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…?

UGDSB Hires New Human Rights and Equity Advisor

The Upper Grand District School Board has announced that they’ve hired Alicia Ralph as the UGDSB’s Human Rights and Equity Advisor. The HREA will co-ordinate with the executive committee and will work to enhance and expand cultures of respect for human rights and equity and champion the identification and elimination of systemic barriers. Ralph comes to the UGDSB from the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board where she worked as System Equity Officer. She previously worked as a social worker, as well as supervising social work students at the Toronto Metropolitan University. She will begin her new position on August 21.

PlazaPOPS Back for Another Year of Gardening

PlazaPOPS, a community-led, high impact, low cost installation that transforms parking lots into free, accessible gathering places designed to encourage community connectedness and conversations, is back at Shelldale Centre this summer. Pop-up garden boxes and a gathering space will occupy five parking spaces at the Shelldale Centre, and will include a shaded lounge with accessible seating nestled among a garden of native plants, pollinators, and fresh herbs.

“We’ve been bringing people, ideas, and technology together to build a local movement toward a circular food economy. The plazaPOPS project is a natural fit to connect more community members with food-focused public spaces and encourage conversations about how we improve food access by growing food in any environment, even a parking lot,” said Ashlee Cooper, manager of Food Equity and Community Resilience with Our Food Future in a statement.

The plazaPOPS will be open until mid-October. Volunteers from Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington and the local Onward Willow community were responsible for set-up,  The SEED and Shelldale Farm Park community gardeners will plant and take care of the garden beds, while other partners including Kindle Communities and Guelph Community Health Centre are providing access to the space.

Ride Well Expands Again

Wellington County’s ride share transit option continues to enjoy success and that means that they’re adding another vehicle during peak times in the morning and in the afternoon. According to the County, Ride Well is now averaging 30 to 40 rides per day and offering between 600 and 800 rides per month.

“Ride Well is an important transportation service that many of our residents rely upon,” said Economic Development Committee Chair Jeff Duncan in a statement. “As the demand for Ride Well continues to grow, the County recognizes that now is the time increase our service hours to accommodate this growth.”

Learn more about Ride Well here.

Museum and Archive Welcomes a New Collector

The latest installation of the Wellington County Collects series coming soon to Wellington County Museum and Archives, and it features Rick Clark’s obsession with two American icons, Elvis Presley and Coca-Cola. “Both Coca-Cola and Elvis Presley have stood the test of time and when people visit the exhibit, I hope it will bring back some happy memories for them as well,” Clark said in a statement.

The exhibit, called “Cola Goes Better with Elvis”, opens on July 22 and runs to January 14, and features Elvis and Coke memorabilia from Clark’s personal collection. The exhibit will also feature a colouring wall and an area to listen to Elvis’ music and learn about the different albums on display. “We are excited to have Rick’s collection on display,” said Assistant Curator Amy Dunlop. “We hope this will inspire visitors to reflect on their own collections and stories as important parts of Wellington County’s history and culture.”

Additional Notes

According to the Grand River Conservation Authority, the weather system that passed through the region on Wednesday night has resulted in higher than normal river flows and those conditions will continue over the weekend, so people should be cautious.

The City of Guelph’s Hot Summer Nights continues this coming Thursday July 20 at Grange Road Park from 6:30 to 7:45 pm.

The Guelph Chamber of Commerce is looking for two people to join their Board of Directors.

Current “Have Your Say” Opportunities:

Culture Plan, Race to Zero, Silvercreek Parkway North Reconstruction, Guelph’s Bicentennial, and Downtown Infrastructure Renewal.

Transit Detours

The bus stops at the Walmart Smart Centre for routes 17 Watson Woodlawn, 18 Woodlawn Watson and 99 Mainline are moving temporarily again to spots north of their regular positions from July 17 to 21.

The 10 Paisley, 11 Silvercreek and 20 Northwest Industrial will be detoured away from stops at Quebec and Wyndham due to construction on Quebec Street from July 17 to 28.

New and Upcoming Construction

City of Guelph crews are marking trees that are either hazardous or are infested by the Emerald Ash Borer in Eramosa River Park, Margaret Greene Park, Marksam Park, Silvercreek Park, Windsor Park, and York Road Park, plus the Hadati Creek natural area and the natural area between Hanlon Road and the Hanlon Expressway. The trees will be removed starting in September.

Quebec Street will be closed at Baker Street for one week starting on Monday July 17 for the installation of a new sewer and watermain work.