Peterborough Blogs
Local Rideshare and Food Delivery Service To Hold Job Fair On Saturday
/Y Drive is looking to employ delivery and rideshare drivers at their hiring fair at the Peterborough Square offices on the third floor on Saturday.
Vietnamese restaurant Hanoi House (with vermicelli and spring rolls pictured in the foreground) located on Hunter Street and Lansdowne Street West was one of the first restaurants to have their food delivered by Y Drive. Photo courtesy of Y Drive.
The hiring fair will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 360 George St. where applicants can optionally bring their resumé.
The local company wants roughly 25 drivers for their rideshare program. In addition, they want to add another 20-30 delivery drivers for Y Drive Eats and have already hired 20 to start.
“Demand is so high, we need those people to keep growing,” said Joel Potter, Y Drive Eats owner.
Rideshare drivers must be at least 25, have a G license and have a newer vehicle. Delivery drivers do not have to meet those requirements.
Employees can work delivery or rideshare but not simultaneously on the same shift.
The delivery service starts on Tuesday with roughly eight restaurants to start. A new restaurant will be announced daily beginning in March for 30 days to be available for the delivery service.
Rob Davidson, Y Drive owner says his service will charge less to the restaurants.
"We actually got to know a lot of restaurant owners via Ydrive, said Davidson. "They are running into an issue where they are getting a lot of food out but not making any money. It allows our restaurant community to grow which is beneficial for us as customers and it also allows us to employ local drivers to do local work and make local money."
Vietnamese restaurant Hanoi House is one of the first businesses available for Y Drive delivery.
“I’m excited that there is a local option that charges a reasonable commission rate to restaurants,” said Susan Tung, Hanoi House owner. “People don’t realize how much money restaurants lose yearly to these large third-party apps. At least the money is now kept in the community so that is something we can all get behind.”
On Feb. 19, Y Drive started delivering for LCBO during their business hours.
Click here to submit an online application.
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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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Consumption and Treatment Services Hub Receives $1.3 Million in Government Funding
/The Ontario Government has provided funding of $1,357,000 towards consumption and treatment services in the City of Peterborough announced on Friday.
Dr. Thomas Piggot, Medical Officer of Health and CEO of Peterborough Public Health addressing the media at Showplace Performance Centre for the announcement. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The funding will operate in the opioid response hub Fourcast, located at 220 Simcoe Street. The services will provide harm reduction, primary medical services, pathways to mental health and addictions counselling, and pathways to mobile detox services.
“The creation of the Opioid Response Hub, mobile mental health and addictions clinics, expanded withdrawal management and outreach services and, now, Consumption and Treatment Services will save lives,” said MPP Dave Smith. “There is no silver bullet though; we need more treatment services for our community. There is much more work to do. Today we take one more small step forward but our work is not done.”
Community partners include the Peterborough County-City Paramedics, PARN, Fourcast, the 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, and the Mobile Support Overdose Resource Team (MSORT).
“I believe that research has shown that consumption and treatment sites can be a safe and acceptable environment for people struggling with substance use, while also providing access to education, treatment and resources that help to reduce harm, reduce suffering and save lives,” said Randy Mellow, Chief of the Peterborough CountyCity Paramedics.
The Consumption and Treatment Services will offer pathways to off-site services including opiate replacement therapy; the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic (RAAM); withdrawal management (detox) and community treatment services.
"The overdose crisis is an important priority in our region and the provincial funding for this Peterborough Consumption and Treatment Site led by Fourcast and supported by the Peterborough Drug Strategy partners is a critical step to support people who use drugs in our community,” Dr Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health and CEO, Peterborough Public Health. “This service is a key harm reduction service and will save lives."
Treatment Services were bolstered by $500,000 in permanent, annualized funding for Fourcast mobile withdrawal management services. The mobile withdrawal management services program funds a nurse practitioner and several specialized addictions and outreach workers to deliver primary medical care, community outreach and withdrawal management to more individuals struggling with addiction.
The Canadian Mental Health Association – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge also received $1,000,000 in annualized funding to staff and operate two custom-built buses. These will serve as mobile mental health and addictions clinics. These mobile clinics will travel throughout the County of Peterborough with teams of nurse practitioners, mental health and addictions counsellors and social workers to treat those struggling with mental health and addictions.
“This funding represents a key development in providing vital harm reduction services that our community clearly requires,” says Donna Rogers, Fourcast Executive Director. “With it, we’ll now be able to add another level of support to those affected by the opioid crisis.”
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Kawartha Food Share Receives Over $19,000 From 2021 Free Holiday Parking Initiative
/A total of $14,265.57 was raised for Kawartha Food Share in December 2021 by generous Peterborough residents. While parking was free downtown from Nov. 26 to Dec. 31, some opted to still put money in the meter - which was then donated.
Photo by Angela O’Grady.
The initiative was generously sponsored by Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers - who contributed an additional $5,000 to the Kawartha Food Share, bringing the total raised to $19, 265.57. Wolfe has also committed to support 2 Hour Free Holiday Parking over the next two years.
“Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers was proud to be part of this partnership with the City of Peterborough. We appreciate the support and generosity of shoppers and residents making voluntary donations during the holiday season,” said Bill Wolfe, Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers. “ As an active part of this community, we are equally excited to contribute an additional $5,000 to the total. These funds, through the support of Kawartha Food Share, will help to put food on the tables for people throughout the community.”
The buying power of the Kawartha Food Share enables food purchases at approximately six times the contribution amount, bringing the combined contribution of $19,265.57 to over $115,000 of food to support the local need across the City and County of Peterborough.
“We are so thankful for the continued support of the City of Peterborough and the local shoppers for donating to Kawartha Food Share each and every December,” said Ashlee Aitken, general manager of Kawartha Food Share. “This donation will help us restock our shelves for the busy winter season.”
Kawartha Food Share currently assists more than 9,000 people every month through its 36 member agencies. It supports four meal programs, seven city food banks, six housing projects, seven county food banks, and over 20 food cupboards across the City and County of Peterborough.
The Kawartha Food Share warehouse distributed over $8,468,596 dollars' worth of food and emergency care needs in 2021.
Fundraisers Make A Splash At 36th Annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim
/Participants in the 36th annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim made a splash at the YMCA on Friday morning.
Former Easter Seals ambassador Mitchell McColl and Renee Oake at Friday’s swim. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Carl Oake started this event 36 years ago. He says he was inspired by the work the Easter Seals did because of his relatives. His mother’s twin sister contracted polio in the 1950s while a cousin of his was born with spina bifida - both physically debilitating diseases.
The donations gathered by the annual swim go to the Easter Seals - an organization that helps children, youth and young adults with physical disabilities. They also go to The Rotary Club of Peterborough.
As Oake chatted with friends and reporters at the swim, he dropped everything when Mitchell McColl came onto the pool deck.
McColl was the Easter Seals ambassador in 2012, and has attended the Carl Oake Swim every year since.
“That’s why we do it,” Oake said, gesturing to McColl.
T-shirts worn by participants feature a photo of Oake and McColl from the 2012 swim.
McColl and Oake on the pool deck. Photo by Angela O’Grady.
Presented by Baker Tilly, to date this event has fundraised $1.32 million for Easter Seals and Rotary Projects in the area.
“This is our largest fundraiser of the year,” said Wayne Harding, president of the Rotary Club. “With the $1.32 million we’ve done lot’s of great projects around the community over the years. We founded Camp Kawartha, we recently built a shade shelter in Rotary Park - if you walk around the community you’ll see lots of Rotary plaques.”
The Carl Oake Rotary Swim fundraising page will remain open to donations until March 11. To help them reach their goal of $45,000, click here.
Electric City Football Club Welcomes Former Greek Super League Player and Former New Zealand Pro League Player
/Electric City Football Club has announced that it has agreed to terms with former Greek Super League midfielder Angelika Mihalopulos and former New Zealand Pro League player Adrian Gallo.
ECFC's two newest players, Angelika Mihalopulos and Cobourg resident Adrian Gallo smile after signings contracts with the Peterborough-based pro soccer team. Photo courtesy of ECFC.
Mihalopulos, 28, is a midfielder from London, Ontario, who recently played professionally in Greece in the Women’s Alpha division for AEL FC. She started 16 games and helped lead the team to a fourth place finish in the Greek First Division.
“Angelika has been a top player in League1 Ontario over the past few years. She brings a lot of experience into our team this season. Angelika is a very composed player capable of playing out of high pressure situations. She’s the type of player that fits into our playing philosophy perfectly,” said ECFC Women’s Coach Randy Ribeiro. “Her defensive work rate is outstanding and she breaks up a lot of passes coming into midfield. We are thrilled to add a player of Angelika's experience and quality into our team here at ECFC this summer.”
Prior to playing for AEL FC, Mihalopulos played for the Western Mustangs and Fanshawe College. During her time at Western University she was named a OUA First-Team All-Star and at Fanshawe College she was a CCAA National Championship Tournament All-Star in 2019.
In 2019, she joined FC London in League1 Ontario, where she played 9 regular season games and 5 playoff games en route to leading the club to a League1 Ontario Championship over Oakville Blue Devils. During last year’s shortened season, Mihalopulos started 10 games and scored 1 goal and was named a League1 Ontario Second Team All-Star leading the team to a Regular Season title.
“There are a number of things that attracted me to ECFC. The biggest thing was how passionate everyone was about this project. It wasn’t just about having a team in League1 Ontario or going to the CPL, but bringing something even bigger to Peterborough. Something the community would be proud to stand behind,” Mihalopulos said. “Another thing that attracted me to ECFC is the standard they are setting in the league. Not just in the men’s game but on the women’s side as well, it’s super exciting.”
On the men’s side ECFC has added Adrian Gallo, 28, who resides in Cobourg with his wife, after a great career abroad and at other successful L1O programs including in 2019 when Gallo represented the Oakville Blue Devils side that won the L1O Regular Season.
“Adrian is a player that we are excited to bring into our team here at ECFC. He has experience playing at the League1 level and is coming back from spending some time playing over in New Zealand,” ECFC President Rob Jenkins said. “Adrian is a technically sound midfielder that we believe fits into what we want to do here very well. His level of professionalism and experiences will really help with the development of the younger players we bring in here that aspire to make the jump to the next level.”
Abroad, Gallo played professionally for Bay Olympic AFC in Auckland, New Zealand in the county’s Lotto LRFL league. Gallo has had training stints with professional clubs in Spain, including Getafe B, CF Fuenlabrada and in Italy’s Serie D. As a youth player, Gallo had trials and trained in Argentina.
“When I got back from New Zealand, I moved to Cobourg and had hoped a club would form somewhere near the Kawartha Lakes. When I heard of Electric City FC, the people involved in the project, the ambitious plan, and the community support, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of,” Gallo said of joining ECFC. “It’s an honour to be joining Electric City FC, a club that is making waves in Canadian football. It’s exciting to be a part of the historic first year.”
Player announcements are expected to continue over the coming weeks as the team builds its roster leading to training camp in early April. Roster spots are still available and interested players are encouraged to attend open try-outs on April 2. Open Try-Out Registration, Season Ticket Vouchers, and Sponsorship Packages are available now at electriccityfc.com
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Campers Can Book Sites At Beavermead And Warsaw Caves As Of March 1
/Campers will be able to book sites online at Otonabee Conservation’s two campgrounds, Warsaw Caves Conservation Area (CA) and Beavermead Campground, on March 1.
Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.
The reservation system allows campers to view a map of the campground, select a site, and then book, pay for, and schedule their stay in an efficient, user-friendly, and convenient way. Campers are asked to utilize the online reservation system to book their sites ahead of their trip, which will ensure a campsite is available for them.
The online reservation system will go live on March 1, at 10 a.m. Campers are encouraged to reserve their campsite through the Let’s Camp online reservation platform. Those wishing to book a site at Warsaw Caves CA can visit letscamp.ca/camps/warsaw-caves and at Beavermead Campground can visit letscamp.ca/camps/beavermead-campground.
This year, Otonabee Conservation hopes to be able to open the Caves and The Caves Trail at Warsaw Caves CA, that have been closed since Spring 2020.
“The Caves and The Caves Trail have been closed during the pandemic,” said Jessie James, Manager of Conservation Lands at Otonabee Conservation. “With Provincial restrictions easing in the coming weeks, we hope to be able to open the Caves for spelunking this Spring. We are also working on a plan to open kayak and canoe rentals this season. Campers and day-use visitors should stay tuned for official announcements in the coming weeks.”
Campers are encouraged to visit otonabeeconservation.com to plan their outdoor adventure in the Kawartha’s and learn more about the Conservation Areas within the Otonabee Region Watershed that provide a diverse range of outdoor activities for all ages.
$1.5 Million Funding Boost For University-Led Consortium To Address Ontario’s Ongoing Demand for Registered Nurses
/A $1.5 million funding boost from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, will support the University-led Ontario Internationally Educated Nurses Course Consortium (OIENCC) in updating its successful competency-bridging program of study for internationally educated nurses to help address the Province’s demand for registered nurses.
Stock photo.
Trent University is a key partner with OIENCC, which aims to support internationally educated nurses (IENs) in their journey to become registered nurses in Ontario. The Consortium consists of partners and expertise from Trent University, the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University, the Health Leadership and Learning Network at York University, and Continuing Education at the University of Windsor.
“The Trent/Fleming School of Nursing participated in the creation of this Consortium in 2014, to address the need for a pathway for internationally educated nurses to utilize the credentials and experience earned in other countries, and support these nurses to become registered in order to practice their professions in Ontario,” said Dr. Kirsten Woodend, associate professor in the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing. “This collaboration and the additional funding will allow us to play a key role in addressing the demand for nurses across the province.”
A statement from the consortium Program Management Working Group explains “COVID-19 has compounded the challenges IENs face in becoming Registered Nurses in Ontario. It has also increased the demand for IENs to work in our healthcare system to meet the diverse needs of our population. This funding for a flexible program is a timely response by the Government as the need to address these challenges becomes more pressing.”
IENs are essential to create a diverse workforce responsive to the expanding healthcare needs of Canada’s multicultural population. The competency-bridging program of study, supported by Careerspace at Trent University, is designed to help IENs meet the College of Nurses of Ontario's nursing education requirement, the College of Nurses of Ontario's evidence of recent practice requirement, and become eligible to write the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The components of the program of study will include: an orientation to the program of study; two English language, communication, and culture of nursing in Canada courses; seven competency-based courses; three simulation lab courses; two clinical placement courses; and a transition to professional practice course that includes employment supports.
“The Ontario Internationally Educated Nurses Course Consortium is thrilled to continue to support IENs through a flexible program that helps them transition to practice in Ontario. IENs provide valuable skills and expertise for Ontarian’s healthcare,” said Ayesha Bhatti, program manager of the OIENCC.
For more information about the competency-bridging program of study visit rncompetencies.ca. Applications will be accepted through the website until April 3, 2022.
Registration For Peterborough's 2022 Virtual Butterfly Run Now Open
/The annual Peterborough Butterfly Run will move forward as a virtual event again for 2022.
Photo courtesy of Peterborough Butterfly Run.
