Courage & Collaboration
Glenn Smith Digs the Blues
Glenn Smith shares his memories of ‘the Legion’ at 48 Ontario Street during a live interview with Martin de Groot shot at the Commons Studio. Back in 1986 he began a new venture as a concert promoter, introducing an impressive rotation of blues talent to a receptive local audience. Revisit our walk-about in February HERE
Legendary performances and Sold-Out shows at the Legion Dance Hall animate the story of Kitchener’s love affair with the Blues
48 Ontario Street, an unassuming treasure nestled in Kitchener’s downtown technology cluster is the site of the 5th annual CSC Student Design Competition
Press Release Here
The winners of this year’s Design Challenge will be announced during the annual Grand Valley Chapter Connections Café on Wednesday, May 16th in the Atrium at Catalyst137
Glenn – so appreciate the interview and your endorsement of the competition, but thank you most of all for the many years of gutsy investment in live music. You’re the real deal.
Hope to see those posters someday!
Stroll through the K-Town Blues Garden:
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Magic Slim & The Teardrops
Robert Cray
The Nighthawks
Albert Collins
Buddy Guy
Koko Taylor
Walter Wolfman Washington
Jimmie Vaughan
Kim Wilson & The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Colin James
Chicago Pete
Lazy Lester
King Biscuit Boy
Big Twist & the Mellow Fellow
Waterloo Region In The Making
Professor Rick Haldenby delivers an insightful and entertaining address to an audience of real estate enthusiasts at a breakfast event hosted by the KW Association of Realtors on Thursday, April 5th, 2018 at Bingemans Marshall Hall.
It is always a pleasure to hear Professor Haldenby speak. His passion for the industrial architecture of Waterloo Region is infectious, inspired by the wisdom of post war city builders whose economic development strategy enabled significant investment in training and education; building, as if with secret foreknowledge, the urban stage we see today. Act One of the Illustrious Industrious City was only a first draft, with the Second Act well into production with (seemingly) weekly funding announcements and new Scenes crafted in the presence of tech giants, plant expansions, and flourishing start-ups.
The Proverb ” A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…” comes to mind as I reflect on Rick’s message summoned by the conviction that the “Waterloo Phenomena” has been made possible by inheritance. What really surprises me is that it remains unabashed throughout the panel discussion. We heard from four of the Region’s largest and most progressive developers: Craig Beattie (Perimeter Development Corporation), Scott Higgins (Hip Developments), Mike Maxwell (Momentum Developments), and Anne Marchildon (Andrin Ltd). Each one shared their perspective, back stories and vision with the civic pride and sincerity that comes with a personal commitment to the Region and a lot of skin in the game.
Yep, I’m going to listen to the tape again, to be sure it wasn’t just the chocolate chip pastries, but somehow I know they get inheritance…hmmm…stay tuned.
Brent Davis covers the event at The Record
More from Rick Haldenby…a series of thirteen video shorts recorded in 2016 at CSC & The Case of the Illustrious Industrious City: Act 1 Scene 1
Scott Higgins, President of Hip Developments Inc. expands on the ROI of “getting a little bit crazy” at Waterloo Region In The Making. Scott leads his team to be bold, think big and take action focused on building creativity and culture, a guiding principle of their construction projects.
Memories of prepping for the Riverbank Lofts launch party in Hespeler Village…
Links:
Hip Developments
Launch Waterloo
Waterloo Chronicle
Day In The District
Cambridge Times
Ground Hog Day in DTK
Students & faculty from the Ryerson School of Interior Design enjoyed a tour of 48 Ontario Street in Kitchener on Friday, February 2nd. This is the school’s fourth visit to Waterloo Region to experience the local culture and study the architectural, economic and demographic forces on significant properties of historical/cultural influence. Their research will inform this year’s case study of the former Bell Telephone Co. building turned Royal Canadian Legion Branch 50, otherwise known as “the Legion”.
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value for 48 Ontario Street North
Glenn Smith joined the tour to get reacquainted with the building where back in 1986 he launched an outrageous experiment as a concert promoter and introduced such talented blues artists as Buddy Guy and Mel Brown from (mostly) New Orleans, Detroit and the Chicago area to a new audience in Kitchener-Waterloo. Legendary performances and Sold-Out shows at the Legion Dance Hall begins the story of Kitchener’s love affair with the Blues. Who remembers that Colin James played there when he was just 18?! If the walls could talk…
Watch for more about Glenn and Kitchener’s blues roots starting with the soon-to-be-released live interview with Martin de Groot at the Commons Studio
Sunshine & Frigid temperatures set the stage for a twist on the urban legend of Groundhog Day at Kitchener City Centre. Far from the predictable news from Willie, here is proof that Waterloo Region is not stuck in Groundhog day with this candid snapshot of genuine multi-sectorial collaboration. Shout out to our esteemed community leaders Martin de Groot, Raj Saini MP, Taymoore Balbaa, Cathie Schneider, Tammy Lawrence, Councillor Sarah Marsh, James Howe, and Glenn Smith.
That’s me between Martin and Cathie…two of the few who would never try to shoot down a good idea before it gets a chance to fly:)
For more about the CSC Student Design Challenge, visit the official website here and facebook page here
In the News…
Construction Canada Magazine Jan 9/18
Construction Links Announcement Feb 13th/18
The Art of Specifying Stone
Cathie Schneider delivers an insightful and informative talk on the subject of specifying natural stone at this month’s CSC-GV luncheon on October 18th, 2017**Shout out to our venue hosts at the Grand Valley Construction Association who never complain about us leaving a trail of sandwich crumbs on the carpet. You’re the best!
Cathie Schneider, CTR, the VP of Stonequest Inc. is an accredited speaker with the Marble Institute of America and has been in the stone business for 25 years. She is a member of IDC Canada and the current Chair of the Grand Valley Chapter of Construction Specifications Canada. Architects, Interior Designers, Specifiers, Distributors, Landscape Architects, Contractors, Construction Managers, LEED Evangelists and ESPECIALLY Building Owners should listen carefully to the podcast recorded at this event, or better yet… reach out to Cathie before planning your next project with natural stone!
Who is Joe?
Joe Ippolito, CTR and VP of Quarry Sales at Arriscraft makes a brief “guest appearance” on the podcast. We will be sending him a courtesy copy. Same with Stefanie Hargest of Boehmer’s Block who knows a thing or two about building to LEED Standards. She gives great hugs too (go to the 1:11 mark on the video).
How do I listen to the podcast?
Test your Stone IQ here
Fill out the form below for a password to unlock the podcast
AND
we MIGHT even send you the test answers
Cathie Schneider takes us on a stone quest to Rivendell where all the Consultants of Elrond (Design & Construction Team) are thriving under the transformative leadership of the building Frodowner…
she will share the magic word with you if you ask nice (or you could try Stefanie)
**Like the Soundtrack? Special thanks to Mother West Wind’s Animal Friends (recorded at a live performance in 2016 at the End of Summer Festival in Uptown Waterloo)
LINKS:
Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada
MIA + BSi (Marble Institute of America)
National Building Granite Quarries Association
National Tile Contractors’ Association
#connectionscafe2017
The 4th annual Student Design Competition comes to a close today, May 11th, 2017 with an impressive group of entries from Conestoga College’s School of Interior Design on display during Connections Cafe this evening at the Pines in Cambridge, Ontario.
Many thanks to Frank Voisin at Catalyst137, Kevin Klages and the iGuide development team at Planitar and especially Sarah Turner and her 3rd Year Students for working with us through unexpected hurdles to finish the race. We are incredibly fortunate to belong to such an innovative, supportive and resilient community.
Shout out to this year’s sponsors of Connections Cafe for giving us the thumbs up. We wish you a rewarding and memorable experience and invite you to discover what inspires the Prime Minister of Canada and business leaders from around the globe to invest in Waterloo Region…and don’t forget to fill out a ballad for your favourite entry!
CSC Grand Valley is committed to professional development in the AEC industry that builds confidence, invites collaboration and values relationship.
We invite you to join us on our journey…
Shot live on location at the Pines in Cambridge, Ontario. Features the winners of the 4th Annual CSC Student Design Competition co-sponsored by the Grand Valley & Toronto Chapters. Music by the Paul Stouffer Jazz Group with Paul Stouffer on keyboards, Denis Rondeau on bass and Robin Habermehl on the saxophone
2016 Connections Cafe & Awards Night
Winners of the 2016 CSC Student Design Competition
CSC Student Design Competition Co-Chair, Cathie Schneider is the Master of Ceremonies during the Awards Presentation May 19th, 2016 at Connections Cafe. This annual networking event for professionals in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industries was held at THEMUSEUM in downtown Kitchener, a section of the former Goudies department store adjoining 8 Queen Street (subject building chosen for the competition). Conceptual drawings & floor plans from six winning student teams were exhibited for attendees to explore in a relaxed and informal setting in advance of the Awards Ceremony.
The CSC Student Design Competition is on facebook at facebook.com/CSCDesignCompetition
In the News…
http://rsid.ryerson.ca/news/csc-competition-2016
2017 CSC Student Design Competition
“Public Collaboration & Connection”
Site: Catalyst 137
3D virtual site tour of 137 Glasgow Street
made possible by
Construction Specification Canada (CSC) Grand Valley and Toronto Chapters proudly present the 4th annual Student Design Competition open to all current post-secondary school students in Ontario with an interest in construction-related activities such as architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, interior design, construction management, innovative products, and manufacturing
Entries can be submitted by individuals, or by teams consisting of up to 4 people. See Competition Documents for complete details:
Competition Documents
Registration closed on Karelo
1st place $2000.00
2nd place $1000.00
3rd place $500.00
Site: 137 Glasgow Street, Kitchener, Ontario
Situated 3 km SE of the University of Waterloo and about 1 km west of Google’s new Kitchener Headquarters in the Innovation District. The location has close proximity to the niche shops & restaurants at Belmont Village and borders the Iron Horse Trail, allowing pedestrians, cyclists and joggers to access the public space at the front of the building
Voisin Capital’s newest project is an ideal case study to expose young design professionals to a relevant and trend setting initiative. Use of the lobby, the public gathering space inside and the outdoor collaboration space will be the focus of the competition
Catalyst 137’s impressive 475,000 sq ft space will be purpose-built for makers, a concentration point for the talent, hardware engineering services and venture capital support required to build the next generation of IOT companies
In the News…
Restaurant of the Future coming to Catalyst 137
Construction Canada Announcement January 18th, 2017
Kitchener Mayor supports Tech Sector & Strong Neighbourhoods
Catalyst 137 off to a Flying Start
Links…
2016 Winners
Archived Posts…
2016 CSC Student Design Competition
CSC & the Case of the Illustrious Industrious City (Act1 Scene1)
CSC & the Case of the Illustrious Industrious City (Act 1 Scene 2)
CSC & the Case of the Illustrious Industrious City (Act 1 Scene 3)
Link here and here for the 2015 competition
Link here and here for the 2014 competition and here to view full length Montage video
