A group of cyclists using a bike lane in Peterborough. The Province of Ontario will be providing 120 municipalities (including the city and county of Peterborough, Cobourg, and Kawartha Lakes) with $93 million in funding for new bike lanes and to improve cycling infrastructure. (Photo: GreenUP)
The city and county of Peterborough, Cobourg, and the City of Kawartha Lakes are among 120 municipalities in Ontario to receive $93 million in funding from the province for new bike lanes or to enhance other cycling infrastructure.
Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation, and Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, made the announcement in Toronto today (December 4).
The funding is provided under the four-year Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling Program, part of Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan, and is funded by proceeds from the province’s cap on pollution and carbon market.
The $93 million doubles the initial $42.5 million the province announced earlier this year.
The City of Toronto is the largest single recipient of the funding, with $25.6 million going to help the city deliver its 10-year cycle network plan and to expand the Bike Share Toronto system with up to 300 new Bike Share locations, 3,000 bikes, and 6,000 docks.
In the Kawarthas, the City of Peterborough will receive $841,499, the County of Peterborough $300,090, Cobourg $202,856, and the City of Kawartha Lakes $25,000.
Municipalities applied to the province to get funding and there will be additional opportunities in the future to apply for funding under the program.
When Neil Young was in Omemee on Friday, Bobcaygeon apparel company Douglas + Son referred his team to PTBO Northern Originals, which provided a couple of Omemee t-shirts for Neil and his partner Daryl Hannah. (Photo: PTBO Northern Originals)
In this week’s businessNOW, we feature two local businesses that provided Neil Young and Daryl Hannah with some souvenirs, a new travel mug invented at Trent University that keeps your coffee and tea at a safe drinking temperature, a Premier’s Award for an entrepreneur who graduated from Fleming College, recent changes affecting local Peterborough media, award-winning entrepreneurs, and more business news and events.
Two local businesses provide Neil Young and Daryl Hannah with local souvenirs
While visiting Douglas + Son in Bobcayegon, the girlfriend of Neil Young’s manager picked up two “Courage” fundraising t-shirts, an original design by Douglas + Son honouring the late Gord Downie. (Photo: Douglas + Son)
When Neil Young was in Omemee for his hometown concert on Friday (December 1), two local businesses had the opportunity to provide Neil Young and Daryl Hannah with some souvenirs.
First, a woman named Dana visited Douglas + Son (68 Bolton St., Bobcaygeon, 705-957-5702), which sells retail vintage goods and also carries their own original designs reproduced on wearables.
It turns out Dana is the girlfriend of Neil Young’s manager Elliot Roberts, and she hung out for the afternoon chatting with Douglas + Son co-owner Sacha Douglas.
According to Sacha’s husband and Douglas + Son co-owner Bill, the two hit it off and Dana invited Sacha and Bill to attend the Neil Young concert in Omemee that night.
Dana also picked up two of Douglas + Son’s “Courage” fundraising t-shirts — an original design honouring the late Gord Downie. Douglas + Son donates $10 from the sale of every shirt to the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund.
The Omemee t-shirt from PTBO Northern Originals supplied to Neil Young and Daryl Hannah. (Photo: PTBO Northern Originals)
While this was going on, Douglas + Son also got a call from Neil’s team, who were trying to locate an Omemee-themed t-shirt. They referred Neil’s team to PTBO Northern Originals, which carries an Omemee tee.
Neil’s team phoned PTBO Northern Originals to reserve a pair of Omemee tees for Neil and Daryl, and dropped by on Friday to pick them up.
PTBO Northern Originals owner Mike Watt says when they originally designed the Omemee t-shirt they had Neil in mind, which is why the shirt integrates the letters “N” and “Y” in the design. Maybe we’ll see Neil wearing the Omemee tee during a future concert.
PTBO Northern Originals t-shirts are available at Flavour Fashion (383 George St., Peterborough, 705-741-0016 or online at ptbonorthernoriginals.com.
For more information about Douglas + Son, visit douglasandson.ca.
The original version of this story has been corrected with information provided by Bill Douglas of Douglas + Son.
Trent University researchers invent new travel mug to keep hot liquids at a safe drinking temperature
Donald Fraser of Trent University Alumni Affairs with the Prolong Travel Mug and its inventor, Dr. Suresh Narine, Director of the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research and Professor of Physics & Astronomy and Chemistry at Trent University. (Photo courtesy of Donald Fraser)
Dr. Suresh Narine, director of the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research at Trent University and one of the world’s foremost authorities and leading scientists in the groundbreaking field of biomaterials, has designed a new travel mug that keeps hot liquids at a safe drinking temperature of 65° C.
The Prolong Travel Mug is based on the original vacuum flask designed and invented in 1892 by Scottish scientist Sir James Dewar as a result of his research in the field of cryogenics (the most well-known type is called a “thermos”, the brand name of the leading manufacturer of vacuum flasks).
A vacuum flask keeps liquid hot or cold by inhibiting both the transfer of heat from the liquid inside the flask to the outside, and the transfer of heat from outside the flask to the liquid inside. The interior chamber of the flask is made from a thin material (glass, metal, or plastic) with a silver coating on the inside that reduces heat transfer by radiation (infrared), a near vacuum surrounding the inner chamber reduces heat transfer by conduction and convection, and the screw-in cap prevents heat transfer by convection. In addition, the case surrounding the near vacuum chamber provides additional insulation.
A standard vacuum flask uses a near vacuum to keep liquids hot or cold. The Prolong Travel Mug replaces the vacuum with a phase change material made of soybean oil that reduces hot liquids to a safe drinking temperature and keeps them at that temperature for up to three hours.
To reduce hot liquids to a safe drinking temperature and keep them there, Dr. Narine’s design replaces the near vacuum with what is called a “phase change material” — a substance that melts and solidifies at certain temperatures and is capable of storing and releasing large amounts of energy when it changes from one phase to another. For the Prolong Travel Mug, the phase change material is made out of soybean oil from Ontario soybeans. At room temperature or colder, the material is in a crystalline state. When hot liquid enters the flask, the material absorbs some of the heat from the liquid and melts in the process.
“In this way, it reduces the temperature of the beverage very quickly to safe drinking temperature — that’s 65 degrees Celsius”, Dr. Narine says in a interview on CBC Radio’s Ontario Morning program. “Interestingly, if your beverage cools below a temperature that is too cold, the material re-crystalizes and gives the heat back. In this manner, it keeps your beverage at a safe and pleasurable temperature for more than three hours.”
So how did Dr. Narine arrive at the temperature of 65° C as a safe drinking temperature? It has less to do with comfort and more to do with health. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization has classified drinking beverages hotter than 65° C as a “probable” carcinogen, after conducting a meta-review of research suggesting a correelation between drinking liquids above this temperature and esophageal cancer.
The Prolong Travel Mug is available for $40 online at prolongmug.com
Fleming College alumnus and entrepreneur Duane Parnham receives Premier’s Award
Fleming College alumnus Duane Parnham, President and CEO of Broadway Gold Mining Ltd.
Fleming College alumnus Duane Parnham has received a Premier’s Award for his business achievements and contributions to education.
The 1985 graduate of the Frost Campus (Mineral Engineering Technology/Geological Technician) is President and CEO of Broadway Gold Mining Ltd. Since 1996, his companies have created hundreds of jobs and generated over $1.2 billion in shareholder value.
In 2011, he and his family established the Parnham Foundation to support underprivileged, impoverished, or otherwise disadvantaged students from the southwest African country of Namibia to pursue a diploma at Fleming College. Also in 2011, the Parnham family donated $1 million to Fleming’s Frost Campus to create the Parnham Training Centre for Resources Drilling Technician students. A portion of the donation went toward new drilling equipment and created an endowed fund to provide financial assistance for students.
More recently, Parnham has been involved in Fleming College’s campaign to raise funds for the new GeoCentre at the Frost Campus. The campaign is aiming to raise $1.5 million toward the renovation project that will create new state-of-the-art geology labs and classrooms as well as for programs and student financial assistance.
Recent changes in Peterborough’s media landscape
Torstar Corp. and Postmedia Network Canada Corp announced a deal that closed Northumberland Today and placed the Peterborough Examiner under the ownership of Metroland Media. (Photo: Wikipedia)
Last Monday (November 27), Torstar Corp. and Postmedia Network Canada Corp announced a deal that closed Northumberland Today and placed the Peterborough Examiner under the ownership of Metroland Media — the same company that operates Peterborough This Week.
Both the Peterborough Examiner (which publishes daily) and Peterborough This Week (which publishes twice a week) have stated both newspapers will continue to operate separately and independently. However, it remains to be seen if having the two competing media companies under common ownership will not eventually result in operational changes.
In other local media news, Peterborough’s politics and culture newspaper Electric City Magazine (which publishes monthly) will be purchased by the Resonance Centre for Social Evolution, a collective that runs Peterborough Dialogues and Axiom News, in January 2018.
City of Peterborough to create new communication division with a full-time manager
The City of Peterborough plans to create a new communication services division in 2018 and hire a full-time communications manager.
The city’s 2018 draft operating budget includes $131,800 for salary and benefits for the new communications position.
The purpose of the new division and position is to better communicate and engage with the public when it comes to city and council news and decisions, as well as to better manage the city’s website and social media channels.
Under the proposed new division, the city’s existing customer services coordinator and related position as well as the city’s existing crporate sponsorship coorinator would report to the new management position.
This expenditure is in addition to the $400,000 the city is spending to develop a new website as well as $77,000 for local company BrandHealth to come up with a new slogan and logo for the city.
Peterborough-based Loomex Group continues to expand with contract to operate two airports in northern Ontario
Peterborough-based Loomex Group will be managing and operating the Greenstone Regional Airport (pictured) as well as the R. Elmer Ruddick Nakina Airport. (Photo courtesy of the Loomex Group)
Loomex Group, the Peterborough-based aviation services company, has been awarded a contract to manage and operate two airports in the community of Greenstone, located north of Lake Superior: the Greenstone Regional Airport and the Nakina Airport. Both airports provide a critical link to northern Ontario.
Located nine kilometres north of Geraldton, the Greenstone Regional Airport has a 5,000-foot (1,524-metre) runway, a terminal building, and fueling amenities, and is the home of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Greenstone Fire Management Headquarters.
Located adjacent to the community of Nakina, the R. Elmer Ruddick Nakina Airport has a 3,500-foot (1,066-metre) runway, a modern terminal building, and fueling amenities. It is the closest airport to the territory known as the Ring of Fire.
Locally, Loomex Group runs the Peterborough Airport as well as the Kawartha Lakes Municipal Airport.
Anishinaabe entrepreneur wins annual Cubs’ Lair competition in Peterborough
Rich Cochrane of Status Exempt (centre) accepting his award with runners-up Sultan Moni of Zatiq (left) and Victoria Naish of The Cake Engineer. (Photo: Innovation Cluster)
Rich Cochrane of Status Exempt has won the annual Cubs’ Lair youth entrepreneur competition hosted by FastStart Peterborough, the Innovation Cluster and the Trent Youth Entrepreneurship Society.
Cochrane was one of six finalists who made their pitches to a panel of judges at the Gordon Best Theatre in downtown Peterborough on Thursday (November 30). Anishinaabe and a member of Curve Lake First Nation, Cochrane launched Status Exempt to make it easy for First Nations shoppers to buy online, tax exempt. He has been working in the Cluster’s incubator The Cube creating a platform for businesses and First Nations consumers to provide tax exemption in an easy way
Top 10 finalists selected for Win This Space entrepreneurial competition
On Thursday (November 30) at Catalina’s in downtown Peterborough, judges and sponsors reviewed video applications for the “Win This Space” competition and selected the top 10 finalists.
The finalists are Escape Maze, Scars & Strops, StayFit Apparel, Argania Natural Health Clinic, Baby Bop Teething Accessories, The Willow’s Bark, Best Wishes in a Basket, The Bicycle Museum by Dandyhorse Media Inc., Alexander Frames, and Bonita’s Ballroom and Latin Dance Studio.
The winner, who will be announced on March 1, 2018, will receive a prize package valued at more than $40,000 that includes a free lease to a downtown storefront for a year and thousands of dollars in donated prizes including office and computer supplies, marketing and financial services, and advertising and promotion.
Grant recipients for Starter Company Plus Funding to be announced on December 6
The grant recipients for the previous round of the Starter Company Plus program, announced at Elmhirst’s Resort in September 2017: Maureen Brand of Garden of Eden, Sarah Susnar of Play Cafe, Leah Frampton of Green Leaf Baby, Lynn Franscio of Elixir, Jane Davidson of Best Write Communications, Lisa Torres of Access Homeopathy, and Claudia Foung of iMake iMove. Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development will be announcing the latest round of grant recipients from the Starter Company Plus program on December 6, 2017. (Photo: Tyler Wilson)
On Wednesday (December 6), Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development will be announcing the latest round of grant recipients from the Starter Company Plus program, an entrepreneurship program offered through the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre.
Funded by the Government of Ontario, the program is designed to provide business training for aspiring to experienced entrepreneurs, aged 18 and over in the City and County of Peterborough, who are launching a business or expanding an existing business that has been operating for five years or less.
The announcement — to be held from 4 to p.m. at Market Hall Performance Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) — will also include a showcase of the funding recipients, an opportunity to meet with entrepreneurs that are growing their business with the support of this program, and information about plans for the Starter Company Plus program in 2018.
Support local home builders and Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region on December 7
The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association (PKHBA) — which has represented the professional home building industry in Peterborough and the Kawarthas since 1956 — is hosting its annual Christmas dinner and auction on Thursday, December 7th at 6 p.m. at the Peterborough Curling Club.
Funds raised at the event will not only support the programs and work of PKHBA, but this year a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region, supporting the charitable organization’s mission to help low-income families achieve strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership.
An selection of live and silent auction items will be up for bid throughout the evening, including building materials and supplies, furniture and design, sports and entertainment packages, and unique experiences.
Tickets are now available to the public and can be purchased for $50 each (or $350 for a table of eight) by contacting PKHBA at 705-876-7604 or info@pkhba.com.
Special holiday edition E-Connect featuring Michael Konopaski on December 12
FastStart — a partnership between Trent University, Fleming College, and the Innovation Cluster — is hosting a special holiday edition of its E-Connect entrepreneurial networking event on Tuesday, December 12th from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough).
The event features speaker Michael Konopaski, founder of Inclusive Advisory. Konopaski is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) who also holds a PhD in Entrepreneurship from one of the top 50 management schools in the world. He has spent more than 20 years studying “pain points” for entrepreneurs, business owners, and busy professionals. His research reveals there is a massive opportunity for a brand new industry and his firm is filling the gaps.
In celebration of the Christmas season, Kris Kringle will also make an appearance, and attendees are encouraged to wear their ugly Christmas sweaters for photos with Santa. There will be a prize for the best ugly Christmas sweater. Appetizers and a cash bar will be available.
Kawarthas Northumberland offers Ignite Experiential Training in Alonquin Park from January 22 to 25
Attendees at the last sold-out Ignite Experiential Training session in Alonquin Park, held in March this year. The training returns in January 2018 but you must register by December 15th. (Photo: RTO8)
Through Regional Tourism Organization 8, Kawarthas Northumberland is offering “Ignite”, an experiential training program, at Northern Edge Algonquin in Algonquin Park from January 22nd to 25th.
This isn’t the standard classroom or conference-type training. The program involves a combination of physical activity, cultural interaction, and engagement with companies that are well known and respected in the “Explorers’ Edge” region of Ontario.
This learning opportunity received rave reviews from those who attended the sold-out program last March. For $575, you’ll get three days of learning and networking while enjoying the off-the-grid splendor of award-winning Northern Edge Algonquin.
The cost includes transportation from and to Peterborough, farm-to-table meals, hands-on immersive experiences, and three nights’ accommodation. There are only 16 spaces available and applications are due by Friday, December 15th. To apply, visit rt08.com.
Upcoming Business Socials
There are a number of business organizations in the Kawarthas holding their annual holiday socials in December.
First up is the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s PBX Christmas Social, on Tuesday, December 5th from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Publican House Brewery (300 Charlotte St., Peterborough). The event is open to all, but registration is required as space is limited. The Chamber will be drawing its #LoveLocalPtbo $1,000 contest winner at the event.
On Wednesday, December 6th, the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) is hosting its annual Holiday Gala and Auction Fundraiser at the Holiday Inn Waterfront Peterborough. The event is open to WBN members and their guests, and will raise funds for the YWCA Crossroads Shelter.
On Thursday, December 7th, the Port Hope Young Professionals group is hosting its Annual Holiday Social from 6 to 8 p.m. at Table+Loft (59 Walton St., Port Hope). Festive attire is encouraged, and festive drinks and food will be available for purchase. While admission is free, attendees are asked to bring a wrapped gift of a $10 value to participate in a gift exchange game.
On Wednesday, December 13th from 5 to 8 p.m., Kawartha Lakes Construction (KLC) will host the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism’s Annual Christmas Social at KLC’s location at 3359 Lakefield Road. Mingle by the fireplace, check out the showroom, and enjoy holiday refreshments. KLC will be collecting toys for the Lakefield Lioness Club’s Toy Drive and donations for the Lakefield Community Food Bank and, once again this year, will be running their employee DIY Christmas Tree challenge (guests will be asked to help pick the winner).
A Neil Young fan holds his guitar in the air outside Coronation Hall in Omemee, where Neil performed a solo acoustic concert to an invite-only crowd of around 200 people on December 1, 2017. Omemee resident, journalist, and writer Émilie Quesnel was in the audience after her father, a teacher at Scott Young Public School, received an invitation to the concert. (Photo: Wayne Eardley)
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“Is that even a real place?”
Those are among the common reactions I get when telling people my hometown. It’s only when I add “It’s where Neil Young is from!” that recognition arrives on their face. It never gets old.
You see, here in Omemee, Neil is what we’re the most proud of and we’ll never stop talking about it.
When speculation first began circulating about his mystery performance, I knew it meant he was coming back to us. Call it Omemee intuition. When the news was officially confirmed that Omemee was the location of the show, I cried.
Our boy — our Omemee pride — was coming home.
Neil Young performed his an intimate, acoustic concert to a crowd of about 200 at Coronation Hall … and to the rest of the world online. (Photo: Émilie Quesnel)
My family moved to Omemee a few weeks before my fourth birthday, but I had been introduced to Neil’s music long before that. My dad, having been a fan since the ’70s, doesn’t much believe in headphones. Speakers are his preferred method for enjoying music, which meant the rest of us experienced it too; whether we liked it or not. Luckily for me, I loved it.
As fate would have it, we moved to Omemee because my dad got a teaching job at Scott Young Public School — named after Neil’s journalist father. It was only then that he realised his new connection with a rockstar.
That connection made itself profoundly worth it when a member of the Neil Young entourage approached the Scott Young staff last week to offer up a $40, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If they wanted it, they could get their names on the very small list of people invited into the concert at Coronation Hall. He chose me as his plus-one.
Cue, once again, the tears.
Omemee’s temporary population all but tripled the night of the concert. Neil Young wasn’t the only celebrity in Omemee on December 1: Santa was also there for the annual tree-lighting ceremony. Although she’s not shown in this photo, actress Daryl Hannah (Neil’s girlfriend and the director of the live stream) also participated in the ceremony. (Photo: Wayne Eardley)
Omemee’s temporary population all but tripled the night of the concert. Sure, Santa was there for the annual tree-lighting, but crowds were forming for someone with less beard and more mutton chop. I’ve never seen Omemee so full of life. I don’t think there ever has been or ever will be a more exciting day on our streets.
Those who were included on the guest list began forming a line in front of the hall at about 4 p.m. with doors opening 7 p.m. Dad and I were among the first three in line, because the standing area was first-come first-served. We weren’t about to accept anything less than a perfect line of sight to the stage.
The standing area was separated from the stage by about five rows of seats. We had a perfectly centred, unobstructed view of it.
Neil meandered onto the stage at 8 p.m. He began playing almost immediately. The crowd was completely and utterly transfixed. There wasn’t a phone or camera in sight, and not a sound coming from anywhere or anyone but the man on stage.
It was the definition of intimate. Neil Young, alone on stage, playing acoustic renditions of songs from throughout his long musical career: it doesn’t get more Omemee than that.
The small dimly lit stage was occupied by Neil and his many instruments. He switched his hat a couple times with the ones perched on the tree. The painted image adorning the stage is also featured on the back of the concert shirts that were sold inside the venue. (Photo: Émilie Quesnel)
Over the course of the evening, Neil alternated between several guitars, two pianos, an organ, a handful of harmonicas, and multiple hats.
He shared stories of a lot of the instruments, like how his baby grand piano has lived through more than one hundred years and a fire.
He showed us a bullet hole in the bottom of one of his guitars, each of which had a name. Hank was my favourite.
His sense of humour was unexpected but warmly received.
“I’m a little bit nervous here,” he told us. “I’m just settling into Omemee.”
If he hadn’t said it, we wouldn’t have known. He seemed comfortable; he seemed at home.
Then, Neil picked up his ukulele and began playing his song ‘Tumbleweed’.
Neil Young performs ‘Tumbleweed’ on the ukulele at his concert in Omemee. (Screen capture of live feed)
“Life is full of strange delights, in the darkness we find lights to make our way back home again,” he sang.
And it felt like he was singing not to us, but to the town.
You guessed it. More waterworks.
Dang, why does this lady cry so much? you may be asking. It’s hard to explain. This town, which according to Wikipedia is but a “community”, is so much more to those in it. And it’s a powerful moment when the man who’s been to Hollywood and Redwood and back still thinks so too.
Neil made a point of telling the audience that a portion of the funds raised from the evening would be going toward the music program at Scott Young Public School.
“Thank you for Scott Young School!” one of the teachers shouted, to which he replied with a peace sign and a smile.
One of my first stage performances as a musician was with the Scott Young Public School band for our 2006 Christmas concert. The venue? Omemee’s Coronation Hall.
Now that’s what I call full circle.
Tickets for the Omemee Neil Young concert weren’t on sale to the general public, but people who were on on the guest list for the concert received a printed ticket as a keepsake. Émilie Quesnel’s father, along with other teachers at Scott Young Public School (named for Neil’s father), were given the opportunity to donate $40 to attend the concert. (Photo: Émilie Quesnel)
Singer and harmonica virtuoso Jerome Godboo (left) will be the special guest performer with The Rocket Revue at their end-of-year concert on Saturday, December 30th. This year, the concert returns to the Market Hall in downtown Peterborough.
In the live music performance realm, where bands come and often go quicker than they came, 18 years is a lifetime.
“It’s hard for me to comprehend how long it has been,” says trumpet player Greg Weichel who, in 1999, brought together a group of Peterborough musicians to form The Rocket 88s.
The Rocket Revue with Jerome Godboo
When: Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.) Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St. E, Peterborough) How much: $40 general admission, $45 reserved table seating
Tickets are available at the Market Hall box office, by phone at 705-749-1146, online at markethall.org, or at Moondance Records (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425, cash only).
“It seems like yesterday I was on the phone talking to guys to get them together. We rehearsed for nine months before our first show.
“I wanted players that were good enough to be flexible at playing different styles of music and it has worked out really well.”
“Really well” is an understatement. Now known as The Rocket Revue, the band — which has billed itself since day one as Peterborough’s “swinginest, rockinest rhythm and blues band” — doesn’t perform all that often but when it does, it creates a revival-like feel that lifts each performance to event status.
VIDEO: The Rocket Revue promo
On Saturday, December 30th, The Rocket Revue will be joined by singer and harmonica master Jerome Godboo on stage at the Market Hall in downtown Peterborough — six months to the day that it last performed, as the closing act at the Canada 150 Hunter Street Dance Party.
“We’re the band that played June 30 with the horns and all, just in case anybody has forgotten,” laughs Weichel.
This year, the annual show takes place the night before New Year’s Eve and at the Market Hall instead of the Parkway Banquet Centre.
“The last couple of years we played on New Year’s Eve,” Weichel says. “They were both really good shows but a lot of our regular crowd, because of family things or whatever, had a hard time coming out New Year’s Eve.
“And we wanted to come back to Market Hall. It’s a great place for us to play and we love it there. State-of-the-art acoustics, the crew is awesome … there are so many positives there for us.”
Jerome Godboo
In Godboo — Weichel describes him as “musically fearless” — The Rocket Revue has the consummate front man. Known for his work in the popular 1990s Toronto blues-rock band The Phantoms, Godboo has released 14 albums in his 25-plus year career, 11 of which are solo. He received the Lee Oscar Best Harmonica Player Award at the 2014 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
“He’ll be doing some of his original tunes and some of our tunes,” Weichel says. “He works really hard at them and, come show time, he’s right on the money.
“He’s a world-class harp player; a great entertainer. He likes to get the crowd going. There’ll be no wussy music, so to speak. He’s a force. It’s just terrific to have him here.”
Godboo is one of a handful of singers who have sang lead vocals with The Rocket Revue, others including Beau Dixon, Bridgette Foley, Jan Archer and, for a number of years, Mr. Soul — Buzz Thompson (Weichel says Buzz will be in the audience on December 30th and will be joining them for a few tunes).
The Rocket Revue’s roster has included a number of familiar names over the years but in recent years has featured Brent Bailey (keyboards), Al Black (drums/vocals), Gary Peeples (guitar/vocals), Andy Pryde (bass), Shea Bailey (congas/percussion), Jim Usher (tenor sax), Steve McCracken (tenor/baritone sax), Rob Roy (trombone), and Weichel.
VIDEO: Jerome Godboo at Grossman’s House of Blues
As solid a lineup as that is, Weichel says the winds of change are blowing.
“All the guys in the band are really good players. Some of them are marquee, world-class players. They have other projects they want to do. Some have politely said they’re taking a break from the band. That’s understandable. It gives them a chance to do their stuff yet keep the door open for down the road. It also gives the rest of the guys in the band a chance to bring in some other great players who, for years, have wanted to do stuff with us. I have every intention of opening those doors.”
On a personal level, Weichel is still battling the after effects of a July 2016 car crash that left him with multiple injuries, including a severe concussion.
“Things aren’t a hundred per cent but I’m a tough guy and I do the best I can. I have major problems with my shoulders, my hands, my neck … to stand there and play the horn is a very physical thing. I have to work at it diligently every day. I have exercises and I work out. But I’m surrounded by fabulous horn players and that sure helps.”
The Rocket Revue performing at the Market Hall in downtown Peterborough in April 2014, featuring Buzz Thompson, Bridget Foley, and Jane Archer. (Photo: The Rocket Revue)
And despite the pending band personnel changes, Weichel is adamant that year 18 will extend into 19 and beyond.
“I have no intention of letting it go,” he says. “It’s my creation. I know, be careful what you wish form but The Rocket Revue is a special group and I’m going to keep it that way.
“It’s still a lot of fun. I throw my hands up in the air every once in awhile but I sleep on it and get up the next day and say okay, we’ll fix this or change that, or adjust this or whatever. You got to roll with it and do the best you can and that’s what we do. This group we have right now has been solid for five or six years, some of them a little longer. That’s a terrific run. I know they’re going to play a little extra hard at this show.”
With the Peterborough music community still in shock over the sudden death of guitarist and singer Jan Schoute — he played with The Rocket Revue — and the recent news that Rocket Revue member Shea Bailey’s partner Crystal Parker is battling an aggressive form of cancer, Weichel says the December 30th show will, at the very least, provide a chance for musicians and audience alike to smile after what has been a very tough stretch.
“Shea is one of our own. When we get together for our first rehearsal, we’ll figure out what we’re going to do. The Rocket will do something special for Shea and Crystal, for sure.”
Tickets to the pre-New Year’s Eve warm-up cost $40 ($45 for reserved table seating) at the Market Hall box office, by phone at 705-749-1146, online at markethall.org, or at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425, cash only).
Neil Young performing at Coronation Hall in Omemee, Ontario, on December 1, 2017 as part of his "Home Town" concert that was live-streamed in Canada and around the world.
On Friday (December 1), Neil Young returned to his childhood hometown of Omemee, Ontario to deliver a solo acoustic concert live-streamed to fans both in Canada and around the world.
While the concert was a promotion for the release of Neil’s new record The Visitor, he only played one song from that record.
However, the show was also a promotion for the launch of the Neil Young Archives — where fans can stream music from Neil’s entire catalog — which may explain why the remaining songs he performed were a mix of beloved classics and some tunes Neil hasn’t performed in many years.
kawarthaNOW plans to run a series of stories and photos from local residents who were at the event but, for those of you who didn’t see it, we’re providing a summary with stills from the live stream.
For people outside of Canada who have access to Facebook, you can view the concert on Neil’s Facebook page (but not if you live in Canada; there’s no word if CTV will make an archive of the concert video available to Canadians).
The invite-only audience inside Coronation Hall included some notable Canadian musicians like Randy Bachman (The Guess Who, BTO) and Tom Wilson (Junkhouse, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings) as well as local musicians like Bobby Watson and kawarthaNOW’s own Josh Fewings of Mayhemingways (Josh also worked on the set-up crew).
Some teachers from the Scott Young Public School in Omemee — named in honour of Neil’s father, who has since passed away — were also there. Proceeds from the concert and the live stream (reportedly $18,000) are going back to the school’s music program as well as The Bridge School in California (a school for children with severe speech and physical impairments).
While Neil was inside Coronation Hall, Omemee’s King Street was crowded with both local residents and visitors. Some people lined up to get into the enclosed viewing area set up outside the venue, where old-fashioned television sets displayed the live stream from inside the venue.
The live stream, which was directed by Neil’s girlfriend and actress Daryl Hannah, began with a short video featuring scenes from Omemee along with photographs of Neil from the time he lived there (from when he was four to eight years old), with Neil providing reminiscent narration.
Neil then walked to the stage where he performed 18 songs over almost two hours, switching mainly between guitar and harmonica and piano but also performing on ukelele, banjo, and pump organ. With a mic inserted in his harmonica holder, he frequently spoke to the audience between songs, as he moved around the heavily decorated set.
Others may disagree, but it seemed to this writer that Neil appeared a bit off-kilter at first, perhaps adjusting to the unusual set-up for the concert or to being back in his home town and broadcasting a live concert to the world.
He stopped to drink water frequently (he removed his jacket because he said it was too hot), before switching to tea with honey and eventually a beer. He hesitated at times, either for which song he would play next, or in choosing the correct instrument for the song (his crew helped him out there). When there was a small problem with a guitar, he joked “Omemee performance marred by technical problems” (other than that minor incident, there were no technical problems).
However, all of this didn’t affect Neil’s performance and, if anything, his humour and openness just made the concert feel more intimate and endeared Neil to the crowd even more (at one point he commented that the world is “too perfect” and we need to embrace our mistakes).
Neil opened the concert with the title track of his 1978 studio album Comes A Time, followed by “Love Is A Rose” (recorded first by Linda Ronstadt before Neil recorded it on Decade).
He switched to piano for “Journey Through the Past” (a song he first performed on piano in 1971 at Massey Hall and recorded later that year with The Stray Gators) and returned to guitar for “Long May You Run”, the title track from the 1976 record by the Stills-Young Band, his collaboration with Stephen Stills.
It was back to piano for “I’m Glad I Found You” from 2014’s Storytone and then Neil picked up the ukelele for “Tumbleweed”, also from that record.
Neil returned to the guitar for his classic 1972 tune “Old Man” from Harvest. Before launching into the tune, he donned a ball cap that read ‘Ben Keith – Man of Steel’ and spoke about the former pedal steel guitarist, who played with Neil for almost 40 years. Ben died in 2010 at the age of 73 at his home on Neil’s Broken Arrow Ranch in northern California, where in 1970 Neil was inspired to write “Old Man” about Louis Avila, the caretaker of the ranch that Neil purchased when he was 25 years old.
Next up was “Old King” on banjo, from 1992’s Harvest Moon, a tune Neil last performed in 2009. Then it was back to piano for “Someday” from 1989’s Freedom, and then “There’s a World” from Harvest — a tune Neil hasn’t performed since 1971.
The final five songs of Neil’s set were all on the guitar. He began with the debut of “Stand Tall”, the only tune he played from his new record The Visitor, which was released on the same day as the concert.
He followed that with “War Of Man” from Harvest Moon, the first time Neil has performed this song in concert since 2013. He then performed “Don’t Be Denied” from 1973’s Time Fades Away, a song he last played solo in 2003.
When Neil launched into “Helpless” — a song he wrote for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s 1970 album Déjà Vu — the Omemee audience lit up for its referential opening lyric “There is a town in north Ontario”.
Before leaving the stage, he followed up with another big crowd-pleaser, “Heart of Gold” from Harvest.
Following a long standing ovation by the crowd, Neil came back for a three-song encore, first performing “One Of These Days” from Harvest Moon.
He then moved to the pump organ for “Mother Earth (Natural Anthem)” from 1990’s Ragged Glory.
He returned to the guitar for his final song, “Sugar Mountain”, first released as a single in 1969 and then re-released on 1977’s Decade.
The Omemee Curling Centre, which was one of the local viewing locations for the live stream, thanks Neil for coming home. (Reader supplied photo)
Here’s the set list for the concert:
Comes a Time
Love Is a Rose
Journey Through the Past (on piano)
Long May You Run
I’m Glad I Found You (piano)
Tumbleweed (ukelele)
Old Man
Old King (banjo)
Someday (piano)
There’s a World (piano)
Stand Tall (debut)
War of Man
Don’t Be Denied
Helpless
Heart of Gold
Encore
One of These Days
Mother Earth (Natural Anthem) (pump organ)
Sugar Mountain
Except where noted, all photos are enhanced screen captures from the “Home Town” concert live-streamed by CTV/Bell Media.
Meghan Moloney of the Peterborough Regional Health Care (PRHC) Foundation hangs a stocking on the mantel in the lobby of the hospital. Make a "Gift of Hope" donation to the PRHC Foundation this holiday season to have your stocking hung on the mantel. You can choose to make your donation in someone else's name or you can send a message of thanks to a doctor, nurse, or staff at the hospital. Your donation will help the hospital purchase lifesaving technology and equipment that makes great care possible. (Photo: PRHC Foundation)
The PRHC Foundation has rolled out its 2017 holiday giving campaign with the theme of “Gifts of Hope”. For the month of December, you can purchase a “stocking” card to hang on a special holiday fireplace mantel in the lobby of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).
By making a donation, you will be helping your hospital purchase lifesaving equipment and giving thousands of families the priceless gift of hope.
Many people don’t know that while the government does provide funding to hospitals, it doesn’t provide the money for the vast majority of the equipment a hospital needs to keep up with the constant advancement of medical knowledge and technology.
Your donation to the PRHC Foundation will help fund the technology and equipment that form the backbone of world-class patient care at PRHC, which also helps to attract and retain expert doctors, nurses and staff at your hospital.
There are three ways you can choose to give your “Gift of Hope” to the PRHC Foundation. In all cases, when you purchase a “stocking” card with your donation, the PRHC Foundation team will hang your stocking on the fireplace mantel.
Keep it simple and just buy a stocking (the suggested minimum donation is $10)
Celebrate the season by buying a stocking and sending a personalized e-card with holiday greetings to a loved one, letting them know you are making a donation in their honour.
Say thanks for great care by buying a stocking and expressing your gratitude to a doctor, nurse, or another PRHC staff member for the care you or a loved one received at the hospital.
You can make your donation online or, if you prefer to make your gift over the phone, you can call the Foundation office at 705-876-5000 and the team will hang a stocking card for you.
You can also visit the Foundation office at the hospital (on the 4th floor, just past the main visitor elevators), and you can write your name on a stocking or purchase printed greeting cards for your loved ones.
The PRHC Foundation’s “Gift of Hope” campaign recognizes donors who are making great care possible this holiday season. (Graphic: PRHC Foundation)
The fireplace mantel display is up now in the hospital lobby, and it’s already sporting a row of stockings. Here are a few of the messages on the stockings so far:
Merry Christmas! From the Keating Family
In honour of my dad – thank you and Happy Holidays – Dave
Dear Nephrology team, The staff and especially Dr. B. keep me living a full and joyful life. While in hospital I was treated with not only professionalism but much needed humour.
To Dr. Meade: Thank you for your expertise enabling me to live a care-free life.
Dear PRHC, Thank you for the wonderful service you have provided us during the last 15-20 years. PRHC is one of the most outstanding hospitals in Ontario. Thank you.
To PRHC: thanks for everything! Love, Becky
To learn more about how the PRHC Foundation helps donors make great care possible at your hospital, please visit www.prhcfoundation.ca.
A detail of Mark Craighead's photograph 'Blitz-en', one of his Christmas-themed photographs with a pop-culture twist on display and for sale at Black Honey this December. (Photo courtesy of Mark Craighead)
Ramping up for the holiday season, you will find a wide selection of Christmas group shows, events, and art/craft markets to attend this December. Another packed First Friday Art Crawl will enliven the streets of downtown Peterborough, and festivities will continue the next evening as Artspace opens the Holiday Toast show, complete with DJs and refreshments.
A new gallery space has opened at The Mount Community Centre, and Black Honey is showing Mark Craighead’s photography, which gives us a fun take on the Christmas season. Ashburnham Ale House will also be hosting a Christmas art show, and The Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio will have ‘The Winter Show’, a member’s show of winter-themed work.
On Saturday, December 2nd, there will be a party at Artspace. Celebrating the holiday season, there’s a group show, top-notch DJs Billy the K and Johnny Q, refreshments will be available and, of course art, will be for sale.
Drop by and see the Holiday Toast show, take in some stellar tunes, enjoy the festive atmosphere and perhaps you will find the perfect Christmas gift while you’re at it. Only $2 at the door or pay what you can.
Applications being accepted for 3rd Annual Artspace Book and Zine Fest in 2018
Applications are currently being accepted for the third Annual Artspace Book and Zine Fest. This is always a cool event, featuring artist-made zines, comics, and graphic novels as well as prints, cards, and a variety of paper arts.
If you are interested in participating, the deadline for applications is December 18th at midnight.
Look out for this event, which will be coming up on February 24, 2018.
Anne Cavanah and Ellen Cowie show ‘Reverence for Life’ at new gallery space at The Mount Community Centre
‘Against the Grain’ by Anne Cavanagh. Anne is showing with Ellen Cowie in a show titled ‘Reverence for Life’ at the Mount’s new gallery space. (Image courtesy of Anne Cavanagh)
The Mount Community Centre has opened a lovely new gallery space and right now ‘Reverence for Life’, a show featuring the artwork of Anne Cavanagh and Ellen Cowie, is on display.
Anne is showing a series of evocative figurative work, and Ellen a series of personal intimate portraits in oil and acrylic. The show will be on display until January 14th, so drop by and see it for yourself this December!
The Mount Community Centre is located at 1545 Monaghan Rd. in Peterborough. For more information, call 705-875-5095 or visit www.themountpeterborough.ca.
Christensen Fine Art presents their Annual Christmas Group Show
Christensen Fine Art invites you to come to the opening of their Annual Christmas Group Show. Enjoy some light refreshments and meet many of the artists who show at the gallery.
This show will be on display from Friday, December 1st until Sunday, December 24th. The opening reception will be happening on Friday, December 1st, as part of the First Friday Art Crawl, and will run from 6 to 9 p.m.
Christensen Fine Art is located at 432 George Street North in downtown Peterborough. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, visit www.christensenfineart.com.
Rebecca Padgett at Star X Gallery
A painting from Rebecca’s latest series, ‘Crown’, which will be on display at Star X Gallery. (Image courtesy of Rebecca Padgett)
Star X gallery will be showing ‘Crown’, the latest series by Rebecca Padgett. These non-objective works are visually and stylistically interesting responses to the world inspired by vintage fabrics, silhouettes, and open landscapes. This show is going to be great, don’t miss taking in these striking paintings!
Drop by and meet Rebecca at her opening during the First Friday Art Crawl on Friday, December 1st from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Star X is located at 129-1/2 Hunter St. West, 3rd floor, in downtown Peterborough. Regular hours of operation are Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Coeur Nouveau hosts ‘One Big Mob’ Members’ Show
As part of the First Friday Art Crawl, Coeur Nouveau is putting on a members’ group show called ‘One Big Mob’ featuring the work of Paul Cade, Connie Van Rijn, Sarah Gibeault, Andrew Cripps, Paolo Fortin, Ann Jaeger, Joel Davenport, John Climenhage, Michael Green, Mark Reutter, and Andrew MacDonald.
Drop in on the opening during the First Friday Art Crawl on Friday, December 1st from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Coeur Nouveau is located on the 2nd floor of the Commerce Building at 129-1/2 Hunter St. West in downtown Peterborough.
Evans Contemporary presents ‘Temporary’
This December, Show and tell Poetry Series and Bird Buried Press will be taking over Evans Contemporary with a series of workshops and presentations.
Elisha Rubacha and Justin Million, the poets and small press operators behind the series and press, will host pop-up performances, workshops and readings throughout the month, from December 1st until December 30th. On the walls will be a selection of work from artists who have previously shown at Evans Contemporary.
The opening will happen at Evans from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. as part of the First Friday Art Crawl on Friday, December 1st.
Christmas Group show and sale at Acme Art & Sailboat Company
Drop by Acme Art & Sailboat Company to see (and buy) a selection of work by a variety of local artists and artisans, including John B. Boyle, Paul Oldham, Joe Stable, Chey Grieg, Gwyneth Fischer, Robert Atyeo, Jeff Macklin, Beth McCubbin, Bill Batten, and Alex Bierk.
Open as part of the First Friday Art Crawl on the evening of Friday, December 1st, there will be light refreshments and a festive atmosphere from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.
The show will be on display until Saturday, December 23rd.
Acme Art and Sailboat Company is located at 129-1/2 Hunter Street West, 3rd floor, in downtown Peterborough. Hours of operation are Thursday to Sunday from 12 to 3 p.m.
Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio presents ‘The Winter Show’
A detail from ‘Out in the Canoe’ by Daniel Marlatt, will be on display as part of The Winter Show at Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio. (Image courtesy of Daniel Marlatt)
This December, Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio will be feature an appropriately winter-themed show. Though we have yet to see any actual snow on the ground, this will be one way to experience a bit of winter as we approach Christmas.
The opening reception will be held from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 3rd.
The show runs until Friday, December 22nd, and then again from Wednesday, January 3rd to Monday, January 22nd.
Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio is a not-for-profit artist’s co-operative, located at 420 O’Connell Road in Peterborough. Hours of operation are Wednesday to Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.kawarthaartists.org.
Winter Craft Sale at The Monocle Centre for the Arts
The annual art and craft sale is on at The Monocle on Sunday, December 3rd. Drop in and see what treasures you find!
The show and sale featuring some new and some familiar local artisans will open at noon and continue until 5 p.m. Admission is free.
The Monocle Centre for the Arts< is located at 140 Simcoe St. (Upper) in Peterborough. For more information, call 705-875-5442 or visit themonoclecentreforthearts.com.
Focus Fair at Catalina’s on December 9 and 10
Traditionally held at The Spill (which is now closed), the annual Focus Fair art and craft show has a new location this year: Catalina’s in downtown Peterborough.
This year’s show features unique items handcrafted by local artists, bakers, gardeners, and crafters including Lucky Jackson, Aurynge & Lemony, Urban Tomato, Keeterella, Burnin’ Beads by Kira, Trailblazers, Bill Reddick, Shannon Taylor, Three Sisters, Sugar Daddy, Random Pretty Things, Manon Gagnon, Magic Bean, Stoney Lake Textiles, Nade Nixon, Martha Comfort, Spark Box Studio, and Jackson Creek Press.
The show runs on Saturday, December 9th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, December 10th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Catalina’s is located at 131 Hunter St. W. in downtown Peterborough.
The Finer Things Show & Sale is also happening on Dcember 9th at George Street United Church, offering shoppers an opportunity to check out both locations.
Finer Things Show & Sale on December 9
Before or after you go to the Focus Fair on Saturday, December 9th, drop by the 3rd annual Finer Things Show & Sale at George St. United Church in Peterborough.
This curated show and sale features a variety of hiqh quality, handcrafted, and finely created works from artists and artisans in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Vendors at the show include Aitken & Hyde, Bella Grey Jewellery, Blossom Pea & Critter Co., Brad Copping, Brianna Gosselin, County Preserves, Coral Door Studio, Christy Haldane, Christianna Ferguson, David Hickey, Frolic Art & Design, Hardwinter Bread Co., Messervey Works, Olive Cedar, Pax Jewellery, L’Imaginaria, Little Bird Designs, Modelia, Sandy MacFarlane, Stoney Lake Textiles, Studio Luma, Sweetsong Herbals, and Sunshine Pottery.
Hard Winter Bread Co. will be running a pop-up cafe where you can relax and enjoy a tasty treat while you shop. The show and sale runs from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $2 (free for children under 12).
George St. United Church is located at 534 George St. N. in Peterborough. This is an accessible location, with an elevator and accessible washrooms on-site.
Check out Watson & Lou and Meta4 Gallery during First Friday Art Crawl on December 1
Watson & Lou host a local fashion extravaganza with five local fashion experts during the First Friday Art Crawl. (Photo: Watson & Lou)
On Friday, December 1st, during the First Friday Art Crawl, Watson & Lou will host five local fashion experts and their wares. Drop in, get some expert fashion advice, and celebrate this Christmas in style! The event features Honey House Clothing Co., Mixtape Vintage, Statement House, Dead Daisy Vintage, and Keetarella.
One more art space will be open during the First Friday Art Crawl. If you haven’t already, or even if you have, be sure to stop by Meta4 Gallery and see their new gallery and studio space.
Watson & Lou are located at 383 Water St. in Peterborough. For more information about membership and upcoming workshops, please visit www.watsonandlou.com.
Meta4 Gallery is located at 164 Hunter St. W. in Peterborough. For more information, e-mail info@meta4gallery.ca, call 705-874-9444, or visit www.meta4gallery.ca.
Mark Craighead shows his photography at Black Honey
One of Mark Craighead’s Christmas-with-a-twist photographs on display at Black Honey. (Photo courtesy of Mark Craighead)
This December, Christmas meets cyborgs and aliens at Black Honey!
If you drop in for a coffee or tasty dessert, you’ll be sure to notice the Christmas-themed photography of Mark Craighead. Mark’s photos are filled with pop culture references that will thrill the hard-to-buy-for nerd or movie buff on your Christmas list.
Black Honey is located at 217 Hunter St. W. in downtown Peterborough or find them online at blackhoneydesserts.com.
Ashburnham Ale House hosts a Christmas Art Show
If you happen to stop in for a pint or dinner at the Ashburnham Ale House this December, you’ll see the walls decorated with a selection of work by local artists.
This restaurant is always supportive of the arts, with rotating shows throughout the year. The Christmas show will run from Monday, December 4th until Monday, January 8th. A great reason (or excuse) to have a nice evening out!
Ashburnham Ale House is located at 128 Hunter St. E. in East City, Peterborough. Visit ashburnhamalehouse.ca for more information.
Rich Cochrane won the annual Cubs' Lair youth entrepreneur competition for his startup that makes it easier for First Nations shoppers, who are excempt from paying HST, to buy online without having to submit their receipts to the government for a tax refund. Cochrane is Anishinaabe and a member of Curve Lake First Nation, has a business degree, and has also worked as a banker in downtown Toronto. (Photo: Rich Cochrane / Facebook)
Rich Cochrane of Status Exempt has won the annual Cubs’ Lair youth entrepreneur competition hosted by FastStart Peterborough, the Innovation Cluster, and the Trent Youth Entrepreneurship Society.
Cochrane was one of six finalists who made their pitches to a panel of judges at the Gordon Best Theatre in downtown Peterborough on Thursday (November 30).
Anishinaabe and a member of Curve Lake First Nation, Cochrane launched Status Exempt to make it easy for First Nations shoppers to buy online, tax exempt. He has been working in the Cluster’s incubator The Cube creating a platform for businesses and First Nations consumers to provide tax exemption in an easy way.
Currently, First Nations online shoppers — who are exempt from paying HST — need to submit their receipts to the government for a tax refund, a process that can take up to 90 days. Cochrane’s innovative solution reduces this process to a few minutes.
“Reconciliation is a hot topic in Canada right now,” Cochrane says. “A big component of reconciliation is building a stronger relationship between Indigenous Canadians and the rest of Canada and businesses will play a critical role in building that relationship.”
Rich Cochrane of Status Exempt (centre) accepting his award with runners-up Sultan Moni of Zatiq (left) and Victoria Naish of The Cake Engineer. (Photo: Innovation Cluster)
Members of First Nations represent over three per cent of Canada’s population and are also the fastest-growing segment of the population. Many live in remote or rural areas and have no other option but to shop online. Cochrane believes his solution to obtaining tax exemption will allow businesses to gain a large group of new consumers.
A graduate of the University of Windsor with a Bachelor of Commerce (specializing in Finance, Accounting and Entrepreneurship), Cochrane has worked as a banker in downtown Toronto, in the Aboriginal Banking unit at the Bank of Montreal as well as at HSBC Global Banking & Markets.
The five judges on the panel listened to pitches that included tech innovations for archaeology, real estate, energy saving and mobile apps, as well as a pitch for a cupcake bar service. They chose Cochrane as the winner because he was well prepared with his pitch, knew exactly where he wanted to go with his business, and identified a business opportunity for a problem that doesn’t currently have a solution.
Cochrane will receive a prize package valued at $14,000 to help grow his business, which includes $3,000 cash from Ontario 150, extended incubator space at the Cluster, coaching and mentoring from established startups, and more.
“I didn’t do this alone,” said Cochrane after winning the competition. “People in the Cube helped me and I think that’s the real value of the Cube. I bounced these ideas off dozens of people. Rose and John, the Innovation Specialists, helped me nail down this pitch so thank you to everyone for helping me there.”
For more information about Cochrane’s business, visit statusexempt.com.
The two runners-up of the competition were Sultan Moni of Zatiq and Victoria Naish of The Cake Engineer.
Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), at Catalina's in downtown Peterborough on November 30 where judges and sponsors reviewed video applications for the Win This Space competition and selected the top 10 finalists. (Photo: DBIA)
The top 10 finalists for the Win This Space entrepreneurial competition have been chosen: Escape Maze, Scars & Strops, StayFit Apparel, Argania Natural Health Clinic, Baby Bop Teething Accessories, The Willow’s Bark, Best Wishes in a Basket, The Bicycle Museum by Dandyhorse Media Inc., Alexander Frames, and Bonita’s Ballroom and Latin Dance Studio.
Judges and sponsors met on Thursday (November 30) at Catalina’s in downtown Peterborough to review all of the application videos. Contestants were asked to submit a one- to three-minute video pitch, which the judges would use to help select the finalists.
“There are so many entrepreneurs not just here in Peterborough, but from across the province who have some really exciting ideas of what they would like to do with a downtown storefront,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA). “Our second year of Win This Space is off to a good start and I look forward to working with our 10 finalists to bring more businesses to downtown Peterborough.”
The prize package includes not only a free lease to a downtown storefront for a year, but also thousands of dollars in donated prizes including office and computer supplies, marketing and financial services, and advertising and promotion. This year’s grand prize is valued at more than $40,000.
Before the winner is announced on March 1, 2018 at The Venue in downtown Peterborough, the 10 finalists will go through a series of workshops on building business plans, creating marketing plans, and financial forecasting.
The winner of Win This Space will choose which of the available downtown storefronts they would like to open in, and will receive a free lease for a year. Thw winner will also receive thousands of dollars in donated prizes including office and computer supplies, marketing and financial services, and advertising and promotion. This year’s grand prize is valued at more than $40,000.
Here are the submitted videos of the top 10 finalists (in no particular order):
Escape Maze
Scars & Strops
StayFit Apparel
Argania Natural Health Clinic
Baby Bop Teething Accessories
The Willow’s Bark
Best Wishes in a Basket
The Bicycle Museum by Dandyhorse Media Inc.
Alexander Frames
Bonita’s Ballroom and Latin Dance Studio
The Win This Space competition is a Peterborough DBIA initiative in partnership with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, StartUP Peterborough, Community Futures Peterborough, and Shorelines Slots at Kawartha Downs. The competition is also sponsored by 38 local businesses and organizations.
Neil Young will be performing a solo acoustic concert at 8 p.m. from Coronation Hall in Omemee. If you're not lucky enough to have a ticket and want to share the experience with other Neil fans, there are a few locations hosting viewing parties of the live stream.
While the “secret location” of Neil Young’s concert tonight (December 1) will only be unveiled at the beginning of the live stream at 8 p.m., most of us know by now the concert is taking place from Coronation Hall in Omemee, where Neil spent some of his childhood years. (Note: CTV has now confirmed the concert location is Omemee on the website at CTV.ca.)
Neil will perform a solo acoustic show at the 140-seat venue, which will reportedly be set up with couches and chairs to create an intimate, hometown feel.
The concert is only open to people who have received tickets, either won through radio contests or by invitation. kawarthaNOW has learned teachers at Scott Young School in Omemee (named after Neil’s late father) were offered tickets for $40, with proceeds being donated back to the music program at the school.
If you aren’t lucky enough to have a ticket and you want to watch the concert with other Neil fans, there are a few local viewing options.
In Omemee itself, you can view the live stream from Coronation Hall at two locations (however, because of road closures and parking restrictions, you won’t be able to park at either location).
The Omemee Curling Centre will be streaming the concert from the TV in their lounge. (Photo: Anne Arnold)
The Omemee Curling Centre (15 James St., Omemee, 705-799-7156) will be streaming the concert from the TV in their lounge.
The bar will be open and chili will be available. Doors open at 7 p.m.
You won’t be able to park at the centre due to closure of Highway 7 (King St.) from Lane St. to Colborne St. So you’ll need to find a parking space elswehere and walk to the centre.
The Peterborough Folk Festival and Long And McQuade Peterborough will be projecting the concert outside of the Omemee legion. (Graphic: Peterborough Folk Festival)
The Peterborough Folk Festival and Long And McQuade Peterborough are hosting a family-friendly viewing party outside the Omemee branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (46 King St. E., Omemee).
The concert will be projected on a screen outside, so dress for the weather and bring your own chair.
Because of the closure of King Street from Lane to Colborne streets, you’ll need to take Mary St. to get to the legion. However, parking will be prohibited on Mary St. so you’ll have to find somewhere else to park and walk to the legion.
Trent University will be streaming the concert at three different locations. (Graphic: Trent University)
In Peterborough, Trent University’s Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies is hosting viewing parties at three different locations at Trent:
The Ernest and Florence Benedict Gathering Space, First Peoples House of Learning at Gzowski College
The Wenjack Theatre at Otonabee College
The event space at The Students’ Centre
Admission is free and everyone is welcome, including Trent students, alumni, faculty, and staff as well as the general public. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
In Lindsay, the Coaches & Horses Pub (16 York St. S., Lindsay, 705-328-0006) will be streaming the concert.
Chances are that other pubs and bars in the area may be streaming the concert as well. If you know about a local viewing party not listed here, please email us the details at newsroom@kawarthanow.com and we’ll update this story.
There is also an unconfirmed report a large viewing screen will be set up outside Coronation Hall so Omemee residents and others without tickets can watch the concert.
Someone who might be Neil Young was spotted talking to a crew member in Omemee on November 30. (Photo: Paula Bryant-Brooks)
How to live stream the concert
If you can’t make it to a viewing party, the concert will be live streamed on Friday, December 1st at 8 p.m. EST in Canada exclusively on CTV.ca (or by using the free CTV GO app) and on iHeartRadio.ca. Note: the concert will NOT be broadcast on CTV on cable or over the air, it’s available online only.
For people living outside of Canada, the concert will be live streamed via Neil Young’s Facebook page (the Facebook stream will not be available to Canadian residents) and on the newly launched Neil Young Archives website.
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