Add A Red Pashmina To Your Holiday Gift List In Peterborough

Help out an important cause and pick up a red pashmina for that special someone this holiday season. This Peterborough-based initiative partners with Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, and proceeds from the sale of the red pashminas are directed to advancing education and educational opportunities for Afghan women and their families. To learn more about the Red Pashmina Campaign and how it empowers women there and locally, visit their website, Facebook or Twitter page. Pashminas can be purchased for $20 at Tango, Glow Maternity, The New Canadians Centre, YWCA, My Left Breast, The Benevolent Stranger, Joie de Vie and Sympathy for the Rebel. 

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Peterborough Woman's "The Wait" Poem To Help End Mental Health Stigmas

PTBOCanada contributor Beth McClelland wrote this courageous and inspirational personal poem that she's hoping will encourage others to start important conversations about mental health. Here she is reading it:

[YouTube; Canadian Mental Health Association Peterborough]

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Remembrance Day Poem: In Flanders Fields

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Fields" sends a haunting message—lest we forget. Millions of poppies bloom around the world to remember the sacrifice made by the courageous men and women who secure the rights we enjoy. These poppies grew across battlefields of Flanders in World War I, and their red colour is an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war.

The red in the Red Pashmina Campaign is inspired by the red of the poppy. This Sunday, we will remember the blood spilled and reflect on how well we have carried the torch.

This video is a tribute to the fallen soldiers of war and the families they’ve left behind. —Maryam Monsef

[YouTube]

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Local Farmer Using His Tractor To Create More Garden Plots At Bonaccord Community Garden

If you see a tractor in town today—well, not that you wouldn't see a tractor in town today—here's why: The Bonaccord Community Garden is expanding.

Between 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., a local farmer will be using his tractor to plough currently grassed areas to make room for up to 10 additional community garden plots.

The Bonaccord community garden has had a waiting list for many years now, and is making space to welcome new gardeners in the spring of 2013.

This popular and picturesque community garden, located on Bonaccord St. between Park and Monaghan Streets, has been in existence for almost two decades. Currently, about 25 gardeners have plots in the garden. It provides them with access to space to grow their own food, an opportunity to interact with other gardeners, share growing tips, and create a beautiful community space.

The Peterborough Community Garden Network works to help support access to existing gardens and help communities create new gardens. They envision community gardens as a key tool for food security, ecological integrity and community building.

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Get Your "I'd Rather Be In Peterborough" T-Shirt This Month & Donation Goes To Movember

Buy one of these tees this month to show your community spirit, and $2 from every sale goes to Movember. These tees have been spotted in NY, Peru, San Diego, Apsley—and of course Peterborough! Tweet Pete Dalliday or email him to find out how to purchase one.

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Why This Gilmour Street Basketball Saga Is Just Bloody Ridiculous And Stupid

In light of the Gilmour Street basketball saga now making national headlines—with the Elliott family pitted against their next door neighbour Anne Langdon who doesn't want basketball being played on their driveway due to what she calls "excessive noise" and has filed complaint with the environmental commissioner over that and a wooden panel the Elliotts put up to protect Langdon's window—local designer (and Spankys co-owner) Jonny Trash designed these tongue-in-cheek PTBOCanada trucker hats (see pic above, and how to get one below), poking fun at the notion you can't play basketball in Peterborough.

To us, what's happening to the Elliotts is so utterly ridiculous. Let the kid play ball. Give the Elliott family peace, they don't deserve this. And all this attention and grief from their neighbour and people asking questions about it and the media is wearing on them. As it would anyone. Sign this petition supporting the Elliott family, and their right for their teenage son to play basketball on his own frickin' driveway.

If you don't like a kid playing basketball in their own driveway, move to the middle of nowhere. This is a city. Noise happens. And this is good noise. Basketball ain't noise pollution.

[**NOTE, Since we've had a few requests, the limited edition PTBOCanada trucker hats are available at Spankys starting Friday (November 2)—$10 a hat, all proceeds to Spankys Movember campaign.]

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City Of Peterborough Media Release On Preparing For Severe Weather From Hurricane Sandy

City Of Peterborough Media Release today...

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Preparation for Severe Weather

Latest forecasts indicate that Southern Ontario is in the path of Hurricane Sandy and will likely experience high wind gusts and periods of heavy rain beginning later today and continuing into Tuesday.

To prepare for the potential severe weather, the City is asking residents, who are safely able to do so, to:

•    Clean eaves troughs and ensure downspouts are directed away from your foundation

•    Check that backflow preventers and sump pumps are functioning properly

•    Remove leaves and other debris from storm sewer covers

•    Limit non-essential water use to help reduce flow volume through the Waste Water Treatment Plant

•    Prepare a 72 hour emergency preparedness kit for family and pets. For details visit www.peterborough.ca/emergencymanagement and click on “Personal Preparedness”

•    Ensure batteries are charged for essential equipment (i.e. medical equipment)

•    Store or safely secure outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture and barbecues

•    Fill vehicles with gas

•    Have cash on hand

With intense rain and high winds expected, residents are urged to stay safely back from creek and riverbanks and to be aware of potential blowing debris and branches from trees.

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Here's The 2012 Flu Vaccination Clinic Schedule For Peterborough & Area

It's that time of year again: here's the Peterborough County-City Health Unit 2012 Flu Vaccination Clinics.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Here's The Fire Prevention Week Schedule of Events For Peterborough

The theme of this year's Fire Prevention Week (October 7th to 13th) is "Have Two Ways Out". Peterborough Fire Services will be holding a number of events during Fire Prevention Week to raise public awareness about the importance of having two ways out.

Also, Peterborough Fire Chief Doug Tennant is urging families to practice their home fire escape plan as part of Fire Prevention Week. When the smoke alarms sounds, everyone must know where to go—it is important for everyone to have working smoke alarms and to develop and practice a home fire escape plan.

The Fire Prevention events including the following:

October 5th: Dominos Pizza has partnered with Peterborough This Week to run a children’s colouring contest. Complete the fire escape plan provided in Peterborough This Week and take it to a Dominos Pizza location to receive a free small pizza.

October 9, 1:00 – 3:00 pm: Seniors are invited to attend Activity Haven, 80 Barnardo Avenue, to visit the Canadian Hearing Society’s display of smoke alarms designed for the deaf and hard of hearing.

October 9, 10:00 – 12:00 pm: Fire Safety displays will be set up at Loblaws Super Store.

October 11, 9:30 - 9:00 pm: Fire Safety displays will be set up at Lansdowne Place.

October 12, 10:00 – 1:00 pm: Fire Safety displays will be set up at Wal-Mart, Chemong Rd.

October 13, 1:00 – 3:00 pm: Open Houses are planned for Fire Station #1 at 210 Sherbrooke Street, Fire Station #2 at 161 Carnegie Street and Fire Station #3 at 839 Clonsilla.

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Naked Truth Campaign Begins To Bring Awareness To Affordable Housing Shortage In City

Naked Truth Teaser ShotA new campaign, "The Naked Truth About The Affordable Housing Shortage in Peterborough", has begun.

Some of the stats from a teaser press release that went out:

Naked Truth #1: At 1,500 families, Peterborough has one of the longest waiting lists for affordable housing.

Naked Truth #2: 25% of Peterborough tenants are paying more than half of their income on rent. In some cases, people are paying up to 80 percent of their income on rent.

Naked truth #3: More than half of Peterborough renter households can't afford a one-bedroom apartment.

According to the release, "there is hope and one group of Peterborough women are taking matters into their own hands."

Follow @PtboCalndrGirls on Twitter and "Like" Peterborough Calendar Girls on Facebook for updates in the coming weeks and to help spread the word about the Naked Truth campaign, which officially kicks off early October.

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