Win This Space Grand Prize Winner Tiny Greens Opens In Downtown Peterborough

Tiny Greens, the winner of Win This Space 2017 competition, is now open at 431 George Street North. Tiny Greens owner Tina Bromley received a downtown storefront free for 12 months from Win This Space, plus additional prizes that will help her business succeed. 

“While preparing to open the business, I have received so much help and support from the community, Downtown Business Improvement Area, City of Peterborough, sponsors and other downtown businesses, which makes me feel really appreciative,” says Tina Bromley.

431 George St. North

Located in downtown Peterborough, Tiny Greens offers healthy and freshly harvested microgreen products such as microgreens, vegetables, herbs as well as juice and salad. Tina’s plan is to create a healthy hub for the community while enjoying a unique atmosphere.

“Tiny Greens has been extremely well-received in previous downtown events such as Taste of Downtown and Peterborough Pulse," says Terry Guiel, Excecutive Director of Downtown Business Improvement Area. "We are very excited to see her succeed and take her business to the next level with a storefront."

DBIA's Terry Guiel pictured with Tina Bromley

The Win This Space competition is a new downtown Peterborough initiative in partnership with the DBIA, Peterborough Economic Development, StartUP Peterborough and Community Futures Peterborough.

Win This Space concepts have been extremely successful in other Canadian cities with boosting economic development, stimulating new downtown storefront businesses and creating jobs.

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City Of Peterborough Wants Your Input On Proposed Tagline For City "Where Roads And Rivers Meet"

The City of Peterborough is developing a Community Brand with BrandHealth that defines what is unique about Peterborough. They want to hear from the public about a proposed tagline "Where roads and rivers meet."

Photo by Patrick Stephen

The City of Peterborough says that "during our community consultations, we heard that Peterborough is unique because it is a thriving city that is close to major urban centres, yet has nature at its doorstep. Peterborough is where the two worlds meet."

So what do you think about "Where Roads And Rivers Meet" as a tagline for the community? Give your input here.

We would love to hear your thoughts about the proposed tagline "Where roads and rivers meet." https://t.co/nATktXvuVr pic.twitter.com/0TATbyOWGJ

— City of Peterborough (@CityPtbo) July 25, 2017

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Trent U's New Student Centre Opening This Fall Gets $300,000 Boost By Alumnus Justin Chiu

The highly-anticipated Trent University Student Centre slated to open this Fall that will make a great addition to the beautiful Symons Campus has received a $300,000 funding boost thanks to the generosity of international alumnus, Justin Chiu ’76.

Dr. Chiu’s gift to the Student Centre, which overlooks the Otonabee River, will contribute to enhancing the exceptional student experience at Trent that he personally attributes to helping him become the dynamic and successful business leader he is today.

Student Centre rendering courtesy Trent University

“My family and I chose Trent when I was a student because we felt that an outstanding small Canadian university would provide an excellent education on a very personal scale," says Dr. Chiu. "Today, that human touch remains an essential part of the Trent student experience."
 
Dr. Chiu’s latest gift to Trent (he has made many others over the years, including a $1 million gift to support Trent athletes with The Justin Chiu Stadium in 2011) brings the Student Centre project even closer to its $4 million fundraising goal, with less than $250,000 left to raise.

Student Centre rendering courtesy Trent University

“Dr. Chiu’s vision and dynamism has resulted in projects that have transformed Singapore’s waterfront and changed many other horizons throughout Asia," says Julie Davis, Vice-President of External Relations & Advancement at Trent. "Through his philanthropy and leadership, he helps extend that vision to the waterfront of Trent University with a vibrant new Student Centre."

Here is a picture Trent Alumni posted on their Instagram account of the progress of the Student Centre, which is being built next to the iconic Bata Library...

The new @trentuniversity Student Centre is taking shape! Can't wait to explore it in September!

Here's another view of the Student Centre under construction taken by Trent University's Kate Weersink...

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The Canadian Canoe Museum Offering Free Canoe City Walking Tour On Saturdays

In celebration of their new exhibit Artisan and Industry, the Canadian Canoe Museum is launching a free walking tour on Saturdays this summer.

A guided tour will run each Saturday from July 22nd through August 26th from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The tour includes five stops featuring locations such as Spa Euphoria, the previous location of Peterborough Canoe Company. For participants of eligible drinking age, all guided tours end with a beer tasting at Publican House Brewery in downtown Peterborough.

The Canoe City Walking Tour will eventually transition into a self-guided tour, and stationary interpretive panels will be installed along stops on the tour.
 
For more information about the exhibits and tour, visit The Canadian Canoe Museum website canoemuseum.ca.

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Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre In Peterborough Has Nearly 2,000 Eggs In Its Care

The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) currently has nearly 2,000 eggs in its care during the busy current nesting season when so many injured turtles were brought in.

OTCC says on their Facebook page they are "currently incubating eggs from 6 species found in Ontario: Blanding's turtles, wood turtles, eastern musk turtles, northern map turtles, snapping turtles, and painted turtles."

Blanding's turtle eggs

OTCC encourages people to bring injured turtles to the centre, even if they think the turtle may already be dead. The reason: OTCC can retrieve and incubate the eggs that a female turtle had been carrying, so that the misfortunate event that injured or killed the mother does not have to determine the fate of her eggs as well.

This initiative is incredibly worthwhile, as 7 of Ontario's 8 turtle species are species at risk, including the Blanding's turtle (pictured above), which is a threatened species in Ontario.

Snapping turtle eggs

The round shape of snapping turtle eggs (pictured above) make them easy to identify, as other Ontario turtles lay oval eggs, according to OTTC's Facebook page post. The large body size of snapping turtles allow them to carry and lay the largest number of eggs in a single clutch. Snapping turtles can lay more than 50 eggs per clutch, while other Ontario species typically lay anywhere from 3-20 eggs in a clutch.

Painted turtle eggs

OTCC says they'll be sharing photos of the hatchlings once they start breaking out of their eggs over the next couple weeks to make sure to "Like" OTCC on Facebook to see the results!

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Lansdowne Place Has A Silent Train On Sunday Mornings For Kids With Sensory Sensitivities

Lansdowne Place has launched a train at the mall this summer, and it's already been a hit with kids and their parents as Engineer Rick leads rides throughout the mall.

But those with sensory issues can also now enjoy "Lansdowne Place Station", as it's been fondly called by passengers. The mall has added a "Silent Train" to its trackless train inside the Shopping Centre on Sunday mornings before it opens for those with sensory sensitivites.

As many mall-goers know, the innovative mall has been running a "Silent Santa" as well for years during the Christmas season, and the mall wanted to offer the same experience to those families who want to use the train.

"There are many families in the community that benefit from our Silent Santa program so when we were asked by a parent if the mall would also host silent train rides, the answer was YES," says LP's marketing director Emily Dart. "We understand that the mall can be very overwhelming for an individual with sensory sensitivities, which is why the Silent Train runs each Sunday morning before Lansdowne Place opens. This will allow families to enjoy the train without the distraction of busy crowds and loud noises."

The "Silent Train" runs Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. to 10:45 am. on the upper level of the mall until August 27th.

For more details about the train, including a listing of the train’s operating hours, visit lansdowneplace.com.

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Peterborough Entrepreneur Launches Mobile App For Users To Discover Their Next Meal Based On Their Mood

Peterborough entrepreneur Sultan Moni, a student at Trent University, has launched a new app that could change the way consumers choose their next meal. Zatiq is a platform for users to discover local foods around them that will match their cravings to a meal.

Through artificial intelligence, this unique app—now available in Google Play Store and launching on the App store in August—could redefine the food and hospitality industry. A mix of inputting the user’s mood and meal preferences will allow the app to be personalized at any user’s command.

“People are always hungry but often never know what they want to eat,” says Moni. “I wanted to solve that problem since there are so many different types of meals to discover.”

Moni is based out of the Innovation Cluster’s downtown Cube in Peterborough, and combined his love for trying new meals and developing technology to create a food discovery app that can benefit anyone who wants to discover new food and find that perfect dish.

Entrepreneur Sultan Moni

“It is exciting to see a disruptive new app born in Peterborough & the Kawarthas which has the potential to be used in different markets around the world," says Michael Skinner, President & CEO of the Innovation Cluster.

With Zatiq’s leading search capabilities, there are various inputs available to find their next meal. When searching by business, user’s can browse for specific restaurants, cafés and other food hot spots. The innovative “mood” search engine lets the user find meals that will satisfy based on what they are feeling, such as happy or heartbroken. No matter what kind of day the person is having, they can find a meal fit for them.

With the ability for users to follow each other’s profiles, the app provides an interactive experience when trying new foods, allowing people to comment or like another user’s ratings, check-ins, or pictures.

Another benefit of the app is each time a user checks in to a location, points are gained. These can be redeemed as coupons, discounts, samples, offers and other deals provided by businesses. Rewards could be anything from a free coffee to a free iPhone 7.

“This app will expand even more as people in different locations download it,” says Moni. “Zatiq will allow users to add meals and locations to the app’s search list, so anyone around the world will be able to find a good meal, gain points and have fun wherever they are.”

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United Way Peterborough Launches Text To Give, One of First UW Organizations In Canada To Do So

Just in time for Paint the Town Red on Wednesday, July 19th, United Way Peterborough & District has launched mobile giving as part of its 2017 campaign. Local Foodies who can’t join in at Paint the Town Red (or even if they can) can now donate $20 to United Way Peterborough at any time via text message by texting UWPTBO to 20222.

"I am excited that UW Peterborough is innovating like this, and using technology to make it easy for people to donate on demand," says United Way 2017 Chair/PTBOCanada Co-Founder Neil Morton. "UW Peterborough is one of the first United Way organizations in Canada to implement mobile giving, and the smallest city to do so."

“The United Way Peterborough team will be making a strong push on social media and at local events to get the word out about our new text to donate program and we hope our community partners will spread the word as well," says Lisa Smith, Director of Philanthropic Impact, at UPW Ptbo.

HOW "TEXT TO GIVE" WORKS

-> Diners can make a $20 donation to United Way of Peterborough & District by texting UWPTBO to 20222.

-> Text to donate will be available to use throughout the campaign, so mobile users can text to donate at any time.

-> No portion of any amount donated is held by participating wireless providers.

-> United Way Peterborough receives 100% of each donation made by text message.

-> All mobile users can obtain a tax receipt for their donations made via text message by visiting the Mobile Giving Foundation Canada website.

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Peterborough Startup Chimp Treats Creates New Jobs Through Partnership With Community Living

Peterborough's Brooke Hammer, founder and CEO of Chimp Treats, has taken the drive and passion of her two startup businesses to hold a job fair through a partnership with Community Living—providing three employment opportunities for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The 22-year-old entrepreneur began her entrepreneurial journey after founding Take Flight, a business inspired when her brother with Down Syndrome faced community barriers trying to find meaningful work. Hammer started the organization to help those with developmental disabilities find independence, social interaction, purpose, and meaningful employment through day programs and services.

“I wanted my brother to be able to experience the joy, satisfaction and pride that comes with meaningful work and belonging to a community,” says Hammer.

Brooke Hammer Founded Taking Flight

Now working at the rapidly-growing Chimp Treats, an innovative health food company selling the popular “Nicecream” frozen dessert made entirely from fruit, Hammer is supporting a healthy lifestyle in her second startup.

Starting out the business solo, Hammer has now added two full-time employees to her business. Still needing to hire more, Hammer saw an opportunity to take her passion from her previous business and hold a job fair through the Community Living partnership.

Hammer and her Chimp Treats team are growing

“During my first meeting, I could barely contain my enthusiasm learning about this locally owned company Chimp Treats,” says Jen Edwards at Community Living Peterborough. “Normally companies aren’t knocking on Community Living’s door asking for people to come work for them with the offer of meaningful work that is competitively paid. After touring the factory and visiting their office at the Innovation Cluster, it is very apparent this company is offering a rewarding job.”

The job fair will be held at the Innovation Cluster, where Chimp Treats is based, on July 20th, offering a full-time inclusive employment opportunity to work with the Chimp Treats team. The three chosen hires will be trained personally by the CEO Hammer herself at their manufacturing location, and get to be part of the startup team promoting healthy lifestyles.

“I’m pleased to see communities becoming more aware of employment gaps, underemployment, and the need for inclusive opportunities for individuals with special needs,” says Hammer. “No person is the exact same, but the opportunities available to us should be.”

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