 KWAG (Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery) has been busy undergoing renovations lately. Once completed, the gallery will be fully accessible, have a new Visitor Services Centre, additional windows, and more. "Upon completion of this project the Gallery will, more than ever, be an inclusive gathering place where people of all backgrounds and opinions can find a home and share in important conversations." Construction started in January and will likely finish next month. KWAG has kept its doors open as much as possible during this time.
One way to experience KWAG is through their Walk the Talk Gallery tours. These free tours take you through current exhibitions and are led by an Artist Educator. This is a great opportunity to "learn more about the artwork, ask questions, share your insights, and meet other art lovers." The next tour is Thursday April 4th at 6:30pm. #365ofgoodWR
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I've had the opportunity to live in a wide variety of housing. I've lived in single detached homes, duplexes, friends' basement apartments, and numerous apartment buildings. Each type of housing comes with its own benefits and challenges. People who rent may have questions or concerns about maintenance or property issues, renovation concerns, and unexpected or unjustified rent increases. Thankfully there are organizations in our area to help address these concerns and support tenants. RENT (Renters Education and Networking Together) is one such organization. They have partnered with the Social Development Centre and WR Community Legal Services to offer a time for you to connect with other tenants and share your experiences and questions together. The meeting will be held at St John Church (on Water and Duke) on April 9th at 6pm. You can find out more information, including contact info, in the attached graphic. #365ofgoodWR   As our communities are exploring active transportation options and seek to create complete streets, I'm reminded of a conversation I had with a colleague recently when I mentioned my goal of eventually not owning a car at all. She was surprised and asked how I would get around when walking or cycling wasn't an option. I provided a list of options that I have used in the past such as the bus, a taxi, and carshare. Her response was simple "Of course, there's lots of options. I guess I just hadn't thought about them before".
Her response is not unique. Our brains are very efficient and love routines. When we find something that works well for us, the brain seems content to file that away as a routine that no longer needs to be thought about. For many of us, using a car to get from point A to point B has very much become one of those routines. However, I love the fact that I am aware of, and use, a variety of transportation options. It means when the unexpected happens, like our brakes seizing on the car a few years back, or the bus getting stuck on an icy hill, that I don't need to stress. I always have a back up plan or two for how to get where I want to go. If you're unfamiliar with the options to move around your neighbourhood, why not explore some of them this weekend. #365ofgoodWR  Waterloo-Oxford students are running a Relay for Life event this May and kicked off the start of that campaign this week. This will be the school's 7th Relay for Life event. At the event, participants will make laps around the track from noon to midnight all in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. You can find out more about who's running it and why, as well as their fundraising plans in this Kitchener Post article.
The Canadian Cancer Society has been running these types of events for 20 years. At risk of dating myself, these were not running when I attended high school. However, since my spouse is a high school teacher, I have had the opportunity to participate in a handful of Relay for Life events. It's always touching to hear the stories shared at these events and to make the walk around the track when the luminaries are lit in honour of those with cancer. These events help us "come together with our communities to celebrate life and give hope to those living" with cancer. You can learn more about Relay for Life on their website. #365ofgoodWR  There are many ways to create #365ofgoodWR but almost all of them involve individuals putting in time and effort into making our community a better place. I'm thrilled that this blog is able to shine a light on some of that work.
One way that we can all bring a little more 'good' to where we live is by becoming educated and engaged citizens. I truly believe that learning about local issues and providing your input can make a real difference in your neighbourhood, city, and region. Surveys, petitions, and even writing letters or emails to your elected officials is always time well spent. With that in mind, today I share the link to the provincial government's public consultation on regional governments. Whether you fall strongly on the pro amalgamation side or against, or somewhere in between, take a few moments to learn about what's happening with this review and to share your feedback. Online feedback is open until April 23rd, 2019. Today is Tampon Tuesday and you can participate by donating feminine hygiene products to our community. Bring a menstrual product to THEMUSEUM this evening and receive free admission (between 5:00-7:00pm). While there, visit the FLOW exhibit which seeks to destigmatize menstruation. All products donated will be distributed with the Food Bank of Waterloo Region and both school boards. #365ofgoodWR  Did you get a chance to see some of the unique and thought-provoking art installations throughout our region this past June? Installations such as Head-man, Arena, and Recognize Everyone (all pictured below) were a part of the biennial CAFKA festival. The good news is that you can experience CAFKA events throughout the year, including today at the Walper Hotel. This past weekend and continuing today the Walper has been host to CAFKA@The Walper 2019. If you missed out this weekend, a number of pieces will remain on display at the Walper until the end of April. CAFKA @ The Walper 2019 is an exhibition "featuring six contemporary artists whose practices are based in Southern Ontario. Works by Vessna Perunovich, Shaheer Zazai, Jordyn Stewart and Amy Lockhart will be on view from March 1 through April 2019 in the public spaces of the hotel. From March 22 through March 25 two rooms in the hotel will be given over to installations by Audrey D'Astous and the Call Again Collective. #365ofgoodWR
 As we anticipate the arrival of light rail transit in our region this spring, let's take a look at Brent Toderian's 6th resolution for cities. It states: Take public transit whenever you can, and while you’re at it, look around at and engage with the real, honest humanity on display that you’re usually blind to when you’re behind the windshield.
I have long been a user of public transit from my first independent ride as a tween in the small town I grew up in (a ride which ended in me getting lost and riding the entire route not once, but twice, before finding my stop!) When I moved to the region as a university student, I remember studying the paper maps and schedules to figure out my best options. After taking route 12 all the way from near Conestoga Mall to get out to Fairview Mall (taking well over an hour), I was quick to research more direct options! I still use transit these days but now that I live in the core, I find riding my bike or walking tend to be my main ways to get around the region. However, for those longer trips (or really bad weather days) it's important to have transit as an option. My favourite way to experience the enjoyment of using transit, is to bring young children along with you! I always enjoyed bringing my niece and nephew on the bus and their excitement to ride the bus really was contagious. Check out #GreatThingsThatHappenedOnTransit for more examples of why many of us really do enjoy using transit. If you haven't rode the bus lately, find your favourite little humans and hop on board this week! #365ofgoodWR We are fortunate to have many organizations locally that support our newcomer population. Some organizations focus on this solely, such as Reception House. However, many others have expanded their programs to include programs that specifically support newcomers. SHORE Centre is one of those places. Their Newcomer Health Programs "provide newcomers with accurate information, access to community resources and non-judgmental support in their own language. The program reduces barriers by providing childcare and bus tickets and addresses cultural and religious sensitivities by using trained peer facilitators from the participants’ cultural community." These programs are offered through partnerships with several other organizations such as local community centres, the Kitchener Public Library, the KW Multicultural Centre, and the Sanctuary Refugee Health Centre. The Healthy Women, Healthy Family, Healthy Community program is offered Tuesdays starting at 5pm at the Downtown Community Centre. A variety of topics are discussed such as family planning and community resources, parenting, and healthy relationships. Find out more on the SHORE Centre website. #365ofgoodWR   Rock Your Socks for World Down Syndrome Day! Pull out your most fun and colourful socks today in celebration of people with Down syndrome!
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. It falls on March 21st since individuals with Down syndrome have 3 of their 21st chromosome instead of 2 - therefore, the 21st of the 3rd month is World Down Syndrome Day (3/21). Join the movement to "create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome on 21 March. Each year the voice of people with Down syndrome, and those who live and work with them, grows louder." #WDSD19 #LotsOfSocks #365ofgoodWR |
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December 2019
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