The Bring Food Home Conference Runs This Thursday To Saturday In Peterborough

From October 27th to 29th, farmers, processors, health care professionals, educators and government officials will be coming together at Trent University for a unique food conference called Bring Food Home 2011: Preparing the Ground for a Sustainable Food System. Conference attendees will be engaged in collaboration to build a food system in Ontario that is responsive to the needs of all.

On Thursday, Bring Food Home will host the "Let’s Talk About Food" event at Showplace. It will feature scholar and food policy expert, Mark Winne; the Director of Sustain UK, Jeanette Longfield; Indigenous scholar and educator, Dawn Morrison; writer and broadcaster Jon Steinman; and a welcome address by Mayor Daryl Bennett. Tickets can be purchased at the Showplace Box office for $12, or $5 for students and seniors.

Conference organizers have been working closely with Farms at Work, a local non-profit that works to keep farmland active and healthy, to provide conference attendees with a range of educational and engaging experiences. A number of other local programs will be making presentations and participating in the conference proceedings.

Peterborough’s local food scene offers wonderful opportunities for conference participants to visit innovative food projects, including By The Bushel Community Food Co-op, JustFood Boxes and Trent’s Seasoned Spoon Café. A bus tour to McLean Berry Farm and Kawartha Country Wines is being offered. Conference attendees will also enjoy the "Feast of Local Flavours" at The Elmhirst Resort, featuring local beers and food made with ingredients from Peterborough and Kawartha area farms.

For more info about the conference, visit Bringfoodhome.com.

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Here's The Shiny Findings From A New Report On The Economic Impact Of The Shining Waters Railway

This morning in Peterborough, the Shining Waters Railway group revealed the results of an economic impact study commissioned to explore the local economic feasibility of restoring Peterborough-Toronto commuter rail service and upgrading the existing track. The line would run 120 kilometres with a total of eight stations between the Peterpatch and Toronto's Union Station.

Among the projected conservative estimates, according to the report:

Nearly 2000 jobs to be created and $531 million in economic output ($433 million in Ontario) due to capital investment in upgrading track, constructing bridges, and refurbishing rolling stock. Most of the difference would occur in New Brunswick where rail cars will be refurbished.

An additional 110 jobs and $13 million per year in economic output due to operation of the commuter rail line.

• More than $12 million in tax collections for the province and $4 million for the federal government.

Nearly $13 million a year in travel time savings and travel cost savings, $0.6 million a year in environmental savings from new and diverted riders of the service and $11 million in 2031 in accident related costs.

If full Phase 1 & 2 operation begins by mid 2015, the economic impact between now and 2020 is approximately $700 million – combination of construction and operation related impacts and ongoing travel savings.

According to the report, these estimates "do not consider the likely impact of increased rail freight service, non-commuter related travel (tourism, for example), development around the stations, and possible attraction of new business to the region. These estimates do not consider economic activity from alternative ways in which public funds might have been used."

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There Is A New Book Out Called "Neat Places & Cool People In Peterborough"

Neat Places & Cool People in Peterborough is available at some local bookstores for $25, with all proceeds going to the local United Way campaign. It's a 118-page book illustrated by artist George Elliott with stories from Examiner managing editor Ed Arnold.

[chextvDOTcom]

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There Is A Patch Of 10,000 Pumpkins At Peterpatch Pumpkins In The Patch

 

If any of you have been travelling up Lansdowne Street West and have noticed a field speckled with plenty of orange, well that is the home of Peterpatch Pumpkins. Owner/Operators Jared Patton and Natalie Schnurr worked long and hard this past Spring planting and caring for all the seeds in hopes of a successful first season. Their hard work has paid off with three acres of nearly 10,000 pumpkins waiting to find homes.

Peterpatch Pumpkins welcomes school/daycare trips and other visitors of course. They are located at 2312 Lansdowne St. W. and can be reached at 705.761.1475.

Have a listen to Natalie's recent interview on CBC's Ontario Morning to learn more about Peterpatch Pumpkins.

[Peterpatch Pumpkins]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Scarecrows Have Taken Over Downtown Millbrook

[chextvDOTcom]

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Charlotte Street Will Be An Ice Rink For 4 Days At Festival Of Trees


[chextvDOTcom]

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Head Of The Trent Is This Weekend

 

A sign that Fall is upon us is when it's time for Head of the Trent, which is held this weekend. This annual regatta was started by the founder of the Trent University Rowing Club, Chris Leach, back in 1971 and has been a much anticipated event each year since. Check out the schedule of events or visit their Facebook page.  

[Head of the Trent 2010]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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PtboPics: Canadian Canoe Museum Gets A New Sign

If you haven't yet noticed the beautiful splash of colour that now adorns the building of the Canadian Canoe Museum, here is a peek. It's a refreshing and vibrant new look for the museum.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Peterborough Theatre Guild Kicks Off New Season Friday Night

 

The Peterborough Theatre Guild opens their new season on Friday night with Storm Warning, a comedy/drama/mystery that takes place at a cottage on Pigeon Lake  in 1953. For a full list of their 2011/2012 line-up, check out their Playbill. Tickets for all performances are $18/Adult, $16/Seniors and $10/Students.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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What To Do In The Patch This Weekend

The signs of Fall are upon us: cooler temperatures, crisp air, and leaves starting to turn colour and fall. There is an abundance of happenings in the Patch this weekend so be sure to enjoy!

Friday:

The Attic presents Rue Guy, Levon, Roboteyes, 10 p.m., $5, 19+ 

Showplace Performance Centre presents International Grand Illusionist Ryan Joyce, 7 p.m. 

Pirate Radio Showcase Night at Market Hall, Doors open at 7 p.m. 

Late Summer Craft Harvest Show, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. 478 Bonnacord Street


Saturday:

Peterborough Farmers' Market, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Morrow Park

Hutchison House Fall Plant Sale, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., 270 Brock Street

Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, 9 a.m. - noon, Rogers' Cove

Green Eyewear celebrates 2nd year of business, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 374 George Street [Related Post]

Taste of Downtown presented by the DBIA, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Charlotte Street between George & Aylmer 

Late Summer Craft Harvest Show, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. 478 Bonnacord Street

Trent Valley Archives Open House, noon - 2 p.m. 567 Carnegie Avenue

Peterborough Pride Parade, 2 p.m. Starting from City Hall - 500 George Street


Sunday:

Terry Fox Run, 8 a.m. - noon, Nicholls' Oval [Related Post]

Purina Walk for Dog Guides, noon, Lions Community Centre, 347 Burnham Street

Do at the Zoo Two, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Riverview Park and Zoo [Related Post]

 

Also, be sure to check out many of the Artsweek Peterborough festivities offered over the weekend.

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