The Community Edition: November 2017

VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 • NOVEMBER 2017

LEGO SAVED MY LIFE

PAGES 8-9

TOQUE JOINS THE STANDS

IF STREETS COULD TALK: LAURELWOOD

SHOPPING LOCAL FOR VINYL

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PAGE 6

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NOVEMBER 2017 // @THECOMMUNITYED

IN THIS

ISSUE

VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2

NOVEMBER 2017

2

FEATURE

8-9 LEGO SAVED HER LIFE

EDITOR’S PICK

14 SAFE ACCESS TO ABORTION SERVICES ACT IN KW

INSIDE

3 4 4 5 5 6-7 10 11 12 13 13 13 14 15 16

IN BRIEF HANGING OUT WITH TK PRITCHARD FROM “BROOKLYN TO BERLIN” WITH TOQUE NEW DIGS FOR PUBLIC KITCHEN & BAR PICKING UP YOUR LIBRARY (OF THINGS) CARD IF STREETS COULD TALK: LAURELWOOD OUR INK, OUR STORIES WITH THE KPL TCE FICTION RECORD SHOPPING WITH MATT SMITH SEXPLANATIONS: ON MIDWIVES WR AND HOWE: SCHNEIDERS PROPERTY INTRODUCING KW SYRIA UNITED SEEKER’S CORNER: CALVARY OONA MOON // EVENT LISTINGS WHY WEAR A POEM? WITH TAYLOR SMALL

COVER PHOTO BY PAIGE BUSH

Volume 6, Issue 2 Next issue: December 6, 2017 75 University Ave. W Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5 519-884-0710 x3564 All advertising inquiries should be directed to Care Lucas at 519-884-0710 x3560 care.lucas@wlusp.com THE COMMUNITY EDITION TEAM Editor in Chief Beth Bowles beth@communityedition.ca Publisher Lakyn Barton lakyn.barton@wlusp.com

General Inquiries info@communityedition.ca

WLUSP ADMINISTRATION President Andreas Patsiaouros Executive Director Lakyn Barton Advertising Manager Care Lucas Treasurer John Pehar Vice-Chair Lisa Irimescu

Web Manager Care Lucas

Directors Benjamin Cooke Rosalind Horne Alan Li Noa Salamon H.G. Watson

Photo Editor Nick Stanley

Corporate Secretary Noa Salamon

Social Media Editor Ramona Leitao

CONTRIBUTORS

Paige Bush Christopher Emory-Moore Marika Galadza James Howe Safina Husein Stacey Jacobs Ramona Leitao Jennifer Lyon Eric Moon Sam Nabi Megan Nourse Andreas Patsiaouros Kristen Philippi Dylan Siebert Kaitlyn Severin Matt Smith Cara Vandermey

TWITTER @THECOMMUNITYED INSTAGRAM @COMMUNITYEDITION

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 Community Edition, WLUSP, WLU or Centra Web. 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 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.

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.

NOVEMBER 2017 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

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IN BRIEF

Is Laurelwood more than just a subburban haven for families?

Check it out in this month’s installation of If Streets Could Talk.

MATT SMITH PHOTOS

A LETTER FROM THE (NEW) EDITOR

Oh, hello. Welcome to the first page of The Community Edition.

I’m so happy you chose to pick up our precious newspaper. Or, if you’re reading this online, you clicked the link! Hooray!

I’d like to take the time to introduce myself. I’m Beth Bowles, the new Editor in Chief of The Community Edition. I’ve been running this paper for a month now, and nothing has burst into flames, yet, so I think I’m doing an okay job.

So let’s take the time to get to know each other. A little bit about me: after university graduation I was hired as Editor in Chief of The

NEWS

ARTS

URBAN

SHORE CENTRE LAUNCHING APP

NIGHT\SHIFT BACK FOR ITS FIFTH YEAR

PETITION AGAINST TREATMENT CENTRE

SHORE Centre is launching an app for women and trans people seeking abortion care. The centre is a graduate of Communitech’s Fierce Founders Bootcamp; they partnered with Zeitspace to create the platform. The app will allow users to access abortion information and services in a private space without having to get caught in the red tape that exists in our healthcare system.

Back by popular demand, NIGHT\ SHIFT, KW’s placehacking festival of pop-up art and performance will be running from Nov. 2-4. The kickoff party is happening on Nov. 2 at Open Sesame, where there is going to be live music to start this weird weekend of artsy fun. If you live close to DTK, prepare to see some less than normal happenings, and prepare to participate.

A Cambridge man has started a petition to protest the plans for a men’s addiction treatment centre on Concession Road in Cambridge.

He claims that the centre will be too close to child-care facilities and the school that his daughters attend.

House of Friendship’s executive director says the petition contains misinformation. It currently has more than 3,500 signatures.

POLICE SEIZE 1.5KG OF FENTANYL

KW SYMPHONY’S NEW DIRECTOR

SAFE INJECTION SITES FOR KW

After a lengthy investigation, the Waterloo Regional Police Services have seized approximately 1.5 kg of what is suspected to be fentanyl. Three homes and a hotel in Kitchener were searched as well as a home in Cambridge on Oct. 24.

Stolen property and vehicles, replica firearms, and $40,000 worth of crystal meth were also seized.

Seven people have been charged with various offenses.

On Nov. 3 and 4, Andrei Feher will be conducting his first show with the KW Symphony since being named music director in March.

The symphony will be performing Lyrical Wagner and Glorious Brahms at the Centre in the Square under Feher’s direction.

He says he’s looking forward to working with the symphony in a larger capacity than guest conductor.

By mid-November, KW could potentially have locations determined for safe injection sites.

This is a response to the current opioid crisis and will be funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The report is supposed to be presented to the committee for approval in January, and if all goes as planned, KW will have more harm-reduction strategies in place soon.

CONESTOGA FACULTY STRIKES

CANADA 150 MURAL REVEALED

GENTRIFYING VICTORIA ST.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union has been on strike since mid-October, including 784 Conestoga College faculty members. Issues including contract work and academic planning are at the centre of the strike, which began Oct. 16. Employees can be seen picketing outside Conestoga’s campuses in Kitchener and Waterloo on weekdays. Classes are currently suspended.

On Oct. 28, Neruda Arts unveiled their Canada 150 mural on Charles St. The mural, created by seven different artists, is meant to contribute to the Indigenous narrative that exists in KW, as well as celebrate equity, diversity, belonging and respect.

One of the main topics of conversation since the unveiling is the “Woman in Red,” which was painted by August Swinson.

120 Victoria St., otherwise known as the Huck Glove property, has recently been purchased by developers who have major plans for the property and existing old factory. If plans go accordingly, Momentum Developments, in partnership with Zehr Group, will bring new office and retail space, as well as 300 new residential units in a 23-storey condiminium tower, to the property.

CAR CRASHES INTO SUBWAY

IMAGINENATIVE IN CAMBRIDGE

160-YEAR-OLD BAR CLOSES IN AYR

On Saturday, Oct. 28, a car crashed through the front of a Subway restaurant on Fischer Hallman just before 6 p.m. The car allegedly “skyrocketed” through the front window without stopping. The three people inside the restaurant, as well as the driver, were not injured. We hope the sandwiches are okay, too. Damages are estimated to be $20,000.

ImagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, in partnership with TIFF, Pinnguaq and the Initiative for Indigenous Futures are presenting 2167, a project presented by five Indigenous filmmakers who have been asked to each create a VR work taking place 150 years in the future. The project’s purpose is to look at the future of Indigenous culture.

Queen’s Tavern, a 160-yearold bar in Ayr, closed its doors on Saturday Oct. 28. The local hotspot drew in a crowd so large that police were called to the scene as patrons were pushing past security when they were told the bar was at capacity. Just two years ago, the Stephen King mini-series staring James Franco, 11.22.63, was filmed at the bar.

Cord, where I shared an office with Jesse Bauman, a previous Editor in Chief of The Community Edition.

For one year, we sat in the same room. He ran his paper and I ran mine. We bounced ideas. We talked about the changing landscape of media. We argued about CP style.

(Is it KW or K-W? We’ll never know).

And then we both left, Jesse to go to school and me to pursue other avenues that seemed more prosperous in my head than in actuality.

TCE was then taken over by Megan Nourse, another person I had known for a while, another person I respected, another person I built a

strong friendship with. I didn’t have a space to write for anymore and I don’t think I had processed ahead of time what it would be like to lose that. But the light at the end of the dark tunnel that was my misery without writing, there was TCE and there was Megan, letting me write about whatever the hell I wanted to.

And now, as Megan exits and I enter, my main goal is to offer the same thing to others that she offered me. If you love this community, if you want to feel a part of something, if you want to share your stories, or other people’s stories, then we’re already on our

way to becoming friends.

So now I’ve told you about me, but I want to know about you. The Community Edition is nothing without its volunteers. We’re built with the community’s voices as our foundation. Kitchener Waterloo is full of people with unique perspectives and stories, and we’re here to showcase them. Media is constantly changing, and because we’re independent, we like to bend the rules.

So why wouldn’t you come along for the ride?

Beth Bowles Editor in Chief

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SASC’S MALE ALLIES PROGRAM WELCOMES NEW EDUCATOR

KAITLYN SEVERIN CONTRIBUTOR “I want to make sure that intersectionality is at the forefront of the work that we do and making sure that we’re consulting with diverse communities and we’re developing programming,” explained TK Pritchard, the new male allies educator of the Waterloo Male Allies program.

After taking over from former program educator Stephen Soucie, Pritchard has become more active in his new role at the Waterloo Sexual Assault Centre’s (SASC) Male Allies Program.

For ten years, the program has provided young boys and men with educational opportunities, such as workshops and presentations, to learn how they can work towards abolishing sexual violence against women and children.

Pritchard, the former sexual health educator of Waterloo’s SHORE Centre, has always been interested in the field of gender and sexuality. He has worked in mental health and suicide prevention for Jack.org – a non-profit organization

that develops workshops on mental health for young people – and has worked with various LGTBQ+ and sexual health while studying at Queen’s University.

Pritchard has only been a part of the program for two months, yet it is up to him to get the program’s messages out to the KW Region. Pritchard develops monitor-delivered programming throughout the region and works with community partners, including Wilfrid Laurier University, to deliver workshops, training sessions and educational presentations.

Since 2016, SASC has been a part of the OHL ONSIDE initiative, designed for OHL players and team staff to increase their understanding of their players’ responsibility to demonstrate respect to women.

Expanding the program to different sports teams and athletes is a huge goal for Pritchard in his role, an interest he has pursued in since he was an athlete in high school.

“I’m really interested in growing our sports program, as well as looking at ways to partner more with local businesses and organizations that are looking to have programming coming in.”

As for the “#MeToo” movement, a viral campaign used by women on social

media to highlight their experiences with sexual harassment, Pritchard explained how the majority of the program’s work essentially has to do with the movement. Since the movement ignited after numerous women accused Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, more internet users are encouraging better sexual health education and behavior among men and boys.

“Getting men and boys engaged in that and really understanding the magnitude of sexual violence that exists and how we can actively play a role in either continuing sexual violence or an active role in deciding that we’re going to end it,” said Pritchard.

“Men play integral roles, and really the primary role in ending sexual and gendered violence and that’s really what our program’s about.”

More men have been engaging with the Male Allies program in the last week, and Pritchard is also planning an open-community workshop in November for community members to discuss their active roles in the conversations surrounding masculinity and sexual education.

“We’re really ready and willing to have more men reach out and want to have this type of education.”

NICK STANLEY PHOTO

ANDREAS PATSIAOUROS PHOTO

TOQUE MAGAZINE: THE NEW KID IN TOWN

FROM “BROOKLYN TO BERLIN,” TOQUE MAGAZINE IS HOPING TO BRIDGE TOGETHER GUELPH AND KW

MEGAN NOURSE CONTRIBUTOR There’s a new publication in town.

Toque magazine was launched last spring by two marketing professionals, Cai Sepulis and Chris Tiessen, as an advertorial, lifestyle publication aiming to connect Wellington County and Waterloo Region.

After years of planning and brainstorming the publication they knew they wanted to start, Tiessen quit his day job last winter and Sepulis reworked her freelance design and branding business to accommodate what would become Toque. They are now co-partners in Toque Ltd, which publishes the

magazine and offers branding services.

“There’s a need for a regional lifestyle magazine, and especially one for, what I would call “the condo crowd” – young, engaged professionals who have money,” said Tiessen.

The final push to make Toque a reality came to Tiessen in November 2016 when he came up with the tagline “Brooklyn to Berlin.” Brooklyn Hill is one of the first established neighbourhoods in Guelph, and commonly known, Berlin is Kitchener’s original name.

“I loved this movement in Kitchener-Waterloo of looking back on itself,” said Tiessen of the recent trend of Kitchener businesses looking to European settlement in the community in the early 20th century. “It was almost like an epiphany. Brooklyn to Berlin was too good to not do something with,” he said.

“It essentially means multiple communities being brought together. Almost

no one understands Brooklyn and Berlin as being Guelph and Kitchener, which is kind of the coolness of it,” Tiessen added.

In the next issue, the pair will be branching off into Hamilton to tell a few stories.

“There’s a level of pride too, that we put into the publication. There are cool things happening here,” said Sepulis, who grew up in Guelph. Tiessen grew up in KW and has since moved to Guelph.

“There is that need in the community for someone to say “no there’s tonnes of cool stuff happening here, you don’t need to move to Toronto.” And I think that’s part of what we’re doing here, is infusing that community pride,” said Sepulis.

As of October, Toque has published two issues, with a third coming soon; the plan is to be quarterly. They’ve also got their own branded beer, brewed by

Royal City, where Sepulis has done a lot of branding work.

Right now, Toque is a two person operation, though they’ve had many requests from others to contribute.

“We each probably wear three or four different hats,” said Sepulis, who handles the design, branding and business side of things. Tiessen is the writer, photographer and distribution manager.

“Toque runs because of who we are, not necessarily because of a process that we’ve streamlined,” Tiessen said in regards to why it’s just the two of them right now.

Tiessen said they’ve already noticed a huge difference in the response to the magazine in Guelph, Waterloo, and Kitchener. Kitchener especially, he says, has really embraced the new publication.

Sepulis and Tiessen see Guelph and KW eventually uniting as communities,

and they wanted to get in on the ground floor.

“In 10 to 15 years, whether people like it or not, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Guelph are going to be sucked into this larger outside of Toronto community,” he said.

“One thing you realize when you’ve lived in both communities is that they don’t communicate with each other, they’re like totally separate planets,” Tiessen added.

So that is part of Toque’s mission, to show residents of two separate regions, that they are not so different after all.

You can find the latest issue of Toque around Guelph and KW, usually in the same place you buy locally roasted coffee or craft beer.

NOVEMBER 2017 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

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NICK STANLEY PHOTO

NEW BEGINNINGS FOR PUBLIC KITCHEN & BAR POPULAR KITCHENER RESTAURANT PUBLIC MOVES INTO BIGGER SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE GROWTH house and head chef Ryan Murphy at the helm, has grown from a basement catering business to full-fledged establishment that has made a definite mark in the Kitchener Waterloo food scene.

The romantic restaurant has mastered the art of atmosphere, service and distinctive cuisine.

It is with this reputation and an unapologetic passion for giving the guest the best experience possible, that Blasutti and Murphy have made the bold move to shut down the Lancaster location for a bigger, flashier location on Victoria Street.

After all, in the words of Blasutti, “Who doesn’t love a little Hollywood?”.

The decision provides an excuse to re-build the menu with a new Spanish

KRISTEN PHILIPPI CONTRIBUTOR Public Kitchen & Bar is the kind of place that you probably wouldn’t find unless someone told you about it.

Hidden between an old barber shop and tattoo parlor on Lancaster Street, you could easily race past the restaurant on a busy afternoon, missing the quaint, cozy atmosphere and decadent tapas.

But, in a way, that’s kind of the point.

The restaurant, with owners Carly Blasutti, who manages the front of

theme, a flexible floor plan that invites community events and collaborations with local chefs, a fully functioning cookbook library and triple the seating.

“It is very difficult to sustain a living in restaurant that only had nine tables. We have always had to cater to supplement our income and to make a go of it. I don’t think people realize quite how difficult small business can be,” Blasutti said with a weight that only comes from the stress of years in the restaurant industry.

The tension between a charming space and a sufficient cash flow made it a tough, but logical decision for Public to open a bigger space.

The biggest challenge for Blusatti, who is also taking on the role of interior de-

signer, will be remaking the trademark ambience of Public in a different space.

However, as she described in passionate detail her love for the colourful school chairs at the current restaurant, her desire to keep the organic chalkboard menus, her obsession with old world wine and cheese, and the effort she puts into beautifully curated playlists, it is easy to imagine how the feeling will translate.

The new location will also be making a pointed effort to support and engage with the community around them.

“I think if you are a conscious person, you do come to a point in your career where you ask yourself: what am I doing to help? What am I doing to use my platform for something good?” Blusatti said.

“We are at a point in our lives and in our careers where just making cool cocktails and serving tapas, ringing in those bills isn’t quite enough to feel fulfilled.”

The Lancaster Street location will be open until the end of November and although Blusatti feels somewhat bittersweet about the transition, ultimately, she feels grateful for the opportunity to grow and push the food network in KW at a greater capacity.

“In the food industry, we have this little advantage to change people’s minds about locations,” she said. “Screw up their little circle of comfort and get them to come outside of it because it’s just that extraordinary.”

YOU WON’T FIND BOOKS IN THIS LIBRARY RAMONA LEITAO CONTRIBUTOR It will be sustainable, money-saving and community-building. And it will possibly be the first of its kind in KW. The KW Library of Things (KW LoT) is a new initiative created by Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region (EAFWR) and the Sustainable Societies Consulting Group (SSCG).

“I say it’s like a regular library except for, instead of going towards a book, you can borrow any item that you don’t use frequently,” KW LoT co-founder and SSCG research intern Devon Fernandes said.

“It’s about sharing rather than us putting new resources into the world,“ sais co-founder and EAFWR community development connector Eli Winterfeld.

According to both founders, items can range from kitchen appliances, to tools, to camping gear and so on.

“It will be about what we anticipate the folks would want [as well],” Winterfeld said. “There’s kind of a library of things standard … I would say if you use it less than once a month you probably don’t need to own it.”

The KW Library of Things first started off as an idea created by Felix Munger, a co-founder of SSCG and an adjunct professor in Community Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University. Munger

was in Germany for work pertaining to university sustainability when he came across a library of things in Berlin.

“He was really interested in this idea… [and so] he brought it back here,” Fernandes said. “When Felix was talking to Extend-A-Family, we felt a natural connection.”

In order for the idea to come to fruition, Extend-A-Family needed an individual to commit to the research and strategic planning. That’s where Fernandes came in.

At the time, Fernandes was already associated with SSCG as part of his practicum placement for his post-grad community psychology program at Wilfrid Laurier.

Still in school, Fernandes realizes the importance and impact of this initiative.

“This no longer a school project for me,” Fernandes said. “This is serious.”

“We need someone like Devon push it forward in the most beautiful and gentle way,” Winterfeld said. “Having that passion and pulling it through is really amazing … he’s just given so much of his life to it.”

KW LoT will be based off of existing models around Canada and the rest of the world as well as research pertaining to the needs of the KW community.

“The amount of times I heard I want to borrow a ladder or an auger,” Fernandes joked.

In addition to providing physical resources, both Winterfeld and Fernandes want to make sure that the library will provide opportunities for individuals

Devon Fernandes (left) and Eli Winterfeld (right) are the co-founders of The KW Library of Things.

RAMONA LEITAO PHOTO who face barriers to employment. “[We’ll be] the only library in the world that I know of that has a strong social imperative in terms of providing individuals who face barriers to employment the opportunity to earn a livable wage,” Fernandes said.

Such livable wages will be funded through the membership fees that those using the library will have to pay.

Members who pay a yearly membership package can borrow up to 10 items for one week at a time. Late fees are also added after the deadline if the item is not returned. This is used to provide an incentive for members to return the items on time.

The borrowing process will also work the same as a regular library, with an online inventory that displays a short

description about the items in stock and a tracking system that lets you see what you have checked out.

Fernandes also added that through the research, it was clearly apparent that the community was very supportive of this idea.

“We’ve gotten countless of emails,” Fernandes said. “The amount of emails we have received from people who are already signing up for memberships or are interested in and happy to help is great ...We have so much momentum in the community, so it’s great to see.”

While renovations are still underway for the space dedicated to the library at the EAFWR office in Kitchener, both co-founders anticipate it will be up and running by the end of this year and hopefully before the Christmas holidays.

WANT TO BE PART OF COMMUNITY MEDIA? GET IN TOUCH: INFO@COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

Currently, the co-founders are focusing on receiving donations and will be hosting a donation drive Nov. 4 between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the EAFWR office.

The founders plan on arranging such drives multiple times a year to maintain and increase the amount of stock that is available for members to borrow.

Both Winterfeld and Fernandes are also encouraging community members to contribute towards this initiative and to share any knowledge they have to offer. This can include workshops and events that can possibly take place at the library.

“We’re totally open to moving in [all] sorts of directions,” Winterfeld said.

“Anyone is invited who wants to become a part of this.”

NOVEMBER 2017 // @THECOMMUNITYED

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IF STREETS COULD TALK:

LAURELWOOD SAFINA HUSEIN CONTRIBUTOR The Laurelwood area — located on the very northern edge of Waterloo between Columbia Street, Fischer Hallman Road and Erb Street — is the place I have lived for the majority of my childhood.

We moved into our home when I was almost six-years-old. I remember taking walks up my street as a kid; however, at the time, my street (along with many other parts of Laurelwood) was unfinished and still under construction.

Less than ten houses up from mine was nothing but old farmland waiting for houses to be built. It looked like a big sea of dirt to my six-year-old self.

I remember seeing the emptiness and big puddles of mud where I used to try to skip rocks.

When we moved to Laurelwood, the houses were big and the trees were small. Almost everyone who lived in the neighbourhood were young families with small children.

When I think about Laurelwood now, in comparison to how it was over a decade ago, expansion is the word that comes to mind. What sets Laurelwood apart from so many other neighbour-

hoods is its newness.

“It’s interesting because 15 years ago it really wasn’t there. It was just being built. So obviously it’s changed in that way because more and more people have come in, more and more services have come in and then, in a lot of ways, it’s really just discovering what it is because it is so new,” Councillor Brian Bourke said.

As a result of such youth, it’s difficult to quantify how Laurelwood has changed. In many ways, the neighbourhood is only just beginning to undergo a change.

Bourke explained that each neighbourhood in any community acquires a natural progression. For example, in most neighbourhoods, families tend to live there for a duration of 15 to 20 years when they have younger children and, as time goes on, parents of teenagers or empty nesters tend to move on allowing newcomers to enter.

This process tends to bring about a sense of change in dynamic or atmosphere to many neighbourhoods — something that seems to be occurring in Laurelwood now, almost 15 years after my family and I moved here.

“It was nothing but construction really,” Bourke said. “Now that in most of the areas that building is done now, it’s different and it’s coming of age at a time where it’s really had a change to establish itself.”

Over the past several years, Laurelwood has become a diverse neigh-

bourhood in which more and more neighbourhoods have filled in its surroundings, such as Claire Hills and Vista Hills, making it a larger community made up of several smaller neighbourhoods.

One thing that still remains is that Laurelwood is largely coveted for a family dynamic. Its proximity to two public elementary schools and one secondary school within walking distance, easy access to shopping plazas and a more recent addition — the Stork Family YMCA and John M. Harper Library branch — makes Laurelwood the ideal location for families.

“It’s very welcoming in that way, and really, it’s one of the first new subdivisions to be opened up when the city really was changing in terms of its diversity, and I think you really see that in all of those neighbourhoods,” Bourke said.

Laurelwood’s diversity doesn’t end there, though. Bourke also explained that Laurelwood was built differently from many older neighbourhoods.

“There would often be nothing but single family homes in a neighbourhood, and now you don’t see that much anymore. You see different kinds of houses — town houses, rental buildings, things like that all put into the same neighbourhood. I think that’s something that’s different and unique about it in terms of the diversity of the residential choices,” Bourke said.

Laurelwood’s various accommo-

dations, including two senior citizen homes, brings about a variety of individuals into one close-knit neighbourhood.

Another feature which sets Laurelwood apart from many other neighbourhoods is its proximity to the Laurel Creek Conservation Area.

The creek is without doubt one of my favourite things about the place I call home, and is one the best places to watch the sunset in Waterloo.

The creek provides a close proximity to nature for those who live in Laurelwood. The conservation area is best known for its scenic walking and biking trails, beach, wildlife, campsites and, of course, the lake.

“Anytime that you have water, it’s a good thing,” Bourke said. “All the great cities of the world have been built on water, and while we don’t have the Pacific Ocean or anything like that, it does add a flavour to it that makes it different — I think because of it, people feel a little bit closer to land.”

As I’ve grown up, I’ve realized there’s a lot to appreciate about Laurelwood.

On one side of the neighbourhood is all the necessities and only a short distance away from uptown Waterloo. On the other side is an escape to nature.

It’s fascinating to watch the place where you grew up undergo a change.

I will be eager to see the area and how it is different 20 years from now, regardless if I still call it home.

NOVEMBER 2017 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

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MATT SMITH PHOTOS

LEGO SAVED HER LIFE WORDS BY BETH BOWLES • PHOTOS BY PAIGE BUSH

Grace Stemp-Morlock refers to her time

before becoming a Lego artist as her “crazy year.”

“It began with six weeks in the psych ward in KW. It ended with suicide attempts, there was self-harm, there was more hospitalization and eventually I moved out,” she said.

The Kitchener resident has struggled with depression, anxiety, self-harm and mental illness all her life. In recent years, however, she has found an unconventional expressive outlet and therapy tool: Lego.

The tiny colourful bricks that are generally associated with childhood have a much deeper meaning to Stemp-Morlock. As a Lego artist, she uses Lego to build structures and scenes that depict some sort of social commentary, whether that be about race, poverty, sexuality or mental health.

Finding Stemp-Morlock in Queen Street Commons wasn’t difficult. When I walked up to her, the table was covered in Lego, where she sat, quietly clicking the bricks together and building nothing in particular.

She explained that getting back into Lego as an adult was mainly influenced by her children.

“My kids got really excited by the Lego Movie and so I was able to start getting Lego again and as it came back into the house, I realized that they enjoyed it, but I loved it,” she said. “I would often find myself in the toy aisle checking out Lego sets, when I had no intent whatsoever of buying it for them. I was looking at it for myself.”

When Stemp-Morlock’s mental health worsened, Lego started to become more of a therapy tool than just a toy she and her kids played with.

“I found that it could calm me when I was frantic or anxiety ridden; I found that it had a sensational component. I could touch it, I could hear it, I could even smell it. That helped ground me in reality, pull me out of my head,” she explained.

“It’s hard to be very self-reflective in a negative way when you’re building something.

It pulls you out, in a way that watching TV or playing a video game doesn’t, necessarily.

You’re actually constructing something. I started to realize that Lego itself was my therapy and I was reminded of my time in the psych ward and wished that I had Lego as a tool, then.”

The Lego sets we see today in toy stores are fantastical; with the partnerships Lego has made with franchises such as Star Wars or Harry Potter, you can build fictional sets in your own home. While Lego can act as a means of escapism, like reading or watching movies, Lego is tangible. That Star Wars X-Wing does actually exist in your hands.

You’re using your imagination to make something that actually exists. For Stemp-Morlock, this is a huge part of the therapy.

But for her, it isn’t just building the sets that come with the instructions.

While she was in the psych ward, she began drawing pictures that depicted mental illness.

She claims she isn’t much of a drawer, so after her time in the hospital, she decided to build depictions of mental health using Lego.

This started her “Out of My Head” series — a series of heads built out of Lego with the top

removed, so you can look into the person’s brain. One brain is on fire, one depicts a tornado going through a town, one shows a person standing on a rock in the middle of an ocean with sharks circling. Each head acts as a metaphor for mental health, something we can experience, but something we can’t really tangibly see.

“I started building with mental health in mind, and started to create it, and I realized that this was my new art form,” she said.

She’s a self-proclaimed “loud-mouth” and she’s using Lego to poke at the unjust aspects of the world we live in.

“Exploring mental illness with Lego got me started on a process that made me realize that this is a great art form, and for me, social justice is a huge issue. I’m a loud mouth, I’m an advocate. That’s basically what I do,” she said.

“I like poking at things. I’m a shit disturber.”

Stemp-Morlock has since made other scenes out of Lego that have some sort of social commentary. She made a neighbourhood scene and populated it with only people of colour. She explained that Lego characters have recently been whitewashed and there was very little representation of people of colour. To her, that was a huge problem, especially given that Lego’s target audience is children.

“The things that I build, for me, reflect parts of society that you can’t ordinarily see. So, if you said show me racism, how would you show that? Can you grab it? Can you hold it in your hand? Can you bring it to me? Children are very literal minded and they like things they can hold. In fact — all of us do,” she said.

She also built a scene that commented on poverty. She asked her friends to send her their broken Lego — the pieces they felt they had no use for. She built a neighbourhood out of these broken and unwanted pieces that resembled an impoverished community that she displayed at Toronto Brickfete, a Lego convention that she attended this past July.

Amongst beautiful, expensive Lego displays, was Stemp-Morlock’s ghetto, built out of scraps and Lego junk that no one wanted anymore: a reflection on the fact that not everyone has access to brand new Lego sets.

As Stemp-Morlock became more involved in the Lego community, she realized that she was not alone — other people were using it as a therapy tool and art form. Motivated by these shared experiences and the different ways people engage with Lego, she created a Facebook page earlier this year called “Lego Saved My Life.” The page acts as a safe place for AFOLs (adult fans of Lego) to speak freely about their trauma and how Lego has assisted in their healing.

Stemp-Morlock explained that the page started because she posted a photo of one of her builds on Facebook that got a lot of attention.

“I built an arm [out of Lego.] And I’ve done a lot of self-harm over the years, so my arms have scars all up and down them. I built an arm to replicate that out of Lego and I posted that picture and I talked about self-harm and a lot of people connected and I thought, there needs to be a place where we can support each other and where we can talk about this issue, and there wasn’t. So, I started it.”

Although relationships through social media can feel disconnected, Stemp-Morlock has actually mailed Lego to some of the members when they find themselves in a time of need.

“When members of the group are struggling or celebrating, I will contact them and say, “Hey, do you want me to send you some Lego?” and I’ll send them just a small package of Lego,” she explained.

“Because, in my mind, having been suicidal many times, it’s hard to have something to look forward to or live for, when every second feels like an eternity of pain, it’s like making it through today is big. For me, knowing that I had Lego in the mail, I’d stay alive for that.”

She told me a story about a woman in the group who was struggling due to an upcoming anniversary. Stemp-Morlock asked her if she wanted her to send her some Lego, and she said yes. The Lego arrived on the day of the anniversary, and Stemp-Morlock later learned that this was the anniversary of the day the woman’s spouse tried to murder her.

Years later, this woman was using Lego as a coping mechanism.

“They felt safe enough to share, because of plastic bricks. And that blows me away that this has that much power and I don’t truly understand it,” she said.

I hadn’t played with Lego since I was a child, and to be honest, I hadn’t really thought about it, either. When I told her this, she pushed some bricks towards me. I clicked them together as we talked, building a tiny tower that took zero effort at all. It made sense to me, how this could be calming.

Lego’s intimidation factor is low and its association with childhood is comforting.

I asked her what her plans were and if she saw more in her future with Lego.

“I want to be engaging with this in a public forum,” she said. “As an artist I believe that’s the greatest calling you can have and sort of an obligation to engage with the public and challenge people’s perception of what is going on, and so I will do exhibitions whenever possible.”

This past summer Stemp-Morlock was at Brickfete and Open Streets, displaying her art. She was also at Makerween at the end of October and even has a conference planned with teachers in York Region to talk about what Lego can offer kids in terms of wellness.

“I’m really lucky that I found this medium and I know I am, because for a long time I really struggled trying to find something.

Something to give my life purpose, something to allow me to be me and express the things that are inside,” she said.

As we left Queen Street Commons, she pushed the little tower I made towards me.

“Keep it,” she said. “And next time, try building something different.”

The little tower now sits on the corner of my desk and has been broken down and rebuilt, by not only myself, but other people who pass through my office. Who would have thought that something as simple as Lego would signify something as powerful as resilience, strength and the ability to have conversations about topics that are silenced far too often.

NOVEMBER 2017 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

10

BETH BOWLES PHOTOS

OUR INK, OUR STORIES: A ROSE AND A REAPER BETH BOWLES EDITOR IN CHIEF Erica O’Donnell has been collecting tattoos heavily for the past year and a half now. The Kitchener native has a series of neo-traditional tattoos on both of her arms; in bright, striking colours, a spaceship, a cat, a dagger, flowers, a ship and a reaper can all be seen, beautifully blending into each other in a simple cohesion. She

doesn’t get tattooed to be unique, she said. She just really likes neotraditional body art.

O’Donnell’s tattoos weren’t all done by the same artist, but the majority were done by Jeremy Zettler at Perfect Image in Grand Bend. Zettler now works at Sinful Inflictions in Whitby, but his work is generally neotraditional, which is why O’Donnell consistently made the drive out to Grand Bend to ensure she was getting exactly what she wanted.

O’Donnell’s favourite tattoo is the one that started her half-sleeve.

In April 2016, she got a tattoo of a hooded grim reaper, detailed with red flowers and a banner with you words

“you won’t know” written inside. The tattoo was done by Matt Sitter of Perfect Image in Waterloo. The tattoo is a homage to one of O’Donnell’s favourite bands, Brand New, and her favourite song by them, “You Won’t Know.”

“The song is about a dad who was too young to have a kid. He gets a girl pregnant, and then he leaves. But when he’s older, he looks back and... basically it’s about a dad wishing he had been there for his kid, but he couldn’t,” O’Donnell explained.

“He will never know what [his daughter is] thinking, and she will never know what he’s thinking, because they never get the chance to

talk.”

This song really resonated with O’Donnell because it’s comparable to her relationship with her own father, who has been absent for the majority of her life.

While this tattoo obviously has a deep significance to her, O’Donnell’s most recent tattoo was done purely for the love of the art form. Just two weeks ago, she got a pink rose resting in a horseshoe on her right forearm, done

by Morgan MacDonald at Golden Axe in London. This tattoo doesn’t have some sort of existential deep meaning to her; she said she had some open space on her arm that she didn’t like, so she decided to fill it with something

she finds beautiful.

O’Donnell said that she thinks people can get too wrapped up in finding a deep reason to be tattooed.

Since she’s started filling her arms, her tattoos have to fit certain untouched spots and that can be restrictive of what you get.

“I feel like when you start something like I started, with the tattoos in certain places, you kind of have to finish it or it looks silly,” she said.

Our Ink, Our Stories is a collaborative project we have with The Kitchener Public Library. Read more stories at ourinkourstories.com.

NEW TUNE REVIEW

ONE TIME, AT BAND CAMP...

Album: WRCMS 2017 Digital Album Artist: WRCMS 2017 Participants Released: October 6, 2017 Link: https://wrcms.bandcamp.com Throw a room full of musicians and composers together, and see what music they can create: this is the idea behind the Waterloo Region Contemporary Music Sessions (WRCMS). A week-long camp of sorts, the annual gathering is an opportunity for participants to stretch their musical muscles and collaborate.

A record of this year’s creations has now been released. Richly layered and cinematic, the album is not intended for casual listening. It demands your full attention.

One too many times I was lulled by a long sweeping cello note or dainty piano melody, then jarred into sharp attention by sudden chaos.

The album opens with a track titled “I Saw The Land Break in Half,” full of echoes and faintly squealing violins that wouldn’t be out of place in a horror movie.

I couldn’t help trying to piece together a narrative thread as I listened.

The whole album is full of suspense and dissonance.

“When He First Appears” is a tune that starts out with clean harp notes, then descends into madness. Chopped up clips from Donald Trump speeches get progressively intermingled with a wailing soprano, animal noises and crying, as percussion becomes more and more frantic.

In other songs, we hear a cello made to sound like rusty hinges, or tap-tapping to simulate a scurrying insect.

“New Voltage,” with its percussion of tiny hammers, evokes a twisted, alternate-reality version of Snow White and The Seven Dwarves.

Sit back and bask in the uncertainty of these contemporary classical experiments, and I guarantee you’ll come away unsettled by the experience.

But there’ll be a kernel of curiosity too. There’s an undeniable element of playfulness in this album, despite the dark overtones.

Could participating in these Sessions, making such wild, discomforting music with strangers, be ... fun?

-Sam Nabi

NOVEMBER 2017 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

TCE FICTION

11

A SPARK IN THE DEEPS

DYLAN SIEBERT CONTRIBUTOR Henry found a seat and checked his watch. The café was warm after the biting November wind, and the soft harmonies of some forgotten indie band sighed contentedly over the clink of mugs and saucers and the hum of conversation. The whole place was done up to look like an early 21st century coffee shop, complete with antique laptop charging stations and abstract art on the walls. Kitchener had changed a lot in 60 years, but the nostalgia market was still as hot as ever.

The server brought his drink, and Henry checked his watch again. He wondered again if he should have sprung for real coffee, but then reassured himself for the umpteenth time that chicory brew was just fine.

‘Coffee’ was for rich people and connoisseurs, those who were willing to pay the high tariffs and shipping costs associated with the tropical bean. For everyone else, chicory was just fine.

And he didn’t want to send the wrong signals by shelling out for the fancy stuff on the very first — The door swung open and a gust of wind billowed in, along with a darkskinned young woman in a bright red scarf. Her mass of curly hair seemed to float around her head like a halo.

With a start, Henry remembered that he was supposed to say something, do something … He waved, and his heart skipped a beat as she grinned and strode toward him.

“Hey,” she said, sliding into the seat opposite.

“Hey,” he said, straightening up.

“Abigail.”

“That’s my name.” That perfect smile again. The server appeared, and Abigail nodded toward Henry. “I’ll have what he’s having.”

“Then I hope you like chicory,” Henry joked as the server zoomed off.

“Love it. Dandelion makes a good brew, but it’s got those bitter notes to it, you know?”

“I know,” Henry nodded enthusiastically. A second passed, then another.

“So…” Just then the door burst open again, admitting a young man with a baby wrapped snugly against his chest and a boy of eight or nine, dressed in what looked like a squid costume. Henry’s heart sank as the boy’s eyes lit up with

recognition. In another second he had crossed the room and was standing next to their table, pink tentacles bobbing gently.

“Hi Ali,” said Henry, trying furiously not to blush. “Isn’t Halloween over?”

“Yeah, but Mama and Baba said I could wear it till the end of the week.

My Jaddati made it for me,” he added proudly. “Who’s she?”

At that moment Ali’s father caught up with him. “Oh hi, Henry. Fancy seeing you here.” His expression was one of perfect understanding and perfect sympathy. Henry took a deep breath.

“Hi Faizal, good to see you. This is Abigail. Abigail, Faizal.”

“Pleased to meet you,” smiled Abigail.

“Likewise,” Faizal replied, shaking her outstretched hand. “This young hooligan is Ali, and this,” he said, bouncing the swaddled infant once gently, “is Rosa. We just stepped in to buy some fresh grounds. Funny how new babies and caffeine consumption seem to go together, don’t you think? Well, we’ll get out of your hair.”

“Guess what I am, Abigail!” cried Ali, who clearly had other ideas.

“Hm, let’s see,” she said, leaning forward. “Big bulging eyes, long wriggly tentacles … you remind me of those creatures from Dwellers in the Deep.

Have you seen that movie?”

Ali positively glowed. “Yes! It’s my favourite. I’m a —” “I hate to interrupt you, kiddo,” broke in Faizal, “but we’d better leave these two to their coffee. Good seeing you both.” As he dragged Ali away, he gave Henry a barely perceptible wink. Then they were gone.

Abigail was grinning. “You’re popular with the kids, huh?”

Now Henry really blushed. “With this one, anyway. I’ve known him since he was a baby.”

She nodded. “Did you grow up around here?”

“Mostly. My family’s from Pennsylvania originally, but we fled here to get away from the fighting when I was five.

What about you?”

“Kitchener born and raised. My grandparents came here from Nigeria, for similar reasons. Seems like half the people in this town either ran here from somewhere else or are descended from someone who did.”

Henry shrugged. “It’s a good place to run to.” Their eyes met briefly, and then both quickly looked out the window.

“So … tell me about your studies,” Henry began again. “UW Engineering, right?”

“Yeah,” she said, waving a hand casually, “it’s nuts and bolts, mostly. I mean, you’ve probably read all about the great submersibles revolution, and

how we’re supposed to have a colony in the Marianas Trench some time in the next five years. But honestly, they said the same thing five years ago.

Remember that?”

Henry smiled and even chuckled a little. “Yeah, I remember that.”

“Well, it’s all PR to soak up more grants. But the subs are beautiful, and they throw up the most interesting problems. Nuts and bolts kinds of problems, that is. The discoveries they’ve been making down there with our vehicles, on the other hand, that’s on a whole other level …”

Henry nodded, rapt, but Abigail was looking at him with a question in her eyes. “And you? You’re working on a thesis, aren’t you?”

“Yeah — 20th century religious movements. I’m looking at the cultural context for the space race, specifically.”

“Really? I’d never thought about that from a religious angle.”

“Well, religion’s a tricky thing to define,” Henry said, warming to his subject. “One shorthand — although it doesn’t capture every aspect, mind you — one rule of thumb is, a religion is any prolonged collective effort with no tangible return on investment.”

She thought for a moment. “You mean, people getting together to do things ‘just because.’”

“Exactly. Only that ‘just because’ involves their deepest longings and sense of ultimate meaning.”

“So what does that have to do with the space race?” she asked.

“Well, we know now that shooting people into a subzero vacuum to be fried by solar radiation is a complete waste of resources, but back then people felt differently. They’d convinced themselves that there were better worlds up there, and that humanity’s destiny was somehow tied up with reaching them.”

“And I’ll bet almost no one on earth was willing to do the math,” Abigail said wryly. “One of the problems they give you in first-year physics is to estimate how many more years we could have kept the oil economy going if we hadn’t poured so much of it into high-energy spaceware. Small satellites paid off for a little while, but now you can’t even boost one into orbit without it getting smashed by space garbage. No return on investment there.”

“Exactly! Only you couldn’t say that kind of thing back then — you’d have been labelled a heretic.”

“I see,” said Abigail, nodding slowly.

“So what about deep sea exploration?

What about the real possibility of intraterrestrial contact in our lifetimes?

Is that a complete waste of resources?”

Henry answered slowly. “From a nuts and bolts perspective, maybe.

But … it kind of fills me with awe and mystery, you know?” Their eyes met across their steaming mugs of chicory.

Something thrilled in him, something deep and mysterious as the sea. Then her gaze shifted, and she whispered, “Incoming.”

It was Ali, making a beeline for their table, his tentacles flapping as he ran.

Faizal was deep in conversation with someone in the back corner of the café, and at the same time trying to calm a now mewling Rosa.

“Hey squid kid, what’s up?” said Abigail cheerily. Henry could feel his stomach sinking into his toes.

“Oh, nothing.” Ali put his elbows on the table and started looking from Henry to Abigail and back to Henry.

Time seemed to slow to a standstill.

Henry groped for something to say, anything to prevent the next words from coming out of Ali’s mouth.

“Hey Ali, I …”

Too late. “Is she your girlfriend?”

Henry’s stomach dropped right through the floor and continued on in the direction of the Marianas Trench.

But what happened next took his breath away completely.

“Yes,” said Abigail without batting an eye. “Yes I am. Ali, if a person wanted to go see Dwellers in the Deep, what’s the best theatre in town, in your opinion?”

“Oh, go to the Athena!” Ali said, his eyes shining. “That’s where me and Baba went. You can sit in the comfy seats, and the screen is e-normous.

You can even get popcorn!”

“What do you think, Henry?” asked Abigail, turning to face him. “Should we go to the Athena?”

“Sure. You mean, now? I mean … yeah, okay!”

“That settles it, then. I’ve got this.”

She dug out her wallet and slipped a few coins under the rim of her saucer, just as the embarrassed father reappeared. “Oh, Faizal, hi, no, it’s okay, we were just leaving.”

Henry glanced up in time to catch his friend’s apologetic look, but this time he returned it with a barely perceptible wink as he threw on his jacket.

They were halfway to the door when Ali piped up a final time.

“Henry, watch out though!” Henry turned to face his young friend, standing there solemnly in his pink tentacled suit. “It’s scary.”

“Thanks, Ali,” said Henry warmly. “I think I can handle it.” And just at that moment, he somehow felt he could handle anything the world threw at him.

12

NOVEMBER 2017 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

RECORD

SHOPPING IN WATERLOO REGION A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TCE’S VERY OWN MATT SMITH LOVES VINYL AND SHOPPING FOR VINYL. A LOT. YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO HIM TALK ABOUT THE REGION’S RECORD STORES.

ENCORE RECORDS As the token grandfather of local music shops, Encore Records has been around the block and back for the past few decades, starting on King Street in the 80s, then moving to Queen Street and now back to King. Their longevity deserves respect, but they’ve definitely got their feet planted firmly in the CD era, as vinyl only commands about a third of their floor space. That’s cool if you’re into CDs but not if you like used records. Their used section is the worst of any of the dedicated shops I’ve been to locally and beyond. Seven or eight half full bins just doesn’t cut it, in my opinion. Their saving grace is the excellent new vinyl selection which is probably the widest and most affordable in the region. If you want a new record chances are they have it at Encore and at a good price.

FORCH’S Forch’s is the new kid on the block in the KW vinyl scene.

This downtown Galt shop is probably the easiest to browse in the region, with bright lights, well-organized sections, and two spacious aisles. The vibe here is quiet, warm and the back of the shop feels like a den with a few comfy chairs and listening stations so you can try before you buy. Selection for new and used is wide and reasonably priced with many used titles ringing up for as low as eight bucks. A big bonus for Forch’s is its selection of affordable used turntables, speakers, and other gear to get your listening situation started or upgraded.

SUNRISE RECORDS It’s hard not to want to like Sunrise after they took over the mall spaces of former HMV storefronts, helping bring vinyl to the forefront of mall shoppers nationwide. They stock a rather large selection of mostly mainstream artists, both new and old. Some locations even have tiny used vinyl and cassette sections. For that selection you’ll pay a premium with prices averaging 10-20 per cent higher than average on a majority of records. Price and selection gripes aside, Sunrise has the strange practice of selling $30 repressings of records you can easily find for a buck or two at any thrift store (I’m looking at you, Neil Diamond).

ANTIQUE MARKETS With three large antique malls — two in St.Jacobs and one in Cambridge — we’re fairly well served with places to buy old shit. Seriously, I love these places, and they’re also home to thousands of records to dig through. There are booths at all three that are dedicated to vinyl, booths with a few bins, and some with just a handful of records. Some are well-researched and priced well and contain records in good shape, some have thrift store junk at laughable prices and some are just too expensive. Prices for popular artists can be a bit inflated, but oddities and gems and common copies can be found for just a few bucks. Still, they’re a great place to spend an afternoon and come home with a few random records to take for a spin.

HOME HARDWARE VINYL UNDERGROUND Yes, you read that right, the Preston Home Hardware sells vinyl. Duck through a few of the aisles and follow the signs down the stairs, and you’ll find a small showroom of new and used records, accessories, and a few other music related items like portable CD and tape players. Most of the records are rock music and almost all the used discs are under $10.

Vinyl Underground isn’t really worth a trip by itself but if you need some paint or a deluxe ten knife set, why not grab a record in the same purchase?

THRIFT STORES One in a thousand. Unlike C-3PO, I can tell you that those are the odds of finding a good record in good shape at a local thrift store. When you dig through the record bins at these shops you’ll encounter literally thousands of records that belong in the garbage. Kenny Rogers, Barbara Streisand, Perry Como, Nana whatever-her-name-is, and loads more junk that nobody has cared about for 30 years. Most shops sell records for two bucks, which isn’t terrible but some charge more (cough, Value Village) if they arbitrarily decide a record is worth more. Condition is also a big issue when thrift digging.

Just when you think you’ve found a rad Doors or Jackson 5 album, you pull it out and find what looks like a dog’s frisbee.

MILLPOND RECORDS AND BOOKS The friendliest little record shop in the area is tucked away in Hespeler. At first glance, the shop seems tiny but it’s surprisingly easy to browse and pretty well stocked with something for any taste, both new and used. Whether you’re looking for classic rock, hip-hop, or 12” singles intended for DJs, you likely won’t leave Millpond empty handed, or at least without having a nice chat with the owners. Even though the shop is smaller, their prices are very competitive on new and used vinyl, often 10-20 per cent cheaper than others. Millpond also offers online shopping, allowing you to buy or hold products conveniently. If you have the time, this is definitely a place worth the trip.

ORANGE MONKEY MUSIC Located in the attic of Jane Bond, you’ll find an overflowing trove of vinyl waiting to be discovered. Despite the name, you won’t find any bananas here but they’ve got a deep, diverse selection of vinyl to dig through, organized by genre and artist. It’s a bit of a cramped spot but claustrophobia be damned, because this is a place you’ll want to flip through every record from ABBA to Isaac Hayes, to Elvis, to Gangstarr. Speaking of Gangstarr, you’ll find the best selection of hip-hop records in the region here, including the rarely seen used hip-hop section. Prices on new stuff tend to be average or a bit higher than the local average but used stuff is well priced and plentiful. I’ve never left this unique little nook empty handed.

THE BEAT GOES ON If you combined all four local locations of this homegrown chain, you’d have a pretty sweet record and media store. Unfortunately that’s not the case and this means a more sparse selection of vinyl at each shop. BGO falls in the category of “pop in if you’re nearby.” Each one has a new section filled with typical stuff you’ll find everywhere and prices you’ll find everywhere, and a very fairly-priced used section and bargain bins that occasionally have a few gems in them. They also tend to be strict about condition, so if a disc or a cover isn’t in excellent shape you’ll see the price drop a fair bit to reflect that.

X-DISC-C MUSIC Between the Kitchener Market and Scott Street you’ll find Market Lane, where passerbys can hear a house belting out groovy tunes. This is X-Disc-C, a hidden gem for record collectors that is absolutely jam-packed, floor to ceiling with vinyl. The feeling walking into this shop is one part littlekid-on-Christmas-morning and one part anxiety. There are records everywhere: on the shelves, in bins, on the floor, and randomly stacked on top of each other. It’s difficult to browse quickly or find a specific item you might want, but if you brave the chaos you will find well-deserved rewards. You’ll find a bit of everything here, both new and used at very fair prices.

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NOVEMBER 2017 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

THE TRUTH ABOUT MIDWIVES

HOME BIRTHS CAN SEEM DAUNTING, BUT GIVING BIRTH IN YOUR OWN BED IS A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO HOSPITALS would transfer into the hospital if We thought we would enjoy the SEXPLANATIONS option of being able to move freely they sensed something was out of the

STACEY JACOBS COLUMNIST I was recently out for dinner with friends enjoying good food and good company, talking about where we would most prefer to give birth. Enjoyable dinner conversation for us; the table beside us, however, may have felt differently. We tried to be respectful of this while normalizing that birth happens, well, everyday.

The consensus at our table was that we would prefer a home birth. A birth where we could control the lighting, the music, the pillows we laid upon and the food we ate. There would be an option to have a water birth, as well, have any family and friends there we chose, even our pets. We could surround ourselves in things that made us feel safe and comfortable such as blankets, photographs of people we loved, candles …

around our own space, in our own clothing, or lack of clothing, instead of in a cold, sterile hospital with strangers and scratchy gowns. However, my friends had a few concerns and questions: is a home birth safe? Who would be there to assist with delivery?

What if something went wrong?

Luckily, I have been working with midwives for years and have learned a lot about their practice and model of care, and was able to answer their questions.

Midwives, whose services are free of charge, offer home birth as an option for clients who make that choice.

Because midwives in Ontario also have hospital privileges, you can use a midwife if you would like to have your baby in the hospital. Midwives carefully screen each client to make sure that home birth is a safe option and they always recommend a hospital birth if there are any risk factors.

Midwives carry a lot of equipment to each birth. In fact, they carry pretty much everything that you would have access to at a level one hospital.

This means that even though they

ordinary and could potentially cause difficulties, they are fully prepared to deal with situations at home while they wait for help to arrive.

One of the benefits of a home birth is avoiding the bacteria and other germs that are at hospitals. Your midwife will come to you if you think you are in labour, will stay throughout labour, and will come back to check on you and baby within 24 hours after labour.

They will return several more times throughout the first two weeks after the baby is born, and they will continue yours and baby’s care for another four weeks after that.

Whether a person gives birth at home or in hospital, their midwife is available to them by pager 24/7 for any concerns they have about themselves or their baby. Midwives don’t work alone — they work with other midwives and they collaborate with doctors and specialists to make sure that each person gets the best possible care.

Now take all that information to your next dinner party.

JOIN US NOV. 8 AT THE APOLLO FOR A SCREENING OF ALMOST FAMOUS. YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO MEMORIZE THE LYRICS TO “FEVER DOG.” ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE NOW.

WHAT IS SCHNEIDERS’ FATE?

27.6 ACRES OF LAND WAS JUST SOLD IN KW. NOW WHAT? WR AND HOWE

JAMES HOWE COLUMNIST The largest redevelopment project in Waterloo Region is about to take place on an historic property within walking distance of the heart of Kitchener. And overall, that’s a very good thing.

The Schneiders property, where J.M. Schneider and his family built a meat packing empire, has been sold to Auburn Developments after sitting empty for three years — a relatively short period of time for 27.6 acres of property. Out of the 27.6 acres, 750,000 square feet is built on.

So now the big question is what will Kitchener’s meat-packing district look like ten or more years down the road?

Details are scarce so far. Reports indicate a mix of 150,000 square feet of commercial use is to be mixed with 2,000 residential units. Hopes of uncovering the portion of Schneider Creek buried on the property appear

dim, as one building Auburn desires to keep prevents that from happening.

The back end of the property is along the LRT line, making this portion rather accessible.

So I thought this was a good time to share some ideas for the property with Auburn before their planning gets too advanced. I encourage you to take this opportunity to make your voice heard, too.

I’m pleased to hear that there are plans for adaptive reuse of some of the buildings, and that they are looking at ways to mark the site’s heritage.

My big idea for the site is to build a large modern arena to be the new home of the Kitchener Rangers. Being on the LRT line and near the upcoming iXpress on Ottawa Street means that public transit becomes a viable alternative to driving and parking for such a major venue, while still convenient for driving, as it is close to the expressway. It also provides the city with a facility that can attract entertainment and trade shows that now bypass Waterloo Region for London and Hamilton, two cities that rival us with larger arenas.

I’m confident that a business case

can also be made. It also allows for the Aud Complex to be sold by the city for a mixed use residential development suited to that site or perhaps the athletic facilities missing from our Canada Summer Games bid.

In terms of housing, I’m looking for a sizable portion to be affordable housing. This project is a great example of the need for inclusionary zoning that would require a certain portion of it to be affordable. Legislation to allow it was passed by Queen’s Park and became law on Dec. 8, 2016. Unfortunately, it may be too late for this and other recently announced projects, as the government is still in the process of drawing up the regulations our municipalities need to use this new power.

Still, I think it’s critical that our local governments push hard for affordable housing to be a part of the Schneiders property redevelopment. They must also work to have as many three and four bedroom units included so that families can live there.

Altogether, this property holds so much potential and it would be a huge loss to the Region to see that potential wasted.

CREATIVE COMMONS PHOTO

SAY HELLO TO:

KW SYRIA UNITED MARIKA GALADZA CONTRIBUTOR Mahmoud Al Salem had never managed a soccer team before he came to Canada, but here, he has found his footing as the team manager for KW Syria United, a soccer team composed almost exclusively of government assisted refugees. Out of 30 players, 26 have come from Syria in the past two years.

Like many of the team’s players, Al Salem and his three sons came to Canada as refugees through Reception House in February of 2016. It was the height of the federal government’s commitment to resettling 25,000 Syrians, and Reception House accommodations could not hold the volume of people arriving. New arrivals were put up in the Howard Johnson hotel in Kitchener, where Al Salem bonded with other newcomers around their love of soccer. It was at the Howard Johnson that the seed to create a team in Canada was planted.

With the help of future team captain Jassim Al Shahadh, he formed a team to keep Syrian youth active and engaged. KW Syria United was officially registered with the Grand River Soccer League in May 2017. Al Salem’s favourite team is Manchester United, hence the team name, however it also hints at a message of peace and the hope that someday warring factions in Syria will stand united in peace.

For the mostly high school aged players, the game represents hope, friendship and fun.

“We want to challenge ourselves, to strive towards playing like a professional team,” said team member, Ibrahim.

The team members, who are between 16 and 30-years-old practice three to four times a week. Their rigorous practice schedule also offers much needed relief from news about the homes, cities and villages they left behind, as well as the stressors of starting from scratch in Canada.

Soccer is their anchor, something familiar to cling to in a new environment that isn’t quite yet home. The team got off to a great start winning their first two games quite easily, but as the season progressed they experienced much tougher games finishing with three wins, nine losess, and three ties. Some of this difficulty could be attributed to the timing of Ramadan, said club partner Louie Antoniou. But Antoniou believes the team shows great promise and commitment to improving.

Many community members helped the team along the way – especially KW United FC who provided team uniforms and Danielle Herakovic and Sultan Qamar, members of the Grand River soccer league who provided interpretation support, coaching and mentorship.

However, the cost of playing in the league is a barrier. The total cost to enter a team is $4,025.00. The referee cost alone is $60 per game. To date, $3,005.00 remains outstanding as the team struggles to collect funds. The team’s mostly high school aged students pool funds when they can, but disposable income is tight for these newcomers. As a result, the team is accepting financial donations to help pay for registration fees.

For more information, you can reach Marika at marika@kwrcentre.ca

NOVEMBER 2017 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

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MOVED BY THE POWER OF SOCIAL RECONCILIATION

CALVARY, A PENTACOSTAL CHURCH IN GALT, IS DELIVERING MESSAGES OF EQUALITY TO HUGE AUDIENCES

SEEKER’S CORNER

CHRISTOPHER EMORY-MOORE COLUMNIST My welcome to Calvary, a member of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, began a week before I stepped foot inside the church when I registered my upcoming visit on its website, and extended two weeks afterward when I received a signed thank-you card in the mail. Just before 11 a.m. one Sunday morning in August, I pulled off Hespeler Road under a high white steeple just north of Galt.

The vast church parking lot was turning over as attendees of the earlier 9:15 a.m. service returned to their cars and daily lives.

In the busy atrium I made my way toward a lady in a blue Calvary t-shirt standing under a “Guest Central” sign, where the website had encouraged me to start my visit.

My welcomer handed me a gift bag that included a newsletter, coffee mug and beverage voucher for the cafe across the atrium, before she encouraged me to bring water or coffee into the main prayer hall for the service.

Entering the worship space felt like walking into a dark opera house before the show. Floor-lit aisles led me to the cushioned pews that fanned out from a wall-length stage set with musical instruments and flanked by twin video screens. I settled near the back just in time to watch a young man and woman and their supporting band members casually take the stage and strike up a pop-rock worship of the immemorial, inseparable Christian deities — God, the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.

One thing became clear to me very quickly: the singing pastors were into it. And the clearer their passion became to the audience (which swelled to about three hundred), the more everybody got into it. Some threw hands up in spontaneous waves of grateful mercy while many stood perfectly still. But everyone sang. Hymn lyrics were projected karaoke-style on the screens so even a visitor, like myself, could join in.

After close to half an hour of musical prayer, announcements

were made about community goings-on and voluntary donations were collected in a brief collection ceremony. Finally, the lead pastor took the stage for the main sermon.

Dressed sharp and looking relaxed but earnest, he explained his last-minute decision to shelve the sermon he had planned for today in the wake of the previous day’s deadly clash between white supremacists and their protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The sermon that followed was an impassioned meditation on the interpenetrating Christian principles of reconciliation and restoration, and on their prophetic pertinence to contemporary North American race politics.

Defining “reconciliation,” generally, as the bringing together of two seemingly opposing things, the pastor rooted the Christian injunction against ethnic, class, and gender discrimination in a famous Bible passage from Paul’s letter to the Galatians (3.26-28): “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

In commentary the pastor identified the lived principle of restoration — i.e. our reconciliation to our creator God through faith in his Son Jesus Christ — as the very basis of our reconciliation to each other, above and beyond more visible but less important differences of identity. In other words, we were assured that faith in Christ and in his example of salvific inclusivism can help enable and empower transcendence of the tendencies for prejudice that lie within us all.

Without being a member of this particular faith-forged community, or even a disciple of Christ, I walked to my car sincerely moved by the power for social reconciliation made available to Calvary’s members by Christ’s example and the Christian ideal of restoration.

As the pastor said before the concluding ceremony of communion, “All are equal at the foot of the cross,” all are equal at Calvary.

ANDREAS PATSIAOUROS PHOTO

SAFE ACCESS TO ABORTION SERVICES ACT IN KW

THE ACT PASSED ITS THIRD READING IN OCTOBER, SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PROTESTORS AND PATIENTS?

STACEY JACOBS CONTRIBUTOR Each year for 40 days, pro-life protesters stand outside of Freeport Hospital in Kitchener with signs speaking against abortion and a person’s right to choose what is best for their own mind, body, health and family. This year was no different; however, next year will be.

The Safe Access to Abortion Services Act passed its third reading at end of October, supported by the Liberal, NDP and Progressive Conservative parties. The Act’s purpose is to protect the health, safety, dignity and privacy of people

obtaining abortions, as well as healthcare providers involved in abortion care.

The Act will automatically protect free standing abortion clinics in Ontario by establishing a safe access zone of 50 metres around the property line where activities such as pressuring a person to refrain from accessing abortion services, activities that intimidate, interfere or scare a person accessing abortion services or abortion-related protests would be prohibited. Clinics can apply to increase the zone to 150 meters.

The Act will also protect health care providers involved in abortion care with an automatic safe access zone of 150 meters which moves with them at all times, preventing protesters from harassing and abusing them. Hospitals and

community health centres that perform abortions, as well as pharmacies that dispense the abortion pill, will have to apply for these safe access zones.

According to Lyndsey Butcher, executive director of Sexual Health Options, Resources & Education (SHORE) Centre, protestors could face a fine up to $5,000 and six months jail time for their first offense and a $10,000 fine and one year in jail for a second offense.

The question is: will this deter protesters? Butcher is hopeful that it will.

“We’ve heard from patients and community members that driving by the 40 Days for Life protestors is very upsetting. Patients are especially angry that strangers are judging them without having any idea of what they are going through,”

Butcher said.

Abortion protestors oppose the Act, saying that it infringes on their freedom of expression; however, legal experts have said the legislation places reasonable limitations on freedom of expression as it upholds the patient’s right to privacy and freedom to access health services.

We know that making abortion illegal does not prevent abortion. It does, however, make abortion less safe. I think we can assume that protesting abortion does not prevent abortion. It does, however, increase the stigma surrounding abortion and decrease the safety, security, health, privacy and dignity of a person accessing abortion services.

There are evidence-based ways to decrease abortion such as providing everyone, including children and teens, with comprehensive, age

appropriate sexual health education, and there are many productive ways to support a person facing an unplanned pregnancy.

“I hope that next year the protestors will focus their efforts on building a community that supports people facing unplanned pregnancies. Advocating for affordable childcare, free and accessible birth control, and increased social assistance and minimum wage rates will have a much greater impact on reducing abortion than protesting outside of the clinic,” Butcher said.

Stacey Jacobs is the community sexual health education manager for SHORE.

NOVEMBER 2017 // @THECOMMUNITYED

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ARTS & CULTURE EVENT LISTINGS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 NIGHT\SHIFT DOWNTOWN KITCHENER

Winner of the 2017 Best Community Event, Night\Shift 2017 is guaranteed to impress. We can’t wait to see what placehacking goes down this year.

Art • Free • 7pm

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 THE ABORTION MONOLOGUES KW LITTLE THEATRE

One-night only production of Jane Cawthorne’s play presents the fictional stories of individuals’ experiences with abortion. Proceeds to be donated to SHORE Centre.

Performance • $25 • 8pm

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 FREDERICK ART WALK FREDERICK NEIGHBOURHOOD Tour one of Kitchener’s oldest neighbourhoods. This 4 km walk will feature a variety of unique hand-crafted works of art available for purchase.

Art • Free • 10am-5pm

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 CHRISTMAS MARKET RIM PARK Yup, it’s Christmas shopping time already. Get a jump start by shopping the artistic wares at one of the first holiday markets of the year.

Shopping • $2 • 10am-4pm

TOOL DONATION PARTY KW LIBRARY OF THINGS

Featured on page five, the Library of Things is getting ready to launch.

But you know, they do need things.

Donate your underused items that you’ve just been holding onto and help this library open.

Community • Free • 10am-4pm

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 SHARED SPACE: A BENEFIT CONCERT CONRAD CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The Renaissance Singers in partnership with Mino Ode Kwewak N’Gamowak present a benefit concert with a portion of the proceeds going to Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region.

Music • $5-$25 • 7pm-8:30pm

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6 #METOOISNTENOUGH THEMUSEUM

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13 NINJA WARRIOR COMPETITION SKY ZONE The region’s first Ninja Warrior Competition is in town. Compete for the fastest time through the course and of course bragging rights.

Fun • By donation • 4pm-8pm

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16 ST. JACOBS SPARKLES ST. JACOBS VILLAGE Running from November 16 through 19th, St. Jacobs will be filled with merriment and cheer (even more than normal). Check out the local shops, be entertained by strolling Victorian carolers and even hop on a horse-drawn trolley.

Fun • Free • 10am-9pm

RIOTS REFRAMED SCREENING KITCHENER PUBLIC LIBRARY

Part of the Model Citizens Dialogue Series, moderator Julie BarkerMerz will lead a discussion on what concrete actions can be done within the region to combat gendered violence.

Free screening hosted by Cinema Politica. Riots Reframed is a feature-length documentary focuses on the 2011 England riots and the voices of resistance that emerged.

Talk • Free • 6:30pm-7:45pm

Film• Free • 7pm-9pm

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17 POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE WATERLOO CENTRAL RAIL

ALMOST FAMOUS APOLLO CINEMA One day you will be cool. But until then come be uncool with the Community Edition crew as we screen the classic 2000 hit on the big screen. All proceeds will go to keeping this paper and our witty commentary going.

Live the story and ride the train to the North Pole. Trips available throughout November and December. One thing about trains: it doesn’t matter where they’re going. What matters is deciding to get on.

Film • $10-$15 • 6:30pm

Fun • $50-$70 • Multiple Departures

IMAGINENATIVE IDEA EXCHANGE

PICKLEFEST THEMUSEUM

In partnership with TIFF, Pinnguaq and the Initiative for Indigenous Futures, imagineNative Film + Media Arts Festival presents 2167, an innovative virtual reality project designed by five Indigenous artists envisioning 150 years in the future.

Film • Free • 11am-8pm

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9 AUTUMN JAUNT COMEDY TOUR PRINCESS CAFE Promised to be a “dream show”.

Get your tickets early to see Chris Locke, Sara Hennessey and Tom Henry. Also a mystery host. Ooh intrigue.

Comedy • $10 advance • 9pm-11pm

We expect at least one Rick and Morty reference. We’re just going to have to dill with it. Hopefully this event will be a dillight. Okay, we’re done. Coming up with all these puns are cu-cumbersome.

Fun • $30 • 7pm

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 INTRODUCTORY COPPERSMITHING COURSE TWO SMITHS This 16 hour course will teach you the introductory steps to copper and how to smith it. Also you will now have a great skill to put in your Tinder bio and discuss at dinner parties.

Learning • $456 • 9am-5pm Nov 18 & 19

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 SHORE WEB APP LAUNCH COMMUNITECH SHORE Centre is launching a new web app that will connect people seeking abortion care to the healthcare provider who best meets their needs.

Tech • Free - RSVP needed • 2:30am-4pm

GOWAN MAXWELL’S We’ve seen his face before. A criminal mind is all he’s ever known.

Music • $40 • 7:30pm-10pm

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24 FEMINIST HOLIDAY MARKET ST GEORGE ANGLICAN CHURCH, GUELPH You kind of have to participate in capitalism (especially during the holiday season) so you might as well try to make it slightly less awful and shop at the Feminist Holiday Market. Find the perfect gift that says both “Happy Holidays” and “Fight the Patriarchy”.

Shopping • $3-$5 PWYC • 5pm-9pm

STAMPFUN ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION We’re no philatelists but STAMPFUN is something we could stick to. Run by the Waterloo Region Stamp Club, this is their third annual stamp show. Event will include dealers, a silent auction and of course fun.

Fun • Free • 10am-4pm

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25 ETSY HOLIDAY MARKET RIM PARK The second annual Etsy Holiday Market is here. Get to live Etsy IRL so you don’t have to deal with all those shipping costs.

Fun • Free • 10am-5pm

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26 ZERO WASTE HOLIDAYS REEP HOUSE Part of the Sustainable Living Series hosted by Reep Green Solutions.

Learn how to reduce, reuse and recycle this holiday season. Come prepared with your list of obstacles and workshop solutions.

Fun • Free • 1:30pm-3:30pm

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 INTRO TO CHICKEN BUTCHERY KW BUTCHERY A two hour hands on lesson with professional butcher and author, Jamie Waldron. Learn the various butchery methods and a simple breakdown of the bird. Probably also interesting for dinner parties (and super helpful if you’re hosting).

Learning • $100 • 6:30pm-8:30pm

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29 INTRO TO MALE ALLYSHIP SASC Learn more about the work men can do to end sexual and gender based violence. Hosted by Male Allies, this open introductory workshop is meant to encourage discussion.

Learning • Free • 6:30pm-9:30pm

COMMUNITYEDITION.CA @THECOMMUNITYED

NOVEMBER 2017 // @THECOMMUNITYED

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READING THE SMALL PRINT ON WEARABLE ART

PROFILING LOCAL ARTIST TAYLOR SMALL AND HER ‘EXERCISE IN VULNERABILITY’ BY PRINTING POETRY ON CLOTHING

JENNIFER LYON CONTRIBUTOR Would you wear a poem? Let’s step back – do you even read poetry? For the most part, you don’t often see poetry unless you purposely seek it out, either from a book or at an event where its being performed. For Kitchener-based poet Taylor Small, this is all too familiar.

“Who is really reading poetry these days? People are either actively seeking it out because they want to read a poem, or not thinking about it,” Small said.

Small is passionate about writing and poetry, but until recently she did not put anything out into the world.

“I’ve been writing forever, since I was a kid, mostly short stories but poetry is what I really love doing,” Small explained. “I write a lot and keep it to myself but I started to feel that I had hit a wall.”

As a result, she went looking for a way to share her work, and to find an audience.

On its surface, the solution she came to seems simple. She would put her words on a shirt, for other people to wear. Small eloquently explained that this is an “exercise in vulnerability” for her art — a way to finally set it free.

Small acknowledged that this medium affords little control over the audience and how people will react, but simultaneously, it’s getting her poetry out there. She’s reaching larger audiences. She explained that the best

possible outcome would be to start conversations.

“I’ve had people tell me that they connect with all kinds of different things,” Small said.

One poem in particular that can be seen on Small’s shirts is called “Survival Lessons.” This poem is displayed as a list of powerful insights about what it’s like to navigate the world through a feminist lens. According to Small, “Survival Lessons” is “a response to feeling kind of exhausted as a woman in the world and having to move through public space.”

To Small, the shirt’s message is: I know where I’m at; don’t talk to me. Small says that she feels protected wearing these words and she hopes others will too.

Small went on to explain that most women are wary when they think about spaces they need to move through and clothing plays a major part in whether or not they feel safe.

“Is this going to be safe to wear in this space where I’m going for this time, around these people? The shirts are a response to that issue you face everyday when you open your closet,” she said.

For Small, the words are more accessible in this form. They can move through public spaces and perhaps force people to think, about the poetry or the messages they convey. She hopes the words on the shirts will start conversations between people.

You can find Small on Instagram using the handle @portmope, where she constantly posts photos of her work. She will also be a vendor at the upcoming Feminist Holiday Market on Nov. 24 in Guelph, where she will be unveiling a new shirt design and a few other exciting things she has been working on.

PAIGE BUSH PHOTO

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