Press Release: Parade, Party, Fireworks & More

MARKHAM, ON ~ From morning to night on Canada Day – Canada's 140th birthday – there's something for everyone at the Markham celebrations.

Everyone is welcome to celebrate Sunday, July 1st in Markham with a day-long free program for the community.

The day begins with a Citizenship Court at the Civic Centre at 9:30 a.m., with Markham recognizing the many people who have chosen to make Markham their home in Canada. The seniors luncheon takes place at Le Parc.

The focus shifts to Milne Park with an afternoon and evening of events.

• 3 to 6 p.m. ~ free children's activities -- crafts, face painting, jumping castle
• 4 p.m. ~ People's Parade from Markville Shopping Centre to Milne Park
• 4:30 p.m. ~ Flag Raising Ceremony and singing of O Canada
• 5 p.m. to dusk ~ Entertainment, food and displays

Canada Day in Markham will end with a dazzling display of light, colour and sound with fireworks planned for dusk at 9:30 p.m. in the skies over Milne Park.

A special feature of the 2007 Canada Day celebration was a poster contest, open to young people throughout the community. Winner was William Yan from E.T. Crowle Public School. Finalists were: Noam Sussman, Thornlea S.S.; Rohail Sultan, Coppard Glen P.S.; Sylvia Chan, Unionville H.S.; Calvin Chan, Stonebridge P.S.; Anmoldeep Rupra, Ellen Fairclough P.S.; Eva Fok from Unionville High School and honourable mention to Thishani Kanagarajah, Ellen Fairclough P.S.

The main event sponsor is Bell Canada. This Celebrate Markham event is funded by the Town of Markham.

Press Release: Markham Fire & Emergency Services to Participate in the 2007 International Fire and EMS Safety Stand Down

MARKHAM, ON ~ Markham Fire & Emergency Services will be participating in the 2007 International Fire and EMS Safety Stand Down, being held the week of June 17-23, 2007. The Stand Down, which involves firefighters across North America, is sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section of the IAFC.

"We are looking forward to having our more than 200 Markham fire personnel participate in the Safety Stand Down," said Markham Fire Chief Don McClean. Safety Stand Down raises awareness of firefighter safety – a key part of everyday life in the fire service and an important part of Markham's wellness focus.

The goal of the Stand Down is to better prepare firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) for their daily duties by calling attention to safety practices, proper training and usage of equipment through activities and discussion. Every firefighter and EMT should respond and return home safely from each emergency situation they respond to.

This year, the Stand Down will take place in communities across North America, as well as internationally. With interest coming from places such as Saudi Arabia, it is clear that safety is on the minds of people around the globe. Markham recognizes that this event is imperative to the wellbeing of first responders and is taking action to improve their safety.

In 2006, 105 firefighters, across North America, died in the line of duty. Already this year, 44 have been lost. The purpose of the Safety Stand Down is to reduce these deaths and injuries by calling attention to safety practices and improving them. Stand downs have been used by the military for years to correct issues that have been identified as a problem throughout the ranks.

Because accidents can happen responding to and from emergencies, all Markham firefighters will be reviewing seatbelt and traffic safety during lectures while on shift this week.

Press Release: MARKHAM SPACE RACE LAUNCHED

THE RACE IS ON:

SECOND ANNUAL MARKHAM SPACE RACE LAUNCHED, WITH MORE THAN $100,000 IN PRIZES FOR SMALL COMPANIES

DEEMED MOST LIKELY TO GROW

Markham, Ontario – June 19, 2007 – If you’re an up-and-coming small business in Ontario, and are looking to grow rapidly in the coming year, this competition is for you. The second annual Markham Space Race kicks off today, with more than $100,000 in prizes that include one year of free rent for the first-place winner, as well as a telecommunications package from TELUS Business Solutions including the BlackBerry Smartphone, and thousands of dollars in business consulting and professional services from other service providers for the winning company and top two finalists.

The one-of-a-kind, province-wide “business growth plan” competition – organized through a partnership between the Town of Markham, the Innovation Synergy Centre in Markham (ISCM), GWL Realty Advisors, Jim Brown of Colliers International, and FIT by Design – was introduced last year as a way to stimulate the growth of Ontario businesses and provide much-needed support for small companies.

Following the success of the initial Markham Space Race – which attracted applications from a wide range of small businesses across the province – this year’s competition will provide even bigger and better prize offerings, organizers say.

With TELUS as this year’s Title Sponsor and Creechurch International Underwriters,

Sands Commercial Floor Coverings, Cushman & Wakefield LePage and PowerStream Inc. as Gold Sponsors, the Markham Space Race is open to entrepreneurial companies across Ontario that have been in business for at least two years, have a minimum of three full-time employees, and are IT or export-focused. Participants must submit a growth plan demonstrating how their company is positioned for rapid growth.

To be selected by a panel of judges within the business community, the company with the most compelling growth strategy will receive a $63,100 grand-prize package including a fully-furnished, 1,000-square-foot Class A office space for a year in the Town of Markham, a telecommunications package from TELUS Business Solutions including the BlackBerry Smartphone, and thousands of dollars in business, legal, accounting, financial and HR consulting services, and printing services from other service providers. Second and third-place winners will receive a package valued at $30,000 and $15,000 respectively, including a TELUS Business Solutions package and other legal, accounting, financial and HR consulting services from other providers that are designed to help accelerate the growth of their businesses.

“We encourage all small businesses to participate,” said Bob Glandfield, President and CEO of ISCM. “Just by developing a growth plan, every company that participates in the competition comes out a winner,” he emphasized, explaining that many businesses neglect to create a road map for their future growth, which can be detrimental to a company.

“Developing a plan that must face the scrutiny of a third party forces a sense of realism into the process,” he said. “Entrepreneurs tend to overstate the opportunity, and understate the challenges and timelines, when moving to market. Creating and implementing a realistic plan for growth goes a long way in ensuring the future success of a small business.”

Last year’s top winner, Flatline Solutions Inc. (FSI) – a provider of energy management solutions, formerly of Pickering, Ont., which now occupies prestigious offices in Markham’s business core – said that the Markham Space Race provided the company with an unprecedented opportunity, even beyond winning the office space. “One of the challenges we faced was that we have a technology background and so our business expertise was lacking. Just filling out the Markham Space Race application was like developing a mini-business plan of where we were and how we’re going to get to where we want to be,” said Shawn Lim, Co-founder of FSI, adding that for a small company with limited marketing resources, the exposure the competition provided was invaluable as well. Rescue 7 Inc. of Markham and Valt.X Technologies of Toronto placed second and third in the 2006 competition, respectively.

“As Canada's High-Tech capital, the Town of Markham, along with our partners, is helping to organize the Markham Space Race as a way to encourage entrepreneurs across Ontario to think ‘Growth and Innovation’ in planning the future of their businesses,” said Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Development at the Town of Markham. “Through the competition, we're delighted to support and encourage new technology investment in Markham.”

Submissions for the Markham Space Race must be received by August 17, 2007. For

details of the competition and a downloadable entry form, please visit www.markhamspacerace.ca.

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One Person Found Dead After Markham Fire

One person is dead after a fire broke out early this morning in a Markham home.
Fire crews were called to the Steeles Avenue house near Willowdale at about 4 a.m. and discovered a body inside after the fire was extinguished.
No other injuries were reported.
The identity of the victim has not been released.

- ER

Sports Report

The Blue Jays were hammered by the Los Angeles Dodgers last night 10-1.
Dodger catcher and Canadian Russel Martin led his team, with a homerun and two RBIs.
Game two of the series is tonight at the Rogers Centre.
Roy Halladay (7-2) will face LA's Hong-Chih Kuo (1-1).
First pitch: 7:07pm

The Jays have also placed pitcher AJ Burnett on the 15-day Disabled List.
Pitcher Ty Taubenheim has been called up from Triple-A Syracuse to take Burnett's spot.

The Argonauts have signed offensive tackle Steve Morley.
Morley had previously played for Calgary as well as Green Bay and the New York Jets in the NFL.

In Intercounty basball action, the Maple Leafs lost to the Guelph Royals 6-4.
The Leafs host the Hamilton Thunderbirds tonight at Christie Pits.
First pitch: 7:30pm

- ER