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Iyad Ansari (left) and Lucas Lefebvre (right) have signed with the Kitchener Panthers.

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KITCHENER - The Kitchener Panthers have signed a new catcher to work with Yunior Ibarra, and an infielder who started the season with the Welland Jackfish.

Iyad Ansari comes to Kitchener after playing in his sophomore season with Erie Community College (NJCAA D3). He hit .341 in 30 games this spring. 

He previously played for Pensacola State.

Lucas Lefebvre was signed by the Jackfish in April, and played in two games for Welland this year.

Lefebvre just wrapped up his senior year at Missouri Baptist University, and also played for the Fort MacMurray Giants in the Western Canadian Baseball League.

"Even though he's young, Iyad has plenty of baseball experience," said general manager Shanif Hirani.

"From playing junior college, to the Pakistan National Team, Iyad will bring his unique experiences to our roster. He is also coming off a great season with Erie CC and we are excited to see it translate into the IBL."

On Lefebvre, Hirani said he is happy to acquire him and put him on the roster.

"He adds another young, versatile player to our team, and gives our coaching staff more flexibility with their lineup construction. We are excited to watch him develop and play with us."

Available properties for sale reached a new 10 year high across the Region, driven in part by low sales volumes in almost every sector. This increased availability is not a new thing mind you, as inventories have been gradually rising since mid 2022. We are now seeing the detached sector almost into neutral status, with semis much improved as well. The townhouse market remains balanced, albeit with slightly lowered levels compared to April. Apartment style condos are well into buyer territory with 8 months of available stock.

While listing have increased, our local market has seen a gradual but less pronounced reduction in sales volumes over the past few years. There’s still the usual increases in the busy spring and fall markets but the figures are at lower levels than usual compared to the 10 year average. These changes have improved selection considerably for buyers this spring.

Prices are down as well, but not markedly so. The bulk of the market, single detached, was down 1% on the month and 3% on the year. But housing is considerably more affordable this May compared to last year due to the combination of lower mortgage rates and prices. The numbers I’ve quoted below are using the mandatory stress test rate, and your actual figures will be lower. The average detached home last May had payments of $5567 with 200k down. An equivalent home now costs $4456 a month in comparison, that’s over 13k less per year in mortgage payments.

The big winner for buyers is apartment style condos, down 9% on the year. Changing investor sentiment and declining international student enrolment are big factors. This is not a Waterloo phenomenon either, the GTA market is lower for these properties too.

Regarding future prices, I’d expect that the sectors most commonly chosen by the investment community will be impacted the most. Regular homeowners have proved to be remarkably stubborn with regard to lowered expectations on prices. This is certainly a plausible reason for the high number of listings we have in combination with low sales volumes.

Lastly, the Bank of Canada held firm on its rate policy, leaving the overnight rate unchanged at 2.75%. This is certainly a cautious move that makes sense. There is a lot of craziness south of the border, with the recent Trump and Musk marriage seemingly on the rocks. Tariffs are very much a problem too, one that is certainly inflationary. On the other hand our employment numbers show that our economic situation is definitely slowing.

The post May 2025 Market Review appeared first on Andrew Shackleton.

In the late 1980s, my manager returned from a visit to Microsoft with a story that’s stayed with me ever since.

He was in a meeting around a large conference table when he noticed something unusual. Everyone leaned back in their chairs with their hands clasped behind their heads. Curious, he asked his host afterward, “What’s up with Microsoft employees? Why do they all sit like that?”

His host chuckled and said, “That’s how Bill sits.” (Referring to Bill Gates, of course.)

That simple moment said a lot. When people admire someone, they mirror their behavior — often without even realizing it. That’s the ripple effect in action.

And here’s the exciting part: you can create your own inclusion ripple effect.

Every small act of allyship you practice — amplifying voices in meetings, acknowledging people’s ideas, stopping interruptions, endorsing coworkers, singing someone’s praises, sharing unwritten rules — can inspire others to do the same. Whether they notice it consciously or not, your example has power. Culture shifts one behavior at a time, and others will follow your lead.

So, while some of my newsletter actions may seem small, don’t underestimate them. They’re seeds of change — amplified by every person who picks them up and passes them on.

Ready to start a ripple? Keep reading for this week’s ideas.

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

Last week, I attended the Advancing the Allyship Agenda conference hosted by the Gender & Work Initiative at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. The talks were fantastic, and I took loads of notes to share what I learned with all of you in my upcoming newsletters.

Here’s the first: Revive the art of apprenticeship to unlock continuous skill development.

Michelle Lyons, PhD, a senior expert at McKinsey & Company specializing in leadership development, spoke about the effectiveness of the three “ships” — mentorship, sponsorship, and apprenticeship.

While all are important for someone’s career growth, I was intrigued by the third one. I had never considered everyday acts of apprenticeship as a model for allies.

Lyons defined it as giving people the opportunity to learn skills in the flow of work. Specifically,

• Share your mental model. Teach people how you approach meetings and problem-solving instead of telling them what to do.
• Always bring a plus one. Ahead of time, explain how you’re prepping for that meeting or planning to address topics.
• Feedback is a gift. Give development feedback on how someone just did that task or activity. For example, “You did a great job with that client meeting; here’s what I witnessed; here’s the next thing to work on.”

You can learn more about McKinsey’s approach from their podcast episode Apprenticeship gets a makeover.

We’ve all got them: Personal things we must do during work hours, such as attending children’s school events or appointments with healthcare providers. We might need to be home for a repair person or to care for a sick family member. We might take a day off for religious reasons.

While not all workers have the privilege and flexibility to take time off as needed to handle such commitments, many of us do. If you’re one of them, do you try to slink away from your office or lab, hoping no one notices? Or do you take the opportunity to “leave loudly” and tell people why you’re heading out or going to be unavailable for a while?

Let’s send a message that prioritizing personal needs and utilizing flexible, family-friendly policies is okay (and frequently required).

We can be transparent about it on our calendar, with a Slack status, or using an automated email response. For example,

• Working remotely to care for a sick child.
• Leaving at 4pm today to coach youth basketball.
• OOO for a doctor’s appointment.
• At home, waiting for a plumber.
• On parental leave.

(That last one is crucial for guys to be loud about. Many American men don’t take advantage of it, perhaps over concerns they’ll be seen as less committed employees. The more men taking parental leave, the more accepted it will be.)

In a time when inclusion efforts are being politicized and even rolled back, it’s more important than ever to broadcast your support for traditionally marginalized and overlooked coworkers. One powerful way to do that? Attend an Employee Resource Group (ERG) meeting.

Even if you’re not part of the community the ERG represents, your presence sends a clear message: I see you, I support you, and I’m committed to inclusion.

It’s also a chance to learn, listen, and build stronger workplace connections.

Just remember — this is their space. Be respectful, show up with humility, and let them lead.

And broadcast your support beforehand, hopefully encouraging others to attend with you. Let folks know by mentioning it casually or posting about it on an internal discussion forum. For example, “Looking forward to the upcoming Pride ERG meeting. Who else will be there?”

This week’s spotlight on an ally action from the Better Allies community is from a newsletter subscriber who wrote,

“Any time I read something in your newsletter that I want our company to consider, I send it to someone who can make it happen. For example, I forwarded this newsletter from last year to our DEI Director and an HR Specialist in the hopes that ‘#4 Share interview questions ahead of time’ will be considered.”

I love this example of creating an inclusion ripple in an organization.

If you’ve taken a step towards being a better ally, please reply to this email and tell me about it. And mention if I can quote you by name or credit you anonymously in an upcoming newsletter.

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
pronounced KAIR-en KAT-lin, click to hear my name

Copyright © 2025 Karen Catlin. All rights reserved.

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

• Follow @BetterAllies on Bluesky, Instagram, Medium, Threads, or YouTube. 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.

Start an Inclusion Ripple, 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.

MLX: An array framework for Apple silicon

C++ 20.8k 1 issue needs help Updated Jun 7

Known exposure pathways have indicated serious exposures far in excess of multiple criteria, ongoing for decades. Many of the past exposures such as solvents in the Creek (the "Gig") include benzene, toluene, chlorobenzene, chlorophenols etc. aren't even on anybody's radar because they are mostly gone way downstream now but have done damage to humans and wildlife in the past. Meanwhile nobody even wants to look at other known contaminants in the Creek such as mercury and PCBs because they claim they come from a different source than Uniroyal Chemical. So start figuring in what effects those contaminants have on DDT and dioxin/furan toxicity and the risk multiplies. Finally remember that the MECP and scientists are virtually unable to figure out cumulative risks if multiple contaminants are present thus they only look at the single risks of each contaminant versus the unknown cumulative risks. Therefore if you have excess cancer risks of 8 per 100,000 people for DDT alone and 9 per 100,000 people for dioxins/furans they don't add them together, they pretend that there are no synergistic (multiplying) effects. Then add in all the past exposures (previously mentioned solvents) plus risks from Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) and mercury and PCBs whatever the source and your actual health risks are multiple times higher than the mathematical manipulations they use to allegedly determine risk.

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The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, the smell of freshly cut grass. Baseball season is in full swing here in Kitchener, and we are thrilled with how the first month has unfolded! As we look back on the start of the 2025 season, KMBA wants to extend our deepest gratitude to the incredible individuals who make it all possible: our dedicated coaches and volunteers.

It’s been a busy and exciting few weeks since the season officially kicked off in early May. Our teams, from the first-time players to competitive Rep teams, have been hitting the diamonds across Kitchener and beyond, showing tremendous spirit, effort, and sportsmanship. We’ve seen fantastic plays, nail-biting finishes, and countless moments of growth and camaraderie among our players.

You have been making their mark in the Intercounty Baseball Association (ICBA). We’ve seen some impressive performances and exciting games from our Panthers at all age levels. You can follow all the action and keep up with their schedules and results on the ICBA website at icbabaseball.ca. Be sure to check out the standings and upcoming games to cheer them on!

You are the backbone of our association, teaching fundamental skills, fostering a love for the game, and instilling valuable life lessons in our young athletes. From early morning practices to late-night games, your commitment to developing our players, both on and off the field, is truly inspiring.

♦

Whether you’re managing teams, organizing events, scorekeeping, field prepping, or lending a helping hand in any way, your contributions are invaluable. Your passion and commitment ensure that every child has a positive and memorable baseball experience.

We are only a month into the season, but the energy and enthusiasm are palpable. We’re looking forward to many more exciting games, continued development for our players, and a season filled with unforgettable moments.

Be sure to follow and tag Kitchener Minor Baseball on Instagram to get your team and players more visibility

♦

The post A Huge Shout-Out to Our Amazing Coaches and Volunteers appeared first on Kitchener Minor Baseball.

McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) is a premier research and innovation park supporting startups, business, research and offering collaborative space to transform ideas from vision to commercial reality. Our mission is to help companies grow. MIP acts as a bridge between academia and industry by supporting researchers with commercial aspirations and enabling students and entrepreneurs to develop their ideas in our incubator and accelerator programs, while also connecting industry with the technical prowess of McMaster University and other academic institutions.

MIP is seeking exceptional individuals with industry or academic leadership experience to join the Board of Directors of this fascinating and exciting organization. Those with relevant experience in areas such as life sciences, advanced materials and manufacturing, information communication technology, knowledge of academic environment, the commercialization of research, development of research infrastructure, technology investment or broader investment (VC, angel) combined with financial (including CPAs) or legal background, international exposure and large business expertise are encouraged to apply. Prior board experience and understanding of leading governance principles and practices gained as a senior executive and/or Board member is highly desirable. Candidates meeting these qualifications who also bring additional diversity to the Board are also of interest.

The Board provides independent, strategic oversight and stewardship to the organization, ensuring the financial viability and sustainability of the organization, assessing, mitigating and managing risk, and setting the organization’s strategy. Directors serve a three-year term with eligibility for reappointment for up to an additional three years. The Board meets bi-monthly virtually. Board members are required to serve on at least one Committee of the Board. These positions are voluntary in nature.

• Applications for the Board must include a CV and letter including a description of relevant experience and expertise, as well as the reasons you are interested in joining the MIP Board
• Please send applications to mip@mcmaster.ca.

We thank all those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.

The post McMaster Innovation Park appeared first on Capacity Canada.

Hmm I love the word conflate. I think that our reporter friend conflated the disgusting issue of compensation fighting with the province over cancer from airborne volatile organic chemicals at the former Uniroyal Strange St. Kitchener tire plant with the equally disgusting exposures to DDT and dioxins/furans at the Elmira chemical plant. Also speaking of conflation it may appear that the Titles of yesterday's Blog posting and today's have been conflated.

Look at a map of the Uniroyal Chemical/Lanxess property in Elmira that shows where many (not all) of the buried wastes were/are buried. First of all the west side ponds and lagoons are all nudged up tight with the Canagagigue Creek which runs through the property from north to south. In other words the west side ponds and lagoons are moved as far to the east as the Creek allows. Why would either the company or the OWRC/MOE ever permit that clear intention for overflow directly into the Creek? Now look at the east side pits and ponds location. Again the east side is the larger of the two sides and there is to this day nothing but empty space over there. So why did they locate all their east side pits and ponds tight up to the eastern property line with their neighbour Earl Stroh? One suggestion that I have received is that when these toxic waste pits were being planned Uniroyal wanted them as far as possible from their workers and from the general public. They did not want issues with odour complaints, stinging eyes, breathing problems etc. Remember the west side pits both conveniently overflowed/drained into the Creek on their own and were washed away and as well at least annual flooding completely emptied them into the Canagagigue Creek.

So if Uniroyal Chemical were concerned with public perception of their business as either dirty, smelly or poisonous why were they unafraid of complaints from Earl Stroh, his wife and eventually four children? They had to have compensated him! He was NOT a Mennonite with a religious distaste for taking arguments and disagreements to court. Even our most biased, pro business, pro big shot courts here in Waterloo Region would have had a difficult time not telling Uniroyal that they had literally hundreds of metres of open space from Earl Stroh's property line westwards towards the Creek.  Especially so when you realize that Mr. Stroh was planting both corn and soybeans for animal and likely human feed right up to his property line.  

Then there are the local legends. I distinctly recall being told in the early to mid nineties at UPAC (Uniroyal Public Advisory Committee) meetings that Uniroyal used to deliver an envelope full of money to the Stroh household each Christmas.  Allegedly this was due to "crop damage" along their shared property line. Afterall Uniroyal was pumping millions of gallons of waste water from the west side over to the east side pits and ponds through two pipelines. Much of these wastewaters included herbicides which would kill crops and vegetation. I personally recall seeing crop damage at the northern end of the Stroh field beside Uniroyal well into the 1990s two decades after the pumping had stopped. Other rumours circulated decades earlier including that some knowledgeable  parents warned their children to stay well away from the Stroh swamp as it was full of chemicals. 

Uniroyal/Lanxess like to suggest that their environmental sins were "historical" and or were the industry standard at the time.  Well if murder and mayhem were the industry norm would they have participated in that as well? 

Finally I will also point out that the Stroh family likely paid a high health price for any money that they received.  Yes one of the four children has done extraordinarily well financially. Is it possible that that financial estate started via permitting an alternate route for Uniroyal chemical liquid wastes to discharge further eastwards and downstream into the Canagagigue Creek beyond the Ministry of Environment's normal monitoring at the time?  

Register: Online at our KWality Talk Page, this is an in person event.

Location: Morty’s Pub, 272 King St N, Waterloo, ON N2J 2Y9

Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Details:

It’s that time of year again! On June 25 join the board and members of the KWSQA community at Morty’s Pub for an evening of food, drinks, and socializing with your peers.

The social will kick off at 6pm and will run until 8pm. We’re hoping to host the social on the patio to enjoy the summer weather, but in the case of inclement weather the event will be moved indoors. Food will also be provided through the event by KWSQA. Drinks and extra food will be the responsibility of attendees.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Over the past six months, Forward Education and InkSmith have partnered with school divisions across Alberta to implement the province’s new coding curriculum in hundreds of schools. United under one group of companies, our mission continues to empower educators and students with innovative tools that align seamlessly with Alberta’s education goals. Here are eight reasons why districts continue to choose InkSmith and Forward Education as their STEAM partner of choice:

1. Cross-walked Alberta Curriculum Coverage

2. Simplified Implementation for Teachers

3. Differentiated Learning for Diverse Student Needs

4. Proudly Canadian STEAM Solution

5. Stretch Your STEAM Budget Further

6. Future-Proof Technology That Evolves with You

7. Cutting-Edge Features for Alberta Classrooms

8. Real-World Environmental Literacy Integration and Green Economy Careers

Here's Amanda Green on the Climate Action Kit's alignment with the new Alberta Science, Math, and Social Studies curriculum:

Forward Education’s solutions provide comprehensive coverage of Alberta’s coding requirements in the new Science and Math Curriculum, alongside alignment with Social Studies and Career and Technology Foundations (CTF). This cross-disciplinary integration ensures students develop foundational coding skills while connecting to real-world applications across multiple subjects.

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View our curriculum cross-walking guide here.

We understand that implementing new technology can feel daunting, but Forward Education makes it easy. Our platform requires minimal teacher training, allowing educators to confidently deliver lessons from day one. For teachers already familiar with micro:bit, our solution builds on this knowledge, making it even easier to integrate Forward into everyday learning.

Read more teacher training courses and professional development offerings here.

Forward Education provides lessons and coding tutorials designed to meet the needs of all learners. From beginner-friendly activities to advanced challenges, students of every skill level can grow their confidence and creativity. This flexibility allows students to go “beyond the box” as they explore their own innovative ideas.

Take the 2-minute lesson tour: Click Here

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As a homegrown company serving Alberta districts since 2016, Forward Education is committed to supporting Canadian educators. At a time when tariffs from international competitors drive up costs, choosing Forward means investing in a Canadian company that understands the unique needs of Alberta schools.

Learn more about our story here.

With Forward Education, schools can make the most of their STEAM budgets. Our single hardware platform supports multiple grades and subjects, eliminating the need to purchase and maintain multiple coding kits. This scalable, cost-effective solution ensures every dollar goes further.

Check out how districts implement our system [here].

Forward Education’s hardware platform is designed for the long haul. New features, lessons, and components—such as motors, sensors, and building blocks—are continually added to the ecosystem. Best of all, every component is backward and forward compatible, ensuring schools never have to worry about obsolescence.

Discover how our hardware ensures long-term value [here].

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Forward Education sets the standard for next-generation coding kits with unique features like live programming, pinless coding, daisy-chaining components, and reversible cables. These advancements make STEAM learning more accessible, engaging, and impactful for Alberta students.

Explore what sets our system apart here.

With Alberta's focus on environmental education, Forward Education offers dozens of lessons that connect STEAM learning to real-world sustainability challenges. Students learn about renewable energy, climate action, and more through engaging, hands-on projects that align with curriculum goals and real-world careers.

Learn more about linking lessons to real-world careers here.

♦

Forward Education isn’t just a STEM tool; it’s a comprehensive solution for preparing Alberta students for the future. By bridging curriculum alignment, teacher support, and innovative technology, we empower educators to deliver impactful, real-world STEM learning experiences.

Get started with Forward Education today—visit us to learn more [here].

At Forward Education, we design every part of our learning ecosystem right here in Canada—with educators, for educators. From lesson plans to learning platforms, from training modules to project tutorials, our resources are thoughtfully developed to make computer science, climate action, and real-world problem-solving easy to bring into any classroom.

We believe coding is more than a tech skill—it’s a tool for change. And when it’s taught through purposeful, hands-on learning experiences, students gain the confidence to shape a better future.

Here’s how our Canadian-designed tools and resources support educators every step of the way.

Each Climate Action Kit lesson starts with a real-world problem and its connection to a real-world example, and many are inspired by environmental challenges right here in Canada. Here are a few of our most recent Canadian-inspired projects:

• Designing wildlife crossings like those in Banff National Park

• Exploring how fishways help native species return to Cootes Paradise Marsh in Ontario

• Using Smart Home automation to reduce energy consumption, like the Ecobee smart thermostat from Toronto

Each lesson is designed to align with Canadian curriculum goals in science and math, with specific provincial alignments completed for Ontario’s Science and Math strands and Alberta’s updated Science, Math, and Social Studies, including the new Computer Science curriculum. Projects combine coding, data, and environmental problem-solving in a way that supports key outcomes and keeps learning hands-on and relevant. 

Educator Amanda Green uses the kit to hit key outcomes and keep students engaged

“It’s exciting to see students engaged in coding because they care about the problem they’re solving.”

Every Climate Action Kit lesson links to our Career Profile Library, highlighting real-world environmental and STEM careers. Each profile includes salary ranges, key skills, and pathways to Canadian universities and certifications—helping students explore options and start planning their future.

Career Spotlights:

• Marine Biologist
  

• Renewable Energy Engineer
  

• Forestry Technician
  

• Commercial Diver

…and many more in the full Career Profile Library

Every course, resource, and lesson is created by our team in Ontario—made to meet the needs of today’s educators while preparing students for the world ahead. Whether you’re looking to introduce coding for the first time or bring deeper purpose to your STEAM learning, Forward Education is here to help you make it happen.

Start exploring today at learn.forwardedu.com

The overnight rate remains at 2.75% due to uncertainty here and throughout the global economy. The ongoing trade war the United States has unleashed on the world is still a massive concern, and no one seems to know what Trump will do next. It’s so bad that some stock traders are making TACO trades based on his constant flip flopping.  

With developments like this hitting the news daily it isn’t a surprise that rates were held firm. A move either way could easily be disastrous with such a mercurial administration running the world’s largest economy.

The Bank’s take is easy enough to decipher, they don’t know what the Americans are going to do either. Tariffs are inflationary which would warrant a hike, but the tariffs are already starting to impact our already weak and slowing economy. When the economy slows, the usual remedy is a cut.

Doing nothing is probably the right call. We need room to move rates either way and the race to the bottom a few years back was disastrous for inflation and the housing market. We need to be cautious, Canada is in the midst of a tectonic shift in the global order not seen since the fall of the USSR. Below are some excerpts from the Bank’s press release.

With uncertainty about US tariffs still high, the Canadian economy softer but not sharply weaker, and some unexpected firmness in recent inflation data, Governing Council decided to hold the policy rate as we gain more information on US trade policy and its impacts. We will continue to assess the timing and strength of both the downward pressures on inflation from a weaker economy and the upward pressures on inflation from higher costs.

Governing Council is proceeding carefully, with particular attention to the risks and uncertainties facing the Canadian economy. These include: the extent to which higher US tariffs reduce demand for Canadian exports; how much this spills over into business investment, employment and household spending; how much and how quickly cost increases are passed on to consumer prices; and how inflation expectations evolve.

We are focused on ensuring that Canadians continue to have confidence in price stability through this period of global upheaval. We will support economic growth while ensuring inflation remains well controlled.

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• 1-year fixed insured 4.69%
• 2-year fixed insured 4.19%
• 3-year fixed insured 3.79%
• 4-year fixed insured 4.24%
• 5-year fixed insured 3.79%
• 5-year variable insured 3.99%

Is the mortgage stress test still a thing in 2025? 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.

The post Pride Social appeared first on Grand River Rocks Climbing Gym.

The post Pride Social appeared first on Grand River Rocks Climbing Gym.

The post Bouldering 201 – Waterloo appeared first on Grand River Rocks Climbing Gym.

The WATERLOO REGION RECORD on May 1, 2025 claimed that "...workers, companies and the provincial government were fighting about compensation for workers who developed cancer after being exposed to Agent Orange in the chemical plants in Elmira...". Since then the Record (under duress) has corrected that statement in today's Record by stating that "Only one Elmira plant was involved in the production of the defoliant Agent Orange. Incorrect information was published in a Record story on May 1."

So it appears that the Record are standing by the rest of their story while backing down on the inaccurate claim that multiple companies/plants exposed their workers to cancer causing Agent Orange.  Therefore  would  the corrected version now read "...workers, a company and the provincial government were fighting about compensation for workers who developed cancer after being exposed to Agent Orange in a chemical plant in Elmira...".?

This could be an outstanding admission with incredible repercussions. Of course the one plant in Elmira which produced Agent Orange for the American war effort in Vietnam was Uniroyal Chemical now known as Lanxess Canada. Lanxess Canada are currently heavily involved in NOT cleaning up the downstream Canagagigue Creek which besides being polluted with mercury, PCBs, DDT, DDD, DDE also has dioxin (2,3,7,8 TCDD) from Agent Orange in exceedance of health criteria in creekbank soils, floodplain soils, bottom sediments and in fish tissues. 

Thank you WATERLOO REGION RECORD for publishing what you did, when you did. Your courage (?) may assist TRAC members as well as local citizens to stand up and demand an honest and fair cleanup of five miles of the downstream Canagagigue Creek from Lanxess all the way to the Grand River just south of West Montrose.   

P.S. Honesty makes me admit that I did receive some conflicting information verbally from the reporter. Also I do recall the National Newsmedia Council suggested to me only that the offending sentence would be removed. I wonder how you remove something like that over a month after the fact without reprinting the original article as well as the alleged new version. Perhaps the on-line version which I can't access has done it properly but the printed version doesn't appear to have done so.

♦Tri-Pride Summerfest
Saturday, June 7
12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
FREE
Willow River Park (FKA Victoria Park Kitchener)

For close to 30 years, tri-Pride has hosted Pride for Kitchener, Waterloo & Cambridge. We’re back – bigger & better than ever. This year, with recognition of the increased need for solidarity we’re stitching the past, present and futures of Queer identity and Pride together to bring you Pride in the Park like you’ve never seen before. This festival has over 100 vendors including an information booth from KW Habilitation. Come enjoy shows from more than 15 local performers. We hope to see you there!

Click here for more info

♦Pride Stables Food Truck Rally
Friday, June 13
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
FREE Admission
Pride Stables – 584 Pioneer Tower Rd. Kitchener

Bring your friends and family to Pride Stables for their annual Food Truck Rally! We will have food trucks, pony rides, raffles and so much more! Come and learn about the horse back riding programs or volunteering opportunities we have while you are here. Mark your calendars and leave the cooking to us!

Click here for more info

♦Open Streets Waterloo
Saturday, June 14
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
FREE
Waterloo Public Square – 75 King St. S, Waterloo

Open Streets returns to uptown Waterloo! Join us for a fun-filled day that will take over Willis Way and Waterloo Public Square. Enjoy live performances by KW Breakers, shop at the art market, jam out to music, and join in on the fun and games. This annual event is a great way to connect with creativity!

Click here for more info

♦♦♦
Rockway’s 1st Annual Pride Bingo♦
Thursday, June 12
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
FREE
Rockway Centre – 1405 King St. E, Kitchener

Join us for the First Annual Rockway Community Centre’s Pride BINGO Event! This event is in memory of former Spectrum board member Randy Farrell. There will be refreshments provided, and the chance to win awesome prizes! We are welcoming all 2SLGBTQIA+ / rainbow community members and allies alike.

Click here for more info

Pride Paint Night
Thursday, June 12
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
$36
TWB Brewing – 300 Mill St. Kitchener

Pick from a choice of cocoa mug, salad plate, ice cream bowl, or cereal bowl – and enjoy a 12oz beer of your choice. You can upgrade to wine, cider etc. for an additional cost. Items will be brought back to Crock-A-Doodle Studio where they will be fired in the kiln. Pickup will be ready in about a week afterwards.

Click here for more info

Picnic and Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, June 14
11:00 AM
FREE
Cherry Park – 84 Strange St. Kitchener

Pack a picnic and come learn the histories of Cherry Hill, Victoria Park, and their connection to the Grand River. Come celebrate these parks with us. There will be a Scavenger Hunt with some nifty prizes

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Palette x Palate
Saturday, June 14
3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
FREE
Downtown Kitchener – Various Locations near King St./Queen St.

Stop by Kitchener City Hall for free face painting. Enjoy vibrant live musical performances. Keep your eyes peeled for exciting street performances featuring stilt walkers, fire throwers, magicians, and more surprises that will keep you engaged and entertained as you explore the event. Downtown Kitchener’s patios come alive with vibrant energy, perfect for relaxing, socializing, and enjoying the summer vibe.

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4th Annual Canadian Arab Festival
Sunday, June 15
12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
FREE
Carl Zehr Square – 200 King St. W, Kitchener

Enjoy games, vibrant cultural performances, and interactive experiences, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Explore mouth-watering Arabic cuisine, shop from unique local vendors, and groove to live music and entertainment that will keep the energy high all day long. Sign up early to secure your spot and get a chance to win! You’ll be entered into an exciting draw for one of three $100 cash prizes or two $100 gift cards. Don’t miss out—register now!

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♦

♦Walk with PCL
Wednesdays
12:45 PM – 1:35 PM
FREE
Waterloo Park – At the beach Area

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Salsa in the Square
Thursdays June 5 to September 11
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
FREE – Registration Required
Waterloo Public Square – 75 King St. S, Waterloo

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Movies In The Park
Thursdays June 12, 26, July 10, 17, 24, August 7, 14, 21
Starts at Sunset
FREE
Waterloo Park near the bandshell

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