Couple Opens New Bubble Tea Shop In Downtown Peterborough

Dreams of owning a bubble tea place have come true for couple Jasmine Sina and Allen Zhang as they soft opened their café Bobo Tea on the corner of George Street and Charlotte Street on Tuesday.

Allen Zhang (left) and Jasmine Sina (right) created their own menu for their bubble tea that includes ingredients such as condensed milk, cheese foam and aloe vera jelly in their various drinks. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The popular Taiwanese drink commonly consists of green or black flavoured tea typically with chewy tapioca balls (that act as the ‘bubbles’) and can include milk. Other popular toppings include popping boba (encased spheres of syrup or juice), jelly or fruit.

Customers can adjust sugar and ice levels to their bubble tea as the beverage boasts to be a healthier alternative to other sweet drinks.

“We wanted to use a lot of fresh fruits to make it healthier," said Sina. "People want to have weight control and want a more healthier drink so they can have it every day.”

Zhang and Sina thought about opening a bubble tea shop last summer and began looking for property to open a store in January.

They chose Peterborough since it was a big city in the Kawarthas with a potentially large untapped market for bubble tea according to Zhang. Originally from Toronto, he and Sina believed opening a store in Peterborough would get people familiar with the famed beverage.

"Bubble Tea is already popular in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area),” he said. “Most people (here), I think still don't know what bubble tea is.”

The pandemic created several obstacles for the couple but they persevered in getting their shop up and running. The owners anticipate a shipment of decorations to come in soon before their grand opening at an undisclosed date.

"Of course it's very exciting, we actually did it," said Zhang. "During the time of the renovations, all the supplies were short and the inspections were behind."

Zhang had the idea of opening a store last summer while visiting a friend who went to school at Trent University.

“There are not many Chinese restaurants here so he would always drive to Toronto just for bubble tea,” he said. “That was the first idea that told me that I should start searching out and plan to open up a store in Peterborough.”

The café is offering 20 per cent off all its drinks during the soft launch until their grand opening.

"All the people coming with the feedback, we made the right choice to have it here and I think people like our drinks so I'm happy to see people that walk away with happy faces when holding our drinks,” said Zhang.

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Second Annual Panda Feeds Canada Golf Tournament Brings In $2600 For Kawartha Food Share

Panda Feeds Canada, a grassroots organization aiming to end nationwide hunger starting in Peterborough, hosted its second annual golf tournament at Keystone Links Golf Club and raised $2,600 for Kawartha Food Share.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Parnell.

To date, Panda Feeds Canada has contributed over $15,000 to local food banks and over 20,000 lbs of food.

Beginning in March of 2021, Andrew Parnell created the Instagram page ‘Panda Feeds Canada’ in hopes to gain enough followers to have the ability to present advertisements and sponsorships via the social media platform.

Mid April of this year that account got hacked, and ultimately had to be deleted which means everything that Parnell had been working towards was gone - though that didn’t stop him.

Parnell started from scratch and is slowly gaining followers back.

The golf tournament was already in motion before the original account was deleted, and went off successfully.

Because of KFS’s buying power, the $2,600 donated by Parnell will have approximately six times the buying power - meaning they can purchase $15,600 worth of food.

He hopes that next year the golf tournament generates over $5,000.

“Try and make a difference. You might put some hard hours into it but you’ll feel good about what you’ve done, even if you only make a minor change and help one person it’s worth it,” said Parnell in a part interview with PTBOCanada. “There’s too much negativity in this world right now so any kindness and compassion that we can put out into the universe is only going to help everyone in the long run.”

To donate to Kawartha Food Share click here. To be featured on Panada Feeds Canada send a screenshot of your donation via direct message.

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Peterborough Public Health Launches New Opioid Harms Data Portal And Drug Reporting Tool

Peterborough Public Health (PPH), with support of its partners, has launched a new Opioid Harms Data Portal and Drug Reporting Tool, both available on the PPH Website, as part of the broader response to the drug poisoning crisis facing Peterborough.

File Photo.

“Our community has experienced 17 deaths so far this year,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “The loss of our community members is tragic and has a broader rippling effects on people who use drugs, their family members, and the community. This work is one piece of the whole response that Peterborough Public Health is supporting in an effort to address the drug poisoning crisis.”

The Opioid Harms Data Portal is a public facing interactive tool that allows residents to stay up to date on drug-related harms in the community. Updated monthly, the portal includes local data on:

· 911 Calls

· Emergency Department Visits

· Deaths

Additional data and information will be added as available.

The Drug Reporting Tool is an online survey where residents can anonymously report drug poisonings and other bad drug reactions. Any information shared through the tool supports Peterborough Public Health and community partners in responding to and preventing drug poisonings in the Peterborough region.

“These tools are the result of a two-year consultation with partner agencies and evaluation on the opioid early warning and surveillance system (EWSS)” said Jocelyn Qualtrough, a Health Promoter on the Family and Community Health team. “The drug poisoning crisis impacts local lives daily. The Opioid Harms Data Portal and the Drug Reporting Tool will create opportunities for the broader community to grow their understanding and compassion for people who use drugs, who are recovering, who have lasting complications from drug use and poisoning, and who have been lost to drug poisoning.”

These tools are intended to give insights to the community and service providers about what is happening, who is affected, and how trends are changing in the community. The Opioid Harms Data Portal will now be the central location for accessing local opioid harms data.

In an online press conference on Thursday, Dr Piggott noted that there have been 17 drug poisonings in Peterborough in 2022 to date.

Residents can access the Opioid Harms Data Portal and The Drug Reporting Tool via the Peterborough Public Health Website by searching for “Opioid”, or by clicking on the corresponding links.

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The Boro Is Calling All Budding Or Seasoned Gardeners To Help Beautify Downtown With Planters

The Boro has put a call out for anyone, experienced or not, that would like to volunteer to plant patio planters on Saturday from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Stock Photo.

Volunteers do not need any gardening experience, or equipment. Kids are welcome though they must be accompanied by an adult.

A complimentary, local lunch provided for the morning shift and dinner for the afternoon shift.

Volunteers are to meet at the Peterborough Square Mall courtyard at Water Street and Charlotte Street. Washrooms will be available at the mall all day.

Both sessions will include a brief introduction to gardening.

Those interested in volunteering should email dawn@ptbodbia.ca to sign up and to share any allergies or dietary restrictions.

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Hometown PTBO: Peterborough Musicfest General Manager Tracey Randall On Dream Acts Coming to Play in Peterborough

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Tracey Randall, Peterborough Musicfest general manager about her hobbies, the recently-announced lineup for this year's free concert series and her dream acts to play in Peterborough.

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City Of Peterborough Receives AA+ Credit Rating

Standard & Poor’s has upgraded the City of Peterborough’s credit rating to “AA+” from “AA” through its review of the institutional framework assessment for Canadian municipalities, reflecting their extremely predictable and supportive outlook.

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Standard & Poor’s is a financial services company that offers services including credit ratings, data analysis and equity research to both the private and public sectors worldwide. 

The ”AA+” rating is the second highest rating on Standard & Poor’s credit rating scale. 

The rating is an indication of the City of Peterborough’s strong, stable financial position and the fiscal management of the organization. 

When Standard & Poor’s released its credit ratings last winter, it cited Peterborough’s diversified economy and prudent financial management. 

“Bolstered by its diversified economy and prudent financial management, the city has weathered the difficult operating environment during the pandemic,” the agency stated. 

Looking across the Canadian municipal sector, Standard & Poor’s announced last week that it was raising the ratings of 21 entities, including the City of Peterborough. 

“Canadian municipalities have demonstrated resilient budgetary performance over the years, including during the dual economic and fiscal shocks of the 2008 financial crisis and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic,” Standard & Poor’s stated in its rating sheet. “In times of stress, the municipalities have received exceptional support from senior levels of government. 

“The requirement to produce balanced budgets while keeping pace with service and expenditure responsibilities, coupled with reduced pandemic-related grants, will likely lead to lower operating surpluses that are more in line with historical levels in the next two years. Nevertheless, we do not believe that a modest weakening in budgetary results will significantly affect Canadian municipalities’ creditworthiness in the next two years.” 

Among the reasons and expectations for the City of Peterborough’s strong credit rating, Standard & Poor’s has cited: 

• Prudent financial management and supportive institutions; 

• Peterborough’s stable and diversified economy will anchor the city’s recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite some obstacles related to its less-favorable socioeconomic profile; 

• The city’s strong financial management will help to maintain stability in the medium term; 

• A very predictable and well-balanced local and regional government framework supports the rating; 

• Peterborough’s debt burden will remain manageable despite an increasing capital program; 

• The city will maintain robust operating surpluses and after-capital deficits will remain less than 5% of total revenue, on average; 

• Despite modest new debt issuances and an increasing capital plan, tax-supported debt will stay manageable over the forecast horizon at an average of 46% of operating revenues; and  

• Liquidity will be a key strength. 

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Several Road Closures to Occur During Dragon Boat Festival This Saturday

For the public’s safety, the City of Peterborough has closed several roads at the request of the Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival committee with races beginning on Saturday.

File Photo.

Roads such as Crescent Street from George Street to Winch Street from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. are closed on race day.

The streets affected are:

• Perry Street from the east side of George St. to the west side of Crescent Street.

• Lake Street from the east side of George St. to the west side of Crescent Street.

• Lock Street from the north side of Romaine St. to the south side of Crescent Street.

• Romaine Street from the east side of Lock St. to the west side of Crescent Street.

• Crescent Street. from the south side of Perry St. to the west side of Winch Street.

• Rink Street from the east side of George St at the Crary Park Marina entrance.

Eeveryone is welcome to attend Festival at Del Crary Park to spectate and cheer for the participants.

The following is the event schedule for the this year’s races:

• 8:00 AM - Awakening the Dragon/Opening Ceremonies

• 9:00 AM - First Race Heats begin

• 9:00 AM - Vendors Village Market opens with over 40 vendors brought to us from Modern Makers Market including food vendors

• 9:30 AM - Family Fun Zone opens offering activities and crafts to keep all entertained

• 10:40 AM - Mackenzie Cup Race followed by the Flower Ceremony

• 11:00 AM - The Thirsty Dragon Beer Garden opens

• 12:10 PM - Second Race Heats begin

• 2:00 PM - Divisional Finals begin

• 3:15 PM - Awards Ceremony - Race Trophies/Top Individual Fundraisers - At the bleachers

• 4:00 PM – Raffle draw at the tent near the bleachers

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Equestrian Community Rallies Around Kildare Stables After Fire Destroys Keene Barn

A building that housed Kildare Stables South in Keene went up in flames last Saturday. Now in the aftermath, the equestrian community is rallying around Kildare members to provide much needed supplies and funding for horses.

Photos courtesy of Thomas Zischler.

Morgan Dedato, who works part time at Kildare Stables and boards her horse there, says if not for the few that were at the stable on Saturday this disaster could have been a lot worse.

Kristen Buchanon Goff had just finished riding in the indoor arena with her son as the fire started. She took her son to safety then ran back in to help.

When Ashley Rylski noticed the fire she immediately started throwing burning hay bales outside, in hopes to stop the fire from spreading to other bales - then used a fire extinguisher and hose. When she realized she would not be able to contain the fire she ran to move horses away from the barn. Rylski was bruised and suffered from smoke inhalation, says Dedato, but is ok.

Megan, who owns a horse at Kildare was also there helping to move horses and was treated for smoke inhalation, but is ok says Dedato.

The three women helped to get approximately 16 horses away from the building, when firefighters from Otonabee South Monaghan arrived to fight the fire.

“Step one was getting the horses as far away from the fire as they could,” said Dedato. “The fire began to spread to the surrounding fields and no one really knew where it was going.”

She says that other stables from the area began showing up with empty trailers, ready to transport horses off the property.

“The community - no questions asked started showing up to the farm and loading our horses onto their trailers.”

According to a social media post by Kildare Stables, trailers from Stillbrook Riding Stables, Endless Journeys Farm and individuals arrived and brought horses to Saddlewood Equestrian Centre where they will stay until further notice.

Once the horses were safe, Dedato says people began coming to Saddlewood with hay and food.

“The rest can all come, the horses just needed to get somewhere safe and have food and water.”

While no people or horses were seriously harmed, Dedato says they lost everything in the fire.

Saddles, reigns, feed, medications, blankets, and so much more was gone in one afternoon.

“It’s taken a few days to get our thoughts organized,” she said. “People have already started donating those things that you don’t even think about. A lot of our horses left Kildare covered in ash and smoke but we didn’t even have any shampoo. It’s those little things that people immediately thought to bring us, it’s been incredible.”

While it will be hard to regain the physical items lost, Dedato says most importantly the Kildare family lost their home on Saturday.

“This isn’t just some structure, this is our home. When I’m not at work I’m at the barn. I spend more time at that barn than I do at home,” she said. “I think for all of us, we lost our safe space - where we all get along and you can show up at anytime and know that people you love are there and the animals you love are there. That’s been the hardest part - losing our second home.”

Riders and trainers at Kildare Stables were just gearing up for the beginning of busy season for horse shows.

“When it first happened we all thought ‘we’re done, our home is gone’, but Kevin and Lindsay (head trainer and barn owner/manager) are so strong. They said ‘we worked all year for this. There’s no point in losing our whole home and then everything we’ve worked towards.’ With pure resilience everyone pushed through and we’re going to keep riding.”

The team will continue training at Saddlewood Equestrian Centre.

Various drop off locations have been set up in the area for those wishing to drop off donations.

The items that are most needed at this time are bell boots, blankets for the horses, fly masks, and poultice, and can be dropped at Greenhawk Peterborough, or at Kildare Stables North (1590 5th Smith Line, Selwyn) at any time.

Those wishing to send a monetary donation can etransfer ridekildarestables@gmail.com. Cash donations will also be accepted at Greenhawk Peterborough.

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Lansdowne Street Ranked Fifth Worst Road In Eastern Ontario

In CAA’s 2022 survey, Lansdowne Street was voted the fifth worst road to drive on in Eastern Ontario.

Each year CAA asks drivers, cyclists, transit riders and pedestrians to submit and vote for the roads with the worst conditions in Canada, in hopes to bring attention to those roads and encourage improvements.

The survey takes into consideration potholes, congestion, poor road signs and other safety concerns.

This year, Lansdowne Street in Peterborough placed fifth in the Eastern Ontario category. It did not place on the country wide list.

The list of worst roads in Eastern Ontario is as follows:

1. Barker Street, Prince Edward County

2. County Road 49, Prince Edward County

3. Queen Street, Kingston

4. Bridge Street West, Belleville

5. Landsdowne Street, Peterborough

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