This week we feature the official opening of Dragon Yan Chinese food restaurant in Peeterborough, the one-year anniversary of Tiny Greens in downtown Peterborough, the return of the PTBO Game Jam for video game developers, the inaugural Engineering Awards winners, a new low-interest loan program for building and land improvementsd in the City of Kawartha Lakes, and upcoming business events including Rhonda Keenan at the Peterborough DBIA Breakfast Network on February 21, a tax preparation seminar for startups on February 28, the official opening of the Hello, Baby! pregnancy and parenting hub in downtown Peterborough on March 2, and more.
Dragon Yan Chinese food restaurant hosts official opening
Dragon Yan, a dine-in Chinese food restaurant located at 422 Braidwood Avenue in Peterborough, hosted its official grand opening on Friday (February 16).
While the restaurant has been open for business since December, they hosted the official opening to coincide with the beginning of the Chinese New Year.
Owners Ron Kam and wife Yun Lian (Cherry) also own and operate the popular Wee Wok Express take-out restaurant on George Street in downtown Peterborough.
Ron’s family originally came from Hong Kong 34 years ago. They went on to work and live in Canada, owning a number of restaurants in Ontario. As an adult, Ron returned to China to pursue his teaching career with his education degree. He taught English on Chinese television, becoming a local celebrity in Guangzhou. With the birth of their daughter Heidi, Ron and Yun Lian moved back to Canada and opened Wee Wok Express four years ago.
At the official opening of Dragon Yan, which was attended by Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett, City councillors Dan McWilliams and Lesley Parnell, New Canadians Centre executive director Hajni Hos, Kam also made a donation to the New Canadians Centre.
Tiny Greens celebrates one-year anniversary of winning the Win This Space competition
Tina Bromley, who won a year-long lease of a downtown Peterborough storefront in the inaugural Win This Space competition, celebrated her one-year anniversary of winning the contest on Friday (February 16).
As a result of winning the 2017 competition, which included thousands of dollars in additional prizes, Bromley opened her microgreenery and healthy hub in downtown Peterborough on July 26 2017: an urban farm-to-table environment where people can buy local microgreens, vegetables, herbs as well as other foods from local farmers. Tiny Greens also offers education and workshops as well as sales of supplies and products for growing indoor and vertical gardens.
The finale of the 2018 Win This Space entrepreneurial competition takes place on Thursday, March 1st at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough).
For more information on Tiny Greens, visit www.tinygreens.ca.
PTBO Game Jam for video games developers returns to Fleming College February 23 to 25
The bi-annual PTBO Game Jam returns to the Kawartha Trade & Technology Centre at Fleming College (599 Brealey Dr, Peterborough) from February 23rd to 25th.
The event aims to provide education, promote exposure of video game developers, and connect industry professionals with talented individuals interested in game development. It brings together game programmers, designers, artists, and others who participate in a 32-hour challenge to create video games.
It’s estimated that more than 19 million Canadians identify themselves as “gamers” participating in an industry expected to grow to a $100 billion market value by 2019.
The fourth PTBO Game Jam begins with educational blocks for youth and adults on the evening of Friday, February 23rd, with the game jam running from 8 a.m. on Saturday until 6 p.m. on Sunday. To keep the jammers motivated, organizers will be providing a midnight break with free pizza and will have a new mini-putt green station to compete for prizes. On Sunday. when the challenge is finished, participants and media are welcome to see the creations made throughout the Game Jam.
Hosted by dotBunny, an independent game studio based out of Peterborough, the event is sponsored locally by dotBunny, Fleming College, Innovation Cluster, and Community Futures Peterborough, along with international sponsors Funky Rustic and Unity.
The game jam will be live streamed on Twitch.
To register for the free event, visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/ptbo-game-jam-04-tickets-36830415765
For more information about PTBO Game Jam, including a complete schedule, visit ptbogamejam.com.
Professional Engineers Ontario Peterborough Chapter announces inaugural Engineering Awards winners
Robert Rehder, who spent 47 years as an engineer with GE in Peterborough, was also the director of the Hope Mill Restoration Project. He will be honoured with the Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award from the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) Peterborough Chapter. (Photo: Rotary Club of Belleville)
The Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) Peterborough Chapter has announced the inaugural winners of their 2018 Engineering Awards:
Local engineeers Charles Kidd and Peter Stumpf have each won the Engineering Citizenship Award for society betterment within an engineering context, and Robert Rehder has won the Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award.
The recipients will be honoured and celebrated at the at PEO Peterborough Chapter Annual General Meeting and Awards dinner on Friday, February 23rd at Persian Empire Distillery (636 Queensway Court, Peterborough).
For more information and to register for the free event, visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/peo-ieee-peterborough-chapter-joint-agm-tickets-42222318090.
Local improvement loans for businesses coming to City of Kawartha Lakes
The City of Kawartha Lakes will be working with the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation (KLCFDC) to develop a program offering low-interest loans to support commercial building improvements in various communities across the municipality.
Under the community improvement plan, which was approved by city council, KLCFDC would provide an interest-free loan of up to $500,000 to the city, with matching loan funding from the city for a total of $1 million available under the program.
These funds would be administered through the City in a multi-year program for building and land improvements such as heritage district building restoration and improvements, accessibility improvements, affordable rental housing private space retrofits in mixed-use buildings, derelict building repairs and improvements, and downtown main street revitalization and enhancements.
The loan program will be developed and administered by the city, with guidance from the KLCFDC, and will involve committee oversight. Application intake is forecasted for fall 2018.
The Community Improvement Plan will outline the eligibility criteria for applicants and projects. The Plan will also detail how the loan program will be administered and eligibility requirements. This program will not impact the tax levy as City funds will be paid back with cost recovery over a defined period of time.
Rhonda Keenan guest speaker at Peterborough DBIA Breakfast Network on February 21
Rhonda Keenan, President and CEO of Peterborough & the Kawartha Economic Development, with Stuart Harrison of the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawartha Economic Development)
Rhonda Keenan, resident and CEO of Peterborough & the Kawartha Economic Development, is the guest speaker at the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) Breakfast Network on Wednesday, February 21st at Empress Gardens (131 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
Keenan, who has been leading Peterborough & the Kawartha Economic Development since February 2016, previously worked in the City of Oshawa’s Economic Development Services branch.
Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. with the guest speaker at 8 a.m. The event is open to everyone and tickets are $5 at the door.
Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Annual General Meeting on February 21
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is holding its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, February 21st, at The Village Inn (39 Queen St, Lakefield).
The meeting will include highlights from the past year, and the nominating committee will present the slate of directors for the coming year.
Networking and refreshments will begin at 5 p.m. The meeting will run from approximately 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
For more information and to register, visit www.kawarthachamber.ca.
Peterborough Chamber “Power Hour” evening with elected officials returns on February 21
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Power Hour” — an evening with Peterborough’s elected officials — returns on Wednesday, February 21st.
The event takes place from 5:30 to 9 p.m at The Venue in downtown Peterborough.
There will be a full hour of questions and answers with Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, MPP Peterborough Jeff Leal, County of Peterborough Warden Joe Taylor, and City of Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett.
Tickets cost $65 for Chamber members and $75 for non-members (or $450 for a table of seven for members and $525 for non-members). HST will be added to the ticket price. Register here.
GE employees career fair on February 23
A career fair where employers can explore potential opportunities with more than 300 employees transitioning from GE in Peterborough is taking place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, February 23rd at the Evinrude Centre (911 Monaghan Rd., Peterborough).
Employers will have the opportunity to showcase their companies and employment opportunities while meeting with GE employees from a wide range of fields including engineers, programmers, production workers, lab technicians, and much more.
The event is free and lunch will be provided.
To register your interest, email Kris Dawson at kris.dawson@lhhknightsbridge.com.
Bill 148 and the construction industry breakfast session on February 27
The Great Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and the Peterborough Construction Association are hosting a breakfast session about the impact of Bill 148 on the construction industry.
The session takes place on Tuesday, February 27th at Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront (150 George St., Peterborough).
Experts from Sherrard Kuzz LLP will discuss changes to employment law resulting from Bill 148 and what they mean to the construction industry.
This presentation will go beyond changes to minimum wage to address all aspects of the new law and how it impacts business.
The breakfast buffet opens at 7 a.m. with speakers presenting from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. There will be time for questions after the presentation.
The cost of the session is $20+HST. Register here.
Tax preparation seminar for startups on February 28
The Innovation Cluster Peterborough and The Kawarthas is hosting a “Hands-ON” session with Adam Crowley of Gauvreau & Associates on Wednesday, February 28th.
The seminar will cover the tax differences between sole proprietorships and corporations, the tax return for sole proprietors including the Statement of Business Activities, special rules for deductible business expenses, how to record capital assests, filing deadlines and more.
The session takes place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the Innovation Cluster (270 George St. N., Peterborough). There’s no cost to attend, but you must register in advance at www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-tax-prep-for-startups-tickets-42239792356
2018 Win This Space competition finale on March 1
The finale of this year’s Win This Space entrepreneurial competition takes place on Thursday, March 1st at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough).
Ten businesses are competing to win a storefront for one year lease-free in downtown Peterborough, along with other prizes.
The 10 finalists are The Bicycle Museum by Dandyhorse Media, Bonita’s Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio, The Willow’s Bark, StayFit LifeStyle, Argania Natural Health Clinic, Alexander Frames, Best Wishes in a Basket, Baby Bop Teething Accessories, Escape Maze, and Scars and Strops Ltd.
The evening will begin with a cocktail hour and networking from 5:30 to 6 p.m., followed by the finale from 6 to 8 p.m.
For more information, visit winthisspace.com.
Hello, Baby! officially opening in downtown Peterborough on March 2
Hello, Baby! is hosting the official opening of its new pregnancy and parenting hub in downtown Peterborough on Friday, March 2nd.
Located at 239 Charlotte Street at Aylmer, just across the street from the Shoppers Drug Mart, the hub includes “The Gathering Space”, a safe and inviting place or you to feed babies, take a workshop, or join a club or group, and “The Wellness Studio”, which will host speakers, yoga and fitness classes, and mini-retreats.
Before opening their first brick-and-mortar location, owners Jennifer Avis and Stephanie Hayes were previously renting space for classes and events at Peterborough Living Yoga and The Monocle Centre for the Arts. In December 2017, they received a grant under the Starter Company Plus program administered by the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre.
The baby and toddler friendly official opening will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7 p.m., followed by a celebration featuring music, cake and refreshments, and goody bags.
“Bridges Out of Poverty” workshop for employers on March 7
The City and County of Peterborough Social Services, along with Agilec, Employment Ontario, Employment Planning & Counselling, Fleming Crew Employment Centre, and the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge, are hosting a free workshop for employers on “Bridges out of Poverty”.
The Bridges out of Poverty framework, which originated in the U.S. and has been adopted by other communities in Canada, aims to help people who grew up in poverty and educate the agencies who assist them. The workshop will provide information on the framework as well as the variety of financial incentives available for employers in the community. It will also provide information on understanding and retaining employees.
The free workshop takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7th at Agilec Peterborough office (Brookdale Plaza, 863 Chemong Rd, Unit 20-A). Refreshments will be served.
Space is limited. Register at bridgesforemployers.eventbrite.ca.
