TL;WR

Jun 20, 2016

Eating and drinking and working.

I needed salsa on Saturday, and the best place to get salsa is Taco Farm at the Kitchener Market. Even though I work downtown, I don't make enough time to walk past Fredrick Street to the merchants and restaurants in the east end of downtown. I noticed a new place to add to your to-do list - Mercato Italian Kitchen and Bar (200 King St E, Kitchener). It's a good time to try to - head down and catch a Euro 2016 match while enjoying something new.

Photo: Darin White - makebright.com

Darin White, founder of makebright.com and organizer of FlashWR, has a great post about what last week's Startup and Beers event. The night was a great chance to meet five of the region's fastest growing tech companies and sample beer from four of our amazing craft breweries and our cidery. On par with the importance of the companies and breweries was the space. I've lived in Waterloo Region for thirteen years and this was the first time I've been inside 276 King Street. The former Eaton's Department Store occupies major frontage downtown. With new condos and more companies downtown, a strong retail anchor is needed downtown. It's currently being redeveloped by Perimeter Development (supermarket please!).

What to do.

The first Tech Waterloo Region Meetup is this evening (June 20) at Communitech. TechWR brings together the Waterloo Region's tech leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts for a mix of networking on TED style talks. This evening, Karel Vuong of Spaces and Axonify CEO (and poker shark) Carol Leaman take the stage. Tickets are $12.

Speaking of poker, the KW Poker Chicks are hosting a game this Wednesday, June 22 at EY (515 Riverbend Dr, Kitchener). Tickets are $15.

The Waterloo AR/VR Meetup takes over virtual reality arcade CTRL-V (170 Columbia St, Waterloo) tonight (June 20). Come out and experience what virtual reality is all about with Waterloo's own VR expert, Bernie Roehl.

Take a walk during lunch on Thursday and you can hear Jesse Parent playing Downtown Live in front of Gilt (305 King St W, Kitchener) from noon till 1pm.

Your New Neighbours headline Flashback Friday at Cork Hall (352 King St W, Kitchener) this Friday, June 24. Tickets are on sale now at McCabe's - $10 in advance, $12 at the door.

Head down to Victoria Park this Saturday and Sunday for the 2016 KW Multicultural Festival. Experience music and dance from thirty countries on the main stage. There will be fifteen international food vendors and and you can shop the international marketplace too.

Is there an inner barista in you wanting to break free? The good folks at Settlement Co are hosting their Coffee School this Sunday, June 26 from 10:30 to 11:30. Tickets are $10.