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Eight documentaries to see at the 2018 ReFrame Film Festival

Tom Hanks in a scene from the award-winning documentary film "California Typewriter", an ode to the typewriter that opens the 2018 Reframe Film Festival. Typewriters will be set up at all venues during the festival so attendees can contribute to a community art project being created by Peterborough mixed-media artist Jeffrey Macklin. (Photo: American Buffalo Pictures)

ReFrame, Peterborough’s acclaimed documentary film festival, returns for its 14th year from Thursday, January 25th to Sunday, January 28th. This year’s festival will screen 65 documentary films, including 11 by filmmakers from the Peterborough area and three Oscar-nominated films.

The films will be shown at four venues in downtown Peterborough: Galaxy Cinemas (320 Water Street), Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte Street), Showplace Performance Centre (290 George Street North), and The Venue (290 George Street North).

In addition to the films, ReFrame is offering two filmmaker panels on Saturday, January 27th at The Venue: “Directors and Editors: The Magic of Documentary Storytelling” at 11:30 a.m. followed by “Indigenous, Impressive, Intimate: A Panel Discussion on Relationships Revitalized” at 12:30 p.m. There will also be art installations at Evans Contemporary (2 Bankers Common), Market Hall, and Showplace, as well as local food and drink vendors at the film venues.

Printed schedules of the 2018 ReFrame Film Festival are available at the GreenUP Store in Peterborough and Happenstance Books and Yarn in Lakefield, or visit reframefilmfestival.ca. (Graphic: ReFrame Film Festival)
Printed schedules of the 2018 ReFrame Film Festival are available at the GreenUP Store in Peterborough and Happenstance Books and Yarn in Lakefield, or visit reframefilmfestival.ca. (Graphic: ReFrame Film Festival)

Social events include “ReFrame Film Fête” on January 25th at 9:30 p.m. at Evans Contemporary (by invitation only), “Meet and Mingle” with live music by Chester Babcock on January 26th at 9:30 p.m. at Showplace Nexicom Studio, “Unscripted: Makers and Shakers” on January 27th at 6 p.m. at The Sapphire Room (137 Hunter Street West), and “Saturday Late Night” featuring live music by Pat Temple & the HiLo Players on January 27th at 9:30 p.m. at Brio Gusto (182 Charlotte Street).

Daytime passes for the festival are $30 for adults or $20 for students or or the un(der)waged, and are valid all weekend long for films before 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for evening feature films must be purchased separately for $10 with a daytime pass, or $15 without. Rush tickets may be purchased at the door, if available, for $10 for daytime films or $15 for evening features.

You can buy passes and tickets in advance online at the Reframe website (link below), or at Showplace during the festival.

For the complete schedule of films and events and to get your tickets, visit reframefilmfestival.ca. You can also pick up a printed schedule at the GreenUP Store (378 Aylmer St., Peterborough) or Happenstance Books and Yarn (44 Queen St., Lakefield).

With 65 films ranging from shorts to feature-length documentaries, there’s a lot to choose from at this year’s festival. Here are eight documentaries, including five with a local connection, we think you should be sure to check out:


California Typewriter – Thursday, January 25th at 7:30 p.m. at Galaxy Cinemas

Ken Alexander of California Typewriter, one of the one of the last typewriter repair shops in America and the namesake for the documentary profiling artists, writers, and collectors who remain steadfastly loyal to the typewriter. (Photo: California Typewriter)
Ken Alexander of California Typewriter, one of the one of the last typewriter repair shops in America and the namesake for the documentary profiling artists, writers, and collectors who remain steadfastly loyal to the typewriter. (Photo: California Typewriter)

The festival opens with California Typewriter, a 103-minute ode to the typewriter directed by Doug Nichol that took home the “Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking Directing” award from the 2017 Newport Beach Film Festival.

The film is a documentary portrait of artists, writers, and collectors who remain steadfastly loyal to the typewriter as a tool and muse, and features Tom Hanks, John Mayer, David McCullough, Sam Shepard, and others.

It delivers a thought-provoking meditation on the changing dynamic between humans and machines, and encourages us to consider our own relationship with technology, old and new, as the digital age’s emphasis on speed and convenience makes us question whether our machines are serving humans or vice versa.

The film also movingly documents the struggles of California Typewriter, one of the last repair shops in America dedicated to keeping the aging machines clicking, as well as Toronto antiquarian typewriter collector Martin Howard, who over 30 years has collected around 80 vintage typewriters built in the 1880s and 1890s — including the Caligraph 2 from 1881, the first typewriter to hit the market with a full keyboard.

The Caligraph 2 from 1881 was the first typewriter on the market with a full keyboard. Toronto antiquarian typewriter collector Martin Howard, who is one of the subjects of "California Typewriter" and has one in his collection, will be attending the screening. (Photo: Wikipedia)
The Caligraph 2 from 1881 was the first typewriter on the market with a full keyboard. Toronto antiquarian typewriter collector Martin Howard, who is one of the subjects of “California Typewriter” and has one in his collection, will be attending the screening. (Photo: Wikipedia)

Howard, whose antique typewriter collection is said to be the largest in Canada, will attend the screening.

As a tribute to the film, the festival is hosting a community art project called “ReFrame Types”. Manual typewriters will be available all ReFrame venues during the festival, where attendees can type their thoughts about the films, the festival, and what technology means in their life.

The typed sheets will be provided to Peterborough mixed-media artist Jeffrey Macklin, who will be at Market Hall working to create an “art-i-fact” from these messages (and maybe even parts of typewriters) — attendees can contribute to his work, and watch as his creation grows.

VIDEO: “California Typewriter” Trailer

 

ShapeMaker: The Sculptor Don Frost – Friday, January 26th at 3:50 p.m. at Showplace Performance Centre

Lakefield sculptor Don Frost  polishing one of his pieces from "ShapeMaker:  The Sculptor Don Frost". (Photo: Michael Morritt)
Lakefield sculptor Don Frost polishing one of his pieces from “ShapeMaker: The Sculptor Don Frost”. (Photo: Michael Morritt)

Peterborough filmmaker Michael Morritt and Mary L. Holley, who last collaborated on the 10-minute experimental film SHOW in 2016, have co-directed this 22-minute documentary that explores the work and philosophy of Lakefield sculptor Don Frost.

Frost is best known locally for his 1974 ‘Figures Dancing’ sculpture, a 14-foot-tall steel and fiberglass piece work in the courtyard of Peterborough Square in downtown Peterborough, and the 2010 ‘Resurrection Cross’ 24-foot scuplture outside the Catholic school board office on Lansdowne Street West.

In 1983, he created ‘Equinox’, a 50-foot sculpture inside the Michael Starr Building in Oshawa. In addition, his work graces private collections around the world, including four large sculptures purchased by the Saudi Arabian royal family.

Filmed on location over two years, ShapeMaker: The Sculptor Don Frost premiered in September 2016 at the Canada-China International Film Festival in Montreal where it was nominated for Best Cinematography.

VIDEO: “ShapeMaker: The Sculptor Don Frost” Trailer

 

Fix and Release – Friday, January 26th at 5 p.m. at Showplace Performance Centre

"Fix and Release" is a documentary about the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre in Peterborough. (Photo: Scott Dobson)
“Fix and Release” is a documentary about the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre in Peterborough. (Photo: Scott Dobson)

Directed and produced by Toronto’s Scott Dobson, the 16-minute documentary explores the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, a non-profit charity in Peterborough that operates a hospital for injured wild turtles.

Canada’s only freshwater turtle trauma centre fights to even the odds for survival that freshwater turtles face in a modern world. Most turtle species in Canada are endangered due to loss of habitat and collisions with cars and boats. Dr. Sue Carstairs leads a team of dedicated staff and volunteers as they develop their own groundbreaking approach to reptile medicine.

This visually beautiful film shows turtles in a way that few have seen before, highlighting their amazing ability to recover from catastrophic injury and hinting that these ancient creatures may be more complex than previously thought. Turtles are vital for healthy wetlands and every saved turtle makes a difference.

As Dr. Carstairs says, “We are saving the world one turtle at a time”.

The documentary won Best In Festival at the 2017 Yorkton Film Festival in Saskatchewan, Best Canadian Short at 2017 NorthWestFest in Alberta, and Best Documentary at the 2017 Scienema Film Festival in Australia.

VIDEO: “Fix and Release” Trailer

 

In From The Cold – Friday, January 26th at 5 p.m. at Showplace Performance Centre

"In From The Cold" explores how and why Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, John Hoffman, and Curtis Driedger (not pictured) launched the annual "In From The Cold" Christmas concert that has raised  $126,000 for the YES Shelter for Youth and Families since 2000. (Photo: Linda McIlwain / kawarthaNOW.com)
“In From The Cold” explores how and why Rob Fortin, Susan Newman, John Hoffman, and Curtis Driedger (not pictured) launched the annual “In From The Cold” Christmas concert that has raised $126,000 for the YES Shelter for Youth and Families since 2000. (Photo: Linda McIlwain / kawarthaNOW.com)

Peterborough filmmaker Rodney Fuentes created this 15-minute documentary profiling “In From The Cold”, the annual benefit concert for the YES Shelter for Youth and Families.

In From The Cold was launched in 2000 by John Hoffman, Susan Newman, Rob Fortin and Curtis Driedger, a group of accomplished Peterborough roots musicians who came together to establish a traditional Christmas concert that would be unlike any other.

The concert, which sells out Market Hall for two nights every year, not only celebrates the music of the season but is also an important fundraising event for the YES Shelter for Youth and Families. Since 2000, it has raised $126,000 for the shelter. The revenue generated from the concert has become an important source of income to support homeless youth and families in the Peterborough area.

The documentary explores how a group of Peterborough residents found a way to direct their passion while giving back to their community.

VIDEO: “In From The Cold” Teaser

 

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World – Friday, January 26th at 7:30 p.m. at Showplace Performance Centre

Fred Lincoln "Link" Wray, a Shawnee Native American, wrote the 1958 instrumental hit "Rumble", the first song to use distortion and feedback on the electric guitar and one which introduced the "power chord" to rock music. (Photo: Wikipedia)
Fred Lincoln “Link” Wray, a Shawnee Native American, wrote the 1958 instrumental hit “Rumble”, the first song to use distortion and feedback on the electric guitar and one which introduced the “power chord” to rock music. (Photo: Wikipedia)

Directed by Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana, this 102-minute documentary explores the role of Native Americans in popular music history.

The film is named after the 1958 instrumental hit “Rumble” by the late Fred Lincoln “Link” Wray, a Shawnee Native American, which was the first song to use distortion and feedback on the electric guitar. It also introduced and popularized the rock “power chord” — and was one of the very few instrumental singles to be banned from the radio for fear it would incite violence.

Father of the Delta Blues Charley Patton, influential jazz singer Mildred Bailey, metaphysical guitar wizard Jimi Hendrix, and folk heroine Buffy Sainte-Marie are among the many music greats who have Native American heritage and have made their distinctive mark on music history. For the most part, their Indian heritage was unknown.

The documentary explores how the Native American influence is an integral part of music history, despite attempts to ban, censor, and erase Indian culture in the United States. It uses playful re-creations and little-known stories, alongside concert footage, archives. and interviews. The stories of iconic Native musicians are told by some of America’s greatest music legends who knew them, played music with them, and were inspired by them: everyone from Buddy Guy, Quincy Jones, and Tony Bennett to Iggy Pop, Steven Tyler, and Stevie Van Zandt.

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World won the Rogers Audience Award for Best Canadian Documentary at 2017 HotDocs, the Special Jury Award for Masterful Storytelling award at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, the Best Music Documentary award at the 2017 Boulder International Festival, the Audience Choice Award award at the 2017 Biografilm Festival, Best Documentary at the 2017 Albuquerque Film and Music Festival, and the Audience Award at the 2017 Illuminate Film Festival.

VIDEO: “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World” Trailer

 

Lovesick – Saturday, January 27th at 4 p.m. at Showplace Performance Centre

"Lovesick" explores the cost of our love of cottages by exploring the threats facing Lovesick Lake near Burleigh Falls from shoreline and residential development. (Photo: Lauren Bridle)
“Lovesick” explores the cost of our love of cottages by exploring the threats facing Lovesick Lake near Burleigh Falls from shoreline and residential development. (Photo: Lauren Bridle)

Documentary filmmaker Lauren Bridle has been spending summers at her family’s cottage on Lovesick Lake near Burleigh Falls for the past 18 years. After watching the lake change over the years, with fluctuating water levels, invasive plants, and residential development, Bridle was inspired to create this 27-minute documentary.

Once a prosperous region used by Canada’s First Nations peoples for hunting and fishing, Lovesick Lake is now under threat by proposed vacation properties that will increase the population of one of the smallest lakes on the Trent-Severn Waterway by hundreds.

The film poses questions about the land that we all enjoy: What was here before us? How has the water and landscape changed? What are the effects of development? And, most importantly, at what cost do our beloved cottages come at?

Bridle’s thesis film for her Master of Fine Arts at Ryerson University, Lovesick premiered at the Toronto DocNow Festival in June 2017.

VIDEO: “Lovesick” Teaser

 

Shut Up And Say Something – Saturday, January 27th at 7:30 p.m. at Showplace Performance Centre

"Shut Up And Say Something" follows spoken word artist  Shane Koyczan on an emotional journey to reconnect with his long-estranged father. (Photo: Stranger Productions)
“Shut Up And Say Something” follows spoken word artist Shane Koyczan on an emotional journey to reconnect with his long-estranged father. (Photo: Stranger Productions)

Produced and directed by Melanie Wood, this 82-minute documentary explores the emotional journey of acclaimed spoken word artist Shane Koyczan as he reunites with the father he never knew.

Koyczan is most famous for the anti-bullying poem “To This Day” which has 22 million views on YouTube. His poignant and powerful poems tackle everything from bullying to body image but, behind his larger-than-life stage persona, is a private and awkward man (“I grew up friendless”).

Koyczan allows us to join him on a deeply personal and momentous journey to finally meet his long-estranged father after 39 years. The result is his most significant and most difficult poem yet: an ode to the parent he never, and yet always, had.

Shut Up And Say Something is a powerful and intimate look at how a master wordsmith mines the scars of his past for truth and acceptance — and the most important poem of his life.

The film won Most Popular Canadian Documentary at the 2017 Vancouver International Film Festival.

After the screening, there will be a filmmaker question-and-answer session and panel discussion with special guests and spoken word performers Moe Clark and Charlie Petch.

VIDEO: “Shut Up And Say Something” Trailer

 

Birthmark – Sunday, January 28th at 2:30 p.m. at Showplace Performance Centre

In "Birthmark", Lester Alfonso explores his troubled relationship with his own birthmark and interviews other people about their birthmarks. (Photo courtesy of Lester Alfonso)
In “Birthmark”, Lester Alfonso explores his troubled relationship with his own birthmark and interviews other people about their birthmarks. (Photo courtesy of Lester Alfonso)

As a child growing up in the Philippines, Peterborough filmmaker Lester Alfonso was often blamed for his family’s misfortunes because of a Filipino superstition that a birthmark on the buttocks is bad luck.

After realizing as an adult that this cultural attitude was still influencing his self image, Alfonso was inspired to embark on a journey of healing through filmmaking. Birthmark makes its world premiere at the ReFrame Film Festival.

The film is a wry, sensitive, and candidly confessional exercise in creative anthropology.

By soliciting other mark-bearers to add their testimonies to his own, Alfonso documents his journey to find peace and forgiveness and to quiet the voice in his head.

“It’s not only about the marks we are born with, but the marks we imagine for ourselves.”

VIDEO: “Birthmark” Trailer

Freezing rain warning now in effect for Monday afternoon and evening

If you’re driving or walking home on Monday afternoon and evening, be advised freezing rain is now almost a certainty.

Given the forecast, it’s likely that school buses will also be cancelled on Monday (but we won’t know until early Monday morning).

Environment Canada has now issued a freezing rain warning for eastern and central Ontario, including Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Hastings, and Haliburton.

A Colorado low is forecast to cross the lower Great Lakes for the start of the work week. Some inconsequential drizzle or patchy freezing drizzle may be present during the Monday morning commute.

However, more significant freezing rain is likely to develop during the day Monday. Increasing easterly winds are expected to pump in slightly colder air, causing temperatures to dip to near or just below the freezing mark. A

As a result, incoming precipitation from the low is expected to fall primarily as freezing rain, particularly Monday afternoon and evening.

Several millimetres of ice accumulation are possible before it changes to rain in the overnight hours.

The Monday evening commute will likely be impacted by icy roads. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots may become icy and slippery. Utility outages may occur.

Environment Canada issues freezing rain warnings when rain falling in sub-zero temperatures creates ice build-up and icy surfaces.

See the Stanley Cup in Lindsay this Sunday

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby kisses the Stanley Cup after defeating the Nashville Predators in 2017. The Cup will be on display at Lindsay Armoury on January 21, 2018, as part of Hockey Days. (Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today Sports)

You can see the Stanley Cup this Sunday in Lindsay during Hockey Days, a two-part event organized by the new Kawartha Museum and Art Gallery in partnership with the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The holy grail of hockey will be on display on Sunday, January 21st from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Lindsay Armoury (207 Kent Street West).

On Monday, February 19th, the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Gold Medal Package will be on display at the Lindsay Armoury from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Gold Medal Package showcases four major trophies, interactive exhibits, and games and artifacts.

Attendees at the February 19th event will also be able to meet NHL legend and Lindsay native Ron Ellis. The former forward played 16 seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs, winning the Stanley Cup in 1967.

Lindsay native Ron Ellis, who won the Stanley Cup in 1967 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, often drops into the Air Canada Centre in Toronto to visit with old friends and teammates. The 72-year-old will be in Lindsay on February 18, 2018 when the Hockey Hall of Fame's Gold Medal Package will be on display at the Lindsay Armoury. (Photo: NHL)
Lindsay native Ron Ellis, who won the Stanley Cup in 1967 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, often drops into the Air Canada Centre in Toronto to visit with old friends and teammates. The 72-year-old will be in Lindsay on February 18, 2018 when the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Gold Medal Package will be on display at the Lindsay Armoury. (Photo: NHL)

“I was fortunate enough to be on the last Stanley Cup team here 50 years ago, and it’s so hard to believe the Leafs haven’t won since then,” Ellis says in an interview with NHL columnist Dave Stubbs. “Back when we won it, there were six teams and we only had to play two playoff series. Now, even if you have the best team in the League, you have to win four series to win the Cup.”

The 72-year-old has been involved with the Hockey Hall of Fame for more than 20 years and is the shrine’s program director for the development association.

Attendees will also be encouraged to share their local hockey stories and discussions about the importance of hockey culture in Canada and Kawartha Lakes.

Both events are free and open to everyone.

Donations in support of the Kawartha Museum Art Gallery will be accepted at both events.

nightlifeNOW – January 18 to 24

Long-time member Jan Schoute passed away suddenly last November, and Sam Weber of The Weber Brothers (centre) will be stepping in to play guitar with Bailien (Shea Bailey and Brent Bailey) at the Dobro in downtown Peterborough at 10 p.m. on Friday, January 19th and Saturday, January 20th. Sam and Brent will also be performing as a duo from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 19th at the Black Horse Pub in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Shea Bailey)

nightlifeNOW – January 18 to January 24. Live music listings at pubs and clubs in Peterborough and The Kawarthas for the week of Thursday, January 18 to Wednesday, January 24.

nightlifeNOW – January 18 to January 24
Live music listings at pubs and clubs in Peterborough and The Kawarthas for the week of Thursday, January 18 to Wednesday, January 24

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 18 to Wednesday, January 24.

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 19

10pm - ARIA Circus ft aerial & fire performances by Creatures of Flight

Saturday, January 20

10pm - Two Friends (Matt Halper and Eli Sones)

Arlington Pub

32990 Highway 62, Maynooth
(613) 338-2080

Saturday, January 20

9pm - Bobby Dove

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 27
9pm - Pete Eastmure

Arthur's Pub

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

Thursday, January 18

8pm - Live music TBA

Friday, January 19

8pm - Live music TBA

Saturday, January 20

8pm - Live music TBA

Sunday, January 21

Celtic Afternoon w/ Tom Leighton & Rick Bauer

Monday, January 22

6pm - Rob Phillips

Tuesday, January 23

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

Wednesday, January 24

8pm - Open mic

Coming Soon

Thursday, January 25
5pm - Robbie Burns Night w/ live music by DC Guitarman Cann

Friday, January 26
8pm - Brian McNamara

Saturday, January 26
8pm - Brian McNamara

Sunday, January 28
Celtic Afternoon w/ Tom Leighton & Rick Bauer

Black Horse Pub

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

Thursday, January 18

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

Friday, January 19

5-8pm - Sam Weber & Brent Bailey; 8:30pm - Pop Machine

Saturday, January 20

5pm - Diane Latchford & Jean Greig; 8:30pm - House Brand

Sunday, January 21

3pm - Bucklebusters

Monday, January 22

7pm - Crash and Burn w/ special guests

Tuesday, January 23

7pm - Open mic w/ Randy Hill

Coming Soon

Thursday, January 25
5-6:45pm - Robbie Burns Celebration ft. Reverend Ken w/ Haggis Dinner; 7:30pm - Jazz and Blues w/ Marsala Lukianchuk and the Rob Phillips Trio

Friday, January 26
5-8pm - Tonya Bosch; 8:30pm - Rob Phillips Band

Saturday, January 27
5-8pm - Sam Weber & Brent Bailey; 8:30pm - Four Lanes Wide

Sunday, January 28
3pm - Live music TBA

Boathouse Cafe at Golden Beach Resort

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

Saturday, January 20

6-9pm - Dawn Barry

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 27
6-9pm - Mike Kelly

Boiling Over's Coffee Vault

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

Friday, January 19

6-9pm - Open Mic Night

Coming Soon

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

Canoe & Paddle

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

Coming Soon

Thursday, January 25
7pm - Robbie Burns' Night ft local piper Helen Batten and dancers from Collins School of Dance

Tuesday, March 6
7pm - Shred Kelly

The Cat & The Fiddle Cobourg

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

Friday, January 19

8pm - Head Case

Tuesday, January 23

7-9pm - Cobourg Poetry Workshop

The Ceilie (Trent University student pub)

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

Thursday, January 18

8-10pm - Euchre Night

Wednesday, January 24

7-11pm - Boardgame Night ($5)

Coming Soon

Wednesday, January 31
6-8pm - GetREAL & Chill Speed Dating (free)

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 18

7pm - Tubourg

Friday, January 19

9pm - Hayley and The Pirate Queens

Saturday, January 20

9pm - Jonny and Jane

Monday, January 22

Trivial Pursuit

Tuesday, January 23

OpinioNation w/ Bill Davenport

Wednesday, January 24

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 18

10pm - Live music TBA (no cover)

Friday, January 19

10pm - Bailien ft. Sam Weber (no cover)

Saturday, January 20

10pm - Bailien ft. Sam Weber (no cover)

Wednesday, January 24

Open stage

Dr. J's BBQ & Brews

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

Saturday, January 20

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

Coming Soon

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 20

8pm - SweetGrass Band ; 11:30pm - DJ

Wednesdays

8-11pm - Open Mic

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 27
8pm - Breezeway Band

Ganaraska Hotel

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

Friday, January 19

10pm - DJ Loco Joe

Saturday, January 20

2pm & 10pm - Midnight Jewel

Wednesday, January 24

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

Coming Soon

Friday, January 26
10pm - DJ Loco Joe

Saturday, January 27
2pm & 10pm - Wildness

The Garnet

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

Thursday, January 18

5pm - Pints N Politics; 7:30pm - Trent Queer Collective Beers for Queers; 9pm - Cris Cuddy

Friday, January 19

5pm - Forselli Fridays ft Melissa Payne

Saturday, January 20

9pm - Taming Sari w/ Semolina Pilchard, Peachykine ($5-10)

Coming Soon

Thursday, January 25
5pm - Pints N Politics; 9pm - My Father's Son, Mary-Kate Edwards

Friday, January 26
5pm - Forselli Fridays ft Jill StavelEy

Saturday, January 27
9pm - Belly Flop

Sunday, January 28
8pm - STPS: Keyboards by Justin Million

Golden Wheel Restaurant

6725 Highway 7, Peterborough
(705) 749-6838

Thursday, January 18

7-9pm - Pop Country Line Dancing Lessons w/ Tina O'Rourke (beginner plus to intermediate, $7)

Wednesday, January 24

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

Coming Soon

Saturday, February 10
8pm - Rye Street $5 after 8pm, dinner is sold out)

Gordon Best Theatre

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

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 19

8pm - Live Band and Open Mic

Saturday, January 20

8pm - Northumberland's Got Talent Karaoke Contest Qualifying Round ( $10 entry fee, 19+)

Sunday, January 21

1pm - Euchre Sunday ($5 entry fee)

Hot Belly Mama's

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

Thursday, January 18

8pm - The Quickshifters (PWYC)

Coming Soon

Sunday, February 11
1-4pm - Monthly 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 19

10pm - Nothing But the 90s 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 19

9pm - JC Union

Coming Soon

Wednesday, February 7
7-10:30pm - Open mic w/ Tyler Koke

Thursday, February 8
7-11pm - Karaoke w/ Jefrey Danger

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 18

7pm - Andy Earl

Coming Soon

Thursday, January 25
7pm - Don Owen

Murphy's Lockside Pub & Patio

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

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 18

7-10pm - Open Mic

Pastry Peddler

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

Sunday, January 21

1-4pm - Jake Dudas

Coming Soon

Friday, January 26
5:30pm & 7:45pm - Jazz Dinner Weekend ft Lenni Stewart, Michael Monis & Howard Baer ($45 per person)

Saturday, January 27
5:30pm & 7:45pm - Jazz Dinner Weekend ft Lenni Stewart, Michael Monis & Howard Baer ($45 per person)

Publican House Brewery

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

Friday, January 19

8-10pm - Shai Peer

Saturday, January 20

8-10pm - Rob Phillips

Coming Soon

Friday, January 26
8-10pm - Danny Bronson

Puck' N Pint Sports Pub

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

Saturday, January 20

9:30pm - High Waters Band

Red Dog Tavern

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

Thursday, January 18

10pm - Joe McCauley ($5, with part of proceeds to East Peterborough Lions Club and the Apsley and District Lions Club)

Friday, January 19

8pm - Back Row Society presents All Night Hip Hop Volume 4 ($5 or free with canned food for Feed The Streets Canada)

Tuesday, January 23

10pm - Open mic w/ Matt Diamond

Coming Soon

Friday, January 26
9pm - Hip Hop show ft Kachinga W/ Koto, Koty Kolter and Forest Gumption

Saturday, January 27
8pm - Rainbow Romp ft DJ Jeffary Fudge ($5 with all proceeds to RSO)

Friday, February 9
9pm - Jagged & My Affected Reality w/ Present Tense ($10 in advance at www.ticketscene.ca/events/20245/)

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

Sapphire Room

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

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 19

Nashville Night

Saturday, January 20

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

Monday, January 22

7pm - Northumberland's Got Talent Karaoke Contest Qualifying Round ( $10 entry fee, 19+)

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 27
10pm - DownBeat

Saturday, February 3
9:30pm - Head Case w/ Honey Soul

The Venue

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

Thursday, January 18

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

Coming Soon

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

Wild Blue Yonder Pub at Elmhirst's Resort

1045 Settlers Line, Keene
(705) 295-4591

Saturday, January 20

3-5pm - Al Black Steady Trio (no cover)

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 27
3-5pm - Evangeline Gentle (no cover)

Tony Tilly is retiring as Fleming College president after 14 years

Fleming College President Tony Tilly is retiring after 14 years in the position. (Photo courtesy of Fleming College)

Sir Sandford Fleming College board chair Dana Empey announced today (January 18) that Dr. Tony Tilly will complete his third and final term as Fleming College President on June 30, 2018.

“Tony has led the college through an extraordinary transformation during his 14-year tenure,” Empey says.

“The college has grown significantly in terms of facilities, programming, enrolment and community partnerships. As we thank Tony and look back on his success, we also look to the future as the Board begins the search for a new leader to continue to provide exceptional educational experiences for students and continue to grow Fleming College in partnership with our communities.”

Since his initial appointment in 2004 as the college’s president, Tilly “emphasized strategic planning and organizational development, built leadership capacity, encouraged international horizons, secured funds to build the Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre and maintained and expanded partnerships,” according to a media release from Fleming College. The college’s revenues have doubled during this time, the release says.

“Fourteen years in this role is not something I anticipated when I started at Fleming in August 2004,” Tilly says in a message to college faculty and staff. “Then again, I also didn’t anticipate how much I would enjoy working with outstanding colleagues and students who are as dedicated to Fleming as we are to them.”

While Tilly is retiring from Fleming College, he plans to pursue other opportunities.

“I never was a very good gardener and I don’t expect to become one now,” he says.

The Fleming board will soon be announcing a search for a new president, and will seek input from students, staff, faculty, leaders and community partners during the process.

Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famed Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college has more than 6,200 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 74,000 alumni.

‘The Maids’ is a provocative exploration of dominance and class conflict

Kate Story and Lindsay Unterlander as sisters and live-in maids Solange and Claire in an erotic role-playing scene from French playwright Jean Genet's 1947 play "The Maids". The play, which runs January 18 to 20 at The Theatre on King in downtown Peterborough, is based on a 1933 murder case in France where two sisters brutally murdered their employer's wife and adult daughter. (Photo: Andy Carroll)

On Thursday January 18th, The Theatre on King (TTOK) starts their year off in a big way with Ryan Kerr’s production of French playwright Jean Genet’s The Maids.

Part psychodrama and part thriller, the play features the talents of Lindsay Unterlander, Kate Story and Sheila Charleton in a challenging show that is intelligent, suspenseful, and highly erotic. In a theatre known for presentation of bold drama, The Maids could be one of the most provocative plays presented at TTOK to date.

Originally presented as Les Bonnes in 1947 at The Theatre de l’Athenee in Paris, The Maids is loosely based on the real-life 1933 Papin murder case that shocked France and became a popular subject and symbol of class struggle for numerous French artists and philosophers, including Genet and Jean-Paul Sartre.

Christine and Léa Papin were sisters hired in 1926 as live-in maids by retired solicitor Rene Lancien. Known to be quiet women who caused little trouble and kept to themselves, the pair became infamous when they brutally murdered Lancien’s wife and adult daughter in a violent assault on February 2, 1933. Offering no explanation for the attack, the sisters were tried and imprisoned, but not without gaining public notoriety for their high-profile crime.

The real-life case in an interesting one filled with incest, lesbianism, manipulation, and insanity, all of which are covered (or hinted at) in The Maids.

By researching this fascinating piece of criminal history prior to seeing the play, I felt it only helped intensified the drama on the TTOK stage. Although the character’s names and events have been changed, The Maids plays out as if Genet is trying to make sense out of the Papin sisters’ motives, by giving them life beyond the sensationalized headlines and contemplating who they were and what their life was like to lead them to murder.

I highly recommend that audience members taking in the play at least read the Wikipedia entry on the Papin sisters. Trust me: once you read that and then see this play, you’ll want to learn even more about the real-life sisters who inspired this drama.

The real-life sisters and live-in maids who inspired Jean Genet's play "The Maids" ("Les Bonnes"). Christine and Léa Papin brutally murdered their employer's wife and adult daughter in Les Mans, France, in 1933. (Photos: Wikipedia)
The real-life sisters and live-in maids who inspired Jean Genet’s play “The Maids” (“Les Bonnes”). Christine and Léa Papin brutally murdered their employer’s wife and adult daughter in Les Mans, France, in 1933. (Photos: Wikipedia)

Genet’s The Maids is a character study of sisters Solange (Kate Story) and Claire (Lindsay Unterlander) who, while their mistress (Sheila Charleton) is away from the great house, delight themselves by wearing her dresses and smothering themselves in her jewels as they indulge in a hyper-sexualized role-playing game of mistress and servant, all ending with the fantasy of murdering their mistress. However, as one sister’s resentment about the balance of power between the two sisters and the actual mistress intensifies, the boundaries between fantasy and reality begins to blur — with deadly results.

Already a fascinating script due to its background story and the strength of its writing, TTOK’s production of The Maids is also brilliantly executed by three of Peterborough’s top actresses. Together, they are a fearless trio who weave together one of the most unapologetically tantalizing productions I have ever seen.

Although it is an uninterrupted one-act play, The Maids is separated into four different scenes without a pause. The first is the initial role-playing scene, the second is a scene between the sisters set in reality, the third is a scene between the sisters and their mistress, and the fourth is the second and final role-playing scene. Each of these scenes examines the nature of the power struggles between the different characters, with each relationship constantly being turned on its head.

Lindsay Unterlander and Kate Story in "The Maids", a pscyhosexual drama that explores dominance in the relationship between the two sisters and between the sisters and their employer. Playwright Jean Genet was inspired by details of the real-life murder case that you can research on Wikipedia before seeing the play. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Lindsay Unterlander and Kate Story in “The Maids”, a pscyhosexual drama that explores dominance in the relationship between the two sisters and between the sisters and their employer. Playwright Jean Genet was inspired by details of the real-life murder case that you can research on Wikipedia before seeing the play. (Photo: Andy Carroll)

Kate Story as Solange plays the older of the two sisters. She is the angrier and more dominant of the pair and seems to be teetering on the edge of insanity. Despite her dominance, she shows painful submission to both her sister and her mistress, which can be analyzed as the cause of her fractured emotional state. Constantly resentful of her role in the mistress’s home, and within society itself, Solange becomes a personification of pain and resentment.

A complicated character, Solange is portrayed masterfully by Kate, who gives this character many dimensions. Kate’s brightest moments are in the fourth part of the show, where she delivers a five-minute monologue of insanity that becomes more and more terrifying as she continues. Equally fierce and fragile, Kate creates a character who lies somewhere between villain and victim.

Meanwhile, Lindsay Unterlander creates an equally complex character as the younger of the two sisters, Claire. Fierce and abusive in her role playing as the mistress, in reality Claire is the meeker and more sensitive of the two sisters. However, there seems to be more contradictions within Claire than Solange, making the audience question her true feelings and motives.

Does Claire really hate her mistress? What is her relationship with the milk man that her sister keeps talking about? Is it possible that, despite her gentle persona, Claire could be more murderous than her explosive sister? Throughout the show Lindsay puts on the different faces of Claire, as if she is creating a single character with split personalities.

Although her role in the show isn’t nearly as large as that of the sisters, Sheila Charleton creates an interesting character as “The Madam” and adds a third element of complexity to the show. It isn’t completely clear what her true feelings towards the sisters are: at times she seems quite maternal towards them, but always with a tone of smug condescension. She is always aware of the class difference between herself and the sisters and, while she seems genuine in her interactions, she also seems to dismiss the sisters as if they were personal pets or objects to be owned.

The mistress of the house (Sheila Carleton) dominating her live-in maids and sisters Claire (Lindsay Unterlander) and Solange (Kate Story). Genet's play is often considered symbolic of the class struggles of France in the early 20th century.  (Photo: Andy Carroll)
The mistress of the house (Sheila Carleton) dominating her live-in maids and sisters Claire (Lindsay Unterlander) and Solange (Kate Story). Genet’s play is often considered symbolic of the class struggles of France in the early 20th century. (Photo: Andy Carroll)

While The Madam is on the stage, the sisters who stand so ferociously before the audience without her suddenly shrink in submission. It is difficult to watch the callous way the sisters are manipulated into being less than human by their employer. Sheila creates a woman who is her own kind of evil, although she possibly doesn’t even realize it. The result is a third complex character who is also interesting to watch.

One of the most intriguing things about The Maids is the different combinations in which the three characters exercise dominance over one another. There is the way the sisters continue to switch dominance over each other when they are role playing mistress and servant, and then the way they do the same when they return to reality as sisters. Then there is the dominance of the mistress over the two sisters and her individual relationship with each of them.

This constant power struggle, which flips constantly between characters, is the factor of the show that keeps the audience constantly reanalyzing the bizarre relationships between the characters.

What really comes to the forefront of the drama is just how erotic the piece is. Although it never becomes staunchly sexual, the role playing and power dynamics between the sisters — as well as their violent fantasies towards their mistress — border on a kind of kinkiness that’s subtle at times and anything but at others. It really makes the audience begin to question what the sisters’ relationship and feelings towards their mistress are, not to mention each other.

This is an element in the play that no audience member will be able to overlook, but it also becomes the most fascinating part of the performance. It takes a lot of trust between the two actresses to give that kind of performance, and Lindsay and Kate play off each other incredibly well.

The Maids is an intelligent and dark thriller and one of the boldest and most cerebral shows I’ve seen at TTOK in the years that I’ve been doing reviews for kawarthaNOW. I was absolutely captivated by the show and the performances by the three actresses who bring such an interesting drama to life. Ryan and his company have created another memorable show for TTOK, but I can easily say The Maids is one of the most engaging shows I’ve ever seen in this space. If this is the way that TTOK is opening 2018, then its audience has a lot to look forward to.

The Maids runs from January 18th to 20th at The Theatre on King (159 King St., Suite 120, Peterborough). Performances begin at 8 p.m. and tickets are $15 or pay what you can.

Toronto architect Patrick Li to create public artwork beside new Peterborough Public Library

Toronto architect Patrick Li's design for his "Your Story" sculpture. The sculpture will be installed in the new public square adjacent the renovated Peterborough Public Library, with a scheduled completion date of August 2018. (Image: Patrick Li)

The City of Peterborough Public Art Program announced today (January 18) that Toronto architect Patrick Li will be creating the artwork for the new public square adjacent to the renovated Peterborough Public Library.

The project at the corner of Aylmer and Simcoe streets was developed in concert with the renovation and expansion of the library’s main branch, which was recently completed. The renovated main branch officially opens on Tuesday, January 30th at 9 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and speeches followed by light refreshments and tours of the new facility.

Sponsored by LLF Lawyers, the construction of the square adjacent to the library will create a vibrant place for people to gather in the heart of downtown Peterborough.

The city received 20 submissions from artists and designers across the province for the public art in the new square. The selection committee comprised: Theresa Kerr from the Peterborough Public Library Board; Nan Sidler, a community member appointed by the Library board; David Miller, a community member appointed by the project sponsor; and Krista English and Julia Harrison from the City’s Public Art Advisory Committee.

Other views of Patrick Li's design for his "Your Story" sculpture. A five-member selection committee selected Li's design from 20 submissions received from artists and designers across the province.  (Image: Patrick Li)
Other views of Patrick Li’s design for his “Your Story” sculpture. A five-member selection committee selected Li’s design from 20 submissions received from artists and designers across the province. (Image: Patrick Li)

In describing his proposed sculpture “Your Story” to the selection committee, Li highlighted its symbolic nature of the sculpture and his desire to create an artwork that feels alive.

“This sculpture is made by the undulated fin like columns to be reminiscent of a book cover that is twisting in the wind,” Li said. “This way, there is movement to make the sculpture feel alive. Each person who walks inside will have a chance to experience this fluidity and discover their own journey.”

The selection committee found Li’s proposal to be a stunning, well-conceived, and relevant work that will inspire the community and mirror the architecture of the renovated library. They were impressed by Li’s passion and expressed “confidence in his ability to problem solve and work through project details.”

To enhance the community’s involvement with the square, naming rights sponsor LLF Lawyers would like the public to help determine the final name of the square. The City of Peterborough will be supporting a community initiative to finalize the square’s new name, with more details to be shared in the coming weeks.

The expected completion of the square and the artwork is Autumn 2018.

Program helps Peterborough residents “green up” their neighbourhoods

The Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods (SUN) program connects GreenUP staff with residents in two Peterborough neighbourhoods to install greening projects, such as this pollinator garden, that has been planted in the East City Curtis Creek neighbourhood. SUN program greening projects improve neighbourhood aesthetics, increase greenspace and canopy shade, and enhance resident well being. (Photo: GreenUP)

In 2017, GreenUP launched a new program, Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods (SUN), in two Peterborough neighbourhoods: Kawartha Heights and East City – Curtis Creek.

Through the SUN program, GreenUP is connecting and working with residents, neighbourhood groups, and community partners in these areas to determine green actions that can enhance the aesthetics and canopy shade to enhance residents’ well being and health.

Do you live or work in a SUN neighbourhood? If so, we would like to hear from you! There are many upcoming opportunities to learn more and help lead the direction for SUN greening projects.

We will be set up at Peterborough Snofest Carnival Day on Saturday, January 20th, between 9 a.m and 1 p.m. at Armour Hill. We will also be at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre on Monday, January 22nd from 5:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.. At both events, we are eager to hear from residents about their concerns and priorities for their neighbourhood and determine how we can help.

SUN connects GreenUP staff with residents to learn about citizen interests and priorities for community enhancement projects. In 2018, SUN will bring residents’ ideas to life through planting projects within the two selected neighbourhoods. We are excited to introduce SUN to the whole Peterborough community, and to highlight these two neighbourhoods as examples of how residents can engage in implementing green projects.

SUN offers five types of planting options to naturalize outdoor spaces: trees, community food gardens, pollinator plants, rain gardens, and native wildflowers. These projects will all be planted in the spring and fall of this year.

So far, GreenUp's Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods (SUN) program has worked in two Peterborough neighbourhoods: Kawartha Heights and East City - Curtis Creek.
So far, GreenUp’s Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods (SUN) program has worked in two Peterborough neighbourhoods: Kawartha Heights and East City – Curtis Creek.

So far, community members living in the two neighbourhoods have indicated that they are pleased with their local parks, trees, and natural areas.

In East City – Curtis Creek, residents have been telling us that the Creek is an asset in their neighbourhood, and is of special interest to children who play in the area. In Kawartha Heights, Byersville Creek is the local waterway, but because it is flows mostly through adjacent parkland and under roadways, residents’ interactions with the creek seem more limited.

In both neighbourhoods, residents indicate that the snowmelt and rainy weather can lead to seasonal flooding and that the 2004 flood affected both areas Hilly and sloping roads direct rain water into both the Byersville and Curtis Creek so we are paying special attention to this information, because trees and gardens installed through SUN can be placed to help manage rain water and reduce the impacts of flooding.

In the Kawartha Heights neighbourhood, Arthur Setka has already started taking action to manage water on his property. For example, he has planted a variety of native plants and groundcovers that absorb rainwater more efficiently than grass and has included drought tolerant plant species that can withstand the hot summer weather.

“By using water saving features such as water entrapment, I not only enjoy a beautiful garden but substantially less maintenance than grass requires,” Setka says.

His garden features plants that are timed to bloom throughout the summer, making it ideal habitat for pollinators throughout the season and beautiful for human eyes to enjoy.

Rain gardens are one of the planting options available through the SUN program, and are specially designed to take in rainwater off of roofs or roads. However, all planting options will help with the efficient absorption of rain water.

Trees help to stabilize the soil with their deep rooting systems, and take up rain water preventing runoff to our storm sewers and then local waterways. Pollinator plants absorb rain water much more efficiently than grass, and many native wildflower species are tolerant to drought conditions, since they are locally adapted to our climate.

Food gardens require more tending than the other planting options, but are also more responsible for water usage. Herbs tend to be more tolerant to drought conditions, and mulching and combining soil with compost helps with effective water management.

Both neighbourhoods have also expressed an interest in more shade trees, which can help stabilize local environmental conditions. For instance, shade reduces the impacts of heat in the summer, and trees buffer against the wind in the winter.

If you can’t make it to either of our upcoming events at Snofest on January 20th or the Health and Wellness Centre on January 22nd, we can also meet with you in person. We have a quick online survey that you can fill out at greenup.on.ca/program/sun and you are welcome to phone or email us at 705-745-3238 ext. 208 or jenn.mccallum@greenup.on.ca.

Even if you live outside of these neighbourhoods, we are still interested in hearing from you! Fill out our survey, come see us at our outreach events, or get in touch with us to learn more about greening our community.

We are also planning some educational events in the spring! Stay tuned to our social media and greenup.on.ca for more information, as these events take shape.

The SUN project is modelled on the Toronto Region Conservation Authority’s SNAP program (Sustainable Neighbourhood Retrofit Action Plan) and is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Nathalie Des Rosiers is the new Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry

Nathalie Des Rosiers (right) with Premier Kathleen Wynne after being elected as MPP for Ottawa-Vanier in 2016. On January 17, 2018, Wynne appointed Des Rosiers as the new Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. (Photo: Radio Canada)

Nathalie Des Rosiers is the new Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).

The Ottawa-Vanier MPP is one of three new female ministers in a Cabinet shuffle announced today (January 17) by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. Five other women in Cabinet were moved to other positions.

A newcomer to Cabinet, Des Rosiers replaces Kathryn McGarry, who becomes the new Minister of Transportation.

As Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Des Rosiers is responsible for managing Ontario’s natural resources (including fish and wildlife, Crown lands and forests, and provincial parks) as well as managing forest fires and surface water (flooding, droughts).

While Des Rosiers will be working at Queen’s Park in Toronto, the ministry’s headquarters is located at Robinson Place on Water Street in downtown Peterborough, which houses more than 1,000 government employees.

The headquarters of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is located at Robinson Place at 300 Water Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Infrastructure Ontario)
The headquarters of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is located at Robinson Place at 300 Water Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Infrastructure Ontario)

Born in Montreal, Des Rosiers was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 2016 as the MPP for Ottawa-Vanier. Before her appointment as Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, she was the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Housing and the parliamentary assistant to the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues.

Nathalie Des Rosiers  is a well-known professor and constitutional law expert who has been named one of Canada's 25 most influential lawyers. (Photo: Province of Ontario)
Nathalie Des Rosiers is a well-known professor and constitutional law expert who has been named one of Canada’s 25 most influential lawyers. (Photo: Province of Ontario)

A lawyer who received her Master of Laws from Harvard University, Des Rosiers is a well-known professor and constitutional law expert. She served from 2009 to 2013 as General Counsel for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. She has been in private practice in Montreal and London, Ontario, and was professor of law at Western Law School for many years.

Des Rosiers has received numerous honours including the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario, an Honourary Doctorate from the Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium, an Honourary Doctorate from the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Medal of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the NUPGE Award from the National Union of Public and General Employees, and the APEX Partnership Award from the Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada.

Canadian Lawyer magazine named her as one of Canada’s 25 most influential lawyers in 2011 and in 2012.

In addition Des Rosiers and McGarry, other changes announced in today’s Cabinet shuffle include:

  • Daiene Vernile, MPP for Kitchener Centre, moves into cabinet as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
  • Harinder Malhi, MPP for Brampton-Springdale, becomes the new Minister of the Status of Women
  • Mitzie Hunter becomes Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development
  • Eleanor McMahon becomes President of the Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for Digital Government
  • Indira Naidoo-Harris becomes Minister of Education and remains Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care
  • Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services, will take on the responsibilities of Chair of Cabinet
  • Steven Del Duca becomes Minister of Economic Development and Growth.

What’s new from the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism – January 17, 2018

Soup-a-licious, a fundraiser for Community Care Lakefield, returns to Cassis Bistro in Lakefield on January 29th. Community Care Lakefield is also hosting a 30th anniversary celebration on January 24th at the Lakefield Legion and has launched its "$30 for 30 Years" fundraising campaign. (Photo: Community Care Lakefield)


January Business After Hours – January 23rd – New Business Added

Jodie Mulder of Your Body You, the newest business participating in the Lakefield Business After Hours Hop. (Photo: Your Body You)
Jodie Mulder of Your Body You, the newest business participating in the Lakefield Business After Hours Hop. (Photo: Your Body You)

Your Body You has joined the participating businesses for the January Business After Hours (BAH) – Lakefield Hop.

BAH is taking place on Tuesday, January 23rd from 5 to 7 p.m. (please note this event is taking place on a Tuesday evening.)

Guests are asked to meet at Salon Sorella & Day Spa promptly at 5 p.m. to begin the evening.

At 5:15 p.m., everyone will split into groups to visit participating businesses: Cuddles for Cancer, Robyn’s Nest Photography & Beauty, and Your Body You.

Your Body You will be set up at Salon Sorella where Jodie Mulder will be discussing fitness in the workplace.

Guests will spend approximately 20 minutes with each participating business, and will meet back at Salon Sorella at approximately 6:20 p.m. for refreshments and networking.

Register now.

 

Proud Member Window Decal Survey

Proud Member decal.
Proud Member decal.

Chamber Members should check this week’s NewsFlash email for a survey about their ‘Proud Member’ Window Decal. The survey asks the following questions:

  • Do you display the Proud Member decal in your store front/office/vehicle?
  • Do you consider the Proud Member decal a membership benefit?
  • Would you like to see the Chamber continue the Proud Member decals annually?

Please send any additional comments to membership@kawarthachamber.ca.

 

Chamber Annual General Meeting – February 21st

The 2017 Chamber AGM at The Village Inn in Lakefield. This year's AGM also takes place at The Village Inn on February 21.
The 2017 Chamber AGM at The Village Inn in Lakefield. This year’s AGM also takes place at The Village Inn on February 21.

The Chamber’s Annual General Meeting takes place on Wednesday, February 21st at The Village Inn, 39 Queen Street in Lakefield.

The Chamber will present the Slate of Board Directors for 2018-19, honour retiring Directors, and much more.

The meeting will run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Networking and refreshments begin at 5 p.m.

Register now.

 

Canada Summer Jobs Deadline – February 2nd

Canada Summer Jobs

The deadline to apply for Canada Summer Jobs funding is Friday, February 2nd.

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) is an initiative of the Summer Work Experience program providing wage subsidies to employers to create employment for secondary and post-secondary students.

Again this year, Canada Summer Jobs welcomes applications from small businesses, not-for-profit employers, public sector and faith-based organizations that provide quality summer jobs for students.

Learn more.

 

Canadian Chamber of Commerce – 2017 Annual Report

Canada Chamber of Commerce annual report

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has released its 2017 Annual Report.

Every new year brings both challenges and opportunities for Canada’s business community, and as you will see in the Annual Report, that was especially true in 2017.

Read more about the report and download it here.

 

Further Offset Measures Needed in Upcoming Budget to Keep Ontario Competitive

The Ontario’s Chamber Network calls for tax reform, smart spending to support Ontario businesses

The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), provided the Ontario government with 11 recommendations for the upcoming provincial budget that will help businesses manage costs and secure the province’s competitive advantage.

The submission, presented to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, calls on the government to implement taxation reforms and smart infrastructure and transportation spending to maximize growth and benefit all regions of Ontario.

Read more.

 

Ontario Chamber of Commerce Releases Statement on Minimum Wage

There has been much discussion in recent weeks about the unintended consequences of Bill 148, the legislation that introduced a higher minimum wage in Ontario and extended numerous labour and employment standards provisions.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), the Kawartha Chamber, and our members understand the intent of the legislation. But we also understand that evidence-based public policy must be fundamental in a properly functioning democracy.

Read more.

 

Welcome New Member

Kinetic Therapeutics

Kinetic Therapeutics
2108 Nathaway Drive, Young’s Point, Leslie Nunes, 705-933-9113, www.kinetictherapeutics.ca

Specializing in massage therapy and exercise rehabilitation. At Kinetic Therapeutics we take pride in integrating manual therapies with active movements, thus providing effective and efficient treatments.

 

Career Fair and Community Information – March 1st

Career Fair
Registration Deadline: February 1st

Don’t miss your chance to register for a Career Fair and Community Information session, taking place on Thursday, March 1st, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., at the Lakefield Legion.

Please complete your registration form by February 1st and email to dayotte@agilic.ca or fax to 705-652-5191. For more information, contact Debbie at 705-740-2577 ext. 5212. Download the registration form.

Career Fair hosted by Agilec, City and County of Peterborough, Municipality of Trent Lakes, and the Township of Selwyn.

 

Community Care Changing Lives for 30 Years in Lakefield – Celebration on January 24th

Community Care is proud to announce they are celebrating their 30th year of service to Lakefield and area seniors and adults with physical challenges.

Community Care Lakefield is hosting a celebration on Wednesday, January 24th and is launching its “$30 for 30 Years” fundraising campaign.

Join the celebration on January 24th from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 77, 10 Nicholls Street, Lakefield. Learn more.

 

Community Care – Soup-a-licious – January 29th

Soup-a-licious is back on Monday, January 29th from 2 to 4 p.m. at Cassis Bistro (27 Queen St., Lakefield). Enjoy delicious homemade soup and support Community Care! First come, first souped, while quantities last.

Or enjoy Soup at Work lunch delivery. To have soup and roll delivered to you, place your order by January 22nd. Cost is $5. Download the order form.

Proceeds enhance Community Care Home Support Services for seniors and adults with physical challenges in Lakefield and area.

 

Lakefield Lions ‘February Beat’ Fundraising Dance – February 24th

Lakefield & District Lion’s Club presents the “February Beat” dance fundraiser on Saturday, February 24th from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Lakefield Legion.

The event features live music with local four-member band “The True Confessions”, who will be playing music from the ’60s and ’70s.

Tickets are $20 each and are available at the Chamber office at 12 Queen Street (under the town clock).

 

Welcome Community Futures Peterborough Interim Executive Director Gail Moorhouse

Gail Moorhouse has been appointed interim executive director at Community Futures Peterborough. (Photo: Community Futures Peterborough)
Gail Moorhouse has been appointed interim executive director at Community Futures Peterborough. (Photo: Community Futures Peterborough)

Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) and its Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Gail Moorhouse as its interim Executive Director. Moorhouse has valuable knowledge and understanding of CFP garnered through her roles both in the private sector and as a Board member.

Moorhouse replaces Jeff Day who announced his resignation in December. She has resigned from her position from the Board during this interim appointment.

Recruitment has begun for a permanent Executive Director for CFP. Reporting to the CFP Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for leading CFP to successfully meet objectives and achieve the mission of the organization. Deadline to apply is January 31st. Learn more.

 

Trent Lakes Small Business Survey

If you are a small or home-based business in the Municipality of Trent Lakes, the Trent Lakes Economic Development Committee would like to hear from you.

To provide the right assistance to you and your business, Trent Lakes has created a survey to obtain information from the business community on how they can serve you better.

Take the survey. The survey closes on January 31st.

This survey is a partnership between Trent Lakes Economic Development and Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development.

 

Workforce Development Board Labour Market Survey

The Workforce Development Board is looking for your input to identify important labour market issues and priorities within the region. If you’re an employee, employer, entrepreneur, or job seeker, they want to hear from you.

By completing the survey, and submitting your email address, you will have the opportunity to win a $100 Visa prepaid card (one prize), a $50 Visa prepaid card (two prizes) or a $25 Visa prepaid card (four prizes).

Take the survey. The survey closes on January 19th.

 

Upcoming Events

  • Free Senior Skating, Lakefield – January 19th (and every Tuesday & Friday)
  • Public Skating Apsley – January 20th
  • Apsley Winter Carnival – January 27th
  • Performing Arts Lakefield, Valdy – February 2nd
  • PolarFest – February 2nd-4th

 

For more information about the businesses and events listed above, please visit the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism website at kawarthachamber.ca.

All photos supplied by Kawartha Chamber of Commerce except where noted.

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