Looks like some nice weather this week, which is great news with so much to get out and do around the Region. It's also a good chance to get a few jobs done around the house before the weather turns. Grab a coffee and let's get into it.

This week's weather outlook:

🗳️ Election Day Is Next Monday, October 26

In less than a week, we choose the people who will make the calls on municipal budgets, taxes, infrastructure, public works, parks and recreation, land use and development, local by-laws and more for the next four years. Last time, most of us left that choice to somebody else.

In 2022, 102,261 of the Region's 403,558 eligible voters cast a ballot. That's 25.34 per cent, or about one in four. Here's how it broke down where you live:

Not sure who to vote for? Vote Compass is an interactive survey designed by political scientists that shows how your views line up with the candidates' platforms. Enter your postal code and it will show you the candidates in your ward.

Some advance voting options are still available. Check the link for your city or township to confirm when and where you can vote. Remember to bring ID: Kitchener | Waterloo | Cambridge | Woolwich | Wellesley | North Dumfries | Wilmot | wrvotes.com

💧 Mannheim Water Capacity Is Arriving Faster Than Expected

If you've been with Community Loop for a while, you know we've been following the Mannheim water situation closely. It's been an ongoing concern for a lot of residents, and it affects what's possible in Waterloo Region right now and how much room we have to grow in the future. The latest news is the kind we've been waiting for: the Region has brought new capacity online three years faster than expected.

Water projects like this traditionally take five to ten years, so a faster route is news for current residents and for the growth still to come. Region of Waterloo | Water Capacity Information Hub

🏠 Region Approves a 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan

Homelessness is one of the biggest issues in Waterloo Region. It shows up on our streets, at the council table and in the courts. On Wednesday, October 14, Regional Council approved the 10-year plan that will guide what happens next.

The Region's own report is clear that the work isn't done. Homelessness is still rising, only more slowly than before. In 2025, for every 100 people who left the system, 124 entered it. Without significant additional investment, the Region expects homelessness to grow faster starting in 2027. Region of Waterloo | PECH progress update | 10-Year Plan

🦆 A Flock of 12 Painted Geese Has Landed Across Cambridge

Cambridge has a scavenger hunt for you this fall, and the prizes are all public art.

A self-guided art walk with a goose at every stop. City of Cambridge | City news release

NEW: Cherry Blossom Rd, Cambridge. All eastbound lanes are closed between Maple Grove Rd and Boxwood Dr for utility repair, from Monday, October 19 to Thursday, February 4, 2027. That's a long one, so plan your route around it.

NEW: Sportsworld Dr at the Highway 8 N on-ramp, Kitchener. Lanes are reduced for Region utility work from Tuesday, October 20 to Friday, October 30. Two-way traffic is maintained with a paid duty officer flagging, and pedestrians can get around the work zone.

NEW: Wilhelm St, Kitchener. Through traffic is closed between Ahrens St W and Dieppe Ave for site servicing at 180 Wilhelm St, from Wednesday, October 21 to Wednesday, October 28.

🏒 Kitchener Rangers

A shootout loss to London, then two wins in a row. The Rangers sit at 6-5-1-1 on the season, with one overtime loss and one shootout loss.

OHL Rangers schedule and results

🏢 Wilmot Gets a Police Community Office in Baden

Wilmot has been asking for a police presence in town since its old local station closed, and now there is a place to stop in.

A face and a front door close to home. Waterloo Regional Police Service

Please Note: Events are subject to change, postponement, or cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Check the event's own page before heading out.

🧺 St. Jacobs Farmers' Market - 878 Weber St. N., St. Jacobs. Thursdays 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Saturdays 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Link

🧺 Kitchener Market - 300 King St. E., Kitchener. Saturdays 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The indoor market is closed for fire repairs, so the outdoor Saturday market is where vendors are trading. Link

🧺 Cambridge Farmers' Market - 40 Dickson St., Cambridge. Saturdays 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Link

👨‍👩‍👧 Fall farms worth a visit

🛠️ Third Age Learning KW: Eras of Turmoil: 1960s and Now - RIM Park, 2001 University Ave. E., Waterloo. Tuesdays through December 1, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. $60 for the series or $10 per lecture. Talks on Vietnam, Quebec separatism, women's equality, civil rights, rock and roll and more, from some of the country's top researchers and thinkers. Details

🍴 The Art of Neapolitan Pizza (Wednesday Night Aperitivo) - THEMUSEUM, 10 King St. W., Kitchener. Wednesday, October 21, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. $75. Learn the centuries-old tradition behind Neapolitan pizza with the Peachy Rooster, then get hands-on and make your own. Tickets

🎵 Stone Rock: Turn Back the Clock - Maxwell's, 35 University Ave. E., Waterloo. Wednesday, October 21, doors 7:30 p.m., show 8:30 p.m. General admission $15 plus fees. 19+. Tickets

🎭 “Bodies, Bones, and Burials” lecture - Humanities Theatre, J.G. Hagey Hall of the Humanities, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W., Waterloo. Wednesday, October 21, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Free, but you need to register. The Franklin Expedition, told by researchers. Details and registration

🎭 Into the Woods - St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. Wednesday, October 21, 2:00 p.m. Closing week: also Thursday, October 22 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Friday, October 23 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 24 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, October 25 at 2:00 p.m. Sondheim's fairy-tale musical sends Cinderella, Jack, Little Red Riding Hood and a Baker and his Wife into the woods. Tickets are $62, discount dates $50 and youth under 20 $38, plus HST, and the site shows limited availability. Recommended for ages 13 and up, and it runs 2 hours and 50 minutes with an intermission. Information and tickets

🎵 Bethel Music: Nights of Response - Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. Thursday, October 22, 7:00 p.m. An evening of worship and ministry. Tickets start at $61.50 and the venue lists them as almost gone. Price Level 1 tickets include a VIP Q&A from 5:15 p.m. to 5:50 p.m., with two acoustic songs first. Tickets

🎭 Misdirection: Magic and Mentalism Show - Boathouse DTK, 57 Jubilee Dr., Kitchener. Thursday, October 22, 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. $25. Comedy magician Graemazing and mentalist Ryan Edwards, with special guest Awesome Mike. Tickets

🎵 Fresh Horses: Garth Brooks Tribute - Room 47, 47 King St. N., Waterloo. Thursday, October 22, doors 6:00 p.m., show 7:00 p.m. $35. 19+. A rescheduled show from the band that plays Garth Brooks' biggest hits, from "Friends in Low Places" to "The Thunder Rolls." Tickets

🎵 Revisited: The ABBA Tribute - Tapestry Hall, 74 Grand Ave. S., Cambridge. Thursday, October 22, 7:30 p.m. Reserved seating, tickets from $55 plus tax and fees. A live tribute to the Swedish supergroup, with the hits from "Dancing Queen" to "Mamma Mia." Tickets

🎪 Bloody Berlin Walking Tour - Schneider Haus National Historic Site, 466 Queen St S, Kitchener. Thursday, October 22 and Thursday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. The Saturday, October 31 tour is sold out. Ages 16+, advance tickets only. $26.95 plus HST. Tickets

🎵 Choir! Choir! Choir! Mamma Mia! An Epic ABBA Sing-A-Long - Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. Friday, October 23, 8:00 p.m. $57.50 to $80.50 all-in, depending on the seats. The audience is the choir: the directors teach the songs and the room sings, no experience needed. Tickets

🃏 UW Gem and Mineral Show - Earth Sciences Museum, EIT building (1st and 2nd floors), University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W., Waterloo. Friday, October 23, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 24, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Free, no registration. Gems, minerals, fossils and jewellery, plus a door prize ballot at the entrance. On Saturday it runs alongside the Kids Science Open House, with 50+ free hands-on activities. Visitor parking in Lot Q is $10, or take the ION or a bus. Details

🎪 Halloween After Dark (teens only) - Doon Heritage Village, 10 Huron Rd., Kitchener. Friday, October 23, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. $20 per person plus fees. No adults, no little kids. Pumpkin carving, tarot card readings, classic black-and-white monster movies in an old barn, a mocktail bar, cookie decorating and hot apple cider. Costumes encouraged. Tickets | Details

🎭 Rusty Nail Comedy Club: Ian Sirota - TWH Social, 1 King St. W., Kitchener. Friday, October 23, 8:00 p.m. $20. Headliner Ian Sirota has opened for Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan and has two Gemini Award nominations. Tickets are non-refundable. Tickets

👨‍👩‍👧 7th Annual Kids Halloween Party - Schneider Haus National Historic Site, 466 Queen St. S., Kitchener. Saturday, October 24, timed entry at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. $12 per child or adult plus HST, $7 for seniors plus HST. Costumed trick-or-treating, ghostly games, campfire stories and a potion shop where kids mix a potion to take home. For kids 10 and under, and adults need a ticket too. Visits run up to 60 minutes, with a trick-or-treat break from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. All outdoors, rain or shine, no refunds. Tickets | Details

🎪 Treats in the Streets - Uptown Waterloo, starting at the BIA tent at King St. and William St. Saturday, October 24, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free. Trick-or-treat through participating Uptown businesses, with live music and costumed characters. The first 100 visitors to the BIA tent get a free tote. Uptown Waterloo BIA | Waterloo Public Library

👨‍👩‍👧 Eby Manor Barn Tours - Eby Manor farm, 1174 Weeby Place, Waterloo. Saturdays, October 24 and October 31, 11:00 a.m. $14.99 per adult, $7.99 for children 12 and under, free for under 2. Take a guided walk through the tiestall barn, meet the Golden Guernsey cows and calves, and start with a sample of farm-fresh dairy. Spots are limited. Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 23 for the October 24 tour and on Friday, October 30 for the October 31 tour. Book a tour

🎪 Pumpkin Palooza - St. Jacobs Village, at a few locations around the village. Saturday, October 24, afternoon until 6:00 p.m. Free. It's a daytime event this year, with trick-or-treating, a free pumpkin to carve, photo spots around the village and live entertainment. Details

🧺 Nightmare Oddity Market - Bingemans Ballroom, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr., Kitchener. Saturday, October 24, 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Free entry. The first Nightmare Oddity Market brings 50+ vendors with crystals, rare finds and spooky treasures, and you can dress up for a chance to win prizes. Details

🎭 Toronto Comedy All Stars - Studio Theatre, Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. Saturday, October 24, 8:30 p.m. $36.75, fees included. Standup from Toronto's comedy scene, with comedians seen on Just For Laughs, Hulu, Crave and CBC. One night only, and this show has sold out before. Tickets

🎭 Kissing Bridge Art Show - Hampton Inn & Suites, 55 Benjamin Rd., Waterloo. Saturday, October 24, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, October 25, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Free entry. Local art, plus a classic car show with the K-W & Area Bug Club, weather permitting. B55 Bar & Grill is open all weekend, with Moondance Speakeasy cocktails starting at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and a Hot Ones-style wing tasting with Ginger Goat at noon on Sunday. Details | Wing tasting tickets

👨‍👩‍👧 Kids Trick or Treat - Doon Heritage Village, 10 Huron Rd., Kitchener. Sunday, October 25, timed entry every half hour from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. $18 per person plus fees, and museum admission is included. Trick-or-treat through the village, where each historic home has a treat, plus Halloween crafts and activities, music and photo ops. Costumes encouraged, and every child gets goodies. Arrive 15 minutes early to check in, and there's a trick-or-treat break from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Rain or shine, mostly outdoors. Tickets | Details

🎭 Greg Fitzsimmons Live at Room 47 - Room 47, 47 King St. N., Waterloo. Sunday, October 25, shows at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Doors at 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. 19+. $29 plus fees and tax, $36.64 in total, for either show. The Emmy-winning comedian and podcast host is a regular on Conan and The Tonight Show. Details and tickets

🃏 Trinkets Toy and Collectibles Show - Bingemans Kingpin Bowlounge & Boston Pizza, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr., Kitchener. Sunday, October 25, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. $5 entry, and kids 10 and under are free with a paid adult. Bring cash, since vendors take cash only. Details

🎪 Halloween in Cambridge - Various locations, Cambridge. Sunday, October 25 to Saturday, October 31. Free and ticketed family fun, from paper Jack O'Lantern crafts to spooky-themed swims. cambridge.ca/halloween

🎪 Bingemans Screampark - Bingemans, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr., Kitchener. Thursday to Sunday for the rest of October. Hours are 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, Sunday, October 25 and Thursday, October 29, 7:00 p.m. to midnight on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, and 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31. All ages, though it's not recommended for children under 12 or anyone easily frightened. Check the link for prices. Details

🎪 Inked Circus Tattoo Expo - Bingemans, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr., Kitchener. Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1: Friday 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The first annual Kitchener expo brings 50+ tattoo artists and vendors working live all weekend, plus awards and live sideshow performers. All ages. Early bird prices are on now, $15 for a day pass or $20 for the weekend, so get them before they go up. Kids under 16 are free. Tickets

🎭 Mrs. Doubtfire - Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. Tuesday, November 3 and Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $86.08. Tickets

Thanks for reading Community Loop – Waterloo Region. Have something happening in your neighbourhood that should be in next week's issue? We'd love to hear about it. See you next Tuesday!