Markham is partnering with Free The Children, a Canadian registered charitable organization, to raise funds toward Haiti's reconstruction after the country was devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12, 2010.

Thousands of people have died, including many Canadians, and many more are homeless. It's estimated it will take as long as ten years and millions of dollars to reconstruct Haiti - the poorest country in the western world.

To date, Free The Children has built over 500 schools putting over 50,000 children into education systems in over 45 countries.

The Markham Miracle initiative hopes to raise funds for a reconstruction project focussed on the youth of Haiti, and involves working with Free The Children and Haiti officials to determine how the funding can be best used as overall reconstruction plans evolve. 

Please join us at the following events, organized to raise funds in support of the Markham Miracle reconstruction project for Haiti.

Markham Miracle - Community Dinner
Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Markham Event Centre
95 Duffield Drive, Markham  map

(Reserve dinner seatings at 5:30 and 8:00 p.m.)
Cuisine donated by Markham’s fine restaurants

Tickets $38
100% of proceeds to Markham Miracle

For tickets and more information 
call Esther Wong, 416-992-3838 or email estherwongleung@hotmail.com
or call Alicia Chiu at 905-475-2531 or email alicia.chiu@gmail.com

For more information about how you can provide support for the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, or to make a donation visit  Free The Children website, www.freethechildren.com/MarkhamMiracle.

Click here for more information.

Computer Basics Class for Adults

Milliken Mills Community Library, 7600 Kennedy Rd.  map

Wednesday, February 10, 2010
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

Eeek! A mouse! Learn how to use the mouse, and use basic Windows and toolbar functions. 

Library staff will guide you through the basics of computing. 

Comfortably paced for the novice computer user! 

BandAID

Thursday, February 11th, 2010
7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Location: Brother André Catholic High School
  6160 16th Ave. East  map

On February 11th, Brother André Catholic High School is hosting BandAID, which promises to be a mesmerizing night of music and entertainment that showcases the talent within our community. 

With an anticipation and enthusiasm that rivals the coming of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, this small-scale concert hopes to kick off Brother André's large-scale contribution to the Markham-Stouffville Hospital foundation's expansion project. 

The efforts of the school's social justice council, Luke 4:18, and the Arts council have been integral in making BandAID a night to remember and a highlight of the academic year.

www.bran.ycdsb.ca

Chinese New Year Celebrations in Markham

At Market Village
4350 Steeles Avenue East   map

Saturday, February 13, 2010 (Evening)

A-1 Chinese New Year Count Down Show

Tel: 905-940-2243

------------------------------------------

At Pacific Mall
4300 Steeles Ave East  map

Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 10:30 p.m.
Lunar New Year's Eve Countdown

Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 3:00 p.m.
Lunar New Year Day Celebration

Tel: 905-470-8785

------------------------------------------

At Markville Shopping Centre
5000 Highway 7 East  map

Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 1 p.m.

Lion Dance, God of Prosperity, Festival Drums

On the eve of the Lunar New Year, Markville's Centre Court will be hosting a spectacular Lion Dance performance to the beat of festival drums, led by award winning Master Sammy Cheng, 31st generation disciple of Shaolin. The lion is traditionally regarded as a guardian creature and his ceremonial acrobatic dance will summon luck and fortune to all. Meet and greet the god of prosperity as he parades through the mall with the golden lion. 


Cultural Activities 

The soothing sounds of traditional music, and cultural art demonstrations will round out the rest of the afternoon. Stop by to enjoy the art of calligraphy and Chinese painting. 


Lucky Red Envelopes 

Given as gifts during the New Year, the colour red symbolizes good luck. Pick up your Lucky Red Envelope at Guest Services, and it may contain a prize. Prizes include coupons for shop!TM cards, crystal key rings, or free coffee (while supplies last, coupons are randomly enclosed)

Click here for more information on Chinese New Year Celebrations in Markham.

Performing Arts York Region
presents
its 25th Anniversary Season of Concerts
with 
A Special Valentine's Day Concert

(World Class Chamber Music in Thornhill)

Sunday, February 14, 2010 - 2:30 p.m.

Thornhill Presbyterian Church
271 Centre Street
(just west of Yonge St.)

Featuring
Allison Angelo, soprano
Joseph Angelo, tenor
Robert Kortgaard, piano

Concerts are followed by a reception with light refreshments 
and an opportunity to meet the artists

Click here for more information.

Markham Museum Winterfest

Monday, February 15, 2010
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

9350 Highway 48  map

Fun and excitement for the whole family. 

Celebrate Family Day at the Museum, skate, snowshoe, build snowmen,
 build and paint ice blocks and try your aim against our targets! 

There will be lots of activities, crafts and great food as well.

For more information, please kindly call 905-294-4576.

Looking for something special for Valentine's this year?

Seems like the wrapping paper just got put away and it’s Valentine’s already! Looking for a unique way to surprise that special someone, or even a treat for yourself? 

The gift experts at the shops on Main Street Markham have wonderful ideas, from:

 - Exotic chocolates and flowers
 - A night on the town or a day at the spa
 - Help selecting that special look for him or for her
 - Jewelry
 - And much more

And, the spring savings are already starting to spring up!

As a way of saying thank you to our customers, shoppers who visit Main Street between Friday, February 5 and Monday February 15 will receive a free treat with each purchase, and a chance to WIN...

 - a $100 Main Street Markham gift certificate
 - an iPod touch, worth $200
 - an Espresso maker, worth $100

Come see all that Main Street Markham has to offer for pampering someone special this Valentine’s Day, and you may be a winner! 

See www.mainstreetmarkham.com for a list of participating stores.

presents

Mambo Italiano

by Steve Galluccio

February 10 - 13, 2010 at 8 p.m.

Markham Theatre for Performing Arts
171 Town Centre Blvd  map 

Two boisterous Italian-Canadian families hilariously collide in an inter-generational look at life and love - both conventional and not - in east end Montreal. The original stage play that inspired the recent hit movie.

$22.00 for single tickets
$19.00 for seniors and students on Wednesday and Thursday.
Subject to availability, groups of 15 or more may purchase tickets to a performance for $16.00 each.

Please call the box office at 905-305-SHOW (7469) to order individual show tickets by telephone. The box office is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

www.markhamlittletheatre.com

Markham Village Music Festival Committee Meeting

Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. 

Are you interested in getting involved in your community? 
Are you interested in meeting some really cool people? 
We invite anyone interested in joining this committee to attend and see how much fun we have. 

Meetings held monthly between now and the Festival June 18th and 19th, 2010. 

Please contact Ardy Reid at 905-471-7917 or ardyreid@yahoo.ca for more information. 

www.markham-festival.org 

Dynamic Resume Writing Workshop

Friday, February 12, 2010

 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

Venue: COSTI Employment Resource Centre Markham 
4961 Highway 7 East  map 

• Learn how to write a targeted resume with accomplishment statements 
• Understand what information the employer looks for on your resume and where they look for that information
• Understand the different styles of resumes and which one markets your skills and abilities most effectively 

Free adult workshop. 

For more information call 905-947-0172 or email: markham@costi.org 
Website: www.costi.org 

Wonderful World of Circus
Winter Show 

Saturday, February 13, 2010
 
5:00 p.m.

2600 John St, Unit 115  map

Show will feature:        
 - Aerial Gymnastics   
         - Trained Poodles & Doves  
- Pair Acrobatics     
- Clown Acts          

Tickets: $15 

Please visit www.WonderfulWorldofCircus.com for further information.

Celebrating of the 45th Anniversary of our Canada Flag

Sunday, February 14th, 2010 at 2 p.m.

Markville Shopping Centre - 1st Floor by Food Court Escalator
5000 Highway 7 East  map

The ceremony will commence with a march-in of our Veterans, Peacekeepers, RCMP, York Regional Police, Markham Fire Fighters, Town Crier, Olympic Torch Bearers, Army and Air Force Cadets, Scouts and Guides Organizations, Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments Representatives, and “Proud To Be Canadian” Students from Legacy Public School.


Draft Program

Assemble Time: 1:15 p.m. Sunday, February 14, 2009 on the main floor at the food court escalator where all coats will be stored and participating groups will be directed to the march-in assembly area.

Program Start Time: 2 p.m. with the official March - In by participating groups

Program: The ceremony will be approximately 1.5 hour
- March-in (all indoors) of all participants carrying their Canadian flags and led by a piper from the York Regional Police Pipes and Drums Band.
- Town Crier John Webster reads proclamation commencing the ceremony
- Welcoming remarks by Proud To Be Canadian (PTBC) spokesperson John Hawco
- Raising of the Proud To Be Canadian Association‘s special Canada flag (once flown on Peace Tower)
- While our Flag is being raised all in attendance will sing to O’Canada led by Proud To Be Canadian Volunteers Ross Sutherland and Tony Murphy
- Introduction of participating groups, Veterans, Peacekeepers and invited guests in the audience
- Greetings by our Federal, Provincial and Municipal Government Representatives
- PTBC students from Legacy Public School will sing Canadian Flag theme song
- Remarks by special invited platform guests re: Tribute to our Veterans & Serving personnel, Tribute to our Olympians, celebration of 200th Anniversary of the Governor General Horse Guards (founded in Markham) and celebration of the 100 Anniversary of our Canadian Navy
- PTBC students from Legacy Public School to sing Canadian theme song
- Special Presentation by the Proud To Be Canadian Organization to a very Proud Canadian
- Concluding remarks ending with our “Salute To Our Flag” poem and PTBC chant
- Singing of O’Canada led by the PTBC students from Legacy Public School
- Group photo of platform guests with school students. Olympic Torch Photos

Contact Person: - Proud To Be Canadian - Fier d’etre Canadien organization
John Hawco 416-346-3581   Email: 1PTBC@rogers.com 

Boston Pizza has got Love in the Oven 
Annual Valentine's Day Fundraiser 

Sunday February 14th, 2010

5 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Location: Boston Pizza
7680 Markham Rd

This Valentine’s day, show someone how much you care with a heart-shaped pizza from Boston Pizza and support worthwhile charities at the same time! Exclusively on Sunday, February 14, 2010 Boston Pizza guest can enjoy a heart-shaped pizza in Markham. One dollar from the sale of each heart-shaped pizza on Valentine’s Day will go to Boston Pizza Foundation in support of its many charities including the Heart and Stoke Foundation of Canada, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and Kid’s Help Phone.

Click here for more information.