Good morning friends,
We've gained 43 mins of daylight since New Year's Day!! But let's not get too excited on the road - slow driving is your best bet right now. My snow angel came through for me again during the storm, smiling while saying "I don't expect anything in return"!! Hope you hugged your angels or got to be one for others this week. Sending you a big hug for that!!
Talking about making new friends, neighbourhood howls explained, a new burger spot, and so much more today… enjoy!
New Friends
Last week's message about the importance of connection really resonated with most and with 75% approval from the poll, we're officially meeting!
I'm thinking of trying something new: smaller dinner groups. You'd match up with a few strangers, share a fun meal at a local restaurant, and leave as friends who had real conversations. Maybe we all meet up for an afterparty after! Details coming soon!!
Why Your Neighbourhood Sounds Like a Wolf Documentary Right Now
If you've been hearing some dramatic howling at night lately, you're not imagining things. Coyote mating season kicked off mid-January and runs through late February or early March. Yeah, the region's coyotes are looking for love or defending their valentines.
Fun fact: coyotes mate for life and are devoted co-parents. Kinda sweet, right?
Before you panic about these wild romantics roaming our parks and trails, know this: they're not suddenly appearing. They've been here all along, just way more visible and vocal right now. Male coyotes are traveling more, howling more (sometimes in that eerie chorus that makes it sound like there are way more of them than there actually are), and scouting den sites for the pups they'll raise come spring.
Did you know coyotes are basically nature's cleanup crew. They keep mice, rats, and other rodents under control while also keeping raccoons in check. Without them, we'd be dealing with way more pest problems and vegetation getting destroyed.
What's pretty cool is how adaptable these animals are. Despite being hunted and losing habitat for centuries, they've figured out how to not just survive but thrive alongside us. When we moved into their space, they adjusted. They're smart, resourceful, and surprisingly good at regulating their populations based on what's available.
Nature finds a way when we give it room to work.
Lets coexist safely. If you spot a coyote, don't panic. They naturally avoid humans, so most encounters are totally fine. Just stay calm, keep your distance, don't feed them, and never run (that triggers their chase instinct).
If one gets too curious, make yourself big, yell, wave your arms, and back away slowly. Keep pets safe by leashing dogs and bringing cats inside at dawn, dusk, and night. Make your yard less appealing by securing garbage and not leaving food out.
This heightened activity is temporary; not aggression but biology. By spring they'll be focused on raising pups, and you'll barely notice them again. You only need to report a coyote if there's immediate danger.
Go enjoy those winter walks knowing exactly what all that howling is about.
Food Alert
After a good walk in the cold, all I want are some good ol' carbs! And my interest is piqued cause there's a new burger place in town. Rosie's Burger opened up on King Street in Waterloo last week, and their menu is keepin' it simple - burgers, fries, poutine, onion rings, and milkshakes.
The classics were made classic for a reason, so it’s on my radar. I'll report back once I check it out!
Room to Root
Region’s latest on Homes, Work & Ways to Help
💼 Newly listed Sr. Manager VLC Operations role at Openlane, or Dental Adjudicator at Simply Benefits
🏠 c.1870 has an old school vibe
🎗️ Love these little chefs (age 2-5) and youth chefs in residence (age 14-18) volunteer opportunities for kids and tons of volunteer roles at community support connections including bingo support, friendly visitor, garden or kitchen helper
Radiance, Ruff & Fluff
🌠 Wednesday, Jan 28 | Best viewing: 6–8 PM
It’s mostly cloudy, so this is your sweet spot for the week. The Moon's just past First Quarter, which means the line between light and shadow is carving out craters and ridges in sharp relief. Even with some clouds drifting through, you'll get a solid show. Point your binoculars (or just your eyes) at the Moon's shadow line, features pop in and out as you trace along it. Got a small telescope? Even better cause you're in for a full lunar safari.
Jupiter's also hanging out during this window, shining bright enough to cut through light haze. With a telescope, you can spot its cloud bands and a few of its moons lined up nearby.
🪶 Bright red against all the white snow! Ah it was so satisfying seeing a northern cardinal this week!
🐶 I dare you not to fall in love when you look into Truffles eyes!
🐈 What a dapper little fella Gambino is! I think yellow looks good on him, right?
Trivia
Which day of the week has St. Jacobs Farmers' Market operated year-round since the beginning?
Answer for last week’s trivia: 58% got it right, respect! Snow Buntings breed in the High Arctic and migrate south to southern Canada in winter
Roam, Revel & Razzle
Featured Events
Princess Cinemas, our local independent cinema, has a great lineup of noteworthy movies especially from local filmmakers. Including but not limited to: No Other Choice, 2025 International People's Choice Award TIFF; I Am Not Your Negro, Nominated for Best Documentary (Feature) Oscar; Young Farmer special screening with director Q&A.
Check them out here
Sports
The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour: A once-in-a-century celebration with jaw-dropping dunks, tricks, and over-the-top fun (all ages) ♿️ Thu, Jan 29, 7:00pm, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium tix
Kitchener Rangers vs Windsor Spitfires: OHL hockey action (all ages) ♿️ Fri, Jan 30, 7:00pm, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium tix
KW Titans vs Lake Erie Jackals: Professional basketball (all ages) ♿️ Sun, Feb 1, 3:00pm, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium tix
Live Music
Fri, Jan 30
Andy Milne & Unison: Two-time Juno Award winning pianist exploring the intimacy of the piano trio (all ages) ♿️ 8:00pm–10:30pm, The Jazz Room, Waterloo tix
The Last Essential Letdowns Show: The final hometown show featuring Petrochemicals, Suplex, and C.I.D. (all ages) ♿️ 7:00pm, Maxwell's Concerts & Events, Waterloo tix
Holy Music IV: A New Years Celebration: An eclectic blend of sound art, performative goofiness, and unmitigated aggression featuring Kristina Guison, Destruction Engine, Xodkaar, and Lasting Efforts (all ages) ♿️ 7:00pm, Emmanuel United Church, Waterloo tix
GRAE with Jessie Vickery & Sandra Burke: Pop music performance (19+) 7:00pm, The Hub, Kitchener tix
Sat, Jan 31
Mark Kelso's Elvis Goes Jazz: Classic Elvis Presley tunes reimagined in a jazz format by Juno award winning drummer Mark Kelso (all ages) ♿️ 8:00pm–10:30pm, The Jazz Room, Waterloo tix
Daniel Ramjattan, guitar: Classical guitar performance featuring works by Bach, Turina, and more (all ages) ♿️ 7:00pm–9:00pm, First United Church, Waterloo tix
Fan Halen: The world's most authentic tribute to Van Halen's David Lee Roth era (19+) ♿️ 8:00pm, Maxwell's Concerts & Events, Waterloo tix
Sun, Feb 1
Sunday Grind: Start your Sunday with live DJ sets from Exclusive Vibez Music while enjoying great coffee (all ages) ♿️ 11:00am–2:00pm, Cafe Clementina, 17 Benton St, Kitchener, It's free!
Other Activities
Thu, Jan 29
Elmira Lions/Knights of Columbus BINGO: Bring your dabbers for an evening of fun and fellowship supporting the Knights of Columbus (18+) ♿️ 6:00pm–10:00pm, Elmira Lions Hall tix
Champs for Charity Comedy Fundraiser: An incredible night of laughs for a great cause hosted by Lynne MacDonald ♿️ 7:00pm, The Walper Hotel, Kitchener tix
Winter's Dream Paint Night: Create your own 16x20 masterpiece at Chicago Pub & Billiards (12+) 6:30pm–8:30pm Chicago Pub & Billiards, Kitchener tix
Fri, Jan 30
PD Day Camp: A day of creativity and artistic exploration for ages (6-13) ♿️ 9:00am–4:00pm Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery tix
Rusty Nail Comedy: Stand-up comedy featuring Andy Noble (19+) ♿️ 8:00pm TWH Social, Kitchener tix
KWLT presents The Prince: A unique twist on Shakespeare exploring gender and identity, Canadian premiere ♿️ Jan 30 - Feb 1, KWLT Main Stage, Waterloo tix
Sat, Jan 31
Sing-A-Long Broadway: Belt out iconic showstoppers from your favourite musicals in this high-energy Broadway party (all ages) ♿️, 7:00pm, Centre In The Square, Kitchener tix
Rusty Nail Comedy: Stand-up comedy featuring Andy Noble (19+) ♿️ 8:00pm TWH Social, Kitchener tix
NVEB Repair Cafe: Bring broken items and volunteer fixers will walk you through repairing them (all ages) ♿️ 9:30am–12:30pm Zion United Church, 215 Peel Street, New Hamburg, It's free!
WRN Kids – Bones!: Assemble animal skeletons with Fraser Gibson then head to nearby trails to look for tracks (all ages) ♿️ 10:00am–12:00pm RIM Park, Waterloo tix
The Brush Off 13th Edition: Watch artists create artwork live in this fast-paced art-making competition with silent auction (12+) ♿️ 7:00pm–11:59pm THEMUSEUM, Kitchener tix
Sun, Feb 1
Expressions 51: Forging a New Path Guided Tour: Discover student artwork from across the Waterloo Region (all ages) ♿️ 2:00pm–3:00pm Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, 101 Queen St N, Kitchener it's free!
Family Sunday: Express Yourself: Guided art activities exploring Expressions 51, creating one-of-a-kind artworks together (all ages) ♿️ 1:00pm–4:00pm Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery it's free!
Black History Month Event: Celebrate with stories, food, music, and good vibes featuring RoshRiddims and Eyesus (all ages) ♿️ 12:00pm–5:00pm Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, 10 Huron Road, Kitchener It's free!
Mon, Feb 2
Winter Sky Paint Night: Create your own 16x20 masterpiece at the Boathouse (12+) ♿️ 6:30pm–8:30pm The Boathouse, Kitchener tix
Tue, Feb 3
Beginner-friendly Line Dance Class: Weekly drop-in line dance class for all skill levels (all ages) 6:00pm–6:50pm Remix Swing, Waterloo tix
Make Your Own Pizza w/ Chef Motola: Make your own pizza with antipasto, drink, and up to 3 toppings (all ages) ♿️ 5:00pm Pizzeria Motola, Gaslight District, Cambridge email: [email protected]
Paint Nite: Unleash your inner artist with step-by-step painting guidance (19+) 6:30pm–8:30pm E.V.O. Kitchen, Cambridge tix
Wed, Feb 4
Skate Night Date Night: Skate to live DJ King Kadeem spinning Dancehall and Soca, with treats from Hissing Goose Coffee Roasters (all ages) ♿️ 6:00pm–8:00pm Waterloo Public Square, It's free!
Aging Well in Woolwich: Information and active living fair with exercise demo, guest speakers, exhibits, lunch, and entertainment (all ages) ♿️ 10:00am–2:30pm 100 Andover Drive, Breslau, It's free! Call 519-664-1900
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Share your thoughts, hit reply and let me know!
See you next Wednesday! Until then, keep riding the region’s rhythm!
with love,
Your Neighbourly Goose | Waterloo Region Rhythm 🦆
