Here's Peterborough's Shawn Evans & Cory Vitarelli Behind TSN SportsCentre Desk

Cory Vitarelli and Shawn "Shawny" Evans sat behind the TSN SportsCentre desk today (August 22nd), where they were there to do an interview for the Top 20 Lacrosse Plays of 2013 which will air on TSN in the Fall (late September/early October). They are both born and raised in Peterborough and both play for the Lakers. Cory also plays pro for the Rochester Knighthawks, where his team just won their second Champion's Cup in a row. Shawny plays for the Calgary Roughnecks, where last season he set the Roughnecks single season record with 112 points and was named the league's MVP.  The coolest thing about Shawny right now though is what he's doing off the field; he and Lakers' teammate Brad Self co-founded Nationwide Lacrosse and they are currently travelling around teaching kids lacrosse at the grassroots level. Learn more at Nationwidelacrosse.ca.

—PTBOCanada's sports reporter Scott Arnold

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook.

FAB Collectables & Gifts Closes

FAB Collectables & Gifts, located in the downtown, was originally looking to be moving but has now posted a note on the door saying they have closed for good. The sign says "Thanks for 7 years."

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook.

What Do You Think Of Electronic Signs?

You have until August 26th to fill out the Sign By-law Review Survey to voice your thoughts, concerns and comments about electronic sign technology in the city. Are they an eyesore? Are there too many of them? Or do they not bother you at all? Tell us in the comments section below and fill out the city survey above...

This sign above is located at the corner of Monaghan and Lansdowne Streets.

This one above at Farmboy will catch your eye as you head west on Lansdowne Street.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook.

PTBOPics: Burrow For The Modern Home Opens Downtown

Megan Currie has opened up a modern home store downtown just off Hunter Street West at 188 Hunter Street West.

Burrow offers unique home decor and gift items that really stand out. Megan said she was drawn to handmade items and things made of natural materials. 

Profiles are being added to some of the items such as dipped kitchen wear that offered an anti-skid coating. These backgrounds give you a bit of a brief story about the person who created it and where they are from. Megan says she tries to source her items from within North America but also offers a few unique items from around the World.

Consider stopping in for housewarming or wedding gifts. Burrow will be hosting an official Grand Opening later in September.

Follow Burrow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Get in touch with Burrow at (705) 749-6778 or via email.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook.

Peterborough's Dan O'Toole Debut On Fox Sports 1

Peterborough's Dan O'Toole made his Fox Sports 1 debut on Saturday with his good pal Jay Onrait. Here's some of the highlights from the former TSN sports announcers' first episode:

And watch them read tweets from viewer response... 

—PTBOCanada's sports reporter Scott Arnold

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook.

Help Peterborough's Courtney Druce Kick Cancer's Ass

Courtney Druce has been battling a rare form of cancer. She is chronicling her fight on her inspiring blog Sassy Blonde—Cancer Be Gone!, which was brought to our attention by Matt Russelle on Twitter. As she says on her site, "This is my fourth bout with cancer, and I'm going to win. I was first diagnosed at 15, 18 and 20. I've had two bone marrow transplants. I've done chemo, have gone into heart failure, have been bald and have more hospital stories than Meredith Grey. The difference: this time I'm going to talk about them." A fundraiser is being held for Courtney on Sunday, September 8th (see deets in poster below).

[Sassy Blonde—Cancer Be Gone!; poster via Jonathan Hall]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook. 

The Business Beat With Stu Harrison

THE EPICENTRE

The Epicentre is a Bridgenorth based spice company owned by Barry Mortin and Barbara McGee. They recently introduced 6 new spice blends, and have enlisted local coffee roasters Dreams of Beans to provide the product for their new Coffee/Chile Steak Rub. You can find Epicentre products at a number of local retailers including Firehouse Gourmet in Peterborough, Herma’s in Port Hope and The Market in Lakefield. Click here for more info.
 

SUGARCAINE CATERING

SugarCaine Catering is the clever name of Stacey Caine’s new company. Stacey is focused on providing meal plans for seniors based on their choices. A red seal chef with years of experience in health care, hospitality, and a love of seniors, Stacey will help you develop a menu, prepare it in your home, with your help if you like. Calling it “companion cooking”, your consultation is free and fees are based on a weekly fee plus cost of groceries. Contact SugarCaine Catering at 343-263-4374.
 

RURALLYNX NETWORK CABLING 

RuralLynx Network Cabling and Wireless Internet Services is Ray Abrams new business. With over 30 years of telecomm experience, Ray is offering structured cabling for large or small projects, fibre optic connectivity, telephone installation, and wireless tower technologies. Plus Ray is developing a rural high-speed network East of Peterborough and Hastings County. Details at Rurallynx.com.

LOCKSIDE TRADING COMPANY

Lockside Trading Company is introducing a new event called Art @ The Lock August 24th and 25th, featuring works by the Group of Seven and others. If you are a local artist interested in showing your work, contact Mike or Sue at Lockside.com.

To submit your new business to Stu's "The Business Beat", click here.

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook.

Batman Helps Kids Out At Triathalon In Peterborough

Photo courtesy Ryan James

Batman made a special appearance on Saturday (August 17th) at the 9th annual Dr. Shufelt's Kid's Triathalon at Beavermead Park. Ryan James was there and explains "there's always lots of helpful volunteers in the water to help the kids get in and navigate that part of the course, and this year there was an extra friendly and helpful Batman in an wet suit." James adds "he was very popular with the kids and did an outstanding job of engaging all the kids in the swimming—which can be an intimidating part of the event.”

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook. 

DBIA Featured Post: Shish-Kabob Hut

Don Vassiliadis is a community minded man through and through. As the 2nd generation owner of the Shish-Kabob Hut, located at 220 King St. in downtown Peterborough, he realizes that in order for his business to continuously be successful he has to know the needs of the community and customers he is surrounded by daily.

The restaurant, which originally opened in 1976, has been in its current location since 1994. Its 19 year anniversary is being celebrated this month (August) and he is very proud of being in business this long. Unless you’re a city historian, you probably wouldn’t guess that the current location he's in was originally a car garage when first built.

Serving Greek food at its finest, the menu touches on many traditional favourites from various Souvlaki dishes to Shish-Kabob and Pita Bread platters covering a massive array of meat options. To cover a vegetarian customer base as well, they offer great soups and salads and many out-of-this-world cheese influenced choices. Dishes that are a can’t-miss are the Tigania (a spicy stir-fry masterpiece) and the Hot Peppers and Feta, which is requested more than most of the restaurants options.

Don and his excellent staff know that great food is only one part of the entire experience and they try to create an unforgettable experience from beginning to end. The atmosphere inside is very vibrant and will keep you on the edge of your seat as soon as you get seated!

The Shish-Kabob Hut has been involved in many community events such as the Taste of Downtown and more recently Rib Fest. Don and his crew brought a local flavour to the event, which was well received by lovers of local business. The restaurant was even featured on You Gotta Eat Here in an episode that is still in heavy rotation on Food Network Canada.

Out of the original restaurant business has spawned two other ventures: a catering company and a party rental business as well. In 2010, for example, the business was responsible for catering the Dragon Boat Festival Gala and it also catered the Chiefs of Police Dinner when it was hosted in Peterborough earlier this year.

Always wanting to learn more about his community has kept Don very busy outside of its operating hours. He has been involved with the DBIA Marketing Committee, was the Chair of the United Way, and has also worked with Showplace and Crime Stoppers in various capacities.

One of Don’s favourite activities outside of the restaurant are the cooking classes he has offered to those who might never get the experience of one, as well as working with the YWCA’s Nourish Peterborough.

Don is truly entrenched in downtown Peterborough and wants to see success in every facet. His personality is unmatched and his dedication shines through in his restaurant. If you haven’t been inside its walls, we suggest you experience it as soon as possible!

For more on Shisk-Kabob Hut (220 King St.), go to:
Website: Skhpeterborough.com
Twitter: @skhptbo
FB: Shish-Kabob Facebook page

For more on Downtown Peterborough and the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), click here.

—By Aaron Elliott

Upcoming 30 Craft Market Looking for Artisans

On September 13th, the 30 Craft Market will be taking place at the Peterborough Public Library. They are still looking for artisans and crafters that would like to be included in the event. A booth is only $10! Check the website for more details and contact information or you can call them at 705.760.3933.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook.