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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New Bandwagon With Elliott Brood Filmed At Local Tim Hortons

What's more Canadian than rocking out going through a Tim Hortons drive-thru, eh? Exhibit A: Mark, Casey and Stephen from country-rock band Elliott Brood as they order coffee and drive around Peterborough performing "Rusty Nail" in the latest Bandwagon episode.

[via Bandwagon YouTube channel]

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DBIA Featured Post: Cottage Toys

Known as one of Canada’s top retailers of water sports and surf apparel, Cottage Toys has been delivering top of the line product in and around our city now for 24 years. With its main store located at 180 Charlotte St., owner Donna Rork and her staff live by their slogan that they are “Serious About Fun!”

The store offers exactly what is in its name: cottage toys. From wakeboards and stand up paddle boards to water trampolines and tubes, you’ll find just about everything possible to use to play on the water with. What most people will also know as soon as they walk in the store is that Cottage Toys has an absolutely amazing clothing retail section that carries many of today’s top brand names. Billabong, Quicksilver, Roxy, Gues, and Element are just a few of the brands you will find lining the walls from floor to ceiling.

As the seasons change, you will find so many different clothing options in the shop—from winter coats and toques in the winter to shorts, T-shirts, pants, and dresses in the summer. They also carry many great accessories like watches and sunglasses year round, to go with their incredible swimwear selection that is also always available. The bargain basement is always a big hit, housing lots of out of season product at discounted prices.

Cottage Toys has always been expanding: They first opened in Lakefield in 1989, next in Peterborough the following year and more recently opening 3 years ago in Bancroft and this past summer a shop opened up right on Stoney Lake! Having been in the business for 24 years now has allowed Donna to gain valuable experience and with four locations, she is able to specialize at each of them. One of her goals is to sell what makes sense at each location. So each shop is customized for where it's situated.

Even though many other stores carry the same brands, Donna is able to offer unique products you won’t find in many other places as she orders specific items unlike box stores who order the status quo that you’ll find at every store. She is always looking to get the best value out of her products and stands behind what she sells.

At Cottage Toys, customer service is a top priority and this can be felt as soon as you walk into the stores. Staff is trained to have vision to help customers buy the best product and treat the customer with absolute respect. Donna wants everyone to enjoy coming into the shop and keep coming back!

Cottage Toys has always been happy to be apart of the downtown community in Peterborough and does quite a bit for the city. They have sponsored local sports teams, and donated to the PRHC, James Fund and Hospice Peterborough to name just a few.

They are happy to be taking part in the DBIA Black Friday event and invite you to come in and see what they have to offer. They promise you won’t be disappointed!

For more on Cottage Toys (180 Charlotte St.), go here:
Web: CottageToys.ca
Twitter: @cottaget
Facebook: Facebook.com/cottagetoys‎
Phone:

Peterborough location: (705) 741-2150
Lakefield location: (705) 652-6852
Bancroft location: (613) 332-5013
Stoney Lake location: (705) 652-3000

For more on Downtown Peterborough and the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), click here.

—By Aaron Elliott

All The Deets On 2013 Peterborough Santa Claus Parade

The Peterborough Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade is approaching fast with this year, marking the 40th anniversary of the Peterborough Kinsmen organizing the parade.      

The parade date is Saturday, December 7th at 4:45 p.m. starting at City Hall. The deadline for parade application forms is Sunday, November 24th. Parade entry applications are available at Kinsmenclubpeterborough.ca. The parade theme this year is "Christmas at Home".

The mandatory parade safety meeting for all entries is being held Saturday, November 30th at 10 a.m. at the Canadian Canoe Museum, at 910 Monaghan Rd. At least one representative per entry must attend.

For more info on the parade, email here.

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Black Friday Is November 29th In Downtown Peterborough

Black Friday takes place on Friday, November 29th in downtown Peterborough. There is 2 hour free parking and 57 businesses are participating!!

They include:

GEORGE STREET: Nielsen's Watches & Jewellery, Brant Basics, Hi Ho Silver, Flavour, Plush Boutique, S.O.S., Green Street e-bikes, Peterborough Inn & Suites, Burgandy's Hair Salon, Joie De Vie, HomeLife Preferred Realty Brokerage Inc., Pensieri Shoes, Knock on Wood, John Roberts Clothiers, Charlotte Jewelers, Sarges Army Surplus, Charm Tree Toys, Peterborough Garden & Gift Gallery, The Nutty Chocolatier, Pipe Dreamz, T-Elle Boutique, Gentry, The Black Horse Pub, Christensen Fine Art, Curry Village, The Whistle Stop, Frame it for U, Needleworks, Vanity Hound, Boater’s World

CHARLOTTE STREET: Hobie's Sports, Bandit's Apparel, Runner's Life, Wild Rock Outfitters, Sticklings Bakery & Bistro, Tribal Voices, Brio Gusto, Cottage Toys, Charlotte's Web, Mind Over Matter Piercings & Tattoos, Thing's From Mom's Basement

CHARLOTTE MEWS: Art School of Peterborough, Josephine's Consignment & Vintage Clothing

KING STREET: Elements, Absolute Hair, Angela Mark, Shish-Kabob Hut

SHERBROOKE STREET: Larry Electric, The Pasta Shop

SIMCOE STREET: Kingan Home Hardware

HUNTER STREET WEST: Glow Maternity Studio & Apparel, The Bra Boutique, Burrow Home Boutique, The Toy Shop, Maggie's Eatery

WATER STREET: The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro, Jack's Hot Spot

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PtboPics: Peterborough From 1400 Feet

Check out this slideshow of Peterborough from the sky captured by Evan Holt. Peterborough, you rock from above as well!

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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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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Column 5: Dating In The City With Match Me Peterborough's Rebecca Cooper

COLUMN 5 TOPIC: On how becoming a step parent can enhance your life and relationship

When I started dating Mike, three months afterwards I met his son in a casual and fun setting. But I really struggled with my position in his son’s life. I had never dated someone with a child before and being the sensitive and emotional person that I am, I often had difficulties truly understanding my role and how to make the best of it for all of us.

Without considering just letting things happen naturally, I drove myself batty trying to make his son feel comfortable and in turn I felt completely uncomfortable. I googled ways on how to make my situation better, but most websites online about being a step parent express “how difficult the role of a step parent is”, and “how you may never love the child as much as you love your own.” My idea of step-parenting was more about learning ways to make it work, not reading people's negative stories on forums.

Once thing I realized was that I dislike the word step-child; I prefer “my good friend”. I was once a step-child and no matter how I was treated, I never felt like I 100% belonged. The word "step-child" creates a barrier, and if you plan on having more children with this person it is important to not let the child feel like they aren’t 100%.

It took me a bit of time to get to a place of love for my stepson, but I am there now and I would like to share with you five simple tools that may also work for you. They are as follows:

1. It’s important for you and your partner to sit down and discuss what type of role you would like to have in the child’s life, and to be committed to whatever you both decide.
2. Maintain a positive and encouraging attitude toward the child.
3. Treat the child like they are part of your family, giving them as much love as they will let you give.
4. Spend time on your own with the step-child to create a special bond.
5. Using your voice, if the child says something that hurts you, let them know how it made you feel.

The truth is that having more kids in your life to love is a blessing; it isn’t something to make an issue about. Remind yourself that you are a positive influence in this child’s life and your commitment to being a part of their life will impact them and you in a positive way.

Click here to learn more about Rebecca Cooper's Match Me Peterborough. Sign up here for her newsletter, "Like" her Facebook page, follow her on Twitter, check out her website, email her here or call 1.877.553.8883.

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Peterborough's Best Twitter Comic & Parody Accounts Of All Time

Parody and comedic Twitter accounts are everywhere. Some are hilarious while some are just downright strange. We like most of them either way. In no particular order, here is a list of the top local accounts that fit into those categories, along with a sample tweet from each. —PTBOCanada's Aaron Elliott

1. @PtboSeinfeld – Winner of the 2012 PeterTweeter Award for top Parody Account, Jerry and his friends are always up to something completely random in town.

Kramer gets window cleaning contract at PRHC with no experience. Jerry's Girlfriend catches him ordering #OldStone and calling it homemade.

— Ptbo Seinfeld (@ptboseinfeld) January 22, 2013

2. @Ptbo_Batman – Always keeping the streets of Peterborough safe!

8:20pm Head of the Trent - no line @PigsEarTavern - I'll have a tray of 50. #HOTT TrentU #youvechanged @Ptbo_Canada pic.twitter.com/wZiFbxCuQD

— Ptbo_Batman (@Ptbo_Batman) October 6, 2013

3. @FarSidePtbo – Brings Far Side comedy to town and incorporates local accounts!

“A word of advice, @A_Elliott_Esq: It’s the Mesolithic and no one’s naked anymore.” #farsidePtbo pic.twitter.com/SFsqVMdkKR

— Far Side Peter (@FarSidePtbo) November 7, 2013

4. @PtboSloths – Porsche and Ferrari are always keeping us up to date on their new home at the the Riverview Zoo.

It was so nice seeing you all at the @RiverviewZoo this Saturday for #slothmania! Sorry if we seemed sleepy, it was way passed our bedtime.

— Porsche & Ferrari (@PTBOSloths) October 21, 2013

5. @PeterboroMan – Just a local talking about average stuff.

Peterborough Man Found Concealing 3 lbs Of Cooked Bacon Inside Track Pants Outside Smitty's. Accused: "The Sign Said All You Can Eat".

— Peterborough Man (@peterboroman) October 29, 2013

6.  @TrentUProblems – A place for the kids of the city's amazing university to vent their frustrations!

It's happening! pic.twitter.com/rEqs6FaN87 #TrentUProblems via @the_jennaral

— TrentU Problems (@TrentUProblems) November 13, 2013

7.  @Ptbo_y_u_no – Asked all of the best questions in town! We wish
this account came alive again! (They haven't tweeted since 2012.)

PTBO WAGJAG, Y U NO OFFER COUPONS I WOULD ACTUALLY USE???

— PTBO_Y_U_NO (@PTBO_Y_U_NO) March 10, 2012

8. @BigCityKen – Made #WelcomeToTheHiccups famous at Spankys. Quite offside, but hilarious nonetheless!

Trust me. Shoulda called it the superbowel after what just came outta me guts! @HealthCanada #iamken

— BigCityKen (@BigCityKen) February 4, 2013

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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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