By John Dalusong Daniyal Shaikh oozes with authority and confidence as he leans back in his black leather swiveling chair. “People tell me I’m the most confident person they’ve ever met,” he said. He gestures with his hands as he talks – as if trying to paint his words. He likes to call himself Dan. It’s his way of distinguishing himself from the thousands of others who share his name. … Continued
The Humble Lotus is proof that not all businesses are born out of the desire to make money. When Jared Wood and My Nguyen receive tips, they give it all to charity. Tucked underneath a multi-storey apartment building just outside the edge of downtown Kitchener, the couple’s grab-and-go sushi marketplace prides itself in its commitment to sustainability, humility, and most importantly, charity. As customers come in, they are welcomed by … Continued
“I want people to feel, like, more relaxed. When they have a bad day or a long day at work, they come here and have a drink and just relax,” said Victoria Nguyen about her newest salon, Velvet Nails, located in the Fairway Plaza, Kitchener, Ontario. This salon is not your typical salon: it is the ultimate, tranquil spa experience. They offer manicures, pedicures, massages, relaxing hair washes, laser treatments, … Continued
Aisley Ellis, a first-year a massage therapy student at Conestoga College, wanted a “low-barrier” way for women to make connections over the summer. So, she started what she calls “Hustl Hot Girl Walks.” An extrovert for as long as she can remember, Ellis said she started the walking group so women could make connections without the pressure of spending a lot of money. She ran the no membership, weekend walking group … Continued
Fall has officially arrived at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market as they kicked off the season with their fourth annual Harvest Hoedown on September 19th. The festival offered something for everyone – from live music and trivia to line dancing, unique vendors, and even the chance to ride a mechanical bull. Attendees were encouraged to dust off their cowboy boots and show up dressed in country attire. Many were wearing … Continued
“It’s in my DNA to work with textiles. The medium just always resonated with me, and it feels right,” said Alisa McRonald, an award-winning artist who focuses on yarn, woven, and punch needle pieces. McRonald has been recognised both nationally and internationally for her approach to art. Her work is currently on exhibit at Kitchener City Hall’s Rotunda Gallery. After learning the basics from her mother and her grandmother, McRonald … Continued
The stadium is filled with tens of thousands of strangers. They are shoulder to shoulder, excitement building, and hearts pounding. People of all different ages, genders, races, sexualities, and religions. They are all here for one thing: the art of live music. Suddenly, the lights go out. Screams erupt louder than ever imaginable. Normally, screams of such volume would be cause for chaos. Tonight, they are in joy. The stage … Continued
If you asked Trevor Clare six years ago if he could see himself painting nostalgic locations for a living, he probably would have said that’s a “wild” idea. Back then, Clare didn’t see art as a serious hobby, let alone a full-time career. If anything, he saw painting as a way to distract himself from his mental battles. But what Clare didn’t realize was that his digital recreations of iconic … Continued
Austin Ernst-Finnie giving a postgame interview, following a 67-57 road win over the Forest Heights Collegiate Institute senior basketball team on January 13, 2025. Photo by Anashe Mapuranga/Spoke Online. Austin Ernst-Finnie giving a postgame interview, following a 67-57 road win over the Forest Heights Collegiate Institute senior basketball team on January 13, 2025. Photo by Anashe Mapuranga/Spoke Online. Coming into his first season coaching the Huron Heights senior basketball boys’ … Continued
Conestoga College’s Student Engagement team hosted its final African, Black, and Caribbean (ABC) drop-in session of the semester at the Waterloo campus on March 12, providing students an opportunity to network with their peers and enjoy snacks. The event aimed to foster a sense of belonging among ABC-identifying students. “It was not only limited to ABC-identifying students,” said Esther Hayford, student engagement programmer for inclusion and belonging. “As long as … Continued
Following months of preparation, Conestoga College held the grand opening for their new Creative Industries (CI) hub. The facility is home to classrooms, lounge areas, workspaces, and the Conestoga College Digital TV network (CCDTV). The investment comes at a time when other post-secondary institutions in the province are slashing Creative Industries programs. As Spoke Online’s Rowen Fisler finds out, Conestoga president Dr. John Tibbits and other important figures in the … Continued
Cambridge was buzzing with excitement as Bee City Seedy Saturday returned on March 8, 2025, bringing together gardeners, environmentalists, and pollinator advocates for a day of seed swapping, sustainability, and community action at the rare ECO Centre and Slit Barn. The event, held from 10 a.m. to noon at 768 Blair Rd., featured a seed swap, educational displays, and community booths focused on sustainability and pollinator conservation. Attendees exchanged seeds … Continued
A piece of Kitchener’s history is set to be brought back to life, as plans to restore the crumbling Lower Doon Mill ruins were unveiled at a Heritage Kitchener Committee meeting on Jan. 7. An engineering report presented to the committee outlined the critical need to stabilize the crumbling Lower Doon Mill ruins, which meet criteria for historical and contextual significance. “You can kind of see the irregular property just … Continued
Conestoga Esports Hub midway through the Provincial Valorant Tournament held on Sat. March 1, 2025. Photo by Emily McGirr Coaches from Ontario’s secondary schools competing in the provincial Valorant tournament last weekend are passionate about their students’ success. Since they arrived in students’ everyday lives, video games have been seen as a distraction from schoolwork, but these coaches and the esports industry itself are challenging those ideas. According to Statista, … Continued
