dan kellar Kitchener – The Community Canopy tree planting program will see over 100 new trees planted in the Chandler-Mowat neighbourhood this year. Some of the trees have been planted already with more going into the ground over the fall. The initiative is a partnership between the City of Kitchener and Reep Green Solutions, and builds on efforts to have 30% of the city covered with tree canopy by 2050
This program targets “deserving neighbourhoods” based on metrics which measure socio-economic factors as well as the current tree canopy cover.
On Thursday October 10th, from 3-5pm, a community event will take place at Laurentian Park to celebrate the accomplishments of the pilot program, and to announce the transformation of the Community Canopy program into an annual initiative.
This show features interviews with Hajnal Kovacs, the forestry project manager for the city of Kitchener, and Taylor Ross the community engagement coordinator for Reep Green Solutions.
Fall is here, the leaves are browning and the air is cooling. (Hopefully) fitting this weather is a soundtrack that spans cultures, languages, and generations to get you cozied up in these cooler days!
Fall is here! (sort of) It is now officially fall, and even though the temperatures haven’t dropped as much as some of us would like, the gloomier weather is moving in and signaling the start of spooky season. Starting off with some classic new wave songs to get in that “spooky” mood, then following with synth-pop, avante-garde what-chya-ma-call-it, and singer-songwriter indie rock, we’re kicking off fall here on Through the Static!
dan kellar
Guelph, ON – While Palestinian solidarity encampments at universities across the country have been dismantled, strategizing to keep up the pressure hasn’t stopped. The grassroots organization Guelph 4 Palestine is hosting the People’s Conference for Palestinian Solidarity at the University of Guelph on September 21st and 22nd. The conference’s website says participants “will engage in meaningful conversations, learn and share lessons and resources, and continue to propel efforts to support a free Palestine”.
Representatives from several Palestinian solidarity student encampments will share their experiences along with health care workers, labour organizers, Independent Jewish Voices, and others. Organizers from the “Gaza House” encampment which was set up at the University of Waterloo will be presenting. The event will feature workshops and speakers, discussion and resource sharing spaces and programming for kids. Registration is available online or in person at the event.
This show features an interview with Shabina Lafleur-Gangji of Guelph 4 Palestine.
dan kellar Kitchener, ON – With students returning to schools across the region, the city of Kitchener is reminding drivers to slow down on the roads and pay special attention in school zones, at pedestrian crossings, and where crossing guards are on duty.
In a press release sent by the city, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vbranovic expressed “I encourage all of us grownups to take a bit of extra care, slow down and exercise some extra caution on area roads.” These efforts are tied into the city’s Vision Zero strategy, which was adopted in 2021.
This show features interviews with Aaron McCrimmon-Jones, the manager of transportation safety and policy at the city of Kitchener and Margaret Johnston, the Ward 8 councilor for Kitchener and the chair of the city’s Community & Infrastructure Services Committee. Visit kitchener.ca/visionzero for more on the City’s plans to eliminate traffic related injuries.
Sohayla Smith is in the CKMS-FM studio for a Live, On-Air, In-Studio performance! She talks to Bob Jonkman about her studio work, the instruments she plays, the values she’s teaching her son, cover songs, ideas for an upcoming tour, and the Soup Haus soup kitchen she organizes.
Sohayla tells us about One Sweet Thing, and Bob welcomes Sohayla to the studio. Sohayla introduces her band members, Tristan Jensen on guitar and Daniel Dumas on cajone and shaker. Missing is Tyler Reed, who plays bass. Sohayla tells us a bit about her studio work at Villa Sound in Singhampton with Adam Fair. Talking about Sohayla’s work during the Covid lockdowns.
11m12s
Talking about the fiddle contests in Shelburne. But the fiddle fest no longer exists, now it’s a music festival. Sohayla plays fiddle on some of her songs, but sometimes hires a fiddle player. Sohayla is a multi-instrumentalist, playing everything except the didgeridoo.
Talking about the purpose of Better Man, why Sohayla chooses those themes. Talking about raising her son to have the values expressed in the song.
21m02s
Sohayla toured out East in 2019 and New York in 2018. Now she’s looking to play the smaller halls in Ontario, performances in house concerts, &c.
22m53s
Talking about playing covers of songs by other musicians. Sohayla tells us about In The Heather by Noah Zacharin (who was Sohayla’s teacher), and Little Things by Colin Cripps.
Adding the first verse at the end. Sohayla’s signature songwriting technique?
32m54s
Sohayla runs a soup kitchen in Shelburne, Ontario called Soup Haus. She did a TED talk on Soup Haus called No Strings Attached – Need, and the Art of Giving. The principle behind the soup kitchen is that when you don’t have enough, it is hard and feels bad to ask for help; Instead the goal is to offer help or food before people need to ask. Sohayla has done this every Sunday for five years. And now there is a songwriter’s round after the supper for musicians who want to learn about songwriting and have a community. Bob mentions that in Kitchener there is Food Not Bombs (with international roots) offering food at Kitchener City Hall every Saturday at 4:30pm; the St. John’s Kitchen, currently in St. John’s church at 23 Water Street North in Kitchener weekdays at Noon, and the Tiny Home Takeout at St. Mary’s Church, 56 Duke Street West, Tuesday to Saturday 5:00pm to 6:30pm. At Soup Haus no-one gets paid. It’s all volunteers — sometimes the dinner guests become volunteers. There may be as many as 12 volunteers, and once up to 80 guests! But 18 to 25 guests is more usual. Talking about people’s needs, and other things Sohayla has done to help her community.
41m24s
Introducing the next song, Bad Boys. It was picked up by Sirius XM. Sohayla wrote this a long time ago, and got it recorded just recently. Bad Boys is the other side to Better Man.
Bad Boys was released at the start of August. Now Sohayla is working on a Blues album. It’s going slow… She’s also working on a Christian song, but that’s not part of the Blues album. The songs have been written for a long time, and played in performance, but never recorded. There may be a Blues tour, maybe combined with the small venues tour. Or maybe not. Kitchener has lots of small (and big) Blues venues, and the big Blues Festival. Sohayla hasn’t played in her home town. Daniel is helping Sohayla book the venues.
52m51s
Sohayla doesn’t remember any upcoming performances, but she’s doing some studio work. She’ll be playing for her students’ recital. But she e-mailed a list of upcoming concerts (under Events).
dan kellar Waterloo, ON – The City of Waterloo has expanded the availability of their Snow Assist program for the upcoming winter to help more residents. Reflecting the city’s accessibility and inclusion efforts, Snow Assist is aimed at residents 65 years of age and older and for low-income folks with disabilities. The program will place qualifying applicants in one of three streams of service for snow removal on their properties throughout the winter.
Applications are due by the end of September and can be accessed on waterloo.ca/snow-assist. Folks who were approved for the program last winter will be automatically re-enrolled.
This show features an interview with Tiffany Smith the manager of community programming for the city, who discusses the impetus for the program, and the various streams of service available.
What’s up, y’all? Another week, another round of music added to Libretime:
KADE
Dancing Moose – Single
Pop
CanCon
KADE
Girl Of My Dreams – Single
Pop
CanCon
Joel Frahm Trio
Lumination
Jazz
CanCon
Petch
Ultraviolet – Single
Rock
No
knitting
Some Kind of Heaven
Alternative
CanCon
Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra
Melanin Moon – Single
Folk
No
Ethan Surman
Homecoming Season – EP
Pop
CanCon
Caroline Parke
Gratitude – Single
Singer-Songwriter
CanCon
Hopdot
The Love You Gave To Me – Single
Adult Contemporary
No
Hopdot
When Will I Love Again – Single
Adult Contemporary
No
Williams Fuentes
In the Back of My Mind
Electronic
No
Mike Casey
Valencia
Jazz
No
Andy Wolff
Andy Wolff
Folk
CanCon
pssyclwz
party animals (feat. Deliah Jolie) – Single
Pop
CanCon
Opeongo
Ceiling Rats – Single
Folk
CanCon
Sarah Brix
Ended Here – Single
Alternative
CanCon
Cigar Club
Rain – Single
Alternative
CanCon
snez
Never Enough – Single
Hip Hop
NSFR
CAnCon
Stonehocker
I Am Divided – Single
Alternative
CanCon
W/FRNDS
First Rodeo (feat. Jordyn Bryn) – Single
Country
CanCon
Odd Marshall
Santa Barbara – Single
Alternative
CanCon
Duke Robillard
Roll With Me
Blues
No
The Kings
Nowhere To Go But Gone – Single
Rock
CanCon
Desiree Dorion
Remember Your Name
Singer-Songwriter
CanCon
Brenda Best
The Bitter End – Single
Country
No
Dead Ghosts
Hippie Flippin
Rock
CanCon
Cass Anatwy
Cascades
New Age
No
Jonny Knowles
Giants – Single
Pop
No
Whygo
Silk
Rock
CanCon
Kristine Grealy
In Between – Single
Country
Acoustic version available as well
CanCon
The Peawees
One Ride
Rock
No
Vladman
Churchman
Hip Hop
NSFR; intro and outro unavailable
CanCon
Here is tonight’s Horizon Broadening Hour:
Tracklist:
Cass Anawaty – Faith
Joel Frahm Trio – Disco Nern
Mike Casey – Valencia
Snez – Never Enough
Vladman – Marni
Williams Fuentes – I’D BETTER FORGET U
Pssyclwz – party animalz (feat. Delilah Jolie)
Ethan Surman – Night Swim
Niko – The Fool
Jonny Knowles – Giants
Hopdot – When Will I Love Again
KADE – Dancing Moose
Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra – Melanin Moon (feat. Saro Roro & Tiarn Toni)
Desiree Dorion – Heart That Knows
Brenda Best – The Bitter End
Kristine Grealy – In Between
Caroline Parke – Gratitude
Larry Folk – Sunset Song (45 Year Revision)
Andy Wolff – Sit Beneath a Shady Tree
The Coo – Honey I Do
W/FRNDS – First Rodeo (feat. Jordyn Brynn)
Opeongo – Ceiling Rats
Knitting – College Rock Song #1
Whygo – My Stuff
Dead Ghosts – Chill Groover
The Kings – Nowhere to Go but Gone
The Peawees – She Cries As She Kills
PETCH – Ultraviolet
Stonehocker – I Am Divided
Odd Marshall – Santa Barbara
Cigar Club – Rain
Sarah Brix – Ended Here
We are going to continue with that new music train this week. There has been a number of great new releases coming out. So I wanted to share the noise.
Of course, I’m going to mix in those classics to keep things flowing.
dan kellar
Kitchener, ON –With shifting demographics in the downtown, and the return of thousands of college and university students to the region, the city of Kitchener is hosting the inaugural Endless Summer music festival on Saturday.
Featuring Canadian artists such as Rêve, Helado Negro, Born Ruffians, and I, the Mountain, the festival is free to attend and is headlined by Juno award winner TALK. DJ Joanna Magik will be performing a set and filling the silence between sets. In a press release the city described Endless Summer as an event which will “keep the summer vibes rolling”.
This show features an interview with the Manager of special events for the city of Kitchener, Steve Roth, who speaks about the inaugural Endless Summer music festival taking place in the Victoria Park Commons on Saturday the 7th. The free event runs from 2-11pm.
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.
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.
We’re finally back, and for good! After a pretty sporadic and crazy summer I’m finally back in Waterloo to play you a variety of tunes, bops, and late-night jams every week like usual! Switching between funky synth-pop, to fuzzy trip-hop, to nostalgic bangers, we’re playing everything here on Through the Static!
Also, happy first week back at school for those who celebrate 🙂
We’re All In This Together – High School Musical Cast
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.
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.
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).
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.
dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – The International Water Association has recognized the City of Kitchener for its stormwater management projects through the organization’s Climate Smart Utilities Recognition Programme.
The recognized work, which the IWA calls “most inspiring”, has focused on re-naturalizing stream beds throughout the city and is aimed at adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change, which includes more frequent storm events with increased intensity. The recognition was made at the IWA’s annual congress, which was held this year from August 11-15th in Toronto.
This show features an interview with Bu Lam, the Director of Sanitary and Stormwater Utilities for the City of Kitchener, who speaks about the recent recognition the city has received for its work on stormwater management.
Hello lovely CKMS listeners! Apologies for the very infrequent and sporadic shows for the last few months, it’s been a wild ride! Tonight’s show will be a replay, but I will be back in the studio next week for good! See you then and stay tuned for more great shows!! 🙂
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