The Community Edition: June 2015

+

SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 • JUNE 2015

#HUMPDAYDTK DAYS OF #KWAWESOME

SIDE STREET SCENE

ONTARIO STREET’S EVOLVING COMMUNITY PAGES 8-9

DEVELOPING A DOWNTOWN PAGE 3

IF STREETS COULD TALK PAGE 12

ION DIALOGUES

PAGE 6

JUNE 2015 // @THECOMMUNITYED

IN THIS ISSUE FEATURE

Volume 3, Issue #9 Next issue: July 2, 2015 75 University Ave. W Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5 519-884-0710 x3564

THE COMMUNITY EDITION TEAM

Publisher Bryn Ossington bryn.ossington@wlusp.com

Briefs Editor Tegan Thuss Distribution Manager Alistair MacLellan Web Manager HIRING

Photo Editor Matt Smith Production Manager Lakyn Barton CONTRIBUTORS Natalee Blagden Anna Beard Mara Bender Sheena Bousanga Lizz Dicesare Dave Emrich Rebecca Ferguson Dan Herman Kerri Hutchinson WLUSP ADMINISTRATION President Executive Director Advertising Manager Treasurer Vice-Chair Director Director Director Director Director Corporate Secretary

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear reader,

Advertising All advertising inquiries should be directed to Care Schummer at 519-884-0710 x3560 cschummer@wlusp.com Editor in Chief Allison M. Leonard allison.leonard@wlusp.com

2

Stacey Jacobs Jon Johnson Cathy MacLellan Elizabeth McFaul Sandra Mery Andrew Morgan Christina Proctor Julie Takasaki

Bryan Stephens Bryn Ossington Care Schummer John Pehar Abdiasis Issa Thomas Lillo Rafey Sattar Fred Kuntz Angela Foster Gary Doyle Emily Crump

The Community Edition is an alternative monthly intended to engage and inform the community.

Started in 2012, the 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 Community Edition are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, The Cord, WLUSP, WLU or Canweb Printing. All content appearing in the Community Edition bears the copyright expressly of their creator(s) and may not be used without written consent.

The Community Edition is created using Macintosh computers running Mac OS X Yosemite using Adobe Creative Cloud. Canon cameras are used for principal photography.

The Community Edition’s flag font is Lobster, an open source font created by HVD Fonts. We also use Brandon Grotesque and Petrona.

The 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 Community Edition circulates monthly. Normal circulation is 6,000. The Community Edition subscription rates are $20.00 per term for addresses within Canada.

Preamble to the Community Edition Constitution The Community Edition will keep faith with its readers by presenting news and expressions of opinions comprehensively, accurately and fairly. The Community Edition 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 Community Edition 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 Community Edition will attempt to cover its world with a special focus on the community of Waterloo Region. Ultimately, the Community Edition will be bound by neither philosophy nor geography in its mandate.

The Community Edition 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 Community Edition’s contact with the community. The Community Edition 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.

8-9 SIDE STREET SCENES TCE EXPLORES DT KITCHENER’S EVOLVING ONTARIO STREET CULTURE. 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 10 10 10 11 11 12 13 13 13

A DEVELOPING DOWNTOWN THE MONTH IN BRIEF THE GREEN BIN BLUES MOVE OVER, CHICKEN LITTLE THE ION DIALOGUES IRON HORSE CHANGING COURSE TOURING TINY LIBRARIES WEAR OUT THERE BEAR FACE ON BEER READY TO RIDE HAIR DOWN THERE PURE AND LOCAL IF STREETS COULD TALK NEW MARKET IN BELMONT REVIEW: ACQUAINTANCE REVIEW: WHERE FOOLS GATHER

There is no nudity in this issue.

There are no bums on cover, there is no penis in the centre spread and the online content of such body parts is pushing lower and lower in our feed as we update the site with fresh stories.

In fact, the only things that are bare this month are my preconceptions of Waterloo Region.

I expected reaction to “Live nudes,” a story I wrote about my nude walk through THEMUSEUM’s gallery; I expected some discussion about the frontal nudity in centre spread, and I expected some hurtful jokes about my own body’s presence in the article itself. I did not, however expect such polarization.

To those who expressed vast and unexpected support for the story, thank you. Whether you shared your experience, shared the story online or sent me a note to say you admired the moxie, your words were taken with incredible appreciation.

To those who expressed opposition to the story, the exhibit, the comments or the images, thank you. Dialogue is the point and with a story like “Live nudes,” that teeters on taboo, I think it would have been for naught without your feedback.

To those who expressed opposition to my body, my ethics or the Community Edition’s journalism at large, thank you. You were the inspiration for the story. In a culture where art that hosts or implies nudity is unnerving, undiscussed and cause for the the oversexualization of a journalist’s body, it is time to start a conversation.

I felt this as soon as I wavered on whether or not I would walk through the gallery. I felt this when I penned the experiential story. I felt this when your words varying from support and harassment flooded my inbox. And I felt this when entire stacks of TCE were repeatedly removed from stands, likely without considering the words, but judging only the exterior of the paper.

While many publications framed THEMUSEUM’s “Getting Naked” with the assumed preparedness of their audience in mind, TCE said “we know our demographic, we cannot assume their worldview.” I assure you that our team was nothing but methodic in choice of image, choice of words, placement of photos - all to add to an illustration of the truth of one experience. We were patient in our responses and diligent in avoiding censorship; nothing could have been more hypocritical than suppressing your thoughts.

No nudity this month, dear readers. But by stripping clothes, I stripped so much of what I thought I knew about journalism and of Waterloo Region.

Thanks for the clean slate, Allison M. Leonard Editor in Chief

JUNE 2015 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

3

IN NUMBERS

FAST FACTS ON DOWNTOWN KITCHENER DEMOGRAPHIC, EXPERIENCE AND PERCEPTION AS GATHERED FROM SURVEYS AND CITY DATA.

KING STREET USERS HAVE TRIPLED FROM 3,000 TO 9,000 DUE TO STREETSCAPE RECONSTRUCTION & EVENTS

AROUND 80 PER CENT OF PEOPLE FEEL THAT DOWNTOWN IS GETTING SAFER.

Kitchener’s downtown was modelled in part after characteristics of San Fransisco • MATT SMITH PHOTO EDITOR

14,000 PEOPLE WORK IN DOWNTOWN EVERY DAY, 1,076 OF THOSE IN THE FIELDS OF INNOVATION.

THE DOWNTOWN VISION NATALEE BLAGDEN CONTRIBUTOR Kitchener is nearing the end of the projected plans established in the Downtown Kitchener Action Plan (2012-2016). TCE caught up with Cory Bluhm, manager of downtown development for the City of Kitchener to check in on downtown revitalization progress.

Bluhm says the growing number of people living downtown is their number one indicator, the most important data for city teams as they work to accommodate changing needs and support a flourishing downtown.

The skyrocketing number of downtown events and the number of event visitors is the achievement they’re most proud of.

“Over the next five years we expect to see a growing nighttime crowd,” says Bluhm.

Downtown businesses will be “not just serving lunch,” as the millennials are influencing the way we work, and play, in the urban core.

“The workplace has changed,” Bluhm reflects. This generation is going for smaller spaces; you could say they “hotel it,” just looking for a desk, a bed, a place for their laptops.

Those aged 20-35 are living their lives outside now.

“They’re not just going home to TV. Downtown becomes the living room for the people.”

Bluhm points to the Saturday morning farmers’ market as a key sign of health and successful planning in downtown.

“It’s one of the most successful things we’ve done,” he says. “There’s a sense of community that happens there that I don’t see in St. Jacobs or anywhere else.”

Kitchener Public Library’s overhaul

is another point of pride. A “classy modern statement libraries aren’t dying,” KPL is another hub for community activities, serving many needs and many generations, like the market does.

We support businesses, but much of the best activity happens organically.

Each establishment finds an alluring niche to call its own. “You may have 15 different coffee shops, but they each serve different things.”

Also on their radar: Bluhm and his colleagues are aiming to get people out of their cars, to support biking, public transit and other environmentally-conscious means of transport.

And once the millennials start having families, they’re likely to start drifting away from downtown. The city is already anticipating this change and looking for ways to get ready for empty-nesters and seniors, the next wave of residents that will move into more of the condos and high rise living downtown.

TOP THREE “MOTHER TONGUES” OTHER THAN ENGLISH – GERMAN, PORTUGUESE, SPANISH.

TWO THIRDS OF HIGHRISE RESIDENTS IN THE CORE OF DOWNTOWN KITCHENER ARE 20-35 YEAR-OLDS.

JUNE 2015 // @THECOMMUNITYED

4

IN BRIEF

Hundreds indulged in mobile meals at the Outlaw Food Truck Picnic, hosted in Civic Centre Park on Sunday, May 24. Fourteen trucks were serving up grub and entertainment ranged from jug bands to flash mobs to juggling acts. MATT SMITH, PHOTO EDITOR.

NEWS

URBAN

ARTS

ONTARIO BY BIKE NETWORK CYCLES INTO WR

SUSTAINABLE BUILDING IN WATERLOO

MUSEUM HACK COMES TO KWAG

The Ontario By Bike Network is a resource for cyclists looking to explore areas of the province on two wheels. The network is also an exciting marketing opportunity that certifies businesses as bicycle-friendly, which helps companies and cities tap into the growing cycle-tourism market.

Waterloo is holding a workshop on Tuesday, June 16, at the Waterloo Memorial Recreational Complex. Cambridge is also holding a workshop on Wednesday, June 17, at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts. The free workshops are open to all, but require pre-registration (visit ontariobybike.ca to register).

Sustainable Waterloo Region, an environmental non-profit company, announced that it has entered into an agreement with three Waterloo Region organizations — The Cora Group, David Johnston Research + Technology Park University of Waterloo—to build a leading-edge sustainable building in Waterloo Region, slated to open in 2018. The building, which is projected to be 100,000 to 120,000 square feet, will be located in the David Johnston Research + Technology Park, right at the park’s LRT station. The vision is to create a net-positive building that goes well beyond current green building practices and integrates systems that give back to the environment in the areas of energy, water, air and waste.

It is also designed to be an iconic building, which integrates unique architectural elements that help meet the sustainability goals of the project.

UW TO HOST INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE The University of Waterloo, in partnership with the Balsillie School of International Affairs, is hosting the Canadian component of the World Wide Views on Climate and Energy, a global citizen consultation event. The forum takes place on Saturday, June 6, at Knox Church in Waterloo. For a full day, citizens from around the world will take part in the largest-ever public consultation on climate change and energy, answering questions on climate change and energy policy, targets and measures. This unique forum is a means of opening up global conversations about climate change.

The City of Kitchener seeks public engagement for the Iron Horse Trail, find out more on page 7. MATT SMITH, PHOTO EDITOR.

FUNDING DENIED FOR UNIVERSITIES’ EXPANSIONS Local universities seeking millions to expand their campuses have been denied provincial funding for this year. Ontario’s Liberal government declined funding Wilfrid Laurier University’s proposed Milton campus. The province also said no to $106 million sought by the University of Waterloo to help expand engineering facilities and launch the second phase of a science complex. The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities approved just one of 19 campus expansions competing for provincial grants this year.

CELEBRATING THE SOLSTICE UPTOWN On Saturday, June 20, uptown Waterloo BIA will be hosting its third annual Solstice Sampling, held in Waterloo Public Square.

This much-anticipated event provides local restaurants with the opportunity to showcase their menus and connect with the community. The entry fee is $5, and food tickets are $1 each. Grab your “foodie” friends and head out for a warm night of good food and a great community vibe.

Museum Hack is a group of New York-based young professionals who love museums and provide interactive, offbeat public and private tours at some of New York’s most amazing museums and galleries. They are taking their work on the road and offering similar “hacking” experiences in museums around the world. Their tours focus on the incredible works hidden in the deep, dark corners and their tour guides tell stories that keep everyone engaged in unconventional ways.

Museum Hack will make their first Canadian appearance at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery on Thursday, June 11.

ARTIST TALK AT THE CLAY & GLASS Join American artist Neil Tetkowski on Saturday, June 20, as he discusses his unique creative vision and a career that spans nearly 40 years. The Clay & Glass Gallery’s current exhibition, Rethinking Mythos, is a mid-career retrospective of Tetkowski’s work. Tetkowski is known for his environmentally inspired, large-scale clay mandala discs and clay installations. The exhibition features ceramic sculptures, photo and video installations and the monumental works he created for the UN’s Common Ground World Mandala project. In this project, Tetkowski created mandalas using raw clay from 188 countries and took him the better part of five years to complete.

SIDEWALK DEBATE IN KITCHENER

HOUSE & GARDEN TOUR OF NOTE

The city of Kitchener is endeavouring to move away from a car-centric city design to a “complete streets” model that encourages people to walk, cycle or take public transit to their destinations. This requires new subdivisions to put in sidewalks on both sides of the streets and road workers to install sidewalks whenever an older street is being rebuilt. However, due to outcry, the city is considering altering this unpopular sidewalk infill policy to allow exemptions for streets that don’t see much traffic or aren’t near transit or major destinations.

Have you ever wanted to visit an elegant mansion overlooking the rolling hills of Wellesley or explore an Art Deco treasure in historic Westmount? On Saturday, June 13, take a tour of six exceptional properties in Waterloo, Kitchener and Wellesley Township. Hosted by the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Volunteer Committee, this event features a sealed-bid auction and refreshments at one of the properties, as well as the mellifluous sounds of the K-W Symphony and Youth Orchestra musicians. All proceeds support the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra.

JUNE 2015 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

5

THE SKY IS NOT FALLING

DAN HERMAN COLUMNIST It’s far too easy to focus only on the negative economic news around us. Every factory or business closing is an indication of larger downward pressures. Our “Chicken Little” perspectives, however, tend to gloss over some great news in the local economy.

It is part of my work to speak with companies across the country about their growth and future prospects.

Interestingly, there are only a few regions in comparison, which have undergone such an immense transformation as here in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Take for example the companies that gathered for TechFest, a quazi-job fair hosted at Bingemans last week.

Companies like Miovision, Vidyard, eSentire, Magnet Forensics, Axonify and others were on hand to recruit new talent.

And they weren’t looking for just a couple of new people. Rather, most of the reps I spoke to noted that if they could, they’d hire everyone in the building (I’m not sure my credentials meet what they’re looking for…). Most were looking for, at minimum, a couple dozen new staff to ramp up and meet customer demand.

One representative noted that they’d been tasked with finding over 100 developers and sales staff by the end of the month.

This is the secret sauce that drives local and national economies. Highgrowth firms (defined as those that grow 20 per cent yearly in their first three years) represent less than five per cent of all Canadian firms but account for just about 50 per cent of all job growth. Since the beginning of the year the unemployment rate for KW has hovered around six per cent, a full percentage point under the provincial average. A primary reason for it is the expansion of our local high-growth firms and the subsequent impact on others in the community.

And it’s not just about jobs at these tech firms.

Rather, every job in one of these high-growth firms has potentially significant impacts on others in the community.

Research by Enrico Moretti, the author of the “New Geography of Jobs” and professor at the University of California, finds that “each innovation economy job supports up to five jobs elsewhere, in other professional sectors and in the service sector.

These halo effects are large because sectors like the digital economy are labour-intensive, well-paid and tend to cluster – amplifying the benefits for those cities with clusters of innovation job.” That means more jobs available across the spectrum of skills and wage levels.

So when we mourn the closure of local restaurants or services, the solutions aren’t just about better parking.

Rather, it’s also about making sure that the economic ecosystem around them is thriving. And with that in mind, KW’s future looks rather bright.

The orange wave washed into Waterloo Thursday, May 28 as NDP leader Thomas Mulcair came to town to bolster local support for Canada’s official opposition party.

Waterloo city councillor Diane Freeman will be running for the NDP in the upcoming federal election. Currently, Waterloo is represented by Conservative MP Peter Braid. Mulcair’s presence suggests Waterloo is a key battle ground as the NDP try to unite progressives across the country. MATT SMITH, PHOTO EDITOR.

GREEN BIN BLUES AHEAD IN WATERLOO REGION

CATHY MACLELLAN COLUMNIST Some days there are two or three bowls or bags in various locations in our kitchen. Like passing an offering plate, everyone is expected to make a contribution, no matter how small.

Coffee grounds, used tea leaves, egg shells and various peels are the most common currency deposited. The more food consumed, the larger the offerings. These bowls receive our household organic waste before being transferred to the big brown bag in the green bin. Having a number of receptacles “started” arises when the smaller plastic pails usually used for kitchen waste are sitting in the garage or outside waiting to be cleaned - a nasty job no one really wants to do.

Dealing with organic kitchen waste rates lower than cleaning toilets in

some households.

Nothing says “gross” better than opening your green bin lid and seeing a mass of creepy crawly fly larva. But even though it’s a messy, smelly, daily chore that takes time, green bin use needs to increase. A resilient city must learn to deal with its own waste.

Kitchen waste is a major contributor to the curbside garbage volume and the Waterloo landfill has only about 20 years worth of capacity left.

Municipal officials must breach a wall of resistance in order to stretch the life of our landfills. They have to convince the public that using the green bin works: the amount of garbage that was sent to the landfill from our curbs dropped by over half immediately when we started clearing our plates into the green bins instead of the trash.

Clearly, one key way to extend our landfill’s life is to divert and reduce waste that doesn’t belong there.

However, the green bin program has been a bust in Waterloo Region. Most household garbage at the curb could

migrate from garbage to green bin or the blue box—and perhaps we should look to other cities for inspiration on how to make the migration happen.

New York City recently set 2030 as their target date for becoming a zero-waste city, which means that less than 10 per cent of New York’s waste will end up in a landfill. Incineration and transporting waste away has become hugely expensive and limits their ability to maintain other services that make the city great. We in Waterloo Region should take note.

Innumerable creative attempts have been made to educate people about the waste problem in an effort to get them to change their behaviour.

But despite online “how to” videos, startling photo essays of people lying in one week of their own waste and the sincere and hopeful guidelines that make their way to mailboxes regularly, green bin underuse persists.

Seattle, taking a more drastic route, is publicly shaming households who do not separate their garbage by attaching large red signs to their bins

on garbage day. After six months, people face fines for not separating their garbage. And so we reach the ultimate, and usually successful, tools for changing behaviour: forcing you to keep stinking garbage in your garage and, failing that, taking your money.

Because we in Waterloo Region didn’t take to the green bin program with the same gusto as we did the locally founded blue-box program, we now face significant changes to our waste management practices. Now, you either put your organic wastes in the green bin or have them fester away in a garbage bag for an extra week. If this reform doesn’t work there may be a future financial hit for not separating or reducing garbage volume.

Building resilience is pursuing, not the path of least resistance. Doing the right thing is rarely neat and easy.

There will undoubtedly be complaining but there will also, finally, be action that will extend the life of our landfills and sustain our great quality of life in Waterloo Region.

JUNE 2015 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

6

The Community Edition is embarking on a series of dialogues with stakeholders in ION contruction, from GrandLinq to your grandma’s King Street storefront. Interested in voicing your experience with the contruction? Email allison. leonard@wlusp.com.

PHOTOS BY MATT SMITH, PHOTO EDITOR.

THE ION DIALOGUES and patience during this time. All businesses are open during ION construction and we encourage residents to continue supporting their favourite local businesses during this time.

ANNA BEARD CONTRIBUTOR In March 2014, Regional Council approved GrandLinq as the preferred team to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain ION Stage 1 light rail transit. Now, construction is well underway. To give a more detailed update about construction status, and what to expect, TCE talked with Kimberly Moser, manger of community relations for the ION. She walked us through a few concerns and frequently asked questions.

TCE: Is construction still on budget?

KM: Yes. One of the key benefits of a “design, build, finance, operate and maintain public-private partnership” – like the one we have with GrandLinq – is that all of the construction and operations costs are in agreement before any work begins.

TCE: Is construction still happening on time?

KM: Yes. GrandLinq is currently on track to meet the timelines established in the project agreement. The first key milestone is in June 2016. Currently, there are many areas across the Region where ION construction – both adapted bus rapid transit and light rail transit – are underway. Building the Region’s rapid transit service is an enormous undertaking. We understand that construction can present some challenges as drivers, pedestrians and cyclists navigate in and around the construction areas and we appreciate the community’s support

TCE: What has the region heard from businesses along the transit corridor?

KM: For the most part, businesses have been understanding of the need for this work to be completed. Building ION is an enormous undertaking and any construction, whether it’s ION-related or not, presents some challenges. GrandLinq and Region staff are using a wide-range of communication tools and tactics to ensure businesses in and around the construction areas are informed and kept up-to-date. This includes critical one-on-one meetings, notices, advertisements, email updates, website and social media engagement. Prior to construction, GrandLinq staff meets with businesses to understand and resolve construction-related questions or concerns. During construction, GrandLinq is in regular contact with businesses as the construction progresses. We also have wonderful partners in the BIAs as uptown Waterloo and downtown Kitchener share ION construction information with their businesses. GrandLinq has done a great job working with businesses to ensure access remains open, both for customers and deliveries.

TCE: What campaigns can we expect to surface to promote businesses affected by ION construction?

KM: Ensuring the community knows all businesses are open during ION construction is the most important message right now. We’re getting this out through stakeholder meetings, way-finding and detour signage, joint events with the BIAs, media coverage, special events, advertisements, the website and social media. Activities

are ongoing and will continue to be seen in and around the community as ION construction progresses. One of the easiest ways residents can show their support is by using the #IONbiz hashtag on social media when they visit their favourite local businesses during ION construction. When used, the #IONbiz hashtag will be promoted to a wider audience by ION, the Region of Waterloo and the uptown Waterloo or downtown Kitchener BIA. As construction progresses, we’ll look at new ways to create awareness for businesses through joint events and activities, including signage, advertising and tailored social media campaigns.

TCE: We’ve already seen some effects of construction filter into uptown with the addition of a 200 iXpress stop placed at King and Bridgeport. When can we expect construction to start on King St. in uptown?

KM: We’re currently working with GrandLinq to develop a schedule that allows them to meet the requirements outlined in the project agreement, while also considering the needs of businesses on King Street. As we develop this schedule, we are getting input from the uptown Waterloo BIA and the City of Waterloo. We should have something finalized in the next few weeks.

Straight from the source, ION Light Rail Transit construction is still on time, still on budget, but Moser’s thoughts prove there is still a way to go and that supporting local businesses is essential. In fall 2016, we can expect the delivery of the first Bombardier FLEXITY Freedom light rail vehicle, and stage 1 service from Conestoga Mall to Fairview Park Mall, starting in Fall 2017.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: #IONDIALOGUES.

JUNE 2015 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

7

TCE profiles Waterloo Region’s book nooks, the pages they host and the neighbourhoods they serve. JESSICA DIK, CONTRIBUTOR.

A TOUR OF LITTLE LIBRARIES

A number of inititiatives ranging from workshops to intensive courses are underway to involve the members of the community in identifying improvements to the Iron Horse Trail. MATT SMITH, PHOTO EDITOR.

IRON HORSE ENGAGEMENT ANDREW MORGAN CONTRIBUTOR The City of Kitchener and the University of Waterloo are collaborating on how to develop the Iron Horse Trail into an inclusive and equitable community asset.

On June 8, the City of Kitchener is holding a public workshop to involve the members of the community in identifying improvements to the Iron Horse Trail. The public workshop is part of a community engagement program lead by Multi-use Pathways and Trails Project Manager Josh Joseph and consultant Colleen Cooper to invite public input on a Iron Horse Trail improvement strategy.

In May, a group of graduate students used the improvement strategy project as a case study as they considered the health inequalities in Waterloo Region in intensive twoweek course at University of Waterloo.

Students from the course will be assisting Joseph and Cooper at the public workshop.

The improvement strategy will identify enhancements like way-finding, seating areas, lighting and public art for the Kitchener sections of the trail. Besides the public workshop, the engagement program features an interactive online survey and pop-up stations where residents will walk the trail with city staff members (the final one is on June 9).

“A big push for the Iron Horse Trail [improvement strategy], at least as we have experienced it, has been understanding the needs and desires of community members and users of

the trail” says one instructor of the graduate course, Sara Edge, PhD. “Obviously that requires a good deal of legwork in terms of community engagement. Hopefully this course has provided Josh and Colleen a chance to test out some of their engagement ideas and to benefit from the diverse range of skills, perspectives and experiences that students brought to this course.”

Edge is director of research and programming for the CHEC Initiative, a UW affiliated organization that works with communities and coordinates research on health equity and sustainability. She and Mark Groulx, PhD candidate in the UW School of Planning (and TCE contributor) designed and taught the course. The course included students from the School of Planning, School of Public Health and Health Systems, and Department of Environment and Resource Studies, as well as students from the Social Justice and Community Development program at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Groulx describes the relationship between health inequalities and trails like the Iron Horse: “Health outcomes are produced by a complex set of factors that span from global environmental crises to local policies that shape the built and natural landscape.

At the same time, unequal access to necessary supports that are required to build and maintain a healthy lifestyle can constrain the capacity of individuals and communities to contribute to their own health and well-being.”

By working with Joseph and Cooper, “students will be able to bring their understanding of health equity to a discussion about creating an Iron Horse Trail that serves the needs of all citizens in our community,” says

Groulx.

The students proposed strategies to address in safety, physical and mental health, and social inclusion inequalities present in Waterloo Region through the improvements to the Iron Horse Trail. These ranged from lighting, public art and a “trail day” to a low ropes course, outdoor stationary exercise equipment and a stewardship coalition of community services representatives and individuals from impacted community groups.

Their work gave particular attention to engaging individuals and groups (youth, or individuals and families living in poverty, for example) who are impacted most by health inequalities, and are not often given a stake in matters.

Joseph says he was impressed how the students approached the subject matter “both realistically and creatively” to propose “a mix of simple and complex solutions.”

Merryn Maynard, a public health student who took the course, is excited to be part of the workshop on June 8. She references a quote from Nick Saul, president of Community Food Centres Canada, former executive-director of The Stop Community Food Centre in Toronto, and recipient of the 2008 Jane Jacobs Award in expressing her interest: “people, if you give them the chance, have really insightfully and amazing ideas about how to improve their lives.”

The combination of the public workshop and pop-up stations in the engagement program will allow for more thorough engagement.

For more information on the Iron Horse Trail Improvement Strategy and the engagement program, including the June 8 public workshop and June 9 pop-up station, visit kitchener. ca/ironhorsetrail.

KERRI HUTCHINSON CONTRIBUTOR Little libraries are thriving in our community. The first little library was established in the region approximately three years ago and there are more than 60 little libraries throughout KW. Anyone can build a little library, but a local group, Little Libraries of Kitchener-Waterloo, began hosting community builds in 2013 with the purpose of making building and maintaining little libraries as easy as possible for community members. In 2015 the first two LLKW community builds sold out weeks in advance and more builds are expected.

LLKW organizer Tom Nagy described the community response as “Fantastic. Everybody has been really positive.”

Other communities have experienced backlash from city councils about the legality of little libraries, but Nagy described our local governments as being incredibly supportive, “people just get it here.”

Our communities’ interest and passion for literacy and engagement is obvious when you realize how many little libraries are throughout the region.

Travelling east to west through KW, I visited seven little libraries, along a 5 km route.

Starting in Breithaupt Park, on a beautiful forested trail to the right of the splash pad and playground, I visited the first of seven little libraries.

Well suited for the family neighbourhood, there was a good mix junior fiction in this library including a copy of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.”

My next two stops were across the street from one another on Waterloo St. Situated between the community garden at Uniroyal Goodrich Park and Mount Hope Cemetery, these two little libraries will have something for everyone in the neighbourhood. The little library on the east side of the street caters to the younger crowd with many junior fiction books and picture books. Classics and modern favourites like “Nancy Drew,” “The Babysitter’s Club,” and “Pete the Cat” were found in this little library.

On the west side of the street I

found many adult fiction titles, including “Hell Going,” a collection of short stories by Canadian author Lynn Coady. “Hell Going” won the 2013 Giller Prize, Canada’s largest book prize.

Continuing up Waterloo St. to Moore Ave. South I came across another little library where I found the non-fiction best-seller, “Into Thin Air”

by Jon Krakauer.

Heading up to Allen St. East, I came across a lovely little library at Mary Allen Park recently installed by the Mary Allen Neighbourhood Association.

Young adult titles, cookbooks, and literary fiction filled this little library. I found another Canadian literary novel, “Fugitive Pieces” by Anne Michaels here. Once the Spur Line trail is completed, this little library will be a hot spot for active commuters looking for something new to read.

Walking Allen St. into the uptown west neighbourhood I found a bright purple little library on Severn St. A diverse collection, this little library had “Middlesex” by Jeffrey Euginedes, “City of Bones” by Cassandra Clare, fiction best-seller Lisa Scottoline and a mix of biographies. Close to Belmont Village, readers are able to stop by the library on their way to breakfast at Checkerboard Restaurant or dinner at Janet Lynn’s Bistro.

Heading down Union Ave. and turning north on Avondale Ave., the final stop on my little library tour was a beautifully designed library space.

This little library comes equipped with a beautiful stone bench and garden space that encourages readers to sit down and stay for a while. “Dreams of Joy” by Lisa See, “Cooking for Dummies” and fantasy titles by Philip Pullman and Terry Brooks rounded out this collection.

We are a community of book lovers.

We have fantastic public library systems, independent bookstores and now dozens of little libraries. But little libraries are about more than just books. These little libraries encourage us to walk around our city and engage with our neighbours. They are conversation starters and they bring people together.

I encourage you to explore your neighbourhood and discover a little library near you.

FOR A MAP OF LITTLE LIBRARY LOCATIONS, CHECK OUT COMMUNITYEDITION.CA.

side street scenes

THE COMMUNITY EDITION EXPLORES THE CHANGING CULTURE OF ONTARIO STREET When the game of Kerplunk is five feet tall, it’s pretty hard to walk past without stopping to stare. That’s okay.

In fact, it’s ideal on Ontario Street.

Kwartzlab’s tremendous Kerplunk game is just one of the playful, interactive attractions that was used to pull crowds into Ontario St. and Goudies Lane on Friday, May 29 during the first FUNtario event of the summer.

The City of Kitchener has teamed up with Ontario Street business owners and the BIA to create three monthly events celebrating all that Ontario St. offers. Ontario St. continually draws the office crowds down from their towers at lunch. The FUNtario events are designed to spice up the nights, too.

The Friday night programming is far more than another downtown Kitchener street festival; it’s preparation for a temporarily defunct King Street.

“We’re adapting the FUNtario events from Night\Shift,” says Eric Rumble, downtown marketing and program coordinator for the City of Kitchener. “We’re using downtown spaces and reimagining that space for other purposes. Nobody’s really doing anything in Goudies on a Friday night.

It’s midway between King and Duke, two blocks longish. It’s this hidden feature of downtown. This is an exciting area for community-building and public engagement.”

The stretch of Ontario between King and Weber has transformed from average side street to thriving hotspot over the past two and a half years as the new arrivals stacked up: StylFrugal, Candy, Candy, Candy, The Adventurers Guild Board Game Café and Tavern, Apollo Cinema, Gr8 Escape, and as of May, Black Arrow Cycles.

On this singular street, trendy meets quirky and tech crowds blend with arts crowds. Targeting the 20s-to-40s bracket, the new wave of independent business are purveyors of chic consignment clothing, retro commuter bikes, movies and craft brews. Also making appreances: escape room activities, a not-your-living-room space for board games, local beer on tap, and the best Zelda themed sandwiches east fo the Hyrule Castle.

(Try the Tri-Force of power – prosciutto, mayo, mozza and red onion on panini with salad or kettle chips and a pickle!)

Growth in this location can be attributed, in part, to price.

“It’s as close as you can get to being on King Street without the high rent,” according to Kate Cox, co-owner of The Adventurers Guild Boardgame Café and Tavern.

However, when we dug deeper and asked proprietors what allows this shopping and entertainment oasis to thrive in a downtown that has struggled to rise above a bad rap, the most

oft-cited answer was: it’s an energy.

It’s a vibe.

More specfically, it’s a community-oriented spirit.

Relationships are central to success, says Helena Kwiecinski, owner of StylFrugal.

“The one thing that’s surfaced is that businesses need to come together to succeed,” she says.

Kwiecinski regularly flits through KW networking events to identify other likeminded, intrepid, entrepreneurs and entice them over to Ontario.

“We wanted more, similar businesses, going for the same demographic.

That was the plan. There was effort in that,” she says. “Now businesses are asking me, now there’s a definite demand.”

So many businesses on the Ontario St. strip had a story that elicits the warm fuzzies. For Jess Robertson, owner of newly-minted Black Arrow Cycles, community-oriented attitudes are mission critical.

“This is a unique street, and the momentum around it strengthens the community,” says Robertson. “I’d barely signed a lease here and was meeting the neighbours on both sides.

It’s a great community here. Kind of a surprise!”

Pleased by the warm welcome, Robertson is quick to add that he is also serious about his responsibility to the wider community, to Kitchener

residents – all of them. He saw a need for an urban commuter shop, and he hopes to contribute to downtown vitality by “helping get people equipped to ride every day.”

While the focus is on durability, he offers bikes that could last a lifetime, and he offers parts that are more affordable, entry-level, but designed to be replaceable for long-term value.

Robertson adores practical Dutch bike designs, and Toronto-based all-weather cycles, too. His shop is stocked with ready-to-roll Linus, Simcoe and Masi bikes, shimmering in stunning vintage hues – cornsilk and crimson, tangerine, cadmium and baby blue. Each cycle hosts a comfy seat and fenders, perfect for recreational rides or dodging construction and arriving at work, maybe feeling sweaty, but earth-friendly. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the market for new wheels or repairs to your trusty steed.

Like Robertson, Candy Candy Candy owners Dave and Sharon Watson couldn’t wait to relocate to Ontario Street, even though business was decent on Queen.

“It’s a feeling more than anything else,” says Watson. “That’s why we moved here.”

“StylFrugal and The Guild were here before we were, doing a lot of work to get things going. We moved from our old location because we heard about

this through connections with Guild owners. As soon as a space opened we high-fived our way in.”

Paying it forward, Candy, Candy, Candy has lent a helping hand to The Adventurers Guild crew. At Bluesfest last year, Watson had a table, and the Guild owners had just arrived. They didn’t have a dedicated space, so Watson offered them room to set up some video games in his space. Super Mario and specialty candies were united at last.

“We just went together,” says Watson. “We still do.”

The welcoming, inclusive atmosphere is winning the hearts (and dollars) of Kitchener-Waterloo residents, as well. The lines between tech and art are blurry here. The tired “nerd vs. jock” stereotype do not apply, says Watson. Kate Cox agrees.

The Adventurers Guild Board Game Café and Tavern co-owner is a regular matchmaker extraordinaire.

On “Lone Wolf Wednesdays” (when new players are encouraged to make their debut) and every other day, Cox says she loves being able to knit together new social networks. Because who wants to confront that quest alone?

“What I do is break the ice for them,” says Cox. “I find out what they’re into and go around to tables with them. Ninety-nine per cent of the time the reply is ‘yeah! Awesome!’ unless it’s a couple on a date. People end up spending the whole night until close playing a game. We have a group that meets two times a week. They met at the opening Lone Wolf Wednesday.”

“It’s easy to run up to someone in the schoolyard and say, ‘Hey, I wanna play with you!’ But when you’re 33, it’s a little more difficult. It helps to have something to do. Definitely, local craft beers help too,” Cox says with a laugh.

Gr8 Escape is another entertainment venue where visitors tend to create uncommonly strong bonds

when they least expect it.

Co-owner Sim Kahlon says he first tried escape rooms in Toronto for a friend’s birthday and was instantly hooked.

“We got out with about a minute to go. I got that rush.”

“The excitement stays with you, and the conversations about your shared experience keep going,” says Kahlon.

Players from ages 10 through 60 have tried out the rooms at Gr8 Escape, in teams from two to six. Any combination of people is worth trying, Kahlon emphasizes. There are so many different types of puzzles inside, that it’s actually a benefit to have a mixed team. Regardless of how well you know your teammates going in, you’re sure to learn a lot about them before you leave, according to Kahlon. It’s a one-of-a-kind bonding experience.

“The whole goal is to get a key to escape,” but the Gr8 Escape team also has plans to launch some unconventional games in public spaces to energize the city.

The team of four that founded Gr8 Escape looked at a few cities, but were attracted by the small businesses that were already established on Ontario Street. They hope their success will have ripple effects for nearby destinations, too.

“There were not many other entertainment businesses in downtown Kitchener,” says Kahlon. “That’s what makes us so excited to be here [to add to the mix of businesses]. Most people will go somewhere before, spend an hour at Gr8 Escape, then go out after, for a birthday party, or drinks.”

Gr8 Escape and Black Arrow Cycles will be ramping up participating in FUNtario for June so don’t miss it!

Mark June 26 in your calendar and stay tuned for event details. The theme is “The Circus” and Cox is working on something burlesque inspired.

BY NATALEE BLAGDEN, PHOTOS

BY MATT SMITH.

JUNE 2015 // @THECOMMUNITYED

10

VOICES

READY TO RIDE

REBECCA FERGUSON COLUMNIST Looking at the great cycling events and community bike rides in June, it’s clear that Waterloo Region’s bike culture is on the move.

“Cycling is a healthy, economical, environmentally sustainable way for citizens to get around,” says Kitchener city councilor Sarah Marsh, underlining the importance for our community to embrace cycling culture.

June’s events highlight the active community that we are fortunate to be part of here in Waterloo Region.

There is something for everyone, and all are welcome. So get out, get active and get involved in this city’s vibrant summer life.

To kick off cycling in June, take part

BRFC ON BEER

JON JOHNSON COLUMNIST When I first noticed Steigl’s Grapefruit Radler on LCBO shelves a couple of summers ago, I also noticed that stock would disappear almost as fast as it arrived. At the time it was the only radler option in the LCBO and its tart, refreshing flavour caught on quickly. In the ensuing years, more radlers have become available, and they’ve become a bit of a summer beer sensation.

Despite their popularity, I’m sure many of their fans wonder every time they crack one: “what the hell is a radler, anyway?”

A radler is technically a variant of a shandy, which is beer mixed with juice, carbonated juice or soft drinks, like ginger beer or ginger ale. Radlers themselves originate from Germany, and traditionally consist of a fifty-fifty mix of beer and sparkling lemonade.

The result is a refreshing beverage with a low-alcohol content.

The legend goes that on a June day in 1922, Munich innkeeper Franz Xaver Kugler’s beer garden was overrun with cyclists. When Kugler’s beer supply was running low, he mixed his remaining beer with some sparkling lemonade, which was not selling to his beer-loving clientele. The beverage

was a hit with the cyclists, and so came to be named after them — radler being the German word for “cyclist.”

For whatever reason, perhaps because Steigl’s Grapefruit Radler was many Ontarians’ first introduction to the beverage, there have not been many lemonade-based radlers available in the province. Steigl’s offering remains a particularly good example of a radler, with its well-balanced flavour and mix of sweet and tart. After a seemingly unpopular lemonade radler that showed up a few years ago but never returned, Waterloo Brewing now has their own grapefruit radler, which is much more tart than Steigl’s. This is a plus for me, but might not be for everyone. Also available in the LCBO this year is Amsterdam’s blood orange radler called Sweetwater Squeeze.

Personally, I found Sweetwater a little boring, preferring the tart grapefruit flavours of other brands.

This year sees two new import radlers hit the LCBO. Both originating from Germany, Schofferhofer Grapefruit Radler and Wernesgruner Radler, which is a lemonade-based Radler, can be found on store shelves. I’ve not had the pleasure of trying either of these yet, but I look forward to getting my hands on a few cans as the temperature rises.

Even if you (like me) don’t typically go for flavoured beers, radlers are a whole different thing, and I recommend checking some out. They’re the perfect midsummer, post-bike ride (or whatever activity gets your thirst up) beverage.

WEAR OUT THERE

CHRISTINA PROCTOR COLUMNIST Prom. It’s one of the most popular scenes for a high-school movie and a vivid memory for most adolescents.

It’s an event many individuals spend months organizing, preparing for and worrying (perhaps unnecessarily) about. It’s a time when lasting memories are formed with close friends before taking that next step to college, university, travel or work.

While prom is a milestone moment in our teenage years, many young girls do not attend simply because they can’t afford a dress. In Waterloo Region, many families face this reality for a number of reasons: they may live on a fixed income or are struggling financially due to job loss or other personal circumstances. The Kitch-

in an Aboriginal History Ride. Hosted by the Kitchener Public Library and BikeKitchener, these rides take cyclists on a tour of archaeological sites and Aboriginal culture centers in the city. They start at the gazebo in Victoria Park and make their way to the Central Library. Riders will enjoy complimentary refreshments and a viewing of ‘From Each Side of the Grand,’ a Six Nations Land Claim Exhibit. The first of these rides will be 27 km long, and take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 6. The second will be a shorter 6 km ride, and take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday June 10. The final Aboriginal History ride will be 12 km long, and take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday June 23. All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate in these cultural bike tours.

For those who enjoy the lively uptown atmosphere, Waterloo’s uptown market will feature The Working Centre’s Community Access Bikeshare and BikeKitchener information tables on June 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. to talk about bike safety, cycling routes and

ener-Waterloo Princess Project was formed to address this concern and ensure that all girls are able to attend their graduation or prom, regardless of financial barriers. With the mission, “because every young woman deserves to feel like a princess,” this volunteer-driven charitable organization is making a difference in the lives of many in our community.

Inspired by the good work of Kelly Steiss, executive director of the Kitchener-Waterloo Princess Project, and Tori Kaufman, volunteer coordinator, I got involved as a dress day consultant. My mission was to help young girls find the perfect outfit for their exciting event. The Dress Days were held May 5, 6 and 25, at the Victoria Park Pavilion.

“If we help even one girl, as far as we’re concerned, it’s been a success,” explained Kaufman before the first dress day. But many more than one girl were served through their efforts.

Over the three evenings, over 100 girls were outfitted for their prom or graduation.

Thanks to the generosity of local

cycling events.

Competitive cyclists have the opportunity to race at Cycle Waterloo’s Kitchener Twilight Grand Prix and the Tour de Waterloo. The Grand Prix is set for June 19, and will have the cyclists road racing on a short circuit around the city. The 6th annual Tour de Waterloo will take place on June 21. The Tour is a mass participation event, with different races for all skills levels, featuring 36 km, 76 km, or 46 km rides. These rides launch at Columbia Lake Health Club in Waterloo, and provide an opportunity to cycle through the beautiful landscape that surrounds the city. There will be route markers, route marshals, emergency services and rest stops.

If you want to participate in casual rides but do not have a bike of your own, be sure to check out the Community Access Bikeshare. Hosted by the Working Centre, this initiative makes cycling more affordable. For just forty dollars a season, members can access public bicycles located at stations around the city.

boutiques and individuals, there were racks of gorgeous gowns, divine dresses, sparkling shoes and perfect accessories — all of which were available in every size and colour for the girls to choose from. Whether they wanted a simple design or an elaborate masterpiece, we were able to find something for every girl at the event.

There are times in our lives when we truly want to look and feel our best.

We want to love what we’re wearing and feel confident in our own skin.

This is what the Kitchener-Waterloo Princess Project does for young girls — the program helps prepare them for these milestones, giving them confidence to take that next step in life.

This event is much more than simply receiving a free dress, and their smiles said it all.

Consider donating your formal dresses, shoes and/or accessories at one of the designated drop-off locations across Waterloo Region: Waterloo Sports Medicine, Gloss, Sage Naturopathic Clinic, Macintosh Dry Cleaners and Affinity Spa.

JUNE 2015 // @THECOMMUNITYED

11

PURE & LOCAL

SHEENA BOUNSANGA COLUMNIST

SEXPLANATIONS

STACEY JACOBS COLUMNIST Going au naturel, with a pubilicious full bush may be the trend with some, but many are still going in the opposite direction with a Brazilian or bro’zilian, removing all traces of pubic hair. While I have been removing my pubic hair in one way or another for over 20 years (I of course started growing and removing pubic hair when I was five...), and I have found sugaring to be my preferred method, I’ve never gone with the intention of writing about my experience.

This month, in an extended Sexplantions piece, I walk you through the process of sugaring for vulva wielders and penis possessors alike.

People remove pubic hair for many reasons. It makes them feel cleaner and cooler, they want to be pube-free in their bathing suit, they want to impress a partner or spice things up in the bedroom, they want their penis to look bigger. Maybe they don’t want their partner to get pubes caught in their teeth or they are sick of seeing pubes on the soap. There are as many reasons as there are pube removers.

Ready to rid myself of the hair between my legs, I chose a tried and true favourite – the Sugar Cube in uptown Waterloo. I conveniently booked my appointment online. Consider booking the week after your period; hormones influence sensitivity to pain, a vulva is most sensitive during ovulation and menstruation. As I walked into the Sugar Cube I was greeted with a smile, and a sweet smell. I instantly noticed how modern, clean and calm the space felt.

The process of sugaring couldn’t be more natural, made with sugar, lemon and water and it is an exfoliant for the skin. It is also hygienic as a ball of sugar paste is used for you and never re-used, eliminating double dipping into pots which can be the case with waxing.

The Sugar Cube was opened in 2010 by Jo McKnight. She followed her heart and her passion and is serious about the service she provides. She realizes that for many, getting sugared is a brave and scary thing to do and she

goes out of her way to make people feel comfortable.

All the sugarists are careful and gentle with people. Their motto is, “Never put vulvas out of commission.”

I have heard enough stories to know pubic hair removal can go very, very wrong. Bruising, ripping of skin, nicks and cuts, wax or sugar inside the labia where it should not be. This can happen at home and in a professional setting when people are not trained, careful and respectful.

The Sugar Cube welcomes all; all ages, body types and genders. You get to decide how much pubic hair is removed and what look you are going for.

I have recently been conducting puberty talks and as we were discussing that the growth of pubic hair is one of the first signs of puberty, someone asked “what is pubic hair for?”

According to Elizabeth Steward, M.D., a vulvo-vaginal specialist and writer of “The V Book,” pubic hair prevents irritation to the skin during the friction and rubbing of sexual intercourse. It allows bodies to slide instead of stick. This is also the purpose of the mons – the fat pad over the pubic bone that prevents the pubic bones from grinding into one another during sex and causing irritation. No matter how much weight someone loses, this fatty pad will not disappear (some people now liposuction it away).

Don’t let mass media’s depiction of pubic hair define your nether region; pubic hair can be thick, course, thin or sparse. It is often a darker colour than the hair on your head and turns gray as you age. It can also become thinner as you age. Pubic hair can grow in the pubic area, but also on the thighs and around the anus.

According to Jo many are looking to remove the hair that grows around the anus in order to feel cleaner and prevent dingle berries – those pesky bits of shit that get caught in your ass hair.

Many things get trapped in pubic hair beyond feces – discharge, menstrual flow, urine, lube, sweat. Removing pubic hair can prevent this; however, I also recommend good hygiene.

Shower, bath, try shampooing and conditioning your pubes to keep them healthy and soft. Something else pubic hair does for those of you with a vulva is direct urine downwards. Without it the stream can take a less direct route.

Back to the hair removal - once you’re in the door, you’ll be directed

into a private room and given a robe and a muff wipe. This wipe is individually packaged and is paraben free, hypoallergenic and biodegradable (like everything at The Sugar Cube). The wipe is not meant to replace a shower.

Be respectful of your sugarist and clean well before your appointment.

The wipe is to quickly freshen up as you may have gotten sweaty or used the bathroom since your shower.

Whether or not you leave your underwear on will depend on the type of hair removal you want. If you have a vulva and would like the Brazilian or the G-string, the underwear will have to come off. If you want the bikini it is possible to leave them on as they will only be removing the hair along the sides. For those of you with a scrotum and penis, the underwear will have to come off, but you will be given a cloth to wrap your penis. Anyone removing hair from the labia, scrotum or ass may have to assist their sugarist by pulling skin taught or lifting a butt cheek.

Ask questions, whether it is your first appointment or your twentieth.

You can ask Jo anything. Having your questions answered can relax you and lessen anxiety. If you are scared, embarrassed or uncomfortable let your sugarist know so they can help you through the process, they want to make your experience the best they can.

Get that first question out of the way: does it hurt? Yes. Sugaring rips the hair from your skin, of course it hurts! But the hurt only lasts for a few seconds, like ripping off a bandaid. If need be, your sugarist can coach you through breathing techniques and expressive language to help with the pain, as there website says, “Cry, grunt, yell for your mama – there’s no shame here.” For many the pain is well worth the final product – which lasts around three weeks. There is even a Brazilian club for those who frequent The Sugar Cube. This option saves you money and pain.

Removing pubic hair is a personal decision, one you should make for yourself. Don’t let me or anyone else tell you what kind of pubic hairdo you should have. Do what makes you feel good and what makes you comfortable. If you aren’t sure – experiment!

Just be safe and ensure your pubic region is getting the respect it deserves.

My little man Q is four and a half years old. He’s a fun loving little guy with copious amounts of energy.

On any given day you can find him dressed up as any one of the following; Spiderman, Captain America, Optimus Prime and/or Bumblebee.

Like his daddy, he likes to wear pink, or at least he used to. You see, Q is in junior kindergarten, and to make a long story short, a few of his classmates have decided that pink is no longer socially acceptable for boys. If you touch pink, you’re a girl. If I make you touch pink, you’re a girl. Even if I throw pink blocks at you, you are a girl. This subliminal message has been so deeply ingrained into these little guys’ minds that many have started refusing to use pink at home. But pink isn’t the problem; this exemplifies the ideology that being a girl (as associated with pink) is inherently bad.

Q will no longer drink out of a pink cup, colour with a pink crayon or pass his sister her pink hair brush. In fact, not only does he refuse to touch it, he behaves as if these items have been cursed with a strange spell (enter the squeals: “ew,ew,ew!”).

We’ve spent the last 10 days in Myrtle Beach, and over those 10 days, I slowly started to see Q shift back towards pink.

He started wearing his pink shirts and even he wanted to try on his sister’s pink goggles. Without the

CONTRIBUTE

The Community Edition wants to share your voice, too. From cycling to craft beer, parenting to the new sex education curriculum, if you have an interest in or opinion on a topic, we’d love to host your words. Email allison. leonard@wlusp.com to contribute as a guest columnist, or initiate a recurring column with your idea.

pressure of his classmates, he was able to like what he likes. It was nice to see.

This morning Q was getting dressed for school and picked out his pink golf shirt. I hesitated. I knew wearing that shirt meant risking social suicide in the trenches of the playground. I also knew if I convinced him to change his shirt, this would lead to a something more detrimental than just a handful of five-year-olds succeeding in manipulating my son’s choice. It could eventually lead him to having a lack of confidence while growing up. He wore the shirt anyway.

He was happy and content walking to school; I was nervous as hell. Not only is Q a fun loving little man, he’s also a very sensitive being. And this Mama Bear wanted nothing more than to protect her baby boy’s spirit from being crushed by a couple of five year olds.

I walked him up to his classroom door and he lost it, sobbing.

“I want to go home, I want to go home!”

It was out of the blue, and completely unexpected given his excitement earlier that morning. Perhaps it was the sight of the other kids, or perhaps (and more likely) it was my own nervous energy he was picking up on. Either way, it sucked.

I got down to his level, we did some mindful breathing, checked-in with his mindful emotions and slowly but surely he started to calm.

And with a deep breath, a big hug and a warm kiss, there I left him… in a pink shirt.

I touched base with the teacher within the first hour of school and she said he was rocking his day, with his pink shirt.

Have thoughts on a column we ran this month? Send us your response and we’ll do our best to run it in print or online.

If writing out your thoughts out in full isn’t your jam, try doing so in 140 characters or less. Connect with us online: @TheCommunityEd on Twitter, @communityedition on Instagram or facebook.com/CommunityEdition.

JUNE 2015 // @THECOMMUNITYED

12

TCE is profiling the good, the bad and the underappreciated neighbourhoods of Waterloo Region. Tweet @TheCommunityEd to suggest a community for us to explore. MATT SMITH, PHOTO EDITOR.

IF STREETS COULD TALK: CENTRAL FREDERICK LIZZ DICESARE CONTRIBUTOR Between the boundaries of Victoria St., East Lancaster, Krug and the Conestoga Parkway, you will find one of Kitchener-Waterloo’s most active neighborhoods: Central Frederick. In recent years, young families have been flocking to the neighborhood, and are becoming known for their welcoming atmosphere and open porch-parties.

Historically, Central Frederick has been a largely residential area. In the late 1800s, when the city was still named Berlin, it was closer to the outskirts of town. There were houses filled with families, similarly to today, but some properties also bordered farmland. One of the more notable properties at the time was the Waterloo County House of Industry and Refuge, which used to stand directly behind today’s Frederick Street Mall.

The House of Industry and Refuge opened in 1869 and housed 100 people: those of lower classes, the elderly, orphans and mentally ill who had nowhere else to go. If residents died while living there, and their bodies were not claimed, they were buried in nearby fields. After years of neglect the field was largely forgotten, and it was eventually built over and redeveloped as the city expanded. Now, it’s believed that many of these unmarked graves are underneath peoples homes, backyards, public buildings and parks. Researchers believe there are

roughly 260 of these unmarked graves throughout Central Frederick, and in other nearby areas.

According to James Howe, a resident of Central Frederick who has lead a Jane’s Walk through the neighborhood, residents are aware of the old poorhouse, especially since it has been recently reported on. “[There has been] consideration of possibly recognizing people who died there, although there are some lost graves and that could affect some of the people living in Central Frederick,” he explained. “So we [the Central Frederick Neighborhood Association] also want to make sure that if they have concerns or questions they get heard.”

Over time, the need for a poorhouse became outdated as new social services became available. And with Kitchener becoming a growing city, and the need for residential areas growing, the original building was torn down and replaced with new infrastructure.

Central Frederick, however, kept up with the tradition of caring for those who needed a little extra help. In the 1950s, Kitchener resident Anna Kaljas purchased houses on the corner of Frederick and Simeon Streets.

“She would take in people who basically had no where else to live, people with mental illness and so-forth, and she just cared for them on her own,” said Howes. “The houses are still used for that purpose.”

The histories and legacies of Central Frederick can also be seen today in the names of the streets, as many were named after prominent people or families when the neighborhood was establishing itself in the mid-1800s.

Brubacher Street, for example, was named for a family that owned farmland nearby. Lydia and Simeon Streets were named after individuals within the Brubacher family.

Newer buildings within the area also help show the neighborhood’s transition as Kitchener has grown and expanded. The current Frederick Street Mall, when originally built in the 1950s, was considered to be on the edge of town. Over time, the area has remained largely residential, and older buildings are being renovated to help expand. On the corner of Chestnut and Mansion streets is an old factory building that has recently been converted into condos.

Being a residential area, Central Frederick draws many families. In the past five to ten years, there has been a surge of young families with children.

Being a family-centric area, coupled with unique history, is a drawing factor for many new residents. Sarah McQueen, a new resident of Central Frederick, moved to Kitchener from Toronto three years ago and insisted on living in the neighborhood.

“I knew that it was a very family-centric area. I knew it would be a great place that we could kind of could settle down and raise our son,” she explained with enthusiasm.

“A lot of the houses are unique, which, if you look in some of the newer neighborhoods, a lot of the houses look very similar; I would find it hard to tell my house from the next, so a lot of the houses look very different, they all have well-established gardens, and I just like the feel of an older home, that there is history.”

Like McQueen, Laura McBride,

another fairly new Central Frederick resident, looked into the area and did a bit of research before moving there.

While McBride was aware of some of the more prominent events that happen in the neighborhood, such as the annual Frederick Street Art Walk, she didn’t realize just how active people in the neighborhood actually are.

“It turns out there’s so much more going on than we ever imagined,” she said. “We moved here intentionally because we were looking for people who were active, and it felt like the neighborhood already had an active community.”

She was also one of the individuals who helped organize and execute the first Hohner Ave. Porch Party three years ago. May 30, 2015 saw the third annual porch party, with 33 local artists playing in four hours. For the event, the entire street is closed off, and the bands rotate between porches so the venues change. The event fosters a very open atmosphere where people can easily walk between each band and mingle with neighbours and friends.

“We always wanted to have a music festival of some kind,” McBride explained; there are many artists living in the neighborhood, since it is in close proximity to both Center in the Square and the KW Symphony.

“The neighborhood is supportive of it.”

The front porches that adorn many of the homes throughout Central Frederick host so much than local musicians. They also help create the welcoming, open atmosphere that many residents and newcomers to Central Frederick note as one of

the neighborhood’s most charming factors. Brad Watson, the president of the CFNA, immediately noted the neighborhood’s front porches when his family moved to the area three years ago.

“It’s sort of a different feel,” he explained. “You’re outside and you’re approachable; that’s a huge part of why this neighborhood is so close.”

The front porches help fuel the vibrant atmosphere of Central Frederick, and help neighbors connect with each other and with those who are simply passing through.

Central Frederick has held onto the connectedness that many new, more modern neighborhoods have lost. Many of its residents are active, whether through CFNA-organized events, or more grassroots charm.

Faerie doors, tiny, house-side entrances fit for the forest spirits of your dreams, have been placed throughout the neighbourhood by residents looking to add a little more imagination and creativity for children and adults alike. All of them are visible from sidewalks, and help create a shared communal experience.

Residents of Central Frederick know each other, and continue to strive for and create an open neighborhood where all residents can feel free to get involved in activities, events and programs. Its proximity to the downtown core is also pulling more people in, and with Kitchener’s inevitable growth, more and more families may soon flock to Central Frederick.

JUNE 2015 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

13

Locally grown produce and hand-made products can be found every week starting mid-June in Belmont Village with the launch of their community-run farmers’ market MATT SMITH, PHOTO EDITOR.

NEW BELMONT MARKET IS ALMOST IN SEASON ELIZABETH MCFAUL CONTRIBUTOR A farmers’ market is an amazing place; people and produce are everywhere in the colourful, loud and sometimes chaotic space. From scenic St. Jacobs, the busy Kitchener Farmers’ Market or the local fare in uptown Waterloo on Thursdays, Kitchener-Waterloo has a lot to offer in terms of top-quality farm-fresh products, fresh produce and local goods.

But there’s a new local food market on the scene starting in mid-June.

Nestled in the heart of Belmont Village, the Belmont Local Food Market located at the corner of Belmont Ave. and Claremont Ave., will be open on Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. throughout the summer.

A market in Belmont Village has been a major interest for its residents and business owners.

“I have long wanted an open door market in Belmont Village. We have a good mix of residential and business; it just makes sense,” said Susan Broughton, owner-operator of All Things Tea on Belmont Ave. “I brought the idea to our BIA, and at that same time a resident who lives in the area also expressed interest. We have sort of joined efforts to make this

a reality this year.”

Over the past few months, Broughton and neighbours have been planning, selecting suppliers, and recruiting volunteers to launch this open-air, volunteer-run market.

Support from the community has been plentiful, including the group of much-needed volunteers.

“The support has, from the get-go, been amazing. There is clearly a want and need for this in Belmont,” said Broughton. “The movement toward eating locally just continues to grow.”

The market has been actively recruiting volunteers to staff the market over the past few months. The Belmont BIA has also been a significant supporter of the project, viewing the project as

BAND REVIEW

a community-builder, and providing some of the financial support needed to get the market running.

The main supplier of the Belmont market will be the Sustainable Market, a local group that works with a number of farmers in the area. “[They offer] everything from ensuring farmers are paid a living wage, providing us with fresh, clean, locally grown produce to providing delivery services,” said Broughton in describing their selection.

The produce will arrive at the market on Tuesday at noon, having been picked Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

“We are also in a village setting and there are definitely other businesses

ALBUM REVIEW

FRESH-AIR FOLK FROM NEW GARVEY RELEASE MARA BENDER CONTRIBUTOR

COURTESY AQUAINTANCE

EP IS ANYTHING BUT PALE DAVE EMRICH CONTRIBUTOR Boasting a fair amount of clout as far as Canadian indie rock goes, Acquaintance is a force to be reckoned with. This pseudo-super local artist supergroup features former members of the local act Vacuity, as well, the bassist Ruby Bumrah is a former member of Pilot Speed who earned themselves a Juno nomination a few years back. Rounding out the lineup on keys and vocals is Beth Hawkins, a prominent local singer-songwriter.

The lineup has collective touring experience with legendary Canadian acts such as Sam Roberts, Death From Above 1979, Sloan and Our Lady Peace and now after a few years in the studio slaving away, working their fingers to the bone writing and recording, the band is finally releasing their first

within Belmont Village itself that will be supplying the market: think fresh baked bread, preserves, local honey, etc. We’re very excited about that,” said Broughton, “Not only will we have the market open, but there will be businesses participating along Belmont Ave., too a true village feel!”

The Belmont Market starts its season with a soft opening on Tuesday, June 16. The market’s grand opening will take place on Tuesday, June 23 with remarks from Zyg Janecki, Ward 8 councillor and demonstrations from local beekeepers. After that, the market will provide a place to meet, work, and shop Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the summer.

EP entitled Beyond The Pale. While unfortunately having to wait until their Friday June 12 release party at the newly re-opened Boathouse in Kitchener for the full six song EP, I was fortunate enough to get a preview of three tracks from the upcoming release.

When asked what genre Acquaintance describes themselves as they referred to themselves mysteriously as “headphone rock,” however upon actually dawning headphones and getting up close and intimate with the music (something that listeners need to spend more time doing, frankly) it’s very clear that this is the only accurate description.

With a sound that ranges everywhere from polished to raw, from epic to mellow, from aggressive to somber, it’s safe to say that there’s a new treat to find every time you listen. Featuring elements of country influenced rock, most notably featured in the track Bring Your Animal, at times this five piece shows clear influences from acts such as early, ambient Elliot Brood as well as Murder by Death.

The ambient and flowing sound throughout is matched only by nearly flawless production, which makes this an absolute treat to listen to from a audiophile’s point of view – something that can’t necessarily be said for even the most successful of Canadian rock bands.

With all the additional accents and percussive elements constantly creating interest for the listener, it’s safe to say that referring to these as just “songs” is an unfair label – these are far more compositions than they are songs and their hard work shows in spades.

While you can hear their first single “Miles Apart” on their website now it’s recommended that you head out to the Boathouse on June 12 not only to grab a copy of the full six song release of Beyond the Pale but to see these compositions being played live, because with quality production and musicianship like this one can only imagine that their live show will be, without question, something to be seen.

Independent artist Richard Garvey has a long history of making his own way. He’s finished two tours exclusively on his bike, independently produced seven albums and focuses his creative energy on issues surrounding the environment, social change and community building. Musically, he provides a breath of folk-based fresh air, following the likes of Pete Seeger and David Francey.

Garvey’s new album, Where Fools Gather, is no disappointment. His time as one of Kitchener’s hardest working folk/roots musicians has paid off, Where Fools Gather is as refreshing as a cool glass of sweet tea on a hot summer day.

Although the album itself works very well as a whole, there are a few standout tracks.

The title track, “Where Fools Gather” is a beautiful blend of Jack Johnson and the local Mike Erb Band; it has a whimsical sense of youth and love for the surrounding world. “Where Fools Gather” can be held as a metaphor for much of the album, Garvey’s music seems to have bottled up liquid sunshine from days off and injected it into his album.

Beyond the summertime happiness captured though his music, Garvey manages to find a broader purpose.

Much of his music focuses around community and appreciating everything around us, from people to places and the natural world. His love for the world and everything on it is apparent in several tracks, such as “California,” “Speaks To Me,” and “I Deserve It.” Garvey’s development from his past album is quite interesting. Although he still picks up on folk and roots influences, Where Fools Gather has lost some of the folk-like intensity. It’s lighter on the violin and banjo, with more choral and cello layers involved in production, especially in comparison to his 2012 album To Grow.

All in all, Garvey’s album is fresh, even when released in a community where most have encountered his tracks in their favourite watering hole.

His focus on community and appreciating existence at large is energizing on its own. When mixed with his summery guitar and banjo combination, Where Fools Gather is a great summer release, made for backyard barbecue parties, warm weather exploring and appreciating those around us.

EMAIL ALLISON.LEONARD@WLUSP.COM TO SEE YOUR LOCAL ALBUM REVIEWED

BY THE COMMUNITY EDITION.

JUNE 2015 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

15

cycling, craft beer, condos, light rail, indie bands.

THE COMMUNITY EDITION IS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO WRITE ABOUT ALL OF THESE THINGS. ALLISON.LEONARD@WLUSP.COM FOR MORE INFO.

Pregnant, need help?

We offer free, confidential information and support for parenting, adoption and abortion.

519-743-9360 . www.ppwr.on.ca

ARTS & CulTuRe lISTINGS Friday, June 5 2015 KOi Fest Launch Party Pop the Gator

the Measure OF aLL thinGs the apollo cinema

[ Music • $10 • All Ages • 8pm ]

[ Cinema • $15 • 6pm ]

Announcement of KOI 2015 lineup.

Performances by Teen Violence, St Andrews and Heaven Through Hell.

Solo experimental guitar & electronics.

Sax! Explorations: rhythmic melodies, free improvisation, imagination. [ Music • $10/pwyc • 8pm ]

saturday, June 6

All things STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, & math). Also, delicious food trucks. Parking lot party. [ Party • Free • All Ages • 1pm ]

KW POetry sLaM FinaLs Queen street commons cafe

Finals for K-W’s 3rd ever Poetry Slam Team. Winners go to the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in Saskatoon. [ Slam • $10-$20/pwyc • All Ages • 7pm ]

aBOriGinaL BiKe tOurs Kitchener-Waterloo

Three bike tours to archaeological sites and Aboriginal cultural centres in the city. Do not miss! [June 6, 10, 23]

Hand made in Waterloo. www.mbpublishinghouse.com

[ Fun • Free • All Ages

•

1pm/6pm/6pm ]

Ba JOhnstOn Jane Bond

Hamilton royalty BA Johnston & jokes with Nick Flanagan. After party with DJs Taco in a Sack & My Moms Records. [ Music/Comedy • $10 • 19+ • 9pm ]

sunday, June 7 Princess caFe cOMedy Princess cafe Chris Locke’s mini donuts mini tour with Tom Henry, Ian Gordon, and host Nick Flanagan. Free mini donuts. [ Comedy • $10/pwyc • All Ages/Wet • 9pm ]

Swipe ride return repeat

threat + WOOdLOuse tBd

$40

No overage charges 7 month membership

Register Online:

theworkingcentre.org/cab

519-743-1151 ext. 172 58 Queen St. S, Kitchener bikeshare@theworkingcentre.org

Are we headed in the right direction?

THINK. ASK. VOTE For a better Canada.

Meditation on fate, time, experience, & the Guinness Book of Records.

In-person narration & live soundtrack.

saturday, June 13

Ways + BaBeL the yeti cafe

steaM heat!

Waterloo Public Library

BUY LOCAL NOTEBOOKS.

Friday, June 12

Ear shreddery & earth shattering fun.

Threat (Montreal), Woodlouse (K-W), MK Stinson, Fathers, more TBA/ [ Music • $5/pwyc • All Ages/Dry • 9pm ]

tuesday, June 9 the diGitaL aGe iQc (Quantum computing)

Dr. Krysta Svore: an attempt to reveal some of the mysteries of the disruptive quantum computational paradigm. [ Lecture • Free • All Ages • 7pm ]

rhyMes FOr yOunG GhOuLs Kitchener Public Library

A revenge-fueled teenage Mi’g Maq drug dealer attends a residential school run by a sadistic minister. Zombies. [ Cinema • Free • 14a • 2pm ]

diy BiKe Maintenance civic centre Park

Get your bike out of hibernation and back on the road with staff from Recycle Cycles (weather dependent). [ Workshop • Free • All Ages • 10:30am ]

sunday, June 14 the Grand POrch Party uptown West Waterloo

Community music festival held on the welcoming front porches of homes in Uptown West Waterloo. Wander! [ Party • Free • All Ages • 2pm ]

tuesday, June 16 sheer MaG Princess cafe

Sheer Mag (Philadelphia Power Pop); Mexican Slang (TO Grunge); Hissy Fit & Battlewulf (both K-W awesomeness). [ Music • $8/pwyc • All Ages/Wet • 9pm ]

Wednesday, June 17 cOMMunity deV BreaKFast Kava Bean commons

Just a casual breakfast with community development-minded folks. A chance to sit, chat, learn, and eat breakfast. [ Community • All Ages • 7:30am ]

Friday, June 19 suPercOLLider communitech hub

Between the Ears. A collaborative creation: performance of music & dance from Lori Freedman & Marc Boivin. [ Festival/Music • Free • 4pm ]

saturday, June 20 Myaudia: sirens the apollo cinema

Between the Ears: Sirens of the Grand.

Sonic flotillas, cross-river musical conversations & play. Keep ears open? [ Festival/Sound • Free • Noon ]

saturday, June 20 K-W MuLticuLturaL Fest Victoria Park

A community celebration of cultural diversity. Featuring international music, dancers, and delicious food. [ Festival • Free • Noon ]

sOLstice saMPLinG Waterloo Public square

Delicious culinary samples from Frites, Heaven, Nick & Nat’s, Proof, Rawlicious, Red House, Taco Farm, Zoup & more! [ Festival/Food • $5 +$1/ticket • 5pm ]

suMMer LiGhts downtown Kitchener

A night of exploration & discovery in DTK: art, tech, merchants, food/drink, dance, music & creative experience. [ Festival • Free • All Ages • 8pm ]

reGatta & dreaM JuKeBOX Kitchener city hall Between the Ears: Dreamworld Jukebox. Drift through overlapping sound worlds with strange continuity. [ Festival/Sound • Free • 11pm ]

sunday, June 21 sOundGLidinG registry theatre

Between the Ears. Is there a hint of music in every phrase of dance? A glimmer of sound as it unfolds? [ Festival/Sound • $15-30 • All Ages • 7:30pm ]

craFt Beer Fest doon heritage Village

Father’s Day: sample beer from local craft breweries at this special festival, then visit BEER! The Exhibit. [ Festival • $20 •11:00am ]

Friday, June 26 Fun-tariO Friday Ontario street

Ever been to FUN-tario Street? Here’s your chance. Movies, Games, Candy, Come remember why hangz are fun. [ Fun • Free • All Ages • 6pm ]

steeL raiL sessiOns 2015 Waterloo central railway An interactive art party on a train through Waterloo Region, all else is a mystery until you board. [ Fun • $45 • 6:30pm ]

saturday, June 27 POP uP city Waterloo town square

There is magic all around. Pop up art, music, making, adventure all over downtown Kitchener. Come out & play. [ Fun • Free • All Ages ]

Over 300 Arts and Culture events in Waterloo Region in June Learn more at

AL IV ST FE EE FR

PRESENTS

SCHEDULE JULY 9 Kultrún Opening Gala, Victoria Park Pavilion (ticketed) BACK-TO-BACK PERFORMANCES BY: ANITA TIJOUX Hip Hop Activist, Latin Pop Star & Latin Grammy Winner CHICO TR UJILLO Chile’s Rockinest Ska-Cumbia Orchestra LUCHO QUEQUEZANA 2015 Bellas Artes Winner & 2014 Latin Grammy Nominee

JULY 10 Pan Am Showcase, Civic Park on Queen St (FREE) THE WOMYN’S QUARTET (Waterloo Region) All-Stars Collaboration: Alysha Brilla, Janice Lee, Charlena Russell & Natalia Mansilla DR UMS OF THE DIASPORA (Cuba, Brazil, Haiti) Three Masters of Percussion: Joaquin Pozo + Dendê Macedo + Bonga Jean Baptiste LUCHO QUEQUEZANA (Perú) Top Peruvian Composer, 2015 Bellas Artes Winner & 2014 Latin Grammy Nominee ORQUESTA TĺPICA FERNANDEZ FIERRO (Argentina) Buenos Aires’ most popular tango orchestra with a cult-like status & gold records ROBERTO LOPEZ PROJECT (Venezuela, Colombia, El Salvador, Québec) Roberto’s song ‘Soy Panamericano’ is a Pan Am & Parapan Am theme Tune!

ANITA TIJOUX (Chile) Hip Hop Activist, Latin Pop Star & Latin Grammy Winner

JULY 11-12 Kultrún Festival in Victoria Park (FREE)

The Heartbeat of World Music

Big Stage Performances by Over 20 Local, National & International World Music Bands · Special Pan Am Games Showcase of Artists All-Ages workshops & Interactive Activities · Storytelling for Kids · Food & Craft Market · Boathouse Beer Garden & After-Parties! More Info Visit: NERUDAARTS.CA

JULY 9

Opening Gala with Top Kultrún Artists Victoria Park Pavilion (ticketed)

JULY 10

Pan Am Showcase of Artists Civic Park (FREE)

Creative Enterprise Initiative

JULY 11-12

Kultrún World Music Festival Victoria Park (FREE)

SALTARELLO (Québec) Historically Inspired Music from the Four Corners of the Earth LE BAL À L’HUILE (Québec) Traditional Québécois Music by Six Remarkable Singers VOX SAMBOU (Québec, Haiti) Int. Ambassador of Hip Hop Culture and Founding Member of Nomadic Massive TANIA NARANJO & MINA WEURLANDER (Chile, Sweden) Dramatic & Playful Tango by Two Musical Soul Mates LA CHIVA GANTIVA (Belgium, Holland, Colombia) Rock, Rap, Soul and Ferociously Funky Latin Rhythms TRIBU BAHAR U (Colombia) An Afro-Champeta Music Crew from the Colombian Caribbean CHICO TR UJILLO (Chile) Chile’s Rockinest Ska-Cumbia Orchestra PUPY Y LOS QUE SON SON (Cuba) A Cuban Salsa Steam Engine with a Mighty Four-Man Horn Section DR UMHAND (Ontario) Old and New Rhythms on Weathered Skins - Global Beats for Dancing Bodies!

AMAI KUDA and Y JOSEPHINE (Ontario) AfroSoul Duo with Sweet, Smoky Vocals and a Peruvian Fruit Box Drum Kit JONI NEHRITA (Ontario) Jazz, R&B, Funk and Infectious Band Chemistry from a Tri-City Homegirl SOM BIT (Mexico) Music + Movement Heavy on Drums and Afro-Funk Bass and Jazz Grooves ADONIS PUENTES & The Voice of Cuba Orchestra (Cuba-Canada) Cuban-Canadian Juno and Grammy nominee PAULO FLORES (Angola, Mozambique) Acoustic and Electric Semba Dance Rhythms from an Angolan Master ORQUESTA TĺPICA FERNANDEZ FIERRO (Argentina) Buenos Aires’ most popular tango orchestra with a cult-like status & gold records