September 29, 2009 - Richmond Hill Council Meeting - Council Chambers 7:30 pm

Following the meeting on September 14th, where the council passed a motion to send the proposed by-law for designation of the Dunlap site to staff for review of the revision recommended by the Richmond Hill Naturalists,  the by-law will once again be brought forth for a vote by council.

While the original by-law (which can be found at http://richmondhill.ca/homepage.asp) was promising in the quantity of the property covered for protection it did lack some specifics in terms of quality of what attributes would be protected which is why the RHNats put forward there own recommendations to revise the by-law. 

This is an important meeting for the future of the Dunlap and we recommend that the chamber be full, so if you can make it please come. This website will be updated with any further information about this meeting as it becomes available so please check back!  

Council Chamber are located in Richmond Hill Town Hall
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill


July 13, 2009 - Richmond Hill Council Meeting - Council Chambers 7:30 pm

Please come out and show your support for the DDO.

The Dunlap is on the agenda:

                  7.3    Conservation  Review  Board  Report - David Dunlap
                Observatory lands

                a)       That  Recommendation  3  a)  and  b) from Heritage
                Richmond  Hill Meeting HRH#06-09 of June 10, 2009 regarding
                the   Conservation  Review  Board  Report  –  David  Dunlap
                Observatory lands be received;

                b)       That  Recommendation 4 from Heritage Richmond Hill
                Meeting   HRH#06-09   of   June   10,  2009  regarding  the
                Conservation Review Board Report – David Dunlap Observatory
                lands be received.

                These recommendations will be presented as part of the
                Minutes of the July 6, 2009 Committee of the Whole meeting
                for final adoption by Council at Monday's Council Meeting.

Council Chamber are located in Richmond Hill Town Hall
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill


July 6, 2009 - Richmond Hill Council Meeting - Council Chambers 4:30 pm

At its meeting on June 10, 2009 Heritage Richmond Hill passed 2 motions relating to the David Dunlap Observatory lands.  These motions are being brought forward to the July 6, 2009 Committee of the Whole Meeting for consideration by Richmond Hill Town Council.

The extract from the Heritage Richmond Hill committee meeting held on June 10, 2009 is Item No. 7 on the Committee of the Whole agenda and is now available on the Town's website at the following link:

http://www.richmondhill.ca/documents/meetings/cow/7_6_2009_16_30/Item%207.pdf


If you wish to address Committee specifically on the subject matter contained in Item No. 7 (7.3), you must submit your request in writing by noon, Monday, July 6, 2009.   You can send an e-mail to clerks@richmondhill.ca or fax your request to (905) 771-2502.

Please note that in accordance with the Town's Procedural By-law, delegations at Committee of the Whole are only permitted for items included on the agenda.  Delegations are limited to five (5) minutes per person and we ask that this time frame be taken into consideration when putting together your presentation.

The meeting starts at 4:30 p.m. and is held in the Council Chambers on the first floor.

June 23, 2009 - Richmond Hill Council Meeting - Council Chambers 7:30 pm

Please come out and show your support for the DDO. Although it is not on the official agenda some issues relating to the DDO including two motions put forward by Heritage Richmond Hill will be discussed

Council Chamber are located in Richmond Hill Town Hall
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill

June 17, 2009 - Richmond Hill Council Meeting - Council Chambers 7:30 pm

Please come out and show your support for the DDO. Although it is not on the official agenda some issues relating to the DDO including two motions put forward by Heritage Richmond Hill will be discussed

Council Chamber are located in Richmond Hill Town Hall
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill

May 4th, 2009 - Richmond Hill Council Meeting - Council Chambers 4:30 pm

Please come out and show your support for the DDO. Council will shown a presentation and requested to approve a Land Planning and Conservation management Study for the DDO lands. If you wish to see the proposed study document please follow the link below:

http://www.richmondhill.ca/documents/meetings/cow/5_4_2009_16_30/item%2018%20srpd09042.pdf

Council Chamber are located in Richmond Hill Town Hall
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill

April 28th, 2009 - Character Community Awards

Karen Cilevitz has been nominated for a Citizen of Character Award. We wish her the best of luck.

The awards will be presented on Tuesday, April 28 at 6:30 pm at Richmond Hill's new Performing Arts Centre (10268 Yonge St. near Wright St.)


MARCH 28TH, 2009 - EARTH HOUR

LET'S GET READY FOR EARTH HOUR 2009!!

Date: Saturday March 28th, 2009
Time: 8:30pm
Place: David Dunlap Observatory Park, 350 - 16th Avenue, Richmond Hill

*PLEASE NOTE: THE DAVID DUNLAP OBSERVATORY PARK IS NOT THE MAIN DUNLAP
SITE - OUR VENUE IS "THE SOLAR SYSTEM PARK" WHICH IS SITUATED BEHIND THE
ELVIS STOJKO ARENA ON 16TH AVENUE*

You will be able to park in the parking lots of the Stojko Arena and 16th
Avenue Public School, which is adjacent to the arena.  There is also ample
parking on Berwick Crescent (north side of 16th Ave., west of the arena) and
Elm Avenue (south side of 16th Ave., east of the arena) and their
surrounding side streets.  No parking is permitted on 16th Avenue.  If you
park on the south side of 16th Ave., please only use the intersections with
traffic lights to safely cross 16th Avenue and reach "The Solar System Park"
which is situated on the north side of 16th Avenue - we will have YRP on
point duty to also help us stay safe.  The site is fully accessible via YRT
and VIVA busses.

To reach "The Solar System Park", walk to the back of the arena parking lot,
up the stairs (which will be lit with candles) and the park will open up
directly in front of you as you pass through the heritage trees at its
southern edge.

There will be a Richmond Hill Naturalists fundraising table and a table with
advocacy letters which everyone will be encouraged to sign and they will be
hand-delivered to Richmond Hill's Mayor Dave Barrow stating the people's
demand for 100% Significant Cultural Landscape Heritage designation of the
Dunlap site, whether recommended or not by the decision of the CRB, which is
expected soon.

We will be having group talks that centre on the representation of the solar
system in the park as we "Walk the Solar System"!  Telescopes will be set up
for observing of different celestial objects with experienced astronomers,
and there will be "guided" sky tours given by astronomers explaining and
interpreting the night sky.   There will be plenty of fun for all ages -
kids and adults!

Everyone will be able to sign their names to a "love letter" to the Dunlap,
and we will be holding a candlelight vigil for the Dunlap site which will
represent the Great Dome sitting watch over us just to the north of The
Solar System Park.

*Please dress warmly, wear boots and shoes that will stand up to possible
muddy and soft grass conditions, bring blankets to sit on, and a tarp if you
have one.  Bring binoculars if you have them and flashlights and/or
lanterns - we will have red cellophane to place over your flashlights to
keep the light down to an "Earth Hour" and night-vision acceptable minimum!

Global Earth Hour is from 8:30pm - 9:30pm EDT, so we advise you start
arriving around 8pm to be safely on-site by 8:30pm.

*If it is cloudy, we are still a "GO", but if it is raining, assume the
Earth Hour festivities will not be ongoing.*

Please forward this message on to any and all who may wish to join us as we
help the Earth cleanse its soul!

So ... get ready ... the countdown to "Earth Hour 2009 - Richmond Hill" has
begun!!


JANUARY 15 TO JANUARY 23, 2009

The date for the Conservation Review Board Hearing regarding
the extent of Cultural Landscape Heritage designation for The Dunlap Site
are as follows:

Thursday  January 15, 2009
Friday    January 16, 2009
Monday    January 19, 2009
Tuesday   January 20, 2009
Wednesday January 21, 2009
Thursday  January 22, 2009
Friday    January 23, 2009

The hearing will be held at the Richmond Hill Town Hall building, 225 East
Beaver Creek Road, Richmond Hill - just north of the Highway 7 and East
Beaver Creek Road intersection, west side of East Beaver Creek Road.  The Board will be meeting everyday in Committee Room 2 starting at 10 am. They break for lunch and hearings wrap up at 4 pm.

If you would like to speak at the hearing please attend the first meeting on January 15th to register. The Board has not announced which day it will be hearing public comments but they will be doing so.

***NEW UPDATE*** The opportunity to make a statement at the hearing will be open to all Tuesday, January 20 from 2 - 4 pm. Do not worry if you did not make it to register on January 15 they will allow additional registration on Tuesday. 

MAY 26TH, 2008

MAY 10TH, 2008

COME CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMY DAY AT THE DDO!! HELP LAUNCH THE ASTRONATS!!

On Saturday May 10th from 6:30pm onwards we invite you to join us at The David Dunlap Observatory to celebrate International Astronomy Day and the launch of our new and exciting Richmond Hill Naturalists Astronomy Group -The AstroNats!

The evening's event will include:

*A lecture/discussion in the main lecture room of the Administration
Building at 6:30pm entitled: "Amateur Astronomy - An introduction to the experience of a lifetime!"
This introductory and detailed talk will help make all our future AstroNats feel at ease with their new-found hobby.Speaking on this evening's topic will be your AstroNat Chair Heide DeBond, Dunlap Public Outreach Specialists Ian Shelton and Tuba Koktay, and Karen Cilevitz who will be wearing her Amateur Astromoner's Hat for this evening.
This promises to be a very informative and fun hour and we will follow the lecture with an open question period to answer your 'Everything you ever wanted to know' enquiries about amateur astronomy to help make you all very comfortable AstroNats!

NB: We have limited space in the lecture room so please email me with your name and the names of your party if you wish to ensure yourself a seat for This inaugural AstroNats talk.

*At the conclusion of our AstroNats talk we will then proceed outside and, both those in attendance of the talk as well as our guests who will have arrived outside on the lawns, will help us plant a special tree to commemorate the official launch of The AstroNats.

*We will all then have the fantastic opportunity of being led through The Great Dome where a brief talk on the dome and telescope will take place and, when the sun has set and darkness has fallen, everyone will have the unique opportunity to view Saturn through our beloved 74" telescope.

*Telescopes will be set up outside for public viewing as well and we will be iewing Venus before the sun sets, and selected targets after sunset.

*During outdoor telescope viewing we will offer Sky Tours of the night sky withetailed explanations of The Spring and Summer Nightsky.

*A candlelight vigil for our Dunlap Observatory and Parkland will conclude or very special evening.

*A refreshment table will be available outside for all in attendance, and a fundraising table in support of The Richmond Hill Naturalists Legal Defense Fund, which is directly responsible for taking us to the Conservation Review Board Hearing sometime this summer to save and protect 100% of the Dunlap Site, will also be set up outside and various fundraising items will be on sale, including our spectacular Telescope Blueprint T-shirts and a brand new design which we will be launching to commemorate this special evening.

*There is no entrance fee to this DDO Defenders Event - we respectfully ask that donations of any amount you are comfortable contributing are made to the RHNats Legal Defense Fund Donation Containers that will be available in the entrance foyer of the Administration Building and outside on the RHNats Fundraising Table.

*Parking is extremely limited on-site and we need to accomodate our disabled permit holders and the elderly, so please park your vehicles on Hillsview and/or in the Montessori parking lot and enjoy the beautiful and relaxing walk up the Dunlap driveway as our trees dress themselves in their finest and newest greenery.

See you all at The DDO on Saturday May 10th from 6:30pm onwards as we celebrate International Astronomy Day and The AstroNats!

MARCH 29th, 2008

COME CELEBRATE EARTH HOUR AT THE DDO!!!!

ON SATURDAY MARCH 29TH, 2008, FROM 6:45PM TO 9:30PM COME AND CELEBRATE 'EARTH HOUR' UNDER THE BEAUTIFUL SKIES OF OUR DAVID DUNLAP OBSERVATORY AND PARKLAND!!

Please come and join us a we celebrate an event that we see people from around the world turning off all lights and electrical appliances between 8 and 9 o'clock as the world turns.

This event will include:

 - A talk by Professor Tom Bolton entitled "Light Pollution: How we stemmed the sky glow in Richmond Hill". This will take place in the administration building lecture hall. The entrance fee is $5.00, and registration is at 6:45 pm

- A tour of the DDO by Dr. Tuba Koktay. Tour fee is $5.00, registration is at 6:45 pm, the tour will begin at 7 pm and last about 1 hour.

- Stargazing on the front lawn of the DDO between 8 - 9 pm. Feel free to bring your own set of binoculars or your own telescope and take advantage of the darker night sky. Refeshments will be available.

- A second talk by Professor Tom Bolton will occur after 9 pm if the numbers warrant it.

Please come and join us for this historic event and an experience you will never forget.

MARCH 17th, 2008

FEBRUARY 20th, 2008

COME AND VIEW THE LUNAR ECLIPSE

Join us at the Observatory for aspectacular evening of copper-coloured moon glow, please arrive by 7:45pm in
the Main Administration Building where you will be warmly welcomed by Tuba and Ian.  Admission is only $5 and warm drinks and refreshments will be
served.

Ian's lecture will begin at 8pm sharp in the main lecture room and then hopefully, Eclipse Gods Willing, we will go outside and watch as totality covers the face of our moon for about 50 minutes, starting at 10pm.   The eclipse begins at 8:43pm and will end at 12:09am.

FEBRUARY 17th, 2008

THE FOUR DIRECTIONS TEACHING CEREMONY AT THE DDO!!

We hereby confirm that DAVID GREY EAGLE, together with the assistance of his
People, will honour us with their presence on SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17TH AT 1PM
when they will perform The Four Directions Teaching Ceremony on the grounds
of The David Dunlap Observatory, 123 Hillsview Drive, Richmond Hill.

This sacred aboriginal ceremony is intended to invoke the spiritualprotection of our beloved property and we deeply appreciate the noble Support of our First Nations Brothers and Sisters in our struggle to save
The David Dunlap Observatory and Parkland -only if we remember where we
came from will we be able to know where we are going.

WE INVITE YOU ALL TO JOIN US IN CELEBRATION AND REVERENCE AS WE HONOUR THE LAND.
 

FEBRUARY 11th, 2008

Richmond Hill Council Chambers

At 7:30 pm come and help us fill the stands in Chambers so that the Council doesn't forget how important this issue is. This meeting is a follow up to the council meeting that took place 28/01/08. 
   
Council Chambers are located at 225 East Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill

FEBRUARY 9th, 2008

RALLY FOR STUDENTS AND FRIENDS AT THE DDO IS ON!

MARSHALLING AREA: THE RICHMOND HILL CHINESE COMMUNITY CHURCH PARKING LOT,
C/R BAYVIEW AND WELDRICK AVENUES, RICHMOND HILL - between 11:30am and 12
noon.

PROCESSION ROUTE: South on Bayview from RHCCC parking lot, west sidewalk
Bayview Avenue, one block to Hillsview Drive, West on Hillsview to the
Observatory grounds.

RALLYING PLACE: In front of the Administration Building and The Great Dome,
The David Dunlap Observatory, 123 Hillsview Drive, Richmond Hill.

Access to the marshalling area of the RHCCC parking lot is easily accessible
via public transit:
1. York Region Transit Bus #91 stops at the corner of Bayview and Weldrick.
2. VIVA busses stop at Yonge and Weldrick - the route east to the
Observatory off Weldrick will be marked by sidewalk arrow signage.  If you
opt for this route, you may miss the procession up Hillsview Drive to the
Observatory site, as it approaches from the opposite direction.

If arriving by car, please park either on Weldrick or Hillsview, or
surrounding neighbourhood streets, where permitted, or in the open plaza
opposite the RHCCC.  Please do NOT park in the RHCCC parking lot to preserve
the safety of our rally participants who will be marshalling there.

The parking lot of the Observatory will be open to press vehicles and
trucks, and honoured guests and speakers only.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be NO public access to the inside of The
Administration Building and The Great Dome.  Once on the Obervatory
Property, we will assemble ONLY on the front lawns in front of the
Administration Building and Great Dome for the purpose of this rally.

If you have any questions please send them too info@savetheddo.org.   

FEBRUARY 1st, 2008-CANCELLED!!!!

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER. THE RALLY WILL BE RESCHEDULED - DETAILS TO FOLLOW

RALLY FOR STUDENTS AND FRIENDS AT THE DDO!

Come join local students and friends of the DDO at 2 PM for an hour long Rally to support the DDO. 

Participants should meet at the DDO gates. There will then be a march up to the observatory, sing some songs, and enjoy the park & observatory we are trying to save.

Media is expected so please be sure to bring signs.

If you have any questions please email them too info@savetheddo.org.   

JANUARY 28th, 2008

Richmond Hill Council Chambers

At 7:30 pm, the Staff Report by the Town of Richmond Hill on Consultant report on the status of the DDO Culture Heritage Landscape study will be made in Council Chambers. Come and join us in Chambers so that the Council doesn't forget how important this issue is.
   
Council Chambers are located at 225 East Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill

JANUARY 24th, 2008

I would ask you all to please attend this meeting in support of the Town of Richmond Hill's motion for the preservation of the observatory and a significant woodlot on the David Dunlap Observatory Property. 
 

THE COUNCIL OF THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF YORK
THURSDAY, JANAURY 24, 2008
9:30 a.m.
Council Chambers
York Region Administrative Centre
17250 Yonge Street
Newmarket, Ontario

Located on the west side of Yonge Street, just North of Eagle Street.

Agenda link:
  http://www.york.ca/Regional+Government/Agendas+Minutes+and+Reports/_2008/CA+Jan+24.htm
 

JANUARY 21st, 2008

INSIGHTS - ROGERS TELEVISION

At 8:30 pm Matthew Calaminici, Marianne Yake, and a yet to be named staffmember from the DDO will be appearing on the show "Insights" for a 1/2 hour panel discussion on our efforts to save the David Dunlap Observatory and park.

JAUNARY 17th, 2009

Dr. Ian Shelton's talk on the David Dunlap Park & Observatory.

At 7:30 pm, Dr. Ian Shelton, will be speaking about the DDO and surrounding parkland. The event will be at: Wallace Hall Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church, 10066 Yonge Street
(Located just north of Major Makenzie on the West side of Yonge)

JANUARY 16th, 2008

QUEEN'S PARK RALLY!

IT IS OFFICIAL! At 12 pm January 16th, 2008, SavetheDDO.org along with a number of other community groups who support the DDO will be holding a rally in infront of the Legislative Building asking for the Province to support the protection of the DDO and surrounding lands.

Come and make your voice heard!

****NEW**** 

After the Rally at Queen's Park a number of supporters will be heading to the U of T campus to gather infront of Simcoe Hall and voice our displeasure to U of T directly. The approximate time of this gathering will be 1:30 pm. Please come and join us.

If you are interested in helping out with organizing the rally, making signs, or have some encouraging words please send them to info@savetheddo.org

*****EVERY SATURDAY*****

Every Saturday at 2:00 pm the Richmond Hill Naturalists run free guided walking tours through the David Dunlap Observatory grounds.

If you have never been there I would highly recommend it. Learn first hand why so many people are fighting so hard to save this little green jewel in the heart of Richmond Hill.

Powered by 4goodhosting.com