The Transit Quest program encourages students in grade eight to use Peterborough Transit by providing them with a free transit pass over the March Break. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Jaime Akiyama, GreenUP Transportation & Urban Design Coordinator and Active and Safe Routes to School Chair.
When kids become comfortable using transit at a young age, it allows them to be life-long users.
Active and Safe Routes to School Peterborough has a fleet of transit programs that support getting kids on public transit. These programs allow students to gain valuable experiences and skills to support their future travel choices.
On the Bus is a fun and interactive introduction to the Peterborough Transit system and is provided for grade three classes in the City of Peterborough. This program focuses on active and sustainable transportation choices and is also tailored to meet specific curriculum expectations.
During the program, it is common for students to be able to list off the benefits of using public transportation. They recognize that if more people travel by bus we would have less cars on the road and therefore less pollution.
Students frequently point out that riding public transit is a great way to interact with their community and get around without worrying about getting someone to drive them. Students are also very in tune with the reality that not everyone can afford a car and that other transportation options are important for various mobility and economic reasons.
Grade three students participating in the On The Bus program learn how to navigate Peterborough Transit bus routes. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
It is also common to have more than three-quarters of the grade three participants identify that they have no experience on public transit. Often, this program is the first and perhaps the only experience on public transit that a student will have, that is, until grade eight.
The Grade 8 Transit Quest program encourages students in grade eight to use Peterborough Transit by providing them with a free transit pass over the March Break.
The Quest works to increase familiarity with the Peterborough Transit system just as city youth begin to get around more independently. Transit can become a mode of transportation that is both normal and accessible for kids at this age, when they increase their comfort levels.
Feedback from past participants in The Quest highlights the sense of independence that comes from using public transit and the feeling that the students’ community is expanding with the increased access to riding the bus. After last year’s program, numerous students reported that they were more active during March Break because they had the option to take transit.
VIDEO: How to Ride Peterborough Transit
Feedback from students that chose not to participate last year indicated that they did not know how to use public transit and were not comfortable, or because it was not considered an option when a car was available.
If you live in the City of Peterborough and have a child in grade eight, watch their backpack for their free bus pass and help them plan for some transit trips around town this March Break. Watch the “How to Ride Peterborough Transit” video at www.peterborough.ca/transit for great tips about using our bus system.
Active & Safe Routes to School Peterborough also encourages teachers to consider travelling using Peterborough Transit for their class trips through the School Trip by Transit program. Peterborough Transit’s regular routes and schedule provide a transportation option that is inexpensive, convenient, and a valuable experience.
A class of students gets ready to board a Peterborough Transit bus after visiting GreenUP Ecology Park in Peterborough. Active & Safe Routes to School Peterborough encourages teachers to consider travelling using Peterborough Transit for their class trips through the School Trip by Transit program. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
Teachers that have used public transit with their classes have reported that the journey added an important learning opportunity beyond the field trip destination. This program often creates experiences that have direct benefit to the students such as becoming familiar with transit maps, meeting a bus driver, and signalling for a stop along the way. It also helps students develop a skill that they can use throughout their lives.
Active & Safe Routes to School Peterborough also sees the benefits of public transportation as a contributor to better health. Short walks between transit stops and destinations adds needed physical activity to a person’s day and supports overall healthy habits. Using transit also helps you to avoid the stress associated with driving in congested areas.
A grade three student participating in the On The Bus program, a grade eight student traveling on Peterborough Transit during March Break, or a kindergarten class taking public transit to the market for their field trip, are all building experiences and skills that will increase children’s travel options.
Whether a person is choosing public transit for environmental, health, social, or economic reasons, Active and Safe Routes to School Peterborough wants youth to be knowledgable and comfortable so that public transit is an easy and accessible option for them.
Parents can introduce their children to using public transit by regularly riding the bus together. Peterborough Transit offers a $8 day pass for up to two adults and up to four children to ride the bus all day. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
These school programs are only one way to gain experience and skills with public transit. Families are encouraged to introduce public transit to their children by regularly riding the bus together. Parents can teach children where to find transit information, how to plan a route, read a schedule, and model how to be prepared for fares and transfers.
A little known fact: a Peterborough Transit day pass costs only $8 and allows up to two adults and up to four children to ride all day. Are you new to transit? Check out www.peterborough.ca/transit for more information.
A heads-up to grade eight students within the City of Peterborough: your free Grade 8 Transit Quest bus pass will be delivered to your teacher the week prior to March Break. Don’t start your break without it!
These programs are made possible with the generous support from the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Transit, and the amazing bus drivers serving our community. For more information on Active and Safe Routes to School Peterborough’s fleet of transit programs, visit peterboroughmoves.com or greenup.on.ca.
A stock photo of a black and white Siberian husky. The Siberian Husky Assistance & Rescue Program (SHARP) in Peterborough has removed 20 huskies from a property in Highlands East, about halfway between Apsley and Bancroft, after OPP officers noticed the poor condition of the dogs. The dogs are currently in foster homes and will be put up for adoption.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reports that 20 huskies have been rescued from a property located on Dyno Road in Highlands East, about halfway between Apsley and Bancroft.
Last Saturday (February 23), Bancroft OPP received a complaint from the property owner that people had been trespassing on his property. When officers from Bancroft OPP arrived at the property, they spoke with officers from the Haliburton Highlands OPP, who had been on the property the day before to serve a court process on an unrelated matter.
At the time, the Haliburton officers had noticed multiple dogs in poor condition. One of the officers took photographs of the condition of the dogs. Officers then returned to the property the following day, when they found 20 huskies tied up to dog houses.
Officers spoke with the owner, who was getting assistance from the Siberian Husky Assistance & Rescue Program (SHARP), a non-profit volunteer-run organization located in Peterborough.
The Haliburton Echo reports that members of SHARP have since removed the dogs and placed them in foster locations. According to SHARP, the dogs are doing well and are being inspected by a veterinarian.
Police also contacted the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA). The OSPCA is assisting police in the investigation, which is ongoing. No charges have yet been laid.
According to a media release from the Bancroft OPP, the dogs will be put up for adoption.
For more information about SHARP and to make a donation, visit sharprescue.ca.
Below is a public Facebook post providing background information on this story.
Friday Feb 22nd at approximately 9:00pm an Ontario Provincial Police Sargent contacted me to assist in a situation. I…
Peterborough Public Health has signed on with Commute Ontario, a province-wide initiative to encourage people to use active and sustainable forms of transportation such as walking and cycling and carpooling and taking transit. Organizations that sign up for the initiative get access to programs and tools including Carpool Ontario, an online service that connects drivers with riders. (Graphic: Commute Ontario)
Peterborough is again leading the way when it comes to promoting active and sustainable transportation for healthier residents and a healthier community.
Last fall, Trent University became the first post-secondary school to sign on with Commute Ontario and now Peterborough Public Health has followed suit — becoming the first health unit in Ontario to partner with the province-wide program promoting active and sustainable means of transportation.
Commute Ontario encourages commuters to leave their cars at home and walk or cycle to work or school where possible, or to let someone else do the driving by carpooling or taking public transit.
Peterborough Public Health shares Commute Ontario’s goal of promoting active transportation, resulting in better air quality and reduced commuter stress — both key factors to improved overall health.
“Peterborough Public Health is happy to partner with Commute Ontario to support employees in choosing sustainable and active transportation options,” says public health nurse Kate Dunford. “Local data shows that 40 per cent of people are inactive, so incorporating active transportation into our daily lives is a great way to increase physical activity which then reduces the risk of chronic diseases.”
Along with Trent University, the City of Peterborough and Peterborough GreenUP were among the first organizations to sign on with Commute Ontario when it launched in 2018. Commute Ontario provides programs and tools that promote active and sustainable transportation to Ontario municipalities, post secondary institutions, and workplaces such as Peterborough Public Health.
The program is completely free of charge because the non-profit social enterprise behind the program, SustainMobility, received a three-year grant of $710,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Commute Ontario’s goal is to eliminate 20 million kilometres of vehicle travel over three years, by encouraging more Ontarians to walk, cycle, take public transit and carpool to and from work rather than driving alone each day. (Graphic: Commute Ontario)
“We hear it all the time that Ontarians are fed up with their commutes,” says SustainMobility executive director Glenn Gumulka. “Feeling stressed out at the beginning and the end of each day is not a healthy place to be.”
Once they’ve signed up with Commute Ontario, organizations gain immediate access to a host of programs, campaigns, and promotional materials all promoting active and sustainable transportation options such as carpooling, walking, cycling, and taking transit.
This includes an online carpool matching tool at carpoolontario.ca where users can participate in ride-matching.
As well as Peterborough, other municipalities that have signed on with Commute Ontario include London, Thunder Bay, Barrie, Orangeville, Shelburne, Grey Highlands, and Dufferin and Perth Counties.
Along with Trent University, other post-secondary institutions that have signed on include Kings College, Georgian College Orillia, and Midland and Owen Sound Campuses.
Environmental organizations to sign on so far include Peterborough GreenUP and EcoSuperior in Thunder Bay.
For more information and to sign on with Commute Ontario, visit commuteontario.ca.
A detail from 'Climbing out into the Light', a piece from Anne Renouf's new series 'Unearthed' that will be on display at the Art Gallery of Bancroft this March. An opening reception takes place at 7:30 p.m. on International Women's Day on March 8, 2019. (Photo courtesy of the artist)
March kicks off with the popular First Friday art crawl on March 1st. There will be art and festivities around Peterborough on that evening, including ‘dis INTEGRATION’ by Brian Nichols at Atelier Ludmila, Steven Vero showing his recent paintings at Acme Art & Sailboat Co., and Charlie Earle and Nikoiya Wile showing their work at the Red Dog Lounge as part of the ‘Celebrating Black Arts Vol II’ special event closing out Black History Month.
For all the art crawl happenings on March 1st, visit First Friday Peterborough on Facebook and Instagram.
Later in March, the Art Gallery of Bancroft presents Anne Renouf’s ‘Unearthed’, Arnold Zageris speaks about his Antarctica series at the Art Gallery of Peterborough, and a new show of multimedia installation work by Krista Belle Stewart opens at Artspace, with an artist talk the following afternoon. The Kawartha Artists Gallery and Studio presents a member’s show ‘Awakenings’, and if you are looking for some inspiration, every Tuesday morning until March 19th there is a drop-in art making program happening at The Mount Community Centre.
Atelier Ludmila presents ‘dis INTEGRATION’ by Brian Nichols
A recent work by renowned therapist and artist Brian Nichols. (Photo courtesy of the artist)
Atelier Ludmila Gallery is pleased to present ‘dis INTEGRATION’, a new body of work by renowned therapist and artist Brian Nichols.
A truly creative soul, Brian’s work is surprising, visually interesting ,and experimental. An artist who seems to dabble in all methods of creative expression, his work gives the viewer a peek into a world of creative freedom and expression.
Stop in during the First Friday festivities between 6 and 10 p.m. on March 1st, or alternately from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following four Saturdays (March 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd). If these times do not suit you, you can book a time to view the show by emailing Brian at bnichols@cogeco.ca.
If you’re there on First Friday, make sure to check out The Drawing Room for “Poetrick!”, a live and interactive poetry happening with local poet Justin Million and local entrepreneur Sam Sayer. Sam will ask you a few questions at the doorway to the poet’s lair, and Justin will create a unique improvisational poem based on your answers.
Operated by artistic director Laurel Paluck, the Atelier Ludmila Gallery and The Drawing Room are located on the second floor of the Commerce Building (129 1/2 Hunter St. W., Peterborough). For more information, visit atelierludmila.com.
Acme Art & Sailboat Co presents new paintings by Steven Vero
A detail from one of Steven Vero’s recent paintings that will be on display at Acme Art & Sailboat Co this March. (Photo courtesy of the artist)
Steven Vero is a prolific and seasoned painter, working in both representational and abstract styles. He captures the subtle nuances of the natural world and creates striking abstract paintings.
Some of his most recent pieces will be exhibited this March at the Acme Art & Sailboat Co. A series of new work by Joe Stable will also be displayed in the Copper Closet.
The opening reception will be held as part of the First Friday Art crawl from 6 to 11 p.m. on March 1st. There will be light refreshments and the artists will be in attendance.
Acme Art and Sailboat Company is located at 129-1/2 Hunter Street West, 3rd floor, in downtown Peterborough. Hours of operation are variable, please check Acme’s Facebook page.
Art works by Nikoiya Wile and Charlie Earle at ‘Celebrating Black Arts Vol II’ with spoken word and music at the Red Dog
‘Celebrating Black Arts Vol II’, a ticketed spoken word and music event at the Red Dog, also features a free art show by Nikoiya Wile and Charlie Earle. (Poster courtesy of Wendy Fischer)
Black History Month comes to a close on First Friday as Black Lives Matter Nogojiwanong-Peterborough and the Community Race Relations Committee of Peterborough present ‘Celebrating Black Arts Vol II’ from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Historic Red Dog Tavern.
This special event features an art show by illustrator Nikoiya Wile and singer-songwriter and artist Charlie Earle in the Red Dog Lounge from 6 to 11 p.m. There is no cost to view the show.
On the Red Dog stage from 6 to 10 p.m., there will a series of performances, including: spoken word by Niambi Tree, Elizabeth “EJ” Jenkins, and Beth “Bethlehem” Bekele; drag by Said “Dixie Q” Jiddawy; hip hop by Anane, Tokoni, Azubike (Zubby), and TMGxKOD; and soul-jazz by Brandon “Don Soul” Kwakye-Longdon and Azalyne. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children or pay what you can.
VIDEO: Celebrate Black Arts Vol II at the Historic Red Dog
After the event, the Trent African Caribbean Student Union’s “Rep Your Flag” event hosted by DJ KingBizzy runs until the wee hours.
The Red Dog is located at 189 Hunter St. W. in downtown Peterborough.
Arnold Zageris speaks about his ‘Antarctica’ series at the Art Gallery of Peterborough
‘Iceberg, Variation #9’ (2014, archival inkjet print) by Arnold Zageris. (Photo courtesy of the Art Gallery of Peterborough)
‘Antarctica’, a series of photographs by accomplished photographer and author Arnold Zageris, continues on display at the Art Gallery of Peterborough until Sunday, March 31st.
On Saturday, March 2nd from 2 to 4 p.m., Arnold Zageris will be at the gallery to give a talk about his process. He is an engaging speaker full of fascinating facts and entertaining anecdotes about his travels and the landscapes he has photographed.
Drop by the gallery on March 2nd to view these stunning photographs and learn about the mysterious land of Antarctica and the many journeys it took to produce this body of work.
The Art Gallery of Peterborough is located at 250 Crescent Street in downtown Peterborough and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. It offers free admission, barrier-free access, and a gallery shop. Parking is available in the Del Crary lot. For more information, call 705-743-9179 or visit agp.on.ca.
The Art Gallery of Bancroft presents Anne Renouf’s ‘Unearthed’
‘Aureola Light’ (24″x24″) by Anne Renouf. (Photo courtesy of the Art Gallery of Bancroft)
Closed during February, the Art Gallery of Bancroft reopens in March with ‘Unearthed’, the latest series by local artist Anne Renouf.
Drawing inspiration from the 90 acres of cedar and maple woods, wetlands, and fields that surround her studio in Peterborough County, Renouf’s work is both simple and visually stunning. Themes of spirituality and nature are explored and artfully represented through her mixed media technique. Accordingly, imbued with a feeling of light and space, the images somehow speak to us of transcendence.
This show will be on display from Wednesday, March 6th until Sunday, March 31st. An opening reception will be held at 7:30 p.m. on International Women’s Day (Friday, March 8th).
Also in March, the Art Gallery of Bancroft will be hosting a series of workshops on Mondays with artist Anita Murphy. There will be one series of four mixed media workshops on Monday monrings and another of four painting workshops on Monday afternoons. The cost for each series is $160.
The Art Gallery of Bancroft is located at 10 Flint Avenue in Bancroft. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday. For more information, visit www.artgallerybancroft.ca.
Artspace presents ‘A Guest a Host a Ghost’, new work by Krista Belle Stewart
Work by Krista Belle Stewart. (Photo courtesy of Artspace)
‘A Guest a Host a Ghost’, a show of recent multimedia work by Krista Belle Stewart at Artspace in March, was developed during her current residency at Künstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin.
Krista is a member of the Syilx Nation, currently based on unceded Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam and S k_wx_wu´7mesh territories (Vancouver, BC). The show features installation and video work dealing with personal and political narratives, and questioning their representation in institutional histories.
The opening reception will be held on from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, March 8th, with a talk by the artist at 1 p.m. on the following day (Saturday, March 9th). The exhibition runs until April 18th.
Artspace is located at 378 Aylmer Street in downtown Peterborough and offers barrier-free access (to all but Gallery 2) and free admission during regular open hours: Tuesday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Parking is available in the municipal lot on Hunter Street between Aylmer and George. For more information, call 705-748-3883 or visit artspace-arc.org.
Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio presents ‘Awakenings’
‘Awakenings’ runs until March 24, 2019.
On now until Saturday, March 24th at the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio, ‘Awakenings’ is a members’ show and sale featuring a variety of pieces by local artists.
Drop by the opening reception on Sunday, March 3rd from 1 to 4 p.m., with many of the artists in attendance.
Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio is a not-for-profit artist’s co-operative, located at 420 O’Connell Road in Peterborough. Hours of operation are Wednesday to Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. The gallery is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission is free.
Three more Tuesday community art-making sessions at The Mount
The Community Art Making Project at The Mount Community Centre. (Graphic courtesy of Brian Nichols)
Every Tuesday morning since January 15th, community art making has been taking place at The Mount Community Centre in Peterborough. There are three more sessions happening on Tuesdays in March, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. until March 19th.
Open to all, you can join this wonderful community building opportunity for everyone. Each session is only $5, or pay what you can, to cover the cost of materials.
This is a drop-in program with no registration necessary. Stop by on Tuesday, see what is happening, and perhaps meet a few new people.
For more information, call Mary Lou Green at 705-740-0078 or email Brian Nichols at bnichols@cogeco.ca.
The Mount Community Centre is located at 1545 Monaghan Road in Peterborough.
The Outside Track, featuring five musicians from Canada, Ireland, and Scotland, performs at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough on February 27, 2019. (Publicity photo)
If you’re suffering from the winter doldrums, here’s a surefire cure: foot-tapping and emotionally moving world-class Celtic music from The Outside Track.
Market Hall presents The Outside Track
When: Wednesday February 27, 2019 at 8 p.m. Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St. E, Peterborough) How much: $25 general admission, $30 assigned cabaret table seat
Tickets are available at the Market Hall box office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org.
One of the top Celtic acts in the world, The Outside Track will be performing at Peterborough’s Market Hall at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27th.
The band features five musicians from Canada, Ireland, and Scotland who are united by a love of traditional music and a commitment to creating new music using this as a foundation.
Blending fiddle, accordion, harp, guitar, flute, whistle, step-dance and vocals with boundless energy and unmistakable joie de vivre, The Outside Track has won a large following around the globe.
VIDEO: “Canadee-i-o” – The Outside Track
They’ve been named “Best Group” in both the Live Ireland awards and the Tradition In Review awards and were nominated as “Best Live Act” at the MG Alba Scots Traditional Music Awards.
The Outside Track has released six records, with their self-titled debut in 2007, followed by Curious Things Given Wings in 2010, The Mountain Road in 2012, Flash Company in 2013 (which won the German Radio Critics Prize), Light up the Dark in 2015, and Rise Up in 2018.
The band’s current lineup is Ailie Robertson (harp, electro harp), Cillian O’Dalaigh (guitar, vocals), Fiona Black (accordion), Mairi Rankin (fiddle, vocals, step dance), and Teresa Horgan (vocals, flute).
VIDEO: “Dark Reels” – The Outside Track
The Outside Track is now touring the UK, the U.S., Canada, and Germany in support of Rise Up, which Folk Radio UK calls “a magnificent album that puts The Outside Track firmly back in the spotlight, as one of the most accomplished bands on the international folk scene.”
Tickets are $25 general admission or $30 for assigned cabaret table seats, and are available in person at the Market Hall box office (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org.
Lots of general admission tickets are still available for the show, and if you need another reason to cure your winter doldrums: Peterborough’s own singer-songwriter Melissa Payne will be opening the show.
Both the northbound and southbound lanes of Highway 115 have been closed between Porter Road and Tapley Quarter Line while police document the second multi-vehicle collision in two days on the same stretch of the highway. (Photo: OPP)
For the second time in two days, a serious multi-vehicle collision has closed Highway 115 between Tapley Quarter Line and Porter Road.
Four people were injured in the collision. One driver was flown by air ambulance to a Toronto-area hospital with life-threatening injuries, and remains in critical condition, while the other three were transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
At around 6 a.m. Tuesday morning (February 26), a vehicle was travelling northbound on Highway 115 south Tapley Quarter Line when the driver lost control and went into the ditch.
TRAFFIC: All lanes of Highway 115 are shut down near Tapley 1/4 for a multi-vehicle collision involving several transport trucks, a garbage truck, a tanker trunk and several vehicles. One person has been airfield from the scene by @Ornge. Check back for updates #ptbonewspic.twitter.com/gdU9mEVEIT
Several other vehicles became involved in a collision when they attempted to avoid what had happened, including a jackknifed tractor trailer.
One of the tractor trailers was transporting potentially dangerous goods and the immediate area has been closed off until it can be deemed safe.
The truck carrying the dangerous goods is still being assessed. The products it is carrying are sodium nitrate, acetic acid, and emulsion. They are in three separate compartments on the truck and are used in the process of removing rock from quarries. Precaution is being taken to ensure the safest removal of the truck for the public and the emergency services personnel at the scene.
The northbound and southbound lanes of Highway 115 will remain closed for several hours.
A serious accident also closed the southbound lanes of Highway 115 in the same area on Monday (February 25), when more than 20 vehicles were involved in collisions during white-out conditions on the highway. No significant injuries were reported.
Sweet Beast Fine Meats & Fish is a new butcher shop opening soon in Peterborough's East City. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
This week’s round-up of business news includes a new butcher shop called Sweet Beast opening in Peterborough’s East City, 45 tech startups receiving almost $1 million in seed funding, Hastings Highlands entering into a deal for a cannabis production facility, the announcements that Payless Shoe Source and Home Outfitters retail stores in Peterborough are closing this year, the opening of nominations for the Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce 2019 Business Excellence Awards, Showplace Performance Centre’s new partner program with selected downtown Peterborough restaurants, and both the City of Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County councils approving their municipalities’ 2019 budgets.
Every week, our managing editor collects business-related news and events from across the Kawarthas. If you’d like us to promote your business news or event in businessNOW, please email business@kawarthanow.com.
New regional business events added this week include Community Futures Peterborough hosting an Ignite100 information session on February 25th in Peterborough, Venture13 hosting a Fresh Food Mapathon on March 2nd in Cobourg, Kawartha Lakes Arts Council hosting a copyright workshop for creators on March 6th in Janetville, and the City of Kawartha Lakes hosting a public open house on downtown Lindsay reconstruction on March 7th in Lindsay.
A new butcher shop called Sweet Beast is opening in Peterborough’s East City
The signage at Sweet Beast Fine Meats & Fish promises Italian pork sausages and Kawartha beef. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
If you like your heritage vodka with a side of heritage pork, you’re in luck.
A new butcher shop is opening in Peterborough’s East City, in the same plaza as from Black’s Distillery.
Sweet Beast Fine Meats & Fish is located at 95 Hunter St. E., the storefront previously occupied the Heads of Hair salon.
Renovations of the interior are currently underway. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
The space is currently being renovated and the shop is expected to open by early spring.
kawarthaNOW has learned the new business is owned by Grant Slavin, the former head butcher at the Community Butcher Shop in downtown Peterborough (which closed in 2017 after two years of operation).
While they haven’t posted anything yet, you can follow Sweet Beast on Instagram @sweetbeastbutchershop.
More than 40 area tech startups receive almost $1 million in seed funding from N1M-2 program
Members of the Microfactory Co-operative, a producers’ co-operative located at Venture13 in Cobourg. The co-operative, which provides prototyping, design, and custom manufacturing services to help hardware startups scale up effectively, is one of 45 area tech startups receiving seed funding under the Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation’s expanded N1M program. (Photo: The Microfactory Co-operative)
Last Thursday (February 21), the Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) announced that 45 technology startups from across Northumberland County and rural Eastern Ontario will receive $952,500 in seed funding under the expanded N1M program (N1M-2).
In December 2019, FedDev Ontario invested $1.1 million in Northumberland CFDC to exapnd the N1M program, which provides high-potential idea and validation stage start-ups with seed funding, training, and mentoring to help accelerate the growth of their businesses.
The N1M-2 program matches private investment of up to $30,000. The performance-based seed funding is non-dilutive, meaning that the founders do not have to give up any equity in their companies in return for the funding.
Alex Papanicolaou of Hardware Solutions, a member of and the lead designer for the Microfactory Co-operative in Cobourg, mentoring youth makers at the Northumberland Makers space at Venture13. The Microfactory Co-operative is one of 45 tech start-ups in eastern Ontario that are receiving seed funding from Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation’s N1M program, which was recently expanded with FedDev Ontario funding. (Photo: The Microfactory Co-operative)
Of the 45 funded startups, 24 per cent are based in Northumberland County, 22 per cent are based in rural eastern Ontario, and 12 per cent are based in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Green tech startups make up 12 per cent of the total, and 24 per cent of the startups are led by women.
“With our second round of N1M, Northumberland CFDC is now powering some 75 technology startups across southern Ontario,” says Northumberland CFDC executive director Wendy Curtis. “We are inspired to see such a diverse group emerge in response to our call to action to accelerate women-led, green tech and rural Eastern Ontario-based ventures with renewed funding and support from FedDev Ontario.”
In addition to seed funding, the N1M program also provides entrepreneurial development and skills training opportunities for founders.
Here’s the complete list of the 45 startups receiving funding.
Able Innovations ($30,000)
Agro For You ($30,000)
Alchemy Inc. (Neverfrost) ($30,000)
Audience GPS ($10,000)
Augmented Experiences ($4,750)
Authority Formula Consults ($20,000)
Biosphere GPS ($20,000)
BlushDrop ($20,000)
Bob Tonner Applied Research ($10,000)
Canuck Play Inc. ($20,000)
Char Technologies ($30,000)
ConnexHealth ($25,000)
Convictional Commerce ($30,000)
Eagle Areospace ($25,000)
Elemental Solutions ($25,000)
EmulGreen Labs ($30,000)
FanSaves ($25,000)
Foundation Cloud Systems ($25,000)
Frontier Labs ($25,000)
Gnowise ($17,250)
Grain Discovery ($25,000)
Greenlight Analytical ($30,000)
H2nano ($30,000)
Hops on Board ($25,000)
Intelline ($4,000)
Mero Technologies ($15,000)
Meta Innovation Technologies ($15,000)
MFMG ($20,000)
Microfactory Co-operative ($25,000)
Netmechanics ($25,000)
Open Ocean Apps ($25,000)
Phycus Biotechnologies ($30,000)
Pliant ($30,000)
ProPaintGear ($6,500)
Riverwood Acoustics ($30,000)
Simple Life Homes ($15,000)
SN Technologies ($25,000)
SpaceiShare ($10,000)
Suffuse ($10,000)
Treewell ($20,000)
Turnkey Aquaponics ($10,000)
U-Dimensions ($10,000)
UnLock Math ($20,000)
VR Headspace ($25,000)
Wavve Boating ($10,000)
Hastings Highlands enters into deal for cannabis production facility
The municipality of Hastings Highlands is partnering with AeroPonLeaf Canada to develop a cannabis production facility to be located north of Bancroft. AeroPonLeaf Canada uses a soil-less growing technique called aeroponics to produce cannabis, a method used by other cannabis producers such as Virginia Company in Spokane, Washington. (Photo: Virginia Company)
The Municipality of Hastings Highlands has entered into a deal with AeroPonLeaf Canada to develop a vacant property north of Bancroft to be used as a cannabis production facility.
The facility will be located on Y Road, about five kilometres north of the Town of Bancoft, on the property formerly occupied by GP Flakeboard.
The property has remained undeveloped since the particle board plant closed in 2003.
A public meeting with representatives from AeroPonLeaf Canada will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 28th at Emond Hall at the Hastings Highlands municipal offices (33011 Hastings County Rd 62, Maynooth).
Payless Shoe Source and Home Outfitters retail stores in Peterborough are closing
Hudson’s Bay Co. is closing all 37 Home Outfitters stores in Canada, including the one located at 821 Rye Street in Peterborough, in 2019. (Photo: Google Maps)
Peterborough’s retail sector suffered a double blow last week when both Payless ShoeSource and Hudson’s Bay Co. announced they were shutting down retail operations.
U.S. discount shoe retailer Payless ShoeSource, which filed for bankruptcy protection last Monday (February 18), announced it would be closing is 2,354 stores in North America.
This includes the Payless ShoeSource store at Lansdowne Place Mall in Peterborough.
All stores will be closed by the end of May 2019.
Then on Thursday (February 22), Hudson’s Bay Co. announced it is winding down its Home Outfitters housewares business in Canada, affecting 37 stores in Canada, including one in Peterborough located at 821 Rye Street, across from Best Buy.
The company expects to complete the store closures in 2019.
Both of the Peterborough stores are the only locations of Payless ShoeSource and Home Outfitters in the Kawarthas.
Nominations now open for Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce 2019 Business Excellence Awards
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for its 2019 Business Excellence Awards, which will be awarded at a ceremony on April 27th in Hastings.
Nominations are being accepted in the following nine categories: Excellence In Business (Retail-Based Business), Excellence In Business (Service-Based Business), Pride And Progress, Customer Experience Award (Service Business), Customer Experience Award (Retail Business), Community Impact, Non-Profit Organization, and the Chair’s Award.
All nominations must be submitted to the Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 22nd.
Showplace Performance Centre partners with downtown Peterborough restaurants
The Night Kitchen is one of several downtown Peterborough restaurants offering special discounts for patrons of Showplace Performance Centre. (Photo: The Night Kitchen)
Showplace Performance Centre is partnering with selected downtown Peterborough restaurants for its new “Dining pARTnership” program.
The program offers discounts on pre- or post-concert dining, drinks, and desserts at The Night Kitchen, The Food Forest, Silk Roots, Curry Village, Village of Thai, La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, Le Petit Bar, and Publican House Brew Pub.
Present your ticket stub on the day of the concert for a 10 to 15 per cent discount. Showplace members can present their membership card at any time for a 10 to 20 per cent discount.
Only one discount applies per bill, beverages may not be included, and gratuities are extra. Check with the restaurant for any restrictions and black-out periods that may apply.
For more information, including a description of the participating restaurants, visit www.showplace.org/dining/.
City of Kawartha Lakes Council approves 2019 operating budget
The breakdown of the City of Kawartha Lakes’ $200 million operating budget for 2019. (Graphic: City of Kawartha Lakes)
The City of Kawartha Lakes Council approved the municipality’s $200 million operating budget for 2019 last Wednesday (February 20). The initially projected tax levy increase of 4 per cent was reduced to 2.85 per cent.
New programs, pilot projects, and service enhancements approved by council include: a $100,000 city-wide grant program under the Million Dollar Makeover initiative; an increase of $36,000 to the Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative to develop and deliver a Family Physician Professional Development program; allowing year-round leaf and yard waste drop-off, free of charge up to 250 kg (about 25 bags), in addition to existing curbside collection of leaf and yard waste; a new staff position to manage statutory heritage requirements under the Ontario Heritage Act; and funding a three-month Paramedic Community Outreach pilot program, at a cost of $25,000, to identify high-risk discharge patients from Ross Memorial Hospital and help bridge the transition from hospital to home.
Peterborough County Council approves 2019 budget
The County of Peterborough Council approved the county’s 2019 budget last Wednesday (February 20).
The approved budget will see a tax rate increase of 3.95 per cent. This means an average home in the county assessed at $257,750 would pay approximately $29.91 more in county taxes.
Of the 3.95 per cent increase, 2 per cent will go to dedicated infrastructure levy for roads and bridges, 1.29 per cent will go to all other county departments (operating and capital), and 0.66 per cent will go to external boards and organizations.
Community Futures Peterborough hosts Ignite100 information session on February 25 in Peterborough
Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) is hosting an information session for the Ignite100 entrepreneurial competition from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, February 25th in the lower level boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
If you wish to attend this free events, RSVP by calling 705-745-5434 or by emailing Pat Peeling at pat@cfpeterborough.ca.
Port Hope Chamber holds its annual general meeting in Port Hope on February 26
Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual general meeting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26th in the Sculthorpe Theatre at Cameco Capital Arts Centre (20 Queen St., Port Hope).
Trevor McPherson, vice president of member services at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, will be the guest speaker.
The meeting will also feature the election of new board members, review and approval of by-law revisions, new style guidelines and marketing materials, and more.
Agilec hosting spring hiring fair in Peterborough on February 26
Employment services company Agilec is hosting a multi-employer hiring fair from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26th at Northminster United Church (300 Sunset Blvd., Peterborough).
Numerous employers looking to hire part-time, full-time, and seasonal positions will be in attendance.
For more information, contact Arlayna Curtin at Agilec at 705-740-2577 ext. 5210 or acurtin@agilec.ca.
Trent University’s Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation Centre presents Drew Dudley in Peterborough on February 28
The Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation Centre (ESIC) at Trent University is presenting leadership guru Drew Dudley from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 29th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
Dudley is the founder and chief catalyst of Day One Leadership, Inc., which helps organizations around the world increase their leadership capacity. His clients have included some of the world’s most dynamic companies and organizations, including McDonald’s, Dreamworks Animation, JP Morgan Chase, and over 75 colleges and universities.
This event is run in collaboration with the Royal Bank of Canada and the Innovation Cluster.
Northumberland CFDC presents customer acquisition workshop featuring Sarah Stockdale on March 1 in Cobourg
Northumberland CFDC is presenting a one-day interactive workshop called “Innovating in Customer Acquisition for Tech Startups” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at on Friday, March 1st at Venture13 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Centre (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
The day will feature a morning session led by Chris Gillies (entrepreneur, venture catalyst, and manager of applied research and business development at Durham College) and an afternoon keynote from Sarah Stockdale, founder and CEO of Valkerie (a boutique growth consultancy for startups and innovation focused companies).
Peterborough Chamber presents Power Hour with local elected officials on March 1
Recheduled from the original date of February 12th because of weather, the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is presenting its annual “Power Hour” featuring Peterborough’s elected officials from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 1st at The StoneHouse Hall (2195 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough).
The Power Hour is a lively interactive dinner and question-and-answer session with Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones, and City of Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien.
Peterborough City and County councillors, along with the Chief Administrative Officers of the City and County of Peterborough and First Nations leaders, will be invited to join individual tables.
The event will be recorded for broadcast on Cogeco’s YourTV Peterborough/Lindsay.
Tickets are $65 per person or $450 for a table of seven for Chamber members, and $75 per person or $525 for a table of seven for non-members. REGISTRATION CLOSES 12:00PM FEBRUARY 26th 2019
Venture13 hosts Fresh Food Mapathon on March 2 in Cobourg
Innovation and entrepreneurship centre Venture13 is hosting the Fresh Food Mapathon from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 2nd at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
The free event will challenge participants in a team to design a digital mapping solution that improves access to local fresh food to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles in Northumberland County.
No previous knowledge of digital mapping required, Geographical Information System (GIS) training will be provided by professional practitioners. You can bring your own devices or use on of the 12 laptops with access to OpenStreetMap and ArcGIS Online that will be available.
A $200 cash prize will be awarded for best use of digital technology in each of the following areas: surveying local needs through crowdsourcing, analyzing and improving local community food security, promoting healthy eating and an active lifestyle, and promoting technical and vocational entrepreneurship. A $600 prize will be awarded to the team with the best working prototype that integrates all four categories.
Harvest Haliburton hosts Food and Agriculture Economic Development Forum in Minden on March 5
Sustainable food association Harvest Haliburton is hosting the Food and Agriculture Economic Development Forum from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5th at the Minden Community Centre (55 Parkside St., Minden).
The forum is a chance for interested residents, food producers, farmers, retailers, restauranteurs, elected politicians, municipal staff, and others to learn about the exciting food and agriculture-related projects underway in Haliburton County. Participants can also discover how they can support and shape the future of the local food sector.
Staff from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will deliver a keynote address on the tools and strategies available to help the area’s local food sector thrive. There will also be discussion topics including selling and branding local food, culinary and food tourism, municipal food planning, and more.
The forum is free to attend and includes a lunch showcasing ingredients from many of the area’s primary food producers.
2019 Win This Space finale in Peterborough on March 5
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is presenting the finale of the 2019 Win This Space competition from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5th at ARIA (331 George St. N., Peterborough).
The winner of the annual competition will be announced at the event. The grand prize package, valued at more than $40,000, includes a free year-long least of a storefront in downtown Peterborough and thousands of dollars in donated prizes including office and computer supplies, marketing and financial services, and advertising and promotion.
The top 10 contestants vying for the grand prize are Sheneese Wilkins of Mink Magic, Becky and Kent Sheehey of Sweat Happy Wellness, Sandra Young of Statement House Vintage, Anthony and Samantha Lennan of The Food Shop, David Searle of Moloko, Emma Pineo of Studio Pineo, Jonathan MacKay of Sustain Your Eco Living & Building Store, Laura and Dave Clark of Knook & Cranny, Lacey Klatt of Cozy Home Designs By Lacey, and Jules Diotallevi of The Rabbit Hole.
Lakefield Career Fair and and Community Information Session on March 6
The City and County of Peterborough, Agilec, the Municipality of Trent Lakes, and the Township of Selwyn have organized the Lakefield Career Fair and Community Information Session from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6th at the Lakefield Legion (10 Nicholls St., Lakefield).
The free event is for job seekers of all ages, and will feature employers offering include year-round and seasonal positions including skilled and general labour, nursing, food service, cleaning, and more.
Employers at the event will include AGTA Home Health Care, Burleigh Falls Inn, Cameron Steel Inc., Canadian Armed Forces, Concentrix, Katchiwano Golf & Country Club, Lockstop Café\Coons Cottage Care, Nightingale Nursing, Ontario Provincial Police, Otonabee Conservation Authority, R&J Machine, Savage Arms, SGS Canada, Six Foot Bay Resort, and Regency Retirement Lakefield.
Kawartha Lakes Arts Council hosts a copyright workshop for creators on March 6 in Janetville
Kawartha Lakes Arts Council is hosting the “Copyright for Creators” workshop at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6th at Janetville Community Centre (693 Janetville Rd., Janetville).
Writers, visual artists, graphic designers, musicians and composers, actors, producers, filmmakers, and game designers can learn about copyright, trademarks, trade secrets, and licensing. You will find out how to protect original creative ideas, understand the rules about public domain, and ask questions about infringement, reproduction, and transformative use.
Panelists include Penni Holdham (master prop builder, designer, and muralist), Dwayne Collins (digital scholarship librarian), and Catherine Jones (music and media rights specialist) and the evening will be moderated by Dianne Lister (photographer and chair of Kawartha Lakes Arts Council).
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the evening will begin with a presentation at 7 p.m., followed by a Q&A session at 8 p.m. and refreshments at 8:30 p.m.
The cost is $10 for members of the Kawartha Lakes Arts Council and $15 for non-members and guests. Cash or cheque will be accepted to the door.
Lindsay Chamber hosts its annual general meeting in Lindsay on March 6
The Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual general meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6th at The Auk’s Lodge on Fleming College’s Frost Campus (200 Albert St. S., Lindsay).
You can view the Chamber’s activities and successes of the past year, learn about Chamber initiatives for the year ahead, and review the 2018 financial statement. A motion will be passed for member to accept the next slate of board members.
Refreshments will be provided by The Olympia Restaurant and a cash bar will be available.
City of Kawartha Lakes hosting public information centre on downtown Lindsay reconstruction on March 7 in Lindsay
The City of Kawartha Lakes is hosting a public information centre on the design project for the reconstruction of downtown Lindsay from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 7th at the Victoria Park Armoury (210 Kent St. W., Lindsay).
The information centre will present the proposed streetscape plans, building on previously completed planning and design studies and incorporating public feedback and input from stakeholder groups including the Lindsay Downtown BIA, the Downtown Revitalization Working Group, and Heritage Committee and Accessibility Committee.
Drop in between 6 and 8 p.m. A formal presentation will take place at 6:30 p.m.
Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting in Campbellford on March 7
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual general meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 7th at the Clock Tower Cultural Centre (36 Front St. S., Campbellford).
The event will include networking, light refreshments, and a review of Chamber events, activities, and programs over the past year.
FastStart Peterborough presents E-Connect: International Women’s Day – Female Founders on March 7
FastStart Peterborough’s next E-Connect session, “International Women’s Day – Female Founders”, takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 7th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough).
The event features a panel discussion with Dana Empey (Carlson Wagonlit Stewart Travel Services), Gwyneth James (Cody & James Chartered Professional Accountants), and Michelle Ferreri (Michelleferreri.com and MF Media Group).
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts inaugural Business & Entrepreneurship Conference in Peterborough on March 28
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is bringing together business owners from across Peterborough & the Kawarthas for the inaugural Business & Entrepreneurship Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28th at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club (1030 Armour Rd., Peterborough).
This is a must-attend event for entrepreneurs looking to learn from industry thought leaders, network with like-minded professionals to develop partnerships and collaboration, and grow and improve their business. Keynote speakers are Nikki Pett on the topic “Relationship Marketing” and Darrell Keezer on the topic “Digital Disruption”, wiht special guest speaker George Anastasopoulos.
There will be an afternoon panel on customer service in the digital age features local business people include Katie Dempsey of Blind Ambition, Bob Gauvreau of Gauvreau & Associates, Mike Watt of Providence/S.O.S./Flavour Fashion, Scott Murison of Wild Rock, and Nicole Truman of Fox Law.
Early bird tickets $40+HST until February 15th ($55 after February 15th) and include breakfast and lunch.
Peterborough Emergency Management and Safety Forum on April 4 and 5
The Peterborough Emergency Management and Safety Forum is taking place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 4th and Friday, April 5th at Stonehouse Hall (2195 Lansdowne St. Peterborough).
This two-day event is an opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field of emergency management and safety planning and execution. The forum will cover incident management and mitigation, emergency planning and responses, public safety, business continuity planning, interoperability in times of crisis or serious event, and coordinated collaborative response.
There will be guest speakers from Orlando, Florida speaking on lessons learned from the Pulse Night Club shooting, Peterborough Police Chief Scott Gilbert speaking on the 2018 Toronto van incident, Sgt. Kerry Schmidt of the O.P.P. speaking on communications and the media in a crisis, Tom McKay (President of the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners), and an expert panel on cyber security.
Toronto comedian, playwright, and author Deborah Kimmett will deliver the closing keynote, "That Which Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Funnier", at the International Women's Day Conference in Peterborough on March 8, 2019. (Photo: Sam Gaetz Photography)
Thirteen Moons Wellness hosts International Women’s Day Conference
When: Friday, March 8, 2019 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Where: Ashburnham Reception Centre (840 Armour Rd., Peterborough) How much: $145
Featuring keynote speakers Rebecca Thomas and Deborah Kimmett and six 75-minute workshops. Ticket price includes two keynote speakers, your choice of one morning workshop and one afternoon workshop, and lunch and refreshments. For more information and to register, visit www.iwdptbo.ca.
Few people can use their own tough times to comedic effect as well as Deborah Kimmett.
During some turbulent times in her life, notably giving birth to a premature baby and witnessing her brother battle cancer, the Toronto-based comedian turned to playwriting and humour as emotional medicine.
Dealing with those moments through a comedic lens was a necessary prescription to stay resilient in the face of life’s challenges, Kimmett says.
“My daughter was born prematurely. The medicine that was available then wasn’t the same [as it is today], so I turned to writing and wrote a play out of my own heartbreak of having to be a mom of a premature baby — but it ended up being really funny as well.”
That play, Miracle Mother, was written in 1984 and earned her national recognition and a nomination for the Governor General’s Award in 1995.
More recently, Kimmett wrote her acclaimed monologue The Year of the Suddenly, based on her relationship with her younger brother, who she only got to know after he was diagnosed with cancer. She has toured the show throughout Ontario since its debut at Toronto’s Second City in June 2017.
She has been able to turn her stories into something she can share and, as it turns out, something that can help others heal. It’s her ability to use humour as a valuable tool in the best and worst of times that has allowed Kimmett to make others laugh on the national circuit for four decades.
Having spent most of her young life being told that she was funny, the Napanee native moved to Toronto in her early twenties to enrol in a Second City improv class, which eventually turned into a new career path for the comedian.
“After I took the [improv] class, I got hired very quickly to work at Second City. I was there for a few years performing onstage. I started writing and creating my own material and doing stand-up using my own stories throughout the years.”
VIDEO: “That Which Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Funnier” – Deborah Kimmett
Kimmett then begun teaching at the mecca of improv and helped co-develop a corporate training program to take the basic idea of improv out into the business world, teaching corporations how to deal with change. During that time, she also performed her one-woman comedy shows.
“Somewhere about 20 years ago, it all came together. Now I speak at companies and events blending humour and inspiration. I’m not doing stand-up; I’m telling stories about the life lessons I’ve learned over the years,” Kimmett says.
She’s made memorable appearances at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and has appeared regularly on CBC Radio’s The Debaters. She’s written two books of comedic essays (Reality is Over-Rated and That Which Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Funnier) and one novel (Outrunning Crazy).
For two decades, she’s racked up a sizable list of acting and directing credits and has taught writing workshops for creative writers and aspiring comedians looking to find their funny. Kimmett is also a motivational speaker for women’s organizations, businesses, associations, and foundations.
Using laughter to deal with the challenges of work-life balance is one of the goals of Kimmett’s hilarious keynote based on her book of the same name, That Which Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Funnier, to be delivered at the third annual Peterborough International Women’s Day Conference, hosted by Thirteen Moons Wellness, on Friday, March 8th.
The flavour of her topic will be “humour and inspiration,” she says. Her material will be intergenerational, so the entire audience can relate. Expect a ton of laughs from her blend of trademark stand-up comedy with poignant moments from her own life sprinkled into the performance.
Bring the waterproof mascara. Side effects include group hugs.
Along with being a stand-up comic, a playwright, and author, Deborah Kimmett is a renowned speaker who blends humour and inspiration. (Photo: Sam Gaetz Photography)
Having a genuine laugh together, Kimmett notes, is a way to make a quick connection. A good chuckle can make people healthier and better able to cope with trials and tribulations of the world.
“Humour can help dial down your stress and laughing together can have this connectivity that often we forget about. At times, you might feel isolated by the work you’re doing, the family you’re raising, or a sick family member — or maybe you have all three going on. Sometimes, we go through really dark times and need other people to give us a different perspective. There’s seven billion people in the world, so let’s connect to a couple that can support us.
“I think when you lose your sense of humour, you know that is the first sign of stress,” she says. “By laughing, you open yourself up to interrupting your thoughts.”
There are few tickets left for the International Women’s Day Conference in Peterborough. For more information about the conference and to register, visit www.iwdptbo.ca.
Environment Canada has already issued a wind warning for all of southern Ontario for Sunday and — depending on where you live in the Kawarthas — a freezing rain warning (Haliburton and Hastings), a snow squall watch (Kawartha Lakes), and a special weather statement for heavy flurries (Peterborough, Northumberland).
Now Hydro One also issued a media release today (February 23) stating they are getting ready for Sunday’s wind storm that could cause hundreds of outages across southern, central, and eastern Ontario.
Environment Canada is forecasting very strong wind gusts near 100 kilometres per hour beginning late Sunday morning into continuing Sunday night. A few locations along the shorelines of Lake Ontario may gust to 110 kilometres per hour at times late in the morning or in the afternoon.
The strong winds will continue through Sunday evening and become westerly with the onset of flurries and reduced visibility in blowing snow. Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur. Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage. Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions due to high winds. The threat of damaging winds continue until Monday morning.
Hydro One says it is preparing its “damage assessors” along with lines and forestry crews to respond to any outages and emergencies that may occur from the damage that may be caused due to sustained high winds. Crews are being moved into position to assess damage and quickly and safely restore power to affected customers.
The provincial utility will determine an estimated time of restoration for each outage once damage has been assessed. Hydro One’s outage tools — including its storm centre website at stormcentre.hydroone.com and its free mobile app — will be updated every 10 minutes as information comes in from the crews on-site.
Customers can also sign up in advance for text or email notifications at www.hydroone.com/outages.
Hydro One is reminding everyone to stay clear of any fallen power lines. If you spot a fallen line, keep at least 10 metres back, even if it does not appear to be live. Report it to the police and call Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235.
The utility is also encouraging people to always be prepared in case of an extended power outage caused by severe weather by assembling an emergency preparedness kit including lots of water, canned or dried food, a flashlight and radio, blankets, candles and matches, a first aid kit, and a fully charged cellphone and portable power bank chargers.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for all of the Kawarthas, forecasting a major late winter storm with freezing rain on Saturday night (February 23) and damaging winds and blowing snow on Sunday night.
Precipitation associated with a winter storm may begin as patchy freezing rain Saturday evening before becoming rain overnight or early Sunday morning.
Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.
Damaging westerly winds with gusts of 90 to 110 km/h are expected to develop Sunday. Areas near the Great Lakes are more likely to experience winds at the higher end of this range. The strong winds will persist through Sunday night and gradually diminish Monday.
Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur. Power outages are also possible.
In addition, flurries and blowing snow will develop Sunday afternoon. Local snowfall amounts in the 5 to 10 cm range are possible by Monday morning. Any fresh snow that falls will be whipped up by the very strong winds creating whiteout conditions at times.
Travel will become hazardous due to significant and sudden reduction to visibility.
Freezing rain warnings may be required. Wind warnings will likely be required for some areas.
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