The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 1 THE OSCAR www.BankDentistry.com 613.241.1010 The Ottawa South Community Association Review l The Community Voice Year 49, No. 7 July-August 2021

Saving the “Bellwood Boulder”

The “Bellwood Boulder” framed by a digger and labeled with a temporary sign while waiting for the move to Windsor Park. PHOTO BY BRENDAN MCCOY

By Mary Low 20 feet beneath the street, in front with the pipes. On May 24th, Menard asking for help. Menard of house numbers 29 and 30. The after seeing the interest of several had seen the boulder for himself and What was all the excitement boulder was obstructing the pipe residents, Gauri Sreenivasan, who agreed immediately to take up the about? work and had to be extracted. Being lives nearby, sent a message to a case with City officials. There was a flurry of activity on so heavy, the diggers struggled to lift wider set of Bellwood neighbours the northern block of Bellwood it out but eventually they succeeded. to determine the level of interest The boulder’s story Avenue in Old Ottawa South (OOS) The boulder is over 6 feet in diameter in participating in a “…kind of The precise history and age during the latter part of May 2021. As and senior crew members confirmed quirky but fun project…as a small of the boulder is still being part of the City’s construction work that it is between 11 to 15 tons in distraction.” She asked if neighbours determined. Neighbour Cindy Weeks in this part of the neighbourhood to weight. supported finding a way to preserve contacted Ingrid Kjarsgaard, the renew infrastructure that involves the historic glacial boulder with neighbourhood’s resident expert in constructing watermains, sanitary A call to action a plaque attached for heritage mineralogy, to see if Ingrid would be sewers and select storm sewers, the To the dismay of the neighbours purposes. Almost immediately, able to provide a few more factoids excavation work stirred up more on the street, they learned that the the email chain grew as dozens of to tell the story of the boulder’s likely than dust and disruption. A massive plan was to smash the boulder to neighbours added their support with boulder was discovered on May smithereens simply because there is many joining in later, and a letter was 20th by the construction crew about no way to put it back underground sent to local City Councillor Shawn Continued on pg. 4

register for Fall2021 Summer programs camp This Fall we are excited to offer in-person, outdoor, and virtual programs for all ages. Summer is in full swing at OSCA! Thinking Browse our program guide and reconnect with about registering for summer camp? your community this Fall.

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Registration starts June 24th. Secure your spot today at: oldottawasouth.ca/programs oldottawasouth.ca/programs Page 2 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

BUSINESS BEAT Patios galore? By Erik van der Torre work, suggesting that this is indeed a relaunch of a slightly different Now that we are at Step 1 of the concept? Time will tell. Ontario reopening plan, it has been nice to see full patios all throughout Jerk on Wheels being jerked Old Ottawa South during the first around weekend of reopening. That said, Within weeks of opening up in the as mentioned in previous Business parking lot of the Jiffy Lube, food Beat articles, it remains unclear if truck Jerk on Wheels was forced to businesses will be able to open up close. Turns out that surrounding additional space on sidewalks under (food) businesses can weigh in on the the City’s new Right-of-Way Patio permit application of any food truck Bylaw. This is largely because it and in this case both Tim Hortons seems unlikely that some businesses and the Dairy Queen opposed the will receive the required ⅔ support Jerk on Wheels application. Which from fellow businesses to make makes absolutely no sense to me. this possible. I’ll say it one more I get that a food truck could mean time: I think forcing this ⅔ majority “unfair” competition in certain requirement through council was a scenarios, given the much lower huge mistake by Mayor Watson and amount of overhead a food truck has his cronies and it has clearly NOT than a brick-and-mortar business. But had the desired effect in OOS. Patty’s Pub, one of the recently opened patios, which will hopefully be busy in this case, I really don’t see how all summer long. a coffee chain and a fast food & ice Space Deck at the House of TARG cream chain can stop the permit for a Namaste becoming a Thai have a Thai restaurant back in the One business that has been able to Jamaican food truck. restaurant neighbourhood! build out a patio is House of TARG, I really hope a resolution can be Anant emailed me with an update who built a fantastic looking space found and that Jerk on Wheels will in June to let me know that the space Shibayan in the parking lot next to Tall Tree be allowed to reopen soon. occupied by Namaste until last month The other day I witnessed the Cycles. The patio - dubbed the Space will be turned into a Thai restaurant. work that is ongoing at the corner of Deck - opened on June 18th and Boomerang for sale? I am excited to see a new venture Seneca and Sunnyside and it looked will allow patrons to enjoy fresh Kathy emailed me a link that opening up so quickly and after Siam like the chef that ran Shibayan perogies & cocktails (or any other showed a sales listing for the Kitchen closed, it will be great to was still there doing some of the drink of course). This is the kind of Boomerang Kids in Old Ottawa business ingenuity and collaboration South. From the listing, it looks like you love to see, and House of the Bank St. franchise (and not the TARG is fortunate to have great and property they rent) is up for sale. understanding neighbours, who were I have a feeling this won’t impact willing to support this initiative. the move back into the new condo building, but again, time will tell. Glen Ave Plaza? A similarly ambitious initiative Business Beat is a monthly feature might be in the works at Glen that highlights new and existing Avenue. Brian from OatCouture has businesses in Old Ottawa South. been spearheading an initiative to Opinions are my own. If you know create a small seating plaza at the of any new businesses opening up or entrance of Glen Avenue right at want to share your thoughts about Bank Street. If successful, this would existing businesses, send a note to: create additional public seating [email protected]. space, where any resident can sit down with their coffee, oatmeal, Erik van der Torre has lived in Old ice cream, gelato, etc. This kind of Ottawa South with his wife and seating space is currently lacking three sons for over 12 years. He is a along Bank Street and I really hope member of OSCA’s Traffic & Safety this plan will come to fruition. Committee. The - now closed - Jerk on Wheels food truck. PHOTOS BY BRENDAN MCCOY The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 3

SAVE OUR FIREHALL Online art auction is still going!

“Passport Past” by Jane Burnstein, one of the works available in the Save Our Firehall Online Art Auction. BySherry Santarpia thrilled by their generosity and support! (Above) “After the Storm” by Joan Fairweather and (below)“Reaching, As this issue is delivered to your A small group of donated Railing” by Jane Burnstein. doorstep, we will have completed artwork will continue to be posted two auction cycles of our Online Art biweekly for auction on Facebook@ and placed a bid. Your donations to Auction to help raise funds for the saveourfirehall. At the end of the Save Our Firehall campaign are Firehall. We are happy to announce each two-week bidding period, greatly appreciated. that due to the overwhelming interest the featured artwork is sold to the To see all the fabulous artwork from local artists, our auction will highest bidder. when it comes up for auction, please continue into August. We would like to thank the artists ‘Follow’ our Facebook page @ Thus far, over 20 local artists have for their participation. Without you, saveourfirehall. generously donated over 30 pieces none of this would be possible. If you’re a local artist who is of art to the cause. We are absolutely Also, thank you to those who have interested in donating, please contact promoted this event, visited our page, us at [email protected]

Sherry Santarpia (with Winnie Pietrykowski), is a co-organizer of the Online Art Auction for Save Our Firehall.

F FO O R R S S A A L L E E

“Local Musicians” by Linda Bordage. 69 LEONARD AVENUE 100 GLEBE AVENUE

F R OS E OR N LS T DA E L D E

11 COLUMBUS AVENUE 622 O’CONNOR STREET Thinking of Selling If you are considering a move, it would be my pleasure to help you! ANDREW CARTER Sales Representative Living and Working in Old Ottawa South 613.231.4663 [email protected] Page 4 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

multiple edges on its face. I used one • May 29th: washing of the boulder in the mid-seventies. Hit and rotate, with media coverage hit and rotate, etc.” Neighbour Mary • Late June: boulder will be moved Smith confirmed that when she was to Windsor Park chatting with one of the workers, “he said that he had been told that At the time this article was written, in 1909 when the sewer and water the City was still confirming a precise [pipes] were put in on the street, they move date and location in the park were unable to get the rock out and pending checking for underground so they tried to break it up. However, utilities that could be impacted by the when that failed, they put the pipes boulder’s placement. With Councillor around it.” Menard’s support, there is agreement The boulder’s story is slowly to mount a plaque as well! emerging and it is a fascinating one that has led many to find out more Community building about our geological history. One During the pandemic, it has been neighbour even shared information hard to meet and keep in touch with found in a 2012 National Geographic neighbours. This quirky and fun article on the topic of glacial erratics. project has brought the community together, including current and Wide media coverage former neighbours, construction On May 29, 2021, neighbours came out to help with the washing of the Thanks to neighbour Cindy Weeks, crew members, City staff, geologists, "Bellwood Boulder" to allow for better scientific appraisal. outreach to CBC was initiated and and citizens from other Ottawa PHOTO BY GAURI SREENIVASAN this created more media publicity. neighbourhoods. “In a year in which Mainstream media, including local we have all felt frankly a little During the boulder cleaning, Ingrid newspapers (Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa “erratic”,” said Gauri Sreenivasan, Continued from pg. 1 determined that it consisted mostly Sun) and CBC (online and radio), “this has been a win for everyone, of quartz and had some rusty streaks captured the story of the Bellwood reminding us of our connection to which she assumed are from rusted Boulder. On social media, Facebook each other and the ground beneath age and arrival into OOS. Ingrid is a out iron-sulphides or iron-oxides. posts received an overwhelming us.” part-time professor at the University Since then, other specialists have number of comments, resulting in In OOS, neighbours met out on of Ottawa and an adjunct professor weighed in. Carleton University earth people from within OOS and beyond the torn apart street to discuss the at Carleton University. Her initial scientist Geoffrey Pignotta, familiar to come to Bellwood Ave. just to boulder. Some wanted to paint it and diagnosis of the boulder, based on a with the Ottawa landscape, posits see the boulder. The story has been someone’s child did do that initially “walk-by” assessment using the view that the boulder may not date from shared, liked and commented on by after getting permission from their into the hole where it was found and the Precambrian but it is still very people in Europe, USA and Australia, parent. Some wanted to climb it, the size and shape of the boulder, was old, probably half a billion years with many of these people having someone named it, some wanted to that the boulder is a “glacial erratic.” old from the Cambrian time period. previous connections with OOS. use it as a traffic calming device, A “glacial erratic” is a boulder His observations led him similarly some wanted to turn it into an art that was carried here by glaciers in to conclude that the boulder is made past geological eras. According to up of quartz, but since the grains are Wikipedia, “erratics are significant rounded, it was originally sand. He because…they are…one of a series identified the boulder therefore as of indicators which mark the path of sandstone likely from the “Nepean prehistoric glacier movement.” Ingrid Formation” and confirmed that it is a speculated that the boulder likely glacial erratic, brought about 10,000 “came from the Grenville province, years ago to what is now Bellwood a mountain range that includes the Avenue during the last ice age, Gatineau Hills and the Laurentians, with glacial polish and “striations” as well as the area around Algonquin (scratches) visible on its surfaces. Park.” She noted that if Grenville After the boulder was washed, is the source, this would make the neighbour Jake Morrison found a boulder about 1 billion years old! man-made hole in the boulder! “The When unearthed, the boulder hi-hoe operator pointed it out to me was too muddy for true scientific yesterday. It’s high up on the eastern appraisal. This led to the highly side at the northern edge - about 2” publicized boulder washing on May diameter and an inch deep. I think, 29th. Neighbours young and old, and back in the day, they tested it for not so old, came out to help, while drilling to break it up by blasting but maintaining a proper distance from gave up when it proved too hard. each other, and wearing masks when It looks to me like it was done by appropriate. hand with a “star-drill,” a chisel with

Some local kids on the “Bellwood Boulder.” PHOTO BY WINNIE PIETRYKOWSKI

Fast progress piece, but all wanted to preserve it as Community support has made a relic of the geologic history lying everything happen quickly. beneath the street and something • May 20th: boulder unearthed that has been holding us up for all of

. o l d t a w s u h c • May 24th: call to action by Gauri these years. • May 27th: eloquent letter written In all of this, the community by Gauri to Shawn Menard spirit, talents, skills and network with a copy to Lei Gong who connections of OOS neighbours is the Senior Engineer for the shone, showing us what we can do

w construction project; Gauri also when we work together. spoke with Shawn who agreed to help champion the case with the City Mary is a longtime resident of OOS • May 28th: City indicated openness and lives on Bellwood Avenue. She is to moving boulder to Windsor also a proofreader for The OSCAR. Park or possibly Brewer Park The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 5

OSCAR ARCHIVES

Back in the summer of 1991 By Shehryar Sarwar multiple curling surfaces between decades: traffic, community planning, the hockey rink and the City pool, and the proposed redevelopment at Thirty years ago this summer, as well as plans to create a beach Lansdowne Park. Other candidates Old Ottawa South grappled along the southern edge where the included incumbent Councillor Lynn with rowdy students and major Park meets the Rideau River. These Smith, Frank de Jong, and a certain planned changes to Brewer features would introduce lots of sand Jim Watson… Park. and concrete, both materials being Finally, that summer too, 1060 non-native to that space, so that Bank Street was undergoing a Students and residents surely means it is now something transition, sort of: a new vegetarian In his ‘President’s Message,’ other than a park? An introspective restaurant, Zugg, had announced OSCA President Michael Lynch piece described its recent changes; itself via a giant fork sticking up lamented the continuing conflict the addition of softball and baseball skywards as its mascot. In a review between residents and students diamonds and a speed skating of the restaurant, the OSCAR’s critic in the neighbourhood. He noted oval; and found that opinion was noted the décor was an “eclectic that tension had lingered despite divided on the best ways to use rainbow of bright oranges and blues, the creation of a Housing Brewer. Some wanted it returned surrounding elegant plum-coloured Committee a few months to its ‘marshland character;’ others tables and carpets.” She gave a earlier. That committee included felt it deserved more ‘proactive’ thumbs up to its somewhat bland but representatives of the City, the development. competent fare, assigning it “3 ½ Police, Carleton students and rings on the dinner bell”. administration, and OSCA, Municipal elections 1991 intended to “help re-establish OSCA President Michael Lynch Shehryar Sarwar is a longtime harmony” between residents and had registered as a candidate resident of OOS and an OSCA Board students in the neighbourhood. for Capital Ward in upcoming member. OSCA was now seeking the Municipal elections of November appointment of an Ombudsman 1991. His platform included issues to bolster its efforts to bridge that will seem familiar across the this gap between the two groups. The OSCAR editorial described how Canada Day weekend in the neighbourhood In the July 1991 OSCAR, Zugg, a new was marked by groups of drunken vegetarian restaurant at 1060 Bank students with displays of raucous Street, had announced itself via a giant behaviour, property damage, and fork sticking up skywards as its mascot. the theft of the editor’s expensive new bike. It also noted that police had been conspicuously absent during that time. was planned to be accompanied by a banquet hall and additional parking Brewer Park facilities, all imposing themselves on The City’s proposal to move the the remaining green space. curling facility from Lansdowne to There was debate over the Brewer Park prompted questions changing character of Brewer and about the impact on Brewer: the whether it would now even ‘qualify’ placement of up to 18 sheets of ice as a park, given this proposal for Page 6 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY demonstrating the overwhelming Introducing the interest in a position dedicated to these values. OSCA Diversity, OSCA’s new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Equity, Inclusion Committee aims to create a space for dialogues on discrimination and and Accessibility systemic change. Our hope is to contribute to making sure OSCA Committee continues to deliver equitable services and programs, and demonstrates inclusive policies. By Natasha Gicuhi, and the In the path to diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee is prioritizing topics of and Accessibility Committee discrimination, microaggressions, lived experiences, privilege, and The values of diversity, inclusion, intersectionality and is dedicated equity and accessibility are to addressing these issues in a essential to a healthy, safe and just meaningful, considerate and relevant community and now the Old Ottawa way. Some of the activities we are South Community Association has planning include: established a new committee to • Host virtual and in-person events, embrace these values within the as permitted, to raise awareness association and our community. of issues, provide educational Starting out as OSCA’s Diversity opportunities for community If you are interested in being everyday verbal, non-verbal, and and Inclusion Working Group members and connect with other a part of this initiative and environmental slights or insults that last summer, and composed of community associations and joining the OSCA committee, we communicate hostile or negative eight community members, we community leaders. encourage you to please reach messages to targeted persons conducted a survey of OSCA’s staff • Incorporate a broader array of out to diversityandinclusion@ based on their membership to a and volunteers and engaged with cultural celebrations into the oldottawasouth.ca. marginalized group. These actions community members via ZOOM. OSCA calendar to help raise can be intentional or unintentional. Now, we have ambitious plans to awareness and celebrate the But what does diversity, equity, Privilege is an unearned social ramp up our activities, becoming diversity of perspectives that exist inclusion and accessibility really power, advantage, or immunity that a permanent fixture within the within our community. mean? is awarded to members of a dominant organization. We invite you to • Develop resources to help educate Diversity means the inclusion of all group by formal and informal social join the committee by emailing and raise awareness on issues of sexual, gender, racial, ethnic, class, institutions. us at diversityandinclusion@ diversity, inclusion, equity and religious, abled, and other social oldottawasouth.ca. accessibility. identities in a society, institution, What are we advocating for? Last month, the committee carried • Work with the youth in the community, or space. Intersectionality is a framework out a highly successful hiring community to raise awareness of Equity means equality and fairness for understanding how aspects of competition for a student position of DEIA principles and engage with in outcomes, not simply in support identity, including sex, race, gender, Diversity and Inclusion Assistant. them across a variety of themes. and opportunity. ability, religion, and more, “intersect” We received over 220 applications Inclusivity means creating and influence one’s experiences, environments that any individual opportunities, and standing in society. regardless of ability, disability, race, Lived experiences are to be at gender identity, sexuality, class, etc. the centre of our work, where is welcomed, respected, valued, the gathering of knowledge and supported, and able to participate. impressions about the world Accessibility is a measure of how come from a direct and first-hand simply a person can participate fully experience. in an activity or environment and how accessible a design or service is To put your knowledge to the test, for persons with disabilities. please enjoy the crossword puzzle provided. What are these “issues?” Discrimination is the unequal treatment of members of various Natasha Gicuhi is the Diversity and groups, based on race, gender, social Inclusion Assistant, and is helping class, sexual orientation, physical to establish the committee and set ability, religion, and other categories. priorities for the year. Microaggressions are the

Windsor Park Wading Pool Open July 6 to August 24 Monday: 11 am to 6 pm Tuesday: Closed Wednesday, Thursday: Noon to 7 pm Friday: 11 am to 6 pm Saturday-Sunday: Noon to 5 pm The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 7

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY OSCA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Crossword

Across 2. By advocating against the unequal treatment of members of various marginalized groups you are advocating against ___. 5. Promoting equality and fairness in outcomes describes ___. 7. ___ describes the creation of an environment where everyone is welcomed, respected, valued, supported, and able to participate. 8. ___ is the gaining of knowledge from a direct first-hand experience. 9. By ensuring people of varying sexual, gender, racial, class, and other social identities are included, OSCA is promoting___.

Down 1. By acknowledging the many aspects of a person’s identity that intersect, thus influencing their relationship to oppression, marginalization, and privilege, you are understanding ___ as a framework. 3. ___ is used as a measure of how simply a person can participate fully in an activity or environment. 4. If you possess an unearned social power, advantage, or immunity, based on your membership to a dominant group, you possess a ___. 6. A ___ is understood as an everyday verbal or non-verbal slight or insult that communicates a hostile or negative message to a targeted person based on their membership to a marginalized group. For the crossword puzzle solution go to oldottawasouth.ca/diversity

GMSElemAdGR19BW.pdf 3 2019-10-18 3:52 PM National Indigenous Month, a nod to summer and to some A Montessori of our country’s lesser-known classroom history is where By Larry Menard the joy Many Canadians may have gone through their lives without knowing about residential schools, the historic and ongoing impacts of learning of the Indian Act, the significance of treaties, respect for them, or theC contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the fabric of Canada. comes M For each of the last 12 years, the Federal Government has naturally proclaimed June as National Indigenous History month, to honour theY history, heritage, and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada, andCM to recognize the strength of present-day Indigenous communities. MY Toddler, Acknowledging that Ottawa occupies the traditional unceded Preschool & Elementary CY territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people, the Old Ottawa South Grades 1-6 Bilingual Education Community Association’s (OSCA) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and CMY

Accessibility Committee is marking National Indigenous History K month retrospectively, with the hope that Old Ottawa South residents can set aside some time to enhance their understanding of the history, sacrifices, cultures, contributions, and strength of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, keeping in mind that each has their own unique history. To support your ongoing learning, over the coming months, 650 Lyon St. South OSCA will be introducing a new online resource page to share some Ottawa, Ontario K1S 3Z7 of this rich history and more. Please contact us at: Chi-miigwech (big thank you in Anishinaabemowin, also known as (613) 237-3824 Ojibwa).

Larry Menard is member of OSCA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and www.glebemontessori.com Accessibility Committee. Page 8 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

DARCY’S DOMAIN Summer and fall programs By Darcy Middaugh, OSCA Fall programs Breakfast Club and After Four Preschool and Child Program Pivoting is what we have been doing It was a bit of a sad ending for us this past year and it doesn’t stop for fall. this spring with the announcement that Coordinator Since we are unsure of the restrictions schools would remain closed. Although for fall, we have decided to split our we had a small group of children in our It looks like we finally made it fall programs into two sessions. The After Four program, it was still a lot of and summer is now upon us. With first session will be for September and fun and we’ve missed them these last restrictions loosening a bit, it feels October; the second, November and couple of months. like we might get to enjoy the warm December. This also allows us to take The good news is that we have weather with others. All of us at OSCA advantage of the weather and offer quite opened up our registration for both are very excited as our summer camps a few programs outdoors in early fall. Breakfast Club and After Four for the workshops, pet therapy, tea time, and are starting up and we are able to see We are also planning to have a variety 2021-2022 school year and spots are many more. Some of our favourites everyone’s smiling faces again. Even of activities for all ages indoors but with filling up. The Breakfast Club program are also back like painting, book club, if they are hidden by a mask; we still smaller group sizes than in the past. starts at 7:30 am on school days and and of course pickleball. If you want to know they are there! Should restrictions not allow for indoor provides a walkover to Hopewell spend the week with us, we’ve got you programming, we are also prepared to School. After Four takes place at the end covered with seniors’ programs being Summer camps offer some courses virtually as well. of the day with staff picking up children offered each day. The majority of OSCA’s summer We have a great program lineup to at Hopewell School and walking them camps this year are outdoors at Windsor offer a little something for everyone. to the Community Centre and it runs Art Auction Park and we will be taking advantage of There are many programs for seniors, until 5:30 pm. We do accept children Our Online Art Auction is underway the beautiful green space and sunshine. a large collection of fitness programs, from other schools as well and both of and bids are being placed on Facebook We made the decision not to rent busses children’s specialty programs, and much these programs take kindergarten to @saveourfirehall. A selection of artwork this year due to COVID-19 and have more. Weekends at the Firehall also grade 6 children. from local artists is placed up for auction come up with a great alternative. Many offer up a chance for parents to drop For parents looking for a little break on the Facebook page and bids are of our camps will travel to other local their children off in a program such as in the afternoons, we will be offering placed through the comment section. parks, splash pads, and wading pools dance and then join a fitness program 1-hour programs in the fall for school A handful of art is placed up biweekly by foot, but we also have the option for at the same time. We are also looking aged children. These programs offer a with all proceeds going to the Save older children to explore Ottawa by bike forward to offering a small cafe that will variety of different activities and usually Our Firehall campaign. Winning bids in our Bike Camps. be open during these times and allow for start shortly after 4 pm. Check out all will be contacted to arrange payment Safety is always a top priority of ours those waiting a place to relax and grab a of these programs and more in our Fall and contactless delivery. If you haven’t and we are committed to meeting or beverage or snack. Guide! checked out the fantastic art up for sale exceeding COVID-19 recommendations By the time this article comes yet, be sure to do so. The first auction by Ottawa Public Health. Our staff to out, our September and October fall Seniors’ Programs started on May 31st and the last auction child ratio is very low compared to other programs will likely have launched for We know that it has been a will end on July 25th. The artwork camps around the city (1 staff per 5 registration. Sign-up is ongoing and our challenging time for many seniors and will change every two weeks so keep children) and all of our staff are first aid Fall Program Guide is available on our we really wanted to offer a range of checking as I am sure you will find a certified and trained in a variety of areas website: oldottawasouth.ca. programming in the fall for older adults. piece that you’ll love! including COVID-19 safety and PPE. There are quite a few new programs for these ages such as intro to technology

SENIOR WATCH OLD OTTAWA SOUTH products, assistive devices, etc.), while have a personal interest. Help make OOS a model ensuring that the new products do not • If you think the options considered contribute to social isolation. would be good for the community. community for healthy aging! • If you have ideas on how to By the SWOOS Housing/ living. These could resemble 3. Creating a community-based land proceed or changes that might be and property trust. needed. Health Group. something like the Abbeyfield House on Parkdale Ave., or perhaps a built- Related to senior-friendly housing, • If you are aware of resources that

to-purpose rental, or a nonprofit we envision creating a community- might be available. Seniors Watch of Old Ottawa retirement living complex. These based nonprofit land and property trust • If you know of property that might South believes that healthy aging, might be seniors-only, or perhaps to acquire and create real property become available. community involvement and intergenerational. assets which will accrue to and remain • If you would like to be involved in economic regeneration are synergistic. These developments could also with the community in perpetuity. This the project in some way. We would like to demonstrate this by contribute to more environmentally- organization could acquire assets by making Old Ottawa South a model friendly housing. donation, legacy gifts, co-development SWOOS has also set up an easy-to- age-friendly community as we rebuild of property with owners, or purchase. use survey form on the OSCA website. from the pandemic. 2. Ensuring that high quality It might also offer community Just go to: oldottawasouth.ca/swoos Our group of volunteers are working health care and affordable residents an opportunity to invest The SWOOS Committee and to identify needs as well as creative assistive services are available indirectly in real estate and benefit Housing/Health group members will responses. For example: and responsive to seniors’ health from growth in value over time. also be consulting individually with needs, through active community friends, neighbours and community 1. Providing seniors with involvement. We want your help! organizations over the summer. The more housing options in the This might be an information and These are some of the ideas that current members are: Anna Cuylits neighbourhood. advocacy service to monitor and we have been exploring. We need (Co-Chair), Terrance Hunsley (Co- Most people want to stay in their evaluate the services available, to your opinions and advice about what Chair), Carolyn Inch (Health and homes as long as possible. There may link people to services and advocate would be the most useful innovations Housing), Pat Eakins (Health and be a need for assistance for home for improvements where needed. It to pursue. If you are a senior, soon Housing), Michael Wilson (Housing), maintenance and renovations to make might involve a community health to become one, know one, or just Brian Tansey (Housing), Angela Davis homes more accessible. Some people hub, perhaps with a nurse practitioner interested, please give us your (Housing), Karen Watson (Housing may wish to downsize within their or community health nurse to do considered opinions. and Volunteer with Performing Arts own home, and have rental units home visits, monitor and work with You could simply send an email to Lounge), Peter Heyck (SWOOS), added, or to share their space. seniors to improve nutrition, healthy [email protected]. Maura Giuliani (SWOOS), and Seniors who would like to rent, or activity, and to be a link with primary Barbara Brown (SWOOS). Please feel want to live with friends around them, care, home care and community care. Perhaps you could tell us: free to approach any of us with your might enjoy new accommodations It could also encourage the use of • If you have a personal interest in suggestions! offering an independent apartment, new technological health products any of the options referred to. shared accommodation or assisted (remote monitoring and diagnostic • If you know someone who might The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 9

OSCA PRESIDENT’S REPORT Abracadabra … By Richard Slowikowski, arriving weekly. our financial position. OSCA President Is this really coming to an end? With all the concern over Hopefully. But none of us has a COVID-19 and the lack of in-person crystal ball. programming, it is easy to overlook Choosing a reliable psychic, Throughout the pandemic, OSCA’s the work which OSCA does related to according to Wikipedia, is no longer strategy has been focused on the advocacy. I am pleased to report that a complicated process and you can, safety of our community and staff, OSCA’s advocacy work has been in in this modern world, speak to a careful planning, adjusting to wave high gear throughout the Pandemic. quality psychic from the comfort after wave of new restrictions and Our community has benefited from of your own home. So, it should be close attention to our financial the spectacular performance of the easy. I only have one question: When circumstances. OSCA will continue Planning and Zoning Committee, will this pandemic be over? Oh yes, character of a team. These certainly with this practical approach. We will the Senior Watch (SWOOS) I have a second question: What will are tough times and the character of continue to hope for the best and we Committee and the Traffic and Safety the future look like? our OSCA team is deep. We have will prepare for various potential Committee. In addition, OSCA As I write this in mid-June, there dedicated staff working closely scenarios. continues to focus on the potential are some encouraging signs. The with an engaged Board and focused From a program perspective, redevelopment of the Windsor Park seven-day average number of new Committees. This is the real magic OSCA is offering a full roster of Fieldhouse. Furthermore, OSCA has COVID-19 cases in Canada has which will get OSCA through to summer camps for children. This is added two new committees to our dropped to about 1,200. In Canada, the other side of this pandemic; the terrific news for weary parents and advocacy portfolio: Diversity, Equity, 24 million Canadians have had one magic of commitment and hard work. for kids craving social interaction. It Inclusion and Accessibility, and dose of vaccine and 4 million have I hope you have a great day. is also good news for OSCA because Environment and Climate Action. had two. Millions of vaccines are program revenues will help bolster It takes tough times to truly see the

PLANNING AND ZONING As they heard it - Draft Official Plan feedback By Laura Urrechaga Old Ottawa South many-headed unwieldly issue. which would decrease the area It is less clear whether other Some resident feedback has been available for soft landscaping in new Feedback received from Ottawa changes in the plan might affect our considered, but will not be reflected development; and the need for better residents is helping shape the next area. It is unclear whether the next in the next draft. pedestrian and cycling facilities on draft Official Plan. A recent “As We draft will better integrate new-builds Bank Street. They may be addressed Heard It” report by City planners with the existing character of our Tree canopy in the upcoming Capital Ward report, outlines what they heard from us and homes and streets. An urban tree canopy target of 40% part of a series of As We Heard It from other communities and whether Also, will Old Ottawa South be for all neighbourhoods, advocated reports for each ward. - and how - it might change the impacted by boundary changes by many Ottawa residents, will not plan. that reduce the area planned for be implemented. An often-suggested Stay informed and involved much of the intensification? Old change to the September 13 date for Visit ottawa.ca/newop to read the Positive moves Ottawa South and other pre-1950s presentation of the draft to Planning As We Heard It report on citywide Some changes are clear and neighbourhoods will remain part and Agricultural and Rural Affairs feedback. Keep checking the site for generally positive. of the Inner Urban Transect but Committees, to allow more time for the Ward level report and revised Concerns about height and neighbourhoods built after the communities to review it, will not sections of the plan showing specific density on minor corridors such as 1950s are being transferred to the happen. This leaves a short timeline changes. Sunnyside Avenue between Bank and Outer Urban Transect. With fewer for reviewing and responding to the The City is changing the plan in Bronson have led to potential height neighbourhoods in the Inner Urban next draft of the Official Plan. response to an unprecedented volume reductions to a maximum of 4 storeys category, development pressures on of residents’ comments. from the previous 6 storeys, with less 15-minute neighbourhoods such as New changes Please keep up the good work. emphasis on commercial services. ours will likely increase. Finally, a few changes identified in Send your As I Heard It report back Requirements for minimum The Transforming Overlay, the As We Heard It Report are brand- to the City at any time as we drive densities will remain for areas intended to deliver rapid new. towards plan approval in September. identified as Hubs, such as Billings neighbourhood evolution in High-rise buildings will be allowed The City will hold an open house Bridge, and Mainstreets such as Old Ottawa South and other a maximum height of 40 storeys, in late August followed by formal Bank Street. Heights on our portion neighbourhoods, is being eliminated. up from the current maximum of 30 Council Committee meetings starting of Bank Street will remain at 9 However, the policies associated with storeys. High-rise will be allowed in September 13th. Speakers are storeys. On neighbourhood streets, that overlay are being embedded in areas designated as Hubs, increasing allowed five minutes to present their minimum densities will be set in a the policies for the Downtown and current height limits of 12 storeys. views. Try to attend. Old Ottawa range as targets, rather than as single Inner Urban Transects. It remains If the Hub already has a secondary South has much to contribute. Let’s requirements. to be seen whether the Inner Urban plan, height limits in that plan will speak up! And in a move applauded by many, prescription for infill, with little or no prevail. the Official Plan will not prevent front and side yards, reduced parking Laura Urrechaga is an OSCA Board residents from rebuilding a single- and hard landscaping will carry over No response Member and Co-Chair of the OSCA family home on a lot following to Old Ottawa South. The report is silent on several Planning and Zoning Committee. demolition of a single. issues raised by OSCA. These Affordability include proposed reductions in Site Addressing affordability is still a Plan Control; reductions in setbacks

Help SWOOS make OOS a model community for healthy aging! Email your thoughts to: [email protected] And do the survey on the OSCA website. Just go to: oldottawasouth.ca/swoos Page 10 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

THE OSCAR 260 Sunnyside Ave, Ottawa Ontario, K1S 0R7 www.oldottawasouth.ca/oscar ISSN: 0715-5476 [email protected] Editor: Brendan McCoy [email protected] Layout and Design: Bess Fraser Business Manager: Susanne Ledbetter [email protected] Advertising Manager: Ari Kulidjian [email protected] 613-276-5116 Volunteer Proofreaders: Maura Giuliani, Mary Low, Kathy Krywicki, Scott Valentine, Roger Williams

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The OSCAR is published eleven times per year. Upcoming deadlines: August 13 (September issue). September 10 (October issue); October 15 (November issue); November 12 (December issue); December 10 (January issue); January 14 (February issue); February 11 (March issue); March 18 (April issue); April 15 (May issue); May 13 (June issue); June 17 (July/August issue); August 19 (September issue). OSCAR / Glebe Report The OSCAR is published by the Old Ottawa South Community Association Newspaper Boxes on Bank Street Inc. (OSCA). Distribution is free to all Old Ottawa South homes and businesses. It is also available at selected locations in Old Ottawa South and In OOS: the Glebe. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily • On the S/E corner of Bank & Sunnyside those of The OSCAR or OSCA. Contributions should be in electronic • Bank & Belmont by the Senate Tavern format sent by e-mail to: [email protected]. All submissions will • In front of Hillary’s Dry Cleaners be acknowledged by e-mail. The Editor has the final say about style, format and content. The OSCAR Editorial Policy, and Guidelines for Submissions, In the Glebe: are available on the OSCA website. The OSCAR is available online at • (new) In front of Sporting Life at Lansdowne www.oldottawasouth.ca. Some articles will be posted on the OSCA website. • (new) Bank and Fifth by The Papery • Beside Patterson’s Creek Park The OSCAR is a recipient of funding under the Special Measures for • On the north side of the Shoppers Drug Mart on Glebe Ave. Journalism component of the COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Culture, Heritage and Sport Organizations of the Department of Canadian The newspaper boxes are a collaboration between The Heritage, Government of Canada. OSCAR and The Glebe Report, and were painted by local artists Claire and Mairi Brascoupé, and Kate Solar.

Distribution inquiries e-mail: [email protected] The Old Firehall Thanks to the many people who delivered The OSCAR this month: Ottawa South Community Centre ZONE A1: Kathy Krywicki (Coordinator), Mary Jo Lynch, Kim Barclay, 260 Sunnyside Ave, Ottawa Ontario, K1S 0R7 Élie Cantin Nantel, Becky Sasaki, Sam & Aila McNeill-McKinnell, Christy Griffin, Rob Wong, Luke and Alex Vulanovic. e-mail: [email protected] ZONE B1: Ada Brzeski & Dave Drapeau (Coordinator), Zoe Walters, the OSCA website: www.oldottawasouth.ca Montgomery family, Claire & Alex Gammon, Spencer, Will and Holt Lewis , D. Georgaras, Erika, Maria & Gabriela. phone 613-247-4946 ZONE B2: Craig Piche (Coordinator), Sandra Garland, Pat Eakins, Steve Mennill, Claire & Alex Gammon, Gillingham-Murray family, Tessa and Fiona Quinn-Crook, John Callan & Diana Carr, Esmé & Nora Perry. ZONE C1: Laura Johnson (Coordinator), the Williams family, Josh Rahaman, To book an OSCAR ad Jesper Lindeberg, Darcy McCoy, Bruce Grant, Bryan & Anneka Dallin O’Grady, David Fisher, Susan Townley. call Ari at 613-276-5116 ZONE C2: Craig Piche (Coordinator), Steve Mennill, Alan McCullough, [email protected] Charles & Phillip Kijek, Michael Jenkin, Michel & Christina Bridgeman, Melissa Johnson. ZONE D1: Mike McKay (Coordinator), Stephen Merriam, Marianne Keys, Gail Stewart, Gabe Teramura, Oliver & Claire Waddington, the Sprott family, Milo Barnett. INDEX ZONE D2: Dan Greco (Coordinator), Caitlin, Anna Chernushenko, the Stewart family, Sloane and Harrison Gilchrist, Will Creaghan. BUSINESS BEAT 2 ZONE E1: Brian Tansey (Coordinator), Karen Wolfe & Curt Labond, Norah Hutchinson, Steve Adamson & Nadine Dawson, Robert Trotter. OSCA 3, 6-9 ZONE E2: Kathy Stewart (Coordinator), Marianne & Jim Kent, COUNCILLOR’S REPORT 12 the Brodkin-Haas family, Carolyn Inch, Chris Berry & Frida Kolster Berry, John Bell, Julie Stock, Joan Foster-Jones, Allan Paul. ENVIRONMENT 13-15 ZONE F1: Carol & Ferg O’Connor (Coordinator), Jenny O’Brien, Lyle Stern, Gerald Bailie, Paloma & Liliana Ruiz, Malachi Winter, the Goutte FILM REVIEW 23 family (Joshua, Leo and Alina), Kai Bramley, Calla Rose & Justin Connolly ZONE F2: Pierre Guevremont (Coordinator), Paulette Theriault, Alaster POETRY 25,33 Ayson, Judy & Pierre Chamberland, Luc & Sydney Grenier, Mary Johnston, POLITICAL 26-27 the Walker Family, the Polkinghorne Family, the Kushner Family. TRILLIUM 29 ZONE G: Shehryar Sarwar (Coordinator), Caroline & Julia Twelves, Luke & Robin Eriksson, Joanne Monaghan, David Janssen, Chris & Andy ARTS & CULTURE 24,32-33 Anand-Danek, Allan Paul, Peluso-Pope Family. TRAVEL 35 Bank Street: Tom Lawson, Paula Archer, Ross Imrie. The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 11

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The OSCAR welcomes letters on subjects of interest to the community or in response to previous articles. All letters must disclose the name of the writer, as well as their address. Letters may be edited for length, clarity, and libelous statements. The opinions of the writers are not necessarily those of the newspaper or its editor. Email your letters to [email protected]

Helping rein in spiking home prices in Old This letter is in response to the June Fact is the Near Surface Disposal Facility Ottawa South 2021 article by Janet Graham, under (NSDF) for low level waste is designed and will Environment: “Steps towards improved be built to appropriate international best practices One item missing from David Kyffin’s excellent protections of our water and better nuclear for low level waste, including multiple layers article on the social justice problems caused waste policies?” of natural and engineered protection, effluent by spiralling house prices in Old Ottawa South treatment and back-ups to back-up systems. is the role played by real estate agents. These As an Old Ottawa South homeowner, resident Fact is, if everything possible went wrong, professionals have seen their income grow and mayor of Deep River, and a member of likely a 1 in a trillion chance, consumers of exponentially over the past decade and a half - Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories’ (CNL) Ottawa River water would receive the equivalent without any meaningful change in the services Environmental Stewardship Committee, I believe radiation dose of eating less than one banana a they provide. A house listed by an agent today I can offer a more-informed, accurate and rational year. fetches 50% more than when the house was listed perspective to Janet Graham’s alarmist editorial. Fact is I’d much rather swim in the Ottawa a little over a half-decade ago (sometimes by the Over 60% of power used today in Ontario is River than the Rideau River. same agent). The agent’s work is the same, the fees thanks to clean, safe, non-carbon emitting nuclear You won’t get those facts from groups like the pocketed by the agent are many thousands higher. power, due in large part, to the exceptional work CCRC. You will get such facts from the dozens What many in the housing market don’t know is done at Chalk River Laboratories for over 75 of public outreach and engagement opportunities that, like most other service fees, you can negotiate years. Frankly, if you are for the environment, CNL have hosted over the past 4 years and the commission with your agent. The commission you should be for nuclear. People who have a continue to host. You can also get the facts from makes up the largest portion of selling costs, so it passion for the environment and understand the Environmental Assessment documents and makes sense to check the commission of different the need to reduce human reliance on fossil supporting studies submitted to the Canadian agents when selling a property. fuels to reverse the damaging progression of Nuclear Safety Commission. The commission rates in Ottawa are similar to climate-change, should be embracing nuclear Facts matter. No human activity is totally the rates all across Ontario, typically 3.5% to 5% power and technology - not trying to turn the devoid of risks and nuclear is no different, of selling price. However, the real estate market public against it through repetition of slanderous, however the risks associated with the nuclear in Ottawa is so competitive it should provide you misinformation issued by anti-nuke groups whose industry in Canada are more highly regulated, with some incentives as a customer. Due to high modus-operandi is simply to scare the public as well managed and carefully controlled than competition and spiraling property prices, some much as possible. virtually any other energy sector, and likely any Ottawa real estate agents are providing incentives These groups throw around “scary” nuclear industrial sector. The benefits of both nuclear to their clients for both buyers and sellers. words like tritium and claim your drinking energy and nuclear medicine are indisputable and Sellers can negotiate a 1% commission rate, water will be compromised. The facts however the future potential nuclear holds for the climate bringing the combined real estate commission couldn’t be further from the truth. If you get your and mankind is huge. (Did you know hundreds down to 3.5% (2.5% for the buyer agent and information from a group like the Concerned of remote northern communities need alternative 1% for your seller agent). For buyers, some Citizens of Renfrew County (CCRC), rather than solutions to burning diesel fuel for heat and agents offer up to 50% cashback on their 2.5% independent scientists and regulators who are electricity?) Should Canada really forgo all the commission as a rebate when you use them to experts in their fields, you are doing a disservice benefits and huge potential of nuclear because of purchase a home. to the readers of this paper. a highly improbable worst-case scenario - which Bringing real estate agents fees back down to Fact is we all receive, and benefit from, low has worst-case consequences equivalent to eating earth is one way we can all help rein in spiking amounts of radiation every day. Fact is Canada a banana? home prices in Old Ottawa South. has a globally recognized, independent, expert regulator. Sincerely, Pierre Sadik, OOS Resident Sue D’Eon

SENIOR WATCH OLD OTTAWA SOUTH Primary Medical Care available in the neighbourhood By Carolyn Inch want to thank the respondents who team that would address the health “Neighbourhood Health Care.” contacted us with this information, needs of our aging community. The OSCA/SWOOS Health Group The question posed by Seniors Watch which they received through local If you are interested in this effort, is Anna Cuylits, Terrance Hunsley, of Old Ottawa South (SWOOS) social media. Our neighbourhoods please contact us with your ideas Carolyn Inch and Peter Heyck. about the current need for doctors are a tight community. and energy at SWOOS2018@gmail. in the three neighbourhoods (OOS, SWOOS plans to continue to work com. Indicate in the subject line OOE and the Glebe) was answered toward some form of primary health resoundingly in the affirmative. care in a more easily accessible Someone appears to have been location in support of the Official listening! There are now several new Plan vision of a 15-minute walkable family doctors opening up in two neighbourhood. As mentioned in different locations. our last article, we would like a A new family doctor is starting Nurse Practitioner linked to a health at Lamira Medical Centre, at Bank and Kilborn in Alta Vista. The phone number there is 613-422-3477. Lamira Medical The second clinic is at 786 Bronson Ave., near First Avenue, in the Glebe. Centre Restore Medical Clinics will have 1395 Bank St. as many as nine new family doctors. 613-422-3477 The phone number there is 613-416- For a comprehensive overview, 1000. They presently offer urgent please visit our web site: care. The finished complex will Restore Medical have a laboratory and drug store, as Clinics www.sandyhill.ca or call well as other health professionals like a physiotherapist and medical 786 Bronson Ave. Nathan Gurnham at (613) 832-1717 specialists. 613-416-1000 This is all good news and we Page 12 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

COUNCILLOR’S REPORT years. One of the biggest ones we’re Bank Street updates, local business currently working on is the Bank Street changes this summer and the Bridge over the Rideau to Billings Bridge. It is a dangerous bridge that Bellwood Boulder! provides no protection for active By Shawn Menard, vibrant environment to the community’s transportation, and encourages speeding into Old Ottawa South. We want to City Councillor main street. The first step in this process came last change that. year, when we converted the two curb We are currently discussing with staff At the time of writing this, Ontario has lanes on the Bank Street Bridge for use the possibility of converting Billings entered into Step 1 of its re-opening by pedestrians and bicyclists. This year, Bridge to a three-lane model, similar to plan. With more and more residents the cones are back, and we are working what is being done on the Bank Street getting their first - and second! - with staff to extend the cones to Euclid Canal Bridge this summer. It’s still early dose of COVID-19 vaccines, there is Avenue. stages for this, but we are hopeful and hope that we are getting through the had been deposited here some 10 000 - We’ve held 3 different consultations determined to make alterations so that pandemic. While we’re not there yet, we 12 000 years ago. It weighs upwards of with a number of businesses along Bank it is safe and inviting for all residents, can start to envision a post-pandemic 11-15 tons, and it’s quite a sight to see. Street to create outdoor vendor and patio regardless of whether you walk, roll or Ottawa. Immediately, residents from across space. This requires some planning drive. So, let’s keep pushing Old Ottawa the community and across the city were with staff and OC Transpo, but you can South, so that we can enjoy a healthy drawn to it. People took selfies with expect some transformation for certain Jerk on Wheels summer and fall. it; kids climbed it; and multiple news sections of Bank Street to allow for an Many residents have heard about the stories about it appeared. outdoor market feel. We need to think recent difficulties one of our Capital Bank Street Between the Bridges And one thing was clear: we needed differently about how we use our public Ward businesses has encountered. Jerk It’s the second summer of the to save the Bellwood Boulder, unearthed space, and now is a good time. on Wheels is a food truck that has been during a life-changing pandemic. pandemic, and to help residents and serving the south end of Old Ottawa businesses cope, the city has altered I’m happy to say that it will make its Billings Bridge South. Located on Bank near Riverdale, guidelines on how we can use public way to Windsor Park this month. We Part of building a better post- they had to leave their usual spot due to space. We have looked at creative ways are consulting with residents on exact pandemic city will be fixing many of objections from nearby businesses. to create patio and outdoor vendor location, so that it can be enjoyed for the missing links in our transportation We are currently working with city space, while also helping to make sure many decades to come! network. Recently, we hosted a public staff to identify other possible locations people have the space they need to walk, consultation with Councillors Catherine in the neighbourhood where Jerk on roll and drive down our streets and McKenney and Jean Cloutier, and with Wheels could re-locate. Shawn Menard is City Councillor access our communities. city staff. Residents were able to speak for Capital Ward. He can be reached Several businesses along Bank Street to a number of the missing bicycling Saving the Bellwood Boulder directly at [email protected]. will be taking advantage of this new links, and we will be working with staff Construction workers on Bellwood initiative, and we are working with them to address many of them in the coming recently unearthed an enormous boulder. and with city staff to bring a safe and Called a “glacial erratic”, the boulder

Portable public toilet in Linda Thom Park

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Welcome back into the store - with masks, hand sanitizer and social distancing to keep us all safe. Join us for Facebook Live events Monday through Saturday at 10 am. Thank you for your support. See you soon!

With so many businesses and buildings closed these days, there is an acute need for public washrooms. A portable toilet, for public use, was placed in Linda Thom Park just west of Bank Street by the Rideau River. It will be there from June 1 to September 1. Ottawa

Cochrane Photography Cochrane SUP is working with Ottawa Toilet Rentals to provide the toilet. shop.theclothessecret.com PHOTO BY BRENDAN MCCOY Mon. - Wed.: 11-4 • Thurs. - Sun.: 11 - 5 • 1136 Bank Street, Ottawa • 613-730-9039 • theclothessecret.com The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 13

TREE TALES Brewer Pond’s indestructible willow By Anita Lahey 20 years, would be a good spot for tree planting and naturalization.” It narrowly escaped destruction Bond’s argument worked, in part during an early 90s development because he pointed out the cost of project. Volunteers replanted it; cutting the grass: a $100,000 budget annual spring flooding along the item a wetland wouldn’t require. Rideau River flattened it; and now its This marked the start of a decade- neighbours - who live in the beaver long, grassroots, tree-planting spree lodge down the bank - happily feast around and near Brewer Pond, on it. creating the woodsy habitat, teeming Each of its five, massive trunks- with wildlife, that locals now explore which snake in all directions from its with their children and their dogs. core - sends up enough sinewy limbs That first spring, only about 25 to seem as if this one tree is growing percent of the trees survived the an entire forest, all on its own. One annual floods, the willow among of those limbs is arched like a secret them - but it went from upright to doorway. Several have large chunks cracked and sprawled. “It was really chewed out of them. Others, toppled just a flat, unprotected plain,” says The indomitable, often horizontal, Brewer Pond willow. Bond. “The waters tore in, brought and hanging on by strips, still sprout PHOTO BY SANDY GARLAND viable branches rippling with leaves. all the debris from the river, and It is the arresting Brewer Pond ripped the trees out. As more trees offspring will likely find new homes wetland ecosystem. With luck, it willow - most probably a hybrid became established, it got easier for along the shore for decades to will also continue to astound, as it crack willow - that could easily them to survive. They formed little come. Willows don’t propagate via did one winter day, about a quarter have inspired the fictional whomping clumps.” seeds, but by severed branches that of a century ago, when Bond spotted willow which lords over the grounds Willow species are ancient sources literally put down roots in whatever a snowy owl sitting on one of its of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter of medicines; flexible twigs and hospitable - that is, moist - soil in branches. “That was pretty special,” books. branches for basketry; and even - which they come to rest. Beavers he says. “It’s a great survivor, I’ll tell you,” ask any Hogwarts-trained wizard help out by discarding branches after says John Bond, who’s known this - wonderfully pliable magic wands. having their fill of the tasty, nutritious Anita Lahey is a writer, editor, willow since it moved to Brewer as They’re fast-growing and difficult to inner bark. and member of the Tree Team, part part of a community tree-planting identify, even for tree experts. This Meanwhile, this survivor, of OOS’s Enviro Crew. If there’s a initiative thirty years ago. “It’s hung one, with its long, narrow leaves; its frequented by chatty grackles and neighbourhood tree you’d love to on by its fingernails.” craggy, multi-trunked base; its deeply redwing blackbirds (and by equally see featured in a Tree Tales column, In September 1992, truckloads grooved older bark; its brittle limbs; raucous climbing children), will please contact envirocrewOOS@ of rescued trees were delivered and its enthusiastic sprouting, shares continue to play a crucial role in its gmail.com. to Brewer Pond, where a hundred features of both the crack willow local volunteers, including many and the white willow. This makes it neighbourhood children, planted a likely “hybrid crack” candidate, them around the pond and along the a European cross between the two nearby dyke. The trees had been that’s widely established in North rescued from a development site in America. Ottawa’s west end by Capital City Crack willows, which get their NEW Releaf (now defunct) and gratefully name from the noise made by a accepted by OSCA’s environment branch when it snaps off, provide LISTING committee, ECOS - the precursor habitat for many species in the to today’s EnviroCrew - which had cavities left behind by broken-off been founded by Bond. branches. Their roots protect against At that time, the pond was not the shoreline erosion, their leaves feed teeming wetland we know today. It caterpillars and their early spring was a polluted, abandoned swimming catkins provide nutrients for bees. hole with sandy banks and no trees. Brewer’s leggy old willow may “I convinced the city,” recalls Bond, not live to be ancient, though some “that Brewer Pond, rather than being pollarded (heavily cropped) crack mowed extensively, for a pond that willow specimens have been said hadn’t been used for swimming for to reach a thousand years. But its

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working together to support local, and strengthen community

[email protected] 613-422-8688 The Brewer Pond willow seems to want to grow its own forest - here are just dianeandjen.com Engel & Völkers Ottawa Central, Brokerage. Independently owned and operated a fraction of its sprouts. PHOTO BY ANITA LAHEY Page 14 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

ENVIRONMENT Protecting nature at our doorstep By Anita Utas Brewer Park and the pond have seen the return of nesting Baltimore Orioles Now that the nicer weather has arrived, and Wood Ducks, along with Tree many of us are enjoying the outdoors Swallows who are using the nesting as often as possible. We are so fortunate boxes that were recently set up for to have Brewer Park and the pond, them. Many species of warblers can be Windsor Park, and the Rideau River, spotted high in the branches, and I’m all within easy distance. Nature lovers, sure you’ve seen our resident Great photographers, bird enthusiasts, dog Blue Heron stalking along the pond’s walkers and families are finding that edge. There are many species of birds nature is a panacea for what has been to view, and I’ve seen some avid bird a difficult year. Children are learning watchers around the pond. You can also about the wonders of nature, right find the beavers who built their lodge Painted turtles can live for 20 to 30 years, but some have been known to live outside their door. over a year ago, most active at dawn or over 50! PHOTOS BY ANITA UTAS dusk. Three known species of turtles are at the pond: Snapping, Painted, and them from the wild, with a hefty fine frogs, you can submit your sightings Musk, but there are probably others of up to $250,000. The Ontario Fish to the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian that have yet to be documented. They and Wildlife Conservation Act also Atlas (ontarionature.org/atlas). are nesting in the soft ground along the prohibits capturing, injuring, harassing, I thought these words from the late banks. Recently, some of the Snapping or trapping of specially protected Pulitzer Prize winning poet and essayist turtle nests have been protected with wildlife with the same fines. I recently Mary Oliver are appropriate: “Teach wire mesh, and signs ask visitors to learned a few important things about the children…Give them the fields and be watchful of the turtles and their frogs: handling frogs if there is any oil, the woods and the possibility of the activities. Interesting fact: Snapping soap, or sunscreen on your hands could world salvaged from the lords of profit. turtles must be between 17 and 19 years kill them; frogs can carry salmonella; Stand them in the stream, head them of age to begin breeding! That means bullfrogs are territorial and will fight, upstream, rejoice as they learn to love the turtles we see nesting are quite old. so moving them to another area in the this green space they live in, its sticks Did you know that all eight of pond or river could be detrimental to and leaves and then the silent, beautiful Ontario’s turtle species now have their survival. I think it makes sense blossoms.” legal protection, including the Painted to follow the adage, “Look but don’t turtle? There has been a drastic decline touch.” Anita Utas is a landscape and wildlife of turtles and other amphibians in the With the increase in visitors to these painter, and an appreciator of all living Male Wood Duck, almost extinct province, and Canada wide. Under the natural areas, comes the responsibility things. She works and resides in OOS a century ago, this species has Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA), of protection. There are many things and is a member of Enviro Crew. recovered due to nest-box programs. it is illegal to harm them or remove you can do to ensure that the fragile and wonderful nature at our doorstep has a chance to thrive. Taking care to use garbage receptacles and not disturbing wildlife are two simple things we can do to preserve and protect the nature we enjoy. Keep dogs in check around the pond perimeter and avoid venturing too close to the swallow nesting boxes. People who are fishing in the river should be careful to remove the lines and lures, as they can easily entangle and kill wildlife. Make a pledge with your family or friends to spend an afternoon cleaning up the garbage in the park and around the pond. Join Enviro Crew and find out about the many ways you can get involved to help the local flora and fauna. You can find the Male Baltimore Oriole – one of two Facebook group – Environment Crew nesting pairs at the pond. of Old Ottawa South. You can post your sightings of birds, amphibians, flowers, etc. on iNaturalist.ca. For turtles and

OOS tree inventory Do you like trees? Do you want to see a future OOS with more trees? Come join the Tree Team to conduct a tree inventory of the neighbourhood! All volunteers welcome! The inventory will start this summer and continue into the fall to catalogue the canopy that exists, to guide our future. For more information, please contact Mark www.oldottawasouth.ca Burgham at: [email protected] The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 15

“Every Child Matters” – 215 Protest at decision to keep schools ribbons in memory and solidarity closed

Southminster Church has tied 215 orange ribbons in the trees facing Bank Street to honour the 215 Indigenous children who lost their lives while attending residential school in Kamloops. PHOTO BY KATHY KRYWICKI

On June 3rd from 9 to 10 am Hopewell Public School parents and students protest the province’s decision to keep schools closed despite advice from Start saving health care experts that schools should be first to re-open. for Enviro PHOTO BY STEPHANIE MCNEELY Crew’s fall recycling collection

PHOTO BY MATTHEW BURPEE By Shannon Young delivered to organizations that repurpose or reuse them. The Are your drawers crammed with pens, batteries, and ink cartridges dried up pens and dead batteries? will be recycled. Once we have Got a mountain of egg cartons confirmed drop-off dates and for crafts you’ll never do? Enviro location, we’ll post details in a Crew of OOS is here to help! This later edition of the OSCAR and on fall we’ll be hosting a recycling our Facebook page. If you have collection for a number of any questions, please contact us at household items. The more stuff [email protected]. we can keep out of the landfill the better, so we wanted to give Shannon Young is a member of ample notice to start saving the Enviro Crew OOS. following: • Dried up pens, markers and highlighters • Empty ink cartridges from Save up your: printers (any brand) • Dried up pens, • Batteries markers and • Outer milk bags (not the highlighters individual sleeves) • Egg cartons • Empty printer ink • Prescription pill bottles (labels cartridges removed and clean) • Batteries • Outer milk bags Some of these items like egg • Egg cartons cartons, outer milk bags, and prescription pill bottles will be • Prescription pill bottles ©2021 Engel & Völkers Ottawa Central, Brokerage. Each brokerage independently owned & operated. Dominique Milne, Broker. Lyne Burton, Sales Representative. Page 16 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

SUNNYSIDE LIBRARY warm hugs, and friendly waves. of the book, there is a crack that Kindness and community The next day at school is much grows with negative behaviors such pages, that are not quite board book more successful with other children as saying mean words and on the pages, and simple concepts help to welcoming Dimitri to play and share. right side, it shows how kindness make this appealing to preschoolers The bright but gentle illustrations can make a tree grow bigger and and their parents or caregivers. by Maisie Paradise Shearring help bigger. The book takes the complex to express the optimistic, engaging topic of kindness and gives a visual mood of the text. This picture book representation of the growing tree/ has a gentle, resonant narrative for crack to show its power and how children dealing with new social kind actions add up over time. The experiences. end is particularly beautiful when all the children come together as a A Book of Love by Emma Randall group. This is a beautiful book with sets out an action plan for children an important lesson about kindness to show their love to those around and how actions add up over time. them. It is filled with practical ways children can help others around them. With a focus on community By Susan Townley connections, the rhyming text conveys simple truths about kindness When we think about the place and community connections. we live or even the place we want Another simple concept picture The charmingly painted folk art to live, we think about living in a book is Counting Kindness: Ten ways illustrations are bright and filled community. A community where to welcome refugee children written with hearts and children of all colors we feel comfortable and feel we by Hollis Kurman and illustrated and sizes. The messages of paying belong, a place where people are by Barroux. This book is not only kindness forward, listening to others, kind and considerate. One of my a counting book but a warm and and speaking out against injustices favorite children’s authors, Todd Parr, welcoming introduction for young are emphasized. opens his book The Kindness Book, children to immigration, refugees, with, “Kindness is thinking about and inclusivity. More than half of people’s feelings and helping them the world’s refugees are children feel good. Being kind makes you feel and arriving in a new place can The Starkeeper, written and good, too!” When we feel part of a be stressful for both newcomers illustrated by Faith Pray, reads very community, we think about other and their new communities. This much like a fable. The world has people and how they are feeling, and beautiful counting book captures the been a dark and lonely place for a that in turn makes us feel better about joy of finding a home and the power long time and a young girl wishes ourselves. Sometimes the adult world of a welcoming community. for some way to send that darkness seems to be struggling to express away. One day she finds a glowing kindness and children especially Jane Porter’s picture book The Boy orb in the village fountain. It turns seem to be searching for a sense Who Loved Everyone is the story out to be a star and it’s up to her of social connection and kindness. of a child who is in search of his to find out how to keep it shining Children’s authors and publishers place in his world. Dimitri spends brightly. At first, she struggles as have been listening and a beautiful his first day at a new preschool she ponders keeping the lovely light selection of new picture books has enthusiastically telling everyone and for herself, and the light starts to recently appeared that young children everything “I love you,” but when no fade. She wonders if the light could and their adults may enjoy. one returns his declarations, Dimitri make a difference for everyone tells his mother that he doesn’t want Kindness Grows is a thought- and searches the village for people Young children will be attracted to to return to school the next day. His provoking book from the that can help her. No one seems the lively, colourful illustrations of mother gently tells him “When you incomparable author and illustrator interested in helping and despite Ekaterina Trukhan and simple texts tell people that you love them, even Britta Teckentrup that explores what being ignored by the adults, she written by various authors recently if they don’t say it back or show it, happens when angry words cause a discovers that sharing makes the star released by Highlights Press. The they feel it. That’s just the way love crack to open and widen causing us brighter. She offers her sweater to a ABCs of Kindness, Kindness Counts is.” Mom encourages him to continue to separate from others. Teckentrup’s younger child, comforts a grieving and We’re Better Together form a being loving, sharing, and gentle and unique artwork is subtle and clever woman, and gives loaves of bread lovely series for younger readers, on the way to school the next day and as usual, she uses die-cut peek- to the hungry. Through these good touching on the importance of being points out many unique ways love throughs to create a visual impact deeds, she finds a way to make an part of a community. The thicker card is expressed through sharing food, that mirrors the text. On the left side impact on her community and chase away the lonely dark for herself and others. The lovely watercolour illustrations complement the lyrical narrative. This is an uplifting story Please wear a mask and stay safe! that shows the effect caring, sharing and community connection can have on individuals and a community. Joel These lovely picture books can be found at your local public library along with so many more. Harden Enjoy!

MPP, Ottawa Centre Susan Townley works in Children’s joelhardenmpp.ca Services at the Sunnyside Branch Library. 109 Catherine St. Ottawa, ON. K2P 2M8 783 Bank Street [email protected] 1280 Wellington St West 613-722-6414 www.bloomfields.ca | 613.230.6434 The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 17

PROJECT THANK YOU TO THE HOPEWELL COMMUNITY PROJECT 2021 A NEW KINDERGARTEN YARD IS COMING TO HOPEWELL AVENUE PUBLIC SCHOOL THIS FALL! 2021

Yard Design Concept List of Play Elements The new yard design features a sand- New Sandbox box with a hidden feature, a duelling Wood Play Huts slide, climbing boulder, two wood play Duelling Slide huts, and a wooden stage. All new Climbing Boulder surfaces, including an accessible Wood Stage surface of wood ber, and a paved Flagstone Path pathway for tricycles and plasma cars Alphabet Markings will allow every child an opportunity Vertical Play Panels to play! Two new trees and log retain- Loose Log Ends ing walls reinforce our vision for a more naturalized space. This design was created with help from Evergreen, Playground Designer Specialists.

A plan view of Hopewell Avenue Public School’s new kindergarten yard design. Written by Tarah Hunter and Deborah MacAskill COMING SEPTEMBER 2021 on behalf of Team SANDbox The youngest students at Hopewell Avenue the Trivia Night Mike Waddington, employees of Scotiabank, as Public School will be treated to a brand new the Wood Tile Project well as Mehtab Dhillon, Hope Mallish, Marcey kindergarten yard when they arrive this coming the Holiday Online Auction Nadeau, and Katie Trudeau from the Glebe September! After three years of planning and the Valentine’s Beach Party Dance-A-Thon Parents Day Care. And a special thank you to fundraising, Hopewell’s School Council initiative, the “Pets of Old Ottawa South” Calendar Contest Brendan McCoy and the OSCAR for including “Project SANDbox,” successfully raised $140,000 the “O Kinder Yard” Video Shoot SANDbox updates and helping us spread some to construct the new outdoor space. Led by a the Virtual Dance Classes kinder yard cheer! core group of community members - Virginia Asante, Daphne Dumbrille, Tarah Hunter, Deborah Thank you to all the kids, parents, teachers, Nearing the end of our fundraising timeline, MacAskill, Stephanie McNeely, and Fran Morrison community members, and businesses who Project SANDbox secured several business - Project SANDbox was aptly named to highlight made these events possible, including: Monkey donations through the eorts of Hoda and Dean the project’s main priorities: Shade, Accessibility, Rock, Live 88.5's Dave Schellenberg, the Senate Paripoush and the SANDbox team. These nan- Natural elements, and Drainage. With help from Tavern, Fred Astaire Dance Studio, and videogra- cial contributions were pivotal in moving the Je Kaster, Evergreen Playground Consultants, pher Brooks Hunter for donating their time and project forward this summer. Thank you to and Daniel Fournier and Kurt Berger from the skills for free. A shout-out goes to teaching sta ProSlide Technology Inc. and Mont Cascades for OCDSB, the new design incorporates all these Jill Anderson, Claudette Dandy, Sharon Garvey, taking a lead role in our business sponsorship physical must-haves as well as a few nice- Christine Harris, and principal Martina Sherwood initiative! We would also like to extend our to-haves like two wood play huts and a duelling for their tremendous support and organizational thanks to Tracy Arnett Realty for their early slide. The overall goals for the yard are to encour- heavy lifting. support in our fundraising eorts. Lastly, Project age open-ended play, support classroom learn- SANDbox bene tted from a number of anony- ing, and create a fun, safe, and welcoming We would also like to give a big thanks to our mous donations, which truly made an impact. outdoor space. valued volunteers: Julia Baryla, Christine Evan- gelidis, Scott French, Pascale Harvey, Katie We hope to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Project SANDbox would like to extend a heart- Hession, Adam Jacques, Claire Kerry, Carlynne the new yard when construction is complete. felt “Thank You!” to our community for its Kobewka, Paula Korsakas, Madison McPherson, Meanwhile, take a stroll to check out the wonderful support. We genuinely appreciate Melissa Snyder, Sarah Tannahill, Tia Thompson, construction site over the summer and know those who came through with both direct donations Anna Urbanik, Jamie Vance, Eric Van der Torre, that you helped make it happen. Thank you and enthusiastic participation in: again to our wonderful community. It takes a village! Thank you to our gold sponsors: This community project was made possible through [email protected] partnership with the City of Ottawa. Hopewell Ave PS School Council We also appreciate the generous support of the @hopewellsandbox TD Friends of the Environment Fund. hopewellsand_box Page 18 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

EN FRANÇAIS, S’IL VOUS PLAÎT! Voici les magasins du quartier qui peuvent vous servir en français

courriels enthousiastes que j’allais recevoir. Voici quelques lieux de notre quartier où le français a toute sa place.

Pâtisserie Malak Rabih Malak m’a appelée immédiatement. « Nous, on parle français, anglais et arabe. Mon père Hassan, le propriétaire, est plus à l’aise en français qu’en anglais. Il a étudié en France et à notre arrivée au Canada, Brad Lafortune, physiothérapeute et on s’est d’abord installés à Gatineau », propriétaire de l’enseigne Function explique-t-il. Jean, le seul employé de Physiotherapy, est bilingue et se la boutique de douceurs libanaises est réjouit d’accueillir des patients d’ailleurs québécois. francophones.PHOTO : BRAD LAFORTUNE Anne Taillon, Jasmine Kwade, Sarah Connell, Justin Mai, et Brad Lafortune Hair Republic travaillent à Function Physiotherapy. Trois employés sont bilingues. Par Fiona Collienne Si vous cherchez une coiffeuse parfaitement bilingue, demandez Fluid Colour Concept Salon Brianna, Allison, Catherine et Sarah. « Vous parlez français? » : voilà ce que Mélissa Lanthier. Cette native Tant qu’on est chez les coiffeurs, « Nous avons plusieurs étudiants de je devrais toujours demander en entrant d’Alexandria en Ontario a grandi dans sachez que Fluid a aussi deux coiffeurs secondaire qui sont en immersion dans une boutique mais souvent je les deux langues. « Parfois quand je expérimentés parlant français. Kevin française ainsi que trois étudiants choisis l’anglais par facilité. Alors, sur parle avec des clients, je reconnais un Crawley est originaine de Montréal bilingues qui sont à l’université », nous la recommandation de certains d’entre accent. Quand je leur demande s’ils et Lucinda Campo vient d’Ottawa explique une responsable, ajoutant vous, j’ai sondé les commerçants du préfèrent que je poursuive en français, et maîtrise parfaitement le français, que les clients francophones sont Vieil Ottawa Sud pour savoir si certains leurs yeux s’allument », raconte-t-elle. l’anglais et l’espagnol. « Notre absolument les bienvenus dans la pouvaient accueillir leur clientèle Expliquer la coupe ou la couleur que apprentie, Marie Gravelle, est aussi boutique. en français. J’étais déjà au fait de l’on souhaite dans sa langue est un vrai parfaitement bilingue et vient de l’accueil en français de Cylie Artisans avantage, « alors n’hésitez jamais à Gatineau », m’a écrit le salon. Oat Couture Chocolatier et Paradis du Chef mais demander un coiffeur bilingue ». Et commander un café ou du gruau j’étais loin d’imaginer le nombre de The Mud Oven en français, est-ce possible ? Chez Oat Là aussi, surprise totale. J’ai toujours Couture, le patron Brian Montgomery parlé anglais dans cette boutique. Mais estime que cinq employés sur douze la responsable Meaghan-Leah Ferris parlent couramment le français. ainsi que l’entièreté des employés sont bilingues. « Je viens de Montréal et Clothes Secret Is a new ride in comme le français est ma première « Le niveau de français de nos langue, j’adore recevoir nos clients employés va d’un niveau d’études YOU R fu tu re? francophones. Nous jouons même de la secondaires à un niveau de bilingue musique française dans le magasin », confirmé. Nous souhaitons que tous indique-t-elle. nos clients se sentent les bienvenus. Parfois, nous nous communiquons Function Physiotherapy avec les mains ou en écrivant le Trois physiothérapeutes peuvent prix sur un morceau de papier mais offrir leurs services en français : le nos employés veulent continuer à propriétaire Brad Lafortune, originaire progresser en français pour rendre le de Sudbury, ainsi que Janik Bilodeau magasin encore plus accessible », m’a et Anne Taillon-Hobson, nées à écrit un responsable de la boutique de Ottawa « Lorsque vous avez affaire à vêtements de seconde main. la douleur ou aux problèmes de santé, il est important de se sentir à l’aise et Cedars & Co de pouvoir communiquer sincèrement Si vous faites un petit tour pour If you need or want a car, even a pandemic won’t stop you. et ouvertement avec votre thérapeute acheter des légumes ou des plantes de At Your Credit Union you are a member, not just a number. », affirme M. Lafortune. Selon lui, saison, n’hésitez pas à vous adresser en parler la langue de son choix créé un français à Marilyn, la responsable, ainsi We exist to meet your needs and if you need a car, we can environnement propice à la guérison. qu’à Moodie et Maria. get you a loan at a great rate. Performance Tennis Lansdowne Animal Hospital Gary Hawkes, qui a ouvert cette La clinique vétérinaire m’a répondu UP TO 6 YEARS boutique spécialisée en 2017, est un avoir quelques employés qui se . % ON NEW VEHICLES 399 anglophone originaire du Manitoba qui débrouillent en français et le feront avec UP TO 6 YEARS a étudié le français en deuxième langue plaisir, même si ce ne sera pas parfait. 5.99% ON USED VEHICLES* à l’école. « J’adore parler français avec C’est bien apprécié! des clients francophones qui viennent à la boutique cherchant peut-être des Si vous avez des idées de reportages Call us today to get started on conseils sur l’équipement de tennis ou de francophones inspirants dans the road to YOUR new car! offert. Ou simplement jaser à propos de le quartier, vous pouvez m’écrire : n’importe quoi », m’écrit-il. [email protected]

YourCU.com Boomerang Kids Fiona Collienne, journaliste originaire Au royaume de la seconde main de Belgique, est heureuse de contribuer 1-800-379-7757 pour enfants, la plupart des employés à la vie francophone du Vieil Ottawa * Used vehicles 2 years old or less. Limited time offer. Rates are subject to change. maîtrisent tout à fait le français comme Sud où elle vit avec son mari et leurs seconde langue. C’est le cas de deux enfants.

YCU_648_OscarCarLoan.indd 1 2021-05-13 4:07 PM The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 19

OTTAWA TENNIS AND LAWN BOWLING CLUB Don Armstrong holds the “ladder” for local tennis players other clubs may have 20 to 30 people levels instead of moving up slowly. taking part, we have around 160 “I start with a formula, but always people on average.” need to adjust.” Don, along with many other New members enjoy the openness member volunteers, has also of the club, but they do not always organized round robins. These are know how much history has gone weekly drop-ins, open to anyone into creating that welcoming culture. who shows up looking for a game. OTLBC was founded in 1881, which Every half hour or so, the players makes it the second oldest tennis switch around, and by the end of play club in the country. Having been a have had a chance to pit themselves member of the club for 47 years, Don against several different competitors. is deeply aware of the generations The exact format depends on the that came before him and those that organizer, but Don likes to start will come after. Therefore, when the everyone off with others near their time came to restore the century-old playing level, so everyone gets a clubhouse, he was happy to make good game. “It’s really a good way a substantial donation, “to pay it to meet people or to get a game if forward,” he says. you don’t have a partner or know It is all about community for Don. other players,” says Don. “And “OTLBC would not have survived it’s more relaxed than playing in a for 140 years without a committed league where you have to try out and membership,” he explains, “people commit to playing regularly.” who understand that the club belongs Don has a master’s degree in to us and its future depends on us. mathematics, and people are always That’s what I’m always trying to do saying that must be helpful in setting as a volunteer – build community.” up the ladders. “Not at all,” he insists. “It’s more art than science. Of course, it would not be hard if the Janet Uren is a professional writer player pool was static, but there are who lives in Ottawa. always people going on vacation, or dropping out for a round, and others joining or returning. Once in a while you also get someone who is winning too easily and needs to jump several

Don Armstrong, member of the OTLBC for 47 years. PHOTO CREDIT KULANI DE LARRINAGA By Janet Uren he has contributed a lot of time and effort to the sport over the years. At Don Armstrong has lived in central OTLBC, for example, he has been Ottawa – including Old Ottawa South a member of the tennis executive, – for nearly 50 years, and he has chair of assorted committees and the belonged to the Ottawa Tennis and organizer of countless games and Lawn Bowling Club (OTLBC) for tournaments. He was also a Tennis nearly as long. Today, the OTLBC Canada Chair Umpire and at various prides itself on being “welcoming” points served on the Board of the and “inclusive,” and Don has played National Capital Tennis Association a part in making that true. and represented it on the Tennis In 1974, the Toronto-born Don Canada Officiating Committee. BROKER OF RECORD SALES REPRESENTATIVES Armstrong arrived in Ottawa, a Since 2004, Don has been 25 YEARS newly minted computer scientist organizing the box ladders at the Rob Marland OF FOCUSED from the University of Waterloo, Club. Players are grouped in boxes, Jane Forsyth EXCELLENCE heading for a job with Bell Canada. each with about five players of Myha Ewart Though he had worked in Ottawa as similar playing ability, and they have Karen Gibson IN REAL ESTATE

three weeks to play each of the others * a summer student, he was still pretty Haidyn Picco TOP 1% FOR ROYAL LEPAGE IN CANADA much a stranger in town. The tennis in their box. Then, depending on how club came to the rescue. those games went, players move up, “I came here first because it is down, or stay put for the next round. *Based on closed and collected earnings one of the biggest clubs, and it has There are boxes for every level from amazing courts,” he remembers. beginner to expert, so everyone “But it also attracted me because can find their level. Ladders are it was very open. I have played at an excellent way for members of MARLAND TEAM other clubs in Ottawa, and this one is all levels to meet others of similar ROB MARLAND - BROKER OF RECORD different. There really is a culture of ability and enjoy some friendly welcome.” competition, but they are especially Tennis is only one of Don’s sports: helpful to new members. 613.238.2801 | robmarland.com since he retired, he has also taken “Other clubs have ladders, but they up golf, and in winter he hits the ski are not as big, not as much part of the 165 Pretoria Ave. Ottawa, ON K1S 1X1 hill. Still, tennis is a passion, and culture,” Don observes. “Whereas Page 20 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

how they were able to negotiate conscientiously placed beside my down Rocky Mountain roads in phone. The note-taker did not work Inarticulate Speech of the Heart a van with faulty brakes, remains for me, he was not a volunteer, but unknown. When I asked the brothers Paul had taken the message, the proof thirty years later, they shrugged their being his note said so. I stood looking shoulders, and said “no big deal,” down at his handiwork for a long which I realized was less a deflection time, marvelling at the fantastical than an expression of love that is as nature of commonplace revealed. close as un-emotive brothers ever Paul did not have hands or feet, get to the inarticulate speech of arms or legs, because his mother their wounded hearts. And realizing had been prescribed the drug this, I shut up. Actions shout, words Thalidomide in the early 1960’s for whisper. morning sickness. What Paul did Early death has a haunting have was consideration, a desire to disquietude that words cannot contribute, and adaptive skills - with adequately capture. And yet, I the creative use of about six inches decided to write this book when I of an arm stump - that are still hard began hearing and reading death to believe. The years passed and with announcements of my early students, graduation looming, Paul’s twenty- most far younger than me. Curiously, year pending legal case against early death seems to correlate to Thalidomide was settled, he was rich, those whose imprint in life is largest. and as so often happened to my many Such as Gord. As a cocky teenager, students, he was all there until he was he ignored the adult pronouncement gone. These repeated abandonments that he would go blind unless he were both hard to take and exactly as took better care of his diabetes. He it was supposed to be. travelled to Europe on his own, and So, what can any of this mean being his own man, and a gregarious to any of us? Disability is not one at that, Gord spent considerable separateness. Disability is a time in pubs. Years later, in the distillation of the human condition, middle of his otherwise riotous and for those without the luxury comedic routine, he never failed to of complacency, extremity may hush the audience as he recounted lend itself to insight. Our existence the terrifying moment in a Welch pub is a self-evident truth borne of when a pink fog descended upon his consciousness. That astonishing, field of vision. He managed to leave out-of-body, singular gift we take the pub but did not know how to get for granted from the cradle to the to his hotel. He literally felt his way grave. A brilliant star streaks across along a row of hedges. Gord went to the night sky, an explosion of trailing bed wishing the nightmare away only light, the most luminous since the to wake in the absence of pink, fog beginning of time as we moderns or any light. The nightmare of dark huddle inside bingeing on a Netflix psychiatric ward as a pathetic attempt By Larry McCloskey was to be visited upon the light of original. Maybe we need a reality to exorcise my fear of immobility. day for the rest of his life. And yet, alignment. Maybe those lives most The orderly gig, which I got for the “A young guy who had roared down Gord realized his dream of becoming often ignored and least regarded as money, led to a job working with country lanes on his motorcycle in a comedian, wrote a travel column having something to offer, have the students with disabilities at Carleton the liberating spring after a Canadian with his wife (no joke), and was the most to teach us. For those not glued University, which became a centre winter lay imprisoned in a room happiest and funniest guy who ever to Netflix, or some such modern and a career, which over 35 years with three other spinal cord patients, lived, until he died. Oh yeah, he was distraction, maybe the extremity and against intention and expectation windows shut to keep summer from a golf fanatic who had a certified of disability is where meaning and became a vocation, a place to stay, seeping in, with a novice unwanted hole in one in his achievement chest. insight meet. home. stranger doing unwanted strange (Again, no joke in reference to the I was privileged to work with procedures, who would stroll away man whose formula for a life well thousands of students, many in tough in carefree fashion at the end of his lived was to find humour and tell Larry McCloskey, author of situations whose most endearing shift.” P. 24, Inarticulate Speech of jokes in all situations). Inarticulate Speech of the Heart feature was being bloody interesting. the Heart. One day, I walked into my office is the Director of the Paul Menton That privilege was not inherent. and noticed a perfectly hand-written Centre for Students with Disabilities Though decades in the making, I was that novice. As a grad phone message. The content of the at Carleton University, and lives in I learned that work, as Khalil student I got a job as an orderly. I’d message is long forgotten, but I OOS. Gibran wrote in The Prophet: “is chosen the spinal cord unit over the can still recall the note neatly and our love made visible.” My friend Paul, visited upon by cataclysmic quadriplegia as a young guy, had gotten me the university job after which we talked every day about how to move the needle on providing services for students with disabilities. He even lent his name to the Paul Menton Centre for Students with Disabilities after he died at the tender age of 37. Years earlier, Paul and his brothers had taken a road trip from Ottawa to the west coast in an attempt to normalize the inexplicable that had descended upon their lives. In 1976, their authentic road trip vehicle was a woefully tiny and underpowered VW van that all three slept in every night for six weeks. How that was possible, how they were able to take care of their spinal cord injured brother, Author Larry McCloskey PHOTO BY CHRIS ROUSSAKIS The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 21

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ABBOTSFORD AT THE GLEBE CENTRE The sun is shining on Abbotsford House By Karen Anne Blakely programs for those living with dementia and are being cared for As we work towards building at home. They facilitate activities, community immunity, Abbotsford fitness and engage in interesting House is looking forward to a discussion topics to keep seniors and summer of online and telephone caregivers involved and entertained. programs for older adults aged 55 Porch and driveway visits at a safe plus, with a shift toward in-person distance have resumed and they are programs when it is safe to do so. enjoying the pleasure of each other’s For the summer programs, see what company after a long break. is on offer on our website www. Kirsten O’Brien and Jane glebecentre.ca under community Stallabrass - with the help of a programs. For new members, we are few wonderful longtime volunteers now offering a prorated membership - continue the Luncheon Club on fee of $25 for the rest of the year. the Seniors Centre Without Walls All of our summer classes will be telephone conferencing platform. virtual or on the telephone. We Participants only need their hope you enjoy visits to the gardens telephones to connect with their surrounding Abbotsford House friends, exchange updates on how on sunny days and have a rest on everyone is doing and groan together our commemorative metal bench at Kirsten’s jokes. Daisy Wai, MPP for Richmond Hill, and Parliamentary Assistant to the as it is in the shade after 1:00 pm. Later in the summer, when Ontario Minister for Seniors and Accessibility ‘dropped’ into our ‘Gotta We continue to stock the bookcase second doses of the vaccine are in Dance’ Broadway class to help celebrate Seniors Month. She outlined some with books and puzzles so come community members and after the of initiatives of the Ontario Government and joined in the dancing with a full have a look to find the best summer allotted waiting period has occurred, ‘Zoom’ house of Abbotsford members. PHOTO BY PATRICIA GOYECHE read. Call Elleni Adane, our new we will be keen to present our re- opening plans. We hope to offer receptionist, at your convenience to appointments or vaccine clinics, call assistance with to remain at home some fitness classes in larger venues pay for the books and puzzles. We and register with our transportation safely, we will work with you to find and smaller class sizes so seniors have booklets on Cannabis and Older coordinator, Jane Stallabrass. solutions. Kirsten O’Brien helps can exercise with generous space Adults published by Active Aging Currently our paid drivers, Tim and seniors find home help, gardening between each person. We will need to Canada for you take at no cost. Terry Dale are driving seniors to help, and referrals for professionals get accustomed to being indoors with Our Community Support Services where they need to be in our air- and trades people. If you need others not in our household. Look continue throughout the summer. conditioned Pro Master van. groceries, let us know, as we have a for a mix of in person and Zoom If seniors or adults with disabilities Whatever you might require new grant to help low-income seniors programming in September. We look require assistance getting to medical access food hampers. forward to communicating our plans Nick Bermudez is assisting seniors to reopen Abbotsford House soon. to acquire tablet computers so they may get connected to programs, Karen Anne Blakely is Abbotsford’s family and friends, perhaps a Director of Programming and learn game, check email or get a Services. Facebook account. On Facebook, you can “like” our Abbotsford and Decorating Ottawa & area since 1948! Abbotsford is your community Glebe Centre pages to get regular Residential ~ Commercial ~ Builders support centre for Adults 55+. We updates about what is happening and are the community programs of The enjoy photography of Abbotsford’s Glebe Centre Inc., a charitable, CONSULT WITH A SPECIALIST... blossoming plants. not-for-profit, organization which Paints | Stains | Window Treatments | Wallpaper | Designer Fabrics | Furniture Janet Kuntz is offering support to includes a 254 bed long term care Flooring | Granite & Quartz Countertops | Kitchen/Bath Knobs & Pulls caregivers on Zoom and sends out home. Find out more about our Paint Colour Matching (any brand) | Stain Matching weekly emails with resources and services by telephoning us: Mon-Fri Decorating & Colour Consults other information to help those caring 8:30 am – 4:30 pm at 613-230-5730 for loved ones at home or have a or by checking out all of The Glebe CUSTOM BLINDS, SHUTTERS, DRAPES & SHEERS loved one living in long term care. Centre facilities and Abbotsford Cassandra Ford, Shirley Lee and • Featuring Hunter Douglas, Shade-O-Matic, Altex Community Programs on our website Jen Dare, our dedicated and skilled and Maxxmar – quality choices for every price www.glebecentre.ca point, including motorized operating systems Program Facilitators continue • Guaranteed fit and interest-free financing to provide Zoom and telephone • Visit our in-store gallery or arrange for a FREE in- home or virtual consultation PAINT, STAIN & SUPPLIES • Ottawa’s go-to place for paint and stain colour matching – any brand • Featuring top-performing products for all your interior, exterior and cement surfaces including C2, PPG, Sansin, SICO Proluxe and Storm • Professional in-store and in-home colour specialists • Poster-sized, real paint, take-home chips • Randall’s in-store exterior specialists can advise you about good wood and cement health for your deck, porch, fencing, the exterior of your house, and all your interlock and cement surfaces, including pools

Shop Local 555 Bank St. (FREE parking behind store, off Isabella St.) randalls.ca | 613-233-8441 | [email protected] The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 23

FILM REVIEW Documentaries worth watching By Tony Wohlfarth the rate of attempted suicide is twice disagreed, awarding it the best that of the population at large. documentary film for 2021. This month, I have reviewed two Pray Away is reminiscent of the Filmed off the coast in the Western docs – one of them premiered at 2018 feature drama, Boy Erased, Cape, My Octopus Teacher was The Tribeca Film Festival and one starring Nicole Kidman and Russell released theatrically on September 7, selected as the Best Documentary Crowe. 2020 and is currently screening on Film at the 2021 Academy Awards on I found the doc informative Netflix. The running time is one hour April 25. and riveting. The story is told and twenty-five minutes. episodically, from 1976 to 2021. Tony Wohlfarth is an Ottawa-based freelance film writer. He participated in the virtual Tribeca Festival in June and screened My Octopus Teacher on Netflix.

Pray Away, a documentary about the controversial “conversion therapy,” directed by Kristine Stolakis.

Pray Away Exodus closed in 2013, and its Conversion therapy is the subject supporters moved to another of a compelling documentary film evangelical church, Living Hope. My Octopus Teacher, a documentary by South African filmmaker Craig which premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Not surprisingly, the leader of Living Foster. Film Festival. Hope declined to be interviewed for Directed by Kristine Stolakis, Pray the documentary. Ricky Chelette can Away spans the twenty-seven-year be seen preaching to the converted history of Exodus International, an in a revealing video I found via evangelical Christian ministry which You Tube. His ministry is based in preaches about the sins of a gay or Arlington, Texas and has grown HAVE YOU HEARD! lesbian lifestyle. The title of the film internationally. evokes the idea that Christians can Pray Away is the directorial debut " E N G E L & pray away the gay in their family. for Kristine Stolakis, a Stanford V O L K E R S N O W University fine arts professor. The Stolakis interviews two former H A S A G L E B E leaders of the movement and Tribeca premiere was on June 16. S H O P ! " follows their personal journeys. Pray Away will be released via Julie Rogers identifies as lesbian Netflix in August. The running time and originally became a proponent is one hour and forty-one minutes. of conversion therapy through her evangelical Christian family. Michael My Octopus Teacher Bussee was one of the original Craig Foster is a South African founders of Exodus International filmmaker. In 2020, Foster directed and today identifies as gay and is My Octopus Teacher, a journey to the one of its biggest critics. Both were ocean floor bonding with an octopus. identified for their leadership and Foster uses sophisticated cameras to public speaking skills and played capture the beauty under the water. major leadership roles within the The images are even more intriguing evangelical church. by night when the mollusk becomes The film opens with a revealing prey to larger predators. Foster prayer scene with pastor Jeffrey narrates and appears in his own film, JULIE TESKEY McCall, a self-described “formerly which was made when he returned - transgender” person, offering to pray burned out - to South Africa. STEPHANIE CARTWRIGHT with people on the street. Turns out An octopus lives for one year, McCall leads his own evangelical and their life is reminiscent of the JENNIFER KEELEY ministry, the Revival Ministry. Darwinian expression - brutal, Conversion therapy is not based on nasty and short. The film follows its REAL ESTATE SALES & ADVISORS FOR 35 YEARS IN YOUR COMMUNITY science. Pray Away underscores this one-year lifecycle. The octopus is 613.859.6599 point through a series of interviews. adept at camouflage, using seashells It is ultimately rooted in hatred – of to disguise its presence. I found CORNER OF THIRD AND BANK ABOVE STARBUCKS gays, of lesbians, and of the growing the story fascinating but also quite LGBTQ+ movement. I found Julie disturbing. Foster anthropomorphizes Rogers’ story especially touching. the octopus in ways which made me WWW.TESKEY.COM The testimonies are personal feel uncomfortable. and disturbing. The closing credits The juries at both the British suggest that 700,000 Americans have Academy of Film and Television undergone conversion therapy, and Arts (BAFTA) and the Academy BROKERAGE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED Page 24 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

ARTS AND CULTURE House of PainT Takes it to the streets - and screens As part of the festival lineup, we The entire House of PainT team are presenting a variety of digital has expressed sentiments of missing performances and screenings Old Ottawa South and its residents including music, spoken word dearly, and we cannot wait to be back poetry, and film. Additionally, we under the bridge. have launched a program to support

Artist Danae Brissonnet working on a mural on the side of cafe Arlington 5 in Centretown. PHOTOS BY LORENZO FRANCIS-PIERRE By Kimberley Dawkins In 2020, we were unable to gather under the bridge, but some of the Held since 2003, House of PainT is works from 2019 are still visible, and a festival celebrating and elevating new art is added regularly by Ottawa hip hop and urban art in Ottawa. artists. Old Ottawa South residents may We have been working hard to find best recognize it for the annual Main new ways to connect the city with Event under the Dunbar Bridge and the four elements of hip hop in a way in Brewer Park. that is safe and fun. While the festival The Main Event typically features won’t be returning in quite the same music and dance performances, with way for 2021, we are pleased to a major attraction being the painting announce some brand-new offerings of the legal graffiti walls under the taking place the week of August bridge by graffiti and mural artists. 16th-22nd. Artist Jimmy Baptiste at work on a mural at cafe Arlington 5.

beautification of Ottawa buildings Kimberley Dawkins is the and promote urban arts. Working to Communications Officer for House foster connections between buildings of PainT Hip Hop and Urban Arts and artists, we are funding artist Festival. More information, including fees for 10 new works of public art. applications, can be found at Artists and building owners can houseofpaint.ca apply via our website.

Art under the bridge

CENTRETOWN’S 37 FLORA AT BANK NEIGHBOURHOOD One of the works of art seen in late June in the “House of PainT” under BREWERY & KITCHEN FLORAHALLBREWING.CA the Dunbar Bridge at Brewer Park. PHOTO BY BRENDAN MCCOY The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 25

OPINION Ontario’s education system continues to create havoc and despair By Judi Varga-Toth While elementary schools began the Ottawa Carleton District School throughout the month of June, in the 2020-2021 school year with Board (OCDSB)’s school surveys front of schools including Hopewell According to the Children’s Health a “normal” schedule, albeit with provided strong evidence of the PS, Broadview PS, Trilles des Bois, Coalition: “In the past 15 months, many health and safety precautions, devastating impact of the current Winston Churchill PS and Lisgar Ontario public students have only high schools started and continued secondary school structure and Collegiate as well as at MPP Lisa been in school for approximately throughout the year with a new continued school closures. Results of MacLeod’s office and City Hall. Over five months... There are few places schedule. In-class learning lasted the Winter COVID Survey include the past several months, parents, in the world where kids have been only four hours, with students the distressing finding that 37% of students and health professionals out of school more than Ontario, and expected to finish the day alone at both student and educator responders have been campaigning tirelessly no other Canadian province has had home, and each day had only one rated their current welfare as poor. to improve the secondary school school closures this long.” class for the full week. Cohorts were Despite the clearly demonstrated situation for September - writing Students at Hopewell, Glebe and introduced to divide classes in half so negative impacts on kids’ education letters, starting and signing petitions, all other schools in Ottawa have youth only had school every second and mental health, the Ontario presenting to the School Boards, been badly short-changed in their day. The alternate day they were Ministry of Education continues speaking to the media…to no avail. education this year. After more time expected to learn on their own. All to insist on forcing school boards In fact, at the end of the school year away from in-person learning than sports and extracurriculars: cancelled. to only plan for a cohorted system there was no official communication any other province and despite all All leadership opportunities: for high schools in the upcoming from the OCDSB about its senior public health officials’ advice cancelled. All socialising: cancelled. school year, either in a quadmester September plans. Meanwhile, as one to the contrary, Premier Ford made Stopping in the halls: cancelled. or cohorted semester approach. parent put it: “I have three children. the decision not to re-open Ontario Speaking to your friends on school The OCDSB’s most recent official We all have our first vaccines except schools in June. Golf and tennis property: cancelled. communication on secondary my youngest child and will have our re-opened, patios re-opened, non- And this was as good as it got for school plans for September stated seconds well before September. We essential retail re-opened, but not high schoolers in Ontario. the approach was to duplicate the are prisoners in our own homes here schools. Three times this year youth and current, failed quadmester, cohorted, in Ottawa, Ontario.” Despite the government’s families had to pivot to learning from one class a week model. A safe return to daily in-person assertions and rationale, the evidence home. While other provinces (Quebec, learning IS possible for high school. does not support that economic Parents then had to juggle working British Columbia etc.) and most Indeed it is essential to their health recovery requires keeping schools from home while helping their kids comparable countries (UK, US) have and the health of our economy. closed so businesses can re-open. of all ages and abilities with virtual already proven that schools can be According to the Ontario Science schooling. Many children and safe and function on a normal, daily Judi Varga-Toth is a parent of two Advisory report: “Closures have particularly adolescents descended semester system, Ontario seems Glebe CI students and lives in OOS. immediate and future economic into severe mental and physical currently intent on extending the costs, with modelling data suggesting health crises. Many children and disastrous secondary school model of an impact on future lifetime earnings, youth with learning disabilities 2020-21 to the next school year. as well as depressed labour force could not function and learn online. Parents across Ottawa held participation for parents, particularly Many children and youth simply multiple rallies and protests mothers. Each month of skill loss “disappeared” from school, facing is predicted to cause a ~1% drop in family turmoil, responsibility lifetime earnings... which would for siblings and other significant translate to a GDP loss for Canada of challenges. DECLUTTERING TIPS & TRICKS 1.6 trillion CAD.” Student and parent responses to Suitcases By Martha Tobin POETRY For your suitcases, I recommend the ‘Russian doll approach.’ Keep three travel bags per family member (preferably only for those family members currently living in your home). I recommend a large wheeled Un moment de ressourcement one (international travel), a small wheeled one (domestic travel) and a medium sized day bag/backpack or duffel bag (weekend travel). Using Par Lizanne Béïque the wooden nested Russian doll sets as your example, place the smaller luggage inside the larger luggage. If you no longer need some of your Un spectacle à la fois grandiose et paisible à qui veut bien luggage, take a photo and the measurements and put them on a Buy s’arrêter Nothing online marketplace group.

Le vent froisse délicatement le cours d’eau Révélant le soleil en mille et un diamants scintillants. Martha Tobin is the owner of Room2Breathe-Organizing & Il berce quenouilles et roseaux Decluttering. et fait danser les feuilles des trembles en accompagnement.

Alors que les oies découvrent leur îlot, les hirondelles voltigent en toute direction, les merles chantent leurs trémolos et les poissons font leur salut d’un bond.

Les canards annoncent à tous leur passage pendant que les mouettes s’amusent à glisser sur l’air, les tortues se promènent dans les feuillages et les huards explorent les fonds de la rivière.

Un spectacle grandiose et paisible à qui veut bien s’arrêter

Lizanne Béïque lives in OOS and enjoys walking by the Rideau River near Brewer Park. Page 26 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

MP’S REPORT Light at the end of the tunnel Catherine McKenna, MP The federal government is also each other in this extraordinarily making critical investments to keep challenging time. After a very long year and a few Canadians safe through COVID-19 months, we are on our way to and beyond. In April, the federal Inclusive country conquering COVID-19. Key to government invested $50 million to I want to end off by recognizing emerging from the pandemic is upgrade ventilation in local Ottawa that this last month has been achieving a very high vaccination schools including Lisgar Collegiate, especially challenging. The discovery rate. Please do your part by getting Immaculata High School and École of the remains of 215 children vaccinated - it’s key to not only élémentaire publique Louise-Arbour. at a former residential school protecting yourself but to protecting This is key to a safe return to school in Kamloops was devastating, your loved ones and our community. in the fall. Further, an investment of highlighting the horrific impact of Peoples and to tackle hate and racism almost $80 million was made by the residential schools which continues in all its forms. As Ottawa Public Investments federal government to ensure better to inflict hurt and trauma on Health rightly noted, these incidents The federal government has been ventilation and other upgrades to Indigenous Peoples today. and racism more broadly are public making critical investments in long-term care homes across Ontario, Then a week later, the brutal health issues, causing chronic stress, Ottawa that are helping to build a including Hillel Lodge, Grace and cowardly murder of a Muslim anxiety, depression, and trauma to stronger, cleaner and greener city. In Manor, Royal Ottawa Place and Villa family in London, Ontario, targeted those who are targeted. If you are exciting news, through the support Marconi Long Term Care Centre here because of their faith, highlighted impacted by these events or have of the Canada Infrastructure Bank in Ottawa. yet again that Islamophobia is a been the target of racism, know and the federal government, the Federal investments are also being very real problem in Canada. It has that you are not alone, that our City of Ottawa plans to become the made in much needed renovations been heartening to see the Ottawa community stands with you, and that first city in Canada to have a fully at the Bronson Centre and at community come together to stand help is available. We all need to be electric bus fleet by 2036. From Cornerstone Housing for Women against Islamophobia at a number of allies and speak up against all forms e-buses, to the new net-zero ‘super Shelters, and in upgrading 29 local vigils. of hate and injustice. library,’ new cycling paths and playgrounds across Ottawa. These incidents are reminders that trails, and investments to protect the At long last there’s a light at the while much work has been done to My community office continues to be Ottawa River, we are on our way to end of the tunnel. I have been so build a more inclusive country, we virtually open and ready to assist. becoming the greenest capital in the heartened to see how our community have a lot more work to do to achieve Call us at 613-946-8682 or email us world! has come together to support reconciliation with Indigenous at [email protected]

MPP’S REPORT revisionism that reminds us of our Let’s support real reconciliation and colonial present, not just our colonial past. justice for Indigenous people We now have 215 more reasons to challenge such talk. We have 215 By Joel Harden, MPP struggled with “genocide” as a fitting more reasons for an honest reckoning term to discuss residential schools. into Canadian residential schools, Canadians are reeling after Behind that is a reluctance to address and Canadian colonialism writ large. horrifying news: a mass grave of 215 ongoing practices of Canadian As MPP Sol Mamakwa said on Indigenous children was found in colonialism. May 31st, residential schools were a Kamloops, British Columbia, at the What do I mean by that? Consider “crime against humanity, but Canada site of a residential school run by the these examples. has never treated it as such.” But Catholic Church from 1893-1969. Despite a residential schools what can be done? apology in 2008, Canada’s The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc MPP Mamakwa has answers. He We can also urge the Catholic Department of Justice is fighting First Nation made this discovery, has demanded an investigation of Church follow the example of those seeking redress in court, and it confirmed an unsettling fact: all former residential schools in Vancouver Archbishop Michael while others are fighting efforts to that Canada and many churches Ontario for similar mass graves, and Miller, and offer a clear apology seek equal education funding for attempted a genocide of Indigenous that appeal was granted. That was and release of information about the Indigenous children (on and off Peoples. Indigenous children were positive news. church’s role in operating 60 percent reserve). taken from their families, and some Allies of Indigenous Peoples must of residential schools (as per TRC And Canadian politicians - like never came home. take action too. We are all Treaty recommendation #58). Archbishop Senator Lynn Belak, and Erin Since Justice Murray Sinclair People, and we all have a role to Miller has urged his colleagues O’Toole - have openly talked about presented the findings of Canada’s play in walking an honest path of across Canada to follow his example, the allegedly positive elements of Truth and Reconciliation reconciliation. one already set by other churches residential schools. This is appalling Commission (TRC), some have We can read the 94 TRC involved with residential schools. recommendations, and the National I have written to Ottawa-Cornwall Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Archbishop Marcel Damphousse to Indigenous Women and Girls. We can encourage this course of action, and I National Capital Commission insist the Ford Government reverse encourage you to do the same. Driveways closed to motor vehicles its cuts made in 2018 to a TRC Finally, I encourage you to review of Ontario’s public-school support Councillors Jeff Leiper, curriculum. Catherine McKenney, and Theresa Queen Elizabeth Driveway We can write and call our MP, Kavanagh’s call for renaming the (from Fifth Avenue to Somerset Street): Catherine McKenna, and ask her Sir John A. MacDonald Parkway. Weekends 9 am to 5 pm. government to implement the NDP In 2012, we named a crucial artery motion that passed on June 7, calling of Ottawa Centre after an architect Colonel By Drive on the federal government to end of Canadian residential schools. We its legal battles against First Nation need an Indigenous-led process to (from Daly Avenue to Canal Woods Terrace, near children and Residential School seek change. Sign the petition at Bronson): Survivors, accelerate adoption renametheparkway.ca, and let’s help 24 hours a day, seven days a week beginning July 2, and of the TRC calls to action, and make that happen. running until September 6. implement the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls report’s calls for justice. The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 27

OTTAWA SOUTH COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEE SUPPORT Community partners By Bev Davis and and is run by the Anglican Diocese mentorship, coaching and faith youth employment program visit Kevin Mills in partnership with community formation. The program runs from the website: www.ymcaywca and organizations. This program includes September to June. The Program search for “Your Job Story - Youth five parts, an important one being Director and primary contact is Employment Program.” An extremely important component a work placement with community Donna Rourke (donna-rourke@ As the Ottawa South Committee of the work of the Ottawa South organizations such as day care ottawa.anglican.ca) and applications for Refugee Support awaits the Committee for Refugee Support centres, long-term care facilities, are being solicited for this program. arrival of our next family, we (OSCRS) is to assist in the successful Habitat for Humanity and the Ottawa It is open to all youth. The YMCA/ continue to look for community social and economic integration Police Services. Interns gain work YWCA youth employment program, partners, volunteers and financial of refugees. Our efforts have skills in a safe work environment and although focused on marginalized donations. We can be reached at: been concentrated both on adults receive a stipend. youth, is very helpful for new [email protected]. Donations and youth. Last month’s OSCAR An example of a successful arrivals 15 to 30 years of age. The by cheque can be made to Trinity article included a feature on two placement is the employment of 10-week program provides four Anglican Church (mark it for refugee adults pursuing training and three grade 12 refugees at a long- weeks of in-class training on life OSCRS) and sent to 1230 Bank St, employment as Personal Support term care facility. The students skills, employment readiness, career Ottawa, K1S 3Y3. We can also be Workers. This month’s feature looks were contemplating a career option guidance and career exploration. found on Canada Helps at: www. at what is available for youth. Two working with older adults. As a There is also a 6-week paid work canadahelps.org/en/charities/trinity- partners we have in the community result of this placement, one student placement under the guidance of a anglican-church are the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa applied for nursing, another to a youth mentor. Some of the OSCRS’ (Youth Internship Program), and the social work program specializing in refugees have accessed online YMCA/YWCA (Youth Employment gerontology while another pursued employment workshops but given Bev Davis and Kevin Mills are co- Support Program). studies in restorative care for older the COVID-19 restrictions, on-site chairs of the OSCRS and live in OOS The Youth Internship Program adults. Other elements of the YIP employment opportunities have been (YIP) is focused on youth ages 17-21 include leadership skill development, limited. For further details about the

MAYOR’S REPORT The path to a greener city By Jim Watson, Mayor City’s carbon dioxide emissions by of the ORAP, will greatly reduce a remarkable 1,200 metric tonnes the frequency of sewage overflows As we’re starting to get a glimpse every year and translates into a 55% entering the Ottawa River during of a return to normal life in Ottawa, reduction in energy consumption, storms, thereby protecting our water, the warm days of spring reminded us equivalent to $4 million in annual the fish habitat and our beaches. that the climate is not what it used to savings. be. Rain in February, snow in April, Wishing you all a wonderful 30+ degrees in May and our city has Trees summer and I hope you will enjoy seen more natural disasters in the In addition to my commitment to all the beautiful parks, paths, and last three years than we had in the plant 500,000 trees during this term beaches that Ottawa has to offer. previous half century. Environment of Council, the new and strengthened For more information on the City’s Week in Ottawa took place in early Tree Protection By-law will help environmental initiatives, please June, and I am proud to share a few better preserve and protect our urban visit: www.JimWatsonOttawa.ca ambitious projects that the City is canopy. undertaking to ensure our greenspace and waterways are protected for Waste diversion future generations: The City has seen a significant increase in diversion of organic What do you do if a tree has been removed illegally? Climate Change Master Plan waste. In 2019, the City collected In October 2020, Council 9% more organic, leaf and yard If you see a tree being cut down, there are several ways to check if a unanimously approved the Climate waste than in 2018, and a further tree permit has been issued: Change Master Plan, including 15% increase was observed in Energy Evolution, an energy 2020. We also saw a 37% increase 1. Check if there is a development sign on the property. If there is an transition strategy for Ottawa. This in the number of multi-residential active planning application for the property, there will be a large sign aggressive plan sets the framework properties with a Green Bin program. with information about the proposal. Call the City’s Planner identified for Ottawa to achieve a reduction of on the sign and ask if tree removal has been approved. community GHG emissions of 100% Greener buildings by 2050. The Ottawa Public Library and 2. Check if there is a distinctive tree permit posted on the property Library & Archives Canada Joint and/or on the tree. The by-law requires that all distinctive tree permits Electrification of transit Facility will be a state-of-the-art are posted on the property for 7 days prior to removal and 7 days Once fully operational, the LRT building. Scheduled to open in 2025, following the removal. Notice of the permit must also be posted on the Stage 2 alone will reduce GHG it is being designed to be a Net Zero tree itself for 7 days prior to removal. emissions by 110,000 tonnes per Carbon facility. On the residential year. As part of a pilot project, four side, the new Better Homes Loan 3. Call 3-1-1 and ask if a tree permit has been issued for the address electric buses will be in service this Program will provide low-interest fall, marking the first step towards loans to homeowners for the green If you determine that a tree permit has not been issued for a tree the electrification of the OC Transpo retrofitting of their properties. removal or if it is unclear if a permit has been issued, please phone bus fleet, which will help the City 3-1-1 and indicate the address of the tree removal. A service request reach its 2050 goal. Water will be sent out to the City Forestry Inspector for the area and they The 17 projects that make up the will visit the site to investigate. LED streetlights Ottawa River Action Plan (ORAP) Hydro Ottawa has so far converted are all designed to enhance the health If you have, or believe that you have, witnessed an illegal tree cutting, 53,000 of our city’s streetlights from of the Ottawa River. The Combined please note down any pertinent information related to the removal to traditional lamps to energy-efficient Sewage Storage Tunnel (CSST), provide to the city’s Forestry team if requested. LED. This project decreased the one of the most important projects Page 28 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

Squinting in the bright sun By Evan Pilkington then expands, pushing against its make the most of the climate by comparison, the famously imposing confines, widening any crevice- and repeatedly trying (and failing) to find .44 Magnum handgun, preferred Ottawa can be cold. Not moderately deepening dismay for Ottawa-based a method for containing ice. Edward by Clint Eastwood in the Dirty chilly, or wishing you’d brought homeowners. first attempted to seal and freeze Harry movies, only manages ¾ of along your sweater-type cold. I mean My steps are solid concrete, water inside empty artillery shells that force at a paltry 36,000 psi. truly frightening, permanently-stick- possibly weighing more than 1,500 of various shapes and sizes. Soon And in case you’re wondering, the your-tongue-to-a-metal-pole freezing. pounds. It boggles the mind to think after, the Major would appear from force of a punch by Mike Tyson, a Recently recognized as the coldest about the miniscule volume of water his snow-buried tent (presumably devastatingly effective heavyweight capital city on Earth, our frigid that could’ve slipped into such an with a cup of tea) to find cast iron boxer, is only a meagre 1,800 psi. supremacy is undisputed. ultrathin fissure last Fall, freezing remains of those shells scattered over Standing in the warm springtime Squinting in the bright sun as I and then expanding significantly a 475-foot radius, following minor sun, looking at my slowly eroding emerged from hibernation to my enough to force my once stalwart pressure-induced explosions. Perhaps steps, I am content to witness such front porch this past spring, I noticed steps into an apologetic grey pile. wisely fearing shrapnel wounds, astounding physics from a distance. that a once small hairline crack My disappointment over the frailty Williams then tried securing the It leaves me wondering whether in my cement steps had somehow of my porch switched to admiration armaments in place using chains and anyone has taken the step to create widened dramatically over the and curiosity for the powerful force metal hooks, only to see them split specialized ice energy conversion- winter. Irritated by the prospect of of nature, quietly flexing at my front handily in two by the expanding ice based devices to lift, wedge, or push pricey repairs, my spirits were mildly door. within. heavy loads efficiently. I’ll make note lifted when I learned there is a tidy My desire to learn more about the The Major’s mildly hazardous to explore this idea for future story name for what I’d observed. Frost potential of this power was echoed in experiments nicely demonstrate that writing. But for now, I’m going back wedging - not to be confused with a written letter sent from one Major freezing water can generate intense inside to research how close we are the playground term, frost wedgie, Edward Williams to his Commanding force. Modern physics researchers to time traveling, in hopes of jumping which is a nervously whispered Officer in the winter of 1784. In it have since revealed that frozen water back to last spring and repairing that label for a startling bit of winter we learn that Major Williams had will expand 10% beyond its original costly hairline crack… nastiness perpetrated by schoolyard been stationed in frigid Northern size, creating a relentless pressure bullies. Frost wedging is when Quebec. During Major Williams’s of up to 43,000 pounds per square Evan Pilkington lives in OOS. water rolls into a crack, freezes and downtime, he endeavoured to inch (psi) to escape any confines. By

TECHNOLOGY TRICKS AND TIPS

Do’s and don’ts find lots more interesting and fun users are still fine without an anti- Power and then Shut Down. With By Malcolm and John content that benefits from the larger virus, and Windows 10 comes with any laptop, always be sure that the screen and improved sound. Even its own free and built-in “Windows computer is fully shut down before Harding, of Compu-Home a Zoom meeting takes on an extra Security” that is as effective as closing the lid; to do so too soon may dimension when the participants are anything you can pay for. actually abort the shut-down process By the time you are reading this we life-sized. and cause problems during start-up. are well into summer and we hope Do that you are enjoying nice weather Don’t Diligently follow the very old rule Do and a somewhat more relaxed way Pay for expensive virus protection. of keeping liquids off the computer Learn how to check the state of of life. This is perhaps not the sort of We have found in recent years that desk. A few times a month we get your hard disk and don’t fill it much time for a rigid list of rules but please the commercial versions of anti-virus calls from people who have spilled past 80% of its capacity. We have do keep in mind that our goal is a utilities do a fine job of protecting everything from tea, to… (you don’t passed through a few years of having happier technology user. you from viruses but they have want to know) into their laptops. This overly-huge-capacity hard disks on become so bloated with add-ons is an expensive and time-consuming computers and now have moved Do (that we really don’t need) that they repair if indeed a repair is even on to the age of faster and more Learn how to patch your laptop to have a serious impact on the speed possible. Laptop keyboards have to reliable solid state drives, but they your TV with an inexpensive HDMI and efficiency of all but the newest, be ordered, sometimes from as far are typically smaller. Housecleaning, cable. YouTube alone will make the fastest and most powerful computers. away as China, and the repair cost avoiding duplication of your files, project worth the effort, and you will In our opinion Macintosh and tablet can sometimes make replacing the and possibly even swapping in a laptop a better alternative. larger drive will allow your computer to manage itself more efficiently. Don’t Assume that one problem or a Do computer’s age automatically means Take a moment to observe and that it is time to buy a new one. A assess your system when everything wide range of glitches can affect is working perfectly. Which lights on a computer’s performance and your modem flash, and which burn often they are quick and easy to fix steadily? Which sockets on the back inexpensively. An assessment by a of your desktop computer are being knowledgeable friend or technician used and which are extras? What are will cost very little if anything and the official names of the applications your trusty computer may get a new you use regularly? What messages lease on life. appear on your screen every time you start up and shut down? Being Do familiar with the little things when all Turn off your computer correctly. is well will help with your diagnosis Simply pressing the power switch when something goes wrong. or button until the screen goes dark can actually cause damage or at least Contact Compu-Home at 613-731- interfere with the proper operation 5954 to discuss this column, share of your software. On a Macintosh, your opinions and suggest subjects click on the Apple logo in the top-left for future columns. Our email and then click on Shut Down. On a address is [email protected] Windows machine there is one extra and our website is www.compu-home. step: Click on the Start (Windows) com button in the bottom-left, click on The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 29

TASTY TIDBITS FROM TRILLIUM BAKERY It’s been a slice! Piranhas and pizzas (a gripping little true story) By Jocelyn LeRoy myself – bloated with potatoes, it could lead to entrapment under piranha bite. “Wow, a real piranha having had all the toppings. the table. So, I gingerly drop some bite.” The unfortunate pet owner said Aroma of pizza is wafting up from Everything from sour cream to napkins, hoping to cover the puddle he enjoyed the attention. the balcony below, outside my caramel to bacon to bee pollen. I so that other diners wouldn’t put their After the finger was sewn up, bungalow in the sky. It reminds me of begin to see that all the fast food briefcases in the salad dressing. which the piranha had chewed to my last trip through Chicago airport. here has a “Chic’ly Chicago” slant to The lady that I saw ordering the the bone, the trip to the river was Trudging along through miles of it. I recall an Oprah show all about pizza sits down across the table from completed. The offending piranha crowded corridors at the biggest Chicago pizza, touted as the best in me. The pizza sure smells good. As I was unceremoniously tossed into the airport in North America, I finally the world. was poking my naked salad, aromas Chicago River with nothing more located the food court. Aha! I’m I got lucky! I watch a lady buy of peppers, cheese, spices, seasoned than: “Good riddance, you mean hungry as a piranha. Fu Manchu a scrumptious looking pizza. All meats drifted up my nose. I wish I little bugger. That’s what you get Wok? Hmmm, too much grease. were individual “personal size,” had ordered the famous pizza. The for splashing my couch and nearly Bagels? Tasty Taters - now that’s considerably larger, like American lady wolfs it, which puts me out of cutting my finger off.” tempting. I’ve been longing for servings of food in restaurants. My my misery of wanting it. Quite some time later, the man a Chelsea bun from my favourite mouth begins to water. Do they have A large tattooed-on-his-bald-head who was bitten by his pet piranha bakery, or anything wholegrain and wholewheat crusts? I should think so, man sitting beside me asks where opened the newspaper while having real. this being a class act pizza parlour. I’m going. I ask him if it’s true about his morning coffee and there was a A vision flashes before me of I opted for a Booster Juice. The Chicago pizzas. Somehow, he steered large picture of his piranha - on the small was large, and a salad with the conversation to fishing, exotic end of a hook, caught in the Chicago grilled chicken on top. I slither into fish, pet fish, and biting fish. I tell River by a fisherman. It was reported a table and chair that are attached to him about my beta fish “Beethoven,” to be the only one that had ever been each other, causing my legs to get and he talks about Mozart (not a caught in that river. entwined in the chair legs and railing fish). Then comes the surprising part: “Enough already” he exclaimed, Basic Pizza attachments. I plunk my blue drink “Would you like to see my piranha wiggling his pinky finger at the onto the table, my salad careening bite scar?” picture in the newspaper, “Enough.” Dough towards its landing. The little cup It seems his pet piranha was being And he tossed the paper into the trash Since we have already discussed of salad dressing hits the table and too rambunctious, splashing water can. toppings, this month’s recipe is for bounces off, splashing everything out of its aquarium onto the sofa. I sniffed my last sniff of the empty a simple pizza dough. within three feet, and lands on the The big guy waves his hands, he had pizza box on my table, and hurried floor with a splat. had “enough already” and describes off to catch my plane. Ingredients A lady pushing a mop walks scooping the fish into a bucket. His 1 cup (250 ml) warm water by, glancing at the creamy yellow intention was to take it for a one- Jocelyn LeRoy is the owner of 1 teaspoon (5 ml) instant yeast puddle under the table, and keeps on way ride to the river and dump it in. Trillium Bakery in Old Ottawa South 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sugar walking. I consider trying to untangle Instead, he took a ride to the hospital since 1980. 2 cups (300 g) all-purpose flour myself from the table and chair legs for nine stitches in his pinky finger. 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt and clean it up myself, but I fear Doctors and nurses flooded to see the

In a bowl, combine the water, yeast and sugar. Let stand until the mixture foams on top, about 5 minutes. In a food processor or stand mixer, it is important to work with the plastic blade or the dough hook. Combine the flour and salt. Increase the speed to medium and add the yeast mixture until a soft ball forms. If you don’t have a food processor you can do this step by hand, but it will take some time and elbow grease. Remove the dough from the bowl and knead for a few minutes on a floured surface to prevent sticking. Place in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean cloth. Let the dough rise for about 30 minutes in warm and draft-free area. Cut the dough in half. Use the pizza dough immediately or refrigerate it (less than 48 hours), otherwise place it in an airtight bag and freeze. This recipe will make two 10-inch thin-crust pizzas.

ADVERTISE IN THE OSCAR contact [email protected] Page 30 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

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CARLETON CORNER Carleton University offers great I can also hear the questions clearly.” those with a minimum of five years Carleton students who can share programming throughout the summer Join our mailing list, buy gift of experience, is tailored to help their personal experiences and offer months. We invite you to check out certificates, and see why so many working professionals succeed. Learn first-hand knowledge and insight our offerings - both online and in have come to appreciate the online the skills to compete and thrive into academics, support services and person. events and technical support we are in business while balancing work student life. Book your live guided offering: www.carleton.ca/lifelong, and life. For additional details we virtual campus tour today at carleton. Lifelong Learning at Carleton 613-520-3699. (Please note that the welcome you to visit sprott.carleton. ca/tours. University Learning in Retirement Program has ca/mba. Stay tuned this summer by joining officially changed names to Lifelong our email list. You’ll receive advance Learning Program. We welcome Carleton University guided virtual Carleton Corner is written by notice of our fall 2021 online adults of all ages.) campus tours Carleton University’s Department programming registration and other Join our tour guides as they of University Communications. As exciting news. Our online format Sprott Professional MBA virtually walk you, and up to 10 your community university, Carleton means you can attend with a friend or Accelerate your career, without guests, through some of our favourite has many exciting events of interest relative regardless of location. As one leaving your job. Can you complete campus locations on a live, guided to Old Ottawa South. For more participant said, “It’s easy to use and an MBA on top of a full-time career, online tour! Each tour will include information about upcoming events, I don’t have to travel to campus. Best family commitments, and an active a live Q&A with your tour guide. please go to carleton.ca/events. of all, I have a front-row seat. I can social life? At Sprott, the answer Tour guides are not only campus hear and see the lecturer clearly, and is yes. Our Professional MBA, for experts, they are also current

DID YOU KNOW?

central area, including Old Ottawa South. • Lime 1-888-546-3345 The City of Ottawa • Neuron 1-866-995-8770 For the pilot rental program, e-scooters: • You can report mis-parked e-scooters e-scooter pilot • can operate on the City’s multiuse through each of the provider’s apps pathways, cycling facilities like cycle • Call 3-1-1 or email [email protected] program is back! tracks and bike lanes, and on roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h or lower The pilot project runs until November 30, • are not allowed on sidewalks, National 2021. To provide feedback about the project, Capital Commission pathways, or in the please contact the City’s e-scooter pilot City of Gatineau project team at [email protected] • are designed for single riders 16 or older • can be used daily from 6 am to 11 pm Submitted by the OSCA Traffic & Safety • have a 20 km/h speed limit Committee. • are equipped with a bell, a brake, and lights • helmets are mandatory for riders under 18 and recommended for all riders

What about parking? E-scooters are supposed to be placed upright in the sidewalk furniture zone - the closest area to the curb - in line with trees, benches and bike racks and out of the way of all travel on the sidewalk. So, what to do if you come across e-scooters improperly parked? The e-scooter companies have committed to respond to mis-parked e-scooters within one hour. You can report mis-parked e-scooters and other concerns, in the Three different companies – Bird Canada, following ways: Lime, and Neuron – now supply a total • Call the provider directly. Each e-scooter of 1,200 e-scooters around town. Each has a sticker with the company’s contact company has a different deployment area information (plus a printed number to but essentially these two-wheeled electric identify the e-scooter in question) vehicles can be found in just about any • Bird Canada 1-866-205-2442 PHOTOS BY BRENDAN MCCOY The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 31

Meals on Wheels Takes on the isolation of COVID-19 offers the lowest price-point for delivered complete hot meals in the city. Its role as a partner in the health care system has been underscored by the critical function it has served during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its service observed a 25% increase in demand for meals during 2020, for a total of 120,000 meals delivered to over 1,647 seniors and adults with disabilities, a monthly average of over 20 of whom reside in Old Ottawa South. How is this done? With the help of a dedicated team of over 320 volunteers! At the moment there is an ongoing need for volunteers to support clients like Larry in maintaining their independence. When asked what he would say to someone thinking of getting Meals on Wheels, he replied: “It’s pretty easy-going, great for older people! It grants me flexibility; I only occasionally go out for groceries Larry, a Meals on Wheels client, standing by the horseshoe pit in his backyard. PHOTO BY MICHAEL GIRGIS now.” If you or someone you know would By Michael Girgis wife of 40 years. “We did absolutely offering seniors an alternative. “I’ve benefit from the Meals on Wheels everything together, gosh I really been in my house for 50 years, it’s in service, please call 613-233-2424. If Larry likes to keep busy throughout miss her.” a beautiful locale. I can’t see myself you would like to donate to help our the day. As a former carpenter, he Larry may not be representative living anywhere else.” clients, please visit our website at has designed, built, and renovated a of a typical client who may need It is projected that there will be www.mealsonwheels-ottawa.org number of projects around his home. multiple supports at home but, over 250,000 seniors in the Ottawa He personally renovated the flooring with Meals on Wheels, he is able region by 2031, a sizeable portion Michael Girgis is the Ottawa Meals and the walls of his house and he has to get the nutrition he needs and of whom will live on low incomes. on Wheels Marketing and Outreach built the fencing, the roof, and even see a friendly face. Larry has found Founded in 1968 and being a Assistant. an addition to the garage! “I’ve just himself to be quite lonesome over registered charity, Meals on Wheels always had a knack for handiwork.” the past 6 years with the passing of At 83 years of age, he remains an his wife. The COVID-19 pandemic avid horseshoe and dart player. In has only exacerbated the issue as he fact, Larry played these sports at rarely ever leaves his home. Often, an international level and remains his only point of contact in a day is incredibly passionate about them. He the caring check-in of the Meals on had the pleasure of working at Expo Wheels volunteers. “They’re great, I ‘86 in Vancouver, British Columbia. appreciate what they’re doing. I just He loves to travel and has managed think they’re doing a heck of a job - to visit all regions across Canada. these volunteers.” The meal program As a Meals on Wheels/La Popote goes a long way to making sure he roulante client since 2014, he enjoys can continue to do all the activities he the quality of the food that he gets loves - where he loves to do them - every weekday. “The meals are in his own home. Be prepared handy all around… I’m not a cook, I Sadly, his previous interactions can do just about everything else, but with the long-term care system, for anything when it comes to cooking, I just can’t where his mother used to live, were do it.” For Larry, these meals mean not positive. “I hated seeing her in These diffi cult times demonstrate how important it is to be prepared. so much more than simply saving that place, I lamented visiting.” The That should include having a current, legal Will. Our Will and Powers him from his own cooking skills! COVID-19 pandemic has further of Attorney package for a couple starts at $750 and we will include His favourite part about the meals highlighted the crucial importance a Living Will that sets forth your wishes for medical care should you was enjoying them with his loving of programs like Meals on Wheels in be incapacitated.

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carleton.ca/lifelong 460 West Hunt Club Rd. Suite 206, Ottawa 613-520-3699 Page 32 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

ART REVIEW Summer art sites: the National Gallery of Canada and 54 Willard Street By Maureen Korp

Where to find art these days? Are the galleries open? No one knows from week to week. Nonetheless, there is art to be seen outdoors in our neighbourhoods uptown, and downtown. Two sites particularly caught this writer’s eye - a new outdoor installation at the National Gallery of Canada; and the 2021 edition of Tom Lawson and Sheila Casey’s front porch on Willard Street. First, let us look at the National Gallery’s installation. Tom Lawson (left) and Sheila Casey (right) on their welcoming front porch. PHOTOS BY HELENE LACELLE

National Gallery’s south facade piano keys appears to be enjoying the The National Gallery of Canada rhythms, too. has installed an intriguing series No one ever forgets a good song, of nine photographic panels by a good word, or a telling glance, as Geneviève Cadieux along the we see in “Gaze Study H,” 2017, gallery’s south facade. Cadieux’s by Helene Lacelle, and also in photographs, formatted as large Ursula A. Johnson’s photograph of inkjet prints on vinyl, are images a woman selling dream catchers in of two attractive individuals, each Halifax. Johnson, who signs herself perhaps 25-30 years of age. The “Heidi,” titled her work, “The Indian woman wears low-slung, fashionably Truckhouse of High Art,” 2018. torn jeans, and stands tall, with her There is a wonderful line of fingers tucked into the waistband. cultural interplay in the portrait He is a more distant figure, clad in of a couple tucking into some black trousers and an untucked white good hot dogs. The composition shirt. Do these individuals know one is built upon a photomontage with another? Did they ever? To be sure, a multitude of Chinese restaurant there is a story line here; but it is you references, chopsticks included, the viewer who must tell the tale. The as well as signage for Nathan’s series is entitled “Barcelone,” 2003- kosher hotdogs. For many Jewish 21. The photographs will be up for a families, the neighbourhood Chinese year, and are readily visible near and restaurant has long been the place far. for celebratory dinners. Is the house There is more to be seen. Spare all scrubbed clean and ready for a moment or two to walk around Passover? Good! Grab the kids, we’ll the gallery’s exterior. “The Three have dinner at the Shanghai! Has Watchmen,” 2003, a sculpture by Danny made it back from Toronto? James Hart, sited on the traffic island Time for Chinese! Are they open? No at Sussex and St. Patrick keeps a problem. They’re always open! steady lookout on events coming Another line of cultural interplay and going. The gardens, designed in is evident in two examples of fibre 1988 by Cornelia Hahn Oberlander art hanging on the porch wall this (1922-2021), are cared for to this day. summer. Both are rigorously simple Louise Bourgeois’ massive sculpture in colour choice and design, but “Maman,” 1999, the big spider, keeps complex in interpretation. Both use watch over all. words and letters to open windows onto events of which one does not 54 Willard Street always speak freely. Tom Lawson and Sheila Casey are Greta Grip stitches the words avid collectors, local arts supporters, “A BIG DEAL” against white - a and good, good neighbours. For a rough, damaged white, torn holes number of years, in the summertime, trailing long strings in the wind. So, their front porch at 54 Willard Street what was the deal? Were documents becomes a neighbourhood art gallery shredded? Innocence lost? Virginity? al fresco. The selection changes from Who covered up what? year to year. The display features Guillerermo Trejo’s blue and white portraiture, and is always interesting. banner, “EZLN,”2016, has a specific Stories abound. reference. In all aspects but colour, Esther Schwan’s painting, for its design“EZLN” replicates the flag example, makes good use of red, of the Zapatista Army of National yellow, and blue to convey the joyous strength of someone singing full- throated. Nearby, a little swirl of Continued on pg. 33 The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 33

ART REVIEW of someone who has lived long, and Cont. from pg. 32 knows the value of a quiet moment with his pipe. The artist is unknown. Liberation, the indigenous rights Some of the art in the Lawson- movement of the people of Chiapas, Casey collection is work that Mexico. The Zapatista flag is red simply landed on the porch, and black. Trejo’s use of blue and anonymous donations by others in white colours evokes both the calm the neighbourhood. A purple plaster of a clear blue-sky day as well as leg standing near the right porch the calm of a promised peace. Trejo, railing is one of those. This year, a Mexican/Canadian artist, teaches with the galleries closed, a good printmaking at the Ottawa School of many of the recent additions to their Art. collection are the happy outcome The portrait of an old man, with of on-line auctions. Whatever the his pipe, hangs on the porch pillar. circumstances, Tom Lawson and He holds our gaze. His is the face Sheila Casey are faithful to their

Some of the art on Tom and Sheila’s front porch including (at left, clockwise)“Highjinx,” Esther Schwan’s “Singer,” Ursula A. Summer Johnson’s “The Indian Truckhouse selections from of High Art,” Helene Lacelle’s“Gaze Study H,” and Greg Treadwell’s “I the Lawson- poked a Hole in the Sky.” Casey Collection belief art and artists matter to us all. Come go for a walk along Willard 54 Willard Street Street. Bring the children, too. There continuing until are stories aplenty to see and tell. September 30 Maureen Korp, independent critic, curator, art historian, has lived long in Ottawa.

POETRY

OTTAWA LUXURY PROPERTIES Tripping the Rideau Canal (TVO.org) Trust Ottawa’s Best* By Colin Morton To Safely Sell Your Home Safe inside, I am becoming part of the furniture, part of the couch I am stretched on. The screen surrounds me with green, unfurls before me the river at a walking pace, past woods and fields, early autumn maples EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE reddening, weeping willows overshadowing docks in the yards of shorefront houses. Birds glide past the bow-mounted camera as a small craft slides into Long Island locks 942 Thrush Court - Call For Price 410 Wood Avenue - Call For Price and, when the lock master cranks open the gate, Rothwell Heights Rockcliffe Park rides down a single step toward the Capital. Ducks on the surface, undisturbed, part for the boat, gulls overhead go on with their conversations. An hour passes, two hours, I am become furniture, JUST LISTED WATERFRONT the boat glides unhurried through its green domain. Up ahead, I know, is Hog’s Back Falls, more locks at Carleton, then Dow’s Lake, the long urban stretch of canal toward the Chateau. 149 Buena Vista Road - $2,890,000 802-131 Wurtemburg Street - $1,098,000 But wait. The day is fine, sun bright, river calm. Rockcliffe Park Lower Town I am safe inside where the virus can’t reach me, there’s no rush and nowhere I’m needed, only the sun on water and this day to survive. #1 in Ottawa 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020* Charles Sezlik, Dominique Laframboise, Colin Morton is a poet, author, teacher and an OOS resident. Sara Adam, Sales Reps. & Trystan Andrews, Broker 613.744.6697

*Charles Sezlik #1 Royal LePage realtor in Eastern Ontario, 43 +/- Offices - 1150+/- realtors, based on gross closed commissions.

2021-06_11_Sezlik_Oscar.indd 1 2021-06-11 12:21 PM Page 34 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

REACHING SENIORS IN OLD OTTAWA SOUTH One year of ‘Seniors in Conversation’ from the Ottawa South Refugee Committee • Tuesday July 20th: Compassion Ottawa to host a Grief Workshop • Tuesday July 27th: Nancy McDonald from Master Gardeners to present: ‘Digging in the Dirt is Good for your Health’ • Tuesday August 3rd: Teresa Edwards from Legacy of Hope • Tuesday August 10th: Connected Canadians to speak about ‘Connecting Through Art/ National Arts Centre’ • Tuesday August 17: MP Catherine McKenna to answer your questions!

We are also planning on hosting future speakers such as Carleton University history professors, a Senator and a CBC news anchor! Please let us know if these topics are The group on June 15th, with guest speaker Breanna Pizzuto! PHOTO BY PAIGE KAHKONEN of interest to you! Please register by emailing us at By Paige Kahkonen many participants look forward to Justin Trudeau…you may see an [email protected]! You can each week. We have found that while invite from us soon - check your also follow us on Twitter @RSOOS_ RSOOS is excited to announce that the program helps combat isolation, email! Trinity and find us on Facebook @ we have now completed one year of it also allows an opportunity for While we have been running now SeniorsInConversation! ‘Seniors in Conversation.’ older adults to meet new friends, for a year, we are so happy to share RSOOS is made possible by As many of you may know, learn about topics and subjects that with those whom we see returning, ‘New Horizons for Seniors,’ a ‘Seniors in Conversation’ is a weekly they are interested in, become more and new faces each week! The grant program established by the Zoom call we hold every Tuesday comfortable using technology, and program is available for anyone federal government. To continue the morning between 10:00 am to 11:30 hear from some amazing speakers in interested, just a registration via program, we are asking participants am, that was initially created at an intimate setting. email to [email protected] to and members of the community the beginning of the pandemic to Some fan favourites we have heard receive the Zoom link each week. To to consider making a donation to help maintain communication and from in the past year include Dr. Rev. participate, you can live in Ottawa, help us ensure the longevity of the build community while we were all Anthony Bailey, Algonquin Spiritual outside of Ottawa, be on camera, or program, and continue these weekly isolating in our homes. Leader Albert Dumont, Breanna off camera, speak, or choose not to! conversations. If you wish to make a Since then, we have established Pizzuto from TalkTools, and even The choice is yours, and you may donation to RSOOS, please do so by a close-knit online community that Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson! Look out participate in any way you would going to: www.trinityottawa.ca/give like! If you are interested in becoming If you are interested in participating included in this service or to in this free event, check out our participate in these ‘conversations’ upcoming schedule and register for on Tuesdays please email seniors@ any topics you may be interested in! trinityottawa.ca or call 613-733- Our upcoming schedule is as 7536. We can also provide you with a follows: link to Connected Canadians to help • Tuesday July 6th: Liam Graham- you Zoom. Morton and his team from Glebe Wellness Centre to discuss healthy Paige Kahkonen is a Carleton ageing Journalism student who does • Tuesday July 13th: Bev Davis communications for RSOOS.

Seniors in Conversation Tuesday, 10:00 am -11:30 am

• Tuesday July 6th: healthy ageing • Tuesday July 13th: Ottawa South Refugee Committee • Tuesday July 20th: Compassion Ottawa Grief Workshop • Tuesday July 27th: ‘Digging in the Dirt is Good for your Health’ • Tuesday August 3rd: Legacy of Hope • Tuesday August 10th: ‘Connecting Through Art/ NAC’ • Tuesday August 17: MP Catherine McKenna email: [email protected] The OSCAR l July-August 2021 Page 35

DAY TRIPS than ideal for some types of wheels. Morris Island Conservation Area: In all, the 47-hectare conservation area has six kilometres of hiking Hiking along the Ottawa River trails, and we eventually picked up the Chats Falls Trail to get a better look at the river and the generating station. The trails off the causeway were slightly more rugged, with a few minor, manageable hills, exposed tree roots and rocky outcrops. We discovered multiple scenic viewpoints overlooking the river, and we spent quite a bit of enjoyable time debating which geographic features 17 kilometres west to Arnprior, were visible in the distance. where I can highly recommend the We also had some lively iced raspberry scones and other discussions about the wildflowers treats at Urban Farm Girls Bakery blooming below the trails’ canopy of and Café (135 John Street North, sugar maples, white birches and other Arnprior). Alternatively, you could trees. Fortunately, a phone app called head back toward OOS and stop en PlantNet came to our rescue, helping route at The Diefenbunker: Canada’s us identify (we think) red columbine Cold War Museum (3929 Carp Road, and lesser yellow lady’s slipper. Carp). Finally, if the Ontario-Quebec For paddlers, Morris Island has border has re-opened to non-essential several boat launches along its travel by the time you read this, you sheltered bays. (Boating in the open could take the car ferry from Fitzroy area of the river is prohibited, due to Harbour to Quyon, Quebec, and currents from the dam.) Bring your explore the Pontiac region of the binoculars to look for shorebirds Outaouais before following Highway hunting for food in the shallows, as 148 east to Gatineau. well as turtles sunning themselves on rocks and logs. Amy spotted a cluster Laura Byrne Paquet is an of turtles from the causeway and, OOS resident and writer. This once she steered my gaze in the right article is also available on her direction, I saw them, too. It was hard OttawaRoadTrips.com website, not to; as Amy observed, they were where you can also find information Morris Island’s most distinctive feature is the flat, 1.8-kilometre causeway. the size of dinner plates. on her new guidebook, Ottawa Road PHOTOS BY LAURA BYRNE PAQUET If you want to expand your visit Trips: Your 100km Getaway Guide. into a full-day trip, you could drive By Laura Byrne Paquet already taken. A four-hour parking pass costs $6 from the ticket machine One of many things I love about near the trailhead (coins or credit Ottawa is the fact that it’s so only). At the entrance, you’ll also ridiculously large. It clocks in at find an accessible washroom, along a hefty 2,778 square kilometres - with large signs providing details on bigger than Luxembourg, Mauritius, the conservation area’s trails, flora, Singapore or Dominica (thank you, fauna and history. Wikipedia). To begin, we set off along one ON SALE As a result, you’ll find many of Morris Island’s most distinctive spots within the city limits that feel features: the flat, 1.8-kilometre 44th Street Ribs 99 Apna T Gul Jamum 49 Maplewood Smoked or far from the urban hubbub. On a causeway, originally a railbed. The eeaa Indian Style Frozen Cake Honey Garlic 595g 850gs eeaa recent outing, my friend Amy and train line was relocated in the 1920s 9 7 I explored one such place: Morris to accommodate construction of the Island Conservation Area, bordering Chats Falls Generating Station, now the Ottawa River in Ottawa’s far west operated jointly by Ontario Power end (156 Morris Island Drive, Fitzroy Generation and Hydro Québec. Boreal Botanical Harbour). The 70-kilometre drive The Causeway Trail is accessible 0 Sugar Drink took about 50 minutes from OOS. for visitors using strollers, New! Blueberry Spruce & Lion’s Mane 355ml When we reached the parking lot at wheelchairs and other non-motorized Assorted Pizza toppings from Bellitalia about 9:45 am on a sunny Saturday, gear. However, much of it is Italian Classic Pepperoni 175g many of the parking spots were gravelled, which may make it less Tuscany Chicken 150g 9 9 Italian Sausage 150g 9 4 Smoked Bacon 150g 4 eeaa 4 eeaa

Tradition Lemonade Gluten Free Made with Spring Water with Pizza Crust real Lemon Juice 1.75L 2un RTE 224g 99 99 4 ea 5 eeaa 754 Bank Street (613) 232-9466 Monday to Friday 8:00am - 10:00pm Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm Sunday 9:00am - 8:00pm www.metroglebe.com Page 36 The OSCAR l July-August 2021

Congratulations to all school graduates!

The class of 2021 graduates, at all levels, missed an in-person graduation this year because of the pandemic. PHOTO BY BRENDAN MCCOY

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