Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market Kicks Off Season This Wednesday!

How many of us have been craving the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoor downtown Farmers' Market? Well the wait is over! This Wednesday (May 4th), the market kicks off the season at the Louis Street Parking Lot. Each Wednesday until October 5th, it runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What is your weekly must-have item from the market?

[Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Peterborough Workplace Transportation Challenge "Shifting Gears" Kicks Off On Sunday

Another season of the workplace transportation challenge Shifting Gears begins Sunday for the full month of May. The focus of the campaign is to encourage you to bike, walk, carpool, or use public transportation to get to and from work each day. Have you and your workplace registered yet?

[Shifting Gears]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Peterborough's Ann Douglas Asks Election Canada To Crack Down On Online Political Debates That Turn Into Personal Attacks

[chextvDOTcom]

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Peterborough Speakers Series "Visionaries of Change" A True Inspiration

Honourable Peter Adams

Recently, the Peterborough Speakers Series "Visionaries of Change" presented by the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation took place at The Venue. Seven speakers from the local area brought their personal stories of belief, courage, and inspiration to the stage to share with an audience of about 150 people. This event, which will now become an annual thing, raises funds for the five local Peterborough Networked Family Health Teams.

Tracey Groombridge with Laura Kennedy & Julie Brown

Katherine sharing her stories about her trek to Mt. EverestI had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Katherine Barron, who at 16 years old completed the Everest Base Camp Trek in October 2010. Katherine joined the Royal Canadian Army Cadets at age 12 after hearing a presentation and immediately knew it was the right fit for her.  She discussed her challenges and triumphs that she faced as she prepared for such an experience not even knowing yet whether she'd be one of the 16 people chosen. Once chosen, anticipation and nervousness grew and even the day of departure they all had to pass one last fitness test before boarding the airplane—which unfortunately sent two people returning home. Katherine set off on this once-in-a-lifetime journey for 17 days. Throughout the trek, there was a constant rollercoaster of emotions and physical exhaustion with the long days, illness and lower oxygen levels with being at such a high altitude. Katherine hopes by sharing her story of the difference cadets has made in her life and the opportunities she has had will encourage other youth to join and discover the discipline and dedication she has experienced.

John Hastings chatting with guests from the evening.Canadian Kayak National Team member John Hastings captivated the audience with footage of his kayak journeys over the years and how driven he's been to pursue his dreams, despite the challenges that he has faced. Yet he continues to strive harder to accomplish all the goals he has set for himself.  

I was so honoured to be in the company of such wonderful people for the evening. It was definitely a reminder that we are capable of being resilient and to not let obstacles we are faced with force us to give up. Rather, those obstacles should only be a motivator to get the best out of what life has to offer us.  

Thank you to all who made this event happen and I already look forward to next year's event and the stories that will be shared to inspire us all.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre Hosting Fundraising Yard Sale Saturday

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Fleming Says Bye Bye to Water Bottles On Earth Day (First College In Canada To Do So)

Fleming College had a decision on its hands when its food services contract was going to run out. When deciding on how to proceed with something as simple as providing water to the students, the push to cut down on the waste that plastic water bottles caused was already in motion. A marketing campaign had been started by students to encourage using more tap water, but as the students graduated, the campaign lost some steam.

In 2009, however, Fleming Go Club (Green Objectives) took the initiative to continue the campaign and take it a step further—to remove plastic water bottles all together. Fleming Student Council started by going bottle free and from there in January 2010 began on a larger campaign. The Lindsay Frost Campus also started discussing going water bottle free. Fleming Go pitched their petition and proposal to the executive and it was accepted, which means on April 22nd, Earth Day marks the first day no bottled water will be sold at Fleming—making it the first college in Canada to ban the sale of bottled water.

A reverse osmosis station was built (see pics below) and now Fleming is the first Canadian school to implement one full time. Students can now fill up their own containers for free at any time.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Roller Derby Makes Their Pitch To City Of Peterborough

Cindy Moffitt discusses Roller Derby with the committee, with team members there for support.

Last night, the new Peterborough Roller Derby league sat down with the Peterborough City Arenas, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee in a meeting to give them a sense of what their sport brings to the community, and to try and secure a local venue to play at. Roller Derby founder Cindy Moffitt (aka "Lucid Lou") says the games would bring revenue to the city not only in ticket sales, but from opposing teams who would need lodging and food. Plus, "girls like to shop!", adds Moffitt. Even though it is considered an "extreme sport", the current style of Flat Track Roller Derby isn't as aggressive or related to the poor image of Roller Derby of old, Moffitt conveys.

Ken Doherty, Director of Community Services, was very interested in the dimensions of the playing field as he had a few potential places in mind in the city. The main issue, however, is that Peterborough's arenas are 97 percent booked during peak hours (3 p.m. to 11 p.m.). There is potential to secure a venue down the road as the City assesses whether to add a second pad at the Memorial Centre or when future arenas are built. But that might not happen for a long time.

The committee will now convene and review the findings from the meeting and see what they can do.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

[Related: Peterborough Roller Derby Fundraiser May 7 At The Red Dog; Why Peterborough Roller Derby Can't Find A Venue To Play In City (And More News On This Growing Sport); PtboPics: Peterborough Roller Derby League Roll Into Second Practice; EXCLUSIVE: PtboCanada Reveals The Logo For The Peterborough Roller Derby League; Awesome Trailer Promoting Peterborough Roller Derby League]

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Stuff to Do In Peterborough This Weekend!

Friday

Friends of the Library GIANT Book Sale at the Peterborough Public Library 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Kawartha Quiltmakers' Guild presents Feelings in Fabric Quilt Show, Evinrude Centre, 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., $6

Camp Kawartha Environment Centre presents Nature, Culture & Resilient Communities, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Springkle - a celebration of all things artsy, crafty & tasty, 491 Cordach Crescent, 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

Saturday

Friends of the Library GIANT Book Sale at the Peterborough Public Library 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Kawartha Quiltmakers' Guild presents Feelings in Fabric Quilt Show, Evinrude Centre, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., $6

14th Annual Earth Day Jackson Creek Clean Up, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Meet at the Monaghan Road entrance of Jackson Park

Springkle - a celebration of all things artsy, crafty & tasty, 491 Cordach Crescent, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Showplace Performance Centre presents Shine Dance Competition, ongoing throughout the day

Chapters presents author Bruce Gravel for a book signing, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. 

Community Living Peterborough presents the 2nd Annual Spring Spectacular, Peterborough Square, 7 p .m. -11 p.m. Tickets $50

Folk Under the Clock presents Ron Sexsmith, Market Hall, 8 p.m. Tickets $35

Sunday

Peterborough Field Naturalists presents Spring Wildlife Walk, 8 a.m. Meet at the Zoo for location details

Millenium Park Clean Up 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Meet at the Boat House next to the Silver Bean Cafe

2011 Peterborough MS Walk, Opening Ceremonies begin at 9:45 a.m. at St. Peter's Secondary School

Kawartha Quiltmakers' Guild presents Feelings in Fabric Quilt Show, Evinrude Centre, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. $6

Showplace Performance Centre presents Shine Dance Competition, ongoing throughout the day

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

"Ted On The Roof" Wraps Up Decade Of Fundraising For Leukemia Research

[chextvDOTcom]

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Glow Maternity Hosting New Weekly Meet-Up "Moms Helping Moms"

Starting this Wednesday (April 13th), Glow Maternity will be hosting a casual weekly meet-up facilitated by two moms—Desiree, a labour doula, and Kim, a holistic nutritionist specializing in moms and babies.

If you’re a new mom looking to connect with other local mothers, pregnant and full of questions, or an experienced mama with knowledge to share, then this is the place for you!

"Moms Helping Moms" is all about connecting with other mothers in a relaxed environment, supporting each other and enjoying your babies! Join Desiree (pictured at left) and Kim (pictured below) every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. to discuss whatever may be on your mind—from breastfeeding to babywearing, starting solids, sleep, cloth diapering, health and nutrition, taking care of mom and beyond.

Babies and tots welcome, and snacks and tea are provided! Call Glow Maternity at 705.775.4569 to register for this FREE group, or visit in person at 382 George Street North, just south of Hunter Street. Drop-ins welcome!

You can also join the new Moms Helping Moms on Facebook!

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Desiree Fawn]

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