Kindness Of Stranger Allows Autistic Boy To Ride A Bike Again

Kate and Jason Wells have given PTBOCanada readers a window of what it's like to have an autistic son in a previous post from last year. There are difficult moments on a daily basis, but there are also joyous moments. Like this for example involving Aidan getting a 3-wheel bike. As Kate writes in a Facebook post, "The kindness of people is astounding. This bike (see pictures below) was given to Aidan after they no longer could use it. He used to love riding his bike, but required training wheels which he outgrew a few years ago. He hasn't been on a bike since—something he used to love to do. Because of her generosity, he is able to ride again. Tears of happiness as we watched him go!!!"  Watch him go below...

Aidan with his father Jason

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Look: Flooding In Peterborough

[UPDATE, April 19th]: More pics from Scott Arnold of the flooding in Peterborough...

Crary Park entrance

Water under Crary Park stage

Crary Park under water

[UPDATE: April 19th]: BREAKING...
Flood Warning Update and Road Closure. A flood warning remains in effect for the City of Peterborough. The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) has advised that water levels will continue to rise in the lower Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River over the next few days. City staff are closely monitoring the situation in consultation with ORCA, Trent Severn Waterway, Ontario Power Generation, as well as local dam operators, and are prepared to respond as required. Be advised that Lock Street at McKellar Street is closed to through traffic due to flooding. There is local access only. Please use alternate routes, such as King George and Park Street. Citizens travelling on Johnson Drive at the Highway #115 underpass are advised to use caution, as there is water over the roadway. Citizens are also advised to stay away from flooded areas and riverbanks due to fast moving water and the potential for unstable ground. City residents living in low-lying areas along the Otonabee River are encouraged to monitor water level changes on their properties, and to take necessary precautions to protect life and property. Docks and structures close to the water should be secured or moved, other personal effects should be moved to higher ground, and residents should consider moving personal belongings from lower levels of their home. Residents are advised that they should have sufficient and appropriate emergency supplies at the ready, and sump pumps and backflow preventers should be checked to ensure that they are functioning properly.

UPDATE No. 2 (April 18th): Here are photos by our Evan Holt of the Pedal 'n' Paddle (beneath the Silver Bean Cafe), which now has a few feet of water in it, and of East City...

UPDATED: Scott Arnold captured these dramatic images today (April 18th) of the flooding in Peterborough, as ORCA advises the situation is expected to worsen before it gets better...

Holiday Inn, protected by sandbags and huge water bag

Holiday Inn Waterfront Room

Holiday Inn patio under water

Holiday Inn parking lot leading to walkway

Holiday Inn parking lot getting washed out

Worker getting wires out of water and placing on roof

Little Lake building under water

Liftlock Cruise ticket booth

Paddle boarders

Lock 20

Beavermead Park

ORIGINAL POST (April 17th)

The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) has advised that water levels will continue to rise along the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River over the next few days, as a flood warning continues for Peterborough. City staff are closely monitoring the situation in consultation with ORCA, Trent Severn Waterway, Ontario Power Generation, as well as local dam operators, and are prepared to respond as required. City residents in low-lying areas along the Otonabee River are encouraged to monitor water level changes on their properties, and to take necessary precautions to protect life and property.  The City of Peterborough Public Works will be providing limited sandbags to those City residents that are in imminent danger of flooding for lower entry points on foundations such as doorways and window wells (not for riverbanks). Sandbags will be available for City residents to pick up on April 18th from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Morrow Park parking lot; west lot, southwest corner. If at anytime city residents feel that they are in immediate danger by rising water, they should call 9-1-1. Scott Arnold captured these images (and video) below around Peterborough this evening (April 17th)...

Little Lake

Little Lake

Little Lake

McKellar St.

Ducks on McKellar

McKellar St.

Little Lake

McKellar

—Scott Arnold

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Style File Two: Look -> What's Your Style Peterborough?

Ashton Swinnerton

In the Spotlight: Ashton Swinnerton
Ash's Style File Notes: There's nothing more refreshing than being perfectly dressed for an activity. Ashton is kicking it 90s Grunge for a little afternoon leisure by the Otonabee.
What Ashton says about her style: "It's always supporting how I am feeling at the time. Right now, I've got these flowered Doc Martin boots that make me feel strong and this denim jacket from Sympathy for the Rebel, which has my Luke Perry and Jason Priestly Pins. All things 90s. My obsession. The outfit was topped off with a pair of 60s, bright green Sunglasses from Joie De Vie on George St., and an Egyptian Opal Ring from Tribal Voices. The ring reminded me of the Bob Dylan Song 'She belongs to me', which also infuses the look with some 60s vibes—the lyrics in that song 'She wears an Egyptian ring, That sparkles before she speaks'. It did sparkle and so did the waters of the River in Beautiful Peterborough."

—Ash Street

Ash Street

Contact fashionista Ash Street if you want to be featured in "What's Your Style Peterborough?" Or watch for her on the streets finding her next person to feature in Style File.

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City In Need: Check Out This Kawartha Food Share Fact Sheet

Kawartha Food Share distributes food to 37 local agencies that run food banks, food cupboards and meal programs. Here's some stats from 2013 they provided to us—many alarming—about the number of people in need in the community:

• 48 schools access Kawartha Food Share to help with their breakfast clubs and meal programs. In the month of March 2013, more than 158,000 meals were served in Peterborough area schools. 17,000 children are fed daily.
• In 2013, Kawartha Food Share distributed over $10 million dollars worth of food.
• Currently, 7,728 people are using food banks every month in the City and County of Peterborough—a number which increases to 11,244 when reflecting multiple visits.
• Food bank use has increased by 35% over the past 5 years.
• 41% of local food bank users are under the age of 18.
• In the month of March alone, 300 people visited a food bank for the very first time.
• 24% of food bank users are a mix of post-secondary students, pensioners and the working poor, many of which are only able to find part-time work in this community.
• Kawartha Food Share’s volunteers work the equivalent number of hours as 10 full-time paid staff positions.

[Kawartha Food Share]

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Silver Bean Café Introducing PTBOCanada Coffee Blend From Kyoto This Summer

As a fun cross-promotion, we are delighted to announce that the Silver Bean Café will be serving a PTBOCanada Coffee this summer, a special Kyoto Coffee Blend.

As Silver Bean explains in a Facebook post announcing the promotion, "We decided to approach Tracy at Kyoto Coffee and ask her to make a special blend for us, one worthy to be called PTBOCanada Coffee. After some strenuous taste testing, I think we have settled on a blend. It is a Brazilian Peaberry and Peru Feminino coffee bean blend and we will be serving it up all summer long at the cafe. The Brazilian Peaberry is Rainforest Alliance and the Peruvian beans are Cafe Feminino."

So now you can drink us up all summer. Enjoy.

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Upcoming 2014 B!ke Cycle Touring Workshops In Peterborough

B!ke: The Peterborough Community Cycling Hub (336 Rubidge Street) is hosting a three part Cycle Touring Workshop series. 

The workshops will be held on Sundays once per month from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The cost per workshop is $15 for members, $20 for non-members, or $40 for the series. You can register in advance via email as space is highly limited.

Your Body - April 27th - Guest Instructor - Kieran Andrews

When you plan to spend so much time in the saddle, getting a good fit is of utmost importance! Kieran will share his expertise on bike fit and set up; how you can prepare your body for touring; and talk about what to expect when you get into the saddle for the long haul. 

Your Stuff - May 25th - Guest Instructor - Marilyn Freeman

Marilyn has toured extensively and is excited to provide participants with a hands-on exploration of how to handle your stuff while on tour. Join her during this session to learn what is the "yard sale"? How do you pack your panniers? What to bring and what not to bring?

Your Route - May 24th - Guest Instructor - Thom Willington

During his six month trip across the Middle East, Thom learned a lot about picking a good route. Join him for this session to learn about the many resources available to you while you decide where to ride and where to stay. From short local tours to long distance international ones, many of the same considerations apply.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Sacred Water Circle Gathering At Trent University May 2nd to 4th

The Sacred Water Circle Gathering, a powerful convergence of First Nations leaders and wisdom keepers, takes place at Trent University from May 2nd to May 4th. This indigenous-led initiative will bring together scientists, industry, academia, water professionals, the faith community and the general public with Elders and Traditional Teachers from all over the Americas. The Gathering will honour the sacredness of the water with ceremonies both at Trent University and Kinomagewopkong (the Peterborough Petroglyphs), traditional Indigenous teachings, interactive dialogue, art exhibits, film screenings, vendors and the performing arts. The registration fee for the three-day event is on a pay-what-you-can basis, ranging from $200 to $300, which includes all events, activities, meals and refreshments. Full registration information can be found at Sacredwater.ca. You can also register in person by visiting the GreenUP Store at 378 Aylmer Street in Peterborough. Registration closes April 18th. More info in this poster below...

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Social Worker Stephanie Moeser

Often, people move on from smaller towns to larger metropolises for work. Stephanie Moeser and her family did the exact opposite last summer when they uprooted and moved from Toronto up the 115 to Peterborough.

The draw of an active arts community, vibrant downtown atmosphere and natural environment provided all the incentive they needed to pack up and leave their comfort zone. The slower pace of life, and friendlier atmosphere that the Lift Lock City could provide for their children also helped in the decision.

Stephanie is a social worker with a particular focus on supporting teens and adults with Asperger Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. She worked previously at Geneva Centre for Autism in Toronto for 13 years as a social worker and later as a supervisor.  She also managed a service for adults with a dual-diagnosis. Currently, she still remains an affiliate of the Redpath Centre in Toronto. 

More recently, Stephanie decided to take a leap of faith and work for herself. She is now a social worker in private practice here in Peterborough and couldn’t be happier with this decision.

Stephanie has expertise in providing clinical support to all those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. As part of her work, she supports families understanding of their child’s diagnosis and how it effects their child and family as a whole. She also provides counseling to couples where one or both spouses have an autism spectrum disorder through offering support and guidance navigating some of the complexities of intimate relationships.  

Stephanie works directly with teens and adults with Asperger Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder, supporting them through many facets of their lives, including (but not limited to):

- understanding their diagnosis
- navigating the social environment
- emotional regulation and relationships
- supporting individuals who are experience mental health issues

Through her many years of work, Stephanie has always been amazed at the strength of the individuals she has met. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder have taught her to embrace thinking outside the box and have shown her how to look at situations in new and unique ways.  Through these interactions, Stephanie knows the importance of embracing difference and using our strengths and passions to reach our goals. 

In working with families, Stephanie has been awed by their strength, love and resilience.  Families fight for the best for all of their children, and at times do this while putting their own needs second. Stephanie has worked with families to help them find balance and support so all members can thrive.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Stephanie Moeser and what she is now offering our community, she can be reached at:

Email: stephanie@rediscovery.ca
Facebook: Rediscovery Counselling
Website:  RedpathCentre.ca
Twitter:  @re_discovery
Phone: 705.927.1318

If your business/organization is interested in a PTBOCanada Featured Post, email sales@ptbocanada.com!

D'Agostini Says Goodbye To Fans

An amazing goalie, but more important a heart of gold. We won't forget Dagger. Watch this interview he did with TV Cogeco after last night's final game...

[TV Cogeco Peterborough]

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Peterborough Model Mike Rodin Making Waves On Global Stage—And Harlequin Book Covers

Peterborough Model Mike Rodin, who recently strutted his stuff on the the Catwalks of Toronto Fashion Week 2014 for HD Homme, Filthy Haanz, Farley Chatto, Soia Kyo, Rudsak and Viggo, is making waves on the international stage.

Over the past few months, the Strutt Central model has booked campaigns for Old Spice, Ash City, Gucci Showroom, Hazelton Lanes and most recently as lead Actor in a Universal Studios Music Video "Oh".

In addition, Mike's face will grace the covers of more than 25 Harlequin Romance novels.    

After fulfilling a successful contract in Shanghai, China this past year, Mike's next stop is Europe. He will be jetting off to Milan in the next few weeks to embark on a modelling contract with The FASHION Model Management Milan a top European agency.

We wish him the best of luck.

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