The world's best-known fictional Chief Science Officer. The Government of Ontario is hiring its first Chief Science Officer and is seeking public feedback by March 27. (Photo: Paramount Pictures Corporation, CBS Studios Inc.)
The Government of Ontario plans to hire its first Chief Science Officer and is seeking public feedback.
“Everyone in Ontario can help decide the mandate of our province’s first Chief Science Officer,” says Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science. “Not only is it important the search be open and transparent, but everyone should have a voice on how a Chief Science Officer would best serve the science community and Ontario.”
Last June, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced that Ontario would establish an Office of the Chief Science Officer, a senior executive who would advise the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science, as well as other areas of government, on research and science matters.
The Chief Science Officer would work with research communities — including in hospitals, universities, and research institutes — to champion high-quality science in government and education and to help the government make decisions on science-based policy issues.
The Chief Science Officer would also advise the government on how to support future research and innovation projects and would publicly promote Ontario as a hub for research across Canada and the world by attracting global research talent.
Before recruiting a person for the position, the government is consulting with the public and research partners to help determine the skills needed for the job.
The government is also looking for feedback on what the priorities for the Chief Science Officer should be, such as climate change, food safety, and disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence, autonomous (self-driving) cars, and the use of blockchain technologies (such as Bitcoin).
You can provide your feedback by visiting ontario.ca/chiefscienceofficer and completing a feedback form or sending an email. The consultation deadline is Monday, March 27th.
The Ontario government will use the results from the public consultation to help during the candidate search and selection process, and expects to announce the Chief Science Officer in the spring of 2017.
The federal government is in the process of also hiring its own Chief Science Officer who will report to both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Science. That competition closed in February 2017.
Police are looking for this black pickup truck, captured on a security camera, that was involved in the theft of $60,000 worth of equipment from Tucker's Marine in Apsley
The Peterborough County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating the theft of more than $60,000 of power sports equipment from a marina in Apsley last week.
On Friday, March 10th at around 10:30 a.m., OPP officers were called to investigate a theft from Tucker’s Marine on Highway 28 in Apsley.
Between 3:15 a.m. and 3:40 a.m. on Friday morning, two suspects were captured on security cameras moving trailers around the boat yard. The suspects stole the shop truck and hooked onto a side by side on a trailer. In this vehicle, thieves also loaded two outboard motors and a power washer.
A second suspect in another vehicle backed into the property and hooked onto an enclosed snowmobile trailer containing two snow machines.
The thieves stole the following items, valued at well over $60,000:
a grey 2008 Chevrolet Silverado pickup with an attached silver Snow Dog snow plow
a black 2016 Yamaha Wolverine 700 side by side
an open deck 2017 Advantage galvanized trailer
a black 2011 Yamaha Venture GT 900 snowmobile
a silver 2016 Yamaha Apex 1000 snowmobile
a black dual-axle 7×17 enclosed trailer
two outboard motors
a power washer.
Suspects in this black pickup truck were captured on security footage towing an enclosed black trailer, one of several items of equipment stolen from Tucker’s Marine in Apsley overnight on March 10
In addition to the pickup truck stolen from the marina, police are also looking for a black 2008 to 2013 Chevrolet/GMC four-door pickup truck involved in this incident, which may also be responsible for other thefts in the region.
If you have any information that may assist police in their investigation, call the Peterborough OPP at 705-742-0401, the non-emergency line at (888) 310-1122, or Crime Stoppers at www.stopcrimehere.ca or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
River and Fisher Stevenson are big supporters of PTBO Needs, a local group founded by Jennine Hadfield and Amy McLeish that collects donations for a different charity every month. The two brothers were inspired to get involved in January after they saw a person in downtown Peterborough asking for spare change and their mother Sherry told them about the PTBO Needs Facebook campaign for The Warming Room.
Two local businesswomen have teamed up for an initiative that’s having a big impact on charities throughout the Kawarthas. PTBO Needs connects with the community to collect donations for the local charities that need them the most.
Amy McLeish of County Home Inspection and Jennine Hadfield of Mortgage Intelligence get a lot of requests for charitable donations directed to their businesses. They wanted to help the community, but like most businesses they couldn’t afford to support every charity that came to their door.
That’s when they came up with an idea: they would advocate for a different charity every month, making it easier for everyone in the community to support local charities directly.
Jennine says that involving the community meant that their efforts could have more impact.
“You can do a donation every month, but it’s not going to be as significant as getting the community to work together.”
Jennine Hadfield of Mortgage Intelligence and Amy McLeish of County Home Inspection are the founders of PTBO Needs. Together, they advocate for a different charity each month.
Every month, PTBO Needs posts a list of items needed by a local charity. People can drop donations at one of three drop boxes:
Blushed Beauty Makeup & Aesthetics (464 George St N, Peterborough, 705-772-5987)
Euphoria Wellness Spa (290 Water St, Peterborough, 705-741-4772)
That’s A Wrap Catering (840 Armour Road, Peterborough, 705-768-7168)
If you want to make a donation but can’t access a drop box, you can contact PTBO Needs for a pickup.
Amy says that removing obstacles to charitable donation has brought forth incredible generosity from the community.
“It’s amazing how it took, how people grabbed hold of it and went for it. I think it’s because most people want to do something to help people, but you just assume it’s going to cost you a lot of money, or it’s going to take up a lot of time, or you can’t get to places to donate stuff.”
In their first month (December 2016), PTBO Needs supported YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. Amy says that she was surprised with the huge response. “It really amazed me the amount of stuff that came in.”
Jennine tried to take a photo of all of the donations they collected. “We put it all on my staircase and tried to take a picture. We couldn’t fit it all in.”
In January PTBO Needs dropped off all these items, donated by members of the community, at The Warming Room
For their campaign for The Warming Room in January, they requested food, bedding and cleaning supplies. They collected enough fleece blankets to cover every cot in the Warming Room. Amy remembers one particularly generous donation.
“A lady contacted me to say that she had a couple of things for the warming room. I drove up to her house to go and get them and her husband told me ‘you’ll have to reverse your car up.’ They opened their minivan and it was just full: 36 juice packs, bleach, all of this stuff. It was so lovely.”
Last month they collected donations for the Peterborough Humane Society, including old blankets and towels, pet food, and treats.
In March 2017, PTBO Needs is collecting donations for YES Shelter for Youth and Families. If you are able to donate any of the items needed, you can drop them off at one of PTBO Needs’ three drop-box locations, or contact them to arrange for pickup.
This month, PTBO Needs is supporting YES Shelter for Youth and Families. Recently they posted a request for suitcases and Amy was surprised by the flood of responses.
“I thought people probably wouldn’t bother with that one, but now everybody seems to have suitcases!”
Switching charities each month allows Jennine and Amy to reach out to a variety of causes. In April, they will be supporting cancer charities — including Cuddles for Cancer — to coincide with the Canadian Cancer society’s fundraising month.
In May, they are working with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. They also have plans to assist the Brock Mission and the Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Aid Society.
Amy and Jennine both make monthly donations with their families. They have had a great response not only from their own children, but from other youth in the community.
Fisher and River Stevenson, aged 7 and 9, also donate monthly. They became involved when PTBO Needs was advocating for The Warming Room. According to their mom, Sherry Stevenson, an experience downtown inspired them to get involved.
“In January, we were driving downtown and passed a man sitting on the curb asking for money. We were right beside him at a red light and I looked in my rear view mirror and saw Fisher looking at him. I told him not to stare or say anything.
“So he waited and when the light turned green and we left he asked me why the man was there. I explained that he was probably homeless, and he was asking for money. Fisher immediately asked why I hadn’t given him anything and stated ‘maybe his mother has died and that’s why he’s homeless’. He mentioned it a few times that evening.”
Some of the items donated to PTBO Needs in February for the Peterborough Humane Society
That evening Sherry saw PTBO Needs’ Warming Room campaign on Facebook and showed the boys, suggesting that the man they had seen might use The Warming Room’s services. Sherry thought PTBO Needs was a great way to get her sons more involved in charity.
“My boys have a comfortable life. We aren’t rich, but they have beds and clothing and Pokémon toys, and eat McDonald’s more often than they should. I just think they need to realize that there are so many people needing help for different reasons. It seemed like time to do more.”
Jennine says that at this point they are looking to get more of the community involved. “Our major goal is to get the word out there.”
She appeals to local businesses to consider donating. “It’s a way to help the community and get good exposure for your business.”
Amy stresses that any donation, no matter how small, will have an impact.
“You don’t have to bring a great big ton of stuff. Just bring one thing and that one thing, with everyone else’s one thing, could be huge.”
The interior of the new P.J.'s Diner location in the Brookdale Plaza on Chemong Road
P.J.’s Diner
P.J.’s Diner is opening this Wednesday (March 15) in the Brookdale Plaza on Chemong Road.
P.J.’s is already an established name in Peterborough, with two other locations on Sherbooke Street and Highway 7 East. Owner Paul McDonald has completely gutted the space, located in the former Starlight Dining location, finishing it in the chain’s trademark black-and-white checkerboard style.
PJ’s is a traditional ’50s-style diner, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Stop in or visit them on Facebook.
Great Drone Videos from Inspirtainment
An exterior aerial drone tour of a secluded New Brunswick century-old farmhouse from Great Drone Videos by Inspirtainment
Inspirtainment is an award-winning graphic design, video, and indie publishing company owned by Mary Giuffre and Paul Clark. They’ve just launched a new division called Great Drone Videos, offering high-definition aerial videography and photography using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Paul is UAV-certified by Transport Canada, and both Paul and Mary bring extensive broadcast TV and advertising background to their new division.
Skyhands American Sign Language Services is now offering classes in Peterborough through Jennifer Endicott
Jennifer Endicott, owner of Skyhands Peterborough, is helping people learn American Sign Language (ASL). The third most-studied language, Canada just officially made ASL a recognized language.
Jennifer provides group classes, up to 20 students, or individual classes, providing a full-immersion opportunity for people who are eager to learn, or have family members who are deaf or mute.
Find out more about the Peterborough Chamber’s 11-day trip to China on March 14
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is doing its annual trip to China.
It’s an opportunity for you to see some of the leading cities in China, witness their centuries old customs and their rapidly growing economy, as well as attractions such as Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, The Great Wall and the Terra Cotta Warriors.
It’s an 11-day trip, from October 11 to 21, for just $2,599. Merit Travel is hosting a one-hour information night tomorrow night (March 14) at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce on George Street. Contact Merit Travel Peterborough for details at 705-743-1635.
Magician Spidey, who performs at the Market Hall in Peterborough on March 25, has even impressed famous magicians Penn & Teller with his mentalism tricks
Three years ago, the magician and mentalist known as Spidey was standing on a sound stage in Las Vegas. The occasion was Episode 10 of the first season of the acclaimed reality series Wizard Wars.
Market Hall presents Spidey: Make Believe – Magic Of Your Mind
When: Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 8 p.m. Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) How much: $25 ($20 students) general admission, $30 assigned table seating
Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org. Tickets also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
Spidey and his partner had just killed it in an involved demonstration of mentalism in front of a studio audience and two audience members in particular: the famed magician duo of Penn Jillette and Raymond Teller, better known as Penn & Teller.
The audience was on their feet, cheering. But the true highlight for Spidey was when Teller — who never speaks when he performs — leapt to his feet in the front row, looked directly at Spidey, and repeatedly said “Bravo!”
“It was one of the most iconic moments of my career,” Spidey says from his home in Montreal. “That was huge for me.”
Since then Spidey has appeared on Penn & Teller’s Fool Us! television series, and they keep in touch.
In the meantime, Spidey keeps busy in his 10th year as a professional, touring the world wowing friendly audiences and skeptics alike with his unique feats of mentalism. He brings his show to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, March 25th.
VIDEO: “Make Believe – Magic of your Mind” – Spidey
“Mentalism is magic of the mind,” he says, referencing the title of his critically acclaimed one-man show, “Make Believe: Magic of Your Mind.”
Then again, there are more performers besides him: members of the audience who are recruited to be part of the show.
“I’ll ask them to focus on a happy memory, without sharing it,” Spiday says, after which “I start revealing details of where they were and who they were with” — even going so far as to pull out a specific object from the audience member’s innermost thoughts.
This is something you may have seen before, but perhaps not with the kind of “wow” factor that Spidey has been known to illicit from audiences the world over (he’s been on America’s Got Talent, to name just one of dozens of media appearances).
But here’s something that may come as a surprise: it’s not a gift or some kind of innate ability.
“It’s technique,” says the university graduate, who holds a degree in Social Psychology from Concordia University. “It’s something you learn and develop, akin to learning to play a music instrument.”
He started with card tricks while in high school and he keeps up his chops with sleight-of hand, more as a hobby now than anything. But an increasing fascination with the mental aspect of magic took him down a different path that is best illustrated by the inner workings of what appears, on the surface, to be a simple card trick.
“Sometimes you need someone to pick a certain card,” he reveals, “so you have to guide them to pick the card you need them to pick.”
Aha! But as to how he does that, he isn’t saying.
VIDEO: Joel Meyers & Spidey on Penn & Teller’s Fool Us!
What he will tell you is that his technique is sufficiently refined to make a believer out of Penn, who is not generally fond of mentalists.
“Penn is on record for not liking mentalists,” Spidey explains, “because they typically say that they’re (actually) reading your mind, or your aura, or they’re psychic — and Penn really hates false claims like that. He likes magicians who say what it is: it’s a trick, it’s technique.”
And Spidey tells in like it is, so Penn is a fan. Spidey paraphrases what the imposing Penn said about his act at the end of that Wizard Wars show in 2014:
“Mentalism is very hard to do. Mentalism, as an art form, sucks. But I’ll tell you, if this is where mentalism is headed, THAT is amazing!”
Spidey’s stage name, by the way, comes from his days as a camp counselor while a high school student in Montreal. The Spiderman movie was coming out in theatres and Spidey is a fan of comic books, so he picked that as a camp name for his young charges. The name stuck.
At his show at the Market Hall, Spidey promises to amaze as well as entertain.
“There are things that happen in my show that people would describe as supernatural,” he says, adding that he will also briefly address an interest he has, which is the study of séance — and he will demonstrate something along those lines.
“I describe my show as an emotional rollercoaster. There are very intense moments, extremely happy moments, really funny moments, and deeply emotional moments.
The popular Legendary Icons Series returns to the Nexicom Studio in June with "Carol Burnett: This Time Together", which tells the story of Carol Burnett through story and songs performed by local musicians
This spring, Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough continues to present an eclectic range of shows in its 20th year.
There’s alt-rock, Celtic music for the entire family, iconic Canadian folk, classic ’60s rock, tributes to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Carol Burnett, and more.
Here’s a selection of upcoming shows this spring at Showplace:
The Piano Men starring Jim Witter on Saturday, March 11 at 8 p.m.
Jim Witter in The Piano Men
The Piano Men is a critically acclaimed musical show that takes you on a time machine through the 1970s.
While pianist Jim Witter and his band play the classic hits of Billy Joel and Elton John — year by year and hit by hit — the era’s news headlines, people, fashion, cars, TV, movies, and pop culture memorabilia are displayed on a giant screen behind the performers.
VIDEO: The Piano Men starring Jim Witter
In this fundraiser for Showplace, you’ll hear tunes such as “My Life”, “Candle in the Wind”, “Rocket Man”, “Just the Way You Are”, and many more. Jim’s personal memories and easy-going on-stage presence add to a remarkable evening of nostalgia.
Tickets are $45, available at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.
Matthew Good on Tuesday, March 14th at 8 p.m.
Matthew Good
Canadian rock musician Matthew Good comes to Showplace to celebrate the release of his new EP, I Miss New Wave: Beautiful Midnight Revisited.
Matthew was the lead singer of the Matthew Good Band, one of Canada’s most successful alt-rock bands of the 1990s (they broke up in 2002). In 1999, the band released Beautiful Midnight, their most commercially successful album. It sold over 300,000 units in Canada alone and won the 2000 Juno Award for Best Rock Album.
VIDEO: “Suburbia” – Matthew Good
In the years since, Matthew has pursued a successful solo career and established himself as a political and mental health activist. Recently, he recorded new versions of selected songs from Beautiful Midnight and has released them as an EP. On his current tour, he’ll be performing Beautiful Midnight in its entirety.
Tickets are $49.50, available at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.
As an added bonus, when you buy a ticket, you’ll receive an email with a code to download a digital copy of I Miss New Wave: Beautiful Midnight Revisited.
Next Generation Leahy on Sunday, March 19 at 3 p.m.
Next Generation Leahy
Most people have heard of Leahy, Lakefield’s famous Irish-Canadian musical family who have been recording and touring since the 1980s (originally The Leahy Family, they rebranded as Leahy in the late 1990s and subsequently won two Junos, for Best New Group and Best Instrumental Artist, in 1998).
Next Generation Leahy is, as the name implies, the next generation of the musical family. One of the original members of Leahy, Doug Leahy, together with his wife Jennifer and six of their eight children, are keeping the family’s musical traditions alive through music, song, and dance.
VIDEO: Next Generation Leahy at the 2016 Mariposa Folk Festival
In a Next Generation Leahy show, fiddle, cello, french accordion, piano, singing and (of course) French-Canadian step-dancing all find a place on stage. With their parents leading the action on stage, the children — ranging in age from 5 to 13 — bring to life the high-energy and infectious Celtic music people associate with the Leahy heritage.
The Leahy children are all accomplished multi-instrumentalists with a level of musical mastery rarely seen in a group so young, and they have the remarkable ability to enamour audiences of all ages — making this the perfect show for the entire family.
Tickets are $39 for adults, $35 for seniors, and $30 for students. You can get them at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.
Danny Bronson presents The Essential Lightfoot on Friday, April 7 at 8 p.m.
Danny Bronson performs the music of Gordon Lightfoot
Peterborough’s own Danny Bronson has been a professional musician and entertainer for over 39 years. A regular with The Citiots Improv troupe, as a musician he’s performed with the likes of Colleen Peterson and Sylvia Tyson — not to mention his work as an actor, musical director, jingle writer, studio musician, teacher, and much more.
On Friday, April 7th, Bronson will be celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary with a concert of tunes from Gordon Lightfoot, one of our country’s best-loved folk singer-songwriters.
Along with Bill Crane, Barry Haggarty, John Roynon, and Alison Porter, Bronson will perform the classic songs of Lightfoot that have helped define our Canadian identity, including “If You Could Read My Mind”, “Sundown”, “Rainy Day People”, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”, and many more.
Tickets are $28 and are available at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.
Classic Albums Live: The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s Are You Experienced on Saturday, April 8 at 8 p.m.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Mitch Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, and Noel Redding) released “Are You Experienced” in 1967
On Saturday, April 8th, the popular series Classic Albums Live returns to Peterborough with a note-for-note re-creation of The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s seminal album Are You Experienced.
Are You Experienced was the debut studio album by the English-American rock band led by electric guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Released in 1967, the record was an immediate critical and commercial success. Music critics widely regard it as one of the greatest debut albums in the history of rock and roll.
Guitarist Clifton David Broadbridge is considered one of the best performers of Jimi Hendrix’s music
The professional musicians of Classic Albums Live will perform the entire record live on stage, cut for cut and note for note. Guitarist Clifton David Broadbridge has worked extensively to perfect the electric feedback and distortion technique emblematic of Hendrix’s playing.
You will hear some of Hendrix’s best-known tunes, including “Manic Depression”, “Hey Joe”, “The Wind Cries Mary”, “Fire”, “Foxy Lady” and, of course, the iconic “Purple Haze”.
VIDEO: Clifton David Broadbridge plays Jimi Hendrix
Tickets are $35.50 and can be purchased at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.
“Broadway Bound with Andrew Lloyd Webber” on Monday, June 12 at 2 p.m.
Hear the songs by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber performed by local musicians while Beth McMaster presents the story of his career
The Legendary Icons Series is back for 2017 with a restaging of “Broadway Bound with Andrew Lloyd Webber” in the Nexicom Studio at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 12th.
Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the most prolific musical theatre icons of all time, and Peterborough’s Beth McMaster will take you on a musical journey through many of his accomplishments and music. Beth will tell the story of the young British upstart who crossed the pond to take Broadway by storm and establish record breaking runs with his hit shows, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Cats and more.
Local performers Kate Suhr, Bob Trennum, Wayne Robinson, Gillian and Paul Wilson, and more will sing the songs of the legendary composer, including favourites such as “Memory” from Cats, “Any Dream Will Do” from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from Evita. The show will also feature selections from Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard and other shows.
The music will be intertwined with the history of the times and the songwriters who influenced Andrew Lloyd Webber’s story, supported with images selected by Stuart McMaster.
This show sold out quickly in 2016, so don’t wait to get your tickets. Tickets are $20, and are available from the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.
“Carol Burnett: This Time Together” on Tuesday, June 13 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Carol Burnett, Lyle Waggoner, and Vicki Lawrence from The Carol Burnett Show (photo Tony Esparza / CBS)
The Legendary Icons Series continues the very next day with “Carol Burnett: This Time Together”, with performances in the Nexicom Studio at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13th.
In this new show, Beth McMaster tells the remarkable story of Carol Burnett, the American actress, comedian, singer, and writer, whose career spans six decades of television.
Burnett is best known for her variety show, The Carol Burnett Show, which premiered in 1967 and ran for 11 seasons. The show, which won 25 primetime Emmy Awards, featured performances by regulars Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, Tim Conway, and Dick Van Dyke.
With images selected by Stuart McMaster, Beth will lead you on Burnett’s journey from her childhood home in Hollywood, through the magic and memories of her fabulous variety show, to her continued popularity today. Burnett’s best-loved songs will be performed by Kate Suhr, Bob Trennum, Wayne Robinson, Gillian and Paul Wilson, and more.
You’ll hear “The Impossible Dream”, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”, “Send in the Clowns”, “The Way We Were” and many more songs intertwined with the history of the times and the people who influenced Carol’s amazing career.
Tickets are only $20, and are available from the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.
Other upcoming shows this spring at Showplace
Jason Petty sings the songs of Hank Williams at Showplace on April 4
If you’re looking for something different at Showplace, there are a lot more performances happening this spring. Here are links to buy tickets to other upcoming shows at Showplace:
Foley’s Irish Pub: Part 2 in the Nexicom Studio on Sunday, March 12th at 3 p.m. (sold out)
If you run across one of these rocks in Peterborough, painted by St. John Catholic Elementary School students, make a donation to Habitat to Humanity and pass the rock to someone else
Young students at St. John Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough have started a project to help raise funds for Habitat for Humanity thr
Led by their teacher Kim Meekin, the Senior Kindergarten and Grade 1 students have been busy painting more than 150 rocks with bright, smiling sunshine images, after being inspired to perform a ‘random act of kindness’ as part of the religion class.
“After coming up with different random acts of kindness within our classroom, we were inspired to extend this to our community and beyond”, Mrs. Meekin explains. “Everyone in the class agreed that having a place to live was very important. This is why we chose to support Habitat for Humanity as the organization helps local families who are in need of decent and affordable housing.”
During March Break, students will be placing the rocks around the community at various locations, including churches, arenas, parks, and other public venues. Students hope to continue running the project until the end of the school year.
The purpose of the Spread the Sunshine project is to encourage people to donate to Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that brings volunteers and community partners together to build affordable housing and promote home ownership as a way to break the cycle of poverty.
Senior Kindergarten and Grade 1 students, led by teacher Kim Meekin, have painted more than 150 rocks for their Spread the Sunshine project
Small rocks will serve to create interest and stir curiosity, while larger rocks will include special instructions to go to the Spread the Sunshine Project website at spread-the-sunshine-project.weebly.com and make a donation to Habitat for Humanity.
The donor is then encouraged to pass the rock along to someone else to increase awareness and to inspire an act of kindness in someone new. The goal of Spread the Sunshine is to see how far the rocks and go and how much money can be raised for Habitat for Humanity.
Proceeds from Spread the Sunshine will go towards Habitat for Humanity’s 2017 build projects, including the construction of a single detached home in Peterborough this spring.
“The students are excited to see how far the rocks will travel and how much money we can raise,” Mrs. Meekin says.
To learn more about the Spread the Sunshine project, visit spread-the-sunshine-project.weebly.com, which includes a direct link to make a donation to Habitat for Humanity.
Donors can leave the message “spread the sunshine project” and include the location where the rock was found, which will help Mrs. Meekin’s students track the progress of the rocks.
Warm up the final days of winter with some old-time music from Toronto's The Lonesome Ace Stringband (Chris Coole, John Showman, and Max Heineman), who are performing at the Gordon Best Theatre in downtown Peterborough on Friday, March 10 (publicity photo)
Every Thursday, we publish live music and performance events at pubs and clubs in Peterborough and The Kawarthas based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, March 9 to Wednesday, March 15.
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.
Friday, March 17 10pm - St. Patrick's Day Party Trent University vs. Fleming College ($5)
Arlington Pub
32990 Highway 62, Maynooth
(613) 338-2080
Saturday, March 11
9pm - Cabin Fever Dance w/ DJ Sean C. ($5, with $1 going to Maynooth Food Bank)
Coming Soon
Friday, March 17 9pm - Dead Peasants ($10)
Saturday, March 18 8pm - Movie Night ft. "King of Hearts"
Bancroft Eatery and Brew Pub
4 Bridge St., Bancroft
(613) 332-3450
Tuesdays
7:30pm - Trivia Tuesdays
Coming Soon
Friday, March 17 9pm - Dave Byrski
Black Horse Pub
452 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 742-0633
Thursday, March 9
7:30pm - Jazz & Blues Night w/ Marsala Lukianchuk & Rob Phillips Trio
Friday, March 10
5pm - Rick & Gailie; 8:30pm - Dean James Band
Saturday, March 11
5pm - Rick & Gailie; 8:30pm - Terry Guiel 50th Birthday Bash
Sunday, March 12
3pm - Christine Artrill Band
Monday, March 13
7pm - Crash and Burn w/ Rick & Gailie
Tuesday, March 14
7pm - Open mic w/ Randy Hill
Wednesday, March 15
8pm - Trent student night
Coming Soon
Thursday, March 16 7:30pm - Jazz & Blues Night w/ Marsala Lukianchuk & Rob Phillips Trio
Friday, March 17 4pm - 4 Front/Terry Finne; 8:30pm - Pop Machine
Saturday, March 18 5pm - Rick & Gailie; 8:30pm - Live music (TBA)
Sunday, March 19 3pm - Brian Haddellsey
Canoe & Paddle
18 Bridge St., Lakefield
(705) 651-1111
Thursday, March 9
7:30-10:30pm - Melissa Payne & Guests
Saturday, March 11
8-11pm - Northern Soul
The Cat & The Fiddle Cobourg
38 Covert St., Cobourg
(905) 377-9029
Friday, March 10
9pm - Jade Eagleson w/ Clayton Yates and Jimmy Bowskill
Coming Soon
Friday, March 17 9pm - St. Patrick's Day Party ft Madman's Window
Catalina's
131 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 874-5972
Thursday, March 9
8pm - Film Night: ft "Wag The Dog"
Saturday, March 11
8pm - Bon Voyage Catalina Get Down Dancy Party
Coming Soon
Friday, March 31 7:30pm - Lynne Hanson & The Good Intentions album release
The Ceilie (Trent University student pub)
1600 West Bank Dr., Peterborough
(705) 748-1011
Thursday, March 9
7pm - Trent University Geography Society presents Reach for the Peak Trivia Night
Friday, March 10
7-10pm - Trent Writers Society & Trent Visual Arts Network Artist Social ft open mic (free)
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, March 9
9pm - Gary and Les w/ Ray on the Radio
Friday, March 10
9pm - Cindy McCredie & Scott Maybee
Saturday, March 11
9pm - Cellar Door
Mondays
Trivia Monday
Wednesdays
Whiskey Wednesday w/ Ken Tizzard
Coming Soon
Saturday, April 8 - Saturday, April 22 2nd Annual Monopoly Tournament
Coach & Horses Pub
16 York St. S., Lindsay
(705) 328-0006
Thursdays
10pm - Open Jam w/ Gerald Vanhalteren
Wednesdays
7-11pm - Live music
Coming Soon
Saturday, March 18 9pm - U jimmy
Dobro Restaurant & Bar
287-289 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 775-9645
Friday, March 10
10pm - High Waters Band (no cover)
Saturday, March 11
10pm - High Waters Band (no cover)
Sunday, March 12
3pm - St. Patrick's Day Parade After Party ft Mike MacCurdy
Wednesdays
Open stage
Dominion Hotel
113 Main St., Minden
(705) 286-6954
Saturday, March 11
7pm - Jimmy Pearson (no cover)
Coming Soon
Friday, March 17 8pm - St. Patrick's Day Blues w/ Chuck Jackson and Tyler Yarema ($25)
Friday, April 7 8pm - Jim Love CD Release Party (no cover)
Saturday, May 20 Summer 2017 Kickoff Party w/ Movin' On ($5)
Friday, June 8 7:30pm - Farmer the Band (by donation)
Dr. J's BBQ & Brews
282 Aylmer St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5717
Sunday, March 12
12pm - St. Patrick's Day Parade After Party ft Roy Boys, Ugly Horse
Coming Soon
Friday, March 17 12pm - St. Paddy's Day Party ft: Jessie Morrisey, Adam Grills, Jayde Taylor; Kate Kelly & Bobby Watson; Northern Soul; Rockin Robin Hawkins
Saturday, March 25 8pm - Northern Soul
Frank's Pasta and Grill
426 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-2727
Thursdays
5-8pm - Live music
Fridays
9pm-12am - Karaoke Night Girls Night Out; 12am - DJ Chrome
3pm - St. Patrick's Day Parade After Party w/ Hasty P's Pipe Band
Tuesdays
10pm - Open mic w/ Matt Diamond
Coming Soon
Saturday, March 18 9pm - Trent University Battle of the Bands 2017 ft Deathsticks, Prime Junk, Television Rd, Velvet Bison, MJ& The Beetus, Dickie and the Boys (no cover, all ages)
Friday, May 12 5:30pm - Peterborough Live Music Festival Acoustic Jam w/ Nathan Bottomley, The Templars (all ages, $5 or $15 for weekend pass, in advance at www.ticketscene.ca/events/17190/)
Riverside Grill & Gazebo - Holiday Inn
150 George St, Peterborough
(705) 743-1144
Friday, March 10
8pm - Jack De Keyzer Solo Performance ($15)
Sapphire Room
137 Hunter St., Peterborough
(705) 749-0409
Coming Soon
Friday, March 17 10pm - THIRST! presents Emerald City drag, dancing, party games & prices (no cover, 19+, LGBT+)
Shots
379 George Street K9H 3R2, Peterborough
(705) 749-9315
Learning how to use transit is a fun way for youth to explore their independence and a safe alternative to driving. Grade 8 students across Peterborough will receive a free transit pass to use over the March Break, and families can purchase a day pass for up to 2 adults and 4 children to ride the bus all day for only $8.00
Next week is March Break. While the little ones might be happy to play at home or attend a daycamp, kids in the ‘tween’ age group are eagerly making their own plans to hangout with friends or participate in an activity around town. Chances are these plans may not include how to travel around to different destinations and this is when parents get bombarded with requests for rides.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Jaime Akiyama, GreenUP Transportation and Urban Design Programs Coordinator.
Don’t let your week turn into a juggling act while you make sure the kids have access to the places and people that fill their plans. Kids who are independent enough to make their own arrangements for the March Break can also make their own travel plans. Walking and biking might be an option. For destinations that are further away or during questionable weather events, why not suggest the bus?
Peterborough Transit provides a safe and accessible alternative to driving. Learning how to read a transit map and schedule, using these resources to plan a trip, becoming comfortable on the transit system, knowing how to pay for the fare, recognizing stops, and transferring buses when needed, are all life skills that will help prepare students to travel independently.
Active and Safe Routes to School Peterborough runs an annual Grade 8 Transit Quest program to increase familiarity with the local transit system. All Grade 8 students within the City of Peterborough will be given a free transit pass so they can ride the bus for free over the March Break, from Friday, March 10th to Sunday, March 19th. Passes and transit maps will be delivered directly to school classrooms this week.
GreenUP Manager of Transportation and Urban Design Programs, Lindsay Stroud explain:
“Learning how to use the local transit system can help prepare students for experiences they will have with other transit systems when they move to other cities for college or university, or for work or travel. If students become familiar with Peterborough’s local bus service now, they will feel more comfortable using systems like the GO or Greyhound buses to get from city to city when they’re a bit older.
“Also, youth who use public transportation systems early are likely to become confident with navigating more complex transportation services in bigger cities, like subways and streetcars.”
Learning how to read a transit map and schedule, using these resources to plan a trip, becoming comfortable on the transit system, knowing how to pay for the fare, recognizing stops, and transferring buses when needed, are all life skills that will help prepare students to travel independently.
Public transit is not only a good, independent mode of transportation for youth, it is beneficial to all of society. Using public transit saves money and helps the environment. Choosing to leave the car at home, or to not have a car at all, contributes to reducing gasoline consumption as well as reducing air pollution and traffic congestion.
For many, affording a car is not a possibility and having public transit is an affordable, necessary alternative. These days, many people are choosing not to rely on a car; The New York Times reports that millennials — the generation born through the early 1980s to early 2000s — are moving away from vehicle ownership.
The decrease is reportedly due to the high cost of owning a vehicle and the increased ease of using public transit. Various transportation options, from public transit to car and bike sharing, are allowing people to avoid the hassle of traffic and the high costs of vehicle ownership.
Whether youth choose to use public transit because of environmental concerns, cost-saving reasons, or through necessity to live and play, Active and Safe Routes to School Peterborough wants them to be knowledgeable, prepared, and confident to navigate all public transit systems. The experiences gained through the Grade 8 Transit Quest program will provide youth with valuable skills as they grow into independent adults.
Kids who are independent enough to make their own arrangements for the March Break, can also make their own travel plans by walking, biking, or taking public transit.
Of course, The Grade 8 Transit Quest can be a lot of fun too, and can contribute to students’ plans for the March Break. Several destinations around Peterborough, including Zap Attack Laser Tag, Busy Brushes Pottery Painting, Bowlerama, the YMCA, the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre, and the Trent Athletics Centre have generously provided special offers and discounts to students with the Grade 8 Transit Quest pass.
Check out peterboroughmoves.com for more information about the Grade 8 Transit Quest or contact Jaime Akiyama, Coordinator of Transportation and Urban Design programs at jaime.akiyama@greenu.on.ca or at 705-745-3238 ext. 210.
With tears and smiles, the 150 women attending Peterborough's first International Women's Day Conference give a standing ovation to feminist comic and actor Candy Palmater (left) following her morning keynote (photo: Jeanne Pengelly / kawarthaNOW)
Candy Palmater has been called a squaw and a half breed; she’s been sidelined in the Roman Catholic church; and, she’s been told to give up: “people like you don’t do well at university,” she was told by a high school guidance counsellor.
She’s also fought the gender-equality battle — and won — in almost as many corners as she has years to her name.
On Wednesday morning (March 8), the 48-year-old comedian and inspirational speaker led 150 women through alternating tears and laughter to a realization that each was capable of overcoming great obstacles and of creating meaningful change.
kawarthaNOW publisher Jeannine Taylor introduces Candy Palamater to the conference attendees. “On this day I can publicly admit my woman crush on Candy … one of our most avid champions of Canadian culture, women, and indigenous peoples.” (photo: Jeanne Pengelly / kawarthaNOW)
And the prescription was as simple as it is complex: love yourself.
Develop a “love affair” with yourself, Palmater told the sold-out crowd at Peterborough’s inaugural International Women’s Day Conference.
“When you really develop that love for yourself — and it’s a hard road, you have to work at it — there’s this secret, and I wish women and girls would believe this: when you really love yourself, people can see what you feel.”
That form of self-confidence is exactly what the women gathered in the Ashburnham Reception Centre were eager to grow on International Women’s Day. Not because they want to advance their careers, or further their pay cheques, but because they want to feel independent, strong, equal, and solid. To them, that’s success.
Candy Palmater shared her experiences as a young girl. “It was a constant struggle about fairness … If I could play (baseball) as well as most of the boys, why couldn’t I play?”
Hosted by the Peterborough Women’s Business Network, the conference was geared to inspire, empower, and equip women to become just that.
As Palmater sat on a stool at the front of the room in a shiny royal blue dress, her presence was palpable, her humour edgy yet gentle and playful, and her message clear: if you don’t think of yourself as a miracle, a precious gift with something to offer, you should.
It is up to women of this generation, Palmater encouraged, to ensure there is no more servitude by women in the future, or in other parts of the world.
Some of the 150 women in the audience who were capitivated by Palmater’s keynote (photo: Jeanne Pengelly / kawarthaNOW)
Palmater told her life story, beginning with her first five years as an adored child of a timid, loving white mother and a recovered alcoholic, mysoginistic aboriginal father. The impoverished family had retreated to a house in the woods where they sold Harley Davidsons.
Palmater’s first five years were idyllic, she says, but the fairy tale ended five years later, when she went to school.
“It was a constant struggle about fairness,” she said, from playing baseball (not softball) to serving mass with the altar boys. “To me, it was always about even-stevens, or fairsies. If I could play as well as most of the boys, why couldn’t I play?”
Candy Palmater’s courage in overcoming adversity touched the hearts of the conference participants. An emotional Louise Racine, who conceived of the idea of a Peterborough conference for International Women’s Day, speaks with Candy following her keynote. (Photo: Jeanne Pengelly / kawarthaNOW)
She won most of her battles, and eventually turned the heart of her dying father, who, in the end, was able to see how his daughter was helping the cause of all women, and how that was a good thing.
She entered law school, was valedictorian of her class, joined a corporate law firm, then abruptly left that job to become a comedian. And, she succeeded at that too. The Candy Show ran a successful five seasons on CBC Television.
“Look in the mirror, and look deep into your own eyes,” she told the women in the audience. “Only you know what your true passion is. Only you know that fire that burns inside and how hard you will work for it.
“I try every day of my life to move closer to be that person I was meant to be. I forgive myself when I make mistakes. The mistakes are meant to be.”
The International Women’s Day organizing committee with Candy Palamater shortly before she left the conference (photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
Palmater’s audience was captivated, some wiping tears amidst the smiles.
“I think I’m most struck by her passion for fairness,” said Peggy Pettifer-Jones, of Christian Horizons, who attended the conference with others from that organization. “And how we must stand up for fairness. That’s the important message.”
Barb Hinsberger-Fox of Agilec also attended with colleagues.
“I like the way she talked about fairsies and taking action,” she said. “Take action, don’t just complain and whine.”
After Palmater’s morning keynote, the International Women’s Day Conference continued for the remainder of the day, with three concurrent morning workshops, an afternoon keynote from career coach Sarah Vermunt, three more afternoon workshops, and a closing keynote from Peterborough performer Linda Kash.
Some of the women who attended the Peterborough’s first International Women’s Day Conference, toasting the end of a successful day (photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
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