Although more subdued this year due to COVID, may I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Welcome to the December edition of ENEWS. Mark the date February 6 for a free virtual career-support “Be Brave and Bloom” event for high school girls. A new project for Waterdown Heritage plaques, Radon Gas home safety, HYN Heathy Youth Network initiative and more. I will also be sharing Council approved climate change initiatives happening across the city to help mitigate and adapt to climate change - the first update is included below. Please also let’s remember the 14 young women who lost their lives in their engineering class at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. Remember also our murdered and missing Indigenous Sisters and pray for their families during this Blessed Season.

Recently, staff presented their annual report to Board of Health on climate change goals and progress made for 2020, as well as updated timelines, Hamilton's Community Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions between 2006-2018 and more. These nine goals are broken down into what different departments and teams have collaboratively worked on for the past year to mitigate and adapt to climate changes.

What we have done in Hamilton 2020 to work towards:

Goal 1: Increasing the number of new and existing high-performance state-of-the-art buildings that improve energy efficiency and adapt to a changing climate.

Goal 2: Changing the modal split and investigate strategies so that more trips are taken by active and sustainable transportation than single use occupancy vehicles

Hours: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Where: 2259 Milburough Line, Campbellville, ON

Jump into Mountsberg Conservation Area and get busy with all there is to do! The kids will love petting a goat in the play barn, jumping off hay bales, and sampling delicious maple candy. Reservations are now required before your visit - book at parkvisit.ca. If you like to exercise in fresh air, hike to the sugar bush or take the mountain bike for a spin on the trails. Mountsberg is bursting with animal life from the farm animals in the barn, to a bustling colony of tree-swallows, to the frogs peeping in the reservoir.

When: Saturdays until December 19, 2020

Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Where: Drummond Manor, 69 Concession 5 Road East, Flamborough

Mode Hospitality is hosting their 1st annual Christmas Market happening every Saturday until December 19th between 10 am and 2pm. Social distancing will be in effect. For more information contact Melinda at 905.802.6320 or email [email protected].

When: Thursday December 10, 2020

Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Basic Income Hamilton is launching its first of a new free webinar series on basic income. The first online webinar, "Women and Work: The case for basic income", will be held December 10 at 12 noon, in recognition of International Human Rights Day. We have a stellar line-up of speakers - learn more and sign up online.

When: Friday December 11, December 18, 2020, January 8, 2021

Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Where: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 36, 280 King St W, Dundas

Stuffed. Handcrafted Perogies is hosting Take-Out Perogy Dinners in the Upstairs Hall of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #36 at 280 King Street West in Dundas. With COVID-19 restrictions, please pre-order your meals online where you can conveniently schedule your pick up time. All orders will be for take out only (No dine-in seating or eating on-site allowed), cost is $16.00 per meal, cash or interac/debit payments accepted (sorry no credit cards).

When: Saturday December 12, 2020

Time: Free Story with Santa at 1:00 pm;

Full event 10:00 am - 4:00pm

The Flamborough Kin Club is hoping to bring some of their annual fun with Santa online this year. Join in for a free virtual meet & greet and story with Santa, or one of our limited 1 on 1 visits. $15.00 for private visit includes digital frame and family photo with Santa. at [email protected]

When: December 12 - 13, 2020

Where: Joe Sams Leisure Park, 752 Centre Road, Waterdown

The Rotary Club of Waterdown is offering a drive through opportunity for families to visit with Santa December 12-13. All visitors will remain in their cars, and volunteers will wear masks and maintain physical distancing. Every car requires one ticket for entry and 4 cars will visit Santa at a time (sorry, no walk-ins). You will be able to drop off letters for Santa. It is a free event, but we will also be accepting donations of new socks for homeless adults. To book a time, please click here.

When: Tuesday December 15, 2020

Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) is hosting a learning session for parents on helping your anxious child(ren) during COVID-19; when to be concerned, and how to help. If you would like to join on the call December 15, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm, please log in here.

When: Saturday December 19, 2020

Santa will be riding down every street in Carlisle proper delivering gifts made by the Carlisle Fairies and their friends to every household in Carlisle. A COVID safe event, they are asking folks to listen for the bells and music on December 19, and then to come to the end of their driveway so Santa can toss you a gift. The fairies don't want to miss a single child this Christmas - so please help by sending your address, and the age and sex of your child(ren) to [email protected]

When: Thursday January 14, 2021

Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Where: Virtual Meeting Via Zoom Video Platform

Please join Councillor Partridge at the next virtual meeting of 100+ Women Who Care Flamborough-Waterdown. This program virtually brings together 100 (or more) women in Flamborough / Waterdown who care about local community causes and who are committed to community service. At the online meeting, we will jointly select a local charity or not-for-profit organization. Everyone each donates $100 to the selected organization and watch how the group’s commitment turns into a $10,000+ donation. Do that four times a year and witness how $40,000 can improve the lives of our neighbours. To register, please contact [email protected].

When: Saturdays starting January 16, 2021

Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Where: Connon Nurseries, 656 Robson Road, Waterdown

Connon Nurseries will be sharing the beautiful indoor atrium space with local farmers, growers and producers for their Winter Farmers' Market, on for 10 weeks throughout the winter season. Shop from your favourite food vendors every Saturday for everything from meats, cheese, eggs, bread and fresh produce to perogies, frozen prepared foods, soups, sweets and other delicious treats!

When: Saturday February 6, 2021

Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Do you know a high school age young woman in Flamborough? Invite them to a FREE virtual career-support conference February 6, 2021 to learn how they can “Be Brave and Bloom”. Join with friends and classmates online for a fun day of learning how to reach your full potential and discover your dreams. Brought to you by Councillor Partridge, Healthy Youth Network, students at Waterdown High School and Soroptimist International of Dundas, Ancaster and Flamborough, this live online conference will provide you access to professional role models, career education, resources, promote self-esteem and good health. More details to come.

When: Saturday February 20, 2021

On February 20th, join Eagles Nest for the Coldest Night of the Year and be a part of a story that changes lives and restores hope in our community. We will be walking virtually in support of Eagles Nest and the programs provided at the HOPE Centre.The Coldest Night of the Year is a covid-safe, family-friendly walk to raise money to serve those experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger. Walk with us virtually or in-person on February 20, 2021 – there’s a place for everyone!

When: November to early December

This program brings gifts and joy to those who may be alone or isolated during the holiday season. Flamborough Connects partners with businesses, local food banks, and faith groups to make sure everyone is supported. They match generous donors with a recipient to help fill their wish list. Contact [email protected] to be matched with a wish list. Gift card donations in denominations for $25 are also accepted!

Website: December Events at HPL

The Hamilton Public Library (HPL) provides many on-line fun learning resources for all ages. Councillor Partridge encourages your family to visit the link above for some fun learning resources this December, such as activities, online tutoring, print and digital resources for the new school year ahead.

Join in for noon hour concerts on Fridays at 12pm. With a HPL card access live tutoring help daily 2-11pm and eLearning for all ages and levels in math, science, reading/writing, social studies and job hunting. Don't forget HPL is waiving all fines on all library materials until December 31, 2021.

Call: 289 895 8580

Where: Flamborough Women's Resource Centre

The Flamborough Women’s Resource Centre (FWRC) located in Waterdown is a satellite location of Interval House. Councillor Partridge and staff at FWRC wants all women to know that services are still there for them. In responding to government directives and call to action from the Chief Public Health Officer, we are working hard to protect women and children in crisis to ensure access to their services. Please call 289 895 8580 for support. A quick reference of local support services is available at this link.

Call: 289 895 8580

When: Open Tuesdays

Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Where: Grace Anglican Church, 157 Mill Street N (parking can be accessed from ​182 Main Street N)

Food with Grace Waterdown Food Bank remains open to all in the community, with precautionary restrictions, on Tuesdays from 2-6pm. Please do not arrive before 1:30 pm. Neighbours seeking food assistance will be provided with pre-made bags of food at the entrance door. Thank you to our generous community for their donations.

When: Open Wednesdays

Time: 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Where: Flamborough Food Bank, Carlisle United Church,

The Flamborough Food Bank remains open weekly on Wednesdays 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Instead of entering the Food Bank for personal shopping, food is being packed into hampers by 2 volunteers who work 6 feet apart. Hampers are placed near the front door, into carts and then cars. There is no close contact between clients or volunteers. For more information, please contact Jim Leamen, 905-690-1036; [email protected]

Councillor Judi Partridge | [email protected]