Annual YWCA Empty Bowls Event Raised $31,427

A grand total of $31,427 was raised in support of YWCA Nourish Food Programs at the 18 th annual YWCA Empty Bowls event held at The Venue on Feb. 26.

YWCA Empty Bowls fundraiser 2021. Photo courtesy of YWCA.

Ticket holders at this year’s event received a handcrafted ceramic or wooden bowl and a restaurant coupon card, featuring discounts from 12 participating local restaurants.

“Our hearts are so full,” said YWCA Executive Director Kim Dolan. “When I pause to think about all the people and all the time that goes into making this event possible year after year, I’m overwhelmed by the good in our community. Thank you to everyone who carved, created, sponsored, donated, attended, or lent a hand in order to help folks experiencing food insecurity. Your support of Nourish means so much to the hundreds of people in our community who access our healthy food workshops, advocacy training, community gardens, and food boxes every month.”

Those interested in learning more about the event, or the YWCA’s upcoming Virtual Challenge taking place this May in celebration of Mother’s Day, are encouraged to contact Ria Nicholson at 705-743-3526 x113 or rnicholson@ywcapeterborough.org.

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Grand Opening of Downtown Restaurant At Former Hot Belly Mama's Location

Downtown Peterborough has a new upscale gastropub as The EL[P] held its grand opening on Wednesday.

El[P] owners Greg (left) and Amanda Da Silva (left) enjoying one of their several sandwiches on the menu. Amanda formerly ran a talent agency called Blake Talent Management in Toronto. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Owned by husband and wife Amanda and Greg Da Silva, the restaurant occupies the former Hot Belly Mama’s location at 378 George St. N.

The couple rented the property from Ashburnham Realty in late August then began renovations the following October last year.

The food is described as accessible yet elevated pub food according to the owners. Their slogan, “Food is Our Common Ground” is engraved on their front sign and placed on their back wall. The motto fosters a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for anyone who wants to kick back and relax after a long day.

"It's a positive space. Leave your cr*p at the door,” said Amanda. “In here in this space, let's enjoy some good conversation, good food, good drinks and have a good time."

@ptbo_canada Hitting the grand opening of @theelp2022! An upscale gastropub in the heart of downtown PTBO! #theelp #downtownptbo #ptbocanada #ptbo #food #drink ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

The couple’s passion for art, music and entertainment — as both owners previously worked in the hospitality and entertainment industry — was incorporated into the restaurant’s atmosphere. The restaurant is covered in colourful art, graffiti and murals from local artists.

Originally from Toronto, the two moved to Port Hope in 2016. The small town acts as an in-between spot for all the family and friends they have in Peterborough, Toronto, Cobourg and Port Hope.

They currently operate a sister restaurant called “The EL” in Cobourg that opened in 2016. They wanted to replicate the same success they had in Cobourg for their Peterborough gastropub.

"We didn't want to pass up an opportunity to become part of the downtown core and that community with that feeling and vibe," said Amanda. "We've really thrived in Cobourg and I think Peterborough is similar to that. Everybody supports everybody, there's no bad blood between different restaurants and that competition so that's what we wanted to do here."

Despite opening during a pandemic, the couple is optimistic about the restaurant’s success being located in Peterborough.

“In the past couple of months, we've hit the road running,” said Greg. “There's a shutdown and all that but I think we're opening at the perfect timing."

"We're risk-takers and we didn't want to look back in a few years and say, 'we wish we would have done that,'" said Amanda. "As being so resilient through Covid at that location (The EL) and pivoting the way we had to succeed, I think that also gave us the confidence to be able to do this now that we're coming out the other side."

The Da Silva’s have rented the adjacent property of the former Olde Stone Brewing Company. The space is closed off and is unknown what it will be used for.

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Painted Paddle Art Exhibit Returns To Downtown Windows

The Downtown Business Improvement Area will be celebrating local art and our connection with the waterways here in the Nogojiwanong/Peterborough area with the second annual Painted Paddle outdoor public art exhibit in March

Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA.

The Painted Paddle self-guided outdoor exhibit will include a series of 33 paddle art installations in Peterborough’s central entertainment and shopping district. During the month of March, locals will be able to tour the paddle art exhibits by visiting a number of storefront windows scattered throughout the downtown, as part of an art crawl experience.

“We are so thrilled for the return of the Painted Paddle outdoor art exhibit. This is the kind of positive intervention that livens our downtown shop windows during what many consider a more dreary month in the Canadian calendar,” said Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Peterborough DBIA. “With the world opening back up, people are eager to get out and explore again and the Painted Paddle is slated to capture that enthusiasm for adventure while highlighting the incredible wealth of artistic talent we have right here in Peterborough.”

Local businesses providing window space for the paddle art installations include: The Boardwalk Game Lounge, Cork and Bean, Watson and Lou, Cottage Toys, GreenUP Store, Pammett’s Flowers, The Earth Food Shop, Fork It and many more.

Each paddle will be as unique as the artist, showcasing the many talented visual artists we have in the area. Paddle artists and organizations contributing art for the Painted Paddle include: Trent Gzowski College, Princess Gardens Retirement Residence, Empress Gardens Retirement Residence, Beth LeBlonc, Jason Wilkins, Miguel Hernandez Autorino, Rachel Dyck, Kate Irwin, Brianna Gosselin, and many more.

“I am so excited to take part in this project to support our city and the power that art can bring, especially when different artist come together,” said Cree artist Nuin-Tara ᓄᐃᓐᑕᕋ. “This piece is significant to me because it tells a story I have learned along my journey of connecting with my Cree culture. I think it’s important for connections to be made, and art is one way to bring people of all cultures together.”

The Painted Paddle exhibit will be on display until March 30. Exhibition paddles will be available for auction from March 11 at 8 p.m. – March 25 at 8 p.m. ahead of the First Friday event on April 1. All proceeds raised through the online auction will support the Downtown Green Team, a DBIA partnership with the One City Employment Program to create a downtown horticultural crew and create two seasonal positions for people who are experiencing barriers to traditional employment. For the virtual auction visit https://www.32auctions.com/boropaintedpaddles.

To participate in a self-guided tour of the Painted Paddle, community members can access a full map of paddle exhibit locations by visiting the Love For The Boro website online at https://linktr.ee/LoveForTheBoro.

For more information on the Painted Paddle project contact the DBIA Placemaking Project Manager, Dawn Pond by email at dawn@ptbodbia.ca.

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Local Hockey Player Signs Three-Year Entry Level NHL Contract With St. Louis Blues

Peterborough’s Will Cranley and his dream of being in the NHL has come true as he signed a three-year entry contract with the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday.

WIll Cranley had a .872 save percentage with a 3.84 goals against average in 34 games with the Ottawa 67’s in the 2021-22 season so far. Photo courtesy of Chad Cranley.

The local goaltender’s contract will start for the 2022-23 season. He will continue playing with Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67's this year.

He was drafted by the Blues in the sixth round, 163rd overall in the 2020 NHL Draft.

”We are very proud of Will and the young man that he has become both as a person and an athlete,” said Chad Cranley, Will’s father. “Hearing his name called on draft day was extremely special and words can hardly describe the excitement we feel for him with his recent signing with the St. Louis Blues.”

We've signed goalie Will Cranley, our sixth-round pick in 2020, to a three-year entry-level contract. https://t.co/nXlNK5xlUQ #stlblues

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 2, 2022

Will played for the Peterborough Petes U15 and U16 AAA teams as a goalie for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons respectively.

The 67’s drafted him 35th overall in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection Draft as he spent his entire OHL career there.

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Peterborough Sport And Wellness Centre Launches New Website Ahead Of Summer Camp Registration

Registration for summer camps is now open and instructional sport camps are returning for the 2022 season in The City of Peterborough.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

“We are excited to work with our community partners to offer instructional sport camps again this summer,” said Jennifer Bell, Sport and Fitness Coordinator.

The City of Peterborough has launched updated webpages for recreation services to provide residents a convenient online location for all recreation programs, activities, events, and facility information. The site features online services to register for programs, request facility rentals, view drop-in schedules, and learn about memberships and upcoming events. Visit the website at www.peterborough.ca/recreation.

Spring programs begin the first week of April, with the aquatics facility at the Sport & Wellness Centre scheduled to re-open.

“We look forward to seeing our members and participants return to swimming lessons and public swimming this Spring”, said Andrea Pade, Aquatics Coordinator.

Registration for spring programming opens online, on March 8, 2022. View program offerings at www.peterborough.ca/recprograms.

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YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Is Seeking Volunteers To Join Board Of Directors

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton is seeking volunteers to join the Board of Directors and board committees.

Stock photo.

“We are looking for volunteers who are passionate about women’s issues and have the desire to be involved with an organization that provides life-saving emergency shelter and support programs, tools and resources that help women and children thrive,” said Wendy Hicks, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Board President. “The YWCA plays a vital role in our community and its sustainability depends on women who will make impactful decisions in support of our mission: to support the right of all women and their families to live free from violence, poverty and oppression as they build their desired futures.”

Those interested in volunteering should have between 10 – 12 hours a month to contribute and submit information through the online application by April 1.

“We value varied skills and experiences, and we are particularly interested in the areas of finance, human resources, strategic planning and governance",” said Kelly Zatorski, Chair of the Nominating Committee. As an organization, we have always been committed to ensuring a diverse perspective, one that is a reflection of the communities we serve.”

Candidates who meet this year's requirements will be invited to submit their resumes, followed by 30-minute virtual interviews scheduled toward the end of April. New appointments will be made at the YWCA’s annual meeting in June 2022.

Questions can be directed to ywcaph.boardrecruitment@gmail.com.

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Peterborough City Hall Lit Blue and Yellow In Support of Ukraine

On a display of solidarity and support to Ukraine in their conflict with Russia, Peterborough City Hall has been lit in blue and yellow that started Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The lights are lit from March 1 to 7.

Before the playing of the Canadian national anthem at Monday’s virtual City Council meeting, 30 seconds of silent reflection were taken.

Several council members dressed their virtual background in the Ukrainian flag at the meeting.

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Peterborough Formal Wear Store T-Elle Boutique Closing Its Doors After 37 Years

Local business owner Lien Vu is closing her shop T-Elle Boutique on March 31 after 37 years in business and hundreds of special-occasion outfits sold.

Lien Vu (pictured) relocated her store to 131 Charlotte St. from her previously location at 351. George St. N. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Vu graduated from Fleming College with a degree in business in the 1980s and found herself wondering where she would start her career.

“When I graduated I must have applied to 100 jobs, nothing,” said Vu. “I took the $5,000 I had and started this.”

She put $2,500 to get the store ready with a fresh coat of paint, small renovations and another $2,500 to buy merchandise.

She says she wanted T-Elle to be customers’ go-to shop when they needed a fancy outfit to wear.

“I’m not normal,” said Vu with a laugh. “When customers come in, I want them to stand out. I want them to go to their party and heads to turn.”

Vu says the formal wear started to sell very quickly and she was soon able to bring in more merchandise including casual wear.

“Things started moving and I realized ‘hey, this is what I like to do’ and I started bringing more stuff in,” Vu said gesturing to the colourful dresses and outfits around her. “After a while, we were able to bring in more casual stuff but my casual is not casual.”

Vu looking at photos from her shops past. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Vu’s shop is slowly emptying as shoppers buy up the last of her stock.

She says the changing business environment is in part to blame.

“It’s all online but my dresses - you need to try them on to know,” she said.

Reflecting on the pieces she has sold in the past, Vu says she is grateful to have been a part of so many peoples special days.

“You need a lot of dedication and a lot of patience to do this job,” she said. “Working weddings and graduations, that’s not something you try on one dress for. You have to be so good to everyone and so patient. I’m glad I’ve built a good reputation here.”

Vu plans to move closer to her children and grandchildren and enjoy retirement surrounded by family.

Merchandise is on sale now and T-Elle’s will close on March 31.

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Two New Dogs Admitted To Peterborough Police In Badge Ceremony

Two Police Service Dogs (PSD) Mag and Gryphon are the Peterborough Police Service’s newest members of their K9 Unit in a badge ceremony held on Wednesday.

(from left to right) Const. Wentworth, PSD Gryphon, Const. Cowie and PSD Mag. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

Both dogs received their official badges marking their official first day of work.

Gryphon is a Dutch Shepherd. He completed his 15-week training course with Const. Wentworth run by the Niagara Regional Police Service and is now certified for general-purpose patrol.

The 18-month old dog is trained in human scent detection and location, suspect apprehension, article detection, handler protection, and narcotics detection. 

Mag is a two-year-old Belgian Malinois trained in firearms and ammunition detection. She completed basic training on Oct. 6 has been with the City of Peterborough alongside fellow PSD Isaac and her handler Const. Cowie.  She was donated to the police by Grassroots Kennels.

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The Art Gallery of Peterborough to Reopen on Friday

After undergoing month-long renovations, the Art Gallery of Peterborough and Gallery Shop are reopening on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The gallery has been closed since Feb. 2 for the installation of a new lighting system. The reopening includes exciting new exhibitions according to the Art Gallery.

The shop sells ceramic, glass, jewelry and more. Their items feature artists and makers from the Peterborough-Kawartha region and beyond.

For more updates visit www.agp.on.ca

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