First Annual I ❤︎ Beer and Taco Festival Coming to The Peterborough Memorial Centre

Tickets are on sale now for the first annual Peterborough I ❤︎ Beer & Taco Festival at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on April 15.

photo courtesy of the peterborough memorial centre.

Join the festival for a night of beer, cider and spirit sampling, games, dancing and tacos; featuring 18 local vendors and 14 Ontario breweries and 2 distilleries.

Tokens are $2.50 and are used for food and drinks. They are available for purchase at the event by cash only.

All general admission tickets include an official 12 ounce I ❤︎ BEER sampling cup. Session number one will take place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and session number two from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

General admission tickets start at $10 (plus applicable fees and taxes) and are on sale online, over the phone or in-person at the Grant Thornton Box Office. The Box Office is open for in person sales Wednesday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Peterborough Memorial Centre notes that this is a 19+ event. Please drink responsibly.

Visit the 2023 Peterborough I ❤︎ Beer & Taco Festival event page for more information.

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Two Partnerships Lead To Increase In Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams For Peterborough Police

Three Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams are working in the communities of Peterborough, Lakefield and Cavan-Monaghan after the Peterborough Police Service entered two partnerships announced on Thursday.

(Mental Health Nurse D. Forsyth (front) with (fron left to right) Constable J. Rye; Constable J. Morris; Mental Health Worker M.Faught (CMHA); Mental Health Worker A. Swift (CMHA); Constable S. Leavitt) at the Peterborough Police Station. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

The partnerships are with Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) and Peterborough Regional Health Centre PRHC) according to a press release.

In each case, a mental health worker, nurse or social worker is partnered with an officer to respond to crisis incidents and to follow up on cases where their services may help.

“As a service, we have been working extremely hard with our community partners to put the funding and people in place,” says Inspector Jamie Hartnett, Operations, Peterborough Police. “The Service understands and believes in the success these partnerships can have for our community. They are making a difference.”

“We are extremely grateful for the Partnership with Peterborough Police Services over the past 12 years through the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team. This model has proven successful and we are excited that the team is expanding to include more skilled community partners, like PRHC,” said Mark Graham, CMHA HKPR CEO.

“Partnerships like these are absolutely vital, and we are so pleased to be working closely with Peterborough Police Service and CMHA to provide community-based care, when and where it is needed, for people who are experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Sean Martin, PRHC Vice President. “Among many other important benefits, the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team model has been shown to reduce the number of patient visits to the hospital’s emergency department and crisis response unit.”

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Erben Restaurant and Music Venue Opens in Downtown Peterborough

A new restaurant and live music venue on George St. N. has opened Wednesday; with an official grand opening event happening this Saturday.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Erben is equip with a full service restaurant and bar in the front, and a live entertainment venue in the back. The venue includes a full stage and second bar available for live music and private events.

Owners Belinda Scollick and Shea Bertrand say their restaurants focus is to provide quality menu items that are “assembled from the freshest ingredients, with bold and inspiring flavours.”

“Downtown is infinitely much more fun now with the addition of Erben,” says Terry Guiel, executive director of the DBIA. “The tasty and cozy design of Erben set's a great tone for this live music gathering spot that doesn't shy away from being all about the party. A welcome addition to our downtown.”

Saturday’s grand opening will begin at 11 a.m., with drinks and food served all day. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. attendees can enjoy . The dance floor will be open for a night of partying from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with Erben’s DJ. There is no charge or cover for this event.

The party will feature giveaways for beer, Pete’s games and even a pair of tickets to Bluesfest in Ottawa.

To learn more about Erben, visit the website.

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Trent University Launching Master’s in Interdisciplinary Aging Studies This Fall

Trent University is launching a new two-year Master of Arts (M.A.) in Interdisciplinary Aging Studies for September 2023 announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The program features first-hand experience supporting aging populations and contributing to community organizations according to Trent. It prepares students for careers in public and non-profit sectors, as well as managerial-level positions in institutions and community organizations that support older adults.

Students will develop skills in the critical analysis of contemporary aging issues and learn practical approaches to aging-related challenges across different contexts, ranging from individual experiences of aging to the societal complexities of aging populations.

“This new program is a natural outcome of the 12-plus years of research and community-building momentum generated by Trent Centre for Aging and Society,” said Dr. Elizabeth Russell, director of the Trent Centre for Aging and Society (TCAS) and the new M.A. in Interdisciplinary Aging program. “We are excited to have a new program for graduate students interested in studying aging from perspectives across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Communities all over Canada are aging—we’re all aging—and so we must deepen our understanding of the realities of growing older and challenge entrenched ideas about older adults.”

The program gives students the chance to create meaningful relationships with older adults, contribute to community organizations and get first-hand experience supporting aging populations as stated in a press release. They will also conduct interdisciplinary research through TCAS—where faculty, students, staff and community stakeholders build meaningful dialogue about aging, old age and older people. 

The forthcoming development of a University-Integrated Seniors Village on Trent University lands, anchored by a long-term care home, will further add to the academic and research expertise at TCAS and Trent more broadly, and benefit future M.A. students by providing unique hands-on learning and research opportunities while supporting older people in the Peterborough area.

Applications are due by March 1 in order to study this fall.

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Wolfe Lawyers Free Holiday Parking Program Raises Over $13,000 for Kawartha Food Share

Wolfe Lawyers raised $13,851.95 for Kawartha Food Share (KFS) through their Free Holiday Parking Program that ran from Nov. 25 to Dec. 31 in a cheque presentation on Wednesday.

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.  Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Residents were able to park in all downtown municipal parking spaces including on-street parking, municipal parking lots, the King Street Parking Garage and the Simcoe Street Parking Garage. Any paid parking fees at pay-and-display machines, parking meters or via the HotSpot App during the free two-hour period were donated to KFS.

“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, KFS general manager. “This year, more than ever before, we needed this donation to help us restock our shelves.”

The program encouraged residents to do their holiday shopping locally and to help raise money to support KFS.

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Trent University Hosting 2023 Ontario University Athletics Men’s Curling Championship Feb. 10 - 12

Trent University is hosting the 2023 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) men’s curling championship at the Peterborough Curling Club (PCC) from Feb. 10 - 12 announced on Wednesday.

(From left to right, back row) Chris Inglis, Matthew Mayede, Zachary Harrison, Mack Quick, coach Brad Robinson. (From left to right, Front Row) Maxim Tandon, Edward Bridger. Photo courtesy of Lexi Thivierge and Trent University.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting the OUA Championships for men’s curling and grateful for our collaboration with the Peterborough Curling Club that has allowed us to use their facilities,” said Sarah Batley, Trent Athletics & Recreation assistant director of sport and student Engagement. “This will be a great opportunity for us and the community to cheer on our Excalibur athletes at home as they chase an OUA championship title.”

The weekend features 16 Ontario universities competing for a spot in the gold medal draw held on Sunday at 2 p.m. This includes a strong Trent men’s tear as they brought home Trent’s first-ever OUA championship curling banner.

“Playing host to Ontario's top young curlers is a great honour and we are very excited that we get to compete against them in our hometown,” said Brad Robinson, Men’s Trent Excalibur curling head coach. “The curling community in Peterborough and the surrounding area has always been strong and we look forward to having their hometown support throughout the event. Our squad is a mix of veteran and rookie talent that we are excited about. I know they will represent Trent with great talent and class as the host team.”

Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal, Batley and the rest of the Trent Athletics Department welcome competitors and spectators to the bonspiel during the opening ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Friday.

The first draw of the tournament will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday as is free to all spectators. This is a free event, open to spectators. Full weekend schedule available at Trent Varsity’s website.

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PVNC School Board and CUPE Local 1453 Reach Local Collective Agreement

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board announces that it has reached a local collective agreement with CUPE Local 1453, approved on Feb. 7.

file photo.

PVNC employs about 800 CUPE members, representing support staff such as custodians, maintenance staff, secretaries, educational assistants, early childhood educators, learning commons specialists, paraprofessionals and central IT employees among others.

A tentative agreement was reached on Jan. 24 after eight days of local bargaining, and it was ratified by local CUPE members on Jan. 28. Trustees approved the agreement during a special board meeting held on Feb. 7.

“This agreement is a reflection of a commitment to working together to negotiate in good faith and reach a deal that benefits the Board and CUPE Local 1453 members. I am pleased that a deal was reached, and I couldn't be happier for the members of CUPE Local 1453,” said Nora Shaughnessy, president of CUPE Local 1453.

CUPE and the Ontario government reached a tentative central agreement in November, which was ratified by the union in December.

The collective bargaining framework for the education sector features a two-tier bargaining process involving both central and local bargaining. Central bargaining typically includes significant monetary and policy issues (e.g. compensation, benefits and paid leaves), while local negotiations typically involve non-monetary issues or matters specific to the local board.

“We are so pleased to have reached this agreement with our dedicated support workers. It’s an indication of the strong working relationship we enjoy with our CUPE partners,” said Joan Carragher, director of education. “I thank all the hard-working members of the bargaining teams on both sides for their dedication to the process and their spirit of collaboration and cooperation.”

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Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Reports $5.4 Million lost in Scams; Peterborough Police Provide Tips To Protect Yourself

With the Grandparent Scam circulating recently, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has reported $5.4M lost to emergency scams in 2022, released on Wednesday.

File Photo.

Peterborough Police received numerous calls regarding the scam, taking reports about anyone receiving phone calls and those calling to report that money was exchanged.

In one of the most recent calls at the end of January, a local resident had reportedly lost $15,000. 

The Police Service reminds residents to talk to their family members and their networks about the scam to raise awareness. 

While scams can vary, an example of it is where the potential victim is told that their grandchild is in Peterborough Police custody and requires money for bond.

The scammers then request money be sent or indicate that the potential victim call them back when they have the money to set up a time to hand it over.

Peterborough Police, or any other law enforcement official, will never request money over the phone or have a courier pick up money.

What to do if you receive a call:

• Do not provide any personal information

• Do not hand any money over

• Remember police will never go to your door to ask for money nor would they ask money to be given to a courier

• Stay calm even if the suspect is pressuring and indicating this is an urgent matter

• Take the time to check the facts with family

• If you are concerned it’s a scam call police or a person you trust immediately

• Report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

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Dave Warda Begins Two-Year Term As President of Peterborough & District Labour Council

Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation’s Dave Warda has started his two-year term as President of the Peterborough & District Labour Council announced by the latter on Wednesday.

Warda with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation protesting outside MPP Dave Smith’s office regarding education cuts back in February of 2020. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Labour Council.

His vision is of solidarity among the many Peterborough area unions and a focus on local issues.

“Housing insecurity, affordability and an investment in public services are national and provincial issues, but we also face these issues every day here in the city and county of Peterborough,” said Warda.

According to a press release, Council has already begun planning for its annual events – Day of Mourning on April 28 and Labour Day

Joining him on the Labour Council is Vice President Erin Leonard, Recording Secretary Andrea Pade, Treasurer Andy Butler, Sgt.-At-Arms Betty Cree and Members-At-Large Marion Burton, Wendy Goodes, Hilarie LaFave, Yvonne LaRose and Marcia Steeves.

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Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas Appoints Interim CEO Nicole Stephenson

Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas (the ‘Organization’) has appointed an interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) while the search for a permanent leader continues.

photo courtesy of innovation cluster peterborough and the kawarthas.

The board has appointed current Chairperson Nicole Stephenson, J.D., LL.M., as interim CEO to provide seamless leadership continuity and operational management of the Innovation Cluster. Stephenson's appointment follows Michael Skinner and John Gillis' decision to resign after many years of outstanding leadership and contribution to the community.

Stephenson is the founder of Stephenson Law Group, with over 15 years of Canadian capital markets experience. Before founding the group, Nicole spent over twelve years at the Ontario Securities Commission, a Canadian stock exchange and in private practice at a corporate and securities law boutique.

Stephenson has been a Board Director since May 2019, was appointed Executive Chair in May 2021. She has also served as a knowledge partner of the Innovation Cluster since 2017.

“We're fortunate to have an experienced and highly capable operational team with which the board will invest and partner. I look forward to working closely with them as we recruit a new Chief Executive Officer,” said Stephenson.

She will serve as interim CEO for up to six months, with Bill Davie, current Vice Chair of the Innovation Cluster, stepping in to serve as Acting Chairperson of the Board for the same period of time.  

The board continues to conduct the CEO search.

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