Kerri King Tourism Manager The Regional Municipality of Durham Economic Development & Tourism 605 Rossland Road East Level 5 PO Box 623 Whitby ON L1N 6A3

Direct Line: 905-668-4113 ext. 2606 Fax: 905-666-6228 Toll Free: 800-413-0017

www.durhamtourism.ca www.durham.ca

Kristyn Chambers Tourism Coordinator The Regional Municipality of Durham Economic Development and Tourism 605 Rossland Road East Level 5 PO Box 623 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3

Direct Line: 905.668.4113 ext. 2608 Fax: 905.666.6228 Toll Free: 800.413.0017

www.durhamtourism.ca www.durham.ca

The evening will include a dinner featuring local food, fabulous entertainment and an incredibly tempting silent/live auction showcasing art and fine craft, experiences and more!

The highlight of the evening will be a roast by friends and colleagues of outgoing Scugog Mayor Marilyn Pearce, in honour of her retirement from local politics.

The Scugog Council for the Arts actively works with the Township of Scugog to cultivate a creative community with a vibrant arts scene and cultural economy.

Tickets and sponsorships are now available and selling quickly!

Book your table now and check out the latest silent auction donations and sponsor lists by visiting http://www.scugogmayorsgala.ca or contact The Scugog Mayors Annual Gala for the Arts Committee at
905-982-2121.

Hope to see you there!

Massive squash, potatoes, tomatoes, zuccini, beans, garlic and peppers!

It’s so cool to watch the kids learn about where their food comes from…

Artists or creative teams may submit proposals for one or more sites.

The competition is open to artists residing in Canada.

All submissions will be reviewed by a staff panel and the Recreation, Arts & Culture Advisory Committee before proceeding to Ajax Council for final approval.

Deadline for Submissions is Friday, October 1, 2010

Please feel free to post or forward this Call for Proposals to any artists or creative groups who you think would be interested.

For more information contact:

Robert Gruber, Manager, Community & Cultural DevelopmentTown of Ajax – Recreation & Culture Ph: 905-619-2529 ext. 7241 or email: robert.gruber@townofajax.com

On Tuesday, October 5, 2010, the third annual Day of Hope and Leadership will take place at Tosca Banquet Hall in Oshawa. This professional development day was created to lead businesses and the community forward…..and this year’s event is sure to surpass all expectations!

Dan Carter will be facilitating 5 speakers’ interpretations of “Living Your Legacy Today”. Guests will be fully engaged in this interactive event and will follow the journey through each aspect of their life to discover, commit and achieve their own legacy statement.

The speakers line-up is as follows:

Denise Marek, International Speaker and Author will focus on how to “discover it” Doug Schneider, International Speaker, will teach us how to “live it” Garth Johns, Leadership Professional will cover how to “work it” Todd Skinner, Business Coach & Speaker will take guests through how to “commit to it” Ian Hill, International Speaker and Advocate will finish off with how to “achieve it” It is the team’s hope to create a legacy movement! “We were meant to give our lives away. Spend more time living your legacy instead of worrying about leaving it.” -Lee J. Colan

The event is sponsored by:

Investors Group Whitby Hydro Buffett Taylor Assante Wealth Management Investment Planning Council Conpute Johnston Insurance Inc Ontario Power Generation Veridian

For more information on the Day of Hope and Leadership, please call Paula Beebe at 905-723-0036 Ext. 229 or e-mail: pbeebe@ochc.ca or visit www.dayofhopeandleadership.com

Kerri King Tourism Manager The Regional Municipality of Durham Economic Development & Tourism 605 Rossland Road East Level 5 PO Box 623 Whitby ON L1N 6A3

Direct Line: 905-668-4113 ext. 2606 Fax: 905-666-6228 Toll Free: 800-413-0017

www.durhamtourism.ca www.durham.ca

poster2010.pdf

Be sure to check out a show with Sheeba the elephant and her trainer Stefanie!

Shows take place daily at 12noon, 2pm, and 4pm. For info visit http://www.bowmanvillezoo.com

I am developing a plan to convert 3,000 square feet of my 7,000 square foot building in downtown Uxbridge into a multiple use arts facility. www.arts41.ca will illustrate this journey. You can post comments on my blog and on the pages on the site.

I know that there is enough space to have a year round managed, staffed and administrated art gallery, plus classrooms, workshop spaces, meetings, ticket office, rehearsals and functions. This is a developing idea, nothing is cast in stone… unless you are a sculptor.

Patrons can easily walk there from the shops of downtown Uxbridge, the York-Durham Heritage Train and local restaurants and B & B’s and there is plenty of parking at the door.

I am looking for sculptors, goldsmiths, silversmiths, fabric & fibre artisans, photographers, teachers, potters, ceramists, painters and mixed media artists.

I invite you to visit the website and sign up for the mailing list that will notify you of any significant new blog postings. I look forward to your suggestions, ideas, support and even criticisms.

If you don’t really have a true interest in this project but know someone who does, please feel to pass this information on with advance thanks from me.

If you are interested in a tour of the building, if you have questions or would like to check out the progress personally, please give me a call.

Regards,

Andy

41 Maple St. Uxbridge, On. L9P 1C8

905 852-4222 business line 905 862-5654 home 647-883-0334 cell

andy@arts41.ca

Kristyn Chambers Tourism Coordinator The Regional Municipality of Durham Economic Development and Tourism 605 Rossland Road East Level 5 PO Box 623 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3

Direct Line: 905.668.4113 ext. 2608 Fax: 905.666.6228 Toll Free: 800.413.0017

www.durhamtourism.ca www.durham.ca

If you would like to reference the Mind Map created at the Think Tank, please refer to the Art of Transition website blog at www.artoftransition.ca.

We encourage you to continue to engage with us via the Art of Transition website blog….and for those of you who took the time to join us at the Creative Think Tank – THANK YOU so much for your wonderful contributions – YOU made a difference!

Also, on behalf of the Region of Durham Economic Development Department, I would like to extend a very special thank you to Durham College and UOIT for sponsoring this special event for all of us!

Enjoy this beautiful summer weather – and if you are looking for things to do with family and friends this summer, be sure to visit the Durham Tourism website at www.durhamtourism.ca!

Kristyn Chambers Tourism Coordinator The Regional Municipality of Durham Economic Development and Tourism 605 Rossland Road East Level 5 PO Box 623 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3

Direct Line: 905.668.4113 ext. 2608 Fax: 905.666.6228 Toll Free: 800.413.0017

www.durhamtourism.ca www.durham.ca

For a bountiful selection of wonderful locally grown food, visit one of Durham’s Farm Markets – for info go to www.durhamfarmfresh.ca

The arts and culture festival is occurring nation-wide and will be celebrated by a number of communities across Canada, including Durham Region.

Durham Tourism is encouraging all interested individuals and venues in the region to register their Culture Days event online at www.durhamtourism.ca and www.culturedays.ca before July 30.

Durham Tourism is requesting that all interested participants register by July 30 to take advantage of marketing opportunities, including having their event listed on the Durham Tourism website.

For more information, call Durham Tourism at 1-800-413-0017.

Please click image above to see full Mind Map (please be patient, it may take several minutes to load). Full report to follow.

We similarly need to identify the creative clusters in Durham and highlight our successes. In Hamilton they have identified 6 clusters: film/video/broadcasting, design and digital media, music, visual art, performing arts, and events and festivals and highlighted their position within Hamilton and the trends.

It would be neat to put together a video showcasing the television programs and movies that have been filmed in Durham over the years.

-Stephanie Horgan

It is always uplifting to be part of a group of people with whom you share a passion. I look forward to seeing some of the ideas generated at the Think Tank implemented or expanded upon in order to promote all that Durham Region has to offer!

Kudos to Kerri for organizing the event and for bringing us together to share ideas.

Kindest regards,
Tammy Gay

We need to promote a regular winter event.

Recognize the manufacturing based foundation / culture in our communities and build on this.

Branding our region: How can we promote the region to people passing through our region?

Continual re-training of staff and workers – Business Advisory Centre of Durham Region needs to be expanded to support the entire region.

Youth retention – opportunities exist at College / Universities / apprenticeships.

Communications:

-Social integration of Durham as a community. -Promote the region through social marketing. -Promote the region at community centres, rinks, -Monthly event calendars for festivals and events to be distributed across the Region.

Authentic communications / experiential content.

Culture: we need a Regional Cultural Plan for the Region.

How can we let people express themselves in an inclusive / accessible way?

Local flavour, but regional identity.

Awareness, pride, and community spirit

The need for a regional, cultural hub.

Break down barriers.

-Celebrate Durham in a one week event – create a destination for people to gather / visit.

We need a strong brand, connect urban and rural communities.

Eliminate red tape: create more networking opportunities.

Build on what we have – grassroots / and build strong regional networks.

Packaging and partnering is important.

Provide an incubator / farmer’s market / hub.

We need a champion to lead this.

Re: SMEs (Small and Medium Sized businesses)

1-Education 2- Money: financial support 3 -Services: need resource support.

How can we create “open doors”?

Gap: how do we engage the youth?

What does engagement look like? Take the fine arts to the plowing match! Mix it up.

Remove competition – and make it community.

Culture: AOT needs to continue. It needs to transition and be a part of the artistic communities – keep the story going – keep it alive!

The group discussed the need for a major piece of public art in each access route to the region such as the 401 entrances.

Re: Small / Medium Sized Businesses

The group created STAN: and the idea that we need ongoing gatherings for the creative community / also recorded live to be broadcast via internet.

The group supported the idea of one major community event – including all sectors.

Could we use existing spaces / and festivals and tie them in to one time frame?

Need to support the idea of incubator for the arts.

They also identified a need for a venue / hub for culture, funding, and a regional festival in the region.

The group discussed regional transportation – how do we build hubs / remove barriers.

Cultural diversity was an important aspect of the groups discussion as well.

Re: Culture: What is our culture? Define our brand – build a brand.

http://www.globaltoronto.com/video/index.html?releasePID=46YuPWYjWpXHvTYHHIc8v23ja0NVnEF_

Congratulations all on a job well done!

Q: How does living in Durham Region contribute to this inspiration?
Durham is a wealth of natural beauty. You can drive up north and look at a wonderful landscape, go on the trails and see new life, visit the lake and enjoy the warmth of a sunny day. I have been on a journey on taking my classical Feng Shui practice and integrating this methodology into my paintings. We have to respect Mother Nature as we are all interconnected.

Q: What does the Art of Transition mean to you?
Transition is a shift from one to another, a switch, a move, the evolution to another state. The art, would be how we manage the shift, how we work through the change, how this alteration can be a positive one.

It’s this inclusiveness that expresses the region’s all-encompassing approach to becoming a great place to live, work and play. It translates itself from the art that local artists craft to the innovative businesses that plant their roots in Durham. This is what the Art of Transition (AOT) is all about.

Back Row: Sue Sutcliffe, Todd Skinner, Jason Atkins, Kerri King, Dr. Greg Baeker, Nina Conrad, Wayne Conrad. Front Row: Lisa Weiss, Donna Raetsen-Kemp, Kristyn Chambers.

The aftermath of AOT has reached an important point in determining “the next steps”; an important turning point that will address how we proceed in delivering a strategy to enhance Durham’s cultural flavour. The recently composed Creative Think Tank Advisory Group met for the first time in March to map out a path for Durham to take in its evolutionary journey. I would like to thank all participants of the advisory group for
opening their minds to this task.

• Ambrose Samulski, Planet Earth Initiative
• Bernard Leroux, Northlight Pictures
• David Slabodkin, Canada Protection Plan
• Don Lovisa, Durham College
• Donna Raetsen-Kemp, Whitby Station Gallery
• Dr. Greg Baeker, AuthentiCity
• Dr. Richard Marceau, UOIT
• Geordie Lishman, Artist
• Jason Atkins, 360 Incentives.com
• Kristyn Chambers, The Regional Municipality of Durham
• Lisa Weiss, Parkwood National Historic Site
• Sue Sutcliffe, aWEBthatWORKS
• Todd Skinner, The Growth Coach
• Wayne Conrad, Omachron Science Inc.

We encourage you to also open your mind for this purpose. You can always log onto our website www.artoftransition.ca to contribute your comments in a form that can inspire immediate dialogue and feedback.

With your help, we look forward to creating a cultural map that shows the roads leading to Durham Region’s
vibrant future!

Kerri King, Manager of Tourism
The Regional Municipality of Durham
905-668-7711 ext. 2606

Host and Executive Director of Parkwood Brian Malcolm and Manager of Tourism Kerri King welcomed many special guests including Township of Scugog Mayor Marilyn Pearce.

The goal of the committee is to establish and foster relationships with and between local arts organizations to build a strong network of cultural talent.

The action team is being chaired by Carey Nicholson, Scugog Council for the Arts, and will meet quarterly, reporting back to Durham Tourism on key matters.

1. Mayor Marilyn Pearce, Nina and Wayne Conrad, Kerri King. | 2. Carey Nicholson, Sue Sutcliffe | 3. Brian Malcolm, George Taylor. | 4. Donna Raetsen-Kemp, Greg Baeker, Olinda Casimiro. | 5. Lisa Weiss, Dr. Richard Marceau. | 6. Mayor Marilyn Pearce. | 7. Shashi Batia, Kerri King, Esther Forde. | 8. Chuck Byers, Greg Rist.

Contact Durham Tourism for more information on the Arts, Culture and Heritage action team.
1-800-413-0017 | tourism@durham.ca

So what is it that still to this day binds us all – that each and every one of us enjoys and celebrates but also does not exclude based on economic condition, race, gender, or to an extent even talent? It is the arts. And by arts I am speaking in that large umbrella term that covers fine arts, music, film, literature.

Stop and think about your daily routine or that of your child. How much time do you or they spend listening to music, drawing, reading literature, watching movies or even singing whether at home or in the car? Those artistic devices touch us constantly throughout the day. And it doesn’t matter what society as a whole thinks of our artistic talents. A small child who depicts their family with crayons is no different than a celebrated painter. Both are equally inspired and gratified by their efforts and both intended audiences are moved because in both cases the child and the artist offered a piece of themselves.

We all have the need to express ourselves. Sometimes when a child falls through the cracks it’s because they haven’t been afforded or found the right creative program that he or she needs to express themselves.

At Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences we see each and every day the need for inclusiveness. We have created an Art Gallery and Exhibition that celebrates art from the community, our patients and staff. We incorporate the arts in programs and we began the Imagine Film Festival, now in its third season, to open society’s eyes to mental illness to eliminate stigma and promote the need for tolerance and equality.

The arts community also needs to collectively find ways to open new opportunities for all citizens; programs which are blind to age, race, and socio-economic status. The Region of Durham, through the Art of Transition, opened the door to this movement. The arts community just needs to hold hands and step inside.

The launch featured a personal story from a newcomer to the region, a demonstration of the portal, and recognition of the more than 60 service providers and community members who collaborated to develop the portal content.

To access the portal, please visit www.durhamimmigration.ca

Pictured: Fibi Assad and Regional Chair and CEO Roger Anderson.

The program runs until Jan. 1, 2011 and promotes studio tours and exhibitions, arts, culture and heritage events, as well as highlighting opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of Durham’s great outdoors.

My Durham Desktop was designed by local business Everyday Desktop and can be downloaded for free by visiting www.durhamtourism.ca.

There is nothing that brings the nation together more than the quest for speed. It’s indicative of the vastness of the country that the national sports are all built around speed and that some of our greatest inventions have been built for the purpose of making quicker connections. Whether it’s RIM’s Blackberry or Bombardier’s ski-doo, the WonderBra or the humble zipper, they were necessitated by a desire to join disparate elements quickly.

Not surprisingly, Canada has been an early adopter of online social media serving as a means to bridge the enormous gaps between communities. Facebook—and its sort—erase distance.

Now that we can connect in mere moments with anyone anywhere via the cyber-world, there is more time to explore our immediate surroundings, our local culture.

Durham Region, situated between Toronto and Cottage Country, is ideally suited for short day trips but because of its size is really a place that can only be fully realized by spending considerable time here. Durham’s own residents could spend a lifetime exploring the byways and back roads of the area.

There are some truly unique cultural experiences to be found all over the region, but there is no one place that the culture congregates in or around, and therefore no easy narrative to explain us to visitors.

It’s a challenge, but the solution may be staring us all in the face. TVs, laptops, iPhones. Few were lucky enough to be present at that final Olympic gold-winning hockey game, but millions bore witness through live transmission on a variety of screens.

At the Art of Transition symposium, those in attendance were challenged to imagine Durham in a new way. In my mind, I see a Durham Region Art and Music Festival, a place where all voices are heard simultaneously, not as the disharmony that modern life can be, but as a symphony. I see each community with its own stage, filled with its own voices, in a spot unique to its area. All festivals occur on the same day creating one regional gathering. Should one fly over on that day one would see streets, parks, backyards, conservation areas, farms and beaches filled with crowds of folks out enjoying the sounds of their neighbours.

But we can’t all fly over so how do we get a sense of this? The answer is online. Each party broadcasts to a central website. Each concert “Ustreams” its contents. While one enjoys the simple folk sounds in Palmer Park in Port Perry, one can also tune into the heavier sounds of a concert down at Lakeview Park in Oshawa via iPhone or laptop. The audience could also upload and share their views, thoughts, and comments.

The Festival could be called Bridges, or in honour of Durham’s role as a historic trade route, Portage. It would be cool as heck if the festival’s media partner was canoe.ca.

No matter where one is in Durham, one could feel part of the gathering and show off all the wonderful reasons why so many choose to enjoy life here in the region.

On Thursday, March 25, I attended a follow-up session to last November’s The Art of Transition Symposium. This particular afternoon the room was full of artists, gallery administrators, arts association members, city officials and others gathering to learn about the specific results of our cultural mapping process.

The symposium had left us all with a hunger to know what we could do to make the most of our unique creative capital. Curiosity and enthusiasm bubbled in the room. As we went round and introduced ourselves, I was drawn to an elegantly dressed woman who said she was Esther Forde of Cultural Expressions Gallery in the Old Pickering Village in Ajax.

During the reception later on she told me more about what she has been doing to not only capitalize on the artists of Durham Region but to expand our creative consciousness to other cultures and ethnicities. “The make up of our community is changing,” she noted. “I wanted my gallery to reflect this new diversity.”

Her sense that the time had come for this came from her own experience as a woman of colour. “I knew that I wanted to have art in my home that was culturally oriented and reminded me of my heritage. When I tried to find that in local galleries, it didn’t exist there.”

She guessed that if this was an issue for her, it was very likely to be important to others as well. “Consequently, I wanted to include the art of as many cultures as possible.”

"Emerging Spirit" By Passmore Mashaya

And that’s exactly what she has done. Almost three years since opening her gallery, she now represents artists from five continents and over twelve countries—including Canada—through a diverse collection of paintings, sculpture and jewellery.

“I wanted to do more than bring other cultures’ art here,” she declares. “I wanted to be an engaged part of this community as well.” To that end, she has invited local Ajax high school students to the gallery while a sculptor was in residence, hosted a Haiti relief fundraiser, and been an integral part of local Black History Month celebrations. She recognizes that culture comes from within our borders as well as beyond. On June 4 the gallery will be hosting its first First Nations’ celebration as part of the Ajax Arts Festival.

Colour is celebrated in many ways at Cultural Expressions. As we talked about the art she presents, Esther laughed. “If you don’t like vivid colours, this is not the gallery for you.” You can get an idea of the brilliant experience available at Cultural Expressions on her website: www.culturalexpressions.ca.

As part of the Durham Region Accessibility Expo, The Regional Municipality of Durham, Economic Development and Tourism Department, will be hosting a breakfast session to educate local business owners on accessibility compliance requirements.

WHEN: Thursday, June 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

WHERE: Durham College/UOIT Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, 2000 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

WHY: The Business Breakfast event is open to business owners who want to learn more about the requirements contained in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. Under this legislation, all businesses within the Province of Ontario must take measures to provide accessible customer service to those with disabilities by Jan. 1, 2012.

NOTE: Limited seating is available. Two representatives from each business will be accommodated Kerri King Tourism Manager The Regional Municipality of Durham Economic Development and Tourism 605 Rossland Road East Level 5 PO Box 623 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3

Direct Line: 905.668.4113 ext. 2606 Fax: 905.666.6228 Toll Free: 800.413.0017

www.durhamtourism.ca www.region.durham.on.ca

<p><a href="http://www.durham.ca/default.asp?nr=/corpoverview/accessibility/expo/expo.htm&amp;setFooter=/includes/corpFooter.inc" target="_new"><img src="http://www.durham.ca/images/corp/accessibility/expo/CelebratingAbilities.jpg" alt="Accessibility Logo - Celebrating Abilities. Celebrating Life." hspace="10" width="159" height="158" align="left" /></a><strong>Learn about the new law in Ontario  called <em>Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005  (AODA).</em></strong></p>

<p>The Accessibility Expo is the first of its kind in Durham where the Regional  and local municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees have partnered with the  Region of Durham Economic Development &amp; Tourism Department to bring our  community an important event on new legislation, accessibility and  abilities.</p>
<table border="0" width="100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>•</td>
<td>An Accessibility Marketplace will feature over 100 exhibitors showcasing  products and services.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>•</td>
<td>An exciting lineup of extraordinary speakers and performers including:</td>

</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Robert Pio Hajjar</strong>, a charismatic, motivational speaker, who  travels widely as living proof of what is possible when you include and  encourage people with intellectual disabilities.</p>
<p><strong>Dr. Mark Nagler’s</strong> ambition and perseverance is told with  humour that<br />
will motivate.</p>
<p>Speaking from experience, <strong>Paul Rosen</strong>, Paralympic Gold  Medalist &amp; Sledge Hockey Goaltender, joins us to inspire through his story  of courage.</p>

<p>Special performance and speaking engagement by <strong>Justin  Hines</strong>&#8230; his words and music will move you.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.durham.ca/default.asp?nr=/corpoverview/accessibility/expo/expo.htm&amp;setFooter=/includes/corpFooter.inc" target="_new">Click here for more information</a></p>

Learn about the new law in Ontario called Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).

The Accessibility Expo is the first of its kind in Durham where the Regional and local municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees have partnered with the Region of Durham Economic Development & Tourism Department to bring our community an important event on new legislation, accessibility and abilities.

Click here for registration form. For more information, or if you require the registration form in another format, please contact Tracey Tyner Cavanagh at 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2103.

The United Nations has declared 2010 the International Year for Biodiversity and to celebrate the theme is “Think Internationally – Act Locally.”

Keynote speaker Steve Hounsell – Environmental Advisor, OPG Sustainable Development spoke on A Call for Action – and the State of Biodiversity.

Congratulations and a special thanks to the team at OPG for hosting such an interesting, informative event!

Kerri King Tourism Manager The Regional Municipality of Durham Economic Development and Tourism 605 Rossland Road East Level 5 PO Box 623 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3

Direct Line: 905.668.4113 ext. 2606 Fax: 905.666.6228 Toll Free: 800.413.0017

www.durhamtourism.ca www.region.durham.on.ca

On June 22, The Regional Municipality of Durham, Economic Development and Tourism Department, together with The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and Durham College, will be hosting the Think Durham-Creative Think Tank Session.

The intention of the event is to bring together members of the business community, key stakeholders, politicians, students, academics and government for an inclusive Creative Think Tank Session to explore ideas and establish action groups based on feedback that has evolved from the original Art of Transition (AOT) held event last November.

Since that event, a Creative Think Tank Advisory Group, made up of AOT partners, was formed and tasked with developing three key areas to further develop action items. These three topics include the advancement of small-and medium-sized enterprises; culture; and marketing.

From this event, The Economic Development and Tourism Department will compile findings, identify linkages to the Durham Region Strategic Plan 2009-2014 and integrate strategies with current and future Economic Development and Tourism plans.

We look forward to collaborating with you-and hope to see you on June 22. Please RSVP to tourism@durham.ca by Tuesday, June 15 at 9 AM if you are interested in joining us!

RSVPs will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis as space is limited.

Agenda and meeting logistics will follow once you have registered with us.

Many thanks for your interest and support!

Have a great day,

Kerri King Tourism Manager The Regional Municipality of Durham Economic Development and Tourism 605 Rossland Road East Level 5 PO Box 623 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3

Direct Line: 905.668.4113 ext. 2606 Fax: 905.666.6228 Toll Free: 800.413.0017

www.durhamtourism.ca www.region.durham.on.ca

This new RTO, which will serve Dufferin, Caledon, Durham Region and York Region, will help the tourism industry across the region continue to grow and support local jobs and businesses.

Michael Hackenberger, Director, Bowmanville Zoo, and Chair, RTO Transition Team says that “with this support, we’ll be able to enhance our tourism offerings and marketing to bring more visitors to the region. We look forward to working together to grow our tourism potential.”

Ontario’s new tourism regions build on the key recommendations from Discovering Ontario: a report on the future of tourism.

Info at http://breaktheguitarrecord.com Great job pulling this together Rick!

<p><a href="http://www.durham.ca/default.asp?nr=/corpoverview/accessibility/expo/expo.htm&amp;setFooter=/includes/corpFooter.inc" target="_new"><img src="http://www.durham.ca/images/corp/accessibility/expo/CelebratingAbilities.jpg" alt="Accessibility Logo - Celebrating Abilities. Celebrating Life." hspace="10" width="159" height="158" align="left" /></a><strong>Learn about the new law in Ontario  called <em>Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005  (AODA).</em></strong></p>

<p>The Accessibility Expo is the first of its kind in Durham where the Regional  and local municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees have partnered with the  Region of Durham Economic Development &amp; Tourism Department to bring our  community an important event on new legislation, accessibility and  abilities.</p>
<table border="0" width="100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>•</td>
<td>An Accessibility Marketplace will feature over 100 exhibitors showcasing  products and services.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>•</td>
<td>An exciting lineup of extraordinary speakers and performers including:</td>

</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Robert Pio Hajjar</strong>, a charismatic, motivational speaker, who  travels widely as living proof of what is possible when you include and  encourage people with intellectual disabilities.</p>
<p><strong>Dr. Mark Nagler’s</strong> ambition and perseverance is told with  humour that<br />
will motivate.</p>
<p>Speaking from experience, <strong>Paul Rosen</strong>, Paralympic Gold  Medalist &amp; Sledge Hockey Goaltender, joins us to inspire through his story  of courage.</p>

<p>Special performance and speaking engagement by <strong>Justin  Hines</strong>&#8230; his words and music will move you.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.durham.ca/default.asp?nr=/corpoverview/accessibility/expo/expo.htm&amp;setFooter=/includes/corpFooter.inc" target="_new">Click here for more information</a></p>

Learn about the new law in Ontario called Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).

The Accessibility Expo is the first of its kind in Durham where the Regional and local municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees have partnered with the Region of Durham Economic Development & Tourism Department to bring our community an important event on new legislation, accessibility and abilities.

Click here for registration form. For more information, or if you require the registration form in another format, please contact Tracey Tyner Cavanagh at 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2103.

For information click here: http://www.welcomecyclists.ca or call: 416-338-5083 / 1-866-333-4491for information. There are still a few spots available! Kerri King Tourism Manager The Regional Municipality of Durham Economic Development and Tourism 605 Rossland Road East Level 5 PO Box 623 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3

Direct Line: 905.668.4113 ext. 2606 Fax: 905.666.6228 Toll Free: 800.413.0017

www.durhamtourism.ca www.region.durham.on.ca

Direct Line: 905.668.4113 ext. 2606 Fax: 905.666.6228 Toll Free: 800.413.0017

www.durhamtourism.ca www.region.durham.on.ca

The Accessibility Expo is the first of its kind in Durham where the Regional and local municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees have partnered with the Region of Durham Economic Development & Tourism Department to bring our community an important event on new legislation, accessibility and abilities.

Robert Pio Hajjar, a charismatic, motivational speaker, who travels widely as living proof of what is possible when you include and encourage people with intellectual disabilities.

Dr. Mark Nagler’s ambition and perseverance is told with humour that
will motivate.

Speaking from experience, Paul Rosen, Paralympic Gold Medalist & Sledge Hockey Goaltender, joins us to inspire through his story of courage.

Special performance and speaking engagement by Justin Hines… his words and music will move you.

Click here for registration form. For more information, or if you require the registration form in another format, please contact Tracey Tyner Cavanagh at 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2103.

Direct Line: 905.668.4113 ext. 2606 Fax: 905.666.6228 Toll Free: 800.413.0017

www.durhamtourism.ca www.region.durham.on.ca

Totally amazing!!!

Local asparagus is available now – visit www.durhamfarmfresh.ca for listings.

The Great Reset: How new ways of living and working drive the post-crash prosperity.

Dr. Florida says in order to re-set the economy, we need to increase efficiencies, make cost of housing and cars more affordable, and focus on the new economy.

Question:

Do we need these giant houses? Would we have a better quality of life if we weren’t spending all of our disposable income on cars, houses? Florida says that we have to reset the cost of housing in order to make the cost of living more realistic and sustainable.

Florida says that we need to look at:

-rental housing -transit commuting -walkable communities

Is the mindset in Durham Region to Reset?

What do you think?

If you are interested in promoting Cycling in Durham, you are welcome to join us for a Welcome Cyclists Session on May 27th. Contact me at kerri.king@durham.ca if you are interested in participating!

Often that statement is oh so true. But what is it that’s in our own backyard that we couldn’t see before we flew over the rainbow in a flying house? Or, to put it another way, how do we want to be entertained? Do some of us see art and culture as something for intellectual artsy types who do nothing all day but read poetry and go to art galleries and plays? And, of course, you don’t see yourself as one of those people. You are someone who works a shift. You are someone who has pressure at the office. You are someone between jobs. You are an athlete. You are a book worm. You prefer beer over wine. You prefer champagne. You don’t drink. You eat burgers not caviar. You’re vegan. You’re tired after work and simply want to relax. You just spent your whole day at work and want to do something other than stay home.

In other words, you’re everybody.

Yes, there is stuff on TV, the internet, your ipod, etc. And, you don’t have to leave home to enjoy them. You certainly don’t have time to visit an art gallery, listen to poetry, catch a local musician or watch a play.

Or do you?

What does art and culture say about a community? Your community!

It says that you have choices. It says that you live in a community where ideas flow and everyone can share the experience. If variety is the spice of life then why not experience it all? Durham Region is alive and bursting at the seams with local artists performing their particular passions for the arts. Once in a while change the pace. Go to a play once a year. Spend one or two days a year relaxing at the Art Gallery. Check your local newspaper or go online and find out which musicians are performing nearby. You would be surprised just how relaxing and enjoyable a poetry reading can be.

“Who are these local artists pouring forth their artistic creations?” you might ask yourself. They are your neighbours, your co-workers, your family and friends. They are the kids you see passing by each morning on their way to school.

In other words, they’re everybody.

From May 5 to 16, 2010 you will have the opportunity to enjoy Durham Region’s arts and culture scene when the Durham Theatre Festival opens. Visit www.durhamtheatrefestival.com and find out how you can be part of it.

Michael Khashmanian

Kerri King
Tourism Manager
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Economic Development and Tourism
605 Rossland Road East
Level 5
PO Box 623
Whitby, ON L1N 6A3

Direct Line: 905.668.4113 ext. 2606
Fax: 905.666.6228
Toll Free: 800.413.0017

www.durhamtourism.ca
www.region.durham.on.ca

Kerri King
Tourism Manager
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Economic Development and Tourism
605 Rossland Road East
Level 5
PO Box 623
Whitby, ON L1N 6A3

Direct Line: 905.668.4113 ext. 2606
Fax: 905.666.6228
Toll Free: 800.413.0017

www.durhamtourism.ca
www.region.durham.on.ca

When we are dreaming alone
it is only a dream.
When we are dreaming with others,
it is the beginning of a reality.

I envision an Integrated Community Network. An online place where people in Durham Region can gather, share their knowledge and dreams, and help each other be the best we can be.  I call this place DurhamLIVE.com and I invite you to be a part of it.

What is your vision for Durham Region?  What do YOU dream of?

Direct Line: 905.668.4113 ext. 2606
Fax: 905.666.6228
Toll Free: 800.413.0017

www.durhamtourism.ca
www.region.durham.on.ca

We want to hear from you…
What are the places that are special to you in Durham Region?

Kerri King
Tourism Manager
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Economic Development and Tourism
605 Rossland Road East
Level 5
PO Box 623
Whitby, ON L1N 6A3

Direct Line: 905.668.4113 ext. 2606
Fax: 905.666.6228
Toll Free: 800.413.0017

www.durhamtourism.ca
www.region.durham.on.ca