April 17, 2014

Look: Flooding In Peterborough

April 17, 2014/ PTBOCANADA

UPDATE: April 21st: ORCA advises things should begin to level off with the flooding along the Otonabee River over the next couple days—take a look at this video shot near Peterborough—but water levels remain high in the city (Del Crary Park is flooded), and rain is expected tomorrow. Take a look at these pics from today...

Lock St closed at King George St. & McKellar St. due to flooding, pic via @TVCPtbo

Backyards underwater at Graham St. & Lillian Ave, pic via @TVCPtbo

Quaker Park Tennis Club, pic via @TVCPtbo

UPDATE April 20th: Yep, here's someone canoeing in Del Crary Park...

Canoeing in Del Crary Park, via @ScrappyLilAngel on Twitter

BREAKING: APRIL 20th. Here's the latest update from ORCA on flooding...

[UPDATE, April 20th]: These photos tweeted from above by Michael Alexander show the extent of flooding around Del Crary Park and Holiday Inn (protected by a giant water bag) on Little Lake...

Monaghan Road at the bypass, via Hugh MacMillan on Twitter

Scott Arnold, Graham Avenue at Lillian St.

[UPDATE, April 19th]: More pics from Scott Arnold of the flooding in Peterborough...

[UPDATE: April 19th]: BREAKING...
Flood Warning Update and Road Closure. A flood warning remains in effect for the City of Peterborough. The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) has advised that water levels will continue to rise in the lower Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River over the next few days. City staff are closely monitoring the situation in consultation with ORCA, Trent Severn Waterway, Ontario Power Generation, as well as local dam operators, and are prepared to respond as required. Be advised that Lock Street at McKellar Street is closed to through traffic due to flooding. There is local access only. Please use alternate routes, such as King George and Park Street. Citizens travelling on Johnson Drive at the Highway #115 underpass are advised to use caution, as there is water over the roadway. Citizens are also advised to stay away from flooded areas and riverbanks due to fast moving water and the potential for unstable ground. City residents living in low-lying areas along the Otonabee River are encouraged to monitor water level changes on their properties, and to take necessary precautions to protect life and property. Docks and structures close to the water should be secured or moved, other personal effects should be moved to higher ground, and residents should consider moving personal belongings from lower levels of their home. Residents are advised that they should have sufficient and appropriate emergency supplies at the ready, and sump pumps and backflow preventers should be checked to ensure that they are functioning properly.

UPDATE No. 2 (April 18th): Here are photos by our Evan Holt of the Pedal 'n' Paddle (beneath the Silver Bean Cafe), which now has a few feet of water in it, and of East City...

UPDATED: Scott Arnold captured these dramatic images today (April 18th) of the flooding in Peterborough, as ORCA advises the situation is expected to worsen before it gets better...

Holiday Inn, protected by sandbags and huge water bag

Holiday Inn parking lot leading to walkway

Holiday Inn parking lot getting washed out

Worker getting wires out of water and placing on roof

ORIGINAL POST (April 17th)

The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) has advised that water levels will continue to rise along the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River over the next few days, as a flood warning continues for Peterborough. City staff are closely monitoring the situation in consultation with ORCA, Trent Severn Waterway, Ontario Power Generation, as well as local dam operators, and are prepared to respond as required. City residents in low-lying areas along the Otonabee River are encouraged to monitor water level changes on their properties, and to take necessary precautions to protect life and property. The City of Peterborough Public Works will be providing limited sandbags to those City residents that are in imminent danger of flooding for lower entry points on foundations such as doorways and window wells (not for riverbanks). Sandbags will be available for City residents to pick up on April 18th from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Morrow Park parking lot; west lot, southwest corner. If at anytime city residents feel that they are in immediate danger by rising water, they should call 9-1-1. Scott Arnold captured these images (and video) below around Peterborough this evening (April 17th)...

—Scott Arnold

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November 28, 2013

Here's A Bunch Of Peterborough Mo Bros

November 28, 2013/ PTBOCANADA

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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November 21, 2013

Jerry Seinfeld Is Coming To Peterborough April 26th!

November 21, 2013/ PTBOCANADA

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.

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—PTBOCanada's Scott Arnold

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November 06, 2013

Team Canada Names 3 Peterborough Lacrosse Players To Roster

November 06, 2013/ PTBOCANADA

Team Canada named its roster today (November 6th) for their November 17th exhibition game against the Iroquois Nationals, and three Peterborough natives cracked the squad. Cory Vitarelli, Mike Grimes and Shawn Evans—Evans and Vitarelli are pictured at left from their recent appearance on TSN SportsCentre—will all suit up in what will be the first International lacrosse game to be played at the Bell Centre in Montreal since it opened on March 16th, 1996.

Vitarelli plays pro lacrosse in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) for the Rochester Knighthawks, while Evans plays for the Calgary Roughnecks and is the league's reigning MVP. Both of them still live in Peterborough and play summer ball with the Lakers. Grimes moved to British Columbia a few years back and he'll suit up this winter for the NLL's newest franchise, the Vancouver Stealth (formerly the Washington Stealth). Peterborough Laker Jordan MacIntosh was also named to the team.

Game time is 2 p.m. on November 17th and tickets can be purchased online here.

—PTBOCanada's Sports Guy Scott Arnold

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September 09, 2013

The PTBOCanada Interview: Theresa Longo

September 09, 2013/ PTBOCANADA

Twenty-six-year-old Theresa Longo is Peterborough born and raised. She has been a professional model for over 10 years with international modeling experience. After high school in Peterborough, she attended Trent University, where she received a 4 year Honors Degree (B.B.A). Her downtown Toronto office now acts as a home base for her ever expanding international business centred upon "the public image and likeness of 'Theresa Longo'", with her business primarily focused around corporate representation, public appearances, modeling and acting. Here's an interview we conducted with Theresa taking us into her career and what Peterborough means to her...

PTBOCANADA: You were discovered at 16 at Lansdowne Place, which kickstarted your career as an international model. Tell us about being discovered at the mall, joining Peterborough's Strutt Central modelling agency and where it's lead you.

Longo: When I was discovered at 16, I was elated. I began to gain considerable experience in front of the camera. I practiced posing through dozens of photo shoots while also styling several different scenes and looks. I began going around to local bridal shops, clothing stores and hair salons in Peterborough to let them know I was available to model for them. I got a lot of call backs! I loved modeling in fashion shows, bridal shows and spring fundraisers. With a lot of exposure, I was introduced to a photographer who set me up with a job working at Wakestock. I was recognized by Monster Energy Drink and brought on the team to be a Canadian Monster Model. I shot for the Toronto Sun for a feature as a Monster Energy Model Sunshine Girl commemorating the AMA Supercross. I was asked by the Sun to pose for their yearly calendar in 2010 (and swimsuit edition in 2012!), and shortly thereafter I was crowned Miss Budweiser Honda Indy! I was featured again (twice) nationally in Sun paper. Gaining considerable national exposure, I was acquired by Strutt Central Modelling Agency in 2011. Strutt invited me to be a part of a beauty pageant for women of Italian heritage, where I was crowned Miss Italy North America! I went to Italy for a month to represent North America on the world stage at Miss Italy of the World. My relationship with Strutt Central has been pivotal to my career; in 2013, Strutt has sent me to film several music videos, as well as the opportunity to land an MTV VMA commercial which aired across Canada!

PTBOCANADA: You attended Holy Cross Secondary School and graduated from Trent University with an honours degree in business. Tell us what it means to your career to have that business degree, and how you use it to run your marketing and promotions business, and be an entrepreneur.

Longo: Without a doubt, my education has provided me with a wealth of knowledge and tools to run a successful business. Taking business at Trent was the best career choice I made; every single day, I employ a part of my academic experience. Several fourth year classes were highly impressionable for me and will remain forever useful: Communications, Strategic Planning, Online Business, and Business Ethics. I fully plan on pursuing my education further to complete a Master's Degree, however for right now I enjoy the experience that travel and entrepreneurship provides.

PTBOCANADA: How many events do you model at per year? Any particular recent highlights/anecdotes you can share?

Longo: I model at hundreds of events each year. Recent highlights include modelling over $100,000 worth of DiamondTsar Diamonds at an Investment Exchange trade show. I wore a diamond necklace worth over $60,000 retail!

PTBOCANADA: Do you find you're getting recognized more and more when you travel? What does that mean to you?

Longo: Yes. It is unreal! People have recognized me on the street and in other countries! It is incredibly amazing, humbling and yet fulfilling to see the result of strong brand development.

PTBOCANADA: What do you call home now? Do you get back to Peterborough much?

Longo: Toronto is home. I travel a lot. I visit Peterborough several times a year!

PTBOCANADA: You recently finished teaching aspiring models and actresses at Strutt Central in Peterborough. Tell us what it means to you to come home and teach these girls, and empower them. What life lessons are you providing?

Longo: It means the world to me to return to Peterborough to positively influence aspiring talent. I think to my own experiences starting out as a model, and I would have loved to have a mentor in the entertainment industry to look up to. Some of the lessons include teaching the positive relationship between practising good leadership and achieving goals. Throughout the class, students will think about career paths, choosing wisely, and how to set yourself up for success. We also go over public relations tips, how to properly pose for the camera, and tips on fitness and staying healthy.

PTBOCANADA: Speaking of empowerment, there is this perception among many about a model's IQ. You work hard to combat that by the way you lead your life and your business savvy. Give us your take on the misconceptions that arise about models, and how they shouldn't be judged by their looks alone.

Longo: There are misconceptions and there are truths about models/the industry. I always look for the truth. Truth is sewn into everything; it becomes plain to see the truth of things with thoughtful intent. Personally, I carefully study, watch and listen to everything and everyone before I formulate an opinion. There are many smart, successful people of the world employing this truth seeking strategy who quickly pick up on personality and intelligence. I am quite confident in my ability to completely dismiss anyone's "perception of a model's IQ" in the way I carry myself and through the words I speak.

PTBOCANADA: What is your view on on women and beauty, and how they are projected in media (e.g. photoshopped covers of magazines)? Are young girls having to live up to unrealistic ideals? How do you teach them to be positive about themselves, have good self-esteem, live a healthy life?

Longo: There is a lot of pressure. There is also a lot of photoshop. I definitely think there is tremendous pressure for young girls to try to live up to unrealistic ideals. I teach ladies to be positive through the creation of a solid foundation of confidence and good self esteem. I love to show them unretouched photos. I teach young ladies beauty tips and tricks for healthy skin, teeth and hair—many of which my nanny taught me as a young girl. I also encourage young ladies to get involved in fitness/gymnastics/sports. I teach ladies to put themselves first, and to stay in school. Living a healthy, rewarding life comes first overall.

PTBOCANADA: You travel all around the world and get to see exotic places. But tell us what Peterborough means to you. Growing up here and coming home.

Longo: Peterborough is truly home for me. It is special to me in many ways because of the close friendships, experiences, business relationships and academic successes. I love our city. I am proud to say I grew up here.

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PTBOCANADA: Tell us about your take on social media. You are on Twitter @theresalongo and tweet quite a bit. You have more than 23,000 followers. What does social media mean to your "brand"? How do you use it? How has it helped you? Do you interact closely with followers?

Longo: Social media is essential in brand development. I regularly use social media to connect with fans, share news and update followers. Using social media has opened many doors for me and allowed me to connect with other successful professionals in my industry. I try to interact closely with followers. I am trying to gain more followers to my official Facebook page.

PTBOCANADA: What is your next step(s)/goal(s) in your career? What's on your bucket list? Aspiring actress?

Longo: My next steps include additional acting roles and a continued focus on fitness and modeling. Currently in the works: I am writing and recording new, original music—as a child I took guitar lessons with John for several years at Bud Monahan Music in Peterborough! Creating, recording and performing an album is most definitely on my bucket list.

PTBOCANADA: Anything we missed you want to cover?

Longo: Readers can check out my blog at Theresalongo.com, where I regularly blog about fitness, travel tips, concert and event coverage and more!

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