City of St. Catharines

Hey kids! Meet some of the community helpers in Niagara! DM or comment your questions for mayors and watch for the answers in an upcoming video post. The mayor video will be posted on Saturday, December 5. #scplibrary #niagaracommunityhelpers #ourhomestc #mayors #ourhomeniagara

Learn about the history of counterfeiting in Canada tomorrow at 10 a.m. for a special Seniors' Centre Without Walls program! Register and see the program schedule at stcatharines.ca/OAC

COVID-19 Update: The Province has moved Niagara into the Orange-Restrict level of COVID-19 response. For those accessing City facilities this means they will be required to complete a COVID-19 screening form starting Monday A few other reminders:... For more information on the Region’s Order Under Sect. 22 for food and drink establishments visit: https://bit.ly/3kySjOy For after-hours and weekend enforcement of COVID-19 related orders call 905-984-3690, for weekday enforcement call 905.688.5600 Maintain physical distance, wash hands often and if sick stay home and get tested

Niagara, our actions matter. Cases and deaths from COVID-19 are rising. We need to address social behaviours that have been identified as a spreader of COVID-19... to protect lives and our economy. But the new regulations are not intended to suggest that restaurants and bars have lacked diligence in following COVID-19 guidance. As mentioned in the Public Health media conference on Nov. 12, 2020 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2THSvnvrzY), we have seen spread occurring between people sharing tables from different households. This is one of the reasons for the new regulations. Learn more about the new regulations for food and drink premises in Niagara: https://www.niagararegion.ca//covid-/reopen/section22.aspx

Join our team! We have employment opportunities available including: Chief Building Official/Senior Manager of Building and Development Services... General Maintenance IV, Carpenter Human Resources Representative Lifeguard/Instructor Maintenance, Garden City Office Manager Systems Analyst Tax Adjustment Clerk Technician Learn more at stcatharines.ca/Jobs Positions remain posted until they are filled.

General Committee Meeting regarding budget tonight at 6 p.m. (formerly Budget Standing Committee) Watch it here: www.youtube.com/user/CityStCatharines Learn more here: bit.ly/GeneralMeetingNov23

St. Catharines Public Library, Central Branch, is closed today.

Shape your City, join a committee! Four vacancies available on LGBT2Q+ Advisory Committee. Apply at stcatharines.ca/LGBT2Q One vacancy available on Green Advisory Committee. Apply at www.stcatharines.ca/en/governin/Green-Advisory-Committee.asp... Applications for both committees close on Friday, Nov. 27 at 4 p.m.

We are introducing a new Community Improvement Plan! This latest version takes a proactive approach to revitalizing, reshaping and positioning #OurHomeSTC as an attractive place to live and do business. It includes a greater emphasis on redevelopment projects that have a provision for: ... Affordable housing Rehabilitation of commercial buildings and aging plazas Heritage preservation and restoration Brownfield remediation Read all about it bit.ly/CIP-STC

When it comes to culture #OurHomeSTC is number 1 Culture Days Canada has announced its ranking for 2020 celebrations, and at the very top of that list is St. Catharines. Thanks to City staff, artists, creators, and community partners who stepped up to deliver 197 events online and in-person from Sept. 25 to Oct. 25 ... Full details at https://bit.ly/3kFTFXN

We have to remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19. A message from our partners at Niagara Region Public Health

Did you order a tree from our Tree Giveaway? . #OurHomeSTC is aiming for a 30 percent tree canopy by 2030. . Share a Tree Selfie with the tag #OurGreenSTC to help spread the word! ... . Thank you to our staff, who were out in the rain this morning giving out trees. . See more

Have your say on our Transportation Master Plan www.engagestc.ca/tmp This long-range strategy will ultimately guide the future of transportation within St. Catharines to support community growth.... #OurHomeSTC

St. Catharines Tree Lighting Ceremony today with Mayor Walter Sendzik. Check out Niagara Health Foundation to support their Celebration of lights campaign.

The latest edition of The Current is out now! Stay in the know on everything #OurHomeSTC at: www.stcatharines.ca/current

Working with partner agencies St. Catharines Fire Services is stepping up to ensure the city's vulnerable populations are protected, thanks to a donation of more than 400 combination fire / CO alarms from Enbridge. Full details at https://bit.ly/3l2tuuU

Join us in the giving spirit of the holiday season. The City’s Tree of Little Angels program is back for its 23rd year. We’re looking to the public to help us support Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold’s Christmas programs. New this year residents can donate cash via text on their mobile phone ... Details at: https://bit.ly/3pp6k4T

There is so much to sink your teeth into this weekend! Pumpkinville takeover at St. Catharines Farmers Market Saturday 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. www.engagestc.ca/pumpkinville Enter the Mask your Mask and Colouring Competitions to win a $100 prize! www.engagestc.ca/pumpkinville Tree and Rain Barrel pick up Saturday for those who pre-ordered www.engagestc.ca/treegiveaway... Have your say on our accessibility plan www.engagestc.ca/accessibilityplan Downtown is no longer closed for pedestrian access only Remember: physical distancing hand washing mask up in enclosed public areas Thank you to Gracie's human @jochtan for allowing us to share this lovely fall photo of #OurHomeSTC Have a wonderful weekend!

Contest Alert Fire Prevention Week is coming up from Oct. 4 - 10 and we are looking for recipes! Submit your recipe for a chance to win one of three Fire Safety prize packs. Submit at EngageSTC.ca/FPW

Join us, along with the Niagara Health Foundation, for a Virtual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m. Sunday! In the meantime, let's take two minutes to honour our essential workers with this touching video by Niagara Health Foundation. Don't forget to tune in at one of the following locations as we go live with our Virtual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m.!... facebook.com/cityofstcatharines instagram.com/cityofstcatharines facebook.com/NiagaraHealthFd

We are reintroducing our Digital Service Squad to help main street businesses enhance their digital presence thanks to a $72,659 grant from Digital Main Street. Read all about it bit.ly/DMS-StCatharines Do you own a small business? You could be eligible for a $2,500 grant and support from our Digital Service Squad.... Find out more digitalmainstreet.ca/ontario/

Giveaway Alert Enter one of our Pumpkinville contests to win one of four gift baskets valued at over $100! Looking for creative ways to entertain the kids? Have them makeover a mask or enter our colouring competition, and you could win one of these jam-packed baskets full of fun!... Head to EngageSTC.ca/pumpkinville for all the details and to download the colouring sheets. Competition closes Oct. 17at 11:59pm . Also, tomorrow, Pumpkinville will be taking over the St. Catharines Farmers Market from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. There will be a touchless family bubble photo booth and take home craft packages available. EngageSTC.ca/pumpkinville

2021 Parking Permits are available from today! See all the information, including parking fees and applications forms, here: www.stcatharines.ca/en/livein/Parking-Permits.asp

Today is #NationalSeniorsDay! Sign up for a variety of Seniors' Centre Without Walls programming all month long! Today's program is speaking with Chris Bittle. Learn more at stcatharines.ca/OAC

Our STC Fire team had a great week last week handing out Fire Safety Packages to local schools. It's never too early to teach your children about fire safety! Here are some fire safety education resources for kids:... Sparky's School House (https://sparkyschoolhouse.org/ Teens at Home Lesson Plan (http://bit.ly/Teensathome) View more at https://nfpa.org/education #FireSafeSTC #OurHomeSTC #FirePrevention

Heads up for those visiting City Hall: the (public) James Street entrance elevator at City Hall will be closed tomorrow (Oct. 1) for approximately three hours starting at 8 a.m. for maintenance.

Help us make our City an accessible place for all We’re developing our next Accessibility Plan and we’re looking for you input Head on over to engagestc.ca/AccessibilityPlan, fill out the short survey and help us build an accessible future

Call for vendors Artisans, crafters, resellers, grab your spot at Winter at the Market! Apply now bit.ly/WinterVendorApplications... Applications close Oct. 9

ICYMI: The Library is offering FREE monthly subscription boxes for ages 9 to 18. Pickup starts Monday for those who have pre-registered. #OurHomeSTC #StayHomeActivity

Check out this week's FREE St. Catharines Enterprise Centre webinars!

Heads up before you dive in, there are some changes coming to aquatics programs to better meet demand and ensure equitable access at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre: Bubble Lane Swimming is still being offered, just make sure you stick to your household Weekly reservation reductions down to three slots per person per week for Lane Swimming and Therapeutic Aquafit Classes... Resident first registration (two days in advance) for Lane Swimming and Therapeutic Aquatics More information at stcatharines.ca/Swimming

Thank you to all the #OurGreenSTC community who purchased rain barrels and/ or ordered a tree! We are now SOLD OUT! If you did make an order, you will receive a confirmation email with your timeslot for pick up.... www.stcatharines.ca/ourgreenstc

It's your last chance to make a splash... at least for this year! Splash pads are closing for the season this Wednesday, Sept. 30. If you are looking for fun things to do as the weather gets cooler, make sure you check out our Fall Leisure Guide: ... www.stcatharines.ca/en/playin/LeisureGuide.asp See more

Congratulations to our Fire Prevention Week Recipe winners! Thank you to everyone for participating, it was a hard decision but we got some great recipes! ... EngageSTC.ca/FPW

ANNOUNCEMENT! We are excited to announce that the 2020 Arts Awards originally postponed from the spring will be happening virtually on October 25, presented in ...partnership with the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre We are looking forward to recognizing the talented individuals and organizations in our community! Watch for nominee and sponsor features coming soon. Full details will be available soon on www.stcatharines.ca/artsawards Stay tuned for details!

A heads up for Happy Rolph's visitors: We're giving the Happy Rolph's park pavilion a fresh coat of paint the pavilion will be closed for two weeks starting tomorrow (Sept. 28)

Help reduce illnesses like the cold, flu and COVID-19. Teach your kids proper hand washing with soap and water as an effective way to prevent illness. bit.ly/3iYeMnt

Help us plan for the role short-term rentals play in our community We're proposing zoning amendments to better address concerns with these property uses, learn more, and have your say at engageSTC.ca/ShortTermRental

Traffic disruption: there will be multiple short-term road closures on various streets today, up to 2:30 p.m. as the Grape and Wine Festival Porch Parade visits neighbourhoods across the city. Full details at: https://bit.ly/3i6ismz

There’s only two days left to learn about proposed amendments to the City’s zoning by-law related to short-term rentals. Head on over to engagestc.ca/ShortTermRental to: Learn more Ask a question... Provide us with feedback See more

It's going to be a beautiful weekend! Here are some handy reminders St. Paul Street will be closed to vehicles from William St. to Carlisle St. Friday from 3 p.m. to Sunday at 9 p.m. Take a stroll and hang out on a patio!... Farmers Market will be open Saturday 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. We have lots of lovely trails to watch the colours change: www.stcatharines.ca/en/playin/Trails.asp Check out the programs in our fall Leisure Guide: www.stcatharines.ca/en/playin/LeisureGuide.asp Kiwanis Centre has reopened for swimming: https://www.stcatharines.ca/swimming Remember to stay vigilant! Bring your mask for enclosed public spaces. Wash your hands. 2m (6ft) apart is the safest place to be!

We are rolling out tax relief for non-residential property owners. If you are the owner of an occupied commercial space, shopping centre, parking lot or office property who can demonstrate financial hardship related to COVID-19, find out how to apply now. www.stcatharines.ca/taxes ... bit.ly/NonResidentialTaxRelief See more

It’s time to celebrate creativity and all the meaning, diversity and beauty it brings to our City The St. Catharines Arts Awards are back for 2020, in an online format, recognizing creative talent across #OurHomeSTC and all those who support it. Full details at: https://bit.ly/2SYeKkI

Reminder from the Region...

Shape your City, join a committee! We have one vacancy on our Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC). Apply today to help shape your city and have a voice for City public art programs. Interested? Apply today at stcatharines.ca/PAAC

Let's be vigilant and respectful in our fight against COVID-19! Vigilant in our own efforts. Respectful of other people. Remember, some people are unable to wear a mask for medical reasons.... We are all in this together! If you are able to wear a mask in public spaces, remember to: Wash your hands before and after putting it on Avoid touching the mask during use Dispose of or wash dirty masks Also, make sure you: Maintain a physical separation of two metres Wash your hands regularly Find out more about the mask by-law including exemptions at stcatharines.ca/Masks