♦

“A caring community where children and their families thrive.”

Fanily and Children’s Services (FACS) of Waterloo Region has a provincial mandate to provide child protection services in Waterloo Region. As an organization we are committed to building relationships with families and communities for the well-being and safety of children and youth.

We are seeking a Board composition that reflects the cultural diversity of our community and represents the populations we serve. We are committed to addressing issues of anti-racism, equity, and inclusion, and we encourage individuals with lived experience of marginalization due to age, gender, sexual orientation or are from the First Nation, Inuit, Metis or Black community to apply and self-identify to the organization.

In addition, we are currently seeking a Treasurer for the Board of Directors. This director will come with strong financial knowledge, hold a CPA designation, and will chair our Board Finance and Audit Committee. Please submit your resume on or before April 22, 2024.

The Board of Directors provides governance oversight and leadership of the organization’s performance based on the strategic plan. This is a voluntary position with a time commitment of approximately 5-7 hours per month. Board members discharge a fiduciary duty related to the position of trust and obligation to act honestly and in good faith to ensure that the best interests of FACS Waterloo are achieved in the decisions made by the Board.

FACS Board members play an important advocacy role on behalf of our region and are called upon to develop governance policies and make decisions that serve the best interests of the children and families in our community. In addition to lived experience we are looking for diverse perspectives and skills that support an ever changing environment focused on creating transparency and accountability.

If you’re interested in beinČ part of these courageous conversations, please send your resume and cover letter to april.moore@facswaterloo.org.

*Only those applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted*

The post Family & Children’s Services of Waterloo Region appeared first on Capacity Canada.

Xiong, B., Soriano, M. A., Gutchess, K. M., Hoffman, N., Clark, C. J., Siegel, H. G., De Vera, G. A. D., Li, Y., Brenneis, R. J., Cox, A. J., Ryan, E. C., Sumner, A. J., Deziel, N. C., Saiers, J. E., & Plata, D. L. (2022). Groundwaters in Northeastern Pennsylvania near intense hydraulic fracturing activities exhibit few organic chemical impacts. In Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts (Vol. 24, Issue 2, pp. 252–264). Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). doi.org/10.1039/d1em00124h

“The control volume finite-element hydrologic simulator, Hydrogeosphere, was used to model coupled flow and transport over a 190 km2 area in southeastern Bradford County that encompassed eight of the sampled domestic wells and 30 unconventional well pads.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE.

Fig. 5. Contaminant transport length-scales are short relative to the distance to nearest oil and gas well over the timescale of unconventional oil and gas well development in Northeastern PA. (A) Gas well drilling age and distance to nearest groundwater well (blue circles) are shown alongside transport distance as a function of time considering a distribution of hydrological conditions in southeastern sub-region of Bradford county, PA and two representative end-members: acrylamide (red, log Koc = 0.55) and bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (black/gray, log Koc = 4.99, where Koc is in L kgoc−1). The solid, dashed, dotted, and shaded regions refer groundwater transport velocities that bound the distribution of the results. B (acrylamide) and C (bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate) illustrate geospatially specific transport distances about 30 gas well pads (gray circles) near 8 groundwater wells (black stars) in southeastern Bradford County after 10 years.

In this comprehensive study, researchers investigated the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing activities on groundwater quality in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The study focused on analyzing organic contaminants in 94 domestic groundwater sites after a decade of intense hydraulic fracturing in the region. Results revealed that all volatile and semi-volatile compounds analyzed were below the recommended maximum contaminant levels set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Integrated concentrations of gasoline range organic compounds (GRO) and diesel range organic compounds (DRO) were also found to be low, indicating minimal organic chemical contamination.

The study utilized HydroGeoSphere (HGS) to simulate the potential movement of contaminants through the region.

“Groundwater velocities were computed from the calibrated model and were used within a Monte Carlo framework to infer the distribution in transport length scales for weakly- and strongly-adsorbing organic contaminants.” - Xiong et al., 2022

By leveraging the capabilities of HGS, the researchers were able to assess the transport of organic contaminants from hydraulic fracturing sites to groundwater wells in the region.

Through correlation analyses, researchers found that higher levels of GRO were associated with violations within a 2 km radius, suggesting a link between safety violations and organic compound levels. Additionally, correlations between DRO and certain inorganic species, such as barium and strontium, as well as methane, indicated a potential source of high salinity and organic contamination.

Despite the detection of select organic compounds in some samples, overall contamination rates were low, likely due to short transport distances from gas wells relative to groundwater wells. The study utilized a spatially-resolved hydrogeologic model to estimate transport distances, revealing a low probability of systematic groundwater organic contamination in the region.

Plain Language Summary:

This work illustrates that a large sampling of groundwater wells in Northeastern Pennsylvania have not been substantially contaminated with hydrophobic organic contaminants spanning a spectrum of volatilities (volatile organic, gasoline-, or diesel-range organic compounds) even after a decade of intense hydraulic fracturing activity. The reasons for this can include the relatively protective nature of groundwater flow in the area, long transport times of sorption-retarded chemicals, and a lack of systematic chemical releases from oil and gas well operations. Nevertheless, accidental chemical releases are commonly documented, albeit with limited specificity.

Abstract:

Horizontal drilling with hydraulic fracturing (HDHF) relies on the use of anthropogenic organic chemicals in proximity to residential areas, raising concern for groundwater contamination. Here, we extensively characterized organic contaminants in 94 domestic groundwater sites in Northeastern Pennsylvania after ten years of activity in the region. All analyzed volatile and semi-volatile compounds were below recommended United States Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminant levels, and integrated concentrations across two volatility ranges, gasoline range organic compounds (GRO) and diesel range organic compounds (DRO), were low (0.13 ± 0.06 to 2.2 ± 0.7 ppb and 5.2–101.6 ppb, respectively). Following dozens of correlation analyses with distance-to-well metrics and inter-chemical indicator correlations, no statistically significant correlations were found except: (1) GRO levels were higher within 2 km of violations and (2) correlation between DRO and a few inorganic species (e.g., Ba and Sr) and methane. The correlation of DRO with inorganic species suggests a potential high salinity source, whereas elevated GRO may result from nearby safety violations. Highest-concentration DRO samples contained bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate and N,N-dimethyltetradecylamine. Nevertheless, the overall low rate of contamination for the analytes could be explained by a spatially-resolved hydrogeologic model, where estimated transport distances from gas wells over the relevant timeframes were short relative to the distance to the nearest groundwater wells. Together, the observations and modeled results suggest a low probability of systematic groundwater organic contamination in the region.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE.

Are you a strategic thinker who enjoys working with others to achieve a common goal? Are you looking at getting involved with a young company making a positive impact internationally?

Do you have experience and skills that could benefit a growing organization? If so, we want to hear from you!

The International Cognitive Approaches Network (or ICAN) is a not-for-profit organization, incorporated in Canada in 2019. ICAN is dedicated to enabling people of all ages and abilities to succeed in performing the activities that are important and meaningful to them; to move from I CAN’T to I CAN. To that end, the organization increases awareness and availability of the CO- OP approach internationally by providing effective education to therapists worldwide.

We are currently seeking highly motivated individuals to join our board of directors. As a board member, you will play a critical role in shaping the direction of our organization and driving its success. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other talented professionals, share your expertise, and make a meaningful impact in the next phase of our development.

We are looking for individuals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences, including but not limited to:

• Business or finance
• Non-profit management
• Governance and executive leadership
• Legal expertise
• Information technology

If you are interested in serving on our board as a volunteer director, we encourage you to apply. Ideal candidates will possess the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership experience
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
• A willingness to participate actively in board meetings and committee work

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please submit fill out this brief statement of interest forms.office.com/r/U6xEPcXUEk

Noemi Cantin

Chair, Governance, Operations, and Finance Committee

The post ICAN – International Cognitive Approaches Network Inc appeared first on Capacity Canada.

NOT!

The pumping Target Rates have been in front of our eyes since 1998. These off-site Target Rates were to achieve BOTH hydraulic containment of the contaminant plumes hence preventing them from spreading in area as well as to slowly reduce the concentrations of the various toxic chemicals to below Ontario Drinking Water Standards. The on the Uniroyal site Target Rates were intended solely to contain the contaminant plumes on site. 

Consistency and reliability in pumping and treatment were required to achieve these goals. Uniroyal, Crompton, Chemtura , Lanxess, CRA and GHD have been totally incapable of keeping the systems up and running to their own Target Rates over the last 26 years hence the failure. The Ontario Ministry of Environment have rarely and barely even said "Tsk Tsk".  RAC, TAG and now TRAC will also do their best to ignore these failures and point their fingers elsewhere. TRAC members (i.e. RAC & TAG) rebranded  will go about business as usual begging for cleanup scraps along the Creek and  justifying the aquifer cleanup failure with a new "deadline" plus lots of rah, rah look how many kilograms of chemicals we removed from the aquifers last year. There will be no word as to how much new contamination has leaked off the former Uniroyal site into the aquifers beneath Elmira. 

Off-site Target pumping Rates  were approximately 53 litres per second in 2012. Currently they are  at 63.8  l/sec.  The total off-site pumping for the last four months (Dec.2023, Jan., Feb., March 2024) has been a ridiculous 42.4, 37.4, 28.5 and 44.9 litres per second.  GHD recommends in writing that actual pumping rates equal or exceed  their Target Rates.  

Hydraulic Containment also known as Pump & Treat or Pump & Dump is the cheapest and least effective remediation possible for contaminated sites.  These never ending pumping failures have been going on since the beginning. I no longer believe that they are unintentional. Lanxess are saving money every month that this crap goes on.  Woolwich Township and TRAC will serve as their cheerleaders.  

♦

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Board of Directors is seeking members to commit their time to join our dedicated Board.

We’re looking for nominees who thrive in an environment that promotes transparency, innovation, collaboration, accountability, inclusion and belonging.

Ideally, nominees will have a strong background in one or more of the following areas:

Legal – compliance, regulations; legislation, bylaws

Financial – budget & audit; fiscal responsibility

Investment – portfolio management; stewarding organization assets; supporting board priorities

Fundraising and philanthropy – strategy; donor relations; philanthropic giving

Community Engagement& Media – strong ties to the community; media; public relations.

We strive to recruit a team that reflect the diverse communities that we serve. Let’s unpack what that means for us.

We acknowledge systems may have unconscious inherent biases and we’re committed to disrupting that within our organization.

We invite those with varied lived experience and diverse lenses to join us in this work.

To apply, please reach out to Heather Davidson (infoHH@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca) with your CV and an expression of interest by May 15, 2024.

The post Big Brothers Big Sisters Halton and Hamilton appeared first on Capacity Canada.

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The post Waterloo Region Luxury Market Report | April 2024 first appeared on Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Agent - The Deutschmann Team.

The post Waterloo Region Luxury Market Report | April 2024 appeared first on Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Agent - The Deutschmann Team.

 "Source water protection" has a nice ring to it. As does "Country side line".  Also "aquifer recharge areas" and the provincially mandated, several years old now, long term planning to protect the Region of Waterloo's groundwater. I suggest that just as the "Country side line" has been exposed as a fraud in Wilmot Township, the other terms are also mostly smoke and mirrors.

The Region of Waterloo have been playing musical chairs with our drinking water wells for decades now. Cambridge in particular has a number of  industrially contaminated sites that have adversely affected their groundwater. Hence drinking water wells when pumping draw in groundwater from great distances away including changing the natural groundwater flow direction. This "management practice" of operating pumping wells for short periods of time (eg. six months) and then shutting them down and restarting another well has even been admitted to at public CPAC meetings in the past.

  In other words our regional authorities have been knowingly pumping from industrially contaminated aquifers for decades. Early on (late 70s & early 1980s) there was concern in Elmira when it was admitted that yes the regional aquifer supplying drinking water from the north and south wellfields was located directly under the Uniroyal Chemical plant. Now of course all our politicians and fellow travellors jumped in to Uniroyal's defence  with a myriad of lies and falsehoods such as there is an impenetrable clay layer between the aquifer and the ground surface as well as well the south wellfield is far too distant from Uniroyal for any contaminants to travel that far.

Thirty-four years ago there was a public scandal regarding liquid chemical wastes as well as semi solid wastes being sent to the regional landfill in K-W from Varnicolor Chemical via fraudulent lab reports showing that they were non-hazardous. Yours truly had tipped off both the Region as well as the media. So embarrassing  for the Region. That is the reality likely of all our former landfills as industries paid both above and below the table including bottles of whiskey to MOE officers as well as landfill supervisors. 

Right now as we speak the Erb St. Landfill is leaking leachate into the regional aquifer right beneath them that supplies drinking water to the St. Agatha wells as well as to downgradient wells in Waterloo and Kitchener at various wellfields. The Region of Waterloo are also using "management" practices to attempt to mitigate the extent of contamination in our drinking water wells caused by the Erb St. Landfill. Claims that nobody knew better than to locate that landfill directly above the regional aquifer in 1972 are ludicrous. Further claims that nobody knew anything about leachate collection in 1972 are also ludicrous.  Our municipal and regional politicians have always cheaped out on the important stuff such as sewage treatment and clean drinking water in favour of grandiose projects to attach their names and reputations to such as the LRT.  

This is a critical time in Waterloo Region that requires bold action.

We are on the path to one million residents and this inevitable growth requires investment and, most importantly, jobs. Preparing shovel-ready land is critical and will be pivotal to the ongoing success of our future economy and communities across Waterloo Region.

The Business and Economic Support Team of Waterloo Region (BESTWR), comprised of five leading business organizations, continues to be a partner for economic prosperity and community needs. We consistently hear that employment lands are essential to attracting anchor investment and job creation opportunities for our Region. These jobs will create the economic prosperity we need for our growing community.

This essential investment and the jobs created will carry Waterloo Region into the future, providing opportunities required for our growing workforce. Our community must continue to attract anchor investments that will produce both direct jobs and the supply chain jobs that inevitably follow.

We are frequently turning away investment because we do not have large and shovel- ready parcels of land. We cannot as a community continue to reject opportunities for stable, secure and well-paying jobs.

This trend will have a significant impact on our community over the long term and we need to plan for our future.

Global site selection is a serious business with an extensive review and qualification process. Considerations are varied and complex including the identification of a suitable contiguous large parcel that is flat, close to a major power supply, is not in an environmentally protected area and situated within a 45-minute radius of a large, skilled and talented workforce.

Shovel-ready land means jobs and investment that are essential for creating a community where all residents can thrive and experience productive careers. Investments create thousands of local jobs, supply chain multipliers and expanded services in Wilmot Township, Waterloo Region and across southwest Ontario.

These land assembly efforts, when successful, provide an important investment in education, arts and culture, recreation centres and healthcare facilities.

Consolidating land for jobs attracts billions of dollars to our local economy and communities. Our economic future depends on the success of assembling land and having the political will to proceed while balancing the environmental priorities of our community.

We appreciate there is a difficult conversation unfolding but it must move forward. Waterloo Region has an exemplary reputation globally and is a destination of choice for investment and accompanying jobs.

We believe that assembling shovel-ready land is essential for securing jobs and economic wealth.
Consolidating land as reported in Wilmot Township will be transformational with an enormous economic impact. We must remain committed to completing this process.

BEST Waterloo Region strongly supports shovel-ready land assembly and will continue to collaborate with all levels of government and community partners to secure an economic future of all residents.

Sincerely,

Ian

Media Contact:

Ian McLean
Chair, BESTWR
519.897.1029
imclean@greaterkwchamber.com

The post Open letter from Best Waterloo Region appeared first on Chamber of Commerce KW.

Today is World Art Day! The date was selected in honour of Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday: April 15, 1452. It is a wonderful time to celebrate art and to check out some of the intriguing art books that WPL has to offer. Here are a few of my recent favourites. Enjoy!

The Art Museum edited by Diane Fortenberry for Phaidon 

If you are looking to do a deep dive into the history of art, The Art Museum might be the perfect book to start with it. It works on the premise of what if you could visit all the greatest works of art in one dream museum, art from many civilizations and time periods all in one place?  The book is presented as a museum guide with 25 different “galleries” and 440 different “rooms.” It is a tome, curated over 10 years by a team of 100 specialists.

The pieces are presented based on chronology and geographic location; you get everything from Painting of the Ming Dynasty to Dutch Still-Life Painting to Contemporary Abstraction. I’ve been taking pleasure in just randomly turning to a page and exploring a different period or style of art, where each piece is identified and accompanied by a short description. Because this is such a big book, some images are smaller than I would have liked, but it acts as a great jumping-off point. If something captures your imagination, as Canadian Indigenous Art did for me, you can always explore a little deeper, which is what I did with my next suggestion…

Early Days: Indigenous Art from the McMichael edited by Bonnie Devine, John Geoghegan, and Sarah Milroy

Early Days: Indigenous Art from the McMichael is a breathtaking art catalogue celebrating the exhibit of the same name. It is filled with large, high-quality reproductions of a wide range of Indigenous work; 180 artworks and 70 accompanying essays. The title of the exhibit refers to many things, in part that it is early days for the McMichael Gallery (it is only 50 years old) and also that meaningful reconciliation and repatriation in Canada are still in their preliminary stages.

Edited by Anishinaabe artist, Bonnie Devine, many of the essays are written by what she describes as “Indigenous cultural stakeholders” – indigenous scholars, artists and knowledge keepers. They provide context for what in many cases are cultural artefacts as well as works of art.  Instead of essays, some pieces are presented with interviews, which turns out to be a wonderfully insightful way to explore their meaning. In the case of two wooden goose decoys (unattributed and not dated) Devine interviews Violet Chum, an artist and member of Moose Cree First Nations, about the use of an object like that in her community. Chum explains that these geese would be used as a decoy in hunting and as she hunts herself she provides an interesting firsthand take on an item that while beautiful was not meant to be a work of art.

Interviews like this take a very different approach to traditional art history scholarship which often works to interpret images and draw connections between the art and artists who came before. There still are essays like that here, which prove to be very enlightening for artists such as Kent Monkman, who references a lot of traditional European painting in his very contemporary work. Monkman’s art explores themes of colonization, sexuality and Indigenous experiences throughout history, using his two spirit alter-ego Miss Chief Eagle Testickle. Two essays are provided for his work one by a “settler curator” and the other by an indigenous artist and scholar. Addressing these works of art from so many different angles makes for a very enlightening reading experience.  

All Things Move: Learning to Look in the Sistine Chapel by Jeannie Marshall

All Things Move: Learning to Look in the Sistine Chapel by Jeannie Marshall is a personal and reflective book about her experiences with the Sistine Chapel. Marshall is a Canadian, who has been a long-time inhabitant of Rome and during the COVID pandemic decided that it was her chance to start to really “look” at the Sistine Chapel paintings by Michelangelo. She had been living in Rome since 2002 but always avoided the Sistine Chapel knowing it to be a tourist trap as pre-pandemic 5 million people a year would visit it. Coming out of the pandemic she had the chance to experience it with attendance restrictions, being one of only a dozen people in the room.

Marshall’s book is filled with lovely reminiscences of people and places in Rome, as well as historical facts about the biblical images depicted and the culture and time that the work was created.  Michelangelo took four years to paint the ceiling, from 1508-1512, and then revisited the work when painting the wall of The Last Judgement in 1536. In previous visits, she had felt a “sense of personal failure,” feeling that she was missing something in not being swept up by the art. In her continued visits to the chapel, she explores a wide variety of issues such as people’s reaction to art, the impact that religion had at the time of Michelangelo, and the fact that despite this work of art being 500 years, we in contemporary times can still find ways to connect to it. Marshall writes a well-researched and contemplative narrative, presenting a book that really got me thinking…about art and a lot of different things.  

This Book Will Make You an Artist by Ruth Millington 

We don’t want to leave the kids out of the fun of exploring art, so with that in mind, This Book Will Make You an Artist by Ruth Millington is an excellent choice for kids. Millington provides children with interesting art projects related to 25 different artists. In the “Now It’s Your Turn” sections children are encouraged to make mosaics, cubist collages, optical illusions or creative projects like “Decorate Your Hair with Flowers Like Frida Kahlo.” Illustrated by Ellen Surrey with bright colours and fun cartoonish characters, each activity is also presented with a biography of the artist and an image of one of their actual works of art.  

What I love most about this book is Millington’s attempt at embracing a wide range of diverse artists.  We, of course, get to learn about traditional male, European artists like Picasso and Van Gogh, but we also get introduced to Judith Scott, Emily Kame Kngwarreye and Yayoi Kusama…and if you haven’t heard of these artists they are all definitely worth checking out.  

The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel

Lastly, I already have my next art read lined up: The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel.  WPL has it on order and I’ve already added my name to the hold list. Hessel’s book poses the question: “How many women artists do you know?” I am very much looking forward to delving into a more diverse historical perspective with this book too! 

Last week, I spoke with a customer service agent at a company that sells window coverings, and I seized the moment to be a better ally. (Yes, it’s my life’s work, and I study and think about allyship all the time. But I must admit that I’m happy with every opportunity I get to do it in real life.)

Here’s what happened.

Agent: “Are these shades for your master bedroom?”
Me: “Yes, but it’s called a primary bedroom now.”
Agent: “Oh, right. I knew that, but I never understood why people stopped saying ‘master bedroom.’”
Me: “It’s to be more inclusive since the word ‘master’ references a terrible part of our history when we had slavery.”
Agent: “Oh, that makes sense.”

I hope you’ll seize the next opportunity that comes your way to share something you’ve learned about inclusive language or allyship in general.

Share this action on LinkedIn, on Instagram, or on Threads.

In Taryn versus Taryn (she/her) versus Taryn (they/them): A Field Experiment on Pronoun Disclosure and Nonbinary Hiring Discrimination, economics PhD candidate Taryn Eames published her research that found discrimination against applicants who disclose “they/them” pronouns during the hiring process. She also found that this discrimination is approximately double in Republican than in Democratic geographies.

And earlier this week, the New York Times reported on research that found equally qualified applicants who were presumed to be white (on the basis of their names) were contacted 9.5% more often than those presumed to be Black.

To minimize bias in your recruiting process, consider these approaches from my book The Better Allies Approach to Hiring:

• Create objective criteria for reviewing resumes. Choose the most critical requirements from the job description, and evaluate candidates based on those qualities, not their gender, age, pronouns, or other attributes that don’t equate to being able to do the work.
• Redact unnecessary personal information. Resumes can include information you don’t need to evaluate, which might create bias, such as a candidate’s name, schools attended, and home address. Think about what you can strip from resumes or applications to reveal only what matters to your role.
• Remind the interview team that bias can creep in. Here’s an approach that Google followed for removing bias from the selection process: give the hiring team a simple handout describing common errors and biases that assessors make, and how to fix them. Simply reminding people of these biases was enough to eliminate many of them. (If you use their checklist, I recommend adding something about pronoun bias to it.)

In a LinkedIn post, Alex Suggs, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, wrote about being misgendered in and outside the workplace. They shared, “I’ve found that bystanders don’t always know how to step in and support me when they witness me being misgendered. They often give an awkward look because they are aware it has happened but they don’t know if they should correct the other person and they wonder if I even noticed. I can tell you, I always notice.”

Their advice? Simply ask, “How would you like me to step in and support you if I witness you being misgendered?”

Suggs personally would appreciate the following kinds of support:

• Pause the conversation and make a quick correction. For example, “Sorry to interrupt, but Alex actually uses they/them pronouns.”
• Pause the conversation and create a low stakes learning opportunity. For example, “Real quick, just wanted to check with you, Alex. Do you use they/them pronouns?”
• If you don’t have a chance to pause the conversation, send a quick message to meeting participants. For example, “Just wanted to quickly name that Alex uses they/them pronouns in case folks on this call are unaware! Thanks!” Or follow up with the person who did the misgendering after a meeting or conversation.

Years ago, I remember learning that Travis Kalanick, then CEO of Uber, used the company’s lactation room to meditate. I was stunned that someone would so selfishly put his needs over someone else needing to use the room for its intended purpose.

Fast forward to today, and it may also be happening in other workplaces.

In a recent edition of Ask a Manager, someone wrote that “random non-lactating coworkers keep going in and locking the door to use the room on their regular breaks or to take hour-long lunches or sometimes for personal calls.” They added, “It’s multiple times a week, sometimes over several hours, that every time I go to access the room, someone is locked in there using the space for something other than pumping.”

First of all, don’t do this.

Secondly, consider how you can advocate for change if your workplace doesn’t limit access to lactation rooms (using key cards, for example) for only people who need to pump.

A few weeks ago I asked you to send me examples of actions you’ve taken after reading my newsletter, hearing me speak, or diving into one or more of my books. It was humbling and inspiring to receive the responses, and I can’t wait to share them with you. Here’s the first one:

“Thanks to your virtual fireside chat during the pandemic, and reinforced by your newsletter, I think about allyship in multiple contexts. Is there a silent voice I can invite to a conversation? Is there someone being spoken over who I can help give voice to? Is there someone’s idea who deserves credit where I can make sure they get the deserved credit? Each of these are small steps, but in totality, they make a difference.” — Todd Shechter

That’s all for this week. I wish you strength and safety as we all move forward.

— Karen Catlin (she/her), author of the Better Allies® book series

Copyright © 2024 Karen Catlin. All rights reserved.

Being an ally is a journey. Want to join us?

😍 Follow @BetterAllies on Instagram, Threads, Medium, or X/Twitter. Or follow Karen Catlin on LinkedIn

✉️ This content originally appeared in our newsletter. Subscribe to “5 Ally Actions” to get it delivered to your inbox every Friday

📖 Read the Better Allies books

🔖 Form a Better Allies book club

👕 Get your Better Allies gear

📣 Tell someone about these resources

Together, we can — and will — make a difference with the Better Allies® approach.

Seize the Moment, and Other Actions for Allies was originally published in Code Like A Girl on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

 Hmm let's see. Canada Mortgage & Housing on the hook for millions of dollars in abandoned townhouses due to methane intrusion beside the Ottawa St. Landfill in Kitchener. How about the private wells on Sandy Hills Dr. contaminated with solvents courtesy of the Woolwich Landfill (Seiling Dr. in Woolwich Twn.). A new water pipeline plus never ending aquifer pump & treat costs in Elmira, Ontario. The Middleton Wellfield in Cambridge has the second highest per unit  water treatments costs (only behind the Grand River & Hidden Valley) due to Trichloroethylene (TCE) throughout the groundwater. Oh and of course the Erb St. Landfill in Waterloo has cost millions of dollars in consulting fees alone I expect. Then there are the trucking and treatment costs sending the leachate to the Sewage Treatment Plant. There are also hydro costs pumping groundwater either to waste or to a treatment centre if they even bother to do that. What is the cost of destroying our drinking water wellfields? What is the cost of building a water pipeline to Lake Erie for Waterloo Region? 

Rest easy, the only costs we don't know are for the Lake Erie Pipeline but we will very soon know those costs only too well. 

Time: Sunday May 5 1-3 pm

Meeting Place: Heritage Clock Tower, Victoria Park, Kitchener

Walk Leader: John MacDonald

An interactive session that uses our city as a backdrop for an important conversation.

What are the spaces / places in our community that help us meet people who aren’t like ourselves? How do our actions in public affect our ability to connect with strangers in a positive way? Why would we want to?

What are the forces that isolate us, and what action can we take to counter these forces? What should we demand of community leadership to help create opportunities for citizens to bridge the gaps and forge meaningful connections among citizens of diverse age, ability, background and circumstance?

Lots and lots of questions that we can explore together, using some of the spaces in Downtown Kitchener as a guide for discussion. If nothing else, this will be a safe opportunity to meet someone that is not like yourself, and to enjoy the benefits that flow from that.

Time: Sunday May 5 3-4 pm

Meeting Place: The Assembly Point in the Parking lot at The Catalayst, 137 Glasgow Street Kitchener

Walk Leader: Barbara Larke

Belmont Village is now part of a vibrant street in the historic Westmount neighbourhood. But, this wasn’t always the way it was and of course the future brings its own changes. Where did the idea for the neighbourhood come from? How has the original vision morphed in the past 112 years? And where is that pesky White Elephant?  

Join in our mission to support all child victims of abuse and crime in our community! We are looking for champions, teams, and sponsors to help reduce our waitlist!

The post NEW! 1,000 Challenge first appeared on Child Witness Centre.

The post Punch Card Sale appeared first on Grand River Rocks Climbing Gym.

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In the monotonous haze of mundane data entry, Humza Ahmed found inspiration at his engineering co-operative education placement and an opportunity to innovate. His frustration for his work grew into optimism for the future of productivity.

With a vision of creating efficiency, Humza built a software solution using artificial intelligence (AI) that would automate their own data entry process.

“Many businesses don’t know the power of AI to support automation of their own internal processes”

Humza Ahmed, student founder of AutomaxAI.

It wasn’t until a visit with family in the United States that he found a greater calling. During his stay, he discovered the plight of real estate appraisers drowning in day-to-day tasks. “So much of their time was spent on similarly tedious and repetitive tasks like filling in forms or searching through databases,” Humza said.

Determined to make a difference, he developed software to streamline appraisal processes and found a newfound passion for the industry while simultaneously engineering new AI models. “The more I learned, the more opportunities I found.”

With each interaction, appraisers echoed their frustrations, which fuelled his conviction to bring change. “It is the feeling of making a genuine difference that inspires me to do this full time,” Humza said. With his idea refined, Humza entered the Velocity Pitch Competition. His product, Automax AI, aims to revolutionize the industry. It features the Appraisal co-pilot which helps appraisers spend their time on the analytical portion of their job which requires their acute expertise.

Unlike existing solutions, Humza’s software leveraged conversational Large Language Models (LLMs), offering unparalleled automation and insight. “My vision is to bring about a drastic positive change in the lives of existing appraisers,” he said. By relieving appraisers of mundane tasks, he hopes to attract new talent and foster innovation within the field. He anticipates a broader shift towards conversational AI agents in real estate transactions.

Acknowledging the potential disruption caused by AI, Humza said: “Where AI takes jobs, it always creates more opportunities as well in companies like mine.”

The post Mixing family and business: Student founder optimistic about future of productivity appeared first on Velocity.

 George Floyd and Breonna Taylor are two well known American citizens who paid the ultimate price for police misbehaviour and violence.  One was murder by a police officer and the other criminal negligence in my opinion. Here in Waterloo Region a few years back we had a burglary suspect fired at multiple times by Officer Darling while running AWAY from the officer. Running away not attacking! The suspect was hit by one or two of seven bullets fired and the officer was later cleared of any criminal wrong doing.  Any ordinary citizen "defending" their home by shooting a suspect running away would have been convicted and incarcerated.

Today's Waterloo Region Record ("I just wish it didn't happen") advises us that a brown skinned citizen (relevant??) ran over and killed an undercover Toronto police officer three years ago.  The officer and his partner were both undercover i.e. in civilian clothing as they attempted to stop and remove him from his car in an underground parking garage beneath Toronto City Hall. Here's the kicker. The man was with his eight month pregnant wife AND his two year old son. Oddly (?) he was not cooperative in the attempt by two unknown and unidentified aggressive individuals to stop him and remove him from his car. 

The two undercover police officers were allegedly investigating a stabbing at the time and clearly felt that that permitted them to behave aggressively with the unarmed man and his family. They had the wrong person and one of them paid for their aggression with his life. As bad as that is, now the innocent individual protecting himself and his family is charged with causing the officer's death in his attempt to escape the confrontation and the area. 

Police make mistakes just like we all do. Honest citizens should not be punished for resisting illegal or mistaken aggression aimed at them, regardless of the other parties state of mind. Our idiot politicians need to stop backing police carte blanche and pretending that citizens do not have the absolute right to defend themselves and loved ones from ALL threats and hostilities including government sanctioned ones.

You are ensuring that Joan can get a fresh start in a new community, by providing food and more.

Joan* doesn’t know where she would be without House of Friendship.

Every week, Joan receives food deliveries through the Kingsdale Neighbourhood Food program – delivered to her door because Joan is unable to pick it up herself.

Joan has been living in Kitchener since 2016. She moved here suddenly after escaping horrific abuse.

For a time Joan lived in a shelter. When an affordable housing unit became available in Waterloo Region, Joan jumped at the chance.

“I just needed somewhere safe to live.”

Joan was soon connected to the services at Kingsdale and found a community where she could begin again.

As a trained chef, Joan found it healing to volunteer her time with the food programs at Kingsdale.

“It gave me a sense of direction and purpose, a regular routine. It was somewhere to go, and it was fantastic to be able to give back. That meant something.”

However, growing health challenges soon meant that she couldn’t keep up her volunteer role.

But the lifeline of support she receives continues. Alissa, a Neighbourhood Development Worker at House of Friendship, brings Joan food from Kingsdale every week, and makes sure she’s okay.

“Alissa is a godsend,” said Joan. “I have severe dietary restrictions, yet somehow, Alissa still finds food I can eat.”

Joan continues to volunteer her expertise as a chef, providing advice on recipes and food for various program participants with similar dietary challenges. And while she has endured so much in her life, she knows there’s still a lot to be thankful for.

Joan said she appreciates that the community centre provides her with more than food – it’s a resource that connects her to other services.

“If the community centre doesn’t do it, they’ll find someone who does.”

“My community centre is so amazing,” said Joan. “And while there are things I can’t do, there are things I can. I can still give back, and it feels good.”

Your support of Neighbourhood Food programs ensures that women like Joan get the fresh start they need. Thank you!

*name changed to preserve privacy.

The post You are Providing A Fresh Start for Joan appeared first on House Of Friendship.

National Black Theatre and The Apollo Announce Transcendent Renewal of

The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout

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Creative Concept and Direction by National Black Theatre’s Executive Artistic Director, Jonathan McCrory

This performance is co-produced by National Black Theatre and The Apollo in association with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Saturday, June 1, 2024 | 7:30pm | Opera House at the Kennedy Center

For tickets and additional information: www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/explore-by-genre/classical-music/2023-2024/the-gathering/

VIEW TRAILER HERE 

New York, NY (April 11, 2024) – Join Nona Hendryx, Abby Dobson, Toshi Reagon, Joel Thompson, Carlos Simon, Courtney Bryan, Troy Anthony and more as they take you on a sonic quest to The Gathering. With virtual host Mahogany L. Browne as our guide—along with the American Composers Orchestra and NEWorks Voices of Inspiration—this experience is meant to be our space to collectively center the social impact issue of our time to awaken joy as a source of liberation, and to find love as our form of possibility and resistance.

Through orchestral, choral, gospel and soul choral music, this one-night-only event is the signature celebration for the Kennedy Center’s Conflux partnership with National Black Theatre (NBT) running May 26 – June 2, 2024. The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout will take us on a sonic quest produced by National Black Theatre & The Apollo. Taking place in the Opera House at the Kennedy Center, The Gathering will center the soul of Black folks and the heart of America’s brilliant and bitter present. With Creative Concept and Direction by NBT’s Executive Artistic Director, Jonathan McCrory, and featuring 80 members of the American Composers Orchestra, conducted by Chelsea Tipton, II and 48 members of NEWorks Voices of Inspiration chorale under the leadership of Nolan Williams, Jr., this night will feature the DC premiere of “Seven Last Words of the Unarmed” by Joel Thompson alongside Carlos Simon’s “Amen!” and Courtney Bryan’s “Sanctum.” In conjunction with these pieces, the night has been curated in the African tradition of call and response to include original works by genre-defying Black artists such as Abby Dobson, Toshi Reagon, Troy Anthony, and Nona Hendryx. 

The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout was originally performed to a sold out audience at The Apollo in Harlem, New York 2022.

“Technology, along with social media have not just invited, but commanded the world to join the on-going conversation about American police brutality and our nation’s flawed criminal justice system. For generations, we’ve borne the brunt of America’s unrelenting ways and in response NBT has continually answered this call by empowering artists, fostering community, prioritized advocacy and have created a space for a spectrum of voices to be heard. The Gathering is the coming together of all of these elements. What Jonathan McCrory has conceived is nothing short of a miracle; a sonic and spiritual salve to help our communities and our country to see itself healed and whole.  Much gratitude to our long-time collaborators and neighbors at The Apollo and Art For Justice for joining us as partners to bring this powerful work to Kennedy Center.”

Sade Lythcott, CEO of National Black Theatre

“The Ring Shout is historically an open space to grieve, awaken joy as a source of liberation, and use love as a form of resistance. The Gathering embodies that through all of the distinct and moving pieces of the evening, which at times may be emotionally difficult as we confront the horrors of injustice we’ve had to walk through,” said Apollo Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes. “But The Gathering also allows us to lean into a journey of the spirit that will leave audiences feeling healed and rejuvenated for the future. I’m thrilled that The Kennedy Center offers another chance for viewers to engage with this vital production.”

From May 26 – June 2, experience a week of family-friendly programming curated by National Black Theatre to provide a central space for folk to be in dialogue with each other and to unearth the compounded/dynamic narratives that rest in the Black Diaspora existence in America. Seeking to uplift 

the need for narrative change surrounding Black Culture, NBT has curated a roster of dynamic programming that includes performances, social practice demonstrations, classes and discussions throughout the week. All programming will take place on the Kennedy Center campus to help inform, inspire and engage our community in civic and creative discourse. This all leads up to the signature event happening June 1, 2024, The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout.

May 26 – “Dance Sanctuary” Movement

May 27 – June 2 – Quilt Making Art Installation & Workshop

May 27 – June 2 – “An Acknowledgement to Foggy Bottoms” installation by Mahogany L. Browne 

May 30 – The Gathering: Carving The Path from Activism to Liberation (Panel Discussion)

May 31 – The Gathering: “Traditional” Ring Shout curated by Rashida Bumbray

June 1 – The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout Performance

June 2 – The Gathering: Learn To Love Yourself: Silent Disco and Portrait Series

All events and artists are subject to change without prior notice.

All ticket prices are subject to change based on demand. Purchase early to lock in prices and the best seats!

This performance is co-produced by National Black Theatre and The Apollo in association with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and is an external rental presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rental Office

NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE (NBT) is a Tony and Emmy Award-nominated institution founded in 1968 by the late visionary artist Dr. Barbara Ann Teer. The nation’s first revenue-generating Black arts complex, NBT is the longest-running Black theatre in New York City, one of the oldest theatres founded and consistently operated by a woman of color in the nation, and has been included in the permanent collection of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. NBT’s core mission is to produce transformational theatre that helps to shift the inaccuracies around African Americans’ cultural identity by telling authentic stories of Black lives. As an alternative learning environment, NBT uses theatre arts as a means to educate, enrich, entertain, empower and inform the national conscience around current social issues impacting our communities. Under the leadership of Sade Lythcott, CEO, and Jonathan McCrory, Executive Artistic Director, NBT helps re-shape a more inclusive American theatre field by providing an artistically rigorous and culturally sensitive space for artists of color to experiment, develop and present new work. NBT has worked with trailblazing artists from Nona Hendrix to Jeremy O. Harris, and most recently, has helped launch the careers of Dominique Morisseau, Radha Blank, Mfoniso Udofia, Saheem Ali, Lee Edward Colston II, and 

Ebony Noelle Golden. NBT’s cultural production remains unparalleled as they incubated Obie Award-winning companies like The Movement Theatre Company and Harlem9’s 48 Hours. NBT welcomes more than 90,000 visitors annually, has produced 300+ original works, has won countless awards such as 2 Obie awards, 58 AUDELCO Awards, and a CEBA Award of Merit, and has been nominated for multiple Drama Desk awards. Located in the heart of Harlem, NBT is embarking on a historic major capital redevelopment project that will transform the current property into a 21st-century destination for Black culture through theatre. They’re supported by grants from Booth Ferris Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Ford Foundation, New York Community Trust, Shubert Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, Jerome Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation, City Council of New York, City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, and private donations. Visit nationalblacktheatre.org or follow NBT on Facebook (@NationalBlackTheatre) and Twitter/Instagram (@NatBlackTheatre).

Greeting visitors at the 125th Street entrance in Harlem is a restored marquee and façade announcing The Victoria. En route to the theaters themselves is The Apollo’s Laura and Frank Baker Gallery, offering a communal space for audience members to gather before performances, complete with refreshments and rotating exhibitions.

The new 199- and 99-seat studio theaters, the latter named after former Apollo President Jonelle Procope who stepped down in 2023 after leading the organization for two decades, are designed by Brooklyn-based theatrical consultant P&PFC, Inc.’s Christopher Buckley for full theatrical productions, live music performances, film screenings, special events, and recordings. Both theaters are flat-floor venues with acoustically isolated slabs and resilient sprung dance floors—as well as dressing rooms and chorus rooms. Notably, The Apollo has introduced across both theaters, a custom-built, retractable seating
system to allow for multiple configurations, making it adaptable to the needs of performers and collaborators. As The Apollo expands, it will also begin the first-ever full-scale renovation of its Historic Theater, which is slated to begin in summer 2024.

The legendary Apollo—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artists and launching legends. Since its founding, The Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world. In 2024, The Apollo opened The Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theater, marking the first ever expansion and renovation of The Apollo in its nearly 90-year history. The Apollo also has plans to renovate its Historic Theater. For more information about The Apollo, visit www.ApolloTheater.org.

With music at its core, The Apollo’s programming extends to dance, theater, spoken word, and more. This includes the world premiere of the theatrical adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me and the New York premiere of the opera We Shall Not Be Moved; special programs such as the blockbuster concert Bruno Mars Live at the Apollo; 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella; and the annual Africa Now! Festival. The non-profit Apollo is a performing arts presenter, commissioner, and collaborator that also produces festivals, large-scale dance and musical works organized around a set of core initiatives that celebrate and extend The Apollo’s legacy through a contemporary lens, including the Women of the World (WOW) Festival as well as other multidisciplinary collaborations with partner organizations.

Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, The Apollo has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres—including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at The Apollo are Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, H.E.R. D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Jazmine Sullivan, Machine Gun Kelly, and Miri Ben Ari; and The Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy. For more information about The Apollo, visit www.ApolloTheater.org.

In 1977, a collective of fearless New York City musicians came together to form the American Composers Orchestra (ACO), an ensemble dedicated to the creation, celebration, performance, and promotion of orchestral music by American composers. Over more than 40 years, ACO has blossomed into a national institution that not only cultivates and develops the careers of living composers, but also provides composers a direct pipeline to partnerships with many of America’s major symphony orchestras.

In addition to its annual season, presented by Carnegie Hall since 1987, the ACO serves as a New York City hub where the most forward-thinking experimental American musicians come together to hone and realize new art. ACO produces national educational programs for all ages, and composer advancement programs to foster a community of creators, audience, performers, collaborators, and funders – all dedicated to American composition. To date, ACO has performed music by 800 American composers, including over 350 world premieres and newly commissioned works. 

ACO’s EarShot is the first ongoing, systematic program for developing relationships between composers and orchestras on the national level. EarShot ensures a vibrant musical future by investing in creativity today and has served over 350 composers since inception, who have since won every major composition award, including the Pulitzer, GRAMMY, Grawemeyer, American Academy of Arts and Letters, and Rome Prizes.

ACO has received numerous awards for its work, and ASCAP has awarded ACO its annual prize for adventurous programming 35 times, singling out ACO as “the orchestra that has done the most for new American music in the United States.” Learn more at www.americancomposers.org. 

# # #

For more information please contact:

The Apollo
Sydney Edwards – Press@apollotheater.org

National Black Theatre

Edwin Tetteh Jr – edwin@thechambergroup.com

Samuel Koepenick – samuel@thechambergroup.com

Desmond Sam – desmond@thechambergroup.com

American Composers Orchestra Press Contact

Katy Salomon – katy@primoartists.com

The post National Black Theatre and The Apollo Announce Transcendent Renewal of The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout appeared first on Apollo Theater.

In an era where environmental consciousness is at the forefront of consumer minds, marketing sustainable products isn’t just a trend—it’s a strategic imperative. As businesses navigate the landscape of eco-conscious consumers, understanding the nuances of marketing sustainable products becomes paramount. 

In late 2023 our team at Kindle and Slate started working with Anne Mulaire, a sustainable fashion boutique based out of Winnipeg, MB. The company was in the process of making a pivot to ecommerce and was looking to take their marketing to the next level, starting with diversifying their channels and developing a strong customer acquisition strategy. Working with Anne Mulaire opened up my eyes to the world of sustainable marketing and got me thinking a lot about the ‘levels’ of sustainable consumers and how we, as marketers, can reach them.

In this post, we’ll scratch the surface of this complex topic, exploring key considerations for effectively marketing sustainable products and driving positive environmental impact while meeting consumer demands.

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a critical factor shaping consumer behaviour and purchasing decisions. According to a recent Nielsen survey, a whopping 73% of global consumers are willing to change their consumption habits to reduce their environmental impact. This shift in consumer mindset presents a significant opportunity for businesses to differentiate themselves by offering sustainable products and communicating their commitment to environmental stewardship.

Authenticity is key when marketing sustainable products. Consumers are increasingly skeptical of greenwashing—the practice of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about the environmental benefits of a product. To build trust with consumers, businesses must be transparent about their sustainability efforts, including sourcing practices, production methods, and environmental certifications.

Many consumers are still unaware of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions. Marketing sustainable products provides an opportunity to educate consumers about the importance of sustainability and the positive impact of choosing eco-friendly alternatives. By highlighting the environmental benefits of their products, businesses can empower consumers to make informed choices and contribute to positive change.

Effective storytelling can evoke emotional connections with consumers and differentiate sustainable products in a crowded market. Brands should leverage storytelling to communicate their sustainability journey, highlighting the motivations, challenges, and achievements along the way. By weaving a compelling narrative around their sustainability efforts, brands can create deeper connections with consumers and inspire loyalty.

Sustainable products should not only be environmentally friendly but also meet the functional and aesthetic needs of consumers. Investing in product innovation and design is crucial for creating sustainable products that resonate with consumers and deliver superior value. Businesses should prioritize eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient manufacturing processes, and innovative design solutions to create products that are both sustainable and desirable.

Collaboration with like-minded organizations and stakeholders can amplify the impact of sustainable marketing efforts. By partnering with NGOs, environmental organizations, and industry alliances, businesses can leverage collective expertise and resources to drive meaningful change. Collaborative initiatives can also enhance brand credibility and visibility, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability beyond marketing rhetoric.

I have learned so much from working with Anne Mulaire - overproduction, the cost (and volume) of waste, the need to educate consumers on ethically and sustainably made clothing. Carbon footprints. The list goes on. Marketing sustainable products requires a holistic approach that goes beyond greenwashing and superficial eco-friendly claims. By embracing authenticity, transparency, education, storytelling, product innovation, and collaboration, businesses can effectively market sustainable products and drive positive environmental impact while meeting consumer demands. In an increasingly eco-conscious marketplace, sustainability isn’t just a marketing strategy—it’s a business imperative for long-term success.

The Bank of Canada, at the April 10th policy meeting, once again left the key overnight rate unchanged at 5%. Wednesday was the 6th meeting in a row where the benchmark figure was left unchanged. The last time the rate did move was July 12th, 2023 when the Bank raised it from 4.75% to 5.0%.

The Bank of Canada remains concerned about inflation, here and in the US. While our economy has stalled a bit, growth is expected to pick up in the latter half of the year.

Despite the hold on rates average mortgage rates for April 2024 are down sharply compared to the late fall, with 3, 4 and 5 year fixed mortgage rates dropping by roughly 50 basis points.

♦

• 1-year fixed insured 7.40%
• 2-year fixed insured 6.74%
• 3-year fixed insured 6.05%
• 4-year fixed insured 5.92%
• 5-year fixed insured 5.54%
• 3-year variable insured 7.28%
• 5-year variable insured 6.82%

Is the mortgage stress test still a thing in 2024? Yes it is, and with the higher rates we’ve seen, it’s even harder to qualify for a mortgage. The rules require you to qualify at either 2% above the rate your lender is offering you or 5.25%, whichever is higher.

Being forced to qualify at the higher stress test rate causes the principal portion of your monthly mortgage payment to shrink, lowering the maximum amount you’ll be allowed to borrow for your mortgage. But the rate you’ll actually pay once you buy is the rate you are offered by your lender. Your monthly payments will be calculated from this lower rate, not the stress test rate. As a result your monthly mortgage bill will be smaller too.

The stress test has been quite unpopular so the federal government has rolled out several new changes to make it easier to buy a home. They are now offering a first time buyer’s credit of $5000, and an increase in withdrawals from your RRSP to $35,000.

In addition existing borrowers are no longer required to re-qualify at the stress test rate when they renew or refinance their mortgages. This will allow borrowers some flexibility if they want to choose a different lender as they are no longer under the pressure of qualifying at an additional two percentage points.

If you’re looking for mortgage info or help please reach out.

The post Mortgage Rates appeared first on Andrew Shackleton.

Grammy-Nominated Artist Eric Roberson Heads To The Apollo For One-Night Only Concert

Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 8PM EST

♦

Two-time GRAMMY-nominee, renowned singer, songwriter and producer Eric Roberson is set to captivate audiences at The Apollo for a one-night-only concert. Returning home to the tri-state area, the 20-year independent music veteran brings his signature “Honest Music” live, hot off the heels of his latest release, “You”.

Acknowledged by luminaries such as Jill Scott and DJ Jazzy Jeff, Roberson has earned the title of “King Of Independent Soul/R&B” for his unwavering commitment to authenticity. Continually peeling back the layers of the music industry, he generously shares his creative journey with fans, inviting them into what he calls “The Process”.

With an impressive discography boasting 13 solo albums, each a testament to the unwavering support of his devoted fanbase, this concert promises to be an unforgettable night of soulful R&B.

Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 8PM EST

The Apollo’s Historic Theater (253 W 125th Street New York, NY 10027)

General tickets start at $55. For more information visit, www.apollotheater.org/eric-roberson/

The legendary Apollo—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artists and launching legends. Since its founding, The Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world. In 2024, The Apollo opened The Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theater, marking the first ever expansion and renovation of The Apollo in its nearly 90-year history. The Apollo also has plans to renovate its Historic Theater. For more information about The Apollo, visit www.ApolloTheater.org.

With music at its core, The Apollo’s programming extends to dance, theater, spoken word, and more. This includes the world premiere of the theatrical adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me and the New York premiere of the opera We Shall Not Be Moved; special programs such as the blockbuster concert Bruno Mars Live at the Apollo; 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella; and the annual Africa Now! Festival. The non-profit Apollo is a performing arts presenter, commissioner, and collaborator that also produces festivals, large-scale dance and musical works organized around a set of core initiatives that celebrate and extend The Apollo’s legacy through a contemporary lens, including the Women of the World (WOW) Festival as well as other multidisciplinary collaborations with partner organizations.

Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, The Apollo has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres—including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at The Apollo are Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, H.E.R. D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Jazmine Sullivan, Machine Gun Kelly, and Miri Ben Ari; and The Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy. For more information about The Apollo, visit www.ApolloTheater.org. 

The post Grammy-Nominated Artist Eric Roberson Heads To The Apollo For One-Night Only Concert appeared first on Apollo Theater.

Written by: Michelle Mcdonald, Chamber Young Professionals Committee + Co-Owner & Office Manager at Creekside Hearing

If you are not familiar with the acronym, CYP, you will want to get to know it! CYP stands for: Chamber Young Professionals, a sub networking group of the Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Now by the title of this group, you may think this networking group is only for the younger professionals. Wrong! Let it be known that could not be further from the truth. This group helps bring young professionals and experienced professionals together.

Why might you want to network with young professionals as an experienced professional? It can be highly beneficial for several reasons: a new perspective, learning or mentorship opportunity, a potential collaboration or even succession planning.

Overall, networking with professionals fosters a dynamic exchange of ideas, promotes mutual learning and growth, and strengthens professional relationships that can benefit both parties eventually.

The CYP networking group allows all that participate to make connections within our community, while supporting young professionals. Not only does this benefit individuals and organizations that are directly involved, but it also contributes to the broader development and prosperity of our community.

How to join and find out more about the CYP events? For more information you can head to the Greater KW Chamber events page or follow us on Instagram or LinkedIn.

We hope to see you there!

The post What is CYP? & Who is it for? appeared first on Chamber of Commerce KW.

If you are looking for a story that reads like an historical fiction thriller, look no further than Tunnel 29 written by Helena Merriman. This story is of a real life rescue mission that took place in 1962 during the height of the Cold War between America and the USSR. Those of us who are of a certain age may remember having to do air raid siren drills in school, getting into the turtle position under our desks when the sirens blew. Much of the book is devoted to providing the background information on what was happening in East Berlin and the stranglehold grip the secret police, the Stasi, had on the citizens of East Germany. The wall was erected ostensibly to keep the immoral westerners out of East Berlin but it was in fact, a device to keep people in the communist realm. 

The book describes the incredible lengths the Stasi went to, to build a spy network that resulted in one spy for every six people in the country. The living conditions were horrible in spite of the grand promises made by the government. It was under those conditions that a small group of men in West Berlin decided to build an escape tunnel under the wall through which their family and friends could get free. What follows is a story that is so incredible, it is hard to believe it is not fiction. But indeed, it actually happened! And this book by Helena Merriman will keep you on the edge of your seat. This book provides a fascinating account of a very fragile time in political history. 

 May 2, 2016 the Waterloo Region Record published a story titled  "Town pushes feds on creek water". Way back in 2004 Dr. Henry Regier also tried to get the federal government involved. They were not interested . This time both TAG Chair Dr. Richard Jackson as well as mayor Sandy Shantz were trying to get some action (i.e. help) from our federal government but they are again playing hard to get. Keep in mind the feds were involved both in studying the grossly contaminated Uniroyal site around 1988 as well as in decisions around supplying war material to the U.S. military for use in Vietnam. I'm speaking of course about the use of defoliant Agent Orange which was produced here and elsewhere during the late 1960s. The unwanted by-product was dioxin which has done serious damage around the world. 

For Dr. Jackson and others the shocking aspect is Canada's help in assisting the Vietnamese people who have suffered greatly from exposure to products produced by Uniroyal Chemical (& others) that were sold to the U.S. military. While that help is appropriate the Canadian government's see no evil, hear no evil attitude to Elmira's related problems are reprehensible. 

It is very clear that our governments cherry pick the issues that they will address. Apparently a group of pacifist Mennonites in Elmira, Ontario are not worthy of protection much less even basic assistance from our federal government. Also to their shame our local councils have joined hands with our provincial government in coddling Uniroyal Chemical and their corporate successors. Neither laws nor morality have been able to budge the dirty, corporate polluters in our midst. 

From the moment I was elected to Regional Council in 2000, politicians worked on two things: Light Rail and the Countryside Line. Both issues dominated my tenure from 2000 to 2018. The Region was focused on preserving Waterloo Region’s environment and farmland by stopping urban sprawl and building a liveable region. The provincial government was excited about Regional plan and the Light Rail and transit that would knit the region together. Businesses and housing grew up along the corridor creating a smart city.

I remember saying to my husband, “This will only work as long as there are councils and provincial governments that support it.” My words have come true.

The countryside line that Waterloo Region Council worked so hard to enact has been secretly breached. If not for the farmers who will be expropriated, no one would know about it. 770 acres of prime farm land, including a cheese business, will be turned from agricultural to industrial in Wilmot Township. There is a lot of industrial land available in Waterloo Region in the Eastside lands. This is totally unnecessary.

This after years of consultations. Years of refusing changes beyond the countryside line to preserve our prime agricultural land. I think back to the angry farmers who wanted to sell their farms to developers and were refused. What about the company that lobbied council to rezone land in Woolwich? The developer who wanted to open lands in Cambridge? What must they think now? Will they all have a case for opening up the land they own to development?

It is interesting to me that the rumours are that this will be an electric car battery plant. If you are a Conservative provincial government with a bad environmental track record, what better way to greenwash yourself than pointing to battery plants. Never mind the possible destruction of the green belt and the cancelling of wind turbines and the hydro dam on the Grand River in Cambridge. Ontario government ads are already touting battery plants and more jobs.

About those jobs. New factories are becoming more and more automated. How many humans will actually be employed? As many as those presently employed in agriculture? A multinational plant will replace a local cheese producer and local farmers. Aren’t we supposed to buy local?

All those years of consultation and work to create a sustainable Waterloo Region. Farmers feed cities. With climate change causing droughts and fires, we cannot depend on California or other countries for our food and, frankly, we shouldn’t have to. Our cities need to grow compactly and up, not sprawl across farmland. Where does it end? Stratford.

It breaks my heart to see the good work of past Regional Councils come undone..

Here are some useful links:

www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/set-to-fight-for-the-fight-of-their-lives-wilmot-landowners-speak-out-at-regional/article_a10d30f7-b7ac-5dc8-b4c7-4dba430254a3.html#:~:text=The%20Region%20of%20Waterloo%20and%20Wilmot%20Township%20are,770%20acres%20of%20prime%20farmland%20for%20industrial%20purposes.

Time: Friday May 3rd, 7 – 8 pm

Meeting Place: Victoria Park entrance at Salisbury Avenue and Forest Road

Walk Leader: Kevin Swayze

Join journalist Kevin Swayze for a walk highlighting some of the historic homes and landmarks of Dickson Hill in Cambridge. Learn about how the area was transformed in the late 1800s from the wild “Dickson’s Bush” to an enclave of grand homes for leading members of the former town of Galt and for some of its middle-class workers. Share your stories about a neighbourhood where most of the buildings remain generally unchanged and residents celebrate its history with events through the year.