Facebook Page Launched To Raise Awareness About Proposed Cuts To Peterborough Public Transit

City Council has endorsed cutting $422,000 from the city's $9.8-million budget for public transit, and the implications of these service cuts to bus service if approved are significant. According to a new Facebook page launched to raise awareness about the proposed cuts, the cuts to bus service would include:

-stop at 6:40 pm rather than 11:20 pm on Saturdays
-run between 8:40-5:20 pm on Sundays rather than 8:00 am-7:20 pm
-the Major Bennett bus route on Sundays will be eliminated
-Technology Drive service will be reduced from 6 to 4 trips on weekdays


"Cutting funding to public transit is a regressive action and will affect those who do not have access to private transportation or have disabilities," the Facebook page states. "It is okay to examine routes that are underused but please keep the money in the system to keep it strong."

The Facebook page is encouraging those who care about the future of public transit in Peterborough to come out to council chambers next Tuesday (January 25th, 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.) for a public meeting and have their say. The draft budget goes to city council January 31.

What do you think about the proposed cuts?

[photo via Speak up for Peterborough Public Transit Facebook page]

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Video: Film Canister Rolls Through City Streets To Showplace For ReFrame Film Festival

Peterborough Folk Festival News: Submission Deadline & Band Promotion 101 Workshop Coming Up!

Memories of the 2010 PFF. The deadline for performer submissions to the 2011 Peterborough Folk Festival is February 28th, and submission guidelines can be found on PtboFolkFest.com

PFF receives more than 1,000 submissions from artists around the world each year, and is known Canada-wide for breaking new acts. Coming off a highly successful 2010 PFF, this year's PFF takes place Friday, August 26 to Sunday, August 28, 2011—so mark it on your calendars!

PFF Artistic Director Candace Shaw, who PtboCanada spotlighted last year in this Q&A, is also hosting a Band Promotion 101 workshop on February 2 at Sadleir House in Peterborough. Designed with the emerging artist in mind, Shaw draws on her many years of experience in the music industry to help up-and-coming artists understand the art of self-promotion. Cost is only $10, and participants must register at PtboFolkFest.com.

[Peterborough Folk Festival; PtboCanada Interview: Candace Shaw, Artistic Director of Peterborough Folk Festival; 2010 Peterborough Folk Festival]

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Stuff To Do In The Patch This Weekend

Friday

Snofest Family Swim (6:30 p.m. - Free) Sport & Wellness Centre

Saturday

Snofest Pancake Breakfast (9:00 a.m. - Free) East Peterborough Lion's Club

Wild Rock Outfitters: Nordic Ski Glide Wax Clinic (9 a.m. - $10/person) Kawartha Nordic Ski Club

Snofest: SnoGames on Armour Hill (includes Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides, Hockey Shootout, SnoGolf) (10 a.m. - Free) Outside the Peterborough Museum

Wild Rock Outfitters: Snowshoe Demo (10:30 a.m.) Trent University Nature Trails

Trent University: Athletics Centre Community Open House (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Schedule) - Free)

Snofest: Chilli Contest (1:30 p.m.) Heritage Pavilion

 

Sunday

Wild Rock Outfitters: Classic Ski Lessons (10 a.m. - $25/person) Kawartha Nordic Ski Club

REELKids Film Festival: Stella Star of the Orient (10:30 a.m. - $5/person or $15 for four) Showplace

Wild Rock/B!ke Winter Group Bike Ride (12:00 p.m.) 

Wild Rock Outfitters: Skate Ski Lessons (1 p.m. - $25/person) Kawartha Nordic Ski Club

REELKids Film Festival: Letter for the King (1:30 - $5/person or $15 for four) Showplace


To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

Must Watch: REELKids Film Festival Starts This Weekend At Showplace

This Sunday (January 16th), there are two family-friendly films screening at Showplace to celebrate this year's opening of REELKids Film Festival.  

REELKids, which runs from January 16th to January 20th, is the educational wing of the ReFrame Peterborough International Film Festival, and will present more than 50 Canadian and International films to audiences of schoolchildren in the Patch and surrounding areas. 

The two feature films screening at Showplace Sunday include Stella Star of the Orient at 10:30 a.m., and The Letter for the King (see pic above) at 1:30 p.m. Admission is $5/person per film or $15 for 4 tickets. For more info, contact Krista English.

[REELKids Film Festival]
 
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Reggie's HotGrill To Appear On New Food Network Show "You Gotta Eat Here!"

Yes, it's true. Reggie's HotGrill will be appearing on a new TV show slated to air later this year on Food Network Canada called You Gotta Eat Here!. Filming took place today at Reggie's, where PtboCanada's Julie Morris snapped the below shots.




[Reggie's HotGrill]

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Breaking News: Dude Enters Hurricane Simulator At Peterborough Square


[Pic by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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PtboCanada Was There: Peterborough Snofest Opening Ceremonies

The Scroll and Bow Strings Orchestra marked the opening of Peterborough Snofest today with a musical treat. Headed by Lakefield College music teacher John Kraus, they delighted the audience with their festive music.

Master of Ceremonies Catherine Hanrahan (pictured above) introduced many VIPs, including Mayor Daryl Bennett (pictured cutting the ribbon below), MPP Jeff Leal, Councillor Lesley Parnell and Snofest mascot Snofest Pete.

The ribbon cutting ceremony opens a week of events which can be viewed on their calendar, including Sunday's Snofest Idol at 2 p.m. at Showplace (free admission with nonperishable food donation is appreciated) and numerous food and game events throughout the week.

[Snofest]

[Words and Pictures by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Peterborough Snofest Winter Carnival Begins This Weekend!

Snofest gets underway this Saturday (January 8th) and runs through the 16th at various locations around the Patch. Opening ceremonies take place starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Lansdowne Place. Snofest has been an annual tradition providing entertainment and activities for the whole family for more than 30 years. Check out the Snowfest brochure for the event and location listings throughout the city during the carnival.  

 

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

[Snofest; chextvDOTcom]

PtboCanada Was There: Canadian Canoe Museum Presents Canoes & Trains

The Canadian Canoe Museum held a free Open House on Sunday, and got help in the celebrations from model railroad enthusiasts. Clubs from Peterborough, Cobourg and Lindsay showed off their 1/87th scale trains and miniature villages.

The local group Peterborough Model Railroaders is made up of a group of nine who meet up monthly to talk about their passion. All of them have had a part in creating the display, which features a miniature village that would be reminiscent of Peterborough in the 1950s. 

With working lights and sounds of an actual locomotive, the display captured the imagination of everyone in attendance as there were plenty of details to see.

[The Canadian Canoe Museum]

[Words and Pictures by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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