The City of Guelph, and it’s various partners and agencies, put out a lot of information on a weekly basis, and while it all ends up on the City’s website somewhere, wouldn’t it be easier to just scroll through it all on one easy-to-read article on Guelph Politico here…?

Chanukah Celebration Coming Back Market Square

Jewish Guelphites will be holding a public lighting of the menorah in Market Square on Sunday November 28 at 5:30 pm in an outdoor celebration of the start of Chanukah. There will be Chanukah Latkas and Sufganiyot, plus a Fire+LED show in the entirely outdoor event.

More Remains Found in Baker Street Lot

In their bi-weekly update on the excavation in the Baker Street parking lot, the City of Guelph now says that they have discovered 63 grave shafts and 26 distinct human remains, or bone fragments. Work continues.

Some West End Rec Centre Facilities to Close for Upgrades

The gym and pool at the West End Community Centre will be closed on November 22 as the City performs some massive upgrades on the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment, a project that will take several months to complete. Phase one will involve the use of a crane, and the main pool entrance, a section of the drive lane and sidewalk and the first two rows of the parking lot by the main entrance, will all be temporarily closed as a result. The library and ice arena will remain open through the construction, and patrons will notice some construction noise and minor odours due to welding during the rest of November and early December.

Children’s Foundation Still Has Families to Adopt

The Children’s Foundation is still looking for people to adapt about 300 families for their Christmas Adopt-A-Family program. The Adopt-A-Family Program matches donors with families in need in order to make the holidays shine a little brighter. Families are referred by social service agencies who have identified they are in need. Depending on your ability to help you can donate to a whole family, or an independent youth. See the Children’s Foundation website for all the details and requirements.

Holiday Market Coming to Wellington County Museum

The Wellington County Museum and Archives will be hosting their first ever Christmas market on December 10 and 11. The hybrid market will be both indoors and outdoors on the Museum grounds featuring one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts from local artisans, delicious local food, a licensed patio organized by The Porchlight, musical entertainment, horse drawn wagon rides, a Kids Corner, and a visit from Santa Claus. Admission is by donation, and you do need proof of vaccination and a face covering to enter the Museum building and Heritage Barn.

Community Plan Update to Focus on Eliminating Racism

The City of Guelph is working on an update to the Community Plan that will focus on eliminating systemic racism. According to a City media release, the draft new section of the Community Plan speaks of a vision for how everyone must work as a united community. It also talks about the importance of building the relationships and trust necessary for the sustained effort needed to eradicate the racism and colonialism embedded in structural systems.

“The Community Plan is a living document, and was always intended to evolve and change as the community grows. In revisiting the plan, our goal is to address the significant omission of any direction related to systemic racism,” said Sara Sayyed, the City of Guelph’s senior advisor of Equity, Anti-Racism and Indigenous Relations. “We need people to look at the draft of the new section and add their thoughts.”

You can submit your feedback on the City’s Have Your Say page until December 5.

New Plans for Splash Pads and Playgrounds

The City of Guelph is collecting feedback about new playground designs at five different parks around town: Goldie Park, Gosling Gardens Park, Herb Markle Park, Howden Crescent Park and Sunny Acres Park. Replacement work will begin sometime in 2022 (pending budget approval). Also this week, the City announced the winning design for the new splash pad for Eastview Park. The pollinator themed option (pictured above) will include a pollinator garden, bench seating, and oval-shaped splash area, and a picnic-style seating with shade and umbrellas. Construction on the splash pad will begin in 2022 so it will be ready to open in 2023.

YMCA-YWCA Looking for Women of Distinction

Nominations are no open for the 2022 Women of Distinction Awards. The annual event recognizes notable local women every International Women’s Day, and since there are no formal categories, the YMCA is just “looking to celebrate any women who are impact makers, change seekers and community builders!”

“We’re excited to see our partnerships and reach grow, and to celebrate the remarkable women in our community,” said event organizer Jodi Petitpas in a statement. “This event is unique in that as we celebrate the accomplishments of these incredible women in Guelph, funds raised also go to support female-focused programs at the Guelph Y. It truly is the epitome of strong women celebrating and raising up strong women.”

Nominations close on December 17. Click here for more information.

Arts Council Gives Award to Two People

The Guelph Arts Council has awarded the 2021 Jane Graham Memorial Award, and it’s being split between multidisciplinary artist Emma Ongman and painter Meredith Blackmore. Established in memory of local artist Jane Graham following her untimely death in March 2005, the Guelph Arts Council Jane Graham Memorial Fund is managed by The Guelph Community Foundation. As a result, GAC is annually able to assist visual artists residing and actively practising in Guelph-Wellington in pursuing professional development opportunities that will contribute to their artistic growth.

Upcoming Road Construction

On Thursday November 25, a portion of Whitelaw Road between Paisley Road and Shoemaker Crescent will be closed due to tree removal involving a crane. There will be lane reductions on Woolwich Street and no left turn on London Road for four hours on Monday November 29 as some monitoring is decommissioned, and on that same day there will also be lane reductions on Echo Drive on November 29 as a curb is removed and replaced. The work should take about one week to complete.