BREAKING: Unconfirmed Reports Of A Meteor

**We are looking at doing a possible expedition: "Peterborough Meteor Hunt" (hashtag #ptbometeorhunt). Details here.  [UPDATE: Here's the path the fireball took, according to an analysis by the American Meteor Society.]

[UPDATE, May 5th: The National Post quotes Peter Brown, a professor at the University of Western Ontario who studies meteors, as saying that "based on the data and the eyewitness reports, it appears the shockwave occurred in the area of Peterborough, and its characteristics allowed for an estimate of the size of the meteor." A Globe and Mail report adds that the "once-in-a-decade astronomical event" has Ontarians poised for a "large and possibly lucrative rock hunt throughout Southern Ontario"—and that most speculated the meteor disappeared somewhere around Peterborough, Ont. The "Peterborough meteor", as the Globe article refers to it as, measured between half a metre and a metre in diameter and weighs at least one metric ton.]

ORIGINAL POST:
Eyewitnesses spotted a fireball in the sky—a blue light, then a loud boom, possibly a meteor. Epicentre appears to be in Oshawa/Scarborough/GTA/Peterborough area, with a sonic boom blast/explosion felt, and some people in Peterborough reporting their houses shaking—we felt it, too. Pictures (and video) coming in on Twitter (see below).... American Meteor Society currently investigating... More here from the Toronto Star and CTV News. Follow us on Twitter on @Ptbo_Canada for live reports...

Caught a meteor on my car cam landing north of Toronto

My wife noticed a small ball of fire appearing to fall through the sky and I thought it was fireworks since I only managed to see the trail of smoke. We reviewed the video footage on my Blackvue 1080P dashcam and there it was- awesome!

Major Mackenzie & Hwy 400

Shot of clouds from suspected meteor in the sky taken approximately 4:15pm on May 4, 2014 from Grafton, Ontario.

Video of possible #meteor near Toronto a couple of hours ago. “Big booms” reported in other parts of Ontario. https://t.co/abw2AVYNjR

— Nick Wiltgen (@WxNick) May 4, 2014

Unconfirmed reports indicate loud blast over Peterborough and GTA was result of a meteor. Stay tuned for updates.

— The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) May 4, 2014

Taken in Port Hope, ON at 4:20 pm. Looked like meteor exploding. Heard BOOM. Then rumble. Ground shook #meteor pic.twitter.com/RQfZ7r55Do

— DC-Photography (@DCPhotographyON) May 5, 2014

Huge cloud of smoke from meteor ! Oshawa/Courtice pic.twitter.com/YuPdYCrz9M

— stephanie lupton (@Slupton89) May 4, 2014

Here's the photo of the #meteor contrail over GTA and Durham! Saw this from Whitby.... Seeing this made my day pic.twitter.com/gINzrFeMc9

— Veronica (@iVeronica) May 4, 2014

#meteor, #Peterborough pic.twitter.com/bG1nLrU8ct

— Lawrence (@lhaddlesey) May 4, 2014

@13WHAM All I have is smoke trail of the #ROC #Meteor pic.twitter.com/r5xI9pE7TI

— Jesse Jordan (@jessejordan06) May 4, 2014

@13WHAM from the meteor I saw in Greece ny pic.twitter.com/D2b4a2pFg4

— justin muench (@JustinTiim3) May 4, 2014

Note the small circular cloud. It's well high up. That my friends was a meteorite methinks pic.twitter.com/DdMbYS6C6y

— Rich Wigmore (@Ricwi) May 4, 2014

—Scott Arnold & Neil Morton

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

Darth Vader Spotted In Peterborough On May The 4th Day

Awesome... Maybe Luke was on the other corner?

Picture via @d_britton on Twitter

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

PtboPics: Saturday Farmers' Market is Back Outdoors

The Peterborough Farmers' Market is back outside! It runs every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Morrow Park and you can stay connected with them on Facebook and Twitter.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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

R.I.P. The Chemong Moose

Photo Alex Bushell

We are devastated to report the Chemong Moose is dead. The moose that has endeared itself to so many this week and has become the talk of the town—and county—had to be put down by the MNR. The reasons why are explained in these tweets below from Examiner reporter Sarah Deeth.

The Chemong Rd. moose? It's dead. The MNR destroyed it after the moose displayed erratic, dangerous behaviour. RIP, Chemong Rd. Moose.

— Sarah Deeth (@SarahDeeth) May 2, 2014

MNR official said they made many attempts all day to force moose, which was covered in ticks & emaciated, back into the woods.

— Sarah Deeth (@SarahDeeth) May 2, 2014

Moose was unafraid of humans, traffic, appeared disoriented. MNR on scene apparently concerned it had brain worm.

— Sarah Deeth (@SarahDeeth) May 2, 2014

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

2014 Peterborough Jane's Walk Is This Saturday

Jane's Walk is a yearly celebration in memory of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs, who promoted getting out and learning more about your community.

“No one can find what will work for our cities by looking at … suburban garden cities, manipulating scale models, or inventing dream cities. You’ve got to get out and walk.” 

—Jane Jacobs, Downtown is for People, 1957

The Peterborough walk has a timely subject of Old Growth Forests in Jackson Park: Exploring Treasured Trees, Transitions, and Terminology. The walk starts at 9 a.m. Saturday (May 3rd) at the playground under the tall white pines of Jackson Park (top of Monaghan Road). It will be two hours long, and is family and dog friendly. There are steep hills and uneven terrain, so wear proper footwear.

"What makes a heritage tree? How does geology influence forest ecology? How old is old growth?

Join Chris Gooderham—Urban Forest Ecologist, and John Etches—Educator & Geologist, on an interpretive tour of Peterborough's greatest stand of white pine, maple, cedar, and hemlock. We'll walk through the oldest grove of trees in the heart of Jackson Park, examining tree growth, soil conditions, typography and ecosite transitions along the way.

During the walk, participants will engage in a conversation about why Jackson Park is one of the most cherished, unique, natural urban parks in all of Canada. We will also ponder what Peterborough stands to loose with the construction of the Parkway Bridge through the heart of the Jackson Creek Valley.

Walk will be approximately 1.5 to 2 hrs in duration on a combination of wide and narrow hiking trails, moderately steep slopes, and uneven ground. We'll make several stops along the way."

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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

Shifting Gears Has Kicked Off

The 11th Annual Shifting Gears Workplace Transportation Challenge has kicked off. Shifting Gears is a month-long competition created to inspire Peterborough area employers, employees, and individuals to use active modes of commuting, such as walking and biking, as well as public transit and ride sharing.

“Shifting Gears is a long-standing community campaign that has a significant impact on employee travel behaviour during the month of May,” said Susan Sauvé, Transportation Demand Management Planner at the City of Peterborough. “There are many reasons to participate in Shifting Gears, both as an employer and an employee, with the benefits ranging from better personal health and air quality to lowered family transportation costs and reduced demand on parking spaces.”

Every employee can participate in Shifting Gears by signing up as an individual or through their workplace at Peterboroughmoves.com. Employees who participate in the program and log more than four car-free trips before May 14th will qualify for a rewards card that can be redeemed for great cycling and walking gear or a 10-trip transit pass. All participants also qualify for grand prizes, including the Grand Prize of a $750 gift certificate for Resorts of Ontario, and a free Student Car Share membership, with $10 of free drive time.

Shifting Gears is a program of GreenUP, the City of Peterborough, Wild Rock Outfitters, B!KE: the Peterborough Community Bike Shop, and Student Car Share.

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

2014 Doors Open Peterborough Is This Saturday

Every year, Doors Open gives you the opportunity to discover first-hand Ontario’s hidden heritage treasures. Doors Open Peterborough is this Saturday (May 3rd), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will give you the chance to visit...

• Auburn Generating Station (908 Water Street)
• Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Historical Pumper Truck (Del Crary Park)
• Kirkland Engineering (570 Water Street)
• Peterborough Airport (925 Airport Road)
• Peterborough Memorial Centre (151 Lansdowne Street West)
• Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame (151 Lansdowne Street West)
• Peterborough Museum and Archives (300 Hunter Street East - Museum Drive)
• Confederation Square (501 George Street North)
• TV COGECO (1111 Goodfellow Road)

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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

OPP In Hot Pursuit Of Chemong Moose

Developing... The Chemong Moose that is the talk of the town and county today (April 30th)—and already has its own Twitter account—is now walking on the road. And the OPP are closely monitoring the situation to keep the animal safe, with the moose last spotted heading east on the 5th line. Alex Bushell tweeted these photos below of the "pursuit"... [UPDATE: The latest is the moose has wandered off into the woods again.]

Picture via @alex_bushell on Twitter

Picture via @alex_bushell on Twitter

Picture via @alex_bushell on Twitter

Picture via @alex_bushell on Twitter

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

Here Is Video Of The Bashful Chemong Moose

picture via @70Towerhill

The talk of the town today is this moose, who is chilling out in fields on Chemong Road near Bridgenorth.

Below is video Colin King shot of "Marty The Moose" near 5th line this morning (April 30th)...

[via Pete Dalliday YouTube channel]

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

Style File Three: Look -> What's Your Style Peterborough?

Patrick McAuley

In the Spotlight: Patrick McAuley
Ash's Style File Notes: Patrick McAuley is a downtown businessman, a Real Estate Agent who likes to stay away from the Basic Black Suit. Sure he has one, but he gravitates towards pieces with a bit more flare and steers clear of anything ill fitting. Today, he is wearing a Jacket, Vest and Shirt all from Plush Boutique. His trousers are from Top Man in Las Vegas. His tie brings in that little pop of Spring and fun that lets you know even before he smiles, that he's a pretty happy guy.
What Patrick says about his style... "I like a modern business look with British and pioneer influences. My inspiration is from The Beatles. I love that look."

—Ash Street

Contact fashionista Ash Street if you want to be featured in "What's Your Style Peterborough?" Or watch for her on the streets finding her next person to feature in Style File.

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