Cambridge’s birthday boy is turning 18. He’s a parrot.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Veterans' Week runs Nov 5 to 11. A small thank-you goes a long way, and so does a real conversation.

If you or someone in your family served, share your / their story. What kept you going, even knowing how much war hurts? Your story might be the one a neighbour needs to read.

With love,
your friendly neighbourhood goose 🦆

PS: If you’re interested in getting your product, service, or event in front of 7,500+ Waterloo Region locals → reach out

PPS: A neighbour sent you this? Join here to get the next one in your inbox.

RECESS READY

Outings with kids and grandkids

A birthday party for a parrot
Cheecho is turning 18, and the butterfly conservatory is throwing him a party. There’ll be cake, parrot crafts and a chance for the kids to sing happy birthday to the bird himself.
Sun, Nov 8, 10am to 5pm, Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, Cambridge. Tix

A little space adventure in Waterloo
If you’ve got a little one who likes to get their hands into everything, Smartizen has an hour of space-themed sensory play and rocket crafts. It’s for ages 6 months to 6 years, with morning and afternoon sessions.
Sun, Nov 8, sessions from 10am, Smartizen Early Education Academy, Waterloo. Tix

Something for the crafty teen in Ayr
A clay artist is coming to the Ayr library to show teens how to shape and paint a piece of their own. The gallery will fire it in a kiln afterwards, so they’ll get to see how their idea turns out in ceramic.
Wed, Nov 11, 4:30 to 6:30pm, Ayr Library. Info

A SLOWER RHYTHM

Easygoing outings at any hour

What did people make of Leonardo back then?
I like the angle on this one. Laurier’s Chris Nighman is looking at Leonardo through the eyes of Giorgio Vasari, a Renaissance artist who wrote one of the earliest accounts of his life. If you’ve been meaning to see the da Vinci exhibit, Sunday’s a good day to go.
Sun, Nov 8 at 1:30pm, THEMUSEUM, Kitchener ♿️ Info

Why was Canada so late to protect nature?
That’s the question UW biologist Rebecca Rooney is bringing to RIM Park on Tuesday. She’ll look at how Canada fell behind and what conservation could look like when Indigenous communities help shape it.
Tue, Nov 10, 1:30 to 3pm, RIM Park, Waterloo ♿️ Tix

with Cheryl Goetz, Real Estate Agent, REAL Broker Ontario Ltd.

The model home is ready to walk through. The street you’d actually live on might still be full of construction trucks.

Cheryl grew up in the homebuilding business. One thing she suggests before buying new: go see the actual lot. Look at what’s still being built nearby and ask the builder what work will still be going on when you move in. Then visit a neighbourhood that builder has already finished.

Looking at a new build in Waterloo Region? Ask Cheryl what to check →

ROLL OUT ROOTS

Work: Resource Planner, Grand River Conservation Authority

House of the week: This Galt loft was part of a factory

Volunteer: Cambridge Santa Claus Parade Volunteer

Adopt: the phenomenal Asia, dog social and adores kids

Open Call: City of Cambridge wants to hear from adults 50+ about future programs. Deadline Sun, Nov 15.

RIFFS & RIBS

Live music over a bite or a drink

Friday dinner with a side of blues
John McKinley is playing solo in the main dining room at Lancaster Smokehouse. If you’re already thinking barbecue on Friday, this is the night I’d go. Fri, Nov 6, 6 to 9pm, Lancaster Smokehouse, Kitchener. Loc

A JUNO-winning drummer brings his quartet to Waterloo
Ernesto Cervini won a JUNO with Turboprop, and this Saturday he’s at The Jazz Room with his newer quartet. It’s the one I’d circle if you want to spend an evening really listening. Sat, Nov 7 at 8pm, The Jazz Room, Waterloo. Tix

See the full live music lineup for Nov 5–11 →

with Elev8 Aesthetic Medicine

Thinking about vitamin D now that the days are shorter? Check how much is already in your multivitamin before buying a separate bottle.

Have a vitamin D question? Ask ELEV8 →

ROAM & RAZZLE

Big games, festivals and one-off shows

Cocktails and Mexican wrestling at Bingemans
The part of Kitchener Fall Drink Fest that caught my eye was the lucha libre. There’ll be cocktails, food and throwback music, but the wrestling is what made me stop scrolling.
Sat, Nov 7 from 4pm, Marshall Hall at Bingemans, Kitchener. Tix

Appetizers and stand-up in New Hamburg
Puddicombe House is bringing in Yuk Yuk’s on Saturday. The appetizer buffet opens an hour before the show, so there’s time to grab a bite and catch up before the comics take the stage.
Sat, Nov 7, buffet at 7pm and show at 8pm, Puddicombe House, New Hamburg. Tix

A national title is up for grabs in Waterloo
The Warriors are hosting the Canadian university field hockey championships. If you’re picking one day to go, I’d make it Sunday. The bronze-medal game starts at noon, and the national title is decided at 2:30pm.
Sun, Nov 8, Warrior Field, Waterloo. Tix

MORE EVENTS HAPPENING IN THE WEEK →

ICYMI: Fall Farms in and Near Waterloo Region

PRINCESS PICKS

This week at Princess Cinemas

Rocky turns 50. The underdog, the training montage, that music. It’s back on the big screen at Princess Original.

Missed Wild Horse Nine in last week’s picks? The Easter Island spy story is playing at Princess Twin ♿️. John Malkovich won Best Actor at Venice for this one. Showtimes.

Twin Peaks brings its first season to the big screen, two episodes at a time across four Mondays. The first pair screens Monday, Nov 9 at 9 p.m., Princess Original.

RIDDLE ME

Trivia Time

Last week's trivia: only 39% of you got it right, loved seeing the shoutouts to Dare Foods in comments! Coffee Crisp, proudly Canadian nearly stole the candy bag.