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Bras Around the Building collects 7,000 bras and raises $16,500 for breast cancer research

By kawarthaNOW -
Donna Chamberlain, who alone collected 1,953 bras, with My Left Breast owner Bridget Leslie in front of the Country 105/Energy 99.7 building in downtown Peterborough (photo: Eva Fisher)

91.9 BOB FM, Energy 99.7, Country 105, and Shorelines Slots At Kawartha Downs have wrapped up the 6th annual “Bras Around the Building” campaign.

With the support of the community, the campaign collected 7,000 bras in Lindsay and Peterborough. And thanks to a generous contribution of $8,000 from Shorelines Slots at Kawartha Downs, along with other monetary donations from local businesses, organizations, and individuals, the 2016 Bras Around the Building Campaign has raised over $16,500.

The funds will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society for breast cancer research, bringing the total raised by the campaign over the past six years to more than $100,000.

The 91.9 BOB FM building in Lindsay was also decorated with donated bras (photo: Bras Around the Building)
The 91.9 BOB FM building in Lindsay was also decorated with donated bras (photo: Bras Around the Building)

For the past month, women in Peterborough, Lindsay, and the Kawarthas have been donating their gently used bras, and many local women and businesses also took up collections from family and friends for the campaign.

One of the big heroes of the day was Donna Chamberlain, who alone collected 1,953 bras. Denise Vallee and Associates donated collected 133 bras and donated $1,250. My Left Breast collected 265 bras and gave a $400 donation.

“I think it’s our fifth year being involved with Bras Around the Building,” says owner Bridget Leslie. “We were excited to help to exceed their goal of raising $100,000 over the six years that this fundraiser has been going on for. We’d like to thank our customers and the community for all of their support.”

Denise Vallee and Associates raised $1,250 in donations and collected 133 bras (photo: Eva Fisher)
Denise Vallee and Associates raised $1,250 in donations and collected 133 bras (photo: Eva Fisher)

The collected bras are currently wrapped around the BOB FM building at 249 Kent Street West in Lindsay and the Country 105/Energy 99.7 building at 59 George Street North in downtown Peterborough. MC Tree Service and the Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service helped place the bras on the building, and McDonald’s fed the volunteers.

The public is encouraged to take some pictures over the weekend. The bras will remain on display until 9 a.m. on Monday, October 31st. They will then be dry cleaned courtesy of Rocky’s Cleaners in Peterborough and Cintas Uniform Services in Lindsay and delivered, courtesy of Brinks Peterborough, to Seeds of Hope as part of their relief efforts in Haiti and the Honduras.

Members of the organizing committee: Bridget Leslie, Vince Bierworth, Susan Dunkley, Allison Payne, and Denise Vallee. Not pictured: Anne Arnold, Mel Hannah, and Arlene Godby. (Photo: Eva Fisher)
Members of the organizing committee: Bridget Leslie, Vince Bierworth, Susan Dunkley, Allison Payne, and Denise Vallee. Not pictured: Anne Arnold, Mel Hannah, and Arlene Godby. (Photo: Eva Fisher)

Puppies flown into Peterborough ready to find their forever homes

By kawarthaNOW -
One of the 58 dogs flown in on October 7 from the community of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug at Big Trout Lake. The dogs are now available for adoption. (Photo: Peterborough Human Society)

The puppies flown into Peterborough Airport from a remote northern Ontario community a few weeks ago will be available for adoption beginning next week.

Adoptions will be on a first-come first-served basis on Monday, October 31st through the Peterborough Humane Society (385 Lansdowne Street East, Peterborough, 705-745-7676) and on Wednesday, November 2nd at the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes (111 McLaughlin Rd, Lindsay, 705-878-4618). Viewings at the Peterborough Humane Society begin at 10 a.m. on Monday.

On October 7th, a North Star Air plane carrying 58 dogs from the community of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake), located about 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, arrived at the Peterborough Airport.

North Star Air partnered with the Ontario SPCA's Provincial Animal Transfer Team and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug to assist with the transfer. (Photo: Ross Davis)
North Star Air partnered with the Ontario SPCA’s Provincial Animal Transfer Team and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug to assist with the transfer. (Photo: Ross Davis)

North Star Air has taken a key leadership role in the north to help address the pet overpopulation issue in remote fly-in only communities. Committed to playing an active role in making a positive difference within First Nation communities, the Thunder Bay-based airline partnered with the Ontario SPCA’s Provincial Animal Transfer Team and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug to assist with the transfer.

Related story

58 dogs fly in to the Peterborough Airport to find forever homes

“It takes many partners to successfully transfer so many dogs, particularly when we’re working with remote northern Ontario communities,” says Andrew Fraser, Executive Director of the Peterborough Humane Society. “North Star Air’s support as our airline carrier was key and gave these puppies a second chance by giving them a temporary set of wings to find their forever homes.”

The Provincial Animal Transfer Team was established by the Ontario SPCA and is made up of volunteers and organizations from all across Ontario, working to help move animals across the province to shelters where they can find new homes.

A team of volunteers, including veterinarians and veterinary technicians, triaged the 58 dogs after they arrived at the Peterborough Airport. (Photo: Ross Davis)
A team of volunteers, including veterinarians and veterinary technicians, triaged the 58 dogs after they arrived at the Peterborough Airport. (Photo: Ross Davis)

After North Star Air’s yellow and black Basler BT-67 plane landed on the tarmac at the Peterborough Airport, the dogs were unloaded and brought into a hangar where they were triaged by a team of volunteers, including veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Once cleared for further transport, the dogs were brought to the Peterborough Humane Society, the North Bay & District Humane Society, the Welland & District Humane Society, the Sarnia & District Humane Society, the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes and the Quinte Humane Society to be placed into their adoption programs.

“One of our goals at North Star Air is helping the communities and people in the north,” says Mary-Ellen Thomas, Commercial, PR, Sales & Marketing of North Star Air Ltd. “There are many of our partner communities where the pet overpopulation presents a real problem. The Basler BT -7 is one of the perfect fits for this program as it has the room for the dogs to safely be transported out of the communities.”

Hydro One offers to buy Peterborough Distribution Inc. for $105 million

By kawarthaNOW -
Hydro One is offering $105 million in cash to buy Peterborough Distribution Inc. (photo: Peterborough Utilities Group)

City of Peterborough Holdings Inc. is recommending the City of Peterborough accept an offer from Hydro One and sell Peterborough Distribution Inc. (PDI), the city’s regulated electricity distribution company.

According to a media release from the city’s private corporation that owns Peterborough Distribution Inc. (PDI), the Hydro One offer includes:

  • A cash offer of $105 million for PDI
  • Stable electricity distribution rates for Peterborough
  • Job protection for PDI employees
  • Creation of a new Hydro One Operations Centre and Fleet Maintenance Garage in Peterborough, with the addition of 30 new jobs while keeping 70 existing Hydro One jobs based in Peterborough
  • Guarantees for customer service quality.
Related story

City of Peterborough launching community consultation on potential Hydro One sale

“This is a strong financial deal for the City of Peterborough,” says John Stephenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of City of Peterborough Holdings Inc. “Our board of directors has conducted a careful and thorough review of the Hydro One offer.”

The board was unanimous in its recommendation to the City of Peterborough to sell PDI to Hydro One.

Stephenson says he’s confident will benefit ratepayers by lowering electricity distribution rates and locking in distribution rate stability for at least 10 years.

Details about the offer are available on the newly launched Peterborough Utilities Group website at poweringourfuture.ca.

The media release from City of Peterborough Holdings Inc. doesn’t indicate when the board decided to recommend Hydro One’s offer be accepted. However, the newly launched Peterborough Utilities Group website contains all the information about the offer, and today’s announcement appears to be coordinated with the October 25th announcement from the City of Peterborough about a community consultation process on the Hydro One offer beginning October 31st.

nightlifeNOW – October 27 to November 2

By kawarthaNOW -
Ryan and Sam of The Weber Brothers, who are performing with their band at The Arlington in Maynooth on Friday, October 28 (photo: Linda McIlwain / kawarthaNOW)

Every Thursday, we publish live music and performance events at pubs and clubs in Peterborough and The Kawarthas based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, October 27 to Wednesday, November 2.

If you’re a pub or club owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, please email our Nightlife Editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com.

7oh5
ARIA
Arlington Pub
Bancroft Eatery and Brew Pub
Black Horse Pub
Canoe & Paddle
The Cat & The Fiddle Cobourg
The Cat & The Fiddle Lindsay
Catalina's
The Ceilie (Trent University student pub)
Chemong Lodge
The Church-key Pub & Grindhouse
Coach & Horses Pub
Dobro Restaurant & Bar
Dominion Hotel
Embers Grill House
Frank's Pasta and Grill
The Garnet
Gordon Best Theatre
Junction Nightclub
McThirsty's Pint
The Mill Restaurant and Pub
Oasis Bar & Grill
Pastry Peddler
Pattie House Smokin' Barbecue
Pig's Ear Tavern
Pitchers Place
Puck' N Pint Sports Pub
Red Dog Tavern
Riley's Olde Town Pub
Shots
Southside Pizzeria
The Spill
Tank House
The Venue
White House Hotel
Winchester Arms

7oh5

295 George St. N, Peterborough
(705) 743-2717

Thursday, October 27

10pm - Suicide Squad Halloween Party

Saturday, October 29

8pm - Hallowe'en Haunt for United Way ft DJ Bones ($10 in advance, $12 at door)

Monday, October 31

10pm - DJ Drama Diablo Halloween Night

Coming Soon

Saturday, November 26
10pm - Beats n' Booty S-Ka-Paid Album Release Party ($10, 19+)

ARIA

331 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 743-0333

Saturday, October 29

10pm - Zombies ($5)

Arlington Pub

32990 Highway 62, Maynooth
(613) 338-2080

Friday, October 28

9pm - The Weber Brothers ($10)

VIDEO: "I Still Believe" - The Weber Brothers

Saturday, October 29

9pm - Halloween Party w/ DJ Kloudliner

Bancroft Eatery and Brew Pub

4 Bridge St., Bancroft
(613) 332-3450

Friday, October 28

9pm - Dave Byrski

Saturday, October 29

9pm - Haunting Halloween Bash w/ karaoke, prizes for best costumes (19+, no cover)

Tuesdays

7:30pm - Trivia Tuesdays

Wednesdays

7pm - Jam Night in the York Room

Black Horse Pub

452 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 742-0633

Thursday, October 27

7:30pm - Jazz & Blues w/ Rob Philips & Marsala Lukianchuk

Friday, October 28

5-8pm - Rick & Gailie; 8:30pm - Doug Dynasty

Saturday, October 29

5-8pm - Rick & Gailie; 8:30pm - Four Lanes Wide

Sunday, October 30

3pm - Odd Man Rush

Monday, October 31

7pm - Halloween Party w/ Rick & Gailie (prizes for best costume)

Tuesday, November 1

7:30pm - Open Mic w/ Randy Hill

Wednesday, November 2

8pm - Student night ft Dickie & The Boys w/ guest bands

Canoe & Paddle

18 Bridge St., Lakefield
(705) 651-1111

Saturdays

8-11pm - Live music

Sundays (2nd/4th of month)

2-5pm - Live music

Tuesdays

7-10pm - Open jam

The Cat & The Fiddle Cobourg

38 Covert St., Cobourg
(905) 377-9029

Friday, October 28

9pm - Chris Culgan Band

The Cat & The Fiddle Lindsay

49 William St. N., Lindsay
(705) 878-4312

Saturday, October 29

8pm - Halloween Party ft The Harry Peterson Band, prizes for best costume

Coming Soon

Saturday, November 12
8pm - 9th Anniversary Party ft The Bomb Retro '80s

Catalina's

131 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 874-5972

Sunday, October 30

3-6pm - Halloween Matinee ft Mayhemingways & Willie Stratton (all ages, $10 in advance, $15 at door)

Coming Soon

Friday, November 4
9pm - A Night of Honky-Tonk with Nudie and James McKenty

Sunday, November 6
2pm - Red Room Quartet

The Ceilie (Trent University student pub)

1600 West Bank Dr., Peterborough
(705) 748-1011

Coming Soon

Wednesday, November 9
2-6pm - Trent Student Psychology Society presents Meet the Professors

Chemong Lodge

764 Hunter St., Bridgenorth
(705) 292-8435

Thursdays

5-9pm - Pianist Barry McMullen (dining room)

Fridays

5-9pm - Pianist Barry McMullen (dining room)

The Church-key Pub & Grindhouse

26 Bridge St. W., Campbellford
(705) 653-0001

Thursday, October 27

9pm - Benj Rowland w/ Ray on the Radio

Friday, October 28

9pm - Shawn Dore

Saturday, October 29

9pm - Pub Halloween ft Mick Manning, Peter Thorn & friends, awards for best costumes

Mondays

Trivia Monday

Wednesdays

Whiskey Wednesday w/ Ken Tizzard

Coach & Horses Pub

16 York St. S., Lindsay
(705) 328-0006

Thursdays

10pm - Open Jam w/ Gerald Vanhalteren

Friday, October 28

9pm - Halloween Karaoke w/ DJ Ross, prize for best costume

Saturday, October 29

8pm - Halloween Costume Party w/ U Jimmy, prize for best costume

Wednesdays

7-11pm - Live music

Coming Soon

Saturday, November 5
5:30-9pm - Newfoundland Night 2016 in support of A Place Called Home ft music by John Turner ($30, at http://www.apch.ca/events/nl)

Dobro Restaurant & Bar

287-289 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 775-9645

Thursday, October 2

10pm - Robin Hawkins Band (no cover)

Friday, October 28

10pm - Halloween Weekend Costume Party ft Howard Ross and The Full Count Band (no cover)

Saturday, October 29

10pm - Halloween Weekend Costume Party ft Kevin Carley Band with Graham Earl, Shea Bailey and Don Fernley (no cover)

Wednesdays

Open stage

Coming Soon

Friday, November 18 & Saturday, November 19
Monkey Junk "Time to Roll" CD Release ($20)

Dominion Hotel

113 Main St., Minden
(705) 286-6954

Saturday, October 29

2pm - Kitchen Party Music Jam (free, musicians and fans welcome)

Coming Soon

Friday, November 4
8:30pm - Open mic

Saturday, November 5
2pm - Kitchen Party Music Jam (free, musicians and fans welcome)

Embers Grill House

38 Bolton St., Bobcaygeon
(705) 738-6343

Wednesday, November 2

Open Mic Night w/ host Richard Kyle

Frank's Pasta and Grill

426 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-2727

Thursdays

5-8pm - Live music

Fridays

9pm-12am - Karaoke Night

Saturday, October 29

8pm - Halloween Party ft Reefer Jones w/ prizes for best costume; 10pm - DJ Chrome

Sundays

4-8pm - Kids Karaoke

Tuesdays

7pm & 8pm - Salsa Classes beginners & intermediate ($10/lesson)

Wednesdays

8-11pm - Open Mic

Coming Soon

Saturday, November 5
8pm - David Bowie Tribute Night; 11pm - DJ Chrome

The Garnet

231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 874-0107

Thursday, October 27

Jesse and The Dandelions, Hello Holiday

Friday, October 28

Monique Barry, Brennon Wasson

Saturday, October 29

Halloween Party

Sunday, October 30

Show and Tell Poetry Series: Keyboards

Tuesday, November 1

Thunderclap

Wednesday, November 2

Laura Tremblay

Coming Soon

Thursday, November 3
Sean Conway and Postmodern Cowboys Tour Launch

Friday, November 4
Damnable Man, Clara Engel, ELMS

Saturday, November 5
Common Holly, Prime Junk

Sunday, November 6
Scott Somerville

Gordon Best Theatre

216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 876-8884

Coming Soon

Friday, November 4
7pm - Peterborough Folk Fest presents Birds Of Chicago ($15 general admission, tickets at www.peterboroughfolkfest.com)

Saturday, November 5
7pm - The Wooden Sky ($20, tickets at www.thegordonbest.ca)

Saturday November 12
7pm - Kevin Kane of Grapes Of Wrath & Bryan Potvin of The Northern Pikes ($20, tickets at www.thegordonbest.ca)

Saturday, November 19
7pm - Hillary Dumoulin CD Release w/ Broken Harmony ($15, available at www.ticketscene.ca/events/16421/)

Saturday, November 26
7pm - Peterborough Folk Fest presents Andy Shauf w/ Chris Cohen (all ages, $20, tickets at www.peterboroughfolkfest.com)

Tuesday, November 29
7pm - Plants And Animals ($15)

Friday, December 2
8pm - Tommy Youngsteen ($20 at www.thegordonbest.ca)

Junction Nightclub

253 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 743-0550

Friday, October 28

10pm - Country Night w/ DJ Bill Porter ($5 cover)

Saturday, October 29

10pm - Peterborough Horror Story Halloween Costume Party, $1000 in giveaways for best costumes

McThirsty's Pint

166 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 743-2220

Thursdays

10pm - Jan Schoute

Fridays

10pm - Brian Haddlesey

Saturdays

10pm - Brian Haddlesey

Mondays

10pm - Trivia Night

Wednesdays

9pm - Cody Watkins

The Mill Restaurant and Pub

990 Ontario St., Cobourg
(905) 377-8177

Thursday, October 27

7pm - Invisible Sideman

Coming Soon

Thursday, November 3
7pm - Mulligan Thyme

Oasis Bar & Grill

31 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-6634

Thursdays

6:30pm - Live music

Sundays

5:30pm - PHLO

Wednesdays

6:30pm - Live music

Pastry Peddler

17 King St., Millbrook
(705) 932-7333

Friday, October 28

5:30 & 7:45pm - Jazz Dinner Weekend ft. Bernardo Padron & Mark Sepic ($40 per person)

Saturday, October 29

5:30 & 7:45pm - Jazz Dinner Weekend ft. Bernardo Padron & Mark Sepic ($40 per person)

Pattie House Smokin' Barbecue

6675 Highway 35, Coboconk
(705) 454-8100

Saturday, October 29

10pm - Halloween Dance Party w/ DJ and prizes for best costumes

Pig's Ear Tavern

144 Brock St., Peterborough
(705) 745-7255

Fridays

Pingo

Saturday, October 29

9pm - Gagner (costumes encouraged)

Mondays

Pool Night

Tuesdays

Open stage (second Tuesday of each month: 5-7:30pm - Family Friendly Open Mic)

Wednesdays

Humpday Karaoinke

Coming Soon

Saturday, November 5
10pm - Nick Ferrio w/ Hurtin' for Certain ($3)

Pitchers Place

8642 Lander Rd (Gores Landing), Cobourg
(905) 342-2832

Thursday, October 27

6-9pm - Folk Thursdays ft Kim Doolittle and Clayton Yates ($7)

Puck' N Pint Sports Pub

871 Chemong Rd., Peterborough
(705) 741-1078

Fridays

Live music

Saturdays

9pm - Live music

Tuesdays

Live music

Red Dog Tavern

189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 741-6400

Thursday, October 27

10pm - TUNS w/ Young Rivals ($10 at www.ticketscene.ca/events/16089/)

Friday, October 28

8pm - Bobby Watson CD Release w/ Greg Wells (no cover)

Saturday, October 29

10pm - Express and Co.

Tuesdays

10pm - Open mic w/ Matt Diamond

Coming Soon

Thursday, November 3
Lauren Mann

Saturday, November 5
8pm - The Sadies w/ Union City ($15 in advance at www.ticketscene.ca/events/16294/, $20 at door)

Friday, November 11
9pm - The Balconies

Thursday, November 17
10pm - Bif Naked ($25 at www.ticketscene.ca/events/16296/)

Friday, November 25
10:30pm - Adam Gontier acoustic ($20 at www.ticketscene.ca/events/16445/)

Saturday, November 26
Plaid on Flannel

Thursday, December 8
10pm - PUP ($12 at www.ticketscene.ca/events/16330/)

Friday, December 16
10:30pm - A Tribe Called Red ($25 at www.ticketscene.ca/events/16440/)

Riley's Olde Town Pub

257 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 750-1445

Thursdays

Travis Berlinbach

Fridays

Travis Berlinbach

Saturdays

Josh Gontier

Sundays

Josh Gontier

Mondays

Josh Gontier

Tuesdays

Josh Gontier & Cale Gontier

Wednesdays

Guest performers

Shots

379 George Street K9H 3R2, Peterborough
(705) 749-9315

Saturday, October 29

10pm - Stranger Shots Halloween Party ft DJs and Dancing (no cover)

Wednesdays

10pm - DJ Muddler's House Party

Southside Pizzeria

25 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough
(705) 748-6120

Fridays

9am-12pm - Open mic ($2); 8pm - Karaoke

Tuesdays

9am-12pm - Open mic (free); 8pm - Karaoke

The Spill

414 George St., Peterborough
(705) 748-6167

Thursday, October 27

7:30- 9:30pm - Peterborough Poetry Slam and the Trent Writers Society "Lay Down Your Words" Writing Workshop ($5 or PWYC)

Friday, October 28

9pm - Television Rd w/ Native Other, Bolete, Stunspore ($10 or $5 with a costume)

Saturday, October 29

3pm - Bobby Dove Album Launch w/ Megan Nash, Bears in Hazenmore ($10 at door); 8pm - Super Funk Band Of Awesome

Sunday, October 30

Garbageface Special

Monday, October 31

Spooky Dice Spectacular

Coming Soon

Friday, November 4
9pm - Kitty Pitt, The Brain, Deathsticks (all ages, $5 or PWYC)

Sunday, November 6
9pm - Viva Non, Olias (all ages, $8 or PWYC)

Tank House

295 George St. N, Peterborough
(705) 743-2717

Friday, October 28

5:30pm - High Waters Band; 8:30pm - Retro Rewind Monster Mash w/ DJ Bob

Saturday, October 29

3pm - The Cadillacs; 9pm - Halloween Party ft Superfreak

Tuesday, October 25

5:30-9:30pm - Jade Eagleson

Coming Soon

Friday, November 4
5:30pm - The Cadillacs

Saturday, November 5
3pm - Tami J. Wilde

The Venue

286 George Street North, Peterborough
(705) 876-0008

Coming Soon

Thursday, November 17
Handbags for Hospice ($50 or $100)

White House Hotel

173 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 741-2444

Thursdays

7pm - Red Hot Poker Tour (registration opens at 6pm)

Mondays

7pm - Red Hot Poker Tour (registration opens at 6pm)

Wednesdays

7pm - Red Hot Poker Tour (registration opens at 6pm)

Winchester Arms

299 Ridout St., Port Hope
(905) 885-9393

Tuesdays

7pm - Trivia night

Leon’s Peterborough benefits from going green

By GreenUP -
Tom Reburn Jr., owner and operator of Leon's Peterborough, accessed lighting upgrade incentives in the amount of $4,120 with an ongoing estimated savings of $430 per month, and $5,000 annually, with newly installed energy efficient LED lighting (photo: Peterborough Distribution Inc.)

With over 60 years of experience, Leon’s is one of the largest furniture retailers in Peterborough. In addition to prioritizing excellent customer service, Leon’s is also taking steps to become a more sustainable corporate citizen.

This year, Tom Reburn Jr., owner and operator of Leon’s Furniture, participated in the Save on Energy Retrofit Program from Peterborough Distribution Inc. (PDI) and received financial incentives to make the building more energy efficient.

Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Amy Bowen, GreenUP Green Business Peterborough Network Lead and Troy Weiss, Peterborough Distribution Inc.

To access these financial incentives, businesses need an application representative. Tom explains that incentives became easily accessible with the help of Lancer Electric, a local electrical contracting company that helped him access these programs.

“Nathan from Lancer Electric had recommended changing the lights for some time,” he says. “The electrician did all of the paperwork to get the Retrofit Program rebate. It was very easy to participate.”

Once the energy efficiency project was pre-approved by PDI, Leon’s received an incentive amount of $4,120 off of the original project cost of $18,830 — or 22% of the total cost.

With this money, Tom was able to install new energy-efficient lighting. This switch will yield 50,888 kWh in savings per year, which in turn will save Leon’s an estimated $430 a month and over $5,000 annually.

And this new efficient lighting will have paid for itself in just under three years — far shorter than the lifetime of the lights, which last an estimated 35,000 to 50,000 hours.

In addition to saving money, upgrading to longer-lasting LEDs will cut maintenance costs and display retail products in a better light. For a furniture store, having lighting that enhances product display is important for effectively showcasing merchandise to customers.

A better lit shopping space also creates a more comfortable working environment for staff. Combined, these positive outcomes of the energy efficient project ultimately encourage better sales.

To become part of the Retrofit Program, businesses must get pre-approval of their application. The application includes the project cost quote and the equipment specifications to ensure energy savings and the quality of the replacement product.

Pre-approval allows business customers to embark on their upgrade project knowing the approved incentive amount and the return on investment timeline. Once a business has been pre-approved by PDI, the project can be completed and the rebate is issued to the customer.

Depending on the amount of energy consumption saved from the project, the business could receive up to 50% of their projects costs back.

Leon’s is one of many local businesses who are taking advantage of these incentive programs; they are part of a global movement to make businesses more energy efficient.

Businesses interested in being more sustainable can do so at a local level, in the Peterborough area. This month saw the PBX event at Camp Kawartha. The event hosted green businesses in our local region, and was a great opportunity for the business
community, employers, consumers, and community agencies to make valuable connections.

Over 70 people participated in the event on October 4th. Host Jacob Rodenburg set up team building outdoor activities including high ropes, axe and knife throwing, and teamwork challenges for the business community to participate in.

This event showcased the Green Business Peterborough program, providing information on previous businesses that have accessed incentive programs, such as Peterborough Square and Home Depot. Other vendors included PDI, TRACKS, Sustainable Peterborough, Random Acts of Green, By the Bushel, Kawartha Land Trust, Flanaghan & Sun, Torbram Electric, ORCA, and the Chamber, all of which support green business initiatives.

These business-to-business connections are important to establish, as they encourage support between local businesses invested in similar causes. Sharing sustainability stories facilitates communication about how corporate citizens can be environmentally mindful, while increasingly productivity.

Sustainability is a community effort. Connecting business owners to each other and recognizing green businesses in our community encourages future sustainability projects and fosters an understanding of both the environmental and financial benefits of retrofitting buildings.

The Green Business Peterborough program is a partnership between GreenUP, the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, and PDI. If you’re considering facility upgrades, GreenUP can act as the application representative on your retrofitting application.

To learn more about the Green Business Peterborough program, please visit www.greenbusinesspeterborough.ca.

Electric City Hacks takes place at Trent University in Peterborough November 4 to 6

By kawarthaNOW -
More than 350 students are expected to attend Trent University's first-ever hackathon, Electric City Hacks, from November 4th to 6th (logo: Ana Djurkovic)

Beginning November 4th, high school and post-secondary students from across Canada are coming to Peterborough for Trent University’s first-ever hackathon.

Organized by a group of computer science students from Trent University, Electric City Hacks is a 36-hour event that takes place from November 4th to 6th in Gzowski College (First Peoples House of Learning) at the university’s Symons campus.

For many people, “hacker” conjures up images of malevolent criminals who occupy the shady underworld of the internet. But most hackers are actually just intellectually curious people who find clever ways to make things work in a different way than they were originally intended — and hackathons are marathon sessions where these people demonstrate what they can do.

Electric City Hacks is a member of Major League Hacking (MLH), a student hackathon league that sanctions, sponsors, and promotes student hackathons in the United States, Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom, and other European countries.

More than 25,000 students compete in these hackathons and win points (awarded for both participation and prizes) for their school. At the end of every hackathon season, the school with the most points is awarded the MLH Hacker Cup.

The organizers of Electric City Hacks include Trent University students Yashar Morabbi Heravi, Waun Broderick, Laura Mann, Matthew Barnes, and Dexter Fichuk (supplied photo)
The organizers of Electric City Hacks include Trent University students Yashar Morabbi Heravi, Waun Broderick, Laura Mann, Matthew Barnes, and Dexter Fichuk (supplied photo)

Co-organizers Dexter Fichuk and Matthew Barnes were the first Trent University students to take part in an MLH-approved hackathon (Hack Western in London in November 2015). They have since competed in several other hackathons, and their experiences prompted them to organize a hackathon at Trent University.

“We decided to hold Electric City Hacks because we saw how many opportunities it brought to the schools that hosted them and how it completely revolutionized tech industries in each community,” Fichuk says.

The organizers are expecting more than 350 high school and post-secondary students to take part in the event, which will feature over a dozen workshops, including how to code and robotics as well as a hackathon bootcamp for high school students. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as snacks will be provided free of chrage to participants during the hackathon.

The event is being sponsored by the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster, Blackberry, TD Financial, Fresh Books Cloud Accounting, GitHub, Mountain Dew, TribalScale, among others.

“We are extremely excited to support the first-ever Electric City Hacks at Trent University,” says Michael Skinner, President and CEO of the Innovation Cluster. “Hackathons are a fantastic way to expose talent, grow, recruit and bring new innovative companies to Peterborough.”

Students interested in technology and innovation can still apply to be part of Electric City Hacks by registering at 2016.echacks.xyz.

A birthday love letter to Willie P. Bennett from Peterborough

By Bruce Head -
Willie P. Bennett, pictured here in the 1970s, would have been 65 years old today. He died from a heart attack in his Peterborough home in 2008. (photo: Willie P. Legacy project)

Today (October 26, 2016) would have been folk musician Willie P. Bennett’s 65th birthday. He died in Peterborough on February 15, 2008, after suffering a heart attack at the home he shared with local artist Joe Stable.

William Patrick (“Willie P.”) Bennett was born in Toronto in 1951. He was part of the folk music scene in 1970s, alongside contemporaries like Bruce Cockburn, Stan Rogers, Murray McLauchlan, and David Wiffen. He released his first single (“White Line”) in 1969, and his final solo album (the Juno award winning Heartstrings) in 1998.

Throughout his career, Willie P. kept busy as a sideman in bands fronted by other artists including The Dixie Flyers, Joe Hall, Doug McArthur, Sneezy Waters, and Pat Temple and the High Lonesome Players.

In 1991, he joined Fred Eaglesmith’s band The Flying Squirrels with whom he toured for many years, playing mandolin and harmonica and singing.

VIDEO: “Blackie and The Rodeo King” by Willie P. Bennett with Ken Whitely in 1977

Although many people may never have heard Willie P. perform, many will recognize his songs, which are revered for their lyricism, compassion and humour, and depictions of loneliness and addiction.

In 1996, musicians (and friends of Willie P.) Tom Wilson, Colin Linden, and Stephen Fearing formed the roots-rock supergroup Blackie and the Rodeo Kings to record a one-off tribute album of Willie P.’s songs (the band is named after one of his tunes).

Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing, and Tom Wilson originally formed Blackie and the Rodeo Kings in 1996 as a tribute to the songs of Willie P. (photo: BARK)
Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing, and Tom Wilson originally formed Blackie and the Rodeo Kings in 1996 as a tribute to the songs of Willie P. (photo: BARK)

Although the band decided to stay together and has gone on to record eight more albums of mostly original material (their latest album Kings and Kings is out now), the trio still perform Willie P.’s songs in concert (their final song is always “White Line”).

Willie P.’s songs have also been covered by musicians like Old Man Luedecke, Prairie Oyster, Colleen Peterson, Stan Rogers, Garnet Rogers, David Wiffen, Matt Andersen, and Russell deCarle. Both Corb Lund and Kenny Butterill have written tribute songs for Willie P.

Willie P. was well-known and loved by many in the Peterborough community, including his roommate (artist Joe Stable), musicians like Washboard Hank and Dennis O’Toole, and many others.

VIDEO: “White Line” performed by Blackie and The Rodeo Kings at Peterborough’s Market Hall in 2012

“If you were ever at a Willie show, it was like an hour of musical perfection,” says Hank.

Willie P. is perhaps best known for his work with Canadian folk/country troubadour Fred J. Eaglesmith (who’s performing at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough on November 12th). Willie first appeared on Fred’s 1987 album Indiana Road and went on to accompany Fred until Willie’s death in 2008.

“Willie knew what he wanted out of life and he liked being the sideman,” Hank says. “He liked not having to be perfect on stage.”

Willie P. Bennett with his friend Washboard Hank on stage at Peterborough's Market Hall during a benefit concert for Willie P. on July 27, 2007 (photo: Rainer Soegtrop)
Willie P. Bennett with his friend Washboard Hank on stage at Peterborough’s Market Hall during a benefit concert for Willie P. on July 27, 2007 (photo: Rainer Soegtrop)

Although Willie P. won the Juno for Best Solo Roots/Traditional Album in 1998 for Heartstrings, his last official studio release, he never pursued success and fame.

“There are stories about him going to Nashville, walking into a record executive’s office and playing him a couple songs,” Hank says. “And the guy says, ‘This is fantastic, come back tomorrow and we’ll sign you up for forever and ever, and for millions of dollars.’”

Despite the indisputable quality of Willie P.’s songwriting, he seemed to fear his own success and continued to perform in relative obscurity. And it was while he was performing during a 2007 Victoria Day weekend concert in Midland that he suffered a heart attack on stage. He played through the heart attack but was forced to stop touring.

VIDEO: “Willie’s Diamond Joe” performed by Matt Andersen

In July 2007, a group of musicians — including Fred Eaglesmith, Stephen Fearing, Colin Linden, Tom Wilson, Washboard Hank, Brent Titcomb, Liam Titcomb, Brock Zeman, Reverend Ken, and more — hosted a benefit concert for Willie at the Market Hall in Peterborough. Willie P. joined the musicians on stage for a few numbers.

While Willie P. attempted to take better care of his health so he could resume touring, he suffered another — this time fatal — heart attack at his home in Peterborough on February 15, 2008.

In September 2010 in Edmonton Alberta, Willie P. was officially inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame during the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMAs). The award was accepted by his mother, sister, and nephew.

Willie P. Bennett performing at a benefit in his honour at Peterborough's Market Hall on July 27, 2007. The concert raised funds for the musician, who had to stop touring after suffering a heart attack on stage. (Photo: Rainer Soegtrop)
Willie P. Bennett performing at a benefit in his honour at Peterborough’s Market Hall on July 27, 2007. The concert raised funds for the musician, who had to stop touring after suffering a heart attack on stage. (Photo: Rainer Soegtrop)

Before he died, Willie P. had recorded a final album, but it has never been publicly released due to family issues with his estate.

In February 2014, a group of Willie P.’s friends and fans launched the Willie P. Legacy project (www.willieplegacy.com), aimed at preserving and promoting the works of the late Canadian folk music icon, Willie P. Bennett.

Willie P. may be gone, but he’s not forgotten — especially by his friends in Peterborough. Every year since Willie P.’s death, musicians gather in February for the annual “Blue Valentine” tribute to the music and life of Willie P.

Wherever you are, Willie P., we all wish you a happy 65th birthday. You’ll never fade away.

City of Peterborough launching community consultation on potential Hydro One sale

By kawarthaNOW -
Peterborough activist Roy Brady speaks at a 2016 media conference outside Peterborough City Hall protesting the potential sale of PDI to Hydro One (photo: Keep Hydro Public)

The City of Peterborough wants to hear from you about the potential sale of Peterborough Distribution Inc. (PDI) to Hydro One.

The city is launching a community consultation called “talkPDI” beginning on Monday, October 31st, to inform city residents — as well as PDI customers in Norwood and Lakefield — of the details of the anticipated offer from Hydro One and to receive community feedback.

“Let’s talk PDI,” says Allan Sekbrook, City of Peterborough Chief Administrative Officer. “We want to provide residents with the details of the upcoming offer and ensure everyone has an opportunity to share their feedback.”

To engage as many citizens as possible, the community consultation includes:

Public Open Houses

Peterborough residents are invited to drop in anytime between 5 and 8 p.m. to view details of the proposed offer and discuss details directly with city representatives. Comment cards will be available to collect feedback.

  • Tuesday, November 1 at The Canadian Canoe Museum (910 Monaghan Rd., Peterborough)
  • Wednesday, November 2 at Peterborough Lions Community Centre (347 Burnham St., Peterborough)
  • Thursday, November 3 at Clonsilla Fire Station #3 (839 Clonsilla Ave., Peterborough)
  • Wednesday November 9 at Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club (577 McDonnel St., Peterborough)
  • Thursday November 10 at Activity Haven Senior Centre (180 Barnardo Ave., Peterborough)

Norwood and Lakefield residents are invited to drop in anytime between 6 and 8 p.m. to view details of the proposed offer and discuss details directly with city representatives. Comment cards will be available to collect feedback.

  • Tuesday, November 15 at Norwood Arena and Community Centre – Millennium Room (88 Alma St., Norwood)
  • Wednesday, November 16 Lakefield Smith Community Centre – Niels Pind Room (20 Concession St., Lakefield)

Community Pop-Ups

Look for the Pop-Up Booth throughout the City. City representatives will be handing out information about the proposed offer and collecting comment cards.

City of Peterborough Website

Beginning Monday, October 31st, visit www.peterborough.ca/talkPDI to access information on the potential sale of PDI to Hydro One, read frequently asked questions, and provide your feedback online.

Comment Cards

Comment cards will be available at most city facilities beginning Monday, October 31st until Friday, November 18th.

Twitter Town Hall

Join the conversation on Twitter using hashtag #talkPDI on Thursday, November 17th between 5 and 6 p.m.

Telephone and Email

Call 705-742-7777 ext. 1677 or email your comments to talkPDI@peterborough.ca.

Large Format Town Hall

In response to a request received at the October 24th City Council meeting, city staff are working on a large format town hall meeting. Details are still to be determined and will be released at a later date.

Award-winning choreographer brings her “little dances” to Peterborough’s Market Hall

By kawarthaNOW -
A scene from choreographer Marie-Josée Chartier's petite danses, which sees its world premiere October 29 and 30 at the Market Hall in Peterborough (photo: Ed Hanley)

This weekend (October 29 and 30), Public Energy presents the world premiere of petites danses, by award-winning choreographer Marie-Josée Chartier, at Peterborough’s Market Hall Performing Arts Centre.

This full-length performance consists of a series of eight “little dances” (hence the name) paired to four original musical compositions and performed by 13 dancers.

“petites danses is like a collection of short stories,” says Chartier, the recipient of multiple Dora awards and the KM Hunter Artist Award. “There’s no narrative through-line by any stretch of the imagination, but the tie-in is the music and the performers — that you see them in different situations.”

VIDEO: petites danses trailer

In petite dances, Chartier re-shapes our perception of sound by reimagining four musical compositions through movement — twice, resulting in eight distinct choreographies of solos, duets, trios, and octets.

The movement of the dancers demonstrates the beauty and complexity of the musical works, which are written by four contemporary composers: Linda C. Smith, Rodney Sharman, James Tenney, and Nick Storring.

“In the first half I wanted everybody to hear the music once,” Chartier explains. “For all the composers, we hear one of each. And then in the second half, we hear them again. And people may not even know they’re hearing the same music twice.’

What also makes petite danses so unique is that professional dancers take the stage alongside local performers and members of Old Men Dancing — a group formed in 2002 by men with an average age of over 50 who shared an interest in creating movement-based performance.

Four members of Old Men Dancing, pictured here in 2009, will perform in petite danses (photo: Public Energy / Facebook)
Four members of Old Men Dancing, pictured here in 2009, will perform in petite danses (photo: Public Energy / Facebook)

Known for their 2009 world premiere performance of Wiser and Still Gorgeous (Do Not Resuscitate) and unique in Peterborough and Canada, Old Men Dancing bring new perspectives on dance and aging to everything they do. They make up for their lack of professional training with a fearless passion to move and tell stories with their bodies.

“They’re so real on stage,” Chartier says in working with the group. “There are no affectations. They don’t hide behind technique. There is an authenticity that’s immediate for people who are not trained for 30 years — that physicality is very interesting to me.”

In a week-long Artist in Residency at Market Hall, Chartier has been crafting the finishing touches on petite danses, working with four members of Old Men Dancing (Peter Earle, Chris Lemieux, Paul Clifford, Jim Angel), alongside local performer Kate Story and eight professional dancers from Toronto (Mairéad Filgate, Shannon Litzenberger, Lucy Rupert, Kassi Scott, Kaitlin Standeven, Brodie Stevenson, Darryl Tracy, and Juan Villegas).

Award-winning choreographer Marie-Josée Chartier, who has spent a week-long Artist in Residency at Market Hall putting the finishing touches on petite danses. Chartier will be giving a pre-show chat before each performance on October 29 and 30 as well as answer questions at a sneak peek on October 27. (Photo: Don Dixon)
Award-winning choreographer Marie-Josée Chartier, who has spent a week-long Artist in Residency at Market Hall putting the finishing touches on petite danses. Chartier will be giving a pre-show chat before each performance on October 29 and 30 as well as answer questions at a sneak peek on October 27. (Photo: Don Dixon)

There will only be two performances of petites danses: at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 29th, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 30th at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough). Chartier will be hosting a pre-show chat one hour before each performance.

General admission tickets are $24 ($17 for students and the underwaged, and $8 for high school students) and are available from the Market Hall box office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at tickets.markethall.org. Note: the performance contains some nudity.

And if you’re interested in finding out how a choreographer creates a new dance, you’ll have the opportunity at a free “sneak peek” from 4 to 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, also at the Market Hall. Chartier and her company will show an excerpt from the performance and answer questions about the creative process. Everyone is welcome to attend and take photos to share the experience with others.

After the Peterborough world premiere, petites danses will go on to be performed at the Registry Theatre in Kitchener on Friday, November 4th, and will be presented next April with a new cast of dancers and local performers in Winnipeg.

For more information about petite danses and the rest of Public Energy’s 2016/17 season, visit www.publicenergy.ca.

Four Peterborough companies create award-winning alliance

By kawarthaNOW -
Complete Retail Solutions accepting the Best of Show award from the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) at Grocery Innovations Canada. Left to right: Dan McMurray (Executive VP Southern CaseArts), Mike Guy (Woodarts), Thomas A. Barlow (President & CEO CFIG), Greg Butler (President, CRS/Pan-Oston), Bennet Foster (President, TechniLite Systems), Stephen Philpott (President, Woodarts), Glen Bonner (VP sales, CRS/Pan-Oston), Phil Golsby (sales, Pan-Oston), Donna O'Brien (VP Sales, Technilite), Dave Powell and Peter Cavin of CFIG, Pete Scanlon (Sales and Marketing CRS/Pan-Oston), and Neil Trineer (VP Sales and marketing Maintech). (Photo courtesy of CRS/Pan-Oston)

Complete Retail Solutions Inc. (CRS), an alliance of four Peterborough companies, received the Best of Show award for their booth at Grocery Innovations Canada, the country’s largest grocery show held October 17 and 18 in Toronto.

The award recognizes the innovative concept behind CRS, which creates and markets complementary products and services — such as retail checkouts, service counters, signage, and digital analytics — under a single national brand.

CRS involves four companies all located in Peterborough:

  • Pan-Oston (660 Neal Dr., Peterborough) — the driving force behind CRS — is a leading Canadian manufacturer of fixtures such as check-out counters and custom fixtures for the retail trade.
  • OPTiFi is an analytics company that uses a patented method for wirelessly sensing and anonymously registering smartphones that come into a zone in a retail store, creating aggregate data patterns of what all those people do and how they move around an area over periods of time.
  • TechniLite Systems (300 Milroy Dr., Peterborough) designs and manufactures retail and commercial display LED and T5 lighting systems, outdoor signs, back-lit and edge-lit signs and panels. TechniLite has supplied products for Macy’s and Harrods.
  • Woodarts (532 Chemong Rd., Peterborough) specializes in custom cabinetry and millwork fixtures for retail operations such as the LCBO and banks (as well as government including Queen’s Park and the Library of Parliament in Ottawa).

CRS has already provided a complete solution for the front area of a new Coppa’s Fresh Market store in King City, as well as another food retailer in British Columbia, and kiosks for mobile provider Koodo.

Their award-winning booth at Grocery Innovations Canada shows the complementary products and services offered by Complete Retail Solutions (photo: Rob Viscardis for CRS/Pan-Oston)
Their award-winning booth at Grocery Innovations Canada shows the complementary products and services offered by Complete Retail Solutions (photo: Rob Viscardis for CRS/Pan-Oston)

The concept has also garnered international interest from other partners, including Southern CaseArts, a leading specialty refrigerated and hot food display case manufacturer from Alabama.

“We quickly realized the potential for Complete Retail Solutions to represent us in Canada,” says Southern CaseArts Executive VP Dan McMurray. “Pan-Oston and CRS had the potential to handle and service our specialty showcases for all of Canada. They had solid relationships with customers and a well-established service network across the country.”

Southern CaseArts recently completed its first project for Yummy Market, a speciality food store in Toronto.

“Our first project for Yummy Market Toronto proved this does work,” McMurray says. “We were able to work closely with our partners in Peterborough. They (Woodarts) were able to provide the millwork finishes, we made matching refrigerated fixtures, and we were able to put the whole project together and provide a turnkey solution for their produce department in a seamless manner.”

CRS’s award-winning booth at Grocery Innovations Canada provides an example of some of the complementary products and services the alliance is creating. Much of what they do from Peterborough will be seen in retail stores in Vancouver, Toronto, Las Vegas, and New York, as well as in smaller markets.

“It’s amazing to see this type of leading edge work coming from right in our own back yard in Peterborough,” says Greg Butler, President of Pan-Oston/Complete Retail Solutions.

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