kitchener citizen - west edition - february 2015

by Helen HallThey call it their “warm hut”, a

place where Glendale residents get their body temperatures back up to normal before returning to their outdoor rink.

However, an electrical fire January 31 means the building, which is believed to have been in Glendale Park near St. Mary’s Hospital since the 1960s, is in need of major repairs.

“We believe the building is salvageable,” said Jen Tacoma, whose children use the rink. She is helping with the fundraising efforts.

Tacoma said they have been talking with the City of Kitchener, which is having a structural engineer assess the building and, providing it is salvageable, will

provide the neighbourhood group with a charitable tax account for its fundraising.

Tacoma said the building is about 16 by 23 feet, and had two sections separated by a partition. A new roof was put on the building in the spring.

The back room had a heater, and housed their maintenance equipment, such as hoses and shovels. They were all lost in the fire.

The front section provided a spot for skaters to warm up, store their boots to keep them warm, and have a snack before returning to the ice.

It was more than just an outdoor rink shed, Tacoma says, it was a meeting place for their community.

...continued on page 3

West Edition

KITCHENER’S ORIGINAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

www.kitchenercitizen.com • Thursday, February 19, 2015 • Circulation 32,500 www.regionofwaterloo.ca/museums

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PLAY CONTINUES AT GLENDALE PARKSome of the rink volunteers and avid outdoor hockey players still skating at the Glendale Park rink include, at back, from left: James Bell, Ethan Tacoma, Connor Milley, Josh Vanderhout, and Lucas Milley. Goalie in front is Robbie Schnarr. Photo by Helen Hall

Neighbours raising funds to rebuild rink shed lost in electrical fire

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International Women’s Day CelebrationFriday, March 6th 1:00pm-2:30pm 379 Queen Street South, Unit 3

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Getting to know the MayorsWe’ve just had an election, but what do you really know about the mayors of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge? Turn to page 11 and see what writer Shelley Byers learned by chatting with each of them about their lives outside of city hall.

l Kitchener Citizen - West Edition l February 19, 2015

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Flag Wavers unfurl events planned throughout 2015 in honour of the Canadian flag’s 50th anniversary

Editor’s Note: Some of our readers will receive their copy of the Kitchener Citizen after this February 19 event.

The Flag Wavers of Waterloo Region is kicking off a year of events to honour the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Flag with a celebration at the Region of Waterloo headquarters on Frederick Street on February 19.

The group will gather in the region’s main lobby between 1:30pm and 2:30pm to share how its projects are building awareness and sparking Waterloo Region’s residents to wave the Canadian Flag.

The Canadian Flag turned 50 on February 15, 2015.

The event includes the unveiling of some of the projects the group has already completed, such as its 45-minute PowerPoint production on the history of the Canadian flag, and displays highlighting some fun and fascinating flag facts.

“I am constantly amazed at how little people know about the history of the Canadian flag,” said Diane Bonfonte, founder of Flag Wavers of Waterloo Region.

“We hope our volunteer group’s enthusiasm

and projects will spark others to celebrate and commemorate Canada’s most enduring, cherished and iconic symbol – the flag.”

During the February 19 Flag Wavers event, Joan O’Malley will be introduced via Skype. O’Malley sewed the first prototypes of the flag for Prime Minister Pearson in 1964, a deed which has been officially recognized on a Canada Post stamp issued February 15.

The stamps are available at local postal outlets on February 17.

The event will also feature the first public performance of the “Canadian Flag Waver” song, written by Smithson Public School teacher Stephen Bergen.

Visitors will also be able to see the commissioned “Let’s Celebrate: Wave Canada’s Flag” quilt.

The Flag Wavers of Waterloo Region plan to visit schools, malls and community groups throughout 2015 to celebrate and deliver educational presentations about the Canadian flag.

The kick-off at the region coincides with Heritage Week in Ontario.

Big Music Fest is expanding to a seven day festival in 2015, starting with four days of music and movies in downtown Kitchener, followed by the big three day weekend concert in McLennan Park. It will take place July 6 to 12.

Big Music Fest 2015 will kick off celebrations on Monday, July 6 with outdoor concerts, Big Music Food Fest, and Breaking Films in downtown Kitchener until July 9. On July 10, the party will move to McLennan Park, where the Ontario-wide band search Breaking Bands will once again lead the festivities with a free concert for the public.

Headlining the weekend concerts at McLennan

Park are powerhouse Soundgarden with alt-rock pioneers Jane’s Addiction on Saturday, July 11 and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy winner Rod Stewart with Blondie on Sunday, July 12.

Additional performances throughout the weekend include Canadian JUNO-award winning rockers Monster Truck, multi-platinum selling Extreme, energetic blues rocker Matthew Curry, and recording artist and world renowned dancer Mark Ballas with his dynamic 8-piece band.

Tickets must be purchased in advance for the July 11 and 12 concerts.

Big Music Fest rocks Kitchener for seven days

BRING ON THE SUNSHINE FESTIVALSince 2011, the Bring on the Sunshine Festival has been held on Family Day during Black History Month. The festival celebrates African culture and family and this year was held at the Kitchener City Hall Rotunda. J’sun, above, entertained with an acoustic guitar set. Photo by Helen Hall

by Helen Hall

Beverley Zador thought the beeping sound

she could hear was a carbon monoxide detector going off.

On January 28, Zador woke up at 5am because she could hear “four sharp beeps” repeating.

“My mom and I went looking for the source,” Zador said in an interview at the Kitchener Fire Station headquarters, where she received a Fire Safety Award.

Zador said they figured out the sound was coming through the wall from their neighbours’ side of their duplexed house in West Kitchener.

The grade 10 Cameron

Heights student used the internet to confirm it was the sound of a carbon monoxide detector that she was hearing.

“My mom and I went next door and rang the doorbell, but nobody answered,” Zador said.

They called 911 and the fire department came.

Beverley’s father Andrew Zador said their neighbours were okay and eventually came outside. At first, they were hesitant to answer the door in the dark.

One member of the family had left the home early in the morning and the exhaust fumes from their car had entered the house and set off the alarm.

Zador was invited to the

Kitchener fire headquarters to receive a plaque for her quick thinking and concern for her neighbours. She also received several gifts from the fire department including a t-shirt and a carbon monoxide detector.

Her neighbours were also thankful for her concern for their well-being, and made her family dinner in appreciation.

A new law came into effect in October 2014 that requires carbon monoxide alarms near all sleeping areas in residential homes.

February 19, 2015 l Kitchener Citizen - West Edition l

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“Sometimes moms will pick up six pizzas and drop them off when the kids are skating,” Tacoma said.

Sterling Milley, who is one of the main rink volunteers with his wife Patsy and sons Lucas and Connor, keeps a barbecue there to host community barbecues. And he spends many hours shovelling and snowblowing.

“The kids love it and hang out there in the winter. It’s their rink and they’re proud of it,” Milley said.

Tacoma agrees and said that, with the warm hut, neighbourhood kids will spend a whole Saturday at the rink.

“It’s a place not like any other,” she said. “It’s my son’s entire winter life.”

And while a lot of hockey gets played there, that’s not what it’s all about.

Two rinks are being maintained to make sure the hockey players and skaters can both have their fun.

“A lot of adults come to skate,” Tacoma said.Since losing their equipment in the fire, the large group of

volunteers has not been able to flood. They have been fortunate to have a couple visits from the Kitchener Fire Department, whose members have flooded for them and kept their rink in good shape.

“Platoon Chief Doug Voisin has been phenomenal. Absolutely awesome,” Tacoma said.

On Family Day, the group held its first fundraising barbecue and close to 100 people attended. Funds raised will go to repairing the building, replacing their lost maintenance and flooding equipment, and if they raise enough, buying some new hockey nets. To get more information on how you can donate, contact the group at [email protected]

“It’s a place not like any other”...from page 1

Cameron Heights student Beverley Zador received a Fire Safety Award for alerting her neighbours that their carbon monoxide detector was going off when they were sleeping. With her at the Kitchener fire headquarters are Fire Prevention Officer John Coish (left) and Acting Fire Captain Steve Young.


Reduce Our Wasteline in Waterloo Region

Eco-depots make is easier to recycleBy Helen Hall

Getting organized is half the battle.Many people don’t recycle as much as they should because they find the

process time-consuming, and it is much easier to just toss everything into a garbage bag.

Kathleen Barsoum of the Region of Waterloo’s Waste Management Division encourages people to create an “eco-depot” in their home or business, which makes it easier for everyone to recycle.

“Keeping all three waste choices in one spot permits people to stop and think about sorting,” Barsoum says. The eco-depot should include the green bin for food waste, the blue bin for recyclables, and a garbage can.

“We encourage people to have a bigger organics container and a smaller garbage one. This is a great visual clue and once the

sorting begins, the larger organics container is more useful,” Barsoum said.

A curbside audit by the region found that 53 percent of the residential garbage was organic and could have gone into a green bin. Another 14 percent were items that could have been recycled through the blue box program.Now that the region accepts a wider variety of

plastic bags, your eco-depot should include a bag to stuff all plastic bags into before they go into the blue box. Cardboard should also be kept together and added to the blue box.

Other useful containers at your eco-depot

could be labelled boxes for hazardous waste and ewaste, including batteries. They cannot be recycled and must be dropped off at the landfill or, in the case of ewaste, at an ewaste recycler. They are not accepted as garbage.

Having a sign, such as the cutout one printed below from the Region of Waterloo, helps everyone to know how to sort.

Many businesses have eco-depots with signs posted to help their employees and customers sort their trash.

“We have about 60 schools on the green bin program, and we encourage an eco-depot at each school. We have found that communities that have green bin schools tend to have higher participation with residential green binning - both in participation and the volume of organic material,” Barsoum said. “The lessons learned at school are going home.”

Barsoum said that many people are now familiar with sorting their kitchen waste into the blue and green bins.

“It’s time to think of other rooms, such as the bathroom,” she said. She explained that some residents have told her they now have two waste containers in their bathrooms - one for garbage, and the other for recyclables such as toilet paper rolls and toothpaste boxes. Others keep a small, paper green bin bag in the bathroom for tissues, which should go in the green bin rather than the garbage.

Reduce Our Wasteline in Waterloo Region is a monthly column in the Kitchener Citizen that looks at ways we can all reduce the amount of waste going to the Waterloo Region Landfill. Got some good ideas for ways we can Reduce Our Wasteline? Email us at [email protected], post on our Kitchener Citizen Facebook page, or tweet a tip using our hashtag #ReducewastelineWR. We look forward to hearing from you.

Put in the blue boxContainers (empty, rinse, place loose in blue box) • Plastic bottles & jugs, tubs & jars,

(caps & lids on) (#1-7 )• Hard clear plastic packaging (such as on

electronics & toys)• Milk cartons & juice boxes (no straws)• Glass bottles & jars (unbroken)• Metal cans, aerosol cans, pop cans• Aluminum foil wrap & trays (crumple)• No Styrofoam (put in garbage)

Paper, boxboard & plastic bags • Paper, newspaper, books & magazines • Boxboard (cereal boxes)• Plastic bags: bread, milk, produce, salt

and grocery and outer wrap from cases of diapers, pop & toilet paper (stuff all plastic in a bag and tie shut)

• Cardboard boxes (flatten, bundle, tie) (75 cm x 75 cm x 20 cm)

Put in the green binAll food scraps. It is that easy!• Meat, fish, bones, dairy, grains, fruits & vegetables• Gravy, sauces, oils & spreadsAll soiled paper• Paper cups, plates, towels, tissues • Paper fast food bags & wrappersPet waste (wrapped in paper)

Liners• Use paper liners bags, or only certified compostable

plastic bags with these logos:

Put in the garbage• Diapers• Hangers (metal & plastic)• Stand-up pouch bags• Styrofoam• Toys

How to sort your waste!

Feedthe Soil

Unsure about an item? Ask the Waste Whiz at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste, or call 519-575-4400 TTY 519-575-4608

by Helen HallAbout 7,500 people com-

pleted a survey in December about potential changes to curbside garbage collection in Waterloo Region - and they were opinionated.

“They felt very strongly - one way or the other,” said Waterloo Region’s Project Manager for Waste Management Programs Cari Rastas Howard.

The survey asked residents how they felt about biweekly garbage collection, weekly recycling collection, and using “bag tags” to limit the amount of garbage bags that are collected at each home.

About 7,000 people answered the online survey. Another 500 were called by the region to create a proportionate demographic sample to use in addition to the online results.

Rastas Howard said the

region was pleased that a large number of people completed the survey.

Rastas Howard said the sur-vey results are being reviewed and compiled by regional staff.

They will use the survey results and information from the Region of Waterloo Waste Master Plan to help create a report that will be presented to regional council in the spring. It could also include a recommendation for changes to curbside garbage pickup.

Many other municipalities have already changed to biweekly garbage pickup, and some also have bag limits.

“We are the last major municpality to put something like this into place,” Rastas Howard said.

Whatever changes council approves, they won’t take effect right away.

The region’s current garbage contract expires in 2017, and the changes would begin in the next contract.


Farmers are the “ultimate” recyclers

Please call 519-575-4400 x3151 to register or email: [email protected]

visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/water

Sunday, March 22, 1 p.m., Cambridge Centre for the Arts, Toyota RoomGardening from a Hammock talks about the gardens of 17 well-known gardening experts. The presentation will focus on the easy-care plant suggestions and plant combinations for low-maintenance gardening based on advice from these experts. Speaker: Dan Cooper

Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m., RIM Park, Waterloo, Room 207/208Hot Gardening Trends – “Frankie Flowers” is arguably Canada’s most popular and trusted gardening authority and weatherman. He is known for his ability to combine practical advice with humour, and loves to share his passion for everything gardening in the world. Frank will discuss the latest trends in gardening.Speaker: Frank Ferragine

Wednesday, April 1, 7:30 p.m., 99 Regina St., Waterloo, Room 508Fun with Foliage. Tired of deadheading and timing your blooms for all-season colour? Learn what plant varieties add colour to your garden, spring through fall, with only their leaves! With these varieties, you can put away the garden shears and enjoy your hassle free, colourful garden, all season long. Speaker: Aileen Barclay

Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m., Meadow Acres Garden Centre, PetersburgShade Gardening: There are so many beautiful options to grow in the shade. Ken will show us how to make any dark corner into the highlight of your garden. Speaker: Ken Brown

Sunday, April 19, 1 p.m., Stanley Park Community Centre, Kitchener Plant It, They Will Come: Create a Wildlife Habitat in Your Backyard. Join garden columnist and photographer Theresa Forte for a lively and entertaining look at building your own wildlife habitat in your backyard. Speaker: Theresa Forte

Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. St. Jacobs Country Gardens Tips and Tricks for a Water Wise Garden - Join David on a light-hearted and informative journey to the heart of water wise gardens. See magic and mystery while exploring the essential qualities discovered therein – inspiration, creativity, patience . . . and humour.Speaker: David Hobson

FREE! Register now. First come, first served. Space is limited.

2015 Water EfficientGardening Seminars

Reading the newspaper is a greener choice than you might think.We in the newspaper industry are committed to reducing our impact on the environment. We take our responsibility seriously, and our production processes are now more energy- efficient and environmentally friendly.

We recognize the importance of preserving and protecting Canada’s forests, and we only use newsprint from responsible producers that embrace 5 widely accepted sustainability principles in their forestry operations. For Canadians, this means that the forest industry plants more trees than it takes and it has successfully reduced gas emissions by 10 times what is required under Kyoto!

And then, of course, there are your efforts. You’ve helped make newspapers a recycling success story by recycling over 80% of all newsprint in Canada. Thank you for your waste reduction efforts. We will continue to do our part to reduce our carbon footprint. There is more to do, and together, we can work toward sustainability.

Because sustainability isn’t just another story to us. It’s how we’re shaping our future.

Reduce Our Wasteline in Waterloo Region Letters

I just read the articles in the Kitchener Citizen. It is amazing how many people do not consider the impact the things they buy have on the environment in the end.

I grew up on a farm where we recycled all the time and didn’t even think about it as it was a fact of life.

And my parents were ultimate recyclers, especially my mom. She was a trained seamstress and she could recycle fabric and outdated items of clothing into nice coats and dresses for the girls, and suits for my brother.

I myself am an avid gardener and I compost all the time, even in the winter. Even last winter with all the snow cover, my bins were working.

We are very conscious of every item we buy, and we are astounded by the amount of garbage that is produced on our street every week. We use the green bin for the food waste that can’t go in the compost, and find it hard to fill a garbage bag. So we only put out garbage every three weeks. We use the blue bins well, take outdated medications to the pharmacy (not dumped in the toilet), take old clothes to the thrift store to be made into woven rugs, and send unused household goods to the church for the rummage sales.

Metal is taken to a recycling facility that deals with it specifically.

I am especially proud of my composting. The vegetable garden always looks great, and

my backyard looks lovely without chemicals. In fact, one year I had put nice new screened compost on the front flower bed. My neighbour asked where did you get the nice looking dirt. I said from my own backyard. The look on his face was priceless.

So keep up the educating and putting in advice of what people can do with their waste. You should have an article on used toys and clothing. Garage sales are great for selling your used items and having other families enjoy them. I had a garage sale many years ago with used toys from my daycare. It was gone in short order. Places that accommodate young mothers and babies and abused women can always use items such as furniture, toys etc., to give them a new start.

I work in a doctor’s office and often have to teach patients how to dispose of their old medications.

And it is amazing to find out they didn’t know to take it to the pharmacy.

Looking forward to more articles.Annette Wray

Could businesses do more recycling?I was in Conestoga Mall over the holidays and

redeemed a gift card. The employee processed the card and then threw it in the trash.

I asked why they didn’t recycle them, and she advised me that in the actual stores they didn’t recycle. Not sure if this is truly the case. However, if it is, I believe that there should be small recycling bins at the front of the stores and large ones in the back rooms. They could be used for plastic bags, plastic hangers (?), plastic gift cards, and the plastic that the apparel comes in before it is merchandised.

Are composting/green bins in place at

restaurants and cinemas? With all of the up cycle programs in place -

OFCP, Childrens Wish, Sleep Country mattress recycling, Kijiji, Salvation Army, Value Village (to name a few) is there a way we could start to ban picking up large items such as furniture and BBQs to keep them out of our landfill?

Hopefully something in there could help. Best solution is to turn it into fuel - but now I hear Sweden has run out of garbage.

Thanks and good luck!

Nancy and Nelson Oakley

Regional council will vote in the spring on possible changes to garbage collection

f or quality bedding plants direct from the grower

1209 Bleams RoadMannheim, ON

[email protected]

HOURS SUBJECT TO CHANGE MON-FRI SAT Mid April - June 8-8 8-5July - Thanksgiving 9-7 9-5Thanksgiving - Nov. 9-5 9-5 Dec. 1 - 24 9-6 9-5

Do you have ideas to reduce waste in Waterloo Region? Write us at [email protected].


Since 2006 the present government has worked hard to reduce taxes for families.

Until recently total tax relief and increased benefits for a typical family since 2006 amounted to $3400 each year. Recent changes raise that tax relief to $6629 each and every year.

Sometimes people ask how this typical family tax relief and benefit increase is calculated. What tax measures account for $6692 savings each year? There are too many to discuss in one column, but I would like to review a few of the measures.

One of the earliest was the government’s reduction of the GST from 7% to 6% and then to 5%. A typical two-earner family of four saves approximately $1018 every year from this measure.

The same family will save approximately $1418 every year under this year’s Family Tax Cut. This initiative allows parents of children under age 18 to equalize their income for tax purposes, moving one to a lower tax bracket.

The 2014 Family Package also includes enhancement to the Universal Child Care Benefit increasing it to approximately $1224 each year for the typical two-earner family of four.

Other recent enhancements by the Government of Canada reduced the lowest income tax rate from 16% to 15%, giving net tax relief of approximately $398 every year for that typical

family of four.The increased tax value of the Canada

Employment Credit pays back approximately $344 annually to families. Increases to the Child Care Expense Deduction Limit will put $300 back in your pocket.

Together, the tax relief and benefits I’ve mentioned total $5822 for a typical two-earner Canadian family of four. The balance of the total $6692 comes from the two-earners Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, the Children’s Art Tax Credit, the increased personal amount, and similar measures.

This tax relief was the result of focused initiatives, restrained spending, and political will. Almost all of these measures were opposed by the other parties. The present government is committed to protecting its low-tax approach.

At the heart of these measures is the idea that individual Canadians, not government, should decide how to spend their income. Government spending is necessary but should be limited to clearly essential collective endeavors. This is a clear distinguishing issue in Canadian politics today.

Lower taxes help attract job-creating entrepreneurs to our communities, while stimulating the economy with individual spending and protecting the future with individual savings.

PARLIAMENTARY REPORTby Stephen Woodworth MP for Kitchener-Centre

How easy is it to sit for two weeks straight listening to people tell you we need to do

a better job? Well, honestly, it was challenging but, quite enlightening.

This is what members of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs (SCFEA), of which I am a member, experienced during the latter half of January.

Nine Members of Provincial Parliament, from all three political parties (with a few extra MPPs subbing on some days), crisscrossed our vast province collecting feedback for the upcoming spring budget.

And, it was a fascinating process!The hearings began in Fort Francis in the

province’s far northwest. From there, our group visited Sudbury, Ottawa, Cornwall, Fort Erie, London, and finally Toronto, where in just two days, more than 50 individuals and groups appeared before our committee.

So, what pressing issues did people speak out on?

We heard from doctors and nurses who want to preserve our health care system. In the north, pulp and paper stakeholders shared their concerns on changing markets in their industry.

Representatives from Chambers of Commerce, taxpayers groups, and other business interests urged us to keep an eye on deficit reduction. Meantime, numerous union spokespersons advocated for their beliefs.

There were also teachers, chiropractors, engineers, manufacturers, home builders,

museum workers, and farmers who also offered impassioned petitions.

We even had a moment of levity when a Guelph senior, named Donna, called in to our hearings in Cornwall to share her sage, moneysaving ideas with us. After a ten minute oration, she abruptly wished us all “Good luck,” and “Cheerio” and hung up without taking any questions from the committee.

After listening to 171 individuals, groups, and associations deliver strident speeches advocating for their interests, I can tell you this:

● Ontarians are passionate people who want the best for their families, their communities, and their province.

● We value and expect good education and health care.

● From farms to factories, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in our province.

● And, we are resourceful, innovative people who love to dream, and have solutions.

The challenge for our government now is taking into account all the wants and desires of such diverse interests, and doing so with a balanced approach to managing our economy, while respecting our core values that we are a caring society.

And to Donna in Guelph, thank you for being an engaged citizen, and taking the time to share your views, which is your democratic right. We will certainly heed your advice to “do the right thing.”

Stay tuned for Budget 2015 this spring.

PROVINCIAL ISSUESby Daiene Vernile

MPP for Kitchener-Centre

Find us on twitter @KitchCitizen

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February 19, 2015 l Kitchener Citizen - West Edition l 4 • APR IL 29 , 2009 • K ITCHENER CIT IZEN

PUBLISHER/EDITORCarrie Debrone

[email protected]

NEWS REPORTERSJennifer LeppekHelen Hall

Charlotte Prong Parkhill

CONTRIBUTINGCOLUMNISTSZoe Avon

Dee ConstantJennifer LeppekMarilyn LincolnTed MartinJohn MilloyJack NahrgangJanet OzarukPeter SchneiderJohn Smola

Berry VrbanovicBruce WhitestoneEverton WIlmot

Stephen Woodworth

GRAPHIC DESIGNAudra NobleHelen Hall

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As a relatively new arrival in Kitchener I've been exploring thephotographic arts opportunities here and first impressions are veryencouraging. It's just not just in the tech side of quality that the communityshould be judged. A thriving Arts community usually does well. This cannot always be measured in the financial spectrum as the living standardexpectations of artists are remarkably low.

We don't want that two bedroom house within convenient drivingdistance to the golf course or mall. Speaking as one of those underfundedindependent art producers i'll tell you I've lived in some very badconditions just to be close to my working environment. An example beingwhen living in my various illegal Toronto warehouse studios many yearsbefore they were condoized.

There are basically two reasons for artists to be in an area. A slightlycompact arts community with low rents and the availability of galleries orvenues to showcase the art produced. I have noticed that there is a vibranttheatre network here that none the less is going through hard times. Themusic scene is really good with a solid choice of local talent that is wellpublicized by a few local free publications. Radio generally follows thestandard corprock but the University of Waterloo has an outstandingcommunity station.

The huge pool of university students to draw from for a vocal audiencewith some disposable cash helps in keeping the cities vibrant andenthusiastic. The number of professional artists is still small enough so thatthey know one another.

We are quickly seeing astounding growth in the digital imagingindustry. Fortunately, as a photographer who has been working in digital

for years it helps me integrate my own work into video, 3D, web,advertising, etc. So I think, personally, the opportunities in Kitchener arebetter than Toronto. An example being the cable TV (Rogers) that worksvery hard to involve the regions schools and artisians in locally producedprogramming.

Let's not forget that Kitchener/Waterloo was voted the most intelligentcity and speaking as a newcomer it is very evident that the level ofprofessionalism is visibly high here. People waste little time and thewelcome i've received in presenting my own portfolio to various galleriesand companies has been warm and enthusiastic. A very nice event heldin town is the quarterly parties at the KW regional art gallery. Mellowpeople who enjoy art meet each other with cool jazz and some ambientdub from the djs.

With the projected growth of the regions artists in all mediums I havefound there are many dynamic, specifically targeted plans, by themunicipal government in particular, to foster a (relatively) largecommunity investment in development towards artist integration. I was

very impressed by the Arts office at City Hall and with how they providedme with information about what was going on here. Those people in turnhave offered their own advice and contacts, so again two thumbs up forthe level of support they give each other.

Yes, there are already many photographers doing the normalphotographic needs of the region, but the opportunity to work withemerging image companies like web designers, animation houses, softwareproducers, locally based video firms, electronic images for broadcastersetc.is growing as the manufacturing base has declined. The liveentertainment industries, local graphic designers and most especially theemerging gallery system bodes well for business opportunities, even in thisdownturn.

Kitchener is projected to be growing by a conservative estimate of100,000 people over the next 20 years and plans call for a big investmentin conversions of existing warehouse buildings into studio style live workspace. Technically the manufacturing base has down- turned and left a lotof empty buildings.

If out of those numbers there are 10 percent artists in all media thatactually work at their art all of us are going to need some of this space tobuild up our community. Artists, being artists though, do not like to betold how to do things. The local government is working hard to reach thatlevel where they can integrate the needs of the artistic communityseamlessly into their development plans.

Many studies have shown time and again how efficient an Arts basedcommunity can be. A planning group called The Prosperity Councilspecifically calls for a huge investment for artists and art based businessesto encourage them to choose Kitchener as a place to work. This is the firsttime I have found a directed approach to our niche, but very valuablesegment of society. If even fifty percent of the plans get done it is still anattractive place to build a career.

Our image production is now all pixels and with the recentannouncement of a new 5 million dollar Federal grant to establish amassive digital media centre in the downtown core, it offers unexcelledopportunities to work with some of the leading edge image systems in theworld. In fact there are plans to make Kitchener a regionalcommunications hub and that leads into the possibility of thousands of newuses for my photos.

There is a very good internet system here and if you would like moreinfo just go to the net and most community plans are available. The nextthree years will establish this region of one of the "Silicon Valley" inspiredexamples of a thriving gateway of new ideas and I feel very fortunate tobe able to establish myself here with so many other creative artists.

Letter to the editor

Just what makes Kitchener so good at Arts development?

&RANTS ravesTHE KITCHENER CITIZEN OPINION PAGE

Dear Carrie Debrone,I was pleased to get your Kitchener Citizen (east edition) and found it

quite informative and I thank you for it.I just read your short article regarding the natural gas rates going down

for residential customers.You write that Kitchener Utilities have a 2,100 cubic meter average use

annually for its residential customers. I still have an imperial gas meter,which shows the consumption in cubic feet. I have never been able to readthat meter and as for that matter, even the meter readers seem to have aproblem with it as well. Why else would the city issue a bill in the amountof $452?

My January bill had been $222.16. February, $295.79, there I already satup and took notice, but then excused it by, the winter being especially harsh.However, when I received my March bill, I knew that something was verywrong. I called the Utility Office and was asked to take a piece of paperand a pen and read the meter myself. To this request I replied that I did notknow how to read the imperial meter and aside from that, it wasn't my job.The lady I talked to was very nice and agreed to send somebody out to do

another reading and also promised to call me back once this was done. Itwas the very next day that I received her call telling me that the new amountowing was now $200.10, a mere difference of $251.90. I only wonder howoften the meter had been misread in the past.

My neighbours on either side have metric meters and I had previouslyasked if I could get one that I would be able to read. The answer to thatconsisted of a flat NO.

The city had pre-authorized withdrawal privileges for 2004/005 whichthey bungled up so badly that I revoked that privilege. I did ask that officeto please send me a paper trail for my records which I never received nordid I get an answer to my request and, of course, one can forget about anapology.

I realize that it is up to your discretion to publish or not to publish myletter. However if you decide to print it I would like to warn my fellow"Kitchenerites" to be extra "vigilant" every time that Utility Bill arrives.

Respectfully,Ingrid E. Merkel

Heading heading heading heading

Letter to the editor

(West Edition)1187 Fischer-Hallman Rd.

PO Box 48045Williamsburg RO

Kitchener, ONN2E 4K6

519-394-0335 or email

[email protected]

Publisher/EditorHelen Redgwell Hall

News ReportersCarrie Debrone

Andrea Hall

ContributingColumnists

Stephen WoodworthDaiene Vernile

Berry VrbanovicScott Davies

Dave SchniderJohn Gazzola

Yvonne FernandesKelly Galloway-Sealock

Paul SinghBil IoannidisZyg Janecki

Frank EtheringtonSarah Marsh

Graphic DesignHelen Redgwell Hall

Photography/GraphicsSuzy Hall

Serving West Kitchener

For news tips &advertising

call

Helen Hall519-394-0335

Kitchener citizen...YOUR SOURCE FOR COMMUNITY NEWS

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Bring skating back to Victoria Park LakeA recent editorial in the Waterloo Region Record, correctly

in my opinion, complimented the City of Kitchener for its refusal to bow to those who advocated a ban on tobogganing in the city’s parks, presumably for fear of liability. Over a decade and more ago a less courageous decision was made regarding public skating on the frozen lake in Victoria Park.

For all of the previous century, the city maintained the lake’s ice surface for public skating and recreational hockey. The city was proud of this. Up until a few years ago the city’s website featured an image of large crowds skating on the lake. Other than Chicopee Ski club, this was the city’s most popular outdoor winter recreation. On weekends, hundreds would gather to skate to music or join a pickup game of hockey. Generations of children, including myself, learned to skate and embrace winter in this way. People came from the suburbs to enjoy the city centre. At night floodlights and music attracted many more, older couples skated together to waltz music; even the occasional frozen ear didn’t discourage us. It was a popular destination. Now the frozen pond is empty.

Unfortunately, during some of the milder winter cycles, those in charge decided to abandon this popular attraction; the creek water was too warm, risk of injury and falling through the ice cast a pall of insurance liability. The plug was pulled, the lake was abandoned even though other cities, like Ottawa, made outdoor skating a major attraction. To the city’s credit, ice pads have been maintained on the common, near the clock tower. As a long-time resident of the park, I can vouch for the fact that the numbers of today’s skaters on the ice pads there are a fraction of the past crowds. The city has spent substantial sums for public washrooms and a transformation of the former boathouse and skate change rooms to a music venue. Surely maintaining a healthy outdoor skating attraction on the lake has equal merit,

at much less cost. I fear that we are losing the memory of what once was. As

I and others of my generation hang up our skates for the last time, future generations will be deprived of this marvellous recreational experience. Our recent winters have proven there is still time to rethink this flawed decision.

If you agree with this premise, let your councillor and the mayor know.

Harold RussellKitchener

Did you know that a well-landscaped yard can increase your home’s value by as much as 20%? So how do you get just the

right look for your property - in other words, curb appeal?On January 31, the Region’s Heritage Planning Advisory

Committee held a day-long workshop - “Cultivating Heritage Gardens and Landscapes” - at Waterloo Region Museum. Topics included: history of the landscape and garden movement in Waterloo Region, architectural styles with associated landscapes and gardens, deciding on a design for your garden, and sourcing plant material.

Each speaker demonstrated how landscaping and gardens contribute to the economic health of our cities, towns and villages. As early as 1870, our Berlin/Kitchener civic leaders became highly concerned about the number of unkempt properties in the Town of Berlin. They pushed for a town clean-up.

Politicians of the time believed that if the town looked good, people would settle here; hence, it contributed to the economics of the town. Just like today, if a place is attractive people will flock to it. Think about Niagara-on-the-Lake, Stratford or St. Jacobs.

Of particular note is the role taken by the 1890 Mayor of Berlin, Henry Louis Janzen, a nurseryman. He was very instrumental in the garden movement in Berlin. He began horticulture programs for unemployed youth. He was a founder of the Berlin Horticultural Society in 1911.

Landscaping around train stations in the late 1800’s was considered important by civic leaders in order to attract settlers. The politicians believed that if immigrants saw beds of healthy plants growing around the station, these newcomers would regard the area as an excellent area for farming.

How do you decide what is right to enhance your garden? What do you do with shrubs and plants left over from the property’s early beginnings? And as you plan, don’t think of old or heritage properties dating only to pre-1900! The 1950’s bungalow is regarded as an important heritage resource by architecture experts. Its style is identified as ‘Mid-Century Modern’. To develop your new garden design, make an inventory of your plants and shrubs. Now begin to add layers of plants. The caution in adding new plant material is to

ensure that it is compatible, subordinate and distinguishable from what was there.

Ever hear of dust mulch? Your ancestors had no ground-up bark mulch. After a rain shower, they would go with hoe in hand and loosen up the earth around the plants; then, the rainwater could percolate through the loosened earth down to the roots. Speaking of mulch: have you noticed the volcanic piles of mulch surrounding the base of trees? If you thought you were doing your trees and shrubs a favour, you may be killing them. Instead of allowing rainwater to travel to the rootball, the mulch absorbs and gums up with water. As tree roots search for water, they develop a shallow root system as they grow upwards through the mulch searching for the water. Okay, so you like the decorative finished look of mulch; then keep it to a light layer of four to five inches of mulch.

You will be happy to know that grass in your front yard is acceptable. Annuals are fine too. Whatever you choose should blend with the old-time plants.

Did you know that old nursery catalogues offered 105 varieties of asters? Are petunias perennials? Yes! Petunias are imported from a southern climate. The petunia grows in the jungle as a scented vine. They cannot tolerate our freezing cold winters. Naturally, our weather turns them into annuals.

Are gardens good for economic development? Each year during the last weekend of July, across the Fort Erie border, Garden Walk Buffalo is held. 60,000 people visit 300 private gardens. Buffalo homeowners eagerly participate in this venture. They talk to visitors about their homes, their plants and their garden design. Busloads of Canadians flock to Buffalo to participate. Talk about an economic spin-off for hotels, restaurants and shops!

As our Region’s population ages, our Community Leaders must consider gardens and landscapes as a growth industry. Gardens and landscapes play a key role in tourism. Gardens and landscapes are generators of economic activity. Gardening needs to be part of our Region’s present-day economic strategy as it was for our civic leaders from the 1870’s to the 1920’s.

Jean Haalboom

GUEST COLUMN

Community leaders should recognize gardens as an economic benefit

Victoria Park Lake is packed with skaters in this photo, taken around 1950. The Boathouse can be seen in the background.

Photo courtesy of Harold Russell


Robbie Burns Day celebrated at Winston ParkThe Ayr-Paris Band presented a tribute to famed Scottish poet Robert Burns at the Village of Winston Park in Kitchener January 21. Les Brunton of Kintore had his premiere piping performance with the band at the retirement home. Shown with Les are several members of his family who also performed in the show from left: dancers Jessica Bellamy and Andrea Schmidt and band director Merry Schmidt, all of Ayr. For many years, Les played alto saxophone with the Ayr-Paris Band before making a transition to bagpipes.

by andrea HallWilfrid Laurier University

students have approved a student levy that will fund up to ten students per year from international conflict zones to study at their school.

For the members of Daughter for Life Laurier, it means one more goal met.

“We were pretty confident, but I was definitely nervous,” said DFL Laurier co-founder Annie Serez. Her group lobbied for the referendum to pass, through classroom visits, posters and largely word of mouth - all of which were met with a very positive reaction.

“As soon as they found out exactly what it is and that students are going to be coming to the university and they could meet them, people were interested,” Serez said. “It’s a very tangible thing for people to get involved in.”

Serez and her classmate Elliot Alder founded DFL Laurier after taking a class with Dr. Gavin Brockett on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I Shall Not Hate, a memoir by Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, was required reading.

Abuelaish lost three daughters and his niece in 2009 when an Israeli tank fired on his home in Gaza. He founded Daughters for Life, a scholarship program

for girls from the Middle East, regardless of nationality or religion, in their memory.

DFL Laurier was formed after Abuelaish came to speak to their class, and an agreement to bring two young women to WLU this fall was signed in January.

“We were definitely going to have two students in September, but nothing after that was secure without the student levy,” said Serez. Now the program can expand and partner with other organizations to bring additional students to WLU under the International Students Overcoming War Scholarship Fund.

While ensuring the $4 per term levy is a relief for Serez and her peers, it also means more work needs to be done. Serez said in the fall, student planning committees will begin meeting to determine which organizations WLU can partner with to bring in the next group of scholars.

“We have students who saw an opportunity, who have given their time, who are showing they can make a difference, and work with university administration,” said Brockett. “Just as students have been integral to getting the initiative to this point, they will remain full partners in subsequent stages.”

Laurier students vote to fund scholarships for youth from international conflict zones

Kitchener Citizen • Established in 1996 Next print issue is March 19, 2015 • www.kitchenercitizen.com • Twitter @KitchCitizen • Facebook: Kitchener Citizen

Last year was the busiest year on record at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.

In total 145,508 passengers travelled through the Airport between January 1 and December 31, 2014, accounting for a 4.9 per cent increase over the previous year.

Passenger loads on American Airlines, WestJet and Sunwing have grown significantly, and the number of passengers travelling through the air terminal building is projected to grow through 2015 as the airport continues to work to attract additional air service.

“It is rewarding to see this kind of steady growth – this is the third record year in a row,” said Chris Wood, General Manager at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.

“The airport has been an economic driver in this community for over 60 years connecting Waterloo Region to the world. We want to thank everyone who made the choice to support local air service and also thank all the people within the airport community that take care of our passengers every day. Together you make flying from home not only safe, but also a pleasure.”

Daily scheduled air service with connections to over 250 destinations in 40 countries from the Region of Waterloo International Airport is provided by American Airlines, offering twice daily non-stop service to Chicago; WestJet, offering daily non-stop service to Calgary; and Sunwing Airlines, offering weekly direct service to Cancun, Mexico from December through mid-March.

2014 another record breaking year at the Region of Waterloo International Airport

February 19, 2015 l Kitchener Citizen - West Edition l KITCHENER CITIZEN (EAST EDITION) • FEBRUARY 19, 2015 • 15

– KITCHENER CITIZEN BUSINESS FEATURE –

CONTINUING TO GROWE. Dyck Opticians celebrates 35th anniversary

BY CARRIE DEBRONE

With a gentle turn of a tiny screw, local opti-

cian Ed Dyck opens the back of a delicate instrument used to magnify and photograph the surface of skin.

Dyck had never seen this kind of instrument before, but when a dermatologist found the gage was not work-ing properly and wanted to check inside it, he asked E.

Dyck Opticians at Frederick Mall in Kitchener for help.

The tiny screwdrivers used daily by Dyck at his optician clinic would be ideal to loos-en the minute screws on the instrument’s delicate case.

It wasn’t the first, and will likely not be the last, time that Dyck would help some-one with an unusual request.

He is very used to helping with on site repairs of glasses and frames, but over the last three and a half decades that he has owned and operated the store he’s also helped with requests to fix telescopes, mi-croscopes, dentist’s binocu-lars and picture frames. He repaired a bride’s glasses that broke on the day of her wed-ding (in time for the wedding ceremony), and he even sol-dered a broken crown for a woman who needed it for a parade costume.

He was able to help return a pair of glasses belonging to one of his customers af-ter they left them in a hotel near Machu Picchu, Peru.

The glasses were found by an Austrian tourist who shipped them to E. Dyck Optician’s store because the store’s name was on the glass case. Dyck was then able to return them to the owner – his cus-tomer.

His willingness to help oth-ers is just one of Dyck’s many positive personal character traits that have ensured 35 successful years in business.

E. Dyck Opticians opened

on Valentine’s Day in 1980, and since then there have been no 20/20 hindsight re-grets for him or his family. The business is still growing.

“My wife had tears in her eyes when we opened be-cause she thought we were going to go broke,” Ed re-members with a chuckle.

“We continue to be a grow-ing business every year. We’ve been lucky,” he said.

Graduating from Ryerson University with a dispensing optician degree, Dyck began his career as a lens grinder at Imperial Optical in Kitchener.

A few years later he opened his own store and his wife, Al-ice, became the bookkeeper –

a position she still holds today.The business expanded a few

years later and again in 2009 to its current 1,500-square-foot floor space, capitalizing on the burgeoning sector of baby boomers moving into the bifo-cal market.

For the last 12 years, Dyck’s son-in-law Noah Wiles, has been in charge of the day-to-day operation of the store along with buyer and office manager Helena Mota, who

has worked at the store for 28 years, and optician Roger Sales.

The store’s embrace of new technology has also helped it grow. It was one of the first local opticians to offer spe-cial mirrors that allow people who wear prescription glass-es to see how new frames will look on them. Called “Smart Mirrors” they allow people to see themselves clearly while trying on different frames, even though they are not wearing their own prescrip-tion glasses.

In order to demonstrate anti-glare lenses, the store also offers a computerized camera mounted in a kiosk

that can simulate night driv-ing conditions

Offering optician services, eyeglass fitting, low-vision aids, onsite repairs, soldering services and E. Dyck Opti-cian can also arrange eye ex-ams with optometrists Chris Surdykowski and Anson Chan located next door.

It also offers one-hour emergency service on most single-vision glasses. The store carries a variety of de-signer frames including Chris-tian Lacroix, Alfred Sung, Banana Republic, BCBG, EasyClip, Elle, Esprit, Guess, Juicy Couture, Hugo Boss,

Oakley, Sketchers, and Vera Wang. The store also has a wide variety of sunglasses.

E. Dyck Opticians also of-fers onsite repairs while you wait.

* * *The store is open Mondays

10am to 8pm, Tuesdays. & Thursdays 9:30am – 8pm, Wednesdays. & Fridays 9:30am – 6pm, and Saturday 9am – 4pm. Closed Sundays. E.Dyck Optician is located at 385B Frederick St., (Inside Frederick Mall) Kitchener. For more information call (519) 745-9741 or visit www.edyckopticians.ca

35TH ANNIVERSARY SALE

20% OFF ALL PRODUCTSSale ends March 14

385 Frederick Rd, Frederick Mall, Kitchener519-745-9741 | www.edyckopticians.ca

HELPING YOU SEE BETTER FOR OVER 35 YEARS

E.Dyck OPTICIANSSERVING K-W AREA SINCE 1980

E.Dyck OPTICIANSSERVING K-W AREA SINCE 1980

Ed Dyck (left) with buyer and office manager Helena Mota and son-in-law and store manager Noah Wiles.


www.sunriseshoppingcentre.com1400 Ottawa St. South at Fischer-Hallman Rd.

Canadian Tire • Pita Pit • Bowring • Stitches • Nygård • Petculture • Le Nails Salon • Cleo

Reitmans • Pizza Nova • Hallmark • Dentist - Dr. Pfeiffer • La Vie en Rose • The Home Depot

Fairweather • International Clothiers • Mark’s Work Wearhouse • Quiznos Sub • Trends For Men

Ardène • Black’s Photography • Casey’s Bar & Grill • Bell World • Wal-Mart • Bulk Barn • Ricki’s Trade Secrets • Jones New York • Shoppers Drug Mart • Payless Shoe Source • Walking On A Cloud

Sears • Future Shop • Old Navy • First Choice Haircutters • Starbuck’s Coffee

Got The Winter Blues? Invest In Retail Therapy At Sunrise


SAVE THE DATE!!! FEB. 26, 2015

Montana’s Restaurant located at 740 Ottawa Street South in Kitchener is hosting a community

night for KW Habilitation. Proceeds of 10% will go towards KW Habilitation to the AchievAbility Building Campaign. We would love for

you all to join us again this year for an awesome meal at Montana’s from 5:00PM onward. PS. Please make sure to tell your server you are there

to support KW Habilitation.

By Shelley ByersKitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic doesn’t

remember the day he sold two boxes of Christmas cards to his neighbour and, upon hearing that she worked for the city of Kitchener, announced that he wanted to be mayor one day. After the October election, he received her note of congratulations.

“It was beautifully written,” he says. “So touching.”

The note reminded him of this innocent encounter. Apparently, he had thrown his hat in the ring before he had finished middle school.

His office overlooks Carl Zehr Square where the skating rink is now open. There is no one gliding on the ice this early, but the busy din of King Street penetrates through the window.

“At the time, her husband said, with those dreams and aspirations, he might actually achieve that,” says the newly elected Mayor.

Vrbanovic wasn’t even three years old when this family made its move to Canada. Hostilities surrounding his native country of Croatia were escalating. It was said that Canada had a solid foundation on which to build a new life. Berry’s parents, Ivica and Nada, would not have a second child. Instead, they would immigrate.

“We arrived in Winnipeg on a nice, balmy February 25, 1969,” says Vrbanovic with a chuckle. “One winter there was enough.”

Berry and his father Ivica suffered through the Hong Kong flu – a killer pandemic – just after the family arrived.

“That added anxiety to the tension of moving around the world to a place where Mom and Dad spoke little English,” Berry says. “We had no family or friends.”

His understanding of the bravery of his parents reaches back then reflects forward.

“It’s important that we are sensitive to the challenges of new Canadians,” Vrbanovic says. “Even with programs in place that weren’t there when my parents arrived, it is harder to get going than it was back then.”

Berry was three years old when his family relocated to Hamilton, where a distant relative was able to lend a hand. They stayed seven years until the factory air of Steeltown worsened Nada’s asthma and drove the decision to move to Brantford or Kitchener.

“I’m pleased they made the choice they did,” says Vrbanovic looking toward the window.

After the move, Ivica quickly found work as a mechanic at Auto Haus Volkswagen Waterloo. While in Hamilton, Nada managed a convenience store for a while, and took odd jobs when required, but once in Kitchener,

like many moms of that generation, she focused on her household.

Berry finished grade six at Smithson Public School in Kitchener, then moved to St. Daniel Catholic School for grades seven and eight. The whisper of a trend began during those years.

Berry started the school newspaper, the S.D. Spectator. His first assignment was as an investigative reporter following the Bonhomme Carnival mascot during Kitchener’s Oktoberfest. Berry found Bonhomme, sans fluffy head, and got the interview.

By grade eight that whisper turned into an outright shout. Scholastic Books had been offering books for voluntary purchase through mail order. School boards participated. There was a feeling that families felt pressured to buy. The offer was removed from his school.

But Berry took up the gauntlet. With the help of teachers, he created petitions and pamphlets and asked parents to write to the school board. It worked. Scholastic was reinstated.

St. Jerome’s was the next stop on his learning and participation journey. When he wasn’t working in the bookstore, or taking up challenges in student council, he dabbled in the backdrop of drama creating sets for the school plays.

He also helped organize social issue symposiums. In grade nine, the planning committee focused on South America, including the dictatorship in Argentina and the disappearance of children in that country. In grade 10, the group concentrated on the plight of local urban poor.

In early grade ten, with the help of Big Al and the Flintstones, (then featured on CKCO-TV), Berry landed his first paying job. A librarian remembered the young boy as having “very good” questions about her featured books on the show. She recognized him after his interview and suggested him for the job at the library.

“So many quirky things. It reminds you that everything in life will have meaning to it. Never underestimate those opportunities and those interactions and give 100 percent of yourself to make something happen,” he said.

Odd jobs throughout high school, including his own cleaning business, would help pay the cost of attending university.

At Wilfrid Laurier University, majoring in Political Science and Business, Berry vowed to focus solely on his academics.

“That didn’t last,” he says leaning forward in his chair. “That sense of involvement and trying to make a difference has always been

a big part of my life and who I am.”He became heavily involved in

the university culture and served as both Graduating Class President and Valedictorian in his final year.

It was a journey to his hometown of Zagreb, Croatia, during the war in the former Yugoslavia, that awakened a more philosophical thought process in the young man.

He was visiting his grandparents’ graves. It was dusk, but the light he saw emanating from the edge of the cemetery wasn’t from the setting sun. Candles had been placed at gravesites.

“As I walked around, I noticed they were my age. I was 26 at the time. It dawned on me that had I lived there, I would have had to fight,” he says. “I could have been a statistic like so many before me.”

He has mixed emotions. “You ask yourself, by what stroke of luck

did I get to live in this country?” he says of Canada. “I give such gratitude to my parents for making the tough decision to immigrate.”

Shortly after Berry’s election onto City of Kitchener Council in 1994, his father passed away.

“It’s part of the journey of life,” Berry says and adds, “We talked many times and he was very proud.”

In addition to his work on council, Berry served, voluntarily, with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for 13 years, and is now a Past President.

With the FCM he represented Canada with its aid to earthquake victims in Haiti, was engaged in climate change talk and

headed up aid for tsunami projects in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, to name only a few of his accomplishments.

“For me, it’s humbling and a privilege” he says. “The fact that people put their trust in you to represent them is a huge thing. I consider myself blessed.”

One thing has never changed for Berry. He loves the one-on-one process of talking with anyone he meets, especially kids.

The COPS (Chicopee Outreach Program) was co-founded by Berry. He and others saw a need at the Centreville-Chicopee Community Center. Police were being called far too often for violent crimes by kids using the facility. Instead of having these kids-at-risk arrested, it was time to get them engaged.

The mentorship program, using both police officers and firefighters, produced a decline from 30 crime calls per year to almost zero within a few short months.

Berry received some inspirational notes during the election from two youth who used the first vote of their lives to help Berry become Mayor. They had been part of the COPS program.

“It almost brought tears,” Berry says with a pause. “They told me that they remember when others were turning their back on them, and I never did. That’s what public service is all about – making a difference in people’s lives.”

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic has many items on his agenda for making a difference. But now that the hustle and bustle of the election is over, his mom would like him to come for supper a little more often.

GETTING TO KNOW KITCHENER MAYOR BERRY VRBANOVIC

“By what stroke of luck did I get to live in this country?”

KITCHENER MAYOR BERRY VRBANOVIC

BuildingFor over 40 years, KW Habilitation has been inspiring abilities and enriching the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities.

NOW WE’RE BUILDING ON THAT SUCCESS!Please help us by supporting our Building AchievAbility Campaign.Your contribution will help us inspire abilities and enrich lives.To learn more, please call 519-744-6307 or visit us on-line at:

www.kwhab.ca


By Shelley ByersBack in high school, nothing would have terrorized

Waterloo Mayor David Jaworsky more than presenting a book report in front of his class. Today, nothing could be further from the truth.

It’s hard to imagine this gregarious speaker frozen at the podium, but somehow he switched from introvert to extrovert, which, frankly, gives him a leg up on his people skills.

But how does one change so drastically? Blame it on karma...and university.

David grew up in the small town of Delhi, Ontario, south of Cambridge. He worked on local farms, attended all his classes, skated on his ankles, and was addicted to math.

“In those days, we didn’t have to be home until the lights came on,” he says.

“I have a place in my heart for small towns. I still love walking through them and exploring.”

His parents, Emil and Mary, of Ukraine decent, hailed from Saskatchewan; however, they didn’t meet until visiting their siblings in Ontario. When Emil arrived at his brother’s home, he met his brother’s wife and her pretty sister, Mary.

During WWII and the Great Depression, sand storms whirled through Saskatchewan leaving behind a dust bowl, while drought and grasshoppers licked the gritty plate. Ontario offered a glimmer of hope.

The couple settled in and got to work. Emil opened a construction business focusing on concrete flooring and foundations. Mary worked on nearby farms, but always had time for her three growing children.

“As funny as it sounds, a lot of my time was spent doing math puzzles or equations,” David says, taking a sip of coffee.

When TRS-80 Micro Computers (good old Radio Shack) were installed in his high school, David knew he had found his niche. He programmed this early model of personal computer as if playing piano.

“It came naturally to me,” he says, then laughs.

“You know, the most useful high school class, to this day, was typing class.”

David’s summers were spent working in the fields to save for university.

“It instills a work ethic having to be there at 6:30 in the morning, seven days a week,” he recalls.

His education continued at the University of Waterloo, where he earned his Bachelor Degree in Math and Computer Science. It’s also where he began to switch from being a studious math oriented person to a people person.

“Living in residence first year helped because I was put in a brand new environment. I realized how easy it is to make friends and start afresh.”

His fresh start would soon include Jan, a fellow co-op

student working with IBM. They were married shortly after graduation.

“Getting married and having my two children are my top personal milestones,” he said.

David quickly realized that his technical skills were in high demand throughout the region. After commuting to Markham for a short time, he accepted a position with Software AG based out of Cambridge, Ontario.

“I lunched in Cambridge for 10 years,” he said.“I think it’s the most underrated area that we have for

architecture. Its beauty needs to be found by more Waterloo Region residents.”

With his technical skills firmly in place, David demanded more from himself. He was mentored in sales and began working with a variety of people every day, and enjoying it more and more.

“I knew that I could help out the sales folk if only I had the proper social skills. It just goes to show that some skills are learned, but it can take some work to get there.”

David took his sales skills out for a spin. In 1999, he accepted a position in Toronto. Between the commute – hearing 18 traffic reports daily – and the advent of Y2K, he realized this job was not “sustainable.”

Research In Motion, based out of Waterloo, had recently developed something called a BlackBerry. They were hiring.

“I didn’t know how I was going to make money selling something that cost $400 to buy plus $35 a month,” he says, “but I gave it a try.”

David sold the product throughout the U.S. Northeast, and with IBM globally. He worked in Government Relations and went on to form the Community Relations area of RIM.

When the Twin Towers came down, the devastation cut communication. It was imperative that the American Red Cross along with the Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, remain in contact.

A request from IBM sent David and a friend to New York.

WATERLOO MAYOR DAVE JAWORSKY

GETTING TO KNOW WATERLOO MAYOR DAVE JAWORSKY“I believe that if you do good things for others, something good will come your way”

...continued on page 13

By Shelley ByersInside the City Hall on Dixon Street in Galt in December,

Christmas trees and festive garnishes twinkle on the way to the Mayor’s office. Santa has yet to climb down the chimneys on Christmas Eve; the anticipation of the holiday is still in the air.

Doug Craig believes in Santa Claus. There’s a sign on his desk that says so, and it stays there all year. It represents his wishes for the future and his accomplishments over the past 14 years as Mayor of Cambridge, Ontario. It also conjures up that little boy, still inside him, who grew up in Toronto.

Doug didn’t know his father, who left when Doug was three years old. His grandmother, legally blind and living on welfare, took him in for a year.

“It was a difficult life,” Doug says. “As you reflect back on things you realize...” He stops and smiles.

The boarding house was on Yorkville Avenue. In the 40s and 50s, it was a downtrodden and dreary street. Two other families lived on the same floor with a shared bathroom at the end of the hall.

Doug remembers his grandmother putting milk outside on the window ledge in the summer to keep it cool. He also remembers one special Christmas.

“I turned to my grandmother – this is very vivid – I said that we didn’t have a Christmas tree,” he says.

His grandmother turned to the lamp in the room. It had a fringe. “That’s our Christmas tree,” she had said.

“So we decorated it.” Again, he smiles.Unfortunately, his grandmother was unable to keep the

small boy. Doug moved into foster care for five or six years near the Beaches in Toronto. From there, he moved back with his mother and his step-father. It was an abusive home.

“I grew up in that situation,” he says. “So, I was out of the house as much as possible. I grew up on the streets of Toronto.”

He found an outlet in sports. From football and rugby to baseball, Doug got himself involved in the activities in and around his neighbourhood.

“I was part of everything that was happening,” he says. “You could exclude the negative things in your life to some extent.”

In recent years, Doug Craig found that he had a gift for story-telling. His words reflect a vulnerability in the characters he creates. His short story, Christmas House, is a sweet yet haunting story that finishes – spoiler alert – with hope and peace. We write what we know.

He is working toward having an anthology of his short fiction, based in Cambridge, written before the end of his Mayoral term. He has three complete stories with three more in the works – but he knows where the unfinished stories are going in terms of plot.

“I know that sounds weird, but it’s how I operate. I’m a big picture person, not a detail person,” Doug says. “I look in terms of vision and future and where things are, and can jump around on a number of levels.”

You need that ability to be mayor. You also need a great team behind you. Lina Veglia, Karen Pepper, and Maria Betchley, his office administrators, take care of details.

“Seriously, I don’t,” he says with a grin. “It’s kind of nice.”Doug received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of

Toronto and went on to teach for 32 years; his last ten at Silver Heights Public School in Hespeler. His joy came from teaching children.

“Kids in grade five or six...” he says, “no matter how you feel when you walk in in the morning, they bring you up to a higher level. They’re still enthusiastic and are the essence of what kids are all about.”

His wife, Ginny, a farm girl, was the instigator for the move from busy Toronto to the rural area of Hespeler. They were in their home for 10 years before realizing they lived in Jacob Hespeler’s homestead – given to his daughter for one dollar and all his love.

The couple brought up two boys, David and Michael, in this home. Michael lives in Cambridge and manages a not-for-profit model railway in St. Jacobs. David is an IT manager in Vancouver.

His greatest accomplishment in office? Cambridge City Hall.

“It was the most controversial thing I ever went through,” he admits. “[The controversy] was relentless. People didn’t like the building; the design. Half way through [development], I read an excerpt from 1856 about the Old City Hall. The town didn’t like the design...doesn’t that sound familiar?”

He is also proud of the School of Architecture and the Dunfield Theatre. The theatre was another difficult slog. Self-sustaining, the venue supports the arts and brings in thousands of people each year who frequent restaurants and local shops.

“I’m not elected to be popular,” he says. “You have to believe in yourself.”

The Old Post Office in Galt will be another coup. The

building will feature the first digital library in Canada, while keeping its quaint and familiar exterior.

In the past 14 years, Doug has drummed up enthusiasm for local festivals and celebrations to increase awareness of the environment, the mighty river that connects us, and the heritage of Galt, Preston, and Hespeler – the City of Cambridge.

The 68 year old is leaving the door open for a sixth term, but is taking into consideration his age and the fact that his wife, Ginny, would not be opposed to his retirement. He’ll make his decision in December 2017.

The man has been criticized in all manner of media, and literally yelled at on the streets for some of his decisions. There isn’t much that intimidates him – except maybe an evening speaking at Toastmasters where topics are given seconds before going onto the stage.

In 2000 he won the municipal election by a mere 26 votes. Had he lost, he would have had the opportunity to work with a friend who now clears half a million per year.

He leans back into the leather chair in his cozy office. “Regrets? None at all. Life goes in different directions. I’m building a city. I’m in the best part of my life.”

Doug left the next morning for a surprise Christmas visit to his son in Vancouver.

He spent the holidays at home with his family, a few friends, and Milo, their nine pound Chihuahua, as he does every year. It’s a far cry from days spent in a one room boarding house with his grandmother.

“I have never worried about money in terms of having a lot of it. I wasn’t interested in that,” he says. “I was interested in just life and having a family...because I’d never had that.”

February 19, 2015 l Kitchener Citizen -West Edition l

They scooped up as many BlackBerrys as stores in Manhattan carried and deployed them in conjunction with IBM.

“That became their communication during 9/11 thanks to a Canadian company in Waterloo Region.”

All branding is removed from equipment during a crisis. David keeps a sticker detached from the back of one of the smart phones tucked in his wallet.

After more than 12 years with BlackBerry, David’s job was phased out in 2012. Like so many others, he asked himself the big question: Where do I go from here?

“At the time, I had nine things on the go,” he says. “BlackBerry was just one of them.

Unfortunately, it was the one that made money.”

David volunteered with various organizations throughout Waterloo Region including Kids-Ability, the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, KW Community Foundation, and Waterloo Minor Hockey, and helped bring the international FIRST Robotics competition to Waterloo. David still serves food at the Sunnydale Community Center when time permits.

“It’s easy to see BlackBerry, Sun Life, Manulife and the universities, but look a little harder and you will find a lot more to know about this community.”

If unable to participate in one capacity, he searches his pockets of knowledge and gives in another way, like he did with his

sons’ hockey.David, not being sports-minded – “I gave

up hockey when I was eight” – threw himself into managing the team instead of going on the ice.

“I’m a big believer in karma. I knew [a job] would come along, but if I forced the issue, I’d scare it away. I believe that if you do good things for others, something good will come your way.”

That “something” was just around the corner. Jan had started a new business. ScarfLady.ca was knitting its way into the fabric of fashion. His honey-do list quickly became the business list.

Meanwhile, David thought about running for city council until sprinting for mayor was mentioned. He looked within himself and

talked to Jan. He had all the criteria, not the least of which was a love of his city – which he cleans each spring during litter pick up days.

“I’m excited about the city of Waterloo, the council, and the makeup we have here and, in particular, working with Mayor Craig and Mayor Vrbanovic. It’s a great team.”

A podium is just a podium. It’s what is said behind it that counts, and Mayor David Jaworsky has much to say...now.

“I love delving into things and sharing ideas on how we can make things better,” he says.

By the way, the next time you see Mayor Vrbanovic in the local coffee shop, ask him about the life-sized cardboard cutout of Barack Obama in Dave’s house.

. . . from previous pageDave Jaworsky

CAMBRIDGE MAYOR DOUG CRAIG WITH ASSISTANT LINA VELGILA

GETTING TO KNOW CAMBRIDGE MAYOR DOUG CRAIG

“Regrets? None at all. Life goes in different directions”


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Blue Bin.

The Ontario government introduced legislation, which took effect January 1,

that further restricts where smoking is allowed and where tobacco can be sold.

Under the new legislation, it is illegal to: • Smoke on bar and restaurant patios • Smoke on playgrounds and public sports

fields and surfaces • Sell tobacco on university and college

campuses.Reducing Access to Tobacco Products for

YouthOntario is making it more difficult for young

people to purchase tobacco by prohibiting tobacco sales on post-secondary education campuses. The new regulations will apply to buildings that are owned and areas that are leased by post-secondary institutions or student unions, which are used for students’ education programs, recreational activi-ties or residential services.

Protecting Ontarians from Exposure to Tobacco Use

Children are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke exposure. Studies show that young people are less likely to become regular smokers when living in areas with strong tobacco control regulations for restaurants when compared to areas where regulations are weaker.

Currently, smoking is not permitted on covered or partially covered patios in Ontario. Under the new regulations, smoking will be prohibited

on all bar and restaurant outdoor patios. The only exemption under the new regulations is for uncovered patios that were established by a branch of the Royal Canadian Legion – Ontario Provincial Command prior to November 18, 2013.

As well, Ontario is prohibiting smoking on and around playgrounds and public sport fields and surfaces. This includes areas for basketball, baseball, soccer or beach volleyball, ice rinks, tennis courts, splash pads and swimming pools that are owned by a municipality, the province or a post-secondary education institution. The prohibition includes sport fields, sport surfaces, spectator areas around sport fields and 20 metres surrounding these locations. It also includes playgrounds at hotels, motels and inns.

Many Ontario municipalities have already taken action to restrict smoking in public spaces. Sixty-five municipalities have banned smoking on playgrounds, 60 have banned tobacco use on sports and recreational fields, and 10 have prohibited smoking on restaurant and bar patios.

Progress Already Made Through the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, the

government has taken a strong stance to protect the people of Ontario from second-hand smoke in enclosed public places and workplaces. Further amendments to the Act include protecting kids from exposure to second-hand smoke in motor vehicles as of 2009, and prohibiting the sale of flavoured cigarillos as of 2010.

Smoking is now prohibited in public playgrounds and sports fields in Kitchener

FINAL TOURNAMENT

Last shot at Waterloo RoadbreakersAfter 30 years of breaking

records and roads, the Waterloo Roadbreakers Road Hockey Tournament is coming to an end.

The final tournament is scheduled for May 2, 2015 in Parking Lot C of the University of Waterloo.

New this year, the tournament is open to all ages.

“It’s our last shot, and we’re going to make it our best shot,” says Heather MacKneson, Executive Director of Central Ontario Developmental Riding Program/Pride Stables. Since 1996 proceeds from the event have been designated to the therapeutic horseback riding program located in Kitchener.

Over the years, almost $400,000 has been donated to support over 300 children each year with special needs.

Pride Stables has been providing therapy to those with physical as well as cognitive difficulties for 40 years. The gentle sway of the horse mimics the human walking motion. Along with exercises to strengthen the total body, it is a unique form of physical therapy while building trust and friendship.

“It’s all about kids helping kids,” said Roadbreakers’ co-founder, Tim Collins. “That’s why they are a perfect fit for our event.

Boys and girls ranging in age from 8 to 15 play in nearly 300 four-on-four road hockey games during the one day event that guarantees two games for each team, commemorative t-shirts, lunch, and a great day of hockey.

For the final event, Waterloo Roadbreakers invites adults to join in the fun by organizing teams of 4 in two adult divisions – 17 to 30, and a 30 plus division.

They hope to welcome alumni along with parents, friends and newcomers to play in this year’s tournament.

“We’ve seen many former players bringing their kids to the event, and that inspired us. No kid is too old. We’re going to give everyone one last chance to participate in the tournament!”

The tournament has broken into the Guinness Book of World Records and seen participation grow from 350 players in 1988 to over 1,300 kids playing for charity. With

a growing number of teams and sponsors clamoring to be involved, the initial organizing meeting of three university buddies has changed the lives of many kids in this community.

The idea was to create a tournament around the great Canadian game of road hockey with proceeds from the event designated to local children’s charities. The friends wanted to give back to the community and have fun at the same time.

“We never imagined it would last 30 years,” says Collins. “Looking back, I know we’ve touched some lives. It’s been a great run.”

From humble beginnings to becoming a recognized and anticipated yearly event, the Waterloo Roadbreakers recognizes the many volunteers, sponsors, and families who made the event a success over the past 30 years.

“Everyone involved has given someone special the chance to ride with Pride,” says MacKneson. “We will always be thankful.”

To register a team, sponsor the event, or for more information, please visit www.roadbreakers.ca


by Helen Hall

Twenty two teams of firefighters and

ambulance attendants descended upon Kitchener on February 5, but there was no emergency here.They were taking part in the 5th annual Bill Duncan Memorial Hockey Tournament.

Fire Captain Jeff Palmer, who helped organize the event, said the tournament actually started six years ago, but was named after Captain Bill Duncan five years ago after he died from a brain tumour.

Proceeds from the tournament, which have totalled $25,000 in the past five years, go to Clarky’s Kids, which was one of Duncan’s “favourite charities”, according to Palmer.

Clarky’s Kids was started by former Kitchener Ranger and current Toronto Maple Leaf right winger David Clarkson and the Rangers to help families that have a child dealing with cancer.

Clarky’s Kids provides children from Grand River Hospital’s Pediatric Oncology

Group of Ontario Satellite Centre with the opportunity to attend Kitchener Rangers games and have visits with players and coaches in and out of the hospital.

The program also raises funds to help support local families and siblings dealing with a child who has cancer.

When Clarkson was a Ranger between 2002 and 2005, he spent many hours supporting local community programs. He was honoured with the Ted Scharf Award in 2003 and 2004 for being the Kitchener Rangers Humanitarian of the Year.

The Bill Duncan Memorial Tournament was held at the Sportsworld and Activa Arenas in Kitchener. The teams were divided into three categories - competitive, intermediate and recreation.

This year’s tournament raised about $7,200.

The money was raised through the tournament registration fees and a raffle table.

The Kitchener Professional Firefighters Association that organized the tournament had

two teams on the ice.The competitive division

was won by the Toronto Fire

Department, the intermediate division was won by the Guelph Fire Department, and

the recreational division was won by the North Dumfries Fire Department.

HELPING CLARKY’S KIDS

Fire captain remembered with annual fundraising hockey tournament

BILL DUNCAN MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT CHAMPSThe North Dumfries Fire Department team won the recreational division of the Bill Duncan Memorial Hockey Tournament in Kitchener February 6. The fundraising tournament is hosted by the Kitchener Professional Firefighters Association with funds raised going to Clarky’s Kids. Team members are, from left: back row - Norm Mast, trainer; third row - Casey McKay, Otto Stolberg, Jeff Stemmler, Pete Bolland, Jeff Tanner; second row - Chris Kuhn, Sean Carroll, Mark Zulkosky, Ian Brunton, Eric Yates; front row - goalie Tim Brodhaecker. Missing from photo is Bill Bacher. North Dumfries was the only local team to win in the three divisions.


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by andrea Hall

It’s one of the most expensive medical drugs in the world – but one

Kitchener woman says it works miracles.Ann Bilodeau is pushing the province

to cover the cost of Soliris for patients of aHUS, an extremely rare blood disease that affects 60-90 Canadians.

Soliris is approved by Health Canada to treat aHUS, but can cost $500,000 a year, and in Ontario the bill goes to the patient, not the province. So when Bilodeau’s close friend was diagnosed with aHUS, she started campaigning.

“Probably the worst feeling in the world is when you are watching one of your dearest friends literally die in front of you,” she said, “and knowing that in that hospital they carried Soliris but she couldn’t get it. Because of money.”

Bilodeau lives in Kitchener with her husband. It was through him that she met Johann Kerlow more than 30 years ago. Kerlow, an active mother of three, lives in Markham and went in for elective knee surgery over the summer. What should have been a fairly common procedure became a nightmare.

“The next few days, my kidneys were shutting down, all my blood work was out of whack, they just had no idea what was wrong with me,” said Kerlow.

She was moved to Toronto General Hospital, where hematologist Dr. David Barth eventually diagnosed her. She spent much of the next three months in hospital.

“I could barely shower, from the top of my head to my toes I was just totally exhausted, I was in a wheelchair,” she said. “And for seven hours a day I was on machines.”

Those machines kept her alive, conducting plasma exchange and dialysis.

“I still get goosebumps looking at the suffering that this woman has gone through,” said Bilodeau. She started

contacting local MPPs, pleading the case to get Soliris covered.

“One of the things that I felt terrible about from the very beginning is the distance between where I live and the family lived,” said Bilodeau. She visited often, but wasn’t able to provide the same daily support as friends and family who lived in Kerlow’s community.

“All I kept thinking of is, what can I do to have some kind of impact?”

Bilodeau found support from local MPPs of all parties – Liberal Daiene Vernile, NDP Catherine Fife and Conservative Michael Harris took immediate action.

“New drugs are coming on the market all the time, medical advancements continue to happen,” said Harris, adding it isn’t the first time someone with a rare disease has sought help from Queen’s Park. “There really should be a provincial strategy for funding life-saving drugs.”

Harris says that in the long run, some drugs, though pricey, may ultimately save the healthcare system money.

Bilodeau agrees. She said a bigger picture is needed when considering the treatment of aHUS – daily dialysis, plasma transfusion, blood pressure medication, and hospital stays can all be required for treatment without Soliris.

For now Kerlow is out of hospital. In

aHUS patients and their families to lobbyQueen’s Park to cover cost of life-saving drug

This photo of Johann Kerlow, left, was taken on October 4, 2014, two weeks before she was prescribed Soliris, an expensive, life-saving drug. Now at home, she walks daily and is learning to do her own dialysis. The province is paying for her Soliris until April 16, 2015. With Johann is her husband Tom Kerlow, and Ann Bilodeau of Kitchener, her friend who is lobbying the province to continue to cover the cost.

...continued on next page

“There’s a due process and we

certainly understand that. But in the meantime she is

absolute proof that this drug saves lives.”

Ann Bilodeau


St. Georges of Forest Hill Anglican Church321 Fischer-Hallman Road, Kitchener 519-744-4751

Sunday Services 8:15am Holy Eucharist10:00am Holy Choral Eucharist with

Sunday School and Nursery1:00pm Sagrada Eucharistia en espanol

Wednesday 10:00am Healing Servicewww.stgeorgesofforesthill.comemail: [email protected]

Maranatha Lutheran Church236 Woodhaven Rd, Kitchener, ON N2C 1V5

Ph: 519.888.7800email: [email protected]

Sunday Worship: 11 amCoffee and refreshments each week after worship.

Come experience our Caribbean fellowship and hospitality!

Calvin Presbyterian Church248 Westmount Rd. E., Kitchener (519) 744-4061

Minister: Rev. Frank SzatmariSunday Service: 10:15 a.m.

Nursery and Sunday School provided

CommunityFaith Listings

Politicians at the provincial and federal levels are usually busy battling each other and their parties at every chance they get.

But the Kitchener-Waterloo riding’s Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal presentation has apparently brought out the cooperative spirit.

In a rare showing that politicians can cooperate and work with each other, Liberal MPP of Kitchener Centre John Milloy, former Conservative MPP of Kitchener Waterloo Elizabeth Witmer and newly elected New Democrat MPP of Kitchener Waterloo Catherine Fife, will all be present at the medal presentation ceremony for the Kitchener Waterloo riding recipients to be held January 16 at Kitchener City Hall.

Milloy was asked to give out the medals on behalf of Elizabeth Witmer after she left provincial politics. He decided instead to wait until after the by-election, allowing the opportunity to whom ever was elected to present the medals in their own riding.

The commemorative medal, created to mark the 2012 celebration of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada, is in recognition of those who, like Her Majesty, have dedicated themselves to

service to their fellow citizens, their community and their country.

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medals will be presented January 16 to the following Kitchener-Waterloo riding recipients:

Chandrika AnjariaChandrika Anjaria has been

a tireless volunteer within the community. The focus of her community work has been empathy and compassion for others. An employee for the University of Waterloo’s Information Systems and Technology Department, Chandrika also served as past chair of UW’s United Way Campaign. She has also presided as co-chair of three local hospital walkathons, and is the chair of the Earthquakes, Cyclone and Tsunami relief fund. Chandrika is a member of the India Canada Association, past chair of several cultural festivals and a founding member of Club 55. In 1997, Chandrika was honoured as one of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest’s Women of the Year.

Ariarani AriaratnamAriarani is the founder and

former Executive Director of Focus for Ethnic Women in KW. Active in supporting women and children, Ariarani served the KW YWCA locally and internationally. She has also served on the Immigration

and Refugee Board of Canada. Ariarani is passionate in helping newcomers understand, integrate and become fully active members of our community. She is a member of the board of the South Asian Seniors Association of Waterloo Region. A recipient of the Citation for Citizenship Award from the Government of Canada, Ariarani also received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 for her outstanding work in promoting the rights of immigrant and visible minority women.

Ronald BeaudreauRonald Beaudreau served as an

Air Cadet, Leading Aircraftman in the reserve Air Force and as a Radar Operator in the regular service. He is a member and past president of the 404 K-W Wing RCAFA of the Air-Force Association of Canada. He also assisted in starting the Out of the Cold program in Kitchener-Waterloo and has been a youth counsellor for boys aged 6-18 for the past 45 years.

Marjorie Carroll-NelsonMarjorie Carroll-Nelson was

elected the first female Mayor of Waterloo in 1977, and remained in this role until 1988. As a nurse and as a public servant, she was an outstanding choice to chair the K-W Hospital Foundation from 1989-1992. A devoted volunteer and fundraiser, Marjorie’s efforts resulted in a remodelled childbirth centre at Grand River Hospital, renamed the Marjorie Carroll Childbirth Centre in her honour.

Connie DeckertConnie Deckert successfully

ran Motivair Canada Ltd., a local auto company for 35 years. The company was sold in 2008 and she changed careers. Connie is now a member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals, as well as the Canadian Golf Teachers Federation. She is a member of the Canadian Association of Women Executives & Entrepreneurs. Connie is also a recipient of the Women Of Waterloo Region (WOW) Award, as well as a graduate of Leadership Waterloo Region. She is a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Chapter of Zonta International and the K-W Business Women’s Association. She is a board member of the KW Symphony and Executive Women’s Golf Association.

Jim ErbJim Erb has been associated with

Erb and Good Family Funeral Home for 43 years. He is known for his commitment to serving Waterloo as a city councillor from 1980-1988, and is remembered as getting the most votes of any Waterloo candidate in three consecutive municipal elections. Jim has been a member of the Kitchener Conestoga Rotary Club for 28 years where he has chaired their annual Turkey Drive in support of House of Friendship. Jim has served on the board of directors of Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation, KidsAbility Foundation, Shalom Counselling Services and is a past President of Kitchener Waterloo Council of Churches. He was a founding member of Habitat for Humanity, the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, founding Chair of the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival, past chair of the

Ontario Board of Services and was recognized at the Mayor’s Dinner for the Working Centre in 2011. He is a member of Erb Street Mennonite Church in Waterloo and has been active in various inter-faith initiatives in the community

David GrahamIn his contributions to our

community, David Graham has worked diligently as a past Chair of the Board at St. Mary’s General Hospital, the 1990 Ontario Summer Games, Leadership Waterloo Region, K-W United Way, Rotary Club of Kitchener, and the Canadian Red Cross K-W Branch. Currently, David serves on the boards of the St. Joseph’s Health System. In recognition of his service, David was awarded the K-W Citizen of the Year in 1990, the Waterloo Award, the Canada 125th Anniversary medal and the Queen Elizabeth Silver and Golden Jubilee Medals.

Owen LackenbauerOwen Lackenbauer began his

career of service to the community by enlisting in the Canadian Army, serving from 1953-1965 and in the Army Reserve from 1972-1985. In 1969, he co-founded KW’s Oktoberfest which continues to thrive to this day. As a past President of Kitchener Oktoberfest, Lions Club, K-W Untied Way, Kitchener Chamber of Commerce, K-W Community Foundation, and Westmount Golf & Country Club, 1979 K-W Citizen of the Year, and a Paul Harris Fellow (Rotary International in 1995), Owen’s contributions to our community have been profound. He is past Honorary Colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, Waterloo Region’s reserve infantry regiment.

John LynchJohn Lynch, a long-time

Rotarian, was 1981-1982 President of the Rotary Club of Waterloo and is a Paul Harris Fellow. His contributing involvement with KidsAbility spans over three decades. He was President 1991-1993 during the raising of $8 million for construction of the current treatment centre. From 1996-2002, he was President of KidsAbility Foundation, which currently raises in excess of $1 million dollars annually. He helped bring the 1986 Brier Canadian Men’s Curling Championship to Kitchener-Waterloo. He was also treasurer for Campaign K-W, which raised $27 million for expanded services at Grand River Hospital. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, he isa retired partner of KPMG, where he initiated the writing of Roots: History of KPMG in Waterloo Region. In 2011, he received the Waterloo Award, the City of Waterloo’s highest civic honour.

Joan McKinnonJoan McKinnon spent twelve

years in public service as City of Waterloo and Region of Waterloo Councillor and Mayor of Waterloo from 1997-2000. She was the founding Chair of Community Safety and Crime Prevention Council and a member of such Boards as Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Waterloo and the AGO. Joan

has demonstrated a lifetime of community service through her involvement volunteering with the Girl Guides of Canada, summer camp for disabled children, the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, the K-W Symphony, the Grand River Conservation Authority and St. Mary’s Hospital. In 1985 she was named Oktoberfest Woman of the Year and she has also received the Ontario Volunteer Service Award for her outstanding work in the Region.

George SimGeorge Sim’s faith, his loyal

dedication to his friends and family, his caring heart and his delight in storytelling are an inspiration. During the Second World War, George was a member of the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, serving the Ontario Tank Regiment, Oshawa in Europe. His experience during the war inspired him to become ordained in the United Church, and to serve as a Chaplin for the Waterloo Legion for 40 years. George has devoted his life to serving his fellow veterans; listening to their stories and helping to heal their suffering. A kind soul, George is known to offer a hug and story to all and enjoys playing the harmonica.

Rosemary SmithRosemary Smith is a visionary

leader in our community who has served as mentor to many. Since 2001, Rosemary has been the CEO of the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation. She has also had leadership roles with many organizations, such as Chair of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and has served on many boards such as the K-W YWCA, K-W Big Brothers, and the Prosperity Council of Waterloo Region Resources Task Force. Rosemary has also been a member of the United Way, Cambridge Women in Networking, K-W Women in Networking, Leadership Waterloo Region, Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo, Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network and Opportunities Waterloo Region. Rosemary has also had the honour of being recognized as a Woman of Distinction in the area of business by the Cambridge YWCA and named as Kitchener-Waterloo’s Citizen of the Year for 2009.

Lynne WoolstencroftSince moving to Waterloo in

1970 Lynne Woolstencroft’s belief in community-building expressed itself in public service and involvement in many organizations. She held elected positions (City of Waterloo Councillor, Region of Waterloo Councillor, Mayor of Waterloo, Waterloo County Board of Education school trustee, with three years as Chair). She served on numerous boards (K-W Social Planning Council, Waterloo Public Library, Grand River Conservation Authority, and Waterloo Regional Police Service).

She was President of the Association of Large School Boards in Ontario. Her commitment to the environment led Waterloo to receive numerous awards, including the Greenest City in Ontario from TVO.

Page 6 l Kitchener Citizen - West Edition l January 17, 2013

MPPs from three parties work together to hand out Jubilee medals in KW riding

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mid-October she was granted six months of Soliris injections under the province’s Compassionate Review Policy, and said the change is unbelievable.

“I went from 2% energy to 110%.”She still requires dialysis three times a week, but is hoping Soliris

will eventually make that unnecessary. And she’s still pushing for coverage for everyone with aHUS, which can be genetic.

“I have three boys, there is a 50% chance that they could have it,” said Kerlow. “So we do have to fight for the drug.”

Soliris has been approved for coverage in Quebec, and in Ontario for another blood disease, PNH. Kerlow says in that case the process was similar – one woman got temporary coverage under the Compassionate Review Policy and pushed until it was covered permanently for everyone. Both she and Bilodeau are hopeful the same thing will happen for aHUS.

“There’s a due process and we certainly understand that,” said Bilodeau. “But in the meantime she is absolute proof that this drug saves lives.”

The next step is a lobby day at Queen’s Park, happening February 25. Friends and family are invited to Question Period, and some aHUS patients will also be present, but Kerlow will be on dialysis and unable to attend.

Local MPPs support idea...from previous page

Grand River Hospital Foundation appointsnew Chair to the Board of GovernorsGrand River Hospital Foundation has

announced the appointment of Helen D.K. Friedman as incoming Chair of the Foundation Board of Governors.

Friedman is a litigation lawyer and partner in the Waterloo office of Miller Thomson LLP. She was recently named to the 2014 and 2015 editions of Best Lawyers in Canada for Insurance Law.

In addition to practising law, Friedman is a Past Board Member of the Better Business Bureau of Mid-Western Ontario; Past Chair of the Board of Governors Conestoga College of Applied Arts and Technology; Past President of the Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo, Past Trustee of the Zonta Club Charitable Foundation, and a past Board Member of Canadian Defence Lawyers.

In addition, she has served on the Foundation Board and the Foundation’s Governance Committee since 2006.

Friedman is passionate about the work of the Foundation and its impact on the hospital.

“We are fortunate to have such a caring community. Our donors make a significant impact on the hospital’s ability to provide

exceptional care. We are at an extremely exciting time in the Foundation’s development and I look forward to working with our exceptional staff, the hospital, and the Board to implement our strategic direction.” said Friedman.

Friedman succeeds Ron Caudle, President of Caudles Catch Seafood, who served as Foundation Board Chair for the past four and a half years. In thanking Ron for his service, Friedman noted “Ron’s tremendous leadership, great energy and commitment were second to none and our organization benefited immensely from his leadership.”

The Grand River Hospital Foundation raises funds to help GRH provide exceptional health care. Donors to the Grand River Hospital Foundation have made a significant impact on patient care at GRH.

Specifically donor dollars support:• Medical equipment and technology• Construction and renova-tion projects for

patient care• Local clinical and health research and

education

Jane Mitchell returned as GRCA chairJane Mitchell has been

acclaimed to a fifth one-year term as chair of the Grand River Conservation Authority.

The election took place at a GRCA board meeting on Friday, January 23.

Mitchell, who represents the Region of Waterloo on the board, was first elected to the position in 2011. Prior to that, she served as first vice-chair from 2007 to 2010.

Re-elected as vice-chair was Vic Prendergast, who represents the City of Brantford. He was been a vice-chair since 2000. In the election, he defeated Helen Jowett, a Waterloo Regional councillor.

Mitchell said that it will be important this year for the GRCA to strengthen its ties with provincial officials. The Ontario government is

reviewing the Conservation Authorities Act she noted, and as an experienced board chair she will be part of the effort by Ontario’s conservation authorities “to lobby during this crucial time.”

The GRCA will also hold a reception at Queen’s Park this spring to give GRCA board and staff an opportunity to discuss issues with MPPs from the Grand River watershed, as well as senior ministry staff.

In 2015 the GRCA will be co-hosting a watershed tour for representatives of conservation authorities from across the province.

The GRCA board is made up of 26 members appointed by the municipalities of the Grand River watershed. They elect a chair and vice-chair at the first meeting of each year.

Waterloo regional councillor Jane Mitchell was acclaimed for her fifth year as chair of the Grand River Conservation Authority.


Notes from City Hall

The Water ProblemThe biggest challenge facing cities

across Canada is our increasing infrastructure deficit. The term

infrastructure defines all the physical items on which a society relies upon, such as roads, bridges, water/sewer pipes and treatment facilities. The city of Kitchener has done a good job dealing with the service costs that fall under general taxation. In fact, we’re set to approve a fourth consecutive budget with a tax-levy increase that is less than inflation. Water & sewer rates however, are another story. Even with a proposed 9.9% increase, we will be replacing less than half the length of pipe that

we should be.So what is the solution? Clearly,

we can’t continue to indiscriminately raise water rates to this degree. It’s unsustainable. Current consumption-based charges punish families unduly, especially when one considers the fact that the amount of water used barely correlates to the actual cost of providing the service. It’s equally unfair to change the system to levy huge static charges. While this would shift some cost from families, it would harm those

with low and fixed incomes, and those people who are living on their own. Barring dramatic technological advancement, there is but one solution: further aid from higher orders of government who have the ability to tax based on income. I can anticipate the ‘pass-the-buck’ argument and I would otherwise agree, except that I (and I hope a majority of council), are prepared to support this 9.9% increase because there is no alternative.

As city council continues to review the proposed 2015 budget, I want to hear from you, the residents of Kitchener, about what is important to you. For 2015, the proposed tax

rate increase is 2.25 per cent, which is below the rate of inflation. Should the budget be kept at or below the rate of inflation? What services do you value that you don’t want to see reduced, and what services are you okay with being reduced? Are there areas where you would like to see increased services?

You can take a look at the 2015 budget, including a convenient online budget calculator at: h t t p : / / w w w. k i t c h e n e r. c a / e n /insidecityhall/2015-Budget.asp.

City council is also currently reviewing the Food Truck By-law and the results of stakeholder feedback to be incorporated into a revision of the by-law, if needed. I would love to receive additional feedback from residents to help council properly represent the public’s wishes in regards to food trucks.

What do you feel is a fair balance between having food trucks downtown and respecting our established restaurants that pay taxes and employ people? Should a

food truck be permitted only during lunch hours or should they be able to be open the same hours as a downtown restaurant? Would you like to see by-laws loosened to allow food trucks in industrial parks to serve businesses where there aren’t restaurants close by?

I look forward to hearing your views on these issues, and any others that you can think of. Please call or email me at the information provided.

Economic Development - 2015 Last Monday Kitchener Council

in a 9 to 2 vote supported the establishment of the new Waterloo

Region Economic Development Corporation (WREDC). The motion was passed and ratified without the necessity of competing with other initiatives in our 2015 Budget. I did not support the motion. I fully support the concept of having a region wide corporation to attract new companies to bring new jobs to our Region. However, there are a number of concerns that should be considered prior to committing $7.3 million of tax dollars for the next 4 years. Kitchener taxpayers’ share is $2.6 Million.

No cost-benefit analysis has been

prepared. No budget estimates have been tabled. No indication of the number of new employees to be hired. Inadequate reflection on the duplication that will likely develop. This new corporation replaces the CTT, which has functioned extremely well for the past 20 years. In addition to the new corporation, the Region has established a new Economic Development Department at the Region with new staff. Area municipalities will continue to have their own Economic Development Departments with no apparent

reduction in staff numbers. Of greatest concern is the fact that

the bulk of the funding supporting this new corporation will come from local and regional taxpayers (one and the same). Yet the Board of Directors will not contain any elected officials. Meetings will not be public. Financial reporting will be limited. No details of numbers of employees and remuneration will be provided. The two planks (transparency and accountability) in almost every campaign speech a few short months ago have quickly fallen to the wayside.

Efficient meetings versus informative meetings.

In December 2013, Kitchener Council discussed how to make

our meetings more efficient. The discussions were lengthy, and at times heated, because what one person considers efficient may well be what another considers an attempt to quash questions and reduce transparency.

One of the suggestions allowed for council to ask questions for 5 minutes, during which staff or the delegation could respond. Unfortunately, the responses have often been lengthy, reducing the time for additional questions. Of course a councillor may enter the queue

again, but after other councillors have made their comments or questions, the thread of the conversation or the continuity of the original questions may have been lost.

I believe it is critical as your representative that I ask as many questions as needed to make an informed decision. Sometimes this is perceived as trying to “manage” the city corporation, but I can assure you that it is truly important that I understand the subject matter before I vote on a particular issue. Being informed is critical to making

solid decisions, so I ask myself when reading reports, “What would a resident want to know about this project?” My questions often come from this musing.

Our committee and council agendas and reports are now online almost a week before the meeting date, so if you have any questions about these or any other issue you come across from other sources, please don’t hesitate to contact me. If I don’t have the answer, I will contact staff to aid in providing you with a response.

CATCH UP WITH KELLYOn Wednesday, February 25,

I will be hosting a “Catch up with Kelly” open house from 6:30pm to 8pm at the Williamsburg Community

Centre. This is a great opportunity for me to meet with you one-on-one to hear your comments, concerns and suggestions on any city services and initiatives. Mark the date on your calendars and drop in to see me or join in the conversation online with #KellyChat via Twitter.

RATS IN OUR COMMUNITYIt has come to my attention over

the last few years that some areas in our community are having issues with rats, and the problem continues to spread. I have been working with city staff to see what can be done to assist residents with this issue and

to develop ways to prevent rats from hanging out in our neighbourhoods. The Ministry of Natural Resources website recommends reducing shelter for small animals such as tall grass, brush, wood or rock piles and blocking potential den areas such as under decks or inside sheds. Don’t leave garbage cans outside overnight, and feed your pets indoors so that the food doesn’t attract these pests. If you have any more ideas to share about how to deal with this issue, please forward them to my attention. We are going to have to work together to eliminate the problem.

WILLIAMSBURG AND HURON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS

Are you looking for something fun to do this winter? We have lots of great programs available right here in our own backyard from both the Williamsburg and Huron Community Associations. With different kinds of yoga and fitness classes, children’s dance, sports and special interest clubs, there is truly something to suit everyone’s interests. Visit their websites at www.huroncommunity.ca or www.williamsburgcommunity.ca for more information.

Artist Amy Roger’s Accidental Orbs, on exhibit in the Rotunda Gallery for the month of February, are abstract and lively, varying in colour and texture. The materials Rogers works with are a collection of hand-crocheted, antique textiles, traditionally created by women.

“I am open to the idea that these orbs represent spirits surrounding us,” Roger says, describing her artistic process as intuitive and intensely personal. “I entertain the possibility that there is residual energy in these materials, and that energy is being transferred through me and onto the canvas. The images become portraits of this energy.”

Some theorize that orbs are reflections of spirits, or a field of energy or particles, says Roger.

“The instances where orbs are captured and observed are generally known in photography, but I’ve developed a technique of capturing this energy and emanating motion with paint. Viewers will see literal patterns from objects with a past, triggering emotions and memories often associated with orb-like energy.

Tri-City Stopgap Founding Members in Berlin Tower ARTSPACE

This exhibition is a collective of

three artists, Michael Ambedian, Nadine Badran and Sheila McMath, who have come together to collaborate on a series of projects.

This collaborative venture has been motivated by a desire to create a stronger grass-roots arts community and provide this region with multiple opportunities for informal, experimental exchange among artists and the larger community.

Meet the artists on Friday, February 27, at 7 p.m. at Kitchener City Hall.

Accidental Orbs visit the Rotunda Gallery in February


Notes from City Hall

Dear Ward 6 Residents,Over the past few months, I

have heard from numerous Ward residents about their concerns with

the winter maintenance of trails and walkways. You may have noticed the new signs at entry ways to our trails and walkways indicating there will be no winter maintenance or clearing.

I especially share in your concern and desire for year round access to trails and pathways leading to schools. These trails are taken into consideration when walkable distance is calculated by the school board to determine which neighbourhoods will require busing or are within walking distance.

In November of 2014, a council

strategy session was held to facilitate a discussion among new and returning members of council about the most important issues or opportunities that the city should take action on in 2015. Through this exercise I raised the issue of trails and walkway winter maintenance as one of my top priorities. At a later date, council was provided with a list of these possible action items and asked to identify which ones they felt ranked the highest. I am happy to say that this was ranked number 3 out of the top 12 priorities by

council, and was subsequently built into the 2015 base budget. If the budget is approved, as presented at an inflationary increase of 2.25%, trails and walkways will receive an additional $200,000/year from 2015-2017 in the capital budget. This will certainly allow for a much greater level of service during the winter months to trails and walkways leading to schools, while addressing some of the significant concerns I have heard from Ward 6 residents about this service.

Over the last four years, I have received an increase in emails and phone calls from residents about their building frustration

with school zone parking. I have noticed some inefficiencies in how these issues are being handled and I believe there is an opportunity for improvement, with consultation from all who are affected.

During the January 26 council meeting, I introduced a motion to direct staff to work with all relevant stakeholders to develop possible solutions to improve parking in school zones. This motion is the first step toward alleviating neighbourhood traffic congestion

from school zones and promoting pedestrian safety. My intention with this motion is certainly not to target anyone, but to improve the strain on neighbourhoods due to traffic volume during student arrival and dismissal times.

Staff will engage the Waterloo Region District School Board, Waterloo Catholic District School Board, the Region of Waterloo, Waterloo Regional Police, school bus operators and any other relevant stakeholders to develop

possible solutions to improve and promote pedestrian safety and reduce neighbourhood traffic congestion in and around school zones.

This issue is not unique to the city of Kitchener, as I have received feedback from several surrounding communities that are facing similar issues in their school zones. I believe that if common sense prevails, we will be successful at developing positive solutions to this issue.

At the January 26 city council meeting, some poor decisions regarding the nominations for Heritage Kitchener committee

were made. Heritage Kitchener requires 5-7 representatives with industry specific backgrounds and 2-3 representatives of the community-at-large. The nominating committee made recommendations in which some qualified people were accepted.

The former representative for the St. Mary’s Heritage District, Kerry Kirby, wished to represent this area once again after serving some dozen years on the committee and having sat out a year as required. He filed and was rejected by the nominating

committee with no explanation given. At the city council meeting,

Councillor John Gazzola, Councillor Yvonne Fernandes and I had voted to have him reinstated.

Kerry is very passionate about heritage, quite outspoken and has worked hard for the betterment of heritage in Kitchener. His open and frank discussions are the type of comments that are needed at the table. In my opinion, he has been blacklisted because of his outspoken comments and that discussions took place behind

closed doors to not have Kerry sit on Heritage anymore. That’s why Kerry was not recommended again by the nominating committee. This happened initially when he was rejected by this committee and council endorsed this rejection on November 17, 2014, and again on Jan. 26th.

I know how he feels, as I also was blacklisted by the previous councils when I spoke up about the city-owned, now-demolished Forsyth building, some ten years ago.

Kitchener planners will this year pour the foundation of a new incentives plan designed to boost our supply of affordable housing.

Working with regional government as well as Waterloo and Cambridge, the program will provide developers with a selection of incentives and bonuses that could increase construction of low-income homes.

I’m told the plan — focused particularly on future LRT station areas — could be done without additional cost to the 2015 budget currently being considered by councillors who recently identified low-income housing as one of 12 priority work items.

Kitchener staff is completing a

report that will recommend the city research the incentive-bonus housing plan to see how it is used by other municipalities. To avoid hiring an expensive consultant, a planning graduate student will work on the proposal.

Lower-tier municipalities like Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and the townships or single-tier cities like Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton are the only bodies allowed to sponsor incentive programs because density bonusing comes under their control.

I intend to continue to advocate

to have subsidized housing treated as a high-priority because Kitchener council shares the responsibility for easing a situation where the region has 3,000 names on a waiting list for affordable shelter. Those names represent at least 8,000 children and adults who, for decades, have made do with inadequate housing.

I also believe that inadequate housing and homelessness results in health, police and social issues that, every year, cost taxpayers millions of wasted dollars.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: During the month of February, come check out the many events being held in celebration of Black

History month. For details, go to www.kitchenerevents.ca.

2015 BUDGET: On February 23, council will meet to finalize the budget for this year. I aim to include creative traffic calming strategies, support for community gardens, and increases in low cost housing options. We have had some citizen input on these matters, but I encourage you to share your comments before the 23rd with council. You can review the budget online at www.kitchener.ca, key

word search, “2015 budget.”NEIGHBOURHOOD EVENT:

On February 21, from 3pm to 10pm, the Mount Hope-Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association will host WINTERFEST in the ‘HOOD at Hillside Park. Come join us for sledding contests and much more—details at www.mhbpna.org.

KIDS’ TOUR OF CITY HALL: We had a blast last month when I hosted about 30 kids and their parents for a tour of the Council

Chambers. Kids tested out the microphones and asked me questions about my new role. I received such positive feedback about the tour that I’ve decided to hold additional kids’ tours in the next year. Stay tuned for a date in March. Let me know if you wish to be contacted when a date is set.

OPEN DOOR POLICY: I am available to hear your ideas about how we can improve our city, and to work with you to implement them. I look forward to hearing from you.

50th birthday ofthe Canadian flag

This past Sunday we celebrated the 50th birthday of our Canadian flag, a symbol I carry with me with pride every day on the backpack I take to meetings.

For me it was a particularly poignant weekend, as I celebrated the 50th birthday of our Canadian flag in my birthplace - Zagreb, Croatia at a dinner with members of the Canadian-Croatian ex-pat community, Canadian Minister of State, Hon. Lynne Yelich and Ambassador Louise LaRocque.

I spent the evening with members of the community discussing trade opportunities between our two countries, and I left proud of my roots, but even prouder of the country my parents chose to make our home, and that welcomed my family with open arms in 1969 – Canada.

As I drove home from the dinner Saturday evening, I reflected on the fact that Sunday would be the 50th anniversary of the Canadian flag. I reflected on how our Canadian flag is a respected symbol of tolerance, democracy, peace, diversity and inclusion, the world over. And I reflected on how it is the symbol, which unites us as a nation and as Canadians!

On Sunday, I also had the privilege of attending the inauguration of the new Croatian President, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, an event that a number of Canadians were at including Minister Lynne Yelich. As I sat there I couldn’t help feeling some emotion as I witnessed the orderly transition of democracy in the city and country of my birth from a country my parents fled in 1969 for the pursuit of freedom and democracy in Canada.

I share these feelings in this column as they are the feelings all of our families here in Kitchener and across Canada experienced at one point or another. Whether they’ve been experienced by you as first generation Canadians who have recently immigrated and now call Kitchener and Canada home, or whether it was by your parents or previous generations, this is the common experience that binds all of us who at one point or another decided to pursue Canada as our new home.

And it is this wonderful symbol, our Canadian flag, that we so proudly fly and wear, and that allows each of us to unite under, ensuring that the values I referenced earlier - tolerance, democracy, peace, diversity and inclusion – are the values we work to protect in all that we do each and every day.


WATERLOO REGION NATURE – Restoring & Managing Waterloo Region’s Prairie & Savanna Heritage: The Waynco Rehabilitation Project - Discover the unique prairies and savannas on the Galt and Paris moraine. Such areas have been brushed out, burned, and replanted over recent decades. The presentation will emphasize Waynco’s gravel pit properties south of Cambridge (Galt) along highway. As roughly 75% of species at risk in SW Ontario are associated with prairie and savanna, this work is significant in preserving these precious habitats and their seriously declining species. WRN has supported these restoration and management efforts by funding prescribed burns, and has presented Waynco with the club’s conservation award. Presenters are Graham Buck, species at risk biologist, Ministry of Natural Resources. Wayne Buck, KWFN member, owner of Nith River Native plants, editor of the Native Plant Nuts in the WRN’s Heron newsletter, Pat Deacon, ecology consultant at Natural Resource Solutions, Larry Lamb, environmentalist, specializing in botany and ecosystem restoration. The presentation will be held February 23 from 7.30-10.00pm at the 404 Wing/Rotary Centre, 510 Dutton Drive, Waterloo. Further Information: 519 742-4577 http://www.kwfn.ca/meetings.htmlSEEDY SATURDAY - at Kitchener Public Library in partnership with Kitchener Horticultural Society and Kitchener Master Gardeners Saturday, Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Central Library 85 Queen St. N., Kitchener. Free; no registration required. This year’s event includes vegetables, seed saving, healthy soil and more. Keynote speaker Dugald Cameron will share his knowledge of summer flowering bulbs and exotic flowers from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The event also includes a seed exchange, vendors and exhibitors, as well as an exhibit in the Art Gallery – A Year of Flowers by local artist Craig Musselman. The day finishes with a documentary in the Theatre at Central Library: Good Food, Bad Food, which begins at 2 p.m. T.E.A.M. DANCE AND SONG EVENING - RSA Dance Co. presents T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More) an evening of dance and songs while raising funds and awareness for Family & Children’s Services. RSA Dance Co. hopes you will join them in the audience. Show Directors Deanne Bingleman & Melanie April Fries. The show features interesting and entertaining choreography by the directors and students. Guest performers will be joining the line-up to support this great cause. February 26 at 6:30pm at the Registry Theatre, Kitchener. Tickets $12 each. RSA Dance Co. participates in a variety of non-competitive theatre opportunities both locally and beyond with 13 dancers ranging in age from 8-15. Coin donations to FACS will also be collected at the performance. Tickets available through [email protected] or at the door (cash only).COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR WALK - On February 21 join about

800 toque-wearing walkers from the Waterloo Region who will be taking part in the 4th Coldest Night of the Year - a family-friendly winter-walking fundraising event for Kitchener/Waterloo’s homeless, hungry and hurting. The funds raised will directly support the Ray of Hope Community Centre, which provides daily meals, food hampers and creative programming to those who need it. This year’s walk has grown from 63 cities to 82 from all across Canada – Victoria to Red Deer to Saskatoon to North Bay to Windsor to Ottawa to Montreal to Truro to Charlottetown to St. Johns...even Yellowknife will be walking. The Kitchener-Waterloo community can support their favourite KW walker or join a Nordic toque-wearing team for this 2, 5, or 10 KM walk event by signing-up online at www.brrrr.org. Registration is at Cameron Heights Collegiate (301 Charles St. E) from 4-5 PM and each walk route (2, 5, 10 KM) finishes at the Ray of Hope Community Centre (659 King St. E) where some warm soup, Piller’s sausages, and a hot drink will be waiting. For more information call 519-578-8018 (ext.213) or e-mail [email protected] WOMEN’S DAY 2015 – Wed. March 4 from 11:30 am to 2pm at the Tannery Event Centre, Communitech, 151 Charles St. Kitchener. When one woman helps another, amazing things can happen. – professional careers and creativity leap forward. The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre and community partners will hold the 4th annual International Women’s Day luncheon event featuring two inspiring female local entrepreneurs and keynote speaker Canadian Tire Board Chair Maureen Sabia. Registration required. Tickets are $25/ $10 for students. For tickets and information visit www.waterlooregionsmallbusiness.ca KITCHENER’S NATURAL AREA PROGRAMS - FOREST SCHOOL PROGRAM (10 week session; $72/child) Registration: Online or in person at city facility. www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/programregistrationwebreg.asp Register your kids for these eco-programs that are taught by a certified instructor. These programs may include games, crafts, story telling, nature exploration and other activities and are intended to be play-based, hands-on and focused on connecting youth with nature in Kitchener. Tuesdays at Breithaupt Park (April 14 - June 16) 12:30-2pm - Taproot Tuesdays (ages 3-5) 4-5:30pm - Girls in Nature (ages 8-11), Wednesdays at Breithaupt Park (April 15 – June 17), 4-5:30pm Nature Explorers (ages 6-9), Wednesdays at Huron Natural Area (April 15 – June 17), 12:30-2pm – Wild Wednesdays (ages 3-5) NATURE DISCOVERY WALKS - Spend time outdoors and encourage your growing child to develop a connection with nature. A play based, hands-on, nature program with other parents and children. Parents & Children (FREE) Tuesdays at Breithaupt Park, April 14-June16 - 10:30-12pm, Wednesdays at Huron Natural Area April 15-June 17 - 10:30-12pm.

NATURE IN THE CITY – SPEAKER SERIES - A series of talks brought to you by Kitchener’s Natural Areas Program and Waterloo Region Nature (www.kwfn.ca). These presentations will introduce various topics on nature and urban ecology and are being organized in partnership with the Kitchener Public Library (www.kpl.org). Wed March 11, 2015 – Coyotes in Our Community 6:30-8pm Speaker: Josh Shea Location: Pioneer Park Kitchener Public Library branch; Wednesday April 8, 2015 – Learning to Love Butterflies, 6:30-8pm, Speaker: Charlotte Moore, Location: Central Kitchener Public Library Branch; Wednesday May 13, 2015 – A Cheep Night Out (Birds in the City) 6:30-8 p.m. Speaker: David Gascoigne Location: Central Kitchener Public Library Branch. Topic descriptions will be posted on Kitchener’s Natural Areas website: www.kitchener.ca/knap. FAMILY & FRIENDS NATURE PROGRAMS - These programs are suitable for all ages and will inspire you to discover nature in your city. Programs are typically 1.5hrs and may feature nature walks, crafts, games, story-telling and hands-on nature exploration. MARCH: Tuesday March 17 (March Break Program), 1-2:30pm – Lucky Leprechaun Hike at Huron Natural Area – Free! Saturday March 21, 1pm – Spring Tales and Trails at Huron Natural Area – Free!WALK TO FIGHT ARTHRITIS - Join us for the Walk to Fight Arthritis on June 7. We are walking, jogging and running to raise awareness and funds for the Arthritis. Starts from the Kitchener Aud, 400 East Ave, Kitchener. Registration: 8:30am Walk Starts: 10:30am Contact: Jennifer Murray at 519.743.2820 ext. 1104 or email [email protected] or visit http://walktofightarthritis.ca/content/locations “BUILD A BUTT” CONTEST - to raise awareness about colorectal cancer and screening. Using your imagination and creativity, “build a butt” out of any material - for example snow, clay, cake etc. - take a photo, and add a compelling story related to the impact. Three $500 gift cards will be awarded for the following categories: 1) Most Facebook ‘likes’ on the Build a Butt Contest Page 2) Most compelling story (describing the impact of cancer, or cancer screening) 3) Most creative butt. Colorectal cancer is 90 per cent curable when caught early. The Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program is pleased to be partnering with the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program to offer this contest in both regions. In Ontario, colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men, and the third most common cause of cancer deaths in women. The contest deadline for submissions is March 19, 2015, and can be sent to [email protected] or posted to the ‘Build A Butt Contest’ Facebook page. Contest details can be found at www.grhosp.on.ca/buildabutt FREE ENGLISH PRACTICE - Choose from two English practice

sessions at Historic St. Paul’s Church, 137 Queen St. S. Kitchener (519-742-5812). Mondays from 10:30 am – 12 noon beginning January 12. Tuesdays from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm beginning January 13. As well, pick from two groups at Faith Lutheran Church, 247 Westmount Rd. E., Kitchener (519-745-6422). Mondays from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm starting January 5. Tuesdays from 9:15 am – 10:45 am starting January 6. Have the benefit of small group or one-on-one practice with native English speakers in a fun and relaxed environment. We welcome adults, seniors and mothers with young children.YOUTH VIDEO COMPETITION 2015 - sponsored by the City of Kitchener’s Public Art Program and the Kitchener Public Library. Interested in showcasing your filmmaking talents? Now is your chance! The City of Kitchener and Kitchener Public Library offer a special opportunity for youth between the ages of 12 and 25. Showcase your original short film and animations in the community and win cash awards and prizes. Winning short original videos will be showcased at the Central Library Theatre on Saturday, May 9. New this year: films with audio are eligible to win. Submission deadline: March 31, 2015. Register for your spot in a 90-minute workshop and learn tips and tricks to take your video submission to the next level. Discover storyboarding techniques, how to obtain copyright-free multimedia and more! Workshops are available at all 5 community library locations. For more information visit www.kitchener.caELORA FESTIVAL SINGERS AT THE ORILLIA OPERA HOUSE - The Orillia Concert Association presents the Elora Festival Singers at the Orillia Opera House on March 1st with a varied program of a capella and accompanied choral music, ranging from classical to modern. The program includes works by Timothy Corlis, Eric Whitacre, Vytautas Miškinis, Aaron Copland and much more! Conducted by Noel Edison. Accompaniment by James Bourne. Sunday, March 1, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. For information and tickets, call 705-325-1757 or 705-326-6598.SCHWABEN CLUB EVENTS - February 21, 2015 – 84th Gruendungsfest (Anniversary) with the GOLDEN KEYS. Doors open at 5 p.m., Dinner 6 p.m. Members $28.00, Guests $38.00. For more information and tickets to all these events please call the Schwaben Club office at 519-742-7979. February 28, 2015 – A Musical Celebration to Led Zeppelin with CODA – Enjoy an evening with CODA – The Raw Led Zeppelin Experience. Performing songs from the entire Zeppelin catalogue.Doors: 7:30 – Show 8:30 p.m., Adv. Tickets $10.00, Door $15.00. March 1, 2015 – Filmnachmittag “Erbin Mit Herz” mit Nina Proll und Freddy Quinn. Doors open at 2:00 p.m. Film begins at 2:30. Admission $4. Coffee & cake available. March 13, 2015 - German Spring Show 2015 - Edith Prock - Bayern, Sanny - Friesland and Harmonika Freunde “Parz”. $25/Person, coffee & cake available.

Doors open: 6 p.m., Show begins: 7p.m. March 21, 2015 – Schlachtfest – Music provided by Steve Angel & Europa. Members $30.00 incl. HST, Guests $37.00 incl. HST, Child $11.00 incl. HST. Doors open 4:30 p.m., Dinner 5:30 p.m. For more information and tickets to all these events please call the Schwaben Club office at 519-742-7979.ALZHEIMER SOCIETY WATERLOO WELLINGTON EVENTS - Coffee Break - You can support the Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington by hosting a Coffee Break, or by hosting your own event of any kind. Community partners have supported the Society in many creative ways, such as dress-down days, game nights, garage and bake sales, and other kinds of events. DIVERSECITY TOASTMASTERS CLUB - Do you have trouble finding the right words when speaking to a group? Need a career boost? Want to polish your presentation skills? Toastmasters is the place for you. Learn communication, leadership and presentation strategies in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. DiverseCity is a new club and is open to all. It runs Mondays, 7 - 8:30 pm at Kitchener City Hall, the Conestoga Room. For more information contact Georgina Green, 519-743-7655 or [email protected] DAY PROGRAM - Did you know Trinity Village has an Adult Day Program for seniors wishing to socialize with other seniors? The cost is just $8 per day and the program runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 am to 1 pm, at Trinity Village Care Centre, on Kingsway Drive, near Fairview Park Mall. Self-referrals welcome or contact CCAC, 519-748-2222. For more information call the Day Program Coordinator at 519-893-6320 ext. 235.MAKE NEW FRIENDS WITH BETA SIGMA PHI - Are you a woman looking for new friends and fun things to do? Do you enjoy a social, community service-oriented group? If so, you might be interested in our Beta Sigma Phi chapter. Beta Sigma Phi is an international women’s friendship network. For more information about Beta Sigma Phi visit the international website: www.betasigmaphi.org. There are 200 members in KW alone. Our chapter of 8 women has members in our mid 30s and early 40s, mostly married, with small children. We meet twice a month May – Sept. and plan socials throughout the year too. Email [email protected] for more information.ROCKWAY ENTERTAINERS OPEN HOUSE - Rockway Entertainers Senior’s Chorus is having an Open House February 19th 1:30-3:30pm. Come visit us to sing or just listen at the Rockway Centre, 1405 King Street East, Kitchener. For further information, call Janice 519-650-4871. The Rockway Entertainers is a choral group singing four-part harmony. Recruiting new members... Membership open to those over 50 years old. Rehearsals are Thursdays at 1:30 – 3:30pm from September until May at Rockway Centre Auditorium, 1405 King Street East, Kitchener. Please phone 519-885-9978 or 519-741-2507 for more information.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR


CURB THE

SALTThe Region of Waterloo is committed to protecting our water. We are working to reduce salt use on roads and on properties through innovative solutions and partnerships.

Wear winter boots.Wear a pair of winter boots with good tread to keep you safe and warm. We can’t always expect bare pavement.

Use salt wisely.Only use salt on icy areas and give it time to work. A little goes a long way and salt doesn’t work when it’s colder than -10°C.

Shovel sooner than later.Clear the white stuff as soon as you can so a snowy sidewalk doesn’t become an icy one. Instead of salt, let the sun do the melting for you.

Use salt alternatives.Use alternatives like sand or non-clumping kitty litter to create traction instead of salt.

Salt impacts our water.

We all have a role to play.

Here’s what YOU can do...

For more ideas contact:

Region of Waterloo, Water ServicesTelephone: 519-575-4400, TTY: 519-575-4608 Email: [email protected] Website: www.regionofwaterloo.ca/curbthesalt

READING BUDDIES

Waterloo Region Police Chief Bryan Larkin and Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic were

the featured special guests at Lackner Woods Publiic School’s Family Reading

Night on February 10. The event, organized to promote the importance of reading,

drew several hundred people and, along with hearing

stories read by Larkin and Vrbanovic, the evening

featured crafts, story sharing and door prizes.

Photo by Carrie Debrone

On April 14, 2015, the Joan Euler Order of the Creative Mind will be awarded to a dedicated and inspiring leader within Waterloo Region’s arts and culture community.

THEMUSEUM created this award and presented it for the first time on April 22, 2014 to Joan Euler to celebrate and recognize her steadfast contributions to many organi-zations throughout Kitchener-Waterloo. Euler died of cancer in June 2014.

The nominees for the award will demonstrate unwavering passion and commitment to arts and culture and continuously strive to make positive impacts within the community. The winner will have followed the footsteps of Euler – for whom the award was originally created– as she was deeply devoted to the growth of arts and culture throughout Waterloo Region.

Euler was actively involved in the establishment of THEMUSEUM over eleven years ago (originally named the Waterloo Regional Children’s Museum) and served as an inaugural board member.

“Joan was an inspirational woman who was integral to the creation of THEMUSEUM,” said CEO David Marskell. “We will be forever grateful for the foundation she laid for us.”

Euler also worked closely with many organizations including Centre in the Square, the Kitchener-Waterloo Sym-phony, and the Kitchener-Waterloo May Court Club.

“We’re very excited to present the Joan Euler Order of the Creative Mind Award to a vibrant arts leader in our community,” said Linda Fabi, who is a member of THEMUSEUM’s Board of Directors.

THEMUSEUM is accepting online nominations for this award until Monday, February 23, 2015. The eligibility criteria and nomination form are available on THEMUSEUM’s website.

The award will be given out annually, each April, in order to continue recognizing and celebrating positive, impactful leaders within the arts and culture community. The award reception will take place on April 14, 2015 at THEMUSEUM. Musical performances and light refreshments will begin at 6:30pm, followed by short videos of the nominees and award presentation beginning at 7:00pm. Tickets for the event are available online at www.THEMUSEUM.ca for $50+HST.

Order of the Creative Mind Award nominationdeadline February 23


“Creating Connections, Growing Traditions”

2014 Annual Lantern Walk in the Mount Hope Breithaupt Park neighbourhood, held on the shortest day of the year, bringing together neighbours of all ages for a walk and songs. On December 10th, they held a Lantern Making Workshop, to prepare for the walk. Organizers are already looking forward to the next Lantern Walk!

'(519) 579 3800 - 7 (519) 578 [email protected]

www.kitchener.ca/fon

Festival of Neighbourhoods, with this year’s theme, encourages everyone to come together with their neighbours, to connect with each other and to grow traditions.Think of the value of creating memories and traditions for you, your family and your neighbourhood. They can truly give us a stronger sense of belonging, help us feel safer, break social barriers, bring people together for the simple purpose of building community and of course, they are fun. The children come to expect them, and when they grow, they too will want to lead and participate in similar enterprises. They are an accessible doorway into the neighbourhood for everyone, regardless of how long they have been living there.If you want to do something in your neighbourhood but you don’t know where to begin, start by talking to your neighbours. A few minds together will always come up with something that can be successful in your neighbourhood. Once you have an activity, a date and a location, invite everyone in your neighbourhood by placing invitations in their mailboxes, putting up posters or talking to neighbours.Many neighbours in Kitchener come together regularly, either weekly, monthly or yearly for potlucks, barbecues, clean-ups, nature walks, and many other activities. They have built strong traditions that are meaningful to their neighbourhoods, and they can attest to their value as they impact their families and their community. We encourage you to grow traditions in your neighbourhood to get on your way to building a stronger community!

Register your inclusive neighbourhood gathering (held between October 1st, 2014 and September 30th, 2015) with the Festival of Neighbourhoods before October 5th, 2015. Join us at the Festival Finale at Kitchener City Hall on Sunday, October 18th, when the draw for the $21,000 neighbourhood improvement grant will be held and the winner announced.

Kitchener’s Festival of Neighbourhoods is a supportive program that encourages you to think of yourself as the centre of your own small neighbourhood, and to organize an inclusive activity that brings your neighbours together.

Embrace this year’s theme and make it part of your neighbourhood gatherings

Participate in the Early Bird Draw for a chance to win a prize for you next neighbourhood activity by registering early.

by Carrie debroneThe 20th anniversary season of the Waterloo

Chamber Players (WCP) is starting off with a collaborative, creative bang.

The premiere performance of The Sleeping Prince embodies the organization’s goals of forging new community relationships, broadening its musical scope and breaking new creative ground. And, as an added bonus, it has given its principal conductor, Ben Holt-Martin, one of his most challenging artistic assignments to date - to compose all of the music for the show.

“It’s the largest chunk of music that I’ve ever done,” said Bolt-Martin, who has been principal conductor of the WPC since 2012.

The orchestral score, to be performed by the Waterloo Chamber Players’ 34 musicians, took him about 200 hours to write. Drawing inspiration from some of his favourite composers -- Verdi, Copland, Emerson Lake & Palmer and Howard Shore - the music is a perfect accompaniment to the family shadow puppet show, The Sleeping Prince, created by the Clever Crones puppeteers.

The Sleeping Prince, based on the Greek version of the old European folktale, is the story of a young princess who is told by a bird about a prince who had a spell cast over him, so that he fell into a deep sleep from which he could wake only once a year, on St John’s Night. The spell could be broken if a maiden were to watch beside his bed, so that he might see her when he woke up. The princess starts off on a journey to a far away land to find the prince, and on the journey she grows up and makes her own choices, ultimately ending up as the hero of the story.

The original music will be performed while puppets bring the fairytale characters to life on stage.

Puppeteers Baptiste Neis and Kristi Friday, two actors who met in Stratford, created the basic script for The Sleeping Prince show and presented it at the Spring Works Indie Theatre workshop in Stratford last year. Both being mothers of daughters they found a common quest for well-told interesting stories and clever female protagonists. The Sleeping Prince is the first in a series of world tales they hope to present. They are exploring different mediums of puppetry and this show uses unique shadow puppets.

Ripe for the addition of music, the collaborative project was born.

“We hope that it will be a great experience for families. I think every family member will get

something out of it. It’s really intergenerational,” Holt-Martin said, adding that the project dovetails perfectly with the WCP’s plans to connect more with the local community.

As with many artists, Bolt-Martin said his best composition ideas often come to him while he is doing something physical like walking or something unrelated to music.

“The most fun for me happens when I put the music in front of the musicians. I also had fun helping to tweak the script to fit the orchestral arrangements,” he said,

A cellist with the Stratford Festival for 16 seasons, he also freelances with the KW Symphony, is very active in chamber music with local groups, and is the cellist in the Stratford-based Factory Arts Quartet. He has a strong interest in composing, and has completed orchestral arrangements for the Celtic band Rant Maggie Rant. He is also the Music Director of the Mississauga and the Stratford-Perth Youth Orchestras, and director of Instrumental Chamber Music at Conrad Grebel College.

Backed by a group of sponsors that include, the Region of Waterloo, SB Leather, the City of Kitchener, The Waterloo Region Record, 10am.ca Creative Media, Huether Hotel, The Westhill, Revel Caffe, BFTA, and The Co-operators, the WCP is a group of skilled amateur and semi-professional musicians who volunteer their talents to perform about six concerts. They have no set admission fees for their shows. All concerts are ‘pay what you can’. This community of friends also enjoys teaming up with local organizations for benefit concerts, cultural day performances and performances with local choirs.

Rehearsals have begun for the February 28 and March 1 The Sleeping Prince shows.

“It’s always exciting when you get to this point,” Holt-Martin said.

“I thank the chamber players for being so open to trying new things.”

* * *The Sleeping Prince will be presented at the

WK United Mennonite Church, 15 George St. Waterloo. Two shows (about one hour in length): Saturday, February 28 at 7:30pm and Sunday March 1 at 3pm. As always, tickets are ‘pay-what-you-can’ at the door. The Waterloo Chamber Players will present its 20th anniversary concert May 10 at 3pm at the Victoria Park Pavilion in Kitchener.

THE SLEEPING PRINCE PUPPET SHOW

Waterloo Chamber Players family show featuresoriginal music composed by its conductor

Ben Bolt-Martin, principal conductor of the Waterloo Chamber Players, composed original music for the group’s coming family production of The Sleeping Prince. Shadow puppets will bring the fairytale’s characters to life.

Puppeteers Baptiste Neis and Kristi Friday work on some of their character creations for the show.


10 • AUGUST 2 , 2012 • K ITCHENER CIT IZEN (EAST EDIT ION)

Ran Away is the most recent and the bestin the Benjamin January series by

Barbara Hambly. The series is set in 1830sNew Orleans where one finds a complex mixof cultures including the French Creole,American, free black, and slavecommunities. Benjamin January navigateseach community with caution andunderstanding. A free man of colour withtraining as a surgeon and a musician, healways seems to stumble into a mystery ormurder to solve.

In this adventure, Ben is surprised to learnthat the Turk, Huseyin Pasha, lately arrivedin New Orleans, has been accused ofmurdering two of his concubines. Because ofpast experience, Ben knows in his heart thatthe Turk isn’t capable. At first, the reader istransported back ten years to Ben’s days inParis with his first wife, Ayasha, and thecircumstances of his first meeting withHuseyin Pasha are revealed.

Upon hearing of the Turk’s plight in hispresent day 1837, Ben sets out to discover thereal murderer. Teaming up with his friendsLieutenant Abishag Shaw of the city guard aswell as his fellow musician, Hannibal Sefton,he investigates the perplexing mystery. Bendodges threats to his freedom and his family’ssafety as well as risking his life to save Pasha.He must also deal with the painful emotionsthat arise as the past and present collide.

Hambly, a trained historian, interweavesintricate threads of historical detailthroughout her story. Slipping in, as a matterof course, authentic descriptions of everydaylife from coffee sellers to apparel to the sightsand smells of Paris and New Orleans, shecreates complex characters with interestingback stories and their own quirks and foibles.She frames her events in the historicalsituations of the day, and writes a convincingand historically faithful tale.

WHAT WE’RE READING

THIS MONTH’S READINGSELECTIONS ARE:

RAN AWAYby Barbara HamblyREVIEWED BY:

Jeannie Tilson, Manager,Country Hills Community Library

A monthly column featuring great reads as suggested and reviewed by librarians fromthe Kitchener Public Library. Follow along each month and discover your next great read!

Formore great reading ideas,visit www.kpl.org and click on the“Books andMore”tab.Want to share your own review of your favourite read? The library’s online catalogue

enables library card holders to write a review for any item in the collection. Simply clickon the“Add Review” tab for your selected book, and write away!

Read the Kitchener Citizen online at www.kitchenercitizen.com

THIS MONTH’S READING:Joyland

by Stephen KingREVIEWED BY:

Lesa Balch, SeniorManager, Service

DevelopmentFor more great reading ideas, visit www.kpl.org and click on the “Books and More” tab.Want to share your own review of your favourite read? The library’s online catalogue enableslibrary card holders to write a review for any item in the collection. Simply click on the “Add Review”tab for your selected book, and write away!

If you enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of asmall-scale amusement park or a fall fair, thisstory will grab your attention like a carny

summoning his mark to throw a ball or a dart thatwill surely result in winning the coveted prize of alarge stuffed animal.

It’s the summer of 1973, and college student DevinJones gets a job as a carny working at Joyland, anamusement park on the ocean in North Carolina. Weimmediately get a premonition of danger, as theresident fortune teller announces that “there is ashadow over your future” when she first meets Devin.Then his landlady tells the story of the haunted HorrorHouse in the amusement park, where a woman wasmurdered four years ago. But other than his girlfriendbreaking up with him, the summer progresses withmore fortune than misfortune for Devin, as he saves a

child from choking on a hotdog and gets to know ayoung boy who lives on his walking route into workalong the beach.

As the summer passes, Devin discovers that theyoung boy is very ill, but is also clairvoyant andoffers insight into the murder that occurred in theHorror House at the park. Devin conducts somesleuthing into the murder, which all comes to ahead in a shuttered and abandoned amusementpark during a wild autumn storm.

You’ll find fun and nostalgia in the Joyland story,but also sadness and tragedy. We laugh as Devindresses up as the park’s Hound Dog mascot, butthen cry when life doesn’t unfold the way it should.This book offers you a chance to sit back and enjoyan exhilarating ride on an old-style rickety woodenrollercoaster.

WHAT WE’RE READINGA monthly column featuring great reads as suggested and reviewed by librarians from

the Kitchener Public Library. Follow along each month and discover your next great read!

kitchener citizen - west edition - february 2015

Documents

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outdoor rink shed

mayors of kitchener

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ethan tacoma

jen tacoma

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