Renowned Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Stanley Kutcher Speaking At Ontario Shores

Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) is inviting parents to an evening symposium on Adolescent Mental Health next Wednesday, September 18th. Dr. Stanley Kutcher, leading adolescent psychiatrist, will provide an interactive presentation giving parents important adolescent mental health tools and information. Ontario Shores will also present its amazing adolescent mental health documentary short, Talk to Someone: You’re Not Alone.

Dr. Stanley Kutcher

Both local school boards in Peterborough—PVNCCDSB and KPR—are participating in mental health literacy training with Ontario Shores next week. Dr. Kutcher along with CMHA National Office created the curriculum that the teachers and allied support staff will be trained on in area schools. As part of this, Ontario Shores is offering this free interactive parent night with Dr. Kutcher at Ontario Shores.

The symposium takes place September 18th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Lecture Theatre, Building 5, Level 2 Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, 700 Gordon St., in Whitby, Ontario.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Debbie Lenehan at 905.430.4055 ext. 6135. 

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Peterborough Father & Son Paddle Trent Severn In Support Of Prostate Cancer Research

Andy & Nick Fauset  

Andy Fauset and his son Nick are back at it again this year with their 2nd Annual Paddle For A Cause, kayaking the Trent-Severn Waterway from Trenton to Peterborough to raise awareness and fundraise in support of Prostate Cancer Canada—Prostate Cancer Awareness Week is September 16th to 23rd.

Last September , Andy and Nick paddled the other half of the Trent-Severn from Port Severn to Peterborough’s Silver Bean Café. That 14-day kayak journey successfully raised $7,100 for Prostate Cancer Canada’s research and education programs.

The pair have both known individuals affected by prostate cancer, and wanted to do their part toward supporting research and spreading awareness. “For my father and I, the fundraiser represents an opportunity to spend time together doing something we love, while raising awareness of a prominent, yet preventable health concern affecting men,” says Nick. “Some sons don’t have the opportunity to do this with their fathers because of diseases like prostate cancer." 

Andy and Nick encourage any paddlers to join them for any length of time on their Paddle for a Cause 2013 journey. There will also be a fundraiser finale hosted at the Silver Bean Café on September 29th, at noon, open to the Peterborough community.

For a complete schedule of Andy and Nick’s route or to make a donation to Paddle for a Cause, visit their website Paddleforacause.ca. (This fundraiser is registered with Prostate Cancer Canada.) To email Andy and Nick, click here.

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Trent University Partners with Community Agencies On Sexual Assault Prevention Campaign

Trent University is joining forces with several community agencies and downtown bars to launch a new educational campaign to prevent sexual assault in the Trent and Peterborough communities.
 
“The focus of this new campaign goes beyond the more traditional warnings to individuals – particularly women – about safety, usually by restricting their behaviour,” said Erica Colley, clinical team leader with Trent University Student Health Services. “We want to encourage all members of the community to help prevent sexual assault from happening. The shift is from primarily focusing on individual safety measures – which can lead to feeling blamed if sexual assault occurs – to giving people the tools understand sexual assault and to intervene when necessary.”
 
Running through the end of September, the new campaign consists of presentations to first-year students and training for student staff during Introductory Seminar Week, Trent’s orientation week for new students, which runs from September 2nd to 6th. The campaign also features printed materials such as posters, pamphlets and swag, and social marketing pieces, which will be widely distributed both on campus and in downtown bars.
 
The goal of this campaign is to educate the public and reduce the incidences of sexual violence. “We hope to raise awareness, challenge myths, fight victim-blaming, empower bystanders, and stand in solidarity with survivors,” Colley adds.
 
Partners in the campaign include: Trent University, Women’s Health Care Center of PRHC, Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Program, Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Services and at least 17 different downtown bars and clubs frequented by Trent students.

 
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Fleming College Students Participating In Shinerama Fundraiser For Cystic Fibrosis

Fleming College students will officially participate in Shinerama for the first time on Saturday, September 7th. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day, students from the Sutherland Campus will be canvassing at FreshCo on Lansdowne Street while Frost students will be at the Loblaws in Lindsay.

About 100 students from both campuses are expected to participate in collecting donations for Shinerama. Canvassers are encouraged to shine shoes, wash cars and even buff hockey skates—anything fun that can raise money in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

All funds collected at Shinerama go to support finding a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF), which is a fatal genetic disease affecting children and young adults. There is no cure for CF, which primarily affects the lungs and digestive system.

According to Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Shinerama is the largest postsecondary fundraiser in Canada. In 2012, Shinerama raised $1,035,000. Shinerama has raised more than $21.5 million since it first started more than 45 years ago.

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Kruz FM Presents Kids With Class Initiative

KRUZ FM is beginning the Kids With Class program with submissions being accepted starting Monday, August 26th. Parents, teachers, co-op teachers, guardians, etc., are encouraged to submit their story showcasing a student that has gone above and beyond, achieved a personal goal, lends a helping hand when needed or anything that makes them stand out above the crowd.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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How It Works: Becoming A Blood Donor

There is always a need and a demand for blood donors. No matter what the season, the weather, the month of the year... someone, somewhere needs the gift of life. With the Sirens for Life campaign in full swing until September, PTBOCanada's Julie Morris wanted to give you a glimpse of the steps involved and how simple it really is to be a blood donor. If you've never donated before but have often been curious as to what is involved, we hope this encourages you to go ahead and make that appointment. Here's how it works...

Shelley will greet you upon arrival at the clinic (the Blood Donor clinic is located at 55 George Street North) and help get your appointment underway and book your next one!

The next step is to get a quick poke to check your hemoglobin level. In order to proceed with the process, your hemoglobin count must be 12.5 or above. Anything lower and you will not be able to donate that day. After this step, you will then make a stop at one of the booths to fill out the first part of the questionnaire. It you'd like, prior to your visit you can preview the Record of Donation online.

The remainder of the questions on the questionnaire are verbally asked to you when you continue on to one of the privacy rooms. In addition to the remainder of the questions, you will also have your blood pressure and temperature taken. Your blood pressure must be no lower than 90/50 and no higher than 180/100.  Your temperature must fall between 35.8 C and 37.5 C. Check out the Basic Eligibility for complete details. 

Tracey Hughes, who is a teacher at TASSS, in the middle of completing her 20th donation!  

Dan Mundell from the Peterborough Fire Department and Don Broersma from the Peterborough-Lakefield Police both enjoy some snacks after donating. One of the many long term volunteers of the clinic will offer you treats and juice after your donation is complete and if you're lucky maybe even an ice cream cone!

The Peterborough permanent blood clinic is located at 55 George Street North. They are open Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursdays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays 8 a.m. to noon, and the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to noon. You can check out their FAQs to answer any questions you might still have as you think about donating. 

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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City To Begin Heritage Conservation District Study In The Avenues

 From a City of Peterborough release...

Based on the outcome of conversations with the community, the City has decided to undertake its first Heritage Conservation District Study in the area known as the Avenues.

Catherine Nasmith, a nationally recognized expert in heritage conservation districts was hired by the City to lead two public workshops on the value of conservation districts. The second session focused on discussions with residents in three areas, the Avenues, the Old West End and Dickson Mills, where residents had expressed a high level of interest in pursuing heritage designation.

All three neighbourhoods emerged as suitable areas for Council’s consideration and the Avenues will be the first area to be studied. Comments by residents of the Avenues almost unanimously supported heritage designation as a way to protect the parts of their neighbourhood they cherish. When asked what they would be sad to lose in the Avenues, responses included such things as the porches and verandahs, back lanes, mature trees and the area’s walkability.

“Peterborough is a city that has been nationally recognized for its leadership in heritage conservation, and a first Heritage Conservation District study is an important step in protecting and celebrating that heritage,” said Mayor Daryl Bennett.
The request for proposals from consulting firms experienced in completing conservation district studies has been issued and staff will be reviewing the submissions in early August. The study is scheduled to begin in September with the consultant’s recommendations going to Council in the spring of 2014.

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If You Are Totally Rocking Out In Peterborough You Might Get One Of These On Your Door

Peterborough Police tweeted out that these new Noise By-Law door notices that will be used when violators are not at home (or can't hear because of whatever noise pollution they're generating) when police arrive.

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PTBOPics & Coverage: Sirens For Life Summer Campaign Launches

Today (July 2nd) marked the launch of the summer campaign Sirens for Life, a partnership between Canadian Blood Services and emergency response personnel stressing the importance of continuing to donate blood—a traditionally slow time because of vacation and family activities—in the summer months for people in need. The local event kicked off at Fire Hall #3 on Clonsilla Avenue and included representatives from local Blood Services, EMS, firefighters, police and Fleming College students currently enrolled in the Firefighter Education and Training Program. The message of the campaign is "Someone still needs YOUR help". Donating blood is a simple process which will take about an hour of your time. Call 1.888.2.DONATE for clinic locations and to book an appointment or go to Blood.ca for more info.

Sue Harris (at left) from Canadian Blood Services chats with Marsie MacKay about the initiative.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Learn How To Make Handmade Paper At Ecology Park

Have you ever been curious about how to make your own paper but just weren't sure how to go about it?   Well Peterborough GreenUP and Ecology Park are giving you that opportunity Sunday, June 30th, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $20 and you must pre-register by calling 705.745.3238.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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