Cord Community Edition - April 2014 by Cord Community

celebrating all-star volunteers

1000 photos to document k-W

COMMUNITY URBAN, Page 16

THE CORD

remembering fallen aboriginal women NEWS, Page 4

ARTS, Page 21

Waterloo Region’s independent monthly • Volume 2 Issue 7 • april 3, 2014 • community.thecord.ca

Food Fun

GroWinG an INCREDIBLE EDIBLE WATERLOO PAGE 11

LIVELOCAL Wants You to shop and eat close to home PAGE 12

CARIBBEAN DREAMS, a vibrant k-W concert tradition PAGE 12

nerd World

SAVVY PLANET plans to merGe knoWledGe and Waterloo PAGE 13

ideas to chanGe Waterloo reGion

the SMART WAY to prep For climate chanGe PAGE 13

creatinG the neXt Generation oF BREWING SOCIAL philanthropists paGe 10 BEER For the plus, SPARKING the passion oF people YounG entrepreneurs bY the and orGaniZinG people artists With k-W ROOTS paGe 7 PAGE 9

THE CORD

2 • april 2014

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75 University Ave. W Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5 519-884-0710 x3564 Volume 2, Issue #7 Next issue: May 9, 2014 Advertising All advertising inquiries should be directed to Angela Endicott at 519-884-0710 x3560 angela.taylor@wlusp.com Editor-in-Chief H.G. Watson hwatson@thecord.ca

Arts & Culture Editor Anna Beard abeard@thecord.ca

Publisher Bryn Ossington bryn.ossington@wlusp.com

Social Media Coordinator Juliana Gomez jgomez@thecord.ca

Cord Editor-in-Chief Justin Smirlies jsmirlies@thecord.ca

Photography Manager Ryan Hueglin rhueglin@thecord.ca

Production Editor Tegan Thuss tthuss@thecord.ca

Photography Manager Heather Davidson hdavidson@thecord.ca

Diana bumstead nathan vexler dane somogyvary marc lecompte jane lytvynenko

Copy Editor Erin O’Neil CoNtributorS Ashley Denuzzo Bob Egan Samantha Estoesta Stacey Jacobs Anya Lomako

Gregory O’Brien Janine Prew Jordan Smith

WLuSP ADMiNiStrAtioN President Executive Director Advertising Manager Treasurer Vice-Chair Director Director Corporate Secretary Distribution Manager Web Manager

Allison Leonard Bryn Ossington Angela Endicott Tom Paddock Luke Schulz Shelby Blackley Kate Turner Alexandra Abbiento Angela Endicott George Liu

The Cord Community Edition is the monthly magazine version of the Cord, the official student newspaper of the Wilfrid Laurier University community. Started in 2012, The Cord Community Edition is an editorially independent newspaper published by Wilfrid Laurier University Student Publications, Waterloo, a corporation without share capital. WLUSP is governed by its board of directors. Opinions expressed within The Cord Community Edition are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, The Cord, WLUSP, WLU or The Guelph Mercury. All content appearing in The Cord Community Edition bears the copyright expressly of their creator(s) and may not be used without written consent. The Cord Community Edition is created using Macintosh computers running Mac OS X 10.5 using Adobe Creative Suite 4. Canon cameras are used for principal photography. The Cord Community’s title font is Bebas, an open source font created by Dharma fonts (formerly Flat-it).

IN this issue FEATURE 10 ideas to Change waterloo paGe 7 The votes are all tallied. we present 10 ideas that have the power to change waterloo Region for good. NEWs 3 4 5 6

st. jacob’s market readies for spring No more stolen sisters A letter to the mayoral candidates sports tourism takes oﬀ

URBAN EXPLORING The Cord Community Edition is a member of the Ontario Press Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. For additional information or to file a complaint, contact info@ontpress.com or call 416-340-1981. The Cord Community Edition circulates monthly. Normal circulation is 33,000 and enjoys a readership of over 60,000. Cord Community Edition subscription rates are $20.00 per term for addresses within Canada. PrEAMbLE to tHE CorD CoNStitutioN The Cord Community Edition will keep faith with its readers by presenting news and expressions of opinions comprehensively, accurately and fairly. The Cord believes in a balanced and impartial presentation of all relevant facts in a news report, and of all substantial opinions in a matter of controversy. The staff of The Cord shall uphold all commonly held ethical conventions of journalism. When an error of omission or of commission has occurred, that error shall be acknowledged promptly. When statements are made that are critical of an individual, or an organization, we shall give those affected the opportunity to reply at the earliest time possible. Ethical journalism requires impartiality, and consequently conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest will be avoided by all staff. The only limits of any newspaper are those of the world around it, and so The Cord will attempt to cover its world with a special focus on the community of KitchenerWaterloo. Ultimately, The Cord Community Edition will be bound by neither philosophy nor geography in its mandate. The Cord has an obligation to foster freedom of the press and freedom of speech. This obligation is best fulfilled when debate and dissent are encouraged, both in the internal workings of the paper, and through The Cord’s contact with the community. The Cord will always attempt to do what is right, with fear of neither repercussions, nor retaliation. The purpose of community press is to act as an agent of social awareness, and so shall conduct the affairs of our magazine.

14 15 16 17 18

say hello to spring with jane’s walk How to spend your return wisely volunteer all-stars honoured Meeting the mind behind vACKw why arousal makes you dumb

ARTS & CULTURE 19 20 21 22 22 23

we get to know the Royal streets No space for artists 1000 days, 1000 Kitchener pictures The man behind Encore Records Reviews listings

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR all letters to the editor can be sent to communityeditor@thecord.ca

Every issue we highlight ﬁve people who have made a contribution to keep the CCE going. want to help? Email communityeditor@thecord.ca

keep your eyes on community.thecord.ca

for details on the 10 ideas party coming soon CORRECTiONs: in the story “school board voting blues,” from the March 2014 issue, it was incorrectly stated that property taxes still also had to be designated to a homeowner’s preferred school board. But a change in law now means that all taxes meant for school boards are distributed on a per-pupil basis. The online version of the story has been updated to better reﬂect these facts.

COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA

NEWS rebuilding the market St. Jacobs market example of community support

april 2014 •

News beat y LIGHT RAIL GETS BOOST FROM PROVINCE The Region of Waterloo’s light rail transit system is seeing yet another milestone. On March 28, Ontario Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Glen Murray reaffirmed the provincial government’s contribution of $300 million to the project. During his speech at the Region of Waterloo headquarters in Kitchener, Murray emphasized the relationship between transportation and economy, and said jobs are seeing an incline in the province. “We have to fill these jobs,” he said, believing the LRT and GO systems to be important for bringing young people to the region.

y BALCONY FIRE ON REGINA ST.

Destroyed by fire in 2013, St. Jacob’s market has slowly started to rebuild. • HEATHER DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER

jordan smith CCE contributor

fter being completely destroyed by a fire on Labour Day and surviving a slow winter, the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is ready to re-establish itself. A temporary structure was erected in the fall allowing vendors to get up and running soon after the fire, the cause of which was undetermined. However, some businesses housed by the market did feel some strain over the winter season. “If you looked at the retailers in and around St. Jacobs … it wasn’t a great fall for them. The market is a driver for a lot of the other activity in St. Jacobs, so when it wasn’t operating that had an impact,” said Marcus Shantz, president of Mercedes Corp., which owns the Farmers’ Market building. Shantz also explained the drop in business could have been influenced by the construction or just the winter season.

“Winter is always a tough time to gauge even the best of times. It’s been a very difficult winter in terms of the weather,” he added. A permanent structure is now being built. Moving forward, the new building will provide necessary updates and build on existing strengths. “When it was built in 1986, nobody would have dreamed it would be as popular or as busy as it was. So when we’re building the new building we’re looking at wider aisles, a little more elbow room,” Shantz continued. “We’re not planning on a big departure from the look of the old building or the feel of it.” Woolwich Township will also lend assistance if needed. “We will play a role in any planning through our planning department … we are happy to assist in any way,” remarked Devin Petteplace, communications coordinator and executive assistant to council for Woolwich Township. The fire caused an estimated $2 million in damages to the main market building, but did not affect other buildings on the site.

According to the Woolwich fire department, the incident could have been avoided if there was a sprinkler system installed into the main building. For Shantz, the amount of local support following the fire was extremely overwhelming. He explained that the community demonstrated that the Farmers’ Market was “not just a business and not just about going and buying your food.” “It really is a part of the fabric of the community, there are hundreds of different relationships that happen at the market. The vendors know their customers, regulars meet each other, they’d greet each other.” “It’s very much a crossroads for the community,” he continued. News of the fire—and support for the Farmers’ Market—spread widely after the incident occurred, drawing international attention in some instances. “It’s a unique experience, there’s not too many markets like that around” said Petteplace.

Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) and Waterloo Fire Rescue responded to a balcony fire on the 16th floor of Richmond Tours, apartment buildings that are located at 300 Regina Street, on March 24. The WRPS arrived on site prior to Waterloo Fire Rescue. A constable extinguished the fire. Residents were evacuated from the building for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. There were no injuries sustained by firefighters or residents.

y PADDY’S DAY PARTYING ‘PRETTY SAFE’ In spite of high anticipation from the city, the universities and law enforcement for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day, the day of partying passed without any major incidences. In the past, vandalism and violence have been a major concern for the city. This year’s Ezra Avenue crowd was estimated by police at 4,000 people, down from last year’s 7,000 partiers. “Overall, it was a pretty safe St. Patrick’s Day,” added Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union president Annie Constantinescu.

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NEws // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA

No more stolen sisters

Locals gather to remember fallen Inuk woman Loretta Saunders

Shawn Johnston and Lisa Yellow-Quill watch a speaker at the vigil they organized in remembrance of Loretta Saunders • RYAN HUEGLIN PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER

H.G. WAtson EDITOR-IN-Chief

ot many people remember Aboriginal woman Candice Sollen. But Lila

Bruyere does. Her niece —Bruyere called her Candy — was found on a Toronto sidewalk on December 11, 1998. She had been stabbed in the chest. Two days later, Sollen would succumb to her injury while on life support at St. Michael’s hospital. She was 23 years old. Bruyere’s reaction to her niece’s death was anger. “I was angry because she was cheated,” she said. “When I saw her in the casket it was a young, beautiful woman that had her life robbed.” Sixteen years later, Bruyere continues to tell Sollen’s story because so many other people won’t talk about her. On the night of March 27, at the Uptown Waterloo Square, she shared it with a group of more than 60 people who had gathered to remember Loretta Saunders. Saunders,like Sollen, was an Aboriginal woman who was murdered. There is a terrible sorority in Canada of Aboriginal women who are missing or murdered. According to the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), it’s a list of

more than 500, and those are only the reported cases. Just recently, an Ottawa researcher put together her own database and found that the number may be even higher, more than 800. Aboriginal women are also disproportionately represented in homicide rates. They make up 10 per cent of all homicides, but only represent three per cent of the female population in Canada. The murder of Saunders, an Inuk women who was studying violence against Aboriginal women at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, has only strengthened calls for national action. They’re coming from a wide range of groups working to stop the violence faced by women in the Aboriginal community. The Waterloo vigil was just one of a number that took place across the country Thursday night in memory of Saunders. Speakers at the vigil expressed frustration that many of the cases remain unsolved. According to NWAC, almost half of murder cases involving Aboriginal women are still cold case files. Shawn Johnston, one of the organizers of the vigil and Bruyere’s son, noted that his cousin’s murder is still listed as unsolved by Toronto Police Service. He believes that the stereotypes surrounding Aboriginal people stop authorities from taking the cases as seriously as they should. “People assume that we live in poverty,

that we’re homeless, or that we’re drug addicts,” he said. “There’s this stigma about why should we care about someone like that.” Another source of frustration has stemmed from perceived inaction on the part of the federal government. Many groups have called for a full-scale public inquiry. The federal government did strike a special committee to study the issue of violence against women, but the report they produced, “Invisible Women: A Call to Action,” was publically criticized by both the First Nations Assembly and NWAC for not taking the step to call for an inquiry. Kitchener-Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife, who spoke at the vigil, reaffirmed provincial NDP support for a national inquiry, telling those gathered that it was unbelievable that this could be happening in 2014. Though Aboriginal affairs fall under federal jurisdiction, Fife noted that the expansion of social services at the provincial level could help all women who are trying to escape violence and abuse. “You don’t want to lose the focus on the 800 missing and murdered aboriginal women,” Fife said. “But we do know that domestic violence is a pervasive societal issue which negatively effects the entire community.” She said, “we have to challenge the apathy on domestic violence and also challenge the concept that it’s a women’s issue.” Lisa Yellow-Quill, another of the vigil

organizers, cautioned that governments at all levels should understand what they are doing and speak to the right people before they take action. “You should know what you need to do because we’ve been saying it,” she said. In Waterloo Region, one of those necessary actions is the creation of a space for members of the Aboriginal community to make their concerns and voices heard. “I think organizing something like this allows that to happen,” said Johnston. “I think there needs to be more places where people can talk about the issues impacting them.” Both Bruyere and Johnston have made a home here. They are both in the Masters of Social Work Aboriginal field of study program at Wilfrid Laurier, and will graduate together this June. Spurred on by the memory of Sollen, Bruyere hopes to help more people. But from the vigil, she also hopes people get something else. “There’s going to be healing happening,” she explained. “That’s what I’m hoping.” During the vigil, a women’s drum circle formed to sing songs dedicated to the missing murdered women. Before they began, Bruyere addressed the crowd. “Their spirits are here,” she said. “So when we sing those songs, let’s sing those songs loud and rejoice.” And everybody sang and swayed along.

april 2014 •

COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA \\ news

2014 election

WatCh Dear mayoral candidates: an open letter multiple jobs just to afford to stay in the region. Waterloo needs to become a smart, sustainable and socially conscious city.

samantha estoesta CCE CoNtributor

o those who want to be mayor of a city that I have grown to love:

Smart: Stop using the thousands of students who enter the region annually as a means of breaking even on transit issues, or as easilyblamed “gosh-darned trouble makers!” Start making this a community, a place where students want to stay after graduation. If you retained just 10 per cent of graduates every year, you would have more than $35 million dollars to put back into the region. Just imagine the amount of intellectual property that you could keep in the region. My loyalty as a former student is not to the region but to community groups, groups that saw me as a valid and contributing member, not a statistic in a budget projection.

please listen. If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be to listen. Limit the buzzwords, stop the empty promises, and give me but a moment, one cathartic, truth-filled, moment of active listening. I have watched my beloved city change from seeing dollar signs instead of faces, pursuing bottom lines instead of growth, chasing partiers and easy revenue instead of knowledge gatherers and change makers. We are at a crossroads. As our city continues to grow, the services and support for those members of low socio-economic status remain stagnant. Even those who do not qualify for additional support are facing precarious employment or forced to work

Sustainable: Make this a walkable city and a bikefriendly city. You have a beautiful park in

HEAtHEr DAViDSoN PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER

the middle of Waterloo; social sustainability projects are a must, especially ones that can tackle two issues at once. Bike and car shares for those who cannot afford personal transportation, community gardens that donate produce to food programs and soup kitchens, a citywide waste disposal program that rivals Guelph, and recycling programs from residences at the universities and off-campus living so students can donate unwanted items to shelters and subsidized housing. Socially Conscious: With LRT coming to the region, you have a duty to make sure you are not driving out those who currently live in newly serviced areas. The cost of living in the region is on the rise. Make the housing near LRT affordable, as those relying on public transportation need the affordability much more than those who live in areas like Laurelwood. Place social services along the LRT and iExpress corridors to make them as

accessible as possible. In areas that are a part of beautification projects, set up tiny house villages or multi-level shelters that look like any other condo, like those found in Newfield, New York or Olympia, Washington, which can be subsidized for those who need affordable housing. This would also be a great sustainability and community project as the majority of resources, furniture and people power could be done through community projects. You have a chance to help my beloved city grow and become the city that I know it can be. I have hope that in a few years, Waterloo could be a front-runner as a smart, sustainable, and socially conscious city in Canada. This is dependent on who becomes our mayor and councillors, the strength of the voices of citizens and a solid focus of working on community building at the citizen, institutional, service and governmental levels. I may only be one voice, but I am a voter, and that should be enough.

CITY OF WATERLOO | OUR COMMUNITY After a long, cold winter ... it finally feels like spring has arrived here in Waterloo. The sun is shining a little brighter, the snow is beginning to melt, and across the city things are starting to get green again. One of the many things I love about this time of year is delivering the annual State of the City address, which was held on March 21, 2014 at RIM Park. This year I was joined on stage by Mayor for the Day winner Ryan Jobby, a brilliant grade 5 student from St. Nicholas Catholic School. The Rotary Club of Waterloo has graciously hosted this event for many years and I am thankful for everything they do to make it so successful. I’d also like to thank everyone who purchased tickets to attend – all proceeds from this event benefitted KidsAbility and the Rotary Peace Scholarships Initiative. Looking back on my final State of the City address as the Mayor of Waterloo I could not be prouder or more grateful to serve as leader to such a dynamic, innovative, and caring community. April 22, 2014 is Earth Day, and what better time to reconnect with nature and show some appreciation for

our city and the planet? This year the City of Waterloo is hosting a number of great events to promote environmental stewardship and sustainability. Schools, businesses and community members are invited to head out doors on April 22, 2014 and take part in the 20 Minute Makeover; an initiative to tidy up the green spaces around our workplaces, schools or homes. You can also join us for some free family fun at the Laurel Creek Conservation Area on May 10, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate Waterloo Earth Day. For more information on these and other events, please visit our Earth Day page at www.waterloo.ca However you choose to spend these early weeks of spring, I hope you enjoy a safe, happy, and healthy April. As always, I’m open to any questions or comments you have. Please send me an email or call 519.747.8700 to get in touch. And be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Mayor Brenda Halloran

Visit us online and join in the conversation at

/citywaterloo

The City of Waterloo is committed to providing accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities. If another format would work better for you, please contact:

P. 519.886.1550

E. communications@waterloo.ca

TTY. 1.866.786.3941

W. waterloo.ca

6 • april 2014

NEws // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA

SPOrtS tOuriSm iS bOOming the region of Waterloo is beginning to take notice ashleY denuZZo CCE CoNtributor

he Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corporation has shifted their focus to the lucrative business of sport tourism, aiming to improve local sporting facilities and volunteer bases, and to attract more tourists to the area. “We want to capitalize on what already exists,” said Minto Schneider, the general manager of the Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corporation. “Kitchener-Waterloo has been tremendously active in this region [and] we think there is potential here.” “Potential” might be an understatement. According to the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, sports tourism has grown into a nearly $4 billion industry in Canada and $1 billion industry in Ontario. Kitchener-Waterloo commissioned a study on sports tourism in 2008 and it was recommended that the cities needed to work cooperatively in order to attract sport business to the area. In 2009, the province divided up the provincial boundaries into 13 tourism regions, called regional tourism organizations (RTOs). Waterloo Region falls under RTO region

four alongside Huron, Perth and Wellington. “We’re working in partnership with them to transport tourism,” Schneider said. “Consultants came back to us with results in the study that there was potential.” Schneider emphasized that “real opportunity lies in sports tourism.” The plan is to mimic neighbouring cities that have already established themselves in the sports tourism world, such as London, Toronto and Hamilton. These locations are considered successful in this industry namely because they have elite facilities and professional sport teams. However, this is not the primary vision for Schneider and her team, as they want to focus more on expanding the tourism for provincial and minor sporting events. “There’s hockey, volleyball, football, figure skating, we’ve even got roller derby — we’re hosting an event in August,” Schneider said. “We’re also hosting the Canadian championships for ultimate Frisbee.” The Ontario Volleyball Association is also hosting their provincials in Waterloo for their seventh year in a row. They have a record registration of 600 teams coming to town this year. But in terms of what a boost in sports tourism will do for the community, Schneider explained that it will be good for local organizations and leagues.

• GrAPHiC DESiGNEr LENA YANG

“If we can let those leagues know that we’re here to help, we can organize all the things involved with the tournament,” she said. “We might be able to get their colleagues to come.” However, there will be some difficulties. “Budget,” Schneider said. “That’s always a challenge.” However, she explained that the sports tourism initiative has already begun to pay off. Since their shift in focus started in

September, Schneider estimates that their impact is more than $3 million to the community over the next two years. “One big thing about bringing tourism is that it is easy to count,” she said. “When you attract business for sports tourism, it’s a lot easier to tell if you’ve been successful.” But to Schneider, her group isn’t bringing forward something entirely new to the region. “We’re really building on success that already exists in the Region,” she said.

COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA

april 2014 • 7

ideas to chanGe Waterloo reGion it starts with an idea. any project comes from the kernel of something small. it could be from reading a book, listening to music, seeing a need in your community or just from out of the blue. sometimes we forget about ideas as soon as they appear, and other times they haunt us for years. 10 ideas to change Waterloo is a collection of ideas. some of these ideas are big. some are small. some are just starting — they’re still just a kernel, though they could become something more. some are already chugging along. We can see the diﬀerence they’ve made already. to learn about 2014’s 10 ideas, flip the page >>

8 • april 2014

10 ideas // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA

10 ideas to change Waterloo Meet the people who choose your top ten ideas

ike is a radio and television broadcaster who has a passion for all things local. Born and raised in Kitchener, Mike is proud to be working in the community he calls home. He keeps busy outside of work by volunteering with the Kitchener Public Library, the city’s Safe and Healthy Communities Advisory Committee, and fundraising for Cystic Fibrosis. Mike can be heard weekday mornings on Country 106.7, during Kitchener Rangers games on 570 News, and you can read his monthly musings in The Kitchener Post.

mike farwell Radio HOST and Kitchener post writer

and completed internships at Textile Museum of Canada (Toronto), Jessica Bradley Inc. (Toronto), Creative Time (New York), Deitch Projects (New York), the Saidye Bronfman Centre for the Arts (Montreal), and Dare-Dare (Montreal).

Karie liao

What’s your idea to change Waterloo Region? “One thing I would do to make our community a better place is encourage greater participation. Anything the brings people together to share an experience or take an active role in something larger makes our community stronger and, by extension, better.”

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AT CAFKA

social innovation, social entrepreneurship and social finance. He is also a Research Associate with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the author of their recent report, The Young and the Jobless: Youth Unemployment in Ontario. He has played key roles in the founding of a numour city and theber planet? This yearcommitted the City of is of organizations to Waterloo social hosting a numberchange of great eventsSustainable to promoteWaterloo environmental including Reg has arrived here in Waterloo. The stewardship andgion, sustainability. Schools,Public businesses the Laurier Students’ Interest and ghter, the snow is beginning to melt, Research and community members areGroup invited toCANGO head outConsulting doors on April gs are starting to get candidate green again. Doctoral at University of as well as formerly serving on and as Chair an 22, 2014 and take part in the 20 Minute Makeover; Waterloo of Fair Vote Canada’s National Council. s I love about this time of year is

F WATERLOO | OUR COMMUNITY

arie Liao is the Artistic Director at CAFKA – Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener and Area, where she works alongside Executive Director and the CAFKA Committees to organize the upcoming CAFKA.14 biennial exhibition (May 31 – June 29) in atria, storefronts, parks, and other public spaces throughout the Waterloo Region. She relocated to Kitchener from Toronto to join CAFKA in Fall 2013. Prior to CAFKA, Ms. Liao has worked

What’s your idea to change Waterloo Region? “It’s hard to answer just one thing that I would change to improve our community. In general, I would like to see a community that cultivates infrastructure for better access to education as well as interesting and challenging work settings. I would also like to see a community that provides opportunities for active participation in civic affairs and cultural activities for people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. On a more superficial level or along the lines of short term goals: I am a big supporter of the LRT development and I am hoping it will allow and encourage the community to explore and support what Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge have to offer in terms of art and culture. I think something else that would greatly improve the Waterloo Region is a more lively and diverse night life.”

d winter ...

initiative to tidy up the green spaces around our workplaces, tate of the City address, which was schools or homes. You can also join us for some free family What’s your idea to change Waterloo 4 at RIM Park. This year I was joined fun at the LaurelRegion? Creek Conservation Area on May 10, 2014 he Day winner Ryan Jobby, a brilliant from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate Waterloo Earth Day. phd student at the “I’d like to see our local governments use For St. Nicholas Catholic School. The a proportional voting system such as the universitymore ofinformation on these and other events, please visit single-transferrable vote for electing couno has graciously hosted this event our Earth Day page at www.waterloo.ca waterloo cillors and school board trustees. The true m thankful for everything they do to However you choose to spend these early weeks of cultural, demographic and economic diI’d also like to thank everyone who spring, I hope you enjoy a safe, happy, and healthy April. versity of our communities would be better ean Geobey is currently a doctoral tend – all proceedscandidate from this event represented our local governments and you in the University of Wa- I’m open As always, to anyin questions or comments nd the Rotary Peace our communities better served with this terlooScholarships and a fellow with the Waterhave. Please send me an email or call 519.747.8700 to get on my final State of the City address change.” loo Institute for Social Innovation and Retouch.on And be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. silience, where his oo I could not be prouder or research more isinfocused der to such a dynamic, innovative,

Elizabeth Jubilee Award, an honorary professorship from the Yunnan Normal University in China, the Wilfrid Laurier University Women of Resistance Award, and a Humanitarian Award from the Walk With Me organization, among many others. An active member of the community, Mayor Halloran is passionate about health care, inclusion and affordable housing, and was the driving force behind Waterloo’s designation as an Age Friendly City by the World Health Organization.

Sean Geobey

th Day, and what better time to and show some appreciation for

avid has twelve years of experience as

Mayor Brenda Halloranthe Director of Marketing at the Ca-

Brenda Halloran mayor of waterloo

renda Halloran is currently serving her second and last term as Mayor for the City of Waterloo. She has been honoured with several prestigious awards, including the Queen

nadian National Exhibition and two years at Ontario Place where he spearheaded the successful Chinese Lantern Festival. He has been with THEMUSEUM for 6 years and mitted to providing accessible formats and communication supports persons with disabilities. If another workedfor hard to reenergize and rebrand THE- format would work better for you, please contact: MUSEUM into what it is today.

us online and join in the conversation at

E. communications@waterloo.ca

David marskell CEO at THEMUSEUM

/citywaterloo

TTY. 1.866.786.3941

What’s your idea to change Waterloo Region? “If I could change or improve our community, it would be to provide more affordable housing options for the residents in our community who need it most. Access to safe, affordable housing will make a difference to young families, persons with disabilities and older adults and seniors wanting to experience all that Waterloo has to offer.”

W. waterloo.ca

AND YOU!

For a week we held an online poll to determine which ideas our community thought should be part of 10 ideas to change waterloo. with almost 1,000 votes cast, we whittled the ideas down to ten.

april 2014 •

COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA \\10 ideas

1 Together we’re bitter brewing co-operative

ogether they’re bitter — at least when it comes to their taste in beer. In truth, the team behind Together We’re Bitter Brewing Co-operative (TWB), is the very opposite. They are completely enthusiastic about building a community of beer lovers in Waterloo Region. “That’s the whole idea,” explained Alex Szaflarska, one of the cooperative members. “Spreading that network and getting people on board and really energizing the community around great beer and great food.” The team of seven co-op members came together because of their own love of great beer and food. A good chunk of the team studies geography at Wilfrid Laurier. But in their spare time, they were hanging out with Culum Canally, who home brews a wide variety of beers. A constant tinkerer, he has over 100 beer recipes. His passion got the wheels turning for the rest of the team — why not open a brew pub?

t The Root working musician’s co-operative will bring musicians and their audiences together to ensure the vitality of Waterloo Region’s music scene. The collective will host shows, promote artists, share resources and provide educational opportunities to help musicians grow and thrive in this community. Audiences will benefit from a stronger music scene with more opportunities to support and enjoy local music. “The K-W scene is happening,” said Richard Garvey, At The Root organizer. “There’s lots going on but it’s happening in pockets of people and there are no structures or consistent ways to reach all our audiences.” A veteran of the K-W music scene, Garvey has been booking shows at Cafe Pyrus in downtown Kitchener for three years. He says that gaining that collective bargaining power is important to ensure that artists are being fairly compensated for their talents. “Right now it’s almost like venues are doing us [artists] a favour and we can’t negotiate better pay,” he explained. “I love to play shows but I also can’t do it for free.” At The Root developed as a way of addressing this inequity. The cooperative proposes two kinds of memberships, which vary on a sliding scale price. Musicians can join the cooperative as working members by paying an annual fee between $10 and $25 and doing a selection of volunteer tasks like postering and playing fundraising shows. “By working together, we [artists] can

01 Hops get ready to be beer 02 Ben Roberts and Culum Canally doing “field research.” 03 Another TWB batch brewing Photographs 01 and 03 courtesy Dawne Taylor-Gilders and Sean Gilders Photograph 02 courtesy TWB But TWB will not be a normal brew pub. The team decided to use the workers cooperative model – which means everyone, from the servers they will eventually hire to the brewer, will make a living wage and get a say in how the business runs. “We wanted to do something a bit different,” said Szaflarska. “[We] wanted to figure out a way to make sure that everybody’s voice was heard.” TWB doesn’t have a physical space yet, but the team behind is planning to start branching into the community by hosting events throughout the next year. They are also doing outreach to gather community support for their project. The goal is to use good food and beer as the jumping off point for contributing to a prosperous community. Everything is building towards opening a bar where people can come for more than just a pint – they can come for the sense of the community. - H.G. Watson

2 At the root working musicians co-operative 01 Janice Lee, Richard Garvey and friend perform at Cafe Pyrus 02 Richard Garvey, the mind behind At The Root working musicians cooperative Photograph 01 courtesy Silvara Bailey Photograph 02 courtesy Steven Goetz

build our audiences and gain collective bargaining power with venues and key industry members,” Garvey said. Community members will join the cooperative as “audience members” by paying an annual fee and joining a mailing list. They will be updated about performances and events, receiving special promotions, tickets and incentives from artists The co-op will host their first community music festival in August 2014. - Juliana Gomez

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10 ideas // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA

3 Social Venture Partners Waterloo Region 01 Jennifer King, Executive Director 02 A Social Ventures Program meeting at the Tannery building in Kitchener 03 SVP Teens program 04 Jennifer King speaks to a group of potential philanthropists Photographs courtesy SVP

ocial Venture Partners Waterloo Region (SVP) is a network of local individuals who believe in building the community and making it a better place. These individuals work together in pooling their financial resources, time, talents and connections to invest in nonprofits, aiding them in reaching the next level in their organization. Formed by Rosemary Smith of the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, SVP is based around a model that started in Seattle in 1997, and is now active in 33 cities. Executive Director Jennifer King describes SVP as an organization for ‘citizen philanthropy’— not just the rich, but anyone within the community willing to donate. “People pool together what they can,” she said. “So it is about getting more money into not-forprofits, helping them to grow and make a bigger impact.” In less than three years, they have invested close to $200,000 in five local nonprofit organizations, as well as donating hundreds of hours in time and talent to help the organizations grow and create more of an impact within the community. King hopes their impact is much wider than investment. “Our bigger mission is really about growing philanthropists,” she said. “How do we get more people engaged in their community? How do we educate each other about what the not-for-profit sector is all about? How do we educate ourselves about issues that are facing kids and families?” “We grew by about 33 per cent last year,

EPYC 2014

n a community brimming with creative activity, the Empowering Proactive Youth and Communities (EPYC) initiative is ensuring that the next generation of social entrepreneurs is supported and nurtured. Co-founders Lucas Rowe and Angel Hammoud both worked on TEDxYouth@Waterloo in 2013. “The biggest problem we were having with TEDx was that it was one day and

02 01 our hope is to do that again every year or better.” Recently SVP began an SVP Teens program, hoping to build young philanthropists and family philanthropy. This program will be making its first grant this summer to a program that helps youth access programs they wouldn’t normally be able to afford. “[SVP’s success] comes down to everyone involved, or even our supporters and not-forprofits, all loving our community,” said King. “That’s why we do this. We love Waterloo Region and we see things that we could improve and we want to work together to make that happen.” - Tegan Thuss

04 nothing came after to further the ability of youth to move forward with ideas generated on that day,” said Rowe. “We thought that was a shame, to not leverage the enthusiasm youth were experiencing on the day-of.” In partnership with Volunteer Action Centre (VAC), EPYC has created a series of experiences for creative youth to help them start successful social-based initiatives. “Part of starting EPYC was navigating existing programs in the community, we weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel,” said Rowe. “It made sense for us to connect with VAC because their mandate connected with ours, and having a partnership with an established and well-connected charity was essential to our success.” Through mentoring and development

programs, the EPYC team works with youth to discover the interests, ideas and skills that will give them direction and prepare them for success after high school. In 2014, EPYC will host a trilogy of initiatives focused on engaging youth in starting their own social enterprises, including connecting them with resources and funding to start up successfully. The first initiative is the SparKW contest, which ran from January 1 to March 30 and accepted idea submissions for social growth in KW from youth under 19. Finalists in the contest will present at the EPYC2014 conference, the second initiative, which will take place on May 13 at THEMUSEUM. The conference will bring 150 K-W youth together with 30 local leaders and

professionals to brainstorm creative solutions for common issues facing communities in K-W. Twenty young innovators will be selected from EPYC2014 and invited to a social entrepreneur summer camp, to be held in July at St. Paul’s College GreenHouse at the University of Waterloo. The camp will be focused on moving the participants towards the creation of a business model and connecting them with the resources to help them see the project through to completion, said Rowe. “The goal is to produce 20 social entrepreneurs who have initiatives and ideas, and connecting those entrepreneurs with strong mentors and opportunities for funding.” For more information, go to epycintiatives. com. - Erin O’Neil.

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magine a Waterloo Region that supported a movement of planting trees and vegetables, along with fruit and berry bushes, on every corner, in every part of town. Sounds implausible, right? Not if Incredible Edible Waterloo has anything to say about it. “The project is just in its inception — I was inspired by a Facebook picture of a small mill town called Todmorden, England, which started the Incredible Edible Campaign,” said project coordinator and volunteer Rachel Thevenard. Through the project, she hopes to increase awareness about food security and the environmental impact of food distribution. Fully embracing a utopian approach to resource sharing, the project would be nowhere without its volunteers and private donors. Supporters of the project plant seeds, maintain their growth, and purchase any supplies. Thevenard hopes governmental support will come as the project grows: “[Right now it’s] friendly smiles and carrots. Government will be involved at a funding level, if possible.” All of the food planted will be free for the taking because Thevenard believes that income should not be a barrier to nutrition. The benefits of the project go beyond unlimited access to delicious food. “Environment will be impacted by less carbon dioxide in the air as the plants change carbon dioxide to oxygen and people walk or bike to pick their food instead of driving to buy it,” said Tevenard. “Animals benefit not only from the improved air quality and environment, but the

ne of three 2014 initiatives run by another 10 Ideas finalist, EPYC (Empowering Proactive Youth and Communities), the SparKW contest challenges youth under 19 in the KW area to submit their best idea for sparking social growth in the region. The contest was designed to empower youth to be socially active in their own community and inspire them to initiate and experience activism first-hand. Contest organizers Tibor Kovacs, Teddy Nikolov and Brad Golding are living this goal: they are student mentees through the EPYC program and took on the contest project as a way of putting their acquired skills to the test. “Our mentor-mentee relationship with Brad, Teddy and Tibor was so informal, we wanted them to be working on a tangible

5 INCREDIBLE EDIBLE Waterloo 01 Rachel Thevenard, the organizer of Incredible Edible Waterloo 02 and 03 The program will encourge people to eat locally - which could mean getting back to nature 01 Matthew Smith, CCE Contributor 02 and 03 Cord file photos

organic produce will also be non- harmful to bees and other insects which pollinate our food.” According to the team, growing food in open spaces makes sense and if the project can be successful in one town, it could be successful here. An ambitious five-year timeline would see vegetable gardens and fruit bushes at all campuses and parks, with food on the tops of buses, and hydroponic greenhouses supplying all the produce in Waterloo Region. “Humans will benefit from eating more vegetables and fruits, and walking or biking to get their produce.” - Anna Beard

03 community-based project that would reflect the skills they were learning,” said Lucas Rowe, co-founder of EPYC. “They came up with the idea of ‘why don’t we run a contest that engages youth?’” The competition, which closed March 30, asked youth contestants to develop their social growth idea into a three to five minute video that not only showed what they wanted to accomplish, but also how they would go about accomplishing it and where they see the idea evolving in one year. The video submissions also had to include a case for why the idea is important to youth and to the community. A committee of SparKW organizers and contributors will have to choose the best of the bunch, and four finalists will be announced in mid-April.

Entries will be judged on the research and credibility of the submission, the creativity, feasibility and ingenuity of the idea, and the articulation and communication skills of the individual or team entry. The organizers hope that the process will expose the creativity of K-W’s youth and get the community to pay attention. “We know there are a lot of good ideas but youth don’t have the sounding board to move that forward or the resources and relationships to make it happen,” said Rowe. The SparKW finalists will be invited to attend the EPYC2014 youth social change conference on May 13, where they will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. Three of the top finalists will win cash prizes from $500 to $2500 to help fund their ideas. Twenty handpicked delegates from the

sparkw EPYC2014 conference, including SparKW finalists, will then head to a social entrepreneur summer camp at University of Waterloo in July to put their ideas into practice. “The goal is to engage youth with ideas to change Waterloo Region, and connect them with the resources to do so,” said Rowe. For more information, go to sparkw.ca. Erin O’Neil.

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10 ideas // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA

Caribbean Dreams 01 The crowd enjoys last year’s Caribbean Dreams concert 02 Kelvin Mahdeo & Narine Dat Sookram 03 Alannah Chantel Mason performs Photographs courtesy Caribbean Dreams

ow in its 12th year, the Caribbean Dreams concert has built its reputation on bringing a little taste of Caribbean life and culture to the K-W community. Organizer Narine Dat Sookram is still happily surprised by the interest the concert generates from all over the region. “We have people from Cambridge coming who are actually part of the show,” he said. Their website has also been getting over 4,000 hits a month from computers all over the world. “We realized we have something going on,” Sookram said. The community-focused event was created to help expose people to Caribbean culture while also giving the Caribbean community an opportunity to have what Sookram describes as a sense of home. The concert highlights a number of performing arts disciplines, from belly dancing to singing. The focus is on developing young

8 LIVELOCAL KW 01 Juliana Gomez, the brains behind the LiveLocalKW intiative 02 Gomez wants people to eat at local restuarants like Ethel’s Lounge Photograph 01 by Matthew Smith Photograph 02 by Nick Lachance

iveLocalKW is a one week challenge for community members to support neighbourhood businesses and organizations by eating, shopping and playing local. The idea for this challenge was formed by Juliana Gomez, whose original approach was to tweet personally about a week during which she lives completely local. She then decided to take it a step further. “I thought that it would be really cool to try to live one week everything local and tweet it to people, and then I thought about it more,” she said. “If I got a lot more people doing it then it would be cool to have businesses do a little something to encourage people to live local for that week.” This challenge would not only benefit businesses that would not necessarily be the first or most convenient choice for residents, but individuals involved would really develop an understanding of their city and what is available to them in their neighbourhood. “I live uptown and the closest coffee place to me is Starbucks, so the challenge would be

or untested talent. Many people come to Sookram who want to perform but may have a touch of stage fright. He helps them along so that by the day of the concert, they’re ready to hop on stage. The result is that some of the earliest stars of Caribbean Dreams have gone on to have professional entertainment careers. Sookram notes that among his alumni are DJs and rappers. “All of that came through this Caribbean Dreams concert,” said Sookram. “The idea is to empower them so they can bring their best out of themselves with the performing arts.” These days, Sookram is never wanting for people to perform at the concert. He’s also turned it into a financially sustainable organization with a number of high profile sponsors. This year’s concert takes place on May 31 at the Country Hills Community Centre. -H.G. Watson.

to walk a little farther and go to Seven Shores or Death Valleys Little Brother,” Gomez said. So far, Gomez has approached different businesses, community groups and community leaders to ask about their interest in the challenge. All of the conversations have been positive. Special discounts will be put in place by local businesses to participants of LiveLocalKW. There will also be special programming scheduled by community groups and organizations, to excite those involved and perhaps engage others in the challenge. It is based on the honour system, with the challenge asking that for any “cheats” you set aside a toonie — and by the end of the week any collection you have from your “cheats” would then be donated to a local non-profit or charitable organization. “I’m building up interest before I set everything up, so that when I do the idea is to have a central website where people can sign up, both individually and businesses,” Gomez explained. “If I can get a good vibe going on, then people will just sign up for it. It’s one of those things that is going to grow exponentially.” Gomez hopes this program will help spur people to step outside their comfort zone, even sparking people to wonder what ‘local’ really means to them. Does it mean everything must be made locally by the business, or could it be a franchise owned and operated by a local resident? “I hope that people will take a closer look at our community and notice that there is a lot of cool stuff going on here and it’s so accessible.” The challenge is set for the week of September 14-24, 2014. - Tegan Thuss.

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Climate Change Toolkit

01 The toolkit launch at Kitchner City Hall 02 Wild weather in Waterloo 03 Kara Schimmelfing speaks Photographs 01 and 03 by Matthew Smith Photograph 02 by Nick Lachance

ased on the transition movement started in the U.K., Transition K-W aims to bring together the community to increase awareness and foster sustainability in the face of the oncoming crises of peak oil and climate change. They have produced a Climate Change Adaptation Toolkit in hopes of empowering residents to take control of how they handle the effects of climate change. By creating a booklet comprised of both actions and resources, Transition KW hopes to turn conversations surrounding adaptation and mitigation into tangible action. “We are so lucky here in the region to have the resources we do,” said co-project manager Kara Schimmelfing. “By focusing on adaptation and preventative action at the individual level, we can make the situation less daunting to the average citizen while seeing real concrete benefits in our community.” The toolkit, which launched at the end of March, promotes the idea that small

improvements can lead to a big shift in how we deal with changing climates. “We hope to reach a variety of individuals in the region from a variety of walks of life through several outreach efforts,” explained Schimmelfing. “Of course we hope that those that visit our website or read our toolkit will be inspired to make one or more changes, but also that this will inspire a wider discussion about preparedness and climate change among friends and neighbours.” From reducing electricity and energy dependence and protecting your home from storm overflows to increasing your use of public transit and taking part in building up your community, the toolkit is broken into sections that make it easy to navigate and digest. “Every single one of us can help build regional resilience. If enough of us work together we can be prepared, as a region, for climate change,” said Schimmelfing. “There is so much potential in this toolkit for

community building and positive change related to our water and energy resources, food and agriculture and transportation systems.” Transition K-W is working with the City of Kitchener and is supported through the Region of Waterloo Community Environmental Fund. The Intact Climate Change Adaptation Project has allowed the group to add the toolkit to libraries within the region. Getting the toolkit into the hands of residents is one thing, but Schimmelfing thinks that it’s the success stories and actions of those same people that will drive the success of the project. “It is hard to say what the positive impact of the toolkit will be at this early stage. We will be tracking the success stories and actions completed by local individuals on our website, toolkit.transitionkw.com.” she said. “We hope over the following seasons to continue adding to and improving the toolkit so it evolves with the region’s progress and feedback.” -Anna Beard.

savvy planet

01 Nerdy cupcakes by Great British Bake 02 Participants at Nerd Fest 2014 03 Charlotte Armstrong on her throne 04 A Nerd Fest attendee tries jumbo Jenga Photographs by Matthew Smith

C 03

harlotte Armstrong gets what nerds want. The self-proclaimed “science fiction super nerd” has a hand in almost all of the cool, nerdy events in K-W, from organizing Ada Lovelace Day to celebrate women in STEM industries to, of course, the now monthly Nerd Nite events in downtown Kitchener. But she saw that there was the need for an organization that could connect all the other great events in town. “For example, with the gaming community, there are so many different monthly events that are happening all over the place,” Armstrong explained. “But they don’t tend to know each other.” And so, Savvy Planet was born. Helmed by Armstrong, it will create what she hopes will be a community building organization that promotes nerd culture and contributes to the knowledge economy in Waterloo Region. One way she plans on doing this is throough her own events. She started on March 29 with Nerd Fest, a mega-sized version of Nerd Nite where double the number of presenters gave talks on subjects as diverse as

sharks and video game history. Meanwhile participants got to try their hand at board and video games – including Oculus Rift, the 3D gaming system recently purchased by Facebook. Armstrong also plans to support other organizations, whether it’s by fundraising to help pay conference registration fees for a deserving student or putting on events that make use of her own know-how. For example, at the upcoming Waterloo Maker Faire on June 14, she and her Nerd Nite crew will be hosting the first ever Waterloo Robot Walk – the shiny, metal cousin of the Zombie Walk as a way of promoting the Maker Faire. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes and make their way down King St. doing their best robot walk. Though an event like Robot Walk is all about fun, Armstrong believes all of these events help enrich Kitchener by creating a community of people who want to learn. “The core base of Waterloo Region … is knowledge economy, which is richer than anywhere else in Canada,” Armstrong explained. “We want to be able to support that.” -H.G. Watson

14• april 2014

URBan Exploring walking with jane

Connecting with your city and your neighbours

COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA

Urban beats y Andrew Poje and Kailtyn Weaver wearing silver The ice dancers brought home the silver medal for Canada at the World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama, Japan on March 29. They scored a 175.45 to finish second to Italian skaters Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte. Weaver and Poje ranked fifth at the Sochi Winter Olympics.

y GO rail services to expand in Waterloo Region In March, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced that the provincial Liberal government plans to extend GO Transit Rail services between Waterloo Region and Toronto. Though the plan does not go so far as to increase service to twoway, it will increase the amount of trains to Toronto. The plan will be laid out in the upcoming provincial budget, but expectations are to have it put into effect by 2016.

y Waterloo Park upgrades held off by winter People enjoy a Jane’s Walk, which promotes urban awareness, through Waterloo Region last year. • PHOTO COURTESY NANCY FORDE

Janine Prew CCE Contributor

very year, all over the world, people come together on the first weekend in May to explore their urban environments and connect with their neighbours. The Jane’s Walk weekend celebrates the ideas and continues the legacy of urban advocate Jane Jacobs. Jacob’s idea was to get people more involved in their communities and more connected with each other. Since its humble beginnings in Toronto in 2007, Jane’s Walk has expanded to include walks in more than 100 cities in 22 different countries. Waterloo Region alone hosted a whopping 17 different walks last year. “She was an urban activist and advocate and she spawned a lot of ideas that are now mainstream for urban planners and designers in how to build cities that are built for people first, rather than built for cars or industry.” said Juanita Metzger, community engagement coordinator at the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council, who is in charge of organizing the

events in this area. The fear is that without proper urban planning we effectively isolate ourselves from each other and subsequently from our environment. “People that go from point A to B to C to D in their cars without ever having contact with each other, their environment, and the places and spaces that make a neighbourhood really hum.” said Metzger. It should come as no surprise that the Crime Prevention Council is helping to promote Jane’s Walk. “We have always maintained that there is a very strong role for neighbourhoods to play in creating safe and healthy communities.” said Metzger. “Research has shown that a more connected neighbourhood means a safer neighbourhood. Those more connected neighbourhoods tend to have a lower fear of unsafety or crime in their neighbourhoods.” Jane’s Walks are as diverse as the cities and people that host them. The free walking tours are led by civic minded locals who want to start a conversation about the places that matter to them. Anybody can lead a walk, and it can be as simple as leading people around your neighbourhood and pointing out the things that

interest you. While many walks will focus on the historical aspects of areas, some will be issue-based with topics like accessibility, safety, re-naturalization, or issues relevant to youth, immigrants or the LGBTQ community. In the past, Waterloo Region has hosted walks highlighting the history of Victoria Park, the industrial past and present of the Breithaupt area, walks through historical downtown Galt, educational tours through the Mount Hope Cemetery, and an informative look at McLennan Park which was at one time a garbage dump. There was even a digital story telling of downtown Kitchener that had walkers using their smartphones to look up video clips that helped tell the story of unique downtown spaces. There’s no sign-up process if you want to participate — just show up, discover your urban environment, and connect with your community! Jane’s Walk will happen this year on May 2,3, and 4. Visit janeswalk.org if you’d like to get involved, lead a walk, or take a walk.

The extensive reconstruction of Waterloo Park has been having issues, due to the unforeseen length of winter this year. Because of this, the project will fail to meet the federal grant deadline of March 31, therefore losing out on their final installment of $15,000.

y Elmira Maple Syrup Festival turns 50 This year the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival celebrates its 50th year, and further stamps its status as one of the area’s oldest festivals. The annual one-day festival has contributed over $1.5 million to local non-profit groups over its half century, and relies on some 2,000 volunteers to ensure it runs smoothly. This year’s festival is set for Saturday, April 5th from 7am to 4pm.

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beSt return

What to do with your refund

Getting a refund? tackle that credit card debt. • COrd File PHOTO

david cameron moore David Cameron Moore is a financial Consultant with investors Group financial Services inc., practicing financial and investment planning, and insurance, tax, and estate planning with successful individuals and families in KW region. find him online at davidcameronmoore.com

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the cord community Edition

ost of us have done it. A tax refund feels like a nice bonus, and the temptation is almost always to take the money and run — to the mall or home renovation store or car lot. But if you do that, then poof — it’s gone. You’ve probably missed an opportunity to improve your financial situation. So what could you have done differently to have an impact on your financial life?

option 1: rrSP Take that tax refund and use it to get a jump on next years’ tax savings. You’ll not only get the deduction for next year, but you’ll get potential growth that you would have otherwise missed by waiting until the end of the year.

option 2: tfSA While there’s no tax deduction for your contribution to a TFSA, the investment income is sheltered from taxes, and you can re-contribute your withdrawals in future years. These make the TFSA a powerful way to save for major purchases or lifestyle enhancements in retirement.

option 3: invest If you’ve maxed your RRSP and TFSA, consider investing in stocks or equity funds. Holding these outside of your registered funds is a good strategy since, if done properly, you’re likely to have favorable tax treatment on capital gains. And don’t forget about the dividend tax credit on Canadian investments!

option 4: rESP This is another great way to tax shelter the growth on your savings, and if you’ve got kids you can’t start soon enough! That university education isn’t going to pay for itself, and by contributing to RESPs, you may be eligible for grants that will have the federal government footing part of the bill.

option 5: Debt Payments Reducing your debt is always a great option. Start with those pesky credit cards, paying the highest interest rate card first. All caught up on the plastic payments? A prepayment on your mortgage, if allowed by your mortgage terms, can save you a bundle.

option 6: rainy Day fund You can always invest your refund into a short term investment. You’ll want something you can have access to without penalty — you don’t want to have to pick when the car or the furnace break down.

option 7: Lose it! Ok, I don’t mean drop it in the park for someone else to find it. I mean take into consideration why you’re getting a refund. It’s really not ideal — the government hasn’t decided to be generous, and you’re not the winner of some clearing house contest they’ve held. What’s happened is you’ve paid too much tax over the year, and the government is giving it back to you — without interest. Fill out a T1213 form on cra-arc.gc.ca to apply to have your withholding tax lowered — and then take the difference and use it wisely! This is a general source of information only. It is not intended to provide personalized tax, legal or investment advice, and is not intended as a solicitation to purchase securities. David Moore is solely responsible for its content. For more information on this topic or any other financial matter, please contact an Investors Group Consultant.

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The LRT, municipal elections, where that ambulance is going, local festivals, new condo developments, what’s happening with old factories, new tech, Google and BlackBerry, statues in Victoria Park, animals in Waterloo Park, local social services — or anything else?

WE like people who ask questions.

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16 • april 2014

urban exploring // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA

CELEBRATING K-W volunteers 2014 Volunteer Impact awards highlight the selfless JUSTIN SMIRLIES CORD EDITOR-INCHief

he KitchenerWaterloo Volunteer Action Centre went back to their roots on April 3 for their 30th anniversary and 9th annual Volunteer Impact Awards at the Victoria Park Pavilion in Kitchener. It was around this time in 1984 when the Volunteer Action Centre set up in the basement of the pavilion to help organizations in the area with their volunteering programs. Since then, the centre’s organizers have seen their involvement within the community grow considerably. They now support 170 organizations with their volunteering needs in the Kitchener-Waterloo area — almost double to what it was in 2002. “Of course, the focus will be on the volunteers,” said Jane Hennig, the current executive director at the Volunteer Action Centre. “We’re always findings ways to connect with the community, something that piques their interest, raises their curiosity and makes of them more aware of who they are.” At the gala on April 3, various volunteers in the area were recognized for their efforts as volunteers and volunteer managers. Some awards included the Award of Merit, which was given to longtime contributor and former executive director, Reva Cooper, and the Stellar Volunteer Award, which was given to the May Court Club of Kitchener-Waterloo. “We are thrilled to be celebrating our 30th anniversary. I’m really proud of where this centre has been and where it’s going,” explained Hennig. “And volunteerism is something ingrained not only in my personal make up but also of our community. So I’m thrilled be part of that.” Furthermore, according to Hennig, the centre has made milestones in the way they offer opportunities to volunteers in the K-W

Debb Ritchie accepts her Volunteer Impact Award at the ceremony last year. • PHOTO COURTESY VOLUNTEER ACTION CENTRE

area, a model that is now being replicated in other communities in Canada. From an office that was once full of binders, Hennig said that they provide all their opportunities through databases online with the help of some faculty at the University of Waterloo. In addition to their online reach, the centre has also been noted for being the first to bring volunteer fairs to communities and volunteer councils. “I’m proud of the fact that Waterloo Region is such a strong community for volunteer involvement and also getting behind the coordination and support of volunteer resources from voluntary organization,” said Cooper,

who was the executive director from 1984 to 1997. “I think technology has made volunteering a lot more accessible to people.” But the centre doesn’t come without its own set of challenges, which increase as funding models change. While the three big municipalities of Waterloo Region and the United Way primarily support the centre, there is always the need for more resources. However, these setbacks sometimes enable the organization to be more innovative with their approach to volunteering, said Hennig. “If the challenge is more need for the services, that’s great. If we can help more people

connected to community organizations, all the better,” explained Hennig. “The truth is that community charities are very innovative, creative and resilient.” These challenges won’t stop the centre for doing what it does best. Hennig hopes that the centre will continue to thrive in the next 10, 15 or even 30 years — as long as there is a need of volunteering. “In my opinion, volunteerism in this community is strong, vibrant and essential of the whole economic make up of the community,” she said. “As the community changes, we change with it. So I don’t see us ever stagnating.”

Reva Cooper’s volunteer merit JUSTIN SMIRLIES CORD EDITOR-IN-CHief

trangely, Reva Cooper’s first volunteer experience when she was 15 wasn’t all that pleasant. “I went to an organization — it was a nursing home — and they said go find someone who is lonely and go talk to them,” said Cooper, the recipient of the Award of Merit at the 9th annual Volunteer Impact Awards on April 3. She added, “I was pretty shy, I didn’t feel comfortable asking people if they wanted to talk.” But little did Cooper know at the time that most of her work in life would be dedicated to volunteering and helping other volunteers get the most of their experiences. After taking some time off from volunteering, Cooper co-founded the Kitchener-Waterloo Volunteer Action Centre in 1984 and served as their first executive director until 1997. In that role,

her main purpose was to support volunteers who might be as nervous as she was when she first walked into that nursing home. Cooper was awarded the Volunteer Action Centre’s first ever Award of Merit in conjunction with their 30th anniversary. The award recognizes Cooper’s contribution to the community not just in volunteer management and support, but also as a volunteer herself. “I feel very strongly about helping both charitable and non-profitable organizations to find and maintain the volunteers they need to accomplish their goals,” said Cooper. To her, volunteers make a strong contribution to the development of Waterloo Region and, as executive director of the Volunteer Action Centre, she wanted to help as many volunteers as she could to find their passion. She also worked hard to establish a solid level of awareness for volunteerism in the community. “For the first 13 years, I worked really hard to raise awareness in our community about

volunteerism, the opportunities for volunteering and the impact of volunteerism,” she said. Cooper currently spends her days as the coordinator for the volunteer certificate management continuing education program at Conestoga College in the region. She also continues to consult and train for various organizations’ volunteer programs in southern Ontario such as the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association and Ontario AIDS Network. Cooper is still a strong supporter of volunteerism in the Kitchener-Waterloo community and continues to volunteer herself. She has sat as the chair of the Volunteer Management Committee for Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life and is involved in many other organizations. “I use part of my time supporting volunteerism and part of my time volunteering myself, and it makes for a full life,” she said. Cooper said that one of her biggest

accomplishments in her long career of volunteerism in this community was the continued existence of the Action Centre and how it continues to thrive. “While I was at the Volunteer Action Centre, we were real trailblazers in many things,” continued Cooper. “The fact that the Volunteer Action Centre is still alive … and the ongoing commitment of the staff and volunteers is I think an accomplishment that I’m proud of.” A common excuse, according to Cooper, from people who don’t volunteer is that they are too busy. Cooper admitted that this is a pretty strong reality in today’s society, but she encouraged everyone to at least consider it. Volunteering doesn’t have to be as time consuming as they think, she said. “Just have a look at what’s out there and then see what ignites your passion.” To learn more about the Volunteer Action Centre visit volunteerkw.ca.

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COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA \\ urban exploring

the 2014 volunteer impact award winners

Along with Reva Cooper, these 12 people and organizations were honoured at the Impact Awards on April 3 Deborah young

REbecca Pister & Jennifer durst

Young has managed volunteers at organizations across the region, including the Doon Heritage Museum and Region of Waterloo Library What does her nominator say? “Deborah Young has been instrumental in leading effective and successful volunteer programs at the Region of Waterloo. Think of Deb, and think of volunteers!”

Adult Ally Award

Doreen fibke

rita ross

Administrative Action Award

Outstanding Leadership Award

Fibke has a reputation as a down-to-earth volunteer at Sunnyside Senior Services and the Arthritis Society. What does her nominator say? “She has made outstanding contributions as an organizer within these groups, and also for the Arthritis Society. For this reason, we feel she is a ‘Shining Star.’”

Ross volunteers at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery ,where she is the president of the board of directors. What does her nominator say? “We know she can always be counted on to honour her commitments, with cheerfulness, enthusiasm and a willingness to help wherever needed.”

ian lang

the may court club of k-w

Volunteer Manager Award

Pister and Durst volunteer at WAYVE, an organization that works against youth violence. They help young people in the region take leadership roles in their communities. What do their nominator say? “They make the youth equals in partnership, leadership, while respecting their opinions and ideas.

Caring Action Award Ian Lang volunteers for the John Howard Society, working with the Youth Justice Committee What does his nominator say? “Ian has demonstrated consistency, reliability and great skill. His wonderful demeanor works well to put people at ease when they are often experiencing stressful situations and allows individuals to openly communicate and share.”

Stellar Volunteer Award

joe paiva

kiran veluvolu

Special Event Award

Outstanding Youth Award

Local businessman Paiva runs a yearly golf tournament that benefits the Arthritis Society and childhood arthritis research. What does his nominator say? “He is...an upstanding example to his fellow business colleagues and to the citizens of Waterloo Region of the satisfaction one gets from contributing to your community through volunteerism.”

Veluvolu is an eager volunteer at THEMUSEUM, where he has contributed over 300 volunteer hours and loves chatting with visitors. What does his nominator say? “This openness to learning new content and developing expertise on various subjects has made him an invaluable asset within our organization. “

tracey johnstonaldworth & randy warren Small Group Engagement Award Johnston-Aldworth and Warren both sit on the Sun Life Financial Waterloo Busker Carnival Board of Directors. What do their nominator say? “Their abilities to organize, influence and find creative solutions have been critical to the ongoing success of the carnival.”

The May Court Club provides services and support to women and children in K-W. What does their nominator say? “The May Court Club is a vibrant organization of members...full of inspiration and above all, invested in our commitment and desire to make Kitchener-Waterloo a better place to live.”

WAYVE REgional Team Youth Engaging Organization Award

MTE Consultants INC. Large Group Engagement Award

COMPASS Kitchener Board or Committee Action Award

WAYVE works to prevent youth violence and help young people work through their mental health issus.

MTE Consultants is an enginnering consultancy firm that has donated money to many different charities, and have gone above and beond when asked for assistance.

A City of Kitchener committee that creates and leads public input processes, in turn engaging the community in civic matters.

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urban exploring // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA

REviews food The Ren @ 41 41 King Street West Kitchener

The best choices aren’t made when you’re aroused. • NICK LACHANCE CCE CONTRIBUTOR

Community Conversations Arousal makes you stupid Stacey jacobs Inside swanky downtown Kitchener resto Ren @ 41. • JESSICA DIK CCE CONTRIBUTOR

Anna Matikainen CCE Contributor

ecently, I decided to take some friends out to a nice dinner for a little taste of luxury in downtown Kitchener at The Ren @ 41. It is an interesting looking building with a cool modern city design. As we arrived, the hostess took our coats and brought us to our table. I liked the lengthy layout of the restaurant because although there were quite a few tables, it felt like a cozy little bistro. Shortly after we were sat, our waiter came to get us something to drink. I was pleasantly surprised with the drink menu— there were quite a few original and innovative cocktails to choose from, which made my decision rather difficult. I decided to try the coconut mango margarita and could not have been happier. It was tangy, sweet, and refreshing — a great way to start my meal. The four of us decided to share two appetizers. We chose the fried risotto balls and the pistachio crusted brie. What I enjoyed most about the appetizers was how well everything on the plate mingled together. The risotto balls had a rich, creamy, smoky flavour and were well balanced with some peppery arugula and a bright tomato sauce with just a little kick. The brie was also a good choice, as it was warm and gooey just like it should be. The port soaked cherries added a lovely sweet element to the dish. I enjoyed the classic combinations — crisp and creamy, salty and sweet. Overall the appetizers were wonderful and perfect for sharing, Next was the main course, I was happy to see Cornish hen on the menu, as it is not

common. The display of the meal on a long plate was elegant. The use of symmetry on the plate kept the dish looking tidy and organized. The flavour of the Cornish hen was lovely, especially paired with a glass of chardonnay. The hen was well seasoned, and instead of it covering up the natural flavour of the hen, the chef accented the flavour and let the hen speak for itself. It was served on a bed of beet relish, which accompanied the hen quite nicely. The legs, stuffed with bacon, leeks and goats cheese, was delicious however the meat was just slightly rubbery — not under cooked but the texture was just not quite right. The flavours of the hen mixed well with the herb mashed potatoes. While they had a unique flavour they did not overpower the dish. Last was the dessert. Although the server forgot to ask about coffee or tea when we asked about dessert they brought us a plate with the a display of the desserts available. I chose to get the raspberry panna cotta and was pleasantly surprised. The presentation was nothing special, but it tasted delicious. The dessert was light, airy and not too sweet. Overall, the restaurant was a lovely experience. I really enjoyed the flavours and they mingled well together creating a real composition. The only complaint I had was that the dark meat from my dinner was just slightly rubbery. However I would absolutely go back for another night out. For more information about the Ren @ 41 vusit renat41.com.

Stacey Jacobs is the Community Sexual Health Educator at Planned Parenthood Waterloo Region,.ppwr.on.ca, and has taught sexuality classes at the University of Waterloo. She has a Master of Science from the University of Guelph and is thinking about completing a PhD.

magine yourself with a partner (or partners) who are making you feel wonderful. You are completely turned on. You are kissing, rubbing, caressing, breathing heavy. Your body says yes, your brain says yes, your voice says yes. You can’t get enough, you feel out of control and you like it. Now imagine yourself thinking about safer sex, birth control, STIs or HIV in this moment. They may cross your mind, you may think about stopping. But be honest with yourself and realize there is a large possibility that you will continue without a condom or birth control. So you keep going. Only after your breathing returns to normal do the consequences of your actions begin to resonate. When in a state of arousal people are in no position to make important and potentially life changing decisions. Blood is flowing into the genitals, not into the brain. You may not consider deciding to wear a condom a life changing decision, but it will be if there is an unplanned pregnancy or you contract an STI or HIV. So what can you do? You can prepare in advance when your brain is working to its full decision making potential. Bring multiple condoms with you when you go out, and having them readily available in your home. Take your birth control as recommended if you are using the pill, the patch, the ring or the shot. Have other forms of birth control on hand if you are using nonhormonal methods such as the sponge, the diaphragm or spermicides.

Know where you can buy emergency contraception (the morning after pill) and know you do not need to wait until the morning after to use it. Know what the three options are if there is a pregnancy (parenting, adoption, abortion) and know that it is the person who is pregnant who gets to choose the option. Think through your feelings on these options before there is a pregnancy and know that you can get an abortion in Waterloo region. Know where you can get tested for STIs and HIV. You do not need a prescription to get emergency contraception as you did in the past. You can buy it at the majority of pharmacies. Some people are buying it in advance and keeping it on hand in case they need it. It does not expire for many years if you store it in a cool dry place at room temperature, which makes buying it in advance a smart decision. The sooner it is taken, the more effective it is at preventing a pregnancy. Many people are also adding internal (female) condoms to their safer sex toolbox, as well as dental dams and gloves. Now some people will say, “But I don’t sleep around and I’m not in a relationship.” That doesn’t matter. Things happen, people happen, drinks happen, parties happen. I have spoken with many people who tell me they had “not planned” for sex to happen. Trust me it does, sometimes when you least expect it. So remember, you may think arousal won’t make you stupid, but it does lessen your ability to make life-changing decisions.

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COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA

arts & culture These streets are royal Gregory O’Brien

yCelebrate Ontario Fund gives Kitchener festivals a boost

CCE Contributor

ailing from Kitchener-Waterloo’s paved cityscape and fresh off the release of their first studio album Kings and Queen, The Royal Streets are buzzing into Canada’s music scene with folkish charm, foot-tapping rhythm and vocal melodies that beg for you to sing along. Friends for as long as they can remember, Algernon Friolet (vocals/guitar), Michael Demsey (guitar) Jillian Dowding (vocals), Eric Stirtzinger (guitar) and Samuel Keating (drummer) became The Royal Streets, when they recently all reunited in KW after a spell apart. “The band officially formed in November of 2012” said Stirtzinger, sharing a glimpse into their musical birth. “We have all known each other as friends and musicians through attending the same high school. But, it wasn’t till later that together we formed The Royal Streets.” After a few months of experimenting and honing their sound, the band added a finishing touch — Keating, the drummer. They haven’t looked back since. “I would say we got where we are today on a steady build during our first full year as a band based on trial and error, experimentation, and sheer determination to make music we love to play,” said Stirtzinger. “I think I can speak for the band when I say we are very proud with where we are and how we’ve gotten here.” “Our sound comes from the experiences we have together, and what we grew up on,” said Dowding. “Even if the references aren’t apparent to everyone, its Kitchener-Waterloo that made and continues to make us who we are.” On March 6, The Royal Streets released their first album, Kings and Queen. Recorded at Catherine North Studios in Hamilton, and produced with the help of the talented Dan Hosh, Kings and Queen represents an ambitious and thematically

The Royal Streets are prepping for a third tour. • PHOTO COURTESY THE ROYAL STREETS

driven accomplishment for the band. “We wanted the record to be our official ‘welcome to the world’ calling card. If someone asks, who are The Royal Streets, we would want the response to be ‘check out Kings and Queen, that’s who they are’,” said Stirtzinger. “It’s simple — we wanted to sound like us. We have a unique sound that we all love and that’s what we wanted to capture.” Stirtzinger describes the group’s sound as elegantly cohesive musicianship with beautifully crushing vocals. Fans would agree. The Royal Streets have crafted a sound that draws on influences from Arkells, Said the Whale, and The Lumineers, presenting folk rock that feels close to home, yet carries a sound that is uniquely their own. It’s that sound that will take them back on the road across Ontario and Eastern Canada this spring. “We’ve just completed two and are preparing to leave for our third Eastern Canadian Tour. That includes most of the major cities from

Waterloo to Halifax with a few special stops in between,” Friolet said. “We can’t wait to show all our easterly friends what we’ve been up to.” For The Royal Streets, making music and bringing it to their fans is more than just a moment on the stage — it’s an unforgettable experience shared by everyone touched by the moment. “The first time I ever heard a crowd sing our lyrics back, we did a sold-out show in Waterloo where everyone seemed pretty into the set. About halfway through, we played ‘Some Think,’ which was the first single off the record and the first song from the record we’d shown anybody, and as soon as we hit the chorus the whole front row sang it right back at us. It was awesome and weird and transcendental,” said Keating. The Royal Streets play music to let your mind get taken away with, and if you let them, you just might enjoy going along for the ride. Catch The Royal Streets at Maxwell’s Music House in Waterloo on May 3.

vocal cord We went around town and asked

Are you excited for the Big Music Festival to come to Kitchener?

Arts beat

“Yeah, that sounds awesome. I love Aerosmith and Bryan Adams is awesome!”

“Has beens on Mount Trashmore? No thanks!”

Hiba Amin

Amy Aldous

Announced in mid-March, a number of local festivals are getting a financial boost. The Big Music Festival, which is new to the line-up this year, is hitching a ride down Highway 401 from Belleville to Kitchener and received $272,500 from the Province. According to the announcement, the Kitchener Blues Festival received just under $60,000, while Neruda Arts Kultrun Summer Festival and KOI Music Festival received just over $35,000 and $34,000 respectively. We can’t wait to see what this summer festival season brings to the table.

y Drayton entertainment goes ‘Blonde’ Opening April 23, the blockbuster-turned-musical Legally Blonde will take over the St. Jacob’s Country Playhouse for three pink-filled weeks. Staring Jayme Armstrong as California girl Elle Woods, there’s no doubt that this dose of pep and pizazz will help us all launch into spring.

y CAFK+A and Open Ears team up for joint biennial This coming June will be the first time Contemporary Art Forum of Kitchener and Area and Open Ears team up to celebrate a month of beautiful visual art and sound-making. Events will take place both indoors and out, in spaces across the region. CAFK+A’s exhibition will open May 31 and run through the month of June. Open Ears, which celebrates its eighth biennial, will have programming that runs June 5 to 15. With two separate but complementary themes, this partnership should embody the collaborative spirit found in Waterloo Region.

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ARts & CULTURE // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA

The steep cost of creativity

Local artists are finding it hard to stay afloat and in the game

Downtown Kitchener’s Globe Studios is one of few places that offer affordable studio space for artists in the community. • ANYA LOMAKO CCE CONTRIBUTOR

Anya Lomako CCE Contributor

aterloo Region seems like the perfect place to foster a creative and involved community. For example, according to the City of Waterloo, the Uptown Public Square hosts more than 400 events and attracts more than 160,000 people annually, which makes sense given Waterloo’s growing population and tech boom. However, while arts and culture is growing rapidly, there may not be room for more than one successful sector. Start-up culture has proven itself vital to the success of the region. At the same time, its success is driving up costs and slowly pushing those supporting arts and culture out of accessible urban spaces. “I don’t know how media artists swing it. I know poetry artists can more or less work with the space that is given to them. We often have practices in the park or in random alleyways,” said Beth Murch, 2013 Captain of KW Poetry Slam Team. Murch says that despite local government’s commitment to supporting artists, finding space to create and curate art is a constant struggle. The region’s tech incubators like Communitech and Velocity have professionals flocking to the area to be a part of the action. As a result, Waterloo’s population growth of 1.73 per cent per year shows no signs of slowing

down in the near future — population is projected to grow from 542,100 in 2010 to 729,000 people by 2031. Due to this increase, entrepreneurs and start-ups are looking to secure the same commercial spaces as local artists. With increased demand comes increased cost, and affordable resources are finite. David Jensenius, a sound artist from Brooklyn, New York, now working out of Kitchener, considered renting a space in the Breithaupt Block or The Lang Tannery before realizing that the term “starving artist” exists for a reason. “The prices there are astronomical. Totally out of the range of someone who doesn’t have start-up funding,” said Jensenius. “I get the sense — although I can’t back this up with any sort of fact — that with the changes in culture that have been happening in the region, and with start-up culture getting bigger - those prices are probably going to continue to go up and spaces like that are going to become a premium,” he explained. Both the City of Kitchener and the City of Waterloo are aware of looming urban challenges in the region and have recently added arts and culture to their respective economic development plans. Considering the region is known primarily for its technological productivity, adding the arts sector to the economic equation is a novel concept. “I think what has often happens is that people think arts and culture is nice to have – it’s a frill,” said City of Kitchener art and culture economic development coordinator, Emily Robson. Alternatively, the restructured economic

development plan is trying to “shift the conversation” to one where the arts can flourish instead of being in constant need of saving. “It’s about investing in a sector of our community and a part of the economy that is of tremendous benefit in an economic sense, and a place-making sense as well,” Robson said. However, Murch and other community artists are dealing with the reality of limited creative spaces in the now. Her main concern is that “it’s hard to find a space that’s safe, big enough, accessible enough and affordable.” KW Poetry Slam’s 101 Workshop was recently hosted at Murch’s home in Kitchener. Aside from creating a cozy atmosphere, it helped cut down on event costs for the group. The issue of affordability is partly why the City of Kitchener is considering an inquisition into the region’s underutilized spaces. Instead of building more venues, Robson suggests that re-using commonly underutilized spaces, such as churches, may be a better solution. “In some ways, it’s really more feasible to figure out how to re-deploy existing resources,” she said. While the picture may look bleak for underfunded artists, support systems for organizations in the community do exist. The City of Waterloo offers a community cash grant program to sustain arts and culture organizations, festivals and events. The Button Factory and the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery are among the recipients. Like Kitchener, Waterloo has recognized the value arts and culture can play in the long-term growth of the region.

“The City, as well as our community partners such as The Uptown BIA and [the Creative Enterprise Initiative], has approved a new culture plan to enhance our cultural amenities with new initiatives and opportunities being explored this year and based on a 10 year plan,” said Ryan Mounsey, manager of expansion and retention services in Economic Development for the City of Waterloo. Furthermore, the City of Waterloo is collaborating with the Creative Enterprise Institute (CEI), an organization that looks to support creative initiates that make Waterloo Region a better place to live, work and play by promoting services to the community through including, grandsocial.ca Among other things, the site helps artists track available venues and promote local events. “If you look at places that Globe Studios or CEI are offering, it’s much more affordable,” said Jenesius. He currently rents out a unit from Globe Studios. “It’s not dirt cheap, but I have great heat, I have great light, I have a big window and it’s not breaking the bank.” Globe Studios is located in Downtown Kitchener and provides affordable studio space to over 30 professional artists. The future of arts and culture in the region is still undecided given that this chapter of Kitchener and Waterloo’s economic development plans are still in their formative stages but it is apparent that both cities are willing to push for their prosperity.

This story was suggested via #CCEinvestigates. Let us know what you want us to investigate on Twitter.

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COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA \\ ARts & CULTURE

A lens-eyed view of kitchener

1000 photographs attempt to showcase beauty and diversity We asked Matt to give us the scoop on a few of his favourite photos. “These are some of the windows on the lovely old Rumple Felt building in the Warehouse District. I included the “purpose” in the top corner to help raise the question of why the windows on the top and bottom are different and what purpose was needed when they were changed from the original, middle style.”

Matthew Smith poses with his gear in downtown Kitchener. • PHOTO COURTESY MATTHEW SMITH

Anna Beard Arts & Culture editor

rom disposables and early digital cameras to his favourite Canon 60D and 17-40mm wide angle lens, Waterloo Region’s latest up and coming photographer has high hopes of creating a comprehensive set of photographs that scream, “This is Kitchener.” Matthew Smith, a 21-year-old photographer and Kitchener native, has a new project for 2014 — the Kitchener 1000 project. The project aims to document the city one photo at a time. “I really want people to see Kitchener in a new light, whether it’s something like an undiscovered shop or restaurant, or a totally different perspective on a familiar building or landmark,” he explained. “I want it to be a reflection of what Kitchener means to me but more so to challenge or help create a story of what Kitchener means to the viewer.” Smith is one of a number of residents who are looking to change the way Kitchener is perceived through art. He hopes to use the project to shine a light on the beauty of the city starting with downtown. “Downtown is really the hive of activity and community in the city; there are lots of people, lots of action and there’s always something going on so I think that buzz really draws me in, not just as someone who enjoys photographing it, but as someone who loves to spend time there as well,” said Smith. The project will be as diverse as Kitchener itself with varieties in style, season, architecture,

location and neighbourhood “I am going to do my best to bring a variety of images to the project and the seasons are a great way to do that,” said Smith. “The project will have a taste of many different neighbourhoods, but Belmont Village, Midtown, King East, and Bridgeport will definitely get lots of love.” A project of this size is no small feat but surprisingly, Smith came to it organically. “Many photographers do 365 projects which involves taking one photo every single day for one year and I think I took a bit of inspiration from that idea on one of those nights where you just can’t seem to slow your mind down, then it just came together,” explained Smith. He chose 1000 photographs because he wanted a project that would be both challenging yet flexible and free of repetition. Raised in Kitchener, Smith explained that it is his familiarity with the area that inspired him to stay close to home instead of focusing on the twin cities for his project. “I would love to just say that we always had a fierce rivalry with Waterloo during my minor hockey days so now I’m getting back by not including them. But really it’s because I was raised in Kitchener and I have a more local knowledge to help me get around and find interesting things to shoot,” he said. “I am going to make an effort to branch out into Waterloo more this year so I can experience more of what both cities have to offer and possibly start a Waterloo 1000 project for next year.” To check out Matthew’s 1000 Kitchener Project, visit kitchener1000.tumblr.com, or follow him on Twitter @mattskw.

“I know we’re all sick of winter by now but this shot was taken from Victoria Park the day after a fresh new coat of the white stuff. It’s always nice to see the snow stay on the trees so I took the opportunity to capture the mix of nature’s beauty with the many different buildings seen from the park.” “Another shot featuring one of my favourite buildings, Kitchener City Hall, in a super high contrast black and white. City Hall has really been the focal point of the city ever since it was built 20 years ago and it continues to serve not only as an incredible and versatile space but as something that really connects the community.”

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ARts & CULTURE // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA

Encore Encore! REviews Inside a Kitchener institution

books I Was There the Night He Died Ray Robertson (2014) Biblioasis David Worsley CO-Owner, words worth books

A customer browses at Encore Records in Kitchener. • NICK LACHANCE CCE CONTRIBUTOR

BOB EGAN CCE CONTRIBUTOR

hen Blue Rodeo came through Kitchener recently to play Centre In The Square, they were accompanied by a film crew from the National Film Board documenting their life on the road. When the band was asked where they should be interviewed several members insisted on “that cool indie record store, Encore.” That national touring musicians know and seek out Encore Records should come as no surprise. The store’s owner, Mark Logan, is wellknown across the country for both his passionate support of independent musicians and the breadth and depth of his well-curated music store. Over a recent coffee, Logan discussed his career. “I’ve worked at Encore since 1985 then bought into the ownership in 1989. It was just L.P. records then, long before CDs and the Internet. Back then, business was booming, people bought a lot of music,” he said. “Things have changed considerably in the past 30 years.” Have they ever. Recorded music sales plummeted 50 per cent since 2000 alone. Factor in online streaming, downloading and the purchasing power and pricing of large retailers and the result is the disappearance of independent stores like Encore. How does he keep going? “I get joy from music, it is as simple as that. I have to be very hands-on and adapt quickly. I have to know my clientele and be able to constantly re-focus to deliver what they want, but at the end of the day, this is not about the money. This is what I get joy from,” said Logan. Joy — not many people are able to describe

their work with that term. It doesn’t stop at selling records. Logan also finds joy in his other “occupational passion” — his record label, Busted Flat Records. The label was formed in 2003 to promote and distribute a recording by local, globetrotting troubadour Shannon Lyon. “I believed in his music and wanted it to be heard far and wide, so I did the logical thing and started my own label,” said Logan. The label has morphed over the past decade into a platform for worldwide exposure and sales. Busted Flat Records is distributed throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Holland and Australia. With the label, Logan’s passion for music plays a big role. “I must love a record to stand behind it. The work that it takes today for an indie label to effectively release a record in this oversaturated and hypercompetitive environment is, well, staggering. You have to love the music to invest work and money into it.” A look at the Busted Flats roster reveals the music Logan loves. It also reveals his commitment to nurturing local musicians on the world stage. Artists such as Steve Parkinson, Paul MacLeod, Lynn Jackson, Lucas Stagg, Daddy Long Legs and Cheryl Lescom call Busted Flats home. This commitment has also brought several internationally renowned artists to Logan’s label including Carla Olson and Matt Andersen. We in the Waterloo Region are fortunate to have Mark Logan serving as a musical anchor and as a music ambassador for our community. Stop by Encore Records and take in both the history and the future of music. You just might feel the “joy.” Encore Records (encorerecords.ca) is located at 54 Queen St. W, Kitchener. You can find Busted Flat records at bustedflatrecords.com

hen I was considerably younger, I buried my head in books to figure out my place in the world: how it worked, what was worth pursuing and what was interesting. That often meant reading novels full of angry young men or by angry young men — whatever came close. It seems we’ve gotten away from all that. Russell Smith, arts writer for the Globe and Mail says he “feels sorry” for young men now, as they are chronically underfed by the modern novel. There are numerous exceptions to that statement, but I do see a kernel of truth in what he’s saying. However, I humbly offer Ray Roberson’s great new novel, I Was There The Night He Died as a testosterone-fuelled corrective. Robertson has been around for years, with six novels and a couple essay collections to his credit. The new book takes place in Chatham, Ontario, which Robertson says has “all the problems of a big city with all the inconveniences of a small town.” Central character Sam Samson is a writer burdened with his father’s Alzheimer’s, spiraling debt and the recent death of his wife. His problem is simply that he’s drowning in his sadness. Still, our guy sucks it up and gets on with caring for his father, leading him back to the

MUSIC Mr. Little Jeans Pocketknife

Anna Beard Arts & Culture editor

r. Little Jeans, also known as Monica Birkenes, debut album Pocketknife officially dropped for public consumption on March 25 but like many Nordic songstresses before her, the follow through is just as brilliant as the build up. Birkenes’ first gave us a taste of talent back in 2011 with a cover of Arcade Fire’s track “The Suburbs.” Combining her gorgeous vocals with a down-tempo version of the track made more than a few people fans and raised her international profile dramatically. The track currently has over 10,000 likes on Soundcloud and almost 887,000 plays. Pocketknife is an electro-pop beauty that combines Birkenes’ breathy lyrics and an insatiable groove. With songs like “Rescue Song,” “Runaway,” and “Lady Luck,” this

small town of his youth, a place he left as soon as time would allow. Here, he comes upon a teenage girl, Samantha, and an unlikely friendship forms. Recreational drug use, loneliness and the shared desire to be anywhere other than where they are, fuel a staggered but sweet dalliance, and despite the pathos involved, you have to root for characters as human as this. I Was There The Night He Died doesn’t read like a lot of Canadian fiction. It’s urban, has a lot of alt-country and obscure rock and roll in it, and it’s not trying to turn anyone into a better human being. It’s just a great story populated by some very real, very flawed characters. Granted, no one who works for the Chatham Chamber of Commerce will be too thrilled, but I think many of the rest of us will remember fondly a life not too far removed from our own, and have a laugh on the way

album really sets the stage for a much-desired spring-like adventure complete with sun-drenched mornings and bicycles. The back half of the album has a handful of tracks that let fans catch their breath after dancing up a storm. The famed cover of “The Suburbs” slows your pulse while filling your heart. “Heaven Sent,” and “Far from Home” both bring listeners to their knees before launching into the final track “Valentine.” The final track on the album brings every element together for one final hurrah before diving into a hidden track — an orchestral version of the album’s second track “Mercy.” It isn’t all about the feeling you get when you listen to this brilliant first chapter. The technical aspects of the album are beautiful as well. Stellar transitions that read like a book, the album has great production value — everything is in balance. All in all, this album is perfect and exactly what listeners need to break them out of a terrible winter funk. Then again, any album with a track titled “Oh Sailor” and features a children’s choir is one for the books. If one listen to Mr. Little Jeans’ current single “Good Mistake” doesn’t make you want to get up and dance then, stay hibernating — spring isn’t the season for you anyway.

april 2014 • 23

COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA \\ ARts & CULTURE

listings music April 4 Lydia Persaud The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $15 Kitchener Blues Festival Launch Party The Walper Hotel, 7:00 p.m., $60

April 5 Lorne Lofsky Trio The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $16

April 6 Ian Taylor & Friends: Open Blues Jam Session Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans, 1:00 p.m., $2

April 10 Ron Hawkins & the Do Good Assassins w.s.g. The Peter Elkas Band and Lindy Starlight Social Club, 8:00 p.m., 19+, $18 adv.

April 11 Aisles w.s.g. RGB Starlight Social Club, 8:00 p.m., 19+, $10 adv

Kevin Coates and Don Featherstone Lancaster Smokehouse, 8:00 p.m. Big Band Theory The Registry Theatre, 8:00 p.m., $25

april 12 Dave Thompson The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $20 Folk Night: Maria Dunn and Cara Luft The Registry Theatre, 8:00 p.m., $16 adv

April 18

Mounties Starlight Social Club, 8:00 p.m., 19+, $18 adv

arts April 4 Gallery M Presents: Offbeat Calling Gallery M, 12:00 p.m. Exhibition at KW|AG - Provisional Futures by Tristram Lansdowne KWAG, 12:00 p.m. UWAG Presents: Blank Slate | 40th Annual Fourth Year Undergraduate Exhibition UWAG, 12:00 p.m. Reception for April Rotunda Gallery exhibit: Ériu by Lauren Judge Kitchener Rotunda Gallery, 5:00 p.m. CCP Presents: “The Nightingales” Cambridge Community Players, 8:00 p.m., $15 KWLT Presents: The Dover Road K-W Little Theatre, 8:00 p.m., $15

April 12 The Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party The Registry Theatre, 10:00 a.m., $12

April 14

Words Worth Books & The New Quarterly present: Indie Lit Night Starlight Social Club, 7:30 p.m., 19+

April 29

PubLit Night Firkin @ the Tannery, 7:00 p.m., 19+

community

Andrew McAnsh Sextet The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $15

April 12

April 19

Earth Day Celebration Waterloo Public Library - McCormick, 10:30a.m.

The Hellig Manoeuvre The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $18

April 25

April 19 43rd International SketchCrawl Angel’s Diner, 9:00 a.m.

Momentous Sextet The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $22

April 23

April 26

An Hour of Code Waterloo Public Library - Main branch, 7:00 p.m.

Kitty Pryde Starlight Social Club, 7:00 p.m., 19+, $12 adv

April 25

Tim Louis Quartet The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $18

Waterloo Region Food & Drink Show The Aud, 5:00 p.m.

May 2 The 24th Street Wailers w.s.g special guest Daddy Long Legs Starlight Social Club, 7:00 p.m., 19+, $15 adv

May 4 Come On Live Long w.s.g. Joe Nolan Starlight Social Club, 8:00 p.m., 19+, $8

To feature your event listing in the Cord Community email details to culture@thecord.ca

Community.thecord.ca

Rufus John Quintet The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $15

May 8

COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA

â&#x20AC;˘ april 2014

partyonona atrain trainin in K-W... K-W... AA party at 7 p.m. the train Central leaves Station June 20 theJune train21leaves Waterloo Waterloo Central Station for parts unknown for parts unknown

Tickets on sale May 23 @ noon Tickets on sale May 23 @ noon, $45, 19+ $45, 19+

For information ticket sales, and Tickets and moreoninformation canthe be trip found at sponsorship opportunities, visit community.thecord.ca/steelrails community.thecord.ca/steelrails