patio

Saturday June 12, 2021

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday June 12, 2021

Ontario enters Step 1 of COVID-19 reopening

Ontario is entering Step 1 of its reopening plan three days ahead of schedule—a move that will allow residents to enjoy the summer weather with a variety of outdoor activities now permitted.

February 25, 2021

The province was supposed to begin reopening on June 14, but Premier Doug Ford’s office said that the situation in Ontario is “exceeding the best-case scenario.”

But what does moving into Step 1 mean? 

Ontario entered Step 1 of the reopening plan at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 11. The government has said it will wait at least 21 days between each step. This means Ontario will likely move into Step 2 on July 2.

The Ontario government has moved the entire province into Step 1, however local public health units do have the power to hold their region back. Porcupine Health Unit is the only PHU extending the current pandemic lockdown until June 24.

February 23, 2021

Outdoor gatherings and public events are now permitted with a maximum of 10 people. Indoor gatherings with people outside of your household are still not allowed.

Patios are permitted to reopen in Step 1, with a maximum of four people at a table, unless they live in the same household. There is no cap on the number of tables on a patio, but officials have said that there must be two-metres between each table or group of people.

Restaurants with patios can return to their normal hours of liquor service, Monday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Indoor dining is still prohibited. (CTV) 

 

Thursday April 1, 2021

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday April 1, 2021

Ontario reports more than 2300 new COVID-19 cases as ICU numbers reach record high

Ontario health officials reported more than 2,300 new cases of COVID-19 as the province reached a record high number of people battling the disease in its intensive care units.

January 16, 2021

The province confirmed 2,333 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday. Daily case numbers have remained above the 2,000 mark for seven straight days.

The province’s seven-day average for number of cases recorded is now 2,316, up from 1,676 one week ago.

With 52,532 tests processed in the last 24 hours, the province says its COVID-19 positivity rate dropped to 4.8 per cent after two days above the six per cent mark.

The latest Critical Care Services Ontario report, obtained by CTV News Toronto on Wednesday morning, shows there are currently 421 patients in intensive care units (ICUs) across the province with COVID-19.

The total marks the highest number of COVID-19 patients in critical care at one time since the pandemic began. The last time the ICU admission total surpassed 400 was in January during the height of the pandemic’s second wave.

July 27, 2019

“We’re in a critical spot today,” Dr. Michael Warner, medical director of critical care at Michael Garron Hospital, said on Wednesday.

“This is a train heading down the tracks and it’s going to take a while to slow it down. So even if we implement significant public health measures today, we could see ICU numbers hit 500, but if we don’t, that’s when things could really get bad.”

Meanwhile, CTV News Toronto has learned the Ontario government will announce Thursday that it will force the province into a month-long shutdown.

November 5, 2020

According to the government’s guidelines, a shutdown—indicated as a sixth tier in the government’s framework—is similar to the old grey zone rules in which retail is allowed to open with strict capacity limits, indoor dining remains closed and gyms are shuttered.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday that he was prepared to act swiftly.

“I’m very, very concerned to see the cases go up. I’m very concerned to see the ICU capacity and we all have to be vigilant,” he said. “I’m just asking people don’t gather in large groups, don’t have big, big gatherings and follow the protocols.”

Warner said the province must focus on implementing public health restrictions as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues.

“We need to protect the health and safety of people, set economic interests aside for now, and get some control over what’s happening to all of us right now,” he said. (CTV) 

 

Saturday January 21, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday January 21, 2017

Music-on-patio plan tabled

City councillors don’t like the sound of a plan to allow musical entertainment on nightclub patios.

July 31, 2014

A pilot project was tabled Tuesday by the city’s planning committee that would have allowed bar owners to feature ambient music on patios in seven districts in the city, some golf courses and other locations in rural areas.

Councillors decided to deal with the issue at a later date after raising concerns about the potential impact on people who live nearby.

Others said it would be unfair to bar patio owners outside the designated districts on James Street North, Hess Village, the bayfront, Augusta Street, part of Upper James Street and Dundas.

Coun. Brenda Johnson said she had concerns about the plan in rural areas because sound can travel great distances in undeveloped landscapes.

Coun. Jason Farr supported the idea, saying it was consistent with Hamilton’s desire to brand itself as a music city.

The noise level would be kept to 60 decibels, which is the same volume as a discussion at an average planning committee meeting, Farr added. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

Monday May 2, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Monday May 2, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Monday May 2, 2016 Get ready for Ôpop-upÕ patios on HamiltonÕs streets this summer Are HamiltonÕs commercial areas ready for Òpop-upÓ patios on parking lots? Hamilton politicians approved a motion at their April 27 council meeting requesting staff to examine a pilot program that would allow local businesses or BIAs to establish temporary, seasonal patios and seating areas using on-street parking spaces. The program would begin in 2016. ÒThis is very innovative and non-expensive for the taxpayer,Ó said Mountain councillor Donna Skelly who supported the idea. She said after the reconstruction of Concession Street last year, there are some businesses which would benefit from the extra business by allowing outdoor patios on the street. ÒThis is an opportunity for Concession Street,Ó said Skelly. Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead also supported the motion, introduced by Ward 3 councillor Matthew Green. But he wanted to allow patios for commercial areas that are not in a BIA. Whitehead also insisted that business owners who want to establish patios on the street have the proper insurance. After some squabbling among councillors, WhiteheadÕs amendment was approved by council. Although no councillor opposed the idea, staff will examine if having a patio on the street will impede traffic, impact parking revenues and pose a safety issue. BIAs that could look at the idea includes Stoney Creek, Concession Street, Ottawa Street, Lock Street, Waterdown, and Ancaster. So-called Òpop-upÓ patios have proved popular in New York City, Toronto, Orillia, and St. Catharines, where that cityÕs council approved it in 2012. A fee of $300 is charged to the business to cover the cost of parking. These patios canÕt serve liquor because of liquor laws involving public sidewalks, and businesses are not allowed to brand the place. Mayor Fred Eisenberger said the motion is another step to increase the ÒvitalityÓ to Hamilto

Get ready for ‘pop-up’ patios on Hamilton’s streets this summer

Are Hamilton’s commercial areas ready for “pop-up” patios on parking lots?

Hamilton politicians approved a motion at their April 27 council meeting requesting staff to examine a pilot program that would allow local businesses or BIAs to establish temporary, seasonal patios and seating areas using on-street parking spaces. The program would begin in 2016.

“This is very innovative and non-expensive for the taxpayer,” said Mountain councillor Donna Skelly who supported the idea.

She said after the reconstruction of Concession Street last year, there are some businesses which would benefit from the extra business by allowing outdoor patios on the street.

“This is an opportunity for Concession Street,” said Skelly.

Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead also supported the motion, introduced by Ward 3 councillor Matthew Green. But he wanted to allow patios for commercial areas that are not in a BIA. Whitehead also insisted that business owners who want to establish patios on the street have the proper insurance.

After some squabbling among councillors, Whitehead’s amendment was approved by council.

Although no councillor opposed the idea, staff will examine if having a patio on the street will impede traffic, impact parking revenues and pose a safety issue.

BIAs that could look at the idea includes Stoney Creek, Concession Street, Ottawa Street, Lock Street, Waterdown, and Ancaster.

So-called “pop-up” patios have proved popular in New York City, Toronto, Orillia, and St. Catharines, where that city’s council approved it in 2012. A fee of $300 is charged to the business to cover the cost of parking.

These patios can’t serve liquor because of liquor laws involving public sidewalks, and businesses are not allowed to brand the place.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said the motion is another step to increase the “vitality” to Hamilton’s streets. Another barrier that restaurants have that council should consider lifting is the city has banned music being played in patios. He compared the patio music bylaw to the city’s ban on tobogganing. Council this winter season allowed tobogganing in certain areas of the city for the first time. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Wednesday August 14, 2013

Wednesday August 14, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 14, 2013

Late-night python startles Hess bar patrons

For SaleA group of bar patrons got a late-night surprise when they ran into a three-foot python on their way out of Hess Village.

Hamilton animal control was called on Aug. 7 around 3 a.m. after the patrons left the bar and found the snake slithering into some bushes in a lot near King Street West and Hess Street.

According to the Reptile Store, located a dozen or so blocks from where the serpent was discovered, these snakes are not dangerous.

The ball python is “if not the most popular species of snake, definitely the most popular python,” said Jon Kendrick, business manager of reptilestore.ca.

They get their name because, when startled, they coil up, tucking their head into the middle — like a ball.

They’re timid, Kendrick says, which makes them popular pets.

Because of its “handle-ability,” this one was likely a pet, animal control supervisor Cal Burnett said.

But animal control doesn’t know to whom the snake belongs or from where it came.
The escapee didn’t come from the Reptile Store, Kendrick ensures.

“Again, thankfully, they don’t pose a threat of any significance unless you’re a small mouse.”

Last week, a 45-kilogram African rock python killed two boys — 4-year-old Noah Barthe and his 6-year-old brother, Connor — after it strangled them in a New Brunswick apartment. (Source: CBC News)