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Peterborough swing bridges to be temporarily closed

By kawarthaNOW -
Over the next few weeks, Parks Canada is conducting spring maintenance on swing bridges in the Trent-Severn Waterway across the Kawarthas. Pictured is the Maria Street Swing Bridge in Peterborough, which connects Ashburnham Road to East City. It will be closed for 48 hours beginning April 20, 2018.

Parks Canada is preparing for the opening of the 2018 boating season on the Trent-Severn Waterway and will be conducting spring maintenance on some of its swing bridges and sites in the next few weeks.

Swing bridges in Peterborough will be temporarily closed, most significantly the Maria Street Swing Bridge, connecting Ashburnham Road to East City in Peterborough. It will be closed for two days beginning on Friday, April 20th. An alternate route from Ashburnham Road to East City is through the Peterborough Lift Lock tunnel.

The Parks Canada work on the bridges includes preventative maintenance tasks like washing and greasing swing bridges, and conducting visual inspections to ensure their safe operation.

The following swing bridges in Peterborough will be temporarily closed on the dates and times indicated, weather permitting:

  • McFarlane Street Bridge will be closed for 24 hours from 6 a.m. on Tuesday, April 10th until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, April 11th.
  • Warsaw Road Swing Bridge will be closed for five and a half hours from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1st.
  • Maria Street Swing Bridge will be closed for 48 hours from 6 a.m. on Friday, April 20th until 6 a.m. on Sunday, April 22nd.

Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes during these closures.

In addition to the temporary bridge closures listed above, Parks Canada will be conducting seasonal maintenance on certain bridges that cross the Trent-Severn Waterway beginning Monday, April 9th until mid May. This maintenance will not close the bridges, but vehicles may experience short delays of about 10 minutes.

Here is a list of the affected bridges:

  • Brighton Road Swing Bridge
  • Carrying Place Swing Bridge
  • Glen Ross Swing Bridge
  • Ranney Falls Swing Bridge (Campbellford)
  • Hastings Swing Bridge
  • Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge
  • Bolsover Swing Bridge
  • Boundary Road Swing Bridge
  • Lakeshore Road Swing Bridge
  • Couchiching Bridge
  • Hamlet Swing Bridge (on Canning Road near Washago)
  • Port Severn Swing Bridge

For more information about the Trent-Severn Waterway, visit www.parkscanada.gc.ca/trent.

nightlifeNOW – April 5 to 11

By kawarthaNOW -
Alt-rockers I Mother Earth and Finger Eleven launch their joint Canadian tour with a concert at The Venue in Peterborough on Wednesday, April 11th. The concert features an acoustic show with a Q&A period ahead of a full electric show; you can buy tickets for both shows or the electric show only. (Photo: Mini's Memories)

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, April 5 to Wednesday, April 11.

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.

Amandala's
ARIA
Arlington Pub
Arthur's Pub
Black Horse Pub
Boathouse Cafe at Golden Beach Resort
Boiling Over's Coffee Vault
The Cat & The Fiddle Cobourg
Chemong Lodge
The Church-key Pub & Grindhouse
Coach & Horses Pub
Dobro Restaurant & Bar
Dominion Hotel
Frank's Pasta and Grill
Ganaraska Hotel
The Garnet
Golden Wheel Restaurant
Gordon Best Theatre
Hot Belly Mama's
Junction Nightclub
McGillicafey's Pub & Eatery
McThirsty's Pint
The Mill Restaurant and Pub
Murphy's Lockside Pub & Patio
Oasis Bar & Grill
Pappas Billiards
Pastry Peddler
Pattie House Smokin' Barbecue
Publican House Brewery
Puck' N Pint Sports Pub
Red Dog Tavern
Riley's
The Social
Southside Pizzeria
The Venue
White House Hotel

Amandala's

375 Water St., Peterborough
(705) 749-9090

Thursdays

6:30pm - Thursday Night Jazz with the Mike Graham Band

ARIA

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

Friday, April 6

11pm - Bunny Hop After Party

Saturday, April 7

10:30pm - End of Classes ft. Young Bombs w/ DJ Muddler

Arlington Pub

32990 Highway 62, Maynooth
(613) 338-2080

Saturday, April 7

7pm - Jam for Jesse (benefit for Locherer-Hanna family) ft The Cedar Dogs, Unnatural Radio, Mary Milne, Albert Saxby, Jenny Katz, Chris Hayward, CT Rowe, Brad Culver ($10)

Coming Soon

Saturday, April 14
8pm - Anything Goes Cafe

Arthur's Pub

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

Thursday, April 5

8pm - Karaoke night

Friday, April 6

8pm - The Devlin Brothers

Saturday, April 7

8pm - Live music TBA

Sunday, April 8

4:30-8pm - Celtic Sunday w/ Madman's Window

Monday, April 9

6pm - Rob Phillips

Tuesday, April 10

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

Wednesday, April 11

8pm - Open mic

Black Horse Pub

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

Thursday, April 5

7:30-11pm - Jazz and Blues w/ Marsala Lukianchuk and the Rob Phillips Trio

Friday, April 6

5-8pm - Sean Hully; 8:30pm - Groove Authority

Saturday, April 7

5-8pm - Rick & Gailie; 8:30pm - House Brand

Sunday, April 8

3-6pm - Wylie Harold

Monday, April 9

7-11pm - Crash and Burn w/ Rick & Gailie

Tuesday, April 10

7pm - Open mic w/ Randy Hill

Wednesday, April 11

7pm - Nicholas Campbell

Coming Soon

Thursday, April 12
7:30-11pm - Jazz and Blues w/ Marsala Lukianchuk and the Rob Phillips Trio

Friday, April 13
5-8pm - Tonya Bosch; 8:30pm - Max Mouse and The Gorillas

Saturday, April 14
8:30pm - Backslash

Sunday, April 15
3-6pm - Christine Artrill and Mike Graham

Boathouse Cafe at Golden Beach Resort

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

Saturday, April 7

6-9pm - Todd Mason

Coming Soon

Saturday, April 14
6-9pm - Derrick Zuber

Boiling Over's Coffee Vault

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

Friday, April 6

7-9pm - A Tribute to Neil Young featuring Gerald Van Halteren & Larry Shepherd

Coming Soon

Friday, April 13
6-9pm - The Marion Drexler Trio

Friday, April 27
7pm - Rob Barg

The Cat & The Fiddle Cobourg

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

Friday, April 6

8pm - The Quickshifters

Chemong Lodge

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

Thursdays

5-9pm - Pianist Barry McMullen (dining room)

Fridays

5-9pm - Pianist Barry McMullen (dining room)

The Church-key Pub & Grindhouse

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

Thursday, April 5

8pm - Open mic and Ray on the Radio

Friday, April 6

5pm - Queen & Son; 9pm - Slow Leaves

Saturday, April 7

9pm - Slow Leaves

Monday, April 9

Trivial Pursuit

Tuesday, April 10

OpinioNation w/ Bill Davenport

Wednesday, April 11

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

Friday, April 6

9pm - Kevin Carley Band (no cover)

Saturday, April 7

9pm - High Waters Band (no cover)

Wednesday, April 11

Open stage

Dominion Hotel

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

Coming Soon

Friday, April 27
8pm - Lance Anderson and Roly Platt ($20, available at www.eventbrite.ca/e/canadian-blues-legends-anderson-platt-in-concert-tickets-42823752998)

Frank's Pasta and Grill

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

Friday, April 6

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

Saturday, April 7

8pm - Head Case; 11:30pm - DJ Milk Chocolate

Wednesday, April 11

8-11pm - Open Mic

Coming Soon

Saturday, April 14
8pm - Breezeway Band; 11:30pm - DJ McPimpin

Ganaraska Hotel

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

Friday, April 6

10pm - DJ Loco Joe

Saturday, April 7

2pm & 10pm - Itchy and Scatchy

Wednesday, April 11

8pm - Float Your Funny Too! Comedy Festival ft 7 stand-up comics ($25 per show or $60 for all 3 shows)

Coming Soon

Thursday, April 12
8pm - Float Your Funny Too! Comedy Festival ft Darren Frost w/ Angela Maiorano Thurston & Aaron WRty ($25 per show or $60 for all 3 shows)

Friday, April 13
8pm - Float Your Funny Too! Comedy Festival ft Comedy Roast Battle w/ 8 comics ($25 per show or $60 for all 3 shows)

Saturday, April 14
2pm & 10pm - Brave and Crazy

The Garnet

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

Thursday, April 5

5pm - Pints N Politics; 9pm - Ocarina of Time Tribute ft. The Koopa Troop & Peachykine ($10)

Friday, April 6

5pm - Forselli Friday w/ Matt Allen; 9pm - Hearing Trees w/ Paper Shakers, Rhys Climenhage ($10)

Saturday, April 7

9pm - Peace Sand Rest, Duncan Ivany, & Dead Nouveau ($3 or PWYC)

Tuesday, April 10

8pm - Rare Birds Salon (visual artists meet-up)

Wednesday, April 11

9:30pm - Peterborough, The Lipliners and Vivienne Wilder, Gordon Hyland & Benjamin Hermann

Coming Soon

Friday, April 13
James Burrows, Rachael Cardiello

Saturday, April 14
Deathsticks

Sunday, April 15
8pm - Sweet Roger, Nolan Hubbard, Brooklyn Doran, and St. Homer ($8)

Golden Wheel Restaurant

6725 Highway 7, Peterborough
(705) 749-6838

Thursday, April 5

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

Wednesday, April 11

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

Coming Soon

Saturday, April 14
7pm - Odd Man Rush ($20 for dinner and show)

Gordon Best Theatre

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

Coming Soon

Friday, April 20
9pm - The Odessa, ELMS, DBAS, garbageface ($10, $8 for students)

Hot Belly Mama's

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

Thursday, April 5

8pm - Quickshifters (PWYC)

Junction Nightclub

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

Friday, April 6

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

McGillicafey's Pub & Eatery

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

Thursday, April 5

7-11pm - Karaoke w/ Jefrey Danger

Friday, April 6

8pm - Cale Crowe

Wednesday, April 11

7-10:30pm - Open mic

McThirsty's Pint

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

Thursdays

9pm - Live music with Tony Silvestri / Greg Cave

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, April 5

7pm - Jazz Tonic

Coming Soon

Thursday, April 12
7pm - Northern Hearts

Murphy's Lockside Pub & Patio

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

Thursday, April 5

7:30pm - Open mic

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, April 5

7-10pm - Open Mic

Pastry Peddler

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

Sunday, April 8

1-4 pm - Jake Dudas

Coming Soon

Friday, April 13
5:30pm & 7:45pm - Jazz Dinner Weekend ft Glenn Tooth, Michael Monis & Howard Baer ($45 per person)

Saturday, April 14
5:30pm & 7:45pm - Jazz Dinner Weekend ft Glenn Tooth, Michael Monis & Howard Baer ($45 per person)

Pattie House Smokin' Barbecue

6675 Highway 35, Coboconk
(705) 454-8100

Saturday, April 7

CANCELLED - 8pm - B&B Blues Band

Publican House Brewery

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

Friday, April 6

8-10pm - Danny Bronson

Saturday, April 7

8-10pm - Rob Phillips

Coming Soon

Friday, April 13
8-10pm - Danny Bronson

Saturday, April 14
8-10pm - Rob Phillips

Puck' N Pint Sports Pub

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

Coming Soon

Saturday, May 5
10pm - Brookdale Mafia (Black Sabbath tribute)

Red Dog Tavern

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

Thursday, April 5

Diamond Dave

Friday, April 6

DJ Night w/ Mike Lee

Saturday, April 7

9pm - Hillary Dumoulin Fools Gold CD Release Party ($10 at door, advance tickets at www.ticketscene.ca/events/20577/)

Sunday, April 8

6-11pm - Kevin Devine ($10, available at www.ticketscene.ca/events/20569/)

Tuesday, April 10

9pm - Open mic w/ Matt Diamond (sign up at 8pm)

Coming Soon

Friday, April 13
10pm - Ian K w/ Present Tense

Friday, April 20
Borderless presents Goodnight Sunrise

Saturday, April 21
Silverhearts

Sunday, April 22
Birds of Belwood

Friday, April 27
8pm - Texas King ($10 at door)

Saturday, April 28
Rainbow

Saturday, May 5
9:30pm - New Swears ($10 in advance at www.ticketscene.ca/events/20591/)

Saturday, May 12
10pm - Frigs ($10 in advance at www.ticketscene.ca/events/20896/)

Thursday, May 17
9pm - Sloan ($25 in advance at www.ticketscene.ca/events/20814/, $30 at door)

Friday, May 25
10pm - The Box ($15 in advance at www.ticketscene.ca/events/20641/)

Thursday, May 31
10pm - Bif Naked ($25 in advance at www.ticketscene.ca/events/20815/)

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

The Social

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

Friday, April 6

10pm - Nashville Night

Saturday, April 7

10pm - Saturday Night Live

Southside Pizzeria

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

Fridays

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

The Venue

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

Wednesday, April 11

7pm - I Mother Earth & Finger Eleven ($34.99 or $62.50, available at www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1646010)

VIDEO: Finger Eleven & I Mother Earth perform Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill"

Coming Soon

Friday, June 1
7pm - RiseUp TV Tour Spring 2008 hosted by Roger Boucher and ft Ian Kurz, Taylor Merrick, Missy Knott, and more ($10)

White House Hotel

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

Saturday, April 7

2-6pm - Christine Atrill Band

Man steals vehicle and calls police when it runs out of gas

By kawarthaNOW -

Sometimes criminals are clever, other times not so much.

Yesterday (April 4th), officers from Central Hastings OPP responded to the theft of a motor vehicle from a residence off of Highway 62 in Centre Hastings.

Later, police received a call from a man requesting a tow truck because his vehicle had run out of gas.

Police arrived at the location given by the caller, County Road 14 and Wallbridge Loyalist Road in Quinte West, to find the vehicle abandoned and determined it had been stolen.

Two hours later, police located a man walking on Wallbridge Loyalist Road who they arrested.

A 35-year-old man from Centre Hastings is charged with theft of a motor vehicle, driving while under suspension, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. He was held for bail court on April 5th in Belleville.

New program to help Peterborough residents reduce waste by composting

By GreenUP -
GreenUP Environmental Education Coordinator Danica Jarvis shares resources from the new "Kitchen to Compost: Too Good to Waste" program with Environmental Educator Glen Caradus. The new program will see 150 new composters installed at Peterborough residences throughout the summer of 2018 to help reduce kitchen waste from taking up unnecessary space in the local landfill. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)

GreenUP is excited to announce a new partnership with the City of Peterborough. The “Kitchen to Compost: Too Good To Waste” program will commence in May and will include the delivery and installation of a composter, along with a comprehensive workshop on compost care — all for $20 plus tax.

A skilled installation team will also help answer questions and boost the confidence of new compost users. Eligible residents must live within the City of Peterborough and be new to composting.

Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Danica Jarvis, GreenUP Environmental Education Coordinator.

This new program comes alongside the announcement of a curbside organics program for the City of Peterborough that is set to commence in fall of 2019. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to look for ways to cut down on their own household waste and the Kitchen to Compost program can help. Our target is to install 150 composters throughout the city during the summer of 2018.

Composting has direct benefits for the environment, one of the biggest being that composting conserves landfill space. Ontario’s landfills are filling up and composting not only reduces the volume of waste going to landfill, it also reduces the production of greenhouse gases. Specifically, methane gas emissions are lowered when less food waste is added to landfill.

Environmental Educator Glen Caradus takes a look at the details of GreenUP's new "Kitchen to Compost: Too Good to Waste" program. For only $20 plus tax, GreenUP will deliver and install a composter to eligible Peterborough residents and also offer a comprehensive workshop on compost care. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
Environmental Educator Glen Caradus takes a look at the details of GreenUP’s new “Kitchen to Compost: Too Good to Waste” program. For only $20 plus tax, GreenUP will deliver and install a composter to eligible Peterborough residents and also offer a comprehensive workshop on compost care. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)

Composting completes the food cycle by returning plant scrap nutrients to the soil. Most farmers and avid gardeners will make soil amendments before planting for the season, and compost is a viable soil additive that can help enrich your garden beds with nutrients.

Related story

Curbside organics collection coming to Peterborough in 2019

Many gardeners refer to compost as “black gold” mostly due to its dark, earthy colour and nutrient rich content that is a valuable addition to your beds. Compost not only adds nutrients to the soil but also saves water. Organic matter retains almost 20 times its weight in water, acting like a soil sponge.

Those of you who are excited to get started composting should give GreenUP a call and book a date to have your composter installed. For residents who are already composting and are feeling discouraged by lack of success, here are some tips about how to get your composter back on track and summer-ready:

Unwanted Guests

To avoid unwanted guests, you will want to be sure to choose the right contents for your composter. To deter wildlife from snacking, do not put any meats, fats, or dairy products in your composter.

Be aware of what we call the nitrogen-to-carbon ratio, otherwise known as the greens and browns balance. A healthy composter should always have more browns (carbon) than greens (nitrogen). Greens are the waste items you bring from your kitchen such as veggie scraps and coffee grounds while the browns are yard waste items such as grass clippings and collected leaves.

“Any food waste placed in your composter should then be covered with browns such as leaves or a small amount of earth,” suggests Peterborough Waste Diversion Manager Virginia Swinson. “Since leaves are not readily available over the winter or even at this time of year, you can add shredded newspaper in their place. Cardboard egg cartons and recyclable paper towel can be used as well.”

If you have a persistent squirrel or raccoon, you can pest-proof your composter. Swinson suggests using a heavy gauge mesh along the bottom opening of the composter.

“Dig a shallow hole, around one inch deep, in which to place your composter. Then backfill with the dirt you dug out and surround the perimeter with rocks.”

 

Smell

You may be interested in composting but are concerned about the potential for offensive odours.

Unwanted smells can be avoided, both in your kitchen catcher and at the compost heap. Keep an eye on the moisture level in both areas to avoid any stinky scraps.

“If a composter gets too wet it may begin to smell,” Swinson explains.

Again, make sure you have more browns (leaves, newspaper, cardboard) in your composter, which will keep the moisture balanced.

If you are keeping your indoor food scraps in a countertop container, avoid placing it in the sun.

“If there is room, keep your kitchen catcher in the fridge, or a cool area under the counter,” Swinson advises. “Line your indoor pail with newspaper or paper towel to absorb liquids. This will help eliminate indoor odours and pests such as fruit flies.”

 

Aeration

Oxygen is also an important factor to consider in the process of compost breakdown.

Add oxygen to your composter by turning it once per week with a shovel or a pitchfork.

Once your compost is established, mix in newly added materials instead of layering. This will accelerate the process, providing you with nutrient-rich soil more quickly.

 

Patience

Even with the proper care, it can take a composter six months to fully decompose your scraps into valuable soil.

Temperature and moisture are limiting factors, even when you are doing everything right. Don’t give up, even during those cold winter months the process will likely slow down: that rich “black gold” will be worth the wait and your plants will thank you for it.

 

To sign up for the Kitchen to Compost program, please contact Danica Jarvis at 705-745-3238 ext 216 or email waste@greenup.on.ca.

If you wish to install your own composter or need a second unit, both the City and County of Peterborough provide composters to local residents for a nominal fee. These are available at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot on Pido Road, at the City and County offices, and at the GreenUP Store in downtown Peterborough at 378 Aylmer Street North.

Need more compost? Regardless of how much compost you produce at home, many gardeners are looking for even more “black gold” to add to their gardens. Small quantities can be purchased at GreenUP Ecology Park on a self-serve basis from May through October.

For further information about Ontario’s Waste Free Strategy, visit ontario.ca.

Adaptive Health Care Solutions helps people get back to work

By Paula Kehoe -
The health professionals at Adaptive Health Care Solutions in Peterborough work with employees along with their physicians, employers, and insurers to provide individualized services that restore health and function and prevent injury, illness, and disability. (Photo courtesy of Adaptive Health Care Solutions)

When a physical or mental health disability strikes an employee, it impacts their life, their employment and, in turn, their financial stability.

The employee’s team and the company’s productivity are also affected, which is why employers are typically on the lookout for ways to ensure their return-to-work programs are effective and focused on what’s best for injured workers.

Workplaces are also faced with increasing pressure to prevent and manage workplace injuries and integrate and accommodate workers with injuries and disabilities. Insurers and case managers are faced with greater complexity and cost and time pressures to manage disability claims and, at the same time, they want to do what is best for their claimant.

Dr. Fergal O'Hagan (centre) is Director of Research at Adaptive Health Care Solutions in downtown Peterborough. Dr. O'Hagan's work is dedicated to finding ways to help people adapt and heal so they can get back to work. (Photo courtesy of Adaptive Health Care Solutions)
Dr. Fergal O’Hagan (centre) is Director of Research at Adaptive Health Care Solutions in downtown Peterborough. Dr. O’Hagan’s work is dedicated to finding ways to help people adapt and heal so they can get back to work. (Photo courtesy of Adaptive Health Care Solutions)

What if there was a team of professionals who understood the seriousness of the situation, who met the employee with compassion, who worked closely with employer and insurer to customize a treatment plan to meet the needs of the employee’s case, and who offered work rehabilitation services to put he or she on a path forward to returning to work?

The health professionals at Adaptive Health Care Solutions help provide that answer to patients, their physicians, employers, and insurers who are looking for individualized services that restore health and function and prevent injury, illness and disability.

Adaptive Health offers a straightforward approach to disability management through an independent medical assessment, functional assessment, workplace assessment, occupational rehabilitation, and return-to-work coordination.

Adaptive Health’s Director of Research Fergal O’Hagan says mental health work disability is a particular concern.

“Currently, we are dealing with an increase in work disability and people leaving work due to mental health problems,” says O’Hagan. “People are struggling to keep up with the demands of their work environment. There’s a lot more use of technology, timelines are shorter, tasks are increasing in scope, and there’s more social stress as well.

“Employees who are facing those kinds of challenges wind up struggling to maintain their work life. We can help with that.”

An increasing number of people are leaving work due to mental health problems, as they struggle to meet the demands of their work environment. Adaptive Health Care Solutions, the only clinic in the area that focuses on mental health work disability, can help employees who are facing those kinds of challenges. Katherine McInnis (right) is Director of Operations at Adaptive Health Care Solutions and a Clinical Social Worker whose counselling practice encompasses a whole-person approach to mental health and well-being. (Photo: Adaptive Health Care Solutions)
An increasing number of people are leaving work due to mental health problems, as they struggle to meet the demands of their work environment. Adaptive Health Care Solutions, the only clinic in the area that focuses on mental health work disability, can help employees who are facing those kinds of challenges. Katherine McInnis (right) is Director of Operations at Adaptive Health Care Solutions and a Clinical Social Worker whose counselling practice encompasses a whole-person approach to mental health and well-being. (Photo: Adaptive Health Care Solutions)

Indeed, the Mental Health Commission of Canada offers a sobering statistic: 70 per cent of disability costs in the workplace are attributed to mental illness, and one-third of short and long-term disability claims are related to mental health problems.

O’Hagan notes that Adaptive Health is the only clinic in the area that focuses on mental health work disability.

Mental health work disability cases, he says, are a real challenge for insurers and employers. Claim costs and time lost are typically twice that of musculoskeletal disability cases (joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons, and structures that support limbs, neck, and back).

“In these situations, the employer can be at their wits’ end and don’t know what to do or where to start. Sometimes it’s just difficult for them to get a good handle on the problem, so they really appreciate our expertise in that,” says O’Hagan.

The clinic’s programs are designed to focus on work disability, including the physical and psychological symptoms and discomfort that the individual is experiencing, their interaction with their work, how their work is designed, and whether their work can be adapted to make it easier for them to do.

Dr. Fergal O'Hagan, Director of Research at Adaptive Health Care Solutions, holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from the University of Saskatchewan, a Master’s of Science in Adapted Human Biodynamics from McMaster University, and a Ph.D. in Exercise Science from the University of Toronto. (Photo courtesy of Adaptive Health Care Solutions)
Dr. Fergal O’Hagan, Director of Research at Adaptive Health Care Solutions, holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from the University of Saskatchewan, a Master’s of Science in Adapted Human Biodynamics from McMaster University, and a Ph.D. in Exercise Science from the University of Toronto. (Photo courtesy of Adaptive Health Care Solutions)

“We’re not just looking at the individual and their pain or their mental health problem. We’re looking at how the individual fits in their work environment and how we can improve that fit. Sometimes that involves eliciting support on the part of the employer such as with accommodation.”

For return-to-work to proceed swiftly and successfully, the claimant, employer, and insurer all need to be on the same page and shift the focus to ability from disability, says O’Hagan.

“We make sure that everybody involved in the work disability situation becomes part of the solution for the worker going back to their job.”

“We provide information to the employer about the worker in terms of the limitations they have, suggesting ways the employer might be able to accommodate,” he explains.

“The insurer is informed on progress and, for the worker, we don’t disclose any sensitive information with regard to their health, and we emphasize and encourage return to work as a positive outcome. Going back to work is part of the rehabilitation process.”

Related story

Adaptive Health Care Solutions treats the whole person, not just a list of symptoms

The more collaboration that takes place between an injured worker and their employer, the better the chances the individual is going to get back to work in a productive way.

O’Hagan says that insurers and employers are able to access and refer workers to Adaptive Health’s assessment and treatment programs.

They care for clients who have claims with WSIB, short-and long-term disability insurance, motor vehicle insurance, veteran’s affairs, and extended healthcare benefits.

Adaptive Health also has programs to prevent disability from occurring in the first place. Services range from ergonomics to physical and medical employment screening, to physical and psychological job analysis and work disability reduction education programs.

Adaptive Health Care Solutions is located at 270 Charlotte Street in downtown Peterborough. To inquire about services, call 705-874-1221 or visit www.adaptivehealth.ca for more information.

LLF Lawyers invites public to name Peterborough’s new public square

By Paul Rellinger -
Peterborough legal firm LLF Lawyers is sponsoring the new public square beside the Peterborough Public Library in the amount of $100,000, including $20,000 for the acquisition and installation of a new public art piece. Here Toronto architect Patrick Li poses with a model of his design that was chosen for the public square. LLF Lawyers is asking for the public to vote for one of seven selected names for the new public square. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW.com)

When a business puts up $100,000 for the right to name something, it’s tough to argue that the name chosen should clearly reflect the business and its generosity.

But there’s no such demand from LLF Lawyers, which is sponsoring a newly developed public square located at Simcoe and Aylmer Street adjacent to the newly renovated Peterborough Public Library.

Instead, the prominent local law firm is turning to the public to decide on the name.

Bill Lockington of LLF Lawyers (left) joins firm partners and architect Patrick Li (holding model) at the future site of the new public square at Aylmer and Simcoe streets adjacent to the Peterborough Public Library. LLF Lawyers is providing $100,000 through the City's Corporate Sponsorship program towards costs associated with the space's development and Li's design. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW.com)
Bill Lockington of LLF Lawyers (left) joins firm partners and architect Patrick Li (holding model) at the future site of the new public square at Aylmer and Simcoe streets adjacent to the Peterborough Public Library. LLF Lawyers is providing $100,000 through the City’s Corporate Sponsorship program towards costs associated with the space’s development and Li’s design. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW.com)

On Wednesday (April 4th) at the library, LLF Lawyers partner Bill Lockington revealed seven name choices for the space and invited the public to choose the winning name. The choices are:

  • Firehouse Square, in recognition of the Peterborough fire hall once located at the site of the current library.
  • Brigade Square, in recognition of the 1908 establishment of a permanent Peterborough fire brigade.
  • W. A. Howard Commons, in recognition of Peterborough’s first fire chief who served from 1908 to 1917.
  • Robertson Davies Square, in recognition of the novelist and long-time editor of The Peterborough Examiner.
  • Dr. Thomas Greer Square, in recognition of the original owner of the home that stood at the public space site.
  • Library Commons, in recognition of the library’s proximity to the space.
  • Carnegie Square, in recognition of the Carnegie Foundation’s 1911 contribution to the library built on George Street adjacent to what is now City Hall.
One of the seven options for the name of the new public square adjacent to the Peterborough Public Library is Robertson Davies Plaza, recognizing the acclaimed Canadian playwright and novelist who lived and worked in Peterborough from 1942 to 1963. (Photo: Peterborough Museum & Archives P-09-057-11)
One of the seven options for the name of the new public square adjacent to the Peterborough Public Library is Robertson Davies Plaza, recognizing the acclaimed Canadian playwright and novelist who lived and worked in Peterborough from 1942 to 1963. (Photo: Peterborough Museum & Archives P-09-057-11)

LLF worked with city staff to compile a short list of seven names that reflect the community’s heritage and history and demonstrate a commitment to public access to and use of the space. For more information about the name choices, visit peterborough.ca.

People can vote online for their preferred name at www.surveymonkey.com/r/MGL63RD, or you can vote in person with ballots available at Peterborough City Hall and the library. Voting is open until Friday, April 20th with the name to be announced April 25th.

“It was never our intention that this space be named after our law firm,” stressed Lockington, whose firm is located on Aylmer Street directly across from the library and a stone’s throw from the public space.

“This is a community property and it’s a community investment, so the community should name it. This was a really great opportunity to do something in this area. We’re going to get enhanced infrastructure in this community we wouldn’t get otherwise. It’s our neck of the woods. It just made a lot of sense.”

Architect's concept drawing of the new public plaza to be adjacent to the new Peterborough Public Library, with Bethune Street at the left (west), Aylmer Street at the right (east), and Simcoe Street at the top (north). (Drawing: Daniel J. O'Brien & Associates)
Architect’s concept drawing of the new public plaza to be adjacent to the new Peterborough Public Library, with Bethune Street at the left (west), Aylmer Street at the right (east), and Simcoe Street at the top (north). (Drawing: Daniel J. O’Brien & Associates)

For his part, City of Peterborough Sponsorship Co-ordinator Scott Elliott is thrilled LLF Lawyers has stepped up to the plate, adding it’s the city’s largest sponsorship to date dollar-wise.

LLF Lawyers’ sponsorship of the public square amounts to $100,000 over 20 years, with an initial $20,000 to cover the acquisition of a piece of public art and the balance divided into equal annual increments over the remainder of the time.

And, as Elliott pointed out, LLF Lawyers’ willingness to give away the naming rights hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“A national publication, very specialized in the sponsorship industry, contacted me directly,” he said. “They heard about this sort of new and unique thing happening in the City of Peterborough where someone was purchasing a naming right but didn’t want to name it after themselves. It’s very rare and it has garnered some national attention in the sponsorship industry.”

“This is outside the way traditional government operates. It’s important we find out what’s working, what’s not working, what are our challenges, where are the successes. There are always opportunities. It’s about creativity, it’s about marketing, it’s about achieving business objectives.

“Bigger cities like Toronto and Ottawa have had (public sponsorship) programs for upwards of 20 years. In that sense, we may be catching up but I would still say Peterborough is ahead of the curve on this for the most part.”

While the gathering’s primary purpose was to release details of the name voting procedure and LLF Lawyers’ sponsorship, it was also an opportunity for Toronto architect Patrick Li to display a model of “Your Story”, his artwork that will call the new public space home.

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)
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)

According to artist and Peterborough Public Art Advisory Committee chair Bruce Stonehouse, a call for submissions brought interest from 20 artists and designers with three chosen to further develop their proposals and submit a model.

Li’s design was chosen by a selection committee comprised of: 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 of the City’s Public Art Advisory Committee.

“One work stood high,” Stonehouse said in reference to Li’s design. “The sculpture is engaging. It’s big, bold and beautiful. The form is like a twisting torso with energy it is just about to release. It’s alive, dynamic, and far from being static.”

At an earlier gathering announcing his artwork had been selected, Li gave his own take.

“This sculpture is made by the undulated fin-like columns to be reminiscent of a book cover that is twisting in the wind,” he said.

“There is movement to make the sculpture feel alive. Each person who walks inside it will have a chance to experience this fluidity and discover their own journey.”

According to Elliott, tenders to develop the public space have gone out with the work expected to be completed before year’s end.

For more information about the city’s corporate and small business sponsorship opportunities, visit www.peterborough.ca/sponsorpeterborough.

Man arrested after teen sexually assaulted at Lindsay Square mall

By kawarthaNOW -

A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a reported sexual assault at the Lindsay Square mall.

On Tuesday (April 3th), a 16-year-old female was shopping at a store in mall when she was approached by a stranger who grabbed her in a sexual manner.

After the victim pushed her assailant away, he exited the store. A Kawartha Lakes Police Service investigation into the reported assault resulted in a suspect being identified.

Later in the day, police received information on the suspect’s whereabouts and, shortly before 8 p.m., arrested the suspect without incident at a Wellington Street residence.

The accused man is charged with one count of sexual assault, breach of a recognizance, and breach of a probation order. He will appear in a Lindsay court this afternoon (April 4th) for a bail hearing.

Kawartha Lakes Police Service have not released the name of the accused man.

What’s new from the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism – April 4, 2018

By kawarthaNOW -
Sarah Burke, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region, will be the guest speaker at the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism's Volunteer Breakfast on April 18, 2018 at Burleigh Falls Inn & Suites.

Employment Standards Act Information Session – April 4th

Tonight (Wednesday, April 4th), the Kawartha Chamber is hosting a workshop on the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) including recent changes to labour laws under the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 (Bill 148).

The session will include a speaker from the Ministry of Labour who will cover details on minimum wage, hours of work, public holidays, leave of absence, termination, and more. A question and answer period will follow.

While all employers are aware of the recent changes to minimum wage, many have not yet recognized the impact of the new method of calculating statutory holiday pay or the requirement to provide up to 10 (including two paid) personal emergency leave days. Attend this session to be certain you are compliant with the ESA.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and the guest speaker will be introduced at 5:15 p.m. The session is taking place at the Lakefield Legion, 10 Nicholls Street. All business professionals are welcome and encouraged to attend. Admission is free, but please register so the Chamber can arrange for enough seating. Contact the Chamber office at 705-652-6963 or email events@kawarthachamber.ca for more details.

To make efficient use of the Q&A time, attendees are encouraged to send their questions in advance. Please email them to generalmanager@kawarthachamber.ca.

The Chamber thanks its professional development sponsor Lynn Woodcroft, Sales Representative with Royal LePage Frank Real Estate, and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 77.

 

Chamber hiring summer staff

Chamber 2018 summer staff positions

The Chamber is now accepting applications for three summer staff positions: Marketing & Tourism Assistant in Lakefield, Tourism Outreach Assistant in Buckhorn, and Special Events & Tourism Assistant in Lakefield, Buckhorn and area.

Visit www.kawarthachamber.ca/jobs for details.

Qualified applicants are invited to email a cover letter and resume by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 13th to generalmanager@kawarthachamber.ca, indicating the job title in the subject line.

 

Welcome Baby Griffin!

William "Griffin" Cuppy.
William “Griffin” Cuppy.

The Chamber is pleased to announce that Membership Coordinator, Jasmine Sager, has welcomed a baby boy!

William “Griffin” Cuppy was born on March 27th at 1:01 PM, weighing 8 lbs, 5 oz.

Congratulations Jasmine, Tyler, Hadley, and Hannah on your new addition!

 

Sarah Burke, CEO of Habitat Peterborough, guest speaker at Chamber Breakfast – April 18

Chamber volunteer breakfast

Join the Chamber for breakfast on Wednesday, April 18th, with guest speaker Sarah Burke.

Sarah is the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region. She has seen tremendous growth over the last 11 years she has been employed by the affiliate. When she first started in 2007, the affiliate was a consistent one-home-a-year builder, employed five FTE staff and brought in less than $400,000 in ReStore revenues. In 2018, the affiliate is building for and thus will serve six local families, employee 22 FTE staff, and is expected to surpass $1.3 million is ReStore revenues.

The Chamber’s Annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast is taking place at Burleigh Falls Inn & Suites from 7:30 to 9 a.m. The cost is $20+HST and includes a full country breakfast buffet. Breakfast is complimentary for Chamber volunteers.

While this event honours the Chamber’s volunteers, all are welcome to attend. Register here.

The Chamber thanks its networking event sponsor, Blue Diamond Window Cleaning.

 

Gala Committee Members Wanted

The Chamber is in search of Committee Members for the Awards of Excellence Gala.

If you are interested in volunteering on the Gala Committee, please email Stacey at membership@kawarthachamber.ca.

 

Save the Date: Upcoming Chamber Events

  • May 9th – BOSS Mental Health in the Workplace, Lakefield Legion
  • May 23rd – Provincial All Candidates Meeting
  • June 13th – BAH Woodview Hop

 

Ontario Helping Young People Find Jobs

MPP Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development and Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal, Minister Responsible for Small Business, check out some of the produce at Morello's Independent Grocer. (Photo: Office of Jeff Leal)
MPP Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development and Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal, Minister Responsible for Small Business, check out some of the produce at Morello’s Independent Grocer. (Photo: Office of Jeff Leal)

Ontario is helping young people find jobs and supporting employers by providing businesses with financial incentives to hire youth aged 15 to 29.

Jeff Leal, Minister Responsible for Small Business, made the announcement on April 3rd at Morello’s Independent Grocer in Peterborough alongside Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development.

The Employing Young Talent Incentive helps young people find jobs by offering:

  • Small businesses with less than 100 employees, an initial $1,000 incentive upon hiring and an additional $1,000 retention incentive after six months for each youth hired through Employment Service.
  • Business owners of any size an initial $1,000 incentive after three months of hiring, followed by an additional $1,000 retention incentive after six months, for hiring youth who face barriers to employment through the Youth Job Connection program.

Read more.

 

Quality of Life & Jobs Summit – April 11th

The third annual Peterborough-Kawartha Quality of Life & Jobs Summit is taking place on Wednesday, April 11th, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the McDonnel St. Activity Centre (577 Mcdonnel St., Peterborough).

Organized by Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Maryam Monsef, this year’s summit will focus on the factors that influence how we participate in our communities and how we can forge new connections to improve our experiences in life and work.

The goal of this year’s summit is to develop an action plan that will engage all sectors and members of our community in improving our overall quality of life and the economic opportunities that exist throughout Peterborough-Kawartha.

Bringing together community members, innovators, artists, employers, and employees, the summit will be an afternoon of networking, learning, and connecting the needs of our community with the potential of our people.

RSVP in advance or contact Maryam Monsef’s constituency office at 705-745-2108 or email Maryam.Monsef.C1A@parl.gc.ca.

 

Abbeyfield House Society of Lakefield Gala Fundraising Concert – April 23nd

Abbeyfield House Society of Lakefield Gala Fundraising Concert

Abbeyfield Society of Lakefield is pleased to announced its Gala Fundraising Concert on Monday, April 23rd at the Selwyn Outreach Centre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are available online and will also be available at Kawartha Home Hardware and Happenstance Books & Yarns in Lakefield, and at Long & McQuade in Peterborough.

The evening will feature the Cory Gleison Choir from Cardiff, Wales, and a special appearance by Rhythm & Grace. Come out and enjoy an enjoyable evening of exciting musical entertainment to help support building the first Abbeyfield House in Lakefield — a unique alternative housing option for Lakefield seniors. For more information, call 705-652-3856.

 

Upcoming Events

  • Performing Arts Lakefield – The Happy Pals New Orleans Party Orchestra – April 6th
  • Taste of Europe at the BCC – April 7th
  • Lakefield Literary Festival Spring Event – April 9th
  • Social Media for Beginners, Trent Lakes – April 12th

 

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.

Community Futures Peterborough means business

By Tammy Thorne -
Located in downtown Peterborough, Community Futures Peterborough provides flexible financing options and a wide variety of services to help businesses thrive. Governed by a volunteer board of directors, the not-for-profit organization's staff include (from left to right): Executive Director Gail Moorhouse, Entrepreneurial Training Program Coordinator Siam Grobler, Office Administrator Michelle Foster, Business and Loans Officer Ryan Plumpton, and Program Administrator Pat Peeling. (Photo: Tammy Thorne / kawarthaNOW.com)

Like every ecosystem, there are many components that are critical to the survival of the whole, but some organisms — or in this case, organizations — provide more sustenance than others.

Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) is one of those critical players in the ever-growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

CFP provides flexible financing options and a wide variety of services to help small and medium-sized companies, from retail to not-for-profit, thrive.

Anything from hairdressers to plastics fabrication, from craft brewers to concrete contractors, from spin studios like Full Tilt Cycle to rural restaurants like Peachy Keene — no business idea is off limits when it comes to working with CFP.

CFP Executive Director Gail Moorhouse says entrepreneurs are an essential part of the economy in Peterborough city and county.

“If you take a look at the demographics and the changes that are happening you see real business opportunities are happening through entrepreneurial start-ups and the development of new businesses. So, yes, entrepreneurs are very important to the ecosystem as they are providing new jobs,” she says, adding that CFP saw an increase in the number of young female entrepreneurs in the region last year.

Tiny Greens is a great example of a new business run by Tina Bromley that worked with CFP. Tiny Greens was the inaugural winner of Peterborough’s Win This Space competition in 2017.

Moorhouse says the key to success is partnering wisely, and that’s why they frequently refer their clients to other community partners.

“We fit into the financial slot,” she says. “We understand who does what well, so we don’t replicate services. So I would say probably the first thing we do is partner. We work with the Innovation Cluster, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development, Fleming College, the DBIA, and others.

“We work together. We refer to partners, and then we provide the financial services to the clients once they are ready to move forward with their business.

She says working with other partners who specialize in business planning — like the Business Advisory Centre at Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) — to help future entrepreneurs improve their plans or fine-tune their pitch, is what can make the difference when applying for funding.

Community Futures Peterborough Executive Director Gail Moorhouse during a recent session on Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) funding. "Our goal is to be a leader in the region by developing and supporting the growth and expansion of local business and employment opportunities". (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)
Community Futures Peterborough Executive Director Gail Moorhouse during a recent session on Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) funding. “Our goal is to be a leader in the region by developing and supporting the growth and expansion of local business and employment opportunities”. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)

Ryan Plumpton, CFP Business and Loan Officer, says the newest craft brewery in town, Beard Free Brewing, is a great example of how CFP can help small businesses achieve their goals.

“I remember Beard Free Brewing were so grateful to get our micro-loan and now they’re open and they’re producing,” Plumpton says. “Just seeing how far those three have gone from when they first came in with an idea … we weren’t really sure how we could work together, but we did and we mentored them along to their launch. This was a great example where our flexible financing was key to their success.”

Another key to start-up success is passion — and a good plan.

“It can work both ways sometimes,” Plumpton says. “You might have an awesome plan but you can’t deliver it the way you want, or you might not have the best plan but they believe in you and your passion. Everyone is at a different point in the game. Sometimes it’s just an idea on a napkin, and so we send them to PKED to work out a business plan.”

Ryan Plumpton, Business and Loans Officer at Community Futures Peterborough. "Where a lot of other financial institutions are really set in stone as to what they can and cannot do, we are really able to look at things in a different way." (Photo: Tammy Thorne / kawarthaNOW.com)
Ryan Plumpton, Business and Loans Officer at Community Futures Peterborough. “Where a lot of other financial institutions are really set in stone as to what they can and cannot do, we are really able to look at things in a different way.” (Photo: Tammy Thorne / kawarthaNOW.com)

“Others need a financial plan, so we have services like workshops,” he says, pointing to recent workshops on how to apply for Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) funding and how to give the perfect pitch.

“We recently held a workshop on how to pitch the key three things about your business in five minutes,” Moorhouse says. “What we needed to know is: Who are you? (Because I want to see passion.) What is your ask and how are you going to use it? What is the impact to the community? How many jobs will you create? How many tourists will you bring? Et cetera.”

“We show them how to put all those things together to make a successful pitch. We want to make it as easy as possible for these potential entrepreneurs. You don’t see passion in a written application.”

Once the plan is complete and the pitch is fine-tuned, loan applicants will often be asked to directly pitch their business proposal to CFP’s loans committee for approval. All decisions are then ratified by the board of directors.

“Our board is really all about paying it forward,” adds Moorhouse, noting that they are currently recruiting two additional members (all Community Futures programs are not-for-profit corporations locally managed by volunteer board of directors.)

The loans committee is comprised of members from the board who, Moorhouse says, collectively possess a “really great breadth of experience.” Microloans under $20,000 have a quick turn around and larger requests are reviewed by the loans committee.

“We are not your traditional lender,” Plumpton says. “We’re willing to look at it from any angle. Where a lot of other financial institutions are really set in stone as to what they can and cannot do, we are really able to look at things in a different way.”

“Our goal is to be a leader in the region by developing and supporting the growth and expansion of local business and employment opportunities,” Moorhouse adds.

“A major measurement of our success is the impact we have in maintaining and creating jobs in our community.”

CFP is one of 61 Community Futures programs in Ontario, and 269 across Canada for which funding is provided via various federal agencies. Contact CFP at 705-745-5434 or info@cfpeterborough.ca or in person at 351 Charlotte Street in downtown Peterborough. For more information, visit communityfuturespeterborough.ca.

World premiere performance fuses contemporary and Indian classical dance

By kawarthaNOW -
Public Energy presents the world premiere of "Snowangels" by choreographer Deepti Gupta, which will be performed by four dancers from her company Arzoo Dance Theatre on April 6 and 7 at Peterborough's Market Hall, along with "The Lion's Roar", a solo dance performance by Gupta. (Supplied photo)

Public Energy is wrapping up its 24th season this weekend with the world premiere of Snowangels by Ottawa-based choreographer Deepti Gupta with her company Arzoo Dance Theatre, along with Gupta’s solo performance of The Lion’s Roar.

Two performances of Snowangels and The Lion’s Roar will take place, at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 6th and Saturday, April 7th, at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough).

Gupta and her Arzoo Dance Theatre are no strangers to Peterborough audiences, who have seen her experiments with new forms of dance at least twice before.

Choreographer Deepti Gupta (second from left) with dancers Aasttha Khajuria, Parul Gupta, and Reshmi Chetram-Dav of Ottawa's Arzoo Dance Theatre. Gupta will perform her solo dance "The Lion's Roar". (Supplied photo)
Choreographer Deepti Gupta (second from left) with dancers Aasttha Khajuria, Parul Gupta, and Reshmi Chetram-Dav of Ottawa’s Arzoo Dance Theatre. Gupta will perform her solo dance “The Lion’s Roar”. (Supplied photo)

In 2007, she presented Collision/Collusion, a program of contemporary Kathak dance featuring a collaboration with a jazz quintet and Peterborough video artist Lester Alfonso. In 2003, Gupta brought the world premiere of Rubies, an experiment in using the ancient martial art form Chhau, also featuring Alfonso’s video art.

Public Energy presents
Snowangels and The Lion’s Roar

When: Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 8 p.m.
Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough)
How much: $23 ($15 students/underwaged, $8 high school students)

‘Snowangels’ choreographed by Deepti Gupta and performed by Parul Gupta, Aasttha Khajuria, Barkha Patel, and Noah Damer. Score/sound design by Nick Storring, lighting design by Simon Rossiter. ‘The Lion’s Roar’ choreographed and performed by Deepti Gupta with score/sound design by Nick Storring. A Q&A with the artists will follow each performance. Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org.

Performed by four dancers (Noah Damer, Barkha Patel, Aasttha Khajuria, and Parul Gupta), the 35-minute Snowangels explores the newcomer encounter with snow, and the ongoing experience every Canadian has with this mysterious, startling phenomenon of nature.

As an immigrant from India, Gupta has always been fascinated by the magical transformations of the snow, from snow angel to snow drift to snowflake, and been inspired by the visual grandeur and sensuality of the snowscapes depicted in classic Canadian landscape painting.

In the storytelling tradition of Kathak, Snowangels also pays homage to the snow myths and spirits of Canada. The music features a traditional Indian Tarana sung by renowned classical Indian vocalist Meeta Pandit. Like an aria, it is a soaring vocal solo that paints emotional landscapes.

Gupta’s solo dance, The Lion’s Roar, depicts the inner journey of Queen Srimala as she confronts demons and ultimately reaches her true being as a great Buddhist teacher. The work is based on The Sutra of the Lion’s Roar, a Buddhist text written by Queen Srimala of the Kosala dynasty in the third century BC in central India.

Toronto-based composer and musician Nick Storring provides the score for both Snowangels and The Lion's Roar. (Supplied photo)
Toronto-based composer and musician Nick Storring provides the score for both Snowangels and The Lion’s Roar. (Supplied photo)

Both Snowangels and The Lion’s Roar are scored by Toronto-based composer and musician Nick Storring, the winner of the Canadian Music Centre’s 2011 Toronto Emerging Composer Award. In addition to providing original music for choreographers, Storring’s recent commissions include a piece for Arraymusic, Montréal’s AKOUSMA Festival, a solo harp work funded by the Canadian Music Centre’s Norman Burgess Fund, and a solo piano work, Byland, for Eve Egoyan.

Storring’s score for Snowangels combines elements of contemporary and classical music with the rhythms of Indian classical music.

“What we are doing is so new, so cutting-edge, that there is not a lot of history for it,” Gupta says in an interview with Public Energy performance curator Victoria Mohr-Blakeney.

“We’re really in new territory here. It was very difficult for the dancers — the dancers felt very lost for a time. After they got used to it, they found an immense freedom for movement and expression.”

A noted scholar, teacher, and choreographer both in Canada and in India, Gupta is a dancer and choreographer of Kathak, one of the 10 major forms of Indian classical dance.

"Snowangels" will be performed by dancers Noah Damer, Barkha Patel, Aasttha Khajuria, and Parul Gupta of the Arzoo Dance Theatre. (Supplied photos)
“Snowangels” will be performed by dancers Noah Damer, Barkha Patel, Aasttha Khajuria, and Parul Gupta of the Arzoo Dance Theatre. (Supplied photos)

The origin of Kathak is traditionally attributed to the travelling bards of ancient northern India known as Kathakars or storytellers. The term Kathak is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word “Katha” which means story and “Kathaka” which means “the one who tells a story”.

Gupta has performed extensively in Canada, India, the US, and the UK, both as a soloist as well as with her company. Her choreographic work is at the leading edge of contemporary South Asian dance. She has collaborated with a diverse range of international musicians, designers, digital and new media artists.

Deepti Gupta will perform her solo dance work "The Lion's Roar". (Photo: Purva Singh)
Deepti Gupta will perform her solo dance work “The Lion’s Roar”. (Photo: Purva Singh)

Her work has been presented by the National Arts Centre, National Gallery of Canada, the Canada Dance Festival, Kalanidhi Fine Arts, Raga Mala of Canada, Danceworks, Peterborough New Dance, Banff Centre for the Arts, Tangente, Harbourfront Centre as well as many community presenters across Canada.

Her choreographies have been critically acclaimed in the New York Times, the Village Voice, and Dance Connection Magazine, which wrote “Gupta brings together dance, set, costume, and score in a highly organic way … (she) firmly establishes herself as a choreographer with a distinctly original contemporary voice.”

Tickets for Snowangels and The Lion’s Roar are $23 general admission, or $15 for students and underwaged, and $8 for high school students. All tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.

There will be a question-and-answer session with the artists immediately following the show on both nights, with a reception on Friday night.

In addition to the public performances, Gupta will be giving a free artist’s talk, “Decoding Classical Indian Dance”, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 5th in Bagnani Hall at Traill College (300 London St., Peterborough), as well as an introductory class on Kathak dance from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 7th at the Market Hall (the cost is $12, register in advance by emailing admin@publicenergy.ca).

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