your kitchener - march/april 2013

4
The city’s publication for its residents March-April 2013 The legacy of Earth Day E arth Day is about connecting families to nature in the city for David Hunsberger and Fraser Gibson, who volunteer at the Kitchener Natural Areas Program (KNAP) Earth Day event at Huron Natural Area (HNA) on April 20 from noon to 4 p.m. “The more people appreciate and understand nature, the more likely they will respect and care for it,” says Gibson, who, along with Hunsberger, has been involved with the KNAP’s Earth Day since the first one was held in April 2007. “It is meaningful to me to see people discovering the intrinsic value of having natural areas in the city,” says Hunsberger. “This event encourages people to visit a local natural area, and offers educational insight into the natural world, by providing an opportunity to help the environment by planting trees and building bird houses, and so on.” As members of the Kitchener-Waterloo Field Naturalists (KWFN), founding members of KNAP, they represented KWFN on the partnership planning committee and were involved in planning early KNAP activities. KNAP is an environmental program that is focused on the stewardship of natural areas in the community. This program is funded and delivered by the City of Kitchener. At HNA on April 20, participants can build chickadee bird boxes, learn to recognize birds using silhouette stencils at the children’s craft station and watch a bird-of-prey demonstration and live animal shows. The Grand River Transit (GRT) Green Machine will offer free transportation to Earth Day events at McLennan Park, city hall and HNA. Hunsberger tries to make every day Earth Day. “Every day we can help the earth by reducing our negative impact of consumption and pollution, and by increasing our positive impact, through composting, recycling, conservation, to preserve the planet for future generations,” he says. “I attempt to live in a manner that uses our limited resources wisely, as well as showing respect for life and habitat,” said Gibson, adding he has planted at least one tree on Earth Day for a number of years. “To me, Earth Day is a day to take note of, and to appreciate the gifts of Mother Earth.” An eco-discovery camp at HNA July 2 to Aug. 9 provides another way to connect with nature in the city at other times of the year. An outdoors experience for the child who loves being outdoors and enjoys exploring and learning about our natural world, including wetlands, forests and fields. Each day has a new theme and a variety of outdoor, hands-on activities! Staff receive specialized training in the natural environment, and, like all camp staff, are police-screened and trained in standard first aid. Fee: $74 for four days. For more on KNAP, visit www.kitchener.ca/knap. For other Earth Month events, see the remainder of this story at www.kitchener.ca/yourkitchener.n A penny for your thoughts? W hile that saying may go the way of the dollar bill, the realities of phasing out the penny have implications in how the city conducts its business. You can continue to use pennies for cash transactions indefinitely, which means you can still pay to the nearest cent if you are using pennies, which will eventually be withdrawn from circulation. Cash transactions will be rounded to the nearest five cents increment as the Government of Canada guidelines suggest: l Amounts ending in 1 and 2 cents are rounded down to the nearest 10 cents; l Amounts ending in 3 and 4 cents are rounded up to the nearest 5 cents; l Amounts ending in 6 and 7 cents are rounded down to the nearest 5 cents; l Amounts ending in 8 and 9 cents are rounded up to the nearest 10 cents; and l Amounts ending in 0 and 5 cents remain unchanged. Rounding the pennies won’t affect how tax and utility rates are calculated or billed. HST will be calculated on the pre- tax price (where HST is applicable), and not on the rounded price. Payment by cheque, credit and debit cards will not be rounded and will still be paid to the nearest cent. The CLASS cashier system is being updated to allow for the rounding of cash payments, and, in preparation of the 2014 fees and charges schedule, fee structures are under review to make appropriate adjustments to minimize the amount of rounding required at the point of sale. For more information, go to www.cra-arc.gc.ca n “It is meaningful to me to see people discovering the intrinsic value of having natural areas in the city,” David Hunsberger, KNAP volunteer Your Kitchener is published every other month to keep our citizens informed on local issues and events. If you have questions or comments, please contact us by phone at 519-741-2200 x7383 or by email at [email protected]. The City of Kitchener is committed to providing accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities. If another format would work better for you, please contact the inclusion coordinator, City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo, at 519-741-2200 x7226. T welve years ago, Shea Van Sickle and Lora Woods-Dietze joined the parent committee for Summer Playgrounds. Both have children who spent summers in the program, and both are still actively involved at Country Hills public school site, and the Budd Park and Country Hills community centre locations. “It is a program that we enjoy being involved in,” said VanSickle, adding Summer Playgrounds give children a chance to connect, work together, sing songs, do crafts, play games and go on field trips with children their own age. “New friendships emerge during these weeks of fun. Being involved in a program that gives all children an opportunity to explore, play, meet new friends and grow as an individual is an enjoyable experience.” As parent volunteers, Van Sickle and Woods-Dietze attend start-up meetings during which they discuss the previous year’s successes and opportunities, help on registration night, and, during the six weeks of the program, attend weekly meetings with the leaders and summer coordinators. “We give support and advice on craft ideas that would work well, any new games that we have seen and we also volunteer our time on field trips if they need an extra volunteer,” says Woods-Dietze. Summer Playgrounds programs offers games, songs, crafts, sports, special Continued on page 2 Summer Playgrounds enriching experience for parent volunteers

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Page 1: Your Kitchener - March/April 2013

The city’s publication for its residents March-April 2013

The legacy of Earth DayE

arth Day is about connecting

families to nature in the city for

David Hunsberger and Fraser

Gibson, who volunteer at the Kitchener

Natural Areas Program (KNAP) Earth Day

event at Huron Natural Area (HNA) on

April 20 from noon to 4 p.m.

“The more people appreciate and

understand nature, the more likely they

will respect and care for it,” says Gibson,

who, along with Hunsberger, has been

involved with the KNAP’s Earth Day since

the first one was held in April 2007.

“It is meaningful to me to see people

discovering the intrinsic value of having

natural areas in the city,” says

Hunsberger. “This event encourages

people to visit a local natural area, and

offers educational insight into the natural

world, by providing an opportunity to help

the environment by planting trees and

building bird houses, and so on.”

As members of the Kitchener-WaterlooField Naturalists (KWFN), foundingmembers of KNAP, they representedKWFN on the partnership planningcommittee and were involved in planningearly KNAP activities. KNAP is anenvironmental program that is focused onthe stewardship of natural areas in thecommunity. This program is funded anddelivered by the City of Kitchener.

At HNA on April 20, participants canbuild chickadee bird boxes, learn torecognize birds using silhouette stencils atthe children’s craft station and watch abird-of-prey demonstration and live animalshows.

The Grand River Transit (GRT) GreenMachine will offer free transportation toEarth Day events at McLennan Park, cityhall and HNA.

Hunsberger tries to make every dayEarth Day.

“Every day we can help the earth byreducing our negative impact ofconsumption and pollution, and byincreasing our positive impact, throughcomposting, recycling, conservation, topreserve the planet for futuregenerations,” he says.

“I attempt to live in a manner that usesour limited resources wisely, as well asshowing respect for life and habitat,” saidGibson, adding he has planted at least

one tree on Earth Day for a number of

years. “To me, Earth Day is a day to take

note of, and to appreciate the gifts of

Mother Earth.”

An eco-discovery camp at HNA July 2 to

Aug. 9 provides another way to connect

with nature in the city at other times of the

year. An outdoors experience for the child

who loves being outdoors and enjoys

exploring and learning about our natural

world, including wetlands, forests and

fields. Each day has a new theme and a

variety of outdoor, hands-on activities!

Staff receive specialized training in the

natural environment, and, like all camp

staff, are police-screened and trained in

standard first aid. Fee: $74 for four days.

For more on KNAP, visit

www.kitchener.ca/knap. For other Earth

Month events, see the remainder of this

story at www.kitchener.ca/yourkitchener.n

A penny foryour thoughts?

While that saying may go the way

of the dollar bill, the realities of

phasing out the penny have implications

in how the city conducts its business.

You can continue to use pennies for

cash transactions indefinitely, which

means you can still pay to the nearest

cent if you are using pennies, which will

eventually be withdrawn from circulation.

Cash transactions will be rounded to

the nearest five cents increment as the

Government of Canada guidelines suggest:

l Amounts ending in 1 and 2 cents are

rounded down to the nearest 10 cents;

l Amounts ending in 3 and 4 cents are

rounded up to the nearest 5 cents;

l Amounts ending in 6 and 7 cents are

rounded down to the nearest 5 cents;

l Amounts ending in 8 and 9 cents are

rounded up to the nearest 10 cents;

and

l Amounts ending in 0 and 5 cents

remain unchanged.

Rounding the pennies won’t affect how

tax and utility rates are calculated or

billed. HST will be calculated on the pre-

tax price (where HST is applicable), and

not on the rounded price.

Payment by cheque, credit and debit

cards will not be rounded and will still be

paid to the nearest cent.

The CLASS cashier system is being

updated to allow for the rounding of cash

payments, and, in preparation of the 2014

fees and charges schedule, fee structures

are under review to make appropriate

adjustments to minimize the amount of

rounding required at the point of sale.

For more information, go to

www.cra-arc.gc.ca n

“It is meaningful tome to see people

discovering the intrinsicvalue of having natural

areas in the city,”

David Hunsberger,

KNAP volunteer

Your Kitchener is published every other month to keep our

citizens informed on local issues and events.

If you have questions or comments, please contact

us by phone at 519-741-2200 x7383 or by email at

[email protected].

The City of Kitchener is committed to providing

accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities. If another

format would work better for you, please contact the inclusion coordinator, City of

Kitchener/City of Waterloo, at 519-741-2200 x7226.

Twelve years ago, Shea Van Sickle

and Lora Woods-Dietze joined the

parent committee for Summer

Playgrounds.

Both have children who spent summers

in the program, and both are still actively

involved at Country Hills public school site,

and the Budd Park and Country Hills

community centre locations.

“It is a program that we enjoy beinginvolved in,” said VanSickle, addingSummer Playgrounds give children achance to connect, work together, singsongs, do crafts, play games and go onfield trips with children their own age.“New friendships emerge during theseweeks of fun. Being involved in a programthat gives all children an opportunity toexplore, play, meet new friends and grow

as an individual is an enjoyable

experience.”

As parent volunteers, Van Sickle and

Woods-Dietze attend start-up meetings

during which they discuss the previous

year’s successes and opportunities, help

on registration night, and, during the six

weeks of the program, attend weekly

meetings with the leaders and summer

coordinators.

“We give support and advice on craft

ideas that would work well, any new games

that we have seen and we also volunteer

our time on field trips if they need an extra

volunteer,” says Woods-Dietze.

Summer Playgrounds programs offers

games, songs, crafts, sports, special

Continued on page 2

Summer Playgrounds enrichingexperience for parent volunteers

Page 2: Your Kitchener - March/April 2013

Aunique collaboration is adding a

new dimension to the arts in

Kitchener. Charles�Fraresso�calls

them�“collisions,”�but�the�new�artist-in-residence�program�offered�at�theCommunitech�Hub�in�Kitchener�ismatching�artists�with�technology,�threemonths�at�a�time.�

Senior�manager�of�research�andinnovation�at�Christie�Digital,�Fraressospearheaded�the�two-year�program,collaborating�with�Contemporary�ArtForum�Kitchener�and�Area�(CAFK+A)�tocreate�art�using�12�high-definitionprojectors�in�a�3D�theatre�at�the�Hive�(Hub

Interactive�Virtual�Environment).

Digital�media�is�the�focus�of�one�of�the

new�emerging�economic�clusters�in�thedowntown�core.�It�is�also�a�driving�force�in

the�city’s�economic�development�strategy.

Christie,�a�digital�projection�company�with

700�employees�in�the�region,�is�fullyfunding�the�program�by�offeringtechnology,�and�supporting�the�artist�with

travel�and�rent�costs�and�a�living�stipend.�

“The�city�collaborates�with�Christie,�The

Hub�and�post-secondary�design�programs

to�promote�digital�media�arts�in�thecommunity,”�said�Silvia�Di�Donato,�thecity’s�manager�of�arts�and�culture.�

Di�Donato�adds�the�city’s�annual�youth

video�competition�uses�Christietechnology�for�the�Cube�at�city�hall,�where

juried�video�submissions�are�programmed

for�outdoor�projection�each�September.

“Engaging�young�talent�in�these�projects

offers�opportunities�to�work�in�digitalmedia�as�an�artist�locally,�highlighting�that

the�creative�content,�such�as�apps,games,�etc.,�is�the�driving�force�for�thetechnology�sector.”

CAFK+A,�a�non-profit�organization�that

supports�artists�and�curates�free�artinstallations,�invited�several�artists�and�art

collectives�from�across�Canada,�the�United

States�and�the�UK�for�three-monthresidencies�to�develop�new�projects�at�the

Communitech�Hub.�

“We�looked�at�the�work�that�the�artists

had�already�produced�and�looked�forartists�whose�work�would�be�enhanced�by

the�technologies�available�at�Christie,”said�Sarah�Kernohan,�artistic�director�of

CAFK+A.�“We�were�also�looking�to�see�if

the�artists�are�already�working�with�digital

technologies�and�could�be�capable�of

pushing�the�technology�to�its�limits.”

Laura�De�Decker�of�Waterloo�kicked�off

the�residency�October-December�last�year.

The�remaining�resident�artists�are:�

l Nova�Jiang�(New�York,�NY)�March-April;�

l Igloo:�Ruth�Gibson�and�Bruno�Martelli

(London,�UK)�April-August;�

l Dylan�Reibling�(Toronto,�ON)�May-July;�

l Michelle�Latimer�and�Peter�Mettler(Toronto,�ON)�September-November;�

l Pascal�Dufaux�(Montreal,�QC)January-March�2014;�

l Jesse�Scott�(Vancouver,�BC)�May-July�

“By�working�in�a�collaborativeenvironment,�we�are�hoping�they�will�be

able�to�build�that�community�and�also

bring�new�ideas�to�the�table�and�sparking

that�dialogue�with�artists�here,”��said

Kernohan.�“We�are�always�interested�in

artists�who�want�to�work�outside�of�the

traditional�context�of�the�gallery.”

For�the�full�story,�please�go�online�at

www.kitchener.ca/yourkitchener.n

Hop into Easter

Bring�a�camera�and�take�a�photo

with�the�Easter�Bunny�on�Saturday,

March�30,�starting�at�10�a.m.�Kids

can�also�make�an�Easter�craft�and

treat�to�take�home.�

More�information�is�available�at

www.kitchenermarket.ca

Kids’ Hop

Every�Tuesday�at�11�a.m.,�bring�the

little�ones�for�a�fabulous,�fun-filled

morning�featuring�music�and

entertainment.�More�information�is

available�at�www.kitchenermarket.ca

Kids in the Kitchen

Bring�your�kids�to�the�Marketplace

to�stir�up�a�storm�with�fun�themes�and

activities�focused�around�food,

cooking�and�nutrition.�Free�class�runs

from�10�a.m.-2�p.m.

l Saturday,�April�13�–�Chocolate:

the�fifth�food�group

l Saturday,�May�4�–�Make�it

Mexican!

Registration�not�required.�More

information�is�available�at

www.kitchenermarket.ca

Marianas Trench

On�Tuesday,�April�2,�Marianas

Trench�brings�their�tour,�Face The

Music: With A Vengeance,�to�The

Aud,�featuring�very�special�guests,

Down�With�Webster�and�Anami�Vice.�

Doors�open�at�6�p.m.,�concert�starts

at�7�p.m.�Tickets�available�at�The�Aud

box�office,�Centre�in�the�Square�box

office,�or�by�calling�519-578-1570�or

1-800-265-8977,�or�online�at

www.theaud.ca.

Billy Talent

Billy�Talent�brings�the�Dead Silence

Tour�to�The�Aud�on�Saturday,�April�6.

Special�guests�are�Sum�41,�Hollerado

and�Indian�Handcrafts.�

Doors�open�at�6�p.m.,�concert�starts

at�7�p.m.�Tickets�available�at�The�Aud

box�office,�Centre�in�the�Square�box

office,�or�by�calling�519-578-1570�or

1-800-265-8977,�or�online�at

www.theaud.ca.

Art in 3D

Planning forsouth Kitchenerdistrict park

Public consultation and focus groups

are laying the groundwork for a new

district park in south Kitchener. The 17-

hectare (42-acre) park will be located

near Fischer-Hallman and Huron roads.

City�staff�spent�several�monthsconsulting�with�potential�user�groups,such�as�affiliated�and�non-affiliated�minorsports�groups,�community�groups,advisory�committees�and�city�council.�

A�drop-in�public�information�centre�(PIC)has�been�set�for�Wednesday,�April�17�atthe�Dedication�Centre,�WilliamsburgCemetery�Chapel,�1541�Fischer�HallmanRd.,�anytime�between�4�and�8�p.m.�to�viewand�comment�on�the�proposals�for�thesite.

“We�need�to�develop�some�sportsfieldsand�recreational�facilities�in�southKitchener,”�said�Jim�Witmer,�acting�deputychief�administrative�officer�forinfrastructure�services.�“That�area�isgrowing,�and�we�need�to�make�sure�we�arekeeping�up�with�our�services�to�theseemerging�communities.”

The�plans�displayed�at�the�PIC�willidentify�the�major�components�proposedfor�the�park�site,�their�relative�size�andrelationship�to�each�other�in�a�preliminarymaster�plan.�

At�a�later�date�and�before�finaldevelopment�occurs,�detailed�layouts�ofbuildings�and�specific�park�amenities�willbe�provided.

For�full�story,�seewww.kitchener.ca/yourkitchener�n

Photo provided by CAFK+A

Continued from page 1

events�and�off-site�trips.�Programs�arelocated�in�community�centres�and�schoolsin�neighbourhoods�all�across�the�city.

l Preschool: For�children�aged�three�tofive,�born�in�2008,�2009,�2010.

l Junior: For�children�aged�six�to�eight,born�in�2005,�2006,�2007.�

l Adventure: For�children�aged�nine�to12,�born�in�2001,�2002,�2003,2004.�

“Our�children�have�gained�confidence,leadership�skills�and�made�many�newfriends�on�their�journey�through�all�thedifferent�playground�programs,”�said�VanSickle.�“Summer�Playgrounds�helped�maketheir�summer�vacation�more�enjoyable.”

Half-day�programs�are�available�forpreschoolers�for�$22-27�per�week.�Juniorand�Adventure�programs�are�all�day.�Pricesrange�from�$42-93�per�week.�Before�andafter�care�is�available�for�full-day�programs.Children�must�be�registered�in�advance.

For�detailed�program�information,�pleasevisit�www.kitchener.ca�or�call�519-741-2200�x7389.

Summer camps

Another�way�to�make�summer�fun�for�thekids�is�through�camps.�Registration�is�nowopen�for�full-day�summer�camp�programsrun�by�the�city�at�the�Breithaupt�Centreand�Kiwanis�Park.�

Camps�run�weekly�July�2�to�Aug.�19.Children�must�have�completed�theminimum�grade�level�before�the�first�day�ofcamp.�Cost�is�$147.45�a�week,�$118.03�forweeks�with�a�statutory�holiday.

Breithaupt�Centre�camps�are�for�children

ages�four�to�13.�Campers�participate�inoutdoor�and�indoor�active�games,�theme-based�activities,�daily�swim�in�the�indoorpool.�Camps�include:

l Kids Crafts and Games – Forchildren�in�junior�kindergarten�tograde�one

l Kids in Motion – For�children�ingrades�one�to�three

l World Explorers – For�children�ingrades�two�to�six

l Sports Camp – For�children�gradesfour�to�seven

Kiwanis Park

Kiwanis�Park's�119�acres�provide�anideal�environment�for�the�classic�campexperience.�Campers�spend�their�daysoutdoors�playing�sports�and�games,swimming,�making�friends�and�learningabout�the�natural�world�around�them.�

For�children�in�grade�two�to�seven,�campsrun�from��9�a.m.�to�4:30�p.m.,�andextended�supervision�from�8-9�a.m.�and�4:30-5:30�p.m.�is�available�at�no�extra�cost.

For�summer�camp�information,�call�519-745-8133.�n

Make summer fun for the kids“Our children have

gained confidence,

leadership skills and

made many new friends

on their journey through

all the different

playground programs,”

Shea Van Sickle

volunteer

Page 3: Your Kitchener - March/April 2013

Golf season is almost here! To get

off to a swinging start, Ryan

McBride, director of instruction at

Kitchener Golf, offers a few tips to

prepare for the new season:

l Grip — Since grip is the most

important factor in hitting solid golf shots,

it is important to focus on how you are

holding the club. “Most people do not

touch a club during the winter,” he said,

“so it is necessary to take the time to

make sure your grip is correct.”

l Short game practice — McBride said

his first few trips to the range at beginning

of season are spent on the chipping or

putting green. “Getting my touch and feel

back is much more important than

grabbing a driver and swinging away, and

will definitely lead to lower scores

throughout the season.”

l Flexibility and endurance — During

the off season, most people stop training

and stretching their golf muscles, so it’s

important to get the body back in shape

for golf by using the treadmill or bike or

walking outside. “Get the body used to

walking outside long distances,” he advises.

“There is nothing worse than getting tired

on the 16th hole and making mental or

physical errors due solely to fatigue.”

l Equipment — Get clubs regripped

if necessary. Make sure shafts are

fitted to your individual swing, and

change cleats on shoes for better

traction during your swing.

l Take a lesson — Even if it’s only a

half hour with a CPGA professional, it is

beneficial to have a trained pair of eyes

watch your swing. No matter the level of

skill, everyone should start the season off

with a lesson or lessons, to ensure there

are no bad habits creeping into their swing.

McBride adds, “At the beginning of the

season, it is important to pay specific

attention to tempo and making solid

contact. Establishing these early in the

season will help you hit better golf shots

and, in the end, achieve lower scores.”

Just in time for the 2013 season,

we will be relaunching our website at

www.kitchenergolf.ca. You can book tee

times online, learn more about leagues,

lessons and specials and check out

photos of the course.n

Globetrotters return

Get a seat courtside on April 9 as

the Harlem Globetrotters come to The

Aud.

This season, they are embarking on

a season-long alliance to promote

breast cancer awareness, playing

portions of games with specially

designed pink Spalding basketballs to

help the cause.

Celebrating more than eight

decades of fun, the Globetrotters’

2013 You Write the Rules World Tour

is the team’s 87th consecutive

season of touring the world. Tickets

available at The Aud box office, Centre

in the Square box office, or by calling

519-578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977, or

online at www.theaud.ca.

Emerald ash borer

The city’s operations division has

begun the systematic removal of

about 600 ash trees along residential

streets and active parkland in Ward 4

because of the emerald ash borer

(EAB). Last year, 125 large healthy

ash trees were chemically injected in

the ward to protect them from EAB. It

is expected the remaining untreated

trees will be dead within two years. It

is expected that tree removals will

also start in Ward 6 this year. For

maps and more information, go to

www.kitchener.ca, search “EAB.”

When they knock, know your

options

Kitchener Utilities and the City of

Kitchener do not go door-to-door to

market their services. If a door-to-door

marketer says they are associated

with Kitchener Utilities or the City of

Kitchener – this is false information.

Door-to-door marketers are very

careful with the words they choose –

don’t fill in the gaps for them.

Find out more at

www.kitchenerutilities.ca

Building permits now faster and easier

Planning a DIY project for the

summer? The city’s building

division has just made it a lot

easier to get permits and to check the

status of your permit application.

The city now has a new way to help

people make a building or renovation

project easier: an online portal to enable

builders and residents to apply for certain

types of permits on the web and check

their status . . . without a trip to city hall.

“Phase I of the online permits system is

now up and running, and builders can

book their inspections from the job site

through a mobile device, such as a laptop

or mobile smart phone,” said chief building

official Mike Seiling. “We expect there will

be a reduced number of phone or counter

questions about building permit

applications and inspection status as staff

will direct customers to online permits.”

Building permit customers have direct

access to the information in real-time,

online, anytime. The portal will save people

from taking time off work, driving to, and

parking at city hall to get permit approvals.

It also allows builders to book inspections

and check on results at any time of day.

The online permits system now processes

applications for:

l new, or demolitions of, structures

such as decks, ramps, sheds and

swimming pools.

l additions to single, semi-detached

and town houses, residential

alterations (including finishing

basements to a single, semi-

detached town house), and

l new, or demolitions to, garages or

carports on a residential property.

The portal also improves service

because customers now have a choice of

how and where they apply for a building

permit, request an inspection or simply

enquire on whether a permit was obtained

for a property. The system offers the

flexibility of performing all these tasks

outside of city hall’s office hours.

The next steps include adding more

permit types and moving to electronic plan

submittal and review prior to permit

issuance. In future, bylaw enforcement,

licensing, Kitchener Utilities and fire

services may be among those who will be

able to offer enhanced customer service

using the portal.

To read the full story, please see

www.kitchener.ca/yourkitchener. Visit the

portal at

https://onlinepermits.kitchener.ca n

Top o’ themarket to you

It’s great craic at the Kitchener

Market on Saturday, March 16,

as the market gears up for family

fun – Irish style! The market goes

green with Irish treats and crafts from

10 a.m. to noon, Intensely Irish dance

group performs at 11 a.m., and music

by the Shananigans until noon!

www.kitchenermarket.ca

CBC will be at the festivities as they

celebrate the launch of CBC Radio

One's new local morning show called

The Morning Edition on 89.1FM with

host Craig Norris.

Along with Craig Norris, come out

and meet your favourite CBC stars

including: Anna Maria Tremonti, host

of CBC's The Current, CBC Fresh Air

host, Mary Ito, who will be doing live

radio hits from the event, and join

CBC Television's new host, Christine

Tizzard from Best Recipes Ever, for a

live cooking demonstration.n

The deadline is approaching for

submitting your feedback on the

eight options presented for the Rockway

Centre’s future. We’re looking for

feedback from residents by March 22 on

what type of facility will meet their

recreation and leisure activities needs in

the future.

Eight options have been developed for a

future recreational facility in Kitchener.

What are your top three preferred

options? What type of facility would best

meet your needs and the needs of the

community? The eight options include:

l Repairing the Rockway Centre and

modifying the facility to meet

accessibility requirements.

l Expanding the Rockway Centre and

preserving the heritage exterior of

the original building.

l Replacing the Rockway Centre with a

purpose-built older adult centre on

the same site.

l Building an addition onto Forest

Heights Community Centre.

l Building an older adult recreation

centre on another site.

l Building a mixed-use facility on

another site and include an older

adult recreation centre.

l Building a mixed-use structure as an

addition to the Rockway Centre.

l Building a mixed-use structure in

place of the Rockway Centre.

We want you not only to consider your

needs now, but also consider what your

needs would be into your older adult

years. To fill out the online form, see

www.kitchener.ca/planningahead.n

Rockway deadline approaches

The City of Kitchener operates

family-friendly facilities and

supports breastfeeding mothers.

It’s tee time!

Volunteers rock!

Abig thank-you to the 2,000

volunteers who support city-run

programs and the 5,000 volunteers who

play such a huge role in making the city

a great place to live, through minor

sports and neighbourhood associations!

And to Canada’s 13.3 million volunteers,

thank you.

National Volunteer Week is April 21-27.

It’s a way for us to publicly and individually

thank our amazing volunteers.

Urszula, an adapted aquatics volunteer,

finds volunteering with children who have

disabilities a fulfilling experience.

“The parents really appreciate it,” she

said. “They appreciate even just being

able to have a break for 40 minutes and

just watch their kids have fun. It’s really

fulfilling. I will do it for as long as I can!”

You can volunteer on a regular weekly

shifts serving seniors and other at the

Downtown Community Centre snack bar,

with youth at a youth drop-in, or with people

who have special needs in the boccia ball

program. Volunteer one time at a special

event, or help a neighbourhood association

create the programs offered in a

community centre.

“I work specifically with people with

physical disabilities. The programs are a

great way to integrate them into society

and help them feel included,” said Trish,

who volunteers with the boccia ball and

Track 3 programs. “It’s really important for

both the volunteer and the people we work

with because it creates an inclusive

environment for everyone involved.”

For more on volunteering, please see

www.kitchener.ca/volunteer n

Page 4: Your Kitchener - March/April 2013

Emerald ash borer (EAB)is now established across the city. Most of the city’s ash trees will be dead by 2017, if no action is taken.

You can save your ash trees.Protect your large, healthy ash trees by injecting them with TreeAzinTM – a natural by-product.To learn more and to find a qualified service provider, check www.bioforest.ca.Help conserve Kitchener’s tree canopy.www.kitchener.ca

GAS LINE

SEWER LINE

CROSS BORE

Discover yourlove of cooking at

RE

Whether you know your way around the kitchen or not, can’t tell a saucepanfrom a frying pan, or just want a fun night out - we have a class for you!

Join us for a fun and informative class with one of our professional chefs inour newly renovated Marketplace.

Cost: $39, includes market bag and food prepared during class.Register by calling 519-741-2287 or email [email protected]

Join the conversation on Twitter - #KitchenerMarket

The Kitchener Market Marketplace – where foodies are born!

For more classes and registration information visit,www.kitchenermarket.ca or call 519-741-2287.

F i n d u s a t 3 0 0 K i n g S t . E . i n d o w n t o w n K i t c h e n e r !

UPCOMINGCLASSES:

TASTY THAI – MAR. 20GET COOKING WITH 40-MINUTES MEALS – MAR. 28THE GLUTEN-FREE ITALIAN – APR. 4MEXICAN EL FRESCO – APR. 10VITAL VEGETARIAN – APR. 11COMFORT FOODS AND OLD FAVOURITES – APR. 18MORE THAN JUST COOKIES – BAKING AND BEYOND! – APR. 25

The City ofKitchener isprepared…are you?

Listed above are just some of the major emergencies that could happen.The City ofKitchener has an official emergency plan in place and holds annual exercises and trainingto ensure our staff is prepared.The city’s role is only half of the equation.

Will you know what to do?Individual citizens should also have an emergency plan in place so everyone knows what todo when the unexpected happens.

Working together, we can help deal with the unexpected and recover from an emergency in ourcommunity.

For more information about emergency preparedness visitwww.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/home.html and for a copy ofKitchener’s plan and tips on preparing a family emergency plan, visitwww.kitchener.ca/beprepared

• Tornadoes• Winter storms• Flooding• Human health

emergencies