Watch: Fleming College's Spread The Word To End The Word

[UPDATE June 24th: Fleming College’s Community Integration through Co-operative Education (CICE) program who participated in a video contest to end the use of the r-word have won first place in the Special Olympics video contest. Deets in this Fleming press release.]

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ORiGINAL POST:

The Fleming community was engaged, from faculty to students, in creating this new "Spread the Word To End The Word" video—it already has had more than 2,000 views—to raise awareness about stop using the R-word. The participants made a commitment to tell the world that they are no different than anyone else. Learn more about Fleming's Community Integration Through Cooperative Education program (CICE) here—it's open to adults with Developmental Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mild Intellectual Disabilities or Brain Injury—and check out the R-word.org for more info on the campaign.

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PTBOCanada Pics & Coverage From 2014 Peterborough Jane's Walk

Jane's Walk is a yearly celebration in memory of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs, who promoted getting out and learning more about your community.

“No one can find what will work for our cities by looking at … suburban garden cities, manipulating scale models, or inventing dream cities. You’ve got to get out and walk.” 

—Jane Jacobs, Downtown is for People, 1957

With the proposed bridge over Jackson Park, the Peterborough walk had a timely subject of Old Growth Forests in Jackson Park: Exploring Treasured Trees, Transitions, and Terminology. Walk leaders Chris Gooderham and John Etches guided us through Jackson Park, starting at the playground just off Monaghan and Parkhill.

Rain and chilly temperatures didn't deter people from learning more about our local park, such as the non-living aspects of the woods that play a part on its growth. Rocks, dead leaves, air and water are some of the determining factors that impact how the woods form. Dying trees as non-living aspects of the land also have a trickle-down effect by bringing things such as woodpeckers to the area in search of food.

We looked at everything from the forest canopy above to topography of the land below and how things such as how the trees have grown in response to the slopes of the hills.

John gave us a historical look at how Peterborough is covered in Glacial sediment (rock and mineral) from the glaciers ages ago.

Chris has us look for a tree with signs of animal habitation. An Eastern White Cedar with an oddly red trunk was pointed out, which Chris described as a "home" tree, abraded by the activity of squirrels which has turned the bark red.

Jane's Walks foster conversation during the walk, and interactive elements. Chris, along with two volunteers, measured the circumference of an old tree—which is believed to be about 200 years old.

Adjacent to an old growth tree is a pink marker, indicating the edge of where the proposed bridge will cut through Jackson Park—taking the tree with it. Chris and John agreed that oddly enough, where the bridge is expected to be erected, is also the most biodiverse section of the Jackson Park forest. The whole walk really tied the big picture together of how this area came to be, and what its future might mean.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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2014 Doors Open Peterborough Is This Saturday

Every year, Doors Open gives you the opportunity to discover first-hand Ontario’s hidden heritage treasures. Doors Open Peterborough is this Saturday (May 3rd), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will give you the chance to visit...

• Auburn Generating Station (908 Water Street)
• Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Historical Pumper Truck (Del Crary Park)
• Kirkland Engineering (570 Water Street)
• Peterborough Airport (925 Airport Road)
• Peterborough Memorial Centre (151 Lansdowne Street West)
• Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame (151 Lansdowne Street West)
• Peterborough Museum and Archives (300 Hunter Street East - Museum Drive)
• Confederation Square (501 George Street North)
• TV COGECO (1111 Goodfellow Road)

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Invasive Species App Released, Workshop This Thursday

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) recently demonstrated the EDDMapS Ontario app for your phone (you can read more about the announcement over at Trail Swag).

This handy app is a great way to identify, learn more about, and report invasive species. There is an upcoming Peterborough workshop on how to use the app at the Otonabee Inn (84 Lansdowne Street East) on Thursday, April 24th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Space is limited for the workshops, which will be offered on a first come, first serve basis.

Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop or smart phone to follow demonstrations. To register or learn more about the workshops, call Alison Kirkpatrick, OFAH Monitoring and Information Specialist/Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach Liaison, at 705-748-6324 ext. 234.

The EDDMapS Ontario app is available for free for both Apple iOS and Google Android.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Kindness Of Stranger Allows Autistic Boy To Ride A Bike Again

Kate and Jason Wells have given PTBOCanada readers a window of what it's like to have an autistic son in a previous post from last year. There are difficult moments on a daily basis, but there are also joyous moments. Like this for example involving Aidan getting a 3-wheel bike. As Kate writes in a Facebook post, "The kindness of people is astounding. This bike (see pictures below) was given to Aidan after they no longer could use it. He used to love riding his bike, but required training wheels which he outgrew a few years ago. He hasn't been on a bike since—something he used to love to do. Because of her generosity, he is able to ride again. Tears of happiness as we watched him go!!!"  Watch him go below...

Aidan with his father Jason

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Blue Rodeo To Headline Trent University 50th Anniversary Celebrations (#TrentU50)

Vintage Head of the Trent photo courtesy Trent University

A series of events planned for Trent University’s 50th anniversary will be headlined by a performance by Blue Rodeo on August 8th as part of the University’s Anniversary Kick-Off Weekend, which takes place August 7th to 10th. The concert takes place at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, and headliners are Trent alumni band The Burning Hell. Tickets are available here.
 
That weekend of anniversary celebrations also comes with the launch of a special anniversary book about Trent's history, an architectural exhibition, open houses, and Ideas That Change the World Symposium featuring interactive panels with more than 75 esteemed faculty. All Kick-Off Weekend events are open to the entire community and have already attracted registrants from far and wide.
 
“We invite the entire community to join us in commemorating this historic milestone. Trent is Peterborough’s university,” says Dr. Steven E. Franklin, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “Whether you participate in one of the many dynamic events that are planned, share a favourite Trent moment through social media, or (re)connect with the University in a more personal way, we look forward to celebrating with you and thanking the community for all its support throughout Trent’s first half-century.”
 
To learn more about the full roster of events, visit trentu.ca/fifty, follow @TrentUniversity on Twitter and use the hashtag #Trentu50 to interact on social media.
 
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The 4th Annual Peterborough Speakers Series Is Themed "Fire Starters"

The 2014 Peterborough Speakers Series is themed "Fire Starters" and features dynamic speakers such as playwright Drew Hayden Taylor, photographer Michael Hurcomb, lawyer Julie Kirkpatrick and more. The event is MC-ed by Stuart Harrison and takes place April 16th at Market Hall. For more info on the event, go to gphsf.ca. More deets in poster below.

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Sign Up Now For 2014 YWCA Walk A Mile In Her Shoes

The 2014 YWCA Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event takes place Friday, May 30th, starting at noon at Peterborough City Hall. You can register here for the event, or sponsor a walker or team here.

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Peterborough Entrepreneur's Unique Company Uses Art To Help Those With Dementia

Peterborough start-up company The Work of Art—last year’s winner of the Bears' Lair entrepreneurial contest in Peterborough—breathes new life into those living with Alzheimer disease and dementia.

Its creator, Janet Howse, an artist and Recreation Therapist specializing in art programming for dementia, believes art has the ability to improve the quality of life for those living with Alzheimer and dementia (there are currently almost 6 million people suffering from dementia in North America, and this number is expected to double by 2030). 

“In 2003 I took a job running art programs on the secure dementia unit in a Long Term Care facility," says Howse. "At the time, I knew little about dementia and had never worked with seniors. I was drawn to the job because of the art aspect but what I discovered was a deep love, passion and commitment to folks living with this debilitating disease.”

For the past 10 years, she has worked in recreation therapy running art studios, one-on-one sessions and professional training for people with dementia and their caregivers. She has seen first-hand what an incredible tool art is for people living with dementia, and believes it is a fantastic aid for caregivers who struggle to find a way to connect with those suffering.

As such, Howse developed all-inclusive painting kits that can be used by anyone but are specifically designed to help bypass the limitations experienced by someone with dementia. She has created an Indiegogo campaign to help raise funds for the production of the first 1,000 demential-specific painting kits, which is her biggest hurdle right now (once the first run has been produced, costs will go down, and the business will be sustainable).

Learn more about her unique painting kits in this video below, and visit her website here.

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Today Is #BellLetsTalk Day

Millions of Canadians suffer from mental illness in silence. Today (January 28th) is the 4th Annual Bell Let's Talk day, where Canadians break the silence around mental illness and raise money to support mental health iniatives across the country. The more talk, the more action to help those in need.

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