from Guelph’s construction sector, who delegated at Council June 22.  I reiterated the City’s need for these projects to happen without delays.  They assured their full cooperation, and committed to working with one another to ensure the projects are completed in compliance with the federal government’s tight timelines.

Municipal buildings projects

Guelph’s main Fire Station, the River Run Centre, and Guelph Transit headquarters will undergo upgrades valued at $5,241,500 as a result of having received funding through the Infrastructure Stimulus project.

 A roof replacement, accessibility improvements, and a solar hot water system are planned for the main Fire Station.  A roof replacement, accessibility improvements, and a high energy boiler are planned for the River Run Centre.   An HVAC system replacement and barrier-free washrooms are planned for Transit headquarters.  The City is currently recruiting project management services to co-ordinate and manage the rehabilitation work.

 Communications

The City recognizes the many challenges associated with undertaking so much construction work simultaneously.  It also acknowledges the temporary inconvenience doing so will create for residents, businesses, and visitors.  To that end, we are already planning a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy to mitigate as many impacts as possible, and to help everyone continue to get where they need to go throughout the construction.

The approach will involve the efforts of the City’s Corporate Communications team and an independent advertising-marketing firm, for which we will soon issue an RFP.  Guelph’s communications approach will be modelled on Banff’s – a town that relies exclusively on Tourism, and that ripped up its entire downtown for infrastructure improvements for the whole summer of 2007.  Banff’s approach is now regarded as a best practice, and has been referenced by other cities in North America and beyond.

In brief, we will work to:

Develop a brand for the infrastructure renewal effort

• Mitigate discontent and frustration, and inspire a sense of promise for what is to come when improvements are complete
• Encourage residents to continue to come downtown
• Encourage visitors to continue to visit Guelph
• Help residents and visitors enjoy their experience in downtown Guelph once they get here.

Personnel

Postings for project management staff will be contracted for work associated with our municipal buildings.  The City will also require some in-house staff to execute work associated with the high number of roads projects that we’ll be undertaking.  In particular, we will need assistance handling the financial and reporting workload associated with all of these projects.

  

Celebrating Diversity – June 29 to July 5

July-August Sun Dance Ritual (Aboriginal) – For many tribes of the Plains Indians the Sun Dance was a major communal religious ceremony.  Generally held in early summer, the four-day dance ceremony involves sacrifice and supplication to insure harmony between all living beings.  Iroquois tribes celebrate in late Spring, Cree, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Sioux and other Plains Peoples in the Summer.

July-August Green Corn Ceremony (Aboriginal) – This is performed by some Oklahoma tribes as a time of renewal.  The ceremony involves participation in sweatlodge ceremonies, dances, offerings and fasting.

July 1 – Canada Day (Canada) – On July 1 1867, the British North America Act created the Canadian federal government.  The BNA proclaimed “one Dominion under the name of Canada”, hence the original title of the holiday, “Dominion Day”.  The day was officially renamed “Canada Day” by an act of Parliament on October 27, 1982.

July 1 – SAR Establishment Day (Hong Kong) – Hong Kong was a British colony ruled by a British Governor until it was reunited with China as a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China on July 1, 1997.

July 4 – Independence Day (USA) – In 1776, the 13 Colonies signed the Declaration of Independence proclaiming their separation from England and formed the United States of America.  It is celebrated with picnics, fireworks, parades and outdoor activities.

July 5 – Mardi Gras (UK) – The London Gay and Lesbian community takes to the streets with celebration of costumes, floats and music.  The Mardi Gras Festival is then usually held in the afternoon in one of London’s bigger public venues with dance tents, stalls, a funfair, bars and many other attractions.

Source: www.multiculturalcalendars.com

Part of a posting series on multicultural events for 2009.

High School Students Partner with Police

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Robotics team joined up with Guelph Police.  

Robotics teacher Kevin Reid and Grade 11 student Eric Larocque have made some significant changes to the Guelph Police Services Tactical Unit Robot over the past few months.

Reid and Larocque updated the robots ‘old technology’ relay electronics system and converted it to a wireless control system and added electronic/proportional speed controllers as well.

They also mounted dual video cameras on the robot along with portable control and video monitor.

The Guelph Police Service are grateful to have partnered with the school on this initiative. Lourdes is a leader in Robotics in the Province of Ontario and their expertise in this area will pay huge dividends to the citizens of this city from a safety perspective.

Last April, they competed in the World Robotic Championships where they finished in the top 20 % of the world.

New date for City Hall grand opening is September 19

The Guelph Mercury mistakenly reported that our Grand Opening is taking place this Saturday. It’s actually on September 19th. 

You can read more about our grand opening celebrations at www.guelph.ca/grandopening.  Please mark your calendars, and we’ll see you in the Fall!

Additional Infrastructure Dollars for Guelph

Today, an additional $3.82M of Federal and Provincial infrastructure funding was announced for recreational facilities in Guelph.

These new construction projects will certainly create jobs. When you add this funding to the $44 million in infrastructure funding that was announced earlier this month, you realize that Guelph is going to be a very busy place over the next couple of years. We have a lot of projects to complete, and it will take a lot of hands to complete them. So, the economic stimulus and job creation that will flow from these projects is very good news for our community.

Of course, these projects will also leave a legacy of infrastructure. They are an investment in our future.

I’m pleased that the RInC (Recreational Infrastructure Canada) funding supports recreational and community services infrastructure that has a particularly significant impact on our quality of life. It supports the City’s Strategic Plan goal of being a healthy and safe community where life can be lived to the fullest.

Two of the projects being funded involve repairs, accessibility upgrades, and energy-efficiency improvements at the Evergreen Seniors Centre and the West End Recreation Centre. Both these Centres are very well-used by the community. People go there to stay active, to meet new people, and learn new skills. The repairs and upgrades will help reduce maintenance and energy costs, and ensure these facilities are able to serve the citizens of Guelph for many years to come.

Another project being funded today is a video score clock in the Sleeman Centre. This is something that teams and fans have been looking for a while. And, it will make the Sleeman Centre more competitive in attracting tournaments and events.

Guelph is also receiving funding to build a rink and water feature at the new City Hall. This is a project that the community is very excited about. And I’m excited too. Once the construction fences came down here at City Hall, it was even more obvious what terrific potential the square has as a community gathering place in our downtown. The rink and fountain will draw families from across the city, and be a focal point for special events. Until now, the funding was the missing piece of the puzzle in the Civic Square. So we’re very pleased that the federal and provincial governments have put that piece in place by contributing $1M towards this project.

All of this is very good news for community-building and quality of life in our city. And by strengthening our quality of life, we are also strengthening our city’s competitiveness. First-class community amenities make Guelph more attractive to investment and skilled talent. Quality of life is a major factor for businesses when they are deciding where to locate or expand.

So these investments today not only create jobs in the short-term as projects are completed; they are a solid long-term investment in our economic competitiveness.

This is good news all around.

Here is the news release.

On the site of the Civic Square rink and water feature. Rink Rats Mark Goldberg, Audrey Jamal, Ken Hammill, and Mark Rodford join MPP Liz Sandals, MP Frank Valeriote and Mayor Karen Farbridge

Celebrating people who make a difference

Last night I presented Mayor’s Awards for outstanding volunteer and community service to Philip Gosling; Netta Jackson; John Marsden; the family of the late Ingrid MacRae; and the family of Terry O’Connor, who was out of town . You can read about these exceptional individuals here.

It was all part of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce’s annual Awards of Excellence gala. It was a terrific night of celebrating the individuals and organizations that make Guelph such a special place.

It’s always a privilege for me to read the many nominations that come in each year for the Mayor’s Awards. There are so many people who are making a difference, in so many ways.

Congratulations to all the winners!

I will post pictures from the evening as soon as I have them.

Celebrating Diversity – June 23 to 28

June 23 – African Liberation Day (International) – It has been a day of celebration of the many achievements and victories of African people worldwide and a rededication of their current struggle for freedom, justice and unity. It is marked by parades and rallies in Africa and the U.S.

June 24 – St. Jean Baptiste Day (Canada) – He is the patron saint of French-Canadians in Quebec, Canada.  It is a holiday and there are parades, bonfires and fireworks to celebrate his birthday.

June 24 – Dia de San Juan (Puerto Rico) – This day commemorates the island’s patron saint, St. John the Baptist. People gather at the beaches in the afternoon.  Then at midnight, they jump into the ocean backwards three times to symbolize baptism, immersion and new life.  The celebration continues with families gathering to enjoy music, food and dancing.

June 27 – Multiculturalism Day (Canada) – The Government of Canada officially recognized June 27th as Canadian Multiculturalism Day on November 13, 2002.  This day acknowledges the contributions that various communities make to Canadian society and to celebrate the country’s richness and diversity.

June 28 – Dragon Boat Festival (China) – This day honours the patriot poet Chu Yuan who drowned himself in the Milo River, south of China in protest of the political injustice in 277 B.C.  The villagers raced to the river and jumped into dragon boats but never found him.  As they searched, they beat drums to scare off fish and dragons that might attack his mortal remains.  It is a holiday celebtrated by boat races in the shape of dragons.

June 28 – Stonewall Rebellion Day (Gay and Lesbian) – This day commemorates the U.S. anniversary of the protest against police harassment in New York City’s Greenwich Village in 1969.  The event has been commemorated by a Pride Parade each year in New York City on the last Sunday in  June. Events and Pride Parades are held in many metropolitan cities throughout the US and Canada.

Source: www.multiculturalcalendars.com

Part of a posting series on multicultural events for 2009.

Decoration Day

Here are some pictures from Decoration Day ceremonies, hosted on June 14 by the Colonel John McCrae Memorial Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.