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Happy Long Weekend Week!
We are one day away from a very full long weekend. Whether you're celebrating, observing, or just trying to remember which stores are closed, this week has it all: Passover, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Monday, and World Health Day.
Last I checked there were close to 50 entries for the Cutest Pet of WR, and y'all, this is going to be a tough one to judge, get ready next week. You can still share your pet’s details. Form closes April 4, three days left:
And if you captured that spectacular lightning in the sky yesterday, send the photo our way. Share the experience with everyone here.
Enjoy and ride the region's rhythm.
made with love by,
your neighbourly goose
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REPRESENTED, RIGHT HERE.
During her Canadian Music Hall of Fame acceptance speech at the Juno Awards this Sunday, Nelly Furtado said something that stayed with me: "Canada's always cared about culture." She's right. We are an amalgamation of so many cultures, and one that's small in number but enormous in impact right here in our region is Sikhi. Today marks the beginning of Sikh Heritage Month, and I've found some genuine eye openers.
Sikhs first immigrated to Canada in the late 1800s and met serious hardships, facing rejection at every turn. What's remarkable is how they responded: with open arms towards a country that wasn't offering the same. Their core belief is simple: all of humanity should prosper. Not just their community. Not just their faith. Everyone. The circle is drawn around all of us, or it isn't drawn at all.
Even while being denied citizenship, brave young Sikh men enlisted and served with Canadian Forces in WWI. In Kitchener's Mount Hope Cemetery lies one of those soldiers, wounded twice in France and Belgium, who took his last breath at age 25 fighting for everyone's freedom. His story was lost for nearly a century (till 2008). In 2025, Canada Post unveiled a national commemorative stamp in his honour at the Sikh Remembrance Day Ceremony, right here in Waterloo Region.
Another principle at the heart of Sikhi is sharing: food, knowledge, time, skills. Not charity, because charity creates hierarchy, but sharing as equals. The Gurdwara Sahib on Snyder's Road has run free community meals open to everyone since 1982. No expectations. You just show up, sit on the floor at the same level as everyone else, and eat. Today it's the highest-contributing institution to the Waterloo Region food bank, which means a lot given the rise in food insecurity.
The third principle is honest living. Earn through your own effort. Build something meaningful. Our Chancellor at the University of Waterloo, Dr. Jagdeep Singh Bachher, earned three degrees right here at UW, went on to manage a $180 billion investment portfolio at the University of California, and came back to lead the institution that shaped him. Our new Chief Administrative Officer, Darshpreet Singh Bhatti, planned and delivered the ION LRT before returning this March as the highest non-elected official in regional government. And Bardish Chagger, who grew up right here, became the first Sikh woman to serve in the Canadian Cabinet.
Waterloo Region believes what you can do matters more than where you came from. The langar feeds everyone because everyone deserves dignity. The ION moves everyone because everyone deserves mobility. The Gurdwara leads the food bank because sharing isn't a once-a-year gesture here. It's a daily practice.
Sarbat da bhala. May all prosper. In action, not just words.
RHYTHM IRL
It was so wonderful seeing beautiful faces at the after party last week. Still catching up on messages, thank you for your patience.
My hope for this newsletter has always been simple: help neighbours meet neighbours. The Rhythm works in two steps. First, digitally through waterlooregionrhythm.ca, this newsletter, Instagram, and Facebook. Then in real life, in person, face to face with new friends.
Speaking of which:
Next Dinner: Thu, Apr 23 at 6:30pm | After Party: 8pm
Take the quiz, get paired with 5 neighbours, receive your restaurant invite the morning of the 23rd, show up, and enjoy a meal with people you didn't know before. Simple as that.
REGION’S RADAR (ICYMI)
Region launches green bin collection program. Residents can drop off or schedule pickup of old green bins no longer needed under the new cart system. Details
Wilmot locals reiterated their call to end water taking permits on the Waterloo Moraine, which impacts drinking water quality for residents in Waterloo Region. Details
Second Cup opens at 255 King St N, Waterloo. Grand opening April 2 at 11am with discounts and 50 free coffees from 1-2pm.
Google Announces 50-Storey Vertical Campus
Kitchener Council approved zoning amendments Tuesday for Google's largest-ever Canadian expansion: a 50-storey glass tower rising directly above the existing Breithaupt Street buildings. The "Vertical Innovation District" will house 12,000 employees across 78 floors of lab space, with floors 45-50 reserved exclusively for "AI training pods" where new hires live on-site for their first six months. The building will feature Canada's tallest indoor rock climbing wall and a glass-bottomed conference room suspended from floor 68. "We looked at Austin, we looked at Dublin, but Kitchener had the parking we needed," said Google spokesperson Devin Frame. Details
EASTER IN THE REGION
Easter Egg Fest on Fri, Apr 3: timed-entry egg hunts, crafts, games, Kitchener ♿️ tix
National Service Dogs Easter Egg Hunt on Fri, Apr 3: Kitchener ♿️ tix
Spring Fling Family Easter Celebration from Fri, Apr 3 to Sun, Apr 5: crafts, planting, Bunny Bowling, Cambridge info
Easter at the Conservatory from Fri, Apr 3 to Mon, Apr 6: self-guided discovery activity, Cambridge ♿️ tix
Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast on Sat, Apr 4: 9am, Ayr (North Dumfries) ♿️ tix
Easter Egg Hunt at the Farmyard on Sat, Apr 4: with the Easter Bunny and candy hunt, St. Jacobs ♿️ tix
The Easter Egg-spress on Sat, Apr 4: train ride for the whole family, 10am, 12pm, St. Jacobs tix
Easter Brunch Family Cooking Class on Sat, Apr 4: learn to make Easter dishes, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Optimist Club Easter Egg Hunt on Sat, Apr 4: community egg hunt, Woolwich (Elmira) ♿️ tix
Easter Egg-stravaganza on Sat, Apr 4: member appreciation event at Schneider Haus ♿️ tix
All-day Easter egg scavenger hunt from Sat, Apr 4 to Sun, Apr 5: candy prizes and grand prize draw, Kitchener ♿️ tix
Easter Brunch at The Boathouse on Sun, Apr 5: fresh spring flavours and savoury favourites Kitchener ♿️ info
Easter Brunch Train on Sun, Apr 5: one-of-a-kind dining experience aboard heritage railway, St. Jacobs (limited ♿) tix
ROLL OUT ROOTS
House of the Week: spacious Cambridge house with a detached sun room
New Work: Fitness Instructor, Oxygen
Volunteer: Member Board, Extend a Family
Adopt a pet: Matilda is ready to hop into your life!
RIDDLE ME
I'm born in spring but made in fall,
I'm hunted for but found by all.
I'm hollow inside but filled with cheer,
I only last a few weeks each year.
Think you know it? Reply with your guess, first 5 correct answers get a shoutout in next week's newsletter.
Last week’s riddle: wasn’t easy, but great attempt you’all 26 got it right! Wohoo
ROAM & RAZZLE
Know of or organizing an event. Add details here to be considered for WRR.
FEATURED EVENTS
This is the last weekend to catch the Sugar Bush Tour at St. Jacobs. Hop on a wagon and ride out to a Mennonite-owned maple farm where you will see the whole process up close, from sap running through the trees to syrup bubbling in the evaporator. Warm samples at the end. Enough said.
THU, APR 2
Live Music: Songwriter's Round and Open Mic Night (all ages) 8pm, The Yeti Cafe, 14 Eby Street N, Kitchener
Live Music: Dana K and The Remedy, indie rock, blues, funk, soul, country, and pop infusion (all ages) 7pm, Block Three Brewing, St. Jacobs ♿️ tix at door
Night Party: Too Mutch Clutch Badd Thursday Party, high-energy annual party night (19+) 8pm Waterloo ♿️ tix
FRI, APR 3
Talk: Edna Staebler Award Reception celebrating author Aaron Williams (all ages) 2pm Waterloo ♿️ info
Theatre: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Broadway musical (all ages) Fri Apr 3 and Sat Apr 4 Kitchener ♿️ tix
Comedy: Rusty Nail Comedy with Michael Moses, showtime 8pm (19+) 7:30pm Kitchener ♿️ tix
Live Music: Adam James, Quincy Jones called him the best Sinatra interpreter he has seen (all ages) 8pm Waterloo ♿️ tix
SAT, APR 4
Workshop: Beginner clay workshop, create a kiln-fired food-safe pottery piece (all ages) 2pm Waterloo ♿️ tix
Live Music: Andrew Yang, solo piano recital featuring Scarlatti, Chopin, Ravel, Brahms (all ages) 7pm Waterloo ♿️ tix
Comedy: Stand-up, improv, musical comedy, storytelling, burlesque (all ages) 7pm Kitchener ♿️ tix
Comedy: Girl Night, all-women stand-up comedy lineup from across Ontario (all ages) 8pm Kitchener ♿️ tix
SUN, APR 5
Workshop: Stained Glass Painting Workshop, paint a blooming tulip design (all ages) 1pm Kitchener ♿️ tix
Expo: Looking at the Sky, batik art exploring land, healing, and taking up space (all ages) Waterloo ♿️ info
Workshop: family-friendly event where you design your own canvas tote Cambridge ♿️ tix
MON, APR 6
Workshop: And Juliet Musical Theatre (8-18years) 12pm Waterloo ♿️ tix
Community: The Showboaters variety show featuring two local artists competing (all ages) 7pm Boathouse DTK ♿️
Workshop: Leather Sunglass Case Workshop, hand-stitch your own (18+) 7pm Cambridge ♿️ tix
TUE, APR 7
Workshop: Paint Nite with artist Elle C (19+) 6:30pm Cambridge ♿️ tix
WED, APR 8
Live Music: Kitchener Beatlemania, Beatles tribute show (all ages) 7:30pm Kitchener ♿️ tix
Live Music: The Songs of Sheryl Crow and Stevie Nicks (all ages) 7:30pm Kitchener ♿️ tix
Comedy: Lindsay Clone stand-up comedy (19+) 7:30pm Kitchener ♿️ tix
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