Peterborough Introduces Warming Room Program For The Homeless

The City of Peterborough Social Services Division, St. John’s Anglican Church, George St. United Church, All Saints Anglican Church and CMHA-HKPR are teaming up to open the Warming Room Program, which will provide overnight mats for vulnerable people in the community.

The program will operate from November 20th, 2013 to March 2014, and offer an alternative for individuals not able to stay at existing emergency Shelters. Volunteers will refer individuals who attend the warming room program to appropriate social service agencies for follow up supports.

The Warming Room Program will open on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at All Saints Anglican Church on Rubidge St. The program will operate each Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 6:00 p.m to 8:00 a.m., with another location to be announced for Tuesday and Saturday nights.

A number of volunteers have already been screened and received training from CMHA- HKPR. More volunteers able to help at the program overnight are needed. Volunteers must have a Vulnerable Sectors Police Check. Forms can be obtained at the Peterborough Lakefield Police Services office or the Ontario Provincial Police office for County residents.

If you are interested in volunteering, or if you wish to donate sheets or blankets to the program, contact Rebecca Butler via email or call Christian Harvey at St. John’s Anglican Church at 705-745-7624. Much needed donation items include: twin sheets, blankets, pillows, games, cards, coffee, paper towels, snacks, cleaner for mattresses.

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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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Olympic Silver Medalist Ashley Brzozowicz Speaking At Idea Share In Peterborough

On November 20th at The Venue, Junior Achievement presents a special event on building bridges between current community leaders and our future generation of community leaders. There will be workshops and a guest speaker by Ashley Brzozowicz. More deets in poster below...

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Trent Chancellor Don Tapscott Speaking At Market Hall

Trent Chancellor Don Tapscott is speaking on "Solving Global Problems Differently" at Market Hall November 26th. Reserve your seats by emailing here.

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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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A Live Art Battle Is Coming To Peterborough

Art Battle Canada is coming to our city for the very first time on November 21st and features live competitive painting. Art Battle is traveling coast to coast to look for artists that will compete at the 2014 Art Battle National Championship. Artists will have 20 minutes to come up with their best piece.

Tickets are $15, or $10 for students (and limited advanced pricing) and the event will be held at The Venue at 7:30 on November 21st.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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The Historic Montreal House Will Now Be A Dr. J's BBQ & Brews

Drum roll please... The Montreal House—aka MOHO—will now be called Dr. J's BBQ & Brews. Dr. J's pub is owned by Ted Brown and his son Addison, who bought the bar from lacrosse legend John Grant Jr. The bar is currently under renovations (see pics below) as it's being converted to a pub, with a slated opening in December. They are accepting resumes. As the name suggests, it will be a BBQ sample house theme.

Pic via Scott Arnold

Pic via Scott Arnold

Pic via Scott Arnold
 

Pic via Addison Brown on Twitter

—PTBOCanada's Scott Arnold

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A Look At Upcoming Parkway Meetings This Month

November looks to be a busy month for Parkway news...

On November 13th at 6:30 p.m., a special Committee of Whole meeting will be held at the Evinrude Centre (911 Monaghan Road) for a presentation of the Parkway Corridor Class Environmental Assessment.

The meeting is open to the public, however due to a Peterborough Procedure By-law the public is not allowed to speak.

But you will have your chance on November 20, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. when a special public City Council meeting will be held at the Evinrude Centre.

Parks Not Parkways: A Concert for Greenspace is on November 17th at Market Hall and features The Three Martinis, Rick Fines, Kirsten Addis and Al Black and the Tonemasters. It is a benefit concert for the Peterborough Greenspace Coalition, who are devoted to the protection of green spaces in our city. Tickets are $20.

There are two Change.org surveys that you can take part in to vote FOR or AGAINST the parkway.

More here in this video of Jackson Park. 

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Peterborough's Brad Sinopoli In Contention For TSN CFL Play Of The Year

The Catch  

Peterborough's Brad Sinopoli is up for TSN's CFL Play of The Year in his first year at wide receiver for Calgary Stampeders. The former quarterback and Hec Crighton Award winner (for most oustanding Canadian college football player) is nominated for his amazing one handed grab on July 12th in Montreal against the Alouettes. That play earned him a bye directly into the POY quarter final round where he's up against Marc Beswick of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. If Sinopoli gets through this round—he's currently in the lead—voting for the semi-final round begins November 14th. Vote here for Sinopoli. Watch the catch below...

—PTBOCanada's Sports Guy Scott Arnold

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Peterborough Boy Josh Woodward Is On Waiting List For A Kidney & His Family Needs Your Help

Four-year-old Peterborough boy Josh Woodward was supposed to have started Junior Kindergarten this past September at Armour Heights. But that didn't happen. See, Josh, who was born with chronic kidney disease, has had complications from a kidney his father, Jason, donated to him this summer. And Josh is very sick again. On October 25th, the kidney had to be removed as there was a fungus on it. To further complicate matters, another operation had to be performed to ensure that there was not a blockage to his bowel. For a third time in a short period, Josh had to undergo yet another serious operation. There have been numerous blood transfusions and the doctors have to make sure that the fungus is totally out of his body. Eventually, Josh will go on a waiting list for another new kidney but at this point he needs to heal from these three major surgeries. Josh is expected to remain at Sick Kids in Toronto for at least another 6 weeks.

Josh’s parents Josie and Jason have been taking turns staying with him at Sick Kids.  With two other children at home—a brother named Joel, and sister named Jacie—and with both parent’s wages taken a hit recently, it is difficult for them to make ends meet. The cost of the travel back and forth to Toronto, the lost wages and unanticipated additional cost are taking a toll on the family.

Now the family needs you Peterborough. Josie and Jason’s friends and family are organizing a fundraiser for Josh that will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2013 at The Venue from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. This fundraising event will be a family event meant for all ages, that includes games for children, entertainment, light refreshments and drinks available. Organizers are looking for raffle prizes and silent auction items for the fundraiser, as well as bake and craft items in order to raise money for this family.

You can also help the Woodwards by making monetary donations: contributions can be made by visiting any branch of the TD Bank and making a deposit to: Account # 607 5481 Transit # 3431.

For more information on the fundraiser, contact:  
Erin Browne: 705 872 5668
Renee Greaves: 705 741 5784    
Cathy Ducker: 705 768 1124
Charity Hannigan: 705 924 1110
Julie La Rush: 705 639 5068      
Debbie McEachern: 705 939 8853 
Karen Tarkington: 705 808 3057

[Fundraiser for Josh Woodward Facebook page] 

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