Victoria day is the unofficial beginning of summer; lots of people go camping. It looks like the weather is going to be great this year.

Victoria Day has been observed since before Canada was formed, originally falling on the sovereign’s actual birthday, and continues to be celebrated in various fashions across the country on the fixed date. In Quebec, the same day was, since the Quiet Revolution, unofficially known as Fête de Dollarduntil 2003, when provincial legislation officially named the same date as Victoria Day the National Patriots’ Day. It is a statutory holiday federally, as well as in six of Canada’s ten provinces and three of its territories.

In Kitchener Waterloo, Victoria Day fireworks tend to be a small private affair these past few years. You’ll have to wait till Canada Day for the big big fireworks display held at Columbia Lake. But that’s in Kitchener Waterloo. If you’re willing to leave the city limits (something I like to do as rarely as possible), Conestogo usually have fireworks as does New Dundee.

In New Dundee, Victoria Day kicks off at 7:00am with a hearty Firefighter breakfast (please don’t burn the bacon) and the community wide garage sales. At 10:00am at the community park you can shop and browse the arts and crafts displays, see antique cars and then enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch. Bid on the silent auction and then at noon, watch the Victoria day parade wind through the community streets to the park.

At dusk there is entertainment and then when the sun goes down and the night comes up FIREWORKS.

Have a blast!

For more information please visit website

Credit: http://365-kw.com

The Seagram Family is well known for the production of superb distilled whiskies, however, their contribution to the establishment of Canadian thoroughbred racing is lesser known to most. Many of the artifacts assembled in this exhibition are still held by members of the Seagram family, bringing them together for the first time in decades.

Where: City of Waterloo Museum, Conestoga Mall (near the food court)

When: Opening May 16, 2012

Museum Hours: May & June, Wednesday to Friday, 9:30am – 4pm

Cost: Free

Credit: http://365-kw.com

Celebrate the new Waterloo Skatepark!!

• Show off your skills in the skateboard competition – great prize packages available! No registration required.
• Be impressed by the moves of the Canadian Pro Team, RedStar who will be showing off their latest tricks and signing autographs!
• Tons of brands on hand with giveaways – VANS, CONS, and many more…
• DJ

The Waterloo Skatepark Grand Opening is supported by Sanction Skate & Snow, RedStar, and Skateboard Canada.

The Waterloo Skatepark is located in Waterloo Park, across from Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.

The City of Waterloo Skatepark is now open in Waterloo Park, on Father David Bauer Drive. The facility features elements for all skateboarding skill levels, with ramps, stairs, vertical elements and more.

Located across from the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, the park is designed to meet the needs of this city’s growing community of skateboarders. Users are urged to follow the park regulations on signage found around the facility.

Construction on this 10,000-square-foot plaza-style park got underway in July 2011 and wrapped up in October 2011.

Where: 100 Father David Bauer Drive, across from Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex,  Waterloo Park.

When: May 12, 2012

Time: 12:00-4:00pm

For more information please visit website

Credit: http://365-kw.com

A once in a lifetime event! Experience history in the making as China’s world-renowned National Chinese Acrobats join the critically acclaimed Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in a groundbreaking performance. These acrobats backed by a live symphony orchestra mesmerize and mystify with their stunning displays of the best in Chinese martial arts, illusion, acrobatics, music, dance and drama in a thrilling display of artistry and daredevil acts.

Where: Centre In The Square, 101 Queen Street North

When: May 11, 2012

Time: 8:00-10:00

For more information please visit website

Credit: http://365-kw.com

Celebrate Latino Arts and Culture. Live performances. Mariachi Bands. Mexican Food. Children’s Crafts. Face Painting. Cooking classes.

This is an (unofficial) Independence Day. For all my self-employed, self-governing, independently-minded friends and me, this is our day. Cinco de Mayo Have a taco. Get your face painted. Celebrate what determination and belief can do.

Where: Civic Square

When: May 4, 2012

Time: 11:30am-1:30pm

—&—

Where: Marketplace

When: May 5, 2012

Time: 10:00am

Credit: http://365-kw.com

The Challenge May 1st – 20th:

Wear at least one piece of plaid clothing or accessory, every day, for the first twenty days of May!

REGISTRATION IS FREE!

Participants are encouraged to:

- Register, upload pictures and videos, post status updates to Facebook and Twitter

- Request online donations from family and friends

- Spread the word about all the great work Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region does within the community

- Wear your favourite plaid clothing and accessories!

Show your support:

- Register as a Plaidster

- Become a Plaid Captain – start your own Plaid Pack!

• Donate to someone already involved!
• Don’t have enough Plaid for 20 Days? We have you covered! Purchase the the official 20 Days of Plaid bracelet and t-shirt at the BBBSWR headquarters:

Launch Party

Where: Fionn MacCool’s restaurant, 4287 King Street East

When: May 1 2012

Time: 5:30-7:30pm

Credit: http://365-kw.com

We are 65% of the way there!  Help us meet our goal to break ground in the Spring!

The neighbourhood of River Ridge, in Bridgeport North, Kitchener, will see an additional 300 to 400 homes built over the next few years.  With just two swings to support the existing neighbourhood and more homes being built; a committee was formed to raise money for the purchase of additional swings. Currently they are fundraising with the intent to implement two additional baby swings and two additional “belt” swings. The funds raised would also be used to purchase a “disc swing” as well as more trees and seating for the park.

The River Ridge Park Improvement Committee hopes that these improvements will help children to build friendships as well as to promote their physical development.

The formation of the committee and is subsequent work has resulted in many new ties being made and friendships being developed. The committee’s work to engage neighbours to participate in the project has brought the community together, most recently in our Hallowe’en Party, held in the park. More fun events are being planned and community residents are being kept apprised of the park project through personal correspondence as well as information posted on the neighbourhood website http://groupspaces.com/RiverRidge.

River Ridge is a thriving, vibrant neighbourhood. When the weather cooperates, so do many volunteers who maintain an ice rink at Kiwanis Park. Theneighbourhood has traditions of fireworks and is beginning to organize fun family events with the help of the City of Kitchener’s Festival of Neighbourhoods program. The wonderful “swing project” will certainly continue to build ties within our community.

Tax receipts for any donation over $10 will be issued by the City of Kitchener.

Donate your gently-used garage sale items:

1. Drop off your donations anytime at 31 Owl Ridge Street or call Julie at             (519) 749-2168       for pick up before Thursday April 26th

2. Drop off your donations at Bridgeport Community Centre, 20 Tyson Drive between 6-8 pm, Friday April 27th

Where: Bridgeport Community Centre

When: April 28, 2012

Time: 8:00am-noon

For more information please visit website

Credit: http://365-kw.com/

When we sat down initially to discuss forming a group where people living and working in Kitchener Waterloo could discuss and find answers to questions in an online community and then have the opportunity to meet once a month as a group, we thought seriously about calling our group 365 Social Network. We are after all, networking socially online daily and in person monthly.

But we wanted to maintain a certain level of seriousness of purpose, the purpose being to build relationships with other group members, establish trust and confidence in a whole new group of friends so that when the opportunity arises to do business together (or to refer business) we know who to turn to for advice and service.

365 Business Network is an offshoot of 365 things to do in Kitchener Waterloo. 365 things to do in Kitchener Waterloo is a community website that I and my partners started about a year and a half ago. The purpose of the site is to highlight one event, attraction, restaurant, place of interest, or thing to do every day in Waterloo Region.

Truth be told, as a real estate agent, my goal of starting the site, besides community involvement, was as an online marketing vehicle for my real estate business. Not only does every daily post have an advertisement for me and my real estate business, it also gets me and my real estate business partner – Alasdair Douglas and my 365 things to do partners – Mike Stark and Amanda Maxwell out in the community, interacting with retailers, restauranteurs, gallery owners and the myriad of other private and public individuals we end up meeting. 365 things to do in Kitchener Waterloo is certainly a popular social interactive site. In the past 30 days 365 things to do in Kitchener Waterloo has had 7,226 visits and 18,190 page views. Our goal is for 365 Business Network to be a socially interactive community for Kitchener Waterloo businesses, business people and residents.

365 Business Network will be having its first monthly meet up this Tuesday, April 24. Bobby O’Brien’s is providing free appetizers. There is free parking after 6pm in the public lot across the street. This group and event are free to join.

365 Business Network meet up is not a “sales networking” event. People doing business in Kitchener Waterloo are encouraged to bring your business cards, brochures and samples – we will have a couple of tables set up where you can carve out a little piece of real estate for your business promotional material. Attendees are encouraged to gather the material they want.

Please RSVP if you are attending – Bobby O’Brien’s cooks in the kitchen need to know how much food to make.

Where: Bobby O’Brien, 125 King St. West, Kitchener.

When: April 24, 2012

Time: 6:30 – 8:30pm

Free parking: after 6:00pm in the lot across the street

To RSVP click here

Credit: http://365-kw.com/

Unlimited FREE parking.

Up to 135 Vendors

Where: Bingemans Park, 425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener

When: April 22, 2012

Time: 9am to 4pm

Cost: Adults $8.00, Children 7 yrs of age to 14 yrs of age and Seniors $5.00

credit: http://365-kw.com

A free bus shuttle will run between the Tim Horton’s Cleanup, Blooming Earth and KNAP Earth Day Celebrations.

Where: Huron Natural Area, 801 Trillium Drive Kitchener

When: April 21, 2012

Time: 1:00 – 4:00pm

For more information please visit website

Tim Hortons Community Clean-up

Tim Hortons Community Clean-up at McLennan Park. Prizes and refreshments by Tim Hortons. No registration required.

Where: McLennan Park, 901 Ottawa Street South

When: April 21, 2012

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

Bloomin’ Earth Festival

Bloomin’ Earth Festival is at Kitchener City Hall. It’s a vintage market filled with yesterday’s treasures, up-cycled products, environmental activities, informational and interactive displays, speakers,workshops, videos and more. Sponsored by 105.3 Kool FM and KFUN 99.5.

Where: Kitchener City Hall, 200 King Street West

When: April 21, 2012

Time: 9:00am-5:00pm

Wild Ontario
Meet some Birds of Prey and learn how you can have a positive impact on wildlife and their habitats!

Where: The Museum

When: April 22, 2012

Time: Shows at 1:00 and 3:00

Credit: http://www.365-kw.com