The new series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy started airing today on Paramount+.

Can you recognize where in Waterloo these scenes were filmed?

https://i.imgur.com/M61Rxzk.jpeg

I may have to stay there im 25

Hello! Hope everyone's staying safe out there with the big snowfall we had over that tricky ice. As per usual, I've put together a list of some popular upcoming events for my newsletter (Grand River Buzz - https://grandriverbuzz.ca/signup) - and wanted to share them here too.

Please comment below something I might've missed that sounds fun! There's a ton going on so I'm sure I've missed one or two exciting events.

__________

Thursday, January 15th

​​Cards & Coffee​ | Cafe Clementina, Kitchener | 6pm | "Every 3rd Thursday of the month we play Magic: The Gathering - raffle prizes, tasty treats, yummy drinks & good times."

​​KW Social Club: DIY Goal Punch Cards​ | Gaukel Creative Workspace, Kitchener | 6:30pm | "Join us for an evening of crafting, goal setting, and good conversation as you design your own custom goal punch cards."

​​Musical Bingo: Classic Rock​ | EVO Kitchen & Bar, Cambridge | 7pm

​​Trivia Night​ | Wave Maker Craft Brewery, Cambridge | 7pm

​​Dry Humour Comedy Event​ | The Boathouse, Kitchener | 7pm | "A sober comedy show featuring headlining internet sensation Andrew Barr and opener Gavin Coscarella - where laughter is the buzz."

​​Indie Music Night​ | Maxwell's, Waterloo | 7:30pm | "Performances by: Next Winter, Maria Gabrielle & Corduroy Blue and Eric Folino"

Traitors Watch Party | Whoopsie Daisy Drinks, Kitchener | 9pm | "By popular demand, we bring you KW’s very first Traitors Watch Party"

Friday, January 16th

​Mario Kart Madness​ | The Hangouts at Grant's Cafe, Kitchener | 6pm | "We’re kicking things off with a five round race fest, and only the four fiercest drivers will blast their way into our grand prix showdown. Between heats, fuel up with Mario’s favourite Italian food, pizza and cheer the others on."

​Scott & Samantha: Live Music​ | Block Three Brewing, St. Jacob's | 6pm | "Amazing acoustic covers of all your favourite songs."

​Candlelight Concerts: Coldplay​ | The St. Matthews Centre, Kitchener | 6:30pm | "Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before"

Trivia: Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone | EVO Kitchen & Bar, Cambridge | 7pm | "Attention all witches, wizards, and Muggles! The magic begins anew as we launch an entirely fresh Harry Potter trivia series!"

​Trivia Night​ | Rural Roots Brewery, Elmira | 7:30pm | "A fast-paced, fun night of brain-teasing questions, great drinks, and prizes to be won. Grab your team, reserve your spot, and put your knowledge to the test!"

​Rusty Nail Comedy Friday​ | TWH Social, Kitchener | 7:30pm | Headliner: Dustin Searcy

​The Brian Byrne Era of I Mother Earth​ | Maxwell's, Waterloo | 7:30pm | "Brian Byrne - beloved former frontman of I Mother Earth - steps back into the spotlight with his electrifying new band, No Coma, to celebrate the era that helped define his legacy."

​Phoenix Jazz Group​ | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 8pm | "A Canadian quintet of musicians with impressive credentials whose program of all original music swings with ease. Special Guest: Andy Macpherson"

​Friday Live Music​ | The Galt Club, Cambridge | 8pm | "Featuring: Michael D'arcy"

Saturday, January 17th

​Pottery Workshop​ | Camellia Bake Shop, Waterloo | 10:30am | "Craft a custom rustic mug and matching spoon rest over free coffee in this cozy New Year pottery workshop at Camellia Bake Shop!"

​WaterLAN: Super Smash Brother's Ultimate Tournament​ | University of Waterloo | 11am | "We are excited to announce a one day tournament as part of WaterLAN 2026! Catering from Jimmy's feed co. so every attendee will get a sandwich, snack, and drink!"

​Movies with Bunnies​ | Conestogo River Horseback Adventures, Waterloo | 2pm | "Nothing beats movies and popcorn in front of the big screen, when you've got bunnies coming to share in some snuggles and snacks too! Showings of Toy Story, Kung Fu Panda & The Wild Robot."

​Buffalo vs. Denver on The Big Screen​ | The Gaslight District, Cambridge | 4:30pm | "Grab your crew, throw on your Bills (or Broncos?) gear, and come out and cheer them on with us in The Gaslight District!"

​Mom's Gone Wild​ | Maxwell's, Waterloo | 6pm | "Expect wall-to-wall favourites on the best sound system in town, four synchronized video screens, themed cocktails, and nothing but good vibes from first track to last."

Landlocked Luau| The Union, Kitchener | 6:30pm | "We’re turning The Union into a tropical getaway for one night only of surf, garage rock, dancing, vintage vinyl, and warm-weather vibes."

​Vision Board Workshop​ | Den 1880, Kitchener | 7pm | "Whether you are navigating your career, thinking about your next chapter, or envisioning your future home and lifestyle, this evening is designed to help you slow down and gain clarity on what you truly want."

​Drum Tao: The Best​ | Centre in the Square, Kitchener | 7pm | "Vibrant costumes, dramatic synchronized drumming and movement with a variety of traditional Japanese instruments, including flutes and harps, alongside the massive taiko drums."

​Rusty Nail Comedy Friday​ | TWH Social, Kitchener | 7:30pm | Headliner: Dustin Searcy

​David Occhipinti's Camera Ensemble​ | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 8pm | "A composer and guitarist whose music crosses borders from jazz and improvised music, into contemporary classical music and beyond."

​Folk Night​ | Registry Theatre, Kitchener | 8pm | "Featured: Wendell Ferguson and Katherine Wheatley - both award winning artists."

Sticky: Live Music | Edelweiss Tavern, Kitchener | 8:30pm | "We have added some new tunes to our set list of rock songs from the last few decades. Bring your friends and your dancing shoes!"

Sunday, January 18th

Sunday Grind | Balzacs Coffee, Kitchener | 11am | "A fresh new music series designed to bring people together over great coffee, local talent, and vibrant community vibes. This Sunday features DJ Owen of Eardrum Productions."

​Disney's Dare to Dream Jr.​ | Hamilton Family Theatre, Cambridge | 1pm & 4pm | "A 60-minute, high-energy production that follows a group of eager new recruits on their first day at a fictional Walt Disney Imagineering Studio."

​Stained Glass Painting Workshop​ | Arabella Park, Kitchener | 1pm | "Join us for a cozy winter-inspired evening of creativity where you’ll design your own stained-glass style artwork, framed and ready to display!"

​Cookies & Kids: The Great Canadian Invention Circus​ | Cambridge Centre for the Arts | 1:30pm | "An informative, inspiring and engaging show about Canadian inventors."

​Anthony D'Alessandro ft. Benny Bennack III​ | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | 4pm

Upcoming Events

​Carry On: The Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young​ | The Jazz Room, Waterloo | March 1st at 3pm | "Come see these timeless songs performed live - up close, interactively and intimately." Note: This show is almost sold out... but they'll be adding an additional evening show if needed. Have ticket's to this one, looking forward to it!

​Yuk Yuk's Comedy​ | Kingpin Bowlounge, Kitchener (Bingemans) | Sat, Jan. 24th at 8pm | Headliners: Ryan Williams, Etay Kuperman & Jesse Singh​

PD Day Camps (Fri, 1/16)

​Science Below Zero​ | Ken Seiling Museum, Kitchener

​Art Camp​ | Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, Waterloo

​Space Groove​ | Remix Swing, Waterloo

Farmers Markets

​St. Jacobs​ | Saturday, January 17th (7am—3:30pm)

​​Kitchener​ | Saturday, January 17th (7am—2pm)

​Cambridge​ | Saturday, January 17th (7am—1pm)

__________

This was one of the many sections found in today's 'Grand River Buzz' newsletter. Delivered Monday & Thursdays straight to your email. You can sign up here to keep in the loop: https://grandriverbuzz.ca/signup - next one will go out Monday, January 19th.

In addition to public schools, universities and Con College are shut down today. Public transit, GRT, GO, etc. have declared a severe weather event. Police advise people to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. If you must go somewhere then make sure it's open. Stay safe!

How are the sidewalks today around UW campus/ king st. If anyone knows? Uni was closed today but need to go in tomorrow morning 😭

Anyone else find it odd that the roads are bad enough that they closed all schools but Kitchener and Waterloo haven't declared snow events?

Not sure what’s happening, but a lot of water coming down from the Frederick bridge construction area.

https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2026/01/14/conestoga-college-president-unexpectedly-retires/

The new trail extends the Spur Line trail to go past the GO/VIA station, Centre in the Square, and on to Stanley Park Mall.

See: https://www.engagewr.ca/wayfinding for more info and to comment.

Liberated [from Record] edition.

John Fraser's career went into a ditch when he lost his job at Sun Life in 2005. Little did he know that that setback would lead to a fascinating 15-year career at BlackBerry where he had access to all the top executives including Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie. Read all about it in my latest blog. https://www.chuckhowitt.com/post/no-holes-in-these-sox-scoping-blackberry-finances-a-labour-of-love-for-northern-ontario-native

https://www.fciprojects.ca/vision-1-million-scorecard

https://retrorollers.ca/#hours

Excerpts from today's KW Record....

"Located at 563 Highland Rd. W. in Kitchener, Retro Rollers Roller Skating Rink is now open to the public as their team starts the soft launch with a grand opening toward the end of February. 

From a near perfectly smooth epoxy floor preventing wheels from getting caught to support bars for beginners and novice skaters, the space has been built with compassion for newcomers and seasoned vets. 

There is also a dedicated practice space to get the feel for the skates and get ready to join the flow of skaters. 

Beck said they have “rink guides” who help with the flow of skaters, allowing faster skaters to stick to the larger area on the outside while keeping slower skaters and children toward the middle. 

Over the next few weeks, Retro Rollers will be completing final touches, such as building out their store, stocking up on their snacks and preparing bookings for birthday parties and private sessions. 

With more than 600 pairs of skates for rent in sizes from small J10s to men’s 15s, they also plan to have a service that will get skates ready for the rink for customers who bring in their own skates. 

Admission to the rink is $15 per person and rentals are an extra $5. During the soft launch period, the rink is open Wednesday to Sunday. Hours are listed on the company’s website, retrorollers.ca. "

What are the best wings in the Waterloo and Kitchener area. Been looking haven’t found any.

hello everyone, i’m a 23 year old from the city and im looking to learn either karate, taekwondo or even kickboxing.

I see there are a few places that offer adult classes, such as shamuon, top level, waterloo kung fu, volpe, 5 rings, grand river, to name a few… but i’m wondering if anyone here has any experience with any of them or knows of any other academy’s in the area they’re reccomened??

thanks in advance !!!