The Community Edition: April 2019

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7 • APRIL 2019

ROLLING INTO SPRING

WOMEN AND WEED PAGE 7

WATERLOO REGION AND WEED PAGES 8-9

THE LO-DOWN ON ASIAN CUISINE

KW CO-OP IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND

COUNTERPOINT BREWING OPEN FOR BUSINESS

PAGE 4

PAGE 10

PAGE 13

APRIL 2019 // @THECOMMUNITYED

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IN THIS

ISSUE

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7

APRIL 2019

THIS ISSUE OF TCE WAS FUELED BY THE ROTATING TAP AT ETHEL’S ON APRIL 1.

WE DON’T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS CALLED, BUT WE DRANK IT AND IT WAS GOOD.

FEATURE

8-9 WATERLOO REGION WEED SURVEY: THE RESULTS

EDITOR’S PICK

13 COUNTERPOINT BREWING OPEN FOR BUSINESS

INSIDE

3 4 4 5 6 6 7 7 10 11 11 13 14 14 15

IN BRIEF GEETHA THURAIRAJAH COMES HOME JANNELLE LO OF J&P’S HOT LUNCHES LE PRIX FASHION PROMOTES SUSTAINABILITY THE ART OF DESIGN WITH STEPHANIE SCOTT 519 SCHMECKS: A VALUABLE LESSON CHOOSE YR OWN FEST INVADES UPTOWN A FEMININE PERSPECTIVE OF WEED UNION: THE FIRST OF ITS KIND EASY BEING GREEN: REDUCING WASTE HYPERLOCAL TRAVEL: ON FOOT A BONA FIDE CALIGRAPHIST TUNING INTO APE AUDIO TCE POETRY HARU NOON // EVENT LISTINGS

COVER BY JESSE DERRY

Volume 7, Issue 7 Next issue: Mayl, 2019 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

WLUSP ADMINISTRATION

Editor in Chief Beth Bowles beth@communityedition.ca

President TJ Mroz

Publisher Lakyn Barton lakyn.barton@wlusp.com Social Media Coordinator Brit Kovacs Social Media Coordinator Ramona Leitao Web Manager Care Lucas Photo Editor Nick Stanley Photo Editor Paige Bush General Inquiries info@communityedition.ca

Executive Director Lakyn Barton Advertising Manager Care Lucas Treasurer Garrison Oosterof

CONTRIBUTORS Jenna Aquino Nick Benninger Nathalie Bouchard Stacey Danckert Jesse Derry Melissa Embury Chris Harry Bashar Lulu Jabbour Rachael MacIntosh Jesse Matas Laura McBride Juanita Metzger Cara Vandermey Racheal Walser

Vice-Chair Vacant Directors Rosalind Horne Emily Crump Maiya Mistry Corporate Secretary Maiya Mistry

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.

APRIL 2019 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

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IN BRIEF NEWS

ARTS

URBAN

CONSTRUCTION RETURNS UPTOWN

FORMER OPEN SESAME SPACE

ION SPRING DUE DATE LOOMING

We had a joke about construction to start this brief, but we’re still working on it. King Street North between Bridgeport Road and Elgin Street in uptown Waterloo is closed for construction until August 2019. As reported

by CTV Kitchener, the work involves replacing underground infrastructure, installing bike lanes and improve lighting.

After Open Sesame closed its physical doors at 220 King Street West in February, the next use of the reatil space in front of Kitchener City Hall was up in the air. On April 1, City Council decided that the space will now be used for pop-up retail, community programs and temporary art installations at least until May 2020. Long term options are to be presented in spring 2020.

In November 2018, the Region announced that the ION light rail would begin operating spring 2019. As spring approaches, there has been no specific date provided. In an interview by CBC Kitchener, ION community relations manager TJ Flynn said that there is “still considerable work that needs to be done.” June 21 is the last day of spring.

CANNABIS STORES OPEN DOORS

STEEL RAILS IS TURNING 10

REGION NOT ON SAFE SITE LIST

The first brick-and-mortar cannabis stores in Ontario opened on April 1, 2019. However, less than half of the province’s governmentlicensed outlets actually opened on the day. Only ten of the planned 25 stores were allowed to open on April 1. Those 10 stores are located in Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto, Brampton, Burlington, London and St. Catharines.

It’s that time again. Steel Rails is coming June 22. It’s a mysterious interactive art party where we tell you nothing but ask you to buy tickets anyway.

It’s also a fundraiser for this charming paper you’re reading.

This year we’re turning 10 and we’re pretty stoked. Tickets go on sale May 9 at noon. Check Facebook for more details.

The provincial government released an initial list of approved supervised drug consumption sites (now called “consumption and treatment services sites”) and none of the 21 locations are in Waterloo Region. Opioid overdose rates have reached an all time high in the Region with police responding to 106 suspected overdoses in February 2019.

is safe and nurturing.

The same goes for Moose. He’s caught in the in-between. We don’t know where he came from, but our job, as foster parents, is to push him forward and to get him ready for his forever home.

So every day, we go on a walk, where we work on basic commands and we get used to strangers walking past us. It’s Moose’s favourite part of the day, but to be honest sometimes it’s the most anxious part of mine.

Mount Hope, like a lot of other suburban neighbourhoods, has a lot of foot traffic. While Moose loves all people, other dogs make him very nervous. Because we don’t know his past, we don’t know what caused this — whether is was a lack of socialization as a puppy, or perhaps he was even attacked. We don’t and will never know.

When we walk Moose, he is muzzled and we keep him on a short leash. He’s a strong dog with a stern looking face and we are doing everything to make sure our walk is safe. All of that means nothing if another dog is off leash.

I am astounded every day by the amount of people in my neighbourhood who let their

dogs run off leash. The cemetery is often the site of unleashed dogs running and weaving between headstones. You’d think the cemetery is a sanctioned dog park. We don’t walk there anymore because every time we do, an unleashed dog surprises us. Thankfully, we’ve managed to avoid any potentially horrible interactions so far but it’s not a risk I’m willing to keep taking.

I know people walk their dogs off leash to allow their dog more freedom. I get it. I fully support off-leash areas with proper signage. I don’t bring Moose into dog parks when there’s other dogs, nor would I bring him to an off-leash area. I can control these aspects of Moose’s life. But I can’t control when the off-leash area comes to us.

It doesn’t matter if your dog is good around other dogs. Our dog, we suspect, is not. And a public sphere, with another dog I don’t know, is not a good place to test it. Moose is scheduled to have a controlled dog test soon, where he is to interact with another dog in a safe environment with someone who facilitates this regularly. I don’t need to speed up that process with a dog we don’t know.

Walking your dog off leash is selfish, and honestly — irresponsible pet ownership.

Not only will your off leash dog interrupt my training process with Moose and the many other people also trying to train their animals, but your dog could also be in danger. There’s risks of interacting with another dog that isn’t friendly to others, getting hit by a car, running into a person with cynophobia (fear of dogs) or even being kidnapped (it happens). I leash Moose for his own safety, but also for you and your dog. I ask that you extend the same consideration back to us and the rest of your community.

The ironic part is that there is a sanctioned dog park in our neighbourhood (on the corner of Wellington and Weber) that is often unused.

I foster animals to give back to my community and to feed my love of animals. If you own a dog, I’m hoping you love that dog, and by extension, other dogs, too. A simple way for you to help is to just leash your dog in public — it sets dogs with unknown pasts up for success.

Trust us, this photo looks way better in colour, but budgets, am I right?

Counterpoint Brewing Company opened it’s doors earlier this year.

Read more on page 13.

NICK STANLEY PHOTO

EDITOR’S NOTE: JUST LEASH YOUR DAMN DOG, OKAY?

BY: BETH BOWLES

If you’ve ever driven through the far borderline of Mount Hope — the main stretch being on Moore Ave., in between Union and Wellington in Kitchener — chances are you’ve considered it a nice neighbourhood. The Mount Hope Cemetery that exists along this stretch is nicely kept. There are kids playing in the front yards and people — so many people — walking dogs.

This is where I live, and this is where I walk my foster dog, Moose, every day.

In the past three years, we’ve had several foster animals come and go from our home. It started with kittens, too young to be away from their mother, then changed to older cats, recovering from surgery or illness. Just last year, we took in our first dog — a near 100 lb mastiff awaiting leg amputation surgery.

These animals are in purgatory — the space between a troubled past and a better future. We’re the pit stop of recovery, a trial period mixed with a day spa, if you will.

At our house, we’re trying to learn about their pasts, what they like and don’t like, while being sympathetic to the fact that it’s probably been a while — if ever — since they’ve been in a home that

APRIL 2019 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

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BRINGING HER ART HOME

GEETHA THURAIRAJAH IS RETURNING TO KW FOR HER NEW EXHIBIT AT KWAG

JESSE MATAS CONTRIBUTOR This spring, the KitchenerWaterloo Art Gallery (KWAG) brings the Waterloo-born, Brooklyn based visual artist geetha thurairajah (intentionally lowercased) back to her hometown.

The exhibition, entitled “Migration is more momentous than ancient invasions,” is an untangling of difference, through symbol and story, in an ever-changing and twisted history. Her paintings cultivate strong, absorbing narratives and evoke rich, human feelings that engage the viewer on multiple levels. Visual cues are subtle and complex while simultaneously tangible and approachable. The show opened on March 29 and will go through June 16. thurairajah’s artistic practice includes working with digital sketches, airbrush and paint. In 2010, she received a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University and in 2014, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. She has been a finalist in the RBC Canadian Painting Competition twice, with an honourable mention in 2018. Her works have been shown world-wide.

“Migration is more momentous

than ancient invasions” has a true sense of homecoming. Through a residency at KWAG, it also has an aspect of community engagement, something thurairajah appreciates.

“It feels pretty serendipitous,” she said. “It’s a full-circle thing. It feels nice, because part of this show is a lot of community programming as well. I’m doing workshops with youth from the “Let’s Talk” group with the Multicultural Centre and those have been going on for the past few weeks. To be able to give back, while also being able to develop a pretty involved show makes me feel really good about doing it in my home own.” thurairajah’s process doesn’t shy away from digital technology — quite the opposite. She sees her art as responding to it in kind. She’s also bringing this focus to her workshops.

“We’ve already met twice and I’ve been teaching them my process, which has been digital painting. My process with my work is making these digital drawings that I then translate into physical paintings [with the kids,] a process of digitally drawing out their works using Adobe sketch. [Then] we’re going to start painting them [physically— in the studios at the gallery] so that’s pretty exciting for them.”

During her time away from Waterloo, thurairajah has observed some big changes to the city.

“It is so different,” she said, diagnosing her Laurier graduation as the first time she could really feel the city change. “As soon as I

left, there was the tech explosion.

Coming back now, I feel like I’m coming back to a fairly engaged city … which is cool.”

And of all the places her work has taken her, Brooklyn seems to hold the most magic. Artistically inspiring, with a large community of diverse artists working across many mediums, New York seems like a wonderful place to be working.

“I think it’s been the healthiest thing I’ve ever done for my artwork.

I love it.”

However, a true homecoming summons up many of the challenges of growing up in a place from which one has moved away. thurairajah, though, seems to embrace these complexities.

“Naturally, I’m a rule-breaker.

I’m sure that if I see any teachers [laughs] … I mean, this has been a real homecoming because I really didn’t love school. I’m just naturally drawn to looking for strategies to explicate difference through painting.”

Overall, coming home feels good. thurairajah’s family lives in KW and are thrilled about the show — above all, to have her around.

“My parents are still in Waterloo.

I’m here for a month! They are definitely pretty excited about it.”

thurairajah’s exhibit runs at KWAG until June 16.

NICK STANLEY PHOTO

SERVING MORE THAN JUST A SMILE

JANNELLE LO OF J&P’S HOT LUNCHES PROGRAM GIVES US THE LO-DOWN ON THIS DTK CULINARY EXPERIENCE WITH AN ASIAN FLARE

RAMONA LEITAO SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Jannell Lo is a young, female, Asian chef ready to stir up KitchenerWaterloo’s food scene.

Lo has quite the food experience under her belt. After attending culinary school in Montreal for five years, she worked for a variety of restaurants and catering companies based in Montreal, Toronto and Hong Kong. Not to mention she’s travelled and taken local cooking classes in countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

And now, several years later, Lo has ended up here in KW and is using what she’s learned in the industry.

Having only moved here last October, Lo’s already influencing the local food scene with her dishes, how she serves them, and how she shares her recipes.

Aside from being a private chef, Lo is currently the chef who runs J&P’s Grocery’s Hot Lunches Program in downtown Kitchener.

“I basically menu plan, organize and execute hot lunches every day from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m,” she said.

According to Lo, the Hot Lunches Program evolved to what is today — themed lunches for every weekday — thanks to collaborating with Chris Kim of Public Kitchen, and Sarah Pepper and Johnny Kent of J&P

Grocery.

At the time, Kim was interested in starting a pop-up at J&P. “It turned into a natural thing where every Wednesday from October to January, I would set up a table at J&P and serve lunch,” said Lo. “It was always some sort of Asian themed dish. We just wanted to get the cuisine and people familiar with different flavours that they may not have tried before.”

The weekly pop-up was received so well that Kent and Pepper suggested to expand the program to every weekday, rather than just every Wednesday.

“It was kind of mutual … and it kind of developed into that very organically,” Lo said.

Lo also likes to share some of her food knowledge online, particularly when it comes to gluten free food.

“I have a food blog called ‘My BF is GF’, [which stands for] “My Best Friend is Gluten Free,”” she said.

“It’s inspired by Asian classics and Canadian comfort foods.”

Some of the popular recipes on My BF is GF include Tom Yum coconut salmon, Northern Thai falafels, Korean beef tacos.

“A big part of [creating this] is because my husband Reid [Witzel] is celiac and has been since he was four-years-old,” Lo said, when asked about the inspiration behind the blog.

“These are just all of the recipes that we create at home that brings my background of being Asian and his background of growing up Canadian. We’re just fusing our foods and making gluten free foods that we think doesn’t quite exist yet.”

Jannelle Lo serving up some tasty tacos at J&P. Check out J&P’s Hot Lunch Program everyday from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

LAURA MCBRIDE PHOTO As a young, female, Asian chef, Lo recognizes how different it is to be part of such a demographic while living and making a career in KW. “I think for sure the demographic is less diverse than what I’m used to,” Lo said. “In [my hometown] Toronto I have always felt like I can blend in there. That being said, it was almost too comfortable. Here, I feel like I can rep me and rep my culture and

cuisine and bring that to the table be like “this is me.””

Lo said the freedom to cook whatever she wants at J&P has allowed her to play with people’s taste buds.

Being a self-proclaimed traveling nomad, does Lo see herself staying in KW for the long run?

“I think definitely [my husband and I] are going to be here for the next

couple of years … but long-long term, I’m not so sure,” she said. “In regards to opening my own business [in the future] though, it makes a lot of sense to open something here.”

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“LE PRIX” OF

FAST FASHION

RACHAEL MACINTOSH CONTRIBUTOR In 2019, people seem more aware than ever of the importance of living sustainably and thinking about how their purchases affect the world around them. However, it can be hard to locate retailers that strive towards sustainability and to be sure you are making conscious, ethical choices.

Robyn Hobbs, owner and founder of Le Prix Fashion, offers some assistance.

Hobbs has been running Le Prix Fashion out of her Waterloo home for the past seven years. Le Prix is a clothing store that focuses on sustainability and self-love. You can find Hobbs taking these ideals out of her store to pop-up shops, local fashion shows, and many other events throughout KitchenerWaterloo.

Recently, she has worked with the Wilfrid Laurier University Fashion Society, helping to style models for their annual fashion show.

Hobbs majored in environmental studies as an undergrad and went on

to do a master’s in environmental studies with a thesis focusing on why people shop second-hand for fashion. Through Le Prix, Hobbs has been able to combine her passions for sustainability and fashion.

“I have always loved the environment,” Hobbs said.

“I was a student putting myself through school with very little money, so pairing the two [qualities of being] value-focused and sustainability-focused, I would shop for myself second-hand. Then my friends would like what I was wearing, then they would ask me, “can you take me shopping?””

Hobbs offers free styling for all who come to the store and ensures that all the clothes she sells are ethically and sustainably sourced. For Hobbs, one of the key factors to ensure clothing can be called ethical is to be aware of what happens at every step of the producing process.

“So it could be the natural resources; if you’re thinking about cotton, those people in the farmers’ fields, if they’re having a safe environment and fair wages,” she said.

“Then to the processing in facilities, if they’re using dyes, are they good for the fabric? Are they good for the environment?”

One of the major factors getting in the way of sustainable and

Robyn Hobbs has been running her store, Le Prix Fashion, out of her home for seven years.

JESSE DERRY PHOTO ethical fashion seems to be the phenomenon of “fast fashion” which involves companies producing clothes quickly and inexpensively in order to keep up with fleeting trends.

“Fast fashion is similar to disposable clothing; you like it because it’s trendy. It doesn’t encourage investment in qualitymade and ethically and sustainably made products … It’s just encouraging people to purchase

without thinking. You’re just consuming without actually being conscious about it,” Hobbs said.

Hobbs wants to focus not only on how clothing can be sustainable, ethical and fashionable, but how it can make people feel better about themselves.

“I’ve always wanted people to feel their best and feel special — because everyone is special — and feel loved and confident. That kind of

blossomed into Le Prix having three pillars: sustainability, self-love, and empowerment,” she said.

Le Prix Fashion can be accessed in person or online. Hobbs can also be found on the podcast Ecocast.

MAY 8 - 11, 2019

For More Details Visit

APRIL 2019 // @THECOMMUNITYED

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ADDING COLOUR TO

PROFESSIONAL SPACES SCOTT‘S MURALS ARE IN SPACES LIKE VIDYARD, TERMINAL AND HUSTL + FLOW

NATHALIE BOUCHARD CONTRIBUTOR Stephanie Scott is a Kitchener-Waterloo designer who describes her designs as psychedelic, futuristic, dexterous and eclectic, all meant to transform each space into a parrell universe. Many of her illustrations and designs have become centre pieces in various recreational, public and corporate spaces around the Region. Continuing to use her artwork as a canvas for self-discovery, Scott is ever evolving alongside her designs.

“I think I’m discovering who I am through what I create. I feel like it’s a never-ending quest for this overarching question of “who I am?””

Scott said.

“But I have discovered a lot about my approach to things because I do tend to create designs that aren’t very serious, which kind of is funny.”

Considering Scott has a background in fine art, illustration and graphic design, her self-described cartoon-y designs make for an ironic

turn from her back ground in fine art, ultimately challenging those perceptions.

“I’ve evolved a lot as a designer.

I don’t ever approach any project like a quote on quote “fine artist.” I don’t like to use that word when I describe what I do, because I feel like it doesn’t come from a place of an “artist.” I approach everything like a designer,” Scott said.

Scott explained that she is constantly problem solving in her work and collaborating with clients, which is something that she is continuously developing within her work and business.

Balancing the fine line between creative control and consulting with clients, Scott tailors her designs to meet her clients wants, needs, and objectives of their space, while also creating work that she can stand behind and be proud of.

Her most recent piece at Vidyard uses a glitch-art style aesthetic meant to represent the company’s connection to technology and innovation. Hustl + Flow, another space Scott provided art for, reflects her background in health and wellness as a former personal trainer.

“Hustl + Flow was more about engaging the community. I understand

the importance of good motivational aspects in a [recreational] space and the positive effects that that can have on you,” she said.

Scott worked with one of the owners of Hustl + Flow to come up with the tag lines for the art work, although Scott says she can’t take credit for the tag lines. Scott used fine lines and typography in order to make their large mural reading “be the flow” in their centre workout space.

Scott is inspired by international designers and artists like Herb Lubalin, Pilar Zeta, and Takenobu Igarashi. More recently, Scott was inspired by the Region itself and created a mural at local company Terminal’s office inspired by the Region’s growth and development.

“A lot of my designs reflect the transition of the Region, especially the recent transition … I’ve had to do a lot of research on, so I’m pretty well informed [on] progress of the Region and I draw a lot on the local archives,” Scott said.

“I try merge a lot of imagery that feels rather technical with things that are a little more artistic.”

Although she has a fine art background, Stephanie Scott says she approaches projects like a desinger.

NICK STANLEY PHOTO

CREATIVE COMMONS PHOTO

A LIFE LESSON TAUGHT IN THE KITCHEN

519 SCHMECKS

NICK BENNINGER COLUMNIST Creativity is not exclusive to the arts or science — it’s everywhere, including the kitchen. If you’ve ever solved a problem, you are creative.

Some creation is casual and easy, some is painstaking and very personal. Chefs, indeed, get personal.

For chefs, criticism isn’t limited to professional writers, and nor should it be.

When receiving criticism in my work life, I often know what went wrong and if its deserved. Com-

pleting hundreds of small tasks a day will lead to getting a few wrong, so we accept it by working hard to improve our batting average.

Sometimes, though, it’s just noise, a comment made simply to benefit the speaker, a critic. I recognize real feedback and I value the knowledge gained from staring it in the face.

But, today, let’s talk about the noise, the unwarranted, the undeserved.

As a touchy chef, and I’m just selfaware enough to know I am, it can really bruise the ego. Imagine the often fragile ego of a creator, imagine you’ve made something, you’re nervous and proud of it and ready to show it off. This is how a good chef feels almost all the time.

These moments always impact the younger cooks the most, so I want to share a story a great chef once told me.

Story time: the year is 2000, I’m 22, still learning my way. Terry is a battled tested chef, a fiercely proud Macedonian, built like a brick shithouse, amazing skill and efficiency in the kitchen.

Me: “Ahh that’s crap they don’t get my vision. It’s a DECONSTRUCTED carrot cake.” (Remember, year is 2000).

Terry: “Nick, after service I have a story for you.”

Back then, service always wrapped up with a lengthy full-team smoke break, a destroyed kitchen waited empty. Terry lit a smoke and began.

He told me a story about an artist who was asked to volunteer her craft — create a mural in the town square, to paint something truly special for the townspeople. Proudly she accepts and within months it’s ready.

Filled with emotion, she declares it

finished.

In the days following she’d watch people come and go, most quietly observing, some remarking fondly, more than she wanted critiqued, “I’d put puffy clouds in the sky” or “why no rolling hills? Hills are nice” and “horses? you should have painted ponies.”

Rejected she went home. The following day she placed glass over the painting, left brushes, paint and a note reading, “Suggestions? Please make improvements.”

The following day, observing again, she noticed a change. Everyone either enjoyed quietly or proclaimed, “it’s perfect; wouldn’t change anything.”

“Get it Nick?” Terry asked, always quick to the point.

“No,” I said, not always swift.

The kitchen laughed.

The point is, there are basically two types of people when it comes to creativity: creators and critics.

To be a creator, and make yourself vulnerable by putting your work out there for review, you have to have thick skin. Remember, most critics, given the chance won’t have the guts to pick up the paint brush, pen or chef knife and make a mark.

So let’s be kind and embrace our creators — the chefs, artists, inventors, trades people, teachers. And to our critics, remember what it feels like to be vulnerable.

Visit the website for my recipe this month — another lesson from Terry — his Jumpin’ Shrimp.

Nick Benninger is a local chef and restauranteur.

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This is The Snakepit, Walton’s infamous house show venue that closed its doors last year. RIP. PAIGE BUSH PHOTO

CHOOSE YR OWN FEST TAKES OVER 4/20 CHRIS HARRY CONTRIBUTOR We live in a relentless consumerist society driven by free will and choice. How many different streaming apps do you have to choose from? How many different songs do you listen to on Spotify on any given day? Wouldn’t it be fantastic if local independent musicians and artists collaborated together to give people a chance to choose, in actual reality?

On April 20, (4/20), uptown Waterloo will see 60+ bands and artists at four venues for one massive day long event.

That’s just what Christopher Walton was envisioning when he came up with the concept for Choose Yr Own Fest. I caught up with him at his house to ask him some questions about what he wants to accomplish with this bacchanal.

“We want to bring every single local band together so we can make a strong music scene, top to bottom.

That’s it,” he paused.

“This whole festival is pretty much a big thank you to those in the area who have helped to make everything musical happen over the last three or four years.”

Having run the infamous yet short lived DIY punk venue The Snake Pit, as well as Doom Palace before that, Walton is without any shred of a doubt one of “those” in the scene.

“I began throwing house shows over 10 years ago at my buddy’s house in West Galt and this place I

lived at called The Sweat Lodge in downtown Kitchener. It really helped me understand just how important the DIY scene is,” Walton said.

His veteran status in the musical community goes a long way, especially when organizing an event of such gargantuan proportions.

“I have a really good core group of friends that want to see it do well.

As long as people show up and care about the local music community, we can take care of the rest,” Walton said.

Kyle Wappler, a local promoter, show booker and face of Have Hope is also part of the CYOF crew. He echoed a similar sentiment when I met up with him at the Huether Hotel.

“I’m not expecting any major hiccups,” Wappler explained.

“With having a couple of venues, there is always something that can

go wrong, but so far it’s been pretty smooth. Punk bands are easy to work with in the grand scheme of things.”

The lineup for the fest ranges from hip-hop to noise to acoustic to punk, amongst many other genres.

Local southern Ontario punk outfit Single Mothers are headlining the fest, along with Minors, Greber and Sierra. The four venues (Chainsaw, Patent Social, Harmony Lunch and Night School) are all available for one ticket cost of $15.

Chainsaw will also be hosting a Punk Rock Flea Market featuring all local vendors hawking many sorts of hand crafted goodies. Haggling over 100 db of live music, CYOF is what I call punk rock.

If one wants to dispel the myth of live music becoming a thing of the past, they need not look past the KW area in order to bust that myth and see just how wrong it

really is. Although small venues are disappearing at an alarming rate all over Ontario, it’s this type of local community involvement that helps to stir up the need for more.

The conception of this event may have arisen out of a different type of stirring. It’s no coincidence that the show is happening on 4/20, a day that is dedicated to celebrating cannabis.

“I threw a 4/20 show at my house last year, and it went really well. I just sort of thought: I should do this at a bunch of venues. A year later, here we are, and I completely overdid it,” Walton said.

You can find more info about tickets and set times on Facebook.

Chris Harry is also playing at CYOF.

CANNABIS THROUGH A FEMININE LENS

WOMEN AND WEED IS A NEW COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION THAT HOPES TO PROVIDE A CONSCIOUS CANNABIS EXPERIENCE

BETH BOWLES EDITOR IN CHIEF After a few unexpected life events and a “crisis of conscience,” Kitchener-Waterloo native Emily Squirrell left her corporate life in KW for an eight-month stay in Bali, where she taught yoga and meditation at a retreat centre.

During her stay, she became interested in wisdom traditions and the spiritual concepts practiced in Indonesia.

“I thought, I want to come back to Waterloo and kind of ground myself in my old community, but bring my new realizations into the world,” she said.

And that’s what she did. Now living in Kitchener, Squirrell started Present Meditation where she teaches meditation to a variety of people, even corporate groups. She’s also a Ceremonial Shaman — she most recently held a full moon ceremony for healing at Hustl + Flow — and she’s a Vogel Crystal Healer. In addition to being a mom to a toddler, Squirrell keeps herself busy by offering spiritual healing, emotional healing and education to the KW community.

“Once I started to wake up to the fact that spirituality was real, and

was a thing that you could directly experience, [I started] to apply that to everything I came into contact with,” Squirrell explained.

The shift in mentality caused Squirrell to see and experience things she has previous relationships with differently — especially cannabis. In the last five years, Squirrell has realized that using cannabis can be about more than just chilling out, partying or getting high.

“I changed first [spiritually], and then I looked at cannabis differently.

I started to hear and feel it having a lot more to offer.”

While still in its infancy, Squirrell has begun a new project: Women and Weed.

“Women and Weed is a community-based organization that creates events from a feminine perspective. Although I talk a lot about the spiritual perspective, because that’s what I offer, my vision is not to pigeonhole it into a spiritual perspective of cannabis,” she explained.

While Squirrell does not prescribe strains or sell cannabis to clients, she does have conversations about how to consume cannabis other than smoking, what strain would be appropriate for you and how you can use cannabis to achieve a deeper level of consciousness. She does this while promoting spiritual and emotional autonomy, which means you are responsible for you and your experience.

“There are lots of plant medicines that communities around the world hold with a lot more reverence than we do in the West,” Squirrell said.

“I see cannabis, right now, as the stepping stone to a renaissance in psychedelic and consciousness work.

Cannabis is kind of the first foray, but there is a total renaissance in research in psychedelics and its impact and ability to heal.”

While lots of people use cannabis for medicinal use, Squirrell believes if used purposefully, cannabis can also help with post traumatic stress disorder and treatment resistant depression, to name a few.

While Women and Weed’s name may appear to be exclusive to women, Squirrell explained that that’s not the point. The point is to look at cannabis use through a feminine lens.

“There are lots of men out there who are seeking to better balance themselves … there are men who want to be a part of these types of perspectives, because we all have both masculine and feminine inside us. Femininity isn’t just for women, it’s for everybody,” she said.

“The reason why Women and Weed is different is because I’m trying to showcase that cannabis can be used to go deeper into ourselves and the world around us — not just as a form of escapism.”

But, Squirrell did acknowledge that there is still stigma surrounding women who use cannabis. Even with legalization and the known benefits

of using cannabis for medicinal use, women still aren’t given the same freedom as men to use cannabis.

“Our society isn’t very welcoming of women focusing on their pleasure.

That’s not a cannabis thing, that’s across all areas. It’s like women’s pleasure is just not an important thing. Cannabis is starting to bring that forward,” Squirrell said.

Women and Weed very recently held its first event: a private, invitation only, cannabis-infused dinner party, shared among friends at a private residence. In collaboration with local chef and restaurateur, Nick Benninger, guests enjoyed a six-course dinner. “[I asked myself] what am I going to get everyone to consciously explore on cannabis? Food. What an easy first step,” Squirrell explained.

“Nick was an obvious choice — he’s extremely talented, he’s professional, he’s laid back, easy going, smart, creative and kind.”

While each course was formal and refined, one course stood out as a spectacle. In a nod towards “stoner food” Benninger presented a platter with double-stacked Pringles, topped with T & J’s smoked salmon and red onion. A glass cloche (dome) was then put over the platter and cannabis smoke was piped in. When the dome was removed, the smoke was released, dancing across the table.

Squirrell hopes to hold other events like this and also strongly advises proper education before

anyone tries to do something like this at home. She spent a lot of time on dosing math to ensure guests’ safety, while also monitoring their intake and pre-arranging transportation.

“I’d like to open up Women and Weed to have more women come forward that want to participate and host events. This isn’t an Emily Squirrell organization, this is a perspective that people can participate in,” she said.

With events like this, she hopes to create a community of people who share similar passions and experiences. She hopes to connect female growers, an oftenunderrepresented group. She hopes to connect medicinal users and to share stories of pain and healing. “[I want to bring forward a community that] understands one another — why they might use cannabis, what stigmas they face and help them feel more of sense of community and togetherness,” she said.

Squirrell’s currently dreaming up another event idea: a Sunday afternoon conscience walk through an organic flower farm, enhanced by cannabis. Until then, Squirrell just launched her Instagram account: womanandweedkw.

Nick Benninger is a columnist for the Community Edition.

BEING Blunt IN WATERLOO REGION

IT’S BEEN FIVE MONTHS SINCE CANNABIS WAS LEGALIZED IN CANADA. THE FIRST BRICK-AND-MORTAR STORES OPENED IN ONTARIO ON APRIL 1, ALTHOUGH THERE IS NONE IN WATERLOO REGION. WE WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT WATERLOO REGION’S CANNABIS USE. SO WE MADE A SURVEY AND 192 OF YOU RESPONDED. 168 HAD USED CANNABIS (WITH 27 NEVER HAVING TRIED IT). HERE ARE THE RESULTS.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

60.6%

KITCHENER

27.5%

WATERLOO

6.7%

CAMBRIDGE

2.7%

OUTSIDE WR

BADEN, ELMIRA, AYR AND WILMOT

2.5%

WHAT REASON BEST DESCRIBES WHY YOU USE CANNABIS? FOR MEDICAL / 33.3% MENTAL HEALTH REASONS

4.9%

TO PARTY

50%

TO CHILL

2.4%

SOCIAL PRESSURE * REMAINING 9.4% INVOLVED EMPTY ANSWERS OR FROM THOSE WHO DON’T USE CANNABIS

DID YOU USE CANNABIS BEFORE IT WAS LEGAL? 7.6% NO

92.4% YES

HOW OFTEN DO YOU USE CANNABIS?

HAS YOUR CANNABIS INTAKE CHANGED SINCE IT WAS LEGALIZED? 72%

I USE THE SAME AMOUNT I USE MORE I USE LESS

14.3% 13.7%

38.1%

DAILY

17.9%

ONCE A WEEK

16.1%

ONCE A MONTH ONCE A YEAR LESS THAN ONCE A YEAR

10.1% 17.9%

HAVE YOU MADE A PURCHASE THROUGH THE ONTARIO CANNABIS STORE?

WILL YOU LEAVE THE REGION TO VISIT A BRICK-AND-MORTAR STORE? 67.5%

32.5%

NO

YES

74.3% NO

WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED METHOD OF PURCHASING CANNABIS?

MOOCH OFF LOVED ONES

28%

24.7% YES

SELECTION OF WR RESIDENT’S FAVOURITE SPOTS TO GET STONED:

ONLINE FROM VARIOUS RETAILERS

WATERLOO PARK

25.6%

18.5%

WALKING AROUND TOWN

THROUGH A PRIVATE DEALER

RIGHT BEFORE A MOVIE AT THE APOLLO MY OWN HOUSE THE GRAND RIVER THE DOCK ON SILVER LAKE IN WATERLOO PARK ON A FULL MOON WITH A SAXOPHONE PLAYER DELIGHTING ME WITH THEIR (SAX) TOOTS!

LEGALLY ONLINE

16.1% 1.8%

STORE FRONT HOME GROWING

1.8% 1.2% 1.2%

THROUGH AN APP

MEDICAL PROVIDER

* REMAINING 5.8% WERE FROM EMPTY ANSWERS OR FROM PEOPLE WHO DON’T USE CANNABIS

APRIL 2019 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

10

Fair State Brewing Cooperative is Minnesota’s first and only cooperatively owned craft brewery. It’s owned by NorthEast Investment Cooperative, a model Union is inspired by.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

UNION: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CO-OPERATIVE THS FIRST OF ITS KIND IN CANADA WORDS BY: BETH BOWLES Ten Kitchener-Waterloo residents have recently started a new co-op that is the first of its kind in Ontario, and believed to be the first of its kind in all of Canada. Founded by Aaron Stauch, Alex Szaflarska, Anthony Piscitelli, Joel Marcus, Kristen Eicher, Laura Hamilton, Nicole Langlois, Ray Gormley, Sarah Brown and Sean Campbell, Union: Sustainable Development Co-operative is a real estate development co-operative that is looking to get things running this spring.

“Union is a new cooperative that’s been started to empower community members to collectively buy property and manage it together for the environmental and social benefit of our community,” Sean Campbell, one of the founding members and volunteer executive director of Union said.

Campbell said that through his work as a non-profit charity consultant, he had been looking across the country at alternative options for community groups to raise money.

He came across a story out of Sangudo, Alberta — a small farming town of less than 500 people. The town was experiencing decline, as young people were moving to Edmonton and the local meat packing plant was going out of business, ultimately affecting the farmers’ work, as well as threatening jobs within the plant.

In efforts to rescue the plant, the community came together, bought the building, renovated it and gave a longterm, low-interest loan to two men who worked there to keep it running.

Campbell explained that a similar model was used in Vancouver to create affordable housing, and the NorthEast Investment Cooperative in Minneapolis is using the co-op model to buy, rehabilitate and manage commercial and residential housing.

The NorthEast Investment Cooperative’s model attracted Campbell and his colleagues, but there was nothing similar happening close to home — so, they started it themselves.

The idea is that Union, which currently consists of ten people, will grow and attract more investors. Once the investment pool builds, they will buy their first property: a mixed-use

commercial and residential building.

The investment cap is at $10,000 to ensure equity among members and added risk protection.

Union will then act as a “benevolent property management company,” with stipulations on lease agreements that will cater to and benefit the greater KW community. These stipulations could include the implementation of a composting program or sexual harassment policy for commercial or retail tenants, Campbell hypothetically suggested.

Those tenants will also become a member of Union, ensuring that they will be involved in conversations about changes to rent or other decisions made about the property.

“Once we own the space, then we can make decisions about what the tenants are like that [they] are good for our community. It’s about the governance and a democratization piece. That’s what you’re buying into as a member,” Campbell said.

As mentioned above, Union is currently looking at available properties to buy their first building: a mixed-use commercial and residential space.

They’ve begun working with Whitney, a commercial real estate firm, and have teamed up with Reception House for their first property. The residential spaces in this first building will be intended to house government-assisted refugees.

For over 30 years, Reception House has welcomed government-assisted refugees to Waterloo Region. Last year, they welcomed 300 people, predominantly comprised of large families. They spend their first period of time in the Region living at Reception House. It can take three to four months to find these families permanent housing .

“If you’re a government assisted refugee, you were screened by the United Nations [and] you were screened by the government of Canada and they said, “yeah, we think you’d be a great fit for our community and we know that you’re in need. Welcome to Canada, welcome to Waterloo Region,”” Campbell said.

“But, when they arrive, they don’t

have family connections or church communities or other community groups that support them as they come in and they don’t have credit history or landlord history.”

Kathie Must, fundraising manager for Reception House, explained that the two major challenges these families are facing are language barriers and finding secure housing. Therefore, Union’s plans for their first project will help lessen these challenges.

Although affordable housing is a Region-wide concern, the folks that Reception House assist have unique challenges stacked on top of the inability to secure affordable housing.

“We know [affordable housing] is not just a newcomer issue. Very few of the issues that we face are just newcomer issues. [But] from our lens, we have some very specific challenges that go with that,” Must said.

In addition to those two most prevalent issues Must addressed — housing and language — these families are also facing biases, racism, lack of literacy in their native languages and a lack of references or credit history to assist them in rental applications.

“Housing is a critical issue in welcoming and ensuring success for settlement for refugees. We want to be a part of the community’s solution; it’s not just our issue. But, if we address affordability without considering some of the unique and very serious challenges that our clients have, we don’t believe that we will solve the problem completely,” Must said.

The retail or commercial space on the ground floor of this building could be of service to the tenants, too.

“It would be wonderful if the ground floor business might even provide work opportunities for some of the families or opportunities for them to practice English. So that becomes almost a community within a community,” Must said.

Union is holding the social, environmental and economic impact at the highest level of importance for this new venture. While they are suggesting a three to four per cent monetary gain to members who choose to invest, this project is all about empowering

the community.

Sarah Brown, another founding member of Union, explained that the concept of assisting with community development and being a part of how the city grows is why she’s involved with Union.

“At this point in my life, I’m not in a position to [buy property on] my own [sic],” Brown said. “[I like] the concept of doing it together, with others, and having just a small role to play in seeing a property or a part of this community develop around the boundaries that are important to me and being able to use this different tool to promote the social and environmental goals that can sometimes get a bit lost in traditional ways of buying and selling property.”

Right now, Union is still in the membership building stage; they’re hoping to have a meeting that’s open to the public sometime in May. Once the provincial budget is approved and they get their stamp of approval, Union can start welcoming members, hopefully later this spring. Campbell is optimistic that they’ll have the keys to their first property later this year.

“We’ve been going through a period of really exciting growth in this community. We’re seeing more people living downtown, which is really positive.

We’re seeing lots of great jobs coming into the community, but that growth and that development is not being spread equally across the community.

We’re seeing that prices are rising, both for commercial and residential spaces and we’re seeing that properties are being owned, not necessarily in a democratic or collective way that is benefiting the community as a whole,” Campbell said.

“We have lots of money, that we, as a community, already own ... We have the resources to do this. We’ve never had the tool where we can work together in order to make decisions and make sure that this is a good place to live in ten years.”

APRIL 2019 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

11

GETTING YOUR WALK ON

HYPERLOCAL TRAVEL

JUANITA METZGER CONTRIBUTOR

LAURA MCBRIDE PHOTO

RETHINKING YOUR WASTE

EASY BEING GREEN

STACEY DANCKERT COLUMNIST Over the past few months I have discussed the need to reduce our contribution to environmental degradation that results from acquiring and discarding items. But this month is Earth Month, so I want to focus entirely on waste, since it also contributes to the problems that we face.

Every year, each Canadian creates approximately one tonne of waste — 75 per cent of which goes to landfills.

This is a significant problem due to the hazardous substances that are at risk of entering our soil and waterways, the powerful greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing items, air pollution and species displacement.

Sadly, our waste habit has not been decreasing. At this pace, Ontario will need to find or expand 16 landfills by 2050.

As with everything else, this is a complex problem without a clear solution. Enhanced composting programs still only divert about 40 per cent of food waste. Some of the remaining waste can be recycled in the blue box program (which began in this Region but only about 8 per cent of waste is diverted this way).

The electronic waste or tire recycling programs can be used, also.

Although we focused heavily on recycling as a solution for many years, it’s important to remind ourselves of the entire list of “R”s (in order): refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot — since recycling is still environmentally and financially costly.

We can be mindful of these R’s when we purchase goods. Buying

fewer, longer-lasting items is a good way to start. But also refusing things — saying no to bags at the checkout, saying no to the free toothbrush at the dentist, saying no to presents at our children’s birthday parties, and saying no to items with excess packaging (or moving away from packaged goods entirely).

Not only has our society learned to love disposable and cheap items, but packaging and food standards have also lead to unnecessary waste.

Legislators could also help cut waste by holding manufacturers responsible for their products from their creation all the way through to their disposal, including chemicals and packaging. This has been termed cradle-to-grave thinking.

While we can let producers know that we want less packaging and more responsible manufacturing through our spending, I think they need a greater financial incentive to move them closer to where we all need to be. We may be getting closer; there is currently a provincial consultation on waste that gives us all the opportunity to ask for additional producer responsibility to push for “cradle-to-grave” pricing.

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t be excited about having a new landfill in town. Our friends at REEP Green Solutions have a bunch of great resources through their website on cutting waste, so it’s worth exploring. They also run an annual Zero-Waste Challenge, where they challenge you to fit an entire weeks worth of garbage (or a month, for the truly ambitious) in a mason jar!

As you ponder your own actions this month, you could consider cutting your own waste, one of the hidden contributors to climate change.

Stacey Danckert is the co-director of Waterloo Region Environment Network (WREN)

It’s spring! By this early point in the season, we wander around like dazed underground moles blinking in the sunlight after a dark winter, or we run around like puppies burning off a serious case of cabin fever.

Either way, now is the time to go for a walk.

Some travel experiences can only happen on foot. Walking is one of the best ways to gain an up-close and leisurely view of a neighbourhood, historical area or cultural landscape.

In fact, the late Jane Jacobs, a passionate urban advocate, activist and author maintains the only way to truly know a place is to get out and walk. Of course, she would also recommend (or require) talking to people along the way.

Until a few years ago, the Mount Hope Cemetery on Moore Avenue, Kitchener was mostly a place I cut through to get from my house to King Street where I would catch a bus or stop at our neighbourhood independent grocery store.

One Saturday in May, I joined a Jane’s Walk hosted by Wayne Miedema who made the cemetery

come to life. Miedema wove together the names on the monuments with historical stories of our city in a way I never considered before.

Suddenly, names like Walper, Breithaupt, Vogelsang, Lang, Susand and Elizabeth Ziegler became real-life people behind the stories of early industrialists, doctors, teachers, political scandal and former slaves.

There is a former slave family buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery.

With the downloadable self-guided walking tour of the cemetery, you would also learn that the Susand family operated a barber shop and candy store in the community.

Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo all have a collection of selfguided walking tours available by download from city websites.

In Cambridge, the River Walk explores architecture, public art and the Grand River in downtown Galt.

Now that the old Galt Post Office renovation is complete and the new pedestrian bridge over the Grand River is open, tack these two stops on to the end of your tour.

In Kitchener, you can choose from heritage neighbourhood tours (Civic Centre, Upper Doon, St. Mary’s), historic public spaces (Victoria Park, Mount Hope Cemetery) and public art (Industrial Artifacts, Downtown Stroll).

In Waterloo, catch two historical walking tours (uptown Waterloo and Mary Allen neighbourhood).

If walking just isn’t your thing, the Waterloo Public Library created short virtual tours based on the walking map. Narrated by local historian and veteran Jane’s Walk leader Doug Mulholland, downloading a copy of the guided walk makes it easier to follow along.

The Walking Tour of Tech, designed

by Explore Waterloo Region, follows the tech corridor, and the changing nature of technology, from uptown Waterloo to downtown Kitchener.

Grand Views is a Region-wide exploration of public art beyond the three urban cities. It requires a car and will take a full day, but it’s still self-guided.

According to a 2018 New York Times article, several US and European cities keep expanding their roster of city-led walking tours due to increased demand. Walking is the ultimate slow travel activity and it seems more and more people are interested in learning something useful about the places they visit rather than just zipping by in a car.

If our community’s participation in past Jane’s Walk weekend events (HINT: May 3-5) is anything to go by, it’s safe to say Waterloo Region residents also love exploring different neighbourhoods and discovering places they thought they already knew.

Adventure awaits, right around the corner.

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at a potential new drug to treat adenoviral conjunctivitis. and includes 5 visits over a 13-day period.

• The study will be conducted at the University of Waterloo Optometry Clinic • The study will be conducted at the University of Waterloo Optometry Clinic • The study will be conducted at the University of Waterloo Optometry Clinic and includes 5 visits over a 13-day period.

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• All study-related procedures and visits will be provided at no cost.

• All study-related procedures and visits will be provided at no cost.

• All study-related procedures and visits will be provided at no cost.

• All study-related procedures and visits will be provided at no cost.

(Mention the study name HARMONICA) (Mention the study name HARMONICA)

(Mention thethe study HARMONICA) (Mention studyname name HARMONICA)

13

APRIL 2019 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

Graeme Kobayashi (left) and Rich Hrytzak (right) recently opened Counterpoint Brewing Company in Kitchener.

NICK STANLEY PHOTOS

COUNTERPOINT SERVES UP SOMETHING NEW MELISSA EMBURY CONTRIBUTOR When Rich Hrytzak and Graeme Kobayashi met six years ago at the KW Racquet Club over a game of squash, they quickly bonded over a shared passion for beer and threw around the idea of starting a brewery together.

It took two years of serious planning and finding a great location to make that dream a reality. As of February of this year, Counterpoint Brewing Company opened their doors to the public at 935 Frederick St, unit 4.

“I’ve had lots of friends over the years say, “man, your beer’s so good you’ve got to do something with this.”

And, you know, I’ve brushed them off a lot saying, no, it’s just a hobby. I just

met the right guy that was equally as passionate about beer, and another aspect of my life was coming to a close, so it was a good opportunity to devote the time to,” Hrytzak said.

It was important for them to make Counterpoint an inclusive space where beer is for everyone.

“Overall we want to be a place for old, young, men, women, all races, genders, and for people to feel like they can come hang out and try beer if they have never tried beer. The big topic right now is that it’s usually white middle-aged men who are beer drinkers and that’s old-fashioned,” Kobayashi said.

They wanted a welcoming concept, so when planning with designer Sarah Collins of SJC Designs, they made sure to create an environment that wasn’t the traditional kind of bar with sports memorabilia on the wall.

They worked with her on colour schemes and details like wood and industrial features to create a soft,

modern, clean look for the bar. They also had the artist Scott Everingham blow up one of his original pieces of art to use as a colourful wall mural.

Counterpoint’s philosophy is to brew small and often, providing a constantly rotating selection of taps and bottles. They have something new on tap every week and continuously experiment, trying new things with brewing. Right now they are quickly selling out of everything they make in house.

The majority of the space is behind the bar. Hrytzak brews the beer by hand after dreaming up new creations, while Kobayashi is inspired by the beers they’ve had or heard about, or by local fresh ingredients found at the farmers’ market.

“Rich [Hrytzak] taught me how to homebrew, and that’s when I realized that you could make good beer at home. A lot of peoples’ perception is that you need fancy big equipment to make really good beer, but it’s more of

an attention to detail and planning,” said Kobayashi.

They say beer is a matter of personal taste, and love hearing what people have to say about their beer.

“We sell beer because we enjoy them and enjoy making them. We had a spicy dry porter with habanero peppers, and some people absolutely loved it, and some people hated it.

Our inspiration is to keep pushing the boundaries a bit and seeing what people like,” said Kobayashi.

Since opening, business has only been growing. Their hours right now are 4-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1-9 p.m. on Saturday and 12-5 p.m. on Sunday.

“It’s such a great community. In KW, people are bouncing from brewery to brewery to talk about beer, share beer, bring back beer to share with their friends, and it’s so cool. It’s a really good experience to be part of the brewing community here,” said Kobayashi.

Providing great quality beer isn’t the only thing they offer — they are hoping to get the community involved in creative play. They’ve hosted events like Babies and Brews for parents, as well as Drink and Draw, for those looking to combine art and beer.

“There’s a huge passion for beer in KW. We are pretty lucky — this community comes with its own customer base,” said Hrytzak.

When asked about future plans for Counterpoint Brewing Co., they said they are hoping to grow and make it easier to brew, but that it’s awesome just to have their doors open and people wandering in to drink their beer.

They hope people will notice the amount of passion they put into their beer and that everyone will feel welcome to come visit.

KEEPING IT BONA FIDE VICTORIA VANDENBURG IS INTERSECTING ART AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

JENNA AQUINO CONTRIBUTOR

Vandenburg also puts her caligraphy on bags, under the name Botanic + Habit, which is cool as heck PAIGE BUSH PHOTOS

BonaFide Craft is a local typography studio that offers a variety of services including calligraphy, font design, wedding invitations and more. Founded and directed by Victoria Vandenburg, a 22-year-old design student at the University of Waterloo, the studio exemplifies an intersection of art and entrepreneurship, while providing opportunity for community building.

“I’ve always been entrepreneurial, but I think the main thing for me was that I wanted to create [a space for] genuine interactions. I like to do that in a digital space through my product design work, so pulling that analog, community aspect back into it was very important,” Vandenburg said.

It was in her second-year of Global Business and Digital Arts at the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business, that Vandenburg became infatuated with story-telling and lettering. She began picking up pens, writing and digitizing those pieces to use in her graphic design. Over time, what started as a passion project quickly grew into something more.

“Once I started sharing [my designs] with the world, people started coming

to me with requests and I thought “okay, I think we need a business model” – it wasn’t just practice anymore. It was becoming a business,” she explained.

Following BonaFide’s mantra, “every story starts with letters,” Vandenburg hopes to bring a form of passion and magic back into the routines of people who need something more than their nine-to-five job, but aren’t sure where to find it.

Vandenburg has launched a number of projects through BonaFide Craft.

In 2018, she released her first font design entitled ‘Stratford Sans’ and announced her intention to continue naming fonts after cities that were significant to her journey — modelling them after the characteristics and unique charm of that place.

She has also painted various murals for new offices and campaigns which she enjoys because it involves listening to people’s visions and making them come to life.

But her favourite aspect of the business is facilitating modern calligraphy workshops for the community.

“Everyone leaves feeling so energized and I know they’re walking away equipped with tools and ideas to spark moments between themselves and the people they love. There is an unspoken happiness in those small moments,” Vandenburg remarked.

“The reason BonaFide Craft is so broad is because it’s all about explora-

tion,” said Vandenburg.

“It isn’t always elegant, but it’s edgy and it has voice and this freshness that I don’t want it to lose, because it’s really my expression. I like to try different mediums — painting, digital design, variable font design, I even get to throw a research component in there which is super exciting.”

Most recently, Vandenburg has begun working on a line of sustainable products. The line is called Botanic + Habit, an exciting next step for her craft.

As she prepares to graduate this spring, she is appreciative of all the support and inspiration she has received from the Kitchener-Waterloo community over the past few years.

“It’s full of people with great ideas and a willingness to help you grow. I am always drawn back to this community because that feeling just isn’t present everywhere,” she said.

Grateful for all that BonaFide Craft has become and eager to discover what’s next, she had the company name tattooed on her arm.

“BonaFide is an idea and a way of life that I want to live. I feel fulfillment within creating and I always want that to be authentic to what I represent.

So, as long as my life is composed of BonaFide Craft in some regard, I will be happy.”

APRIL 2019 // COMMUNITYEDITION.CA

14

APE AUDIO BRINGS BANDS

AND AUDIENCES TOGETHER RACHEAL WALSER CONTRIBUTOR Christian Michiels, Ian Zeberk and Patrick Kordiasz are three grown-up teenagers forever bonded over the music of their youth: The Used, My Chemical Romance, System of a Down, and so on.

“We all chilled out in the music scene several years ago when it was booming and awesome,” Michiels said.

But now they’re the better known as the casually chilled out hosts of Ape Audio, a video and audio podcast straight out of the jam halls of the Kitchener-Waterloo music scene.

“You know, when you’re the one that moves out first and has “The Apartment”?” Zeberek said when asked about the group’s roots.

“That was me. I moved out when I was really young and had a little studio set up in the corner of my room.

I spent a lot of time making music there, and it was just kind of the place everyone came to hang out.”

Michiels admitted to being there daily.

“I had my first full-time job,” Michiels nodded, “and I’d come every

day after work.

But as adulthood hit, the trio went their separate ways. Zeberek and Michiels still saw each other sometimes, but Kordiasz moved out west and got involved with the music community out in B.C.

“

WE MEET PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, OR AT SHOWS WHO KNOW US AND LIKE US, AND WANT TO BE ON OUR PODCAST. -CHRISTIAN MICHIELS, HOST OF APE AUDIO

”

“I was part of this group that would get together and write and share new music every month,” Kordiasz said. “So when I came back here, I wanted to do the same thing.”

And so he did, kind of.

“They started by writing these one minute songs, and sitting around talking about them. One day they just looked at me, and said “hey man, you know anything about podcasts?”

Michiels shared. “I listed to a lot of podcasts, and this wasn’t really being done, so I thought — hey, maybe we could do something bigger.”

The hope behind Ape Audio, is to bring bands and audiences together.

“Our first episode came out at the end of November, and we meet people in the community, or at shows who know us and like us, and want to be on our podcast.” Michiels shared.

“And we’re going out to the Choose Yr Own fest happening in April,” Zeberek added. “We’re going to try and use that opportunity to interview a bunch of different bands and fans.”

They stressed that they’re not just a punk podcast, but rather, open to everyone.

Upcoming guests include Saskatoon-based The FAPS, and local musicians Block Parent and Matt Weidinger.

“It’s a real punk DIY we’ve got going on,” Zeberek said.

Check it out @apeaudio on Instagram and however you listen to podcasts.

PAIGE BUSH PHOTO

THE UBER DRIVER DOES NOT ASK IF I SPEAK ARABIC WORDS BY BASHAR LULU JABBOUR TCE POETRY the uber driver does not ask if I speak arabic, he just starts talking. he tells me he’s been here for three months, with his wife and two kids. he’s surprised when I say there’s a big Syrian community here, he does not yet know any. when he learns that I have been in Canada for 14 years, his jaw drops a little. a lifetime he says, his hand stretching long, I wonder if this is the first time it occurred to him he might be away from home for this long too. my mind races to a factory assembly line, a decade past, building blackberry phones. the Iranian immigrant next to me has a PhD in electrical engineering. he said his manager put him on the battery station because of his degree. his job requires little to no training. he knows this, he says dreams are for our children.

WE SERVE BEER (and wine)

APOLLOCINEMA.CA

the uber driver says he was an electrical engineer in the Oil Refinery of Homs. he is 55 next month, I do not think I will work as an engineer again. I reach for the immigrant mantra, dreams are for our children. his oldest is interested in computers, he says. I give him my phone number, if he ever needs help, let him call me. I do not hear from him again.

DON’T KNOW IF YOU KNOW, BUT WE THROW A MYSTERY ART PARTY EVERY YEAR. YEAH, IT’S WEIRD. CHECK OUT FACEBOOK FOR MORE INFO ABOUT STEEL RAILS 2019.

APRIL 2019 // @THECOMMUNITYED

15

EVENT LISTINGS

WE’VE HAND SELECTED SOME COOL UPCOMING EVENTS AND WRITTEN SOME WITTY COMMENTARY. YOU’RE WELCOME.

SATURDAY, APRIL 6

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

ELMIRA MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL 24 CHURCH ST. W

BEARS. BEATS. THE OFFICE TRIVIA

CHAINSAW

THE ECO MARKET WATERLOO REGION MUSEUM

As Canadians, we essentially bleed syrup and missing a festival that celebrates that feels not very patriotic of you. In addition, there will be fluffy pancakes, steamin’ sausages and lots and lots of tiny humans. Bring your bibs, wear breathable pants and get ready to eat.

Join us for the the Office Trivia hosted by the Community Edition, where we encourage secret alliances and we may or may not show favouritism towards the Dunder Mifflin A-team. We won’t be competing in Flonkerton but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know your Astrid’s from your Asturd’s.

Celebrate sustainable businesses in our Region during the second edition of this highly curated Eco Market, with their interactive activities, expert speakers and 50 vendors. Walk, bike or snowshoe over to this market a support your local entrepreneurs. Snaps for sustainability!

Festical • Free • 7am - 4pm

Trivia • $5 • 7 - 9pm

Market • $2 • 11am - 5pm

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

ROCKBAND THE BOATHOUSE

CHOOSE YR OWN FESTIVAL UPTOWN WATERLOO

STITCH ‘N’ KITSCH CIGI

Begin exercising those vocal chords because Rock Band will be available every Wednesday night at The Boathouse. Choose from their 2,800 song library, hook up an I.V.’s worth of tequila to your body and perform the solo act you never knew you had in you. Bonus points for themed costumes.

Curate your very own festival by choosing which of the multiple venues you want to visit, as this event will run all day and feature over 30 bands and artists. Working in tandem with the Punk Rock Flea Market, your pleather jackets are sure to be thoroughly worn in during this fest.

By now, you’ve either lost or damaged all your trinkets from markets past, so mark this one in your calendar as they’re promising decadent treats, tiny human products, pottery and even jewels.

Your house could mirror Ariel’s cave of treasures, a dream come true.

Fun • $3 • 7pm

Festival • $10-15 • 2pm - 12am

Market • Free • 11am - 4pm

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

MONDAY, APRIL 29

RAISING FEMINIST CHILDREN THE W, CAMBRIDGE

AYCE CEREAL AND CARTOONS APOLLO CINEMAS

LGBTQ+ TECH MEETUP GREEN BRICK LABS

Do you have a visceral reaction when you hear phrases like, “act like a lady” or “man up”? Same.

Join this four part series on how to raise feminist children, where they unpack the gender binary, stereotypes and more. This is for children ages 8-12 and their guardians.

We’re knocking on your nostalgia bone, which is filled with Saturday morning cartoons from the ‘60s to the ‘80s, sugary cereals and Bugs Bunny’s ability to create the illusion that carrots are delicious.

(He’s wrong, btw). Make sure to bring a bowl and spoon because sustainability is on trend.

Connect with the local LGBTQ+ community working in tech, to network with likeminded individuals. There will be a session where anyone is welcome to present their current projects, facilitating feedback and support. Friends and allies are welcomed into the space, as well.

Workshop • Free • 6:30 - 7:30pm

Film • $10-14 • 10am - 1pm

Tech • $0 - 5 • 6:30 - 9pm

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24

TUESDAY, APRIL 30

BEGINNING BEEKEEPING TBA

FLOW DIALOGUES THEMUSEUM

REPAIRING HARM THROUGH RESTORATIVE JUSTICE/THE CAUSERIE

Did the first time you were strung by a bee inspire a curiosity for a potential hobby or career? In this one day workshop, they will teach you everything you need to know to keep your own bees. You’ll cover bee biology, hives, management and care, and treatment-free beekeeping.

As part of FLOW, they will be screening a film unpacking endometriosis, a devastating disease that is often unheard of. It will give an accurate, knowledgebased review by experts and place power back in the hands of women.

They encourage any donations of menstrual care products.

Join in on a community dialogue regarding the practice of reconciliation between those who have harmed and the victims of harm, to unpack the community’s relationship with restorative justice and debunking its myths. There will be two trained facilitators present throughout the discussion.

Workshop • $75+ • 9:30am - 5pm

Film • Free • 7 - 9pm

Community • $5 - 10 • 7 -9pm

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

THURSDAY, APRIL 25

SATURDAY, MAY 4-6

THE POP CULTURE MARKET KW BOATHOUSE

BLACKBRIDGE HARLEY-DAVIDSON

REGION WIDE

Do you live and breathe all things pop culture? Forget geography or science, we’re here for anything heavily influenced by mass media.

They will be selling records, comics, memorabilia, clothing and anything else related to pop culture. Channel your inner-Cher from Clueless and get ready to shop.

Do your vintage Harley tees inspire your aesthetic? Do leather tassels excite you? Join this evening dedicated to the women who ride, with motorcycle themed educational stations, door prizes and local riding schools available for questions. Embrace the potential for road rash.

Jane’s Walks are community-led walking tours that allow for space for participants to reflect, observe, share, question and collectively reimagine the place in which they call home. This is a communitybased approach to city building that acts to inspire ideas. No registration required.

Market • Free • 12 - 5pm

Fun • Free • 6 - 9pm

Community • Free • Various times

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17

FRIDAY, APRIL 26

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8-11

BEER AND BBQ MUSEUM AFTER DARK

BFF BUTTON FACTORY ARTS

APOLLO, CIGI, GALAXY CINEMAS

We’re sending out a call to all meat lovers out there, as ForeQuarter Butcher Shop and Elora Brewery promise saucy fingers and hopsa-plenty. You’ll learn how to prep three different meals as you grab your free pint and conspire with your pals on how you can sneak more samples.

Hosting their fourth annual fundraiser, Button Factory presents a single night art event featuring live performances, interactive art-based activities and a silent art auction. They’ve offered a safe and inclusive space for the community to create, connect and explore over the past 25 years.

Dedicated to bringing inspired films to our community, this four-day festival encourages community involvement through the shared love of film. They pair their screenings with panels consisting of directors, local interest groups, and more. Popcorn for dinner four nights in a row? Yes, please.

Food • $45 • 6:30 - 9pm

Fundraiser • $50 • 7 - 11pm

Film • $15 per show • Various times

LADIES’ GARAGE NIGHT

COMMUNITYEDITION.CA @THECOMMUNITYED

JANE’S WALK

GRAND RIVER FILM FESTIVAL

FLOW

DONATE A PRODUCT DAYS:

THE MENSTRUATION EXHIBITION Curated by Virginia Eichhorn

On Until May 28!

The FLOW Dialogues: April 10 / Wednesday / 7pm - Must RSVP

An Evening of Menstrual Manifestos April 24 / Wednesday / 7pm

Endo What? Film Screening

Bring a menstrual product to THEMUSEUM on Sunday, May 12, or Sunday, May 26, 2019, and receive $5 admission*! *Each visitor will need to donate a product to be eligible for a discounted admission rate.

May 8 / Wednesday / 7pm - Must RSVP

Menopause

May 27 / Monday / 7pm - Offsite at Apollo Cinema

Monday Bloody Monday: Carrie title sponsor

THEMUSEUM.ca

supporting sponsor

DOWNTOWN KITCHENER