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Peterborough Blogs
Fleming College Offers Support to Ukraine By Selling Medical Kits
/Fleming College is selling medical kit packages throughout Peterborough and the Kawarthas in support of Ukraine beginning this Saturday.
Photo courtesy of Fleming College.
The first event is at all Peterborough Shoppers Drug Mart stores where customers can purchase a medical supply kit for $10 (retail value worth $40) to send to Ukraine. The College has a goal of at least 500 packages to send overseas.
The College has issued a statement regarding the situation in Ukraine:
“So many of us are concerned and unnerved by the events currently unfolding in Ukraine. Canada is home to the second-largest Ukrainian population in the world outside of Ukraine itself and there is no doubt that this would include many of our fellow colleagues, friends, neighbours and students. The struggles faced by the Ukrainian community are certainly difficult to comprehend, as people worry for the safety and well-being of their loved ones back home. We join the international community in denouncing this hostile and illegal invasion of a sovereign country.”
Photo courtesy of Fleming College.
Fleming has given a list of places you can donate to online in case you cannot visit a local Shoppers Drug Mart:
Canadian Red Cross: Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal
Canada-Ukraine Foundation: Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal
UNICEF: Emergency Response to Conflict in Eastern Ukraine
United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR): Ukraine Emergency
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City Of Peterborough Community Safety And Wellbeing Plan Survey Now Open
/A survey has been launched to gather public input for the creation of a Community Safety and Well-being Plan on behalf of the City and County of Peterborough, along with five local townships (Trent Lakes, Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen and North Kawartha).
Stock Photo.
The purpose of the Plan is to develop collaborative actions to build a community where everyone is safe and included. To achieve this, the community will need to work together in new ways to address safety and well-being issues through programs and services that are available to all who live, work and play in the City and County of Peterborough.
“It is important that the Community Safety and Well-being Plan is shaped by the community,” said Chris Kawalec, Community Development Program Manager for the City of Peterborough. “We want to know how people feel about safety and well-being in their neighbourhoods, and we hope they’ll share their thoughts and experiences with us.”
A page on the City’s public engagement website Connect Peterborough provides background on the development of the Plan, including the interim Plan, results of engagement with local service providers, and plans for additional public engagement opportunities.
The survey asks about perceptions and experiences in the community, and suggestions for how to improve safety and well-being. The consultation also includes a map, so community members can identify specific areas where they feel safe and unsafe.
The survey is open to all residents in the City and County of Peterborough, Curve Lake First Nation, and Hiawatha First Nation, including all permanent and seasonal residents, as well as those who are living unhoused. It is being administered by the City of Peterborough on behalf of the partner municipalities, and is open until April 1.
A paper copy of the survey can be found at local libraries in the City and Townships or by calling 705-748-8830 ext. 3815.
Peterborough Civic Awards Accepting Nominations From the Public
/The Annual City of Peterborough Civic Awards has opened nominations to the public until March 25 at 4:30 p.m. announced on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
The awards recognize and honour citizens who had outstanding achievements in 2021 including volunteer leaders and achievers in arts, culture and sports to be publicly recognized for their contributions to the City of Peterborough.
Nomination packages are available online at www.peterborough.ca/civicawards. Nominations can be submitted online using the interactive form and hard-copy packages are available at City Hall, 500 George St. N.
“If you know of an individual or group who is deserving of a 2021 Civic Award, please nominate them,” said Deputy Mayor Andrew Beamer. “We know there are amazing people who have contributed to making Peterborough a special community. Let’s make sure they are recognized.”
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City Releases List Of City Service Changes As Province Eases COVID Restrictions
/Following the Province of Ontario’s update to COVID-19 regulations effective Tuesday the City of Peterborough has updated its protocols for use of City facilities.
Photo by Angela O’Grady.
Under the Province’s Exit Step for COVID-19 regulations, businesses and organizations, including the City of Peterborough, are required to:
Post passive screening at entrances, with the questions following guidance issued from the Chief Medical Officer of Health
Require masks/face coverings in all indoor areas, with limited exceptions
The regulations for the Province’s Exit Step are posted on the Province of Ontario website at ontario.ca.
While the Province has lifted proof of vaccination requirements, Peterborough Public Health continues to strongly recommend vaccinations. Vaccinations are important to decreasing the occurrence of serious illness from COVID-19. Visit peterboroughpublichealth.ca for information regarding the pandemic and to find a vaccine clinic.
Arenas
In accordance with provincial regulations, the following measures for community use at all arena facilities are in effect as of Tuesday:
Proof of Vaccination will no longer be required for entry
Passive Screening is to be completed by individuals prior to entry, signage will be posted at all entry points
Masks/face coverings are required, limited exemptions apply
No restriction on capacity limits, including non-spectating or spectator areas Food and beverage consumption is permitted, masks to be worn at all times while not consuming
Access to facilities will be provided a minimum of 30 minutes prior to permitted time
Safety Plans will continue to be required from permitted users/groups using the facility
Healthy Planet Arena will continue to be used for vaccination clinics. Please visit the Peterborough Public Health website for clinic information.
Art Gallery of Peterborough
The Art Gallery of Peterborough Shop will be reopening to the public on Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be resuming regular public hours of operation Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Art Gallery has been closed during renovations/improvements to lighting in the facility.
Peterborough Museum and Archives
Effective Tuesday, capacity limits for the exhibition gallery and gift shop at the Peterborough Museum and Archives is lifted.
Mask/face covering requirements and passive screening of patrons will continue.
Peterborough Public Library
There are no changes at Peterborough Public Library, with no requirement for proof of vaccination and no capacity limits under the Province’s COVID-19 regulations for the library.
Mask/face covering requirements and physical distancing remains in place.
Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre
In accordance with provincial regulations, the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre provides the following update:
Proof of vaccination is not required
Capacity limits are removed
Screening will be self-assessed with screening questions posted around the Centre and at entrances
Mask and/or face coverings required when not engaging in physical activity
Enhanced cleaning procedures including spray bottle disinfectant and change room cleaning procedures remain in effect.
Provincial Offences Act Office
Effective Tuesday, the Provincial Offences Act Office is removing capacity restrictions in the lobby. Mask and/or face coverings are required. In-person front counter hours return to 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Public Meeting Being Held To Address Peterborough's Waste Management Master Plan
/Residents and stakeholders are invited to attend a virtual public meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. to learn about the City’s review and update of its 2012 Waste Management Master Plan and to give input.
Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.
Through updating the Plan, the City will consider proven waste diversion programs, policies and strategies that have been implemented successfully in other jurisdictions across Ontario.
Recommendations on waste management activities generated through the review process will go to City Council to consider updates to the City’s Waste Management Master Plan.
The Plan looks to improve on the City’s already strong landfill diversion rate of 53 per cent, which puts the City among the leaders in Ontario for waste diversion. Numbers are released as part of the annual Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority Datacall, Ontario's standardized waste reporting and calculation process. The numbers released on Jan. 13, 2022 reflect data for 2020.
To register for the meeting visit www.connectptbo.ca/wasteplan2022 or call 705-742-7777 ext. 1724.
Virtual Reality Simulating Life With Disabilities Gets Funded For Local Council; New Convention For Disability Awareness Announced
/The Council for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) received funding of $26,340 towards developing a virtual reality program to be showcased at a new convention called Capable Con announced Friday.
(left to right) Andrea Dodsworth, CPD chair; MPP Dave Smith; Leslie Yee; Akira, Yee’s guide dog; CPD Vice-chair and Minister Raymond Cho dressed in capes to highlight the heroes involved with CPD. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The Enabling Change Grant went towards the CPD’s Time in My Shoes program and was administered by Minister Raymond Cho who attended the event with local councillors and government officials.
The virtual reality programs simulate daily tasks while living with a disability so anyone can experience the daily challenges of having an impairment. Disabilities included mobility challenges, invisible disabilities vision and hearing loss.
"Whether it's an aging disability like hearing loss or sight loss or it's something that you're born with, everyone is going to have a disability," said Leslie Yee, CPD Vice-chair. “It's just important to understand what the barriers are and how easily the barriers can be taken away just to make life simpler."
“We're always looking to promote universal design and give people the opportunity to see what it's like so that everyone has a better understanding," said Jason King, CPD Programming and Marketing Assistant. "The physical program and the new virtual reality program, it's a great tool to help individuals get that first-hand experience that they normally wouldn't have."
@ptbo_canada Funding for VR software development of what it’s like to be disabled is being made for the first annual Capable Con for June 4! #disabilityawareness ♬ My Hero - Foo Fighters
Spreading awareness was one of CPD’s goals in developing the virtual reality software.
“All we're trying to do is create more empathy towards the reasons why we're asking for certain things," said Lee. "Making things more accessible, a lot of that is mobility accessibility which is totally great, that's what we need but it's trying to bring that awareness to everybody."
Minister Raymond Cho attempted to navigate with a wheelchair through a city in the virtual reality simulation. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Navigating in a wheelchair was the first simulation available as a demo where Cho was the first to test it.
The funding will aid in the development, equipment and staff wages to have the simulation program fully operable.
The finished product will be showcased at the first-ever “Capable Con” to teach anyone about disabilities, open a conversation and foster a community with those living with disabilities.
Family-friendly activities, entertainment and meeting community members will be focal points of the convention that will take place on June 4, the final day of AccessAbility Week.
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Quaker Oats Celebrates 120th Year On Hunter Street With Limited Edition Clothing Line
/Quaker Oats is celebrating the 120th anniversary of its Peterborough factory with the release of a limited edition, Canadian-made clothing line called QUAKERborough.
The limited-edition clothing collection is inspired by the durability grit, and confidence of the hard-working employees at the Quaker Peterborough plant, with 100 per cent of the proceeds being donated to Food Banks Canada.
With an emphasis on the generations of Canadians that have worked at Quaker, the QUAKERborough line is manufactured entirely in Canada by Province of Canada, a manufacturing company located in Toronto.
Jason Wilkins, illustrator, live event artist, muralist and workshop instructor from Peterborough is the creative mind behind the QUAKERborough design.
Wilkins illustrations are featured on the backs of the hoodie and long sleeve.
“I was approached December 2021 to illustrate for their high quality hoodie and long sleeve,” said Wilkins in a social media post on Tuesday. “Something that would incorporate all the awesome that we have here in Peterborough, while presenting that feeling we all get while walking across the Hunter Street bridge. the smell that can not only make a bad day better, but immediately transport us back to childhood.”
The exclusive collection is available online now and with limited quantities of each piece available at quakerborough.ca.
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Extended Hours for One Roof Community Centre On Wednesday and Thursday
/One Roof Community Centre will be open for extended hours of service on Wednesday and Thursday due to temperatures anticipated to drop below -15C for the Peterborough area.
One Roof Community Centre began extended hours on select days this year on Jan. 2. Photo courtesy of One Roof Community Centre.
They are open from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with the to-go meal provided between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The following day will be open from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
The Centre is closed to drop-in service from noon to 3:00 p.m. for the meal preparation and pickup period to protect the health and safety of the public, volunteers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Emergency shelters are open and available to people experiencing homelessness who require emergency overnight shelter:
YES Shelter for Youth and Families, 705-748-3851, 196 Brock St.
Brock Mission men’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 120 Murray St.
Cameron House women’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 739 Chemong Rd.
Overflow Shelter at 210 Wolfe St., overnight phone 705-761-1875
