Survey Asks For Your Input On A Community Bread Oven For Peterborough

An online initiative is asking locals to fill out a survey to determine the feasibility of a Community Bread Oven for Peterborough. According to the survey intro, the hope is the "outdoor bake oven would build community, provide economic development; education and heritage conservation; alleviation of poverty; promotion of healthy, local eating; preservation of heritage skills and training."

To be added to the mailing list, send an email to info@coin-ced.org or learn more on their Facebook page.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

[photo via Community Bread Oven for Peterborough Facebook page]

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Indian River Reptile Zoo Near Peterborough To Capture The Gator In Stirling-Rawdon Pond

Photo by Ron Main[UPDATE: July 21, 9:21 a.m. There is growing skepticism that a gator is really in the Mill Pond in Stirling-Rawdon, and that the whole thing might just be a hoax. Bry Loyst from the Indian River Reptile Zoo couldn't find it in there, and the Star is reporting that analysis of the photograph taken by Ron Main by the provincial police forensic ID unit "has determined it's a picture of a photograph of an alligator."]

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ORIGINAL POST

That alligator—or caiman, a relative of the alligator—that has been hanging out in that Stirling-Rawdon Pond near Belleville for the past couple weeks may soon be captured (see the picture at left taken by Stirling-Rawdon resident Ron Main last Friday).

The Ministry of Natural Resources has commissioned Bry Loyst, curator of the Indian River Reptile Zoo near Peterborough, to capture the metre-long reptile, which is no threat to humans.

Bry Loyst pictured with Terri Irwin“The last (option) would be jumping on it like Steve Irwin, the crocodile hunter,” Loyst tells the Toronto Star, explaining he’ll use a snare and lasso to catch the caiman, which he'd house at the non-profit zoo. The caiman was likely a pet that someone got rid of.

[Toronto Star; Indian River Reptile Zoo]

[Picture of Bry Loyst via Indian River Reptile Zoo website]

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Peterborough Photowalk Comes Together Through Twitter

Segment starts at 2:10 mark.  The photowalk starts at 10:00 a.m. today at Rogers Cove.

[chextvDOTcom]

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Thinking Of A Masterplan: City of Peterborough Displays Transportation Plan

Last night at the Evinrude Centre was the third and last Public Involvement Centre (PICs) meeting. The City of Peterborough showed Morrison Hershfield's recommended Road Network plan, Cycling Network plan and Pedestrian Network plan.

The new Masterplan is an update to the 2002 Transport Plan to address Peterborough's population growth and traffic concerns. 

Studies have shown that streets with no sidewalks have 2.6 times more pedestrian collisions, so the new plan calls for sidewalks on both sides of all new and existing streets.

Work is already underway as well on both the Hospital Access Road extension and to widen the West end of Lansdowne, but there is plenty of other planned—and suggested—roadwork to come. Indeed, $14 million is budgeted to improve the Nassau Mills Bridge over the Otonabee River, widen Nassau Mills from Water to Armour, make improvements to Chemong/Reid, the Charlotte Westbound Parking lane conversion, and to widen Eastbound Sherbrooke. 

As we previously reported, many residents of Fairbairn Ave were very interested in the City's Medium term plans to build a two lane road from Fairbairn to Cumberland. Some consider it the City trying to still put through the Parkway Extension.

[Related: For coverage of the proposed changes to Peterborough's Trail Network as part of the Peterborough Network Cycling plan, head to TrailSwag, a blog about outdoors news in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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PtboPics: So Much To Discover At Ecology Park

I have always heard wonderful things about Ecology Park located off Ashburnham Drive, but had never been there... until today. I was completely amazed by this secret little garden that we are so lucky to have in our city. It was a bustling spot with children admiring the scents of the garden, while parents gathered up plants to purchase. If you haven't yet done so, I highly recommend a visit there. Check out their calendar for upcoming events, and contact them to learn more about summer day camp offerings.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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PtboPics: National Canoe Day At Beavermead Park

Lots of local folks gathered at Beavermead Park today to celebrate National Canoe Day. With children's activities, continuous paddling opportunities, a BBQ, displays from the Trent Severn Antique & Classic Boat Association and musical entertainment, there was something for everyone. I was able to participate in the family paddle and enjoyed the calmness of the water while learning about the Canadian Canoe Museum and its history from our guide Barry.  —PtboCanada's Julie Morris

At right: Young paddlers Nate & Tori make sure they have the right paddles

The Canada Parks mascot, Parka, gives a wave

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National Canoe Day Activities Saturday & Sunday in Peterborough

National Canoe Day gets underway Saturday at 11 a.m., with activities taking place throughout the day at Beavermead Park. Then on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., you are invited to tour the Canadian Canoe Museum—free of charge! Bring the family and come and enjoy all things paddling!

[National Canoe Day; Canadian Canoe Museum]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Some Findings And Input From The Parkway Road Meeting On Impact On Community

There were more than 40 people in attendance Monday night as Peterborough's James Burrett introduced us to the continued work by the City of Peterborough on moving traffic through our city. The main issue that keeps creeping up every ten years or so, he pointed out, is the intended Parkway route. Recently, City council endorsed a $52.3M roads plan that included a two lane road as part of the Northern Parkway extension route. James was heavily involved with the Parkway Referendum and believes this:

"There is more to a community than just how much time it takes to get from Point A to Point B."

Derrick Foley has volunteered to help with public awareness and says that there will need to be 5,000 to 10,000 signatures to make City Hall recognize the issue. What was odd, it was pointed out, was that so much money was going towards this extension route and yet not one of the ten highest accident intersections are being improved. As was pointed out:

"What is $52 million dollars going to solve when we don't really need this? We are a very green community. Tell your councillors that this makes no sense."

The City of Peterborough and Morrison Hershfield invite you to the third and last Public Involvement Centre (PICs) being held June 28th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Evinrude Centre to seek input on the following:

• Phasing of the previously recommended Road Network Improvements.
• Trail/cycling network improvements.
• Key policy initiatives to support transit, active transportation and transportation demand management.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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PtboPics: Ode'min Giizis Traditional Gathering at Del Crary Park

The beats of drumming could be heard throughout Del Crary Park on Saturday as the Ode'min Giizis Festival continued hosting their Traditional Gathering from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. With storytelling, art exhibits, food, vendors, drumming and dancing, the park was a flurry of activity on an absolutely beautiful Saturday afternoon.

[Related: PtboPics: Ode'min Giizis Parade On George Street; 2011 Ode'min Giizis Festival Includes Performance Of "The Creator's Game" At Peterborough Lakers Game & Del Crary Park]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Shifting Gears Wraps Up for 2011

During the month of May, 1,250 employees from more than 100 workplaces took part in Shifting Gears, a challenge to get people to walk, bicycle, carpool or take public transit. It seems it was a successful challenge as over 100,000 km were travelled using these active modes of transportation. This relates to saving more than 43,000 kg of carbon emissions!

Shifting Gears Ambassador: Brianna Salmon

The closing ceremonies were today and awards were handed out to the best performers in each category.

Micro: A tie between The Toy Shop & Have You Seen. Honourable Mention: CIBC Wood Gundy

Small: A tie between Peterborough Green-Up & Wild Rock Outfitters. Honourable Mention: Tridont Family Dentistry

Medium: Parks Canada, Trent-Severn Waterway. Honourable Mention: Swish Maintenance

 

Large: Wal-Mart. Honourable Mention: Ontario Public Service: Robinson Place

100 percent of employees taking part: Sticklings Bakery & Studio-N

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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