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…?

U of G Prof Shortlists for Book Prize Again

Parasitic Oscillations, the second poetry collection from University of Guelph ecology professor Dr. Madhur Anand is a finalist for the 2023 Trillium Book Award for Poetry. Already honoured as a Globe and Mail Top 100 Book, a CBC top pick for spring 2022 and one of 14 essential Canadian reads for Earth Day, Parasitic Oscillations  is Dr. Anand’s second go at the Trillium Prize after here first book of poetry, A New Index for Predicting Catastrophes, was a finalist in 2016.

“My work crosses divides between art and science on the one hand, and colonial histories and anti-colonial futures on the other,” Anand said in a statement. “I believe the pathways through our environmental crises will need to weave together different cultures and disciplines.”

The winner will be announced June 20 at a private ceremony in Toronto hosted by the CBC’s Heather Hiscox.

Track and Field Special Olympics Returns

For the first time in three years, schools from across Wellington County are getting together the Special Olympics Track and Field Day. The 19th annual sports event will take place at St. James Catholic High School in Guelph on Wednesday May 17 with over 600 participants of all ages and peer coaches from 60 schools competing in several track and field and adaptive events.

Participants will compete in 50m, 100m and 200m races, standing/running long jump, and softball throw, as well as adaptive events for those with physical challenges or young people which include obstacle course, basketball shooting, they shoot/they score, T-ball, Popbottle bowling and a 40m walk/run.

“Student-athletes take pride in demonstrating skills and representing their schools, the goal of the day is to provide everyone with an opportunity to do just that,” said Nicole Hearn, WCDSB special education resource teacher and event committee member. “I know our WCDSB representatives have been practicing lots and are looking forward to showing off their ability at St. James CHS.”

The opening ceremonies begin at 10 am, and the rain date will be Thursday May 18 if the weather doesn’t co-operate.

U of G Profs Take Part in Parliament Hill Event

Two University of Guelph scientists took part in the Science Meets Parliament event in Ottawa this week which promotes stronger connections between research science and public policy. The goal of the event is to create two-way dialogue and promote mutual understanding with the aim of helping scientists become more familiar with policy making at the political level, and for parliamentarians to explore scientific evidence in policy making.

The reps from the U of G were Ontario Veterinary College neuroscience professor Dr. Melissa Perreault and microbial fungal pathogens researcher Dr. Rebecca Shapiro. Perreault, who’s Métis, said that she was interested in discussing how researchers can work ethically with marginalized communities, while Shapiro was interested in learning how the two groups might communicate with each other better.

“I was intrigued to take a step back and think about the broader context in which we do our research, which is informed very heavily by policy makers who make decisions about funding and how we can do our work,” Shapiro said in a statement. “We all speak slightly different languages. This puts us in an environment to have more nuanced discussions.”

“Knowledge is power. The opportunity for scientists such as myself who don’t work in the policy realm and don’t really have any exposure to how things work at a government level interested me,” Perreault added.

New Branding and Logo for Upper Grand Board

The Upper Grand District School Board has revealed it’s new logo and branding after getting it approved earlier this week at a board meeting.

Work has been underway on the new “visual identity” since November and started with a diverse Working Group representing students and staff with responsibilities for equity, anti-racism, Indigenous education, mental health, special education, student success, communications, and more. The UGDSB executive committee, student senate and a virtual forum with a large group of UGDSB students representing all regions of the board were also consulted.

“The new visual identity captures the narrative of a school board I am proud to be a part of: inclusive, positive, forward-thinking, and always student centered,” said Julia Elmslie, student trustee and member of the Visual Identity Working Group. “With the board’s identity supporting me in being the best version of myself, who I hope to be as a student seems possible.”

“I am very pleased that we have approved this new visual identity,” added UGDSB Chair Ralf Mesenbrink. “It captures the excitement of the work our staff and students do every day while creating a visual connection to our Multi-Year Plan goals of a love of learning, health and well-being, equity, and sustainability.”

The Board will now look at how to phase in the new look, which includes conducting an audit of the previous visual identity, developing a plan to retire the previous identity, and developing a plan and budget to implement the new visual identity. Check out the new logo below:

Museum and Archives Bringing Back Exhibit

“My Story, My Tattoo”, exploration of the lives, stories, and tattoos of 30 Wellington County residents is returning to the place it started: Wellington County Museum and Archives. Since opening in 2016, the exhibit has been to Fort Frances, Thunder Bay, Brockville and Woodstock, but it will come home to Fergus on May 27 and run through to the end of the year.

“We are very grateful to the individuals who took part for their open, honest, generous contributions which make up the My Story, My Tattoo exhibit,” said assistant curator Amy Dunlop in a statement. “Participant stories and personalities shine through in this series of thought-provoking and colourful images.”

Additional Notes

REMINDER #1: Bookmark for later, these are the holiday hours for the Victoria Day long weekend at the City of Guelph.

REMINER #2: The elevator at the main library is out of commission for the next two months as upgrades and repairs are completed.

The pool at the West End Rec Centre re-opened on Monday and all swim lessons are extended to the week of June 18-24 in order to compensate for the lost week due to emergency repairs.

Sports field season openings: All ball diamonds except Norm Jary and David E. Hastings field are now opem; all soccer fields open, except for Centennial Enclosure, Hanlon Creek, Guelph Lake 1, 2, 3, Franchetto Park, and Eastview Mini Soccer.

The Guelph Police Service will be holding an open house at their headquarters at 15 Wyndham Street South from 9 am to noon today.

100+ Men Guelph and Crime Stoppers is hosting a hybrid event about cyber safety and human trafficking at the main branch of the Guelph Public Library on Thursday May 18 at 7 pm.

The Goods Exchange Weekends is on the Victoria Day weekend, May 19-22. Clearly label items you wish to give away as “FREE” and place them at the curb after 5 pm on Friday.

The City of Guelph will be holding an open house at their facilities at 45 and 50 Municipal Street on Saturday May 27 from 10 am to 2 pm to mark Public Works Week.

The Rotary Club will be hosting the Hike for Hospice at Riverside Park on Sunday June 4 at 10 am.

10C Shared Space will be holding a community open house on Thursday June 8 from 4-8 pm.

Check out the list of events where the City of Guelph Water Wagon will appear this summer!

Current “Have Your Say” opportunities: Rainbow Crosswalk, Growing Civic Participation, Race to Zero, Downtown Parking Master Plan, Silvercreek Parkway North Reconstruction, and Guelph’s Bicentennial.

Transit Detours

The detour for routes 3 Westmount and 11 Willow West will continue until June 2.

The route 4 York will be detoured in both the outbound and inbound directions from May 15 to June 2.

New and Upcoming Construction

Reconstruction on Whitelaw Road between Paisley and Shoemaker begun on Wednesday. The work includes the construction of a new watermain plus sanitary and storm sewers, the construction of multi-use paths, and the installation of new streetlights and boulevard trees.

One week of work began on Wednesday on Water Street between Cedar and Denver for the installation of sewer and water pipes to support the development of 286 Water Street.

Norfolk Street will be closed for one day between Waterloo and Macdonell on Wednesday May 17 for resurfacing in preparation for the installation of the new rainbow crosswalk.

The final repaving of Speedvale Avenue West between the Hanlon and Edinburgh will begin on Friday May 26 at 7 pm and wrap up at 7 am.