The

Victoria Commoner “Building Neighbourhood Connections”

The Victoria Commoner

Editor: Leslie Maxwell

Victoria Common

Kitchener, Ontario

email: VicCommoner@gmail.com

519.500.4105

web: www.viccommoner.com

The Victoria Commoner is an independent

publication without ties to any enterprise.

November 2016 Volume I, Issue VI

The best things in life are free - like the season’s first snow flakes - and this paper. Please have one!

I am deep in the throes of a natural high as I write this because I got to hike today. Hiking is one of my favourite things in this world. It grounds me and it thrills me at the same time, and on a rainy fall day, with a pain in my shoulder, and obligations pulling at me, it was exactly what I needed.

Today’s hike was extra special because I was joined by a new hiking friend who was equally thrilled to be out in the misty afternoon. Surrounded by trees, traversing rocky crevasses, and overlooking fields and small lakes, our mutual reverence was understood and our conversation flowed easily. We spent much of our time recounting stories of how we came to be where we are at this stage in our lives, sharing dreams, and wondering what would come next.

It was a perfect way to set my frame of mind as I think about what November brings to us in Canada; specifically, it reminded me there will always be cause for deep reverence for the veterans who fought to afford us this gorgeous country and the freedom to enjoy it. My deepest hope is that many of you can find your way outside for a similar connection as our seasons turn in the next few weeks.

I also urge you to consider attending an event or two during the NIGHT\SHIFT Festival this coming week—the activities will happen both indoors and outdoors and may just give us a bit more joy to carry with us into the colder months.

As the warmer weather winds down and we head into snowy territory, we can still wrap up and enjoy the outdoors. Don’t let a few snowflakes discourage you!

And I have something for those of you who just want to feel the heat; a free pass for Bikram hot yoga! Send me a quick email at VicCommoner@gmail.com before November 10, and I’ll enter your name in a random draw for one free class (worth $20)!

1 FREE PASS TO BIKRAM YOGA KW

663 Belmont Avenue West,

Kitchener, Ontario

Hot or cold, indoors or out, winter is coming!

Letter from Leslie

Give us what you got !

Send us a message to become part of your neighbourhood newsletter team! We’re looking for a foodie who can contribute great recipes, and someone with art in their soul to contribute

beautiful images.

viccommoner@gmail.com 519.500.4105

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Send your pet’s photo to VicCommoner@gmail.com for recognition in

next month’s Victoria Commoner!

Pet of the Month

Meet Ace and Lexi!

Don’t be silly. Put the

camera down and pet us!

This Joke’s on Us!

Mountains aren’t just funny...

...they’re hill areas!!

Is this the Picture of Perfection?

Stories of Place, by rych mills

Volume I, Issue VI Page 3

At the end of the last column in the Victoria Commoner, I said I’d introduce you to the Breithaupts … not so much because they

have remained such a well-known family … but because the north ward, which this publication serves, was shaped so much by that

family and its business interests. The 1876 photograph shows what we imagine to be a prototypical Victoria family group. In

hindsight, however, we see tragedy lurking.

Already one son has died: three-year-old Daniel in 1871. Louis Sr will die wearing the title of Berlin mayor in 1880. Frederick, the

baby on his mother’s lap, lives only seven more years; Catharina, sitting on her father’s lap has only ten more years to live. Ezra dies

at age 31 in 1897. Of eleven people in this photo, only seven will see the 20th century dawn.

The three oldest boys and Caroline were born in Buffalo before Louis Sr and Catharine moved the family to her home town, Berlin,

in 1862 where Louis’ tannery was already in operation. It is that trio of sons and their mother who take over and operate the

business after Louis’ death. Catharine lived until 1910. Eldest daughter, Caroline, married Albert B. Augustine, a teacher and

principal of Racine, Wisconsin; Melvina married Dr Amos F. Baumann of Waterloo Township. Ezra (aka Esra) developed a special

interest in electricity, attending Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore for post-grad studies in the subject. Returning to Berlin, he

oversaw the conversion from horsepower to electric

power on the Berlin and Waterloo Street Railway Line

which the Breithaupts owned and operated.

On January 27, 1897 while inspecting one of the

flammable gas holders at the family-owned Berlin Gas

and Electric works on Gaukel Street, a violent

explosion killed two men and one was manager Ezra

Breithaupt. Undoubtedly, with his expertise, he would

have been involved with the Beck / Detweiler / Snider

group over the next decade which advocated and

succeeded in getting Niagara Falls electricity

throughout Southern Ontario.

Over the next year or so, I’ll return to the family and

profile some of the better-known Breithaupts: A.L.,

J.C., W.H. and L.J.

Photo: The Breithaupts of Waldeck, Margaret Avenue

West, Berlin, Ontario. 1876

Front: Albert L. and Ezra C.

Middle: Caroline M., Catharina L., Louis, Frederick A.,

Catharine (Hailer)

Back: William H., Louis J., John C., Melvina E.

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271 West 164 Victoria St N, Kitchener (519) 578-9189

Hours Monday: 11:00 - 8:00 Tue-Fri: 11:00 - 9:00 Saturday: 12:00 - 9:00 Sunday: 4:00 - 8:00

Walking time from Victoria Common 10 Minutes

You probably have noticed the large sign draped along the outside wall of Metro Restaurant that boasts that they have Kitchener’s best schnitzel as you pass down Victoria Street. It certainly made me look twice and truly piqued my curiosity. As soon as I walked into the restaurant I was greeted with a rather homey, European feel. The floor plan is divided by rooms which make the restaurant feel quite cozy, a feeling that is reinforced with some samples of hand made art on the walls. I ordered a Metro Platter that gave a sampling of many of their most famous dishes, including their schnitzel. We started with a chicken soup and Caesar salad that arrived very

quickly and were both delicious. The two starting courses were served with fresh garlic bread. The main course schnitzel arrived and with it came cream cheese perogies, mashed potatoes, and cabbage rolls. The pork schnitzel was tender and perfectly crunchy and golden brown. The perogies were piping hot but also golden fried and delicious. The cabbage rolls came smothered in tomatoes and a thick gravy-like sauce and were filled to the brim with meat and rice stuffing. After dinner, my companion and I ordered the apple strudel. It was piping hot, filled with spices, dusted with powdered sugar and served with two giant dollops of whipped cream. All in all, the food was tasty, the decor was nice and the service was smooth and quick. Each course came out promptly and our server was kind and attentive. I don’t eat much schnitzel, so I can’t judge which is the best, but I can tell you it’s worth the walk to Metro.

Volume I, Issue VI Page 5

This Joke’s on Us!

Why can’t bicycles stand up on their own?

Because they’re two-tired!!

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Volume I, Issue VI Page 7

Fall Trivia 1. The word autumn comes from which Latin word?

2. How many apples go into one gallon of apple cider?

3. Fall is known as what according to NASA?

4. What is the name of the full moon that falls closest to the fall equinox?

5. According to superstitions, catching falling _______ leads to good luck in the new year.

6. What are the three zodiac signs of fall?

7. In the Northern Hemisphere, autumn begins in September, when does it begin in the Southern Hemisphere?

8. What happens on the autumnal equinox?

9. In the fall, there is less sunlight causing the leaves to produce less ______ which makes them turn from green to yellow.

10. The pumpkin was first called this by the Greeks.

Answers on page 11

“Regardless of your age or current physical

condition you’ll laugh, cry, moan, groan,

sweat and experience the most exciting, hard

working and effective therapeutic yoga

routine in the world.” Bikram Choudhury

Bikram Yoga KW offers Bikram, PowerFlow, and Yin classes. Bikram is practiced in a hot room and PowerFlow and Yin classes are practiced in a warm room.

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by resident Martha Szabo

Kw $

Kw

Winter Maintenance With winter on its way, we need to think about where we place our shoveled snow; to ensure safe vehicular movement on our streets and visibility for pedestrians (remember, many are children!)

Please place as much snow as possible closer to your home than the street, especially as it accumulates into high piles. Do not place snow on roadways or walkways and ensure your paths are clear for safe footing.

With unfinished construction, water can collect and freeze in unexpected places, so remove as much standing water or ice as possible, use sand to provide some grit to walkways, and walk carefully!

Don't forget to shut off your water outdoor water hose bibs this month, and air conditioning units if recommended by your manufacturer to protect your equipment from snow and ice. And finally, fall is a great time to inspect dryer vents to ensure they are clear of obstructions.

Volume I, Issue VI Page 9

Condo Association at Work News from condo association #WCECC593:

1. Parking control in visitor parking and roadways is being enforced. Several tickets have been issued for overnight parking and blocking fire lanes. All tickets are supported by City of Kitchener parking bylaws.

2. Installation of "Sutera" garbage units have begun. Lids for the units have not arrived so use is pending. Look for guidelines on proper use of this facility coming soon.

3. Update on easements and shared facility agreement- the developers never secured these prior to building and after much discussion with the City of Kitchener, the City has requested that bylaws be created. The necessary easements between the existing Condo Corporations and all future condo corporations are to be secured by these bylaws.

4.Bylaws will be created for the Corporation by a lawyer, approved by your Board of Directors and presented to owners during a called meeting. Bylaws need 50 + 1% support from unit owners (1 owner per unit) to pass. Further information will be made available to owners as the bylaws are developed.

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About Me!

My name is Teshia Maher. I’m a

yoga instructor, nutritionist, busi-

ness woman and author, among

other things! You can find out more

about me and my services at

TeshiaMaher.com. And remem-

ber, alignment is sexy!

Ahimsa; a Yogic Diet Application

Ahimsa, the yogic principle of non-harming / non-violence,

is often referenced by yoga practitioners as being their

reason, for following a “Yogic Diet.” Essentially, these

people are choosing to eat in a way that is in harmony

with the philosophical teachings of yoga, and thus, they

choose a vegetarian diet.

I personally became vegetarian for many different

reasons. Part of my choice for continuing on this path

however, is certainly motivated by Ahimsa.

I learned that (apparently) just before animals are killed

(to become food), they release the hormone adrenaline

out of fear. This hormone then circulates in their blood,

and remains in their meat for consumption.

Could this be why meat

gives people energy and

feelings of power, etc? This

idea of the animal being

energetically aligned with

fear just as it becomes food

for us humans, simply

resonates as “wrong,” to

me. And so it’s personally

reason enough for me to

stick with eating plants.

Besides, there are SO many

other more sustainable

foods to eat! It’s not like we

are foraging in the forest to

find enough to eat these

days!

This post is not meant to convert you to vegetarianism

however, nor is it to say that eating meat is ‘bad.’

I would suggest however, that you spend some effort

(and likely extra money of course), sourcing out

organically and humanely produced meats. Not only for

the animals’ sake, but for your health too! Animals that

are treated poorly are also often pumped with growth

hormones and chemicals, this too, will translate negatively

to the human body.

Strict / elimination diets don’t work for most people, and I

truly believe it’s best to listen to your own intuition and

your body’s needs when you decide what to which foods

to eat.

Do take the time though, to truly align with what feels

right for you (based on your own internal cues, your

beliefs relating to yogic philosophy, and, your feelings

regarding compassion / animal rights). Serve yourself in an

authentic way, and eat what you want to eat.

I believe that we all are one. Energy transfers from body

to body, regardless of hierarchy.

The yoga sutra of Ahimsa says, “do no harm;” consider

how you can apply this principle in your life.

Editor’s note:

For more exploration of the treatment of animals for human

consumption, see:

The Healthy Butcher for local, Certified Organic and 100%

grassfed meat at 25 Bruce Street, Kitchener

CBC: Is it more ethical to eat meat if you kill the animal

yourself? A short podcast (http://bit.ly/2eHbSG1)

Modern Hunters: a former vegan’s hunting practice website

(http://modern-hunters.com/food-ethics-hunt/)

Cowspiracy: documentary on the meat industry by Executive

Producer Leoardo DiCaprio. Alternately, check out Food, Inc.

Eating Animals: a book by Jonathan Safran Foer—a look

inside the meat industry.

This Joke’s on Us!

I accidentally typed my symptoms into IMDB instead of

WebMD and it told me I have Gary Busey.

-submitted by Rick Couchman

Volume I, Issue VI Page 11

* all programs are FREE and open to everyone, regardless of library membership. Highlights listed. See www.kpl.org for more!

85 Queen Street North. 519.743.0271. A 15-minute walk!

Closed Captioning is available upon request. Titles may

change based on availability.

November 12 Diary of Anne Frank PG 180 min Be sure to view a special exhibit, on loan from the Anne Frank House for Mutual Respect, located on the Central Library’s upper level, October 21 – November 18 November 19 Clue PG 86 min November 26 Whisky Tango Foxtrot 14A 111 min

An Evening with Kathy Reichs Tuesday, November 22 @ 7 pm KPL hosts bestselling author and forensic anthropologist Dr. Kathy Reichs. She has published 19 books featuring Temper-ance Brennan, with the most recent, The Bone Collection, com-ing in November.

She brings her own dramatic experiences – from teaching FBI agents how to recover human remains, to identifying part parts in her Montreal lab – to her writing. She is also a produc-er of the hit Fox TV series Bones, based on her work and her novels.

Dr. Reichs testified at the UN Tribunal on Genocide in Rwanda, helped exhume a mass grave in Rwanda, and also assisted in identifying remains found at the World Trade Center after 9/11. She divides her time between Montreal and Charlotte, North Carolina. Books available. Registration required.

An Evening with Robert Sawyer Wednesday, November 30 @ 7:30 pm Former One Book, One Community author Robert Sawyer was recently named a Member of the Order of Canada for his ac-complishments as a science fiction writer and mentor, and for his contributions as a futurist. Meet the Hugo and Nebula award-winning author of 23 novels, including his latest, Quan-tum Night. Books available. Registration required.

ImagineIt: Giller Live Monday, November 7 @ 8:30pm Celebrate the best in CanLit for 2016! Didn’t get your invite to the Scotiabank Giller Prize but want to celebrate Canadian au-thors? Join fellow fans and readers for a social night out at your local Giller Gala.

We’ll watch the awards live-streamed in our Theatre on the BIG screen. Refreshments available and door prizes (books of course!)

Please note, this event will continue after the library closes and end when the broadcast does, at 10 pm. Registration required.

Ballet 101 with Canada’s Ballet Jörgen Monday, November 28 @ 7 pm Artistic Director Bengt Jörgen introduces you to this beautiful dance: the costumes, music, movements, and history. Two professional ballet dancers will be on hand to demonstrate and perform partial selections from the company’s repertoire on our stage. Registration required.

Adulting 101: Crash Course on LinkedIn Tuesday, November 8 @ 7 pm Learn how to optimize your profile, follow thought leaders, and build your professional brand. Registration required.

Urban and Aquaponic Farming Thursday, November 10 @ 7 pm Interested in learning more about local food systems? Join Joel Knight from 365 Local and Co-Chair of the Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable for this informative talk about sus-tainable, small-scale urban farming and the future of aquapon-ic food production in Canada. Registration required.

International Games Day Saturday, November 19 from 1 – 4 pm We’re teaming up with Red Meat Games, Games on Tap, the K-W Chess Club and Crossroads Board Game Café to bring you an afternoon of games for all ages. We’ll have something for everyone: virtual reality demos (ages 13+), Giant Jenga, life-sized chess, board games galore, and much, much more!

Night|Shift 2016 Saturday, November 5 from 7 pm to late Pop-up art and performances at various indoor and outdoor venues; more details at nightshiftwr.ca. All ages.

1. Autumnus 2. Approximately 40 3. Aurora season 4. Harvest moon 5. Leaves 6. Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius 7. March 8. The day and the night are both the same length. 9. Chlorophyll 10. Pepon

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