An Accessibility Mat Has Been Installed At Beavermead Beach

The City of Peterborough, along with the Accessibility Advisory Committee, have announced the installation of a beach access mat at Beavermead Beach (2011 Ashburnham Drive).

The new accessible path to the #beach 🏖️ at #Beavermead is great! Perfect for #Strollers too! Good job @CityPtbo! #accessibility #Ptbo pic.twitter.com/TdVYSd1jf5

— Mitch Champagne (@MitchChampagne) August 24, 2017

The access mat is designed to enhance accessibility at the beach. The mat provides a walkway across the sand, allowing for easier access to the water for everyone—including people who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids, as well as parents with strollers.

A ribbon cutting will take place on Friday (August 25th) at 3 p.m. at Beavermead Beach. The public are invited out to the ribbon cutting to celebrate the community's continued commitment to accessibility.

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Guide: Here Are Police-Related Services You Can Access At PeterboroughPolice.com

Peterborough Police have great online services on their website that allow the community to access a wide range of police-related services easily. Here are some of them below...

REPORT A NON-EMERGENCY CRIME

If you would like to report a non-emergency crime, you can do so here. Types of non-emergency crimes that can be reported via their online system include:

-> Theft under $5,000

-> Theft from vehicle

-> Fraud scams

-> Damage to vehicle

-> Damage to property

-> Lost property

REQUEST A RECORD CHECK

If you live within the jurisdiction policed by their Service (City of Peterborough, Ward of Lakefield, Township of Cavan Monaghan), you can request a record check online here.

Completed record checks can be picked up in the main lobby of the Peterborough Police Station (500 Water Street), or the record check can also be mailed to the applicant.

REQUEST A BICYCLE LICENSE

This free service is meant to safeguard your bicycle and increase the chances of having your bicycle returned to you if it is lost or stolen. You can either register for a bicycle license in-person at one of their police stations (500 Water Street, Peterborough or 12 Queen Street, Lakefield) or online here.

In order to register online, you must first obtain a licence sticker. Licence stickers can be obtained at bicycle retailers or at the front counter of the Peterborough Police Service headquarters at any time, 365 days a year. Their station in Lakefield may have more restricted hours. If you wish to register in person, you will need to bring your bicycle information.

REQUEST A HOMEGUARD INSPECTION

The Homeguard Inspection Program is a community-based crime prevention initiative of their Auxiliary officers. This program allows community members to take an active role in making their homes less susceptible to criminal activity.

Members of the Auxiliary Unit attend a person’s home and conduct a free home security audit. They inspect windows, doors, and the exterior of the home. A written report is provided to the homeowner detailing potential improvements, for maximum safety.

Officers often recommend Homeguard Inspections to victims of break and enter or domestic violence, but anyone can request an inspection. Homeguard is meant to help residents improve home security and prevent break-ins and thefts at their home. For more information, go here.

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There Is A Hate-Free Peace Vigil In Peterborough August 20th At Confederation Square

A Hate-Free Peace Vigil has been organized for Sunday (August 20th) at Confederation Square in response to President Trump’s rhetoric.

The Facebook event page says this: "We need to build a society that is inclusive, not exclusive, not just for White people, but for everyone. In Peterborough, if we keep silent, if we don’t speak up, then unfortunately we could have groups forming like the White Supremacy groups in the States that is encouraging other people to join them in the brutality of hurting others."

The event is hosted and organized by Peterborough's Charmaine Magumbe, and includes the Community Race Relations Committee, Black Lives Matter and Peace Council Peterborough. It takes place starting at 6 p.m. at Confederation Park on Sunday.

For more info, go here.

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Peterborough Petes Accepting Billet Family Applications for 2017-18 Season

The Peterborough Petes are looking for interested Billet Families for the upcoming 2017-18 season. The team hopes to provide the best living arrangements for their players with the help of local community members.

The Petes are extremely proud of their billet program and could not function without the support of so many families who welcome their players into their homes. Ideal families will be able to provide clean, spacious accommodations for players in an environment conducive to healthy lifestyles.

If you are interested in joining the Petes family and feel you may be a successful candidate, contact Cathie Webster in the Petes Office at cwebster@gopetesgo.com or 705.743.3681, ext 221.

For complete details on becoming a Petes Billet Family, click here.

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Peterborough County On Gifford Causeway Garbage Post Being Shared Widely On Social Media

On Tuesday (August 8th), Brad Sinclair posted to his Facebook page about the mess of garbage along the James A. Gifford Causeway he discovered while out for a kayak ride. He was appalled by the amount of garbage he saw, and wanted to know what could be done.

The post is getting hundreds of shares from concerned citizens...

Peterborough County put out a media release on Wednesday afternoon in regards to the post with the following response:

"It is disgraceful that some people don't honour and respect the beauty and nature of our region. Peterborough County Waste Management provides waste removal services in the areas where public access is accessible. County Waste Management’s role can be unchanged unless directed by Council. Any decision to restrict the use of the public spaces surrounding the causeway would have to come from Council (in discussions with the MNR and the Township of Selwyn) who meet on August 23."

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Peterborough Theatre Guild New Play Dracula Upcoming, Invites You To Visit Canadian Blood Services

Peterborough Theatre Guild invites you to visit the Canadian Blood Services at 55 George St N., in Peterborough on Saturday, September 9th, from 8 a.m. - noon.

That day at Blood Services, you will receive one complimentary ticket for PTG's production of Dracula. Also, the members of the cast and crew, including Dracula himself, will be there that day in costume.

The complimentary ticket is valid for the Preview Show of Dracula on Thursday, September 21st at 8 p.m.

Written by Stephen Dietz and directed by John Lunman, the play runs September 22nd through October 8th at Peterborough Theatre Guild's theatre.

Since 1965, PTG has been the home of award winning live theatre in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. For more info, visit their website.

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City Of Peterborough To Revisit Proposed Tagline After Response From Community

The City of Peterborough's Community Branding Project kicked off in March 2017 with a Community Consultation to understand the perceptions of Peterborough. Two Community Consultation Meetings and two Online Surveys garnered almost 600 responses.

Questions such as “If you were to describe Peterborough in one word, what would that word be?” informed the consultants, BrandHealth, on how City residents, businesses and visitors see our community. They used this input to identify a positioning area and proposed tagline.

On Monday, July 24th, BrandHealth presented a proposed tagline, “Peterborough—where roads and rivers meet”, to Committee of the Whole and requested feedback from Members of Council and the community.

The community provided valuable, insightful feedback on the proposed tagline. More than 900 responses have been received via the online survey (891 Responses) and email (16 emails). Community Branding was also well discussed on social media. The feedback was varied, however the overall assessment was that the City should revisit the tagline.

The City of Peterborough says they appreciate the feedback and BrandHealth will continue the process by developing an alternative tagline.

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West Nile Virus Confirmed in Local Mosquitoes: What You Need To Know

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is advising the public that mosquitoes in the City of Peterborough have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The mosquitoes were trapped from July 17th to 19th.

This is the first positive mosquito pool found in Peterborough this year. During the summer months and early fall, PPH sets five traps weekly; three traps are in fixed locations and two others rotate throughout the Peterborough City and County.

“Now that we’ve identified mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus in our area, it’s especially important that residents take care to prevent mosquito bites,” says Wanda Tonus, Public Health Inspector. “This is a good reminder for residents to eliminate any standing water in their yards and to take personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites.”
 

Tonus notes that the majority of WNV cases do not show symptoms. About 20% of infected people will experience mild illness with such symptoms as fever, headache, and body aches—occasionally with a skin rash and swollen lymph nodes that last several days.

Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting or eye pain. Symptoms usually develop 2 to 14 days after receiving a bite from an infected mosquito. Less than 1% of infected people will develop neurological symptoms.
Although the risk of becoming infected is low, prevention against bites is the best protection.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELVES FROM BITES

-> Cover up when going outside between the hours of dusk and dawn.

-> Remember to wear: a long-sleeved shirt or jacket and long pants (tucked into your socks for extra protection) 

-> Clean up: once a week, get rid of standing water around your home in places such as bird baths, eavestroughs, wheelbarrows and flower pots, etc.

-> Keep bushes and shrubs clear of overgrowth and debris (adult mosquitoes like to rest in dense
shrubbery)

-> Turn your compost pile often

-> Use insect repellent containing DEET. (DEET is a powerful chemical. Read the label carefully and apply as directed You can also ask your pharmacist for help when choosing a DEET product.)

For more info, visit peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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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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