Peterborough's "Seedy Sunday" Will Get You Inspired For Spring

This Sunday (March 13th) is "Seedy Sunday" at St. James United Church, when Peterborough's 7th annual seed exchange happens. It takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and is a free event.

"Seedy Sunday" is a great event to come out and get the knowledge, tools and resources you need to get growing this season. There will be vendors selling a variety of locally grown heirloom seeds, rootstocks and other gardening goodies, and local gardening and community groups will be on hand to offer resources, advice and information.

There will be also be skills-based gardening workshops and a seed exchange area, where participants can trade seeds or purchase some for a donation.

For more information, go to the blog Urbantomato, click on this Facebook event page, or email "Seedy Sunday" Coordinator Jillian Bishop.

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Stuff To Do In Peterborough This Weekend

Frosty glass at the King St. Parking Garage. Photo: Evan HoltFriday:

Harry Manx presents Folk Under the Clock at Showplace Performance Centre - 8 p.m. Tickets $37.50

Peterborough Theatre Guild presents Art - 8 p.m. Tickets $18, $16/seniors, $10/students

Saturday:

Heritage Week Final day of this event with activities taking place throughout the city.

The Art School of Peterborough hosts the 1st Annual Art-a-Thon - Noon to Midnight, $5

Snofest Family Skating at Evinrude Center - 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. - Free

Ron James at Showplace Performance Centre - 8 p.m. Tickets $54

Peterborough Green-Up Disco Fundraiser at Splice, 8 p.m. Tickets $25

Peterborough Theatre Guild presents Art - 8 p.m. Tickets $18, $16/seniors, $10/students

Sunday:

YMCA Half Marathon begins at 12:30 p.m. (123 Aylmer Street) More info here

Peterborough Theatre Guild presents Art - 2 p.m. Tickets $18, $16/seniors, $10/students

To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

We Take You Inside Dreams of Beans Roasting House

Many of you probably start your morning out with a cup of java to give yourself a kickstart to the day. Recently, I popped into the little Dreams of Beans Roasting House located on George Street. I had always been curious to see the roasting process and how the java in my cup came to be.

I was warmly greeted by owner Johanna Sinclair (pictured below left with her giant roaster) at her roasting house. She was a wealth of information and knowledge, and shared her passion and dedication of all things coffee with me. Johanna has done a lot of travelling around the world to continue to flourish her passion and bring back more expertise and new ideas. 

Her main Dreams of Beans café at 138 Hunter Street has been a thriving place, and Johanna was thrilled about opening the tiny roasting house on George St. a couple of years ago. I was happy to hear from her about how many local merchants and restaurants offer roasts from Dreams of Beans, including Maggie's Eatery and Brio Gusto amongst many others. 

If you ever get the chance to pop by her roasting house on top of your visit to her café, it's definitely worth the trip!

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Peterborough Weight Watchers Has A Tempting Location

[Domino's, Weight Watchers]

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Jackie DeKnock Creates Culinary Retreat "Gourmet Safari" Near Peterborough

Jackie gets help from Kruz FM's Catherine Hanrahan, who fluffs the rice. Photo: Julie MorrisJackie DeKnock and her husband Dan have set up a culinary retreat just outside of Peterborough in Mount Pleasant called Gourmet Safari. PtboCanada was there yesterday as part of a kind of culinary workshop organized by Kruz FM's Catherine Hanrahan. Jackie's growing business is coming together as a bed and breakfast and kitchen "studio" with hands-on cooking lessons.

The focus is on global cuisine, as Jackie has travelled the world during her last job at British Airways. Cooking and traveling are her two passions, so she took cooking classes and also learned about the importance of nutritional values. 

Jackie started her business by teaching cooking for two little girls, then moved on to men's cooking classes. She then added group classes, a Tapas birthday party and a couple's cooking class (they enjoyed it so much that they want to come back monthly).

There are a few spots left in Jackie's March Break Children's Cooking Camp, where kids explore culinary delights from the likes of Italy, Greece, Thailand, Mexico and Egypt.

Delicious kabobs served by Jackie and Dan. Photo: Evan Holt

For more info, check out Jackie's website. Jackie also appears on Kruz FM with Quick and Delicious Dish recipes every week.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Get NaKeD In The Patch This Valentine's Day

NaKeD Chocolate (382 George Street) was opened in the summer of 2009 by Warren Eley, a professional chocolatier. The aroma of chocolate fills the air the moment you open the doors of the shop and your eyes quickly start admiring the many displays of delectable chocolates from around the world showcased behind the counter and throughout the store.

Flavours like chocolate ganache combined with chilli, cayenne, ancho, and jalapeno peppers named the Aztec or, one of my personal favourites, the Chai Tiger made up of black tea, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and milk chocolate ganache.  

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, check out NaKed's specials and drop by the shop to pick something out for that special someone. And don't forget to treat yourself too!

[NaKeD Chocolate]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Peterborough Folk Festival News: Submission Deadline & Band Promotion 101 Workshop Coming Up!

Memories of the 2010 PFF. The deadline for performer submissions to the 2011 Peterborough Folk Festival is February 28th, and submission guidelines can be found on PtboFolkFest.com. 

PFF receives more than 1,000 submissions from artists around the world each year, and is known Canada-wide for breaking new acts. Coming off a highly successful 2010 PFF, this year's PFF takes place Friday, August 26 to Sunday, August 28, 2011—so mark it on your calendars!

PFF Artistic Director Candace Shaw, who PtboCanada spotlighted last year in this Q&A, is also hosting a Band Promotion 101 workshop on February 2 at Sadleir House in Peterborough. Designed with the emerging artist in mind, Shaw draws on her many years of experience in the music industry to help up-and-coming artists understand the art of self-promotion. Cost is only $10, and participants must register at PtboFolkFest.com.

[Peterborough Folk Festival; PtboCanada Interview: Candace Shaw, Artistic Director of Peterborough Folk Festival; 2010 Peterborough Folk Festival]

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Stuff To Do In The Patch This Weekend

Friday

Snofest Family Swim (6:30 p.m. - Free) Sport & Wellness Centre

Saturday

Snofest Pancake Breakfast (9:00 a.m. - Free) East Peterborough Lion's Club

Wild Rock Outfitters: Nordic Ski Glide Wax Clinic (9 a.m. - $10/person) Kawartha Nordic Ski Club

Snofest: SnoGames on Armour Hill (includes Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides, Hockey Shootout, SnoGolf) (10 a.m. - Free) Outside the Peterborough Museum

Wild Rock Outfitters: Snowshoe Demo (10:30 a.m.) Trent University Nature Trails

Trent University: Athletics Centre Community Open House (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Schedule) - Free)

Snofest: Chilli Contest (1:30 p.m.) Heritage Pavilion

Sunday

Wild Rock Outfitters: Classic Ski Lessons (10 a.m. - $25/person) Kawartha Nordic Ski Club

REELKids Film Festival: Stella Star of the Orient (10:30 a.m. - $5/person or $15 for four) Showplace

Wild Rock/B!ke Winter Group Bike Ride (12:00 p.m.) 

Wild Rock Outfitters: Skate Ski Lessons (1 p.m. - $25/person) Kawartha Nordic Ski Club

REELKids Film Festival: Letter for the King (1:30 - $5/person or $15 for four) Showplace

To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

"Dr. Doug" Hosting A Wellness Extravaganza In Peterborough January 20th

Local chiropractor "Dr. Doug" (aka Doug Lukinuk, former Adam Scott basketball legend and the guy instrumental for this Hoop Dreams project in the Patch) is having a wellness extravaganza on Thursday, January 20th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

There will be prizes and giveaways, discounts on supplements and services, as well as info sessions on various health related topics.

There will also be an opportunity to try out the latest technology (a new non-invasive 3D system) to check how healthy your body really is, and a live cooking demo with Dr. Doug's personal wellness chef that will provide healthy and delicious meal options.

Call 705.741.4404 to reserve your spot. 

[Dr. Doug on Facebook, Dr. Doug's website]

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