TL;WR
What to do (at home)
Monday, June 15
OK2BEME has a virtual Lunch and Learn on Creating Queer-Inclusive Workplaces from 12 to 1 pm. OK2BME will cover basic terms, common issues and best practices for being an ally and advocate in the workplace.
Tuesday, June 16
It's a Communitech double-header.
First - what does learning look like as we adapt to a “new normal”? Join Communitech for a one-hour webcast with Jeremy Auger, Chief Strategy Officer at D2L as he moderates a panel discussion with Sanjeev Gill, Associate Vice-President Innovation & Lifelong Learning at the University of Waterloo and Elly Bradley, MBA Director, Talent at TextNow, and Rachel Wernick, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch at Employment and Social Development Canada on learning-integrated life in the era of COVID-19.
Then head over to YouTube as Communitech kicks off True North TV with one of the people responsible for the devices you’re reading this newsletter on today - John Seely Brown. He’s best known for his role as Chief Scientist at the famed Xerox PARC in Palo Alto where the first mouse and graphical user interface (GUI) were created. He's also focused on the social side of tech and that’s what True North is all about–what happens at the intersection of technology and humanity. Video premieres at noon on Tuesday.
Waterloo Public Library has Iconic Teen Movie Trivia Night starting at 7:30 pm.
Wednesday, June 17
Artshine's French language art class is on at 1 pm. You'll need two pieces of paper, permanent marker, tin foil, water, a sponge, scissors, pencil crayons and tape.
Thursday, June 18
Velocity is hosting their first-ever Virtual Velocity Fund Pitch Competition.
Join the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation on Thursday, June 18 from 1-2 pm for a webinar discussion on Affordable Housing in Waterloo Region.
Check out Kitchener Says Thanks Live Series: Thursday Concerts at 7 pm.
Lana's Lounge has Take Out Dinner and Online Show with Sean Pinchin.
Friday, June 19
Here For Her is hosting Womxn for Anti-Racism from 7-9:30 pm. It's an educational, thought provoking panel discussion about anti-racism, allyship and sustaining the conversation. The panel features Carla Beharry, Selam Debs, Taylor Lindsay-Noel, Chanelle Lobo and Breanne Charter. 100% of the proceeds are being donated (50% to Black Lives Matter WR-Community Solidarity Fund and the other 50% to Black Women in Motion).
OK2BEME's Virtual Pride continues with "Key Clinical Practices for Supporting Transgender Individual" from 9-10:30 am. This workshop is designed for mental health professionals (including social workers, therapists, counsellors and support workers).
Saturday, June 20
This year's KW Multicultural Festival is going online June 20 to 27. Check out their YouTube channel for daily craft and performance workshops. You can also visit the Festival website for vendors, performers and more.
It's been a while since we had a Run Waterloo event here. We're excited to announce the Waterloo 10 KM Classic Virtual Edition. A virtual race has no physical event space. You run on your own and connect with others virtually. You can choose to run your own course at your leisure during the event days. This virtual race starts June 21 (Father’s Day) and runs for 10 days ending June 30. Participants can participate any day, but results submissions are due at midnight on June 30. Results will be published on July 1.
Sunday, June 21
The Indigenous Initiatives at Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) and the Centre for Indigegogy, the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the Centre for International Governance Innovation invite you to come (virtually) sit by the fire for "Ish'kote story telling: Honouring Life and Story telling". Minogiizhigokwe / Kathy Absolon, Anishinaabe kwe storyteller and knowledge carrier. Through a fire and feast offering, Dr. Absolon will lead us in connecting to Indigenous teachings.
Kitchener Food Truck Days are back starting Monday, June 15. Check out the full schedule here.
Ways to support local
Over on Communitech News, check out this story on businesses reopening and how they work to keep employees and customers safe.
Over on CBC KW - "Board chair, chief willing to review police role but don't support defunding".
Then over on Community Edition, "Local march organizers launch the Anti-Racism Community Collective".
We got take out from Bangkok Cuisine over the weekend and it was phenomenal. Made us wonder what everyone's favourite local take out place is across the Region. We asked on Instagram and here's a list to try:
Raja Fine Indian Cuisine (Belmont Village)
Arabesque (Victoria Street)
Mashawi (King Street)
Sari-Sari Filipino Cuisine (Lancaster Street)
Empress of India (Uptown)
Rainbow Cuisine (Downtown)
Old King Street Bistro (King Street by Fairway)
Egg Roll King (Courtland Ave)
Ken Sushi (Phillip Street)
Arabella Park (Belmont Village)
Bent Elbow (King Street by Fairway)
Marbles (Uptown)
Over at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, you can check out the first parts of Soundings: An Exhibition in Five Parts. How can a score be a call and tool for decolonization? This exhibit features newly commissioned scores, performances, videos, sculptures and sound by Indigenous and other artists who respond to this question.
Speaking of KWAG - they're reopening to the public on June 27.
KW Craft Cider's online store has launched!!!
You can read about how 107.5's Gayle O'Brien has been broadcasting from her basement in the Idea Exchange's #AloneTogether Cambridge Quaranzine.
Good Co. Productions and Trisha Abe have teamed up to create a shirt to benefit musicians impacted by COVID-19. Check out the pre-order page here.
Help support NUMUS and the Open Ears of Music and Sound and the important work they do here in Waterloo Region. They have a fundraiser going on right now with some awesome perks for helping keep the music going.
Short Finger and Counterpoint have did a kind-of collaboration. They've brewed the same beer, but in their own unique way. Check out Ohh LaLa (Turmeric IPA with Citra, Centennial, and Coment) at Counterpoint and Ahh OuiOui *Mixed Fermentation IPA with Grapefruit) at Short Finger.
Paula White Diamond Gallery has a virtual show featuring the works of David Grieve, Stewart Jones, Peter Rotter and Joe Sampson.
Joseph Choe takes you on a tour of Morty's new patio on his YouTube channel.
Block Three Brewing's patio is open Friday-Saturday 11-8 and Sunday-Thursday 11-6. Limited seating available. No reservations. Their bottle shop is open too.
While you're in St. Jacobs, check out The Village Biergarten too.
The Cafe Pyrus Outpost off the Spur Line Trail and Roger Street has a bicycle drive-thru now!
This summer, The Food Bank of Waterloo Regions is asking you to support Full Bellies. Happy Hearts. ½ million meal challenge to ensure no one goes hungry during this crisis, and beyond. Thanks to the generosity of the Allan Bush Investment Team, your donation will double in impact (up to $20,000).
They are currently able to accept non-perishable food donations through contactless drop-offs at 50 Alpine Court. When you arrive, go to the Customer Service Entrance (yellow door), there is a bin located beside the door for drop-offs that staff empty throughout the day.
Get a COVID test without leaving your car. Drive-thru testing is now available at 137 Glasgow Street (Catalyst 137 parking lot) in Midtown. No appointment necessary, 7 days a week. (Apparently they've heard "Can we supersize our order?" already - Ed.)
Where to be for....
...beer
Sa, June 20
Lando Day
Short Finger Brewing Co.
...doughnuts
Monday-Friday
Lady Glaze Doughnuts
$1 from every Pride Doughnut purchase will be donated to OK2BME
...movie
Virtual Cinema: Everyday Rebellion
Apollo Cinema
EVERYDAY REBELLION is a cross-media documentary about creative forms of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience worldwide.