Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for the greater Kawarthas region for Sunday (April 30), with Otonabee Conservation also issuing a flood watch for the Trent-Severn Waterway.
The rainfall warning is in effect for Peterborough County, City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and Hastings County.
Periods of rain will persist intermittently Saturday evening before tapering to a chance of showers overnight. Heavier rain is expected to move in Sunday afternoon and by Monday morning, with additional rainfall amounts of 40 to 50 mm expected.
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Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.
Multi-day rainfall totals of 50 to 70 mm could worsen the situation for sensitive areas.
Otonabee Conservation has issued a flood watch for the headwaters of the Kawartha Lakes (Haliburton/Reservoir Lakes region) and the area of the Trent-Severn Waterway under its jurisdiction.
Water levels in the Haliburton/Reservoir Lakes and the Kawartha Lakes are approaching their respective full levels due to the past several weeks of sustained snow melt, ice melt, and rainfall runoff.
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The forecasted rainfall will generate saturated ground conditions resulting in direct surface runoff into low-lying areas, wetlands, ditches, and all local watercourses. Swelling rivers, streams, and creeks may result in flooding.
Otonabee Conservation is advising residents and businesses located in flood-prone areas to be vigilant. Otonabee Conservation is also advising residents and visitors to be extremely cautious if travelling on area lakes and rivers.
The origianl version of this story ahs been updated with the rainfall warning from Environment Canada.
Prominent female Afghan activist Selay Ghaffar will be the guest speaker at the 13th annual Red Pashmina Walk on April 30, 2023 at Emmanuel United Church in Peterborough. (Photo via Selay Ghaffar website)
Prominent female Afghan activist Selay Ghaffar will be the guest speaker at the 13th annual Red Pashmina Walk on Sunday (April 30), which begins at 1:30 p.m. at Emmanuel United Church in Peterborough.
The Red Pashmina Walk is hosted by the Peterborough chapter of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan and Red Pashmina Inc., which was founded as the Red Pashmima Campaign in 2009 by Afghan Canadian and former Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef (then a Trent University student in Peterborough) and her friend and fellow Trent University graduate Jessica Melnik.
Both organizations raise money for literacy and humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, and funds raised from the walk will support online education materials and courses as well as humanitarian baskets which include food, hygiene products and learning materials.
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Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. at Emmanuel United Church (534 George Street North, at the corner of George and McDonnell Streets), followed by a welcome by Maryam Monsef and a talk by Selay Ghaffar at 2 p.m.
Born in 1983 to a progressive family in Afghanistan, Ghaffar spent her entire childhood at refugee camps in Iran and Pakistan. When she was only 13, she set up home-based classes for young girls in refugee camps and soon became the public face for Afghan refugees. During the Taliban’s first rise to power in Afghanistan, she rose to prominence in the country’s civil society as a critical voice for women’s rights.
In 2015, she joined the Solidarity Party of Afghanistan and became its spokesperson. Her televised interviews and debates with other politicians were watched by millions in Afghanistan. Despite receiving death threats from the Taliban and Jehadi warlords, she continued fighting the religious extremists. Fearing for her life, Ghaffar fled Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power again in 2021. She is portrayed in Bernedetta Argentieri’s 2018 documentary I am the Revolution.
VIDEO: “I Am The Revolution” trailer
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Everyone is welcome to attend to hear Ghaffar speak. Following her talk, the Red Pashmina Walk will depart the church at 3 p.m. and continue around East City, with a shorter walk for those who prefer it, returning to the church where cookies and lemonade will be waiting for walkers. Red pashminas, natural stone earrings, and other items will also be available for purchase for $20.
For more information about Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan and the Red Pashmina Walk, including how to register for the walk and how to donate, visit cw4wafghan.ca/event/peterborough-red-pashmina-walk/.
For more information about Red Pashmina Inc. and to donate, visit redpashmina.org.
Red Pashmina Inc., which supports the work of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, was founded as the Red Pashmina Campaign in 2009 by Jess Melnick and Maryam Monsef. Originally a one-time event, it has since become an annual event with proceeds supporting women in Afghanistan. (Photo: Andrea Dicks / AMD Photography)
Rotarian Graham Wilkins, who is leading the Rotary Environmentalist Innovators Fund initiative, prepares to speak as the five winners of the inaugural Rotary Environmental Innovators Award look on during an event on April 27, 2023 at Camp Kawartha in Douro-Dummer. (Photo: Community Futures Peterborough / Facebook)
The Rotary Club of Peterborough and Cleantech Commons announced the winners of the inaugural Rotary Environmental Innovators Award at an event on Thursday evening (April 27) at Camp Kawartha in Douro-Dummer, with almost $10,000 in funding awarded to five finalists.
Funding from the awards comes from the Rotary Environmentalist Innovators Fund (REIF), launched last fall by the Rotary Club of Peterborough with a goal to promote environmental awareness, sustainability, and remediation by supporting new environmental initiatives in the Peterborough area. The initiative raised $10,000 through corporate and individual donors known as “environmental champions.”
A panel of environmental science and technology experts selected five finalists from a pool of applications, with the top three receiving a prize of $3,000 each and the other two receiving $300 each.
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“The response to our call for environmental champions has been phenomenal,” says Rotarian Graham Wilkins, who is leading the REIF initiative, in a media release. “The high-calibre applications we received are a testament to the environmental leadership and collaboration within our community. We look forward to bolstering our support for initiatives to address society’s most pressing environmental challenges in new, innovative ways.”
The following three environmental innovators have each been awarded $3,000:
Carlotta James, Monarch Ultra
Co-founded by Peterborough pollinator advocate and ultra-runner Carlotta James, the Monarch Ultra raises awareness about the decline of monarch butterfly populations through its long-distance running events, social media channels, the media, and partnerships with schools, non-profits, and municipalities.
In 2023, Monarch Ultra is planning Peterborough’s first-ever Monarch Butterfly Festival and Race to bolster monarch butterfly conservation efforts. The organization is also planning festivals and races in the U.S. and Mexico.
Rotarian Graham Wilkins, who is leading the Rotary Environmentalist Innovators Fund initiative, speaks at the inaugural Rotary Environmental Innovators Award event on April 27, 2023 at Camp Kawartha in Douro-Dummer. (Photo: Community Futures Peterborough / Facebook)
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Craig Onafrychuk, Baxter Creek Watershed Alliance
A collaborative community initiative, the Baxter Creek Watershed Alliance is dedicated to conserving and enhancing the local watershed.
The alliance is working with community stakeholders and government to monitor ecological systems in the Baxter Creek watershed, educate the broader community, and implement innovative conservation initiatives to protect the natural heritage through landowner stewardship plans and conservation agreements.
Dylan Radcliffe
A Peterborough naturalist, environmental activist, and scientist, Dylan Radcliffe has created a drone for large-scale environmental restoration projects. The drone broadcasts high-value tree and tallgrass seed with precision over large areas to help restore essential ecosystems.
The drone operates autonomously with limited operator intervention and can be constructed with tools commonly available in school or library makerspaces. The intention is to release the project as an open-source design, which is a relatively new concept in the environmental sector.
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The following two environmental innovators have each been awarded $300:
Zachary McCue, REPWR
REPWR designs and builds renewable energy systems for the intermodal shipping network, which provide clean power for the shipping industry and lower greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact.
Christa Plumley, Ava&Ziva
As a sustainable clothing brand, Ava&Ziva strives to reduce the environmental impact of the clothing industry by using deadstock fabric for its high-quality, small-batch garments.
Martin Yuill, executive director of Cleantech Commons of Trent University, speaks at the inaugural Rotary Environmental Innovators Award event on April 27, 2023 at Camp Kawartha in Douro-Dummer as Rotarian Graham Wilkins, who is leading the Rotary Environmentalist Innovators Fund (REIF) initiative, looks on. Cleantech Commons parterned with the Rotary Club of Peterborough earlier this year in support of REIF. (Photo: Community Futures Peterborough / Facebook)
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“Helping start-ups and entrepreneurs bring their innovative green technologies to the market is at the heart of Cleantech Commons,” says Martin Yuill, executive director of Cleantech Commons at Trent University, which partnered with the Rotary Club of Peterborough earlier this year in support of REIF. “Initiatives such as REIF are the launchpad for many high-impact advances that will move society forward while protecting the environment.”
In addition to receiving the Rotary Environmental Innovators Award, each recipient has been pre-approved by Community Futures Peterborough for micro-loans of up to $20,000 so they can continue to develop and grow their environmental solutions.
Rotary Club of Peterborough and Cleantech Commons have additional plans for REIF in the coming months, including additional fundraising efforts, networking, mentorship opportunities for applicants, and the introduction of a youth award.
Toronto's Denielle Bassels Quintet is performing at the Black Horse Pub in downtown Peterborough on Saturday night as part of International Jazz Day Peterborough. (Photo: Denielle Bassels / Facebook)
Every Thursday, we publish live music events at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region 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, April 27 to Wednesday, May 3.
If you’re a pub or restaurant owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, please email our nightlifeNOW editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com. For concerts and live music events at other venues, check out our Concerts & Live Music page.
With the exception of karaoke, we only list events with performing musicians. Venues may also host other events during the week (e.g., dancing, DJs, comedy shows).
Trent University president and vice-chancellor Dr. Leo Groarke in his office in Bata Library in Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Trent University)
Dr. Leo Groarke has announced he will conclude his tenure as president and vice-chancellor of Trent University at the end of June 2024, but he will continue researching and teaching at Trent as a professor.
“President Groarke, through careful, critical, and compassionate leadership, has helped Trent University flourish as an academic institution, here in our local communities in Peterborough and Durham GTA, as well as globally,” says Debra Cooper Burger, chair of Trent University’s board of governors, in a media release. “We are confident in the future of Trent, due in large part to President Groarke’s work ensuring a strong and healthy position for our university.”
Dr. Groarke was installed as the university’s eighth president and vice-chancellor of Trent University in 2014 and was reappointed for a second term in 2019.
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Under Groarke’s leadership, Trent University has seen year-over-year undergraduate and graduate enrolment growth.
Among many other achievements, he spearheaded the launch of four schools of study at Trent, including the study of Canada, environment, business, and Indigenous studies. More than 20 undergraduate and 13 new graduate programs have also launched during his tenure, including conservation biology, social work, data science, logistics and supply chain management, the medical professional stream, and child and youth studies, as well as Master of instrumental chemical analysis, Master of nursing, Master of management, and Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Social Research.
“I have been very fortunate to work with a strong executive team, supportive boards of governors, and positive labour and student unions,” Dr. Groarke says. “Together it has allowed Trent to evolve in ways that are good for our students, our researchers, and our communities. I am inspired when I see the hustle and bustle on our two expanding campuses, note the growth of the reputation of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and witness the breadth of our community engagements. There is always more that can be accomplished and I hope to contribute more in the year to come, and then as a professor when I pass the torch on to a new president on June 30, 2024.”
Prior to joining Trent University, Dr. Groarke served as vice-president, academic, and provost at University of Windsor, and as principal and vice-president of the Brantford Campus of Wilfrid Laurier University. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Western Ontario, studied at the University of Helsinki and Simon Fraser University, and received his B.A. Honours and M.A. in philosophy from the University of Calgary.
Celebrations to honour Groarke at the end of his term in June 2024 will be planned and announced at a later date, and the university’s board of governors will share details on the search for Trent’s ninth president and vice-chancellor as they are developed.
Mayhemingways (Benj Rowland and Josh Fewings) perform at Porchapalooza during Artsweek Peterborough 2018. Featuring live music performed by local musicians on five neighbourhood porches, Porchapalooza returns on May 6 and 7 during Artsweek 2023, which runs from May 5 to 14 with 10 days of free performance, poetry, and visual arts projects across Peterborough featuring 40 events and nearly 100 artists. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
After several delays because of the pandemic, Artsweek Peterborough is returning full force in May with 10 days of free performance, poetry, and visual arts projects across Peterborough featuring 40 events and nearly 100 artists.
Running from May 5 to 14, the theme of this year’s multi-arts festival is ‘Art in Unexpected Places’ — so expect to see for singers and dancers, circus artists, take-out poetry carts, musicians, giant puppets, visual artists, and surprise events and public acts of creativity popping up every everywhere from the Riverview Zoo to Peterborough Square and from Millennium Park to Armour Hill.
The origins of Artsweek go back to 2005, when the City of Peterborough celebrated its 100th anniversary as an incorporated municipality and formed a committee — led by arts managers and champions Su Ditta and the late Liz Bierk — to come up with ideas for designated legacy projects in the arts, ultimately leading to the annual Artsweek festival. The city transferred responsibility for Artsweek to the Electric City Culture Council (EC3) in 2014, and the festival became a biennial event after 2018.
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Although EC3 presented a COVID-modified festival in 2020 and early 2021, this is the first year since the pandemic began that Artsweek will return as a full-scale live event.
Artsweek 2023 launches at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 5th during the monthly First Friday Art Crawl in the courtyard of the Commerce Building at 2 Bankers Common in downtown Peterborough (access via the alley next to Watson & Lou at 383 Water Street).
Artsweek Opening Ceremonies will include the official proclamation of Artsweek by Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal, who will also say a few words about the festival. He will be joined by Terry Guiel, executive director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) and councillor Alex Bierk, chair of the city’s arts, culture and heritage portfolio (and Liz Bierk’s son). Guest artists include the Unity Singers, musician “Washboard Hank” Fisher, and poets Justin Million and Laurin Isiekwena.
Pictured during Artsweek Peterborough 2018, the Take-Out Poetry Cart returns for Artsweek 2023. Step up to the handmade bicycle-pulled cart and a local poet will create a poem just for you, tapping it out on a classic manual typewriter. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
After the opening ceremonies, Artsweek’s opening night continues with a selection of 12 signature programs, many of which will be repeated on different dates and locations during the 10-day festival.
At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, artist Jennifer (Opal) Elchuck will lead the Woodland & The Wilds Promenade, a participatory performance featuring a magical gaggle of woodland creatures, musicians, and stilt-walkers who will parade around the downtown. Attendees are encouraged to don one of the animal masks, fly a banner, and join the parade, which departs from the Commerce Building courtyard.
From 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, the Take-Out Poetry Cart will be available on the sidewalks outside the Commerce Building. Step up to the handmade bicycle-pulled cart and a local poet will create a poem just for you, tapping it out on a classic manual typewriter. Whether you request a Shakespearean sonnet, a vengeful haiku, or a tragic ode, you are guaranteed to walk away with a unique work of spontaneous art. The Take-Out Poetry Cart will features a rotating all-star line-up of local poets, including Tammy Bunce-Yaxley, Jon Hedderwick, Kristal Jones, Stevie Lanigan, former Peterborough poet laureate Sarah Lewis, Justin Million, Janette Platana, Carlo José Quinones, Bon Scott, PJ Thomas, Niambi Tree, and Peterborough’s newest poet laureate Ziysah von Bieberstein.
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At 8 p.m. and again at 8:45 p.m. on Friday, visit the courtyard behind Black Honey Café at 217 Hunter Street West (access via the alley next to Karma’s Café) for Interactive Musical Animations, a one-night-only 20-minute performance of multimedia music and projections by singer-songwriter Benj Rowland.
Finally, from 9 to 10 p.m. on Friday at the Heritage Pavilion on Armour Hill at 300 Hunter Street East, experience a one-night-only concert under the stars when Charlie Glasspool and company perform as 3C84. This original song cycle, first written and recorded 15 years ago, is inspired by the discovery that a distant black hole (3C84) in the Perseus cluster of galaxies is emitting a steady B flat note — albeit inaudible to human ears at 57 octaves below middle C.
Intrigued by a note with real uses (concert B flat is used to tune a wind ensemble), Glasspool celebrates this cosmic phenomenon in a concert featuring the space-age sound of the theremin performed by Jesse Pilgrim. Along with Pilgrim on theremin and Glasspool on piano and voice, the performers include Jose Contreras (synths, sound effects, voice), Victoria Yeh (violin), Susan Newman (voice), and Evangeline Gentle (voice). Stargazing on Armour Hill with guest astronomers will follow the concert.
Charlie Glasspool (right) with Evangeline Gentle (left) and Susan Newman during a rehearsal for 3C84, which also includes Jesse Pilgrim, Jose Contreras, Victoria Yeh, who will perform under the stars at Armour Hill on the opening night of Artsweek Peterborough 2023 on Friday, May 5. (Photo: Evangeline Gentle)
Artsweek continues on Saturday and Sunday (May 6 and 7) with Porchapalooza, which features live music performed by local musicians on five neighbourhood verandahs each day. Curated by Hank and Kristine Fisher, the performances take place at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. each day. You can take a guided tour of all five porches, moving from one porch to the next, or just drop by any of the five porches on your own.
Porchapalooza – Saturday, May 6
466 Gilmour St. – Chester Babcock (vintage vocal jazz)
516 Homewood Ave. – Victoria Yeh (jazz fusion violin)
524 Homewood Ave. – Phaedra & Marc (bluegrass country)
530 Gilmour St. – Little Fire Collective (space folk rock)
550 Gilmour St. – Irish Millie (traditional fiddle)
Porchapalooza – Sunday, May 7
546 Waterford St. – Tami J. Wilde (country folk)
562 Waterford St. – Sam Allison (roots hokum blues)
573 Waterford St. – Beau Dixon (R&B soul)
592 Waterford St. – Tom Eastland (folk rock)
544 Harvey St. – McDonnel Street Gospel Quartet (vintage roots gospel)
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When you’re not enjoying Porchapalooza, you can also visit the Take-Out Poetry Cart from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday at the main entrance to Jackson Park and experience Woodland & The Wilds Promenade on Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m. at the main entrance to Riverview Park & Zoo, where you can don a mask, fly a banner, and join a magical gaggle of woodland puppets, stilt-walkers, and travelling musicians.
Artsweek continues on Monday (May 8), with the launch of Look Out!, where a suite of Peterborough painters, video artists, and photographers investigate the possibilities of our urban landscape. Curated by Su Ditta, artists include Tia Cavanagh, LA Alphonso/Age of Moss (Paul Moss), Sioux Lily Dickson, Cassandra Lee, and Sammy Tangier. Look Out! will run daily until May 12, with locations and times to be announced at artsweekpeterborough.ca.
Also launching on May 8 and running until May 12 is Hot Spots, featuring 30-minute performances of music, dance, and spoken word at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Peterborough Square courtyard at the corner of Water and Charlotte Streets.
Jennifer (Opal) Elchuck’s “Woodland & The Wilds Promenade” is a participatory performance during Artsweek 2023 that celebrates local wildlife and our shared greenspaces with community crafting and a musical parade. Everyone can take part: don a mask, fly a banner and join a magical gaggle of woodland puppets, stilt-walkers, and travelling musicians on three celebratory tours of the downtown, the Riverview Zoo, and Ecology Park. (Photo courtesy of Public Energy)
Curated by Sara Shahsavari and Su Ditta, performers include The Colton Sisters at 12:30 p.m. and Mintu Maria James at 5:30 p.m. on May 8, Cale Crow at 12:30 p.m. and Elizabeth Jenkins at 5:30 p.m. on May 9, Saskia, Jade & Shahrazi at 12:30 p.m. and Will Ward at 5:30 p.m. on May 10, Adrian Lowe at 12:30 p.m. and Kelli Marshall & Shahrazi at 5:30 p.m. on May 11, and Ále Suárez at 12:30 p.m. and Harbhajunkie at 5:30 p.m. on May 12. Catch them at lunchtime or after work.
Look Out! and Hot Spots continue Tuesday through Thursday (May 9 to 11), with the Take-Out Poetry Cart available from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Peterborough Public Library.
On Thursday (May 11), the Peterborough Poetry Slam Collective presents the first-ever Artsweek Invitational Peterborough Poetry Slam from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Peterborough Square courtyard (with the rain location inside Peterborough Square). The evening of competitive performance poetry, where poets perform original pieces up to three minutes in length, features poets Ziysah von Bieberstein, Niambi Tree, Sarah Lewis, Laurin Isiekwena, Carlo Jose Quinones, and more.
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On Friday (May 12), Look Out! and Hot Spots continue and the Take-Out Poetry Cart will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lansdowne Place.
Also on Friday, Naomi Duvall presents Dark Eyes: Granny Tales at 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Theatre On King at 171 King Street. Building on an original shadow puppet play, Dark Eyes is a 20-minute musical and semi-improvised storytelling session with projections where ‘Granny’ shares tales with her grandchildren and vivid memories of experiences from her younger days. Live music is performed by Naomi Duvall and Ryan Mclean Purdon, with recorded music and performances by Satah Cameron, Robert Hedge, Derek Bell, Lindsay Unterlander, and Sarah McNeilly.
On Saturday (May 13), the Take-Out Poetry Cart will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market at Quaker Foods City Square (on Charlotte Street just east of Aylmer).
Quaker Foods City Square will also host Construction Guys at 12 p.m. on Saturday. This aerial acrobatic street show from the Hercinia Arts Collective and Trellis Arts debuted in 2022 with performances at Brooklin Spring Fair, Arts in the Parks, and Toronto Buskerfest. Co-created and performed by Vanita Butrsingkorn, Nicole Malbeuf, and Emily Hughes with direction by Zita Nyarady, this high-energy show for the entire family features physical comedy, feats of strength, choreographed dances, and some high-flying acrobatic surprises. The show will be performed for a second time at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Millennium Park at 130 King Street.
VIDEO: “Construction Guys” trailer (2022)
Also on Saturday, Woodland & The Wilds Promenade takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. at Ecology Park (parking available at the Beavermead Park parking lot off Ashburnham Drive). For the final time during Artsweek, you can celebrate local wildlife and our shared greenspaces with community crafting and a musical parade. Everyone can take part: don a mask, fly a banner, and join a magical gaggle of woodland puppets, stilt-walkers, and travelling musicians.
The Artsweek Closing Celebration will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at Millennium Park, beside the Silver Bean Café. Join Artsweek artists, volunteers, staff, and supporters and dance your legs off to the sounds of Cajun music from the Peterborough bayou courtesy of Pays d’en Haut.
The final event for Artsweek 2023 is The Verandah Society from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday (May 14) on the Kerr House verandah at Trail College at 299 Dublin Street. An original performance of story and song by Megan Murphy and Kate Suhr with Saskia Tomkins on fiddle, The Verandah Society is a charming, humorous and heartfelt show that takes audiences on an entertaining and thought-provoking journey using personal storytelling and song writing. Full of nostalgia, humanity and humour, it’s time well spent with neighbours on the proverbial front porch.
For complete details of Artsweek 2023, including additional performances and any last-minute schedule changes, visit artsweekpeterborough.ca.
Presented by the Electric City Culture Council (EC3), Artsweek 2023 is funded by the City of Peterborough, the Ontario Arts Council, and the federal Department of Canadian Heritage and sponsored by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area and kawarthaNOW, with partners Public Energy Performing Arts, Ashburnham Realty, Peterborough Square, and First Friday Peterborough.
The Artsweek 2023 team includes executive producer Su Ditta, producer Bill Kimball, assistant producer Bryar Gray, EC3 program coordinators Elisha Rubacha and Gabe Pollock, curators Hank and Kristine Fisher (Porchapalooza), Sarah Shahsavari (Hot Spots), and Su Ditta (Hot Spots, Look Out!), with sound production by Alan Stanley, Tai Timbers, Nick Lato, and Rob Hailman, print design by Rob Wilkes of Big Sky Design, and documentation by Michael Morritt and Andy Carroll.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be the official media sponsor of Artsweek Peterborough 2023.
GreenUP showcased this temporary rain garden and permeable parking pad at Peterborough's Market Plaza in fall 2022, as part of the Parking Lot Paradise initiative. Commercial property owners are now eligible for the City of Peterborough's Rain Garden Subsidy program. (Photo: Hayley Goodchild / GreenUP)
Since 2020, eligible homeowners in Peterborough have installed 155 square metres of rain gardens with support from GreenUP and the City of Peterborough’s Rain Garden Subsidy program.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s column is by Hayley Goodchild, Program Coordinator, GreenUP.
Together, these gardens can collect and return about 380 cubic metres of runoff into the ground per year, a volume that would fill around 550 average-sized hot tubs.
That’s a lot of water. But why does it matter?
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“Currently, only 25 per cent of the City of Peterborough’s stormwater is filtered for pollutants before entering natural waterways, such as the Otonabee River or Jackson Creek,” explains Curtis Mei, the city’s stormwater systems coordinator.
“When it rains, urban runoff (stormwater) carries sediment and pollutants from vehicles, fertilizers, road salt, animal waste, and grass clippings into these waterbodies, which pollutes natural habitat and our source of clean drinking water,” Mei adds.
Rain gardens are bowl-shaped gardens designed to take in runoff from a nearby hard surface, such as a roof or driveway. They are a type of ‘green infrastructure’. Green infrastructure refers to systems that harness living materials to provide important urban functions, like stormwater management.
An aerial view of a rain garden under construction, as featured in GreenUP’s ‘How to Rain Garden’ video series. (Photo: Michael Hurcomb)
The plants and soil in a rain garden absorb runoff and filter out pollutants before returning the water to the ground, diverting them from local waterways.
There are many benefits to rain gardens. They provide important habitat for native insects and wildlife, reduce the urban heat effect, and absorb excess carbon from the atmosphere. When multiple homeowners install rain gardens on the same street, it can even lower the risk of flooding during heavy storms.
The City of Peterborough’s Rain Garden Subsidy Program is entering its fourth season. The program subsidizes the cost of installing a rain garden to a maximum of $1,000 per applicant. GreenUP supports this program by providing applicants with educational resources throughout the application and design process.
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There are a limited number of subsidies available each year, which are distributed on a first-come first-served basis.
This year, eligibility has been expanded to include commercial and institutional properties such as businesses, schools, and churches. Integrating green infrastructure into these types of spaces can help clean and manage stormwater in areas with a high proportion of paved surfaces, such as the downtown or other commercial corridors.
To get started with an application, participants must determine whether their property is suitable for a subsidized rain garden.
A digital rendering of a pollinator-friendly native species rain garden, one of two designed by GreenUP for use by anyone who wishes to install a rain garden in the Peterborough region. The bowl shape allows the garden to temporarily hold and filter stormwater. (Rendering: Hayley Goodchild / GreenUP)
The garden must be situated at least three metres from any nearby foundations and located entirely on their property. It must be located outside the canopy of existing trees, in an area that slopes away from the home or building. Both front yards and backyards are acceptable.
As well, a rain garden cannot extend into the municipal right of way, where there are many utilities buried underground. To determine where your property ends, refer to a legal survey or consult the city’s interactive e-Maps 2.0 website.
Staff at GreenUP can help you find a suitable location for your rain garden. They can also help applicants complete the eligibility questionnaire. After filling out the questionnaire, you will be ready to design your garden and submit your full application.
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If designing a garden sounds like a lot of work, consider using a rain garden design template, a new feature of the program for 2023. The template gardens are designed to suit a range of properties and garden styles and prioritize the inclusion of plants native to this area.
The templates and other resources, including GreenUP’s four-part video series on the Rain Garden Subsidy Program, are freely available on our Rain Garden Resource page for everyone to use.
Start designing your rain garden this season — the waterways will thank you!
VIDEOS: Rain Garden Subsidy Program
The Rain Garden Subsidy Program is an initiative of the City of Peterborough delivered in collaboration with GreenUP. For more information, visit peterborough.ca/raingarden, or contact GreenUP program coordinator Hayley Goodchild at hayley.goodchild@greenup.on.ca.
20-year-old Austin DeMaeyer of Selwyn Township. (Police-supplied photo)
Peterborough police have issued a public safety notice after a 20-year-old Selwyn Township man was sentenced and released from custody on Wednesday (April 26) in connection with an incident on a Peterborough trail last June.
Austin DeMaeyer was arrested on June 22, 2022 for contravening a lifetime weapons prohibition and a probation order to not attend any campground, park, trails, or hiking areas except accompanied by an adult.
Peterborough police had spotted DeMaeyer by himself and followed him to a trail in the area of Nassau Mills Road and Armour Road. Officers located him just off the trail in the bushes with a compound bow and arrows.
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As part of DeMaeyer’s sentencing on Wednesday, he was placed on a three-year probation order for failing to comply with a previous probation order to not possess any weapons.
“Given the nature of the crimes, which includes a history of targeting women, we have chosen to release his name and photo,” reads a statement from the Peterborough Police Service. “This release is being made in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario Police Service Act.”
Until his sentencing and release on Wednesday, DeMaeyer had been held in custody since his arrest in June 2022.
Arnold Schwarzenegger appears in his first-ever small-screen series in the new Netflix action comedy FUBAR, which tells the story of a father and daughter who learn they are both secret CIA operatives and are forced to team up as partners. The eight-episode series premieres on Netflix on Thursday, May 25th. (Photo: Netflix)
Every month, kawarthaNOW is the only local media source to bring you a list of what’s coming to Netflix Canada. Here are a few highlights of what’s coming to Netflix in May.
The 75-year-old actor and former politician Arnold Schwarzenegger appears in his first-ever small-screen series in the new Netflix action comedy FUBAR, loosely inspired by Schwarzenegger 1994 hit film True Lies with Jamie Lee Curtis.
Luke (Schwarzenegger) and his daughter Emma (Monica Barbaro) have lied to each other for years, both of them not knowing the other is a CIA operative. Once they both learn the truth, they realize they don’t actually know one another at all. Forced to team up as partners, Luke and Emma face challenging family dynamics against a global backdrop of spies, action, and humour. The eight-episode series premieres on Netflix on Thursday, May 25th.
VIDEO: “FUBAR” trailer
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Jennifer Lopez returns to her action roots in the gritty Netflix film The Mother, which was filmed in Vancouver and northern British Columbia. After years of hiding out in the Alaskan wilderness, a deadly military-trained assassin returns to rescue the daughter she’s never met (Lucy Paez) from ruthless criminals gunning for revenge. Also starring Joseph Fiennes, Omari Hardwick, Paul Raci, and Gael Garcia Bernal, the film debuts on Netflix on Friday, May 12th.
VIDEO: “The Mother” trailer
Netflix recently announced it’s investing $2.5 billion in South Korean content over the next four years, buoyed by the success of 2021’s Squid Game, Netflix’s most-popular series of all time, as well as this year’s Physical 100, which was Netflix’s most-watched non-English language show worldwide. On Friday, May 12th, Netflix will release the South Korean sci-fi action series Black Knights, which depicts a dystopian future in 2071 devastated by air pollution where the survival of humanity depends on delivery drivers known as Black Knights. The six-episode series is based based on Lee Yoon-gyun’s webtoon Delivery Knight.
VIDEO: “Black Knights” trailer
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If historical romance is more your thing, you’ll want to check out Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. A prequel spin-off of the hit Netflix series Bridgerton, the series will focus on the rise of young Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio and Golda Rosheuvel) to prominence and power, including her marriage to King George of England. The six-episode series premieres on Netflix on Thursday, May 4th.
VIDEO: “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” trailer
For lovers of young adult romance, there’s the new Netflix romantic dramedy series XO, Kitty, a spin-off of Netflix’s To All the Boys film series, adapted from American author Jenny Han’s book trilogy To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (Han is serving as writer, executive producer, and a showrunner). A new love story unfolds when teen matchmaker Kitty Covey (Anna Cathcart) reunites with her long-distance boyfriend at the same Seoul high school attended by her late mother. The 10-episode series debuts on Netflix on Thursday, May 18th.
VIDEO: “XO, Kitty” trailer
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Other new Netflix series include Siren: Survive the Island (no release date specified), Love Village and The Tailor (both on May 2), Jewish Matchmaking (May 3), Sanctuary (May 4), Dance Brother (May 10), Mulligan (May 12), Muted (May 19), The Ultimatum: Queer Love (May 24), and Turn of the Tide (May 26). Returning Netflix series include season seven of Queer Eye (May 12) and season six of Selling Sunset (May 19). Netflix documentaries include Missing: Dead or Alive? and Queen Cleopatra (both on May 10), Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me (May 16), McGregor Forever and Working: What We Do All Day (both on May 17), and MerPeople and Victim/Suspect (both on May 22).
Other new Netflix films include Royalteen: Princess Margrethe (May 11), Faithfully Yours and Fanfic (both on May 17), Kathal – A Jackfruit Mystery (May 19), Hard Feelings (May 24), Blood & Gold and Tin & Tina (both on May 26), and Mixed by Erry (May 31). Theatrically released films include American Gangster, Fifty Shades of Grey, Meet the Fockers, Pacific Rim, and Stuart Little (all on May 1), Mamma Mia! (May 7), The 40-Year-Old Virgin (May 14), Book Club and Wind River (both on May 15), Ted and Ted 2 (both on May 16), Jack Reacher, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, and You’ve Got Mail (all on May 21), The Boss Baby (May 22), Masterminds (May 28), and Hitch (May 31).
VIDEO: New to Netflix Canada in May 2023
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Here’s the complete list of everything coming to Netflix Canada in May, along with what’s leaving.
Coming in May (no release date specified)
Siren: Survive the Island (Netflix series) – 24 female police officers, firefighters, bodyguards, soldiers, athletes and stuntwomen team up by profession to compete for survival on a remote island.
Monday, May 1
3 Ninjas: Kick Back
American Gangster
Blood Quantum
The Butterfly Effect
Fifty Shades of Grey
Flight
Hell or High Water
Hop
How to Be Single
Little Fockers
Meet the Fockers
Meet the Parents
Pacific Rim
Rainbow High: Season 3
Simply Irresistible
Snowtime!
Spotlight
Stuart Little
Tuesday, May 2
Love Village (Netflix series) – Singles 35 and over of various backgrounds relocate to a house in the countryside for another chance at love. Will they find “the one” &mash; or leave alone?
The Tailor (Netflix series) – A famous tailor begins to sew a wedding dress for his best friend’s fiancé — but all three have dark secrets that will soon upend their lives.
Wednesday, May 3
Jewish Matchmaking (Netflix series) – A new series from the producers of Indian Matchmaking, Jewish Matchmaking features singles in the US and Israel as they turn their dating life over to top Jewish matchmaker, Aleeza Ben Shalom. Will using the traditional practice of shidduch dating help them find their soulmate in today’s world?
Thursday, May 4
The Flash: Season 9
Larva Family (Netflix family) – The Larva family is growing! When Red and Yellow welcome a baby caterpillar into their lives, they get a crash course in parenting and all things putrid.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix series) – Young Queen Charlotte’s marriage to King George of England sparks an epic love story and transforms high society in this “Bridgerton” universe prequel.
Sanctuary (Netflix series) – A tough, desperate kid becomes a sumo wrestler, captivating fans with his cocky attitude &mash; and upsetting an industry steeped in tradition.
Sunday, May 7
Mamma Mia!
Monday, May 8
Spirit Rangers: Season 2 (Netflix family) – Eddy, Summer and Kodi are back in action at Xus National Park, learning about nature on exciting adventures with new visitors &mash; and old friends, too!
Tuesday, May 9
Hannah Gadsby: Something Special (Netflix comedy) – Emmy and Peabody Award winning comedian Hannah Gadsby is back for their third Netflix comedy special and it’s a feel-good show. The comedian talks about a wedding (theirs!), more than one traumatic encounter with a bunny, and much more. Filmed at the Sydney Opera House.
Wednesday, May 10
Dance Brothers (Netflix series) – Two brothers trying to make it as dancers open their own club, but their artistic drive soon clashes with the business, threatening their relationship.
Missing: Dead or Alive? (Netflix documentary) – Follow officers from a South Carolina sheriff’s department as they urgently search for individuals who’ve disappeared under troubling circumstances.
Queen Cleopatra (Netflix documentary) – From executive producer Jada Pinkett Smith comes a documentary series exploring the lives of prominent and iconic African aueens. This season will feature Queen Cleopatra, the world’s most famous, powerful, and misunderstood woman — a daring queen whose beauty and romances came to overshadow her real asset: her intellect. Cleopatra’s heritage has been the subject of much academic debate, which has often been ignored by Hollywood. Now our series re-assesses this fascinating part of her story.
Thursday, May 11
Royalteen: Princess Margrethe (Netflix film) – In the wake of her prom scandal, Princess Margrethe longs for normalcy as she struggles to maintain her perfect facade while dealing with family drama.
Ultraman: Season 3 (Netflix anime) – As public sentiment turns against Ultraman, Shinjiro learns that his inherited powers may come with a heavy price, in this exciting series conclusion.
Friday, May 12
Black Knight (Netflix series) – In a dystopian 2071 devastated by air pollution, the survival of humanity depends on the Black Knights &mash; and they’re far from your average deliverymen.
Call Me Kate
The Mother (Netflix film) – A deadly female assassin comes out of hiding to protect the daughter that she gave up years before, while on the run from dangerous men.
Mulligan (Netflix series) – In this satirical comedy, when most of Earth is destroyed by aliens, can a few survivors rebuild what’s left of America and form a more perfect union?
Queer Eye: Season 7 (Netflix series) – Join the party with the Fab Five in the city of New Orleans for a new season of inspirational heroes &mash; and beautiful before-and-afters.
Sunday, May 14
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Monday, May 15
Book Club
The Boss Baby: Family Business
Nitro Rush
Side Effects
Starbuck
Wind River
Tuesday, May 16
Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me (Netflix documentary) – From the heights of her modelling fame to her tragic death, this documentary reveals Anna Nicole Smith through the eyes of the people closest to her.
Instant Family
Ted
Ted 2
Wednesday, May 17
Faithfully Yours (Netflix film) – Using each other as alibis, two friends sneak off to indulge in secret affairs &mash; but their elaborate web of lies unravels when one of them goes missing.
Fanfic (Netflix film) – Two high school students form an intense connection as they navigate the challenges of discovering and expressing their truest selves.
McGREGOR FOREVER (Netflix documentary) – Conor McGregor embarks on the most important year of his career, fighting three times and trying to climb back to the top of the UFC ladder. This series will be an all-access look at this polarizing superstar, along with the deeper history of what brought him to this point.
Rhythm + Flow France: Season 2 (Netflix series) – A fresh batch of aspiring artists competes for a 100,000 euro prize and the claim to French rap fame in this competition judged by Niska, Shay and SCH.
Working: What We Do All Day (Netflix documentary) – What brings you joy in work? What gives you purpose? What makes a good job good? These are the questions at the centre of this compelling documentary series that explores the ways in which we find meaning in our work and how our experiences and struggles connect us on a human level. Narrated by President Barack Obama, who makes appearances alongside everyday people in their homes and places of work, the series follows individuals at all levels of the workforce across the industries of home care, tech, and hospitality.
Thursday, May 18
Kitti Katz (Netflix family) – Three teenage girls transform into fierce feline superheroes to save the world from an evil Egyptian goddess &mash; and still have time for soccer practice.
XO, Kitty (Netflix series) – A new love story unfolds when teen matchmaker Kitty reunites with her long-distance boyfriend at the same Seoul high school attended by her late mother.
Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune (Netflix series) – With Earth colonized by a superior alien civilization, Akira’s only chance at a better future is to enlist as an expendable Yakitori foot soldier.
Friday, May 19
Kathal – A Jackfruit Mystery (Netflix film) – When two prized jackfruits disappear from a politician’s garden, a spirited cop’s investigation takes an unexpected turn as she digs for the truth.
Muted (Netflix series) – Sergio hasn’t spoken since he murdered his parents six years ago. Now, a psychiatrist aims to uncover what happened through a twisted investigation.
Selling Sunset: Season 6 (Netflix series) – The stakes and stilettos are as high as they’ve ever been at the brokerage, as longtime agents make big changes and two new team members bring the heat.
Young, Famous & African: Season 2 (Netflix series) – The celebrity crew is back &mash; and their claws are out. Join the stars as they return to Johannesburg for another season of fun, fights and drama.
Sunday, May 21
A Dark Truth
Jack Reacher
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
You’ve Got Mail
Monday, May 22
The Boss Baby
The Creature Cases: Chapter 3 (Netflix family) – Sam and Kit are back to collect the clues and solve more animal mysteries from around the world with new cases, new rides and new creature pals!
Tuesday, May 23
MerPeople (Netflix documentary) – MerPeople dives into the fascinating world of underwater performers who have turned their love for the mystical sea creatures into real-world careers. From putting on dazzling small-town shows in Florida to the crowning of the King and Queen of the Seas in the Bahamas, this series will take you on a journey of passion and perseverance. Get ready to set sail on an unforgettable voyage and immerse yourself in a world where fantasy becomes reality.
Victim/Suspect (Netflix documentary) – When a journalist digs into a case of a woman charged with falsely reporting a rape, a pattern emerges: authorities turning the tables on victims.
Wanda Sykes: I’m An Entertainer (Netflix comedy) – Legendary comedian, actress and producer Wanda Sykes returns for her second hour-long Netflix comedy special. From the challenges of raising Gen Z teens to the dilemmas of being a liberal in a hyper charged political climate, Sykes, renowned for her social commentary, delivers her insightful and ferocious wit and candor audiences have come to know and love.
Wednesday, May 24
Hard Feelings (Netflix film) – Two best friends try to make it through high school while dealing with embarrassing new urges &mash; and their very inconvenient feelings for each other.
Mother’s Day (Netflix film) – When the son she’s never known gets kidnapped, former special agent Nina dusts off her deadly skills to bring him home &mash; no matter who gets in her way.
Rhythm + Flow France: Season 2 (Netflix series, new episodes) – A fresh batch of aspiring artists competes for a 100,000 euro prize and the claim to French rap fame in this competition judged by Niska, Shay and SCH.
The Ultimatum: Queer Love (Netflix series) – Tie the knot or call it quits? Five long-term couples are put under pressure to get married or move on in this queer-centric spin-off of “The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On.”
Thursday, May 25
FUBAR (Netflix series) – When a father and daughter learn that they’ve each secretly been working as CIA Operatives for years, they realize their entire relationship has been a lie and they truly don’t know one another at all. Forced to team up as partners, the series tackles universal family dynamics set against a global backdrop of spies, action, and humour.
Friday, May 26
Barbecue Showdown: Season 2 (Netflix series) – New host Michelle Buteau (“The Circle”) joins the judges for a fresh round of heated competition between eight of the best barbecuers in the country.
Blood & Gold (Netflix film) – At the bitter end of WWII, a German deserter and a young woman are drawn into bloody battle with a group of Nazis hunting for hidden gold.
Tin & Tina (Netflix film) – After a traumatic miscarriage, a young couple adopts two peculiar twins from a convent whose obsession with religion soon disturbs the family.
Turn of the Tide (Netflix series) – When a boat loaded with cocaine sinks off the Azores, Eduardo sees a risky but exciting opportunity to make money and fulfill impossible dreams.
Sunday, May 28
Masterminds
Tuesday, May 30
I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson: Season 3 (Netflix comedy) – The critically acclaimed and hilariously absurdist comedy series, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson returns for a third season. Creators and writers Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin bring their distinct comedy style and observational humour to the forefront, continuing to poke fun at life’s most bizarre and mundane situations.
Wednesday, May 31
Hitch
Mixed by Erry (Netflix film) – Smuggling self-made mixtapes in 1980s Naples, an aspiring DJ and his two brothers become surprisingly powerful record producers wanted by the law.
Rhythm + Flow France: Season 2 (Netflix series, new episodes) – A fresh batch of aspiring artists competes for a 100,000 euro prize and the claim to French rap fame in this competition judged by Niska, Shay and SCH.
The Ultimatum: Queer Love (Netflix series, new episodes) – Tie the knot or call it quits? Five long-term couples are put under pressure to get married or move on in this queer-centric spin-off of “The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On.”
A Place Called Home's emergency shelter in Lindsay is now offering a free bike share program for its residents thanks to a grant from the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes. Pictured with the four bikes and bike rack are Jen Lopinski of A Place Called Home (left) along with Shantal Ingram and Jennifer Bain of the United Way. (Photo courtesy of A Place Called Home)
Residents of A Place Called Home’s emergency shelter in Lindsay now have access to a free bike share program thanks to a grant from the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Since 1995, A Place Called Home has been supporting unhoused men, women, and families with children in the City of Kawartha Lakes and County of Haliburton. Last summer, the charitable non-profit organization completed construction on a new emergency shelter at 64 Lindsay Street South.
Last September, the organization was awarded a $4,987.14 community capacity grant from the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes to establish a bike share program for emergency shelter residents.
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“Having access to transportation is necessary to carry out some of the day-to-day tasks of everyday life,” says United Way co-executive director Shantal Ingram in a media release. “We are pleased to support the bike share program.”
After receiving advice from Sandra Patrick, owner of the Down to Earth full-service bike shop and outdoor store in downtown Lindsay, A Place Called Home purchased four Electra Townie bicycles, equipped with front baskets and locks, along with a bike rack.
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“Our agency has always dreamed of providing our clients with access to free transportation to help them get to important appointments such as a doctor’s appointment or a job interview,” says Jen Lopinski, fund development coordinator at A Place Called Home. “Thanks to the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes Community Capacity Grant, that dream has come true.”
“Having access to free transportation will increase our client’s independence and self efficiency, bolstering self esteem and positives outcomes,” Lopinski adds.
For more information about A Place Called Home, visit www.apch.ca.
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