Happy Wednesday,
Ah what a week! Yesterday we hit 18.7°C, a new record for the warmest March 10 ever recorded here. The snow is gone, the air smells like something is waking up, and I walked outside without a coat, nope, did not regret it even a little. Spring isn't just coming, it's already showing off.
We had a great time at All That Jazz last week, swing dancing till late, and so good to see some of you there, including our ticket winners! Moments like that are why this newsletter exists.
Today's National 311 Day, which, if you've never used it, is worth knowing about. Dial 311 for all the non-emergency stuff your municipality handles: reporting potholes, asking about garbage collection, noise complaints, stuff like that. It's the "this isn't 911 but someone should know about this" number, and it actually works. Save it in your phone if you haven't already.
The week ahead is green in every sense. St. Patrick's Day falls on Tuesday, the IRL Festival wraps up, and if the forecast holds, the ground might finally catch up to the mood. Have fun riding the region's rhythm this week!
With love,
Your neighbourly goose
DINNER OPEN FOR COUPLES
A few of you asked last time, so it's happening.
Couples can now sign up together and sit together. Add a plus one when you register and you'll automatically be seated as a pair.
Prefer to fly solo and meet new people? Just sign up separately.
How it works: take a quiz, get matched with 5 strangers (4 if you bring a plus one), restaurant revealed day-of, dinner, optional afterparty.
NEXT: 70 people already signed up for Mar 26, 2026 dinner.
REGIONAL RADAR
Flood watch: Grand River flood warnings are in effect for Cambridge, West Montrose, New Hamburg, Ayr, St. Jacobs, Conestogo, and Drayton through today. Stay off riverbanks, don't drive through flooded roads.
A decade in the making, it's finally happening. Construction on the Kitchener Central Transit Hub is set to begin this month at the corner of King St W and Victoria St N. When complete, it'll connect GRT, ION, GO Transit, VIA Rail, and intercity buses in one spot. Details
Kitchener wants a Musician in Residence. First time since 2019; open to musicians, educators, and music entrepreneurs who live or work in the region. Info session this Thursday at 11am. Details
Grant money on the table: two deadlines. The Region's Community Environmental Fund closes Friday March 13. The WRCF's Community, Arts, and Racial Equity Grants close March 30. Details
Carts, still sorting it out. Two weeks in and some pickups are still being missed. Report it or find your updated collection day. Details
REGION THROUGH YOUR LENS
Katherine Waybrant perfectly caught the total lunar eclipse over Kitchener just before the clouds rolled in, this was minutes before totality, and minutes before the moon disappeared completely.
Share your art, photos or creations with everyone - here
RAD & RAW
SIGHTING: Red-winged blackbirds are back. Males arrived first, look for them on cattails near wetlands, fluffing their red shoulder patches and singing that distinctive "o-ka-leeee!" Real spring is here.
SKY: Tuesday, Mar 17 just before sunrise around 6am, look low on the eastern horizon for a thin sliver of moon with two bright dots close by. Those are Mercury and Mars, forming a little triangle together. It's a rare and pretty sight, but you'll need a clear view to the east and you'll want to look before the sun comes up and washes them out.
ROOTED IN THE REGION
House of the week: original woodwork c1916
New Work: Technology Lead Sunlife
Volunteer: Community Threads Learn to Sew Volunteer Instructor (Mar 16 deadline)
Adopt a Pet: Shy, sweet, goofy Ramona is looking for her forever home
GREEN TUNES
So happy to be officially partnering with Irish Real Life this year. The IRL Festival kicked off March 7 and runs through March 17, bringing ten days of Irish music, storytelling, and community gatherings to venues across the region. This year's theme, "Interwoven: Fite Fuaite," is about how we're all woven together through culture and shared spaces. Which feels especially right.
To celebrate, IRL is giving away two spots to see Juno-nominated Métis artist Red River Rambler and Celtic-fusion favourites Mighty Kin take over The Registry Theatre for a night of fiddle traditions, storytelling, and modern energy.
Answer this week's trivia question for a chance to win (winners will be emailed tomorrow):
Every year on St. Patrick's Day, one Canadian province gets the day off work while the rest of us nurse our green beer at our desks. Which province?
ROAM & RAZZLE
THU, MAR 12
Workshop | Kimchi Fermentation make kimchi from scratch | 6–9pm | Kitchener (Bill Gies Rec Centre) | tix ♿️
Live Music | DTK Sunset Sessions concert series finale | 7:30pm | Kitchener (Conrad Centre) | tix ♿️
Community | Community Water Capacity Forum public education on the regional water crisis | 7–9pm | Baden (Wilmot Rec Complex) | tix ♿️
Film | Thinking Beyond the Market documentary on affordable housing solutions across Canada | 5:30pm | Cambridge (UW) | tix ♿️
FRI, MAR 13
Theatre | What (Not) To Do After Graduation three grads, one brutal job market, zero mercy | 8pm | Waterloo (KW Little Theatre) | tix ♿️
Sports | Wilmot Aces Spring Classic: Swimming competition, all LAC swimmers | All day | Wilmot (Baden) | Info
Expo | Kitchener RV Show & Sale: Annual RV exhibition | 10am-8pm | Kitchener | Info
Line Dancing | Music Night with Urban Cowboy beginner-friendly lessons then open dancing (19+) | 6:30pm | Cambridge (Four Fathers Brewing Co.) | tix ♿️
SAT, MAR 14
Festival | I Heart Beer Festival: Ontario beers, ciders, spirits, games, dancing | 1-5pm or 5-10pm | Kitchener (Bingemans) | tix ♿️
Family | Mini Pop Kids Live: Family music show, Celebration Tour | 6pm | Kitchener (Centre In The Square) | tix ♿️
Dating | Tantra Speed Dating: Conscious connection event | 7pm | Waterloo (Midtown Yoga) | tix
Sports | KW Titans vs Montreal Toundra pro basketball, meet the Titans at half-time | 4pm | Kitchener (The Aud) | tix ♿️
Food | Elmira Sugar Bush Tours: Maple syrup tour + taffy, departs St. Jacobs Market | 10:30am or 1:15pm | Woolwich (Elmira) | tix ♿️
SUN, MAR 15
Nature | March Break: Magical Blue Morpho butterflies, scavenger hunt | 9am-5pm | Cambridge (Butterfly Conservatory) | tix ♿️
Kids | LEGO Building Bonanza: diy build sessions | 1:30-4pm | Cambridge | info ♿️
Sports | KW Titans vs Lake Erie Jackals pro basketball, first responders appreciation day | 3pm | Kitchener (The Aud) | tix ♿️
Workshop | Pour Decisions: guided cocktail demo, 3 drinks and a snack included (19+) | 7pm | Kitchener (The Boathouse) | tix ♿️
MON, MAR 16
Talk | The Political Economies of Fossil Fuel Phase Out lecture on global climate policy | 12–1:30pm | Waterloo (Balsillie School) | info ♿️
Family | When the Rain Came Dancing music, dance, and storytelling for all ages | 2–4pm | Kitchener (The Registry Theatre) | tix ♿️
Kids | North Dumfries March Break Camp daily camp for kids | 9am-5pm | North Dumfries (Ayr) | tix ♿️
TUE, MAR 17
Kids | Bingemans Spring Break Camp Swimming, climbing, activities | 9am-4pm | Kitchener | tix ♿️
Live Music | St. Patrick's Day at Thirteen Stephen Hodder live, drink specials, feature menu | 5–11pm | Cambridge (Thirteen Food & Beverage) ♿️
Sports | Kitchener Rangers vs Flint Firebirds St. Patrick's Day + billet family appreciation night | 7pm | Kitchener (The Aud) | tix ♿️
Film | Secret Reel: An Irish Film Surprise mystery Irish film, title revealed at the door | 8pm | Kitchener (The Registry Theatre) | tix ♿️
WED, MAR 18
Kids | March Break Horse Camp riding, stable activities, and nature hikes for kids 7–12 | 9am–4pm | Waterloo (Horseback Adventures) | tix
Community | Downtown Showdown Rangers road hockey, autographs, maple taffy, community skate (all ages) | All day | Kitchener (Carl Zehr Square) | info ♿️
Live Music | Turk & The Hobbits and more | 7:30–10:30pm | Waterloo (Ethel's Lounge) ♿️
