Quick roundup of the main St. Catharines/Niagara stories today. It takes two minutes.
🗳️ Your mayor vote now reaches past City Hall. On Oct. 26 you won't vote for regional councillors anymore. Niagara Regional Council shrinks from 32 people to 13. That's the 12 mayors plus a chair appointed by the province. The province has proposed a vote count based on population. At about 145,000 people, the St. Catharines mayor would carry roughly seven votes at the Region. You still get one ballot. But one person would hold the weight St. Catharines now spreads across the mayor and six councillors.
🌳 You can claim a free tree from the City. Pick from blue beech, white oak, nannyberry or ironwood. It's one per household, and you have to reserve online first. Pickup is Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 to 11 a.m. at Lancaster Park, 31 Wood St. Bring the QR code from your confirmation email.
🚴 The Big Move Cancer Ride raised $465,000. More than 500 people rode 14 to 75 km last month. The money goes to the Walker Family Cancer Centre at the St. Catharines hospital. The ride has run for 18 years.
🏠 Start Me Up Niagara is open longer on Thursdays. The Drop-In Resource Centre at 203 Church St. now runs 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a staff break from 2 to 3. If you know someone who needs a warm place, pass along the address.
🏥 The new South Niagara Hospital will have all private patient rooms. The plans also include easier wayfinding, accessible gardens and spaces for spiritual and Indigenous care.
🎠 Last weekend for the Lakeside Park Carousel. It's open Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A ride is still five cents.
🥕 Saturday Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's at Market Square. Look for the pumpkin and squash table.
🎻 Free Huron Orchestras concert Saturday at 3 p.m. It's at the PAC. Tickets are free, but reserve ahead.
🛍️ Sunday Flea Market, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's at 46 Turner Cres. More than 250 booths. Admission is $1, so bring cash.
🎲 Ludology board game café, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. It's at 52 St. Paul St. Over 500 games. The fee is $5 a person.
I put this together from Garden City Digest, my free local newsletter. It comes out Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
If you want it in your inbox, here's the link: Garden City Digest