Here's A Bunch Of Peterborough Mo Bros

The Lip Kitten. The Soup Strainer. The Flavor Saver. It takes a special kind of man to pull off a moustache. As hard as most try, they know they’re just not cut out to wear the facial badge of honour. Come November however, men across Canada and around the world come together to Grow a Mo for a great cause: Movember. As this year's Movember approaches its end, here is a collection of some of Peterborough's finest! You’ll be sure to recognize a few. —PTBOCanada's Aaron Elliott

@Trollwag: Tim Rollwagen

@Mike_Judson

@SKHPtbo: Don Vassiliadis

@24SevenFamGym: Matt Pritchard

@TylerCalver

@SellWithPat: Patrick McAuley

@JameyCoughlin & @neilmorton

@JasonWells72

@A_Elliott_Esq: Aaron Elliott

@ScottArnold12

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Nationwide Lacrosse

The names Self and Evans are synonymous with sports in our great city that is known for producing some of the greatest athletes to ever step foot or skate inside of an arena. As current Senior Peterborough Lakers, both Brad Self and Shawn Evans are the epitome of what it is to be tremendous athletes both on and off of the floor.

Between the two of them, they have won almost too many medals and honours to count. Both Brad and Shawn are multiple time MLS Mann Cup Champions with the Senior Lakers. They have also both won National Lacrosse League Championships with their respective teams at different times. Individual awards abound as well with MVPs, Scoring Championships, Rookie of the Years, and Transition Player of the Years between them. Lacrosse aside, both Brad and Shawn were excellent hockey players with Brad suiting up in the OHL for the hometown Peterborough Petes as well as having the honour of being drafted to the NHL and playing pro hockey in Europe for years.

Shawn Evans instructing kids

In October of 2012, the two came together with the idea of providing the opportunity that both were afforded as youngsters in teaching kids the game they both love. This is when Nationwide Lacrosse was born. With the straightforward goal of introducing and growing our country’s national sport to kids in and around our sports mad community, they set off and haven’t looked back.

Happy campers at Nationwide Lacrosse

Over the past year, the two have done some extraordinary work. Along with a few volunteers when necessary, they have been able to bring the game of lacrosse to over 35 schools in and around our region. They have also created day camps of various lengths that have run in Cobourg, Curve Lake, at Trent University and at the Spiplex to name a few.

In school settings, Brad and Shawn have been bringing grassroots lacrosse to boys and girls of various ages and skill sets. Teaching up to 6 classes a day, they focus on fundamentals and always aim to bring a fun learning environment that all participate in regardless of skill. From trapping and scooping to passing and shooting, they emphasize on honing skills necessary to learn in order to grow and play. Using sticks and balls provided to the students by Under Armour, they always finish with a controlled scrimmage to allow the kids to try techniques in a game setting.

Brad and Shawn at one of their school visits

In their camps, the setting is the same but in a longer format that allows for more specific skills to be practiced in groups that are split up to have kids playing with others of the same skill level. As the days are longer, they are split up with time to focus on lacrosse but also other time set aside to play other games, swim if possible and also use the rock wall and row when at Trent University.

The guys want to make a difference to the kids they teach. On the floor, Shawn plays offense, while Brad plays defense and transition so between the two of them they cover pretty much everything there is to know. As current professionals, they know that teaching kids hands on at a younger age can be invaluable in building their love for the game and succeeding in the sport down the line.

Brad and Shawn are extremely dedicated to their Nationwide Lacrosse venture and aim to continue growing the business and run it year-round. They know that as lacrosse is only played in certain seasons, they can help prepare and keep players sharp during the downtimes and lead them into seasons being as fresh as possible.

Brad instructing at a course

They are looking to expand their school visits across the region, open up more camp opportunities—which are already filling up fast—with repeat camps happening, and bring more kids and associations in to learn about the game.

Their motto with Nationwide Lacrosse: Dream. Believe. Achieve.

Here is a list of their exciting upcoming camps—and winter league which is new this year:
WinterCamp: Trent University, Peterborough Jan 2nd-4th
WinterLeague: Trent University, Peterborough Jan 9th-Mar 6th
MarchBreak: Spiplex, Peterborough Mar 10th-14th
SummerCamp: Cobourg July 7th-10th
SummerCamp: Six Nations July 21st-24th
SummerCamp: Trent University, Peterborough Aug 5th-8th
SummerCamp: Trent University, Peterborough Aug 11th-14th
SummerCamp: Sundridge, Aug 24th-30th

Nationwide Co-Founders Brad Self (far left) and Shawn Evans (far right)

If you’re interested in signing up your boy or girl for any of these camps or the winter league, don’t hesitate to contact Brad and Shawn for more details!

For more info on Nationwide Lacrosse, go to:

Website: Nationwidelacrosse.ca
Facebook page: Nationwide Lacrosse
Twitter: @NationWideLax
YouTube channel
Email: nationwidelacrosse@gmail.com
Phone: Brad Self – 705-868-1811; Shawn Evans – 705-768-8828

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Maryam Monsef and Jess Melnik Win 2013 YMCA Peace Medallion

Maryam & Jessica (PTBOCanada file photo)

Every year, YMCA's across the world celebrate Peace Week by awarding someone special in their community with the YMCA Peace Medallion. The Peace Medallion is intended to recognize the achievements of individuals and groups in local communities who—without any special resources—demonstrate in their lives and activities the values expressed in the World Alliance of YMCA's Statement of Peace, which states "Peace has many dimensions. It is not only a state of relationships among nations. We cannot expect to live in a world of peace if we are unable to live in peace with those close to us—even those who differ from us. The responsibility for peace begins with each person, in relationship with family and friends, and extends to community life and national activities....It is we ourselves who must see, act, pray for ways to be peacemakers."

The Balsillie Family Branch in Peterborough has announced that this year's winners of the YMCA Peace Medallion are Maryam Monsef and Jessica Melnik for their work with the Red Pashmina Campaign. The Red Pashmina Campaign (RPC) is driven by a vision for a world where women and girls everywhere have the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

The campaign aims to celebrate, empower and connect women around the world, first by funding education initiatives through the sale of beautiful Red Pashminas, and second, through sharing the stories of courageous, everyday women. Founders Maryam and Jessica believe that by supporting women and celebrating their stories, RPC will be able inspire others and foster a local and global community of empowered, successful individuals.

You can purchase your Red Pashmina from several local businesses for $20, with proceeds going to advancing education and educational opportunities for Afghan women and their families.

City Hall delegates will present the award on Thursday, November 28th at 7 pm in the Grand Hall inside the YMCA, located at 123 Aylmer St. South, just off Lansdowne. The YMCA is inviting and encouraging everyone in Peterborough to attend the ceremony and celebrate with them as Maryam and Jessica receive this great honour.

Learn more about Red Pashmina in this video below...

—PTBOCanada's Scott Arnold

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Jerry Seinfeld Is Coming To Peterborough April 26th!

Peterborough Seinfeld is getting a run for his Newman, as the real Jerry Seinfeld is bringing his Seinfeld Live! tour to the Memorial Centre on April 26th—tickets will be available at the Memorial Centre starting November 29th at 10 am. Seinfeld is one of the most iconic television shows in history and the most successful sitcoms of all time so it should rank right up there with the Elton John concert—the concert Elton played here, not the one he cancelled.

—PTBOCanada's Scott Arnold

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Andrea Dicks Leaving Community Foundation Of Greater Peterborough To Join Rideau Hall Foundation In Ottawa

Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough has announced that its Founding Executive Director, Andrea Dicks, will step down in 2014 to join the leadership team for the recently created Rideau Hall Foundation to life in Ottawa. The Rideau Hall Foundation is being incubated by Community Foundations of Canada.

“Andrea’s leadership has helped us set a dynamic course for our community foundation. We thank her for her incredible contribution and wish her the very best in the future,” said Board Chair, Janice Green.

Under Andrea’s leadership, the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough grew from a spark of an idea into the force for community that it is today. Over the past four years, Andrea, along with CFGP’s Board of Directors and volunteers, has worked to make our community more vital, welcoming and supportive through a wide variety of innovative activities including Philanthropy Month.

The Community Foundation’s grantmaking has also impacted Peterborough with more than $360,000 granted over the last four years to charities in our community through both donor directed funds and application processes such as the Organizational Leadership & Innovation program.

“I have been fortunate to be a part of the start of the Community Foundation in Peterborough; it has been a four-year adventure that will no doubt continue well beyond my official time at the Community Foundation. I am delighted with all that the board, staff, volunteers and I have established together, and I am confident that the Community Foundation will continue to grow as it strives to help build a stronger Peterborough," says Andrea Dicks.

Andrea will continue to lead the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough into the New Year until a replacement has been appointed. The search process for a new Executive Director will begin immediately.

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Peterborough Rock Band Super Quest Goes Viral With Hilarious How To Death Metal Video

[UPDATE: November 27th: The video now has more than a million views]

Peterborough-based hard rock band Super Quest—comprised of Roger Sage, John Whitten, Alex Donchak and Tyler McIntyre—has a massive hit on their hands with their hilarious tongue-in-cheek How to Death Metal video riff on YouTube. The band has been giving How To music tutorial videos on their YouTube channel, but this one with John Witten is their breakout hit. Well played boys. It has gone viral, with nearly 900,000 views since being uploaded November 12th, and will most certainly hit a million. (Warning, NSFW.) If you're not at work, turn it up and watch for yourself...

—PTBOCanada's Scott Arnold

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PTBOCanada Spotlight: Artist Brianna Gosselin

Brianna Gosselin is an up-and-coming mixed media artist whose work captures the spirit and light of nature. A graduate of PCVS, Brianna teaches courses and workshops at the Art School of Peterborough, inspiring others to find and express their artistic voice. Currently, her work is on display at the Gallery in the Attic and Stickling's Bistro. As well, she will be at The Venue competing in Art Battle Peterborough November 21st and her work will be featured at the Art School of Peterborough Auction on November 30th at the Market Hall. Find out more about her on her website or follow her on Twitter. Check out some of her recent work below from her online gallery...

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Peterborough's Lisa Dixon Has A Great Attitude About Her Husband's Fight Against Cancer

Listen in here as Lisa Dixon, owner of Black Honey Desserts in Peterborough, tells Kruz FM on Friday's broadcast how having a positive attitude about her husband's battle with leukemia is key. And having gratitude.

"The leukemia is giving us a journey we will embrace with strength and as much positive attitude we can pull together. thanks to the people around us, near and far- we are doing it!!" - Lisa Dixon

[via Kruz FM ]

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Best Thing Ever: Peterborough Girl Sarah Edge Celebrating Her 10th Anniversary With New Heart By Hosting Blood Clinic

Sarah Edge was only six weeks old when she first begin experiencing heart problems. By the time she was 15 months, and her health in severe decline, she was placed on a heart transplant waiting list. Her family was afraid Sarah would not make it, and she was down to only 15 pounds. After weeks on the waiting list, Sarah’s mother received the miracle call that the family had been waiting for: A heart had been found!

At 18 months old, Sarah received the heart transplant she so desperately needed. Throughout her treatment, she also needed 66 units of blood products to help beat the odds that were not in her favour.

Ten years later after her miracle heart transplant and the generosity of blood donors, Sarah is giving back. In celebration of her post-transplant anniversary, the 11-year-old from Peterborough hopes that the blood donor clinic she and her family are organizing will bring out donors willing to help save the lives of children like her.

Sarah’s Celebratory Clinic is Tuesday, November 5th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at  Peterborough Blood Donor Clinic (55 George St. at the corner of George and Perry St.). Members of the community are encouraged to come out and support Sarah and other children in need of blood and blood products, as well as organs. Call 1 888 2 Donate (1-888-236-283) or go online to Blood.ca to book an appointment to donate blood. In addition, it takes only minutes to register to be an organ or tissue donor. Visit Beadonor.ca to find out how.

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8 Local People, Animals & Ideas To Dress Up As For Halloween

1. Petes player. This should be easy in our sports mad city! If you don’t own one already, borrow someone’s jersey and throw it over some sweaty old equipment. Skip the skates! That might be awkward. (Alternatively, dress up as a Peterborough Laker!)

2. Porsche and Ferrari, the Peterborough sloths. This is a tandem gig, and will make for a really slow night if you go trick or treating in true character.

3. Mike Judson. Try on one of dad’s big suits to make yourself look taller. Extra points if you add the famous Judson facial hair, and bring a green screen background. Better for taller kids!

4. Bobby Roode. If you have spandex and a wrestling championship belt, then you’ve got yourself a costume. It might be a cold night though! Borrow your mom's bathrobe and be-dazzle it for the full effect.

5. David Koski. Four words. Spanky's co-owner. Zach Galifianakis.

Koski

Koski, er, Zach

6. Lift Lock. If you can pull this one off with functioning hydraulics, you win! But if it malfunctions, it might go viral!

7. Catherine Hanrahan & Pete Dalliday. For Pete, you’ll want some glasses, spiked hair, an “I’d Rather be in Peterborough” tee and a microphone. For Catherine, you have to be shorter! And have bangs!

8. The Douro Elk. A brown shirt, brown pair of pants, and a couple of fallen sticks from your tree makes this a pretty easy and currently trending costume! Extra points if you bring along a couple people dressed as cows.

 —by PTBOCanada's Aaron Elliott

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