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Extreme cold warning for the Kawarthas overnight and Sunday

Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for the Kawarthas, including Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Hastings, and Haliburton.

A period of very cold wind chills overnight on Saturday and early Sunday morning, with wind chill values near or below -30°C.

Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia.

With wind chill, frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin. Cover up and watch for cold-related symptoms such shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.

Goodbye Sears

What a difference 64 years makes: customers crowd the Peterborough Sears store on opening day on August 26, 1954, when the store was called Simpsons-Sears. In 2017, Sears Canada entered bankruptcy protection, affected by the growth of online shopping and an inability to attract younger customers. All remaining Sears stores, including the one in Peterborough, close for good on January 14, 2018. (Photo: Peterborough Museum and Archives)

If you want to shop at Sears in Peterborough one last time, you have until 6 p.m. on Sunday (January 14) to do it.

The store at Lansdowne Place will be closing its doors for good, after the chain announced in October it would be closing all its remaining stores and liquidating its inventory.

Sears entered bankruptcy protection after reporting in June 2017 that “cash and forecasted cash flows from operations are not expected to be sufficient to meet obligations coming due over the next 12 months.”

The Peterborough store officially opened on August 26, 1954, well before Lansdowne Place mall existed. At that time, it was called Simpsons-Sears, a joint venture begun in 1952 by the Canadian Simpson’s department store chain and the U.S. Sears, Roebuck chain.

The opening of the store was a significant milestone for Peterborough, with then-mayor of Peterborough John Dewart attending along with large crowds. (Photo: Peterborough Museum and Archives)
The opening of the store was a significant milestone for Peterborough, with then-mayor of Peterborough John Dewart attending along with large crowds. (Photo: Peterborough Museum and Archives)

Within a few years, the presence of the Simpsons-Sears store attracted other businesses to Lansdowne Street — including a grocery store that opened the following spring. The area eventually begain to compete with downtown Peterborough as a retail destination for Peterborough residents.

When Lansdowne Place opened in 1980, the Simpsons-Sears store became the anchor tenant — the leading tenant in a mall whose prestige and name recognition attracts other tenants and shoppers. In 1984, Simpsons-Sears officially changed its name to Sears Canada.

The Peterborough store will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 14th, with remaining inventory being sold at 80 to 90 per cent off. Most of the items remaining at the store are clothing and housewares.

The fate of the building and surrounding parking lot, which is owned by Sears Canada, remains unknown. A joint venture by Hilco Global, Gordon Brothers, Tiger Capital Group and Great American Group is responsible for liquidating Sears assets.

Women celebrate ‘the change’ with the hilarious musical parody Menopause the Musical

Jayne Lewis, Michelle White, Janet Martin, and Nicole Robert star in ShaggyPup Productions' production of "Menopause the Musical" at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough on March 8th and 9th. (Publicity photo)

Hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, and mood swings.

What may sound like a short vacation in the tropics is actually the backdrop for the upcoming performance of Menopause the Musical, coming to Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough on March 8th and 9th.

Written by Jeanie Linders, the longest-running scripted production in Las Vegas has been gracing stages all over the world for 12 years. It’s a groundbreaking celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived menopause, also infamously called “the change” — a life adjustment that hits most women in their 50s.

The musical revue provides a safe place for sisterhood and sympathetic laughter. It is good, cathartic fun even though it comes with a serious underbelly, says producer Mark Zimmerman, whose company ShaggyPup Productions holds the production rights for Menopause the Musical in Canada.

“The laughter and energy is palatable in the theatre every night, whether it’s in a 3,000-seat casino or a 300-seat theatre. It’s such a feel-good show,” says Zimmerman, who opened the show in Toronto in 2006 and has produced an impressive 513 consecutive performances to date.

Zimmerman is delighted by the cultural impact of the show.

“Years ago, menopause was in the closet and wasn’t really spoken about because it’s very personal,” he notes. He adds that more women these days are beginning to discuss menopause rather than mumble about “women’s problems.”

“It’s universal and the show celebrates this and creates somewhat of a sisterhood. Women let their hair down, have a great time, and see that they’re not experiencing this alone. It’s very powerful and empowering for women.”

VIDEO: “Menopause The Musical” at Showplace Performance Centre

Janet Martin, who is Zimmerman’s partner in ShaggyPup Productions and one of the musical’s lead cast members, agrees.

“Women are always coming into this time of life, and ladies like to go out together in groups, commiserate and laugh about what a ridiculous time menopause is.

“Menopause the Musical is a fun night on the town. It’s about comedy and laughter. It’s the underlying sincerity of the topic that’s really for us to laugh at. It’s our coping mechanism as human beings.”

In a Bloomingdale’s department store, four women by different circumstances meet while shopping for a black lace bra at a lingerie sale. After noticing unmistakable similarities among one another, the cast jokes about their woeful hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain, and other not-so-desired changes.

These women form a unique bond with the entire audience as they bask in celebrating that menopause is no longer “the silent passage.”

Along with Martin (“Iowa Housewife”), the all-star Canadian cast features Jayne Lewis (“Soap Star”), Nicole Robert (“Earth Mother”), and Michelle White (“Professional Woman”).

The all-star Canadian cast Janet Martin (Iowa Housewife), Nicole Robert (Earth Mother), Jayne Lewis (Soap Star), and Michelle White (Professional Woman) has done an impressive 513 consecutive performances to date.  (Publicity photo)
The all-star Canadian cast Janet Martin (Iowa Housewife), Nicole Robert (Earth Mother), Jayne Lewis (Soap Star), and Michelle White (Professional Woman) has done an impressive 513 consecutive performances to date. (Publicity photo)

In parody form and with a soundtrack of hits from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s performed by the cast, Menopause the Musical  takes a heartfelt look at how menopause affects women in different ways.

To commemorate the hot flashes that torment the menopausal woman’s search for sleep, the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” and Peter, Paul and Mary’s “Puff, the Magic Dragon” gets lyrically tweaked into “Stayin’ Awake” and “Puff, My God, I’m Draggin’.”

The ’60s pop song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” becomes the satirical lament “My Husband Sleeps Tonight” — because the wife certainly isn’t.

The lyrics are clever, creating a rapport between the cast and the audience, and a camaraderie between all women who are in attendance.

Even though this is a grab-your-gal-pal-and-go kind of event, with women making up over 96 per cent of the audience, Zimmerman — who jokingly uses the catchphrase ‘mandatory viewing for men’ — says it’s a great way for men to get a few tidbits of essential education.

“Even though the majority of the people who come to our show are women, it is great entertainment for men as well,” he says. “Many men walk away from this show closer to their partner or spouse because they see what these women are going through and they have more empathy and understanding for them. I think we’re responsible for saving a few marriages.”

So, the next time you have to change your sheets after an episode of night sweats or forget the name of your eldest child, don’t worry about it. Have a chuckle instead, and then go and share your experience with your besties.

Menopause the Musical runs for two performances only, on March 8th and March 9th at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough. Tickets are $55.85 and can be purchased at the Showplace Box Office, by phone at 705-742-7469, or online at showplace.org

For more information about the show, visit ShaggyPup Productions website at www.shaggypup.ca or follow Menopause the Musical on Facebook.

VIDEO: “Menopause The Musical” Promo (US production)

Living on the ledge: a review of ‘7 Stories’

In "7 Stories", a man stands on the ledge of a building contemplating suicide while an oddball cast of characters speaks to him through apartment windows. Pictured are Kelsey Morewood as Leonard, Lori Branch as Jennifer, and Drew Mills as The Man in Anne Shirley Theatre Company's production of Morris Panych's black comedy. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)

On Friday, January 12th, the first theatrical production in the Kawarthas for 2018 opens with the Anne Shirley Theatre Company’s production of Morris Panych’s black comedy 7 Stories at the Gordon Best Theatre in downtown Peterborough.

Directed by Khora Tatyana and Liam Parker, 7 Stories is a farcical look at life and death as a man on a ledge gets a view into the lives of a collection of eccentric individuals, whose only connection is that they inhabit the same apartment complex.

First presented in 1989 at the Arts Club Theatre in Vancouver, Panych’s 7 Stories has an interesting narrative concept that works very well on the small stage. With a flat set depicting a brick wall and eight windows, revealed to be the seventh storey of an apartment complex, the characters in 7 Stories interact with the show’s nameless protagonist — who is standing on the ledge trying to work up the nerve to jump to his death — by talking to him through their windows.

Through these conversations, the audience is subjected to Panych’s odd and often cynical take on a variety of subjects ranging from lust, sanity, matrimony, religion, art, theatre, humanitarianism, mortality, sexuality, and social interactions.

For the most part the characters in the show are self-involved and generally terrible people, with little to no concern for the man on the ledge of the building — most of the time they don’t even ask what he’s doing out there. But, despite being morally awful, the characters have just enough quirks to be likeable, which in itself creates another cynical look at the shallowness of society.

Drew Mills plays the show’s protagonist, known only as The Man, who opens the show by climbing onto the ledge while muttering the days of the week.

Just why he is there and why he wants to end his own life isn’t immediately explained, and he begins to be interrupted by the residents of the building who, more concerned with their own daily dramas, converse with the man through their open windows.

There is Charlotte (Claudia Masatti) and Rodney (Matt Campbell), who are having an abusive love affair steeped in violence; Leonard (Kelsey Morewood), a sleep-deprived professional suffering from paranoia; Marshal (Tom Keat), who is hours away from marriage but living the world’s biggest lie; Rachel (Amy Graves), a religious zealot whose acts of faith border on being criminal; Michael (Simon Banderob) and Joan (Whitney Paget), two artists whose relationship is thrust into chaos over Michael’s sensitivity to colour; Nurse Wilson (Dani McDonald), the meanest caregiver this side of Nurse Rachett, and her ward Lillian (Analucia Diaz), a 100-year-old shut-in with a zeal for existing; and Jennifer (Lori Branch), Percy (Hannah Lash), and Al (Liam Parker), who are stuck at possibly the worst party ever thrown.

Rodney (Matt Campbell) and Charlotte (Claudia Masatti), who are having an abusive love affair steeped in violence, speak with The Man (Drew Mills).  (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)
Rodney (Matt Campbell) and Charlotte (Claudia Masatti), who are having an abusive love affair steeped in violence, speak with The Man (Drew Mills). (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)

None of the characters, with one exception, seem to be very concerned about The Man as they talk to him. It becomes obvious The Man isn’t the only one who has issues; all of them have their own eccentricities and dramas to deal with. Can The Man find anything in the seven stories to convince him to get off the ledge, or is the human race too far gone?

Usually I don’t enjoy anything soaked in cynicism, but there’s something about 7 Stories that allowed me to look past the negative commentary on society and sit back and smirk. 7 Stories isn’t a drama nor is it really a full-blown comedy. It’s funny, but not in a laugh-out-loud way. Instead, the show has a quick and dry wit, and it often dips its toes into the theatre of the absurd without allowing itself to become fully immersed in insanity. Frankly, that is a type of comedy I can get behind.

Like the show itself, the characters have a strange charm to them. You don’t realize it while watching the show but, in retrospect, they are all pretty shallow and terrible characters (except perhaps the character of Lillian, who is actually very sweet and lovely to listen to). They have a fascinating quality and some of them (such as Marshall, Al, and Joan) are fairly likeable.

Along with the fact they are played by a very talented and likeable cast of performers, the characters’ quirky charm pulls the show together and saves the audience from a potentially bleak commentary of society. Each time a window opened, I found myself excited to see who was going to pop out next and what they were going to say.

I am reluctant to go into much discussion about each character’s individual story, as not to ruin the audience’s own surprise at discovering what the characters are all about; that is part of the fun of the show. But I will say the dialogue is punchy, the script is clever, and 7 Stories has a lot to say.

"7 Stories" was written by Canadian playwright, actor, and director Morris Panych. (Publicity photo)
“7 Stories” was written by Canadian playwright, actor, and director Morris Panych. (Publicity photo)

I found Panych’s satire on art and theatre to be the most amusing. Tom Keat’s segment as Marshall, an actor caught in what could be considered either his greatest role or his biggest deceit, to be particularly entertaining. His take on the fabrication of the theatre is very clever and funny — especially when being told on stage in front of a theatre audience (his comments on intermissions will never make me take an intermission the same way again). And the over-the-top discussion of beige and green by Michael and Joan is a hilarious parody on cultural elitism.

Meanwhile, Jennifer’s concern about her own popularity — and admitting that she doesn’t like her 940 “friends” — hits on the lack of intimacy between people in our modern society. With 7 Stories being written long before social media existed, Jennifer’s monologue proves Panych was ahead of his time.

7 Stories is also blessed with a fantastic set created by Scott Sheward with assistance by Liam Parker. The two-level set takes the appearance of a great brick wall with eight windows cut into it. Drew Mills stands between the edge of the stage and the massive set piece, while the other characters draw their blinds up and down to talk to him. There is a sense of depth behind the actors in the windows, making it look like there are really apartments behind them. It’s a simple yet effective set piece that becomes a character of its own.

Drew Mills as The Man and Tom Keat as Marshall, who is hours away from marriage but living the world's biggest lie. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)
Drew Mills as The Man and Tom Keat as Marshall, who is hours away from marriage but living the world’s biggest lie. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)

The most exciting thing about 7 Stories is the talented cast Liam and Khora have brought together. WIth the exception of a few performers, the actors in the show were all new to me, which is always extremely exciting to see. With many of the previous cast of Anne Shirley Theatre Company regulars having graduated, it has left a lot of room for new actors to take the spotlight. For me, 7 Stories became a showcase for some of the new actors who will hopefully become regulars on the Peterborough stage.

The performances by this talented group of actors is one of the strengths of 7 Stories. You can tell they really like their characters, which makes the audience also like their characters. Without their ability to believe in the characters they portray, 7 Stories could be an entirely different sort of production. The strength of the show is a testament to the strength of this fantastic cast.

It’s been a while since I’ve written about an Anne Shirley Theatre Company show, and 7 Stories has me excited about this new crop of performers and what comes next (which, incidentally, is The Hunchback of Notre Dame this spring). 7 Stories is smart, darkly humorous, well produced, and features a great cast. It’s a great way to get the theatrical year started again.

7 Stories is presented at the Gordon Best Theatre on January 12th and 13th and January 19th and 20th. Show starts at 7 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on January 13th and 20th. Tickets are $15 and are available for sale outside of Wenjack Theatre at Trent University, Moondance in downtown Peterborough, and at the door.

The great Kitchen Party Music Jam in the sky: remembering the late Gerry Mitchell

Banjo player Gerry Mitchell, who was a member of the Northland Ramblers and organized the weekly Kitchen Party Music Jams across central Ontario, died in November at the age of 63. (Photo: Kitchen Party Music Jam / Facebook)

As our long-time readers know, for many years now we have published without fail a weekly column of live music listings at venues across the Kawarthas.

And every month without fail since 2014, musician Gerry Mitchell would send us his newsletter with listings for the weekly Kitchen Party Music Jams he organized at venues in central Ontario.

In January 2017, Gerry suddenly stopped sending us his newsletter with no explanation. We assumed he had just stopped organizing the event and we lost touch with him.

So we were shocked and saddened to learn this week that Gerry passed away on November 5, 2017 at Peterborough Regional Health Centre after a short battle with cancer. The Omemee resident was only 63 years old.

Gerry Alton (Gerald) Mitchell (May 1, 1954 - November 5, 2017) (Photo: Kitchen Party Music Jam / Facebook)
Gerry Alton (Gerald) Mitchell (May 1, 1954 – November 5, 2017) (Photo: Kitchen Party Music Jam / Facebook)

Although his daughter posted on the Kitchen Party Music Jams Facebook page in November, Gerry’s passing wasn’t covered by local media as far as we can tell.

So we wanted to share the news with our readers and recognize Gerry’s contribution to roots music and to the local music community.

Gerry was born and grew up in Scarborough with his five siblings before graduating from St. Lawrence College in Kingston. He had recently retired from his position as a civil technologist with the City of Toronto.

Admired for his immense talent playing the banjo, Gerry’s two passions were his family and his music.

As a member of bluegrass band the Northland Ramblers, he enjoyed performing in churches, restaurants, and community centres.

VIDEO: The Northland Ramblers with Gerry Mitchell on banjo

For the past few years, Gerry organized the Kitchen Party Music Jams at venues at cities across central Ontario, including Cobourg, Peterborough, Bobcaygeon, Minden, and more. Every Saturday afternoon, there was a different jam: bluegrass, mixed acoustic, country, and folk/roots.

At one point, Gerry had weekly jams running at eight different venues across central Ontario. The jams were always free, and all musicians and fans were welcome to attend.

Gerry will be remembered as an enthusiastic supporter of music, and his weekly jams are missed. If there is a great Kitchen Party Music Jam in the sky, Gerry will be there with his banjo.

He is survived by his wife Leona Collins, his son Kenny and daughter Loretta, and his granddaughter Emily.

VIDEO: Bluegrass Kitchen Party Music Jam at the Black Dog Pub & Grill in Orono in June 2015

Flash freeze warning today for much of the Kawarthas

Environment Canada issued a flash freeze warning early Friday morning (January 12) for northern Peterborough and northern Kawartha Lakes, Hastings, and Haliburton.

Due to expected road conditions, all school buses in the Kawarthas have been cancelled for Friday in the interest of safety.

A rapid drop in temperature is expected today, causing water from rain or melted snow on streets and sidewalks to quickly freeze.

Following the passage of a cold front this afternoon, rain will change to snow and there will be a hard freeze as temperatures plummet. Ponding water, slush, and any falling precipitation will freeze as the temperature drops.

There may also be a brief period of freezing rain during the changeover from rain to snow.

Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and hazardous. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas.

Snow will continue tonight as the region will be on the northwest edge of a major winter storm. Depending on the exact storm track, snowfall amounts could be anywhere in the 4 to 10 cm range.

nightlifeNOW – January 11 to 17

Montreal-based alt-country singer Bobby Dove, whose 2016 debut album "Thunderchild" was produced in Peterborough by James McKenty, performs at The Garnet in Peterborough on Wednesday, January 17 and at The Arlington in Maynooth on Saturday, January 20. (Publicity photo)

Every Thursday, we publish live music and performance events at pubs and clubs in Peterborough and The Kawarthas based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, January 11 to Wednesday, January 17.

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

ARIA

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

Friday, January 12

10pm - Aria Bachelorette ft.Daniel Maguire

Saturday, January 13

10pm - Young Bombs

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 20
10pm - Two Friends (Matt Halper and Eli Sones)

Arlington Pub

32990 Highway 62, Maynooth
(613) 338-2080

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 20
9pm - Bobby Dove

Arthur's Pub

930 Burnham St., Cobourg
(905) 372-2105

Thursday, January 11

8pm - Micheal Schatte

Friday, January 12

8pm - Paul Noonan

Saturday, January 13

8pm - Brian Ferris

Sunday, January 14

Celtic Afternoon w/ Tom Leighton & Rick Bauer

Monday, January 15

6pm - Rob Phillips

Tuesday, January 16

7:30pm - Beatles Tribute w/ Don Owen & Bruce Longman

Wednesday, January 17

8pm - Open mic

Black Horse Pub

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

Thursday, January 11

7:30pm - Jazz and Blues w/ Marsala Lukianchuk and the Rob Phillips Trio

Friday, January 12

5pm - Tyler Koke; 8:30pm - Flashback

Saturday, January 13

5pm - 3/4 House Brand; 8:30pm - Game of Tones

Sunday, January 14

3pm - Odd Man Rush

Monday, January 15

7pm - Crash and Burn w/ special guests

Tuesday, January 16

7pm - Open mic w/ Randy Hill

Coming Soon

Thursday, January 18
7:30pm - Jazz and Blues w/ Marsala Lukianchuk and the Rob Phillips Trio

Friday, January 19
8:30pm - Pop Machine

Saturday, January 20
5pm - Diane Latchford & Jean Greig; 8:30pm - House Brand

Sunday, January 21
3pm - Bucklebusters

Boathouse Cafe at Golden Beach Resort

7100 County Rd.18, Roseneath
(905) 342-5366

Saturday, January 13

6-9pm - Leena Santacono

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 20
6-9pm - Dawn Barry

Saturday, January 27
6-9pm - Mike Kelly

Boiling Over's Coffee Vault

148 Kent St. W., Lindsay
(705) 878-8884

Friday, January 12

7-9pm - Jimmy Wattz

Coming Soon

Friday, January 19
6-9pm - Open Mic Night

Friday, February 12
7-9pm - Gerald Van Halteren

Canoe & Paddle

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

Friday, January 12

9pm - Hunt the Hare

Coming Soon

Tuesday, March 6
7pm - Shred Kelly

The Cat & The Fiddle Cobourg

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

Coming Soon

Tuesday, January 23
7-9pm - Cobourg Poetry Workshop

Chemong Lodge

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

NOTE

Closed for renovations January 1 - 25

The Church-key Pub & Grindhouse

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

Thursday, January 11

7pm - Euchre and Ray on the Radio

Friday, January 12

9pm - Ben Wright

Saturday, January 13

9pm - Muddy Hack, Bryan McPherson, Antixx

Monday, January 15

Trivial Pursuit

Tuesday, January 16

OpinioNation w/ Bill Davenport

Wednesday, January 17

8pm - Whiskey Wednesday w/ Ken Tizzard

Coach & Horses Pub

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

Thursdays

10pm - Open Mic w/ Gerald Vanhalteren

Fridays

9:30pm - Karaoke Night w/ DJ. Ross

Wednesdays

7-11pm - Live music

Dobro Restaurant & Bar

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

Thursday, January 11

10pm - Little Cold Sweat (no cover)

Friday, January 12

10pm - High Waters Band (no cover)

Saturday, January 13

10pm - High Waters Band (no cover)

Wednesday, January 17

Open stage

Dominion Hotel

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

Wednesday, January 17

7:30pm - Poets in the Pub

Dr. J's BBQ & Brews

282 Aylmer St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5717

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 20
1:30-5pm - PMBA Deluxe Blues Jam hosted by Bridget Foley (PMBA t-shirts available for $25)

Friday, February 2
9pm - Austin Carson Band w/ Ace and The Kid ($10)

Frank's Pasta and Grill

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

Fridays

9pm-12am - Karaoke; 12am - DJ

Saturday, January 13

10pm - Black Light Party w/ DJ Sabir

Wednesdays

8-11pm - Open Mic

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 20
8pm - SweetGrass Band ; 11:30pm - DJ

Saturday, January 27
8pm - Breezeway Band

Ganaraska Hotel

30 Ontario St., Port Hope
(905) 885-9254

Friday, January 12

10pm - DJ Loco Joe

Saturday, January 13

2pm & 10pm - The Bridemaids

Wednesday, January 17

8pm - Open mic w/ Rob Foreman and Clayton Yates

Coming Soon

Friday, January 19
10pm - DJ Loco Joe

Saturday, January 20
2pm & 10pm - Midnight Jewel

The Garnet

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

Thursday, January 11

5pm - Pints N Politics; 9pm - Beef Boys, Lush Buffalo ($5 or PWYC)

Friday, January 12

5pm - Forselli Fridays ft Chris Moore; 9pm - Deathsticks, WLMMRT, Kitty Pit, Martian Broadclock ($6 or PWYC)

Saturday, January 13

9pm - Steelburner, The Handsome Ransoms

Tuesday, January 16

9pm - Doug Kennedy

Wednesday, January 17

5-7pm - Bobby Dove; 9pm - Niall Jensen

VIDEO: "Welcome to the Real World Again" - Bobby Dove

Coming Soon

Thursday, January 18
5pm - Pints N Politics; 9pm - Cris Cuddy

Friday, January 19
5pm - Forselli Fridays ft Melissa Payne

Saturday, January 20
9pm - Taming Sari, Semolina Pilchard

Golden Wheel Restaurant

6725 Highway 7, Peterborough
(705) 749-6838

Thursday, January 11

7-9pm - Intermediate Line Dancing Lessons w/ Tina O'Rourke (free)

Wednesdays

7-9pm - Line Dancing Lessons w/ Marlene Maskell ($7 per person, all levels welcome)

Coming Soon

Saturday, February 10
8pm - Rye Street ($20 with dinner at 7pm, $5 after 8pm)

Gordon Best Theatre

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

Friday, January 12

7pm - Anne Shirley Theatre Company presents "7 Stories" by Morris Panych ($15)

Saturday, January 13

2pm & 7pm - Anne Shirley Theatre Company presents "7 Stories" by Morris Panych ($15)

Coming Soon

Friday, January 19
7pm - Anne Shirley Theatre Company presents "7 Stories" by Morris Panych ($15)

Saturday, January 20
2pm & 7pm - Anne Shirley Theatre Company presents "7 Stories" by Morris Panych ($15)

Hastings House Restaurant & Bar

27 Front St. W., Hastings
(705) 696-3301

Friday, January 12

8pm - Live Band and Open Mic

Hot Belly Mama's

378 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 745-3544

Thursday, January 11

8pm - The Quickshifters (PWYC)

Sunday, January 14

1-4pm - Open jazz jam hosted by Standard Time Trio (Pete Woolidge, John Climenhage, Craig Paterson)

Junction Nightclub

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

Friday, January 12

10pm - Y2K Flashback w/ DJ Bill Porter (no cover)

Coming Soon

Saturday, February 3
10pm - DJ Snails ($10)

McGillicafey's Pub & Eatery

13 Bridge St.. N., Hastings
(705) 696-3600

Friday, January 12

9pm - Jef Leeson

McThirsty's Pint

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

Thursdays

9pm - Live music with Tony Silvestri

Fridays

10pm - Live music with Brian Haddlesey

Saturdays

10pm - Live music with Brian Haddlesey

Sundays

8pm - Open stage hosted by Ryan Van Loon

Mondays

9:30pm - Trivia Night hosted by Cam Green

Tuesdays

9pm - Topper Tuesdays w/ DJ Jake Topper

Wednesdays

9pm - Live music with Kevin Foster

The Mill Restaurant and Pub

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

Thursday, January 11

7pm - Ragwax

Coming Soon

Thursday, January 18
7pm - Andy Earl

Murphy's Lockside Pub & Patio

3 May St., Fenelon Falls
(705) 887-1100

Coming Soon

Thursday, January 18
7:30-10pm - North Country Express

Oasis Bar & Grill

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

Thursdays

6:30pm - Live music

Sundays

5:30pm - PHLO

Wednesdays

6:30pm - Live music

Pappas Billiards

407 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 742-9010

Thursday, January 11

7-10pm - Open Mic

Publican House Brewery

300 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5743

Friday, January 12

8-10pm - Danny Bronson

Saturday, January 13

8-10pm - Rob Phillips

Coming Soon

Friday, January 19
8-10pm - Shai Peer

Saturday, January 20
8-10pm - Rob Phillips

Red Dog Tavern

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

Tuesday, January 16

10pm - Open mic w/ Matt Diamond

Coming Soon

Thursday, January 25
8pm - Dark Mickey, Liam Parker, Backyard Riot, Seyton, Rhys Climenhage, Deviants and The Odd Man Out, Peace Sand Rest, The Corporate Life ($5 or PWYC)

Friday, February 16
10pm - Old Man Luedecke ($12 in advance at www.ticketscene.ca/events/20184/ or $15 at door)

Friday, March 9
10pm - My Son the Hurricane w/ Broken Harmony ($10, available at www.ticketscene.ca/events/20198/)

Riley's

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

Thursdays

Travis Berlinbach

Fridays

Travis Berlinbach

Saturdays

Josh Gontier

Sundays

Josh Gontier

Mondays

Josh Gontier

Tuesdays

Josh Gontier & Cale Gontier

Wednesdays

Guest performers

Riverside Grill & Gazebo - Holiday Inn

150 George St, Peterborough
(705) 743-1144

Saturday, January 13

8pm - Carter Lewis the Mysterious, Hilarious, and Harmless Family Fun Hypnotist ($5, call to reserve)

Sapphire Room

137 Hunter St., Peterborough
(705) 749-0409

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 20
8pm - Hot Damn It's A Queer Slam Peterborough featuring Carolina Brown

The Social

295 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 874-6724

Friday, January 12

Nashville Night

Saturday, January 13

Saturday Night Live

Southside Pizzeria

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

Fridays

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

Turtle John's Pub & Restaurant

64 John St., Port Hope
(905) 885-7200

Saturday, January 13

10pm-2am - Northumberland After Dark ft DJ Chris Martell

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 27
10pm - DownBeat

The Venue

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

Coming Soon

Thursday, January 18
7pm - Big Wreck w/ Attica Riots ($35-47 at http://www1.ticketmaster.ca/event/1000535FB5AB36FA)

Saturday, February 24
6pm - Peterborough Humane Society Cat N Canine Cabaret 5th Annual Fur Ball Gala ($100 until December 31, $150 after)

White House Hotel

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

Friday, January 12

5-9pm - Gunslingers

Saturday, January 13

5-9pm - Gunslingers

Wild Blue Yonder Pub at Elmhirst's Resort

1045 Settlers Line, Keene
(705) 295-4591

Saturday, January 13

3-5pm - Mary-Kate Edwards (no cover)

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 20
3-5pm - Al Black Steady Trio (no cover)

Lindsay resident Christian Cooke nominated for BAFTA award for ‘The Shape of Water’

Lindsay resident Christian Cooke (right) and colleague Brad Zoern with their 2012 sound mixing Emmy Awards for "Hatfields & McCoys". Cooke and Zoern, along with other members of the sound team for "The Shape of Water" including Peterborough native Glen Gauthier, have been nominated for a 2018 BAFTA Award. (Photo: Emmy Awards)

Lindsay resident Christian Cooke will be heading to London’s Royal Albert Hall in February for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards.

Along with Brad Zoern, Nathan Robitaille, and Peterborough native Glen Gauthier, Cooke is one of the team nominated for a BAFTA — the British equivalent of the Oscar — for best sound for the critically acclaimed The Shape of Water, directed by Guillermo del Toro.

Cooke and Zoern are sound re-recording mixers at Deluxe Toronto, part of the Deluxe Entertainment Services Group. For post-production on The Shape of Water, del Toro went to Deluxe Toronto, which he had used for previous projects including Crimson Peak  and Pan’s Labyrinth.

The Deluxe Toronto sound team, including Lindsay's Christian Cooke (fifth from left) celebrating their BAFTA nomination for "The Shape of Water". (Photo: Deluxe Toronto)
The Deluxe Toronto sound team, including Lindsay’s Christian Cooke (fifth from left) celebrating their BAFTA nomination for “The Shape of Water”. (Photo: Deluxe Toronto)

The Shape of Water  leads the BAFTA Awards with nominations in 12 categories, including best film, director, cinematography, and sound. For sound, it’s up against some tough competition, with the other nominees being Baby Driver, Blade Runner 2049, Dunkirk, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Lindsay resident Christian Cooke of Deluxe Toronto has been working in sound mixing for 40 years and has won many awards for his work, including an Emmy as well as Gemini and Genie awards. (Photo: Deluxe Toronto)
Lindsay resident Christian Cooke of Deluxe Toronto has been working in sound mixing for 40 years and has won many awards for his work, including an Emmy as well as Gemini and Genie awards. (Photo: Deluxe Toronto)

Cooke first began working in sound mixing in 1978, when he filled in for a couple of weeks at SoundMix, his father’s company. He never looked back and, in the past 40 years, has worked on many feature films, television movies, and television series including Hamburger Hill, A History of Violence, Eastern Promises, Dieppe, Ready or Not, Billable Hours, Being Erica, and Bomb Girls.

He’s won multiple awards in the past, including Gemini Awards for sound for Being Erica (2010 and 2011), Billable Hours (2009), and Shades of Black: The Conrad Black Story (2007), as well as Genie awards for A Dangerous Method (2012) and Eastern Promises (2008).

In 2012, both Cooke and Zoern won an Emmy for sound mixing for the Hatfields & McCoys miniseries on the History Channel, and also won a Cinema Audio Society in 2013 for their work on the series. Cooke was nominated for an Emmy in 2015 for his work on Texas Rising.

Former Peterborough resident Glen Gauthier is also part of the sound team nominated for the BAFTA Award.

Gauthier, who left Peterborough as a teenager, also has a long list of film and television credits, including IT, Molly’s Game, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Spotlight, Pixels, Being Erica, A History of Violence, Dolores Clairborne, The Shipping News, and Parenthood. He also previously worked on Guillermo del Toro’s 2013 robot epic Pacific Rim. He has won multiple Gemini and Genie awards for his work.

Peterborough native Glen Gauthier, who left Peterborough as a teenager, is also part of the BAFTA-nominated sound team for "The Shape of Water". (Photo: IMDb)
Peterborough native Glen Gauthier, who left Peterborough as a teenager, is also part of the BAFTA-nominated sound team for “The Shape of Water”. (Photo: IMDb)

Gauthier, who runs his own sound company Noise Boys Inc., is a location sound mixer. A member of the film crew who’s responsible for recording all sound on set during film-making, his work includes minimizing extraneous noise during filming rather than in post-production.

“There was always running water and steam pipes and lots of visual effects that create a lot of noise,” Gauthier says of The Shape of Water, in an interview with The Canadian Press.

Filmed in Toronto and Hamilton, The Shape of Water is an other-worldly fable set against the backdrop of Cold War era America in the early 1960s. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of isolation. Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment.

VIDEO: The Shape of Water Trailer

The film, which has been nominated for seven Golden Globes, received the Golden Lion for Best Film at the Venice Film Festival.

The BAFTA Awards ceremony takes place on Sunday, February 18th at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. Absolutely Fabulous actress Joanna Lumley will host the ceremony.

Jeff Day intends to run for Peterborough City Council

Jeff Day (left) with Peterborough DBIA executive director Terry Guiel at the Business Hall of Fame inductee announcement on January 10, 2018. Day says he resigned from his position at Community Futures Peterborough so he could run for Peterborough City Council in 2018. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)

Jeff Day, former executive director of Community Futures Peterborough, is planning to run for Peterborough City Council in 2018.

In an exclusive interview with kawarthaNOW, Day said he wanted to explain why he decided to resign from the economic development organization in December.

“I have political aspirations,” Day says. “I simply could not have continued in my role as executive director while pursuing those longer term goals.”

The Community Futures Peterborough board gave no reason for Day’s December resignation, which came only two months after Kim Appleton resigned as chair of the board before her tenure was completed. This prompted some speculation about possible conflict within the organization.

“I want to set the record straight,” Day says. “There is no drama with Community Futures, the board, or the organization.”

Day’s last day at Community Futures Peterborough is Friday, January 12th. He has accepted a position as general manager with Protoplast Inc., a plastic injection molding company in Cobourg, a move that will return him to his extensive manufacturing background.

“This opportunity arose at Protoplast and it aligned with my longer term goals,” Day says.

He has extensive business development experience in both the automotive and aerospace sectors, and started from the ground up as a tool and die-maker. His most recent position before joining Community Futures Peterborough was as a global business turn-around specialist.

Day was originally appointed to the position of executive director of Community Futures Peterborough in September 2016. On December 20th, the organization’s board announced Day would be resigning. On January 5th, the board appointed Gail Moorhouse as interim executive director until a permanent one can be recruited.

“I feel that Community Futures is well positioned with their current team,” Day says. “With Gail stepping in as interim ED, they have an opportunity to build stability.”

Day is currently working on his campaign strategy for the upcoming municipal election, which will be held on Monday, October 22, 2018. Nominations will open on Tuesday, May 1st and close on Friday, July 27th.

How you can help local birds survive the winter

A male Northern Cardinal perches on a tree branch at GreenUP Ecology Park. Cardinals are a common and beautiful sighting at feeders over the winter. Many bird species remain in cold, northern areas for the season. You can help ease the hardships of birds that stick around by providing food to supplement their diet. (Photo: Karen Halley)

Over the last two weeks we have endured a polar vortex, temperatures reaching minus 35°C with the wind chill, and several feet of snow that have buried everything in sight.

Some of us layer up in coats, mitts, and scarves to go outside and enjoy the winter, while others curl up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. Whether you prefer to embrace the snow or to hibernate, a great way to enjoy the season is to get to know the array of birds that share your backyard.

Winter is hard for birds as they face the cold temperatures, windy days, and long dark nights. Birds primarily feed on insects, which are very difficult to find in the winter. Many birds migrate south to seek warmer temperatures and a heartier source of insects, but many remain in cold northern areas for the season. You can help ease the hardships of birds that stick around by providing food to supplement their diet.

A White-breasted Nuthatch perches on a feeder at GreenUP Ecology Park. The Peterborough Field Naturalists stock the feeders at Ecology Park all winter long to help birds find a consistent source of food during the cold season, and to provide visitors with an opportunity to watch and enjoy local wildlife. (Photo: Karen Halley)
A White-breasted Nuthatch perches on a feeder at GreenUP Ecology Park. The Peterborough Field Naturalists stock the feeders at Ecology Park all winter long to help birds find a consistent source of food during the cold season, and to provide visitors with an opportunity to watch and enjoy local wildlife. (Photo: Karen Halley)

The Peterborough Field Naturalists keep the birdfeeders at GreenUP Ecology Park stocked full of seed over the winter, providing a consistent and reliable source of food for the birds in the park. You can watch for the frenzy of birds at the feeders in these areas while walking along the Trans-Canada trail in East City.

Bird watching is a great family activity that can start with making small feeders and simply watching from the window. It provides everyone with the opportunity to develop an interest in local wildlife.

Children especially, will quickly get to know common species found in the yard and will soon learn the familiar ‘chick-a-dee-dee-dee’ call of the Black-capped Chickadee and the ‘birdie-birdie-birdie’ of the Northern Cardinal. With some patience and by being very still, you can even hold seed and train Chickadees to feed right from your hand — an experience that is sure to bring joy to all.

Bird watching is a great family activity. It provides children with the opportunity to develop an interest in local wildlife. With some patience and by being very still, you can even train Chickadees to feed right from your hand – an experience that is sure to bring joy to all. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
Bird watching is a great family activity. It provides children with the opportunity to develop an interest in local wildlife. With some patience and by being very still, you can even train Chickadees to feed right from your hand – an experience that is sure to bring joy to all. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)

Providing food for the long term gives birds a consistent source that they can rely on and come back to throughout the year. There are many seed types and feeders that you can use to attract a variety of species to your yard. Stores carry several seed options and feeder constructions to suit the birds in your area. With so many options how are you to know which to choose?

You may want to attract certain birds to your yard. If so, Black-capped Chickadees and Northern Cardinals enjoy black oil sunflower seed; Blue Jays and American Crows feast heartily on whole peanuts; Mourning Doves enjoy cracked corn spread over the ground; Woodpeckers peck away at suet; and Waxwings love fruit.

If you’re just getting started, you may want to start with one feeder and a seed that will attract the largest variety of birds. GreenUP Board Member, Peterborough Field Naturalist, and long-time birder Martin Parker suggests that black oil sunflower seed is a great option. It has a thin shell and a high fat content, making it an ideal choice for many bird species.

A White-breasted Nuthatch perches on a feeder at GreenUP Ecology Park. The Peterborough Field Naturalists stock the feeders at Ecology Park all winter long to help birds find a consistent source of food during the cold season, and to provide visitors with an opportunity to watch and enjoy local wildlife. (Photo: Karen Halley)
A White-breasted Nuthatch perches on a feeder at GreenUP Ecology Park. The Peterborough Field Naturalists stock the feeders at Ecology Park all winter long to help birds find a consistent source of food during the cold season, and to provide visitors with an opportunity to watch and enjoy local wildlife. (Photo: Karen Halley)

Parker also suggests experimenting to see which birds live in your yard and the seeds they prefer. To do this, you can provide a sample of different seeds within the sections of an egg carton, place it in your yard, and watch to see which seeds are eaten and which are left behind. Then you can invest in a larger bag of the more popular seed and an associated feeder.

If you’re looking for a great winter activity for these cold, snowy days, consider gathering up some supplies to make your own feeders.

With only a few supplies, it is easy to make wildlife-friendly feeders and garlands can be hung from a tree in your yard, or can be strung in trees in the park.

Adorning trees with healthy treats is a great way to attract birds. String grapes, cranberries, and popcorn onto strings; spread pinecones with shortening or peanut butter and roll them in a variety of seeds. Some species of birds particularly enjoy feasting on frozen fruits such as oranges and apples because they are a natural source of sugar and an essential source of energy for winter birds.

Adorning trees with healthy treats is a great way to attract birds. String grapes, cranberries, and popcorn onto strings; spread pinecones with shortening or peanut butter and roll them in a variety of seeds. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
Adorning trees with healthy treats is a great way to attract birds. String grapes, cranberries, and popcorn onto strings; spread pinecones with shortening or peanut butter and roll them in a variety of seeds. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)

To further support birds in your own backyard, you can hang birdhouses, enhance your hedgerows, and plant trees. These provide shelter from the chilly winds and protection from predators such as cats and hawks. In warmer seasons, birds will choose these areas to nest and take cover.

Want to do even more? Bird Studies Canada provides great opportunities to get involved with citizen science, community bird watching programs. With Project FeederWatch, feeder watchers periodically record bird species present and the number birds at their feeders.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is another program where birdwatchers of all ages can record what they see at their feeders over a four-day period. Both of these programs help scientists study bird populations across Canada and North America.

For more information about GreenUP Ecology Park visit www.greenup.on.ca. To learn more about feeding birds in winter, visit www.feederwatch.org and to get involved with citizen science programs, visit www.birdscanada.org. For local bird watching information visit www.peterboroughnature.org.

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