Good morning and a very happy new year, my friends!
Hope your 2026 is off to a good start. Mine's been great with family time, cozy nights, and approximately 47 hours of driveway shovelling. Okay maybe not 47, but enough to tear something in my left arm. (Yes, that's apparently a thing you can do. No, I don't recommend it.) If you're also discovering new and creative ways to injure yourself this winter, solidarity. Take it easy out there.
Anyway! You'll notice some trivia this week. Let me know if you love it or hate it! And while we're at it, thank you. For reading, for writing back, for telling me what's working and what you’d want more of. This newsletter is truly yours! Ready to feel this week's rhythm? Let's do this.
a new story..
1:55 AM: A New Story Begins
While you were probably snuggled up in bed after celebrating the onset of the New Year, a baby was born at Waterloo Regional Health Network in Kitchener, officially claiming the title of Waterloo Region's first arrival of 2026!
Did you know we've been celebrating the "first baby of the year" for a while? Well, more like thousands of years. The ancient Greeks started it around 600 B.C., parading infants through town in baskets to honour Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility. This symbolized renewal, a fresh start, all that hopeful stuff we love about turning the calendar page! Early Christians later adopted the tradition, using the image of a baby to represent hope and new beginnings. By the early 1900s, illustrator J.C. Leyendecker made the New Year's baby an American icon with his Saturday Evening Post covers, featuring adorable babies in diapers and top hats, complete with New Year's sashes. Have you seen those images?
These days, hospitals celebrate first births of the year with gift baskets full of practical stuff like diapers and baby clothes, plus the occasional savings bond or scholarship. Some families love the attention, others prefer to keep it low-key, but the tradition persists because there's something undeniably special about new life arriving at the exact moment we're all collectively hitting reset on the calendar. It's hopeful in a way that feels genuine.
Congrats and a big welcome to Waterloo Region's newest 2026 resident, arriving at 1:55 a.m. Jan 1 in Kitchener (according to hospital records)! A fresh year and a fresh start, all wrapped up in one tiny, hopeful package.
Room to Root
Region’s latest on Homes, Work & Ways to Help
💼 Artshine is looking for part-time English and French speaking Elementary School Program Facilitators and WRDSB is looking for After School and Before School Support
🏠 c.1881 well restored house with a blue door
🎗️How about this volunteer position at Pride Stables as a Leader responsible for a horse, or a Side Walker. Oh do you like crochet? Guide the residents of Trinity Village with knitting and crochet
Rise, Roars & Radiance
🎇 Sky: You can’t miss bright Jupiter this week! Tonight the icy moon, Europa, moves across Jupiter, you'll need a telescope to catch the moon and it’s shadow crossing the giant planet's disk. Without telescope, Thursday you can look for Jupiter shining bright in the eastern sky after sunset. Friday, Jan 9, the distance between Earth and Jupiter will be at its least for 2026, 633 million kms. Saturday, Earth will be directly between the Sun and Jupiter (called Jupiter’s opposition). More details here.
Did you catch the supermoon last week?
🎋 Nature: Moss can be found around us quite a lot. Did you know there are 10,000 varieties found globally! Maybe take a picture next time you see some, it might be the 10,001 variety!
Ruff & Fluff
Our adorable neighbours say hello!
🪶 Been chased by Wild Turkeys around Laurel Creek? Here are some tips in case you run into them (literally).
🐰 Emmy is ready to hop into your arms and call it home!
🐈 Wilbur is shy, but will purr if you give him head scratches!
🐶 Want some Nutella? This cuteness makes everyone around feel special!
Speaking of our feathered friends in Waterloo Region, how fast can a Wild Turkey run when they're chasing you?
Roam, Revel & Razzle
Sports
Ontario’s Curling Elite Battle for National Glory! 🗓️ Jan 8 - 11 📍Woolwich Memorial Centre, 24 Snyder Ave S, Elmira (♿️ accessible)🎟️ buy here
Kitchener Rangers vs Oshawa Generals: OHL hockey (all ages) 🗓️ Fri, Jan 9 ⏰ 7:00pm📍Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, 400 E Ave, Kitchener (♿️ accessible) 💰$28-$46 🎟️ buy here
Live Music
Joshua Pascua: Jazz performance (all ages) 🗓️ Thu, Jan 8 ⏰ 8:00–10:30pm📍The Jazz Room, 59 King St N, Waterloo (♿️ accessible)💰 $20–$32 🎟️ buy here
Kevin California: Canadian singer-songwriter with indie folk vibes (all ages) 🗓️ Fri, Jan 9 ⏰ 6:00–9:00pm📍Block Three Brewing, 1430 Unit #3, King St N, St.Jacobs (♿️ accessible)💰 it's free! 🎟️ More here
Music at Noon: Diar Band: Laurier student performance (all ages) 🗓️ Fri, Jan 9 ⏰ 12:00–1:00pm📍Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, 75 University Ave W, Waterloo (♿️ accessible) 💰 it's free! 🎟️ More here
Tymish Koznarsky Quintet: Jazz performance (all ages) 🗓️ Fri, Jan 9 ⏰ 8:00–10:30pm📍Jazz Room, 59 King St N, Waterloo (♿️ accessible) 💰 $20–$32 🎟️ buy here
Friday Night Live Music: Live music at the Galt Club (all ages) 🗓️ Fri, Jan 9 ⏰ 8:00–11:00pm📍 13, The Galt Club, 13 Main St, Cambridge (♿️ accessible)💰$5 cover after 8:30pm 🎟️ More here
Blue Rodeo: Lost Together — The 40th Anniversary Tour with opener Adam Baldwin (all ages) 🗓️ Fri, Jan 9 & Sat, Jan 10 ⏰ 8:00pm📍Centre In The Square, 1 Queen St N, Kitchener (♿️ accessible — call for accessible seating) 💰 $67.75–$104.50 🎟️ buy Jan 9 here 🎟️ buy Jan 10 here or call 519-578-1570
Benjamin Deschamps' No Codes: Jazz performance (all ages) 🗓️ Sat, Jan 10 ⏰ 8:00–10:30pm📍The Jazz Room, 59 King St N, Waterloo (♿️ accessible)💰$20–$32 🎟️ buy here
That 70's Rock Show: Classic rock hits from the 70s (all ages) 🗓️ Sat, Jan 10 ⏰ 7:30–9:30pm📍Room 47, 47 King St N, Waterloo (♿️ not shared)💰$22.63 🎟️ buy here
Gemmell & Smith: Beethoven violin/piano sonatas (all ages) 🗓️ Sun, Jan 11 ⏰ 3:00pm📍First United Church, 16 William St W, Waterloo (♿️ accessible)💰$30 / $10 students 🎟️ buy here
Live Music Turk & a Hobbit: Live tunes plus wing night (all ages) 🗓️ Wed, Jan 14 ⏰ 7:30–10:30pm📍Ethel's Lounge, 114 King St N, Waterloo (♿️ accessible)💰it's free! 🎟️ Reservations recommended: 519-725-2361
Dan Walsh: Canadian singer-songwriter with bluesy-slide guitar (all ages) 🗓️ Wed, Jan 14 ⏰ 7:00–10:30pm📍Ethel's Lounge, 114 King St N, Waterloo (♿️ accessible) 💰 it's free! 🎟️ Reservations recommended: 519-725-2361
Everything Yes: Intense jazz fusion from the US (all ages) 🗓️ Wed, Jan 14 ⏰ 7:00pm📍Den 1880, Waterloo (♿️ accessible)💰$25 🎟️ buy here
Art, Activities & Comedy
Highly recommend checking Waterloo Public Library’s events at different locations here!! There is a ton of good stuff!!
Rusty Nail Comedy: Stand-up comedy with Jeff Paul (19+) 🗓️ Fri, Jan 9 & Sat, Jan 10 ⏰ 8:00pm📍TWH Social, 1 King St W, Kitchener (♿️ ramp details to room unclear) 💰$22.63 🎟️ buy Jan 9 here 🎟️ buy Jan 10 here
Saturday Market Cooking Class with Chef Mady: Shop local ingredients and cook a meal to go (all ages) 🗓️ Sat, Jan 10 ⏰ 10:30am–12:30pm📍Kitchener Market, 300 King St E, Kitchener (♿️ accessible) 💰$40 (includes market dollars) 🎟️ buy here
Together We're Boisterous Comedy Show: Improv, stand-up & burlesque hosted by Pinch (19+) 🗓️ Sat, Jan 10 ⏰ 7:00pm📍TWB Brewing, 300 Mill St, Unit 1, Kitchener (♿️ accessible) 💰$11 🎟️ buy here
The Sunday Grind: DJ Yazzy of Exclusive Vibez Music with coffee and vibes (all ages) 🗓️ Sun, Jan 11 ⏰ 11:00am–2:00pm📍Fresh Ground Cafe, 256 King St E, Unit A, Kitchener (♿️ accessible)💰it's free! 🎟️ More here
Family Sunday: Paper Cutting Magic: Creative workshop for families (all ages) 🗓️ Sun, Jan 11 ⏰ 1:00–4:00pm📍Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, 101 Queen St N, Kitchener (♿️ accessible)💰it's free! 🎟️ More here
Paint Night at The Rabbid Fox: Paint "The Fox" with traceable (ages 12+) 🗓️ Tue, Jan 13 ⏰ 6:30pm📍The Rabbid Fox, 123 Pioneer Dr, Kitchener (♿️ accessible)💰$40 🎟️ buy here
Paint Night at Kelseys: Paint "I'm Snow Happy" (all ages) 🗓️ Tue, Jan 13 ⏰ 6:30–8:30pm📍Kelseys, 1440 Ottawa St S, Kitchener (♿️ accessible)💰$35 🎟️ buy here
Winter Watercolor Paint Night: Paint landscape with evergreens & bird (ages 12+) 🗓️ Wed, Jan 14 ⏰ 6:30–8:00pm📍CDC Landscaping-Design-Floristry, 3677 Nafziger Rd, Wellesley (♿️ not shared)💰$49.26 🎟️ buy here
Sushi Making Class: Make California rolls, spicy salmon roll & tuna hand roll (all ages) 🗓️ Wed, Jan 14 ⏰ 7:00–8:30pm📍Counterpoint Brewing Company, 1601 Victoria St N, Unit C105, Kitchener (♿️ accessible)💰$75.87 (includes one free drink) 🎟️ buy here
💌 If you enjoyed this, share it with someone you want to wish good beginnings! 🆕 Someone forwarded you this email? Join here & get the next one on Wed.
See you next week. Until then, keep riding the region’s rhythm!
with love,
🦆 Your Neighbourly Goose | Waterloo Region Rhythm
