Tag Archives: Non-Music Interview

CKMS Community Connections for 9 December 2024: Melissa Jacques

The history of disability and the Evolution of care – living with a disability – CKMS Community Connections talk about: Human Rights and People with disabilities. Please share for awareness. We do not want to go back to institutional living~ Melissa Jacques #REMOVEBARRIERS

CKMS Community Connections for 25 October 2024: Katherine Loveys of Parents for Community Living

Show Notes

A woman with short blonde hair wearing a plaid shirt sits at a CKMS-FM microphone
Katherine Loveys

Katherine Loveys is in the studio to talk about Parents for Community Living and the Stand Up for PCL fundraiser to build affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities.

The interview starts at 6m12s.

Online:

Upcoming Events

Free tickets are still available! Just go to our Listen Live page and type in the chat box “I’d like to win tickets to Stand Up for PCL” (with your contact info).

Podcast

Download: ckms-community-connections-2024-10-25-episode172-Katherine-Loveys-of-Parents-for-Community-Living.mp3 (51 MB, 55m31s, episode 172)

Index

Time Title Album Artist
0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
CKMS Community Connections
Steve Todd
1m02s Priscilla Kangaroo
the Riches
(photo of four people lifting a purple army tank)
Kangaroo
The Riches
6m12s Katherine Loveys tells us about Parents for Community Living. It started 1986, now there are 13 locations in Waterloo Region providing accomodation for individuals with intellectual disabilities. There are no longer provincial institutions, these individuals are now living in their own home communities. Katherine tells us about her own journey into PCL, and how it has changed over the years. Katherine talks about the various services provided at the homes, including respite programs .
14m08s Katherine introduces the Stand Up For PCL fundraiser. The goal is raising funds to build additional affordable housing. Katherine explains some of the previous work done to provide housing at the Bridgeport and Lancaster facility. St. Paul’s church wanted to repurpose their building, which was torn down and replaced with a 48 unit apartment building, of which PCL has ten units. There is also a commercial kitchen for community events. The other 38 units are available to people on the Region of Waterloo affordable housing program, but there are still some 6,000 people on the wait list, not including the 700 people with developmental disabilities on PCL‘s wait list. Katherine supplies more details on the comedy night.
21m29s Partners for Community Living is offering two free tickets to the comedy fundraiser to the first person to put their name in the Chat Box on our Listen Live page! Be sure to write in that you want the tickets to the Stand Up for PCL comedy show.
22m19s The Chase Is On Sonova
FutureGrateful Volume 3
(A train station platform, B&W photo but the sky is blue with a white cloud)
Future Grateful Vol. 3
Sonova (Andew McPherson)
26m36s Talking about fundraising, and how community living works, giving some more info about the Bridgeport/Lancaster residence. There are cooking classes, and PCL has a partnership with Second Harvest, which provides food for their community kitchen. The community hub is available for use community groups. Contact PCL at info@pclkw.org.

30m22s Katherine thanks the many sponsors of the Stand Up for PCL comedy night. There are still sponsorships opportunities, and they’re still accepting items for the silent auction. Katherine explains how the silent auction works.
32m48s Katherine discusses the privatization of health care, and how PCL is regulated in the sector. Private firms offering these services are not regulated as well. Katherine says that Developmental Services Ontario is where people can access care-giving services. But there’s a waiting list, 700 people in Waterloo Region; the waiting list across Ontario is 19,000 people. One of the challenges is finding affordable housing; another is finding employees. The pandemic made it more difficult to find people in health care and education. There are many specialty professions required, but there’s always room for volunteers.
39m43s William Kangaroo
the Riches
(photo of four people lifting a purple army tank)
Kangaroo
The Riches
43m42s Talking about the different awards that Parents for Community Living has received. And there are health and wellness activities for both staff and the community, such as last year’s “Hot Tub Time Machine.” The employees are very engaged with the people they support, to help them fulfill their dreams and goals. Katherine thanks all the employees for what can be a thankless job. The work can be emotionally taxing, but it is very rewarding work. PCL is a major employer in Waterloo Region, and also a major consumer at grocery stores, and even purchasing real estate. There is some employee turnover, but many people have worked there for years. Katherine lists some of the requirements for employment at PCL.
50m17s Katherine summarizes the Stand Up for PCL one more time.
51m21s 14 to 20 Kangaroo
the Riches
(photo of four people lifting a purple army tank)
Kangaroo
The Riches
54m32s Bob thanks Katherine, and gives the end credits.

CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

Bonus Video

Video: CKMS Community Connections for Friday 25 October 2024 (Radio Waterloo Video)

Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2024 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders. The theme music is written and performed by Steven Todd.

CKMS Community Connections for 2 September 2024 with Alfred Lowrick of Fight For Farmland

 

Show Notes

Alfred Lowrick (a man wearing a dark shirt smiling at the camera, panelled walls in the background)
Alfred Lowrick

Alfred Lowrick of Fight For Farmland tells us about the “Land Assembly” proposed by Waterloo Region, the provincial government’s involvement, and what farmers and other citizens are doing about it.

The interview starts at 8m16s.

We also hear some of the speeches given at the Fight For Farmland protest rally held Monday 26 August 2024.

Fight For Farmland (a protest fist holding a stalk of wheat; black and white letters on a puce background)
 

Fight For Farmland Online:

Upcoming Events

Podcast

Download: ckms-community-connections-2024-09-02-episode166-Alfred-Lowrick-of-Fight-For-Farmland.mp3 (53 MB, 58m01s, episode 166)

Index

Time Title Album Artist
0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
CKMS Community Connections
Steve Todd
0m54s 770 Acres 770 Acres - Steve Todd (gold and black letters, with a picture of Steve Todd in a field, wearing a black Stetson hat and black T-shirt and playing guitar)
(YouTube)
Punkeydoodles Steve Todd
4m08s The Sign on the 7/8 The Sign on the 7/8 Steve Todd (collage of gold and black lettering, the sign "Drinking Water Protection Zone", and Steve Todd wearing a black cowboy hat and black T-shirt and playing guitar)
(YouTube)
8m16s Alfred Lowrick tells us about the issues with the Wilmot land assembly: No consultation with the community; the planning for the environmental impact has not been done; the farmers don’t want to sell their land. Personally, Alfred is concerned that the Regional plan is not being followed, that the Countryside Line is not being observed, that employment lands are supposed to be on the east side of the Region. There was a one page letter that said “We want to buy your land, and we’ll come back and make you an offer.” It was a lowball offer, and if there was no agreement within ten days then expropriation would be an option. Alfred organized meetings between the farmers and the CAO and planning director of Wilmot Township, but they couldn’t talk about it because of a confidentiality agreement with the Region. This was followed by a delegation to Wilmot Township Council, but Alfred was limited to three minutes. Now, six months later they know a bit more, but not much.
16m50s Alfred has 70 questions for Regional Council, but his Freedom of Information requests have all been denied. There have been numerous town hall meetings organized by Fight For Farmland. And on Wednesday 28 August 2024 there was a protest rally outside the Regional headquarters with 40 tractors. There were numerous speakers, and support from the opposition in the Provincial government. There was a statement from the Provincial government stating they were funding this land assembly, but the “ground game” was at the Region of Waterloo office.
19m13s The Provincial government has changed the rules around municipal planning: Bill 185 (“Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act”) and Bill 162 (“Get It Done Act”). Both make it easier for expropriation, making it easier for the Province to establish guidelines for planning. Some of this is driven by Federal policy, such as increased immigration which requires more housing, but it leaves the municipalities without much of a say in the planning process. Fight For Farmland has asked Wilmot Township councillors to declare themselves “unwilling hosts”, but Alfred thinks they won’t be able to do much, leaving it to the Regional government to decide who is an unwilling host or not. Fight For Farmland continues to work on it, they have some say at the municipal level, but once they get to the provincial level it’s more difficult.
21m23s A number of people presented at the Wilmot Township Council meeting on Monday 26 August 2024, but not exactly for what Fight For Farmland is asking Council to do. People from Fight For Farmland haven’t been able to delegate directly to Council, they’re planning on doing that on Monday 9 September 2024. Letters have been sent to Council to ask them to declare Wilmot Township an unwilling host, but there’s more process to go through. At the Regional Council meeting on Wednesday the staff was threatening to disband the meeting because there were too many people standing. But some people from the Fight For Farmland steering team, including Mark Reusser of the Waterloo Federation of Agriculture spoke directly to Regional Council. The rally showed that there is something that Regional Council needs to address. But no motions were brought forward.
24m22s Based on the statement from the Province that it’s a Regional issue, Bob thinks the Region could put a stop to this. But Alfred has heard too many conflicting statements from different levels of government, and doesn’t know who to believe. Alfred and Fight For Farmland wants this land assembly stopped, a proper planning process to take place with consultation from the community.
25m49s Bob is worried about the lack of transparency coming from all levels of government. Alfred says this is why he doesn’t believe anyone. This is affecting the lives of everyone in Wilmot, everyone in Wateloo Region. We know this is supposed to be an industrial site, but not whether it’s a chemical plant or an electronics plant. Alfred worries about a chemical spill affecting ground water. Bob points out that industrial plants damaged the ground water in Elmira, where he lives. All the wells in Elmira are contaminated, and there are still plumes of chemicals drifting through the aquifers. There are environmentalists on the team that keep raising these issues. Bob and Alfred talk about environmentalism in farming
33m20s Next steps: The Wilmot Council meeting on 9 September. Any other rallies or protests? Alfred points out that they’re just volunteers, it is unfair that farmers with 24/7 jobs need to take on this extra work. There is some legal work that needs to be done, more Freedom of Information requests to be sent… There are other groups that want to join, communications that need to go out, a website that needs to be maintained… They’re waiting for the Region to come forward with a plan to address some of the concerns they have. Except for one, the farmers have not had further contact about acquiring their land. If it comes to expropriation, that’s the legal aspects they have to address. To keep in touch people can go to https://www.fightforfarmland.com/, join the mailing list, and sign the petition. Make sure to sign the hardcopy petitions at the rallies. And there are other petitions from opposition parties as well. And everyone should write their Regional councillors, and Wilmot Council. All their contact information is on the Fight For Farmland website.
39m30s Plow-Down Putdown Plow-Down Putdown Steve Todd (collage of gold-and-black lettering, and Steve Todd wearing a black cowboy hat and T-shirt, and holding a guitar)
(YouTube)
Punkeydoodles Steve Todd
43m31s Speech by Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario.
49m41s Speech by Kevin Thomason, Environmentalist and co-organizer of Fight For Farmland.
53m50s Speech by Jenn Pfenning, President of the National Farmer’s Union.
57m11s Bob gives the end credits.

Other speeches that weren’t in the show:

CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

Bonus Video

Video: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 2 September 2024 (Radio Waterloo Video, 159 MB, 58m43s)

Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2024 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders. The theme music is written and performed by Steven Todd.

CKMS Community Connections for 30 August 2024 with Frank Curnew of the Waterloo Regional Labour Council

Show Notes

Frank Curnew, a man with a beard and moustache, wearing a baseball hat with blue sunglasses perched on the brim, sitting at the CKMS-FM microphone.
Frank Curnew

Frank Curnew of the Waterloo Regional Labour Council talks to Bob Jonkman about the 2024 Labour Day Picnic on Monday 2 September, and about various other labour and unions issues as well.

The interview starts at 5m59s.

Online:

Upcoming Events

Waterloo Regional Labour Council Labour Day Picnic All Items $1 Monday, September 2nd 12:00pm-4:00pm Waterloo Park Westmount Road Entrance You're Invited! United Way Waterloo Region Communities Proceeds from this event go to United Way Waterloo Region Communities (background photo of a picnic basket with berries, apples, wine, &c.)
 

Podcast

Download: ckms-community-connections-2024-08-30-episode165-Frank-Curnew-of-the-Waterloo-Regional-Labour-Council.mp3 (50 MB, 54m30s, episode 165)

Index

Time Title Album Artist
0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
CKMS Community Connections
Steve Todd
1m00s Which Side Are You On? Which Side Are You On? | Artists For Action (illustration of a record in front of a background of blue at the top and yellow on the bottom; the record label reads "This Machine Kills Fascism")
(YouTube)
Artists For Action
5m30s Bob gives a brief history of Which Side Are You On?.
6m00s Frank gives info about the Ed Weidinger Memorial Labour Day Picnic, and tells us about Ed Weidinger, the former treasurer of the Labour Council. The picnic has been taking place about forty or fifty years; Frank has been involved since 1994. There used to be a Labour Day Parade that led to the picnic. Talking about the different groups: Not just labour and union groups, but other social justice organizations that have like-minded politics. The picnic is non-partisan, but some political parties represent the Labour Council’s values better than others.
11m06 It’s a fun day, not a sombre event. The band Innuendo is playing. Bob encourages them (and any other bands) to submit their music to play on the radio.
12m46s Workers Unite Socialism | An Introduction | The Soviet Influence
Socialism – An Introduction
The Soviet Influence
15m00s Talking about migrant farm workers, and the lack of unionization for farm workers. The small family farms weren’t the problem, it was large commercial, industrial farm operations that really needed unionization. Some temporary farm workers are not paid a minimum wage, and certainly not a living wage.
19m45s Talking about minimum wage and a petition by MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam to raise minimum wage to $20/hour. Wages below minimum wage would not be allowed in a union shop. Bob and Frank swap stories about working in union shops.
23m00s Talking about the Company Store and being paid in company scrip, setting up an intro for 16 Tons.
23m39s 16 Tons Two women singing, wearing white dresses standing almost back-to-back, the left one playing a fiddle, the right one playing an upright cello (and wearing a hat)
(YouTube)
Southern Raised
27m45s Frank’s full-time job is with the United Way, he explains how the Canadian Labour Congress and The United Way work together. Not only does Frank help unionized workplaces with their campaigns to raise money for The United Way, he can steer union members to the services of The United Way when they need assistance. The Labour Community Advocate Program trains union activists to be social stewards in the workplace. Since the manufacturing sector has dwindled, there are fewer large campaigns, but many more campaigns with smaller firms. And there is also an increased need for the services that The United Way supports, they can only meet a fraction of the requests they receive.
32m05s Talking about the changes in the workplace, the replacement of full-time workers with part-time workers. But employers are having trouble filling vacancies, now employers are starting to offer better wages and working conditions. Talking about the skills needed to do all jobs, every job is as important as any other.
35m22s How unions get good working conditions, benefits, or wages for workers — all done through negotiations, or, at worst, witholding labour, ie. a strike. Contracts are typically negotiated for three years. Most negotiations go smoothly, but we only hear about the labour conflicts. Workers need to eat, and so they want to work. Frank gives his personal opinions on the recent railway labour dispute. Talking about replacement workers, the “dreaded scab”. There was anti-scab legislation from 1990 to 1995, with fewer labour disputes in that time. Recently, the federal government passed Bill C-58, anti-scab legislation (Bob and Frank speculate on the progress of this bill).
42m58s Solidarity Forever Union Thugs Revolutionary Oi & Folk Montreal (Yellow lettering and a yellow laurel wreath around a stylized globe and stars)
On a d’affaire icitte
Union Thugs
45m36s Frank’s role with The United Way is “Resource Development Office, Labour”, helping workplaces with their fundraising efforts. Reviewing the events for the Labour Day Picnic. It’s a way for labour organizations to give back to the community, that it’s just all about striking. It’s unions that gave us the weekend! Whereas unions help make the workplace better, The United Way helps make communities better.
49m20s Frank sees an ongoing need for unions, representing people who don’t have the voices to stand up for themselves. When we put our voices together we’re much stronger. Some workers may not realize the value of the union, but explaining that the wages, the benefits they have aren’t provided benevolently by the employer, it’s the union that negotiated for that.
51m30s A recap of the the Labour Day Picnic at Waterloo Park: Enter from the Westmount Road entrance. Live music, entertainment for the kids, bouncy castles, amusement rides, and great food: hot dogs, hamburgers, and vegetarian samosas. Full information is online at https://wrlc.ca (also https://waterloolabour.ca/). Frank mentions the upcoming Canadian Labour Independent Film Festival. Bob encourages everyone to send their Public Service Announcements for upcoming events to office@radiowaterloo.ca.
53m50s Bob gives the credits.

CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

Bonus Video

Video: CKMS Community Connections for Friday, 30 August 2024 (Radio Waterloo Video)

Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2024 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders. The theme music is written and performed by Steven Todd.

CKMS Community Connections for 3 June 2024 with Laurel Boytim of The Ripple Effect Education

Show Notes

A blonde woman wearing a light blue sweater and headphones sits in front of a microphone with a label "CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo".
Laurel Boytim

Laura Boytim, Executive Director of The Ripple Effect Education talks to Bob Jonkman about the origins of TREE, what services it provides and what programs it offers, the Peace Innovator Scholarship & Mentorship Program, the effects of Covid 19, and the staff, volunteers, and its Board of Directors.

The interview starts at 0m37s.

Online:

Podcast

Download: ckms-community-connections-2024-06-03-episode161-Laurel-Boytim-of-The-Ripple-Effect-Education.mp3 (48 MB, 51m59s, episode 161)

Index

Time Title Album Artist
0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
CKMS Community Connections
Steve Todd
0m37s The Ripple Effect Education has a wonderful acronym, TREE, which is all about conflict resolution, peace building, and social justice education for all ages: Adults, youth, and children. TREE started in 2016, and sprung out of a Peace Camp organized by Katie Gingerich at Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo. Laurel explains some of the different aspects of the course, and how it varies with different age groups, and how TREE got into the schools systems to teach there. The adult education component is fairly new, and expanding.
7m38s Educators at TREE have varied backgrounds in social justice and conflict resolution. Many facilitators are in university or have just graduated; they teach the kindergarten through grade eight classrooms. There are facilitators with backgrounds in psychology, knowledge integration, peace and conflict studies, social justice, gender studies, and more.
8m53s Corporations that want workplace workshops can e-mail, Laurel will set up a consultation meeting to determine what their needs are, and customize and create a program to suit.
10m05s The Heart Holds On (photo of a woman wearing a striped sweater and holding a scarf around her neck; she has rings on her fingers. Her head is cropped out of the photo)
(single)
Taylor Davison
12m58s Talking about the origin of the name The Ripple Effect Education. Talking about the “Training for Trainers” program, for people who want to teach the kindergarten to grade eight education in their own students. This is spreading out to Europe and across the world. Is there a danger of putting yourself out of work? Laurel wants to be able to put herself out of a job, but that’s unlikely to happen soon. There is also the Peace Innovator Scholarship & Mentorship Program partnered with the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement and the University of Waterloo, for students going into grade 11 or 12. Application had closed the previous Friday, but was kept open for an extra week for listeners of Radio Waterloo! It starts off with a two-day retreat, goes throughout the school year, and ends with a final showcase in April. This is extra-curricular, totally separate from the regular high school program. Candidates will go through an interview process, then the retreat takes place in July.
21m48s Bigger Than That Human | Alysha Brilla (illustration of Alysha Brilla, all on a patterned teal background. Alysha's skin is blended with the teal background)
Human
Alysha Brilla
26m05s Talking about Covid. TREE moved some things online, and now can provide online education as a regular service. But Covid has increased the struggles in schools; students are behind socially. There’s a need for more mental- and self-care; Laurel explains the systemic nature of the things people are dealing with. Talking about the Region of Waterloo Combatting Hate Action Table. Doing this locally and globally. Education is only one of the parts to bringing about social justice and human rights.
33m39s Setting up the organization, overcoming administrative hurdles. TREE is a charitable organization concentrating on education. There’s not much political activity, it’s providing conflict resolution and peace building to everyone. Talking about sources of grants and funding. Looking to people who share their values. Talking about the fundraising gala held earlier in the year. People can donate through the website using Canada Helps.
37m45s In My Bones In My Bones, JP Sunga (B&W photo of a man's head in profile, with skull bones and teeth tattooed on his face)
(single)
JP Sunga
41m45s More about funding, growing the programs that have been developed. TREE has three staff, and many volunteer facilitators and students. There is a Board of Directors, which has some vacancies. If you’re interested in serving on the Board send an e-mail to hello@therippleeffecteducation.ca, as well as for any other volunteer opportunities.
45m51s Some former students are still in touch, some have become facilitators, and even some younger siblings have come out. And many of the corporate clients have come back for additional workshops.
48m00s What happens to people who aren’t selected for the Mentorship program? There aren’t many people who aren’t accepted, perhaps they’re encouraged to come back later. Is there overlap with other Waterloo Region organizations? Not really, TREE is in a niche, but willing to collaborate with other organizations. The TREE office is located in the Centre for Peace Advancement, and there’s a lot of collaboration with other organizations there.
50m55s Bob thanks Laurel, and gives the end credits.

CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

Bonus Video

Video: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 3 June 2024 (Radio Waterloo Video)

Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2024 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders. The theme music is written and performed by Steven Todd.

CKMS Community Connections for 20 May 2024: Spring 2024 Fundraiser and Jax Rula of WEFT Fest

Show Notes

Spring 2024 Fundraiser

(chart showing the amount of money raised and number of pledges. This is dynamic, the numbers change as pledges are received)
 

Bob makes pitches for the Spring 2024 Fundraiser throughout the show. We’re raising funds to keep Radio Waterloo on the air — money raised will go towards maintenance of our equipment, offsetting increases in rent both for the studio and our transmitter, and generally dealing with inflation. There are prizes of T-shirts from Radio Waterloo, Street Hop, and All Weather Haulage, and CD compilations of music from local musicians.

Make your donation at https://radiowaterloo.ca/give.

Online:

Spring 2024 Fundraiser Wrap-Up Special

Join our Fundraising Committee members on-air as we summarize the fundraiser, and give away the prizes!

WEFT Fest

(headshot of a woman with long blonde hair)
Jax Rula

Bob speaks with Jax Rula of WEFT Fest, the Woolwich Expressions in Fibre Traditions about the name “WEFT Fest”, events taking place, the Vendors’ Market, and some of the other events.

The interview starts at 4m30s.

Online:

WEFT Fest. Woolwich Expressions in Fibre Traditions. (colourful letters, as though they're cut out of cloth)
WEFT Fest Events

Podcast

Download: ckms-community-connections-2024-05-20-episode159-Spring-2024-Fundraiser-and-Jax-Rula-of-WEFT-Fest.mp3 (51 MB, 55m10s, episode 159)

Index

Time Title Album Artist
0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
CKMS Community Connections
Steve Todd
0m32s Bob makes a pitch for the Spring 2024 Fundraiser, and introduces the first track.
2m05s Pixels (a mushroom in grass, some dry leaves scattered about)
(single)
Amanda Braam
4m30s Bob speaks with Jax Rula of WEFT Fest. Jax explains that on a loom the “warp” are the strings that go on the loom, and the “weft” are the strings that make the pattern. But WEFT is also the Woolwich Expressions in Fibre Traditions. Jax created a venue, the TriSisters Art House and wanted to be part of the Quilt and Fibre Arts Festival. But the ladies that ran it were retired, and to continue the festival Jax had to change the name. Jax tells us about the TriSisters Art House. It’s busy at the Vendors’ Market; Jax talks with some customers. Talking about some of the other events taking place during the ten days of the festival. Jax tells us about the items in the auction. Jax’s fibre art is dollmaking, and she tells us of alternate fibres, for example, paper. And Jax tells us about the Vendors’ Market in the Timber Barn, and some of the other events.
15m06s Is This Human? (A woman wearing a sari and a steampunk helmet)
(single)
Trina Chakrabarti
19m15s Bob tells listeners how to submit music and continues to pitch for donation throughout the rest of the show.
23m26s Skeletons In The Closet (a mushroom in grass, some dry leaves scattered about)
(singles)
Amanda Braam
28m09s Siren Song
36m46s Inertia Hello Hopeless. Dark Pasts, Brighter Futures. (two large red 'H's on a black background)
Dark Pasts, Brighter Futures
Hello Hopeless
42m25s Hell Or High Water Onion Honey | Hell or High Water (painting of the Carpathia steaming towards the sinking Titanic)
(single)
Onion Honey
50m00s California Living Room. California. (two men sitting in front of a green wall)
(single)
Living Room for Small
51m00s Coffee? Coffee? | The Whythouse | Coffee? |The Whythouse (picture of a diner-in-a-trailer with a signpost "West Side Diner")
(single)
The Whythouse
54m11s End Credits

CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

Bonus Video

Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2024 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

CKMS Community Connections for 10 May 2024 with Megan Brady of the CMHA Waterloo Wellington

Show Notes

A blonde woman wearing a white jacket over a logo T-Shirt at the CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo microphone
Megan Brady

Megan Brady, Communications Lead for CMHAWW, the Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo Wellington talks to Bob Jonkman about the work of CMHAWW, the Run For Women fundraiser on Saturday 11 May 2024, effects of the pandemic on people’s mental health, and the operations of CMHAWW.

The interview starts at 5m21s.

Here 24/7 mental health crisis or immediate assistance:

+1‑844‑HERE‑247 (+1‑844‑437‑3247), TTY: +1‑877‑688‑5501

Suicide Crisis Helpline

9‑8‑8

CMHA WW Online:

Upcoming Events

The CMHA Waterloo Wellington events list is available at https://cmhaww.ca/events/.

Podcast

Download: ckms-community-connections-2024-05-10-episode158-Megan-Brady-of-CMHA-Waterloo-Wellington.mp3 (52 MB, 56m36s, episode 158)

Index

Time Title Album Artist
0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
CKMS Community Connections
Steve Todd
0m53s Hell Or High Water Onion Honey | Hell or High Water (painting of the Carpathia steaming towards the sinking Titanic)
(single)
Onion Honey
5m21s Megan Brady explains what the CMHA is and does. She explains the 24/7 crisis line, and what it’s used for. Not all services are available in all areas of the region, it depends on what’s needed. CMHAWW has merged with sever al other organizations.
9m21s Talking about the fundraiser, Run For Women, which took place on Saturday 11 May 2024 at Conestoga College Doon Campus. It’s the biggest CMHAWW fundraiser of the year. The runs are organized by Shoppers Drug Mart and take place across Canada, some for CHMA, some for other organizations. CHMAWW has participated for the past seven years.
13m38s Over the pandemic, Megan thought that people might have gained a different perspective on mental health, but things are still going on below the surface. There has been a 40% upswing in calls for support. People call in for crisis counselling, or to find the next steps in getting help, or even to get assistance for other people. Talking about sources of funding, both provincial and federal, and how it’s allocated.
25m16s Coffee? Coffee? | The Whythouse | Coffee? |The Whythouse (picture of a diner-in-a-trailer with a signpost "West Side Diner")
(single)
The Whythouse
27m25s Talking about the locations, and the programs available at the different locations. Also talking about training progras for corporate or community organizations. CHMAWW is the partner agency in 9‑8‑8, the Suicide Crisis Helpline. Talking about the structure of CMHAWW. And the new building! Discussing corporate donors, and political support.
40m02s Talking about future fundraisers. CMHA is a registered charity, donations are tax-receiptable. The Run For Women is specifically to raise money for women’s mental health. Other activities are online, several every month.
44m30s Repeating the details for Saturday’s Run For Women, and some details of other events.
47m50s Let The Credits and The Good Times Roll (a mushroom in grass, some dry leaves scattered about)
Origami
Amanda Braam
50m27s Talking about how to submit music.
51m14s Megan Brady is the Communications Lead for CMHAWW. Reviewing the upcoming Run For Women. The past week has been Mental Health Week. Talking about issues specific to women’s mental health. CMHAWW has been the lead agency for mental health support for ten years.
55m56s Bob gives the end credits.

CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

Bonus Video

Video: CKMS Community Connections for Friday 10 May 2024 (200 MB)

Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2024 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

CKMS Community Connections for 29 April 2024 with Scott McGovern of Waterloo Arts and Culture Industries

Show Notes

A man with white hair wearing headphones at a microphone with the CKMS-FM logo on it.
Scott McGovern

Jenniefer Stronge and Bob Jonkman talk with Scott McGovern of the City of Waterloo Arts and Cultural Industries about upcoming events taking place in Waterloo.

The interview starts at 3m44s.

Online:

Upcoming Events

We’re listing only the events where Radio Waterloo is participating, for the full City of Waterloo events list see https://www.waterloo.ca/events

Podcast

Download: ckms-community-connections-2024-04-29-episode156-Scott-McGovern-of-Waterloo-Arts-and-Culture-Industries.mp3 (49 MB, 53m19s, episode 156)

Index

Time Title Album Artist
0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
CKMS Community Connections
Steve Todd
0m54s Waiting Arms Hyness | Waiting Arms (B&W letters in squares, somewhat mixed up)
(single)
Hyness
3m44s Scott McGovern introduces himself: For the last two years he’s the Festival and Events Specialist at the City of Waterloo. Scott is a 30-year alumnus of CKMS! He remembers the walls of vinyl records, letting DJs play whatever they wanted, music you would never hear on mainstream radio. A portal into alternative music! Talking about the purpose of community radio. Coming up to the busy season for Scott; lots of interesting programs and events, sometimes two a week! Scott organizes the “Campfire Series” on Waterloo Public Square, eight throughout the summer, 6pm to 8pm. Hyness plays on 10 July 2024. The first event will be a Campfire session on Wednesday 8 May 2024, with Sammy Duke and Gerima Harvey.
10m58s Just Breathe Speed Of Life | Sammy Duke (stylized illustration of a pale pink moon over orange mountains with a dark red river running through them)
Speed of Life
Sammy Duke
15m24s Other events are one-off (annual) events, like Winterloo, where Scott met Bob Jonkman this past January. Open Streets on 15 June 2024 is another annual event, and Radio Waterloo will be there too! And DJ Denim will be playing Live-To-Air at the Art Market, 5:00pm to 9:00pm on Friday 31 May 2024.

Clarissa Diokno is playing at the second Campfire event from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on 22 May 2024.

19m19s Any Other Way Any Other Way | Clarissa Diokno (Clarissa Diokno, a woman with long black hair wearing a red blouse stands in front of a pink backdrop)
Any Other Way
Clarissa Diokno
22m21s Clarissa’s music is perfect for the vibe Scott is trying for at these events. Scott and his team have some set annual events, like this year’s Community Picnic on 1 July 2024 in Waterloo Park West, another Radio Waterloo Live-To-Air event. Yet another annual event is Day of Play on 10 August 2024. Lumen is the biggest event each year, a one-night celebration of light-based installations. And there are the “affiliate groups”, like Busker Fest, the Uptown Jazz Festival, Royal Medieval Faire. Some started as City events and became so big that they formed their own organizations. The City of Waterloo still helps with logistics such as using City facilities and road closures, making sure that they provide what Waterluvians have come to love and expect.
25m18s What can we expect on July 1st? The student-run Canada Day celebrations came to an end in 2018, and the City of Waterloo saw that would leave a huge vacuum, so they decided to take it on. It now take place in Waterloo Park by the bandshell. The highlight of the night is the choreographed drone show, with a live soundtrack.

Introducing Nicolette and the Nobodies.

28m22s Don’t Know Nicolette and the Nobodies | The Long Way (a woman wearing a white dress and a straw hat sitting in a wicker chair beside a plant)
The Long Way
Nicolette and the Nobodies
30m58s The event on 1 July is branded as a Community Picnic, it isn’t a super traditional Canada Day celebration. Last year the audience was estimated at 15- to 20 thousand people.
32m26s There are eight campfires in the square. Scott can’t reveal names yet, but it will be great. There will also be three Art Markets, very popular with audiences as well as local artists and craftspeople. And Scott announces that on 31 May there will be an Art Market and a Celebration In The Square to show off the new improvements such as the water feature and the shade structures. And the new artwork on the Events trailer will be unveiled. There will be remarks from the Mayor and others, followed by music from Anet Hector.
37m04s Weatherman Weatherman | Hyness (B&W negative image of three people with plants and birds in the background)
(single)
Hyness
38m40s Jenniefer thanks Scott for the city creating a nice atmosphere and caring about the quality of life for city dwellers. Scott says he appreciates that, Waterloo is a special community to get behind the arts and culture that exists here. Not all cities do it to this extent. Scott sees is as supporting the mental health of the community.
43m44s Show Up Nicolette and the Nobodies | The Long Way (a woman wearing a white dress and a straw hat sitting in a wicker chair beside a plant)
The Long Way
Nicolette and the Nobodies
47m28s Scott is looking forward to the point where everyone has done their work, and the events come alive.
50m30s Artists come to the Scott’s attention through calls for submissions that are open to anyone — there’s a lot of interest, so not everyone is accepted. Other artists are selected for specific things. It’s a huge range of new people, and people the city has worked with in the past.
51m53s Jenniefer gives the end credits.

CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

Bonus Video


Video: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 29 April 2024 (YouTube)

Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2024 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

CKMS Community Connections for 18 March 2024 with Sepehr Reybod and June Sung of the UofW Department of Theatre and Performance

Show Notes

(A man with a moustache wearing a beige shirt and headphones smiles while sitting at a microphone)
Sepehr Reybod
(A woman with long hair wearing a brown watch cap and headphones speaks into a microphone)
June Sung

Bob Jonkman talks to script developer Sepehr Reybod and actor June Sung about the upcoming performance of Immolation, how the play was developed, the theme of the play, how it relates to current events, and how the play is structured to achieve the message it is trying to convey.

The interview starts at 3m50s.

Online:

Upcoming Events

(Silhouette of a man falling backwards into flames, red on a yellow background)

  • Immolation

Podcast

Download: ckms-community-connections-2024-03-18-episode155-Sepehr-Reybod-and-June-Sung-of-the-UofW-Department-of-Theatre-and-Performance.mp3 (50 MB, 54m06s, episode 155)

Index

Time Title Album Artist
0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
CKMS Community Connections
Steve Todd
0m58s Great Strides Great Strides | Tim McInnes (legs striding on a wavy piano keyboard)
(single)
Tim McInnes
3m49s Bob introduces Sepehr Reybod and June Sung. June explains what the Department of Theatre and Performance is, and how students are involved. Sepehr describes what he does as “text developer” — Immolation is a devised piece, there was no script, only a spark of an idea. The actors wanted to look at resistance, revolution, and rebellion. The text was created by the actors, and Sepehr fleshed it out, created a narrative structure, and assembled it into the script. He’s also the assistant director, working with director Pam Patel of MT Space. Similar to a piece of music, the play follows four movements and interludes. The story emerged in rehearsal and improvs. Even the title took time to come out. Script writing isn’t generally part of the course, but it’s the nature of a divised piece. There is lots of dependence on the other actors and supporting staff, and even the audience is invited to fill in for themselves. Sepehr describes the stage setup.
16m11s That’s The Way She Goes RiffAction | Things We Do For Fun (blue letters on a green textured background)
The Things We Do For Fun
RiffAction
19m32s June tells us of the background and research on freedom fighters that went into Immolation. June researched the South Korean trans-gender activist Jungle.
24m04s Talking about immolation in the news, and Aaron Bushnell. Sepehr thinks it’s important to differentiate immolation itself from self-immolation: Immolation is the act to destroy by fire, whereas self-immolation is a performative act of protest. But Immolation was created before the self-immolation of Aaron Bushnell. The act is done with the hope of a response to bring something new. This is a big part of the show, taking a look at the different ways we can spark this hope, burn something down, create something new by the act of metaphorically burning down the system. Sepehr repeats the message of hope in Immolation. But mainstream media doesn’t often show the hope and restoration, only the protest and destruction. The language of protest is violence, because that is how these protests can be heard. June thinks that Immolation does end with the hope that something better will come along; each movement shows the destruction and regrowth in different ways. Telling a story that shows regrowth and joy is one of the best forms of protest.
31m02s June recites an excerpt from Immolation.
32m29s June provides some analysis of the meaning behind those words. Sepehr gives different examples of what resistance looks like; sometimes it is 100,000 people marching in the street, but also someone walking into a space where they don’t belong and changing it from within. Sepehr goes over the structure of the play. Each movement is a standalone piece, that together tells the whole story.
37m23s What happens next? After a well-deserved rest, June might like to see one movement or the whole play fleshed out into a larger piece; revolution doesn’t stop when the lights go down. While Waterloo Region has seen its share of protest, reception for Immolation will depend a lot on the venue. At UofW a wide variety of perspectives is appreciated, but that’s not true everywhere; all the more reason to continue to present it. But Sepehr says people are hungry for change, they can use Immolation as the spark to make that change. Theatre is ephemeral, but June says the experience she’s had will stay with her forever. Working on Immolation has got her more energized to work for freedom for all people.
42m38s I Believe The Glow | Try (faded background of an old manuscript, lettering illegible)
Try
Glow
47m54s June reminds us of the dates and time for performances of Immolation, as well as the web site and ticket prices. Sepehr tells us about the theatre and the arrangement of the thrust stage. June tells us there will be a new production in the fall, but she is graduating so she won’t be a part of it. Students don’t have to be a theatre major to register for course “Theatre Performance 417”. June tells us about the audition process, slightly different because of the improv.
53m27s Bob gives the end credits.

CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

Bonus Video

Video: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 18 March 2024 (YouTube Video)

Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2024 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

KIX 2024: Knowledge Integration Exhibition at University of Waterloo, March 18-23

Knowledge Integration Exhibition 2024

Visit from Monday & Tuesday, March 18, 19, Thursday & Friday Mrch 21, & 22: 11 am-6pm, Wednesday, March 20: 11am-4:30pm, Saturday, March 23: 10am-4pm

St. Jerome’s University, Siegfried Hall

Residence Wellness Centre Gym,

290 Westmount Rd N, Waterloo, ON N2L

Songs played today per request:

Sarah McLachlan, Rarities, B-sides and Other Stuff. Vol. 2: Time after Time, Composer Lyricist: C. Lauper and R. Hyman (Duet with Cyndi and Sarah).

Gordon Lightfoot, The Way I feel: Song For A Winter’s Night

Bruce Cockburn, Stealing Fire: Lovers In A Dangerous Time

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic:Under the Bridge

Radiohead, In Rainbows: Jigsaw Falling Into Place

 

 

 

CKMS Community Connections for 26 February 2024 with Raechele Lovell of Save The Arts Waterloo Region

Show Notes

Raechele Lovell (a woman with long curly hair wearing a red sweater, sitting at a microphone with headphones on)
Raechele Lovell

Raechele Lovell is the chair of the Waterloo Region Arts Fund, and due to recent funding cuts has set up Save The Arts Waterloo Region. She also runs DiverseWorks, a safe space to practice the arts and teach de-colonialization.

The interview starts at 2m57s.

Save The Arts Waterloo Region:

Raechele Lovell:

DiverseWorks Co.:

Upcoming Events

Podcast

Download: ckms-community-connections-2024-02-26-episode151-Raechele-Lovell-of-Save-The-Arts-Waterloo-Region.mp3 (51 MB, 55m43s, episode 151)

Index

Time Title Album Artist
0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
CKMS Community Connections
Steve Todd
0m58s Too Many Notes Cameronoise | Id's My Party (a collage of B&W photos on a red background)
Id’s My Party
Cameronoise
2m57s Raechele is the chair of the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund, which provides grant support for artists, both organizations and individuals. Raechele had received funds for her company, Diverse Works, but the production was thwarted by the pandemic, so she turned it into a film, shown at the Registry Theatre. Subsequent years she received funds for other, varied projects. Raechele runs down what other types of projects are funded.
6m07s There are a lot of artists in Wateloo Region, but few opportunities. Federally, we’re considered an “artistic desert”; we’ve been systemically underfunded. There are several sources of funding, including the private sector and family. This artistic desert started with gentrification and the Mike Harris government (in 1995) reducing funding for arts in education. Private schools aren’t necessarily any better at teaching the arts, but they may have more capacity. The pandemic forced artists to change how they presented their art, but not equitably — not everyone has access to the equipment, or the learning capacity. And much pandemic funding is no longer available, even though the effects of the pandemic are still with us. Artists predominantly live under the poverty line. Raechele is lucky in that her day job is also in the arts. But people who need to work as servers, in retail, or a corporate job don’t have the capacity to do the art work.
13m00s Talking about the KW Symphony shut down. Not unexpected, but still a big shock. The symphony was deeply in debt, and funding from the region had been denied. Raechele points out, as a racialized, younger person “If the symphony can’t make it, who can?” The symphony shutdown caused a lot of unrest in the arts community. Over 70 musicians lost their jobs, as well as executives, supporters, the people who worked at the Conrad Centre and the Centre In The Square. And the patrons of the symphony are now going to other cities to enjoy their music. But the KW Symphony funding is not the only funding that was removed. Regional Councillor Kari Williams proposed a 20% reduction to the Arts Fund, but Waterloo Regional Council approved a 10% reduction. Not just the Arts Fund is affected, but the entire portfolio: the key cultural institutions, the grassroots initiatives, the upstream fund, a climate action change fund, and entrepreneurial initiatives. And this loss in funding occurred after these organizations had established their 2024 budgets; the cuts were made after the Director of Culture and Art, Helen Chimirri-Russell, stepped down, so the department had no oversight. Raechele was personally affected by these cuts, and has set up Save The Arts Waterloo Region, hoping to grow an on-going advocacy body for the arts sector.
20m05s jealous jealous (brightly coloured photo of light streaming into a church window)
jealous
pax & Mikayla Lane
23m06s Raechele set up Save The Arts as a response to the systemic defunding of the arts, not just in Waterloo Region. Yet people are keen to approve a $14 million increase for the police budget which already has surpluses. Raechele is concerned about the funding of racist enforcement, that this is a delibrate effort to protect their colonial ways. There’s no interest in redirecting any of that money into community initiatives. There is data that putting money into prevention programs and affordable housing there would not be as much crime. The fact that this is being actively ignored feels intentional and like a systemic problem. Raechele feels very personally attacked. The hope is that Save The Arts will be able to address some of these issues. The campaign is for artists to have a safe space to come together to fight these battles together. Raechele’s goal is to move towards an arts council, to seek funding for the arts outside the Region.
28m39s Raechele talks about making art accessible. Her show for the MT Space IMPACT23 festival took place outside, on the Gaukel Block, free and available for everyone. Art gives hope, entertainment, empathy, compassion; this is what art does for us. Funding is vital to put on these no-admission performances, and still provide an income to the artists.
30m35s Communication about the cut in funding was poor — Raechele learned about the cuts from the news. This was just one of many concerns about governance alleged in the news. Raechele is joined in Save The Arts by some people from the Waterloo Arts Fund board and other artists, but this group is for everyone. The arts community in Waterloo Region is more vibrant that what Raechele has experienced in Toronto. The campaign can grow to benefit other regions; there are funding cuts at other arts organizations. Raechele sees the drop in funding as a step backwards to last century when artists needed to fight for civil rights, fighting for marginalized people. Raechele has had two meetings, the first a special Waterloo Arts Fund meeting to discuss the funding cuts, then a Town Hall meeting for the community. There’s a mailing list of around 200 people to keep informed of upcoming events. There are plans, but none Raechele is willing to share.
37m03s Pink Paper Hearts (crudely drawn picture of a four-pane window)
Origami
Amanda Braam
39m31s How to get funding: Running community workshops on how to get money from the Arts Fund, how to get money from the Ontario Arts Council. There’s no database of available options. Workshops on dealing with tax problems, how to make investments, and more. Most artists don’t have a financial background, but Raechele does. She started in the corporate workforce, but quickly realized she wanted to pursue her dreams. Recently Raechele made a trip to Barbados to celebrate her grandmother’s 100th birthday, and turned that experience into a documentary that she presented last year at THEMUSEUM. Her roots go back to the British slave trade on Barbados.
45m42s Raechele’s company DiverseWorks sprang out of frustration in giving dance lessons six days a week. It provided a creative outlet, and she had the experience to make it work. Working on de-colonialization sounds more like teaching, but Raechele still views it as art. She is in the process of building the DiverseWorks de-colonial arts hub, a physical safe space to practice, perform, dance, teach, all with racialized representation.
51m15s Raechele gives out the contact info for the Save The Arts campaign, and encourages everyone with concerns about funding in the arts sector to come to the Committee meeting on Tuesday 5 March 2024 to speak to Council. And go see art!
55m00s Bob gives the credits.

CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

Bonus Video

Video: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 26 February 2024 (1.4 GB, Radio Waterloo Video)

Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2024 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

CKMS Community Connections for 29 January 2024 with Barbara Spronk of CFUW and Melissa Star Ireland of Indigenous Relations UW

Show Notes are in progress! Check this page later for updates!

Melissa Star Ireland (a woman with long dark hair smiling into the camera)
Melissa Star Ireland
Barbara Spronk (a woman with grey hair wearing headphones and speaking into a microphone)
Barbara Spronk

Show Notes

Barbara Spronk of CFUW-KW and Melissa Star Ireland of Indigenous Relations UW join Jenniefer Strong and Bob Jonkman to discuss the Indigenous Film Festival taking place in February.

The interview starts at 3m00s.

Office of Indigenous Relations at University of Waterloo:

Melissa provided us with some additional information on other Indigenous Relations programs:

Conestoga College Indigenous Services

Be-Dah-Bin Gamik, a Place of New Beginnings provides services for Indigenous students at Conestoga College, including those who are First Nations (status and non-status), Métis and Inuit. It is a warm, welcoming and comfortable environment that assists students with a smooth transition to college life by providing ongoing student support. The leader there is ​Christina Restoule, Manager.

Wilfrid Laurier University

We’ve been working with Bonnie Whitlow of The Office of Indigenous Relations at Laurier which has been working toward the goal of Indigenization, a term that reflects the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge into the daily life of the university.

CFUW:

  • Website: cfuw KITCHENER-WATERLOO (stylized logo of an open book, with each page a different colour looking like flames)https://www.cfuwkw.org/
  • Twitter (X): @CFUWKW | Twitter
  • Facebook: CFUW K-W | Facebook
  • Instagram: @cfuwkw | Instagram
  • YouTube: CFUW K-W | YouTube
  • E-mail: cfuwkw@gmail.com
  • Upcoming Events

    Winter Storytelling: A Celebration of Indigenous Film | 2024 Film Series | Mon Feb 5 at 2pm - Run Woman Run | Mon Feb 12 at 2pm - Beans | Wed Feb 28 at 7pm - Bones of Crows | Princess Twin Cinema | 46 King St. N. Waterloo | Sponsored by CFUW-KW in partnership with Conestoga College, Wilfrid Laurier University, and University of Waterloo | Discussion to follow each film | FREE ADMISSION | We welcome donations to Indigenous Youth Roots (logo of CFUW-KW on the left, a single feather on the right, and logo of Indigenous Youth Roots at the bottom)
    Poster for CFUW-KW Indigenous Film Series
    Winter Storytelling: A Celebration of Indigenous Film

    All films are showing at the Princess Twin Cinemas. There will be a discussion after each film. Free Admission!

    • Run Woman Run
    • Beans
      • When: 2:00pm on Monday 12 February 2024
      • Info and Trailer: Beans (2020)
    • Bones of Crows

    Podcast

    Podcast coming soon!

    Index

    Index in progress, stay tuned!

    CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

    Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

    CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

    CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

    Bonus Video

    YouTube: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 29 January 2024
    Sound on this video is terrible, there’ll be a new video soon!

    Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2024 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

    CKMS Community Connections for 8 December 2023: Amnesty International’s Write For Rights with Margaret Jackson

    Show Notes

    Margaret Jackson wearing a bright pink N95 mask and headphones, with a "Write For Rights" button on her blue sweater.
    Margaret Jackson

    Margaret Jackson from Amnesty International‘s local KW chapter Group Nine talks to Bob Jonkman about this year’s Write For Rights campaign, describes some of the cases that are being written about, the petition to BC premier David Eby about the criminalization of the Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders, and gives some info on joining the Group Nine chapter.

    Previous episode on Write For Rights: CKMS Community Connections for 6 December 2019 with Sandee Lovas of Amnesty International Group Nine

    Website: https://amnesty.ca/ (Amnesty International Canada)

  • Twitter: Amnesty Canada (@AmnestyNow) | Twitter
  • Facebook: Amnesty International Kitchener Waterloo Chapter, Group 9
  • Instagram: Amnesty Canada (@amnestycanada) | Instagram
  • YouTube: Amnesty International Canada (@amnestyinternationalcanada4524) | YouTube
  • TikTok: Amnesty (@amnesty) | TikTok
  • E-mail: groupnine9@gmail.com
  • Write For Rights | Amnesty International (black letters on a yellow background withthe Amnesty logo (a candle wrapped in barbed wire) at the bottom)

    Upcoming Events

    • Amnesty International KW Chapter (Group Nine) Write For Rights
      • When: 11:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday 9 December 2023
      • Where: Kitchener Public Library, Meeting Room D
      • Location: 85 Queen Street North, Kitchener, Ontario Map 1
      • E-mail: groupnine9@gmail.com
      • Package: Case letters for 2023 (PDF file, 172 kBytes)

    Podcast

    Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-12-08-episode148-Amnesty-Internationals-Write-For-Rights-with-Margaret-Jackson.mp3 (53 MB, 57m50s, episode 148)

    Index

    Time Title Album Artist
    0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
    CKMS Community Connections
    Steve Todd
    1m12s Joy To The World Joy To The World | Jamie Bonk (white letters on a red background, two lines of text separated by a ribbon of landscape photos).
    (single)
    Jamie Bonk
    4m45s Margaret Jackson tells us about Write For Rights, focusing on ten cases for this campaign, sending a blitz of letter to government and other people involved in human rights abuses. This has been quite effective; half-a-million letters for each case can’t be ignored. Margaret tells us the details of some of this year’s cases. In some cases the letters get sent to the individuals directly, sometimes they go to a local Amnesty office and are forwarded to the recipient. These letters are always appreciated.
    24m38s Margaret reads her letter to David Eby, premier of British Columbia and former KW resident, to express her concern over the criminalization of the Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders.
    32m03 Christmas Comes By Rail Onion Honey | A Merry Little While (photo of a cottage nestled in snow-covered trees, with line drawings of snowmen in the foreground)
    A Merry Little While
    Onion Honey
    35m08s Margaret tells us how the Write For Rights works. It’s at the Kitchener Public Library, downstairs in meeting room D. People can sign pre-printed letters, add an illustration or other artwork on a postcard. The Group Nine chapter will take care of mailing them out.
    39m05s This year Margaret wrote the standard letters, based on ideas of what should go in the letters from the Amnesty International campaign. Margaret adds that these letters come from Kitchener-Waterloo, and adds some information about each case to help the people who come in. The last in-person Write For Rights was in 2019, the past two years it was held as a ten-day e-mail blitz. The letters were printed, signed, and dropped off in a mailbox at a member’s house. This year there’s an e-mail letter sent to the government of Tunisia. Letters don’t have return addresses, but people are encouraged to sign their name, city, country, and postal code.
    43m53s For people who can’t come to the library there are online petitions at https://writeathon.ca, all of the information is available there. You can contact local chapter Group Nine at groupnine9@gmail.com and they can send you a package of case letters. The mailbox is still available at the member”s house until 15 December 2023.
    47m32s Margaret tells us that the letters are generally received well, because Amnesty International has a good reputation world-wide; people trust the information they get from Amnesty. There is nothing Amnesty can do in the way of applying economic pressure or sanctions; but perhaps local chapters can apply pressure to their local governments to act.
    50m08s Group Nine meets regularly on the first Tuesday of the month at Conrad Grebel college. There are speakers, either from Group Nine or from other agencies. Group Nine also participates in local events, like the Multicultural Festival and the Waterloo Pow Wow. Group Nine consists of about twelve core people, another 20 who help out at events, and a large number of people who are signed up for their e-mail list. People can get involved by sending an e-mail to groupnine9@gmail.com to come to the meeting. There is no cost, but people who make a donation become Amnesty International members and get to vote at their annual general meeting. Group Nine was the ninth group in Canada, now there are hundreds of groups. Margaret gives a bit of history of Amnesty International.
    56m45s Margaret recaps the info for Write For Rights and Bob gives the end credits.

    CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

    Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

    CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

    CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

    Bonus Video

    Download: CKMS Community Connections for Friday 8 December 2023, 204.6 MB

    Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2023 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

    CKMS Community Connections for 4 December 2023: The CFUW December 6 vigil for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women with Margaret Walker and Fadhilah Balogun

    Show Notes

    Margaret Walker wearing headphones.
    Margaret Walker
    Fadhilah Balogun wearing headphones at a microphone.
    Fadhilah Balogun

    Bob Jonkman chats with Margaret Walker of CFUW and Fadhilah Balogun of African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region about the upcoming Vigil for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Margaret and Fadhilah also talk about gender-based violence, how it affects our communities, some available resources for women facing gender-based violence in Waterloo Region, how men can help as male allies. Margaret tells us about the books CFUW has published, and Fadhilah gives more background on the African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region.

    The interview starts at 4m02s.

    Previous interview with CFUW: 17 April 2023: The CFUW Book Sale with Rowena Samuel and Alison Watson

    CFUW Online:

    (illustration of an open book on a heart, with tulips above and below)

    African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region:

    (drawing of two hands holding the earth, with Africa towards the viewer)

    CFUW Kitchener-Waterloo | Join us for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women | December 6th (2023) vigil at | St. Columba Anglican Church | 256 Lincoln Road, Waterloo | By Grand River Transit: Bus 29 to Lincoln/Mayfield Stop 2793 | 5:30pm | Speakers and Music | Light snacks will be served | Realizing potential. For all women. (photo of a red rose and a candle on a black background; CFUW logo at the top).
     

    Upcoming Events

    Podcast

    Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-12-04-episode147-December-6th-vigil-with-Margaret-Walker-and-Fadilah-Balogun.mp3 (52.9 MB, 55m04s, episode 147)

    Index

    Time Title Album Artist
    0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
    CKMS Community Connections
    Steve Todd
    1m00s Stuck In The Middle Red Output | Stuck In The Middle (watercolour illustration of a crudely drawn house, with a person staring into the background of red clouds)
    (single)
    Red Output
    4m02s Fadhilah Balogun introduces the African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region. Margaret Walker tells us the reasons for having a vigil on 6 December, and explains what gender-based violence is. Fadhilah provides some statistics on gender-based violence. The pandemic has made the issue worse — the shelters and services were shut down, women could not leave, men were staying in the house as well so there was more stress in the home. Fadhilah explains that gender-based violence crosses across all demographics: culture and race, geographic location, economic status, &c. There are some women with the financial capacity to flee violence, but that’s mostly not the case.
    16m29s Over You Lady Hayes | Over You (Shelley Hayes sitting on the trunk of a TransAm, "Over You" is the license plate)
    (single)
    Shelley Hayes
    20m40s Margaret gives the details of the December 6th vigil. The main purpose is the remember the fourteen women. Bob can remember the name of the perpetrator, but does not know the names of the victims. Margaret says that’s common, but these days the press avoids naming the perpetrator. But Fadhilah says that the movie business still glamorizes violence and serial killers. After the victim remembrance there are speakers, including Fadhilah, Fran Pappert-Shannon of the KW Unity Mosque, and Sarah Casselman of the Sexual Assault Support Centre Waterloo Region. The vigil takes place in the sanctuary of St. Columba church. Margaret Walker is the priest at the church, so that provides her an “in”. The church provides support in a number of ways, including a food bank.
    27m35s December 6th is the actual date, the 34th anniversary of the attack. It is now the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Margaret reminds us that it is not just a day of remembrance, but action. The action is coming to learn about the issue of violence against women, how the violence is affecting the communities, and how to deal with it. Fadhilah says that it’s important to put faces to the issue, which helps us take action. We can localize our actions; Toronto is not the same as Waterloo Region. Even in Waterloo Region there are different needs for the rural areas than the urban areas.
    33m13s Margaret points out that we need to get more men involved, having male allies tell their male colleagues what is unacceptable behaviour. Men may be reluctant to speak to violent men, but there are programs in how to be an ally; for example, the Sexual Assault Support Centre has offered courses in Bystander Training. Margaret says allies can influence others in locker room talk, objecting to sexist jokes, &c. Fadhilah says that men tie that behaviour to their masculinity. That perception needs to be broken. Keep an eye on the Groups and Workshops” page on the Sexual Assault Support Centre‘s website.
    39m11s Margaret has brought some books with her, Women of Waterloo County (now sold out, but available at the library), and a pair of other books, Proudly She Marched (two book covers by the CFUW on Canada's women in the armed forces) Proudly She Marched, two editions, one on the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, and the other on the Naval Service. These two books can be bought directly from the CFUW. The proceeds of that go towards funding scholarships for people in high schools, St. Louis Adult Learning centres, and local colleges and universities.
    44m50s Forget You Avalon Stone looks over her shoulder at the camera.
    (single)
    Avalon Stone
    48m05s Margaret recaps the time, location, and purpose for the December 6th vigil, and gives information about the CFUW and the advocacy they perform. Fadhilah gives some more background information on the African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region.
    54m04s Bob gives the end credits.

    CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

    Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

    CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

    CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

    Bonus Video

    YouTube: CKMS Community Connections for Monday, 4 December 2023

    Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2023 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

    CKMS Community Connections for 13 November 2023: Fundraising Week, with guest Jack Bishop of the KW Santa Claus Parade

    Show Notes
    Jack Bishop (a man wearing headphones and a blue golf shirt with a Lions Club logo sits at a microphone in front of a CKMS 102.7 banner)
    Jack Bishop

    Bob Jonkman makes a fundraising request for a new audio board, and talks to Jack Bishop, the chair of the KW Santa Claus Parade about this Saturday’s parade and the preparations that go into it.

    The interview starts at 5m17s.

    Online: The Lions Club of Kitchener

    Santa Needs You! | Santa needs you to help make the 2023 KW Santa Claus Parade happen! | Saturday November 18, 2023 | Volunteer Today! | Students can earn volunteer hours! Adults can also volunteer! lionskitchener@gmail.com (Santa Claus holding a poster a la Kilroy Was Here, with a Santa Claus logo in the top left corner)
     

    Upcoming Events

    Podcast

    Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-11-13-episode146-Fundraising-Week-with-guest-Jack-Bishop-chair-of-the-KW-Santa-Claus-Parade.mp3 (57.4 MB, 59m46s, episode 146)

    Index

    Time Title Album Artist
    0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
    CKMS Community Connections
    Steve Todd
    0m53s Believer Deceiver (torso view of two people exchanging a package, while one person surreptitiously reaches for the other's wallet)
    (single)
    Space Kitchen
    5m17s Jack Bishop tells us when and where this year’s KW Santa Claus Parade takes place: Saturday, 18 November 2023; it begins at 10:00am at the corner of Frederick Street and Weber Street, and continues up Weber Street to Erb Street in Waterloo. Why so early? The Toronto Santa Claus parade is on Sunday, and the KW parade is always the day before. The route has changed from north-to-south along King Street to south-to-north along Weber Street, it’s because of the ION tracks and wires. Any wires on this route can be dealt with. It’s about an hour trip, with the head of the parade arriving at Erb just as the tail leaves Frederick.
    8m15s The KW Santa Claus Parade is a community parade, for community groups to show their involvement to the public. There’s no limits to the groups that want to enter. There are fees, because it costs about $25,000 to put on the parade: policing costs, paying the marching bands, and other costs. The community groups pay a fee of $300, commercial entries pay $500. There are other thoughtful community people that sponsor some bands. Jack may still be able to squeeze in one or two last-minute entries if you contact him right away! There are about 80 entries, including community groups, marching bands, clowns. Jack is still looking for volunteers to help out, there are lots of costumes available. It’s a good role for young people; it’s a good experience. To enter, click on the 2023 Parade Registration Here button on the Lions Club’s Santa Claus Parade website.
    13m44s Jack tells us what happens when people sign up for the parade. There’s a meeting for volunteers on Friday night, where they get outfitted with a costume. Then people come back at 8:00am on Saturday and get slotted into the parade. Jack makes it sound easy, but he’s been doing to for a while. There are about ten core people who manage the event, but it grows just before the event. Planning starts in the summer, and it takes four of five months. Working with the City, there’s an all-services meeting: fire, police, ambulance, transit… The same people are involved in the Oktoberfest Parade, good practice for the Santa Claus Parade. Jack organizes the order of the entries; it’s mostly random. But Santa goes at the end, the main sponsor goes at the start, the bands need to spaced out. Jack has had 15 years of experience. The parade was going for 25 years before the Lions took over, so it’s probably existed for 40 years.
    20m10s I’m Here I'm Here | Josh Taerk (man sitting on a park bench facing away from the camera. There is a dead-looking tree in front of him)
    (single)
    Josh Taerk
    24m13s IG fall funding drive 2023 Some of the buttons and lights on the sound board don’t work, so Bob makes a pitch for a new audio board. You can help by making a donation at https://radiowaterloo.ca/give.
    26m11s Jack explains how the parade logistics are organized. The floats line up at Frederick and Weber all the way back to Edna Street. Just before the parade starts there’s a Santa Claus Run, hundreds of runners all dressed in Santa Claus suits. A Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer inflatable float leads the way. When it (and the other inflatable floats) get to the rail overpass and other overhead obstructions the float is pulled down out of the way. The inflatable snowman is 20ft tall, others are only(!) 15 feet. The obstructions are pretty consistent over the years, so people get to know the route. Jack makes the organization sound easy, but reminds parade participants to arrive early to get on the float well before it leaves. At the destination there are buses to take people back, the floats need to arrange their own transportation back. The bands have their own buses, assembling at The Aud then picking up the band members at the end.
    35m15s Jack says that booking marching bands has been a big problem. All the drum and bugle corps are gone! Some companies that sponsored bands are gone, and the organizers are gone. It takes a lot of dedication, a lot of money, and a lot of experience to manage a marching band, and people have gone on to other things. Covid has been a big factor too. Small bands, rock bands, just don’t participate much in parades. The Regional Police have a marching band, but only participate in the Oktoberfest Parade, not the Santa Claus Parade. Band members are getting older, and it takes a lot of stamina to march for an hour carrying an instrument and huffing and puffing into a trumpet or clarinet. Jack is always an organizer, but has never marched in a parade. He knows lots of people, which helps getting sponsorships. There are not many people who like to ask people for money. Bob is asking for donations today too, but with inflation people are not donating as much as they used to. Jack finds that getting permits from two City municipalities and one Regional municpality is easier year after year, there are lots of volunteers, no paid staff, to do that.
    42m44s Hobo Waltz (single) Chris Temple
    45m12s Jack has been up since 3:00 in the morning, working on parade stuff. The line-up keeps changing! Jack finds there can’t be too many people working on one job, better to have one person do it. And that’s Jack.
    46m32s The Lions Club was formed just over 100 years ago in Chicago, the Lions Club of Kitchener was chartered in 1937. The Lions Club, right from the start, has been involved in vision-related issues. Helen Keller challenged the Lions to be the “Knights of the Blind”. There are about 25,000 members across Canada, every small community has a Lions Club. They do screening of kindergarten kids, kids who have never had their eyes checked. The Lions are tied in with the optometry school at the University of Waterloo. They have refractors used for testing. Kids are referred to optometrists, but not all kids actually follow up with appointments. The Lions will buy glasses for kids who need the financial assistance. The Lions Clubs have just created two new districts, and want to take this project across the country. Another major project is guide dogs for the blind, started in 1985. That’s expanded to hearing dogs, diabetic-sensing dogs, stress-relief dogs. There’s a school in Oakville for the finishing part of training a client with their dog. It takes a month to get trained! People can apply to the Lions Foundation of Canada in Oakville through https://www.dogguides.com/.
    54m17s Another major project is the Citizen of the Year. This year’s recipient is John Tibbits, president of Conestoga College. He’ll be in the parade as a celebrity! The award is in May, the search begins in January. There’s a selection process, nominators have to write a letter to say what the nominee has done, then a selection committee makes the decision.
    55m30s Bob thanks Jack, gives the credits, and introduces the last musical selection.
    56m27s Hey Allie autogramm | Music That Humans Can Play (photo silhoutte of four people dancing, they're coloured in vertical pink stripes, with a teal background)
    Music That Humans Can Play
    Autogramm

    CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

    Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

    CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

    CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

    Bonus Video

    Download: CCC-2023-11-13-episode146-Jack-Bishopv30a7.webm, 177 MBytes, 56m57s

    Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2023 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

    CKMS Community Connections with: “The Truth Behind The Smile” PTSD PEER SUPPORT

    Jean-Guy Poirier, a firefighter diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress (Disorder), started PTSD Peer Support groups: “The Truth Behind The Smile. These groups so far are in London, Stratford, and Kitchener, Ontario. Jean-Guy has a big vision for The “Truth Behind The Smile.” Giving back is a big part of the endeveour.

    Thanks Jean-Guy!

     

    CKMS Community Connections for 18 September 2023 with David Alton of the Lived Expertise Working Group

    Show Notes

    (A man wearing a pink shirt and toque sitting at a microphone)
    David Alton

    David Alton of the Lived Expertise Working Group talks to Bob Jonkman about the work of LEWG, what is “lived expertise”, working with the City of Kitchener, the principles of human rights in housing, homelessness, and using contributions of people with lived expertise. David tells us of some upcoming events for the members of the Lived Expertise Working Group and the public.

    David was previously interviewed on CKMS Community News on 14 August 2023.

    The interview starts at 7m35s.

    Online:

    Housing | LIved Expertise Working Group (Illustration of a white house on an orange background with black lettering inside)
     
    Other Mutual Aid groups:

    Upcoming Events

    Queer Youth Defence | September 20th (2023) Kitchener City Hall 9 AM | #NoSpaceForHate (additional text with info and instructions)
     
    • Queer Youth Defence
      • When: 9:00am to 11:00am Wednesday 20 September 2023
      • Where: Carl Zehr Square, Kitchener City Hall, 200 King Street West Map
      • Website: Canada Anti-Hate Network
    • Ride For Refuge

    Podcast

    Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-09-18-episode140-David-Alton-of-the-Lived-Expertise-Working-Group.mp3 (55 MB, 57m11s, episode 140)

    Index

    Time Title Album Artist
    0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
    CKMS Community Connections
    Steve Todd
    0m58s Simcoe Mud Jay Linden | Ordinary Sunrise (illustration of a banjo with the resonator illustrated in a First Nations art style)
    Ordinary Sunrise
    Jay Linden
    4m15s Mississipi Mud Hank Williams III | Lovesick, Broke & Driftin' (B&W photo of a western town, a man on a horse to the left, a man on crutches in the centre)
    Lovesick Broke & Driftin’
    Hank Williams III
    7m35s David explains the purpose of the Lived Expertise Working Group, twelve folks with housing marginalization experience and advocacy experience. “Expertise” rather than “Experience”, so that the contributions are seen with the same value as academic expertise. They are presenting a report to the City of Kitchener council as part of a staff report from the Planning Department. Pointing out the different areas of responsibility for City departments, and different levels of government. The work LEWG is doing with the City of Kitchener is influencing decisions made in other municipalities (City of Cambrige, City of Waterloo, the Region of Waterloo). But a large part of the work is helping the mutual aid groups in the area, creating a bridge between these groups and the municipalities. Talking about the role and perceived role of by-law enforcement, part care-giving, part criminalizing. David’s message to all organizations is to remove the barriers to care. They recognize the difficult role that municipalities have. A good news story: The Region of Waterloo modified a by-law on hate speech to include income status and housing status.
    22m09s Can You See Me? Can You See Me? | Courtney Wolfe (line drawing of eyes and eyebrows with a pink flower all on a black background)
    (single)
    Courtney Wolfe
    24m45s David talks about the report that will be presented to council: A list of principles; what it means to include lived expertise in the planning process. The people working in the Lived Expertise Working Group are being compensated, just as experts from other areas would be. There are stipends for transportation, child care, &c. Not just the people in LEWG are at capacity, but councillors and city staff feel overwhelmed by all the pressures and logistics, but the community understands that. There was some friction at the June council meeting, David recaps. David discusses the different sources of funding for their position and the Lived Expertise Working Group. David tells us about the Ride For Refuge, this Saturday. Covering some of the eight principles of lived expertise engagement, for example “the value of bridges”, “the value of paid work”, “navigating around conflict.”
    40m57s Jillian I, the Mountain | Jillian (illustration of a sphere made of multicoloured bricks with a banner "Jillian" around it, and a rose and arrow crossed behind it)
    (YouTube)
    I, the Mountain
    44m05s Talking about David’s participation in the Jillian video, with their partner Aashay. Talking about David’s participation in Ground Up WR, working to counter the “Parents’ Rights” movement that restricts youth from self-expression. There is a rally at City Hall on Wednesday, everyone who wants to be an ally is invited. Ground Up is well connected with the community, it’s a good place to start if you’re looking to help. David encourages people to pay close attention to what’s going on in housing and homelessness — winter is coming. Follow organizations like Unsheltered Campaign or ACCKWA. The Lived Expertise Working Group is sending some members to Halifax for the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness conference in November, donations are gratefully accepted to enable LEWG to help send another member to the conference. Connect with the Social Development Centre or the Civic Hub Waterloo Region to get involved. Talking about the photographic exhibition, which was a conference fundraiser.

    56m46s Bob gives the end credits.

    CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

    Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

    CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

    CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

    Bonus Video

    YouTube: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 18 September 2023

    Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2023 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

    CKMS Community Connections for 1 September 2023 with Vanessa Ricci-Thode of Waterloo Bookfest and the KW Writer’s Alliance

    Show Notes

    (a woman with blue hair wearing a purple dress and a facemask sits at a microphone)
    Vanessa Ricci-Thode

    Vanessa Ricci-Thode is one of the organizers for Waterloo Bookfest and a founder of the KW Writer’s Alliance, as well as the author of a series of books. She talks to Bob Jonkman about Bookfest and the KW Writer’s Alliance, writing, and reads from her most recent book, Fireborn.

    The interview starts at 4m57s.

    KW Writer’s Alliance Online:

    Vanessa Ricci-Thode:

    Waterloo Bookfest | Local authors. Live readings. | Saturday September 9th 1pm-7pm | Waterloo Public Square (black letters on an orange and green graduated background)
     

    Upcoming Events

    Podcast

    Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-09-01-episode138-Vanessa-Ricci-Thode-of-Waterloo-Bookfest-and-KW-Writers-Alliance.mp3 (52 MB, 56m34s, episode 138)

    Index

    Time Title Album Artist
    0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
    CKMS Community Connections
    Steve Todd
    1m00s Stay Awake Quiet In The Land
    Quiet In The Land
    Quiet In The Land
    4m57s Vanessa Ricci-Thode tells us about Waterloo Bookfest, some of the special guests (Katie Mack, E.K. Johnston), and more listed on the KW Writer’s Alliance Bookfest website. How KW Writer’s Alliance got started on Zoom during the height of the pandemic. Talking about NaNoWriMo, the National Novel Writing Month. KW Writer’s Alliance was started with Caroline Topperman, looking to give Waterloo Region authors a space to keep writing all year ’round. Support includes moral support (especially after rejections!), guides to publishing, guides to improving the writing craft. Talking about traditional publishing vs. self-publishing.
    19m35s Unbreakable You Unbreakable | single | Natalia Zuk (B&W photo of a woman playing piano)
    (single)
    Natalia Zuk
    23m16s Running down the events taking place at Waterloo Bookfest. How Bookfest is organized. There are 70 authors, and there’s a waiting list! Talking about other events, like Word On The Street which is no longer happening in Waterloo Region. Authors bring their books (of course), but some will have bookmarks and artwork as well. There is overlap in the arts for authors, several are visual artists or musicians. Jason Baronette is one such author, he’ll be at Bookfes, but he’s been on CKMS Community Connections as part of his band Athanase.
    33m18s Kicks In The Night Athanase | Between II Shores (painting of a schooner in full rigging approaching the viewer)
    Between II Shores
    Athanase
    36m35s It’s the Waterloo Bookfest, that means for all of Waterloo Region, including Kitchener, Cambridge, and the rural townships. Vanessa will be at Bookfest as an author, with her series Fireborn. Vanessa tells us about her writing process. Talking about acquiring Fireborn and the logistics of getting it in online stores.
    43m30s Fireborn Vanessa Ricci-Thode | Fireborn | Fireborn Series Book Three ()illustration of a woman carrying a large battleaxe looking away from the viewer beyond some rocks at dragons made of fire
    (Book)
    Vanessa Ricci-Thode
    48m41s Bob encourages more prose readings on the radio. Vanessa tells us about other reading series in southern Ontario. The website is for Grand River Writers & KW Writer’S Alliance, bringing in people from outside of Waterloo Region. Talking about possible upcoming events, readings, workshops. Vanessa gives some ideas for future workshops.
    55m43s Vanessa recaps the details for Bookfest and Bob gives the end credits.

    CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

    Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

    CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

    CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

    Bonus Video

    YouTube: CKMS Community Connections for Friday 1 September 2023

    Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2023 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

    CKMS Community Connections for 31 July 2023 with Megan Ruttan of Waterloo Region ACORN

    Show Notes

    Megan Ruttan (a woman wearing a summer dress and a grey N95 mask sitting at a microphone with a blue sock on it)
    Megan Ruttan
    ACORN CANADA ( white line drawing of an acorn in an '@' sign, with text curving along the botton, all on a red background)
     

    Megan Ruttan of Waterloo Region ACORN joins Bob Jonkman to talk about evictions, renovictions, tenants’ rights, and setting up a tenants’ union in Waterloo Region.

    The interview starts at 10m02s.

    ACORN was previously on CKMS News on 23 June 2023, 17 June 2023, and 7 June 2023.

    Waterloo Region ACORN:

    ACORN Canada:

    Meg Ruttan Online:

    Other:

    Upcoming Events

    Podcast

    Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-07-31-episode135-Meg-Ruttan-of-Waterloo-Region-ACORN.mp3 (50 MB, 54m11s, episode 135)

    Index

    Time Title Album Artist
    0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
    CKMS Community Connections
    Steve Todd
    1m02s Black Eyed Suzie Foul Weather Friends | Onion Honey (illustration of a snail on a mushroom, a mouse, and two frogs, all sheltering from the rain under a leaf)
    Foul Weather Friends
    Onion Honey
    2m51s 4 All The Animals 4 all the Animals | (Save The World) | VEFO | Prod. GuruuuV (green and purple lettering on a background of a green sky with orange clouds, there's a picture of a pig's snout in the middle)
    (single)
    VEFO
    6m35s Unknown Monster Genre-Bending P2 | GuruuuV (purple letters on a swirly purple background)
    Genre-Bending Pt. 2 (Beat Challenge)
    GuruuuV
    6m41s try and catch me next time
    7m42s Shake the House
    10m02s Introducing Megan Ruttan and ACORN: The Association for Community Organizations for Reform Now, a low- to moderate-income tenants union, but they take on any issues that their members want to take on, for example payday loans. The union is just getting set up now to help fight renovictions and demovictions. Megan herself is experiencing attempts at renoviction. This has been happening for at least six years. This pre-dates ACORN, but ACORN would have fought it by drawing attention to it by direct action such as protests. There have been rallies against other renovictions in Kitchener. Landlords intimidate tenants by withholding information, so that tenants do not know what their rights are, or even who their landlord is. ACORN in Hamilton has helped create a by-law that makes it illegal to evict people in Hamilton for renovations. But each municipality will have different by-laws. ACORN has just held a national day of action on the financialization of housing. They’re asking for a law that will give first right of refusal will go to housing organizations, co-ops, and other businesses that want to build affordable housing. Waterloo Region ACORN has about 500 members; about 15 full members who pay $15/month in dues, but many people can’t afford that. Waterloo Region ACORN started about three months ago, in April.
    19m44s Beam Blues Live Nick Bordman | Beam Blues | (Live at Locust Ridge Studios) (black and white photo of a man with a beard and wearing a cowboy outfit leaning against a sporty-looking car)
    (YouTube)
    Nick Bordman
    23m59s Waterloo Region ACORN has a three month plan, meeting in August to plan an action to take place in September. They’re building membership; anyone is welcome to join, not just renters. The August meeting will be hybrid, both in-person and online for Covid safety. The national organization in Ottawa and the chapter in London have provided a lot of help in the form of flyers, handouts, mailing lists, &c. The money from dues goes towards copying costs and SDCWR for use of their facilities. The entire region of Waterloo has an epidemic of unsheltered people. The chapter was named Waterloo Region ACORN to include everyone in the region; it’s not just a Kitchener issue.
    28m47s “The financialization of housing” treats housing as an investment, not as shelter or homes, or as a human right. Municipalities are not building purpose-built rental housing; many politicians to make this happen to own rental properties, and seem disinclined to reduce their holdings to build affordable housing. Globally, the climate crisis is creating climate refugees, who need housing. Do we have shelter for these people? We need to build housing. The municipalities need to build the housing, not just pass by-laws or re-zones. The City of Kitchener is not acting to build housing or reduce renovictions when they had the chance to vote on zoning changes. Their answer seems to be to police housing. If they don’t build housing, people will die. Who could be affected by the housing crisis? Almost every renter. What happens with the laws that require landlords to provide the renovated units to former tenants? It gets ignored, landlords just rent to new, higher-paying tenants. People in this situation don’t have the capacity, “the spoons”, to deal with this. Megan has the spoons to deal with this because she’s connected in the community, and knows the resources.
    38m14s How did Waterloo Region ACORN get started here? There were already people with memberships in other chapters; people contacted the national chapter; they already had a mailing list! Everything is connected, Megan was already active in climate organizing, political organization; if one issue is advanced, the others are too.
    39m36s Who’s Gonna Suffer FOG Blues & Brass Band | Twelve Bar Prescription (B&W photo of band members centered on a blue background, typeface as though made from shiny cut metal)
    Twelve Bar Prescription
    FOG Blues & Brass Band
    43m04s How do people get involved if they have no background in tenant organization? Come to the meeting in August, ACORN will provide training on door knocking, &c. They’ll knock on the doors of tenants to let them know help is available. They’ve reached out to local politicians, but not all have responded. Talking about other events where ACORN has had a presence. Giving credit to Maribel and other leaders, their appearances in local media.
    48m25s What about all the local construction? It’s mostly condominiums, only 15% affordable housing. Condos aren’t affordable housing. The tenants’ union is the opposite of a Home Owners’ Association, the union lifts you up, doesn’t repress your rights.
    50m36s Reviewing Waterloo Region ACORN‘s presence on social media. Talking about Project Mushroom, an online presence for social activists. It had some setbacks when the founder discovered it could not be monetized, but Megan and others are still keeping it alive.
    53m12s Bob gives the end credits.

    CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

    Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

    CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

    CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

    Bonus Video

    YouTube: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 31 July 2023

    Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2023 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

    CKMS Community Connections for 29 May 2023 with Fabian Fletcher of tri-Pride

    Show Notes

    Fabian Fletcher (a man wearing headphones and a white Aloha shirt sits at a microphone)
    Fabian Fletcher

    Fabian Fletcher, president of the board at tri-Pride Community Association Inc. comes into the studio to talk about the tri-Pride organization, the tri-Pride Summer Festival, the performers, the history of Pride, some other 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations including Spectrum, and ideas for future activities and events.

    The interview starts at 2m45s.

    tri-Pride | Cambridge - Kitchener - Waterloo (black lettering over a triangular swath of the Rainbow Pride flag, textured as a chalk drawing)
     
    tri-Pride Community Association

    Fabian Fletcher:

    Grand River Pride (rainbow coloured letters in a rainbow coloured circle)
     
    Grand River Pride:

    Upcoming Events

    TRI-PRIDE SUMMER FESTIVAL | Trinity K. Bonet | Alysha Brilla | Ongina | June 10 | 12-8pm | Willow River Park (OKA Victoria Park), Kitchener (small pictures of performers  above the lettering, larger pictures of headline performers between the top lettering and bottom lettering, all over a Pride Rainbow appearing to sweep from the right to the left)
     

    Podcast

    Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-05-29-episode128-Fabian-Fletcher-of-tri-Pride.mp3 (50MB, 54m34s, episode 128)

    Index

    Time Title Album Artist
    0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
    CKMS Community Connections
    Steve Todd
    1m00s Dredd (a purple circular object, possibly a surveillance camera)
    Generichiphopfouldr
    Stunt Double
    2m45s Introducing Fabian Fletcher, the President of the Board of Directors of tri-Pride, an all-volunteer organization. In addition to the summer festival there’s Winter Pride, in February or March, and PRIDEtoberfest during the Octoberfest weekend. The Board works on organizing the events, but also works on policies and procedures, governance issues, and work more on advocacy and doing grass-roots community organization. The Board is eight or nine folx, a Vice-President and other Board directors who take on roles like vendors market, sponsorships, a treasurer, a development director: a small but mighty group. But there are twenty-plus volunteers who do the work of setting-up and tear-down, oversee the vendors market, volunteers to manage the stage area. There are enough volunteers for the summer festival, but people can sign up now for the fall and winter events. To volunteer, contact info@tri-pride.ca or look for the volunteer call-out on social media.
    6m45s Planning for the summer event started in January; lots of paperwork. The summer festival this year is taking place at Willow River Park, officially known as Victoria Park. The vendor market filled up really early this year, but there are still people looking for spots. This is the second year back after a Covid absence. Last year was really well attended, hoping to increase that for this year.
    9m54s Aside from the vendor booths, there will be performances from Noon to 4pm, local live performers, music, spoken word, standup. From 4pm to 8pm there will be the drag performances. Alysha Brilla is the musical headliner, and the headline drag performers are Ongina and Trinity K. Bonet, both from Ru Paul’s Drag Race. tri-Pride has a sign-up sheet for local performers, but the headline acts were cold-called. There’s a great drag scene in Waterloo Region.
    12m27s tri-Pride has been operating since 2002, doing summer festivals and other events. The City of Kitchener has an events team that coordinates with tri-Pride to arrange all the applications and paperwork. tri-Pride is very privileged to have the Board members it does to fill out paperwork and applying for licenses. Fabian wishes were ways to make the process more accessible to smaller organizations and community-based folks to have space in the park to have events. The requirements for audited financial statements are out of reach of organizations on shoe-string budgets that have no finances.
    16m12s Postlude (I Love The Way It Flows) This Garden | Andrew Jacob Rinehart / Eli Sokoloff Haris (very faint lettering on top and below, with an image of a living room with a harp, music box, radiator, chair)
    This Garden
    Andrew Jacob Rinehart
    19m27s The tri-Pride festival this year is on Saturday, 10 June 2023 in Willow River Park, from Noon to 8pm. “tri”-Pride covers all three cities, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge, although they have not been out in Cambridge as much as they want to. But Grand River Pride has just started up in Cambridge, having their summer festival also on Saturday, 10 June 2023!
    20m58s Covering some of the history of the Pride movement, starting with the Stonewall Riots in 1969. Are things getting worse today? Not necessarily, intolerance has always been there, but people today are less hesitant about sharing their hate. Life has become more difficult for Queer folx, actions v transferring over from the United States. Fabian knows of incidents across Canada, not so much in Waterloo Region, although there is the example in Oxford county with the municipality of Norwich refusing to fly the Pride flag.
    25m26s What actions can tri-Pride and other organizations take? It’s tricky, because the organizations need to ensure the safety their membership. Non-Queer folks can show up for the Queer community at events, protests, and rallies, get involved with local organizations, and lobby their elected officials. tri-Pride joined #Act4QueerSafety, and signed a letter addressed to government officials at both provincial and federal levels to say “Enough is enough, you need to act for Queer safety.” But while getting involved, there will be spaces strictly reserved for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. For example, tri-Pride is trying to create safe spaces geared toward BIPOC Queer folk, IndigiQueer youth, Two-Spirit youth, and those intersecting personalities. But non-Queer folk should show up for the larger festivals and use their voice and use their privilege to advocate for their 2SLGBTQIA+ community members.
    28m57s What actions are taking place? There is Cait Glasson’s petition to extend to transgender and nonbinary people the right to claim asylum in Canada. There is also a petition to both federal and provincial representatives at Momentum Canada #Act4QueerSafety.
    29m55s Talking about tri-Pride‘s online presence; keeping it up-to-date is tough with volunteers. The main website needs to be updated, there’s a new volunteeer to do that.
    31m42s She She | Courtney Wolfe (closeup photo of a pink flower)
    (single)
    Courtney Wolfe
    34m51s Talking about other Pride organizations across Canada. There’s a Canada-wide organization, and a world-wide organization called InterPride. Joining such a federation gives tri-Pride a chance to hear from other organizations what’s working for them, to support each other, and to brainstorm ideas for festivals. There’s no Canada-wide Pride festival, although Captital Pride in Ottawa has what is deemed the nation-wide Pride festival, and InterPride has a festival as well.
    37m43s Pride festivals aren’t so much a protest any more, but a celebration. Fabian says it’s building communities. Talking about other events, like PRIDEtoberfest, a dance / drag performance / other performance. It’s an indoor event, unlike the summer festival. Winter Pride is a bit smaller, a dance with one or two drag performers. Fabian would like to have more social, low-key events like coffee nights, or speed friending.
    39m50s Talking about other Pride organizations, like Spectrum, in the same building as the CKMS-FM studio. Fabian is a staff member at Spectrum, overseeing their volunteers and operations. But tri-Pride is careful not to step on anyone’s toes, looking to support and uplift other organizations. Talking about some of Spectrum‘s programs, Fabian mentions “capacity building”, to be more accepting and creating safer space for Queer folks. tri-Pride focuses on the events, and focus on creating spaces. They’re looking at ways to do smaller events throughout the year that are tailored to different parts of their community.
    43m35s Gender Rollz Human | Alysha Brilla (illustration of Alysha Brilla, all on a patterned teal background. Alysha's skin is blended with the teal background)
    Human
    Alysha Brilla
    48m47s Fabian tells us how Alysha Brilla came to be the headliner for this year’s festival. This year’s lineup was chosen to highlight diversity to represent what our community actually looks like.
    50m45s Bob and Fabian go over the details of the coming tri-Pride festival: Noon to 8pm on Saturday 10 June 2023 in Willow River Park, followed by a dance starting at 9pm hosted by Queer Night Out.
    52m35s Bob thanks Fabian for being on the show, and gives the end credits.

    CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

    Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

    CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

    CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

    Bonus Video

    YouTube: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 29 May 2023

    Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2023 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

    CKMS Community Connections for 22 May 2023 with Jim Stewart of the Waterloo Region Health Coalition

    Show Notes

    (a min with a beard and moustache wearing a brown shirt sits at a microphone)
    Jim Stewart

    Jim Stewart of the Waterloo Region Health Coalition returns to CKMS Community Connections to talk about the latest developments in Doug Ford’s privatization of the public healthcare system in Ontario, and tells us of the referendum to stop the privatization of public hospitals to for-profit hospitals and clinics. Polling stations are open on Friday and Saturday, 26 and 27 May 2023 at locations throughout Waterloo Region, and Ontario. You can vote online at https://publichospitalvote.ca/.

    But to start, Bob reminds listeners that the deadline for signing Government of Canada petition E-4268 is Friday 26 May 2023. This petition requests parliament to extend to transgender and nonbinary people the right to claim asylum in Canada by reason of eliminationist laws in their home countries. It’s set to be one of the most-signed petitions in Canadian history, sign now before it closes!

    The interview starts at 3m28s.

    Waterloo Region Health Coalition:

    Ontario Health Coalition:

    The Waterloo Region Health Coalition previously on Radio Waterloo:

    Upcoming Events

    Podcast

    Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-05-22-episode127-Jim-Stewart-of-the-Waterloo-Region-Health-Coalition.mp3 (53 MB, 57m20s, episode 127)

    Index

    Time Title Album Artist
    0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
    CKMS Community Connections
    Steve Todd
    0m30s Bob recognizes Victoria Day, with some ideas for changing the focus away from Queen Victoria. And he gives a reminder that the Friday 26 May 2023 is the deadline for signing Government of Canada petition E-4268, To extend to transgender and nonbinary people the right to claim asylum in Canada by reason of eliminationist laws in their home countries.
    2m10s Eve (a purple circular object, possibly a surveillance camera)
    Generichiphopfouldr
    Stunt Double
    3m09s Introducing Jim Stewart of the Waterloo Region Health Coalition . Jim talks about the province-wide citizens’ led referendum on the privatization of our core hospital services. Leaking information about privatization to the press. Documenting the discrepancies between what the Progressive Conservative Pary of Ontario promised during the election in June of 2022 with what they said eight weeks later.
    10m12s Jim tells us about the exisiting capacity of our public hospital system. There are enough operating rooms and time available that we don’t need for-profit health care. The public health capacity exists, but the funding is lacking. Jim quotes some figures of mis-spent budgets and shortfalls from lack of budgeting in the billions of dollars.
    13m45s Talking about Bill 60, now the law as Your Health Act, 2023. There are secrecy regulations built in since public health care funding is re-directed to for-profit corporations, there is no longer fiscal accountability and transparency. We don’t have a lot of options to hold the government accountable since the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario holds the majority of seats in the Legislature. As a result, they completely ignored the opposition parties when the opposition made recommendations to modify Bill 60. When WRHC visits PCO MPPs they just give the usual talking points.
    19m00s A quick digression about the number of votes, 17.8% of eligible voters, that elected a majority of seats for the Progressive Conservatives. A strong argument for proportional representation!
    20m05s Jim tells us about court cases dealing with double-billing in British Columbia. The British Columbia government disallowed double-billing, but it was appealed, and appealed to the Supreme Court, who refused to hear the case. But the Ontario government has not learned any lessons from that. Jim gives more examples of the higher bills from for-profit health clinics, which are charging for unnecessary procedures that don’t improve health outcomes. You can avoid extra billing by asking “Is this medically necessary?” and then refusing treatments which aren’t necessary. But how are non-medical citizens supposed to know? Jim refers to studies that show that for-profit health care is inferior to public health care, eg. for-profit clinics using less-skilled staff to save money (and maximize profits). Bob relates the disaster in the Long-Term Care homes, where at the start of Covid for-profit homes had far greater rates of death among residents than the publicly-funded homes.
    28m02s Jim tells us about the replacement of Ministry of Health oversight with for-profit providers overseeing for-profit clinics. This is a huge conflict of interest, but now allowed under the Your Health Act. The Act has the wording that health care can be provided by a medical professional or “another prescribed person”, which might be someone without a medical degree. That cheapens the cost of labour , and increases profits.
    29m50s There are now 1037 health care lobbyists at Queen’s Park. Right-wing think tanks like the Fraser Institute are recommending market-driven health care. This is approaching health care as provided in the United States. The people of the US are opposed to this type of for-profit health care, but the politicians are in favour. What’s in it for the politicians? They’re influenced by repetition, arguments for privatization presented in a compelling way.
    31m53s Jim gets into some specifics of the costs of proving cataract surgery, and hip and knee replacements, which are all listed in the privatization regulations. There are the procedural fees, which in for-profit clinics are 50% higher than in hospitals, and facility fees can be double in for-profit clinics compared to publicly funded hospitals. The additional fees just for cataract surgeries amount to $30.7 million dollars. Hip and knee replacement surgeries, which are much more complex and dangerous than cataract surgeries, are responsible for an additional $600 million dollars over public health care. But we’ll never know the true costs, because the freedom of information acts don’t apply to private clinics.
    37m44 Oh My CxViolet & The New People | Oh My (a cityscape showing cars on a road with the headlights blurred by raindrops on the lens)
    (single)
    CxViolet and the New People
    40m34s Jim tells us of the plan: resist this by holding a citizens-led referendum this coming Friday and Saturday. Jim lists some of the locations for polling stations around Waterloo Region. But the referendum is province-wide, from Thunder Bay to Niagara Falls. WRHC is a volunteer organization and can use help to staff the polling booths. But more importantly, they need your vote. Jim reads the ballot question: Do you want our public hospital services to be privatized to for-profit hospitals and clinics? Yes or No. Jim gives a great shout-out to the churches and organizations that are providing assistance in setting up polling stations. There’s a map at https://publichospitalvote.ca/find-voting-station. It’s taken over a month to get this organized, and small army of volunteers.
    45m44s Talking about the Waterloo Region Health Coalition: About 50 core members, but membership comes and goes. All people who are constantly fighting for public health care and challenging the decisions made by the Ford administration. Jim re-iterates that public health care costs us less. Ontario is dead last for per-capita funding, and dead last for the number hospital beds per capita, dead last for the number of nurses per capita. Mr. Ford has been in power for five years, this is his responsibility. We can do as we did with Covid, provide additional funding to correct this situation. The money is there.
    49m13s Talking about petitions to the provincial government: 20,000 signatures on a petition is a lot; a million votes in the referendum is even more significant. Jim’s literature is available on the Ontario Health Coalition website. Jim lists the supporting organizations, eg. the Labour Council, the Council of Canadians, Ontario Nurses Association, Unifor, the major union groups, the Canadian Federation of University Women, Retired Teachers of Ontario. Canadians really cherish their health care; Tommy Douglas, who was responsible for universal health care in Canada was voted The Greatest Canadian (but Bob voted for Stompin’ Tom, and Jim voted for Terry Fox).
    52m13s Even though these grass-roots groups support this referendum, it is not an Elections Ontario referendum. What happens when OHC presents this to the government of Ontario? Jim thinks the government will be embarrassed. Jim hopes the media will pick this up. People across the Region who were unaware of what was happening will have an opportunity to voice their displeasure. Bob fears the government will just ignore the referendum altogether.
    53m50s Jim covers some of the financial costs of privatized, for-profit health care. 45% of all Americans typically have a medical debt load of $10,000; 60% of all bankruptcies in America are the result of health care costs. We’re starting to see medical debt in Ontario now. Jim is convinced Canadians don’t want that. Bob recaps the date and locations of the referendum, and says “Go out and vote!” Jim says that this your time to stand up for the public health care system. There is no other moment that is as important as this referendum on Friday and Saturday. Help the WRHC send a message to Mr. Ford.
    56m15s Bob thanks Jim Stewart for coming in yet again, and gives the end credits.

    CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

    Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

    CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

    CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

    Bonus Video

    YouTube: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 22 May 2023

    Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2023 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

    CKMS Community Connections for 1 May 2023 with Neal Moogk-Soulis of The Monarchist League of Canada

    Show Notes

    Neal Moogk-Soulis (a bearded man with long hair wearing a red shirt sits at a microphone)
    Neal Moogk-Soulis

    Bob Jonkman talks with Neal Moogk-Soulis of The Monarchist League of Canada about the role of the League, the role of the Monarchy in Canada, the coronation of King Charles III, republicanism in Canada, and a cost/benefit analysis of the Monarchy.

    The interview starts at 5m13s.

    The Monarchist League of Canada (yellow coat-of-arms and white letters on a red background)
    The Monarchist League of Canada:

    Neal Moogk-Soulis:

    Podcast

    Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-05-01-episode124-Neal-Moogk-Soulis-of-The-Monarchist-League-of-Canada.mp3 (56 MB, 1h01m18s, episode 124)

    Index

    Time Title Album Artist
    0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
    CKMS Community Connections
    Steve Todd
    0m51s Which Side Are You On? Which Side Are You On? | Artists For Action (illustration of a record in front of a background of blue at the top and yellow on the bottom; the record label reads "This Machine Kills Fascism")
    (YouTube)
    Artists For Action
    5m03s What is The Monarchist League? What does it do? Founded in 1970 to educate Canadians about the monarchy and the Crown, and to remind politicians that the role of the Crown is not diminished. The League identifies commemoration events that should be marked; during Royal visits to assist the Governor General and Lieutenant-Governors to ensure that there is a strong Canadian presence; to remind members of the Royal family and the Governor General and Lieutenant-Governors that Canada is a constitutional monarchy and there is support for the Crown in Canada.
    8m37s Why do Members of parliament and others need reminding? All take an oath of loyalty to the Crown, but sometimes their actions don’t reflect the words of the oath. The League does advocacy and education, and has an information booklet aimed towards students that describe the role of the Crown in Canada. Politicians are only looking towards the next election, but the Crown endures forever. The League’s chairman, Bob Finch, has a strong connection to the Governor General; the GG may contact the League for support during Royal visits, or other Royal events such as a coronation ceremony later this week.
    11m20s Provincial Lieutenant-Governors have a similar role to the federal Governor General, they sign off on legislation before it becomes law. But it doesn’t happen often that Governors General or Lieutenant-Governors deny legislation. The most famous example is the King-Byng affair from 1926. Neal has a more recent example when Stephen Harper wanted to prorogue parliament, and has an example from BC as well. Neal uses the analogy that the Governor General is like a fire extinguisher: You hope you never have to use its power, but you have one just in case.
    14m47s The Monarch has no direct role in the governance of Canada, it has been a steady devolvement of the powers of the Monarch over Canada, starting with the Statute of Westminster in 1931. Before this, courts in Britain could overrule Canadian courts. All powers returned to Canada with the patriation of the constitution in 1982. King Charles is the King of Canada, separately from being the King of England. But our origin as a Commonwealth nation has more to do with our former status as a colony than having King Charles as our Monarch.
    17m09s King Charles himself does not wield much power over either Canada’s or England’ politics. Under a constitutional monarchy the King does as commanded by the people. The King may advise when meeting with the Prime Minister in private. The King is the ruler of everyone, so does not take political sides. But King Charles has been working his entire life on political issues, and now his role has changed. Can that change? The Monarch rules at the will of parliament; King Charles can’t change that role, it would require an act of parliament. That’s unlikely to happen, the Monarch provides stability. Bob expects changes like this may happen once in a lifetime, Neal points out that most reigns are much shorter than Queen Victoria’s and Queen Elizabeth’s combined 130 years, and that we’re seeing some change already with the coronation.
    24m48s What I Wouldn’t Do Serena Ryder (mirror-image photos of Serena Ryder dancing, with lettering and a line drawing of something resembling a Sierpinsky triangle in khaki green)
    (YouTube)
    Serena Ryder
    28m21s Neal chose What I Wouldn’t Do because the song is about an oath of what she wouldn’t do, similar to the oath Charles makes in his role as the king. Neal describes what happens during a coronation. It’s a religious ceremony more than a political one, but tied to the rituals of the times before a parliament existed. The attending guests will be asked if they accept Charles as their king, but no-one expects anyone to object, and it wouldn’t affect the outcome anyway. Charles became King the moment Queen Elizabeth died, but the coronation is held later to allow everyone time to come to the ceremony. The date is chosen as much for the weather as anything else.
    32m33s There is nothing big being planned in Waterloo Region to celebrate the coronation. Partly logistics, partly due to the pandemic. Various landmarks will be lit up in green, the colour for the coronation, and in London various church bells will be pealing. The Lieutenant-Governor and the Governor General will be doing something. The League has encouraged people to host community celebrations as a means to educate people about this time in history.
    34m15s Before Covid, The Monarchist League would organize trips to locations of Royal visits, and hold an Accession Luncheon every February to mark the time when Elizabeth became Queen. The League has been trying new ways to reach out to people, but it’s a challenge finding an event that connects to everyone. And the Regions’ large size makes in-person gatherings difficult. Victoria Day is used as an opportunity to celebrate the Crown in Canada.
    36m50s Demographics of The Monarchist League: Both older and younger people; veterans who fought for the Crown, and an active group of Young Monarchists (who are very good at social media!). There has been an influx of new members since Charles’s acension to the throne.
    40m20s Watermelon Sorbet Six Strings North of the Border | Volume I (close-up photo of the end ferrules on six guitar strings)
    Ever Brightening Day
    Eve Goldberg
    43m34s Neal describes how he came across Watermelon Sorbet, doing a concert with Eve Goldberg!
    44m35s Controversy: There are republicans who do not want Canada to be a monarchy. Neal counters those arguments. What about the expense of having a Monarch, Governor General, and the GG residence, Rideau Hall? Neal ways that for individual Canadians it costs $1.54 to maintain the Monarchy in Canada. If we didn’t have the Governor General then whatever we would have in their place, that money would still be spent. What about the cost of the c oronation? Much of that is for security. The cost of a coronation is probably the same as that of a presidential inauguration. And King Charles has been mindful of the cost. But people are apathetic, and a CBC poll suggests most Canadians don't want Charles as King. Neal thinks this may be because Charles was Prince of Wales for such a long time, and people had a chance to see how he lived his life, for better or for worse. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that Canadians have larger concerns to deal with. And if we don’t have a King, then what would we have instead? Neal does not want to keep the Monarchy just to avoid change, instead, consider what the system does for us now, and have conversations about what a change might be.
    51m16s The Crown is more than just a figurehead for some people; consider that all Indigenous relations are with the Crown, not the government of Canada. King Charles has recognized that Indigenous peoples play a major role in environmental stewardship.
    53m26s Neal expects a Royal visit from King Charles, sometime in the next couple of years. And then the Monarchist League will spring into action. Neal tells us how to join the Monarchist League; there is an application form on The Monarchist League’s website.
    55m07s Bob gives the end credits.
    55m37s Vierne: Carillon de Westminster Saint-Saëns Symphonie No 3 avec orgue | organ | Orchestre Metropolitan du Grand Montreal | Yannick Nezet-Seguin | Philippe Belanger | Orgue Beckerath | Oratoire Saint-Joseph | Montreal | ATMA Classique
    (YouTube)
    Camille Saint-Saëns

    CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

    Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at office@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

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    YouTube: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 1 May 2023

    Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2023 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

    CKMS Community Connections for 17 April 2023: The CFUW Book Sale with Rowena Samuel and Alison Watson

    Show Notes

    (Rowena Samuel and Alison Watson sitting a the microphones in the CKMS-FM studio)
    Rowena Samuel and Alison Watson

    Bob Jonkman talks to Rowena Samuel and Alison Watson from CFUW (The Canadian Federation of University Women) about the upcoming giant used book sale. There’s info about CFUW, their programs, the scholarships, the advocacy work, and the social groups.

    Some errors crept into our conversation. Mary Sehl writes:

    There are more than 200 members in the Kitchener-Waterloo CFUW chapter alone. Across Canada there are more than more than 7,500 members.

    The CFUW is now branding itself by its initials. It won’t drop the U for University but, as Alison and Rowena said, it is no longer exclusive to university graduates. Its legal name will remain the Canadian Federation of University Women but, not unlike many corporations these days, we will just use the initials.

    Thanx, Mary!

    The interview starts at 3m50s.

    CFUW Online:

    (illustration of an open book on a heart, with tulips above and below)

    Upcoming Events

    • Book Donations
      • When: 9:00am to 9:00pm on Wednesday 19 April 2023 and 9:00am to 6:00pm on Thursday 20 April 2023
      • Where: First United Church
      • Location: 16 William Street, Waterloo Map
      • Website: https://www.cfuwkw.org/book-sale
    • Book Sale
      • When: 9:00am to 9:00pm on Friday 21 April 2023, and 9:00am to 1:00pm on Saturday, 22 April 2023.
      • Where: First United Church
      • Location: 16 William Street, Waterloo Map
      • Website: https://www.cfuwkw.org/book-sale

    Podcast

    Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-04-17-episode121-CFUW-Book-Sale-with-Rowena-Samuel-and-Alison-Watson.mp3 (53 MB, 57m41s, episode 121)

    Index

    Time Title Album Artist
    0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
    CKMS Community Connections
    Steve Todd
    0m51s Hackerboy CxViolet | Hackerboy (silhouette of a person standing in front of a sunset, with purple and pink sky and purple ground. At the right, sideways, are three lines of binary digits, 10010110 &c)
    (single)
    CxViolet
    3m05s Public Service Announcement: Mary Sehl announces the CFUW donation drive for books, audio books, CDs and sheet music.
    3m50s Introducing Rowena Samual and Alison Watson of the CFUW. Alison tells us about the CFUW. There are 200 members across Canada, and it’s been around over 100 years. Rowena tells us about the different aspects of the CFUW — charities, social, dinner groups, book clubs, &c. It’s no longer just for university women, and the group has rebranded to drop “University” from their name, now they’re Canadian Federation of Women, but still known as CFUW
    6m36s The book sale is in is 56th year, although they missed three years due to Covid. It has become the main fundraiser, and possibly the most successful fundraiser of any CFUW chapter. Alison gives us a rundown of what happens on Wednesday and Thursday, with the actual sale on Friday and Saturday. There are lots of shifts for people to help. Planning for this event started last year September. And then there’s a lot of cleanup afterwards.
    11m37s The book sale nets about $30,000 a year, which gets invested over the years. In addition there are donations from members and friends. Alison is a trustee of the charitable fund for the CFUW charity. This fundraiser is going towards scholarships, there are fifteen different awards that go out. The education awards are the main focus, but there are other fundraisers, for example an evening with Lisa LaFlamme. Those funds went to organizations that Lisa is associated with. Tickets were sold out months in advance. Other CFUW chapters also raise funds for scholarships, since women’s education is at the forefront of CFUW. They have an advocacy committee, to select the causes to support. In the future they’re looking for other events, since book sales may not always be this popular. There is a clothing donation drive for women who need business attire for their job search.
    16m22s There are things other than books in the book sale. The books need to be in good condition, if not they’re put into the skip bin. No magazines, no reference books, and no vinyl records, but they take CDs, DVDs, and sheet music. Volunteers arrive at 8:00am to begin the sale, doors open at 9:00am.
    19m32s Are people still reading, or are they just going online and looking at their phones? There are still people buying books, and reading is good for child developement. Rowena is disappointed that she’s not reading as much as she used to. Alison has been worried about decline for years, but people are still buying books. Maybe someday books will become collectors’ items like vinyl is today, but books are still the best way to read and share. Rowena’s neighbourhood is full of book boxes, and they get good circulation.
    22m02s IG iNJOY (album cover)
    INJOY
    Kwazzi feat. Nathan Baya & Terence Penny
    25m00s Public Service Announcement: Mary Sehl announces the CFUW-KW 56th Giant Used Book Sale.
    25m45s Alison gives more information on Open Closet, collecting clothing donations and through social agencies in Waterloo Region making it available men, women, and children. There are Random Acts of Kindness, working with the homeless community, St. John’s Kitchen, and the Out Of The Cold program. CFUW does a December 6th vigil, working with the University of Waterloo. There is a strong affirmative action advocacy group; the Advocacy Committee is working on aging and long-term care; housing, environment — a lot of women in CFUW are working on making things better.
    28m12s What are the criteria for people receiving the scholarships? There are fifteen awards, two for high school students, the top student in chemistry and the top female graduating student. There are bursaries for practical nursing students. There’s an award to the Kitchener Junior Symphony for a string player looking to continue their studies, which is in memory of one of the CFUW members’ sons. There are about 60 students in Waterloo Region who receive awards.
    30m26s Back to the book sale: Rowena says that books and CDs sell for $2.00 or $3.00, but by Saturday they’re sold by the box — $15.00 for as many books as you can fit in a box. But you have to be able to carry the box out, no boxes on wheels! Sometimes staff will collect a box of related books and offer it as a “mystery box”. There are three rooms of books: the main gymnasium room with hardbacks, the cloak room with children’s books and non-fiction, and the chapel with more children’s books and paperbacks. There are too many books, maybe 50,000 books donated, to have them catalogued or sorted. They’re organized by category: Self-help, humour, classic literature. There used to a separate room for dealers, but now they have to sort through the all the books like everyone else. A sign of the times: There are not as many used book sellers as there used to be. A lot of people are buying books online, and books aren’t the quality they used to be and fall apart before they can be resold.
    37m14s The social connections of the club gives people different reasons for joining. Alison joined because she was looking for a book club. There are bridge groups, food is a large part of the organization, there are hiking groups, cycling groups… Somebody recently start a sketching group. CFUW is a great way for women to meet others with similar interests and maybe improve their skills. Alison is also in a French Language group. Most groups meet once a month. And there are monthly speakers: Authors, hikers, people to talk about the environment, theatre events. It’s a wide range of interests. These meetings are for members only, and often held in people’s homes. The social activities are a big draw for new members. Duing the last three years of the pandemic people got very good at Zoom. The dining groups would order take-out and eat it on Zoom. But for speakers it’s difficult to engage the audience through a camera.
    0m55s Saturday Night Natalia Valencia | Saturday Night (B&W line illustration of a bar with bottles on shelves in the background and barstools in the foreground)
    (single)
    Natalia Valencia
    45m01s Recap of the book sale hours and collection times. Looking at the CFUW-KW Facebook page with pictures of the evening with Lisa LaFlamme, talking about the event.
    48m00s Any other events? CFUW slows down during the summer, but looking for something in the fall and next year’s book sale. Talking about Mary Sehl’s public service announcement, and encouraging any Waterloo Region organizations to put their PSAs on the radio.
    49m30s PSA: CFUW book sale donations
    50m15s PSA: CFUW 56th Giant Used Book Sale
    50m59s How the First United Church gets booked. It’s a busy venue, and they’ve expanded their programs so CFUW has slightly less space than in the past. Most volunteers have done this before, people who have been members for a long time. The book sale used to be cash-only, but this year they have the capability to take credit and debit cards. And they can give charitable receipts. There are volunteers staffing a bag check, so you don’t have to carry around bags of books as you shop.
    53m39s How long has CFUW done the book sale at First United? All 56 years? The church has been there a very long time.
    54m44s How to join CFUW? Look on the website, there’s information on how to become a member. The CFUW year is almost over, new people will probably join in September. There are a lot of new members interested the advocacy work. Alison gives a recap on the recipients of the funds raised at the book sale.
    56m39s Bob gives the end credits.

    CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

    Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at office@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

    CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

    CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

    Bonus Video

    YouTube: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 17 April 2023

    Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2023 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.