Get lost in Cambridge urban exploring, Page 8
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Waterloo Region’s independent monthly • Volume 2 Issue 8 • may 8, 2014 • community.thecord.ca
wAtERlOO’s wild wEAthER As the weather gets more extreme, governments learn to adapt h.g. wAtsOn edITOR-IN-ChIeF
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rt Janzen was away from his office during last December’s ice storm when he was texted a photo from one of his employees. A woman driving past Menno S. Martin Contractor Ltd, the construction company Janzen heads as president, had slid off the road and wedged her car between the posts holding the company’s sign. Luckily, she wasn’t hurt. But the sign had to go. “We have been talking about redoing the signage in front of our shop,” said Janzen. “So it prompted that change.” Their story was fortunately one of the more humorous ones to come out of the ice storm that dumped 10 to 30 mm of freezing rain across Ontario in late December and left some people in the region without power for days. Extreme weather, like the kind we experienced this winter, is becoming more normal as climate change raises temperatures and changes weather patterns. While things like a damaged sign, or a house roof or car, are replaceable, the focus is fast moving away from response to mitigation and adaptation and — should the unthinkable happen — emergency management. Jason Thistlethwaite is the director of the Climate Change Adaptation Project at the University of Waterloo. He believes that municipalities are at the front line of climate change, something that became readily apparent not only with the ice storm in December, but with the series of violent storms that have rolled through the area in the last year. “To be honest I’ve never experienced weather like the weather we have had over
• STeVeN STINSON CCE CONTRIBUTOR
the last 12 months,” he said, noting that the region experienced three prolonged power outages related to ice storms in the winter and a violent thunderstorm in July 2013. Municipal infrastructure programs have a direct impact on how well that weather is handled. This became clear in Toronto, where
they reduced their tree canopy maintenance program the same year the ice storm struck. “That canopy program would have probably lowered the losses for the ice storm that hit in December,” said Thistlethwaite. Toronto’s city manager reported that ice storm costs reached about $106 million, with
the city’s forestry department incurring the majority of that cost. Damages sustained from the ice storm were estimated to be around $1.2 million in Waterloo region. Kitchener-Wilmont Hydro incurred costs of about $300,000 from Continued on page 4 >>
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• STEVEN STINSON CCE CONTRIBUTOR
IN this issue
#CCEInvestigates
WILL Be Back in the FEATURE Wild weather in K-W June 2014 Issue Along With the COVER As the weather gets more extreme, second Annual Waterloo region staff prepare to adapt NEWs 3 4 5 6 6
Students put down roots in K-W Wild weather continued Why aren’t mayoral candidates online? Privacy isn’t so sacred anymore Challenging sexual assault myths
URBAN EXPLORING 7 Waterloo tries for a bake sale record 8 Get lost in Cambridge 10 Find out what’s in your cosmetics ARTS & CULTURE 11 12 13 14 15
Maxwell’s says goodbye and hello Words Worth Books looks turns 30 UWAG gets academic for MFA Thesis Reviews Listings
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.
Every issue we highlight five people who have made a contribution to keep the CCE going. Want to help? Email communityeditor@thecord.ca
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May 2014 •
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NEWS STUDENTS STAYING IN K-W Making a life in the Tri-Cities after University CCE contributor
On June 12, Ontarians will be asked to cast a vote for provincial elections. Premier Kathleen Wynne visited Lt.-Gov. David Onley May 2, and asked him to dissolve the legislature after the New Democrats announced they had lost confidence in the Liberals and would vote with the Progressive Conservatives to defeat the budget.
F
y June election sparks need for candidates • Joshua Awolade GRAPHICS DESIGNER
communications and film studies from Wilfrid Laurier University. She then travelled across the street to Conestoga College where she obtained a diploma in radio broadcasting. That’s where she met her husband and the two have been living in the area ever since. Andrew Dodds, a graduate from UW, said he chose to stay in K-W because of his love for the community, not because of employment. After graduating in 2011, he searched for 18 months until he found a position at Systematix Inc., a local automation and manufacturing company. Dodds, who graduated with a mechanical engineering degree, had much more difficulty finding work than some of his fellow alumni. For Waterloo, which has gained the reputation of being a lucrative tech hub, there are concerns as to whether there are job opportunities available for those who are not in the tech sector. “Certainly a lot of work has been going on in the high tech sector,” Dodds said. “We talk about the high tech sector and we can’t talk enough about the opportunities that there are to join in.” Dodds believes that the city should renew the focus on presenting different employment opportunities.
“You have an amazing opportunity to pack 50,000 students into the community.” According to Ryan Mounsey, the City of Waterloo is trying to do just that. Mounsey is the manager of expansion and retention services with the city, and a UW alumnus. He explained that the city has established a number of programs to reach out to recent graduates and current students. The economic development division will work very closely with WLU and other post-secondary institutions to promote culture and student retention in Waterloo. “2014 is going to be a big year,” Mounsey said. “We’re developing the work plan, we have new projects, new team members and we’re going to tackle this head on.” K-W might not be the end destination for the emerging class of 2014, but it was certainly a place where the journey began. For Schummer, who now calls Waterloo her home, she says that that it all began once she stepped on her university campus. “The second I got here it just felt like home,” she said.
vocal cord We went to the Waterloo public square and asked:
Are you going to follow the Provincial election?
News beat y Call to the polls, we’ve got an election
Ashley denuzzo
or some, four years in Waterloo just isn’t enough. An increasing number of students have decided to call K-W their new home once they have reached alumni status. In fact, Wilfrid Laurier University’s alumni services revealed that out of a total of 85,420 alumni, 12,429 are now living in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, including Cambridge. That’s 14.5 per cent of graduating students who never return home. “You get a taste of adult life,” said Maeve Strathy from Laurier. Strathy herself came to Waterloo from Toronto to attend university at WLU. She graduated back in 2010 with an English degree and now works as a development officer for annual giving at WLU. “A lot of people have a self-discovery process when they are in university and it takes them to where they want to be,” Strathy said. “To replicate that somewhere else can be hard.” Students are particularly significant to the local economy, culture and social society. The Region of Waterloo recently put out an annual report that evaluated how many students occupy the area. Lucille Bish, the director of community services for the Region of Waterloo, told The Cord they estimate current student enrolment for UW, WLU and Conestoga College is 58,860. “We went through and took off a number of students who commute in or are on co-op,” Bish said. “So we think that the people actually living here in the region coming to school and making use of the services is at 48,860.” So, what is it about the K-W area that keeps graduating students around? For Care Schummer, class of 2008, it was the Waterloo community. “There’s plenty of reasons to settle down here,” Schummer said. “For me it’s that sense of community and there’s the convenience of that.” Schummer graduated with a degree in
3
“Not really. I’ve been hearing stuff on the radio. I’m more interested in federal politics.” Joel Brady, Student, Conestoga College
“Yes. I listen to CBC every morning and I’ve been intrigued by the coverage.” Kirsty Budd, Community Manager, Student Success Office, University of Waterloo
“Yes, I am always interested in provincial politics.” Eric Thuss, Water Protection Analyst
While the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives have candidates in all four of the Regions ridings, the New Democratic Party and the Ontario Green Party need candidates for the ridings of Kitchener-Conestoga and Cambridge. The NDP are holding a nomination meeting on May 12 for the KitchenerConestoga position, while the Cambridge position has no set date, but will likely be an “uncontested” nomination. As for the Green Party, they are still accepting applications for the positions.
y K-W Health Link program to aid our sickest Lead by The Centre for Family Medicine Family Health Team, K-W Health Link aims to co-ordinate care provided by agencies to those sickest in our community. Launched in January 2014, the service is expected to serve no less than 700 residents and to ease the demands on local emergency rooms. The K-W Health Link is governed by a steering committee, with representation from primary care, Grand River Hospital, St. Mary’s General Hospital, Waterloo Wellington Community Care Access Centre, community agencies and the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network.
4 • May 2014
NEws // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA
K-W adapts to wild weather Strong storms could be our “new normal”
• STEVEN STINSON CCE CONTRIBUTOR
Continued from cover >>
cleaning up debris from downed trees and restoring power. Homeowners also suffer as the weather gets worse. Janzen says Menno S. Martin Contractor Ltd, which has been business for 75 years, has definitely seen a rise in the number of home repairs related to weather. “I think overall our weather patterns have changed so much that I see that more and more it has an adverse effect on property and overall maintenance,” he said. While being able to respond effectively to storms is important, preparation will lower the costs for both the municipality and for homeowners and citizens. It’s why many municipalities are now focused on mitigation and adaptation, recognizing that extreme weather may now simply be a fact of life. In Cambridge, city staff are readying a proposal for city council that will significantly reduce the threat urban flooding poses to the area. Bob Paul, director of design and development at the City of Cambridge, explained that the goal is to let water go where it wants to go, instead of into people’s basements. “We have 29 per cent tree canopy, which is the best in the region,” he said. “Each tree holds 1000 liters [of water] which is good. If we had a plan to increase our canopy to 50 per cent, we are adapting for a wetter climate.” His office will present their plan to Cambridge city council in January. They hope to reach the 50 per cent goal by 2050. Waterloo and Kitchener are also working on adapting to the realities of climate change. At Waterloo city council, city staff from water services and forestry recently made presentations outlining their adaptation planes. City staff in Kitchener are also scheduled to present their climate change adaptation plans to council in August.
All of the municipalities have also signed on to the Climate Action plan, which mandates that they’ll reduce greenhouse gases in the area by six per cent — the equivalent of taking 56,000 cars off the road. While anything that slows the pace of climate change is good, most experts agree that drastic change will have to take place if we want to keep the Earth from warming at an alarming pace. A recently release United Nations report found that greenhouse gases will have to be reduced 40 to 70 per cent by 2050 to avoid hitting the 2 degree rise cap. Without that, the UN warns humans will have to focus on surviving, not stopping, climate change. Thistlethwaite points out that with or without climate change, we experience violent storms in southern Ontario. Waterloo region is just north of Ontario’s tornado alley, so most residents aren’t strangers to the occasional tornado warning. But evidence suggests that climate change will make these storms more violent. “One of the big concerns is that the type of tornadic activity that you see in the US south — particularly across the US plains that are really dangerous — could move further north as the climate changes,” he said, noting that while that is a long term concern, we have already seen a rise in tornadic activity in southern Ontario. “Basically you get much warmer weather earlier in the year when it’s still cool,” Thistlethwaite said. “That mixing of hot and cold is what generates the violent thunder storms.” This is why emergency management has become a key component of preparing for wild weather that may be caused by climate change. The week of May 4 is Emergency Preparedness Week in the region, but officials are hopeful they can ensure people are aware and ready all year round.
Be ready for wild weather
People really need to keep a collective memory of weather and ground it a little more. Jason Thistlethwaite, director of the Climate Change Adaptation Project at the University of Waterloo “The responsibility always lies with the individual and from there you assist and work with the other partners,” said Steve LaRochelle, program manager at the Emergency Preparedness Office at the Region of Waterloo. They are trying to ensure that locals are prepared for any emergency. During last year’s ice storm, some people had to live a few days without power or move into a temporary shelter in order to get out of the cold. LaRochelle notes that being prepared means having everything you need ready in case you have to leave or are trapped. It’s also important not to forget that wild weather does happen — and will happen again. “People really need to keep a collective memory of weather and ground it a little more,” said Thistlethwaite. “Because we all of a sudden forget we spent 20 hours without electricity and trees were down.”
Have an emergency prepardness kit Every home should have an emergency preparedness kit that will last them 72 hours, whether they are stay at home or are forced to leave. LaRochelle recommends that kits include items that are important to you personally, like medication, identification and food for your pets, along with staples like water, non-perishable food and candles. For a detailed guide for what should be in your kit visit wrem.ca. Ensure your house maintenance is up to date Keeping your house in tip-top shape actually lessens the chances of damage happening. For example, ensuring there are no cracks in your foundation, clearing storm drains and cleaning eaves troughs will decrease the risk of flooding. Janzen now posts some more of these helpful tips on Menno S. Martin’s blog (blog.mennosmartin.com). Keep an eye on your trees Trees that are older or diseased have a higher risk of falling down or losing branches during a storm. Thistlethwaite recommends keeping an eye on the branches – if they look unhealthy or are falling to the ground in great number, it might be worth calling the hydro company to have them trim the tree. Better to do that than have it fall on your car during a thunderstorm.
May 2014 •
COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA \\ news
2014 election
5
WATCH
Though Waterloo region has a solid crop of mayoral candidates this year, their online presence leaves much to be desired. • GRAPHIC COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS
Where’s the tech-savvy mayor for a tech savvy town? juliana gomez CCE Social Media coordinator
W
e’re proud to call Waterloo a technology hub, a leader in innovation and a future-facing city. We have a strong global presence with our institutions, our companies and our start-up culture. You’d think that with such a tech-savvy community, our mayoral candidates would tune into this and make technology an important part of their campaign, showing their understanding of our community. Yet there is an incredible disconnect between the online presence of our potential future leaders and the tech-savvy reputation of K-W. To begin, a quick Google search of the
candidates’ names pulls up barely anything — you have to add “Kitchener” or “Waterloo” to find them. A typical search results in a few newspaper articles, but there is a lack of engaging resources from the candidates themselves to inform voters of who they are and their plans for our cities. All candidates (save one) in both races have a presence on Twitter, with some coming in well above the others in their engagement. When contacted personally, most candidates respond with a same-day turn around. Only Rami Said and Erika Traub are using Facebook pages, but Said is only using it somewhat consistently. In Waterloo, Said and Dave Jaworski have websites dedicated to their campaigns, however, both are text-heavy and lack interesting pictures or anything else that might convince
a personal touch to let voters know that they are more than a number. However, this kind of political campaigning is not as effective on its own when populations increase. With a population nearing 300,000 there is no way that any candidate will talk with all of us. This is why our candidates need to present themselves effectively and engagingly online. A successful election means that everyone, regardless of their commitment to municipal politics, has access to a candidate’s promises and experience. Taking advantage of the resources of our region would make that information engaging, accessible and prove a real understanding of the population of Kitchener-Waterloo. It’s 2014 and we live in the tech capital of Canada - why aren’t our candidates acting like it?
a reader to stay on the page. Dave MacDonald and Traub have barely any information online other than the aforementioned newspaper articles. In Kitchener, only Berry Vrbanovic has an official website. I was happy to see lots of pictures but horrified with a too-long “about me” formatted in a hard to read blue font. Vrbanovic did post his campaign speech to give browsers an idea of what he’s campaigning for, but there’s no way that I’m going to sit on my computer and read an eight-page document. Speeches are meant to be read, never published online, unless they were so awesome that you had to. While online presence is lacking, I’ll commend all candidates that I’ve engaged with on their eagerness to chat with me personally. All successful political campaigns have
CITY OF WATERLOO | OUR COMMUNITY A Message From City of Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran ... Spring has finally arrived here in Waterloo ... and this month there are so many exciting opportunities to get involved in our community. From May 12-14, 2014 Waterloo will host the 10th Annual Town and Gown Symposium. The theme of this year’s symposium is “Collaborative Community Building,” and I could not be more delighted to have such a great event take place in our city. Registration for this event is ongoing, so be sure to check www.tgao.ca if you are interested in attending. Uptown Waterloo’s Public Square is one of the best places in the city to relax and take in a spring day. Join us on May 23, 2014 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for Cruzin’ on the Square; a family friendly event featuring classic cars and live entertainment.
If you are looking to get more active this spring, be sure to take advantage of our FitPass program. You can load up a FitPass card for admission to our swim, skate, and track drop-in programs. It’s available for purchase at WMRC, RIM Park and AMCC. Buy it for yourself, share it with a friend, or give it as a gift. For great local sports and activities, keep an eye out for the new Summer Programs and Activities Guide, available online and at our facilities on May 29, 2014. However you choose to spend these early days of spring, I hope you enjoy a safe, happy, and healthy May. 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
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6 • May 2014
NEws // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA
A breach of confidence
Cross-border intelligence sharing raises red flags Ashley denuzzo CCE contributor
E
llen Richardson was ready for her “dream vacation.” This was until she was denied entrance into the United States due to an event from her past — an event that should have never been disclosed to border officials. Richardson had signed up for a cruise exclusively for persons living with physical disabilities. However, once Richardson reached the border, an officer looked up her personal information online. “What’s this?” he allegedly asked. “You attempted suicide two years ago.” Stunned and embarrassed, Richardson offered the personal number of her psychiatrist but that wasn’t enough. She was denied entrance unless she had signed permission from a pre-approved physician and physiologist in Toronto. Richardson was unable to attend her dream vacation and lost her $6,000 deposit — all because of one suicide attempt. “Could you imagine if that was you?” said Ann Cavoukian, the Ontario Privacy Commissioner. “The last thing you’d expect is a US border official having sensitive mental health information.” Richardson’s now public story launched a national investigation into how and why such sensitive information was leaked to American officials. It was found that some regional police services have been uploading personal records onto the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), an online database overseen by the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). According to Cavoukian, the database is accessible by US officials. “We didn’t know that there was a reciprocal sharing agreement with the United States FBI, Homeland Security and Border Crossing Officials,” Cavoukian added. However, while some police services have been uploading all information, others have been using discretion, logic and reasoning when selecting which reports are uploaded and which ones stay confidential. When it comes to suicide disclosure the Waterloo Regional Police Services (WRPS) has been “doing this right,” said Stephen Beckett, the deputy chief of systems and innovation for WRPS. “We establish a criteria of determining when an individual would be placed on CPIC.” Cavoukian issued an announcement explaining that while no police services should be sharing private information regarding suicide attempts, there are four exceptions. The suicide attempt must involve the threat of serious violence or harm to others, an intentional provocation of a legal response by the police, a previous history of violence of harm to others or the suicide occurred within police custody. “If one of these conditions do not apply then don’t send it,” Cavoukian emphasized. “There is some room for us to improve,” said Beckett, on WRPS’s response to the new criteria. “The recommendations [Cavoukian] provided in her report are ones that are workable and we will certainly adopt.” Recently, Cavoukian has been working with Matt Torigian, chief of police of WRPS. She has been learning their practices and
A Canadian border crossing in Windsor, Ontario. • JON LIEDTKE CCE CONTRIBUTOR
devising a mental health disclosure test to use in cases to determine when information should and should not be uploaded onto CPIC. “[Torigian] was wonderful,” Cavoukian said. “I think he alerted us to some of the police officer safety issues that could arise.” Elaborating, Cavoukian said that WRPS has emphasized a focus towards the needs of police officers when dealing with a suicide case. “We’re always looking to learn from experts in the field,” she said. “We paid attention and we incorporated this into our fourpart test.” Beckett was also asked about the ethics of CPIC — whether a suicide attempt should remain a private matter between a person’s family. “I do believe that it is ethical for sharing information,” he said. “The debate surrounds the line as to where it gets shared or how it is used. For border services, to use information
for anything other than public safety is where the questions come into play,” he continued. “It’s very hard to say ‘no you cannot share information’ because it can be valuable and necessary in many circumstances.” Moving forward, Cavoukian and WRPS are hoping to get more discussion flowing about mental health and public safety. WRPS have actually partnered with mental health professional when suicide calls come in. There is also sensitivity training taking place to better prepare officers for dealing with emotionally disturbed individuals or people experiencing mental health issues. As for Cavoukian, she just hopes that suicide survivors are able to move past their incident without being haunted by past decisions. “Ensure that they are not continually being stigmatized by this one mistake,” she said. “We have to help them get on with their lives.”
NO one asks for it
Sexual Assault Support Centre challenges sexual assault myths samantha estoesta CCE CONTRIBUTOR
S
ara Casselman, public relations and operations manager at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASCWR), has seen thousands of sexual assault survivors use the services at the centre in her time at SASCWR. As safe as Waterloo Region is, Casselman knows that people here are not immune from experiencing such an awful and traumatic event. That’s why this May, her organization and many others are raising awareness as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It’s important to understand the scope of sexual assault in the region. In 2012, the Waterloo Region Police Services responded to 558 reports of sexual assault. But consider — less than 10 per cent of all sexual assaults are reported to police. “Even after reporting, criminal cases are
notoriously difficult to convict,” Casselman said. “The process is very difficult for the survivor, often leading to re-victimization.” While medical evidence can prove that a sexual act occurred, what often causes debate is whether both parties were in agreement over whether to engage in a sexual act. “Consent is the debate now,” said Casselman. “The topic of consent is very difficult to prove in the criminal justice system.” Unfortunately, the myth of a random person attacking women is still perpetrated. “Strangers popping out of a bush does not happen often. Usually the perpetrator is known and often are in a position of authority,” said Casselman. “[Saying] she was asking for it, wearing certain clothes, drinking, going out in high risk areas and the survivor’s lifestyle are all myths that put the responsibility on the victim instead of the perpetrator.” These myths lead to victim blaming. Victim blaming places the onus on the victim of the assault to prove they did nothing to warrant the attack, instead of placing the blame
on the perpetrator. This is very problematic in random assaults and even more so in assaults where the victim knows the offender. “It is basically saying that if [the victim] were assaulted by someone they knew, it would never happen again as they should be able to stop their offender solely on the relationship they have together,” Casselman said. In cases of domestic sexual assault, sometimes the victim cannot stop the pattern of assault or even leave. “There are a variety of factors that would keep someone in an abusive relationship,” said Casselman. “In the case of assaults on minors, often there is no way out and/or the child is groomed to accept the assaults. This is based on a relationship of manipulation, and no way is that the fault of the victim.” Casselman believes that awareness and the dispelling of these myths is the only way forward. With just under 1,000 crisis calls to the assault support centre in 2012-13, 1,230 individual counseling sessions, 100 community partners trained on sexual assault response
and awareness and over 2,600 hours of dedicated service to sexual assault survivors of all genders and ages, the SASCWR is a well respected and needed service that is constantly pushing for Waterloo Region to be a safe place for all citizens. “We need to change our culture to believe and listen to survivors and help in the healing process,” said Casselman. “We have a long way to go, but [Waterloo Region] has come a long way.” If you or anyone you know may be in crisis or dealing with a sexual assault, please seek help through these centres: Police: Emergency (911) Waterloo Region Police Services (519-653-770) Support Centres: Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (519-741-8633) Family and Children’s Services Kitchener-Waterloo (519-576-0540) Waterloo Region Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre (519-749-6994)
May 2014 • 7
COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA
URBan Exploring world’s biggest BAKE SALE Local charity tries to beat a baking world record
Urban beat y Wine to be sold at the St. Jacobs Farmer’s Market Two wineries have been given the opportunity to sell wine at the St. Jacob’s Farmer’s Market. Tawse Winery and Between the Lines Winery will both be selling their Niagara region wines at outdoor booths. Several other wineries have made inquiries to sell at both the St. Jacob’s and Cambridge markets, so there may be more booths opening up in the future.
y The bells will ring again Happy eaters and volunteers at the 2013 World’s Biggest Bake Sale. • PHOTO COURTESY THE WORLD’S BIGGEST BAKE SALE
Lisa Umholtz CCE COntributor
P
ut down the Oreos in favour of these three ingredients: take one beautiful late spring day, mix in an outdoor carnival and add a world record-setting 15,000 baked treats to choose from, all conveniently located in one enormous charity bake sale. That’s the goal for the organizers behind The World’s Biggest Bake Sale, who aim to claim that title in the Guinness Book of World Records on May 31, 2014, all in support of local charities. Organized and conceived by local fundraising running team the Running Rarebits, The World’s Biggest Bake Sale will be the group’s second attempt at breaking the record, which was set in New York City in May 2013. Their first attempt, held in August 2013, was a mere 426 sales short of beating the current world record. It was an impressive feat to say the least, considering the current record holding bake sale had star-studded support from famous chefs and foodies such as Martha
Stewart, Mario Batali, Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri, not to mention the considerable size difference between Kitchener-Waterloo and New York City. However, they did achieve the Canadian record for biggest bake sale, selling 12,659 baked goods over eight hours and raising $13,006.40 for 16 local charities. In order to reach their goal this year and break the Guinness World Record, organizers are aiming to sell 15,000 baked goods in just eight hours, all on a budget of zero dollars. Every single one of those 15,000 delectable treats are baked by volunteers, which works out to approximately 150 bakers making 8.5 dozen treats each. Some bakers want to be part of a Guinness World Record, some are up-andcoming entrepreneurs looking to gain some exposure for their talents and all are eager to help raise money for local community charities. Running Rarebits members Christ Mintz and Maria Michel conceived of the idea of a recordsetting bake sale in order to raise money for the Grand River Rotary Club, which receives 100 per cent of the proceeds to distribute to
charities and community organizations. The World’s Biggest Bake Sale will be joined this year by the Carnival at The Boardwalk to offer even more excitement and entertainment on top of being part of a world record event, including rides, games, and carnival cuisine. And there will of course be the draw of “cousin” Vince Bertolucci, Mintz’s aviator-wearing, handlebar-mustachioed alter-ego, whose energetic antics and hilarious outfits are always a crowd favourite wherever the Rarebits are fundraising. You’re going to eat delicious treats anyway why not eat them while raising money for local charities and set a world record while you’re at it? Those Oreos in your pantry just can’t compare to all of that. It’s not every day that eating a cupcake will raise money for charity – which is probably a good thing, as you don’t need an excuse to eat a cupcake every day. Indulge your sweet tooth in the name of goodwill at the World’s Biggest Bake Sale on May 31 at The Boardwalk at Ira Needles, running from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
vocal cord We went to UpTown Waterloo and asked:
What’s your favourite baked good?
““Pain au chocolate.” Piers Lillystone, PhD Student, University of Waterloo
“I’d have to say donuts. Boston Cream is my favourite.” Erin Nolan, Student, University of Waterloo
“Everything with chocolate is perfect.” Marconi, Student, University of Waterloo
Kitchener City Council voted on April 28 to pay half the bill to re-build the Glockenspiel in downtown Kitchener. The bill would be an estimated $398,000. The city removed the Snow White and the Seven Dwarves themed chimes while upgrading Speakers Corner at the corner of King Street and Benton Street. Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest and the German-Canadian Remembrance Society will cover the other half of the bill for reconstruction. It could be installed in time for the 2014 Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest festival.
y Walking boosts mental health Livia Dittmer, a PhD student in community psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, did a study that found that walking groups help to boost mental health and lead to a stronger community. The study focused on the volunteer group Minds in Motion. This study was used to create a tool kit, which can be rolled out by other communities across Canada, aimed at creating walking events to help improve social connections and the quality of life for those involved.
8 • May 2014
urban exploring // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA
Getting lost in cambridge: A guide
From galleries to fusion food to craft beers, Cambridge has it all. We went and found the best places to hang out before they’re too popular to get a seat at. janine prew CCE Contributor
W
hile we’ve been debating urban intensification in Waterloo and counting the amount of coffee shops opening in Kitchener, to the south, there’s a whole city that’s quietly been revitalizing itself. Welcome to Cambridge — possibly one of the coolest places in Waterloo Region. The first thing to know about Cambridge is that it is a little different than your average city. It has three entirely different downtown core areas — Galt, Hespeler and Preston. It didn’t even exist before 1973 when “Cambridge” was proposed as a new name for the amalgamation of multiple different villages and communities. However, locals still prefer to refer to the town they were raised in rather than the amalgamated name. Each core area is being revitalized by the City of Cambridge in an effort to preserve their history, architecture and identity. The project is large and multifaceted, involving parking lot renovations, cenotaph restoration, new signage for businesses and general sidewalk beautification like street lighting, benches, trees and planters. Karen Grant, Director of the Hespeler Village BIA, explained that the core areas originally sprung up when people lived within walking distance of their employment. In Cambridge’s case, the core areas grew up around mills and foundries. But with the trend towards shopping malls in the 80s and 90s, and now bigbox stores, many urban core areas fell out of fashion. They suffered both physical decay, and sometimes full on destruction, as well as earning a bad image as areas of poverty and danger. The Cambridge Core Revitalization Project is aiming to improve both the physical appearance and a revitalization of the sense of community. Grant says she thinks the Cambridge core areas are still recovering, but have come a long way since she signed on with the Hespeler BIA about 13 years ago. There is no time-frame on the revitalization of Cambridge — it is considered an on-going project. Quite possibly the biggest players in the project are the small business owners themselves, especially those that also call Cambridge home. Associations like the BIAs encourage these core area property owners to engage in upgrades and improvements to storefronts by providing incentives to help cover the costs of storefront renovations. The BIA also helps to promote events or festivals in the core areas to bring foot traffic back to these areas. The result is that there is renewed sense of urban pride in the trio of downtown cores. In addition to an influx of great stores, restaurants and watering holes, new businesses and the relocation of University of Waterloo’s architecture to Galt have attracted new residents and shoppers to areas that were once left for dead. So head down to Cambridge to enjoy the sights, before the rest of the cool kids follow. What did we miss? Let us know at @cordcommunity on Twitter and on Facebook at facebook.com/cordcommunity. Clockwise from top left: The breathtaking view of the Grand River running through Cambridge; A woman walks her dog in downtown Cambridge; Southworks Antiques offers something from the most hardened collector to someone just looking for an oddity; Dunfield Theatre has helped revitalize Cambridge’s art scene; the Cambridge Sculpture Gardens, located along the Grand River; stores along downtown Cambridge offer a wide variety of shopping; the Bread Factory hosts many small businesses and apartment buildings; students and locals order food at Melville Café; The Patch consignment store offers a modern twist on vintage staples. • MATTHEW SMITH CCE CONTRIBUTOR
Shopping The Patch Located in the Southworks Outlet Mall (worth a visit in itself if not for the shopping then definitely for the industrial architecture), The Patch is a modern take on the old consignment store. They carry gently used men’s and women’s clothing as well as shoes, handbags and jewelry. Best of all is their Patch Back program – bring in your quality unwanted clothes for store credit or cash. (96 Grand Ave South, chooseyourpatch.com)
Whimsical Furnishings Whimsical Furnishings specializes in using all natural eco-friendly paints to create one-of-a-kind furniture. Stop by their showroom to see their unique pieces, buy the paint to DIY or bring in your old dresser or desk and they’ll fix it up exactly the way you like. (149 Hespeler Rd, whimsicalfurnishings.com)
Southworks Antiques You’re sure to find what you’re looking for at the largest indoor antiques mall in Ontario. Even if you don’t have any spare funds you will enjoy the window shopping. You’ll find everything from treasured jewelry, to funky art to vinyl records. Remember to check out the architecture - even the building it resides in is an antique. (64 Grand Ave South, southworksantiques.com)
Eating Melville Café
Attached to the University of Waterlo think this place would cater to a typical wrong. Homemade soups, fresh sandw even beers are on the menu. Try the chi garlicky delicious homemade dressing.
Moderno Bistro
Considered by many to be a hidden g location in a strip mall, Moderno specia tic but modern Portuguese fare. The foo won’t break your bank account. (383 El
Elixir Bistro
This upscale European fusion restaur cally celebrated. It may have a small me rest assured these meals have been care scribes his food as a fusion between Fre (34 Main St, elixirbistro.ca)
May 2014 • 9
COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA \\ Urban exploring
guide to our cool southern sister
oo’s School of Architecture, one might l student clientele, but one would be wiches, real Italian pizzas, espressos and icken Caesar wrap made with the most . (7 Melville South, melvillecafe.ca)
gem of a restaurant because of its odd alizes in seafood, steak and authenod quality is exceptional but the prices lgin St North, modernobistro.com)
rant is both critically acclaimed and loenu by most restaurant standards, but efully crafted by Chef Pirooz, who deench and Persian cuisine.
Drinking Monigram Coffee Roasters There are 92 customer reviews on Monigram’s Facebook page, and every single one of them is a perfect five star rating. If you consider yourself a coffee aficionado it doesn’t get any more authentic than this coffee house. They carefully select their beans, hand roast them on site and best of all they will take the time to help you discover the brew that’s perfect for you. (16 Ainslie St South, monigram.ca)
Monty’s Tapas Wine Bar If the giant neon “BIER” sign behind the bar doesn’t give you a hint – Monty’s has beer. They carry a wide selection of local craft brews sprinkled with a healthy dose of imported oddities. This is the spot to try something new. And of course, as their name suggests, they also have an excellent wine list and tapas menu. (19 Queen St East, montysonqueen.com)
Brownestone Gastropub Known for their wings, nachos and craft beer selection, Brownestone is comfortable and quaint. It is also known as a local live music entertainment hotspot, should you require tunes with your suds. (39 Queen St East, thebrownestone.ca)
Other fun stuff The Dunfield Theatre Cambridge is slowly becoming a destination that competes with traditional tourist towns like St. Jacobs or Elora. Now they’re taking on Stratford with the brand new Dunfield Theatre. Meticulously designed, there is no bad seat in this house, and the shows themselves are of high caliber. Upcoming shows include Les Miserables and Disney’s The Little Mermaid. (46 Grand Ave South, draytonentertainment.com)
Cambridge Sculpture Garden Located along the river on Grand Avenue between Main and Concession roads in the heart of downtown Galt, this walk contains both permanent and temporary pieces of art nestled among the gardens. The gardens also contain a 130 year old oak tree, which is one of only a dozen heritage designated trees in Ontario. (47 Grand Avenue South, cambridgesculpturegarden.ca)
Cambridge Farmer’s Market One of the oldest farmer’s markets in Canada, this market has been operating in the same location since 1830. Every vendor selling fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, meats, and breads come from within a 100km radius of the market. Open every Saturday from 7am to 1pm. (40 Dickson Street, cambridge.ca)
10 • May 2014
urban exploring // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA
Pure & local Your monthly guide to living clean in K-W
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S
pring is the season for renewal — cleaning our yards of all the winter remnants, spring cleaning our homes and even sloughing our skin of all its dry and dehydrated winter scales. Why not also take a look at what lurks in your medicine cabinet? Everyday personal care products contain thousands of chemicals that affect hormones and may be linked to other maladies. Manufacturers aren’t required to list all ingredients and terms like “organic” and “natural” are not regulated, so it can be hard to tell what’s in products and if they’re safe. For example, an ingredient like petroleum is derived from natural sources, yet it is a beauty offender for a variety of reasons: it’s harvested from the same crude oil source as the stuff that goes into your car engine and it doesn’t break down for thousands of years (and that’s just the tip of the iceberg). Petroleum is a foreign substance which is non-digestible by the human body. Our body naturally rejects it. It can often be linked to contact dermatitis (which is a form of inflammation) and this inflammation can cause cellular damage, stress and even premature aging. That’s just one ingredient you should be looking to rid from your personal care products. There are now a number of studies that discuss the dangers of using cosmetics that contain synthetic chemicals and many lists can be found that outline the dangers of these beauty culprits. Here are the most common products found in our homes with the ingredients that I consider the worst offenders:
Deodorant Want to know how that deodorant stick keeps itself from drying out? It’s called propylene glycol or butylene glycol. Not only are these associated with dermatitis, eye irritations and organ system toxicity, they are also a component of anti-freeze. I don’t know about you, but what I put in the engine of my car doesn’t really have a place in my beauty care regime.
Sunscreens If it contains avobenzone, PABA, oxybenzone, or ethoxycinnamate, you should just leave it on the shelf. These ingredients have been linked to skin irritations, allergies and endocrine disruption. You are way better off using a sunscreen that uses a mineral block, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Nail polish Many formulations contain toluene, which is a petrochemical solvent that’s also used in paint thinners. It is a known irritant that causes breathing problems, nausea, and organ system toxicity and it is possibly a carcinogen. What to do for some colour on your digits? Look for a water based polish.
Antibacterial hand soaps The agent that companies add in order to throw on that ‘anti-bacterial’ label is the ingredient triclosan. It is a known endocrine disruptor and has also been associated with skin, eye and lung irritation. Scared of germs? Wash your hands for the entire duration of your favorite song.
Body lotion Often lotions (among many other personal care products) contain an ingredient called parabens (methyl, propyl) and it is added as a preservative. Yet, this ingredient can wreak havoc on your body. Parabens mimic estrogen; in fact, intact parabens have been found in breast cancer tissue growth. Parabens have also been shown to be an irritant for skin, eyes and lungs.
Shampoo Want clean hair? Well, it isn’t the dirty little ingredient called sodium laureth sulfate contained in your shampoo that gets it clean! So ditch the SLS as it is a known skin irritant and strips the natural oils from your skin and hair. It has also been linked to organ toxicity. Really, SLS is nothing more than a great foaming agent but who needs bubbles anyways? Think you are never going to remember all these scary ingredients? You can download a handy pdf from the David Suzuki Foundation that folds up wallet size at: davidsuzuki.org/publications/downloads/2010/whats-inside-shoppers-guide.pdf. Still too much work? Here are some super simple tips to keep that bathroom cupboard clean: choose fewer products, look for plant based ingredients, look up DIY recipes that use food grade ingredients found in your kitchen, avoid fragrances, avoid antimicrobials. At the end of the day, spring is a great time to refresh and renew and minimize the footprint of the products you use from packaging to their pumps to their process. Our lifestyle can have style and sustain life when we pursue better choices and consume with consciousness.
May 2014 • 11
COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA
arts & culture Maxwell’s Moves house Laura BUCK
yBig Music Fest wants new talent
CCE COntributor
M
axwell’s Music House is saying farewell to its current location in Waterloo as the popular music venue moves on to bigger and better things. Paul Maxwell recently announced the closure of Maxwell’s Music House, which he’s doing in order to shift focus to his latest project, a new venue on University Avenue scheduled to open in September. “We had two options,” Maxwell said. “One, to keep both venues going, and two, to close down the first venue and focus on the new venue.” Maxwell decided that it simply was not feasible to continue to operate the original venue while working on the larger space. “The main reason though was that we didn’t want to stretch ourselves too thin so that we couldn’t operate both to their potential,” MaxMaxwelll’s new location is set to open this autumn • Jody Waardenburg CCE Contributor well said. “We decided that it would make more sense to for us.” Maxwell said that the programming at open in 2013; however, neighbouring business shut down the current space to focus exclusively their original space will continue right until the Lexington Park Real Estate was concerned that on the new space and put 110 per cent into the end of June. the location would not provide enough parking new space, rather than splitting our time 50/50 Though he is excited for the transition to the spaces and would spill over into spaces allocated between the two venues.” larger space, he said that he was feeling some The closure of the current location is expected for other businesses. mixed emotions with the closure of their origi“We were speaking with our neighbouring towards the end of June. Maxwell hopes that nal venue. they will be able to open their new venue shortly tenants in the months leading up to the appeal “We’re really excited for the transition,” said that went through,” Maxwell said. “We tried to after that. Maxwell. “It’s a little bittersweet closing down work with them and tried come up with a solu“We want to focus a lot of our time in the our spot, we’ve been here for over six years, but tion, and the recommendations by the city that summer to finish up the renovations that need we plan on offering a bigger and better concert we were going to incorporate.” to be done,” Maxwell said. experience.” They intended to have on site parking atten“The space is basically an empty shell at the They’re hoping the new venue will have the dants and conducted a traffic study to ensure moment; we have to finish everything from the capacity for 800 people. “It’s a great space for flooring to the painting, all of the bathrooms, the that it wasn’t going to impact traffic along Unistudents to come to see.” versity Avenue and Regina Street stage and the sound system and all of the differLexington Park took their concerns to the Onent equipment that we’re bringing in. So there’s Maxwell’s is hosting a final venue concert series tario Municipal Board, which slowed down the a lot of work to be done.” Saturday June 21 and Sunday June 22 before closing up entire project. Maxwell is hopeful that the new venue will shop to focus on construction. The final concert series “We found out at the end of January that the be ready to open for Orientation Week this will feature a number of groups including Canadian OMB had no concerns with our plan and it reSeptember. band Gob. quired no future amendments, which was great The music venue was initially expected to
vocal cord
Big Music Fest in Kitchener is looking for 25 artists to take part in their first ever Breaking Bands talent competition. The 25 selected artists will compete on July 11, the first night of Big Music Fest. One of the available prizes is a documentary of the winning band leading up to their performance at Big Music Fest in 2015. Winners also receive a number of consultations with leading music executives, a band app, and a distribution deal. The application deadline is May 30, 2014. bigmusicfest. com/breaking-bands/
yCAFKA Goes Indiegogo CAFKA (Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener and Area) 14 is looking for community support for their upcoming biennial starting May 31. Imagine streets, parks, storefronts and public atriums, filled with free, public art for everyone — that’s what CAFKA is raising funds to do. Just $20,000 short of their total budget, CAFKA has reached out through an Indiegogo campaign. Donation perks range from t-shirts to photo prints. The campaign runs until May 18, 2014. indiegogo. com/projects/cafka-14contemporary-art-in-thepublic-space
yGRFF gets competitive
We went to Waterloo Town Square and asked:
What’s your favourite art gallery?
Arts beat
“The Clay & Glass Gallery is awesome”
“Cambridge Galleries are nice”
“The Clay & Glass Gallery”
Logan Klaussen, Manager, David’s Tea
Colton Pauderis, Software Developer
Anika Coyne, Bartender
The Grand River Film Festival (GRFF) is looking for short film submissions to be featured at GRFF 2014. Submissions can be from filmmakers of any level. The GRFF Shorts Competition is a celebration of short films in two categories - local and national. Aspiring filmmakers have their work featured at a variety of networking and awards events, have the opportunity to meet film professionals and are eligible for product and cash prizes. The submission deadline is June 27, 2014. grff.ca
12 • May 2014
ARts & CULTURE // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA
With age comes wisdom
Words Worth Books celebrates a milestone while looking ahead COMMEMORATING 30 YEARS OF
1984
WORDS WORTH BOOKS
Words Worth Books opens doors to the public
DID YOU KNOW? When original owners Tricia and Chuck secured the King Street location for the store, they put a sign in the front window that said, “The Bookstore Waterloo Deserves.”
1984 Owners Tricia Siemens and Chuck Erion bring beloved author John Irving to promote A Prayer for Owen Meany, packing at First United Church to max. capacity.
1999 Co-owners David Worsley & Mandy Brouse. • PHOTO COURTESY WORDS WORTH BOOKS
Anya Lomako CCE Contributor
T
urning 30 is always an eyeopener, but if you’re a business, it’s a whole other cup of tea. That’s why Word’s Worth Books is going all out for their 30-year anniversary event. Planted snugly between William and Erb streets, this independent bookstore has seen a lot of changes in its 30 years. Co-owner David Worsley is proud of Words Worth Books’ time as an independent literary business in the area. “I think every business tries to tap into the ‘community’ angle, but chain stores are by definition beholden only to the head office. As there’s only one Words Worth Books, it means that the local populace and the local landscape are paramount in our thinking,” said Worsley. In addition to relocating the store to a bigger location on King Street South in 2012, Words Worth Books has successfully undergone a change in ownership — another milestone few businesses have achieved. In 2011, after running the store for 27 years, the original owners Tricia Siemens and Chuck Erion passed the literary beacon on to Worlsey and now co-owner Mandy Blouse, who were employees at the time. Worsley credits the enduring success of the store to the strong foundation the original owners created. “If there’s been growth and improvement, it’s entirely due to what they’ve taught us,” said Worsley. Aside from business theory, Words Worth Books was one of the first to see the value and opportunity in the region at a time when few others did.
“Chuck and Tricia pioneered the whole notion of prominent Canadian authors coming to town in the first place back in the mid 1980s,” said Worsley. Canadian author W.O. Mitchell, author of Who Has Seen the Wind, was the first to visit Words Worth Books. In later years heavyweights like Robertson Davies, Margaret Atwood, John Irving, Rohinton Mistry and former Prime Minister Jean Chretien all visited the store. In the early days, increasing the credibility of local arts and culture was not so high on the city’s to-do list. “K-W was seen as infertile ground for something as cosmopolitan as a writer reading from his work to an interested party,” said Worsley. Siemens and Erion helped to put local arts and culture on the radar. “Publishers started to come to us with their spring and fall line-up and as such, K-W embraced the Words Worth reading series with more fervour every year,” said Worsley. This type of forward thinking is what brought Words Worth Books to the position it holds in the local literary and publishing landscape today. When Siemens and Erion retired, Worsley and Blouse did not try to revolutionize the business. Instead, they carried on with the wisdom passed on by their predecessors. The type of wisdom, they hope, that will keep them in business for another thirty years. Words Worth Books celebrates their 30th anniversary May 10, 2014. The celebration features literary giveaways, 20 per cent off storewide and 30 per cent off select favourites from the last 30 years. In addition to the sale, World Fantasy Award for Best Novel winner Guy Gavriel Kay and Canada Reads winner Terry Fallis will be in attendance for readings and book signings.
2002 The first One Book One Community book, Alistair Macleod’s No Great Mischief, is chosen by a local committee,which includes WWB co-owner Tricia Siemens.
David Worsley joins the company as Store Manager, bringing such literary gusto to his position as to earn him the nationally-recognized Harper Collins Canada Hand-Selling Award.
2005
2007 Words Worth Books earns a once-in-alife-time opportunity to join former PM Jean Chretien in celebrating his book, My Years as Prime Minister.
Mandy Brouse joins the team in the role of Publicity Manager, earning the Young Bookseller of the Year award from the Canadian Booksellers Association for her hard work using new & emerging media.
2011 2012 With the support of the community and loyal customers, the store relocates to its present location at 96 King St South.
Co-owners Tricia Siemens and Chuck Erion retire, while present employees David Worsley and Mandy Brouse step up to the plate and take over as new owners.
2014 Words Worth Books celebrates 30 years in business • ANYA LOMAKO CCE CONTRIBUTOR
May 2014 • 13
COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA\\ ARts & CULTURE
One of the shows currently on display at UWAG as a part of MFA Thesis 2. • PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY WATERLOO ART GALLERY
UWAG showcases MFA success
MFA Thesis 2 takes the floor of UWAG to wrap up season four Anna Beard Arts & Culture editor
A
rtistic talent is something that can be developed through dedication and hard work but it’s harder to develop the backbone necessary to survive critiques from an exhibition. Director and curator Ivan Jurakic of the University of Waterloo Art Gallery (UWAG) is hoping to do just that, as he works with four Master of Fine Arts (MFA) candidates to present and defend their final exhibits. The students completing their MFA at Waterloo in 2014 are Megan Green, Ian MacMurrich, Amanda Rhodenizer, and Srdjan Segan. ¬The four artists presenting their thesis projects in 2014 are participating in a grand solo exhibition known as MFA Thesis. “[Candidates] need to have a well resolved idea for an exhibition and a completed body of artwork, whether it be painting, sculpture, installation, video or performance, that merits a solo exhibition,” said Jurakic. The first series of MFA Thesis ran from April 10 to 26 and featured Green and Rhodenizer. A new series of MFA Thesis installations, MFA Thesis 2, opened on May 1 and runs until May 17. In Gallery One, Srdjan Segan’s Something is Missing takes visitors through a sculpture filed installation that depicts the frustration
and resolution we all experience when work goes awry. Sculptures vary from incomplete walls to unfinished bodies. In Gallery Two, Ian MacMurrich presents should one react against the laziness of railways tracks between the passage of two trains. With this installation, MacMurrich explores the postindustrial everyday through the mapping, walking, and fieldwork that occurs along the railways in Kitchener-Waterloo. “It’s one thing to show a few random works of art. It’s quite another to successfully mount and defend the core concepts behind a newly completed body of artwork,” he added. “Frankly, it’s a pressure test.” The exhibits are not only for artists to further showcase their skills while academically defending their work — they’re also a way to interact with the community. These interactions also help the gallery stay connected to other art organizations found in the region. “We have great working relationships with the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery and Cambridge Galleries, and are partnering with CAFKA as part of their upcoming biennial,” said Jurakic. “We routinely exchange resources, share information and cross-promote each others events. It’s a small but very connected group committed to developing a challenging and thoughtful vision for the arts in this region.” MFA Thesis 2 is the last installation in UWAG’s Season Four. The exhibit runs until May 17. The gallery is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday, 12 to 5 p.m.
Meet the artists of MFA Thesis 2 Srdjan Segan Srdjan Segan is completing the Master of Fine Art program at the University of Waterloo after completing an undergraduate degree from the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, Ontario. He is currently represented by Headbones Gallery in Vernon, British Columbia where he has had two solo installations. While participating in the Keith and Winifried Shantz internship program, Segan worked with Canadian artist Sin-ying Ho in China.
Ian MacMurrich Similarly to Srdjan Segan, Ian MacMurrich enrolled in the Master of Fine Art program at the University of Waterloo after completing an undergraduate degree from the Ontario College of Art and Design. A local artist, MacMurrich focuses on creating pieces using different types of media. He has been given a number of awards for his work and completed his Keith and Winifried Shantz internship with film artist Melanie Machot in London, UK.
14• May 2014
ARts & CULTURE // COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA
REviews Film Only Lovers Left Alive dir. Jim Jarmusch (2014) Sony Pictures Classics h.g. wAtsOn CCe edITOR-IN-ChIeF
S
ome might consider it ironic that a movie about creation is centered on a pair of dead characters, but when you enter the world of eccentric director Jim Jarmusch, anything goes. Only Lovers Left Alive is about vampires Eve (Tilda Swinton) and Adam (Tom Hiddleston), a pair of trans-Atlantic lovers who have spent hundreds of years creating and absorbing art. Eve lives in Tangiers, where she spends her time reading and drinking pure blood with Christopher Marlowe (John Hurt) — who, yes, is also a vampire and has spent his time writing plays under various pen names. Adam is a famous, yet reclusive musician who has set up shop in Detroit. He writes music and tinkers with various rare guitars acquired for him by human Ian (Anton Yelchin), but he’s become disillusioned with existence and plans on taking his own life, leading Eve to make the trip to Michigan to pull her lover out of a funk. The plot, insomuch as a Jarmusch film can have a plot, is about the pair trying to find beauty.
Tilda Swinton and Tom hiddleston play vampires in Only Lovers Left Alive. • phOTO COURTESY SONY pICTURES ClASSICS
Drinking blood, though important, isn’t the driving force for these vampires – it’s art. They want to see more of it in the world. Detroit works well as the setting for a majority of the film. As the pair spend nights aimlessly driving against a backdrop of abandoned buildings, Adam intones, “it’s a dead city.” But Eve sees the potential in Detroit. “It will bloom again — there’s water here.” The city, like the vampires themselves, represents the cycle of creation and destruction that is fundamental to artistic practice.
The film doesn’t focus on Detroit’s ruins, however. With the arrival of Eve’s sister Ava (Mia Wasikowska), the lovers are pulled into the younger vampire’s destructive and impulsive life as she drags them out to nightclubs and bars — a huge disruption in their lives. If Adam and Eve are the careful creators and curators of art, then Ava represents every artist who can’t say no to the last drink or pill. Only Lovers Left Alive is a delicately shot film, in every way. Both Hiddleston and Swinton are ethereal and pale. Light — the bane of vampires —is a
Books
music
The Confabulist
honest
Steven Galloway (2014) Konpf Canada
Future (2014) A-1 Recordings
dAVid wORslEy
sCOtt glAyshER
CO-OWNeR WORdS WORTh BOOKS
CCe CONTRIBUTOR
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here have been many books written about magician and showman Harry Houdini, but not as much has been written about the man who killed him. In Steven Galloway’s The Confabulist, the author pairs the known narrative of Houdini with the fictionalized life of his murderer, Martin Strauss. The Confabulist is a vastly different book from Galloway’s hit of a few years back, The Cellist of Sarajevo, but shares much with his previous book, Ascension — a story of a family of high wire walkers. Houdini is known as a magician, but he was also a social force in his time. He did much to discredit the various Spiritualist movements of the early twentieth century that believed the dead were reachable via spiritualist mediums. Galloway does a fine job chronicling Houdini’s life, but The Confabulist shines when it merges Strauss’ life as well. He was a wholly unremarkable man whose life intersected with Houdini by chance, but with some intent as well. Therein lies the narrative trick of the tale and it’s a fine one.
W Galloway does a fine job chronicling Houdini's life but, the confabulist shines when it merges Strauss' life as well.
hat do you get when you mix TPain’s auto tune with James Earl Jones’ vocal range and Juicy J’s swagger? What about when you mix the chart topping potential of The Beatles and the song writing of Bob Dylan? No guesses? Well, that’s probably because you haven’t heard of hip-hop’s newest hit maker, Future. Future has dominated the hip-hop scene in his native Atlanta and has had his hand in practically every hip-hop hit since 2012. Future’s popularity can be attributed to his versatility on the mic, his singing abilities, and his ear for melodies that provide the perfect chorus or hook for any hip-hop hit. As one of the busiest men in rap music these past years, Future has provided more guest verses and choruses than anyone in recent memory in addition to releasing his second studio album, Honest. The album features rap heavyweights Andre 3000, Kanye West, Drake, Lil Wayne and Pharrell, among others. These rappers give quality verses and bring crossover fans to the Future fan club making it hard for this album to be considered a miss.
constant threat in every shot, whether it’s the far off lights of skyscrapers or red and yellow candlelight emanating from a Moroccan coffee shop. It’s easy to imagine that this movie represents Jarmusch’s own artistic process, from the frustrations to the motivations. If that is the case, he should be proud that what he has wrought is something beautiful, interesting and unique. Only Lovers Left Alive plays at the Princess Cinemas (6 Princess St. W) May 23 to June 1.
Honest shows how Future has improved as an artist. Through the entire 18 song LP, Future sounds more confident with both his rapping and his singing which makes the project more concise. Deeper album cuts such as “Special” and “Look Ahead” seem to have the same replay value as his major singles “Move That Dope”, and “I Won,” thanks to musical consistency. Strangely enough, Future seems to have strayed from his usual formula of chorusverse-chorus which in turn creates a more listenable project. His bangers are restructured, his ballads are unconventional and yet hip-hop’s newest hit maker seems more comfortable than ever.
his ballads are unconventional .... yet hip-hop's newest hit maker seems more comfortable than ever
May 2014 • 15
COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA \\ ARts & CULTURE
listings music May 9 John Sherwood Trio The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $16
The Weber Brothers Starlight Social Club, 7:00 p.m., 19+, $12 adv Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Centre in the Square, 8:00 p.m. centreinthesquare.com
Neruda Arts Presents: Laetitia Zonzambe The Courtyard, 8:00 p.m., $20 adv.
may 25 Evan Dando w.s.g Sara Johnson Starlight Social Club, 8:00 p.m., 19+, $18 adv
may 30 Andriy Tykhonov Quartet The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $15 John Tank Group The Registry Theatre, 8:00 p.m., $25
Cambridge Symphony Orchestra Presents: The Master & The Prodigy Central Presbyterian Church, 8:00 p.m.
KWSymphony Signature: Petrushka Finale Centre in the Square, 8:00 p.m. centreinthesquare.com/
may 10
may 31
Rachel Therrien Quartet The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $20
Neil Swainson Trio The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $16
Pop the Gator presents: Lazy Lester Starlight Social Club, 7:00 p.m., 19+, $20 adv
Folk Night: Eileen McGann & David K The Registry Theatre, 8:00 p.m., $18 adv
may 11 Ian Taylor & Friends: Open Jam Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans, 1:00 p.m.
may 12 An Evening w/ John Legend Centre in the Square, 8:00 p.m. centreinthesquare.com
may 13 George Thorogood & the Destroyers Centre in the Square, 8:00 p.m. centreinthesquare.com
may 14 KWSymphony: Ballroom with a Twist Centre in the Square, 7:00 p.m. centreinthesquare.com
may 15 Tim Louis Jazz Trio Ren@41, 7:00 p.m.
may 16
arts may 9 Stories Aloud The Button Factory, 8:00 p.m., $5
may 10 Art Innovators Art Show Conestoga Mall, 9:30 a.m.
may 14 South Pacific Drayton Festival Theatre, 2:00 p.m., draytonentertainment.com
june 5 ActOne Play Festival The Registry Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
community
Joni Nehrita Quintet The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $15
may 10
may 17
Grarage Sale for Guinness World Record 842 Victoria St. N., 8:00 a.m.
Ryan Oliver Quartet The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $18
Waterloo Earth Day Laurel Creek Conservation Area, 10:00 a.m.
may 21
may 24
Woodstock: The No Shows Centre in the Square, 8:00 p.m. centreinthesquare.com/
The Cake Walk The Clay & Glass Gallery, 2:00 p.m., $25
may 23 KWSymphony Pops: Superheroes! Centre in the Square, 8:00 p.m. centreinthesquare.com/ Craig Cardiff The Galt Club - @Cafe13, 7:00 p.m., $15 adv New Vibes Quintet w/ Jerzy Kaplanek The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $20
May 24 Adrean Ferrugia Trio The Jazz Room, 6:30 p.m., $16
Historical Ghost Walk South Kitchener, 9:00 p.m., $20
may 25 Everything Holistic, Wellness & Spiritual Show Kitchener City Hall, 10:00 a.m.
To feature your event listing in the Cord Community email details to culture@thecord.ca
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TCRD’S VENUS FLY TRAMPS VS. KINGSTON DERBY GIRLS
MAY 24, FIRST WHISTLE 6 PM WATERLOO RECREATION COMPLEX 101 DAVID BAUER DRIVE, WATERLOO. RADIOLAURIER.COM TRICITYROLLERGIRLS.COM
COMMUNITY.THECORD.CA
• May 2014
AA party partyonona atrain trainin in K-W... K-W... at 7 p.m. the train Central leaves Station June 20 theJune train21leaves Waterloo Waterloo Central Station for parts unknown for parts unknown
TicketsTickets on sale 23 @ 23 noon, $45, 19+ onMay sale May @ noon $45, 19+
WIN TICKETS
Tickets and more information can be found at community.thecord.ca/steelrails year is the 5th anniversary of Steel
This Rail Sessions. To celebrate, we want to know your best story from the train. The winner gets two tickets, plus get to jump the line to buy tickets for their friends. Email your story to steelrails@thecord.ca or tweet it to @steelrails We’ll announce a winner May 19 For information on ticket sales, the trip and sponsorship opportunities, visit community.thecord.ca/steelrails